bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tropical dry forest trees and the relationship between local abundance and geographic range
Authors: Williams John N. , Viers Joshua H. , Schwartz Mark W. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractAim  To test the macroecological principle that a positive relationship exists between local abundance and geographic range size for tree communities in the tropical dry forest.Location  Two tropical dry forest (TDF) regions on the Pacific coast of Mexico: one near Chamela, Jalisco; the other near Huatulco, Oaxaca.Methods  We recorded species presence and relative abundance of trees and lianas from over 40 locales in each of the study regions using transects across an elevational gradient. We then compared the field data with occurrence data from national and online databases to examine how local patterns of abundance relate to putative geographic range areas and latitudinal breadth.Results  We found no significant correlation between abundance and range size. Overall, many more locally abundant species had small ranges than large ones. We found that most species occupy the majority of the TDF range north of Colombia, and those species present in South America occupy the majority of that continent’s TDF range as well. This pattern was independent of local abundance. We also found no relationship between range size and local niche breadth as measured by elevation, or between local abundance and distance to the range centre.Main conclusions  The macroecological tenet that posits a positive correlation between local abundance and geographic range size does not appear to hold for TDF trees. The finding that many locally abundant species had narrow ranges also suggests that dry forest endemics may be particularly well adapted to local conditions and make important contributions to community structure. We hypothesize that the absence of abundant species with large ranges is due to opposing environmental constraints that prevent a species from thriving everywhere.
The discomfort of an evidence‐based prescribing decision
Authors: Lewis Penny J. , Tully Mary P. 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
Rationale, aims and objectives  Prescribing decisions are not always based on published clinical research; social and environmental influences can sometimes drive such decisions. However, little is known about this topic in prescribing in secondary care. The aim of this study was to explore such influences by asking doctors to discuss their uncomfortable prescribing decisions in secondary care.
Methods  Forty‐eight doctors, of varying grades from four hospitals, were selected for in‐depth qualitative interviews, which included the critical incident technique. Doctors were asked to remember any uncomfortable prescribing decisions and these ‘incidents’ were discussed, enabling the researcher to unpack the more subconscious influences on the decision to prescribe. Interviews were tape‐recorded and transcribed verbatim. A grounded theory approach to data analysis was taken.
Results  All doctors had previously been uncomfortable when attempting to practise in accordance with evidence‐based medicine. Locating, critically appraising and applying the evidence to individual patients were frequent causes of discomfort. Many doctors struggled with uncomfortable decisions that were influenced by non‐research evidence, such as prior experience or expert opinion. This appeared, in part, because of these doctors' skewed notions that EBM condemns clinical experience as illegitimate evidence.
Conclusions  Incorporating the research evidence into prescribing decisions was associated with much discomfort by secondary care doctors. Greater efforts should also be placed towards developing the model of EBM, so that it fits more explicitly with how medicine is currently practised. Perhaps more importantly, educators need to reinforce what EBM is and what it is not to all concerned in the delivery of health care.
Root cortical aerenchyma improves the drought tolerance of maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: ZHU JINMING , BROWN KATHLEEN M. , LYNCH JONATHAN P. 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTRoot cortical aerenchyma (RCA) reduces root respiration in maize by converting living cortical tissue to air volume. We hypothesized that RCA increases drought tolerance by reducing root metabolic costs, permitting greater root growth and water acquisition from drying soil. To test this hypothesis, recombinant inbred lines with high and low RCA were observed under water stress in the field and in soil mesocosms in a greenhouse. In the field, lines with high RCA had 30% more shoot biomass at flowering compared with lines with low RCA under water stress. Root length density in deep soil was significantly greater in the high RCA lines compared with the low RCA lines. Mid‐day leaf relative water content in the high RCA lines was 10% greater than in the low RCA lines under water stress. The high RCA lines averaged eight times the yield of the low RCA lines under water stress. In mesocosms, high RCA lines had less seminal root respiration, deeper rooting, and greater shoot biomass compared with low RCA lines under water stress. These results support the hypothesis that RCA is beneficial for drought tolerance in maize by reducing the metabolic cost of soil exploration.
Signal transduction in Mimosa pudica: biologically closed electrical circuits
Authors: VOLKOV ALEXANDER G. , FOSTER JUSTIN C. , MARKIN VLADISLAV S. 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTBiologically closed electrical circuits operate over large distances in biological tissues. The activation of such circuits can lead to various physiological and biophysical responses. Here, we analyse the biologically closed electrical circuits of the sensitive plant Mimosa pudica Linn. using electrostimulation of a petiole or pulvinus by the charged capacitor method, and evaluate the equivalent electrical scheme of electrical signal transduction inside the plant. The discharge of a 100 µF capacitor in the pulvinus resulted in the downward fall of the petiole in a few seconds, if the capacitor was charged beforehand by a 1.5 V power supply. Upon disconnection of the capacitor from Ag/AgCl electrodes, the petiole slowly relaxed to the initial position. The electrical properties of the M. pudica were investigated, and an equivalent electrical circuit was proposed that explains the experimental data.
X‐chromosome Forkhead Box P3 polymorphisms associate with atopy in girls in three Dutch birth cohorts
Authors: Bottema R. W. B. , Kerkhof M. , Reijmerink N. E. , Koppelman G. H. , Thijs C. , Stelma F. F. , Smit H. A. , Brunekreef B. , Van Schayck C. P. , Postma D. S. 
Published: December 2009

To cite this article: Bottema RWB, Kerkhof M, Reijmerink NE, Koppelman GH, Thijs C, Stelma FF, Smit HA, Brunekreef B, van Schayck CP, Postma DS. X‐chromosome Forkhead Box P3 polymorphisms associate with atopy in girls in three Dutch birth cohorts. Allergy 2010; 65: 865–874.AbstractBackground:  The Forkhead Box P3 (FOXP3) gene, located on the X‐chromosome, encodes a transcription factor that directs T cells toward a regulatory phenotype. Regulatory T cells may suppress development of atopy. We evaluated whether single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of FOXP3 are associated with atopy development in childhood.Methods:  Seven SNPs in FOXP3 were genotyped in 3062 children (51% boys) participating in the Allergenic study, which consists of three Dutch birth cohorts (PIAMA, PREVASC and KOALA). Association of FOXP3 SNPs with total serum IgE and sensitisation (presence of specific serum IgE to egg, milk, and indoor, i.e. house‐dust mite, cat, and/or dog allergens) was investigated at ages 1, 2, 4, and 8. Analysis of variance and logistic regression were performed, stratified for gender.Results:  Our most consistent finding was observed for sensitisation to egg and indoor allergens. In girls, five FOXP3 SNPs (rs5906761, rs2294021, rs2294019, rs6609857 and rs3761548) were significantly associated with sensitisation to egg at ages 1 and 2 and with sensitisation to indoor allergens at age 2 (P < 0.05), but not at 4 and 8, a finding that was observed across the three cohorts. Rs5906761 and rs2294021 were associated with remission of sensitisation to food allergens in boys, as tested in the PIAMA cohort.Conclusion:  This is the first study showing across three cohorts that X‐chromosomal FOXP3 genotypes may contribute to development of sensitisation against egg and indoor allergens in girls in early childhood. In addition, an association with remission of sensitisation to food allergens existed in boys only.
Towards evidence‐based medicine in specific grass pollen immunotherapy
Authors: Calderon M. , Mösges R. , Hellmich M. , Demoly P. 
Published: December 2009

To cite this article: Calderon M, Mösges R, Hellmich M, Demoly P. Towards evidence‐based medicine in specific grass pollen immunotherapy. Allergy 2010; 65: 420–434.AbstractWhen initiating grass pollen immunotherapy for seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, specialist physicians in many European countries must choose between modalities of differing pharmaceutical and regulatory status. We applied an evidence‐based medicine (EBM) approach to commercially available subcutaneous and sublingual Gramineae grass pollen immunotherapies (SCIT and SLIT) by evaluating study design, populations, pollen seasons, treatment doses and durations, efficacy, quality of life, safety and compliance. After searching MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library up until January 2009, we identified 33 randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trials (including seven paediatric trials) with a total of 440 specific immunotherapy (SIT)‐treated subjects in seven trials (0 paediatric) for SCIT with natural pollen extracts, 168 in three trials (0 paediatric) for SCIT with allergoids, 906 in 16 trials (five paediatric) for natural extract SLIT drops, 41 in two trials (one paediatric) for allergoid SLIT tablets and 1605 in five trials (two paediatric) for natural extract SLIT tablets. Trial design and quality varied significantly within and between SIT modalities. The multinational, rigorous trials of natural extract SLIT tablets correspond to a high level of evidence in adult and paediatric populations. The limited amount of published data on allergoids prevented us from judging the level of evidence for this modality.
Specific immunotherapy suppresses Th2 responses via modulating TIM1/TIM4 interaction on dendritic cells
Authors: Zhao C.‐Q. , Li T.‐L. , He S.‐H. , Chen X. , An Y.‐F. , Wu W.‐K. , Zhou X.‐H. , Li P. , Yang P.‐C. 
Published: December 2009

To cite this article: Zhao C‐Q, Li T‐L, He S‐H, Chen X, An Y‐F, Wu W‐K, Zhou X‐H, Li P, Yang P‐C. Specific immunotherapy suppresses Th2 responses via modulating TIM1/TIM4 interaction on dendritic cells. Allergy 2010; 65: 986–995AbstractBackground:  Specific immunotherapy (SIT) is the only curable remedy for allergic disorders currently; however, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood yet. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of SIT on suppressing TIM4 (T cell immunoglobulin mucin domain molecule 4) expression in dendritic cells (DCs) and modulating the skewed T helper 2 (Th2) responses in patients with airway allergy.Methods:  Twenty patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) were treated with SIT for 3 months. Before and after SIT, the expression of TIM4 in peripheral DC and TIM1 in Th2 cells was examined. The role of Fc gamma receptor (FcγR) I and II in modulating the expression of TIM4 in DCs was investigated.Results:  The interaction of TIM1/TIM4 played a critical role in sustaining the polarization status of Th2 cells in AR patients. Cross‐linking FcγRI by antigen/IgG complexes increased the production of TIM4 by dendritic cells via upregulating tumor necrosis factor‐alpha in DCs. Exposure to microbial products promoted the expression of FcγRI in DCs that further increased the expression of TIM4. Exposure to specific antigens alone upregulated the expression of FcγRII in DCs, that suppressed the expression of TIM4.Conclusions:  We conclude that SIT suppresses the skewed Th2 responses via disrupting the interaction of TIM1/TIM4 in antigen‐specific Th2 cells.
Influence of CYP3A5 and ABCB1 gene polymorphisms on calcineurin inhibitor‐related neurotoxicity after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Yanagimachi Masakatsu , Naruto Takuya , Tanoshima Reo , Kato Hiromi , Yokosuka Tomoko , Kajiwara Ryosuke , Fujii Hisaki , Tanaka Fumiko , Goto Hiroaki , Yagihashi Tatsuhiko , Kosaki Kenjiro , Yokota Shumpei 
Published: December 2009

Yanagimachi M, Naruto T, Tanoshima R, Kato H, Yokosuka T, Kajiwara R, Fujii H, Tanaka F, Goto H, Yagihashi T, Kosaki K, Yokota S. Influence of CYP3A5 and ABCB1 gene polymorphisms on calcineurin inhibitor‐related neurotoxicity after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.  Clin Transplant 2010: 24: 855–861. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Background:  One severe side effect of calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs: such as cyclosporine [CsA] and tacrolimus [FK506]) is neurotoxicity. CNIs are substrates for CYP3A5 and P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp), encoded by ABCB1 gene. In the present study, we hypothesized that genetic variability in CYP3A5 and ABCB1 genes may be associated with CNI‐related neurotoxicity.Methods:  The effects of the polymorphisms, such as CYP3A5 A6986G, ABCB1 C1236T, G2677T/A, and C3435T, associated with CNI‐related neurotoxicity were evaluated in 63 patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.Results:  Of the 63 cases, 15 cases developed CNI‐related neurotoxicity. In the CsA patient group (n = 30), age (p = 0.008), hypertension (p = 0.017), renal dysfunction (p < 0.001), ABCB1 C1236T (p < 0.001), and G2677T/A (p = 0.014) were associated with neurotoxicities. The CC genotype at ABCB1 C1236T was associated with it, but not significantly so (p = 0.07), adjusted for age, hypertension, and renal dysfunction. In the FK506 patient group (n = 33), CYP3A5 A6986G (p < 0.001), and ABCB1 C1236T (p = 0.002) were associated with neurotoxicity. At least one A allele at CYP3A5 A6986G (expressor genotype) was strongly associated with it according to logistic regression analysis (p = 0.01; OR, 8.5; 95% CI, 1.4–51.4).Conclusion:  The polymorphisms in CYP3A5 and ABCB1 genes were associated with CNI‐related neurotoxicity. This outcome is probably because of CYP3A5 or P‐gp functions or metabolites of CNIs.
Psychosocial evaluation of Chinese living related kidney donors
Authors: Zhao Wen‐Yu , Zeng Li , Zhu You‐Hua , Wang Li‐Ming , Zhou Mei‐Sheng , Han Shu , Zhang Lei 
Published: December 2009

Zhao W‐Y, Zeng L, Zhu Y‐H, Wang L‐M, Zhou M‐S, Han S, Zhang L. Psychosocial evaluation of Chinese living related kidney donors.  Clin Transplant 2010: 24: 766–771. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Background:  Although living kidney transplantation has numerous advantages over cadaveric transplantation, donor apprehension remains a problem. This study investigated psychosocial features and quality of life in Chinese living kidney donors after transplantation procedures.Methods:  Participants were 84 donors interviewed during follow‐up after donation. Sociodemographic characteristics were evaluated by a 22‐item questionnaire. Social support, quality of life, depression, and anxiety were objectively measured with the Social Support Rating Scale for Chinese, the Short‐Form 36 Health Survey, the modified Beck Depression Inventory, and the Self‐Rating Anxiety Scale questionnaire, respectively.Results:  All donors volunteered without pressure from families or recipients. Altruistic motives were the main impetus for donation, and donors had good social support. Living transplantation affected donors’ quality of life, with a slight negative effect on some physical aspects. There were no major depressive or anxiety disorders following donation.Conclusions:  Living kidney donation was a generally positive experience without evidence of major psychological disturbance. However, considering the limited size and duration of our study, we recommend careful follow‐up of all donors. We also recommend provision of social support services and removal of financial disincentives for donors.
Testing whether the epidural works: too time consuming?
Authors: LARSSON J. , GORDH T. E. 
Published: December 2009

Background: When using epidural anaesthesia (EDA) for pain relief after major surgery, a failure rate of 10% is common. A crucial step in improving the care of patients with EDA is to define the position of the epidural catheter. The aim of this study was to investigate how much time it takes to determine whether the block is sufficient by assessing the extent of loss of cold sensation before induction of anaesthesia.Methods: One hundred patients listed for abdominal surgery were included in the study. After an epidural catheter had been inserted and an intrathecal or an intravenous position had been made unlikely by the use of a test dose, the patient was given a bolus dose of local anaesthetic plus an opioid in the epidural catheter. The epidural block was tested every 2 min, starting at 5 min and ending at 15 min. When at least four segments were blocked bilaterally, the testing was stopped, the time was noted and the patient was anaesthetised.Results: An epidural block was demonstrated after 5–6 min in 37 patients, after 7–8 min in 43 additional patients and after 9–10 min in 15 patients. In one patient, it took 12 min and in three patients, it took 15 min. In two patients, no epidural block could be demonstrated.Conclusion: Testing an epidural anaesthetic before the induction of anaesthesia takes only 5–10 extra minutes. Knowing whether the catheter is correctly placed means better quality of care, giving the anaesthetist better prerequisites for taking care of the patient post‐operatively.
Increased opportunity for sexual conflict promotes harmful males with elevated courtship frequencies
Authors: CRUDGINGTON H. S. , FELLOWS S. , SNOOK R. R. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractMating systems have a profound influence on the probability of conflict occurring between the sexes. Promiscuity is predicted to generate sexual conflict, thereby driving the evolution of male traits that harm females, whereas monogamy is expected to foster reproductive cooperation, thus rendering such traits redundant. We tested these predictions using experimentally evolved Drosophila pseudoobscura subject to different mating systems. Female survival was not influenced by the mating system treatment of her partner. However, females continuously housed with males evolving under elevated opportunities for female promiscuity produced fewer total progeny, but a relatively greater number of progeny early in their lives, than females housed with males evolving under obligate monogamy. We also found that promiscuous males courted females more frequently than monogamous males. Variation in male courtship frequency and progeny production patterns among treatments reinforces the critical importance of mating system variation for sexual conflict, during both pre‐ and post‐copulatory interactions.
Impact of cocaine on adult hippocampal neurogenesis in an animal model of differential propensity to drug abuse
Authors: García‐Fuster M. J. , Perez J. A. , Clinton S. M. , Watson S. J. , Akil H. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractHippocampal plasticity (e.g. neurogenesis) likely plays an important role in maintaining addictive behavior and/or relapse. This study assessed whether rats with differential propensity to drug‐seeking behavior, bred Low‐Responders (bLR) and bred High‐Responders (bHR) to novelty, show differential neurogenesis regulation after cocaine exposure. Using specific immunological markers, we labeled distinct populations of adult stem cells in the dentate gyrus at different time‐points of the cocaine sensitization process; Ki‐67 for newly born cells, NeuroD for cells born partway, and 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine for older cells born prior to sensitization. Results show that: (i) bHRs exhibited greater psychomotor response to cocaine than bLRs; (ii) acute cocaine did not alter cell proliferation in bLR/bHR rats; (iii) chronic cocaine decreased cell proliferation in bLRs only, which became amplified through the course of abstinence; (iv) neither chronic cocaine nor cocaine abstinence affected the survival of immature neurons in either phenotype; (v) cocaine abstinence decreased survival of mature neurons in bHRs only, an effect that paralleled the greater psychomotor response to cocaine; and (vi) cocaine treatment did not affect the ratio of neurons to glia in bLR/bHR rats as most cells differentiated into neurons in both lines. Thus, cocaine exerts distinct effects on neurogenesis in bLR vs. bHR rats, with a decrease in the birth of new progenitor cells in bLRs and a suppression of the survival of new neurons in bHRs, which likely leads to an earlier decrease in formation of new connections. This latter effect in bHRs could contribute to their enhanced degree of cocaine‐induced psychomotor behavioral sensitization.
Dopamine modulation of excitatory currents in the striatum is dictated by the expression of D1 or D2 receptors and modified by endocannabinoids
Authors: André Véronique M. , Cepeda Carlos , Cummings Damian M. , Jocoy Emily L. , Fisher Yvette E. , William Yang X. , Levine Michael S. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractStriatal medium‐sized spiny neurons (MSSNs) receive glutamatergic inputs modulated presynaptically and postsynaptically by dopamine. Mice expressing the gene for enhanced green fluorescent protein as a reporter gene to identify MSSNs containing D1 or D2 receptor subtypes were used to examine dopamine modulation of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) in slices and postsynaptic N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) and α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) currents in acutely isolated cells. The results demonstrated dopamine receptor‐specific modulation of sEPSCs. Dopamine and D1 agonists increased sEPSC frequency in D1 receptor‐expressing MSSNs (D1 cells), whereas dopamine and D2 agonists decreased sEPSC frequency in D2 receptor‐expressing MSSNs (D2 cells). These effects were fully (D1 cells) or partially (D2 cells) mediated through retrograde signaling via endocannabinoids. A cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) agonist and a blocker of anandamide transporter prevented the D1 receptor‐mediated increase in sEPSC frequency in D1 cells, whereas a CB1R antagonist partially blocked the decrease in sEPSC frequency in D2 cells. At the postsynaptic level, low concentrations of a D1 receptor agonist consistently increased NMDA and AMPA currents in acutely isolated D1 cells, whereas a D2 receptor agonist decreased these currents in acutely isolated D2 cells. These results show that both glutamate release and postsynaptic excitatory currents are regulated in opposite directions by activation of D1 or D2 receptors. The direction of this regulation is also specific to D1 and D2 cells. We suggest that activation of postsynaptic dopamine receptors controls endocannabinoid mobilization, acting on presynaptic CB1Rs, thus modulating glutamate release differently in glutamate terminals projecting to D1 and D2 cells.