bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of experimental venue on phenotype: multiple traits reveal multiple answers
Authors: Winkler Jasmin D. , Van Buskirk Josh 
Published: February 2012

Summary1. Experiments in ecology occur in the laboratory, mesocosm or field. The choice of venue can influence the outcome and may be associated with trade‐offs involving realism and precision.2. We evaluated these trade‐offs in an experiment measuring effects of venue on larval traits ofRana temporariatadpoles. The design included laboratory, mesocosm and field venues, crossed with two treatments (presence and absence of cagedAnax imperatordragonfly larvae). Realism of venues was evaluated by comparing experimental with wild tadpoles.3. Venue influenced nearly every trait we measured, but some were more sensitive to venue than others. Larval and metamorphic performance, external morphology and predator‐induced plasticity in many traits varied among venues, while behaviour was less dependent on venue. Tadpoles in mesocosms were most similar to those in field enclosures and the wild, although the phenotypic response to predation risk was greatest in the mesocosm venue. The laboratory environment triggered highly distinctive morphology. Precision was not higher in the laboratory than in other venues.4. This study suggests that both constraints and research questions must be considered when choosing an appropriate experimental venue.
Influence of family carers on haemodialyzed patients’ adherence to dietary and fluid restrictions: an observational study
Authors: Cicolini Giancarlo , Palma Elisabetta , Simonetta Concettoni , Di Nicola Marta 
Published: February 2012

cicolini g., palma e., simonetta c. & di nicola m. (2012) Influence of family carers on haemodialyzed patients’ adherence to dietary and fluid restrictions: an observational study. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(11), 2410–2417.AbstractAim.  To determine the influence of a family carer on haemodialyzed patients’‘adherence’.Background.  There is extensive evidence showing that successful treatment of patients with end‐stage renal disease is directly related to patients’‘adherence’. The parameters indicative of a good adherence are potassium and phosphate serum levels and the interdialytic weight gain. Haemodialyzed patients may have scarce adherence to food and fluid intake restrictions, and medications schedule.Design.  Case–control study carried out in a haemodialysis centre in Italy.Data sources.  The data were collected during 2010.Methods.  A total of 72 subjects with end‐stage renal disease participated in the study. The subjects assisted by a family carer were identified as cases (n = 36), whereas those who did not have a family carer, as controls (n = 36). All subjects were followed up (4 months) and checked up regarding interdialytic weight gain, and serum levels of potassium and phosphate. Important differences in potassium and phosphate serum level and interdialytic weight gain between the two groups were evaluated separately using a repeated measures anova test.Results.  Participants in the case group showed significantly lower phosphate and potassium serum levels and a lower interdialytic weight gain during follow‐up when compared to controls.Conclusions.  The presence of a family carer improves patients’ adherence, particularly as far as phosphate levels are concerned, since phosphate intake plays a fundamental role in avoiding long‐term complications in end‐stage renal disease patients.
ERES (ER exit sites) and the “Secretory Unit Concept”
Authors: LANGHANS M. , MECKEL T. , KRESS A. , LERICH A. , ROBINSON D. G. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryThe higher plant Golgi apparatus consists of hundreds of individual Golgi stacks which move along the cortical ER, propelled by the actomysin system. Anterograde and retrograde transport between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the plant Golgi occurs over a narrow interface (around 500 nm) and is generally considered to be mediated by COP‐coated vesicles. Previously, ER exit sites (ERES) have been identified on the basis of to localization of transiently expressed COPII‐coat proteins. As a consequence it has been held that ERES in higher plants are intimately associated with Golgi stacks, and that both move together as an integrated structure: the “secretory unit”. Using a new COPII marker, as well as YFP‐SEC24 (a bona fide COPII coat protein), we have made observations on tobacco leaf epidermis at high resolution in the CLSM. Our data clearly shows that COPII fluorescence is associated with the Golgi stacks rather than the surface of the ER and probably represents the temporary accumulation of COPII vesicles in the Golgi matrix prior to fusion with the cis‐Golgi cisternae. We have calculated the numbers of COPII vesicles which would be required to provide a typical Golgi‐associated COPII‐fluorescent signal as being much less than 20. We have discussed the consequences of this and question the continued usage of the term “secretory unit”.
Cosmopolitanism of microbial eukaryotes in the global deep seas
Authors: CREER SIMON , SINNIGER FREDERIC 
Published: February 2012

Deep sea environments cover more than 65% of the earth’s surface and fulfil a range of ecosystem functions, yet they are also amongst the least known habitats on earth. Whilst the discovery of key geological processes, combined with technological developments, has focused interest onto geologically active areas such as hydrothermal vents, most abyssal biodiversity remains to be discovered (Danovaro et al. 2010). However, as for terrestrial reservoirs of biodiversity, the world’s largest biome is under threat from anthropogenic activities ranging from environmental change to the exploitation of minerals and rare‐earth elements (Kato et al. 2011). It is therefore important to understand the magnitude, nature and composition of deep sea biological communities to inform us of levels of local adaptation, functionality and resilience with respect to future environmental perturbation. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Bik et al. utilize 454 Roche metagenetic environmental sequencing to assess microbial metazoan community composition and phylogenetic identity across deep sea depth gradients and between ocean basins. The analyses suggest that although the majority of microbial eukaryotic taxa are regionally restricted, a small percentage might maintain cosmopolitan deep sea distributions, and an even smaller fraction appear to be eurybathic (live across depth gradients).
Out in the cold – how big and how old? Genetic fingerprinting reveals long‐lived individuals withstand climatic oscillations in the arctic‐alpine
Authors: MILLER ALLISON 
Published: February 2012

In long‐lived, clonally reproducing species, assessing organism size is a nontrivial endeavour because each genetically distinct entity (genet) may comprise multiple modular units (ramets). Attributes of clonally reproducing populations, such as genet size, longevity and clonal diversity (the number of genets in a population), have significant implications for the persistence of populations over time. In the context of climate change, population persistence contributes to community stability and ecosystem resilience. Do clonal individuals persist through periods of climatic oscillations? Are clonal populations composed of a few large and persistent clones, or do they include clones of different sizes and ages? In this issue, de Witte et al. (2012) present an exciting analysis of clonal diversity and genet longevity in populations of four arctic‐alpine plant species with contrasting life histories: Carex curvula, Dryas octopetala, Salix herbacea and Vaccinium uliginosum. Using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) data, the authors demonstrate that genet size ranged from a few centimetres to 18 metres and age estimates for the largest genets ranged from 500 to 4900 years. These data reveal that clonally reproducing populations include individuals that have outlived significant changes in climate. Despite the longevity of some individuals, clonal diversity within populations was high, with most individuals existing as small, relatively young genets. Long‐lived individuals, together with high numbers of younger plants, ensure repeated recruitment and population persistence over time. This study represents a novel and timely contribution to a growing body of work aimed at understanding population persistence in changing climates.
Increase in fecal primary bile acids and dysbiosis in patients with diarrhea‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Duboc H. , Rainteau D. , Rajca S. , Humbert L. , Farabos D. , Maubert M. , Grondin V. , Jouet P. , Bouhassira D. , Seksik P. , Sokol H. , Coffin B. , Sabaté J. M. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground  Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a multifactorial disease for which a dysbiosis of the gut microbiota has been described. Bile acids (BA) could play a role as they are endogenous laxatives and are metabolized by gut microbiota. We compared fecal BA profiles and microbiota in healthy subjects (HS) and patients with diarrhea‐predominant IBS (IBS‐D), and we searched for an association with symptoms.Methods  Clinical features and stool samples were collected in IBS‐D patients and HS. Fecal BA profiles were generated using HPLC coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The fecal microbiota composition was assessed by q‐PCR targeting dominant bacterial groups and species implicated in BA transformation.Key Results  Fourteen IBS‐D patients and 18 HS were included. The two groups were comparable in terms of age and sex. The percentage of fecal primary BA was significantly higher in IBS‐D patients than in HS, and it was significantly correlated with stool consistency and frequency. Fecal counts of all bacteria, lactobacillus, coccoides, leptum and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii were similar. There was a significant increase of Escherichia coli and a significant decrease of leptum and bifidobacterium in IBS‐D patients.Conclusions & Inferences  We report an increase of primary BA in the feces of IBS‐D patients compared to HS, correlated with stool consistency and frequency. A dysbiosis of different bacterial groups was detected, some of them involved in BA transformation. As the gut microbiota is the exclusive pathway to transform primary into secondary BA, this suggests a functional consequence of dysbiosis, leading to lower BA transformation.
Microvascular changes in late‐life schizophrenia and mood disorders: stereological assessment of capillary diameters in anterior cingulate cortex
Authors: Sinka L. , Kovari E. , Santos M. , Herrmann F. R. , Gold G. , Hof P. R. , Bouras C. , Giannakopoulos P. 
Published: February 2012

L. Sinka, E. Kovari, M. Santos, F. R. Herrmann, G. Gold, P. R. Hof, C. Bouras and P. Giannakopoulos (2012) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology38, 696–709Microvascular changes in late‐life schizophrenia and mood disorders: stereological assessment of capillary diameters in anterior cingulate cortexAims: Previous neuroimaging reports described morphological and functional abnormalities in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in schizophrenia and mood disorders. In earlier neuropathological studies, microvascular changes that could affect brain perfusion in these disorders have rarely been studied. Here, we analysed morphological parameters of capillaries in this area in elderly cases affected by these psychiatric disorders. Methods: We analysed microvessel diameters in the dorsal and subgenual parts of the ACC in eight patients with schizophrenia, 10 patients with sporadic bipolar disorder, eight patients with sporadic major depression, and seven age‐ and gender‐matched control cases on sections stained with modified Gallyas silver impregnation using a stereological counting approach. All individuals were drug‐naïve or had received psychotropic medication for less than 6 months, and had no history of substance abuse. Statistical analysis included Kruskal–Wallis group comparisons with Bonferroni correction as well as multivariate regression models. Results: Mean capillary diameter was significantly decreased in the dorsal and subgenual parts of areas 24 in bipolar and unipolar depression cases, both in layers III and V, whereas schizophrenia patients were comparable with controls. These differences persisted when controlling for age, local neuronal densities, and cortical thickness. In addition, cortical thickness was significantly smaller in both layers in schizophrenia patients. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that capillary diameters in bipolar and unipolar depression but not in schizophrenia are reduced in ACC. The significance of these findings is discussed in the light of the cytoarchitecture, brain metabolism and perfusion changes observed in ACC in mood disorders.
Cost‐effectiveness of using an extensively hydrolysed formula compared to an amino acid formula as first‐line treatment for cow milk allergy in the UK
Authors: Taylor Riza R. , Sladkevicius Erikas , Panca Monica , Lack Gideon , Guest Julian F. 
Published: February 2012

To cite this article: Taylor RR, Sladkevicius E, Panca M, Lack G, Guest JF. Cost‐effectiveness of using an extensively hydrolysed formula compared to an amino acid formula as first‐line treatment for cow milk allergy in the UK. Pediatric Allergy Immunology 2012: 23: 240–249.AbstractObjective:  To estimate the cost‐effectiveness of using an extensively hydrolysed formula (eHF; Nutramigen) compared with an amino acid formula (AAF; Neocate) as first‐line treatment for cow milk allergy (CMA) in the UK, from the perspective of the National Health Service (NHS).Method:  A decision model was constructed depicting the treatment paths and associated resource use attributable to first‐line management of CMA with the two formulae. The model was based on the case records of 145 AAF‐treated infants and 150 matched eHF‐treated patients from The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database [a nationally representative database of patients registered with general practitioners (GPs) in the UK]. The model estimated the costs and consequences of patient management over 12 months following their initial GP visit for CMA.Results:  Patients presenting with a combination of gastrointestinal symptoms and eczema accounted for 44% of all patients in both groups. Those with gastrointestinal symptoms alone and eczema alone accounted for up to a further 39% and 13%, respectively. Those with urticaria and faltering growth accounted for <5% and ≤6% of all patients, respectively. Patients’ age and weight at presentation was a mean 2.6–2.8 months and 4.4 kg, respectively. It took a mean 2.2 months to start a formula after initially seeing a GP. Time to symptom resolution following the start of treatment was 1.2 months in both groups; hence, the mean number of symptom‐free months during the 12 months following the initial GP visit was estimated to be 8.6 months in both groups. Patients treated with an eHF had a mean 13.1 GP visits over the 12 months compared to 17.5 visits made by AAF‐treated patients (p < 0.001). The NHS cost of managing a CMA infant over the first 12 months following initial presentation to a GP was estimated to be £1853 and £3161 for an eHF‐treated and AAF‐treated patient, respectively.Conclusion:  Starting treatment for CMA with an eHF was the cost‐effective option, as there were no significant differences in clinical outcomes between the two groups. A prospective, randomized controlled trial would allow a definitive confirmation of these findings.
Allergic diseases and respiratory symptoms in urban and rural children in Grodno Region (Belarus)
Authors: Shpakou Andrei , Brożek Grzegorz , Stryzhak Andrei , Neviartovich Tatsiana , Zejda Jan 
Published: February 2012

To cite this article: Shpakou A, Brożek G, Stryzhak A, Neviartovich T, Zejda J. Allergic diseases and respiratory symptoms in urban and rural children in Grodno Region (Belarus). Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2012: 23: 339–346.AbstractBackground:  Because of the unknown frequency of asthma and other common allergic diseases in children living in Belarus, we conducted a population‐based respiratory health survey. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of allergic diseases and major allergic symptoms in children of the Grodno Region (Western Belarus) and to examine their familial and environmental correlates.Methods:  The cross‐sectional study was conducted in 2010 and included 2606 urban and 2422 rural children aged 6–16 years. Physician‐diagnosed respiratory diseases and symptoms were ascertained using the ISAAC questionnaire completed by the parents. Both family and environmental factors were examined for their association with respiratory health outcomes including asthma and spastic bronchitis. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to test associations.Results:  The prevalence of asthma, atopic eczema and allergic rhinitis was 1.39%, 10.25%, and 3.84%, respectively. Spastic bronchitis was reported for 6.74% of children. Chronic respiratory symptoms occurring in the past 12 months and suggestive of asthma included chest wheeze (9.71%) attacks of dyspnea at rest (1.77%), symptoms of hay fever (2.45%) attacks of sneezing and nasal congestion without a cold (6.78%), and recurrent itchy rash (13.48%). All diseases except for asthma and spastic bronchitis as well as symptoms of hay fever, congested nose and itchy rash were more frequent in urban than in rural children (p < 0.05). Results of multivariate logistic analysis confirmed associations (p < 0.05) between asthma and parental asthma (OR = 4.82) and dampness in home (OR = 2.12) after adjustment for age, gender and place of residence. Spastic bronchitis in children who did not have a concurrent diagnosis of asthma was related (p < 0.05) to parental asthma (OR = 2.18), dampness in the home (OR = 1.68) and less use of coal‐based heating (OR = 0.64). Allergic rhinitis and atopic eczema were associated (p < 0.05) with parental asthma (OR = 5.07 and OR = 1.91, respectively), dampness (OR = 2.33 and OR = 1.51, respectively), lower parental education (OR = 0.74 and OR = 0.68, respectively) and household density (OR = 0.84 and OR = 0.92), respectively.Conclusions:  The findings show a low prevalence of allergic diseases and symptoms in children of Western Belarus, following similar East‐West gradients described in the literature. All allergic disorders except asthma were less frequent in the rural population. A very low prevalence of childhood asthma and the possibility of underdiagosis of the disease in the surveyed population deserve further investigation.
A prediction rule for food challenge outcome in children
Authors: Zomer‐Kooijker Kim , Slieker Martijn G. , Kentie Petra A. , van der Ent Cornelis K. , Meijer Yolanda 
Published: February 2012

To cite this article: Zomer‐Kooijker K, Slieker MG, Kentie PA, van der Ent CK, Meijer Y. A prediction rule for food challenge outcome in children. Pediatric Allergy Immunology 2012: 23: 353–359.AbstractBackground:  In children with food‐related symptoms, a food challenge is considered as the gold standard to diagnose allergy. If food allergy could be predicted by patient history and/or diagnostic tests, the number of time‐consuming and sometimes risky food challenges could be decreased. We aimed to determine questionnaire and test‐based characteristics, to predict the food challenge outcome (FCO) in children referred to a tertiary centre for the evaluation of food‐related symptoms.Methods:  Pre‐challenge standardized questionnaires, skin prick tests (SPT), and specific IgE levels (sIgE) were obtained in patients that underwent a food challenge in our hospital in 2009. Characteristics of patients with positive and negative FCO were compared, and uni‐ and multivariate associations between predictors and FCO were calculated. Based on the multivariate model, a risk score was developed to predict the FCO.Results:  One hundred and twenty‐nine challenges were analyzed, 41.9% had a positive outcome. Median age of both groups was 4.9 yrs (range 2.8–8.3). Patients with a positive FCO reacted faster with symptoms after allergen ingestion and had higher sIgE levels compared to children with negative FCO. A clinical risk score was developed based on the index food, ‘time between allergen ingestion and complaints’ and sIgE levels (range 0–10). The prognostic capacity of this model (AUC) was excellent (0.90). The very high‐ and low‐risk groups (24% of patients) are both predicted excellent without misclassification.Conclusion:  Positive FCO can be predicted by the index food, time between allergen ingestion and development of symptoms, and the sIgE level.
Sequences of Prey‐catching Behaviour in the Brush‐tailed Marsupial Rat (Dasyuroides byrnei)
Authors: Hutson Geoffrey 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe prey‐catching responses of Dasyuroides byrnei to different prey types were observed in captivity. Sequences with mice as prey are analysed and described in terms of the temporal patterning and transitions between individual prey‐catching movements. Comparisons are made with other prey types and the factors determining sequence structure are assessed.
Parturition and Related Behaviour in the African Elephant
Authors: Leuthold Walter , Leuthold Barbara M. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe behaviour of a female African elephant before and after parturition was observed and photographed in the Isiolo Game Reserve, Kenya. Birth was very rapid (not actually seen). Post‐partum activity was characterized by intensive care‐giving behaviour in which a few other animals co‐operated with the mother. Observations are compared with the few other accounts on the subject.
The Aggressive Response of Male Mice (Mus musculus L.) to a Variety of Stimulus Animals
Authors: Beilharz R. G. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe responses to a variety of small animals of 10 male mice whose fighting ability was known were compared either in a neutral test box or in the subject's home cage.The subject's reaction depended on the situation, the nature of the subject and the nature of the stimulus. The nature of the subject was more important than the nature of the stimulus, with some mice attacking all object animals indiscriminately.
Social Learning of Vocal Patterns and Modes of their Application in Grey Parrots (Psittacus erithacus)1,2,3
Authors: Todt Dietmar 
Published: February 2012

AbstractWe have developed a method which allowed us to teach Grey Parrots special vocal patterns with a good success. The birds uttered these in antiphonal duets (Fig. 1, Table 1). The duets were performed only between the parrot and its cooperative partner. By experimental auditory stimulation we investigated the conditions of the vocal communication (Fig. 2, Fig. 3). Furthermore we found, that the performance of antiphonal duets obstructed the extension of the vocal repertoire with patterns which could not be learned from the birds' social partners (Fig. 4).
Evolution of Social Systems through Site Attachment in Fish
Authors: Fricke Hans W. 
Published: February 2012

ZusammenfassungBei 21 Pomacentriden‐Arten des Roten Meeres wurden 4 verschiedene Sozialstrukturty pen festgestellt. Die Strukturty pen werden von adulten Tieren ohne ihre eigenen Nachkommen gebildet. Die Larven der Pomacentriden wandern nach dem Schlüpfen anonym ins Plankton. Zu einer Eltern‐Kind‐Beziehung kommt es nicht.Im Vcrgleich zu den Säugern wird erörtert, ob die den Säugersozietäten zugrundeliegenden interindividuellen Familienbindungen bei den Fischen analog durch Ortsbindungen ersetzt sind. Ortsbindungen können zu funktionell ähnlichen Systemen führen. Es wird die Frage diskutiert, ob die Sozialevolution vielleicht von Ortsbindungen ausgegangen sein könnte. Ortsbindungen könnten nachträglich zur Entwicklung sozialer Mechanismen der an einen gemeinsamen Ort gebundenen Artgenossen und zu einer Verfeinerung der Beziehungen zwischen den Individuen führen.