bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A standard panel of microsatellites for Asian seabass(Lates calcarifer)
Authors: Zhu Z. Y. , Wang C. M. , Lo L. C. , Lin G. , Feng F. , Tan J. , Chou R. , Lim H. S. , Orban L. , Yue G. H. 
Published: September 2009

SummaryMicrosatellites are the most popular markers for parentage assignment and population genetic studies. To meet the demand for international comparability for genetic studies of Asian seabass, a standard panel of 28 microsatellites has been selected and characterized using the DNA of 24 individuals from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia. The average allele number of these markers was 10.82 ± 0.71 (range: 6–19), and the expected heterozygosity averaged 0.76 ± 0.02 (range: 0.63–1.00). All microsatellites showed Mendelian inheritance. In addition, eight standard size controls have been developed by cloning a set of microsatellite alleles into a pGEM‐T vector to calibrate allele sizes determined by different laboratories, and are available upon request. Seven multiplex PCRs, each amplifying 3–5 markers, were optimized to accurately and rapidly genotype microsatellites. Parentage assignment using 10 microsatellites in two crosses (10 × 10 and 20 × 20) demonstrated a high power of these markers for revealing parent‐sibling connections. This standard set of microsatellites will standardize genetic diversity studies of Asian seabass, and the multiplex PCR sets will facilitate parentage assignment.
Alternative haematopoietic stem cell sources for transplantation: place of umbilical cord blood
Authors: Smith Angela R. , Wagner John E. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryUmbilical cord blood has rapidly become a valuable alternative stem cell source for allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Extensive research over the last 20 years has established the safety and efficacy of umbilical cord blood transplantation in both children and adults with a variety of malignant and non‐malignant diseases. This research has clearly shown that this stem cell source has several unique characteristics resulting in distinct advantages and disadvantages when compared to transplantation with unrelated bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells. This article reviews the most recent literature comparing the outcomes after umbilical cord blood transplantation with other alternative stem cell sources.
Improving outcomes of cord blood transplantation: HLA matching, cell dose and other graft‐ and transplantation‐related factors
Authors: Rocha Vanderson , Gluckman Eliane ,   on behalf of the Eurocord‐Netcord registry and European Blood and Marrow Transplant group
Published: October 2009

SummaryThe use of unrelated umbilical cord blood (UCB) as an alternative source of haematopoietic stem cells transplantation (HSCT) has been widely used for patients lacking a human leucocyte antigen (HLA) matched donor. One of the disadvantages of using UCB is the limited number of haematopoietic stem cells and, consequently, delayed engraftment and increased risk of early mortality. Many approaches have been investigated in the attempt to improve engraftment and survival. Among those, studies analysing prognostic factors related to patients, disease, donor and transplantation have been performed. Variable factors have been identified, such as factors related to donor choice (HLA, cell dose and others) and transplantation (conditioning and graft‐versus‐host disease prophylaxis regimens). This review will focus on the interactions between HLA, cell dose and other modifiable factors related to the UCB unit selection and transplantation that may improve outcomes after UCB transplantation.
Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ agonists potentiate the cytotoxic effect of valproic acid in multiple myeloma cells
Authors: Aouali Nassera , Palissot Valérie , El‐Khoury Victoria , Moussay Etienne , Janji Bassam , Pierson Sandrine , Brons Nicolaas H. C. , Kellner Laurent , Bosseler Manon , Van Moer Kris , Berchem Guy 
Published: September 2009

SummaryThe main challenge in using chemotherapy to treat multiple myeloma (MM) is drug resistance. In order to evaluate the anti‐neoplastic properties of a new drug combination in MM, two clinically available drugs, valproic acid (VPA) a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor and pioglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonist, were tested in vitro on MM cell lines and MM patient cells. The sensitivity towards VPA alone was observed on several MM cell lines tested and also on primary myeloma cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors. Importantly, the addition of a PPARγ agonist to the VPA treatment increased the cytotoxic effect of VPA in a synergistic/additive manner on the different MM cell lines and MM patient cells. This effect was observed at the physiological range of VPA used to treat epileptic patients. The mechanisms underlying this increase induced a cell cycle arrest and caspase‐dependent apoptosis. The potentiation of the effect of VPA by pioglitazone was mediated by higher acetylation levels of histones H3 and H4 compared to levels induced by HDAC inhibitors alone. This association reveals a new promising chemotherapeutic combination to be tested in MM.
MS‐1020 is a novel small molecule that selectively inhibits JAK3 activity
Authors: Kim Byung‐Hak , Oh Sei‐Ryang , Yin Chang‐Hong , Lee Sangku , Kim Eun‐Ah , Kim Min‐Seok , Sandoval Claudio , Jayabose Somasundaram , Bach Erika A. , Lee Hyeong‐Kyu , Baeg Gyeong‐Hun 
Published: September 2009

SummaryIn order to identify Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signalling inhibitors, a cell‐based high throughput screening was performed using a plant extract library that identified Nb‐(α‐hydroxynaphthoyl)serotonin called MS‐1020 as a novel JAK3 inhibitor. MS‐1020 potently inhibited persistently‐active STAT3 in a cell type‐specific manner. Further examination showed that MS‐1020 selectively blocked constitutively‐active JAK3 and consistently suppressed interleukin‐2‐induced JAK3/STAT5 signalling but not prolactin‐induced JAK2/STAT5 signalling. Furthermore, MS‐1020 affected cell viability only in cancer cells harbouring persistently‐active JAK3/STATs, and in vitro kinase assays showed MS‐1020 binds directly with JAK3, blocking its catalytic activity. Therefore, the present study suggested that this reagent selectively inhibits JAK3 and subsequently leads to a block in STAT signalling. Finally, MS‐1020 decreased cell survival by inducing apoptosis via down‐regulation of anti‐apoptotic gene expression. These results suggest that MS‐1020 may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of cancers harbouring aberrant JAK3 signalling.
Decadal change in wetland–woodland boundaries during the late 20th century reflects climatic trends
Authors: KEITH DAVID A. , RODOREDA SUZETTE , BEDWARD MICHAEL 
Published: September 2009

AbstractWetlands are important and restricted habitats for dependent biota and play vital roles in landscape function, hydrology and carbon sequestration. They are also likely to be one of the most sensitive components of the terrestrial biosphere to global climate change. An understanding of relationships between wetland persistence and climate is imperative for predicting, mitigating and adapting to the impacts of future climate change on wetland extent and function. We investigated whether mire wetlands had contracted, expanded or remained stable during 1960–2000. We chose a study area encompassing a regional climatic gradient in southeastern Australia, specifically to avoid confounding effects of water extraction on wetland hydrology and extent. We first characterized trends in climate by examining data from local weather stations, which showed a slight increase in precipitation and marked decline in pan evaporation over the relevant period. Remote sensing of vegetation boundaries showed a marked lateral expansion of mires during 1961–1998, and a corresponding contraction of woodland. The spatial patterns in vegetation change were consistent with the regional climatic gradient and showed a weaker co‐relationship to fire history. Resource exploitation, wildland fires and autogenic mire development failed to explain the observed expansion of mire vegetation in the absence of climate change. We therefore conclude that the extent of mire wetlands is likely to be sensitive to variation in climatic moisture over decadal time scales. Late 20th‐century trends in climatic moisture may be related primarily to reduced irradiance and/or reduced wind speeds. In the 21st century, however, net climatic moisture in this region is projected to decline. As mires are apparently sensitive to hydrological change, we anticipate lateral contraction of mire boundaries in coming decades as projected climatic drying eventuates. This raises concerns about the future hydrological functions, carbon storage capacity and unique biodiversity of these important ecosystems.
Greenhouse gas, upwelling‐favorable winds, and the future of coastal ocean upwelling ecosystems
Authors: BAKUN ANDREW , FIELD DAVID B. , REDONDO‐RODRIGUEZ ANA , WEEKS SCARLA J. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractCoastal ocean upwelling ecosystems generally represent the most productive large marine ecosystems of the world's oceans, in terms of both primary production rates and tonnages of exploitable fish produced. The Peruvian upwelling system, in particular, stands out as a major factor in world fish production. The Pacific trade winds have traditionally been considered to be the primary driving force for the upwelling system off Peru, but are projected to weaken as climate change proceeds. This leads to concern that the upwelling process in the Peru system, to which its productivity is linked, may likewise weaken. However, other mechanisms involving greenhouse‐associated intensification of thermal low‐pressure cells over the coastal landmasses of upwelling regions suggest general intensification of wind‐driven ocean upwelling in coastal upwelling regions of the world's oceans. But although certain empirical results have supported this expectation, it has not been consistently corroborated in climate model simulations, possibly because the scale of the coastal intensification may be small relative to the scales that are appropriately reflected in the standard models. Here we summarize available evidence for the intensification mechanism and present a proxy test that uses variations in water vapor, the dominant natural greenhouse gas, to offer multiple‐realization empirical evidence for action of the proposed mechanism in the real world situation. While many potential consequences to the future of marine ecosystems would codepend on climate change‐related changes in the thermocline and nutricline structures, an important subset, involving potential increased propensities for hypoxia, noxious gas eruptions, toxic red tide blooms, and/or jellyfish outbreaks, may depend more directly on changes in the upwelling‐favorable wind itself. A prospective role of fisheries in either mitigating or reinforcing this particular class of effects is suggested.
Mathematical modeling of soil carbon turnover in natural Podocarpus forest and Eucalyptus plantation in Ethiopia using compound specific δ13C analysis
Authors: FREIER KORBINIAN P. , GLASER BRUNO , ZECH WOLFGANG 
Published: September 2009

AbstractForest soils exhibit huge potential in storing carbon, but may also release large amounts of it if they undergo major changes in land use and environmental conditions. Biogeochemical processes controlling accumulation and release of soil organic carbon (SOC) are not yet sufficiently understood. We investigate the dynamics of SOC depending on its chemical composition below a natural forest (Podocarpus falcatus dominated) and a plantation (Eucalyptus saligna) growing on Nitisols in southern Ethiopia. Soils at the study‐site show a huge shift to less negative δ13C values at a depth of 20–30 cm, indicating a change from C4 savanna to C3 forest during the late Holocene. Total organic carbon (TOC), black carbon (BC), and sugars from microbial (rhamnose, fucose) and plant origin (xylose, arabinose) are subjected to compound‐specific stable isotope analysis. Turnover characteristics are calculated using a numerical advection–diffusion–decomposition model. Our measurements show significant differences in carbon storage (P<0.05) for both sites (Podocarpus 23.5 ± 3.2 kg SOC m−3; Eucalyptus 18.6 ± 2.7 kg SOC m−3). These differences can be explained with an initial loss of 15–26% of TOC about 50 years ago, induced by clearing the natural forest. After canopy closure, the carbon input below Eucalyptus is 15–34% less than below natural forest. At present, mean residence times (MRTs) of the investigated compounds do not differ between both stands. Sugars show the shortest MRTs in the topsoil with 2–7 years (xylose) and 5–13 years (arabinose) and have been affected the most by clear‐cutting. TOC and BC show MRTs of 13–25 years and 20–34 years, respectively. Old C4 carbon below 20 cm has merely been affected by the land use change. Contrary to expectation, our study does not indicate a pronounced recalcitrance of BC.
A cross‐taxonomic index for quantifying the health of farmland biodiversity
Authors: Butler Simon J. , Brooks David , Feber Ruth E. , Storkey Jonathan , Vickery Juliet A. , Norris Ken 
Published: September 2009

Summary 1. The development of sustainable, multi‐functional agricultural systems involves reconciling the needs of agricultural production with the objectives for environmental protection, including biodiversity conservation. However, the definition of sustainability remains ambiguous and it has proven difficult to identify suitable indicators for monitoring progress towards, and the successful achievement of, sustainability. 2. In this study, we show that a trait‐based approach can be used to assess the detrimental impacts of agricultural change to a broad range of taxonomic groupings and derive a standardised index of farmland biodiversity health, built around an objective of achieving stable or increasing populations in all species associated with agricultural landscapes. 3. To demonstrate its application, we assess the health of UK farmland biodiversity relative to this goal. Our results suggest that the populations of two‐thirds of 333 plant and animal species assessed are unsustainable under current UK agricultural practices. 4. We then explore the potential benefits of an agri‐environment scheme, Entry Level Stewardship (ELS), to farmland biodiversity in the UK under differing levels of risk mitigation delivery. We show that ELS has the potential to make a significant contribution to progress towards sustainability targets but that this potential is severely restricted by current patterns of scheme deployment. 5.
Synthesis and applications: We have developed a cross‐taxonomic sustainability index which can be used to assess both the current health of farmland biodiversity and the impacts of future agricultural changes relative to quantitative biodiversity targets. Although biodiversity conservation is just one of a number of factors that must be considered when defining sustainability, we believe our cross‐taxonomic index has the potential to be a valuable tool for guiding the development of sustainable agricultural systems.
Analysing the spatial heterogeneity of emergent groups to assess ecological restoration
Authors: Pottier Julien , Bédécarrats Alain , Marrs Robert H. 
Published: September 2009

Summary 1. Effective restoration of ecosystem structure and function needs to be built on a strong conceptual basis. The evaluation of restoration is critical in this respect, as it requires an accurate understanding of vegetation dynamics. This study was, therefore, designed to analyse how initial restoration treatments and spontaneous ecological processes act together to produce spatial heterogeneity of plant species at various scales, taking into account that species might respond differentially to these processes in accordance with their biological attributes. 2. In a model system consisting of a large land settlement located on the banks of the river Rhône (France), 85 geo‐referenced plots were located, and the abundance of all plant species and seven biotic and abiotic environmental factors that have been modified by restoration were recorded. All species were classified into emergent groups (EGs) based on 12 plant traits, and the abundance of each EG was derived for each plot. Spatial variables that explained the spatial autocorrelation of the EGs at four scales were computed. This was performed using a spatial eigenvector mapping technique. The spatial variables were then linked to a range of selected environmental factors. 3. Large‐scale patterning of EGs was explained mainly by the spatial heterogeneity of soil quality and vegetation cover. The attribute combination of the EGs that varied most at this scale suggested that the restoration had influenced vegetation development by inducing harsh physical conditions in some part of the studied area and biotic filtering (through competition) in others. 4. A large amount of the spatial variation of EGs was not explained by the environmental factors providing some evidence for pure spatial autocorrelation effects. At the finest scale, this was linked to poor dispersal abilities of some EGs. 5.
Synthesis and applications. By combining a trait‐based approach with spatially explicit methods, we explained and quantified the role of environmental changes induced by restoration and spontaneous biotic processes in structuring plant communities on different spatial scales within a large land settlement. We discuss how such an approach offers new opportunities for an improved assessment of induced and spontaneous structuring factors for restoring and for monitoring plant communities during ecological restoration.
A prospective study of uric acid by glucose tolerance status and survival: the Rancho Bernardo Study
Authors: Kramer C. K. , Von Mühlen D. , Jassal S. K. , Barrett‐Connor E. 
Published: September 2009

Abstract.  Kramer CK, von Mühlen D, Jassal SK, Barrett‐Connor E (University of California, La Jolla, CA; and Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil). A prospective study of uric acid by glucose tolerance status and survival: the Rancho Bernardo Study. J Intern Med 2010.Objectives.  Little is known about uric acid (UA) levels and mortality in the context of glycaemia. We examined whether serum UA levels predict all‐cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality differentially in older adults by glucose tolerance status.Design and methods.  Between 1984 and 1987, 2342 community‐dwelling men and women had an oral glucose tolerance test, UA measurement, and assessment of traditional CVD risk factors. We defined glucose tolerance status as normoglycaemia (NG), pre‐diabetes (pre‐DM), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Ninety per cent were followed for vital status up to 23 years. Death certificates were coded using the Ninth International Classification of Diseases.Results.  Baseline age was 69.5 years; 44.4% were men. At baseline 939 had NG, 957 pre‐DM, and 446 T2DM. The mean UA by glucose tolerance status was 327.1, 362.8, and 374.7 μmol L−1. During follow‐up, there were 1318 deaths 46.8% attributed to CVD. In Cox‐regression analysis, each 119 μmol L−1 (2 mg dL−1) increment in UA levels predicted an increased hazard ratio (HR) for all‐cause deaths independent of age, smoking, body mass index, alcohol, physical activity, diuretic use and estimated glomerular filtration rate in all groups (NG: HR 1.25 95% CI 1.06–1.47, P =0.005; pre‐DM: HR 1.20 95% CI 1.06–1.37, P = 0.04; T2DM: HR 1.20 95% CI 1.01–1.47, P = 0.04). After adjusting for CVD risk factors, the UA association with CVD mortality was significant only in the pre‐DM and T2DM groups.Conclusion.  All‐cause mortality was independently associated with UA in all groups, but UA predicted CVD mortality only in those with abnormal glucose tolerance.
Recent evolution of host‐associated divergence in the seabird tick Ixodes uriae
Authors: KEMPF FLORENT , BOULINIER THIERRY , DE MEEÛS THIERRY , ARNATHAU CÉLINE , McCOY KAREN D. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractEcological interactions are an important source of rapid evolutionary change and thus may generate a significant portion of novel biodiversity. Such changes may be particularly prevalent in parasites, where hosts can induce strong selection for adaptation. To understand the relative frequency at which host‐associated divergences occur, it is essential to examine the evolutionary history of the divergence process, particularly when it is occurring over large geographical scales where both geographical and host‐associated isolation may playa part. In this study, we use population genetics and phylogeography to study the evolutionary history of host‐associated divergence in the seabird tick Ixodes uriae (Acari, Ixodidae). We compare results from microsatellite markers that reflect more ecological timescales with a conserved mitochondrial gene (COIII) that reflects more ancient divergence events. Population structure based on microsatellites showed clear evidence of host‐associated divergence in all colonies examined. However, isolated populations of the same host type did not always group together in overall analyses and the genetic differentiation among sympatric host races was highly variable. In contrast, little host or geographical structure was found for the mitochondrial gene fragment. These results suggest that host race formation in I. uriae is a recent phenomenon, that it may have occurred several times and that local interactions are at different points in the divergence process. Rapid divergence in I. uriae implies a strong interaction with its local host species, an interaction that will alter the ecological dynamics of the system and modify the epidemiological landscape of circulating micropathogens.
Spatial genetic structure in Milicia excelsa (Moraceae) indicates extensive gene dispersal in a low‐density wind‐pollinated tropical tree
Authors: BIZOUX J.‐P. , DAÏNOU K. , BOURLAND N. , HARDY O. J. , HEUERTZ M. , MAHY G. , DOUCET J.‐L. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractIn this study, we analysed spatial genetic structure (SGS) patterns and estimated dispersal distances in Milicia excelsa (Welw.) C.C. Berg (Moraceae), a threatened wind‐pollinated dioecious African tree, with typically low density (∼10 adults/km2). Eight microsatellite markers were used to type 287 individuals in four Cameroonian populations characterized by different habitats and tree densities. Differentiation among populations was very low. Two populations in more open habitat did not display any correlation between genetic relatedness and spatial distance between individuals, whereas significant SGS was detected in two populations situated under continuous forest cover. SGS was weak with a maximum Sp‐statistic of 0.006, a value in the lower quartile of SGS estimates for trees in the literature. Using a stepwise approach with Bayesian clustering methods, we demonstrated that SGS resulted from isolation by distance and not colonization by different gene pools. Indirect estimates of gene dispersal distances ranged from σg = 1 to 7.1 km, one order of magnitude higher than most estimates found in the literature for tropical tree species. This result can largely be explained by life‐history traits of the species. Milicia excelsa exhibits a potentially wide‐ranging wind‐mediated pollen dispersal mechanism as well as very efficient seed dispersal mediated by large frugivorous bats. Estimations of gene flow suggested no major risk of inbreeding because of reduction in population density by exploitation. Different strategy of seed collection may be required for reforestation programmes among populations with different extent of SGS.