bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Resolving the tragedy of the commons: the feedback between intraspecific conflict and population density
Authors: RANKIN D. J. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractCompetition and conflict among individuals can favour exploitative strategies that undermine the common good. Theory suggests that this can lead to a tragedy of the commons and ultimately population extinction, a phenomenon known as evolutionary suicide. Here, I present a model of the evolutionary tragedy of the commons that explicitly considers the population dynamics where individuals invest in individually costly competitive traits. In the simplest form, this supports the notion that selection for high levels of conflict can cause evolutionary suicide. However, as competition comes with survival and fecundity costs, a feedback between the investment in competition and population density can act to reduce the level of conflict and prevent the population from going extinct. This suggests that the interaction between population ecology and the evolution of competition and conflict among individuals may be an important mechanism in resolving the level of competition and conflict among individuals.
Evolutionary domestication in Drosophila subobscura
Authors: SIMÕES P. , ROSE M. R. , DUARTE A. , GONÇALVES R. , MATOS M. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe domestication of plants and animals is historically one of the most important topics in evolutionary biology. The evolutionary genetic changes arising from human cultivation are complex because of the effects of such varied processes as continuing natural selection, artificial selection, deliberate inbreeding, genetic drift and hybridization of different lineages. Despite the interest of domestication as an evolutionary process, few studies of multicellular sexual species have approached this topic using well‐replicated experiments. Here we present a comprehensive study in which replicated evolutionary trajectories from several Drosophila subobscura populations provide a detailed view of the evolutionary dynamics of domestication in an outbreeding animal species. Our results show a clear evolutionary response in fecundity traits, but no clear pattern for adult starvation resistance and juvenile traits such as development time and viability. These results supply new perspectives on the confounding of adaptation with other evolutionary mechanisms in the process of domestication.
Phrenic Nerve Distribution in the Rabbit Diaphragm and Morphometric Analysis of Nerve Branches
Authors: Turgut H. B. , Peker T. , Karaköse M. , Anil A. , Gülekon N. , Demırtaş K. 
Published: September 2006

SummaryThe best method to evaluate the pathogenesis of diaphragmatic disorders is to demonstrate the distribution pattern of the phrenic nerve in the diaphragm. For this purpose the branching pattern and the microanatomic features of the phrenic nerve were observed in six rabbits. All diaphragms were stained by using Sihler's stain method. The phrenic nerve divided into three to four branches when entering the diaphragm. These branches were classified as sternal, anterolateral, posterolateral and crural. The crural branches were the thickest whereas the anterolateral branches were the thinnest. Knowledge about the distribution pattern of the phrenic nerve may be important in surgical approach to the diaphragm.
The Gross Anatomy of Larynx, Trachae and Syrinx in the Long‐Legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus)
Authors: Kabak M. , Orhan I. O. , Haziroglu R. M. 
Published: September 2006

SummaryFive long‐legged buzzards (Buteo rufinus), weighing 475–570 g, were used in this study. It was determined that long‐legged buzzards’ larynx is composed of three different cartilages. Among these cartilages, the cricoid and procricoid cartilages were single and the arytenoid cartilage was double. The partially ossified corpus and ala of the cricoid cartilage were connected with cartilaginous plate. Trachea was formed up of complete cartilage circles. The tracheal cartilages were notched in dorsal and ventral directions and a number of the tracheal cartilages inter‐mingling one another were between 89–96. Syrinx, which was covered with the inter‐clavicular air sac, was in contact with basis cordis. It was observed that there is tracheobronchial type syrinx in long‐legged buzzard and this syrinx is formed by two different cartilage groups named as the cartt. tracheosyringeales and cartt. bronchosyringeales. The first cartilage rings of the cartt. tracheosyringeales formed the tympanum. The tympanum, cartt. tracheosyringeales and cartt. bronchosyringeales were created of three, two or three and four cartilage rings, respectively. Membrana tympaniformis lateralis and medialis, two pairs of thin membranes constituting voice formation, also determined in long‐legged buzzard. Membrana tympaniformis lateralis was observed to be very short between the first and second cartilage rings of cartt. bronchosyringeales. Although the instrictic syringeal muscles were not present in long‐legged buzzard, the sternotracheal and tracheolateral muscles, expressed as extrinsic syringeal muscles, were evident. In this study, which is expected to give contribution to veterinary anatomy literature, the similarities and differences in larynx, trachea and syrinx of long‐legged buzzard with other bird species were exposed.
Normal Morphometry of the Thoracic Aorta in the German Shepherd Dog: a Computed Tomographic Study
Authors: Dabanoglu I. 
Published: September 2006

SummaryComputed tomographic images of the thoracic aorta of 14 German shepherd dogs were examined in order to determine the morphometry of the thoracic aorta. Examinations were carried out in the transverse plane at both intervertebral and mid‐vertebral levels of each thoracic vertebra between T5 and T13. The dorsoventral and transversal diameters as well as cross‐section area of the thoracic aorta were measured. The widest transversal diameter was observed at T4‐‐5, whereas the largest dorsoventral diameter was detected at T5. The maximum cross‐section area was detected at T4‐‐5. When dorsoventral and transversal diameters were compared between males and females, the aortic diameter was found to be smaller in males than in females. Although the shape of the thoracic aorta was transversal oval in the majority of the examined females, the shape of the thoracic aorta was dorsoventral oval in the majority of the males. There were significant differences between all levels measured for transversal (P < 0.001), dorsoventral (P < 0.001) diameters and cross‐section area (P < 0.001) of the thoracic aorta. And there was a significant correlation between the three parameters examined. However, the correlation coefficient was highest in females.
Gross Anatomy of the Portal Vein and Hepatic Artery Ramifications in Dogs: Corrosion Cast Study
Authors: Uršič M. , Ravnik D. , Hribernik M. , Pečar J. , Butinar J. , Fazarinc G. 
Published: September 2006

SummaryThe anatomical variations of the portal vein and the hepatic artery ramifications were analysed on liver corrosion casts in 20 dogs as a possible aid in the surgical management of the organ. The portal vein ramified similarly in all dogs. It divided into the smaller right portal branch from which vessels for the caudate process and both right lobes arose and the substantial left portal branch, which supplied the remaining liver portions and in 12 cases also the dorsal part of the right lateral lobe. Right lateral, right medial and left branches are the major arteries originating from the hepatic artery; however, their origin and course varied among individual animals. In 10 livers, the right lateral and the left branches originated from the hepatic artery, while the right medial branch arose from the left branch and usually supplied the right medial lobe solely. In nine livers, the right medial branch arose directly from the hepatic artery and supplied quadrate lobe and gallbladder as well, while in one liver the common artery, which subsequently divided into lobar branches, branched away from the hepatic artery. An additional branch for the caudate process, originating directly from the hepatic artery, was observed in 10 livers. Certain liver portions received the arterial blood from two major branches, which was particularly characteristic for the right medial lobe (six livers) and caudate process (10 livers). The course of the major arterial branches was also variable, although they proceeded in close anatomical relationship with the portal vein branches. The left arterial branch accompanied the left portal branch on its dorsal aspect (15 cases) or crossed it from the caudal aspect (five cases). The right lateral branch crossed the initial parts of the left and right portal branches either from cranial (12 cases) or caudal aspects (eight cases), while the right medial branch always crossed the left portal branch from its caudal aspect.
Effect of losartan on early liver fibrosis development in a rat model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Ibañez Patricio , Solis Nancy , Pizarro Margarita , Aguayo Gloria , Duarte Ignacio , Miquel Juan Francisco , Accatino Luigi , Arrese Marco 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a metabolic disorder of the liver that may evolve into fibrosis or cirrhosis. Recent studies have shown reduction of experimental liver fibrosis with the use of angiotensin‐converting‐enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin‐receptor antagonists. The aim of this study was to determine whether losartan can influence the early phase of fibrogenesis in an animal model of NASH.Methods:  To induce NASH, a choline‐deficient diet (CDD) was given to Sprague‐Dawley rats for 12 weeks. These animals were then compared with a control group receiving choline‐supplemented diet (CSD) and a group fed a CDD plus losartan (10 mg/kg/day). Biochemical (serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) and histological evaluation of fatty liver was performed by conventional techniques. Hydroxyproline content in liver tissue was assayed by spectrophotometry. In addition, mRNA levels of procollagen I and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β were assessed by semiquantitative RT‐PCR and stellate cell activation by α‐actin immunofluorescence stain.Results:  After 12 weeks CDD induced a marked elevation of serum aminotranferases, a severe fatty liver infiltration with mild histological inflammation and fibrosis. These findings correlated with a significant increase in mRNA levels of both procollagen I and TGF‐β and significant increased liver hydroxyproline content. No differences were seen between rats receiving CDD alone and rats receiving CDD plus losartan with regard to the biochemical, morphological or molecular alterations induced by the CDD.Conclusion:  Losartan does not seem to influence liver injury and fibrogenic events in the CDD model of NASH.
Effect of esomeprazole and rabeprazole on intragastric pH in healthy Chinese: An open, randomized crossover trial
Authors: Li Zhao‐Shen , Zhan Xian‐Bao , Xu Guo‐Ming , Cheng Neng‐Neng , Liao Zhuan 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Esomeprazole is the S‐isomer of omeprazole, with a stronger acid suppressive effect than omeprazole. This open, randomized crossover study was designed to evaluate the effect of esomeprazole and another proton‐pump inhibitor, rabeprazole, on intragastric pH in healthy Chinese.Methods:  Thirty‐six healthy volunteers (26 men and 10 women, aged between 20 and 31 years) were enrolled. Subjects were given either esomeprazole 40 mg (n = 18) or rabeprazole 10 mg (n = 18) orally once daily for 5 days during the first dosing period, then the other medicine at the set dosage for the second dosing period. The two periods were separated by a 14‐day washout phase. The doses were chosen according to the State Food and Drug Administration of China for the treatment of acid‐related diseases. Intragastric pH was continuously monitored for 24 h on days 1 and 5 of each dosing period. CYP2C19 genotypes were analyzed to identify the extensive metabolizers (EM) and poor metabolizers (PM).Results:  The percentage of time with intragastric pH >4 was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in subjects receiving esomeprazole than in those receiving rabeprazole in the first 4 h after administration of the first dose (70.65% vs 44.87%), at 24 h on day 1 (73.7% vs 54.8%) and at 24 h on day 5 (84.2% vs 76.2%). The median intragastric pH was also higher in subjects receiving esomeprazole than in those receiving rabeprazole in the first 6 h, day 1 and day 5 (P ≤ 0.001). The percentage of subjects with intragastric pH >4 for at least 16 h on day 1 (63.9% vs 33.3%) and on day 5 (88.9% vs 61.1%) was higher after administration of esomeprazole than after rabeprazole (both P < 0.05). On genotype analysis, 28 of the subjects were EM and eight were PM. Those who were PM tended to have a higher, albeit not statistically significant, percentage of time with intragastric pH >4 and the median 24‐h intragastric pH than those who were EM. Both drugs were well tolerated.Conclusions:  Esomeprazole 40 mg orally once daily is more effective and faster in increasing intragastric pH than rabeprazole 10 mg orally once daily, and thus offers a potential for improved efficacy in acid‐related diseases.
Investigation into the signal transduction pathway via which heat stress impairs intestinal epithelial barrier function
Authors: Yang Ping‐Chang , He Shao‐Heng , Zheng Peng‐Yuan 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Intact protein absorption is thought to be a causative factor in several intestinal diseases, such as food allergy, celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease. However, the mechanism remains unclear. The aim of this study was to characterize a novel signal transduction pathway via which heat stress compromises intestinal epithelial barrier function.Methods:  Heat stress was carried out by exposing confluent human intestinal epithelial cell line T84 cell monolayers to designated temperatures (37–43°C) for 1 h. Transepithelial electric resistance (TER) and permeability to horseradish peroxidase (HRP, molecular weight = 44 000) were used as indicators to assess the intestinal epithelial barrier function. Phosphorylated myosin light chain (MLC), MLC kinase (MLCK) and protein kinase C (PKC) protein of the T84 cells were evaluated in order to identify the signal transduction pathway in the course of heat stress‐induced intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunctions.Results:  The results showed that exposure to heat stress significantly increased intact protein transport across the intestinal epithelial monolayer; the amount of phospho‐PKC, phospho‐MLCK and phospho‐MLC proteins in T84 cells decreased significantly at 41°C and 43°C although they increased at 39°C. The heat stress‐induced T84 monolayer barrier dysfunction was inhibited by pretreatment with PKC inhibitor, MLCK inhibitor, or HSP70.Conclusion:  Heat stress can induce intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction via the PKC and MLC signal transduction pathway.
Esophageal motility differences among aged patients with achalasia: A Taiwan report
Authors: Chuah Seng‐Kee , Changchien Chi‐Sin , Wu Keng‐Liang , Hu Tsung‐Hui , Kuo Chung‐Mou , Chiu Yi‐Chun , Chiu King‐Wah , Kuo Chung‐Huang , Chiou Shue‐Shian , Lee Chuan‐Mo 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  There are limited reports on esophageal motility pressures in aged patients with achalasia and these are inconclusive. The aim of the present retrospective study was to understand the changes of esophageal motility in aged achalasia patients among the Taiwan population.Methods:  Manometric studies of 49 patients with achalasia had been performed through January 1998 to June 2005. The findings of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) basal and residual pressures and esophageal body contraction amplitudes were calculated and compared between the older and younger patient groups at different age cut‐offs.Results:  Higher basal LES pressure increased significantly from the cut‐off age of 65 years (i.e. patients over 65 had significantly higher basal LES pressure than younger patients: 37.0 ± 4.19 mmHg vs 30.0 ± 1.32 mmHg, P = 0.045). With patients ≥70 years old, it was more obvious (46.0 ± 3.7 mmHg vs 29.6 ± 1.2 mmHg, P = 0.001). Beginning at the cut‐off age of 55, the LES residual pressure was significantly higher in older patients than those who were younger (14.0 ± 11.06 mmHg vs 11.1 ± 0.6 mmHg, P = 0.017). LES residual pressure is more significant in the older groups. A linear correlation between age and residual LES pressures (r = 0.383) was found. No differences were found in esophageal contraction pressure.Conclusions:  Older achalasia patients in Taiwan have higher basal LES pressures, with a linear correlation between age and residual LES pressures. Age has no influence on esophageal contraction pressure.
Population screening for celiac disease: Follow up of patients identified by positive serology
Authors: Shamir Raanan , Yehezkely‐Schildkraut Vered , Hartman Corina , Eliakim Rami 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  A previous study that evaluated the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) in a cohort of healthy blood donors, found that 3.8% of subjects had positive serology for CD. The aim of the present study was to examine how the screening results and the diagnosis of CD affected these patients' lifestyle and attitude toward CD.Methods:  All subjects with positive serology for CD (n = 59) found in the previous study of healthy blood donors (n = 1571) were contacted and interviewed. Data collected included current and previous symptoms compatible with CD, medical follow up since being informed of positive serology for CD and adherence to gluten‐free diet (GFD). Information was obtained regarding attitude towards the screening for CD, the results of the screening, and the effect of screening on subjects' lifestyle.Results:  Of the 59 subjects, 51 were available for telephone interview, including all 10 subjects diagnosed with CD (positive serology and biopsy), 17/20 with positive serology and normal intestinal mucosa, and 24/29 with positive serology who refused to undergo intestinal biopsy. Of the 10 patients diagnosed with CD, four adhere to GFD. Only 1/17 subjects with normal intestinal mucosa repeated serology. Two of the 24 who initially refused a biopsy, underwent an intestinal biopsy, and one of them was currently diagnosed with CD. Only one patient diagnosed with CD had all his family members screened for CD.Conclusions:  The data suggest that many of the patients identified in this screened population do not ultimately benefit from the purpose of the screening, which was early identification and treatment of a common disease with potential serious consequences.
Determinants of local abundance and range size in forest vascular plants
Authors: Kolb Annette , Barsch Frank , Diekmann Martin 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACTAim  For a large set of forest herbs we tested: (1) whether there is a positive relationship between local abundance and geographical range size; (2) whether abundance or range size are affected by the niche breadths of species or niche availability; and (3) whether these are affected by the species life‐history traits.Location  Northwestern Germany.Methods  We measured abundance as mean density in 22 base‐rich deciduous forests and recorded range size as area of occupancy on four different spatial scales (local to national). Niche breadth was expressed in terms of habitat specificity (specialists, generalists) and of the ability to grow across a broad range of soil pH. The species’ pH niche position was used as a measure of the importance of habitat availability. As life‐history traits we used diaspore mass and number, plant height, seed longevity, lifespan/clonality, pollination mode, dispersal capability and flowering time.Results  There were mainly no positive relationships between the abundance of species and their range size, as tested across species and across phylogenetically independent contrasts. Forest specialists were generally distributed less widely than generalists, but habitat specificity was not related to local abundance. Species with a broader pH niche breadth were more common, but the positive relationships between niche breadth and abundance or range size disappeared when accounting for sample size effects. Clonal species with few and heavy diaspores were most abundant, as well as early‐flowering species and those lacking dispersal structures. Local and regional range size were determined largely by habitat availability, while national range was positively affected by plant height and diaspore mass.Main conclusions  Different processes determine the local density of species and their range size. Abundance within habitat patches appears to be related mainly to the species life histories, especially to their capacity for extensive clonal reproduction, whereas range size appears to be determined strongly by the availability of suitable habitat.
The influence of matrix and edges on species richness patterns of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in habitat islands
Authors: Lövei Gábor L. , Magura Tibor , Tóthmérész Béla , Ködöböcz Viktor 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACTAim  The aim of this study was to analyse whether, and how, the inclusion of habitat specialists and edge‐preferring species modifies the species–area relationship predictions of the island biogeography theory for an insect group (ground beetles, Coloptera: Carabidae) living in natural fragments. Species–habitat island area relationships applied to terrestrial habitat islands can be distorted by the indiscriminate inclusion of all species occurring in the fragments. Matrices surrounding terrestrial habitat fragments can provide colonists that do not necessarily distinguish the fragment from the matrix and can survive and reproduce there. Edge‐preferring species can further distort the expected relationship, as smaller fragments have larger edge:core ratios.Location  Nineteen forest fragments were studied in the Bereg Plain, Hungary, and SW Ukraine. This area contains natural forest patches, mainly of oak and hornbeam, and supports a mountain entomofauna.Methods  Ground beetles (Carabidae) present in the 19 forest patches were categorized into generalists, forest specialists and edge‐preferring species. We analysed the relationship between species richness and fragment area using species richness in the different categories.Results  The assemblages contained a high share of generalist species (species that occur also in the surrounding matrix). Forest patch size and the number of generalist species showed a marginally significant negative relationship, indicating that generalist species were more important in smaller patches. Forest specialist species richness was correlated positively with patch area. Edge‐preferring species were shown to influence the species–area relationship: the number of edge‐preferring species increased with the edge:area ratio.Main conclusions  Both generalist and edge‐preferring species can considerably distort the species–area relationship. Island biogeography theory can be applied to habitat islands only if the habitat islands are defined correctly from the viewpoint of the target species.