bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non‐gradual variation in colour morphs of the strawberry poison frog Dendrobates pumilio: genetic and geographical isolation suggest a role for selection in maintaining polymorphism
Authors: RUDH ANDREAS , ROGELL BJÖRN , HÖGLUND JACOB 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe relative roles that geographical isolation and selection play in driving population divergence remain one of the central questions in evolutionary biology. We approached this question by investigating genetic and morphological variation among populations of the strawberry poison frog, Dendrobates pumilio, in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, Panama. We found significant population genetic structure and isolation by distance based on amplified fragment length polymorphism markers. Snout vent length (SVL), coloration and the extent and size of dorsal black spots showed large variation among the studied populations. Differences in SVL correlated with genetic distance, whereas black spot patterns and other coloration parameters did not. Indeed, the latter characters were observed to be dramatically different between contiguous populations located on the same island. These results imply that neutral divergence among populations may account for the genetic patterns based on amplified fragment length polymorphism markers and SVL. However, selective pressures need to be invoked in order to explain the extraordinary variation in spot size and coverage, and coloration. We discuss the possibility that the observed variation in colour morphs is a consequence of a combination of local variation in both natural selection on an aposematic signal towards visual predators and sexual selection generated by colour morph‐specific mate preferences.
Functional significance of genetically different symbiotic algae Symbiodinium in a coral reef symbiosis
Authors: LORAM J. E. , TRAPIDO‐ROSENTHAL H. G. , DOUGLAS A. E. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe giant sea anemone Condylactis gigantea associates with members of two clades of the dinoflagellate alga Symbiodinium, either singly or in mixed infection, as revealed by clade‐specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction of large subunit ribosomal DNA. To explore the functional significance of this molecular variation, the fate of photosynthetically fixed carbon was investigated by 14C radiotracer experiments. Symbioses with algae of clades A and B released ca. 30–40% of fixed carbon to the animal tissues. Incorporation into the lipid fraction and the low molecular weight fraction dominated by amino acids was significantly higher in symbioses with algae of clade A than of clade B, suggesting that the genetically different algae in C. gigantea are not functionally equivalent. Symbioses with mixed infections yielded intermediate values, such that this functional trait of the symbiosis can be predicted from the traits of the contributing algae. Coral and sea anemone symbioses with Symbiodinium break down at elevated temperature, a process known as ‘coral bleaching’. The functional response of the C. gigantea symbiosis to heat stress varied between the algae of clades A and B, with particularly depressed incorporation of photosynthetic carbon into lipid of the clade B algae, which are more susceptible to high temperature than the algae of clade A. This study provides a first exploration of how the core symbiotic function of photosynthate transfer to the host varies with the genotype of Symbiodinium, an algal symbiont which underpins corals and, hence, coral reef ecosystems.
The effects of cyclic dynamics and mating system on the effective size of an island mouflon population
Authors: KAEUFFER RENAUD , COLTMAN DAVID W. , CHAPUIS JEAN‐LOUIS , RÉALE DENIS , PONTIER DOMINIQUE 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe Haute Island mouflon (Ovis aries) population is isolated on one small (6.5 km2) island of the remote Kerguelen archipelago. Given a promiscuous mating system, a cyclic demography and a strong female‐biased sex ratio after population crashes, we expected a low effective population size (Ne). We estimated Ne using demographic and temporal genetic approaches based on genetic information at 25 microsatellite loci from 62 and 58 mouflons sampled in 1988 and 2003, respectively. Genetic Ne estimates were higher than expected, varying between 104 and 250 depending on the methods used. Both demographic and genetic approaches show the Haute Island Ne is buffered against population crashes. The unexpectedly high Ne likely results from the cyclic winter crashes that allow young males to reproduce, limiting the variance of male reproductive success. Based on individual‐based simulations, we suggest that despite a strongly female‐biased sex ratio, the effects of the mating system on the effective population size more closely resemble random mating or weak polygyny.
Ecological and evolutionary consequences of size‐selective harvesting: how much do we know?
Authors: FENBERG PHILLIP B. , ROY KAUSTUV 
Published: September 2007

AbstractSize‐selective harvesting, where the large individuals of a particular species are preferentially taken, is common in both marine and terrestrial habitats. Preferential removal of larger individuals of a species has been shown to have a negative effect on its demography, life history and ecology, and empirical studies are increasingly documenting such impacts. But determining whether the observed changes represent evolutionary response or phenotypic plasticity remains a challenge. In addition, the problem is not recognized in most management plans for fish and marine invertebrates that still mandate a minimum size restriction. We use examples from both aquatic and terrestrial habitats to illustrate some of the biological consequences of size‐selective harvesting and discuss possible future directions of research as well as changes in management policy needed to mitigate its negative biological impacts.
Ability of Moderately Halophilic Bacteria to Control Grey Mould Disease on Tomato Fruits
Authors: Sadfi‐Zouaoui N. , Essghaier B. , Hajlaoui M. R. , Fardeau M. L. , Cayaol J. L. , Ollivier B. , Boudabous A. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractTomato is one of the leading crops in Tunisia in terms of weight consumed (20 kg/per person/year). Preserving the quality of the fruit from field to consumer is essential to successful marketing. Grey mould rot induced by Botrytis cinerea is an important cause of postharvest loss depending on season and handling practices. We describe here the ability of halotolerant to moderately halophilic bacteria isolated from different Tunisian Sebkhas (hypersaline soils) to protect fresh‐market tomato fruits from B. cinerea. The tomatoes tested were at two different stages of ripening, (i) mature‐green and (ii) red. Six strains significantly reduced growth of the pathogens from 67% to 87%. The effectiveness of these antagonists was also confirmed on green tomatoes; in which the fruit rot protection rate ranged from 74% to 100%. The antagonists were characterized by morphological, biochemical and physiological tests as well as 16S rDNA sequencing. The halotolerant effective isolates were identified as belonging to one of the species Bacillus subtilis (M1‐20, J9) or B. licheniformis (J24). One effective moderately halophilic isolate (M2‐26) was identified as Planococcus rifietoensis. These strains are a source of hydrolytic enzymes such as chitinases, proteases, laminarinases, amylases, lipases and cellulases. For comparison, 12 halotolerant or moderately halophilic strains obtained from DSM culture collection were also evaluated for their antifungal activity against B. cinerea on tomato fruits. The most effective strains were Halomonas subglaciescola, Halobacillus litoralis, Marinococcus halophilus, Salinococcus roseus, Halovibrio variabilis and Halobacillus halophilus with a percentage of grey mould rot reduction ranging from 71% to 97%. Inoculation of mature‐green tomatoes by the bacterial antagonist of Halobacillus trueperi resulted in no disease development. Our results indicate that the use of halotolerant to halophilic micro‐organisms should be helpful in reducing grey mould disease of stored tomatoes.
What prognostic factors are important for resected intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma?
Authors: Paik Kwang Yeol , Jung Jun Chul , Heo Jin Seok , Choi Seong Ho , Choi Dong Wook , Kim Yong Il 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Our aim was to evaluate the predictive factors for survival and disease‐free survival of patients with resected intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).Methods:  Between October 1994 and 2005, 97 patients with ICC underwent curative hepatic resection. The tumors in 97 patients were reviewed retrospectively to examine the prognosis of ICC.Results:  The 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year survival rates were 74.9%, 51.8% and 31.1%, respectively. The 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year disease‐free survival rates were 21.3%, 6.4% and 2.1%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that tumor size, tumor number, the gross type, resection margin status, T‐stage and lymph node involvement were significant prognostic factors. Multiple tumors and cancer cells in the resection margin were found in multivariate analysis to be significantly related to the prognosis. In the multivariate analysis disease free survival was poor for the patients with a large tumor, multiple lesions, a high CA 19‐9 level, cancer in the resection margin, advanced T‐stage and lymph node involvement.Conclusions:  The overall 5‐year survival rate of ICC was 31.1%. Multiple intrahepatic lesions were a sign of a poor prognosis for ICC. Better survival could be achieved by curative resection with a tumor‐free margin.
Interstrain differences in susceptibility to non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Yamazaki Yuichi , Kakizaki Satoru , Takizawa Daichi , Ichikawa Takeshi , Sato Ken , Takagi Hitoshi , Mori Masatomo 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim: The pathophysiological mechanisms leading to the development of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) remain unclear. There are differences in the susceptibility to NASH between the different species and sexes. The investigation of the precise mechanism of interstrain differences may provide new means by which the pathophysiological mechanisms of NASH may be understood.Methods: C57BL/6N and C3H/HeN mice were administered a methionine‐ and choline‐deficient (MCD) diet to establish a dietary model of NASH.Results: An elevation of the serum alanine aminotransferase and increased infiltration of inflammatory cells were predominant in C57BL/6N mice at 8 weeks. The increase in the steatosis and lipid contents in the liver was greater in C57BL/6N mice than in C3H/HeN mice. The indices of lipid peroxidation demonstrated by F2‐isoprostanes or 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine also increased in the livers of C57BL/6N mice. Furthermore, Sirius red staining revealed an increase in the degree of fibrosis in C57BL/6N mice given the MCD diet. As a result, the C57BL/6N strain had a higher susceptibility to NASH than the C3H/HeN mice. The carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (in β‐oxidation) mRNA and mitochondrial 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA synthase 2 (in ketogenesis) mRNA were downregulated in the C57BL/6N mice in comparison with C3H/HeN mice. There were no differences in the expression of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein or sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 between the C57BL/6N and C3H/HeN mice.Conclusion: There were interstrain differences in susceptibility to NASH observed in a rodent dietary model. Further evaluations of the precise molecular mechanism of this interstrain difference may provide some indications of the pathophysiological mechanisms of NASH in humans.
Role of phosphatidylcholine saturation in preventing bile salt toxicity to gastrointestinal epithelia and membranes
Authors: Dial Elizabeth J , Rooijakkers Suzan H M , Darling Rebecca L , Romero Jim J , Lichtenberger Lenard M 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The mechanism which protects the biliary and intestinal mucosa from the detergent properties of bile acids is not fully understood. We employed three contrasting in vitro model systems (human red blood cells, polarized intestinal [Caco‐2] cells, and synthetic liposomes), to compare the efficacy of saturated and unsaturated phosphatidylcholine (PC) to protect cells and membranes from bile salt injury.Methods:  Hemolysis of red blood cells, electrical resistance across confluent monolayers of Caco‐2 cells, and disruption of synthetic PC liposomes were assessed after incubation with varying concentrations of bile salt (sodium deoxycholate) alone or in the presence of saturated or unsaturated PC.Results:  The hemolytic activity of deoxycholate on red blood cells was observed at ≥2 mM, and could be blocked by equimolar concentration or greater of both saturated or unsaturated PC. In contrast, exposure of Caco‐2 cells to deoxycholate at ≥0.8 mM induced a maximal decrease in resistance, which was reversed by ≥0.8 mM unsaturated PC or 5 mM saturated PC. Similarly, synthetic liposomes were permeabilized by 0.8 mM deoxycholate and were protected by a lower concentration of unsaturated PC (2 mM) than saturated (5 mM).Conclusions:  Cells can show variable resistance to bile salt toxicity. Extracellular PC, especially in the unsaturated state, can directly protect cell and artificial membranes from bile salt injury. These findings support a role for biliary PC in the formation of mixed micelles that have low cytotoxic properties.
Congenital veno‐venous malformations of the liver: Widely variable clinical presentations
Authors: Witters Peter , Maleux Geert , George Christophe , Delcroix Marion , Hoffman Ilse , Gewillig Marc , Verslype Chris , Monbaliu Diethard , Aerts Raymond , Pirenne Jacques , Van Steenbergen Werner , Nevens Frederik , Fevery Johan , Cassiman David 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Congenital portosystemic veno‐venous malformations are rare abnomalities that often remain undiagnosed. Typically they are classified by their anatomical characteristics according to Morgan (extrahepatic, Abernethy malformations type Ia,b and II) and Park (intrahepatic, types 1–4). However, their clinical presentation is less dependent on the anatomical type.Method:  We reviewed the clinical characteristics of six cases drawn from our files (from 1970 to 2006).Results:  One patient, a 25‐year‐old male, had extrahepatic shunting whereby the liver receives only arterial blood because the portal vein (PV) connects with the inferior caval vein (ICV) (Abernethy Ib); he presented with episodes of jaundice and pruritus. Three patients had extrahepatic shunting with patent intrahepatic portal veins, but with shunting of splenomesenterial blood towards the ICV (Abernethy II); these included a 66‐year‐old male with hepatic encephalopathy, a 17‐year‐old female with (porto?‐)pulmonary hypertension without portal hypertension, and a 33‐year‐old female with epidsodes of acute pain secondary to spontaneous bleeding within a primary liver tumor. Two patients had intrahepatic shunting; these included an 8‐year‐old boy who was diagnosed incidentally during work‐up for abnormal liver enzymes with a communication between right PV and ICV (Park type 1), and a 59‐year‐old male with multiple PV‐ICV–shunts in several liver segments (Park, type 4) who presented with hepatic encephalopathy.Conclusion:  Patients often present with signs of hepatic shunting (encephalopathy, pulmonary hypertension, hepatopulmonary syndrome, and/or hypoglycemia) with relative sparing of the synthetic liver function in the absence of portal hypertension. Some shunts present with space‐occupying lesions (focal nodular hyperplasia, hepatocellular carcinoma, nodular regenerative hyperplasia, etc.) or biliary atresia. Finally, some cases are detected incidentally.
Activation of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α by dietary fish oil attenuates steatosis, but does not prevent experimental steatohepatitis because of hepatic lipoperoxide accumulation
Authors: Larter Claire Z , Yeh Matthew M , Cheng Jenny , Williams Jacqueline , Brown Sandie , Dela Pena Aileen , Bell‐Anderson Kim S , Farrell Geoffrey C 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease is the result of an imbalance in hepatic lipid partitioning that favors fatty acid synthesis and storage over fatty acid oxidation and triglyceride secretion. The progressive, inflammatory disorder of steatohepatitis can be prevented or reversed by correcting this lipid imbalance by activating peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) α, a transcription factor which regulates fatty acid oxidation. n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), such as those found in fish oil (FO), are naturally occurring PPARα ligands which also suppress lipid synthesis.Methods:  We tested the role of dietary activation of PPARα by feeding mice a n‐3 PUFA‐enriched FO diet in the methionine and choline deficient (MCD) model of steatohepatitis. Results were compared with mice fed the corresponding diet supplemented with monounsaturated fatty acids as olive oil (OO).Results:  As expected, FO feeding led to robust hepatic PPARα activation in control mice, and decreased expression of genes involved with fatty acid synthesis. Such lipolytic gene expression profile was also clearly evident in FO MCD‐fed mice, and was associated with reduced hepatic lipid accumulation in comparison with mice fed OO MCD diet. FO feeding in control mice also caused marked hepatic accumulation of lipoperoxides compared with OO and chow‐fed mice. This was further exacerbated in FO MCD‐fed animals, which developed steatohepatitis characterized by mild steatosis and moderate inflammation in comparison with OO MCD‐fed mice; such inflammatory recruitment was not related to NF‐κB activation or enhanced cyclooxygenase‐2 activity.Conclusions:  Feeding an n‐3 PUFA‐enriched diet activated PPARα and suppressed hepatic de novo lipogenesis, but failed to prevent development of steatohepatitis in the presence of methionine and choline deficiency. Instead, the very high levels of hepatic lipoperoxides may have abrogated the protection that would otherwise be conferred by PPARα activation, and could also be responsible for lipotoxic hepatocellular injury and inflammatory recruitment.
Transforming growth factor β‐1 as a predictor of fibrosis in tuberculous pleurisy
Authors: SEISCENTO Márcia , VARGAS Francisco S. , ANTONANGELO Leila , ACENCIO Milena M.P. , BOMBARDA Sidney , CAPELOZZI Vera L. , TEIXEIRA Lisete R. 
Published: September 2007

Background and objective:  To clarify the influence of transforming growth factor β‐1 (TGF‐β1) in the development of pleural thickening in tuberculosis (TB), the levels of TGF‐β1 in pleural fluid and in serum of patients with pleural TB and transudative effusions were determined.Methods:  TGF‐β1 was quantified in 58 pleural fluid and serum samples of patients with TB (n = 50) or transudative effusions (n = 8). Pleural thickening evaluated by high‐resolution CT was scored as 0 (<3 mm); 1 (≥3 and <10 mm) or 2 (≥10 mm).Results:  The highest pleural fluid TGF‐β1 levels before treatment for TB were observed in patients with a pleural thickness score of 2. Of the 14 patients with score 1, five regressed to 0, five progressed to 2, and four maintained 1. All 17 patients with score 2 maintained this evaluation. Patients who presented score 1 and progressed to 2 had higher TGF‐β1 levels than those who maintained the same score or regressed (score 1 or 0). Patients with score 2 (before or after treatment) had higher TGF‐β1 levels than those with score 0 or 1.Conclusion:  Pleural fluid and serum TGF‐β1 levels were higher in patients with TB, with a correlation between pleural fluid TGF‐β1 levels before treatment and the degree of pleural thickening. This finding suggests that TGF‐β1 might be considered as a predictor of pleural thickening in pleural tuberculosis.
Causes of childhood epilepsy in Vietnam: cases in Bach Mai Hospital
Authors: SHIRASAKA YUKIYOSHI , HINH LE DUC , MINH PHAN HONG , SATO WAKIRO 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground: Little is known about childhood epilepsy in Vietnam, and because the causes of symptomatic epilepsy could be the result of both rapid economic development and traditional Vietnamese lifestyle, the purpose of the present paper was to clarify the nature of childhood epilepsy in Vietnam.Method: A classification of epilepsy using International League Against Epilepsy classification was made and an investigation of causes was carried out.Results: Of those 162 new patients diagnosed as having epilepsy in Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam, from February 2002 to February 2004 (male 84, female 78), there were 58 cases of generalized epilepsy: 22 symptomatic and 36 idiopathic or cryptogenic. A total of 90 patients were diagnosed as having localization‐related epilepsy: 53 as symptomatic and 37 as idiopathic or cryptogenic. A total of 14 cases were also considered as not epileptic after strict review of both the history and the examination data.Conclusion: Concerning the causes, the following were noted: (i) the rate of infectious diseases and trauma as causes of epilepsy was considerably higher in Vietnam than in developed countries; (ii) certain infectious diseases could be prevented if vaccinations and public health knowledge were improved; and (iii) the number of trauma cases, mainly due to traffic accidents, would likely be reduced if the traffic system was improved.
Management of meconium‐related ileus in very low‐birthweight infants
Authors: SHINOHARA TSUYOSHI , TSUDA MINEYUKI , KOYAMA NORIHISA 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground: Although administration of a water‐soluble contrast enema has been recognized to be effective for meconium‐related ileus, there have been no definitive management guidelines for very low‐birthweight infants.Methods: Between 1998 and 2004, 10 infants without cystic fibrosis were treated for meconium‐related ileus at Toyohashi Municipal Hospital. Their treatment and clinical course were reviewed retrospectively.Results: The average gestational age and birthweight of the 10 infants was 27 weeks and 788 g, respectively. The average age at initiation of treatment with a water‐soluble contrast enema was 6.8 days. Intestinal obstruction was relieved by the enema in eight of 10 patients, while one underwent laparotomy and one died without any improvement of obstruction. In both neonates for whom the enema failed, rectal examination and rectal irrigation had been performed for several days before the enema was administered at the age of 14 and 15 days, respectively. In contrast, the enema was administered at the age of 1–11 days in neonates for whom this treatment was successful. Obstruction was relieved if the contrast medium reached the distal ileum, but enemas without reflux into the distal ileum failed to improve the obstruction. Contrast medium passed through the ileocecal valve to reach the distal ileum in all procedures done under fluoroscopy, but the medium failed to reach the ileum in most of the procedures done without fluoroscopy.Conclusion: Although administration of water‐soluble contrast enemas can be effective for meconium‐related ileus, reflux into the terminal ileum is essential for bowel obstruction to improve, so it is desirable to perform the procedure under fluoroscopic guidance.