bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Invertebrate communities on Western Australian eucalypts: A comparison of branch clipping and chemical knockdown procedures
Authors: MAJER J. D. , RECHER H. F. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractChemical knockdown and branch clipping procedures were used in wandoo (Eucalyptus wandoo) woodland and jarrah (E. marginata)/marri (E. calophylla) open‐forest to sample arboreal invertebrate faunas on three species of Western Australian eucalypts. Jarrah was sampled in both habitats and had significantly lower invertebrate populations and a less diverse fauna than either wandoo or marri. The two procedures provided similar results with respect to the relative abundance of invertebrates on each plant species but the knockdowns sampled a more diverse fauna, including species sheltering in or on bark. Chemical knockdowns underestimated the abundance of sessile invertebrates, such as psyllids. Branch clipping sampled insufficient numbers of large, mobile, or cryptic invertebrates to estimate abundances, but provided a more accurate estimate of the abundance of sessile, leaf‐dwelling organisms. Neither procedure provides a complete sample of arboreal invertebrates, but they are complementary. When used in conjunction with each other a more complete estimate of arboreal invertebrate abundance and diversity is obtained. Both procedures can be used concurrently with only a small increase in field time.
Pollination ecology of Christmas Bells (Blandfordia nobilis): Patterns of standing crop of nectar
Authors: ZIMMERMAN MICHAEL , PYKE GRAHAM H. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractStanding crop of nectar (both volume and sugar concentrations) was measured from flowers in a population of Blandfordia nobilis. Nectar in this honeyeater‐pollinated species was extremely viscous during one flowering season and averaged approximately 95% sugar, while it averaged only 25% sugar two seasons later. Nectar volume was significantly and negatively correlated with sugar concentration on nine often sampling dates. There was no significant relationship between either nectar volume or sugar concentration and a number of measures of plant size (inflorescence height, numbers of open flowers, buds, spent flowers and total flowers). Similarly, no consistent relationship was found between measures of flower size and reward level. There were significant positive correlations between the reward (both volume and sugar concentration) offered by blossoms on the same plant. The nectar volume of flowers from nearest neighbouring inflorescences were significantly and positively correlated with one another on three of six occasions while the sugar concentrations of those blossoms were significantly correlated on just two of six sampling dates. There was no significant difference in reward (both volume and sugar concentration) between open flowers and those bagged to exclude pollinators. There was significant heterogeneity in the nectar volumes offered by plants to pollinators during a single flowering season.
Dynamics of resprouting in the lignotuberous shrub Banksia oblongifolia
Authors: ZAMMIT CHARLES 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe resprouting response of different sized Banksia oblongifolia lignotubers (genets) was followed in two field experiments. In the first, the density and speed of resprouting, and the growth in length of the leading shoot from each lignotuber in response to fire and to the time elapsed since the last fire was monitored for 18 months after fire and clipping treatments. In the second, sizes of bud banks were estimated by repeatedly clipping new shoots from individual lignotubers.Density of resprouting (shoots dm−2 lignotuber) decreased with increasing lignotuber size, and the length of the leading shoot increased. The direct effect of fire was to reduce shoot density by about 75%. The speed of resprouting (time taken by a cohort of shoots to reach 50% of their peak density) was similar after fire and clipping, but leading shoots grew significantly longer after fire. The elapsed time since lignotubers were last burnt did not influence their density of resprouting, but it did influence the speed of resprouting. Shoots from clipped lignotubers that had burnt 3 years earlier took about 90 days to each 50% of their peak density while shoots on lignotubers last burnt 5 and 17 years earlier took about 40 days. Death of shoots was unrelated to crowding in any stand. More lignotubers from the oldest unburnt stand were grazed by herbivores.The number of buds converted into shoots after successive clippings was surprisingly small; for most lignotubers this reserve was less than three times the size of their standing crop of shoots. In general, the smaller lignotubers carried a higher proportion of dormant buds in relation to their standing crop of shoots. About 30% of buds remained dormant after the first clipping and about 10% after the second and third clippings. Evidence suggests that buds are replaced within 6 months of fire. No lignotubers survived four clippings over 15 months.
The transcriptional repressor REST is a critical regulator of the neurosecretory phenotype
Authors: Bruce Alexander W. , Krejčí Alena , Ooi Lezanne , Deuchars James , Wood Ian C. , Doležal Vladimír , Buckley Noel J. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractRelease of distinct cellular cargoes in response to specific stimuli is a process fundamental to all higher eukaryotes and controlled by the regulated secretory pathway (RSP). However, the mechanism by which genes involved in the RSP are selectively expressed, leading to the establishment and appropriate functioning of regulated secretion remaining largely unknown. Using the rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12, we provide evidence that, by controlling expression of many genes involved in the RSP, the transcriptional repressor REST can regulate this pathway and hence the neurosecretory phenotype. Introduction of REST transgenes into PC12 cells leads to the repression of many genes, the products of which are involved in regulated secretion. Moreover, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays show that many of the repressed genes recruit the recombinant REST protein to RE1 sites within their promoters and abrogation of REST function leads to reactivation of these transcripts. In addition to the observed transcriptional effects, PC12 cells expressing REST have fewer secretory granules and a reduction in the ability to store and release noradrenaline. Furthermore, an important trigger for synaptic release, influx of calcium through voltage‐operated calcium channels, is compromised. This is the first demonstration of a transcription factor that directly controls expression of many major components of the RSP and provides further insight into the function of REST.
Glutamate‐induced protease‐mediated loss of plasma membrane Ca2+ pump activity in rat hippocampal neurons
Authors: Pottorf William J. , Johanns Tanner M. , Derrington Stephen M. , Strehler Emanuel E. , Enyedi Agnes , Thayer Stanley A. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractCa2+ dysregulation is a hallmark of excitotoxicity, a process that underlies multiple neurodegenerative disorders. The plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase (PMCA) plays a major role in clearing Ca2+ from the neuronal cytoplasm. Here, we show that the rate of PMCA‐mediated Ca2+ efflux from rat hippocampal neurons decreased following treatment with an excitotoxic concentration of glutamate. PMCA‐mediated Ca2+ extrusion following a brief train of action potentials exhibited an exponential decay with a mean time constant (τ) of 8.8 ± 0.2 s. Four hours following the start of a 30 min treatment with 200 µm glutamate, a second population of cells emerged with slowed recovery kinetics (τ = 16.5 ± 0.3 s). Confocal imaging of cells expressing an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)‐PMCA4b fusion protein revealed that glutamate treatment internalized EGFP and that cells with reduced plasma membrane fluorescence had impaired Ca2+ clearance. Treatment with inhibitors of the Ca2+‐activated protease calpain protected PMCA function and prevented EGFP‐PMCA internalization. PMCA internalization was triggered by activation of NMDA receptors and was less pronounced for a non‐toxic concentration of glutamate relative to one that produces excitotoxicity. PMCA isoform 2 also internalized following exposure to glutamate, although the Na+/K+ ATPase did not. These data suggest that glutamate exposure initiated protease‐mediated internalization of PMCAs with a corresponding loss of function that may contribute to the Ca2+ dysregulation that accompanies excitotoxicity.
Coexistence of TACS and Trigeminal Neuralgia: Pathophysiological Conjectures
Authors: Leone Massimo , Mea Eliana , Genco Sergio , Bussone Gennaro 
Published: July 2006

Background.—Trigeminal autonomic cephalgias (TACs) and trigeminal neuralgia are short‐lasting unilateral primary headaches whose study is providing insights into craniofacial pain mechanisms. We report on 2 patients in whom trigeminal neuralgia coexists with the TACs paroxysmal hemicrania and SUNCT. Conclusion.—Coexistence of trigeminal neuralgia with various TAC forms suggests a pathophysiological relationship between these short‐lasting unilateral headaches.
Simian foamy virus infection by whole‐blood transfer in rhesus macaques: potential for transfusion transmission in humans
Authors: Khan Arifa S. , Kumar Dhanya 
Published: July 2006

BACKGROUND: Cross‐species infection of humans with simian foamy virus (SFV) has been reported in European and North American nonhuman primate (NHP) handlers, primarily due to wound injuries involving infected animals in research centers and zoos. Additionally, African hunters have been found to be infected with SFV by exposure to body fluids, blood, or tissues of infected NHPs in the wild. The persistence of infectious virus in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) and the recent identification of some infected blood donors has raised safety concerns regarding potential virus transmission by blood transfusion.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: SFV infection by blood transfusion was evaluated by whole‐blood transfer from two naturally‐infected rhesus macaques (designated as D1 and D2) to retrovirus‐free monkeys. Blood from D1 was transfused to two recipient monkeys R1 and R2 and from D2 to monkeys R3 and R4. Virus transmission was evaluated by immunoassays, polymerase chain reaction assays, and coculture of PBMNC for SFV isolation.RESULTS: SFV infection was seen in R1 and R2 based on development of virus‐specific antibodies, identification of SFV sequences in monkey PBMNC, and isolation of infectious virus from PBMNC. Furthermore, both R1 and R2 remained SFV‐positive at about 1 year after transfusion, which was the last time tested. No evidence of SFV infection was seen in R3 and R4.CONCLUSION: SFV transmission in macaques occurred by transfusion of blood from one of two infected donor animals. These results indicate the potential of SFV transfusion transmission in humans, which may depend on virus‐specific or donor‐related factors.
Behavioral Response of Satellite‐collared Elephants to the Tsunami in Southern Sri Lanka1
Authors: Wikramanayake Eric , Fernando Prithiviraj , Leimgruber Peter 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTAfter the Asian tsunami the media was inundated with reports of aberrant behavior among animals attributed to a “sixth sense” that allowed them to respond to the catastrophe ahead of the impact. We present behavior data from two satellite‐collared Asian elephants that ranged close to the tsunami impact area in Sri Lanka. These data indicate that neither elephant behaved in a manner consistent with a “sixth sense” that allowed an early detection of the approaching tsunami.
Variation in Seedling Density and Seed Predation Indicators for the Emergent Tree Dipteryx panamensis in Continuous and Fragmented Rain Forest1
Authors: Hanson Thor , Brunsfeld Steven , Finegan Bryan 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTSeedling density and the condition of stony endocarps of the tree Dipteryx panamensis were assessed in protected continuous forest and two forest fragments exposed to hunting and selective logging. Seedling density was higher in forest fragments than in continuous forest, while more whole endocarps and fewer chewed and half endocarps were found in fragments, indicating lower seed predation at fragment sites. These findings appear to contradict two earlier D. panamensis studies and we discuss methodological differences that could account for our disparate results. Hunting and fragmentation effects on mammal populations are suggested as a cause for the altered recruitment pattern in fragments.
Impact of privacy legislation on the number and characteristics of people who are recruited for research: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Trevena L , Irwig L , Barratt A 
Published: July 2006

Background:Privacy laws have recently created restrictions on how researchers can approach study participants.Method:In a randomised trial of 152 patients, 50–74 years old, in a family practice, 60 were randomly selected to opt-out and 92 to opt-in methods. Patients were sent an introductory letter by their doctor in two phases, opt-out before and opt-in after introduction of the new Privacy Legislation in December 2001. Opt-out patients were contacted by researchers. Opt-in patients were contacted if patients responded by email, free telephone number or a reply-paid card.Results:Opt-in recruited fewer patients (47%; 43/92) after invitation compared with opt-out (67%; 40/60); (−20%; [−4% to −36%]). No proportional difference in recruitment was found between opt-in and opt-out groups varied by age, sex or socioeconomic status. The opt-in group had significantly more people in active decision-making roles (+30%; [10% to 50%]; p = 0.003). Non-significant trends were observed towards opt-in being less likely to include people with lower education (−11.8%; [−30% to 6.4%]; p = 0.13) and people who were not screened (−19.1%; [−40.1% to 1.9%]; p = 0.08). Opt-in was more likely to recruit people with a family history of colorectal cancer (+12.7%; [−2.8%, 28.2%]; p = 0.12).Conclusions:The number of participants required to be approached was markedly increased in opt-in recruitment. Existing participants (eg, screening attendees) with a vested interest such as increased risk, and those preferring an active role in health decision making and with less education were likely to be recruited in opt-in. Research costs and generalisability are affected by implementing privacy legislation.
Improving the quality of consent to randomised controlled trials by using continuous consent and clinician training in the consent process
Authors: Allmark P , Mason S 
Published: July 2006

Objective:To assess whether continuous consent, a process in which information is given to research participants at different stages in a trial, and clinician training in that process were effective when used by clinicians while gaining consent to the Total Body Hypothermia (TOBY) trial. The TOBY trial is a randomised controlled trial (RCT) investigating the use of whole-body cooling for neonates with evidence of perinatal asphyxia. Obtaining valid informed consent for the TOBY trial is difficult, but is a good test of the effectiveness of continuous consent.Methods:Semistructured interviews were conducted with 30 sets of parents who consented to the TOBY trial and with 10 clinicians who sought it by the continuous consent process. Analysis was focused on the validity of parental consent based on the consent components of competence, information, understanding and voluntariness.Results:No marked problems with consent validity at the point of signature were observed in 19 of 27 (70%) couples. Problems were found mainly to lie with the competence and understanding of the parents: mothers, particularly, had problems with competence in the early stages of consent. Problems in understanding were primarily to do with side effects. Problems in both competence and understanding were observed to reduce markedly, particularly for mothers, in the post-signature phase, when further discussion took place. Randomisation was generally understood but unpopular. Information was not always given by clinicians in stages during the short period available before parents gave consent. Most clinicians, however, were able to give follow-up information.Discussion:Consent validity was found to compare favourably with similar trials examined in the Euricon study.Conclusion:Adopting the elements of the continuous consent process and clinician training in RCTs should be considered by researchers, particularly when they have concerns about the quality of consent they are likely to obtain by using a conventional process.
Maternal and paternal occupational exposure to agricultural work and the risk of anencephaly
Authors: Lacasaña M , Vázquez-Grameix H , Borja-Aburto V H , Blanco-Muñoz J , Romieu I , Aguilar-Garduño C , García A M 
Published: July 2006

Aims:To evaluate the association between parental occupational exposure to agricultural work and the risk of anencephaly in three Mexican states.Methods:A paired case control study (1:1) was done based on records of the Epidemiological Surveillance System of Neural Tube Defects in Mexico; 151 cases of anencephaly of more than 20 weeks’ gestation were selected between March 2000 and February 2001. Controls were selected from the same maternity services as those of the cases and were born alive without congenital malformations. Information was obtained from both parents by means of a general questionnaire, a food frequency questionnaire, and a specific questionnaire on occupational exposure to pesticides. Exposures were analysed with emphasis on the three months before and one month after the last menstruation periods (acute risk period (ARP)), as well as exposure prior to the abovementioned period (non-acute risk period (NARP)).Results:The children of mothers who worked in agriculture in the ARP had a greater risk of anencephaly (OR = 4.57, 95% CI 1.05 to 19.96). The risk of fathers having a child with anencephaly was greater in those who applied pesticides irrespective of whether it was done in the ARP or the NARP (OR = 2.50, 95% CI 0.73 to 8.64; and OR = 2.03, 95% CI 0.58 to 7.08, respectively).Conclusions:These results support the hypothesis of the effect of maternal exposure to agricultural work on anencephaly and suggest that exposure of the father to pesticides in the periconceptional period or prior to this can also increase the risk of having an anencephalic child.
GM-CSF Deficiency Reduces Macrophage PPAR-γ Expression and Aggravates Atherosclerosis in ApoE-Deficient Mice
Authors: Ditiatkovski Michael , Toh Ban-Hock , Bobik Alex 
Published: July 2006

Objective—Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is expressed in atherosclerotic lesions but its significance for lesion development is unknown. Consequently, we investigated the significance of GM-CSF expression for development of atherosclerotic lesions in apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE−/−) mice.Methods and Results—We generated apoE−/−mice deficient in GM-CSF (apoE−/−.GM-CSF−/−mice), fed them a high-fat diet, and compared lesion development with apoE−/−mice. We measured lesion size, macrophage, smooth muscle cell, and collagen accumulation at the aortic sinus, and expression of genes that regulate cholesterol transport and inflammation. No differences in serum cholesterol were found between the 2 groups. Lesion size in hyperlipidemic apoE−/−.GM-CSF−/−increased by 30% (P<0.05), macrophage accumulation doubled, and collagen content reduced by 15% (P<0.05); smooth muscle cell accumulation and vascularity were unaffected. Analysis of PPAR-γ, ABCA1, and CD36 in lesions showed reduced expression (50%, 65%, and 55%, respectively), whereas SR-A doubled. In peritoneal macrophages, PPAR-γ and ABCA1 expression was also reduced by 50% and 70%, respectively, as was cholesterol efflux, by 50%. In lesions, pro-inflammatory MCP-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression increased 2- and 3.5-fold, respectively, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 expression enhanced and interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist reduced by 50%.Conclusions—GM-CSF deficiency increases atherosclerosis under hypercholesterolemic conditions, indicating antiatherogenic role for GM-CSF. We suggest this protective role is mediated by PPAR-γ and ABCA1, molecules that affect cholesterol homeostasis and inflammation.
An interactive visualization tool to explore the biophysical properties of amino acids and their contribution to substitution matrices
Authors: Bulka Blazej , desJardins Marie , Freeland Stephen J 
Published: July 2006

Abstract

Background
Quantitative descriptions of amino acid similarity, expressed as probabilistic models of evolutionary interchangeability, are central to many mainstream bioinformatic procedures such as sequence alignment, homology searching, and protein structural prediction. Here we present a web-based, user-friendly analysis tool that allows any researcher to quickly and easily visualize relationships between these bioinformatic metrics and to explore their relationships to underlying indices of amino acid molecular descriptors.

Results
We demonstrate the three fundamental types of question that our software can address by taking as a specific example the connections between 49 measures of amino acid biophysical properties (e.g., size, charge and hydrophobicity), a generalized model of amino acid substitution (as represented by the PAM74-100 matrix), and the mutational distance that separates amino acids within the standard genetic code (i.e., the number of point mutations required for interconversion during protein evolution). We show that our software allows a user to recapture the insights from several key publications on these topics in just a few minutes.

Conclusion
Our software facilitates rapid, interactive exploration of three interconnected topics: (i) the multidimensional molecular descriptors of the twenty proteinaceous amino acids, (ii) the correlation of these biophysical measurements with observed patterns of amino acid substitution, and (iii) the causal basis for differences between any two observed patterns of amino acid substitution. This software acts as an intuitive bioinformatic exploration tool that can guide more comprehensive statistical analyses relating to a diverse array of specific research questions.
Reliability of two goniometric methods of measuring active inversion and eversion range of motion at the ankle
Authors: Menadue Collette , Raymond Jacqueline , Kilbreath Sharon L , Refshauge Kathryn M , Adams Roger 
Published: July 2006

Abstract

Background
Active inversion and eversion ankle range of motion (ROM) is widely used to evaluate treatment effect, however the error associated with the available measurement protocols is unknown. This study aimed to establish the reliability of goniometry as used in clinical practice.

Methods
30 subjects (60 ankles) with a wide variety of ankle conditions participated in this study. Three observers, with different skill levels, measured active inversion and eversion ankle ROM three times on each of two days. Measurements were performed with subjects positioned (a) sitting and (b) prone. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC[2,1]) were calculated to determine intra- and inter-observer reliability.

Results
Within session intra-observer reliability ranged from ICC[2,1] 0.82 to 0.96 and between session intra-observer reliability ranged from ICC[2,1] 0.42 to 0.80. Reliability was similar for the sitting and the prone positions, however, between sessions, inversion measurements were more reliable than eversion measurements. Within session inter-observer measurements in sitting were more reliable than in prone and inversion measurements were more reliable than eversion measurements.

Conclusion
Our findings show that ankle inversion and eversion ROM can be measured with high to very high reliability by the same observer within sessions and with low to moderate reliability by different observers within a session. The reliability of measures made by the same observer between sessions varies depending on the direction, being low to moderate for eversion measurements and moderate to high for inversion measurements in both positions.