bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiple Mating Increases Fecundity, Fertility and Relative Clutch Mass in the Female Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius)
Authors: LaDage Lara D. , Gutzke William H. N. , Simmons Richard A. , Ferkin Michael H. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractFemales across many taxa may mate with several males or mate more than once with the same male within one reproductive event. Although many researchers have discussed the effects of multiple mating on reproductive success of females, few studies have attempted to disentangle whether the reproductive success of females differs with respect to whether females mate with multiple males or mate more than once with one male. In this study, we hypothesized that female leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) increase aspects of their reproductive success, such as fecundity, fertility and relative clutch mass, by mating more than once within one reproductive event, either by mating repeatedly with the same male or multiply mating with different males. We controlled for the potentially confounding variables of mating frequency and mate number by allowing females to mate once with one male, twice with the same male, or twice with two different males. We found that females that mated with more than one male laid more clutches, exhibited increased egg fertility and invested more in clutches relative to females that mated only once with one male, whereas females that mated twice to the same male were intermediate for these variables. Thus, reproductive success is higher among female leopard geckos that mated with more than one male compared to female leopard geckos that mated only once.
Neither Mating Rate Nor Spermatophore Feeding Influences Longevity in a Ladybird Beetle
Authors: Perry Jennifer C. , Rowe Locke 
Published: April 2008

AbstractFemales of many species experience costs associated with mating. Seminal products, including nuptial gifts, may mitigate these mating costs or exacerbate them. For example, nuptial gifts derived from male accessory glands may transfer nutrition or potentially harmful seminal proteins to females. In this study, we assay the costs of multiple mating and the consumption of seminal products in a ladybird beetle. We compared longevity in females mated singly or multiply, while allowing or preventing spermatophore consumption at each mating. In order to distinguish a cost of mating per se from a cost of elevated reproduction, we prevented reproduction by using nutrient‐stressed females. Mating singly or multiply had no effect on female longevity, nor did spermatophore feeding influence longevity. The results imply, first, that intermediate mating rates do not directly harm females, though females may experience other indirect costs of mating (e.g. reduced foraging efficiency) or costs of reproduction; and second, that spermatophores transfer neither food nor directly harmful substances to female ladybirds.
Management of fungal root‐rot pathogens in tropicalAcacia mangiumplantations
Authors: Eyles A. , Beadle C. , Barry K. , Francis A. , Glen M. , Mohammed C. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryAcacia mangiumis a fast‐growing tree species. It is mainly planted in large monocultures for pulpwood in South‐East Asia. Root rot has become the most economically damaging disease of this species with high tree mortality rates observed during second and third rotations. Two main types of root rots have been found inA.mangium, viz. brown root‐rot and red‐root disease caused byPhellinusspp. andGanodermaspp., respectively. To assess the future management options for root rot ofA.mangium, we review past and current disease‐management strategies for root rot in different temperate and tropical industrial tree crops. The efficacies of a wide range of silvicultural, chemical and biological options are detailed, and their potential utilization in managing root rot ofA.mangiumis discussed. We conclude that the current gaps in knowledge regarding identification, biology and disease epidemiology of the root‐rot pathogens will need to be addressed so that effective management options can be developed.
Distribution of ant species and mounds (Formica) in different‐aged managed spruce stands in eastern Finland
Authors: Kilpeläinen J. , Punttila P. , Finér L. , Niemelä P. , Domisch T. , Jurgensen M. F. , Neuvonen S. , Ohashi M. , Risch A. C. , Sundström L. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMound‐building ants (Formicaspp.), as key species, have large impacts on organisms and ecosystem functions in boreal Eurasian forests. The density, sizes and locations of ant mounds determine the magnitude and the spatial distribution of ant activities in forest ecosystems. Clear‐cutting can destroy wood ant colonies, and the species, abundance, dimensions and locations of ant mounds may change as forest stand structure changes with stand age. We compared ant species composition, ant mound numbers and dimensions, and the spatial distribution of mounds in Norway spruce [Picea abies(L.) Karst.] stands of different age (5, 30, 60 and 100 years) in eastern Finland. The mound density ofFormica aquiloniaYarr. was greater in the two oldest stand age classes, while most mounds ofFormica rufaL., Formica polyctenaFörst., Formica lugubrisZett., Formica exsectaNyl. andFormica pressilabrisNyl. were found in the two youngest age classes. The mean volume, the volume per area and height/diameter ratio ofF. aquiloniamounds increased with stand age. In the oldest stand age class, mounds were slightly smaller in well‐lit locations than in shade and near stand edges than further from the edges indicating that new mounds are established in well‐lit locations. Similarly, the longest slopes of the mounds faced south, indicating the importance of exposure to the sun.F. aquiloniamounds were concentrated near stand edges, and the spatial distribution of the mounds was aggregated in some stands. At the ecosystem level, the aggregation of ant mounds near stand edges may increase the edge productivity, as mounds concentrate resources to the edges and release nutrients after abandonment.
The fate of an intentional introduction of Formica lugubris to North America from Europe
Authors: Storer A. J. , Jurgensen M. F. , Risch A. C. , Delisle J. , Hyslop M. D. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractRed wood ants (Formica s.str.) are not prevalent in the forests of North America, but commonly occur in conifer and mixed conifer forests in northern Europe and Asia. In 1971, a European red wood ant species, Formica lugubris, was intentionally established in a 35‐year‐old predominantly mixed conifer plantation approximately 30 km north of QC, Canada. The purpose of its introduction was to evaluate the potential of this species as a biological control agent against conifer‐defoliating Lepidoptera species. This red wood ant introduction was monitored periodically for about 5 years after establishment, but its long‐term fate has not been reported. We visited this field site in 2005 and found that this species was well established, and we could locate some of the nests that resulted from the original release. We mapped and measured over 100 nests around the site of original release, which ranged from 5 cm in height to over 1 m. We estimated the population of introduced ants to have grown to over 8 million in the last 34 years. Significant clustering of nests suggests that these nests may be one supercolony. F. lugubris has become a dominant understory arthropod in this mixed forest, and is likely to have ecological impacts, including effects at the community and ecosystem level.
Organic mound‐building ants: their impact on soil properties in temperate and boreal forests
Authors: Jurgensen M. F. , Finér L. , Domisch T. , Kilpeläinen J. , Punttila P. , Ohashi M. , Niemelä P. , Sundström L. , Neuvonen S. , Risch A. C. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAnts are important components of most soil invertebrate communities, and can affect the flow of energy, nutrients and water through many terrestrial ecosystems. The vast majority of ant species build nests in the mineral soil, but a small group of ants in temperate and boreal forests of Eurasia and North America build large parts of their nests above‐ground using organic materials collected from the surrounding soil. Many studies have shown that ants nesting in mineral soil can affect water infiltration rates, soil organic matter (OM) content, and nutrient cycling, but much less is known on how mound‐building ants influence soil physical and chemical properties. In this paper we summarize what is known on the soil impacts of organic mound‐building ants in temperate and boreal forests, and how these ants could be affected by ecosystem disturbance and future climate change. Much of this information comes from studies onFormica rufagroup ants in Europe, which showed that CO2emissions and concentrations of C, N, and P are usually higher in ant mounds than in the surrounding forest soil. However, ant mounds are a minor component of total soil C and nutrient pools, but they do increase spatial heterogeneity of soil water and available nutrients. Mound‐building ants can also impact tree growth, which could change the quantity and quality of OM added to soil. Forest management, fire, and projected climate change, especially in boreal forests, could affect mound‐building ant population dynamics, and indirectly, soil properties.
Impact of Formica exsecta Nyl. on seed bank and vegetation patterns in a subalpine grassland ecosystem
Authors: Schütz M. , Kretz C. , Dekoninck L. , Iravani M. , Risch A. C. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe mound building ant Formica exsecta Nyl. is widely distributed in grassland ecosystems of the Central European Alps. We studied the impact of these ants on seed bank and vegetation patterns in a 11 ha subalpine grassland, where we counted over 700 active ant mounds. The mounds showed a distinct spatial distribution with most of them being located in tall‐grass, which was rarely visited by ungulates (red deer; Cervus elaphus L.). Heavily grazed short‐grass, in contrast, seemed to be completely avoided by ants as only few mounds were found in this vegetation type. The species composition of the ant mound and grassland seed banks was quite similar, i.e. from 15 common plant species 12 were found in both seed bank types. We found the same proportions of myrmecochorous seeds in ant mound and grassland soil samples. In contrast, the number of seeds was 15 times higher in mound compared with the grassland soil samples. Also, the vegetation growing on ant mounds significantly differed from the vegetation outside the mounds: graminoids dominated on ant mounds, herbaceous and myrmecochorous species in the grassland vegetation. We found significant continuous changes in vegetation composition on gradients from the ant mound centre to 1 m away from the mound edge. Overall, F. exsecta was found to have a considerable impact on seed bank and vegetation patterns in the grassland ecosystem studied. These insects not only altered grassland characteristics in the close surrounding of their mounds, but also seem to affect the entire ecosystem including, for example, the spatial use of the grassland by red deer.
A prospective and comparative cohort study on efficacy and drug resistance during long‐term lamivudine treatment for various stages of chronic hepatitis B and cirrhosis
Authors: Nishida Tomohiro , Kobashi Haruhiko , Fujioka Shin‐ichi , Fujio Kozo , Takaguchi Kouichi , Ikeda Hiroshi , Kawaguchi Mitsuhiko , Ando Masaharu , Araki Yasuyuki , Higashi Toshihiro , Shoji Bon , Takaki Akinobu , Iwasaki Yoshiaki , Sakaguchi Kohsaku , Shiratori Yasushi , Yamamoto Kazuhide 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground and Aims:  A prospective, non‐randomized cohort study on long‐term lamivudine treatment, comparing efficacy, drug resistance, and prognosis for various stages of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)–related liver disease was performed to elucidate the significance and indication of lamivudine for individual patients at each stage of disease.Methods:  A total of 158 cases consisting of 87 chronic hepatitis, 28 compensated cirrhosis, and 43 decompensated cirrhosis, with serum HBV‐DNA > 5 log10 copies/mL and with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) over twice the upper normal limit or complications of hepatic insufficiency, were administered 100 mg of lamivudine daily and monitored for HBV markers, biochemistry, and prognosis.Results:  Lamivudine reduced HBV‐DNA and ALT equally in all groups. Serum albumin, prothrombin time (%), and platelet count increased in all groups. The increased margin of albumin was the highest in the decompensated cirrhosis and higher in the compensated cirrhosis than the chronic hepatitis groups. Cumulative incidence of virologic breakthrough was 16%, 42%, 49%, and 53% at 12, 24, 36, and 48 months, respectively, and the strongest predictive factor for lamivudine resistance was persistent HBV‐DNA at 3 months. Ascites, encephalopathy, and jaundice improved in the majority of patients with decompensated cirrhosis. On the other hand, hepatic failure developed or deteriorated in 10 patients after virologic breakthrough, and nine of them had decompensated cirrhosis.Conclusions:  Lamivudine was effective in reducing HBV‐DNA and improving hepatic reserve at all stages and was most beneficial and significant for decompensated cirrhosis. Meanwhile, close monitoring of viral load and immediate rescue treatment for lamivudine resistance is necessary to prevent hepatic failure in decompensated cirrhosis.
Diagnostic value of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography for clinically suspicious spontaneous passage of bile duct stones
Authors: Sakai Yuji , Tsuyuguchi Toshio , Yukisawa Seigo , Tsuchiya Shin , Sugiyama Harutoshi , Miyakawa Kaoru , Ohara Tadashi , Ebara Masaaki , Miyazaki Masaru , Yokosuka Osamu 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  We investigated the usefulness of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and the need for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with clinically suspicious spontaneous passage of bile duct stones.Methods:  The study population consisted of 113 patients suspected of having common duct bile stones. Of them, 50 patients were clinically suspected of spontaneous passage of bile duct stones based on the presence of gallbladder stones on ultrasound examination or a history of common bile duct stones after cholecystectomy, clinical symptoms including abdominal pain and fever associated with inflammatory reaction and marked rise of hepatobiliary enzymes which resolved or normalized after conservative treatment without evidence of stones in the common bile duct on MRCP. These 50 patients were prospectively followed up for a median of 10.2 months.Results:  All patients except for one had had no symptoms related to cholangitis. Only one patient received ERCP due to recurrence of symptoms after 6 months.Conclusion:  When clinical symptoms improve, hematological parameters normalize, and MRCP indicates that there are no stones in the common bile duct, it can be considered that the stones have passed naturally.
Early activation of mucosal dendritic cells and macrophages in acute Campylobacter colitis and cholera: An in vivo study
Authors: Pulimood Anna B , Ramakrishna Balakrishna S , Rita Arockiasamy B , Srinivasan Pattabiraman , Mohan Vivek , Gupta Sanjaykumar , Perakath Benjamin , Kang Gagandeep , Chandy George , Balasubramanian Kunnissery A 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Macrophages and dendritic cells are closely related mononuclear phagocytic cells. Little is known about their in vivo role in acute intestinal bacterial infections in humans. We undertook to evaluate these cells in rectal mucosal biopsies of patients with acute colitis.Methods:  All mucosal mononuclear phagocytic cells in rectal biopsies of patients with acute Campylobacter colitis (n = 5), shigellosis (n = 5), and cholera (n = 10) were evaluated ultrastructurally and compared with those in controls (n = 5).Results:  Mononuclear phagocytic cells in the superficial rectal mucosa showed a higher prevalence of ultrastructural features of activation in Campylobacter colitis and cholera than in controls. A lower prevalence of features of activation with increased monocytes was seen in shigellosis. Cells with the ultrastructural morphology of activated dendritic cells constituted 41% and 45% of all mononuclear phagocytic cells in two of five patients with Campylobacter colitis and 4–22% of cells in four of 10 patients with cholera. Their presence in patients with Campylobacter colitis was associated with significant surface epithelial damage and prominent acute inflammatory changes in the mucosa.Conclusions:  This is the first ultrastructural study to show activated macrophages and dendritic cells in vivo in acute Campylobacter colitis and cholera. Dendritic cell activation occurred early in the clinical course of these infections. Surface epithelial damage may play a role in the activation of dendritic cells.
Enhanced expression of mucin 6 glycoprotein in cholangiocarcinoma tissue from patients in Thailand as a prognostic marker for survival
Authors: Thuwajit Peti , Chawengrattanachot Watinee , Thuwajit Chanitra , Sripa Banchob , Paupairoj Anucha , Chau‐in Siri 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a mucin‐producing cancer that has poor prognosis. Mucin 6 (MUC6) is a mucin that is normally co‐expressed with the trefoil factor family‐2 (TFF2) trefoil peptide. Both MUC6 and TFF2 have been reported to be involved in the progression of many types of cancers. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of MUC6 and TFF2 in CCA tissues and associate these results with clinical data.Methods:  MUC6 and TFF2 were detected in CCA tissues by immunohistochemistry. The correlations of MUC6 and TFF2 expressions with clinical data were analyzed.Results:  We determined the significant co‐expression of both proteins in serial CCA tissues. The high expressions of MUC6 and TFF2 were demonstrated in 37% and 31% of patients, respectively. The expression levels decreased in the advanced stage of CCA when clinical metastasis was exhibited. The high expression of either protein showed a correlation with prolonged postoperative survival time, but only a high expression of MUC6 is significantly correlated with a 5‐year survival rate. A multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that a low expression of MUC6, high expression of TFF2, age of patients >56 years, tumor size >5 cm, and poorly‐differentiated histological type were independent, poor prognostic indicators for CCA.Conclusion:  MUC6 showed a good correlation with the survival of CCA patients. It may be of value to propose that MUC6 is a good prognostic marker for CCA management.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease in Asia: A condition in evolution
Authors: Ho Khek Yu 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWidespread epidemiological changes, rising prevalence and gradual shifts in patterns of disease manifestations: this is the changing face of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in Asia. Are we witnessing a disease in evolution or merely the result of increased and more accurate case reporting that comes with advancing diagnostic technology, better medical facilities and heightened awareness of the disease? Do the figures reported really reflect the actual scenario or is there more to it than meets the eye? In this article, we take you back in time to review relevant developments over the past decade or so. We will draw on findings from across Asia, take an in‐depth look at prevailing trends and patterns and examine some of the most plausible explanations behind the dynamics of this epidemiological transition.
Current treatment of HIV/hepatitis B virus coinfection
Authors: Iser David M , Sasadeusz Joseph J 
Published: April 2008

AbstractCoinfection with HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) has become a significant global health problem. Liver disease is now one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in individuals with HIV, particularly those with viral hepatitis. There are a number of agents available with dual activity against HIV and HBV, and effective treatment depends on understanding the potential advantages and pitfalls in using these agents. There are a number of unresolved issues in the management of HIV/HBV coinfection. These include the role of liver biopsy, the significance of normal aminotransferase levels, serum HBV DNA threshold for treatment, treatment end‐points, and the treatment of HBV when HIV does not yet require treatment. Treatment of HBV should be considered in individuals with HIV/HBV coinfection with evidence of significant fibrosis (≥F2), or with elevated serum HBV DNA levels (>2000 IU/mL). Sustained suppression of serum HBV DNA to below the level of detection by the most sensitive available assay should be the goal of therapy, and, at present, treatment of HBV in HIV/HBV coinfection is lifelong. If antiretroviral therapy is required, then two agents with anti‐HBV activity should be incorporated into the regimen. If antiretroviral therapy is not required, then the options are pegylated interferon, adefovir or the early introduction of antiretroviral therapy. Close monitoring is necessary to detect treatment failure or hepatic flares, such as immune reconstitution disease. Further studies of newer anti‐HBV agents in individuals HIV/HBV coinfection may advance treatment of this important condition.
Liver stem cells: A scientific and clinical perspective
Authors: Dan Yock Young , Yeoh George C 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe promise of liver stem cells lie in their potential to provide a continual and readily available source of liver cells that can be used for gene therapy, cellular transplant, bioartificial liver‐assisted devices, drug toxicology testing and use as an in vitro model to understand the developmental biology of the liver. Both the rodent and human embryonic stem cell, bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell, mesenchymal stem cell, umbilical cord blood cell, fetal liver progenitor cell, adult liver progenitor cell as well as the mature hepatocyte have been reported to be capable of self‐renewal, giving rise to daughter hepatocytes both in vivo and in vitro. These cells can repopulate livers in animal models of liver injury and seemingly improve liver function. However, significant challenges still exist before these cells can be used in humans. These include lack of consensus in immunophenotype of liver progenitor cells, uncertainty of the physiological role of reported candidate stem/progenitor cell, practicality in obtaining sufficient quantity of cells for clinical use and concerns over ethics, long‐term efficacy and safety. Current molecular techniques of stem cell identification are confounded by cell fusion, horizontal gene transfer, incomplete differentiation and fetal microchimerism. Reports of stem cell transplantation and phase 1 trials of bone marrow transplantation in humans for liver diseases are exciting but require more robust verification. We review the evidence for various candidate stem cells, human clinical trials reported to date and highlight the challenges facing clinicians in their quest to use liver stem cells to save lives.