bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The evolution of sexual and parthenogeneticWarramaba: a window onto Plio–Pleistocene diversification processes in an arid biome
Authors: KEARNEY MICHAEL , BLACKET MARK J. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractEnvironmental changes over the Plio‐Pleistocene have been key drivers of speciation patterns and genetic diversification in high‐latitude and mesic environments, yet comparatively little is known about the evolutionary history of species in arid environments. We applied phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses to understand the evolutionary history ofWarramabagrasshoppers from the Australian arid zone, a group including sexual and parthenogenetic lineages. Sequence data (mitochondrial COI) showed that the four major sexual lineages withinWarramabamost likely diverged in the Pliocene, around 2–7 million years ago. All sexual lineages exhibited considerable phylogenetic structure. Detailed analyses of the hybrid parthenogenetic speciesW. virgoand its sexual progenitors showed a pattern of high phylogenetic diversity and phylogeographic structure in northern lineages, and low diversity and evidence for recent expansion in southern lineages. Northern sexual lineages persisted in localized refugia over the Pleistocene, with sustained barriers promoting divergence over this period. Southern parts of the present range became periodically unsuitable during the Pleistocene, and it is into this region that parthenogenetic lineages have expanded. Our results strongly parallel those for sexual and parthenogenetic lineages of the geckoHeteronotiafrom the same region, indicating a highly general effect of Plio‐Pleistocene environmental change on diversification processes in arid Australia.
Sea‐level changes and palaeo‐ranges: reconstruction of ancient shorelines and river drainages and the phylogeography of the Australian land crayfishEngaeus sericatusClark (Decapoda: Parastacidae)
Authors: SCHULTZ MARK B. , IERODIACONOU DANIEL A. , SMITH SARAH A. , HORWITZ PIERRE , RICHARDSON ALASTAIR M. M. , CRANDALL KEITH A. , AUSTIN CHRISTOPHER M. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractHistorical sea levels have been influential in shaping the phylogeography of freshwater‐limited taxa via palaeodrainage and palaeoshoreline connections. In this study, we demonstrate an approach to phylogeographic analysis incorporating historical sea‐level information in a nested clade phylogeographic analysis (NCPA) framework, using burrowing freshwater crayfish as the model organism. Our study area focuses on the Bass Strait region of southeastern Australia, which is marine region encompassing a shallow seabed that has emerged as a land bridge during glacial cycles connecting mainland Australia and Tasmania. Bathymetric data were analysed using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to delineate a palaeodrainage model when the palaeocoastline was 150 m below present‐day sea level. Such sea levels occurred at least twice in the past 500 000 years, perhaps more often or of larger magnitude within the last 10 million years, linking Victoria and Tasmania. Inter‐locality distance measures confined to the palaeodrainage network were incorporated into an NCPA of crayfish (Engaeus sericatusClark 1936) mitochondrial 16S rDNA haplotypes. The results were then compared to NCPAs using present‐day river drainages and traditional great‐circle distance measures. NCPA inferences were cross‐examined using frequentist and Bayesian procedures in the context of geomorphological and historical sea‐level data. We found distribution of present‐day genetic variation inE. sericatusto be partly explained not only by connectivity through palaeodrainages but also via present‐day drainages or overland (great circle) routes. We recommend that future studies consider all three of these distance measures, especially for studies of coastally distributed species.
Recent divergence, intercontinental dispersal and shared polymorphism are shaping the genetic structure of amphi‐Atlantic peatmoss populations
Authors: SZÖVÉNYI P. , TERRACCIANO S. , RICCA M. , GIORDANO S. , SHAW A. J. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractSeveral lines of evidence suggest that recent long‐distance dispersal may have been important in the evolution of intercontinental distribution ranges of bryophytes. However, the absolute rate of intercontinental migration and its relative role in the development of certain distribution ranges is still poorly understood. To this end, the genetic structure of intercontinental populations of six peatmoss species showing an amphi‐Atlantic distribution was investigated using microsatellite markers. Methods relying on the coalescent were applied (im and migrate) to understand the evolution of this distribution pattern in peatmosses. Intercontinental populations of the six peatmoss species were weakly albeit significantly differentiated (average FST = 0.104). This suggests that the North Atlantic Ocean is acting as a barrier to gene flow even in bryophytes adapted to long‐range dispersal. The im analysis suggested a relatively recent split of intercontinental populations dating back to the last two glacial periods (9000–289 000 years ago). In contrast to previous hypotheses, analyses indicated that both ongoing migration and ancestral polymorphism are important in explaining the intercontinental genetic similarity of peatmoss populations, but their relative contribution varies with species. Migration rates were significantly asymmetric towards America suggesting differential extinction of genotypes on the two continents or invasion of the American continent by European lineages. These results indicate that low genetic divergence of amphi‐Atlantic populations is a general pattern across numerous flowering plants and bryophytes. However, in bryophytes, ongoing intercontinental gene flow and retained shared ancestral polymorphism must both be considered to explain the genetic similarity of intercontinental populations.
Population‐genomic approach reveals adaptive floral divergence in discrete populations of a hawk moth‐pollinated violet
Authors: HERRERA C. M. , BAZAGA P. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractLocal adaptation to contrasting biotic or abiotic environments is an important evolutionary step that presumably precedes floral diversification at the species level, yet few studies have demonstrated the adaptive nature of intraspecific floral divergence in wild plant populations. We combine a population‐genomic approach with phenotypic information on floral traits to examine whether the differentiation in metric floral traits exhibited by 14 populations of the southern Spanish hawk moth‐pollinated violetViola cazorlensisreflects adaptive divergence. Screening of many amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) loci using a multiple‐marker‐based neutrality test identified nine outlier loci (2.6% of the total) that departed from neutral expectations and were potentially under selection. Generalized analysis of molecular variance revealed significant relationships between genetic distance and population divergence in three floral traits when genetic distance was based on outlier loci, but not when it was based on neutral ones. Population means of floral traits were closely correlated with population scores on the first principal coordinate axis of the genetic distance matrix using outlier loci, and with the allelic frequencies of four of the outlier loci. Results strongly support the adaptive nature of intraspecific floral divergence exhibited byV. cazorlensisand illustrate the potential of genome scans to identify instances of adaptive divergence when used in combination with phenotypic information.
An analysis of population genetic differentiation and genotype–phenotype association across the hybrid zone of carrion and hooded crows using microsatellites andMC1R
Authors: HAAS FREDRIK , POINTER MARIE A. , SAINO NICOLA , BRODIN ANDERS , MUNDY NICHOLAS I. , HANSSON BENGT 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe all black carrion crow (Corvus corone corone) and the grey and black hooded crow (Corvus corone cornix) meet in a narrow hybrid zone across Europe. To evaluate the degree of genetic differentiation over the hybrid zone, we genotyped crows from the centre and edges of the zone, and from allopatric populations in northern (Scotland–Denmark–Sweden) and southern Europe (western–central northern Italy), at 18 microsatellites and at a plumage candidate gene, theMC1Rgene. Allopatric and edge populations were significantly differentiated on microsatellites, and populations were isolated by distance over the hybrid zone in Italy. Single‐locus analyses showed that one locus, CmeH9, differentiated populations on different sides of the zone at the same time as showing only weak separation of populations on the same side of the zone. Within the hybrid zone there was no differentiation of phenotypes at CmeH9 or at the set of microsatellites, no excess of heterozygotes among hybrids and low levels of linkage disequilibrium between markers. We did not detect any association between phenotypes and nucleotide variation atMC1R, and the two most common haplotypes occurred in very similar frequencies in carrion and hooded crows. That we found a similar degree of genetic differentiation between allopatric and edge populations irrespectively of their location in relation to the hybrid zone, no differentiation between phenotypes within the hybrid zone, and neither heterozygote excess nor consistent linkage disequilibrium in the hybrid zone, is striking considering that carrion and hooded crows are phenotypically distinct and sometimes recognised as separate species.
Effects of two levels of feed allocation on IGF‐I concentrations and metabolic parameters in GnRH‐immunized boars
Authors: Bauer A. , Lacorn M. , Claus R. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryImmunocastration of boars leads to a maintenance of growth harmone (GH) and a loss of anabolic hormones [androgens, oestrogens, insulin‐like growth factor (IGF‐I)] but an increase of voluntary feed intake. The aim of the experiment was to clarify whether IGF‐I is increased by increasing feed supply in immunocastrated boars leading to improved anabolism. Two groups of six boars were given 2 or 3 kg of feed (13.5 MJ ME/kg) daily from 18–28 weeks of age. Because in boars feed intake is limited by gonadal hormones, a group with further increased feed supply could not be included. Until week 22 (second vaccination) gonadal steroids in blood were normal but dropped rapidly thereafter. Growth harmone levels did not change following vaccination. Pigs allocated 3 kg feed had 28% higher circulating IGF‐I after the second immunization compared with pigs fed 2 kg feed daily. Higher IGF‐I was associated with increased weight gain (682.4 g/day vs. 466.7 g/day; p < 0.01) and protein synthesis (13C‐leucine infusion; 405 g/day vs. 247 g/day, p < 0.01). Protein breakdown (urea) was not different. Body fat (D2O) decreased in the low feed group from 15.2% (week 19) to 6.1% (week 25). In the high feed group it remained at the level found before second vaccination (13.7% vs. 15.0%). It is concluded that in the phase of reduced testicular steroids which inhibit appetite it is possible to increase feed intake which in turn increases IGF‐I and protein deposition without accumulating excessive fat.
Effects of isovalerate on ruminal fermentation, urinary excretion of purine derivatives and digestibility in steers
Authors: Liu Q. , Wang C. , Huang Y. X. , Dong K. H. , Yang W. Z. , Zhang S. L. , Wang H. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of isovalerate supplementation on rumen fermentation, urinary excretion of purine derivatives and feed digestibility in the total tract of steers. Eight ruminally cannulated Simmental steers were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square experiment. The treatments were: control (without isovalerate), low isovalerate (LIV), medium isovalerate (MIV) and high isovalerate (HIV) dosage of isovalerate at 100, 200 and 300 mg isovalerate per kg dry matter (DM) intake respectively. Diets consisted of corn stover and concentrate (60/40, DM basis). Dry matter intake was approximately 9 kg per day that was 90% of ad libitum intake including 5.4 kg corn stover and 3.6 kg concentrate. Ruminal pH (6.72–6.54) was linearly (p < 0.03) reduced, whereas total volatile fatty acid concentration (64.6–74.7 mmol/l) was linearly (p < 0.01) and quadratically (p < 0.01) increased with increasing isovalerate supplementation. Ratio of acetate to propionate increased linearly (p < 0.01) from 2.78 to 3.39 as isovalerate supplementation increased because of the increase in acetate production and decrease in propionate production. In situ ruminal degradation of amylase‐treated neutral detergent fibre (aNDF) of corn stover was improved, but crude protein (CP) degradability of soybean meal decreased with increasing isovalerate supplementation. Urinary excretion of purine derivatives was quadratically (p < 0.01) changed by altering isovalerate supplementation (50.5, 54.3, 58.9 and 55.2 mmol/day for control, LIV, MIV and HIV, respectively). Similarly, digestibilities of organic matter, aNDF and CP in the total tract were linearly and quadratically increased with increasing isovalerate supplementation. The results of this study indicate that supplementation of diet with isovalerate improved ruminal fermentation and feed digestion in beef cattle. It was suggested that the isovalerate stimulated the digestive micro‐organisms or enzymes in a dose‐dependent manner.
Organ traits and histopathology of rabbits fed varied levels of dietary fumonisin B1
Authors: Ewuola E. O 
Published: December 2008

SummaryIn a 196‐day feeding trial, 48 male crossbred rabbits (New Zealand × Chinchilla) were randomly assigned and fed varied dietary fumonisin levels of 0.13, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 mg fumonisin B1/kg diet constituting treatments 1 (control), 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Five animals were randomly selected, stunned and killed per treatment. Relative weight of various visceral organs examined except heart and adrenal gland were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by the dietary treatments. Liver and spleen weights of rabbits fed 10.0 mg fumonisin per kg were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than those fed control diet and diet 2. Kidney and testes weights were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in rabbits fed control diet and increased with increase in the dietary fumonisin levels. Histological examination of the organs revealed that rabbits fed diets 2, 3 and 4 showed increased severe lesion of approximately 20%, 40% and 60%, respectively, of the total slides examined for each treatment. Forty per cent and 80% of the rabbits fed diets containing 7.5 and 10.0 mg/kg fumonisin, respectively, showed severe necrosis whereas 40%, 60% and 20% of the rabbits fed 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 mg/kg, respectively, showed mild–moderate liver necrosis/lesions as compared with non‐significant lesion observed in the controls. Testicles of rabbits fed diets 3 and 4 showed mild–moderate lesions and sertoli cell degeneration. Tunica mucosa erosion was observed and predominant in the stomach and small intestine of rabbits fed 7.5 and 10.0 mg fumonisin per kg diet. This suggested that fumonisin B1 above 5.0 mg/kg in rabbit diet is toxic to body organs with potential to induce their hypofunction or total damage.
Angiotensin‐converting enzyme gene polymorphism and the progression rate of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in Iranian children
Authors: GHEISSARI ALALEH , SALEHI MANSOUR , DASTJERDI SOMAYEH BANDI , JAHANGIRI MANSOUR , HOOMAN NAKISA , OTOOKESH HASSAN , MERIKHIPOUR ALIREZA , AJIR AFSHIN , FOROUGHMAND ALIMOHAMMAD , KHATAMI SAEIDREZA , SHAHIDI SHAHRZAD , ATAPOUR ABDOLAMIR , SEIRAFIAN SHIVA , NAEINI AFSOON EMAMI 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARY:Aim:  Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is one of the most common forms of glomerulonephritis leading to end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). A few clinical and paraclinical factors are considered as contributing factors in progression rate. However, there are controversial reports on the relationship between ACE gene polymorphism and rapidity of progression of FSGS to ESRD in different populations. To elucidate this issue, we investigated the relationship between the insertion (I) and deletion (D) ACE gene polymorphism and rapidity of progression of FSGS to ESRD in Iranian children.Methods:  Forty‐one children aged 1–18 years admitted to St AlZahra Hospital, Isfahan, and St Ali Asghar Hospital, Tehran, Iran, with idiopathic FSGS were enrolled. Renal death was defined as a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of less than 50 mL/min per 1.73 m2 or a decreased GFR to less than 50% compare to baseline. Reaching renal death in less or more than 2 years were labelled as rapid progressors (RP) or slow progressors (SP), respectively. Intron 16 of the ACE gene was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction technique.Results:  Twenty‐eight patients were male and 13 were female. In 15 RP patients, the genotype distribution was 26.6% DD, 6.7% II and 66.7% ID. In 26 SP patients, the genotype was similar (38.6% DD, 7.6% II and 53.8% ID, P > 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences for ACE I/D gene polymorphism between the two groups of patients (P > 0.05).Conclusion:  Our study revealed no correlation between ACE I/D gene polymorphism and rapidity of progression of FSGS to ESRD in Iranian children.
Laparoscopic pyelolithotomy: Is the retroperitoneal route a better approach?
Authors: Al‐Hunayan Adel , Abdulhalim Hamdy , El‐Bakry Ehab , Hassabo Majed , Kehinde Elijah O 
Published: December 2008

Objectives:  To compare the outcome of laparoscopic pyelolithotomy (LP) using the transperitoneal and the retroperitoneal routes.Methods:  Demographics, intraoperative and postoperative clinical parameters were evaluated in 48 laparoscopic pyelolithotomies performed in patients with renal pelvic calculi of diameter >30 mm. The differences between the transperitoneal and retroperitoneal routes were analyzed.Results:  Twenty‐seven LP were performed using the transperitoneal approach (TLP), and 21 using the retroperitoneal approach (RLP). Apart from weight, the patients' demographics and stone size were similar in the two groups. Between the RLP and the TLP routes, the operative time was 112.1 versus 93.2 min (P = 0.01), mean time for oral intake was 1.9 versus 1.2 days (P < 0.01), and mean hospital stay was 5.2 versus 3.8 days (P < 0.01). The mean postoperative analgesic requirement (2.4 vs 2.2 days, P = 0.41), mean convalescence days (9.7 vs 10 days, P = 0.56), and mean estimated blood loss (57.2 vs 62.9 ml, P = 0.5) were similar between RPL and TPL respectively. The stone‐free rate at 3 months follow‐up was comparable (88.9% vs 90.5%, P = 0.86). The postoperative complications were not significantly different.Conclusions:  Compared with the TLP approach, RLP for large renal pelvic stone resulted in a shorter operative time, a shorter resumption time for normal oral intake, and a shorter hospital stay. As the other clinical outcomes are similar, including the stone‐free rate, we recommend the RLP route for LP.
Different regulation of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases‐1, ‐2 and ‐3 in human endometrial stromal cells during decidualization in vitro
Authors: FLUHR HERBERT , KRENZER STEFANIE , ZYGMUNT MAREK 
Published: December 2008

Aim:  Endometrial tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) appear to play an essential role during early implantation by modulating the invasiveness of the trophoblast. The expression of TIMP‐1, TIMP‐2 and TIMP‐3 in human endometrial stromal cells (ESC) was investigated during decidualization in vitro.Methods:  Endometrial stromal cells were isolated from hysterectomy specimens from premenopausal women undergoing surgery for benign reasons. Decidualization in vitro was induced by the application of 1 µmol/L progesterone and 30 nmol/L 17β‐estradiol over 9 days. The expression of TIMP‐1, TIMP‐2 and TIMP‐3 in ESC was measured by semiquantitative real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay over intervals of 3 days.Results:  Decidualization in vitro was confirmed by a significant increase in prolactin expression. TIMP‐1 and TIMP‐2 mRNA and secreted protein showed no significant changes over the time‐course of decidualization. In contrast, TIMP‐3 was upregulated during the first 3 days of decidualization. An eightfold upregulation was observed until day 6, and the effect was less pronounced by day 9.Conclusion:  These results suggest a regulatory role of the TIMP system for endometrial differentiation in the second half of the menstrual cycle and in early implantation. The expression pattern of endometrial TIMP‐3 might be important for the regulation of trophoblast invasion. (Reprod Med Biol 2008; 7: 169–175)
Culture‐independent evidence for the persistent presence and genetic diversity of microcystin‐producing Anabaena (Cyanobacteria) in the Gulf of Finland
Authors: Fewer David P. , Köykkä Miikka , Halinen Katrianna , Jokela Jouni , Lyra Christina , Sivonen Kaarina 
Published: December 2008

SummaryThe late summer mass occurrences of cyanobacteria in the Baltic Sea are among the largest in the world. These blooms are rarely monotypic and are often composed of a diverse assemblage of cyanobacteria. The toxicity of the blooms is attributed to Nodularia spumigena through the production of the hepatotoxic nodularin. However, the microcystin hepatotoxins have also been reported from the Baltic Sea on a number of occasions. Recent evidence links microcystin production in the Gulf of Finland directly to the genus Anabaena. Here we developed a denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) method based on the mcyE microcystin synthetase gene and ndaF nodularin synthetase gene that allows the culture‐independent discrimination of microcystin‐ and nodularin‐producing cyanobacteria directly from environmental samples. We PCR‐amplified microcystin and nodularin synthetase genes from environmental samples taken from the Gulf of Finland and separated them on a denaturing gradient gel using optimized conditions. Sequence analyses demonstrate that uncultured microcystin‐producing Anabaena strains are genetically more diverse than previously demonstrated from cultured strains. Furthermore, our data show that microcystin‐producing Anabaena are widespread in the open Gulf of Finland. Non‐parametric statistical analysis suggested that salinity plays an important role in defining the distribution of microcystin‐producing Anabaena. Our results indicate that microcystin‐producing blooms are a persistent phenomenon in the Gulf of Finland.