bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative tests of primary homology
Authors: Agnarsson Ingi , Coddington Jonathan A. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractIn systematic biology homology hypotheses are typically based on points of similarity and tested using congruence, of which the two stages have come to be distinguished as “primary” versus “secondary” homology. Primary homology is often regarded as prior to logical test, being a kind of background assumption or prior knowledge. Similarity can, however, be tested by more detailed studies that corroborate or weaken previous homology hypotheses before the test of congruence is applied. Indeed testing similarity is the only way to test the homology of characters, as congruence only tests their states. Traditional homology criteria include topology, special similarity, function, ontogeny and step‐counting (for example, transformation in one step versus two via loss and gain). Here we present a method to compare quantitatively the ability of such criteria, and competing homology schema, to explain morphological observations. We apply the method to a classic and difficult problem in the homology of male spider genital sclerites. For this test case topology performed better than special similarity or function. Primary homologies founded on topology resulted in hypotheses that were globally more parsimonious than those based on other criteria, and therefore yielded a more coherent and congruent nomenclature of palpal sclerites in theridiid spiders than prior attempts. Finally, we question whether primary homology should be insulated as “prior knowledge” from the usual issues and demands that quantitative phylogenetic analyses pose, such as weighting and global versus local optima.© The Willi Hennig Society 2007.
Progress in understanding and managing natural killer‐cell malignancies
Authors: Oshimi Kazuo 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThe World Health Organization classification of haematolymphoid tumours recognizes three categories of natural killer (NK)‐cell neoplasms: blastic NK‐cell lymphoma, aggressive NK‐cell leukaemia, and extranodal NK/T‐cell lymphoma, nasal‐type. Recent studies indicate that CD4+CD56+ blastic NK‐cell lymphoma is of plasmacytoid dendritic cell origin, and true tumours of precursor NK‐cell origin may be present mainly in the CD4−CD56+ subset. Myeloid/NK‐cell precursor acute leukaemia may also develop from precursor NK cells. However, because the developmental pathway of normal NK cells is not well understood, tumours of precursor NK‐cell origin are not clearly identified. Among mature NK‐cell tumours, extranodal NK/T‐cell lymphoma is relatively common in Asia and Latin America. In localized disease, chemoradiotherapy seems to be promising, and in advanced disease, new combination chemotherapies are under active investigation. Aggressive NK‐cell leukaemia is rare and has a poor prognosis. Because NK‐cell neoplasms are rare and difficult to manage, rigorous studies are required for their understanding and management.
Can the extremely female‐biased sex ratio of the social spider mites be explained by Hamilton’s local mate competition model?
Authors: SATO YUKIE , SAITO YUTAKA 
Published: October 2007

Abstract1. Extremely female‐biased sex ratios are known in the social spider mite species,Stigmaeopsis longusandS. miscanthi. Whether Hamilton’s local mate competition (LMC) theory can explain such sex ratios was investigated.2. Significant changes of the progeny sex ratios in the direction predicted by the LMC model were found in both species when the foundress number changed. Therefore, LMC can partly explain the skewed sex ratios in these species.3. When the foundress number increased, the progeny sex ratio was still female biased and significantly different from the prediction of the LMC model for haplodiploidy. Relatedness between foundresses could not fully explain the female‐biased sex ratios. Therefore, these results suggest that there are factors other than LMC skewing the sex ratios of these species toward female.
Serial monodomy in ants: an antipredator strategy?
Authors: McGLYNN TERRENCE P. 
Published: October 2007

Abstract 1. The term serial monodomy is used to describe a life‐history phenomenon in social insects. Serially monodomous colonies maintain multiple nests for their exclusive use, but only occupy one nest at a time.2. The hypothesis that colony odours mediate nest relocation decisions was tested in the serially monodomous species Aphaenogaster araneoides from Central America. Odour extracts of colony members were created using a non‐polar solvent.3. Colonies strongly avoided reoccupying nests treated with colony odour extracts, while control colonies often returned to nests subjected to solvent‐only control. Behavioural observations indicated that A. araneoides colonies are capable of detecting army ant (Eciton burchellii) raids up to 1.4 m from the raiding front, with several seconds to evacuate nests.4. It is proposed that the function of serial monodomy in A. araneoides is the reduction of nest odour to enhance detection of predaceous army ants. Serial monodomy may be a widespread but undocumented mode of nesting where army ants occur in tropical and subtropical climates.
Field mating rate of female meadow grasshoppers, Chorthippus parallelus, estimated from sperm counts
Authors: REINHARDT KLAUS , KÖHLER GÜNTER , WEBB STEVE , CHILDS DYLAN 
Published: October 2007

Abstract 1. Female mating frequency is an important life‐history component in many insect species. It has been suggested that its laboratory measurement may frequently represent an overestimation of the natural situation because laboratory females have little opportunity to avoid matings. Here, numbers of sperm stored by field‐collected females are investigated in order to address whether this method is suitable for estimating field mating frequencies.2. Data on sperm numbers stored by females and their estimated age based on mandible abrasion were fitted to a simple mechanistic model to obtain estimates of: (i) remating interval; (ii) ejaculate size, and (iii) the rate of sperm loss from the female sperm store. Females were calculated to remate every 5.9–7.0 days. By contrast, sperm numbers of field‐collected females did not exceed ejaculate size, which would have resulted in the false conclusion that females mate only once.3. In the laboratory, females first mated when aged 4–11 days and remated approximately every 2.6 days. Because females are not restricted by mate encounters under these conditions, this confirms the notion that female mating rates are likely to be lower in the field than in the laboratory. Such reduced field mating rates should be taken into account when predicting ecological or evolutionary parameters based on laboratory observed mating rates.
A molecular test for cryptic diversity in ground water: how large are the ranges of macro‐stygobionts?
Authors: TRONTELJ PETER , DOUADY CHRISTOPHE J. , FIŠER CENE , GIBERT JANINE , GORIČKI ŠPELA , LEFÉBURE TRISTAN , SKET BORIS , ZAKŠEK VALERIJA 
Published: October 2007

Summary1. Various groundwater habitats have exceptionally high levels of endemism caused by strong hydrographical isolation and low dispersal abilities of their inhabitants. More than 10% of macro‐stygobiotic species nevertheless occupy relatively large ranges, measuring from some hundred to over 2000 km in length. These species represent a challenge because their distributions disregard hydrographical boundaries, and their means to disperse and maintain long‐term gene flow are unknown.2. Based on mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences, we examined the phylogeographic structure of six formally recognised stygobiotic species (Niphargus virei,N. rhenorhodanensis,Troglocaris anophthalmus,T. hercegovinensis,Spelaeocaris pretneri,Proteus anguinus) and searched for cryptic lineage diversity in a genus‐wide phylogeny ofNiphargus. Using tree‐based criteria as well as comparative divergence measures, we identified cryptic lineages, which may tentatively be equated with cryptic species.3. Fourteen analysed nominal stygobiotic species with large ranges emerged as highly diversified, splitting into 51 tentative cryptic lineages. The degree of divergence was within the range or larger than the divergence of other related pairs of sister species. A substantial part (94%) of the cryptic lineages had ranges <200 km in length. One half of them were recorded at single sites only. The largest range recorded was that of a crypticN. vireilineage (700 km), while none of the very large traditional ranges (e.g.Niphargus aquilex– 2300 km,N. tauri– 1900 km) could be corroborated.4. These data suggest that small ranges of macro‐stygobionts are the rule, and ranges over 200 km are extremely rare.5. The implications of this result for groundwater biodiversity assessment and conservation include a considerable increase in overall diversity at the regional and continental scale and a strong decrease in faunal similarities among regions, coupled with greater endemism.
Temporal variation in freshwater viral and bacterial community composition
Authors: LYMER DAVID , LOGUE JÜRG BRENDAN , BRUSSAARD CORINA P. D. , BAUDOUX ANNE‐CLAIRE , VREDE KATARINA , LINDSTRÖM EVA S. 
Published: October 2007

Summary1. The goal of this study conducted in three lakes differing in nutrient content and size was to assess the temporal variation in viral community composition and possible co‐variation with compositional changes in bacterial communities.2. The viral community composition differed among lakes and changed over the season. Changes could also be detected on short‐time scales, i.e. over a few days. These changes were comparable in magnitude to the changes detected between months or seasons.3. The most important environmental factors co‐varying with viral community composition, as determined by multivariate analysis, differed over the year and among lakes. Temperature and concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total phosphorus and soluble reactive phosphorus were the most important factors.4. Bacterial community composition also varied over the season and among lakes. The most important factors co‐varying with bacterial community composition, as determined by multivariate analysis, were also temperature and DOC concentration.5. Correlation between viral and bacterial community composition was weak and appeared to be a result of an indirect connection rather than a direct relationship between bacteria and viruses.
Body mass index, alcohol, tobacco and symptomatic gallstone disease: a Swedish twin study
Authors: Katsika D. , Tuvblad C. , Einarsson C. , Lichtenstein P. , Marschall H.‐U. 
Published: October 2007

Abstract.Background/Aims.  Both genetic and environmental factors are involved in the pathogenesis of gallstone disease (GD). We aimed to examine the association between symptomatic GD and overweight (body mass index, BMI, 25–30 kg m−2), obesity (BMI > 30 kg m−2), alcohol, smoking and smoke‐free tobacco by analysing a large twin population.Methods.  The Swedish Twin Registry (STR) was linked to the Swedish Hospital Discharge and Causes of Death Registries for GD and GD‐surgery related diagnoses. Weight, height, use of alcohol, smoking and smoke‐free tobacco were provided by STR and analysed for possible associations by conditional logistic regression.Results.  Overweight and obesity were associated with a significantly higher risk for symptomatic GD in the whole study population (OR 1.86 and OR 3.38; CI: 1.52–2.28 and 2.28–5.02 respectively). High alcohol consumption was associated with a lower risk for GD in the whole population (OR 0.62; CI: 0.51–0.74) with no difference between discordant monozygotic and dizygotic twins (OR 1.08 and OR 0.96; CI: 0.82–1.42 and 0.79–1.16). Smoking or smoke‐free tobacco was not correlated with GD.Conclusion.  Consistent with epidemiological studies, we found positive associations between BMI and the development of symptomatic GD. High alcohol consumption was associated with a decreased risk against GD. Tobacco use has no impact on GD.
Renal dysfunction predicts long‐term mortality in patients with lower extremity arterial disease
Authors: Pasqualini L. , Schillaci G. , Pirro M. , Vaudo G. , Siepi D. , Innocente S. , Ciuffetti G. , Mannarino E. 
Published: October 2007

Abstract. Pasqualini L, Schillaci G, Pirro M, Vaudo G, Siepi D, Innocente S, Ciuffetti G, Mannarino E (University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy). Renal dysfunction predicts long‐term mortality in patients with lower extremity arterial disease.J Intern Med2007;262: 668–6.Background. Patients with renal insufficiency tend to suffer from advanced atherosclerosis and exhibit a reduced life expectancy.Objectives and design. This prospective study investigated the relation between renal dysfunction and long‐term all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality in a population of nonsurgical patients with lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD).Subjects and methods. A total of 357 patients with symptomatic LEAD underwent baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation by the 4‐variable Modification Diet in Renal Diseases equation, and were then followed for 4.2 years (range: 1–17).Results. During follow‐up, 131 patients died (8.6 deaths per 100 patient‐years), 79 of whom (60%) from cardiovascular causes. All‐cause death rates were 3.8, 6.6, and 15.5 per 100 patient‐years, respectively, in the groups with normal GFR, mild reduction in GFR (60–89 mL min−1per 1.73 m2) and chronic kidney disease (CKD; <60 mL min−1per 1.73 m2;P < 0.001 by log‐rank test). Compared to patients with normal renal function, the risk of all‐cause and cardiovascular death was significantly higher in patients with CKD [hazard ratio, respectively, 2.23, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16–4.34,P = 0.017; 2.15, 95% CI: 1.05–4.43,P = 0.03]. The association of CKD with all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality were independent of age, LEAD severity, cardiovascular risk factors and treatment with angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE)‐inhibitors, hypolipidaemic and antiplatelet drugs. The power of GFR in predicting all‐cause death was higher than that of ankle‐brachial pressure index (P = 0.029) and Framingham risk score (P < 0.0001).Conclusion. Chronic kidney disease strongly predicts long‐term mortality in patients with symptomatic LEAD irrespective of disease severity, cardiovascular risk factors and concomitant treatments.
Clinical and biochemical implications of low thyroid hormone levels (total and free forms) in euthyroid patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Carrero J. J. , Qureshi A. R. , Axelsson J. , Yilmaz M. I. , Rehnmark S. , Witt M. R. , Bárány P. , Heimbürger O. , Suliman M. E. , Alvestrand A. , Lindholm B. , Stenvinkel P. 
Published: October 2007

Abstract.  Carrero JJ, Qureshi AR, Axelsson J, Yilmaz MI, Rehnmark S, Witt MR, Bárány P, Heimbürger O, Suliman ME, Alvestrand A, Lindholm B, Stenvinkel P (Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm; and Karo Bio AB, Novum, Huddinge; Sweden). Clinical and biochemical implications of low thyroid hormone levels (total and free forms) in euthyroid patients with chronic kidney disease. J Intern Med 2007; 262: 690–701.Objectives.  In this study, we explore the associations of decreased thyroid hormone levels with inflammation, wasting and survival in biochemically euthyroid patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD).Design.  After exclusion of 23 patients with thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) values outside the normal range (0.1–4.5 mIU L−1), 187 clinically and biochemically euthyroid incident ESRD stage 5 patients starting dialysis were followed for a median of 20 (range 1–60) months. Measurements of total and free forms of thyroid hormones, s‐albumin, hs‐CRP, interleukin (IL)‐6, vascular adhesion molecule (VCAM)‐1 and insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) were performed at baseline.Results.  In this population, 17 out of 210 patients (8%) were defined as subclinically hypothyroid. Multivariate analysis, according to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, showed that mortality was best predicted by total triiodothyronine (T3). When using the cut‐off levels derived from ROC, low T3 levels were associated with increased inflammation (higher hs‐CRP, IL‐6 and VCAM‐1) and lower concentration of both s‐albumin and IGF‐1. Finally, low T3 but not low free triiodothyronine was associated with worse all‐cause (Likelihood ratio = 45.4; P < 0.0001) and cardiovascular mortality (Likelihood ratio = 47.8; P < 0.0001) after adjustment for confounding factors.Conclusion.  This study showed that low T3 levels are independent predictors of all‐cause and also cardiovascular disease mortality in biochemically euthyroid patients, perhaps due to an intimate association with inflammation. Based on these results, the use of T3 levels in studies assessing the relationship between thyroid dysfunction and mortality risk is recommended.
Life style habits such as alcohol consumption and physical activity in relation to serum apoB / apoA‐I ratio amongst 64‐year‐old women with varying degrees of glucose tolerance
Authors: Simonsson M. , Schmidt C. , Sigurdadottir V. , Helenius M.‐L. , Fagerberg B. 
Published: October 2007

Abstract.Objectives.  To investigate how life style factors such as alcohol consumption and physical activity relate to the serum apoB / apoA‐I ratio in a cohort of middle‐aged women with varying degrees of glucose tolerance.Design.  Observational, cross‐sectional cohort study.Setting.  Research laboratory at a University Hospital.Subjects.  A screened cohort of 64‐year‐old postmenopausal women with varying degrees of glucose tolerance, ranging from diabetes (n = 232), impaired (n = 212) and normal (n = 191) glucose tolerance.Main outcome measure.  ApoB / apoA‐I ratio in relation to alcohol consumption and physical activity as assessed by questionnaires.Results.  Alcohol consumption and regular physical activity at high levels were inversely associated with the serum apoB / apoA‐I ratio independently of confounding factors such as obesity, lipid‐lowering treatment, degree of glucose tolerance and hormone replacement therapy. Alcohol seemed related to the apoB / apoA‐I ratio mainly through increasing apoA‐I, whereas physical activity seemed mainly related to lowering of apoB. Alcohol consumption above a daily intake of 8.9 g, i.e. less than a glass of wine was accompanied by a decrease in apoB / apoA‐I ratio.Conclusions.  Amongst these 64‐year‐old women with varying degrees of glucose tolerance, a moderate alcohol intake and regular physical exercise leading to sweating were associated with lower apoB / apoA‐I ratio and these effects seem to be additive.
Specimen‐induced distortions in light microscopy
Authors: SCHWERTNER M. , BOOTH M. J. , WILSON T. 
Published: October 2007

SummarySpecimen‐induced aberrations affect the imaging properties in optical 3D microscopy, especially when high numerical aperture lenses are used. Studies on aberrations are often properly concerned with the degradation of image quality such as compromised resolution or reduced signal intensity. Apart from these, aberration effects can also introduce geometric image distortions. The effects, discussed here are particularly strong when thick biological specimens are investigated. Using a high numerical aperture interferometer, we measured wavefront aberrations in transmission mode and quantified geometric distortions associated with specimen‐induced aberrations. This assessment for a range of biological specimens allows estimation of the accuracy of spatial measurements. The results show that high‐resolution spatial measurements can be significantly compromised by specimen‐induced aberrations.
A simple and efficient alternative to implementing systematic random sampling in stereological designs without a motorized microscope stage
Authors: MELVIN NEAL R. , PODA DANIEL , SUTHERLAND ROBERT J. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryWhen properly applied, stereology is a very robust and efficient method to quantify a variety of parameters from biological material. A common sampling strategy in stereology is systematic random sampling, which involves choosing a random sampling relevant objects start point outside the structure of interest, and sampling at sites that are placed at pre‐determined, equidistant intervals. This has proven to be a very efficient sampling strategy, and is used widely in stereological designs. At the microscopic level, this is most often achieved through the use of a motorized stage that facilitates the systematic random stepping across the structure of interest. Here, we report a simple, precise and cost‐effective software‐based alternative to accomplishing systematic random sampling under the microscope. We believe that this approach will facilitate the use of stereological designs that employ systematic random sampling in laboratories that lack the resources to acquire costly, fully automated systems.
Antibody‐dependent in‐vitro cytotoxicity of newborn Trichinella spiralis larvae: nature of the cells involved
Authors: GANSMULLER ANNIE , ANTEUNIS ANNY , VENTURIELLO STELLA M. , BRUSCHI FABRIZIO , BINAGHI RUBEN A. 
Published: October 2007

Summary The cytotoxic reaction of normal peritoneal mouse cells, containing less than 3% eosinophils, against newborn Trichinella spiralis larvae, in the presence of antibody, was studied using newborn worms less than 2 h of age, or newborn worms that had been maintained in culture at 37°C for 20 h.Newborn worms 2 h old were killed, whereas 20 h newborn worms were not. The cells that initially adhered to the larvae were examined by electron microscopy. Only eosinophils adhered to 2 h newborn worms and only macrophages to 20 h ones. The attached eosinophils degranulated and died after a few hours. The macrophages that adhered to, but did not kill the 20 h newborn worms were morphologically in good state and no lysis of the larvae was observed.These results suggest that different antibody classes are involved in eosinophil and macrophage adherence, and strongly support the hypothesis that eosinophils mediate larval destruction. They also show that rapid changes are taking place after birth in the structure of the larval cuticle and that the age of Trichinella newborn worms is a major factor in the antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity reaction.
Persistent infection of Strongyloides venezuelensis and normal expulsion of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis in Mongolian gerbils, Meriones unguiculatus, with reference to the cellular responses in the intestinal mucosa
Authors: HORII Y. , KHAN A. I. , NAWA Y. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThe kinetics of daily faecal egg count, worm burdens, and intestinal cellular responses were examined in Mongolian gerbils after infection with either Strongyloides venezuelensis or Nippostrongylus brasiliensis alone, or concurrently with both parasites. The results show that, both in individual and concurrent infections, S. venezuelensis infection persisted for over 10 weeks and elicited a gradual increase in number of mast cells in the jejunal mucosa. On the other hand, N. brasiliensis worms were expelled by 3 weeks in association with goblet cell hyperplasia. These results suggest that effector/regulator cells involved in worm expulsion are different and highly selective depending on the genus of intestinal helminths.