bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dual ant attraction in the Neotropical shrubUrera baccifera(Urticaceae): the role of ant visitation to pearl bodies and fruits in herbivore deterrence and leaf longevity
Authors: DUTRA H. P. , FREITAS A. V. L. , OLIVEIRA P. S. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThis study investigated the protective role of ants against phytophagous insects onUrera baccifera(L.) Gaudich.Ants (22 species) visit shrubs ofU. bacciferathroughout the year and forage especially on leaves, where they harvest pearl bodies, and on fruiting branches, where they collect fleshy fruits. The main leaf herbivores are the butterfliesSmyrna blomfildia(Fruhstorfer) andUrbanus esmeraldus(Butler), and the mothPleuroptya silicalis(Guené).The proportion of vegetative (no flowers or fruits) individuals ofU. bacciferaoccupied by ants greatly surpassed that of neighbouring plant species lacking food rewards, consistent with the hypothesis that pearl bodies act as ant attractants. Ant visitation to vegetative individuals ofU. bacciferaincreased larval mortality ofS. blomfildia, suggesting that ants attracted to pearl bodies reduce herbivore survival. Fruits were also demonstrated to play an important role in ant attraction byU. baccifera. Ant visitation to pearl body‐producing shrubs of non‐myrmecophyticPiper amalagoL. withU. bacciferafruits attached was significantly higher than toP. amalagoplants with an attached leaf ofU. baccifera.Ant‐exclusion experiments showed that ants effectively reduce the incidence of lepidopteran larvae on the plants. In both 2003 and 2004, herbivores were more abundant on ant‐excluded than on ant‐visited shrubs ofU. baccifera. Additionally, in both years ant‐excluded plants had significantly faster leaf abscission rates compared with ant‐visited plants.So far, all ant–plant systems with dual food rewards involve extrafloral nectar as one of the attractants. This study withU. bacciferais the first to report food bodies and fruits as ant attractants in a non‐symbiotic ant–plant interaction. This facultative system is also unique in that herbivore deterrence caused by pearl body‐ and fruit‐harvesting ants can also add to leaf longevity.
Female modulation of reproductive rate and its role in postmating prezygotic isolation in Callosobruchus maculatus
Authors: FRICKE C. , ARNQVIST G. , AMARO N. 
Published: April 2006

Summary

Mechanisms that come into play after mating but prior to fertilization can prevent hybrid formation and thus promote reproductive isolation. Recent research indicates that the evolution of such barriers to gene exchange between incipient forms appears to be common and is essential for speciation.
We aimed to test if female Bean Weevils (Callosobruchus maculatus) modulate their reproductive rate and/or remating propensity in response to mating with males with varying degrees of relatedness in a manner that limits the number of ‘hybrids’ produced. We also tested if remating with a male from a female's own population, following a first mating with a foreign male, would elevate egg production.
Females varied their egg‐production rate depending on the relatedness of their mates, but this effect was not in the predicted direction. Heterospecific C. analis males actually elicited the strongest reproductive response in females, which resulted in up to 9% higher egg production. Male relatedness did not significantly affect female propensity to remate with a second male. Further, females did not generally show a compensatory increase in reproductive rate following rematings with males from their own population.
The mechanisms documented here do not act to limit gene flow and are costly to females, as they suffer reduced life span and egg production late in life following a high reproductive rate early in life. We suggest that sexually antagonistic coevolution within species may have caused the pattern observed.
HER2 status in pure ductal carcinoma in situ and in the intraductal and invasive components of invasive ductal carcinoma determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry
Authors: Park K , Han S , Kim H J , Kim J , Shin E 
Published: April 2006

Aim : To determine the HER2 status of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast. The increased prevalence of HER2 amplification and overexpression in DCIS is considered to be maintained in the intraductal component of IDC; however, HER2 amplification and overexpression are detected much less in IDC.Methods and results : Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed to detect HER2 in 270 IDCs with an intraductal component and in 50 pure DCIS samples; IHC was also performed in 116 metastatic nodes. HER2 was found to be amplified in 77 cases (28.5%) and overexpressed in 79 (29.3%) of the 270 IDCs. HER2 amplification was similar between intraductal and invasive components of the same tumour. The concordance for HER2 status between invasive and intraductal components of individual tumours was 98.5% and 99.3% by FISH and IHC, respectively. HER2 was amplified in 25 (50%) of the 50 pure DCIS samples. HER2 overexpression in metastatic nodes resembled the HER2 status in the primary tumour for 108 (93.1%) of 116 cases (κ =0.831).Conclusion : Our study indicates that the intraductal component of IDC may differ biologically when compared with pure DCIS. HER2 appears to lack a critical role in the progression from DCIS to IDC and HER2 status is maintained in metastatic lesions.
Pigment synthesizing melanoma (so‐called animal type melanoma): a clinicopathological study of 14 cases of a poorly known distinctive variant of melanoma
Authors: Antony F C , Sanclemente G , Shaikh H , Trelles A S , Calonje E 
Published: April 2006

Aims : Pigment synthesizing melanoma (so‐called animal type melanoma) (PSM) is a rare histopathological variant of melanoma so termed because of prominent melanin production and its similarity to a variant of melanoma seen in grey horses. The aim of this study was to report the clinicopathological characteristics of 14 cases of animal type melanoma.Methods and results : Six patients were female and eight were male with ages ranging from 5 to 52 years (mean 31 years, median 39 years). The head and neck represented the most common site. The clinical diagnosis was of melanoma in seven cases, blue naevus in three cases, benign naevus in three cases and a pigmented basal cell carcinoma in one case. The histological diagnosis of PSM was predicated on the basis of an asymmetrical, predominantly intradermal tumour formed of deeply pigmented, round or short, spindle‐shaped dendritic melanocytes with some degree of hyperchromatism and a single nucleolus. Cytological atypia was always present but was not pronounced. A prominent population of macrophages was invariably present. Four tumours were compound and 10 tumours were predominantly intradermal. The mitotic count was usually low, ranging from 1 to 5 per 10 high‐power fields (mean 2). Perineural and lymphovascular invasion was not seen. The Breslow thickness ranged from 1.1 to 7.5 mm (mean 3.3 mm). Follow‐up was available in 13 patients. The median follow‐up period was 5 years. Six patients had no recurrence, three had local recurrence in the form of satellite nodules adjacent to the scar, four had spread to the regional lymph nodes and one patient had distant metastases to the liver. There were no deaths.Conclusions : This study demonstrates that PSM is a distinctive, possible low‐grade variant of melanoma usually lacking the histological features predictive of aggressive behaviour seen in ordinary melanoma. It should be managed in the same way as other melanomas with wide local excision.
Abundance, spatial variance and occupancy: arthropod species distribution in the Azores
Authors: GASTON KEVIN J. , BORGES PAULO A. V. , HE FANGLIANG , GASPAR CLARA 
Published: April 2006

Summary

The positive abundance–occupancy and abundance–variance relationships are two of the most widely documented patterns in population and community ecology.
Recently, a general model has been proposed linking the mean abundance, the spatial variance in abundance, and the occupancy of species. A striking feature of this model is that it consists explicitly of the three variables abundance, variance and occupancy, and no extra parameters are involved. However, little is known about how well the model performs.
Here, we show that the abundance–variance–occupancy model fits extremely well to data on the abundance, variance and occupancy of a large number of arthropod species in natural forest patches in the Azores, at three spatial extents, and distinguishing between species of different colonization status. Indeed, virtually all variation about the bivariate abundance–occupancy and abundance–variance relationships is effectively explained by the third missing variable (variance in abundance in the case of the abundance–occupancy relationship, and occupancy in the case of the abundance–variance relationship).
Introduced species tend to exhibit lower densities, less spatial variance in these densities, and occupy fewer sites than native and endemic species. None the less, they all lie on the same bivariate abundance–occupancy and abundance–variance, and trivariate abundance–variance–occupancy, relationships.
Density, spatial variance in density, and occupancy appear to be all the things one needs to know to describe much of the spatial distribution of species.
Dementia and mortality in persons with Down’s syndrome
Authors: Coppus A. , Evenhuis H. , Verberne G.‐J. , Visser F. , Van Gool P. , Eikelenboom P. , Van Duijin C. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackground  Numerous studies have documented that persons with Down’s syndrome (DS) are at an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, at present it is still not clear whether or not all persons with DS will develop dementia as they reach old age.Methods  We studied 506 people with DS, aged 45 years and above. A standardized assessment of cognitive, functional and physical status was repeated annually. If deterioration occurred, the patients were examined and the differential diagnosis of dementia was made according to the revised Dutch consensus protocol and according to the ICD‐10 Symptom Checklist for Mental Disorders. We compared our findings with those reported in the literature.Results  The overall prevalence of dementia was 16.8%. Up to the age of 60, the prevalence of dementia doubled with each 5‐year interval. Up to the age of 49, the prevalence is 8.9%, from 50 to 54, it is 17.7%, and from 55 to 59, it is 32.1%. In the age category of 60 and above, there is a small decrease in prevalence of dementia to 25.6%. The lack of increase after the age of 60 may be explained by the increased mortality among elderly demented DS patients (44.4%) in comparison with non‐demented patients (10.7%) who we observed during a 3.3‐year follow‐up. There was no decrease in incidence of dementia in the age group of 60 and above. Our findings are very similar to those published in the literature. Patients with dementia were more frequently treated with antiepileptic, antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs. The history of depression was strongly associated with dementia.Conclusions  Our study is one of the largest population‐based studies to date. We found that despite the exponential increase in prevalence with age, the prevalence of dementia in the oldest persons with DS was not higher than 25.6%.
Apolipoproteins AI and B as therapeutic targets
Authors: CHARLTON‐MENYS V. , DURRINGTON P. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract.Currently the apolipoprotein B : AI ratio integrates information about the potential for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction better than any other lipid or lipoprotein index. Certainly it could, with benefit, replace serum cholesterol and HDL cholesterol in the estimation of CVD risk. Defining the therapeutic target of statin therapy in terms of serum apolipoprotein B (apo B) rather than LDL cholesterol could also help to optimize statin treatment. Deciding whether a therapeutic response is adequate also requires knowledge of whether there is persisting hypertriglyceridaemia, because this gives an indication of whether small dense LDL is likely to have been satisfactorily reduced. Raising low levels of HDL, probably best measured as apo AI, may also prove to be an important aim of treatment. This is, however, a more complex issue and also depends on the mechanism by which a particular therapy alters HDL levels and on whether the capacity of HDL to perform its anti‐inflammatory and antioxidative functions is restored. A meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials of statins in which apo B and apo AI have been reported could provide valuable information.
Errors that result from using the TC/HDL C ratio rather than the apoB/apoA‐I ratio to identify the lipoprotein‐related risk of vascular disease
Authors: SNIDERMAN A. D. , JUNGER I. , HOLME I. , AASTVEIT A. , WALLDIUS G. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract.The objective of this analysis was to demonstrate the frequency and extent of error that results from using the TC/HDL C ratio rather than the apoB/apoA‐I ratio to estimate the lipoprotein‐related risk of vascular disease within 94 667 men and 75 675 women in the Apoprotein‐related Mortality Risk (AMORIS) cohort. The odds ratio (OR) for the risk of fatal myocardial infarction was determined for 1 SD change in the apoB/apoA‐I ratio and all the conventional cholesterol ratios – TC/HDL C ratio, LDL C/HDL C ratio, non‐HDL C/HDL C ratio. In both men and women, the apoB/apoA‐I ratio was significantly greater than any of the cholesterol ratios, which, in fact, differed little. Therefore, the apoB/apoA‐I ratio was taken as the most accurate index of the lipoprotein‐related risk of vascular disease. Using Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis, it was demonstrated that the diagnostic accuracy of the apoB/apoA‐I ratio was significantly greater than any cholesterol ratio in those with an LDL cholesterol <3.6 mmol L−1 compared to those with an LDL cholesterol >3.6 mmol L−1. Indeed, the difference between the apoB/apoA‐I OR compared with the TC/HDL C OR progressively widened as risk increased. This suggests that the advantage of the apoB/apoA‐I ratio is greatest in the population at highest risk. The distribution of subjects by quintiles showed in both genders that whilst agreement was greatest at the extremes, even at these points there was substantial discordance between the TC/HDL C and the apoB/apoA‐I ratios. Within the middle of the distribution, less than 50% of the values were concordant. Finally, when comparing the ORs, the TC/HDL C ratio underestimated risk in 69.4% of male subjects and overestimated risk in 26.1% of male subjects, whereas in the female subjects, the TC/HDL C ratio underestimated risk in 84.9% of the subjects and overestimated risk in 12.0%. Thus, using the conventional cholesterol ratios rather than the apoB/apoA‐I ratio results in frequent and substantial error in the estimation of the lipoprotein‐related risk of vascular disease.
Heritability and Expression of C‐Reactive Protein in Type 2 Diabetes in the Diabetes Heart Study
Authors: Lange Leslie A. , Burdon Kathryn , Langefeld Carl D. , Liu Yongmei , Beck Stephanie R. , Rich Stephen S. , Freedman Barry I. , Brosnihan K. Bridget , Herrington David M. , Wagenknecht Lynne E. , Bowden Donald W. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryElevated C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels are associated with both prevalent and incident cardiovascular disease. In this study, familial aggregation was estimated, and we tested for association between serum CRP levels and polymorphisms within the CRP and APOE genes in sib‐ships with type 2 diabetes mellitus, a population at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. CRP levels were determined in 461 diabetes‐affected subjects from 224 sibships from the Diabetes Heart Study (DHS). Heritability estimates of CRP levels were obtained using variance component models. Genetic influence on serum CRP levels by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CRP and APOE genes was evaluated by association analysis using mixed models. Subjects were Caucasian American (84%) and African‐American (16%), 53% female, and had an average age of 62.2 ± 9.2 years. The median CRP level was 3.3 mg/L (range 0 to 59.3 mg/L), and estimated heritability for CRP was approximately 40%. Estimates of heritability were significantly greater than zero (P < 0.0001) and relatively constant, despite adjustments for important modifiers (age, sex, ethnicity, diabetes duration, statin‐use and anti‐inflammatory use) of CRP. There was no significant evidence for association of CRP levels with CRP gene SNPs; however, consistent with previous reports, there was significant evidence of association of CRP levels with polymorphisms within the APOE gene. These data indicate CRP levels are significantly influenced by genetic (and/or environmental) factors that are shared within DHS families. While the APOE locus shows evidence of contributing to CRP levels, no evidence of CRP gene polymorphism association with CRP levels was observed.
Early dental management of patients with Mobius syndrome
Authors: Magalhães MHCG , Araújo LCA , Chiaradia CC , Fraige A , Zamunaro MT , Mantesso A 
Published: April 2006

Objective(s):  The aim of this study was to evaluate the orofacial manifestations in patients with Mobius syndrome (MS), establish an early adequate dental treatment and discuss the possible etiology of all cases examined based on information about the gestational intercurrences.Design:  Prospective study.Setting:  Special Care Dentistry Center, School of Dentistry, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.Subject(s) and methods:  Twenty‐nine patients with MS aged 0 to 4 underwent prospective dental examination as well as early orthodontic treatment.Results:  All patients presented micrognathia, lack of lip seal, high arched palate and weak soft palate. The use of orthopedic appliances was recommended to all 29 patients, but only 13 adhered to treatment and were monitored for at least 24 months. We observed that, after 24 months of treatment, the palate was expanded and micrognathia became less severe in the majority of the cases. Pregnancy‐related complications were reported by 27 (97%) of the 29 mothers.Conclusion(s):  The early use of orthopedic appliances was important to prevent malocclusion and glossoptosis. Attempted abortion with misoprostol is associated with an increased risk of MS in infants.
Tolerance to the Therapeutic Effect of Tadalafil Does Not Occur During 6 Months of Treatment: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study in Men with Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: McMahon Chris G. , Carson Culley C. , Fischer Christopher J. , Wang Wei Christine , Florio Vincent A. , Bradley John D. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Tolerance can cause a decrease in drug efficacy during chronic therapy, possibly leading to treatment failures.

Aim
The aim of this article is to determine whether tolerance developed to the effects of tadalafil on erectile function (EF) over a 6-month treatment period.

Methods and Main Outcome Measures
Post hoc analysis of data from a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group study was performed. Men (≥18 years of age) with erectile dysfunction (ED) were randomized to treatment with placebo (N = 47) or 20-mg tadalafil (N = 93) taken as needed for 6 months. This report focuses on efficacy assessed with the Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP) diary (diaries were collected after a 4-week treatment-free run-in period [baseline], and monthly for 6 months), and with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) (administered at baseline, and at 3 and 6 months).

Results
The mean per-patient percentage “yes” response on SEP question 3 (SEP3, successful intercourse) was 33 ± 4% at baseline, 74 ± 4% after 1 month, and 78 ± 4% after 6 months of tadalafil treatment. The IIEF EF domain score was 16.2 ± 0.7 at baseline, 24.3 ± 0.8 after 3 months, and 24.3 ± 0.9 after 6 months of tadalafil treatment. In a subgroup of patients who took tadalafil ≥3 times per week (N = 24), the SEP3 score was 87 ± 4% after 1 month and 93 ± 3% after 6 months of treatment, and the IIEF EF domain score was 27.3 ± 0.9 after 3 months and 28.5 ± 0.4 after 6 months. Of 16 tadalafil-treated patients who discontinued, three cited a lack of efficacy.

Conclusions
Tadalafil treatment significantly improved SEP3 and IIEF EF domain scores. The efficacy of tadalafil, taken as needed, was maintained over a 6-month treatment period in men with ED.
Bifunctional Acyclic Nucleoside Phosphonates. 1. Symmetrical 1,3-Bis[(phosphonomethoxy)propan-2-yl] Derivatives of Purines and Pyrimidines
Authors: Vrbovská Silvie , Holý Antonín , Pohl Radek , Masojídková Milena 
Published: April 2006

We report here a general method for the synthesis of new symmetrical bis-phosphonates of acyclic nucleosides. 1,3-Bis[(diisopropoxyphosphoryl)methoxy] derivatives of purine and pyrimidine bases were prepared by their reaction with 1,3-bis[(diisopropoxyphosphoryl)-methoxy]propan-2-yl tosylate. Cytosine, uracil and thymine provided regiospecificallyN1-isomers. This alkylation regiospecificity applies to several other tosylates of primary and secondary alcohols as well. 6-Chloropurine and 2-amino-6-chloropurine were alkylated in N9position. Resulting bis-phosphonates were converted to the respective free phosphonic acids and tested for antiviral and cytostatic activity. Despite the fact that no biological activity was found so far, the outcome of this work can serve as a useful tool in synthesis of novel groups of acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (ANPs).
‘Talking to My Mum’
Authors: Humphreys Cathy , Mullender Audrey , Thiara Ravi , Skamballis Agnes 
Published: April 2006

• Summary: Domestic violence often directly and indirectly undermines the relationship between mothers and their children. This paper describes ‘the tactics of abuse’ that are instrumental in this damaging process and draws on previous research by one of the authors which shows that a conspiracy of silence can ensue, precluding talk of the abuse that women and children have experienced. The first stage of a four-year action research process designed to address some of these issues is discussed. • Findings: Early findings show that those women and children living in refuges or using outreach services who chose to work together on activities have found the process beneficial. They have provided critical feedback about how the project and activities can be revised for the second action research cycle. The research also shows that not all women are ready to engage in this process when they enter a refuge, and it does require them to acknowledge that their children have been exposed to, and negatively affected by, domestic violence. • Applications: The implications for social workers and specifically the need to provide active support for the mother-child relationship in the aftermath of domestic violence are discussed.