bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extinction risk scales better to generations than to years
Authors: O'Grady J. J. , Reed D. H. , Brook B. W. , Frankham R. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIt is critical to search for, and to apply, robust generalizations in conservation biology as species‐specific data on endangered species are often limited. While generalizations are common in conservation genetics, where processes are treated on the scale of generations, the unique population dynamics of species are often stressed in ecology and conservation management. Is the apparent uniqueness of population attributes partly an artefact of measurement scale? One facet of this debate is the question of whether extinction risk scales better to years or to generations. To resolve this issue, the extinction risk of 100 well‐studied vertebrate taxa was estimated using stochastic computer projections and analyses conducted to determine whether risk related better to years or generations. Relative strengths of evidence for alternative hypotheses were assessed using information theory. Extinction risk, assessed as the population size required for a 90% probability of persistence for 100 years, was strongly related to generation length. Conversely, when extinction risk was assessed for a fixed number of generations, there was no support for a relationship between risk and years. This finding has ramifications for assessing and reporting extinction risk because it shows that (1) crucial signals for the effective management of threatened species may not be detected when risk is measured on a scale of years alone; (2) correcting for generation length will allow data from a wider range of species to be used as defaults for species with limited data; (3) generational‐scale tests of factors affecting extinction risk are more powerful than year‐based ones. We recommend that extinction risk be routinely reported on a generational scale, with results on a year scale added where warranted.
Social determinants of songbird vocal activity and implications for the persistence of small populations
Authors: Laiolo P. , Tella J. L. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractConspecific attraction is an important aspect of animal behaviour and several avian studies have shown that vocalizations may be used as an inadvertent cue to locate areas of suitable habitat. By studying the metapopulation system of a territorial passerine, the Dupont's lark Chersophilus duponti, we analysed the demographic correlates of population vocal activity, and the relationships between the occurrence of immigration and the availability of social information (e.g. vocal activity, population size, density and productivity) in 22 local populations. We found that the proportion of active singing days in spring and territorial call advertisement after breeding were positively related to the number of males within local populations. In turn, the intensity of vocal activity was associated with the likelihood of receiving immigrants, better explaining immigration than other kinds of social or public information. Because of depressed signalling, small local populations could experience reduced rescuing from others, thus compromising population persistence. In such cases, habitat management alone may not be enough to overcome this behavioural constraint. Because we found that the occurrence of inter‐patch movements also depended on the size of nearby local populations, understanding regional processes may be as important as controlling social and environmental factors for the maintenance of small populations.
Effect of endophytic Beauveria bassiana on populations of the banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus, and their damage in tissue‐cultured banana plants
Authors: Akello Juliet , Dubois Thomas , Coyne Daniel , Kyamanywa Samuel 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) survives as an endophyte in a wide range of plants, offering substantial protection against tunneling insect pests. Although current research indicates that the fungus can live as an endophyte in tissue‐cultured banana plants, there is no information on the efficacy of endophytic B. bassiana against the banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Our study aimed at determining the effects of endophytic B. bassiana on oviposition rate and populations of the banana weevil, and their plant damage. Screenhouse studies were undertaken in which 8‐week‐old B. bassiana‐inoculated tissue‐cultured banana plants [cultivar Kibuzi, Musa spec. (Musaceae), genome group AAA‐EA] were infested with female banana weevils. Five days after plant infestation with the banana weevil, there was no effect of B. bassiana on oviposition rate and egg hatchability. However, after 15 weeks, the presence of B. bassiana as an endophyte in banana tissues greatly reduced banana weevil populations and their damage to plants. Between 53.4 and 57.7% of the banana weevil adults died because of B. bassiana infection, resulting in a reduction of plant damage by 29.1–62.7% depending on plant part. Beauveria bassiana was re‐isolated from different plant parts, but to a greater extent from the roots and rhizomes than from pseudostem bases. Artificial inoculation of B. bassiana in banana plants caused no negative impact on banana growth. Our study demonstrated for the first time that endophytic B. bassiana reduced populations of C. sordidus and the plant damage they cause, and can thus be an alternative method for effective delivery of this fungus to banana plants for the management of C. sordidus.
Establishing causality in the assessment of safety of medicines for children
Authors: Ashby Deborah 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackground: Data on safety of medicines in children typically arises from various sources, rendering assessment of causality challenging.Methods: We outline these sources, together with their strengths and weaknesses. Bradford Hill proposed criteria for assessment of causality of observed associations; we explore their utility in this context.Conclusion: Collaborations between clinicians, epidemiologists and clinical pharmacologists, making intelligent use of both older and newer methodologies, can help make the use of medicines in children safer.
In vivo Skin Irritation Potential of a Castanea sativa (Chestnut) Leaf Extract, a Putative Natural Antioxidant for Topical Application
Authors: Almeida Isabel F. , Valentão Patrícia , Andrade Paula B. , Seabra Rosa M. , Pereira Teresa M. , Amaral M. Helena , Costa Paulo C. , Bahia M. Fernanda 
Published: September 2008

Abstract:  Topical application of natural antioxidants has proven to be effective in protecting the skin against ultraviolet‐mediated oxidative damage and provides a straightforward way to strengthen the endogenous protection system. However, natural products can provoke skin adverse effects, such as allergic and irritant contact dermatitis. Skin irritation potential of Castanea sativa leaf ethanol:water (7:3) extract was investigated by performing an in vivo patch test in 20 volunteers. Before performing the irritation test, the selection of the solvent and extraction method was guided by the 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging test and polyphenols extraction (measured by the Folin Ciocalteu assay). Iron‐chelating activity and the phenolic composition (high performance liquid chromatography/diode array detection) were evaluated for the extract obtained under optimized conditions. The extraction method adopted consisted in 5 short extractions (10 min.) with ethanol:water (7:3), performed at 40°. The IC50 found for the iron chelation and DPPH scavenging assays were 132.94 ± 9.72 and 12.58 ± 0.54 µg/ml (mean ± S.E.M.), respectively. The total phenolic content was found to be 283.8 ± 8.74 mg GAE/g extract (mean ± S.E.M.). Five phenolic compounds were identified in the extract, namely, chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid, rutin, isoquercitrin and hyperoside. The patch test carried out showed that, with respect to irritant effects, this extract can be regarded as safe for topical application.
Effects of salt stress on purslane (Portulaca oleracea) nutrition
Authors: Teixeira M. , Carvalho I.S. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe objective of this study was to determine the influence of saline stress on the chemical composition of purslane (Portulaca oleracea), in particular the mineral composition. Four salinity levels were investigated using irrigation solutions with electrical conductivity values of 0.8, 6.8, 12.8 and 24.2 dS m−1 and two planting dates (May and July) were tested. Samples of full‐grown leaf and stems of purslane were harvested after 7 and 15 days of the saline treatment exposure. Chemical analysis (dry matter basis) of leaves showed significant differences among the different saline treatments for all the characteristics measured. Salinity levels, planting date and harvest time significantly influenced (P < 0.05) the levels of crude protein, total lipids, ash and carbohydrate content. Salinity treatments did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect the water content of purslane leaves. The crude protein content of purslane leaves decreased with increasing salinity levels and time of exposure to treatment. However, carbohydrates and mineral residue content increased. An unusual phenomenon was noted for intermediate salinity levels, whereby an increase in total lipid content was measured in leaves of plants exposed to salinity treatments of 6.8 and 12.8 dS m−1. The highest mineral residue content was seen in leaves of purslane exposed to the highest salinity treatment. The mineral composition was also affected by salinity levels, Na and Cl uptake, and accumulation increased with increasing salinity in irrigation solution; Mg concentration was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by salinity levels, although a slight increase was seen, and Ca, K and Zn levels significantly (P < 0.05) decreased. Ca and Zn preferentially accumulated in the leaves, while K and Na values were higher in the stems. A significant increase (P < 0.05) in relative ratio of Na/K, Mg/K, Na/Ca and Mg/Ca was observed with increasing salinity levels. A decrease in the yield of purslane was only observed for the most severe saline treatment, where the highest ratio of Mg/Ca was seen. This study reveals that purslane is relatively tolerant to conditions of moderate salinity, thus improving its potential to become a key vegetable crop for animal and human consumption.
Mapping Water Table Depth Using Geophysical and Environmental Variables
Authors: Buchanan S. , Triantafilis J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractDespite its importance, accurate representation of the spatial distribution of water table depth remains one of the greatest deficiencies in many hydrological investigations. Historically, both inverse distance weighting (IDW) and ordinary kriging (OK) have been used to interpolate depths. These methods, however, have major limitations: namely they require large numbers of measurements to represent the spatial variability of water table depth and they do not represent the variation between measurement points. We address this issue by assessing the benefits of using stepwise multiple linear regression (MLR) with three different ancillary data sets to predict the water table depth at 100‐m intervals. The ancillary data sets used are Electromagnetic (EM34 and EM38), gamma radiometric: potassium (K), uranium (eU), thorium (eTh), total count (TC), and morphometric data. Results show that MLR offers significant precision and accuracy benefits over OK and IDW. Inclusion of the morphometric data set yielded the greatest (16%) improvement in prediction accuracy compared with IDW, followed by the electromagnetic data set (5%). Use of the gamma radiometric data set showed no improvement. The greatest improvement, however, resulted when all data sets were combined (37% increase in prediction accuracy over IDW). Significantly, however, the use of MLR also allows for prediction in variations in water table depth between measurement points, which is crucial for land management.
Intracranial Thrombus Extent Predicts Clinical Outcome, Final Infarct Size and Hemorrhagic Transformation in Ischemic Stroke: The Clot Burden Score
Authors: Puetz Volker , Dzialowski Imanuel , Hill Michael D. , Subramaniam Suresh , Sylaja P.N. , Krol Andrea , O'Reilly Christine , Hudon Mark E. , Hu William Y. , Coutts Shelagh B. , Barber Philip A. , Watson Timothy , Roy Jayanta , Demchuk Andrew M. 
Published: September 2008

Background In ischemic stroke, functional outcomes vary depending on site of intracranial occlusion. We tested the prognostic value of a semiquantitative computed tomography angiography-based clot burden score. Methods Clot burden score allots major anterior circulation arteries 10 points for presence of contrast opacification on computed tomography angiography. Two points each are subtracted for thrombus preventing contrast opacification in the proximal M1, distal M1 or supraclinoid internal carotid artery and one point each for M2 branches, A1 and infraclinoid internal carotid artery. We retrospectively studied patients with disabling neurological deficits (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score ≥ 5) and computed tomography angiography within 24-hours from symptom onset. We analyzed percentages independent functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≤ 2), final infarct Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score and parenchymal hematoma rates across categorized clot burden score groups and performed multivariable analysis. Results We identified 263 patients (median age 73-years, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score 10, onset-to-computed tomography angiography time 165 min). Clot burden score < 10 was associated with reduced odds of independent functional outcome (odds ratio 0.09 for clot burden score ≤5; odds ratio 0.22 for clot burden score 6–7; odds ratio 0.48 for clot burden score 8–9; all versus clot burden score 10; P <0.02 for all). Lower clot burden scores were associated with lower follow-up Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Scores ( P <0.001) and higher parenchymal hematoma rates ( P = 0.008). Inter-rater reliability for clot burden score was 0.87 (lower 95% confidence interval 0.71) and intra-rater reliability 0.96 (lower 95% confidence interval 0.92). Conclusion The quantification of intracranial thrombus extent with the clot burden score predicts functional outcome, final infarct size and parenchymal hematoma risk acutely. The score needs external validation and could be useful for patient stratification in stroke trials.
Periodontal disease in research beagle dogs – an epidemiological study
Authors: Kortegaard H. E. , Eriksen T. , Baelum V. 
Published: September 2008

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and describe the extent and severity of periodontal disease and associated periodontal parameters in beagle dogs. Methods: A full‐mouth, site‐specific examination was performed in 98 beagle dogs. Focus was placed on clinical attachment loss, pocket depth and bleeding on probing. Results: The prevalence of clinical attachment loss greater than equal to 1 mm was 20 per cent in the one‐year‐old dogs, increasing to 84 per cent of the dogs aged more than three years. The number of sites affected with clinical attachment loss greater than equal to 1 mm showed a skewed distribution. The prevalence of clinical attachment loss greater than equal to 4 mm was only seven per cent. A probing pocket depth of 4+ mm was observed in 44 to 81 per cent of the dogs, depending on age. Also, the distribution of the number of deepened pockets/dog was skewed. The teeth most prone to clinical attachment loss greater than equal to 1 mm were the P2, the P3 and the P4 of the maxilla. The teeth most prone to pocket depth greater than equal to 4 mm were the maxillary canines. Clinical Significance: Periodontal disease in terms of clinical attachment loss greater than equal to 1 mm and pocket depth greater than equal to 4 mm is common in beagle dogs, but the major disease burden is carried by only a few dogs. The prevalence increases with increased age but is high already at the age of two years.
Long‐term results of subtotal colectomy for acquired hypertrophic megacolon in eight dogs
Authors: Nemeth T. , Solymosi N. , Balka G. 
Published: September 2008

Objectives:To evaluate the long‐term results of subtotal colectomy for acquired hypertrophic megacolon in the dog.Methods:Eight dogs with acquired hypertrophic megacolon underwent subtotal colectomy with preservation of the ileocolic junction. Long‐term follow‐up was obtained by clinical records and telephone interviews with the owners.Results:Eight large‐breed dogs (age range: 6 to 12 years; mean age: 10·75 years) were enrolled. The use of bone meal, low levels of exercise, chronic constipation with dyschesia and tenesmus refractory to medical management were factors predisposing dogs to acquired hypertrophic megacolon. The diagnosis was confirmed in all animals by abdominal palpation, plain radiography and postoperative histopathological findings. There were no intraoperative complications. One dog died as a result of septic peritonitis. The clinical conditions (that is, resolution of obstipation and stool consistency) of the remaining seven dogs were improved at discharge; all animals returned to normal defecation in five to 10 weeks (mean: 7·3 weeks) and were alive 11 to 48 months (mean: 40·5 months) after surgery.ClinicalSignificance:Predominantly bony diet and/or low levels of physical activity may predispose dogs to acquired hypertrophic megacolon. Our results emphasise the long‐term effectiveness of subtotal colectomy with preservation of the ileocolic junction in this condition.
Expression of Nonstructural Rotavirus Protein NSP4 Mimics Ca
2+
Homeostasis Changes Induced by Rotavirus Infection in Cultured Cells
Authors: Díaz Yuleima , Chemello Maria Elena , Peña Franshelle , Aristimuño Olga Carolina , Zambrano Jose Luis , Rojas Hector , Bartoli Fulvia , Salazar Leiria , Chwetzoff Serge , Sapin Catherine , Trugnan Germain , Michelangeli Fabian , Ruiz Marie Christine 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT

Rotavirus infection modifies Ca
2+
homeostasis, provoking an increase in Ca
2+
permeation, the cytoplasmic Ca
2+
concentration ([Ca
2+
]
cyto
), and total Ca
2+
pools and a decrease in Ca
2+
response to agonists. A glycosylated viral protein(s), NSP4 and/or VP7, may be responsible for these effects. HT29 or Cos-7 cells were infected by the SA11 clone 28 strain, in which VP7 is not glycosylated, or transiently transfected with plasmids coding for NSP4-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) or NSP4. The permeability of the plasma membrane to Ca
2+
and the amount of Ca
2+
sequestered in the endoplasmic reticulum released by carbachol or ATP were measured in fura-2-loaded cells at the single-cell level under a fluorescence microscope or in cell suspensions in a fluorimeter. Total cell Ca
2+
pools were evaluated as
45
Ca
2+
uptake. Infection with SA11 clone 28 induced an increase in Ca
2+
permeability and
45
Ca
2+
uptake similar to that found with the normally glycosylated SA11 strain. These effects were inhibited by tunicamycin, indicating that inhibition of glycosylation of a viral protein other than VP7 affects the changes of Ca
2+
homeostasis induced by infection. Expression of NSP4-EGFP or NSP4 in transfected cells induced the same changes observed with rotavirus infection, whereas the expression of EGFP or EGFP-VP4 showed the behavior of uninfected and untransfected cells. Increased
45
Ca
2+
uptake was also observed in cells expressing NSP4-EGFP or NSP4, as evidenced in rotavirus infection. These results indicate that glycosylated NSP4 is primarily responsible for altering the Ca
2+
homeostasis of infected cells through an initial increase of cell membrane permeability to Ca
2+
.
Recovery of Infectious Virus by Transfection of In Vitro-Generated RNA from Tulane Calicivirus cDNA
Authors: Wei Chao , Farkas Tibor , Sestak Karol , Jiang Xi 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT

Tulane virus (TV) is a newly reported calicivirus that was isolated from stool samples of captive rhesus macaques from the Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC). The virus has been cultivated successfully in LLC-MK2 rhesus monkey kidney cells. Its complete genomic sequence suggests that TV represents a new genus and is evolutionarily more closely related to
Norovirus
than to any other genus of
Caliciviridae
. In this study, we demonstrated that RNA transcripts made in vitro from the full-length genomic cDNA of TV were infectious upon transfection into permissive LLC-MK2 cells. The recombinant virus exhibited plaque morphologies and growth kinetics similar to those of the wild-type virus in this cell line. Capping was required for TV RNA infectivity. Although a subgenomic RNA has been detected in TV-transfected cells, a separate subgenomic RNA transcript was not required for the initial transfection to establish the replication. Transfection of truncated RNA lacking open reading frame 2 (ORF2) and ORF3 or TV-norovirus chimeric RNA resulted in abortive replication without the production of infectious progeny viruses, indicating that both ORFs are essential for the replication of TV. A heterologous insertion at the 5′ end of the genome also hampered viral replication, suggesting that an authentic 5′ end of the genome is critical for replication. The availability of the complete genomic sequence and the reverse genetics system described herein make TV a valuable model for studying calicivirus pathogenesis and replication.
H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus Induces Apoptotic Cell Death in Mammalian Airway Epithelial Cells
Authors: Daidoji Tomo , Koma Takaaki , Du Anariwa , Yang Cheng-Song , Ueda Mayo , Ikuta Kazuyoshi , Nakaya Takaaki 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTIn recent years, the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 has raised serious worldwide concern about an influenza pandemic; however, the biology of H5N1 pathogenesis is largely unknown. To elucidate the mechanism of H5N1 pathogenesis, we prepared primary airway epithelial cells from alveolar tissues from 1-year-old pigs and measured the growth kinetics of three avian H5 influenza viruses (A/Crow/Kyoto/53/2004 [H5N1], A/Duck/Hong Kong/342/78 [H5N2], and A/Duck/Hong Kong/820/80 [H5N3]), the resultant cytopathicity, and possible associated mechanisms. H5N1, but not the other H5 viruses, strongly induced cell death in porcine alveolar epithelial cells (pAEpC), although all three viruses induced similar degrees of cytopathicity in chicken embryonic fibroblasts. Intracellular viral growth and the production of progeny viruses were comparable in pAEpC infected with each H5 virus. In contrast, terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling-positive cells were detected only in H5N1-infected pAEpC, and the activities of caspases 3, 8, and 9 were significantly elevated in pAEpC infected with H5N1, but not with H5N2 and H5N3. These results suggest that only H5N1 induces apoptosis in pAEpC. H5N1 cytopathicity was inhibited by adding the caspase inhibitor z-VAD-FMK; however, there were no significant differences in viral growth or release of progeny viruses. Further investigations using reverse genetics demonstrated that H5N1 hemagglutinin protein plays a critical role in inducing caspase-dependent apoptosis in infected pAEpC. H5N1-specific cytopathicity was also observed in human primary airway epithelial cells. Taken together, these data suggest that avian H5N1 influenza virus leads to substantial cell death in mammalian airway epithelial cells due to the induction of apoptosis.