bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Binding of human plasma proteins to Streptococcus pyogenes M protein determines the location of opsonic and non‐opsonic epitopes
Authors: Sandin Charlotta , Carlsson Fredric , Lindahl Gunnar 
Published: November 2005

SummaryAntibodies directed against a pathogenic microorganism may recognize either protective or non‐protective epitopes. Because antibodies elicited by a vaccine must be directed against protective epitopes, it is essential to understand the molecular properties that distinguish the two types of epitope. Here we analyse this problem for the antiphagocytic M protein of Streptococcus pyogenes, using the opsonizing capacity of antibodies to estimate their ability to confer protection in vivo. Our studies were focused on the M5 protein, which has three surface‐exposed regions: the amino‐terminal hypervariable region (HVR) and the B‐ and C‐repeat regions. We first analysed the role of different M5 regions in phagocytosis resistance under non‐immune conditions, employing chromosomal mutants expressing M5 proteins with internal deletions, and demonstrate that only the B‐repeat region is essential for phagocytosis resistance. However, only antibodies to the HVR were opsonic. This apparent paradox could be explained by the ability of fibrinogen and albumin to specifically bind to the B‐ and C‐repeats, respectively, causing inhibition of antibody binding under physiological conditions, while antibodies to the HVR could bind and promote deposition of complement. These data indicate that binding of human plasma proteins plays an important role in determining the location of opsonic and non‐opsonic epitopes in streptococcal M protein.
Pilus‐mediated adhesion of Neisseria meningitidis is negatively controlled by the pilus‐retraction machinery
Authors: Yasukawa Kazutoyo , Martin Patricia , Tinsley Colin R. , Nassif Xavier 
Published: November 2005

SummaryThe type IV pili (Tfp) of Neisseria meningitidis play an essential role in meningococcal virulence by mediating the initial interaction of bacteria with host cells. Tfp are also subject to retraction, which relies on the PilT protein. Among the other components of the Tfp machinery, PilC1, a pilus‐associated protein, is important for Tfp biogenesis and adhesion. Adhesion of N. meningitidis to living epithelial cells was previously shown to rely on the upregulation of the pilC1 gene. On the other hand the lack of induction of pilC1 is believed to be responsible for the low adhesion of N. meningitidis onto fixed dead cells. Surprisingly, a pilT mutant, unable to retract its pili, has been shown to adhere very efficiently onto both living and fixed epithelial cells. To elucidate the mechanisms by which the pilus retraction machinery mediates meningococcal adhesion onto fixed cells, an analysis of gene expression levels in wild‐type and pilT meningococci was performed using DNA microarrays. One of the upregulated genes in the pilT strain was pilC1. This result was confirmed using quantitative real‐time reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and immunoblot analysis. The transcription starting point responsible for the upregulation of pilC1 in a pilT background was shown to be different from those controlling the induction of pilC1 upon contact with living host cells. Subsequent work using a strain hyperproducing PilT confirmed that PilT downregulates the production of PilC1. Furthermore using a pilC1 allele under the control of IPTG, we demonstrated that the upregulation of pilC1 in a pilT background was responsible for the adhesive phenotype onto fixed dead cells. Taken together our results demonstrate that the pilus retraction machinery negatively controlled the adhesiveness of the Tfp via the expression of pilC1.
Herbarium collections and field data‐based plant diversity maps for Burkina Faso
Authors: Schmidt Marco , Kreft Holger , Thiombiano Adjima , Zizka Georg 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTA map of plant species diversity in Burkina Faso is presented based on field observations and specimen data from the Ouagadougou University Herbarium (OUA) and the Herbarium Senckenbergianum (FR). A map of collecting intensity and field observations illustrates centres of botanical research activities in Burkina Faso. To overcome problems associated with biased sampling intensity, distributions of species have been modelled and extrapolated to maps of vascular plant diversity, life forms and diversity of four selected families (Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Dioscoreaceae and Rubiaceae). The area of most intensive collection and observation is around Gorom‐Gorom and Fada N’Gourma. Modelled diversity generally increases towards the south, as does the proportion of phanerophytes, lianas and hemicryptophytes, while the opposite trend is observed for therophytes. Poaceae diversity is highly correlated with total vascular plant diversity, making the family especially suitable as an indicator for overall plant diversity. Cyperaceae are rather evenly distributed throughout the country, Dioscoreaceae are restricted to the Sudanian Zone. Rubiaceae have their highest diversities in the very south.Our approach can be transferred to areas with a similar database, certainly to other areas within West Africa. Future research should focus on distribution data for rare species, enabling our approach to evaluate the West African system of protected areas.
Plant species richness and diversity along an altitudinal gradient in the Sierra Nevada, Mexico
Authors: Sánchez‐González Arturo , López‐Mata Lauro 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTThis article presents an analysis of plant species richness and diversity and its association with climatic and soil variables along a 1300‐m elevation gradient on the Cerro Tláloc Mountain in the northern Sierra Nevada in Mexico. Two 1000‐m2 tree sampling plots were created at each of 21 selected sampling sites, as well as two 250‐m2 plots for shrubs and six 9‐m2 plots for herbaceous plants. Species richness and diversity were estimated for each plant life form, and beta diversity between sites was estimated along the gradient. The relationship between species richness and diversity and environmental variables was modelled using simple linear correlation and regression trees. Species richness and diversity showed a unimodal pattern with a bias towards high values in the lower half of the elevation gradient under study. This response was consistent for all three life forms. Beta diversity increased steadily along the elevation gradient, being lower between contiguous sites at intermediate elevations and high – the species replacement rate was nearly 100%– between sites at the extremes of the gradient. Few species were adapted to the full spectrum of environmental variation along the elevation gradient studied. The regression tree suggests that differences in species richness are mainly influenced by elevation (temperature and humidity) and soil variables, namely A2 permanent wilting point, organic matter and horizon field capacity and A1 horizon Mg2+.
Modelling the distribution of Bonelli's eagle in Spain: implications for conservation planning
Authors: Muñoz A. Román , Real Raimundo , Barbosa A. Márcia , Vargas J. Mario 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTBonelli's eagle, Hieraaetus fasciatus, has recently suffered a severe population decline and is currently endangered. Spain supports about 70% of the European population. We used stepwise logistic regression on a set of environmental, spatial and human variables to model Bonelli's eagle distribution in the 5167 UTM 10 × 10 km quadrats of peninsular Spain. We obtained a model based on 16 variables, which allowed us to identify favourable and unfavourable areas for this species in Spain, as well as intermediate favourability areas. We assessed the stepwise progression of the model by comparing the model's predictions in each step with those of the final model, and selected a parsimonious explanatory model based on three variables — slope, July temperature and precipitation — comprising 76% of the predictive capacity of the final model. The reported presences in favourable and unfavourable areas suggest a source–sink dynamics in Bonelli's eagle populations. The fragmented spatial structure of the favourable areas suggests the existence of a superimposed metapopulation dynamics. Previous LIFE (The Financial Instrument of the European Union for the Environment and Nature) projects for the conservation of this species have focused mainly on the northern limit of its range, where the sharpest population decline has been recorded. In these areas, favourability is low and Bonelli's eagle populations are probably maintained by the immigration of juveniles produced in more favourable zones. However, southern populations, although stable, show signs of reduction in productivity, which could menace the population sizes in the whole study area. We suggest that conservation efforts should focus also on known favourable areas, which might favour population persistence in unfavourable areas through dispersal.
The effects of fire, local environment and time on ant assemblages in fens and forests
Authors: Ratchford Jaime S. , Wittman Sarah E. , Jules Erik S. , Ellison Aaron M. , Gotelli Nicholas J. , Sanders Nathan J. 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTWe investigated the effects of the abiotic environment, plant community composition and disturbance by fire on ant assemblages in two distinct habitat types in the Siskiyou Mountains in northern California and southern Oregon, USA. Sampling over 2 years in burned and unburned Darlingtonia fens and their adjacent upland forests, we found that the effects of disturbance by fire depended on habitat type. In forests, fire intensity predicted richness in ant assemblages in both years after the fire, and plant community composition predicted richness 2 years after the fire. No factors were associated with richness in the species‐poor fen ant assemblages. Species‐specific responses to both habitat type and disturbance by fire were idiosyncratic. Assemblage composition depended on habitat type, but not disturbance by fire, and the composition of each assemblage between years was more dissimilar in burned than unburned sites.
Seed dispersal of fleshy‐fruited invasive plants by birds: contributing factors and management options
Authors: Gosper Carl R. , Stansbury Chris D. , Vivian‐Smith Gabrielle 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTThe ecology of seed dispersal by vertebrates has been investigated extensively over recent decades, yet only limited research has been conducted on how suites of invasive plants and frugivorous birds interact. In this review, we examine how plant fruit traits (morphology, colour and display, nutritional quality, accessibility and phenology), avian traits (fruit handling techniques, gut passage time and effect, bird movements and social behaviour and dietary composition) and landscape structure (fruit neighbourhood, habitat loss and fragmentation and perch tree effects) affect frugivory and seed dispersal in invasive plants. This functional approach could be used to develop generic models of seed dispersal distributions for suites of invasive plant species and improve management efficiencies. Four broad research approaches are described that could direct management of bird‐dispersed invasive plants at the landscape scale, by manipulating dispersal. First, research is needed to quantify the effect of biological control agents on dispersal, particularly how changes in fruit production and/or quality affect fruit choice by frugivores, dispersal distributions of seed and post‐dispersal processes. Second, we explore how seed dispersal could be directed, such as by manipulating perch structures and/or vegetation density to attract frugivorous birds after they have been foraging on invasive plant fruits. Third, the major sources of seed spread could be identified and removed (i.e. targeting core or satellite infestations, particular habitats and creating barrier zones). Fourth, alternative food resources could be provided for frugivores, to replace fruits of invasive plants, and their use quantified.
Arthropod diversity and allochthonous‐based food webs on tiny oceanic islands
Authors: Morrison Lloyd W. 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTVery small islands, on the order of a few hundred square metres in area, have rarely been the focus of ecological investigations. I sampled nine such islands in the central Exumas, Bahamas for arthropod species abundance and diversity using a combination of pitfall traps, pan traps and sticky traps. Three islands had no terrestrial vegetation, three islands contained onlySesuvium portulacastrumL., a salt‐tolerant perennial that had been experimentally introduced 10 years ago, and three islands supported one or two naturally occurring plant species. A relatively diverse arthropod assemblage was discovered, including representatives of 10 different orders of Crustacea and Insecta. Land hermit crabs were the most abundant crustaceans, and dipterans were the most abundant and speciose insects. Two of the most common insects were previously undescribed species. Measures of arthropod species abundance and diversity were not significantly different for vegetated vs. non‐vegetated islands. All 10 orders were present on bare islands, and nine of them were present on vegetated islands. Measures of arthropod species abundance and diversity were positively associated with island area, and negatively associated with distance from the nearest large island. Hypothesized food webs consist of several trophic levels and have strong allochthonous inputs. Tiny islands such as these hold insights into early successional processes and the base of insular food webs.
Onset of pruritus relief with pimecrolimus cream 1% in adult patients with atopic dermatitis: a randomized trial
Authors: Kaufmann R. , Bieber T. , Helgesen A. L. , Andersen B. Lasthein , Luger T. , Poulin Y. , Al‐Hafidh J. , Paul C. ,   the multicentre investigator group
Published: November 2005

Background:  Pimecrolimus cream 1% (Elidel, Novartis Pharmaceuticals AG) effectively improves/relieves pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis (AD), but few data are available regarding the timing of relief. The purpose of this study was to investigate the timing of pruritus relief produced with pimecrolimus in adults with mild/moderate AD and moderate/severe pruritus.Methods:  Patients were randomized to 7 days of treatment with pimecrolimus (n = 100) or vehicle (n = 98). Pruritus severity was assessed daily on a 4‐point scale (0 = absent, 3 = severe), reflecting the previous 24 h experience. Patients who completed this core study were eligible to enter a voluntary 5‐week, open‐label extension study.Results:  A significant effect was noted within 48 h of treatment, with pruritus improving in 56% of pimecrolimus‐treated patients and 34% of vehicle‐treated patients (P = 0.003). Pruritus relief was maintained during the remainder of the core and extension phases, and was accompanied by an improvement in the Investigator's Global Assessment score.Conclusion:  Pimecrolimus cream 1% significantly reduced pruritus within 48 h.
Viral safety of Nanogam®, a new 15 nm‐filtered liquid immunoglobulin product
Authors: Terpstra F. G. , Parkkinen J. , Tölö H. , Koenderman A. H. L. , Ter Hart H. G. J. , von Bonsdorff L. , Törmä E. , van Engelenburg F. A. C. 
Published: November 2005

Background and Objectives  Producers of plasma derivatives continuously improve the viral safety of their products by, for example, introducing additional virus‐reducing steps into the manufacturing process. Here we present virus‐elimination studies undertaken for a number of steps employed in a new manufacturing process for liquid intravenous immunoglobulin (Nanogam®) that comprises two specific virus‐reducing steps: a 15‐nm filtration step combined with pepsin treatment at pH 4·4 (pH 4·4/15NF); and solvent–detergent (SD) treatment. The manufacturing process also includes precipitation of Cohn fraction III and viral neutralization, which contribute to the total virus‐reducing capacity of the manufacturing process. In addition, the mechanism and robustness of the virus‐reducing steps were studied.Materials and Methods  Selected process steps were studied with spiking experiments using a range of lipid enveloped (LE) and non‐lipid‐enveloped (NLE) viruses. The LE viruses used were bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and pseudorabies virus (PRV); the NLE viruses used were parvovirus B19 (B19), canine parvovirus (CPV) and encephalomyocarditis virus (EMC). After spiking, samples were collected and tested for residual infectivity, and the reduction factors were calculated. For B19, however, removal of B19 DNA was measured, not residual infectivity. To reveal the contribution of viral neutralization, bovine parvovirus (BPV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) were used.Results  For the pH 4·4/15NF step, complete reduction (> 6 log10) was demonstrated for all viruses, including B19, but not for CPV (> 3·4 but ≤ 4·2 log10). Robustness studies of the pH 4·4/15NF step with CPV showed that pH was the dominant process parameter. SD treatment for 10 min resulted in complete inactivation (> 6 log10) of all LE viruses tested. Precipitation of Cohn fraction III resulted in the significant removal (3–4 log10) of both LE and NLE viruses. Virus‐neutralization assays of final product revealed significant reduction (≥ 3 log10) of both BPV and HAV.Conclusions  The manufacturing process of Nanogam® comprises two effective steps for the reduction of LE viruses and one for NLE viruses. In addition, the precipitation of Cohn fraction III and the presence of neutralizing antibodies contribute to the total virus‐reducing capacity of Nanogam®. The overall virus‐reducing capacity was > 15 log10 for LE viruses. For the NLE viruses B19, CPV and EMC, the overall virus‐reducing capacities were > 10, > 7 and > 9 log10, respectively. Including the contribution of immune neutralization, the overall virus‐reducing capacity for B19 and HAV is estimated to be > 10 log10.
Genetic and environmental parameters for racing time at different distances in Brazilian Thoroughbreds
Authors: Mota M.D.S. , Abrahão A.R. , Oliveira H.N. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryThe aim of the present study was to investigate genetic parameters for racing time in Thoroughbred horses racing at distances between 1000 and 1600 m subdivided into 100‐m intervals. The data provided by TURFETOTAL Ltda comprised races that occurred in the Gávea and Cidade Jardim race tracks over a period of 11 years (1992–2002) and consisted of 32 145 races and 238 890 time records. The variance components necessary to obtain the heritability and repeatability estimates of the traits studied were estimated with the MTDFREML program, and animal age at race (3 years old or younger, 4, 5 and older than 5 years), sex (male and female), number of races (1–32 145), and postposition at start (1–11) as fixed effects, and animal and permanent environmental random effects were included in a one‐trait animal model. Males were significantly superior to females at all distances. Excluding the 1100 m distance, animals 4 years of age were significantly faster than the mean of the other ages for all distances analysed. Horses older than 5 years showed a significantly lower performance than the mean of the other ages for all distances analysed, except for the 1100 m. Postpositions one and two did not differ significantly from one another for any of the distances analysed. These two inner positions both together varied from the other positions depending on race length. The components of additive genetic and permanent environmental variance varied in a similar way, tending to decrease with increasing racing distance, and the other temporary environmental variance almost doubled from 1000 to 1600 m. As was the case for the additive genetic and environmental variances, heritability and repeatability estimates tended to decrease with increasing distance, indicating that selection based on racing time will be less successful when the racing distance increases.
A genotype probability index for multiple alleles and haplotypes
Authors: Percy A. , Kinghorn B.P. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryWe use linear algebra to calculate an index of information content in genotype probabilities which has previously been calculated using trigonometry. The new method can be generalized allowing the index to be calculated for loci with more than two alleles. Applications of this index include its use in genotyping strategies, strategies to manage genetic disorders and in estimation of genotype effects.
The outcome of surgery in fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis
Authors: Koss K. , Clark M. A. , Sanders D. S. A. , Morton D. , Keighley M. R. B. , Goh J. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractBackground  The clinical presentation of Clostridium difficile infection ranges from asymptomatic carriage, colitis with or without pseudomembranes, to fulminant colitis. Although not common, fulminant C. difficile colitis can result in bowel perforation and peritonitis with a high mortality rate. Colectomy is often indicated in these cases.Methods  We retrospectively analysed the outcome of 14 patients who underwent surgery for fulminant C. difficile colitis in the period 1996–2003 in our Unit.Results  The indications for surgery were systemic toxicity and peritonitis (n = 10), radiological and clinical evidence of progressive toxic colonic dilatation (n = 3) and progressive colonic dilatation with bowel perforation (n = 1). C. difficile infection as the cause of colitis was diagnosed pre‐operatively in seven (50%) patients, six of whom underwent a total colectomy and one a right hemicolectomy. Overall mortality in our series was 35.7%. Total colectomy was associated with a lower mortality rate of 11·1% (1/9) when compared with left hemicolectomy was 100% (4/4) (P = 0·01). One patient who underwent a right hemicolectomy (on the basis of deceptively normal external appearance of the rest of the colon intra‐operatively) survived after a prolonged hospital stay.Conclusions  Early or pre‐operative microbiological diagnosis of C. difficile infection can be difficult in patients with a fulminant presentation. Those patients with C. difficile colitis, who develop signs of toxicity, peritonitis or perforation, should undergo a total colectomy as the operation of choice.
Topical use of calcitriol 3 µg/g ointment in the treatment of mild‐to‐moderate psoriasis: results from an open‐label study
Authors: Carboni I , De Felice C , Bergamin A , Chimenti S 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTBackground  Calcitriol is the active metabolite and hormonal analogue of vitamin D3. It is widely used for the topical treatment of psoriasis showing good tolerability and effectiveness.Objectives  To assess the efficacy, tolerability and safety of calcitriol 3 µg/g ointment in mild to moderate plaque psoriasis involving sensitive areas.Methods  Sixty patients with a body surface area < 35% were enrolled into a prospective open label clinical study. Patients were treated for 12 weeks with a twice daily calcitriol 3 µg/g topical ointment application. Efficacy and safety were assessed during the therapy and during a 6‐month follow‐up period.Results  The study demonstrated a high clinical remission rate which progressively increased throughout therapy (11.6% at week 4, 28.3% at week 8 and 63.3% at week 12). No serious adverse events and clinically relevant changes of calcium/phosphorus homeostasis were reported.Conclusions  The study suggests that calcitriol 3 µg/g ointment, applied twice daily, is an effective topical treatment for chronic psoriatic plaques involving less than 35% of the body surface and sensitive areas.