bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pleistocene evolutionary history of the Clouded Apollo (Parnassius mnemosyne): genetic signatures of climate cycles and a ‘time‐dependent’ mitochondrial substitution rate
Authors: GRATTON P. , KONOPIŃSKI M. K. , SBORDONI V. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractGenetic data are currently providing a large amount of new information on past distribution of species and are contributing to a new vision of Pleistocene ice ages. Nonetheless, an increasing number of studies on the ‘time dependency’ of mutation rates suggest that date assessments for evolutionary events of the Pleistocene might be overestimated. We analysed mitochondrial (mt) DNA (COI) sequence variation in 225 Parnassius mnemosyne individuals sampled across central and eastern Europe in order to assess (i) the existence of genetic signatures of Pleistocene climate shifts; and (ii) the timescale of demographic and evolutionary events. Our analyses reveal a phylogeographical pattern markedly influenced by the Pleistocene/Holocene climate shifts. Eastern Alpine and Balkan populations display comparatively high mtDNA diversity, suggesting multiple glacial refugia. On the other hand, three widely distributed and spatially segregated lineages occupy most of northern and eastern Europe, indicating postglacial recolonization from different refugial areas. We show that a conventional ‘phylogenetic’ substitution rate cannot account for the present distribution of genetic variation in this species, and we combine phylogeographical pattern and palaeoecological information in order to determine a suitable intraspecific rate through a Bayesian coalescent approach. We argue that our calibrated ‘time‐dependent’ rate (0.096 substitutions/million years), offers the most convincing time frame for the evolutionary events inferred from sequence data. When scaled by the new rate, estimates of divergence between Balkan and Alpine lineages point to c. 19 000 years before present (last glacial maximum), and parameters of demographic expansion for northern lineages are consistent with postglacial warming (5–11 000 years before present).
Protein‐energy malnutrition decreases immune response to Leishmania chagasi vaccine in BALB/c mice
Authors: MALAFAIA G. , SERAFIM T. D. , SILVA M. E. , PEDROSA M. L. , REZENDE S. A. 
Published: September 2008

SUMMARY Protein‐energy malnutrition and visceral leishmaniasis are important problems of public health affecting millions of people worldwide. Vaccine efficacy depends on the ability of individuals to mount an appropriate immune response and may be inadequate in malnourished persons. In this study, we used a mouse model to verify the effect of combined protein, iron and zinc deficiency in the response to Leishmania chagasi antigen vaccine. BALB/c mice were fed with a low‐protein (3% casein), iron‐ and zinc‐deficient diet or control diet (14% casein and sufficient in zinc and iron). After malnutrition establishment, mice were vaccinated subcutaneously with L. chagasi Ag plus saponin. After vaccination, mice were nutritionally repleted and then all mice were challenged with L. chagasi promastigotes. Four weeks later, liver and spleen parasite load was evaluated. Our data show that vaccine caused a significant reduction in parasite load in spleen and liver from mice fed with control diet. However, splenic parasitism was increased in mice fed with deficient diet and this diet caused a reduction in splenocyte IFN‐γ production in response to the vaccine in repleted mice. These data suggest that malnutrition may alter immune response to L. chagasi vaccine in BALB/c model of infection, even after nutritional repletion.
Selection on floral and carbon uptake traits of Lobelia siphilitica is similar in females and hermaphrodites
Authors: CARUSO C. M. , YAKOBOWSKI S. J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractSexual dimorphism is common in plants and animals. Although this dimorphism is often assumed to be adaptive, natural selection has rarely been measured on sexually dimorphic traits of plants. We measured phenotypic selection via seed set on two floral and four carbon uptake traits of female and hermaphrodite Lobelia siphilitica. Because females can reproduce only via seeds, which are costlier than pollen, we predicted that females with smaller flowers and enhanced carbon uptake would have higher fitness, resulting in either sex morph‐specific directional selection or stabilizing selection for different optimal trait values in females and hermaphrodites. We found that directional selection on one carbon uptake trait differed between females and hermaphrodites. We did not detect significant stabilizing selection on traits of either sex morph. Our results provide little support for the hypothesis that sexual dimorphism in gynodioecious plants evolved in response to sex morph‐specific selection.
What, if anything, is sympatric speciation?
Authors: FITZPATRICK B. M. , FORDYCE J. A. , GAVRILETS S. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractSympatric speciation has always fascinated evolutionary biologists, and for good reason; it pits diversifying selection directly against the tendency of sexual reproduction to homogenize populations. However, different investigators have used different definitions of sympatric speciation and different criteria for diagnosing cases of sympatric speciation. Here, we explore some of the definitions that have been used in empirical and theoretical studies. Definitions based on biogeography do not always produce the same conclusions as definitions based on population genetics. The most precise definitions make sympatric speciation an infinitesimal end point of a continuum. Because it is virtually impossible to demonstrate the occurrence of such a theoretical extreme, we argue that testing whether a case fits a particular definition is less informative than evaluating the biological processes affecting divergence. We do not deny the importance of geographical context for understanding divergence. Rather, we believe this context can be better understood by modelling and measuring quantities, such as gene flow and selection, rather than assigning cases to discrete categories like sympatric and allopatric speciation.
Is Play Behavior Sexually Dimorphic in Monogamous Species?
Authors: Chau Monica J. , Stone Anita I. , Mendoza Sally P. , Bales Karen L. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractMonogamy is a relatively rare social system in mammals, occurring only in about 3% of mammalian species. Monogamous species are characterized by the formation of pair‐bonds, biparental care, and a very low level of sexual dimorphism. Whereas in most polygynous species males engage in more rough‐and‐tumble play than females, we predicted that males and females of monogamous species would have similar, or monomorphic, play behavior. In this study, we focused on two monogamous species: coppery titi monkeys (Callicebus cupreus) and prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). We documented the development of play behavior in both species, and quantified different types of play behavior. We did not find any sex differences in either species in the frequencies and types of play. However, we did find sex differences in the choice of play partner in titi monkeys: female offspring spent a higher proportion of time playing with their father, while male offspring played equally with their mother and father. It is possible that rough‐and‐tumble play behavior is monomorphic in many monogamous mammals, perhaps reflecting differences from polygynous species in the effects of exposure to early androgens or in the estrogen receptor distribution. However, more subtle differences in monomorphic play behavior, such as choice of partner, may still exist.
l‐Ornithine‐l‐aspartate in the management of hepatic encephalopathy: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Jiang Qian , Jiang Xue‐Hua , Zheng Ming‐Hua , Chen Yong‐Ping 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Hepatic encephalopathy continues to be a major clinical problem and the current decade has not witnessed major therapeutic breakthroughs in this area. l‐ornithine‐l‐aspartate (LOLA) is not frequently used as there are still some reservations about its benefits. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of LOLA in the management of hepatic encephalopathy.Methods:  We used the method recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration to perform a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials of LOLA therapy for hepatic encephalopathy including three randomized controlled trials.Results:  Three randomized trials randomizing 212 patients were included. LOLA versus placebo had a significant effect on improvement of hepatic encephalopathy (relative risk 1.89; 95% CI 1.32 to 2.71; P = 0.0005). This comparison showed no statistical heterogeneity (P = 0.85 and χ2 = 0.09). Subgroup analysis showed that LOLA could be effective versus placebo in trials with grade I or II overt hepatic encephalopathy patients (relative risk 1.87; 95% CI 1.30 to 2.68; P = 0.0007) and had no significant effect in trials with subclinical hepatic encephalopathy patients (relative risk 1.69; 95% CI 0.72 to 3.94; P = 0.23). Adverse effects were observed in only three patients treated with LOLA in one report.Conclusions:  LOLA benefited patients with overt hepatic encephalopathy (I or II), whereas these data do not support the use of LOLA for patients with subclinical hepatic encephalopathy.
Effects of CYP2C19 and MDR1 genotype on the eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori infection by triple therapy with pantoprazole, amoxycillin and clarithromycin
Authors: Oh Jung‐Hwan , Dong Mi‐Sook , Choi Myung‐Gyu , Yoo Hae‐Won , Lee Sang‐Bum , Park Young In , Chung In‐Sik 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackgrounds:  CYP2C19 polymorphism plays an important role in the metabolism of proton pump inhibitors. The multidrug resistance (MDR)1 genotype is associated with the successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of CYP2C19 and MDR1 genotypes on the eradication rate of H. pylori using a pantoprazole‐based triple therapy.Methods:  A total of 210 patients infected with H. pylori were treated with 40 mg pantoprazole, 500 mg clarithromycin and 1000 mg amoxicillin twice daily for 7 days. The CYP2C19 genotype was determined with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The MDR1 C3435T polymorphism was identified by PCR‐based allele‐specific amplification (PCR‐ASA).Results:  Of the 210 patients who completed the study, 174 (82.9%, 95.0% confidence interval [CI], 77.8–88.0%) achieved successful eradication after the first cycle of therapy. The eradication rates for H. pylori were 86.7%, 81.1% and 82.1% in the homozygous extensive, heterozygous extensive and poor metabolizer groups, respectively (P = 0.65). Moreover, the cure rates in the CC, CT, and TT groups were 82.7%, 84.4% and 76.9%, respectively (P = 0.66). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that endoscopic diagnosis was a significant independent risk factor for treatment failure.Conclusion:  The eradication rates of H. pylori by pantoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin were not significantly different among the CYP2C19 and MDR1 genotypes. Hence, the cure rate of H. pylori in the Korean population was no different for the CYP2C19 and MDR1 genotypes.
Pre‐emptive renal transplantation from living donors in Australia: Effect on allograft and patient survival
Authors: MILTON CAROLINE A , RUSS GRAEME R , MCDONALD STEPHEN P 
Published: September 2008

SUMMARY:Aim:  Pre‐emptive renal transplantation has become the preferred first‐line therapy for patients with end‐stage kidney failure. This study examines the outcome of allograft and patient survival in pre‐emptive transplantation compared with non‐pre‐emptive transplantation from living donors in Australia and New Zealand.Methods:  We have performed a retrospective study using the Australian and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplantation Registry. Allograft and patient survival were compared at 1, 5 and 10 years in pre‐emptive transplantation and non‐pre‐emptive transplantation following a living donor transplant.Results:  Allograft survival at 1, 5 and 10 years post pre‐emptive transplantation was better than post non‐pre‐emptive transplantation (multivariate hazard ratio (HR) 0.80 [95% confidence interval 0.64–0.99], P = 0.036). Pre‐emptive transplantation was associated with a significant patient survival advantage over non‐pre‐emptive transplantation when analysed from the time of transplantation and adjusted for age and gender (multivariate HR 0.46 [0.27–0.80], P = 0.006). Patient survival for pre‐emptive transplantation and non‐pre‐emptive transplantation was 97% [0.95–0.98] and 93% [0.91–0.94] at 5 years and 93% [0.88–0.96] and 84% [0.82–0.87] at 10 years post transplant respectively. There was no difference in the overall rejection rate between pre‐emptive transplantation and non‐pre‐emptive transplantation. Vascular rejection was less common in pre‐emptive transplantation (HR 0.70 [0.50–0.98], P = 0.04).Conclusion:  Pre‐emptive transplantation from a living donor is associated with both better allograft and patient survival compared with transplantation after a period of dialysis. Pre‐emptive transplantation should be the preferred modality of renal replacement therapy in patients who have a living donor.
Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) for neovascular age‐related macular degeneration using a variable frequency regimen in eyes with no previous treatment
Authors: Fong Kenneth CS , Kirkpatrick Nigel , Mohamed Quresh , Johnston Robert L 
Published: September 2008

AbstractPurpose:  To evaluate a variable frequency regimen with intravitreal bevacizumab for treatment of neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) in eyes that have not received any previous treatment.Methods:  Retrospective review of patients with neovascular AMD who were treated with three consecutive monthly intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (1.25 mg) and retreated based on the PrONTO study criteria. Outcome measures included visual acuity (VA) and central retinal thickness. Subgroup analysis was conducted to identify pretreatment characteristics that could determine visual outcome with treatment.Results:  A total of 109 eyes of 109 patients were treated. The mean age was 82 years, and the mean follow‐up period was 9.4 months (range 6–12 months). At baseline, the mean VA was 45.6 letters (6/37.5) and mean central retinal thickness 343 µm. This improved to 51 letters (6/30) (P < 0.001)) and 231 µm (P < 0.001) at 6 months. At 6 months, VA was improved by at least five letters in 50%, remained stable in 30% and worsened by at least five letters in 20% of patients. Patients with large intraretinal cysts on optical coherence tomography before treatment had an increased risk of worse vision (odds ratio 10.5, 95% confidence interval 1.69–64.99; P = 0.018).Conclusions:  The majority of patients had improvement or stability of VA regardless of the angiographic type of choroidal neovascularization. Intravitreal bevacizumab with this tailored regimen is beneficial in the treatment of neovascular AMD in the short term. The presence of large intraretinal cysts on optical coherence tomography is a poor prognostic factor for visual improvement with this treatment.
The New Zealand ophthalmology workforce 2008
Authors: Pick Zelda S , Stewart James , Elder Mark J 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackground:  The ongoing supply of quality ophthalmic care to the New Zealand (NZ) population depends on a sustainable ophthalmology workforce. The NZ population is growing and aging rapidly, placing increasing demands on ophthalmic services. Predicting future supply of NZ ophthalmologists requires an accurate description of the current workforce.Methods:  A confidential postal workforce survey, the fourth since 1997, was sent to all NZ consultant ophthalmologists in October 2007. A second survey conducted in January 2008 by email and direct telephone contact gained a complete dataset of NZ ophthalmologists. Results were compared with NZ population data, and the Australian Ophthalmology Workforce Model 2006 was used to estimate future demands on NZ ophthalmic services.Results:  There are currently 16–24 vacancies for consultant ophthalmologists in NZ, with another eight positions planned to be created by 2010, bringing the shortfall to 24–32. Retirement rates average to three per year, although 28 consultants are planning to retire by 2013. Retention of new NZ Fellows stands at around 71%. Increasing demands of an aging population are likely to increase the shortfall of ophthalmologists to 40–50 by 2015, and 46–69 by 2025.Conclusions:  This report identifies a growing gap between supply of NZ ophthalmologists and demand for their services. We highlight the need for a comprehensive model with a detailed analysis of the many factors influencing supply and demand, enabling planning for an appropriate supply of ophthalmologists meeting the needs of the future NZ population.
Introducing a simplified approach to insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes: a comparison of two single‐dose regimens of insulin glulisine plus insulin glargine and oral antidiabetic drugs
Authors: Lankisch M. R. , Ferlinz K. C. , Leahy J. L. , Scherbaum W. A. ,   Orals Plus Apidra and LANTUS (OPAL) study group
Published: September 2008

Aim:  To investigate whether the addition of a single bolus of insulin glulisine (glulisine), administered at either breakfast or main mealtime, in combination with basal insulin glargine (glargine) and oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs), provides equivalent glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes, irrespective of the time of glulisine injection.Methods:  A national, multicentre, randomized, open‐label, parallel‐group study of 393 patients with type 2 diabetes who were suboptimally controlled [haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) > 6.5–9.0% and fasting blood glucose (BG) ≤6.7 mmol/l] on their previous glargine and OAD regimen. A single injection of glulisine was added, either at breakfast or at main mealtime, to their existing therapy.Results:  The per‐protocol group (n = 316) showed improved HbA1c (baseline vs. end‐point) in the breakfast (7.4 vs. 7.0%; p < 0.0001) and main mealtime groups (7.3 vs. 6.9%; p < 0.0001). Glulisine given at breakfast was equally effective in controlling HbA1c as glulisine given at the main mealtime [adjusted HbA1c mean difference (95% confidence interval): 0.0481% (–0.115 to 0.211); p < 0.0001 for equivalence]. Overall, 30.7% of patients achieved HbA1c≤6.5% at end‐point but slightly more patients met this target in the main mealtime group vs. the breakfast group (33.8 vs. 27.8%; p = NS). This trend continued and was more marked when considering only those patients with HbA1c >7.0% at baseline and who reached HbA1c≤7.0% at end‐point (44.1% overall), with 52.2 and 36.5% for main mealtime and breakfast groups, respectively (p = 0.028). Most postprandial BG values improved within each group, while the number of hypoglycaemias was low and comparable between the two treatment groups.Conclusions:  A single bolus of glulisine, added to glargine and OADs, resulted in significantly improved HbA1c levels, irrespective of whether glulisine was administered at breakfast or at main mealtime. These results may represent a simplified and effective approach to treatment intensification in type 2 diabetes patients.
The case of letter rhyming: An ERP study
Authors: Coch Donna , George Elyse , Berger Natalie 
Published: September 2008

AbstractPrevious visual event‐related potential (ERP) studies using prime–target pairs of word and pseudoword stimuli have reported a robust rhyming effect such that nonrhyming targets elicit a larger N450 than rhyming targets. However, results of similar studies using simpler linguistic stimuli—single letters—are equivocal. We used lowercase and uppercase letter pairs in a simple ERP prime–target rhyming paradigm to further investigate whether single letters could elicit the typical rhyming effect and, if so, whether the rhyming effect was sensitive to physical orthography (which differed between the case conditions). The typical N450 rhyming effect was observed in both the lowercase and uppercase letter pair conditions, with similar amplitude and latency between conditions. This pattern of results suggests that the N450 rhyming effect is not sensitive to physical (case) orthography and likely primarily indexes phonological processing related to the rhyme task.
The speeding of voluntary reaction by a warning signal
Authors: Hackley Steven A. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractWarning signals can shorten reaction time (RT) via either a top‐down mechanism, temporal attention, or a bottom‐up one, phasic arousal. The goal of this review article is to identify the locus at which these processes influence RT. Electrophysiological and behavioral evidence indicate that the chronometric locus for both modulatory effects lies mainly within a narrow window at the center of the stimulus–response interval. This interval presumably encompasses late perceptual, response selection, and early motor processes. Phasic arousal is theorized to reduce the threshold for response selection within a circuit involving the supramarginal gyrus. A blind‐sight study indicates that conscious, cortical level processing is necessary for temporal attention, at least when the warning signal is visual.
TNF‐α‐mediates neuroprotection against glutamate‐induced excitotoxicity via NF‐κB‐dependent up‐regulation of KCa2.2 channels
Authors: Dolga Amalia M. , Granic Ivica , Blank Thomas , Knaus Hans‐Guenther , Spiess Joachim , Luiten Paul G. M. , Eisel Ulrich L. M. , Nijholt Ingrid M. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractPrevious studies have shown that tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) induces neuroprotection against excitotoxic damage in primary cortical neurons via sustained nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) activation. The transcription factor NF‐κB can regulate the expression of small conductance calcium‐activated potassium (KCa) channels. These channels reduce neuronal excitability and as such may yield neuroprotection against neuronal overstimulation. In the present study we investigated whether TNF‐α‐mediated neuroprotective signaling is inducing changes in the expression of small conductance KCa channels. Interestingly, the expression of KCa2.2 channel was up‐regulated by TNF‐α treatment in a time‐dependent manner whereas the expression of KCa2.1 and KCa2.3 channels was not altered. The increase in KCa2.2 channel expression after TNF‐α treatment was shown to be dependent on TNF‐R2 and NF‐κB activation. Furthermore, activation of small conductance KCa channels by 6,7‐dichloro‐1H‐indole‐2,3‐dione 3‐oxime or cyclohexyl‐[2‐(3,5‐dimethyl‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)‐6‐methyl‐pyrimidin‐4‐yl]‐amine‐induced neuroprotection against a glutamate challenge. Treatment with the small conductance KCa channel blocker apamin or KCa2.2 channel siRNA reverted the neuroprotective effect elicited by TNF‐α. We conclude that treatment of primary cortical neurons with TNF‐α leads to increased KCa2.2 channel expression which renders neurons more resistant to excitotoxic cell death.
A new species of White‐eyeZosteropsand notes on other birds from Vanikoro, Solomon Islands
Authors: DUTSON GUY 
Published: September 2008

A new species of white‐eye, the Vanikoro White‐eyeZosterops gibbsi, is described from the island of Vanikoro (= Vanikolo) in the Santa Cruz Islands (= Temotu Province) within the Solomon Islands. It differs from the geographically closest white‐eye, the Santa Cruz White‐eyeZosterops sanctaecrucis, by a number of features including a much longer bill, and different leg‐ and eye‐ring colour. This is the second bird species endemic to Vanikoro; the neighbouring Nendo Island supports three endemic species. Although the conservation status of this species appears to be secure, the Santa Cruz Islands are very poorly known. Despite supporting several globally threatened species, the Islands at present are not protected by any conservation activity.