bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Response of the fish community to human‐induced changes in the Biobío River in Chile
Authors: HABIT EVELYN , BELK MARK C. , CARY TUCKFIELD R. , PARRA OSCAR 
Published: October 2005

Summary1. The Biobío River basin of south‐central Chile exhibits the greatest species richness of all rivers in Chile, where it is one of the most important rivers for human use. Use for provision of drinking water, irrigation, sewage effluents, hydropower generation and industry has increased dramatically during the last decade. To help understand the effects of human activities on the Biobío River, we document recent changes in the fish community.2. In this study, current patterns of distribution and abundance of fishes were compared with the expected longitudinal pattern, and to historical data from studies conducted before the rapid development of the last decade. Fish distribution, biomass, abundance and diversity were studied at eight sampling stations in the middle and lower zones of the river in both high and low flow seasons.3. Contrary to the pattern observed in less impacted river systems, species richness (S), diversity (H′) and abundance [calculated catch per unit effort (CPUE)] all tended to decrease downstream from the uppermost sampling locations. Mean S decreased from 7.9 to 5.4, mean H′ decreased from 0.7 to 0.4, and mean CPUE decreased from 111 to 43 from hyporithral to potamal locations.4. Comparison with previous records indicates loss or reduction in distribution of native species, and a concurrent expansion in distribution and abundance of tolerant introduced species (e.g.Gambusia holbrooki, andCyprinus carpio) over the last 10–15 years. These comparisons suggest a large‐scale and long‐term effect of recent human impacts on the river.
Dry‐pasteurization of egg albumen powder in a fluidized bed. II. Effect on functional properties: gelation and foaming
Authors: Hammershøj Marianne , Rasmussen Hans C. , Carstens Jan H. , Pedersen Henrik 
Published: October 2005

SummaryDry‐pasteurization of egg albumen (EA) powder in a fluidized bed was studied in two experiments. Experiment 1 consisted of two different temperatures (90 and 130 °C) and experiment 2 of two air moisture levels (high and low). Powders were processed from 10 min to 3 h. The reference treatment was traditional pasteurization at 90 °C for 21 h. The fluidized bed treatment effects on gel texture, water‐holding capacity (WHC), protein binding, gel colour, foaming capacity, foam stability and surface pressure were evaluated. Gels of EA powders treated at high temperature and high air moisture levels exhibited higher stress, strain and WHC values than gels of untreated EA powder. The gel colour became significantly darker, greener and less yellow by fluidized bed treatment. Foaming and surface activity properties were un‐affected by the treatments, however, foam stability against liquid drainage correlated positively with surface pressure.
Resilience and resistance of ecosystem functional response to a precipitation pulse in a semi‐arid grassland
Authors: POTTS DANIEL L. , HUXMAN TRAVIS E. , ENQUIST BRIAN J. , WELTZIN JAKE F. , WILLIAMS DAVID G. 
Published: October 2005

Summary

In water‐limited ecosystems, discrete precipitation events trigger brief but important episodes of biological activity. Differential responses of above‐ and below‐ground biota to precipitation may constrain biogeochemical transformations at the ecosystem scale.
We quantified short‐term dynamics of whole ecosystem response to 39 mm irrigation events (precipitation pulses) during June 2002 and 2003 using plant physiological and ecosystem gas‐exchange measurements as state variables in a principal components analysis (PCA). Experimental plots consisted of either native (Heteropogon contortus L.) or non‐native (Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees) bunchgrasses planted in monoculture on two distinct geomorphic surfaces in a semi‐arid grassland.
For 15 days, treatments followed similar, non‐linear trajectories through state variable space with measurement periods forming distinct clusters; PCA axes 1 and 2 combined to explain 80.7% of the variation during both 2002 and 2003.
During both years, bunchgrass species interacted with soil type such that there was a reduction in ecosystem functional resistance in plots planted with the non‐native bunchgrass species on the fine‐textured clay geomorphic surface.
System‐level hysteresis, emerging as a result of independent responses of photosynthesis, respiration and evapotranspiration to precipitation, indicated the potential for alternative functional states.
Quantifying the frequency and duration of ecosystem alternative functional states in response to individual precipitation events within a season will provide insights into the controls of species, soils and climate on ecosystem carbon and water cycles.
Effects of litter and standing biomass on growth and reproduction of two annual species in a Mediterranean old‐field
Authors: VIOLLE CYRILLE , RICHARTE JEAN , NAVAS MARIE‐LAURE 
Published: October 2005

Summary

We tested the hypothesis that the competitive ability of a plant changes during its lifetime, by evaluating variations in the relative influence of standing biomass and litter on plant performance.
Seedlings of two annual herbaceous species (‘targets’), of contrasted life‐forms (Crepis foetida and Bromus madritensis) were transplanted into an old‐field. The competitive ability of seedlings, vegetative and reproductive plants towards neighbours was recorded over one growing season.
Fourteen traits related to plant morphology, growth and reproduction were measured to assess the competitive ability of targets. Relationships among traits were characterized to identify a set of traits as a surrogate of target competitive ability.
The two target species responded similarly. Early growth was facilitated by litter and, to a greater degree, by vegetative biomass. Thereafter, the effect of neighbouring vegetation on target performance was negative, with a maximum depressing effect on reproduction (especially seed number and date of flowering) despite a weak facilitative effect of litter. Plant basal diameter, measured at peak growth period, and total number of inflorescences per plant, were found to predict growth and reproductive components of competitive ability, respectively.
Assessing the effects of competition for population success from the response of vegetative plants will underestimate its importance because competition appears to exert its maximal impact on seed production.
Temporal constraints on the growth and decay of large‐scale mobilized mud masses and implications for fluid flow mapping in sedimentary basins
Authors: Jackson Christopher , Stoddart Daniel 
Published: October 2005

AbstractSeismic‐stratigraphic analysis of the Cretaceous to succession of the Uer Terrace, North Sea seabed Basin, Norway, demonstrates that the Upper Oligocene succession has undergone large‐scale mobilization of mudstone‐dominated units due to the upward migration of water and associated hydrocarbons into the interval, which is in some way linked to a period of gas expulsion from adjacent deep basins. Seismic‐stratigraphic analysis of units overlying the mobilized zones indicates they created positive seafloor topography during the Late Miocene implying gaseous fluids were expelled at the seabed. Loading by the overlying Pliocene succession caused the mobilized mud masses to deflate and resulted in the formation of low‐relief, fault‐bounded craters. The results of this study have implications for understanding the location and timing of fluid flow in sedimentary basins.
Genetics of sex pheromone blend differences between Heliothis virescens and Heliothis subflexa: a chromosome mapping approach
Authors: Sheck A. L. , Groot A. T. , Ward C. M. , Gemeno C. , Wang J. , Brownie C. , Schal C. , Gould F. 
Published: October 2005

Abstract
Males of the noctuid moths, Heliothis virescens and H. subflexa locate mates based on species-specific responses to female-emitted pheromones that are composed of distinct blends of volatile compounds. We conducted genetic crosses between these two species and used AFLP marker-based mapping of backcross families (H. subflexa direction) to determine which of the 30 autosomes in these moths contained quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling the proportion of specific chemical components in the pheromone blends. Presence/absence of single H. virescens chromosomes accounted for 7–34% of the phenotypic variation among backcross females in seven pheromone components. For a set of three similar 16-carbon acetates, two H. virescens chromosomes interacted in determining their relative amounts within the pheromone gland and together accounted for 53% of the phenotypic variance. Our results are discussed relative to theories about population genetic processes and biochemical mechanisms involved in the evolution of new sexual communication systems.
Evidence for cryptic glacial refugia from North American mountain sheep mitochondrial DNA
Authors: Loehr J. , Worley K. , Grapputo A. , Carey J. , Veitch A. , Coltman D. W. 
Published: October 2005

Abstract
The separation of populations by ice sheets into large refugia can account for much of the genetic diversity found in present day populations. The evolutionary implications of small glacial refugia have not been as thoroughly explored. To examine refugial origins of North American mountain sheep Ovis spp., we analyzed a 604 bp portion of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region from 223 O. dalli and O. canadensis. Major refugia were identified in eastern Beringia and southern North America, and we found evidence for two smaller refugia situated between the Laurentide and Cordilleran glaciers. Our results are the first to demonstrate support for survival of any organism in the latter two refugia. These refugia also appear to have conserved a genetic signal that confirms past hybridization of O. dalli and O. canadensis.
Pathogenesis of Parvovirus B19 Infection: Host Gene Variability, and Possible Means and Effects of Virus Persistence
Authors: Kerr J. R. 
Published: October 2005

SummarySince conducting follow‐up studies of patients with acute symptomatic parvovirus B19 infection which showed that a significant proportion of patients develop prolonged arthritis and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), we have become interested in the mechanisms of this phenomenon. We showed that these cases have high levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in their circulation and that this correlates with the symptoms. However, the underlying mechanisms were not apparent, and we have used various approaches to begin studying this phenomenon. DNA polymorphisms were looked for and several were shown to be more common in these subjects compared with controls; these occur within genes of both the immune response [human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐DRB1, HLA‐B, transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1] and those involved in several other cellular functions (predominantly the cytoskeleton and cell adhesion). Interestingly, one particular single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) which is associated with symptomatic B19 infection occurs in the Ku80 gene which has recently been shown to be a B19 co‐receptor. B19 persistence is probably the key to this phenomenon, and some new data are presented on short regions of sequence homology (17–26 bp) between human, mouse and rat parvoviruses and their respective hosts which occur in many host genes. This homology may provide a foothold for virus persistence and may also play a role in the genesis of disease through gene disruption. Finally, we used microarrays and TaqMan real‐time polymerase chain reaction in 108 normal persons to study human gene expression in persons who are B19‐seropositive versus B19‐seronegative (age‐ and sex‐matched) to examine the hypothesis that gene regulation may be altered in subjects harbouring the B19 virus DNA. Six genes were found to be differentially expressed with roles in the cytoskeleton (SKIP, MACF1, SPAG7, FLOT1), integrin signalling (FLOT1, RASSF5), HLA class III (c6orf48), and tumour suppression (RASSF5). These results have implications not only for B19 but also for other persistent viruses as well and confirmation is required. In conclusion, these disparate findings contribute to our understanding of the pathogenesis of B19 disease. We are using these studies as a starting point to study the phenomenon of chronic immune activation following B19 infection.
New Approaches for the Molecular Characterization of Canine Parvovirus Type 2 Strains
Authors: Decaro N. , Elia G. , Campolo M. , Desario C. , Lucente M. S. , Bellacicco A. L. , Buonavoglia C. 
Published: October 2005

SummaryCharacterization of the canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV‐2) is sometimes ambiguous, frequently requiring more than one technique for definitive prediction of the viral type. Taking into account the single‐nucleotide polymorphisms encountered in the VP2‐protein gene between types 2a and 2b and between type 2b and Glu‐426 mutant (type 2c), two different minor groove binder (MGB) probe assays were developed for rapid identification of the CPV‐2 variants. A total of 315 samples collected from dogs with diarrhoea were screened for CPV‐2 by a real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay capable of detecting all CPV‐2 types. In order to compare the type‐specific assays with the traditional techniques [haemagglutination inhibition with monoclonal antibodies, PCR‐restriction fragment‐length polymorphism (RFLP), sequence analysis] for prediction of CPV‐2 antigen specificity, the 203 samples tested CPV‐2 positive were analysed using the different methods. The results showed a 100% concordance between the MGB probe assays and the combined conventional methods, with 116 samples characterized as type 2a, 32 as type 2b and 55 as type 2c. Therefore, the MGB probe assays represent a quick, reliable tool for prediction of CPV‐2 antigen specificity, with regard to the more time‐consuming assays currently used.
Oncolytic Potential of Rodent Parvoviruses for Cancer Therapy in Humans: A Brief Review
Authors: Geletneky K. , Herrero y Calle M. , Rommelaere J. , Schlehofer J. R. 
Published: October 2005

SummaryRodent parvoviruses are promising candidates for oncolytic virotherapy of cancer in humans because of their oncotropism (preferential killing of transformed cells) in the absence of pathogenicity. Here, we give an overview concerning the possible application of parvovirus H‐1 for cancer therapy, with specific emphasis on malignant brain tumours in humans.
Analysis of the transmission of Salmonella spp. through generations of pet snakes
Authors: Schröter Matthias , Speicher Angelika , Hofmann Jörg , Roggentin Peter 
Published: October 2005

SummaryBesides the ‘classical’ animals known as reservoirs for Salmonella spp., like poultry and cattle, reptiles have emerged as a significant source of human salmonellae infections during the last years. Reptile‐associated salmonellae frequently cause severe clinical courses including fatalities due to septicaemia and meningitis. Therefore, it is of major priority to develop measures which may help preventing cases of reptile‐associated salmonellae. However, as a first step the epidemiology of salmonellae in reptiles must be understood. Therefore, in this study a population analysis of the salmonellae of two female snakes was performed and the pattern of inheritance of salmonellae to their offspring was investigated. It is demonstrated that adult snakes usually harbour a population of concurrent salmonellae serovars. Colonization of their offspring during pregnancy and birth is a significant way of transmission causing 65% of the newborn to be positive for salmonellae. The effectiveness of the transmission does not seem to be due only to the frequency of a certain serovar, because the most prevailing strain of one female snake was not detectable in any of her offspring.
The m‐xylene biodegradation capacity of Pseudomonas putida mt‐2 is submitted to adaptation to abiotic stresses: evidence from expression profiling of xyl genes
Authors: Velázquez Francisco , De Lorenzo Víctor , Valls Marc 
Published: October 2005

SummaryThe effect of archetypal environmental stresses on expression of the catabolic xyl genes of the TOL plasmid pWW0 of the m‐xylene degrading strain Pseudomonas putida mt‐2 has been investigated. To this end, a subgenomic DNA chip was employed which included structural and regulatory DNA sequences of the TOL pathway along with selected descriptors of specific physiological conditions. Cells were separately exposed to m‐xylene under various oxygen tensions, temperatures and nitrogen sources as well as situations of DNA damage, oxidative stress, carbon and iron starvation, respiratory chain damage, and contact with arsenic, but at doses which did not cause a gross effect on growth or cell viability. The incidence of each stress class was categorized through the corresponding descriptors in the chip in respect to the relative output of xyl transcripts. While most of the stresses downregulated the m‐xylene biodegradation‐related genes, some uncouplers of the respiratory chain (azide) and small doses of arsenate appeared to stimulate their expression. The replacement of NH4+ by NO3– as N source augmented expression of the TOL cistrons also. We subsequently subjected P. putida mt‐2 cells to the multiple abiotic stress brought about by exposure to crude tar from the 2002 oil spill of the Prestige tanker, which embraces a complex mixture of hydrocarbons. The resulting expression profile of xyl genes and stress‐responding markers over time suggested that adaptation to external insults precedes any significant expression of the catabolic genes. The consequences of this hierarchy of responses for microbial biodegradation in situ are discussed.
Foreign body post‐varicella granulomas due to talc
Authors: Lázaro C , Reichelt C , Lázaro J , Grasa MP , Carapeto FJ 
Published: October 2005

AbstractForeign body granulomas in the skin have been described frequently and may have various causes. Diagnosis is relatively easy in most cases, as most are related to foreign material penetrating into the skin due to different kinds of traumas. We present the case of a boy with multiple facial granulomas, persisting more than 6 months and related to the use of topical anti‐pruriginous talc powder applied to papuloexudative lesions caused by varicella. Data gathered in the anamnesis, examination with polarized light and images seen through the electron microscope enabled us to identify the causal agent talc as the inducer of the granulomatous lesions that the patient presented, discarding other types of foreign body granulomas of exogenous origin.
Efficacy of small group reading intervention for beginning readers with reading‐delay: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Hatcher Peter J. , Hulme Charles , Miles Jeremy N.V. , Carroll Julia M. , Hatcher Janet , Gibbs Simon , Smith Glynnis , Bowyer‐Crane Claudine , Snowling Margaret J. 
Published: October 2005

Background:  This study evaluated the effectiveness of an intervention for reading‐delayed children in Year‐1 classes.Methods:  A sample (N = 77) of children drawn from 14 schools representing those with the weakest reading skills were randomly allocated to one of two groups. A 20‐week intervention group received the intervention for two consecutive 10‐week periods, while a 10‐week intervention group only received the intervention for the second 10 weeks of the study. The programme was delivered in daily 20‐minute sessions that alternated between small group (N = 3) and individual teaching. The programme combined phoneme awareness training, word and text reading, and phonological linkage exercises.Results:  The children receiving the intervention during the first 10‐week period made significantly more progress on measures of letter knowledge, single word reading, and phoneme awareness than children not receiving the intervention. However, the children who only received the intervention during the second 10‐week period made rapid progress and appeared to catch up with the children who had been given the more prolonged intervention. Failure to respond to the intervention was predicted by poor initial literacy skills and being in receipt of free school meals.Conclusion:  A reading intervention programme delivered on a daily basis by trained teaching assistants is an effective intervention for children who show reading delays at the end of their first year in school. However, around one‐quarter of the children did not respond to this intervention and these children would appear to need more intensive or more prolonged help to improve their reading skills.
Premature telomere shortening and impaired regenerative response in hepatocytes of individuals with NAFLD
Authors: Nakajima Tomoki , Moriguchi Michihisa , Katagishi Tatsuo , Sekoguchi Satoru , Nishikawa Taichiro , Takashima Hidetaka , Kimura Hiroyuki , Minami Masahito , Itoh Yoshito , Kagawa Keizo , Tani Yoichi , Okanoue Takeshi 
Published: October 2005

Abstract: Aims: The risk factors associated with poor prognosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are not fully understood. Our aim was to assess the role of progressive hepatocellular telomere shortening in the clinical course of NAFLD.Methods: We measured average telomere lengths in liver tissue samples from 44 patients with NAFLD by quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization using a telomere‐specific probe. Patients in which telomeres measured at least 80% of the lengths of age‐matched controls were categorized as group A. Those patients with telomeres measuring less than 80% of the control lengths formed group B.Results: Within group B, some samples showed a remarkable shortening of hepatocyte telomeres in younger patients, whereas some group A patients showed almost normal telomere lengths until their seventies. Among clinicopathological factors, body mass index (BMI), homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), histological degree of steatosis and intensity of 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) immunostaining were all significantly higher in group B than in group A. Ki‐67 immunohistochemistry demonstrated that group B liver tissues were significantly less proliferative than those from group A, despite no significant difference in the necroinflammatory activities of group A and B samples. In group B patients, the ratios of Ki‐67 positive index to alanine aminotransferase value were significantly lower than group A.Conclusions: Greater insulin resistance can result in more severe hepatic steatosis among group B patients, leading to an overproduction of reactive oxygen species, which may accelerate telomere erosion. Furthermore the regenerative response of hepatocytes with prominent telomere shortening may be impaired, making these cells vulnerable to the effect of a ‘second‐hit’ insult.