bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Yolk antioxidants and mate attractiveness in the Zebra Finch
Authors: WILLIAMSON K. A. , SURAI P. F. , GRAVES J. A. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryEgg laying is costly for birds, as eggs must contain all the energy and nutrients needed by the developing embryo. As nutrients are limiting, there is a conflict between provisioning eggs and conserving nutrients for future health and survival.Life‐history theory suggests that females should choose how to invest resources in relation to the value of the reproductive attempt. Females may manipulate egg composition in relation to the attractiveness of their mate, ensuring chick survival and assuming that the offspring will themselves be more attractive and have higher reproductive success. Antioxidants are an important component of egg composition: they are vital for embryonic and posthatching chick development and survival.Here we demonstrate that female Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttata) mated to attractive males deposit more carotenoids and alpha‐tocopherol (vitamin E) in later‐laid eggs, shown by a significant interaction between laying order and antioxidant concentration. This bias may increase the probability of chick survival from later‐laid eggs and potentially the lifetime reproductive success of the laying female.The body condition of the laying female, measured as fat reserves, was found to be a significant predictor of yolk carotenoid concentration but not of yolk alpha‐tocopherol concentration.
Patterns and consequences of differential vascular sectoriality in 18 temperate tree and shrub species
Authors: ZANNE A. E. , SWEENEY K. , SHARMA M. , ORIANS C. M. 
Published: April 2006

Summary

Resource delivery within plants depends on supply pathways. Some species have relatively constrained (sectored) vascular connections, while others have relatively unconstrained (integrated) vascular connections.
In this study, patterns of vascular hydraulic sectoriality, anatomy and ecological tolerance were examined for 18 Northern Hemisphere temperate woody species growing at Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain, MA, USA. A hydraulic technique was used to measure axial and tangential conductivity on branch segments. From a ratio of these values, a sectoriality index was calculated.
Species that were more hydraulically sectored had greater vessel size, variation in vessel area and tangential nearest‐neighbour distance, as well as lower vessel density, than did integrated species.
Ecologically, higher tolerance to drought and wind was correlated with being sectored, while higher tolerance to flood and shade was correlated with being integrated.
These results suggest that sectored species should be especially prominent in xeric environments where sectoriality may reduce embolism spread by minimizing vessel‐to‐vessel contact and pitting, and integrated species should be especially prominent when resources are spatially patchy or heterogeneous.
Mineral control of organic carbon mineralization in a range of temperate conifer forest soils
Authors: RASMUSSEN CRAIG , SOUTHARD RANDAL J. , HORWATH WILLIAM R. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractCoupled climate–ecosystem models predict significant alteration of temperate forest biome distribution in response to climate warming. Temperate forest biomes contain approximately 10% of global soil carbon (C) stocks and therefore any change in their distribution may have significant impacts on terrestrial C budgets. Using the Sierra Nevada as a model system for temperate forest soils, we examined the effects of temperature and soil mineralogy on soil C mineralization. We incubated soils from three conifer biomes dominated by ponderosa pine (PP), white fir (WF), and red fir (RF) tree species, on granite (GR), basalt (BS), and andesite (AN) parent materials, at three temperatures (12.5°C, 7.5°C, 5.0°C). AN soils were dominated by noncrystalline materials (allophane, Al‐humus complexes), GR soils by crystalline minerals (kaolinite, vermiculite), and BS soils by a mix of crystalline and noncrystalline materials. Soil C mineralization (ranging from 1.9 to 34.6 [mg C (g soil C)−1] or 0.1 to 2.3 [mg C (g soil)−1]) differed significantly between parent materials in all biomes with a general pattern of AN<BS<GR. We found significant negative relationships between Fe‐oxyhydroxides, Al‐oxyhydroxides, and Al‐humus complex content and soil C mineralization, suggesting mineral control of C mineralization. Modeled decomposition rates and mineralizable pool size increased with increasing temperature for all parent materials and biomes. Further, δ13C values of respired CO2 suggest greater decomposition of recalcitrant soil C compounds with increasing temperature, indicating a shift in primary C source utilization with temperature. Our results demonstrate that soil mineralogy moderates soil C mineralization and that soil C response to temperature includes shifts in decomposition rates, mineralizable pool size, and primary C source utilization.
Detection of prostate cancer by α‐methylacyl CoA racemase (P504S) in needle biopsy specimens previously reported as negative for malignancy
Authors: Carswell B M , Woda B A , Wang X , Li C , Dresser K , Jiang Z 
Published: April 2006

Aims : To investigate the possibility of detecting small focal prostatic cancer by α‐methylacyl CoA racemase (AMACR)/P504S immunohistochemistry on needle biopsy specimens that were previously interpreted as negative for carcinoma on routine haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)‐stained sections.Methods : Prostate needle biopsy specimens (n = 793) previously interpreted as benign prostatic tissue by conventional morphology from 239 patients with prostatic cancer diagnosed in other biopsy cores taken at the same biopsy session were stained with the P504S monoclonal antibody. If a biopsy specimen stained positively, two pathologists independently reviewed the original corresponding H&E‐stained sections to establish the malignant diagnosis.Results : Eighty‐four of the 793 biopsy specimens showed AMACR immunoreactivity; nine of these (9/793, 1.1%) contained previously unrecognized small focal prostatic carcinoma (Gleason 6, N = 8; Gleason 8, N = 1). Six of nine (67%) carcinomas showed foamy/pseudohyperplastic (N = 3) or atrophic (N = 3) features. Additionally, five biopsy specimens (5/793, 0.6%) with positive AMACR staining that did not meet the criteria for prostatic cancer on the original H&E slides were considered to be atypia.Conclusions : In this study, we found a 1.1% false‐negative rate for carcinoma on routine H&E‐stained sections. AMACR immunohistochemical staining has shown the ability to improve detection of small focal prostatic carcinoma that could be missed by conventional histological examination.
Rapidly advancing laying date in a seabird and the changing advantage of early reproduction
Authors: MØLLER A. P. , FLENSTED‐JENSEN E. , MARDAL W. 
Published: April 2006

Summary

Bird ringing schemes have collected immense amounts of data on timing of breeding for over 100 years. These data provide an unexploited source of information on temporal change in breeding date.
We investigated changes in breeding date of the Arctic tern Sterna paradisaea Pont. in Denmark during 1929–98, using information on ringing date of young.
Mean ringing date advanced by over 18 days during 70 years, while there was no temporal change in variance in date.
Advanced mean ringing date was explained by an increase in mean temperature during April and May and an increase in North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index for May.
Variance in ringing date increased in years with high temperatures in April and high NAO index values in April.
There was changing temporal patterns of selection for early breeding as reflected by analyses of the difference in mean ringing date for Arctic tern young that were subsequently recorded as survivors and mean ringing date for all young. The intensity of selection on breeding date changed from favouring late breeding in the 1930s to favouring early breeding during the 1990s.
Analyses of bird ringing information for millions of offspring of hundreds of bird species deposited in national ringing schemes may provide unlimited access to long‐term time series of reproductive variables.
Consequences for host–parasitoid interactions of grazing‐dependent habitat heterogeneity
Authors: VANBERGEN A. J. , HAILS R. S. , WATT A. D. , JONES T. H. 
Published: April 2006

Summary

Environmental heterogeneity can produce effects that cascade up to higher trophic levels and affect species interactions. We hypothesized that grazing‐dependent habitat heterogeneity and grazing‐independent host plant heterogeneity would influence directly and indirectly a host–parasitoid interaction in a woodland habitat.
Thistles were planted randomly in 20 birch woodlands, half of which are grazed by cattle. The abundances of two species of seed herbivore and their shared parasitoid were measured, and related to habitat and host‐plant heterogeneity.
The presence of cattle grazing created a structurally and compositionally distinct plant assemblage from the ungrazed seminatural situation. Grazing did not affect the number or dispersion of the host plant underpinning the host–parasitoid interaction.
The density of one insect herbivore, Tephritis conura, and its parasitoid Pteromalus elevatus was significantly increased by the presence of cattle; but another herbivore, Xyphosia miliaria, was unaffected. The percentage of parasitism of T. conura was increased in grazed habitat occurring at twice the rate found in ungrazed habitat.
The increase in T. conura abundance was correlated with increased species richness and cover of forbs in grazed sites. This effect of grazing‐dependent habitat variation on host insect density cascaded up to parasitoid density and percentage of parasitism. Habitat heterogeneity had a further direct, positive effect on parasitoid density and percentage of parasitism after controlling for host‐insect density.
Independent of grazing, heterogeneity in host‐plant flowering, architecture and stature further affected T. conura and its parasitoid's densities. Parasitoid density was also affected by the dispersion of the host plant.
A combination of habitat and host‐plant scale environmental heterogeneity influenced a host–parasitoid interaction indirectly and directly, providing a rare example of an anthropogenic disturbance positively affecting a tertiary trophic level. This finding highlights the need to consider not only the importance of bottom‐up effects for top‐down processes, but also the role of environmental heterogeneity arising from anthropogenic disturbance for trophic interactions such as parasitism.
Deep‐diving foraging behaviour of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus)
Authors: WATWOOD STEPHANIE L. , MILLER PATRICK J. O. , JOHNSON MARK , MADSEN PETER T. , TYACK PETER L. 
Published: April 2006

Summary

Digital tags were used to describe diving and vocal behaviour of sperm whales during 198 complete and partial foraging dives made by 37 individual sperm whales in the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the Ligurian Sea.
The maximum depth of dive averaged by individual differed across the three regions and was 985 m (SD = 124·3), 644 m (123·4) and 827 m (60·3), respectively. An average dive cycle consisted of a 45 min (6·3) dive with a 9 min (3·0) surface interval, with no significant differences among regions. On average, whales spent greater than 72% of their time in foraging dive cycles.
Whales produced regular clicks for 81% (4·1) of a dive and 64% (14·6) of the descent phase. The occurrence of buzz vocalizations (also called ‘creaks’) as an indicator of the foraging phase of a dive showed no difference in mean prey capture attempts per dive between regions [18 buzzes/dive (7·6)]. Sperm whales descended a mean of 392 m (144) from the start of regular clicking to the first buzz, which supports the hypothesis that regular clicks function as a long‐range biosonar.
There were no significant differences in the duration of the foraging phase [28 min (6·0)] or percentage of the dive duration in the foraging phase [62% (7·3)] between the three regions, with an overall average proportion of time spent actively encountering prey during dive cycles of 0·53 (0·05). Whales maintained their time in the foraging phase by decreasing transit time for deeper foraging dives.
Similarity in foraging behaviour in the three regions and high diving efficiencies suggest that the success of sperm whales as mesopelagic predators is due in part to long‐range echolocation of deep prey patches, efficient locomotion and a large aerobic capacity during diving.
Lentiviral expression of CTLA4Ig inhibits primed xenogeneic lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine responses
Authors: Mulley William R , Wee Janet L , Christiansen Dale , Milland Julie , Ierino Francesco L. , Sandrin Mauro S. 
Published: April 2006

Mulley WR, Wee JL, Christiansen D, Milland J, Ierino FL, Sandrin MS. Lentiviral expression of CTLA4Ig inhibits primed xenogeneic lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine responses. Xenotransplantation 2006; 13: 248–252. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2006Abstract:  Background:  Co‐stimulatory blockade is known to inhibit lymphocyte responses and to prolong allograft and xenograft survival. The present study examines the effect of transgenic expression of cytotoxic T lymphocyte‐associated molecule‐4 immunoglobulin (CTLA4Ig) by a porcine endothelial cell line (PIEC) transduced by a lentiviral vector, on primed xenogeneic T‐cell proliferative and cytokine responses.Methods:  Splenocytes from mice primed with PIEC were used as responder cells in a secondary proliferative assay. CTLA4Ig transduced and wild‐type PIEC were used as stimulator cells. Responder cells were assayed for proliferation and cytokine production.Results:  Proliferation was profoundly inhibited by CTLA4Ig transduced cells compared with control cells. Cytokine analysis by enzyme linked immunospot demonstrated that production of interferon‐γ, IL4 (interleukin 4) and IL10 was inhibited by CTLA4Ig transduced cells compared with control cells.Conclusion:  CTLA4Ig inhibited primed indirect xenogeneic T‐cell proliferative and cytokine responses in vitro. Expression of immunomodulatory molecules by xenogeneic tissues has potential therapeutic applications for future xenotransplantation.
Cardiac involvement in Henoch‐Schönlein purpura
Authors: Polizzotto M. N. , Gibbs S. D. J. , Beswick W. , Seymour J. F. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractCardiac involvement is not regarded as a feature of Henoch‐Schönlein purpura (HSP). We report a patient with HSP who developed significant cardiac symptoms, which resolved with immunosuppression. We review previous cases of HSP with cardiac features, none of which showed a response to treatment, and discuss evidence that cardiac involvement is more common than recognized. The implications for investigation and treatment of this condition are discussed.
Extreme Rank Selections for Linkage Analysis of Quantitative Trait Loci Using Selected Sib‐Pairs
Authors: Zheng G. , Ghosh K. , Chen Z. , Li Z. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryIt is well known that linkage analysis using simple random sib‐pairs has relatively low power for detecting quantitative trait loci with small genetic effects. The power can be substantially increased by using samples selected based on their trait values. Usually, samples that are obtained by truncation selection consist of random samples from a truncated trait distribution. In this article we propose an alternative method using extreme ranks for linkage analysis with selected sib‐pairs. This approach approximates the truncation selection. With similar screening sizes and the same sample size of selected sib‐pairs, the extreme rank selection and truncation method have similar power performance, both of which are substantially more powerful than when using random sib‐pairs. Simulation results on the comparison of powers between the truncation selection and the extreme rank selection and/or random selection for linkage analysis are reported.
ADHD and delay aversion: the influence of non‐temporal stimulation on choice for delayed rewards
Authors: Antrop Inge , Stock Pieter , Verté Sylvie , Wiersema Jan Roelt , Baeyens Dieter , Roeyers Herbert 
Published: April 2006

Background:  Delay aversion, the motivation to escape or avoid delay, results in preference for small immediate over large delayed rewards. Delay aversion has been proposed as one distinctive psychological process that may underlie the behavioural symptoms and cognitive deficits of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Furthermore, the delay aversion hypothesis predicts that ADHD children's preference for immediate small over large delayed rewards will be reduced when stimulation, which makes time appear to pass more quickly, is added to the delay interval. The current paper tests these predictions.Methods:  A group of children with a diagnosis of ADHD (with or without oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)), a group with a diagnosis of high‐functioning autism (HFA), and a normal control group were compared on an experimental paradigm giving repeated choices between small immediate and large delayed rewards (Maudsley Index of Delay Aversion–MIDA) under two conditions (stimulation and no stimulation).Results:  As predicted, ADHD children displayed a stronger preference than the HFA and control children for the small immediate rewards under the no‐stimulation condition. The ADHD children preferences were normalised under the stimulation condition with no differences between the groups. This pattern of results was the same whether the ADHD children had comorbid ODD or not.Discussion:  The findings from the MIDA are consistent with the delay aversion hypothesis of ADHD in showing that preference for small immediate rewards over large delayed rewards is a specific feature of ADHD and that this preference can be reduced by the addition of stimulation. Further research is required to better understand the emotional and motivational mechanisms underpinning delay aversion.
The quality of cooking oil used in informal food processing in Malawi: a preliminary study
Authors: Phiri Gabriella , Mumba Peter , Mangwera Agnes 
Published: April 2006

AbstractA survey was conducted in Lilongwe city urban markets in Malawi, to assess the quality of cooking oil used for frying potato chips. Purposive sampling was performed to come up with respondents who were using vegetable oils. A stratified random sampling was used to select the 32 informal food processors who were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Oil samples were collected from the most commonly used brand of oil. Fifteen respondents were selected and these were divided into three categories of five: those who were not reusing the oil, those who were reusing the oil and those who were preparing potato chips and chicken in the same oil, for chemical analysis. The preliminary results showed that while the majority (59.4%) of the informal food processors discarded the oil after 1 day, 3.1% discarded it after 4 days and another 12.5% after 3 days. A larger proportion of the respondents (40.6%) used the leftover oils at home, 37.5% kept it in oil bottles, 3.1% kept it in plastic papers for reuse the following day. Also, most respondents (57%) indicated dark colour as the sign of oil deterioration, 29% discarded the oil after noticing foam formation while 8.2% and 6.1% said they discarded the oil after noticing a bad smell and food absorbing the oils respectively. A physical observation of the various oils showed that for most of the respondents (34%), the oils were dark brown in colour, in 22%, the oils were slightly dark brown and 16%, the oils were brown. Foam formation was noticed in 13% of the respondents. It was also noted that 91% of the respondents had not been trained or briefed of food quality and safety issues. A chemical analysis of the oils showed high values of free fatty acids (range, 0.84–1.4112 compared with 0.42 in the fresh oil) and peroxide values (range 14.7–16.6 compared with 9.0 in the fresh oil). It may be concluded that the oils being used by the informal food processors in Malawi are of poor quality and so the foods cooked in them may be a health hazard to the consumers and the processors themselves. Although this work in ongoing, it may be recommended at the outset that the health department of the city assemblies should inspect these oils for the good health of the consumers.
Microsatellite markers for an invasive tetraploid tree, Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera)
Authors: DEWALT S. J. , SIEMANN E. , ROGERS W. E. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractWe present six polymorphic microsatellite loci for Chinese tallow tree (Triadica sebifera, Euphorbiaceae), which is native to East Asia and is an aggressive, invasive species in the southeastern USA, particularly along the Coastal Plain. Microsatellite loci were tested for polymorphism across a total of 79 individuals from populations across the native range of China and in introduced populations of the southeastern USA, California, Hawaii, and Australia. Across these samples, we found a high level of polymorphism, suggesting they will be useful for deducting the introduction history of this invasive species.
Characterization of di‐, tri‐ and tetranucleotide microsatellite markers with perfect repeats for Trypanosoma brucei and related species
Authors: BALMER OLIVER , PALMA CHRISTOPHER , MACLEOD ANNETTE , CACCONE ADALGISA 
Published: April 2006

Abstract Trypanosoma brucei, a unicellular parasite causing human sleeping sickness and animal nagana, has a great impact on the socioeconomic environment of sub‐Saharan Africa. The dynamics of the parasite are still poorly understood. We have characterized 14 polymorphic di‐, tri‐ and tetranucleotide microsatellite loci with perfect repeats (only one motif) exhibiting between five and 16 alleles in T. brucei isolates from all over Africa and from all described subspecies. The microsatellites will be useful in addressing population genetic questions in T. brucei to better understand the population structure and spread of this important parasite.
Visual field testing with the new Humphrey Matrix: a comparison between the FDT N‐30 and Matrix N‐30‐F tests
Authors: Brusini Paolo , Salvetat Maria Letizia , Zeppieri Marco , Tosoni Claudia , Parisi Lucia , Felletti Mirella 
Published: April 2006

Abstract.Purpose:  To determine if the N‐30‐F test with the new Humphrey Matrix instrument is comparable to the traditional frequency‐doubling technology (FDT) N‐30 test. Methods:  A sample of 47 eyes from 47 patients (five normal subjects, 27 with ocular hypertension and 15 with glaucoma) underwent visual field (VF) testing with standard automated perimetry, and with FDT, using the FDT N‐30 program, and the Matrix N‐30‐F program (using the same 19 tested points, full‐threshold strategy, but with an enhanced algorithm to reduce testing time). The plots, mean deviation (MD), pattern standard deviation (PSD), defect locations and test time were compared. Results:  The agreement between the two tests was shown to be good, except for subjects with large VF defects, in which greater PSD values were observed with the FDT test, whereas the Matrix test gave a higher MD and number of abnormal test locations in the total deviation plot. A lack of agreement was also found for the number of abnormal test locations on the pattern deviation plot at any VF loss severity level. The test time for the Matrix test was significantly shorter. Conclusion:  The FDT N‐30 and Matrix N‐30‐F tests proved to be comparable in cases of early to moderate VF defects.