bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Speciation of chilean Rhinocryptidae (Avian) based on their behaviour
Authors: Correa Rueda Alejandro , Mpodozis Jorge 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe current classification of the chilean representatives of the passerine family Rhinocryptidae includes eight species. Three of them contain subspecies that don’t exhibit clear differences. Moreover, differences among two lineages of Scytalopus genera and two species of Pteroptochos are very scarce. We propose a new methodology based on ecological and behavioural patterns in order to understand the concept of speciation in this group of birds. According to our results, we postulate that there is not a cut criteria to establish differences among three sister lineages of current classification. This way the methodology developed by us does not allow to establish divergence for a given common ancestor. Our methodology allows to establish comparison among previously determined phylogenetic lineages. Our results show how when integrating behaviour and ecological terms as biological traits next to morphological characters of the plumage, it allows us to conclude that there is decrease of the distances among sister lineages in the cluster tree.
A transient forward‐targeting element for microneme‐regulated secretion in Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Brydges Susannah D. , Harper Jill M. , Parussini Fabiola , Coppens Isabelle , Carruthers Vern B. 
Published: March 2008

Background information. Accurate sorting of proteins to the three types of secretory granules in Toxoplasma gondii is crucial for successful cell invasion by this obligate intracellular parasite. As in other eukaryotic systems, propeptide sequences are a common yet poorly understood feature of proteins destined for regulated secretion, which for Toxoplasma occurs through two distinct invasion organelles, rhoptries and micronemes. Microneme discharge during parasite apical attachment plays a pivotal role in cell invasion by delivering adhesive proteins for host receptor engagement.Results. We show here that the small micronemal proprotein MIC5 (microneme protein‐5) undergoes proteolytic maturation at a site beyond the Golgi, and only the processed form of MIC5 is secreted via the micronemes. Proper cleavage of the MIC5 propeptide relies on an arginine residue in the P1′ position, although P1′ mutants are still cleaved to a lesser extent at an alternative site downstream of the primary site. Nonetheless, this aberrantly cleaved species still correctly traffics to the micronemes, indicating that correct cleavage is not necessary for micronemal targeting. In contrast, a deletion mutant lacking the propeptide was retained within the secretory system, principally in the ER (endoplasmic reticulum). The MIC5 propeptide also supported correct trafficking when exchanged for the M2AP propeptide, which was recently shown to also be required for micronemal trafficking of the TgMIC2 (T. gondii MIC2)–M2AP complex [Harper, Huynh, Coppens, Parussini, Moreno and Carruthers (2006) Mol. Biol. Cell 17, 4551–4563].Conclusion. Our results illuminate common and unique features of micronemal propeptides in their role as trafficking facilitators.
Evolution and Religious Creation Myths
Authors: Lurquin Paul F. , Stone Linda 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Intelligent Design (ID) thinking and older style creationism argue that evolution by natural selection is an incorrect theory. This book demonstrates that in doing so, neocreationism (Intelligent Design) and classical creationism misinterpret the meaning of scientific theories. This is because these religious doctrines imply teleology and purpose in the natural world, which are not analyzable scientifically. In addition, the concept of “irreducible complexity” often invoked by ID proponents is based on a flawed interpretation of scientific data. It also demonstrates that evolutionary thinking in the sciences is a powerful tool that can be used in the study of the origin of the universe, the origin of life and its diversification, and human evolution. Creationism and ID do not belong in the realm of science and have contributed nothing to its advancement. Further, attempts to force the teaching of creationism and ID in schools can only weaken a science curriculum which already leaves much to be desired.
Feeding of mature cod (Gadus morhua) on the spawning grounds in Lofoten
Authors: Michalsen Kathrine , Johannesen Edda , Bogstad Bjarte 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Michalsen, K., Johannesen, E., and Bogstad, B. 2008. Feeding of mature cod (Gadus morhua) on the spawning grounds in Lofoten. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 571–580. Many authors state that cod (Gadus morhua) do not feed during the spawning period. However, this more or less established fact has rarely been investigated in the field. Here, the content of stomachs from Northeast Arctic cod (NEAC) and Norwegian coastal cod (NCC) sampled from the spawning ground in Lofoten were examined over a 10-year period (1996–2006). The occurrence of food in the stomachs of spawning cod, stomach fullness, diet composition, and variation in these variables between NEAC and NCC, year, and sex were analysed and compared. The analysis shows that cod do feed, even when they are in a spawning state. NCC had a lower proportion of empty stomachs and the stomachs were fuller than those from NEAC. Females had a lower proportion of empty stomachs than males and their stomachs were in general fuller. Herring (Clupea harengus) dominated the diet of cod. However, cod consumption of herring on the spawning grounds seems to be a minor source of mortality on herring. Although spawning cod do feed, the proportion of empty stomachs was higher and stomach fullness was lower than in stomachs of NEAC from the Barents Sea.
Reproduction and feeding of Sagitta enflata in the Humboldt Current system off Chile
Authors: Giesecke Ricardo , González Humberto E. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractGiesecke, R., and González, H. E. 2008. Reproduction and feeding of Sagitta enflata in the Humboldt Current system off Chile. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 361–370. This study is based on 3 years (August 2002–July 2005) of monthly zooplankton sampling at a fixed station located 18 km off Coliumo Bay (36°S), Chile. The reproduction of Sagitta enflata, its feeding rate, specific daily ration, and prey selectivity were analysed and related to several environmental variables: temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll a concentrations, and both meso- and micro-zooplankton abundance. The main predatory activity of S. enflata was centred on the copepods Paracalanus parvus, Oithona spp., and Calanus chilensis. These three species were consumed at different rates, depending mainly on the maturity of the S. enflata population. When Stages I and II individuals dominated, predation focused on the small P. parvus and Oithona spp., whereas more mature populations (Stages III and IV) preyed selectively on C. chilensis. The mean specific daily ration of 0.1 d−1 increased to 0.5 d−1 before and during maturation. The reproductive phase of S. enflata was closely coupled with the abundance of nauplii, suggesting that chaetognath reproduction paralleled that of copepods, most likely to diminish the mortality of its offspring resulting from starvation. The relationships between these were included in a conceptual model and their ecological significance is discussed.
Global-scale predictions of community and ecosystem properties from simple ecological theory
Authors: Jennings Simon , Mélin Frédéric , Blanchard Julia L , Forster Rodney M , Dulvy Nicholas K , Wilson Rod W 
Published: March 2008

We show how theoretical developments in macroecology, life-history theory and food-web ecology can be combined to formulate a simple model for predicting the potential biomass, production, size and trophic structure of consumer communities. The strength of our approach is that it uses remote sensing data to predict properties of consumer communities in environments that are challenging and expensive to sample directly. An application of the model to the marine environment on a global scale, using primary production and temperature estimates from satellite remote sensing as inputs, suggests that the global biomass of marine animals more than 10
−5
g wet weight is 2.62×10
9
t (=8.16 g m
−2
ocean) and production is 1.00×10
10
t yr
−1
(31.15 g m
−2
yr
−1
). Based on the life-history theory, we propose and apply an approximation for distinguishing the relative contributions of different animal groups. Fish biomass and production, for example, are estimated as 8.99×10
8
t (2.80 g m
−2
) and 7.91×10
8
t yr
−1
(2.46 g m
−2
yr
−1
), respectively, and 50% of fish biomass is shown to occur in 17% of the total ocean area (8.22 g m
−2
). The analyses show that emerging ecological theory can be synthesized to set baselines for assessing human and climate impacts on global scales.
Infection of primary cultures of murine splenic and thymic cells with coxsackievirus B4
Authors: Jaïdane Hela , Gharbi Jawhar , Lobert Pierre‐Emmanuel , Caloone Delphine , Lucas Bernadette , Sané Famara , Idziorek Thierry , Romond Marie‐Bénédicte , Aouni Mahjoub , Hober Didier 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTInfection of primary cultures of total splenic and thymic cells from BALB/c and C3H/HeN mice with CVB4 E2 and JVB strains has been investigated. The presence of positive‐strand viral RNA within cells was determined by semi‐nested RT‐PCR, and viral replication was attested by detection of intracellular negative‐strand viral RNA and by release of infectious particles in culture supernatants. Viral replication occurred with both CVB4 strains to an extent dependent on the genetic background of the host. No interferon‐α production was detected in the supernatants of CVB4‐infected cultures using biological titration. Together these results suggest that infection of splenic and thymic cells can play a role in virus dissemination, and therefore in the pathophysiology of CVB4 infections.
Expression of interferon‐stimulated gene 20 in vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Imaizumi Tadaatsu , Mechti Nadir , Matsumiya Tomoh , Sakaki Hirotaka , Kubota Kosei , Yoshida Hidemi , Kimura Hiroto , Satoh Kei 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTISG20 is an ribonuclease specific for single‐stranded RNA and considered to play a role in innate immunity against virus infections. We herein show that both poly IC, an authentic double‐stranded RNA, and IFN‐γ induced ISG20 expression in cultured HUVEC. Poly IC‐induced ISG20 expression was inhibited by LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K, or by RNA interference against IFN regulatory factor three. ISG20 expression was not induced by IFN‐β, loxoribine or CpG oligonucleotide. These results suggest that ISG20 induction by poly IC may not be dependent on the IRF‐3‐mediated type I IFN induction pathway in HUVEC. ISG20 may be involved in innate immunity against viral infection in vascular endothelial cells.
Detection ofStreptobacillusspp. in feral rats by specific polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Kimura Masanobu , Tanikawa Tsutomu , Suzuki Michio , Koizumi Nobuo , Kamiyama Tsuneo , Imaoka Koichi , Yamada Akio 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTStreptobacillus moniliformisis an etiological agent of rat‐bite fever and Haverhill fever in human infection. As the currently available methods for identifying the causative bacteria are not satisfactory, we attempted to establish them by PCR using newly designed primers for the 16S rRNA gene ofS. moniliformis.We then determined the prevalence ofStreptobacillusspp. in two species of feral rats that inhabit an urban region in Japan, because information on the prevalence of the bacteria in feral rats is obscure. The use of PCR with newly designed primers showed that an extremely high proportion ofR. norvegicusharbored the bacteria (61/66, 92%), whereas the prevalence was only 58% inR. rattus(30/52). The nucleotide sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene ofStreptobacillusspp. isolated from oral swabs of feral rats showed at least two different types of bacteria among isolates fromR. norvegicusandR. rattus.
Low expression of ZHX2, but not RCBTB2 or RAN, is associated with poor outcome in multiple myeloma
Authors: Armellini A. , Sarasquete M. E. , García‐Sanz R. , Chillón M. C. , Balanzategui A. , Alcoceba M. , Fuertes M. , López R. , Hernández J. M. , Fernández‐Calvo J. , Sierra M. , Megido M. , Orfão A. , Gutiérrez N. C. , González M. , San Miguel J. F. 
Published: March 2008

Summary RAN, ZHX2 and RCBTB2 (CHC1L) expression was evaluated by quantitative real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in plasma cells from 85 monoclonal gammopathies: 58 symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM) (52 untreated, six relapsed), eight smouldering MM, five monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, four plasma cell leukaemias and 10 myeloid cell lines. ZHX2 was weakly expressed in high‐risk/proliferative disease compared to low‐risk or indolent disease. High ZHX2 expression was associated with better response and longer survival after high‐dose therapy. RCBTB2 expression was weaker in hyperdiploid versus non‐hyperdiploid cases while RAN was more expressed in symptomatic MM and cell lines.
Heterogeneous response of nasal and lung fibroblasts to transforming growth factor‐β1
Authors: Nonaka M. , Pawankar R. , Fukumoto A. , Yagi T. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryBackground
Nasal polyposis is characterized by marked oedema, sparse extracellular matrix (ECM) and proliferating blood vessels. Pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by inflammatory cells accumulation, considerable ECM deposition and vascular abnormalities. Although lung fibrosis is not only and necessarily an inflammatory disorder, we hypothesized that the difference between nasal polyposis and pulmonary fibrosis may, in part, be due to the heterogeneity between nasal and lung fibroblasts. Fibroblasts participate in the inflammatory response by releasing ECM proteins and cytokines. TGF‐β is thought to participate in chronic inflammation and fibrosis. Myofibroblasts are the activated form of fibroblasts. A phenotypic hallmark of myofibroblasts is the expression of smooth muscle α‐actin (SMA).Objective
We examined whether there is any heterogeneity between nasal and lung fibroblasts upon stimulation with TGF‐β1 with regard to the synthesis of SMA, pro‐collagen type I and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as well as translocation of Smad proteins.Methods
Fibroblasts lines were established from human biopsy tissue. The expression of SMA, pro‐collagen type I, VEGF mRNA was evaluated by reverse transciptase RT‐PCR. The amount of pro‐collagen type I and VEGF was measured by ELISA. By immunocytochemistry, we analysed the expression of SMA and Smad2, 3, 4 in cultured fibroblasts.Results
TGF‐β1 induced SMA and pro‐collagen type I synthesis in lung, but not in nasal fibroblasts. By contrast, TGF‐β1 induced VEGF synthesis in both lung and nasal fibroblasts. After stimulation with TGF‐β1, Smad2, 3, 4 were translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in lung fibroblasts, whereas only Smad3 was translocated in nasal fibroblasts.Conclusion
These results establish the heterogeneous responsiveness of fibroblast populations in the airways to TGF‐β1 and that such a heterogeneity may contribute, at least in part, to the different pathological outcomes of inflammation in the upper and lower airways.
Birth order, atopy, and symptoms of allergy and asthma among inner‐city children attending Head Start in New York City
Authors: Perzanowski M. S. , Canfield S. M. , Chew G. L. , Mellins R. B. , Hoepner L. A. , Jacobson J. S. , Goldstein I. F. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryBackground
In past research, children with older siblings were more likely than others to wheeze at age 2 years, but less likely by age 6 years. Higher infection transmission and a down‐regulated allergic immune response as a result of these infections, respectively, were suggested as the causes. However, in a study of children aged 0–3 years in a low‐income urban community in New York City, USA, with high asthma prevalence, we observed no birth‐order effect.Objective
To evaluate the association between birth order and atopy and respiratory symptoms in 4‐year‐old children attending Head Start programs in NYC.Methods
Respiratory symptoms were assessed by questionnaire for 1005 children (mean age 4.0 years) living in high asthma prevalence neighbourhoods. Serum was collected from a subgroup of the children (n=494) and specific IgE responses to dust mite, cockroach, mouse, and cat allergens were measured.Results
Prevalence of specific IgE (0.35 IU/mL) did not differ significantly among first (35%), second (35%), and later‐born children (28%) (P=0.23). Increasing birth order was associated with increasing prevalence of respiratory symptoms in the prior year, including wheeze (first 20%, second 27%, third or later 35%; P<0.001), being awakened at night by cough (28%, 33%, 38%; P=0.005), emergency department visits (14%, 17%, 21%; P=0.02) and hospitalizations for difficulty breathing (6.1%, 6.6%, 10%; P=0.04). The associations of birth order with respiratory symptoms were statistically significant only for the non‐seroatopic children and those without an asthmatic parent.Conclusions
Non‐seroatopic children with older siblings were more likely than those without older siblings to have respiratory symptoms at age 4 years. Although the stability of these associations over time remains to be determined, the differences in findings between this study and our previous NYC birth cohort study suggest that patterns of asthma development may vary even among low‐income populations within the same city.
ANALYSIS OF TSH RECEPTORS AND MICROSOMAL ANTIGEN IN DIFFERENT HUMAN THYROID TISSUE SPECIMENS
Authors: FURMANIAK J. , DAVENPORT S. , NAKAJIMA Y. , KAISER U. , MULLER‐GARTNER H.W. , BUCKMANN F. W. , PEGG C. , SMITH B. REES 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYAffinity labelling with a 125I‐labelled photoactive derivative of TSH (HSAB‐TSH) was used to analyse TSH receptor size in the following specimens of human thyroid tissue: (1) cold nodules; (2) autonomous nodules; (3) papillary carcinoma; (4) medullary carcinoma; (5) metastasis of papillary carcinoma to lymph node; (6) anaplastic carcinoma, and (7) Graves' thyroid. In addition, a sample of histologically normal thyroid tissue surrounding specimens 1–4 was analysed in each case. Thyroid microsomes were also prepared from the tissue samples, solubilized using 1% deoxycholate and labelled with 125I. The preparations were immunoprecipitated using microscomal autoantibodies and protein A and analysed by SDS‐PAGE and autoradiography. These studies indicated that no differences in the characteristics of the TSH receptor or of microsomal antigen were observed in the tissue samples 1–3 and 7. Neither protein was detected in tissue specimens 4–6.
DIFFERENTIATION OF AUTOIMMUNE OPHTHALMOPATHY FROM GRAVES’HYPERTHYROIDISM BY ANALYSIS OF GENETIC MARKERS
Authors: KENDALL‐TAYLOR P. , STEPHENSON A. , STRATTON A. , PAPIHA S. S. , PERROS P. , ROBERTS D. F. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYGraves' hyperthyroidism and dysthyroid eye disease are closely related autoimmune conditions. Whether the eye disease is an integral part of Graves' disease or a separate entity is controversial. To investigate this we have examined the genetic associations of ophthalmopathy and hyperthyroidism, and compared their phenotype and gene frequencies with a control normal population. HLA‐A, B, and DR antigens were typed in 67 patients with dysthyroid eye disease (GO), 60 hyperthyroid patients without significant eye disease (HT) and 500 normal subjects. Patients were also typed for a variety of other genetic markers: blood group systems (10), serum proteins (6) and red cell enzyme systems (10). Increased frequency of B8 and DR3 in Graves' disease was confirmed; B17 occurred less frequently and appears to be protective. HLA antigen frequencies for GO did not differ from HT. The MNS blood group showed a significant association with Graves' disease, the HT patients having a deficit of the s gene compared with controls. The most interesting finding was an increased frequency of blood group P in GO patients compared with either HT or controls. Significant differences were not seen with any of the other HLA antigens, blood groups, protein or enzyme markers considered individually. Multivariate analysis applied first to the HLA and then to the non‐HLA systems indicated clear separation of the two patient groups. Although Graves' eye disease shares the same HLA associations as hyperthyroidism, it differs in the increased frequency of P blood group, suggesting that additional genetic factors may determine which patients with Graves' disease develop ophthalmopathy.
REDUCED FREQUENCY OF LUTEINIZING HORMONE PULSES IN WOMEN WITH WEIGHT LOSS‐RELATED AMENORRHOEA AND MULTIFOLLICULAR OVARIES
Authors: MASON H. D. , SAGLE M. , POLSON D. W. , KIDDY D. , DOBRIANSKY D. , ADAMS J. , FRANKS S. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYWe have studied pulsatile secretion of LH in 10 women with secondary amenorrhoea and multifollicular ovaries (MFO). This group of patients have a history of mild to moderate, or partially recovered weight loss. They have normal basal LH concentrations but evidence of oestrogen deficiency suggesting a hypothalamic abnormality of gonadotrophin regulation. The results of gonadotrophin pulse analysis were compared with those in normal women during the early follicular phase of the cycle. The mean LH concentration during the 8 h study (5.0 ± 0.9 [SD] U/l) was not significantly different from that in normal women (5.7 ± 2.5). There was no difference between the groups in mean LH pulse amplitude (2.1 ± 0.5 in MFO; 2.2 ± 1.3 in normal women). The frequency of LH pulses was, however, significantly lower in women with MFO (2.8 ± 1.6 vs 4–8 ± 1.5, P<0.05). Two women with MFO had LH pulses of normal frequency. One subsequently developed a normal pattern of ovarian follicles. The other showed a sleep‐related rise in LH concentrations during a 24 h profile which was similar to the pattern of gonadotrophin secretion normally observed during late puberty. These results show that women with MFO have a hypothalamic disturbance of gonadotrophin regulation with slowing of LH pulses without a diminution of pulse amplitude.
EFFECTS OF CHANGING GONADOTROPHIN‐RELEASING HORMONE PULSE FREQUENCY ON GONADOTROPHIN SECRETION IN MEN
Authors: SAUDER S. E. , FRAGER M. S. , CASE G. D. , KELCH R. P. , MARSHALL J. C. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYTo investigate the effects of alterations in GnRH pulse frequency on gonadotro‐phin secretion, we administered low dose GnRH pulses (25 ng/kg) at hourly or 2‐hourly frequencies to eight normal men. All subjects received GnRH pulses i.v. every 2 h for 88 h. Following this, exogenous GnRH was discontinued in four normal men (Group A, GnRH withdrawal), and the frequency of GnRH injections was increased to one pulse every hour for 24 h in the other four normal men (Group B, hourly GnRH). Blood samples were obtained every 20 min for LH and FSH and every 12 h for testosterone (T) and oestradiol (E2). Plasma LH increased in all subjects during injection of GnRH pulses every 2h. Withdrawal of GnRH pulses in Group A men was accompanied by a fall in mean LH, reductions in LH pulse amplitude (x̄± SEM: control 6.5±1.0; GnRH withdrawal 4.0 ± 0.5 mlU/ml) and pulse frequency (control 5.5 ± 0.2; GnRH withdrawal 3.5 ± 0.7 pulses/12 h), and an increase in plasma E2 (control 122 ± 15; GnRH withdrawal 340 ± 37 pmol/l). Gonadotrophin responses to GnRH (25 ng/kg) were normal when tested 32 h after GnRH withdrawal. Injection of hourly GnRH pulses in Group B men was accompanied by a time‐dependent change in mean LH, which transiently rose, then fell, and subsequently rose to a plateau during the second 12 h period of hourly GnRH. The final rise in LH was accompanied by an increase in LH frequency to 11.8 ± 0.3 pulses/12 h. These data suggest that: (1) increases in gonadal steroids decrease LH secretion by reducing the amplitude and frequency of endogenous GnRH pulses; and (2) the normal adult male pituitary requires approximately 12 h to initiate a sustained increase in LH secretion in response to a doubling in GnRH pulse frequency.