bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Growth of an invertebrate shredder on native (Populus) and non‐native (Tamarix, Elaeagnus) leaf litter
Authors: MOLINE ANGELA B. , POFF N. L. 
Published: January 2008

Summary1. Large‐scale invasions of riparian trees can alter the quantity and quality of allochthonous inputs of leaf litter to streams and thus have the potential to alter stream organic matter dynamics. Non‐native saltcedar (Tamarix sp.) and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) are now among the most common trees in riparian zones in western North America, yet their impacts on energy flow in streams are virtually unknown.2. We conducted a laboratory feeding experiment to compare the growth of the aquatic crane fly Tipula (Diptera: Tipulidae) on leaf litter from native cottonwood (Populus) and non‐native Tamarix and Elaeagnus. Tipula showed positive growth on leaf litter of all three species; however, after 7 weeks, larvae fed Tamarix leaves averaged 1.7 and 2.5 times the mass of those fed Elaeagnus and Populus, respectively. Tipula survival was highest on Populus, intermediate on Tamarix and lowest on Elaeagnus.3. High Tipula growth on Tamarix probably reflects a combination of leaf chemistry and morphology. Conditioned Tamarix leaf litter had intermediate carbon : nitrogen values (33 : 1) compared to Populus (40 : 1) and Elaeagnus (26 : 1), and it had intermediate proportions of structural carbon (42%) compared to Elaeagnus (57%) and Populus (35%). Tamarix leaves are also relatively small and possibly more easily ingested by Tipula than either Elaeagnus or Populus.4. Field surveys of streams in the western U.S.A. revealed that Tamarix and Elaeagnus leaf packs were rare compared to native Populus, probably due to the elongate shape and small size of the non‐native leaves. Thus we conclude that, in general, the impact of non‐native riparian invasion on aquatic shredders will depend not only on leaf decomposition rate and palatability but also on rates of leaf litter input to the stream coupled with streambed retention and subsequent availability to consumers.
Response of soil surface CO2 flux in a boreal forest to ecosystem warming
Authors: BRONSON DUSTIN R. , GOWER STITH T. , TANNER MYRON , LINDER SUNE , VAN HERK INGRID 
Published: January 2008

AbstractSoil surface carbon dioxide (CO2) flux (RS) was measured for 2 years at the Boreal Soil and Air Warming Experiment site near Thompson, MB, Canada. The experimental design was a complete random block design that consisted of four replicate blocks, with each block containing a 15 m × 15 m control and heated plot. Black spruce [Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP] was the overstory species and Epilobium angustifolium was the dominant understory. Soil temperature was maintained (∼5 °C) above the control soil temperature using electric cables inside water filled polyethylene tubing for each heated plot. Air inside a 7.3‐m‐diameter chamber, centered in the soil warming plot, contained approximately nine black spruce trees was heated ∼5 °C above control ambient air temperature allowing for the testing of soil‐only warming and soil+air warming. Soil surface CO2 flux (RS) was positively correlated (P < 0.0001) to soil temperature at 10 cm depth. Soil surface CO2 flux (RS) was 24% greater in the soil‐only warming than the control in 2004, but was only 11% greater in 2005, while RS in the soil+air warming treatments was 31% less than the control in 2004 and 23% less in 2005. Live fine root mass (< 2 mm diameter) was less in the heated than control treatments in 2004 and statistically less (P < 0.01) in 2005. Similar root mass between the two heated treatments suggests that different heating methods (soil‐only vs. soil+air warming) can affect the rate of decomposition.
Outcome of an oral health outreach programme for preschool children in a low socioeconomic multicultural area
Authors: WENNHALL INGER , MATSSON LARS , SCHRÖDER ULLA , TWETMAN SVANTE 
Published: January 2008

Background.  Despite a significant reduction in the prevalence of dental caries, childhood tooth decay is still a public health problem in both developed and developing countries.Objective.  The aim of this study was to evaluate the caries preventive effect of an oral health programme for preschool children living in a low socioeconomic multicultural area in the city of Malmö, Sweden.Methods.  Eight hundred and four 2‐year‐old children were enrolled and recalled every third month between ages 2 and 3 and semi‐annually between ages 3 and 5 years. From an outreach facility, parents were instructed on oral health with a focus on toothbrushing and diet, and provided fluoride tablets free of charge. Participants completed a clinical examination and a structured interview at age of 5 years, at which point 651 children (81%) remained in the programme. The results of the intervention group were compared with a non‐intervention reference group consisting of 201 5‐year‐old children from the same district.Results.  In the intervention group, 96% attended four or more of their scheduled appointments, and mean caries prevalence was significantly lower than in the reference group (5.4 deft vs. 6.9 deft; P < 0.001). The prevented defs fraction was 27%. Parents’ daily assistance with toothbrushing and administering fluoride tablets was significantly better in the intervention group than in the reference group (P < 0.05).Conclusion.  This study demonstrated that the early start of oral health programme had a significant beneficial effect on caries prevalence after 3 years.
Evaluation of the immune response against Strongyloides venezuelensis in antigen‐immunized or previously infected mice
Authors: FERNANDES A. , PEREIRA A. T. M. , ESCHENAZI P. D. , SCHILTER H. C. , SOUSA A. L. S. , TEIXEIRA M. M. , NEGRÃO‐CORRÊA D. 
Published: January 2008

Summary The present study was carried out to investigate the immune response against Strongyloides venezuelensis infection in Balb/c mice previously immunized with larva‐antigens or primed with live‐larvae. Our results indicate that all primed mice developed a strong protection against challenge infection that remained active for 45 days. In mice primed with live‐larvae the challenge infection resulted in great reduction of migrating larvae and the worms were completely eliminated from the small intestine before maturation. The protection pattern did not alter when the primary infection was aborted by drug treatment. In these experimental groups, the challenge infection was accompanied by a type‐2 predominant immune response, intense IgE and reactive IgG1 production, and granulocyte infiltration in skin, lungs and intestine. The challenge infection in antigen‐immunized mice also resulted in great reduction of migrating larvae. However, the worms that reached the host intestine matured, produced eggs and were eliminated similarly to the ones from nonimmunized mice. Protective mechanisms after immunization with larva antigen were migrating larva‐specific and associated with a strong and mixed Th1 and Th2 response, without tissue granulocyte infiltration. In conclusion, protective immunity induced by a previous infection or antigen‐immunization are stage‐specific and operate through different effector mechanisms.
Gibberellins modulate light signaling pathways to prevent Arabidopsis seedling de‐etiolation in darkness
Authors: Alabadí David , Gallego‐Bartolomé Javier , Orlando Leonardo , García‐Cárcel Laura , Rubio Vicente , Martínez Cristina , Frigerio Martín , Iglesias‐Pedraz Juan Manuel , Espinosa Ana , Deng Xing Wang , Blázquez Miguel A. 
Published: January 2008

SummaryIn many plants, photomorphogenesis is the default developmental program after seed germination, and provides the key features that allow adaptation to light. This program is actively repressed if germination occurs in the absence of light, through a mechanism dependent on the E3 ubiquitin ligase activity that is encoded in Arabidopsis by COP1 (CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1), which induces proteolytic degradation of transcription factors necessary for light‐regulated development, such as HY5 (LONG HYPOCOTYL 5) and HYH (LONG HYPOCOTYL 5 HOMOLOG), and stabilization of transcription factors that promote skotomorphogenesis, such as PIF3 (PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 3). Seedlings deficient in gibberellin (GA) synthesis or signaling display a de‐etiolated phenotype when grown in darkness, equivalent to the phenotype of cop1 mutants, which indicates that the switch between photo‐ and skotomorphogenesis is also under hormonal control. Here we provide evidence for the existence of crosstalk between GA and the COP1‐mediated pathway, and identify HY5 and the PIF family as nodes of a regulatory network. This interaction occurs through distinct molecular mechanisms, based on the observation that GA signaling regulates protein stability of HY5, and the activity of PIF3.
Antifungal susceptibility of clinical Candida parapsilosis isolates in Kuwait
Authors: Asadzadeh Mohammad , Al‐Sweih Noura A. , Ahmad Suhail , Khan Zia U. 
Published: January 2008

SummaryThis study presents data on antifungal susceptibility of 114 Candida parapsilosis isolates recovered from clinical specimens in Kuwait. Candida parapsilosis isolates originating from blood (n = 66) and other clinical specimens (n = 48) were tested by Etest against amphotericin B (AP), caspofungin (CS), 5‐flucytosine (FC), fluconazole (FL) and voriconazole (VO). The plates were incubated at 35 °C and readings for minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were recorded after 24 and 48 h of incubation. The MIC ranges and MIC90 read after 48 h were as follows: 0.064–1 and 0.5 μg ml−1 for AP; 0.125–4 and 1.5 μg ml−1 for CS; 0.047 to >256 and 1 μg ml−1 for FL; 0.023 to >32 and 0.125 μg ml−1 for FC and <0.002–1 and 0.047 μg ml−1 for VO respectively. According to Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute criteria, all the isolates were susceptible to VO, and resistance against FC and FL was <2%. Eight (7%) isolates exhibited reduced susceptibility (MIC >1 μg ml−1) to CS including six isolates with MIC of ≥2 μg ml−1 at 48 h reading. The antifungal resistance among bloodstream isolates of C. parapsilosis against AP, FL, FC and VO in Kuwait is rare. This is the first report on CS susceptibility of C. parapsilosis isolates from Arabian Gulf region.
Pulmonary mucormycosis with cervical lymph node involvement in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia: a case report
Authors: Fanci Rosa , Pecile Patrizia , Di Lollo Simonetta , Dini Catia , Bosi Alberto 
Published: January 2008

SummaryHere we describe a rare case of pulmonary mucormycosis and simultaneous cervical lymphadenitis in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia. The patient was successfully treated with liposomal amphotericin B. The diagnosis of Mucor is very difficult, especially in severely immunocompromised patients. This report seems to be the first case about documented lymph node involvement by mucormycosis in humans.
Y1 receptors are critical for the proliferation of adult mouse precursor cells in the olfactory neuroepithelium
Authors: Doyle Kharen L , Karl Tim , Hort Yvonne , Duffy Liesl , Shine John , Herzog Herbert 
Published: January 2008

AbstractWhile the regenerative capacity of the olfactory neuroepithelium has been well studied less is known about the molecular events controlling precursor cell activity. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is expressed at high levels in the olfactory system, and NPY has been shown to play a role in neuroregeneration of the brain. In this study, we show that the numbers of olfactory neurospheres derived from NPY, NPY/peptide YY, and Y1 receptor knockout mice are decreased compared with wild type (WT) controls. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis of isolated horizontal basal cells, globose basal cells, and glandular cells showed that only glandular cells derived from WT mice, but not from NPY and Y1 receptor knockout mice, formed secondary neurospheres suggesting a critical role for NPY signaling in this process. Interestingly, olfactory function tests revealed that olfaction in Y1 knockout mice is impaired compared with those of WT mice, probably because of the reduced number of olfactory neurons formed. Together these results indicate that NPY and the Y1 receptor are required for the normal proliferation of adult olfactory precursors and olfactory function.
Resistance of cell lines to prion toxicity aided by phospho‐ERK expression
Authors: Uppington Kay M. , Brown David R. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractPrion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders. They are characterised by neuronal loss and the accumulation of an abnormal protein in the CNS. Cell lines exist that express the toxic form of the prion protein (PrP) with little evidence of cell death. Other cell based models studying the mechanism by which cell death occurs employ exogenous application of peptides or fragments of PrP. In this study, we demonstrated that full‐length recombinant PrP binding manganese was toxic to PrP‐expressing cell lines and primary neuronal cultures but not to PrP‐knockout neurones. This toxic form of PrP was also toxic to cell lines equivalently regardless of whether they were infected with scrapie or not. Both scrapie‐infected cells and cells resistant to the toxicity of PrP showed increased levels of phosphorylated ERK protein. Scrapie‐infected cells also showed elevated levels of caspase 12. Inhibition of phospho‐ERK resulted in increased cell death suggesting the increased levels of phospho‐ERK served a protective effect. These results suggest that scrapie‐infected cell lines resist the toxicity of the prions they generate because they produce only low levels of abnormal protein and have increased resistance to apoptotic signs because of heightened activity of the MAP kinase pathway.
Lipidomic analysis of the retina in a rat model of Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome: alterations in docosahexaenoic acid content of phospholipid molecular species
Authors: Ford David A. , Monda Julie K. , Brush Richard S. , Anderson Robert E. , Richards Michael J. , Fliesler Steven J. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractSmith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is a complex hereditary disease caused by an enzymatic defect in the last step of cholesterol biosynthesis. Progressive retinal degeneration occurs in an AY9944‐induced rat model of SLOS, with biochemical and electroretinographic hallmarks comparable with the human disease. We evaluated alterations in the non‐sterol lipid components of the retina in this model, compared with age‐matched controls, using lipidomic analysis. The levels of 16:0–22:6 and 18:0–22:6 phosphatidylcholine molecular species in retinas were less by > 50% and > 33%, respectively, in rats treated for either 2 or 3 months with AY9944. Relative to controls, AY9944 treatment resulted in > 60% less di‐22:6 and > 15% less 18:0–22:6 phosphatidylethanolamine molecular species. The predominant phosphatidylserine (PS) molecular species in control retinas were 18:0–22:6 and di‐22:6; notably, AY9944 treatment resulted in > 80% less di‐22:6 PS, relative to controls. Remarkably, these changes occurred in the absence of n3 fatty acid deficiency in plasma or liver. Thus, the retinal lipidome is globally altered in the SLOS rat model, relative to control rats, with the most profound changes being less phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and PS molecular species containing docosahexaenoic acid (22:6). These findings suggest that SLOS may involve additional metabolic compromise beyond the primary enzymatic defect in the cholesterol pathway.
Hyposialylation of neprilysin possibly affects its expression and enzymatic activity in hereditary inclusion‐body myopathy muscle
Authors: Broccolini Aldobrando , Gidaro Teresa , De Cristofaro Raimondo , Morosetti Roberta , Gliubizzi Carla , Ricci Enzo , Tonali Pietro A. , Mirabella Massimiliano 
Published: January 2008

AbstractAutosomal recessive hereditary inclusion‐body myopathy (h‐IBM) is caused by mutations of the UDP‐N‐acetylglucosamine 2‐epimerase/N‐acetylmannosamine kinase gene, a rate‐limiting enzyme in the sialic acid metabolic pathway. Previous studies have demonstrated an abnormal sialylation of glycoproteins in h‐IBM. h‐IBM muscle shows the abnormal accumulation of proteins including amyloid‐β (Aβ). Neprilysin (NEP), a metallopeptidase that cleaves Aβ, is characterized by the presence of several N‐glycosylation sites, and changes in these sugar moieties affect its stability and enzymatic activity. In the present study, we found that NEP is hyposialylated and its expression and enzymatic activity reduced in all h‐IBM muscles analyzed. In vitro, the experimental removal of sialic acid by Vibrio Cholerae neuraminidase in cultured myotubes resulted in reduced expression of NEP. This was most likely because of a post‐translational modification consisting in an abnormal sialylation of the protein that leads to its reduced stability. Moreover, treatment with Vibrio Cholerae neuraminidase was associated with an increased immunoreactivity for Aβ mainly in the form of distinct cytoplasmic foci within myotubes. We hypothesize that, in h‐IBM muscle, hyposialylated NEP has a role in hampering the cellular Aβ clearing system, thus contributing to its abnormal accumulation within vulnerable fibers and possibly promoting muscle degeneration.
Loss of cardiolipin in palmitate‐treated GL15 glioblastoma cells favors cytochrome c release from mitochondria leading to apoptosis
Authors: Buratta Morena , Castigli Emilia , Sciaccaluga Miriam , Pellegrino Roberto Maria , Spinozzi Fabrizio , Roberti Rita , Corazzi Lanfranco 
Published: January 2008

AbstractUnlike oleate and linoleate, palmitate induced mitochondrial apoptosis in GL15 glioblastoma cells. Decrease in membrane potential in a subpopulation of mitochondria of palmitate‐treated cells was revealed using the 5,5′,6,6′‐tetrachloro‐1,1′,3,3′‐tetraethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide probe. The diminished ability to reduce a tetrazolium salt indicated an impairment of mitochondrial function. Up to 50% cytochrome c (cyt c) was detached from the inner mitochondrial membrane and released outside mitochondria in palmitate‐treated cells, whereas no release was detected after oleate and linoleate treatments. Cyt c release into the cytosol was followed by caspase 3 activation. Released cyt c and caspase 3 activity were not affected by neutral and acid sphingomyelinase inhibitors and by the inhibitor of serine palmitoyltransferase cycloserine, indicating that apoptosis was independent of the ceramide pathway, nor the mitochondrial pro‐apoptotic AIF or Bcl‐2/Bax factors appeared to be involved in the effect. Utilization of palmitate by GL15 cells altered phospholipid composition. Cardiolipin (CL), the lipid involved in cyt c interaction with the inner mitochondrial membrane, was decreased and highly saturated. This produced an imbalance in hydrophilic/hydrophobic interactions underlying the anchorage of cyt c, by weakening the hydrophobic component and facilitating detachment of the protein and activation of downstream processes. The primary role of CL was explored by supplying GL15 with exogenous CL through a fusion process of CL liposomes with cell plasma membrane. Fused CL moved to mitochondria, as detected by nonylacridine orange probe. Enrichment of mitochondrial membranes with CL prior to palmitate treatment of cells caused decreased cyt c release and caspase 3 activity.
Putative cryptoendolithic life in Devonian pillow basalt, Rheinisches Schiefergebirge, Germany
Authors: PECKMANN J. , BACH W. , BEHRENS K. , REITNER J. 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACTMiddle Devonian (Givetian) pillow basalt and inter‐pillow breccia from the Rheinisches Schiefergebirge in Germany were found to contain putative biogenic filaments that indicate that life once proliferated within these volcanic rocks. Mineralized filaments are found in carbonate amygdules (vesicles filled by carbonate cement) in the volcanic rock, where they started to form on the internal surface of the once water‐filled vesicles. Biogenicity of the filaments is indicated by (1) their size and shape resembling modern microorganisms including a constant diameter along the length of curved filaments, (2) their independence of crystal faces or cleavage planes, (3) branching patterns reminiscent of modern microorganisms, and (4) their spatial clustering and preferential occurrence close to the margin of pillows and in the inter‐pillow breccias. A time lag between the deposition of pillow basalt and the activity of endoliths is revealed by the sequence of carbonate cements filling the amygdules. The putative filamentous microorganisms thrived after the formation of early fibrous rim cement, but before later equant calcite spar filled most of the remaining porosity. Microbial clay authigenesis analogous to the encrustation of prokaryotes in modern iron‐rich environments led to the preservation of filaments. The filaments predominantly consist of the clay minerals chamosite and illite. Having dwelled in water‐filled vesicles, the Devonian basalt‐hosted filaments apparently represent cryptoendoliths. This finding suggests that a previously unrecognized niche for life exists within volcanic rock.
Growth of synthetic stromatolites and wrinkle structures in the absence of microbes – implications for the early fossil record
Authors: MCLOUGHLIN N. , WILSON L. A. , BRASIER M. D. 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACTStromatolites and wrinkle structures are often taken to be an important indicator for early life. While both may be shaped by microbial mat growth, this can be open to doubt, so that the contribution of abiotic processes in their construction always needs to be established (Grotzinger & Knoll, 1999). We here report laboratory spray deposition experiments that can generate stromatolites and wrinkle structures in the absence of microbes. These minicolumnar and sometimes branched stromatolites are produced artificially by the aggregation of a synthetic colloid in a turbulent flow regime. They self‐organize at the relatively low particle concentrations found in the outer parts of a spray beam. This contrasts with adjacent stratiform deposits that are produced by high rates of colloid deposition and relatively low sediment viscosities found in the centre of a spray beam. These stratiform laminae become subsequently wrinkled during hardening of the colloid. These results support numerical models that together suggest that physicochemical processes are capable of generating laminated sedimentary structures without the direct participation of biology. Geological environments where comparable abiogenic stromatolites and wrinkle structures may be found include: splash‐zone silica sinters, desert varnish crusts and early Archean cherts formed from silica gel precursors.