bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
When dispersal fails: unexpected genetic separation in Gibraltar macaques (Macaca sylvanus)
Authors: MODOLO LARA , MARTIN ROBERT D. , VAN SCHAIK CAREL P. , VAN NOORDWIJK MARIA A. , KRÜTZEN MICHAEL 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBarbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus), now restricted in the wild to a few isolated forested areas of Morocco and Algeria, are present in a free‐ranging colony on Gibraltar. For many decades, the Gibraltar colony was exposed to multiple bottlenecks due to highly nonrandom removal of animals, followed by repeated introductions of animals from North Africa. Moreover, because of complete isolation, Gibraltar's several social groups of macaques provide an ideal system to study the genetic consequences of dispersal in cercopithecines in situ. Predictions of genetic consequences due to male‐biased dispersal in cercopithecines will be different for autosomal and maternally inherited genetic markers, such as the control region of the mitochondrial DNA. We used a panel of 14 highly polymorphic microsatellite loci and part of the hypervariable region I of the mitochondrial control region to estimate genetic structure between five social groups in Gibraltar. Surprisingly, for autosomal markers, both classical summary statistics and an individual‐based method using a Bayesian framework detected significant genetic structure between social groups in Gibraltar, despite much closer proximity than wild Algerian and Moroccan populations. Mitochondrial data support this finding, as a very substantial portion of the total genetic variation (70.2%) was found between social groups. Using two Bayesian approaches, we likewise identified not only a small number of male first‐generation immigrants (albeit less than expected for cercopithecines) but also unexpectedly a few females. We hypothesize that the culling of males that are more likely to disperse might slow down genetic homogenization among neighbouring groups, but may also and more perversely produce selection on certain behavioural traits. This may have important repercussions for conservation, as it could lead to evolutionary changes that are not due to inbreeding or genetic drift.
Cross‐talk suppression between the CpxA–CpxR and EnvZ–OmpR two‐component systems in E. coli
Authors: Siryaporn Albert , Goulian Mark 
Published: August 2008

SummaryMany bacteria possess large numbers of two‐component signalling systems, which are composed of histidine kinase‐response regulator pairs. The high level of sequence similarity between some systems raises the possibility of undesired cross‐talk between a histidine kinase and a non‐cognate response regulator. Although molecular specificity ensures that phospho‐transfer occurs primarily between correct partners, even a low level of inappropriate cross‐talk could lead to unacceptable levels of noise or interference in signal transduction. To explore mechanisms that provide insulation against such interference, we have examined cross‐talk between the histidine kinase CpxA and non‐cognate response regulator OmpR in Escherichia coli. Our results show that there are two mechanisms that suppress cross‐talk between these two proteins, which depend on the corresponding cognate partners CpxR and EnvZ and on the bifunctional nature of the histidine kinases CpxA and EnvZ. When cross‐talk is detectable, we find it is independent of CpxA stimulus. We also show that cross‐talk suppression leads to mutational robustness, i.e. it masks the effects of mutations that would otherwise lead to increased cross‐talk. The mechanisms that provide insulation against interference described here may be applicable to many other two‐component systems.
Restoration of flagellar biosynthesis by varied mutational events in Campylobacter jejuni
Authors: Hendrixson David R. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryBoth a complex regulatory cascade involving the FlgSR two‐component system and phase variation control expression of σ54‐dependent flagellar genes in Campylobacter jejuni. In this study, mutational mechanisms influencing production of the FlgS histidine kinase were discovered. Random non‐motile, non‐flagellated flgS variants were impaired for growth in the chick intestinal tract. Spontaneous revertants restored for flagellar biosynthesis, gene expression, and motility identified by in vivo and in vitro studies had undergone diverse intragenic and extragenic mutational events relative to flgS. Restorative intragenic events included true phase variation, second‐site intragenic reversion, and insertion and deletion of short DNA segments within flgS. In vivo‐isolated motile revertants possessed an identical, single extragenic mutation to create a partially constitutively active FlgR protein in the absence of FlgS. Considering that FlgR production is also influenced by phase variation, these new findings suggest that the FlgSR two‐component system is unique in that each protein is controlled by phase variation and phosphorylation. In addition, this study highlights the mutational activities of C. jejuni and suggests that the bacterium may possess a repertoire of mutational mechanisms to overcome genetic lesions that impair production of virulence and colonization determinants while lacking a normal mismatch repair system.
A Survey of Phytophthora Species on Hainan Island of South China
Authors: Zeng Hui‐cai , Ho Hon‐hing , Zheng Fuy‐Cong 
Published: August 2008

AbstractDuring the period 1997–2007, a comprehensive study of the occurrence and distribution of Phytophthora species was conducted on Hainan Island of South China. To date, 14 species of Phytophthora have been recovered and their distribution determined. Phytophthora nicotianae (=P. parasitica) is the most important species attacking a wide variety of crops, followed by Phytophthora capsici and Phytophthora citrophthora. In contrast to Phytophthora colocasiae attacking taro leaves throughout the entire island, Phytophthora cyperi was found only once on Digitaria ciliaris in Danzhou. It is of interest to note that Phytophthora heveae, Phytophthora katsurae and Phytophthora insolita are commonly found in forest soil/water of protected mountains without causing any plant diseases. Although Phytophthora species are usually terrestrial or found in fresh water, one isolate of Phytophthora resembling closely the asexual isolates of P. insolita in Hainan was obtained from decaying Rhizophora leaves submerged in seawater. An unidentified Phytophthora species producing non‐papillate; internally proliferating sporangia was isolated from the soil in which Ceriops tagel and Bruguiera serangula were growing in a salt water shrimp farm.
Acibenzolar‐S‐methyl‐Induced Systemic Resistance against Anthracnose and Powdery Mildew Diseases on Cucumber Plants without Accumulation of Phytoalexins
Authors: Lin Tsung‐Chun , Ishizaka Masumi , Ishii Hideo 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIn a study to elucidate the possible involvement of phytoalexins in acibenzolar‐S‐methyl (ASM)‐induced systemic resistance in cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L.), the phenolic compounds were extracted from ASM‐treated and inoculated plants and compared with those from Milsana®‐treated plants previously reported to accumulate phytoalexins in cucumber. The glycoside‐linked phenolic compounds from cucumber leaves were tested for their antifungal activity to the growth of pathogens which were most effective against the cucumber anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare, followed by the scab fungus Cladosporium cucumerinum but ineffective against the Corynespora leaf spot fungus Corynespora cassiicola. Nevertheless, the accumulations of active compounds appeared to increase with the growth stages of cucumber plants irrespective of ASM treatment. In ASM‐pretreated cucumber plants either inoculated with anthracnose or the powdery mildew fungus, there was no increase in phytoalexin‐like phenolics.
Morphological, Biochemical and Molecular Characterization of Trichoderma harzianum Isolates for their Efficacy as Biocontrol Agents
Authors: Sharma Kamal , Mishra Ajay Kumar , Misra Raj Shekhar 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) procedure was used to examine the genetic variability among 8 isolates of Trichoderma harzianum, and their ability to antagonize Sclerotium rolfsii using a dual culture assay was correlated with RAPD profiles. Eight oligodeoxynucleotide primers were selected for the RAPD assays, which resulted in 86 bands for 8 isolates of T. harzianum. The data were entered into a binary matrix and a similarity matrix was constructed using the DICE similarity (SD) index. An unweighted pair grouping mathematical averaging (UPGMA) cluster based on SD values was generated using the NTSYS computer program. A mean coefficient of similarity obtained for pairwise comparisons was c. 30% and it showed that the variability among the isolates of T. harzianum was very high. Using the dual culture method in antagonism experiments, the T. harzianum isolates were classified in to antagonism classes. Further, T. harzianum isolates were screened for chitinase and β‐1,3‐glucanase activity. RAPD was efficient in demonstrating the high intraspecific genetic variation among isolates. The dendrogram did not show the grouping of isolates by their level of antagonism. Relationship among polymorphism existent, the aggressiveness and the origin of isolates were not found.
CREATINE KINASE INHIBITOR IODOACETAMIDE ANTAGONIZES CALCIUM‐STIMULATED INOTROPY IN CARDIOMYOCYTES
Authors: Ren Jun , Davidoff Amy J , Ingwall Joanne S 
Published: August 2008

SUMMARY

Inhibition of creatine kinase is known to suppress cardiac contractile reserve in intact hearts, although the underlying mechanism has not been elucidated.
The present study was designed to examine whether cardiac depression induced by creatine kinase inhibition was due to action at the level of the essential contractile element, namely cardiomyocytes. Adult rat cardiomyocytes were perfused with the creatine kinase inhibitor iodoacetamide (90 µmol/L) for 90 min. Mechanical and intracellular Ca2+ properties were evaluated using edge‐detection and fluorescence microscopy, respectively. Myocytes were superfused with normal (1.3 mmol/L) or high (3.3 mmol/L) extracellular Ca2+ contractile buffer. Mechanical function was examined, including peak shortening (PS), maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening (±dL/dt), time to 90% PS (TPS90), time to 90% relengthening (TR90) and integration of shortening/relengthening (normalized to PS). Intracellular Ca2+ transients were evaluated using the following indices: resting and rise of fura‐2 fluorescence intensity (ΔFFI) and intracellular Ca2+ decay time constant.
The results indicate that elevated extracellular Ca2+ stimulated cardiomyocyte positive inotrope, manifested as increased PS, ±dL/dt, area of shortening, resting FFI and ΔFFI associated with a shortened TR90 and intracellular Ca2+ decay time constant. High extracellular Ca2+ did not affect TPS90 and area of relengthening. Iodoacetamide ablated high Ca2+‐induced increases in PS, ±dL/dt, area of shortening, resting FFI, ΔFFI and shortened TR90 and intracellular Ca2+ decay time constant. Iodoacetamide itself significantly enhanced the area of relengthening and TR90 without affecting other indices.
Collectively, these data demonstrate that inhibition of creatine kinase blunts high extracellular Ca2+‐induced increases in cardiomyocyte contractile response (i.e. cardiac contractile reserve).
Immune responses in hepatitis C virus infection and mechanisms of hepatitis C virus persistence
Authors: Hiroishi Kazumasa , Ito Takayoshi , Imawari Michio 
Published: August 2008

AbstractImmune responses against hepatitis C virus (HCV) play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C. HCV infection often persists and leads to chronic hepatitis and eventually cirrhosis. Accumulated data suggest that HCV proteins suppress host immune responses through the suppression of functions of immune cells, such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells. They also suppress the type 1 interferon signaling system. The resulting insufficient immune responses against HCV lead to the sustained infection. The appropriate control of immune responses would contribute to the eradication of HCV and the improvement of hepatitis, but there are still many issues to be clarified. This review describes the scientific evidence to support these emerging concepts, and will touch on the implications for improving antiviral therapy.
Prenatal diagnosis of type 1 tracheal agenesis without tracheoesophageal fistula
Authors: Zhou Qi‐Chang , Shi Wei‐Yuan , Zhang Tong , Tian Lei‐Qi , Zeng Shi 
Published: August 2008

AbstractTracheal agenesis is a rare and uniformly lethal congenital malformation. We recently had the opportunity to diagnose prenatally a case of type I tracheal agenesis without fistula in a 22‐week‐old fetus, in which the hyperechogenicity of the enlarged lungs was associated with ascites, and tracheal dilatation in the lower half. We report the ultrasonographic and autopsy findings and review the literature on this rare condition to contribute to the understanding of type 1 tracheal agenesis without tracheoesophageal fistula.
Prevalence and predictors of deficient dietary calcium intake during the third trimester of pregnancy: The experience of a developing country
Authors: Darwish Atef M. , Mohamad Sahar N. , Gamal Al‐Din Heba R. , Elsayed Yousria A. , Ahmad Safaa I. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAim:  To assess the prevalence and predictors of dietary calcium deficiency in the third trimester of pregnancy.Methods:  Using an analytic cross‐sectional research design we assessed antenatal out‐patient clinics with a total of 503 pregnant women in the third trimester with parity less than 5, aged from 18–45 years, whether primi‐ or multigravida, and free from medical and gynecological diseases. Patients were screened for dietary calcium deficiency using an interview questionnaire, a food survey questionnaire and a record form for lab tests and investigations to determine the average amount of dietary calcium intake supported by normal levels of total serum calcium.Results:  About two thirds of the women assessed (66.0%) were deficient in dietary calcium. The mean daily dietary intake of calcium was 879.1 mg/day. Fifty‐seven point seven percent of the women had total serum calcium levels less than 9 mg/dL, while 76.8% had levels less than 10 mg/dL. Mean total serum calcium was 8.9 mg/dL. Women with deficient dietary calcium had a lower level of education, larger family size and were more likely to be rural (P < 0.001). More underweight women were seen in the deficiency group (2.4%), and more obese women in the sufficient group (19.9%). As regards the association between dietary and total serum calcium, the regression analysis showed no correlation among the values.Conclusions:  Calcium intake in the sample studied was low. Independent predictors of dietary calcium were age (negative predictor), urban residence (positive indicator) and body mass index (BMI; positive predictor). As for the level of total serum calcium, dietary calcium and gravidity were the only statistically significant independent predictors, with gravidity being a negative predictor.
Introduction of a new incentive and target‐based contract for family physicians in the UK: good for older patients with diabetes but less good for women?
Authors: McGovern M. P. , Williams D. J. , Hannaford P. C. , Taylor M. W. , Lefevre K. E. , Boroujerdi M. A. , Simpson C. R. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAims  To determine whether the recording of diabetes‐related health indicators has increased and differences diminished between age, gender and deprivation groups, following the introduction of the new General Medical Services contract (nGMS), an incentive‐ and target‐based contract for UK family physicians.Methods  A serial cross‐sectional study set in 310 primary care practices in Scotland serving a population of 1.5 million registered patients, focussing on diabetic patients. Data were taken immediately before the introduction of the nGMS and after it had been in place for 1 year.Results  One year after the introduction of the nGMS contract, there was a 54.2% relative increase in the number of patients electronically recorded as having diabetes. In addition, measurement of the quality indicators glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure, serum creatinine and cholesterol significantly increased (P < 0.05). Women were less likely than men to have HbA1c[odds ratio (OR) 0.85, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.80–0.91], serum creatinine (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.84–0.96) and cholesterol recorded (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.77–0.90) or achieve HbA1c (≤ 10.0%; OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.82–0.91) and cholesterol targets (≤ 5.0 mmol/l; OR 0.83, 95%CI 0.77–0.90).Conclusion  The introduction of the nGMS contract was associated with a rise in the recording of patients with diabetes and the recording of diabetes‐related quality indicators. However, women have not benefited equally from the nGMS contract. Strategies are needed to further improve the ascertainment of quality measures and care for women with diabetes, to lessen the potential burden of morbidity amongst female patients in the community.
Glycation of paraoxonase‐1 inhibits its activity and impairs the ability of high‐density lipoprotein to metabolize membrane lipid hydroperoxides
Authors: Mastorikou M. , Mackness B. , Liu Y. , Mackness M. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAims  High‐density lipoprotein (HDL) protects against atherosclerosis development. Defective functioning of HDL in Type 2 diabetes may be one cause of increased cardiovascular disease associated with Type 2 diabetes. HDL modulates low‐density lipoprotein and cell membrane oxidation through the action of paraoxonase‐1 (PON1), which is one of the major mechanisms by which HDL is anti‐atherogenic.Methods  We have compared the ability of HDL from Type 2 diabetic patients without coronary heart disease (CHD) (n = 36) to metabolize membrane lipid hydroperoxides with HDL from healthy control subjects (n = 19) and people with CHD but no diabetes (n = 37).Results  HDL from subjects with Type 2 diabetes and CHD metabolized 20% less membrane hydroperoxides than HDL from control subjects (P < 0.05). The PON1‐192RR was least efficient in all the study groups. PON1 was glycated in vivo: (7.5% control, 12% CHD, 17% Type 2 diabetes P < 0.01) with QQ isoforms most glycated. In vitro glycation of PON1 reduced its ability to metabolize membrane hydroperoxides by 50% (P < 0.001); however, glyoxidation reduced it by 80% (P < 0.001). In the control group only there was a significant negative correlation between PON1 activity and the ability of HDL to metabolize membrane hydroperoxides (r = −0.911, P < 0.001).Conclusions  HDL from Type 2 diabetic patients without CHD has decreased ability to metabolize membrane lipid hydroperoxides, which could lead to increased susceptibility to cardiovascular disease.
INTRODUCTION—RE‐THINKING DIONYSIUS THE AREOPAGITE
Authors: COAKLEY SARAH 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIn this Introduction to “Re‐thinking Dionsyius the Areopagite” it is first explained that the volume sets out to illuminate the contemporary interest in “apophaticism” by close comparison with the original project of the CD. However, given the elusiveness and generativity of the Dionysian tradition, this can only be done adequately by also providing a road‐map of the many historic interpretations of the Dionysian corpus, both East and West. Three constellating themes in the volume are then outlined: 1. The (admittedly divisive) importance of Dionysius for the regeneration of both Roman Catholic and Orthodox contemporary theology, in latter‐day riposte to Kantianism; 2. The significance of Dionysius for suggesting a fluid, post‐modern vision of the self; and 3. The importance of a possible re‐reading of Dionysius's impact on both Lutheran and Tridentine spirituality in the era of early modernity.
DIONYSIUS, PAUL AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PSEUDONYM
Authors: STANG CHARLES M. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThis essay interprets the CD through the lens of the pseudonym, Dionysius the Areopagite, and the corresponding influence of Paul. First, this essay argues that the author of the CD writes under the name of Dionysius the Areopagite in order to suggest that, following Paul, he will effect a new rapprochement between the wisdom of pagan Athens and the revelation of God in Christ. Second, this essay demonstrates how crucial Paul is for Dionysius' own “apophatic anthropology,” that is, his view of how the human self that would solicit union with the “unknown God” must also become somehow “unknown.” Finally, this essay hazards a final hypothesis regarding the significance of the pseudonym: that the practice of pseudonymous writing is itself an ecstatic devotional practice in the service of “unknowing” both God and self.
THE EARLIEST SYRIAC RECEPTION OF DIONYSIUS1
Authors: PERCZEL ISTVÁN 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThis essay examines the earliest Syriac reception of the Corpus Dionysiacum in the first decades of the sixth century. This reception is earlier than the standard Greek reception and moves us closer, I hypothesize, to the original text and context of the CD than do the subsequent Greek edition and commentaries of John of Scythopolis. The principal texts associated with the earliest Syriac reception all betray the influence of “Origenism,” which, I argue, reflects the original milieu of the author of the CD. I conclude this essay with some thoughts on how an acknowledgement of the Origenism of the CD complicates our understanding of “orthodoxy” and “heresy” during this period.
THE MEDIEVAL AFFECTIVE DIONYSIAN TRADITION
Authors: COOLMAN BOYD TAYLOR 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThomas Gallus is often credited with introducing an affective innovation in medieval reception of Dionysius. While desire is not absent from the CD, no form of human affectivity plays an explicit role in Moses’ ascent to union with God in the darkness of unknowing, as described in the MT. With Gallus, however, after all knowledge fails, union occurs through love. This innovation was influential, shaping subsequent interpretations of the CD, such as The Cloud of Unknowing. Yet, the subtle interplay of love and knowledge and the complex conception of love's own cognition of God in Gallus’ theology were not generally retained by those whom he influenced.
CUSANUS ON DIONYSIUS: THE TURN TO SPECULATIVE THEOLOGY1
Authors: CASARELLA PETER 
Published: August 2008

AbstractNicholas of Cusa owed a substantial debt to Dionysius the Areopagite. The debt is present in On Learned Ignorance (1440) and intensifies in the later works. This essay explores the nature of the debt, focusing on the way in which Cusanus re‐writes the vision he receives from the Areopagite. One discovers in his reading a certain anticipation of the Hegelian dialectic (with which it is ultimately not identical) and a deep continuity with patristic and medieval authorities in areas such as christology and pneumatology. All in all, Cusanus reads the work of Dionysius as the ideal form of speculative theology.
LUTHER AND DIONYSIUS: BEYOND MERE NEGATIONS
Authors: MALYSZ PIOTR J. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThis article argues that common ground may be found between Dionysius and Luther if one goes beyond the customary “mystical” framework for analyzing Dionysius’ work and views Luther (despite his dismissal of Dionysius as an impostor) as standing in a long line of interpreters who had sought to give Dionysian ideas a more explicitly Christological focus. Specifically, I argue, the similarities lie in Luther's conceptualization of God's hidden presence and the reformer's strongly ontological doctrine of justification. The latter has a procession‐return structure within which the status of the justified person, qua justified, is expressed in terms reminiscent of the Dionysian analogia.