bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ingestion of heat‐treated Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG prevents development of atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice
Authors: Sawada J. , Morita H. , Tanaka A. , Salminen S. , He F. , Matsuda H. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryBackground
Continuous oral administration of live Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (L. GG) to pregnant subjects with atopic dermatitis and their children, suppressed the frequency of atopic dermatitis. The details of mechanisms and immune systems involved in this suppressive effect, however, remain speculative.Objective
We sought to clarify suppressive mechanisms of L. GG on atopic dermatitis by using NC/Nga mice, a model of human atopic dermatitis.Methods
Maternal mice and infant mice were fed with food containing or not containing heat‐treated L. GG during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and after weaning.Results
Control NC/Nga mice raised under an air‐uncontrolled condition spontaneously manifested typical skin lesions very similar to those in patients with atopic dermatitis. On the other hand, administration of food containing heat‐treated L. GG inhibited the onset and development of atopic skin lesions, accompanied by smaller numbers of mast cells and eosinophils in the affected skin sites. Mice fed with L. GG showed a significant increase in plasma IL‐10 levels compared with control mice, while there was no significant difference in the proportion of splenic CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells between mice fed with L. GG and control mice. The IL‐10 mRNA expression was enhanced in both Peyer's patches and mesenteric lymph nodes in mice fed with L. GG.Conclusion
These findings suggest that some components of heat‐treated L. GG may have an ability to delay the onset and suppress the development of atopic dermatitis, probably through a strong induction of IL‐10 in intestinal lymphoid organs and systemic levels.
Effects of dissolved organic matter and ultraviolet radiation on the accrual, stoichiometry and algal taxonomy of stream periphyton
Authors: FROST PAUL C. , CHERRIER CHRISTY T. , LARSON JAMES H. , BRIDGHAM SCOTT , LAMBERTI GARY A. 
Published: December 2006

Summary1. We investigated the effects of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and ultraviolet‐B (UVB) radiation on periphyton during a 30‐day experiment in grazer‐free, outdoor artificial streams. We established high [10–12 mg carbon (C) L−1] and low (3–5 mg C L−1) concentrations of DOM in artificial streams exposed to or shielded from ambient UVB radiation. Periphyton was sampled weekly for ash‐free dry mass (AFDM), chlorophyll (chl) a , algal biovolume, elemental composition [C, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)], and algal taxonomic composition.2. Regardless of the UVB environment, increased DOM concentration caused greater periphyton AFDM, chl a and total C content during the experiment. Increased DOM also significantly increased periphyton C : P and N : P (but not C : N) ratios throughout the experiment. Algal taxonomic composition was strongly affected by elevated stream DOM concentrations; some algal taxa increased and some decreased in biomass and prevalence in artificial streams receiving DOM additions. UVB removal, on the other hand, did not strongly affect periphyton biomass, elemental composition or algal taxonomic composition for most of the experiment.3. Our results show strong effects of DOM concentration but few, if any, effects of UVB radiation on periphyton biomass, elemental composition and algal taxonomic composition. The effects of DOM may have resulted from its absorption of UVA radiation, or more likely, its provision of organic C and nutrients to microbial communities. The strong effects of DOM on periphyton biomass and elemental composition indicate that they potentially play a key role in food web dynamics and ecosystem processes in forested streams.
The multifarious effects of dispersal and gene flow on contemporary adaptation
Authors: GARANT DANY , FORDE SAMANTHA E. , HENDRY ANDREW P. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryDispersal and gene flow can have a variety of interacting effects on evolution. These effects can either promote or constrain adaptive divergence through either genetic or demographic routes. The relative importance of these effects is unknown because few attempts have been made to conceptually integrate and test them.We draw a broad distinction between situationswithvs.withoutstrong coevolutionary dynamics. This distinction is important because the adaptive peak for a given population is more mobile in the former than in the latter. This difference makes ongoing evolutionary potential more important in the presence of strong coevolutionary dynamics than in their absence.We advance a conceptual integration of the various effects of gene flow and dispersal on adaptive divergence. In line with other authors, but not necessarily for the same reasons, we suggest that an intermediate level of gene flow will allow the greatest adaptive divergence.When dispersal is quite low, we predict that an increase will have positive effects on adaptive divergence, owing to genetic/demographic rescue and ‘reinforcement.’ The rescue effect may be more important in small populations and in homogeneous environments. The reinforcement effect may be more common in large populations and in heterogeneous environments.Once a certain level of dispersal is reached, we predict that a further increase may have negative effects on adaptive divergence. These effects may arise if carrying capacity is exceeded or maladaptive genes are introduced.Many additional effects remain to be integrated into this framework, and doing so may yield novel insights into the factors influencing evolution on ecological time‐scales.
Invariance, groups, and non-uniqueness: The discrete case
Authors: Vasco D. W. 
Published: December 2006

Summary
Lie group methods provide a valuable tool for examining invariance and non-uniqueness associated with geophysical inverse problems. The techniques are particularly well suited for the study of non-linear inverse problems. Using the infinitesimal generators of the group it is possible to move within the null space in an iterative fashion. The key computational step in determining the symmetry groups associated with an inverse problem is the singular value decomposition of a sparse matrix. I apply the methodology to the eikonal equation and examine the possible solutions associated with a crosswell tomographic experiment. Results from a synthetic test indicate that it is possible to vary the velocity model significantly and still fit the reference arrival times. The approach is also applied to data from crosswell surveys conducted before and after a CO2 injection at the Lost Hills field in California. The results highlight the fact that a fault cross-cutting the region between the wells may act as a conduit for the flow of water and CO2.
Testis‐specific expression of the β2 tubulin promoter of Aedes aegypti and its application as a genetic sex‐separation marker
Authors: Smith R. C. , Walter M. F. , Hice R. H. , O’Brochta D. A. , Atkinson P. W. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractSex‐specific expression of transgenes in pest insects enables novel genetic control strategies, based either on genetic sexing or the spread of transgenes through the germ‐line, to be developed and then tested for implementation. We describe the isolation of the β tubulin genes from the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, and the identification of the particular β2 tubulin gene which has expression confined to the testes. We demonstrate that the β2 tubulin promoter of Ae. aegypti can direct the expression of a DsRed genetic marker in the testes and show that labelled sperm can be detected in inseminated spermathecae. The applications for this technology in the genetic control of Ae. aegypti are discussed.
Antennal esterase cDNAs from two pest moths, Spodoptera littoralis and Sesamia nonagrioides, potentially involved in odourant degradation
Authors: Merlin C. , Rosell G. , Carot‐Sans G. , François M.‐C. , Bozzolan F. , Pelletier J. , Jacquin‐Joly E. , Guerrero A. , Maïbèche‐Coisne M. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractRapid degradation of odours after interaction with olfactory receptors is a critical step of the signal reception process. However, the implied mechanisms are still largely unknown in vertebrates as well as in insects. Involvement of odourant‐degrading enzymes in odourant degradation within the antennae has been shown in some insect species and, in particular, esterases could play a key role in degradation of sex pheromones from Lepidoptera. Using a PCR‐based strategy, we isolated cDNAs encoding two new esterases from two moths which used acetates as pheromone compounds: the Egyptian armyworm Spodoptera littoralis and the Mediterranean corn borer Sesamia nonagrioides. In antennae, both transcripts were clearly restricted to olfactory sensilla, suggesting their involvement in the degradation of odourant acetate components.
Regulated expression of microinjected DNA in adult Aedes aegypti mosquitoes
Authors: Isoe J. , Kunz S. , Manhart C. , Wells M. A. , Miesfeld R. L. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractWe have developed a novel molecular genetic approach to investigating gene regulation in adult mosquitoes called whole body transfection (WBT). This DNA microinjection method allows for both constitutive and regulated expression of plasmid vectors in the fat body and midgut of adult mosquitoes within 24 h of injection. Using a luciferase reporter gene containing the Aedes aegypti heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) promoter, we optimized the WBT protocol at various times post‐injection and used these parameters to measure the expression of a vitellogenin‐luciferase reporter gene in response to blood meal feeding. These studies showed that a 843 bp fragment of the Ae. aegypti vitellogenin‐C (VgC) promoter caused a greater than 200‐fold induction of luciferase activity in a strict tissue‐specific manner, and only in response to feeding. Functional mapping of the VgC promoter by WBT identified essential upstream regulatory elements in the region spanning −780 to −182 bp from the transcriptional start site. We also constructed a lipopolysaccharide‐regulated expression vector using a 1096 bp genomic fragment of the Ae. aegypti cecropin B (CecB) promoter. Our data show that four days after WBT injection, the CecB‐luciferase reporter gene could be induced more than 100‐fold in the fat body following lipopolysaccharide injection. Moreover, we found that lipopolysaccharide‐induction of the CecB reporter gene occurred up to 28 days post‐WBT injection. These data suggest that WBT could provide a novel strategy to express recombinant proteins and RNAi constructs in adult mosquitoes using conventional microinjection methods.
Leptin levels in infertile male patients are correlated with inhibin B, testosterone and SHBG but not with sperm characteristics
Authors: Zorn Branko , Osredkar Joško , Meden‐Vrtovec Helena , Majdic Gregor 
Published: December 2006

SummaryIn the present study, differences in leptin levels between different groups of male patients presenting with infertility problems and possible correlations between leptin levels and clinical, spermiological, histological and hormonal characteristics were examined. Two hundred and ten male partners from infertile couples were included in the study. Based on clinical examination, spermiogram and testicular histology results, patients were divided into four groups: 42 men with non‐obstructive azoospermia, 15 men with obstructive azoospermia, 68 men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and 85 men with normozoospermia. Serum levels of follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), inhibin B, testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and leptin were measured. After adjustment for body mass index, there was a negative correlation between serum levels of leptin and inhibin B, total testosterone and SHBG (r = −0.189, p = 0.009, r = −0.250, p = 0.001 and r =−0.221, p = 0.003 respectively) but there was no correlation between leptin and classical sperm characteristics. Our results therefore demonstrate a link between leptin and testicular function, independently of FSH and LH, possibly involving testosterone and SHBG through a regulation of Leydig cell function.
Intake of melatonin is associated with amelioration of physiological changes, both metabolic and morphological pathologies associated with obesity: an animal model
Authors: Hussein Mahmoud R. , Ahmed Omyma G. , Hassan Asmaa F. , Ahmed Marwa A. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryObesity and its associated metabolic pathologies are the most common and detrimental diseases, affecting over 50% of the adult population. Our knowledge about the protective effects of melatonin against high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obesity is still marginal. In this investigation, we hypothesized that melatonin can minimize the metabolic pathologies and morphological changes associated with obesity in animals receiving an HFD. To examine these effects, and to test our hypothesis, an animal model formed of male Boscat white rabbits was established. The animals were divided into three groups: (i) a control group fed regular diet; (ii) an obesity group fed an HFD for 12 weeks; and (iii) a treated group fed HFD for 12 weeks and then treated with melatonin for 4 weeks. The animals were killed and their serum and tissues were evaluated for: (i) lipid profile (cholesterol, triglycerides and low‐density lipoprotein) and glucose; (ii) antioxidant enzyme (serum glutathione peroxidase, GSH‐PX); and (iii) fatty changes (liver, kidney and blood vessels). Compared with the control group, intake of HFD (obesity group) was associated with: (i) a statistically significant increase in blood pressure, heart rate, sympathetic nerve activity, body weight, food consumption, serum lipids, blood glucose levels and atherogenic index; (ii) decreased level of GSH‐PX and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL); and (iii) fatty changes in the liver and kidney as well as atheromatous changes in the blood vessels. Compared with the obesity group, intake of melatonin (treated group) was associated with: (i) a statistically significant decrease in blood pressure, heart rate, sympathetic nerve activity, body weight, food consumption, serum lipids, blood glucose levels and atherogenic index; (ii) increased level of GSH‐PX and HDL; and (iii) disappearance of fatty changes in the liver and kidney as well as atheromatous changes in the blood vessels. The administration of melatonin reduced the metabolic pathologies associated with the intake of HFD, suggesting a protective role. Although the underlying mechanisms are unclear, they may include its antioxidant and receptor‐mediated effects. The clinical ramifications of these effects await further investigations.
Inflammation‐associated remodelling and fibrosis in the lung – a process and an end point
Authors: Wallace William A.H. , Fitch Paul M. , Simpson A. John , Howie Sarah E.M. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryFibrosis by common usage in the pathological and clinical literature is the end result of a healing process and synonymous with scarring. We would argue that its use to describe a dynamic series of events which may be reversible is unhelpful and that the term ‘lung remodelling’ is a better description for this process as it reflects changes in tissue organization that may or may not progress to ‘fibrosis’ as a final fixed point. Resolution, through reversal of active lung remodelling, by therapeutic intervention is possible providing the alveolar architecture remains intact. If the lung architecture is lost then healing by permanent fibrosis with loss of organ function is inevitable.
Patterns of genetic differentiation in Thamnophis and Taricha from the Pacific Northwest
Authors: Ridenhour Benjamin J. , Brodie Jr Edmund D. , Brodie III Edmund D. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractAim  The co‐evolutionary interaction between the common garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis, and the rough‐skinned newt, Taricha granulosa, takes place throughout much of the Pacific Northwest (North America). The biogeography of the Pacific Northwest has been heavily influenced by the last Pleistocene glaciation, which reached a maximum as late as 14,000 yr bp. We researched: (1) what type of population structure is present for garter snakes and newts, (2) whether the population structure of these species is consistent with a Pleistocene glaciation hypothesis, and (3) how population structure and migration possibly affect co‐evolution between these species.Location  The Pacific Northwest of North America, specifically northern California, Oregon and Washington in the USA.Methods  We sampled approximately 20 populations for each species from three different transects. Using microsatellite markers and tissue samples from both species, we quantified the population structure for both species. Individual‐based assignment tests were used to estimate contemporary migration rates.Results  Both Th. sirtalis and Ta. granulosa exhibited little genetic differentiation among our study sites, even among those separated by large distances. Significant population structure was detected on multiple geographic scales. Differences in population structure were observed among transects and between garter snake and newt transects. Contemporary migration rate estimates indicate high levels of genetic exchange between populations.Main conclusions  Prior to this study, little was known about the fine‐scale population structure of either species in this region. Patterns of population structure for garter snakes and newts reflect a shared biogeographical history affected by the Pleistocene glaciation in the Pacific Northwest. Both species apparently migrate frequently between populations, thus potentially retarding the process of adaptive co‐evolution. We find that populations from a northern coastal transect (Washington) are most likely to be locally adapted.
Introducing a new (freeware) tool for palynology
Authors: Bush Mark B. , Weng Chengyu 
Published: December 2006

AbstractWe present a multiple‐access key and searchable data base to Neotropical pollen that is available as freeware. The data base is based on FileMaker 5 and contains c. 6000 images of >1000 taxa. All pollen images are of acetolysed grains collected from vouchered herbarium specimens. The selection of taxa to be included in the data base is predicated upon their probable occurrence in lake sedimentary records, which in turn was based on their flower structure, sexual mechanisms and ecology. The multiple‐access key is a forgiving format as it can be used with incomplete data or where the researcher cannot decide between the choices offered. The data base is downloadable and is compatible with both Mac and PC platforms.
Eroding abodes and vanished bridges: historical biogeography of the substrate specialist pebble‐mound mice (Pseudomys)
Authors: Ford Fred , Johnson Christopher 
Published: December 2006

AbstractAim  To determine whether the pronounced ecological importance of pebble mounds to pebble‐mound mice (Pseudomys) is manifest in their continental biogeography.Location  Northern Australia.Methods  A GIS‐based comparison was made between the habitats contained within the potential climatic distributions of mice, representing a null hypothesis of no habitat selection, and their actual distributions based on all known location records.Results  All species had a clear preference for hilly, rocky landscapes with a surficial cover dominated by bedrock. Simple vegetation communities with relatively open eucalypt overstorey and grassy understorey were preferred. Highly degraded rocks and aggradational surfaces and plains were avoided. The extent of the summer monsoon may be important in determining the southern limits of the group's distribution. Major disjunctions between species were attributable to the presence of clay plains and sand sheets.The behavioural requirement of pebble‐mound mice for mounds determines their population distribution pattern and the distribution of the different species within the genus.Main conclusions  The behavioural need for pebble mounds drives the distributional pattern of populations and species of pebble‐mound mice. The initial spread of pebble‐mound mice probably occurred during the late Pliocene or earliest Pleistocene. There has predominantly been degradation of the potential distribution of the group since that time due to the stability of Australian landscapes and Pleistocene planation and sand sheet development over large areas of northern Australia. This process is ongoing, and past regions of rocky contact between current distributions have disappeared, while the distributional limits of several species are steadily being reduced by erosion of hills and the spread of dune fields.
An alien in an archipelago: Spathodea campanulata and the geographic variability of its moth (Lepidoptera) communities in the New Guinea and Bismarck Islands
Authors: Bito Darren 
Published: December 2006

AbstractAim  This analysis of moth (Lepidoptera) communities colonizing an alien tree invading secondary rain forest vegetation in Melanesia examines the predictability of insect herbivorous communities across distances of tens to thousands of km and the effect of dispersal barriers on community composition in the tropics.Location  Six secondary rain forest sites were studied within four equidistant yet distinct geographic areas of the New Guinea mainland and the Bismarck Archipelago, including two watershed areas (Madang and Sepik) on mainland New Guinea and the adjacent large island of New Britain and small island of Unea.Methods  The analysis is based on feeding records obtained by quantitative sampling and rearing of caterpillars from the alien host Spathodea campanulata (Bignoniaceae). It examines the variation in Lepidoptera community composition at six study sites distributed on three adjacent islands ranging in size from 30 to 865,000 km2.Results  Spathodea campanulata was colonized by 54 folivorous species of Lepidoptera. Most of them were generalists, feeding on > 1 native plant family. However, the three most abundant species representing 83% of all individuals (Acherontia lachesis, Hyblaea puera complex and Psilogramma menephron) were relatively host specific, feeding predominantly on a single native family that is not the Bignoniaceae. Most of the 23 species analysed in detail had a wide geographic distribution, including 13 species spanning the entire 1000‐km study transect. While the Lepidoptera in two New Guinea areas 280 km apart were similar to each other, there was a discontinuity in species composition between New Guinea and the smaller islands. However, no negative effect of small islands on species richness was detected.Main conclusions  Spathodea campanulata was rapidly colonized by folivorous Lepidoptera communities with species richness and dominance structure indistinguishable from the assemblages feeding on native hosts, despite its phylogenetic isolation from the native vegetation. Although most species were generalists, the highest population densities were reached by relatively specialized species, similar to the communities on native hosts. The species turnover across distances from 10 to 1000 km was relatively low as most of the species had wide geographic ranges.