bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychological, lifestyle and coping contributors to chronic fatigue in shift‐worker nurses
Authors: Samaha Elias , Lal Sara , Samaha Najwa , Wyndham Jennifer 
Published: June 2007

Abstract Title. Psychological, lifestyle and coping contributors to chronic fatigue in shift‐worker nurses Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to assess the following in shift‐worker nurses: (1) the relationships amongst chronic fatigue and psychological variables including anxiety, mood and locus of control; (2) the relationships amongst chronic fatigue and a number of lifestyle factors such as shiftwork, sleep and exercise; and (3) various coping behaviours that best predict chronic fatigue.Background.  In the shift‐working population, individual psychological, lifestyle and coping differences influence fatigue levels. However, some of these factors are somewhat unexplored and their relative contribution to fatigue remains poorly understood.Methods.  An exploratory design was adopted with 111 eldercare shift‐worker nurses. Data were collected during 2006. Nurses completed self‐administered questionnaires examining fatigue, anxiety, mood disturbance, locus of control, sleep, work, lifestyle and coping characteristics.Findings.  Multiple regressions showed that mood disturbance, locus of control and trait anxiety are statistically significant predictors of chronic fatigue. Poor sleep quality was the lifestyle factor which most strongly contributed to fatigue. Other lifestyle predictors included higher workload perception, lack of exercise and the non‐availability of support. Whilst problem‐focused coping behaviours were not associated with fatigue, coping by using alcohol, letting emotions out and avoiding the situation significantly predicted chronic fatigue.Conclusion.  The challenge for improving the fatigue outcomes requires further investigation of the profile of a nurse who is at a high risk of fatigue, and then integrating this profile into a fatigue management programme which considers relative contributions of the psychological, lifestyle and coping factors.
Nunatak survival vs. tabula rasa in the Central Pyrenees: a study on the endemic plant species Borderea pyrenaica (Dioscoreaceae)
Authors: Segarra‐Moragues José Gabriel , Palop‐Esteban Marisa , González‐Candelas Fernando , Catalán Pilar 
Published: June 2007

AbstractAim  Borderea pyrenaica (Dioscoreaceae) is a Tertiary relict plant endemic to the Central Pyrenees. Because of its narrow distribution in a small geographical area and the fact that it is restricted to high alpine habitats, it constitutes an ideal model species for inferring the historical dynamics of population survival and migration during and after Quaternary glaciations in the Pyrenees.Location  Central Pyrenees and pre‐Pyrenees, Spain–France.Methods  Eleven primer pairs were used to amplify 18 microsatellite loci in this allotetraploid species in a sample of 804 individuals from 15 populations, revealing a total of 77 alleles. Genotypic data of individuals and populations were analysed using clustering and Bayesian methods of analysis of population structure.Results  A higher number of private alleles and a significantly higher allelic richness (A*) were found in the southern area (21, A* = 2.295) than in the northern area (5, A* = 1.791). Furthermore, the allelic composition of the northern area represented a subset of that from the southern area.Main conclusions  The hypothesis of in situ survival in northern Pyrenean nunataks was rejected, while peripheral refugia were considered to be restricted to the southern Pyrenees and pre‐Pyrenees, where historical geographical fragmentation probably caused the divergence among southern Pyrenean populations. Molecular evidence indicates that these refugial populations probably colonized the northern area after sheet‐ice retreat. Borderea pyrenaica lineages followed two migratory pathways in their northward colonization, suggesting several founder events for the populations that eventually reached the territory of the Gavarnie cirque.
Nested assemblages of Orthoptera species in the Netherlands: the importance of habitat features and life‐history traits
Authors: Schouten M. A. , Verweij P. A. , Barendregt A. , Kleukers R. J. M. , De Ruiter P. C. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractAim  Species communities often exhibit nestedness, the species found in species‐poor sites representing subsets of richer ones. In the Netherlands, where intensification of land use has led to severe fragmentation of nature, we examined the degree of nestedness in the distribution of Orthoptera species. An assessment was made of how environmental conditions and species life‐history traits are related to this pattern, and how variation in sampling intensity across sites may influence the observed degree of nestedness.Location  The analysis includes a total of 178 semi‐natural sites in the Pleistocene sand region of the Netherlands.Methods  A matrix recording the presence or absence of all Orthoptera species in each site was compiled using atlas data. Additionally, separate matrices were constructed for the species of suborders Ensifera and Caelifera. The degree of nestedness was measured using the binmatnest calculator. binmatnest uses an algorithm to sort the matrices to maximal nestedness. We used Spearman’s rank correlations to evaluate whether sites were sorted by area, isolation or habitat heterogeneity, and whether species were sorted by their dispersal ability, rate of development or degree of habitat specificity.Results  We found the Orthoptera assemblages to be significantly nested. The rank correlation between site order and sampling intensity was high. The degree of nestedness was lower, but remained significant when under‐ and over‐sampled sites were excluded from the analysis. Site order was strongly correlated with both size of sample site and number of habitat types per site. Rank correlations showed that species were probably ordered by variation in habitat specificity, rather than by variation in dispersal capacity or rate of development of the species.Main conclusions  Variation in sampling intensity among sites had a strong impact on the observed degree of nestedness. Nestedness in habitats may underlie the observed nestedness within the Orthoptera assemblages. Habitat heterogeneity is closely related to site area, which suggests that several large sites should be preserved, rather than many small sites. Furthermore, the results corroborate a focus of nature conservation policy on sites where rare species occur, as long as the full spectrum of habitat conditions and underlying ecological processes is secured.
Speciation in the Orchidaceae: confronting the challenges
Authors: PEAKALL ROD 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe Orchidaceae is renowned for its large number of species (19 500) and its many diverse, even bizarre, specialized pollination systems. One unusual feature of orchids is the high frequency of food deception whereby animal pollination is achieved without providing nectar, pollen or other food rewards. Food‐deceptive pollination is estimated to occur in approximately one‐third of all orchids. Equally intriguing is pollination by sexual deception whereby pollination is achieved by the sexual attraction of male insects to the orchid flower. Sexual deception is found in several hundred species representing multiple lineages. Given their rich species diversity and extraordinary plant–animal interactions, orchids clearly offer exciting research opportunities in pollination biology, reproductive isolation and speciation, yet surprisingly they remain under‐represented in scientific investigations both in these fields and more generally. In this special issue of Molecular Ecology, Moccia et al. provide an exemplar study that combine multiple lines of evidence to illuminate the mechanism of reproductive isolation between two closely related food‐deceptive orchids. Their study demonstrates that many of the challenges that confront orchid researchers and impede progress in our understanding of speciation in the Orchidaceae can be overcome by the creative application and integration of both old and new tools in ecology and genetics.
Nepotism absent in insect societies — or is it?
Authors: WENSELEERS TOM 
Published: June 2007

AbstractInclusive fitness theory, put forward by English biologist William Hamilton in 1964, is considered by many as the most important addition to the theory of natural selection since Darwin. One prediction of the theory is that animals should often show a tendency to nepotistically favour close relatives. ) test this theory for the first time using molecular methods in a vespine wasp, the eastern yellowjacket, Vespula maculifrons. Somewhat surprisingly, nepotism was found to be absent. This begs the question why nepotism is predicted by theory, yet in a growing list of species is shown to be absent. Is inclusive fitness theory in trouble? As we show, it is not: costs and constraints explain the general absence of queen rearing nepotism, and nepotism in insect societies in fact is well supported in the context of male rearing and manipulation of colony sex ratios.
Low genetic diversity in the bottlenecked population of endangered non‐native banteng in northern Australia
Authors: BRADSHAW COREY J. A. , ISAGI YUJI , KANEKO SHINGO , BROOK BARRY W. , BOWMAN DAVID M. J. S. , FRANKHAM RICHARD 
Published: June 2007

AbstractUndomesticated (wild) banteng are endangered in their native habitats in Southeast Asia. A potential conservation resource for the species is a large, wild population in Garig Gunak Barlu National Park in northern Australia, descended from 20 individuals that were released from a failed British outpost in 1849. Because of the founding bottleneck, we determined the level of genetic diversity in four subpopulations in the national park using 12 microsatellite loci, and compared this to the genetic diversity of domesticated Asian Bali cattle, wild banteng and other cattle species. We also compared the loss of genetic diversity using plausible genetic data coupled to a stochastic Leslie matrix model constructed from existing demographic data. The 53 Australian banteng sampled had average microsatellite heterozygosity (HE) of 28% compared to 67% for outbred Bos taurus and domesticated Bos javanicus populations. The Australian banteng inbreeding coefficient (F) of 0.58 is high compared to other endangered artiodactyl populations. The 95% confidence bounds for measured heterozygosity overlapped with those predicted from our stochastic Leslie matrix population model. Collectively, these results show that Australian banteng have suffered a loss of genetic diversity and are highly inbred because of the initial population bottleneck and subsequent small population sizes. We conclude that the Australian population is an important hedge against the complete loss of wild banteng, and it can augment threatened populations of banteng in their native range. This study indicates the genetic value of small populations of endangered artiodactyls established ex situ.
An amphibian‐derived, cationic, α‐helical antimicrobial peptide kills yeast by caspase‐independent but AIF‐dependent programmed cell death
Authors: Morton C. Oliver , Dos Santos Sandra Costa , Coote Peter 
Published: June 2007

SummaryThe dermaseptins are a family of antimicrobial peptides from the tree‐frog Phyllomedusa sauvagii. Yeast exposed to dermaseptin S3(1‐16), a truncated derivative of dermaseptin S3 with full activity, showed diagnostic markers of yeast apoptosis: the appearance of reactive oxygen species and fragmentation of nuclear DNA. This process was independent of the yeast caspase, Yca1p. Screening of a non‐essential gene deletion collection in yeast identified genes that conferred resistance to dermaseptin S3(1‐16): izh2Δ, izh3Δ, stm1Δ and aif1Δ, all known to be involved in regulating yeast apoptosis. The appearance of apoptotic markers was reduced in these strains when exposed to the peptide. Dermaseptin S3(1‐16) was shown to interact with DNA, and cause DNA damage in vivo, a process known to trigger apoptosis. Supporting this, a dermaseptin S3(1‐16) affinity column specifically purified Stm1p, Mre11p and Htb2p; DNA‐binding proteins implicated in yeast apoptosis and DNA repair. Thus, amphibians may have evolved a mechanism to induce cell suicide in invading fungal pathogens.
Polyphosphate and stress response in mycobacteria
Authors: Manganelli Riccardo 
Published: June 2007

SummaryPolyphosphate (poly P) is present in every living cell. Long considered a ‘molecular fossil’, its role in cell physiology has been neglected. However, in the last few years it has become clear that poly P plays a role in multiple physiological functions, the best characterized of which is rpoS and recA induction during the Escherichia coli stringent response. Sureka et al. in this issue of Molecular Microbiology investigate the role of poly P in mycobacterial stress response and describe its participation in a novel regulatory pathway involving the two‐component system MprAB, the alternative sigma factor σE and Rel, the enzyme responsible for (p)ppGpp metabolism in mycobacteria.
The many faces of nitric oxide: cytotoxic, cytoprotective or both
Authors: Wiley J. W. 
Published: June 2007

Abstract  Nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as a major modulator of cellular function in health and disease. In addition to its well‐known role as a mediator of smooth muscle relaxation, a rapidly developing body of research suggests, paradoxically, that NO can have both cytotoxic and cytoprotective effects. In this issue of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, Choi et al. provide evidence that supports NO has a prosurvival effect on interstitial cells of Cajal in the mouse stomach. The objective of this short review is to place this interesting report in the context of the current literature.
Triiodothyronine Modulates Thymocyte Migration
Authors: Ribeiro‐Carvalho M. M. , Lima‐Quaresma K. R. F. , Mouço T. , Carvalho V. F. , Mello‐Coelho V. , Savino W. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractTriiodothyronine (T3) exerts several effects on thymus physiology. In this sense, T3 is known to stimulate thymic microenvironmental cells to enhance the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) moieties, which are relevant in thymocyte migration. Here, we further investigated the in vivo influence of T3 on ECM production, as well as on ECM‐related T‐cell migration events. For this, BALB/c mice were subjected to two protocols of T3 treatment: long‐term (30 days) i.p. daily T3 injections or short‐term (16 h) after a single T3 intrathymic injection. These two treatments did promote an enhancement in the expression of fibronectin and laminin, in both cortex and medullary regions of the thymic lobules. As revealed by the long‐term treatment, the expression of ECM protein receptors, including VLA‐4, VLA‐5 and VLA‐6, was also increased in thymocyte subsets issued from T3‐treated mice. We further used thymic nurse cells (TNC) as an in vitro system to study the ECM‐related migration of immature thymocytes in the context of thymic epithelial cells. Even a single intrathymic injection of T3 resulted in an increase in the ex vivo exit of thymocytes from TNC lymphoepithelial complexes. Accordingly, when we evaluated thymocyte migration in transwell chambers pre‐coated with ECM proteins, we found an increase in the numbers of migrating cells, when thymocytes were derived from T3‐treated mice. Overall, our data show that in vivo intrathymic short‐term i.p. long‐term T3 treatments are able to modulate thymocyte migration, probably via ECM‐mediated interactions.
Pre‐clinical Evaluation of a CEA DNA Prime/protein Boost Vaccination Strategy Against Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Hallermalm K. , Johansson S. , Bråve A. , Ek M. , Engström G. , Boberg A. , Gudmundsdotter L. , Blomberg P. , Mellstedt H. , Stout R. , Liu M. A. , Wahren B. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractIn preparation for a clinical trial in patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer, a vaccination strategy targeting the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was evaluated in mice using a GMP‐produced plasmid DNA vaccine, CEA66, encoding a truncated form of the tumour‐associated antigen, CEA. The GMP‐produced CEA DNA vaccine was also evaluated for toxicity. Repeated intradermal administration of the GMP‐produced vaccine using a novel needle‐free jet injection device (Biojector) induced robust CD4 and CD8 T‐cell responses in mice, and did not result in any vaccine‐related toxicity. In a heterologous DNA prime/protein boost setting, cellular immune responses were of higher magnitude in animals primed with CEA66 DNA than in animals receiving repeated doses of recombinant CEA protein. These responses were further enhanced if recombinant murine granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor was given as an adjuvant prior to vaccination. In contrast to repeated administration of recombinant CEA protein as a single modality vaccine, the heterologous CEA66 DNA prime/rCEA boost vaccination strategy resulted in a qualitatively broader immune response, and supports clinical testing of this vaccination regimen in humans.
Altered Cortisol/DHEA Ratio in Tuberculosis Patients and its Relationship with Abnormalities in the Mycobacterial‐driven Cytokine Production by Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Authors: Bozza V. V. , D'Attilio L. , Mahuad C. V. , Giri A. A. , Del Rey A. , Besedovsky H. , Bottasso O. , Bay M. L. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractWe have investigated the relationship between cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels and the immune response to mycobacterial antigens in peripheral venous blood, from a male population of active tuberculosis patients and age‐matched healthy controls of the same sex (HCo). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured for 36 or 96 h with whole sonicated Mycobacterium tuberculosis (WSA) for measurement of proliferation, interferon gamma (IFN‐γ) and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) in culture supernatants. Comparisons on the in vitro mycobacterial‐driven immune responses demonstrated that TB patients had a higher IL‐10 production, a decreased lymphoproliferation and a trend to reduced IFN‐γ synthesis, in relation to HCo. Active disease was also characterized by increases in the plasma levels of glucocorticoids (GC) and reduced concentrations of DHEA which resulted in a higher cortisol/DHEA ratio respect the HCo group. Plasma DHEA levels were positively correlated with IFN‐γ values. An inverse correlation was found between the cortisol/DHEA ratio and IFN‐γ levels. Novel evidence is provided showing that the balance between cortisol and DHEA is partly responsible for the immune perturbations seen in TB patients.
Occurrence of Pseudomonas syringae pv. coryli on Hazelnut Orchards in Sicily, Italy and Characterization by Fluorescent Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism
Authors: Cirvilleri G. , Scuderi G. , Bonaccorsi A. , Scortichini M. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractField surveys for ascertaining the sanitary status of hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) orchards located in the provinces of Catania and Messina, Sicily, were carried out. Twig and branch diebacks were frequently observed on the local hazelnut cultivars. Identification of the bacterial pathogen associated with these symptoms was performed by means of biochemical, pathogenicity and molecular tests as well as by using fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphic (fAFLP) analysis. The study revealed, for the first time, the presence of Pseudomonas syringae pv. coryli in the Sicilian hazelnut orchards. All the strains obtained did not show the presence of syrB gene. The fAFLP analysis pointed out the presence of three different lineages within the strains of this pathogen.
Development of the Leaf Spot Fungus, Cercospora ricinella, on Castor Leaf – an SEM Account
Authors: Babu A. M. , Philip Tomy , Kumar Vineet 
Published: June 2007

AbstractStructure and development of Cercospora ricinella, the causal agent of the castor leaf spot, were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The conidia started to germinate 9 h post inoculation, producing an appressorium directly from the tip of conidium or at the end of a short germ tube. A single germ tube or appressorium was formed from the apical cell of each germinating conidium. Germ tubes or appressoria did not grow towards stomata, and penetration of the leaf appeared to be by piercing the epidermis. Leaf spots appeared 7 days post inoculation (dpi), and after approximately 12 dpi, clusters of two to many conidia emerged from both surfaces of the leaf through the epidermis or through stomatal openings. Stomata were torn when a large number of conidia emerged through them, and conidia also pierced the epidermis above the guard cells of stomata. Emergence through stomata appeared to be random rather than a preference.
Heritability of Phenols in the Resistance of Theobroma cacao against Phytophthora megakarya, the Causal Agent of Black Pod Disease
Authors: Djocgoue P. F. , Boudjeko T. , Mbouobda H. D. , Nankeu D. J. , El Hadrami I. , Omokolo N. D. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe black pod disease caused by Phytophthora megakarya is responsible for 80% of the cocoa production loss in Cameroon. To assess the resistance of cocoa plants against this pathogen, necrotic lesions, phenolic content and qualitative alteration of phenolics were conducted in ICS84 and ICS95 clones (two Trinitario introduced from Trinidad) and their hybrids (families F30 and F25) derived from reciprocal cross breeding between these two parental clones after inoculation. The existence of strong hybrid vigour has been shown. Ninety percentage of the hybrid's genotypes manifested a positive heterosis effect for the development of lesion size. This suggests the existence of hybrid vigour with a genetic additive effect. F3086, F2509, F2552 and F2586 hybrids were characterized by localized lesions. Those hybrids genotypes can be considered as elite clones. In relation to analysis of total phenolics and lesion size, no maternal effect was detected in the transmission of these characters. A significant and negative correlation (r = −0.683) (P < 0.01) has been observed between necrosis evolution and phenolics accumulation. The values of the heritability of lesion size and the total phenolic content in offsprings did not permit to show the maternal effect. Qualitative analyses of phenolics showed high flavonones content in cocoa leaves. Qualitative analyses of phenolics in ICS84, ICS95 clones and their hybrids showed a modification of the phenolics profiles, notably concerning apigenin and luteolin derivatives due to the inoculation. These compounds, along with others that were not identified, could have a role in the reaction and mechanism of defence of cocoa against P. megakarya.