bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting habitat distribution and frequency from plant species co‐occurrence data
Authors: Römermann Christine , Tackenberg Oliver , Scheuerer Martin , May Rudolf , Poschlod Peter 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim  Species frequency data have been widely used in nature conservation to aid management decisions. To determine species frequencies, information on habitat occurrence is important: a species with a low frequency is not necessarily rare if it occupies all suitable habitats. Often, information on habitat distribution is available for small geographic areas only. We aim to predict grid‐based habitat occurrence from grid‐based plant species distribution data in a meso‐scale analysis.Location  The study was carried out over two spatial extents: Germany and Bavaria.Methods  Two simple models were set up to examine the number of characteristic plant species needed per grid cell to predict the occurrence of four selected habitats (species data from FlorKart, http://www.floraweb.de). Both models were calibrated in Bavaria using available information on habitat distribution, validated for other federal states, and applied to Germany. First, a spatially explicit regression model (generalized linear model (GLM) with assumed binomial error distribution of response variable) was obtained. Second, a spatially independent optimization model was derived that estimated species numbers without using spatial information on habitat distribution. Finally, an additional uncalibrated model was derived that calculated the frequencies of 24 habitats. It was validated using NATURA2000 habitat maps.Results  Using the Bavarian models it was possible to predict habitat distribution and frequency from the co‐occurrence of habitat‐specific species per grid cell. As the model validations for other German federal states were successful, the models were applied to all of Germany, and habitat distribution and frequencies could be retrieved for the national scale on the basis of habitat‐specific species co‐occurrences per grid cell. Using the third, uncalibrated model, which includes species distribution data only, it was possible to predict the frequencies of 24 habitats based on the co‐occurrence of 24% of formation‐specific species per grid cell. Predicted habitat frequencies deduced from this third model were strongly related to frequencies of NATURA2000 habitat maps.Main conclusions  It was concluded that it is possible to deduce habitat distributions and frequencies from the co‐occurrence of habitat‐specific species. For areas partly covered by habitat mappings, calibrated models can be developed and extrapolated to larger areas. If information on habitat distribution is completely lacking, uncalibrated models can still be applied, providing coarse information on habitat frequencies. Predicted habitat distributions and frequencies can be used as a tool in nature conservation, for example as correction factors for species frequencies, as long as the species of interest is not included in the model set‐up.
Detection of Strawberry RNA and DNA Viruses by RT‐PCR Using Total Nucleic Acid as a Template
Authors: Chang L. , Zhang Z. , Yang H. , Li H. , Dai H. 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Strawberry mild yellow edge virus (SMYEV), Strawberry mottle virus (SMoV) and Strawberry vein banding virus (SVBV), three of strawberry viruses can cause a severe loss in commercial strawberry worldwide. In this paper, total nucleic acid from strawberry leaves was compared with total RNA as the template for detection of the above viruses both by single and multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Total nucleic acid extract with the modified CTAB method and total RNA extracts with both the modified RNeasy method and the modified CTAB method examined by electrophoresis resulted in a high quality ribosomal 28S and 18S RNA when loaded on an agarose gel. When total RNA and total nucleic acid were used as templates, detection results of SMYEV and SMoV were identical and the amplified band intensity was nearly the same whether by single or duplex RT‐PCR. Using total nucleic acid as the template, the detection results of SMYEV and SMoV by multiplex RT‐PCR were in a good concord with that amplified by single and duplex RT‐PCR, and for SVBV this was similar to the result of detection that amplified by direct PCR using pure DNA as the template. This study demonstrates that total nucleic acid extracted from strawberry leaves by a modified CTAB method is suitable as a template for virus detection by RT‐PCR. This makes investigation of the epidemiology of strawberry viruses much easier.
Pathogenic Fungi in Garlic Seed Cloves from the United States and China, and Efficacy of Fungicides Against Pathogens in Garlic Germplasm in Washington State
Authors: Dugan F. M. , Hellier B. C. , Lupien S. L. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractCommercially distributed garlic (Allium sativum) seed cloves from six states of the United States and mainland China were surveyed for the presence of fungi recorded as pathogenic to garlic in the literature.Aspergillus niger, A. ochraceus, Botrytis porri, Embellisia allii, Fusarium oxysporumf. sp.cepae, F. proliferatumandPenicillium hirsutum, were each recovered from one or more of these commercial sources, as wasF. verticillioides, not previously reported as pathogenic to garlic, but here demonstrated to be a pathogen. Seed garlic distributed from public germplasm collections may also contain fungal pathogens:E. allii, F. oxysporumf. sp.cepaeand/orF. proliferatumcaused severe losses in 2002–2003 and 2005–2006 during germplasm regeneration and storage for the National Plant Germplasm System in Pullman, Washington. Use of fludioxonil, thiophanate methyl and/or benomyl (the latter withdrawn from the market, but used here as a standard) at label rates againstE. alliiandFusariumspecies promoted plant health, but not when infections were located deep within tissues nor under some situations involving high disease pressure.
Phylogenetic Diversities of Dominant Culturable Bacillus, Pseudomonas and Pantoea Species on Tomato Leaves and Their Possibility as Biological Control Agents
Authors: Enya J. , Koitabashi M. , Shinohara H. , Yoshida S. , Tsukiboshi T. , Negishi H. , Suyama K. , Tsushima S. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractWe have demonstrated the phylogenetic diversity and antagonistic activities of three genera of dominant culturable bacteria (Bacillus, Pseudomonas and Pantoea) on tomato leaves. A total of 133 Bacillus isolates that were dominant on greenhouse plants and 109 Pseudomonas and 48 Pantoea isolates that were dominant on field‐grown plants were analyzed based on their 16S rRNA gene sequences. Bacillus pumilus (38%), Pseudomonas monteilii (76%) and Pantoea agglomerans (90%) were the most predominant of their genera, respectively. In the genus Bacillus, effective biological control agents (BCAs) against tomato leaf mould were interspersed among its phylogenetic tree as minority groups, while the effective BCAs of Pseudomonas and Pantoea were in majority groups that showed consistent suppressive activities. The results suggest that isolating Pseudomonas and Pantoea species from field‐grown tomato plants may be preferable for BCA‐candidate screening than isolating species of Bacillus from greenhouse.
Peroxidase Activity, Isozyme Patterns and Electrolyte Leakage in Roots of Cocoyam Infected with Pythium myriotylum
Authors: Nyochembeng L. M. , Beyl C. A. , Pacumbaba R. P. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractKnowledge of host defence response in cocoyam against Pythium myriotylum is essential in understanding disease resistance and the development of effective control measures for the cocoyam root rot disease. Four cocoyam accessions were assessed for root rot disease reaction by inoculating the roots of intact plants in the greenhouse and detached roots in the laboratory with P. myriotylum isolate ‘Mamu’ from Cameroon. Electrolyte leakage in detached infected roots and peroxidase activities and isozyme expressions in crude protein extracts collected from healthy roots of inoculated and non‐inoculated plants at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 days post inoculation (dpi) were used independently to assess resistance/tolerance. Based on the results, cocoyam accessions RO1054 and RO3015 were rated tolerant/moderately resistant while accessions RO2063 and ‘Local White’ (LW) were rated susceptible to P. myriotylum isolate ‘Mamu’. The time‐course spectrophotometric analysis of peroxidase activity showed an increase in activity in the roots of the tolerant RO1054, 8 days after inoculation. One peroxidase isoform (Rf 0.66) was induced only in roots of the susceptible inoculated accessions ‘Local White’ and R02063 at 4 and 6 dpi. One acidic peroxidase isozyme (pI 4.5) and one basic isozyme (pI 7.4) were detected only in roots of inoculated plants. Our results suggest that electrolyte leakage in infected roots can be used to assess tolerance/susceptibility in cocoyam and that tolerance to the root rot disease in cocoyam may be associated in part with an increased generation of peroxidase activity in the roots.
A Real‐time PCR Assay for Quantitative and Accurate Assessment of Fungicide Effects on Mycosphaerella graminicola Leaf Blotch
Authors: Guo J.‐R. , Schnieder F. , Verreet J.‐A. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractA real‐time PCR assay was applied to evaluate the effects of two fungicide treatments on Mycosphaerella graminicola leaf blotch in the field and compared with two usual visual methods. The three fungicides Fandango, Input and Prosaro used in the two treatments showed high inhibitions against germ tube growth and conidial germination in vitro, suggesting that they had high curative and protective activities. In the field, the fungicide effect was assessed for two times on 17 May and 14 June, 2004. M. graminicola DNA, disease index and pycnidial number per leaf reduced obviously on most leaf layers after both treatments. According to the real‐time PCR data, significant effects were still observed on leaf 3, 4 and 5 even after 25 days of treatment (17 May). And on 14 June, treatment A significantly decreased the DNA amount by 99.42, 87.68, 24.12 and 68.87% on leaf 1, 2, 3 and 4 and treatment B by 98.83, 98.12, 70.79 and 64.15% respectively. In contrast, effects could neither be assessed by disease classification on leaf 5 of treatment B on 17 May and leaf 3 and 4 of treatment A on 14 June and nor by pycnidia‐counting method on leaf 3 and 5 of treatment B on 17 May and leaf 4 of both treatments on 14 June. The band intensity of final real‐time PCR products could be hardly distinguished on agarose gel amongst those samples with disease index >2.7, although their initial DNA amounts quantified by real‐time PCR were different, indicating the superiority of the real‐time PCR assay over those PCR assays estimating initial DNA input with end‐point measurement. All this shows that the real‐time PCR assay may serve as an alternative method for accurate assessment of the fungicide effects on M. graminicola leaf blotch.
Influence of Fusarium Crown Rot Disease on Semiochemical Production by Wheat Plants
Authors: Piesik D. , Wenda‐Piesik A. , Weaver D. K. , Morrill W. L. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractPlants infected by Fusarium spp. can emit volatile chemicals that differ both quantitatively and qualitatively from undamaged plants. In this experiment, pathogen infection increased the release of the secondary metabolites linalool, linalool oxide and β‐farnesene by wheat plants. The amounts of released metabolites varied significantly with Fusarium species. The time interval for the volatile collections within photophase also influenced the amount collected for each day. The increased emission of these compounds, as a result of infection, may be explained as a defence mechanism.
Similar GABAergic inputs in dentate granule cells born during embryonic and adult neurogenesis
Authors: Laplagne Diego A. , Kamienkowski Juan E. , Espósito M. Soledad , Piatti Verónica C. , Zhao Chunmei , Gage Fred H. , Schinder Alejandro F. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractNeurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus follows a unique temporal pattern that begins during embryonic development, peaks during the early postnatal stages and persists through adult life. We have recently shown that dentate granule cells born in early postnatal and adult mice acquire a remarkably similar afferent connectivity and firing behavior, suggesting that they constitute a homogeneous functional population [Laplagne et al. (2006)PLoS Biol., 4, e409]. Here we extend our previous study by comparing mature neurons born in the embryonic and adult hippocampus, with a focus on intrinsic membrane properties and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic synaptic inputs. For this purpose, dividing neuroblasts of the ventricular wall were retrovirally labeled with green fluorescent protein at embryonic day 15 (E15), and progenitor cells of the subgranular zone were labeled with red fluorescent protein in the same mice at postnatal day 42 (P42, adulthood). Electrophysiological properties of mature neurons born at either stage were then compared in the same brain slices. Evoked and spontaneous GABAergic postsynaptic responses of perisomatic and dendritic origin displayed similar characteristics in both neuronal populations. Miniature GABAergic inputs also showed similar functional properties and pharmacological profile. A comparative analysis of the present data with our previous observations rendered no significant differences among GABAergic inputs recorded from neurons born in the embryonic, early postnatal and adult mice. Yet, embryo‐born neurons showed a reduced membrane excitability, suggesting a lower engagement in network activity. Our results demonstrate that granule cells of different age, location and degree of excitability receive GABAergic inputs of equivalent functional characteristics.
5‐HT1B receptors in nucleus accumbens efferents enhance both rewarding and aversive effects of cocaine
Authors: Barot Sabiha K. , Ferguson Susan M. , Neumaier John F. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractWhether serotonin‐1B (5‐HT1B) receptor activation enhances or diminishes the reinforcing properties of psychostimulants remains unclear. We have previously shown that increased expression of 5‐HT1B receptors in nucleus accumbens (NAcc) shell neurons sensitized rats to the locomotor‐stimulating and rewarding properties of cocaine. In this study we further examined the contribution of 5‐HT1B receptors on the effect of cocaine under conditions intended to selectively influence either conditioned place preference or avoidance (CPP or CPA, respectively). Viral‐mediated gene transfer techniques were used to overexpress 5‐HT1B receptors in medial NAcc shell medium spiny neurons projecting to the ventral tegmental area. Animals were then conditioned to associate place cues with the effects of either a low (5 mg/kg) or moderately high (20 mg/kg) dosage of cocaine immediately or 45 min after intraperitoneal cocaine administration. Animals with increased 5‐HT1B expression showed cocaine‐induced CPP immediately after administration of the low 5 mg/kg dose of cocaine, but a CPA 45 min after administration of the high 20 mg/kg dose. Control animals showed no preference at the 5 mg/kg dose and a significant preference at 20 mg/kg. Given this, we believe that increased 5‐HT1B receptor activation in NAcc shell projection neurons intensifies both the rewarding and negative properties of cocaine use.
AMPA and NMDA receptor regulation of firing activity in 5‐HT neurons of the dorsal and median raphe nuclei
Authors: Gartside S. E. , Cole A. J. , Williams A. P. , McQuade R. , Judge S. J. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe glutamatergic regulation of 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) neuronal activity has not been extensively studied. Here, we used extracellular single unit recording in midbrain slices to examine glutamate receptor mediated effects on 5‐HT neuronal activity in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and the median raphe nucleus (MRN). Alpha‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA; 1 and 3 µm) concentration‐dependently increased firing in 5‐HT neurons in both the DRN and the MRN. The response to AMPA was blocked by the AMPA receptor antagonist, 6,7‐dinitroquinoxaline‐2,3(1H‐4H)‐dione (DNQX; 10 µm) but not the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, 2‐amino‐5‐phosphonopentanoic acid (AP‐5; 50 µm). NMDA (10–100 µm) also increased 5‐HT neuronal firing in a concentration‐dependent manner in both the DRN and MRN; a response that was blocked by AP‐5 (50 µm). In some DRN neurons the NMDA response was partially antagonized by DNQX (10 µm) suggesting that NMDA, as well as directly activating 5‐HT neurons, evokes local release of glutamate, which indirectly activates AMPA receptors on 5‐HT neurons. Responses of DRN 5‐HT neurons to AMPA and NMDA were enhanced by the γ‐amino‐butyric acid (GABA)A receptor antagonist, bicuculline (50 µm), suggesting that both AMPA and NMDA increase local release of GABA. Finally in the DRN the 5‐HT1A receptor antagonist, WAY100635 (100 nm), failed to enhance the response of 5‐HT neurons to AMPA and caused only a small increase in the excitatory response to NMDA suggesting a low degree of tonic activation of 5‐HT1A autoreceptors even when 5‐HT neuronal firing rate is high.
The nature of local recurrence after colorectal cancer resection
Authors: Thomson W. H. F. , Foy C. J. W. , Longman R. J. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractObjective  Local recurrence (LR) after rectal cancer resection has long been regarded as a particular problem, its incidence having been high. This study aims to determine the reasons why.Method  A prospective record was kept of all 887 cases of colorectal adenocarcinoma referred to one surgeon between 1989 and 2000. Of these, 802 underwent major resection. They were followed up for 5 years or until death.Results  There was no significant difference between LR rates throughout the colorectum (P = 0.74). LR was significantly related to tumour grade (P < 0.001) and to tumour stage (P < 0.001), but not to the need to resect involved adjacent structures (P = 0.08), nor, after restorative rectal resection, to the distal margin of clearance (P = 0.97). A difference became apparent between recurrence resulting from tumour left in or implanted into the operation field and tumour resulting from pre‐excision metastasis, here called, respectively, technique‐related (TLR) and pre‐excision metastatic (MLR) local recurrence. MLR was significantly related to tumour stage (P < 0.001), while TLR was not. Some TLR can be curatively excised.Conclusion  Rectal LR is no more common than colonic LR. There may be practical merit in discriminating between TLR and MLR.
Crohn's disease: systematic review of assessment of disease severity and its relevance to surgery
Authors: Dhruva Rao P. K. , Davies M. , Price P. E. , Torkington J. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground  The aims of treatments for Crohn's disease are symptom control by medical or surgical means and improvement in health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). A wide number of classification systems, instruments of disease activity measurement (DAM) and HRQOL are available, but few are used in routine surgical practice.Objective  To review the validity of DAM and HRQOL instruments and their applicability to surgically treated patients.Method  A systematic literature search was undertaken to identify these instruments. Qualifying articles were used to determine the construct, content and criterion validity of the instruments identified with respect to surgically treated patients.Results  Thirteen disease activity indices and 11 HRQOL assessment tools were identified. Construct validity was demonstrated throughout but concerns of content and criterion validity were noted.Conclusion  None of the current disease activity or HRQOL tools can be used without potential bias in a trial of surgical vs medical therapy as the items included favour the outcomes experienced following medical therapy. A more balanced assessment tool in the setting of a multidisciplinary trial is needed.
Excision of residual skin tags during stapled anopexy does not increase postoperative pain
Authors: Gerjy R. , Nyström P. O. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractObjective  We studied whether excision of residual external skin tags causes additional pain in patients undergoing a stapled anopexy for muco‐anal prolapse.Method  Seventeen patients in whom skin tags had been excised were compared with 24 patients having no excision. The patients were selected from a prospective database of haemorrhoid surgery if they had submitted a diary with self‐reported postoperative pain scores as well as a self‐reported symptom questionnaire preoperatively and postoperatively. The tags were excised with preservation of the subdermal fascia.Results  There were 41 patients who fulfilled the criteria for inclusion. Seventeen (group 1) had tags excised and 24 (group 2) did not. Fifty‐nine per cent in group 1 and 67% in group 2 experienced preoperative prolapse needing manual reposition. The mean height of the staple line was 2 cm above the dentate line in both groups. Daily average postoperative pain recorded as the sum of a self‐reported VAS rating over 14 days was 26 points in both groups. The peak pain experienced was 42 and 43 points respectively (not significant). Resolution of postoperative pain over 14 days was identical. The preoperative and postoperative symptom score was comparable in both groups.Conclusion  Excision of anal skin tags should be carried out at the time of stapled anopexy.
Laparoscopic appendicectomy: a training model for laparoscopic right hemicolectomy?
Authors: Pandey S. , Slawik S. , Cross K. , Soulsby R. , Pullyblank A. M. , Dixon A. R. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractObjective  To analyse the outcome of laparoscopic appendicectomy and right hemicolectomy and see if the surgical approach to the former can be applied to the latter.Method  A prospective electronic laparoscopic database identified 330 appendicectomies and 78 right hemicolectomies (using this approach) between 1996 and 2005.Results  Three hundred and thirty patients (188 males: median age 38 years, range 17–74 years) underwent laparoscopic appendicectomy; 270 (82%) were performed by trainees (higher surgical trainee 71%, basic surgical trainee 12%). The median operative time for trainees was 35 min (14–75 min) with a conversion rate 2%. There were no intra‐operative complications. The postoperative complication rate excluding minor wound infection (5.5%) was 1.5%. There were no deaths. The median hospital stay was 2 days (1–15 days). The 30‐day readmission rate was 1%. Seventy‐eight patients (23–93 years) underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy during 2004/5; trainees performed parts thereof in the majority or all of the surgery in 25 cases. The median operation time was 55 min: trainees 115 (65–145 min). There was one conversion. The median hospital stay was 4 days (2–23 days) falling to 3 for the last 20 operations (1–8 days). There were two readmissions for wound sepsis and small bowel obstruction and three deaths (3.8%): anastomotic leak (one), C difficile infection leading to renal failure (one) and duodenal perforation (one).Conclusion  Laparoscopic appendicectomy is a safe, predictable, easily learnt operation and an ideal model for learning the skills and principles required for more advanced laparoscopic colorectal interventions and in particular, right hemicolectomy.
Self‐everting ileostomy
Authors: MacKay G. , Goldberg J. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractObjective  Self‐everting ileostomy.Method  After delivering the small bowel through the trephine wound the bowel is opened and with time the mucosa migrates to the skin edge forming a spouted ileostomy.Results  Five patients underwent the self‐everting ileostomy with no stomal complications experienced. The end result is indistinguishable from a primarily sutured stoma.Conclusion  The self‐everting ileostomy can be a useful technique to get out of a difficult situation.