bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Historical biogeography and post‐glacial recolonization of South American temperate rain forest by the relictual marsupial Dromiciops gliroides
Authors: Himes Christopher M. T. , Gallardo Milton H. , Kenagy G. J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAim  Long‐term climatic variation has generated historical expansions and contractions of species ranges, with accompanying fragmentation and population bottlenecks, which are evidenced by spatial variation in genetic structure of populations. We examine here hypotheses concerning dispersal and vicariance in response to historical geoclimatic change and potential isolation produced by mountains and water barriers.Location  The temperate rain forest of southern South America, which is distributed from coastal Chile, including the large continental island of Chiloé, across the Andes into Argentina.Methods  We investigated our hypotheses in the phylogenetically and biogeographically relictual marsupial Dromiciops gliroides. We examined 56 specimens, which resulted from field samples and museum study skins from 21 localities. We evaluated the influence of two major barriers, the Andean cordillera and the waterway between the mainland and the large island of Chiloé, by performing Bayesian and maximum‐likelihood phylogenetic analyses on sequences of 877 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA. We further tested the contribution of the proposed geographical barriers using analysis of molecular variance (amova). We also evaluated the responses of populations to historical north–south shifts of habitat associated with glacial history and sea‐level change.Results  Our analyses revealed a phylogeny with three clades, two of which are widespread and contain nearly all the haplotypes: a northern clade (36–39° S) and a southern clade (40–43° S). These two clades contain forms from both sides of the Andes. Within the southern clade, island and mainland forms were not significantly differentiated. Tests of recent demographic change revealed that southern populations have experienced recent expansion, whereas northern populations exhibit long‐term stability. The direction of recent gene flow and range expansion is predominantly from Chile to Argentina, with a modest reciprocal exchange across the Andes. Recent gene flow from the island of Chiloé to the mainland is also supported.Main conclusions  The genetic structure of contemporary D. gliroides populations suggests recent gene flow across the Andes and between the mainland and the island of Chiloé. Differences in demographic history that we detected between northern and southern populations have resulted from historical southward shifts of habitat associated with glacial recession in South America. Our results add to a growing literature that demonstrates the value of genetic data to illuminate how environmental history shapes species range and population structure.
Mapping the evolutionary twilight zone: molecular markers, populations and geography
Authors: Diniz‐Filho José Alexandre Felizola , De Campos Telles Mariana Pires , Bonatto Sandro L. , Eizirik Eduardo , De Freitas Thales Renato O. , De Marco Paulo , Santos Fabrício R. , Sole‐Cava Antônio , Soares Thannya Nascimento 
Published: April 2008

AbstractSince evolutionary processes, such as dispersal, adaptation and drift, occur in a geographical context, at multiple hierarchical levels, biogeography provides a central and important unifying framework for understanding the patterns of distribution of life on Earth. However, the advent of molecular markers has allowed a clearer evaluation of the relationships between microevolutionary processes and patterns of genetic divergence among populations in geographical space, triggering the rapid development of many research programmes. Here we provide an overview of the interpretation of patterns of genetic diversity in geographical and ecological space, using both implicit and explicit spatial approaches. We discuss the actual or potential interaction ofphylogeography,molecular ecology,ecological genetics,geographical genetics,landscape geneticsandconservation geneticswith biogeography, identifying their respective roles and their ability to deal with ecological and evolutionary processes at different levels of the biological hierarchy. We also discuss how each of these research programmes can improve strategies for biodiversity conservation. A unification of these research programmes is needed to better achieve their goals, and to do this it is important to develop cross‐disciplinary communication and collaborations among geneticists, ecologists, biogeographers and spatial statisticians.
Dietary assessment in children with juvenile chronic arthritis
Authors: Portinsson S. , Åkesson A. , Svantesson H. , Akesson B. 
Published: April 2008

Dietary habits and nutrient intake were studied in girls with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) and in healthy controls. The intake of iron and vitamin D was lower than the recommended dietary allowances in both groups, while the intake of the other nutrients studied were close to or exceeded the recommendations. Only minor differences in nutrient intake between patients and controls were observed.The interindividual variation in dietary habits was considerable in both groups. The girls with JCA consumed less fruit, vegetables and juices and also ate these foods less often in composite meals. The intake of ascorbic acid was positively correlated with plasma ascorbic acid concentration, but no correlation of plasma concentration of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D and α‐tocopherol with the consumption of the respective vitamin was found.
Treatment of classic Kaposi sarcoma with a nicotine dermal patch: a phase II clinical trial
Authors: Goedert JJ , Scoppio BM , Pfeiffer R , Neve L , Federici AB , Long LR , Dolan BM , Brambati M , Bellinvia M , Lauria C , Preiss L , Boneschi V , Whitby D , Brambilla L 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground  Kaposi sarcoma (KS), a malignancy of dermal endothelial cells that is caused by human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) infection, is sensitive to perturbations of immunity. Nicotine might be effective against KS because of its immunologic and vascular effects and because smoking is associated with a low risk of KS.Objective and study design  We conducted a masked, randomized phase 2 clinical trial of transdermal nicotine and placebo patches to assess the safety and efficacy of nicotine against classic KS (cKS).Subjects and methods  Three cKS lesions, predominantly nodules, in each of 24 non‐smoking patients were randomly assigned to 15 weeks continuous treatment with nicotine patch (escalated to 7 mg), identical masked placebo patch or no patch. Changes in lesion area and elevation from baseline through six follow‐up visits, by direct measurement and by two independent readers using digital photographs of the lesions, were compared using non‐parametric and regression methods. Changes in longitudinal levels of HHV8 antibodies and DNA in blood cells were similarly assessed.Results  There were no systemic or serious adverse events, and compliance was good. One patient resumed smoking and discontinued patches, and two patients withdrew at week 12 for unrelated indications. Six (29%) of the remaining 21 suspended use of patches to relieve local skin irritation; four of these six completed the trial at reduced dose. Treatment assignment was not associated with significant or consistent changes in cKS lesion area or elevation, HHV8 viral load or antibodies.Conclusion  Transdermal nicotine and placebo patches caused no serious toxicities but had no demonstrable effect on nodular cKS lesions or HHV8 levels.
The Impact of Checking the Health of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities on Primary Care Consultation Rates, Health Promotion and Contact with Specialists
Authors: Felce David , Baxter Helen , Lowe Kathy , Dunstan Frank , Houston Helen , Jones Glyn , Grey Jill , Felce Janet , Kerr Michael 
Published: April 2008

Background  Studies have found that health checking in primary care led to the identification of previously unrecognized morbidity among adults with intellectual disabilities. The aim here was to evaluate whether health checking stimulated increased consultation with the general practitioner or another member of the primary care team, increased health promotion actions undertaken outside the health check or increased contact with specialists.Method  Data on the above three categories of activity were abstracted from the medical records of 77 adult participants with intellectual disabilities for eight 6‐month periods before and seven 6 month periods after they had undergone a health check. Comparisons of access to care before and after the health check were made using non‐parametric statistics.Results  On average, participants had 5.4 and 1.8 primary care and specialist consultations per year respectively. There were no significant differences in either rate before and after the health check. The frequency of health promotion actions increased significantly after the health check from a mean of 1.2 to 2.2/year.Conclusions  Comparison of the primary care and specialist consultations rates of people with intellectual disabilities with those for the general population might suggest that the former have greater access to these services. However, comparison to the general practitioner consultation rates of patients with other chronic conditions would seem to indicate that contact with primary care may not be commensurate with need. Attention to health promotion is inadequate. Further research is required to substantiate whether health checking increases health promotion and how increased health promotion activity would affect the health of this population.
The facial skeleton of the chimpanzee‐human last common ancestor
Authors: Cobb Samuel N. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis review uses the current morphological evidence to evaluate the facial morphology of the hypothetical last common ancestor (LCA) of the chimpanzee/bonobo (panin) and human (hominin) lineages. Some of the problems involved in reconstructing ancestral morphologies so close to the formation of a lineage are discussed. These include the prevalence of homoplasy and poor phylogenetic resolution due to a lack of defining derived features. Consequently the list of hypothetical features expected in the face of the LCA is very limited beyond its hypothesized similarity to extant Pan. It is not possible to determine with any confidence whether the facial morphology of any of the current candidate LCA taxa (Ardipithecus kadabba, Ardipithecus ramidus, Orrorin tugenensis and Sahelanthropus tchadensis) is representative of the LCA, or a stem hominin, or a stem panin or, in some cases, a hominid predating the emergence of the hominin lineage. The major evolutionary trends in the hominin lineage subsequent to the LCA are discussed in relation to the dental arcade and dentition, subnasal morphology and the size, position and prognathism of the facial skeleton.
The hominin fossil record: taxa, grades and clades
Authors: Wood Bernard , Lonergan Nicholas 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis paper begins by reviewing the fossil evidence for human evolution. It presents summaries of each of the taxa recognized in a relatively speciose hominin taxonomy. These taxa are grouped in grades, namely possible and probable hominins, archaic hominins, megadont archaic hominins, transitional hominins, pre‐modern Homo and anatomically modern Homo. The second part of this contribution considers some of the controversies that surround hominin taxonomy and systematics. The first is the vexed question of how you tell an early hominin from an early panin, or from taxa belonging to an extinct clade closely related to the Pan‐Homo clade. Secondly, we consider how many species should be recognized within the hominin fossil record, and review the philosophies and methods used to identify taxa within the hominin fossil record. Thirdly, we examine how relationships within the hominin clade are investigated, including descriptions of the methods used to break down an integrated structure into tractable analytical units, and then how cladograms are generated and compared. We then review the internal structure of the hominin clade, including the problem of how many subclades should be recognized within the hominin clade, and we examine the reliability of hominin cladistic hypotheses. The last part of the paper reviews the concepts of a genus, including the criteria that should be used for recognizing genera within the hominin clade.
Neuronal pigmented autophagic vacuoles: lipofuscin, neuromelanin, and ceroid as macroautophagic responses during aging and disease
Authors: Sulzer David , Mosharov Eugene , Talloczy Zsolt , Zucca Fabio A. , Simon John D. , Zecca Luigi 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe most striking morphologic change in neurons during normal aging is the accumulation of autophagic vacuoles filled with lipofuscin or neuromelanin pigments. These organelles are similar to those containing the ceroid pigments associated with neurologic disorders, particularly in diseases caused by lysosomal dysfunction. The pigments arise from incompletely degraded proteins and lipids principally derived from the breakdown of mitochondria or products of oxidized catecholamines. Pigmented autophagic vacuoles may eventually occupy a major portion of the neuronal cell body volume because of resistance of the pigments to lysosomal degradation and/or inadequate fusion of the vacuoles with lysosomes. Although the formation of autophagic vacuoles via macroautophagy protects the neuron from cellular stress, accumulation of pigmented autophagic vacuoles may eventually interfere with normal degradative pathways and endocytic/secretory tasks such as appropriate response to growth factors.
Changes in endoplasmic reticulum stress proteins and aldolase A in cells exposed to dopamine
Authors: Dukes April A. , Van Laar Victor S. , Cascio Michael , Hastings Teresa G. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIn Parkinson’s disease, oxidative stress is implicated in protein misfolding and aggregation, which may activate the unfolded protein response by the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Dopamine (DA) can initiate oxidative stress via H2O2 formation by DA metabolism and by oxidation into DA quinone. We have previously shown that DA quinone induces oxidative protein modification, mitochondrial dysfunction in vitro, and dopaminergic cell toxicity in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we used cysteine‐ and lysine‐reactive fluorescent dyes with 2D difference in‐gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, and peptide mass fingerprint analysis to identify proteins in PC12 cell mitochondrial‐enriched fractions that were altered in abundance following DA exposure (150 μM, 16 h). Quantitative changes in proteins labeled with fluorescent dyes indicated increases in a subset of proteins after DA exposure: calreticulin, ERp29, ERp99, Grp58, Grp78, Grp94 and Orp150 (149–260%), and decreased levels of aldolase A (39–42%). Changes in levels of several proteins detected by 2D difference in‐gel electrophoresis were confirmed by western blot. Using this unbiased proteomics approach, our findings demonstrated that in PC12 cells, DA exposure leads to a cellular response indicative of ER stress prior to the onset of cell death, providing a potential link between DA and the unfolded protein response in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease.
Exploratory Analysis of Cerebral Oxygen Reserves During Sleep Onset in Older and Younger Adults
Authors: Carlson Barbara W. , Neelon Virginia J. , Carlson John R. , Hartman Marilyn , Dogra Sunil 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVES: To explore differences in cerebral oxygen reserves during sleep in old and young adults.DESIGN: Descriptive cross‐sectional study.SETTING: General clinical research center.PARTICIPANTS: Nine old (aged 65–84) and 10 young (aged 21–39) adults.MEASUREMENTS: Subjects were monitored during the first nightly sleep cycle using standard polysomnography, including measures of arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO2). Changes in regional cerebral oxyhemoglobin saturation (rcSO2) were used to estimate cerebral oxygen reserves. General linear models were used to test group differences in the change in SaO2 and rcSO2 during sleep.RESULTS: Older subjects had lower SaO2 than young subjects before sleep (baseline) (F(1,18)=5.1, P=.04) and during sleep (F(1,18)=10.7, P=.01). During sleep, half of the older subjects and none of the younger ones had SaO2 values below 95%. In addition, the older subjects had more periods of oxygen desaturation (drops in SaO2≥4%) (chi‐square=24.3, P=.01) and lower SaO2 levels during desaturation (F(1,18)=11.1, P<.01). Although baseline values were similar, rcSO2 decreased during sleep 2.1% in older subjects (F(1,8)=3.8, P=.05) but increased 2.1% during sleep in younger subjects (F(1,9)=4.6, P=.04). When the older subjects awakened from sleep, rcSO2, but not SaO2, returned to baseline; both returned to baseline in younger subjects.CONCLUSION: This exploratory analysis generated the hypothesis that lower SaO2, combined with declines in regional blood flow, contributes to decline in cerebral oxygen reserves during sleep in older subjects. Further study will assess the effects of factors (e.g., medical conditions, subclinical disorders, and sleep architecture) that might account for these differences.
T‐Lymphocytes Expressing CC Chemokine Receptor‐5 Are Increased in Frail Older Adults
Authors: De Fanis Umberto , Wang George C. , Fedarko Neal S. , Walston Jeremy D. , Casolaro Vincenzo , Leng Sean X. 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the frequencies of T‐lymphocytes expressing CC chemokine receptor‐5 (CCR5+ T‐cells) and their relationship with frailty in older adults.DESIGN: Case‐control study with an age‐, race‐, and sex‐matched design.SETTING: General Clinical Research Center.PARTICIPANTS: Community‐dwelling adults aged 72 and older from Baltimore, Maryland.METHODS: Frailty was determined using five validated criteria: weakness, slow walking speed, fatigue, low physical activity, and weight loss. Those meeting three or more of these five criteria were defined as frail and those with none as nonfrail. Complete blood counts were performed to obtain peripheral lymphocyte counts using an automated (Coulter) counter. Peripheral blood was collected for surface immunofluorescent staining of CCR5 and other T‐cell markers.RESULTS: Twenty‐six frail and matched nonfrail participants (mean age±standard deviation 83.8±5.3, range 72–94) completed the study. Frail participants had higher CCR5+, CCR5+CD8+, and CCR5+CD45RO− T‐cell counts than matched nonfrail controls (349±160/mm3 vs 194±168/mm3, P=.02; 208±98/mm3 vs 105±62/mm3, P=.02; and 189±149/mm3 vs 52±36/mm3, P=.01; respectively). Furthermore, there was a trend toward graded increase in these T‐cell counts across the frailty scores in frail participants (e.g., CCR5+CD8+ counts of 123±52/mm3, 248±115/mm3, and 360±215/mm3 for those with frailty scores of 3, 4, and 5, respectively).CONCLUSION: These initial results suggest an expansion of the CCR5+ T‐cell subpopulation in frailty. They provide a basis for further characterization of CCR5+ T‐cells and their role in frailty, with potential therapeutic implications.
Carvedilol Versus Controlled‐Release Metoprolol for Elderly Veterans with Heart Failure
Authors: Rector Thomas S. , Anand Inder S. , Nelson David B. , Ensrud Kristine E. 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVES: To characterize prescribing of carvedilol and controlled‐release (CR) metoprolol for veterans with heart failure who were predominantly elderly (aged ≥65) and to compare the time to first hospitalization or death.DESIGN: Retrospective cohort.SETTING: Veterans Health Administration (VHA) nationwide healthcare system.SUBJECTS: Veterans enrolled in fee‐for‐service Medicare that had a VHA diagnosis of heart failure and a first prescription for carvedilol (n=17,429) or CR metoprolol (n=8,683) between October 1999 and September 2003.MEASUREMENTS: Prescribed daily doses and CR metoprolol‐to‐carvedilol hazard ratios (HRs) estimated using Cox regression within strata defined according to propensity to prescribe carvedilol.RESULTS: After several months, the majority of prescribed doses in both cohorts were less than 50% of target doses. The risk‐adjusted HR was 0.99 (95% confidence interval=0.96–1.03) for hospitalization or death and 0.91 (0.85–0.96) for death alone.CONCLUSION: Doses of beta‐blockers being prescribed to predominantly elderly veterans with heart failure were much lower than proven doses. Whether efforts to increase doses can improve the effectiveness of beta‐blocker therapy warrants further study. At the prescribed doses, CR metoprolol was associated with better survival than carvedilol, although unmeasured confounding variables might explain the observed difference in survival.
Predictors of 6‐Month Mortality in Elderly Patients with Mild Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Discharged from a Medical Ward After Acute Nonacidotic Exacerbation
Authors: Ranieri Piera , Bianchetti Angelo , Margiotta Alessandro , Virgillo Adriana , Clini Enrico M. , Trabucchi Marco 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVES: To identify clinical outcomes and variables associated with 6‐month mortality in very elderly patients admitted for nonacidotic acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.SETTING: General medicine acute care ward.PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred forty‐four elderly patients with COPD (mean age±standard deviation 82±7, 55.7% female) admitted to the hospital because of non‐acidotic AECOPD.MEASUREMENTS: Cognitive and mood status and physiological variables were measured. Self‐reported comorbidities were assessed using the Charlson Comorbidity Index. In‐hospital and long‐term mortality and clinical outcomes were recorded.RESULTS: At admission, this elderly population with AECOPD had low cognitive performance (mean Mini‐Mental State Examination score 21±5), no presence of significant depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale score 4±3), good nutritional status (body mass index (BMI) 25.1±5.5), moderate comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index 4.0±1.9), high functional disability (Barthel Index (BI) 52±34), and moderate severity of acute exacerbation (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score 9.7±4.2). Two hundred twenty‐five inpatients with AECOPD were successfully discharged, whereas 15 were transferred to the intensive care unit, and four died in the hospital. The 6‐month cumulative mortality rate in discharged patients with AECOPD was 20%. Multivariate Cox analysis shows that lower BMI (β=−0.16; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.73–0.99), higher APACHE II score (β=0,17; 95% CI=1.03–1.36), and lower BI at discharge (β=−0.02; 95% CI=0.96–0.99) were independently associated with 6‐month mortality.CONCLUSION: Malnutrition, severity of exacerbation and disability status could be identified as risk factors associated with 6‐month mortality of elderly patients admitted for nonacidotic AECOPD.