bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Home range dynamics of the yellow‐footed rock‐wallaby (Petrogale xanthopus celeris) in central‐western Queensland
Authors: SHARP ANDY 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAnalyses of the interspecific differences in macropod home range size suggest that habitat productivity exerts a greater influence on range size than does body mass. This relationship is also apparent within the rock‐wallaby genus. Lim reported that yellow‐footed rock‐wallabies (Petrogale xanthopus xanthopus) inhabiting the semi‐arid Flinders Ranges (South Australia) had a mean home range of 170 ha. While consistent with the hypothesis that species inhabiting less productive habitats will require larger ranges to fulfil their energetic requirements, the ranges reported by Lim were considerably larger than those observed for heavier sympatric macropods. The aim of the current study was to document the home range dynamics of P. x. celeris in central‐western Queensland and undertake a comparison with those reported for their southern counterparts. Wallaby movements were monitored at Idalia National Park, between winter 1992 and winter 1994. Male foraging ranges (95% fixed kernel; 15.4 ha, SD = ±7.8 ha) were found to be significantly larger than those of female wallabies (11.3 ha, SD = ±4.9 ha). Because of varying distances to the wallabies' favoured foraging ground (i.e. an adjacent herb field), the direction in which the wallabies moved to forage also significantly affected range size. Mean home range size was estimated to be 23.5 ha (SD = ±15.2 ha; 95% fixed kernel) and 67.5 ha (SD = ±22.4 ha; 100% minimum convex polygon). The discrepancy between these two estimates resulted from the exclusion of locations, from the 95% kernel estimates, when the wallabies moved to a water source 1.5 km distant from the colony site. The observed foraging and home ranges approximated those that could be expected for a macropod inhabiting the semi‐arid zone (i.e. 2.4 times larger‐than‐predicted from body mass alone). Possible reasons for the disparity between the current study and that of Lim are examined.
Mammal mycophagy and fungal spore dispersal across a steep environmental gradient in eastern Australia
Authors: VERNES KARL , DUNN LINDA 
Published: January 2009

AbstractWe examined changes in the types of fungi consumed by six species of small mammals across a habitat gradient in north‐eastern New South Wales that graded from swamp, to woodland, to open forest and then to rainforest. All mammals ate some fungus, but only bush rats (Rattus fuscipes) regularly did so, and their diet included most of the fungal taxa that we identified across all mammals in the study. The composition of bush rat diet changed significantly with each change in habitat from woodland, to forest, to rainforest. In particular, there was a significant difference in the diets of rats caught either side of the open forest‐rainforest ecotone, which marks the change in fungal community from one dominated by ectomycorrhizal fungi, to a community dominated by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Movement patterns of bush rats living around the open forest‐rainforest ecotone suggest that they transport fungal spores between these contrasting fungal communities. Therefore, bush rats have the potential, by way of spore dispersal, to influence the structure of vegetation communities.
Local richness and distribution of the lizard fauna in natural habitat mosaics of the Brazilian Cerrado
Authors: NOGUEIRA CRISTIANO , COLLI GUARINO R. , MARTINS MARCIO 
Published: January 2009

AbstractWe investigate local lizard richness and distribution in central Brazilian Cerrado, harbouring one of the least studied herpetofaunas in the Neotropical region. Our results are based on standardized samplings at 10 localities, involving 2917 captures of 57 lizard species in 10 families. Local richness values exceeded most presented in earlier studies and varied from 13 to 28 species, with modal values between 19 and 28 species. Most of the Cerrado lizard fauna is composed of habitat‐specialists with patchy distributions in the mosaic of grasslands, savannas and forests, resulting in habitat‐structured lizard assemblages. Faunal overlap between open and forested habitats is limited, and forested and open areas may act as mutual barriers to lizard distribution. Habitat use is influenced by niche conservatism in deep lineages, with iguanians and gekkotans showing higher use of forested habitats, whereas autarchoglossans are richer and more abundant in open habitats. Contrary to trends observed in Cerrado birds and large mammals, lizard richness is significantly higher in open, interfluvial habitats that dominate the Cerrado landscape. Between‐localities variation in lizard richness seems tied to geographical distance, landscape history and phylogenetic constraints, factors operating in other well‐studied lizard faunas in open environments. Higher richness in dominant, open interfluvial habitats may be recurrent in Squamata and other small‐bodied vertebrates, posing a threat to conservation as these habitats are most vulnerable to the fast, widespread and ongoing process of habitat destruction in central Brazil.
Dissipating or Diffusing Aggression after Non‐maternal Childcare? Commentary on a Novel Hypothesis
Authors: Linting Mariëlle , Van IJzendoorn Marinus H. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractIn an intriguing account, the hypothesis is proposed that elevating effects of quantity of childcare on aggression might not, as other research has suggested, be dissipating over time, but instead be diffusing across groups of children. Paradoxically, this diffusion may also affect children with little or no experience with non‐maternal care. If supported, this hypothesis may cause great concern about the increasing childcare use in western countries. In this commentary, we take a closer look at this hypothesis, focusing on limitations in ethnic and cultural diversity of the available data, on the inconclusive role of temperament, on the causal nature of some conclusions, and on the role of the father as a non‐maternal caregiver.
The Success of Currency Reforms to End Great Inflations: An Empirical Analysis of 34 High Inflations
Authors: Bernholz Peter , Kugler Peter 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe estimation of an ordered probit model for currency reforms attempting to end 31 hyperinflations and three huge inflations of the twentieth century shows that the introduction of an independent central bank and the adoption of a credibly fixed exchange rate are crucial for the success of a currency reform. In addition, currency reforms are demonstrated to be more difficult in centrally planned economies than in market economies.
An Alternative Core Inflation Measure
Authors: Pedersen Michael 
Published: January 2009

AbstractWe combine the ideas of the trimmed mean and the Edgeworth index to construct an alternative measure of core inflation named ‘Trim of Most Volatile Components (TMVC)’. At each point of time, this measure trims away the components of the price index that have been most volatile in the recent past. Statistical tests indicate that neither the trimmed mean nor the Edgeworth index dominates the TMVC in terms of tracking trend inflation.
Money Market Uncertainty and Retail Interest Rate Fluctuations: A Cross-Country Comparison
Authors: Raunig Burkhard , Scharler Johann 
Published: January 2009

Abstract
This paper analyzes empirically the relationship between money market uncertainty and unexpected deviations in retail interest rates in a sample of ten OECD countries.We find that, with the exception of the United States, money market uncertainty has only a modest impact on the conditional volatility of retail interest rates. Even for the United States, we find that the effects of money market uncertainty are spread out over time. Our results also indicate that money market uncertainty tends to be passed on to retail rates to a lesser extent in countries where banking relationships play a substantial role.
Cutaneous lymphomas showing prominent granulomatous component: clinicopathological features in a series of 16 cases
Authors: Gallardo F , García‐Muret MP , Servitje O , Estrach T , Bielsa I , Salar A , Abella E , Barranco C , Pujol RM 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBackground  The presence of a prominent granulomatous tissue reaction in skin biopsies from primary cutaneous or systemic malignant lymphomas with secondary cutaneous involvement is a rare but well‐known phenomenon.Objective  This paper aims to characterize and study a series of cutaneous lymphomas showing a prominent granulomatous component.Patients and methods  The clinical, histopathological and evolutive features of granulomatous variants of mycosis fungoides (5 patients, 2 of them associating ‘granulomatous slack skin’ features), Sézary syndrome (1 patient), CD30+ cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (2 patients), CD4+ small/medium pleomorphic cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (1 patient), primary cutaneous B‐cell lymphoma (3 patients) and peripheral T‐cell lymphoma with secondary epithelioid granulomatous cutaneous involvement (4 patients) were reviewed.Results  The observed features were clinically non‐distinctive. Only those cases presenting with granulomatous slack skin features were clinically suspected (2 patients). Non‐necrotizing granulomata (11 patients) and granuloma annulare‐like (4 patients) were the most frequently observed histopathological patterns. In five cases, no diagnostic lymphomatous involvement was initially observed. From our series, no definite conclusions regarding prognosis could be established.Conclusion  The diagnosis of cutaneous lymphoma may be difficult when a prominent cutaneous granulomatous inflammatory infiltrate obscures the true neoplastic nature of the condition. However, the presence of concomitant lymphoid atypia may help to suspect the diagnosis. In doubtful cases, the clinical evolution and the demonstration of a monoclonal lymphoid B‐ or T‐cell population may lead to a definite diagnosis.Conflicts of interestNone declared.
Tacrolimus ointment 0.1% in the treatment of allergic contact eyelid dermatitis
Authors: Katsarou A , Armenaka M , Vosynioti V , Lagogianni E , Kalogeromitros D , Katsambas A 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBackground  Tacrolimus inhibits T‐lymphocyte activation and dermal Langerhans’ cells, without the side‐effects of corticosteroids. The safety profile of tacrolimus makes it a promising therapeutic option for dermatitis affecting the delicate periorbital skin.Objective  To access the efficacy and tolerability of tacrolimus ointment 0.1% in the treatment of allergic contact eyelid dermatitis.Patients and methods  Twenty adults (16 women, 4 men) with eyelid dermatitis and with at least one positive patch test reaction to relevant contact allergens were treated with topical tacrolimus in a prospective, open‐label, non‐comparative clinical study. Dermatitis was graded at baseline, at day 30 and day 60, using a 4‐point grading system for the following parameters: erythema, oedema, scaling, lichenification, fissuring (investigator assessment) and burning/stinging and pruritus (patient assessment).Results  All patients completed the study. Erythema, oedema, scaling and lichenification showed improvement from baseline to 30 days of treatment (P < 0.001), but fissuring was not significantly affected. At 60 days, no further improvement of these investigator parameters was observed. Patient parameters improved significantly by day 30 (P < 0.004) and there was a trend for further improvement at the end of 60 days (for burning, P = 0.046; for pruritus, P = 0.059). Ten per cent of patients mentioned burning and itching, at the application site, during the first days of treatment. No other adverse events were observed.Conclusion  Topical tacrolimus is a promising alternative in patients with allergic contact eyelid dermatitis. Therapy was effective by 1 month and was well tolerated. These preliminary results merit a larger, controlled, study.Conflict of interestThis study was not funded by a drug company, and none of the investigators have received financial support/grants by the makers of the drug tacrolimus.
Restraint Procedures and Challenging Behaviours in Intellectual Disability: An Analysis of Causative Factors
Authors: Matson Johnny L. , Boisjoli Jessica A. 
Published: January 2009

Background  Persons with intellectual disability often evince challenging behaviours. Efforts have been underway for some time to develop prosocial or positive skill acquisition treatments to address challenging behaviours. However, physical/mechanical and chemical restraint is still commonly used in many clinical and community settings. Such interventions may be planned or unplanned and in some cases implemented by staff/parents with little training.Method  Physical/mechanical and chemical restraint and the factors that may result in the use and maintenance of restraint are reviewed.Results  The type, rate and intensity of challenging behaviours, and the age of the affected individual and residential placement appear to be among the major factors that put these persons at risk for restraint.Conclusions  Restraint is still a commonly used intervention employed with people with challenging behaviours. Physical and chemical restraint should be used as a last resort, part of a planned programme, and implemented by trained people.
Developmental regulation of tau phosphorylation, tau kinases, and tau phosphatases
Authors: Yu Yang , Run Xiaoqin , Liang Zhihou , Li Yi , Liu Fei , Liu Ying , Iqbal Khalid , Grundke‐Iqbal Inge , Gong Cheng‐Xin 
Published: January 2009

AbstractTau is a neuronal microtubule‐associated protein. Its hyperphosphorylation plays a critical role in Alzheimer disease (AD). Expression and phosphorylation of tau are regulated developmentally, but its dynamic regulation and the responsible kinases or phosphatases remain elusive. Here, we studied the developmental regulation of tau in rats during development from embryonic day 15 through the age of 24 months. We found that tau expression increased sharply during the embryonic stage and then became relatively stable, whereas tau phosphorylation was much higher in developing brain than in mature brain. However, the extent of tau phosphorylation at seven of the 14 sites studied was much less in developing brain than in AD brain. Tau phosphorylation during development matched the period of active neurite outgrowth in general. Tau phosphorylation at various sites had different topographic distributions. Several tau kinases appeared to regulate tau phosphorylation collectively at overlapping sites, and the decrease of overall tau phosphorylation in adult brain might be due to the higher levels of tau phosphatases in mature brain. These studies provide new insight into the developmental regulation of site‐specific tau phosphorylation and identify the likely sites required for the abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau in AD.
The essential role of ERK in 4‐oxo‐2‐nonenal‐mediated cytotoxicity in SH‐SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Lee Hyun‐Pil , Zhu Xiaochun , Zhu Xiongwei , Skidmore S. Chad , Perry George , Sayre Lawrence M. , Smith Mark A. , Lee Hyoung‐gon 
Published: January 2009

AbstractLipid peroxidation byproducts, such as 4‐hydroxynonenal (HNE) and 4‐oxo‐2‐nonenal (ONE), induce cell death in a wide variety of cell types, partly by modulating intracellular signaling pathways. However, the specific mechanisms involved, particularly for ONE, are unclear while c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) has been shown to be essential in HNE‐mediated cytotoxicity. In this study, we examined the role of mitogen‐activated protein kinases signaling pathways in ONE‐induced cytotoxicity in SH‐SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells and found that ONE strongly induces the phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and JNK, but not p38 MAPK. Interestingly, a transient exposure of the cells to ONE resulted in cell death, which contrasts with HNE‐mediated toxicity. Importantly, blocking the ERK pathway, but not the JNK pathway, protected cells against ONE‐induced cytotoxicity indicating a striking difference between the ONE‐ and HNE‐mediated cytotoxicity mechanisms. Furthermore, inhibition of ERK reduced ONE‐induced phosphorylation of p53, a key modulator of the cellular stress response, and the proteolytic cleavage of poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP), a hallmark of apoptosis. Overall, these data strongly suggest that ERK plays an essential role in ONE‐mediated cytotoxicity and that ERK is an upstream component of p53‐mediated apoptosis.
MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF SPECIES OF THE GENUS CENTROCERAS (CERAMIACEAE, CERAMIALES), INCLUDING TWO NEW SPECIES1
Authors: Won Boo Yeon , Cho Tae Oh , Fredericq Suzanne 
Published: January 2009

Centroceras clavulatum (C. Agardh) Montagne is widely reported as being a prime example of a cosmopolitan red algal species. Instead, C. clavulatum is here determined as restricted to northern Chile, Peru, southern California, southern Australia, and New Zealand. Specimens identified using the current species concept for “C. clavulatum” fall into nine morphological groups that correspond to highly supported clades in phylogenetic analyses. Three of these clades correspond to the resurrected species Centroceras gasparrinii (Meneghini) Kützing, C. hyalacanthum Kützing, and C. micracanthum Kützing. Two others are recognized as new species: Centroceras rodmanii sp. nov. from southern Chile, which is characterized by hooked spines arranged in a whorl at the node, a spine or flattened gland cell cut off from the first cortical initials, and a single acropetal cortical cell issued from the second cortical initials; and C. tetrachotomum sp. nov. from South Africa, which has a tetrachotomous branching pattern, straight spines in a whorl, an acropetal cortical cell and a spine or a flattened gland cell cut off from the first cortical initials, and a two‐celled acropetal filament cut off from the second cortical initials. Three additional species from South Africa are also recognized as distinct species. All phylogenetic analyses of the rbcL gene, LSU rDNA, and SSU rDNA were consistent with the vegetative and tetrasporangial morphological distinctions, thus supporting the resurrection of three species and the description of two new species.
High expression of BCL3 in human myeloma cells is associated with increased proliferation and inferior prognosis
Authors: Brenne Anne‐Tove , Fagerli Unn‐Merete , Shaughnessy Jr John D. , Våtsveen Thea Kristin , Rø Torstein Baade , Hella Hanne , Zhan Fenghuang , Barlogie Bart , Sundan Anders , Børset Magne , Waage Anders 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBackground:  BCL3 is a putative oncogene encoding for a protein belonging to the inhibitory κB‐family. We experienced that this putative oncogene was a common target gene for growth‐promoting cytokines in myeloma cell lines.Methods:  Gene expression of BCL3 was studied in 351 newly diagnosed myeloma patients, 12 patients with smouldering myeloma, 44 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and 22 healthy individuals. Smaller material of samples was included for mRNA detection by RT‐PCR, protein detection by Western blot and immunohistochemistry, and for cytogenetic studies. A total of eight different myeloma cell lines were studied.Results:  Bcl‐3 was induced in myeloma cell lines by interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐21, IL‐15, tumor necrosis factor‐α and IGF‐1, and its upregulation was associated with increased proliferation of the cells. In a population of 351 patients, expression levels of BCL3 above 75th percentile were associated with shorter 5‐yr survival. When this patient population was divided into subgroups based on molecular classification, BCL3 was significantly increased in a poor risk subgroup characterized by overexpression of cell cycle and proliferation related genes. Intracellular localization of Bcl‐3 was dependent on type of stimulus given to the cell.Conclusion:  BCL3 is a common target gene for several growth‐promoting cytokines in myeloma cells and high expression of BCL3 at the time of diagnosis is associated with poor prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). These data may indicate a potential oncogenic role for Bcl‐3 in MM.
Microcirculatory modifications of psoriatic lesions during topical therapy
Authors: Rosina Paolo , Giovannini Andrea , Gisondi Paolo , Girolomoni Giampiero 
Published: January 2009

Background/purpose: Videocapillaroscopy (VCP) can be used to explore microcirculatory modifications in skin diseases. Psoriasis presents a specifically altered capillaroscopic pattern with ‘bushy’ capillaries and a disarranged microangioarchitecture. The aim of the present study is to compare the clinical and capillaroscopic modifications of a psoriatic target lesion during topical therapy.Methods: Thirty patients with chronic plaque psoriasis were included in the study. Clinical and capillaroscopic modifications in comparable lesions of the elbows were analyzed during different topical therapies (calcipotriol, betamethasone dipropionate and calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate) at baseline, and after 15 and 30 days of therapy. A clinical global score (modified Psoriasis Area Severity Index), the mecapillary density per square mm and the mean diameter of capillary loops were measured.Results: Topical therapy with combined betamethasone dipropionate and calcipotriol induced a higher decrease in erythema, infiltration and desquamation (P<0.001), and a significant reduction of the mean ‘bush’ diameter (P<0.001) and capillary number/mm2 (P<0.05) compared with betamethasone and calcipotriol alone. Microvascular restoration to a normal pattern, as detected by VCP, was faster than clinical improvement (P<0.05).Conclusion: Videocapillaroscopy is an easily executable and non‐invasive technique that detects early microcirculatory changes in psoriasis during topical therapy.
Intravital imaging in zebrafish using quantum dots
Authors: Son Sang Wook , Kim Jae Hwan , Kim Su Hyun , Kim Ho , Chung Ah‐Young , Choo Jae Bum , Oh Chil Hwan , Park Hae‐Chul 
Published: January 2009

Background/aims: Fluorescent quantum dots (QDs) are powerful multipurpose interfaces of nanotechnology providing long‐term and multicolor imaging of cellular and molecular interactions. The application of QDs in living organisms is just beginning to be explored, and zebrafish embryos may be suitable vertebrate model organisms for intravital imaging with QDs. To investigate their potential in skin research, we used QDs as microangiography contrast agents and attempted to visualize the cardiovascular system in zebrafish. We also attempted to find the pathway relationship between the cardiovascular system and the nerve network using QDs together with the transgenic zebrafish line.Method: Quantum Dot QD605, which reveals green color under the fluorescent microscope, was used as a microangiography contrast agent. The olig2‐Dsred transgenic zebrafish line, which expresses motor neurons in red color, was used together with QDs. Images of QD605‐injected embryos were recorded with a digital camera.Results: Combining the green fluorescence of QD605 and the red fluorescence of olig2‐Dsred transgenic zebrafish, we could obtain detailed images manifesting the spatial relationship between the vascular and the nervous system of zebrafishConclusion: QDs could easily be used as a bright microangiography agent in living embryos. Our image of the vascular and motor nervous system in zebrafish showed a similar pattern of trajectory overall. However, their segmented repetitive networks along the dorsoventral axis were not completely overlapped.