bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Marine biogeography and ecology: invasions and introductions
Authors: Briggs John C. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractAlthough biogeography and ecology had previously been considered distinct disciplines, this outlook began to change in the early 1990s. Several people expressed interest in creating a link that would help ecologists become more aware of external influences on communities and help biogeographers realize that distribution patterns had their genesis at the community level. They proposed an interdisciplinary approach called macroecology. This concept has been aided by the advent of phylogeography, for a better knowledge of genetic relationships has had great interdisciplinary value. Two areas of research that should obviously benefit from a macroecological approach are: (1) the question of local vs. regional diversity and (2) the question of whether invader species pose a threat to biodiversity. The two questions are related, because both deal with the vulnerability of ecosystems to penetration by invading species. Biogeographers, who have studied the broad oceanic patterns of dispersal and colonization, tend to regard isolated communities as being open to invasion from areas with greater biodiversity. It became evident that many wide‐ranging species were produced in centres of origin, and that the location of communities with respect to such centres had a direct effect on the level of species diversity. Ecologists, in earlier years, thought that a community could become saturated with species and would thereafter be self‐sustaining. But recent research has shown that saturation is probably never achieved and that the assembly of communities and their maintenance is more or less dependent on the invasion of species from elsewhere. The study of invasions that take place in coastal areas, usually the result of ship traffic and/or aquaculture imports, has special importance due to numerous opinions expressed by scientists and policy‐makers that such invasions are a major threat to biodiversity. However, none of the studies so far conducted has identified the extinction of a single, native marine species due to the influence of an exotic invader. Furthermore, fossil evidence of historical invasions does not indicate that invasive species have caused native extinctions or reductions in biodiversity.
Molecular phylogeography of the fruit bat genusMelonycterisin northern Melanesia
Authors: Pulvers Jeremy N. , Colgan D. J. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractAim To investigate patterns of genetic divergence between populations of the fruit bat genusMelonycterisDobson 1877in relation to the possible effects on dispersal of the geological history of water barriers within and between northern Melanesian archipelagos.Location The genus is found only in the Bismarck Archipelago and Solomon Islands of northern Melanesia.Methods Up to 935 aligned bases of cytochromeband cytochromecoxidase subunit I DNA sequences were determined for specimens of most species and subspecies ofMelonycteris. Measures of genetic distance, analysis of molecular variation and phylogenetic investigations (using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches) were conducted to assess the evolutionary relationships amongst populations.Results The deepest divergences withinMelonycterisseparate the genus into two reciprocally monophyletic clades from first, the Bismarck Archipelago, and secondly, the Solomon Islands. Within the Solomon Islands, five major clades received strong support. Listed in a generally north‐western to south‐eastern direction these were: (1) specimens from Choiseul and Santa Isabel; (2) specimens from New Georgia and Kolombangara; (3) specimens from Malaita; (4) specimens from Guadalcanal; and (5) specimens from Makira. Outgroup rooting suggested that the clade from Makira was the most basal within the Solomon Islands, being shown as the sister group to all otherMelonycterisfrom this archipelago.Main conclusions Patterns of genetic variation withinMelonycteriswere generally consistent, given current knowledge of northern Melanesian geological history, with the hypothesis that the dispersal of these fruit bats is strongly inhibited by water barriers. Within the Solomon Islands the main genetic clades were each restricted to a single island or to a group of islands that are thought to have belonged to larger landmasses (Greater Gatumbangara and Greater Bukida) formed by land bridges during the Pleistocene. The high genetic distance between specimens from the Bismarck Archipelago and from the Solomon Islands reflects the persistently large geographic distance between these archipelagos. The unexpected phylogenetic position of the Makira specimens suggests either that this island was the first colonized byMelonycterisin the Solomon Islands or that this population is the relict of a clade that was previously more widely distributed.
Analysis of the incidence of infectious pancreatic necrosis mortality in pedigreed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., populations
Authors: Guy D R , Bishop S C , Brotherstone S , Hamilton A , Roberts R J , McAndrew B J , Woolliams J A 
Published: November 2006

AbstractA total of 77 124 Atlantic salmon post‐smolts, representing 197 full‐sib families produced by 149 males and 197 females, experienced a field challenge from infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV), following transfer to three separate seawater sites. The first IPN mortality was observed 45 days after transfer, and the duration of the epidemic varied between 37 and 92 days among sites. Mortalities were traced to their parental families by PIT (Passive Integrated Transpondes) tag records and DNA genotyping. Full‐sib family mean incidence of mortality was calculated for each family on each site. Heritabilities were estimated based on the heterogeneity of chi‐square using incidence within half‐sib families and the variance in incidence among full‐sib families, both on the observed and underlying liability scale. The observed correlation among families across sites was used to estimate genetic correlations. The overall mortality rate was 10.8%, with only small differences between sites, ranging from 10.3% to 11.9%. Heritabilities on the liability scale were found to be moderate to strong, and ranged between 0.24 and 0.81, with a pooled estimate of 0.43, greater than is typically associated with disease traits. Genetic correlations among sites were all substantial, between 0.71 and 0.78, and indicated that a substantial component of the genetic variation displayed within sites was common to all. The results show that field challenges can yield very good genetic information on family differences in resistance, especially when replicated over sites, which may then be developed for use in selection for breeding strains of Atlantic salmon with greater resistance to IPN.
TcYSL3, a member of the YSL gene family from the hyper‐accumulator Thlaspi caerulescens, encodes a nicotianamine‐Ni/Fe transporter
Authors: Gendre Delphine , Czernic Pierre , Conéjéro Geneviève , Pianelli Katia , Briat Jean‐François , Lebrun Michel , Mari Stéphane 
Published: November 2006

SummaryThe two main features of plant hyper‐accumulator species are the massive translocation of heavy metal ions to the aerial parts and their tolerance to such high metal concentrations. Recently, several lines of evidence have indicated a role for nicotianamine (NA) in metal homeostasis, through the chelation and transport of NA–metal complexes. The function of transport of NA–metal chelates, required for the loading and unloading of vessels, has been assigned to the Yellow Stripe 1 (YSL)‐Like family of proteins. We have characterized three YSL genes in Thlaspi caerulescens in the context of hyper‐accumulation. The three YSL genes are expressed at high rates compared with their Arabidopsis thaliana homologs but with distinct patterns. While TcYSL7 was highly expressed in the flowers, TcYSL5 was more highly expressed in the shoots, and the expression of TcYSL3 was equivalent in all the organs tested. In situ hybridizations have shown that TcYSL7 and TcYSL5 are expressed around the vasculature of the shoots and in the central cylinder in the roots. The exposure to heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Ni) does not affect the high and constitutive expression of the TcYSL genes. Finally, we have demonstrated by mutant yeast complementation and uptake measurements that TcYSL3 is an Fe/Ni–NA influx transporter. This work provides therefore molecular, histological and biochemical evidence supporting a role for YSL transporters in the overall scheme of NA and NA–metal, particularly NA–Ni, circulation in a metal hyper‐accumulator plant.
Precursor binding to an 880‐kDa Toc complex as an early step during active import of protein into chloroplasts
Authors: Chen Kuan‐Yu , Li Hsou‐min 
Published: November 2006

SummaryThe import of protein into chloroplasts is mediated by translocon components located in the chloroplast outer (the Toc proteins) and inner (the Tic proteins) envelope membranes. To identify intermediate steps during active import, we used sucrose density gradient centrifugation and blue‐native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN‐PAGE) to identify complexes of translocon components associated with precursor proteins under active import conditions instead of arrested binding conditions. Importing precursor proteins in solubilized chloroplast membranes formed a two‐peak distribution in the sucrose density gradient. The heavier peak was in a similar position as the previously reported Tic/Toc supercomplex and was too large to be analyzed by BN‐PAGE. The BN‐PAGE analyses of the lighter peak revealed that precursors accumulated in at least two complexes. The first complex migrated at a position close to the ferritin dimer (approximately 880 kDa) and contained only the Toc components. Kinetic analyses suggested that this Toc complex represented an earlier step in the import process than the Tic/Toc supercomplex. The second complex in the lighter peak migrated at the position of the ferritin trimer (approximately 1320 kDa). It contained, in addition to the Toc components, Tic110, Hsp93, and an hsp70 homolog, but not Tic40. Two different precursor proteins were shown to associate with the same complexes. Processed mature proteins first appeared in the membranes at the same fractions as the Tic/Toc supercomplex, suggesting that processing of transit peptides occurs while precursors are still associated with the supercomplex.
Translation efficiencies of synonymous codons are not always correlated with codon usage in tobacco chloroplasts
Authors: Nakamura Masayuki , Sugiura Masahiro 
Published: November 2006

SummaryCodon usage in chloroplasts is different from that in prokaryotic and eukaryotic nuclear genomes. However, no experimental approach has been made to analyse the translation efficiency of individual codons in chloroplasts. We devised an in vitro assay for translation efficiencies using synthetic mRNAs, and measured the translation efficiencies of five synonymous codon groups in tobacco chloroplasts. Among four alanine codons (GCN, where N is U, C, A or G), GCU was the most efficient for translation, whereas the chloroplast genome lacks tRNA genes corresponding to GCU. Phenylalanine and tyrosine are each encoded by two codons (UUU/C and UAU/C, respectively). Phenylalanine UUC and tyrosine UAC were translated more than twice as efficiently than UUU and UAU, respectively, contrary to their codon usage, whereas translation efficiencies of synonymous codons for alanine, aspartic acid and asparagine were parallel to their codon usage. These observations indicate that translation efficiencies of individual codons are not always correlated with codon usage in vitro in chloroplasts. This raises an important issue for foreign gene expression in chloroplasts.
Linkage disequilibria between human leucocyte antigen‐B and closely linked microsatellites in the Croatian population
Authors: Grubić Z. , Štingl K. , Žunec R. , Car H. , Čečuk‐Jeličić E. , Brkljačić‐Kerhin V. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to investigate polymorphism of D6S2927, STR_MICA, D6S2793, TNFa (D6S2792), TNFb and TNFd (D6S2789) microsatellites and linkage disequilibria between these loci and human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐B (previously tested) for better characterisation of extended HLA haplotypes. A total of 176 healthy unrelated Croatians were studied using polymerase chain reaction amplification and electrophoresis on 6% polyacrylamide gel in ALFexpress sequencer. Eight HLA‐B/D6S2927 haplotypic associations (B*07/D6S2927‐4, B*08/D6S2927‐3, B*18/D6S2927‐3, B*27/D6S2927‐1, B*35/D6S2927‐5, B*38/D6S2927‐4, B*51/D6S2927‐2 and B*61/D6S2927‐1) showed strong association (P < 0.001, D > 0.5). Among 88 different HLA‐B/STR_MICA haplotypic associations, seven combinations (B*07/STR_MICA‐A5.1, B*08/STR_MICA‐A5.1, B*15/STR_MICA‐A5, B*18/STR_MICA‐A4, B*27/STR_MICA‐A4, B*38/STR_MICA‐A9 and B*51/STR_MICA‐A6) demonstrated high linkage (D≥ 0.3) with significant P value (P < 0.001). Strong associations were also observed for five HLA‐B/D6S2793 haplotypes (B*07/D6S2793‐CA17, B*08/D6S2793‐CA24, B*13/D6S2793‐CA18, B*14/D6S2793‐CA14 and B*27/D6S2793‐CA14). HLA‐B*08/TNFb3 and HLA‐B*50/TNFb7 were the strongest associations for HLA‐B/TNFb. Nine HLA‐B/TNFa combinations were observed with significant P value (B*07/TNFa11, B*08/TNFa2, B*13/TNFa7, B*18/TNFa10, B*27/TNFa6, B*37/TNFa9, B*38/TNFa10, B*39/TNFa13 and B*44/TNFa4). Out of six HLA‐B/TNFd haplotypic associations with strong D value, HLA‐B*08/TNFd2 and B*37/TNFd3 showed the highest statistical significance (P < 0.0001). These results provide data on the region around the HLA‐B that is very attractive because of its contribution to genetic susceptibility for many HLA‐associated diseases and therefore this information will help in all further HLA‐B locus–associated disease studies.
Associations of leptin gene polymorphisms with production traits in pigs
Authors: De Oliveira Peixoto J. , Facioni Guimarães S.E. , Sávio Lopes P. , Menck Soares M.A. , Vieira Pires A. , Gualberto Barbosa M.V. , De Almeida Torres R. , De Almeida e Silva M. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryThe associations of leptin (LEP) gene polymorphisms C798T, T2411C, T3266G and T3469C with production traits were investigated in a F2 pig population produced by divergent crosses. The statistical model included genotype, sex, batch and genotype by sex interaction as fixed effects and sire as random effect. Polymorphism C798T was associated with variation in total teat number (p < 0.02) and left teat number (p < 0.03), and polymorphism T3469C was associated with weight at 21 days (p < 0.03), 42 days (p < 0.05), 63 days (p < 0.02) and 77 days of age (p < 0.04) as well as feed intake (p < 0.01), average daily gain (p < 0.01), feed conversion (p < 0.01), bacon depth (p < 0.03) and slaughter weight (p < 0.03). Phenotypic associations were also performed by combining T3469C and C798T genotypes. Interaction between C798T genotypes and sex was observed for some traits. LEP genotypes had significant influence on performance traits, and can be considered as potential genetic markers for selection. However, these results have to be validated in commercial herds.
Heritability of hair whorl position on the forehead in Konik horses
Authors: Górecka A. , Słoniewski K. , Golonka M. , Jaworski Z. , Jezierski T. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryThere are studies on the relationship between the position and shape of hair whorls on bovine forehead and phenotypic traits. According to anecdotal beliefs by horse users and handlers, temperamental traits may be related to the position of hair whorls in horses. No previous research on the mechanisms of inheritance of hair whorls has been performed, so the aim of the present study was to determine the heritability of the position of the hair whorl on the forehead of Konik horses. The horses (n = 362) were classified into five groups based on the whorl position on forehead with respect to the top and bottom eye lines. The estimated heritability of hair whorl position was 0.753 (SE = 0.056). Heritability adjusted for the discontinuity of the trait was 0.836. The results show that hair whorl position in Konik Polski horses is highly heritable. The possible relationship between position of hair whorls on the forehead and other morphological traits needs further research and should be interpreted with caution.
Characterization of a line of pigs previously selected for increased litter size for RBP4 and follistatin
Authors: Blowe C.D. , Boyette K.E. , Ashwell M.S. , Eisen E.J. , Robison O.W. , Cassady J.P. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryThe objective of this study was to determine if selection response for increased litter size in pigs could be partially attributed to three type 1 marker loci coding for genes known to affect litter size: oestrogen receptor (ESR), retinol‐binding protein 4 (RBP4) and follistatin (FS). In the high litter size line (LS), pigs from the largest litters, based on number of pigs born alive (NBA), were retained to parent the next generation. A randomly selected control line (LC) was maintained. Gilts were reared in litters of 10 pigs or less to minimize maternal effects. Pigs were measured at generations 10–12. Additional traits scored were number of fully formed pigs (NFF) and number of mummified fetuses (MUM). Breeding values for NFF and NBA were greater (p < 0.05) in LS than LC in generations 11 and 12, but no significant line differences were found for MUM. The A allele of the ESR locus was fixed in both lines. After adjustment for effects of genetic drift, frequency of the two alleles segregating for the FS and RBP4 loci did not differ significantly between lines. No significant additive or dominance effects of the FS markers were detected for NFF, NBA and MUM in either LS or LC. Response to selection for increased litter size could not be attributed to effects at the ESR, RBP4 or FS loci.
SeagrassNet monitoring across the Americas: case studies of seagrass decline
Authors: Short Frederick T. , Koch Evamaria W. , Creed Joel C. , Magalhães Karine M. , Fernandez Eric , Gaeckle Jeffrey L. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSeagrasses are an important coastal habitat worldwide and are indicative of environmental health at the critical land–sea interface. In many parts of the world, seagrasses are not well known, although they provide crucial functions and values to the world's oceans and to human populations dwelling along the coast. Established in 2001, SeagrassNet, a monitoring program for seagrasses worldwide, uses a standardized protocol for detecting change in seagrass habitat to capture both seagrass parameters and environmental variables. SeagrassNet is designed to statistically detect change over a relatively short time frame (1–2 years) through quarterly monitoring of permanent plots. Currently, SeagrassNet operates in 18 countries at 48 sites; at each site, a permanent transect is established and a team of people from the area collects data which is sent to the SeagrassNet database for analysis. We present five case studies based on SeagrassNet data from across the Americas (two sites in the USA, one in Belize, and two in Brazil) which have a common theme of seagrass decline; the study represents a first latitudinal comparison across a hemisphere using a common methodology. In two cases, rapid loss of seagrass was related to eutrophication, in two cases losses related to climate change, and in one case, the loss is attributed to a complex trophic interaction resulting from the presence of a marine protected area. SeagrassNet results provide documentation of seagrass change over time and allow us to make scientifically supported statements about the status of seagrass habitat and the extent of need for management action.
In vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of cetrimide (cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide) against fungal keratitis caused by Fusarium solani
Authors: Mahmoud Yehia A.‐G. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryMycotic keratitis is a devastating eye infection acquired after eye injury. Cetrimide at 15 and 20 mg ml−1 produced no surviving Fusarium solani growth with minimal inhibitory concentration value of 0.10 mg ml−1. Topical administration of three drops (0.3 ml) of cetrimide aqueous solution of 10 mg ml−1 at pH 6.4 three times daily succeeded to cure human severe resistant F. solani keratitis in a time course of <3 weeks, and with complete healing after 6 weeks. Cetrimide‐treated rabbit corneas section appeared with normal compact epithelium and endothelium with no vacuolation in Descemet's endothelial complex: an indication that cetrimide has no significant toxic effects. So, cetrimide at 10 mg ml−1 may be effective and safe topical therapy in patients with mycotic keratitis, especially F. solani ulcers. Currently, there is no antimycotic drug with a good corneal penetration, which is safe and has a fungicidal activity.
Simple screening test for risk of falls in the elderly
Authors: Okochi Jiro , Toba Kenji , Takahashi Tai , Matsubayashi Kozo , Nishinaga Masanori , Takahashi Ryutaro , Ohrui Takashi 
Published: November 2006

Background:  The aim of this study is to construct a simple screening test for the risk of falls in community‐dwelling elder persons.Methods:  A total of 1378 community‐dwelling people aged 65 years and older in five different communities in Japan were asked to answer a self rated questionnaire including 22 items covering physical, cognitive, emotional and social aspects of functioning and environmental factors. At a six‐month follow‐up, the outcome of fall occurrence and the number of falls was ascertained by social workers, health visitors or nurses.Results:  Five out of 22 items were selected using a logistic regression model. Using this five‐item version, a screening test was constructed, and at the best cut‐off point, the sensitivity and specificity were 68% and 70%, respectively. The validity of this scale was tested on persons with cognitive dysfunction.Conclusion:  The simplicity and the predictive validity of the screening test support the use of this test in health check ups or general outpatient facilities.
Influence of nutritional status on early outcomes of elderly patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Hirakawa Yoshihisa , Masuda Yuichiro , Kuzuya Masafumi , Iguchi Akihisa , Kimata Takaya , Uemura Kazumasa 
Published: November 2006

Background:  The impact of malnutrition on early outcomes has not been studied widely in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aimed at determining the effect of malnutrition on in‐hospital mortality or duration of hospital stay in the elderly AMI patient.Method:  Data from the Tokai Acute Myocardial Infarction Study II were used. This was a prospective study of all patients admitted to 15 hospitals with AMI. We abstracted the baseline and procedural characteristics, serum albumin level, and in‐hospital mortality from detailed chart reviews. Patients aged 65 and over were stratified into two groups according to serum albumin concentration.Results:  The present analysis included a subsample of 629 patients with serum albumin concentration <35 g/L (undernutrition group) and 962 patients with serum albumin concentration ≥35 g/L (normal nutrition group). Patients in the undernutition group were older, more likely to be dependent in activities of daily living, and have a lower systolic blood pressure or a lower body mass index score, a history of renal failure, and signs of heart failure on presentation. Also, patients in this group frequently had a reduced left ventricular function and multivessel coronary disease. They were more likely to receive vasopressors, intra‐aortic balloon pump, or mechanical ventilation, and were less likely to receive percutaneous coronary intervention. Although undernutrition group patients had a significantly higher mortality rate or a longer duration of stay than normal nutrition group patients, the differences disappeared after multivariable adjustment.Conclusions:  Malnutrition of elderly AMI patients was not associated with poor early outcomes.