bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting plant diversity during post‐fire recovery and succession of mediterranean‐climate shrublands in California, USA
Authors: Keeley Jon E. , Fotheringham C. J. , Baer‐Keeley Melanie 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTPlant community diversity, measured as species richness, is typically highest in the early post‐fire years in California shrublands. However, this generalization is overly simplistic and the present study demonstrates that diversity is determined by a complex of temporal and spatial effects. Ninety sites distributed across southern California were studied for 5 years after a series of fires. Characteristics of the disturbance event, in this case fire severity, can alter post‐fire diversity, both decreasing and increasing diversity, depending on life form. Spatial variability in resource availability is an important factor explaining patterns of diversity, and there is a complex interaction between landscape features and life form. Temporal variability in resource availability affects diversity, and the diversity peak in the immediate post‐fire year (or two) appears to be driven by factors different from subsequent diversity peaks. Early post‐fire diversity is influenced by life‐history specialization, illustrated by species that spend the bulk of their life cycle as a dormant seed bank, which is then triggered to germinate by fire. Resource fluctuations, precipitation in particular, may be associated with subsequent post‐fire diversity peaks. These later peaks in diversity comprise a flora that is compositionally different from the immediate post‐fire flora, and their presence may be due to mass effects from population expansion of local populations in adjacent burned areas.
Variance components analyses of multiple asthma traits in a large sample of Australian families ascertained through a twin proband
Authors: Ferreira M. A. R. , O'Gorman L. , Souëf P. Le , Burton P. R. , Toelle B. G. , Robertson C. F. , Martin N. G. , Duffy D. L. 
Published: November 2005

Background:  Intermediate phenotypes are often measured as a proxy for asthma. It is largely unclear to what extent the same set of environmental or genetic factors regulate these traits.Objective:  Estimate the environmental and genetic correlations between self‐reported and clinical asthma traits.Methods:  A total of 3073 subjects from 802 families were ascertained through a twin proband. Traits measured included self‐reported asthma, airway histamine responsiveness (AHR), skin prick response to common allergens including house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus [D. pter]), baseline lung function, total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and eosinophilia. Bivariate and multivariate analyses of eight traits were performed with adjustment for ascertainment and significant covariates.Results:  Overall 2716 participants completed an asthma questionnaire and 2087 were clinically tested, including 1289 self‐reported asthmatics (92% previously diagnosed by a doctor). Asthma, AHR, markers of allergic sensitization and eosinophilia had significant environmental correlations with each other (range: 0.23–0.89). Baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) showed low environmental correlations with most traits. Fewer genetic correlations were significantly different from zero. Phenotypes with greatest genetic similarity were asthma and atopy (0.46), IgE and eosinophilia (0.44), AHR and D. pter (0.43) and AHR and airway obstruction (−0.43). Traits with greatest genetic dissimilarity were FEV1 and atopy (0.05), airway obstruction and IgE (0.07) and FEV1 and D. pter (0.11).Conclusion:  These results suggest that the same set of environmental factors regulates the variation of many asthma traits. In addition, although most traits are regulated to great extent by specific genetic factors, there is still some degree of genetic overlap that could be exploited by multivariate linkage approaches.
Common sex-linked deleterious alleles in a plant parasitic fungus alter infection success but show no pleiotropic advantage
Authors: Giraud T. , Jonot O. , Shykoff J. A. 
Published: November 2005

Abstract
Microbotryum violaceum is a fungus that causes the sterilizing anther smut disease in Caryophyllaceae. Its diploid teliospores normally produce equal proportions of haploid sporidia of its two mating types. However natural populations contain high frequencies of individuals producing sporidia of only one mating type (‘biased strains’). This mating type-ratio bias is caused by deleterious alleles at haploid phase (‘haplo-lethals’) linked to the mating type locus that can be transmitted only by intra-tetrad selfing. We used experimental inoculations to test some of the hypotheses proposed to explain the maintenance of haplo-lethals. We found a disadvantage of biased strains in infection ability and high intra-tetrad mating rates. Biased strains had no higher competitive ability nor shorter latency and their higher spore production per flower appeared insufficient to compensate their disadvantages. These findings were only consistent with the hypothesis that haplo-lethals are maintained under a metapopulation structure because of high intra-tetrad selfing rates, founder effects and selection at the population level.
Phylogeography and alpha taxonomy of the common dolphin (Delphinus sp.)
Authors: Natoli A. , Cañadas A. , Peddemors V. M. , Aguilar A. , Vaquero C. , Fernández-Piqueras P. , Hoelzel A. R. 
Published: November 2005

Abstract
The resolution of taxonomic classifications for delphinid cetaceans has been problematic, especially for species in the genera Delphinus, Tursiops and Stenella. The frequent lack of correspondence between morphological and genetic differentiation in these species raises questions about the mechanisms responsible for their evolution. In this study we focus on the genus Delphinus, and use molecular markers to address questions about speciation and the evolution of population structure. Delphinus species have a worldwide distribution and show a high degree of morphological variation. Two distinct morphotypes, long-beaked and short-beaked, have been considered different species named D. capensis and D. delphis, respectively. However, genetic differentiation between these two forms has only been demonstrated in the Pacific. We analysed samples from eight different geographical regions, including two morphologically defined long-beaked form populations, and compared these with the eastern North Pacific populations. We found high differentiation among the populations described as long-beaked instead of the expected monophyly, suggesting that these populations may have evolved from independent events converging on the same morphotype. We observed low genetic differentiation among the short-beaked populations across a large geographical scale. We interpret these phylogeographical patterns in the context of life history and population structure in related species.
Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa/NovoSeven®) in intractable haemorrhage: use of a clinical scoring system to predict outcome
Authors: Biss T. T. , Hanley J. P. 
Published: November 2005

Background and Objectives  Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa/NovoSeven®) has been advocated in the treatment of life‐threatening haemorrhage, but appropriate clinical indications remain uncertain. The aim of this study was to detect factors predictive of outcome and to incorporate them into a prognostically significant scoring system.Materials and Methods  Thirty‐six patients received rFVIIa for uncontrolled surgical, traumatic or obstetric bleeding in the Northern Region of the UK over a 45‐month period. Clinical, laboratory and outcome data were examined. Characteristics of survivor and non‐survivor groups were compared. A prognostic scoring system was evaluated retrospectively according to the presence of coagulopathy, renal impairment, hypothermia, greater than 10 units of red cell transfusion, advanced age and obstetric indication, with patients allocated to low, intermediate and high‐risk groups.Results  Clinical response occurred in 26 patients (72%) with a reduction in prothrombin time and blood product requirements. Death occurred in 19 (53%). Four patients (11%) suffered thrombotic events. Survivors were younger than non‐survivors and less likely to have coagulopathy, renal impairment or hypothermia at the time of administration. Survivors were more likely to have had an initial clinical response in terms of an immediate reduction in haemorrhage. Non‐survivors were transfused a greater number of red cell units prior to administration. Survival varied according to prognostic score; low‐risk patients had a survival rate of 85%, intermediate‐risk patients had a survival rate of 50% and high‐risk patients had a survival rate of 18%.Conclusions  FVIIa has a role in the cessation of haemorrhage, but may not improve survival. Use of a clinical scoring system may help to predict outcome.
The Central Retinal Artery and Regression of the Hyaloid Artery in Perinatal Cattle
Authors: Ö Zcan S. , KürtÜl İ. , Aksoy G. , Aslan K. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryThe arterial supply to the retina and lens of 10 fetal, 10 neonatal and four adult Zavot‐bred cattle of both sexes was studied macroscopically and by stereoscopic microscopy by means of vascular perfusion with latex, giving special emphasis on the hyaloid artery. The central retinal artery ramified in four major retinal arterioles, which formed a compact network throughout the retina (holangiotic or euangiotic pattern). The hyaloid artery was patent in all fetal stages and extended through the vitreous cavity of the eye to the caudal surface of the capsule of the lens. Atrophy of the hyaloid artery began immediately after birth and was completed on day 17 after parturition. No remnant of the hyaloid artery in the vitreous cavity was observed in the adult cattle examined at stereoscopic microscopic level.
The Presence of Megamitochondria in the Ellipsoid of Photoreceptor Inner Segment of the Zebrafish Retina
Authors: Kim J. , Lee E. , Chang B. S. , Oh C. S. , Mun G.‐H. , Chung Y. H. , Shin D. H. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryAlthough the megamitochondria (MM) were localized in various pathological conditions, normal retina of some mammalian species was reported to include MM for various physiological roles. However, it was not clearly confirmed whether the MM is present in the retina of lower vertebrate as well. In this study, we tried to show the presence of the MM in the zebrafish retina using electron microscopic technique. In all the photoreceptors including rods, cones and double cones of the zebrafish retina, MM were observed in the ellipsoid of inner segment. In the photoreceptor epllipsoid of the zebrafish retina, the mitochondria located in the central portion of the ellipsoid had a highly electron‐dense matrix, which were accompanied by the mitochondria with electron‐lucent matrix in the apical portion of the ellipsoid. The presence of MM was more clearly discernable in the rods, which were localized under the double cones. This finding is somewhat different from those observed in the previous studies because MM were localized in the inner segment of cones, but were not in those of rods in the case of mammalian retina. Although the exact physiological meaning for the presence of MM in some vertebrate species should be further studied, the present study could show that the MM in the ellipsoid of the retinal photoreceptors was not only restricted in some mammalian species.
Morphological and Immunocytochemical Investigations on Mast Cells in Porcine Ureter
Authors: Vodenicharov A. , Leiser R. , Gulubova M. , Vlaykova T. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryMorphological, morphometric, histochemical and immunocytochemical investigations on mast cells, located in the wall of ureter of 8 months aged pigs were performed. Mast cells were found in all three layers of ureteral wall, but their distribution was irregular and the number unequal. It was established that alcian blue (AB)‐positive mast cells were significantly more than toluidine blue (TB)‐positive mast cells. A statistically significant smaller number of both AB and TB‐stained mast cells were observed in the tunica mucosa. The largest number of mast cells was found in the tunica muscularis. In the adventitia, mast cells were higher in number in the main connective tissue than in the connective tissue near the blood vessels. Mast cells stained with TB showed variably expressed γ‐metachromasia, which was best visible in those situated in the lamina propria of the mucosa. The prevailing parts of mast cells, however, were AB‐positive after AB‐safranin staining. This was mostly found in mast cells of the tunica muscularis and in mast cells of perivascular location in the tunica adventitia. Immunocytochemically, mast cells were found to be positive for histamine and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in the muscle coat, and to histamine in the adventitia, as well. On the basis of obtained results it was presumed that the mast cells in porcine ureter most probably took part not only in keeping of local homeostasis, but played also an important role of mobility of smooth muscle cells in the middle layer of ureter on one hand, and, on the other, in the adventitial blood vessels.
Serotonin‐Containing Cells in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Newborn Foals and Adult Horses
Authors: Fink C. , Tatar M. , Failing K. , Hospes R. , Kressin M. , Klisch K. 
Published: November 2005

SummarySerotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine, 5‐HT), a regulatory amine of mucosal enterochromaffin cells plays an important role in the control of gastrointestinal smooth muscle contraction and epithelial secretion. Serotonin has also been associated with gastric ulcers, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. In spite of the high incidence of these gastrointestinal disorders in newborn foals and adult horses, no data are available regarding 5‐HT immunoreactive cells (i.c.) in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of foals, and for adult horses, data are incomplete and contradictory. In this study, the distribution and relative frequency of 5‐HT i.c. in the GIT of newborn foals and adult horses were determined immunohistochemically. In foals as in adults, a relatively large number of 5‐HT i.c. were detected in all portions of the GIT. In foals, a significantly higher amount of cells was found in the pyloric region and margo plicatus of the stomach, as well as in the caecum and colon ascendens compared with adults. Our results provided rationale for further research concerning the role of 5‐HT i.c. during the milk diet or in the regulation of gastrointestinal growth/cell proliferation, and in the pathogenesis of gastric ulcers, especially in newborn foals.
Pedigree information reveals moderate to high levels of inbreeding and a weak population structure in the endangered Catalonian donkey breed
Authors: Gutiérrez J.P. , Marmi J. , Goyache F. , Jordana J. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryThe Catalonian donkey is one of the most endangered donkey breeds in the world. At present, five main subpopulations exist: AFRAC, which consists of many genetically connected Catalonian localities; Berga, which consists of a single herd located also in Catalunya but under private management; and three minor non‐Catalonian subpopulations (Huesca, Sevilla and Toledo). In this study, we analysed the pedigree information of the Catalonian donkey herdbook to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of the breed. We found that the Catalonian donkey has suffered an important loss of genetic diversity and moderate to high increases of inbreeding because of the abuse of a few individuals in matings. This scenario is mainly characterized by the fact that both the effective number of founders and ancestors for the whole population was 70.6 and 27, respectively, while the equivalent number of founders was 146.5 and the number of ancestors explaining overall genetic variability was 93. In addition, only 14% of animals born between the 1960s and 1970s were significantly represented in the pedigree. Our results also show that subpopulations where breeders exchanged reproductive individuals had low levels of inbreeding and average relatedness. One subpopulation, Berga, was reproductively isolated and showed high levels of inbreeding (F = 7.22%), with average relatedness (AR = 6.61%) playing an important role in increasing the values of these coefficients in the whole pedigree. Using genealogical F‐statistics we have found little evidence of population structuring (FST = 0.0083) with major genetic differences among non‐Catalonian subpopulations.
Effect of the polymorphism of prolactin receptor (PRLR) and leptin (LEP) genes on litter size in Polish pigs
Authors: Terman A. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryThe aim of the experiment was to use the DNA mutations in the PRLR and LEP genes to determine associations between the genotype and litter size in Polish Large White × Landrace sows. Reproductive traits investigated were: total number of piglets born (TNB), number of piglets born alive (NBA) and number of piglets weaned. The polymorphism in PRLR and LEP genes was detected using the polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment‐length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) method, with specific primers and the restriction enzymes AluI and HinfI respectively. Two different alleles of PRLR and LEP gene were identified: alleles A (0.62) and B (0.38) of the PRLR gene and alleles C (0.10) and T (0.90) of the LEP gene. The relationships between the PRLR and LEP genotypes and TBN, NBA and NW were analysed. The analysis showed, in first parity sows, statistically significant (p ≤ 0.01) differences between sows carrying different PRLR genotypes. In later parities, sows with the AA genotype still had the largest litter size compared with AB and BB sows, but the difference was statistically not significant. Analysis of the interaction PARITY × PRLR showed small and statistically not significant differences. The analysis of relationship between different LEP genotypes and TNB, NBA, NW showed small and statistically non‐significant differences.
Quantitative analysis of production traits in saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus): I. reproduction traits
Authors: Isberg S.R. , Thomson P.C. , Nicholas F.W. , Barker S.G. , Moran C. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryRepeatability and phenotypic correlations were estimated for saltwater crocodile reproductive traits. No pedigree information was available to estimate heritability or genetic correlations, because the majority of breeder animals on farms were wild‐caught. Moreover, as the age of the female breeders could not be accounted for, egg‐size measurements were used as proxies. The reproductive traits investigated were clutch size (total number of eggs laid), number of viable eggs, number of eggs that produced a live, healthy hatchling, hatchability, average snout–vent length of the hatchlings and time of nesting. A second data set was also created comprising binary data of whether or not the female nested. Repeatability estimates ranged from 0.24 to 0.68 for the measurable traits, with phenotypic correlations ranging from −0.15 to 0.86. Repeatability for whether a female nested or not was 0.58 on the underlying scale. Correlations could not be estimated between the measurement and binary traits because of confounding. These estimates are the first published for crocodilian reproduction traits.
Quantitative analysis of production traits in saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus): II. age at slaughter
Authors: Isberg S.R. , Thomson P.C. , Nicholas F.W. , Barker S.G. , Moran C. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryCrocodile morphometric (head, snout‐vent and total length) measurements were recorded at three stages during the production chain: hatching, inventory [average age (±SE) is 265.1 ± 0.4 days] and slaughter (average age is 1037.8 ± 0.4 days). Crocodile skins are used for the manufacture of exclusive leather products, with the most common‐sized skin sold having 35–45 cm in belly width. One of the breeding objectives for inclusion into a multitrait genetic improvement programme for saltwater crocodiles is the time taken for a juvenile to reach this size or age at slaughter. A multivariate restricted maximum likelihood analysis provided (co)variance components for estimating the first published genetic parameter estimates for these traits. Heritability (±SE) estimates for the traits hatchling snout‐vent length, inventory head length and age at slaughter were 0.60 (0.15), 0.59 (0.12) and 0.40 (0.10) respectively. There were strong negative genetic (−0.81 ± 0.08) and phenotypic (−0.82 ± 0.02) correlations between age at slaughter and inventory head length.
Single nucleotide polymorphism detection in promoter III of the acetyl‐CoA carboxylase‐α gene in sheep
Authors: Moioli B. , Napolitano F. , Orrù L. , Catillo G. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryThree novel SNPs were identified in the locus OAR292286, encoding the DNA sequence of promoter III of the ovine acetyl‐CoA carboxylase‐α gene, in Italian sheep of four breeds: Gentile di Puglia (25 individuals) and Sopravissana (31) which are triple‐purpose local endangered breeds, Comisana (25) which is a local non‐selected, non‐endangered dairy breed and Sarda (15) which is a popular selected high yielding dairy breed. Variant alleles are: G/T at 1330 bp, C/G at 1338 bp and C/T at 1430 bp. Frequencies of the variant alleles were calculated and chi‐squared analysis of the differences in allele frequency between breed pairs was performed. Allele frequencies of the Sarda breed differ significantly from the other considered breeds.
Estimates of genetic diversity in the brown cattle population of Switzerland obtained from pedigree information
Authors: Hagger C. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryThe study investigates the genetic diversity present as well as its development in the Brown Cattle population of Switzerland from pedigree information. The population consisted of three subpopulations, the Braunvieh (BV), the original Braunvieh (OB) and the US‐Brown Swiss (BS). The BV is a cross of OB with BS where crossing still continues. The OB is without any genetic influence of BS. The diversity measures effective population size, effective number of ancestors (explaining 99% of reference genome) and founder genome equivalents were calculated for 11 reference populations of animals born in a single year from 1992 onwards. The BS‐subpopulation consisted of animals and their known ancestors which were used in the crossing scheme and was, therefore, quite small. The youngest animals were born in 2002, the oldest ones in the 1920s. Average inbreeding was by far the highest in BS, in spite of the lowest quality of pedigrees, and lowest in OB. Effective population size obtained from the difference between average inbreeding of offspring and their parents was, mostly due to the heavy use of few highly inbred BS‐sires, strongly overestimated in some BV‐reference populations. If this parameter was calculated from the yearly rate of inbreeding and a generation interval of 5 years, no bias was observed and ranking of populations from high to low was OB – BV – BS, i.e. equal to the other diversity parameters. The high genetic diversity found in OB was a consequence of the use of many natural service sires. Rate of decrease of effective number of ancestors was steeper in BV than OB was, however, equal for founder genome equivalents. Founder genome equivalents were more stable than effective population sizes calculated from the difference between average inbreeding of offspring and parents. The five most important ancestors contributed one‐third of the 2002‐reference genomes of BV and OB, in BV all were BS‐sires. The relative amount of BS‐genes in the BV‐genome increased from 59.2% to 78.5% during the 11 years considered.