bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Shifts in methanogen community structure and function associated with long‐term manipulation of sulfate and salinity in a hypersaline microbial mat
Authors: Smith Jason M. , Green Stefan J. , Kelley Cheryl A. , Prufert‐Bebout Leslie , Bebout Brad M. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryMethanogenesis was characterized in hypersaline microbial mats from Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, Mexico both in situ and after long‐term manipulation in a greenhouse environment. Substrate addition experiments indicate methanogenesis to occur primarily through the catabolic demethylation of non‐competitive substrates, under field conditions. However, evidence for the coexistence of other metabolic guilds of methanogens was obtained during a previous manipulation of sulfate concentrations. To fully characterize methanogenesis in these mats, in the absence of competition for reducing equivalents with sulfate‐reducing microorganisms, we maintained microbial mats for longer than 1 year under conditions of lowered sulfate and salinity levels. The goal of this study was to assess whether observed differences in methane production during sulfate and salinity manipulation were accompanied by shifts in the composition of methanogen communities. Culture‐independent techniques targeting methyl coenzyme M reductase genes (mcrA) were used to assess the dynamics of methanogen assemblages. Clone libraries from mats sampled in situ or maintained at field‐like conditions in the greenhouse were exclusively composed of sequences related to methylotrophic members of the Methanosarcinales. Increases in pore water methane concentrations under conditions of low sulfate correlated with an observed increase in the abundance of putatively hydrogenotrophic mcrA, related to Methanomicrobiales. Geochemical and molecular data provide evidence of a significant shift in the metabolic pathway of methanogenesis from a methylotroph‐dominated system in high‐sulfate environments to a mixed community of methylotrophic and hydrogenotrophic methanogens under low sulfate conditions.
Genotypic variability and persistence of Legionella pneumophila PFGE patterns in 34 cooling towers from two different areas
Authors: Sanchez Inma , Garcia‐Nuñez Marian , Ragull Sonia , Sopena Nieves , Pedro‐Botet Maria Luisa , Estere Maria , Rey‐Joly Celestino , Sabria Miquel 
Published: March 2008

SummaryGenotypic variability and clonal persistence are important concepts in molecular epidemiology as they facilitate the search for the source of sporadic cases or outbreaks of legionellosis. We studied the genotypic variability and persistence of Legionella pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns over time (period > 6 months) in 34 positive cooling towers from two different areas. In area A, radius of 70 km, 52 indistinguishable PFGE patterns were differentiated among the 27 cooling towers. In 13 cooling towers we observed ≥ 2 PFGE patterns. Each cooling tower had its own indistinguishable Legionella PFGE pattern which was not shared with any other cooling tower. In area B, radius of 1 km, 10 indistinguishable PFGE patterns were obtained from the seven cooling towers. In four, we observed ≥ 2 PFGE patterns. Three of these 10 indistinguishable PFGE patterns were shared by more than one cooling tower. In 27 of 34 cooling towers the same PFGE pattern was recovered after 6 months to up to 5 years of follow‐up. The large genotypic diversity of Legionella observed in the cooling towers aids in the investigation of community outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease. However, shared patterns in small areas may confound the epidemiological investigation. The persistence of some PFGE patterns in cooling towers makes the recovery of the Legionella isolate causing the outbreak possible over time.
Genetic analyses and molecular characterization of the pathways involved in the conversion of 2‐phenylethylamine and 2‐phenylethanol into phenylacetic acid in Pseudomonas putida U
Authors: Arias Sagrario , Olivera Elías R. , Arcos Mario , Naharro Germán , Luengo José M. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryIn Pseudomonas putida U two different pathways (Pea, Ped) are required for the conversion of 2‐phenylethylamine and 2‐phenylethanol into phenylacetic acid. The 2‐phenylethylamine pathway (PeaABCDEFGHR) catalyses the transport of this amine, its deamination to phenylacetaldehyde by a quinohaemoprotein amine dehydrogenase and the oxidation of this compound through a reaction catalysed by a phenylacetaldehyde dehydrogenase. Another catabolic route (PedS1R1ABCS2R2DEFGHI) is needed for the uptake of 2‐phenylethanol and for its oxidation to phenylacetic acid via phenylacetaldehyde. This implies the participation of two different two‐component signal‐transducing systems, two quinoprotein alcohol dehydrogenases, a cytochrome c, a periplasmic binding protein, an aldehyde dehydrogenase, a pentapeptide repeat protein and an ABC efflux system. Additionally, two accessory sets of elements (PqqABCDEF and CcmABCDEFGHI) are necessary for the operation of the main pathways (Pea and Ped). PqqABCDEF is required for the biosynthesis of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), a prosthetic group of certain alcohol dehydrogenases that transfers electrons to an independent cytochrome c; whereas CcmABCDEFGHI is required for cytochrome c maturation. Our data show that the degradation of phenylethylamine and phenylethanol in P. putida U is quite different from that reported in Escherichia coli, and they demonstrate that PeaABCDEFGHR and PedS1R1ABCS2R2DEFGHI are two upper routes belonging to the phenylacetyl‐CoA catabolon.
Diversity responses of rumen microbial communities to Fusarium‐contaminated feed, evaluated with rumen simulating technology
Authors: Strobel Egbert , Seeling Karen , Tebbe Christoph C. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryThe mycotoxin‐producing fungus Fusarium culmorum causes major feed spoilages in agricultural livestock, but effects of F. culmorum‐contaminated feed on the structural diversity of the rumen‐inhabiting microbial community are not understood. Avoiding animal experiments, this study was conducted with the rumen simulating technique (Rusitec). Small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene copy numbers of bacteria and archaea, determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), indicated no differences between contaminated and non‐contaminated digested feed, but fungal copy numbers, not attributable to F. culmorum itself, were elevated approximately fourfold in the contaminated feed, with 2.3 × 109 g−1 dry weight. Single‐strand conformation polymorphism profiles of PCR‐amplified partial SSU rRNA genes revealed a single but clear difference between contaminated and non‐contaminated feed in profiles encompassing the phylogenetic clusters of Fibrobacteriales and Clostridiales. Minor quantitative differences were also seen in profiles of archaea and fungi. Positive correlations were found between fungal rRNA gene copy numbers and the degradability of different nutrients, but there was no correlation with degradation rates of the major mycotoxin contaminant deoxynivalenol. Thus, the diversity responses of the microbial community to F. culmorum‐contaminated feed were caused by a fungus‐induced, altered feed quality rather than by direct mycotoxicity.
Exploring the molecular diversity of terrestrial nemerteans (Hoplonemertea, Monostilifera, Acteonemertidae) in a continental landmass
Authors: Mateos Eduardo , Giribet Gonzalo 
Published: March 2008

We report the finding of terrestrial nemerteans of the family Acteonemertidae from the northern part of Spain. The specimens were studied using molecular data from the nuclear ribosomal 18S rRNA and the mitochondrial cytochromecoxidase subunit I genes. The 18S rRNA data strongly suggest the presence of three species of terrestrial nemerteans in the Iberian Peninsula, an old landmass where terrestrial nemerteans had not previously been reported. These specimens originate from primarily undisturbed forests across a distance ofc. 1000 km. Cytochromecoxidase subunit I data also indicate the presence of multiple lineages of Iberian terrestrial nemerteans. Nonetheless, the pattern obtained from this marker is obscured most probably by deep genetic divergences. This molecular diversity, at least in some of the clades, suggests that the Iberian species are not the result of recent introductions, as proposed for other terrestrial nemerteans found in Europe. Our data also touch upon the question of a single origin of terrestriality in nemerteans, a hypothesis rejected by both data sets. Nevertheless, terrestriality seems to have had a single origin in the family Acteonemertidae.
Molecular phylogeography of Apalone spinifera (Reptilia, Trionychidae)
Authors: McGaugh Suzanne E. , Eckerman Curtis M. , Janzen Fredric J. 
Published: March 2008

The molecular evaluation of morphologically based species delimitations of many herpetofauna has improved the understanding of evolutionary processes and the rigor of conservation efforts. Previous evidence for a deep lineage divide between south‐eastern + northern subspecies of the softshell turtle Apalone spinifera (A. s. aspera + A. s. hartwegi + A. s. spinifera) and western subspecies (A. s. pallida + A. s. emoryi + A. s. guadalupensis) was re‐examined with a broader sampling using mitochondrial and nuclear markers. The south‐eastern + northern clade and the western clade maintained mitochondrial reciprocal monophyly. We molecularly confirmed a geographical boundary between these two clades in Oklahoma, and developed a phylogeographical hypothesis that invokes stream capture. We evaluated whether these mitochondrial lineages represent distinct species by surveying these clades for divergence at the nuclear intron R35 and two nuclear genes, Cmos and recombination activating gene 1 (RAG‐1). The nuclear loci showed no phylogenetic resolution and only the nuclear intron exhibited significant nearest neighbour statistics. Taken together, the nuclear data suggest that taxonomic elevation of the two mitochondrial clades would be currently unjustified.
The utility of prostate‐specific antigen velocity thresholds in clinical practice: a population‐based analysis
Authors: Connolly David , Black Amanda , Murray Liam J. , Nambirajan Thiagarajan , Keane Patrick F. , Gavin Anna 
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVETo investigate the ability of prostate‐specific antigen velocity (PSAV) to predict prostate cancer, and assess the test characteristics of several PSAV thresholds for identifying prostate cancer and high‐grade cancers.PATIENTS AND METHODSFrom a population‐based database of PSA results, men with an initial PSA level of <10.0 ng/mL, taken between I January 1994 and 31 December 2003, were identified. Those with three or more PSA tests before diagnosis, taken over ≥18 months, were included. Men were followed for a diagnosis of prostate cancer or histologically confirmed benign disease until 31 December 2003.RESULTSIn all, 24 709 men were included, with 716 (2.9%) diagnosed with prostate cancer and 1488 (6.0%) with benign histology. The mean (10.38 vs 0.43 ng/mL/year) and median (1.47 vs 0.03 ng/mL/year) PSAV were considerably higher in men with prostate cancer than in those with no cancer (P < 0.001). There was no PSAV threshold that could reliably identify prostate cancer or high‐grade cancers without requiring many men to proceed to prostate biopsy.CONCLUSIONIn this population, PSAV had additional value over one PSA value in identifying men with prostate cancer. Many men with prostate cancer might have a ‘normal’ (<0.75 ng/mL/year) PSAV. As with total PSA level, there was no PSAV threshold that could reliably predict prostate cancer, but rather a continuum of risk of cancer associated with PSAV level.
Progression after radical prostatectomy for men in their thirties compared to older men
Authors: Loeb Stacy , Hernandez David J. , Mangold Leslie A. , Humphreys Elizabeth B. , Agro Marilyn , Walsh Patrick C. , Partin Alan W. , Han Misop 
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVETo assess the biochemical outcome after radical prostatectomy (RP) specifically for men aged 30–39 years, as previous studies suggest that prostate cancer in young men might be more aggressive.PATIENTS AND METHODSFrom a large (15 899) database of RPs (1975–2007) we identified 42 men aged 30–39, 893 aged 40–49, 4085 aged 50–59, 3766 aged 60–69, and 182 men aged ≥70 years old. The clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes were compared between men aged 30–39 years and older men.RESULTSAmong the men in their thirties, 81% had organ‐confined disease in the RP specimen, vs 62% of men aged ≥40 years. At a mean follow‐up of 5 years, there was biochemical progression in 4.8% of men in their thirties and 16.1% of men age ≥40 years (P = 0.055). The corresponding 5‐year biochemical progression‐free survival estimates were 95% for men in their thirties and 83% for men aged ≥40 years (P = 0.045). On multivariate analysis, increasing age was a significant independent predictor of biochemical progression.CONCLUSIONContrary to earlier reports, in the present study men in their thirties did not have more aggressive disease. Instead, they had more favourable pathological features and progression‐free survival rates than their older counterparts. After controlling for other prognostic variables on multivariate analysis, being in the fourth decade was independently associated with a lower risk of biochemical progression. These results suggest that early aggressive treatment for these patients with a long life‐expectancy is associated with favourable long‐term biochemical outcomes.
Cardiovascular risk factor management is poorer in diabetic patients with undiagnosed peripheral arterial disease than in those with known coronary heart disease or cerebrovascular disease. Results of a nationwide study in tertiary diabetes centres
Authors: González‐Clemente J.‐M. , Piniés J. A. , Calle‐Pascual A. , Saavedra Á. , Sánchez C. , Bellido D. , Martín‐Folgueras T. , Moraga I. , Recasens A. , Girbés J. , Sánchez‐Zamorano M.‐Á. , Mauricio D. ,   on behalf of the PADiD Study Group
Published: March 2008

AbstractAims  To assess whether patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and unrecognized peripheral arterial disease (PAD), detected by the ankle–brachial index (ABI), have poorer cardiovascular risk factor management (CVRFs) and receive fewer medications than patients previously diagnosed with coronary heart disease (CHD) or cerebrovascular disease (CVD).Methods  In 31 diabetes centres throughout Spain, 1303 patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus were screened for PAD using the ABI. Patient history of CHD and CVD and treatment and control of CVRFs were recorded.Results  Forty‐one patients had an ABI > 1.30 and were excluded, leaving 1262 patients (age 65.3 ± 7.7 years) for the study. Of those screened, 790 patients had a normal ABI (ABI > 0.9) and no known history of CHD or CVD (no CHD/CVD/PAD group), 194 had unrecognized PAD (ABI ≤ 0.9) with no known history of CHD or CVD (undiagnosed PAD group) and 278 had a known history of CHD and/or CVD (CHD/CVD group). The undiagnosed PAD group had higher low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (2.9 ± 0.83 vs. 2.4 ± 0.84 mmol/l; P < 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (150 ± 20 vs. 145 ± 21 mmHg; P < 0.001) compared with the CHD/CVD group. They were less likely to take statins (56.9 vs. 71.6%; P < 0.001), anti‐hypertensive agents (75.9 vs. 90.1%, P = 0.001), and anti‐platelet agents (aspirin, 28.7 vs. 57.2%; P < 0.001; clopidogrel, 5.6 vs. 20.9%; P < 0.001) and more likely to smoke (21.0 vs. 9.2%; P < 0.001). Higher LDL in the undiagnosed PAD group was associated with the underutilization of statins.Conclusions  Measurement of ABI detected a significant number of patients with PAD, who did not have CHD or CVD, but whose CVRFs were under treated and poorly controlled compared with subjects with CHD and/or CVD.
Vertebrate dispersal syndromes along the Atlantic forest: broad‐scale patterns and macroecological correlates
Authors: Almeida‐Neto Mário , Campassi Flávia , Galetti Mauro , Jordano Pedro , Oliveira‐Filho Ary 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTAim  To assess the geographical variation in the relative importance of vertebrates, and more specifically of birds and mammals, as seed dispersal agents in forest communities, and to evaluate the influence of geographical and climatic factors on the observed trends.Location  One hundred and thirty‐five forest communities in the Brazilian Atlantic forest.Methods  We collected data on dispersal modes for 2292 woody species. By combining species × site with species × trait matrices, we obtained the percentages of endozoochory, ornithochory, mastozoochory and the mean fruit diameter for the local forest communities. We used Spearman's correlation to assess bivariate relationships between variables. Subsequently, we performed paired t‐tests to verify if variations in frequency of dispersal modes and mean fruit diameter were influenced by altitude or temperature. Then, we applied multiple linear regressions to evaluate the effect of geographical and climatic variables on variation in the relative frequency of dispersal modes and mean fruit diameter across communities.Results  We found no consistent latitudinal or longitudinal trend in the percentage of vertebrate‐dispersed species, neither bird‐ nor mammal‐dispersed species along the Atlantic forest. Endozoochory was affected chiefly by annual mean rainfall, increasing towards moister sites. Forest communities located at higher altitudes had a higher percentage of bird‐dispersed species. Even when sites with identical values of annual mean temperature were compared, altitude had a positive effect on ornithochory. Conversely, we found a higher percentage of mammal‐dispersed species in warmer forests, even when locations at the same altitudinal belts were contrasted. Fruit diameter was clearly related to altitude, decreasing towards higher elevations.Main conclusions  This is the first analysis of a large data set on dispersal syndromes in tropical forest communities. Our findings support the hypotheses that: (1) geographical variation in the relative number of fleshy fruit species is mainly driven by moisture conditions and is relatively independent of geographical location, and (2) broad‐scale trends in fruit size correspond to geographical variation in the relative importance of mammals and birds as seed dispersal agents at the community level.
Interlinking showy traits: co‐engineering of scent and colour biosynthesis in flowers
Authors: Zvi Michal Moyal Ben , Negre‐Zakharov Florence , Masci Tania , Ovadis Marianna , Shklarman Elena , Ben‐Meir Hagit , Tzfira Tzvi , Dudareva Natalia , Vainstein Alexander 
Published: March 2008

SummaryThe phenylpropanoid pathway gives rise to metabolites that determine floral colour and fragrance. These metabolites are one of the main means used by plants to attract pollinators, thereby ensuring plant survival. A lack of knowledge about factors regulating scent production has prevented the successful enhancement of volatile phenylpropanoid production in flowers. In this study, the Production of Anthocyanin Pigment1 (Pap1) Myb transcription factor from Arabidopsis thaliana, known to regulate the production of non‐volatile phenylpropanoids, including anthocyanins, was stably introduced into Petunia hybrida. In addition to an increase in pigmentation, Pap1‐transgenic petunia flowers demonstrated an increase of up to tenfold in the production of volatile phenylpropanoid/benzenoid compounds. The dramatic increase in volatile production corresponded to the native nocturnal rhythms of volatile production in petunia. The application of phenylalanine to Pap1‐transgenic flowers led to an increase in the otherwise negligible levels of volatiles emitted during the day to nocturnal levels. On the basis of gene expression profiling and the levels of pathway intermediates, it is proposed that both increased metabolic flux and transcriptional activation of scent and colour genes underlie the enhancement of petunia flower colour and scent production by Pap1. The co‐ordinated regulation of metabolic steps within or between pathways involved in vital plant functions, as shown here for two showy traits determining plant–pollinator interactions, provides a clear advantage for plant survival. The use of a regulatory factor that activates scent production creates a new biotechnological strategy for the metabolic architecture of fragrance, leading to the creation of novel genetic variability for breeding purposes.
Ten Years of New Labour: Workplace Learning, Social Partnership and Union Revitalization in Britain
Authors: McIlroy John 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe establishment of a role in workplace learning has been perceived as one of the achievements of trade unions under New Labour. This article analyses the part the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has played in public policy since 1997. It examines its attempts to influence government and develop social partnership and statutory backing for vocational training. It assesses its degree of success and considers whether the TUC's role is best characterized in terms of social partnership or as a rediscovery of the unions' public administration function. It reviews the literature which suggests that involvement in learning stimulates union revitalization. The article concludes that the TUC has failed to attain significant influence over public policy. Rather it has delivered policy determined by government with priority accorded to employer predilections. A public administration role focused on the Union Learning Fund has provided the TUC with a new, secondary function, which provides some compensation for the failure of its primary agenda. Nonetheless, on the evidence, involvement in workplace learning appears an implausible path to union revitalization.
Debt and corporate governance in emerging economies Evidence from India1
Authors: Sarkar Jayati , Sarkar Subrata 
Published: March 2008

AbstractWe analyze the role of debt in corporate governance with respect to a large emerging economy, India, where debt has been an important source of external finance. Using cross‐sectional data on listed manufacturing firms we estimate, simultaneously, the relation between Tobin's Q and leverage for three years, 1996, 2000 and 2003. Our analysis indicates that while in the early years of institutional change, debt did not have any disciplinary effect on either standalone or group affiliated firms, the disciplinary effect appeared in the later years as institutions became more market oriented. We also find limited evidence of debt being used as an expropriation mechanism in group firms that are more vulnerable to such expropriation. In general, our results highlight the role of ownership structures and institutions in debt governance.
Firm wage differentiation in Eastern Germany A non‐parametric analysis of the wage spread
Authors: Görzig Bernd , Gornig Martin , Werwatz Axel 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIn Eastern Germany, wage differentiation between firms has clearly grown, parallel to individual wage differentials. Nevertheless, the wage spread between firms is still much less than in Western Germany. In this paper, a non‐parametric decomposition is used to analyze the difference between the wages spread in the two parts of Germany. Only part of the difference can be explained by different economic structures in Eastern Germany. By far, the greater part of the difference in the wage spread between firms in the two parts of the country is due to the fact that differences in wages paid by firms of the same type in Eastern Germany are much less than those of their counterparts in Western Germany. A striking result of the analysis is that the gap in the wage variance between Eastern and Western Germany is increasing.