bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conservation implications of complex population structure: lessons from the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
Authors: BOWEN B. W. , BASS A. L. , SOARES L. , TOONEN R. J. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractComplex population structure can result from either sex‐biased gene flow or population overlap during migrations. Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) have both traits, providing an instructive case history for wildlife management. Based on surveys of maternally inherited mtDNA, pelagic post‐hatchlings show no population structure across the northern Atlantic (φST < 0.001, P = 0.919), subadults in coastal habitat show low structure among locations (φST = 0.01, P < 0.005), and nesting colonies along the southeastern coast of the United States have strong structure (φST = 0.42, P < 0.001). Thus the level of population structure increases through progressive life history stages. In contrast, a survey of biparentally inherited microsatellite DNA shows no significant population structure: RST < 0.001; FST = 0.002 (P > 0.05) across the same nesting colonies. These results indicate that loggerhead females home faithfully to their natal nesting colony, but males provide an avenue of gene flow between regional nesting colonies, probably via opportunistic mating in migratory corridors. As a result, all breeding populations in the southeastern United States have similar levels of microsatellite diversity (HE = 0.70–0.89), whereas mtDNA haplotype diversity varies dramatically (h = 0.00–0.66). Under a conventional interpretation of the nuclear DNA data, the entire southeastern United States would be regarded as a single management unit, yet the mtDNA data indicate multiple isolated populations. This complex population structure mandates a different management strategy at each life stage. Perturbations to pelagic juveniles will have a diffuse impact on Atlantic nesting colonies, mortality of subadults will have a more focused impact on nearby breeding populations, and disturbances to adults will have pinpoint impact on corresponding breeding populations. These findings demonstrate that surveys of multiple life stages are desirable to resolve management units in migratory marine species.
Invasion from the cold past: extensive introgression of mountain hare (Lepus timidus) mitochondrial DNA into three other hare species in northern Iberia
Authors: MELO‐FERREIRA J. , BOURSOT P. , SUCHENTRUNK F. , FERRAND N. , ALVES P. C. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractMitochondrial DNA introgression fromLepus timidusintoLepus granatensisandLepus europaeuswas recently reported in Iberia, althoughL. timiduspresumably retreated from this region at the end of the last ice age. Here we assess the extent of this ancient mtDNA introgression by RFLP analysis of 695 specimens representing the three hare species present in Iberia. The introgressedL. timiduslineage was found in 23 of the 37 populations sampled. It is almost fixed inL. europaeusacross its Iberian range in the Pyrenean foothills, and inL. granatensis, which occupies the rest of the peninsula, it is predominant in the north and gradually disappears further south. We also found it inLepus castroviejoi, a species endemic to Cantabria. Multiple hybridizations and, potentially, a selective advantage for theL. timiduslineage can explain the remarkable taxonomic and geographical range of this mitochondrial introgression.
Phylogeography of two European newt species — discordance between mtDNA and morphology
Authors: BABIK W. , BRANICKI W. , CRNOBRNJA‐ISAILOVIĆ J. , COGĂLNICEANU D. , SAS I. , OLGUN K. , POYARKOV N. A. , GARCIA‐PARÍS M. , ARNTZEN J. W. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe newts Triturus vulgaris and Triturus montandoni are sister species that exhibit contrasting levels of intraspecific morphological variation. Triturus vulgaris has a broad Eurasiatic distribution encompassing both formerly glaciated and unglaciated areas and shows substantial morphological differentiation in the southern part of its range, while T. montandoni, confined to the Carpathians, is morphologically uniform. We analysed sequence variation of two mtDNA fragments of the total length of c. 1850 bp in 285 individuals of both species collected from 103 localities. Phylogenetic analysis of 200 unique haplotypes defined 12 major clades, their age estimated at c. 4.5–1.0 million years (Myr). Most of the older clades were found in the southern part of the range, and also in central Europe, mainly in Romania. The distribution of mtDNA clades points to the existence of several glacial refugia, located in the Caucasus region, Anatolia, the Balkan Peninsula, Italy, and more to the north in central Europe. The concordance between mtDNA based phylogeny and the distribution of T. vulgaris subspecies was weak. Triturus montandoni haplotypes did not form a monophyletic group. Instead they were found in six clades, in five of them mixed with T. vulgaris haplotypes, most likely as a result of past or ongoing hybridization and multiple introgression of mtDNA from T. vulgaris to T. montandoni. Patterns of sequence variation within clades suggested long‐term demographic stability in the southern groups, moderate and relatively old demographic growth in the populations inhabiting central Europe, and high growth in some of the groups that colonized northern parts of Europe after the last glacial maximum.
Coincidence of atopy profile in terms of monosensitization and polysensitization in children and their parents
Authors: Kang H. , Yu J. , Yoo Y. , Kim D. K. , Koh Y. Y. 
Published: June 2005

Background:  Results from epidemiologic studies have shown that childhood atopy is probably a hereditary disorder, because the offspring of affected parents have a higher risk of developing atopy. Among the atopic population, some subjects are sensitized to only one class of allergens (monosensitized), while other subjects are sensitized to more than one class of allergens (polysensitized). The aim of this study was to investigate whether atopy profile (monosensitization/polysensitization) in children is linked to the same conditions in their parents.Methods:  We evaluated sensitization to five classes of aeroallergens (house dust mites, animal danders, pollens, molds, and cockroach) by skin prick testing in a group of 494 children with suspicious allergic symptoms and in their parents.Results:  The frequency of parental atopy was highest (51.6%) in polysensitized children (n = 189), intermediate (37.1%) in monosensitized children (n = 178), and was lowest (22.4%) in nonsensitized children (n = 127). The proportion of polysensitized subjects among atopic parents was significantly higher for polysensitized children (45.6%) than for monosensitized children (31.1%). Polysensitized children were found to more frequently have one or both parents polysensitized (32.3%, 7.4%) than monosensitized children (18.5%, 2.2%) with odds ratios of 2.09 (95% CI: 1.29–3.40) and 3.48 (1.12–10.78), respectively, whereas the likelihood of having one or two monosensitized parents was not increased for polysensitized children.Conclusion:  Our data suggest a familial coincidence of atopy profile in terms of monosensitization and polysensitization, although the relative importance of genetic or environmental influence should be studied further.
Utility of the ratio of food‐specific IgE/total IgE in predicting symptomatic food allergy in children
Authors: Mehl A. , Verstege A. , Staden U. , Kulig M. , Nocon M. , Beyer K. , Niggemann B. 
Published: June 2005

Background:  Double‐blind, placebo‐controlled food challenges are time‐consuming, expensive and not without risk to patients. Therefore, an in vitro test that could accurately diagnose food allergy would be of great value.Objective:  To evaluate the utility of the ratio of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE)/total IgE compared with specific IgE (sIgE) alone in predicting symptomatic food allergy.Methods:  We retrospectively analysed 992 controlled oral food challenges performed in 501 children (median age 13 months). The ratio of sIgE/total IgE was calculated and tested for correlation with the outcome of food challenges. Receiver operator characteristics (ROC)‐curves were performed; predicted probabilities and predictive decision points were calculated.Results:  A significant correlation was found between the ratio and the outcome of food challenges for cow's milk (CM), hen's egg (HE), and wheat, but not for soy. The ROC and predicted probability curves as well as sensitivity and specificity of the decision points of the ratio were similar to those of sIgE levels for CM, HE and wheat.Conclusion:  In view of the greater effort needed to determine the ratio, without benefit compared with the sIgE alone, the calculation of the ratio of sIgE/total IgE for diagnosing symptomatic food allergy offers no advantage for CM, HE, wheat or soy. For the majority of cases controlled oral food challenges still remain the method of choice.
Mutations in the high‐affinity IgE receptor β‐chain are not associated with nonresponder status
Authors: Küster H. , Von Manstein S. , Ruocchio‐Wiglinghaus S. , Von Brunn A. , Reinhardt D. 
Published: June 2005

Background:  Basophils of some individuals do not release histamine upon activation of their high‐affinity immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptor (FcRI), but do so if this receptor is circumvented for cell activation. This so‐called nonresponder phenomenon is clinically relevant, because in various studies atopy was less frequent or absent in nonresponder individuals. So far, it is unknown if this phenomenon is acquired during adulthood or exists from birth on.Methods:  Histamine release was determined from isolated leucocytes stimulated with anti‐IgE or calciumionophor. Also, random primed cDNA was synthesized and the open reading frame (ORF) of the FcRI β‐subunit amplified and sequenced.Results:  In the first part of our study, we examined the role of atopic status, type of atopy, and age in a random population of 95 children of whom we found 22% to be nonresponder. None of these parameters correlated with the nonresponder status. Except for food allergy, no specific type of atopy correlated with histamine release. The mechanism underlying the nonresponder phenomenon is assumed to occur early in the signalling cascade. We hypothesized that mutations in the FcRI β‐chain may be associated with the nonresponder status, and in the second part of our study sequenced the β‐subunit in 20 responders and 20 nonresponders. Two conservative and two nonconservative heterozygous one base mutations (Thr179Thr, Asp216Asp, Ile147Leu and Glu237Gly) were found in two nonresponders and one responder. Three of these mutations have not been described so far.Conclusion:  The nonresponder phenomenon is present from birth on and genetically determined. In our population, it was not associated with age or the presence of atopy, and appeared not to be caused by mutations in the FcRI β‐chain.
Gene expression and regulation of transcription factor activator protein‐2 alpha in human mast cells
Authors: Welker P. , Wanner R. , Zuberbier T. , Groneberg D. A. , Henz B. M. 
Published: June 2005

Background:  The transcription factor activator protein (AP)‐2 regulates cell‐type specific gene expression during development and differentiation, but its role in mast cell development has so far not been explored.Methods:  Gene expression and regulation of AP2 was assessed in normal skin, diseases with increased mast cell numbers, and in vitro models of mast cell differentiation.Results:  AP‐2α‐protein was not detectable in normal skin but in mastocytoma lesional mast cells. AP‐2α‐mRNA and ‐protein were also detected in leukemic mast cells (HMC‐1), in the adherent fraction of peripheral blood (PBMC) and umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC), and AP‐2α‐mRNA at low levels in isolated‐purified mast cells. During culture with fibroblast supernatants or SCF, AP‐2α‐mRNA was de novo expressed in KU812‐cells, maintained at about the same level in PBMC and CBMC, and upregulated in HMC‐1‐cells. On extended culture, a down‐regulation was noted at mRNA and/or protein levels. In contrast, tryptase expression increased in all cells throughout culture, as did c‐Kit in normal cells, whereas in both leukemic cell lines, c‐Kit was maintained unchanged at about the same level.Conclusions:  These findings suggest a continuous activation of AP‐2α in mastocytomas and mast cell leukemia and its transient upregulation during c‐Kit dependent early steps of normal mast cell differentiation.
Dog factor differences in Can f 1 allergen production
Authors: Ramadour M. , Guetat M. , Guetat J. , El Biaze M. , Magnan A. , Vervloet D. 
Published: June 2005

Background:  The clinical importance of dog allergy is well known, but it is unknown if all types of dogs represent the same risk for allergic patients.The purpose of this work was to evaluate among 288 healthy dogs if the levels of Can f 1 on fur vary between breeds (German Shepherd, Pyrenean Shepherd, Poodle, Cocker spaniel, Spaniel, Griffon, Labrador retriever and Yorkshire terrier), gender, hormonal status, hair length, and according to the presence of seborrhea.Methods:  Each dog was shaved in a limited area and Can f 1 concentrations were measured in μg/g fur by ELISA. The results (geometric mean values and 95% confidence intervals) were analyzed using analysis of variance and with nonparametric tests.Results:  A wide variability in Can f 1 levels was found between dog breeds, from Labradors [1.99 (0.03–129.91)] to Yorkshires [16.72 (3.67–76.16)] and Poodles [17.04 (2.79–103.94)] but only the Labrador levels were significantly different from each other breed. Males produced more Can f 1 than females, 11.75 (1.27–108.40) vs 8.89 (0.91–86.39). No difference was found according to hair length or hormonal status. The seborrheic status highly (P = 0.0019) influenced the presence of Can f 1 on hair: 16.66 (1.59–173.96) vs 9.40 (1.03–85.70).Conclusion:  Breeds (Labrador retriever), sex and seborrhea seem to influence the levels of Can f 1 on fur.
Dimensions of Poverty: Status and Solutions Towards the Millennium Development Goals
Authors: Shaw D. J. 
Published: June 2005

Books reviewed: State of the World Population 2004: The Cairo Consensus at Ten ‐ Population, Reproductive Health and the Global Effort to End Poverty. By UNFPA. How Have the World's Poorest Fared Since the Early 1980s? By Shaohua Chen and Martin Ravallion. The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2004: Monitoring Progress towards the World Food Summit and Millennium Development Goals. By FAO. Fifth Report on the World Nutrition Situation: Nutrition for Improved Development Outcomes. By SCN. IFPRI Annual Report 2003‐4. By IFPRI. Halving Hunger: It Can Be Done. By Task Force on Hunger. Outgrowing the Earth: The Food Security Challenge in an Age of Falling Water Tables and Rising Temperatures. By Lester R. Brown. The State of the World's Children 2005: Childhood Under Threat. By UNICEF. Education for All: The Quality Imperative ‐ EFA Global Monitoring Report 2005. Commissioned by UNESCO. World Employment Report 2004‐05: Employment, Productivity and Poverty Reduction. By ILO. The Future of the WTO: Addressing Institutional Challenges in the New Millennium. By the Consultative Board. State of the World 2005: Redefining Global Security. By the Worldwatch Institute. Investing in Development: A Practical Plan to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals. By Jeffrey D. Sachs and the UN Millennium Project.
Synapsin associates with cyclophilin B in an ATP‐ and cyclosporin A‐dependent manner
Authors: Lane‐Guermonprez Lydie , Morot‐Gaudry‐Talarmain Yvette , Meunier François‐Marie , O'Regan Seana , Onofri Franco , Le Caer Jean‐Pierre , Benfenati Fabio 
Published: June 2005

AbstractImmunophilins are ubiquitous enzymes responsible for proline isomerisation during protein synthesis and for the chaperoning of several membrane proteins. These activities can be blocked by the immunosuppressants cyclosporin A, FK506 and rapamycin. It has been shown that all three immunosuppressants have neurotrophic activity and can modulate neurotransmitter release, but the molecular basis of these effects is currently unknown. Here, we show that synapsin I, a synaptic vesicle‐associated protein, can be purified from Torpedo cholinergic synaptosomes through its affinity to cyclophilin B, an immunophilin that is particularly abundant in brain. The interaction is direct and conserved in mammals, and shows a dissociation constant of about 0.5 µmin vitro. The binding between the two proteins can be disrupted by cyclosporin A and inhibited by physiological concentrations of ATP. Furthermore, cyclophilin B co‐localizes with synapsin I in rat synaptic vesicle fractions and its levels in synaptic vesicle‐containing fractions are decreased in synapsin knockout mice. These results suggest that immunophilins are involved in the complex protein networks operating at the presynaptic level and implicate the interaction between cyclophilin B and synapsins in presynaptic function.
Fibroblast growth factor 2 applied to the optic nerve after axotomy increases Bcl‐2 and decreases Bax in ganglion cells by activating the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase signaling pathway
Authors: Ríos‐Muñoz Wilson , Soto Ileana , Duprey‐Díaz Mildred V. , Blagburn Jonathan , Blanco Rosa E. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractWe have shown that application of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF‐2) to axotomized optic nerve promotes the survival of frog retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). In the present study we used western blotting and immunocytochemistry to investigate the effects of this FGF‐2 treatment upon the activation of the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, the amounts and distribution of Bcl‐2 family proteins, and the activation of caspase‐3. Axotomy alone temporarily increased ERK activation; FGF‐2 treatment to the nerve prolonged this activation. This effect was blocked by U0126, a selective ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitor. Axotomy caused a decrease in Bcl‐2 and a small increase in Bcl‐xL. FGF‐2 treatment caused an ERK‐dependent increase in Bcl‐2 and an ERK‐independent increase in Bcl‐xL. The pro‐apoptotic Bax was increased by axotomy; FGF‐2 treatment greatly decreased Bax levels, an effect that was inhibited by U0126. Axotomy induced the cleavage of caspase‐3; FGF‐2 treatment blocked this effect in an ERK‐dependent manner. Finally, intraocular application of the MEK inhibitor caused a large reduction in the survival‐promoting effect that FGF‐2 application to the nerve stump had on RGCs. Our results suggest that FGF‐2 acts, at least in part, via the ERK pathway to prevent apoptosis of axotomized RGCs not only by increasing amounts of anti‐apoptotic proteins, but also by a striking reduction in the levels of apoptotic effectors themselves.
Environmental enrichment decreases cell surface expression of the dopamine transporter in rat medial prefrontal cortex
Authors: Zhu Jun , Apparsundaram Subbu , Bardo Michael T. , Dwoskin Linda P. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractRats raised in an enriched environmental condition (EC) exhibit a decreased (35%) maximal velocity (Vmax) of [3H]dopamine (DA) uptake in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) compared with rats raised in an impoverished condition (IC); however, no differences between EC and IC groups in Vmax for [3H]DA uptake were found in nucleus accumbens and striatum. Using biotinylation and immunoblotting techniques, the present study examined whether the brain region‐specific decrease in DA transporter (DAT) function is the result of a reduction in DAT cell surface expression. In mPFC, nucleus accumbens and striatum, total DAT immunoreactivity was not different between EC and IC groups. Whereas no differences in cell surface expression of DAT were found in nucleus accumbens and striatum, DAT immunoreactivity in the biotinylated cell surface fraction of mPFC was decreased (39%) in EC compared with IC rats, consistent with the magnitude of the previously observed decrease in Vmax for [3H]DA uptake in mPFC in EC rats. These results suggest that the decrease in DAT cell surface expression in the mPFC may be responsible for decreased DAT function in the mPFC of EC compared with IC rats, and that there is plasticity in the regulatory mechanisms mediating DAT trafficking and function.
Embryonic gene expression and pro‐protein processing of proSAAS during rodent development
Authors: Morgan Daniel J. , Mzhavia Nino , Peng Bonnie , Pan Hui , Devi Lakshmi A. , Pintar John E. 
Published: June 2005

Abstract In vitro assays have demonstrated that peptides derived from the recently–identified proSAAS precursor inhibit prohormone convertase 1 (PC1) suggesting that this novel peptide may function as an endogenous inhibitor of PC1. To further understand the role of proSAAS in vivo, we have investigated the expression of proSAAS mRNA and processing of proSAAS during pre‐ and early postnatal rodent development. In situ hybridization showed that, by embryonic day 12.5 (e12.5) in the rat, proSAAS mRNA was present in essentially all differentiating neurons in the mantle layer of the myelencephalon, metencephalon, diencephalon, spinal cord and several sympathetic ganglia. During later stages of prenatal development, widespread proSAAS expression continues in post‐mitotic neurons of both the CNS and PNS and begins in endocrine cells of the anterior and intermediate pituitary. Although proSAAS expression overlaps with PC1 in several regions, its overall expression pattern is significantly more extensive, suggesting that proSAAS may be multifunctional during development. Processed forms of proSAAS are present by at least mid‐gestation with marked accumulation of two C‐terminal forms, comprising the PC1 inhibitory fragment of proSAAS.
Long‐term glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor overexpression in the intact nigrostriatal system in rats leads to a decrease of dopamine and increase of tetrahydrobiopterin production
Authors: Sajadi Ali , Bauer Matthias , Thöny Beat , Aebischer Patrick 
Published: June 2005

AbstractParkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the progressive degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system. Brain delivery of glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been shown to protect and restore the dopaminergic pathway in various animal models of PD. However, GDNF overexpression in the dopaminergic pathway leads to a time‐dependent down‐regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a key enzyme in dopamine synthesis. In order to elucidate GDNF‐mediated biochemical effects on dopaminergic neurons, we overexpressed GDNF in the intact rat striatum using a lentiviral vector‐mediated gene transfer technique. Long‐term GDNF overexpression led to increased GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH I) activity and tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) levels. Further, we observed a down‐regulation of TH enzyme activity in morphologically intact striatal dopaminergic nerve terminals, as well as a significant decrease of dopamine levels in striatal tissue samples. These results indicate that long‐term GDNF delivery is a major factor affecting dopamine biosynthesis via a direct or indirect modulation of TH and GTPCH I and further underscore the importance of assessing both GDNF dose and delivery duration prior to clinical application in order to circumvent potentially adverse pharmacological effects on the biosynthesis of dopamine.