bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isozyme evidence for three sibling species in the Anopheles sundaicus complex from Indonesia
Authors: Sukowati S. , Baimai V. , Harun S. , Dasuki Y. , Andris H. , Efriwati M. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryElectrophoretic studies of isoenzymes in three chromosomally distinct forms (A, B and C) of the mosquito Anopheles sundaicus Theobald (Diptera: Culiciae) were undertaken on wild samples collected from six geographically isolated populations in Indonesia. Analyses of 12 enzyme systems comprising 15 loci revealed significant allelic variations, genetic polymorphism, within and among the populations of the An. sundaicus complex. Phylogenetic dendrograms produced by analysis using the Biosys‐1 program based on upgma methods show that all the populations of form A fall into one cluster, which is closely related to the form C cluster, whereas the populations of form B belong to a more distinct cluster. Allelic frequency and Wright’s F statistics of Mpi (mannose phosphate isomerase) are sufficient to identify individuals of each cytological form. This isozyme data correlates with our previous cytological evidence for the existence of three isomorphic species within the taxon An. sundaicus in Indonesia. These three species of the An. sundaicus complex were found together sympatrically at one locality, Asahan in North Sumatra.
Comparison of carbon dioxide‐baited trapping systems for sampling outdoor mosquito populations in Tanzania
Authors: Mboera L. E. G. , Knols B. G. J. , Braks M. A. H. , Takken W. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryFor collecting mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) the outdoor catching efficiency of four types of trapping devices baited with carbon dioxide (CO2, 300 ml/min) was evaluated and compared in two areas of Tanzania. The types of traps employed were: the CDC miniature trap with the incandescent light bulb switched on or off; electric nets (ENT) and a Counterflow Geometry (CFG) trap. In Njage, south‐east Tanzania, Anopheles gambiae Giles sensu stricto was the most abundant of the seven mosquito species obtained, comprising of 74.3% of the total number caught (n = 2171). In Muheza, north‐east Tanzania, Culex quinquefasciatus Say was the predominant species (90.9%) among 1080 caught. At both localities the CFG trap was superior to the CDC trap with light‐on or light‐off for sampling both An. gambiae and Cx. quinquefasciatus. Efficiency of the CFG trap and ENT were similar for sampling these species of mosquitoes (P > 0.05). However, ENT was superior to the CDC trap with light‐off for collecting both species. Significantly more (P < 0.05) Cx. quinquefasciatus were obtained by the CDC trap with light‐off than with light‐on, especially outdoors. It is concluded that both ENT and the CFG are effective tools for sampling populations of An. gambiae and Cx. quinquefasciatus outdoors.
Salivary proteins and glycoproteins in phlebotomine sandflies of various species, sex and age
Authors: Volf P. , Tesařová P. , Nohýnkova E. 
Published: March 2003

SummarySalivary gland proteins were studied in sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) by electrophoretic techniques. In Phlebotomus duboscqi Neveu‐Lemaire the protein concentration was about 30 times higher in females than in males. SDS PAGE revealed eight major bands of 29–62 kDa in salivary gland extracts (SGE) from females, whereas only one band of 57 kDa was detected in males. The number of protein components in SGE gradually increased with the age of females. In P. papatasi (Scopoli) the typical electrophoretic pattern was reached in 3–5 days after imago emergence, depending on the temperature at which females were maintained. All major protein components of the female SGE were present in the content of glands. Female SGE were compared in seven colonies of five Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia species; electrophoretic profiles distinguished between species and even between colonies of different geographical origin. In general, the highest variability of major protein components was observed in the 38–48 kDa region. Four colonies of the subgenus Phlebotomus (P. duboscqi and P. papatasi) possessed common mobility polypeptides, the highest similarity was found between two colonies of P. papatasi. Other species tested significantly differed, specific prominent bands of 33, 35 and 38 kDa were found in P. halepensis Theodor, P. perniciosus Newstead and Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva), respectively. Glycoproteins in SGE of Lu. longipalpis and P. duboscqi females were identified and analysed using blotting with five lectin conjugates. Specific reaction of lectins ConA and WGA revealed the complex type of N‐glycans in the 48 and 53–54 kDa glycoproteins present in both species. Similar glycosylation was detected in species‐specific bands of the 57–60 and 65–67 kDa in P. duboscqi and Lu. longipalpis, respectively. The high mannose type of glycosylation was found in the 20 and 39 kDa polypeptides of Lu. longipalpis and the 40–42 kDa polypeptides of P. duboscqi. Innate lectin activity specific for aminosugars was detected in SGE of P. duboscqi females using haemagglutination tests with rabbit erythrocytes.
Interactions between cattle and biting flies: effects on the feeding rate of tsetse
Authors: Torr S. J. , Mangwiro T. N. C. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryIn Zimbabwe, studies were made of the effect of host behaviour on the feeding success ofGlossina pallidipesAusten andG. morsitans morsitansWestwood (Diptera: Glossinidae) attracted to cattle of different age and sex. The mean feeding rates for male and femaleG. pallidipesattracted to oxen were 60% and 58%, respectively, compared to 33% and 53% for male and femaleG. m. morsitans. The feeding rate ofG. pallidipesvaried between oxen and was inversely correlated with a host's rate of defensive leg movements, which, in turn, was positively correlated with the density ofStomoxysspp. (Diptera: Muscidae) caught in the vicinity of the host. Tsetse were significantly less successful in feeding from young cattle. ForG. pallidipes, the feeding rate on calves (< 6 months) was 11%, whereas for male and femaleG. m. morsitansthe rates were 12% and 20%, respectively. Significantly lower feeding rates were apparent for cattle aged up to 2 years, when the feeding rate forG. pallidipes(31%) was still significantly less than that on mature oxen (68%). Feeding rates forG. pallidipeson adult female cattle were lower than those on oxen (45% vs. 61%). The lower feeding rates in young animals were attributed to higher rates of defensive movements. The results suggest that higher rates of defensive activities by young cattle reduce the risk of them contracting trypanosomiasis.
Susceptibility of ten species of mosquito larvae to the parasitic nematode Romanomermis iyengari and its development
Authors: Paily K. P. , Balaraman K. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryTen species of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from five genera were exposed to preparasites of the tropical mermithid nematode species Romanomermis iyengari (Welch) (Nematoda: Mermithidae), a strain isolated in 1978 from Pondicherry. By exposing mosquito larvae during the second instar, nematode infection was invariably lethal, the rate being highest in Culex sitiens Wiedemann (95%) followed by Cx. quinquefasciatus Say (90%), Aedes aegypti (L.) (79%), Anopheles subpictus Grassi (64%), Ae. albopictus (Skuse) and Armigeres subalbatus Coquillett (62%), Cx. tritaeniorhynchus Giles (57%), Mansonia annulifera (Theobald) (46%), An. stephensi Liston (40%) and An. culicifacies Giles (36%). When fourth‐instar larvae were exposed, the infection was highest in Ar. subalbatus (66%), followed by An. stephensi (52%), Cx. quinquefasciatus (47%), Ae. aegypti and An. subpictus (42%), Ae. albopictus (30%), An. culicifacies (29%), Cx. sitiens (24%), Cx. tritaeniorhynchus (19%) and Ma. annulifera (8%), with 2–45% of infected culicines surviving to adulthood. The parasitic phase of the nematode lasted 5–7 days in all the host species, yielding 1.1–3.2 parasites per II instar and 1.1–2.5 parasites per IV instar. The overall output of parasites per 100 mosquito larvae (infected + uninfected) was highest for Ae. aegypti when mosquitoes were exposed during II instar (2.53 parasites/larva) and for Ar. subalbatus when mosquitoes were exposed during IV instar (1.65/larva), and lowest for Ma. annulifera exposed during IV instar (0.09/larva). For routine laboratory culture of R. iyengari it is convenient to employ Cx. quinquefasciatus as the host yielding 90–190 parasites/100 larva.
Seasonal changes in prevalence and intensity of Hypoderma actaeon in Cervus elaphus from central Spain
Authors: Fuente‐López C. De La , Santín‐Durán M. , Alunda J. M. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryHypodermosis in red deer, Cervus elaphus Linnaeus (Artilodactyla: Cervidae), caused by the warble fly, Hypoderma actaeon Latreille (Diptera: Oestridae), was studied at Quintos de Mora (Toledo, Spain) over a one‐year period between October 1994 and September 1995. One hundred and twenty‐five red deer were examined for the presence of warble fly larvae. The prevalence of warbles was 44.8% and the intensity of infection was 38.29 (SD ± 61.32) warbles/deer infected. Clear seasonal variations were observed in prevalence and intensity, with the highest values in the autumn and winter. Statistically significant differences were observed in prevalence and intensity among age groups. In contrast, no differences were found in prevalence and intensity between males and females.
Assessment in general practice: the predictive value of written‐knowledge tests and a multiple‐station examination for actual medical performance in daily practice
Authors: Ram Paul , Vleuten Cees van der , Rethans Jan‐Joost , Schouten Berna , Hobma Sjoerd , Grol Richard 
Published: March 2003

This study compares the predictive values of written‐knowledge tests and a standardized multiple‐station examination for the actual medical performance of general practitioners (GPs) in order to select effective assessment methods to be used in quality‐improvement activities.A comprehensive assessment was performed in four phases. First, 100 GPs from the southern part of the Netherlands were assessed by a general medical knowledge test and by a knowledge test on technical skills. Second, in order to check for time‐order effects, participants were randomly divided into two groups of 50 each, comparable on scores of both knowledge tests and on professional characteristics. Finally, both groups went through a multiple station examination using standardized patients and a practice video assessment of real surgery, but in opposite orders. Consultations were videotaped and assessed by well‐trained peer observers. The drop‐out rate was 10%.In both groups the predictive value of medical knowledge tests, ranging from 0·43 to 0·56 (Pearson correlation disattenuated), proved to be comparable with the predictive value of the multiple‐station examination for actual performance (0·33–0·59). The overall explained variance of scores of the practice video assessment, measured by multiple regression analysis with performance scores as dependent variables and scores on the knowledge tests and the multiple‐station examination as independent variables was moderate (19%). A time‐order effect showed in only one direction: from practice video assessment to the multiple‐station examination. The GP's professional characteristics did not contribute to the explanation of variation in performance. Medical knowledge tests can predict actual clinical performance to the same extent as a multiple‐station examination. Compared with a station examination, a knowledge test may be a good alternative method for assessment the procedures of a large number of practising GPs.
A prospective analysis of stress and academic performance in the first two years of medical school
Authors: Stewart  , Lam  , Betson  , Wong  , Wong  
Published: March 2003

AimThis study provides prospective, longitudinal data on the relationship between stress‐related measures and academic performance during the first two years of medical school.MethodsFirst year medical students (n = 121) were surveyed prior to beginning classes (wave 1), and again 8 months later (wave 2). Personality variables predisposing to distress (optimism and trait anxiety), stress response (depression and state anxiety), and stress management strategies were assessed at wave 1 and wave 2. Pre‐medical academic scores, and grades at the end of five assessment periods over the course of the first 2 years of medical school were also obtained.Results and conclusionsAs expected, pre‐medical‐school academic performance strongly predicted performance in medical school. Academic performance before and during medical school was negatively related to reported stress levels. On bivariate correlations, there were numerous significant relationships between stress reported at waves 1 and 2, and medical school academic performance assessed after these measures. In addition there were modest negative correlations between self‐reported coping strategies of `humour' and `wishful thinking', and consequent academic performance. However, the predictive value of stress and its management on prospective academic performance was much decreased once pre‐medical‐school performance was statistically controlled.
The WISDOM project: training primary care professionals in informatics in a collaborative 'virtual classroom'
Authors: Fox  , Dolman  , Lane  , O‐Rourke  , Roberts  
Published: March 2003

ObjectivesThe WISDOM project applies Internet technologies to create a virtual classroom in health informatics for primary care professionals. Participants use a facilitated E‐mail discussion list supported by a web site which provides on‐line resources and an archive of teaching materials.DesignThe project took an adult‐learning model in which participants identify their learning needs, emphasized using informatics skills in practice, and focused on skills likely to enhance evidence‐based practice. The paper describes the project and an evaluation of the first programme which ran in 1997 with 28 participants. Pre‐ and post‐intervention questionnaires were used to assess perceived skills in informatics and evidence‐based practice.SettingUniversity of Sheffield.SubjectsPrimary care professionals.ResultsParticipants reported statistically significant increases in eight informatics skills. There were no significant changes in evidence‐based practice skills. The web‐site, seminar programme and discussion list were highly rated as useful in delivering informatics training.ConclusionsThe WISDOM approach is effective for the delivery of informatics training to primary care professionals, and may be used more widely for other subjects and professional groups. There is a need for further research into facilitating virtual classrooms.
Natural selection promotes divergence of transferrin among salmonid species
Authors: Ford Michael J. , Thornton Perry J. , Park Linda K. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractTransferrin is an iron‐binding protein that plays an important role in iron metabolism and resistance to bacterial infection in a variety of organisms. A comparison of transferrin coding sequences from four salmonid species shows that the rate of evolution at nonsynonymous sites is significantly higher than the rate at synonymous sites, suggesting that positive natural selection for new alleles has played an important role in the evolution of transferrin in some salmon species. We hypothesize that the selective agent driving rapid divergence is interactions between host transferrin and the iron‐scavenging proteins of pathogenic bacteria.
Biogeography and population genetics of the Lake Malawi cichlid Melanochromis auratus: habitat transience, philopatry and speciation
Authors: Markert Jeffrey A. , Arnegard Matthew E. , Danley Patrick D. , Kocher Thomas D. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractMigration rates among nine populations of the endemic Lake Malawi cichlid Melanochromis auratus were estimated along a 42‐km stretch of habitat in the southern end of the lake. Allele frequencies were surveyed at four simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci. The data suggest migration rates among populations are quite low. Exact tests indicate that statistically detectable allele frequency differences exist between many adjacent populations in the study. The FST value among all populations was estimated to be 0.151 (P < 0.0002). A biogeographic survey suggests that the highest levels of genetic differentiation exist between populations separated by stretches of deep water. Migration is more common between populations separated by shallower water or with shoreline dispersal routes. Reduced allelic diversity was observed at more recently created habitat patches, suggesting that either bottlenecks are associated with the colonization of new habitat patches or that these shallower sites were all founded by genetically depauperate ancestral populations. The extreme philopatry of M. auratus, coupled with the patchy distribution and transient nature of its preferred habitat, provides opportunities for both selection and genetic drift to produce genetic differentiation among populations. Both processes may be important to the evolution of taxonomic diversity in the East African cichlid species flocks.
Male reproductive success in a promiscuous mammal: behavioural estimates compared with genetic paternity
Authors: Coltman D. W. , Bancroft D. R. , Robertson A. , Smith J. A. , Clutton‐brock T. H. , Pemberton J. M. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractMolecular techniques have enabled behavioural ecologists to reassess mating systems from a genetic perspective. Studies of paternity frequently reveal that mating behaviour does not always reflect parentage, and may bring to light alternative mating tactics. Here we present a comparison of behavioural and genetic measures of male reproductive success in a mammalian mating system in which both sexes are highly promiscuous. Rather than having a stable harem social structure, Soay rams (Ovis aries) on the island of Hirta, St Kilda, UK usually consort with individual oestrous ewes sequentially. Not all matings occur between consort pairs, however, and ewes have been seen to mate with up to 10 different rams on the same day. Using locus‐specific polymorphism at five protein and 10 microsatellite DNA loci, we determined paternity for 236 lambs born into three cohorts, and compared paternity with estimates of mating success derived from more than one census of rutting behaviour. The correlation between the number of ewes with which each ram was witnessed in consort and the number of paternities assigned was positive and statistically significant, and rams that were observed in consort with a ewe were 18 times more likely to have sired her offspring than other candidate rams. However, most lambs (73%) were not sired by a ram seen in consort with the oestrous mother. Many juveniles, yearlings and some adult rams were rarely seen in consort with ewes, yet were assigned a significant number of paternities. These results suggest that mating tactics differ between age groups, and that alternative mating strategies among adults that do not involve forming consorts with many females also confer mating success. For these reasons, census‐based observations of consort associations between individuals cannot be used to accurately estimate individual male reproductive success in this population.
Mitochondrial restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequence variation among closely related avian species and the genetic characterization of hybridDendroicawarblers
Authors: Lovette Irby J. , Bermingham Eldredge , Rohwer Sievert , Wood Chris 
Published: March 2003

AbstractTo address several interconnected goals, we used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences to explore evolutionary relationships among four potentially hybridizing taxa in a North American avian superspecies (Dendroica occidentalis,D. townsendi,D. virens, andD. nigrescens). We first compared the results of a previous restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)‐based study with 1453 nucleotides from the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), ATP‐synthase 6 (ATPase 6), and ATP‐synthase 8 (ATPase 8) genes. Separate phylogenetic analyses of the RFLP and sequence data provided identical and well‐supported hierarchical species‐level reconstructions that groupedoccidentalisandtownsendias sister taxa. We then explored several general features of mitochondrial evolution via a comparison of the RFLP and sequence data sets. Qualitative rate differences that seemed evident in highly autocorrelated comparisons of RFLP vs. sequence pairwise distances were not supported when autocorrelation was removed. We also noted a high variance in corresponding RFLP and sequence distances after the removal of autocorrelation effects. This variance suggests that caution should be used when combining RFLP and sequence‐based data in studies that require the large‐scale synthesis of divergence estimates drawn from sources employing different molecular techniques. Finally, we used our parallel RFLP and sequence data to design and validate a rapid and inexpensive polymerase chain reaction‐RFLP (PCR‐RFLP) protocol for determining species‐specific mitochondrial haplotypes. This PCR‐RFLP technique will be applied in ongoing studies of theoccidentalis/townsendihybrid zone, where the historic and geographical complexity of the interbreeding populations necessitates the genotyping of thousands of individual warblers.
Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers detect a single phenotype inLysimachia minoricensisJ.J. Rodr. (Primulaceae), a wild extinct plant
Authors: Calero Cristina , Ibáñez Olga , Mayol Maria , Rosselló Josep A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractLysimachia minoricensisis a Mediterranean (Balearic Islands) endemic that is extinct in the wild but extant in botanical gardens. Previously, no variation at 22 isozyme loci was revealed in more than 150 analysed plants. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was used to examine genetic variation among five individuals from each of eight botanical garden accessions (40 plants). No polymorphisms were detected at 201 amplified bands. This is the first report of RAPD monomorphism in a nonapomictic vascular plant. The lack of detectable genetic variation suggests that an extremely reduced gene pool was recovered in the field before its extinction. Although the screening of other genomic markers is feasible, it is suggested that the knowledge of biological and autoecological features should be prioritized before new re‐introductions are attempted.