bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polymorphisms of the TAP1 and TAP2 genes in human alveolar echinococcosis
Authors: Zhang S. , Penfornis A. , Harraga S. , Chabod J. , Beurton I. , Bresson‐Hadni S. , Tiberghien P. , Kern P. , Vuitton D.‐A. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryWe postulated that TAP genes may influence the susceptibility of some individuals to Echinococcus multilocularis infection. Six coding region variants (codons 333 and 637 in TAP1, and 379, 565, 651 and 665 in TAP2) were typed in 94 patients and 100 controls. Thr/Thr homozygosity at TAP2/665 was more prevalent in patients than in controls [64% vs. 45%, respectively; odds ratio (OR) = 2.1 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1; 2.7)] and Thr/Ala heterozygozity was less prevalent (32% vs. 50%, respectively) (P = 0.014). Of the 38 patients with progressive lesions, 76% were Thr/Thr, as compared with 55% of patients without progressive lesions and 45% of controls (P = 0.058 and 0.02, respectively), independent of HLA status. To determine whether this association is functionally relevant, functional analyses and/or confirmation in distinct populations of patients with alveolar echinococcosis would be required.
Increase in the bulk density of a Grey Clay subsoil by infilling of cracks by topsoil
Authors: Bruand A. , Cochrane H. , Fisher P. , Gilkes R. J. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryIncreases in soil bulk density beyond the optimum reduce land productivity and, where soil is affected, may be difficult to remedy. Elucidating the mechanisms causing compaction is a prerequisite to sustainable management of fragile soils. We examined a dense grey soil in Western Australia in which the dominant physical feature of the subsoil was coarse prismatic structure. The prisms were approximately hexagonal in horizontal section with an average side length of 0.66 m. The top of the prisms reached to within approximately 0.07 m of the soil surface, their sides becoming indistinguishable below approximately 0.9 m. The vertical faces of the prisms were coated by material similar in composition to the topsoil and separated from it by a transition material of intermediate composition. Soil within the prisms had a bulk density at maximum swelling which reached a maximum of 1.86 g cm−3 in the upper subsoil. We investigate the hypothesis that such a high bulk density could have developed as a result of a simple three‐stage process: (i) soil shrinkage as the profile dries over summer leading to widening of cracks between prismatic peds, (ii) infilling of cracks by detached topsoil which adds to coating thickness, and (iii) swelling during the winter, now partially restricted by coating material, leading to compression of the prismatic peds. We present a model which accounts quantitatively for this process and explain how soil physical characteristics might facilitate it. The dense upper subsoil (7–60 cm) limits root penetration and prolongs the period of transient waterlogging of the topsoil during winter, adversely affecting subsequent crop performance. Our work suggests that stabilizing surface soil to minimize soil detachment could be a relevant management objective on these structurally unstable soils in order to prevent subsoil compaction.
Effect of catch‐and‐release angling on growth of largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides
Authors: Pope K. L. , Wilde G. R. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractCatch‐and‐release angling is popular in many parts of the world and plays an increasingly important role in management of recreational fisheries. Although the magnitude of catch‐and‐release mortality is well documented for many species, potential sublethal effects have been little studied. An experiment was conducted to assess directly the effects of catch‐and‐release angling on growth of largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides Lacépède. Angling mortality was 0.00 ± 0.092% for largemouth bass caught on plastic grubs. There was no difference (P = 0.57) in weight gain between caught and uncaught fish over a 40‐day angling and recovery period. Although catch‐and‐release angling appears to have no effect on largemouth bass growth, previous studies documented sublethal effects on growth and reproduction in other species, suggesting that the occurrence and magnitude of sublethal effects vary among species.
Mantle displays of freshwater mussels elicit attacks from fish
Authors: Haag Wendell R. , Warren Melvin L. 
Published: December 2004

1. Gravid females of some North American freshwater mussel species (Bivalvia: Unionidae) display highly modified mantle margins and other reproductive structures which mimic small fish, terrestrial insects, or aquatic macro‐invertebrates. We report the responses of fish to these lures, based on the results of laboratory encounters between the following pairs of displaying mussels and fishes: Lampsilis cardium and Micropterus coosae; L. perovalis and M. coosae; and Villosa nebulosa and Percina nigrofasciata. In all three encounters, the lures elicited attacks from fish.2. Encounters between Lampsilis spp. and M. coosae resulted in gill infestations of the fish by larval mussels, which are obligate parasites on fish. An encounter between V. nebulosa and P. nigrofasciata did not result in infestation.3. The use of these lures to attract fish may greatly increase the chances of parasite/host encounters and may also reduce the chances of infestation of unsuitable hosts.
Mortality of zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, veligers during downstream transport
Authors: Horvath Thomas G. , Lamberti Gary A. 
Published: December 2004

1. Streams flowing from lakes which contain zebra mussels, Dreissena polymorpha, provide apparently suitable habitats for mussel colonization and downstream range expansion, yet most such streams contain few adult mussels. We postulated that mussel veligers experience high mortality during dispersal via downstream transport. They tested this hypothesis in Christiana Creek, a lake‐outlet stream in south‐western Michigan, U.S.A., in which adult mussel density declined exponentially with distance downstream.2. A staining technique using neutral red was developed and tested to distinguish quickly live and dead veligers. Live and dead veligers were distinguishable after an exposure of fresh samples to 13.3 mg L−−1 of neutral red for 3 h.3. Neutral red was used to determine the proportion of live veligers in samples taken longitudinally along Christiana Creek. The proportion of live veligers (mean ± SE) declined from 90 ± 3% at the lake outlet to 40 ± 8% 18 km downstream.4. Veligers appear to be highly susceptible to damage by physical forces (e.g. shear), and therefore, mortality in turbulent streams could be an important mechanism limiting zebra mussel dispersal to downstream reaches. Predictions of zebra mussel spread and population growth should consider lake‐stream linkages and high mortality in running waters.
Root competition and elevated CO2: effects on seedling growth in Linum usitatissimum populations and Linum–Silene cretica mixtures
Authors: ARNONE III J. A. , KESTENHOLZ C. 
Published: December 2004

1. Root competition can be an important determinant of the performance of neighbours within plant populations and communities. Because plants often maintain larger root systems and allocate more of their carbon to root systems under elevated atmospheric CO2 than they do at lower CO2 concentrations, root–root interactions could play an increasingly important role in determining competitive outcomes among individuals and plant species as global CO2 concentration continues to rise. 2. We established 12 pure stands of Linum usitatissimum (flax) and 12 mixed stands of Linum and its naturally co‐occurring weed species Silene cretica in opaque plastic trays each filled with the same amount of nutrient‐rich soil mix. In half of the trays from each of these stand types, vertical waterproof partitions separated the root systems of individual plants from each other to prevent root competition, while in the other half no partitions were present. Half of the trays from all treatments were allowed to grow under low atmospheric CO2 concentration (320μll–1) and the other half under elevated CO2 (600μll–1), in daylight growth chambers for 30 days from seedling emergence until harvest in mid‐June. All trays received equal amounts of water so that soils in the low CO2 treatment were maintained at field capacity. 3. Our results indicate that under high soil fertilities: (1) intra‐specific root–root interactions alone play a relatively insignificant role in determining plant biomass production within pure Linum populations and (2) the impact of an aggressive species (Silene) on co‐occurring less aggressive species (Linum) becomes more severe under elevated CO2 as a result of amplified interspecific root competition.
Between‐year variation in climate‐related growth of circumarctic populations of the moss Hylocomium splendens
Authors: CALLAGHAN T. V. , CARLSSON B. Å. , SONESSON M. , TEMESVÁRY‡ A. 
Published: December 2004

1. The correlation between climatic variables and past (up to 20 years) growth was studied in seven circumarctic populations of the moss Hylocomium splendens, using retrospective analyses of growth. We hypothesized that relationships between growth and climate would be simpler in an ectohydric moss than in higher plants and that the moss could provide high signal‐to‐noise ratios of responses to climatic variation. 2. Growth parameters of the moss were strongly correlated with early summer temperatures and with the length of the growing season. Annual segment mass, growth rates and degeneration rates were highest at the mildest subarctic sites and lowest at the high arctic site. In contrast, ‘longevity’ (age of the oldest segment) increased at the climatically harsher sites. 3. Between‐year growth variations at two contrasting sites were significantly correlated with June and July temperatures and, to a lesser extent, with early‐season precipitation at one of the sites. 4. The moss currently tolerates a wide range of climates and large interannual variations in temperature and is likely to be at risk from climatic change only at the southern edge of its range. 5. The climate‐change component most likely to affect the growth of H. splendens in the Arctic and Subarctic will be a lengthening of the growing season and in increase in early summer temperatures provided that moisture is not limiting. 6.
Hylocomium splendens is a suitable species for monitoring climatic change at a circumarctic scale.
The utilization of lightflecks for growth in four Australian rain‐forest species
Authors: WATLING J. R. , BALL M. C. , WOODROW I. E. 
Published: December 2004

1. The ability of rain‐forest plants to utilize sunflecks for growth was investigated using the following species: Alocasia macrorrhiza, Diploglottis diphyllostegia, Micromelum minutum and Omalanthus novo‐guinensis. 2. Growth analysis and gas‐exchange measurements were used to assess performance of the four species when exposed to either constant or fluctuating light. 3. Final biomass (g dry wt) in D. diphyllostegia and M. minutum grown under the lightfleck regime (total daily PFD = 7·02 mol m–2 day–1) was significantly greater than in the same species grown under constant low PFD (total daily PFD = 4·86 mol m–2 day–1). In contrast, final biomass in lightfleck O. novo‐guinensis and A. macrorrhiza was significantly reduced in comparison with the same species grown under constant low PFD. 4. When grown under either constant or fluctuating light but with the same total daily PFD, A. macrorrhiza and O. novo‐guinensis had significantly lower final biomass in fluctuating light as compared to constant light. Final biomass in D. diphyllostegia was not significantly different in either regime, while M. minutum had significantly higher final biomass in the fluctuating light regime. 5. Responses of the four species to fluctuating or constant light appeared to be the result of physiological rather than morphological acclimation as net assimilation rate was more closely correlated with relative growth rate than was leaf area ratio.
‘What do you think?’: a qualitative approach to evaluating individual planning services
Authors: Carnaby S. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAn established individual planning service was evaluated using a service‐user‐centred approach, which looked at the extent to which people are involved in the process and their understanding of its nature and function. Responses recorded during interviews with service users, their key workers and some family members are complemented with data collected from participant observation of individual planning meetings. The findings suggest that the majority of service users able to speak for themselves who were interviewed have a good understanding of the planning process and find it a positive experience; this is supported by participant observation data. Those speaking on behalf of people unable to speak for themselves are unclear as to how much understanding the group has of the process. Observation data suggest that people needing others to speak on their behalf are excluded from discussion during meetings more often than they are included. Recommendations are made for developing the service and providing additional support for keyworkers, building upon the considerable progress made during the service's inception.
Clinical considerations in digitate dermatosis
Authors: Mueller Kurt K. , Yeager Josef K. 
Published: December 2004

A 53‐year‐old man presented for evaluation of erythematous plaques over the trunk which had been present for several months. The lesions were asymptomatic and were not changing in appearance or number. The patient was in otherwise good health and had no history of dermatologic problems.Significant physical findings were well‐defined, elongated, erythematous plaques lying in parallel along both sides of the lower trunk (Figs la and 1b). There was no lymphadenopathy or visceral enlargement. A skin biopsy showed a lymphocytic perivascular infiltrate with epidermal spongiosis, acanthosis, and parakeratosis. On the basis of the clinical and histopathologic findings, and diagnosis of digitate dermatosis was established and the patient has done well without treatment.
Lymphocutaneous infection due to Scedosporium apiospermum
Authors: Kusuhara Masahiro , Hachisuka Hiroshi 
Published: December 2004

A 67‐year‐old Japanese man had been treated occasionally for asthma by oral administration of prednisolone at a dose between 5 and 15 mg/day for 18 years. In December 1993, the patient had a severe asthma attack, during which he developed a pneumothorax, complicated by pneumonia. He was hospitalized immediately, and antibiotics and hydrocortisone were administered intravenously. The treatment was, however, ineffective and his condition deteriorated. In February 1994, he was treated with pulse therapy of 1 g/day of sodium hydrocortisone for 3 days. During the pulse therapy, erythema and red papules were noticed on his right dorsum manus. The erythema progressed with purpura, induration, and local fever. The papules became necrotic, giving rise to small ulcers with effusions (Fig. 1). The patient also developed a subcutaneous nodule on the proximal region of his forearm.Laboratory investigations revealed anemia (hemoglobin (Hb), 9.6 g/dL), leucocytosis (leukocyte count, 11,800/mm3), slight liver dysfunction (GOT 32KU, GPT 71KU, LDH 759UU), and hypoaluminemia (albumin (Alb), 2.7 mg/dL). A biopsy of the indurated erythema of the dorsum manus was performed.The histopathology of the biopsied tissue showed diffuse infiltration with inflammatory cells, edema, and necrosis in the mid‐dermis and fat. The infiltrate consisted of lymphocytes, neutrophils, histiocytes, and occasional giant cells. Many mycelial form fungal elements were observed (Fig. 2a), and aggregates of hyphae were also found in the lower dermis (Fig. 2b). Similar findings were noted for the biopsied specimen of the forearm subcutaneous nodule.Biopsied material was inoculated on Sabouraud's dextrose agar, and floccose and smoky‐gray colonies grew rapidly at room temperature for 7 days (Fig. 3a). Microscopic findings showed that the hyphae were broad, branching, and brown in color. Round or oval conidia were produced singly on short conidiophores from the sides of the hyphae, or terminally on long conidiophores (Fig. 3b). Scanning electron microscopy showed an oval conidium produced from the terminus of the conidiophore with annellation. Although we observed the cultured mycelium for several months, cleistothecia were not produced. From these findings, we identified the organism as Scedosporium apiospermum, the asexual stage of Pseudallescheria boydii. The organism was not isolated from sputum or blood cultures.The patient was given fluconazole intravenously at 400 mg/day. Although the treatment was stopped after 2 weeks, because of increasing serum transaminase, the erythema and subcutaneous nodule almost completely disappeared after 5 weeks.
Neurocutaneous melanosis and Dandy‐Walker syndrome in an infant
Authors: Green Lawrence J. , Nanda Vandana S. , Roth Gerald M. , Barr Ronald J. 
Published: December 2004

An 18‐week‐old boy was referred by the pediatric service for evaluation of a large congenital nevus. The baby was a term infant who was noted to have extensive pigmented skin lesions at birth that extended from the scalp to the feet. Apgar scores and physical examination (including neuromuscular examination) were within normal limits. Electroencephalographic tracings were normal and unenhanced cranial computerized tomography (CT) was reported as showing a subarachnoid cyst with atrophic changes, involving predominantly the inferior aspect of the cerebellar hemispheres bilaterally. Hydrocephalus or signs thereof were not present. Lumbar spine films were normal. The patient was next evaluated at age 3 months, where he was reported to roll over, reach for objects, and smile.At age 17 weeks, the baby had dermabrasion of an abdominal portion of his congenital nevus, followed by autologous epidermal cell autograft. The baby was subsequently hospitalized at the University of California Irvine Medical Center for complications from this procedure. Upon initial dermatologic evaluation, the baby was noted to have uniformly brown pigmented bathing‐trunk verrucous lesions covering his buttocks, scrotum, two‐thirds of his trunk, and proximal portions of his extremities. Multiple similar but smaller lesions were noted on the face, scalp, and distal extremities (Fig. 1). Tense anterior fontanelles, frontal bossing, Babinski reflexes bilaterally, and possible “setting‐sun” sign (downward gaze of the eyes secondary to pressure from the midbrain) were apparent. Although the length (size) percentile for the baby was normal, the plot of head circumference was noted to deviate above the normal range by age 3 months.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain was performed. The midline sagittal T1 weighted image (Fig. 2a) demonstrated an enlarged posterior fossa with vermin hypoplasia and hydrocephalus. An axial image through the dilated sylvian aqueduct revealed a hyperintense focus, characteristic of melanocytes, adjacent to the dilated left temporal horn (Fig. 2b). More superiorly, enhancing leptomeningeal deposits were identified (not shown). Cerebrospinal fluid was obtained after subsequent placement of a right ventricular‐peritoneal shunt. The fluid was bloody, but sterile, and without malignant cells. Staining for melanin of the few nucleated cells in this limited cerebrospinal fluid sample was negative. Several excisional biopsies of a nevus from locations on the feet, wrist, back, and buttock showed the picture of either congenital melanocytic nevus or congenital melanocytic nevus with atypical melanocytic hyperplasia; however, no significant atypia was identified in the specimens containing foci of atypical melanocytic hyperplasia.
The function of anal papillae in salt adaptation of Drosophila melanogaster larvae
Authors: Te Velde J. H. , Molthoff C. F. M. , Scharloo W. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe anal papillae of Drosophila melanogaster larvae showed strong developmental plasticity in media with different osmotic pressure. The size of the papillae decreased with increasing salt content of the medium, which supports the hypothesis of its absorptive function. We showed that CI‐transport at the site of the anal papillae decreased with increasing salt concentration, which also supports the hypothesis, that the function of anal papillae in osmoregulation is absorption at low salt content and not excretion at high salt content.The inactive area between the anal papillae increased with increased salt concentration, and thus contributed to the decreasing size of the anal papillae. Remnants of this area in pupae were mistakenly measured as anal papillae in a study on salt adaptation by Waddington (1959).
A critique of methods for measuring life history trade‐offs
Authors: Pease C. M. , Bull J. J. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractConstraints have important effects on the evolution of life history strategies, but several difficulties have been encountered in determining constraints empirically. Here we investigate methods for measuring a specific type of constraint known as a trade‐off. A trade‐off between two traits implies a perfect negative correlation between the traits. Trade‐offs may involve more than two traits, however, and pairs of traits involved in such a higher‐dimensional trade‐off may be positively correlated. If some of the traits involved in a trade‐off are omitted from the experimental design, the trade‐off may not even be detectable. Direct measures of trade‐offs are thus complicated, and indirect means of identifying trade‐offs may often provide the only feasible measures.
Reaction norms for developmental time and weight at eclosion in Drosophila mercatorum
Authors: Gebhardt Martin D. , Stearns Stephen C. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractWe determined reaction norms for developmental time and weight at eclosion for 2 isozygous and 11 genetically mixed strains of Drosophila mercatorum in four culture media differing in yeast concentration. With decreasing yeast concentration, development was delayed, the weight of emerging flies decreased, and the phenotypic variance of both variables increased. Differences among stocks and significant stock × yeast interactions indicated genetic variance for both variables within environment and different phenotypic responses of stocks across environments. The phenotypic correlation between developmental time and weight was negative at low yeast concentrations and disappeared gradually with increasing yeast. The comparison of completely homozygous with genetically heterogenous stocks showed that most of the increase of variability with deteriorating environment was due to the changing expression of genetic variance. The genetic correlation between developmental time and weight turned from negative in poor to positive in rich medium, while the environmental covariance was negative in all media. Plotting the reaction norms in the developmental time‐weight plane rather than separately for each trait reveals most of these results at a glance. It also suggests that much of the genetic variance might be additive, because an effect of the half‐sib family structure inherent in the design is clearly visible in the plot. We interpret the pattern of changing variances and covariances, pointing out that the special growth physiology of Drosophila and the way environmental factors affect it must be taken into account. We briefly discuss the implications of changing genetic correlations among traits for the evolution of phenotypic plasticity in general.