bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex ratio in relation to season and host plant quality in a monogenous stem‐galling midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)
Authors: Dorchin Netta , Freidberg Amnon 
Published: November 2004

Abstract. 1. The sex determination mechanism in gall midges is little understood, although it is known that the females of several species primarily or exclusively produce unisexual broods throughout their lifetime.2. The gall midgeIzeniola obesulaDorchin is a multivoltine species, inducing multi‐chambered stem galls on the salt‐marsh plantSuaeda monoica. Each gall contains 5–70 individuals, all being the progeny of a single female. Sampling of more than 450 galls, from which adult midges were reared, suggested thatI. obesulaexhibits strict monogeny, resulting in galls that contain either all female or all male progeny.3. Characterisation of the growth pattern of youngS. monoicashoots revealed that shoots in apical positions grew more rapidly than shoots in more basal positions. Galls that were induced on such shoots were larger and yielded more adult midges.4. No difference in the site of gall induction was found between male and female galls, with galls of either sex being mainly induced on more rapidly growing shoots. It is concluded thatI. obesulafemales cannot control the sex of their progeny, and that both female‐producers and male‐producers strive to maximise their reproductive success by choosing the faster‐growing shoots for gall induction.5. Female galls were larger and more abundant than male galls at almost all times. The sex ratio among galls fluctuated throughout the year, ranging from 4:1 in spring to 1:1 in winter. The skewed sex ratio among galls possibly results from greater mortality rates among male galls than among female galls, due to either primary or secondary factors. Alternatively, it is possible that the number or fitness of male‐producers in the population is reduced relative to female‐producers.
Butterfly habitats, broad‐scale biotope affiliations, and structural exploitation of vegetation at finer scales: the matrix revisited
Authors: Dennis Roger L. H. 
Published: November 2004

Abstract. 1. Biotope and resources data are rarely attached to arthropod (butterfly) synoptic monitoring systems, and invariably not linked to behavioural exploitation of vegetation substrates. Yet, these data allow us to examine resource use within different biotopes and to distinguish more clearly between habitat and the matrix.2. Comparative data on vegetation exploitation for different behaviours (search flight, direct flight, tactile inspections, perching, feeding, interactions, oviposition) were collected using transect sections over a range of biotopes from bare ground to mature woodland for two closely related satyrine butterflies,Maniola jurtinaandPyronia tithonuswith overlapping flight times. Occupancy data were obtained onPararge aegeriaas a marker for the woodland end of the biotope spectrum.3. There were clear distinctions in biotope occupancy betweenM. jurtina(grassland bias) andP. tithonus(shrub bias); significant differences in exploitation of vegetation substrates (except for nectar feeding) coincided with this bias in transect sections which comprise both grassland and shrubs. The exception (nectar feeding) is explained by the decline in shrub (Rubus fruticosus) nectar and increase in herb nectar during the later emergence ofP. tithonus.4. Direct flight increased in unsuitable biotopes for both species. However, resource‐exploiting behaviour (>70%) predominated even in biotopes that would be regarded as completely unsuitable for supporting the species and where less than 2% of individuals for each species were observed.5. Simultaneous collection of biotope, resources, and behavioural data is needed for monitoring affinities of butterflies to vegetation structures and using butterflies as indicators of environmental changes.6. Much of the landscape is shown to comprise valuable resources for butterflies, even when classified for metapopulation studies as empty matrix.
Ant mutualists alter the composition and attack rate of the parasitoid community for the gall waspDisholcaspis eldoradensis(Cynipidae)
Authors: Inouye Brian D. , Agrawal Anurag A. 
Published: November 2004

Abstract. 1. The strength or density dependence of pairwise species interactions can depend on the presence or absence of other species, especially potential mutualists.2. The gall waspDisholcaspis eldoradensisinduces plant galls that secrete a sweet honeydew from their top surfaces while the wasp larvae are active. These galls are actively tended by Argentine ants, which collect the honeydew and drive off parasitoids attempting to attack the gall wasp.3. When ants were excluded, the total rate of parasitism by seven species of parasitoids increased by 36%, and the rate of gall‐wasp emergence decreased by 54%.4. The total percentage parasitism was affected by gall density when ants were excluded but not when ants were unmanipulated, suggesting a change in parasitoid functional responses due to ant tending.5. In addition, excluding ants significantly altered the proportions of different parasitoid species that emerged from galls; one parasitoid species increased from 1% to 34%, and another decreased from 46% to 19%.6. The invasive Argentine ants studied are capable of maintaining the mutualism with the gall wasps that evolved in the presence of different ant species and also act as a selective filter for the local community of generalist parasitoids trying to attack this gall species.
Host selection patterns in insects breeding in bracket fungi
Authors: Jonsell Mats , Nordlander Göran 
Published: November 2004

Abstract.  1. Fungivorous insects are generally viewed as polyphagous, largely because most fungal fruiting bodies constitute an unpredictable resource. To examine the validity of this hypothesis, and degree of phylogenetic relatedness between the preferred hosts of the insects, host selection in the insect fauna of bracket fungi was studied, using data obtained both from the field and the literature.2. More than half (53%) of the insect species breeding in them appeared to be monophagous.3. Modern phylogenies explained the host selection patterns better than older classifications, since non‐monophagous species of beetles frequently used hosts that are closely related to each other.4. The hypothesis that polyphagous species use more heavily decayed fruiting bodies than monophagous species was verified for insects breeding in Fomes fomentarius. The results indicate that the chemical composition of the fungi influences host selection.5. It is suggested that fruiting bodies of bracket fungi differ from most other fungi in that their occurrence is more predictable. Therefore, the primary colonising fungivores generally attack only one host species, or a few hosts that are closely phylogenetically related. Polyphagous species generally colonise fruiting bodies after they have reached a certain stage of decay, thus escaping their chemical defence.
High local species richness of parasitic wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae; Pimplinae and Rhyssinae) from the lowland rainforests of Peruvian Amazonia
Authors: Sääksjärvi Ilari E. , Haataja Samuli , Neuvonen Seppo , Gauld Ian D. , Jussila Reijo , Salo Jukka , Burgos Andres Marmol 
Published: November 2004

Abstract. 1. The parasitic wasp family Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) is of great interest because it has been claimed that its species richness does not increase with decreasing latitude.2. No extensive studies of the family have been conducted in South American localities.3. Arthropods were sampled using 27 Malaise traps in the Allpahuayo–Mishana National Reserve (56 000 ha) in the north‐eastern Peruvian Amazonian lowland rainforest. The total duration of the sampling programme was 185 Malaise trap months.4. Altogether, 88 species were collected. This is one of the highest local pimpline and rhyssine species numbers ever recorded. A comparison with results from Mesoamerica revealed that at equal numbers of individuals sampled, the number of Pimplinae and Rhyssinae species in Peruvian Amazonia is at least twofold compared with lowland locations in Mesoamerica and somewhat higher than in the most species‐rich Costa Rican higher altitude localities.5. Non‐parametric methods of estimating species richness were applied. These suggest that additional sampling would yield a considerable number of new Pimplinae and/or Rhyssinae species.
Effects of proteasome inhibitors MG132, ZL3VS and AdaAhx3L3VS on protein metabolism in septic rats
Authors: Kadlčíková Jana , Holeček Milan , Šafránek Roman , Tilšer Ivan , Kessler Benedikt M. 
Published: November 2004

SummaryProteasome inhibitors are novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer and other severe disorders. One of the possible side effects is influencing the metabolism of proteins. The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of three proteasome inhibitors MG132, ZL3VS and AdaAhx3L3VS on protein metabolism and leucine oxidation in incubated skeletal muscle of control and septic rats. Total proteolysis was determined according to the rates of tyrosine release into the medium during incubation. The rates of protein synthesis and leucine oxidation were measured in a medium containing L‐[1‐14C]leucine. Protein synthesis was determined as the amount of L‐[1‐14C]leucine incorporated into proteins, and leucine oxidation was evaluated according to the release of 14CO2 during incubation. Sepsis was induced in rats by means of caecal ligation and puncture. MG132 reduced proteolysis by more than 50% and protein synthesis by 10–20% in the muscles of healthy rats. In septic rats, proteasome inhibitors, except ZL3VS, decreased proteolysis in both soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles, although none of the inhibitors had any effect on protein synthesis. Leucine oxidation was increased by AdaAhx3L3VS in the septic EDL muscle and decreased by MG132 in intact EDL muscle. We conclude that MG132 and AdaAhx3L3VS reversed protein catabolism in septic rat muscles.
Regulation of growth signalling and cell cycle by Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus genes
Authors: Direkze Shamindra , Laman Heike 
Published: November 2004

SummaryKaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the primary aetiological agent of at least three malignancies associated with HIV infection and immunosuppression: Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma and multicentric Castleman's disease. KSHV encodes proteins that deregulate key checkpoints in the signalling pathways governing cell proliferation, which may ultimately contribute to the virus' oncogenic potential. To alter cellular signalling associated with proliferation, these viral proteins function like growth factor ligands/receptors, signal transduction proteins, transcription factors and cell cycle regulators. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which some KSHV‐encoded proteins activate signalling pathways and cell proliferation and their role in the pathogenesis of KSHV‐driven mechanisms.
Subjective and physiological responses among racemic‐methadone maintenance patients in relation to relative (S)‐ vs. (R)‐methadone exposure
Authors: Mitchell Timothy B. , Dyer Kyle R. , Newcombe David , Salter Amy , Somogyi Andrew A. , Bochner Felix , White Jason M. 
Published: November 2004

AimsTo investigate the possibility that (S)‐methadone influences therapeutic and adverse responses to rac‐methadone maintenance treatment, by examining how subjective and physiological responses among rac‐methadone maintenance patients vary in relation to relative exposure to (S)‐ vs. (R)‐methadone.MethodsMood states (Profile of Mood States), opioid withdrawal (Methadone Symptoms Checklist), physiological responses (pupil diameter, heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure), and plasma concentrations (CP) of (R)‐ and (S)‐methadone were measured concurrently 11–12 times over a 24‐h interdosing interval in 55 methadone maintenance patients. Average steady‐state plasma concentrations (Cav) and pharmacodynamic responses were calculated using area under the curve (AUC). Linear regression was used to determine whether variability in pharmacodynamic responses was accounted for by (S)‐methadone Cav controlling for (R)‐methadone Cav and rac‐methadone dose. Ratios of (S)‐:(R)‐methadone using AUCCP and trough values were correlated with pharmacodynamic responses for all subjects and separately for those with daily rac‐methadone doses ≥ 100 mg.Results(S)‐methadone Cav accounted for significant variability in pharmacodynamic responses beyond that accounted for by (R)‐methadone Cav and rac‐methadone dose, showing positive associations (partial r) with the intensity of negative mood states such as Tension (0.28), Fatigue (0.31), Confusion (0.32), and opioid withdrawal scores (0.30); an opposite pattern of relationships was evident for (R)‐methadone. The plasma (S)‐:(R)‐methadone AUCCP ratio (mean ± SD 1.05 ± 0.21, range 0.65–1.51) was not significantly related to pharmacodynamic responses for the subjects as a whole but showed significant positive associations (r) with the intensity of negative mood states such as Total Mood Disturbance (0.61), Tension (0.69), Fatigue (0.65), Confusion (0.64), Depression (0.49) and heart rate (0.59) for the ≥ 100‐mg dose range.ConclusionsThese findings agree with previous evidence that (S)‐methadone is associated with a significant and potentially adverse profile of responses distinct from that of (R)‐methadone. Individual variability in relative (S)‐ vs. (R)‐methadone exposure may be associated with variability in response to rac‐methadone maintenance treatment.
Enhancement of insulin‐stimulated myocardial glucose uptake in patients with Type 2 diabetes treated with rosiglitazone
Authors: Hällsten K. , Virtanen K. A. , Lönnqvist F. , Janatuinen T. , Turiceanu M. , Rönnemaa T. , Viikari J. , Lehtimäki T. , Knuuti J. , Nuutila P. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractAims  Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) activators have recently been identified as regulators of cellular proliferation, inflammatory responses and lipid and glucose metabolism. These agents prevent coronary arteriosclerosis and improve left ventricular remodelling and function in heart failure after myocardial infarction. Improvement in myocardial metabolic state may be one of the mechanisms behind these findings. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of rosiglitazone on myocardial glucose uptake in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Placebo and metformin were used as control treatments.Methods  Forty‐four patients were randomized to treatment with rosiglitazone (4 mg b.i.d.), metformin (1 g b.i.d.) or placebo in a 26‐week double‐blinded trial. Myocardial glucose uptake was measured using [18F]‐2‐fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose ([18F]FDG) and positron emission tomography (PET) during euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemia before and after the treatment.Results  Rosiglitazone increased insulin‐stimulated myocardial glucose uptake by 38% (from 38.7 ± 3.4 to 53.3 ± 3.6 µmol 100 g−1 min−1, P = 0.004) and whole body glucose uptake by 36% (P = 0.01), while metformin treatment had no significant effect on myocardial (40.5 ± 3.5 vs. 36.6 ± 5.2, NS) or whole body glucose uptake. Myocardial work as determined by the rate‐pressure‐product was similar between the groups. Neither treatment had any significant effect on fasting serum free fatty acids (FFA) but the FFA levels during hyperinsulinaemia were more suppressed in the rosiglitazone group (−47%, P = 0.02). Myocardial glucose uptake correlated inversely to FFA concentrations both before (r =−0.54, P = 0.002) and after (r = −0.43, P = 0.01) the treatment period in the pooled data. Furthermore, the increase in myocardial glucose uptake correlated inversely with interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) concentrations (r = −0.58, P = 0.03).Conclusions  In addition to the improvement in whole body insulin sensitivity, rosiglitazone treatment enhances insulin stimulated myocardial glucose uptake in patients with Type 2 diabetes, most probably due to its suppression of the serum FFAs.
Aldose reductase gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to microvascular complications in Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Sivenius K. , Niskanen L. , Voutilainen‐Kaunisto R. , Laakso M. , Uusitupa M. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractAims  The gene encoding the human aldose reductase, the first and rate‐limiting enzyme of the polyol pathway of glucose metabolism, is a promising candidate gene which may contribute to diabetic microvascular complications. We investigated the association of two previously reported DNA sequence variants of this gene, the C‐106T polymorphism and the (CA)n dinucleotide repeat marker, with the risk of albuminuria and retinopathy in Finnish Type 2 diabetic patients and non‐diabetic control subjects.Methods  The study population included 85 Finnish, middle‐aged, newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic patients and 126 non‐diabetic control subjects. Genetic analyses were performed using the polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphism, and automated laser fluorescence scanning analyses. Microvascular complications were determined using 10‐year follow‐up data of urinary albumin excretion measurements and ophthalmological examinations.Results  The C and Z‐2 alleles of the C‐106T polymorphism and the (CA)n repeat marker, respectively, were found to be more frequent in Type 2 diabetic subjects than in non‐diabetic subjects. The C and Z‐2 alleles were in 60% linkage disequilibrium in diabetic subjects. At the time of diagnosis, diabetic subjects with the T allele of the C‐106T polymorphism had significantly higher urinary albumin excretion rate and prevalence of albuminuria than subjects with the C‐106C genotype (prevalence of albuminuria: 33.3 vs. 13.8%, P = 0.036, odds ratio = 3.9, 95% confidence interval 1.1, 14.7). The Z‐2 allele of the (CA)n repeat marker was not consistently associated with the prevalence of albuminuria. No associations were observed between the polymorphisms examined and the prevalence of retinopathy at any point of the follow‐up.Conclusions  The present study suggests that the C‐106T polymorphism of the aldose reductase gene could be involved in the early development of microalbuminuria in Finnish Type 2 diabetic patients.
Evaluation of delivery of enhanced diabetes care to patients of South Asian ethnicity: the United Kingdom Asian Diabetes Study (UKADS)
Authors: O'Hare J. P. , Raymond N. T. , Mughal S. , Dodd L. , Hanif W. , Ahmad Y. , Mishra K. , Jones A. , Kumar S. , Szczepura A. , Hillhouse E. W. , Barnett A. H. ,   on behalf of the UKADS study group
Published: November 2004

AbstractAims  We tested the hypothesis that enhanced care for diabetes, tailored to the needs of the South Asian community with Type 2 diabetes, would improve risk factors for diabetic vascular complications and ultimately reduce morbidity and mortality.Patients and methods  The study was a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) with general practice the unit of randomization. Six West Midlands general practices with a high proportion of South Asian patients were randomized to ‘enhanced care’ using Asian link workers and extra community diabetes specialist nurse sessions (intervention) or continued standard practice care (control).Results  Of 401 patients recruited to the study, 361 (90%), comprising 178 from Coventry and 183 from Birmingham were eligible and included in the analyses. The mean age at baseline (standard deviation, SD) was 58.9 (11.7 years) with median (interquartile range; IQR) duration of diabetes 6.5 (3–11) years. At one year follow‐up there was a significant difference in reduction of systolic (4.6 mmHg, P = 0.035) and diastolic blood pressure (3.4 mmHg, P = 0.003) and total cholesterol (0.4 mmol/l, P = 0.005), comparing the intervention and control groups. After adjusting for baseline measurement and age, only differential reduction in diastolic blood pressure remained significant. There was no significant change in HbA1c and no difference between the groups.Conclusions  Using link workers and extra community diabetes specialist nurse input together with treatment protocols in primary care might prove a useful strategy in working towards NSF targets for diabetes management. In this study, small reductions in blood pressure and cholesterol were achieved. Improvement in glycaemic control may require longer and possibly different strategies. Further research is required to evaluate fully the effectiveness, including the costs and longer term sustainability of culturally sensitive initiatives.
Autonomic response patterns observed during the performance of an attention‐demanding task in two groups of children with autistic‐type difficulties in social adjustment
Authors: Althaus Monika , Van Roon Arie M. , Mulder Lambertus J.M. , Mulder Gijsbertus , Aarnoudse Cecilia C. , Minderaa Ruud B. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractTwo groups of children with autistic‐type behavior problems were compared to a group of normal children with respect to their autonomic response patterns observed during the performance of an attention‐demanding task. Heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory activity were measured during periods of rest and of task performance. Applying a quantitative model of the baroreflex, we were able to demonstratequalitativedifferences among the groups with respect to their vagally controlled response patterns, whereas sympathetic responsiveness did not differ. In terms of our model, the groups with autistic‐type behavior showed a decrease in central vagal tone during task performance, while vagal gain appeared to be unaffected or even increased. In contrast, the children in the control group showed the expected pattern of a decrease in vagal gain while vagal tone appeared to be increased. Implications of our findings are discussed in the light of Damasio's somatic marking hypothesis.
TEM-121, a Novel Complex Mutant of TEM-Type β-Lactamase from
Enterobacter aerogenes
Authors: Poirel Laurent , Mammeri Hedi , Nordmann Patrice 
Published: November 2004

ABSTRACT

Enterobacter aerogenes
clinical isolate LOR was resistant to penicillins and ceftazidime but susceptible to cefuroxime, cephalothin, cefoxitin, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, and cefepime. PCR and cloning experiments from this strain identified a novel TEM-type β-lactamase (TEM-121) differing by five amino acid substitutions from β-lactamase TEM-2 (Glu104Lys, Arg164Ser, Ala237Thr, Glu240Lys, and Arg244Ser) and by only one amino acid change from the extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) TEM-24 (Arg244Ser), with the last substitution also being identified in the inhibitor-resistant β-lactamase IRT-2. Kinetic parameters indicated that TEM-121 hydrolyzed ceftazidime and aztreonam (like TEM-24) and was inhibited weakly by clavulanic acid and strongly by tazobactam. Thus, TEM-121 is a novel complex mutant TEM β-lactamase (CMT-4) combining the kinetic properties of an ESBL and an inhibitor-resistant TEM enzyme.