bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of grass pasture and concentrate‐based feeding systems for spring‐calving dairy cows in early spring on performance during lactation
Authors: Kennedy E. , O'Donovan M. , Murphy J.‐P. , Delaby L. , O'Mara F. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThe effect of offering a total mixed ration of silage and concentrate (proportionately 0·44 silage) system [indoor feeding system (IF)] was compared with grazing at a high daily herbage allowance with a low level of concentrate supplementation [early grazing system (EG)] in early spring on the performance of spring‐calving dairy cows in Ireland. Sixty‐four spring‐calving Holstein–Friesian dairy cows (mean calving date, 2 February) were allocated to one of two systems between 16 February and 4 April 2004. An equal number of primiparous and multiparous cows were assigned to each system. The dairy cows on the IF system were housed for a 7‐week period and offered a diet of 10·9 kg DM cow−1 d−1 (s.d. 2·3) of concentrate, the remainder of the diet was 8·6 kg DM cow−1 d−1 (s.d. 1·9) of grass silage. The dairy cows on the EG system were offered a mean daily herbage allowance of 15·1 kg DM cow−1 d−1 (s.d. 3·7) and were supplemented with 3·0 kg DM cow−1 d−1 (s.d. 1·0) of concentrate. There was no difference in milk yield between the two systems but the cows in the EG system had a higher milk protein concentration (2·9 g kg−1) and a higher milk protein yield than in the IF system. Milk fat concentration was higher for cows in the IF than EG system (3·0 g kg−1). There was no difference in total daily dry‐matter intake between the systems, measured in week 6 of the study. Mean live weight of the cows in the IF system was greater than in the EG system. The results of the study suggest that a slightly greater performance can be achieved by a system offering a high daily herbage allowance to spring‐calving dairy cows in early lactation compared with a system offering a total mixed ration containing a high proportion of concentrate with grass silage.
Chemokine control of lymphocyte trafficking: a general overview
Authors: Stein Jens V. , Nombela‐Arrieta César 
Published: August 2005

SummaryChemokines are a large family of small, generally secreted polypeptides which guide lymphocyte movement throughout the body by controlling integrin avidity and inducing migration. Here, we look at recent, exciting findings on chemokine function throughout lymphocyte development and co‐ordinated T and B cell migration during immune responses. Finally, we will review data on the regional control of immunity by tissue‐specific chemokine receptors on effector/memory lymphocytes.
Expression of human pim family genes is selectively up‐regulated by cytokines promoting T helper type 1, but not T helper type 2, cell differentiation
Authors: Aho Teija L. T. , Lund Riikka J. , Ylikoski Emmi K. , Matikainen Sampsa , Lahesmaa Riitta , Koskinen Päivi J. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryCytokines are the most important inducers of T helper (Th) cell differentiation. Interleukin‐12 (IL‐12) and interferon‐α (IFN‐α) are responsible for human Th1‐cell differentiation, while IL‐4 is the critical cytokine promoting Th2‐cell development. These two subsets of cells co‐ordinate immunological responses to pathogens as well as autoimmune or allergic reactions. The pim family of proto‐oncogenes encodes serine/threonine‐specific kinases involved in cytokine‐mediated signalling pathways in haematopoietic cells. Here we demonstrate that expression of pim‐1 and pim‐2 mRNAs is selectively up‐ or down‐regulated in human cord‐blood‐derived CD4+ cells freshly induced to polarize towards Th1 or Th2 cells, respectively, whereas their expression is inhibited in both cell types by the immunosuppressive transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β). Moreover, the Th1‐specific cytokines IL‐12 and IFN‐α, but not the Th2‐specific cytokine IL‐4, transiently up‐regulate pim‐1 and pim‐2 mRNA expression in human peripheral blood T cells and natural killer cells. In addition, the Pim‐1 protein levels are strongly up‐regulated by Th1‐specific cytokines in all of these cell types. Taken together, our results suggest that pim genes and their protein products are involved in the early differentiation process of T helper cells.
Identification of the VH genes encoding xenoantibodies in non‐immunosuppressed rhesus monkeys
Authors: Kleihauer Annette , Gregory Clare R. , Borie Dominic C. , Kyles Andrew E. , Shulkin Irina , Patanwala Insiyyah , Zahorsky‐Reeves Joanne , Starnes Vaughn A. , Mullen Yoko , Todorov Ivan T. , Kearns‐Jonker Mary 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe major immunological barrier that prevents the use of wild‐type pig xenografts as an alternative source of organs for human xenotransplantation is antibody‐mediated rejection. In this study, we identify the immunoglobulin variable region heavy (IgVH) chain genes encoding xenoantibodies to porcine heart and fetal porcine islet xenografts in non‐immunosuppressed rhesus monkeys. We sought to compare the IgVH genes encoding xenoantibodies to porcine islets and solid organ xenografts. The immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG xenoantibody response was analysed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and cDNA libraries from peripheral blood lymphocytes were prepared and sequenced. The relative frequency of IgVH gene usage was established by colony filter hybridization. Induced xenoantibodies were encoded by the IGHV3‐11 germline progenitor, the same germline gene that encodes xenoantibodies in humans mounting active xenoantibody responses. The immune response to pig xenografts presented as solid organs or isolated cells is mediated by identical IgVH genes in rhesus monkeys. These animals represent a clinically relevant model to identify the immunological basis of pig‐to‐human xenograft rejection.
Skin‐derived dendritic cells acquire and degrade the scrapie agent following in vitro exposure
Authors: Mohan Joanne , Hopkins John , Mabbott Neil A. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe accumulation of the scrapie agent in lymphoid tissues following inoculation via the skin is critical for efficient neuroinvasion, but how the agent is initially transported from the skin to the draining lymph node is not known. Langerhans cells (LCs) are specialized antigen‐presenting cells that continually sample their microenvironment within the epidermis and transport captured antigens to draining lymph nodes. We considered LCs probable candidates to acquire and transport the scrapie agent after inoculation via the skin. XS106 cells are dendritic cells (DCs) isolated from mouse epidermis with characteristics of mature LC cells. To investigate the potential interaction of LCs with the scrapie agent XS106 cells were exposed to the scrapie agent in vitro. We show that XS106 cells rapidly acquire the scrapie agent following in vitro exposure. In addition, XS106 cells partially degrade the scrapie agent following extended cultivation. These data suggest that LCs might acquire and degrade the scrapie agent after inoculation via the skin, but data from additional experiments demonstrate that this ability could be lost in the presence of lipopolysaccharide or other immunostimulatory molecules. Our studies also imply that LCs would not undergo maturation following uptake of the scrapie agent in the skin, as the expression of surface antigens associated with LC maturation were unaltered following exposure. In conclusion, although LCs or DCs have the potential to acquire the scrapie agent within the epidermis our data suggest it is unlikely that they become activated and stimulated to transport the agent to the draining lymph node.
Circulating and thymic CD4+ CD25+ T regulatory cells in myasthenia gravis: effect of immunosuppressive treatment
Authors: Fattorossi Andrea , Battaglia Alessandra , Buzzonetti Alexia , Ciaraffa Francesca , Scambia Giovanni , Evoli Amelia 
Published: August 2005

SummaryAccumulating evidence indicates an immunosuppressive role of the thymus‐derived CD4+ T‐cell population constitutively expressing high level of CD25, T regulatory (Treg) cells, in autoimmune diseases. Here we show that the number of Treg cells in the blood is significantly lower in untreated myasthenia gravis patients than in age‐matched healthy subjects, whereas it is normal or elevated in patients on immunosuppressive therapy (prednisone frequently associated with azathioprine). Therapeutic thymectomy (Tx) for either the thymoma or non‐neoplastic thymic alterations that are often associated with myasthenia gravis provided unique material for studying intrathymic Treg cells and correlating them with their peripheral counterparts. We observed that Tx prevents the increase of Treg cells in the circulation that follows immunosuppressive therapy (particularly evident if the thymus is not neoplastic), indicating that the thymus contributes to Treg‐cell normalization. However, thymic Treg cells are not modulated by immunosuppressive therapy and even in thymectomized patients Treg‐cell numbers in the blood eventually recover. The present findings suggest that a deficiency in Treg cells favours the development of myasthenia gravis and that their normalization is an important clinical benefit of immunosuppressive therapy. Treg normalization appears to be largely thymus independent and possibly reflects the reported capacity of corticosteroids to promote Treg‐cell development.
Effects of integrated or segregated sport participation on the physical self for adolescents with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Ninot G. , Bilard J. , Delignières D. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground  The purpose was to examine the effects of the type of athletic programme (integrated vs. segregated) on the athletic domain of perceived competence and on general self‐worth.Methods  Participants were 32 adolescent females with intellectual disabilities (ID), divided equally into four groups: (1) segregated swimming; (2) integrated swimming; (3) adapted physical activity; and (4) sedentary. The experimental treatment was 32 months long; for sport groups, this involved 2 h of training each week and 12 competitive meets. The Harter Self‐Perception Profile for Children 11 times was administrated to determine changes in perceived physical competence and general self‐worth.Results  Results indicated (1) no change in perceived general self‐worth for the four groups; (2) significantly lower perceived athletic competence only for the integrated swimming group, despite the increase in athletic performance.Conclusions  The integrated sport participation for adolescents with ID placed in segregated school is useful but needs to be well controlled by professional in physical education.
Preschool children with intellectual disability: syndrome specificity, behaviour problems, and maternal well‐being
Authors: Eisenhower A. S. , Baker B. L. , Blacher J. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBackground  Children with intellectual disability (ID) are at heightened risk for behaviour problems and diagnosed mental disorder. Likewise, mothers of children with ID are more stressed than mothers of typically developing children. Research on behavioural phenotypes suggests that different syndromes of ID may be associated with distinct child behavioural risks and maternal well‐being risks. In the present study, maternal reports of child behaviour problems and maternal well‐being were examined for syndrome‐specific differences.Methods  The present authors studied the early manifestation and continuity of syndrome‐specific behaviour problems in 215 preschool children belonging to 5 groups (typically developing, undifferentiated developmental delays, Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy) as well as the relation of syndrome group to maternal well‐being.Results  At age 3, children with autism and cerebral palsy showed the highest levels of behaviour problems, and children with Down syndrome and typically developing children showed the lowest levels. Mothers of children with autism reported more parenting stress than all other groups. These syndrome‐specific patterns of behaviour and maternal stress were stable across ages 3, 4 and 5 years, except for relative increases in behaviour problems and maternal stress in the Down syndrome and cerebral palsy groups. Child syndrome contributed to maternal stress even after accounting for differences in behaviour problems and cognitive level.Conclusions  These results, although based on small syndrome groups, suggest that phenotypic expressions of behaviour problems are manifested as early as age 3. These behavioural differences were paralleled by differences in maternal stress, such that mothers of children with autism are at elevated risk for high stress. In addition, there appear to be other unexamined characteristics of these syndromes, beyond behaviour problems, which also contribute to maternal stress.
Ice age cloning – comparison of the Quaternary evolutionary histories of sexual and clonal forms of spiny loaches (Cobitis; Teleostei) using the analysis of mitochondrial DNA variation
Authors: JANKO K. , CULLING M. A. , RÁB P. , KOTLÍK P. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractRecent advances in population history reconstruction offered a powerful tool for comparisons of the abilities of sexual and clonal forms to respond to Quaternary climatic oscillations, ultimately leading to inferences about the advantages and disadvantages of a given mode of reproduction. We reconstructed the Quaternary historical biogeography of the sexual parental species and clonal hybrid lineages within the Europe‐wide hybrid complex of Cobitis spiny loaches. Cobitis elongatoides and Cobitis taenia recolonizing Europe from separated refuges met in central Europe and the Pontic region giving rise to hybrid lineages during the Holocene. Cobitis elongatoides due to its long‐term reproductive contact with the remaining parental species of the complex — C. tanaitica and C. spec. — gave rise to two clonal hybrid lineages probably during the last interglacial or even earlier, which survived the Würmian glaciation with C. elongatoides. These lineages followed C. elongatoides postglacial expansion and probably decreased its dispersal rate. Our data indicate the frequent origins of asexuality irrespective of the parental populations involved and the comparable dispersal potential of diploid and triploid lineages.
Temporal variation of the population structure and genetic diversity of Farfantepenaeus notialis assessed by allozyme loci
Authors: BARCIA AYMÉE ROBAINAS , LÓPEZ GEORGINA ESPINOSA , HERNÁNDEZ DAMIR , GARCÍA‐MACHADO ERIK 
Published: August 2005

AbstractPopulation genetic studies carried out on penaeid shrimps have disclosed different patterns of population subdivision, revealing new aspects of shrimp biology as well as the effects of historical contingency molding those patterns. However, the stability of observed allele frequencies over time still remains untested. The objective of this article is to show the analysis of the temporal variation of allozymes in a shrimp species inhabiting Cuba which proves that the genetic structure of this species could significantly change in time. The study involves four populations of Farfantepenaeus notialis sampled in a period of 8 years. The significant statistics obtained from partitions observed in 1995 were not detected in 2003 (as suggested by amova and FST), whereas temporal genetic differentiation and heterozygosity became highly significant. The results strongly suggest that the effect of migrations could be the cause for the loss of F. notialis genetic structure in 2003. It is therefore imperative to call attention on the vulnerability of these populations when facing unstable environmental and habitat conditions.
Sequence polymorphism of candidate behavioural genes inDrosophila melanogasterflies from ‘Evolution canyon’
Authors: ZAMORZAEVA I. , RASHKOVETSKY E. , NEVO E. , KOROL A. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThis study focuses on the molecular features of three candidate behavioural genes inDrosophila melanogasterfrom the opposite slopes of Nahal Oren Canyon, Mount Carmel, Israel. These slopes display dramatic physical and biotic contrasts. Spatial variation of microclimatic conditions leads to adaptive differentiation and partial sexual isolation of populations, as suggested by our previous studies. The chosen candidate genes presumably contributing to genetic variation in sexual behaviour ofDrosophilain the Canyon weredesaturase,period, andno‐on‐transient A. These genes are known to include polymorphic repeated sequences, insertions/deletions, or nucleotide substitutions. The idea was that their polymorphism might be one of the determinants of behavioural peculiarities of flies derived from the opposite slopes. Indeed, interslope differences in the sequence encoding the (Thr‐Gly)nrepeat (exon 5) of theperiodgene were established, suggesting evolutionary functional importance. In particular, we unraveled variation in the length and composition of this region in different NFS (north‐facing slope) and SFS (south‐facing slope) lines. The ‘European’ allele (n = 20) was a 2.6‐fold more abundant on the NFS compared to the SFS. This predominance probably gives some advantages for flies inhabiting wet and less warm conditions of the NFS. We suggest that repeat length/composition may influence the functional features of flies, i.e. habitat choice, nonrandom mating, and temperature adaptation. A series of female single‐mate‐choice tests show that females derived from NFS distinguish between males with specificperalleles (n = 17 vs.n = 20), as well as between males originated from the opposing slopes. Females from SFS were less discriminating and did not manifest significant deviation from random mating.
Estimating pollen flow using SSR markers and paternity exclusion: accounting for mistyping
Authors: SLAVOV G. T. , HOWE G. T. , GYAOUROVA A. V. , BIRKES D. S. , ADAMS W. T. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractHighly informative genetic markers, such as simple sequence repeats (SSRs), can be used to directly measure pollen flow by parentage analysis. However, mistyping (i.e. false inference of genotypes caused by the occurrence of null alleles, mutations, and detection errors) can lead to substantial biases in the estimates obtained. Using computer simulations, we evaluated a direct method for estimating pollen immigration using SSR markers and a paternity exclusion approach. This method accounts for mistyping and does not rely on assumptions about the distribution of male reproductive success. If ignored, even minor rates of mistyping (1.5%) resulted in overestimating pollen immigration by up to 150%. When we required at least two mismatching loci before excluding candidate fathers from paternity, the resulting pollen immigration estimates had small biases for rates of mistyping up to 4.5%. Requiring at least three mismatches for exclusion was needed to minimize the upward biases of pollen immigration caused by rates of mistyping up to 10.5%. The minimum number of highly variable SSR loci needed to minimize cryptic gene flow and obtain reliable estimates of pollen immigration varied from five to seven for a sampling scheme applicable to most conifers (i.e. when paternal haplotypes can be unambiguously determined). Between five and nine highly variable SSR loci were needed for a more general sampling scheme that is applicable to all diploid seed plants. With moderately variable SSR markers, consistently accurate estimates of pollen immigration could be obtained only for rates of mistyping up to 4.5%. We developed the pollen flow (pfl) computer program which can be used to obtain unbiased and precise estimates of pollen immigration under a wide range of conditions, including population sizes as large as 600 parents and mistyping rates as high as 10.5%.
Hares on ice: phylogeography and historical demographics of Lepus arcticus, L. othus, and L. timidus (Mammalia: Lagomorpha)
Authors: WALTARI ERIC , COOK JOSEPH A. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractPhylogeographical investigations of arctic organisms provide spatial and temporal frameworks for interpreting the role of climate change on biotic diversity in high‐latitude ecosystems. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted on 473 base pairs of the mitochondrial control region in 192 arctic hares (Lepus arcticus, Lepus othus, Lepus timidus) and two individual Lepus townsendii. The three arctic hare species are closely related. All L. othus individuals form one well‐supported clade, L. arcticus individuals form two well‐supported clades, and L. timidus individuals are scattered throughout the phylogeny. Arctic hare distribution was altered dramatically following post‐Pleistocene recession of continental ice sheets. We tested for genetic signatures of population expansion for hare populations now found in deglaciated areas. Historical demographic estimates for 12 arctic hare populations from throughout their range indicate that L. arcticus and L. othus persisted in two separate North American arctic refugia (Beringia and High Canadian Arctic) during glacial advances of the Pleistocene, while the high genetic diversity in L. timidus likely reflects multiple Eurasian refugia.
Comparative landscape genetics and the adaptive radiation of Darwin's finches: the role of peripheral isolation
Authors: PETREN K. , GRANT P. R. , GRANT B. R. , KELLER L. F. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractWe use genetic divergence at 16 microsatellite loci to investigate how geographical features of the Galápagos landscape structure island populations of Darwin's finches. We compare the three most genetically divergent groups of Darwin's finches comprising morphologically and ecologically similar allopatric populations: the cactus finches (Geospiza scandensandGeospiza conirostris), the sharp‐beaked ground finches (Geospiza difficilis) and the warbler finches (Certhidea olivaceaandCerthidea fusca). Evidence of reduced genetic diversity due to drift was limited to warbler finches on small, peripheral islands. Evidence of low levels of recent interisland migration was widespread throughout all three groups. The hypothesis of distance‐limited dispersal received the strongest support in cactus and sharp‐beaked ground finches as evidenced by patterns of isolation by distance, while warbler finches showed a weaker relationship. Support for the hypothesis that gene flow constrains morphological divergence was only found in one of eight comparisons within these groups. Among warbler finches, genetic divergence was relatively high while phenotypic divergence was low, implicating stabilizing selection rather than constraint due to gene flow. We conclude that the adaptive radiation of Darwin's finches has occurred in the presence of ongoing but low levels of gene flow caused by distance‐dependent interisland dispersal. Gene flow does not constrain phenotypic divergence, but may augment genetic variation and facilitate evolution due to natural selection. Both microsatellites and mtDNA agree in that subsets of peripheral populations of two older groups are genetically more similar to other species that underwent dramatic morphological change. The apparent decoupling of morphological and molecular evolution may be accounted for by a modification of Lack's two‐stage model of speciation: relative ecological stasis in allopatry followed by secondary contact, ecological interactions and asymmetric phenotypic divergence.