bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dwarf and giant geckos from the cellular perspective: the bigger the animal, the bigger its erythrocytes?
Authors: STAROSTOVÁ ZUZANA , KRATOCHVÍL LUKÁŠ , FRYNTA DANIEL 
Published: August 2005

SummaryAlthough evolutionary and ecological consequences of body size changes are relatively well understood, the proximate mechanisms of body size alteration at a cellular level are often surprisingly neglected, especially in vertebrates. The question of whether larger animals are made from larger cells is rarely tested in an explicit phylogenetic framework, i.e. among closely related species with known phylogeny.Here we explore the relationship between erythrocyte and body size in a small gecko family (Eublepharidae) exhibiting large body size variation.We found positive interspecific correlation of cell and body size. Assuming that size of other cell types changed in a similar way to red blood cell size, we can conclude thanc.15–20% of body size change in this group could be attributed to cell size variation.As larger cells are generally more frugal than smaller cells, we hypothesise that a macro‐evolutionary trade‐off exists between body complexity and energetic efficiency.We believe that knowing how particular animal lineages have solved this trade‐off during body size evolution will help us explain much of the variation in ecophysiological traits among clades as well as within them.
Horn size predicts physical performance in the beetle Euoniticellus intermedius (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)
Authors: LAILVAUX S. P. , HATHWAY J. , POMFRET J. , KNELL R. J. 
Published: August 2005

Summary

In many animals, the size of secondary sexual ornaments is known to be related to the probability of victory in fights between males, and hence to fighting ability. However, few studies have attempted to link fighting ability to any physical performance measures.
Here we show that horn size in the dung beetle Euoniticellus intermedius accurately predicts two types of whole‐organism performance, independent of body size, that are likely to play an important role in male contests: the force required to pull a beetle out of a tunnel, and the distance the beetle was able to run before exhaustion (maximum exertion).
Body length is also a statistically significant predictor of pulling force, but not of exertion, suggesting that horn size is a more reliable predictor of performance than body size alone, a result that is consistent with a previous finding that horn size becomes more important in determining victory in male–male contests as body size increases.
This study is the first to establish direct links between whole‐organism performance abilities, male armaments and fighting ability in the same species. Our findings suggest that physiological performance capacities are important factors underlying the evolution of signal expression in E. intermedius, and should be considered in future studies of the evolution of animal signalling.
Light gains and physiological capacity of understorey woody plants during phenological avoidance of canopy shade
Authors: AUGSPURGER C. K. , CHEESEMAN J. M. , SALK C. F. 
Published: August 2005

Summary

Carbon gain during phenological avoidance of canopy shade by an understorey plant depends on the extent of avoidance, the leaf stage during avoidance, and whether young and old leaves can exploit greater light availability in spring and autumn.
For Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal., Aesculus glabra Willd., Acer saccharum Marsh., Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume and Carpinus caroliniana Walt. in a deciduous forest in Illinois, USA, spring avoidance with leaves at full size ranged from 0 days for Asimina to 24 days for Aesculus, and brought 36–98% of estimated total annual irradiance. Autumn avoidance was non‐existent to minimal in all species.
Total chlorophyll reached maximum concentrations at the middle of leaf life span, and declined well before senescence. Leaf nitrogen concentrations and net photosynthetic capacity both peaked in youngest leaves during spring avoidance, and were low in old leaves during autumn avoidance.
Aesculus had especially high photosynthetic capacity during precanopy closure, while Asimina had relatively low capacity in its later developing leaves.
Young leaves of species with phenological avoidance can enhance C gain, while old leaves in autumn do not. Thus phenological avoidance in spring may enhance the persistence of understorey woody individuals of some species.
Id helix‐loop‐helix proteins are differentially expressed in gestational trophoblastic disease
Authors: Xue W C , Feng H C , Chan K Y K , Chiu P M , Ngan H Y S , Khoo U S , Tsao S W , Chan K W , Cheung A N Y 
Published: August 2005

Aims : To assess the expression of Id proteins in trophoblastic tissues and to correlate this with clinical parameters, proliferative and apoptotic indices as well as to related oncogene expression.Methods and results : Immunohistochemistry for Id1, Id2, Id3 and Id4 was performed on 83 trophoblastic tissues including 17 normal first‐trimester placentas, seven term placentas, 47 hydatidiform moles (HM), and 12 spontaneous miscarriages. The four Id proteins were predominantly expressed in the villous and implantation site intermediate trophoblast. Expression of Id1 in HM was significantly higher than that in normal placenta (P = 0.0006) and spontaneous miscarriage (P = 0.0001) but did not correlate with subsequent development of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). Id1 expression correlated with the proliferation index as assessed by MCM7 (P = 0.003) and Ki67 (P = 0.017) and with the apoptotic activity assessed by TUNEL (P = 0.001) and M30 CytoDeath antibody (P = 0.013). Moreover, the expression of Id1 correlated with the expression of p53 (P = 0.004), p21WAF1/CIP1 (P = 0.003) but not with p16 (P = 0.107).Conclusions : Id proteins may play a role in the regulation of proliferative and apoptotic activity in trophoblastic tissue and are potentially useful in differentiating molar and non‐molar gestation, but are not helpful in predicting GTN.
The value of α‐SMA in the evaluation of hepatic fibrosis severity in hepatitis B infection and cirrhosis development: a histopathological and immunohistochemical study
Authors: Akpolat N , Yahsi S , Godekmerdan A , Yalniz M , Demirbag K 
Published: August 2005

Aims : To investigate the value of α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), an indicator of stellate cell activation, in predicting fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.Methods and results : The liver biopsy specimens of 30 patients with a clinical diagnosis of CHB were obtained before treatment and scored by Knodell's histological activity index. The specimens were then immunohistochemically stained with α‐SMA and semiquantitatively evaluated. Fibrosis and the immunoreactivity of α‐SMA in the periportal, perisinusoidal and pericentral areas were compared. Fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity in CHB patients were significantly correlated (P =0.022). Furthermore, the degree of α‐SMA expression and the scores of fibrosis (in periportal, perisinusoidal and pericentral areas) were highly correlated (P =0.000, 0.001, 0.000, respectively).Conclusions : In liver biopsy samples, α‐SMA may prove to be a valuable marker in the evaluation of stellate cell activation and fibrosis progression and an early indicator of the development of fibrosis.
Environmental constraints in the colonization sequence of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus Linnaeus, 1758) across the Iberian Mountains, Spain
Authors: Acevedo P. , Delibes‐Mateos M. , Escudero M. A. , Vicente J. , Marco J. , Gortazar C. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractAim  This paper describes the dispersal process of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus Linnaeus, 1758) with respect to climatic factors, landscape characteristics and human activity. We hypothesized that environmental characteristics constrain the relative abundance and dispersal process of roe deer.Location  The study was conducted in the Iberian Mountains, north‐eastern Spain, during 1986–2000.Methods  Roe deer colonization dates in the study area were obtained from a survey for large mammals and from direct interviews with the employees of the Fish and Game Agency. We used a 10 × 10 km UTM grid as the sampling unit (n = 91). The relative abundance of roe deer was estimated by counting the number of pellet groups in line transects, which were representative of the habitat availability in the 10 × 10 km UTM grid. Climatic factors were obtained from meteorological stations placed near to the plot. Landscape structure indices, topography and human activity factors were obtained from digital maps using fragstats 3.3 and idrisi 32. We discarded a number of variables with no statistical significance and avoided multicollinearity by using Spearman rank correlation. Then, we used GLMz (with a multinomial error distribution and a logit link function) to analyse the influence of each variable considered in the dispersal process. Finally, GLMz (with a binomial error distribution and a logit link function) were used a posteriori to differentiate between the effects of the explanatory factors on a particular phase of the dispersal process.Results  Our results indicate that proximity to a previously colonized grid significantly affected the global process of roe deer colonization. Independently of the proximity of the nearest population in the previous phase of colonization, our results also indicated that the dispersal process was influenced by precipitation and landscape structure, leading the species to colonize even apparently hostile places. Original nuclei of these populations occurred in territories with high and constant precipitation, and a landscape formed by mosaics of agricultural land with a high proportion of forests. During the expansion process, roe deer colonized territories with summer droughts, dominated by large agricultural patches and with few forest patches.Main conclusions  These data support the working hypothesis that environmental characteristics constrain roe deer relative abundance and dispersal process through the Iberian Mountains. The location of the original nuclei of these populations probably had environmental conditions that were more favourable for the roe deer. Areas settled in the final phases of the dispersal process had low relative abundances of roe deer, and are likely to act mainly as dispersal corridors rather than being able to sustain viable populations themselves.
Continuous care in the treatment of obesity: an observational multicentre study
Authors: DALLE GRAVE R. , MELCHIONDA N. , CALUGI S. , CENTIS E. , TUFANO A. , FATATI G. , FUSCO M. A. , MARCHESINI G. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract.Objectives.  To investigate weight loss and reasons for attrition in obese patients on long‐term continuous care.Design.  Observational study with 36 months of follow‐up.Setting.  Fifteen Italian obesity centres applying a continuous care model of medical treatment.Subjects.  One thousand treatment‐seeking obese subjects (785 females, median age 45.1 years, median BMI 37.4 kg m−2). Weight loss expectations were systematically recorded at baseline.Interventions.  An initial intensive treatment period (3–6 months) was followed by a less intensive continuous care (a follow‐up control every 2–4 months).Main outcome measures.  Attrition, reasons for treatment interruption and BMI change. Data were recorded by telephone interview in dropouts.Results.  Only 157 patients (15.7%) were in continuous treatment at 36 months. The main reasons of attrition were logistics, unsatisfactory results and lack of motivation. The only basal predictor for continuous care was lower Expected One‐Year BMI Loss (P = 0.016). The probability of dropout increased systematically for any 5% expected BMI loss (Hazard ratio, 1.05; 96% confidence interval, 1.01–1.09). The mean percentage weight loss was greater in continuers (5.2% vs. 3.0% in dropouts; P = 0.016). However, the dropouts satisfied with the results or confident to lose additional weight without professional help reported a mean weight loss of 9.6% and 6.5% respectively.Discussion.  Continuous care produces long‐term weight loss only in a subgroup of obese patients seeking treatment in medical centres. The finding that subgroups of dropouts report long‐term weight loss has implication for the treatment of obesity.
Identification of novel stage‐specific genetic requirements through whole genome transcription profiling of Vibrio cholerae biofilm development
Authors: Moorthy Sudha , Watnick Paula I. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBacterial biofilm formation has been described as a developmental process. This process may be divided into three stages: the planktonic stage, the monolayer stage and the biofilm stage. Bacteria in the planktonic stage are not attached to each other or to a surface; bacteria in the monolayer stage are attached to surfaces as single cells; and bacteria in the biofilm stage are attached to surfaces as cellular aggregates. In a study limited to the Vibrio cholerae flaA, mshA and vps genes, we previously demonstrated that transcription in monolayer cells is distinct from that in biofilm cells and that the genetic requirements of monolayer formation are distinct from those of biofilm formation. In this work, we sought to identify additional stage‐specific genetic requirements through microarray analysis of the V. cholerae transcriptome during biofilm development. These studies demonstrated unique patterns of transcription in the planktonic, monolayer and biofilm stages of biofilm development. Based on our microarray results, we selected cheY‐3 as well as two previously uncharacterized genes, bap1 and leuO, for targeted mutation. The ΔcheY‐3 mutant displayed a defect in monolayer but not biofilm formation, suggesting that chemotaxis plays a stage‐specific role in formation of the V. cholerae monolayer. Mutants carrying deletions in bap1 and leuO formed monolayers that were indistinguishable from those formed by wild‐type V. cholerae. In contrast, these mutants displayed greatly decreased biofilm accumulation. Our microarray analyses document modulation of the transcriptome of V. cholerae as it progresses through the stages in biofilm development. These studies demonstrate that microarray analysis of the transcriptome of biofilm development may greatly accelerate the discovery of novel targets for stage‐specific inhibition of biofilm development.
A genetic selection for supercoiling mutants of Escherichia coli reveals proteins implicated in chromosome structure
Authors: Hardy Christine D. , Cozzarelli Nicholas R. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryChromosomes are divided into topologically independent regions, called domains, by the action of uncharacterized barriers. With the goal of identifying domain barrier components, we designed a genetic selection for mutants with reduced negative supercoiling of the Escherichia coli chromosome. We employed a strain that contained two chromosomally located reporter genes under the control of a supercoiling‐sensitive promoter and used transposon mutagenesis to generate a wide range of mutants. We subjected the selected mutants to a series of secondary screens and identified five proteins as modulators of chromosomal supercoiling in vivo. Three of these proteins: H‐NS, Fis and DksA, have clear ties to chromosome biology. The other two proteins, phosphoglucomutase (Pgm) and transketolase (TktA), are enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and have not previously been shown to affect DNA. Deletion of any of the identified genes specifically affected chromosome topology, without affecting plasmid supercoiling. We suggest that at least H‐NS, Fis and perhaps TktA assist directly in the supercoiling of domains by forming topological barriers on the E. coli chromosome.
Maternal concentration of dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE) and initiation and duration of breast feeding
Authors: Karmaus Wilfried , Davis Susan , Fussman Christopher , Brooks Kevin 
Published: August 2005

SummaryDichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE) has been shown to reduce the duration of breast feeding in two studies. In addition to duration, we examined whether DDE lowers the initiation of breast feeding. Between 1973 and 1991, the Michigan Department of Community Health conducted three surveys to assess polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and DDE serum concentrations in Michigan anglers. Through telephone interviews with parents, we retrospectively ascertained information on breast feeding. Based on repeated maternal serum measurements between 1973 and 1991, we arrived at the level of exposure at the time of delivery by extrapolating PCB and DDE serum levels. One mother may have contributed more than one child; however, serum concentrations varied between children from the same mother. The maternal DDE and PCB serum concentrations were categorised as follows: 0 to < 5 µg/L, 5 to < 10 µg/L, ≥ 10 µg/L. Repeated measurement models and survival analyses were used to determine the relationship between DDE and PCBs and characteristics of breast feeding while controlling for cohort effects, maternal age at delivery, education, and smoking during pregnancy. We focused on 176 pregnancies of 91 mothers who had maternal exposure information and gave birth between 1969 and 1995.Initiation of breast feeding was lowered by 39.5% and duration shortened by 66.4% in children of mothers who smoked during pregnancy. In children of non‐smoking mothers, the incidence ratio for breast‐feeding initiation was 0.45 [95% CI 0.15, 0.94] and 0.42 [95% CI 0.10, 1.03] when maternal DDE concentrations were 5 to < 10 µg/L and ≥ 10 µg/L respectively, compared with the lowest DDE exposure group. In these offspring (of non‐smoking mothers), breast‐feeding duration was shorter when DDE concentrations were higher: 13 weeks for ≥ 10 µg/L DDE, compared with 21.7 weeks for lower DDE. We did not detect any association between PCBs and breast feeding. In the absence of the distorting effects of maternal smoking, DDE exposure may decrease initiation and duration of breast feeding.
The role of postoperative alkylating agent therapy in early‐stage epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: MACKINTOSH J. , LIND M. J. , ANDERSON H. , CROWTHER D. , BUCKLEY C. H. , TINDALL V. R. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryForty‐six patients with early (Stage I and II) ovarian cancer referred as free of residual disease after primary surgery, selected for high‐risk features, were treated with adjuvant single‐agent alkylating therapy comprising either intravenous cyclophosphamide (1 g/m2) in 36 patients, or oral melphalan (0·2 mg/kg daily for 5 days) in eight. Cyclophosphamide was repeated every 3 weeks for 10 cycles and melphalan every 6 weeks for 12 cycles. With a median follow‐up of 36+ months, 18 patients have relapsed. The actuarial 5‐year relapse‐free survival was 48% and the overall 5‐year survival was 54%; median survival was 84 months. Pretreatment FIGO stage was the single most important predictor of relapse‐free and overall survival duration. For patients with Stage IA and IB tumours the 5‐year actuarial relapse‐free survival was 89%; for patients with stage 1C and II (all substages), the 5‐year relapsefree survival was 24% (P=0·001). For this latter group adjuvant single alkylating agent therapy was not adequate and alternative therapeutic regimens are required. The problem of suboptimal primary surgical staging is also addressed.
Pregnancy screening by Doppler uteroplacental and umbilical artery waveforms
Authors: HANRETTY KEVIN P. , PRIMROSE MAIRI H. , NEILSON JAMES P. , WHITTLE MARTIN J. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryDoppler waveforms from the uteroplacental and umbilical arteries were studied in 543 unselected women attending an antenatal clinic. Overall, 357 women were studied at 26–30 weeks and 395 at 34–36 weeks; 209 were studied at both gestation periods. Results were not made available to clinicians. There was no difference in outcome of pregnancies between those with normal and abnormal uteroplacental waveforms, but birthweights were significantly lower in those with an abnormal umbilical artery waveform at either gestation. There were no other statistically significant differences between groups. Although the power of the study to detect differences in outcome in this sample size is limited, our findings do not support the introduction of this new technique into clinical practice before sufficiently large randomized controlled trials have shown some benefit.
Correlation between Doppler flow velocity waveforms and cord blood viscosity
Authors: STEEL S. A. , PEARCE J. M. F. , NASH G. , CHRISTOPHER B. , DORMANDY J. , BLAND J. M. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe contribution of rheological factors to the impedance of blood flow in the umbilical artery as determined by continuous‐wave Doppler ultrasound was investigated. Of the 51 pregnancies recruited, six were complicated by pre‐eclampsia, 10 by intrauterine growth retardation, 15 by both pre‐eclampsia and fetal growth retardation, and there were 20 controls. A significant correlation was demonstrated between both plasma viscosity and gestational age and the resistance index used to characterize the Doppler waveform. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that changes in plasma viscosity explained 55% of the variance seen in the resistance index and that this was statistically significant. This finding is, however, unlikely to be of clinical significance as whole blood viscosity had an insignificant effect on the impedance in the umbilical artery. We postulate that vascular factors such as the number and calibre of the placental arterioles are a more important determinant of umbilical artery impedance.
Ultrasound and circulating placental protein measurements in complications of early pregnancy
Authors: STABILE I. , GRUDZINSKAS J. G. , CAMPBELL S. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryMaternal serum levels of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), Schwangerschaftsprotein 1 (SP1) and pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A (PAPP‐A) were measured in an unselected group of 624 women presenting with amenorrhoea and vaginal bleeding with or without abdominal pain to an emergency gynaecological ultrasound clinic. Abdominal sector scanning was used to assess uterine contents. Pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasound in 406 pregnancies. Histological confirmation was obtained in each case of pregnancy failure. A live fetus was demonstrated in 259 women of whom six subsequently miscarried; one of these had markedly depressed serum hCG and PAPP‐A, but normal SP1 levels, and two had oligohydramnios. Of the 147 women without ultrasound evidence of fetal heart action 67 had a correct ultrasound diagnosis of anembryonic pregnancy. The predictive value of a depressed serum hCG level was 70% in this group, and 31% in samples taken at ≤7 weeks. The predictive value of a normal hCG level was 96%. In 34 women missed miscarriage was diagnosed readily by ultrasound; all but five had depressed hCG and PAPP‐A levels. A clinical diagnosis of a complete or incomplete miscarriage was made in 45 women and easily confirmed by ultrasound. All of them had depressed hCG, SP1 and PAPP‐A levels. These results indicate that the diagnostic value of ultrasound in threatened miscarriage is often better than that of biochemical tests.
The prognostic significance of the half‐life of serum CA 125 in patients responding to chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian carcinoma
Authors: HAWKINS R. E. , ROBERTS K. , WILTSHAW E. , MUNDY J. , FRYATT I. J. , McCREADY V. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryVarious prognostic factors were studied in 29 patients with stage III or IV ovarian cancer who responded to initial chemotherapy after initial diagnostic surgery. The half‐life of CA 125 in serum during initial chemotherapy was the most important prognostic indicator for survival (P<0·001) and the chance of achieving complete remission (P= 0·012). A CA 125 half‐life of <20 days, 20–40 days and >40 days appears to identify patients with a good, intermediate or poor prognosis, the two year actuarial survival being 76%, 48% and 0% respectively. The chance of achieving a complete remission was 15% and 67% respectively for patients with a serum CA 125 half‐life of >20 or <20 days.