bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of low‐intensity physical exercise on acute changes in resting saliva secretory IgA levels in the elderly
Authors: Sakamoto Yuzuru , Ueki Shouzoh , Shimanuki Hideki , Kasai Toshiyuki , Takato Jinro , Ozaki Hironobu , Kawakami Yoshiharu , Haga Hiroshi 
Published: August 2005

Background:  Although it is well known that exercise affects various immune functions, it remains to be determined whether exercise influences change in the mucosal immunity of elderly people. The objective of the present study is to examine whether low‐intensity short‐term exercise alters acute and long‐term mucosal immune function in community‐dwelling elderly people.Methods:  The subjects of the study were 16 community‐dwelling elderly people, consisting of 11 men and five women aged 60–94 (mean ± SD, 76 ± 10 years), living in Sanbongi Town (Miyagi, Japan). The subjects periodically performed about 20 min of low‐intensity physical exercise (approximately 3.1 METS) at a frequency of twice a month for 3 months. Saliva samples were collected before and after exercise during the exercise class (at the start, after 1 month and after 3 months). Saliva flow, secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) concentration, SIgA secretion rate and total protein were determined.Results:  The main finding was that saliva flow and SIgA secretion rates were significantly (P < 0.05) higher after exercise. However, the baseline value of SIgA level hardly changed at each point for the duration of the exercise class.Conclusions:  The results suggest that low‐intensity short‐term exercise enhances mucosal immune function transiently in elderly people.
Predicting species distribution: offering more than simple habitat models
Authors: Guisan Antoine , Thuiller Wilfried 
Published: August 2005

AbstractIn the last two decades, interest in species distribution models (SDMs) of plants and animals has grown dramatically. Recent advances in SDMs allow us to potentially forecast anthropogenic effects on patterns of biodiversity at different spatial scales. However, some limitations still preclude the use of SDMs in many theoretical and practical applications. Here, we provide an overview of recent advances in this field, discuss the ecological principles and assumptions underpinning SDMs, and highlight critical limitations and decisions inherent in the construction and evaluation of SDMs. Particular emphasis is given to the use of SDMs for the assessment of climate change impacts and conservation management issues. We suggest new avenues for incorporating species migration, population dynamics, biotic interactions and community ecology into SDMs at multiple spatial scales. Addressing all these issues requires a better integration of SDMs with ecological theory.
Scaling population responses to spatial environmental variability in advection‐dominated systems
Authors: Anderson Kurt E. , Nisbet Roger M. , Diehl Sebastian , Cooper Scott D. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractWe model the spatial dynamics of an open population of organisms that disperse solely through advection in order to understand responses to multiscale environmental variability. We show that the distance over which a population responds to a localized perturbation, called the response length, can be characterized as an organisms average lifetime dispersal distance, unless there is strong density‐dependence in demographic or dispersal rates. Continuous spatial fluctuations in demographic rates at scales smaller than the response length will be largely averaged in the population distribution, whereas those in per capita emigration rates will be strongly tracked. We illustrate these results using a parameterized example to show how responses to environmental variability may differ in streams with different average current velocities. Our model suggests an approach to linking local dynamics dominated by dispersal processes to larger‐scale dynamics dominated by births and deaths.
Timing and abundance as key mechanisms affecting trophic interactions in variable environments
Authors: Durant Joël M. , Hjermann Dag Ø. , Anker‐Nilssen Tycho , Beaugrand Grégory , Mysterud Atle , Pettorelli Nathalie , Stenseth Nils Chr. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractClimatic changes are disrupting otherwise tight trophic interactions between predator and prey. Most of the earlier studies have primarily focused on the temporal dimension of the relationship in the framework of the match–mismatch hypothesis. This hypothesis predicts that predator's recruitment will be high if the peak of the prey availability temporally matches the most energy‐demanding period of the predators breeding phenology. However, the match–mismatch hypothesis ignores the level of food abundance while this can compensate small mismatches. Using a novel time‐series model explicitly quantifying both the timing and the abundance component for trophic relationships, we here show that timing and abundance of food affect recruitment differently in a marine (cod/zooplankton), a marine–terrestrial (puffin/herring) and a terrestrial (sheep/vegetation) ecosystem. The quantification of the combined effect of abundance and timing of prey on predator dynamics enables us to come closer to the mechanisms by which environment variability may affect ecological systems.
Genetic relatedness in groups is sex‐specific and declines with age of helpers in a cooperatively breeding cichlid
Authors: Dierkes Petra , Heg Dik , Taborsky Michael , Skubic Eva , Achmann Roland 
Published: August 2005

AbstractKin selection can explain the evolution of cooperative breeding and the distribution of relatives within a population may influence the benefits of cooperative behaviour. We provide genetic data on relatedness in the cooperatively breeding cichlid Neolamprologus pulcher. Helper to breeder relatedness decreased steeply with increasing helper age, particularly to the breeding males. Helper to helper relatedness was age‐assortative and also declined with age. These patterns of relatedness could be attributed to territory take‐overs by outsiders when breeders had disappeared (more in breeding males), between‐group dispersal of helpers and reproductive parasitism. In six of 31 groups females inherited the breeding position of their mother or sister. These matrilines were more likely to occur in large groups. We conclude that the relative fitness benefits of helping gained through kin selection vs. those gained through direct selection depend on helper age and sex.
Plant invasion alters nitrogen cycling by modifying the soil nitrifying community
Authors: Hawkes Christine V. , Wren Ian F. , Herman Donald J. , Firestone Mary K. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractPlant invasions have dramatic aboveground effects on plant community composition, but their belowground effects remain largely uncharacterized. Soil microorganisms directly interact with plants and mediate many nutrient transformations in soil. We hypothesized that belowground changes to the soil microbial community provide a mechanistic link between exotic plant invasion and changes to ecosystem nutrient cycling. To examine this possible link, monocultures and mixtures of exotic and native species were maintained for 4 years in a California grassland. Gross rates of nitrogen (N) mineralization and nitrification were quantified with15N pool dilution and soil microbial communities were characterized with DNA‐based methods. Exotic grasses doubled gross nitrification rates, in part by increasing the abundance and changing the composition of ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria in soil. These changes may translate into altered ecosystem N budgets after invasion. Altered soil microbial communities and their resulting effects on ecosystem processes may be an invisible legacy of exotic plant invasions.
Measuring progress in US endangered species conservation
Authors: Male Timothy D. , Bean Michael J. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractSince passage of the Endangered Species Act in 1973, over 1300 endangered and threatened species have been protected in the USA and its territories. Most species continue to face a significant risk of extinction, but the status of many species is improving. Here we present analyses of federal agency reports to the United States Congress (1988–2002) that describe differences in species status and show which variables are correlated with improving or declining status. We found that 52% of species showed repeated improvements or were not declining over this time. Species status improves over time, with only 35% still declining 13 years or more after protection. Taxonomy, funding by US Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and agency assessment of risk of extinction and potential to recover were significantly correlated with status.
Growth phase‐dependent expression of the Pseudomonas putida KT2440 transcriptional machinery analysed with a genome‐wide DNA microarray
Authors: Yuste Luis , Hervás Ana B. , Canosa Inés , Tobes Raquel , Jiménez José Ignacio , Nogales Juan , Pérez‐Pérez Manuel M. , Santero Eduardo , Díaz Eduardo , Ramos Juan‐Luis , De Lorenzo Víctor , Rojo Fernando 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBacterial transcriptional networks are built on a hierarchy of regulators, on top of which lie the components of the RNA polymerase (in particular the sigma factors) and the global control elements, which play a pivotal role. We have designed a genome‐wide oligonucleotide‐based DNA microarray for Pseudomonas putida KT2440. In combination with real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), we have used it to analyse the expression pattern of the genes encoding the RNA polymerase subunits (the core enzyme and the 24 sigma factors), and various proteins involved in global regulation (Crc, Lrp, Fur, Anr, Fis, CsrA, IHF, HupA, HupB, HupN, BipA and several MvaT‐like proteins), during the shift from exponential growth in rich medium into starvation and stress brought about by the entry into stationary phase. Expression of the genes encoding the RNA polymerase core and the vegetative sigma factor decreased in stationary phase, while that of σS increased. Data obtained for σN, σH, FliA and for the 19 extracytoplasmic function (ECF)‐like sigma factors suggested that their mRNA levels change little upon entry into stationary phase. Expression of Crc, BipA, Fis, HupB, HupN and the MvaT‐like protein PP3693 decreased in stationary phase, while that of HupA and the MvaT‐like protein PP3765 increased significantly. Expression of IHF was indicative of post‐transcriptional control. These results provide the first global study of the expression of the transcriptional machinery through the exponential stationary‐phase shift in P. putida.
Diversity and phylotype consistency of bacteria in the guts of three bee species (Apoidea) at an oilseed rape field
Authors: Mohr Kathrin I. , Tebbe Christoph C. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe gut of insects may harbour one of the largest reservoirs of a yet unexplored microbial diversity. To understand how specific insects select for their own bacterial communities, the structural diversity and variability of bacteria found in the gut of different bee species was analysed. For three successive years, adults and larvae of Apis mellifera ssp. carnica (honey bee), and Bombus terrestris (bumble bee), as well as larvae of Osmia bicornis (red mason bee) were collected at a flowering oilseed rape field. Total DNA was extracted from gut material and the bacterial diversity was analysed, independent of cultivation, by genetic profiling with single‐strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐amplified partial 16S rRNA genes. The SSCP profiles were specific for all bee species and for larvae and adults. Qualitative and quantitative differences were found in the bacterial community structure of larvae and adults of A. mellifera, but differences in B. terrestris were mainly quantitative. Sequencing of the PCR products revealed a dominance of Alpha‐, Beta‐, and Gammaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes in all bee species. Single‐strand conformation polymorphism profiles suggested a higher abundance and diversity of lactobacilli in adults of A. mellifera than in larvae. Further phylogenetic analyses indicated common bacterial phylotypes for all three bee species, e.g. those related to Simonsiella, Serratia, and Lactobacillus. Clades related to Delftia acidovorans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Lactobacillus intestinalis only contained sequences from larvae. Several of the bee‐specific clusters also contained identical or highly similar sequences from bacteria detected in other A. mellifera subspecies from South Africa, suggesting the existence of cosmopolitan gut bacteria in bees.
Fewer species of Argosarchus and Clitarchus stick insects (Phasmida, Phasmatinae): evidence from nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequence data
Authors: Trewick Steven A. , Goldberg Julia , Morgan‐Richards Mary 
Published: August 2005

The systematics of three genera of New Zealand stick insect in the subfamily Phasmatinae were investigated in light of inconsistencies in morphological variability within and among species. We sequenced a region of the mitochondrial genome, cytochrome oxidase (COI & COII; 1448 bp), and a nuclear marker, the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 & ITS2; 1804 bp) from 49 stick insects. Mitochondrial DNA sequence divergences among the three genera (Argosarchus, Clitarchus and Acanthoxyla) were relatively high (∼12%) but the current taxonomy within genera was not supported. Within the three genera, low levels of genetic divergence were observed at both nuclear and mitochondrial loci, and phylogenetic analyses failed to support reciprocal monophyly of the two species in Argosarchus and Clitarchus. Sympatric individuals of Argosarchus spiniger and A. horridus were more closely related to each other than to members of their respective morphospecies from elsewhere. No males were found in the Chatham Island population of Argosarchus and although this population has been referred to as A. schauinslandi, genetic and morphological evidence does not support its distinction from mainland Argosarchus. Likewise, individuals identified as Clitarchus tuberculatus were genetically identical, or most similar to, C. hookeri from the same or adjacent sites rather then grouping with the stick insects they were morphologically most similar to. Lack of spatial, behavioural or ecological evidence concordant with the described species A. spiniger, A. schauinslandi and C. tuberculatus leads us to infer that these species are synonymies of A. horridus and C. hookeri respectively. We conclude that Argosarchus and Clitarchus have each been over‐split and actually consist of a single morphologically polymorphic, facultative parthenogenetic species. The genus Acanthoxyla with eight described species also has low levels of genetic divergence, similar to those found in Argosarchus and Clitarchus. A possible hybrid origin of Acanthoxyla involving its sister genus Clitarchus is implied by sharing of ITS sequence variants, but further sampling is needed before the species status of these obligate parthenogenetic lineages can be resolved. In contrast to some New Zealand Orthoptera, the Phasmatinae show little genetic variation suggesting coalescence in recent times, possibly reflecting lineage sorting in the Pleistocene.
Combined molecular and morphological approaches to documenting regional biodiversity and ecological patterns in problematic taxa: a case study in the bivalve groupCyclocalyx(Sphaeriidae, Bivalvia) from western North America
Authors: Guralnick R. P. 
Published: August 2005

Genetic and morphological data were used to examine regional biodiversity in a taxonomically poorly known group of freshwater bivalves,Cyclocalyx.Cyclocalyx16S rRNA genes were sampled from multiple habitats across western North America, focusing on an elevation gradient from sea level up to 3400 m. From this sampling and previous reference datasets, a phylogenetic hypothesis was constructed and lineages delineated, leading to an estimate of regional biodiversity. Morphometric analyses of shell outlines were used to test whether lineages from the gene tree were significantly different in shape from one another, and whether shell shape can be used to predict lineage affiliation. Finally, broad habitat variables were plotted onto the trees and examined in an evolutionary context. The results uncovered many unnamed, genetically and morphologically distinct lineages, remarkable range extensions, and an unexpected lack of abundance of some lineages. The results also show patterns with basal lineages restricted to high‐elevation lakes and more nested lineages at lower elevations or with very wide tolerances. This work challenges almost all previous concepts of regional biodiversity of this lineage, while providing a foundation for future hypothesis testing about the ecology and evolution of the group. It also documents an approach to documenting regional biodiversity that can be applied to other taxa.
Relative role of major risk factors for Type 2 diabetes development in the historical cohort of the Brisighella Heart Study: an 8‐year follow‐up
Authors: Cicero A. F. G. , Dormi A. , Nascetti S. , Panourgia M. P. , Grandi E. , D’Addato S. , Gaddi A. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractAim  The aim of this study was to evaluate and quantify the role of different risk factors in the long‐term development of Type 2 diabetes mellitus in a rural Italian population.Methods  The Brisighella Heart Study (BHS; 1972–2003) is a prospective, population‐based longitudinal epidemiological cohort involving 2939 randomly selected subjects, aged 14–84 years, resident in the rural Italian town of Brisighella. For this study, we randomly selected 1441 adult subjects representative of the Brisighella population; consecutively visited during three BHS surveys. A step‐wise Cox regression analysis determined the prognostic significance of each independent risk factor for the development of Type 2 diabetes in the 8‐year long follow‐up.Results  Blood pressure, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, physical activity, total energy intake, and drug treatment had no effect on the incidence of diabetes. Age was a significant predictor of Type 2 diabetes when inserted alone in the model (P = 0.007), but irrelevant when adjusted for baseline body mass index (BMI) and or fasting plasma glucose. Among these with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), the diabetes incidence/year was estimated to be 6.6% for men and 11.2% for women (P < 0.001). Basal glycaemia under 6.1 mmol/l were not significant long‐term predictors of diabetes development, while higher basal glycaemia and each level BMI were.Conclusion  Our findings confirm that IFG and BMI predict Type 2 diabetes development in our population. This should help to identify effective approaches to prevention.
Glucose intolerance is associated with C‐reactive protein and intima‐media anatomy of the common carotid artery in patients with coronary heart disease
Authors: Henareh L. , Jogestrand T. , Agewall S. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractAims  The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between glucose intolerance and levels of hsCRP, calculated intima‐media area (cIMa) of the carotid artery and flow‐mediated dilation of the brachial artery in 122 patients with a myocardial infarction 1–12 months before inclusion and without known diabetes mellitus.Methods  A standard oral glucose test (OGTT) was performed. Diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were defined according to the WHO criteria. Ultrasound measurement of cIMa of the carotid artery and flow‐mediated dilation of the brachial artery were analyzed.Results  Patients with diabetes mellitus had higher hs‐CRP compared with patients with IGT and those patients with normal glucose tolerance (P < 0.05). The greater cIMa of the carotid artery in those with diabetes mellitus compared with normal subjects failed to reach conventional levels of significance (P = 0.058). hs‐CRP and cIMa were associated with plasma glucose 120 min after the glucose load (P < 0.05). A multiple stepwise regression analysis, including all variables significantly associated with plasma‐glucose 120 min after glucose ingestion as independent variables, revealed an independent and significant association between plasma‐glucose 120 min after glucose ingestion in the OGTT and CRP (P < 0.05). No association was observed between glucose intolerance and endothelial function.Conclusion  Glucose intolerance was associated with hs‐CRP and cIMa in patients with coronary heart disease without known diabetes mellitus. Thus, inflammation, atherosclerosis and impaired glucose tolerance are tightly interrelated disorders even in subjects without known diabetes mellitus.
Serum γ‐glutamyltransferase within its normal concentration range is related to the presence of diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors
Authors: Kim D.‐J. , Noh J.‐H. , Cho N.‐H. , Lee B.‐W. , Choi Y.‐H. , Jung J.‐H. , Min Y.‐K. , Lee M.‐S. , Lee M.‐K. , Kim K.‐W. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractAims  Although many studies have reported an association between serum γ‐glutamyltransferase (GGT) and cardiovascular risk factors, the mechanism of this relationship has not been clarified.Methods  The medical records of 29 959 subjects (age, median 48, range 14–90 years; 16 706 men, 13 253 women) who visited the Center for Health Promotion at Samsung Medical Center for a medical check‐up between January 2001 and December 2003, were investigated. Subjects with hepatic enzyme/GGT concentrations higher than three times the upper limit of the reference range, a positive test for hepatitis C virus antibody, a positive test for hepatitis B virus surface antigen, currently taking anti‐diabetic/anti‐hypertensive/anti‐lipid medication, or a white blood cell (WBC) count higher than 10 000 cells/ml, were excluded. The subjects of each gender were classified into five groups according to their serum GGT concentrations, into quartiles of the normal range of GGT (groups 1, 2, 3 and 4) and into a group with elevated GGT (group 5).Results  As the group number increased (group 1 → 5), the frequencies of all of the following increased: (i) diabetes and impaired fasting glucose (IFG); (ii) hypertension, obesity (body mass index ≥ 27 kg/m2), dyslipidaemia (LDL‐cholesterol ≥ 4.1 mmol/l and/or triglyceride ≥ 2.46 mmol/l, or HDL‐cholesterol < 1.16 mmol/l); (iii) metabolic syndrome. Moreover, these significant relationships between GGT concentrations within its normal range and the presence of diabetes/IFG, hypertension, obesity, dyslipidaemia, and metabolic syndrome persisted after adjusting for several clinical and biochemical variables and for the presence of fatty liver based on ultrasonographic findings. Odds ratios (95% CI) for group 4 (highest quartile of normal range of GGT) vs. group 1 (lowest quartile of normal range of GGT); the referent group, were 3.16 (2.15–4.65) for diabetes, 2.24 (1.73–2.90) for IFG, 1.93 (1.59–2.33) for obesity, 1.38 (1.23–1.55) for dyslipidaemia and 2.88 (2.28–3.65) for metabolic syndrome in men. In women, the odds ratios were 2.72 (1.34–5.52), 3.67 (2.26–5.97), 2.10 (1.61–2.74), 1.80 (1.58–2.04) and 3.57 (2.52–5.07), respectively.Conclusions  Our data show that, even within its normal range, serum GGT concentrations are closely associated with the presence of diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors, and that these associations are independent of a fatty liver by ultrasonography.