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Major Consequence (major + consequence)
Selected AbstractsPARASITES, THEIR RELATIONSHIPS AND THE DISINTEGRATION OF SCROPHULARIACEAE SENSU LATOCURTIS'S BOTANICAL MAGAZINE, Issue 4 2010Michael F. Fay Summary. Plants that parasitise other plants have been among the most difficult plant groups to fit into classification systems due to their modified biology and their often highly reduced morphology. They are now considered to be found in about 16 families of flowering plants. Here we summarise current ideas about their relationships and provide information about their characteristics and utilisation. A major consequence of the revised classification of Orobanchaceae and related families has been the break-up of the traditional Scrophulariaceae, and here we summarise the new classification, focusing on genera of horticultural interest. [source] Accentuation of phosphorus limitation in Geranium dissectum by nitrogen: an ecological genomics studyGLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 8 2008SUSAN SUMMERS THAYER Abstract Global climate change experiments have shown changes in productivity, phenology, species composition, and nutrient acquisition and availability; yet, the underlying mechanisms for these responses, especially in multi-factorial experiments, are poorly understood. Altered nutrient availability is a major consequence of global change, directly due to anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition, and indirectly due to shifts in temperature and water availability. In the Jasper Ridge Global Change Experiment, microarrays were used to investigate the transcriptional responses of the dominant dicot, Geranium dissectum, to simulated N deposition. The transcript levels for several photosynthetic genes were elevated in plants exposed to elevated N, as has been reported previously, validating the use of microarrays under field conditions. A coordinated response of a suite of genes previously reported to be induced in response to phosphate (Pi) deficiency was observed, including genes for the glycolytic bypass pathway, which reduces ATP and Pi requirements for sugar degradation, suggesting that the plants were phosphorus (P) limited. Confirming this conclusion, foliar P levels in G. dissectum leaves were reduced to levels that are suboptimal for growth in plants grown in elevated N and elevated CO2 plots. Thus, although plants commonly produce more biomass in response to elevated N in native grasslands, this growth response may be suboptimal due to a P limitation. Foliar P levels in plants from elevated CO2 plots were also suboptimal for growth. However, genes indicative of Pi deficiency were not significantly expressed at higher levels. Transcript levels for genes involved in nitrate uptake and assimilation were unchanged by the elevated N deposition treatment, possibly due to the combined impacts of elevated N deposition and P limitation under field conditions. These observations highlight the complexity of the impact of global climate change factors in the field. [source] A giant Upper Jurassic turtle revealed by its trackwaysLETHAIA, Issue 4 2003CHRISTIAN GAILLARD Exceptional fossilization of large tetrapod swimming traces occurs in the Cerin Lagerstätte (Jura Mountains, France). These trackways are imprinted in Jurassic (Late Kimmeridgian) lagoonal fine-grained limestones and are attributed to giant turtles, which swam with a simultaneous movement of their forelimbs like the modern ones. These turtles swam in very shallow waters close to land, perhaps near a nesting area. As a major consequence, these new ichnologic data place the origin of true large marine turtles during the Jurassic period and not during the Cretaceous period as previously considered on the basis of skeletal remains. [source] Ischemic preconditioning attenuates the oxidant-dependent mechanisms of reperfusion cell damage and death in rat liverLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 11 2002Barbara Cavalieri In an in vivo rat model of liver ischemia followed by reperfusion a consistent appearance of necrosis and activation of biochemical pathways of apoptosis was reproduced and monitored after 30 minutes reperfusion. Preconditioning by application of a short cycle of ischemia-reperfusion (10 minutes + 10 minutes) positively conditioned recovery of the organ at reperfusion, attenuating both necrotic and apoptotic events. Preconditioning at least halved cell oxidative damage occurring early at reperfusion, and as a major consequence, the increase of cytolysis and apoptosis occurring at reperfusion was about 50% less. The attenuation of both pathways of cell death by preconditioning appeared at least partly related to its modulate action on H2O2 and 4-hydroxy-2,3-trans-nonenal production. The overall data point to a marked diminished oxidant generation and oxidative reactions as one major possible mechanism through which ischemic preconditioning exerts protection against necrotic and apoptotic insult to the postischemic liver. [source] Soluble nickel inhibits HIF-prolyl-hydroxylases creating persistent hypoxic signaling in A549 cellsMOLECULAR CARCINOGENESIS, Issue 7 2006Todd L. Davidson Abstract Soluble nickel compounds are carcinogenic to humans although the mechanism by which they cause cancer remains unclear. One major consequence of exposure to nickel is the stabilization of hypoxia inducible factor-1, (HIF-1,), a protein known to be overexpressed in a variety of cancers. In this study, we report a persistent stabilization of HIF-1, by nickel chloride up to 72 h after the removal of nickel from the culture media. In addition, we show that the HIF-prolyl hydroxylases (PHD's) are inhibited when cells are exposed to nickel and that they remain repressed for up to 72 h after nickel is removed. We then show that nickel can inhibit purified HIF-PHD's 2 in vitro, through direct interference with the enzyme. Through theoretical calculations, we also demonstrate that nickel may be able to replace the iron in the active site of this enzyme, providing a plausible mechanism for the persistent inhibition of HIF-PHD's by nickel. The data presented suggest that nickel can interfere with HIF-PHD directly and does not inhibit the enzyme by simply depleting cellular factors, such as iron or ascorbic acid. Understanding the mechanisms by which nickel can inhibit HIF-PHD's and stabilize HIF-1, may be important in the treatment of cancer and ischemic diseases. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Disturbance frequency and functional identity mediate ecosystem processes in prairie streamsOIKOS, Issue 6 2009Katie N. Bertrand A major consequence of climate change will be the alteration of precipitation patterns and concomitant changes in the flood frequencies in streams. Species losses or introductions will accompany these changes, which necessitates understanding the interactions between altered disturbance regimes and consumer functional identity to predict dynamics of streams. We used experimental mesocosms and field enclosures to test the interactive effects of flood frequency and two fishes from distinct consumer groups (benthic grazers and water-column minnows) on recovery of stream ecosystem properties (algal form and biomass, invertebrate densities, metabolism and nutrient uptake rates). Our results generally suggest that periphyton communities under nutrient limitation are likely to recover more quickly when grazing and water-column minnows are present and these effects can diminish or reverse with time since the disturbance. We hypothesized that increased periphyton production and biomass was the result of increased nutrient turnover, but decreased light limitation and indirect effects on other trophic levels are alternative explanations. Recovery of stream ecosystem properties after a natural flood differed from mesocosms (e.g. lower algal biomass and no long algal filaments present) and species manipulations did not explain recovery of ecosystem properties; rather, ecosystem processes varied along a downstream gradient of increasing temperature and nutrient concentrations. Different results between field enclosures and experimental mesocosms are attributable to a number of factors including differences in algal and invertebrate communities in the natural stream and relatively short enclosure lengths (mean area=35.8 m2) compared with recirculating water in the experimental mesocosms. These differences may provide insight into conditions necessary to elicit a strong interaction between consumers and ecosystem properties. [source] ORIGINAL RESEARCH,SURGERY: A Large Multicenter Outcome Study of Female Genital Plastic SurgeryTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 4pt1 2010Michael P. Goodman MD ABSTRACT Introduction., Female Genital Plastic Surgery, a relatively new entry in the field of Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, has promised sexual enhancement and functional and cosmetic improvement for women. Are the vulvovaginal aesthetic procedures of Labiaplasty, Vaginoplasty/Perineoplasty ("Vaginal Rejuvenation") and Clitoral Hood Reduction effective, and do they deliver on that promise? For what reason do women seek these procedures? What complications are evident, and what effects are noted regarding sexual function for women and their partners? Who should be performing these procedures, what training should they have, and what are the ethical considerations? Aim., This study was designed to produce objective, utilizable outcome data regarding FGPS. Main Outcome Measures., 1) Reasons for considering surgery from both patient's and physician's perspective; 2) Pre-operative sexual functioning per procedure; 3) Overall patient satisfaction per procedure; 4) Effect of procedure on patient's sexual enjoyment, per procedure; 5) Patient's perception of effect on her partner's sexual enjoyment, per procedure; 6) Complications. Methods., This cross-sectional study, including 258 women and encompassing 341 separate procedures, comes from a group of twelve gynecologists, gynecologic urologists and plastic surgeons from ten centers in eight states nationwide. 104 labiaplasties, 24 clitoral hood reductions, 49 combined labiaplasty/clitoral hood reductions, 47 vaginoplasties and/or perineoplasties, and 34 combined labiaplasty and/or reduction of the clitoral hood plus vaginoplasty/perineoplasty procedures were studied retrospectively, analyzing both patient's and physician's perception of surgical rationale, pre-operative sexual function and several outcome criteria. Results., Combining the three groups, 91.6% of patients were satisfied with the results of their surgery after a 6,42 month follow-up. Significant subjective enhancement in sexual functioning for both women and their sexual partners was noted (p = 0.0078), especially in patients undergoing vaginal tightening/perineal support procedures. Complications were acceptable and not of major consequence. Conclusions., While emphasizing that these female genital plastic procedures are not performed to correct "abnormalities," as there is a wide range of normality in the external and internal female genitalia, both parous and nulliparous, many women chose to modify their vulvas and vaginas. From the results of this large study pooling data from a diverse group of experienced genital plastic surgeons, outcome in both general and sexual satisfaction appear excellent. Goodman MP, Placik OJ, Benson RH III, Miklos JR, Moore RD, Jason RA, Matlock DL, Simopoulos AF, Stern BH, Stanton RA, Kolb SE, and Gonzalez F. A large multicenter outcome study of female genital plastic surgery. J Sex Med 2010;7:1565,1577. [source] Birds on edge: avian assemblages along forest-agricultural boundaries of central Victoria, AustraliaANIMAL CONSERVATION, Issue 2 2001Monica J. Campi Habitat clearance generally produces fragmented landscapes. A major consequence is the creation of large amounts of new ,edge habitat', often of a kind not previously existing, such as abrupt forest- agricultural land interfaces. Much work from around the world suggests that proliferation of edge habitat seriously affects birds reliant on large forest blocks to persist, and the intrusion of edge specialists into areas they did not previously occupy. These processes often generate avifaunal gradients in which assemblages change from the interior to the edge. This effect is explored in the largest remnant block of box-ironbark forest of central Victoria, Australia (about 30,000 ha). Eight radially oriented survey lines were established around the periphery of the block. Along each survey line, five transects with long axes oriented parallel to the edge were positioned with midlines at 40 m, 160 m, 280 m and 400 m into the forest, and one transect 80 m into the agricultural land, yielding a total of 40 transects. Six identical transects were located deep within the forest (> 2 km). There was little evidence of a change in the avifauna from interior to edge, although mean richness was depressed in the edge habitats compared with forest interior transects. These results were essentially the same for ,all species' or ,forest dependent' species. Thus, there is little evidence for marked edge effects on the avifauna of these large forest blocks, although work in intermediate sized remnants (100-1000 ha) is needed to identify thresholds at which edge effects begin to be manifested. [source] Reduction of job loss in persons with rheumatic diseases receiving vocational rehabilitation: A randomized controlled trialARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 11 2003Saralynn H. Allaire Objective Job loss is a major consequence of rheumatic diseases, and clinicians may refer patients to vocational rehabilitation for help. When provided after job loss, the impact of vocational rehabilitation is short term. This randomized controlled trial with 48 months of followup was undertaken to determine the efficacy of vocational rehabilitation provided to persons with rheumatic diseases while they are still employed, but at risk for job loss. Methods A total of 242 patients with rheumatic diseases residing in Massachusetts were recruited through their rheumatologists for study. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 122) or the control group (n = 120). Subjects in the experimental group received two 1.5-hour sessions of vocational rehabilitation; those in the control group received print materials about disability employment issues and resources by mail. The main outcome assessed was the time to first job loss. Job losses were defined as permanent disability, premature retirement, or a period of unemployment. All analyses were conducted on an intent-to-treat basis. Results Job loss was delayed in the experimental group compared with the control group (P = 0.03 by log rank test). After adjustment for confounders, participation in the experimental group was found to be protective against job loss (odds ratio 0.58 [95% confidence interval 0.34,0.99], P = 0.05 by pooled logistic regression). Conclusion Vocational rehabilitation delivered to patients at risk for job loss, but while they were still employed, delayed job loss. Such an intervention has the potential to reduce the high indirect costs, as well as the personal impact, of rheumatic diseases. [source] Diabetes control and complications: the role of glycated haemoglobin, 25 years onDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 7 2004S. L. Jeffcoate Abstract The long-term complications of diabetes have major consequences for individual subjects and growing healthcare delivery and cost implications for society. Evidence for the benefits of good glycaemic control, as monitored by glycated haemoglobin measurements, has been developed in the 25 years since they were introduced to the point where HbA1c assays play central roles in patient management, clinical guidance and audit, and clinical trial design. In this review this evidence is examined and three classes of uncertainty identified that diminish confidence in the effectiveness of these roles for HbA1c. 1Analytical variability between different methods for HbA1c has restricted the application of clinical targets and this problem has recently been addressed by reference method standardization. There are two approaches to this which result in different HbA1c values and this discrepancy needs to be resolved. 2Biological variability in HbA1c values between individuals also restricts its predictive role when applied to populations. The correlations between HbA1c measurements and various components of glycaemia (overall, fasting, postprandial) are still uncertain and differences in protein glycation and de-glycation are greater between subjects than often thought. The influence of variability in erythrocyte life span is an area where research is needed, especially in diabetic subjects. 3Clinical variability is the most important and complex area of uncertainty. A predictive link between HbA1c and clinical outcomes is not as clear-cut as often stated. The correlation with the development of microvascular disease is well established in Type 1 diabetes, but in Type 2 subjects (90% of those with diabetes) the evidence that HbA1c monitoring is of value in predicting or preventing macrovascular disease is not strong, although it is the major cause of morbidity and early death in this group. It is recommended that, as a matter of urgency, these issues be examined, particularly within the context of self-care in diabetes. Diabet. Med. **, ***,*** (2003) [source] Importance of species interactions to community heritability: a genetic basis to trophic-level interactionsECOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 1 2006Joseph K. Bailey Abstract Recent community genetics studies have shown that specific genotypes of a host plant support distinct arthropod communities. Building upon these findings, we examined the hypothesis that a trophic community consisting of cottonwood trees, a galling herbivore and avian predators could also be related to the genetics of the host tree. We found genetic correlations among phytochemistry of individual tree genotypes, the density of a galling herbivore, and the intensity of avian predation on these herbivores. We detected significant broad-sense heritability of these interactions that range from H = 0.70 to 0.83. The genetic basis of these interactions tended to increase across trophic levels suggesting that small genetic changes in the cottonwood phenotype could have major consequences at higher trophic levels affecting species interactions and energy flow. These findings show a heritable basis to trophic-level interactions indicating that there is a significant genetic basis to community composition and energy flow that is predictable by plant genotype. Our data clearly link plant genetics to patterns of avian foraging and show that species interactions are important components of community heritability and ecosystem processes. Overall, these data support the hypothesis that evolution of plant traits can alter trophic-level interactions and community composition. [source] Impact of glucose levels on advanced glycation end products in hemodialysisHEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2007Amy Ruth GODFREY Abstract The current obesity epidemic throughout the western world has resulted in a considerable increase in the condition Type II diabetes mellitus. Recently, the World Health Organization has predicted that the global prevalence of Type II will increase from 175 million patients in 2003 to over 350 million by 2030. One of the major consequences of this disorder is renal failure, which presents itself as chronic kidney disease, and can progress to end-stage renal disease. Once diagnosed, patients are generally treated using dialysis due to a shortage of kidney donors. The fundamental process of dialysis still requires improvement because the survival rate of these patients is relatively poor. This has resulted in considerable research into improvements in hemodialysis membranes, and the challenge to find more suitable marker(s) in assessing the efficacy of the dialysis process. A class of compounds highlighted as a possible accumulative toxin is advanced glycation end products or AGEs. This is an article regarding the impact of hemodialysis and hemodiafiltration on glucose and AGE levels within the body and the consequences of a chronic hyperglycemic condition. It also highlights the negative aspects of using dextrose in conventional dialysis solutions (an area that has already been identified by peritoneal dialysis clinicians as problematic). The review concludes by suggesting several possible topics of future research. [source] Origin of evolutionary novelty: Examples from limbsJOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 1 2002Neil H. Shubin Abstract Classic hypotheses of vertebrate morphology are being informed by new data and new methods. Long nascent issues, such as the origin of tetrapod limbs, are being explored by paleontologists, molecular biologists, and functional anatomists. Progress in this arena will ultimately come down to knowing how macroevolutionary differences between taxa emerge from the genetic and phenotypic variation that arises within populations. The assembly of limbs over developmental and evolutionary time offers examples of the major processes at work in the origin of novelties. Recent comparative developmental analyses demonstrate that many of the mechanisms used to pattern limbs are ancient. One of the major consequences of this phenomenon is parallelism in the evolution of anatomical structures. Studies of both the fossil record and intrapopulational variation of extant populations reveal regularities in the origin of variation. These examples reveal processes acting at the level of populations that directly affect the patterns of diversity observed at higher taxonomic levels. J. Morphol. 252:15,28, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Consequences of treatment withdrawal in type 1 autoimmune hepatitisLIVER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2007Aldo J. Montano-Loza Abstract Background and Aims: Drug-related side effects are considered the major consequences of relapse and re-treatment in patients with autoimmune hepatitis. Our goals were to determine whether relapse is associated with disease progression and whether treatment end points can be refined. Methods: The outcomes of 132 patients with definite type 1 autoimmune hepatitis who had been treated comparably until remission were assessed retrospectively after drug withdrawal. Results: Patients who had relapsed repeatedly after initial treatment withdrawal developed cirrhosis more commonly than patients who sustained remission (18/48 vs 1/22, P=0.004), and those who relapsed once (18/48 vs 2/21, P=0.02). Hepatic death or the need for liver transplantation was also more frequent in the patients who had multiple relapses than those who sustained remission (13/64 vs 0/30, P=0.008) and those who relapsed once (13/64 vs 1/38, P=0.02). Patients who sustained their remission had a higher frequency of normal laboratory indices at drug withdrawal than patients who relapsed (88% vs 46%, P=0.003). Adverse outcomes after relapse did not distinguish patients until after 5 years of observation. Conclusions: Multiple relapses are associated with a poorer prognosis than sustained remission or single relapse episodes. Initial treatment to resolution of laboratory abnormalities may afford the greatest opportunity to prevent relapse. [source] Risk of ectoparasitism and genetic diversity in a wild lesser kestrel populationMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 17 2007JOAQUÍN ORTEGO Abstract Parasites and infectious diseases are major determinants of population dynamics and adaptive processes, imposing fitness costs to their hosts and promoting genetic variation in natural populations. In the present study, we evaluate the role of individual genetic diversity on risk of parasitism by feather lice Degeeriella rufa in a wild lesser kestrel population (Falco naumanni). Genetic diversity at 11 microsatellite loci was associated with risk of parasitism by feather lice, with more heterozygous individuals being less likely to be parasitized, and this effect was statistically independent of other nongenetic parameters (colony size, sex, location, and year) which were also associated with lice prevalence. This relationship was nonlinear, with low and consistent prevalences among individuals showing high levels of genetic diversity that increased markedly at low levels of individual heterozygosity. This result appeared to reflect a genome-wide effect, with no single locus contributing disproportionably to the observed effect. Thus, overall genetic variation, rather than linkage of markers to genes experiencing single-locus heterosis, seems to be the underlying mechanism determining the association between risk of parasitism and individual genetic diversity in the study host,parasite system. However, feather lice burden was not affected by individual heterozygosity; what suggest that differences in susceptibility, rather than variation in defences once the parasite has been established, may shape the observed pattern. Overall, our results highlight the role of individual genetic diversity on risk of parasitism in wild populations, what has both important evolutionary implications and major consequences for conservation research on the light of emerging infectious diseases that may endanger genetically depauperated populations. [source] Physical maturation, life-history classes and age estimates of free-ranging western gorillas,insights from Mbeli Bai, Republic of CongoAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Thomas Breuer Abstract Physical maturation and life-history parameters are seen as evolutionary adaptations to different ecological and social conditions. Comparison of life-history patterns of closely related species living in diverse environments helps to evaluate the validity of these assumptions but empirical data are lacking. The two gorilla species exhibit substantial differences in their environment, which allows investigation into the role of increased frugivory in shaping western gorilla life histories. We present behavioral and morphological data on western gorilla physical maturation and life-history parameters from a 12.5-year study at Mbeli Bai, a forest clearing in the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park in northern Congo. We assign photographs of known individuals to different life-history classes and propose new age boundaries for life-history classes in western gorillas, which can be used and tested at other western gorilla research sites. Our results show that western gorillas are weaned at a later age compared with mountain gorillas and indicate slower physical maturation of immatures. These findings support the risk-aversion hypothesis for more frugivorous species. However, our methods need to be applied and tested with other gorilla populations. The slow life histories of western gorillas could have major consequences for social structure, mortality patterns and population growth rates that will affect recovery from population crashes of this critically endangered species. We emphasize that long-term studies can provide crucial demographic and life-history data that improve our understanding of life-history evolution and adaptation and help to refine conservation strategies. Am. J. Primatol. 71:106,119, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Recommendations for the Assessment and Reporting of Multivariable Logistic Regression in Transplantation LiteratureAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 7 2010A. C. Kalil Multivariable logistic regression is an important method to evaluate risk factors and prognosis in solid organ transplant literature. We aimed to assess the quality of this method in six major transplantation journals. Eleven analytical criteria and four documentation criteria were analyzed for each selected article that used logistic regression. A total of 106 studies (6%) out of 1,701 original articles used logistic regression analyses from January 1, 2005 to January 1, 2006. The analytical criteria and their respective reporting percentage among the six journals were: Linearity (25%); Beta coefficient (48%); Interaction tests (19%); Main estimates (98%); Ovefitting prevention (84%); Goodness-of-fit (3.8%); Multicolinearity (4.7%); Internal validation (3.8%); External validation (8.5%). The documentation criteria were reported as follows: Selection of independent variables (73%); Coding of variables (9%); Fitting procedures (49%); Statistical program (65%). No significant differences were found among different journals or between general versus subspecialty journals with respect to reporting quality. We found that the report of logistic regression is unsatisfactory in transplantation journals. Because our findings may have major consequences for the care of transplant patients and for the design of transplant clinical trials, we recommend a practical solution for the use and reporting of logistic regression in transplantation journals. [source] Flavor of Cheddar Cheese: A Chemical and Sensory PerspectiveCOMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND FOOD SAFETY, Issue 4 2003T.K. Singh ABSTRACT Considerable knowledge has been accumulated on the biochemical processes occurring during ripening of Cheddar cheese, which in turn has major consequences on flavor and texture development. The present review outlines major metabolic pathways and agents involved in the modification of milk constituents in Cheddar cheese ripening. Mechanisms of volatile flavor and off-flavor production and recent developments in the analysis, both sensory and instrumental, of Cheddar flavor and flavor compounds are also detailed here. [source] | |||||||||||||