bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronic Intermittent Ethanol and Acute Stress Similarly Modulate BNST CRF Neuron Activity via Noradrenergic Signaling
Authors: Snyder Angela E. , Salimando Gregory J. , Winder Danny G. , Silberman Yuval 
Published: May 2019

BackgroundRelapse is a critical barrier to effective long‐term treatment of alcoholism, and stress is often cited as a key trigger to relapse. Numerous studies suggest that stress‐induced reinstatement to drug‐seeking behaviors is mediated by norepinephrine (NE) and corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) signaling interactions in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), a brain region critical to many behavioral and physiologic responses to stressors. Here, we sought to directly examine the effects of NE on BNST CRF neuron activity and determine whether these effects may be modulated by chronic intermittent EtOH (CIE) exposure or a single restraint stress.MethodsAdult male CRF‐tomato reporter mice were treatment‐naïve, or either exposed to CIE for 2 weeks or to a single 1‐hour restraint stress. Effects of application of exogenous NE on BNST CRF neuron activity were assessed via whole‐cell patch‐clamp electrophysiological techniques.ResultsWe found that NE depolarized BNST CRF neurons in naïve mice in a β‐adrenergic receptor (AR)–dependent mechanism. CRF neurons from CIE‐ or stress‐exposed mice had significantly elevated basal resting membrane potential compared to naïve mice. Furthermore, CIE and stress individually disrupted the ability of NE to depolarize CRF neurons, suggesting that both stress and CIE utilize β‐AR signaling to modulate BNST CRF neurons. Neither stress nor CIE altered the ability of exogenous NE to inhibit evoked glutamatergic transmission onto BNST CRF neurons as shown in naïve mice, a mechanism previously shown to be α‐AR–dependent.ConclusionsAltogether, these findings suggest that stress and CIE interact with β‐AR signaling to modulate BNST CRF neuron activity, potentially disrupting the α/β‐AR balance of BNST CRF neuronal excitability. Restoration of α/β‐AR balance may lead to novel therapies for the alleviation of many stress‐related disorders.
Responses of insectivorous bats and nocturnal insects to local changes in street light technology
Authors: Haddock Joanna K. , Threlfall Caragh G. , Law Bradley , Hochuli Dieter F. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractArtificial light at night is a pervasive anthropogenic stressor for biodiversity. Many fast‐flying insectivorous bat species feed on insects that are attracted to light‐emitting ultraviolet radiation (10–400 nm). Several countries are currently focused on replacing mercury vapour lamps, which emit ultraviolet light, with more cost‐efficient light‐emitting diode (LED) lights, which emit less ultraviolet radiation. This reduction in ultraviolet light may cause declines in insect densities in cities, predatory fast‐flying bats, and some edge‐foraging and slow‐flying bats. Capitalising on a scheme to update streetlights from high ultraviolet mercury vapour to low ultraviolet LED in Sydney, Australia, we measured the activity of individual bat species, the activity of different functional groups and the bat and insect communities, before and after the change in technology. We also surveyed sites with already LED lights, sites with mercury vapour lights and unlit bushland remnants. Species adapted to foraging in cluttered vegetation, and some edge‐space foraging species, were more active in unlit bushland sites than in all lit sites and decreased in activity at lit sites after the change to LED lights. The change to LED streetlights caused a decrease in the fast‐flying Chalinolobus gouldii but not Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis, the latter being more influenced by seasonal and environmental variables. Insect biomass was not affected by changing light types, but instead was negatively correlated with the moon's percentage illuminance. Changing streetlights to LEDs could result in a decline in some insectivorous bats in cities. This study confirms that unlit urban bushland remnants are important refuges for high bat diversity, particularly for more clutter‐adapted species and some edge‐space foraging species. Preventing light penetration into unlit bushland patches and corridors remains essential to protect the urban bat community.
Multiple intraguild predators reduce mortality risk of a mutual agricultural pest prey in simple, but not in complex, experimental settings
Authors: Rendon Dalila , Taylor Phillip W. , Whitehouse Mary E. A. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractMultiple predator species that coexist with each other and their mutual prey can have combined effects on prey mortality that are similar to the sum of each predator's individual impact (linear effects), greater than the sum of each predator's individual impact (risk enhancement), or less than the sum of each predator's individual impact (risk reduction). Understanding multiple predator effects is important to determine the impact of predators on pest prey in agroecosystems. If two predators share the same broad spatial domain and hunting mode and engage in intraguild predation, then their combination is expected to result in risk reduction for a mutual prey. We tested this hypothesis using both additive and replacement experimental designs on two species of generalist wolf spider predators (Tasmanicosa leuckartii and Hogna crispipes) that hunt in the same domain, and a mutual insect prey (cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera). We used two types of enclosures: a small simple laboratory enclosure, and a larger more complex cotton plant enclosure. We found that in the small simple laboratory enclosures, the presence of two spiders led to risk reduction of Helicoverpa larva mortality as expected, but in larger more complex cotton plant enclosures the presence of both species resulted in linear effects rather than risk reduction on Helicoverpa mortality. Furthermore, intraguild predation did not change multiple predator effects in laboratory or plant enclosures. This study has implications for managing arthropod predators in agroecosystems; contrary to predictions of ecological frameworks, coexistence of predators that share the same hunting mode and hunting domain may not lead to risk reduction on a mutual prey in more complex environments, where encounters among predators can be lower. Conservation of multiple predators of a single guild can play an essential role on biological control of insect pests.
Developing a quality assurance program for transvaginal cervical length measurement at 18–21 weeks’ gestation
Authors: Filce Casey , Hyett Jon , Sahota Daljit , Wilson Kate , McLennan Andrew 
Published: May 2019

BackgroundPreterm birth is the leading cause of death in children under the age of five years. Transvaginal cervical length (TVCL) assessment can be used to predict preterm delivery risk at the mid‐trimester scan. To optimise the screening tool, developing and maintaining quality standards is important.AimsTo develop an Australian reference range for TVCL at 18.0–21.0 weeks’ gestation, quality standards for measurement and audit mechanisms for ultrasound operators.Materials and MethodsA retrospective audit was performed of consecutive patients scanned at 18.0–21.0 weeks’ gestation. Each TVCL measurement ultrasound image was reviewed, and exclusions were made based on a defined set of quality criteria. Fractional polynomial Bayesian methodology was used to establish a reference range. Central tendency, dispersion plots and cumulative sum charts for operators in the original reference range cohort were created. These plots were then applied to a second validation cohort of operators to establish the efficacy of this quality assurance audit tool.ResultsMedian TVCL from 1031 participants was 36.0 mm (interquartile range 32.7–40.0 mm), which was independent of gestational age. The quality audit tool was applied to 15 operators from the reference cohort with a mean cervix length multiple of the median of 1.01 and a mean SD log10 cervix length multiple of the median of 0.06. Of the 22 operators in the validation cohort, 20 (90.9%) demonstrated ideal or acceptable central tendency results, and 19 (86.4%) remained in the appropriate cumulative sum zone.ConclusionAn Australian cervix length measurement reference range at 18.0–21.0 weeks’ gestation has been developed along with a validated quality assurance audit tool for ultrasound operators.
Ranibizumab treatment improves diabetic macular oedema without influencing retinal oximetry parameters
Authors: Takasago Yukari , Fujita Tomoyoshi , Nakano Yuki , Osaka Rie , Miyake Masahiro , Muraoka Yuki , Tsujikawa Akitaka 
Published: May 2019

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the effect of ranibizumab on retinal oximetry in eyes with diabetic macular oedema (DME).MethodsIn this prospective interventional study, 30 eyes (30 patients) with DME were treated with three‐monthly intravitreal ranibizumab injections, followed by pro re nata administration for 12 months. Retinal oximetry was performed using an Oxymap T1.ResultsThe mean number of injections was 6.6 ± 2.5. No adverse event was observed throughout the study period. Ranibizumab treatments for 12 months improved the macular oedema (p = 0.002) and achieved a recovery of visual acuity (VA; p = 0.011). However, oxygen saturation levels in the major retinal blood vessels, either the arteries or the veins, remained unchanged during the observational period. Arterial oxygen saturation was 100.3 ± 9.4% before treatment and 100.9 ± 10.7% (p = 0.698) at 6 months. Venous oxygen saturation was 56.4 ± 8.9% before treatment and 55.6 ± 8.6% (p = 0.529) at 6 months. In addition, there were no significant changes in diameters of the major retinal arteries and veins. Greater improvement of VA at 12 months was correlated with a smaller number of ranibizumab injections (r = 0.459, p = 0.011). The number of ranibizumab injections during these 12 months correlated with an increased baseline central retinal thickness (r = 0.385, p = 0.035).ConclusionRanibizumab treatments for DME improved the macular oedema and achieved VA recovery, but no changes were noted in the retinal oxygen saturation.
The prevalence of functional constipation in children was unchanged after the Rome IV criteria halved the diagnosis period in Rome III
Authors: Játiva‐Mariño Edgar , Rivera‐Valenzuela Maritza Gisel , Velasco‐Benitez Carlos Alberto , Saps Miguel 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAimThe Rome IV criteria for the diagnosis of functional constipation are one month, compared with two months in the Rome III criteria. Our aim was to see whether this altered the prevalence in Ecuador by surveying school children and comparing the results to our previous study.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted in Quito, Ecuador, in 2013 two randomly selected schools: one private and one public. Children aged 8–15 completed the Spanish version of the Questionnaire of Paediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms based on the Rome IV criteria. We compared our findings with our previous 2013 study based on the Rome III criteria.ResultsA total of 951 children (61% male) completed the Rome IV questionnaire from June to July 2017 at a mean age of 11.2 ± 1.8 years, and 417 children (52% male) completed the Rome III questionnaire in June 2013 at a mean age of 12.0 ± 1.8 years. We found that 14.4% met the Rome IV criteria for functional constipation compared with 11.8% for the Rome III criteria (p = 0.11).ConclusionModifying the time required for a diagnosis functional constipation from two months to one month did not result in a significant difference in the prevalence.
PD‐L1 expression and deficient mismatch repair in ductal adenocarcinoma of the prostate
Authors: Lindh Claes , Kis Lorand , Delahunt Brett , Samaratunga Hemamali , Yaxley John , Wiklund Nils Peter , Clements Mark , Egevad Lars 
Published: May 2019

This study aimed to investigate the expression of programmed death receptor ligand 1 (PD‐L1) and deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) in ductal adenocarcinoma of the prostate. A tissue microarray of 32 ductal and 42 grade‐matched acinar adenocarcinomas was used. Slides were stained for PD‐L1, PD‐L2, MMR proteins, CD4 and CD8. PD‐L1 expression in tumor cells was only seen in 3% (1/34) of ductal and 5% (2/42) of acinar adenocarcinomas (p = 1.0), while PD‐L1 expression in tumor‐infiltrating immune cells was seen in 29% (10/34) of ductal and 14% (6/42) of acinar adenocarcinomas (p = 0.16). dMMR, as defined by loss of one or more of the MMR proteins, was identified in 5% (4/73) of cases, including 1 ductal and 3 acinar adenocarcinomas. There was a suggested association between infiltration of CD8+ lymphocytes and ductal subtype (p = 0.04) but not between CD4+ lymphocytes and tumor type (p = 0.28). The study shows that both dMMR and PD‐L1 expression is uncommon in tumor cells of both ductal and acinar adenocarcinoma of the prostate, while PD‐L1 expression in tumor‐infiltrating immune cells is a more common finding.
An investigation of the effects of conservation incentive programs on management of invasive species by private landowners
Authors: Drescher Michael , Epstein Graham B. , Warriner G. Keith , Rooney Rebecca C. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractInvasive species are a large and growing threat to biodiversity and ecosystem service provisioning globally as well as in southern Ontario, Canada's most biodiverse region. As in many other world regions, most land in southern Ontario is privately owned and therefore conservation programs that aim at private lands are important. Conservation incentive programs that target private lands are increasingly popular, but little is known about their effectiveness in achieving conservation objectives. To address this knowledge gap, we used a large survey of 1,200 Ontario landowners to investigate how successful conservation incentive programs are at motivating landowners to engage in invasive species management. Utilizing a quasi‐experimental approach, we surveyed landowners participating in the Conservation Lands Tax Incentive Program (CLTIP), the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP), or in both programs, as well as landowners who were program eligible but did not participate. Our results demonstrate the differential effects of participation in the two programs on specific landowner conservation behaviors: While participation in the MFTIP increased the likelihood of removing invasive species by a factor 2.5 and the planting of native species by a factor 4.3, participants in the CLTIP were no more likely to engage in these behaviors than landowners who did not participate in either program. We suggest that this behavioral disparity is due to the differences in the program designs: The CLTIP does not require a management plan, favors a short planning horizon, and mainly encourages passive management; in doing so it essentially breaks the causal chain that reinforces landowners' environmental awareness and a sense of responsibility for taking conservation actions. Our recommendations include requirements for impact evaluations of private land conservation incentive programs to ensure they achieve stated program outcomes, as well as conservation incentive program designs that oblige landowners to actively manage their land over longer time horizons.
Individual risk tolerance and herding behaviors in financial forecasts
Authors: Christoffersen Jeppe , Stæhr Simone 
Published: May 2019

AbstractFinancial analysts tend to demonstrate herding behavior, which sometimes compromises accuracy. A number of explanations spanning rational economic logic, cognitive biases, and social forces have been suggested. Relying on an experimental setting where participants forecast future earnings from a rich information set, we posit and obtain support for individual risk tolerance (or lack thereof) as an explanatory variable for herding behaviors. Specifically, less risk‐tolerant individuals forecast with less boldness and instead issue forecasts in agreement with the consensus forecast. The results are argued to be at least partially a product of cognitive biases and an intuitive reaction to uncertainty.
A guide to visualizing the spatial epigenome with super‐resolution microscopy
Authors: Xu Jianquan , Liu Yang 
Published: May 2019

Genomic DNA in eukaryotic cells is tightly compacted with histone proteins into nucleosomes, which are further packaged into the higher‐order chromatin structure. The physical structuring of chromatin is highly dynamic and regulated by a large number of epigenetic modifications in response to various environmental exposures, both in normal development and pathological processes such as aging and cancer. Higher‐order chromatin structure has been indirectly inferred by conventional bulk biochemical assays on cell populations, which do not allow direct visualization of the spatial information of epigenomics (referred to as spatial epigenomics). With recent advances in super‐resolution microscopy, the higher‐order chromatin structure can now be visualized in vivo at an unprecedent resolution. This opens up new opportunities to study physical compaction of 3D chromatin structure in single cells, maintaining a well‐preserved spatial context of tissue microenvironment. This review discusses the recent application of super‐resolution fluorescence microscopy to investigate the higher‐order chromatin structure of different epigenomic states. We also envision the synergistic integration of super‐resolution microscopy and high‐throughput genomic technologies for the analysis of spatial epigenomics to fully understand the genome function in normal biological processes and diseases.
Chlorophyll fluorometry sheds light on the role of desiccation resistance for vegetative overland dispersal of aquatic plants
Authors: Heidbüchel Patrick , Jahns Peter , Hussner Andreas 
Published: May 2019

Abstract

Submerged aquatic plant species predominantly spread through vegetative propagules, particularly shoot fragments. While it is known that the successful establishment of fragments in isolated water bodies is largely determined by retention of fragment viability during overland transport (i.e. desiccation resistance), detailed information on species‐specific desiccation resistance is still scarce and the underlying mechanisms remain uncharted.

We combined measurements of chlorophyll a fluorescence (Fv/Fm: maximum quantum yield of photosystem II) with determination of water loss and post‐desiccation survival and regeneration to examine the desiccation resistance of shoot fragments without and with apical tips for six submerged aquatic plant species (Myriophyllum spicatum, Myriophyllum heterophyllum, Ceratophyllum demersum, Lagarosiphon major, Elodea canadensis, Hydrilla verticillata).

Overall, the relationship between Fv/Fm and relative water loss was nonlinear, and a decrease in Fv/Fm was significantly related to reduced fragment survival and regeneration. We determined an overall critical minimum of 0.40 in Fv/Fm and a critical maximum of 84% in water loss for regeneration. Differences in the relationships between water loss and desiccation time and between Fv/Fm and water loss were species‐specific rather than fragment type‐specific. Plant fragments of M. spicatum (fragments without apices excluded), M. heterophyllum, and C. demersum maintained a high Fv/Fm even after losing a large proportion of the initial water content, while the Fv/Fm for L. major, E. canadensis, and H. verticillata decreased more rapidly with advancing water loss.

Maintaining the function of the photosynthetic apparatus at high water loss can prolong fragment viability during overland transport. Our results suggest that aquatic plants have species‐specific mechanisms to cope with water deficit. Measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence can precisely predict the likelihood of fragment regeneration and constitute a useful tool to assess the spread potential of aquatic plants.
Scavenging in the Anthropocene: Human impact drives vertebrate scavenger species richness at a global scale
Authors: Sebastián‐González Esther , Barbosa Jomar Magalhães , Pérez‐García Juan M. , Morales‐Reyes Zebensui , Botella Francisco , Olea Pedro P. , Mateo‐Tomás Patricia , Moleón Marcos , Hiraldo Fernando , Arrondo Eneko , Donázar José A. , Cortés‐Avizanda Ainara , Selva Nuria , Lambertucci Sergio A. , Bhattacharjee Aishwarya , Brewer Alexis , Anadón José D. , Abernethy Erin , Rhodes Olin E. , Turner Kelsey , Beasley James C. , DeVault Travis L. , Ordiz Andrés , Wikenros Camilla , Zimmermann Barbara , Wabakken Petter , Wilmers Christopher C. , Smith Justine A. , Kendall Corinne J. , Ogada Darcy , Buechley Evan R. , Frehner Ethan , Allen Maximilian L. , Wittmer Heiko U. , Butler James R. A. , du Toit Johan T. , Read John , Wilson David , Jerina Klemen , Krofel Miha , Kostecke Rich , Inger Richard , Samson Arockianathan , Naves‐Alegre Lara , Sánchez‐Zapata José A. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractUnderstanding the distribution of biodiversity across the Earth is one of the most challenging questions in biology. Much research has been directed at explaining the species latitudinal pattern showing that communities are richer in tropical areas; however, despite decades of research, a general consensus has not yet emerged. In addition, global biodiversity patterns are being rapidly altered by human activities. Here, we aim to describe large‐scale patterns of species richness and diversity in terrestrial vertebrate scavenger (carrion‐consuming) assemblages, which provide key ecosystem functions and services. We used a worldwide dataset comprising 43 sites, where vertebrate scavenger assemblages were identified using 2,485 carcasses monitored between 1991 and 2018. First, we evaluated how scavenger richness (number of species) and diversity (Shannon diversity index) varied among seasons (cold vs. warm, wet vs. dry). Then, we studied the potential effects of human impact and a set of macroecological variables related to climatic conditions on the scavenger assemblages. Vertebrate scavenger richness ranged from species‐poor to species rich assemblages (4–30 species). Both scavenger richness and diversity also showed some seasonal variation. However, in general, climatic variables did not drive latitudinal patterns, as scavenger richness and diversity were not affected by temperature or rainfall. Rainfall seasonality slightly increased the number of species in the community, but its effect was weak. Instead, the human impact index included in our study was the main predictor of scavenger richness. Scavenger assemblages in highly human‐impacted areas sustained the smallest number of scavenger species, suggesting human activity may be overriding other macroecological processes in shaping scavenger communities. Our results highlight the effect of human impact at a global scale. As species‐rich assemblages tend to be more functional, we warn about possible reductions in ecosystem functions and the services provided by scavengers in human‐dominated landscapes in the Anthropocene.