bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Demography and social dynamics of an African elephant population 35 years after reintroduction as juveniles
Authors: Kuiper Timothy R. , Druce Dave J. , Druce Heleen C. 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

Given their vulnerability to local extinction, the reintroduction of megafauna species (often long‐lived, ecologically influential and highly social) is an increasingly relevant conservation intervention. Studies that evaluate past megafauna reintroductions are both critical and rare.

Between 1981 and 1996, 12 cohorts of a total of 200 juvenile (<5 years old) African savannah elephants Loxodonta africana africana were reintroduced to Hluhluwe‐iMfolozi Park (HiP), South Africa, after 100 years of absence. Here, we model the population's long‐term growth. We also present data on the current (2016) age class distribution and social dynamics of the population based on a year of intensive vehicle‐based monitoring of 16 collared adult females and their family groups.

Exponential population growth (7.1% annual increase) between 1996 and 2014 suggests reintroduction success but has created concerns about overpopulation (with contraception of females implemented since 2014 to suppress reproduction). The age class distribution has normalized as the juveniles have aged; reproductive females (>10 years old) composed 30% of the population in 2016. The population remains relatively young and forecasts suggest high potential for sustained growth over the next decade.

The first calf was born to a reintroduced female in 1990 and since then mother–calf units have gradually developed into semi‐independent multi‐generation families (7–15 individuals in size in 2016). The size of observed cow–calf groups was highly variable (mean = 21.4 individuals, range: 7–109), with repeat observation of individual collared females revealing fusion and fission among different family groups through time, as is typical of more natural elephant populations.

Synthesis and applications. From an unusual founder population of reintroduced juvenile elephants, we document rapid population growth and the development of normal sociality over 35 years. While this may be an encouragement for megaherbivore reintroductions in general, the potential for exponential population growth must be carefully considered when ecologically influential species are introduced to closed systems. Our study provides key long‐term insights for elephant translocations, which are becoming increasingly necessary due to overpopulation in some areas and local extinction in others.
Megaherbivores may impact expansion of invasive seagrass in the Caribbean
Authors: Christianen Marjolijn J. A. , Smulders Fee O. H. , Engel M. Sabine , Nava Mabel I. , Willis Sue , Debrot Adolphe O. , Palsbøll Per J. , Vonk J. Arie , Becking Leontine E. 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

Our knowledge of the functional role of large herbivores is rapidly expanding, and the impact of grazing on species coexistence and nonnative species expansion has been studied across ecosystems. However, experimental data on large grazer impacts on plant invasion in aquatic ecosystems are lacking.

Since its introduction in 2002, the seagrass species Halophila stipulacea has rapidly expanded across the Eastern Caribbean, forming dense meadows in green turtle (Chelonia mydas)—foraging areas. We investigate the changes in seagrass species coexistence and the impacts of leaf grazing by green turtles on nonnative seagrass expansion in Lac Bay (Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands).

Green turtle grazing behaviour changed after the introduction of nonnative seagrass to Lac Bay in 2010. Field observations, together with time‐lapse satellite images over the last four decades, showed initiation of new grazing patches (65 ha, an increase of 72%). The sharp border between grazed and ungrazed seagrass patches moved in the direction of shallower areas with native seagrass species that had previously (1970–2010) been ungrazed. Green turtles deployed with Fastloc‐GPS transmitters confirmed high site fidelity to these newly cropped patches. In addition, cafeteria experiments indicated selective grazing by green turtles on native species. These native seagrass species had significantly higher nutritional values compared to the nonnative species. In parallel, exclosure experiments showed that nonnative seagrass expanded more rapidly in grazed canopies compared to ungrazed canopies. Finally, in 6 years from 2011 to 2017, H. stipulacea underwent a significant expansion, invading 20–49 fixed monitoring locations in Lac Bay, increasing from 6% to 20% in total occurrence. During the same period, native seagrass Thalassia testudinum occurrence decreased by 33%.

Synthesis. Our results provide first‐time evidence of large‐scale replacement of native seagrasses by rapidly colonizing Halophila stipulacea in the Caribbean and add a mechanistic explanation for this invasiveness. We conclude that green turtle leaf grazing may modify the rate and spatial extent of this invasive species' expansion, due to grazing preferences, and increased space for settlement. This work shows how large herbivores play an important but unrecognized role in species coexistence and plant invasions of aquatic ecosystems.
Bipolar disorder type I and II show distinct relationships between cortical thickness and executive function
Authors: Abé C. , Rolstad S. , Petrovic P. , Ekman C.‐J. , Sparding T. , Ingvar M. , Landén M. 
Published: June 2018

ObjectiveFrontal cortical abnormalities and executive function impairment co‐occur in bipolar disorder. Recent studies have shown that bipolar subtypes differ in the degree of structural and functional impairments. The relationships between cognitive performance and cortical integrity have not been clarified and might differ across patients with bipolar disorder type I, II, and healthy subjects.MethodUsing a vertex‐wise whole‐brain analysis, we investigated how cortical integrity, as measured by cortical thickness, correlates with executive performance in patients with bipolar disorder type I, II, and controls (N = 160).ResultsWe found focal associations between executive function and cortical thickness in the medial prefrontal cortex in bipolar II patients and controls, but not in bipolar I disorder. In bipolar II patients, we observed additional correlations in lateral prefrontal and occipital regions.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that bipolar disorder patients show altered structure–function relationships, and importantly that those relationships may differ between bipolar subtypes. The findings are line with studies suggesting subtype‐specific neurobiological and cognitive profiles. This study contributes to a better understanding of brain structure–function relationships in bipolar disorder and gives important insights into the neuropathophysiology of diagnostic subtypes.
Cytotoxic, Antiproliferative and Apoptosis‐inducing Activity of L‐Amino Acid Oxidase from Malaysian Calloselasma rhodostoma on Human Colon Cancer Cells
Authors: Zainal Abidin Syafiq Asnawi , Rajadurai Pathmanathan , Chowdhury Md. Ezharul Hoque , Ahmad Rusmili Muhammad Rusdi , Othman Iekhsan , Naidu Rakesh 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic, antiproliferative activity and the induction of apoptosis by L‐amino acid oxidase isolated from Calloselasma rhodostoma crude venom (CR‐LAAO) on human colon cancer cells. CR‐LAAO was purified using three chromatographic steps: molecular exclusion using G‐50 gel filtration resin, ion‐exchange by MonoQ column and desalted on a G25 column. The purity and identity of the isolated CR‐LAAO was confirmed by SDS‐PAGE and LC‐MS/MS. CR‐LAAO demonstrated time‐ and dose‐dependent cytotoxic activity on SW480 (primary human colon cancer cells) and SW620 (metastatic human colon cancer cells) with an EC50 values of 6 μg/ml and 7 μg/ml at 48 hr, respectively. Quantification of apoptotic cells based on morphological features demonstrated significant increase in apoptotic cell population in both SW480 and SW620 cells which peaked at 48 hr. Significant increase in caspase‐3 activity and reduction in Bcl‐2 levels were demonstrated following CR‐LAAO treatment. These data provide evidence on the potential anticancer activity of CR‐LAAO from the venom of C. rhodostoma for therapeutic intervention of human colon cancer.
Drug resistance profiles of mutations in the RET kinase domain
Authors: Liu Xuan , Shen Tao , Mooers Blaine H M , Hilberg Frank , Wu Jie 
Published: June 2018

Background and PurposeAlterations in the tyrosine kinase enzyme RET are found in thyroid and lung cancer. While RET TK inhibitors (TKIs) are used to treat thyroid cancer and are in clinical trials for RET fusion‐positive non‐small cell lung cancer, the impact of mutations in the RET kinase domain on drug sensitivity is largely uncharacterized.Experimental ApproachWe identified and analysed mutations in the RET kinase domain that conferred resistance to the TKIs cabozantinib, lenvatinib, vandetanib and nintedanib using RET kinase‐dependent BaF3/KIF5B‐RET (BaF3/KR) cells. We also examined the sensitivity of RET (M918T), a RET mutation prevalent in aggressive multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B, to these TKIs in the context of BaF3/KR cells.Key ResultsFourteen mutations were analysed. Pan resistance to the four TKIs was found in six RET kinase domain mutations (L730I, V738A, V804L/M, Y806N, G810S). Seven RET kinase domain mutations (L730V, E732K, A807V, G810A, V871I, M918T, F998V) displayed selective resistance to one or more of these drugs. L730I/V and G810A/S had different drug resistance profiles. V871I, M918T and F998V mutations are located at distant sites away from the TKI binding pocket.Conclusions and ImplicationsA panel of TKI‐resistant RET mutations were identified, and their drug sensitivities were cross‐profiled. The results provide a reference for selecting appropriate TKIs to inhibit RET kinase domain mutants. Besides changes in the drug‐interacting residues, mutations at distant sites could exert long‐range effects resulting in TKI resistance. Among the four TKIs analysed here, nintedanib remained unaffected by mutations at the three distant sites.
Phase II trial of biweekly cetuximab and irinotecan as third‐line therapy for pretreated KRAS exon 2 wild‐type colorectal cancer
Authors: Osumi Hiroki , Shinozaki Eiji , Mashima Tetsuo , Wakatsuki Takeru , Suenaga Mitsukuni , Ichimura Takashi , Ogura Mariko , Ota Yumiko , Nakayama Izuma , Takahari Daisuke , Chin Keisho , Miki Yoshio , Yamaguchi Kensei 
Published: June 2018

Efficacy and safety of biweekly cetuximab plus irinotecan were evaluated to provide guidance for its use in Japan as third‐line treatment for pretreated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients harboring wild‐type KRAS exon 2. Objective response rate (ORR) was used as primary endpoint based on an expected proportion of 0.23 with confidence width of 0.298 (95% CI, 0.105‐0.403), which showed 35 to be the minimal participant number. Forty patients, refractory to first‐ and second‐line chemotherapy containing irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and fluoropyrimidine, were enrolled. ORR and disease control rate were 25.0% (95% CI: 11.5‐38.4) and 72.5% (95% CI: 56.8‐86.4), respectively. Median progression‐free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and number of courses were 5.70 months (95% CI: 2.7‐7.9), 15.1 months (95% CI: 11.8‐19.0), and 10.5 (range: 3.0‐31.0), respectively. Grade 3 adverse events were skin toxicity (12.5%), diarrhea (10.0%), neutropenia (5.0%), febrile neutropenia (5.0%), nausea (5.0%), anorexia (5.0%), and fatigue (2.5%). Cmax mean was 723.2 μg/mL after first dose. High area under the curve (AUC)last variance was associated with t1/2 range of 131.2‐1209.6 hours (median, 174.4 hours). Early tumor shrinkage (ETS) and median depth of response were 25.0% and 13.0%, respectively. Mutation frequencies in KRAS exon 3 or 4, NRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA were 5.5%, 2.7%, 8.3%, and 5.5%, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis assessed whether any gene mutations and ETS are predictors for PFS, and whether performance status, synchronous metastasis, and ETS are predictors for OS. Importantly, the data provide guidance for a biweekly cetuximab plus irinotecan regimen in mCRC patients.
Innate immune response reflects disease activity in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Authors: Tsurikisawa Naomi , Oshikata Chiyako , Watanabe Maiko , Tsuburai Takahiro , Kaneko Takeshi , Saito Hiroshi 
Published: June 2018

SummaryBackgroundEosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a disease characterized by allergic granulomatosis, necrotizing vasculitis, and peripheral blood eosinophilia. Interleukin (IL)‐33, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) are involved in the innate and type 2 immune responses in EGPA. However, the relationships among these molecules and the mechanisms underlying the development of EGPA remain unknown.ObjectiveWe investigated the relationships among peripheral blood eosinophil count, serum IL‐33 and TSLP concentration, and peripheral blood ILC2 count in patients with EGPA, chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP), or bronchial asthma (BA).MethodsWe recruited 86 patients with EGPA in three groups (remission, relapse, and onset), 25 patients with CEP at active or inactive stages of disease, and 11 patients with BA. In patients with EGPA, CEP, or BA, serum IL‐33, sST2, and TSLP concentrations were determined using ELISA and peripheral blood ILC2 counts (as Lin‐1−CD127+CRTH2+ cells) were determined using flow cytometry.ResultsPeripheral blood eosinophil count or ILC2 count, and serum sST2 or TSLP concentration were higher in patients with EGPA at onset than in those with EGPA at relapse or remission, or in those with BA or CEP. Serum IL‐33 concentration was higher in patients with EGPA at relapse than in those with EGPA at onset or remission, or in those with BA or CEP. In a logistic regression model, EGPA disease activity was correlated with serum IL‐33 concentration and peripheral blood ILC2 count, but not daily systemic and inhaled corticosteroid dose or immunosuppressant use. Eosinophil count was correlated with peripheral blood ILC2 count and serum TSLP concentration, but not serum IL‐33 concentration.ConclusionsIncreased peripheral blood ILC2 count and serum IL‐33 concentration were associated with disease activity in EGPA. Increases in serum IL‐33 concentration may indicate the presence of active vasculitis rather than peripheral or tissue eosinophilia.
Biological effect of the abutment material on the stability of peri‐implant marginal bone levels: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Sanz‐Sánchez Ignacio , Sanz‐Martín Ignacio , Carrillo de Albornoz Ana , Figuero Elena , Sanz Mariano 
Published: June 2018

AbstractObjectivesThe primary aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the available evidence on the effect of the abutment material on the stability and health of the peri‐implant hard tissues.MethodsA protocol was developed to answer the following focused question: “Which is the effect of the abutment material on stability and health of the peri‐implant hard tissues?” Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials (CCTs) or prospective case series (CS) with at least 6 months of follow‐up were included, and meta‐analyses were performed to compare abutment materials vs. titanium and to evaluate the impact of various abutment materials on bone changes (primary outcome), probing depth, plaque levels and peri‐implant mucosal inflammation.ResultsTwenty‐nine publications from 33 investigations were included. Results from the meta‐analyses demonstrated no significant differences between the different abutment materials when compared to titanium, in regard to the changes in marginal bone levels (MBLs) (n = 15;WMD = 0.034; 95%CI[−0.04, 0.10];p < 0.339). The meta‐analysis reported a significantly greater increase in bleeding on probing for titanium compared to zirconia abutments (n = 3;WMD = −26.96%; 95%CI[−45.00%, −8.92%];p = 0.003). When evaluating the behaviour of each material different to titanium, there was a significant bone loss over time (n = 31;WMD = 0.261; 95%CI[0.18, 0.35];p < 0.001) for all the individual materials except for titanium nitride.ConclusionsThis systematic review has shown that the abutment material had minimal impact on marginal bone levels when compared to the standard titanium.
Are wildlife escape ramps needed along Australian highways?
Authors: Goldingay Ross L. , Taylor Brendan D. , Parkyn Jonathan L. , Lindsay John M. 
Published: June 2018

SummaryRoad escape ramps are structures developed in the USA to enable large mammals that become trapped on the roadside of a wildlife fence to escape the road and avoid vehicle collision. They are now commonly installed in eastern Australia to enable the Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) and other fauna to escape through a roadside exclusion fence and return to the forest. We investigated the use of seven of 14 escape ramps over three years on the Oxley Highway at Port Macquarie in New South Wales. The Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) was the most frequently detected species, traversing the escape ramps on 502 occasions, followed by bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus and Perameles nasuta) on 148 occasions. Various other species were detected but no Koalas. Swamp Wallabies moved through the escape ramps in the reverse direction (i.e. towards the road) in 53% of detections of that species and bandicoots in 14% of their detections. There was no obvious pattern by these species of proportionately higher use of ramps closer to the end of the exclusion fences. The large number of reverse passages through the escape ramps reveals a poor design of these structures. Trials with taller ramps are required to determine how to minimise reverse passages. Concurrent monitoring of three underpasses detected numerous crossings by large mammals including Swamp Wallabies, and some crossings by Koalas. We believe evidence is needed to demonstrate the necessity for escape ramps along Australian highways.
Allelic and haplotype diversity of HLA‐A, HLA‐B and HLA‐DRB1 gene at high resolution in the Nanning Han population
Authors: Pei YongFeng , Huang HuiNi , Li HengCong , Chen JieRun , Wu GuoGuang 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe distribution of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) allele and haplotype varied among different ethnic populations. In this study, we investigated the allele and haplotype frequencies of HLA‐A, HLA‐B and HLA‐DRB1 loci in the Nanning Han population who live in Guangxi province of China. We identified 26 HLA‐A, 56 HLA‐B and 31 HLA‐DRB1 alleles in 562 Nanning individuals of Han ethnic group by sequence‐based typing method. Of these, the three most common alleles in HLA‐A, HLA‐B and HLA‐DRB1 loci, respectively, were A*11:01 (32.12%), A*02:07 (12.54%), A*24:02 (12.01%); B*46:01 (14.41%), B*15:02 (13.61%), B*40:01 (11.48%); DRB1*15:01 (14.15%), DRB1*16:02 (11.57%) and DRB1*12:02 (10.14%). With the exception of HLA‐DRB1, the p values of the HLA‐A and HLA‐B loci showed that the HLA allelic distribution in this population was in accordance with Hardy–Weinberg expectation (p > 0.05). A total of 173 HLA~A‐B~DRB1 haplotype with a frequency of >0.1% were presented and the three most common haplotype were HLA‐A*33:03~B*58:01~DRB1*03:01 (6.12%), HLA‐A*11:01~B*15:02~DRB1*12:02 (3.39%) and HLA‐A*11:01~B*15:02~DRB1*15:01 (3.22%). The phylogenetic tree and the principal component analysis suggested that Nanning Han population had a relative close genetic relationship with Chinese Zhuang population and a relative distant genetic relationship with Northern Han Chinese. The information will be useful for anthropological studies, for HLA matching in transplantation and disease association studies in the Chinese population.
A complex interplay between the extracellular matrix and the innate immune response to microbial pathogens
Authors: Tomlin Hannah , Piccinini Anna M. 
Published: June 2018

SummaryThe role of the host extracellular matrix (ECM) in infection tends to be neglected. However, the complex interactions between invading pathogens, host tissues and immune cells occur in the context of the ECM. On the pathogen side, a variety of surface and secreted molecules, including microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecules and tissue‐degrading enzymes, are employed that interact with different ECM proteins to effectively establish an infection at specific sites. Microbial pathogens can also hijack or misuse host proteolytic systems to modify the ECM, evade immune responses or process biologically active molecules such as cell surface receptors and cytokines that direct cell behaviour and immune defence. On the host side, the ECM composition and three‐dimensional ultrastructure undergo significant modifications, which have a profound impact on the specific signals that the ECM conveys to immune cells at the forefront of infection. Unexpectedly, activated immune cells participate in the remodelling of the local ECM by synthesizing ECM glycoproteins, proteoglycans and collagen molecules. The close interplay between the ECM and the innate immune response to microbial pathogens ultimately affects the outcome of infection. This review explores and discusses recent data that implicate an active role for the ECM in the immune response to infection, encompassing antimicrobial activities, microbial recognition, macrophage activation, phagocytosis, leucocyte population balance, and transcriptional and post‐transcriptional regulation of inflammatory networks, and may foster novel antimicrobial approaches.
Physiological and behavioural responses of grazing dairy cows to an acute metabolic challenge
Authors: Müller Esther , Münger Andreas , Mandel Roi , Eggerschwiler Lukas , Schwinn Ann‐Catherine , Gross Josef J. , Bruckmaier Rupert M. , Hess H. Dieter , Dohme‐Meier Frigga 
Published: June 2018

AbstractDue to seasonal changes in the quality and quantity of herbage, the nutrient supply to grazing dairy cows is not always sufficient, which may increase their metabolic load. To investigate the temporal pattern of behavioural changes in relation to concomitant metabolic alterations, we subjected 15 multiparous early lactating Holstein dairy cows (24 (SD 7.4) days in milk) to a short‐term metabolic challenge, which we provoked by abruptly withdrawing concentrate for 1 week. Cows grazed full‐time and were supplemented with concentrate in experimental week (EW) 1 and EW 3, whereas concentrate was withdrawn in EW 2. We analysed milk and blood samples to characterise the metabolic changes and found that the total yield of milk and protein decreased (p < 0.05) and fat yield, fat‐to‐protein ratio and acetone content increased (p < 0.05) from EW 1 to EW 2. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were lower (p < 0.05), and concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and beta‐hydroxybutyrate were higher (p < 0.05) in EW 2 compared with EW 1. Apart from ingestive and rumination behaviour and activity, we also monitored the use of an automated brush on pasture. While time spent eating and ruminating increased (p < 0.05) in EW 2 compared with EW 1, time spent idling decreased (p < 0.05). Concomitantly, while time standing and moving increased (p < 0.05) from EW 1 to EW 2, walking time decreased (p < 0.05). The daily proportion of cows using the automated brush decreased (p < 0.05) in EW 2 compared with EW 1, as did the duration of brushing per day. In conclusion, grazing cows experiencing a metabolic challenge try to compensate for the nutrient deficiency by increasing eating time, a behavioural element important for short‐term survival. Due to the strong impact of weather conditions, we cannot currently recommend observation of outdoor brushing activity to address short‐term alterations in the metabolic state of grazing cows.