bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variation in composition of two bumble bee species across communities affects nectar robbing but maintains pollinator visitation rate to an alpine plant, Salvia przewalskii
Authors: YE ZHONG‐MING , JIN XIAO‐FANG , INOUYE DAVID W. , WANG QING‐FENG , YANG CHUN‐FENG 
Published: February 2018

1. In many flowering plants, bumble bees may forage as both pollinators and nectar robbers. This mixed foraging behaviour may be influenced by community context and consequently, potentially affect pollination of the focal plant.2. Salvia przewalskii is both pollinated and robbed exclusively by bumble bees. In the present study area, it was legitimately visited by two species of bumble bees with different tongue length, Bombus friseanus and Bombus religiosus, but it was only robbed by Bombus friseanus, the shorter‐tongued bumble bee. The intensity of nectar robbing and pollinator visitation rate to the plant were investigated across 26 communities in the Hengduan Mountains in East Himalaya during a 2‐year project. For each of these communities, the floral diversity, and the population size and floral resource of S. przewalskii were quantified. The abundances of the two bumble bee species were also recorded.3. Both nectar robbing and pollinator visitation rate were influenced by floral diversity. However, pollinator visitation rate was not affected by nectar robbing. The results revealed that relative abundance of the two bumble bee species significantly influenced the incidence of nectar robbing but not the pollinator visitation rate. Increased abundance of B. religiosus, the legitimate visitors, exacerbated nectar robbing, possibly by causing B. friseanus to shift to robbing; however, pollinator visitation remained at a relatively high level.4. The results may help to explain the persistence of both nectar robbing and pollination, and suggest that, in comparison to pollination, nectar robbing is a more unstable event in a community.
Characteristics associated with outcome in patients with first‐ever posterior fossa stroke
Authors: Villringer K. , Florczak‐Rzepka M. , Grittner U. , Brunecker P. , Tepe H. , Nolte C. H. , Fiebach J. B. 
Published: February 2018

Background and purposeFactors such as infarct volume, infarct location and symptom severity can considerably influence long‐term outcome in posterior fossa strokes. The decision about therapy can sometimes be complicated by discrepancies between infarct volume and clinical severity. We aimed to evaluate imaging and clinical parameters possibly influencing long‐term outcome in patients with first‐ever posterior fossa stroke.MethodsImaging was performed on a 3‐T magnetic resonance imaging scanner. Sixty‐one of 1795 patients from the observational 1000Plus and LOBI studies (NCT00715533 and NCT02077582, clinicaltrials.org) were enrolled, meeting the inclusion criteria of first‐ever posterior fossa stroke and magnetic resonance imaging examination within 24 h after symptom onset. Infarcts were classified as belonging to a proximal, middle or distal territory location in the posterior fossa. Good outcome was defined as a modified Rankin scale score of ≤1 at 3 months.ResultsThe largest lesion volumes on diffusion‐weighted imaging on day 0 and fluid attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) on day 6 were found in the middle territory location with a median volume of 0.4 mL on diffusion‐weighted imaging and 1.0 mL on FLAIR on day 6 versus 0.1/0.3 mL in the proximal and 0.1/0.1 mL in the distal territory location of the posterior fossa, respectively. Parameters associated with poor outcome were older age (P = 0.005), higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on admission/discharge (P = 0.016; P = 0.001), larger lesion volumes on FLAIR on day 6 (P = 0.013) and dysphagia (P = 0.02). There was no significant association between infarct location and modified Rankin scale score on day 90.ConclusionInfarct volume and clinical severity, but not infarct location, were the main contributors to poor long‐term outcome in first‐ever posterior fossa strokes.
Parental Depression and Cooperative Coparenting: A Longitudinal and Dyadic Approach
Authors: Williams Deadric T. 
Published: February 2018

ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between parental depression and cooperative coparenting among couples over the first 5 years after a birth.BackgroundPrevious research has considered how depression affects coparenting but has not focused on the association as a longitudinal and dyadic process. Understanding coparenting is important as it is linked to parents' and children's well‐being.MethodData from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing (FFCW) study were analyzed using actor–partner interdependence models. The FFCW follows families and their children as part of a birth cohort of children who were born in large urban cities of the United States in the late 1990s.ResultsThe actor–partner interdependence models indicated that (a) parents' depression is associated with decreased coparenting perceptions for both mothers and fathers, and the effects endure over time; (b) fathers' depression was also associated with mothers' perceptions of cooperative coparenting over the later years; and (c) differences between mothers and fathers emerged only during the early years, with the effect of depression on coparenting being larger for fathers than mothers.ConclusionThe results not only highlight the importance of both parents' mental health on coparenting but also the added role that fathers' depression plays in shaping their own and their partners' perceptions of coparenting.ImplicationsPolicy makers and family practitioners who are invested in building healthy families may find it valuable to screen for and treat mental illness in the context of creating programs to increase cooperative coparenting.
Helicobacter pylori purine nucleoside phosphorylase shows new distribution patterns of open and closed active site conformations and unusual biochemical features
Authors: Narczyk Marta , Bertoša Branimir , Papa Lucija , Vuković Vedran , Leščić Ašler Ivana , Wielgus‐Kutrowska Beata , Bzowska Agnieszka , Luić Marija , Štefanić Zoran 
Published: February 2018

Even with decades of research, purine nucleoside phosphorylases (PNPs) are enzymes whose mechanism is yet to be fully understood. This is especially true in the case of hexameric PNPs, and is probably, in part, due to their complex oligomeric nature and a whole spectrum of active site conformations related to interactions with different ligands. Here we report an extensive structural characterization of the apo forms of hexameric PNP from Helicobacter pylori (HpPNP), as well as its complexes with phosphate (Pi) and an inhibitor, formycin A (FA), together with kinetic, binding, docking and molecular dynamics studies. X‐ray structures show previously unseen distributions of open and closed active sites. Microscale thermophoresis results indicate that a two‐site model describes Pi binding, while a three‐site model is needed to characterize FA binding, irrespective of Pi presence. The latter may be related to the newly found nonstandard mode of FA binding. The ternary complex of the enzyme with Pi and FA shows, however, that Pi binding stabilizes the standard mode of FA binding. Surprisingly, HpPNP has low affinity towards the natural substrate adenosine. Molecular dynamics simulations show that Pi moves out of most active sites, in accordance with its weak binding. Conformational changes between nonstandard and standard binding modes of nucleoside are observed during the simulations. Altogether, these findings show some unique features of HpPNP and provide new insights into the functioning of the active sites, with implications for understanding the complex mechanism of catalysis of this enzyme.DatabasesThe atomic coordinates and structure factors have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank: with accession codes 6F52 (HpPNPapo_1), 6F5A (HpPNPapo_2), 6F5I (HpPNPapo_3), 5LU0 (HpPNP_PO4), 6F4W (HpPNP_FA) and 6F4X (HpPNP_PO4_FA).EnzymesPurine nucleoside orthophosphate ribosyl transferase, EC2.4.2.1, UniProtID: P56463
An assessment of catches of shore sport fishing competitions along the coast of the Maltese Islands: Implications for conservation and management
Authors: Agius Darmanin S. , Vella A. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCompetitive shore‐based sport fishing is a popular recreational activity in the Maltese Islands. However, prior to this study, no scientific research surveys had been carried out during sport fishing competitions to investigate catches. Collaboration with Maltese sports fishermen was developed to target sustainable management. Recreational fishing catches were recorded between July 2012 and December 2015 by means of 1,633 roving‐access creel surveys, conducted during 79 sport fishing competitions, totalling a fishing effort of 7,548 hr. A total of 29,916 fish belonging to 80 species from 26 different families were caught at a mean catch‐per‐unit‐effort (CPUE) of 4.16 fish angler/hr (SD ± 3.79) and 0.18 kg angler/hr (SD ± 0.17) but with seasonal variation. Catch‐and‐release practices were implemented by all Maltese sport fishing clubs, however, the mean mortality rate stood at 35.5% (SD ± 42.1), indicating that more effort is required to improve survival of fish. The study outcomes provide conservation recommendations.
The persistent decline of patterned woody vegetation: The tiger bush in the context of the regional Sahel greening trend
Authors: Trichon Valérie , Hiernaux Pierre , Walcker Romain , Mougin Eric 
Published: February 2018

AbstractFollowing 25 years of below average annual rainfall in the Sahel between 1970 and 1995, the return to more humid conditions has led to rapid postdrought recovery of the woody cover. However, the increase in the woody cover is not spatially homogeneous raising questions about the resilience of some woody vegetation types. Based on the analysis of field and remote sensing data collected on the tiger bush systems in the northern Sahel in Mali, this study noted the current and persistent degradation of these systems in the Sahel since the 1970s despite the recent improvement in rainfall since the mid‐1990s and the general Sahel re‐greening. Profound changes in the woody population pattern, tree density and cover, and floristic composition took place regardless of the site location along the south–north rainfall gradient. Associated with definite structural changes of the woody population, surface hydrology shifted from a sheet to concentrated run‐off accelerating the collapse of the patterned woody population. Currently, there is no evidence in favour of reversing the current degradation process, at least at a decadal scale, although very sparse recolonization by pioneer woody vegetation has been observed in the driest sites along recently formed gullies. These observations support the hypothesis of an ecosystem shift, with long‐term implications for the structure and functioning of the patterned vegetation, as well as the whole watershed landscape through increased run‐off leading to stronger water flows in enlarged wadis, increased soil erosion upstream and sediment deposition downstream, enhanced water storage in ponds, and greater recharge of aquifers, which is an illustration of the “Sahelian paradox”.
Anthropogenic disturbance homogenizes seagrass fish communities
Authors: Iacarella Josephine C. , Adamczyk Emily , Bowen Dan , Chalifour Lia , Eger Aaron , Heath William , Helms Sibylla , Hessing‐Lewis Margot , Hunt Brian P. V. , MacInnis Andrew , O'Connor Mary I. , Robinson Clifford L. K. , Yakimishyn Jennifer , Baum Julia K. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAnthropogenic activities have led to the biotic homogenization of many ecological communities, yet in coastal systems this phenomenon remains understudied. In particular, activities that locally affect marine habitat‐forming foundation species may perturb habitat and promote species with generalist, opportunistic traits, in turn affecting spatial patterns of biodiversity. Here, we quantified fish diversity in seagrass communities across 89 sites spanning 6° latitude along the Pacific coast of Canada, to test the hypothesis that anthropogenic disturbances homogenize (i.e., lower beta‐diversity) assemblages within coastal ecosystems. We test for patterns of biotic homogenization at sites within different anthropogenic disturbance categories (low, medium, and high) at two spatial scales (within and across regions) using both abundance‐ and incidence‐based beta‐diversity metrics. Our models provide clear evidence that fish communities in high anthropogenic disturbance seagrass areas are homogenized relative to those in low disturbance areas. These results were consistent across within‐region comparisons using abundance‐ and incidence‐based measures of beta‐diversity, and in across‐region comparisons using incidence‐based measures. Physical and biotic characteristics of seagrass meadows also influenced fish beta‐diversity. Biotic habitat characteristics including seagrass biomass and shoot density were more differentiated among high disturbance sites, potentially indicative of a perturbed environment. Indicator species and trait analyses revealed fishes associated with low disturbance sites had characteristics including stenotopy, lower swimming ability, and egg guarding behavior. Our study is the first to show biotic homogenization of fishes across seagrass meadows within areas of relatively high human impact. These results support the importance of targeting conservation efforts in low anthropogenic disturbance areas across land‐ and seascapes, as well as managing anthropogenic impacts in high activity areas.
Ecological drivers of spatial community dissimilarity, species replacement and species nestedness across temperate forests
Authors: Wang Xugao , Wiegand Thorsten , Anderson‐Teixeira Kristina J. , Bourg Norman A. , Hao Zhanqing , Howe Robert , Jin Guangze , Orwig David A. , Spasojevic Marko J. , Wang Shunzhong , Wolf Amy , Myers Jonathan A. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAimsPatterns of spatial community dissimilarity have inspired a large body of theory in ecology and biogeography. Yet key gaps remain in our understanding of the local‐scale ecological processes underlying species replacement and species nestedness, the two fundamental components of spatial community dissimilarity. Here, we examined the relative influence of dispersal limitation, habitat filtering and interspecific species interactions on local‐scale patterns of the replacement and nestedness components in eight stem‐mapped temperate forest mega‐plots at different ontogenetic stages (large versus small trees).LocationEight large (20–35 ha), fully mapped temperate forest plots in northern China and northern U.S.A.Time period2004–2016.Major taxa studiedWoody plants.MethodsWe combined decomposition of community dissimilarity (based on the Ružička index) and spatial point‐pattern analysis to compare the spatial (i.e., distance‐dependent) replacement and nestedness components of each plot with that expected under five spatially explicit null models representing different hypotheses on community‐assembly mechanisms.ResultsOur analyses revealed complex results. In all eight forests, spatial community dissimilarity was best explained by species replacement among local tree assemblages and by a null model based on dispersal limitation. In contrast, spatial nestedness for large and small trees was best explained by random placement and habitat filtering, respectively, in addition to dispersal limitation. However, interspecific interactions did not contribute to local replacement and nestedness.Main conclusionsSpecies replacement is the predominant process accounting for spatial community dissimilarity in these temperate forests and caused largely by local‐scale species clustering associated with dispersal limitation. Nestedness, in contrast, is less prevalent and primarily associated with larger variation in local species richness as caused by spatial richness gradients or ‘hotspots’ of local species richness. The novel use of replacement and nestedness measures in point pattern analysis is a promising approach to assess local‐scale biodiversity patterns and to explore their causes.
Does needle biopsy cause an increased risk of extracapsular extension in the diagnosis of metastatic lymph node in melanoma?
Authors: Claro Gilles , Meyer Nicolas , Meresse Thomas , Gangloff Dimitri , Grolleau Jean‐Louis , Chaput Benoit 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundNeedle biopsy is a rapid, reliable, and reproducible procedure for histological confirmation of metastatic melanoma localization. Nonetheless, this procedure presents a theoretical risk of a mechanical weakening of the lymph node capsule with perinodal tumor seeding. The objective of the study was to evaluate the incidence of extracapsular extension after needle biopsy in comparison with surgical adenectomy in patients suspected of metastatic lymph node of melanoma.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of 1056 patients who underwent lymphadenectomy for melanoma between 2000 and 2016 in our unit. Sixty‐nine patients were clinically and/or radiologically suspected of metastatic lymph node of melanoma. Patients were divided according to external lymph node biopsy or surgical adenectomy before lymphadenectomy. The primary endpoint was the histopathological identification of extracapsular extension in analyzed lymph nodes.ResultsThe two populations were comparable except for the mitotic index, which was more frequently > 1/mm2 in the group with surgical adenectomy (P = 0.005). The proportion of extracapsular extension was significantly greater in the needle biopsy group (28/37) than in patients who underwent surgical adenectomy (14/32) (P = 0.0067; OR = 4 [95% CI: 1.4–11]).ConclusionOur results suggest an increased risk of extracapsular extension after external lymph node biopsy in cases of suspicion of metastatic lymph node of melanoma. Thus, this encourages us to prefer surgical adenectomy in patients with suspected adenopathy accessible surgically. In other cases, needle biopsy should be carried out under radiological guidance using devices limiting tumor seeding.
Neutralisation of toxins by probiotics during the transit into the gut: challenges and perspectives
Authors: Corbo Maria Rosaria , Campaniello Daniela , Speranza Barbara , Altieri Clelia , Sinigaglia Milena , Bevilacqua Antonio 
Published: February 2018

SummaryFood contamination by toxins (both mycotoxins and bacterial toxins) represents a great challenge for their implications on health. Toxins could be removed during production, but many times, they enter the gut and act on the host. To some extents, a benefit of probiotics could be the removal/neutralisation of harmful compounds in the gut with an indirect health effect on the host. Some authors addressed the ability of yeasts and bacteria to remove mycotoxins and other toxins; however, to the best of our knowledge, there is not an overview on how and when mycotoxins and some other bacterial toxins (like cyanotoxins) can be removed by probiotics into the gut. Therefore, this topic is addressed in this paper. The manuscript is organised with an initial overview of the literature about probiotics, mycotoxins and cyanotoxins followed by a section on the ability of probiotics to remove toxins in vitro and in vivo.
Human mast cells and basophils—How are they similar how are they different?
Authors: Varricchi Gilda , Raap Ulrike , Rivellese Felice , Marone Gianni , Gibbs Bernhard F. 
Published: February 2018

SummaryMast cells and basophils are key contributors to allergies and other inflammatory diseases since they are the most prominent source of histamine as well as numerous additional inflammatory mediators which drive inflammatory responses. However, a closer understanding of their precise roles in allergies and other pathological conditions has been marred by the considerable heterogeneity that these cells display, not only between mast cells and basophils themselves but also across different tissue locations and species. While both cell types share the ability to rapidly degranulate and release histamine following high‐affinity IgE receptor cross‐linking, they differ markedly in their ability to either react to other stimuli, generate inflammatory eicosanoids or release immunomodulating cytokines and chemokines. Furthermore, these cells display considerable pharmacological heterogeneity which has stifled attempts to develop more effective anti‐allergic therapies. Mast cell‐ and basophil‐specific transcriptional profiling, at rest and after activation by innate and adaptive stimuli, may help to unravel the degree to which these cells differ and facilitate a clearer understanding of their biological functions and how these could be targeted by new therapies.
RBL cells as models for in vitro studies of mast cells and basophils
Authors: Falcone Franco H. , Wan Daniel , Barwary Nafal , Sagi‐Eisenberg Ronit 
Published: February 2018

SummarySince their establishment in 1981, RBL‐2H3 cells have been widely used as a mast cell (MC) model. Their ability to be easily grown in culture in large amounts, their responsiveness to FcεRI‐mediated triggers and the fact that they can be genetically manipulated, have provided advantages over primary MCs, in particular for molecular studies relying on genetic screening. Furthermore, the ability to generate clones that stably express proteins of interest, for example, a human receptor, have marked the RBL cells as an attractive MC model for drug screening. Indeed, 3 RBL reporter cell lines (RS‐ATL8, NFAT‐DsRed, and NPY‐mRFP) have been generated providing useful models for drug and allergen screening. Similarly, RBL cells stably expressing the human MrgprX2 receptor provide a unique paradigm for analyzing ligand interactions and signaling pathways of the unique human receptor. Finally, transient co‐transfections of RBL cells allow functional genomic analyses of MC secretion by combining library screening with simultaneous expression of a reporter for exocytosis. RBL cells thus comprise powerful tools for the study of intracellular membrane trafficking and exocytosis and the detection of allergens, vaccine safety studies and diagnosis of allergic sensitization. Their recent uses as an investigative tool are reviewed here.
Role of mast cells and basophils in pruritus
Authors: Steinhoff Martin , Buddenkotte Jörg , Lerner Ethan A. 
Published: February 2018

SummaryTo protect our body systems, there is a constant interactive conversation between the skin nervous and immune system. Important elements of this conversation in the skin include mast cells, basophils, and sensory nerve fibers. These cells employ a vast array of sensors that detect danger and react accordingly. This reaction, summarized as neurogenic inflammation, manifests at the conscious level as sensations including pain and itch. Here we provide a perspective on the blossoming knowledge that is illuminating connections between mast cells, basophils, and sensory nerve fibers in the mediation of itch. We discuss established mediators and receptors, in particular cytokine and neuropeptide pathways, upstream proteases, and proteinase‐activated receptors, and the emerging role of mas‐related G‐protein‐coupled receptors in itch.