bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Range‐constrained co‐occurrence simulation reveals little niche partitioning among rock‐dwelling Montenegrina land snails (Gastropoda: Clausiliidae)
Authors: Fehér Zoltán , Mason Katharina , Szekeres Miklós , Haring Elisabeth , Bamberger Sonja , Páll‐Gergely Barna , Sólymos Péter 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAimTaxon co‐occurrence analysis is commonly used in ecology, but it has not been applied to range‐wide distribution data of partly allopatric taxa because existing methods cannot differentiate between distribution‐related effects and taxon interactions. Our first aim was to develop a taxon co‐occurrence analysis method that is also capable of taking into account the effect of species ranges and can handle faunistic records from museum databases or biodiversity inventories. Our second aim was to test the independence of taxon co‐occurrences of rock‐dwelling gastropods at different taxonomic levels, with a special focus on the Clausiliidae subfamily Alopiinae, and in particular the genus Montenegrina.LocationBalkan Peninsula in south‐eastern Europe (46N–36N, 13.5E–28E).MethodsWe introduced a taxon‐specific metric that characterizes the occurrence probability at a given location. This probability was calculated as a distance‐weighted mean of the taxon's presence and absence records at all sites. We applied corrections to account for the biases introduced by varying sampling intensity in our dataset. Then we used probabilistic null‐models to simulate taxon distributions under the null hypothesis of no taxon interactions and calculated pairwise and cumulated co‐occurrences. Independence of taxon occurrences was tested by comparing observed co‐occurrences to simulated values.ResultsWe observed significantly fewer co‐occurrences among species and intra‐generic lineages of Montenegrina than expected under the assumption of no taxon interaction.Main conclusionsFewer than expected co‐occurrences among species and intra‐generic clades indicate that species divergence preceded niche partitioning. This suggests a primary role of non‐adaptive processes in the speciation of rock‐dwelling gastropods. The method can account for the effects of distributional constraints in range‐wide datasets, making it suitable for testing ecological, biogeographical, or evolutionary hypotheses where interactions of partly allopatric taxa are in question.
Shifts in plant distributions in response to climate warming in a biodiversity hotspot, the Hengduan Mountains
Authors: Liang Qianlong , Xu Xiaoting , Mao Kangshan , Wang Mingcheng , Wang Kun , Xi Zhenxiang , Liu Jianquan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAimsIt has been assumed that montane species will undergo upslope shifts in response to climate warming and their range sizes are therefore predicted to decrease. However, this view has been challenged because a recent study (Elsen & Tingley, ) indicated that land surface area increases with increasing altitude in some mountains. To test this prediction, we used one of the world's biodiversity hotspots as a study system to examine overall patterns of plant distribution shift in response to climate warming.LocationThe Hengduan Mountains and adjacent regions.MethodsBased on distribution data for 151 species at a resolution of 2.5 arc minutes, we employed ecological niche modelling to model their distributions under the climatic conditions of the Last Glacial Maximum, Current (2017), and 2050 separately. We examined the distributional shifts of these species, especially with respect to altitude and range size, in response to two periods of stepwise climate warming.ResultsAll the montane plants sampled shifted upward during the two warming stages, but not only northward, some shifted westward or in other directions. In contrast with the expected consistent loss of range when shifting upward, 63.6% of the plants expanded their range size continuously since the LGM. Only 11.9% of the plants contracted their range size continuously from the LGM to 2050. Estimates of species richness in the regions studied changed greatly, but in an unbalanced manner, from the LGM to the Current and from the Current to 2050.Main conclusionsNumerous montane plants in the Hengduan Mountains are predicted to expand their range sizes as they shift upslope in response to climate warming. Our results highlight the possibility that more available land surface area due to the heterogeneous topography along altitudinal gradients and the adjacent large Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau sensu stricto can mediate the range loss of the montane plants under climate warming. These findings are crucial for estimating the future range sizes of plants and planning biodiversity protection for mountain ecosystems under the anticipated warming of the world's climate.
Post‐glacial East Asian origin of the alpine shrub Phyllodoce aleutica (Ericaceae) in Beringia
Authors: Ikeda Hajime , Yakubov Valentin , Barkalov Vyacheslav , Setoguchi Hiroaki 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAimThe ice‐free area around the Bering Land Bridge, Beringia, has been noted as an important refugium of organisms preferring cold environments such as arctic‐alpine plants throughout the Pleistocene climate oscillations. Although numerous phylogeographical studies have supported this refugium, recent studies have challenged the idea of a homogeneous refugium in Beringia. We aim to examine a novel scenario of the post‐glacial colonization history of an alpine plant Phyllodoce aleutica in Beringia.LocationThe Japanese Archipelago, the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Aleutian Islands, Alaska.MethodThe range‐wide genetic structure of P. aleutica was elucidated by sequencing 13 nuclear loci. The phylogeographical history was inferred using model‐based approaches based on coalescent simulations together with the potential distributions predicted by ecological niche modelling.ResultsBayesian clustering and phylogenetic networks revealed that P. aleutica was divided into three geographically structured groups: the main island of the Japanese Archipelago, the northern island of the archipelago (Hokkaido) and Beringia, including eastern Hokkaido. The demographic history underlying the genetic structure and the potential distributions at present and during Last Glacial Maximum suggest that their divergence likely predated the last glacial period. Except for genetic admixture with the sister species Phyllodoce glanduliflora, populations in Alaska exhibited lower genetic diversity than those in East Asia and exclusively shared two widespread genotypes. Approximate Bayesian computation showed that a demographic model postulating post‐glacial expansion into Alaska fit better than alternative models.Main conclusionsOur study suggests that P. aleutica in eastern Beringia originated through post‐glacial colonization from East Asia, providing novel insight into the biogeographical history of alpine flora in Beringia.
Oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of systemic scleroderma: An overview
Authors: Vona Rosa , Giovannetti Antonello , Gambardella Lucrezia , Malorni Walter , Pietraforte Donatella , Straface Elisabetta 
Published: April 2018

AbstractSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare disorder of the connective tissue characterized by fibrosis of the skin, skeletal muscles and visceral organs. Additional manifestations include activation of the immune system and vascular injury. SSc causes disability and death as the result of end‐stage organ failure. Two clinical subsets of the SSc are accepted: limited cutaneous SSc (lc‐SSc) and diffuse cutaneous SSc (dc‐SSc). At present, the aetiology and pathogenesis of SSc remain obscure, and consequently, disease outcome is unpredictable. Numerous studies suggest that reactive oxidizing species (ROS) play an important role in the pathogenesis of scleroderma. Over the years, several reports have supported this hypothesis for both lc‐SSc and dc‐SSc, although the specific role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of vascular injury and fibrosis remains to be clarified. The aim of the present review was to report and comment the recent findings regarding the involvement and role of oxidative stress in SSc pathogenesis. Biomarkers proving the link between ROS and the main pathological features of SSc have been summarized.
Microenvironment‐induced PIM kinases promote CXCR4‐triggered mTOR pathway required for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cell migration
Authors: Białopiotrowicz Emilia , Górniak Patryk , Noyszewska‐Kania Monika , Puła Bartosz , Makuch‐Łasica Hanna , Nowak Grażyna , Bluszcz Aleksandra , Szydłowski Maciej , Jabłonska Ewa , Piechna Karolina , Sewastianik Tomasz , Polak Anna , Lech‐Marańda Ewa , Budziszewska Bożena K. , Wasylecka‐Juszczyńska Maja , Borg Katarzyna , Warzocha Krzysztof , Czardybon Wojciech , Gałęzowski Michał , Windak Renata , Brzózka Krzysztof , Juszczyński Przemysław 
Published: April 2018

AbstractLymph node microenvironment provides chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) cells with signals promoting their survival and granting resistance to chemotherapeutics. CLL cells overexpress PIM kinases, which regulate apoptosis, cell cycle and migration. We demonstrate that BCR crosslinking, CD40 stimulation, and coculture with stromal cells increases PIMs expression in CLL cells, indicating microenvironment‐dependent PIMs regulation. PIM1 and PIM2 expression at diagnosis was higher in patients with advanced disease (Binet C vs. Binet A/B) and in those, who progressed after first‐line treatment. In primary CLL cells, inhibition of PIM kinases with a pan‐PIM inhibitor, SEL24‐B489, decreased PIM‐specific substrate phosphorylation and induced dose‐dependent apoptosis in leukaemic, but not in normal B cells. Cytotoxicity of SEL24‐B489 was similar in TP53‐mutant and TP53 wild‐type cells. Finally, inhibition of PIM kinases decreased CXCR4‐mediated cell chemotaxis in two related mechanisms‐by decreasing CXCR4 phosphorylation and surface expression, and by limiting CXCR4‐triggered mTOR pathway activity. Importantly, PIM and mTOR inhibitors similarly impaired migration, indicating that CXCL12‐triggered mTOR is required for CLL cell chemotaxis. Given the microenvironment‐modulated PIM expression, their pro‐survival function and a role of PIMs in CXCR4‐induced migration, inhibition of these kinases might override microenvironmental protection and be an attractive therapeutic strategy in this disease.
Neural reward responsiveness in children who engage in nonsuicidal self‐injury: an ERP study
Authors: Tsypes Aliona , Owens Max , Hajcak Greg , Gibb Brandon E. 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundA better understanding of the correlates of nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI) in children is important for the identification and prevention of future suicide risk. However, although abnormalities in reward responsiveness might constitute one potential transdiagnostic mechanism of risk for NSSI, no studies have examined initial response to reward in children with a history of NSSI. The goal of the present study was to address this important gap in the literature. To objectively assess initial response to reward, we utilized the feedback negativity (FN) event‐related potential, a well‐established psychophysiological marker of reward responsiveness.MethodsParticipants were 57 children (19 with a history of NSSI and 38 demographically matched controls) between the ages of 7 and 11. Diagnostic interviews were used to assess for current and past DSM‐IV mood and anxiety diagnoses and NSSI history. Children also completed a guessing task, during which continuous electroencephalography was recorded.ResultsChildren with a history of NSSI exhibited significantly more negative ΔFN (i.e., FN to losses minus FN to gains) than children without NSSI. These findings appeared to be at least partially independent of children's history of psychopathology and current symptoms, suggesting their specificity to NSSI.ConclusionsThese results provide initial evidence for heightened neural initial reward responsiveness to losses versus rewards in children with a history of NSSI. Pending replications and longitudinal studies, the ΔFN might represent a psychophysiological marker of risk for self‐harm.
A neural biomarker, the error‐related negativity, predicts the first onset of generalized anxiety disorder in a large sample of adolescent females
Authors: Meyer Alexandria , Nelson Brady , Perlman Greg , Klein Daniel N. , Kotov Roman 
Published: April 2018

ObjectiveAn increased neural response to making mistakes has emerged as a potential biomarker of anxiety across development. The error‐related negativity (ERN) is an event‐related potential elicited when people make mistakes on simple laboratory‐based reaction time tasks that has been associated with risk for anxiety. This study examined whether the ERN prospectively predicted the first onset of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) over 1.5 years in adolescent girls.MethodsThe sample included 457 girls between the ages of 13.5 and 15.5 years, with no history of GAD. At baseline, the ERN was measured using a flankers task. Psychiatric history of the adolescent and biological parent was assessed with diagnostic interviews, and the adolescent completed a self‐report questionnaire regarding anxiety symptoms. Approximately 1.5 years later, adolescents completed the same interview.ResultsAn increased neural response to errors at baseline predicted first‐onset GAD over 1.5 years. The ERN was a significant predictor independent of other prominent risk factors, including baseline anxiety and depression symptoms and parental lifetime psychiatric history. Jointly the ERN and social anxiety symptoms provided the greatest power for predicting first‐onset GAD.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence for the utility of the ERN as a biomarker of risk for GAD during a key developmental period.
Soil‐dwelling insect pests of tree crops in Sub‐Saharan Africa, problems and management strategies—A review
Authors: Ambele F. C. , Bisseleua Daghela H. B. , Babalola O. O. , Ekesi S. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis review aims to draw the attention of researchers, ecologists and farmers to the threats of soil‐dwelling insect pests on important tree crops in sub‐Saharan Africa, with a special focus on termites. It synthesizes the information on the effects of various factors affecting soil pest occurrence and damage, suggesting that the resultant undesirable effects of soil pests in this region are largely as a result of indiscriminate tree cutting, slash‐and‐burn agriculture and indiscriminate use of pesticides. Major insect orders, their host ranges and the nature of damage on selected tree crops are described. This study further critiques existing soil pest management practices, showing that majority of soil pest management practices are ineffective. Thus, management strategies like “attract and kill” approach based on entomopathogenic fungi need to be studied, developed and emphasized for the management of soil insect pests in sub‐Saharan Africa. A conclusion section attempts to offer suggestions for ways in which future work on soil pests in sub‐Saharan Africa could proceed.
Lowered quality of life in mood disorders is associated with increased neuro‐oxidative stress and basal thyroid‐stimulating hormone levels and use of anticonvulsant mood stabilizers
Authors: Nunes Caroline Sampaio , Maes Michael , Roomruangwong Chutima , Moraes Juliana Brum , Bonifacio Kamila Landucci , Vargas Heber Odebrecht , Barbosa Decio Sabbatini , Anderson George , de Melo Luiz Gustavo Piccoli , Drozdstoj Stoyanov , Moreira Estefania , Carvalho André F. , Nunes Sandra Odebrecht Vargas 
Published: April 2018

AbstractRationale, aimsMajor affective disorders including bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are associated with impaired health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). Oxidative stress and subtle thyroid abnormalities may play a pathophysiological role in both disorders. Thus, the current study was performed to examine whether neuro‐oxidative biomarkers and thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) levels could predict HRQoL in BD and MDD.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study enrolled 68 BD and 37 MDD patients and 66 healthy controls. The World Health Organization (WHO) QoL‐BREF scale was used to assess 4 QoL subdomains. Peripheral blood malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein products, paraoxonaxe/CMPAase activity, a composite index of nitro‐oxidative stress, and basal TSH were measured.ResultsIn the total WHOQoL score, 17.3% of the variance was explained by increased advanced oxidation protein products and TSH levels and lowered CMPAase activity and male gender. Physical HRQoL (14.4%) was associated with increased MDA and TSH levels and lowered CMPAase activity. Social relations HRQoL (17.4%) was predicted by higher nitro‐oxidative index and TSH values, while mental and environment HRQoL were independently predicted by CMPAase activity. Finally, 73.0% of the variance in total HRQoL was explained by severity of depressive symptoms, use of anticonvulsants, lower income, early lifetime emotional neglect, MDA levels, the presence of mood disorders, and suicidal ideation.ConclusionsThese data show that lowered HRQoL in major affective disorders could at least in part result from the effects of lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, lowered antioxidant enzyme activities, and higher levels of TSH.
Risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and benefit from colorectal cancer reduction from long‐term use of low‐dose aspirin: A retrospective study of 612 509 patients
Authors: Tsoi Kelvin KF , Chan Felix CH , Hirai Hoyee W , Sung Joseph JY 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackground and AimAspirin, commonly used for prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, is well known to protect against development of colorectal cancer (CRC) but increases risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). This cohort study aims to evaluate the benefit of low‐dose aspirin to prevent CRC and its associated risk of GIB.MethodA population‐based dataset was used to compare incidence and mortality of CRC and GIB among patients receiving low‐dose aspirin with sex‐matched and age‐matched controls (1:2). A total of 204 170 aspirin users taking aspirin for at least 6 months and 408 339 nonusers were analyzed. Patients' clinical outcomes were documented for up to 14 years or until death.ResultsA total of 612 509 patients were included; 5118 (2.51%) out of 204 170 aspirin users were diagnosed with CRC; and 2073 (1.02%) died of the malignancy. On the other hand, 13 336 (3.27%) out of 408 339 non‐aspirin users were diagnosed with CRC, and 6953 (1.70%) died. Using the competing risk regression, aspirin usage significantly reduced CRC mortality (subdistribution hazard ratio = 0.59; 95% confidence interval = 0.56 to 0.62). A total of 9483 (4.64%) aspirin users developed GIB, and 820 (0.40%) died, while 11 198 (2.74%) nonusers developed GIB, and 1488 (0.36%) died. Aspirin usage marginally increased risk of bleeding‐related mortality (subdistribution hazard ratio = 1.09; 95% confidence interval = 1.00 to 1.19). Subgroup analyses showed the use of acid‐secreting agents significantly reduced aspirin‐induced mortality.ConclusionThe long‐term use of aspirin reduces both incidence and mortality of CRC and at the same time increases incidence and mortality risk of GIB. With combination use of acid‐secreting agents, the bleeding risk can be reduced.
Predictors of Mortality with Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia in Elderly Adults
Authors: Bassetti Matteo , Righi Elda , Del Giacomo Paola , Sartor Assunta , Ansaldi Filippo , Trucchi Cecilia , Alicino Cristiano , Trecarichi Enrico Maria , Spanu Teresa , Paganino Chiara , Tumbarello Mario , Carnelutti Alessia 
Published: April 2018

ObjectivesTo analyze risk factors for early and late mortality in individuals aged 75 and older with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) in Italy.DesignFour‐year retrospective observational study (January 2011‐December 2014).SettingTwo tertiary care university hospitals in Italy (Santa Maria Misericordia Hospital in Udine, Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli in Rome).ParticipantsAll adults consecutively admitted with SAB.MeasurementsClinical presentation, infection characteristics, and clinical outcomes of individuals aged 75 and older were compared with those of individuals younger than 75.ResultsThree hundred thirty‐seven cases of SAB were diagnosed during the study period, 118 of which (35%) occurred in those aged 75 and older. Seven‐ (20.3% vs 9.2%) and 30‐day (35.7% vs 20.7%) mortality were significantly higher in elderly than younger adults. Clinical presentation with septic shock, adequacy of empiric antibiotic treatment, and liver cirrhosis were found to be predictors of 7‐day mortality in elderly adults with SAB. Risk factors independently associated with 30‐day mortality included isolation of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and not receiving an infectious disease consultation.ConclusionMortality is significantly higher in elderly than in younger adults with SAB, particularly in those presenting with septic shock, liver cirrhosis, or SAB due to MRSA. Additional risk factors for mortality included inappropriate empiric antibiotic treatment and not receiving an infectious disease consultation.
Affective evaluation of food images according to stimulus and subject characteristics
Authors: Padulo C. , Carlucci L. , Marzoli D. , Manippa V. , Tommasi L. , Saggino A. , Puglisi‐Allegra S. , Brancucci A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe food‐rich environment in which we live makes the regulation of food choices a very complex phenomenon determined by many factors, as well as their interactions. Much evidence suggests that the sensory perception of food can be considered as a central factor affecting individual food choices. Despite this, the approaches used to study the various food aspects usually do not distinguish between different types of food.MethodsIn the present study, a large and heterogeneous sample of 1149 participants aged 7–90 years was asked to judge food images that were labelled differently (i.e. Raw versus Cooked, Natural versus Transformed and Simple versus Complex) with respect to arousal, valence, typicality and familiarity.ResultsWe observed that, across food dimensions (i.e., Raw versus Cooked, Natural versus Transformed and Simple versus Complex), arousal, valence and typicality judgments were principally affected by a subjective hunger level and gender (and their interaction) and, to a lesser extent, by age.ConclusionsAs a whole, our findings suggest that the level of transformation (which includes cooking) and the complexity of a foodstuff could at least partially affect food processing, entailing that future research should also address these features.