bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The structure of plant spatial association networks is linked to plant diversity in global drylands
Authors: Saiz Hugo , Gómez‐Gardeñes Jesús , Borda Juan Pablo , Maestre Fernando T. 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Despite commonly used to unveil the complex structure of interactions within ecological communities and their value to assess their resilience against external disturbances, network analyses have seldom been applied in plant communities. We evaluated how plant–plant spatial association networks vary in global drylands and assessed whether network structure was related to plant diversity in these ecosystems.

We surveyed 185 dryland ecosystems from all continents except Antarctica and built networks using the local spatial association between all the perennial plants species present in the communities studied. Then, for each network, we calculated four descriptors of network structure (link density, link weight mean and heterogeneity, and structural balance) and evaluated their significance with null models. Finally, we used structural equation models to evaluate how abiotic factors (including geography, topography, climate and soil conditions) and network descriptors influenced plant species richness and evenness.

Plant networks were highly variable world‐wide, but at most study sites (72%) presented common structures such as a higher link density than expected. We also find evidence of the presence of high structural balance in the networks studied. Moreover, all network descriptors considered had a positive and significant effect on plant diversity and on species richness in particular.

Synthesis. Our results constitute the first empirical evidence showing the existence of common network architectures structuring dryland plant communities at the global scale and suggest a relationship between the structure of spatial networks and plant diversity. They also highlight the importance of system‐level approaches to explain the diversity and structure of interactions in plant communities, two major drivers of terrestrial ecosystem functioning.
Interpretive walks: advancing the use of mobile methods in the study of entrepreneurial farm tourism settings
Authors: Mackay Michael , Nelson Tracy , Perkins Harvey C. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis article draws on the application of interpretive walks in a socio‐geographical study of tourism‐oriented entrepreneurial activity on multi‐generational family farms in New Zealand. We highlight the great potential this method holds for tourism researchers interested in the ways tourist spaces are produced in processes of place‐making. Mobile methods have been a feature of qualitative field research in several disciplines for some time, particularly in cultural geography with its emphasis on human interactions in and with landscapes. The interpretive walk, known also as the walking interview, has been applied mainly in urban neighbourhood, health, transport, and housing research, where it has proven very useful for revealing human connections to place that have been difficult to elicit using stationary face‐to‐face interviews. This article is one of the few that reports on the use of the method in a farm tourism setting. It is also one of few applied studies seeking to understand the local geographies of farm tourism and their connections to the farm site as both family home and place of primary production. The method is characterised as an effective tool for navigating and interpreting the socio‐spatial settings in which new rural tourism ventures emerge, evolve, and are embedded. The approach allows for unexpected encounters with spatial practices and strategies, projects, and objects, behind which lie stories of changing human relationships with the land, economy, and community, and of the exigencies of everyday life that are less readily unearthed using conventional interviews.
Draft genome and reference transcriptomic resources for the urticating pine defoliator Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae)
Authors: Gschloessl B. , Dorkeld F. , Berges H. , Beydon G. , Bouchez O. , Branco M. , Bretaudeau A. , Burban C. , Dubois E. , Gauthier P. , Lhuillier E. , Nichols J. , Nidelet S. , Rocha S. , Sauné L. , Streiff R. , Gautier M. , Kerdelhué C. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe pine processionary moth Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) is the main pine defoliator in the Mediterranean region. Its urticating larvae cause severe human and animal health concerns in the invaded areas. This species shows a high phenotypic variability for various traits, such as phenology, fecundity and tolerance to extreme temperatures. This study presents the construction and analysis of extensive genomic and transcriptomic resources, which are an obligate prerequisite to understand their underlying genetic architecture. Using a well‐studied population from Portugal with peculiar phenological characteristics, the karyotype was first determined and a first draft genome of 537 Mb total length was assembled into 68,292 scaffolds (N50 = 164 kb). From this genome assembly, 29,415 coding genes were predicted. To circumvent some limitations for fine‐scale physical mapping of genomic regions of interest, a 3X coverage BAC library was also developed. In particular, 11 BACs from this library were individually sequenced to assess the assembly quality. Additionally, de novo transcriptomic resources were generated from various developmental stages sequenced with HiSeq and MiSeq Illumina technologies. The reads were de novo assembled into 62,376 and 63,175 transcripts, respectively. Then, a robust subset of the genome‐predicted coding genes, the de novo transcriptome assemblies and previously published 454/Sanger data were clustered to obtain a high‐quality and comprehensive reference transcriptome consisting of 29,701 bona fide unigenes. These sequences covered 99% of the cegma and 88% of the busco highly conserved eukaryotic genes and 84% of the busco arthropod gene set. Moreover, 90% of these transcripts could be localized on the draft genome. The described information is available via a genome annotation portal (http://bipaa.genouest.org/sp/thaumetopoea_pityocampa/).
Serotonin receptor 1A promoter polymorphism, rs6295, modulates human anxiety levels via altering parasympathetic nervous activity
Authors: Huang J.‐H. , Chang H.‐A. , Fang W.‐H. , Ho P.‐S. , Liu Y.‐P. , Wan F.‐J. , Tzeng N.‐S. , Shyu J.‐F. , Chang C.‐C. 
Published: January 2018

ObjectiveThe G‐allele of the ‐1019C/G (rs6295) promoter polymorphism of the serotonin receptor 1A (HTR1A) gene has been implicated in anxiety; however, the underlying neurophysiological processes are still not fully understood. Recent evidence indicates that low parasympathetic (vagal) tone is predictive of anxiety. We thus conducted a structural equation model (SEM) to examine whether the HTR1A rs6295 variant can affect anxiety by altering parasympathetic nervous activity.MethodA sample of 1141 drug‐free healthy Han Chinese was recruited for HTR1A genotyping. Autonomic nervous function was assessed by short‐term spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). Anxiety and stress levels were evaluated by the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) respectively.ResultsThe number of the HTR1A G allele was inversely correlated with high‐frequency power (HF), a parasympathetic index of HRV. The HF index was negatively associated with BAI scores. Furthermore, the good‐fitting SEM, adjusting for confounding variables (e.g., age and PSS levels), revealed a significant pathway linking rs6295 variant to BAI scores via HF index modulation.ConclusionThese results are the first to show that HTR1A ‐1019C/G polymorphism influences anxiety levels by modulating parasympathetic tone, providing a neurophysiological insight into the role of HTR1A in human anxiety.
Hidradenitis suppurativa, a review of pathogenesis, associations and management. Part 2
Authors: Vekic Dunja Ana , Cains Geoffrey David 
Published: January 2018

AbstractHidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic, painful, autoinflammatory condition resulting in nodules, abscesses and sinus tracts. We present an evidence‐based review providing new understanding of the pathogenesis of hidradenitis suppurativa and associated comorbidities. By the nature of their speciality, dermatologists are uniquely positioned to investigate and treat patients.
Liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma: personal experiences in a series of 1330 consecutive cases in China
Authors: Li Jing , Huang Liang , Yan Jianjun , Qiu Maixuan , Yan Yiqun 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundLiver resection to treat early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is widely practised but surgery for intermediate and advanced stages of HCC is not included in the treatment algorithm of the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer, which has been adopted in official guidelines; nevertheless, resection beyond early stages is frequently undertaken and documented.MethodsBetween January 2001 and December 2014, all the HCC patients who underwent liver resection for the first time by Dr Yiqun Yan and his surgical team were enrolled. Clinical data were prospectively collected as well as the follow‐up results.ResultsA total of 1330 consecutive patients were included in the study, of which 452 (34.0%) suffered complications after liver resection with a mortality of 0.7%. The overall survival rates at 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year were 91.2, 63.3 and 36.9%, respectively, while the disease‐free survival rates at 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year were 67.7, 33.7 and 13.8%, respectively. Cases were classified into Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage A (548 patients, 41.2%), stage B (613 patients, 46.1%) and stage C (169 patients, 12.7%). The overall survival time at 5‐year were 49.8, 32.8 and 10.6%, respectively, in patients with stage A, B and C tumours.ConclusionLiver resection to treat HCC is safe in patients with preserved liver function and good functional status. Liver resection should be the first line therapy in patients with single (regardless of tumour size) and resectable 2–3 tumours as well as vascular tumour thrombus if the tumour thrombus does not invade the major trunks.
Systematic misclassification of gestational age by ultrasound biometry: implications for clinical practice and research methodology in the Nordic countries
Authors: Skalkidou Alkistis , Kullinger Merit , Georgakis Marios K. , Kieler Helle , Kesmodel Ulrik S. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractHistorically, pregnancy dating has been based on self‐reported information on the first day of the last menstrual period. In the 1970s, ultrasound biometry was introduced as an alternative for pregnancy dating and is now the leading method in Nordic countries. The use of ultrasound led to a reduction of post‐term births and fewer inductions, and is considered more precise than last menstrual period‐based methods for pregnancy dating. Nevertheless, differences in early growth and specific situations, such as maternal obesity, can render its estimates less precise, leading to gestational age misclassification. Clinical implications of ultrasound dating include effect on timely induction in case of post‐term pregnancies, treatment with corticosteroids in cases of anticipated preterm delivery and decision on viability in cases of extreme prematurity. Furthermore, gestational age misclassification may influence the numbers and the magnitude of some adverse perinatal outcomes, closely related to gestational age, which are recorded in the Nordic birth registers.
Pelvic floor muscle function and quality of life in postmenopausal women with and without pelvic floor dysfunction
Authors: Frota Isabella Parente Ribeiro , Rocha Adriana Bombonato Oliveira , Neto José Ananias Vasconcelos , Vasconcelos Camila Teixeira Moreira , De Magalhaes Thais Fontes , Karbage Sara Arcanjo Lino , Augusto Kathiane Lustosa , Nascimento Simony Lira Do , Haddad Jorge Millem , Bezerra Leonardo Robson Pinheiro Sobreira 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIntroductionThis study aims to compare pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function in postmenopausal women with and without pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) and the relation between PFM function and quality of life.Material and methodsA case–control study with 216 postmenopausal women with (n = 126) and without (n = 90) PFD. PFM function was assessed by digital vaginal palpation using the PERFECT scale. Specific quality of life was evaluated using the King's Health Questionnaire for women with urinary incontinence and the Prolapse Quality‐of‐Life Questionnaire for women with pelvic organ prolapse. We analyzed women with PFD into two categories: Oxford's grade ≤2 or ≥3 using a chi‐squared test.ResultsOut of 126 womem with PFD 44 (34.9%) presented stress urinary incontinence, 21 (16.6%) had pelvic organ prolapse and 61 (48.4%) had urinary incontinence + pelvic organ prolapse. Strength had a median value 2 (0–5) in all women studied and most of them had insufficient strength, reduced endurance and repetition without statistical difference between groups. Incontinent women with strength ≤2 had worse perception of general health domain of King's Health Questionnaire (p = 0.007). No association was found between PFM function and Prolapse Quality‐of‐Life Questionnaire.ConclusionsPFM function assessed by bidigital palpation in postmenopausal women was not sufficiently sensitive to differentiate between women with vs. women without PFM dysfunction and was not related with specific quality of life in women with urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, respectively. These data should be used to reinforce the widespread recommendation that PFM training is essencial in PFD treatment.
Prospective questionnaire study showed that higher self‐efficacy predicted longer exclusive breastfeeding by the mothers of late preterm infants
Authors: Gerhardsson Emma , Hildingsson Ingegerd , Mattsson Elisabet , Funkquist Eva‐Lotta 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimAn important variable that influences breastfeeding outcomes is how confident a woman feels about her ability to breastfeed successfully at an early stage. We investigated breastfeeding self‐efficacy in the mothers of late preterm infants.MethodsThis was a prospective, comparative study that focused on mothers who had delivered babies at 34 + 0 to 36 + 6 weeks and were recruited in 2012–2015 from a neonatal intensive care unit and a postnatal ward at a Swedish university hospital. The Breastfeeding Self‐Efficacy Scale‐Short Form (BSES‐SF) was used to psychometrically assess the mothers at 40 weeks of postmenstrual age (n = 148) and at three months of corrected age (n = 114).ResultsThe BSES‐SF scores were higher in the 87% of mothers that exclusively breastfed when their babies reached 40 weeks (57.1 out of 70) than those who did not (41.4, p < 0.001), indicating better self‐efficacy. The figures remained higher in the 68% of exclusive breastfeeding mothers at three months of corrected age (60.9 versus 51.7).ConclusionSelf‐efficacy was an important predictor of the length of breastfeeding in mothers of late preterm infants, and the BSES‐SF can be used to detect low self‐efficacy that could lead to early breastfeeding cessation.
TRPV1 antagonists that cause hypothermia, instead of hyperthermia, in rodents: Compounds’ pharmacological profiles, in vivo targets, thermoeffectors recruited and implications for drug development
Authors: Garami A. , Pakai E. , McDonald H. A. , Reilly R. M. , Gomtsyan A. , Corrigan J. J. , Pinter E. , Zhu D. X. D. , Lehto S. G. , Gavva N. R. , Kym P. R. , Romanovsky A. A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimThermoregulatory side effects hinder the development of transient receptor potential vanilloid‐1 (TRPV1) antagonists as new painkillers. While many antagonists cause hyperthermia, a well‐studied effect, some cause hypothermia. The mechanisms of this hypothermia are unknown and were studied herein.MethodsTwo hypothermia‐inducing TRPV1 antagonists, the newly synthesized A‐1165901 and the known AMG7905, were used in physiological experiments in rats and mice. Their pharmacological profiles against rat TRPV1 were studied in vitro.ResultsAdministered peripherally, A‐1165901 caused hypothermia in rats by either triggering tail‐skin vasodilation (at thermoneutrality) or inhibiting thermogenesis (in the cold). A‐1165901‐induced hypothermia did not occur in rats with desensitized (by an intraperitoneal dose of the TRPV1 agonist resiniferatoxin) sensory abdominal nerves. The hypothermic responses to A‐1165901 and AMG7905 (administered intragastrically or intraperitoneally) were absent in Trpv1−/− mice, even though both compounds evoked pronounced hypothermia in Trpv1+/+ mice. In vitro, both A‐1165901 and AMG7905 potently potentiated TRPV1 activation by protons, while potently blocking channel activation by capsaicin.ConclusionTRPV1 antagonists cause hypothermia by an on‐target action: on TRPV1 channels on abdominal sensory nerves. These channels are tonically activated by protons and drive the reflectory inhibition of thermogenesis and tail‐skin vasoconstriction. Those TRPV1 antagonists that cause hypothermia further inhibit these cold defences, thus decreasing body temperature.SignificanceTRPV1 antagonists (of capsaicin activation) are highly unusual in that they can cause both hyper‐ and hypothermia by modulating the same mechanism. For drug development, this means that both side effects can be dealt with simultaneously, by minimizing these compounds’ interference with TRPV1 activation by protons.
Adverse effects of amphotericin B in children; a retrospective comparison of conventional and liposomal formulations
Authors: Andrew Eden C. , Curtis Nigel , Coghlan Ben , Cranswick Noel , Gwee Amanda 
Published: January 2018

AimsLipid formulations of amphotericin B, rather than conventional amphotericin (c‐amB), are increasingly used despite limited data comparing these preparations in children. Data on the incidence of adverse effects with amphotericin B at standard doses are scarce. This study aimed to compare the adverse effects associated with standard doses of c‐amB and liposomal amphotericin (l‐amB) in children.MethodsChildren admitted to the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne and treated with c‐amB or l‐amB between January 2010 and September 2013 were included. Clinical and laboratory data were retrospectively extracted from medical records to compare amphotericin‐related infusion reactions, nephrotoxicity (glomerulotoxicity and tubulopathy) and hepatotoxicity.ResultsSeventy‐six children received c‐amB and 39 received l‐amB. Standard drug administration (recommended dose and infusion time) occurred in 74% (56/76) of patients on c‐amB and 85% (33/39) on l‐amB. In these 89 children, infusion‐related reactions were similar for both c‐amB and l‐amB (23% (13/56) vs. 9% (3/33); P = 0.15); none occurred in children aged <90 days. There was no difference in amphotericin‐associated glomerulotoxicity (c‐amB 14% (8/56) vs. l‐amB 21% (7/33); P = 0.40) or in the median maximum potassium requirements (c‐amB 3.1 vs. l‐amB 2.3 mmol kg−1 d−1; P = 0.29). Hepatotoxicity occurred more frequently with l‐amB than c‐amB (83% (24/29) vs. 56% (20/36); P = 0.032).ConclusionsWhen appropriately administered, l‐amB was associated with more hepatotoxicity than c‐amB, with no difference in infusion‐related reactions or nephrotoxicity. Differences in adverse effects between the preparations is not as marked in children as reported in adults.
Influence of pharmacogenetic polymorphisms and demographic variables on metformin pharmacokinetics in an admixed Brazilian cohort
Authors: Santoro Ana Beatriz , Botton Mariana Rodrigues , Struchiner Claudio José , Suarez‐Kurtz Guilherme 
Published: January 2018

AimsTo identify pharmacogenetic and demographic variables that influence the systemic exposure to metformin in an admixed Brazilian cohort.MethodsThe extreme discordant phenotype was used to select 106 data sets from nine metformin bioequivalence trials, comprising 256 healthy adults. Eleven single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in SLC22A1, SLC22A2, SLC47A1 SLC47A2 and in transcription factor SP1 were genotyped and a validated panel of ancestry informative markers was used to estimate the individual proportions of biogeographical ancestry. Two‐step (univariate followed by multivariate) regression modelling was developed to identify covariates associated with systemic exposure to metformin, accessed by the area under the plasma concentration–time curve, between 0 and 48 h (AUC0–48h), after single oral doses of metformin (500 or 1000 mg).ResultsThe individual proportions of African, Amerindian and European ancestry varied widely, as anticipated from the structure of the Brazilian population The dose‐adjusted, log‐transformed AUC0–48h's (ng h ml−1 mg−1) differed largely in the two groups at the opposite ends of the distribution histogram, namely 0.82, 0.79–0.85 and 1.08, 1.06–1.11 (mean, 95% confidence interval; P = 6.10−26, t test). Multivariate modelling revealed that metformin AUC0–48h increased with age, food and carriage of rs12208357 in SLC22A1 but was inversely associated with body surface area and individual proportions of African ancestry.ConclusionsA pharmacogenetic marker in OCT1 (SLC22A1 rs12208357), combined with demographic covariates (age, body surface area and individual proportion of African ancestry) and a food effect explained 29.7% of the variability in metformin AUC0–48h.
In vivo effects of μ‐opioid receptor agonist/δ‐opioid receptor antagonist peptidomimetics following acute and repeated administration
Authors: Anand Jessica P , Kochan Kelsey E , Nastase Anthony F , Montgomery Deanna , Griggs Nicholas W , Traynor John R , Mosberg Henry I , Jutkiewicz Emily M 
Published: January 2018

Background and PurposeAgonists at μ‐opioid receptors (μ‐receptors) are used for pain management but produce adverse effects including tolerance, dependence and euphoria. The co‐administration of a μ‐receptor agonist with a δ‐opioid receptor (δ‐receptor) antagonist has been shown to produce antinociception with reduced development of some side effects. We characterized the effects of three μ‐receptor agonist/δ‐receptor antagonist peptidomimetics in vivo after acute and repeated administration to determine if this profile provides a viable alternative to traditional opioid analgesics.Experimental ApproachThree μ‐receptor agonist / δ‐receptor antagonist peptidomimetics, AAH8, AMB46 and AMB47, and morphine were evaluated for the development of tolerance and dependence after 5 days of twice daily treatment with escalating doses of drug (10–50 mg·kg−1). Antinociceptive effects were measured in the warm water tail withdrawal assay before and after repeated drug treatment. Physical dependence was evaluated by naltrexone‐precipitated withdrawal jumping. The rewarding effects of AAH8 were evaluated using a conditioned place preference (CPP) assay with twice daily conditioning sessions performed for 5 days.Key ResultsMorphine, AAH8, AMB47 and AMB46 all demonstrated acute antinociceptive effects, but repeated administration only produced tolerance in animals treated with morphine and AMB46. Injection of naltrexone precipitated fewer jumps in mice treated repeatedly with AAH8 as compared with morphine, AMB47 or AMB46. Conditioning with morphine, but not AAH8, produced significant CPP.Conclusions and ImplicationsAAH8 may be a better alternative than traditional opioid analgesics, producing antinociception with less development of tolerance and dependence and may be less rewarding than morphine.