bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity in bilateral lung transplant recipients
Authors: Fontolliet Timothée , Gianella Pietro , Pichot Vincent , Barthélémy Jean‐Claude , Gasche‐Soccal Paola , Ferretti Guido , Lador Frédéric 
Published: January 2018

SummaryThe effects of lung afferents denervation on cardiovascular regulation can be assessed on bilateral lung transplantation patients. The high‐frequency component of heart rate variability is known to be synchronous with breathing frequency. Then, if heart beat is neurally modulated by breathing frequency, we may expect disappearance of high frequency of heart rate variability in bilateral lung transplantation patients. On 11 patients and 11 matching healthy controls, we measured R‐R interval (electrocardiography), blood pressure (Portapres®) and breathing frequency (ultrasonic device) in supine rest, during 10‐min free breathing, 10‐min cadenced breathing (0·25 Hz) and 5‐min handgrip. We analysed heart rate variability and spontaneous variability of arterial blood pressure, by power spectral analysis, and baroreflex sensitivity, by the sequence method. Concerning heart rate variability, with respect to controls, transplant recipients had lower total power and lower low‐ and high‐frequency power. The low‐frequency/high‐frequency ratio was higher. Concerning systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure variability, transplant recipients had lower total power (only for cadenced breathing), low frequency and low‐frequency/high‐frequency ratio during free and cadenced breathing. Baroreflex sensitivity was decreased. Denervated lungs induced strong heart rate variability reduction. The higher low‐frequency/high‐frequency ratio suggested that the total power drop was mostly due to high frequency. These results support the hypothesis that neural modulation from lung afferents contributes to the high frequency of heart rate variability.
Comparison of defence and performance traits between one widespread clone and native populations in a major invasive plant species
Authors: Rouifed Soraya , Puijalon Sara , Bardon Clément , Meiffren Guillaume , Buonomo Antoine , Sebei Nadia , Poussineau Sophie , Vallier Félix , Shimoda Michiko , Piola Florence 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimThe success of invasive species in their introduced range is often assumed to result from evolutionary changes in defence and growth traits, or as a response to more favourable conditions. The latter is assumed particularly for species exhibiting low, or even no, sexual reproduction in the introduced range.Location and MethodsHere, we compared Japanese (native range) and French (introduced range) populations of Fallopia japonica under common growth conditions in a glasshouse. We measured height, aboveground and belowground mass, stem stiffness, leaf toughness and secondary metabolites found in hydroalcoholic extracts of rhizomes of F. japonica, as well as the competitive response of Rubus caesius (a co‐occurring native species in the invaded range) in the presence of F. japonica from both ranges.ResultsAboveground biomass, height, stem stiffness and composition of secondary metabolites were not significantly different between the two ranges, showing that increased aboveground vigour observed in situ in France is probably the result of a plastic response following the release of abiotic or biotic constraints from the native range. On the other hand, belowground mass, effect on R. caesius, and leaf toughness were all higher in French populations, suggesting increases in competitive ability and defence mechanisms. These differences between France and Japan may be explained either by post‐introduction evolution or by the introduction in Europe, in nineteenth century, of an exceptionally vigorous clone (pre‐adaptation).Main conclusionsOur results provide evidence that the high vigour of this major invasive species in its introduced range is probably due to both a response to more favourable conditions and rapid evolution.
Sustained high‐fat diet modulates inflammation, insulin signalling and cognition in mice and a modified xenin peptide ameliorates neuropathology in a chronic high‐fat model
Authors: Denver Paul , Gault Victor A. , McClean Paula L. 
Published: January 2018

AimsTo demarcate pathological events in the brain as a result of short‐term to chronic high‐fat‐diet (HFD) feeding, which leads to cognitive impairment and neuroinflammation, and to assess the efficacy of Xenin‐25[Lys(13)PAL] in chronic HFD‐fed mice.MethodsC57BL/6 mice were fed an HFD or a normal diet for 18 days, 34 days, 10 and 21 weeks. Cognition was assessed using novel object recognition and the Morris water maze. Markers of insulin signalling and inflammation were measured in brain and plasma using immunohistochemistry, quantitative PCR and multi‐array technology. Xenin‐25[Lys(13)PAL] was also administered for 5 weeks in chronic HFD‐fed mice to assess therapeutic potential at a pathological stage.ResultsRecognition memory was consistently impaired in HFD‐fed mice and spatial learning was impaired in 18‐day and 21‐week HFD‐fed mice. Gliosis, oxidative stress and IRS‐1 pSer616 were increased in the brain on day 18 in HFD‐fed mice and were reduced by Xenin‐25[Lys(13)PAL] in 21‐week HFD‐fed mice. In plasma, HFD feeding elevated interleukin (IL)‐6 and chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand 1 at day 34 and IL‐5 at week 10. In the brain, HFD feeding reduced extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 2 (ERK2), mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), NF‐κB1, protein kinase C (PKC)θ and Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA at week 10 and increased expression of glucacon‐like peptide‐1 receptor, inhibitor of NF‐κB kinase β, ERK2, mTOR, NF‐κB1, PKCθ and TLR4 at week 21, elevations that were abrogated by Xenin‐25[Lys(13)PAL].ConclusionsHFD feeding modulates cognitive function, synapse density, inflammation and insulin resistance in the brain. Xenin‐25[Lys(13)PAL] ameliorated markers of inflammation and insulin signalling dysregulation and may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of diseases associated with neuroinflammation or perturbed insulin signalling in the brain.
Artificial light at night confounds broad‐scale habitat use by migrating birds
Authors: McLaren James D. , Buler Jeffrey J. , Schreckengost Tim , Smolinsky Jaclyn A. , Boone Matthew , Emiel van Loon E. , Dawson Deanna K. , Walters Eric L. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWith many of the world's migratory bird populations in alarming decline, broad‐scale assessments of responses to migratory hazards may prove crucial to successful conservation efforts. Most birds migrate at night through increasingly light‐polluted skies. Bright light sources can attract airborne migrants and lead to collisions with structures, but might also influence selection of migratory stopover habitat and thereby acquisition of food resources. We demonstrate, using multi‐year weather radar measurements of nocturnal migrants across the northeastern U.S., that autumnal migrant stopover density increased at regional scales with proximity to the brightest areas, but decreased within a few kilometers of brightly‐lit sources. This finding implies broad‐scale attraction to artificial light while airborne, impeding selection for extensive forest habitat. Given that high‐quality stopover habitat is critical to successful migration, and hindrances during migration can decrease fitness, artificial lights present a potentially heightened conservation concern for migratory bird populations.
Effect of dimethyl fumarate on gray and white matter pathology in subjects with relapsing multiple sclerosis: a longitudinal study
Authors: Zivadinov R. , Hagemeier J. , Bergsland N. , Tavazzi E. , Weinstock‐Guttman B. 
Published: January 2018

Background and purposeDimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an oral treatment for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) with anti‐inflammatory and possible neuroprotective properties. Its effect on white matter and gray matter pathology is still not fully understood. The aim of the study was to characterize the effect of DMF on normal‐appearing white matter (NAWM) and thalamic pathology longitudinally.MethodsIn this observational, longitudinal, 24‐month magnetic resonance imaging study, 75 patients with relapsing‐remitting MS treated with DMF and 40 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy individuals were enrolled. Regional diffusion tensor imaging metrics and tract‐based spatial statistics analyses were used to assess differences between groups. Mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity, radial diffusivity and fractional anisotropy were measured in the thalamus and NAWM. Baseline differences and changes over time were evaluated within and between study groups.ResultsAt baseline, patients with MS showed significantly increased diffusivity and decreased fractional anisotropy in the thalamus (P < 0.001 for mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity and radial diffusivity) and NAWM (all P < 0.016) compared with healthy individuals. No significant within‐group difference was found in diffusion tensor imaging measures over 24 months in either group. Healthy individuals showed a significantly greater rate of increased diffusivity parameters in the thalamus and NAWM compared with patients with MS, over 24 months (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe lack of changes in diffusion tensor imaging metrics in patients with MS over 24 months possibly indicates a neuroprotective role of DMF. These findings provide additional evidence of the beneficial effect of DMF on MS‐related pathology.
Peripheral nerves are pathologically small in cerebellar ataxia neuropathy vestibular areflexia syndrome: a controlled ultrasound study
Authors: Pelosi L. , Mulroy E. , Leadbetter R. , Kilfoyle D. , Chancellor A. M. , Mossman S. , Wing L. , Wu T. Y. , Roxburgh R. H. 
Published: January 2018

Background and purposeSensory neuronopathy is a cardinal feature of cerebellar ataxia neuropathy vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS). Having observed that two patients with CANVAS had small median and ulnar nerves on ultrasound, we set out to examine this finding systematically in a cohort of patients with CANVAS, and compare them with both healthy controls and a cohort of patients with axonal neuropathy. We have previously reported preliminary findings in seven of these patients with CANVAS and seven healthy controls.MethodsWe compared the ultrasound cross‐sectional area of median, ulnar, sural and tibial nerves of 14 patients with CANVAS with 14 healthy controls and 14 age‐ and gender‐matched patients with acquired primarily axonal neuropathy. We also compared the individual nerve cross‐sectional areas of patients with CANVAS and neuropathy with the reference values of our laboratory control population.ResultsThe nerve cross‐sectional area of patients with CANVAS was smaller than that of both the healthy controls and the neuropathy controls, with highly significant differences at most sites (P < 0.001). Conversely, the nerve cross‐sectional areas in the upper limb were larger in neuropathy controls than healthy controls (P < 0.05). On individual analysis, the ultrasound abnormality was sufficiently characteristic to be detected in all but one patient with CANVAS.DiscussionSmall nerves in CANVAS probably reflect nerve thinning from loss of axons due to ganglion cell loss. This is distinct from the ultrasound findings in axonal neuropathy, in which nerve size was either normal or enlarged. Our findings indicate a diagnostic role for ultrasound in CANVAS sensory neuronopathy and in differentiating neuronopathy from neuropathy.
Life histories and soil water content preferences of sympatric exotic and native terrestrial isopods
Authors: Tanaka Ryutaro , Karasawa Shigenori 
Published: January 2018

AbstractExotic species have negative effects on the ecosystems they enter, but often coexist with native species. Clarifying mechanisms behind the coexistence of native and exotic species is important for evaluating effects of such exotic species on native ecosystems. In Japan, at least seven terrestrial isopod species are considered exotic and some have been found with native species. The mechanisms of their coexistence have never been researched. This study examines the hypothesis that an exotic isopod species, Armadillidium vulgare, and native Mongoloniscus koreanus differ in their life histories and soil water content preferences, and that these differences facilitate their coexistence. Field observation revealed that populations of the two species were stably maintained despite large overlap in their life histories and breeding periods, although A. vulgare showed more variability in some aspects of life history than M. koreanus. Two types of choice experiments were carried out to identify their preferences for soil water content levels. The “alone” experiment, where one individual was used per experimental box, showed that the two species were different in preference for soil water content. However, the “group” experiment, where ten individuals of the two species (five of each species) were used per experimental box, suggested that A. vulgare changed its preference from when it was alone, showing preference similar to that of the M. koreanus individuals in the same box. Thus, we concluded that the two species can coexist at the study site, but that the hypothesized mechanisms for their coexistence were not proven in this study.
Mood disorders in familial epilepsy: A test of shared etiology
Authors: Insel Beverly J. , Ottman Ruth , Heiman Gary A. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryObjectiveMood disorders are the most common comorbid conditions in epilepsy, but the cause remains unclear. One possible explanation is a shared genetic susceptibility to epilepsy and mood disorders. We tested this hypothesis by evaluating lifetime prevalence of mood disorders in relatives with and without epilepsy in families containing multiple individuals with epilepsy, and comparing the findings with rates from a general population sample.MethodsThe Composite International Diagnostic Interview was administered to 192 individuals from 60 families, including 110 participants with epilepsy of unknown cause (50 focal epilepsy [FE], 42 generalized epilepsy [GE], 6 FE and GE, 12 unclassifiable) and 82 relatives without epilepsy (RWOE). Odds ratios (ORs) for lifetime prevalence of mood disorders in participants with versus without epilepsy were computed through logistic regression, using generalized estimation equations to account for familial clustering. Standardized prevalence ratios (SPRs) were used to compare prevalence in family members with general population rates.ResultsCompared with RWOE, ORs for mood disorders were significantly increased in participants with FE (OR = 2.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1‐5.2) but not in those with GE (OR = 1.0, 95% CI = 0.4‐2.2). In addition, prevalence of mood disorders was increased in individuals with epilepsy who had ≥1 relative with FE. Compared with general population rates, mood disorders were significantly increased in individuals with FE but not in those with GE. Rates were also increased in RWOE, but not significantly so (SPR = 1.4, P = .14).SignificanceThese findings are consistent with the hypothesis of shared genetic susceptibility to epilepsy and mood disorders, but suggest (1) the effect may be restricted to FE, and (2) the shared genetic effect on risk of mood disorders and epilepsy may be restricted to individuals with epilepsy, that is, to those in whom the genetic risk for epilepsy is “penetrant.”
Inferring dominance interactions from automatically recorded temporal data
Authors: Evans Julian C. , Devost Isabelle , Jones Teri B. , Morand‐Ferron Julie 
Published: January 2018

AbstractUnderstanding dominance hierarchies is an important aspect of many studies of animal groups. Collecting the necessary data requires a large amount of time and effort to detect only a small number of interactions. Here, we assess the viability of extracting interactions from a temporal data stream of arrival and departures to a feeder equipped with a radio‐frequency identifier antenna. We show that the interactions extracted from this type of data can create similar dominance hierarchies to those produced by analysing video data of interactions. Additionally, we assessed the amount of temporal data required to obtain a dominance hierarchy and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of utilising temporal data streams to generate dominance hierarchies of animal groups. The code to extract the dominance interactions and test the correlation between different dominance hierarchies is included in the Supporting Information.
Diversity from genes to ecosystems: A unifying framework to study variation across biological metrics and scales
Authors: Gaggiotti Oscar E. , Chao Anne , Peres‐Neto Pedro , Chiu Chun‐Huo , Edwards Christine , Fortin Marie‐Josée , Jost Lou , Richards Christopher M. , Selkoe Kimberly A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBiological diversity is a key concept in the life sciences and plays a fundamental role in many ecological and evolutionary processes. Although biodiversity is inherently a hierarchical concept covering different levels of organization (genes, population, species, ecological communities and ecosystems), a diversity index that behaves consistently across these different levels has so far been lacking, hindering the development of truly integrative biodiversity studies. To fill this important knowledge gap, we present a unifying framework for the measurement of biodiversity across hierarchical levels of organization. Our weighted, information‐based decomposition framework is based on a Hill number of order q = 1, which weights all elements in proportion to their frequency and leads to diversity measures based on Shannon's entropy. We investigated the numerical behaviour of our approach with simulations and showed that it can accurately describe complex spatial hierarchical structures. To demonstrate the intuitive and straightforward interpretation of our diversity measures in terms of effective number of components (alleles, species, etc.), we applied the framework to a real data set on coral reef biodiversity. We expect our framework will have multiple applications covering the fields of conservation biology, community genetics and eco‐evolutionary dynamics.
Gay Fathers on the Margins: Race, Class, Marital Status, and Pathway to Parenthood
Authors: Carroll Megan 
Published: January 2018

ObjectiveTo investigate stratification within gay fatherhood communities.BackgroundAs laws and attitudes have become friendlier to queer families in recent decades, gay fathers have experienced increased visibility in and through both media and scholarship. However, this visibility has been distributed unevenly along normative patterns of marital status, race, class, and kinship.MethodParticipant observation of gay fathers groups was conducted in California, Texas, and Utah over a period of 61 months. Using theoretical sampling of group members, 56 gay fathers also participated in semistructured interviews. Themes were identified and refined through a 3‐stage iterative coding process, consistent with a grounded theory approach.ResultsFindings suggest that single gay fathers, gay fathers of color, and gay fathers who had children in heterosexual contexts occupy marginalized statuses within the gay fatherhood community. Gay fathers develop distinct mechanisms of resilience to respond to the challenges associated with their marginalization.ConclusionThe experiences of gay fathers on the margins highlight the negative consequences of gay fatherhood discourses that reproduce family normativity. The resources available through gay parenting groups simultaneously played a role in gay fathers' well‐being, resilience, and marginalization.ImplicationsEfforts to expand opportunities for gay families should consider coalitions with other marginalized family forms. Gay parents who had children in heterosexual unions should be specifically targeted through gay parenting outreach.
Science to support the management of riverine flows
Authors: Stoffels Rick J. , Bond Nick R. , Nicol Sam 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

The last two decades has seen introduction or reform of water legislation in many river basins of the world, and river managers are under increasing pressure to make effective and efficient flow management decisions. To support those decisions, the roles that freshwater scientists must fulfil are rapidly evolving, and now is a good time to ask: What roles must scientists fulfil to best support those decisions? What are the major barriers to seeing those roles fulfilled? How can those barriers be removed?

We offer potential answers to these questions. To ensure our arguments are grounded within real policy and decision problems, they are framed within the context of Australia's Murray‐Darling Basin Plan—legislation to guide the management of environmental flows—and its associated Watering Strategy. These problems are not unique, so the challenges and solutions we identify have broader applicability to flow management. Indeed, many of the policy and decision problems we present are common to all ecosystem types, so our arguments will likely be applicable beyond freshwater ecosystems.

We argue that scientists must fulfil four roles to support flows management: (1) Monitoring and evaluation of ecosystems to support scientifically defensible reporting of outcomes, and to reduce uncertainty through adaptive management. (2) Modelling to support spatial and temporal projections of ecosystem change under different flow scenarios, resulting in more effective management decisions; improved causal inference about flow effects; identification of threats to the efficacy of flow management; and scaling flow‐response dynamics to broader spatial extents. (3) Fundamental research, resulting in improved outcomes through the identification of non‐flow management interventions that work in synergy with environmental flows and improved understanding of the ecological limitations of current policy. (4) Decision science, leading to more defensible environmental flow decisions and more efficient use of resources.

We identify key barriers specific to each role and offer possible remedies. We argue that a major impediment to seeing these roles fulfilled is the ad hoc nature of much of the current research effort. Investment in research must (1) be developed at the basin scale, to ensure science supports decision problems that span multiple scales; (2) be developed as a collaboration between all stakeholders to ensure that science investments remain aligned with decision problems; (3) recognise the need to build and maintain technical capacity within the four roles.