bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The evolution of male‐biased sexual size dimorphism is associated with increased body size plasticity in males
Authors: Rohner Patrick T. , Teder Tiit , Esperk Toomas , Lüpold Stefan , Blanckenhorn Wolf U. 
Published: October 2017

Abstract

Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) can vary drastically across environments, demonstrating pronounced sex‐specific plasticity. In insects, females are usually the larger and more plastic sex. However, the shortage of taxa with male‐biased SSD hampers the assessment of whether the greater plasticity in females is driven by selection on size or represents an effect of the female reproductive role. Here, we specifically address the role of sex‐specific plasticity of body size in the evolution of SSD reversals to disentangle sex and size effects.

We first investigate sex‐specific body size plasticity in Sepsis punctum and Sepsis neocynipsea as two independent cases of intraspecific SSD reversals in sepsid flies. In both species, directional variation in SSD between populations is driven by stronger sexual selection on male size. Using controlled laboratory breeding, we find evidence for sex‐specific plasticity and increased condition dependence of male size in populations with male‐biased SSD, but not of female size in populations with female‐biased SSD.

To extend the comparative scope, we next estimate sex‐specific body size plasticity in eight additional fly species that differ in the direction of SSD under laboratory conditions. In all species with male‐biased SSD we find males to be the more plastic sex, while this was only rarely the case in species with female‐biased SSD, thus suggesting a more general trend in Diptera.

To examine the generality of this pattern in holometabolous insects, we combine our data with data from the literature in a meta‐analysis. Again, male body size tends to be more plastic than female size when males are the larger sex, though female size is now also generally more plastic when females are larger.

Our findings indicate that primarily selection on size, rather than the reproductive role per se, drives the evolution of sex‐specific body size plasticity. However, sepsid flies, and possibly Diptera in general, show a clear sexual asymmetry with greater male than female plasticity related to SSD, likely driven by strong sexual selection on males. Although further research controlling for phylogenetic and ecological confounding effects is needed, our findings are congruent with theory in suggesting that condition dependence plays a pivotal role in the evolution of sexual size dimorphism.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Warm northern river temperatures increase post‐exercise fatigue in an Arctic migratory salmonid but not in a temperate relative
Authors: Gilbert Matthew J. H. , Tierney Keith B. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe Arctic is warming at twice the global average rate; how native and non‐native anadromous fishes will respond remains largely unknown. Some native Arctic salmonids are already experiencing warm (>21°C), physically challenging migratory river conditions and large diurnal temperature fluctuations (>10°C).We conducted field and laboratory experiments to determine how these extreme conditions may affect the capacity for migration in Arctic and temperate salmonids.In adult migratory Arctic char, reflex impairment following a handling challenge increased with temperature, indicating more extensive fatigue. In Arctic char smolts, temperature did not affect initial critical swimming performance (Umax1), however, there was a threshold for repeat swimming performance (Umax2) near 20°C, above which recovery was impaired.Following a simulated diurnal warming scenario (11–21°C),Umax1increased in rainbow trout and remained constant in Arctic char as in the field whileUmax2remained constant in rainbow trout it was drastically reduced in Arctic char. Furthermore, at warm temperatures, Arctic char were unable to recover to routine levels of oxygen uptake after exercise, while rainbow trout were. Warming also had more pronounced effects on blood composition and plasma glucose and lactate concentration in Arctic char than in rainbow trout.In general, rainbow trout, a temperate salmonid, had superior swimming performance, aerobic capacity, and warm tolerance than Arctic char, an Arctic salmonid.The present flow and temperature regimes in some Arctic rivers may restrict migration of native salmonids by limiting their ability to recover from fatiguing exercise. Non‐native, temperate salmonids are likely better suited to overcome these particular physical and thermal challenges.Aplain language summaryis available for this article.
Manipulating the system: How large herbivores control bottom‐up regulation of grasslands
Authors: Frank Douglas A. , Wallen Rick L. , Hamilton E. William , White Patrick J. , Fridley Jason D. 
Published: October 2017

Abstract

Decades of grazing studies have identified a number of key plant and soil processes affected by large herbivores and how those grazer effects vary among different grassland types. However, there remains little mechanistic understanding about how the effects of grazers on plants and soils may be biogeochemically linked in regulating grassland processes.

Here we measured monthly plant and soil variables, including soil moisture, soil nitrogen (N) availability, plant biomass, shoot N concentration and plant production, in grazed and ungrazed (fenced) grasslands during the 2012–2014 growing seasons. Measurements were used to assess direct and indirect biogeochemical pathways by which grazers influenced net above‐ground plant production (NAP) in dry and mesic grasslands in Yellowstone National Park (YNP).

Herbivores only had direct effects on plant variables at the dry grassland compared to direct and indirect effects on both plant and soil variables at the mesic grassland. By enhancing leaf N content at both grasslands, grazers shifted the resource controlling NAP from N in ungrazed grassland to moisture, and potentially phosphorus and/or other soil nutrients, in grazed grassland.

Synthesis. These results indicate the mechanistic linkage between top‐down (herbivore) and bottom‐up (soil resource) control of grassland production. Changing the resources that limit net above‐ground plant production (NAP) likely has a profound impact on how grazed vs. ungrazed Yellowstone National Park (YNP) grasslands respond to environmental (e.g., climate, atmospheric N deposition) variability. Because grazing enhances leaf N among many types of grasslands, increasing the sensitivity of plant production to the availability of moisture and nutrients other than N may be a general response of grasslands to grazing.
The mechanism of attenuation of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition by a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor via renal klotho expression
Authors: Han Seung T , Kim Jae S , Lee Jun Y , Kim Min K , Yoo Jin S , Han Byoung G , Choi Seung O , Yang Jae W 
Published: October 2017

SummaryPhosphodiesterase‐5 (PDE‐5) inhibitors induces vasodilation in several organs by blocking cyclic GMP (guanosine monophosphate) degradation. However, the existence of alternative mechanism of action in case of an impaired nitric oxide (NO) system remains controversial. Previous studies suggested that decreased NO bioavailability may result in the downregulation of klotho expression, but the relationship between klotho and NO remains obscure. Therefore, we investigated whether a PDE‐5 inhibitor could preserve epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and relationship exists between the NO and renal klotho expression. Ten‐week‐old SD rats (N = 24, 200 g, male) were divided (N = 6) into four groups, which received: A LSD, L‐NAME 1 mg/mL in drinking water, Udenafil 5 mg/kg subcutaneously and both for 4 weeks. Urine nitrate/nitrite, NGAL (Neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin), and cGMP were measured using ELISA. Kidney was subjected to evaluate PCNA (proliferative cell nuclear antigen), α‐SMA (smooth muscle cell antigen), E‐cadherin, and klotho expression. Urine cGMP decreased after treatment of PDE‐5 inhibitor compared with control due to blocking degradation of cGMP (P < .05, control vs Udenafil and L‐NAME with Udenafil groups). Urine NGAL increased after treating of L‐NAME and attenuated after using PDE‐5 inhibitor (P < .05, control vs L‐NAME and L‐NAME with Udenafil). PCNA, α‐SMA, and E‐cadherin (EMT markers) increased after L‐NAME treatment and normalized after using PDE‐5 inhibitor. Klotho expression showed trend to increase in the L‐NAME with PDE‐5 inhibitor group compared with the L‐NAME group, however, eNOS expression did not change after treatment of L‐NAME or PDE‐5 inhibitor compared with control. PDE‐5 inhibitor alleviates EMT in the kidney via klotho modulation independent of the NO system.
Vibrio vulnificus: new insights into a deadly opportunistic pathogen
Authors: Baker‐Austin Craig , Oliver James D. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryVibrio vulnificus is a Gram‐negative aquatic bacterium first isolated by the United States (US) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1964. This bacterium is part of the normal microbiota of estuarine waters and occurs in high numbers in molluscan shellfish around the world, particularly in warmer months. Infections in humans are derived from consumption of seafood produce and from water exposure. Vibrio vulnificus is a striking and enigmatic human pathogen, yet many aspects related to its biology, genomics, virulence capabilities and epidemiology remain elusive and poorly understood. This pathogen is responsible for over 95% of seafood‐related deaths in the United States, and carries the highest fatality rate of any food‐borne pathogen. Indeed, infections associated with this pathogen that progress to primary septicaemia have a similar case fatality rate to category BSL 3 and 4 pathogens, such as anthrax, bubonic plague, Ebola and Marburg fever. Interestingly, V. vulnificus infections disproportionately affect males (∼85% of cases) and older patients (> 40 years), especially those with underlying conditions such as liver diseases, diabetes and immune disorders. New insights from molecular studies and comparative genomic approaches have offered tantalising insights into this pathogen. A recent increase and geographical spread in reported infections, in particular wound cases, underlines the growing international importance of V. vulnificus, particularly in the context of coastal warming. We outline and explore here a range of current data gaps regarding this important pathogen, and provide some current thoughts on approaches to elucidate key aspects associated with this bacterium.
Tropical soils are a reservoir for fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. biodiversity
Authors: Lopes Lucas Dantas , Davis Edward W. , Pereira e Silva Michele de C. , Weisberg Alexandra J. , Bresciani Luana , Chang Jeff H. , Loper Joyce E. , Andreote Fernando D. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryFluorescent Pseudomonas spp. are widely studied for their beneficial activities to plants. To explore the genetic diversity of Pseudomonas spp. in tropical regions, we collected 76 isolates from a Brazilian soil. Genomes were sequenced and compared to known strains, mostly collected from temperate regions. Phylogenetic analyses classified the isolates in the P. fluorescens (57) and P. putida (19) groups. Among the isolates in the P. fluorescens group, most (37) were classified in the P. koreensis subgroup and two in the P. jessenii subgroup. The remaining 18 isolates fell into two phylogenetic subclades distinct from currently recognized P. fluorescens subgroups, and probably represent new subgroups. Consistent with their phylogenetic distance from described subgroups, the genome sequences of strains in these subclades are asyntenous to the genome sequences of members of their neighbour subgroups. The tropical isolates have several functional genes also present in known fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. strains. However, members of the new subclades share exclusive genes not detected in other subgroups, pointing to the potential for novel functions. Additionally, we identified 12 potential new species among the 76 isolates from the tropical soil. The unexplored diversity found in the tropical soil is possibly related to biogeographical patterns.
Survey Under‐Coverage of Top Incomes and Estimation of Inequality: What is the Role of the UK's SPI Adjustment?
Authors: Burkhauser Richard V. , Hérault Nicolas , Jenkins Stephen P. , Wilkins Roger 
Published: October 2017

AbstractSurvey under‐coverage of top incomes leads to bias in survey‐based estimates of overall income inequality. Using income tax record data in combination with survey data is a potential approach to address the problem; we consider here the UK's pioneering ‘SPI adjustment’ method that implements this idea. Since 1992, the principal income distribution series (reported annually in Households Below Average Income) has been based on household survey data in which the incomes of a small number of ‘very rich’ individuals are adjusted using information from ‘very rich’ individuals in personal income tax return data. We explain what the procedure involves, reveal the extent to which it addresses survey under‐coverage of top incomes and show how it affects estimates of overall income inequality. More generally, we assess whether the SPI adjustment is fit for purpose and consider whether variants of it could be employed by other countries.
Studies on the aerobic utilization of synthesis gas (syngas) by wild type and recombinant strains of Ralstonia eutropha H16
Authors: Heinrich Daniel , Raberg Matthias , Steinbüchel Alexander 
Published: October 2017

SummaryThe biotechnical platform strain Ralstonia eutropha H16 was genetically engineered to express a cox subcluster of the carboxydotrophic Oligotropha carboxidovoransOM5, including (i) the structural genes coxM, ‐S and ‐L, coding for an aerobic carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH) and (ii) the genes coxD, ‐E, ‐F and ‐G, essential for the maturation of CODH. The coxOc genes expressed under control of the CO2‐inducible promoter PL enabled R. eutropha to oxidize CO to CO2 for the use as carbon source, as demonstrated by 13CO experiments, but the recombinant strains remained dependent on H2 as external energy supply. Therefore, a synthetic metabolism, which could be described as ‘carboxyhydrogenotrophic’, was established in R. eutropha. With this extension of the bacterium's substrate range, growth in CO‐, H2‐ and CO2‐containing artificial synthesis gas atmosphere was enhanced, and poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) synthesis was increased by more than 20%.
Which seed origin provides better tolerance to flooding and drought when restoring to face climate change?
Authors: Bustos‐Salazar Angela , Smith‐Ramírez Cecilia , Zúñiga‐Feest Alejandra , Alves Fernanda , Ivanovich Rodrigo 
Published: October 2017

AbstractOur goal was to establish the tolerance to flooding and drought of seedlings from a hydric gradient of different seed sources to provide recommendations for forest restoration in the face of climate change. We used Drimys winteri var. chilensis, a tree species that grows from extreme arid zones to wetlands along Chile, as the study subject. We expected that seedlings of xeric origin would perform better in drought conditions than populations from moist environments, and vice versa for flooding tolerance. We collected D. winteri seeds from xeric, mesic and wet environments. Seedlings at two development stages were submitted to an extreme flooding and drought treatment during 2 or 4 months in a common garden. After the flooding and drought assays finished, the number of surviving and damaged seedlings, lenticels and adventitious root presence, height, new leaves and specific leaf area, shoot/root ratio, water potential and/or chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), were recorded. We found that flooding and drought affected almost all the parameters studied negatively. The xeric population seedlings, at both development stages studied, were the most tolerant to the drought and, unexpectedly, also to the flooding treatment. We recommend restoring with seedlings of xeric origin especially in arid areas where sudden flooding is frequent, as occurs in the Andes Mountains. In the face of climate change, we recommend carrying out common garden and field studies before advising which population origin should be used for restoration, since they do not always respond in accordance with expected patterns of local adaptation.
Functional and phylogenetic dimensions are more important than the taxonomic dimension for capturing variation in stream fish communities
Authors: Nakamura Gabriel , Vicentin Wagner , Súarez Yzel Rondon 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBiodiversity is inherently multidimensional in nature, differences in evolutionary history, attributes of species, taxonomic composition constitutes a small fraction of whole variation present in this multidimensional space. Despite its multidimensional characteristic, biodiversity has been traditionally measured by assessing its dimensions separately through metrics of diversity. However, assessing multiple dimensions in a common framework opens the possibility of answering interesting questions that, until now, are poorly understood, such as: What dimensions capture most of the variation present in biodiversity among communities? We assess this question by extending the framework of Importance Values (IVs) to three dimensions of variation in biodiversity, functional, taxonomic and phylogenetic, and evaluate which of these captures the most variation in biodiversity space. To address this question we used data from stream fish communities of the Ivinhema River Basin in Brazil. We found that functional and phylogenetic dimensions are more important than the taxonomic dimension (represented by richness) in capturing variation in the biodiversity space formed by these three dimensions together. Furthermore, the IVs of these three dimensions were similar along an altitudinal gradient, indicating similar contributions by a given dimension in different environmental conditions. We highlight the importance of adopting a multidimensional approach when describing biodiversity, since richness (the proxy for taxonomic dimension), despite being the most commonly used, is an incomplete surrogate to capture the variation present in the biodiversity space of stream fish communities.
Investigating the demographics and intrapopulation spatial patterns of the endangered Cycas megacarpa K.D.Hill in central Queensland, Australia
Authors: Etherington Rohan , Jeffers Bradley , Grigg Lainie , Paddock Alex 
Published: October 2017

AbstractCycads are threatened globally due to land clearing and unsustainable harvesting impacting upon long‐living mature plants that are essential for population viability. Cycas megacarpa K.D.Hill is an endangered cycad endemic to central Queensland, Australia. Populations of this species have been impacted by recent infrastructure projects resulting in translocation of individuals to ameliorate losses. Translocations require an understanding of the species demographics and intrapopulation spatial distributions to inform planting design. This project studied the demography and spatial patterns of a population of C. megacarpa (≈5600 individuals) within a 96.3 ha area in central Queensland to design a translocation planting that replicates a healthy population. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the demography of the population. Spatial Point Pattern Analyses (SPPA) were used to determine if the population's spatial arrangement departed from complete spatial randomness across height, gender classes and between female and juvenile cycads. We found this population to possess a 1:1 ratio of male and female cycads. However, male C. megacarpa were on average ≈0.5 m shorter than female cycads and reached reproductive maturity at shorter heights. SPPA found this population of C. megacarpa to be clustered irrespective of height or gender. A significant spatial relationship was detected between female and juvenile cycads. The results of this study suggest that to replicate a healthy C. megacarpa population, the translocated cycads could be planted in a clustered spatial pattern with known male and female individuals distributed through the clusters at a 1:1 ratio.
Delirium care: Real‐world solutions to real‐world problems
Authors: Eeles Eamonn , McCrow Judy , Teodorczuk Andrew , Caplan Gideon A 
Published: October 2017

ObjectivesImplementation research into delirium care is lacking. Exploiting known practice barriers to understand what management strategies work best in delirium is a means of prioritising care interventions. A consensus approach to determining priority interventions in delirium was derived and related to reference standards in health‐care practice.MethodsA workshop of 20 experts was held at the Australasian Delirium Association conference 2016. Structured small group work, iterative ranking and a 21‐member check were undertaken to (i) explore research barriers in delirium care; (ii) explore how barriers related to individual items of multicomponent interventions; and (iii) rank multicomponent interventions in relation to each statement within the newly released Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care delirium standard.ResultsTop‐ranking interventions included the following: education and training, comprehensive geriatric assessment, family partnerships, individualised care and multidisciplinary engagement.ConclusionDelirium experts identified a minimum standard of any care intervention for delirium.
Trends in the incidence rate, type and treatment of surgically verified endometriosis – a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Saavalainen Liisu , Tikka Tuulia , But Anna , Gissler Mika , Haukka Jari , Tiitinen Aila , Härkki Päivi , Heikinheimo Oskari 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIntroductionTo study the trends in incidence rate, type and surgical treatment, and patient characteristics of surgically verified endometriosis during 1987–2012.Material and methodsThis is a register‐based cohort study. We identified women receiving their first diagnosis of endometriosis in surgery from the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register (FHDR). Quality of the FHDR records was assessed bidirectionally. The age‐standardized incidence rates of the first surgically verified endometriosis was assessed by calendar year.ResultsThe cohort comprises 49 956 women. The quality assessment suggested the FHDR data to be of good quality. The most common diagnosis, ovarian endometriosis (46%), was associated with highest median age 38.5 years (interquartile range 31.0–44.8) and the second most common diagnosis, peritoneal endometriosis (40%), with median age 34.9 years (28.6–41.7). Between 1987 and 2012, a decrease was observed in the median age, from 38.8 (32.3–43.6) to 34.0 (28.9–41.0) years, and in the age‐standardized incidence rate from 116 [95% confidence interval (CI) 112–121] to 45 (42–48) per 100 000 women. The proportion of hysterectomy as a first surgical treatment decreased from 38 to 19%, whereas that of laparoscopy increased from 42 to 73% when comparing 1987–1995 with 1996–2012.ConclusionsThis nationwide cohort of surgically verified endometriosis showed a decrease in the incidence rate and in the patient age at the time of first diagnosis, even though the proportion of laparoscopy has increased. The number of hysterectomies has decreased. These changes are likely to reflect the evolving diagnostics, increasing awareness of endometriosis, and effective use of medical treatment before surgery.