bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dynamic, spatial models of parasite transmission in wildlife: Their structure, applications and remaining challenges
Authors: White Lauren A. , Forester James D. , Craft Meggan E. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIndividual differences in contact rate can arise from host, group and landscape heterogeneity and can result in different patterns of spatial spread for diseases in wildlife populations with concomitant implications for disease control in wildlife of conservation concern, livestock and humans. While dynamic disease models can provide a better understanding of the drivers of spatial spread, the effects of landscape heterogeneity have only been modelled in a few well‐studied wildlife systems such as rabies and bovine tuberculosis. Such spatial models tend to be either purely theoretical with intrinsic limiting assumptions or individual‐based models that are often highly species‐ and system‐specific, limiting the breadth of their utility.Our goal was to review studies that have utilized dynamic, spatial models to answer questions about pathogen transmission in wildlife and identify key gaps in the literature. We begin by providing an overview of the main types of dynamic, spatial models (e.g., metapopulation, network, lattice, cellular automata, individual‐based and continuous‐space) and their relation to each other. We investigate different types of ecological questions that these models have been used to explore: pathogen invasion dynamics and range expansion, spatial heterogeneity and pathogen persistence, the implications of management and intervention strategies and the role of evolution in host–pathogen dynamics.We reviewed 168 studies that consider pathogen transmission in free‐ranging wildlife and classify them by the model type employed, the focal host–pathogen system, and their overall research themes and motivation. We observed a significant focus on mammalian hosts, a few well‐studied or purely theoretical pathogen systems, and a lack of studies occurring at the wildlife‐public health or wildlife–livestock interfaces.Finally, we discuss challenges and future directions in the context of unprecedented human‐mediated environmental change. Spatial models may provide new insights into understanding, for example, how global warming and habitat disturbance contribute to disease maintenance and emergence. Moving forward, better integration of dynamic, spatial disease models with approaches from movement ecology, landscape genetics/genomics and ecoimmunology may provide new avenues for investigation and aid in the control of zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases.
Dietary niche variation and its relationship to lizard population density
Authors: Novosolov Maria , Rodda Gordon H. , Gainsbury Alison M. , Meiri Shai 
Published: September 2017

Abstract

Insular species are predicted to broaden their niches, in response to having fewer competitors. They can thus exploit a greater proportion of the resource spectrum. In turn, broader niches are hypothesized to facilitate (or be a consequence of) increased population densities.

We tested whether insular lizards have broader dietary niches than mainland species, how it relates to competitor and predator richness, and the nature of the relationship between population density and dietary niche breadth.

We collected population density and dietary niche breadth data for 36 insular and 59 mainland lizard species, and estimated competitor and predator richness at the localities where diet data were collected. We estimated dietary niche shift by comparing island species to their mainland relatives. We controlled for phylogenetic relatedness, body mass and the size of the plots over which densities were estimated.

We found that island and mainland species had similar niche breadths. Dietary niche breadth was unrelated to competitor and predator richness, on both islands and the mainland. Population density was unrelated to dietary niche breadth across island and mainland populations.

Our results indicate that dietary generalism is not an effective way of increasing population density nor is it result of lower competitive pressure. A lower variety of resources on islands may prevent insular animals from increasing their niche breadths even in the face of few competitors.
Inhibitory effect of the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline on voltage‐dependent K+ channels in rabbit coronary arterial smooth muscle cells
Authors: Li Hongliang , Shin Sung Eun , Seo Mi Seon , An Jin Ryeol , Ha Kwon‐Soo , Han Eun‐Taek , Hong Seok‐Ho , Choi Il‐Whan , Lee Dae‐Sung , Yim Mi‐Jin , Lee Jeong Min , Jung In Duk , Firth Amy L. , Han Il Yong , Park Won Sun 
Published: September 2017

SummaryAmitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) drug, is widely used in treatment of psychiatric disorders. However, the side effects of amitriptyline on vascular K+ channels remain to be determined. Therefore, we investigated the effect of the tricyclic antidepressant and serotonin reuptake inhibitor amitriptyline on voltage‐dependent K+ (Kv) channels in freshly isolated rabbit coronary arterial smooth muscle cells, using the whole‐cell patch clamp technique. The Kv current amplitudes were inhibited by amitriptyline in a concentration‐dependent manner, with an apparent IC50 value of 2.2 ± 0.14 μmol/L and a Hill coefficient of 0.87 ± 0.03. Amitriptyline shifted the activation curve to a more positive potential, but had no significant effect on the inactivation curve, suggesting that amitriptyline altered the voltage sensitivity of Kv channels. Pretreatment with Kv1.5 and Kv1.2 channel inhibitors did not alter the inhibitory effect of amitriptyline on Kv channels. Additionally, application of train pulses (1 and 2 Hz) did not affect amitriptyline‐induced inhibition of Kv currents, which suggested that the action of amitriptyline on Kv channels was not use (state)‐dependent. From these results, we concluded that amitriptyline inhibited the channels in a concentration‐dependent, but state‐independent manner.
RhPDCD5 combined with dexamethasone increases antitumor activity in multiple myeloma partially via inhibiting the Wnt signalling pathway
Authors: Cheng Qian , Liu Liping , Fu Yunfeng , Zhang Yanan , Yang Ye , Liu Jing 
Published: September 2017

SummaryMultiple myeloma (MM) is one of the most common hematological malignancies and characterized by the clonal accumulation of malignant plasma cells. Significant progress has been made in MM treatment recently, while MM still remains incurable. Our previous studies showed that the recombined human programmed cell death 5 (rhPDCD5) can promote MM apoptosis induced by dexamethasone (Dex). Here, we expanded the findings by showing that the rhPDCD5 alone could not induce an obvious growth inhibition of U266 cells (a MM cell line). Of note, with the combination of dexamethasone (Dex), the growth of MM cells was significantly inhibited and accompanied with the cell cycle arrest in G0/G1. For mechanism study, we found that the combination treatment of rhPDCD5 plus Dex downregulated the mRNA and protein expressions of Wnt effectors including β‐catenin, β‐catenin (Ser675), TCF4, survivin and c‐Myc when compared to Dex only. Moreover, the activation of WNT pathway induced by LiCl can also be inhibited by this combination treatment. Taken together, our study demonstrated that the combination of rhPDCD5 and Dex can suppress the proliferation of multiple myeloma cells partially via inhibiting the WNT signalling pathway.
Does Spatial Dependence Affect the Intention to Make Land Available for Bioenergy Crops?
Authors: Skevas Theodoros , Skevas Ioannis , Swinton Scott M. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWe find spatial dependence in landowners’ stated intentions to make land available for bioenergy crops. Our data are generated from a contingent valuation survey of 599 owners of marginal land in southern Michigan. Employing a Bayesian framework and using these spatially explicit data, we estimate and compare non‐spatial probit and spatial Durbin probit models to examine the presence of spatial dependence in land rental intentions. Results show that intentions to rent land for bioenergy crop production are spatially dependent. This spatial dependence arises both from the land supply intentions of nearby landowners and from spatial spillover effects of landowner characteristics and attitudes towards environmental amenities and the disamenities of land rental. We show that ignoring spatial dependence in the intentions of neighbouring landowners to participate in land rental markets for bioenergy feedstocks can lead to distortions that underestimate total effects. Our finding implies that studies of land use and crop supply should test for spatial interactions in order to make accurate inferences.
TESTING THE TRANSITIVITY OF REPORTED RISK PERCEPTIONS: EVIDENCE OF COHERENT ARBITRARINESS
Authors: THOMAS KYLE J. , HAMILTON BENJAMIN C. , LOUGHRAN THOMAS A. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAn often implicit assumption of perceptual deterrence tests is that the elicited values pertaining to arrest risk reflect stable underlying beliefs. But researchers in other disciplines have found that reported expectations are highly susceptible to exogenous factors (e.g., anchors and question ordering), indicating that such values are somewhat arbitrary responses to probabilistic questions. At the same time, reported expectations are coherent within persons, such that respondents rank order them rationally. For deterrence, then, absolute values reported on arrest risks are likely not stable but individuals still rank order specific crimes in meaningful ways. We examine the interpretability of reported arrest risk for three possibilities: 1) Reported risks are stable probabilistic values; 2) reported risks are arbitrary and uninformative for deterrence research; or 3) reported risks display “coherent arbitrariness” with unstable values between individuals but stable rank ordering of crimes within individuals. Through the use of three random experiments of college students, our results indicate that elicited risk perceptions are arbitrary in that they are influenced by the presentation of anchors and question ordering. Nevertheless, the rank ordering of crimes within and across conditions is unaffected by the presentation of anchors, suggesting that reported risks are locally coherent within persons.
Community‐based survey of knowledge of, attitudes to and practice of colorectal cancer screening in Hong Kong
Authors: Wong Grace Ching Yin , Lee Ka Yu , Lam Kwok Fai , Fan Susan Yun Sun 
Published: September 2017

OBJECTIVEWe aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practice of colorectal cancer (CRC) and screening in the community to complement the introduction of population‐based CRC screening in Hong Kong SAR, China.METHODSClients attending the Family Planning Association of Hong Kong clinics from March to June 2016 were randomly invited to participate in this questionnaire survey.RESULTSKnowledge of CRC and screening for it was still deficient in the community. Respondents scored less than half on their knowledge of the symptoms and screening methods of CRC as well as on the local screening policy. Fewer than 30% knew that CRC can be asymptomatic and they had insufficient knowledge of primary lifestyle prevention of CRC. However, most (86.0%) would like to participate in CRC screening. The cost and trouble involved were the two main reasons given for not wanting to do so. Only 14.0% of the whole sample and 27.0% of those aged 50 years or above had undergone CRC screening irrespective of screening method. One‐fifth of those who had been screened had some abnormality, with a cancer detection rate of 2.2%. Employment, income, knowledge and perception of risk were major determinants of their decision to undergo screening.CONCLUSIONSTo reduce the morbidity and mortality of CRC significantly, average risk and high‐risk groups should be encouraged to come forward for screening even if they are asymptomatic. Educating the population, simplifying the screening procedure and offering financial support by the government are keys to success.
The Prospective Association Between Internalizing Symptoms and Adolescent Alcohol Involvement and the Moderating Role of Age and Externalizing Symptoms
Authors: Colder Craig R. , Shyhalla Kathleen , Frndak Seth , Read Jennifer P. , Lengua Liliana J. , Hawk Larry W. , Wieczorek William F. 
Published: September 2017

BackgroundAs predicted by self‐medication theories that drinking is motivated by a desire to ameliorate emotional distress, some studies find internalizing symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression) increase risk of adolescent drinking; however, such a risk effect has not been supported consistently. Our prior work examined externalizing symptoms as a potential moderator of the association between internalizing symptoms and adolescent alcohol use to explain some of the inconsistencies in the literature. We found that internalizing symptoms were protective against early adolescent alcohol use particularly for youth elevated on externalizing symptoms (a 2‐way interaction). Our sample has now been followed for several additional assessments that extend into young adulthood, and the current study tests whether the protective effect of internalizing symptoms may change as youth age into young adulthood, and whether this age‐moderating effect varied across different clusters of internalizing symptoms (social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and depression). Internalizing symptoms were hypothesized to shift from a protective factor to a risk factor with age, particularly for youth elevated on externalizing symptoms.MethodsA community sample of 387 adolescents was followed for 9 annual assessments (mean age = 12.1 years at the first assessment and 55% female). Multilevel cross‐lagged 2‐part zero‐inflated Poisson models were used to test hypotheses.ResultsThe most robust moderating effects were for levels of alcohol use, such that the protective effect of all internalizing symptom clusters was most evident in the context of moderate to high levels of externalizing problems. A risk effect of internalizing symptoms was evident at low levels of externalizing symptoms. With age, the risk and protective effects of internalizing symptoms were evident at less extreme levels of externalizing behavior. With respect to alcohol‐related problems, findings did not support age moderation for generalized anxiety or depression, but it was supported for social anxiety.ConclusionsFindings highlight the importance of considering the role of emotional distress from a developmental perspective and in the context of externalizing behavior problems.
Imaging the neuroimmune response to alcohol exposure in adolescent baboons: a TSPO PET study using 18F‐DPA‐714
Authors: Saba Wadad , Goutal Sébastien , Auvity Sylvain , Kuhnast Bertrand , Coulon Christine , Kouyoumdjian Virginie , Buvat Irène , Leroy Claire , Tournier Nicolas 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe effects of acute alcohol exposure to the central nervous system are hypothesized to involve the innate immune system. The neuroimmune response to an initial and acute alcohol exposure was investigated using translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) PET imaging, a non‐invasive marker of glial activation, in adolescent baboons. Three different alcohol‐naive adolescent baboons (3–4 years old, 9 to 14 kg) underwent 18F‐DPA‐714 PET experiments before, during and 7–12 months after this initial alcohol exposure (0.7–1.0 g/l). The brain distribution of 18F‐DPA‐714 (VT; in ml/cm3) was estimated in several brain regions using the Logan plot analysis and the metabolite‐corrected arterial input function. Compared with alcohol‐naive animals (VTbrain = 3.7 ± 0.7 ml/cm3), the regional VTs of 18F‐DPA‐714 were significantly increased during alcohol exposure (VTbrain = 7.2 ± 0.4 ml/cm3; p < 0.001). Regional VTs estimated several months after alcohol exposure (VTbrain = 5.7 ± 1.4 ml/cm3) were lower (p < 0.001) than those measured during alcohol exposure, but remained significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in alcohol‐naive animals. The acute and long‐term effects of ethanol exposure were observed globally across all brain regions. Acute alcohol exposure increased the binding of 18F‐DPA‐714 to the brain in a non‐human primate model of alcohol exposure that reflects the ‘binge drinking’ situation in adolescent individuals. The effect persisted for several months, suggesting a ‘priming’ of glial cell function after initial alcohol exposure.
Limited potential of cebranopadol to produce opioid‐type physical dependence in rodents
Authors: Tzschentke Thomas M. , Kögel Babette Y. , Frosch Stefanie , Linz Klaus 
Published: September 2017

AbstractCebranopadol is a novel potent analgesic agonist at the nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide (NOP) and classical opioid receptors. As NOP receptor activation has been shown to reduce side effects related to the activation of μ‐opioid peptide (MOP) receptors, the present study evaluated opioid‐type physical dependence produced by cebranopadol in mice and rats. In a naloxone‐precipitated withdrawal assay in mice, a regimen of seven escalating doses of cebranopadol over 2 days produced only very limited physical dependence as evidenced by very little withdrawal symptoms (jumping) even at cebranopadol doses clearly exceeding the analgesic dose range. In contrast, mice showed clear withdrawal symptoms when treated with morphine within the analgesic dose range. In the rat, spontaneous withdrawal (by cessation of drug treatment; in terms of weight loss and behavioral score) was studied after 4‐week subacute administration. Naloxone‐precipitated withdrawal (in terms of weight loss and behavioral score) was studied in the same groups of rats after 1‐week re‐administration following the spontaneous withdrawal period. In both tests, cebranopadol‐treated rats showed only few signs of withdrawal, while withdrawal effects in rats treated with morphine were clearly evident. These findings demonstrate a low potential of cebranopadol to produce opioid‐type physical dependence in rodents. The prospect of this promising finding into the clinical setting remains to be established.
A composite of exhaled LTB4, LXA4, FeNO, and FEV1 as an “asthma classification ratio” characterizes childhood asthma
Authors: Chen L.‐C. , Tseng H.‐M. , Kuo M.‐L. , Chiu C.‐Y. , Liao S.‐L. , Su K.‐W. , Tsai M.‐H. , Hua M.‐C. , Lai S.‐H. , Yao T.‐C. , Yeh K.‐W. , Wu A.‐H. , Huang J.‐L. , Huang S.‐K. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackgroundAberrant generation of eicosanoids is associated with asthma, but the evidence remains incomplete and its potential utility as biomarkers is unclear. Major eicosanoids in exhaled breath condensates (EBCs) were assessed as candidate markers for childhood asthma.MethodsTen exhaled eicosanoid species was evaluated using ELISA in the discovery phase, followed by prediction model‐building and validation phases.ResultsExhaled LTB4, LTE4, PGE2, and LXA4 showed significant difference between asthmatics (N = 60) and controls (N = 20). For validation, an expanded study population consisting of 626 subjects with asthma and 161 healthy controls was partitioned into a training subset to establish a prediction model and a test sample subset for validation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses of the training subset revealed the level of exhaled LTB4 to be the most discriminative among all parameters, including FeNO, and a composite of exhaled LTB4, LXA4, together with FeNO and FEV1, distinguishing asthma with high sensitivity and specificity. Further, the Youden index (J) indicated the cut point value of 0.598 for this composite of markers as having the strongest discriminatory ability (sensitivity = 85.2% and specificity = 83.6%). The predictive algorithm as “asthma classification ratio” was further validated in an independent test sample with sensitivity and specificity being 84.4% and 84.8%, respectively.ConclusionsIn a pediatric study population in Taiwan, the levels of exhaled LTB4, LTE4, LXA4, and PGE2 in asthmatic children were significantly different from those of healthy controls, and the combination of exhaled LTB4 and LXA4, together with FeNO and FEV1, best characterized childhood asthma.
Prediction of Drug–Drug Interaction between Tacrolimus and Principal Ingredients of Wuzhi Capsule in Chinese Healthy Volunteers Using Physiologically‐Based Pharmacokinetic Modelling
Authors: Zhang Hongyan , Bu Fengjiao , Li Lei , Jiao Zheng , Ma Guo , Cai Weimin , Zhuang Xiaomei , Lin Hai‐Shu , Shin Jae‐Gook , Xiang Xiaoqiang 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSchisantherin A and schisandrin A, the most abundant active ingredients of Wuzhi capsule, are known to inhibit tacrolimus metabolism by inhibiting CYP3A4/5. We aimed to predict the contribution of schisantherin A and schisandrin A to drug–drug interaction (DDI) between Wuzhi capsule and tacrolimus using physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling. Firstly, the inhibition mechanism of schisantherin A and schisandrin A on CYP3A4/5 was investigated. Thereafter, PBPK models of schisantherin A, schisandrin A and tacrolimus were established. Finally, tacrolimus pharmacokinetics were evaluated after the combined use with schisantherin A or schisandrin A. The blood area under the curve (AUC) of tacrolimus increased 1.77‐ and 2.61‐fold after a single dose and multiple doses of schisantherin A, respectively. Meanwhile, schisandrin A inhibited tacrolimus metabolism to a smaller extent. Also, it showed that mechanism‐based inhibition (MBI) played a more important role in DDI than reversible inhibition after long‐term administration, while reversible inhibition was comparable to MBI after single‐dose administration. In conclusion, we utilized PBPK modelling to quantify the contribution of schisantherin A and schisandrin A to DDI between tacrolimus and Wuzhi capsule. This may provide more insights for the rational use of this drug combination.