bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Environmental layout complexity affects neural activity during navigation in humans
Authors: Slone Edward , Burles Ford , Iaria Giuseppe 
Published: March 2016

AbstractNavigating large‐scale surroundings is a fundamental ability. In humans, it is commonly assumed that navigational performance is affected by individual differences, such as age, sex, and cognitive strategies adopted for orientation. We recently showed that the layout of the environment itself also influences how well people are able to find their way within it, yet it remains unclear whether differences in environmental complexity are associated with changes in brain activity during navigation. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate how the brain responds to a change in environmental complexity by asking participants to perform a navigation task in two large‐scale virtual environments that differed solely in interconnection density, a measure of complexity defined as the average number of directional choices at decision points. The results showed that navigation in the simpler, less interconnected environment was faster and more accurate relative to the complex environment, and such performance was associated with increased activity in a number of brain areas (i.e. precuneus, retrosplenial cortex, and hippocampus) known to be involved in mental imagery, navigation, and memory. These findings provide novel evidence that environmental complexity not only affects navigational behaviour, but also modulates activity in brain regions that are important for successful orientation and navigation.
Muscarinic control of rostromedial tegmental nucleus GABA neurons and morphine‐induced locomotion
Authors: Wasserman David I. , Tan Joel M. J. , Kim Jun Chul , Yeomans John S. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractOpioids induce rewarding and locomotor effects by inhibiting rostromedial tegmental GABA neurons that express μ‐opioid and nociceptin receptors. These GABA neurons then strongly inhibit dopamine neurons. Opioid‐induced reward, locomotion and dopamine release also depend on pedunculopontine and laterodorsal tegmental cholinergic and glutamate neurons, many of which project to and activate ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons. Here we show that laterodorsal tegmental and pedunculopontine cholinergic neurons project to both rostromedial tegmental nucleus and ventral tegmental area, and that M4 muscarinic receptors are co‐localized with μ‐opioid receptors associated with rostromedial tegmental GABA neurons. To inhibit or excite rostromedial tegmental GABA neurons, we utilized adeno‐associated viral vectors and DREADDs to express designed muscarinic receptors (M4D or M3D respectively) in GAD2::Cre mice. In M4D‐expressing mice, clozapine‐N‐oxide increased morphine‐induced, but not vehicle‐induced, locomotion. In M3D‐expressing mice, clozapine‐N‐oxide blocked morphine‐induced, but not vehicle‐induced, locomotion. We propose that cholinergic inhibition of rostromedial tegmental GABA neurons via M4 muscarinic receptors facilitates opioid inhibition of the same neurons. This model explains how mesopontine cholinergic systems and muscarinic receptors in the rostromedial tegmental nucleus and ventral tegmental area are important for dopamine‐dependent and dopamine‐independent opioid‐induced rewards and locomotion.
The ventromedial hypothalamus mediates predator fear memory
Authors: Silva Bianca A. , Mattucci Camilla , Krzywkowski Piotr , Cuozzo Rachel , Carbonari Laura , Gross Cornelius T. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe amygdala has been shown to be essential for the processing of acute and learned fear across animal species. However, the downstream neural circuits that mediate these fear responses differ according to the nature of the threat, with separate pathways having been identified for predator, conspecific and physically harmful threats. In particular, the dorsomedial part of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VHMdm) is critical for the expression of defensive responses to predators. Here, we tested the hypothesis that this circuit also participates in predator fear memory by transient pharmacogenetic inhibition of the VMHdm and its downstream effector, the dorsal periaqueductal grey, during predator fear learning in the mouse. Our data demonstrate that neural activity in the VMHdm is required for both the acquisition and recall of predator fear memory, whereas that of its downstream effector, the dorsal periaqueductal grey, is required only for the acute expression of fear. These findings are consistent with a role for the medial hypothalamus in encoding an internal emotional state of fear.
Patient Parents: Do Offspring Decide on the Timing of Fledging in Zebra Finches?
Authors: Trillmich Fritz , Spiller Inka , Naguib Marc , Krause Eike Tobias 
Published: March 2016

AbstractParent–offspring conflict over parental care is predicted to become most pronounced during offspring transition to independence when offspring are predicted to attempt to extend care for longer than parents are selected to provide it. However, on the proximate level, it is difficult to determine who plays the most important role in this process, parents or offspring. For several vertebrate taxa, it has been documented that parents end brood care by abandoning offspring after a fixed period or else show high flexibility in the duration of care, but teasing apart the role of offspring and parents underlying this flexibility has been difficult. Here, we studied the decision to fledge in captive zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), an altricial songbird. We experimentally delayed the time of fledging to determine who decides about the end of feeding inside the nest, parents or offspring. The experiment indicates that parents do not primarily rely on phenotypic offspring traits in their decision to feed offspring in the nest, but appear to adjust the duration of parental care as long as offspring are in the nest which parents may take as an indicator of offspring need and locomotor abilities. Delayed‐fledging offspring appeared not to suffer a disadvantage in terms of age at the onset of independent feeding. Our study suggests that, in zebra finches, offspring play a major role in determining the time of fledging and leave the nest on their own, possibly to reduce the risk of nest predation, or to evade sibling competition in the nest.
Levobupivacaine attenuates lipopolysaccharide‐induced acute lung injury
Authors: Guo Dan , Li Kehan , Yang Muqiang , Zhang Hongjun , Miao Yafei 
Published: March 2016

AbstractLevobupivacaine (LB), a kind of local anesthetic, possesses anti‐inflammatory properties. High‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a nuclear DNA‐binding protein, plays a key role in the development of acute lung injury (ALI). The aim of this study was to investigate whether LB attenuates ALI by the inhibition of HMGB1 expression and to investigate the molecular mechanisms. ALI in male rats was induced by an intratracheal instillation of LPS (5 mg/kg), and male rats received mini‐osmotic pumps containing LB 30 min after LPS exposure. A549 alveolar epithelial cells were incubated with LPS in the presence or absence of LB. An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the levels of inflammatory cytokines. Western blotting was used to detect the changes in the expression of toll‐like receptor 2/4 (TLR2/4) and the activation of NF‐κB. The results showed that LB significantly protected animals from LPS‐induced ALI as evidenced by a decrease in the ratio of lung wet to dry weight, total cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and myeloperoxidase activity, associated with a reduced lung histological damage. We also found that LB post‐treatment markedly inhibited the release of HMGB1 and other pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, LB significantly inhibited LPS‐induced TLR2/4 protein overexpression and NF‐κB activation in the lung tissues and in LPS‐stimulated A549 alveolar epithelial cells in vitro. These data indicate that LB attenuated LPS‐induced ALI by the inhibition of HMGB1 expression in rats. These benefits were associated with the inhibition of TLR2/4‐NF‐κB pathway by LB.
Modelling marine community responses to climate‐driven species redistribution to guide monitoring and adaptive ecosystem‐based management
Authors: Marzloff Martin Pierre , Melbourne‐Thomas Jessica , Hamon Katell G. , Hoshino Eriko , Jennings Sarah , van Putten Ingrid E. , Pecl Gretta T. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAs a consequence of global climate‐driven changes, marine ecosystems are experiencing polewards redistributions of species – or range shifts – across taxa and throughout latitudes worldwide. Research on these range shifts largely focuses on understanding and predicting changes in the distribution of individual species. The ecological effects of marine range shifts on ecosystem structure and functioning, as well as human coastal communities, can be large, yet remain difficult to anticipate and manage. Here, we use qualitative modelling of system feedback to understand the cumulative impacts of multiple species shifts in south‐eastern Australia, a global hotspot for ocean warming. We identify range‐shifting species that can induce trophic cascades and affect ecosystem dynamics and productivity, and evaluate the potential effectiveness of alternative management interventions to mitigate these impacts. Our results suggest that the negative ecological impacts of multiple simultaneous range shifts generally add up. Thus, implementing whole‐of‐ecosystem management strategies and regular monitoring of range‐shifting species of ecological concern are necessary to effectively intervene against undesirable consequences of marine range shifts at the regional scale. Our study illustrates how modelling system feedback with only limited qualitative information about ecosystem structure and range‐shifting species can predict ecological consequences of multiple co‐occurring range shifts, guide ecosystem‐based adaptation to climate change and help prioritise future research and monitoring.
High and dry: post‐fire tree seedling establishment in subalpine forests decreases with post‐fire drought and large stand‐replacing burn patches
Authors: Harvey Brian J. , Donato Daniel C. , Turner Monica G. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAimClimate warming and increased wildfire activity are hypothesized to catalyse biogeographical shifts, reducing the resilience of fire‐prone forests world‐wide. Two key mechanisms underpinning hypotheses are: (1) reduced seed availability in large stand‐replacing burn patches, and (2) reduced seedling establishment/survival after post‐fire drought. We tested for regional evidence consistent with these mechanisms in an extensive fire‐prone forest biome by assessing post‐fire tree seedling establishment, a key indicator of forest resilience.LocationSubalpine forests, US Rocky Mountains.MethodsWe analysed post‐fire tree seedling establishment from 184 field plots where stand‐replacing forest fires were followed by varying post‐fire climate conditions. Generalized linear mixed models tested how establishment rates varied with post‐fire drought severity and distance to seed source (among other relevant factors) for tree species with contrasting post‐fire regeneration adaptations.ResultsTotal post‐fire tree seedling establishment (all species combined) declined sharply with greater post‐fire drought severity and with greater distance to seed sources (i.e. the interior of burn patches). Effects varied among key species groups. For conifers that dominate present‐day subalpine forests (Picea engelmannii,Abies lasiocarpa), post‐fire seedling establishment declined sharply with both factors. One exception was serotinousPinus contorta, which did not vary with either factor. For montane species expected to move upslope under future climate change (Larix occidentalis, Pseudotsuga menziesii,Populus tremuloides) and upper treeline species (Pinus albicaulis), establishment was unrelated to either factor. Greater post‐fire tree seedling establishment on cooler/wetter aspects suggested local topographic refugia during post‐fire droughts.Main conclusionsIf future drought and wildfire patterns manifest as expected, post‐fire tree seedling establishment of species that currently characterize subalpine forests could be substantially reduced. Compensatory increases from lower montane and upper treeline species may partially offset these reductions, but our data suggest important near‐ to mid‐term shifts in the composition and structure of high‐elevation forests under continued climate warming and increased wildfire activity.
Pathophysiology of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Ikemoto Tetsuya , Shimada Mitsuo , Yamada Shinichiro 
Published: March 2016

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is effective for the local control of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), particularly when a patient's liver functional reserve does not allow radical resection. There is controversy regarding the superiority of surgical resection compared with RFA for such patients, particularly those with three or fewer tumors with diameters ≤3 cm. Moreover, HCC often recurs after RFA, and the tumor cells show distinct phenotypic changes. Incomplete ablation accounts for tumor recurrence, and recent studies provide new insights into the biological mechanisms responsible for the pathological changes of HCC after RFA. This review focuses on the roles of epithelial–mesenchymal transition and cancer stemness that are driven by a mechanism that involves microRNA‐mediated upregulation of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1. The studies reviewed here provide compelling evidence that complete ablation of HCC is required to prevent recurrence and indicate that further research is urgently required to develop a new systematic strategy to prevent tumor recurrence by targeting hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1.
The application of next‐generation sequencing‐based molecular diagnostics in endometrial stromal sarcoma
Authors: Li Xiaodong , Anand Mona , Haimes Josh D , Manoj Namitha , Berlin Aaron M , Kudlow Brian A , Nucci Marisa R , Ng Tony L , Stewart Colin J R , Lee Cheng‐Han 
Published: March 2016

AimsEndometrial stromal sarcomas (ESSs) are divided into low‐grade and high‐grade subtypes, with the latter showing more aggressive clinical behaviour. Although histology and immunophenotype can aid in the diagnosis of these tumours, genetic studies can provide additional diagnostic insights, as low‐grade ESSs frequently harbour fusions involving JAZF1/SUZ12 and/or JAZF1/PHF1, whereas high‐grade ESSs are defined by YWHAE–NUTM2A/B fusions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of a next‐generation sequencing (NGS)‐based assay in identifying ESS fusions in archival formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tumour samples.Methods and resultsWe applied an NGS‐based fusion transcript detection assay (Archer FusionPlex Sarcoma Panel) that targets YWHAE and JAZF1 fusions in a series of low‐grade ESSs (n = 11) and high‐grade ESSs (n = 5) that were previously confirmed to harbour genetic rearrangements by fluorescence in‐situ hybridization (FISH) and/or reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analyses. The fusion assay identified junctional fusion transcript sequences that corresponded to the known FISH/RT‐PCR results in all cases. Four low‐grade ESSs harboured JAZF1–PHF1 fusions with different junctional sequences, and all were correctly identified because of the open‐ended nature of the assay design, using anchored multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Seven non‐ESS sarcomas were also included as negative controls, and no strong ESS fusion candidates were identified in these cases.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate good sensitivity and specificity of an NGS‐based gene fusion assay in the detection of ESS fusion transcripts.
Long‐term changes in the migration phenology of UK breeding birds detected by large‐scale citizen science recording schemes
Authors: Newson Stuart E. , Moran Nick J. , Musgrove Andy J. , Pearce‐Higgins James W. , Gillings Simon , Atkinson Philip W. , Miller Ryan , Grantham Mark J. , Baillie Stephen R. 
Published: March 2016

The timing of migration is one of the key life‐history parameters of migratory birds. It is expected to be under strong selection, to be sensitive to changing environmental conditions and to have implications for population dynamics. However, most phenological studies do not describe arrival and departure phenologies for a species in a way that is robust to potential biases, or that can be clearly related to breeding populations. This hampers our ability to understand more fully how climate change may affect species’ migratory strategies, their life histories and ultimately their population dynamics. Using generalized additive models (GAMs) and extensive large‐scale data collected in the UK over a 40‐year period, we present standardized measures of migration phenology for common migratory birds, and examine how the phenology of bird migration has changed in the UK since the 1960s. Arrival dates for 11 of 14 common migrants became significantly earlier, with six species advancing their arrival by more than 10 days. These comprised two species, Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla and Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita, which winter closest to Britain in southern Europe and the arid northern zone of Africa, Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus, which winters in the arid zone, and three hirundines (Sand Martin Riparia riparia, House Martin Delichon urbicum and Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica), which winter in different parts of Africa. Concurrently, departure dates became significantly later for four of the 14 species and included species that winter in southern Europe (Blackcap and Chiffchaff) and in humid zones of Africa (Garden Warbler Sylvia borin and Whinchat Saxicola rubetra). Common Swift Apus apus was the exception in departing significantly earlier. The net result of earlier arrival and later departure for most species was that length of stay has become significantly longer for nine of the 14 species. Species that have advanced their timing of arrival showed the most positive trends in abundance, in accordance with previous studies. Related in part to earlier arrival and the relationship above, we also show that species extending their stay in Great Britain have shown the most positive trends. Further applications of our modelling approach will provide opportunities for more robust tests of relationships between phenological change and population dynamics than have been possible previously.
Use of micro‐computed tomography for the assessment of periapical lesions in small rodents: a systematic review
Authors: Kalatzis‐Sousa N. G. , Spin‐Neto R. , Wenzel A. , Tanomaru‐Filho M. , Faria G. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThis systematic review aimed to evaluate the literature on the acquisition‐, reconstruction‐ and analysis parameters of micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) for the assessment of periapical lesions in rats and mice, and to illustrate the effect of variation in these parameters. The PubMed database was searched from 2000 to January 2015 (English‐language publications) for reports on the use of micro‐CT to evaluate periapical lesions in rats and mice. QUADAS criteria were used to rate the quality of the studies. To illustrate the effect of variations in acquisition‐, reconstruction‐, and analysis parameters on images of periapical lesions, micro‐CT examination of two hemi‐mandibles of mice, with periapical lesions around the first molar was undertaken. Twenty‐one studies were identified, which analysed periapical lesions in rats or mice using micro‐CT. According to the QUADAS, no study was classified as high‐, seven were classified as moderate‐, and 14 as low quality. The effect of variation in parameters was that voxel size may interfere with image sharpness, reconstruction may interfere with image sharpness and contrast, and inadequate plane orientation may alter the size of the periapical lesion. Nonpersonalized ROIs resulted in areas that were not part of the periapical lesion. Changing the limits of the threshold for bone‐tissue visualization increased lesion size. There is no defined protocol for acquiring and analysing micro‐CT images of periapical lesions in rats and mice. Furthermore, acquisition‐, reconstruction‐ and analysis parameters are not adequately explained, which may compromise the scientific impact of the studies.
Inequality and childhood overweight and obesity: a commentary
Authors: Ulijaszek S. J. , Pentecost M. , Marcus C. , Karpe F. , Frühbeck G. , Nowicka P. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryStatements on childhood overweight and obesity (COO) have focused on different avenues for prevention and treatment, critical stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy and lactation, individual, family, school and community‐based interventions, multidisciplinary family programmes and multicomponent interventions. This commentary is concerned with the less‐addressed relationship between COO and inequality. It describes current global patterns of inequality and COO and the ways in which those inequalities are linked to COO at micro‐level, meso‐level and macro‐level. It then describes current programmatic approaches for COO inequality, preventive and medical, and considers important pitfalls in the framing of the problem of COO and inequality. It ends with describing how childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity prevention and treatment programmes might be formulated within broader socio‐political frameworks to influence outcomes.
Evaluation of a pharmacist-led hypertension preventative and detection service in the Ghanaian community pharmacy: an exploratory study
Authors: Marfo Afia F A , Owusu-Daaku Frances T 
Published: March 2016

Abstract

Objectives
The objective of the study was to explore the feasibility and acceptability of a pharmacist-led hypertension preventative service in the community pharmacy.

Methods
This was an exploratory uncontrolled pre–post intervention study conducted from February 2012 – March 2013 in three community pharmacies in Ghana. Clients at risk for hypertension were identified and screened by the Medicine Counter Assistant (MCA). Those whose blood pressure was above 140/90 (stage 1 and 2 hypertension) were referred to the pharmacist for further assessment and referral to the physician as necessary. Participant awareness of risk and changes in the lifestyle was assessed at baseline and 6-month follow-up respectively.

Key findings
Out of 250 clients approached, 170 agreed to be screened. Forty three (25%) were pre-hypertensive, 42 (25%) had stage 1 hypertension and 13 (8%) had stage 2 hypertension. The most frequent modifiable risk factors identified were lack of exercise 107 (63%), poor diet (42%) and obesity (21%). Lifestyle changes reported at 6 months by participants with pre-hypertension were weight reduction and reduced alcohol intake. Of the 34 participants who were referred to the physician, 10 (29%) were diagnosed with hypertension and an antihypertensive was prescribed.

Conclusions
Hypertension preventative services offered in the Ghanaian community pharmacy are acceptable to clients. The findings suggest that pharmacists can detect hypertension and promote some lifestyle changes among clients with pre-hypertension. A larger controlled study is needed to confirm these findings. Ultimately guidelines and polices to streamline these services would be needed if such services were made routinely available in community pharmacies in Ghana.