bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A global synthesis of the effects of diversified farming systems on arthropod diversity within fields and across agricultural landscapes
Authors: Lichtenberg Elinor M. , Kennedy Christina M. , Kremen Claire , Batáry Péter , Berendse Frank , Bommarco Riccardo , Bosque‐Pérez Nilsa A. , Carvalheiro Luísa G. , Snyder William E. , Williams Neal M. , Winfree Rachael , Klatt Björn K. , Åström Sandra , Benjamin Faye , Brittain Claire , Chaplin‐Kramer Rebecca , Clough Yann , Danforth Bryan , Diekötter Tim , Eigenbrode Sanford D. , Ekroos Johan , Elle Elizabeth , Freitas Breno M. , Fukuda Yuki , Gaines‐Day Hannah R. , Grab Heather , Gratton Claudio , Holzschuh Andrea , Isaacs Rufus , Isaia Marco , Jha Shalene , Jonason Dennis , Jones Vincent P. , Klein Alexandra‐Maria , Krauss Jochen , Letourneau Deborah K. , Macfadyen Sarina , Mallinger Rachel E. , Martin Emily A. , Martinez Eliana , Memmott Jane , Morandin Lora , Neame Lisa , Otieno Mark , Park Mia G. , Pfiffner Lukas , Pocock Michael J. O. , Ponce Carlos , Potts Simon G. , Poveda Katja , Ramos Mariangie , Rosenheim Jay A. , Rundlöf Maj , Sardiñas Hillary , Saunders Manu E. , Schon Nicole L. , Sciligo Amber R. , Sidhu C. Sheena , Steffan‐Dewenter Ingolf , Tscharntke Teja , Veselý Milan , Weisser Wolfgang W. , Wilson Julianna K. , Crowder David W. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAgricultural intensification is a leading cause of global biodiversity loss, which can reduce the provisioning of ecosystem services in managed ecosystems. Organic farming and plant diversification are farm management schemes that may mitigate potential ecological harm by increasing species richness and boosting related ecosystem services to agroecosystems. What remains unclear is the extent to which farm management schemes affect biodiversity components other than species richness, and whether impacts differ across spatial scales and landscape contexts. Using a global metadataset, we quantified the effects of organic farming and plant diversification on abundance, local diversity (communities within fields), and regional diversity (communities across fields) of arthropod pollinators, predators, herbivores, and detritivores. Both organic farming and higher in‐field plant diversity enhanced arthropod abundance, particularly for rare taxa. This resulted in increased richness but decreased evenness. While these responses were stronger at local relative to regional scales, richness and abundance increased at both scales, and richness on farms embedded in complex relative to simple landscapes. Overall, both organic farming and in‐field plant diversification exerted the strongest effects on pollinators and predators, suggesting these management schemes can facilitate ecosystem service providers without augmenting herbivore (pest) populations. Our results suggest that organic farming and plant diversification promote diverse arthropod metacommunities that may provide temporal and spatial stability of ecosystem service provisioning. Conserving diverse plant and arthropod communities in farming systems therefore requires sustainable practices that operate both within fields and across landscapes.
Physician‐initiated first‐in‐human clinical study using a novel angiogenic peptide, AG30/5C, for patients with severe limb ulcers
Authors: Nakagami Hironori , Yamaoka Toshifumi , Hayashi Misa , Tanemura Atsushi , Takeya Yasushi , Kurinami Hitomi , Sugimoto Ken , Nakamura Ayumi , Tomono Kazunori , Tamai Katsuto , Katayama Ichiro , Rakugi Hiromi , Kaneda Yasufumi 
Published: May 2017

AimIn patients with diabetes or ischemia, angiogenesis and infection control are required for chronic leg ulcers, which substantially impair patients’ quality of life. We developed a novel functional peptide, named AG30/5C, with angiogenic and anti‐microbial properties. Treatment with AG30/5C significantly accelerated the wound healing of full‐thickness defects in mice. To evaluate the safety of AG30/5C in the treatment of leg ulcers, a physician‐initiated clinical study was carried out.MethodsThe first‐in‐human trial was designed as an open‐label treatment with AG30/5C (0.1 mg/mL) given twice per day for 11 days, and with a follow‐up period of 17 days. The inclusion criteria for severe skin ulcers were: (i) diabetes or critical limb ischemia; (ii) resistance to standard therapy for 1 month; and (iii) detection of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the skin ulcer.ResultsFour patients were enrolled in this study, and two patients met these criteria. For the evaluation of safety, three adverse effects were reported as possibly related to AG30/5C treatment; however, these adverse effects were not severe and resolved during or after treatment. Thus, there were no safety concerns. In both patients, the size of the ulcer decreased after treatment (44.62% and 10.23% decrease), and further decreased after the follow‐up period (73.85% and 10.23% decrease). The former patient was diagnosed as Werner syndrome and the skin ulcer was resistant to standard therapy; however, it was sensitive to AG30/5C treatment.ConclusionsTopical treatment with AG30/5C for severe leg ulcers was safe, well tolerated and effective. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2150–2156.
China's Transboundary Groundwater Cooperation in the Context of Emerging Transboundary Aquifer Law
Authors: He Yanmei 
Published: May 2017

AbstractChina shares more than 20 transboundary aquifers with its coaquifer states, but they have not exploited their transboundary groundwater resources, and these resources have not been governed by any international agreements. Given the close interaction between surface water and groundwater, and the growing demands for transboundary groundwater in China and its coaquifer states, there is increasing necessity for these countries to undertake international cooperation on this issue. This article overviews China's transboundary aquifers, reviews the duty to cooperate on China's transboundary groundwater as well as the emerging transboundary aquifer law. It concludes by providing some proposals on international cooperation in this context, based on the two theories of international water law—limited territorial sovereignty and common interests, taking into account the practicability of China's cooperation with its coaquifer states. The author suggests that China cooperates with its coaquifer states through such means as the exchange of data and information, joint monitoring, the conclusion of bilateral or multilateral aquifer agreements, the establishment of joint management mechanisms, and international technical cooperation.
Inhibition of Cx43 mediates protective effects on hypoxic/reoxygenated human neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Vicario Nunzio , Calabrese Giovanna , Zappalà Agata , Parenti Carmela , Forte Stefano , Graziano Adriana Carol Eleonora , Vanella Luca , Pellitteri Rosalia , Cardile Venera , Parenti Rosalba 
Published: May 2017

AbstractOlfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), a special population of glial cells, are able to synthesise several trophic factors exerting a neuroprotective action and promoting growth and functional recovery in both in vitro and in vivo models. In the present work, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of OEC‐conditioned medium (OEC‐CM) on two different human neuron‐like cell lines, SH‐SY5Y and SK‐N‐SH (neuroblastoma cell lines), under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. In addition, we also focused our attention on the role of connexins (Cxs) in the neuroprotective processes. Our results confirmed OEC‐CM mediated neuroprotection as shown by cell adherence, proliferation and cellular viability analyses. Reduced connexin 43 (Cx43) levels in OEC‐CM compared to unconditioned cells in hypoxic conditions prompted us to investigate the role of Cx43‐Gap junctions (GJs) and Cx43‐hemichannels (HCs) in hypoxic/reoxygenation injury using carbenoxolone (non‐selective GJ inhibitor), ioxynil octanoato (selective Cx43‐GJ inhibitor) and Gap19 (selective Cx43‐HC inhibitor). We found that Cx43‐GJ and Cx43‐HC inhibitors are able to protect SH‐SY5Y and allow to these cultures to overcome the injury. Our findings support the hypothesis that both OEC‐CM and the inhibition of Cx43‐GJs and Cx43‐HCs offer a neuroprotective effect by reducing Cx43‐mediated cell‐to‐cell and cell‐to‐extracellular environment communications.
Comparison of the vaginal environment in rhesus and cynomolgus macaques pre‐ and post‐lactobacillus colonization
Authors: Daggett Gregory J. , Zhao Chunxia , Connor‐Stroud Fawn , Oviedo‐Moreno Patricia , Moon Hojin , Cho Michael W. , Moench Thomas , Anderson Deborah J. , Villinger Francois 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundRhesus and cynomologus macaques are valuable animal models for the study of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention strategies. However, for such studies focused on the vaginal route of infection, differences in vaginal environment may have deterministic impact on the outcome of such prevention, providing the rationale for this study.MethodsWe tested the vaginal environment of rhesus and cynomolgus macaques longitudinally to characterize the normal microflora based on Nugent scores and pH. This evaluation was extended after colonization of the vaginal space with Lactobacilli in an effort to recreate NHP models representing the healthy human vaginal environment.Results and ConclusionNugent scores and pH differed significantly between species, although data from both species were suggestive of stable bacterial vaginosis. Colonization with Lactobacilli was successful in both species leading to lower Nugent score and pH, although rhesus macaques appeared better able to sustain Lactobacillus spp over time.
Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) regulates hypercapnia/ischemia‐induced increases in n‐acylethanolamines in mouse brain
Authors: Lin Lin , Metherel Adam H. , Jones Peter J. , Bazinet Richard P. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractN‐acylethanolamines (NAEs) are endogenous lipid ligands for several receptors including cannabinoid receptors and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐alpha (PPAR‐α), which regulate numerous physiological functions. Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is largely responsible for the degradation of NAEs. However, at high concentrations of ethanolamines and unesterified fatty acids, FAAH can also catalyze the reverse reaction, producing NAEs. Several brain insults such as ischemia and hypoxia increase brain unesterified fatty acids. Because FAAH can catalyze the synthesis of NAE, we aimed to test whether FAAH was necessary for CO2 ‐induced hypercapnia/ischemia increases in NAE. To test this, we examined levels of NAEs, 1‐ and 2‐arachidonoylglycerols as well as their corresponding fatty acid precursors in wild‐type and mice lacking FAAH (FAAH‐KO) with three Kill methods: (i) head‐focused, high‐energy microwave irradiation (microwave), (ii) 5 min CO2 followed by microwave irradiation (CO2 + microwave), and (iii) 5 min CO2 only (CO2). Both CO2‐induced groups increased, to a similar extent, brain levels of unesterified oleic, arachidonic, and docosahexaenoic acid and 1‐ and 2‐arachidonoylglycerols compared to the microwave group in both wild‐type and FAAH‐KO mice. Oleoylethanolamide (OEA), arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA), and docosahexaenoylethanolamide (DHEA) levels were about 8‐, 7‐, and 2.5‐fold higher, respectively, in the FAAH‐KO mice compared with the wild‐type mice. Interestingly, the concentrations of OEA, AEA, and DHEA increased 2.5‐ to 4‐fold in response to both CO2‐induced groups in wild‐type mice, but DHEA increased only in the CO2 group in FAAH‐KO mice. Our study demonstrates that FAAH is necessary for CO2‐ induced increases in OEA and AEA but not DHEA. Targeting brain FAAH could impair the production of NAEs in response to brain injuries.
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Shorter duration of non‐rapid eye movement sleep slow waves inEphA4knockout mice
Authors: Freyburger Marlène , Poirier Gaétan , Carrier Julie , Mongrain Valérie 
Published: May 2017

SummarySlow waves occurring during non‐rapid eye movement sleep have been associated with neurobehavioural performance and memory. In addition, the duration of previous wakefulness and sleep impacts characteristics of these slow waves. However, molecular mechanisms regulating the dynamics of slow‐wave characteristics remain poorly understood. The EphA4 receptor regulates glutamatergic transmission and synaptic plasticity, which have both been linked to sleep slow waves. To investigate if EphA4 regulates slow‐wave characteristics during non‐rapid eye movement sleep, we compared individual parameters of slow waves betweenEphA4knockout mice and wild‐type littermates under baseline conditions and after a 6‐h sleep deprivation. We observed that, compared with wild‐type mice, knockout mice display a shorter duration of positive and negative phases of slow waves under baseline conditions and after sleep deprivation. However, the mutation did not change slow‐wave density, amplitude and slope, and did not affect the sleep deprivation‐dependent changes in slow‐wave characteristics, suggesting that EphA4 is not involved in the response to elevated sleep pressure. Our present findings suggest a role for EphA4 in shaping cortical oscillations during sleep that is independent from sleep need.
The challenges of detecting subtle population structure and its importance for the conservation of emperor penguins
Authors: Younger Jane L. , Clucas Gemma V. , Kao Damian , Rogers Alex D. , Gharbi Karim , Hart Tom , Miller Karen J. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractUnderstanding the boundaries of breeding populations is of great importance for conservation efforts and estimates of extinction risk for threatened species. However, determining these boundaries can be difficult when population structure is subtle. Emperor penguins are highly reliant on sea ice, and some populations may be in jeopardy as climate change alters sea‐ice extent and quality. An understanding of emperor penguin population structure is therefore urgently needed. Two previous studies have differed in their conclusions, particularly whether the Ross Sea, a major stronghold for the species, is isolated or not. We assessed emperor penguin population structure using 4,596 genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), characterized in 110 individuals (10–16 per colony) from eight colonies around Antarctica. In contrast to a previous conclusion that emperor penguins are panmictic around the entire continent, we find that emperor penguins comprise at least four metapopulations, and that the Ross Sea is clearly a distinct metapopulation. Using larger sample sizes and a thorough assessment of the limitations of different analytical methods, we have shown that population structure within emperor penguins does exist and argue that its recognition is vital for the effective conservation of the species. We discuss the many difficulties that molecular ecologists and managers face in the detection and interpretation of subtle population structure using large SNP data sets, and argue that subtle structure should be taken into account when determining management strategies for threatened species, until accurate estimates of demographic connectivity among populations can be made.
Sex‐specific graphs: Relating group‐specific topology to demographic and landscape data
Authors: Bertrand Philip , Bowman Jeff , Dyer Rodney J. , Manseau Micheline , Wilson Paul J. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractSex‐specific genetic structure is a commonly observed pattern among vertebrate species. Facing differential selective pressures, individuals may adopt sex‐specific life history traits that ultimately shape genetic variation among populations. Although differential dispersal dynamics are commonly detected in the literature, few studies have used genetic structure to investigate sex‐specific functional connectivity. The recent use of graph theoretic approaches in landscape genetics has demonstrated network capacities to describe complex system behaviours where network topology represents genetic interaction among subunits. Here, we partition the overall genetic structure into sex‐specific graphs, revealing different male and female dispersal dynamics of a fisher (Pekania [Martes] pennanti) metapopulation in southern Ontario. Our analyses based on network topologies supported the hypothesis of male‐biased dispersal. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the effect of the landscape, identified at the population level, could be partitioned among sex‐specific strata. We found that female connectivity was negatively correlated with snow depth, whereas connectivity among males was not. Our findings underscore the potential of conducting sex‐specific analysis by identifying landscape elements or configuration that differentially promotes or impedes functional connectivity between sexes, revealing processes that may otherwise remain cryptic. We propose that the sex‐specific graph approach would be applicable to other vagile species where differential sex‐specific processes are expected to occur.
Diagnostic anoctamin‐5 protein defect in patients with ANO5‐mutated muscular dystrophy
Authors: Vihola A. , Luque H. , Savarese M. , Penttilä S. , Lindfors M. , Leturcq F. , Eymard B. , Tasca G. , Brais B. , Conte T. , Charton K. , Richard I. , Udd B. 
Published: May 2017

AimsPreviously, detection of ANO5 protein has been complicated by unspecific antibodies, most of which have not identified the correct protein. The aims of the study were to specify ANO5 protein expression in human skeletal muscle, and to investigate if the ANO5 protein levels are affected by different ANO5 mutations in anoctaminopathy patients.MethodsFour different antibodies were tested for ANO5 specificity. A sample preparation method compatible with membrane proteins, combined with tissue fractionation was used to determine ANO5 expression in cell cultures expressing ANO5, in normal muscles and eight patient biopsies with six different ANO5 mutations in homozygous or compound heterozygous states, and in other dystrophies.ResultsOnly one specific monoclonal N‐terminal ANO5 antibody was efficient in detecting the protein, showing that ANO5 is expressed as a single 107 kD polypeptide in human skeletal muscle. The truncating mutations c.191dupA and c.1261C>T were found to abolish ANO5 expression, whereas the studied point mutations had variable effects; however, all the ANO5 mutations resulted in clearly reduced ANO5 expression in the patient muscle membrane fraction. Attempts to detect ANO5 using immunohistochemistry were not yet successful.ConclusionsThe data presented here indicate that the ANO5 protein expression is decreased in ANO5‐mutated muscular dystrophy and that most of the non‐truncating pathogenic ANO5 mutations likely destabilize the protein and cause its degradation. The method described here allows direct analysis of human ANO5 protein, which can be used in diagnostics, for evaluating the pathogenicity of the potentially harmful ANO5 variants of uncertain significance.
CT‐determined pulmonary artery to aorta ratio as a predictor of elevated pulmonary artery pressure and survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Yagi Mitsuaki , Taniguchi Hiroyuki , Kondoh Yasuhiro , Ando Masahiko , Kimura Tomoki , Kataoka Kensuke , Furukawa Taiki , Suzuki Atsushi , Johkoh Takeshi , Hasegawa Yoshinori 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT
Background and objectiveElevated mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) is a significant prognostic indicator in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). It has been reported that the computed tomography‐determined ratio of the diameter of the pulmonary artery to the aorta (PA:A) is correlated with mPAP in various respiratory diseases. However, in patients with IPF, whether the PA:A can be used to predict elevated mPAP and the prognostic value of the PA:A has not been fully evaluated.MethodsWe conducted a single‐centre, observational study of 177 consecutive IPF patients who underwent right heart catheterization. We examined the association between the PA:A and mPAP in these patients, and performed a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to test the diagnostic accuracy of the PA:A in predicting mPAP > 20 mm Hg (pulmonary hypertension (PH) or borderline PH) in relation to survival.ResultsIn a multivariate linear regression analysis, the PA:A, 6‐min walk distance and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO
) % predicted were independent explanatory variables of elevated mPAP (P < 0.0001, P = 0.009 and P = 0.002, respectively). ROC analysis revealed a PA:A > 0.9 to be optimal for predicting mPAP > 20 mmHg (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.65–0.84). Patients with a PA:A > 0.9 also had a worse prognosis (P = 0.009).ConclusionMeasurement of the PA:A is a useful and convenient method to predict elevated mPAP in IPF at initial evaluation. Moreover, a PA:A >0.9 was found to be an indicator of worse prognosis.
Locating the External Source of Enforceability: Alliances, Bilateral Investment Treaties, and Foreign Direct Investment
Authors: Wang Zhiyuan , Youn Hyunjin 
Published: May 2017

ObjectiveWe theorize that alliances play a role as an external source of enforceability of bilateral investment treaties (BITs), and they do this by limiting the policy opportunism in foreign direct investment (FDI) host countries. We attempt to demonstrate that being party to common BITs and common alliances substantially raises the accumulation of FDI.MethodsUsing econometric techniques including panel‐corrected standard error, fixed effect, and dynamic pooled models, we analyze panel data on dyadic FDI stock from 1978 to 2003.ResultsWe find that BITs increase FDI stock and that alliances magnify this positive effect of BITs by a substantial margin.ConclusionBeing embedded in alliances strengthens the impact of BITs on FDI. This study contributes to the extant literature on the efficacy of BITs in particular and that on international institutions in general.