bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Irregular Firing and High-Conductance States in Spinal Motoneurons during Scratching and Swimming
Authors: Guzulaitis Robertas , Hounsgaard Jorn , Alaburda Aidas 
Published: May 2016

Intense synaptic transmission during scratch network activity increases conductance and induces irregular firing in spinal motoneurons. It is not known whether this high-conductance state is a select feature for scratching or a property that goes with spinal motor network activity in general. Here we compare conductance and firing patterns in spinal motoneurons during network activity for scratching and swimming in anex vivocarapace-spinal cord preparation from adult turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans). The pattern and relative engagement of motoneurons are distinctly different in scratching and swimming. Nevertheless, we found increased synaptic fluctuations in membrane potential, irregular firing, and increased conductance in spinal motoneurons during scratch and swim network activity. Our finding indicates that intense synaptic activation of motoneurons is a general feature of spinal motor network activity.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTNeurons embedded in active neural networks can enter high-conductance states with irregular firing. This was previously shown for spinal motoneurons during scratching. Because scratching is highly specialized rhythmic behavior, it is not known whether high-conductance states and irregular firing are a peculiarity for motoneurons during scratching. Here, using intracellular recordings from motoneurons in anex vivocarapace-spinal cord preparation from adult turtles, we demonstrate that irregular firing and high-conductance states are present not only during scratching but also during swimming. Our findings suggest that irregular firing and high-conductance states could be a general feature for motor behaviors.
Nucleus Accumbens AMPA Receptors Are Necessary for Morphine-Withdrawal-Induced Negative-Affective States in Rats
Authors: Russell Shayla E. , Puttick Daniel J. , Sawyer Allison M. , Potter David N. , Mague Stephen , Carlezon William A. , Chartoff Elena H. 
Published: May 2016

Dependence is a hallmark feature of opiate addiction and is defined by the emergence of somatic and affective withdrawal signs. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) integrates dopaminergic and glutamatergic inputs to mediate rewarding and aversive properties of opiates. Evidence suggests that AMPA glutamate-receptor-dependent synaptic plasticity within the NAc underlies aspects of addiction. However, the degree to which NAc AMPA receptors (AMPARs) contribute to somatic and affective signs of opiate withdrawal is not fully understood. Here, we show that microinjection of the AMPAR antagonist NBQX into the NAc shell of morphine-dependent rats prevented naloxone-induced conditioned place aversions and decreases in sensitivity to brain stimulation reward, but had no effect on somatic withdrawal signs. Using a protein cross-linking approach, we found that the surface/intracellular ratio of NAc GluA1, but not GluA2, increased with morphine treatment, suggesting postsynaptic insertion of GluA2-lacking AMPARs. Consistent with this, 1-naphthylacetyl spermine trihydrochloride (NASPM), an antagonist of GluA2-lacking AMPARs, attenuated naloxone-induced decreases in sensitivity to brain stimulation reward. Naloxone decreased the surface/intracellular ratio and synaptosomal membrane levels of NAc GluA1 in morphine-dependent rats, suggesting a compensatory removal of AMPARs from synaptic zones. Together, these findings indicate that chronic morphine increases synaptic availability of GluA1-containing AMPARs in the NAc, which is necessary for triggering negative-affective states in response to naloxone. This is broadly consistent with the hypothesis that activation of NAc neurons produces acute aversive states and raises the possibility that inhibiting AMPA transmission selectively in the NAc may have therapeutic value in the treatment of addiction.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTMorphine dependence and withdrawal result in profound negative-affective states that play a major role in the maintenance of addiction. However, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms are not fully understood. We use a rat model of morphine dependence to show that GluA1 subunits of AMPA glutamate receptors in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a brain region critical for modulating affective states, are necessary for aversive effects of morphine withdrawal. Using biochemical methods in NAc tissue, we show that morphine dependence increases cell surface expression of GluA1, suggesting that neurons in this area are primed for increased AMPA receptor activation upon withdrawal. This work is important because it suggests that targeting AMPA receptor trafficking and activation could provide novel targets for addiction treatment.
Treatment of acromegaly increases BMD but reduces trabecular bone score: a longitudinal study
Authors: Godang Kristin , Olarescu Nicoleta Cristina , Bollerslev Jens , Heck Ansgar 
Published: May 2016

Context
Bone turnover is increased in acromegaly. Despite normalization of bone turnover after treatment, the risk for vertebral fractures remains increased. Gonadal status, but not BMD, is correlated with vertebral fractures. Trabecular bone score (TBS) is related to bone microarchitecture.

Objective
The aim of this study is to assess the longitudinal change in TBS and BMD following treatment for acromegaly.

Design, Setting, Patients, Interventions, and Main outcome measures
This longitudinal study included 48 patients with acromegaly between 2005 and 2015. BMD, TBS, and markers for bone turnover (P1NP and CTX-1) were measured at baseline and following treatment.

Results
Following treatment, the mean TBS decreased by 3.0 (±7.0) %, whereas the BMD at the lumbar spine (LS) increased by 3.2 (±4.9) % (both P<0.01). The changes in BMD LS and TBS were not correlated (P=0.87). The TBS change was found to be −4.5 % (±6.7; P=0.003) in men and −0.3 % (±6.8; P=0.85) in women (P=0.063 for interaction men vs women). The mean BMD LS increased in men +4.2 g/cm2 (±4.3; P<0.001), but not in women +1.5 g/cm2 (±5.6; P=0.36); (P=0.073 for interaction). BMD increased in the ultradistal radius and total body (both P<0.01). The increase in BMD LS was associated with a decrease in P1NP and CTX-1 (P<0.001) and with lower P1NP and CTX-1 at the follow-up (P<0.02).

Conclusion
Treatment of acromegaly affects TBS and BMD at LS in different manners. The reduction of bone turnover markers predicts the increase in BMD but not the decrease in TBS. The DXA changes were more pronounced in men. Alterations in trabecular bone architecture may explain the persistent fracture risk despite the increase in BMD after disease control.
Reducing Perinatal Mortality in Nepal Using Helping Babies Breathe
Authors: KC Ashish , Wrammert Johan , Clark Robert B. , Ewald Uwe , Vitrakoti Ravi , Chaudhary Pushpa , Pun Asha , Raaijmakers Hendrikus , Målqvist Mats 
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
Newborns are at the highest risk of dying around the time of birth, due to intrapartum-related complications. Our study’s objective was to improve adherence to the Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) neonatal resuscitation protocol and reduce perinatal mortality by using a quality improvement cycle (QIC) in a tertiary hospital in Nepal.

METHODS:
The HBB QIC was implemented through a multifaceted approach, including the formation of quality improvement teams; development of quality improvement goals, objectives, and standards; HBB protocol training; weekly review meetings; daily skill checks; use of self-evaluation checklists; and refresher training. A cohort design, including a nested case-control study was used to measure changes in clinical outcomes and adherence to the resuscitation protocol through video recording, before and after implementation of the QIC.

RESULTS:
The intrapartum stillbirth rate decreased from 9.0 to 3.2 per thousand deliveries, and first-day mortality from 5.2 to 1.9 per thousand live births after intervention, demonstrating a reduction of approximately half in the odds of intrapartum stillbirth (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.32–0.66) and first-day mortality (adjusted OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.31–0.83). After intervention, the odds of inappropriate use of suction and stimulation decreased by 87% (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.09–0.17) and 62% (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.29–0.49), respectively. Before intervention, none of the infants received bag-and-mask ventilation within 1 minute of birth, compared with 83.9% of infants after.

CONCLUSIONS:
The HBB QIC reduced intrapartum stillbirth and first-day neonatal mortality and led to use of suctioning and stimulation more frequently. The HBB QIC requires further testing in primary settings across Nepal.
Katheterassoziierte Venenerkrankungen beim Pferd – Diagnose und Therapie in der Praxis
Authors: Gehlen Heidrun , Müller Carolin 
Published: May 2016

ZusammenfassungKatheterassoziierte Venenveränderungen weisen bezüglich ihres klinischen Bildes und ihres klinischen Verlaufs eine hohe Variabilität auf. Unterschieden werden kann zwischen einem perivenösen Hämatom, einer Periphlebitis, Endophlebitis, Phlebothrombose oder septischen Thrombophlebitis. Die Diagnosestellung einer Venenerkrankung erfolgt durch eine klinische Untersuchung (Anstaubarkeit der Vene, Schwellungen, Schmerzhaftigkeit, vermehrte Wärme und eventuelle Exsudation im Bereich der Einstichstelle) sowie eine sonographische Darstellung der Vene (perivenöses Gewebe, Venenwand, Veneninhalt). Die Behandlung der Venenerkrankung richtet sich nach ihrer Ätio logie und Pathogenese und kann aus einer antikoagulatorischen (Heparin, Phenprocoumon), einer entzündungs- und schmerzhemmenden (nichtsteroidale Antiphlogistika) sowie bei Bedarf einer antibiotischen Therapie bestehen. Zur Prophylaxe von Venenerkrankungen ist ein gutes Kathetermanagement besonders wichtig. Hierzu gehören die richtige Auswahl des Kathetersystems (Langzeitkatheter aus Polyurethan), die Katheterpflege und die intensive Überwachung. Der Übersichtsartikel erläutert praxisnah die einzelnen Venenerkrankungen, ihre Diagnose und die therapeutischen Maßnahmen.
Neue Arzneimittel für Kleintiere 2015
Authors: Emmerich Ilka Ute 
Published: May 2016

ZusammenfassungIm Jahr 2015 kamen für Kleintiere vier neue Wirkstoffe auf den deutschen Tierarzneimittelmarkt: Der Kalziumkanalblocker Amlodipin (Amodip®), das Benzodiazepin Diazepam (Ziapam®), das Allylamin- Antimykotikum Terbinafin (Osurnia®) und das Schleifendiuretikum Torasemid (UpCard®). Ein Wirkstoff erhielt eine Tierartenerweiterung. So wurde das Triazol-Antimykotikum Itraconazol (Fungitraxx®) auch für Ziervögel zugelassen.
Saerjinho: sentidos de avaliação em disputa
Authors: Martins Marcus Leonardo Bomfim , Gabriel Carmen Teresa 
Published: May 2016

<p>O objetivo deste artigo é explorar as ambivalências forjadas no processo de produção de significados sobre o Saerjinho – avaliação oficial que compõe o Sistema de Avaliação da Educação do Estado do Rio de Janeiro – por parte da Secretaria de Estado de Educação do Rio de Janeiro, do Centro de Políticas Públicas e Avaliação da Educação e de docentes da rede. A abordagem de informações e documentos oficiais sobre a referida avaliação e de entrevistas com professores se inscreve em uma postura epistêmica discursiva que opera na pauta pós-fundacional que permite entender o processo de significação como um ato político. A análise apontou que há disputas entre os três agentes destacados para a produção de sentidos sobre o Saerjinho, e que os significantes avaliação interna, avaliação externa e avaliação diagnóstica têm suas fronteiras borradas de acordo com os interesses políticos envolvidos.</p><p> </p>
Desdobramentos dos relatórios das avaliações em larga escala
Authors: Stanich Karina Alves Biasoli , Sousa Clarilza Prado de 
Published: May 2016

<p>A partir dos relatórios das avaliações em larga escala realizadas, ao longo de seis anos, por um sistema de ensino da rede privada, analisaram-se o desempenho dos alunos em Geometria e o modo como os professores identificavam e representavam as dificuldades dos estudantes. Foram entrevistados 24 professores do 5º ano do ensino fundamental, de 18 unidades escolares do estado de São Paulo. O estudo foi elaborado sob o aporte teórico da Teoria das Representações Sociais, do modelo van Hiele e dos critérios de avaliação propostos pelo Programme for International Student Assessment de 2003 e 2012. Os resultados evidenciam uma representação de impossibilidade de aprendizagem dos alunos do 5º ano, resultando no deslocamento do objetivo do ensino, que, reduzido à sua aplicação prática e ao contexto imediato do aluno, não favorecia o desenvolvimento das habilidades de representar e operar teoricamente sobre o cotidiano.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
Avaliação externa e escolas públicas: elementos de gestão escolar democrática
Authors: Machado Cristiane 
Published: May 2016

<p>A Prova Brasil, além de estimar o desempenho dos alunos por meio de provas padronizadas, coleta dados para possibilitar estudos de fatores associados ao desempenho dos alunos utilizando questionários contextuais. O objetivo deste artigo é explorar elementos de gestão escolar democrática nas respostas de diretores da rede pública de Guarulhos (SP) no questionário da Prova Brasil de 2011. Foram respondidos 227 questionários com 212 questões de múltipla escolha, 165 por diretores das escolas estaduais e 62 por diretores das escolas municipais. Os conceitos participação, autonomia e acesso e permanência foram cotejados com as respostas dos diretores às questões que se aproximavam dessas temáticas. As informações obtidas e analisadas possibilitam compreender formas e contornos de práticas de gestão democrática, ou ausência delas, em alguns casos, no cotidiano das escolas estaduais e municipais estudadas.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
The adaptation of generalist predators’ diet in a multi‐prey context: insights from new functional responses
Authors: Baudrot Virgile , Perasso Antoine , Fritsch Clémentine , Giraudoux Patrick , Raoul Francis 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe ability for a generalist consumer to adapt its foraging strategy (the multi‐species functional response,MSFR) is a milestone in ecology as it contributes to the structure of food webs. The trophic interaction between a generalist predator, as the red fox or the barn owl, and its prey community, mainly composed of small mammals, has been empirically and theoretically widely studied. However, the extent to which these predators adapt their diet according to both multi‐annual changes in multiple prey species availability (frequency dependence) and the variation of the total prey density (density dependence) is unexplored.We provide a new general model ofMSFRdisentangling changes in prey preference according to variation of prey frequency (switching) and of total prey density (we propose the new concept of “rank switching”). We apply these models to two large data sets of red fox and barn owl foraging. We show that both frequency‐dependent and density‐dependent switching are critical properties of these two systems, suggesting that barn owl and red fox have an accurate image of the prey community in terms of frequency and absolute density. Moreover, we show that negative switching, which can lead to prey instability, is a strong property of the two systems.
Counteracting effects of a non‐native prey on the demography of a native predator culminate in positive population growth
Authors: Cattau Christopher E. , Fletcher Robert J. , Reichert Brian E. , Kitchens Wiley M. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIdentifying impacts of non‐native species on native populations is central to conservation and ecology. While effects of non‐native predators on native prey populations have recently received much attention, impacts of introduced prey on native predator populations are less understood. Non‐native prey can influence predator behavior and demography through direct and indirect pathways, yet quantitative assessments of the relative impacts of multiple, potentially counteracting, effects on native predator population growth remain scarce. Using ≈20 years of range‐wide monitoring data, we tested for effects of a recently introduced, rapidly spreading non‐native prey species (Pomacea maculata) on the behavior and demography of the endangered Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis). Previous studies found that food‐handling difficulties caused by the large size of P. maculata (relative to the native P. paludosa) can lead to energetic deficiencies in juvenile kites, suggesting the potential for evolutionary traps to occur. However, high densities of P. maculata populations could facilitate kites by providing supplemental food resources. Contrary to prior hypotheses, we found that juvenile apparent survival increased ≈50% in wetlands invaded by non‐native snails. Breeding rates and number of young fledged/successful nests were also positively associated with non‐native snail presence, suggesting direct trophic benefits to kites. We found no direct effects of the invasive snail on adult survival or daily nest survival rates. Kite movements and breeding distribution closely tracked the spread of non‐native snail populations. Since 2005, kites have been heavily concentrated in northern regions where non‐native snails have established. This geographic shift has had hidden costs, as use of northern regions is associated with lower adult survival. Despite negative impacts to this key vital rate, matrix population modeling indicated that the multifarious effects of the non‐native snail invasion on kites culminated in increased population growth rates, likely lowering short‐term extinction risks. Results suggest that considering only particular components of behavior or demography may be inadequate to infer the population‐dynamic importance of non‐native prey on native predators, including their role in creating potential evolutionary traps. Our findings provide information pertinent to Everglades restoration, highlighting potential management trade‐offs for non‐native species that may aid imperiled species recovery yet disrupt other native communities.
Trade‐offs between accuracy and interpretability in vonBertalanffy random‐effects models of growth
Authors: Vincenzi Simone , Crivelli Alain J. , Munch Stephan , Skaug Hans J. , Mangel Marc 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBetter understanding of variation in growth will always be an important problem in ecology. Individual variation in growth can arise from a variety of processes; for example, individuals within a population vary in their intrinsic metabolic rates and behavioral traits, which may influence their foraging dynamics and access to resources. However, when adopting a growth model, we face trade‐offs between model complexity, biological interpretability of parameters, and goodness of fit. We explore how different formulations of the vonBertalanffygrowthfunction (vBGF) with individual random effects and environmental predictors affect these trade‐offs. In the vBGF, the growth of an organism results from a dynamic balance between anabolic and catabolic processes. We start from a formulation of the vBGFthat models the anabolic coefficient (q) as a function of the catabolic coefficient (k), a coefficient related to the properties of the environment (γ) and a parameter that determines the relative importance of behavior and environment in determining growth (ψ). We treat the vBGFparameters as a function of individual random effects and environmental variables. We use simulations to show how different functional forms and individual or group variability in the growth function's parameters provide a very flexible description of growth trajectories. We then consider a case study of two fish populations ofSalmo marmoratusandSalmo truttato test the goodness of fit and predictive power of the models, along with the biological interpretability of vBGF's parameters when using different model formulations. The best models, according toAIC, included individual variability in bothkand γ and cohort as predictor of growth trajectories, and are consistent with the hypothesis that habitat selection is more important than behavioral and metabolic traits in determining lifetime growth trajectories of the two fish species. Model predictions of individual growth trajectories were largely more accurate than predictions based on mean size‐at‐age of fish. Our method shares information across individuals, and thus, for both fish populations investigated, allows using a single measurement early in the life of individual fish or cohort to obtain accurate predictions of lifetime individual or cohort size‐at‐age.
Nitrogen addition affects chemical compositions of plant tissues, litter and soil organic matter
Authors: Liu Jun , Wu Nana , Wang Hui , Sun Jianfei , Peng Bo , Jiang Ping , Bai Edith 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIncreasing nitrogen (N) deposition or fertilization has been found to significantly affect carbon (C) cycling. However, a comprehensive understanding of how different C chemical components of plant, litter, and soil would respond to external N addition is still lacking. We compiled data of 1,160 observations from 52 individual studies and conducted a meta‐analysis of N addition effects on 18 variables related to C chemical compositions in terrestrial ecosystems. Results showed that plant lignin (+7.13%), plant protein (+25.94%), and soil lignin (+7.30%) were significantly increased by N addition, and plant hemicellulose (−4.39%) was significantly decreased, whereas plant fiber, plant cellulose, plant non‐structural carbohydrate (NSC), litter lignin, and litter cellulose were not significantly changed. The effects of N addition on C chemical composition varied among different ecosystems/plant types and different forms of N addition. Increasing treatment duration did not significantly change the effects of N addition on the chemical composition of plant, litter, and soil C. With increasing N addition rate, the effect of N addition on plant lignin, plant fiber, plant cellulose, and plant protein increased, while the effect of N addition on plant hemicellulose, plant NSC, and litter cellulose became more negative. Our meta‐analysis provided a systematic evaluation of the responses of different C chemical components to N addition in the plant–litter–soil continuum. Results suggest that the change of plant and soil C chemical composition under N addition may be beneficial for ecosystem C sequestration and could affect ecosystem structure and function in the future.
Warming and fertilization alter the dilution effect of host diversity on disease severity
Authors: Liu Xiang , Lyu Shengman , Zhou Shurong , Bradshaw Corey J. A. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAn essential ecosystem service is the dilution effect of biodiversity on disease severity, yet we do not fully understand how this relationship might change with continued climate warming and ecosystem degradation. We designed removal experiments in natural assemblages of Tibetan alpine meadow vegetation by manipulating plot‐level plant diversity to investigate the relationship between different plant biodiversity indices and foliar fungal pathogen infection, and how artificial fertilization and warming affect this relationship. Although pathogen group diversity increased with host species richness, disease severity decreased as host diversity rose (dilution effect). The dilution effect of phylogenetic diversity on disease held across different levels of host species richness (and equal abundances), meaning that the effect arises mainly in association with enhanced diversity itself rather than from shifting abundances. However, the dilution effect was weakened by fertilization. Among indices, phylogenetic diversity was the most parsimonious predictor of infection severity. Experimental warming and fertilization shifted species richness to the most supported predictor. Compared to planting experiments where artificial communities are constructed from scratch, our removal experiment in natural communities more realistically demonstrate that increasing perturbation adjusts natural community resistance to disease severity.