bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ecological networks in motion: micro‐ and macroscopic variability across scales
Authors: Trøjelsgaard Kristian , Olesen Jens M. 
Published: June 2016

Summary

There has been an intense focus on the response of species to environmental changes, and more recently, the interactions of species have been examined in a similar way in order to understand the stability of entire communities and networks of interacting species. As a consequence, ecological networks have been placed in spatial and temporal contexts in order to reveal what may drive network variability. Understanding the spatial and temporal variability of ecological networks, and in particular the underlying forces facilitating changes, seems pertinent in our attempts to understand and anticipate how ecological networks may vary and respond to future environmental scenarios.

Network variability has been studied at widely differing temporal and spatial scales. For example, studies exploring temporal variability ranges from within‐season comparisons to comparisons over vast geological time spans, and the spatial extent ranges from the scale of a single pond to global analyses. Here, we highlight the outcomes from such studies and emphasize the identified mechanisms driving spatio‐temporal variability in ecological networks. Specifically, we describe how ecological networks vary over different temporal (years, centuries and millennia) and spatial (local, regional and global) scales, discuss how this variability is monitored and identify potential future directions.

Present knowledge allows some tentative generalizations. First, ecological networks tend to exhibit considerable spatial and temporal stability in several macroscopic features (e.g. connectance, nestedness), but studies also show that macroscopic features may change, for example, in relation to mass extinction or steep environmental gradients. Secondly, microscopic features (e.g. individual specialization levels, species roles and partner affiliations), albeit less studied, seem to show strong variability, and in several cases, microscopic instability co‐occurs with macroscopic stability. We therefore recommend a stronger focus on this macro–micro interplay and list ideas (e.g. temporal species centrality measures and interaction phenologies), towards expanding the microscopic toolbox of network ecologists.

A lay summary is available for this article.
Histone deacetylase inhibition, but not a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist spironolactone, attenuates atypical transcription by an activating mutant MR (MRS810L)
Authors: Kang Seol‐Hee , Lee Hae‐Ahm , Lee Eunjo , Kim Mina , Kim Inkyeom 
Published: June 2016

SummaryA mutation in the mineralocorticoid receptor (MRS810L) leads to early‐onset hypertension, which is markedly exacerbated during pregnancy. The mutation causes progesterone and even the MR antagonist spironolactone to become potent agonists. Thus, it is hard to control hypertension in patients harbouring this mutation. We hypothesized that histone deacetylase inhibition (HDACi), but not the MR antagonist spironolactone, attenuates atypical transcriptional activity of activating mutant MR (MRS810L). We established HEK293T cells overexpressing wild‐type MR (MRWT) or MRS810L and determined their transcriptional activities by luciferase assay. Expression of MR target genes was measured by quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR). Treatment with aldosterone increased the expression of MR target genes as well as the transcriptional activities in HEK293T cells transfected either with MRWT or MRS810L. Treatment with either spironolactone or progesterone also increased the expression of MR target genes as well as transcriptional activity, but only in HEK293T cells transfected with MRS810L. Spironolactone abolished the promoter activity stimulated by aldosterone in HEK293T cells transfected with MRWT. Treatment with HDAC inhibitors attenuated the transcriptional activity as well as the expression of MR target genes induced by aldosterone, spironolactone, or progesterone whether HEK293T cells were transfected with either MRWT or MRS810L. These results indicate that HDACi, but not an MR antagonist spironolactone, attenuates atypical transcriptional activity of an activating mutant MR (MRS810L).
Dilute versus concentrated vasopressin administration during laparoscopic myomectomy: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Cohen SL , Senapati S , Gargiulo AR , Srouji SS , Tu FF , Solnik J , Hur H‐C , Vitonis A , Jonsdottir GM , Wang KC , Einarsson JI 
Published: June 2016

ObjectiveTo determine if higher‐volume, fixed‐dose administration of vasopressin further reduces blood loss at the time of minimally invasive myomectomy.DesignRandomised multicentre clinical trial.SettingTertiary‐care academic centres in the USA.PopulationWomen undergoing conventional laparoscopic or robot‐assisted laparoscopic myomectomy.MethodsAll participants received the same 10‐unit (U) dose of vasopressin, but were randomly assigned to one of two groups: (i) received 200 ml of diluted vasopressin solution (20 U in 400 ml normal saline), and (ii) received 30 ml of concentrated vasopressin solution (20 U in 60 ml normal saline).Main outcome measuresThe primary study outcome was estimated blood loss; the study was powered to detect a 100‐ml difference.ResultsA total of 152 women were randomised; 76 patients in each group. Baseline demographics were similar between groups. The primary outcome of intraoperative blood loss was not significantly different, as measured by three parameters: surgeon estimate (mean estimated blood loss 178 ± 265 ml and 198 ± 232 ml, dilute and concentrated groups respectively, P = 0.65), suction canister‐calculated blood loss, or change in haematocrit levels. There were no vasopressin‐related adverse events.ConclusionBoth dilute and concentrated vasopressin solutions that use the same drug dosing demonstrate comparable safety and tolerability when administered for minimally invasive myomectomy; however, higher volume administration of vasopressin does not reduce blood loss.Tweetable abstractThis randomised trial failed to show benefit of high‐volume dilute vasopression.
Development of a Library Search‐Based Screening System for 3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine in Ecstasy Tablets Using a Portable Near‐Infrared Spectrometer
Authors: Tsujikawa Kenji , Yamamuro Tadashi , Kuwayama Kenji , Kanamori Tatsuyuki , Iwata Yuko T. , Miyamoto Kazuna , Kasuya Fumiyo , Inoue Hiroyuki 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThis is the first report on development of a library search‐based screening system for 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in ecstasy tablets using a portable near‐infrared (NIR) spectrometer. The spectrum library consisted of spectra originating from standard substances as well as mixtures of MDMA hydrochloride (MDMA‐HCl) and diluents. The raw NIR spectra were mathematically pretreated, and then, a library search was performed using correlation coefficient. To enhance the discrimination ability, the wavelength used for the library search was limited. Mixtures of MDMA‐HCl and diluents were used to decide criteria to judge MDMA‐positive or MDMA‐negative. Confiscated MDMA tablets and medicinal tablets were used for performance check of the criteria. Twenty‐two of 27 MDMA tablets were truly judged as MDMA‐positive. Five false‐negative results may be caused by compounds not included in the library. No false‐positive results were obtained for medicinal tablets. This system will be a useful tool for on‐site screening of MDMA tablets.
Review article: Updated resuscitation guidelines for 2016: A summary of the Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation recommendations
Authors: Leman Peter , Morley Peter 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThis review paper summarises the key changes made to the resuscitation guidelines used in Australia and New Zealand. They were released by the Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation in January 2016. These are local adaptations of the evidence previously published in October 2015 by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR). They are presented across the main working groups in ILCOR: ALS, BLS, paediatrics, neonates, acute coronary syndromes, first aid and ‘Education, Implementation and Teams’.
Dispersal behavior of yellowjacket (Vespula germanica) queens
Authors: Masciocchi Maité , Martinez Andrés S. , Pereira Ana J. , Villacide José M. , Corley Juan C. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractUnderstanding the factors that affect animal dispersal behavior is important from both fundamental and applied perspectives. Dispersal can have clear evolutionary and ecological consequences, but for nonnative insect pests, dispersal capacity can also help to explain invasion success.Vespula germanicais a social wasp that, in the last century, has successfully invaded several regions of the world, showing one of the highest spread rates reported for a nonnative insect. In contrast with nonsocial wasps, in social species, queens are responsible for population redistribution and spread, as workers are sterile. ForV. germanica, it has been observed that queen flight is limited to 2 distinct periods: early autumn, when new queens leave the nest to mate and find sheltered places in which to hibernate, and spring when new colonies are founded. Our aim was to study the flight behavior ofV. germanicaqueens by focusing on the different periods in which dispersal occurs, characterizing as well the potential contribution of queen flight (i.e., distance) to the observed geographical spread. Our results suggest that the distances flown by nonoverwintered queens is greater than that flown by overwintered individuals, suggesting that the main queen dispersal events would occur before queens enter hibernation. This could relate to a behavioral trait of the queens to avoid the inbreeding with related drones. Additionally, given the short distances flown and remarkable geographical spread observed, we provide evidence showing that queen dispersal by flight is likely to contribute proportionately less to population spread than human‐aided factors.
A wide diversity ofPantoealineages are engaged in mutualistic symbiosis and cospeciation processes with stinkbugs
Authors: Duron Olivier , Noël Valérie 
Published: June 2016

SummaryPantoeaare emerging as widespread bacteria engaged in associations with a variety of hosts, including plants, insects and humans. Recently, mutualisticPantoeagut symbionts have also been reported in pentatomid stinkbugs. In the present study, we examine the incidence and evolutionary history of thesePantoeasymbionts in pentatomid stinkbug populations from 14 species, characterising the processes that shape their diversity. We identify midgut crypts of pentatomid stinkbugs as harboring a remarkable diversity ofPantoea. Present in 10 of the 14 sampled host species, multi‐locus typing revealed the presence of 10 novelPanteoalineages, all highly differentiated from the knownPanteoaspecies. Rearing experiments of two pentatomid stinkbug species confirmed that these novelPanteoaare maternally inherited through egg smearing and engaged in mutualistic interactions with their hosts. Phylogenetic investigations further revealed that thePantoeaevolutionary history in pentatomid stinkbugs was notably complex: it has been shaped not only by horizontal transfers with frequent host turnover but also by strict vertical transmission over long evolutionary periods, resulting in host‐symbiont codiversification.
The efficacy and safety of everolimus for the treatment of progressive gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: A multi‐institution observational study in Taiwan
Authors: Liu Chien‐Ting , Chen Ming‐Huang , Chen Jen‐Shi , Chen Li‐Tzong , Shan Yan‐Shen , Lu Chang‐Hsien , Su Yu‐Li , Ku Fan‐Chen , Chou Wen‐Chi , Chen Yen‐Yang 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAimEverolimus is an inhibitor of mTOR, approved for treatment of advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). The purpose of this observational study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of everolimus in treatment of progressive, advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP‐NETs) in Taiwan.MethodsFifty‐three patients with progressive, advanced GEP‐NETs who received everolimus treatment between January 2008 and August 2014 were selected. Patient characteristics, tumor features, safety profiles and treatment efficacy were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsMean follow‐up duration was 23.7 (1.2–70) months and 37 of 53 patients (69.8%) remained alive at the end of study. The one‐ and two‐year overall survival rates were 90.5% and 75.4%, respectively. The median progression‐free survival (PFS) was 18.9 (95% confidence interval; 10.9–26.8) months. Partial response was observed in 15 (28.3%) patients, 29 (54.7%) patients had stable disease and nine (17%) patients had progressive disease. Patients with World Health Organization (WHO) grade I NETs, nonfunctional tumors and liver metastasis burden <10% had significantly better PFS with everolimus treatment. Adverse events observed were stomatitis (35.8%), hyperglycemia (22.6%) and rash (18.8%). Seven (15.4%) patients experienced severe adverse events (grade 3 or more), including hyperglycemia (4.4%), anemia (4.4%), fatigue (2.2%) and elevated liver function (2.2%). One (2.2%) patient died from grade 5 interstitial pneumonitis.ConclusionEverolimus was an effective treatment for Taiwanese patients with progressive advanced GEP‐NETs. Patients with nonfunctional NETs had a trend toward longer PFS, whereas patients with liver metastases burden <10% had a trend toward longer overall survival time receiving everolimus treatment.
Acitretin in erosive penile lichen planus
Authors: Poon Flora , De Cruz Ryan , Hall Anthony 
Published: June 2016

AbstractLichen planus (LP) is an incompletely understood T‐cell mediated auto‐immune dermatosis. When LP involves the genitalia it may present as painful, pruritic erosions that can be exquisitely tender, causing distress and genitourinary and sexual dysfunction. Management of erosive genital LP is often suboptimal. Despite higher order evidence demonstrating the efficacy of oral acitretin in the management of cutaneous and oral LP, it still features below other immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory therapies in many clinicians’ therapeutic ladder. We present a case of severe erosive penile LP, successfully treated with oral acitretin after topical and oral corticosteroids failed to induce remission.
Intrauterine anaesthetic after hysteroscopy to reduce post‐operative pain – A double blind randomised controlled trial
Authors: Mahomed Kassam , McLean Jim , Ahmed Muhtashim , Zolotarev Boris , Shaddock Natalie 
Published: June 2016

BackgroundPain after hysteroscopy is usually minimal but some women need additional analgesia while in the recovery ward and some require overnight hospital admission to control pain. Intrauterine installation of an anaesthetic after hysteroscopy may reduce pain.AimsTo see if intrauterine levobupivacaine reduces post‐procedure pain, need for analgesia and allow earlier return to normal activity.Materials and methodsThis was a double‐blind randomised controlled trial. Women having hysteroscopy under general anaesthesia were allocated to receive intrauterine instillation of levubupivacaine or normal saline at the end of the procedure. Women were assessed in the recovery ward by a verbal descriptor pain scale and need for additional analgesia and followed up on day 3 to further assess pain and return to normal activity.ResultsThere were no significant differences in demographic characteristics or indication for surgery between the 224 women in the study group or the 214 women in the control group. At two hours post‐procedure, 156/224 (70%) study women versus 119/214 (56%) control women had no pain; (relative risk (RR) 0.68 and 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53–0.87). There were 182/224 (81%) study women versus 154/214 (72%) control women with a pain score < 5 (RR 0.67; 95% CI 0.47–0.95). Fewer women in the study group required additional analgesia 54/224 (24%) versus 88/214 (41%) (RR 0.58; 95% CI 0.44–0.78). There was no significant difference between groups with regards to pain at 24 h post‐procedure or return to activity.ConclusionIntrauterine instillation of levobupivacaine reduced post‐procedure pain and need for additional pain relief.
Strategizing for Autonomy: Whither Durability and Progressiveness?
Authors: Teo Shaun S.K. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWhat should autonomous formations work towards? How might they strategize to get there? This paper considers thesewhatandhowaspects in tandem—a necessary pursuit if clearer pathways to emancipation are to be realized. First, it conceptualizes the relationship between objectives of durability and progressiveness. I introduce “the durability trap”, a situation whereby autonomous formations achieve durability at the expense of their progressiveness, as well as the principles to overcome this. Second, it evaluates how autonomous formations might act collectively and vis‐à‐vis the state to achieve, or not, both durability and progressiveness. I compare the strategies two autonomous formations adopt in response to the development of Media Spree, a redevelopment project in Berlin. I show how symbiotic strategy results in the durability trap and how an interstitial approach works to overcome this. I end by conceiving strategies of interstitiality, symbiosis and rupture as sequential steps to wider transformation.
Lower Bounds on Integrated Risk, Subject to Inequality Constraints
Authors: Kabaila Paul , Kong Yining 
Published: June 2016

SummaryStatistical decision theory can sometimes be used to find, via a least favourable prior distribution, a statistical procedure that attains the minimax risk. This theory also provides, using an ‘unfavourable prior distribution’, a very useful lower bound on the minimax risk. In the late 1980s, Kempthorne showed how, using a least favourable prior distribution, a specified integrated risk can sometimes be minimised, subject to an inequality constraint on a different risk. Specifically, he was concerned with the solution of a minimax‐Bayes compromise problem (‘compromise decision theory’). Using an unfavourable prior distribution, Kabaila & Tuck (), provided a very useful lower bound on an integrated risk, subject to an inequality constraint on a different risk. We extend this result to the case of multiple inequality constraints on specified risk functions and integrated risks. We also describe a new and very effective method for the computation of an unfavourable prior distribution that leads to a very useful lower bound. This method is simply to maximize the lower bound directly with respect to the unfavourable prior distribution. Not only does this method result in a relatively tight lower bound, it is also fast because it avoids the repeated computation of the global maximum of a function with multiple local maxima. The advantages of this computational method are illustrated using the problems of bounding the performance of a point estimator of (i) the multivariate normal mean and (ii) the univariate normal mean.
Claudin‐2‐mediated cation and water transport share a common pore
Authors: Rosenthal R. , Günzel D. , Krug S. M. , Schulzke J.‐D. , Fromm M. , Yu A. S. L. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAimClaudin‐2 is a tight junction protein typically located in ‘leaky’ epithelia exhibiting large paracellular permeabilities like small intestine and proximal kidney tubule. Former studies revealed that claudin‐2 forms paracellular channels for small cations like sodium and potassium and also paracellular channels for water. This study analyses whether the diffusive transport of sodium and water occurs through a common pore of the claudin‐2 channel.MethodsWild‐type claudin‐2 and different claudin‐2 mutants were expressed in MDCK I kidney tubule cells using an inducible system. Ion and water permeability and the effect of blocking reagents on both were investigated on different clones of the mutants.ResultsNeutralization of a negatively charged cation interaction site in the pore with the mutation, D65N, decreased both sodium permeability and water permeability. Claudin‐2 mutants (I66C and S68C) with substitution of the pore‐lining amino acids with cysteine were used to test the effect of steric blocking of the claudin‐2 pore by thiol‐reactive reagents. Addition of thiol‐reactive reagents to these mutants simultaneously decreased conductance and water permeability. Remarkably, all experimental perturbations caused parallel changes in ion conductance and water permeability, disproving different or independent passage pathways.ConclusionOur results indicate that claudin‐2‐mediated cation and water transport are frictionally coupled and share a common pore. This pore is lined and determined in permeability by amino acid residues of the first extracellular loop of claudin‐2.
The Lateglacial interstadial at the southeastern limit of the Sonoran Desert, Mexico: vegetation and climate reconstruction based on pollen sequences from Ciénega San Marcial and comparison with the subrecent record
Authors: Ortega‐Rosas Carmen I. , Peñalba María C. , Guiot Joel 
Published: June 2016

The last glacial–interglacial transition encompassed rapid climate oscillations that affected both hemispheres. At low latitudes, the pattern of oscillations is not well established. To address this issue, pollen analysis was performed at Ciénega San Marcial, a monsoon‐influenced site located on the southeastern edge of the Sonoran Desert at the limit of the tropical thornscrub. The pollen record covers the Late Wisconsinan glacial terminationII, from 15 650 to 13 400 cal. aBP, includingGS‐2 and the Lateglacial interstadial, and a recent historical period (ADc. 1919 to 2004). We applied the modern analogue technique, in which pollen taxa are assigned to plant functional types (PFTs), to reconstruct the past climates. At the end ofGS‐2, aJuniperus–Pinuswoodland is indicative of annual temperatures 10±2 °C colder than present and higher annual precipitation dominated by winter rains. The onset of the Lateglacial interstadial occurs atc. 15 500 cal. aBP, resulting in a lower sedimentation rate and the spread of a xeric grassland. This period is associated with an increase in summer insolation. A weak signal of summer monsoon intensification is dated to 14 825 cal. aBPbut is associated with colder winter temperatures. A wider spread of tropical taxa occurs after 13 800 cal. aBP, along with the loss ofJuniperus, suggesting a temperature increase of approximately 3 °C. In spite of the earlier Lateglacial warming, the transition from glacial to interstadial conditions seems to be related to North Atlantic atmospheric variations. We conclude that during the last glacial–interglacial transition, the Sonoran Desert at 28.5° latitude was sensitive to climate variations originating in northern latitudes. The recent historical sequence displays summer‐dominant precipitation and additional drivers of climate change, including anthropogenic factors and El Niño, thus showing a stronger Pacific circulation influence in the subrecent period.