bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Environmental influences on mosquito foraging and integrated vector management can delay the evolution of behavioral resistance
Authors: Stone Chris , Chitnis Nakul , Gross Kevin 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAlong with the scaled‐up distribution of long‐lasting insecticidal nets for malaria control has become concern about insecticide resistance. A related concern regards the evolution of host‐seeking periodicity from the nocturnal to the crepuscular periods of the day. Why we observe such shifts in some areas but not others and which methods could prove useful in managing such behavioral resistance remain open questions. We developed a foraging model to explore whether environmental conditions affect the evolution of behavioral resistance. We looked at the role of the abundance of blood hosts and nectar sources and investigated the potential of attractive toxic sugar baits for integrated control. Higher encounter rates with hosts and nectar sources allowed behaviorally resistant populations to persist at higher levels of bed net coverage. Whereas higher encounter rates with nectar increased the threshold where resistance emerged, higher encounter rates of hosts lowered this threshold. Adding sugar baits lowered the coverage level of bed nets required to eliminate the vector population. In certain environments, using lower bed net coverage levels together with toxic sugar baits may delay or prevent the evolution of behavioral resistance. Designing sustainable control strategies will depend on an understanding of vector behavior expressed in local environmental conditions.
Shrubline but not treeline advance matches climate velocity in montane ecosystems of south‐central Alaska
Authors: Dial Roman J. , Scott Smeltz T. , Sullivan Patrick F. , Rinas Christina L. , Timm Katriina , Geck Jason E. , Carl Tobin S. , Golden Trevor S. , Berg Edward C. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractTall shrubs and trees are advancing into many tundra and wetland ecosystems but at a rate that often falls short of that predicted due to climate change. For forest, tall shrub, and tundra ecosystems in two pristine mountain ranges of Alaska, we apply a Bayesian, error‐propagated calculation of expected elevational rise (climate velocity), observed rise (biotic velocity), and their difference (biotic inertia). We show a sensitive dependence of climate velocity on lapse rate and derive biotic velocity as a rigid elevational shift. Ecosystem presence identified from recent and historic orthophotos ~50 years apart was regressed on elevation. Biotic velocity was estimated as the difference between critical point elevations of recent and historic logistic fits divided by time between imagery. For both mountain ranges, the 95% highest posterior density of climate velocity enclosed the posterior distributions of all biotic velocities. In the Kenai Mountains, mean tall shrub and climate velocities were both 2.8 m y−1. In the better sampled Chugach Mountains, mean tundra retreat was 1.2 m y−1and climate velocity 1.3 m y−1. In each mountain range, the posterior mode of tall woody vegetation velocity (the complement of tundra) matched climate velocity better than either forest or tall shrub alone, suggesting competitive compensation can be important. Forest velocity was consistently low at 0.1–1.1 m y−1, indicating treeline is advancing slowly. We hypothesize that the high biotic inertia of forest ecosystems in south‐central Alaska may be due to competition with tall shrubs and/or more complex climate controls on the elevational limits of trees than tall shrubs. Among tall shrubs, those that disperse farthest had lowest inertia. Finally, the rapid upward advance of woody vegetation may be contributing to regional declines in Dall's sheep (Ovis dalli), a poorly dispersing alpine specialist herbivore with substantial biotic inertia due to dispersal reluctance.
Miscanthus as biogas substrate – cutting tolerance and potential for anaerobic digestion
Authors: Kiesel Andreas , Lewandowski Iris 
Published: December 2015

AbstractIn the anaerobic digestion and biogas industry in Germany, the step of energy crop production accounts for a high proportion of the greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts. Replacing annual energy crops, for example maize, by perennial biomass crops such as miscanthus offers the potential to increase the sustainability of biogas crop production. However, the cutting tolerance of miscanthus and the mechanisms influencing it need to be investigated to assess its potential as a biogas crop. For this purpose, a field trial with different harvest regimes was conducted to identify the potential methane yield and cutting tolerance of Miscanthus x giganteus. Several fertilization regimes were tested under nitrogen‐limited conditions in a pot trial to investigate the mechanisms behind the cutting tolerance. The refilling of carbohydrate (starch) stores in the rhizome was identified as a very important factor influencing the cutting tolerance of miscanthus, whereas the nutrient relocation appeared to be of less importance. The field trial revealed that Miscanthus x giganteus offers a very high methane yield potential of approx. 6000 m3 ha−1 when harvested in October, which is within the range of the methane hectare yield of energy maize. The substrate‐specific methane yield of Miscanthus x giganteus biomass decreased with later harvest dates and reached 247 ml (g oDM)−1 in October. This harvest date delivered very high, stable yields of on average 26 t DM ha−1 over two years and enabled a good cutting tolerance. Green harvest in October was identified to be suitable for Miscanthus x giganteus and is recommended for biogas utilization. In conclusion, the perennial biomass crop Miscanthus x giganteus is a very promising biogas crop and offers the potential to increase the sustainability of the anaerobic digestion sector in Germany by replacing a substantial area of biogas maize cultivation.
Radiation capture and conversion efficiencies of Miscanthus sacchariflorus, M. sinensis and their naturally occurring hybrid M. × giganteus
Authors: Davey Christopher Lyndon , Jones Laurence Edmund , Squance Michael , Purdy Sarah Jane , Maddison Anne Louise , Cunniff Jennifer , Donnison Iain , Clifton‐Brown John 
Published: December 2015

AbstractMiscanthus is a rhizomatous C4 grass of great interest as a biofuel crop because it has the potential to produce high yields over a wide geographical area with low agricultural inputs on marginal land less suitable for food production. At the moment, a clonal interspecific hybrid Miscanthus × giganteus is the most widely cultivated and studied in Europe and the United States, but breeding programmes are developing newer more productive varieties. Here, we quantified the physiological processes relating to whole season yield in a replicated plot trial in Wales, UK. Light capture and conversion efficiency were parameterized for four carefully selected genotypes (M. sinensis, M. sacchariflorus and Miscanthus × giganteus). Differences in the canopy architecture in mature stands as measured by the extinction coefficient (k) were small (0.55–0.65). Sensitivity analysis on a mathematical model of Miscanthus was performed to quantify the accumulative intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (iPAR) in the growing season using (i) k, (ii) variation in the thermal responses of leaf expansion rate, (iii) base temperature for degree days and (iv) date start of canopy expansion. A 10% increase in k or leaf area per degree day both had a minimal effect on iPAR (3%). Decreasing base temperature from 10 to 9 °C gave an 8% increase in iPAR. If the starting date for canopy expansion was the same as shoot emergence date, then the iPAR increases by 12.5%. In M. × giganteus, the whole season above ground and total (including below ground) radiation‐use efficiency (RUE) ranged from 45% to 37% higher than the noninterspecific hybrid genotypes. The greater yields in the interspecific hybrid M. × giganteus are explained by the higher RUE and not by differences in iPAR or partitioning effects. Studying the mechanisms underlying this complex trait could have wide benefits for both fuel and food production.
Rescuing failed oral implants via Wnt activation
Authors: Yin Xing , Li Jingtao , Chen Tao , Mouraret Sylvain , Dhamdhere Girija , Brunski John B. , Zou Shujuan , Helms Jill A. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAimImplant osseointegration is not always guaranteed and once fibrous encapsulation occurs clinicians have few options other than implant removal. Our goal was to test whether a WNT protein therapeutic could rescue such failed implants.Material and MethodsTitanium implants were placed in over‐sized murine oral osteotomies. A lack of primary stability was verified by mechanical testing. Interfacial strains were estimated by finite element modelling and histology coupled with histomorphometry confirmed the lack of peri‐implant bone. After fibrous encapsulation was established peri‐implant injections of a liposomal formulation of WNT3A protein (L‐WNT3A) or liposomal PBS (L‐PBS) were then initiated. Quantitative assays were employed to analyse the effects of L‐WNT3A treatment.ResultsImplants in gap‐type interfaces exhibited high interfacial strains and no primary stability. After verification of implant failure, L‐WNT3A or L‐PBS injections were initiated. L‐WNT3A induced a rapid, significant increase in Wnt responsiveness in the peri‐implant environment, cell proliferation and osteogenic protein expression. The amount of peri‐implant bone and bone in contact with the implant were significantly higher in L‐WNT3A cases.ConclusionsThese data demonstrate L‐WNT3A can induce peri‐implant bone formation even in cases where fibrous encapsulation predominates.
The association between shallow vestibular depth and peri‐implant parameters: a retrospective 6 years longitudinal study
Authors: Halperin‐Sternfeld Michal , Zigdon‐Giladi Hadar , Machtei Eli E. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the association between shallow vestibular depth (VD) and peri‐implant parameters.Material and MethodsPeri‐implant parameters were evaluated in 61 periodontal patients under regular supportive periodontal therapy. Clinical parameters included gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), peri‐implant pocket depths (PPD), mucosal recession (MR), relative attachment level (RAL), width and thickness of keratinized mucosa (KMW, KMT) and VD. Radiographic bone level (RBL) was measured on peri‐apical radiographs.ResultsSites with shallow VD (≤4 mm) were associated with higher MR (0.91 mm versus 0.47 mm, p ≤ 0.009), higher RAL (4.23 mm versus 3.59 mm, p ≤ 0.0001) and higher RBL (2.18 mm versus 1.7 mm, p = 0.05) when compared with adequate vestibular depth sites (VD >4 mm). Moreover, sites with shallow VD presented lower KMW compared with sites with adequate VD (1.24 mm versus 2.38 mm, respectively, p ≤ 0.0001). Slightly greater BOP, and GI were recorded for the shallow VD compared with adequate sites. According to multivariate analysis, factors that could predict RAL included: VD, GI, age, supporting periodontal therapy, implant type and design.ConclusionsBased on this study, inadequate vestibular depth around dental implants may be associated with increased peri‐implant bone loss and mucosal recession. Further prospective and intervention studies will be required to fully understand this phenomenon.
Selective up‐regulation of functional mu‐opioid receptor splice variants by chronic opioids
Authors: Chakrabarti Sumita , Madia Priyanka A. , Gintzler Alan R. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractWe recently reported (Verzillo, et al. J. Neurochem: 130, 790–796, 2014) that chronic systemic morphine selectively up‐regulates mRNA encoding two C‐terminal μ‐opioid receptor (MOR) splice variants, MOR‐1C1 and MOR‐1B2 (MOR‐1B2/‐1C1). Given the known disconnects between changes in levels of mRNA and corresponding protein, it is essential to directly demonstrate that chronic opioid treatment elevates functional MOR‐1B2/‐1C1 protein prior to inferring relevance of these MOR variants to spinal opioid tolerance mechanisms. Accordingly, we investigated the ability of chronic opioid exposure to up‐regulate MOR protein in Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected with rat MOR variants MOR‐1B2, MOR‐1C1, or MOR‐1 (considered to be the predominant MOR). Findings revealed that chronic treatment with the clinically relevant opioids morphine, oxycodone and hydrocodone substantially up‐regulated membrane MOR‐1B2/‐1C1 protein. This up‐regulation was abolished by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, eliminating contributions from receptor redistribution. The increment in MOR‐1B2/‐1C1 protein was paralleled by a significant increment in opioid agonist‐stimulated GTPγS‐binding (reflective of increased aggregate MOR G protein coupling) indicating that up‐regulated MOR‐1B2/‐1C1 represented functional receptors. Strikingly, these tolerance‐associated adaptations of MOR‐1B2/‐1C1 differed considerably from those of MOR‐1. Antithetical regulation of MOR‐1B2/‐1C1 and MOR‐1 by chronic opioids has significant implications for the design of new therapeutic agents to counteract opioid analgesic tolerance and accompanying addiction. Since chronic opioids induce MOR‐1B2/‐1C1 up‐regulation in spinal cord of males, but not females, elucidating cellular compartments and intracellular pathways mediating MOR‐1B2/‐1C1 up‐regulation and defining their unique signaling attributes would enable a precision medicinal approach to pain management and addiction therapy.
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In the spinal cord of males, but not females, chronic morphine up‐regulates mRNA encoding two mu‐opioid receptor (MOR) variants, MOR‐1B2 and MOR‐1C1 (MOR‐1B2/‐1C1). We now demonstrate that chronic treatment with the clinically relevant opioids morphine, hydrocodone or oxycodone up‐regulates MOR‐1B2/‐1C1 functional protein, which is dependent on de novo protein synthesis. Findings underscore the importance of unique signaling attributes of MOR variants to sexually dimorphic tolerance mechanisms.
Fluoxetine induces vascular endothelial growth factor/Netrin over‐expression via the mediation of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1‐alpha in SH‐SY5Y cells
Authors: Wang Jiayi , Zhou Xiaoyu , Lu Haiyan , Song Mingrui , Zhao Jinglong , Wang Qiaoshu 
Published: December 2015

AbstractFluoxetine has become one of the most promising drugs for improving clinical outcome in patients with cerebral infarction. Although the clinical efficacy of fluoxetine has been preliminarily demonstrated, its mechanism remains unclear. Hypoxia‐inducible factor 1‐alpha (HIF‐1α) is upstream to Netrin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and under hypoxia conditions it may induce expression of Netrin‐1 and VEGF in vascular endothelial cells. We sought to explore whether it can regulate their expression in hypoxia and mediate the effect of fluoxetine in hypoxia. In this study, the effect of hypoxia on the expression of VEGF and Netrin was observed in vitro by real‐time PCR and western blotting in SH‐SY5Y cells; the binding sites of HIF‐1α in VEGF and Netrin gene promoters were identified by luciferase reporter; the effect of fluoxetine on binding of HIF‐1α with Netrin and VEGF promoters in hypoxia was observed by Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) Assay. We prove that HIF‐1α regulates transcription of both VEGF and Netrin, and that in hypoxia fluoxetine up‐regulates VEGF and Netrin expression via mediation of HIF‐1α that binds to hypoxia‐response element sites of VEGF and Netrin promoters. Our study indicates that HIF‐1α may play an important role in the treatment of cerebral infarction through mediating the recovery of neurological function induced by fluoxetine, which provides theoretical basis for the development of gene therapeutic drugs targeting HIF‐1α.
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We show that hypoxia‐inducible factor 1‐alpha (HIF‐1α) regulates transcription of both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Netrin. Furthermore, we also show that in hypoxia fluoxetine up‐regulates VEGF and Netrin expression via mediation of HIF‐1α that binds to hypoxia‐response element (HRE) sites of VEGF and Netrin promoters. Our study indicates that HIF‐1α may play an important role in the treatment of cerebral infarction through mediating the recovery of neurological function induced by fluoxetine. These findings provide a theoretical basis for development of gene therapeutic drugs targeting HIF‐1α.
Regulation of Multidrug Resistance P‐Glycoprotein in the Developing Blood–Brain Barrier: Interplay between Glucocorticoids and Cytokines
Authors: Iqbal M. , Baello S. , Javam M. , Audette M. C. , Gibb W. , Matthews S. G. 
Published: December 2015

P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) encoded by Abcb1 provides protection to the developing brain from xenobiotics. P‐gp in brain endothelial cells (BECs) derived from the developing brain microvasculature is up‐regulated by glucocorticoids and inhibited by pro‐inflammatory cytokines in vitro. However, little is known about how prenatal maternal glucocorticoid treatment can affect Abcb1/P‐gp function and subsequent cytokine regulation in foetal BECs. We hypothesised that glucocorticoid exposure increases Abcb1/P‐gp in the foetal brain microvasculature and enhances the sensitivity of Abcb1/P‐gp in BECs to the inhibitory effects of cytokines. BECs isolated from dexamethasone‐ or vehicle‐exposed foetal guinea pigs were cultured and treated with interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6 or tumour necrosis factor‐α, and Abcb1/P‐gp expression and function were assessed. Prenatal dexamethasone exposure significantly increased Abcb1/P‐gp expression/activity and cytokine receptor levels in BECs of the foetal brain microvasculature. Foetal dexamethasone exposure in vivo also increased the subsequent responsiveness of BECs to pro‐inflammatory cytokines in vitro. In conclusion, maternal treatment with synthetic glucocorticoids appears to prematurely mature P‐gp mediated drug resistance at the foetal BBB in vivo and profoundly impact the subsequent responsiveness of P‐gp to pro‐inflammatory cytokines in the foetal BEC. The significance of these findings to foetal brain protection against xenobiotics and other P‐gp substrates in vivo requires further elaboration. However, the results of the present study may have implications for human pregnancy and foetal brain protection, particularly in cases of preterm birth combined with infection.
Physiological and biochemical changes of females of Piracanjuba, subjected to induced reproduction
Authors: Zanoni M. A. , Costa F. G. , de Carvalho S. , Seiva F. R. F. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryThe aim of this experiment was to compare the level of fish female stress during induced reproduction with pituitary extract by two different methods, natural and semiextruded. The reproductive efficiency was 62.5% in the seminatural treatment and 100% in the extruded. Obtained egg volume was 5200 ml and 4000 ml, for seminatural and extruded treatments respectively. The mean number of eggs was 46.7 for the seminatural and 52.0 and for the extruded treatment. The percentage of viable eggs was, respectively, 87.2% and 8.17% for the natural treatment and extruded semimethods. Blood samples were collected to quantify cortisol and glucose levels, as well as red cell series and lymphocyte count. Fishes submitted to induction procedures showed elevated cortisol and glucose levels, compared to the control animals. The results for haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration and red blood cell count showed no significant differences among groups. Significant differences found in the number of lymphocytes and monocytes suggest the general adaptation syndrome. Our results suggest the reproductive induction process with extrusion of gametes as a more stressful method than seminatural reproduction process.
Investigation of nutriactive phytochemical – gamma‐oryzanol in experimental animal models
Authors: Szcześniak K. A. , Ostaszewski P. , Ciecierska A. , Sadkowski T. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryGamma‐oryzanol (GO) is an abundant dietary antioxidant that is considered to have beneficial effects in cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. Other potential properties of GO include inhibition of gastric acid secretion and decreased post‐exercise muscle fatigue. GO is a unique mixture of triterpene alcohol and sterol ferulates present in rice bran oil, a byproduct of rice processing. GO has been studied by many researchers over the last three decades. In particular, the utility of GO supplementation has been documented in numerous animal models. A large variety of species was examined, and various experimental methodologies and targets were applied. The aim of this study was to summarize the body of research on GO supplementation in animals and to examine possible mechanisms of GO action. Furthermore, while the safety of GO supplementation in animals has been well documented, studies demonstrating pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and efficiency are less clear. The observed differences in these findings are also discussed.
Impact of heat stress, nutritional restriction and combined stresses (heat and nutritional) on growth and reproductive performance of Malpura rams under semi‐arid tropical environment
Authors: Maurya V. P. , Sejian V. , Kumar D. , Naqvi S. M. K. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryA study was conducted to assess the combined effect of heat stress and nutritional restriction on growth and reproductive performances in Malpura rams. Twenty‐eight adult Malpura rams (average body weight (BW) 66.0 kg) were used in this study. The rams were divided into four groups: CON (n = 7; control), HES (n = 7; heat stress), NUS (n = 7; nutritional stress) and COS (n = 7; combined stress). The study was conducted for a period of 2 months. CON and HES rams had ad libitum access to their feed while NUS and COS rams were under restricted feed (30% intake of CON rams) to induce nutritional stress. The HES and COS rams were kept in climatic chamber at 42 °C and 55% relative humidity for 6 h a day between 10 : 00 h and 16 : 00 h to induce heat stress. Body weight increased significantly (p < 0.05) in CON as compared to NUS and COS. When compared within groups, scrotal width morning, scrotal width afternoon, scrotal circumference morning and scrotal circumference afternoon were significantly (p < 0.05) larger in CON while smaller in COS rams. The higher testicular length was recorded both during morning (p < 0.05) and afternoon (p < 0.01) in COS rams while the lowest in NUS rams. The highest plasma testosterone concentration was recorded in CON and lowest in COS rams. Semen volume and mass motility also differed significantly (p < 0.05) between the groups. The highest semen volume and mass motility was recorded in CON and NUS while lowest in both HES and COS rams. It can be concluded from this study that when two stressors occur simultaneously, they may have severe impact on reproductive performance of rams.