bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of declining calcium availability on the survival, growth and calcium content of a freshwater crayfish, Orconectes virilis
Authors: Edwards Brie A. , Jackson Donald A. , Somers Keith M. 
Published: April 2016

Summary

Calcium (Ca) decline is a severe and widespread phenomenon threatening softwater ecosystems around the world. In north temperate lakes, these declines have been linked with declines in numerous freshwater taxa, in particular, crustacean zooplankton and crayfish.

The purpose of this study was to determine, under lab conditions, the effect of low Ca concentrations on survival, growth and Ca content of a freshwater crayfish, Orconectes virilis, originating in a region experiencing Ca decline.

We found that survival of juvenile O. virilis was significantly reduced at 0.5–0.9 mg L−1, which is among the lowest requirement reported for a freshwater crayfish.

Neither growth nor whole‐body Ca content were related to Ca concentration.

Based on these findings, the acute tolerance of O. virilis to low Ca may allow the species to persist under forecast concentrations of lakes in regions experiencing Ca decline; however, most lakes are experiencing stress from multiple environmental agents which could influence the impact of Ca on mortality and potentially other life history attributes.
Deconstructing richness patterns by commonness and rarity reveals bioclimatic and spatial effects in black fly metacommunities
Authors: Roque Fabio de O. , Zampiva Nayara K. , Valente‐Neto Francisco , Menezes Jorge F. S. , Hamada Neusa , Pepinelli Mateus , Siqueira Tadeu , Swan Christopher 
Published: April 2016

Summary

Deconstructing biological communities by grouping species according to their commonness or rarity might improve our understanding about the processes driving variation in biological communities. Such an approach considers differences among organisms and emergent ecological patterns.

In this study, we addressed the relative role of spatial and large‐scale bioclimatic variables along a commonness and rarity gradient using Simuliidae (Diptera) species richness. A database of species occurrences at 459 locations in Brazil was used to estimate the distribution of 58 simuliid species. Total species richness at each location was estimated first using all occurrences and then by removing one species at a time, following a commonest to rarest gradient (CtR) and vice‐versa (RtC). Partial regression analysis was used to test the influence of sets of bioclimatic (E) and spatial (S) variables for Simuliidae species richness across both CtR and RtC gradients.

In the CtR gradient, the pure spatial component alone explained between 40% and 60% of the variation in simuliid richness when the total number of species was greater than ˜35. After removal of the 35th most common species, the model fit decreased sharply reaching nearly zero when only rare species were present. Variation explained by the shared component E + S decreased continuously along the CtR gradient. The relative role of predictor variables on the RtC gradient was similar to CtR gradient. However, removing the rare species first did not change which components best explained species richness.

Our gradual deconstructive approach revealed that common species contribute more to species richness variation than rare species, and that the role of predictors in explaining this pattern cannot be untangled by analysing richness of rare and common species in a categorical way.
Pervasive gene flow across critical habitat for four narrowly endemic, sympatric taxa
Authors: Lucas Lauren K. , Gompert Zachariah , Gibson J. Randy , Bell Katherine L. , Buerkle C. Alex , Nice Chris C. 
Published: April 2016

Summary

We studied genetic variation in four endangered animal taxa in the largest freshwater spring complex in the southwestern U.S.A., Comal Springs (TX): Eurycea salamanders, Heterelmis riffle beetles, Stygobromus amphipods and Stygoparnus dryopid beetles. They inhabit a spring complex with nearly stable conditions, which is threatened by climate change and aquifer withdrawals. The four taxa vary in their habitat affinities and body sizes.

We used genotyping‐by‐sequencing to obtain hundreds to thousands of genetic markers to accurately infer the demographic history of the taxa. We used approximate Bayesian computation to test models of gene flow and compare the results among taxa. We also looked for evidence that would suggest local adaptation within the spring complex.

An island model (equal gene flow among all subpopulations) was the most probable of the five models tested, and all four taxa had high migration rate estimates.

Small numbers of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in each taxon tested were associated with environmental conditions and provide some evidence for potential local adaptation to slightly variable conditions across habitat patches within Comal Springs.

We discuss how the results of this study can add to the habitat conservation plan for Comal Springs. If part of the spring system dries, migrants may recolonise from elsewhere within the spring complex. However, genetic variants affecting survival in particular habitat patches could be lost during such droughts.
Predator presence dramatically reduces copepod abundance through condition‐mediated non‐consumptive effects
Authors: Bourdeau Paul E. , Bach Matthew T. , Peacor Scott D. 
Published: April 2016

Summary

Predators can induce changes in prey phenotype that reduce predation risk but also incur costs (so‐called ‘non‐consumptive effects’ or NCEs).

Few studies, however, have examined NCEs over time scales sufficient to link individual‐ and demographic‐level processes to changes in prey abundance.

Using a laboratory experiment, we investigated how NCEs of the invasive planktivorous cladoceran Bythotrephes longimanus on the condition of native zooplankton from Lake Michigan affect population abundance.

Presence of chemical cues (i.e. kairomones) from Bythotrephes led to a greater than 13‐fold reduction in abundance of diaptomid copepods in the absence of any direct predation. This dramatic reduction was a result of reduced fecundity and likely reduced survival. The costly anti‐predator response underlying the demographic effects was reduced food intake and/or assimilation as evidenced by reduced gut fullness, which led to poorer condition, as evidenced by lower lipid accumulation.

These predator effects may remain undetected in studies of animal populations that fail to include sufficient efforts to search for them, and illustrate the far‐reaching potential of predator non‐consumptive effects (‘fear effects’) to influence prey populations.
Direct and indirect effects of glaciers on aquatic biodiversity in high Andean peatlands
Authors: Quenta Estefania , Molina‐Rodriguez Jorge , Gonzales Karina , Rebaudo François , Casas Jérôme , Jacobsen Dean , Dangles Olivier 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe rapid melting of glacier cover is one of the most obvious impacts of climate change on alpine ecosystems and biodiversity. Our understanding of the impact of a decrease in glacier runoff on aquatic biodiversity is currently based on the ‘glacier‐heterogeneity‐diversity’ paradigm, according to which there is high α‐diversity at intermediate levels of glacial influence due to the high degree of environmental heterogeneity caused by glacier water. This α‐diversity pattern generates high levels of between‐site aquatic community variation (high β diversity) and increases regional diversity (γ‐diversity). There is a rich conceptual background in favor of this paradigm, but empirical data supporting it are scarce. We investigated this paradigm by analyzing the different diversity patterns (α, β and γ‐diversity) of four aquatic groups (zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, algae and macrophytes) living in high‐elevation peatlands (>4500 m above sea level). We sampled 200 pools from 20 peatlands along a glacier gradient in the Cordillera Real of Bolivia. We performed structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze the potential mechanisms underlying the observed diversity patterns. Intermediate levels of glacial influence (15–20% cover) resulted in high heterogeneity, but α‐diversity responded to glacial influence only for the zooplankton group (Cladocera). Our SEM analysis did not identify environmental heterogeneity as a significant variable explaining the relationship between glacier and α‐diversity. Peatland area had a strong positive effect on heterogeneity and diversity. β‐diversity was significantly associated with glacier gradient, and 12.9% of the total regional diversity (γ‐diversity) was restricted to peatlands with a high degree of glacial influence. These species might be lost in a context of glacial retreat. These findings provide new insight into the potential effects of glacial retreat on the aquatic environment and biodiversity in the peatlands of the tropical Andes.
Nitrate leaching and soil nitrous oxide emissions diminish with time in a hybrid poplar short‐rotation coppice in southern Germany
Authors: Díaz‐Pinés Eugenio , Molina‐Herrera Saúl , Dannenmann Michael , Braun Judith , Haas Edwin , Willibald Georg , Arias‐Navarro Cristina , Grote Rüdiger , Wolf Benjamin , Saiz Gustavo , Aust Cisco , Schnitzler Jörg‐Peter , Butterbach‐Bahl Klaus 
Published: April 2016

AbstractHybrid poplar short‐rotation coppices (SRC) provide feedstocks for bioenergy production and can be established on lands that are suboptimal for food production. The environmental consequences of deploying this production system on marginal agricultural land need to be evaluated, including the investigation of common management practices i.e., fertilization and irrigation. In this work, we evaluated (1) the soil‐atmosphere exchange of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide (N2O); (2) the changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks; (3) the gross ammonification and nitrification rates; and (4) the nitrate leaching as affected by the establishment of a hybrid poplar SRC on a marginal agricultural land in southern Germany. Our study covered one 3‐year rotation period and 2 years after the first coppicing. We combined field and laboratory experiments with modeling. The soil N2O emissions decreased from 2.2 kg N2O‐N ha−1 a−1 in the year of SRC establishment to 1.1–1.4 kg N2O‐N ha−1 a−1 after 4 years. Likewise, nitrate leaching reduced from 13 to 1.5–8 kg N ha−1 a−1. Tree coppicing induced a brief pulse of soil N2O flux and marginal effects on gross N turnover rates. Overall, the N losses diminished within 4 years by 80% without fertilization (irrespective of irrigation) and by 40% when 40–50 kg N ha−1 a−1 were applied. Enhanced N losses due to fertilization and the minor effect of fertilization and irrigation on tree growth discourage its use during the first rotation period after SRC establishment. A SOC accrual rate of 0.4 Mg C ha−1 a−1 (uppermost 25 cm, P = 0.2) was observed 5 years after the SRC establishment. Overall, our data suggest that SRC cultivation on marginal agricultural land in the region is a promising option for increasing the share of renewable energy sources due to its net positive environmental effects.
Intensive dialysis and pregnancy
Authors: Hladunewich Michelle , Schatell Dori 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPregnancy in women with end stage renal disease on renal replacement therapy is uncommon due to the physiologic changes associated with renal failure as well as the complexities and risk involved in managing these patients. As most of these women had long periods of illness with chronic kidney disease, the effects of their chronic illness together with the current societal trends to delay child bearing to a more advanced maternal age can hamper fertility. For those able to conceive, intensified hemodialysis (HD), through longer and/or more frequent dialysis sessions, offers improved maternal and neonatal outcomes. Intensified HD is most conveniently offered in the patient's home, where possible. This review expands the scope of the Implementing Hemodialysis in the Home website and associated supplement published previously in Hemodialysis International and includes information tailored to women of reproductive age. We describe the necessary counseling that women should receive before conception and before intensification of HD, and provide a detailed management strategy that includes nephrologic and obstetric care, should pregnancy occur.
Increased Exhaled 8‐Isoprostane and Interleukin‐6 in Patients with Helicobacter pylori Infection
Authors: Yildirim Zeki , Bozkurt Bulent , Ozol Duygu , Armutcu Ferah , Akgedik Recep , Karamanli Harun , Kizilirmak Deniz , İkizek Mustafa 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection triggers both local inflammation, usually in gastric mucosa, and chronic systemic inflammation. It is assumed that this local and systemic inflammation is caused by extracellular products excreted by H. pylori. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between H. pylori infection and a local inflammatory response in the airway by using exhaled breath condensate technique.Materials and MethodsThis study includes 41 H. pylori seropositive patients who have gastric symptoms and 27 healthy control subjects. Pulmonary function tests (PFT), chest X ray, and physical examination were performed in all patients and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), 8‐isoprostane and nitrotyrosine levels were measured in exhaled breath condensate.ResultsLevels of IL‐6 and 8‐isoprostane in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) were significantly higher in H. pylori positive patients than control subjects (p < 0.05). Nitrotyrosine levels were also higher in H. pylori positive patients but the difference was not statistically significant. Both groups had similar leukocyte counts, C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels and PFT parameters.ConclusionH. pylori infection causes an asymptomatic airway inflammation which can be detected by exhaled breath condensate. The clinical importance of this inflammation remains unclear.
The Upregulation of TRAF1 Induced by Helicobacter pylori Plays an Antiapoptotic Effect on the Infected Cells
Authors: Wan Xiu‐Kun , Yuan Sheng‐Ling , Tao Hao‐Xia , Diao Li‐Peng , Wang Yan‐Chun , Cao Cheng , Liu Chun‐Jie 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundTumor necrosis factor receptor‐associated factor 1 (TRAF1) is a member of the TRAF family and is dysregulated in diseases, such as atheroma, lymphoma, and solid tumors, but the role of TRAF1 in gastric cancer remains unknown. This study was aimed to investigate the role of TRAF1 in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)‐related cell apoptosis and gastric carcinogenesis.Materials and methodsThe mRNA and protein expression levels of TRAF1 were measured in a panel of gastric cancer cell lines and in H. pylori ‐infected mice by quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting. The transcription factor that mainly affects transcription of TRAF1 during H. pylori infection was identified. The roles of H. pylori virulence factors that regulate TRAF1 expression were analyzed using isogenic cagA‐, vacA‐, and cagE‐null mutants. The effects of TRAF1 on gastric cell viability and apoptosis during H. pylori infection were detected using the standard MTS (cell viability) assay and flow cytometry, respectively.ResultsH. pylori infection induced TRAF1 overexpression in both gastric epithelial cells and mice. The expression of TRAF1 in response to H. pylori infection was majorly regulated by the activation of NF‐κB and was strongly related to H. pylori virulence factor CagA. The upregulation of TRAF1 inhibited cell apoptosis and increased the viability of infected cells.ConclusionsH. pylori infection induces the overexpression of TRAF1 in gastric epithelial cells. The upregulation of TRAF1 plays an antiapoptotic role in H. pylori ‐infected gastric cells and may contribute to the gastric carcinogenesis.
Rabeprazole, Minocycline, Amoxicillin, and Bismuth as First‐Line and Second‐Line Regimens for Helicobacter pylori Eradication
Authors: Song Zhiqiang , Suo Baojun , Zhang Lingyun , Zhou Liya 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundBecause of general unavailability of tetracycline, common adverse effects, and complicated administration, the clinical application of bismuth quadruple therapy often faces difficulties. Whether the combination of minocycline and amoxicillin can replace tetracycline and metronidazole for Helicobacter pylori eradication remains unclear. This study was to determine the efficacy, compliance, and safety of rabeprazole, minocycline, amoxicillin, and bismuth (RMAB) therapy as first‐line and second‐line regimens.Materials and MethodsBetween July 2013 and December 2015, a total of 160 patients in first‐line and 70 patients in second‐line therapies received rabeprazole 10 mg, minocycline 100 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg, and bismuth potassium citrate 220 mg twice daily for 14 days. Eradication status was assessed 6–12 weeks after treatment.ResultsRMAB therapy achieved the eradication rates of 87.5% (95% confidence interval, 81.9–92.5%, intention‐to‐treat analysis), 90.9% (85.7–95.5%, modified intention‐to‐treat analysis), and 92.6% (88.5–96.6%, per‐protocol analysis) in first‐line therapy in a setting with high antibiotic resistance rates (amoxicillin 3.4%, clarithromycin 39.7%, metronidazole 60.3%, levofloxacin 36.2%, tetracycline 3.4%, and minocycline 6.9%). As for second‐line therapy, the eradication rates were 82.9% (74.3–91.4%, intention‐to‐treat analysis), 86.6% (77.6–94.0%, modified intention‐to‐treat analysis), and 89.1% (81.3–95.3%, per‐protocol analysis). Totally, 24.0% patients had adverse effects, 2.2% discontinued medications, and good compliance was achieved in 94.7%. Poor compliance and minocycline resistance were identified as the risk factors for treatment failure. Significant differences in efficacy existed among the groups of both sensitive (48/51 and 18/20), isolated amoxicillin resistance (1/1 and 0/0), isolated minocycline resistance (2/3 and 1/1), and dual resistance (0/1 and 0/1) in both first‐line (p = .004) and second‐line (p = .035) therapies.ConclusionsThe eradication efficacies of RMAB therapy as first‐line and second‐line regimens were satisfactory with good compliance and safety in a region with high antibiotic resistance.
Effects of in‐hospital exercise on liver function, physical ability, and muscle mass during treatment of hepatoma in patients with chronic liver disease
Authors: Koya Shunji , Kawaguchi Takumi , Hashida Ryuki , Goto Emiko , Matsuse Hiroo , Saito Hiromichi , Hirota Keisuke , Taira Ryoko , Matsushita Yoshiko , Imanaga Minami , Nagamatsu Ayu , Shirono Tomotake , Shimose Shigeo , Iwamoto Hideki , Niizeki Takashi , Kuromatsu Ryoko , Miura Hiroko , Shiba Naoto , Torimura Takuji 
Published: April 2016

AimsSarcopenia and physical disability assessed by a 6‐min walking test (6MWT) are associated with poor prognosis of patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). However, CLD patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mostly rest in bed during hospitalization. We aimed to investigate the effects of therapeutic exercise on liver function, 6MWT, and skeletal muscle mass during HCC treatment in patients with CLD.MethodsWe enrolled 54 CLD patients with HCC (median age, 76 years). During hospitalization, patients performed a combination of stretching, strength training, balance practice, and endurance training (2.5–4 metabolic equivalents/20 min/day). Primary outcomes were changes from admission to discharge in Child–Pugh class, 6MWT, and skeletal muscle mass. Furthermore, factors associated with skeletal muscle atrophy were analyzed by a decision‐tree analysis.ResultsExercise did not worsen the Child–Pugh class. On discharge, the 6MWT ambulation distance was maintained, and heart rate variability during the 6MWT was significantly improved compared to that on admission (area under the curve 50.3 vs. 39.0 arbitrary units; P = 0.0027). Although skeletal muscle mass was significantly reduced (20.6 kg vs. 20.0 kg, P = 0.0301), branched‐chain amino acid (BCAA) treatment was identified as the most distinguishable factor for minimizing muscle mass atrophy (−1.1 kg vs. −0.5 kg/hospitalization).ConclusionsTherapeutic exercise improved physical ability without worsening liver function during hospitalization for HCC treatment in CLD patients. Although exercise did not completely prevent skeletal muscle atrophy, BCAA treatment minimized the skeletal muscle atrophy. Thus, exercise with BCAA treatment may be important for the management of CLD patients with HCC.
Reduced frontal activation during verbal fluency task in chronic hepatitis C patients with interferon‐based therapy as measured by near‐infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Abe Kazumichi , Wada Akira , Oshima Sachie , Kono Soichi , Takahashi Atsushi , Kanno Yukiko , Imaizumi Hiromichi , Hayashi Manabu , Okai Ken , Niwa Shin‐Ichi , Yabe Hirooki , Ohira Hiromasa 
Published: April 2016

AimPsychiatric side‐effects are the main reason for discontinuation of interferon (IFN)‐based therapy. Recent developments in near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) have enabled non‐invasive clarification of brain functions in psychiatric disorders. We prospectively evaluated brain activation in 20 chronic hepatitis C patients with or without IFN‐based therapy by using NIRS during a verbal fluency task (VFT).MethodsThe relative concentrations of oxygenated hemoglobin were measured while patients completed a questionnaire survey at the start of treatment and at 4 and 12 weeks during treatment, using NIRS.ResultsThe VFT performance did not change among the two groups. Patients with IFN‐based therapy showed significantly lower activation during VFT in frontal channels at 12 weeks than those at the start of treatment and control (P < 0.05). Their Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale scores were significantly higher at 12 weeks than those at the start of treatment, although major depressive symptoms were not found (8.3 ± 7.9 vs. 13.2 ± 6.0, P < 0.001).ConclusionThe decrease in oxygenated hemoglobin concentrations of the frontal lobe detected using NIRS in this study reflects hypofunction of the frontal lobe. This functional decline that was caused by IFN‐based therapy may be associated with the prodromal phase of depression.
Comparative incidence of rejection occurring in small intestinal and colonic mucosal biopsies of patients undergoing intestinal transplantation
Authors: Huard Geneviève , Schiano Thomas , Fiel Marie I , Ward Stephen C , Moon Jang , Iyer Kishore 
Published: April 2016

AimsTo compare the diagnosis of acute cellular rejection (ACR) based on biopsies (Bx) performed simultaneously in the small bowel (SB) and colonic grafts (paired Bx) after intestinal transplantation (ITx).Methods and resultsRetrospective study including all ITx with colon at Mount Sinai Hospital between 2009 and 2014. Paired Bx were reviewed blindly by two experienced gastrointestinal (GI) pathologists and were graded based on the VIII International Small Bowel Transplant Symposium Consensus criteria, with minor modifications for evaluation of colon biopsies. Each Bx was classified as negative or positive for ACR. Cohen's kappa statistic was used to quantify the interpathologist agreement and the agreement between SB and colonic Bx for the diagnosis of ACR. Fifteen patients underwent 51 paired Bx. The strength of agreement for the grade of ACR in the SB biopsies (kappa = 0.62) and the colonic biopsies (kappa = 0.65) was good. The inter‐rater agreement was better for Bx negative for ACR and for higher grades of ACR. Overall, 74.5% of paired Bx were concordant for the presence or absence of ACR. The strength of agreement for the presence or absence of ACR between the SB and colonic Bx (kappa = 0.44) was moderate. Two cases of severe ACR were restricted to the SB allograft.ConclusionsPaired Bx in the SB and the colon are usually in agreement regarding the presence or the absence of ACR. However, colonic Bx alone may not suffice to exclude ACR following ITx. With minor modifications, the histopathological criteria of the SB may be adaptable to the colonic allograft.