bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Central administration of galanin N‐terminal fragment 1–15 decreases the voluntary alcohol intake in rats
Authors: Millón Carmelo , Flores‐Burgess Antonio , Castilla‐Ortega Estela , Gago Belén , García‐Fernandez María , Serrano Antonia , Rodriguez de Fonseca Fernando , Narváez José Angel , Fuxe Kjell , Santín Luis , Díaz‐Cabiale Zaida 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAlcohol consumption is considered a major risk factor for disease and mortality worldwide. In the absence of effective treatments in alcohol use disorders, it is important to find new biological targets that could modulate alcohol consumption. We tested the role of the N‐terminal galanin fragment (1–15) [GAL(1–15)] in voluntary ethanol consumption in rats using the two‐bottle choice paradigm as well as compare the effects of GAL(1–15) with the whole molecule of GAL. We describe for the first time that GAL(1–15), via central mechanisms, induces a strong reduction in preference and ethanol consumption in rats. These effects were significantly different than GAL. GAL receptor (GALR) 2 was involved in these effects, because the specific GALR2 antagonist M871 blocked GAL(1–15) mediated actions in preference and ethanol intake. Importantly, the mechanism of this action involves changes in GALR expression and also in immediate‐early gene C‐Fos and receptors‐internalization‐related gene Rab5 in the striatum. The relevance of the striatum as a target for GAL(1–15) was supported by the effect of GAL(1–15) on the locomotor activity of rats after ethanol administration. These results may give the basis for the development of novel therapeutics strategies using GAL(1–15) analogues for the treatment of alcohol use disorders in humans.
Adolescent impulsivity as a sex‐dependent and subtype‐dependent predictor of impulsivity, alcohol drinking and dopamine D2 receptor expression in adult rats
Authors: Hammerslag Lindsey R. , Belagodu Amogh P. , Aladesuyi Arogundade Olubankole A. , Karountzos Angela G. , Guo Qingrou , Galvez Roberto , Roberts Brent W. , Gulley Joshua M. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractImpulsivity is a personality trait associated with a heightened risk for drug use and other psychiatric conditions. Because impulsivity‐related disorders typically emerge during adolescence, there has been interest in exploring methods for identifying adolescents that will be at risk to develop substance use disorders in adulthood. Here, we used a rodent model to assess inhibitory control (impulsive action) and impulsive decision making (impulsive choice) during adolescence (43–50 days old) or adulthood (93–100 days old) and then examined the impact of development on these impulsivity traits by re‐testing rats 50 days later. Impulsive action was not stable from adolescence to adulthood in male rats and was lowest in adult male rats, relative to adolescents and female rats. Impulsive choice was stable across development and unaffected by age or sex. Next, we examined the connection between our model of impulsivity and two measures relevant to substance abuse research: the initiation of voluntary alcohol drinking and dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) expression in the prelimbic prefrontal cortex. Consumption of saccharin‐sweetened ethanol during 30‐minute sessions in adulthood was associated with adolescent, but not adult, impulsive action, particularly in male rats. Prelimbic D2R expression was reduced in individuals with high levels of impulsive choice, and this relationship appeared to be strongest among female rats. The results of this study demonstrate that impulsive choice, along with its connection to D2R expression, is relatively unchanged by the process of development. For impulsive action, however, individual levels of impulsivity during adolescence predict drinking in adulthood despite changes in the measure during development.
Estimating verbal fluency and naming ability from the test of premorbid functioning and demographic variables: Regression equations derived from a regional UK sample
Authors: Jenkinson Toni‐Marie , Muncer Steven , Wheeler Miranda , Brechin Don , Evans Stephen 
Published: December 2017

ObjectivesNeuropsychological assessment requires accurate estimation of an individual's premorbid cognitive abilities. Oral word reading tests, such as the test of premorbid functioning (TOPF), and demographic variables, such as age, sex, and level of education, provide a reasonable indication of premorbid intelligence, but their ability to predict other related cognitive abilities is less well understood. This study aimed to develop regression equations, based on the TOPF and demographic variables, to predict scores on tests of verbal fluency and naming ability.MethodsA sample of 119 healthy adults provided demographic information and were tested using the TOPF, FAS, animal naming test (ANT), and graded naming test (GNT). Multiple regression analyses, using the TOPF and demographics as predictor variables, were used to estimate verbal fluency and naming ability test scores. Change scores and cases of significant impairment were calculated for two clinical samples with diagnosed neurological conditions (TBI and meningioma) using the method in Knight, McMahon, Green, and Skeaff ().ResultsDemographic variables provided a significant contribution to the prediction of all verbal fluency and naming ability test scores; however, adding TOPF score to the equation considerably improved prediction beyond that afforded by demographic variables alone. The percentage of variance accounted for by demographic variables and/or TOPF score varied from 19 per cent (FAS), 28 per cent (ANT), and 41 per cent (GNT). Change scores revealed significant differences in performance in the clinical groups, particularity the TBI group.ConclusionsDemographic variables, particularly education level, and scores on the TOPF should be taken into consideration when interpreting performance on tests of verbal fluency and naming ability
Threshold responses of Amazonian stream fishes to timing and extent of deforestation
Authors: Brejão Gabriel L. , Hoeinghaus David J. , Pérez‐Mayorga María Angélica , Ferraz Silvio F. B. , Casatti Lilian 
Published: December 2017

AbstractDeforestation is a primary driver of biodiversity change through habitat loss and fragmentation. Stream biodiversity may not respond to deforestation in a simple linear relationship. Rather, threshold responses to extent and timing of deforestation may occur. Identification of critical deforestation thresholds is needed for effective conservation and management. We tested for threshold responses of fish species and functional groups to degree of watershed and riparian zone deforestation and time since impact in 75 streams in the western Brazilian Amazon. We used remote sensing to assess deforestation from 1984 to 2011. Fish assemblages were sampled with seines and dip nets in a standardized manner. Fish species (n = 84) were classified into 20 functional groups based on ecomorphological traits associated with habitat use, feeding, and locomotion. Threshold responses were quantified using threshold indicator taxa analysis. Negative threshold responses to deforestation were common and consistently occurred at very low levels of deforestation (<20%) and soon after impact (<10 years). Sensitive species were functionally unique and associated with complex habitats and structures of allochthonous origin found in forested watersheds. Positive threshold responses of species were less common and generally occurred at >70% deforestation and >10 years after impact. Findings were similar at the community level for both taxonomic and functional analyses. Because most negative threshold responses occurred at low levels of deforestation and soon after impact, even minimal change is expected to negatively affect biodiversity. Delayed positive threshold responses to extreme deforestation by a few species do not offset the loss of sensitive taxa and likely contribute to biotic homogenization.
Methotrexate use in allergic contact dermatitis: a retrospective study
Authors: Patel Ashaki , Burns Erin , Burkemper Nicole M. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryBackgroundMethotrexate, a folate antimetabolite, is used to treat atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Although methotrexate's therapeutic efficacy has been noted in the literature, there are few data on the efficacy of methotrexate treatment for allergic contact dermatitis.ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of methotrexate in treating allergic contact dermatitis at a single institution, and also to assess methotrexate efficacy in patients with chronic, unavoidable allergen exposure.MethodsWe performed a retrospective chart review of 32 patients diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis by positive patch test reactions, and who received treatment with methotrexate from November 2010 to November 2014. Demographic and treatment‐associated data were collected from electronic medical records. Ten patients were identified as allergen non‐avoiders secondary to their occupation, and were subgrouped as such.ResultsSeventy‐eight per cent (25/32) of patients showed either a partial or a complete response. Methotrexate had a comparable efficacy rate in the allergen non‐avoiders subset, at 10 of 10. Of the 32 patients, 23% (5/22) had complete clearance of their dermatitis, and 1/10 of allergen non‐avoiders had complete clearance of their dermatitis.ConclusionMethotrexate is a well‐tolerated and effective treatment for allergic contact dermatitis, and shows comparable efficacy to immunomodulatory agents such as cyclosporine and azathioprine, with robust efficacy despite persistent allergen exposure in patients with allergic contact dermatitis.
Asymmetric cross‐border protection of peripheral transboundary species
Authors: Thornton Daniel H. , Wirsing Aaron J. , Lopez‐Gonzalez Carlos , Squires John R. , Fisher Scott , Larsen Karl W. , Peatt Alan , Scrafford Matt A. , Moen Ron A. , Scully Arthur E. , King Travis W. , Murray Dennis L. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractInternational political boundaries challenge species conservation because they can hinder coordinated management. Peripheral transboundary species, those with a large portion of their range in one country and a small, peripheral portion in an adjacent country, may be particularly vulnerable to mismatches in management because peripheral populations are likely in greater conservation need than core populations. However, no systematic assessment of peripheral transboundary species or their status across borders has been attempted. We show that numerous species in three vertebrate taxa qualify as peripheral transboundary species in North America, and that these species are often protected differently across US–Canadian and US–Mexican borders. Asymmetries in cross‐border protection may threaten populations through disruption of connectivity between periphery and core regions and are especially relevant given expected impacts of climate change and the US–Mexico border wall. Our results highlight the need for greater international collaboration in management and planning decisions for transboundary species.
Medical applications of nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma in dermatology
Authors: Gan Lu , Zhang Song , Poorun Devesh , Liu Dawei , Lu Xinpei , He Mengwen , Duan Xiaoru , Chen Hongxiang 
Published: December 2017

SummaryPlasma is an ionized gas that consists of positively and negatively charged particles, neutral atoms, and photons. Recent developments in plasma sources have made it possible to generate room‐temperature plasma in the “open air”, thus enabling the application of plasma in vivo. Using nonthermal plasma, active agents can be efficiently delivered to target cells without creating thermal damage. Also known as cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP), nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma offers innovative medical applications. In this context, it has also gained wide attention in the field of dermatology. The complex and variable mixture of active agents in plasma – predominantly reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS, RNS) – can control or trigger complex biochemical reactions, achieving the desired effects in a dose‐dependent manner. The objective of the present review is to present potential applications of plasma in dermatology and analyze its potential mechanisms of action.
Disentangling scale dependencies in species environmental niches and distributions
Authors: Mertes Katherine , Jetz Walter 
Published: December 2017

Understanding species’ responses to environmental conditions, and how these ­species–environment associations shape spatial distributions, are longstanding goals in ecology and biogeography. However, an essential component of species–environment relationships – the spatial unit, or grain, at which they operate – remains unresolved. We identify three components of scale‐dependence in analyses of species–environment associations: 1) response grain, the grain at which species respond most strongly to their environment; 2) environment spatial structure, the pattern of spatial autocorrelation intrinsic to an environmental factor; and 3) analysis grain, the grain at which analyses are conducted and ecological inferences are made.We introduce a novel conceptual framework that defines these scale components in the context of analyzing species–environment relationships, and provide theoretical examples of their interactions for species with various ecological attributes. We then use a virtual species approach to investigate the impacts of each component on common methods of measuring and predicting species–environment relationships. We find that environment spatial structure has a substantial impact on the ability of even simple, univariate species distribution models (SDMs) to recover known species–­environment associations at coarse analysis grains. For simulated environments with ‘fine’ and ‘intermediate’ spatial structure, model explanatory power, and the frequency with which simple SDMs correctly estimated a virtual species’ response to the simulated environment, dramatically declined as analysis grain increased.Informed by these results, we use a scaling analysis to identify maximum analysis grains for individual environmental factors, and a scale optimization procedure to determine the grain of maximum predictive accuracy. Implementing these analysis grain thresholds and model performance standards in an example east African study system yields more accurate distribution predictions, compared to SDMs independently constructed at arbitrary analysis grains. Finally, we integrate our conceptual framework with virtual and empirical results to provide practical recommendations for researchers asking common questions about species–environment relationships.
Diverse effects of invasive ecosystem engineers on marine biodiversity and ecosystem functions: A global review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Guy‐Haim Tamar , Lyons Devin A. , Kotta Jonne , Ojaveer Henn , Queirós Ana M. , Chatzinikolaou Eva , Arvanitidis Christos , Como Serena , Magni Paolo , Blight Andrew J. , Orav‐Kotta Helen , Somerfield Paul J. , Crowe Tasman P. , Rilov Gil 
Published: December 2017

AbstractInvasive ecosystem engineers (IEE) are potentially one of the most influential types of biological invaders. They are expected to have extensive ecological impacts by altering the physical–chemical structure of ecosystems, thereby changing the rules of existence for a broad range of resident biota. To test the generality of this expectation, we used a global systematic review and meta‐analysis to examine IEE effects on the abundance of individual species and communities, biodiversity (using several indices) and ecosystem functions, focusing on marine and estuarine environments. We found that IEE had a significant effect (positive and negative) in most studies testing impacts on individual species, but the overall (cumulative) effect size was small and negative. Many individual studies showed strong IEE effects on community abundance and diversity, but the direction of effects was variable, leading to statistically non‐significant overall effects in most categories. In contrast, there was a strong overall effect on most ecosystem functions we examined. IEE negatively affected metabolic functions and primary production, but positively affected nutrient flux, sedimentation and decomposition. We use the results to develop a conceptual model by highlighting pathways whereby IEE impact communities and ecosystem functions, and identify several sources of research bias in the IEE‐related invasion literature. Only a few of the studies simultaneously quantified IEE effects on community/diversity and ecosystem functions. Therefore, understanding how IEE may alter biodiversity–ecosystem function relationships should be a primary focus of future studies of invasion biology. Moreover, the clear effects of IEE on ecosystem functions detected in our study suggest that scientists and environmental managers ought to examine how the effects of IEE might be manifested in the services that marine ecosystems provide to humans.
Global diurnal and nocturnal parameters of stomatal conductance in woody plants and major crops
Authors: Hoshika Yasutomo , Osada Yutaka , de Marco Alessandra , Peñuelas Josep , Paoletti Elena 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAimStomata regulate CO2uptake, water‐vapour loss and uptake of gaseous pollutants. Jarvis‐type models that apply multiple‐constraint functions are commonly used to estimate stomatal conductance (gs), but most parameters for plant functional types (PFTs) have been estimated using limited information. We refined the data set of key components of thegsresponse to environmental factors in global PFTs.LocationGlobal.Time periodData published in 1973–2015.Major taxa studiedWoody plants and major crops (rice, wheat and maize).MethodsWe reviewed 235 publications of field‐observedgsfor the parameterization of Jarvis‐type models in global PFTs. The relationships between stomatal parameters and climatic factors [mean annual air temperature (MAT) and mean annual precipitation (MAP)] were assessed.ResultsWe found that maximal stomatal conductance (gmax) in global woody plants was correlated with MAP rather than with MAT. Thegmaxof woody plants on average increased from 0.18 to 0.26 mol/m2/s with an increase in MAP from 0 to 2,000 mm. Models, however, can use a singlegmaxacross major crops (0.44 mol/m2/s). We propose similar stomatal responses to light for C3crops and woody plants, but C4crops should use a higher light saturation point ofgs. Stomatal sensitivity to vapour‐pressure deficit (VPD) was similar across forest PFTs and crops, although desert shrubs had a relatively low sensitivity of stomata to VPD. The optimal temperature forgsincreased by 1 °C for every 3.0 °C of MAT. Stomatal sensitivity to predawn water potential was reduced in hot and dry climate. The fraction of nighttime conductance togmax(0.14 for forest trees, 0.28 for desert shrubs and 0.13 for crops) should be incorporated into the models.Main conclusionsThis analysis of globalgsdata provides a new summary ofgsresponses and will contribute to modelling studies for plant–atmosphere gas exchange and land‐surface energy partitioning.
Drivers of terrestrial plant production across broad geographical gradients
Authors: Michaletz Sean T. , Kerkhoff Andrew J. , Enquist Brian J. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractTerrestrial net primary production (NPP) varies across global climate gradients, but the mechanisms through which climate drives this variation remain subject to debate. Specifically, it is debatable whether NPP is primarily influenced by ‘direct’ effects of climate on the kinetics of plant metabolism or ‘indirect’ effects of climate on plant size, stand biomass, stand age structure and growing season length. We clarify several issues in this debate by presenting multiple lines of evidence that support a primarily indirect influence of climate on global variation in NPP across broad geographical gradients. First, we highlight > 60 years of research that suggests leaf area, growing season length, plant biomass and/or plant age are better predictors of NPP than climate or latitude. Second, we refute recent claims that using biomass and age as predictors of NPP represents circular reasoning. Third, we illustrate why effects of climate on the kinetics of plant production must be evaluated using instantaneous (not annualized) rates of productivity. Fourth, we review recent analyses showing that the effects of biomass and age on NPP are much stronger than the effects of climate. Fifth, we present new analyses of a high‐quality NPP dataset that demonstrate further that biomass, age and growing season length are better predictors of global variation in NPP than climate variables. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that variation in NPP across global climate gradients primarily reflects the influence of climate on growing season length and stand biomass, as well as stand age, rather than the effects of temperature and precipitation on the kinetics of metabolism. However, this hypothesis should be evaluated further using larger, high‐quality observational and experimental datasets spanning multiple geographical scales.
Climate contributes to the evolution of pesticide resistance
Authors: Maino James L. , Umina Paul A. , Hoffmann Ary A. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAimThe evolution of pesticide resistance through space and time is of great economic significance to modern agricultural production systems, and consequently, is often well documented. It can thus be used to dissect the evolutionary and ecological processes that underpin large‐scale evolutionary responses. There are now nearly 600 documented cases of pesticide resistance in arthropod pests. Although the evolution of resistance is often attributed to the persistent use of chemicals for pest suppression, the rate of development of resistance should also depend on other factors, including climatic conditions that influence population size and generation time. Here, we test whether climatic variables are linked to evolution of resistance by examining the spatial pattern of pyrethroid resistance in an important agricultural pest.LocationSouthern, agricultural regions of Australia.Time period2007–2015.Major taxa studiedThe redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor.MethodsWe quantified patterns of chemical usage based on paddock histories and collated long‐term climatic data. These data were then compared against presence–absence data on resistance using a boosted regression‐tree approach, applied here for the first time to the spatial categorization of pesticide resistance.ResultsAlthough chemical usage was a key driver of resistance, our analysis revealed climate‐based signals in the spatial distribution of resistance, linked to regional variation in aridity, temperature seasonality and precipitation patterns. Climatic regions supporting increased voltinism were positively correlated with resistance, in line with expectations that increased voltinism should accelerate evolutionary responses to selection pressures.Main conclusionsOur findings suggest that the prediction of rapid evolutionary processes at continental scales, such as pesticide resistance, will be improved through methods that incorporate climate and ecology, in addition to more immediate selection pressures, such as chemical usage. Boosted regression trees present a powerful tool in the management of resistance issues that has hitherto not been used.