bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Multiple Impacts of Leaf‐Cutting Ants and Their Novel Ecological Role in Human‐Modified Neotropical Forests
Authors: Leal Inara R. , Wirth Rainer , Tabarelli Marcelo 
Published: June 2014

AbstractHerbivory has been identified as a potent evolutionary force, but its ecological impacts have been frequently underestimated. Leaf‐cutting ants represent one of the most important herbivores of the Neotropics and offer an interesting opportunity to address the role played by herbivorous insects through a perspective that embraces population‐ to ecosystem‐level effects. Here we: (1) qualitatively summarize the multiple ways leaf‐cutting ants interact with food plants and their habitats and elucidate the ultimate outcome of such interactions at multiple organization levels; (2) update our understanding of leaf‐cutting ant‐promoted disturbance regimes; and (3) examine potential ecological roles by leaf‐cutting ants within the context of human‐modified landscapes to guide future research agendas. First, we find that leaf‐cutting ants show that some herbivorous insects are able to generate ecologically important disturbance regimes via non‐trophic activities. Second, impacts of leaf‐cutting ants can be observed at multiple spatio‐temporal scales and levels of biological organization. Third, ecosystem‐level effects from leaf‐cutting ants are ecosystem engineering capable not only of altering the abundance of other organisms, but also the successional trajectory of vegetation. Finally, effects of leaf‐cutting ants are context‐dependent, species‐specific, and synergistically modulated by anthropogenic interferences. Future research should examine how leaf‐cutting ants respond to deforestation and influence remaining vegetation in human‐modified landscapes. By promoting either heterogeneity or homogeneity, leaf‐cutting ants operate not only as agricultural pests but also as ecological key players.
Re‐defining the unique roles for eosinophils in allergic respiratory inflammation
Authors: Jacobsen E. A. , Lee N. A. , Lee J. J. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryThe role of eosinophils in the progression and resolution of allergic respiratory inflammation is poorly defined despite the commonality of their presence and in some cases their use as a biomarker for disease severity and/or symptom control. However, this ambiguity belies the wealth of insights that have recently been gained through the use of eosinophil‐deficient/attenuated strains of mice that have demonstrated novel immunoregulatory and remodelling/repair functions for these cells in the lung following allergen provocation. Specifically, studies of eosinophil‐deficient mice suggest that eosinophils contribute to events occurring in the lungs following allergen provocation at several key moments: (i) the initiating phase of events leading to Th2‐polarized pulmonary inflammation, (ii) the suppression Th1/Th17 pathways in lung‐draining lymph nodes, (iii) the recruitment of effector Th2 T cells to the lung, and finally, (iv) mechanisms of inflammatory resolution that re‐establish pulmonary homoeostasis. These suggested functions have recently been confirmed and expanded upon using allergen provocation of an inducible eosinophil‐deficient strain of mice (iPHIL) that demonstrated an eosinophil‐dependent mechanism(s) leading to Th2 dominated immune responses in the presence of eosinophils in contrast to neutrophilic as well as mixed Th1/Th17/Th2 variant phenotypes in the absence of eosinophils. These findings highlighted that eosinophils are not exclusively downstream mediators controlled by T cells, dendritic cells (DC) and/or innate lymphocytic cells (ILC2). Instead, eosinophils appear to be more aptly described as significant contributors in complex interrelated pathways that lead to pulmonary inflammation and subsequently promote resolution and the re‐establishment of homoeostatic baseline. In this review, we summarize and put into the context the evolving hypotheses that are now expanding our understanding of the roles eosinophils likely have in the lung following allergen provocation.
Aspirin‐intolerant asthma in the population: prevalence and important determinants
Authors: Eriksson J. , Ekerljung L. , Bossios A. , Bjerg A. , Wennergren G. , Rönmark E. , Torén K. , Lötvall J. , Lundbäck B. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryBackgroundPopulation‐based studies on aspirin‐intolerant asthma (AIA) are very few, and no previous population study has investigated risk factors for the condition.ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence and risk factors of AIA in the general population.MethodsA questionnaire on respiratory health was mailed to 30 000 randomly selected subjects aged 16–75 years in West Sweden, 29 218 could be traced and 18 087 (62%) responded. The questionnaire included questions on asthma, respiratory symptoms, aspirin‐induced dyspnoea and possible determinants.ResultsThe prevalence of AIA was 0.5%, 0.3% in men and 0.6% in women (P = 0.014). Sick leave, emergency visits due to asthma and all investigated lower respiratory symptoms were more common in AIA than in aspirin‐tolerant asthma (ATA). Obesity was a strong risk factor for AIA (BMI > 35: odds ratio (OR) 12.1; 95% CI 2.49–58.5), and there was a dose‐response relationship between increasing body mass index (BMI) and risk of AIA. Obesity, airborne occupational exposure and visible mould at home were considerably stronger risk factors for AIA than for ATA. Current smoking was a risk factor for AIA (OR 2.55; 95% CI 1.47–4.42), but not ATA.ConclusionAspirin‐intolerant asthma identified in the general population was associated with a high burden of symptoms, uncontrolled disease and a high morbidity. Increasing BMI increased the risk of AIA in a dose‐response manner. A number of risk factors, including obesity and current smoking, were considerably stronger for AIA than for ATA.
Higher levels of interleukin IL-17 and antigen-specific IL-17 responses in pulmonary sarcoidosis patients with Löfgren's syndrome
Authors: Ostadkarampour M , Eklund A , Moller D , Glader P , Olgart Höglund C , Lindén A , Grunewald J , Wahlström J 
Published: June 2014

Summary
Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disorder of unknown aetiology. The presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis catalase-peroxidase (mKatG) in sarcoidosis tissue has been reported. T helper type 1 (Th1) responses against mKatG have previously been observed. However, little is known about interleukin (IL)-17 and Th17 responses in sarcoidosis. Here, we investigated the levels of IL-17 and frequencies of IL-17-producing cells responding to mKatG in sarcoidosis patients with different prognosis. Peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells were obtained from sarcoidosis patients with or without Löfgren's syndrome (often associated with spontaneous recovery), and also stratified according to human leucocyte antigen (HLA) type. Cells producing IL-17 and interferon (IFN)-γ after stimulation with mKatG were enumerated by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT). The level of IL-17 in the BAL fluid of sarcoidosis patients and healthy controls was measured by quantitative immuno-polymerase chain reaction (qIPCR). We also performed flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry for further characterization of IL-17 expression. Patients with Löfgren's syndrome had a higher frequency of IL-17-producing cells responding to mKatG in BAL fluid compared to patients without Löfgren's syndrome (P &lt; 0·05). The HLA-DR3+ sarcoidosis patients with Löfgren's syndrome (known to have a particularly good prognosis) also had a clearly higher level of IL-17 in BAL fluid compared to healthy controls and sarcoidosis patients without Löfgren's syndrome (P &lt; 0·01) and (P &lt; 0·05), respectively. No such difference between patient groups was observed with regard to IFN-γ and not with regard to either cytokine in peripheral blood. These findings suggest that IL-17-producing cells may be a useful biomarker for the prognosis of sarcoidosis and play a role in the spontaneous recovery typical of patients with Löfgren's syndrome.
Autoimmune regulator gene, Aire, is involved in central tolerance to the DM20 isoform of proteolipid protein and the prevention of autoimmune inflammation
Authors: Tagawa Asako , Aranami Toshimasa , Matsumoto Mitsuru , Yamamura Takashi 
Published: June 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo show the role of the autoimmune regulator (Aire), a gene expressed in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTEC), in the tolerance to encephalitogenic myelin epitopes.MethodsC57BL/6J Aire‐deficient and wild‐type mice were immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide (MOG35–55) or proteolipid protein peptide (PLP178–191). PLP178–191 is contained only in PLP/DM20, an isoform derived from a splice variant of PLP. We evaluated the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and reported the T cell response to these peptides.ResultsmTEC from wild‐type mice expressed PLP/DM20, but those from Aire‐deficient mice only expressed it at low levels. Immunization with PLP178–191 induced more severe EAE in Aire‐deficient mice than in the wild‐type mice. In contrast, MOG35–55 induced EAE of a similar grade in the wild‐type and Aire‐knockout mice. In recall response assays to PLP178–191, T cells from Aire‐deficient mice produced significantly more interleukin (IL)‐17 and interferon (IFN)‐γ than the wild‐type mice did. Adoptive transfer of CD4+ T cells purified from PLP178–191‐immunized Aire‐deficient mice induced a more severe EAE than a similar transfer from the immunized wild‐type mice. In comparison with wild‐type mice, we also found that sera from aged, naive Aire‐deficient mice showed higher titers of PLP178–191‐, but not MOG35–55‐specific immunoglobulin G autoantibodies.ConclusionAire is involved in establishing central tolerance to PLP178–191, but not to MOG35–55, and its deficiency induces spontaneous autoreactivity to PLP178–191.
Peri‐implant soft tissue colour around titanium and zirconia abutments: a prospective randomized controlled clinical study
Authors: Cosgarea Raluca , Gasparik Cristina , Dudea Diana , Culic Bogdan , Dannewitz Bettina , Sculean Anton 
Published: June 2014

AbstractObjectivesTo objectively determine the difference in colour between the peri‐implant soft tissue at titanium and zirconia abutments.Materials and methodsEleven patients, each with two contralaterally inserted osteointegrated dental implants, were included in this study. The implants were restored either with titanium abutments and porcelain‐fused‐to‐metal crowns, or with zirconia abutments and ceramic crowns. Prior and after crown cementation, multi‐spectral images of the peri‐implant soft tissues and the gingiva of the neighbouring teeth were taken with a colorimeter. The colour parameters L*, a*, b*, c* and the colour differences ΔE were calculated. Descriptive statistics, including non‐parametric tests and correlation coefficients, were used for statistical analyses of the data.ResultsCompared to the gingiva of the neighbouring teeth, the peri‐implant soft tissue around titanium and zirconia (test group), showed distinguishable ΔE both before and after crown cementation. Colour differences around titanium were statistically significant different (P = 0.01) only at 1 mm prior to crown cementation compared to zirconia. Compared to the gingiva of the neighbouring teeth, statistically significant (P < 0.01) differences were found for all colour parameter, either before or after crown cementation for both abutments; more significant differences were registered for titanium abutments. Tissue thickness correlated positively with c*‐values for titanium at 1 mm and 2 mm from the gingival margin.ConclusionsWithin their limits, the present data indicate that: (i) The peri‐implant soft tissue around titanium and zirconia showed colour differences when compared to the soft tissue around natural teeth, and (ii) the peri‐implant soft tissue around zirconia demonstrated a better colour match to the soft tissue at natural teeth than titanium.
Effects of Recent Environmental Change on Accuracy of Inferences of Extinction Status
Authors: CLEMENTS CHRISTOPHER F. , COLLEN BEN , BLACKBURN TIM M. , PETCHEY OWEN L. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractCorrectly classifying a species as extinct or extant is of critical importance if current rates of biodiversity loss are to be accurately quantified. Observing an extinction event is rare, so in many cases extinction status is inferred using methods based on the analysis of records of historic sighting events. The accuracy of such methods is difficult to test. However, results of recent experiments with microcosm communities suggest that the rate at which a population declines to extinction, potentially driven by varying environmental conditions, may alter one's ability accurately to infer extinction status. We tested how the rate of population decline, driven by historic environmental change, alters the accuracy of 6 commonly applied sighting‐based methods used to infer extinction. We used data from small‐scale experimental communities and recorded wild population extirpations. We assessed how accuracy of the different methods was affected by rate of population decline, search effort, and number of sighting events recorded. Rate of population decline and historic population size of the species affected the accuracy of inferred extinction dates; however, faster declines produced more accurate inferred dates of extinction, but only when population sizes were higher. Optimal linear estimation (OLE) offered the most reliable and robust estimates, though no single method performed best in all situations, and it may be appropriate to use a different method if information regarding historic search efforts is available. OLE provided the most accurate estimates of extinction when the number of sighting events used was >10, and future use of this method should take this into account. Data from experimental populations provide added insight into testing techniques to discern wild extirpation events. Care should be taken designing such experiments so that they mirror closely the abundance dynamics of populations affected by real‐world extirpation events.Efectos del Cambio Ambiental Reciente sobre la Precisión de las Inferencias sobre el Estado de Extinción
Staring us in the face? An embodied theory of innate face preference
Authors: Wilkinson Nick , Paikan Ali , Gredebäck Gustaf , Rea Francesco , Metta Giorgio 
Published: June 2014

AbstractHuman expertise in face perception grows over development, but even within minutes of birth, infants exhibit an extraordinary sensitivity to face‐like stimuli. The dominant theory accounts for innate face detection by proposing that the neonate brain contains an innate face detection device, dubbed ‘Conspec’. Newborn face preference has been promoted as some of the strongest evidence for innate knowledge, and forms a canonical stage for the modern form of the nature–nurture debate in psychology. Interpretation of newborn face preference results has concentrated on monocular stimulus properties, with little mention or focused investigation of potential binocular involvement. However, the question of whether and how newborns integrate the binocular visual streams bears directly on the generation of observable visual preferences. In this theoretical paper, we employ a synthetic approach utilizing robotic and computational models to draw together the threads of binocular integration and face preference in newborns, and demonstrate cases where the former may explain the latter. We suggest that a system‐level view considering the binocular embodiment of newborn vision may offer a mutually satisfying resolution to some long‐running arguments in the polarizing debate surrounding the existence and causal structure of newborns' ‘innate knowledge’ of faces.
Tracing children's vocabulary development from preschool through the school‐age years: an 8‐year longitudinal study
Authors: Song Shuang , Su Mengmeng , Kang Cuiping , Liu Hongyun , Zhang Yuping , McBride‐Chang Catherine , Tardif Twila , Li Hong , Liang Weilan , Zhang Zhixiang , Shu Hua 
Published: June 2014

AbstractIn this 8‐year longitudinal study, we traced the vocabulary growth of Chinese children, explored potential precursors of vocabulary knowledge, and investigated how vocabulary growth predicted future reading skills. Two hundred and sixty‐four (264) native Chinese children from Beijing were measured on a variety of reading and language tasks over 8 years. Between the ages of 4 to 10 years, they were administered tasks of vocabulary and related cognitive skills. At age 11, comprehensive reading skills, including character recognition, reading fluency, and reading comprehension were examined. Individual differences in vocabulary developmental profiles were estimated using the intercept‐slope cluster method. Vocabulary development was then examined in relation to later reading outcomes. Three subgroups of lexical growth were classified, namely high‐high (with a large initial vocabulary size and a fast growth rate), low‐high (with a small initial vocabulary size and a fast growth rate) and low‐low (with a small initial vocabulary size and a slow growth rate) groups. Low‐high and low‐low groups were distinguishable mostly through phonological skills, morphological skills and other reading‐related cognitive skills. Childhood vocabulary development (using intercept and slope) explained subsequent reading skills. Findings suggest that language‐related and reading‐related cognitive skills differ among groups with different developmental trajectories of vocabulary, and the initial size and growth rate of vocabulary may be two predictors for later reading development.
Association between changes in body composition and risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in Koreans
Authors: Kim C.‐H. , Kim H.‐K. , Kim E.‐H. , Bae S.‐J. , Park J.‐Y. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAimsTo examine the effects of longitudinal changes in fat mass or lean body mass on risk of Type 2 diabetes in Korean adults.MethodsParticipants included 18 687 Korean adults (aged 20–79 years) who underwent routine medical check‐ups in 2007–2008 and again in 2011–2012 with a mean (range) of 4.3 (3.0–5.7) years interval. Total fat, fat‐free, and soft fat‐free masses were determined using bioelectrical impedance.ResultsA total of 692 subjects (3.7%) developed Type 2 diabetes during follow‐up. Those who developed diabetes had a greater increase in percent body fat (2.9 ± 3.0 vs 2.6 ± 3.2 percentage points, P = 0.043), as well as greater decreases in percent fat‐free mass (−3.0 ± 3.3 vs −2.7 ± 3.3 percentage points, P = 0.008) and percent soft fat‐free mass (−2.8 ± 3.1 vs −2.4 ± 3.1 percentage points, P = 0.003) compared with those who did not develop diabetes. In multiple logistic regression analysis, an increase in total fat mass of > 10% was associated with an increased odds ratio for diabetes (1.29, 1.05–1.60), and a decreased total fat mass was associated with lower odds ratio (0.75, 0.58–0.96). A loss of total fat‐free mass of > 5% (odds ratio 1.08, 0.90–1.30) or an increase in total fat‐free mass (odds ratio 0.96, 0.71–1.28) was not significantly associated with the risk of diabetes after adjustments for baseline waist circumference and glucose levels.ConclusionsThese results show that changes in total body fat mass, but not lean body mass, are associated with development of Type 2 diabetes, independently of baseline measures of general or central obesity.
Heat tolerance of developmental and seasonal stages of Chilo suppressalis
Authors: Lu M.X. , Cao S.S. , Liu Z.X. , Wang X. , Du Y.Z. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractGlobal warming means that the ability to withstand heat stress is of crucial importance to insects' survival and reproduction. Insects have various ways of achieving thermal tolerance, which can be affected by thermal history, physiological state, and seasonal cycles. In this study, we compared the thermal tolerance of life stages and seasons of a wild population of the striped stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), an economically significant pest of rice crops in Asia. Our results demonstrate that the eggs, larvae, and adults of C. suppressalis collected in rice fields in Yangzhou, China, are able to tolerate extremely high temperatures, in excess of those this species encounters in nature. We found that egg masses had a survival rate of 75% after being kept at 42 °C for 8 h. Egg masses exposed to 39 °C for 8 h had the longest hatching time (3.3 days). LTemp50 and LTemp90 (i.e., the temperatures at which 50 or 90% of individuals died within 2 h) of larvae collected in late summer were 45.4 and 47.3 °C, respectively. LTime50 and LTime90 (i.e., the time required to kill 50 or 90% of individuals) at 44 °C were 6.2 and 9.6 h, respectively. The corresponding values for 46 °C were 1.5 and 2.6 h. We also found that the heat tolerance of adults collected in late summer was lower than that of larvae. For example, LTemp50 of male and female adults was 43.8 and 43.6 °C, respectively. Other measures of the heat tolerance of adults, such as LTime50 at 42 °C, also differed between the sexes, being 5.9 h for males and 7.2 h for females. Although adult survival was robust to heat stress, adult fertility was more sensitive. Our results also indicate that although the second generation of adults (i.e., the summer generation) typically encountered higher temperatures than the overwintering generation, survival of the second generation adults was lower.
Sirex noctilio flight behavior: toward improving current monitoring techniques
Authors: Martínez Andrés S. , Villacide José , Fernández Ajó Alejandro A. , Martinson Sharon J. , Corley Juan C. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractSirex noctilio Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Siricidae), an invasive woodwasp from Spain and North Africa, has an expanding global presence in pine forests. Although their populations are managed in most parts of the world, the success rate of existing prevention and control strategies has been historically variable, and there is consensus that monitoring techniques could be improved with increased knowledge about the behavioral biology of this insect. We conducted descriptive field studies in pine plantations in northern Patagonia to establish the flight behavior of S. noctilio. Specifically, the aim was to characterize male and female vertical flight distributions to assess ideal trap placement in pest monitoring programs. Our results indicated that males fly higher than females. A post‐hoc analysis revealed two distinct flight patterns of females; when males are present, females fly higher than when males are absent. This behavioral variance is likely linked to (1) oviposition substrate location and (2) mate location. Results suggest that the most effective trapping and monitoring strategies for females should be deployed at 1.8 m height, whereas monitoring of males or females that are searching for mates would occur at greater heights. Results also suggest that if future techniques involving pheromones are developed, trap placement should be reassessed.