bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating breeding and metamorph occupancy and vernal pool management effects for wood frogs using a hierarchical model
Authors: Green Adam W. , Hooten Mevin B. , Grant Evan H. Campbell , Bailey Larissa L. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryWorld‐wide declines in amphibian populations are often attributed to loss of habitat and exploitation; additionally, climate change may play an important role in future declines. Despite protection of habitat, amphibians relying on temporary habitats, such as vernal pools, may need active management to maintain their populations under forecasts of warming temperatures and more variable precipitation. However, few studies have examined the factors influencing where these species choose to breed (breeding occurrence) and the conditional likelihood of successful metamorphosis, while accounting for imperfect detection.We developed an occupancy model and estimated parameters within a Bayesian framework to investigate the factors influencing probabilities of wood frogLithobates sylvaticabreeding and successful metamorphosis at Patuxent Research Refuge, Maryland,USA. Our objectives were to obtain estimates of breeding occurrence and metamorph occupancy and evaluate the success of current management actions.The probabilities of wood frog breeding and successful metamorphosis varied by year and were positively related to the pond's typical hydroperiod length and annual precipitation. Contrary to our predictions, previous occupancy states had little effect on breeding and metamorph occupancy probabilities, which is likely to be due to high correlation of occupancy with hydroperiod length. Additionally, we did not observe a relationship between breeding occupancy probabilities and the spatial arrangement of pools. Although sample sizes were small, management actions resulted in an increase in both breeding and metamorph occupancy probabilities.Synthesis and applications. We demonstrate that management actions targeting short‐hydroperiod pools favourably influence both components of breeding success. However, continued monitoring is needed to determine whether managed pools remain suitable for wood frogs. With predicted changes in climate and a positive relationship between breeding occupancy and winter precipitation, a proactive focus on active management of vernal pools may provide a means to maintain wood frog populations in the future.
Using long‐term monitoring of red fox populations to assess changes in rodent control practices
Authors: Jacquot Marion , Coeurdassier Michaël , Couval Geoffroy , Renaude Régis , Pleydell David , Truchetet Denis , Raoul Francis , Giraudoux Patrick 
Published: July 2013

Summary

Pest control is a global issue for agriculture, health, biodiversity conservation and economy. Anticoagulant rodenticides are used over large areas to control rodent pests and can cause widespread poisoning of nontarget wildlife. In France, bromadiolone is the only pesticide authorized to control the water vole Arvicola terrestris Scherman, in grasslands. Since 2001, legislation has been in place to replace curative treatments by preventive ones and limit the quantity of rodenticide used. As the legislation took effect over time, the impact on red fox Vulpes vulpes populations was monitored.

Fox populations and bromadiolone treatments were monitored in the Doubs Department (5000 km² area), France. Fox counts were carried out during spring, and vole control was primarily conducted in autumn. Relative fox densities (Kilometric Abundance Index: KAI) obtained per commune for year n (2004–2009) were related to treatments achieved during year n−1 (2003–2008). Treatments from year n−2 were used to investigate possible delayed responses in fox populations.

Kilometric Abundance Index of foxes was significantly related to treatment intensities in years n−1 and n−2. The impact was greatest in a large area (>1000 km²), where intensive treatments were achieved in 2003. Fox KAI generally remained dramatically low in this area until 2005, after which a partial recovery was observed.

The same area was treated again from 2006 to 2008 but with only half the amount of bait per hectare that was used in 2003. These treatments were followed by a moderate decrease in fox populations.

Synthesis and applications: We have established, for the first time on a regional scale, the negative impact of a rodenticide on fox populations. We have shown that a shift to preventive treatments with reduced anticoagulant rodenticide use is less harmful to fox populations. However, to approach a zero impact, treatments should be reduced further by limitation of bait quantities authorized per hectare and per commune and using alternative methods to chemical control. Long‐term monitoring of wildlife populations using index methods can provide valuable information about the adverse effects of pesticides; therefore, we recommend their inclusion in the assessment of pest management practices.
Students’ Perceptions of an Experiential Learning Activity Designed to Develop Knowledge of Food and Food Preparation Methods
Authors: Leveritt Michael , Ball Lauren , Desbrow Jane 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe aim of this study was to describe student learning after completing an experiential learning task that was designed to develop students’ knowledge of food and food preparation methods. The task required students to follow a special diet and then complete a daily online journal entry about the experience for other students to read and review. Twenty‐five Masters level Nutrition and Dietetics students participated in individual semistructured interviews to evaluate the experiential learning activity. Interview transcripts were analyzed thematically using a constant comparative approach. Students perceived that the experiential learning activity successfully increased their understanding of the special diet they had been allocated, but learning from reviewing other students’ journal posts was less effective. They also felt better able to relate to the challenges facing future patients when receiving prescribed diets. The level of engagement and enjoyment resulting from the activity was more variable with some students finding the challenge of the activity a burden despite reporting good learning outcomes. Further evaluation of this approach to nutrition education in other areas is warranted.
The phytochemical, EGCG, extends lifespan by reducing liver and kidney function damage and improving age‐associated inflammation and oxidative stress in healthy rats
Authors: Niu Yucun , Na Lixin , Feng Rennan , Gong Liya , Zhao Yue , Li Qiang , Li Ying , Sun Changhao 
Published: July 2013

SummaryIt is known that phytochemicals have many potential health benefits in humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of long‐term consumption of the phytochemical, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), on body growth, disease protection, and lifespan in healthy rats. 68 male weaning Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control and EGCG groups. Variables influencing lifespan such as blood pressure, serum glucose and lipids, inflammation, and oxidative stress were dynamically determined from weaning to death. The median lifespan of controls was 92.5 weeks. EGCG increased median lifespan to 105.0 weeks and delayed death by approximately 8–12 weeks. Blood pressure and serum glucose and lipids significantly increased with age in both groups compared with the levels at 0 week. However, there were no differences in these variables between the two groups during the whole lifespan. Inflammation and oxidative stress significantly increased with age in both groups compared with 0 week and were significantly lower in serum and liver and kidney tissues in the EGCG group. Damage to liver and kidney function was significantly alleviated in the EGCG group. In addition, EGCG decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of transcription factor NF‐κB and increased the upstream protein expressions of silent mating type information regulation two homolog one (SIRT1) and forkhead box class O 3a (FOXO3a). In conclusion, EGCG extends lifespan in healthy rats by reducing liver and kidney damage and improving age‐associated inflammation and oxidative stress through the inhibition of NF‐κB signaling by activating the longevity factors FoxO3a and SIRT1.
Notch1 signaling modulates neuronal progenitor activity in the subventricular zone in response to aging and focal ischemia
Authors: Sun Fen , Mao XiaoOu , Xie Lin , Ding Meiping , Shao Bei , Jin Kunlin 
Published: July 2013

SummaryNeurogenesis diminishes with aging and ischemia‐induced neurogenesis also occurs, but reduced in aged brain. Currently, the cellular and molecular pathways mediating these effects remain largely unknown. Our previous study has shown that Notch1 signaling regulates neurogenesis in subventricular zone (SVZ) of young adult brain after focal ischemia, but whether a similar effect occurs in aged normal and ischemic animals is unknown. Here, we used normal and ischemic aged rat brains to investigate whether Notch1 signaling was involved in the reduction of neurogenesis in response to aging and modulates neurogenesis in aged brains after focal ischemia. By Western blot, we found that Notch1 and Jagged1 expression in the SVZ of aged brain was significantly reduced compared with young adult brain. Consistently, the activated form of Notch1 (Notch intracellular domain; NICD) expression was also declined. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that expression and activation of Notch1 signaling in the SVZ of aged brain were reduced. Double or triple immunostaining showed that that Notch1 was mainly expressed in doublecortin (DCX)‐positive cells, whereas Jagged1 was predominantly expressed in astroglial cells in the SVZ of normal aged rat brain. In addition, disruption or activation of Notch1 signaling altered the number of proliferating cells labeled by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and DCX in the SVZ of aged brain. Moreover, ischemia‐induced cell proliferation in the SVZ of aged brain was enhanced by activating the Notch1 pathway and was suppressed by inhibiting the Notch1 signaling. Reduced infarct volume and improved motor deficits were also observed in Notch1 activator–treated aged ischemic rats. Our data suggest that Notch1 signaling modulates the SVZ neurogenesis in aged brain in normal and ischemic conditions.
Elevated microRNA‐34a in obesity reduces NAD+ levels and SIRT1 activity by directly targeting NAMPT
Authors: Choi Sung‐E , Fu Ting , Seok Sunmi , Kim Dong‐Hyun , Yu Eunkyung , Lee Kwan‐Woo , Kang Yup , Li Xiaoling , Kemper Byron , Kemper Jongsook K. 
Published: July 2013

SummarySIRT1 is an NAD+‐dependent deacetylase that is implicated in prevention of many age‐related diseases including metabolic disorders. As SIRT1 deacetylase activity is dependent on NAD+ levels and the development of compounds that directly activate SIRT1 has been controversial, indirectly activating SIRT1 through enhancing NAD+ bioavailability has received increasing attention. NAD+ levels are reduced in obesity and the aged, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We recently showed that hepatic microRNA‐34a (miR‐34a), which is elevated in obesity, directly targets and decreases SIRT1 expression. Here, we further show that miR‐34a reduces NAD+ levels and SIRT1 activity by targeting NAMPT, the rate‐limiting enzyme for NAD+ biosynthesis. A functional binding site for miR‐34a is present in the 3′ UTR of NAMPT mRNA. Hepatic overexpression of miR‐34a reduced NAMPT/NAD+ levels, increased acetylation of the SIRT1 target transcriptional regulators, PGC‐1α, SREBP‐1c, FXR, and NF‐κB, and resulted in obesity‐mimetic outcomes. The decreased NAMPT/NAD+ levels were independent of miR‐34a effects on SIRT1 levels as they were also observed in SIRT1 liver‐specific knockout mice. Further, the miR‐34a‐mediated decreases were reversed by treatment with the NAD+ intermediate, nicotinamide mononucleotide. Conversely, antagonism of miR‐34a in diet‐induced obese mice restored NAMPT/NAD+ levels and alleviated steatosis, inflammation, and glucose intolerance. Anti‐miR‐34a‐mediated increases in NAD+ levels were attenuated when NAMPT was downregulated. Our findings reveal a novel function of miR‐34a in reducing both SIRT1 expression and activity in obesity. The miR‐34a/NAMPT axis presents a potential target for treating obesity‐ and aging‐related diseases involving SIRT1 dysfunction like steatosis and type 2 diabetes.
Commodity index investment and food prices: does the “Masters Hypothesis” explain recent price spikes?
Authors: Irwin Scott H. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe “Masters Hypothesis” is the claim that unprecedented buying pressure in recent years from commodity index investors created massive bubbles in food and energy prices. The purpose of this article is to review the evidence from recent studies that investigate the empirical relationship between index investment and price movements in agricultural futures markets. One line of research uses time‐series regression tests, such as Granger causality tests, to investigate the relationship between price movements and index positions. This research provides little evidence in support of the Masters Hypothesis in agricultural futures markets. A second line of research uses cross‐sectional regression tests and studies in this area provide very limited evidence in favor of the Masters Hypothesis for agricultural futures markets. A third line of research investigates whether there is a significant relationship between commodity index trading and the difference, or spread, between futures prices of different contract maturities on the same date. These studies report a range of results depending on the type of test. However, the bulk of the evidence indicates either no relationship or a negative relationship, which is once again inconsistent with the Masters Hypothesis. Overall, this growing body of literature fails to find compelling evidence that buying pressure from commodity index investment in recent years caused a massive bubble in agricultural futures prices. The Masters Hypothesis is simply not a valid characterization of reality.
Competition for land in the global bioeconomy
Authors: Hertel Thomas , Steinbuks Jevgenijs , Baldos Uris 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe global land use implications of biofuel expansion have received considerable attention in the literature over the past decade. Model‐based estimates of the emissions from cropland expansion have been used to assess the environmental impacts of biofuel policies. And integrated assessment models have estimated the potential for biofuels to contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) abatement over the coming century. All of these studies feature, explicitly or implicitly, competition between biofuel feed stocks and other land uses. However, the economic mechanisms governing this competition, as well as the contribution of biofuels to global land use change, have not received the close scrutiny that they deserve. The purpose of this article is to offer a deeper look at these factors. We begin with a comparative static analysis which assesses the impact of exogenously specified forecasts of biofuel expansion over the period: 2006–2035. Global land use change is decomposed according to the three key margins of economic response: extensive supply, intensive supply, and demand. Under the International Energy Agency's “New Policies” scenario, biofuels account for nearly one‐fifth of global land use change over the 2006–2035 period. The article also offers a comparative dynamic analysis which determines the optimal path for first and second generation biofuels over the course of the entire 21st century. In the absence of GHG regulation, the welfare‐maximizing path for global land use, in the face of 3% annual growth in oil prices, allocates 225 Mha to biofuel feed stocks by 2100, with the associated biofuels accounting for about 30% of global liquid fuel consumption. This area expansion is somewhat diminished by expected climate change impacts on agriculture, while it is significantly increased by an aggressive GHG emissions target and by advances in conversion efficiency of second generation biofuels.
The human capital roots of the middle income trap: the case of China
Authors: Zhang Linxiu , Yi Hongmei , Luo Renfu , Liu Changfang , Rozelle Scott 
Published: July 2013

AbstractChina, like other middle income countries,  is facing the challenges of the next stage of development as its leaders seek to guide the nation into becoming a high income country. In this article we explore one of the major challenges that China is facing in the transition from middle to high income: the management of inequality. In particular, we explore the possible roots of future inequality that is associated with a nation's underinvestment in the human capital of broad segments of its population. To meet this goal, we describe two challenges that China faces in the light of rising wage rates and highly unequal income distribution today. We first discuss the structural and institutional barriers that are discouraging many students (and their parents) from staying in school to achieve the levels of learning that we believe are necessary for preparing individuals for employment in the coming decades. We also identify severe nutritional and health problems. We believe that these nutrition and health problems, unless addressed, will continue to create human capital deficiencies in poor areas of rural China and locking in decades of hard‐to‐address inequality.
Effect of a mixture of bovine milk oligosaccharides, Lactobacillus rhamnosus NCC4007 and long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on catch‐up growth of intra‐uterine growth‐restricted rats
Authors: Castañeda‐Gutiérrez E. , Moser M. , García‐Ródenas C. , Raymond F. , Mansourian R. , Rubio‐Aliaga I. , Viguet‐Carrin S. , Metairon S. , Ammon‐Zufferey C. , Avanti‐Nigro O. , Macé K. , Silva‐Zolezzi I. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAimTo investigate the effect of a nutritional mixture (bovine milk oligosaccharides, Lactobacillus rhamnosus NCC4007, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid) on growth of intrauterine growth‐restricted (IUGR) rats.MethodsIUGR was induced by maternal food restriction. The offspring (males and females) were assigned to: REF (non‐IUGR, no mixture), IUGRc (IUGR, no mixture), or IUGRmx (IUGR, mixture). The mixture was given from day 7 to day 58, when tissues and plasma from half of the animals were collected for hormones, metabolites and microarray analysis. The rest received a high‐fat diet (HFD) until day 100. Glucose tolerance was measured at 56 and 98 days, and body fat content at 21, 52 and 97 days.ResultsIUGRmx had the greatest growth during lactation, but from day 22 to day 54, both IUGR groups gained less body weight than the REF (P < 0.05). In the short‐term (58 days), IUGRmx tended to be longer (P = 0.06) and had less body fat (P = 0.03) than IUGRc. These differences were not seen after HFD. Microarray analysis of hepatic mRNA expression at 58 and 100 days revealed a gender‐dependent treatment effect, and expression of genes related to lipid metabolism was the most affected. Twelve of these genes were selected for studying differences in DNA methylation in the promoter region, for some, we observed age‐ and gender‐related differences but none because of treatment.ConclusionThe nutritional intervention promoted catch‐up growth and normalized excessive adiposity in IUGR animals at short‐term. The benefits did not extend after a period of HFD. IUGR and early diet had gender‐dependent effects on hepatic gene expression.
Morphometry and expression of MyoD and Myogenin in white and red skeletal muscles of juvenile fish Colossoma macropomum (Cuvier 1818)
Authors: Alves‐Costa Fernanda A. , Barbosa Cassiane M. , Aguiar Rachel C. M. , Mareco Edson A. , Dal‐Pai‐Silva Maeli 
Published: July 2013

AbstractColossoma macropomum, also known as tambaqui, is an economically important fish species, and interesting new studies have been published with the aim of improving the growth of this fish. In this work, we describe the morphometric characteristics, as well as the mRNA and protein expression levels of two myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs)–myod/MyoD and myogenin/Myogenin–in the white and red muscle types of tambaqui. A high proportion of white and red muscle fibers with large diameters suggest a hypertrophic growth process in the skeletal muscle during juvenile stages. Comparisons between muscle types showed that, in red muscle, myogenin transcript levels were significantly higher than those of myod. In contrast, MyoD protein levels were significantly higher than those of Myogenin in red muscle. These results suggest that in red and white muscles of juvenile tambaqui, independent post‐transcriptional mechanisms for regulating MyoD and Myogenin expression may exist, which could be differentially activated during muscle growth. Furthermore, these data also suggest that specific control mechanisms may regulate distinct muscle phenotypes.
Risk of venous and arterial thromboembolic events in cancer patients treated with gemcitabine: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Qi Wei‐Xiang , Lin Feng , Sun Yuan‐Jue , Tang Li‐Na , Shen Zan , Yao Yang 
Published: July 2013

AimsGemcitabine has been associated with an increased risk of arterial and venous thromboembolic events (ATEsandVTEs), although the overall risk remains unclear. As indications for its use in oncology are expanding, a comprehensive characterization of these complications becomes imperative.MethodsPubmed was searched for articles published from 1January 1990 to 31December 2012. Eligible studies included prospective randomized controlled phaseIIandIIItrials evaluating gemcitabine basedvs. non‐gemcitabine based chemotherapy in patients with solid tumours. Data onVTEsandATEswere extracted. Overall incidence rates, odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated employing fixed or random effects models depending on the heterogeneity of included trials.ResultsA total of 4845 patients from 19 trials were included. Among patients treated with gemcitabine based chemotherapy, the overall incidence ofVTEs(13 studies comprising 3823 patients) andATEs(eight studies consisting of 2431 patients) was 2.1% (95%CI1.2%, 3.8%) and 2.2% (95%CI1.4%, 3.2%). The associatedORsofVTEsandATEswere 1.56 (95%CI0.86, 2.83,P= 0.15) and 1.82 (95%CI0.89, 3.75,P= 0.10) compared with non‐gemcitabine based therapy. A tendency to increase the risk ofATEandVTEswas also detected in any prespecified subgroup.ConclusionThe use of gemcitabine does not significantly increase the risk ofVTEsandATEsin patients with solid tumours when compared with non‐gemcitabine based chemotherapy.
Adiponectin and Leptin: New Targets in Inflammation
Authors: Scotece Morena , Conde Javier , López Verónica , Lago Francisca , Pino Jesús , Gómez‐Reino Juan Jesús , Gualillo Oreste 
Published: July 2013

AbstractInflammation is a complex mechanism of cell/tissue responses to injuries triggered by multiple causes, including trauma, pathogens or autoimmune abnormal responses. In the last years, a novel line of thought is emerging by giving a more holistic vision of chronic arthropathies through a recently identified group of molecules, called adipokines. Actually, most of these recently identified factors, produced prevalently by white adipose tissue but also by cells of the joints (chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts) and immune cells, play a significant role in chronic inflammation. Adipokines dysregulation has emerged as a common characteristic of chronic inflammation in rheumatic diseases in particular when obesity or, more precisely, adipose tissue dysfunction is associated with common rheumatic diseases, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In this MiniReview, we discuss the role of adipokines in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis providing an updated overview of their pathophysiological role and potential use as therapeutic targets.