bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fixing frataxin: ‘ironing out’ the metabolic defect in Friedreich's ataxia
Authors: Anzovino A , Lane D J R , Huang M L‐H , Richardson D R 
Published: October 2013

The metabolically active and redox‐active mitochondrion appears to play a major role in the cellular metabolism of the transition metal, iron. Frataxin, a mitochondrial matrix protein, has been identified as playing a key role in the iron metabolism of this organelle due to its iron‐binding properties and is known to be essential for iron–sulphur cluster formation. However, the precise function of frataxin remains elusive. The decrease in frataxin expression, as seen in the inherited disorder Friedreich's ataxia, markedly alters cellular and mitochondrial iron metabolism in both the mitochondrion and the cell. The resulting dysregulation of iron trafficking damages affects tissues leading to neuro‐ and cardiodegeneration. This disease underscores the importance of iron homeostasis in the redox‐active environment of the mitochondrion and the molecular players involved. Unravelling the mechanisms of altered iron metabolism in Friedreich's ataxia will help elucidate a biochemical function for frataxin. Consequently, this will enable the development of more effective and rationally designed treatments. This review will focus on the emerging function of frataxin in relation to the observed alterations in mitochondrial iron metabolism in Friedreich's ataxia. Tissue‐specific alterations due to frataxin loss will also be discussed, as well as current and emerging therapeutic strategies.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed issue on Mitochondrial Pharmacology: Energy, Injury & Beyond. To view the other articles in this issue visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue‐8
Novel vasocontractile role of the P2Y14 receptor: characterization of its signalling in porcine isolated pancreatic arteries
Authors: Alsaqati M , Latif M L , Chan S L F , Ralevic V 
Published: October 2013

Background and PurposeThe P2Y14 receptor is the newest member of the P2Y receptor family; it is Gi/o protein‐coupled and is activated by UDP and selectively by UDP‐glucose and MRS2690 (2‐thiouridine‐5′‐diphosphoglucose) (7–10‐fold more potent than UDP‐glucose). This study investigated whether P2Y14 receptors were functionally expressed in porcine isolated pancreatic arteries.Experimental ApproachPancreatic arteries were prepared for isometric tension recording and UDP‐glucose, UDP and MRS2690 were applied cumulatively after preconstriction with U46619, a TxA2 mimetic. Levels of phosphorylated myosin light chain 2 (MLC2) were assessed with Western blotting. cAMP concentrations were assessed using a competitive enzyme immunoassay kit.Key ResultsConcentration‐dependent contractions with a rank order of potency of MRS2690 (10‐fold) > UDP‐glucose ≥ UDP were recorded. These contractions were reduced by PPTN {4‐[4‐(piperidin‐4‐yl)phenyl]‐7‐[4‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]‐2‐naphthoic acid}, a selective antagonist of P2Y14 receptors, which did not affect responses to UTP. Contraction to UDP‐glucose was not affected by MRS2578, a P2Y6 receptor selective antagonist. Raising cAMP levels and forskolin, in the presence of U46619, enhanced contractions to UDP‐glucose. In addition, UDP‐glucose and MRS2690 inhibited forskolin‐stimulated cAMP levels. Removal of the endothelium and inhibition of endothelium‐derived contractile agents (TxA2, PGF2α and endothelin‐1) inhibited contractions to UDP glucose. Y‐27632, nifedipine and thapsigargin also reduced contractions to the agonists. UDP‐glucose and MRS2690 increased MLC2 phosphorylation, which was blocked by PPTN.Conclusions and ImplicationsP2Y14 receptors play a novel vasocontractile role in porcine pancreatic arteries, mediating contraction via cAMP‐dependent mechanisms, elevation of intracellular Ca2+ levels, activation of RhoA/ROCK signalling and MLC2, along with release of TxA2, PGF2α and endothelin‐1.
Phylogeny of Geophilomorpha (Chilopoda) inferred from new morphological and molecular evidence
Authors: Bonato Lucio , Drago Leandro , Murienne Jérôme 
Published: October 2013

AbstractTo address the phylogenetic relationships of the centipede order Geophilomorpha (more than 1000 species), we have reinterpreted and expanded the knowledge on their morphological disparity, and have doubled the amount of molecular data available. We performed maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses, using 195 phylogenetically informative morphological characters for 80 species, and DNA sequences of 28S, 18S, 16S rRNA and COI for up to 48 species. We found strong support for the monophyly of Geophilomorpha, the basal dichotomy between Adesmata and Placodesmata = Mecistocephalidae, and the basal dichotomy within Adesmata between two clades that are recognized here as superfamilies Himantarioidea and Geophiloidea. With respect to the families currently in use, Himantarioidea comprises three well supported clades corresponding to (i) Oryidae, (ii) Himantariidae, and (iii) Schendylidae s.l. including Ballophilidae; Geophiloidea comprises another three supported clades corresponding to (iv) a new family Zelanophilidae, (v) Gonibregmatidae s.l. including Eriphantidae and Neogeophilidae, and (vi) Geophilidae s.l. including Aphilodontidae, Dignathodontidae, Linotaeniidae, and Macronicophilidae.
Integration of No‐Take Marine Reserves in the Assessment of Data‐Limited Fisheries
Authors: Wilson Jono R. , Valencia Sarah R. , Kay Matthew C. , Lenihan Hunter S. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractNo‐take marine reserves show great promise as conservation tools, yet the integration of reserves into assessment models for data‐limited fisheries management is just emerging. We develop a framework for integrating marine reserves into two data‐limited assessment models: spawning potential ratio (SPR) and yield per recruit (YPR). We use Monte Carlo simulation to test the applicability of the framework to a sedentary species with a dispersive larval stage under process and observation uncertainties. The reserve‐based approach increased estimates of spawning potential while reducing YPR and had a consistent estimation bias of less than 15%. Using the framework, we assessed a commercial fishery targeting grass rockfish (Sebastes rastrelliger) in southern California, USA and found that inclusion of reserves reduced the probability of overfishing. The reserve‐based assessment approach may create win–win policy solutions for conservation and fisheries objectives in many nearshore fisheries with well‐enforced marine reserves that target sedentary species with a dispersive larval stage.
Rapid on‐site assessment of specimens by biomedical scientists improves the quality of head and neck fine needle aspiration cytology
Authors: Breeze J. , Poller D. N. , Gibson D. , Tilley E. A. , Cooke L. , Soar E. , Repanos C. 
Published: October 2013

ObjectiveImmediate rapid on‐site assessment (ROSA) of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) specimens by biomedical scientists (BMS), the UK equivalent of cytotechnologists, or by pathologists may improve specimen quality and cellular adequacy rates for lymph node, head and neck and thyroid FNAC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of introducing ROSA by BMS in an outpatient clinic setting.MethodsThe adequacy rate and sensitivity of histological diagnosis for lymph node, thyroid and salivary gland FNAC samples were determined before and after the introduction of BMS ROSA. The additional financial costs and time required to perform this service were also estimated.ResultsThirty‐one patients underwent ultrasound (US)‐guided FNAC with ROSA and 151 without. ROSA reduced the number of FNAC insufficient in quality for diagnosis from 43% to 19% (P = 0.0194). The estimated additional cost for pathology per patient for ROSA was between £52.05 and £70.74, equivalent to €65.40/US $83.90 and €88.89/US $114.0, respectively, an increase of between 28% and 49% from the original cost. ROSA necessitated an additional 6 minutes clinic time per patient, reducing the number of patients that could be seen in an average clinic from 13 to 10 as well as requiring increased laboratory time for FNAC slide assessment.ConclusionROSA by suitably trained biomedical scientists and with appropriate consultant pathologist support can improve the quality of FNAC sampling for head and neck lesions. Although ROSA resulted in both additional financial and time costs, these are more than likely to be offset by a reduction in patients returning to clinic for repeat FNAC or undergoing unnecessary surgery.
Does clenching reduce indirect head acceleration during rugby contact?
Authors: Hasegawa Ken , Takeda Tomotaka , Nakajima Kazunori , Ozawa Takamitsu , Ishigami Keiichi , Narimatsu Keishiro , Noh Kwantae 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundConcussions are common among athletes, with the potential to cause memory‐related, physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral damage. A concussion is an acceleration/deceleration injury resulting from direct and indirect biomechanical forces transmitted to the cerebral tissues. From a sports dentistry viewpoint, increased mastication muscle activity or clenching due to the presence of a mouthguard may enhance cervical muscle activity, thereby reducing damage following impact. This relationship has not been previously investigated in the context of rugby. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of voluntary clenching on indirect head acceleration during attack‐ and defense‐related drills.Materials and methodsA total of 12 high school rugby players participated in the study. Linear acceleration of the head was measured using an accelerometer that took measurements in three axes. Masseter and sternocleidomastoid muscle activities were measured using wireless electromyography. These data were synchronized using digital video imaging software for analysis. The study protocol was approved by the Tokyo Dental College Ethics Committee.Results and ConclusionsWithin the limitations of this study, the following results were obtained: the activities performed during rugby practice involved relatively small indirect head acceleration and masseter and sternocleidomastoid muscle activities. After the young male rugby players were instructed to clench their masseter muscles, a marked decrease in head acceleration was observed.
Biodiversity of traits and species both show weak responses to hydromorphological alteration in lowland river macroinvertebrates
Authors: Feld Christian K. , de Bello Francesco , Dolédec Sylvain 
Published: October 2013

Summary

Lotic ecosystems worldwide are being increasingly modified hydromorphologically, for example, by damming, fragmentation, flow regulation and channel modification. Serious threats to riverine biodiversity are suspected, yet available field data are few and rarely address the various taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic components of biodiversity.

We examined benthic macroinvertebrate diversity along a gradient of hydromorphological alteration across 65 lowland river sites in the Netherlands, Germany and Poland. We calculated eight metrics describing taxonomic diversity (richness, rarefied richness, Shannon's and Simpson's diversity, Pielou's evenness), functional diversity (mean trait diversity) and phylogenetic diversity (mean taxonomic distinctness and its variance).

Threshold Indicator Taxa ANalysis (TITAN) and Non‐metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMS) showed detailed changes in taxonomic and trait composition, respectively, with increasing hydromorphological alteration. TITAN revealed a gradual turnover under increasing impact in which taxon losses were almost balanced by gains. NMS illustrated a high degree of concordance in the traits possessed by the taxa lost and gained at the gradient's end points.

Although a biologically meaningful hydromorphological gradient was evident, the biodiversity response was modest (Spearman's ρ < |0.32| for all metrics). Pielou's evenness and mean taxonomic distinctness actually increased at impaired sites.

Our results suggest that taxonomic and trait replacement with hydromorphological alteration is not followed by changes in whole‐community diversity. This implies some redundancy in these systems, with ecologically similar species replacing those lost through environmental change.

The results highlight how whole‐community‐based diversity, although frequently calculated and interpreted for decades in ecology and conservation biology, is not the all‐purpose concept to detect and assess the various facets of biodiversity loss. Therefore, we suggest that concerted effort is needed to develop and test novel indicators of biodiversity, capable of detecting biodiversity loss, or other changes, in response to the main environmental stressors of lotic ecosystems.
The relative contributions of refugium types to the persistence of benthic invertebrates in a seasonal snowmelt flood
Authors: Sueyoshi Masanao , Nakano Daisuke , Nakamura Futoshi 
Published: October 2013

Summary

Flow refugia, characterised by low hydraulic stress during a flood, are key habitats that contribute to the persistence of benthic invertebrate. We investigated the use of different refugium types distributed across stream and floodplains and clarified which refugia contributed most to the persistence of assemblage and population during a seasonal snowmelt flood.

We sampled invertebrates and measured physical variables from six or nine types of channel units (‘riffle’, ‘run ‘, ‘lateral pool’, ‘backwater’, ‘abandoned pool’ and ‘tributary’ at base flow, plus ‘fast inundated area’, ‘slow inundated area’ and ‘side channel’ at high flow) at four times (before, during, immediately after and after a flood). We analysed the use of refugia by assemblages, species with different ecological ‘lifestyles’ (a classification into different modes of mobility: burrower, climber, sprawler, clinger and swimmer) and populations.

Total density and species richness decreased significantly with flooding in riffles, runs and lateral pools. In contrast, total density and species richness did not change significantly in the other six types of channel units; therefore, these were distinguished as refugia. Among the six refugia, backwaters, tributaries and slow inundated areas had higher total densities than other refugia. The densities of the five lifestyles also decreased with flooding in riffles, runs and lateral pools. During flooding, high densities in backwaters and slow inundated areas were common for all lifestyles, whereas densities in other refugia varied with lifestyle.

The results for five common species showed that refugium use is species‐dependent. The mayfly Paraleptophlebia japonica (Leptophlebiidae) and the cased caddisfly Neophylax ussuriensis (Uenoidae) were more numerous in refugia during flooding and recovered rapidly after flooding. In contrast, the mayfly Epeorus latifolium (Heptageniidae) and the net‐spinning caddisfly Hydropsyche orientalis (Hydropsychidae) were rare in all types of channel units during and immediately after flooding. The cased caddisfly Allomyia delicatula (Apataniidae) was specific to tributaries and persisted throughout the research period.

Although some species did not use refugia effectively, various species with different mobility and ecological traits did persist and were found in refugia. Specifically, habitats with slowly flowing water that were spatially close to the main channel favoured the persistence of benthic invertebrates.
Responses of stream fish populations to farming intensity and water abstraction in an agricultural catchment
Authors: Lange Katharina , Townsend Colin R. , Gabrielsson Rasmus , Chanut Pierre C. M. , Matthaei Christoph D. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryAgriculture affects streams worldwide, and multiple stressors are usually at work. The effects of farming intensification in the catchment are likely to interact with flow reduction due to abstraction for irrigation, but their combined effects on fish communities are unknown.In a low‐rainfall, agricultural catchment, we sampled instream physicochemistry and fish populations (non‐native brown trout,Salmo trutta, and native upland bullies,Gobiomorphus breviceps, dominated the fish communities) at 36 stream sites chosen to cover wide gradients of % Farming Intensity (%FI) (% catchment in ‘high‐producing exotic grassland’) and % Water Abstraction (%WA) (estimated from a published hydrological model). These landscape variables were not well correlated, allowing us to unravel their individual and combined effects.Presence of trout was best described by an additive multiple‐stressor model consisting of a unimodal response to %FI and a negative response to %WA. Trout density only showed a negative response to %FI. Upland bullies were unrelated to either landscape variable.When populations were modelled using instream variables, trout presence was negatively related to fine sediment depth, while density was negatively related to both sediment depth and total nitrogen (themselves closely related to %FI). Upland bully presence and density showed unimodal responses to just total nitrogen. Ammonium concentration was the only measured instream variable related to %WA.The final models for instream stressors explained more of the variation in fish density, whereas the final models for landscape stressors explained more of the variation in fish presence.Overall, farming intensity showed stronger negative relationships with fish populations than water abstraction, and fish were absent from stream reaches whose upstream catchments contained more than 40% high‐producing exotic grassland. Resource managers considering intensifying water abstraction or agriculture in low‐rainfall river catchments should be aware of the interplay between these two agricultural stressors.
The importance of biotic interactions and local adaptation for plant response to environmental changes: field evidence along an elevational gradient
Authors: Grassein Fabrice , Lavorel Sandra , Till‐Bottraud Irène 
Published: October 2013

AbstractPredicting the response of species to environmental changes is a great and on‐going challenge for ecologists, and this requires a more in‐depth understanding of the importance of biotic interactions and the population structuration in the landscape. Using a reciprocal transplantation experiment, we tested the response of five species to an elevational gradient. This was combined to a neighbour removal treatment to test the importance of local adaptation and biotic interactions. The trait studied was performance measured as survival and biomass. Species response varied along the elevational gradient, but with no consistent pattern. Performance of species was influenced by environmental conditions occurring locally at each site, as well as by positive or negative effects of the surrounding vegetation. Indeed, we observed a shift from competition for biomass to facilitation for survival as a response to the increase in environmental stress occurring in the different sites. Unlike previous studies pointing out an increase of stress along the elevation gradient, our results supported a stress gradient related to water availability, which was not strictly parallel to the elevational gradient. For three of our species, we observed a greater biomass production for the population coming from the site where the species was dominant (central population) compared to population sampled at the limit of the distribution (marginal population). Nevertheless, we did not observe any pattern of local adaptation that could indicate adaptation of populations to a particular habitat. Altogether, our results highlighted the great ability of plant species to cope with environmental changes, with no local adaptation and great variability in response to local conditions. Our study confirms the importance of taking into account biotic interactions and population structure occurring at local scale in the prediction of communities’ responses to global environmental changes.
Perfusion Computed Tomography Thresholds Defining Ischemic Penumbra and Infarct Core: Studies in a Rat Stroke Model
Authors: McLeod D. D. , Parsons M. W. , Hood R. , Hiles B. , Allen J. , McCann S. K. , Murtha L. , Calford M. B. , Levi C. R. , Spratt N. J. 
Published: October 2013

Background Perfusion computed tomography is becoming more widely used as a clinical imaging tool to predict potentially salvageable tissue (ischemic penumbra) after ischemic stroke and guide reperfusion therapies. Aims The study aims to determine whether there are important changes in perfusion computed tomography thresholds defining ischemic penumbra and infarct core over time following stroke. Methods Permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion was performed in adult outbred Wistar rats ( n = 6) and serial perfusion computed tomography scans were taken every 30 mins for 2 h. To define infarction thresholds at 1 h and 2 h post-stroke, separate groups of rats underwent 1 h ( n = 6) and 2 h ( n = 6) of middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by reperfusion. Infarct volumes were defined by histology at 24 h. Co-registration with perfusion computed tomography maps (cerebral blood flow, cerebral blood volume, and mean transit time) permitted pixel-based analysis of thresholds defining infarction, using receiver operating characteristic curves. Results Relative cerebral blood flow was the perfusion computed tomography parameter that most accurately predicted penumbra (area under the curve = 0·698) and also infarct core (area under the curve = 0·750). A relative cerebral blood flow threshold of < 75% of mean contralateral cerebral blood flow most accurately predicted penumbral tissue at 0·5 h (area under the curve = 0·660), 1 h (area under the curve = 0·659), 1·5 h (area under the curve = 0·636), and 2 h (area under the curve = 0·664) after stroke onset. A relative cerebral blood flow threshold of < 55% of mean contralateral most accurately predicted infarct core at 1 h (area under the curve = 0·765) and at 2 h (area under the curve = 0·689) after middle cerebral artery occlusion. Conclusions The data provide perfusion computed tomography defined relative cerebral blood flow thresholds for infarct core and ischemic penumbra within the first two hours after experimental stroke in rats. These thresholds were shown to be stable to define the volume of infarct core and penumbra within this time window.
The case for nurses as central providers of health and social care services for ex‐offenders: a discussion paper
Authors: Eshareturi Cyril , Serrant‐Green Laura , Bayliss‐Pratt Lisa , Galbraith Victoria 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAimsA discussion on the case for nurse‐led community delivery of health and social care interventions to ex‐offenders.BackgroundEx‐offenders re‐enter their communities with limited pre‐release preparation for the continuity of access to health care once outside prison. Once released, these individuals become hard to reach, do not consider health a priority and consequently use services to address their health and social care needs in a crisis‐led way. Nevertheless, how nurses can best support these health‐excluded group of individuals in the community remains vague and requires discussion.DesignDiscussion paper.Data sourcesSeveral databases were searched for papers published in English from 1990–2012 using the Population, Intervention and Outcome framework to help structure search.DiscussionIt is argued that current dominant discourses around equity of care are contradicted in the provision of health and social care services to ex‐offenders in the community. Effective engagement with community interventions may be achieved if ex‐offenders maintain contact with frontline providers who can support both their structural and health needs.Implication for nursingNurses are uniquely positioned to initiate and sustain contact with ex‐offenders, intervening at points of greatest need in the community to address the socially significant health and social care issues that plague them.ConclusionThe use of nurses in the provision of health and social care interventions to ex‐offenders is a strategy, which could increase equity in access to health care, reduce reoffending and improve both the health and life chances of these individuals.