bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of human‐modified landscapes on taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic dimensions of bat biodiversity
Authors: Cisneros Laura M. , Fagan Matthew E. , Willig Michael R. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAimTo identify characteristics of a human‐modified landscape that promote taxonomic (TD), functional (FD) and phylogenetic (PD) dimensions of bat biodiversity.LocationCaribbean lowlands of northeastern Costa Rica.MethodsDuring the dry and wet seasons, we quantified TD (Simpson's diversity), as well as FD and PD (Rao's quadratic entropy) of phyllostomid bat assemblages at 15 sites that represented a forest loss and fragmentation gradient. FD was estimated separately for each of seven functional components that reflect particular niche axes (e.g. diet, foraging strategy) and for all functional components combined (FDall). PD was based on relatedness of species derived from a supertree. We identified the best explanatory landscape characteristics of each dimension using hierarchical partitioning.ResultsLandscape effects were dimension and season specific. During the dry season, TD and PD increased with increasing proportions of pasture or size of forest patches, whereas FDall decreased with increasing size of forest patches. During the wet season, TD increased with increasing forest patch size, whereas FDall and PD increased with increasing compactness of forest patches and decreasing proximity. Decomposition of FD into separate functional components revealed different landscape effects on ecological aspects of assemblages.Main conclusionsOne dimension of biodiversity was not a good surrogate for another. Rather, decomposition of biodiversity into different dimensions and functional components facilitated identification of the aspects of assemblages that are most affected by forest conversion and fragmentation. Areas with intermediate amounts of forest and pasture during the dry season harboured highest diversity from taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic perspectives. During the wet season, areas with large, compact forest patches promoted the dimensions of biodiversity. Placement of areas with even amounts of forest and pasture adjacent to large, compact forest patches (e.g. reserves) may maintain high biodiversity of bats and the ecosystem functions that they provide throughout the year.
Reviewing HIV‐Related Research in Emerging Economies: The Role of Government Reviewing Agencies
Authors: Sexton Patrina , Hui Katrina , Hanrahan Donna , Barnes Mark , Sugarman Jeremy , London Alex John , Klitzman Robert 
Published: November 2014

AbstractLittle research has explored the possible effects of government institutions in emerging economies on ethical reviews of multinational research. We conducted semi‐structured, in‐depth telephone interviews with 15 researchers, Research Ethics Committees (RECs) personnel, and a government agency member involved in multinational HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) research in emerging economies. Ministries of Health (MOH) or other government agencies often play pivotal roles as facilitators or barriers in the research ethics approval process. Government agency RECs reviewing protocols may face particular challenges, as they can lack resources, be poorly organized, have inconsistent review processes and limited expertise, and use differing definitions of national interests, including upholding national reputation and avoiding potential exploitation and stigma of the country's population. The MOH/governmental review body may be affected by power dynamics and politics in study reviews; may consider issues both related and unrelated to research ethics as understood elsewhere; and may prioritize particular diseases, treatments, or interventions over other topics/types of research. Poor communication and deeply‐rooted tensions may exist between sponsor and host countries, impeding optimal interactions and reviews. Investigators must understand and plan for the potential effects of governmental agencies on multinational collaborative research, including preserving adequate time for agency review, and contacting these agencies beforehand to address issues that may arise. Better understanding of these issues can aid and advance appropriate global scientific collaboration.
Insulin‐like growth factor 1 can promote proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells via mTOR pathway
Authors: Feng Xingmei , Huang Dan , Lu Xiaohui , Feng Guijuan , Xing Jing , Lu Jun , Xu Ke , Xia Weiwei , Meng Yan , Tao Tao , Li Liren , Gu Zhifeng 
Published: November 2014

Insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) is a multifunctional peptide that can enhance osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs). However, it remains unclear whether IGF‐1 can promote osteogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). In our study, DPSCs were isolated from the impacted third molars, and treated with IGF‐1. Osteogenic differentiation abilities were investigated. We found that IGF‐1 activated the mTOR signaling pathway during osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs. IGF‐1 also increased the expression of runt‐related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteocalcin (OCN), osterix (OSX) and collagen type I (COL I) during this process. Rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, blocked osteogenic differentiation induced by IGF‐1. Meanwhile, CCK‐8 assay and flow cytometry results demonstrated that 10–200 ng/mL IGF‐1 could enhance proliferation ability of DPSCs and 100 ng/mL was the optimal concentration. In summary, IGF‐1 could promote proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs via mTOR pathways, which might have clinical implications for osteoporosis.
Lymphatic vessels: an emerging actor in atherosclerotic plaque development
Authors: Kutkut Issa , Meens Merlijn J. , McKee Thomas A. , Bochaton‐Piallat Marie‐Luce , Kwak Brenda R. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractBackgroundAtherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of large‐ to medium‐sized arteries and is the main underlying cause of death worldwide. The lymphatic vasculature is critical for processes that are intimately linked to atherogenesis such as the immune response and cholesterol metabolism. However, whether lymphatic vessels truly contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is less clear despite increasing research efforts in this field.DesignPubMed and Ovid MEDLINE databases were searched. In addition, key review articles were screened for relevant original publications.ResultsCurrent knowledge about lymphatic vessels in the arterial wall came from studies that examined the presence and location of such vessels in human atherosclerotic plaque specimens, as well as in a variety of arteries in animal models for atherosclerosis (e.g. rabbits, dogs, rats and mice). Generally, three experimental approaches have been used to investigate the functional role of plaque‐associated lymphatic vessels; experimental lymphostasis was used to investigate lymphatic drainage of the arterial wall, and more recently, studies with genetic interventions and/or surgical transplantation have been performed.ConclusionsLymphatic vessels seem to be mostly present in the adventitial layer of the arterial walls of animals and humans. They are involved in reverse cholesterol transport from atherosclerotic lesions, and arteries with a dense lymphatic network seem naturally protected against atherosclerosis. Lymphangiogenesis is a process that is an important part of the inflammatory loop in atherosclerosis. However, how augmenting or impeding the distribution of lymphatic vessels impacts disease progression remains to be investigated in future studies.
Newly identified host range of European mountain ash ringspot‐associated virus (EMARaV) and its distribution in the Czech Republic
Authors: Grimová L. , Marek M. , Konrady M. , Ryšánek P. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryIt has been previously shown that European mountain ash ringspot‐associated virus (EMARaV), a multipartite, negative‐strand RNA plant virus, is pathogenic for European mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia L.). However, its transmissibility to and replication in other host species remains poorly understood. In this work, we performed experimental inoculations of seventeen virus‐tested species and interspecies hybrids of subfamily Maloideae (family: Rosaceae) with buds from EMARaV‐infected S. aucuparia trees. Surprisingly, a majority of the graft‐inoculated tree species, for instance Sorbaronia, Aronia and Amelanchier, developed symptoms typical for EMARaV infection. These symptoms included chlorotic spots of various size and shape and mottling on leaves but not on flowers and fruits. The propagation of EMARaV in graft‐inoculated tree species was subsequently confirmed by molecular detection tools. Based on these results, we carried out a systematic survey throughout the Czech Republic and identified the presence of EMARaV in wild growing trees in all explored regions, with massive disease infestation in several locations. More importantly, EMARaV infection was newly detected in S. aucuparia subsp. moravica, S. aucuparia × Crataegus sanguinea cv. Granatnaja, (Sorbus aria × Aronia arbutifolia) × S. aucuparia cv. Burka, cv. Finskaja (a Sorbus hybrid of unknown origin) and Aronia melanocarpa; all these EMARaV‐infested trees were grown in production orchards. The sequencing of the nucleocapsid (NC)‐coding gene from several of these EMARaV isolates provided insight into the population structure and phylogenetic relationships of the EMARaV variants occurring in the Czech Republic. Together, our biological and molecular findings extend our knowledge on the host range of EMARaV and provide the first evidence of its natural occurrence in hosts dissimilar to S. aucuparia.
Complement C5‐deficient mice are protected from seizures in experimental cerebral malaria
Authors: Buckingham Susan C. , Ramos Theresa N. , Barnum Scott R. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryStudies have demonstrated that the membrane attack complex (MAC) of complement can evoke seizures when injected directly into rodent brain. In the course of studies that examine the role of complement in the development of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM), we observed fewer seizures in mice deficient in C5, a component required for MAC formation. To determine if the MAC contributed to the tonic–clonic seizures characteristic of ECM, we performed long‐term video–electroencephalography (EEG) on C5−/− mice with Plasmodium berghei ANKA‐induced cerebral malaria and observed significantly reduced spike and seizure frequency compared to wild‐type mice. Our data suggest a role for the MAC in malaria‐induced seizures and that inhibition of the terminal complement pathway may reduce seizures and seizure‐related neurocognitive deficits.
A comparison of seven methods for continuous therapeutic cooling of the equine digit
Authors: van Eps A. W. , Orsini J. A. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryReasons for performing studyDigital hypothermia may be effective for laminitis prophylaxis and therapy, but the efficacy of cooling methods used in clinical practice requires evaluation.ObjectivesTo use hoof wall surface temperature (HWST) to compare several cooling methods used in clinical practice.Study designExperimental crossover design with a minimum washout period of 72 h.MethodsSeven cooling methods (commercially available ice packs, wraps and boots) and one prototypical dry‐sleeve device were applied to a single forelimb in 4 horses for 8 h, during which HWST of the cooled forelimb and the uncooled (control) forelimb was recorded hourly. Results were analysed descriptively.ResultsThe median (range) HWST from 2–8 h was lowest for the ice and water immersion methods that included the foot and extended proximally to at least include the pastern: 5.2°C (range: 4.8–7.8°C) for the fluid bag and 2.7°C (2.4–3.4°C) for the ice boot. An ice boot that included the distal limb but not the foot resulted in a median HWST of 25.7°C (20.6–27.2°C). Dry interface applications (ice packs) confined to the foot only resulted in a median HWST of 21.5°C (19.5–25.5°C) for the coronet sleeve and 19.8°C (17.6–23°C) for a commercial ice pack. For the dry interface applications that included the foot and distal limb, the median HWST was much higher for the ice pack device, 19.9°C (18.7–23.1°C), compared with the perfused cuff prototype of 5.4°C (4.2–7°C).ConclusionsImmersion of the foot and at least the pastern region in ice and water achieved sustained HWST <10°C as did a prototype perfused cuff device with a dry interface. Variation between cooling methods may have a profound effect on HWST and therefore efficacy in clinical cases where laminitis prophylaxis or therapy is the goal.
Elevated metal concentrations inhibit biological recovery of Cladocera in previously acidified boreal lakes
Authors: Labaj Andrew L. , Kurek Joshua , Jeziorski Adam , Smol John P. 
Published: November 2014

Summary

Lakes near Sudbury, Canada, have been exposed to intense acidification and metal contamination from nearby mining and smelting operations. Although lakewater pH improved substantially following the implementation of emission controls in the late 1960s, biological recovery continues to lag behind chemical recovery.

We assessed the current state of biological recovery (relative to pre‐impact times) using multiproxy palaeolimnological records from two nearby lake districts (Sudbury and Killarney), both impacted by acidification but having experienced differences in metal contamination due to their respective distances from smelters.

Twentieth century cladoceran shifts were most pronounced in the acidified and metal‐contaminated Sudbury lakes, with assemblage changes tracking industrial activity. Chydorus brevilabris increased markedly in dominance, largely at the expense of Bosmina spp. In contrast, the Killarney lakes, with similar changes in pH but lower Cu and Ni inputs than the Sudbury lakes, experienced minimal changes within their sedimentary cladoceran assemblages.

These regional differences in cladoceran impact and recovery patterns are best explained by varying levels of Cu and Ni contamination, with concentrations of these metals still exceeding provincial water quality guidelines in the Sudbury lakes. Biological recovery in these systems appears to be inhibited by persistent high metal levels.

Increased lake primary production and coincident shifts in cladoceran assemblages over the past approximately 40 years in all the study lakes suggest that climate impacts may be gaining prominence as drivers of ecological change, and therefore a return to the biotic structure of the pre‐smelter era is unlikely.
Reconceptualising the beta diversity‐environmental heterogeneity relationship in running water systems
Authors: Heino Jani , Melo Adriano S. , Bini Luis M. 
Published: November 2014

Summary

Beta diversity modelling has received increased interest recently. There are multiple definitions of beta diversity, but here, we focus on variability in species composition among sampling units within a given area. This facet can be described using various approaches. Some approaches ignore the spatial scale of the area considered (i.e. region limits), while some consider different region limits as a starting point for the analysis of beta diversity.

We focused specifically on the beta diversity–environmental heterogeneity relationship in running waters. First, we present two conceptual models, which assume either (1) strong environmental control among localities (riffle sites in our case) within each region unit (a region unit encompasses a species pool and can be a stream or a basin or an ecoregion) or (2) that the spatial level of a region unit affects the relative importance of mechanisms affecting variability in species composition among localities (i.e. among riffle sites) within each region unit. Second, we compared three recent studies that used similar methods to examine the beta diversity–environmental heterogeneity relationship, but which were based on different region units, comprising sets of streams or sets of basins or sets of ecoregions.

Our conceptual framework assumes that environmental control is not likely to be the sole mechanism affecting variability in community composition among localities within each region unit, but it is likely to be most important when dispersal rates are intermediate (i.e. among localities within a basin). In contrast, if dispersal rates are very high (i.e. among localities within a stream) or very low (i.e. among localities within an ecoregion), environmental control is in part masked by high dispersal rates or is prevented from occurring because not all species can reach all localities, respectively. Such scale dependency in the relative strength of environmental control might therefore transcend spatial scales from individual region units to the strength of the beta diversity–environmental heterogeneity relationship. We emphasise that the beta diversity–environmental heterogeneity relationship can only be tested across multiple region units. The results of three case studies are consistent with these predictions. Specifically, the beta diversity–environmental heterogeneity regression was highly significant across multiple basins, but not across multiple streams or across multiple ecoregions.

We suggest that researchers take spatial scale and region unit level explicitly into account when inferring the mechanisms structuring ecological communities and mapping variation in beta diversity. We also propose a unified terminology for studies examining the beta diversity–environmental heterogeneity relationship in running waters because inconsistent terminology is likely to hamper the progress of our science.
Expression of cadherin 17 in well‐differentiated neuroendocrine tumours
Authors: Snow Anthony N , Mangray Shamlal , Lu Shaolei , Clubwala Rashna , Li Jianhong , Resnick Murray B , Yakirevich Evgeny 
Published: November 2014

AimsCadherin 17 (CDH17) is expressed primarily in normal intestinal epithelium and digestive tract tumours, and has limited expression in other neoplasms. The aims of this study were to examine CDH17 expression in well‐differentiated neuroendocrine tumours (WDNETs) from various primary sites, representing the foregut, midgut, and hindgut, and tumours metastasizing to the liver, and to correlate the differences between the expression of CDH17, CDX2, and thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF1).Methods and resultsWe investigated CDH17 immunohistochemical expression in 150 primary WDNETs from eight anatomical sites, including 68 from the foregut, 70 from the midgut, and 12 from the hindgut, and 15 metastases. CDH17 immunoreactivity increased significantly from foregut to hindgut WDNETs (P < 0.0001). Pancreatic WDNETs expressed CDH17 at a significantly higher frequency than other foregut tumours. Within the midgut, appendiceal and small‐intestinal WDNETs were more frequently positive for CDH17 than for CDX2. All hindgut WDNETs expressed CDH17, in contrast to CDX2 (positive in one rectal case). CDH17 expression in liver metastases was similar to that of the primary tumours.ConclusionsThis study is the first to comprehensively examine CDH17 expression in WDNETs from different sites. CDH17 is a sensitive marker for midgut WDNETs, and the CDH17+/CDX2−/TTF1− phenotype was found to be sensitive (92%) and specific (91%) for hindgut WDNETs.
Master apical file size – smaller or larger: a systematic review of microbial reduction
Authors: Aminoshariae A. , Kulild J. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe purpose of this systematic review was to determine, in patients undergoing root canal treatment, whether apical enlargement of canals affected microbial reduction. A PICO (population, intervention, comparison and outcome) strategy was developed to identify previously published studies dealing with apical size of canal and microbial reduction. The MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane and PubMed databases were searched. Additionally, the bibliographies of all relevant articles and textbooks were manually searched. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, two reviewers independently selected the relevant articles. Due to the variety of methodologies and different techniques used to measure outcome for master apical file enlargement, it was not possible to standardize the research data and to apply a meta‐analysis. Seven articles were identified that met the inclusion criteria. Five of the seven articles generally concluded that canal enlargement reduced bioburden in the root canal system. Two articles reported no difference in canals enlarged to size 25 or 40. The results of the systematic review confirmed that more evidence‐based research in this area is needed. With the limited information currently available, the best current available clinical evidence suggests that contemporary chemomechanical debridement techniques with canal enlargement techniques do not eliminate bacteria during root canal treatment at any size.
Restructuring and merger waves
Authors: Rodrigues Vasco 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAlthough merger waves are one of the most important market structures shaping forces, they have been the object of little theoretical investigation in industrial economics. This paper explains how the occurrence of industry merger waves is determined by the interplay between the synergy opportunities offered by mergers and the possibility to free‐ride other firms ’ mergers market power effects. This explanation arises in the context of a two‐stage model in which mergers are endogenously determined before firms compete in the product ’s market. The endogenous market structure can either be excessively or insufficiently concentrated from a total surplus perspective.
Is there a role of C‐reactive protein in red blood cell aggregation?
Authors: Flormann D. , Kuder E. , Lipp P. , Wagner C. , Kaestner L. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryIntroductionNumerous clinical studies related the plasma level of C‐reactive protein (CRP) to the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) independent of the kind of disease. The molecular regulation of the process is unknown.MethodsWe performed a meta‐analysis of 10 previous studies and experimentally probed for a direct action of CRP on red blood cells (RBCs) by different methods including determination of a microscopic aggregation index, Ca2+ imaging and analysis of sedimentation experiments.ResultsThe meta‐analysis revealed a statistically significant correlation (Pearson coefficient of 0.37; P < 0.0001), but we could not find any experimental evidence for a direct CRP–RBC interaction. Instead, we could confirm a correlation between fibrinogen level and ESR.ConclusionTherefore, we concluded that CRP and ESR cannot account for nor replace each other as a diagnostic measure. The correlation between CRP level and ESR is most probably caused by fibrinogen, because its increase coincides with elevated CRP levels.