bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of the Anthropogenic Allee Effect Model to Trophy Hunting as a Conservation Tool
Authors: HARRIS RICHARD B. , COONEY ROSIE , LEADER‐WILLIAMS NIGEL 
Published: July 2013

AbstractTrophy hunting can provide economic incentives to conserve wild species, but it can also involve risk when rare species are hunted. The anthropogenic Allee effect (AAE) is a conceptual model that seeks to explain how rarity may spread the seeds of further endangerment. The AAE model has increasingly been invoked in the context of trophy hunting, increasing concerns that such hunting may undermine rather than enhance conservation efforts. We question the appropriateness of uncritically applying the AAE model to trophy hunting for 4 reasons. First, the AAE assumes an open‐access resource, which is a poor characterization of most trophy‐hunting programs and obscures the potential for state, communal, or private‐property use rights to generate positive incentives for conservation. Second, study results that show the price of hunting increases as the rarity of the animal increases are insufficient to indicate the presence of AAE. Third, AAE ignores the existence of biological and behavioral factors operating in most trophy‐hunting contexts that tend to regulate the effect of hunting. We argue that site‐specific data, rather than aggregated hunting statistics, are required to demonstrate that patterns of unsustainable exploitation can be well explained by an AAE model. Instead, we suggest that conservation managers seeking to investigate and identify constraints that limit the potential conservation role of trophy hunting, should focus on the critical governance characteristics that shape the potential conservation role of trophy hunting, such as corruption, insecure property rights, and inadequate sharing of benefits with local people.Aplicación del Modelo Antropogénico del Efecto Allee sobre la Caza de Trofeos como una Herramienta de Conservación
Effects of Knowledge of an Endangered Species on Recreationists’ Attitudes and Stated Behaviors and the Significance of Management Compliance for Ohlone Tiger Beetle Conservation
Authors: CORNELISSE TARA M. , DUANE TIMOTHY P. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractRecreation is a leading cause of species decline on public lands, yet sometimes it can be used as a tool for conservation. Engagement in recreational activities, such as hiking and biking, in endangered species habitats may even enhance public support for conservation efforts. We used the case of the endangered Ohlone tiger beetle(Cicindela ohlone)to investigate the effect of biking and hiking on the beetle's behavior and the role of recreationists’ knowledge of and attitudes toward Ohlone tiger beetle in conservation of the species. In Inclusion Area A on the University of California Santa Cruz (U.S.A.) campus, adult Ohlone tiger beetles mate and forage in areas with bare ground, particularly on recreational trails; however, recreation disrupts these activities. We tested the effect of recreation on Ohlone tiger beetles by observing beetle behavior on trails as people walked and road bikes at slow and fast speed and on trails with no recreation. We also surveyed recreationists to investigate how their knowledge of the beetle affected their attitudes toward conservation of the beetle and stated compliance with regulations aimed at beetle conservation. Fast cycling caused the beetles to fly off the trail more often and to fly farther than slow cycling or hiking. Slow cycling and hiking did not differ in their effect on the number of times and distance the beetles flew off the trail. Recreationists’ knowledge of the beetle led to increased stated compliance with regulations, and this stated compliance is likely to have tangible conservation outcomes for the beetle. Our results suggest management and education can mitigate the negative effect of recreation and promote conservation of endangered species.Efectos del Conocimiento de una Especie en Peligro sobre las Actitudes y Comportamientos Declarados de los Recreacionistas y el Significado del Manejo de la Conformidad para la Conservación del Escarabajo Tigre de Ohlone
KLF5 strengthens drug resistance of ovarian cancer stem‐like cells by regulating survivin expression
Authors: Dong Z. , Yang L. , Lai D. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractObjectivesOvarian cancer stem‐like cells (CSCs), which can form non‐adherent sphere cells in a stem‐cell selection culture system, exhibit stemness and drug resistance to chemotherapeutics, which are properties not observed in differentiated cells. Recent studies have demonstrated that Kruppel‐like factor 5 (KLF5) is involved in cell proliferation and mediates cell survival and tumourigenesis. Here, we investigated the role of KLF5 and its downstream target survivin, in strengthening drug resistance of ovarian CSCs.Materials and methodsOvarian cancer cell line SKOV3 was cultured under serum‐free conditions and differentiating conditions to promote formation of sphere cells and differentiated cells, respectively. siRNA‐KLF5 was used to knock down KLF5, and survivin expression vector was used to overexpress survivin. Cells were further analysed by qPCR, immunofluorescence staining and western blotting. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) were performed to investigate the relationship between KLF5 and survivin expression. Drug resistance was examined by MTT and apoptosis assays.ResultsKLF5 was highly expressed in the ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 sphere cells, accompanied by elevated survivin expression. Silencing KLF5 by small interfering RNA in sphere cells down‐regulated survivin expression, which also sensitized the sphere cells to apoptosis induced by chemotherapeutic drugs (cisplatin or paclitaxel). Furthermore, ChIP assay, survivin overexpression and EMSA results indicated that KLF5 controlled survivin expression by directly binding the surivin promoter in the cells.ConclusionsThe KLF5‐mediated signalling pathway is a potential target for elimination of ovarian CSCs.
Novel pathogenic epitopes of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein induce experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Delarasse Cecile , Smith Paul , Baker David , Amor Sandra 
Published: July 2013

SummaryMyelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), a minor protein of the central nervous system myelin, is recognized as a potential target in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica. The extracellular domain of MOG is commonly used in a wide range of mouse strains and other animals to induce experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an autoimmune animal model of multiple sclerosis, because it is a target for antibody‐mediated attack. Previous studies, using selected peptides, have indicated that MOG35–55 peptide is an encephalitogenic epitope in C57BL/6 (H‐2b) mice. A more systematic analysis of both T‐cell and B‐cell responses following immunization of C57BL/6 mice with either recombinant extracellular mouse MOG protein (1–116) or with overlapping peptides spanning the whole sequence of MOG, before assessment of responses to 15 mer and 23 mer peptides was undertaken. The studies identified T‐cell responses within the MOG35–55 (extracellular domain) but also two new immunogenic and encephalitogenic T‐cell epitopes within residues MOG113–127, MOG120–134 (localized in the transmembrane region) and MOG183–197 (in the second hydrophobic MOG domain). In addition, residue MOG113–127 was found to be a B‐cell epitope, suggesting that this may be a useful adjunct for the induction of EAE as well as for immunological studies in C57BL/6 mice, which are increasingly being used to study immune function through the use of transgenic and gene knockout technology.
The impact of neuroimmune changes on development of amyloid pathology; relevance to Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Lynch Marina A. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryNeuroinflammatory changes are a characteristic of several, if not all, neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease and are typified by increased microglial activation. Microglia express several receptors making them highly reactive and plastic cells, and, at least in vitro, they adopt different phenotypes in a manner analogous to their peripheral counterparts, macrophages. Microglia also express numerous cell surface proteins enabling them to interact with cells and the evidence indicates that maintenance of microglia in a quiescent state relies, at least to some extent, on an interaction with neurons by means of specific ligand–receptor pairs, for example CD200–CD200R. It is clear that microglia also interact with T cells and recent evidence indicates that co‐incubation of microglia with T helper type 1 cells markedly increases their activation. Under normal conditions, small numbers of activated T cells gain entry to the brain and are involved in immune surveillance but infiltration of significant numbers of T cells occurs in disease and following injury. The consequences of T cell infiltration appear to depend on the conditions, with descriptions of both neurodestructive and neuroprotective effects in animal models of different diseases. This review will discuss the modulatory effect of T cells on microglia and the impact of infiltration of T cells into the brain with a focus on Alzheimer's disease, and will propose that infiltration of interferon‐γ‐producing cells may be an important factor in triggering inflammation that is pathogenic and destructive.
GZ‐793A, a lobelane analog, interacts with the vesicular monoamine transporter‐2 to inhibit the effect of methamphetamine
Authors: Horton David B. , Nickell Justin R. , Zheng Guangrong , Crooks Peter A. , Dwoskin Linda P. 
Published: July 2013

Abstract(R)‐3‐[2,6‐cis‐Di(4‐methoxyphenethyl)piperidin‐1‐yl]propane‐1,2‐diol (GZ‐793A) inhibits methamphetamine‐evoked dopamine release from striatal slices and methamphetamine self‐administration in rats. GZ‐793A potently and selectively inhibits dopamine uptake at the vesicular monoamine transporter‐2 (VMAT2). This study determined GZ‐793A's ability to evoke [3H]dopamine release and inhibit methamphetamine‐evoked [3H]dopamine release from isolated striatal synaptic vesicles. Results show GZ‐793A concentration‐dependent [3H]dopamine release; nonlinear regression revealed a two‐site model of interaction with VMAT2 (High‐ and Low‐EC50 = 15.5 nM and 29.3 μM, respectively). Tetrabenazine and reserpine completely inhibited GZ‐793A‐evoked [3H]dopamine release, however, only at the High‐affinity site. Low concentrations of GZ‐793A that interact with the extravesicular dopamine uptake site and the High‐affinity intravesicular DA release site also inhibited methamphetamine‐evoked [3H]dopamine release from synaptic vesicles. A rightward shift in the methamphetamine concentration‐response was evident with increasing concentrations of GZ‐793A, and the Schild regression slope was 0.49 ± 0.08, consistent with surmountable allosteric inhibition. These results support a hypothetical model of GZ‐793A interaction at more than one site on the VMAT2 protein, which explains its potent inhibition of dopamine uptake, dopamine release via a High‐affinity tetrabenazine‐ and reserpine‐sensitive site, dopamine release via a Low‐affinity tetrabenazine‐ and reserpine‐insensitive site, and a low‐affinity interaction with the dihydrotetrabenazine binding site on VMAT2. GZ‐793A inhibition of the effects of methamphetamine supports its potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of methamphetamine abuse.
imageGZ‐793A inhibits methamphetamine‐evoked dopamine release from synaptic vesicles through a surmountable allosteric mechanism and interacts with several sites on the vesicular monoamine transporter‐2 (VMAT2), including high‐ and‐low affinity intravesicular dopamine release sites, high‐affinity extravesicular dopamine uptake sites and low‐affinity extravesicular dihydrotetrabenazine binding sites. VMAT2 interactions likely underlie the ability of GZ‐793A to attenuate the neurochemical and behavioral effects of methamphetamine.
Role of adiponectin and its receptor in prediction of reproductive outcome of metformin treatment in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome
Authors: Hamed Hossam O. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAimsThe aim of this study was to examine the effect of metformin on serum adiponectin and adiponectin receptor‐1 (AdipoR1) and evaluate their role in prediction of ovulation in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).Material and MethodsThe study cohort included 68 PCOS patients with clomiphene citrate resistance (group 1) and 28 healthy women as controls (group 2). Baseline serum adiponectin, AdipoR1, total testosterone (T), and homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) were measured in all participants. Group 1 received metformin (1500 mg/day) for 6 months followed by second blood sampling.ResultsGroup 1 had significantly lower baseline adiponectin and AdipoR1 (P = 0.001) compared to group 2. During treatment, metformin resulted in conception in 5/68 (7%), ovulation in 33/68 (48%) and regular cycles in 41/68 (60%) patients. Group 1 showed post‐metformin higher adiponectin and AdipoR1 (P = 0.01) and lower HOMA‐IR (P = 0.006) and T (P = 0.001) compared to pre‐treatment levels. Post‐metformin ovulatory patients had higher adiponectin and AdipoR1 and lower HOMA‐IR and T compared to anovulatory patients. Multivariate regression analysis in group 1 showed that only T and HOMA‐IR were significant independent factors for predicting ovulatory cycles during metformin treatment (P = 0.04 and P = 0.05, respectively).ConclusionsMetformin treatment enhances both adiponectin activity and insulin sensitivity, resulting in a less hyperandrogenic state in patients with PCOS. Serum adiponectin and AdipoR1 are poor predictors of ovulatory outcome during treatment.
Evaluation of the diagnostic value of the first‐trimester maternal serum high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein level for prediction of pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Kashanian Maryam , Aghbali Farnaz , Mahali Neda 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAimThe purpose of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of maternal serum high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) measurement during the first trimester of pregnancy for predicting pre‐eclampsia.Material and MethodsA prospective cohort study was performed on 394 pregnant women who were at the gestational age of 8–13 weeks. In all women, serum hs‐CRP was measured by latex agglutination test. The women were then monitored to delivery. We compared the hs‐CRP of the two groups, those with and without pre‐eclampsia. We used the receiver–operator curve for finding the optimum cut‐off points.ResultsOut of 394 women, 42 cases (10.7%) were complicated by pre‐eclampsia, of whom 23 women (56.1%) had severe pre‐eclampsia. Mean serum hs‐CRP of the pre‐eclamptic group was higher than that of the normotensive group (7.06 ± 2.6 mg/L vs 3.6 ± 2.3 mg/L, P = 0.001). The receiver–operator curve showed a significant difference between the under‐curve zone for the hs‐CRP level with the reference line. Serum hs‐CRP of 4 mg/L showed sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy as 78.1%, 72.1%, 25%, 96.5% and 72.8%, respectively. Hs‐CRP of more than 7 mg/L was found in 26 (61.9%) cases of pre‐eclampsia and 22 (6.25%) normotensive pregnancies, which showed a significant difference (P = 0.001, relative risk = 12.1, 95% confidence interval: 6.91–21.15).Hs‐CRP of more than 7 mg/L was found in 17 (73.91%) cases of severe pre‐eclampsia and 22 (6.25%) normotensive pregnancies, which showed a significant difference (P = 0.001, relative risk = 9.35, 95% confidence interval: 4.48–19.52).ConclusionHs‐CRP measurements during the first trimester of pregnancy are helpful in predicting pre‐eclampsia.
Surgical and obstetric outcomes of laparoscopic management for women with heterotopic pregnancy
Authors: Eom Jeong Min , Choi Joong Sub , Ko Jung Hwa , Lee Jung Hun , Park Seon Hye , Hong Jin Hwa , Hur Chang Young 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to investigate the obstetric outcomes and clinical efficacy of laparoscopic surgery for women with heterotopic pregnancy.Material and MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of women who had undergone laparoscopic surgery for heterotopic pregnancy. The primary outcome was the feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of heterotopic pregnancy and the secondary outcomes were obstetric outcomes.ResultsSeventeen women underwent laparoscopic surgery for heterotopic pregnancy: 14 with tubal heterotopic pregnancies and three with cornual heterotopic pregnancies. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Of these women, 13 delivered 14 healthy babies, whereas two failed to maintain their pregnancies; one had a missed abortion 2 weeks after the surgery and the other had a miscarriage due to preterm premature rupture of the membrane at 16 gestational weeks. The remaining two women have ongoing pregnancies.ConclusionLaparoscopic surgery performed by experienced surgeons is a feasible and beneficial surgical modality for treating heterotopic pregnancy.
Transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery for adnexal masses
Authors: Yang Yun Seok , Hur Myung Haeng , Oh Kwoan Young , Kim Soo Young 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAimNatural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is currently a very important topic for surgeons. This study aimed to describe the initial clinical experience of transvaginal NOTES for adnexal masses and investigate its feasibility and surgical outcome.MethodsWe performed transvaginal NOTES in seven patients with adnexal masses through a 2‐cm incision in the posterior vaginal fornix. A transvaginal NOTES system comprising a wound protractor and a surgical glove with sheaths was used. Resection was performed according to the method of standard laparoscopic adnexal surgery. The adnexal mass was removed via the incision of the posterior vaginal fornix after complete resection.ResultsSince June 2011, seven patients have undergone transvaginal NOTES for adnexal masses. All cases were completed successfully without conversion to standard laparoscopic approach. The median age of the patients was 48 years (range, 36–60) and the median body mass index was 23.6 (range, 20.4–25.3). The median tumor size was 6 cm (range, 3.7–6.7). The median operative time was 45 min (range, 40–80). The estimated blood loss was minimal (range, 5–300 mL). The median postoperative hospital stay was 2 days (range, 1–3). No postoperative complications were observed at follow‐up. All the patients were very satisfied with the cosmetic result.ConclusionThe findings show transvaginal NOTES with our method to be a feasible, safe and effective surgical technique that results in excellent cosmesis. It may be an alternative technique for the treatment of properly selected female patients with adnexal masses. More experience and instrumental improvement suitable for transvaginal NOTES are needed.
Number of women requiring care at a tertiary hospital equipped with a neonatal intensive care unit at night in an area with a population of 2 million
Authors: Yamada Takahiro , Cho Kazutoshi , Morikawa Mamoru , Yamada Takashi , Akaishi Rina , Ishikawa Satoshi , Minakami Hisanori 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAimWomen with imminent premature labor (IPL) are transported to a tertiary hospital equipped with neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) even during the night. However, there have been no extensive studies of the occurrence rate of night IPL. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence rate of night IPL in an area with a population of 2 million.Materials and MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted using data collected by the Sapporo Obstetric System for Emergency Patients launched in October 2008, in which women, physicians, and ambulance staff who sought appropriate obstetric/gynecological facilities available in the night (19.00–06.00 hours) were informed of candidate hospitals by coordinators through telephone consultation. This system covered the Sapporo area, which has a population of 2 000 000 and 17 000 births annually. Approximately 14% and 86% of women received antenatal care at six and 35 obstetric facilities with and without NICU, respectively, in this area. Night IPL was defined as a threatened premature labor and transport to one of six tertiary hospitals with NICU between 19.00 and 06.00 hours the next morning.ResultsDuring a 4‐year period from 1 October 2008 to 30 September 2012, the Sapporo Obstetric System for Emergency Patients received 158 ± 23 (mean ± standard deviation) monthly telephone consultations (range 114–218 per month). The monthly number of patients with night IPL was 3.0 ± 2.2 (range 0–9 per month).ConclusionsThe monthly number of cases of night IPL was around three among women who received antenatal care at obstetrics facilities without NICU in an area with a population of 2 000 000.
Tumour necrosis factor‐alpha, interleukin‐10, interferon‐gamma and vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms in patients with chronic hepatitis delta
Authors: Karatayli S. C. , Ulger Z. E. , Ergul A. A. , Keskin O. , Karatayli E. , Albayrak R. , Ozkan M. , Idilman R. , Yalcin K. , Bozkaya H. , Uzunalimoğlu O. , Yurdaydin C. , Bozdayi A. M. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryNo data exist to assess certain polymorphisms that have a potential effect on the immune response in patients with chronic hepatitis delta (CHD). The aim of this study was to investigate polymorphisms in 6 polymorphic sites: IL‐10 ‐1082 (rs1800896), IL‐10 ‐627 (rs1800872), IFN‐γ +874 (rs62559044), TNF‐α ‐308 (rs1800629), vitamin D receptor (VDR) FokI (rs2228570) and VDR TaqI (rs731236). The genotypes of 67 patients with CHD and 119 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) were compared. In addition, 56 individuals with resolved hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection were used as a control group for patients with CHB. Polymorphisms in TNF‐α, IL‐10, and VDR genes were analysed using polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. The IFN‐γ gene polymorphism was detected by allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Patients with CDH were more likely to have advanced liver disease compared with patients with CHB (P < 0.0001). IL‐10 ‐1082 and VDR TaqI polymorphisms showed significant differences between patients with CHD and CHB. The high secretory IL‐10 ‐1082 genotype GG was less frequent in CHD compared with patients with CHB and resolved HBV (17.7%, 37.4% and 47.1%, respectively (P < 0.05 for CHD vs CHB and resolved HBV). The frequency of the high secretory VDR TaqI TT genotype was 86.6% in patients with CHD, 62.7% in patients with CHB and 62.5% in resolved HBV individuals (CHD vs CHB: P < 0.05). None of the polymorphisms analysed had an effect on HBV persistence. IL‐10 ‐1082 and VDR TaqI polymorphisms may contribute to the more severe liver disease associated with CHD compared with CHB.