bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiple dimensions of bat biodiversity along an extensive tropical elevational gradient
Authors: Cisneros Laura M. , Burgio Kevin R. , Dreiss Lindsay M. , Klingbeil Brian T. , Patterson Bruce D. , Presley Steven J. , Willig Michael R. 
Published: January 2014

Summary

Research concerning spatial dynamics of biodiversity generally has been limited to considerations of the taxonomic dimension, which is insensitive to interspecific variation in ecological or evolutionary characteristics that play important roles in species assembly and provide linkages to ecosystem services. Consequently, the assumption that the taxonomic dimension is a good surrogate for other dimensions remains unconfirmed.

We assessed variation in taxonomic (species richness) as well as phylogenetic and functional (Rao's quadratic entropy, a measurement of dispersion) dimensions of bat biodiversity along an elevational gradient in the Manu Biosphere Reserve of Peru. Phylogenetic dispersion was based on relatedness of species derived from a mammalian supertree. Functional dispersion was estimated separately for each of six functional components that reflect particular niche axes (e.g. diet, foraging strategy, body size) and for all functional components combined.

Species richness declined nonlinearly with elevation, whereas phylogenetic dispersion and functional dispersion based on all functional components were not significantly associated with elevation (orthogonal polynomial regression). Moreover, considerable heterogeneity in the form of elevational relationships existed among functional components. After accounting for variation in species richness, dispersion of phylogenetic, diet and foraging strategy attributes were significantly greater than expected at high elevations, whereas dispersion of body size was significantly less than expected at high elevations.

Species richness was a poor surrogate for phylogenetic or functional dispersion. Functional dispersion based on multiple components obscured patterns detected by particular components and hindered identification of mechanistic explanations for elevational variation in biodiversity.

Variation in phylogenetic dispersion effectively captured the composite variation represented by all functional components, suggesting a phylogenetic signal in functional attributes.

Mechanisms that give rise to variation in richness do not fully account for variation in phylogenetic or functional characteristics of assemblages. Greater than expected phylogenetic, diet and foraging strategy dispersion at high elevations were associated with the loss of phylogenetically or functionally redundant species, suggesting that increasing interspecific competition with decreasing productivity resulted in competitive exclusion. In contrast, low dispersion of size attributes at high elevations suggests the importance of abiotic filtering that favours small‐sized species that can more easily enter torpor.
Evidence for horizontal transmission from multilocus phylogeny of deep‐sea mussel (Mytilidae) symbionts
Authors: Fontanez Kristina M. , Cavanaugh Colleen M. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryMany invertebrates at deep‐sea hydrothermal vents depend upon bacterial symbionts for nutrition, and thus the mechanism of symbiont transmission, vertical (via the egg or sperm) or horizontal (from environment or contemporary hosts) is critically important. Under a strict maternal transmission model, symbiont and host mitochondrial genomes pass through the same individuals leading to congruent host–symbiont phylogenies. In contrast, horizontally transmitted symbionts are environmentally acquired, leading to incongruent host–symbiont phylogenies. Each of these transmission strategies is predicted to have different consequences for symbiont ecology and genome evolution. Deep‐sea mussels (Bathymodiolinae) are globally distributed at deep‐sea hydrothermal vents, depend upon chemoautotrophic symbionts for their survival, and are hypothesized to transmit their symbionts horizontally. This study explored bathymodioline symbiont ecology through quantification of symbionts at two hydrothermal vent sites and symbiont evolution using functional gene phylogenies. These phylogenies revealed a dramatically more complex evolutionary history than 16S ribosomal RNA phylogenies, suggesting that horizontal gene transfer may have played an important role in symbiont gene evolution. Tests of the strict maternal transmission hypothesis found that host–symbiont lineages were significantly decoupled across multiple genes. These findings expand our understanding of symbiont ecology and evolution, and provide the strongest evidence yet for horizontal transmission of bathymodioline symbionts.
Exploring Anopheles gut bacteria for Plasmodium blocking activity
Authors: Bahia Ana C. , Dong Yuemei , Blumberg Benjamin J. , Mlambo Godfree , Tripathi Abhai , BenMarzouk‐Hidalgo Omar J. , Chandra Ramesh , Dimopoulos George 
Published: January 2014

SummaryMalaria parasite transmission requires the successful development of Plasmodium gametocytes into flagellated microgametes upon mosquito blood ingestion, and the subsequent fertilization of microgametes and macrogametes for the development of motile zygotes, called ookinetes, which invade and transverse the Anopheles vector mosquito midgut at around 18–36 h after blood ingestion. Within the mosquito midgut, the malaria parasite has to withstand the mosquito's innate immune response and the detrimental effect of its commensal bacterial flora. We have assessed the midgut colonization capacity of five gut bacterial isolates from field‐derived, and two from laboratory colony, mosquitoes and their effect on Plasmodium development in vivo and in vitro, along with their impact on mosquito survival. Some bacterial isolates activated the mosquito's immune system, affected the mosquito's lifespan, and were capable of blocking Plasmodium development. We have also shown that the ability of these bacteria to inhibit the parasites is likely to involve different mechanisms and factors. A Serratia marcescens isolate was particularly efficient in colonizing the mosquitoes' gut, compromising mosquito survival and inhibiting both Plasmodium sexual‐ and asexual‐stage through secreted factors, thereby rendering it a potential candidate for the development of a malaria transmission intervention strategy.
Tropical tephritid fruit fly community with high incidence of shared Wolbachia strains as platform for horizontal transmission of endosymbionts
Authors: Morrow J. L. , Frommer M. , Shearman D. C. A. , Riegler M. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryWolbachia are endosymbiotic bacteria that infect 40–65% of arthropod species. They are primarily maternally inherited with occasional horizontal transmission for which limited direct ecological evidence exists. We detected Wolbachia in 8 out of 24 Australian tephritid species. Here, we have used multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to further characterize these Wolbachia strains, plus a novel quantitative polymerase chain reaction method for allele assignment in multiple infections. Based on five MLST loci and the Wolbachia surface protein gene (wsp), five Bactrocera and one Dacus species harboured two identical strains as double infections; furthermore, Bactrocera neohumeralis harboured both of these as single or double infections, and sibling species B. tryoni harboured one. Two Bactrocera species contained Wolbachia pseudogenes, potentially within the fruit fly genomes. A fruit fly parasitoid, Fopius arisanus shared identical alleles with two Wolbachia strains detected in one B. frauenfeldi individual. We report an unprecedented high incidence of four shared Wolbachia strains in eight host species from two trophic levels. This suggests frequent exposure to Wolbachia in this tropical tephritid community that shares host plant and parasitoid species, and also includes species that hybridize. Such insect communities may act as horizontal transmission platforms that contribute to the ubiquity of the otherwise maternally inherited Wolbachia.
Rare but active taxa contribute to community dynamics of benthic biofilms in glacier‐fed streams
Authors: Wilhelm Linda , Besemer Katharina , Fasching Christina , Urich Tim , Singer Gabriel A. , Quince Christopher , Battin Tom J. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryGlaciers harbour diverse microorganisms, which upon ice melt can be released downstream. In glacier‐fed streams microorganisms can attach to stones or sediments to form benthic biofilms. We used 454‐pyrosequencing to explore the bulk (16S rDNA) and putatively active (16S rRNA) microbial communities of stone and sediment biofilms across 26 glacier‐fed streams. We found differences in community composition between bulk and active communities among streams and a stronger congruence between biofilm types. Relative abundances of rRNA and rDNA were positively correlated across different taxa and taxonomic levels, but at lower taxonomic levels, the higher abundance in either the active or the bulk communities became more apparent. Here, environmental variables played a minor role in structuring active communities. However, we found a large number of rare taxa with higher relative abundances in rRNA compared with rDNA. This suggests that rare taxa contribute disproportionately to microbial community dynamics in glacier‐fed streams. Our findings propose that high community turnover, where taxa repeatedly enter and leave the ‘seed bank’, contributes to the maintenance of microbial biodiversity in harsh ecosystems with continuous environmental perturbations, such as glacier‐fed streams.
Lon protease negatively affects GacA protein stability and expression of the Gac/Rsm signal transduction pathway in Pseudomonas protegens
Authors: Takeuchi Kasumi , Tsuchiya Wataru , Noda Naomi , Suzuki Rintaro , Yamazaki Toshimasa , Haas Dieter 
Published: January 2014

SummaryIn Pseudomonas protegens CHA0 and other fluorescent pseudomonads, the Gac/Rsm signal transduction pathway controls secondary metabolism and suppression of fungal root pathogens via the expression of regulatory small RNAs (sRNAs). Because of its high cost, this pathway needs to be protected from overexpression and to be turned off in response to environmental stress such as the lack of nutrients. However, little is known about its underlying molecular mechanisms. In this study, we demonstrated that Lon protease, a member of the ATP‐dependent protease family, negatively regulated the Gac/Rsm cascade. In a lon mutant, the steady‐state levels and the stability of the GacA protein were significantly elevated at the end of exponential growth. As a consequence, the expression of the sRNAs RsmY and RsmZ and that of dependent physiological functions such as antibiotic production were significantly enhanced. Biocontrol of Pythium ultimum on cucumber roots required fewer lon mutant cells than wild‐type cells. In starved cells, the loss of Lon function prolonged the half‐life of the GacA protein. Thus, Lon protease is an important negative regulator of the Gac/Rsm signal transduction pathway in P. protegens.
Functional analyses of three acyl‐CoA synthetases involved in bile acid degradation in Pseudomonas putida DOC21
Authors: Barrientos Álvaro , Merino Estefanía , Casabon Israël , Rodríguez Joaquín , Crowe Adam M. , Holert Johannes , Philipp Bodo , Eltis Lindsay D. , Olivera Elías R. , Luengo José M. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryPseudomonas putida DOC21, a soil‐dwelling proteobacterium, catabolizes a variety of steroids and bile acids. Transposon mutagenesis and bioinformatics analyses identified four clusters of steroid degradation (std) genes encoding a single catabolic pathway. The latter includes three predicted acyl‐CoA synthetases encoded by stdA1, stdA2 and stdA3 respectively. The ΔstdA1 and ΔstdA2 deletion mutants were unable to assimilate cholate or other bile acids but grew well on testosterone or 4‐androstene‐3,17‐dione (AD). In contrast, a ΔstdA3 mutant grew poorly in media containing either testosterone or AD. When cells were grown with succinate in the presence of cholate, ΔstdA1 accumulated Δ1/4‐3‐ketocholate and Δ1,4‐3‐ketocholate, whereas ΔstdA2 only accumulated 7α,12α‐dihydroxy‐3‐oxopregna‐1,4‐diene‐20‐carboxylate (DHOPDC). When incubated with testosterone or bile acids, ΔstdA3 accumulated 3aα‐H‐4α(3′propanoate)‐7aβ‐methylhexahydro‐1,5‐indanedione (HIP) or the corresponding hydroxylated derivative. Biochemical analyses revealed that StdA1 converted cholate, 3‐ketocholate, Δ1/4‐3‐ketocholate, and Δ1,4‐3‐ketocholate to their CoA thioesters, while StdA2 transformed DHOPDC to DHOPDC‐CoA. In contrast, purified StdA3 catalysed the CoA thioesterification of HIP and its hydroxylated derivatives. Overall, StdA1, StdA2 and StdA3 are acyl‐CoA synthetases required for the complete degradation of bile acids: StdA1 and StdA2 are involved in degrading the C‐17 acyl chain, whereas StdA3 initiates degradation of the last two steroid rings. The study highlights differences in steroid catabolism between Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria.
Taste clusters of music and drugs: evidence from three analytic levels
Authors: Vuolo Mike , Uggen Christopher , Lageson Sarah 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis article examines taste clusters of musical preferences and substance use among adolescents and young adults. Three analytic levels are considered: fixed effects analyses of aggregate listening patterns and substance use in US radio markets, logistic regressions of individual genre preferences and drug use from a nationally representative survey of US youth, and arrest and seizure data from a large American concert venue. A consistent picture emerges from all three levels: rock music is positively associated with substance use, with some substance‐specific variability across rock sub‐genres. Hip hop music is also associated with higher use, while pop and religious music are associated with lower use. These results are robust to fixed effects models that account for changes over time in radio markets, a comprehensive battery of controls in the individual‐level survey, and concert data establishing the co‐occurrence of substance use and music listening in the same place and time. The results affirm a rich tradition of qualitative and experimental studies, demonstrating how symbolic boundaries are simultaneously drawn around music and drugs.
Statistical models to predict type 2 diabetes remission after bariatric surgery 预测2型糖尿病患者减肥手术后缓解情况的统计学模型
Authors: Ramos‐Levi Ana M. , Matia Pilar , Cabrerizo Lucio , Barabash Ana , Sanchez‐Pernaute Andres , Calle‐Pascual Alfonso L. , Torres Antonio J. , Rubio Miguel A. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundType 2 diabetes (T2D) remission may be achieved after bariatric surgery (BS), but rates vary according to patients' baseline characteristics. The present study evaluates the relevance of several preoperative factors and develops statistical models to predict T2D remission 1 year after BS.MethodsWe retrospectively studied 141 patients (57.4% women), with a preoperative diagnosis of T2D, who underwent BS in a single center (2006–2011). Anthropometric and glucose metabolism parameters before surgery and at 1‐year follow‐up were recorded. Remission of T2D was defined according to consensus criteria: HbA1c <6%, fasting glucose (FG) <100 mg/dL, absence of pharmacologic treatment. The influence of several preoperative factors was explored and different statistical models to predict T2D remission were elaborated using logistic regression analysis.ResultsThree preoperative characteristics considered individually were identified as the most powerful predictors of T2D remission: C‐peptide (R2 = 0.249; odds ratio [OR] 1.652, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.181–2.309; P = 0.003), T2D duration (R2 = 0.197; OR 0.869, 95% CI 0.808–0.935; P < 0.001), and previous insulin therapy (R2 = 0.165; OR 4.670, 95% CI 2.257–9.665; P < 0.001). High C‐peptide levels, a shorter duration of T2D, and the absence of insulin therapy favored remission. Different multivariate logistic regression models were designed. When considering sex, T2D duration, and insulin treatment, remission was correctly predicted in 72.4% of cases. The model that included age, FG and C‐peptide levels resulted in 83.7% correct classifications. When sex, FG, C‐peptide, insulin treatment, and percentage weight loss were considered, correct classification of T2D remission was achieved in 95.9% of cases.ConclusionPreoperative characteristics determine T2D remission rates after BS to different extents. The use of statistical models may help clinicians reliably predict T2D remission rates after BS.
Variations in CCR5, but not HFE, ELMO1, or SLC12A3, are associated with susceptibility to kidney disease in north Indian individuals with type 2 diabetes CCR5变异而不是HFE、ELMO1或者SLC12A3变异与印度北部的2型糖尿病患者的肾病易感性相关
Authors: Yadav Ashok K. , Kumar Vinod , Dutta Pinaki , Bhansali Anil , Jha Vivekanand 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundDiabetic nephropathy (DN), the leading cause of end‐stage renal disease worldwide, may have a genetic component. In the present study, we investigated variations in a set of genes with susceptibility to DN in a north Indian population.MethodsFour genes (HFE, ELMO1, SLC12A3, and CCR5) were selected on the basis of reported association with type 2 diabetes and nephropathy. In all, 417 diabetic subjects (215 without kidney disease [DM] and 202 with DN) and 197 healthy controls (HC) were evaluated for variations in HFE (845 G>A and 187G>C), SLC12A3 (g.34372G>A), CCR5 (59029A>G), and ELMO1 (+9170 G>A). Polymorphism analysis was performed by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism and Taqman allele discrimination assays.ResultsSignificant differences were found in genotype and allelic frequency in SLC12A3 (g.34372G>A) between diabetic subjects and HC (P < 0.03). There were no differences in the SLC12A3 g.34372G>A (AA+GA) genotype between diabetic subjects with and without nephropathy. However, the CCR5 59029AA genotype and A allele were significantly more frequent in diabetics compared with the HC (P = 0.01 and 0.03, respectively) and subjects with DN versus DM (P = 0.002 and 0.01, respectively). For ELMO1 (+9170 G>A), the GG genotype frequency was higher in the diabetic versus HC group. There were no differences in the frequency of HFE‐845 G>A and HFE‐187G>C among the groups.ConclusionThis study shows that the CCR5 AA genotype is over‐represented in subjects with kidney disease due to type 2 diabetes. The CCR5 59029G>A and ELMO1 (+9170 G>A) loci are more frequent, and the SLC12A3 34372 AA genotype is associated with a reduced risk of diabetes.
Primary prevention of food allergy in children and adults: systematic review
Authors: de Silva D. , Geromi M. , Halken S. , Host A. , Panesar S. S. , Muraro A. , Werfel T. , Hoffmann‐Sommergruber K. , Roberts G. , Cardona V. , Dubois A. E. J. , Poulsen L. K. , Van Ree R. , Vlieg‐Boerstra B. , Agache I. , Grimshaw K. , O'Mahony L. , Venter C. , Arshad S. H. , Sheikh A. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundFood allergies can have serious physical, social, and financial consequences. This systematic review examined ways to prevent the development of food allergy in children and adults.MethodsSeven bibliographic databases were searched from their inception to September 30, 2012, for systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, quasi‐randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, controlled before‐and‐after studies, interrupted time series studies, and prospective cohort studies. Experts were consulted for additional studies. There were no language or geographic restrictions. Two reviewers appraised the studies using appropriate tools. Data were not suitable for meta‐analysis due to heterogeneity, so were narratively synthesized.ResultsSeventy‐four studies were included, one‐third of which were of high quality. There was no good evidence to recommend that pregnant or breastfeeding women should change their diet or take supplements to prevent allergies in infants at high or normal risk. There were mixed findings about the preventive benefits of breastfeeding for infants at high or normal risk, but there was evidence to recommend avoiding cow's milk and substituting with extensively or partially hydrolyzed whey or casein formulas for infants at high risk for the first 4 months. Soy milk and delaying the introduction of solid foods beyond 4 months did not have preventive benefits in those at high or normal risk. There was very little evidence about strategies for preventing food allergy in older children or adults.ConclusionsThere is much to learn about preventing food allergy, and this is a priority given the high societal and healthcare costs involved.
Single‐dose tranexamic acid in advanced ovarian cancer surgery reduces blood loss and transfusions: double‐blind placebo‐controlled randomized multicenter study
Authors: Lundin Evelyn S. , Johansson Torsten , Zachrisson Helene , Leandersson Ulf , Bäckman Fatma , Falknäs Laila , Kjølhede Preben 
Published: January 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether single‐dose tranexamic acid given intravenously immediately before surgery for presumed advanced ovarian cancer reduces perioperative blood loss and blood transfusions.DesignA randomized double‐blind, placebo‐controlled multicenter study.SettingTwo university hospitals and two central hospitals in the southeast health region of Sweden.PopulationOne hundred women with presumed advanced ovarian cancer scheduled for radical debulking surgery between March 2008 and May 2012 who complied with inclusion/exclusion criteria were randomized; 50 were allocated to receive tranexamic acid and 50 to receive placebo. Analysis was performed according to intention‐to‐treat principles.MethodsThe volume of tranexamic acid (15 mg/kg body weight, 100 mg/mL tranexamic acid) or the same volume of placebo (0.9% NaCl) was added to a 100‐mL saline solution plastic bag. The study medication was given immediately before the start of surgery. Data were analyzed by means of non‐parametric statistics and multivariate models adjusted for confounding factors.Main outcome measuresBlood loss and red blood cell transfusions.ResultsThe total blood loss volume and transfusion rate were significantly lower in the tranexamic acid group compared with the placebo group. Median total blood loss was 520 and 730 mL, respectively (p = 0.03). Fifteen (30%) and 22 (44%), respectively received transfusions (odds ratio 0.44; upper 95% CI 0.97; p = 0.02).ConclusionA single dose of tranexamic acid given immediately before surgery reduces blood loss and transfusion rates significantly in advanced ovarian cancer surgery. Tranexamic acid may be recommended as standard prophylactic treatment in advanced ovarian cancer surgery.