bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Early‐Life Experience on Learning Ability in Fruit Flies
Authors: Durisko Zachary , Dukas Reuven 
Published: September 2013

AbstractLearning and memory require the development, modification and maintenance of brain tissue, which cost time and energy. It may be adaptive for developing animals to adjust such investments based on environmental cues indicating the future utility of learning. The optimal learning ability that maximizes fitness will vary with the degree of complexity or difficulty of the environment, and developing animals may show an adaptive plastic modification of the extent of their learning ability based on early‐life cues of environmental complexity. We tested whether fruit fly larvae reared in a ‘complex’ environment, where they had to search, sample and choose between three foods differing in flavour and bitterness subsequently possessed greater learning abilities than larvae reared in a simple environment with only one food type. We tested learning ability both at the larval stage and in young adults. Our results suggest that, despite theoretical and intuitive appeal, these environmental factors did not affect learning ability.
Marginal land bioethanol yield potential of four crassulacean acid metabolism candidates (Agave fourcroydes,Agave salmiana,Agave tequilanaandOpuntia ficus‐indica) inAustralia
Authors: Owen Nick A. , Griffiths Howard 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThe Nobel environmental productivity index (EPI) was used as a framework for the development of a predictive geospatial model to estimate the bioethanol yield potential of four crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) candidates in Australia (Agave fourcroydes,Agave salmiana,Agave tequilana, andOpuntia ficus‐indica). GIS software was used to integrate climate datasets with titratable acidity responses to changes in photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), temperature, and water availability. Additional refinements to Nobel's approach were made to accommodate spatial and temporal fluctuations in soil water potential (ψs) as a function of soil particle size distribution and precipitation, and CO2uptake response to a range of day and night temperatures. A scalar factor for CO2persistence during periods of drought was also introduced to model the capacity of succulent species ofAgaveto buffer against fluctuations in ψs. Macro‐scale criteria were applied to estimate environmentally responsible (ER) bioethanol yield potential on lands that are not suitable for food production. Consideration was given to indigenous vascular plant species richness and endemism scores at ER sites of interest. The highest mean ER bioethanol yield was achieved byA. fourcroydes(μ: 3.89, max. 7.17 kL ha‐1yr‐1) while the highest maximum yield was achieved byA. tequilana(μ: 3.78, max. 7.63 kL ha‐1yr‐1). This research indicated the CAM pathway may produce significant yields (≥≥ 5 kL ha‐1yr‐1) at ER sites totalling 57,700 km2(0.7% land area of Australia).
Virological response rates for telaprevir‐based hepatitis C triple therapy in patients with and without HIV coinfection
Authors: Martel‐Laferrière V , Brinkley S , Bichoupan K , Posner S , Stivala A , Perumalswami P , Schiano TD , Sulkowski M , Dieterich DT , Branch AD 
Published: September 2013

ObjectivesPegylated‐interferon/ribavirin dual therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has a lower sustained virological response (SVR) rate in HIV/HCV‐coinfected patients than in HCV monoinfected patients, but little is known about the relative effectiveness of teleprevir‐based triple therapy in the two groups.MethodsData on 33 coinfected and 116 monoinfected patients were analysed on an intention‐to‐treat basis. SVR12 was defined as undetectable HCV RNA at week 12 post‐end‐of‐treatment, severe anaemia as haemoglobin ≤ 89 g/L or a drop of ≥ 45 g/L, and advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis as Fib‐4 ≥ 3.25. All coinfected patients had well controlled HIV infection.ResultsThe groups were similar in age, gender, percentage with Fib‐4 ≥ 3.25 and HCV viral load, but differed in previous treatment response, with more coinfected patients being nonresponders or treatment‐intolerant (75.8% vs. 50.0% for monoinfected patients; P < 0.01). During treatment, the percentages of patients with undetectable HCV RNA were similar, but, surprisingly, this percentage tended to be higher in coinfected patients. SVR12 rates were 60.6% in coinfected patients vs. 42.2% in monoinfected patients (P = 0.06). In multivariable analysis, SVR12 was associated with HIV infection [odds ratio (OR) 3.55; P < 0.01], African American race (OR 0.37; P = 0.03) and previous treatment response (OR 0.46; P = 0.03). Rates of severe anaemia (45.5 vs. 58.6% in coinfected and monoinfected patients, respectively; P = 0.18) were similar in the two groups, but rash (15.2 vs. 34.5%, respectively; P = 0.03) and rectal symptoms (12.1 vs. 43.1%, respectively; P < 0.01) were less common in coinfected patients.ConclusionsVirological responses of coinfected and monoinfected patients did not differ significantly, but tended to be higher in coinfected patients, who had a 60.6% SVR12 rate. Telaprevir‐based triple therapy is a promising option for coinfected patients with well‐controlled HIV infection.
DEFB1 gene 5′ untranslated region (UTR) polymorphisms are marginally involved in inflammatory bowel disease in south Brazilians
Authors: Wilson T. J. , Jobim M. , Segat L. , Bianco A. M. , Salim P. H. , Portela P. , Jobim L. F. , Damin D. C. , Schwartsmann G. , Roesler R. , Crovella S. 
Published: September 2013

SummaryThe possible association of three DEFB1 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to develop ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) was investigated in Brazilian patients and controls. Although a clear and strong association between functional 5′‐UTR DEFB1 SNPs and susceptibility/protection to IBDs cannot be drawn, our results suggest a possible involvement of DEFB1 gene in inflammatory bowel diseases, especially with the colonic localization of Crohn's disease.
Identification of co‐expressed gene signatures in mouse B1, marginal zone and B2 B‐cell populations
Authors: Mabbott Neil A. , Gray David 
Published: September 2013

SummaryIn mice, three major B‐cell subsets have been identified with distinct functionalities: B1 B cells, marginal zone B cells and follicular B2 B cells. Here, we used the growing body of publicly available transcriptomics data to create an expression atlas of 84 gene expression microarray data sets of distinct mouse B‐cell subsets. These data were subjected to network‐based cluster analysis using BioLayout Express3D. Using this analysis tool, genes with related functions clustered together in discrete regions of the network graph and enabled the identification of transcriptional networks that underpinned the functional activity of distinct cell populations. Some gene clusters were expressed highly by most of the cell populations included in this analysis (such as those with activity related to house‐keeping functions). Others contained genes with expression patterns specific to distinct B‐cell subsets. While these clusters contained many genes typically associated with the activity of the cells they were specifically expressed in, many novel B‐cell‐subset‐specific candidate genes were identified. A large number of uncharacterized genes were also represented in these B‐cell lineage‐specific clusters. Further analysis of the activities of these uncharacterized candidate genes will lead to the identification of novel B‐cell lineage‐specific transcription factors and regulators of B‐cell function. We also analysed 36 microarray data sets from distinct human B‐cell populations. These data showed that mouse and human germinal centre B cells shared similar transcriptional features, whereas mouse B1 B cells were distinct from proposed human B1 B cells.
Cerebral Edema in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Treated with Intravenous Thrombolysis
Authors: Strbian Daniel , Meretoja Atte , Putaala Jukka , Kaste Markku , Tatlisumak Turgut ,   for the Helsinki Stroke Thrombolysis Registry Group
Published: September 2013

Background Cerebral edema (CED) deteriorates outcome of ischemic stroke patients, and there is no effective medical treatment. Limited data exist on cerebral edema after stroke thrombolysis. Aims We aimed to analyze impact of cerebral edema on the outcome of thrombolysis-treated patients. Methods Our cohort included 943 thrombolysis-treated ischemic stroke patients at the Helsinki University Central Hospital (1995–2008). Cerebral edema represented focal brain swelling up to 1/3 (CED-1) or greater than 1/3 (CED-2) of the hemisphere, or midline shift (CED-3). We studied baseline parameters associated with development of cerebral edema and association of cerebral edema with three-month outcome (modified Rankin Scale, mRS). Results On control imaging, CED-1 was present in 167 (17·7%), CED-2 in 40 (4·2%), and CED-3 in 53 (5·6%) patients. Compared with patients without edema ( n = 683), patients with cerebral edema had higher baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores, more often hyperdense cerebral artery sign or early infarct signs on admission computerized tomography, and received thrombolysis later. Cerebral edema was independently associated with poor outcome (mRS 3–6) and mortality, whereas favorable outcome (mRS 0–2) was observed in 77 (46%), 5 (13%), and 3 (6%) patients with CED 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Anti-edema treatment was considered necessary and administered to 49/260 (19%) patients; only five had favorable outcome. Conclusions Cerebral edema is frequent (28%) among thrombolysis-treated ischemic stroke patients, occurring in severe forms in 10%. Higher baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, presence of hyperdense cerebral artery sign or early infarct signs, and longer treatment delays are associated with edema development. Edema is a strong independent predictor of three-month outcome. Effect of anti-edema treatment was modest.
Effects of sodium butyrate on growth performance, haematological and immunological characteristics of weanling piglets
Authors: Fang C. L. , Sun H. , Wu J. , Niu H. H. , Feng J. 
Published: September 2013

SummaryThe experiment was conducted to study the effects of sodium butyrate (SB) on growth, haematological and immunological characteristics in weanling pigs. A total of 100 male piglets (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire) with a body weight of 8.0 ± 0.2 kg weaned at the age of 28 days were randomly assigned to two treatments with five replicates and 10 pigs per replicate. Piglets received a basal diet (control group) or diets supplemented with 1000 mg/kg SB. The feeding trial lasted for 21 days. The results showed that dietary SB significantly decreased (p < 0.05) diarrhoea incidence of weaned piglets, but did not affect (p > 0.05) the average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG) and feed to gain (F/G). Furthermore, piglets fed dietary SB had higher (p < 0.05) serum concentrations of glucose and triglycerides and lower (p < 0.05) serum concentrations of urea nitrogen, cortisol, D‐lactic acid and diamine oxidase when compared with the control group. However, dietary SB did not affect concentrations of serum albumin, total protein, insulin and glucagon (p > 0.05). There were no significant (p > 0.05) treatment effects on serum IgA and IgM, whereas serum IgG concentration and IgA+ cell count in jejunum from pigs fed SB were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in those given the basal diet. In conclusion, the present study indicated that dietary SB significantly decreased diarrhoea incidence of weaned piglets and increased the efficiency of nitrogen utilization. Also, dietary SB could regulate and enhance the immune function of piglets by increasing the serum IgG concentration and IgA+ cell count in jejunum. Our results suggest that SB may reduce some of the adverse effects of weaning stress and play an important role in maintaining the integrity of intestinal mucosa.
The Antidepressants Fluoxetine and Bupropion Differentially Affect Proceptive Behavior in the Naturally Cycling Female Rat
Authors: Ventura-Aquino Elisa , Fernández-Guasti Alonso 
Published: September 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Fluoxetine, like other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, inhibits women's sexual desire and female rats' sexual behavior. Bupropion produces pro-sexual effects in women with and without depression, and yohimbine increases men's and male rats' sexual motivation, but their effects on female rats' proceptivity are unknown.

Aim
To investigate the effects of fluoxetine, bupropion, and yohimbine on proceptivity and receptivity in the naturally cycling female rat.

Methods
We studied the effect of chronic (minimum 14 days) fluoxetine (1.25 mg/kg, subcutaneous) and bupropion (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) and acute yohimbine (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) on sexual behavior of female rats selected in natural proestrus during an ejaculatory series. We also analyzed the effects of these treatments on locomotor activity.

Main Outcome Measures
The main outcome measures were frequencies of hops/darts and ear wiggling, lordosis quotient and intensity, and locomotor activity.

Results
Fluoxetine inhibited ear wiggling and hopping/darting, while bupropion stimulated hopping/darting. These treatments did not modify the lordosis quotient and its intensity. Yohimbine did not change any aspect of female sexual behavior. At the doses and treatments used, fluoxetine and bupropion did not alter locomotor activity or disturb the length of the estrous cycle; however, yohimbine inhibited locomotor activity.

Conclusions
The motivational components of female sexual behavior are more sensitive than the receptive components to the inhibitory actions of fluoxetine. Bupropion selectively stimulated hopping/darting, while yohimbine lacked an action on female sexual behavior.
A Role for Peripheral 5-HT2 Receptors in Serotonin-Induced Facilitation of the Expulsion Phase of Ejaculation in Male Rats
Authors: Ishigami Takao , Yoshioka Katsuro , Karicheti Venkateswarlu , Marson Lesley 
Published: September 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The urethrogenital reflex (UGR) is used as a physiological animal model of the autonomic and somatic activity that accompanies ejaculatory-like reflexes (ELRs). Serotonin (5-HT) plays an important role in regulating ejaculation.

Aim
To examine the effects of intraurethral 5-HT on ELRs and to examine the effects of various 5-HT receptor subtypes on the 5-HT-induced changes in the ELRs.

Methods
The effects of intraurethral infusion of 5-HT on ELRs were examined by monitoring the urethrogenital reflex in male rats. The effects of various 5-HT receptor-specific antagonists on the 5-HT-induced responses were examined.

Main Outcome Measures
Main outcome measures were urethral pressure threshold required to elicit the UGR and bulbospongiosus activity or ELRs.

Results
Intraurethral infusion of 5-HT (10–1,000 μM) produced a dose-dependent facilitation of the UGR, i.e., decrease in threshold urethral perfusion pressure and an increase in number of ELRs. The 5-HT3 receptor antagonists tropisetron (1 and 3 mg/kg, i.v.) and ramosetron (0.1 and 1 mg/kg, i.v.), the 5-HT7 receptor antagonist SB269970 (3 mg/kg, i.v.), and the 5-HT1 A receptor antagonist WAY-100635 (1 mg/kg, i.v.) all failed to inhibit 5-HT-induced facilitation of the UGR. However, ritanserin (1 mg/kg, i.v.), a nonselective 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, and xylamidine (0.01–1 mg/kg, i.v.), a peripherally restricted nonselective 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, significantly inhibited both the decrease in urethral pressure threshold and the increase in number of ELRs induced by intraurethral infusion of 5-HT.

Conclusion
These results suggest that in the male rat urethra, peripheral 5-HT2 receptors are involved in the 5-HT-induced facilitation of the expulsion phase of ejaculation.
An integrative approach to detect subtle trophic niche differentiation in the sympatric trawling bat species Myotis dasycneme and Myotis daubentonii
Authors: Krüger F. , Clare E. L. , Greif S. , Siemers B. M. , Symondson W. O. C. , Sommer R. S. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractBats are well known for species richness and ecological diversity, and thus, they provide a good opportunity to study relationships and interaction between species. To assess interactions, we consider distinct traits that are probably to be triggered by niche shape and evolutionary processes. We present data on the trophic niche differentiation between two sympatric European trawling bat species, Myotis dasycneme and Myotis daubentonii, incorporating a wide spectrum of methodological approaches. We measure morphological traits involved in foraging and prey handling performance including bite force, weightlifting capacity and wing morphology. We then measure resulting prey consumption using both morphological and molecular diet analyses. These species closely resemble each other in morphological traits, however, subtle but significant differences were apparent in bite force and lift capacity, which are related to differences in basic body and head size. Both morphological and molecular diet analyses show strong niche overlap. We detected subtle differences in less frequent prey items, as well as differences in the exploitation of terrestrial and aquatic‐based prey groups. Myotis dasycneme feeds more on aquatic prey, like Chironomidae and their pupal stages, or on the aquatic moth Acentria ephemerella. Myotis daubentonii feeds more on terrestrial prey, like Brachycera, or Coleoptera. This suggests that these bats use different microhabitats within the habitat where they co‐occur.
Multilocus analyses reveal little evidence for lineage‐wide adaptive evolution within major clades of soft pines (Pinus subgenus Strobus)
Authors: Eckert Andrew J. , Bower Andrew D. , Jermstad Kathleen D. , Wegrzyn Jill L. , Knaus Brian J. , Syring John V. , Neale David B. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractEstimates from molecular data for the fraction of new nonsynonymous mutations that are adaptive vary strongly across plant species. Much of this variation is due to differences in life history strategies as they influence the effective population size (Ne). Ample variation for these estimates, however, remains even when comparisons are made across species with similar values of Ne. An open question thus remains as to why the large disparity for estimates of adaptive evolution exists among plant species. Here, we have estimated the distribution of deleterious fitness effects (DFE) and the fraction of adaptive nonsynonymous substitutions (α) for 11 species of soft pines (subgenus Strobus) using DNA sequence data from 167 orthologous nuclear gene fragments. Most newly arising nonsynonymous mutations were inferred to be so strongly deleterious that they would rarely become fixed. Little evidence for long‐term adaptive evolution was detected, as all 11 estimates for α were not significantly different from zero. Nucleotide diversity at synonymous sites, moreover, was strongly correlated with attributes of the DFE across species, thus illustrating a strong consistency with the expectations from the Nearly Neutral Theory of molecular evolution. Application of these patterns to genome‐wide expectations for these species, however, was difficult as the loci chosen for the analysis were a biased set of conserved loci, which greatly influenced the estimates of the DFE and α. This implies that genome‐wide parameter estimates will need truly genome‐wide data, so that many of the existing patterns documented previously for forest trees (e.g. little evidence for signature of selection) may need revision.
Autecological traits determined two evolutionary strategies in Mediterranean plants during the Quaternary: low differentiation and range expansion versus geographical speciation in Linaria
Authors: Blanco‐Pastor J. L. , Vargas P. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThe evolutionary patterns of the Mediterranean flora during the Quaternary have been relatively well documented based on phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses, but few studies have addressed the evolutionary traits that determined diversification and range expansion success during this period. We analysed previously published and newly generated sequences of three plastid noncoding regions (rpl32‐trnLUAG, trnS‐trnG and trnL‐trnF), the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and a low‐copy nuclear gene intron (AGT1) of Linaria sect. Supinae, a group of angiosperms that diversified in the Quaternary. The origin and recent colonization dynamics of closely related lineages were inferred by biogeographic reconstruction and phylogeographic analyses, while breeding system experiments coupled with ecological and morphological data were used to test association with range expansion and diversification. A combination of traits, including selfing, short lifespan and the ability to tolerate a wide variety of substrates, were key factors underlying range expansion after long‐distance dispersal throughout the Mediterranean basin. By contrast, self‐incompatibility may have promoted higher diversification rates in narrow ranges of the Iberian Peninsula. We argue that a few traits contributed to the adoption of two contrasting strategies that may have been predominant in the evolution of Mediterranean angiosperms.
Computational fluid dynamics analysis of salivary flow and its effect on sialolithogenesis
Authors: Zhu P , Lin Y , Lin H , Xu Y , Zheng QY , Han Y 
Published: September 2013

ObjectiveSialolithiasis is a common disease caused by intraductal stones, formed by reduction in salivary flow, salivary stagnation, and metabolic events. We used computational fluid dynamics to investigate changes in salivary flow field around parotid stones of different shapes.Materials and MethodsThree‐dimensional configurations of the Stensen's duct were reconstructed from computed tomography sialographic images. Fluid dynamics modeling was used to analyze the salivary flow field around stones under unstimulated and stimulated conditions.ResultsThe majority of sialoliths were oval‐shaped (59/98), followed by irregular (24/98) and round (15/98). Salivary velocity was significantly higher around streamlined stones, compared with round (P = 0.013) and oval (P = 0.025) types. Changes in salivary flow field around sialoliths were found to affect the pattern of mineral deposition in saliva. The area of low velocity around the round stone was double the size observed around the streamlined stone during the unstimulated state, whereas in the stimulated state, local vortexes were formed on the downstream side of round and oval stones.ConclusionsSalivary flow field around sialoliths plays an important role in the progression of multicentric stones, and analysis of the salivary dynamics during sialolithiasis may provide deeper understandings of the condition and aid in developing successful treatment strategies.