bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Riparian vegetation has disproportionate benefits for landscape‐scale conservation of woodland birds in highly modified environments
Authors: Bennett Andrew F. , Nimmo Dale G. , Radford James Q. 
Published: January 2014

Summary

Identifying landscape patterns that allow native fauna to coexist with human land use is a global challenge. Riparian vegetation often persists in anthropogenic environments as strips of natural or semi‐natural vegetation that provide habitat for many terrestrial species. Its relative contribution to landscape‐scale conservation is likely to change as environments become increasingly modified. We used a ‘whole of landscape’ approach to test the hypothesis that riparian vegetation offers disproportionate benefits, relative to non‐riparian vegetation, for the conservation of woodland birds in highly modified agricultural landscapes.

We selected 24 landscapes, each 100 km2, along a gradient of landscape change represented by decreasing cover of native vegetation (from 60% to <2%), in an agricultural region in SE Australia. Bird species were systematically surveyed at three riparian and seven non‐riparian sites in wooded vegetation in each landscape.

Riparian sites supported a greater richness of woodland‐dependent species, a group of conservation concern, than did non‐riparian sites. The composition of assemblages also differed between site types.

At the landscape scale, the pooled richness of bird assemblages at riparian and non‐riparian sites, respectively, decreased with overall loss of tree cover despite constant sampling effort. Within landscapes, the β‐diversity of woodland species among non‐riparian sites increased (composition became less similar) as landscape tree cover declined. In contrast, riparian assemblages were relatively stable with no change in β‐diversity. Importantly, as landscape tree cover declined, the proportion of woodland species uniquely present at riparian sites increased and made a greater contribution to overall landscape diversity.

Synthesis and applications. Landscape‐scale richness of woodland species declines as landscape tree cover is lost. In highly depleted landscapes, riparian vegetation retains a relatively rich, stable assemblage compared with that in heterogeneous remnants of non‐riparian vegetation and consequently contributes disproportionately to landscape‐scale diversity. These observations, together with the diverse benefits of riparian vegetation for aquatic ecosystems, mean that protection and restoration of riparian vegetation is a high priority in anthropogenic environments. Importantly, such actions are directly amenable to individual land managers, and the benefits will accumulate to enhance the persistence and conservation of species at landscape and regional scales.
Xylose‐fermenting Pichia stipitis by genome shuffling for improved ethanol production
Authors: Shi Jun , Zhang Min , Zhang Libin , Wang Pin , Jiang Li , Deng Huiping 
Published: January 2014

SummaryXylose fermentation is necessary for the bioconversion of lignocellulose to ethanol as fuel, but wild‐type Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains cannot fully metabolize xylose. Several efforts have been made to obtain microbial strains with enhanced xylose fermentation. However, xylose fermentation remains a serious challenge because of the complexity of lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysates. Genome shuffling has been widely used for the rapid improvement of industrially important microbial strains. After two rounds of genome shuffling, a genetically stable, high‐ethanol‐producing strain was obtained. Designated as TJ2‐3, this strain could ferment xylose and produce 1.5 times more ethanol than wild‐type Pichia stipitis after fermentation for 96 h. The acridine orange and propidium iodide uptake assays showed that the maintenance of yeast cell membrane integrity is important for ethanol fermentation. This study highlights the importance of genome shuffling in P. stipitis as an effective method for enhancing the productivity of industrial strains.
Comparison of Sustained Low‐Efficiency Dialysis With Acetate‐Free and Acetate‐Containing Bicarbonate Dialysate in Unstable Patients
Authors: Unarokov Zaur M. , Mukhoedova Tamara V. , Shuvaeva Olga V. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis work is focused on the problem of maintenance of intradialytic hemodynamic safety in unstable patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). A hypothesis that “small” quantities of acetate in standard bicarbonate dialysate can cause pronounced acetatemia and exacerbate cardiovascular instability was tested. In this prospective randomized study, a group of patients with AKI after cardiac surgery was treated with sustained low‐efficiency dialysis with either acetate‐containing bicarbonate dialysate or acetate‐free dialysate, where acetate is replaced by hydrochloric acid. It was demonstrated that application of acetate‐containing bicarbonate dialysate results in blood acetate levels up to 12 times the normal level. Additionally, it is associated with a 3.8‐fold‐increased risk of hemodynamic complications in comparison with acetate‐free dialysate. The choice of acetate‐free or acetate‐containing bicarbonate dialysate does not influence adequacy of correction of the acid–base and electrolyte content of blood.
Hierarchical dose–response modeling for high‐throughput toxicity screening of environmental chemicals
Authors: Wilson Ander , Reif David M. , Reich Brian J. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryHigh‐throughput screening (HTS) of environmental chemicals is used to identify chemicals with high potential for adverse human health and environmental effects from among the thousands of untested chemicals. Predicting physiologically relevant activity with HTS data requires estimating the response of a large number of chemicals across a battery of screening assays based on sparse dose–response data for each chemical‐assay combination. Many standard dose–response methods are inadequate because they treat each curve separately and under‐perform when there are as few as 6–10 observations per curve. We propose a semiparametric Bayesian model that borrows strength across chemicals and assays. Our method directly parametrizes the efficacy and potency of the chemicals as well as the probability of response. We use the ToxCast data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as motivation. We demonstrate that our hierarchical method provides more accurate estimates of the probability of response, efficacy, and potency than separate curve estimation in a simulation study. We use our semiparametric method to compare the efficacy of chemicals in the ToxCast data to well‐characterized reference chemicals on estrogen receptor (ER) and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) assays, then estimate the probability that other chemicals are active at lower concentrations than the reference chemicals.
Timing and Dose Regimens of Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Affect the Outcomes and Neuroinflammatory Response After Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Wang Liu‐Qing , Lin Zhen‐Zhen , Zhang Hong‐Xia , Shao Bei , Xiao Li , Jiang Hui‐Gang , Zhuge Qi‐Chuan , Xie Luo‐Kun , Wang Brian , Su Dong‐Ming , Jin Kun‐Lin 
Published: January 2014

SummaryAimsIntravenous transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) had been documented to improve functional outcome after ischemic stroke. However, the timing and appropriate cell number of transplantation to achieve better outcome after an episode of stroke remain further to be optimized.MethodsTo determine the optimal conditions, we transplanted different concentrations ofBMSCs at different time points in a rat model of ischemic stroke. Infarction volume and neurological behavioral tests were performed after ischemia.ResultsWe found that transplantation ofBMSCs at 3 and 24 h, but not 7 days after focal ischemia, significantly reduced the lesion volume and improved motor deficits. We also found that transplanted cells at 1 × 106to 107, but not at 1 × 104to 105, significantly improved functional outcome after stroke. In addition to inhibiting macrophages/microglia activation in the ischemic brain,BMSCtransplantation profoundly reduced infiltration of gamma delta T (γδT) cells, which are detrimental to the ischemic brain, and significantly increased regulatory T cells (Tregs), along with altered Treg‐associated cytokines in the ischemic brain.ConclusionsOur data suggest that timing and cell dose of transplantation determine the therapeutic effects after focal ischemia by modulating poststroke neuroinflammation.
Anthocyanins Protect against Kainic Acid‐induced Excitotoxicity and Apoptosis via ROS‐activated AMPK Pathway in Hippocampal Neurons
Authors: Ullah Ikram , Park Hyun Young , Kim Myeong Ok 
Published: January 2014

SummaryIntroductionExcitotoxicity is an important mechanism involved in neurodegeneration. Kainic acid (KA)‐induced excitotoxicity results an unfavorable stress, and we investigated the signaling pathways activated in such conditions.AimsHere, we sought to determine the cellular and biochemical benefits of anthocyanins extracted from Korean black bean against KA‐induced excitotoxicity and neuronal cell death.Methods and resultsMouse hippocampal cell line (HT22) and primary prenatal rat hippocampal neurons were treated with KA to induce excitotoxicity. Incubation of the cells with KA alone significantly decreased cell viability, elevated intracellular Ca2+ level, increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔψM). These events were accompanied by sustained phosphorylation and activation of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK). Kainic acid induced upregulation of Bax, decrease in Bcl‐2, release of cytochrome‐c, and activation of caspase‐3 in both cell types. Anthocyanins attenuated KA‐induced dysregulation of Ca2+, ROS accumulation, activation of AMPK, and increase in percentage of apoptotic cells. Pretreatment of the cells with compound C, an inhibitor of AMPK, diminished the KA‐induced activation of AMPK and caspase‐3. The activation of AMPK through elevation of cellular ROS and Ca2+ levels is required for KA‐induced apoptosis in hippocampal neurons.ConclusionsIn summary, our data suggest that although anthocyanins have diverse activities, at least part of their beneficial effects against KA‐induced hippocampal degeneration can be attributed to their well‐recognized antioxidant properties.
Long Noncoding RNA Profiles Reveal Three Molecular Subtypes in Glioma
Authors: Li Rui , Qian Jin , Wang Ying‐Yi , Zhang Jun‐Xia , You Yong‐Ping 
Published: January 2014

SummaryBackgroundGliomas are the most lethal type of primary brain tumor in adult. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are involved in the progression of various cancers, may offer a potential gene therapy target in glioma.Methods and FindingsWe first classified gliomas into three molecular subtypes (namely LncR1, LncR2 and LncR3) in Rembrandt dataset using consensus clustering. Survival analysis indicated that LncR3 had the best prognosis, while the LncR1 subtype showed the poorest overall survival rate. The results were further validated in an independent glioma dataset GSE16011. Additionally, we collected and merged data of the two databases (Rembrandt and GSE16011 dataset) and analyzed prognosis of each subtype in WHO II, III and IV gliomas. The similar results were obtained. Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) demonstrated that LncR1 subtype enriched cultured astroglia's gene signature, while LncR2 subtype was characterized by neuronal gene signature. Oligodendrocytic was rich in LncR3. In addition, IDH1 mutation and 1p/19q LOH were found rich with LncR3, and EGFR amplification showed high percentage in LncR1 in GSE16011 dataset.ConclusionsWe report a novel molecular classification of glioma based on lncRNA expression profiles and believe that it would provide a potential platform for future studies on gene treatment for glioma and lead to more individualized therapies to improve survival rates.
Clinical and epidemiological features of textile contact dermatitis:an Italian multicentre study
Authors: Lisi Paolo , Stingeni Luca , Cristaudo Antonio , Foti Caterina , Pigatto Paolo , Gola Massimo , Schena Donatella , Corazza Monica , Bianchi Leonardo 
Published: January 2014

SummaryBackgroundThe prevalence of occupational and non‐occupational textile dermatitis seems to be increasing, probably because of changed textile manufacturing techniques.ObjectiveEvaluation of the clinical features and epidemiology of textile contact dermatitis (TCD) in Italy.MethodsDemographic data, clinical history aspects, atopy and positive patch test reactions to occupational and non‐occupational allergens were investigated in 277 textile dermatitis patients.ResultsContact dermatitis was the most frequent clinical presentation (95.3%). TCD was more common in females, in the fourth to fifth decades of life, and in atopic dermatitis patients. The lesions were prevalently eczematous (74.2%), and mostly located on the trunk and lower limbs in non‐occupational cases, and on the hands in textile workers. Allergic TCD (58.3%) was more frequent than irritant TCD. The dyes (Disperse Blue 124, Disperse Blue 106, and Disperse Yellow 3) were most frequently responsible (79.8%), especially in non‐occupational TCD. Formaldehyde and resins were more important in occupational TCD. Concomitant reactions among textile dyes and/or finishing resins were observed in 50.0% of patients.ConclusionsSome strategies (sensitization potential of new textile chemicals, more stable dyes, reduced levels of formaldehyde in clothing, and collaboration with textile industry and trade associations) should be adopted to decrease the TCD incidence and update the textile patch testing series.
German psoriasis registry PsoBest: objectives, methodology and baseline data
Authors: Augustin Matthias , Spehr Christina , Radtke Marc A. , Boehncke Wolf‐Henning , Luger Thomas , Mrowietz Ulrich , Reusch Michael , Strömer Klaus , Wozel Gottfried , Kiedrowski Ralph v. , Rustenbach Stephan J. , Purwins Sandra , Reich Kristian 
Published: January 2014

SummaryBackgroundThe German psoriasis registry PsoBest records the long‐term efficacy, safety, patient benefit and treatment regimens of psoriasis.Patients and methodsPatients with moderate or severe psoriasis are included in PsoBest when treatment with a conventional systemic agent or biologic is started for the first time. Observation time is five years. Standardized physician and patient case report forms are obtained every three to six months. Baseline data of patients included by 31 December 2012 are presented and compared to the national health care study PsoHealth 2007 (n = 2,009).Results602 dermatology practices and clinics have been registered and 199 have recruited n = 2,556 patients (63 % by practices, 37 % by clinics). Initially, n = 808 received biologics (316 adalimumab, 34 efalizumab, 209 etanercept, 75 infliximab, 22 golimumab, 152 ustekinumab) and n = 1,651 conventional systemic therapy (928 fumaric acid esters, 518 methotrexate, 161 cyclosporine A, 191 other drugs or UV treatment). Compared to PsoHealth, patients in PsoBest had on average a higher disease severity (PASI 14.7 vs. 10.1; DLQI 11.0 vs. 7.5; EQ‐5D VAS 54.0 vs. 64.5), shorter disease duration (18.2 vs. 21.3 yrs.), lower age (47.3 vs. 51.5), higher rates of psoriatic arthritis (20.5 vs. 19.1 %) and nail psoriasis (55.0 vs. 35.6 %). On average patients receiving biologics were younger, more often male and had higher disease severity and comorbidity.ConclusionsPatients in PsoBest represent patients with a high burden of disease.
Everyday psychological functioning in children with unilateral cerebral palsy: does executive functioning play a role?
Authors: Whittingham Koa , Bodimeade Harriet L , Lloyd Owen , Boyd Roslyn N 
Published: January 2014

AimTo identify whether executive functioning mediates the effect of having unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) on executive functioning in everyday life, psychological functioning, and social functioning.MethodA cross‐sectional cohort of 46 children with unilateralCP(25 males, 21 females; mean age 11y 1mo,SD2y 5mo; 24 right‐sided, 22 left‐sided) and 20 children with typical development (nine males, 11 females; mean age 10y 10mo,SD2y 4mo). Cognitive executive functioning was tested using a neuropsychological battery. Executive functioning in everyday life was measured with the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF; teacher and parent reports) and psychological and social functioning by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Analysis included analysis of covariance and bootstrapping.ResultsChildren with unilateralCPwere found to have significantly decreased functioning, compared with children with typical development, on theBRIEFBehavioral Regulation Index, theBRIEFMetacognition Index, and on theSDQemotion, conduct, hyperactivity, and peer problems subscales. Group differences were mediated by cognitive executive functioning for theBRIEFMetacognition Index (teacher and parent report), theBRIEFBehavioral Regulation Index (parent report only), theSDQconduct subscale, and theSDQhyperactivity subscale.InterpretationThis study suggests that the increased risk of children with unilateralCPexperiencing executive functioning difficulties in everyday life, conduct problems, and hyperactivity can be partly explained by decreased cognitive executive functioning abilities relative to children with typical development.
The Topological Multiplicities of Power: The Limits of Governing theOlympics
Authors: Müller Martin 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis article proposes that economic geography would benefit from a closer consideration of the topological multiplicities of power, that is, the multiple contending configurations of networks that make power a precarious accomplishment through creating constant overflows. It develops this argument by tracing how the circulation of knowledge in the preparation for theOlympicGames establishes sociomaterial networks that are meant to allow theInternationalOlympicCommittee to coordinate the organization of the event. On the basis of Bruno Latour's concept of the oligopticon, the article develops a sociomaterial notion of power to govern at a distance that emerges through the triple movement of collecting and mobilizing information, casting it into stable intermediaries, and recirculating knowledge. At the same time, a parallel narrative considers how this power and its spatial reach remain always partial and are transformed by overflows as elements move in and out of networks and how forces outside the network bear on it, creating “absent presences.” Giving adequate attention to these topological multiplicities of sociomaterial networks offers an important counterweight to the dominant notion of stable social networks in economic geography and is particularly useful when analyzing the governance of projects and various other forms of ephemeral, distributed organizing.
Spike synchronization in cat primary visual cortex depends on similarity of surround‐suppression magnitude
Authors: Naito Tomoyuki , Kasamatsu Takuji , Sato Hiromichi 
Published: January 2014

AbstractIn the primary visual cortex (V1), the spike synchronization seen in neuron pairs with non‐overlapping receptive fields can be explained by similarities in their preferred orientation (PO). However, this is not true for pairs with overlapping receptive fields, as they can still exhibit spike synchronization even if their POs are only weakly correlated. Here, we investigated the relationship between spike synchronization and suppressive modulation derived from classical receptive‐field surround (surround suppression). We found that layer 4 and layer 2/3 pairs exhibited mainly asymmetric spike synchronization that had non‐zero time‐lags and was dependent on both the similarity of the PO and the strength of surround suppression. In contrast, layer 2/3 and layer 2/3 pairs showed mainly symmetric spike synchronization that had zero time‐lag and was dependent on the similarity of the strength of surround suppression but not on the similarity in POs. From these results, we propose that in cat V1 there exists a functional network that mainly depends on the similarity in surround suppression, and that in layer 2/3 neurons the network maintains surround suppression that is primarily inherited from layer 4 neurons.
A quantitative review of pollination syndromes: do floral traits predict effective pollinators?
Authors: Rosas‐Guerrero Víctor , Aguilar Ramiro , Martén‐Rodríguez Silvana , Ashworth Lorena , Lopezaraiza‐Mikel Martha , Bastida Jesús M. , Quesada Mauricio 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe idea of pollination syndromes has been largely discussed but no formal quantitative evaluation has yet been conducted across angiosperms. We present the first systematic review of pollination syndromes that quantitatively tests whether the most effective pollinators for a species can be inferred from suites of floral traits for 417 plant species. Our results support the syndrome concept, indicating that convergent floral evolution is driven by adaptation to the most effective pollinator group. The predictability of pollination syndromes is greater in pollinator‐dependent species and in plants from tropical regions. Many plant species also have secondary pollinators that generally correspond to the ancestral pollinators documented in evolutionary studies. We discuss the utility and limitations of pollination syndromes and the role of secondary pollinators to understand floral ecology and evolution.
Bet hedging in desert winter annual plants: optimal germination strategies in a variable environment
Authors: Gremer Jennifer R. , Venable D. Lawrence 
Published: January 2014

AbstractIn bet hedging, organisms sacrifice short‐term success to reduce the long‐term variance in success. Delayed germination is the classic example of bet hedging, in which a fraction of seeds remain dormant as a hedge against the risk of complete reproductive failure. Here, we investigate the adaptive nature of delayed germination as a bet hedging strategy using long‐term demographic data on Sonoran Desert winter annual plants. Using stochastic population models, we estimate fitness as a function of delayed germination and identify evolutionarily stable strategies for 12 abundant species in the community. Results indicate that delayed germination meets the criteria as a bet hedging strategy for all species. Density‐dependent models, but not density‐independent ones, predicted optimal germination strategies that correspond remarkably well with observed patterns. By incorporating naturally occurring variation in seed and seedling dynamics, our results present a rigorous test of bet hedging theory within the relevant environmental context.
Functional diversity of leaf nitrogen concentrations drives grassland carbon fluxes
Authors: Milcu Alexandru , Roscher Christiane , Gessler Arthur , Bachmann Dörte , Gockele Annette , Guderle Markus , Landais Damien , Piel Clément , Escape Christophe , Devidal Sebastien , Ravel Olivier , Buchmann Nina , Gleixner Gerd , Hildebrandt Anke , Roy Jacques 
Published: January 2014

AbstractLittle is known about the role of plant functional diversity for ecosystem‐level carbon (C) fluxes. To fill this knowledge gap, we translocated monoliths hosting communities with four and 16 sown species from a long‐term grassland biodiversity experiment (‘The Jena Experiment’) into a controlled environment facility for ecosystem research (Ecotron). This allowed quantifying the effects of plant diversity on ecosystem C fluxes as well as three parameters of C uptake efficiency (water and nitrogen use efficiencies and apparent quantum yield). By combining data on ecosystem C fluxes with vegetation structure and functional trait‐based predictors, we found that increasing plant species and functional diversity led to higher gross and net ecosystem C uptake rates. Path analyses and light response curves unravelled the diversity of leaf nitrogen concentration in the canopy as a key functional predictor of C fluxes, either directly or indirectly via LAI and aboveground biomass.