bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Population dynamics of the climate‐sensitive endangered perennial Ferula sadleriana Ledeb. (Apiaceae)
Authors: Lendvay Bertalan , Kalapos Tibor 
Published: December 2012

AbstractAncient plant species surviving in isolated small populations are particularly vulnerable to extinction, therefore understanding their population dynamics is necessary for conservation. The iteroparous perennial relic endemic Ferula sadleriana Ledeb. (Apiaceae) is restricted to seven distant localities in the Carpathian Basin, where it inhabits rocky hills. We monitored the species' largest population on the Pilis Hill, Hungary, over 14–19 years (depending on trait) between 1979 and 2010, and relationships were sought between climatic properties and population attributes. The population of 4000 ± 1509 emergent individuals underwent large interannual fluctuations, with the vegetative stage displaying sevenfold and the reproductive stage twenty‐eight‐fold differences. Spring and early summer precipitation had a marked influence on abundances and seed set. Alternating years of high and low counts of reproductive plants suggest costs of reproduction that most probably incur prolonged dormancy and retrogression to the vegetative stage. Seed set was positively influenced by number of reproductive plants over years and by plant size within a year. Ungulates nullify yearly reproductive output by grazing on reproductive individuals. This is particularly intense in dry summers, when reproductive output is already low. The strong precipitation response of abundance, absence of clonal propagation and soil seed bank, and geographical isolation of the populations place F. sadleriana at considerable risk under an increasingly variable and extreme climate. Management should seek to maintain the species' original habitat mosaic (potentially compensating for climate variation), minimize grazing damage and anthropogenic disturbance, and establish ex situ conservation programs to provide propagules for eventual reintroduction.
The Long‐run Impacts of Ethanol Subsidies and Ethanol Expansion on the US Corn and Pig Sectors  Les incidences à long terme des subventions à l’éthanol et de la croissance de la production d’éthanol sur les secteurs du maïs et de la viande porcine aux États‐Unis  Die langfristigen Auswirkungen von Ethanol‐Subventionen und Ethanol‐Ausbau auf den US‐amerikanischen Mais‐ und Schweinesektor
Authors: Fabiosa Jacinto Fama 
Published: December 2012

summaryThe Long‐run Impacts of Ethanol Subsidies and Ethanol Expansion on the US Corn and Pig SectorsIn this article, we derive how much the corn and livestock sectors have been impacted by US ethanol subsidies and ethanol expansion, and whether these impacts should be expected to persist in the long run. We use a ‘backcasting’ approach for the period 2005 to 2010 coupled with a long‐run condition that requires all sectors to return to normal profits by 2010. We found that of the US$ 2.88 per bushel corn price increase between 2004 and 2010, 3 per cent (US$ 0.09) can be attributed to ethanol subsidies, 26 per cent (US$ 0.75) to market‐based expansion of ethanol, and 71 per cent (US$ 2.04) to other factors outside the ethanol sector, e.g. strong domestic and foreign corn demand for feed. With a larger share of the price increase explained by market‐based ethanol expansion, the impact can be sustained even in the absence of government intervention. If the size of the ethanol sector remained at the 2004 level, the corn price in 2010 would have been 17 per cent lower, the swine farm price and pork retail price would also have been lower by 8 per cent and 1.6 per cent, respectively. Finally, we project that any development in cellulosic ethanol that uses corn stover as feedstock will be favourable to the livestock sector.
Experimental evaluation of reproductive response to climate warming in an oviparous skink
Authors: LU Hongliang , WANG Yong , TANG Wenqi , DU Weiguo 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe impact of climate warming on organisms is increasingly being recognized. The experimental evaluation of phenotypically plastic responses to warming is a critical step in understanding the biological effects and adaptive capacity of organisms to future climate warming. Oviparous Scincella modesta live in deeply‐shaded habitats and they require low optimal temperatures during embryonic development, which makes them suitable subjects for testing the effects of warming on reproduction. We raised adult females and incubated their eggs under different thermal conditions that mimicked potential climate warming. Female reproduction, embryonic development and hatchling traits were monitored to evaluate the reproductive response to warming. Experimental warming induced females to lay eggs earlier, but it did not affect the developmental stage of embryos at oviposition or the reproductive output. The high temperatures experienced by gravid females during warming treatments reduced the incubation period and increased embryonic mortality. The locomotor performance of hatchlings was not affected by the maternal thermal environment, but it was affected by the warming treatment during embryonic development. Our results suggest that climate warming might have a profound effect on fitness‐relevant traits both at embryonic and post‐embryonic stages in oviparous lizards.
A newly‐found pattern of social relationships among adults within one‐male units of golden snub‐nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxenalla) in the Qinling Mountains, China
Authors: WANG Xiaowei , WANG Chengliang , QI Xiaoguang , GUO Songtao , ZHAO Haitao , LI Baoguo 
Published: December 2012

AbstractGroup living provides various advantages to individuals in regards to protection avoidance, intergroup competition, productive success and social information. Stable one‐male units (OMUs) consist of relationships between the adult females and the resident male as well as the relationships among adult females. Based on continuous observation of a reproductive group of golden snub‐nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in the Qinling Mountains, we analyzed the relationships among adult individual dyads within 4 OMUs. The results indicated that in golden snub‐nosed monkey societies, females not only had no strong tendency to build a relationship with the resident male in the OMU but also had no strong tendency to build relationships with other females in the OMU. In comparison with hamadryas (Papio hamadryas) and gelada baboons (Theropithecus gelada), the relationships within golden snub‐nosed monkeys OMUs showed neither the star‐shaped pattern observed in hamadryas baboons nor the net‐shaped pattern observed in gelada baboons. We concluded that the relationships within golden snub‐nosed monkey OMUs indicated a third pattern in nonhuman primate societies. Future research is required to determine the potential mechanisms for such a pattern.
The effect of the molecular adsorbent recirculating system on moxifloxacin and meropenem plasma levels
Authors: ROTH G. A. , SIPOS W. , HÖFERL M. , BÖHMDORFER M. , SCHMIDT E. M. , HETZ H. , SCHEBESTA K. , KLAUS D. , MOTAL M. , JÄGER W. , KRENN C. G. 
Published: December 2012

BackgroundAdequate plasma antibiotic concentrations are necessary for effective elimination of invading microorganism; however, extracorporeal organ support systems are well known to alter plasma concentrations of antibiotics, requiring dose adjustments to achieve effective minimal inhibitory concentrations in the patient's blood.MethodsA mock molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) circuit was set using 5000 ml of bovine heparinized whole blood to simulate an 8‐h MARS treatment session. After the loading dose of 400 mg of moxifloxacin or 2 g of meropenem had been added, blood was drawn from the different parts of the MARS circuit at various time points and analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography. The experiments were performed in triplicate. Additionally, meropenem concentrations were determined in the plasma of one patient treated with MARS suffering from acute liver failure due to an idiosyncratic reaction to immunosuppressive medication.ResultsIn our single‐compartment model, a significant decrease in the quasi‐systemic concentration of moxifloxacin and meropenem could be detected as early as 15 min after the commencing of the MARS circuit. Moreover, within 60 min the moxifloxacin and meropenem concentrations were less than 50% of the initial value. The activated charcoal removed the majority of moxifloxacin and meropenem in the albumin circuit. In our patient, the meropenem concentrations in the return line after MARS were constantly lower than in the access line, indicating a likely removal of meropenem through MARS.ConclusionOur data provide evidence that moxifloxacin and meropenem are effectively removed from the patient's blood by MARS, leading to low plasma levels. Dose adjustments of both antibiotic compounds may be required.
Reducing the impact of a toxic invader by inducing taste aversion in an imperilled native reptile predator
Authors: Price‐Rees S. J. , Webb J. K. , Shine R. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractIt is virtually impossible to eradicate invasive organisms once they have spread widely, and even low densities of invaders may have devastating impacts. We need to explore alternative management options that accept the inevitability of encounters between alien and native taxa, but reduce the negative consequences of those encounters. Conditioned taste aversion (CTA) is one approach that offers promise in this respect. The spread of the invasive cane toad Rhinella marina across northern Australia is devastating populations of predators such as the blue‐tongued skink Tiliqua scincoides intermedia. Predators unable to tolerate the toads' powerful bufadienolide chemical defences are likely to die if they ingest a toad. We trained field‐caught skinks to avoid eating cane toad flesh, by offering them toad sausages laced with a nausea‐inducing chemical (lithium chloride). These individuals (and controls) were then released and radio‐tracked as toads arrived at our study site in north‐western Australia. Skinks that regurgitated after consuming the toad sausage survived after release, whereas most untrained animals were fatally poisoned by toad ingestion. Even if we cannot eradicate invasive cane toads, we can ameliorate their ecological impact by CTA training of vulnerable predators.
Portal vein embolization prior to major liver resection
Authors: Kuo Samuel C. L. , Azimi‐Tabrizi Arash , Briggs Gregory , Maher Richard , Harrington Timothy , Samra Jaswinder S. , Drummond Martin , Hugh Thomas J. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundPortal vein embolization (PVE) induces compensatory hypertrophy of the future liver remnant volume (FLRV) to improve the safety of major liver surgery by reducing the risk of post‐operative liver failure. The aim was to describe our experience of PVE for patients with large or multifocal malignant liver tumours who initially were deemed unresectable.MethodsPerioperative data were retrieved from a prospective database and computed tomographic scans were retrospectively reviewed to calculate volume changes and the degree of liver hypertrophy following PVE.ResultsPVE was successful in 23 out of 25 patients and resulted in a change in the mean estimated FLRV from 585 to 788 mL following PVE. This represented a 35% increase in the remnant liver parenchymal volume post‐embolization (P < 0.01). The procedure was well tolerated and did not compromise the surgical resection in any patient. Nineteen patients went on to have a liver resection following PVE with an in‐hospital mortality of 16% (3 out of 19) and a 42% morbidity rate. After a mean follow‐up of 31 months (1–130 months), 32% (6 out of 19) of patients are alive and 4 of these (21%) are completely disease‐free.ConclusionsPVE results in an increase in the FLRV prior to major hepatectomy. Failure to develop hypertrophy following PVE is a surrogate marker for underlying liver dysfunction. PVE is safe and may increase the pool of patients suitable for liver resection. Long‐term survival is similar to those not requiring embolization prior to liver resection.
Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) and International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) collaborative update of CANMAT guidelines for the management of patients with bipolar disorder: update 2013
Authors: Yatham Lakshmi N , Kennedy Sidney H , Parikh Sagar V , Schaffer Ayal , Beaulieu Serge , Alda Martin , O’Donovan Claire , MacQueen Glenda , McIntyre Roger S , Sharma Verinder , Ravindran Arun , Young L Trevor , Milev Roumen , Bond David J , Frey Benicio N , Goldstein Benjamin I , Lafer Beny , Birmaher Boris , Ha Kyooseob , Nolen Willem A , Berk Michael 
Published: December 2012

Yatham LN, Kennedy SH, Parikh SV, Schaffer A, Beaulieu S, Alda M, O’Donovan C, MacQueen G, McIntyre RS, Sharma V, Ravindran A, Young LT, Milev R, Bond DJ, Frey BN, Goldstein BI, Lafer B, Birmaher B, Ha K, Nolen WA, Berk M.  Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) and International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) collaborative update of CANMAT guidelines for the management of patients with bipolar disorder: update 2013.  Bipolar Disord 2012: 00: 000–000. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.The Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments published guidelines for the management of bipolar disorder in 2005, with updates in 2007 and 2009. This third update, in conjunction with the International Society for Bipolar Disorders, reviews new evidence and is designed to be used in conjunction with the previous publications.The recommendations for the management of acute mania remain largely unchanged. Lithium, valproate, and several atypical antipsychotic agents continue to be first‐line treatments for acute mania. Monotherapy with asenapine, paliperidone extended release (ER), and divalproex ER, as well as adjunctive asenapine, have been added as first‐line options.For the management of bipolar depression, lithium, lamotrigine, and quetiapine monotherapy, as well as olanzapine plus selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), and lithium or divalproex plus SSRI/bupropion remain first‐line options. Lurasidone monotherapy and the combination of lurasidone or lamotrigine plus lithium or divalproex have been added as a second‐line options. Ziprasidone alone or as adjunctive therapy, and adjunctive levetiracetam have been added as not‐recommended options for the treatment of bipolar depression. Lithium, lamotrigine, valproate, olanzapine, quetiapine, aripiprazole, risperidone long‐acting injection, and adjunctive ziprasidone continue to be first‐line options for maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder. Asenapine alone or as adjunctive therapy have been added as third‐line options.
Age‐dependent interaction between atopy and eosinophils in asthma cases: results from NHANES 2005–2006
Authors: Arbes S. J. , Calatroni A. , Mitchell H. E. , Gergen P. J. 
Published: December 2012

SummaryBackgroundAtopy is an established risk factor for asthma, and an elevated eosinophil level is a hallmark of atopic and non‐atopic asthma. Whether atopy and eosinophils act independently or interact to influence asthma has clinical and public health implications.ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between atopy and eosinophils in asthma.MethodsData on current asthma, atopy (IgE positive to ≥ 1 allergen), and blood eosinophil percent (dichotomized at the median) were obtained for persons aged ≥ 6 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2006. Interaction on an additive scale was evaluated by estimating the prevalences of asthma for combinations of atopy (yes or no) and eosinophil percent (high or low) and calculating the excess prevalence due to interaction.ResultsFor all ages combined, the adjusted prevalences of asthma were 4.6%, 7.6%, 6.9% and 17.2% for persons with neither factor, atopy alone, a high eosinophil percent alone and both factors respectively. The excess prevalence of asthma due to interaction was 7.2%, indicating synergism. The excess prevalence was greatest in children aged 6–17 years (15.3%), and it decreased with each older age category until it was absent in adults aged ≥ 55 years (−0.2%). In children, 94% of asthma cases attributable to the 2 factors were attributable to the interaction, whereas in the oldest adults, no cases were attributable to the interaction.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceInteraction between atopy and an elevated eosinophil level in asthma cases was very strong in children but absent in the oldest adults, which suggests different mechanistic pathways for these factors by age and supports the notion that asthma is a heterogeneous disease. In addition, the age‐dependent interaction between the factors has potential implications for the selection of asthma patients for treatments that would target either IgE or a high eosinophil level.
A novel Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein mutation in an infant with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Kawasaki Yukako , Toyoda Hidemi , Otsuki Shoichiro , Iwasa Tadashi , Iwamoto Shotaro , Azuma Eiichi , Itoh‐Habe Naomi , Wada Hideo , Fujimura Yoshihiro , Morio Tomohiro , Imai Kohsuke , Mitsuiki Noriko , Ohara Osamu , Komada Yoshihiro 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) has not yet been reported to be associated with mutations in the Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS) gene. WAS is an X‐linked recessive disorder characterized by thrombocytopenia, small platelet size, eczema, recurrent infections, and increased risk of autoimmune disorders and malignancies. A broad spectrum of mutations in the WAS protein (WASP) gene have been identified as causing the disease. In this study, we report on a 2‐month‐old Japanese boy who presented with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and TTP. The activity of von Willebrand factor cleaving metalloproteinase, ADAMTS13 was low and the antibody against ADAMTS13 was positive (3.6 Bethesda U/mL). Although TTP was improved by plasma exchange and steroid pulse therapy, thrombocytopenia persisted and regular transfusions of irradiated platelets were needed. Tiny platelets were found on a peripheral blood smear. CMV genome was positive in peripheral blood by polymerase chain reaction and the CMV viremia continued to persist despite intravenous gancyclovir therapy. Through direct sequencing of genomic DNA of the WASP gene in the patient, we identified a novel mutation of WASP gene: the seventh nucleotide in exon 11 (G) had been deleted (1345delG). This mutation causes a frameshift and a stop codon at amino acid 470. Western blotting demonstrated a truncated WAS protein. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing TTP in WAS patients with novel mutation in the WASP gene.
Effects of abiotic factors and species interactions on estimates of male plant function: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Schaeffer Robert N. , Manson Jessamyn S. , Irwin Rebecca E. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe majority of angiosperms are hermaphroditic with total fitness comprised of both male and female components of reproduction. However, most studies examining the effects of abiotic factors and species interactions on fitness have focussed on female reproduction, potentially biasing our understanding of the consequences of environmental factors on total fitness. Here, we use meta‐analysis to test how environmental factors affect male function. We obtained 278 effect sizes from 96 studies that measured male function responses to manipulated environmental factors. We found significant effects of abiotic factors and species interactions on estimates of male function, with responses varying depending on environmental factor identity. Male and female responses were correlated for abiotic factor manipulations, but varied based on the type of species interaction (antagonistic or mutualistic). This suggests that measuring only female function may misrepresent whole‐plant reproduction depending on context. Finally, we found differences amongst components of male function in response to environmental factors, suggesting that some male function estimates may fail to capture the effects of environmental factors on male fitness. Our results demonstrate the importance of incorporating male function into ecological and evolutionary studies to provide a more accurate understanding of the effects of environmental factors on total fitness.
Evaluating the influence of land use, drought and reach isolation on the occurrence of freshwater mussel species in the lower Flint River Basin, Georgia (U.S.A.)
Authors: SHEA COLIN P. , PETERSON JAMES T. , CONROY MICHAEL J. , WISNIEWSKI JASON M. 
Published: December 2012

Summary1. North American freshwater mussels have been subjected to multiple stressors in recent decades that have contributed to declines in the status and distribution of many species. However, considerable uncertainty exists regarding the relative influence of these factors on observed population declines.2. We used an occupancy modelling approach to quantify relationships between mussel species occurrence and various site‐ and catchment‐level factors, including land cover, stream size, the occurrence of drought and reach isolation due to impoundment for 21 mussel species native to the lower Flint River Basin, Georgia, U.S.A.3. Our modelling approach accounted for potential biases associated with both incomplete detection and misidentification of species, which are frequently not accommodated as sources of bias in freshwater mussel studies.4. Modelling results suggested that mussel species were, on average, four times less likely to be present following severe drought, but the negative effects of drought declined rapidly with increasing stream size. Similarly, mussel species were 15 times less likely to occupy small streams that were isolated from mainstem tributaries by impoundments.5. This study provides insight into the effects of natural and anthropogenic factors on freshwater mussel species. Our findings add to a growing body of literature aimed at improving understanding of the predominant factors influencing freshwater mussel populations and fostering the development of more informed and effective conservation strategies.
Mutation profiling of adenoid cystic carcinomas from multiple anatomical sites identifies mutations in the RAS pathway, but no KIT mutations
Authors: Wetterskog Daniel , Wilkerson Paul M , Rodrigues Daniel N , Lambros Maryou B , Fritchie Karen , Andersson Mattias K , Natrajan Rachael , Gauthier Arnaud , Palma Silvana Di , Shousha Sami , Gatalica Zoran , Töpfer Chantal , Vukovic Vesna , A'Hern Roger , Weigelt Britta , Vincent‐Salomon Anne , Stenman Göran , Rubin Brian P , Reis‐Filho Jorge S 
Published: December 2012

AimsThe majority of adenoid cystic carcinomas (AdCCs), regardless of anatomical site, harbour the MYB–NFIB fusion gene. The aim of this study was to characterize the repertoire of somatic genetic events affecting known cancer genes in AdCCs.Methods and resultsDNA was extracted from 13 microdissected breast AdCCs, and subjected to a mutation survey using the Sequenom OncoCarta Panel v1.0. Genes found to be mutated in any of the breast AdCCs and genes related to the same canonical molecular pathways, as well as KIT, a proto‐oncogene whose protein product is expressed in AdCCs, were sequenced in an additional 68 AdCCs from various anatomical sites by Sanger sequencing. Using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform and Sanger sequencing, mutations in BRAF and HRAS were identified in three and one cases, respectively (breast, and head and neck). KIT, which has previously been reported to be mutated in AdCCs, was also investigated, but no mutations were identified.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that mutations in genes pertaining to the canonical RAS pathway are found in a minority of AdCCs, and that activating KIT mutations are either absent or remarkably rare in these cancers, and unlikely to constitute a driver and therapeutic target for patients with AdCC.