bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Asymmetrical Dependence Between a Neotropical Mistletoe and its Avian Seed Disperser
Authors: Guerra Tadeu J. , Pizo Marco A. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe degree of interdependence among interacting species has major implications for our understanding of the coevolutionary process and biodiversity maintenance. However, the mutualism strength among fruiting plants and their seed dispersers remains poorly understood in tropical ecosystems. We evaluated simultaneously the effectiveness of the avian seed dispersers of the mistletoe Struthanthus flexicaulis (Loranthaceae) and the contribution of its fruits to their diets in a highland rocky savanna in southeastern Brazil. The mistletoe fruits are small lipid‐rich pseudoberries available throughout the year. Four passerine birds fed on fruits, but Elaenia cristata (Tyrannidae) was the most effective disperser, responsible for more than 96 percent of the dispersed seeds. This bird swallowed fruits whole, expelling and depositing undamaged seeds by regurgitation and bill wiping on perches. From 646 dispersed seeds, 56 percent were deposited on safe sites, thin live twigs of 38 susceptible host species. Elaenia cristata were predominantly frugivorous, feeding on typically ornithocoric fruits of at least 12 species, but also on arthropods. Although fruits represented 75 percent of the feeding bouts along the year, S. flexicaulis fruits represented only 34 percent of the E. cristata diet. Our results highlight the asymmetrical nature of this mutualistic interaction, with the mistletoe life cycle locally linked to one highly effective seed disperser that is more weakly dependent on mistletoes fruits as a food source. We suggest that merging the seed dispersal effectiveness framework with diet assessment of seed dispersers is needed to clarify the asymmetries in mutualistic pairwise interactions involving plants and their animal partners.
Low and moderate doses of ionizing radiation up to 2 Gy modulate transmigration and chemotaxis of activated macrophages, provoke an anti-inflammatory cytokine milieu, but do not impact upon viability and phagocytic function
Authors: Wunderlich R , Ernst A , Rödel F , Fietkau R , Ott O , Lauber K , Frey B , Gaipl U S 
Published: April 2014

Summary
Benign painful and inflammatory diseases have been treated for decades with low/moderate doses of ionizing radiation (LD-X-irradiation). Tissue macrophages regulate initiation and resolution of inflammation by the secretion of cytokines and by acting as professional phagocytes. Having these pivotal functions, we were interested in how activated macrophages are modulated by LD-X-irradiation, also with regard to radiation protection issues and carcinogenesis. We set up an ex-vivo model in which lipopolysaccharide pre-activated peritoneal macrophages (pMΦ) of radiosensitive BALB/c mice, mimicking activated macrophages under inflammatory conditions, were exposed to X-irradiation from 0·01 Gy up to 2 Gy. Afterwards, the viability of the pMΦ, their transmigration and chemotaxis, the phagocytic behaviour, the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and underlying signalling pathways were determined. Exposure of pMΦ up to a single dose of 2 Gy did not influence their viability and phagocytic function, an important fact regarding radiation protection. However, significantly reduced migration, but increased chemotaxis of pMΦ after exposure to 0·1 or 0·5 Gy, was detected. Both might relate to the resolution of inflammation. Cytokine analyses revealed that, in particular, the moderate dose of 0·5 Gy applied in low-dose radiotherapy for inflammatory diseases results in an anti-inflammatory cytokine microenvironment of pMΦ, as the secretion of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β was reduced and that of the anti-inflammatory cytokine transforming growth factor (TGF)-β increased. Further, the reduced secretion of IL-1β correlated with reduced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65, starting at exposure of pMΦ to 0·5 Gy of X-irradiation. We conclude that inflammation is modulated by LD-X-irradiation via changing the inflammatory phenotype of macrophages.
Analysis of CD4+ CD8+ double-positive T cells in blood, cerebrospinal fluid and multiple sclerosis lesions
Authors: Waschbisch A , Sammet L , Schröder S , Lee D-H , Barrantes-Freer A , Stadelmann C , Linker R A 
Published: April 2014

SummaryT cells with a CD4+ CD8+ double-positive (DP) phenotype are present in small numbers in the peripheral blood of healthy humans and may have anti-viral capacities. Here we investigate numbers and function of DP T cells in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), either treatment-naive or under therapy with natalizumab. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that frequencies of circulating DP T cells in treatment-naive and natalizumab-treated MS patients are comparable to healthy controls. These cells have a memory phenotype with cytotoxic potential, express high levels of CD49d and are similarly functional in treatment-naive as well as natalizumab-treated MS patients. DP T cells were enriched in the cerebrospinal fluid, but do not invade acutely inflamed MS lesions. In conclusion, DP T cells are functional in MS and may play a role in the immune surveillance of the central nervous system, but do not display functional impairment under natalizumab therapy.
Ambient particulate matter induces an exacerbation of airway inflammation in experimental asthma: role of interleukin-33
Authors: Shadie A M , Herbert C , Kumar R K 
Published: April 2014

Summary
High levels of ambient environmental particulate matter (PM10 i.e. &lt; 10 μm median aerodynamic diameter) have been linked to acute exacerbations of asthma. We examined the effects of delivering a single dose of Sydney PM10 by intranasal instillation to BALB/c mice that had been sensitized to ovalbumin and challenged repeatedly with a low (≈3 mg/m3) mass concentration of aerosolized ovalbumin for 4 weeks. Responses were compared to animals administered carbon black as a negative control, or a moderate (≈30 mg/m3) concentration of ovalbumin to simulate an allergen-induced acute exacerbation of airway inflammation. Delivery of PM10 to mice, in which experimental mild chronic asthma had previously been established, elicited characteristic features of enhanced allergic inflammation of the airways, including eosinophil and neutrophil recruitment, similar to that in the allergen-induced exacerbation. In parallel, there was increased expression of mRNA for interleukin (IL)-33 in airway tissues and an increased concentration of IL-33 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Administration of a monoclonal neutralizing anti-mouse IL-33 antibody prior to delivery of particulates significantly suppressed the inflammatory response induced by Sydney PM10, as well as the levels of associated proinflammatory cytokines in lavage fluid. We conclude that IL-33 plays a key role in driving airway inflammation in this novel experimental model of an acute exacerbation of chronic allergic asthma induced by exposure to PM10.
Anorganic bovine bone (ABB) vs. autologous bone (AB) plus ABB in maxillary sinus grafting. A prospective non‐randomized clinical and histomorphometrical trial
Authors: Schmitt Christian M. , Moest Tobias , Lutz Rainer , Neukam Friedrich W. , Schlegel Karl Andreas 
Published: April 2014

AbstractObjectivesThis investigation focused on histological characteristics and 5‐year implant survival after sinus floor augmentation with anorganic bovine bone (ABB, Bio‐Oss®) and ABB plus autologous bone (AB) with a ratio of 1/1.Material and methodsNineteen consecutive patients with bony atrophy of the posterior edentulous maxilla and a vertical bone height ≤4 mm were prospectively included in this study. In the first surgical stage, the maxillary sinus was non‐randomized either augmented with ABB alone (n = 12) or a 1/1 mixture of ABB and AB (n = 7). After a mean healing period of 167 days, biopsies were harvested in the region of the grafted sinus with a trephine burr and implants were placed simultaneously, ABB n = 18 and ABB + AB n = 12. The samples were microradiographically and histomorphometrically analyzed judging the newly formed bone (bone volume, BV), residual bone substitute material volume (BSMV), and intertrabecular volume (soft tissue volume, ITV) in the region of the augmented maxillary sinus. Implant survival was retrospectively evaluated from patient's records.ResultsNo significant difference in residual bone substitute material (BSMV) in the ABB group (31.21 ± 7.74%) and the group with the mixture of ABB and AB (28.41 ± 8.43%) was histomorphologically determined. Concerning the de novo bone formation, also both groups showed statistically insignificant outcomes; ABB 26.02 ± 5.23% and ABB + AB 27.50 ± 6.31%. In all cases, implants were installed in the augmented sites with sufficient primary stability. After a mean time in function of 5 years and 2 months, implant survival was 93.75% in the ABB and 92.86% in the ABB + AB group with no statistically significant differences.ConclusionThe usage of ABB plus AB to a 1/1 ratio leads to an amount of newly formed bone comparable with the solitary use of ABB after grafting of the maxillary sinus. Considering that ABB is a non‐resorbable bone substitute, it can be hypothesized that this leads to stable bone over time and long‐term implant success. Importantly, in the sole use of ABB, bone grafting and therefore donor site morbidities can be avoided.
Markers of Topical Discourse in Child‐Directed Speech
Authors: Rohde Hannah , Frank Michael C. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAlthough the language we encounter is typically embedded in rich discourse contexts, many existing models of processing focus largely on phenomena that occur sentence‐internally. Similarly, most work on children's language learning does not consider how information can accumulate as a discourse progresses. Research in pragmatics, however, points to ways in which each subsequent utterance provides new opportunities for listeners to infer speaker meaning. Such inferences allow the listener to build up a representation of the speakers' intended topic and more generally to identify relationships, structures, and messages that extend across multiple utterances. We address this issue by analyzing a video corpus of child–caregiver interactions. We use topic continuity as an index of discourse structure, examining how caregivers introduce and discuss objects across utterances. For the analysis, utterances are grouped into topical discourse sequences using three annotation strategies: raw annotations of speakers' referents, the output of a model that groups utterances based on those annotations, and the judgments of human coders. We analyze how the lexical, syntactic, and social properties of caregiver–child interaction change over the course of a sequence of topically related utterances. Our findings suggest that many cues used to signal topicality in adult discourse are also available in child‐directed speech.
Multiple introductions and recombination in Cryphonectria hypovirus 1: perspective for a sustainable biological control of chestnut blight
Authors: Feau Nicolas , Dutech Cyril , Brusini Jérémie , Rigling Daniel , Robin Cécile 
Published: April 2014

AbstractCryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV1) is a mycovirus which decreases the virulence of its fungal host Cryphonectria parasitica, the causal agent of chestnut blight recently introduced in Europe. The understanding of the evolutionary processes which have shaped CHV1 populations in Europe is required to develop a sustainable biocontrol strategy targeting chestnut blight and effective in European chestnut forests. To retrace the evolutionary history of CHV1, we analyzed sequences from two genomic regions on a collection of 55 CHV1 strains from France and northern Spain, two countries where multiple introductions of C. parasitica occurred. Several recombination events and variable selection pressures contributed to CHV1 evolution, agreeing with a non‐clock‐like diversification rate. These two mechanisms may be at the origin of CHV1 population diversity observed in western Europe. Considering the actual prevalence of CHV1 and its association with host genotypes, multiple introductions of CHV1 may have occurred in Europe, some of them directly from Asia and some of them through North America. Although some viral strains remained with low frequency in their introduction area, multiple infections might have allowed homologous recombination within parental sequences. Some of these recombinant lineages are associated with the spread of CHV1 in European regions.
Clonal diversity and turnover in an overwinteringDaphnia pulexpopulation, and the effect of fish predation
Authors: Lampert Kathrin P. , Regmi Bishnu P. , Wathne Ingrid , Larsson Petter 
Published: April 2014

SummaryDaphniaare key species in lake ecosystems and are a model system in ecology. Their ecological success is very much due to their dual reproductive mode: females reproduce parthenogenetically when environmental conditions are favourable but switch to sexual reproduction and resting egg production in unfavourable conditions such as winter. Phases of clonal reproduction lower the overall genotypic diversity ofDaphniapopulations due to the random loss of genotypes. During phases of sexual reproduction, new genotypes enhance the genotypic variability of the population and compensate for the loss of clonal lineages.We hypothesised that clonal diversity should be low during the winter months due to high mortality rates (clonal erosion) but will be restored in the spring most likely from the resting egg bank. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the clonal composition of aDaphnia pulexpopulation in a small mesotrophic lake in Norway.Daphniawere sampled every month from September 2007 to September 2010, andc. 60 individuals per month were genotyped using 11 microsatellite markers. Marker resolution was high, and 582 different genotypes could be detected in the 936 individuals analysed.An unexpected complication for the study was the illegal introduction of planktivorous fish into the lake between autumn 2006 and spring 2007. This led to significant predation pressure on theD. pulexpopulation and shifted the cladoceran community to smaller species. However, while theD. pulexpopulation density declined severely over the study years, the overall genotypic variability increased. We observed very high turnover rates, with many clones being present for only a single month. Nevertheless, and as expected, genotypic diversity was higher during summer and lower during winter, and some parthenogenetic individuals seemed to be able to survive the winter. The large majority of new genotypes came from the resting egg bank.We conclude that, due to the new predation pressure, the resting egg bank has become much more important in restocking genotypic diversity as well as forD. pulexabundance. However, despite the buffering capacities of the resting egg bank, the predation pressure will most likely lead to the extinction ofD. pulexin Lake Myravatn.
Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry (IMS): peering into the cup of Jamshid
Authors: Valentino L. A. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryThe complex process underlying the development of blood‐induced joint disease remains mysterious. Novel technologies such as matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) to examine protein signatures may provide clues into the process.
A global quality control system to check PT‐INR portable monitor for Antivitamin K antagonists
Authors: Testa S. , Paoletti O. , Bassi L. , Dellanoce C. , Morandini R. , Lippi G. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryIntroductionAlthough most guidelines for quality assessment of INR PMs recommend specific procedures, no clear regulation or methodology is required for outpatients in our country. We have developed a specific INR portable monitor (PM) quality control system within our telemedicine organization to check over time quality performances and plan corrective actions.MethodsBased on current guidelines for laboratory QC, the following aspects were assessed: suitability of PM, defined in terms of imprecision and accuracy; intra‐assay imprecision, defined according to monthly revision of Levey–Jennings cards with data from each peripheral healthcare unit (PHU), using an internal QC provided by the manufacturer (CV ± 20% considered as acceptable); quarterly accuracy study, for assessing agreement between analytical instruments, based on duplicate analysis of three samples with INR values reflecting different therapeutic ranges (differences ± 0.5 considered as acceptable); external quality assessment (NEQAS).ResultsIn the nine PHU, 18 portable monitors were used to perform 22 929 test during year 2010. Analytical imprecision was low, showing CVs always <5%. Accuracy check showed two of 216 results out of range (0.92%), thus providing timely indication for instrument replacement. The external QC NEQAS showed optimal performance.ConclusionThe current protocol for INR PMs quality assessment was effective to establish and maintain a reliable control of devices, ensuring the quality of analytical data over time. National authorities should be prompted to guarantee and apply correct protocols for INR‐PM use.
Effect of Backward Walking Treadmill Training on Walking Capacity after Stroke: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Michaelsen Stella Maris , Ovando Angélica Cristiane , Romaguera Fernanda , Ada Louise 
Published: April 2014

Rationale Residual walking deficits are common in people after stroke. Treadmill training can increase walking speed and walking distance. A new way to increase the challenge of walking is to walk backwards. Backward treadmill walking may provide advantages by promoting improvement in balance, walking spatiotemporal parameters and quality that may reflect in improving walking distance. Aim This study will test the hypothesis that backward treadmill walking is superior to forward treadmill walking in improving walking capacity, walking parameters, quality and balance in people with stroke. Design A prospective, single-blinded, randomized trial will randomly allocate 88 community-dwelling people after stroke into either an experimental or control group. The experimental group will undertake 30-min sessions of backward treadmill walking, three-days/week for six-weeks, while the control group will undertake the same dose of forward treadmill walking. Training will begin at the baseline overground walking speed and will increase each week by 10% of baseline speed. Study outcomes The primary outcome will be distance walked in the 6-min Walk Test. Secondary outcomes will be walking speed, step length, cadence, and one-leg stance time. Outcomes will be collected by a researcher blinded to group allocation at baseline (Week 0), at the end of training period (Week 6), and three-months after the cessation of intervention (Week 18). Discussion If backward treadmill walking can improve walking capacity more than forward treadmill training in stroke, it may have broader implications because walking capacity has been shown to predict physical activity level and community participation.
Estimating age and ethnic variation in the histological prevalence of prostate cancer to inform the impact of screening policies
Authors: Leal Jose , Hamdy Freddie , Wolstenholme Jane 
Published: April 2014

ObjectivesTo estimate histological prevalence of prostate cancer by age and ethnic group.MethodsA literature review identified autopsy studies of men without clinical diagnosis of prostate cancer during their lifetime. A total of 25 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and a Bayesian logistic meta‐regression was carried out to examine the association between histological prevalence, age by decade and ethnic group (white, African American and Chinese/Japanese).ResultsHistological cancer was estimated to increase with age from 2% (95% confidence interval 1–3%) between 20–29 years‐of‐age to 69% (95% confidence interval 51–83%) by 90–99 years‐of‐age in the white ethnic group. The African American group was associated with the highest prevalence of cancer, albeit non‐significantly (odds ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval 0.9–1.5), whereas the Chinese/Japanese group was significantly associated with the lowest prevalence relative to the white group (odds ratio 0.6, 95% confidence interval 0.4–0.9).ConclusionsThe present study provides an updated and improved analysis of the histological prevalence of prostate cancer. The results confirm ethnicity as a potential predictor of prevalence, but highlight the need for further research in the area. The findings are valuable for understanding the epidemiology and natural history of prostate cancer across ethnicities, and increasing the body of evidence aimed at estimating benefits and risks associated with prostate cancer screening programs.
Impact of oral mucosal conditions on oral health‐related quality of life in preschool children: a hierarchical approach
Authors: Vieira‐Andrade Raquel Gonçalves , Martins‐Júnior Paulo Antônio , Corrêa‐Faria Patrícia , Marques Leandro Silva , Paiva Saul Martins , Ramos‐Jorge Maria Letícia 
Published: April 2014

ObjectiveTo determine the impact of oral mucosal conditions on OHRQoL in preschool children.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was carried out with a selected representative sample of 724 children aged 2–5 years and their parents/caregivers. Data were collected through interviews with parents/caregivers, who also answered the B‐ECOHIS. A clinical oral examination was performed to determine oral mucosal conditions, dental caries, dental trauma, and malocclusion. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov normality test, the Mann–Whitney U‐test and hierarchically adjusted Poisson regression models (P < 0.05, 95% CI).ResultsThe prevalence of oral mucosal conditions was 50.7%, the most prevalent of which were melanotic macules (17.8%), oral ulcers (11.0%), Fordyce's spots (9.4%), geographic tongue (5.2%), fissured tongue (1.9%), median rhomboid glossitis (1.8%), and fistula (1.4%). In the final multivariate model, child with 5 years of age (RR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.08–2.38; P = 0.020), with presence of fistula (RR = 1.94; 95% CI: 1.27–2.95; P = 0.002), and with dental caries (RR = 2.58; 95% CI: 2.00–3.35; P < 0.001) had a negative impact on children's OHRQoL.ConclusionChild with 5 years of age, presence of fistula, and dental caries were associated with a negative impact on the quality of life of preschool children.
Selfing ability and dispersal are positively related, but not affected by range position: a multispecies study on southernAfricanAsteraceae
Authors: de Waal C. , Rodger J. G. , Anderson B. , Ellis A. G. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractDispersal and breeding system traits are thought to affect colonization success. As species have attained their present distribution ranges through colonization, these traits may vary geographically. Although several theories predict associations between dispersal ability, selfing ability and the relative position of a population within its geographic range, there is little theoretical or empirical consensus on exactly how these three variables are related. We investigated relationships between dispersal ability, selfing ability and range position across 28 populations of 13 annual, wind‐dispersedAsteraceae species from theNamaqualand region ofSouthAfrica. Controlling for phylogeny, relative dispersal ability – assessed from vertical fall time of fruits – was positively related to an index of autofertility – determined from hand‐pollination experiments. These findings support the existence of two discrete syndromes: high selfing ability associated with good dispersal and obligate outcrossing associated with lower dispersal ability. This is consistent with the hypothesis that selection for colonization success drives the evolution of an association between these traits. However, no general effect of range position on dispersal or breeding system traits was evident. This suggests selection on both breeding system and dispersal traits acts consistently across distribution ranges.