bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Horizontal transmission of a parasite is influenced by infected host phenotype and density
Authors: ROBERTS K. E. , HUGHES W. O. H. 
Published: August 2014

SUMMARYTransmission is a key determinant of parasite fitness, and understanding the dynamics of transmission is fundamental to the ecology and evolution of host–parasite interactions. Successful transmission is often reliant on contact between infected individuals and susceptible hosts. The social insects consist of aggregated groups of genetically similar hosts, making them particularly vulnerable to parasite transmission. Here we investigate how the ratio of infected to susceptible individuals impacts parasite transmission, using the honey bee, Apis mellifera and its microsporidian parasite Nosema ceranae. We used 2 types of infected hosts found simultaneously in colonies; sterile female workers and sexual males. We found a higher ratio of infected to susceptible individuals in groups resulted in a greater proportion of susceptibles becoming infected, but this effect was non-linear and interestingly, the ratio also affected the spore production of infected individuals. The transmission level was much greater in an experiment where the infected individuals were drones than in an experiment where they were workers, suggesting drones may act as intracolonial ‘superspreaders’. Understanding the subtleties of transmission and how it is influenced by the phenotype of the infected/susceptible individuals is important for understanding pathogen transmission at population level, and for optimum targeting of parasite control strategies.
The introduction of dengue vaccine may temporarily cause large spikes in prevalence
Authors: PANDEY A. , MEDLOCK J. 
Published: August 2014

SUMMARYA dengue vaccine is expected to be available within a few years. Once vaccine is available, policy-makers will need to develop suitable policies to allocate the vaccine. Mathematical models of dengue transmission predict complex temporal patterns in prevalence, driven by seasonal oscillations in mosquito abundance. In particular, vaccine introduction may induce a transient period immediately after vaccine introduction where prevalence can spike higher than in the pre-vaccination period. These spikes in prevalence could lead to doubts about the vaccination programme among the public and even among decision-makers, possibly impeding the vaccination programme. Using simple dengue transmission models, we found that large transient spikes in prevalence are robust phenomena that occur when vaccine coverage and vaccine efficacy are not either both very high or both very low. Despite the presence of transient spikes in prevalence, the models predict that vaccination does always reduce the total number of infections in the 15 years after vaccine introduction. We conclude that policy-makers should prepare for spikes in prevalence after vaccine introduction to mitigate the burden of these spikes and to accurately measure the effectiveness of the vaccine programme.
Selection shaped the evolution of mouse androgen-binding protein (ABP) function and promoted the duplication ofAbpgenes
Authors: Karn Robert C. , Laukaitis Christina M. 
Published: August 2014

In the present article, we summarize two aspects of our work on mouse ABP (androgen-binding protein): (i) the sexual selection function producing incipient reinforcement on the European house mouse hybrid zone, and (ii) the mechanism behind the dramatic expansion of the Abp gene region in the mouse genome. Selection unifies these two components, although the ways in which selection has acted differ. At the functional level, strong positive selection has acted on key sites on the surface of one face of the ABP dimer, possibly to influence binding to a receptor. A different kind of selection has apparently driven the recent and rapid expansion of the gene region, probably by increasing the amount of Abp transcript, in one or both of two ways. We have shown previously that groups of Abp genes behave as LCRs (low-copy repeats), duplicating as relatively large blocks of genes by NAHR (non-allelic homologous recombination). The second type of selection involves the close link between the accumulation of L1 elements and the expansion of the Abp gene family by NAHR. It is probably predicated on an initial selection for increased transcription of existing Abp genes and/or an increase in Abp gene number providing more transcriptional sites. Either or both could increase initial transcript production, a quantitative change similar to increasing the volume of a radio transmission. In closing, we also provide a note on Abp gene nomenclature.
eIF4E-binding proteins: new factors, new locations, new roles
Authors: Kamenska Anastasiia , Simpson Clare , Standart Nancy 
Published: August 2014

The cap-binding translation initiation factor eIF4E (eukaryotic initiation factor 4E) is central to protein synthesis in eukaryotes. As an integral component of eIF4F, a complex also containing the large bridging factor eIF4G and eIF4A RNA helicase, eIF4E enables the recruitment of the small ribosomal subunit to the 5′ end of mRNAs. The interaction between eIF4E and eIF4G via a YXXXXLϕ motif is regulated by small eIF4E-binding proteins, 4E-BPs, which use the same sequence to competitively bind eIF4E thereby inhibiting cap-dependent translation. Additional eIF4E-binding proteins have been identified in the last 10–15 years, characterized by the YXXXXLϕ motif, and by interactions (many of which remain to be detailed) with RNA-binding proteins, or other factors in complexes that recognize the specific mRNAs. In the present article, we focus on the metazoan 4E-T (4E-transporter)/Cup family of eIF4E-binding proteins, and also discuss very recent examples in yeast, fruitflies and humans, some of which predictably inhibit translation, while others may result in mRNA decay or even enhance translation; altogether considerably expanding our understanding of the roles of eIF4E-binding proteins in gene expression regulation.
Intracellular redistribution of acetyl-CoA, the pivotal point in differential susceptibility of cholinergic neurons and glial cells to neurodegenerative signals
Authors: Szutowicz Andrzej , Bielarczyk Hanna , Ronowska Anna , Gul-Hinc Sylwia , Klimaszewska-Łata Joanna , Dyś Aleksandra , Zyśk Marlena , Pawełczyk Tadeusz 
Published: August 2014

Intramitochondrial decarboxylation of glucose-derived pyruvate by PDHC (pyruvate dehydrogenase complex) is a principal source of acetyl-CoA, for mitochondrial energy production and cytoplasmic synthetic pathways in all types of brain cells. The inhibition of PDHC, ACO (aconitase) and KDHC (ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex) activities by neurodegenerative signals such as aluminium, zinc, amyloid β-peptide, excess nitric oxide (NO) or thiamine pyrophosphate deficits resulted in much deeper losses of viability, acetyl-CoA and ATP in differentiated cholinergic neuronal cells than in non-differentiated cholinergic, and cultured microglial or astroglial cell lines. In addition, in cholinergic cells, such conditions caused inhibition of ACh (acetylcholine) synthesis and its quantal release. Furthermore, cholinergic neuronal cells appeared to be resistant to high concentrations of LPS (lipopolysaccharide). In contrast, in microglial cells, low levels of LPS caused severalfold activation of NO, IL-6 (interleukin 6) and TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α) synthesis/release, accompanied by inhibition of PDHC, KDHC and ACO activities, and suppression of acetyl-CoA, but relatively small losses in their ATP contents and viability parameters. Compounds that protected these enzymes against inhibitory effects of neurotoxins alleviated acetyl-CoA and ATP deficits, thereby maintaining neuronal cell viability. These data indicate that preferential susceptibility of cholinergic neurons to neurodegenerative insults may result from competition for acetyl-CoA between mitochondrial energy-producing and cytoplasmic ACh-synthesizing pathways. Such a hypothesis is supported by the existence of highly significant correlations between mitochondrial/cytoplasmic acetyl-CoA levels and cell viability/transmitter functions respectively.
Understanding life and death decisions in human leukaemias
Authors: MacEwan David J. , Barrera Lawrence N. , Keadsanti Sujitra , Rushworth Stuart A. , Shah Niraj M. , Yuan Tianma , Zaitseva Lyubov 
Published: August 2014

Human leukaemia cells have an often unique ability to either undergo apoptotic cell death mechanisms or, at other times, undergo proliferative expansion, sometimes to the same stimulus such as the pluripotent cytokine TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α). This potential for life/death switching helps us to understand the molecular signalling machinery that underlies these cellular processes. Furthermore, looking at the involvement of these switching signalling pathways that may be aberrant in leukaemia informs us of their importance in cancer tumorigenesis and how they may be targeted pharmacologically to treat various types of human leukaemias. Furthermore, these important pathways may play a crucial role in acquired chemotherapy resistance and should be studied further to overcome in the clinic many drug-resistant forms of blood cancers. In the present article, we uncover the relationship that exists in human leukaemia life/death switching between the anti-apoptotic pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) and the cytoprotective antioxidant-responsive transcription factor Nrf2 (nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2). We also discuss recent findings that reveal a major role for Btk (Bruton's tyrosine kinase) in both lymphocytic and myeloid forms of human leukaemias and lymphomas.
Chapter 4. A constructional corpus-based approach to ‘weak’ verbs in French
Authors: Willems Dominique , Blanche-Benveniste Claire 
Published: August 2014

‘Weak’ verbs, also known as ‘parenthetical’, ‘evidential’ or ‘epistemic’ verbs, have interested linguists and philosophers for many years. In recent analyses they are treated mainly from a pragmatic point of view, and, through a process of advanced grammaticalization, they are often grouped together with adverbs. But fine-grained linguistic analyses are still lacking. In this contribution, we present the main results of a usage-based syntactic, semantic and pragmatic analysis of the three most frequent ‘weak’ verbs used in the first person singular in modern French: je crois (‘I believe’), je pense (‘I think’), and je trouve (‘I find’). We argue that those verbs do not undergo a change of category but simply remain verbs and that they can be fruitfully described in a constructional framework. These ‘weak’ verbs, particularly frequent in spoken discourse, occur in a cluster of three related structures, revealing the same semantic meaning of ‘mitigation’. Other verbs can enter one of those syntactic patterns, but only the ‘weak’ verbs can partake in all three of them. Each of the three verbs also enters other constructions, with different meanings.
A Cluster ofMycobacterium wolinskyiSurgical Site Infections at an Academic Medical Center
Authors: Nagpal Avish , Wentink Jean E. , Berbari Elie F. , Aronhalt Kimberly C. , Wright Alan J. , Krageschmidt Dale A. , Wengenack Nancy L. , Thompson Rodney L. , Tosh Pritish K. 
Published: August 2014

ObjectiveTo study a cluster ofMycobacterium wolinskyisurgical site infections (SSIs).DesignObservational and case-control study.SettingAcademic hospital.Patients.Subjects who developed SSIs withM. wolinskyifollowing cardiothoracic surgery.MethodsElectronic surveillance was performed for case finding as well as electronic medical record review of infected cases. Surgical procedures were observed. Medical chart review was conducted to identify risk factors. A case-control study was performed to identify risk factors for infection; Fisher exact or Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for comparisons of proportions and medians, respectively. Patient isolates were studied using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Environmental microbiologic sampling was performed in operating rooms, including high-volume water sampling.ResultsSix definite cases ofM. wolinskyiSSI following cardiothoracic surgery were identified during the outbreak period (October 1, 2008–September 30, 2011). Having cardiac surgery in operating room A was significantly associated with infection (odds ratio, 40;P= .0027). Observational investigation revealed a cold-air blaster exclusive to operating room A as well a microbially contaminated, self-contained water source used in heart-lung machines. The isolates were indistinguishable or closely related by PFGE. No environmental samples were positive forM. wolinskyi.ConclusionsNo single point source was established, but 2 potential sources, including a cold-air blaster and a microbially contaminated, self-contained water system used in heart-lung machines for cardiothoracic operations, were identified. Both of these potential sources were removed, and subsequent active surveillance did not reveal any further cases ofM. wolinskyiSSI.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2014;35(9):1169-1175
Data Requirements for Electronic Surveillance of Healthcare-Associated Infections
Authors: Woeltje Keith F. , Lin Michael Y. , Klompas Michael , Wright Marc Oliver , Zuccotti Gianna , Trick William E. 
Published: August 2014

Electronic surveillance for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) is increasingly widespread. This is driven by multiple factors: a greater burden on hospitals to provide surveillance data to state and national agencies, financial pressures to be more efficient with HAI surveillance, the desire for more objective comparisons between healthcare facilities, and the increasing amount of patient data available electronically. Optimal implementation of electronic surveillance requires that specific information be available to the surveillance systems. This white paper reviews different approaches to electronic surveillance, discusses the specific data elements required for performing surveillance, and considers important issues of data validation.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2014;35(9):1083-1091
Inflammatory features of melasma lesions in Asian skin
Authors: Noh Tai Kyung , Choi Seok Joo , Chung Bo Young , Kang Jin Soo , Lee Jong Hee , Lee Mi Woo , Chang Sung Eun 
Published: August 2014

AbstractMelasma is triggered by various factors including ultraviolet radiation and estrogen; however, its pathogenesis is unclear. To investigate the inflammatory features of melasma lesions as triggers for this disorder, 197 women with melasma who attended Asan Medical Center and Kangskin Clinic, Seoul, from June 2011 to October 2011 completed a questionnaire concerning triggering or aggravating factors. These cases were divided into “non‐inflammatory” and “inflammatory” groups. Skin biopsies and immunostaining for CD68, CD117, and leukocyte common antigen (LCA) were performed in the lesional and peri‐lesional skin of ten cases in the non‐inflammatory group and nine cases in the inflammatory group. Among the 197 subjects (mean age, 41.5 years; mean age of melasma onset, 33.8 years), 50 patients (25.4%) were categorized into the inflammatory group. This group comprised cases that had inflammatory symptoms and events that triggered the melasma lesions. The lesional dermis contained more CD68+ melanophages, CD117+ mast cells, and LCA+ leukocytes in the inflammatory group than in the non‐inflammatory group. Inflammatory clinical features and an increased number of inflammatory cells in the lesion may be involved in the development of melasma in Asian skin.
Cutaneous necrotizing vasculitis as a manifestation of familial Mediterranean fever
Authors: Komatsu Shigetsuna , Honma Masaru , Igawa Satomi , Tsuji Hitomi , Ishida‐Yamamoto Akemi , Migita Kiyoshi , Ida Hiroaki , Iizuka Hajime 
Published: August 2014

AbstractFamilial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a hereditary autoinflammatory disease, which is characterized by recurrent and paroxysmal fever, peritonitis, arthritis, myalgia, and skin rashes. Although various skin lesions such as “erysipelas‐like erythema”, urticaria, nonspecific purpura, and subcutaneous nodules have been described, cutaneous vasculitis is rare. We report a Japanese case of sporadic FMF accompanied by cutaneous arteritis at the time of febrile attacks of FMF. Gene analysis revealed M694I mutation in a single allele of the MEFV gene, and oral colchicine successfully controlled both periodic fever and subcutaneous nodules of arteritis. Cutaneous necrotizing vasculitis repeatedly emerging with febrile attacks should be included among the skin manifestations of FMF.
Predator‐dependent functional response in wolves: from food limitation to surplus killing
Authors: Zimmermann Barbara , Sand Håkan , Wabakken Petter , Liberg Olof , Andreassen Harry Peter 
Published: August 2014

Summary

The functional response of a predator describes the change in per capita kill rate to changes in prey density. This response can be influenced by predator densities, giving a predator‐dependent functional response. In social carnivores which defend a territory, kill rates also depend on the individual energetic requirements of group members and their contribution to the kill rate.

This study aims to provide empirical data for the functional response of wolves Canis lupus to the highly managed moose Alces alces population in Scandinavia. We explored prey and predator dependence, and how the functional response relates to the energetic requirements of wolf packs.

Winter kill rates of GPS‐collared wolves and densities of cervids were estimated for a total of 22 study periods in 15 wolf territories. The adult wolves were identified as the individuals responsible for providing kills to the wolf pack, while pups could be described as inept hunters.

The predator‐dependent, asymptotic functional response models (i.e. Hassell–Varley type II and Crowley–Martin) performed best among a set of 23 competing linear, asymptotic and sigmoid models. Small wolf packs acquired >3 times as much moose biomass as required to sustain their field metabolic rate (FMR), even at relatively low moose abundances. Large packs (6–9 wolves) acquired less biomass than required in territories with low moose abundance.

We suggest the surplus killing by small packs is a result of an optimal foraging strategy to consume only the most nutritious parts of easy accessible prey while avoiding the risk of being detected by humans. Food limitation may have a stabilizing effect on pack size in wolves, as supported by the observed negative relationship between body weight of pups and pack size.
Working with stakeholders to reduce conflict – modelling the impact of varying hen harrier Circus cyaneus densities on red grouse Lagopus lagopus populations
Authors: Elston David A. , Spezia Luigi , Baines Dave , Redpath Stephen M. 
Published: August 2014

Summary

Conflict management is difficult and may benefit from scientists working closely with stakeholders. We worked with conservation and moorland management interests, to consider the potential use of a quota system to address the long‐standing conflict arising from hen harrier Circus cyaneus predation on red grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus.

We modelled the impact of different harrier densities on grouse populations using a stochastic population dynamics model to inform the debate over the consequences of a quota system. The stakeholders commissioned the work and agreed on the underlying principles, the data sets and the approach.

The model covers the recovery phase from low grouse densities to a level at which driven shooting can recommence, as this phase is of paramount concern to the managers of grouse moors.

The model incorporated uncertainty in parameter values as well as for temporal and spatial variation in demographic rates. Multiple runs of the model enabled us to construct probability distributions, both for the population sizes in the first 2 years following cyclic lows in the grouse populations and for the number of years to recommencement of driven grouse shooting.

The model results quantified the extent to which high densities of harriers pose challenges for grouse management. At harrier densities of or below 0·025 km2, harrier impacts were predicted to reduce autumn grouse densities by <10%, suggesting that a quota scheme could theoretically support coexistence between grouse shooting and harrier conservation.

Synthesis and applications. Conflict management requires dialogue between conflicting parties and can benefit from objective inputs from scientists using an agreed evidence base and transparent derivation of relevant information from that evidence base. By discussing the principles of model development and eligibility of data sets with a stakeholder group in advance of producing model results, we achieved buy‐in from all parties involved. Our model informs the debate: whether this additional information will lead to the development and testing of a quota system in practice remains to be seen.
Changes in plant community composition, not diversity, during a decade of nitrogen and phosphorus additions drive above‐ground productivity in a tallgrass prairie
Authors: Avolio Meghan L. , Koerner Sally E. , La Pierre Kimberly J. , Wilcox Kevin R. , Wilson Gail W. T. , Smith Melinda D. , Collins Scott L. 
Published: August 2014

SummaryNutrient additions typically increase terrestrial ecosystem productivity, reduce plant diversity and alter plant community composition; however, the effects ofPadditions and interactions betweenNandPare understudied.We added bothN(10 g m−2) and three levels ofP(2.5, 5 and 10 g m−2) to a native, ungrazed tallgrass prairie burned biennially in northeasternKansas,USA, to determine the independent and interactive effects ofNandPon plant community composition and above‐ground net primary productivity (ANPP).After a decade of nutrient additions, we found few effects ofPalone on plant community composition,Nalone had stronger effects, andNandPadditions combined resulted in much larger effects than either alone. The changes in the plant community were driven by decreased abundance ofC4grasses, perhaps in response to altered interactions with mycorrhizal fungi, concurrent with increased abundance of non‐N‐fixing perennial and annual forbs. Surprisingly, this large shift in plant community composition had little effect on plant community richness, evenness and diversity.The shift in plant composition withNandPcombined had large but variable effects onANPPover time. Initially,NandNandPcombined increased above‐ground productivity ofC4grasses, but after 4 years, productivity returned to ambient levels as grasses declined in abundance and the community shifted to dominance by non‐N‐fixing and annual forbs. Once these forbs increased in abundance and became dominant,ANPPwas more variable, with pulses in forb production only in years when the site was burned.Synthesis. We found that a decade ofNandPadditions interacted to drive changes in plant community composition, which had large effects on ecosystem productivity but minimal effects on plant community diversity. The large shift in species composition increased variability inANPPover time as a consequence of the effects of burning. Thus, increased inputs ofNandPto terrestrial ecosystems have the potential to alter stability of ecosystem function over time, particularly within the context of natural disturbance regimes.