bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of urothelial P2X3 receptors prevents desensitization of purinergic detrusor contractions in the rat bladder
Authors: Ferguson Andrew C. , Sutton Broderick W. , Boone Timothy B. , Ford Anthony P. , Munoz Alvaro 
Published: November 2014

ObjectivesTo evaluate whether P2X3 receptors (P2X3R) are expressed in the bladder urothelium and to determine their possible function in modulating purinergic detrusor contractions in the rat urinary bladder.Materials and MethodsThe expression of urothelial receptors was determined using conventional immunohistochemistry in bladders from normal Sprague–Dawley rats. The urothelial layer was removed by incubation with protamine, and disruption of the urothelium was confirmed using haematoxylin and eosin staining on bladder sections. Open cystometry was used to determine the effects of both urothelial removal as well as intravesical application of a specific P2X3R antagonist on bladder properties from intact and protamine‐treated rats. Isometric contractile responses to potassium chloride (KCl) depolarization, electrical field stimulation (EFS) or chemical P2X activation were determined in normal and urothelium‐denuded bladder strips, with and without application of the P2X3R antagonist.ResultsImmunohistochemical staining showed high expression of P2X3R in the medial and basal layers of the urothelium. Removal of the urothelial layer disturbed normal bladder performance in vivo and eliminated the effects of the P2X3R antagonist on increasing the contractile interval and reducing the amplitude of voiding contractions. Removal of the urothelium did not affect bladder strip contractile responses to KCl depolarization or EFS. Pharmacological inhibition of P2X3R prevented desensitization to P2X‐mediated detrusor muscle contractions during EFS only in the strips with an intact urothelium. A concentration‐dependent, specific inhibition of P2X3R also prevented desensitization of purinergic contractile responses in intact bladder strips.ConclusionsIn the rat bladder, medial and basal urothelial cells express P2X3R, and specific inhibition of the receptor leads to a more hyporeflexive bladder condition. This pathway may involve P2X3R driving a paracrine amplification of ATP released from umbrella cells to increase afferent transmission in the sub‐urothelial sensory plexus and desensitization of P2X1‐mediated purinergic detrusor contractions.
A common variant in RAB27A gene is associated with fractional exhaled nitric oxide levels in adults
Authors: Bouzigon E. , Nadif R. , Thompson E. E. , Concas M.P. , Kuldanek S. , Du G. , Brossard M. , Lavielle N. , Sarnowski C. , Vaysse A. , Dessen P. , van der Valk R.J.P. , Duijts L. , Henderson A.J. , Jaddoe V.W.V. , de Jongste J.C. ,   GABRIEL consortium, Early Genetics Lifecourse Epidemiology (EAGLE) Consortium, Casula S. , Biino G. , Dizier M.‐H. , Pin I. , Matran R. , Lathrop M. , Pirastu M. , Demenais F. , Ober C. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryBackgroundExhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a biomarker for eosinophilic inflammation in the airways and for responsiveness to corticosteroids in asthmatics.ObjectiveWe sought to identify in adults the genetic determinants of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels and to assess whether environmental and disease‐related factors influence these associations.MethodsWe performed a genome‐wide association study of FeNO through meta‐analysis of two independent discovery samples of European ancestry: the outbred EGEA study (French Epidemiological study on the Genetics and Environment of Asthma, N = 610 adults) and the Hutterites (N = 601 adults), a founder population living on communal farms. Replication of main findings was assessed in adults from an isolated village in Sardinia (Talana study, N = 450). We then investigated the influence of asthma, atopy and tobacco smoke exposure on these genetic associations, and whether they were also associated with FeNO values in children of the EAGLE (EArly Genetics & Lifecourse Epidemiology, N = 8858) consortium.ResultsWe detected a common variant in RAB27A (rs2444043) associated with FeNO that reached the genome‐wide significant level (P = 1.6 × 10−7) in the combined discovery and replication adult data sets. This SNP belongs to member of RAS oncogene family (RAB27A) and was associated with an expression quantitative trait locus for RAB27A in lymphoblastoid cell lines from asthmatics. A second suggestive locus (rs2194437, P = 8.9 × 10−7) located nearby the sodium/calcium exchanger 1 (SLC8A1) was mainly detected in atopic subjects and influenced by inhaled corticosteroid use. These two loci were not associated with childhood FeNO values.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceThis study identified a common variant located in RAB27A gene influencing FeNO levels specifically in adults and with a biological relevance to the regulation of FeNO levels. This study provides new insight into the biological mechanisms underlying FeNO levels in adults.
Management of urticaria: not too complicated, not too simple
Authors: Ferrer M. , Bartra J. , Giménez‐Arnau A. , Jauregui I. , Labrador‐Horrillo M. , Ortiz de Frutos J. , Silvestre J. F. , Sastre J. , Velasco M. , Valero A. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryIn spite of being an old disease and apparently easy to diagnose, chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is still perceived as an uncontrollable and difficult to manage disease. The perception of the patient is that his/her condition is not well understood and that is suffering from a disorder with hidden causes that doctors are not able to tackle. Sometimes patients go through a number of clinicians until they found some CSU expert who is familiar with the disease. It is surprising that myths and believes with no scientific support still persist. Guidelines are not widely implemented, and recent tools to assess severity are infrequently used. European and American recent guidelines do not agree in several key points related to diagnosis and treatment, which further contributes to confusion. With the aim to clarify some aspects of the CSU picture, a group of allergists and dermatologists from the Spanish Dermatology and Allergy societies developed a Frequent Asked Questions leaflet that could facilitate physicians work in daily practice and contribute to a better knowledge of common clinical scenarios related to patients with CSU.
Association of extinction risk of saproxylic beetles with ecological degradation of forests in Europe
Authors: Seibold Sebastian , Brandl Roland , Buse Jörn , Hothorn Torsten , Schmidl Jürgen , Thorn Simon , Müller Jörg 
Published: November 2014

AbstractTo reduce future loss of biodiversity and to allocate conservation funds effectively, the major drivers behind large‐scale extinction processes must be identified. A promising approach is to link the red‐list status of species and specific traits that connect species of functionally important taxa or guilds to resources they rely on. Such traits can be used to detect the influence of anthropogenic ecosystem changes and conservation efforts on species, which allows for practical recommendations for conservation. We modeled the German Red List categories as an ordinal index of extinction risk of 1025 saproxylic beetles with a proportional‐odds linear mixed‐effects model for ordered categorical responses. In this model, we estimated fixed effects for intrinsic traits characterizing species biology, required resources, and distribution with phylogenetically correlated random intercepts. The model also allowed predictions of extinction risk for species with no red‐list category. Our model revealed a higher extinction risk for lowland and large species as well as for species that rely on wood of large diameter, broad‐leaved trees, or open canopy. These results mirror well the ecological degradation of European forests over the last centuries caused by modern forestry, that is the conversion of natural broad‐leaved forests to dense conifer‐dominated forests and the loss of old growth and dead wood. Therefore, conservation activities aimed at saproxylic beetles in all types of forests in Central and Western Europe should focus on lowlands, and habitat management of forest stands should aim at increasing the amount of dead wood of large diameter, dead wood of broad‐leaved trees, and dead wood in sunny areas.
Synthesis of N‐[4‐(dimethylalkylammoniomethyl) benzoyl]caprolactam chlorides as cationic bleach activators for low‐temperature bleaching of cotton fabric under near‐neutral pH conditions
Authors: Wei Dong , Sun Chang , Wang Mengze , Du Jinmei , Xu Changhai 
Published: November 2014

Low‐temperature bleaching of cotton fabric can be achieved by incorporating a so‐called bleach activator into an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide. In this study, a series of N‐[4‐(dimethylalkylammoniomethyl)benzoyl]caprolactam chlorides were synthesised for use as cationic bleach activators with various alkyl chain lengths. All these synthesised cationic bleach activators were confirmed by 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy. Bleaching experiments revealed that these synthesised bleach activators were effective for bleaching of cotton fabric at 50 °C under near‐neutral pH conditions, but the alkyl chain lengths had a great influence on their bleaching performance. Increasing the alkyl chain length from 2 to 6 carbon atoms could slightly enhance bleaching performance, while increasing the alkyl chain length from 8 to 16 carbon atoms markedly reduced bleaching performance.
Is allogeneic transplantation really the best treatment for FLT3/ITD‐positive acute myeloid leukemia? A systematic review
Authors: Ma Yingying , Wu Yazhou , Shen Zhaohua , Zhang Xi , Zeng Dongfeng , Kong Peiyan 
Published: November 2014

AbstractFetal liver tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3)–internal tandem duplications (ITDs) has been used as a powerful adverse prognostic indicator for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in any age group. Evidence is mixed regarding the effects of allogeneic transplantation (allo‐HSCT) in first complete remission (CR) for patients with FLT3/ITD AML. To fill this gap, this study provides a systematic review and meta‐analysis of patients with FLT3/ITD AML receiving HSCT. A search of PubMed, Embase, and OVID yielded 1706 abstracts, two researchers screening the trials based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, and assessed the methodology quality independently. Meta‐analysis showed that compared with chemotherapy, both allo‐HSCT and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (auto‐HSCT) can reduce the relapse rate (p < 0.01) and improve both the OS (p < 0.01) and DFS (p < 0.01). But when compared allo‐HSCT with auto‐HSCT, the OS (p = 0.27) and DFS (p = 0.19) have no statistical significance, and only the relapse indicator has statistical significance, p < 0.01. Based on the results, we can conclude that allo‐HSCT is an efficient therapy approach for patients with FLT3/ITD AML. Chemotherapy cannot change the poor prognosis. Auto‐HSCT can improve OS and DFS, but it cannot reduce the relapse rate.
Life‐history variation in a species complex of nonmigratory galaxiids
Authors: Jones Peter E. , Senior Alistair , Allibone Richard M. , Closs Gerard P. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractLife‐history theory predicts that the optimal strategy in the trade‐off between egg size and number varies in relation to resource availability and environmental disturbance. We assessed interspecific differences in egg size, fecundity and other life‐history traits in a species complex of stream‐resident galaxiid fish, which are distributed across a range of contrasting habitat types on the South Island, New Zealand. Oocyte size, fecundity and reproductive effort were measured from gravid females collected immediately before spawning. Proxy measures of stream productivity, flow variability and predation pressure were extracted from modelled data sets. A suite of different egg sizes were identified across species within the Galaxias vulgaris complex, with mean oocyte volume differing by up to 133% between species. The species with the smallest eggs showed mean size‐relative fecundities 246% higher than the species with the largest eggs. A significant negative relationship was found between species’ mean egg size and size‐relative fecundity, suggesting a trade‐off between these traits. Species with larger eggs had larger maternal body size, lower reproductive effort and delayed maturity compared to ‘small‐egg’ species. Consistent with the predictions of life‐history theory, species with larger eggs, lower size‐relative fecundity, lower reproductive effort and delayed maturity were associated with low productivity, stable streams, whereas species exhibiting the opposite set of traits occurred in relatively productive but disturbed systems.
Plant diversity predicts beta but not alpha diversity of soil microbes across grasslands worldwide
Authors: Prober Suzanne M. , Leff Jonathan W. , Bates Scott T. , Borer Elizabeth T. , Firn Jennifer , Harpole W. Stanley , Lind Eric M. , Seabloom Eric W. , Adler Peter B. , Bakker Jonathan D. , Cleland Elsa E. , DeCrappeo Nicole M. , DeLorenze Elizabeth , Hagenah Nicole , Hautier Yann , Hofmockel Kirsten S. , Kirkman Kevin P. , Knops Johannes M.H. , La Pierre Kimberly J. , MacDougall Andrew S. , McCulley Rebecca L. , Mitchell Charles E. , Risch Anita C. , Schuetz Martin , Stevens Carly J. , Williams Ryan J. , Fierer Noah 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAboveground–belowground interactions exert critical controls on the composition and function of terrestrial ecosystems, yet the fundamental relationships between plant diversity and soil microbial diversity remain elusive. Theory predicts predominantly positive associations but tests within single sites have shown variable relationships, and associations between plant and microbial diversity across broad spatial scales remain largely unexplored. We compared the diversity of plant, bacterial, archaeal and fungal communities in one hundred and forty‐five 1 m2plots across 25 temperate grassland sites from four continents. Across sites, the plant alpha diversity patterns were poorly related to those observed for any soil microbial group. However, plant beta diversity (compositional dissimilarity between sites) was significantly correlated with the beta diversity of bacterial and fungal communities, even after controlling for environmental factors. Thus, across a global range of temperate grasslands, plant diversity can predict patterns in the composition of soil microbial communities, but not patterns in alpha diversity.
The biodiversity‐dependent ecosystem service debt
Authors: Isbell Forest , Tilman David , Polasky Stephen , Loreau Michel 
Published: November 2014

AbstractHabitat destruction is driving biodiversity loss in remaining ecosystems, and ecosystem functioning and services often directly depend on biodiversity. Thus, biodiversity loss is likely creating an ecosystem service debt: a gradual loss of biodiversity‐dependent benefits that people obtain from remaining fragments of natural ecosystems. Here, we develop an approach for quantifying ecosystem service debts, and illustrate its use to estimate how one anthropogenic driver, habitat destruction, could indirectly diminish one ecosystem service, carbon storage, by creating an extinction debt. We estimate that c. 2–21 Pg C could be gradually emitted globally in remaining ecosystem fragments because of plant species loss caused by nearby habitat destruction. The wide range for this estimate reflects substantial uncertainties in how many plant species will be lost, how much species loss will impact ecosystem functioning and whether plant species loss will decrease soil carbon. Our exploratory analysis suggests that biodiversity‐dependent ecosystem service debts can be globally substantial, even when locally small, if they occur diffusely across vast areas of remaining ecosystems. There is substantial value in conserving not only the quantity (area), but also the quality (biodiversity) of natural ecosystems for the sustainable provision of ecosystem services.
The influence of vitamin D on postpartum relapse and quality of life in pregnant multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Runia T. F. , Neuteboom R. F. , de Groot C. J. M. , de Rijke Y. B. , Hintzen R. Q. 
Published: November 2014

Background and purposeIn relapsing−remitting MS patients, lower serum vitamin D concentrations are associated with higher relapse risk. In a number of conditions, low vitamin D has been associated with fatigue. Pregnant women are at particular risk for vitamin D insufficiency. Our objective was to investigate whether vitamin D status is associated with postpartum relapse and quality of life during pregnancy.MethodsForty‐three pregnant relapsing−remitting MS patients and 21 pregnant controls were seen at regular times before, during and after pregnancy. At every clinical assessment visit, samples for 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) measurements and quality of life questionnaires were taken.ResultsLower 25(OH)D concentrations were not associated with postpartum relapse risk. Pregnancy 25(OH)D levels of patients and controls were not significantly different. In controls, but not patients, higher 25(OH)D concentrations were correlated with better general health, social functioning and mental health, but not with vitality.ConclusionLow vitamin D levels are not associated with postpartum relapse. In pregnant MS patients, vitamin D levels are similar to levels in healthy women and are not associated with quality of life. Therefore, with regard to quality of life and postpartum relapse, no arguments were found for advising pregnant MS patients to take more vitamin D supplements than healthy women.
Epilepsy surgery in patients with bilateral temporal lobe seizures: A systematic review
Authors: Aghakhani Yahya , Liu Xiaorong , Jette Nathalie , Wiebe Samuel 
Published: November 2014

SummaryWe explored the association between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesion, degree of seizure laterality on intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG), and seizure outcome in patients with ambiguous or presumed bilateral temporal lobe epilepsy (BiTLE) on scalp EEG. We systematically reviewed the literature using Embase and MEDLINE up to May 31, 2012. Patients with bilateral iEEG, temporal lobe surgery, and follow‐up ≥1 year were included. We undertook three separate analyses on patients whose scalp EEG showed ambiguous onset or BiTLE (1) group data of those whose iEEG demonstrated unilateral TLE, (2) group data of those whose iEEG demonstrated BiTLE, (3) individual patient analysis in those with BiTLE for whom iEEG seizure laterality data were provided. Of 1,403 patients with ambiguous or presumed BiTLE on scalp EEG, 1,027 (73%) proved to have unilateral TLE on iEEG and contributed to the first analysis. Of these, 58% had Engel class I and 9% Engel class II outcomes. Of 132 patients in the second analysis (true BiTLE), Engel class I and II outcomes were achieved in 23% and 14%, respectively. Of 41 patients in the third analysis, 66% and 2% had Engel class I and II outcomes, respectively. The median proportion of seizures ipsilateral to the resection on iEEG did not differ between BiTLE patients with Engel class I–II (76%) and Engel III–IV (78%) outcomes (p = 0.87). Patients with ambiguous or independent bitemporal seizure onset on scalp EEG achieved good surgical outcomes. Overall, a significantly higher proportion of patients achieved good outcomes when iEEG showed unilateral TLE (67%) than when it showed true BiTLE (45%). However, the degree of seizure lateralization in those with BiTLE was not associated with seizure outcome, and it has a limited role in selecting the side of surgery.
Ecological and Social Determinants of Group Cohesiveness and Within‐Group Spatial Position in Wild Assamese Macaques
Authors: Heesen Marlies , Macdonald Sally , Ostner Julia , Schülke Oliver 
Published: November 2014

AbstractIndividual spatial positioning plays an important role in mediating the costs and benefits of group living and, as such, shapes different aspects of animal social systems including group structure and cohesiveness. Here, we aim to quantify variation in individual spacing behaviour and its correlates in a group of wild Assamese macaques (Macaca assamensis) in north‐eastern Thailand, which experiences both predation pressure and within‐group feeding competition. Data on individual spatial positions were collected during group scans usingGPSdevices and results suggest that both group cohesiveness and individual spatial positions within a group can be adjusted to mediate the costs and benefits of group living. Individuals had greater nearest neighbour distances and lower numbers of close neighbours when the group was feeding, compared to when the main group activity was resting/social or moving. This is likely due to the high costs of proximity associated with feeding competition. Immature individuals and females with young infants which are more vulnerable to predation were located closer to the centre of the group than both adult males and females without infants. This indicates the importance of predation risk in driving individual spatial position. Among adults, higher ranking individuals occupied more central positions within the group while lower ranking individuals were more peripheral. It appears that low ranking individuals trade reduced feeding interference and improved feeding success for increased predation risk. This could help explain why females in the study population do not display a rank related skew in energy intake.
Impact and effects of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins derived from harmful algal blooms to marine fish
Authors: Reis Costa Pedro 
Published: November 2014

AbstractFish are frequently exposed to paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) derived from harmful algal blooms (HAB). PSTs are potent neurotoxins with strong effects on fish at multiple trophic levels. Here, we examine the historical and contemporary mass mortality events combining with the available data on response of fish to PSTs' exposure. The data show that fish are negatively affected by these natural toxins on a recurring basis. Transient effects of PSTs have also been observed in fish and although difficult to quantify, these sublethal effects can affect foraging and predation avoidance. Additionally, the spatiotemporal overlapping of fish spawning and HAB can also be critical for fish survival and fisheries recruitment. Exposure of fish in their early life stages to dissolved toxins in the water column has also been identified as a risk factor for fish survival. In the context of global climate change, where PSTs are likely to become increasingly important, new insights and a synthesis of up‐to‐date information on fish response to PSTs and the risk associated with toxic dinoflagellate blooms are presented.
Interactive effects of ocean acidification and rising sea temperatures alter predation rate and predator selectivity in reef fish communities
Authors: Ferrari Maud. C. O. , Munday Philip L. , Rummer Jodie L. , McCormick Mark I. , Corkill Katherine , Watson Sue‐Ann , Allan Bridie J. M. , Meekan Mark G. , Chivers Douglas P. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractOcean warming and acidification are serious threats to marine life. While each stressor alone has been studied in detail, their combined effects on the outcome of ecological interactions are poorly understood. We measured predation rates and predator selectivity of two closely related species of damselfish exposed to a predatory dottyback. We found temperature and CO2 interacted synergistically on overall predation rate, but antagonistically on predator selectivity. Notably, elevated CO2 or temperature alone reversed predator selectivity, but the interaction between the two stressors cancelled selectivity. Routine metabolic rates of the two prey showed strong species differences in tolerance to CO2 and not temperature, but these differences did not correlate with recorded mortality. This highlights the difficulty of linking species‐level physiological tolerance to resulting ecological outcomes. This study is the first to document both synergistic and antagonistic effects of elevated CO2 and temperature on a crucial ecological process like predator–prey dynamics.