bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unravelling the annual cycle in a migratory animal: breeding‐season habitat loss drives population declines of monarch butterflies
Authors: Flockhart D. T. Tyler , Pichancourt Jean‐Baptiste , Norris D. Ryan , Martin Tara G. 
Published: June 2014

Summary

Threats to migratory animals can occur at multiple periods of the annual cycle that are separated by thousands of kilometres and span international borders. Populations of the iconic monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) of eastern North America have declined over the last 21 years. Three hypotheses have been posed to explain the decline: habitat loss on the overwintering grounds in Mexico, habitat loss on the breeding grounds in the United States and Canada, and extreme weather events.

Our objectives were to assess population viability, determine which life stage, season and geographical region are contributing the most to population dynamics and test the three hypotheses that explain the observed population decline.

We developed a spatially structured, stochastic and density‐dependent periodic projection matrix model that integrates patterns of migratory connectivity and demographic vital rates across the annual cycle. We used perturbation analysis to determine the sensitivity of population abundance to changes in vital rate among life stages, seasons and geographical regions. Next, we compared the singular effects of each threat to the full model where all factors operate concurrently. Finally, we generated predictions to assess the risk of host plant loss as a result of genetically modified crops on current and future monarch butterfly population size and extinction probability.

Our year‐round population model predicted population declines of 14% and a quasi‐extinction probability (<1000 individuals) >5% within a century. Monarch abundance was more than four times more sensitive to perturbations of vital rates on the breeding grounds than on the wintering grounds. Simulations that considered only forest loss or climate change in Mexico predicted higher population sizes compared to milkweed declines on the breeding grounds. Our model predictions also suggest that mitigating the negative effects of genetically modified crops results in higher population size and lower extinction risk.

Recent population declines stem from reduction in milkweed host plants in the United States that arise from increasing adoption of genetically modified crops and land‐use change, not from climate change or degradation of forest habitats in Mexico. Therefore, reducing the negative effects of host plant loss on the breeding grounds is the top conservation priority to slow or halt future population declines of monarch butterflies in North America.
Does successful ovule development depend on its position within the pod? Examples from Neotropical Fabaceae
Authors: Silveira Fernando Augusto Oliveira , Fuzessy Lisieux Franco 
Published: June 2014

AbstractPrevious studies have shown a nonrandom pattern of ovule fate probabilities according to ovule position in legume pods. Here, we tested how ovule position within the pods of two Fabaceae affects its fate. We expected higher proportion of well‐formed seeds near the fruit tips and of unfertilized and aborted ovules near fruit bases. We collected pods of Poincianella pyramidalis and Anandenanthera colubrina in a seasonal dry forest in northeastern Brazil and recorded total pod length and ovule number, position, and fate (unfertilized, well formed, aborted, and predated). The proportion of well‐formed ovules at fruit tips was significantly higher than at fruit bases in P. pyramidalis. The opposite pattern was found for unfertilized and aborted ovules, thus corroborating our hypothesis. However, the probability of seed predation in A. colubrina was significantly higher in pod tips, thus providing moderate support for our hypotheses. Interspecific differences in the patterns of ovule fate are likely to be driven by species pollination systems.
EDENetworks: A user‐friendly software to build and analyse networks in biogeography, ecology and population genetics
Authors: Kivelä Mikko , Arnaud‐Haond Sophie , Saramäki Jari 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe recent application of graph‐based network theory analysis to biogeography, community ecology and population genetics has created a need for user‐friendly software, which would allow a wider accessibility to and adaptation of these methods. EDENetworks aims to fill this void by providing an easy‐to‐use interface for the whole analysis pipeline of ecological and evolutionary networks starting from matrices of species distributions, genotypes, bacterial OTUs or populations characterized genetically. The user can choose between several different ecological distance metrics, such as Bray‐Curtis or Sorensen distance, or population genetic metrics such as FST or Goldstein distances, to turn the raw data into a distance/dissimilarity matrix. This matrix is then transformed into a network by manual or automatic thresholding based on percolation theory or by building the minimum spanning tree. The networks can be visualized along with auxiliary data and analysed with various metrics such as degree, clustering coefficient, assortativity and betweenness centrality. The statistical significance of the results can be estimated either by resampling the original biological data or by null models based on permutations of the data.
Early Postpartum Breast‐Feeding Outcomes and Breast‐Feeding Self‐Efficacy in Turkish Mothers Undergoing Vaginal Birth or Cesarean Birth With Different Types of Anesthesia
Authors: Alus Tokat Merlinda , Serçekuş Pinar , Yenal Kerziban , Okumuş Hülya 
Published: June 2014

PurposeTo compare the breast‐feeding outcomes and breast‐feeding self‐efficacy, in the first 24 postpartum hours, of mothers who underwent vaginal birth, cesarean birth with epidural anesthesia, and cesarean birth with general anesthesia.MethodsA comparative study was conducted in Turkey. A total of 334 mothers participated. Data were evaluated through descriptive data form, breast‐feeding outcomes form, and the Breastfeeding Self‐Efficacy Scale.FindingsIt was observed that the mothers who had cesarean birth with general anesthesia experienced more breast‐feeding problems. With regard to breast‐feeding self‐efficacy, all the groups were similar.ConclusionFor reducing breast‐feeding problems, nurses should provide more care and support to mothers undergoing cesarean birth. Therefore, the fact that the breast‐feeding self‐efficacy was similar among the groups might be related to culture.
Prazosin has low potency at α1A‐adrenoceptors and high potency at α1D‐adrenoceptors in rat vas deferens
Authors: Docherty J. R. 
Published: June 2014

Summary

We have investigated α1‐adrenoceptor subtypes mediating contractions to noradrenaline in epididymal portions of rat vas deferens.

Contractions to noradrenaline were investigated in the absence or presence of the noradrenaline transporter blocker cocaine.

In the absence of cocaine, contractions to noradrenaline were potently antagonized by RS100329, but not by BMY7378, and so are mediated mainly by α1A‐adrenoceptors.

In the presence of cocaine, noradrenaline potency was increased, particularly in terms of low concentrations and phasic contractions. Contractions to low concentrations of noradrenaline in the presence of cocaine were resistant to RS100329 but potently antagonized by BMY7378, demonstrating that α1D‐adrenoceptors are additionally involved in contractions amplified by cocaine.

In the absence of cocaine, prazosin exhibited relatively low potency as an antagonist against the α1A‐adrenoceptor‐mediated component to the response. In the presence of cocaine, prazosin exhibited higher potency against the α1D‐adrenoceptor‐mediated component.

In conclusion, prazosin has previously unreported selectivity for α1D‐ over α1A‐adrenoceptors in functional studies of rat vas deferens. Contractions of rat vas deferens are mediated by α1A‐ and α1D‐adrenoceptors. The range of prazosin potencies and of receptor subtypes previously reported in rat vas deferens may be explained by the presence of these two subtypes.
Intraoperative sentinel lymph node assessment in breast cancer: a comparison of rapid diagnostic method based on CK19 mRNA expression and imprint cytology
Authors: Pathmanathan Nirmala , Renthawa Jasveen , French James R. , Edstrom‐Elder Elizabeth , Hall Geoffrey , Mahajan Hema , Teh Christina , Bilous Michael A. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackgroundSentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer is a routine technique for staging the axilla. The two most common methods of intraoperative histopathological assessment, imprint cytology and frozen section, are hampered by poor sensitivity and lack standardized methodology. The one‐step nuclei acid amplification (OSNA) assay is a rapid quantification of cytokeratin 19 mRNA. This prospective study compared an existing intraoperative imprint cytology protocol with the OSNA system.MethodsOf the 110 prospectively recruited patients, 98 met the inclusion criteria with a total of 170 lymph nodes. Intraoperative sentinel nodes were serially sectioned and imprints made of each cut surface for cytological assessment. Alternate slices were submitted for OSNA while the remaining slices were for final histopathological evaluation with six hematoxylin and eosin levels and one AE1/AE3 immunoperoxidase stain of each slice.ResultsOn histopathological analysis, 24.5% of patients (16.5% of nodes) had sentinel node metastases and 3.1% (2.4%) had isolated tumour cells. With isolated tumour cells cases taken as negative, the sensitivity of imprint cytology and OSNA compared with histopathology were 66.7% on patient basis (71.4% on per‐node basis) and 95.8% (89.3%), respectively. One of 22 patients with macrometastases and two of three micrometastases were designated negative while five false‐positive nodes were identified with OSNA, likely due to tissue allocation bias.ConclusionThe OSNA assay is highly sensitive in comparison with imprint cytology and may be used effectively in the intraoperative setting. Clinical follow‐up studies are warranted to further assess its use in routine practice.
Supporting Pakistani and Chinese families with young children: perspectives of mothers and health visitors
Authors: Hogg R. , de Kok B. , Netto G. , Hanley J. , Haycock‐Stuart E. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackgroundIn the UK, public health nurses (health visitors) provide support and advice to families with young children, including those from minority ethnic communities. While the need for cultural sensitivity is being increasingly recognized, the factors which contribute to this sensitivity are poorly understood. The Pakistani and Chinese communities constitute the two largest minority ethnic groups in Scotland. This study explored Pakistani and Chinese women's experience of motherhood and of the health visiting service and public health nurses' experiences of working with Chinese and Pakistani mothers.MethodsSemi‐structured individual interviews were carried out with 16 Pakistani and 15 Chinese mothers. Eight health visitors took part in two focus groups. The study was undertaken in an urban area of Scotland. Data were analysed thematically.FindingsChinese and Pakistani mothers negotiate complex processes in order to ensure that their children maintain their own ethnic identity while fitting in with their peers in their adopted country. Health visitors were seen as supportive, although sometimes advice and information given was culturally inappropriate, and their role was often poorly understood. Health visitors were anxious to be sensitive to families' religious and cultural beliefs.ConclusionsCultural sensitivity is an important factor in providing appropriate advice and help to Pakistani and Chinese families, and involves health visitors in considering views and practices on parenting which may differ across cultures, including their own. Family characteristics need to be understood on an individual basis, rather than making assumptions about clients' cultural norms and lifestyles. This is best achieved by exploring with mothers if they understand the advice and information they are being offered and also if it is appropriate to their cultural and religious beliefs.
‘They're not witches. …’ Young children and their parents' perceptions and experiences of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
Authors: Bone C. , O'Reilly M. , Karim K. , Vostanis P. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackgroundRecent initiatives have emphasized the ongoing need to include children in healthcare research, which is relevant to the development of both paediatric and mental healthcare services. Our aim was to contribute children and their parents' perceptions and experiences of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), with the objective of providing guidance for those wishing to improve inclusivity and empowerment.MethodWe performed a thematic analysis of interview data taken from 11 children (9 boys, 2 girls, aged 8–12) and their parents (12 mothers, 2 fathers), who had recently been referred to CAMHS for mental health and educational problems.ResultsThree core themes emerged from the data. Fear of the unknown refers to emotional apprehension due to uncertainty of what happens in CAMHS. However children also provided useful reassurances for future service users. Therapeutic engagement refers to the importance of being listened to and building up good relationships with professionals. Finally making services acceptable was discussed in terms of issues of accessibility, session tolerances and suggestions for the development of child‐centred services.ConclusionsChildren were able to provide potentially useful opinions of CAMHS. In a time of limited resources it is imperative that the voices of children and their parents are acknowledged in order to improve accessibility and experiences within CAMHS.
Calcitonin gene‐related peptide and vascular endothelial growth factor are expressed in lesional but not uninvolved skin in chronic spontaneous urticaria
Authors: Kay A. B. , Ying S. , Ardelean E. , Mlynek A. , Kita H. , Clark P. , Maurer M. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryBackgroundThe mechanisms for producing weals in chronic spontaneous (idiopathic) urticaria (CSU) are incompletely understood. Leucocyte infiltration with vascular leakage and expression of the potent vasoactive agents' calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are features of late‐phase allergic skin reactions, previously proposed as a model of CSU.ObjectiveTo measure CGRP and VEGF expression in lesional and non‐lesional skin from CSU patients and to compare results with a control group.MethodsEight paired biopsies (one from 4–8 h spontaneous weals and one from uninvolved skin) were taken from eight patients with CSU and nine control subjects and studied by immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy.ResultsLesional skin in CSU contained significantly more CGRP+ and VEGF+ cells than non‐lesional skin. No significant differences were observed in CGRP and VEGF expression between non‐lesional skin and controls. In lesional skin, VEGF and CGRP co‐localised to UEA‐1+ blood vessels. CGRP was also expressed by neutrophils and eosinophils and to a lesser extent by CD90+ fibroblasts, mast cells, CD3+ and CD68+ cells. CGRP and VEGF expression was not related to the duration of disease.Conclusion and Clinical RelevanceIncreased expression of CGRP and VEGF in lesional, but not uninvolved, skin indicates that these potent vasoactive agents may play a role in wealing and tissue oedema in CSU so representing novel targets in therapy.
A middle‐aged man with increasing body fat
Authors: Lam J. K. Y. , Lam K. S. L. , Chow W. S. , Tan K. C. B. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryA 51‐year‐old man was referred for evaluation of gradual increase in body fat over bilateral arms, chest and abdomen for 6 months. He was a non‐smoker and he drank at least four bottles of beer daily since the age of 18. There was no significant past medical history or any family history of obesity or endocrine diseases. Physical examination showed localized large bulk of fat over the neck, both arms and mammary regions, abdomen, and back (Figs  and ). The lower limbs and buttock were relatively spared. There was telangiectasia over the face and chest wall, but no palmar erythema nor finger clubbing. The liver span was normal, and the spleen tip was palpated 2 cm below the costal margin. Examination of the cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological system was normal.Localized large bulk of fat over both arms, mammary regions and abdomen.figureLocalized large bulk of fat over mammary regions and abdomen.figureBlood tests showed thrombocytopenia (platelet 140 × 109 L−1 [normal: 170–380 × 109 L−1]) and liver function derangement (bilirubin 27 μmol L−1, ALP 298 U L−1, ALT 127 U L−1, AST 165 U L−1, GGT 1353 U L−1, albumin 33 g L−1 and globulin 42 g L−1). His clotting profile and renal functions were normal. His hepatitis B surface antigen was positive, but his HBV DNA was <60 copies per mL. Fasting glucose was 5.0 mmol L−1. HbA1c was 5.6%. His lipid profile was satisfactory with total cholesterol of 2.9 mmol L−1, triglycerides 1.0 mmol L−1, HDL‐C 1.37 mmol L−1 and LDL‐C 1.1 mmol L−1. Ultrasound of the abdomen showed normal‐sized liver with coarsened liver parenchymal echogenicity. The spleen was enlarged to 14 cm.This middle‐aged man suffered from multiple symmetric lipomatosis and alcoholic liver disease. Dual‐energy X‐ray showed 1746 gm (40.1%), 1498 gm (32.8%) and 8322 gm (26.8%) fat over the left arm, right arm and trunk, respectively. The legs were unaffected with 1703 gm (19.4%) and 1627 gm (17.7%) fat over the left and right sides, respectively. The patient was advised to stop drinking and he declined surgical treatment.
Do founder size, genetic diversity and structure influence rates of expansion of North American grey squirrels in Europe?
Authors: Signorile A. L. , Wang J. , Lurz P. W. W. , Bertolino S. , Carbone C. , Reuman D. C. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAimThis study investigates how founder size may affect local genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure of the invasive American eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) in European areas. It also examines whether dispersal propensity and invasion rate may be related to founder size, genetic diversity and structure.LocationPiedmont, Italy; Northern Ireland, Northumberland and East Anglia, UK.MethodsAcross the invaded range in Europe, 315 squirrels from 14 locations, grouped in four areas, were sampled and examined at 12 highly polymorphic microsatellite loci. We estimated both genetic variation and population structure using AMOVA, Mantel tests and Bayesian analysis. We also estimated migration rates and range expansion rates.ResultsGenetic diversity varied in accordance with numbers of founders across populations. For instance, the Italian population had the smallest founder size and lowest genetic variability, whereas Northumberland had high values for both. Significant levels of genetic differentiation were observed in all the examined regions. Gene flow, migration and population range expansion rate were also higher in England and Ireland than in Italy.Main conclusionsPopulations descending from human‐mediated releases of few individuals were more genetically depauperate and more differentiated than populations established from a greater number of founders. Propagule pressure is therefore a significant factor in squirrel invasions. There is a trend whereby larger founder sizes were associated with greater genetic diversity, more dispersal, less local genetic differentiation and faster range expansion rate in squirrels. These findings have important management implications for controlling spread rate of squirrels and other invasive species: good practice should prioritize preventing further releases and the merging of genetically distinct populations as these events can augment genetic diversity.
Co‐occurring malformations of cortical development and SCN1A gene mutations
Authors: Barba Carmen , Parrini Elena , Coras Roland , Galuppi Anna , Craiu Dana , Kluger Gerhard , Parmeggiani Antonia , Pieper Tom , Schmitt‐Mechelke Thomas , Striano Pasquale , Giordano Flavio , Blumcke Ingmar , Guerrini Renzo 
Published: June 2014

SummaryObjectiveTo report on six patients with SCN1A mutations and malformations of cortical development (MCDs) and describe their clinical course, genetic findings, and electrographic, imaging, and neuropathologic features.MethodsThrough our database of epileptic encephalopathies, we identified 120 patients with SCN1A mutations, of which 4 had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of MCDs. We collected two further similar observations through the European Task‐force for Epilepsy Surgery in Children.ResultsThe study group consisted of five males and one female (mean age 7.4 ± 5.3 years). All patients exhibited electroclinical features consistent with the Dravet syndrome spectrum, cognitive impairment, and autistic features. Sequencing analysis of the SCN1A gene detected two missense, two truncating, and two splice‐site mutations. Brain MRI revealed bilateral periventricular nodular heterotopia (PNH) in two patients and focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) in three, and disclosed no macroscopic abnormality in one. In the MRI‐negative patient, neuropathologic study of the whole brain performed after sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), revealed multifocal micronodular dysplasia in the left temporal lobe. Two patients with FCD underwent epilepsy surgery. Neuropathology revealed FCD type IA and type IIA. Their seizure outcome was unfavorable. All four patients with FCD exhibited multiple seizure types, which always included complex partial seizures, the area of onset of which co‐localized with the region of structural abnormality.SignificanceMCDs and SCN1A gene mutations can co‐occur. Although epidemiology does not support a causative role for SCN1A mutations, loss or impaired protein function combined with the effect of susceptibility factors and genetic modifiers of the phenotypic expression of SCN1A mutations might play a role. MCDs, particularly FCD, can influence the electroclinical phenotype in patients with SCN1A‐related epilepsy. In patients with MCDs and a history of polymorphic seizures precipitated by fever, SCN1A gene testing should be performed before discussing any epilepsy surgery option, due to the possible implications for outcome.