bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Historical patterns of oak population expansion in the Chautauqua Hills, Kansas
Authors: Rogers Thomas R. , Russell F. Leland 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAimRates of tree population expansion have increased in many North American landscapes that were mosaics of grasslands, savannas and woodlands historically. Consequences of woodland expansion include reduced economic return from grazing and changes in native biodiversity, but causes of woodland expansion are poorly understood. We address historical timing of blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica) and post oak (Quercus stellata) population expansion in tree–grass ecosystems, roles of climate and land use in driving this expansion, and future stability of these woodlands.LocationThe Cross Timbers ecosystem in Kansas, USA.MethodsUsing increment cores, we quantified blackjack oak and post oak age structures in four woodlands on sites that were not wooded in the 1860s. We compared timing of oak regeneration with climate fluctuations (using the Palmer drought severity index) and land‐use history. We quantified tree species composition within 5‐m radii of sampled oaks.ResultsRecruitment of both oak species increased between 1925 and 1945. Modal age classes recruited from 1935 to 1960. Recruitment was associated with dry intervals at the two sites with north‐ or east‐facing aspects. This association was driven by blackjack oak recruitment in dry intervals. Woodlands on the sites with south‐ and west‐facing aspects contained only oaks, whereas those on the sites with north‐ and east‐facing aspects contained saplings of fire‐intolerant, shade‐tolerant tree species.Main conclusionsOur results contribute to growing evidence for woodland expansion in the region during dry climate intervals. The association between drought and recruitment was influenced by slope aspect and was more pronounced in the less fire‐tolerant oak species. Although woodland expansion coincided with regional increases in fire frequency, drought and greater use of prescribed burning are likely to have reduced fire intensities by reducing fuel loads. These oak woodlands, which have developed during the 20th century, appear to form stable communities on xeric slopes but to be undergoing succession towards a mesophytic tree community on mesic slopes.
Impact of hemoglobin A1c‐based criterion on diagnosis of prediabetes: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011
Authors: Kim Chul‐Hee , Kim Hong‐Kyu , Kim Bo‐Yeon , Jung Chan‐Hee , Mok Ji‐Oh , Kang Sung‐Koo 
Published: June 2014

AbstractTo examine the impact of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) criterion on the diagnosis of prediabetes in Koreans, we analyzed nationally representative cross‐sectional data of 5,845 Korean adults aged ≥20 years from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011. Standardized prevalence rates of prediabetes in Korean adults by fasting plasma glucose (FPG; 5.6–6.9 mmol/L), HbA1c (5.7–6.4% [39–46 mmol/mol]), and combined criteria were 16.9, 28.4 and 33.8%, respectively. Among the subjects with prediabetes, 16% met FPG criteria only, 55% met HbA1c criteria only and 29% met both criteria. Prediabetic subjects who met HbA1c criteria only were significantly older, more likely to be women, and had lower hemoglobin and serum iron concentrations, whereas those who met FPG criteria only had higher body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In conclusion, introduction of HbA1c criterion markedly increased the prevalence of prediabetes in Koreans, and the two criteria identified people with different characteristics.
Nematodes associated with the double‐spined bark beetleIps duplicatus(Coleoptera:Curculionidae) in centralEurope
Authors: Grucmanová Š. , Holuša J. , Nermut' J. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractIps duplicatus(Sahlberg) is an important forest pest in centralEurope, but its nematode associates have seldom been studied. Therefore, nematodes associated withI. duplicatuswere determined at three localities in theCzechRepublic. The percentage of beetles with phoretic nematodes ranged from 18 to 65%.Micoletzkya buetschliiand other phoretic nematodes were found under elytra, on wings, and between body segments. The percentage of beetles with nematodes in the haemocoel ranged from 3 to 30%, and the nematodes includedContortylenchus diplogasterandParasitylenchuscf.aculeatus. Juveniles ofParasitorhabditis obtusa(Fuchs 1915) were found in the intestines of 0–16% of the beetles. The most abundant species inI. duplicatusgalleries wereP. obtusaandM. buetschlii. Cryptaphelenchussp.,Parasitaphelenchussp. and unidentified tylenchid juveniles also were found in the galleries. The percentage of beetles with nematodes was greater in the overwintering than in the offspring generation, and numbers of nematodes per gallery increased with gallery development.
Royal College of Physicians Intercollegiate Stroke Working Party evidence‐based guidelines for the secondary prevention of stroke through nutritional or dietary modification
Authors: Hookway C. , Gomes F. , Weekes C. E. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackgroundEach year, 15 million people worldwide and 110 000 people in England have a stroke. Having a stroke increases the risk of having another. There are a number of additional known risk factors that can be modified by diet. The present study aimed to systematically review key nutrients and diets and their role in secondary prevention, as well as provide evidence‐based guidelines for use in clinical practice. The work was conducted as part of the process to develop the 4th edition of the Royal College of Physicians' (RCP) National Clinical Guideline (NCG) for Stroke.MethodsQuestions were generated by the research team, in consultation with the Virtual Stroke Group, an online professional interest group, and the RCP Intercollegiate Stroke Working Party Guideline Development Group. Nine questions covering several individual nutrients and diet combinations were defined and searches conducted up until 31 October 2011 using five electronic databases (Embase, Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Library and Web of Science). All included studies were assessed for quality and risk of bias using van Tulder criteria for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and Quality of Reporting of Meta‐analyses (QUORUM) criteria for systematic reviews.ResultsOf 4287 abstracts were identified, 79 papers were reviewed and 29 systematic reviews and RCTs were included to provide evidence for the secondary prevention components of the guidelines. For each question, evidence statements, recommendations and practical considerations were developed.ConclusionsThis systematic review process has resulted in the development of evidence‐based guidelines for use in clinical practice and has identified areas for further research.
Interprofessional collaboration at transition of care: perspectives of child and family health nurses and midwives
Authors: Psaila Kim , Schmied Virginia , Fowler Cathrine , Kruske Sue 
Published: June 2014

Aims and objectivesTo examine collaboration in the provision of universal health services for children and families in Australia from the perspective of midwives and child health and family health nurses.BackgroundCollaboration is identified as a key concept contributing to families' smooth transition between maternity and child health services. However, evidence suggests that collaboration between services is often lacking. Few studies have explored how maternity and child health and family health services or professionals collaborate to facilitate a smooth transition.DesignThis study reports on data collected in phases 1 and 2 of a three‐phase mixed‐methods study investigating the feasibility of implementing a national approach to child health and family health services in Australia (Child Health: Researching Universal Services study).MethodsIn phase 1, consultations (via discussion groups, focus groups and teleconferences) were held with 45 midwives and 60 child health and family health nurses. Themes identified were used to develop phase 2 surveys. In phase 2, 1098 child health and family health nurses and 655 midwives returned surveys.ResultsMidwives and child health and family health nurses reported ‘some collaboration’. Midwives and child health and family health nurses indicated that collaboration was supported by having agreement on common goals and recognising and valuing the contributions of others. Organisational barriers such as poor communication and information transfer processes obstructed relationships. Good collaboration was reported more frequently when working with other professionals (such as allied health professionals) to support families with complex needs.ConclusionThis study provides information on the nature and extent of collaboration from the perspective of midwives and child health and family health nurses providing universal health services for children and families.Relevance to clinical practiceBoth professional groups emphasised the impact of service disconnection on families. However, their ability to negotiate professional differences is affected by system constraints and differing perspectives of what constitutes collaboration. Developing the capacity to collaborate is essential to ensure smooth transition of care given ongoing changes to the system.
Melatonin identified in meats and other food stuffs: potentially nutritional impact
Authors: Tan Dun‐Xian , Zanghi Brian M. , Manchester Lucien C. , Reiter Russel J. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractMelatonin has been identified in primitive photosynthetic bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals including humans. Vegetables, fruits, cereals, wine, and beers all contain melatonin. However, the melatonin content in meats has not been reported previously. Here, for the first time, we report melatonin in meats, eggs, colostrum, and in other edible food products. The levels of melatonin measured by HPLC, in lamb, beef, pork, chicken, and fish, are comparable to other food stuffs (in the range of ng/g). These levels are significantly higher than melatonin concentrations in the blood of vertebrates. As melatonin is a potent antioxidant, its presence in the meat could contribute to shelf life duration as well as preserve their quality and taste. In addition, the consumption of these foods by humans or animals could have health benefits considering the important functions of melatonin as a potent free radical scavenger and antioxidant.
The impact of antihyperlipidemic drugs on the viral load of patients with chronic hepatitis C infection: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Grammatikos G. , Farnik H. , Bon D. , Böhlig A. , Bader T. , Berg T. , Zeuzem S. , Herrmann E. 
Published: June 2014

SummarySeveral studies investigating the role of statins and fibrates in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection offered so far conflicting evidence regarding the antiviral potency of these medications, whereas combination of these drugs with pegylated interferon and ribavirin improved in some trials therapeutic outcome. We conducted a literature search to identify trials that included monoinfected HCV patients, treated with statins or fibrates as monotherapy with the primary end point of our meta‐analysis being the quantitative change of HCV‐RNA induced by these medications. Logarithmic changes of the viral load (ΔlogVL) and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated according to the DerSimonian‐Laird estimate. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed with the I² statistic. We identified eight observational studies that evaluated the potency of bezafibrate and different statins as monotherapy to induce a significant reduction of HCV‐RNA in HCV‐monoinfected patients (n = 281). Overall, a significant reduction of viral load with mean 0.19 [log10 IU/mL] (95%‐confidence interval, (CI) 0.11–0.28) could be observed when antihyperlipidemic medications were administered. Bezafibrate featured the highest antiviral efficacy (0.45 log10 reduction, 95%‐CI, 0.17–0.72) among all medications and fluvastatin (0.20 log10 reduction, 95%‐CI, 0.09–0.31) among all statins tested. Based on meta‐analysis, fibrates and statins induce a reduction of HCV viral load. We suggest that the addition of statins and fibrates to antiviral regimes, especially in HCV patients with concomitant dyslipidemia, could beside the established reduction of cardiovascular risk increase the potency of antiviral therapy.
Creating new evolutionary pathways through bioinvasion: the population genetics of brushtail possums in New Zealand
Authors: Sarre Stephen D. , Aitken Nicola , Adamack Aaron T. , MacDonald Anna J. , Gruber Bernd , Cowan Phil 
Published: June 2014

AbstractRapid increases in global trade and human movement have created novel mixtures of organisms bringing with them the potential to rapidly accelerate the evolution of new forms. The common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), introduced into New Zealand from Australia in the 19th century, is one such species having been sourced from multiple populations in its native range. Here, we combine microsatellite DNA‐ and GIS‐based spatial data to show that T. vulpecula originating from at least two different Australian locations exhibit a population structure that is commensurate with their introduction history and which cannot be explained by landscape features alone. Most importantly, we identify a hybrid zone between the two subspecies which appears to function as a barrier to dispersal. When combined with previous genetic, morphological and captive studies, our data suggest that assortative mating between the two subspecies may operate at a behavioural or species recognition level rather than through fertilization, genetic incompatibility or developmental inhibition. Nevertheless, hybridization between the two subspecies of possum clearly occurs, creating the opportunity for novel genetic combinations that would not occur in their natural ranges and which is especially likely given that multiple contact zones occur in New Zealand. This discovery has implications for wildlife management in New Zealand because multiple contact zones are likely to influence the dispersal patterns of possums and because differential susceptibility to baiting with sodium fluoroacetate between possums of different origins may promote novel genetic forms.
Differential high‐altitude adaptation and restricted gene flow across a mid‐elevation hybrid zone in Andean tit‐tyrant flycatchers
Authors: DuBay Shane G. , Witt Christopher C. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe tropical Andes are a global hotspot of avian diversity that is characterized by dramatic elevational shifts in community composition and a preponderance of recently evolved species. Bird habitats in the Andes span a nearly twofold range of atmospheric pressure that poses challenges for respiration, thermoregulation, water balance and powered flight, but the extent to which physiological constraints limit species' elevational distributions is poorly understood. We report a previously unknown hybrid zone between recently diverged flycatchers (Aves, Tyrannidae) with partially overlapping elevational ranges. The southern Anairetes reguloides has a broad elevational range (0–4200 m), while the northern Anairetes nigrocristatus is restricted to high elevations (>2200 m). We found hybrids in central Peru at elevations between ~3100 and 3800 m, with A. nigrocristatus above this elevation and A. reguloides below. We analysed variation in haematology, heart mass, morphometrics, plumage and one mitochondrial and three nuclear loci across an elevational transect that encompasses the hybrid zone. Phenotypic traits and genetic markers all showed steep clines across the hybrid zone. Haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, mean cellular haemoglobin concentration and relative heart mass each increased at altitude more strongly in A. reguloides than in A. nigrocristatus. These findings suggest that A. nigrocristatus is more resistant than A. reguloides to high‐altitude hypoxic respiratory stress. Considering that the ancestor of the genus is suggested to have been restricted to high elevations, A. reguloides may be secondarily adapted to low altitude. We conclude that differential respiratory specialization on atmospheric pressure combined with competitive exclusion maintains replacement along an elevational contour, despite interbreeding.
Lipochitooligosaccharide recognition: an ancient story
Authors: Liang Yan , Tóth Katalin , Cao Yangrong , Tanaka Kiwamu , Espinoza Catherine , Stacey Gary 
Published: June 2014

Summary

Chitin is the second most abundant polysaccharide in nature, found in crustacean shells, insect exoskeletons and fungal cell walls. The action of chitin and chitin derivatives on plants has become a very interesting story of late. Chitin is a β1‐4‐linked polymer of N‐acetyl‐d‐glucosamine (GlcNAc). In this unmodified form, chitooligosaccharides (degree of polymerization (dp) = 6–8)) are strong inducers of plant innate immunity. By contrast, when these chitooligosaccharides are acylated (so‐called lipochitooligosaccharides, LCOs) and further modified, they can act as Nod factors, the key signaling molecules that play an important role in the initiation of the legume–rhizobium symbiosis. In a similar form, these molecules can also act as Myc factors, the key signaling molecules involved in the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis. It has been proposed that Nod factor perception might have evolved from the more ancient AM symbiosis. Increasing evidence now suggests that LCO perception might have evolved from plant innate immunity signaling. In this review, we will discuss the evolutionary origin of symbiotic LCO recognition.
PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT 4 affects reactive oxygen species metabolism, cell wall and wood properties in hybrid aspen (Populus tremula L. × tremuloides)
Authors: ŚLESAK IRENEUSZ , SZECHYŃSKA‐HEBDA MAGDALENA , FEDAK HALINA , SIDORUK NATALIA , DĄBROWSKA‐BRONK JOANNA , WITOŃ DAMIAN , RUSACZONEK ANNA , ANTCZAK ANDRZEJ , DROŻDŻEK MICHAŁ , KARPIŃSKA BARBARA , KARPIŃSKI STANISŁAW 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT 4 (PAD4) gene in Arabidopsis thaliana (AtPAD4) is involved in the regulation of plant – pathogen interactions. The role of PAD4 in woody plants is not known; therefore, we characterized its function in hybrid aspen and its role in reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐dependent signalling and wood development. Three independent transgenic lines with different suppression levels of poplar PAD expression were generated. All these lines displayed deregulated ROS metabolism, which was manifested by an increased H2O2 level in the leaves and shoots, and higher activities of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and catalase (CAT) in the leaves in comparison to the wild‐type plants. However, no changes in non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ) between the transgenic lines and wild type were observed in the leaves. Moreover, changes in the ROS metabolism in the pad4 transgenic lines positively correlated with wood formation. A higher rate of cell division, decreased tracheid average size and numbers, and increased cell wall thickness were observed. The results presented here suggest that the Populus tremula × tremuloides PAD gene might be involved in the regulation of cellular ROS homeostasis and in the cell division – cell death balance that is associated with wood development.
Comparison of the response to phosphorus deficiency in two lupin species, Lupinus albus and L. angustifolius, with contrasting root morphology
Authors: FUNAYAMA‐NOGUCHI SACHIKO , NOGUCHI KO , TERASHIMA ICHIRO 
Published: June 2014

AbstractWhite lupin (Lupinus albus) produces cluster roots, an adaptation to low soil phosphorus (P). Cluster roots exude large levels of P‐solubilizing compounds such as citrate and malate. In contrast, narrow leaf lupin (L. angustifolius) is closely related to L. albus, but does not produce cluster roots. To examine the different strategies for P acquisition, we compared the growth, biomass allocation, respiratory properties and construction cost between L. albus and L. angustifolius under P‐deficient conditions. Both Lupinus species were grown in hydroponic culture with 1 or 100 μM P. Under the P‐deficient regime, L. albus produced cluster roots with little change in biomass allocation, while L. angustifolius significantly increased biomass allocation to roots. The rate of cyanide‐resistant SHAM (salicylhydroxamic acid)‐sensitive respiration was high in cluster roots and very low in roots of L. angustifolius. These results suggest a low alternative oxidase (AOX) activity in L. angustifolius roots, and thus, ATP would be produced efficiently in L. angustifolius roots. The construction cost was highest in cluster roots and lowest in L. angustifolius roots. This study shows that under P deficiency, L. albus produces high‐cost cluster roots to increase the P availability, while L. angustifolius produces large quantities of low‐cost roots to enhance P uptake.
Relative impact of mateversuspollinator availability on pollen limitation and outcrossing rates in a mass‐flowering species
Authors: Delmas C. E. L. , Escaravage N. , Cheptou P‐O. , Charrier O. , Ruzafa S. , Winterton P. , Pornon A. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractPlant mating systems are driven by several pre‐pollination factors, including pollinator availability, mate availability and reproductive traits. We investigated the relative contributions of these factors to pollination and to realized outcrossing rates in the patchily distributed mass‐flowering shrubRhododendron ferrugineum. We jointly monitored pollen limitation (comparing seed set from intact and pollen‐supplemented flowers), reproductive traits (herkogamy, flower size and autofertility) and mating patterns (progeny array analysis) in 28 natural patches varying in the level of pollinator availability (flower visitation rates) and of mate availability (patch floral display estimated as the total number of inflorescences per patch). Our results showed that patch floral display was the strongest determinant of pollination and of the realized outcrossing rates in this mass‐flowering species. We found an increase in pollen limitation and in outcrossing rates with increasing patch floral display. Reproductive traits were not significantly related to patch floral display, while autofertility was negatively correlated to outcrossing rates. These findings suggest that mate limitation, arising from high flower visitation rates in small plant patches, resulted in low pollen limitation and high selfing rates, while pollinator limitation, arising from low flower visitation rates in large plant patches, resulted in higher pollen limitation and outcrossing rates. Pollinator‐mediated selfing and geitonogamy likely alleviates pollen limitation in the case of reduced mate availability, while reduced pollinator availability (intraspecific competition for pollinator services) may result in the maintenance of high outcrossing rates despite reduced seed production.