bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Carrion subsidies provided by fishermen increase predation of beach‐nesting bird nests by facultative scavengers
Authors: Rees J. D. , Webb J. K. , Crowther M. S. , Letnic M. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractMany predators are also scavengers that feed on carrion and human refuse. Therefore, the availability of carrion can elevate the abundance or activity of facultative scavengers, amplifying predation pressure on prey. On Australian beaches, fishermen often discard fish carcasses that could attract facultative scavengers, both native, such as Australian ravens Corvus coronoides, and invasive, such as European red foxes Vulpes vulpes, and result in elevated rates of predation on wildlife. We tested whether the presence of fish carcasses increased the risk of depredation for nearby nests of beach‐nesting birds by deploying artificial nests in 12 subsidized and 12 control patches, spaced 1 km apart, on a beach. We placed a fish carcass in each subsidized patch, but not at control patches. In each patch, we placed two artificial nests, which resembled red‐capped plover Charadrius ruficapillus nests, 80 m apart and 40 m from carcasses at subsidized patches. Nest predators were identified from tracks and predator activity near subsidized and control nests was measured by counting tracks crossing a straight transect (220 m). The activity of a native predator, the Australian raven, was 17 times higher near (<80 m) nests with fish carcasses than nests without carcasses. After 72 h, 96% of nests near carcasses were depredated compared with 30% of nests without carcasses. Ravens were identified as the culprit for 80% of depredated nests. Although other predators were present in the study area, they did not depredate artificial nests in this experiment. Previous studies have highlighted the effects of permanent and/or large‐scale food resources on scavenger abundance and impact. A key management implication of our study is that even small, sparsely distributed, temporally irregular food subsidies, provided by humans, can elevate the activity and predatory impacts of facultative scavengers.
Testosterone Therapy Differently Regulates the Anti‐ and Pro‐Inflammatory Cytokines in the Plasma and Prostate of Rats Submitted to Chronic Ethanol Consumption (UChB)
Authors: Mendes Leonardo Oiveira , Scarano Wellerson Rodrigo , Rochel‐Maia Sabrina Santos , Fioruci‐Fontaneli Beatriz Aparecida , Chuffa Luiz Gustavo Almeida , Martinez Francisco Eduardo 
Published: May 2014

ProblemEthanol consumption damages the prostate, and testosterone is known by anti‐inflammatory role.Methods of StudyThe cytokines were investigated in the plasma and ventral prostate of UChB rats submitted or not to testosterone therapy by ELISA and Western blot, respectively. Additionally, inflammatory foci and mast cells were identified in the ventral prostate slides stained by hematoxylin and eosin and toluidine blue, respectively.ResultsInflammatory foci were found in the ethanol‐treated animals and absent after testosterone therapy. Plasma levels of IL‐6 and IL‐10 were not changed while TNFα and TFG‐β1 were increased in the animals submitted testosterone therapy. Regarding to ventral prostate, IL‐6 did not alter, while IL‐10, TNFα, and TFG‐β1 were increased after testosterone therapy. Ethanol increases NFR2 in addition to high number of intact and degranulated mast cell which were reduced after testosterone therapy.ConclusionsSo, ethanol and testosterone differentially modulates the cytokines in the plasma and prostate.
Nonparametric Kernel Methods with Errors‐in‐Variables: Constructing Estimators, Computing them, and Avoiding Common Mistakes
Authors: Delaigle Aurore 
Published: May 2014

SummaryEstimating a curve nonparametrically from data measured with error is a difficult problem that has been studied by many authors. Constructing a consistent estimator in this context can sometimes be quite challenging, and in this paper we review some of the tools that have been developed in the literature for kernel‐based approaches, founded on the Fourier transform and a more general unbiased score technique. We use those tools to rederive some of the existing nonparametric density and regression estimators for data contaminated by classical or Berkson errors, and discuss how to compute these estimators in practice. We also review some mistakes made by those working in the area, and highlight a number of problems with an existing R package decon.
PACAP and its receptors in migraine pathophysiology: Commentary on Walker et al., Br J Pharmacol 171: 1521–1533
Authors: Edvinsson Lars 
Published: May 2014

Linked ArticleThis article is a Commentary on Walker CS, Sundrum T and Hay DL (2014). PACAP receptor pharmacology and agonist bias: analysis in primary neurons and glia from the trigeminal ganglia and transfected cells. Br J Pharmacol 171: 1521–1553. doi: 10.1111/bph.12541
Ligand requirements for involvement of PKCε in synergistic analgesic interactions between spinal μ and δ opioid receptors
Authors: Schuster D J , Metcalf M D , Kitto K F , Messing R O , Fairbanks C A , Wilcox G L 
Published: May 2014

Background and PurposeWe recently found that PKCε was required for spinal analgesic synergy between two GPCRs, δ opioid receptors and α2A adrenoceptors, co‐located in the same cellular subpopulation. We sought to determine if co‐delivery of μ and δ opioid receptor agonists would similarly result in synergy requiring PKCε.Experimental ApproachCombinations of μ and δ opioid receptor agonists were co‐administered intrathecally by direct lumbar puncture to PKCε‐wild‐type (PKCε‐WT) and ‐knockout (PKCε‐KO) mice. Antinociception was assessed using the hot‐water tail‐flick assay. Drug interactions were evaluated by isobolographic analysis.Key ResultsAll agonists produced comparable antinociception in both PKCε‐WT and PKCε‐KO mice. Of 19 agonist combinations that produced analgesic synergy, only 3 required PKCε for a synergistic interaction. In these three combinations, one of the agonists was morphine, although not all combinations involving morphine required PKCε. Morphine + deltorphin II and morphine + deltorphin I required PKCε for synergy, whereas a similar combination, morphine + deltorphin, did not. Additionally, morphine + oxymorphindole required PKCε for synergy, whereas a similar combination, morphine + oxycodindole, did not.Conclusions and ImplicationsWe discovered biased agonism for a specific signalling pathway at the level of spinally co‐delivered opioid agonists. As the bias is only revealed by an appropriate ligand combination and cannot be accounted for by a single drug, it is likely that the receptors these agonists act on are interacting with each other. Our results support the existence of μ and δ opioid receptor heteromers at the spinal level in vivo.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Opioids: New Pathways to Functional Selectivity. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-2
Kdo2‐lipid A: structural diversity and impact on immunopharmacology
Authors: Wang Xiaoyuan , Quinn Peter J. , Yan Aixin 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT3‐deoxy‐d‐manno‐octulosonic acid‐lipid A (Kdo2‐lipid A) is the essential component of lipopolysaccharide in most Gram‐negative bacteria and the minimal structural component to sustain bacterial viability. It serves as the active component of lipopolysaccharide to stimulate potent host immune responses through the complex of Toll‐like‐receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloid differentiation protein 2. The entire biosynthetic pathway of Escherichia coli Kdo2‐lipid A has been elucidated and the nine enzymes of the pathway are shared by most Gram‐negative bacteria, indicating conserved Kdo2‐lipid A structure across different species. Yet many bacteria can modify the structure of their Kdo2‐lipid A which serves as a strategy to modulate bacterial virulence and adapt to different growth environments as well as to avoid recognition by the mammalian innate immune systems. Key enzymes and receptors involved in Kdo2‐lipid A biosynthesis, structural modification and its interaction with the TLR4 pathway represent a clear opportunity for immunopharmacological exploitation. These include the development of novel antibiotics targeting key biosynthetic enzymes and utilization of structurally modified Kdo2‐lipid A or correspondingly engineered live bacteria as vaccines and adjuvants. Kdo2‐lipid A/TLR4 antagonists can also be applied in anti‐inflammatory interventions. This review summarizes recent knowledge on both the fundamental processes of Kdo2‐lipid A biosynthesis, structural modification and immune stimulation, and applied research on pharmacological exploitations of these processes for therapeutic development.
How to manage an adolescent girl presenting with features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); an exemplar for adolescent health care in endocrinology
Authors: Mani Hamidreza , Potdar Neelam , Gleeson Helena 
Published: May 2014

SummaryPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or the potential diagnosis of PCOS, is one of the most common reasons for adolescent girls to present to endocrinology clinics. A diagnosis of PCOS has the potential to affect the young person, not only physically, but psychologically and socially. It is important we have the knowledge, skills and attitudes to work effectively with young people to address their concerns and meet their information needs. Successful engagement and management of adolescents with PCOS may have implications in adult life. In this article, the challenges of making the diagnosis of PCOS and introducing lifestyle change and the necessary skills for working with young people are discussed.
Behavioural evolution in penguins does not reflect phylogeny
Authors: Paterson Adrian M. , Wallis Graham P. , Kennedy Martyn , Gray Russell D. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractOver the past two decades, behavioural biologists and ecologists have made effective use of the comparative method, but have often stopped short of adopting an explicitly phylogenetic approach. We examined 68 behaviour and life history (BLH) traits of 15 penguin species to: (i) infer penguin phylogeny, (ii) assess homology of behavioural characters, and (iii) evaluate hypotheses about character evolution and ancestral states. Parsimony analysis of theBLHdataset found either two shortest trees (characters coded as unordered) or a single shortest tree (characters coded as a combination of unordered and Dollo). TheBLHdata had significant structure. Kishino–Hasegawa tests indicated thatBLHtrees were significantly different from most previous estimates of penguin phylogeny. TheBLHphylogeny generated from Dollo characters appeared to be less accurate than the tree derived from the completely unordered dataset. DividingBLHdata into display and non‐display traits resulted in no significant differences in level of homoplasy and no difference in the accuracy of phylogeny. Tests for homology ofBLHtraits were performed by mapping the characters onto a molecular tree. Assuming that independent gains are less likely than losses of character states, 65 of the 68 characters were likely to be homologous across taxa, and at least several characters appeared to have been stable since the origin of modern penguins around 30 Myr. Finally, the likelyBLHtraits of the most recent common ancestor of extant penguins were reconstructed from character states along the internal branch leading to the penguins. This analysis suggested that the “proto‐penguin” probably had a similar life history to current temperate penguins but few ritualized behaviours. A southern, cool‐temperate origin of penguins is suggested.
Insulin secretion measured by stimulated C‐peptide in long‐established Type 1 diabetes in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT)/ Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) cohort: a pilot study
Authors: McGee P. , Steffes M. , Nowicki M. , Bayless M. , Gubitosi‐Klug R. , Cleary P. , Lachin J. , Palmer J. ,   the DCCT/EDIC Research Group
Published: May 2014

AbstractAimsTo evaluate whether clinically relevant concentrations of stimulated C‐peptide in response to a mixed‐meal tolerance test can be detected after almost 30 years of diabetes in people included in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications cohort.MethodsMixed‐meal tolerance tests were performed in a sample of 58 people. C‐peptide levels were measured using a chemiluminescent immunoassay. This sample size assured a high probability of detecting C‐peptide response if the true prevalence was at least 5%, a level that would justify the subsequent assessment of C‐peptide in the entire cohort.ResultsOf the 58 participants, 17% showed a definite response, defined as one or more post‐stimulus concentrations of C‐peptide > 0.03 nmol/l, and measurable concentrations were found in all participants.ConclusionsThese results show that a stimulated C‐peptide response can be measured in some people with long‐term Type 1 diabetes. Further investigation of all participants in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications study will help relate long‐term residual C‐peptide response to glycaemia over time and provide insight into the relevance of this response in terms of insulin dose, severe hypoglycaemia, retinopathy, nephropathy and macrovascular disease. Establishing the clinical relevance of long‐term C‐peptide responses is important in understanding the impact that therapy to preserve or improve β‐cell function may have in patients with long‐term Type 1 diabetes.
Cold‐adapted species in a warming world – an explorative study on the impact of high winter temperatures on a continental butterfly
Authors: Stuhldreher Gregor , Hermann Gabriel , Fartmann Thomas 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIncreasing evidence suggests that global warming significantly alters the range and phenology of plants and animals. Whereas thermophilous species usually benefit from rising temperatures, the living conditions of taxa adapted to cooler or continental climates are deteriorating. The woodland ringlet butterfly, Erebia medusa Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) is one of the continental species that are supposed to be adversely affected by climate change, especially by rising winter temperatures. Here, we conduct an explorative study on the effects of low, moderate, and high winter temperatures on the pre‐adult and adult stages of E. medusa in a laboratory experiment. Compared to the two other temperature regimes, the warm winter treatment led to an earlier termination of diapause and higher larval weights at the end of the winter, but significantly lower survival rates. The after‐effects of the warm treatment included lower weight of the pupae and adult females, shorter forewings of adult males, and earlier emergence of both adult males and females. In natural environments, which are characterized by a much greater thermal variability and a much higher frequency of soil freeze‐thaw events compared to our experiment, the effects of rising winter temperatures might be stronger than in this study. Thus, we conclude that warmer winters pose a non‐negligible long‐term threat to E. medusa.
Consequences of climate and body size on the foraging performance of seed‐eating ants
Authors: SEGEV UDI , TIELBÖRGER KATJA , LUBIN YAEL , KIGEL JAIME 
Published: May 2014

1. Changes in climatic factors could have major effects on the foraging performance of animals. To date, however, no study has attempted to examine the concurrent effect of different climatic factors on foraging performance of individual organisms.2. In the present study, this issue was addressed by studying changes in foraging performance of seed‐eating ant colonies of the genus Messor in response to variation in precipitation and ambient temperature along a macroecological gradient. In addition, we examined the way three colony‐level attributes, foraging distance, forager number, and variance in worker‐size, could affect foraging performance in those ants. Foraging performance was measured as size matching, i.e. the correlation between forager size and load size. The study was carried out for 2 years in six sites along a south‐north productivity gradient in a semi‐arid region of the Eastern‐Mediterranean.3. Size matching increased with increased precipitation as well as with an increase in worker‐size variability, but slightly decreased with increasing temperatures, as predicted by foraging‐decision models. In contrast, foraging distance had no effect on size matching. Interestingly, size matching showed a unimodal relationship with forager number.4. These results indicate that interplay between climate and body size affects foraging performance either directly via physiological constraints, or indirectly through their effect on food availability. Moreover, this is one of the first evidences to support the assumption that ant colonies can differ in their ability to optimally allocate their workforce in natural environments. This emphasises the importance of studying the way foraging strategies vary across environmental gradients at macroecological scales.
The suppression of epileptiform discharges in cultured hippocampal neurons is regulated via alterations in full‐length tropomyosin‐related kinase type B receptors signalling activity
Authors: Xie Wei , Song Yi‐Jun , Li Dai , Pan Li‐Ping , Wu Qiu‐Jing , Tian Xin 
Published: May 2014

AbstractEpilepsy is a common neurological disease. Understanding the mechanisms of epileptogenesis at the cellular and molecular levels may provide novel targets for preventing this disorder. Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor tropomyosin‐related kinase type B (TrkB) are believed to be critical for epileptogenesis. Previous studies have revealed possible changes in the expression of full‐length TrkB receptors (TrkB.FL) and truncated TrkB receptors (TrkB.T) in neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, we investigated alterations in TrkB receptor expression and TrkB signalling activity in a rat hippocampal neuronal model of spontaneous recurrent epileptiform discharges (SREDs) and the effects on the epileptiform discharges. To induce epileptiform discharges, we established a model with Mg2+‐free treatment. We found a dramatic upregulation of TrkB.T and a decrease in TrkB.FL in the SREDs model. Calpain contributed to the downregulation of TrkB.FL. The upregulation of TrkB.T required transcription and translation activity. Furthermore, BDNF induced the activation of TrkB.FL signalling. However, TrkB.FL signalling was inhibited in the SREDs model. Although calpain inhibitors prevented a decrease in TrkB.FL, they did not restrain the downregulation of TrkB.FL signalling activity in the model. However, a SREDs model with a translation inhibitor prevented the increase in TrkB.T and re‐activated TrkB.FL signalling activity. Finally, we used electrophysiology to observe that a downregulation of TrkB.T could relieve the representative epileptiform discharges in the model. These results, taken together, demonstrate that alterations in TrkB.FL signalling may be regulated via TrkB.T receptors. Upregulation of TrkB.FL signalling suppresses epileptiform discharges in the SREDs model.
Mating Group Size in Dusky Dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus): Costs and Benefits of Scramble Competition
Authors: Orbach Dara N. , Packard Jane M. , Würsig Bernd 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIn fission–fusion social systems with scramble competition between males, multiple males join mating groups while surrounding an oestrous female. If male decisions to join a mating group have been shaped by natural selection, then there should be an optimal group size resulting from the trade‐offs between the benefits of monopolizing a female in small groups and the energy lost in defending her from rivals in large groups. Male dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) offKaikoura,NewZealand, provide a unique opportunity to assess the optimum mating group size because they join transient mating groups not confounded by foraging or predator evasion. Within aggregations of up to 1000 individuals, males search for oestrous females, encountering choices of staying with a large mating group or leaving to find a smaller group. Mating groups typically involve multiple males mating with a single female. We conducted focal follows of mating groups (N = 44) by vessel fromNovember 2011 throughJanuary 2012. We used video and aGPSto record group size, behaviour and movement. For each group, we measured potential costs (SwimSpeed,Loss ofMonopolizationPotential) and benefits (CopulationRate andDuration,EnergySavings). OnlyLoss ofMonopolizationPotential was positively correlated with group size, whileEnergySavings was negatively correlated. Using these two factors as utility functions, we constructed an optimality model and predicted the optimal mating group size to be seven individuals with a range of 4–11 individuals due to variance. The observed modal mating group size was five dolphins, with a range of 2–15. We compare variation in mating group currencies and sizes to past studies. We discuss potential limitations of applying optimality models to predict mating group size for socially complex and behaviourally plastic species such as dolphins.
Lymphocytic Gastritis is not Associated with active Helicobacter pylori Infection
Authors: Nielsen Jennifer A. , Roberts Cory A. , Lager Donna J. , Putcha Rajesh V. , Jain Rajeev , Lewin Matthew 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackgroundLymphocytic gastritis (LG), characterized by marked intra‐epithelial lymphocytosis in the gastric mucosa, has been frequently associated with both celiac disease (CD) and H. pylori gastritis. The aim of this study was to review and correlate the morphology of LG with the presence of CD and H. pylori.Materials and MethodsGastric biopsies diagnosed with LG from 1/1/2006 to 8/1/2013 at our institution and corresponding small bowel biopsies, when available, were reviewed for verification of the diagnosis and to assess for the presence of H. pylori and CD. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for H. pylori was performed on all gastric biopsies. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were obtained from the medical record.ResultsFifty‐four of the 56 cases that met inclusion criteria demonstrated significant intra‐epithelial lymphocytosis as the predominant histologic abnormality; however, none were associated with H. pylori infection by IHC staining. Two cases that also showed a prominent intra‐epithelial and lamina propria neutrophilic infiltrate were both positive for H. pylori and were excluded from further study. Of the 36 small bowel biopsies available, 19 (53%) showed changes in CD.ConclusionsLG is not a distinct clinicopathologic entity, but a morphologic pattern of gastric injury that can be secondary to a variety of underlying etiologies. When restricted to cases with lymphocytosis alone, LG is strongly associated with CD and not with active H. pylori infection. However, cases that also show significant neutrophilic infiltrate should be regarded as “active chronic gastritis” and are often associated with H. pylori infection. A morphologic diagnosis of LG should prompt clinical and serologic workup to exclude underlying CD.