bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ecology of grazing lawns in Africa
Authors: Hempson Gareth P. , Archibald Sally , Bond William J. , Ellis Roger P. , Grant Cornelia C. , Kruger Fred J. , Kruger Laurence M. , Moxley Courtney , Owen‐Smith Norman , Peel Mike J. S. , Smit Izak P. J. , Vickers Karen J. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACTGrazing lawns are a distinct grassland community type, characterised by short‐stature and with their persistence and spread promoted by grazing. In Africa, they reveal a long co‐evolutionary history of grasses and large mammal grazers. The attractiveness to grazers of a low‐biomass sward lies in the relatively high quality of forage, largely due to the low proportion of stem material in the sward; this encourages repeat grazing that concomitantly suppresses tall‐grass growth forms that would otherwise outcompete lawn species for light. Regular grazing that prevents shading and maintains sward quality is thus the cornerstone of grazing lawn dynamics. The strong interplay between abiotic conditions and disturbance factors, which are central to grazing lawn existence, can also cause these systems to be highly dynamic. Here we identify differences in growth form among grazing lawn grass species, and assess how compositional differences among lawn types, as well as environmental variables, influence their maintenance requirements (i.e. grazing frequency) and vulnerability to degradation. We also make a clear distinction between the processes of lawn establishment and lawn maintenance. Rainfall, soil nutrient status, grazer community composition and fire regime have strong and interactive influences on both processes. However, factors that concentrate grazing pressure (e.g. nutrient hotspots and sodic sites) have more bearing on where lawns establish. Similarly, we discuss the relevance of enhanced rates of nitrogen cycling and of sodium levels to lawn maintenance. Grazer community composition and density has considerable significance to grazing lawn dynamics; not all grazers are adapted to foraging on short‐grass swards, and differences in body size and relative mouth dimensions determine which species are able to convert tall‐grass swards into grazing lawns under different conditions. Hence, we evaluate the roles of different grazers in lawn dynamics, as well as the benefits that grazer populations derive from having access to grazing lawns. The effects of grazing lawns can extend well beyond their borders, due to their influence on grazer densities, behaviour and movements as well as fire spread, intensity and frequency. Variation in the area and proportion of a landscape that is grazing lawn can thus have a profound impact on system dynamics. We provide a conceptual model that summarises grazing lawn dynamics, and identify a rainfall range where we predict grazing lawns to be most prevalent. We also examine the biodiversity associated with grazing lawn systems, and consider their functional contribution to the conservation of this biodiversity. Finally, we assess the utility of grazing lawns as a resource in a rangeland context.
Assessment of Quality of Fetal Heart Views by 3D/4D Ultrasonography Using Spatio‐Temporal Image Correlation in the Second and Third Trimesters of Pregnancy
Authors: Rocha Luciane Alves , Rolo Liliam Cristine , Barros Fernanda Silveira Bello , Nardozza Luciano Marcondes Machado , Moron Antonio Fernandes , Araujo Júnior Edward 
Published: September 2014

ObjectiveTo assess the quality of fetal heart views by three‐dimensional/four‐dimensional (3D/4D) ultrasonography using spatio‐temporal image correlation (STIC) in the second and third trimester of pregnancy.MethodsThis prospective and cross‐sectional study was conducted at a single referral service for the screening of congenital heart diseases (CHDs), with pregnant women at 20–30 weeks' gestation with a normal fetal heart. 3D/4D STIC were obtained from the fetal heart screening in the following views: four‐chamber (4C), left and right ventricular outflow tracts (LVOT and RVOT), 3 vessels and trachea (3VT), aortic arch (AA), and ductal arch (DA). We categorized the images as satisfactory or unsatisfactory and performed McNemar's test to evaluate the differences between the two‐dimensional (2D) echocardiography and 3D/4D STIC techniques. The inter‐observer concordance was obtained by kappa coefficient.ResultsThe rate of satisfactory fetal heart views using 3D/4D STIC was 54% by using 4 planes (4C, RVOT, LVOT, and 3VT) and 14% by using 6 planes (4C, RVOT, LVOT, 3VT, AA, and DA). In contrast, 100% of the 2D echocardiography images were satisfactory (McNemar's test, P < 0.001). We observed moderate inter‐observer concordance to both 4‐ and 6 planes (κ = 0.56 and 0.43, respectively).ConclusionThe quality of the main fetal heart views by 3D/4D STIC still present some limitations compared with the 2D echocardiography.
Metabolic phenotypes of obesity influence triglyceride and inflammation homoeostasis
Authors: Perez‐Martinez Pablo , Alcala‐Diaz Juan F. , Delgado‐Lista Javier , Garcia‐Rios Antonio , Gomez‐Delgado Francisco , Marin‐Hinojosa Carmen , Rodriguez‐Cantalejo Fernando , Delgado‐Casado Nieves , Perez‐Caballero Ana I. , Fuentes‐Jimenez Francisco J. , Camargo Antonio , Tinahones Francisco J. , Ordovas Jose M. , Perez‐Jimenez Francisco , Lopez‐Miranda Jose 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundWe examined the degree of postprandial triglyceride (TG) response over the day, representing a highly dynamic state, with continuous metabolic adaptations, among normal‐weight, overweight and obese patients, according to their metabolically healthy or abnormal status.Materials and methodsA total of 1002 patients from the CORDIOPREV clinical trial (NCT00924937) were submitted to an oral fat load test meal with 0·7 g fat/kg body weight (12% saturated fatty acids (SFA), 10% polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), 43% monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), 10% protein and 25% carbohydrates). Serial blood test analysing lipid fractions and inflammation markers (high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP)) were drawn at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 h during postprandial state. We explored the dynamic response according to six body size phenotypes: (i) normal weight, metabolically healthy; (ii) normal weight, metabolically abnormal; (iii) overweight, metabolically healthy; (iv) overweight, metabolically abnormal; (v) obese, metabolically healthy; and (vi) obese, metabolically abnormal.ResultsMetabolically healthy patients displayed lower postprandial response of plasma TG and large triacylglycerol‐rich lipoproteins (TRLs)‐TG, compared with those metabolically abnormal, independently whether or not they were obese (P < 0·001 and P < 0·001, respectively). Moreover, the area under the curve (AUC) of TG and AUC of large TRLs‐TG were greater in the group of metabolically abnormal compared with the group of metabolically healthy (P < 0·001 and P < 0·001, respectively). Interestingly, metabolically abnormal subjects displayed higher postprandial response of plasma hs‐CRP than did the subgroup of normal, overweight and obese, metabolically healthy patients (P < 0·001).ConclusionsOur findings showed that certain types of the metabolic phenotypes of obesity are more favourable modulating phenotypic flexibility after a dynamic fat load test, through TG metabolism and inflammation homoeostasis. To identify, these phenotypes may be the best strategy for personalized treatment of obesity.
Carotid atherosclerotic plaque stenosis: the stabilizing role of statins
Authors: Artom Nathan , Montecucco Fabrizio , Dallegri Franco , Pende Aldo 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundBoth pathophysiology and treatments of carotid atherosclerotic plaque stenosis represent two interesting fields of strong scientific investigation. Among different drugs, safety and efficacy of statin treatment have been widely investigated and proved.Materials and methodsThis narrative review is based on the material searched for and obtained via MEDLINE and PubMed up to March 2014. The search terms we used were: ‘carotid plaque, intima‐media thickness, plaque burden, stroke’ in combination with ‘statins, pleiotropic effects, HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors, lipid‐lowering drugs’.ResultsCarotid stenosis represents both a useful parameter to evaluate the atherosclerotic burden and a target for therapeutic (medical or surgical) decisions. Statins do not only improve the lipid profile, but also induce some ‘pleiotropic’ anti‐inflammatory activities that contribute to carotid plaque stabilization. Statin‐mediated protective activities are under active investigation at subclinical levels with the potential benefit of advanced imaging techniques. However, considering that some new techniques (excepted B‐mode ultrasound) remain quite expensive, they can have for the moment an important role in research, but not in the clinical field.ConclusionsEmerging evidence suggests that statin treatment improves carotid atherosclerosis, inducing a partial regression of plaque inflammation and size. Innovative imaging techniques might also ameliorate the identification of patients at high risk of cerebrovascular and coronary events, for which preventive statin treatments might be essential.
Race‐based rejection sensitivity partially accounts for the relationship between racial discrimination and distressing attenuated positive psychotic symptoms
Authors: Anglin Deidre M. , Greenspoon Michelle , Lighty Quenesha , Ellman Lauren M. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAimSelf‐reported experiences of racial discrimination have been associated with a continuum of psychotic experiences in racial and ethnic minority populations; however, the underlying mechanisms of this relationship are not yet clear. Race‐based rejection sensitivity (RS‐race) has been associated with thought intrusions about being the target of racial discrimination; therefore, the present study aimed to determine whether RS‐race accounts for the relationship between racial discrimination and psychotic‐like experiences in racial and ethnic minority populations.MethodsA sample of 644 young adults from a US urban, predominantly immigrant, and racial and ethnic minority population was administered a self‐report inventory of psychosis risk (i.e. Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ) ), providing a dimensional assessment of the total number of attenuated positive psychotic symptoms experienced as distressing (APPS‐distress). Participants also completed the Experiences of Discrimination Questionnaire and the Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire‐Race.ResultsHierarchical linear regression analyses revealed that RS‐race and racial discrimination were both significantly related to higher levels of APPS‐distress. Bootstrapping analyses of indirect effects indicated that RS‐race partially accounted for the relationship between racial discrimination and APPS‐distress.ConclusionAlthough the cross‐sectional nature of the data limits conclusions about causal inference, our findings do suggest that racial discrimination and RS‐race may both be important for understanding risk for distress in the psychotic spectrum among racial and ethnic minority young adults. Some individuals who report racial discrimination may be more vulnerable to APPS‐distress in part because they are anxiously anticipating being racially slighted, and this should be explored further in prospective clinical high‐risk studies.
Sensory‐specific modulation of adult neurogenesis in sensory structures is associated with the type of stem cell present in the neurogenic niche of the zebrafish brain
Authors: Lindsey Benjamin W. , Di Donato Sabrina , Kaslin Jan , Tropepe Vincent 
Published: September 2014

AbstractTeleost fishes retain populations of adult stem/progenitor cells within multiple primary sensory processing structures of the mature brain. Though it has commonly been thought that their ability to give rise to adult‐born neurons is mainly associated with continuous growth throughout life, whether a relationship exists between the processing function of these structures and the addition of new neurons remains unexplored. We investigated the ultrastructural organisation and modality‐specific neurogenic plasticity of niches located in chemosensory (olfactory bulb, vagal lobe) and visual processing (periventricular grey zone, torus longitudinalis) structures of the adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) brain. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the cytoarchitecture of sensory niches includes many of the same cellular morphologies described in forebrain niches. We demonstrate that cells with a radial‐glial phenotype are present in chemosensory niches, while the niche of the caudal tectum contains putative neuroepithelial‐like cells instead. This was supported by immunohistochemical evidence showing an absence of glial markers, including glial fibrillary acidic protein, glutamine synthetase, and S100β in the tectum. By exposing animals to sensory assays we further illustrate that stem/progenitor cells and their neuronal progeny within sensory structures respond to modality‐specific stimulation at distinct stages in the process of adult neurogenesis – chemosensory niches at the level of neuronal survival and visual niches in the size of the stem/progenitor population. Our data suggest that the adult brain has the capacity for sensory‐specific modulation of adult neurogenesis and that this property may be associated with the type of stem cell present in the niche.
The effects of light and noise from urban development on biodiversity: Implications for protected areas in Australia
Authors: Newport Jenny , Shorthouse David J. , Manning Adrian D. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryGlobal population growth and associated urban development are having profound effects on biodiversity. Two major outcomes of expanding development that affect wildlife are light and noise pollution. In this paper, we review literature reporting the effects of light and noise on biodiversity, and assess implications for conservation planning in Australia. Our results clearly indicate that light and noise pollution have the potential to affect the physiology, behaviour and reproduction of a range of animal taxa. Types of effects include changes in foraging and reproductive behaviours, reduction in animal fitness, increased risk of predation and reduced reproductive success. These could have flow‐on consequences at the population and ecosystem levels. We found a significant gap in knowledge of the impact of these pollutants on Australian fauna. To reduce the effect of light and noise pollution, there needs to be careful planning of urban areas in relation to protected areas, and for biodiversity more generally. Potential measures include strategically planning the types of development and associated human activities adjacent to protected areas, and the use of shields and barriers, such as covers for lights or the use of dense native vegetation screens, while still allowing movement of animals. Changes in government standards and regulations could also help to reduce the impacts of light and noise pollution.
Seagrass rehabilitation off metropolitan Adelaide: a case study of loss, action, failure and success
Authors: Tanner Jason E. , Irving Andrew D. , Fernandes Milena , Fotheringham Doug , McArdle Alicia , Murray‐Jones Sue 
Published: September 2014

Heavy losses of 6200 ha of seagrass off the Adelaide metropolitan coast since 1949 have had substantial implications for beach management, fisheries and biodiversity. Here, we describe for managers some promising initial trials to develop a cost‐effective method to rehabilitate some of these lost seagrasses.
Homology modelling and virtual screening of P‐protein in a quest for novel antimelanogenic agent and In vitro assessments
Authors: Morya Vivek K. , Dung Nguyen H. , Singh Birendra K. , Lee Hyang‐Bok , Kim Eun‐ki 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAn adequate knowledge on molecular mechanism of melanogenesis provides an opportunity to find the novel molecular targets for the discovery and development of new cosmetics. Among various genes, the OCA2 is being essential for proper melanin synthesis, and mutation or deletion of this gene leads to oculocutaneous albinism type 2. Thus, for this study, the product of this gene, that is P‐protein, was targeted in quest for novel inhibitors as antimelanogenic agents. Based on pattern search of amino acid sequence and homology analysis, the protein structure was modelled. The role of this protein has been predicted as a tyrosine transporter of melanosomes. Thus, the molecular library was generated on the basis of tyrosine transporter inhibitor. Based on the dock score, 20 molecules have been considered as putative inhibitors for P‐protein. Among these compounds, five molecules (compound #1, #4, #8, #13 and #17) were found to be quite effective as antimelanogenic without having any toxicity. Further investigations to establish the mechanism of action, the indirect methods such as tyrosinase assay, analysis for eumelanin and pheomelanins and investigation of mRNA levels were being carried out. The results from the studies offered a new lead in antimelanogenic therapy and may be very useful for further optimization work in developing them as novel depigmenting agents.
Loss of cell invasiveness through PKC‐mediated syndecan‐1 downregulation in melanoma cells under anchorage independency
Authors: Wang ChiaChen , Tseng TingTing , Jhang Yaoyun , Tseng JenChih , Hsieh ChiaoHui , Wu Wen‐guey , Lee ShaoChen 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAnchorage‐independent survival is one of the key features for malignant tumor cells. Whether specific gene alterations contributed by anchorage independency would further affect metastatic phenotypes of melanoma cells was unclear. We adapted suspension culture of melanoma cells to establish anchorage independency. The suspended melanoma cells lost their invasive abilities in vitro. Specific loss of laminin‐binding ability in suspended melanoma cells was observed, which was correlated with downregulation of syndecan‐1 as revealed by microarray and validated by qPCR and Western blot. Modulation of syndecan‐1 expression level affected laminin binding, transwell migration and matrix metalloproteinase‐2 secretion in melanoma cells. SDC1 expression and transwell migration were correlated with activity or level of protein kinase Cδ as evidence by specific inhibitors and shRNA transfection. In this study, we compared metastatic phenotypes and gene expressions of adherent and suspended melanoma cells. The anchorage independency led to protein kinase Cδ‐mediated syndecan‐1 downregulation, which contributed to loss of laminin‐binding ability, reduced metalloproteinase‐2 secretion and loss of invasiveness.
Identifying species at extinction risk using global models of anthropogenic impact
Authors: Peters Howard , O'Leary Bethan C. , Hawkins Julie P. , Roberts Callum M. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Endangered Species employs a robust, standardized approach to assess extinction threat focussed on taxa approaching an end‐point in population decline. Used alone, we argue this enforces a reactive approach to conservation. Species not assessed as threatened but which occur predominantly in areas with high levels of anthropogenic impact may require proactive conservation management to prevent loss. We matched distribution and bathymetric range data from the global Red List assessment of 632 species of marine cone snails with human impacts and projected ocean thermal stress and aragonite saturation (a proxy for ocean acidification). Our results show 67 species categorized as ‘Least Concern’ have 70% or more of their occupancy in places subject to high and very high levels of human impact with 18 highly restricted species (range <100 km2) living exclusively in such places. Using a range‐rarity scoring method we identified where clusters of endemic species are subject to all three stressors: high human impact, declining aragonite saturation levels and elevated thermal stress. Our approach reinforces Red List threatened status, highlights candidate species for reassessment, contributes important evidential data to minimize data deficiency and identifies regions and species for proactive conservation.
Rifabutin‐based High‐dose Proton‐pump Inhibitor and Amoxicillin Triple Regimen as the Rescue treatment for Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Lim Hyun Chul , Lee Yong Jae , An Byoungrak , Lee Seung Woo , Lee Yong Chan , Moon Byung Soo 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundRifabutin has been known to be effective in multidrug‐resistant Helicobacter pylori‐harboring patients undergoing treatment failure for H. pylori infection.AimTo evaluate the efficacy of 7‐day treatment regimen consisting rifabutin daily but increasing the dose of amoxicillin and lansoprazole in patients who have failed first and second eradication and to assess the side effect profiles in South Korea.MethodsFrom December 2007 to May 2013, 59 H. pylori‐infected patients with two previous eradication failures were enrolled for this study prospectively. The eligible patients were randomly assigned to either group A or B. Group A received lansoprazole 30 mg bid, amoxicillin 1.0 g tid and rifabutin 150 mg bid during 7 days, whereas group B received lansoprazole 60 mg bid, amoxicillin 1.0 g tid and rifabutin 150 mg bid during 7 days.ResultsIn group A, H. pylori eradication was achieved in 25 (78.1%) of the 32 patients in the ITT analysis and in 25 (80.6%) of the 31 patients in the PP analysis. In group B, H. pylori eradication was achieved in 26 (96.3%) of the 27 patients in the ITT analysis and in 27 (100%) of the 26 patients in the PP analysis. There was statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the eradication rates in PP analysis (p = .047), whereas a marginally statistical significance was found in terms of the eradication rates in ITT analysis (p = .051). Reported side effects were mild, and treatment was well tolerated. No major changes in physical examination or in standard laboratory parameters were observed after treatment.ConclusionsRifabutin‐based high‐dose proton‐pump inhibitor (PPI)‐combined therapy as empirical rescue treatment is more effective than standard dose PPI‐combined rifabutin‐based therapy, safe and best tolerable in third‐line therapy in the Korean population. The key to successful rescue therapy with rifabutin–amoxicillin–PPI regimen may be to increase doses of PPI.
Pathological findings in spontaneous pneumothorax specimens: does the incidence of unexpected clinically significant findings justify routine histological examination?
Authors: Sauter Jennifer L , Butnor Kelly J 
Published: September 2014

AimsThe utility of routine histological examination of clinically primary spontaneous pneumothorax (SPTX) specimens has been questioned. In this retrospective study, we aimed to assess the clinical significance of unexpectedSPTXhistopathological findings, to determine whether such findings justify routine histological examination ofSPTXspecimens.Methods and resultsRecords and slides from allSPTXresections at our institution from 2002–2012 were reviewed. Clinically significant unexpected histological findings were identified in 8.3% of 72 patients, including: one patient with lung cancer, one with endometriosis, one with Birt–Hogg–Dubé (BHD) syndrome, and three with ‘bong lung’. Detection ofBHDsyndrome has the potential to avert advanced renal carcinoma by identifying individuals who should undergo periodic abdominalCTscreening. The cost of treating a case of advanced renal carcinoma far exceeds that of histologically examining allSPTXspecimens received in a 10‐year period at our institution.ConclusionsGross examination alone is an inadequate evaluation ofSPTXspecimens. This is the first study to demonstrate that routine histological examination ofSPTXspecimens is justified, in that it discloses unexpected findings that are clinically significant and impact on patient management.