bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cyclosporine A increases hair follicle growth by suppressing apoptosis‐inducing factor nuclear translocation: a new mechanism
Authors: Lan Shaowei , Liu Feilin , Zhao Guifang , Zhou Tong , Wu Chunling , Kou Junna , Fan Ruirui , Qi Xiaojuan , Li Yahui , Jiang Yixu , Bai Tingting , Li Pengdong , Liu Li , Hao Deshun , Zhang Lihong , Li Yulin , Liu Jin Yu 
Published: January 2015

AbstractCyclosporine A (CsA) enhances hair growth through caspase‐dependent pathways by retarding anagen‐to‐catagen phase transition in the hair follicle growth cycle. Whether apoptosis‐inducing factor (AIF), a protein that induces caspase‐independent apoptosis, can regulate the hair follicle cycle in response to CsA is currently unclear. Here, we show that the pro‐hair growth properties of CsA are in part due to blockage of AIF nuclear translocation. We first isolate hair follicles from murine dorsal skin. We then used Western blot, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence to evaluate the expression and localization of AIF in hair follicles. We also determined whether modulation of AIF was responsible for the effects of CsA at the anagen‐to‐catagen transition. AIF was expressed in hair follicles during the anagen, catagen and telogen phases. There was significant nuclear translocation of AIF as hair follicles transitioned from anagen to late catagen phase; this was inhibited by CsA, likely due to reduced cyclophilin A expression and attenuated AIF release from mitochondria. However, we note that AIF translocation was not completely eliminated, which likely explains why the transition to catagen phase was severely retarded by CsA, rather than being completely inhibited. We speculate that blockade of the AIF signalling pathway is a critical event required for CsA‐dependent promotion of hair growth in mice. The study of AIF‐related signalling pathways may provide insight into hair diseases and suggest potential novel therapeutic strategies.
Are nilotinib‐associated vascular adverse events an under‐estimated problem?
Authors: Stève‐Dumont Marie , Baldin Bernadette , Legros Laurence , Thyss Antoine , Re Daniel , Rocher Fanny , Ajmia Florian , Spreux Anne , Drici Milou‐Daniel 
Published: January 2015

AbstractVascular adverse events have been reported with nilotinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor prescribed for chronic myeloid leukaemia. However, few data specify their incidence, or whether they occur in predisposed patients. Hence, we prospectively studied 30 consecutive patients to assess the frequency of such adverse reactions and determine whether the patients presenting with these adverse events bear predisposing factors. From 3 to 73 months after nilotinib initiation, 10 of the 30 patients experienced vascular events. Three patients of these 10 were devoid of any patent cardiovascular risk factor, except for age. This study points out an occurrence more frequent than expected of vascular adverse events associated with nilotinib (> 30% vs. < 1% in summary of product characteristics), and particularly of vascular events of late onset in patients with no pre‐existing risk factors.
The ecological impact of city lighting scenarios: exploring gap crossing thresholds for urban bats
Authors: Hale James D. , Fairbrass Alison J. , Matthews Thomas J. , Davies Gemma , Sadler Jon P. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAs the global population urbanizes, dramatic changes are expected in city lighting and the urban form, which may threaten the functioning of urban ecosystems and the services they deliver. However, little is known about the ecological impact of lighting in different urban contexts. Movement is an important ecological process that can be disrupted by artificial lighting. We explored the impact of lighting on gap crossing for Pipistrellus pipistrellus, a species of bat (Chiroptera) common within UK cities. We aimed to determine whether the probability of crossing gaps in tree cover varied with crossing distance and lighting level, through stratified field surveys. We then used the resulting data on barrier thresholds to model the landscape resistance due to lighting across an entire city and explored the potential impact of scenarios for future changes to street lighting. The level of illumination required to create a barrier effect reduced as crossing distance increased. For those gaps where crossing was recorded, bats selected the darker parts of gaps. Heavily built parts of the case study city were associated with large and brightly lit gaps, and spatial models indicate movement would be highly restricted in these areas. Under a scenario for brighter street lighting, the area of accessible land cover was further reduced in heavily built parts of the city. We believe that this is the first study to demonstrate how lighting may create resistance to species movement throughout an entire city. That connectivity in urban areas is being disrupted for a relatively common species raises questions about the impacts on less tolerant groups and the resilience of bat communities in urban centres. However, this mechanistic approach raises the possibility that some ecological function could be restored in these areas through the strategic dimming of lighting and narrowing of gaps.
On the form of species–area relationships in habitat islands and true islands
Authors: Matthews Thomas J. , Guilhaumon François , Triantis Kostas A. , Borregaard Michael K. , Whittaker Robert J. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAimWe undertook the largest comparative study to date of the form of the island species–area relationship (ISAR) using 207 habitat island datasets and 601 true island datasets. We also undertook analyses of (a) the factors influencing z‐ and c‐values of the power (log–log) model and (b) how z and c vary between different island types.LocationGlobal.MethodsWe used an information theoretic approach to compare the fit of 20 ISAR models to 207 habitat island datasets. Model performance was ranked according to pre‐set criteria, including metrics of generality and efficiency. We also fitted the power (log–log) model to each dataset and analysed variation in parameter estimates and model fits as a function of key dataset characteristics using linear models and constrained analysis of principal coordinates.ResultsThe power (nonlinear) model provided the best fit to the most datasets, and was the highest ranked model overall. In general, the more complex models performed badly. Average z‐values were significantly lower for habitat island datasets than for true islands, and were higher for mountaintop and urban habitat islands than for other habitat island types. Average c‐values were significantly lower for oceanic islands, and significantly higher for inland water‐body islands, than for habitat islands. Values of z and c were related to dataset characteristics including the ratio of the largest to smallest island and the maximum and minimum richness values in a dataset.Main conclusionsOur multimodel comparisons demonstrated the nonlinear implementation of the power model to be the best overall model and thus to be a sensible choice for general use. As the z‐value of the log–log power model varied in relation to ecological and geographical properties of the study systems, caution should be employed when using canonical values for applied purposes.
Climate moderates release from nutrient limitation in natural annual plant communities
Authors: Dwyer John M. , Hobbs Richard J. , Wainwright Claire E. , Mayfield Margaret M. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAimTo assess the combined influences of nutrient enrichment, invasive species and climate on assembly processes in natural annual plant communities.LocationSouth‐west Western Australia.MethodsA comprehensive survey of winter annual plant communities (more than a thousand communities sampled in total) was undertaken across a natural moisture availability gradient in phosphorus (P)‐limited York gum woodlands exposed to different levels of anthropogenic P enrichment. Three key functional traits (height, seed mass and specific leaf area) were measured incorporating intraspecific variation. Community richness, dominance of exotic species and trait distributions were investigated along local nutrient and regional climate gradients using hierarchical linear models. Results were assessed against expectations of moisture‐regulated release from nutrient limitation based on trade‐off theories and experimental findings of synergistic water and nutrient effects.ResultsConsistent with theoretical expectations, we identified significant interactions between local P levels and regional moisture availability for many of the response variables examined. Specifically, in communities exposed to both high P and high moisture we found: (1) reduced species richness, (2) high dominance of exotic species, (3) increases in community mean trait values and (4) strongly narrowing trait ranges. These results are consistent with competitive exclusion (via light competition). In naturally low‐P situations we also identified shifting trait distributions and narrowing ranges as moisture stress increased, a finding consistent with environmental filtering.Main conclusionIn this P‐ and water‐limited system, plant community responses to P enrichment are contingent on regional moisture availability in a non‐additive fashion. The most dramatic changes are seen under high‐P and high‐moisture conditions, i.e. where productivity is high and light has become a major limiting resource. By empirically validating theory, this study enhances our ability to predict ecological responses to multifaceted drivers of global change.
A model quantifying global vegetation resistance and resilience to short‐term climate anomalies and their relationship with vegetation cover
Authors: De Keersmaecker Wanda , Lhermitte Stef , Tits Laurent , Honnay Olivier , Somers Ben , Coppin Pol 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAimIn order to mitigate the ecological, economical and social consequences of future climate change, we must understand and quantify the response of vegetation to short‐term climate anomalies. There is currently no model that quantifies vegetation resistance and resilience at a global scale while simultaneously taking climate variability into account. The goals of this study were therefore to develop a standardized indicator of short‐term vegetation resilience and resistance to drought and temperature anomalies, and to improve our understanding of vegetation resistance and resilience in drought‐sensitive areas by linking metrics of vegetation stability to the percentage of tree cover, non‐tree vegetation and bare soil.LocationGlobal.MethodsThe deviation of vegetation behaviour from expectations was quantified using anomalies in the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and modelled as a function of (1) past NDVI anomalies, (2) an instantaneous drought indicator and (3) temperature anomalies. Metrics of resistance and resilience were then extracted from the model and related to the percentages of bare soil, non‐tree vegetation and tree cover.ResultsComparisons of the globally derived resilience and resistance metrics showed low resilience and low resistance to drought in semi‐arid areas, low resistance to negative temperature anomalies in high‐latitude areas, and low resistance to positive temperature anomalies in the Sahel and Australia. In drought‐sensitive areas, resilience was highest for vegetation types with 3–20% bare soil and 5–15% tree cover.Main conclusionsOur ARx model is the first to simultaneously derive vegetation resistance and resilience metrics at a global scale, explicitly taking into account the spatial variability of short‐term climate anomalies and data reliability. Its results highlight the impact of tree cover, non‐tree vegetation and bare soil on vegetation resilience.
Disentangling the effects of land‐use change, climate and CO2 on projected future European habitat types
Authors: Lehsten Veiko , Sykes Martin T. , Scott Anna Victoria , Tzanopoulos Joseph , Kallimanis Athanasios , Mazaris Antonios , Verburg Peter H. , Schulp Catharina J. E. , Potts Simon G. , Vogiatzakis Ioannis 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAimTo project the potential European distribution of seven broad habitat categories (needle‐leaved, broad‐leaved, mixed and mediterranean forest, urban, grassland and cropland) in order to assess effects of land use, climate change and increase in CO2 on predicted habitat changes up to the year 2050.LocationEurope.MethodWe modelled the response of European vegetation to changes in land use, climate and CO2 by combining the land‐use model Dyna‐CLUE (based on the CORINE land‐cover data) and the dynamic vegetation model LPJ‐GUESS. Two reforestation options were explored: maintaining the current range of tree species (EFI) or promoting naturally occurring tree species (NAT). Climate data from two general circulation models and two SRES scenarios (A2 and B1) were used. The broad habitat types were classified according to a combination of land use and the dominant plant species.ResultsOur models predicted that croplands and grasslands are expected to decrease due to land‐use change. Although climate change has a negative effect on needle‐leaved forest, it is expected to maintain its area or even increase in the EFI reforestation option while mediterranean, broad‐leaved and mixed forests are expected to increase markedly. All investigated drivers have shown some effect, but land use is the dominant contributor to broad habitat change except for needle‐leaved and mixed which are mainly influenced by climate change.Main conclusionsLand use is predicted to have the greatest effect on broad habitat distribution according to our simulations. Hence in most parts of Europe mitigating actions should focus on land‐use change rather than climate change. According to our simulation, the effects of the different drivers are not in general additive. In some cases they act synergistically and in some cases antagonistically. The projected habitat changes are a valuable tool for species distribution modelling and are available online.
Scanning electron microscopy analysis of hair index on Karachi's population for social and professional appearance enhancement
Authors: Ali N. , Zohra R. R. , Qader S. A. U. , Mumtaz M. 
Published: February 2015

SynopsisObjectiveHair texture, appearance and pigment play an important role in social and professional communication and maintaining an overall appearance. This study was especially designed for morphological assessment of hair damage caused to Karachi's population due to natural factors and cosmetic treatments using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique.MethodsHair samples under the study of synthetic factor's effect were given several cosmetic treatments (hot straightened, bleached, synthetic dyed and henna dyed) whereas samples under natural factor's effect (variation in gender, age and pigmentation) were left untreated. Morphological assessment was performed using SEM technique. Results obtained were statistically analysed using minitab 16 and spss 18 softwares.ResultsScanning electron microscopy images revealed less number of cuticular scales in males than females of same age although size of cuticular scales was found to be larger in males than in females. Mean hair index of white hair was greater than black hair of the same head as it is comparatively newly originated. Tukey's method revealed that among cosmetic treatments, bleaching and synthetic henna caused most of the damage to the hair.ConclusionStatistical evaluation of results obtained from SEM analysis revealed that human scalp hair index show morphological variation with respect to age, gender, hair pigmentation, chemical and physical treatments. Individuals opting for cosmetic treatments could clearly visualize the extent of hair damage these may cause in long run.
Salt‐inducible kinase 3 deficiency exacerbates lipopolysaccharide‐induced endotoxin shock accompanied by increased levels of pro‐inflammatory molecules in mice
Authors: Sanosaka Masato , Fujimoto Minoru , Ohkawara Tomoharu , Nagatake Takahiro , Itoh Yumi , Kagawa Mai , Kumagai Ayako , Fuchino Hiroyuki , Kunisawa Jun , Naka Tetsuji , Takemori Hiroshi 
Published: January 2015

SummaryMacrophages play important roles in the innate immune system during infection and systemic inflammation. When bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binds to Toll‐like receptor 4 on macrophages, several signalling cascades co‐operatively up‐regulate gene expression of inflammatory molecules. The present study aimed to examine whether salt‐inducible kinase [SIK, a member of the AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) family] could contribute to the regulation of immune signal not only in cultured macrophages, but also in vivo. LPS up‐regulated SIK3 expression in murine RAW264.7 macrophages and exogenously over‐expressed SIK3 negatively regulated the expression of inflammatory molecules [interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), nitric oxide (NO) and IL‐12p40] in RAW264.7 macrophages. Conversely, these inflammatory molecule levels were up‐regulated in SIK3‐deficient thioglycollate‐elicited peritoneal macrophages (TEPM), despite no impairment of the classical signalling cascades. Forced expression of SIK3 in SIK3‐deficient TEPM suppressed the levels of the above‐mentioned inflammatory molecules. LPS injection (10 mg/kg) led to the death of all SIK3‐knockout (KO) mice within 48 hr after treatment, whereas only one mouse died in the SIK1‐KO (n = 8), SIK2‐KO (n = 9) and wild‐type (n = 8 or 9) groups. In addition, SIK3‐KO bone marrow transplantation increased LPS sensitivity of the recipient wild‐type mice, which was accompanied by an increased level of circulating IL‐6. These results suggest that SIK3 is a unique negative regulator that suppresses inflammatory molecule gene expression in LPS‐stimulated macrophages.
Optimal consensus models for group decision making under linguistic preference relations
Authors: Xu Yejun , Sun Hao , Wang Huimin 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis paper proposes an optimal consensus model to derive weights for linguistic preference relations (LPRs). Two indexes, an individual‐to‐group consensus index (ICI) and a collective consensus index (CCI), are introduced. An iterative algorithm is presented to describe the consensus reaching process. By changing the weights and modifying a pair of individuals' comparison judgments—which have largest deviation value to the group judgments—the consensus reaching process can terminate, while both ICI and CCI are controlled with predefined thresholds. The algorithm aims to preserve the decision makers’ original information as much as possible. The model and algorithm are then extended to handle the uncertain additive LPRs. Finally, two examples are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
A continental‐scale analysis of feral cat diet in Australia
Authors: Doherty Tim S. , Davis Robert A. , van Etten Eddie J. B. , Algar Dave , Collier Neil , Dickman Chris R. , Edwards Glenn , Masters Pip , Palmer Russell , Robinson Sue 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAimReducing the impacts of feral cats (Felis catus) is a priority for conservation managers across the globe, and success in achieving this aim requires a detailed understanding of the species’ ecology across a broad spectrum of climatic and environmental conditions. We reviewed the diet of the feral cat across Australia and on Australian territorial islands, seeking to identify biogeographical patterns in dietary composition and diversity, and use the results to consider how feral cats may best be managed.LocationAustralia and its territorial islands.MethodsUsing 49 published and unpublished data sets, we modelled trophic diversity and the consumption of eight food groups against latitude, longitude, mean temperature, precipitation, environmental productivity and climate‐habitat regions.ResultsWe recorded 400 vertebrate species that feral cats feed on or kill in Australia, including 28 IUCN Red List species. We found evidence of continental‐scale prey‐switching from rabbits to small mammals, previously recorded only at the local scale. The consumption of arthropods, reptiles, rabbits, rodents and medium‐sized native mammals varied with different combinations of latitude, longitude, mean annual precipitation, temperature and environmental productivity. The frequency of rodents and dasyurids in cats’ diets increased as rabbit consumption decreased.Main conclusionsThe feral cat is an opportunistic, generalist carnivore that consumes a diverse suite of vertebrate prey across Australia. It uses a facultative feeding strategy, feeding mainly on rabbits when they are available, but switching to other food groups when they are not. Control programmes aimed at culling rabbits could potentially decrease the availability of a preferred food source for cats and then lead to greater predation pressure on native mammals. The interplay between cat diet and prey species diversity at a continental scale is complex, and thus cat management is likely to be necessary and most effective at the local landscape level.
Protamine‐containing insulin allergy and renal dysfunction in a patient with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Wu Wenjun , Cheng Haiyan , Bu Ruifang 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAn 87‐year‐old woman with type 2 diabetes noticed a red itchy rash at the insulin injection sites 3 weeks after initiation of premixed insulin therapy. Laboratory data at that time showed marked eosinophilia and progression of renal dysfunction. Insulin treatment was discontinued, and antidiabetic oral drugs were used, as well as intravenous injection of dexamethasone. Her skin lesions disappeared, and both eosinophilia and renal dysfunction gradually improved. The results of skin prick tests and measurement of specific immunoglobulin E antibodies suggested that the insulin allergy was caused by protamine. Although cases of insulin allergy associated with renal dysfunction are rare, we must be aware, especially for elderly patients with poor renal function in the first application of insulin.
Mismatch in the distribution of floral ecotypes and pollinators: insights into the evolution of sexually deceptive orchids
Authors: Phillips R. D. , Bohman B. , Anthony J. M. , Krauss S. L. , Dixon K. W. , Peakall R. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractPlants are predicted to show floral adaptation to geographic variation in the most effective pollinator, potentially leading to reproductive isolation and genetic divergence. Many sexually deceptive orchids attract just a single pollinator species, limiting opportunities to experimentally investigate pollinator switching. Here, we investigate Drakaea concolor, which attracts two pollinator species. Using pollinator choice tests, we detected two morphologically similar ecotypes within D. concolor. The common ecotype only attracted Zaspilothynnus gilesi, whereas the rare ecotype also attracted an undescribed species of Pogonothynnus. The rare ecotype occurred at populations nested within the distribution of the common ecotype, with no evidence of ecotypes occurring sympatrically. Surveying for pollinators at over 100 sites revealed that ecotype identity was not correlated with wasp availability, with most orchid populations only attracting the rare Z. gilesi. Using microsatellite markers, genetic differentiation among populations was very low (GST = 0.011) regardless of ecotype, suggestive of frequent gene flow. Taken together, these results may indicate that the ability to attract Pogonothynnus has evolved recently, but this ecotype is yet to spread. The nested distribution of ecotypes, rather than the more typical formation of ecotypes in allopatry, illustrates that in sexually deceptive orchids, pollinator switching could occur throughout a species' range, resulting from multiple potentially suitable but unexploited pollinators occurring in sympatry. This unusual case of sympatric pollinators highlights D. concolor as a promising study system for further understanding the process of pollinator switching from ecological, chemical and genetic perspectives.