bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new measure of ecological network structure based on node overlap and segregation
Authors: Strona Giovanni , Veech Joseph A. 
Published: April 2015

Summary

Despite substantial recent progress, ecologists continue to search for methods of measuring the structure of ecological networks. Several studies have focused on nestedness, a pattern reflecting the tendency of network nodes to share interaction partners. Here, we introduce a new statistical procedure to measure both this kind of structure and the opposite one (i.e. species' tendency against sharing interacting partners) that we call ‘node segregation’. In addition, our procedure provides also a straightforward measure of modularity, that is, the tendency of a network to be compartmented into separated clusters of interacting nodes.

This new analytical measure of network structure assesses the average deviation between the observed number of neighbours shared by any pair of nodes (species), and the expected number, that is computed using a probabilistic approach based on simple combinatorics. The measure can be applied to both bipartite networks (such as plant–pollinators) and unimode networks (such as food webs). We tested our approach on several sets of hypothetical and real‐world networks.

We demonstrate that our approach makes it possible to identify different kinds of non‐random network configurations (nestedness, node segregation and modularity). In addition, we show that nestedness in ecological networks is less common than previously thought, and that most ecological networks (including the majority of mutualistic ones) tend towards patterns of segregated associations.

Our analyses show that the new measure of node overlap and segregation can efficiently identify different structural patterns. The results of our analyses conducted on real networks highlight the need to carefully reconsider the assumption that ecological networks are stable due to their inherent nestedness.
Protective effect of proteins derived from Calotropis procera latex against acute inflammation in rat
Authors: Kumar V. L. , Guruprasad B. , Chaudhary P. , Fatmi S. M. A. , Oliveira R. S. B. , Ramos M. V. 
Published: April 2015

Summary

The non‐dialysable proteins present in the latex of plant Calotropis procera possess anti‐inflammatory and analgesic properties.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of latex proteins (LP) on the level of inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress markers and tissue histology in the rat model of carrageenan‐induced acute inflammation. This study also aimed at evaluating the anti‐inflammatory efficacy of LP against different mediators and comparing it with their respective antagonists.

Paw inflammation was induced by subplantar injection of carrageenan, and the effect of LP was evaluated on oedema volume, level of TNF‐α, PGE2, myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide, reduced glutathione, thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances and tissue histology at the time of peak inflammation.

Paw inflammation was also induced by histamine, serotonin, bradykinin and PGE2, and the inhibitory effect of LP against these mediators was compared with their respective antagonists at the time of peak effect.

Treatment with LP produced a dose‐dependent inhibition of oedema formation, and its anti‐inflammatory effect against carrageenan‐induced paw inflammation was accompanied by reduction in the levels of inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress markers and normalization of tissue architecture.

LP also produced a dose‐dependent inhibition of oedema formation induced by different inflammatory mediators, and its efficacy was comparable to their respective antagonists and more pronounced than that of diclofenac.

Thus, our study shows that LP has a potential to be used for the treatment of various inflammatory conditions where the role of these mediators is well established.
An exploration of the views of Australian mothers on promoting child oral health
Authors: Virgo‐Milton M , Boak R , Hoare A , Gold L , Waters E , Gussy M , Calache H , O'Callaghan E , de Silva AM 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundAn important role for parents and caregivers in the prevention of dental caries in children is the early establishment of health promoting behaviours. This study aimed to examine mothers' views on barriers and facilitators to promoting child and family oral health.MethodsSemi‐structured interviews were undertaken with a purposive sample of mothers (n = 32) of young children. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted.ResultsParental knowledge and beliefs, past experiences and child behaviour emerged as major influences on children's oral health. Child temperament and parental time pressures were identified as barriers to good oral health with various strategies reported for dealing with uncooperative children at toothbrushing time. Parental oral health knowledge and beliefs emerged as positive influences on child oral health; however, while most mothers were aware of the common causes of dental caries, very few knew of other risk factors such as bedtime feeding. Parents' own oral health experiences were also seen to positively influence child oral health, regardless of whether these were positive or negative experiences.ConclusionsUnderstanding parental oral health beliefs is essential to overcoming barriers and promoting enablers for good child oral health. Improving child oral health also requires consideration of child behaviour, family influences, and increasing awareness of lesser‐known influencing factors.
Postoperative discomfort after Nd:YAG laser and conventional frenectomy: comparison of both genders
Authors: Akpınar A , Toker H , Lektemur Alpan A , Çalışır M 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundEvidence has suggested that males and females experience and report feeling pain differently. The aim of this study was to determine the postoperative perception levels of both females and males after neodymium‐doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser frenectomy and conventional frenectomy, and to compare the perceptions between genders.MethodsEighty‐nine patients requiring frenectomy were randomly assigned to have treatment with either the conventional frenectomy or with the Nd:YAG laser. Postoperative discomfort (pain, chewing, talking) was recorded using a visual analog scale (VAS) on the operation day and postoperative days 1, 3, 7 and 10.ResultsAccording to the female VAS scores of the pain, chewing and speaking discomfort were statistically higher in the conventional group than those of the laser group on the operation day, and on the first and third postoperative days. Pain discomfort in males was statistically higher in the conventional group than those of the laser group on the operation day. Speaking discomfort in males was statistically higher in the conventional group than those of the laser group on the operation day and the first postoperative day.ConclusionsThe present study indicated that Nd:YAG laser treatment used for frenectomies provides better postoperative comfort for each gender, especially in females in terms of pain, chewing and speaking than the conventional procedure up to the seventh postoperative day. According to our results, Nd:YAG laser may provide a safe, bloodless, painless surgery and an impressive alternative for frenectomy operations.
Developmental osteology of Sciaenops ocellatus and Cynoscion nebulosus (Teleostei: Sciaenidae), economically important sciaenids from the western Atlantic
Authors: Kubicek Kole M. , Conway Kevin W. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe adult skeleton in members of the economically important Sciaenidae is well documented, but information on earlier developmental stages is sparse and often focused on a particular character complex. To generate information on skeletal development in sciaenid fishes, we investigated the ontogeny of the entire skeleton in the western Atlantic Sciaenops ocellatus (Red drum) and Cynoscion nebulosus (Spotted seatrout), which are the focus of successful captive rearing programmes within the southern United States. Development of the skeleton (excluding the basisphenoid and sclerotic bones) is complete in S. ocellatus and C. nebulosus at 14.4 mm SL and 13.5 mm SL, respectively. The basisphenoid did not appear until later in development (21.9 mm SL in S. ocellatus and 19.5 mm SL in C. nebulosus), while the sclerotic bones are not present in the material examined. No major differences are identified between the ossification sequences compiled for each species. Cynoscion nebulosus exhibited variation in the presence/absence of two elements, supraneural 1 and the coronomeckelian. Lastly, we compile and compare available information on skeletal development across members of the Sciaenidae and compare the sequence of ossification compiled for S. ocellatus to that available for Danio rerio and Salminus brasiliensis (entire skeleton), and Chanos chanos (cranium only).
Model‐based prediction of the acute and long‐term safety profile of naproxen in rats
Authors: Sahota Tarjinder , Sanderson Ian , Danhof Meindert , Della Pasqua Oscar 
Published: April 2015

Background and PurposeDespite the increasing importance of biomarkers as predictors of drug effects, toxicology protocols continue to rely on the experimental evidence of adverse events (AEs) as a basis for establishing the link between indicators of safety and drug exposure. Furthermore, biomarkers may facilitate the translation of findings from animals to humans. Combined with a model‐based approach, biomarker data have the potential to predict long‐term effects arising from prolonged drug exposure. Here, we used naproxen as a paradigm to explore the feasibility of a biomarker‐guided approach for the prediction of long‐term AEs in humans.Experimental ApproachAn experimental toxicology protocol was set up for evaluating the effects of naproxen in rats, in which four active doses were tested (7.5, 15, 40 and 80 mg·kg−1). In addition to AE monitoring and histology, a few blood samples were also collected for the assessment of drug exposure, TXB2 and PGE2 levels. Non‐linear mixed effects modelling was used to analyse the data and identify covariate factors on the incidence and severity of AEs.Key ResultsModelling results showed that besides drug exposure, maximum PGE2 inhibition and treatment duration were also predictors of gastrointestinal ulceration. Although PGE2 levels were clearly linked to the incidence rates, it appeared that ulceration severity is better predicted by measures of drug exposure.Conclusions and ImplicationsThese results show that the use of a model‐based approach provides the opportunity to integrate pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and toxicity data, enabling optimization of the design, analysis and interpretation of toxicology experiments.
The atypical antipsychotics clozapine and olanzapine promote down‐regulation and display functional selectivity at human 5‐HT7 receptors
Authors: Andressen K W , Manfra O , Brevik C H , Ulsund A H , Vanhoenacker P , Levy F O , Krobert K A 
Published: April 2015

Background and PurposeClassically, ligands of GPCRs have been classified primarily upon their affinity and efficacy to activate a signal transduction pathway. Recent reports indicate that the efficacy of a particular ligand can vary depending on the receptor‐mediated response measured (e.g. activating G proteins, other downstream responses, internalization). Previously, we reported that inverse agonists induce both homo‐ and heterologous desensitization, similar to agonist stimulation, at the Gs‐coupled 5‐HT7 receptor. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether different inverse agonists at the 5‐HT7 receptor also induce internalization and/or degradation of 5‐HT7 receptors.Experimental ApproachHEK293 cells expressing 5‐HT7(a, b or d) receptors were pre‐incubated with 5‐HT, clozapine, olanzapine, mesulergine or SB269970 and their effects upon receptor density, AC activity, internalization, recruitment of β‐arrestins and lysosomal trafficking were measured.Key ResultsThe agonist 5‐HT and three out of four inverse agonists tested increased internalization independently of β‐arrestin recruitment. Among these, only the atypical antipsychotics clozapine and olanzapine promoted lysosomal sorting and reduced 5‐HT7 receptor density (∼60% reduction within 24 h). Inhibition of lysosomal degradation with chloroquine blocked the clozapine‐ and olanzapine‐induced down‐regulation of 5‐HT7 receptors. Incubation with SB269970 decreased both 5‐HT7(b) constitutive internalization and receptor density but increased 5‐HT7(d) receptor density, indicating differential ligand regulation among the 5‐HT7 splice variants.Conclusions and ImplicationsTaken together, we found that various ligands differentially activate regulatory processes governing receptor internalization and degradation in addition to signal transduction. Thus, these data extend our understanding of functional selectivity at the 5‐HT7 receptor.
Information use in colonial living
Authors: Evans Julian C. , Votier Stephen C. , Dall Sasha R. X. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTDespite the fact that many animals live in groups, there is still no clear consensus about the ecological or evolutionary mechanisms underlying colonial living. Recently, research has suggested that colonies may be important as sources of social information. The ready availability of information from conspecifics allows animals to make better decisions about avoiding predators, reducing brood parasitism, migratory phenology, mate choice, habitat choice and foraging. These choices can play a large part in the development and maintenance of colonies. Here we review the types of information provided by colonial animals and examine the different ways in which decision‐making in colonies can be enhanced by social information. We discuss what roles information might take in the evolution, formation and maintenance of colonies. In the process, we illustrate that information use permeates all aspects of colonial living.
Isoenzyme‐ and Allozyme‐Specific Inhibitors: 2,2′‐Dihydroxybenzophenones and Their Carbonyl N‐Analogues that Discriminate between Human Glutathione Transferase A1‐1 and P1‐1 Allozymes
Authors: Pouliou Foteini M. , Thireou Trias N. , Eliopoulos Elias E. , Tsoungas Petros G. , Labrou Nikolaos E. , Clonis Yannis D. 
Published: April 2015

The selectivity of certain benzophenones and their carbonyl N‐analogues was investigated towards the human GSTP1‐1 allozymes A, B and C involved in MDR. The allozymes were purified from extracts derived from E. coli harbouring the plasmids pEXP5‐CT/TOPO‐TA‐hGSTP1*A, pOXO4‐hGSTP1*B or pOXO4‐hGSTP1*C. Compound screening with each allozyme activity indicated three compounds with appreciable inhibitory potencies, 12 and 13 with P1‐1A 62% and 67%, 11 and 12 with P1‐1C 51% and 70%, whereas that of 15 fell behind with P1‐1B (41%). These findings were confirmed by IC50 values (74–125 μm). Enzyme inhibition kinetics, aided by molecular modelling and docking, revealed that there is competition with the substrate CDNB for the same binding site on the allozyme (Ki(13/A) = 63.6 ± 3.0 μm, Ki(15/B) = 198.6 ± 14.3 μm, and Ki(11/C) = 16.5 ± 2.7 μm). These data were brought into context by an in silico structural comparative analysis of the targeted proteins. Although the screened compounds showed moderate inhibitory potency against hGSTP1‐1, remarkably, some of them demonstrated absolute isoenzyme and/or allozyme selectivity.
A floral‐derived attractant for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes
Authors: von Oppen S. , Masuh H. , Licastro S. , Zerba E. , Gonzalez‐Audino P. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe reproductive success of Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) is strongly dependent on the availability of carbohydrates in the environment and the ability of the mosquitoes to locate them. The most significant source of carbohydrates for mosquitoes is nectar from flowering plants, which mosquitoes locate by their volatile compounds. The aim of our work was to identify plant volatile compounds that elicit a behavioral response in Ae. aegypti, which may be included in a mosquito trap for surveillance and/or control purposes. Landing‐preference bioassays were performed with plants of three species—Plectranthus neochilus Schltr. (Lamiaceae), Tagetes patula L. (Asteraceae), and Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv. (Brassicaceae)—as lures and toxic sugar baits as landing markers. Mosquitoes landed only on L. maritima. Freshly cut inflorescences of L. maritima elicited a positive flight response in both sexes of mosquitoes. The analysis of the compounds in the static head space of L. maritima was performed by solid phase microextraction (SPME). Of the single volatile compounds tested, acetophenone was attractive and 1‐octanol caused a flight aversive response. These findings are relevant as there are no reported plant‐derived compounds attractive to A. aegypti. As both the male and female mosquitoes sugar feed, traps baited with plant odors are able to lure the whole adult population, making it an interesting option for including in future mosquito surveillance traps.
Detection of cockroach faeces: consumption of fluorescent bait and production of UV‐light‐detectable faeces from German cockroach, Blattella germanica
Authors: Varadínová Zuzana , Frynta Daniel , Aulický Radek , Stejskal Václav 
Published: April 2015

AbstractCockroaches have long been recognized as a major source of allergens in the human environment. As some allergens produced by cockroaches are accumulated within their tiny faeces and may persist unseen in the environment, development of a reliable method for monitoring cockroach faeces distribution and abundance is crucial. Our aim was to explore the rate of consumption of fluorescent bait and defecation of UV‐light‐detectable fluorescent faeces from Blattella germanica (L.) (Blattodea: Ectobiidae) as a prerequisite for the establishment of faeces monitoring in the field. Laboratory experiments revealed that (1) the fluorescent bait was accepted by cockroaches as a food source and faeces produced after its consumption were fluorescent as well; (2) there was a positive relationship between the fluorescent bait consumed and production of fluorescent faeces; (3) single and brief consumption of fluorescent bait led to continuous fluorescent faeces production, giving cockroaches enough time (ca. 27 h) to deposit fluorescent faeces in an entire area of cockroach activity as well as in shelters. The amount of fluorescent bait consumed and the amount of fluorescent faeces produced was nevertheless different among males, non‐gravid females, and gravid females. We subsequently validated the new fluorescent faeces‐based monitoring technique in a semi‐field experiment with human observers, which revealed that fluorescent faeces were reliably identified and distinguished from environmental dirt when illuminated with a UV flashlight. We further discuss the biological perspectives of our findings and recommendations for practical use.
Effects of attention and distractor contrast on the responses of middle temporal area neurons to transient motion direction changes
Authors: Khayat Paul S. , Martinez‐Trujillo Julio C. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe ability of primates to detect transient changes in a visual scene can be influenced by the allocation of attention, as well as by the presence of distractors. We investigated the neural substrates of these effects by recording the responses of neurons in the middle temporal area (MT) of two monkeys while they detected a transient motion direction change in a moving target. We found that positioning a distractor near the target impaired the change‐detection performance of the animals. This impairment monotonically decreased as the distractor's contrast decreased. A neural correlate of this effect was a decrease in the ability of MT neurons to signal the direction change (detection sensitivity or DS) when a distractor was near the target, both located inside the neuron's receptive field. Moreover, decreasing distractor contrast increased neuronal DS. On the other hand, directing attention away from the target decreased neuronal DS. At the level of individual neurons, we found a negative correlation between the degree of response normalization and the DS. Finally, the intensity of a neuron's response to the change was predictive of the animal's reaction time, suggesting that the activity of our recorded neurons was linked to the animal's detection performance. Our results suggest that the ability of an MT neuron to signal a transient direction change is regulated by the degree of inhibitory drive into the cell. The presence of distractors, their contrast and the allocation of attention influence such inhibitory drive, therefore modulating the ability of the neurons to signal transient changes in stimulus features and consequently behavioral performance.
Saccade execution suppresses discrimination at distractor locations rather than enhancing the saccade goal location
Authors: Khan Aarlenne Z. , Blohm Gunnar , Pisella Laure , Munoz Douglas P. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAs we have limited processing abilities with respect to the plethora of visual information entering our brain, spatial selection mechanisms are crucial. These mechanisms result in both enhancing processing at a location of interest and in suppressing processing at other locations; together, they enable successful further processing of locations of interest. It has been suggested that saccade planning modulates these spatial selection mechanisms; however, the precise influence of saccades on the distribution of spatial resources underlying selection remains unclear. To this end, we compared discrimination performance at different locations (six) within a work space during different saccade tasks. We used visual discrimination performance as a behavioral measure of enhancement and suppression at the different locations. A total of 14 participants performed a dual discrimination/saccade countermanding task, which allowed us to specifically isolate the consequences of saccade execution. When a saccade was executed, discrimination performance at the cued location was never better than when fixation was maintained, suggesting that saccade execution did not enhance processing at a location more than knowing the likelihood of its appearance. However, discrimination was consistently lower at distractor (uncued) locations in all cases where a saccade was executed compared with when fixation was maintained. Based on these results, we suggest that saccade execution specifically suppresses distractor locations, whereas attention shifts (with or without an accompanying saccade) are involved in enhancing perceptual processing at the goal location.