bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Postoperative statin use and risk of biochemical recurrence following radical prostatectomy: results from the Shared Equal Access Regional Cancer Hospital (SEARCH) database
Authors: Allott Emma H. , Howard Lauren E. , Cooperberg Matthew R. , Kane Christopher J. , Aronson William J. , Terris Martha K. , Amling Christopher L. , Freedland Stephen J. 
Published: March 2014

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of statin use after radical prostatectomy (RP) on biochemical recurrence (BCR) in patients with prostate cancer who never received statins before RP.Patients and MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of 1146 RP patients within the Shared Equal Access Regional Cancer Hospital (SEARCH) database. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses were used to examine differences in risk of BCR between post‐RP statin users vs nonusers. To account for varying start dates and duration of statin use during follow‐up, post‐RP statin use was treated as a time‐dependent variable. In a secondary analysis, models were stratified by race to examine the association of post‐RP statin use with BCR among black and non‐black men.ResultsAfter adjusting for clinical and pathological characteristics, post‐RP statin use was significantly associated with 36% reduced risk of BCR (hazard ratio [HR] 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.47–0.87; P = 0.004). Post‐RP statin use remained associated with reduced risk of BCR after adjusting for preoperative serum cholesterol levels. In secondary analysis, after stratification by race, this protective association was significant in non‐black (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.32–0.75; P = 0.001) but not black men (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.53–1.28; P = 0.384).ConclusionIn this retrospective cohort of men undergoing RP, post‐RP statin use was significantly associated with reduced risk of BCR. Whether the association between post‐RP statin use and BCR differs by race requires further study. Given these findings, coupled with other studies suggesting that statins may reduce risk of advanced prostate cancer, randomised controlled trials are warranted to formally test the hypothesis that statins slow prostate cancer progression.
Can Management Improve the Value of Shade Plantations for the Endemic Species of São Tomé Island?
Authors: de Lima Ricardo F. , Viegas Leonel , Solé Nelson , Soares Estevão , Dallimer Martin , Atkinson Philip W. , Barlow Jos 
Published: March 2014

AbstractCocoa and coffee are among the most valuable tropical crops, with much of their production in areas of high biodiversity. Although this could suggest a conflict between agricultural expansion and biodiversity conservation, these crops are normally grown in shade plantations—a more biodiversity‐friendly agroforestry system. Using São Tomé Island as a case study, we examined if shade plantation can benefit biodiversity by protecting extinction‐prone island endemic species. We found that shade plantations held rich assemblages, even in comparison with forest: we estimated 30 bird and 74 tree species occurring in plantations compared to 24 bird and 108 tree species in forests. However, the structure of the assemblages was significantly different between ecosystems, with an average dissimilarity of 33.8 percent and 87.9 percent for birds and trees, respectively. Shade plantations had consistently less endemic species than the forest; we estimated a drop from 17 to 13 in birds and from 17 to 3 in trees. We also found that despite marked differences in the response of bird species to the vegetation characteristics of shade plantations, there was a strong positive link between aboveground tree biomass and endemic species richness and abundance. These results show that shade plantations hold assemblages impoverished in endemic species, but that management can improve their value for the conservation of these species. Finally, we suggest that biodiversity‐friendly certification and carbon markets are used to implement and guarantee the long‐term economical sustainability of practices that favor the endemic species in São Tomé's shade plantations.
Regional Variations in Biomass Distribution in Brazilian Savanna Woodland
Authors: de Miranda Sabrina do Couto , Bustamante Mercedes , Palace Michael , Hagen Stephen , Keller Michael , Ferreira Laerte Guimarães 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe Cerrado, the savanna biome in central Brazil, mostly comprised of woodland savanna, is experiencing intense and fast land use changes. To understand the changes in Cerrado carbon stocks, we present an overview of biomass distribution in different Cerrado vegetation types (i.e., grasslands, shrublands and forestlands). We surveyed 26 studies including 170 Cerrado sites. The grasslands presented mean total biomass of 24 Mg/ha, with 70 percent allocated in the belowground portion. In shrublands, the mean total biomass was 58 Mg/ha being 58 percent in the belowground portion. Finally, in forestlands the mean total biomass was 98 Mg/ha with 18 percent as belowground biomass. The surveyed studies presented 12 allometric equations for biomass estimate, most involving both diameter and height. Data on wood density for Cerrado shrubs and trees are not abundant and the average value was 0.66 g/cm3, similar to that found in the central portion of the Amazon Forest. We also examined the relationship between total precipitation and dry‐season intensity with biomass variation in the Cerrado shrubland using data from tropical rainfall measurement mission (TRMM) for the period 2000–2010. Dry‐season precipitation amount in cerrado areas in severe drought regions explained 29 percent of the variation in aboveground woody biomass. This finding is important in the face of the predictions of longer and more severe dry seasons in the region due to climate change.
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2/Ang‐(1–7)/Mas Axis Protects Brain from Ischemic Injury with a Tendency of Age‐dependence
Authors: Zheng Jiao‐Lin , Li Guang‐Ze , Chen Shu‐Zhen , Wang Jin‐Ju , Olson James E. , Xia Hui‐Jing , Lazartigues Eric , Zhu Yu‐Lan , Chen Yan‐Fang 
Published: March 2014

SummaryBackgroundThe angiotensin (Ang) converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)/Ang‐(1‐7)/Mas receptor pathway is an important component of the renin–angiotensin system and has been suggested to exert beneficial effects in ischemic stroke.AimsThis study explored whether the ACE2/Ang‐(1‐7)/Mas pathway has a protective effect on cerebral ischemic injury and whether this effect is affected by age.MethodsWe used three‐month and eight‐month transgenic mice with neural over‐expression of ACE2 (SA) and their age‐matched nontransgenic (NT) controls. Neurological deficits and ischemic stroke volume were determined following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). In oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) experiments on brain slices, the effects of the Mas receptor agonist (Ang1‐7) or antagonist (A779) on tissue swelling, Nox2/Nox4 expression reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell death were measured.Results(1) Middle cerebral artery occlusion ‐induced ischemic injury and neurological deficit were reduced in SA mice, especially in eight‐month animals; (2) OGD‐induced tissue swelling and cell death were decreased in SA mice with a greater reduction seen in eight‐month mice; (3) Ang‐(1–7) and A779 had opposite effects on OGD‐induced responses, which correlated with changes in Nox2/Nox4 expression and ROS production.ConclusionsAngiotensin converting enzyme 2/Ang‐(1‐7)/Mas axis protects brain from ischemic injury via the Nox/ROS signaling pathway, with a greater effect in older animals.
Endogenous Endothelial Progenitor Cells Participate in Neovascularization via CXCR4/SDF‐1 axis and Improve Outcome After Stroke
Authors: Mao Ling , Huang Ming , Chen Sheng‐Cai , Li Ya‐Nan , Xia Yuan‐Peng , He Quan‐Wei , Wang Meng‐Die , Huang Yan , Zheng Long , Hu Bo 
Published: March 2014

SummaryAimTo study whether endogenous endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are involved in neovascularization after stroke.Materials and methodsAnimal stroke models were established by subjecting male SD rats to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO). Vessels in ischemic boundary zone (IBZ) were stained with antibody against laminin at 1 to 21 days after pMCAO. EPCs and newly formed vessels were identified by staining with special markers. After inhibiting recruitment of EPCs with AMD3100, a CXCR4 antagonist, endogenous EPCs, capillary density, cerebral blood flow (CBF) in IBZ, and neurobehavioral functions were assessed by staining, FITC‐dextran, laser‐Doppler perfusion monitor, and neurologic severity score.ResultsAfter pMCAO, vessels were found in IBZ at day 3, reaching a peak at day 14. The change in number of laminin‐positive cells showed a similar pattern with that of vessels. Apart from few endothelial cells, most of laminin‐positive cells were endogenous EPCs. After treatment with AMD3100, the number of endogenous EPCs, capillary density, and CBF in IBZ were significantly reduced, and neurobehavioral functions were worse as compared with the normal saline group.ConclusionsOur findings suggested that endogenous EPCs participated in the neovascularization via CXCR4/SDF‐1 axis after pMCAO and mobilizing endogenous EPCs could be a treatment alternative for stroke.
Increased macrophage density of cardiac allograft biopsies is associated with antibody‐mediated rejection and alloantibodies to HLA antigens
Authors: Xu Lauren , Collins Jennifer , Drachenberg Cinthia , KuKuruga Debra , Burke Allen 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundAntibody‐mediated rejection (AMR) is characterized histologically by intracapillary macrophages. Macrophage density may be an alternative method of determining inflammatory changes in AMR.MethodsWe identified 118 heart transplant patients with serologic testing for HLA alloantibodies. Macrophage density was graded as 1+ (<45/mm2), 2+ (46–90/mm2), and 3+ (>90/mm2). Maximal macrophage density and complement staining over multiple biopsies were correlated with peak panel reactive antibodies (PRA), donor‐specific antibodies (DSA), and the clinical diagnosis of AMR.ResultsThe presence of PRA correlated with macrophage score (p = 0.001). Macrophage density correlated with any DSA (p < 0.0001), class I DSA (p < 0.0001), class II DSA (p < 0.0001), and class II DQ (p < 0.0001). Nine patients had clinical AMR. Among patients with AMR, 89% had a biopsy over the period of AMR with ≥3+ macrophage density (89% sensitivity); among patients without AMR, 93% of patients had no biopsy at any time with ≥3+ macrophage density (specificity). There was perfect concordance between the scores of C4d positivity and macrophage density in 61% and only partial concordance in 20%, with complete discordance in 19% in biopsies taken during clinical episodes of AMR.ConclusionsMacrophage density in allograft endomyocardial biopsies is frequently elevated during clinical episodes of AMR and correlates well with alloantibodies.
Podoplanin expression in cancer‐associated fibroblasts predicts aggressive behavior in melanoma
Authors: Kan Saori , Konishi Eiichi , Arita Takahiro , Ikemoto Chika , Takenaka Hideya , Yanagisawa Akio , Katoh Norito , Asai Jun 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundRecent studies have showed podoplanin expression in several tumors, which has been associated with lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis. Podoplanin expression in cancer‐associated fibroblasts also correlates with tumor progression. However, the association of podoplanin expression with melanomas remains unclear.MethodsTo clarify the prognostic significance of podoplanin in melanoma, podoplanin expression in tumor cells and cancer‐associated fibroblasts was examined by immunohistochemistry in tissue samples collected from 55 melanoma patients.ResultsPodoplanin expression in tumor cells was identified in 38 patients (69.1%) but did not show correlation with characteristics of tumor progression such as tumor thickness (p = 0.52) and sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis (p = 0.79). Podoplanin expression in cancer‐associated fibroblasts was observed in 25 patients (45.5%), 11 of whom (44.0%) had SLN metastasis. In contrast, only 4 of 30 patients (13.3%) with podoplanin‐negative cancer‐associated fibroblasts exhibited SLN metastasis. Podoplanin‐positive cancer‐associated fibroblasts were associated with increased tumor thickness and SLN metastasis. Furthermore, patients with podoplanin‐positive cancer‐associated fibroblasts had poorer survival than those with podoplanin‐negative cancer‐associated fibroblasts (p = 0.0148).ConclusionThe presence of podoplanin expression in cancer‐associated fibroblasts correlates with aggressive behavior in melanoma and might therefore serve as a useful prognostic factor for patients with melanoma.
Does pyrodiversity beget alpha, beta or gamma diversity? A case study using reptiles from semi‐arid Australia
Authors: Farnsworth Lisa M. , Nimmo Dale G. , Kelly Luke T. , Bennett Andrew F. , Clarke Michael F. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimA common assumption in fire ecology and management is that landscapes with a greater diversity of fire‐ages will support a greater diversity of animal species (i.e. ‘pyrodiversity begets biodiversity’). This assumption is based on the idea that landscapes with a more diverse fire history provide a greater array of post‐fire habitats, leading to a greater number of species within the landscape. We assessed the hypothesis that pyrodiversity begets biodiversity by enhancing community differentiation (β diversity), resulting in increased landscape‐scale richness (γ‐diversity). We used reptiles as a case‐study.LocationThe Mallee region of south‐eastern Australia.MethodsWe used a study design in which ‘whole’ fire mosaics (12.6 km2) were the unit of replication. Study landscapes (n = 28) were selected to represent a gradient in the diversity and extent of fire‐age classes. We surveyed reptiles by using pitfall traps at 10 sites within each landscape (280 sites in total). Reptile data were used to characterize reptile assemblages at the landscape‐scale in three ways: alpha (average within‐site diversity), beta (between‐site diversity) and gamma diversity (total diversity).ResultsThe diversity of fire‐age classes had little influence on the alpha, beta or gamma diversity of reptile assemblages. The properties of fire mosaics that most influenced assemblages were the extent of structurally important fire‐age classes. The extent of long‐unburned vegetation increased beta diversity but reduced alpha diversity of the total reptile assemblage, essentially cancelling each other out at the landscape scale.Main conclusionsThis study highlights the importance of considering multiple measures of diversity when exploring the influence of landscape properties on biodiversity, as ‘null’ results at the landscape scale (gamma diversity) can result from contrasting patterns in alpha and beta diversity. Using fire to create habitat mosaics, at the scale of this study, is unlikely to enhance the status of reptiles in the region.
Isolated with persistence or dynamically connected? Genetic patterns in a common granite outcrop endemic
Authors: Tapper S.‐L. , Byrne M. , Yates C. J. , Keppel G. , Hopper S. D. , Van Niel K. , Schut A. G. T. , Mucina L. , Wardell‐Johnson G. W. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimGranite outcrops are prominent throughout the world and harbour many endemic species. Their topographic complexity and range of environments have led to the hypothesis that they act as refugia facilitating the persistence of species through climate change. We evaluate this hypothesis by investigating the phylogeographic patterns in a common granite endemic shrub.LocationGranite outcrops of the Southwest Australian Floristic Region.MethodsChloroplast haplotypes of 89 Kunzea pulchella individuals from 16 granite outcrops were determined from sequences of three chloroplast intergenic spacer regions. Phylogenetic reconstruction and divergence dating was inferred using Bayesian and Parsimony analyses and phylogenetic relationships between haplotypes were examined in relation to geographic distributions. Nuclear diversity and differentiation of populations were assessed through analysis of 11 nuclear microsatellite loci across 384 individuals from the 16 granite outcrops.ResultsKunzea pulchella exhibited low haplotype and allelic diversity within outcrops and high levels of divergence among outcrops, indicating an ancient restriction to specific outcrops with genetic drift as the main driver of evolution. Two divergent lineages were revealed in the chloroplast phylogeny dating to the Pliocene and potentially reflecting the initial impact of increased aridity prior to isolation on individual outcrops.Main conclusionsRather than uncovering the typical pattern for Pleistocene refugia with contraction to, and expansion from particular granite outcrops, we observed persistence, prolonged isolation and divergence of populations. We suggest the persistence of K. pulchella on multiple outcrops through a period of considerable climatic change may be a result of broad climatic tolerances or contraction and expansion dynamics operating at microrefugial scales within outcrops. Our observations of low haplotype and allelic diversity within populations of K. pulchella provide some support for the latter. The enduring nature of K. pulchella and evolutionary potential of populations on individual outcrops accentuates the value of these environments for biodiversity conservation planning in a changing climate.
Beyond Dutch disease
Authors: van der Marel Erik , Dreyer Iana 
Published: March 2014

AbstractHow does the deterioration of rule of law in Russia in recent years affect its ability to move away from an export pattern dominated by natural resources? We investigate this question using three datasets for Russia's bilateral trade relations for goods, services and investment at disaggregated level with its partner countries over the world. Our empirical analysis shows that the deterioration of the rule of law in Russia since 2003 has affected the long‐run trade performance of Russia in sophisticated and technology‐intensive manufactured goods, as well as its inward investments with advanced economies. It is precisely this type of trade that Russia should nurture to diversify away from hydrocarbons export dependence. Our statistical analysis also shows that Russia remains to a large extent an outlier within the multilateral trading system. It exports disproportionately less to partner countries which are or had become members of the WTO over our period of analysis. Russia's trade appears to have been negatively affected by the accession of these countries to the WTO. Russia itself finally acceded to the WTO in July 2012 amidst signs of a modest improvement of its rule‐of‐law indicators.
GABAergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area receive dual GABA/enkephalin‐mediated inhibitory inputs from the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis
Authors: Kudo Takehiro , Konno Kohtarou , Uchigashima Motokazu , Yanagawa Yuchio , Sora Ichiro , Minami Masabumi , Watanabe Masahiko 
Published: March 2014

AbstractActivation of mu‐opioid receptor (MOR) disinhibits dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) through inhibition of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons. This mechanism is thought to play a pivotal role in mediating reward behaviors. Here, we characterised VTA‐projecting enkephalinergic neurons in the anterior division of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) and investigated their targets by examining MOR expression in the VTA. In the BST, neurons expressing preproenkephalin mRNA were exclusively GABAergic, and constituted 37.2% of the total GABAergic neurons. Using retrograde tracer injected into the VTA, 21.6% of VTA‐projecting BST neurons were shown to express preproenkephalin mRNA. Enkephalinergic projections from the BST exclusively formed symmetrical synapses onto the dendrites of VTA neurons. In the VTA, 74.1% of MOR mRNA‐expressing neurons were GABAergic, with the rest being glutamatergic neurons expressing type‐2 vesicular glutamate transporter mRNA. However, MOR mRNA was below the detection threshold in dopaminergic neurons. By immunohistochemistry, MOR was highly expressed on the extrasynaptic membranes of dendrites in GABAergic VTA neurons, including dendrites innervated by BST–VTA projection terminals. MOR was also expressed weakly on GABAergic and glutamatergic terminals in the VTA. Given that GABAAα1 is expressed at GABAergic BST–VTA synapses on dendrites of GABAergic neurons [T. Kudo et al. (2012) J. Neurosci., 32, 18035–18046], our results collectively indicate that the BST sends dual inhibitory outputs targeting GABAergic VTA neurons; GABAergic inhibition via ‘wired’ transmission, and enkephalinergic inhibition via ‘volume’ transmission. This dual inhibitory system provides the neural substrate underlying the potent disinhibitory control over dopaminergic VTA neurons exerted by the BST.
Differences in Diet Between Six Neighbouring Groups of Vervet Monkeys
Authors: Tournier Emilie , Tournier Virginia , van de Waal Erica , Barrett Alan , Brown Leslie , Bshary Redouan 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThe comparative approach provides a powerful tool to study evolutionary questions on both intra‐ and interspecific variation. It has been applied to a great variety of taxa, including primates. Primate studies differ from those on most other taxa in two ways: first, data from most study sites contain information about only one group. Second, primatologists have used the comparative approach also to identify local traditions, that is, behaviours that spread through social learning. Here, we evaluate the appropriateness of such data by comparing the diet composition of six neighbouring groups of vervet monkeys,Cercopithecus aethiops. We used scan samples to collect diet data, and abundance measures and phenology to assess the availability of the 14 most important tree species utilised during the study. We calculated indices of diet overlap, which were highly variable and could be remarkably low. Furthermore, we found significant differences between group diets with respect to the relative utilisation of 13 of the 14 tree species. For all 13 species, we found positive correlations between local abundance and appearance in the diet, consistent with the importance of local ecology for diet composition. Nevertheless, more detailed comparisons of pairs of groups often revealed significant mismatches between the relative importance of a tree species and its local abundance. In conclusion, local variation merits increased attention by primatologists. While our results are compatible with the possibility that traditions exist on a local (group) rather than population scale, alternative explanations have to be considered.