bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Engineer pioneer plants respond to and affect geomorphic constraints similarly along water–terrestrial interfaces world‐wide
Authors: Corenblit Dov , Baas Andreas , Balke Thorsten , Bouma Tjeerd , Fromard François , Garófano‐Gómez Virginia , González Eduardo , Gurnell Angela M. , Hortobágyi Borbála , Julien Frédéric , Kim Daehyun , Lambs Luc , Stallins J. Anthony , Steiger Johannes , Tabacchi Eric , Walcker Romain 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAimWithin fluvial and coastal ecosystems world‐wide, flows of water, wind and sediment generate a shifting landscape mosaic composed of bare substrate and pioneer and mature vegetation successional stages. Pioneer plant species that colonize these ecosystems at the land–water interface have developed specific traits in response to environmental constraints (response traits) and are able to modify habitat conditions by modulating geomorphic processes (effect traits). Changes in the geomorphic environment under the control of engineer plants often feed back to organism traits (feedback traits), and thereby ecosystem functioning, leading to eco‐evolutionary dynamics. Here we explain the joint foundations of fluvial and coastal ecosystems according to feedback between plants and the geomorphic environment.LocationDynamic fluvial and coastal ecosystems world‐wide.MethodDrawing from a pre‐existing model of ‘fluvial biogeomorphic succession’, we propose a conceptual framework showing that fluvial and coastal ‘biogeomorphic ecosystems’ are functionally similar due to eco‐evolutionary feedbacks between plants and geomorphology.ResultsThe relationships between plant traits and their geomorphic environments within different fluvial and coastal biogeomorphic ecosystems are identified and classified within a framework of biogeomorphic functional similarity according to three criteria: (1) pioneer plants develop specific responses to the geomorphic environment; (2) engineer plants modulate the geomorphic environment; (3) geomorphic changes under biotic control within biogeomorphic ecosystems feed back to organisms.Main conclusionsThe conceptual framework of functional similarity proposed here will improve our capacity to analyse, compare, manage and restore fluvial and coastal biogeomorphic ecosystems world‐wide by using the same protocols based on the three criteria and four phases of the biogeomorphic succession model.
The geography of snake reproductive mode: a global analysis of the evolution of snake viviparity
Authors: Feldman Anat , Bauer Aaron M. , Castro‐Herrera Fernando , Chirio Laurent , Das Indraneil , Doan Tiffany M. , Maza Erez , Meirte Danny , de Campos Nogueira Cristiano , Nagy Zoltán Tamás , Torres‐Carvajal Omar , Uetz Peter , Meiri Shai 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAimAlthough most reptiles are oviparous, viviparity is a common mode of reproduction in squamates and has evolved multiple times in different lineages. We test two prevailing hypotheses regarding the biogeography of reptile reproductive modes to evaluate the selective forces driving the evolution of viviparity in snakes. The cold climate hypothesis posits that viviparity is selected for in cold climates, whereas the climatic predictability hypothesis predicts that viviparity is advantageous in seasonal climates.LocationGlobal.MethodsWe collated detailed distribution maps and reproductive mode data for 2663 species of the world's terrestrial alethinophidian snakes. We studied the relationship between snake reproductive mode and environmental predictors. We applied both an ecological and an evolutionary approach to study snake reproductive mode by performing the analyses at the assemblage level and species level, respectively. We analysed our data at the global and continental scales to learn whether tendencies to viviparity are similar world‐wide.ResultsWe found strong support for the cold climate hypothesis and the assumption that viviparity is an adaptation to cold environments. There was little support for the climatic predictability hypothesis. Nonetheless, viviparous species are not restricted to cold environments.Main conclusionsWe conclude that viviparity is adaptive in cold climates, but not necessarily in unpredictable/seasonal climates. Current distributions may not reflect the climate at the time and place of speciation. We suspect many viviparous snakes inhabiting warm climates are members of lineages that originated in colder regions, and their occurrence in maladaptive environments is a result of phylogenetic conservatism.
The compositional similarity of urban forests among the world's cities is scale dependent
Authors: Yang Jun , La Sorte Frank A. , Pyšek Petr , Yan Pengbo , Nowak David , McBride Joe 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAimWe examined species composition of urban forests from local to global scales using occurrence and abundance information to determine how compositional similarity is defined across spatial scales. We predicted that urban forests have become more homogeneous world‐wide, which should result in minimal scale dependence that is more pronounced for non‐native species, especially when considering abundance information.LocationThirty‐eight cities world‐wide.MethodsWe estimated compositional dissimilarities of urban forests, including both spontaneous and cultivated trees, from local to global spatial scales using six dissimilarity metrics. We used redundancy analysis to determine how climate, geographic distance and anthropogenic factors are related to compositional dissimilarity among cities. These analyses were implemented for all species combined and for native and non‐native species separately.ResultsThe 38 cities contained a median of 77 tree species, with a greater percentage of these classified as native (median = 58%). The similarity of urban forests was scale dependent, declining as the spatial scale increased – an outcome that did not differ when considering native and non‐native species separately. Climate, geographic distance and city age were the main factors describing variation in tree species composition among cities. The addition of abundance information resulted in lower dissimilarity across spatial scales.Main conclusionsCompositional similarity of urban forests is a scale‐dependent phenomenon that is not affected by the presence or absence of non‐native species, suggesting a limited role for biotic interchange in promoting homogenization. However, compositional similarity across spatial scales increased uniformly with the addition of abundance information, suggesting that patterns of abundance may have greater biological relevance when homogenization trends among urban forests are considered.
Is hepcidin‐25 a predictor of atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients?
Authors: Kali Alaaddin , Yayar Ozlem , Erdogan Bulent , Eser Baris , Buyukbakkal Mehmet , Ercan Zafer , Merhametsiz Ozgur , Haspulat Ayhan , Gök Oğuz Ebru , Canbakan Basol , Ayli Mehmet D. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAtherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in hemodialysis patients. Iron accumulation in arterial wall macrophages is increased in atherosclerotic lesions. Hepcidin is a key hepatic hormone regulating iron balance. It inhibits iron release from macrophages and iron absorption from enterocytes by binding and inactivating the cellular iron exporter ferroportin. The aim of this study is to investigate the relation of hepcidin‐25, iron parameters, and atherosclerosis measured by carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) in hemodialysis patients. Eighty‐two hemodialysis patients were enrolled in this cross‐sectional study. Predialysis blood samples were centrifuged at 1500 g and 4°C for 10 minutes and stored at −80°C for the measurement of hepcidin‐25. DRG hepcidin enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kit was used for the measurement of hepcidin‐25. Ultrasonographical B‐mode imaging of bilateral carotid arteries was performed with a high‐resolution real‐time ultrasonography (Mindray DC7). Mean age of the study population was 57.90 ± 16.08 years and 43.9% were men. Total study population was grouped into two according to median value of hepcidin‐25. There was no difference between groups with respect to age, dialysis vintage, and C‐reactive protein. CIMT was found to be statistically significantly higher in low hepcidin‐25 group. In correlation analysis, CIMT was found to be correlated with age (P < 0.01, R = 0.33) and hepcidin‐25 (P < 0.01, R = 0.46). In linear regression analysis, age (β = 0.31) and hepcidin‐25 (β = 0.44) were found to be the determinants of CIMT in hemodialysis patients. Our results implicate that hepcidin may take part in pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease in hemodialysis patients.
Opportunistic habitat use byOsmoderma barnabita(Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), a saproxylic beetle dependent on tree cavities
Authors: Landvik Matti , Niemelä Pekka , Roslin Tomas 
Published: September 2015

AbstractGenusOsmoderma, a flagship taxon for invertebrate conservation in Europe, consists of beetles specialised in tree hollows.We established the range and habitat requirements ofO. barnabitain Finland. Taking a hierarchical approach, we used volunteer entomologists to map the national distribution of the species. Within the range defined, we established its habitat requirements at a hierarchy of scales, from the local microhabitat (i.e. tree species, amount and type of wood mould), to the host tree (its size and status as being dead or alive), and the insolation properties and accessibility of the site.In Finland,O. barnabitawas found to occur within a single area, focused on the country's largest oak‐containing woodland. Within this restricted range, the pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) was proved to be the most preferred host, with additional occurrences on trees such as lime (Tilia) and alder (Alnus). Large tree individuals were more frequently occupied than the smaller ones, with an incidence of 90% on the largest oaks. Against this background, factors describing other aspects of the environment added no independent power to explain the incidence.Based on the current results,O.barnabitarequires a large network of tree hollows. Within such a network, it will occur with a high probability in almost any large, hollow tree, regardless of the finer characteristics of the tree or its cavities. Thus, the conservation management ofO. barnabitashould be focused on securing a good supply of suitable veteran trees rather than managing individual trees with established occurrences of the species.
Delivering Fiscal Squeeze by Cutting Local Government Spending
Authors: Innes David , Tetlow Gemma 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe financial crisis of 2008 and associated recession led to a permanent deterioration in the outlook for the UK's public finances. As part of the fiscal consolidation implemented by the UK government, grants to local authorities in England were cut by more than a third in real terms between 2009–10 and 2014–15. With limited revenue‐raising powers, these cuts meant drastic reductions in local authority spending in total and per person: local authority spending per person fell in real terms by 23.4 per cent over this period. But the size of spending cuts per person differed greatly across local authorities, ranging from 46.3 per cent to 6.2 per cent. On average, the distribution of the cuts across authorities does not seem to reflect the principle of ‘equalisation’ that was, at least in theory, in place up until 2013–14; the local authorities with least revenue‐raising capacity (which are typically the most deprived) have on average actually seen the largest spending cuts. Moreover, this pattern looks set to continue over the next five years, with those authorities that have seen the largest cuts to date also expected to see the largest cuts in future.
Historical climatic variability and geographical barriers as drivers of community composition in a biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Oswald Jessica A. , Burleigh J. Gordon , Steadman David W. , Robinson Scott K. , Kratter Andrew W. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAimTo evaluate the roles of Quaternary (< 2.6 Ma) climatic stability and geologic barriers (i.e. the Andes Mountains) in shaping the modern community composition and patterns of endemism in Neotropical dry forest bird communities.LocationMarañón Valley and Tumbes, north‐western Peru.MethodsWe recorded presence and abundance of species in six dry forest bird communities on either side of the Andes Mountains. We used the data to calculate the beta diversity and phylogenetic beta diversity across regional and local scales. We compared the observed results to randomly permuted communities to determine if the communities were significantly more or less similar than we would expect by chance. Mantel tests evaluated whether beta diversity and phylogenetic beta diversity measures were correlated and whether there was a correlation between spatial distance and community diversity.ResultsBird community composition, including abundance, is highly heterogeneous in north‐western Peru, even at relatively local scales. Communities on either side of the Andes are significantly different based on beta diversity and phylogenetic beta diversity. Communities subjected to more historical climatic fluctuations share a more similar species composition than communities that are relatively buffered from climatic change.Main conclusionsThe Andes structure dry forest bird communities in north‐western Peru. Greater community similarity in climatically unstable areas may be the product of formerly more continuous forest and/or movement of species among communities. In climatically stable regions, species turnover is not different from random expectations, which may reflect habitat loss and increased homogenization from anthropogenic landscape changes. Both the Andes and the historical (Quaternary) climatic regimes of north‐western Peru are likely responsible for the high endemism and distributions of its dry forest bird communities.
Repeat Procedures After Hybrid Thoracoscopic Ablation in the Setting of Longstanding Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: Electrophysiological Findings and 2‐Year Clinical Outcome
Authors: VELAGIC VEDRAN , DE ASMUNDIS CARLO , MUGNAI GIACOMO , IRFAN GHAZALA , HUNUK BURAK , STROKER ERWIN , HACIOGLU EBRU , UMBRAIN VINCENT , BECKERS STEFAN , CZAPLA JENS , WELLENS FRANCIS , NIJS JAN , BRUGADA PEDRO , LA MEIR MARK , CHIERCHIA GIAN‐BATTISTA 
Published: September 2015

Lessons Learned from the Hybrid Redo ProceduresIntroductionIn order to increase success rates of invasive treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation, the hybrid approach was developed, combining video‐assisted thoracoscopic epicardial procedure with conventional endocardial catheter ablation. Currently, there are no reports of electrophysiological findings and clinical outcomes of repeat procedures after the hybrid approach.Methods and ResultsOut of 64 patients who were treated by hybrid ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), 14 underwent the repeat catheter ablation and were selected for this study. All 14 patients initially presented with longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation and markedly dilated atria. The hybrid procedure was performed in a single act and the mean time to redo procedure was 346 ± 227 days. In 57% of patients indication for redo procedure was regular atrial tachycardia, and the rest presented with recurrent atrial fibrillation. In 36% of patients, recovered conduction was found along the previous ablation lesions. Only 9% of pulmonary veins were reconnected (0.36 veins per patient) and 7% of box lesions were not complete. The overall success rate at 2 years follow‐up after the repeat procedure, including second repeat procedure and patients taking antiarrhythmic drugs, was 64% (57% without drugs and further ablation). One case of moderate pulmonary vein stenosis was detected as a consequence of hybrid procedure.ConclusionHybrid atrial fibrillation ablation results in durable lesions and high rates of chronic pulmonary vein isolation even after long‐term follow‐up. Most of the repeat procedures after the hybrid approach are related to left atrial flutters that could be successfully treated by catheter ablation.
Effects of lipopolysaccharide on the expression of plasma membrane monoamine transporter (PMAT) at the blood–brain barrier and its implications to the transport of neurotoxins
Authors: Wu Kuo‐Chen , Lu Ya‐Hsuan , Peng Yi‐Hsuan , Hsu Lih‐Ching , Lin Chun‐Jung 
Published: September 2015

AbstractPlasma membrane monoamine transporter (PMAT) is a polyspecific organic cation transporter that is highly expressed in the central nervous system. This study aimed to investigate the effect of lipopolysaccharide on PMAT expression at the blood–brain barrier and the interaction between PMAT and neurotoxins. As a result, PMAT mRNA was identified in brain microvessels (BMVs), brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), astrocytes, and pericytes isolated from C57BL/6 mice and/or Wistar rats using RT‐qPCR. The immunofluorescence staining confirmed the expression of PMAT protein in BMVs and striatum of C57BL/6 mice. Western blotting demonstrated its localization at the luminal and abluminal sides of BMECs. In C57BL/6 mice, PMAT protein was significantly increased in BMVs 24 h after an intraperitoneal injection of 3 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide. Lipopolysaccharide treatment also significantly increased PMAT expression in cerebral cortex and the striatum in a time‐dependent manner, as well as the brain‐to‐plasma ratio of 1‐benzyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline (1‐benzyl‐TIQ). In isolated cells, lipopolysaccharide treatment significantly increased PMAT mRNA in brain astrocytes and the BMECs co‐cultured with astrocytes. In addition to 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium, the kinetic study indicated that both 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine and 1‐benzyl‐TIQ are substrates of human PMAT. These findings suggest that inflammation can change PMAT expression at the blood–brain barrier, which may affect PMAT‐mediated transport of neurotoxins.
imageWe demonstrated the expression of plasma membrane monoamine transporter (PMAT; mRNA or protein) at several subunits of the blood–brain barrier. Lipopolysaccharide treatment can significantly increase the expression of PMAT in vivo (in brain microvessels, cerebral cortex, and the striatum of C57BL/6 mice) and in vitro (in brain astrocytes and brain microvascular endothelial cells co‐cultured with astrocytes). Lipopolysaccharide treatment also increased the brain‐to‐plasma ratio of 1‐benzyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline (1‐benzyl‐TIQ) in mice, where 1‐benzyl‐TIQ competitively inhibited 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium (MPP+) uptake in MDCK‐human PMAT (hPMAT) cells and its uptake in MDCK‐hPMAT is concentration dependent.
microRNA‐26a modulates inflammatory response induced by toll‐like receptor 4 stimulation in microglia
Authors: Kumar Asit , Bhatia Harsharan Singh , de Oliveira Antonio Carlos Pinheiro , Fiebich Bernd L. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractMiRNAs, a family of small non‐coding RNAs, have emerged as novel post‐transcriptional regulators of numerous cellular responses. Although the involvement of miRNAs in the regulation of neuroinflammation in various neurological diseases has been previously studied, their role in the production of inflammatory mediators during microglia activation is poorly understood. In this study, the role of miR‐26a has been investigated in the modulation of inflammatory response in cultured microglia. Using real‐time PCR, the expression of miR‐26a was studied in toll‐like receptors 4 stimulated primary mouse microglia. miR‐26a expression was found to be rapidly reduced after the stimulation of toll‐like receptors 4 in microglia. Over‐expression of miR‐26a significantly decreased the production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor α and IL‐6, whereas knockdown of miR‐26a increased the expression of these mediators. Furthermore, using in silico analysis, we identified that the activating transcription factor (ATF) 2 is directly targeted by miR‐26a. This finding was confirmed by loss and gain of function studies. Similar to the effect of miR‐26a over‐expression, knockdown of activating transcription factor 2 inhibited the production of proinflammatory cytokines, particularly IL‐6. Taken together, our results suggest the involvement of miR‐26a in the regulation of the production of proinflammatory cytokines in microglia.image
We proposed that in microglia, activation of toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) down‐regulates miR‐26a. The down‐regulation of this miR increases expression of activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2). This event, in addition to the activation of ATF2 by c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), increases interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) production. On the other hand, miR‐26a also increases the production of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) by a mechanism independent of ATF2.
Hypophosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 is a molecular mechanism underlying ischemic tolerance induced by either hibernation or preconditioning
Authors: Miyake Shin‐ichi , Wakita Hideaki , Bernstock Joshua D. , Castri Paola , Ruetzler Christl , Miyake Junko , Lee Yang‐ja , Hallenbeck John M. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThirteen‐lined ground squirrels (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) have an extraordinary capacity to withstand prolonged and profound reductions in blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain without incurring any cellular damage. As such, the hibernation torpor of I. tridecemlineatus provides a valuable model of tolerance to ischemic stress. Herein, we report that during hibernation torpor, a marked reduction in the phosphorylation of the ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6) occurs within the brains of I. tridecemlineatus. Of note, rpS6 phosphorylation was shown to increase in the brains of rats that underwent an occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. However, such an increase was attenuated after the implementation of an ischemic preconditioning paradigm. In addition, cultured cortical neurons treated with the rpS6 kinase (S6K) inhibitors, d‐glucosamine or PF4708671, displayed a decrease in rpS6 phosphorylation and a subsequent increase in tolerance to oxygen/glucose deprivation, an in vitro model of ischemic stroke. Collectively, such evidence suggests that the down‐regulation of rpS6 signal transduction may account for a substantial part of the observed increase in cellular tolerance to brain ischemia that occurs during hibernation torpor and after ischemic preconditioning. Further identification and characterization of the mechanisms used by hibernating species to increase ischemic tolerance may eventually clarify how the loss of homeostatic control that occurs during and after cerebral ischemia in the clinic can ultimately be minimized and/or prevented.
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Mammalian hibernation provides a valuable model of tolerance to ischemic stress. Herein, we demonstrate that marked reductions in the phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6), extracellular signal‐regulated kinase family of mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase p44/42 (p44/42MAPK) and ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K) occur within the brains of both hibernating squirrels and rats, which have undergone an ischemic preconditioning paradigm. We therefore propose that the down‐regulation of rpS6 signal transduction may account for a substantial part of the observed increase in cellular tolerance to brain ischemia that occurs during hibernation torpor and after ischemic preconditioning, via a suppression of protein synthesis and/or energy consumption.