bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Basal metabolism in tropical birds: latitude, altitude, and the ‘pace of life’
Authors: Londoño Gustavo A. , Chappell Mark A. , Castañeda María del Rosario , Jankowski Jill E. , Robinson Scott K. 
Published: September 2014

Summary

Life history varies across latitudes, with the ‘pace of life’ being ‘slower’ in tropical regions. Because life history is coupled to energy metabolism via allocation tradeoffs and links between performance capacity and energy use, low metabolic intensity is expected in tropical animals. Low metabolism has been reported for lowland tropical birds, but it is unclear if this is due to ‘slow’ life history or to a warm, stable environment.

We measured basal metabolic rates (BMR) of 253 bird species across a 2·6 km altitude gradient in Peru. We predicted higher BMR at high altitude due to lower temperatures leading to elevated thermoregulatory costs. We also tested for BMR differences between widely separated tropical regions (Peru and Panama), and between tropical‐ and temperate‐breeding birds.

We found no effect of altitude on BMR in Peruvian species and no difference in BMR between Peruvian and Panamanian birds, suggesting that BMR in Neotropical birds is consistent and independent of environmental temperature. In a data set encompassing more than 500 species, tropical birds had significantly lower BMR than temperate‐breeding birds.

In contrast to several recent analyses, we found higher BMR in passerine birds than in non‐passerines, independent of breeding latitude.

Breeding latitude affects BMR, but diversity in avian life history within and between temperate and tropical regions may explain some of the residual variation in BMR after accounting for body mass and breeding latitude. Future studies of links between life history, metabolism and environmental factors might benefit from examining these variables within individual species as well as across broad geographic contrasts.
Elements of regional beetle faunas: faunal variation and compositional breakpoints along climate, land cover and geographical gradients
Authors: Heino Jani , Alahuhta Janne 
Published: September 2014

Summary

Regional faunas are structured by historical, spatial and environmental factors. We studied large‐scale variation in four ecologically different beetle groups (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae, Carabidae, Hydrophiloidea, Cerambycidae) along climate, land cover and geographical gradients, examined faunal breakpoints in relation to environmental variables, and investigated the best fit pattern of assemblage variation (i.e. randomness, checkerboards, nestedness, evenly spaced, Gleasonian, Clementsian). We applied statistical methods typically used in the analysis of local ecological communities to provide novel insights into faunal compositional patterns at large spatial grain and geographical extent.

We found that spatially structured variation in climate and land cover accounted for most variation in each beetle group in partial redundancy analyses, whereas the individual effect of each explanatory variable group was generally much less important in accounting for variation in provincial species composition.

We also found that climate variables were most strongly associated with faunal breakpoints, with temperature‐related variables alone accounting for about 20% of variation at the first node of multivariate regression tree for each beetle group. The existence of faunal breakpoints was also shown by the ‘elements of faunal structure’ analyses, which suggested Clementsian gradients across the provinces, that is, that there were two or more clear groups of species responding similarly to the underlying ecological gradients.

The four beetle groups showed highly similar biogeographical patterns across our study area. The fact that temperature was related to faunal breakpoints in the species composition of each beetle group suggests that climate sets a strong filter to the distributions of species at this combination of spatial grain and spatial extent. This finding held true despite the ecological differences among the four beetle groups, ranging from fully aquatic to fully terrestrial and from herbivorous to predaceous species.

The existence of Clementsian gradients may be a common phenomenon at large scales, and it is likely to be caused by crossing multiple species pools determined by climatic and historical factors on the distributions of species.
Phantom alternatives influence food preferences in the eastern honeybee Apis cerana
Authors: Tan Ken , Dong Shihao , Liu Xiwen , Chen Weiweng , Wang Yuchong , Oldroyd Benjamin P. , Latty Tanya 
Published: September 2014

Summary

Most models of animal choice behaviour assume that desirable but unavailable options, such as a high quality, but inhabited nest sites, do not influence an individual's preferences for the remaining options. However, experiments suggest that in mammals, the mere presence of such ‘phantom’ alternatives can alter, and even reverse, an individual's preferences for other items in a choice set.

Phantom alternatives may be widespread in nature, as they occur whenever a resource is visible, but unavailable at the time of choice. They are particularly relevant for nectar‐foraging animals, where previously rewarding flowers may sometimes be empty. Here, we investigate the effect of phantom alternatives on feeder preferences in the eastern honeybee, Apis cerana.

First, we tested the effects of unattractive and attractive phantom alternatives by presenting individual bees with either a binary choice set containing two feeders that differed strongly in two qualities, but were equally preferred overall (‘option 1’ and ‘option 2’), or a ternary choice set containing option 1, option 2 and one of two phantom types (unattractive and attractive). Secondly, we determined whether phantoms increase (similarity effect) or decrease (dissimilarity effect) preference for phantom‐similar choices.

In binary trials, bees had no significant preference for option 1 or option 2. However, after encountering an attractive phantom alternative, individual bees preferred option 2. The unattractive phantom did not influence bee preferences. Phantoms consistently changed individual bee preferences in favour of the phantom‐similar choice. This means that the presence of an attractive food source, even if it is unavailable, can influence preference relationships between remaining items in the choice set.

Our findings highlight the importance of considering the potential for phantom effects when studying the foraging behaviour of animals. Our results are particularly relevant for nectarivores, where empty but previously rewarding flowers are a common occurrence. Since an increase in pollinator visits can result in higher seed set, our results open up the possibility that by shifting pollinator preferences, empty flowers could have otherwise‐unpredicted influences on community composition, plant–pollinator interactions and pollinator behaviour.
Biogeography of Paenibacillus larvae, the causative agent of American foulbrood, using a new multilocus sequence typing scheme
Authors: Morrissey Barbara J. , Helgason Thorunn , Poppinga Lena , Fünfhaus Anne , Genersch Elke , Budge Giles E. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryAmerican foulbrood is the most destructive brood disease of honeybees (Apis mellifera) globally. The absence of a repeatable, universal typing scheme for the causative bacterium Paenibacillus larvae has restricted our understanding of disease epidemiology. We have created the first multilocus sequence typing scheme (MLST) for P. larvae, which largely confirms the previous enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)–polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based typing scheme's divisions while providing added resolution and improved repeatability. We have used the new scheme to determine the distribution and biogeography of 294 samples of P. larvae from across six continents. We found that of the two most epidemiologically important ERIC types, ERIC I was more diverse than ERIC II. Analysis of the fixation index (FST) by distance suggested a significant relationship between genetic and geographic distance, suggesting that population structure exists in populations of P. larvae. Interestingly, this effect was only observed within the native range of the host and was absent in areas where international trade has moved honeybees and their disease. Correspondence analysis demonstrated similar sequence type (ST) distributions between native and non‐native countries and that ERIC I and II STs mainly have differing distributions. The new typing scheme facilitates epidemiological study of this costly disease of a key pollinator.
Zur (FurB) is a key factor in the control of the oxidative stress response in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120
Authors: Sein‐Echaluce Violeta C. , González Andrés , Napolitano Mauro , Luque Ignacio , Barja Francisco , Peleato M. Luisa , Fillat María F. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryIron and zinc are necessary nutrients whose homeostasis is tightly controlled by members of the ferric uptake regulator (FUR) superfamily in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC7120. Although the link between iron metabolism and oxidative stress management is well documented, little is known about the connection between zinc homeostasis and the oxidative stress response in cyanobacteria. Zinc homeostasis in Anabaena is controlled by Zur, also named FurB. When overexpressed in Escherichia coli, Zur (FurB) improved cell survival during oxidative stress. In order to investigate the possible correlation between Zur and the oxidative stress response in Anabaena, zur deletion and zur‐overexpressing strains have been constructed, and the consequences of Zur imbalance evaluated. The lack of Zur increased sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), whereas an excess of Zur enhanced oxidative stress resistance. Both mutants displayed pleiotropic phenotypes, including alterations on the filament surfaces observable by scanning electron microscopy, reduced content of endogenous H2O2 and altered expression of sodA, catalases and several peroxiredoxins. Transcriptional and biochemical analyses unveiled that the appropriate level of Zur is required for proper control of the oxidative stress response and allowed us to identify major antioxidant enzymes as novel members of the Zur regulon.
Seasonal assemblages and short‐lived blooms in coastal north‐west Atlantic Ocean bacterioplankton
Authors: El‐Swais Heba , Dunn Katherine A. , Bielawski Joseph P. , Li William K. W. , Walsh David A. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryTemperate oceans are inhabited by diverse and temporally dynamic bacterioplankton communities. However, the role of the environment, resources and phytoplankton dynamics in shaping marine bacterioplankton communities at different time scales remains poorly constrained. Here, we combined time series observations (time scales of weeks to years) with molecular analysis of formalin‐fixed samples from a coastal inlet of the north‐west Atlantic Ocean to show that a combination of temperature, nitrate, small phytoplankton and Synechococcus abundances are best predictors for annual bacterioplankton community variability, explaining 38% of the variation. Using Bayesian mixed modelling, we identified assemblages of co‐occurring bacteria associated with different seasonal periods, including the spring bloom (e.g. Polaribacter, Ulvibacter, Alteromonadales and ARCTIC96B‐16) and the autumn bloom (e.g. OM42, OM25, OM38 and Arctic96A‐1 clades of Alphaproteobacteria, and SAR86, OM60 and SAR92 clades of Gammaproteobacteria). Community variability over spring bloom development was best explained by silicate (32%) – an indication of rapid succession of bacterial taxa in response to diatom biomass – while nanophytoplankton as well as picophytoplankton abundance explained community variability (16–27%) over the transition into and out of the autumn bloom. Moreover, the seasonal structure was punctuated with short‐lived blooms of rare bacteria including the KSA‐1 clade of Sphingobacteria related to aromatic hydrocarbon‐degrading bacteria.
Comparison in efficacy between pure NOTES peritoneoscopy with small or large endoscope and laparoscopy
Authors: Wang Zi Kai , Yang Yun Sheng , Zhang Xiu Li , Sun Gang , Hyder Qurratulain , Wu Li Li , Tang Ping , Li Wen 
Published: September 2014

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and systematic impact of different sized endoscopes for pure transgastric natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) peritoneoscopy relative to laparoscopy.MethodsA total of 15 dogs were randomly assigned to the small‐sized endoscope (SS), large‐sized endoscope (LS) and standard laparoscopy (SL) groups. The procedure time, visualization scores for abdominal organs, gastric incision healing times and procedure‐associated complications were recorded. Blood samples were collected at 1 h preoperation and at 1 h, 12 h, 2 days and 7 days postoperation. Serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interleukin (IL)‐6 levels as well as peripheral white blood cell (WBC) counts were analyzed.ResultsPeritoneoscopy was successfully performed with both pure transgastric NOTES and laparoscopy. The peritoneoscopy required less time to complete in the SL group (44.0 ± 7.0 min) than the LS (83.0 ± 28.9 min) and SS (106.6 ± 81.3 min) groups (P < 0.01), but no statistical difference was observed between the SS and LS groups (P > 0.05). The visualization scores of peritoneal organs among the three groups did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). The gastric incision exhibited satisfactory healing in both the SS and LS groups. Moreover, serum TNF‐α and IL‐6 levels and WBC counts at each time point were similar among the three groups (P > 0.05).ConclusionsSmall‐sized endoscope is not superior to a large‐sized one for pure transgastric NOTES peritoneoscopy. Pure transgastric NOTES is not less invasive or less time‐consuming than laparoscopy.
Medical thoracoscopy in MALT lymphoma causing pleural effusion: A case report
Authors: Arondi Sabrina , Valsecchi Alberto , Marchetti Giampietro 
Published: September 2014

AbstractMucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a form of low‐grade malignant B‐cell extranodal non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma. It is classified as marginal‐zone lymphoma and represents less than 1% of all lung cancer. We describe a case of MALT lymphoma limited exclusively to the lung that came to our attention with infective pleural effusion and concomitant lung consolidation of the left lower lobe. Our case demonstrates that MALT can begin with an acute clinical presentation. The clinical scenario, with fever, parietal chest pain, and leukocytosis, suggested an infective process. Radiological and sonographic examinations and the endoscopic aspect during medical thoracoscopy (MT) were typical of an infective etiology. The histological outcome of non‐specific inflammatory pleuritis confirmed our suppositions. However, the missing resolution of lung consolidation after several weeks led us to an alternative diagnosis. Parenchymal biopsies obtained by bronchoscopy allowed us to reach the correct diagnosis: MALT lymphoma limited to the lung.
Effectiveness of the implementation of guidelines for anxiety disorders in specialized mental health care
Authors: van Dijk M. K. , Oosterbaan D. B. , Verbraak M. J. P. M. , Hoogendoorn A. W. , Penninx B. W. J. H. , van Balkom A. J. L. M. 
Published: September 2014

ObjectiveTo examine the effect of implementing anxiety disorders guidelines on guideline adherence and patient outcomes in specialized mental health care.MethodA treatment setting in which guidelines were implemented (intervention condition) was compared with one in which guidelines were only disseminated (control condition).ResultsOf 61.7% of 81 intervention‐condition patients received treatment according to the guidelines vs. 40.6% of 69 control‐condition patients (P = 0.01). At 1‐year follow‐up, intervention‐condition patients showed a greater decrease in anxiety symptoms (d = 0.48, P < 0.05); higher percentages of response (52.6% vs. 33.8%; P = 0.025) and remission (33.3% vs.16.9%; P = 0.026); and a greater decrease in the rate of phobic avoidance (d = 0.34, P < 0.05). At 2‐year follow‐up, control‐condition patients had experienced a longer period of treatment, which had eroded most of these differences, except for phobic avoidance.ConclusionSystematic guideline implementation results in earlier gains and shorter treatment times.
Viral infection in placenta relevant cells – a morphological and immunohistochemical cell culture study
Authors: Turowski Gitta , Rollag Halvor , Roald Borghild 
Published: September 2014

Viral infections in pregnancy are known to cause fetal malformation, growth restriction, and even fetal death. Macroscopic placental examination usually shows slight and unspecific changes. Histology may show secondary, non‐specific tissue reaction, i.e. villitis with lymphocytic invasion. Primary specific morphology characteristics are known for some virus, like cytomegalovirus, parvovirus, and herpes simplex, however many viral infections show non‐specific changes. Placenta relevant cells as human first trimester trophoblasts HTR8/SVneo, primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), and primary human embryonic fibroblasts were examined following infection with commonly occurring virus like adenovirus and enterovirus. Morphology in routine stained sections and virus‐specific immunostains were studied 4, 8, 24, 48, 72 h after infection. Nuclear enlargement was seen in the infected cells. A specific diagnosis of adenovirus or enterovirus infection, however, was not possible without specific immunostains.
Efficacy and safety of nebulized glycopyrrolate for administration using a high efficiency nebulizer in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Leaker Brian R. , Barnes Peter J. , Jones C. Richard , Tutuncu Ahmet , Singh Dave 
Published: September 2014

AimsTo establish the dose−response for pharmacodynamics (bronchodilatation), safety and pharmacokinetics for a nebulized formulation of the long acting muscarinic antagonist glycopyrrolate (EP‐101) with a high efficiency nebulizer in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).MethodsPatients with moderate to severe COPD (GOLD II/III), with reversible lung function, were enrolled into this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, six period crossover study (n = 42). Patients received single doses of EP‐101 (12.5–400 μg) and placebo via a high efficiency nebulizer (eFlow® PARI nebulizer), with washout between treatments. Plasma pharmacokinetics were assessed in a subset of patients (n = 11).ResultsAll treatments were well tolerated with similar adverse event rates reported with placebo and at all doses. There were no clinically relevant changes in heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure or in ECG parameters including QTc interval. Following treatment with EP‐101 at all doses there was a rapid bronchodilator response within 5 min. Significant improvements in mean change from baseline FEV1 at 24 h were reported at doses ≥50 μg compared with placebo, with a clear dose−response relationship. Mean changes in FEV1 were 0.10 l (95% CI 0.06, 0.14) and 0.12 l (95% CI 0.08, 0.16) for 100 μg and 200 μg, respectively.ConclusionSingle doses of EP‐101 ranging from 12.5 μg to 400 μg were well tolerated. EP‐101 delivered by high efficiency nebulizer device produced a rapid onset of bronchodilatation with clinically meaningful improvements in lung function maintained over a 24 h period at all doses >50 μg.
Correlation between DNA methylation and gene expression in the brains of patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
Authors: Chen Chao , Zhang Chunling , Cheng Lijun , Reilly James L , Bishop Jeffrey R , Sweeney John A , Chen Hua‐Yun , Gershon Elliot S , Liu Chunyu 
Published: September 2014

ObjectivesAberrant DNA methylation and gene expression have been reported in postmortem brain tissues of psychotic patients, but until now there has been no systematic evaluation of synergistic changes in methylation and expression on a genome‐wide scale in brain tissue.MethodsIn this study, genome‐wide methylation and expression analyses were performed on cerebellum samples from 39 patients with schizophrenia, 36 patients with bipolar disorder, and 43 unaffected controls, to screen for a correlation between gene expression and CpG methylation.ResultsOut of 71,753 CpG gene pairs (CGPs) tested across the genome, 204 were found to significantly correlate with gene expression after correction for multiple testing [p < 0.05, false discovery rate (FDR) q < 0.05]. The correlated CGPs were tested for disease‐associated expression and methylation by comparing psychotic patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia to healthy controls. Four of the identified CGPs were found to significantly correlate with the differential expression and methylation of genes encoding phosphoinositide‐3‐kinase, regulatory subunit 1 (PIK3R1), butyrophilin, subfamily 3, member A3 (BTN3A3), nescient helix‐loop‐helix 1 (NHLH1), and solute carrier family 16, member 7 (SLC16A7) in psychotic patients (p < 0.05, FDR q < 0.2). Additional expression and methylation datasets were used to validate the relationship between DNA methylation, gene expression, and neuropsychiatric diseases.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the identified differentially expressed genes with an aberrant methylation pattern may represent novel candidate factors in the etiology and pathology of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Factors associated with persistence of red blood cell antibodies in woman after pregnancies complicated by fetal alloimmune haemolytic disease treated with intrauterine transfusions
Authors: Verduin Esther P. , Brand Anneke , van de Watering Leo M. G. , Claas Frans H. J. , Oepkes Dick , Lopriore Enrico , Doxiadis Ilias I. N. , Schonewille Henk 
Published: September 2014

SummaryRed blood cell (RBC) antibodies can persist for decades or decrease quickly to undetectable levels. Antibody persistence has not been systematically studied. Women whose children are treated with intrauterine transfusions (IUT) for haemolytic disease of the fetus (HDFN) often produce additional antibodies, which can be evoked by the intrauterine transfusion or by fetomaternal haemorrhage during the procedure. Factors associated with persistence of both the antibodies responsible for HDFN and additional antibodies were studied in 260 women whose children were treated with IUT between 1988 and 2008. They possessed 499 (205 anti‐D and 294 non‐D) antibodies after the last IUT. After a median follow‐up of 8·7 years, all 260 antibodies primarily responsible for HDFN had persisted. Additional antibodies directed against antigens of the children persisted in 70·6%, and in 32·3% if they were not child‐specific (P < 0·001). Antibodies induced by irradiated IUT persisted in only 7·1%. Multivariate analyses showed that non‐HDFN antibody persistence was dependent on the antibody titre and specificity. In conclusion, persistence of antibodies mainly depends on antibody strength and specificity. Difference between fetal or non‐fetal immunogens suggests maintenance of antigenic stimulation possibly by long‐term fetomaternal chimerism.