bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Shining theLight onSunshine: a systematic review of the influence of sun exposure on type 2 diabetes mellitus‐related outcomes
Authors: Shore‐Lorenti Catherine , Brennan Sharon L. , Sanders Kerrie M. , Neale Rachel E. , Lucas Robyn M. , Ebeling Peter R. 
Published: July 2014

SummaryProspective observational studies uniformly link vitaminDdeficiency with the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), yet trials supplementing participants at risk ofT2DMwith vitaminDto reduce progression toT2DMhave yielded inconsistent results. Inconsistencies between supplementation trials may be due to insufficient dosing or small sample sizes. Observational studies may also have reported spurious associations due to uncontrolled confounding by lifestyle or genetic factors. Alternatively, observational and intervention studies may not be entirely comparable. Observational studies show an association between higher vitaminDstatus, which is predominantly derived from sun exposure, and decreased incidence ofT2DM. Trials intervene with vitaminDsupplementation, and therefore may be missing alternate causes of the effect of sun exposure, as seen in observational studies. We propose that sun exposure may be the driving force behind the associations seen in observational studies; sun exposure may have additional benefits beyond increasing serum 25‐hydroxyvitaminD(25OHD) levels. We performed an electronic literature search to identify articles that examined associations between sun exposure andT2DMand/or glucose metabolism. A best evidence synthesis was then conducted using outcomes from analyses deemed to have high methodological quality. Ten eligible full‐text articles were identified, yielding 19T2DM‐related outcomes. The best evidence analysis considered 11 outcomes which were grouped into six outcome types:T2DM, fasting glucose, glucose tolerance, fasting insulin, insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity. There was moderate evidence to support a role of recreational sun exposure in reducing odds ofT2DMincidence. High‐level evidence was lacking; evidence presented for other outcomes was of low or insufficient level. This review highlights significant gaps in research pertaining to sun exposure andT2DM‐related outcomes. Further research is encouraged as we aim to identify novel preventative strategies for T2DM.
Positive and Negative Effects of a Threatened Parrotfish on Reef Ecosystems
Authors: MCCAULEY DOUGLAS J. , YOUNG HILLARY S. , GUEVARA ROGER , WILLIAMS GARETH J. , POWER ELEANOR A. , DUNBAR ROBERT B. , BIRD DOUGLAS W. , DURHAM WILLIAM H. , MICHELI FIORENZA 
Published: July 2014

AbstractSpecies that are strong interactors play disproportionately important roles in the dynamics of natural ecosystems. It has been proposed that their presence is necessary for positively shaping the structure and functioning of ecosystems. We evaluated this hypothesis using the case of the world's largest parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum), a globally imperiled species. We used direct observation, animal tracking, and computer simulations to examine the diverse routes through which B. muricatum affects the diversity, dispersal, relative abundance, and survival of the corals that comprise the foundation of reef ecosystems. Our results suggest that this species can influence reef building corals in both positive and negative ways. Field observation and simulation outputs indicated that B. muricatum reduced the abundance of macroalgae that can outcompete corals, but they also feed directly on corals, decreasing coral abundance, diversity, and colony size. B. muricatum appeared to facilitate coral advancement by mechanically dispersing coral fragments and opening up bare space for coral settlement, but they also damaged adult corals and remobilized a large volume of potentially stressful carbonate sediment. The impacts this species has on reefs appears to be regulated in part by its abundance—the effects of B. muricatum were more intense in simulation scenarios populated with high densities of these fish. Observations conducted in regions with high and low predator (e.g., sharks) abundance generated results that are consistent with the hypothesis that these predators of B. muricatum may play a role in governing their abundance; thus, predation may modulate the intensity of the effects they have on reef dynamics. Overall our results illustrate that functionally unique and threatened species may not have universally positive impacts on ecosystems and that it may be necessary for environmental managers to consider the diverse effects of such species and the forces that mediate the strength of their influence.Efectos Positivos y Negativos de un Pez Loro Amenazado Sobre Ecosistemas Arrecifales
Effects of Invasive Plants on Arthropods
Authors: LITT ANDREA R. , CORD ERIN E. , FULBRIGHT TIMOTHY E. , SCHUSTER GRETA L. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractNon‐native plants have invaded nearly all ecosystems and represent a major component of global ecological change. Plant invasions frequently change the composition and structure of vegetation communities, which can alter animal communities and ecosystem processes. We reviewed 87 articles published in the peer‐reviewed literature to evaluate responses of arthropod communities and functional groups to non‐native invasive plants. Total abundance of arthropods decreased in 62% of studies and increased in 15%. Taxonomic richness decreased in 48% of studies and increased in 13%. Herbivorous arthropods decreased in response to plant invasions in 48% of studies and increased in 17%, likely due to direct effects of decreased plant diversity. Predaceous arthropods decreased in response to invasive plants in 44% of studies, which may reflect indirect effects due to reductions in prey. Twenty‐two percent of studies documented increases in predators, which may reflect changes in vegetation structure that improved mobility, survival, or web‐building for these species. Detritivores increased in 67% of studies, likely in response to increased litter and decaying vegetation; no studies documented decreased abundance in this functional group. Although many researchers have examined effects of plant invasions on arthropods, sizeable information gaps remain, specifically regarding how invasive plants influence habitat and dietary requirements. Beyond this, the ability to predict changes in arthropod populations and communities associated with plant invasions could be improved by adopting a more functional and mechanistic approach. Understanding responses of arthropods to invasive plants will critically inform conservation of virtually all biodiversity and ecological processes because so many organisms depend on arthropods as prey or for their functional roles, including pollination, seed dispersal, and decomposition. Given their short generation times and ability to respond rapidly to ecological change, arthropods may be ideal targets for restoration and conservation activities.Efectos de las Plantas Invasoras sobre los Artrópodos
Benefits to poorly studied taxa of conservation of bird and mammal diversity on islands
Authors: Aslan Clare , Holmes Nick , Tershy Bernie , Spatz Dena , Croll Donald A. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractProtected area delineation and conservation action are urgently needed on marine islands, but the potential biodiversity benefits of these activities can be difficult to assess due to lack of species diversity information for lesser known taxa. We used linear mixed effects modeling and simple spatial analyses to investigate whether conservation activities based on the diversity of well‐known insular taxa (birds and mammals) are likely to also capture the diversity of lesser known taxa (reptiles, amphibians, vascular land plants, ants, land snails, butterflies, and tenebrionid beetles). We assembled total, threatened, and endemic diversity data for both well‐known and lesser known taxa and combined these with physical island biogeography characteristics for 1190 islands from 109 archipelagos. Among physical island biogeography factors, island area was the best indicator of diversity of both well‐known and little‐known taxa. Among taxonomic factors, total mammal species richness was the best indicator of total diversity of lesser known taxa, and the combination of threatened mammal and threatened bird diversity was the best indicator of lesser known endemic richness. The results of other intertaxon diversity comparisons were highly variable, however. Based on our results, we suggest that protecting islands above a certain minimum threshold area may be the most efficient use of conservation resources. For example, using our island database, if the threshold were set at 10 km2 and the smallest 10% of islands greater than this threshold were protected, 119 islands would be protected. The islands would range in size from 10 to 29 km2 and would include 268 lesser known species endemic to a single island, along with 11 bird and mammal species endemic to a single island. Our results suggest that for islands of equivalent size, prioritization based on total or threatened bird and mammal diversity may also capture opportunities to protect lesser known species endemic to islands.Beneficios de los Taxa Poco Estudiados para la Conservación de la Diversidad de Aves y Mamíferos en Islas
Parallels in Preschoolers' and Adults' Judgments About Ownership Rights and Bodily Rights
Authors: Van de Vondervoort Julia W. , Friedman Ori 
Published: July 2014

AbstractUnderstanding ownership rights is necessary for socially appropriate behavior. We provide evidence that preschoolers' and adults' judgments of ownership rights are related to their judgments of bodily rights. Four‐year‐olds (n = 70) and adults (n = 89) evaluated the acceptability of harmless actions targeting owned property and body parts. At both ages, evaluations did not vary for owned property or body parts. Instead, evaluations were influenced by two other manipulations—whether the target belonged to the agent or another person, and whether that other person approved of the action. Moreover, these manipulations influenced judgments for owned objects and body parts in the same way: When the other person approved of the action, participants' judgments were positive regardless of who the target belonged to. In contrast, when that person disapproved, judgments depended on who the target belonged to. These findings show that young children grasp the importance of approval or consent for ownership rights and bodily rights, and likewise suggest that people's notions of ownership rights are related to their appreciation of bodily rights.
Drastic changes in host preference in a gall‐parasitic flea weevil, Orchestes hustachei, during the last decade
Authors: MURAMATSU KOICHI , AKIMOTO SHIN‐ICHI 
Published: July 2014

1. Factors affecting host preference in herbivorous insects are actively discussed. Larval performance, competition and predation on each host, and host abundance are reportedly factors affecting the host preference of ovipositing females. In the present study, chronological changes in female host preference were examined by employing a flea weevil species that uses the original host and a newly introduced host simultaneously.2. Orchestes hustachei Klima (Coleoptera: Curclionidae) is an aphidophagous flea weevil that oviposits on aphid galls, and the larvae feed on aphids inside. The weevil's native hosts are galls of the Tetraneura species on Ulmus davidiana, while the novel hosts are galls of an introduced species, Paracolopha morrisoni on Zelkova serrata, an introduced hardwood. Choice experiments were conducted using Tetraneura galls and Paracolopha galls and the results were compared with experiments conducted 10 years ago.3. More than 90% of ovipositing females selected Paracolopha galls. This result is in marked contrast with the result of the 2002 experiment, in which 66.3% of females selected Paracolopha galls. To explore driving forces of the preference change, mortality factors, pupal mass on the two hosts, and temporal changes in the abundance of the host galls were examined.4. Abundance of Tetraneura galls decreased gradually throughout the last 26 years. By contrast, weevil survival and performance did not vary significantly between the two hosts. Therefore, it is concluded that temporal changes in the relative abundance of two hosts are main factors of the change in host preference.
Competitive dominance in the organisation of Mediterranean ant communities
Authors: BLIGHT OLIVIER , ORGEAS JEROME , TORRE FRANCK , PROVOST ERICK 
Published: July 2014

1. Competition by dominant species is thought to be key to structuring ant communities. However, recent findings suggest that the effect of dominant species on communities is less pronounced than previously assumed.2. The aim of the present study was to identify the role of dominant ants in the organisation of Mediterranean communities, particularly the role of competition in invaded and uninvaded communities. The effects on ant assemblages of two dominant ants, the invasive Argentine ant and the native ant, Tapinoma nigerrimum Nylander, were assessed.3. The abundances of both dominant ants were significantly correlated with a decrease in native ant richness at traps. However, only the invasive ant was associated with a reduction in diversity and abundance of other ant species at site scale. In the presence of T. nigerrimum, species co‐occurrence patterns were segregated or random. Community structure in both the dominant‐free and the Argentine ant sites showed random patterns of species co‐occurrence.4. The present findings indicate that dominant ants regulate small‐scale diversity by competition. However, at the broader scale of the assemblage, T. nigerrimum may only affect species distribution, having no apparent effect on community composition. Moreover, we find no evidence that inter‐specific competition shapes species distribution in coastal Mediterranean communities free of dominant ants.5. These results show that dominant species may affect ant assemblages but that the nature and the intensity of such effects are species and scale dependent. This confirms the hypothesis that competitive dominance may be only one of a range of factors that structure ant communities.
Differential response of Trichogramma wasps to extreme sex pheromone types of the noctuid moth Heliothis virescens
Authors: XU JINZHU , HUIGENS MARTINUS E. , ORR DAVID , GROOT ASTRID T. 
Published: July 2014

1. Chemical espionage in nature may occur when predators or parasitoids home in on animal or plant communication signals. Parasitoid wasps are known to use pheromones emitted by adults hosts to locate host eggs, larvae or pupae. The response of Trichogramma egg parasitoids to a synthetic sex pheromone blend of moths has been shown in a number of studies over the past 40 years.2. Trichogramma pretiosum (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae) is a tiny parasitic wasp, attacking the eggs of the noctuid moth Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae). This study investigated whether T. pretiosum homes in on the sex pheromone of H. virescens at close range. The arrestment response of the wasps to sex pheromone gland extracts of two types of female moths, so‐called high and low females, was also tested, referring to two selected extreme pheromone types of H. virescens. The study also investigated whether the wasps would mount females, possibly to hitchhike with them.3. The wasps were arrested by the common, ‘low’ pheromone, but not by the rare, ‘high’ pheromone or by extracts from male hairpencils. The wasps did not show a preference for separate sex pheromone compounds, but when pre‐exposed to the major sex pheromone component of H. virescens before the tests together with H. virescens eggs, they did show a preference, indicating learning behaviour. In the mounting experiments, mated females were mounted significantly more than virgin females or males, suggesting that hitchhiking is a strategy used by these wasps to locate moth eggs.4. This represents the first study to show a differential response of parasitoid wasps to two different sex pheromone types in a single host species. The results warrant further investigations into the potential role of parasitic wasps in the evolution of sexual communication in moths.
Development of microsatellites for the cacao frosty pod rot pathogen, Moniliophthora roreri
Authors: Melo B. L. B. , de Souza J. T. , Santos R. M. F. , Rehner S. A. , Solis K. H. , Suarez C. , Hebbar P. K. , Lemos L. S. L. , Gramacho K. P. 
Published: July 2014

SummaryMoniliophithora roreri, causal agent of cacao frosty pod rot, is considered one of the most devastating pathogens of this crop. In this study, we report the development of and validation of 28 microsatellite loci from an enriched library. From these, ten loci were demonstrated to be polymorphic in an Ecuadorian population composed of 27 isolates. The mean number of alleles per locus was 3.2, and the observed mean and expected heterozygosity were 0.03 and 0.43, respectively. The polymorphic microsatellites described herein may be used to study the genetic diversity as well as to comprehend other aspects of M. roreri population biology.
Downregulation of Centaurin gamma1A increases synaptic transmission at Drosophila larval neuromuscular junctions
Authors: Homma Mizuho , Nagashima Shun , Fukuda Toshifumi , Yanagi Shigeru , Miyakawa Hiroyoshi , Suzuki Emiko , Morimoto Takako 
Published: July 2014

AbstractAdequate regulation of synaptic transmission is critical for appropriate neural circuit functioning. Although a number of molecules involved in synaptic neurotransmission have been identified, the molecular mechanisms regulating neurotransmission are not fully understood. Here, we focused on Centaurin gamma1A (CenG1A) and examined its role in synaptic transmission regulation using Drosophila larval neuromuscular junctions. CenG1A is a member of the Centaurin family, which contains Pleckstrin homology, ADP ribosylation factor GTPase‐activating protein, and ankyrin repeat domains. Due to the existence of these functional domains, CenG1A is proposed to be involved in the process of synaptic release; however, no evidence for this has been found to date. In this study, we investigated the potential role for CenG1A in the process of synaptic release by performing intracellular recordings in larval muscle cells. We found that neurotransmitter release from presynaptic cells was enhanced in cenG1A mutants. This effect was also observed in larvae with reduced CenG1A function in either presynaptic or postsynaptic cells. In addition, we revealed that suppressing CenG1A function in postsynaptic muscle cells led to an increase in the probability of neurotransmitter release, whereas its suppression in presynaptic neurons led to an increase in neurotransmitter release probability and an increase in the number of synaptic vesicles. These results suggested that CenG1A functions at both presynaptic and postsynaptic sites as a negative regulator of neurotransmitter release. Our study provided evidence for a key role of CenG1A in proper synaptic transmission at neuromuscular junctions.
AMP‐activated protein kinase mediates the antioxidant effects of resveratrol through regulation of the transcription factor FoxO1
Authors: Yun Hee , Park Seolhui , Kim Min‐Jung , Yang Woo Kyeom , Im Dong Uk , Yang Ki Ryeol , Hong Jongki , Choe Wonchae , Kang Insug , Kim Sung Soo , Ha Joohun 
Published: July 2014

Numerous physiological functions are controlled by redox‐responsive signaling pathways. Disruption of redox balance by oxidative stress is recognized as a major cause of many pathological conditions, including aging, highlighting the importance of investigating how antioxidants maintain redox homeostasis. AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) is activated in response to cellular conditions that accompany energy depletion and plays a central role in the regulation of energy homeostasis, tumorigenesis and longevity. Recently, several antioxidants have been reported to activate AMPK, although the mechanisms by which AMPK acts to adjust the levels of cellular reactive oxygen species are not fully characterized. In the present study, we investigated the role of AMPK in mediating resveratrol‐induced antioxidant effects and the molecular mechanisms underlying its actions. We demonstrate that AMPK activity plays an indispensable role in the operation of the ROS defense system by inducing the expression of the antioxidant enzymes, manganese superoxide dismutase and catalase, in response to resveratrol or the AMPK agonist 5‐aminoimidazole‐4‐carboxamide‐1‐β‐d‐ribonucleotide. In addition, we identified the mechanism involved in the antioxidant function of AMPK, demonstrating that AMPK directly phosphorylates human FoxO1 (forkhead box O1) at Thr649 in vitro and increases FoxO1‐dependent transcription of manganese superoxide dismutase and catalase. Mutagenesis studies showed that this AMPK‐mediated phosphorylation of FoxO1 is critical for FoxO1 stability and nuclear localization, establishing the molecular basis for the induction of FoxO1 transcriptional activity. Our results reveal a novel FoxO1‐dependent mechanism by which AMPK controls the expression of antioxidant enzymes and suggest that AMPK has an important role in maintaining redox homeostasis.
Novel use for an EGFR mutation‐specific antibody in discriminating lung adenocarcinoma from reactive pneumocyte hyperplasia
Authors: Mimori Tomoyasu , Kobayashi Saori , Tanaka Ayako , Sasada Shinji , Yoshida Akihiko , Izumo Takehiro , Sasaki Naoshi , Tsuchida Takaaki , Tsuta Koji 
Published: July 2014

AimsPulmonary ground‐glass nodules (GGNs) are frequently observed. Histopathologically, their presentation can indicate a wide range of disorders from an inflammatory process to malignancy. An accurate diagnosis based on GGNs can sometimes be challenging on small‐sized biopsies. Mutations in the EGFR gene are detected in pulmonary adenocarcinomas (ADCs). Immunohistochemical analysis using antibodies that detect specific EGFR mutations has been shown to correlate with mutational status as determined by molecular methods. We hypothesized that these antibodies could be used to discriminate between ADCs and benign pneumocyte hyperplasias.Methods and resultsSurgically resected, pre‐invasive to invasive lung ADC (n = 32) and reactive pneumocyte hyperplasia (n = 40) tissue samples were probed with antibodies against EGFR mutations, p53, Mouse double minute 2 and 14‐3‐3 sigma. Of the 32 lung ADC specimens analysed, 12 (38%) were positive using the EGFR mutation‐specific antibodies, while no immunoreactivity was observed in reactive pneumocyte hyperplasia specimens. Analyses of receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the highest area under the curve values were associated with the use of EGFR mutation‐specific antibodies. In addition, a high concordance rate was observed between surgically resected and corresponding biopsy materials using these antibodies.ConclusionsEGFR mutation‐specific antibodies can be used to discriminate between lung ADC and benign pneumocyte hyperplasia, even in small‐sized biopsies.
Changes in Chinese hair growth along a full year
Authors: Liu C. , Yang J. , Qu L. , Gu M. , Liu Y. , Gao J. , Collaudin C. , Loussouarn G. 
Published: July 2014

SynopsisObjectiveTo confirm the existence of seasonal hair growth cycle among Chinese subjects and objectivize the seasonal effect of hair loss; the hair growth parameters of Chinese volunteers were followed monthly for an entire year on the same area of vertex.MethodsThe hair growth parameters of 41 Chinese volunteers (women and men), free from alopecia, were recorded monthly along an entire year using the phototrichogram technique.ResultsResults show an increased rate of telogen hairs (growing arrest) around August–September in the study group, as previously reported in European subjects albeit of a lower extent and remaining within the normal range of healthy head hair parameters. The possible effects of latitude and daylight duration are discussed.ConclusionData confirm that Chinese hairs present characteristics of the most developed and fast growing terminal fibres, as compared to other non‐Asian ethnics.