bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plant functional shifts in the invaded range: a test with reciprocal forest invaders of Europe and North America
Authors: Heberling J. Mason , Kichey Thomas , Decocq Guillaume , Fridley Jason D. 
Published: October 2015

Summary

Comparative trait analyses of native and invasive plant species have enriched our understanding of the strategies that make plants successful in particular contexts. However, it is generally unknown whether traits associated with invasiveness arise de novo in the introduced range or represent a case of ‘pre‐adaptation’ of some species to become invasive.

We compared the functional strategies of two invasive species, Prunus serotina, a tree native to Eastern North America (ENA) and invasive in European forests, and Rhamnus cathartica, a shrub native to Europe and invasive in ENA, in both their native and invasive ranges. We measured leaf functional traits related to plant carbon and nitrogen economics in populations across northeastern ENA (New York) and northern France. This reciprocal field approach is unique, comparing in situ physiology within and between each species' shared ranges.

For both species, we found striking differences in leaf economic traits and intraspecific trait scaling relationships. Prunus serotina exhibited similar photosynthetic rates in New York (native range) and France (invasive range), but French populations had significantly greater leaf carbon investments in the form of increased leaf respiration, construction costs, and carbon concentrations. Rhamnus cathartica exhibited 50–60% higher photosynthetic rates in New York (invasive range) than France (native range), along with increased leaf nitrogen costs. New York populations also had significantly lower nitrogen resorption efficiency, with autumn leaf nitrogen concentrations 69% lower in France.

Intraspecific trait differences between native and invasive ranges indicate shifts in resource‐use strategies between the native and invasive range are possible in invasive species. While further investigations with additional species would be needed to determine the role of phenotypic plasticity and prevalence of post‐introduction trait shifts, our results question the assumption that functional strategies of invasive species are conserved from the native range and highlight the utility of measuring in situ functional strategies of reciprocal invaders to provide mechanistic understanding of invasions.
Ecology drives natural variation in an extreme antipredator trait: a cost–benefit analysis integrating modelling and field data
Authors: Kuo Chi‐Yun , Irschick Duncan J. 
Published: October 2015

Summary

Autotomy, or the voluntary shedding of body parts, is an extreme antipredator behaviour used by species in more than 100 animal families. Despite the long‐standing observation that the propensity for autotomy can vary extensively among populations, how ecology might drive such variation is still poorly understood.
We tested the hypothesis that the variation in this extreme behaviour reflects the balance between costs and benefits determined by the local ecological environment. We focused on three ecological factors that can influence the cost–benefit dynamics of autotomy: predation, male–male competition, and food abundance.
Using tail autotomy in lizards as the study system, we first built an individual‐based model to show that environments with high predation, high food abundance, and low male–male competition favoured individuals that autotomized more readily. Moreover, predation likely maintained the ability to autotomize, whereas male–male competition and food abundance fine‐tuned the propensity for autotomy.
We used field data from five side‐blotched lizard populations to verify model results, as well as to test the explanatory power of our model. Field data supported simulation results regarding the roles predation, male–male competition and food abundance. Our model also successfully explained the variation in the propensity for tail autotomy among those five lizard populations. Our approach can be easily extended to examine how ecology might drive adaptive variation in autotomy in other taxa, as well as any traits that share similar cost–benefit dynamics.
Structural similarities of human and mammalian lipocalins, and their function in innate immunity and allergy
Authors: Jensen‐Jarolim E. , Pacios L.F. , Bianchini R. , Hofstetter G. , Roth‐Walter F. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractOwners and their domestic animals via skin shedding and secretions, mutually exchange microbiomes, potential pathogens and innate immune molecules. Among the latter especially lipocalins are multifaceted: they may have an immunomodulatory function and, furthermore, they represent one of the most important animal allergen families. The amino acid identities, as well as their structures by superposition modeling were compared among human lipocalins, hLCN1 and hLCN2, and most important animal lipocalin allergens, such as Can f 1, Can f 2 and Can f 4 from dog, Fel d 4 from cats, Bos d 5 from cow's milk, Equ c 1 from horses, and Mus m 1 from mice, all of them representing major allergens. The β‐barrel fold with a central molecular pocket is similar among human and animal lipocalins. Thereby, lipocalins are able to transport a variety of biological ligands in their highly conserved calyx‐like cavity, among them siderophores with the strongest known capability to complex iron (Fe3+). Levels of human lipocalins are elevated in nonallergic inflammation and cancer, associated with innate immunoregulatory functions that critically depend on ligand load. Accordingly, deficient loading of lipocalin allergens establishes their capacity to induce Th2 hypersensitivity. Our similarity analysis of human and mammalian lipocalins highlights their function in innate immunity and allergy.
Changes in Vascular Tone Occur Early During Hemodialysis Treatments Independently of Volume Reduction
Authors: Power Albert , Charitaki Evangelia , Davenport Andrew 
Published: October 2015

AbstractHypotension commonly occurs during hemodialysis (HD). Hypotension can result from an absolute reduction in plasma volume following excessive ultrafiltration or from a reduction in vascular tone. We hypothesized that changes in vascular tone could occur during dialysis. Aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) was measured in 197 HD patients, mean age 63.3 ± 16.6 years, 62% male, 49% diabetic, during a single HD session. aPWV did not change (9.6 ± 2.2 vs. 9.6 ± 2.2 m/s) with HD. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) declined from 151 ± 31 to 147 ± 32 after 20 min and to 140 ± 36 mm Hg on completion of HD (P < 0.05), with an ultrafiltration volume of 2.2 ± 0.9 L over a 3.9 ± 0.4 h HD session. Aortic SBP declined from 154 ± 32 to 146 ± 29 after 20 min and 143 ± 35 at the end of HD, P < 0.001. Aortic augmentation index (Aortic Aix) decreased from 65% (52–79%) to 36.7% (23.3–52.9%) by 20 min and to 34.3 (15.1–49.1%) on completion of HD (P < 0.05), and brachial augmentation index (brachial Aix) from 5.7% (−25.2 to 27.5%) to −1.9% (−2.2 to 30.1%) and −6.6% (−44 to 22.7%), respectively, P < 0.05. Diastolic reflection area (DRA) increased from 36.7 (27.9–46.3) to 40.4 (32.2–51) after 20 min and 47.1 (34.2–60.5) on completion of HD, P < 0.05. We report changes in arterial tone within 20 min of starting HD, when minimal ultrafiltration has occurred, suggesting that volume changes may not be the only predisposing cause of intradialytic hypotension. The combination of a fall in SBP and a rise in DRA would suggest a reduction in coronary blood flow in keeping with reports of “myocardial stunning” during HD.
Calculation and word problem‐solving skills in primary grades – Impact of cognitive abilities and longitudinal interrelations with task‐persistent behaviour
Authors: Jõgi Anna‐Liisa , Kikas Eve 
Published: October 2015

BackgroundPrimary school math skills form a basis for academic success down the road. Different math skills have different antecedents and there is a reason to believe that more complex math tasks require better self‐regulation.AimsThe study aimed to investigate longitudinal interrelations of calculation and problem‐solving skills, and task‐persistent behaviour in Grade 1 and Grade 3, and the effect of non‐verbal intelligence, linguistic abilities, and executive functioning on math skills and task persistence.SampleParticipants were 864 students (52.3% boys) from 33 different schools in Estonia.MethodsStudents were tested twice – at the end of Grade1 and at the end of Grade 3. Calculation and problem‐solving skills, and teacher‐rated task‐persistent behaviour were measured at both time points. Non‐verbal intelligence, linguistic abilities, and executive functioning were measured in Grade 1.ResultsCross‐lagged structural equation modelling indicated that calculation skills depend on previous math skills and linguistic abilities, while problem‐solving skills require also non‐verbal intelligence, executive functioning, and task persistence. Task‐persistent behaviour in Grade 3 was predicted by previous problem‐solving skills, linguistic abilities, and executive functioning. Gender and mother's educational level were added as covariates.ConclusionsThe findings indicate that math skills and self‐regulation are strongly related in primary grades and that solving complex tasks requires executive functioning and task persistence from children. Findings support the idea that instructional practices might benefit from supporting self‐regulation in order to gain domain‐specific, complex skill achievement.
Cannabidiol protects an in vitro model of the blood–brain barrier from oxygen‐glucose deprivation via PPARγ and 5‐HT1A receptors
Authors: Hind William H , England Timothy J , O'Sullivan Saoirse E 
Published: October 2015

Background and PurposeIn vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated a protective effect of cannabidiol (CBD) in reducing infarct size in stroke models and against epithelial barrier damage in numerous disease models. We aimed to investigate whether CBD also affects blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability following ischaemia.Experimental ApproachHuman brain microvascular endothelial cell (HBMEC) and human astrocyte co‐cultures modelled the BBB. Ischaemia was modelled by oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) and permeability was measured by transepithelial electrical resistance.Key ResultsCBD (10 μM) prevented the increase in permeability caused by 4 h OGD. CBD was most effective when administered before the OGD, but protective effects were observed up to 2 h into reperfusion. This protective effect was inhibited by a PPARγ antagonist and partly reduced by a 5‐HT1A receptor antagonist, but was unaffected by antagonists of cannabinoid CB1 or CB2 receptors, TRPV1 channels or adenosine A2A receptors. CBD also reduced cell damage, as measured by LDH release and by markers of cellular adhesion, such as the adhesion molecule VCAM‐1. In HBMEC monocultures, CBD decreased VCAM‐1 and increased VEGF levels, effects which were inhibited by PPARγ antagonism.Conclusions and ImplicationsThese data suggest that preventing permeability changes at the BBB could represent an as yet unrecognized mechanism of CBD‐induced neuroprotection in ischaemic stroke, a mechanism mediated by activation of PPARγ and 5‐HT1A receptors.
A randomized controlled trial comparing a prepackaged low‐residue diet with a restricted diet for colonoscopy preparation: the impact on the results of colonoscopy in adenoma detection
Authors: Matsumura T. , Arai M. , Ishigami H. , Okimoto K. , Saito K. , Minemura S. , Maruoka D. , Nakagawa T. , Katsuno T. , Yokosuka O. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAimThis study aimed to investigate the clinical utility of a prepackaged low‐residue diet (PLD) compared with a restricted diet (RD) for colonoscopic bowel preparation.MethodA prospective randomized controlled trial was carried out with patients undergoing colonoscopy. One hundred patients were randomly assigned to PLD and RD groups. In the RD group, the patients received an information sheet containing acceptable low‐residue options and instructions from the medical staff. All patients received 10 ml sodium picosulphate the day before colonoscopy and 1 l of polyethylene glycol with ascorbic acid (PEG‐A) on the day of the colonoscopy. If the bowel preparation was not adequate, an additional PEG‐A solution was given. The primary outcome was the efficacy of colonic cleansing as rated by the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). The additional amount of PEG‐A solution, adenoma detection rate and patient tolerance were assessed as secondary outcomes.ResultsThe BBPS score in the PLD group was 7.3 ± 1.7 compared with 6.5 ± 1.7 in the RD group. The quality of bowel preparation was significantly better in the PLD group (P < 0.05). The mean amount of additional PEG‐A solution in the PLD group was smaller than in the RD group (293.8 ± 474.8 vs 444.1 ± 625.0 ml), but there was no statistical difference between the two groups. Adenoma detection rates and patient tolerance were similar in the two groups.ConclusionPrepackaged low‐residue diets PLD is superior to RD for bowel preparation for colonoscopy.
Relationships between problematic alcohol consumption and delinquent behaviour from adolescence to young adulthood
Authors: Miller Peter G. , Butler Erin , Richardson Ben , Staiger Petra K. , Youssef George J. , Macdonald Jacqui A. , Sanson Ann , Edwards Ben , Olsson Craig A. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundHeavy episodic drinking (HED) has been associated with increased risk for short‐ and long‐term injury and harms, such as violence and delinquent behaviour; however, the temporal relationship between the two remains unclear, particularly on transition to young adulthood. This study investigates transactional pathways between HED and delinquent behaviour from adolescence to emerging adulthood.MethodsData were drawn from the Australian Temperament Project; a population‐based longitudinal study that has followed the health and development of participants (and parents) across 30 years from birth in 1982. The analytic sample was 1650 participants and included five measurement waves spanning adolescence (3 waves: 13–18 years) and young adulthood (2 waves; 19–24 years).ResultsThere was strong continuity across waves of both HED and delinquency, as well as across‐time associations between them. Delinquent behaviour in adolescence was associated with up to twofold increases in the odds of HED at each subsequent adolescent wave. HED in the late teens was associated with over fourfold increases in the odds of persistent (two waves) HED in young adulthood. HED in the late teens was associated with increases in the odds of delinquent behaviour in young adulthood (over twofold for male and one and a half‐fold for female participants).ConclusionsWhile delinquent behaviour predicts both future HED and future delinquent behaviour in adolescence, once young people reach the legal drinking age of 18 years, HED becomes a predictor of current and future delinquent behaviour and future HED, suggesting that increased access to alcohol increases the likelihood of young people engaging in delinquent behaviour. [Miller PG, Butler E, Richardson B, Staiger PK, Youssef GJ, Macdonald JA, Sanson A, Edwards B, Olsson CA. Relationships between problematic alcohol consumption and delinquent behaviour from adolescence to young adulthood. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:317–325]
Trajectories of alcohol use and association with symptoms of depression from early to late adolescence: The Norwegian Longitudinal Health Behaviour Study
Authors: Skogen Jens Christoffer , Knudsen Ann Kristin , Hysing Mari , Wold Bente , Sivertsen Børge 
Published: October 2015

AbstractIntroduction and AimsAdolescence is a period in which many have an onset of alcohol use, but there is much heterogeneity in the individual development of alcohol use. Further, there is a general increase in depressive symptoms from early to late adolescence, but less is known about how different alcohol habit trajectories are associated with symptoms of depression. The aims of the present study were: to identify trajectories of alcohol consumption and drinking to intoxication during adolescence (age 13–18 years); and examine to what extent the different trajectories of alcohol use were associated with symptoms of depression over the same age span, from early to late adolescence.MethodsData from the Norwegian Longitudinal Health Behaviour Study were employed. Latent class growth analyses were employed to identify different trajectories of both alcohol consumption and drinking to intoxication. The resulting trajectories for each participant were used to estimate the gender‐adjusted association between different development of alcohol use and symptoms of depression.ResultsFour trajectories of both alcohol consumption and drinking to intoxication were identified. The trajectories with an early onset of alcohol consumption or drinking to intoxication were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms compared with late onset or stable low use trajectories.ConclusionsThe findings from the present study suggest that early onset developmental trajectories of alcohol use are associated with depression. Therefore, broad assessment and interventions targeting both alcohol and depression may be indicated among early onset alcohol users, especially if they report increasing levels of consumption. [Skogen JC, Knudsen AK, Hysing M, Wold B, Sivertsen B. Trajectories of alcohol use and association with symptoms of depression from early to late adolescence: The Norwegian Longitudinal Health Behaviour Study. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:307–316]
Evidence of duplicated Hox genes in the most recent common ancestor of extant scorpions
Authors: Sharma Prashant P. , Santiago Marc A. , González‐Santillán Edmundo , Monod Lionel , Wheeler Ward C. 
Published: October 2015

SUMMARYScorpions (order Scorpiones) are unusual among arthropods, both for the extreme heteronomy of their bauplan and for the high gene family turnover exhibited in their genomes. These phenomena appear to be correlated, as two scorpion species have been shown to possess nearly twice the number of Hox genes present in most arthropods. Segmentally offset anterior expression boundaries of a subset of Hox paralogs have been shown to correspond to transitions in segmental identities in the scorpion posterior tagmata, suggesting that posterior heteronomy in scorpions may have been achieved by neofunctionalization of Hox paralogs. However, both the first scorpion genome sequenced and the developmental genetic data are based on exemplars of Buthidae, one of 19 families of scorpions. It is therefore not known whether Hox paralogy is limited to Buthidae or widespread among scorpions. We surveyed 24 high throughput transcriptomes and the single whole genome available for scorpions, in order to test the prediction that Hox gene duplications are common to the order. We used gene tree parsimony to infer whether the paralogy was consistent with a duplication event in the scorpion common ancestor. Here we show that duplicated Hox genes in non‐buthid scorpions occur in six of the ten Hox classes. Gene tree topologies and parsimony‐based reconciliation of the gene trees are consistent with a duplication event in the most recent common ancestor of scorpions. These results suggest that a Hox paralogy, and by extension the model of posterior patterning established in a buthid, can be extended to non‐Buthidae scorpions.
Ancestral state reconstruction of ontogeny supports a bilaterian affinity for Dickinsonia
Authors: Gold David A. , Runnegar Bruce , Gehling James G. , Jacobs David K. 
Published: October 2015

SUMMARYDespite numerous attempts, classification of the Precambrian fossil Dickinsonia has eluded scientific consensus. This is largely because Dickinsonia and its relatives are structurally simple, lacking morphological synapomorphies to clarify their relationship to modern taxa. However, there is increasing precedence for using ontogeny to constrain enigmatic fossils, and growth of the type species Dickinsonia costata is well understood. This study formalizes the connection between ontogeny in Dickinsonia—which grows by the addition of metameric units onto one end of its primary axis—with terminal addition, defined as growth and patterning from a posterior, subtermial growth zone. We employ ancestral state reconstruction and stochastic character mapping to conclude that terminal addition is a synapomorphy of bilaterian animals. Thus, terminal addition allies Dickinsonia with the bilaterians, providing evidence that large stem‐ or crown‐group bilaterians made up a significant proportion of the Precambrian biota. This study also illustrates the potential for combining developmental and phylogenetic data in constraining the placement of ancient problematic fossil taxa on the evolutionary tree.
Evolutionarily divergent thermal sensitivity of germline development and fertility in hermaphroditic Caenorhabditis nematodes
Authors: Poullet Nausicaa , Vielle Anne , Gimond Clotilde , Ferrari Céline , Braendle Christian 
Published: October 2015

SUMMARYThermal developmental plasticity represents a key organismal adaptation to maintain reproductive capacity in contrasting and fluctuating temperature niches. Although extensively studied, research on thermal plasticity has mainly focused on phenotypic outcomes, such as adult life history, rather than directly measuring plasticity of underlying developmental processes. How thermal plasticity of developmental phenotypes maps into plasticity of resulting final phenotypes, and how such mapping relationships evolve, thus remain poorly understood. Here we address these questions by quantifying thermal plasticity of Caenorhabditis hermaphrodite germline development. We integrate measurements of germline development and fertility at the upper thermal range in isolates of C. briggsae, C. elegans, and C. tropicalis. First, we compare intra‐ and interspecific variation in thermal germline plasticity with plasticity in reproductive output. Second, we ask whether the developmental errors leading to fertility break‐down at upper thermal limits are evolutionarily conserved. We find that temperature variation modulates spermatogenesis, oogenesis and germ cell progenitor pools, yet the thermal sensitivity of these processes varies among isolates and species, consistent with evolutionary variation in upper thermal limits of hermaphrodite fertility. Although defective sperm function is a major contributor to heat‐induced fertility break‐down, high temperature also significantly perturbs oogenesis, germline integrity, and mitosis–meiosis progression. Remarkably, the occurrence and frequency of specific errors are strongly species‐ and genotype‐dependent, indicative of evolutionary divergence in thermal sensitivity of distinct processes in germline development. Therefore, the Caenorhabditis reproductive system displays complex genotype‐by‐temperature interactions at the developmental level, which may remain masked when studying thermal plasticity exclusively at the life history level.
Improving your genetic literacy in epilepsy—A new series
Authors: Tan Nigel C. K. , Lowenstein Daniel H. ,   the ILAE Genetics Commission
Published: October 2015

SummaryAdvances in epilepsy genetics have been rapid, and it is challenging for clinicians on the ground to keep pace with these advances. The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Genetics Commission has thus crafted a new Genetic Literacy series targeted at busy clinicians. Our goal is to help provide a concise, accessible resource on epilepsy genetics for the busy, on‐the‐ground clinician so that he/she can apply that knowledge at point‐of‐care to help patients. This new series is grounded in educational theories and evidence to ensure that learning is effective and efficient. We hope that by promoting and encouraging continuing medical education in epilepsy genetics, this eventually translates to better patient management and therefore better patient health outcomes.