bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How selective are elephants as agents of forest tree damage in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda?
Authors: Ssali Fredrick , Sheil Douglas , Nkurunungi John B. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractElephants are locally concentrated in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Vegetation damage attributable to elephants appears to be increasing and may result in the modification of the forest. We examined the implied selectivity of stem damage due to elephants. We followed 26.84 km of recent elephant trails and used 122 plots to document tree damage in relation to species, stem sizes and locations. Of 897 trees (DBH ≥2 cm), 542 (60.4%) were intact, 22 (2.5%) debarked, 274 (30.5%) toppled and 172 (19.2%) had broken branches. Small trees were more likely to be pushed over or have their branches broken, whereas large trees were more commonly debarked. The species most frequently selected for damage included mid‐successional species such as Newtonia buchananii, Myrianthus holstii and Chrysophyllum albidum. These species may be vulnerable to increasing elephant numbers. Our analyses using general linear models indicate that elephants are selective concerning where, how and what tree stems they damage. We found a higher incidence of elephant damage per‐tree stem in open areas than in more closed areas, suggesting feedback in which elephants maintain open habitats that may be conducive for other species such as mountain gorillas. More work is needed to better determine how changing elephant numbers may influence Bwindi's conservation values.
Feeding habits of the mochokid Synodontis punctifer Daget, 1964, in the Bandama River, Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Kouamélan Essetchi Paul , Berté Siaka , Aboua Benié Rose Danielle 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe feeding habits of Synodontis punctifer were investigated in the basin of the Bandama River. Fish specimens were collected using gill nets in the rainy season (May–July 2009) and in the dry season (November 2008 to March 2009 and August 2009). In this article, the importance of the different prey types was assessed using the corrected occurrence and weight percentage. These values were used to calculate the index of preponderance for each taxonomic category. One hundred and ten specimens of S. punctifer were examined, nine stomachs were found empty (8.18%). A total of 39 different prey species belonging to seven major groups Insects, Crustacea, Rotifera, Molluscs, Other invertebrates, Other organisms and Macrophytes were identified in the stomach contents. The results showed that Macrophytes were the primary food item and Insects the secondary prey item. Other preys were recorded occasionally. At the rainy season, the main foods of S. punctifer were Macrophytes and during the dry season this species ate Insects and Macrophytes. The food composition varied between localities. In the riverine localities, specimen fed on 38 prey types. Twenty‐seven prey categories were consumed in the lacustrine. In terms of diet overlap, Schoener coefficient values were above the 0.6 limit (α = 0.99), indicating some high overlap.
Atrial arrhythmia, triggering events and conduction abnormalities in isolated murine RyR2‐P2328S hearts
Authors: King J. H. , Zhang Y. , Lei M. , Grace A. A. , Huang C. L.‐H. , Fraser J. A. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAimRyR2 mutations are associated with catecholaminergic polymorphic tachycardia, a condition characterized by ventricular and atrial arrhythmias. The present experiments investigate the atrial electrophysiology of homozygotic murine RyR2‐P2328S (RyR2S/S) hearts for ectopic triggering events and for conduction abnormalities that might provide a re‐entrant substrate.MethodsElectrocardiograph recordings were made from regularly stimulated RyR2S/S and wild type (WT) hearts, perfused using a novel modified Langendorff preparation. This permitted the simultaneous use of either floating intracellular microelectrodes to measure action potential (AP) parameters, or a multielectrode array to measure epicardial conduction velocity (CV).ResultsRyR2S/S showed frequent sustained tachyarrhythmias, delayed afterdepolarizations and ectopic APs, increased interatrial conduction delays, reduced epicardial CVs and reduced maximum rates of AP depolarization ((dV/dt)max), despite similar effective refractory periods, AP durations and AP amplitudes. Effective interatrial CVs and (dV/dt)max values of APs following ectopic (S2) stimulation were lower than those of APs following regular stimulation and decreased with shortening S1S2 intervals. However, although RyR2S/S atria showed arrhythmias over a wider range of S1S2 intervals, the interatrial CV and (dV/dt)max of S2 APs provoking such arrhythmias were similar in RyR2S/S and WT.ConclusionsThese results suggest that abnormal intracellular Ca2+ homoeostasis produces both arrhythmic triggers and a slow‐conducting arrhythmic substrate in RyR2S/S atria. A similar mechanism might also contribute to arrhythmogenesis in other conditions, associated with diastolic Ca2+release, such as atrial fibrillation.
Predictive factors of response to intravenous ciclosporin in severe ulcerative colitis: the development of a novel prediction formula
Authors: Saito K. , Katsuno T. , Nakagawa T. , Saito M. , Sazuka S. , Sato T. , Matsumura T. , Arai M. , Miyauchi H. , Matsubara H. , Yokosuka O. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryBackgroundWhen treating patients with severe ulcerative colitis (UC), accurate prediction of drug efficacy contributes to early clinical decision‐making.AimTo identify predictive factors and to develop a reliable prediction formula and a decision tree of response to intravenous ciclosporin treatment for severe UC.MethodsPatients included in this study were those diagnosed with refractory severe UC who had undergone ciclosporin treatment between December 2004 and March 2011 at a tertiary referral centre in Japan. Demographic and clinical parameters from all patients were analysed by multivariate statistics.ResultsFifty‐two patients were included in this study (36.5% men with an average age of ciclosporin initiation of 40.2 ± 15.6 years). Thirty‐four patients (65.4%) were responders to the treatment with ciclosporin and avoided colectomy, 18 patients (34.6%) were nonresponders and underwent colectomy. Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis identified four independent predictive factors of response to intravenous ciclosporin: age at hospitalisation (AGE), platelet count (×104/μL) on the first day (PLA), Lichtiger score on the third day (LIC) and total protein (g/dL) on the third day minus total protein on the first day (ΔTP). The calculation formula (8.5 − 0.16 × AGE + 0.21 × PLA − 0.61 × LIC + 2.3 × ΔTP < 0) predicted colectomy with an accuracy of 88.5% and the decision tree predicted colectomy with an accuracy of 90.4%.ConclusionThe novel calculation formula and the decision tree effectively predict the clinical outcome of ciclosporin treatment for severe ulcerative colitis as early as on day 3 after starting ciclosporin treatment.
High one year mortality in adults with sickle cell disease and end‐stage renal disease
Authors: McClellan Ann C. , Luthi Jean‐Christophe , Lynch Janet R. , Soucie J. Michael , Kulkarni Roshni , Guasch Antonio , Huff Edwin D. , Gilbertson David , McClellan William M. , DeBaun Michael R. 
Published: September 2012

SummaryAdequate pre‐dialysis care reduces mortality among end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. We tested the hypothesis that individuals with ESRD due to sickle cell disease (SCD–ESRD) receiving pre‐ESRD care have lower mortality compared to individuals without pre‐ESRD care. We examined the association between mortality and pre‐ESRD care in incident SCD–ESRD patients who started haemodialysis between 1 June, 2005 and 31 May, 2009 using data provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). SCD–ESRD was reported for 410 (0·1%) of 442 017 patients. One year after starting dialysis, 108 (26·3%) patients with incident ESRD attributed to SCD died; the hazard ratio (HR) for mortality among patients with SCD–ESRD compared to those without SCD as the primary cause of renal failure was 2·80 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2·31–3·38). Patients with SCD–ESRD receiving pre‐dialysis nephrology care had a lower death rate than those with SCD–ESRD who did not receive pre‐dialysis nephrology care (HR = 0·67, 95% CI 0·45–0·99). The one‐year mortality rate following an ESRD diagnosis was almost three times higher in individuals with SCD when compared to those without SCD but with ESRD and could be attenuated by pre‐dialysis nephrology care.
Prognostic value of trisomy 8 as a single anomaly and the influence of additional cytogenetic aberrations in primary myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Saumell Sílvia , Florensa Lourdes , Luño Elisa , Sanzo Carmen , Cañizo Consuelo , Hernández Jesus M. , Cervera José , Gallart Miguel A. , Carbonell Félix , Collado Rosa , Arenillas Leonor , Pedro Carme , Bargay Joan , Nomdedeu Benet , Xicoy Blanca , Vallespí Teresa , Raya José M. , Belloch Luis , Sanz Guillermo F. , Solé Francesc 
Published: September 2012

SummaryTrisomy 8 is the most common chromosomal gain in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), however, little is known about the features of MDS with isolated trisomy 8 and the influence of additional cytogenetic aberrations. We determined the characteristics and prognostic factors of 72 patients with trisomy 8 as a single anomaly and analysed also the impact of other aberrations added to trisomy 8 in another 62 patients. According to our study, MDS with isolated trisomy 8 was more frequent in men, with more than one cytopenia in most patients (62%) and having about 4% bone marrow blasts. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that platelet count and percentage bone marrow blasts had the strongest impact on overall survival (OS). The median OS for isolated trisomy 8, trisomy 8 plus one aberration (tr8 + 1), plus two (tr8 + 2) and plus three or more aberrations (tr8 + ≥3) was 34·3, 40, 23·4 and 5·8 months, respectively (P < 0·001). Trisomy 8 confers a poorer prognosis than a normal karyotype in MDS patients with ≥5% bone marrow blasts. This study supports the view that MDS with isolated trisomy 8 should be included in the intermediate cytogenetic risk group.
Preoperative neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio >5 is a prognostic factor for recurrent colorectal cancer
Authors: Mallappa S. , Sinha A. , Gupta S. , Chadwick S. J. D. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAim  Previous studies have demonstrated that raised preoperative neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is associated with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to assess whether preoperative NLR could predict patients at risk of recurrence of CRC.Method  All consecutive patients who underwent surgical resection for CRC over a 2‐year period at our institution were analysed. Demographic data including CRC recurrence were prospectively collected from our institutional cancer database. CRC recurrence was diagnosed on radiological and endoscopic histopathological data. Preoperative NLR was calculated on baseline blood results, with a value >5 being a poor prognostic factor. Parametric survival analysis was used to identify risk factors for CRC recurrence. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated for gender, CRC stage using Jass score, preoperative NLR and CRC site. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results  In all, 297 patients (157 men) underwent CRC resection at a median age of 70 years (range 23–93); 164 patients had colon cancer, 111 rectal cancer and 22 recto‐sigmoid cancer. The distribution by stage of CRC was 30.2% for stage 1, 23.8% for stage 2, 19.5% for stage 3 and 26.5% for stage 4. Over a median follow‐up period of 3.35 (0.1–8) years, 59 (19.8%) patients had recurrent CRC. Multivariate analysis revealed CRC stage (HR 8.69, 95% CI 3.85–19.6, P < 0.0001) and NLR >5 (HR 1.81, 95% CI 1.07–3.07, P = 0.028) to be significant and independent risk factors predictive of recurrent CRC.Conclusion  These data suggest that preoperative NLR >5 is predictive of CRC recurrence.
Carcinoma cuniculatum: not a verrucous carcinoma
Authors: Kubik MJ , Rhatigan RM 
Published: September 2012

BackgroundCarcinoma cuniculatum and verrucous carcinoma are both very well differentiated forms of squamous carcinoma and thus difficult to separate histologically from pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia. The diagnosis of each often requires clinical‐pathologic correlation.MethodsWe reviewed the literature on cases reported as carcinoma cuniculatum and compared these to the cases originally reported by Aird et al. In addition, we report an additional case of this entity that we encountered in our practice.ResultsIn reviewing the literature it is evident that most authors consider carcinoma cuniculatum and verrucous carcinoma to be synonymous even though Aird's original two cases had no verrucous features. The lack of a clear conceptual distinction between these two entities may cause diagnostic confusion.ConclusionThe purpose of this report is to record a case of carcinoma cuniculatum which the authors believe to be similar to those reported by Aird et al., to emphasize the differences between carcinoma cuniculatum and verrucous carcinoma, and to explain how the lack of a clear conceptual distinction between these two tumors can lead to further delay in an already difficult diagnosis.
A network meta‐analysis to compare glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with exenatide once weekly or liraglutide once daily in comparison with insulin glargine, exenatide twice daily or placebo
Authors: Scott D. A. , Boye K. S. , Timlin L. , Clark J. F. , Best J. H. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAimsThe glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1 RAs) exenatide once weekly (ExQW) and liraglutide once daily (QD) are indicated to improve glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Although glycaemic control with ExQW versus liraglutide QD 1.8 mg has been directly compared, no studies have compared ExQW with liraglutide QD 1.2 mg or determined the probable relative efficacies of various injectable therapies for glycaemic control; therefore, a network meta‐analysis was performed to address these questions.MethodsA systematic review identified randomized controlled trials of ≥24 weeks that compared ExQW, liraglutide QD (1.2 mg, 1.8 mg), insulin glargine, exenatide twice daily (ExBID), or placebo. Twenty‐two studies evaluating 11 049 patients were included in the network meta‐analysis. Mean differences in HbA1c relative to placebo or each other and probability rankings were estimated.ResultsEstimated mean differences in HbA1c versus placebo were −1.15% (95% CrI: −1.31 to −1.00) for ExQW, −1.01% (95% CrI: −1.18 to −0.85) for liraglutide 1.2 mg, and −1.18% (95% CrI: −1.32 to −1.04) for liraglutide 1.8 mg. HbA1c differences for ExQW versus liraglutide 1.2 mg and 1.8 mg were −0.14% (95% CrI: −0.34 to 0.06) and 0.03% (95% CrI: −0.14 to 0.18), respectively. The estimated mean difference in HbA1c between liraglutide 1.2 mg and 1.8 mg was 0.17% (95% CrI: 0.02–0.30). Results were consistent when adjusted for background antihyperglycaemic medications and diabetes duration.ConclusionsThis network meta‐analysis did not identify meaningful differences in HbA1c lowering between ExQW and both liraglutide doses, suggesting that these GLP‐1 RAs have similar glycaemic effects.
Directed seed dispersal towards areas with low conspecific tree density by a scatter‐hoarding rodent
Authors: Hirsch Ben T. , Kays Roland , Pereira Verónica E. , Jansen Patrick A. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractScatter‐hoarding animals spread out cached seeds to reduce density‐dependent theft of their food reserves. This behaviour could lead to directed dispersal into areas with lower densities of conspecific trees, where seed and seedling survival are higher, and could profoundly affect the spatial structure of plant communities. We tested this hypothesis with Central American agoutis andAstrocaryum standleyanumpalm seeds on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. We radio‐tracked seeds as they were cached and re‐cached by agoutis, calculated the density of adultAstrocaryumtrees surrounding each cache, and tested whether the observed number of trees around seed caches declined more than expected under random dispersal. Seedling establishment success was negatively dependent on seed density, and agoutis carried seeds towards locations with lower conspecific tree densities, thus facilitating the escape of seeds from natural enemies. This behaviour may be a widespread mechanism leading to highly effective seed dispersal by scatter‐hoarding animals.
Behavioral Plasticity and Variation in Pit Construction of Antlion Larvae in Substrates with Different Particle Sizes
Authors: Klokočovnik Vesna , Devetak Dušan , Orlačnik Marina 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBehavioral plasticity allows animals to maximize their fitness in a variety of environmental conditions. Trap‐building predators represent case studies in such plasticity as the characteristics of their traps are dependent upon the substrate available. We investigated the effect of sand particle size on pit construction in antlions (Euroleon nostras), sand‐dwelling insect larvae that build pitfall traps to capture prey. The pit construction behavior of the species comprises six stages. When antlions were exposed to different sand particle sizes, their behavior differed in terms of the occurrence and duration of particular stages and in the frequency of jerks produced during sand tossing. Jerk frequency was negatively correlated with sand particle size and also changed during pit construction. Furthermore, at larger particle sizes, individuals occasionally constructed irregular traps with a figure of eight shape, and they crossed the center of the truncated cone during deepening. In the largest substrate, particle size of antlions did not construct pits. Our results demonstrate that variation in traps under differing environmental conditions stems directly from behavioral plasticity in this species.
Stress for invasion success? Temperature stress of preceding generations modifies the response to insecticide stress in an invasive pest insect
Authors: Piiroinen Saija , Lyytinen Anne , Lindström Leena 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAdaptation to stressful environments is one important factor influencing species invasion success. Tolerance to one stress may be complicated by exposure to other stressors experienced by the preceding generations. We studied whether parental temperature stress affects tolerance to insecticide in the invasive Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata. Field‐collected pyrethroid‐resistant beetles were reared under either stressful (17°C) or favourable (23°C) insecticide‐free environments for three generations. Then, larvae were exposed to pyrethroid insecticides in common garden conditions (23°C). Beetles were in general tolerant to stress. The parental temperature stress alone affected beetles positively (increased adult weight) but it impaired their tolerance to insecticide exposure. In contrast, offspring from the favourable temperature regime showed compensatory weight gain in response to insecticide exposure. Our study emphasizes the potential of cross‐generational effects modifying species stress tolerance. When resistant pest populations invade benign environments, a re‐application of insecticides may enhance their performance via hormetic effects. In turn, opposite effects may arise if parental generations have been exposed to temperature stress. Thus, the outcome of management practices of invasive pest species is difficult to predict unless we also incorporate knowledge of the evolutionary and recent (preceding generations) stress history of the given populations into pest management.
How do keratinizing disorders and blistering disorders overlap?
Authors: Hamada Takahiro , Tsuruta Daisuke , Fukuda Shunpei , Ishii Norito , Teye Kwesi , Numata Sanae , Dainichi Teruki , Karashima Tadashi , Ohata Chika , Furumura Minao , Hashimoto Takashi 
Published: September 2012

AbstractInherited keratinizing disorders are caused by mutations in the genes encoding cornified cell envelope proteins, enzymes and their inhibitors, adhesion molecules, cytoskeletal proteins and others in the epidermis. These molecules are known to regulate differentiation, proliferation and cell adhesions. Intriguingly, some keratinizing disorders show blistering skin lesions, while some inherited blistering disorders show abnormal keratinization. Therefore, hereditary keratinizing and blistering diseases are closely related and show overlapping genetic backgrounds. In this review, we overviewed keratinizing and blistering disorders in terms of overlapping of the two disease groups. Gene mutations in desmosomal components cause striate keratoderma, Naxos disease, epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma and plakophilin deficiency, which first show skin fragility and blisters and later hyperkeratosis. Gene mutations in hemidesmosomal components cause various forms of epidermolysis bullosa, some of which show hyperkeratosis on the nails, palms and soles, in addition to blister formation. Diseases with gene mutations in calcium pump proteins are Darier disease and Hailey–Hailey disease, which show clinicopathological overlaps and develop both keratinizing and blistering skin lesions. Finally, gene mutations in epidermal keratins cause epidermolysis bullosa simplex, epidermolytic ichthyosis, superficial epidermolytic ichthyosis, epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma and pachyonychia congenita/focal palmoplantar keratoderma, which show thickening of the palms and soles with underlying blister formation. In general, responsible proteins for diseases developing both keratinizing and blistering conditions are adhesion molecules, calcium pump proteins and keratins, but not connexins, cornified cell envelop proteins, enzymes or inhibitors. It is still unknown how particular keratinizing diseases develop blisters and vice versa.
Immunomodulatory effects of Bacillus subtilis (natto) B4 spores on murine macrophages
Authors: Xu Xin , Huang Qin , Mao Yulong , Cui Zhiwen , Li Yali , Huang Yi , Rajput Imran Rashid , Yu Dongyou , Li Weifen 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTTo investigate the immunomodulatory effects of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) (natto) B4 spores on murine macrophage, RAW 264.7 cells were cultured alone or with B subtilis (natto) B4 spores at 37°C for 12 hrs, then both cells and culture supernatants were collected for analyses. Exposure of RAW 264.7 cells to B. subtilis (natto) B4 spores had no significant effects on macrophage viability and amounts of extracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). However, it remarkably increased the activities of acid phosphatase (ACP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in cells and the amounts of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, interferon‐gamma, interleukin [IL]‐1 beta, IL‐6, IL‐12, IL‐10 and macrophage inflammatory protein‐2) in culture supernatants. These results demonstrate that B. subtilis (natto) B4 spores are harmless to murine macrophages and can stimulate their activation through up‐regulation of ACP and LDH activities and enhance their immune function by increasing iNOS activity and stimulating NO and cytokine production. The above findings suggest that B. subtilis (natto) B4 spores have immunomodulatory effects on macrophages.