bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spider, bee, and bird communities in cities are shaped by environmental control and high stochasticity
Authors: Sattler T. , Borcard D. , Arlettaz R. , Bontadina F. , Legendre P. , Obrist M. K. , Moretti M. 
Published: June 2010

Spatially organized distribution patterns of species and communities are shaped by both autogenic processes (neutral mechanism theory) and exogenous processes (niche theory). In the latter, environmental variables that are themselves spatially organized induce spatial structure in the response variables. The relative importance of these processes has not yet been investigated in urban habitats. We compared the variance explained by purely spatial, spatially structured environmental, and purely environmental components for the community composition of spiders (Araneae), bees (Apidae), and birds (Aves) at 96 locations in three Swiss cities. Environmental variables (topography, climate, land cover, urban green management) were measured on four different radii around sampling points (<10 m, 50 m, 250 m, 1000 m), while Moran's eigenvector maps (MEMs) acted as spatial variables. All three taxonomic groups showed weak spatial structure. Spider communities reacted to very fine‐scaled environmental changes of lawn and meadow management and climate. Bird community composition was determined by woody plants as well as solar radiation at all radii, the scale of the influence varying among species. Bee communities were weakly explained by isolated variables only.Our results suggest that the anthropogenic structuring of urban areas has disrupted the spatial organization of environmental variables and inhibited the development of biotic spatial processes. The near absence of spatial structure may therefore be a feature typical of urban species assemblages, resulting in urban community composition mainly influenced by local environmental variables. Urban environments represent a close‐knit mosaic of habitats that are regularly disturbed. Species communities in urban areas are far from equilibrium. Our analysis also suggests that urban communities need to be considered as being in constant change to adapt to disturbances and changes imposed by human activities.
Life history traits predict relative abundance in an assemblage of forest caterpillars
Authors: Lind Eric M. , Barbosa Pedro 
Published: June 2010

Species in a given trophic level occur in vastly unequal abundance, a pattern commonly documented but poorly explained for most taxa. Theoretical predictions of species density such as those arising from the metabolic theory of ecology hold well at large spatial and temporal scales but are not supported in many communities sampled at a relatively small scale. At these scales ecological factors may be more important than the inherent limits to energy use set by allometric scaling of mass. These factors include the amount of resources available, and the ability of individuals to convert these resources successfully into population growth. While previous studies have demonstrated the limits of macroecological theory in explaining local abundance, few studies have tested alternative generalized mechanisms determining abundance at the community scale. Using an assemblage of forest moth species found co‐occurring as caterpillars on a single host plant species, we tested whether species abundance on that plant could be explained by mass allometry, intrinsic population growth, diet breadth, or some combination of these traits. We parameterized life history traits of the caterpillars in association with the host plant in both field and laboratory settings, so that the population growth estimate was specific to the plant on which abundance was measured.Using a generalized least‐squares regression method incorporating phylogenetic relatedness, we found no relationship between abundance and mass but found that abundance was best explained by both intrinsic population growth rate and diet breadth. Species population growth potential was most affected by survivorship and larval development time on the host plant. Metabolic constraints may determine upper limits to local abundance levels for species, but local community abundance is strongly predicted by the potential for population increase and the resources available to that species in the environment.
Null model analysis of species associations using abundance data
Authors: Ulrich Werner , Gotelli Nicholas J. 
Published: June 2010

The influence of negative species interactions has dominated much of the literature on community assembly rules. Patterns of negative covariation among species are typically documented through null model analyses of binary presence/absence matrices in which rows designate species, columns designate sites, and the matrix entries indicate the presence (1) or absence (0) of a particular species in a particular site. However, the outcome of species interactions ultimately depends on population‐level processes. Therefore, patterns of species segregation and aggregation might be more clearly expressed in abundance matrices, in which the matrix entries indicate the abundance or density of a species in a particular site.We conducted a series of benchmark tests to evaluate the performance of 14 candidate null model algorithms and six covariation metrics that can be used with abundance matrices. We first created a series of random test matrices by sampling a metacommunity from a lognormal species abundance distribution. We also created a series of structured matrices by altering the random matrices to incorporate patterns of pairwise species segregation and aggregation. We next screened each algorithm–index combination with the random and structured matrices to determine which tests had low Type I error rates and good power for detecting segregated and aggregated species distributions. In our benchmark tests, the best‐performing null model does not constrain species richness, but assigns individuals to matrix cells proportional to the observed row and column marginal distributions until, for each row and column, total abundances are reached.Using this null model algorithm with a set of four covariance metrics, we tested for patterns of species segregation and aggregation in a collection of 149 empirical abundance matrices and 36 interaction matrices collated from published papers and posted data sets. More than 80% of the matrices were significantly segregated, which reinforces a previous meta‐analysis of presence/absence matrices. However, using two of the metrics we detected a significant pattern of aggregation for plants and for the interaction matrices (which include plant–pollinator data sets). These results suggest that abundance matrices, analyzed with an appropriate null model, may be a powerful tool for quantifying patterns of species segregation and aggregation.
Assessment of Total Antioxidant Capacity and the Use of Vitamin C in the Treatment of Non‐Smokers With Chronic Periodontitis
Authors: Abou Sulaiman Ali E. , Shehadeh Rana M.H. 
Published: June 2010

Background: Several recent studies have indicated that total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) of plasma seems to be compromised in chronic periodontitis (ChP). The aim of this study is to investigate plasma TAOC in patients with ChP and to assess the effects of vitamin C as an adjunct to non‐surgical periodontal treatment.Methods: The study population consisted of 60 subjects: 30 diagnosed with ChP and 30 matched controls. Furthermore, patients from the ChP group were randomly allocated into ChP1 (15 patients received non‐surgical treatment with adjunctive dose of vitamin C) and ChP2 (15 patients received non‐surgical periodontal treatment alone). Plasma TAOC levels were measured by an ABTS assay at baseline and 1 month post‐therapy.Results: Plasma TAOC levels were significantly lower in ChP patients than controls (P <0.001). The periodontal therapy resulted in increasing plasma TAOC and improvements in clinical measures among both ChP1 and ChP2 groups (P <0.001). However, the adjunctive dose of vitamin C did not offer additional effect (P >0.05).Conclusions: ChP is significantly associated with lower levels of plasma TAOC. The non‐surgical periodontal therapy seems to reduce the oxidative stress during the periodontal inflammation. However, the use of adjunctive vitamin C still needs further investigation.
Age-Period-Cohort Analysis of 1990–2003 Incidence Time Trends of Childhood Diabetes in Italy
Authors: Bruno Graziella , Maule Milena , Merletti Franco , Novelli Giulia , Falorni Alberto , Iannilli Antonio , Iughetti Lorenzo , Altobelli Emma , d'Annunzio Giuseppe , Piffer Silvano , Pozzilli Paolo , Iafusco Dario , Songini Marco , Roncarolo Federico , Toni Sonia , Carle Flavia , Cherubini Valentino ,   the RIDI Study Group
Published: June 2010

OBJECTIVE
To investigate age-period-cohort effects on the temporal trend of type 1 diabetes in children age 0–14 years in Italian registries.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
This report is based on 5,180 incident cases in the period 1990–2003 from the Registry for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Italy (RIDI). Multilevel (random intercept) Poisson regression models were used to model the effects of sex, age, calendar time, and birth cohorts on temporal trends, taking into account the registry-level variance component.

RESULTS
The incidence rate was 12.26 per 100,000 person-years and significantly higher in boys (13.13 [95% CI 12.66–13.62]) than in girls (11.35 [10.90–11.82]). Large geographical variations in incidence within Italy were evident; incidence was highest in Sardinia, intermediate in Central-Southern Italy, and high in Northern Italy, particularly in the Trento Province, where the incidence rate was 18.67 per 100,000 person-years. An increasing temporal trend was evident (2.94% per year [95% CI 2.22–3.67]). With respect to the calendar period 1990–1992, the incidence rates increased linearly by 15, 27, 35, and 40% in the following time periods (P for trend &lt; 0.001). With respect to the 1987–1993 birth cohort, the incidence rate ratio increased approximately linearly from 0.63 (95% CI 0.54–0.73) in the 1975–1981 cohort to 1.38 (1.06–1.80) in the 1999–2003 cohort. The best model, however, included sex, age, and a linear time trend (drift).

CONCLUSIONS
Large geographical variations and an increasing temporal trend in diabetes incidence are evident among type 1 diabetic children in Italy. Age-period-cohort analysis shows that the variation over time has a linear component that cannot be ascribed to either the calendar period or the birth cohort.
Meeting the needs of children and young people with speech, language and communication difficulties
Authors: Lindsay Geoff , Dockrell Julie , Desforges Martin , Law James , Peacey Nick 
Published: June 2010

Background: The UK government set up a review of provision for children and young people with the full range of speech, language and communication needs led by a Member of Parliament, John Bercow. A research study was commissioned to provide empirical evidence to inform the Bercow Review.Aims: To examine the efficiency and effectiveness of different arrangements for organizing and providing services for children and young people with needs associated with primary speech, language and communication difficulties.Methods & Procedures: Six Local Authorities in England and associated Primary Care Trusts were selected to represent a range of locations reflecting geographic spread, urban/rural and prevalence of children with speech, language and communication difficulties. In each case study, interviews were held with the senior Local Authority manager for special educational needs and a Primary Care Trust senior manager for speech and language therapy. A further 23 head teachers or heads of specialist provision for speech, language and communication difficulties were also interviewed and policy documents were examined.Outcomes & Results: A thematic analysis of the interviews produced four main themes: identification of children and young people with speech, language and communication difficulties; meeting their needs; monitoring and evaluation; and research and evaluation. There were important differences between Local Authorities and Primary Care Trusts in the collection, analysis and use of data, in particular. There were also differences between Local Authority/Primary Care Trust pairs, especially in the degree to which they collaborated in developing policy and implementing practice.Conclusions & Implications: This study has demonstrated a lack of consistency across Local Authorities and Primary Care Trusts. Optimizing provision to meet the needs of children and young people with speech, language and communication difficulties will require concerted action, with leadership from central government. The study was used by the Bercow Review whose recommendations have been addressed by central government and a funded action plan has been implemented as a result.
Knowledge is BLISS: an investigation into the transparency of BLISS symbol strings directed by a person with aphasia
Authors: O'Donnell Tony , Bruce Carolyn , Black Maria , Clayton Amanda 
Published: June 2010

Background: Since his stroke 15 years ago, Tony O'Donnell has worked with BLISS, a symbolic, graphical language. BLISS has been used with a variety of clinical populations, including people with severe aphasia. O'Donnell found his adapted version of BLISS was meaningful to him when spoken and written English was not. The present study is part of a larger project that investigated the validity and generality of O'Donnell's belief that his adapted system would be useful for people with severe aphasia.Aims: The first aim was to investigate whether people without aphasia and without training could match the adapted version of BLISS to pictures. The second aim was to conduct collaborative research involving researchers with and without aphasia and to explore their experiences.Methods & Procedures: The performance of 55 undergraduate students was investigated on two forced‐choice matching tasks: (1) matching three pictures and three BLISS strings; and (2) selecting one of two BLISS strings to match to a picture. A semi‐structured interview was conducted to obtain the researchers' perceptions of the research process.Outcomes & Results: The participants' performance across tasks showed that individuals without aphasia can match BLISS strings without training. However, there was considerable individual variation and only some participants scored significantly above chance on both tasks. The interview revealed that although this study took longer to complete, there were many positive aspects of working collaboratively. All the researchers gained personally and professionally from their involvement. Of particular interest was the realization that the researcher with aphasia had a greater ability to plan, problem solve and develop ideas than was initially thought.Conclusions and Implications: Individuals without aphasia are able to match symbol strings to pictures without teaching. Further research is required to establish whether people with aphasia can similarly match the adapted version of BLISS to pictures. This study provides further evidence that people with aphasia can engage productively in the research process, even when experimental methodologies are employed.
Use of Newer Antiretroviral Agents, Darunavir and Etravirine with or without Raltegravir, in Pregnancy: A Report of two Cases
Authors: Jaworsky Denise , Thompson Courtney , Yudin Mark H , Bitnun Ari , Brophy Jason , Samson Lindy , Antoniou Tony , Loutfy Mona R 
Published: June 2010

Background Although antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy is associated with significant reductions in the risk of vertical transmission of HIV, attainment of this outcome in highly treatment-experienced pregnant women might be complicated by the lack of active drugs available to assemble a potent regimen. The recent licensing and availability of darunavir, etravirine and raltegravir has broadened management options available for highly treatment-experienced patients. However, data on their safety and efficacy in preventing vertical transmission are limited. Methods A retrospective chart review of two cases describing obstetrical, infant and treatment outcomes associated with the use of regimens that include darunavir and etravirine with or without raltegravir during pregnancy was conducted. Results We document two cases of pregnant HIV-positive women treated with antiretroviral therapy including darunavir, etravirine and raltegravir. Vertical transmission was averted and no congenital anomalies were observed. Conclusions In the absence of human development toxicity data for these agents, these cases provide preliminary anecdotal data on their safety during pregnancy. Although the outcomes of these cases are reassuring, additional studies and registries are required to establish the safety and efficacy of these agents during pregnancy.
Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B in Asia-Pacific Countries: Is the Asia-Pacific Consensus Statement being followed?
Authors: Sung Joseph JY , Amarapurkar Deepak , Chan Henry LY , Cheng Jun , Kao Jia-Horng , Han Kwang-Hyub , Piratvisuth Teerha 
Published: June 2010

Background The Asia-Pacific consensus guidelines for the management of chronic hepatitis B state that the principal indicators for starting therapy are increased HBV DNA levels (≥20,000 IU/ml for hepatitis B e antigen [HBeAg]-positive status and >2,000 IU/ml for HBeAg-negative status) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels >2x the upper limit of normal. We aimed to determine whether clinicians in the Asia-Pacific region are treating patients with chronic hepatitis B according to the Asia-Pacific consensus statement on the management of chronic hepatitis B. Methods An online survey of chronic hepatitis B treatment practices was prepared, consisting of 14 questions grouped into seven categories: patient statistics, treatment statistics, treatment decision, first-choice treatment, treatment duration, future directions and patient preference. Results In total, 124 respondents from 12 countries completed the survey. Most respondents indicated that detectable HBV DNA was either the first or second most important factor when deciding whether to initiate therapy. Many physicians were unsure about initiation of treatment in patients >40 years of age when ALT levels were within the normal range. Oral antiviral drugs were the most frequently used medication because of their effectiveness, safety and ability to provide sustained viral suppression. Conversely, the most important reasons for selecting interferon therapy were effectiveness, fixed duration of treatment and lack of drug resistance. Criteria for stopping treatment generally followed the recommendations included in the guidelines. Conclusions These data suggest that clinicians from the Asia-Pacific region use criteria beyond those advocated in treatment guidelines when deciding whether to initiate treatment in HBV-infected patients.
Opposite effect of two cytomegalovirus DNA polymerase mutations on replicative capacity and polymerase activity
Authors: Martin Mélanie , Azzi Arezki , Lin Sheng-Xiang , Boivin Guy 
Published: June 2010

BackgroundHuman cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections cause significant morbidity in immunocompromised hosts. The aim of this study was to characterize the role of two HCMV DNA polymerase mutations (K805Q and T821I) found in a ganciclovir- and foscarnet- resistant clinical isolate from an AIDS patient.MethodsThe effects of single and dual DNA polymerase mutations on virus susceptibility and replicative capacity, as well as on enzymatic activity, were studied using recombinant viruses generated from overlapping cosmids and DNA polymerase enzymes expressed in rabbit reticulocyte lysates.ResultsRecombinant viruses containing mutations K805Q, T821I and K805Q+T821I had 0.8-fold, 5.3-fold and 4.8-fold increases in ganciclovir 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values and 0.3-fold, 23.3-fold and 15.6-fold increases in foscarnet IC50values, respectively, compared with those of the wild-type virus. The recombinant virus T821I had impaired replication in fibroblastic cells on day 2 post-infection with a decrease in viral titres of 3.5-fold, 4.3-fold and 2.6-fold compared to the recombinant wild-type, K805Q and K805Q+T821I viruses, respectively. Enzymatic studies of wild-type and mutant DNA polymerase enzymes in presence of foscarnet resulted in IC50values that were similar to those of the recombinant viruses. Steady-state kinetic constants Kmand Vmaxderived from Michaelis–Menten equations showed that the activity of the mutant T821I enzyme was diminished compared with those of wild-type, K805Q and K805Q+T821I mutant enzymes. Thermodynamic stability of the two single mutant enzymes was opposed as shown by computer- assisted three-dimensional modelling studies.ConclusionsThe HCMV DNA polymerase mutation K805Q improved the fitness of the T821I mutation associated with high levels of resistance to foscarnet.
Combination therapy of vaccinia virus infection with human anti-H3 and anti-B5 monoclonal antibodies in a small animal model
Authors: McCausland Megan M , Benhnia Mohammed Rafii-El-Idrissi , Crickard Lindsay , Laudenslager John , Granger Steven W , Tahara Tomoyuki , Kubo Ralph , Koriazova Lilia , Kato Shinichiro , Crotty Shane 
Published: June 2010

Background Treatment of rare severe side effects of vaccinia virus (VACV) immunization in humans is currently very challenging. VACV possesses two immunologically distinct virion forms in vivo — intracellular mature virion (MV, IMV) and extracellular virion (EV, EEV). Methods Antibody-mediated therapeutic efficacy was determined against VACV infection in a small animal model of progressive vaccinia. The model consisted of severe combined immunodeficiency mice infected with VACV New York City Board of Health vaccine strain and treated with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Results Here, we show that combination therapy with two fully human mAbs against an immunodominant MV antigen, H3 (H3L), and an EV antigen, B5 (B5R), provides significantly better protection against disease and death than either single human monoclonal or human vaccinia immune globulin, the currently licensed therapeutic for side effects of smallpox vaccination. Conclusions The preclinical studies validate that this combination of mAbs against H3 and B5 is a promising approach as a poxvirus infection treatment for use in humans.
Paroxetine Prevents Loss of Nigrostriatal Dopaminergic Neurons by Inhibiting Brain Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in an Experimental Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Chung Young C. , Kim Sang R. , Jin Byung K. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe present study examined whether the antidepressant paroxetine promotes the survival of nigrostriatal dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. MPTP induced degeneration of nigrostriatal DA neurons and glial activation as visualized by tyrosine hydroxylase, macrophage Ag complex-1, and/or glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity. Real-time PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry showed upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, activation of microglial NADPH oxidase and astroglial myeloperoxidase, and subsequent reactive oxygen species production and oxidative DNA damage in the MPTP-treated substantia nigra. Treatment with paroxetine prevented degeneration of nigrostriatal DA neurons, increased striatal dopamine levels, and improved motor function. This neuroprotection afforded by paroxetine was associated with the suppression of astroglial myeloperoxidase expression and/or NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species production and reduced expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, TNF-α, and inducible NO synthase, by activated microglia. The present findings show that paroxetine may possess anti-inflammatory properties and inhibit glial activation-mediated oxidative stress, suggesting that paroxetine and its analogues may have therapeutic value in the treatment of aspects of Parkinson’s disease related to neuroinflammation.