bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A gigantic skull and skeleton of the horned dinosaur Pentaceratops sternbergi from New Mexico
Authors: Lehman Thomas M.
Published: July 2015

An exceptionally large skeleton of Pentaceratops sternbergi (Ornithischia:Ceratopsia) provides for the first time an accurate impression of the body proportions in this horned dinosaur. This is the only known specimen with a skull associated with most of the postcranial skeleton. The restored skull is nearly three meters in length and is thus the largest of any ceratopsian and the largest skull thus far known in any terrestrial vertebrate. The elongate rostrum, elaborate premaxillary structure, and complex frontal and cornual sinuses demonstrate a high level of intraspecific variability in these features. Such features are therefore likely not useful in providing species-level discrimination in other chasmosaurines. The function of the intricate chasmosaurine premaxillary narial structures is probably associated with an advanced level of herbivory.
Enigmatic fossil encrusting an Upper Ordovician rocky shore on Hudson Bay, Canada
Authors: Johnson Markes E. , Xi-Nan Mu , Jia-Yu Rong
Published: July 2015

Storeacolumnella hudsonensis is described as a new genus and species of encrusting, colonial organism that lived in an intertidal, rocky-shore environment. The fossil was discovered in the basal beds of the Upper Ordovician Port Nelson Formation at a coastal outcrop on Hudson Bay near Churchill, Manitoba. Showing some possible characteristics of sponges and other possible characteristics of calcaerous green algae, this matlike organism is considered nonetheless to have uncertain taxonomic affinities. It consists of cylinder-shaped columns, each with an internal system of star-shaped filaments or spicules as viewed in transverse section. The cylinders stand vertical in longitudinal section and are densely packed together to form a mat. The hard substrate to which the mat is attached consists of a boulder eroded from the Precambrian Churchill Quartzite. Maximum colony size observed in a single example exhibits a diameter of not less than 80 mm and maximum thickness of 5.85 mm.
Neoguadalupia oregonensis new species: Reappearance of a Permian sponge genus in the Upper Triassic Wallowa Terrane, Oregon
Authors: Senowbari-Daryan Baba , Stanley George D.
Published: July 2015

The sponge Neoguadalupia oregonensis new species is described from the Upper Triassic Martin Bridge Formation in the southern Wallowa Mountains, Oregon. It is the first authenticated Triassic occurrence of the genus Neoguadalupia, previously known from the Permian of South China and suspected to occur in Upper Triassic of Nevada. This discovery provides evidence at the generic level of survival of a Lazarus taxon in an island-arc terrane of western North America.
New and revised Lower Devonian Rugosa from Western North America and Tasmania
Authors: Pedder A.E.H.
Published: July 2015

Anactolasma yukonanumnew genus and species is described from the Pragian of Yukon Territory and is assigned to the Anactolasmatinae, a new subfamily of the Mucophyllidae Hill. Adult stages ofAnactolasmaresemble gerontic stages ofKobehaMerriam, although the genera have distinct ontogenies.Kobehais revised on the basis of new material of its type speciesK. walcottiMerriam. The Papiliophyllinae Stumm are promoted to family status.Kobeha ketophylloidesMerriam, from the Pragian of Nevada, andEndophyllum banksiJell and Hill, from the Pragian of Tasmania, are restudied using new topotypic and other material. A new endophyllid genus namedMurphyphyllumis erected for them, withE. banksias type species.Asarcophyllum ramosumnew genus and species, from the Emsian of Nevada, is made type species of a new cyathophyllid genus.Spongophyllum nevadenseStumm andS. expansumStumm, both also from the Emsian of Nevada, are placed in the new genus, as isAsarcophyllum coronanew genus and species, from the Emsian of Yukon Territory. Biostratigraphic settings, with emphasis on associated corals, brachiopods and conodonts, are given for the new and revised genera and species.
Stomatopods (Crustacea: Malacostraca) from the Miocene of California
Authors: Hof Cees H. J. , Schram Frederick R.
Published: July 2015

The scarce fossil record of stomatopod crustaceans is extended with three new species and two new genera described from the Miocene of California.Squilla laingaenew species andAngelosquilla altamirensisnew genus and species show clear affinities to the Recent family Squillidae.Topangasquilla gravesinew genus and species can be accommodated within the Recent family Lysiosquillidae. These new species occur in the Monterey and Topanga Formations in Los Angeles County. In addition, three other specimens are described from the Miocene Topanga Formation. The preservation of these stomatopods is among the best noted for any fossils of this group. These specimens show characteristic stages of decay that clearly correspond with those noticed in taphonomic experiments with Recent stomatopods.
Early Devonian graptolites from Southwest Yunnan, China
Authors: Zhang Yuan-Dong , Lenz Alfred C.
Published: July 2015

An early Devonian graptolite fauna is described from Lila and Huiku sections in Southwest Yunnan, China. Three graptolite biozones are recognized, which in ascending order are:Monograptus uniformisBiozone,M. hercynicusBiozone andM. falcariusBiozone. Six species are described in this paper:Monograptus uniformisPříbyl,M. aequabilis(Příbyl),M. microdonRichter,M. hercynicusPerner,M. falcariusKoren, andAbiesgraptussp.
New species of the cyathaspididPoraspis(Agnatha: Heterostraci) from the Late Silurian and Early Devonian of Northwest Territories, Canada
Authors: Elliott David K. , Loeffler Elizabeth J. , Liu Yuhai
Published: July 2015

Four new species of cyathaspidid extend the range of the genusPoraspisback into the Late Silurian and indicate that the Canadian arctic was its center of origin.Poraspis heintzaen. sp., P. cracens n. sp.,P. thulesn. sp. andP. parmulan. sp. also increase the known geographic range of the genus which had previously been reported only from the District of Mackenzie (NWT, Canada), Spitsbergen, western and eastern Europe. The identification ofP. sericeafrom the upper member of the Peel Sound Formation substantiates correlation of this interval with thecrouchizone of the Anglo-Welsh Borders, and provides another rare example of a species common to the Canadian arctic and European successions.
Infrared video microscopy for the study of graptolites and other organic-walled fossils
Authors: Melchin Michael J. , Anderson Alan J.
Published: July 2015

Organic-walled fossils, such as graptolites and Chitinozoa, show a high degree of transparency to near infrared radiation relative to visible light. Infrared video microscopy (IVM) provides real-time images of the three-dimensional form and internal structure of many specimens that are opaque to visible light. An infrared video camera can be mounted on a biological or petrographic, transmitted-light microscope, and with the addition of a monitor and video printer, images can be viewed and directly printed. With the use of a digital frame-capture system, the IVM images can be digitally stored for analysis, enhancement and printing. As compared with scanning electron microscopy, which only reveals the external form, IVM shows such features as fusellar growth bands and internal septa of graptolites and the prosome structure of Chitinozoa. This method eliminates the need for chemical clearing of specimens for study in visible light, which damages the surface texture and commonly renders specimens too brittle for further manipulation. Infrared video microscopy is potentially applicable to the study of any organic-walled fossils and to the petrographic study of sedimentary organic matter.
Transitional Gryphaeate/exogyrate oysters (Bivalvia: Gryphaeidae) from the Lower Jurassic of Northern Chile
Authors: Malchus N. , Aberhan M.
Published: July 2015

Sinemurian and Pliensbachian Exogyrinae from northern Chile described herein as Nanogyra? cf. auricularis are considered the oldest members of the subfamily known to date. Comparisons with a large number of Jurassic Nanogyrini and aberrant Gryphaea species suggest that they are most closely related to Nanogyra? auricularis (Münster in Goldfuss) from the Toarcian of France, but probably not identical. Morphotypes of several Chilean specimens are transitional between gryphaeate and exogyrate forms, and their assignment to either Gryphaeinae or Exogyrinae appears arbitrary. In order to solve this taxonomic problem, the microstructures of Nanogyra? cf. auricularis and co-occurring typical Gryphaea species were examined and compared to a large database from previous studies. The results suggest that shell chambering is a feature common to all Exogyrinae but not to Gryphaea sensu stricto. Complex cross foliation and branching cross foliation are characteristic of both groups. However, they are more abundant in Gryphaea and apparently become phylogenetically reduced in the Exogyrinae. The transitory morphotypes and microstructures, especially of the Sinemurian specimens, are further evidence for the evolution of the Exogyrinae from the Gryphaeinae. Obviously, the Chilean specimens are very close in time and space to the origin of the subfamily. Thus, the lowermost Jurassic Andean back-arc basin of western South America is considered a plausible place of origin of the Exogyrinae.
Reversal in some fossil polychaete jaws
Authors: Bergman C. F.
Published: July 2015

Scolecodonts, the jaws of polychaetes, are the fossil evidence of the rich and diverse fauna that prospered in shelf seas. Among eunicid polychaetes, the largest jaws in the jaw apparatus occur in pairs. Normally these pairs are not exact mirror images of each other. Rarely, left and right jaws are found to be reversed, the jaw in the left position having the morphology of a mirror image of the normal right jaw and vice-versa. This type of morphological reversal (reversed handedness) is recorded with a frequency that varies from one reversed jaw in 430 to one in 5,838 of normal jaws. Reversed jaws so far are documented in four species from the Upper Ordovician of Indiana, USA, and one species from the Silurian of Gotland, Sweden. The reversed morphology is thought to be a natural, genetically induced feature. The polychaetes with morphological reversal grew to normal size, but never became common.
Brood pouches in trilobites
Authors: Fortey Richard A. , Hughes Nigel C.
Published: July 2015

During the Cambrian and Ordovician trilobites belonging to a variety of clades developed distinctive inflated bulbs on the preglabellar field. We make the case that these bulbs were brood pouches, which were employed for retaining and protecting larval trilobites in order to ensure a higher rate of survivorship. Living arthropods of several classes develop comparable spherical structures—for example the domicilium of certain ostracodes. Living limuloids, likely the trilobites' closest living relatives, carry large and yolky eggs in an homologous, prelabral site. There are some trilobite examples where “species pairs” found in the same fossil sites appear to differ only in the presence or absence of the preglabellar bulb. These may represent the female and male of a single species, respectively. If so, this is the first well-supported case of sexual dimorphism in trilobites. Some more problematic examples are discussed, where alleged dimorphism would have to be more extreme.
Terminal Early Cambrian extinction of the Olenellina: Documentation from the Pioche Formation, Nevada
Authors: Palmer A. R.
Published: July 2015

The extinction of the Olenellina on Laurentia can be located within centimeters in the C-shale or uppermost Combined Metals Limestone members of the Pioche Formation in eastern Nevada. Olenellid species diversity beneath the extinction boundary is not diminished. One of the richest Laurentian intervals for articulated olenellids is in the 50 centimeters of shale immediately below the extinction boundary at Ruin Wash. Additional morphological information about some of the species comes from a silicified fauna 1.8 m below the extinction boundary at Hidden Valley. The olenellid fauna from the 2-meter interval below the extinction boundary is described. Questions about current generic and subgeneric relationships are discussed. Among general observations, intraspecific variability unrelated to size or taphonomic effects is minimal for most species; at least two species may have been capable of enrollment; and visual surfaces of one species show no evidence of facets. New species include:Olenellus (Olenellus?) fowleri, Olenellus (Paedeumias) chiefensis, Olenellus (Paedeumias) terminatus, Bolbolenellus brevispinus,andNephrolenellus geniculatus. Olenellus (Olenellus) gilbertiMeek andOlenellus (Olenellus) howelliMeek are revised.
Conodont biostratigraphy of the Little Cedar and Lower Coralville Formations of the Cedar Valley Group (Middle Devonian) of Iowa and significance of a new species of Polygnathus
Authors: Rogers Frederick S.
Published: July 2015

The Little Cedar and lower Coralville formations of the Cedar Valley Group (Middle Devonian) of Iowa were deposited on a cratonic, shallow-water, carbonate and evaporite shelf during the Taghanic onlap. Four conodont subzones, zones, or cratonic biofacies faunas can be recognized in this sequence of strata. They are, in ascending order, the Middle varcus Subzone (recognized in the lower Little Cedar Formation), the hermanni zone (recognized in the middle Little Cedar Formation), the Lower subterminus Fauna (recognized in the upper Little Cedar Formation), and the Upper subterminus Fauna (recognized in the lower Coralville Formation). The Lower subterminus Fauna and the Upper subterminus Fauna represent a possible zonal span from the Lower hermanni Zone to the Upper disparilis Zone of the standard conodont zonation.

In the Polygnathus- and Icriodus-dominated conodont faunas studied is a biostratigraphically useful new species. Polygnathus klugi new species is a Polygnathus dubius-like form that occurs sporadically and in small numbers in the Middle varcus Subzone, the hermanni Zone, and the Upper subterminus Fauna. However, it occurs consistently and in large numbers in the Lower subterminus Fauna, where it is the characterizing species. It has also been recovered from core samples both in central Alberta, Canada, and the Russian Platform. In both areas, it is associated with conodonts of the subterminus faunal interval.
The skull ofEkaltadeta ima(Marsupialia, Hypsiprymnodontidae?): An analysis of some marsupial cranial features and a re-investigation of propleopine phylogeny, with notes on the inference of carnivory in mammals
Authors: Wroe Stephen , Brammall Jenni , Cooke Bernard N.
Published: July 2015

The near-complete skull of the Giant Rat-kangarooEkaltadeta imais described from a middle Miocene deposit at Riversleigh, north western Queensland. Surprisingly, the results of phylogenetic analysis indicate no special relationship with the only other hypsiprymnodontids for which substantial cranial material is known (Hypsiprymnodon moschatus, H. bartholomaii), but within Macropodoidea, a number of derived features present inE. imaare found only in another extinct taxon, the Balbarinae. Recent studies have suggested that Balbarinae may not represent a basal macropodid clade as thought by most previous authors and furthermore that the subfamily is perhaps distinct from all other kangaroos. In light of these findings an interesting possibility is noted, i.e., that Propleopinae and Balbarinae may represent a monophyletic clade to the exclusion of all other taxa. Preliminary results of investigation into dietary habitus indicate that Propleopinae represents a radiation of medium- to large-sized omnivorous kangaroos. Within this clade it is reiterated that a tendency toward carnivory might be inferred from the relative importance of high amplitude vertical shearing versus horizontal shearing and/or crushing elements in the dentition.
Ophiomorpha irregulaire(Trace Fossil): Redescription from the Cretaceous of the Book Cliffs and Wasatch Plateau, Utah
Authors: Bromley Richard G. , Ekdale A. A.
Published: July 2015

The trace fossilOphiomorpha irregulaireFrey, Howard and Pryor, 1978, has been described chiefly from the Campanian (Upper Cretaceous) of the Book Cliffs of Carbon County, central Utah, U.S.A. Owing to the lack of type specimens and a well-defined type locality, a neotype and new paratypes are designated. Abundant material in the Spring Canyon Member of the Blackhawk Formation at Coal Creek Canyon, Book Cliffs, serves to supply a type locality and allows a more detailed description of the trace fossil than has been available hitherto, leading to an emended diagnosis. At the type locality,O. irregulaireis a shallow-tier trace fossil occurring in marine, delta-front or back-barrier, muddy, fine-grained sandstone. It probably represents the work of a crustacean deposit feeder.
GALIEN, AL-RĀZĪ, ET L’ÉTERNITÉ DU MONDE. LES FRAGMENTS DU TRAITÉ SUR LA DÉMONSTRATION, IV, DANS LES DOUTES SUR GALIEN
Authors: Koetschet Pauline
Published: July 2015

This article aims to reconstruct part of Book IV of Galen's lost treatise On Demonstration. This reconstruction is based on testimonies transmitted by Abū Bakr al-Rāzī (d. 925) in the Doubts About Galen, as well as on a source that until now has never been studied, namely the Solution to the Doubts About Galen of Abū al-ʿAlāʾ ibn Zuhr (d. 1131). This paper argues that, in Book IV, Galen maintains that no one can reach any certain conclusion regarding the eternity of the world, and that he consequently criticizes Aristotle's treatment of the subject in On the Heavens. Galen approves only of one of the arguments used by Aristotle in On the Heavens I, 3 (270b12–17), because it is based on empirical evidence. Al-Rāzī focuses on Galen's commentary on this passage. Our hypothesized reconstruction resolves some of the contradictions between the fragments of Book IV that are transmitted in al-Rāzī's report and Philoponus’ Against Proclus On the Eternity of the World. Finally, this article shows that al-Rāzī's interest in this passage from On Demonstration can be explained with reference to his own philosophical-theological goals. As my examination will make clear, al-Rāzī objects to Galen's arguments because he considers that Galen's teleology is based on a framework where the world is eternal (although Galen does not state this view explicitly), and that this framework does not allow Galen to understand that theodicy is prior to both cosmology and biology.
Sodium chloride improves seed vigour of the euhalophyteSuaeda salsa
Authors: Guo Jianrong , Suo Shanshan , Wang Bao-Shan
Published: July 2015

Suaeda salsais an annual herbaceous euhalophyte in the family Chenopodiaceae that produces dimorphic seeds on the same plant under natural conditions. In order to determine the effect of salinity on seed quality traits during seed formation, seeds from plants grown under control conditions and on 200 mM NaCl were used to investigate the effect of NaCl on seed production and seed germination. Results showed that size and weight of both black and brown seeds generated from 200 mM NaCl-treated plants were markedly greater than those from controls. The germination percentage of brown seeds from both control and NaCl-treated plants was higher than that of black seeds. Furthermore, the germination percentage of the black seeds generated from 200 mM NaCl-treated plants was significantly higher than that of the control at different concentrations of NaCl, although germination percentage declined with the increase NaCl concentration. Surprisingly, NaCl did not affect germination of the brown seeds. The germination index and vigour index of both black and brown seeds from the control plants were significantly lower than those of seeds from the different NaCl treatments. Seed starch, soluble sugar, protein and lipid content of both black and brown seeds generated from the 200 mM NaCl-treated plants were significantly higher than those from the control. These results suggest that a certain concentration of NaCl plays a pivotal role in seed vitality of the euhalophyteS. salsathrough increasing seed weight and contents of storage compounds such as protein, starch and fatty acids.
Variations in seed micromorphology of Paphiopedilum and Cypripedium (Cypripedioideae, Orchidaceae)
Authors: Zhang Feng-Ping , Zhang Juan-Juan , Yan Ning , Hu Hong , Zhang Shi-Bao
Published: July 2015

The micromorphology of a seed is linked to its dispersal and germination, but evolutionary and ecological aspects in Orchidaceae remain unclear. We investigated the seed characters of Paphiopedilum and Cypripedium that might be associated with life form and involved in possible ecological adaptations. A phylogenetic comparative analysis of nine seed micromorphological characters was performed in 24 species from two genera with close phylogenetic relationships but significant differences in their ecological characteristics. Species within Paphiopedilum had larger embryos and a smaller percentage of air space (AS) than those of Cypripedium species. Compared with 16 terrestrial species, two epiphytic Paphiopedilum species had larger embryos and smaller AS. Those larger embryos might ensure more successful seedling establishment while the higher amount of air space in both terrestrial Paphiopedilum and Cypripedium may increase seed buoyancy and enable them to disperse over longer distances. Whereas AS and seed length (SL) are phylogenetically conservative, most other characters examined here had weak signals, indicating clear convergent evolution. Across species, SL was positively correlated with AS, indicating a high degree of seed size–dispersal coordination. These findings may imply a trade-off of seed characters in relation to the possible ecological adaptations required for seedling establishment versus dispersal.
The Satisfiability Threshold fork-XORSAT
Authors: PITTEL BORIS , SORKIN GREGORY B.
Published: July 2015

We consider ‘unconstrained’ randomk-XORSAT, which is a uniformly random system ofmlinear non-homogeneous equations in$\mathbb{F}$2overnvariables, each equation containingk⩾ 3 variables, and also consider a ‘constrained’ model where every variable appears in at least two equations. Dubois and Mandler proved thatm/n= 1 is a sharp threshold for satisfiability of constrained 3-XORSAT, and analysed the 2-core of a random 3-uniform hypergraph to extend this result to find the threshold for unconstrained 3-XORSAT.

We show thatm/n= 1 remains a sharp threshold for satisfiability of constrainedk-XORSAT for everyk⩾ 3, and we use standard results on the 2-core of a randomk-uniform hypergraph to extend this result to find the threshold for unconstrainedk-XORSAT. For constrainedk-XORSAT we narrow the phase transition window, showing thatm − n→ −∞ implies almost-sure satisfiability, whilem − n→ +∞ implies almost-sure unsatisfiability.
Relationship between Sloan-Kettering virus expression and mammalian follicular development
Authors: Kim Hyun , Cho Young Moo , Ko Yeoung-Gyu , Choe Changyong , Seong Hwan-Hoo
Published: July 2015

Sloan-Kettering virus gene, a product of a cellular proto-oncogene c-Skiis a unique nuclear pro-oncoprotein and belongs to the Ski/Sno proto-oncogene family. The aim of the present study was to locate Ski protein in rat ovaries in order to find insights into the possible involvement of Ski in follicular development. First, expression of c-SkimRNA in the ovaries of adult female rats was confirmed by RT-PCR. Then, ovaries obtained on the day of estrus were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for Ski and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in combination with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). RT-PCR andin situhybridization revealed that c-SkimRNA was expressed in the ovaries of the adult rat on the day of estrous and localized mainly in the granulose cells. Ski was expressed in granulosa cells that were positive for TUNEL, but negative for PCNA, regardless of the shape and size of follicles. Expression of Ski in TUNEL-positive granulosa cells, but not in PCNA-positive granulosa cells, was also verified in rats having atretic follicles with double staining. These results indicate that Ski is profoundly expressed in the granulosa cells of atretic follicles, but not in growing follicles. Based on the present findings, Ski may play a role in the apoptosis of granulosa cells during follicular atresia.
Writing Self-efficacy Changes after Cognitive Strategy Intervention in Students with Learning Disabilities: The Mediational Role of Gender in Calibration
Authors: García Jesús-Nicasio , Fidalgo Raquel
Published: July 2015

This study examines the mediational role of gender in the effects of two patterns of cognitive and self-regulatory strategy interventions in the writing self-efficacy calibration of students with learning disabilities (LD). 121 5th and 6th Primary grade students with LD (43 girls and 78 boys), ranging in age from 10 to 12 years old were randomly allocated either to one of the experimental intervention groups, (n = 48, 19 girls and 29 boys), and followed a intervention program based on the Self-Regulated Strategy Development Model, or they received training based on the Social Cognitive Model of Sequential Skill Acquisition (n = 31, 15 girls and 26 boys), or alternatively they were allocated to the ordinary instruction group (n = 32, 9 girls and 23 boys). Writing performance was assessed using two types of writing evaluation: a reader-based score concerned with structure, coherence and quality, and a text based score regarding productivity, coherence and structure. Writing self-efficacy beliefs were also assessed using a self-report scale including eight items about the students' confidence in completing a writing task and to gain specific writing skills. The results suggest that the miscalibration of writing self-efficacy in girls with LD was significantly modified to a more realistic calibration of their writing competence after experimental intervention. However, the findings do not confirm the same clear statement for boys.
Adherence to the Australian dietary guidelines during pregnancy: evidence from a national study
Authors: Malek Lenka , Umberger Wendy , Makrides Maria , Zhou Shao J
Published: July 2015

Objective

To assess dietary intake of pregnant women against the Australian Dietary Guidelines with respect to the Five Food Group recommendations and determine predictors of adherence to the recommendations.

Design

Cross-sectional web-based survey. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression.

Setting

Pregnant women living in Australia. A national sample was recruited using an online panel provider and a South Australian sample was recruited through the antenatal clinic of a large public maternity hospital.

Subjects

A total of 857 pregnant women.

Results

Fifty-six per cent, 29 % and less than 10 % of women met the recommendations for the fruit, dairy and other core food groups, respectively. None of the women met the recommendations for all Five Food Groups. Women who were born overseas and who were less physically active pre-pregnancy were less likely to adhere to the fruit and dairy recommendations. Women who smoked during pregnancy, were overweight pre-pregnancy and had lower household incomes were also less likely to meet the fruit recommendations; and women living in metropolitan areas were less likely to meet the vegetable recommendations. Sixty-one per cent believed their diet during this pregnancy was healthy.

Conclusions

The majority of pregnant women in Australia perceive their diets to be healthy yet they do not consume the recommended daily servings from the Five Food Groups. Intervention strategies are warranted, particularly those that increase women’s ability to evaluate their diet and also encourage positive dietary changes. These strategies may increase adoption of dietary guidelines and optimise pregnancy and other long-term health outcomes.
BMI, eating habits and sleep in relation to salivary counts of mutans streptococci in children – the IDEFICS Sweden study
Authors: Arvidsson Louise , Birkhed Dowen , Hunsberger Monica , Lanfer Anne , Lissner Lauren , Mehlig Kirsten , Mårild Staffan , Eiben Gabriele
Published: July 2015

Objective

The objective of the present study was to investigate the association between salivary counts of mutans streptococci (MS) and children’s weight status, while considering associated covariates. MS ferments carbohydrates from the diet and contributes to caries by lowering the pH in dental plaque. In adults, high counts of MS in saliva have been associated with overweight, but this has not been shown in children.

Design

Cross-sectional study investigating salivary counts of MS, BMI Z-score, waist circumference, meal frequency, sugar propensity and sleep duration, in children.

Setting

West Sweden.

Subjects

Children (n 271) aged 4–11 years.

Results

Medium–high counts of MS were positively associated with higher BMI Z-score (OR=1·6; 95 % CI 1·1, 2·3). Positive associations were also found between medium–high counts of MS and more frequent meals per day (OR=1·5; 95 % CI 1·1, 2·2), greater percentage of sugar-rich foods consumed (OR=1·1; 95 % CI 1·0, 1·3) and female sex (OR=2·4; 95 % CI 1·1, 5·4). A negative association was found between medium–high counts of MS and longer sleep duration (OR=0·5; 95 % CI 0·3, 1·0).

Conclusions

BMI Z-score was associated with counts of MS. Promoting adequate sleep duration and limiting the intake frequency of sugar-rich foods and beverages could provide multiple benefits in public health interventions aimed at reducing dental caries and childhood overweight.
Population structure and core collection construction of apricot (Prunus armeniacaL.) in North Africa based on microsatellite markers
Authors: Bourguiba Hedia , Batnini Mohamed-Amine , Krichen Lamia , Trifi-Farah Neila , Audergon Jean-Marc
Published: July 2015

North Africa enclosed original apricot genetic resources with the cohabitation of grafting and seed-propagated accessions. In this study, we assessed the genetic diversity and population structure of 183 apricot accessions using 24 microsatellite markers distributed evenly in thePrunusgenome. A total of 192 alleles and a high level of gene diversity (0.593) were detected among the whole panel. Genetic structure analysis revealed the presence of four genetic clusters. We also found that both geographical origin and mode of propagation are important factors structuring genetic diversity in apricot species. Results confirmed the presence of gene exchange between the northern and southern countries of the Mediterranean Basin. Subsequently, a core collection of 98 accessions based on M (maximization) strategy showing 99.47% of allele retention ratio was constructed. No significant differences for Shannon's information index and Nei's diversity index were observed between the core and entire collections. Our results provide an effective aid for future germplasm preservation and conservation strategies as well as genetic association studies development in relation to phenotypic data.
The Influence of Chorion Type on Health Measures at Birth and Dental Development in Australian and Dutch Twins: A Comparative Study
Authors: Mihailidis Suzanna , Bockmann Michelle , McConnell Elise , Hughes Toby , van Beijsterveldt Toos C. E. M. , Boomsma Dorret I. , McMaster Minni , Townsend Grant
Published: July 2015

Chorion type may significantly influence the prenatal environment of twins. This study explored the associations between chorion type and gestational age, birth weight, birth length, and the timing of emergence of the first primary tooth in two populations of twins, Australian and Dutch. Additionally, we investigated the relationship between chorion type and birth weight discordance (BWD) in order to determine whether a significant relationship existed between discordance in birth weight and discordance in the timing of emergence of the first primary tooth. The two study samples consisted of 409 Australian twin pairs and 301 Dutch twin pairs, all of European ancestry. Data were collected through a combination of questionnaires and recording charts administered to the parents and through linkage with biological databases. In the Australian sample, monozygotic monochorionic (MZMC) twins experienced the shortest mean gestation time (35 weeks), the lowest mean birth length (46 cm) and the lowest mean birth weight (2.3 kg) compared with other twin groups. For the same variables in the Dutch sample, these trends with MZMC twinning were not observed. Chorion type did not significantly affect the mean timing of emergence of the first primary tooth in either sample. Monochorionicity was found to be significantly associated with BWD in both samples, but there was a significant association between BWD in MZMC twin pairs and timing of emergence of the first primary tooth only in the Australian sample. Results from this study support previous findings that the timing of emergence of the first primary tooth is influenced strongly by genetic factors and is well protected from environmental disturbances.
PD-1hiTIM-3+ T cells associate with and predict leukemia relapse in AML patients post allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Kong Y , Zhang J , Claxton D F , Ehmann W C , Rybka W B , Zhu L , Zeng H , Schell T D , Zheng H
Published: July 2015

Prognosis of leukemia relapse post allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) is poor and effective new treatments are urgently needed. T cells are pivotal in eradicating leukemia through a graft versus leukemia (GVL) effect and leukemia relapse is considered a failure of GVL. T-cell exhaustion is a state of T-cell dysfunction mediated by inhibitory molecules including programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain 3 (TIM-3). To evaluate whether T-cell exhaustion and inhibitory pathways are involved in leukemia relapse post alloSCT, we performed phenotypic and functional studies on T cells from peripheral blood of acute myeloid leukemia patients receiving alloSCT. Here we report that PD-1hiTIM-3+cells are strongly associated with leukemia relapse post transplantation. Consistent with exhaustion, PD-1hiTIM-3+T cells are functionally deficient manifested by reduced production of interleukin 2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). In addition, these cells demonstrate a phenotype consistent with exhausted antigen-experienced T cells by losing TNand TEMRAsubsets. Importantly, increase of PD-1hiTIM-3+cells occurs before clinical diagnosis of leukemia relapse, suggesting their predictive value. Results of our study provide an early diagnostic approach and a therapeutic target for leukemia relapse post transplantation.
Hydrologically driven ecosystem processes determine the distribution and persistence of ecosystem-specialist predators under climate change
Authors: Carroll Matthew J. , Heinemeyer Andreas , Pearce-Higgins James W. , Dennis Peter , West Chris , Holden Joseph , Wallage Zoe E. , Thomas Chris D.
Published: July 2015

Climate change has the capacity to alter physical and biological ecosystem processes, jeopardizing the survival of associated species. This is a particular concern in cool, wet northern peatlands that could experience warmer, drier conditions. Here we show that climate, ecosystem processes and food chains combine to influence the population performance of species in British blanket bogs. Our peatland process model accurately predicts water-table depth, which predicts abundance of craneflies (keystone invertebrates), which in turn predicts observed abundances and population persistence of three ecosystem-specialist bird species that feed on craneflies during the breeding season. Climate change projections suggest that falling water tables could cause 56–81% declines in cranefly abundance and, hence, 15–51% reductions in the abundances of these birds by 2051–2080. We conclude that physical (precipitation, temperature and topography), biophysical (evapotranspiration and desiccation of invertebrates) and ecological (food chains) processes combine to determine the distributions and survival of ecosystem-specialist predators.
Conformational states of the full-length glucagon receptor
Authors: Yang Linlin , Yang Dehua , de Graaf Chris , Moeller Arne , West Graham M. , Dharmarajan Venkatasubramanian , Wang Chong , Siu Fai Y. , Song Gaojie , Reedtz-Runge Steffen , Pascal Bruce D. , Wu Beili , Potter Clinton S. , Zhou Hu , Griffin Patrick R. , Carragher Bridget , Yang Huaiyu , Wang Ming-Wei , Stevens Raymond C. , Jiang Hualiang
Published: July 2015

Class B G protein-coupled receptors are composed of an extracellular domain (ECD) and a seven-transmembrane (7TM) domain, and their signalling is regulated by peptide hormones. Using a hybrid structural biology approach together with the ECD and 7TM domain crystal structures of the glucagon receptor (GCGR), we examine the relationship between full-length receptor conformation and peptide ligand binding. Molecular dynamics (MD) and disulfide crosslinking studies suggest that apo-GCGR can adopt both an open and closed conformation associated with extensive contacts between the ECD and 7TM domain. The electron microscopy (EM) map of the full-length GCGR shows how a monoclonal antibody stabilizes the ECD and 7TM domain in an elongated conformation. Hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) studies and MD simulations indicate that an open conformation is also stabilized by peptide ligand binding. The combined studies reveal the open/closed states of GCGR and suggest that glucagon binds to GCGR by a conformational selection mechanism.
Direct observation of multistep energy transfer in LHCII with fifth-order 3D electronic spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Zhengyang , Lambrev Petar H. , Wells Kym L. , Garab Győző , Tan Howe-Siang
Published: July 2015

During photosynthesis, sunlight is efficiently captured by light-harvesting complexes, and the excitation energy is then funneled towards the reaction centre. These photosynthetic excitation energy transfer (EET) pathways are complex and proceed in a multistep fashion. Ultrafast two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy (2DES) is an important tool to study EET processes in photosynthetic complexes. However, the multistep EET processes can only be indirectly inferred by correlating different cross peaks from a series of 2DES spectra. Here we directly observe multistep EET processes in LHCII using ultrafast fifth-order three-dimensional electronic spectroscopy (3DES). We measure cross peaks in 3DES spectra of LHCII that directly indicate energy transfer from excitons in the chlorophyll b (Chl b) manifold to the low-energy level chlorophyll a (Chl a) via mid-level Chl a energy states. This new spectroscopic technique allows scientists to move a step towards mapping the complete complex EET processes in photosynthetic systems.
Prognostic role of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in pancreatic cancer: a meta-analysis
Authors: Cheng Hao , Long Feiwu , Jaiswar Mukesh , Yang Lie , Wang Cun , Zhou Zongguang
Published: July 2015

The relationship between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and tumours as a prognostic factor has been reported in many studies. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the prognostic role of the NLR in pancreatic cancer (PC). A systematic search was performed in PubMed and Embase for relevant studies. Data from and characteristics of each study were extracted. A meta-analysis was performed to analyse the prognostic role of the NLR using the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). As a result, a total of 2035 patients in 9 cohorts were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled HR of 1.587 (95% CI: 1.411–1.785, p < 0.01) showed that patients with an elevated NLR were expected to have shorter overall survival (OS) after treatment. This meta-analysis suggests that an elevated NLR can be used as a predictor of survival in patients with pancreatic cancer.
White butterflies as solar photovoltaic concentrators
Authors: Shanks Katie , Senthilarasu S. , ffrench-Constant Richard H. , Mallick Tapas K.
Published: July 2015

Man’s harvesting of photovoltaic energy requires the deployment of extensive arrays of solar panels. To improve both the gathering of thermal and photovoltaic energy from the sun we have examined the concept of biomimicry in white butterflies of the family Pieridae. We tested the hypothesis that the V-shaped posture of basking white butterflies mimics the V-trough concentrator which is designed to increase solar input to photovoltaic cells. These solar concentrators improve harvesting efficiency but are both heavy and bulky, severely limiting their deployment. Here, we show that the attachment of butterfly wings to a solar cell increases its output power by 42.3%, proving that the wings are indeed highly reflective. Importantly and relative to current concentrators, the wings improve the power to weight ratio of the overall structure 17-fold, vastly expanding their potential application. Moreover, a single mono-layer of scale cells removed from the butterflies’ wings maintained this high reflectivity showing that a single layer of scale cell-like structures can also form a useful coating. As predicted, the wings increased the temperature of the butterflies’ thorax dramatically, showing that the V-shaped basking posture of white butterflies has indeed evolved to increase the temperature of their flight muscles prior to take-off.
Modulation of influenza vaccine immune responses using an epidermal growth factor receptor kinase inhibitor
Authors: Pulit-Penaloza Joanna A. , Sapkota Bishu , Stein Esser E. , Compans Richard W. , Pollack Brian P. , Skountzou Ioanna
Published: July 2015

Systemic use of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) has been shown to alter MHC expression and that of several chemokines and to enhance immune cell recruitment into human skin. We hypothesized that EGFRIs may have value as cutaneous immune response modifiers and determined the effects of topical application of an irreversible EGFRI on a well-established murine model of influenza vaccination. We found that a single topical application of an EGFRI led to increased levels of antibodies that inhibit influenza mediated hemagglutination and viral cytopathic effects. The topically applied EGFRI significantly enhanced the generation of vaccine-specific IL-4 and IFN-γ producing cells within skin-draining lymph nodes as early as one week following vaccination. The EGFRI/vaccine group showed a twelve-fold reduction in detectable pulmonary viral load four days after infection as compared to the vaccine alone control group. The reduction in the lung viral titers correlated with the survival rate, which demonstrated 100% protection in the EGFRI/vaccine immunized group but only 65% protection in the mice immunized with vaccine alone. These findings are significant because they demonstrate that inhibition of defined signaling pathways within the skin using small molecule kinase inhibitors provides a novel approach to enhance immune responses to vaccines.
Metamaterial Absorbers for Infrared Detection of Molecular Self-Assembled Monolayers
Authors: Ishikawa Atsushi , Tanaka Takuo
Published: July 2015

The emerging field of plasmonic metamaterials has introduced new degree of freedom to manipulate optical field from nano to macroscopic scale, offering an attractive platform for sensing applications. So far, metamaterial sensor concepts, however, have focused on hot-spot engineering to improve the near-field enhancement, rather than fully exploiting tailored material properties. Here, we present a novel spectroscopic technique based on the metamaterial infrared (IR) absorber allowing for a low-background detection scheme as well as significant plasmonic enhancement. Specifically, we experimentally demonstrate the resonant coupling of plasmonic modes of a metamaterial absorber and IR vibrational modes of a molecular self-assembled monolayer. The metamaterial consisting of an array of Au/MgF2/Au structures exhibits an anomalous absorption at ~3000 cm−1, which spectrally overlaps with C-H stretching vibrational modes. Symmetric/asymmetric C-H stretching modes of a 16-Mercaptohexadecanoic acid monolayer are clearly observed as Fano-like anti-resonance peaks within a broad plasmonic absorption of the metamaterial. Spectral analysis using Fano line-shape fitting reveals the underlying resonant interference in plasmon-molecular coupled systems. Our metamaterial approach achieves the attomole sensitivity with a large signal-to-noise ratio in the far-field measurement, thus may open up new avenues for realizing ultrasensitive IR inspection technologies.
E-cadherin expression in macrophages dampens their inflammatory responsiveness in vitro, but does not modulate M2-regulated pathologies in vivo
Authors: Van den Bossche Jan , Laoui Damya , Naessens Thomas , Smits Hermelijn H. , Hokke Cornelis H. , Stijlemans Benoît , Grooten Johan , De Baetselier Patrick , Van Ginderachter Jo A.
Published: July 2015

IL-4/IL-13-induced alternatively activated macrophages (M(IL-4/IL-13), AAMs or M2) are known to express E-cadherin, enabling them to engage in heterotypic cellular interactions and IL-4-driven macrophage fusion in vitro. Here we show that E-cadherin overexpression in Raw 264.7 macrophages inhibits their inflammatory response to LPS stimulation, as demonstrated by a reduced secretion of inflammatory mediators like interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and nitric oxide (NO). To study the function of E-cadherin in M(IL-4/IL-13) macrophages in vivo, we generated macrophage-specific E-cadherin-deficient C57BL/6 mice. Using this new tool, we analyzed immunological parameters during two typical AAM-associated Th2-driven diseases and assessed Th2-associated granuloma formation. Although E-cadherin is strongly induced in AAMs during Taenia crassiceps helminth infections and allergic airway inflammation, its deletion in macrophages does not affect the course of both Th2 cytokine-driven diseases. Moreover, macrophage E-cadherin expression is largely redundant for granuloma formation around Schistosoma mansoni ova. Overall, we conclude that E-cadherin is a valuable AAM marker which suppresses the inflammatory response when overexpressed. Yet E-cadherin deletion in macrophages does not affect M(LPS+IFNγ) and M(IL-4) polarization in vitro, nor in vivo macrophage function, at least in the conditions tested.
Stochasticity and Spatial Interaction Govern Stem Cell Differentiation Dynamics
Authors: Smith Quinton , Stukalin Evgeny , Kusuma Sravanti , Gerecht Sharon , Sun Sean X.
Published: July 2015

Stem cell differentiation underlies many fundamental processes such as development, tissue growth and regeneration, as well as disease progression. Understanding how stem cell differentiation is controlled in mixed cell populations is an important step in developing quantitative models of cell population dynamics. Here we focus on quantifying the role of cell-cell interactions in determining stem cell fate. Toward this, we monitor stem cell differentiation in adherent cultures on micropatterns and collect statistical cell fate data. Results show high cell fate variability and a bimodal probability distribution of stem cell fraction on small (80–140 μm diameter) micropatterns. On larger (225–500 μm diameter) micropatterns, the variability is also high but the distribution of the stem cell fraction becomes unimodal. Using a stochastic model, we analyze the differentiation dynamics and quantitatively determine the differentiation probability as a function of stem cell fraction. Results indicate that stem cells can interact and sense cellular composition in their immediate neighborhood and adjust their differentiation probability accordingly. Blocking epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin) can diminish this cell-cell contact mediated sensing. For larger micropatterns, cell motility adds a spatial dimension to the picture. Taken together, we find stochasticity and cell-cell interactions are important factors in determining cell fate in mixed cell populations.