bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid evolution of learning and reproduction in natural populations ofDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Behrman Emily L. , Kawecki Tadeusz J. , Schmidt Paul
Published: March 2018

Learning is a general mechanism of adaptive behavioural plasticity whose benefits and costs depend on the environment. Thus, seasonal oscillations in temperate environments between winter and summer might produce cyclical selection pressures that would drive rapid evolution of learning performance in multivoltine populations. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the evolutionary dynamics of learning ability over this rapid seasonal timescale in a natural population ofDrosophila melanogaster. Associative learning was tested in common garden-raised flies collected from nature in the spring and fall over three consecutive years. The spring flies consistently learned better than fall flies, revealing seasonal evolution of improved learning performance in nature. Fecundity showed the opposite seasonal pattern, suggesting a trade-off between learning and reproduction. This trade-off also held within population: more fecund individual females learned less well. This trade-off is mediated at least in part by natural polymorphism in the RNA binding proteincouch potato(cpo), with a genotype favoured during summer showing poorer learning performance and higher fecundity than a genotype favoured over winter. Thus, seasonal environments can drive rapid cyclical evolution of learning performance, but the evolutionary dynamics may be driven by trade-offs generated by pleiotropic effects of causative alleles selected for other reasons.
Interaction modulation through arrays of clustered methyl-arginine protein modifications
Authors: Woodsmith Jonathan , Casado-Medrano Victoria , Benlasfer Nouhad , Eccles Rebecca L. , Hutten Saskia , Heine Christian L. , Thormann Verena , Abou-Ajram Claudia , Rocks Oliver , Dormann Dorothee , Stelzl Ulrich
Published: March 2018

Systematic analysis of human arginine methylation identifies two distinct signaling modes; either isolated modifications akin to canonical PTM regulation, or clustered arrays within disordered protein sequence. Hundreds of proteins contain these methyl-arginine arrays and are more prone to accumulate mutations and more tightly expression-regulated than dispersed methylation targets. Arginines within an array in the highly methylated RNA binding protein SYNCRIP were experimentally shown to function in concert providing a tunable protein interaction interface. Quantitative immuno-precipitation assays defined two distinct cumulative binding mechanisms operating across 18 proximal arginine-glycine (RG) motifs in SYNCRIP. Functional binding to the methyl-transferase PRMT1 was promoted by continual arginine stretches while interaction with the methyl-binding protein SMN1 was arginine content dependent irrespective of linear position within the unstructured region. This study highlights how highly-repetitive modifiable amino acid arrays in low structural complexity regions can provide regulatory platforms, with SYNCRIP as an extreme example how arginine methylation leverages these disordered sequences to mediate cellular interactions.
Monoclonal antibody 7D5 recognizes the R147 epitope on the gp91phox, phagocyte flavocytochrome b558 large subunit
Authors: Kawai Chikage , Yamauchi Akira , Kuribayashi Futoshi
Published: March 2018

Human phagocyte flavocytochrome b558 (Cyt b), the catalytic center of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, consists of a heavily glycosylated large subunit (gp91phox; Nox2) and a small subunit (p22phox). Cyt b is a membrane‐spanning complex enzyme. Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is predominantly caused by a mutation in the CYBB gene encoding gp91phox on the X‐chromosome. Because the phagocytes of patients with CGD are not able to generate the superoxide anion, these patients are susceptible to severe infections that can be fatal. It has been suggested that the extracellular region of gp91phox is necessary for and critical to forming the epitope of mAb 7D5 and that 7D5 provides a useful tool for rapid screening of X‐linked CGD by FACS. To further elucidate the mAb 7D5 epitope on human gp91phox, chimeric DNA expressed human and mouse gp91phox recombinant protein were constructed. The fusion proteins were immunostained for mAb 7D5 and analyzed by FACS and western blot analysis. The 143ELGDRQNES151 region was found to reside at the extracellular surface on human gp91phox and to be an important epitope for the interaction with mAb 7D5, as analyzed by FACS analysis. In particular, amino acid R147 is a unique epitope on the membrane‐associated Cyt b for mAb 7D5. In conclusion, it is proposed that FACS analysis using mAb 7D5 is a valuable tool for early diagnosis of CGD.
The impact of development on patterns of nutrient limitation
Authors: Richard Romain , de Roos André M.
Published: March 2018

Development is often accompanied by major changes in an organism's functioning and in the way it interacts with its environment. We consider how developmental events such as allocation changes at maturity, ontogenetic diet shift or metamorphosis may affect the likelihood and nature of nutrient limitation and explore the consequences of these changes in nutrient limitation for individual life history and patterns of biomass production.

To this purpose, we develop a general model for individual growth and reproduction that is based on the assumption that biomass production and metabolism require several nutrients and that individuals may require them in different proportion at different stages of their lives.

We parameterize this model for Daphnia based on its physiological requirements for carbon (C) and phosphorus (P). Growth and reproduction have different nutrient requirements, and this affects the likelihood of C vs. P limitation of differently sized individuals. This translates into a size‐dependent threshold elemental ratio (TER), with a difference of up to twofold between juveniles and adults, a difference comparable to measured interspecific differences.

The main implications of these findings are that, at the population level, co‐limitation of biomass production by several nutrients is likely to occur under a wide range of food qualities. In addition, different regimes of nutrient limitation strongly influence the relative difference in biomass production of differently sized individuals, which has been shown to be a major driver of population and community dynamics. Our results point to development as a key determinant of a population's response to food quality.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Male stress response is related to ornamentation but not resistance to oxidative stress in a warbler
Authors: Henschen Amberleigh E. , Whittingham Linda A. , Dunn Peter O.
Published: March 2018

Ornaments are thought to honestly signal individual quality to potential mates. Individual quality may include the ability to cope with stress through the production of glucocorticoids (GCs), such as corticosterone (CORT), which help to redirect resources from growth or reproduction to survival during an acute stress response. However, elevated levels of CORT may also increase oxidative stress and reduce immune function. Thus, an important question is whether high‐quality individuals, with more elaborate ornaments, signal their ability to produce a strong stress response and mitigate some of the negative effects of doing so through higher resistance to oxidative stress.

We tested whether ornamentation and resistance to oxidative stress were related to the increase in CORT during an acute stress response in a warbler, the common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas). Males in this species have two plumage ornaments, a black (eumelanin‐based) facial mask and a yellow (carotenoid‐based) bib. We measured the increase in CORT in response to the stress of capture and handling.

Males with more elaborate ornaments (larger masks and more colourful bibs) had a greater increase in CORT during an acute stress response. However, the increase in CORT was not related to resistance to oxidative stress.

These results suggest that both melanin‐ and carotenoid‐based plumage ornaments can signal the ability of a male to cope with stressors through a greater increase in CORT. Thus, the association between ornamentation and stress‐induced CORT is not likely due to a mechanism specific to a particular colour (melanin or carotenoid), but instead may result from more general interactions between CORT and health or condition.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Transgenerational effects and acclimation affect dispersal in guppies
Authors: Le Roy Amélie , Seebacher Frank
Published: March 2018

Evolutionary theory predicts that intergenerational environmental fluctuations lead to transgenerational effects where offspring phenotypes are matched to conditions experienced by previous generations. However, in fluctuating environments, transgenerational effects can be detrimental by causing mismatches between ancestral and offspring environments. Acclimation in offspring could alleviate these negative effects.

We determined whether the interaction between transgenerational effects and acclimation affects locomotor performance and dispersal in guppies (Poecilia reticulata). In a fully factorial experiment, we tested the interaction between ancestral (22 or 30°C for six to eight generations), acclimation (22 or 30°C for 4 weeks) and acute test temperatures (two to five temperatures across 18–34°C). We predicted that matching ancestral and acclimation temperatures to acute environmental temperature maximises physiological capacities (swimming performance [Ucrit] and metabolic enzyme activities), and dispersal in an artificial stream. Alternatively, when ancestral and acute temperatures were mismatched, we predicted that thermal acclimation compensates for this mismatch by shifting performance curves. Finally, we hypothesised that physiological capacities are positively related to dispersal. We measured dispersal as a combination of traits characterising the departure and transient phases of dispersal (time taken to leave the introductory pool, voluntary speed against the current, number of dispersal decisions taken) in an 8‐m artificial stream.

As hypothesised, Ucrit was greatest when ancestral, acclimation and acute temperatures matched. Cold acclimation reduced the decrement in Ucrit resulting from a mismatch between ancestral and acute test temperatures. In both sexes, the interaction between ancestral and acclimation temperatures determined Ucrit, but not metabolic enzyme activities, and it affected the number of dispersal decisions in males only. Contrary to our hypothesis, physiological capacities did not constrain dispersal. Males were more likely to initiate dispersal when the acute temperatures mismatched their ancestral temperature. After initiating dispersal, males moved at a greater voluntary speed and made more dispersal decisions in environments matching their ancestral environment.

Our findings imply that although the interaction between transgenerational effects and acclimation modulates locomotor capacities, these relationships do not necessarily translate to all ecologically relevant locomotor tasks. Instead, sex‐specific life‐history traits such as life span are more likely to influence dispersal, and males in particular may initiate dispersal to escape suboptimal conditions.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Fundamental drivers for endolithic microbial community assemblies in the hyperarid Atacama Desert
Authors: Meslier Victoria , Casero M. Cristina , Dailey Micah , Wierzchos Jacek , Ascaso Carmen , Artieda Octavio , McCullough P. R. , DiRuggiero Jocelyne
Published: March 2018

In hyperarid deserts, endolithic microbial communities colonize the rocks’ interior as a survival strategy. Yet, the composition of these communities and the drivers promoting their assembly are still poorly understood. We analysed the diversity and community composition of endoliths from four different lithic substrates – calcite, gypsum, ignimbrite and granite – collected in the hyperarid zone of the Atacama Desert, Chile. By combining microscopy, mineralogy, spectroscopy and high throughput sequencing, we found these communities to be highly specific to their lithic substrate, although they were all dominated by the same four main phyla, Cyanobacteria, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi and Proteobacteria. Our finding indicates a fine scale diversification of the microbial reservoir driven by substrate properties. The data suggest that the overall rock chemistry and the light transmission properties of the substrates are not essential drivers of community structure and composition. Instead, we propose that the architecture of the rock, i.e., the space available for colonization and its physical structure, linked to water retention capabilities, is ultimately the driver of community diversity and composition at the dry limit of life.
Mixotrophic metabolism by natural communities of unicellular cyanobacteria in the western tropical South Pacific Ocean
Authors: Duhamel Solange , Van Wambeke France , Lefevre Dominique , Benavides Mar , Bonnet Sophie
Published: March 2018

Cyanobacteria are major contributors to ocean biogeochemical cycling. However, mixotrophic metabolism and the relative importance of inorganic and organic carbon assimilation within the most abundant cyanobacteria are still poorly understood. We explore the ability of Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus to assimilate organic molecules with variable C:N:P composition and its modulation by light availability and photosynthetic impairment. We used a combination of radiolabelled molecules incubations with flow cytometry cell sorting to separate picoplankton groups from the western tropical South Pacific Ocean. Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus assimilated glucose, leucine and ATP at all stations, but cell‐specific assimilation rates of N and P containing molecules were significantly higher than glucose. Incubations in the dark or with an inhibitor of photosystem II resulted in reduced assimilation rates. Light‐enhanced cell‐specific glucose uptake was generally higher for cyanobacteria (∼50%) than for the low nucleic acid fraction of bacterioplankton (LNA, ∼35%). Our results confirm previous findings, based mainly on cultures and genomic potentials, showing that Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus have a flexible mixotrophic metabolism, but demonstrate that natural populations remain primarily photoautotrophs. Our findings indicate that mixotrophy by marine cyanobacteria is more likely to be an adaptation to low inorganic nutrient availability rather than a facultative pathway for carbon acquisition.
The Market for Non‐Executive Directors: Does Acquisition Performance Influence Future Board Seats?
Authors: Mira Svetlana , Goergen Marc , O'Sullivan Noel
Published: March 2018

This paper investigates whether non‐executive directors associated with good (bad) board decisions are subsequently rewarded (penalized) in the market for directors. This question is addressed by assessing whether the post‐acquisition performance of acquiring companies influences the number of non‐executive directorships that non‐executives involved in these acquisitions hold subsequent to the acquisition. We find that non‐executives on the boards of acquirers that increase (omit or cut) their dividend subsequently hold more (fewer) non‐executive directorships in listed companies. Our findings suggest that the non‐executive labour market is efficient and rewards (penalizes) non‐executives for good (bad) acquisitions.
Why are REITS Currently So Expensive?
Authors: Van Nieuwerburgh Stijn
Published: March 2018

Over the last several years, the price of listed real estate stocks has been unusually high relative to dividends. I find that neither low interest rates nor low risk premia can account for the high valuation ratios. Lower interest rates have been offset by rising risk premia to keep expected returns close to average. Instead, the market has priced in future income growth on commercial properties far above the growth rates seen in the data. High implied growth rates are less extreme for nontraditional REIT sectors. Income growth expectations are also less extreme for international listed real estate.
Does A Firm's Entry or Exit Affect Competitors’ Value? Evidence from the REIT Industry
Authors: Chan Su Han , Chen Jiajin , Wang Ko
Published: March 2018

We analyze 483 entry and 439 exit events of publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) and find that changes in the number of REITs in the market affect rival REITs’ stock performance. We also partition the sample by the modes of entries and exits as well as by REIT asset type in order to disentangle alternative explanations. Overall, our evidence indicates that the supply effect still matters for stock prices even after considering signaling and price pressure explanations.
Ionic Liquid‐Based Liquid–Liquid Microextraction for Benzodiazepine Analysis in Postmortem Blood Samples
Authors: De Boeck Marieke , Dehaen Wim , Tytgat Jan , Cuypers Eva
Published: March 2018

Sample preparation is rapidly improving to fulfill the need for faster and more environmentally friendly alternatives. In this respect, ionic liquid‐based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (IL‐DLLME) is an interesting technique. However, it has not yet been evaluated for the analysis of postmortem samples, which are frequently analyzed in forensic toxicology. This study investigates the applicability of IL‐DLLME coupled to liquid chromatography—tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS), for the analysis of benzodiazepines in postmortem blood of 11 forensic cases. The method was compared with a validated solid‐phase extraction (SPE) method. Bland–Altman analysis was performed on 24 benzodiazepine measurements. Both methods gave comparable results, except for flurazepam and temazepam (>55% difference). A feasible explanation is high postmortem matrix variability that was not considered during IL‐DLLME validation experiments. Another issue could be the use of a single nondeuterated SPE internal standard. Overall, IL‐DLLME has proven its usability for the analysis of postmortem blood.
Association between pain control and patient satisfaction outcomes in the emergency department setting
Authors: Brown Tristam , Shetty Amith , Zhao Dong Fang , Harvey Nathan , Yu Teresa , Murphy Margaret
Published: March 2018

Objective

Pain management and patient satisfaction are key markers for health systems performance. There is a lack of consensus on the role of analgesia, its adequacy, and its links to patient satisfaction in the ED. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between adequacy of analgesia and patient satisfaction in the ED setting.

Methods

Consenting adult patients (n = 115) presenting to the ED with pain were enrolled, and their pain tracked throughout admission with 11 point numerical pain scores. Eleven point numerical scores were also utilised to measure satisfaction and compassion at the end of each ED stay. The primary outcome was patient satisfaction score ≥7.

Results

Of 115 enrolled patients, 94 (81.7%) were eligible for analysis. Median time to physician evaluation was 54.0 min (inter‐quartile range [IQR] 35.0–98.0) and median ED length of stay was 205 min (IQR 129.0–280.0). Fifty‐four patients (57.5%) received analgesia during their stay, of whom 36 (38.3%) had a significant response to analgesia (≥2 change in pain score). Median time to analgesia was 87.5 min (IQR 66.1–108.9). Patient satisfaction was inversely associated with male sex, and positively correlated (Spearman's rank correlation P < 0.05) with increasing age, significant change in pain score (±2) and compassion scores.

Conclusion

In the present study of patients presenting to the ED with pain, oligoanalgesia remains a significant issue. Male sex was inversely associated with satisfaction, whereas compassion, and significant change in pain score were associated with improved patient satisfaction. Of the factors analysed, staff compassion demonstrated the strongest correlation with satisfaction.
Intraseasonal asynchrony as a factor boosting isolation within a metapopulation: The case of the clouded apollo
Authors: Adamski Paweł , Ćmiel Adam M. , Lipińska Anna M.
Published: March 2018

This article discusses the influence of phenology‐related intraseasonal asynchrony on metapopulation dynamics and stability. As the part played by intraseasonal asynchrony is as yet unclear and poorly described, greater account of it should be taken in both metapopulation research and conservation practice. The subpopulations of the Parnassius mnemosyne metapopulation studied here are strongly isolated because of the phenological shift between them, despite the relatively small physical distances between them. This isolation is the result of a significant temporal shift in the species’ flight periods in the main metapopulation centers: in some seasons its flight times in the different subpopulations did not overlap at all. The predicted results of such strong intraseasonal asynchrony are not altogether clear. On the one hand, they reduce the vulnerability of the entire metapopulation to the effects of short‐term random disasters. On the other, the ever‐greater isolation of subpopulations may cause the metapopulation to become a nonequilibrium one, which will have a serious impact on its long‐term survival.
Self‐care in Preserving the Vascular Network: Old Problem, New Challenge for the Medical Staff
Authors: Sousa Clemente N , Ligeiro Inês , Teles Paulo , Paixão Lúcia , Dias Vanessa FF , Cristovão António F
Published: March 2018

Teaching/educating patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and identifying their self‐care behaviors for vascular network preservation are very important. However, the self‐care behaviors regularly performed by patients are still unknown. We compared self‐care behaviors for vascular network preservation performed by patients who are/are not followed‐up by the nephrologist. The study design was a prospective, observational and comparative study. Inclusion criteria were as follows: ESRD patients (at stages 4 or 5); at least 18 years old; in pre‐dialysis with at least a 6‐month follow‐up period by the nephrologist or who started dialysis in emergency and were not followed‐up by the nephrologist; with no memory problems; and medically stable. Primary outcome was the frequency of self‐care behaviors for vascular network preservation. Secondary outcome was the comparison between self‐care behaviors by ESRD patients who were/were not followed‐up by the nephrologist. The study involved 145 patients, 64.1% were female, the mean age was 69.5 years and the self‐care behaviors mean score was 36.8% (with a SD of 39.8%). The number of patients followed‐up and not followed‐up by the nephrologist was 109 (group 1) and 36 (group 2), respectively. Social characteristics were similar in the two groups (P > 0.05). The mean self‐care behaviors were 29.4% and 59.2% in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.000). Patients performed self‐care behaviors for vascular network preservation with a relatively low frequency (the mean score was 36.8% only). Patients not followed by the nephrologist performed self‐care behaviors more often than those who were followed (59.2% vs. 29.4% respectively, P = 0.000).
Impact of Klebsiella pneumoniae in lower gastrointestinal tract diseases
Authors: Kaur Christina Parvinder , Vadivelu Jamuna , Chandramathi Samudi
Published: March 2018

The 2016 Global Burden of Disease report by WHO revealed that diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) had one of the highest incidence rates worldwide. The plethora of factors that contribute to the development of GIT‐related illnesses can be divided into genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. Apart from that, the role that infectious agents play in the development of GIT diseases has piqued the interest of researchers worldwide. The human gut harbors approximately 1014 bacteria in it with increasing concentration toward the lower GIT. Among the various microbiota that colonize the human gut, Gram‐negative bacteria have been most notoriously linked to GIT‐related diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and colorectal cancer (CRC). Some of the notable culprits that have been attributed to these diseases are Bacteroides fragilis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Escherichia coli and Helicobacter pylori. However, studies in recent years are beginning to recognize a new player, Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) in the causation and progression of GIT diseases. Once synonymous with infections and diseases of the upper respiratory tract, K. pneumoniae has now emerged as one of the pathogens commonly isolated from patients with GIT diseases. However, extensive studies attributing K. pneumoniae to GIT diseases, particularly that of CRC are scanty. Therefore, this review intends to shed light on the association of K. pneumoniae in gastrointestinal diseases such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis as well as CRC.
Changing environment of hyperglycemia in pregnancy: Gestational diabetes and diabetes mellitus in pregnancy
Authors: Gray Susan G. , Sweeting Arianne N. , Mcguire Treasure M. , Cohen Neale , Ross Glynis P. , Little Peter J.
Published: March 2018

The diagnosis and treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have been in a state of flux since the World Health Organization accepted and endorsed the International Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Group's diagnostic pathway and criteria in 2013. These new diagnostic criteria identify an increasing number of women at risk of hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HGiP). Maternal hyperglycemia represents a significant risk to the mother and fetus, in both the short and long term. Controversially, metformin use for the treatment of GDM is increasing in Australia. This article identifies the multiple and varied presentations of HGiP, of which GDM is the most commonly encountered. The degree of maternal hyperglycemia experienced affects the outcomes for both the mother and neonate, and specific diagnosis determines the appropriate treatment for the pregnancy. Given the increasing incidence of women with dysglycemia and those developing HGiP, this is an important area for research and clinical attention for all health professionals.
Advanced Technologies and Treatments for Diabetes 2018
Authors: Carracher Ann M. , Marathe Payal H. , Close Kelly L.
Published: March 2018

Ann M. Carracher, Payal H. Marathe, and Kelly L. Close are of Close Concerns (http://www.closeconcerns.com), a healthcare information company focused exclusively on diabetes and obesity care. Close Concerns publishes Closer Look, a periodical that brings together news and insights in these areas. Each month, the Journal of Diabetes includes this News feature, in which Carracher, Marathe, and Close review the latest developments relevant to researchers and clinicians.
Batch effects in a multiyear sequencing study: False biological trends due to changes in read lengths
Authors: Leigh D. M. , Lischer H. E. L. , Grossen C. , Keller L. F.
Published: March 2018

High‐throughput sequencing is a powerful tool, but suffers biases and errors that must be accounted for to prevent false biological conclusions. Such errors include batch effects; technical errors only present in subsets of data due to procedural changes within a study. If overlooked and multiple batches of data are combined, spurious biological signals can arise, particularly if batches of data are correlated with biological variables. Batch effects can be minimized through randomization of sample groups across batches. However, in long‐term or multiyear studies where data are added incrementally, full randomization is impossible, and batch effects may be a common feature. Here, we present a case study where false signals of selection were detected due to a batch effect in a multiyear study of Alpine ibex (Capra ibex). The batch effect arose because sequencing read length changed over the course of the project and populations were added incrementally to the study, resulting in nonrandom distributions of populations across read lengths. The differences in read length caused small misalignments in a subset of the data, leading to false variant alleles and thus false SNPs. Pronounced allele frequency differences between populations arose at these SNPs because of the correlation between read length and population. This created highly statistically significant, but biologically spurious, signals of selection and false associations between allele frequencies and the environment. We highlight the risk of batch effects and discuss strategies to reduce the impacts of batch effects in multiyear high‐throughput sequencing studies.
Non‐targeted insecticidal stress in a pest species: insecticides, sexual fitness and hormesis in the Neotropical brown stink bug Euschistus heros
Authors: Santos M.F. , Krüger A.P. , Turchen L.M. , Cutler G.C. , Oliveira E.E. , Guedes R.N.C.
Published: March 2018

An understudied aspect of insecticides is their stress on non‐targeted pest species. Sublethal insecticidal stress may elicit a range of protective and non‐protective responses that may affect behaviour and sexual fitness of the exposed insects, which may lead to negative, neutral or stimulatory (i.e. hormetic) responses. We assessed the behavioural response of the Neotropical brown stink bug, Euschistus heros, a soybean pest in the Neotropical region with increasing pest status, following exposure to chlorantraniliprole, pyriproxyfen and spinosad, insecticides commonly used against soybean caterpillars and whiteflies. Both individuals, or only the male or female of each mating pair, were exposed. Reproductive behaviour and output were measured to determine insecticide‐ and gender‐mediated fitness. We found that treatment scenario significantly affected mating behaviour, and that the duration of some behaviours were significantly affected. Chlorantraniliprole and pyriproxyfen reduced latency to mate, while spinosad increased this behaviour. Insecticide exposure also decreased the interacting time of each couple and male antennation of the female. Fertility table analyses of exposed couples indicated negligible effect of pyriproxyfen exposure, while spinosad extended generation time and reduced net reproductive rate, leading to lower rates of population growth of the brown stink bug. In contrast, chlorantraniliprole led to only a slight extension on the generation time, but enhanced net reproductive rate of the stink bug leading to higher rates of population growth; no effects on sexual fitness were observed, as both compounds exhibited similar effect on females and males. Latency to mate correlated significantly with the population growth rate. The positive response to chlorantraniliprole exposure reinforces the notion that sublethal exposure of the brown stink bug to this insecticide may lead to stimulatory (hormetic) response favouring its outbreaks in soybean fields.
The genetic component of human longevity: New insights from the analysis of pathway‐based SNP‐SNP interactions
Authors: Dato Serena , Soerensen Mette , De Rango Francesco , Rose Giuseppina , Christensen Kaare , Christiansen Lene , Passarino Giuseppe
Published: March 2018

In human longevity studies, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis identified a large number of genetic variants with small effects, yet not easily replicable in different populations. New insights may come from the combined analysis of different SNPs, especially when grouped by metabolic pathway. We applied this approach to study the joint effect on longevity of SNPs belonging to three candidate pathways, the insulin/insulin‐like growth factor signalling (IIS), DNA repair and pro/antioxidant. We analysed data from 1,058 tagging SNPs in 140 genes, collected in 1825 subjects (1,089 unrelated nonagenarians from the Danish 1905 Birth Cohort Study and 736 Danish controls aged 46–55 years) for evaluating synergic interactions by SNPsyn. Synergies were further tested by the multidimensional reduction (MDR) approach, both intra‐ and interpathways. The best combinations (FDR<0.0001) resulted those encompassing IGF1R‐rs12437963 and PTPN1‐rs6067484, TP53‐rs2078486 and ERCC2‐rs50871, TXNRD1‐rs17202060 and TP53‐rs2078486, the latter two supporting a central role of TP53 in mediating the concerted activation of the DNA repair and pro‐antioxidant pathways in human longevity. Results were consistently replicated with both approaches, as well as a significant effect on longevity was found for the GHSR gene, which also interacts with partners belonging to both IIS and DNA repair pathways (PAPPA, PTPN1, PARK7, MRE11A). The combination GHSR‐MREA11, positively associated with longevity by MDR, was further found influencing longitudinal survival in nonagenarian females (p = .026). Results here presented highlight the validity of SNP‐SNP interactions analyses for investigating the genetics of human longevity, confirming previously identified markers but also pointing to novel genes as central nodes of additional networks involved in human longevity.
The African turquoise killifish: A research organism to study vertebrate aging and diapause
Authors: Hu Chi‐Kuo , Brunet Anne
Published: March 2018

The African turquoise killifish has recently gained significant traction as a new research organism in the aging field. Our understanding of aging has strongly benefited from canonical research organisms—yeast, C. elegans, Drosophila, zebrafish, and mice. Many characteristics that are essential to understand aging—for example, the adaptive immune system or the hypothalamo‐pituitary axis—are only present in vertebrates (zebrafish and mice). However, zebrafish and mice live more than 3 years and their relatively long lifespans are not compatible with high‐throughput studies. Therefore, the turquoise killifish, a vertebrate with a naturally compressed lifespan of only 4–6 months, fills an essential gap to understand aging. With a recently developed genomic and genetic toolkit, the turquoise killifish not only provides practical advantages for lifespan and longitudinal experiments, but also allows more systematic characterizations of the interplay between genetics and environment during vertebrate aging. Interestingly, the turquoise killifish can also enter a long‐term dormant state during development called diapause. Killifish embryos in diapause already have some organs and tissues, and they can last in this state for years, exhibiting exceptional resistance to stress and to damages due to the passage of time. Understanding the diapause state could give new insights into strategies to prevent the damage caused by aging and to better preserve organs, tissues, and cells. Thus, the African turquoise killifish brings two interesting aspects to the aging field—a compressed lifespan and a long‐term resistant diapause state, both of which should spark new discoveries in the field.
The Mediating Role of Anxiety Sensitivity in Uncontrolled Drinking: A Look at Gender‐Specific Parental Influences
Authors: Ebbert Ashley M. , Patock‐Peckham Julie A. , Luk Jeremy W. , Voorhies Kirsten , Warner Olivia , Leeman Robert F.
Published: March 2018

Background

Anxiety sensitivity (AS) reflects an individual's belief that experiencing anxiety will cause illness or embarrassment, and may be a reason individuals self‐medicate with alcohol. Harsh or indulgent parenting could contribute to the development of AS. We examined the direct and indirect associations between parenting styles and alcohol‐related variables through AS and impaired control over drinking (IC; i.e., perceived failure to adhere to limits on alcohol consumption in the future).

Methods

A multiple‐group structural equation model with 614 university students (344 men; 270 women) was examined. Structural invariance tests were conducted to evaluate moderation by gender. We used a bias corrected bootstrap technique to obtain the mediated effects.

Results

Father authoritarianism and mother permissiveness were directly linked to AS among women, whereas father permissiveness was directly linked to AS among men. This suggests unique parental influences based on gender regarding AS. While AS was directly linked to alcohol‐related problems for both men and women, several gender‐specific associations were found. AS was directly linked to IC for men but not for women. For men, father permissiveness was directly related to AS, and AS mediated the indirect link between father permissiveness and IC along both the heavy episodic drinking and alcohol‐related problems pathways. Similar to other internalizing constructs (e.g., neuroticism and depression), higher AS was directly associated with less heavy episodic drinking but more alcohol‐related problems.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the dangers of AS for men as an important correlate of under‐controlled drinking behaviors. Additionally, permissive parenting of the same‐gender parent was associated with AS, which is consistent with the gender‐matching hypothesis. Together, these results underscore the importance of measuring the independent influence of both parents.
The type of corporate announcements and its implication on trading behaviour
Authors: Zheng Liyi
Published: March 2018

I report the empirical evidence to show how firms’ expected and unexpected announcements affect investors’ trading behaviour. I find that trading volume decreases before expected announcements, either scheduled or unscheduled, consistent with models that predict that discretionary liquidity traders may postpone their trading until after an anticipated news release. I also find that the magnitude of pre‐announcement trading reactions is negatively associated with the level of pre‐disclosure information asymmetry. I further find that trading volume is boosted before unexpected announcements, and the relation between the magnitude of pre‐announcement trading reactions and the pre‐disclosure information asymmetry is weakly significant or insignificant.
Multiple gateways
Authors: MacCoun Robert J.
Published: March 2018

Commentary to: Gateway effects and electronic cigarettes
Declining populations in one of the last refuges for threatened mammal species in northern Australia
Authors: Davies Hugh F. , McCarthy Michael A. , Firth Ronald S. C. , Woinarski John C. Z. , Gillespie Graeme R. , Andersen Alan N. , Rioli Willie , Puruntatameri José , Roberts Willie , Kerinaiua Colin , Kerinauia Vivian , Womatakimi Kim Brooks , Murphy Brett P.
Published: March 2018

Australia has contributed a disproportionate number of the world's mammal extinctions over the past 200 years, with the greatest loss of species occurring through the continent's southern and central arid regions. Many taxonomically and ecologically similar species are now undergoing widespread decline across the northern Australian mainland, possibly driven by predation by feral cats and changed fire regimes. Here, we report marked recent declines of native mammal species in one of Australia's few remaining areas that support an intact mammal assemblage, Melville Island, the largest island off the northern Australian coast. We have previously reported a marked decline on Melville Island of the threatened brush‐tailed rabbit‐rat (Conilurus penicillatus) over the period 2000–2015, linked to predation by feral cats. We now report a 62% reduction in small mammal trap‐success and a 36% reduction in site‐level species richness over this period. There was a decrease in trap‐success of 90% for the northern brown bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus), 64% for the brush‐tailed rabbit‐rat and 63% for the black‐footed tree‐rat (Mesembriomys gouldii), but no decline for the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). These results suggest that populations of native mammals on Melville Island are exhibiting similar patterns of decline to those recorded in Kakadu National Park two decades earlier, and across the northern Australian mainland more generally. Without the implementation of effective management actions, these species are likely to be lost from one of their last remaining strongholds, threatening to increase Australia's already disproportionate contribution to global mammal extinctions.
Early development and diets of non‐native juvenile Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in an invaded river of Patagonia, southern South America
Authors: Di Prinzio Cecilia Yanina , Arismendi Iván
Published: March 2018

Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) have established populations in both the Atlantic and Pacific basins of southern South America. Yet, basic biological information about these salmon population is absent. Here, we documented relative densities, body size, condition and diet composition of juvenile Chinook Salmon from the Futaleufú River, Argentina. We sampled Chinook Salmon juvenile and environmental variables including daily river discharge, water temperature, electrical conductance, dissolved oxygen and total dissolved solids. We assessed individual variation in the diet of juvenile salmon over time. We estimated the incubation time before fry emergence to be around 101 days under a mean water temperature of 7.5°C. Salmon fry emerged during the Austral Winter (July‐August) in off‐channel habitats near the redds. Juvenile salmon were between 3.8 and 12.1 cm in length (TL) and their highest body condition occurred early during the Austral summer (December). Juvenile salmon abundances were positively associated with water temperature, but not flow. Diet analyses revealed a specialist feeding behaviour based on food pulses that included both aquatic and terrestrial insects; piscivory was not detected. Juvenile salmon co‐occurred with native fishes suggesting a potential for interspecific interference. Our findings provide baseline information for the future management of non‐native Chinook Salmon populations in the Southern Hemisphere and elsewhere.
Endodontic decision making for asymptomatic root‐filled teeth with apical periodontitis – A radiographic survey
Authors: Taha Nessrin A. , Albashaireh Zakereyya S. , Alfied Rmdan G.
Published: March 2018

The aim of the study was to compare decision making for asymptomatic root‐filled teeth among dentists with differing educational backgrounds. Case scenarios based on 14 radiographs were created and 150 participants were asked to choose from five alternative treatment decisions and to state the rationale. Demographic data of the participants were recorded. Frequency distribution and cross‐tabulation were performed; chi square testing was used for comparisons and logistic regression was performed to detect significant differences. The overall response rate was 87.3%. The practitioners chose intervention predominantly with non‐surgical retreatment a common choice. Poor technical quality was a driving factor, while the existing poor coronal restoration and the need for a crown were generally not taken into account by general dentists. Speciality and experience were significant factors. Practitioners were more inclined to retain rather than extract teeth. It is concluded that clear guidelines listing factors to consider for intervention are required.
Accuracy and consistency of electronic root canal length determination with electrically isolating rubber stoppers
Authors: Kowollik Susanne , Sonntag David
Published: March 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of an isolating silicone stopper on the measuring accuracy and display consistency of three electrometric apex locators. The length of the canal to the major foramen was determined electrometrically using an ISO size 10 file in 20 extracted teeth each with natural crowns (Group I), amalgam fillings (Group II) or base‐metal crowns (Group III), The measurements were performed with isolating or conventional silicone stoppers using three different apex locators with a four‐level scale consistency rating. The use of isolating stoppers resulted in a more consistent display than with conventional stoppers, independent of the presence or type of coronal restoration (P = 0.017). Across all coronal restorations, the position of the major foramen could be determined to within ± 0.5 mm without significant differences (P = 0.79) using conventional and isolating stoppers. The use of modified isolating stoppers provides a significant increase in display consistency.
Reduction in leafroller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) abundance in orchards and vineyards 1976–2016, in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Authors: Lo Peter L. , Walker James T.S. , Hedderley Duncan I. , Cole Lyn M.
Published: March 2018

Three leafroller species were monitored between 1976 and 2016 by bait and pheromone trapping for adults, larval damage to apples and timed searches on various hosts.

Populations of all three species decreased substantially; however, the endemic Planotortrix octo and Ctenopseustis obliquana declined to a much greater extent than did the introduced Epiphyas postvittana.

The two endemic species dominated in the 1970s, whereas they are now rarely found on fruit crops. Epiphyas postvittana has now become the principal leafroller species.

Leafrollers damaged over 20% of apples receiving no insecticides during the 1980s but, subsequent to 2000, damage has been below 2%. Between 1994–1999 and 2008–2011, the numbers of immature leafrollers in searches on fruit crop and noncrop hosts decreased by 55%.

We attribute reduced leafroller populations to increased biological control and changes to insecticide programmes. Several parasitoids were introduced around 1980 and parasitism increased by 19% between 1994–1999 and 2008–2011. Replacing broad‐spectrum insecticides with selective insecticides in the mid‐1990s likely enhanced this trend.

Leafrollers were formerly major pests, whereas their status has now changed to being minor pests. Today, they are uncommon on managed and unmanaged fruit crops and noncrop host plants on orchards and vineyards in Hawke's Bay.
Regulatory gene network from a genome‐wide association study for sow lifetime productivity traits
Authors: Kang J.‐H. , Lee E.‐A. , Hong K.‐C. , Kim J.‐M.
Published: March 2018

Among swine reproductive traits, sow lifetime productivity (SLP) is considered a profitable trait in commercial pig farming. Notably, longevity and efficiency in SLP can be adopted as the key phenotype representing SLP. In this study, we conducted a co‐association network analysis using results from a genome‐wide association study for SLP‐related traits. A total of 656 purebred Landrace female pigs were genotyped using a 60K SNP array. Significantly associated SNPs identified from the GWAS were annotated for the specific genes. Then, we constructed an association weight matrix to build a network based on the co‐associations between the genes and 10 SLP traits. The entire network consisted of 495 nodes and 37 755 significant edges. We identified three key regulatory transcription factors: STAT2 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 2), MYF6 (myogenic factor 6) and TFCP2L1 (transcription factor CP2 like 1). The network revealed that the STAT2 and MYF6 regulatory modules cooperate with each other and specifically influence the longevity and efficiency of sows, whereas the TFCP2L1 family specifically affects the improvement of litter size.
Improving the quality of life of aged care residents through the joy of food: The Lantern Project
Authors: Hugo Cherie , Dwonczyk Marcia , Skinner Jan , Isenring Liz
Published: March 2018

Objective

Mealtimes directly impact the quality of life of residents in aged care. The objective of The Lantern Project is to improve the dining experience of aged care residents to reduce malnutrition risk through improving dietary intake, meal.

Methods

A transdisciplinary team of aged care professionals and resident advocates was formed as a collaboration collectively known as The Lantern Project.

Results

This paper outlines the journey and timeline of The Lantern Project collaboration since its inception and the interplay between the monthly stakeholder meetings and inter‐related research projects demonstrating improved outcomes.

Conclusion

Transdisciplinary collaboration offers well‐grounded benefits and realistic strategies sensitive to the complexity of the aged care setting.