bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the bacterial and fungal microbiome on the skin ofAnaxyrus boreas,Rhinella marina, andXenopus laevisand implications related toBatrachochytrium dendrobatidissusceptibility
Authors: Elmassry Moamen M. , Dowd Scot , Carey Cynthia , San Francisco Michael J.
Published: July 2020

The skin and its microbiome are the first lines of defense against environmental stressors and pathogens. The symbiotic relationships between the host and the microbiome and within the microbiome are critical to host health. In frogs, this research area is lacking especially in the context of their skin infection withBatrachochytrium dendrobatidis.B. dendrobatidisis a major fungal skin pathogen to amphibians that has caused the extinction of hundreds of amphibian species populations. While some frog species are known susceptible toB. dendrobatidisinfections, and others are resistant, we hypothesized that the skin microbiome of frogs plays a role in the prevention ofB. dendrobatidisinfections that is yet unknown. Therefore, in this work we have examined the bacterial and fungal skin microbiome of one species that is sensitive toB. dendrobatidisinfections,Anaxyrus boreas(formerly:Bufo boreas), and the resistant species,Xenopus laevisandRhinella marina(formerly:Bufo marinus). This was accomplished using tag-encoded FLX amplicon pyrosequencing (bTEFAP) of the 16S rRNA and ITS DNA regions. Our results showed that the bacterial and fungal skin microbiome ofA. boreasandR. marinawere more similar than to that ofX. laevis.We found distinct patterns between the skin microbiome ofB. dendrobatidissensitive and resistant frog species. For the bacterial microbiome, the most abundant bacterial genus observed in all frog samples wasMicrobacterium. The resistant species had higher abundance in the generaPseudomonas,Sphingobium,Pedobacter,Variovorax,Morganella,Sphingomonas,Giesbergeria, andAgromyces. In contrast, they had lower abundance ofElizabethkingia(formerly:Flavobacterium), Enterobacter,Ochrobactrum,Arthobacter,Stenotrophomonas,Shinella,Klebsiella,Aeromonas,Comomonas,Chitinophaga, andRhodococcus. Regarding the fungal microbiome, the resistant species showed higher abundance in the generaAspergillus,Cladosporium, Elaphomyces,Monascus,Tritirachium,Ceratostomella, andClaviceps, whileAsterotremella,Trichosporon, andMalasezziagenera were less represented in resistant species. We have also observed that in the resistant species, the skin microbiome had higher diversity in the fungal microbiota, but not in the bacterial microbiota. We speculate that those observed differences have implications inB. dendrobatidissusceptibility that are yet to be determined, possibly through competition for nutrients or the production of specific anti-fungal molecules.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Improving cell-free glycoprotein synthesis by characterizing and enriching native membrane vesicles
Authors: Hershewe Jasmine M. , Warfel Katherine F. , Iyer Shaelyn M. , Peruzzi Justin A. , Sullivan Claretta J. , Roth Eric W. , DeLisa Matthew P. , Kamat Neha P. , Jewett Michael C.
Published: July 2020

Cell-free gene expression (CFE) systems from crude cellular extracts have attracted much attention for accelerating the design of cellular function, on-demand biomanufacturing, portable diagnostics, and educational kits. Many essential biological processes that could endow CFE systems with desired functions, such as protein glycosylation, rely on the activity of membrane-bound components. However, without the use of synthetic membrane mimics, activating membrane-dependent functionality in bacterial CFE systems remains largely unstudied. Here, we address this gap by characterizing native, cell-derived membrane vesicles inEscherichia coli-based CFE extracts and describing methods to enrich vesicles with heterologous, membranebound machinery. We first use nanocharacterization techniques to show that lipid vesicles in CFE extracts are tens to hundreds of nanometers across, and on the order of ~3×1012particles/mL. We then determine how extract processing methods, such as post-lysis centrifugation, can be used to modulate concentrations of membrane vesicles in CFE systems. By tuning these methods, we show that increasing the number of vesicle particles to ~7×1012particles/mL can be used to increase concentrations of heterologous membrane protein cargo expressed prior to lysis. Finally, we apply our methods to enrich membrane-bound oligosaccharyltransferases and lipid-linked oligosaccharides for improvingN-linked andO-linked glycoprotein synthesis. We anticipate that our findings will facilitatein vitrogene expression systems that require membrane-dependent activities and open new opportunities in glycoengineering.
Prey availability and ambient temperature influence carrion persistence in the boreal forest
Authors: Peers Michael J. L. , Konkolics Sean M. , Lamb Clayton T. , Majchrzak Yasmine N. , Menzies Allyson K. , Studd Emily K. , Boonstra Rudy , Kenney Alice J. , Krebs Charles J. , Martinig April Robin , McCulloch Baily , Silva Joseph , Garland Laura , Boutin Stan
Published: July 2020

Scavenging by vertebrates can have important impacts on food web stability and persistence, and can alter the distribution of nutrients throughout the landscape. However, scavenging communities have been understudied in most regions around the globe, and we lack understanding of the biotic drivers of vertebrate scavenging dynamics.

In this paper, we examined how changes in prey density and carrion biomass caused by population cycles of a primary prey species, the snowshoe hareLepus americanus, influence scavenging communities in the northern boreal forest. We further examined the impact of habitat and temperature on scavenging dynamics.

We monitored the persistence time, time until first scavenger, and number of species scavenging experimentally‐placed hare carcasses over four consecutive years in the southwestern Yukon. We simultaneously monitored hare density and carrion biomass to examine their influence relative to temperature, habitat, and seasonal effects. For the primary scavengers, we developed species‐specific scavenging models to determine variation on the effects of these factors across species, and determine which species may be driving temporal patterns in the entire community.

We found that the efficiency of the scavenging community was affected by hare density, with carcass persistence decreasing when snowshoe hare densities declined, mainly due to increased scavenging rates by Canada lynxLynx canadensis. However, prey density did not influence the number of species scavenging a given carcass, suggesting prey abundance affects carrion recycling but not necessarily the number of connections in the food web. In addition, scavenging rates increased in warmer temperatures, and there were strong seasonal effects on the richness of the vertebrate scavenging community.

Our results demonstrate that vertebrate scavenging communities are sensitive to changes in species’ demography and environmental change, and that future assessments of food web dynamics should consider links established through scavenging.
More than meets the eye: Predator‐induced pupil size plasticity in a teleost fish
Authors: Vinterstare Jerker , Hulthén Kaj , Nilsson Dan E. , Nilsson Per Anders , Brönmark Christer
Published: July 2020

Most animals are visually oriented, and their eyes provide their ‘window to the world’. Eye size correlates positively with visual performance, because larger eyes can house larger pupils that increase photon catch and contrast discrimination, particularly under dim light, which have positive effects on behaviours that enhance fitness, including predator avoidance and foraging.

Recent studies have linked predation risk to selection for larger eyes and pupils, and such changes should be of importance for the majority of teleost fishes as they have a pupil that is fixed in size (eyes lack a pupillary sphincter muscle) and, hence, do not respond to changes in light conditions.

Here, we quantify eye and pupil size of individual crucian carp, a common freshwater fish, following controlled manipulations of perceived predation risk (presence/absence). We also tested if crucian carp responded to increased predation risk by shifts in diel activity patterns.

We found that crucian carp show phenotypic plasticity with regards to pupil size, but not eye size, as pupil size increased when exposed to predators (pike). Predator‐exposed crucian carp also shifted from diurnal to nocturnal activity. Using a modelling exercise, we moreover show that the plastically enlarged pupils significantly increase visual range, especially for small objects under dim light conditions.

Overall, our results provide compelling evidence for predator‐induced pupil enlargement resulting in enhanced visual capabilities in a teleost fish. Pupil size plasticity in combination with the observed shift towards nocturnal activity may allow for efficient foraging also under dark conditions when predation risk from diurnal and visually oriented predators is reduced. The data highlight the powerful role of predation risk for eye development and evolution.
Initial butyrate producers during infant gut microbiota development are endospore formers
Authors: Appert Olivia , Garcia Alejandro Ramirez , Frei Remo , Roduit Caroline , Constancias Florentin , Neuzil‐Bunesova Vera , Ferstl Ruth , Zhang Jianbo , Akdis Cezmi , Lauener Roger , Lacroix Christophe , Schwab Clarissa
Published: July 2020

The acquisition of the infant gut microbiota is key to establishing a host‐microbiota symbiosis. Microbially produced metabolites tightly interact with the immune system, and the fermentation‐derived short‐chain fatty acid butyrate is considered an important mediator linked to chronic diseases later in life. The intestinal butyrate‐forming bacterial population is taxonomically and functionally diverse and includes endospore formers with high transmission potential. Succession, and contribution of butyrate‐producing taxa during infant gut microbiota development have been little investigated. We determined the abundance of major butyrate‐forming groups and fermentation metabolites in faeces, isolated, cultivated and characterized the heat‐resistant cell population, which included endospores, and compared butyrate formation efficiency of representative taxa in batch cultures. The endospore community contributed about 0.001% to total cells, and was mainly composed of the pioneer butyrate‐producing Clostridium sensu stricto. We observed an increase in abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, butyrate‐producing Lachnospiraceae and faecal butyrate levels with age that is likely explained by higher butyrate production capacity of contributing taxa compared with Clostridium sensu stricto. Our data suggest that a successional arrangement and an overall increase in abundance of butyrate forming populations occur during the first year of life, which is associated with an increase of intestinal butyrate formation capacity.
Re‐Evaluating ‘Best Interests’ in the Wake of Raqeeb v Barts NHS Foundation Trust & Anors
Authors: Auckland Cressida , Goold Imogen
Published: July 2020

In Raqeeb v Barts NHS Foundation Trust, the latest of a number of cases concerning whether a child can travel abroad for treatment that doctors in the UK do not consider to be in their best interests, the High Court held that the hospital had acted unlawfully by failing to consider the child's rights under EU law when refusing to allow her to travel. Although this derogation could be justified on public policy grounds, as such treatment was, on the facts, in her best interests, no further interference with her rights was justified. In making this finding, the court recognised the ‘stress’ that such a case placed on the best interests test, lending weight to the argument for moving instead to a risk of significant harm threshold for judicial intervention in parental decisions, which better accounts for legitimate differences of value and strikes a better balance under Article 8 ECHR.
Communication missteps during COVID‐19 hurt those already most at risk
Authors: Clark‐Ginsberg Aaron , Petrun Sayers Elizabeth L.
Published: July 2020

Emergency risk communication is a crucial part responding to crises. Right now, vulnerable groups are experiencing disproportionately negative outcomes from communication missteps surrounding COVID‐19. In this commentary, we describe the missteps and outline strategies that response organizations can take to improve communication for vulnerable groups.
Differentiation of Morphologically Similar Human Head Hairs from Two Demographically Similar Individuals Using Amino Acid Ratios,
Authors: Macri Allison M. , Lam Sirena , Powers Robert H. , Marsico Alyssa L.M.
Published: July 2020

Human hair is frequently encountered as forensic evidence and can contribute valuable information to investigators. Conventional forensic hair analyses include microscopic hair comparison (MHC) and DNA analysis. However, MHC is not supported by statistics and DNA analysis cannot always be performed. Recent studies have demonstrated that evaluation of differences in the hair proteins may offer an alternate method to these analyses. In this study, an evaluation of the amino acids present in hair was investigated as an approach to differentiate morphologically indistinguishable hair samples from two demographically similar individuals. Proteins in the hair were digested using hydrochloric acid, and the resulting amino acids were derivatized with N,O‐Bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) for analysis using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Eight derivatized amino acids were detected and quantified relative to an internal standard, L‐norvaline, and used to construct twenty‐eight amino acid ratios. Hair samples were collected from four areas of the head on various days over the course of one month, and no significant differences in amino acid ratios (p‐value > 0.05) were observed among the areas of the head, and the ratios were consistent over the time period of this study. Additionally, fifteen of these amino acid ratios were found to be significantly different between the two individuals when compared using a two‐sample t‐test (p‐value ≤ 0.05). These data indicate that amino acid analysis was able to differentiate two morphologically similar hair samples from different individuals and demonstrates the applicability of this method to distinguish similar hair samples when DNA analysis cannot be performed.
Comparison of the M‐Vac® Wet‐Vacuum‐Based Collection Method to a Wet‐Swabbing Method for DNA Recovery on Diluted Bloodstained Substrates*†‡
Authors: McLamb Jessica M. , Adams Lara D. , Kavlick Mark F.
Published: July 2020

A wet‐vacuum‐based collection method with the M‐Vac® was compared to a wet‐swabbing collection method by examining the recovery of diluted blood on 22 substrates of varying porosity. The wet‐vacuum method yielded more total nuclear DNA than wet‐swabbing on 18 porous substrates, recovering on average 12 times more DNA. However, both methods yielded comparable amounts of total DNA on two porous and two nonporous substrates. In no instance did wet‐swabbing significantly recover more DNA. The wet‐vacuum method also successfully collected additional DNA on previously swabbed substrates. Mitochondrial DNA yields were assessed, and outcomes were generally similar to the nuclear DNA outcomes described above. Results demonstrate that wet‐vacuuming may serve as an alternative collection method to swabbing on difficult porous substrates and could potentially recover additional DNA on previously swabbed substrates. However, swabbing remains the preferred collection method on substrates with visible stains and/or nonporous surfaces for reasons of convenience, simplicity, and lower cost relative to the wet‐vacuum method.
Sustainable Flood Risk and Stormwater Management in Blue‐Green Cities; an Interdisciplinary Case Study in Portland, Oregon
Authors: O’Donnell Emily C. , Thorne Colin R. , Yeakley J. Alan , Chan Faith Ka Shun
Published: July 2020

Blue‐Green Infrastructure (BGI) is recognized as a viable strategy to manage stormwater and flood risk, and its multifunctionality may further enrich society through the provision of multiple cobenefits that extend far beyond the hydrosphere. Portland, Oregon, is an internationally renowned leader in the implementation of BGI and showcases many best practice examples. Nonetheless, a range of interdisciplinary barriers and uncertainties continue to cloud decision making and impede wider implementation of BGI. In this paper, we synthesize research conducted by the “Clean Water for All” (CWfA) research project and demonstrate that interdisciplinary evaluation of the benefits of Portland’s BGI, focusing on green street bioswales and the East Lents Floodplain Restoration Project, is essential to address biophysical and sociopolitical barriers. Effective interdisciplinary approaches require sustained interaction and collaboration to integrate disciplinary expertise toward a common problem‐solving purpose, and strong leadership from researchers adapt at spanning disciplinary boundaries. While the disciplinary differences in methodologies were embraced in the CWfA project, and pivotal to providing evidence of the disparate benefits of multifunctional BGI, cross‐disciplinary engagement, knowledge coproduction, and data exchanges during the research process were of paramount importance to reduce the potential for fragmentation and ensure research remained integrated.
A 63‐bp insertion in exon 2 of the porcine KIF21A gene is associated with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita
Authors: Fang Z.‐H. , Nosková A. , Crysnanto D. , Neuenschwander S. , Vögeli P. , Pausch H.
Published: July 2020

A recessive form of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) was detected 20 years ago in the Swiss Large White (SLW) pig population. A diagnostic marker test enabled the identification of carrier animals, but the underlying causal mutation remains unknown. To identify the mutation underlying AMC, we collected SNP chip genotyping data for 11 affected piglets and 23 healthy pigs. Association testing using 47 829 SNPs confirmed that AMC maps to SSC5 (P = 9.4 × 10−13). Subsequent autozygosity mapping revealed a common 6.06 Mb region (from 66 757 970 to 72 815 151 bp) of extended homozygosity in 11 piglets affected by AMC. Using WGS data, we detected a 63‐bp insertion compatible with the recessive inheritance of AMC in the second exon of KIF21A gene encoding Kinesin Family Member 21A. The 63‐bp insertion is predicted to introduce a premature stop codon in KIF21A gene (p.Val41_Phe42insTer) that truncates 1614 amino acids (~97%) from the protein. We found that this deleterious allele still segregates at a frequency of 0.1% in the SLW pig population. Carrier animals can now be detected unambiguously and excluded from breeding.
Myths of Meritocracy, Friendship, and Fun Work: Class and Gender in North American Academic Communities
Authors: Leighton Mary
Published: July 2020

Using the example of Andean archaeology, this article focuses on subtle forms of inequality that arise when academic communities are conceptualized as friendship‐based and egalitarian, rejecting explicit hierarchy. I describe this asperformative informalityand argue that it stems from a meritocratic ideology that inadvertently reproduces Euro‐American white‐male privilege. In a discipline that prides itself on its friendliness, openness, and alcohol‐fueled drinking culture, those who find themselves unable to enact or perform informality appropriately are at a distinct disadvantage. Drawing from a multisited ethnography of Andeanist archaeologists, I make the case that it is the ephemerality and plausible deniability of performative informality that makes it hard to recognize and thus mitigate against it. In doing so, I draw on and contribute to the theorization of gender/class intersectionality in anthropology and science studies, US conceptualizations of meritocracy in academia and higher education, and feminist Jo Freeman's concept of “the tyranny of structurelessness.” [anthropology of science, ethnography of archaeology, class, gender, anthropology of work and education]
Primary gastric melanoma in adult population: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Schizas Dimitrios , Tomara Nefeli , Katsaros Ioannis , Sakellariou Stratigoula , Machairas Nikolaos , Paspala Anna , Tsilimigras Diamantis I. , Papanikolaou Ioannis S. , Mantas Dimitrios
Published: July 2020

Background

Primary gastric melanoma (PGM) is a rare malignant tumour of the stomach with poor prognosis. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the available literature on this entity and to highlight its biological behaviour and preferred treatment approach.

Methods

PubMed and Cochrane bibliographical databases were independently searched (last search: 2 February 2020) by two investigators for articles reporting on PGM in the adult population.

Results

Twenty‐five studies met the inclusion criteria and concerned collectively 25 patients (18 males and seven females) with an age of 63.4 ± 8.97 years (mean ± standard deviation). Main symptoms included abdominal pain (64%), weight loss (48%) and hematemesis or melena (32%). The most frequent tumour location was the body of the stomach (54.2%). All tumours were surgically resected and the majority of the patients had a partial gastrectomy (52%). Median recurrence time was 5 months and 12% of patients reached 5‐year survival landmark.

Conclusion

PGM is a rare disease characterized by an aggressive malignant behaviour. Its differential diagnosis from a metastatic lesion is crucial. A prompt diagnosis and therapeutic approach are needed. Further studies are required to elucidate the optimal management of this clinical entity.
Settlers, Workers, and the Logic of Accumulation by Dispossession
Authors: Englert Sai
Published: July 2020

This article offers a critique of the Wolfe‐an model, which has become so dominant within contemporary Settler Colonial Studies (SCS). It focuses particularly on the central claim made by Patrick Wolfe, and others after him, that settler colonialism is categorically differentiated from other forms of colonialism by its drive to “eliminate the native”, instead of exploiting them. This paper builds on the literature that shows how settler colonies have used elimination as well as exploitation in their relations with indigenous peoples—even transitioning from one to the other. Instead, the paper argues that focusing on accumulation by dispossession allows for an analysis of the specificity of settler social relations to emerge. It highlights the specific ways in which settlers collectively expropriate indigenous peoples and struggle amongst different settler classes over the distribution of the colonial loot.
Epithelioid glioblastoma with microglia features: potential for novel therapy
Authors: Nakagomi Nami , Sakamoto Daisuke , Hirose Takanori , Takagi Toshinori , Murase Makiko , Nakagomi Takayuki , Yoshimura Shinichi , Hirota Seiichi
Published: July 2020

Epithelioid glioblastoma (E‐GBM) was recently designated as a subtype of glioblastoma (GBM) by the World Health Organization (2016). E‐GBM is an aggressive and rare variant of GBM that primarily occurs in children and young adults. Although most characterized cases of E‐GBM harbor a mutation of the BRAF gene in which valine (V) is substituted by glutamic acid (E) at amino acid 600 (BRAF‐V600E), in addition to telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutations and homozygous CDKN2A/B deletions, the origins and cellular nature of E‐GBM remain uncertain. Here, we present a case of E‐GBM that exhibits antigenic and functional traits suggestive of microglia. Although no epithelial [e.g., CKAE1/3, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA)] or glial (e.g., GFAP, Olig2) markers were detected by immunohistochemical staining, the microglial markers CD68 and Iba1 were readily apparent. Furthermore, isolated E‐GBM‐derived tumor cells expressed microglial/macrophage‐related genes including cytokines, chemokines, MHC class II antigens, lysozyme and the critical functional receptor, CSF‐1R. Isolated E‐GBM‐derived tumor cells were also capable of phagocytosis and cytokine production. Treating E‐GBM‐derived tumor cells with the BRAF‐V600E inhibitor, PLX4032 (vemurafenib), resulted in a dose‐dependent reduction in cell viability that was amplified by addition of the CSF‐1R inhibitor, BLZ945. The present case provides insight into the cellular nature of E‐GBM and introduces several possibilities for effective targeted therapy for these patients.
Digital innovation in law firms: The dominant logic under threat
Authors: Kronblad Charlotta
Published: July 2020

This paper focuses on the impact of digitalization in the legal industry. The legal industry is highly institutionalized and has for long been unaffected by external changes. This has enabled the development of a strong institutional logic that has dictated homogeneous practices in law firms and limited their room for innovation. However, this seems about to change. Through a qualitative case study of the Swedish legal industry, this paper shows that new practices, enabled by digitalization, challenges common practices and puts the dominant logic under threat. By applying an institutional logics perspective to recent changes, this paper contrasts the enactment of the dominant logic with innovative practices and shows that digitalization has created institutional complexity, where digital pioneers respond to digital opportunities differently than incumbents. This paper also explains why and highlights the emergence of hybrid firms that successfully combine elements of the dominant logic with innovation. Consequently, this paper contributes to our understanding of digital innovation and digital transformation within highly institutional industries.
Gender Encoding in Gender Diverse and Gender Conforming Children
Authors: Glazier Jessica J. , Gülgöz Selin , Olson Kristina R.
Published: July 2020

Previous research suggests that people encode gender starting in childhood. The present research asked whether gender diverse children (i.e., children whose gender identity or expression differs from that expected based on assigned sex) encode gender. Results showed that 3‐ to 5‐year‐old gender diverse participants (N = 71), siblings of gender diverse children (N = 52), and gender conforming controls (N = 69) did not significantly differ in degree of gender encoding. These results converge with prior research to suggest that gender diverse children process gender in ways that do not differ from gender conforming children, and provide further evidence that gender encoding may be a common aspect of person perception in societies that support a binary view of gender.
Understanding parent preferences for NHS paediatric allergy services
Authors: Diwakar Lavanya , Cummins Carole , Roberts Tracy
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To understand parent preferences for NHS paediatric allergy services. Design: A stated preference study (discrete choice experiment).

Setting

West Midlands, UK.

Participants

A sample of parents of children aged 16 years or younger recruited from the general population through a third party company approved by the University of Birmingham.

Intervention

An online questionnaire with 18 choice questions describing two hypothetical paediatric allergy specialist clinics described in terms of the clinician, information provision, additional facilities, waiting times and out of pocket expenses. Main outcome measures Preference and willingness to pay estimates for each of the specified attributes.

Results

Parents strongly preferred that their children be reviewed by consultants or specialist nurses formally trained in allergy compared with consultants with no formal allergy training [Willingness to pay (WTP) estimates for nurse specialist £150.9 (138.8‐163.2), trained allergy consultants £218.7 (205.7‐231.9), compared with consultants without formal training]. They were willing to wait longer to see trained practitioners. Parents also expressed a strong preference for improving online information regarding allergies [WTP for written information £18.4 (6.1‐30.6) and £72.6 for improved online information (59.9‐85.3), compared with verbal information]. Specialist clinics with additional dietician and eczema support were also preferred [WTP £29.9 (19.8‐40.1), compared with no additional support].

Conclusions

Parents showed strong preference for formally trained practitioners in specialist allergy clinics. Access to improved online allergy information and additional facilities within allergy clinics were also preferred. These findings have implications for future commissioning of paediatric allergy services in the UK.
Guided Fine‐Tuning for Large‐Scale Material Transfer
Authors: Deschaintre Valentin , Drettakis George , Bousseau Adrien
Published: July 2020

We present a method to transfer the appearance of one or a few exemplar SVBRDFs to a target image representing similar materials. Our solution is extremely simple: we fine‐tune a deep appearance‐capture network on the provided exemplars, such that it learns to extract similar SVBRDF values from the target image. We introduce two novel material capture and design workflows that demonstrate the strength of this simple approach. Our first workflow allows to produce plausible SVBRDFs of large‐scale objects from only a few pictures. Specifically, users only need take a single picture of a large surface and a few close‐up flash pictures of some of its details. We use existing methods to extract SVBRDF parameters from the close‐ups, and our method to transfer these parameters to the entire surface, enabling the lightweight capture of surfaces several meters wide such as murals, floors and furniture. In our second workflow, we provide a powerful way for users to create large SVBRDFs from internet pictures by transferring the appearance of existing, pre‐designed SVBRDFs. By selecting different exemplars, users can control the materials assigned to the target image, greatly enhancing the creative possibilities offered by deep appearance capture.
Duration and frequency of non‐flow periods affect the abundance and diversity of stream meiofauna
Authors: Majdi Nabil , Colls Miriam , Weiss Linette , Acuña Vicenç , Sabater Sergi , Traunspurger Walter
Published: July 2020

Intermittent streams (IS) comprise a large proportion of the drainage network in many parts of the world. The non‐flow period of IS are known to impact stream biota because aquatic habitats dry out. However, less well understood are the relative effects of the temporal component of these drying events including their duration and frequency.

Here, we characterised effects of temporal component of drying events on abundant and species‐rich meiofauna. The effects were assessed in 22 streams in the north‐eastern Iberian Peninsula. The duration and frequency of non‐flow events was characterized over a period of 250 days prior to sampling the sediment‐dwelling meiofauna in riffle zones that completely dried out.

Overall, meiofauna abundances were amongst the highest ever reported for streambeds. Most meiofaunal taxa correlated positively with the frequency of drying events and correlated positively with the length of dry periods recorded shortly before sampling, suggesting that the community was able to recover quickly. Tardigrades were the only group to correlate positively with the longest dry periods, suggesting that they had the best resilience capabilities in streams that had experienced the longest droughts.

On average, nematodes made up half of the meiofauna. We identified a total of 113 different nematode species. The nematode community was more taxonomically diverse in IS, with a smaller proportion of bacterivores and a higher proportion of fungivore species such as Filenchus vulgaris. Thereby resembling the trophic structure commonly observed in soil ecosystems.

Our results show that most meiofauna were positively influenced by drying disturbance, that is being able to quickly recover after them. This suggests outstanding resilience capabilities, and points out meiofaunal organisms as key players for kick‐starting stream food webs and functions once flow returns.
Net landscape carbon balance of a tropical savanna: Relative importance of fire and aquatic export in offsetting terrestrial production
Authors: Duvert Clément , Hutley Lindsay B. , Beringer Jason , Bird Michael I. , Birkel Christian , Maher Damien T. , Northwood Matthew , Rudge Mitchel , Setterfield Samantha A. , Wynn Jonathan G.
Published: July 2020

The magnitude of the terrestrial carbon (C) sink may be overestimated globally due to the difficulty of accounting for all C losses across heterogeneous landscapes. More complete assessments of net landscape C balances (NLCB) are needed that integrate both emissions by fire and transfer to aquatic systems, two key loss pathways of terrestrial C. These pathways can be particularly significant in the wet–dry tropics, where fire plays a fundamental part in ecosystems and where intense rainfall and seasonal flooding can result in considerable aquatic C export (ΣFaq). Here, we determined the NLCB of a lowland catchment (~140 km2) in tropical Australia over 2 years by evaluating net terrestrial productivity (NEP), fire‐related C emissions and ΣFaq (comprising both downstream transport and gaseous evasion) for the two main landscape components, that is, savanna woodland and seasonal wetlands. We found that the catchment was a large C sink (NLCB 334 Mg C km−2 year−1), and that savanna and wetland areas contributed 84% and 16% to this sink, respectively. Annually, fire emissions (−56 Mg C km−2 year−1) and ΣFaq (−28 Mg C km−2 year−1) reduced NEP by 13% and 7%, respectively. Savanna burning shifted the catchment to a net C source for several months during the dry season, while ΣFaq significantly offset NEP during the wet season, with a disproportionate contribution by single major monsoonal events—up to 39% of annual ΣFaq was exported in one event. We hypothesize that wetter and hotter conditions in the wet–dry tropics in the future will increase ΣFaq and fire emissions, potentially further reducing the current C sink in the region. More long‐term studies are needed to upscale this first NLCB estimate to less productive, yet hydrologically dynamic regions of the wet–dry tropics where our result indicating a significant C sink may not hold.
Quantifying the effects of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) on deep organic C stocks using natural abundance14C in three marginal soils
Authors: Slessarev Eric W. , Nuccio Erin E. , McFarlane Karis J. , Ramon Christina E. , Saha Malay , Firestone Mary K. , Pett‐Ridge Jennifer
Published: July 2020

Perennial bioenergy crops have been shown to increase soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, potentially offsetting anthropogenic C emissions. The effects of perennial bioenergy crops on SOC are typically assessed at shallow depths (<30 cm), but the deep root systems of these crops may also have substantial effects on SOC stocks at greater depths. We hypothesized that deep (>30 cm) SOC stocks would be greater under bioenergy crops relative to stocks under shallow‐rooted conventional crop cover. To test this, we sampled soils to between 1‐ and 3‐m depth at three sites in Oklahoma with 10‐ to 20‐year‐old switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) stands, and collected paired samples from nearby fields cultivated with shallow rooted annual crops. We measured root biomass, total organic C,14C,13C, and other soil properties in three replicate soil cores in each field and used a mixing model to estimate the proportion of recently fixed C under switchgrass based on14C. The subsoil C stock under switchgrass (defined over 500–1500 kg/m2equivalent soil mass, approximately 30–100 cm depth) exceeded the subsoil stock in neighboring fields by 1.5 kg C/m2at a sandy loam site, 0.6 kg C/m2at a site with loam soils, and showed no significant difference at a third site with clay soils. Using the mixing model, we estimated that additional SOC introduced after switchgrass cultivation comprised 31% of the subsoil C stock at the sandy loam site, 22% at the loam site, and 0% at the clay site. These results suggest that switchgrass can contribute significantly to subsoil organic C—but also indicated that this effect varies across sites. Our analysis shows that agricultural strategies that emphasize deep‐rooted grass cultivars can increase soil C relative to conventional crops while expanding energy biomass production on marginal lands.
Determining the optimal value of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index to screen older patients with malnutrition risk: A study at a university hospital in Japan
Authors: Ishida Yuria , Maeda Keisuke , Nonogaki Tomoyuki , Shimizu Akio , Yamanaka Yosuke , Matsuyama Remi , Kato Ryoko , Ueshima Junko , Mori Naoharu
Published: July 2020

Aim

The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) can predict nutritional risk. However, just a few studies have validated the optimal cut‐off value of GNRI for nutrition screening in older patients. Hence, this study aimed to determine the optimal value of GNRI to screen the risk of malnutrition among older patients.

Methods

This retrospective cross‐sectional study was carried out with 5867 consecutive older adult patients who were admitted to an academic hospital in Japan. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were carried out to obtain the optimal cut‐off value of GNRI, and the results were compared against the Mini Nutritional Assessment – Short Form and Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool. The validation of the obtained cut‐off value was examined on the concordance rate of malnutrition diagnosis based on the European Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism criteria.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 76.0 ± 7.0 years. The optimal cut‐off value of GNRI for Mini Nutritional Assessment – Short Form ≤11 points was 95.92 (area under the curve 0.827 [0.817–0.838], P < 0.001), and that for Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool ≥1 point was 95.95 (area under the curve 0.788 [0.776–0.799], P < 0.001). By adapting GNRI <96 points as an initial screening cut‐off in the European Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism‐defined malnutrition process, the concordance rates of comparisons were 98.5% and 98.5% for Mini Nutritional Assessment – Short Form‐based and MUST‐based diagnosis, respectively.

Conclusions

The study showed GNRI <96 points as the optimal cut‐off value for nutritional screening. GNRI might be one of the easy‐to‐use tools for nutritional screening and for diagnosing malnutrition in older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 811–816.
Skin diseases in displaced populations: a review of contributing factors, challenges, and approaches to care
Authors: Knapp Alexia P. , Rehmus Wingfield , Chang Aileen Y.
Published: July 2020

There are 70.8 million persons displaced worldwide due to war, persecution, and violence. Eighty percent of displaced persons reside in low‐ and middle‐income countries with limited healthcare resources. Cutaneous diseases are commonly reported among displaced persons owing to numerous interrelated factors such as inadequate housing, overcrowding, food insecurity, environmental exposures, violence including torture, and breakdown of healthcare infrastructure. Diagnosis and management of these conditions, as well as an understanding of the context in which they present, is crucial to providing dermatologic care for displaced populations worldwide. Herein, we define displaced populations and, within this context, review the epidemiology of skin diseases, discuss pertinent skin conditions, examine challenges to care provision, and present approaches for improving dermatologic care. Inflammatory and communicable infectious disorders are the most common skin diseases seen in displaced populations. Other relevant conditions include skin manifestations of heat injuries, cold injuries, immersion foot syndromes, macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies, torture, and sexual and gender‐based violence. Provision of dermatologic care to displaced populations is hampered by limited diagnostic and therapeutic resources and specialist expertise. Medical screening for cutaneous disorders, context‐relevant dermatology training, and telemedicine are potential tools to improve diagnosis and management of skin diseases in displaced populations.
Sparsity of dendritic cells and cytotoxic T cells in tumor microenvironment may lead to recurrence in basal cell carcinoma
Authors: Beksaç Burcu , İlter Nilsel , Erdem Özlem , Çakmak Pinar , Çenetoğlu Seyhan , Yapar Dilek
Published: July 2020

Background

Antitumor immune response affects tumor growth. The effect of antitumor immune response on recurrence has been poorly studied in basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

Objectives

To investigate the effects of the peritumoral immune infiltrate on BCC recurrence.

Methods

A total of 30 BCC patients without recurrence and 29 BCC patients with recurrence were included in this retrospective study. Non‐recurrent tumor samples as well as primary and recurrent tumor samples from the recurrent group were stained immunohistochemically with anti‐CD4, CD8, CD25, FOXP3, CD68, CD163, and CD1a antibodies. Immune infiltrates were semiquantitatively evaluated.

Results

BCC tumor microenvironment was rich in CD4+ cells. CD163 expression was higher than CD68. In primary tumors of the recurrent group, CD8 expression was significantly lower than CD4 expression. CD1a expression was lower in primary tumors of the recurrent group than in nonrecurrent tumors.

Conclusions

Our results suggest the existence of an immunosuppressive microenvironment in BCC. Lower CD8+ T‐cell numbers and sparsity of dendritic cells in primary tumors of recurrent patients suggest further immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment and an increase in recurrence risk. This is the first study that evaluates and compares tumor immune microenvironments of primary and recurrent BCC lesions with several markers and investigates the role of antitumor immunity on BCC recurrence.
Lipopolysaccharide promotes Drp1‐dependent mitochondrial fission and associated inflammatory responses in macrophages
Authors: Kapetanovic Ronan , Afroz Syeda Farhana , Ramnath Divya , Lawrence Grace MEP , Okada Takashi , Curson James EB , de Bruin Jost , Fairlie David P , Schroder Kate , St John Justin C , Blumenthal Antje , Sweet Matthew J
Published: July 2020

Mitochondria have a multitude of functions, including energy generation and cell signaling. Recent evidence suggests that mitochondrial dynamics (i.e. the balance between mitochondrial fission and fusion) also regulate immune functions. Here, we reveal that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation increases mitochondrial numbers in mouse bone marrow‐derived macrophages (BMMs) and human monocyte‐derived macrophages. In BMMs, this response requires Toll‐like receptor 4 (Tlr4) and the TLR adaptor protein myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88) but is independent of mitochondrial biogenesis. Consistent with this phenomenon being a consequence of mitochondrial fission, the dynamin‐related protein 1 (Drp1) GTPase that promotes mitochondrial fission is enriched on mitochondria in LPS‐activated macrophages and is required for the LPS‐mediated increase in mitochondrial numbers in both BMMs and mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Pharmacological agents that skew toward mitochondrial fusion also abrogated this response. LPS triggered acute Drp1 phosphorylation at serine 635 (S635), followed by sustained Drp1 dephosphorylation at serine 656 (S656), in BMMs. LPS‐induced S656 dephosphorylation was abrogated in MyD88‐deficient BMMs, suggesting that this post‐translational modification is particularly important for Tlr4‐inducible fission. Pharmacological or genetic targeting of Tlr4‐inducible fission had selective effects on inflammatory mediator production, with LPS‐inducible mitochondrial fission promoting the expression and/or secretion of a subset of inflammatory mediators in BMMs and mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Thus, triggering of Tlr4 results in MyD88‐dependent activation of Drp1, leading to inducible mitochondrial fission and subsequent inflammatory responses in macrophages.
Viruses and asthma: the role of common respiratory viruses in asthma and its potential meaning for SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Novak Natalija , Cabanillas Beatriz
Published: July 2020

Viral infections and atopic diseases are closely related and contribute to each other. The physiological deficiencies and immune mechanisms that underlie atopic diseases can result in a suboptimal defense against multiple viruses, and promote a suitable environment for their proliferation and dissemination. Viral infections, on the other hand, can induce per se several immunological mechanisms involved in allergic inflammation capable to promote the initiation or exacerbation of atopic diseases such as atopic asthma. In a world that is affected more and more by factors that significantly impact the prevalence of atopic diseases, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) induced by the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS‐CoV‐2) is having an unprecedented impact with still unpredictable consequences. Therefore, it is of crucial importance to revise the available scientific literature regarding the association between common respiratory viruses and asthma, as well as the newly emerging data about the molecular mechanisms of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and its possible relation with asthma, to better understand the interrelation between common viruses and asthma and its potential meaning on the current global pandemic of COVID‐19.
Apela improves cardiac and renal function in mice with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Pan Yang , Li Quanyi , Yan Hong , Huang Jin , Wang Zhi
Published: July 2020

Apela was recently identified as a new ligand of the apelin peptide jejunum (APJ) receptor. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of apela in post‐myocardial infarction (post‐MI) recovery from cardiorenal damage. A murine MI model was established, and apela was then infused subcutaneously for two weeks. Echocardiographs were performed before and after infarction at the indicated times. Renal function was evaluated by serum and urine biochemistry. Immunohistochemistry of heart and kidney tissue was performed by in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUPT nick end‐labelling reaction. Compared to the control group (MI/vehicle), the average value of the left ventricular ejection fraction in apela‐treated mice increased by 32% and 39% at 2‐ and 4‐week post‐MI, respectively. The mean levels of serum blood urea nitrogen，creatinine, N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide and 24‐hour urine protein were significantly decreased at 4‐week post‐MI in apela‐treated mice relative to that of control animals. At the cellular level, we found that apela treatment significantly reduced myocardial fibrosis and cellular apoptosis in heart and kidney tissue. These data suggest that apela improves cardiac and renal function in mice with acute MI. The peptide may be potential therapeutic agent for heart failure.