bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of posterior vitreous detachment using ultrasonography and optical coherence tomography
Authors: Moon Su Young , Park Sung Pyo , Kim Yong‐Kyu
Published: July 2019

Purpose

To compare the diagnostic ability of ultrasonography (US) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in evaluating posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) status.

Methods

In total, 124 eyes in 63 patients were prospectively enrolled. Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) status was evaluated by two examiners independently using US and OCT (transverse scan with/without peripapillary scan). By combining all examination results from both examiners, a final agreement on the PVD status was made. Inter‐observer agreement and inter‐examination agreement on PVD detection were evaluated.

Results

The inter‐observer agreement on PVD grading based on US was substantial (kappa = 0.628). The inter‐observer agreement on PVD grading based on OCT was almost perfect (transverse and peripapillary scan, kappa = 0.893; transverse scan only, kappa = 0.923). The PVD grading based on transverse and peripapillary OCT perfectly matched the final PVD grading (kappa = 1.00). The PVD grading made based on US and transverse scan only showed almost perfect agreement with the final PVD grading (US, kappa = 0.834; transverse scan only, kappa = 0.906).

Conclusion

Both US and OCT could accurately evaluate PVD. The interpretation of the US images was more subjective, leading to lower inter‐examiner agreement than that of the OCT. By adding peripapillary OCT scan images, the diagnostic ability of OCT was improved.
A prospective evaluation of photorefractive intrastromal cross‐linking for the treatment of low‐grade myopia
Authors: Fredriksson Anneli , Näslund Sofie , Behndig Anders
Published: July 2019

Purpose

To evaluate photorefractive intrastromal cross‐linking (PiXL) treatment for low‐grade myopia, comparing three treatment protocols.

Methods

Healthy individuals, 25.6 ± 3.6 years of age, with low‐grade myopia underwent epi‐on PiXL with either: 4‐mm zone treated in high oxygen environment (4 mm‐HIGH; n = 15), 4‐mm/room air (4‐mm LOW; n = 6), or 6‐mm/high oxygen (6‐mm HIGH; n = 6). Efficacy was determined by change in uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), manifest refractive spherical equivalent (MRSE) and corneal curvature (Kmean) over a 12‐month follow‐up. Safety was determined by best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), corneal endothelial cell loss and registration of side‐effects.

Results

Twenty‐seven subjects were included. Due to insufficient effect with the 4‐mm LOW treatment and an unacceptable degree of initial light sensitivity/ocular irritation in the 6‐mm HIGH group, the inclusions to these treatments were stopped after inclusion of 6 patients in each group. The 4‐mm HIGH treatment showed a significantly larger improvement in UCVA (−0.45 ± 0.27 LogMAR) and MRSE (+0.99 ± 0.44 D) at 1, 6 and 12 months compared with the 4‐mm LOW treatment (p < 0.05). At 12 months posttreatment, endothelial cell count and BSCVA were unaltered. More initial side‐effects were noted with the 6‐mm HIGH treatment, compared with the 4‐mm HIGH treatment (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Epi‐on PiXL may become a safe and effective non‐ablative treatment for low‐grade myopia. The effect is augmented by high oxygen environment and remains stable for 12 months. The initial ocular irritation is acceptable with a 4‐mm treatment zone. The present results justify further clinical studies on PiXL, including refinements of the technique and long‐term results.
Understanding the impact of age, gender, height and body mass index on children's balance
Authors: Kolic Jessica , O'Brien Kaitlyn , Bowles Kelly‐Ann , Iles Ross , Williams Cylie M.
Published: July 2019

Aim

This research aimed to understand the influence of age, gender, height and body mass index (BMI) on balance ability in children aged 4‐12 years. The secondary aim was to develop normative values for three balance tests on the Balance Master system.

Methods

Children were recruited in 2017 through community advertising. Balance testing occurred at three recreational centres in Frankston, Victoria, Australia. Data were collected by the Rhythmic Weight Shift, modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Limits of Stability balance tests of the Balance Master equipment. Multiple regression analysis determined associations between variables including age, gender, height and BMI.

Results

There were 91 children recruited and consented. Children were aged between 4 and 12 years old. Balance ability was shown to improve with age (P < .05), with girls demonstrating more mature balance strategies at earlier ages. Decreased BMI was associated with greater balance ability and postural control (P < .05).

Conclusion

The normative values established may be used to support clinical paediatric assessment with this equipment. Findings of this study suggest that increased BMI may be associated with poorer balance ability in children. However, further research studies are needed to explore this assertion.
Alien plants alter the growth form ratio and structure of Australian grasslands
Authors: Guerin Greg R. , Martín‐Forés Irene , Munroe Samantha E. M. , Sparrow Ben , Lowe Andrew J.
Published: July 2019

Questions

Niche complementarity is often invoked to explain co‐existence between native and alien plant species in grasslands. However, positive correlations between native and alien plant diversity observed in recent studies could mask the displacement of particular native species and functional groups or the negative effects of particular alien species. We asked: do alien species alter the species composition or proportions of growth forms in grasslands? Do particular alien species decrease native plant diversity?

Location

South Australian grasslands.

Methods

We performed RDA ordination on growth form abundances or Hellinger‐transformed species abundances obtained from plot‐based surveys, constrained by alien species richness and cumulative cover. Control variables (climate, soil, land use and geographic space) were partialled out. We related individual alien species abundances to native richness, diversity and cover. We tested for functional differences between coexisting growth forms using trait hypervolumes.

Results

While alien richness and cover explained just 2% of variance in native species composition (control variables 17%), aliens explained 18% of variance in native growth form abundance (control variables 33%), and were associated with increased herb and grass cover. Few individual alien species were associated with strong negative or positive differences in native richness, diversity or cover: correlations followed a Gaussian distribution with near‐zero mean. Trait hypervolumes differed between native and alien herbs with an overlap of 0.44, indicating substantial, but not complete, functional differences.

Conclusions

Given environmental context, alien cover was a good predictor of native herb and grass abundance relative to woody growth forms, but not of species composition per se. While the direction of causality is equivocal, aliens may facilitate native grasses and herbs, and niche complementarity may be involved. Due to functional redundancy across the species pool, the resulting species composition appears to be spatially contingent. Importantly for management, we identify alien species associated with reduced native diversity.
Levetiracetam concentration in hair is associated with the time schedule of administration: Study on rats
Authors: Zakrzewska Alicja , Kuczyńska Julita , Dermanowski Michał , Wyszogrodzka Edyta , Dominiak Monika , Mierzejewski Paweł
Published: July 2019

Measurement of hair drug content may be a reliable biomarker of the history of drug exposure, allowing to assess patient long‐term compliance. Studies on correlations between antiepileptic drugs intake and their hair contents are limited. The aim of the study was to determine the association between the history of levetiracetam administration and its content in rat hair in controlled laboratory conditions. Additionally, the effects of levetiracetam on hair growth rate and body‐weights were examined. Three groups of 12 rats each were exposed to different schedules of levetiracetam administration (10 mg/kg i.p.: every 24, 48 and 72 hours) for 30 days. The control group received daily saline injection. Levetiracetam concentrations in hair were assessed by validated LC‐MS/MS method. The mean hair concentrations were as follows: 300 (±100), 170 (±60) and 130 (±80) ng/mg for rats receiving levetiracetam every 24, 48 and 72 hours, respectively. The levetiracetam accumulation in the hair was correlated with the total number of doses received (r = .699, P < .001). Levetiracetam did not affect the hair growth rate and rat body‐weight. The concentration of levetiracetam measured in rat hair represents a reliable marker. It may reflect the adherence to levetiracetam treatment; however, further studies on human beings are needed.
A functional generalized F‐test for signal detection with applications to event‐related potentials significance analysis
Authors: Causeur David , Sheu Ching‐Fan , Perthame Emeline , Rufini Flavia
Published: July 2019

Motivated by the analysis of complex dependent functional data such as event‐related brain potentials (ERP), this paper considers a time‐varying coefficient multivariate regression model with fixed‐time covariates for testing global hypotheses about population mean curves. Based on a reduced‐rank modeling of the time correlation of the stochastic process of pointwise test statistics, a functional generalized F‐test is proposed and its asymptotic null distribution is derived. Our analytical results show that the proposed test is more powerful than functional analysis of variance testing methods and competing signal detection procedures for dependent data. Simulation studies confirm such power gain for data with patterns of dependence similar to those observed in ERPs. The new testing procedure is illustrated with an analysis of the ERP data from a study of neural correlates of impulse control.
Allocation to groups: Examples of Lord's paradox
Authors: Wright Daniel B.
Published: July 2019

Background

Educational and developmental psychologists often examine how groups change over time. Two analytic procedures – analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and the gain score model – each seem well suited for the simplest situation, with just two groups and two time points. They can produce different results, what is known as Lord's paradox.

Aims

Several factors should influence a researcher's analytic choice. This includes whether the score from the initial time influences how people are assigned to groups. Examples are shown, which will help to explain this to researchers and students, and are of educational relevance. It is shown that a common method used to measure school effectiveness is biased against schools that serve students from groups that are historically poor performing.

Methods and results

The examples come from sports and measuring educational effectiveness (e.g., for teachers or schools). A simulation study shows that if the covariate influences group allocation, the ANCOVA is preferred, but otherwise, the gain score model may be appropriate. Regression towards the mean is used to account for these findings.

Conclusions

Analysts should consider the relationship between the covariate and group allocation when deciding upon their analytic method. Because the influence of the covariate on group allocation may be complex, the appropriate method may be complex. Because the influence of the covariate on group allocation may be unknown, the choice of method may require several assumptions.
Stress granule: A promising target for cancer treatment
Authors: Gao Xiaomeng , Jiang Li , Gong Yanling , Chen Xiaobing , Ying Meidan , Zhu Hong , He Qiaojun , Yang Bo , Cao Ji
Published: July 2019

Stress granules (SGs) are primarily composed of mRNAs that stall at translation initiation and usually appear in the cytoplasm under unusual physiological or pathological conditions such as hypoxia, oxidative stress, and viral infection. Recent studies have indicated that several components of SGs participate in tumourigenesis and cancer metastasis through tumour‐associated signalling pathways as well as other mechanisms. Furthermore, some chemotherapy drugs have been reported to induce SGs. Thus, the roles of SGs in cancer treatment have attracted considerable interest. Importantly, disturbing the recruitment of SGs components or microtubule polymerization, as well as other strategies that can abolish SGs formation, is reported to inhibit tumour progression, suggesting that targeting SGs could be a promising strategy for cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize the relationship between SGs and cancer, as well as recent advances in targeting SGs, in the interest of providing new opportunities for cancer treatment.
Mucin 21 is a key molecule involved in the incohesive growth pattern in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yoshimoto Taichiro , Matsubara Daisuke , Soda Manabu , Ueno Toshihide , Amano Yusuke , Kihara Atsushi , Sakatani Takashi , Nakano Tomoyuki , Shibano Tomoki , Endo Shunsuke , Hagiwara Koichi , Fukayama Masashi , Denda‐Nagai Kaori , Irimura Tatsuro , Mano Hiroyuki , Niki Toshiro
Published: July 2019

Decreased cell adhesion has been reported as a significant negative prognostic factor of lung cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the cell incohesiveness in lung cancer have not yet been elucidated in detail. We herein describe a rare histological variant of lung adenocarcinoma consisting almost entirely of individual cancer cells spreading in alveolar spaces in an incohesive pattern. A whole exome analysis of this case showed no genomic abnormalities in CDH1 or other genes encoding cell adhesion molecules. However, whole mRNA sequencing revealed that this case had an extremely high expression level of mucin 21 (MUC21), a mucin molecule that was previously shown to inhibit cell‐cell and cell‐matrix adhesion. The strong membranous expression of MUC21 was found on cancer cells using mAbs recognizing different O‐glycosylated forms of MUC21. An immunohistochemical analysis of an unselected series of lung adenocarcinoma confirmed that the strong membranous expression of MUC21 correlated with incohesiveness. Thus, MUC21 could be a promising biomarker with potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications for lung adenocarcinoma showing cell incohesiveness.
Overproduction of thrombopoietin by BRAFV600E‐mutated mouse hepatocytes and contribution of thrombopoietin to hepatocarcinogenesis
Authors: Tanaka Hiroki , Horioka Kie , Yamamoto Masahiro , Asari Masaru , Okuda Katsuhiro , Yamazaki Kosuke , Shimizu Keiko , Ogawa Katsuhiro
Published: July 2019

In hepatocarcinogenesis induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in B6C3F1 mice, the BrafV637E mutation, corresponding to the human BRAFV600E mutation, plays a pivotal role. The livers of transgenic mice with a hepatocyte‐specific human BRAFV600E mutation weighed 4.5 times more than that of normal mice and consisted entirely of hepatocytes, resembling DEN‐induced preneoplastic hepatocytes. However, these transgenic mice spontaneously died 7 wk after birth, therefore this study aimed to clarify the causes of death. In the transgenic mice, the liver showed thrombopoietin (TPO) overexpression, which is associated with eventual megakaryocytosis and thrombocytosis, and activated platelets were deposited in hepatic sinusoids. TPO was also overexpressed in the DEN‐induced hepatic tumors, and sinusoidal platelet deposition was observed in the hepatic tumors of humans and mice. Podoplanin was expressed in some of the Kupffer cells in the liver of the transgenic mice, indicating that platelet activation occurred via the interaction of podoplanin with C‐type lectin receptor 2 (CLEC‐2) on the platelet membrane. Additionally, erythrocyte dyscrasia and glomerulonephropathy/interstitial pneumonia associated with platelet deposition were observed. In the transgenic mice, aspirin (Asp) administration prevented platelet activation, reduced the liver/body weight ratio, decreased the platelet deposition in the liver, kidney, and lung, and prevented erythrocyte dyscrasia and ameliorated the renal/pulmonary changes. Thrombopoietin overproduction by BRAFV600E‐mutated hepatocytes may contribute to hepatocyte proliferation via thrombocytosis, platelet activation, and the interaction of platelets with hepatic sinusoidal cells, while hematologic, renal, and pulmonary disorders due to aberrant platelet activation may lead to spontaneous death in the transgenic mice.
Circular RNA circCRIM1 inhibits invasion and metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma through the microRNA (miR)‐182/miR‐93‐leukemia inhibitory factor receptor pathway
Authors: Wang Lin , Liang Yingkuan , Mao Qixing , Xia Wenjie , Chen Bing , Shen Hongyu , Xu Lin , Jiang Feng , Dong Gaochao
Published: July 2019

In recent years, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been revealed to have important roles in carcinogenesis. Metastasis is the leading cause of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAC) death. However, the contributions of circRNA to the metastasis of LUAC remain largely unknown. Based on circBase data and our biobank tissues, we identified circCRIM1 (a circRNA derived from exons 2, 3 and 4 of the CRIM1 gene, hsa_circ_0002346) as having a significantly decreased expression in LUAC samples compared with matched normal control samples. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments revealed that circCRIM1 suppresses the invasion and metastasis of LUAC. In vitro precipitation of circRNAs, luciferase reporter assay, and biotin‐coupled microRNA capture were carried out to investigate the Ago2‐dependent interaction of circCRIM1 and microRNA (miR)‐93/miR‐182. Mechanistically, we found that circCRIM1 could promote the expression of leukemia inhibitory factor receptor, a well‐known tumor suppressor, by sponging miR‐93 and miR‐182. In the clinical and pathological analyses, the downregulation of circCRIM1 in LUAC was significantly correlated with lymphatic metastasis and TNM stage, which served as an independent risk factor for the overall survival of patients with LUAC. Our study showed that circCRIM1 inhibits the invasion and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma cancer cells, which makes it a potential therapeutic target.
Social Pragmatics: Preschoolers Rely on Commonsense Psychology to Resolve Referential Underspecification
Authors: Jara‐Ettinger Julian , Floyd Sammy , Huey Holly , Tenenbaum Joshua B. , Schulz Laura E.
Published: July 2019

Four experiments show that 4‐ and 5‐year‐olds (total N = 112) can identify the referent of underdetermined utterances through their Naïve Utility Calculus—an intuitive theory of people’s behavior structured around an assumption that agents maximize utilities. In Experiments 1–2, a puppet asked for help without specifying to whom she was talking (“Can you help me?”). In Experiments 3–4, a puppet asked the child to pass an object without specifying what she wanted (“Can you pass me that one?”). Children’s responses suggest that they considered cost trade‐offs between the members in the interaction. These findings add to a body of work showing that reference resolution is informed by commonsense psychology from early in childhood.
Longitudinal Associations of Identity Processing Styles With Prodiversity and Proequality Values in Adolescence
Authors: Erentaitė Rasa , Vosylis Rimantas , Crocetti Elisabetta
Published: July 2019

In adolescence, the formation of personal identity and values may be intertwined, since values are among the main issues considered when building one's identity. This study examined how sociocognitive strategies used in the process of identity formation were related with adoption of prodiversity and proequality values, which are critically important for socially diverse contemporary societies. Participants were 916 adolescents (51.4% females, Mage = 15.65, SDage = 0.73 at baseline) involved in a three‐wave longitudinal study with annual assessments. The results of cross‐lagged analyses suggest that more rational and deliberate processing of self‐relevant information is related to stronger adoption of prodiversity and proequality values over time. In turn, endorsement of prodiversity and proequality values is related to more rational and deliberate processing of self‐relevant issues.
The role of molecular genetics in the clinical management of sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma: A systematic review
Authors: Fussey Jonathan Mark , Vaidya Bijay , Kim Dae , Clark Jonathan , Ellard Sian , Smith Joel Anthony
Published: July 2019

Background

The significant variation in the clinical behaviour of sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (sMTC) causes uncertainty when planning the management of these patients. Several tumour genetic and epigenetic markers have been described, but their clinical usefulness remains unclear. The aim of this review was to evaluate the evidence for the use of molecular genetic and epigenetic profiles in the risk stratification and management of sMTC.

Methods

MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched using the MeSH terms “medullary carcinoma”, “epigenetics”, “molecular genetics”, “microRNAs”; and free text terms “medullary carcinoma”, “sporadic medullary thyroid cancer”, “sMTC”, “RET”, “RAS” and “miR”. Articles containing less than ten subjects, not focussing on sMTC, or not reporting clinical outcomes were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed using a modified version of the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale.

Results

Twenty‐three studies met the inclusion criteria, and key findings were summarized in themes according to the genetic and epigenetic markers studied. There is good evidence that somatic RET mutations predict higher rates of lymph node metastasis and persistent disease, and worse survival. There are also several good quality studies demonstrating associations between certain epigenetic markers such as tumour miR‐183 and miR‐375 expression and higher rates of lymph node and distant metastasis, and worse survival.

Conclusions

There is a growing body of evidence that tumour genetic and epigenetic profiles can be used to risk stratify patients with sMTC. Further research should focus on the clinical applicability of these findings by investigating the possibility of tailoring management to an individual's tumour mutation profile.
Clinical prediction score of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS‐HS index)
Authors: Carreau Anne‐Marie , Pyle Laura , Garcia‐Reyes Yesenia , Rahat Haseeb , Vigers Tim , Jensen Thomas , Scherzinger Ann , Nadeau Kristen J. , Cree‐Green Melanie
Published: July 2019

Objective

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common in obese adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but there are no inexpensive ways to accurately identify NAFLD in PCOS. The objective was to develop a simple clinical score to screen for NAFLD risk in obese adolescents with PCOS.

Design

This is a secondary analysis of 3 cross‐sectional studies on metabolic characterization of obese adolescents with PCOS. 108 overweight and obese adolescents with PCOS (BMI > 90th percentile, age 12‐19 years) were enrolled from 2012 to 2018.

Methods

Magnetic resonance imaging was used to quantify hepatic fat fraction (HFF). A development cohort of 87 girls were divided by presence of NAFLD (HFF > 5.5%). A logistic regression model with the outcome of NAFLD and candidate predictor variables was fit. A simplified model (PCOS‐HS index) was created using backwards stepdown elimination. Validation was performed using 200 bootstrapped sample and in a second cohort of 21 PCOS participants.

Results

52% of the development cohort had NAFLD. The PCOS‐HS index that included BMI percentile, waist circumference, ALT and SHBG had an AUCROC of 0.81, sensitivity 82%, specificity 69%, negative predictive value (NPV) 78% and positive predictive value 74%, using a threshold of 0.44 to predict HS. A threshold of 0.15 ruled out NAFLD with a NPV 90%. In the validation cohort, the model showed an accuracy of 81%, sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 70%.

Conclusions

We developed a clinical index to identify NAFLD in girls with PCOS who would need further evaluation and treatment.
Comparison Types in the Semantic Extension of Diidxazá Body Part Terms
Authors: Pérez Báez Gabriela
Published: July 2019

Body part terms (BPTs) are used extensively in Mesoamerican languages to name object parts. The process through which BPTs might be extended to refer to a part of an object and further serve as a relator in describing the relation between objects in space has often been attributed to metaphorical processes. This study proposes an alternative analysis following a Structure–Mapping Theory approach (Gentner, 1983, inter alia), based on data from Diidxazá (Isthmus Zapotec, Otomanguean) obtained through elicitation and experimental tasks. The data show that structure mapping does not depend on a 1:1 match of attributes; frequency of use shed light on principles that constrain the semantic extension of most BPTs; a core set of six BPTs are extended by abstraction of the set of intersecting axes of the body. The detailed nature of this study enables an analysis of the mental representations underlying the semantic extension of BPTs. This in turn elucidates on aspects of the relation between spatial language and spatial cognition. In addition, this study allows us to address questions about the categorial status of BPTs in Diidxazá and their lexicographic representation.
Multimodal noninvasive prediction of pulmonary hypertension in IPF
Authors: Sonti Rajiv , Gersten Rebecca Anna , Barnett Scott , Brown A. Whitney , Nathan Steven D.
Published: July 2019

Introduction and Objective

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) complicating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is challenging to diagnose given inaccuracy of transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) measurements. However, it has significant prognostic implications and is therefore important to accurately identify.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study of patients with IPF who underwent RHC as part of their evaluation. A variety of commonly available noninvasive variables were evaluated for their ability to predict pulmonary arterial pressure in a linear regression model, including the traditionally used right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) estimated from TTE.

Results

There were 105 eligible patients identified from January 2006 to July 2016. The average age was 62.7 ± 7.7 years, 35 had RHC proven PH and 43% ultimately underwent lung transplantation. A linear model including three terms: RVSP (ANOVA P < .01), the ratio of FVC/DLCO from PFTs (P = .05) and pulmonary artery to aorta diameter ratio from CT (P < .01) was found to predict the mean pulmonary artery pressure more reliably than RVSP alone (R2 .39 vs .29, P < .05), with a lower rate of incorrect classification of PH status in these individuals (27.6 vs 35.2%, P = .05) and high negative predictive value (87.2%).

Conclusion

If used in conjunction with RVSP from TTE, parameters from PFTs and the CT scan more accurately predict the presence or absence of PH than any of the variables in isolation. Using these in concert may allow greater discrimination in deciding which patients to subject to diagnostic right heart catheterization.
Importance of biotic niches versus drift in a plant‐inhabiting arthropod community depends on rarity and trophic group
Authors: Bosc Christopher , Hui Cang , Roets Francois , Pauw Anton
Published: July 2019

Communities are mostly composed of rare species; yet, the factors that determine their patterns of occurrence remain obscure. Theory predicts that, in contrast with common species, the occurrence of rare species will be poorly correlated with environmental variables (niches) and more affected by stochasticity (ecological drift), but how this pattern varies across different trophic groups is still poorly understood. Here, we compared the ability of environmental variables (bottom–up biotic niches) to predict the occurrence of plant‐dwelling arthropods across different abundance classes in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. We compared three trophic groups, including 104 herbivorous hemipteran, 171 parasitoid wasp and 84 spider species, totalling 4511 individuals in 48 quadrats. To quantify bottom–up biotic niches, we studied the influences of species composition of plants on hemipterans, and of plants and hemipterans on spiders and wasps. We compared the observed strength of the correlation between rare species and their niches with expectations that were generated by repeatedly rarefying abundant species. A large proportion of arthropod species were very rare, i.e. with only one or two individuals (49–55%). Although rarefying abundant species greatly decreased the correlation with bottom–up biotic niches, bottom–up biotic niches generally better predicted the occurrence of rarefied abundant species than very rare ones, suggesting a greater influence of drift on very rare arthropods. That is, (very) rare arthropods are distributed more randomly than rarefied abundant species. Nevertheless, trophic groups differed in the details of their response to bottom–up biotic niches. Plant species composition was a better predictor of rarefied abundant than truly rare hemipterans. In contrast, the importance of bottom–up biotic niches among abundance classes varied less visibly in spiders and wasps. Our study thus suggests that the importance of niches in structuring arthropod communities depends on species rarity and trophic group.
Behavior influences range limits and patterns of coexistence across an elevational gradient in tropical birds
Authors: Freeman Benjamin G. , Tobias Joseph A. , Schluter Dolph
Published: July 2019

Does competition influence patterns of coexistence between closely related taxa? Here we address this question by analyzing patterns of range overlap between related species of birds (‘sister pairs’) co‐occurring on a tropical elevational gradient. We explicitly contrast the behavioral dimension of interspecific competition (interference competition) with similarity in resource acquisition traits (exploitative competition). Specifically, we ask whether elevational range overlap in 118 sister pairs that live along the Manu Transect in southeastern Peru is predicted by proxies for competition (intraspecific territorial behavior) or niche divergence (beak divergence and divergence times, an estimate of evolutionary age). We find that close relatives that defend year‐round territories tend to live in non‐overlapping elevational distributions, while close relatives that do not defend territories tend to broadly overlap in elevational distribution. In contrast, neither beak divergence nor evolutionary age was associated with patterns of range limitation. We interpret these findings as evidence that behavioral interactions – particularly direct territorial aggression – can be important in setting elevational range limits and preventing coexistence of closely related species, though this depends upon the extent to which intraspecific territorial behavior can be extended to territorial interactions between species. Our results suggest that interference competition can be an important driver of species range limits in diverse assemblages, and thus highlight the importance of considering behavioral dimensions of the niche in macroecological studies.
Understanding extinction debts: spatio–temporal scales, mechanisms and a roadmap for future research
Authors: Figueiredo Ludmilla , Krauss Jochen , Steffan‐Dewenter Ingolf , Sarmento Cabral Juliano
Published: July 2019

Extinction debt refers to delayed species extinctions expected as a consequence of ecosystem perturbation. Quantifying such extinctions and investigating long‐term consequences of perturbations has proven challenging, because perturbations are not isolated and occur across various spatial and temporal scales, from local habitat losses to global warming. Additionally, the relative importance of eco‐evolutionary processes varies across scales, because levels of ecological organization, i.e. individuals, (meta)populations and (meta)communities, respond hierarchically to perturbations. To summarize our current knowledge of the scales and mechanisms influencing extinction debts, we reviewed recent empirical, theoretical and methodological studies addressing either the spatio–temporal scales of extinction debts or the eco‐evolutionary mechanisms delaying extinctions. Extinction debts were detected across a range of ecosystems and taxonomic groups, with estimates ranging from 9 to 90% of current species richness. The duration over which debts have been sustained varies from 5 to 570 yr, and projections of the total period required to settle a debt can extend to 1000 yr. Reported causes of delayed extinctions are 1) life‐history traits that prolong individual survival, and 2) population and metapopulation dynamics that maintain populations under deteriorated conditions. Other potential factors that may extend survival time such as microevolutionary dynamics, or delayed extinctions of interaction partners, have rarely been analyzed. Therefore, we propose a roadmap for future research with three key avenues: 1) the microevolutionary dynamics of extinction processes, 2) the disjunctive loss of interacting species and 3) the impact of multiple regimes of perturbation on the payment of debts. For their ability to integrate processes occurring at different levels of ecological organization, we highlight mechanistic simulation models as tools to address these knowledge gaps and to deepen our understanding of extinction dynamics.
Identification of amino acid residues of nerve growth factor important for neurite outgrowth in human dorsal root ganglion neurons
Authors: Dahlström Märta , Nordvall Gunnar , Sundström Erik , Åkesson Elisabet , Tegerstedt Gunilla , Eriksdotter Maria , Forsell Pontus
Published: July 2019

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is an essential neurotrophic factor for the development and maintenance of the central and the peripheral nervous system. NGF deficiency in the basal forebrain precedes degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons in Alzheimer's disease, contributing to memory decline. NGF mediates neurotrophic support via its high‐affinity receptor, the tropomyosin‐related kinase A (TrkA) receptor, and mediates mitogenic and differentiation signals via the extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the different NGF/TrkA/ERK signalling pathways are far from clear. In this study, we have investigated the role of human NGF and three NGF mutants, R100E, W99A and K95A/Q96A, their ability to activate TrkA or ERK1/2, and their ability to induce proliferation or differentiation in human foetal dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons or in PC12 cells. We show that the R100E mutant was significantly more potent than NGF itself to induce proliferation and differentiation, and significantly more potent in activation of ERK1/2 in DRG neurons. The W99A and K95A/Q96A mutants, on the other hand, were less effective than the wild‐type protein. An unexpected finding was the high efficacy of the K95A/Q96A mutant to activate TrkA and to induce differentiation of DRG neurons at elevated concentrations. These data demonstrate an NGF mutant with improved neurotrophic properties in primary human neuronal cells. The R100E mutant represents an interesting candidate for further drug development in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
The functional role of temperate forest understorey vegetation in a changing world
Authors: Landuyt Dries , De Lombaerde Emiel , Perring Michael P. , Hertzog Lionel R. , Ampoorter Evy , Maes Sybryn L. , De Frenne Pieter , Ma Shiyu , Proesmans Willem , Blondeel Haben , Sercu Bram K. , Wang Bin , Wasof Safaa , Verheyen Kris
Published: July 2019

Temperate forests cover 16% of the global forest area. Within these forests, the understorey is an important biodiversity reservoir that can influence ecosystem processes and functions in multiple ways. However, we still lack a thorough understanding of the relative importance of the understorey for temperate forest functioning. As a result, understoreys are often ignored during assessments of forest functioning and changes thereof under global change. We here compiled studies that quantify the relative importance of the understorey for temperate forest functioning, focussing on litter production, nutrient cycling, evapotranspiration, tree regeneration, pollination and pathogen dynamics. We describe the mechanisms driving understorey functioning and develop a conceptual framework synthesizing possible effects of multiple global change drivers on understorey‐mediated forest ecosystem functioning. Our review illustrates that the understorey's contribution to temperate forest functioning is significant but varies depending on the ecosystem function and the environmental context, and more importantly, the characteristics of the overstorey. To predict changes in understorey functioning and its relative importance for temperate forest functioning under global change, we argue that a simultaneous investigation of both overstorey and understorey functional responses to global change will be crucial. Our review shows that such studies are still very scarce, only available for a limited set of ecosystem functions and limited to quantification, providing little data to forecast functional responses to global change.
Positive genetic associations among fitness traits support evolvability of a reef‐building coral under multiple stressors
Authors: Wright Rachel M. , Mera Hanaka , Kenkel Carly D. , Nayfa Maria , Bay Line K. , Matz Mikhail V.
Published: July 2019

Climate change threatens organisms in a variety of interactive ways that requires simultaneous adaptation of multiple traits. Predicting evolutionary responses requires an understanding of the potential for interactions among stressors and the genetic variance and covariance among fitness‐related traits that may reinforce or constrain an adaptive response. Here we investigate the capacity of Acropora millepora, a reef‐building coral, to adapt to multiple environmental stressors: rising sea surface temperature, ocean acidification, and increased prevalence of infectious diseases. We measured growth rates (weight gain), coral color (a proxy for Symbiodiniaceae density), and survival, in addition to nine physiological indicators of coral and algal health in 40 coral genets exposed to each of these three stressors singly and combined. Individual stressors resulted in predicted responses (e.g., corals developed lesions after bacterial challenge and bleached under thermal stress). However, corals did not suffer substantially more when all three stressors were combined. Nor were trade‐offs observed between tolerances to different stressors; instead, individuals performing well under one stressor also tended to perform well under every other stressor. An analysis of genetic correlations between traits revealed positive covariances, suggesting that selection to multiple stressors will reinforce rather than constrain the simultaneous evolution of traits related to holobiont health (e.g., weight gain and algal density). These findings support the potential for rapid coral adaptation under climate change and emphasize the importance of accounting for corals’ adaptive capacity when predicting the future of coral reefs.
Radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: Clinical value of ultrasound–ultrasound overlay fusion for optimal ablation and local controllability
Authors: Minami Yasunori , Minami Tomohiro , Takita Masahiro , Hagiwara Satoru , Ida Hiroshi , Ueshima Kazuomi , Nishida Naoshi , Kudo Masatoshi
Published: July 2019

Aim

To retrospectively investigate the potential benefit of ultrasound–ultrasound (US‐US) overlay fusion guidance for local controllability of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

Patients (n = 101) with 121 HCCs (mean ± SD, 1.8 ± 0.7 cm) who underwent RFA guided by US‐US overlay fusion were included in the retrospective study. By overlaying pre/postoperative US, the tumor image could be projected onto the ablative hyperechoic zone. The ablative margin could thereby be evaluated three‐dimensionally during the RFA procedure. As a control group, all 325 patients with 453 HCCs who underwent conventional RFA during the same study period were selected.

Results

The total number of RF needle insertions per tumor for ablation was significantly more in the US overlay fusion group (mean 1.9 vs. 1.2; P < 0.01). The technical success rates of ablation after a single session were 100% (101/101) and 96.6% (314/325) for the US overlay fusion group and the control group, respectively. For early assessment of RFA response, 5‐mm safety margins were achieved in 89.3% (108/121) and 47.0% (213/453) of nodules in the US overlay fusion group and the control group, respectively (P < 0.01). During the follow‐up period (median 19 months), the 2‐year local tumor progression rates were 0.8% (1/121) and 6.0% (27/453) in the US overlay fusion group and the control group, respectively (P = 0.022, log–rank test).

Conclusions

US‐US overlay fusion guidance can be highly effective for safety margin achievement in RFA for HCC, providing a lower risk of local tumor progression.
Being fully digital: perspective of a Dutch academic pathology laboratory
Authors: Stathonikos Nikolas , Nguyen Tri Q , Spoto Clothaire P , Verdaasdonk Marina A M , van Diest Paul J
Published: July 2019

The introduction of fast and robust whole slide scanners has facilitated the implementation of ‘digital pathology’ with various uses, the final challenge being full digital diagnostics. In this article, we describe the implementation process of a fully digital workflow for primary diagnostics in 2015 at the University Medical Centre in Utrecht, The Netherlands, as one of the first laboratories going fully digital with a future‐proof complete digital archive. Furthermore, we evaluated the experience of the first 2 years of working with the system by pathologists and residents. The system was successfully implemented in 6 months, including a European tender procedure. Most pathologists and residents had high confidence in working fully digitally, the expertise areas lagging behind being paediatrics, haematopathology, and neuropathology. Reported limitations concerned recognition of microorganisms and mitoses. Neither the age of respondents nor the number of years of pathology experience was correlated with the confidence level regarding digital diagnostics. The ergonomics of digital diagnostics were better than those of traditional microscopy. In this article, we describe our experiences in implementing our fully digital primary diagnostics workflow, describing in depth the implementation steps undertaken, the interlocking components that are required for a fully functional digital pathology system (laboratory management, hospital information systems, data storage, and whole slide scanners), and the changes required in workflow and slide production.
European Society of Endodontology position statement: Use of cone beam computed tomography in Endodontics
Authors: Patel S. , Brown J. , Semper M. , Abella F. , Mannocci F.
Published: July 2019

This Position Statement represents a consensus of an expert committee convened by the European Society of Endodontology (ESE) on the use of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in Endodontics. This paper is an update of the ESE CBCT position statement which was published in 2014 (European Society of Endodontology 2014, https://doi.org/10.1111/iej.12267). Recent review articles provide more detailed background information and the basis for this position statement. It is intended that this position statement will be updated at least every 4‐5 years to keep abreast of relevant research. The aim of this paper is to provide clinicians with evidence‐based guidance on the application of CBCT in Endodontics. Since 2014, there has been an increase in the number of clinical studies confirming the positive impact of CBCT on treatment planning, decision‐making when reviewing cases and reduced practitioner stress levels.
Expressional analysis of the silkworm storage protein 1 and identification of its interacting proteins
Authors: Li Ruilin , Hu Congwu , Geng Tao , Lv Dingding , Gao Kun , Guo Xijie , Hou Chengxiang
Published: July 2019

Storage proteins are haemolymph‐specific proteins in insects, mainly synthesized in the fat body, released into the haemolymph, and then selectively reabsorbed by the fat body before pupation. These storage proteins play an important role in insect metamorphosis and egg development. Some of these storage proteins are responsive to pathogen infection and can even suppress pathogen multiplication. However, the mechanisms of the physiological, biochemical and immune‐responsive functions of storage proteins remain unclear. In this study, the expression patterns of Bombyx mori storage protein 1 (BmSP1) during the larval stage were analysed. Then, BmSP1 protein fused with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) was successfully expressed in a B. mori baculovirus vector expression system. Quantitative real‐time PCR showed that the expression level of BmSP1 increased with the advance of instars and reached the highest level in the fifth instar, especially in the fat body. Recombinant BmSP1 expressed in silkworm larvae inhibited haemolymph melanization. Then, proteins that interact with BmSP1 were identified with EGFP used as an antigenic determinant by co‐immunoprecipitation. A 30 kDa low molecular weight lipoprotein PBMHP‐6 precursor (BmLP6) was shown to interact with BmSP1. Yeast two‐hybrid experiments confirmed the interaction between BmSP1 and BmLP6. The results obtained in this study will be helpful for further study of the functions of BmSP1 and BmLP6 in the regulatory network of silkworm development and innate immunity.
Unavailable names in the Myotis nattereri species complex
Authors: Ruedi Manuel , Puechmaille Sébastien J. , Ibáñez Carlos , Juste Javier
Published: July 2019

The discovery of new species of mammals in Europe is a rare event, but owing to recent progress in genetic methods used to survey current biodiversity, such discoveries have been accumulating during the last decades. The naming of these new taxa has important bearings in conservation, as this is the first step needed for them to be recognised by the scientific community but also legally. The naming of new animal species, however, needs to follow the strict rules of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature in order to be available and to provide a stable basis for further taxonomic research. We report here a case where new names have been improperly proposed to designate distinctive lineages in the Natterer's bat species complex. As these new names do not follow several mandatory rules imposed by the Code, they are declared unavailable and are not to be used for further taxonomy studies.