bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alterations in hub organization in the white matter structural network in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder: A 2‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Qian Lu , Wang Yao , Chu KangKang , Li Yun , Xiao ChaoYong , Xiao Ting , Xiao Xiang , Qiu Ting , Xiao YunHua , Fang Hui , Ke XiaoYan
Published: August 2018

Little is currently known about the longitudinal developmental patterns of hubs in the whole‐brain white matter (WM) structural networks among toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study utilized diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and deterministic tractography to map the WM structural networks in 37 ASD toddlers and 27 age‐, gender‐ and developmental quotient‐matched controls with developmental delay (DD) toddlers aged 2–3 years old at baseline (Time 1) and at 2‐year follow‐up (Time 2). Furthermore, graph‐theoretical methods were applied to investigate alterations in the network hubs in these patients at the two time points. The results showed that after 2 years, 17 hubs were identified in the ASD subjects compared to the controls, including 13 hubs that had not changed from baseline and 4 hubs that were newly identified. In addition, alterations in the properties of the hubs of the right middle frontal gyrus, right insula, left median cingulate gyri, and bilateral precuneus were significantly correlated with alterations in the behavioral data for ASD patients. These results indicated that at the stage of 2–5 years of age, ASD children showed distributions of network hubs that were relatively stable, with minor differences. Abnormal developmental patterns in the five areas mentioned above in ASD may contribute to abnormalities in the social and nonsocial characteristics of this disorder. Autism Res 2018, 11: 1218–1228. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

This work studied the longitudinal developmental patterns of hubs in the whole‐brain white matter (WM) structural network among toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The findings of this study could have implications for understanding how the abnormalities in hub organization in ASD account for behavioral deficits in patients and may provide potential biomarkers for disease diagnosis and the subsequent monitoring of progression and treatment effects for patients with ASD.
Folic acid, dietary habits, and homocysteine levels in relation to neural tube defects: A case–control study in North India
Authors: Deb Roumi , Arora Jyoti , Samtani Ratika , Garg Gaurav , Saksena Deepti , Sharma Noopur , Kumar Kalla Aloke , Nava Saraswathy Kallur
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The present study attempts to understand the complex contribution of biochemical (plasma homocysteine) and nutritional parameters (dietary pattern and folate supplementation) to the neural tube defects (NTDs) affected pregnancies and controls in North Indian population.

Methods

Case–control study design was adopted to assess the role of folic acid, dietary habits, and homocysteine in relation to NTD births. The subjects comprised of 130 mothers of affected children (cases) and 233 mothers of healthy children (controls), who were either carrying NTD fetus or gave birth to NTD child.

Results

The mean homocysteine levels were elevated in cases (15.71 ± 8.35 μmol/L) as compared to controls (12.87 ± 5.95 μmol/L) but were lower among the non‐vergetarians (13.55 ± 6.64 μmol/L) than the vegetarians (14.78 ± 7.93 μmol/L). Vegetarian dietary habit increased the NTD risk by 1.6 fold (95% CI = 1.0–2.7) while folic acid supplementation demonstrated a protective effect for conceptions (OR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.3–0.9). Consumption of folic acid with non‐vegetarian diet witnessed lowering of homocysteine in cases (12.88 ± 6.81 μmol/L) and in controls (11.85 ± 5.54 μmol/L), with an odds ratio depicting a 3.1 fold risk for consuming vegetarian diet without folic acid supplementation during the peri‐conceptional period.

Conclusion

It is suggested that plasma hyperhomocysteinemia bears negative impact on child‐bearing women group, of north Indian ancestry, in modulating the risk of NTDs. Efforts should be made to enhance awareness regarding folic acid and vitamin B12 (non‐vegetarian diet) supplementations alongwith proper nutritional intake among women, especially those consuming vegetarian diet to control homocysteine levels in order to reduce the risk of NTDs.
High performance liquid chromatography associated with resonance Rayleigh scattering for synchronous determination of three antihistamines and mechanism study
Authors: Li Shiyu , Peng Jingdong , Chen Fang , Pan Ziyu , Peng Huanjun , Chen Yu , He Yan , Wang Xiang
Published: August 2018

A highly sensitive and selective method of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) spectra was developed for the detection of three antihistamine drugs, including pyrilamine (PY), carbinoxamine (CAR) and tripelennamine (TRI). The three antihistamines were separated by a C18 column. The mobile phase contained 25% acetonitrile (ACN) and 75% phosphate buffered solution (pH 3.2) with the flow rate of 0.4 ml min−1. In medium of Britton–Robinson (BR) buffer solution (pH 4.6), the PY, CAR and TRI separated by HPLC and then reacted with Erythrosine B (EryB), forming 1:1 ion‐association complexes, which led to significant signal enhancement of RRS spectra. The RRS spectra was detected at the wavelength λex=λem = 370 nm. The calibration curves of PY, CAR and TRI were linear in the range from 0.02 to 25 μg ml−1, and the detection limit [signal‐to‐noise ratio (S/N) = 3] were 3.38, 4.48 and 5.50 ng ml−1, respectively. In addition, under the optimum experiment condition, the reaction mechanism and the reasons for RRS enhancement were investigated in this work. The developed method was applied to the simultaneous detection of three antihistamines in water samples with satisfying results.
Interaction studies of lead(II) ion with cyclic β‐(1→3),(1→6) glucans extracted from Bradyrhizobium japonicum based on ‘chelation enhanced fluorescence’ (CHEF) effect
Authors: Visweswar K. N. S. , Sunil A. , Sri Harsha A. , Janardhana Ch.
Published: August 2018

Cyclic β‐(1→3),(1→6) glucans (CBGs) isolated from Bradyrhizobium japonicum bacteria are the periplasmic oligosaccharides having cyclic structures. This paper presents the isolation of CBGs from the bacteria cultured using optimized medium that improved yields to 350–450 mg per gram of cellular dry weight along with analytical interaction with lead(II) ions in the range 33.0–2.0 ppm with CBG as a binding ligand, using constant wavelength synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy. The binding ability of CBGs towards lead(II) is clearly evident from the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. The theoretical calculations using HEX 8.0 gave an insight about the interaction between CBG and lead(II) to be in the ratio of 3:1. The method displayed the sensitivity and selectivity towards lead(II) ions up to 2.0 ppm. This observed property of CBGs can potentially hold an application in bioremediation of the soil contaminated with lead.
The clinical anatomy of dyspareunia: A review
Authors: ALIMI YUSUF , IWANAGA JOE , OSKOUIAN ROD J. , LOUKAS MARIOS , TUBBS R. SHANE
Published: August 2018

Dyspareunia can be described as continuous unremitting or intermittent pain associated with intercourse. It can be classified based on the location of the pain – entry or deep dyspareunia, or based on when the pain was first experienced – primary or secondary dyspareunia. There are different causes of dyspareunia and some of the most important causes include the following: vulvodynia, postpartum dyspareunia, endometriosis, inadequate vaginal lubrication or arousal, and other anogenital causes such as hemorrhoids and anal fissures. In this review, our objective is to apply the anatomical knowledge of dyspareunia to patient care, increase awareness among clinicians about the diverse etiology of dyspareunia and ensure that the whole patient, not just the pain of dyspareunia is being treated as the causes of dyspareunia can be due to various pathologies. Clin. Anat., 31:1013–1017, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Case report: An infantile lethal form of Albright hereditary osteodystrophy due to a GNAS mutation
Authors: Leclercq Valérie , Benoit Valérie , Lederer Damien , Delaunoy Melanie , Ruiz Marcela , de Halleux Claire , Robaux Olivier , Wanty Catherine , Maystadt Isabelle
Published: August 2018

Key Clinical Message

Germline loss‐of‐function GNAS mutations are associated with multiple phenotypes, depending on the parental origin of the mutant allele. Here, we describe an infantile lethal form of atypical pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1a or 1c with severe Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy phenotype, underlying the extremely variable expressivity of this syndrome.
Anterior fiber‐reinforced ribbon composite resin bridge—A case report
Authors: Pankratz Valentina , Zimmer Stefan , Marković Ljubiša
Published: August 2018

Key Clinical Message

The case describes the fabrication of a unilaterally fixed anterior fiber‐reinforced composite bridge in a 14‐year‐old girl. Using this technique, it is possible to temporarily replace a missing anterior tooth until a definitive restoration can be inserted.
High‐Voltage Stability of Ionic‐Liquid‐Based Electrochemical Double Layer Capacitors with a Bimodal Porous Carbon Electrode
Authors: Aref Amir Reza , Rajagopalan Ramakrishnan , Randall Clive A.
Published: August 2018

Micropores (<2 nm) and small mesopores (width between 2 and 10 nm) in the structure of carbon play an important role in determining both the charge storage properties and voltage stability of ionic‐liquid‐based electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs). We demonstrate that the use of bimodal porous carbon electrodes results in excellent voltage stability and good capacitance retention (>90 %), as determined by using voltage holding tests at 3.5 V over 250 h. Furthermore, a three‐electrode split cell study showed that the voltage stability in bimodal carbon was achieved because of more symmetric potential distribution and similar electrode capacitances between the positive and negative electrodes as compared to purely microporous carbon electrode. The presence of larger mesopores (5–10 nm) in the bimodal carbon facilitates the access and rearrangement of the bulkier cations at the electrode/electrolyte interface, whereas this is severely hindered in purely microporous carbon electrode. By using a lumped transmission line model, we delineated the contribution of both smaller and larger pores in the bimodal carbon towards the impedance performance of EDLCs.
Recent Advances of MOFs and MOF‐Derived Materials in Thermally Driven Organic Transformations
Authors: Yang Shuliang , Peng Li , Bulut Safak , Queen Wendy L.
Published: August 2018

Owing to the almost boundless structural tunability, MOF and MOF‐derived catalysts have recently exhibited structures of higher complexity, and hence, have demonstrated activity in a wide array of organic transformations. These reactions have a broad range of important applications ranging from pharmaceuticals to agriculture. Given the increasing number of publications in the area, this Minireview is focused on the most recent advancements in thermally driven organic transformations using both MOFs, nanoparticle@MOF (NP@MOF) composites, and several classes of MOF‐derived materials. The most recent advancements made in materials design and the utility of these materials in a broad range of reactions are discussed.
Multi‐Stimuli‐Responsive Directional Assembly of an Amphiphilic Donor–Acceptor Alternating Supramolecular Copolymer
Authors: Chakraborty Saptarshi , Ray Debes , Aswal Vinod K. , Ghosh Suhrit
Published: August 2018

The stimuli‐responsive supramolecular co‐assembly of two π‐amphiphiles, NDI‐1 and Py‐1, in which an acceptor (A) (naphthalene diimide) and a donor (D) (pyrene) chromophore, respectively, serve as the hydrophobic segment, is described. In addition, both contain an amide group in a designated location so that H‐bonding and D–A charge‐transfer (CT) interactions can operate simultaneously. H‐bonding among the amide groups not only enhanced the CT interaction promoted by the alternating D–A stacking propensity, but also fixed the lateral orientation of the two chromophores and thus compelled the anionic and nonionic hydrophilic head groups, appended with the D and A amphiphiles, respectively, to remain segregated on two opposite sides of the amphiphilic alternating supramolecular copolymer. This copolymer showed spontaneous polymersome assembly with the D‐appended anionic groups displayed at the outer surface, whereas the A‐appended hydrophilic wedge converged at the inner lacuna. In contrast, spherical or cylindrical micellar structures were produced by Py‐1 and NDI‐1, respectively. Effective functional‐group display in the D–A supramolecular polymersome enabled protein‐surface recognition and inhibition of the enzymatic activity of Cht. Under a reducing environment, formation of NDI.− jeopardized the D–A interaction and thus the A chromophores were ejected out of the membrane of the polymersome causing its gradual contraction in size by >75 %. D–A supramolecular polymersomes also exhibited a lower critical solution temperature that could be tuned across a temperature window of 40 to 70 °C by varying the ratio of the A and D components in the alternating supramolecular copolymer.
Cationic Complexes of Boron and Aluminum: An Early 21st Century Viewpoint
Authors: Franz Daniel , Inoue Shigeyoshi
Published: August 2018

Boron and aluminum are lighter Group 13 elements, found in daily life commodities, and considered environmentally benign. Nevertheless, they markedly differ in their elemental properties (e.g., metal character, atomic radius). The use of Lewis acidic complexes of boron and aluminum for methods of bond activation and catalysis (e.g., hydrogenation of unsaturated substrates, polymerization of olefins and epoxides) is quickly expanding. The introduction of cationic charge may boost the metalloid‐centered Lewis acidity and allow for its fine‐tuning particularly with regard to preference for “hard” or “soft” Lewis bases (i.e., substrates). Especially the isolation of low‐coordinate cations (number of ligand atoms smaller than four) demands elaborate techniques of thermodynamic and kinetic stabilization (i.e., electronic saturation and steric shielding) by a ligand system. Furthermore, the properties of the solvent and the counteranion must be considered with care. Here, selected examples of boron and aluminum cations are described.
The Use of Calcium Carbide as Acetylene Source in a Three‐Component Coupling with ω‐Chlorinated Ketones and Primary Amines
Authors: Van Beek Wim E. , Gadde Karthik , Tehrani Kourosch Abbaspour
Published: August 2018

Calcium carbide was used in a CuI‐catalysed three‐component coupling with ω‐chlorinated ketones and primary amines to generate terminal 2‐alkynyl‐N‐heterocycles. The formation of an imine and the subsequent intramolecular substitution results in an active electrophilic iminium species, which can be alkynylated by in situ formed copper acetylide. A number of aliphatic primary (functionalised) amines and aliphatic or aromatic alkynes together with different alkyl‐ or aryl‐substituted γ‐ or δ‐chloroketones could be used. Simple acid–base workup instead of column chromatography can be applied to obtain the resulting 2‐alkynylpyrrolidines and 2‐alkynylpiperidines.
Efficient Synthesis of Polysubstituted Pyrroles Based on [3+2] Cycloaddition Strategy Utilizing [1,2]‐Phospha‐Brook Rearrangement under Brønsted Base Catalysis
Authors: Kondoh Azusa , Iino Akio , Ishikawa Sho , Aoki Takuma , Terada Masahiro
Published: August 2018

An efficient method for the synthesis of polysubstituted pyrroles was established based on the [3+2] cycloaddition strategy utilizing the [1,2]‐phospha‐Brook rearrangement under Brønsted base catalysis. The less‐explored approach of the [3+2] cycloaddition, that is, the reaction of a C3 subunit with imines, was successfully achieved by making use of newly designed C3 subunits containing the requisite umpolung. The two‐step formal [3+2] cycloaddition involves the catalytic generation of an α‐oxygenated propargyl anion through the [1,2]‐phospha‐Brook rearrangement followed by γ‐addition to the imine under Brønsted base catalysis and the subsequent intramolecular cyclization mediated by Au catalyst or a halogenation reagent to afford polysubstituted pyrroles having a variety of substituents in a positional selective manner. The pyrroles thus synthesized were amenable to further transformations, such as palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions. The operationally very simple method with readily available substrates provides new access to a diverse array of well‐organized polysubstituted pyrroles.
Rhodium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylation of Malononitriles as Masked Acyl Cyanide with Allenes: Efficient Access to β,γ‐Unsaturated Carbonyls
Authors: Grugel Christian P. , Breit Bernhard
Published: August 2018

A rhodium‐catalyzed regio‐ and enantioselective intermolecular allylation of malononitriles as masked acyl cyanides (MAC) with terminal and symmetrical internal allenes is reported. A RhI/Josiphos catalytic system combined with subsequent oxidative degradation of the primary adducts enables a straightforward access to α‐branched, β,γ‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds. The present protocol exhibits perfect atom economy in the allylation step and is characterized by a great functional group compatibility. Furthermore, the use of α‐substituted malononitriles allowed for the construction of all‐carbon quaternary centers.
Disparities in hepatocellular carcinoma incidence by race/ethnicity and geographic area in California: Implications for prevention
Authors: Yang Baiyu , Liu Jessica B. , So Samuel K. , Han Summer S. , Wang Sophia S. , Hertz Andrew , Shariff‐Marco Salma , Lin Gomez Scarlett , Rosenberg Philip S. , Nguyen Mindie H. , Hsing Ann W.
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been rising rapidly in the United States. California is an ethnically diverse state with the largest number of incident HCC cases in the country. Characterizing HCC disparities in California may inform priorities for HCC prevention.

METHODS

By using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18‐Registry Database and the California Cancer Registry, age‐adjusted HCC incidence in California from 2009 through 2013 was calculated by race/ethnicity and neighborhood ethnic enclave status. A geographic analysis was conducted using Medical Service Study Areas (MSSAs) as the geographic unit, and race/ethnicity‐specific standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated to identify MSSAs with higher‐than‐expected HCC incidence compared with the statewide average.

RESULTS

During 2009 through 2013, the age‐adjusted incidence of HCC in California was the highest in Asians/Pacific Islanders (APIs) and Hispanics (>100% higher than whites), especially those living in more ethnic neighborhoods (20%‐30% higher than less ethnic neighborhoods). Of the 542 MSSAs statewide, 42 had elevated HCC incidence (SIR ≥ 1.5; lower bound of 95% confidence interval > 1) for whites, 14 for blacks, 24 for APIs, and 36 for Hispanics. These MSSAs have 24% to 52% higher proportions of individuals below the 100% federal poverty line than other MSSAs.

CONCLUSIONS

APIs and Hispanics residing in more ethnic neighborhoods and individuals residing in lower income neighborhoods require more extensive preventive efforts tailored toward their unique risk factor profiles. The current race/ethnicity‐specific geographic analysis can be extended to other states to inform priorities for HCC targeted prevention at the subcounty level, eventually reducing HCC burden in the country.
Neuronal response properties across cytochrome oxidase stripes in primate V2
Authors: Peres Rafael , Soares Juliana G. M. , Lima Bruss , Fiorani Mario , Chiorri Marco , Florentino Maria M. , Gattass Ricardo
Published: August 2018

Cytochrome oxidase histochemistry reveals large‐scale cortical modules in area V2 of primates known as thick, thin, and interstripes. Anatomical, electrophysiological, and tracing studies suggest that V2 cytochrome oxidase stripes participate in functionally distinct streams of visual information processing. However, there is controversy whether the different V2 compartments indeed correlate with specialized neuronal response properties. We used multiple‐electrode arrays (16 × 2, 8 × 4 and 4 × 4 matrices) to simultaneously record the spiking activity (N = 190 single units) across distinct V2 stripes in anesthetized and paralyzed capuchin monkeys (N = 3 animals, 6 hemispheres). Visual stimulation consisted of moving bars and full‐field gratings with different contrasts, orientations, directions of motion, spatial frequencies, velocities, and color contrasts. Interstripe neurons exhibited the strongest orientation and direction selectivities compared to the thick and thin stripes, with relatively stronger coding for orientation. Additionally, they responded best to higher spatial frequencies and to lower stimulus velocities. Thin stripes showed the highest proportion (80%) of neurons selective to color contrast (compared to 47% and 21% for thick and interstripes, respectively). The great majority of the color selective cells (86%) were also orientation selective. Additionally, thin stripe neurons continued to increase their firing rate for stimulus contrasts above 50%, while thick and interstripe neurons already exhibited some degree of response saturation at this point. Thick stripes best coded for lower spatial frequencies and higher stimulus velocities. In conclusion, V2 CytOx stripes exhibit a mixed degree of segregation and integration of information processing, shedding light into the early mechanisms of vision.
Minimal Mass Blowup Solutions for the Patlak‐Keller‐Segel Equation
Authors: Ghoul Tej‐Eddine , Masmoudi Nader
Published: August 2018

We consider the parabolic‐elliptic Patlak‐Keller‐Segel (PKS) model of chemotactic aggregation in two space dimensions which describes the aggregation of bacteria under chemotaxis. When the mass is equal to 8π and the second moment is finite (the doubly critical case), we give a precise description of the dynamic as time goes to infinity and extract the limiting profile and speed. The proof shows that this dynamic is stable under perturbations. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
In Situ Imaging of Tryptic Peptides by MALDI Imaging Mass Spectrometry Using Fresh‐Frozen or Formalin‐Fixed, Paraffin‐Embedded Tissue
Authors: Angel Peggi M. , Norris‐Caneda Kim , Drake Richard R.
Published: August 2018

Tryptic peptide imaging is a primary workflow for matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI IMS) and has led to new information reporting highly multiplexed protein localization. Technological advances within the last few years have produced robust tools for automated spraying of both matrix and enzymes. When combined with high‐mass‐resolution and high‐mass‐accuracy instrumentation, studies now generally result in two‐dimensional mapping of well over 1,000 peptide peaks. This protocol describes sample preparation, spraying, and application of enzymes and matrices, and MALDI FT‐ICR instrumental considerations for two‐dimensional mapping of tryptic peptides from fresh‐frozen or formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue sections. Procedures for extraction of tryptic peptides from tissue sections for LC‐MS/MS identification are also described. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The luminance ratio of autofluorescence in a xenograft mouse model is stable through tumor growth stages
Authors: Sumi Shigeki , Umemura Naoki , Adachi Makoto , Ohta Takahisa , Naganawa Kosuke , Kawaki Harumi , Takayama Eiji , Kondoh Nobuo , Sumitomo Shinichiro
Published: August 2018

The aim of this research was to investigate the value of autofluorescence imaging of oral cancer across different stages of tumor growth, to assist in detecting tumors. A xenograft mouse model was created with human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line HSC‐3 being subcutaneously inoculated into nude mice. Tumor imaging was performed with an autofluorescence imaging method (Illumiscan®) using the luminance ratio, which was defined as the luminance of the tumor site over the luminance of normal skin tissue normalized to a value of 1.0. This luminance ratio was continuously observed postinoculation. Tumor and normal skin tissues were harvested, and differences in the concentrations of flavin adenine dinucleotide and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide were examined. The luminance ratio of the tumor sites was 0.85 ± 0.05, and there was no significant change in the ratio over time, even if the tumor proliferated and expanded. Furthermore, flavin adenine dinucleotide and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide were significantly lower in tumor tissue than in normal skin tissue. A luminance ratio under 0.90 indicates a high possibility of tumor, irrespective of the tumor growth stage. However, this cutoff value was determined using a xenograft mouse model and therefore requires further validation before being used in clinical diagnosis.
Survivability using traffic balancing and backup resource reservation in multi‐domain optical networks
Authors: Batham Deepak , Yadav Dharmendra Singh , Prakash Shashi
Published: August 2018

Survivability in the geographically distributed backbone multi‐domain optical networks (MDONs) is critical because of issues related to its size, usage of resources, and domain management policies of the comprising domains. In MDONs, the emerging scheduled traffic is increasingly multivendor, multimedia, and periodic. It is high during the office (working) hours and low during the non‐office (non‐working) hours in a day. A connection failure during the office hours may result in huge amount of information being lost. Towards providing an acceptable level of service even when a connection fails, we first provide traffic balancing (TB) based solutions where the intra/inter‐domain traffic is slided (S1‐TB), shifted (S2‐TB), or slided as well as shifted (S3‐TB) based on the service level agreement between the client and domain service provider. Of the above solutions, the solution based on sliding as well as shifting (S3‐TB) performs best, and hence for further improvement in S3‐TB, we incorporate backup multiplexing with advance backup resource reservation (BRR) and evaluate the performance of the strategy and report results. The performance evaluation of the above strategies is compared with the existing extended path shared protection (EPSP) by a simulator developed in MATLAB and tested on three‐domain and five‐domain standard network topologies, on the metrics of blocking probability, network resource utilization ratio, network capacity utilized by backup route, wavelength link used per backup lightpath, and a newly introduced metric, network resource utilization index. As compared with the existing strategy EPSP, the S3‐TB and S3‐TB with BRR showed improved performance on all the metrics.
Blood glucose profiles in East Asian and Caucasian injection‐naive patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on oral medication: a pooled analysis
Authors: Zhang Xiao Mei , Li Peng Fei , Hou Jia Ning , Ji Li Nong
Published: August 2018

Aim

The primary objective of this study was to compare blood glucose (BG) excursions between East Asian and Caucasian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who were injection‐naive, had inadequate glycemic control with oral antihyperglycemic medications, and who required initiation with injectable therapy.

Methods

This retrospective pooled analysis included individual patient data from completed clinical trials (Insulin lispro injection/dulaglutide development programs, first patient visit ≥1997). All included patients were ≥18 years, were East Asian or Caucasian, and had data for self‐monitored BG at baseline. The primary outcome, BG excursion at baseline (least‐squares mean, standard error), was compared between patient groups using an analysis of covariance with race as the fixed effect. Independent covariates included baseline body weight, baseline HbA1c, age, and duration of T2DM.

Results

Caucasian (n = 6779) and East Asian (n = 1638) patients from 21 trials were included. BG excursions were significantly higher for East Asian than Caucasian patients at breakfast (4.03 [0.075] vs 2.59 [0.045] mmol/L), lunch (3.37 [0.080] vs 1.43 [0.049] mmol/L), and dinner (3.16 [0.080] vs 1.74 [0.047] mmol/L) (P < 0.001 adjusted analyses). Similar findings were observed for the unadjusted analyses. At each time point, postprandial BG was significantly higher for East Asian than Caucasian patients (with adjusted and unadjusted analyses).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that BG excursion and postprandial BG are higher among East Asian patients with T2DM than Caucasian patients. In addition, these findings may help clinicians select appropriate treatments for East Asian patients with T2DM who require injection therapy.
Convergent evolution of coloration in experimental introductions of the guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
Authors: Dick Cynthia , Hinh Jasmine , Hayashi Cheryl Y. , Reznick David N.
Published: August 2018

Despite the multitude of examples of evolution in action, relatively fewer studies have taken a replicated approach to understand the repeatability of evolution. Here, we examine the convergent evolution of adaptive coloration in experimental introductions of guppies from a high‐predation (HP) environment into four low‐predation (LP) environments. LP introductions were replicated across 2 years and in two different forest canopy cover types. We take a complementary approach by examining both phenotypes and genetics. For phenotypes, we categorize the whole color pattern on the tail fin of male guppies and analyze evolution using a correspondence analysis. We find that coloration in the introduction sites diverged from the founding Guanapo HP site. Sites group together based on canopy cover, indicating convergence in response to light environment. However, the axis that explains the most variation indicates a lack of convergence. Therefore, evolution may proceed along similar phenotypic trajectories, but still maintain unique variation within sites. For the genetics underlying the divergent phenotypes, we examine expression levels of color genes. We find no evidence for differential expression, indicating that the genetic basis for the color changes remains undetermined.
Drip heterogeneity and the impact of decreased flow rates on the vadose zone fauna in Ciur‐Izbuc Cave, NW Romania
Authors: Moldovan Oana Teodora , Constantin Silviu , Cheval Sorin
Published: August 2018

The aim of this study was to better understand the unsaturated zone of a karst massif habitat for aquatic fauna by defining patterns of cave drip flow rates. Dripping was logged over a period of 4 years at three points inside Ciur‐Izbuc Cave (north‐western Romania). Drip rates have been analysed at different scales and also compared with rainfall. The results show the individual behaviour of drips on daily, monthly, and yearly timescales and no significant correlations between the three drip points or between them and rainfall. Yearly differences are statistically significant, showing large changes in drip behaviour over the study period. The results point to two different aspects of the water flow through the vadose zone: (a) a space and time heterogeneity raising questions about related stress for the groundwater invertebrates inhabiting this zone and (b) relative uniformity given by signals at certain time intervals that explain species diversity preservation in such a heterogeneous environment. Conservation concerns, and the need for long‐term monitoring of fauna and hydrological processes, are stressed.
Response of herbaceous wetland plant species to changing precipitation regimes
Authors: Didiano Teresa J. , Johnson Marc T.J. , Duval Tim P.
Published: August 2018

The structure of wetland plant communities is sensitive to patterns of precipitation. In some regions, climate change is expected to result in more large‐magnitude, infrequent precipitation events. Typically, the response of wetland plants to changing precipitation regimes is studied under alterations in the amount of precipitation (drought), rather than event frequency. Here, we seek to understand how changes in rainfall frequency affect (a) soil moisture variability, (b) plant performance, and (c) plant C and N concentrations. We conducted a greenhouse study using eight herbaceous plant species (three eudicots, five monocots) subject to three precipitation treatments: (a) 80 mm per month distributed in equal volumes every 3 days (control treatment), (b) 80 mm per month distributed every 15 days (infrequent treatment), and (c) 110 mm per month distributed every 15 days (large magnitude‐infrequent treatment). Infrequent treatments decreased soil moisture by >60% compared with the control. Rainfall frequency affected soil moisture losses to evapotranspiration, which differed between early‐ and late‐growing seasons. This soil moisture stress in the infrequent treatments contributed to a 10–49% decrease in biomass among all eudicot species and a 25–54% decrease in two monocots. In contrast, changes in C and N concentration were limited to two forb species. Our results show that changes in precipitation frequency can strongly impact some wetland species. For some impacted species increased magnitude can alleviate the negative effects of infrequent rainfall. These results provide insight into how forecasted changes in the frequency and magnitude of precipitation may affect wetland plant species.
Application of Bayesian robust design model to assess the impacts of a hurricane on shorebird demography
Authors: Gibson Daniel , Riecke Thomas V. , Keyes Tim , Depkin Chris , Fraser James , Catlin Daniel H.
Published: August 2018

The increasing use of Bayesian inference in population demography requires rapid advancements in modeling frameworks to approach the rigor and flexibility of the current suite of maximum‐likelihood models. We developed an unbiased, Jolly–Seber robust design (JSRD) model that is both accessible and generalizable in a Bayesian hierarchical multistate framework. We integrated band and age‐classification data to estimate site entry, temporary emigration, and apparent survival rates, as well as estimate age‐class specific abundances. The complete model parameterization is provided in the Appendix S1, as well as tools for simulating capture histories and an assessment of model fit. We applied this model to determine whether these demographic processes in non‐breeding population of American oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) were affected by a major hurricane event (Hurricane Matthew) in coastal Georgia. The JSRD model was demonstrably unbiased at relatively small sample sizes, and the majority of parameters were identifiable in the fully saturated model parameterization. In the model application, we found that Hurricane Matthew temporarily altered local population abundances of American oystercatchers through increased movements of individuals into and out of the observable population, but mortality rates were largely unaffected. Together, our results suggest that American oystercatchers were largely able to avoid the immediate demographic consequences (i.e., reduced survival) of Hurricane Matthew. Integrating age and band ratios from survey data allowed for more descriptive and potentially less biased estimates of age‐specific abundance, relative to estimates generated solely from either mark–resight or survey data.
Mammalian responses to changed forest conditions resulting from bark beetle outbreaks in the southern Rocky Mountains
Authors: Ivan Jacob S. , Seglund Amy E. , Truex Richard L. , Newkirk Eric S.
Published: August 2018

Spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis) and mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) outbreaks have impacted millions of acres of conifer forest from Alaska to northern Mexico. These species are native to North America, and periodic outbreaks have shaped the structure and composition of conifer forests for millennia. However, the extent and severity of current outbreaks, fueled by favorable climatic conditions and increased susceptibility of forests, are unmatched in recorded history. To characterize the response of a suite of mammalian species to beetle‐induced changes in vegetation in the southern Rocky Mountains, we deployed cameras at 300 randomly selected sites during summer 2013–2014. Selected sites spanned gradients of years elapsed since bark beetle outbreaks (YSO) and severity. We fit single‐season occupancy models to detection/non‐detection data collected for each species to examine a variety of plausible relationships between use of a given stand and YSO, severity, or both. Ungulates exhibited a positive association with bark beetle activity, although the nature of these associations varied by species. Elk (Cervus canadensis) were positively associated with severity, but not YSO; mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) exhibited the opposite relationship. Moose (Alces alces) responded in a quadratic fashion; use of forest stands adjacent to preferred willow habitat peaked 3–7 yr after an outbreak commenced, but only at high severity. Similarly, yellow‐bellied marmot use of impacted stands adjacent to rock outcroppings followed a quadratic trend, but only at high severity. Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) use declined in severely impacted stands, likely as a response to diminished cone crops. Golden‐mantled ground squirrels (Callospermophilus lateralis) and chipmunks (Neotamias spp.) exhibited a shallow negative relationship with YSO, as did coyotes (Canis latrans). Contrary to our hypotheses, black bears (Ursus americanus), American marten (Martes americana), snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus), and porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) did not appear to be substantially influenced by beetle activity. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) use was positively associated with YSO, but overall use declined as severity increased. Note that changes in probability of use described here could reflect changes in abundance, home range size, habitat use, or some combination, and in several cases, there was considerable uncertainty across competing models.
Trends in vital signs for Greater Yellowstone: application of a Wildland Health Index
Authors: Hansen Andrew J. , Phillips Linda
Published: August 2018

The Earth's remaining tracts of wildlands are being altered by increased human pressure and climate change. Yet, there is no systematic approach for quantifying change in the ecological condition of wildland ecosystems. This paper applies a Wildland Health Index (WHI) to evaluate trends in ecological vital signs in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). Components of the WHI include criteria for judging ecosystem health, vital signs consistent with these criteria, monitoring at spatial scales relevant to the ecosystem, evaluating trends in condition, and communicating with decision makers. The GYE, while large, intact, and with substantial management capacity, is undergoing increasing human pressure and climate change. Thus, assessment of trends in ecological health is needed to prioritize management. We synthesized current knowledge to evaluate trends in stressors and vital signs of ecosystem function, composition, and structure for 1970 to present and forecasted to 2100. Results were summarized in a WHI Scorecard to illustrate trends in the higher level vital signs of interest to policy makers. We found that human population has doubled, and housing density has tripled in the GYE since 1970 and both are projected to double again by 2050. Human development is now estimated to cover 31% of the GYE. Temperature has warmed 0.8°C since 1950 and is projected to increase 2.5–5.3°C by 2100. These changes in land use and climate have reduced snowpack and stream flows, increased stream temperatures, favored pest outbreaks and forest die‐off, fragmented habitat types, expanded invasive species, and reduced native fish populations. Large mammal populations, in contrast, have been increasing in numbers and expanding in range. These trends differ among land allocation types. The WHI Scorecard rated 6 of 9 vital signs as relatively stable or improving in national parks and designated wilderness. On private lands, in contrast, five vital signs were rated as deteriorating. Confidence in our evaluation is not high because of lack of monitoring across the full GYE. While the National Park Service has a rigorous monitoring program, fewer vital signs are tracked on other federal lands and still fewer on private lands. Thus, trends in ecological condition are not evaluated across the entire GYE nor widely reported in the media. We recommend that the WHI approach be systematically applied across the GYE and other large wildland ecosystems in the United States to better inform management to sustain these wildlands.
Spatial distributions and environmental relationships of two species complexes of freshwater atyid shrimps
Authors: Yasser A. Gh. , Sheldon F. , Hughes J. M.
Published: August 2018

Knowledge of cryptic species distributions and their relationships with environmental factors may be extremely valuable for biodiversity conservation. In freshwater ecosystems, morphologically cryptic species often have different geographic distributions that can overlap to varying extents. The importance of differential species responses to environmental conditions in determining their spatial distributions is, however, unclear. Here, we evaluated the importance of species responses to environmental drivers, in particular the physicochemical factors, in the spatial distributions and environmental relationships of two shrimp species complexes Caridina indistincta Calman, 1926 and Paratya australiensis Kemp, 1917. We analyzed shrimp specimens from 89 sites in 17 catchments across South‐East Queensland by sequencing a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) to identify individuals. Furthermore, although there is evidence that morphologically the cryptic species of these shrimps differ very little, we made detailed morphological assessments to combine with molecular data, hoping to be able to distinguish among the species more easily and cheaply for future studies. There were significant morphological differences among the three cryptic species of the C. indistincta species complex, specifically in carapace length (cl), number of dorsal teeth (nDt), number of ventral teeth (nVt), teeth posterior to orbital margin (TPOM), and the calculated ratios A/rl, and rl/cl, while the two lineages of the P. australiensis species complex differed in the number of dorsal teeth (nDt) and the calculated ratios of A/rl, rl/cl, and rh/ch. To determine the importance of species responses in explaining the spatial distribution of cryptic species based on the species‐variables relationships, a redundancy analysis (RDA) was used to summarize these relationships. This ordination analysis showed distinct differences among cryptic species in their correlation with water quality variables and elevation. C. indistincta sp. B and C. indistincta sp. D were significantly associated with elevation and dissolved oxygen range, respectively. As well, P. australiensis lineages 4 and 6 were significantly correlated with elevation and conductivity, respectively. Overall, our results demonstrated the advantage of using analyses of biotic and abiotic variables as a valid approach for defining species responses to abiotic factors in cryptic species of atyid freshwater shrimps.
Decline of a foundation tree species due to invasive insects will trigger net release of soil organic carbon
Authors: Ignace Danielle D. , Fassler Aliza , Bellemare Jesse
Published: August 2018

Eastern U.S. forests are witnessing an ecologically disruptive decline in one of the region's distinctive foundation tree species, the eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadenis). The exotic insect pests hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae, HWA) and elongate hemlock scale (Fiorinia externa) have greatly altered many forest ecosystems previously dominated by this important evergreen conifer. The consequences for ecosystem processes are far reaching because hemlock is often replaced by deciduous tree species, such as black birch (Betula lenta), which have strongly divergent effects on forest floor microenvironments and nutrient cycling. We took advantage of an accidental experiment initiated by patch‐level timber harvesting ~30 yr ago to investigate how the removal of hemlock, and its replacement by deciduous trees, has affected leaf litter characteristics, soil organic layer mass, C:N content, and soil respiration rates. We also contrasted these areas to nearby forest plots where deciduous B. lenta has been dominant for almost a century. The inclusion of healthy, intact hemlock stands in the design, and the close proximity of plots, allowed for a powerful space‐for‐time approach to detect ecosystem changes that are likely to occur across the broader landscape with HWA‐induced hemlock loss in coming years. Three years of data collection from a series of plots in hemlock, young birch, and mature birch stands revealed dramatic differences in soil carbon pools and cycling. Between forests dominated by hemlock vs. mature birch, we saw a significant decrease in soil organic layer mass and in the C:N of the remaining organic material. Although hemlock and young birch stands showed no significant differences in soil respiration rates, mature birch stands had significantly higher soil respiration rates throughout the entire growing season, regardless of wet or dry years. Our results suggest that the carbon pool in the forest floor is likely to mobilize through greater decomposition with a 6.8× decline in soil organic layer C storage as hemlocks are replaced by deciduous trees, leading to a potential net release of ~4.5 tons C per hectare. We conclude that the ramifications of this change for carbon storage could be extensive, but may take decades to manifest.
Glucose lowering and vascular protective effects of cycloset added to GLP‐1 receptor agonists in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Alatrach Mariam , Agyin Christina , Adams John , Chilton Robert , Triplitt Curtis , DeFronzo Ralph A. , Cersosimo Eugenio
Published: August 2018

Objective

To determine the glucose‐lowering mechanism of action and the effects of a quick‐release bromocriptine‐QR, a D2‐dopamine agonist (Cycloset) on vascular function in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Study design and methods

Fifteen poorly controlled T2D treated with metformin plus glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RA) were studied after 4 months of Cycloset, 3.2 mg/d. Subjects received a 5‐hour double‐tracer (iv 3‐3H‐glucose and oral 14C‐glucose) mixed meal test (MMT) to quantitate rates of endogenous glucose production (EGP), oral glucose appearance (RaO) and disappearance (Rd) pre‐ and post‐Cycloset. Vascular assessments included 2‐day continuous BP monitoring, reactive hyperaemia index (RHI) and arterial stiffness (AS).

Results

HbA1c decreased from 8.3 ± 0.3% to 7.7 ± 0.2% (P < 0.05), fasting plasma glucose did not change (143 ± 4 vs 147 ± 5) and mean plasma glucose during MTT decreased from 223 ± 3 to 210 ± 4 mg/dL (P < 0.05) after Cycloset. Basal EGP (2.2 ± 0.2 vs 2.1 ± 0.2 mg/kg min) was unchanged, but there was greater MMT suppression (1.1 ± 0.1 vs 0.7 ± 0.1, P < 0.05). After Cycloset, RaO declined from 2.0 ± 0.1 to 1.7 ± 0.2 mg/kg min and peripheral oral glucose appearance from 53.1 ± 3.2 to 44.4 ± 3.1 g (P < 0.01). There were no changes in plasma insulin or glucagon concentration. Systolic (134 ± 4 vs 126 ± 6), diastolic (78 ± 3 vs 73 ± 4), mean BP (97 ± 5 vs 90 ± 4) and pulse pressure (54 ± 2 vs 51 ± 2 mm Hg) were reduced; RHI increased from 1.4 ± 0.1 to 1.9 ± 0.3 au and AS decreased modestly (19.8 ± 4.1 to 16.2 ± 3.7 au, P = NS).

Conclusions

Addition of Cycloset to GLP‐1 RA improved vascular indices and postprandial hyperglycaemia in T2DM primarily by lowering oral glucose appearance, suggesting that hepatic glucose uptake was enhanced. Improved vascular indices may explain the reduction in cardiovascular events observed with Cycloset therapy in patients with T2DM.