bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Full‐thickness neorectal prolapse after transanal transabdominal proctosigmoidectomy for low rectal cancer: a cohort study
Authors: Guraieb‐Trueba M. , Helber A. R. , Marks J. H.
Published: January 2018

Aim

Transanal transabdominal proctosigmoidectomy (TATA) with a coloanal anastomosis is an alternative to abdominoperineal excision of the rectum (APR) for low rectal cancer. Neorectal prolapse is an unusual complication following TATA. This study aimed to determine the incidence of neorectal prolapse after TATA for low rectal cancer.

Method

This cohort study was conducted in a tertiary referral colorectal centre. From a prospectively maintained database including 1093 patients treated for rectal cancer between 1984 and 2016 we identified those who underwent sphincter‐preserving surgery. Data regarding the incidence, management and outcomes of neorectal prolapse were analysed.

Results

A total of 409 patients were identified, of whom 185 underwent open surgery and 224 a minimally invasive surgical procedure (MIS). All received neoadjuvant chemoradiation. Neorectal prolapse occurred in 4.6% (n = 19) with an incidence of 2.2% in the open and 6.7% in the MIS group (P = 0.023), with no difference between MIS techniques. There was one recurrence of neorectal prolapse (5.9%). The incidence of neorectal prolapse was higher in women (9.5%) than men (2.5%) (P = 0.011). There were no differences in local recurrence rates between the neorectal prolapse group (5.3%) and our population without prolapse (3.4%) (P = 0.79).

Conclusion

Neorectal prolapse is a rare occurrence following minimally invasive sphincter‐saving surgical procedures performed for rectal cancer. It appears to be more frequent in patients who undergo MIS procedures and in women.
Foraging preferences of leafcutter bees in three contrasting geographical zones
Authors: Sinu Palatty Allesh , Bronstein Judith L.
Published: January 2018

Aim

Leafcutter bees use plants as pollen and nectar sources, but also cut leaf discs and use them to line their nests. Which plant species they choose as nesting material and why they do so have remained obscure. We asked the following: (1) How are the plant species used by leafcutter bees distributed phylogenetically? (2) Does plant choice differ across geographical regions, and if so, in what ways? (3) Are the leaf plant species natives or exotics? (4) What plant and leaf traits predict selection of plant species by leafcutter bees? And (5) Does the abundance of individuals per species in the habitat influence leafcutter bees’ plant preferences?

Location

Tropical South Asia, temperate eastern Canada and US Sonoran Desert

Methods

We mapped taxa known to be used by leafcutter bees both from our own study and published literature onto the most recent angiosperm phylogeny. To determine what plant and leaf traits predict leaf selection, we monitored 6,120 individuals of 214 native and exotic plant species planted in a 3‐sq. km. arboretum in Arizona and recorded leaf damage inflicted by bees.

Results

Megachile showed a strong preference for species in the rosid clade, particularly the phylogenetic cluster of Fabales, Fagales and Rosales. Thirty‐two to forty‐five percentage of the leaf plant species were exotic to a given region. Membership in the rosid clade and Fabaceae family predicted plant preference, whereas the plant species’ local abundance and geographical origin did not. Leaf water content, morphotype and the presence of latex were important factors influencing plant choice, whereas leaf shape and size did not.

Main conclusion

These patterns point to plant groups whose availability should be monitored to assure persistence of leafcutter bees. Their preference for specific globally distributed plant clades, yet ability to readily adopt certain exotic plant species as nest resources, likely augments their ability to persist.
Infants born preterm, stress, and neurodevelopment in the neonatal intensive care unit: might music have an impact?
Authors: Anderson Dane E , Patel Aniruddh D
Published: January 2018

Aim

The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) provides life‐saving medical care for an increasing number of newborn infants each year. NICU care, while lifesaving, does have attendant consequences which can include repeated activation of the stress response and reduced maternal interaction, with possible negative long‐term impacts on brain development. Here we present a neuroscientific framework for considering the impact of music on neurodevelopment in the NICU of infants born preterm and evaluate current literature on the use of music with this population to determine what is most reliably known of the physiological effects of music interventions.

Method

Using online academic databases we collected relevant, experimental studies aimed at determining effects of music listening in infants in the NICU. These articles were evaluated for methodological rigor, ranking the 10 most experimentally stringent as a representative sample.

Results

The selected literature seems to indicate that effects are present on the cardio‐pulmonary system and behavior of neonates, although the relative effect size remains unclear.

Interpretation

These findings indicate a need for more standardized longitudinal studies aimed at determining not only whether NICU music exposure has beneficial effects on the cardio‐pulmonary system, but also on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, brain structures, and cognitive behavioral status of these children as well.

What this paper adds

Provides a neuroscience framework for considering how music might attenuate stress in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) infants.

Considers how repeated stress may cause negative neurodevelopmental impacts in infants born preterm.

Posits epigenetics can serve as a mechanistic pathway for music moderating the stress response.
White matter microstructural organisation of interhemispheric pathways predicts different stages of bimanual coordination learning in young and older adults
Authors: Zivari Adab Hamed , Chalavi Sima , Beets Iseult A. M. , Gooijers Jolien , Leunissen Inge , Cheval Boris , Collier Quinten , Sijbers Jan , Jeurissen Ben , Swinnen Stephan P. , Boisgontier Matthieu P.
Published: January 2018

The ability to learn new motor skills is crucial for activities of daily living, especially in older adults. Previous work in younger adults has indicated fast and slow stages for motor learning that were associated with changes in functional interactions within and between brain hemispheres. However, the impact of the structural scaffolds of these functional interactions on different stages of motor learning remains elusive. Using diffusion‐weighted imaging and probabilistic constrained spherical deconvolution‐based tractography, we reconstructed transcallosal white matter pathways between the left and right primary motor cortices (M1–M1), left dorsal premotor cortex and right primary motor cortex (LPMd–RM1) and right dorsal premotor cortex and left primary motor cortex (RPMd–LM1) in younger and older adults trained in a set of bimanual coordination tasks. We used fractional anisotropy (FA) to assess microstructural organisation of the reconstructed white matter pathways. Older adults showed lower behavioural performance than younger adults and improved their performance more in the fast but less in the slow stage of learning. Linear mixed models predicted that individuals with higher FA of M1–M1 pathways improve more in the fast but less in the slow stage of bimanual learning. Individuals with higher FA of RPMd–LM1 improve more in the slow but less in the fast stage of bimanual learning. These predictions did not differ significantly between younger and older adults suggesting that, in both younger and older adults, the M1–M1 and RPMd–LM1 pathways are important for the fast and slow stage of bimanual learning, respectively.
Random size‐assortative mating despite size‐dependent fecundity in a Neotropical amphibian with explosive reproduction
Authors: Székely Diana , Székely Paul , Denoël Mathieu , Cogălniceanu Dan
Published: January 2018

Sexual selection theory predicts that, when body size is correlated with fecundity, there should be fitness advantages for mate choice of the largest females. Moreover, because larger males are expected to monopolise the largest females, this should result in an assortative mating based on body size. Although such patterns could be expected in both explosive and prolonged breeders, non‐assortative mating should be more widespread in species under time constraints. However, patterns of sexual selection are largely unexplored in explosive breeding species, and contrasting patterns have been found previously. We expect that the active choice of partners may be particularly risky when the time period during which sexual partners are available is severely limited. Therefore, to avoid missing an entire reproductive act, males and females should pair irrespective of traits, such as body size. We tested this hypothesis by investigating the mating patterns of the Pacific horned toad, Ceratophrys stolzmanni, a short‐lived fossorial species inhabiting Neotropical dry forests. This species is particularly adequate to test our prediction because it reproduces explosively over the course of a single night per year. Although the number of eggs laid was proportional to the size of females, and individuals of both sexes showed variation in body size, there was no assortative mating based either on size, body condition or age of mates. Egg size was not influenced by either female size or clutch size. The larger body size of females compared to males is likely due to fecundity selection, that is, the selective pressure that enhances reproductive output. Although we cannot dismiss the possibility that individuals could select their partners based on other criteria than those related to size or age, the results fit well our prediction, showing that the explosive breeding makes improbable an active choice of partners in both sexes and therefore favours a random mating pattern.
A Mamdani Adaptive Neural Fuzzy Inference System for Improvement of Groundwater Vulnerability
Authors: Agoubi Belgacem , Dabbaghi Radhia , Kharroubi Adel
Published: January 2018

Assessing groundwater vulnerability is an important procedure for sustainable water management. Various methods have been developed for effective assessment of groundwater vulnerability and protection. However, each method has its own conditions of use and, in practice; it is difficult to return the same results for the same site. The research conceptualized and developed an improved DRASTIC method using Mamdani Adaptive Neural Fuzzy Inference System (M‐ANFIS‐DRASTIC). DRASTIC and M‐ANFIS‐DRASTIC were applied in the Jorf aquifer, southeastern Tunisia, and results were compared. Results confirm that M‐ANFIS‐DRASTIC combined with geostatistical tools is more powerful, generated more precise vulnerability classes with very low estimation variance. Fuzzy logic has a power to produce more realistic aquifer vulnerability assessments and introduces new ways of modeling in hydrogeology using natural human language expressed by logic rules.
Efficacy of the ProTaper retreatment system in removing Thermafil, GuttaCore or vertically compacted gutta‐percha from curved root canals assessed by micro‐CT
Authors: Rödig T. , Wagner J. , Wiegand A. , Rizk M.
Published: January 2018

Aim

To evaluate ex vivo the efficacy of ProTaper Universal Retreatment files (Dentsply Sirona, Ballaigues, Switzerland) in removing Thermafil, GuttaCore (both Dentsply Sirona) or vertically compacted gutta‐percha from curved root canals using micro‐CT.

Methodology

Sixty curved molar roots with the same mean canal curvatures and radii in two directions were prepared using ProFile instruments (Dentsply Sirona) to size 30 with .04 taper and obturated with either Thermafil, GuttaCore or vertically compacted gutta‐percha and AH Plus (n = 20). Specimens were retreated using the ProTaper Universal Retreatment files D1, D2 and D3 to working length, and root canal preparation was completed with ProTaper Next (Dentsply Sirona) to size ×4. Percentages of residual filling material and dentine removal were assessed using micro‐CT imaging. Working time and procedural errors were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal–Wallis and Wilcoxon tests.

Results

No significant differences between carrier‐based and warm vertical compaction regarding residual filling material (14.2–19.3%) and dentine removal (2.7–3.2 mm3) were detected (P > 0.05). Time to reach working length was significantly faster for canals filled with GuttaCore than that observed for Thermafil and warm vertical compaction (P < 0.05). Five lateral perforations with the D3 file occurred during retreatment, one in the Thermafil and four in the vertical compaction group.

Conclusions

Remaining filling material and dentine removal were similar for all canal filling techniques. Regaining working length was significantly faster for GuttaCore compared with Thermafil and vertically compacted gutta‐percha. Procedural errors occurred during retreatment of severely curved root canals with the ProTaper Universal Retreatment files in 5 of 60 canals (8%).
Acute hypocalcaemia following denosumab in heart and lung transplant patients with osteoporosis
Authors: Shrosbree Julia E. , Elder Grahame J. , Eisman John A. , Center Jacqueline R.
Published: January 2018

Background

Osteoporosis is highly prevalent in the heart and lung transplant population. Given high rates of concurrent renal impairment, there is increasing use of denosumab in this population. However, denosumab may be associated with hypocalcaemia, particularly in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Aim

To explore the risk of hypocalcaemia in a heart and lung transplant cohort prescribed denosumab for osteoporosis.

Methods

We performed a retrospective database review of all surviving heart and lung transplant patients who had received denosumab for osteoporosis between January 2012 and November 2015. We assessed the rates of hypocalcaemia in this cohort and collected baseline clinical data to determine associated factors.

Results

Ten patients received denosumab and had laboratory results available within 3 months of the dose. Of these, three patients developed severe (grade 4) hypocalcaemia, while two patients developed mild (grade 1) hypocalcaemia. In comparison to the five patients who remained normocalcaemic, patients with hypocalcaemia had significantly lower baseline mean estimated glomerular filtration rate but similar baseline mean corrected serum calcium. Unexpectedly, patients developing hypocalcaemia had non‐significantly higher levels of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D and lower baseline doses of prednisone.

Conclusions

In heart and lung transplant patients, denosumab should be used judiciously in patients with advanced renal disease due to the risk of hypocalcaemia.
Potential impacts of poor communication on early diagnosis of HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorder
Authors: Cummins Denise , Waters Donna , Aggar Christina , O'Connor Catherine C
Published: January 2018

Aim

To ascertain whether community‐based healthcare providers were collecting appropriate information to identify patients at risk of HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorder and whether related documentation was complete.

Background

HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorder is a treatable neurological condition that can affect more than 20% of those infected with the HIV. Signs and symptoms of cognitive impairment may be subtle; therefore, documentation of medical and social information could be beneficial in identifying those at risk.

Design

Cross‐sectional descriptive study.

Methods

An audit of patient records was completed by two community‐based interdisciplinary teams with particular attention to the documentation of clinical and social indicators for those at risk of HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorder. Data were collected over weeks during 2015.

Results

Data were retrieved from both electronic medical record systems and hard copy patient records. Documentation was incomplete in every patient record (N = 262), including the absence of important clinical data relating to nadir CD4 + T‐cell count (91%), HIV viral load (36%), current caregiver (19%), and living circumstances (14%). Up to 40% of recorded medications and results were unconfirmed by the person's medical practitioner.

Conclusion

Poor documentation can lead to incomplete information, which can delay early intervention for those at risk of HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorder. Collection and recording of patient data needs to be consistent, as complete documentation is essential for integrating care, provision of clinical support and, importantly, for identifying those at risk of developing HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorder.
The competitive effects of S&P 500 Index revisions
Authors: Chen Sheng‐Syan , Lin Yueh‐Hsiang
Published: January 2018

Firms added to the S&P 500 Index gain a competitive advantage over their non‐S&P 500 industry competitors. They experience positive stock valuation effects at the expense of competitors. The inclusion is associated with both reductions in financial constraints and the cost of equity and increases in capital investment for the newly added firms. When the increase in capital investment is greater, they gain more market share and enjoy better valuation effects. Rivals’ share price responses are negatively related to the announcement effect of the newly added firm. Deletions from the index, however, do not have symmetric effects.
Within‐island diversification underlies parachuting frog (Rhacophorus) species accumulation on the Sunda Shelf
Authors: O'Connell Kyle A. , Smart Utpal , Smith Eric N. , Hamidy Amir , Kurniawan Nia , Fujita Matthew K.
Published: January 2018

Aim

This study seeks to understand the geological and climatological processes that have promoted biodiversity on the Sunda Shelf in Southeast Asia. Using the parachuting frog genus Rhacophorus, we estimate divergence times and quantify the respective contributions of between and within‐island diversification to species richness and endemism.

Location

East and Southeast Asia, the Sunda Shelf.

Methods

We generated a concatenated mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence alignment for 40 species of Rhacophorus. We estimated phylogenetic relationships and divergence times, constructed lineage‐through‐time (LTT) plots and reconstructed ancestral ranges.

Results

We found that Rhacophorus originated 33.0 Ma (95% HPD 27.0–38.0 Ma), and that the diversification rate slowed towards the present. Dispersal was important in early Rhacophorus evolution, but subsequent in situ diversification produced most species diversity on Sumatra and Borneo. Clades that diversified via in situ processes contained higher proportions of endemic species.

Main conclusions

Species diversification on the Sunda Shelf is ancient and has occurred slowly. Both dispersal and in situ diversification have promoted Sundaland species accumulation, but within‐island phylogenesis has produced a greater proportion of endemic species on Sumatra and Borneo. Species richness and endemism are most influenced by the size of an island, rather than connectivity.
Nullius in Verba1: Advancing Data Transparency in Industrial Ecology
Authors: Hertwich Edgar , Heeren Niko , Kuczenski Brandon , Majeau‐Bettez Guillaume , Myers Rupert J. , Pauliuk Stefan , Stadler Konstantin , Lifset Reid
Published: January 2018

With the growth of the field of industrial ecology (IE), research and results have increased significantly leading to a desire for better utilization of the accumulated data in more sophisticated analyses. This implies the need for greater transparency, accessibility, and reusability of IE data, paralleling the considerable momentum throughout the sciences. The Data Transparency Task Force (DTTF) was convened by the governing council of the International Society for Industrial Ecology in late 2016 to propose best‐practice guidelines and incentives for sharing data. In this article, the members of the DTTF present an overview of developments toward transparent and accessible data within the IE community and more broadly. We argue that increased transparency, accessibility, and reusability of IE data will enhance IE research by enabling more detailed and reproducible research, and also facilitate meta‐analyses. These benefits will make the results of IE work more timely. They will enable independent verification of results, thus increasing their credibility and quality. They will also make the uptake of IE research results easier within IE and in other fields as well as by decision makers and sustainability practitioners, thus increasing the overall relevance and impact of the field. Here, we present two initial actions intended to advance these goals: (1) a minimum publication requirement for IE research to be adopted by the Journal of Industrial Ecology; and (2) a system of optional data openness badges rewarding journal articles that contain transparent and accessible data. These actions will help the IE community to move toward data transparency and accessibility. We close with a discussion of potential future initiatives that could build on the minimum requirements and the data openness badge system.
Iron promotes α‐synuclein aggregation and transmission by inhibiting TFEB‐mediated autophagosome‐lysosome fusion
Authors: Xiao Yousheng , Chen Xiang , Huang Shuxuan , Li Guihua , Mo Mingshu , Zhang Li , Chen Chaojun , Guo Wenyuan , Zhou Miaomiao , Wu Zhuohua , Cen Luan , Long Simei , Li Shaomin , Yang Xinling , Qu Shaogang , Pei Zhong , Xu Pingyi
Published: January 2018

Recent studies have strongly shown that cell‐to‐cell transmission of neuropathogenic proteins is a common mechanism for the development of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the underlying cause is complex and little is known. Although distinct processes are involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases, they all share the common feature of iron accumulation, an attribute that is particularly prominent in synucleinopathies. However, whether iron is a cofactor in facilitating the spread of α‐synuclein remains unclear. Here, we constructed a cell‐to‐cell transmission model of α‐synuclein using SN4741 cell line based on adenovirus vectors. Cells were treated with FeCl2, and α‐synuclein aggregation and transmission were then evaluated. In addition, the possible mechanisms were investigated through gene knockdown or over‐expression. Our results demonstrated that iron promoted α‐synuclein aggregation and transmission by inhibiting autophagosome‐lysosome fusion. Furthermore, iron decreased the expression of nuclear transcription factor EB (TFEB), a master transcriptional regulator of autophagosome‐lysosome fusion, and inhibited its nuclear translocation through activating AKT/mTORC1 signaling. After silencing TFEB, ratios of α‐synuclein aggregation and transmission were not significantly altered by the presence of iron; on the other hand, when TFEB was over‐expressed, the transmission of α‐synuclein induced by iron was obviously reversed; suggesting the mechanism by which iron promotes α‐synuclein transmission may be mediated by TFEB. Taken together, our data reveal a previously unknown relationship between iron and α‐synuclein, and identify TFEB as not only a potential target for preventing α‐synuclein transmission, but also a critical factor for iron‐induced α‐synuclein aggregation and transmission. Indeed, this newly discovered role of iron and TFEB in synucleinopathies may provide novel targets for developing therapeutic strategies to prevent α‐synuclein transmission in Parkinson's disease.

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Heavy livestock grazing negatively impacts a marsupial ecosystem engineer
Authors: Neilly H. , Schwarzkopf L.
Published: January 2018

Ecosystem engineers play an important role in resource availability and can be negatively impacted by anthropogenic disturbances, such as livestock grazing. The decline of digging and burrowing mammals in Australia is partly attributed to agriculture, however little is known about their use of microhabitats, and thus, how they respond to different cattle grazing regimes. Here, we examine the response of a marsupial ecosystem engineer, the rufous bettong (Aepyprymnus rufescens) to cattle grazing strategies and vegetation types, and examine whether microhabitat selection is driving this response. We hypothesized that rufous bettongs would be negatively impacted by heavy cattle grazing due to their use of ground‐level microhabitat features. We conducted a mark‐recapture trapping survey among four grazing treatments and in two vegetation types (box and ironbark woodlands), at a 20‐year grazing trial in northern Australia. We modelled rufous bettong abundance in response to grazing treatment and vegetation type and determined microhabitat preference using Manly selection ratios. We found that rufous bettongs preferred ironbark and avoided heavy grazing. Thus, they avoided the areas of highest cattle utilization. On average, individuals preferred high grass and other terrestrial microhabitat variables of moderate complexity. Our results indicate that habitat selection is contributing to the response of a marsupial ecosystem engineer to different grazing strategies. Mammalian digging and burrowing ecosystem engineers should be a conservation focus on rangelands due to their positive influence on a suite of species, and their ability to potentially mitigate some of the negative impacts of cattle grazing on soil health.
A putative LysR‐type transcriptional regulator PrhO positively regulates the type III secretion system and contributes to the virulence of Ralstonia solanacearum
Authors: Zhang Yong , Li Jiaman , Zhang Weiqi , Shi Hualei , Luo Feng , Hikichi Yasufumi , Shi Xiaojun , Ohnishi Kouhei
Published: January 2018

LysR‐type transcriptional regulators (LTTRs) are ubiquitous and abundant amongst bacteria and control a variety of cellular processes. Here, we investigated the effect of Rsc1880 (a putative LTTR, hereafter designated as PrhO) on the pathogenicity of Ralstonia solanacearum. Deletion of prhO substantially reduced the expression of the type III secretion system (T3SS) both in vitro and in planta, and resulted in significantly impaired virulence in tomato and tobacco plants. Complementary prhO completely restored the reduced virulence and T3SS expression to that of the wild‐type. Moreover, PrhO‐dependent T3SS and virulence were conserved amongst R. solanacearum species. However, deletion of prhO did not alter biofilm formation, swimming mobility and in planta growth. The expression of some type III effectors was significantly reduced in prhO mutants, but the hypersensitive response was not affected in tobacco leaves. Consistent with the key regulatory role of HrpB on T3SS, PrhO positively regulated the T3SS through HrpB. Furthermore, PrhO regulated hrpB expression via two close paralogues, HrpG and PrhG, which are two‐component response regulators and positively regulate hrpB expression in a parallel manner. However, deletion of prhO did not alter the expression of phcA, prhJ and prhN, which are also involved in hrpB regulation. In addition, PrhO was expressed in a cell density‐dependent manner, but negatively repressed by itself. No regulation was observed for HrpB, PhcA and PrhN on prhO expression. Taken together, we genetically demonstrated that PrhO is a novel virulence regulator of R. solanacearum, which positively regulates T3SS expression through HrpG, PrhG and HrpB and contributes to virulence.
Plant ‘muscles’: fibers with a tertiary cell wall
Authors: Gorshkova Tatyana , Chernova Tatyana , Mokshina Natalia , Ageeva Marina , Mikshina Polina
Published: January 2018

Plants, although sessile organisms, are nonetheless able to move their body parts; for example, during root contraction of geophytes or in the gravitropic reaction by woody stems. One of the major mechanisms enabling these movements is the development of specialized structures that possess contractile properties. Quite unlike animal muscles, for which the action is driven by protein–protein interactions in the protoplasma, the action of plant ‘muscles’ is polysaccharide‐based and located in the uniquely designed, highly cellulosic cell wall that is deposited specifically in fibers. This review describes the development of such cell walls as a widespread phenomenon in the plant kingdom, gives reasons why it should be considered as a tertiary cell wall, and discusses the mechanism of action of the ‘muscles’. The origin of the contractile properties lies in the tension of the axially oriented cellulose microfibrils due to entrapment of rhamnogalacturonan‐I aggregates that limits the lateral interaction of microfibrils. Long side chains of the nascent rhamnogalacturonan‐I are trimmed off during cell wall maturation leading to tension development. Similarities in the tertiary cell wall design in fibers of different plant origin indicate that the basic principles of tension creation may be universal in various ecophysiological situations.
Quantitative genetic methods depending on the nature of the phenotypic trait
Authors: de Villemereuil Pierre
Published: January 2018

A consequence of the assumptions of the infinitesimal model, one of the most important theoretical foundations of quantitative genetics, is that phenotypic traits are predicted to be most often normally distributed (so‐called Gaussian traits). But phenotypic traits, especially those interesting for evolutionary biology, might be shaped according to very diverse distributions. Here, I show how quantitative genetics tools have been extended to account for a wider diversity of phenotypic traits using first the threshold model and then more recently using generalized linear mixed models. I explore the assumptions behind these models and how they can be used to study the genetics of non‐Gaussian complex traits. I also comment on three recent methodological advances in quantitative genetics that widen our ability to study new kinds of traits: the use of “modular” hierarchical modeling (e.g., to study survival in the context of capture–recapture approaches for wild populations); the use of aster models to study a set of traits with conditional relationships (e.g., life‐history traits); and, finally, the study of high‐dimensional traits, such as gene expression.
Heat shock‐induced metabolic conversion of membrane lipids, fatty acids and volatile organic compounds of Pyropia haitanensis under different heat shock time
Authors: Song Yue , Zhao Jiali , Chen Juanjuan , Luo Qijun , Yang Rui , Xu Jilin , Chen Haimin , Yan Xiaojun
Published: January 2018

Lipid metabolites play an important role in understanding the stress physiology of Pyropia haitanensis, and can be used to facilitate development of stress‐resistant Pyropia cultivars. Therefore, in this study ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) based metabolomics approaches were developed to screen the responses of lipid metabolites such as phospholipids, glycolipids, fatty acids and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to different heat shock times. A total of 26 potential lipid biomarkers including Lyso‐monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (Lyso‐MGDG), Lyso‐digalactosyldiacylglycerol (Lyso‐DGDG), sulfoquinovosylmonoacylglycerols (SQMG), sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG), diacylglyceryltrimethylhomoserine (DGTS), triacylglycerol (TAG), Lyso‐phosphatidicacid (Lyso‐PA), Lyso‐phosphatidylcholine (Lyso‐PC), Lyso‐phosphatidylethanolamine (Lyso‐PE), Lyso‐phosphatidylglycerol (Lyso‐PG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylinositol (PI), and phosphatidylinositol phosphate (PIP) were identified, most of which responded to high temperature by reducing or increasing levels after stimulation for 1 h or 6 h. After times longer than 6 h, the levels of most lipids gradually recovered to the control group levels. Moreover, the balance of lipids and fatty acids transformation was disrupted. Overall, 11 total fatty acids (TFAs), 13 free fatty acids (FFAs) and 29 VOCs were identified during 0–72 h of high temperature stress. The FFAs, especially polyunsaturated C 20 fatty acids and VOCs, showed opposing change trends, indicating the transformation between C 20 fatty acids and VOCs. Overall, this study provides important insights into the metabolic variations of P. haitanensis under different heat shock time and the relationship between the conversion of lipids, fatty acids, and VOCs. The information provided herein will facilitate efficient development and improvement of Pyropia quality by producing cultivars resistant to high temperature.
Inorganic nitrogen source for autotrophic growth of Euglena mutabilis Schmitz
Authors: Zheng Jiaojiao , Haraguchi Akira
Published: January 2018

The effect of inorganic nitrogen source on population growth of Euglena mutabilis, an acidophillic benthic protozoa colonizing on the sediment of acid mine drainage, was investigated. Sodium nitrate, ammonium chloride, and ammonium sulfate were tested as nitrogen sources. The population density of E. mutabilis at equilibrium density cultivated in ammonium chloride‐ and ammonium sulfate‐containing media was 9–11 times higher than that in sodium nitrate‐containing medium at the optimal salt medium concentration. The population growth of E. mutabilis in ammonium sulfate‐containing medium was rapid and reached half of the equilibrium density after ca. 228 h, which was ca. 77 h earlier than that in ammonium chloride‐containing medium. Culture medium with ammonium sulfate as the nitrogen source achieved the highest maximum population density and the fastest growth rate among the three nitrogen salts used as nitrogen sources.
Precipitation conditions at the mountain study site of Bílý Kříž (the Beskids Mts.) during the past 20 years
Authors: Marková Irena , Janouš Dalibor , Holata Filip
Published: January 2018

Expected global climate change can cause changes in several hydrological cycle processes, such as the intensity and frequency of precipitation, river flows, evapotranspiration rates, soil moisture, and groundwater recharge. Precipitation conditions have been observed at the mountain study site of Bílý Kříž (the Beskids Mts., Czech Republic) since 1989. This paper presents the analysis of long-term (1997–2016) precipitation conditions at this study site. Comparison of selected long-term mean precipitation characteristics with mean precipitation characteristics for the 1997–2016 period reported differences in only some parameters. The number of days without precipitation was slightly increasing. No statistically significant trend was found for the number of days with heavy rain. The study site was changed from being a per-humid to humid type as indicated by Lang’rain factor. More dry periods were determined at the past decade according to the standardized precipitation index.
Spatial and temporal trends in winter deposition of Pb, Be, Cu and Zn in selected mountain areas of Central Europe
Authors: Bohdálková Leona , Hruška Jakub
Published: January 2018

Atmospheric depositions of trace metals have been the focus of attention because of their potential toxicity to living organisms. In this paper, winter deposition rates of Pb, Be, Cu and Zn collected from 2009 to 2011 at 10 mountain-top localities in the border area of the Czech Republic were compared and summarized. Across the sites there were up to 7–8fold differences in Pb, Be and Zn deposition rates, and up to threefold differences in their Cu deposition rates. In all cases, rime contained higher amounts of Pb, Be, Cu and Zn compared to snow. More than 92 % of Pb, Cu and Zn occured in soluble (bioavailable) form, whereas only 34 % of Be was in soluble form. Recent trace metal concentrations in precipitation considerably decrease compared to those measured during the period of the highest atmospheric emissions in the 1980s. The industrial region in the northeast of the Czech Republic experienced moderate levels of Pb air pollution, while atmospheric Pb inputs in the rest of the country as well as overall inputs of Cu, Zn and Be were low, representing a low threat to human and ecosystem health. Between-site differences made it possible to classify sites into three categories according to their level of pollution load. A previously-mentioned north-south pollution gradient between the industrial north and rural south of the country was not observed. Sites in the northwest and in the south were among those with the lowest pollution loads. On the other hand, sites in the northeast were the most polluted due to their location near the industrial regions of southern Silesia (Poland) and Ostrava.
Projected changes in winter climate in Beskids Mountains during 21st century
Authors: Farda Aleš , Štěpánek Petr , Zahradníček Pavel , Skalák Petr , Meitner Jan
Published: January 2018

We have investigated the future changes of climate conditions during the winter season in the Beskids Mountains. During the 21st century mean winter temperature will increase by 2.0–6.3 °C and winter precipitation will increase by 12.5 – to 17.5 % - depending on the scenario. Higher winter temperatures will be reflected in the reduced number of frost days, the number of which may drop by 40 % according to the RCP8.5 scenario. Whilst our study expects general increase in precipitation, higher temperatures will lead to an increased evapotranspiration and also change in the form of precipitation from solid (snow, rime) to liquid (rain, drizzling). Such trends could further propel the unfavorable changes in the water balance budget.
Effects of Subsensory Noise and Fatigue on Knee Landing and Cross-over Cutting Biomechanics in Male Athletes
Authors: Qu Xingda , Jiang Jianxin , Hu Xinyao
Published: January 2018

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of subsensory noise and fatigue on knee biomechanics during the athletic task of landing followed by cross-over cutting. A total of 32 healthy male athletes participated in the study. They were evenly divided into 2 groups: no fatigue group and fatigue group. Fatigue was induced to the lower extremity by a repetitive squatting exercise in the fatigue group. Subsensory noise was generated by linear miniature vibrators bilaterally placed around the knee joints. During data collection, the participants were instructed to perform landing followed by cross-over cutting in both the subsensory on and off conditions. Dependent variables were selected to assess knee biomechanics in the phases of landing and cross-over cutting, separately. Results showed that fatigue resulted in larger knee flexion during landing and larger knee internal rotation during cross-over cutting. Subsensory noise was found to reduce knee rotation impulse during cross-over cutting. These findings suggest that cross-over cutting is more dangerous than landing in the fatigue condition, and subsensory noise may lead to changes in knee biomechanics consistent with reduced risk of anterior cruciate ligament injuries, but the changes may be task-specific.
Estimates of Achilles Tendon Moment Arm Length at Different Ankle Joint Angles: Effect of Passive Moment
Authors: Fletcher Jared R. , MacIntosh Brian R.
Published: January 2018

The length of a muscle’s moment arm can be estimated non-invasively using ultrasound, and the tendon excursion method. The main assumption with the tendon excursion method, however, is that the force acting on the tendon during passive rotation is constant. However, passive force changes through the range of motion, and moment arm is underestimated. We attempted to account for passive force on the measurement of Achilles tendon moment arm using the tendon excursion method in 8 male and female runners. Tendon excursion was measured using ultrasound while the ankle was passively rotated at 0.17 rad•s-1. Moment arm was calculated at 5° intervals as the ratio of tendon displacement to joint rotation from 70° to 115°. Passive moment (MP) was measured by a dynamometer. The displacement attributable to MP was calculated by monitoring tendon displacement during a ramp isometric maximum contraction. MP was 5.7±2.1 Nm at 70° and decreased exponentially from 70°-90°. °. This resulted in MP-corrected moment arms that were significantly larger than uncorrected moment arms at joint angles where MP was present. Further, MP-corrected moment arms did not change with ankle angle, which was not the case for uncorrected moment arms.
Intron splicing for lipid biosynthesis
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: January 2018

mTORC1 regulates de novo lipogenesis by enhancing the splicing of introns from transcripts encoding lipogenic enzymes.
Bacterial Catabolism of β-Hydroxypropiovanillone and β-Hydroxypropiosyringone Produced in the Reductive Cleavage of Arylglycerol-β-Aryl Ether in Lignin
Authors: Higuchi Yudai , Aoki Shogo , Takenami Hiroki , Kamimura Naofumi , Takahashi Kenji , Hishiyama Shojiro , Lancefield Christopher S. , Ojo O. Stephen , Katayama Yoshihiro , Westwood Nicholas J. , Masai Eiji
Published: January 2018

Sphingobium
sp. strain SYK-6 converts four stereoisomers of arylglycerol-β-guaiacyl ether into achiral β-hydroxypropiovanillone (HPV) via three stereospecific reaction steps. Here, we determined the HPV catabolic pathway and characterized the HPV catabolic genes involved in the first two steps of the pathway. In SYK-6 cells, HPV was oxidized to vanilloyl acetic acid (VAA) via vanilloyl acetaldehyde (VAL). The resulting VAA was further converted into vanillate through the activation of VAA by coenzyme A. A syringyl-type HPV analog, β-hydroxypropiosyringone (HPS), was also catabolized via the same pathway. SLG_12830 (
hpvZ
), which belongs to the glucose-methanol-choline oxidoreductase family, was isolated as the HPV-converting enzyme gene. An
hpvZ
mutant completely lost the ability to convert HPV and HPS, indicating that
hpvZ
is essential for the conversion of both the substrates. HpvZ produced in
Escherichia coli
oxidized both HPV and HPS and other 3-phenyl-1-propanol derivatives. HpvZ localized to both the cytoplasm and membrane of SYK-6 and used ubiquinone derivatives as electron acceptors. Thirteen gene products of the 23 aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) genes in SYK-6 were able to oxidize VAL into VAA. Mutant analyses suggested that multiple ALDH genes, including SLG_20400, contribute to the conversion of VAL. We examined whether the genes encoding feruloyl-CoA synthetase (
ferA
) and feruloyl-CoA hydratase/lyase (
ferB
and
ferB2
) are involved in the conversion of VAA. Only FerA exhibited activity toward VAA; however, disruption of
ferA
did not affect VAA conversion. These results indicate that another enzyme system is involved in VAA conversion.

IMPORTANCE
Cleavage of the β-aryl ether linkage is the most essential process in lignin biodegradation. Although the bacterial β-aryl ether cleavage pathway and catabolic genes have been well documented, there have been no reports regarding the catabolism of HPV or HPS, the products of cleavage of β-aryl ether compounds. HPV and HPS have also been found to be obtained from lignin by chemoselective catalytic oxidation by 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone/
tert
-butyl nitrite/O
2
, followed by cleavage of the β-aryl ether with zinc. Therefore, value-added chemicals are expected to be produced from these compounds. In this study, we determined the SYK-6 catabolic pathways for HPV and HPS and identified the catabolic genes involved in the first two steps of the pathways. Since SYK-6 catabolizes HPV through 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylate, which is a building block for functional polymers, characterization of HPV catabolism is important not only for understanding the bacterial lignin catabolic system but also for lignin utilization.
Complete Genome Sequence of ZG49, a T7-Like Bacteriophage Lytic to
Escherichia coli
Isolates
Authors: Shi Hongyan , Guo Zhonghe , Liu Yangyang , Hao Yuchong , Li Jinghua , Sun Yanbo
Published: January 2018

Here, we describe the complete genome sequence of the
Escherichia coli
bacteriophage ZG49, isolated from a sewage sample. ZG49 is a linear double-stranded DNA T7-like podophage, with a genome of 40,291 bp, containing 44 predicted open reading frames.
Full-Genome Sequence of an Enterovirus 71 Strain Isolated from a Throat Swab from a Child with Severe Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Changzhou, China, in 2017
Authors: Li Qiong , Wang Feng-Ming , Mao Xu-Jian , Yao Ping , Jiang Xia , Jiang Jing-Yi , Chen Cong , Hu Fei-Fei , Li Jun-Hong
Published: January 2018

The full-length genome sequence of a human enterovirus 71 (EV71) strain (EV71/CZTN01/CHN/2017) was isolated from a throat swab from a child in Changzhou, China, in 2017. According to the phylogenetic analyses, the full-genome sequence in this study belongs to sub-subgenotype C4a.
Genome Sequence of “
Candidatus
Carsonella ruddii” Strain BT from the Psyllid
Bactericera trigonica
Authors: Katsir Leron , Zhepu Ruan , Piasezky Alon , Jiang Jiandong , Sela Noa , Freilich Shiri , Bahar Ofir
Published: January 2018

The genome of “
Candidatus
Carsonella ruddii” strain BT from
Bactericera trigonica
in Israel was sequenced. The full-length genome is 173,904 bp long and has a G+C content of 14.6%, with 224 predicted open reading frames (ORFs) and 30 RNAs.
Early deaths from ischaemic heart disease in childhood-onset type 1 diabetes
Authors: Evans-Cheung Trina C , Bodansky H Jonathan , Parslow Roger C , Feltbower Richard G
Published: January 2018

Aims

The risk of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) death in early type 1 diabetes onset was assessed using death certification data.

Methods

The Yorkshire Register of type 1 Diabetes in Children and Young People was linked to clinically validated death certification data for those diagnosed under 15 years. Standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated using the England and Wales population and IHD death rates between 1978 and 2014 by 5-year age group and sex.

Results

The cohort included 4382 individuals (83â€‰097 person years). Of 156 deaths, nine were classed as IHD deaths before clinical validation. After clinical validation, 14 IHD deaths were classified, with an SMR of 13.8 (95% CI 8.2 to 23.3) and median age at death of 35.1 years (range 21.9â€“47.9 years).

Conclusions

There is an early emergence of death from IHD in early onset type 1 diabetes. Underascertainment of IHD deaths was present without clinical validation of death certification.
Parapedicular vertebral augmentation with polymethylmetacrylate for pedicle screw loosening
Authors: Clerk-Lamalice Olivier , Irani Zubin , Growney Marion , Beall Douglas P , Hirsch Joshua A
Published: January 2018

A 71-year-old man who had a L1/S1 posterior fusion revision surgery complained of increasing back pain 5 weeks after the open surgical procedure. The pain was initially estimated at 9/10 on the visual analog scale (VAS) and thought to be related to a right-sided L2 screw loosening. A right parapedicular vertebroplasty was performed and polymethylmethacrylate cement was instilled around the right pedicle screw, filling the anterior two-thirds of the vertebral body. On postvertebroplasty day 1, the patient had significant improvement in his low back pain. The pain further decreased at 1 and 3 months after the intervention (2/10 on the VAS). Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive, accessible, effective, and long lasting treatment for compression fractures. We believe that this technique could also be indicated to treat pain related to low grade screw loosening in properly selected patients.