bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sterols and Stanols in Foods and Dietary Supplements Containing Added Phytosterols: A Collaborative Study
Authors: Srigley Cynthia T. , Hansen Steven L. , Smith Sean A. , Abraham Anjalika , Bailey Eileen , Chen Xiang , Chooi Soo Hui , Clement Lisa M. , Dao Michael , Fardin Kia Ali Reza , Mitchell Barb , Mogla Mohit , Ruano Ortiz Juan Antonio , Persons Keith , von Kries Edith , Ware George , Wubben Jason , Cantrill Richard
Published: April 2018

An international, multilaboratory collaborative study was carried out to evaluate the performance of Official Method Ce 12‐16 of the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS) for the determination of plant sterols and stanols, collectively referred to as phytosterols, in foods and dietary supplements containing added phytosterols and in the phytosterol food additive concentrates used to prepare such products. AOCS Official Method Ce 12‐16 involves the extraction of free sterols/stanols and saponified steryl/stanol esters followed by the gas chromatographic separation and flame ionization detection of phytosterol trimethylsilyl ether derivatives. A total of 14 laboratories from six countries successfully completed the analysis of collaborative samples of foods (e.g., baked goods, beverages, margarines; n = 9), dietary supplements (n = 5), and phytosterol concentrates (n = 4). Study results for the contents of total phytosterols (weight/weight) were 0.19–8.4% for foods, 8.7–49% for dietary supplements, and 57–97% for concentrates. AOCS Official Method Ce 12‐16 showed acceptable performance for total and individual phytosterols, indicating that this method was suitable for the determination of added phytosterols in a wide variety of market products and concentrates. AOCS Official Method Ce 12‐16 is appropriate for the determination of the five major phytosterols (i.e., campesterol, stigmasterol, β‐sitosterol, campestanol, and sitostanol) that are the subject of the United States Food and Drug Administration's health claim for phytosterols and the reduced risk of coronary heart disease.
Emerging Treatment Models in Rheumatology: Challenges for Osteoarthritis Trials
Authors: Felson David T. , Neogi Tuhina
Published: April 2018

At a time when advancing understanding of osteoarthritis (OA) has created opportunities for new treatments, development of treatments has remained considerably behind advances in other rheumatic diseases. We describe elements of trial design and measurements that have inhibited success and offer suggestions that may help break the log jam. Among the problems with trials that include pain as an outcome measure are reliance on a single, non‐optimal pain outcome, overestimation of likely effects of treatments on pain, and failure to identify patient subgroups most likely to respond to specific treatments. With regard to the use of structure modification as an outcome measure, demonstrating structure modification is often highly challenging, even with the use of magnetic resonance imaging. Many OA patients have advanced disease that is unlikely to respond to treatments that prevent cartilage loss. Further, prevention of cartilage loss and reduction of pain correlate weakly at best, and in at least some patients, reduction in pain may actually increase joint damage, making it impossible to demonstrate dual treatment effects on structure and pain in such scenarios. For structure outcomes, treatment effects on pain‐sensitive structures such as bone and synovium may be more achievable than preventing cartilage loss. We suggest that changes in trial design related to some of these issues may increase the chances that new exciting and effective OA treatments will become available.
Identification of a PTEN mutation with reduced protein stability, phosphatase activity, and nuclear localization in Hong Kong patients with autistic features, neurodevelopmental delays, and macrocephaly
Authors: Wong Chi Wai , Or Penelope Mei Yu , Wang Yubing , Li Lisha , Li Jing , Yan Mingfei , Cao Ye , Luk Ho Ming , Tong Tony Ming For , Leslie Nick R. , Lo Ivan Fai‐Man , Choy Kwong Wai , Chan Andrew Man Lok
Published: April 2018

PTEN is a tumor suppressor gene inactivated in over 30% of human cancers. It encodes a lipid phosphatase that serves as a gatekeeper of the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase signaling pathway. Germline mutation frequently occurs in this gene in patients diagnosed with PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (PHTS). PHTS individuals are characterized by macrocephaly, benign growth of multiple tissues and increased tumor risk. In addition, autistic phenotypes are found in 10–20% of individuals carrying the germline PTEN mutation with macrocephaly. In this report, 13 suspected PHTS patients were screened for mutation in the PTEN gene. A missense variant (c. 302T > C) substituting the isoleucine at codon 101 to a threonine, a single nucleotide insertion (c. 327‐328insC) causing a frame shift mutation and termination at codon 109, and a nonsense variant (c. 1003C > T) truncated the protein at codon 335 were identified. The I101T mutation significantly reduced PTEN protein expression levels by 2.5‐ to 4.0‐fold. Mechanistically, I101T reduced the protein half‐life of PTEN possibly due to enhanced polyubiquitination at Lysine 13. However, the I101T mutant retained almost 30% of the lipid phosphatase activity of the wild‐type protein. Finally, the I101T mutant has reduced phosphorylation at a PTEN auto‐dephosphorylation site at Threonine 366 and a lowered ratio of nuclear to cytosolic protein level. These partial losses of multiple PTEN biochemical functions may contribute to the tissue overgrowth and autistic features of this PHTS patient. Autism Res 2018, 11: 1098–1109. © 2018 The Authors Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

The genetics of autism spectrum disorders is highly complex with individual risk influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Mutation in the human PTEN gene confers a high risk of developing autistic behavior. This report revealed that PTEN mutations occurred in 23% of a selected group of Hong Kong patients harboring autistic features with gross overgrowth symptoms. Detailed characterization of a PTEN mutation revealed reduced protein stability as one of the underlying mechanisms responsible for reduced PTEN activity.
Amorphous solid dispersions of carvedilol along with pH‐modifiers improved pharmacokinetic properties under hypochlorhydoria
Authors: Halder Shimul , Tabata Aiko , Seto Yoshiki , Sato Hideyuki , Onoue Satomi
Published: April 2018

Carvedilol (CAR) belongs to biopharmaceutics classification system class‐II drugs, with poor aqueous solubility and pH‐dependent solubility. The present study aimed to develop a novel amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) of CAR with acidic counter ions for pH modifications in microenvironment to improve the pharmacokinetic properties under hypochlorhydric conditions. CAR‐ASD was prepared by freeze‐drying in combination with counter ions and hydroxypropyl cellulose, and their physicochemical properties including dissolution behavior, storage stability, and photostability were characterized. Pharmacokinetic studies were carried out after oral administration of CAR samples in both normal and omeprazole‐treated (30 mg/kg, p.o.) rats as a hypochlorhydria model. Among the tested six counter ions, citric acid (CA) was found to be a preferable pH‐modifier of CAR with respect to the dissolution profile and photostability (both potency and colorimetric evaluation). In CAR‐ASD formulation with 50% loading of CA (CAR‐ASD/CA50), amorphization of CAR was observed during the preparation process. After the oral administration of crystalline CAR in rats under hypochlorhydric condition, there was a 34.4% reduction in the systemic exposure of CAR compared with that in normal rats. However, orally‐dosed CAR‐ASD/CA50 resulted in limited alterations of pharmacokinetic behavior between normal and omeprazole‐treated rats. From these findings, addition of CA as pH‐modifier in CAR‐ASD might provide consistent pharmacokinetic behavior of CAR even under hypochlorhydric conditions.
Improvement of functional properties of a thermostable β‐glycosidase for milk lactose hydrolysis
Authors: Ionata Elena , Marcolongo Loredana , La Cara Francesco , Cetrangolo Giovanni P. , Febbraio Ferdinando
Published: April 2018

In this work, a new exploitation of the thermostable β‐glycosidase from Sulfolobus solfataricus expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to create functional foods for low lactose diets was evaluated. For this purpose, the lactose hydrolysis reaction using immobilized and soluble enzymes was investigated. Activity and stability at different conditions of pH and temperature were tested. The immobilization process had a big impact on the catalysis performance, leading to an enhancement of the enzymatic reaction rate on lactose, as demonstrated by the increasing of 2 and 2.5 folds of Kcat and Kcat/KM, respectively. Moreover, the maximal activity for the immobilized form was referred at pH 6.5 instead of 7.0, leading to an improvement of the catalytic performance at milk pHs. Although the soluble enzyme was already weakly inhibited by the reaction products, the immobilization further reduced the inhibitory action of glucose increasing the Ki from 96.7 to 110.4 mM. Finally, the immobilized enzyme showed high hydrolysis rate in whole milk that yielded 99% of lactose breakdown in 10 and 30 min at 60 and 40°C, respectively. These results support the application of the immobilized β‐glycosidase for the development of new functional foods particularly suitable to the alleviation of lactose intolerance.
Educational tool for the learning of thermal comfort control based on PMV‐PPD indices
Authors: Ruz Mario L. , Garrido Juan , Vázquez Francisco
Published: April 2018

In this paper, an interactive educational tool designed for the learning of thermal comfort concepts is presented. Thermal comfort is one of the fundamental aspects of indoor environmental quality and energy savings in buildings. Comfort‐based control and energy management constitute an important emergent sub‐discipline of engineering studies. The developed tool allows for the definition of the thermal model of a house. Based on this model, thermal comfort is estimated through the predicted mean vote (PMV) and predicted percentage dissatisfied (PPD) indices, and energy consumption is also calculated. The tool can communicate through Modbus TCP/IP protocol, providing external connectivity and data collection from the different sensors available in a building management system (BMS). In this way, it is possible to calculate in real‐time the aforementioned comfort indices and propose corrective control indications to maintain the indoor‐air conditions inside the optimal comfort range. A simple control strategy that can be applied to conventional HVAC systems is also addressed. The tool is available for degree students in control engineering. A survey was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed tool.
Automatic manipulator for remote measurement of linear dimensions—development and integration in education courses
Authors: Šulc Jovan , Bajči Brajan , Reljić Vule , Milenković Ivana , Šešlija Dragan , Dudić Slobodan
Published: April 2018

Today, many different components in the industry are very expensive and are hardly accessible to individual users who want to examine them and gain knowledge through a real experiment. This paper describes the development of a remote device for measuring linear dimensions and integration into an educational course. The experiment is dedicated to students in technical fields. A new, unique device—automatic manipulator for remote measurement of linear dimensions provides reliable and precise measurement of linear dimensions in laboratory conditions. It is possible to operate the device directly or remotely via the Internet, using CEyeClon Viewer software, in several different modes. Also, an example of a test for knowledge verification is presented. Students provided feedback on the quality of the course through the evaluation questionnaire. The results show that learning with remote laboratories can be very successful.
Genetic overlap between endometriosis and endometrial cancer: evidence from cross‐disease genetic correlation and GWAS meta‐analyses
Authors: Painter Jodie N. , O'Mara Tracy A. , Morris Andrew P. , Cheng Timothy H. T. , Gorman Maggie , Martin Lynn , Hodson Shirley , Jones Angela , Martin Nicholas G. , Gordon Scott , Henders Anjali K. , Attia John , McEvoy Mark , Holliday Elizabeth G. , Scott Rodney J. , Webb Penelope M. , Fasching Peter A. , Beckmann Matthias W. , Ekici Arif B. , Hein Alexander , Rübner Matthias , Hall Per , Czene Kamila , Dörk Thilo , Dürst Matthias , Hillemanns Peter , Runnebaum Ingo , Lambrechts Diether , Amant Frederic , Annibali Daniela , Depreeuw Jeroen , Vanderstichele Adriaan , Goode Ellen L. , Cunningham Julie M. , Dowdy Sean C. , Winham Stacey J. , Trovik Jone , Hoivik Erling , Werner Henrica M. J. , Krakstad Camilla , Ashton Katie , Otton Geoffrey , Proietto Tony , Tham Emma , Mints Miriam , Ahmed Shahana , Healey Catherine S. , Shah Mitul , Pharoah Paul D. P. , Dunning Alison M. , Dennis Joe , Bolla Manjeet K. , Michailidou Kyriaki , Wang Qin , Tyrer Jonathan P. , Hopper John L. , Peto Julian , Swerdlow Anthony J. , Burwinkel Barbara , Brenner Hermann , Meindl Alfons , Brauch Hiltrud , Lindblom Annika , Chang‐Claude Jenny , Couch Fergus J. , Giles Graham G. , Kristensen Vessela N. , Cox Angela , Zondervan Krina T. , Nyholt Dale R. , MacGregor Stuart , Montgomery Grant W. , Tomlinson Ian , Easton Douglas F. , Thompson Deborah J. , Spurdle Amanda B.
Published: April 2018

Epidemiological, biological, and molecular data suggest links between endometriosis and endometrial cancer, with recent epidemiological studies providing evidence for an association between a previous diagnosis of endometriosis and risk of endometrial cancer. We used genetic data as an alternative approach to investigate shared biological etiology of these two diseases. Genetic correlation analysis of summary level statistics from genomewide association studies (GWAS) using LD Score regression revealed moderate but significant genetic correlation (rg = 0.23, P = 9.3 × 10−3), and SNP effect concordance analysis provided evidence for significant SNP pleiotropy (P = 6.0 × 10−3) and concordance in effect direction (P = 2.0 × 10−3) between the two diseases. Cross‐disease GWAS meta‐analysis highlighted 13 distinct loci associated at P ≤ 10−5 with both endometriosis and endometrial cancer, with one locus (SNP rs2475335) located within PTPRD associated at a genomewide significant level (P = 4.9 × 10−8, OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.07–1.15). PTPRD acts in the STAT3 pathway, which has been implicated in both endometriosis and endometrial cancer. This study demonstrates the value of cross‐disease genetic analysis to support epidemiological observations and to identify biological pathways of relevance to multiple diseases.
Regulation of NCAPG by miR‐99a‐3p (passenger strand) inhibits cancer cell aggressiveness and is involved in CRPC
Authors: Arai Takayuki , Okato Atsushi , Yamada Yasutaka , Sugawara Sho , Kurozumi Akira , Kojima Satoko , Yamazaki Kazuto , Naya Yukio , Ichikawa Tomohiko , Seki Naohiko
Published: April 2018

Effective treatments for patients with castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) have not yet been established. Novel approaches for identification of putative therapeutic targets for CRPC are needed. Analyses of RNA sequencing of microRNA (miRNA) expression revealed that miR‐99a‐3p (passenger strand) is significantly downregulated in several types of cancers. Here, we aimed to identify novel miR‐99a‐3p regulatory networks and therapeutic targets for CRPC. Ectopic expression of miR‐99a‐3p significantly inhibited cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in PCa cells. Non‐SMC condensin I complex subunit G (NCAPG) was a direct target of miR‐99a‐3p in PCa cells. Overexpression of NCAPG was detected in CRPC clinical specimens and was significantly associated with shorter disease‐free survival and advanced clinical stage. Knockdown of NCAPG inhibited cancer cell aggressiveness. The passenger strand miR‐99a‐3p acted as an antitumor miRNA in naïve PCa and CRPC. NCAPG was regulated by miR‐99a‐3p, and its overexpression was involved in CRPC pathogenesis. Involvement of passenger strand of miRNA in cancer pathogenesis is novel concept, and identification of antitumor miRNA regulatory networks in CRPC might be provided novel prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for this disease.
Theoretical study on the reaction mechanisms of Michael chirality addition between propionaldehyde and nitroalkene catalyzed by an enantioselective catalyst
Authors: Zhou Xinming , Li Ling , Sun Xuejun , Wang Yajun , Du Dongmei , Fu Hui
Published: April 2018

The asymmetric Michael addition between propionaldehyde and nitroalkene catalyzed by 8‐(ethoxycarbonyl)‐1,2,3,3a,8,8a‐hexahydropyrrolo[2,3‐b]indole‐2‐carboxylic acid has obtained relatively high yields and excellent enantioselectivities at room temperature. In this study, the molecular structures and optical activity of the most stable conformation I are optimized at B3LYP/6‐311++ G(d,p) level. We find that levorotatory conformation I catalyzing the same Michael addition can produce laevo‐product A and dextrorotatory conformation I′ can obtain the dextral‐product A'. These results have guiding significance for further studying on the new chemzymes and the mechanism of the obtained different chiral products.
Bidirectional individual corresponding colors data
Authors: Cai Shengyan , Fairchild Mark D.
Published: April 2018

The precision of corresponding colors data is critical to improve chromatic adaptation models. This research aims to obtain high precision and individually resolved corresponding colors data, as well as to look into the reversibility of chromatic adaptation. The experiment included 2 phases. The illumination changes were simply reverses of one another. The mean results of the forward phase across 9 observers were adopted as the test colors in the reverse phase. The CIEDE2000‐unit standard deviations of the results across 9 observers in the forward and reverse phases are 2.81 and 2.56, respectively. The standard error of the mean of the results of individual observers and across 9 observers of the 2 phases are all less than 1.0 CIEDE2000 unit, very significantly more precise than previously reported data. Nevertheless, by examination of the bidirectional procedures, it is concluded that there might be need to improve accuracy or contemplate a reality in which chromatic adaptation is not a reversible process (ie, has a significant hysteresis effect). The mean biases between the test colors of the forward phase and the visual results of the reverse phase for each individual across 5 colors are averaged at 7.2 CIEDE2000 units. The average value for overall data is nearly 6.0 CIEDE2000 units. This indicates that chromatic adaptation in this experiment is not reversible. The discrepancies are rather large and need to be explored further. One possible, but by no means definitive, explanation is that the biases are might be caused by memory distortions in the experiment.
Remission of loss of control eating and changes in components of the metabolic syndrome
Authors: Shank Lisa M. , Tanofsky‐Kraff Marian , Radin Rachel M. , Shomaker Lauren B. , Wilfley Denise E. , Young Jami F. , Brady Sheila , Olsen Cara H. , Reynolds James C. , Yanovski Jack A.
Published: April 2018

Objective

Pediatric loss of control (LOC) eating prospectively predicts the worsening of metabolic syndrome components. However, it is unknown if remission of LOC eating is associated with improvements in metabolic health. Therefore, we conducted a secondary analysis of a trial that enrolled adolescent girls with LOC eating, examining whether LOC remission (vs. persistence) at end‐of‐treatment was associated with changes in metabolic syndrome components at 6‐month follow‐up.

Method

One hundred three adolescent girls (age 14.5 ± 1.7 years; BMI‐z 1.5 ± 0.3; 56.3% non‐Hispanic White, 24.3% non‐Hispanic Black) with elevated weight (75th–97th BMI %ile) and reported LOC eating were assessed for metabolic syndrome components at baseline and again six months following the interventions. The main effects of LOC status at end‐of‐treatment (persistence vs. remission) on metabolic syndrome components (waist circumference, lipids, glucose, and blood pressure) at 6‐month follow‐up were examined, adjusting for baseline age, depressive symptoms, LOC frequency, fat mass, and height, as well as race, change in height, change in fat mass, and the baseline value of each respective component.

Results

Youth with LOC remission at end‐of‐treatment had lower glucose (83.9 ± 6.4 vs. 86.5 ± 5.8 mg/dL; p = .02), higher high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (50.3 ± 11.8 vs. 44.8 ± 11.9 mg/dL; p = .01), and lower triglycerides (84.4 ± 46.2 vs. 96.9 ± 53.7 mg/dL; p = .02) at 6‐month follow‐up when compared with youth with persistent LOC, despite no baseline differences in these components. No other component significantly differed by LOC eating status (ps > .05).

Discussion

Reducing LOC eating in adolescent girls may have a beneficial impact on some components of the metabolic syndrome.
Habitat properties and plant traits interact as drivers of non‐native plant species’ seed production at the local scale
Authors: Lembrechts Jonas J. , Rossi Evi , Milbau Ann , Nijs Ivan
Published: April 2018

To answer the long‐standing question if we can predict plant invader success based on characteristics of the environment (invasibility) or the invasive species (invasiveness), or the combination of both, there is a need for detailed observational studies in which habitat properties, non‐native plant traits, and the resulting invader success are locally measured. In this study, we assess the interaction of gradients in the environmental and trait space on non‐native species fitness, expressed as seed production, for a set of 10 invasive and noninvasive non‐native species along a wide range of invaded sites in Flanders. In our multidimensional approach, most of the single environmental gradients (temperature, light availability, native plant species diversity, and soil fertility) and sets of non‐native plant traits (plant size, photosynthesis, and foliar chemical attributes) related positively with invader seed production. Yet correlation with seed production was much stronger when several environmental gradients were assessed in interaction, and even more so when we combined plant traits and habitat properties. The latter increased explanatory power of the models on average by 25% for invasive and by 7% for noninvasive species. Additionally, we report a 70‐fold higher seed production in invasive than in noninvasive species and fundamentally different correlations of seed production with plant traits and habitat properties in noninvasive versus invasive species. We conclude that locally measured traits and properties deserve much more attention than they currently get in invasion literature and thus encourage further studies combining this level of detail with the generality of a multiregion and multispecies approach across different stages of invasion.
Predictable ecological response to rising CO2 of a community of marine phytoplankton
Authors: Pardew Jacob , Blanco Pimentel Macarena , Low‐Decarie Etienne
Published: April 2018

Rising atmospheric CO2 and ocean acidification are fundamentally altering conditions for life of all marine organisms, including phytoplankton. Differences in CO2 related physiology between major phytoplankton taxa lead to differences in their ability to take up and utilize CO2. These differences may cause predictable shifts in the composition of marine phytoplankton communities in response to rising atmospheric CO2. We report an experiment in which seven species of marine phytoplankton, belonging to four major taxonomic groups (cyanobacteria, chlorophytes, diatoms, and coccolithophores), were grown at both ambient (500 μatm) and future (1,000 μatm) CO2 levels. These phytoplankton were grown as individual species, as cultures of pairs of species and as a community assemblage of all seven species in two culture regimes (high‐nitrogen batch cultures and lower‐nitrogen semicontinuous cultures, although not under nitrogen limitation). All phytoplankton species tested in this study increased their growth rates under elevated CO2 independent of the culture regime. We also find that, despite species‐specific variation in growth response to high CO2, the identity of major taxonomic groups provides a good prediction of changes in population growth and competitive ability under high CO2. The CO2‐induced growth response is a good predictor of CO2‐induced changes in competition (R2 > .93) and community composition (R2 > .73). This study suggests that it may be possible to infer how marine phytoplankton communities respond to rising CO2 levels from the knowledge of the physiology of major taxonomic groups, but that these predictions may require further characterization of these traits across a diversity of growth conditions. These findings must be validated in the context of limitation by other nutrients. Also, in natural communities of phytoplankton, numerous other factors that may all respond to changes in CO2, including nitrogen fixation, grazing, and variation in the limiting resource will likely complicate this prediction.
Phenotypic responses to microbial volatiles render a mold fungus more susceptible to insect damage
Authors: Caballero Ortiz Silvia , Trienens Monika , Pfohl Katharina , Karlovsky Petr , Holighaus Gerrit , Rohlfs Marko
Published: April 2018

In decomposer systems, fungi show diverse phenotypic responses to volatile organic compounds of microbial origin (volatiles). The mechanisms underlying such responses and their consequences for the performance and ecological success of fungi in a multitrophic community context have rarely been tested explicitly. We used a laboratory‐based approach in which we investigated a tripartite yeast–mold–insect model decomposer system to understand the possible influence of yeast‐borne volatiles on the ability of a chemically defended mold fungus to resist insect damage. The volatile‐exposed mold phenotype (1) did not exhibit protein kinase A‐dependent morphological differentiation, (2) was more susceptible to insect foraging activity, and (3) had reduced insecticidal properties. Additionally, the volatile‐exposed phenotype was strongly impaired in secondary metabolite formation and unable to activate “chemical defense” genes upon insect damage. These results suggest that volatiles can be ecologically important factors that affect the chemical‐based combative abilities of fungi against insect antagonists and, consequently, the structure and dynamics of decomposer communities.
The thermal dependency of locomotor performance evolves rapidly within an invasive species
Authors: Kosmala Georgia K. , Brown Gregory P. , Christian Keith A. , Hudson Cameron M. , Shine Richard
Published: April 2018

Biological invasions can stimulate rapid shifts in organismal performance, via both plasticity and adaptation. We can distinguish between these two proximate mechanisms by rearing offspring from populations under identical conditions and measuring their locomotor abilities in standardized trials. We collected adult cane toads (Rhinella marina) from invasive populations that inhabit regions of Australia with different climatic conditions. We bred those toads and raised their offspring under common‐garden conditions before testing their locomotor performance. At high (but not low) temperatures, offspring of individuals from a hotter location (northwestern Australia) outperformed offspring of conspecifics from a cooler location (northeastern Australia). This disparity indicates that, within less than 100 years, thermal performance in cane toads has adapted to the novel abiotic challenges that cane toads have encountered during their invasion of tropical Australia.
Areas of high conservation value at risk by plant invaders in Georgia under climate change
Authors: Slodowicz Daniel , Descombes Patrice , Kikodze David , Broennimann Olivier , Müller‐Schärer Heinz
Published: April 2018

Invasive alien plants (IAP) are a threat to biodiversity worldwide. Understanding and anticipating invasions allow for more efficient management. In this regard, predicting potential invasion risks by IAPs is essential to support conservation planning into areas of high conservation value (AHCV) such as sites exhibiting exceptional botanical richness, assemblage of rare, and threatened and/or endemic plant species. Here, we identified AHCV in Georgia, a country showing high plant richness, and assessed the susceptibility of these areas to colonization by IAPs under present and future climatic conditions. We used actual protected areas and areas of high plant endemism (identified using occurrences of 114 Georgian endemic plant species) as proxies for AHCV. Then, we assessed present and future potential distribution of 27 IAPs using species distribution models under four climate change scenarios and stacked single‐species potential distribution into a consensus map representing IAPs richness. We evaluated present and future invasion risks in AHCV using IAPs richness as a metric of susceptibility. We show that the actual protected areas cover only 9.4% of the areas of high plant endemism in Georgia. IAPs are presently located at lower elevations around the large urban centers and in western Georgia. We predict a shift of IAPs toward eastern Georgia and higher altitudes and an increased susceptibility of AHCV to IAPs under future climate change. Our study provides a good baseline for decision makers and stakeholders on where and how resources should be invested in the most efficient way to protect Georgia's high plant richness from IAPs.
Geographic variation in body size and its relationship with environmental gradients in the Oriental Garden Lizard,Calotes versicolor
Authors: Wei Xiaomei , Yan Linmiao , Zhao Chengjian , Zhang Yueyun , Xu Yongli , Cai Bo , Jiang Ni , Huang Yong
Published: April 2018

Patterns of geographic variation in body size are predicted to evolve as adaptations to local environmental gradients. However, many of these clinal patterns in body size, such as Bergmann's rule, are controversial and require further investigation into ectotherms such as reptiles on a regional scale. To examine the environmental variables (temperature, precipitation, topography and primary productivity) that shaped patterns of geographic variation in body size in the reptileCalotes versicolor, we sampled 180 adult specimens (91 males and 89 females) at 40 locations across the species range in China. TheMANOVAresults suggest significant sexual size dimorphism inC. versicolor(F23,124 = 11.32,p < .001). Our results showed thatC. versicolorfailed to fit the Bergmann's rule. We found that the most important predictors of variation in body size ofC. versicolordiffered for males and females, but mechanisms related to heat balance and water availability hypotheses were involved in both sexes. Temperature seasonality, precipitation of the driest month, precipitation seasonality, and precipitation of the driest quarter were the most important predictors of variation in body size in males, whereas mean precipitation of the warmest quarter, mean temperature of the wettest quarter, precipitation seasonality, and precipitation of the wettest month were most important for body size variation in females. The discrepancy between patterns of association between the sexes suggested that different selection pressures may be acting in males and females.
Distribution of alien animal species richness in the Czech Republic
Authors: Gebauer Radek , Divíšek Jan , Buřič Miloš , Večeřa Martin , Kouba Antonín , Drozd Bořek
Published: April 2018

Biogeographical barriers formed by natural forces over billions of years have been substantially disrupted by human activity, particularly in recent centuries. In response to these anthropogenic changes, global homogenization of biota is observed at an ever‐increasing rate, causing environmental and economic losses as well as emerging health risks. Identifying factors underlying alien species richness is essential for prevention of future introductions and subsequent spread. In this study, we examined the effects of environmental and human‐related factors on distribution of alien animal species richness in the Czech Republic (Central Europe). We compiled a set of maps showing the level of invasion of six categories of alien animal species in each of 628 grid cells (ca. 12.0 × 11.1 km) covering the Czech Republic. Relationships between alien species richness and 12 variables characterizing climatic conditions, topography, land cover, and human population size were calculated using the generalized least squares method. Species richness of all alien species, of invertebrates, and of terrestrial species showed the strongest positive relationship with mean annual temperature, while the number of black and grey (proposed prominent invaders) and aquatic species was most closely related to the presence of large rivers. Alien vertebrates showed a strong negative relationship with annual precipitation. The highest alien animal species richness was found in and near large population centers and in agricultural landscapes in warm and dry lowlands. The gateways for alien aquatic species are rather large rivers over sport fishing and aquaculture import. Compiled maps create a powerful visual communication tool, useful in development of programs to prevent future introductions.
Integrated massively parallel sequencing of 15 autosomal STRs and Amelogenin using a simplified library preparation approach
Authors: Xue Jian , Wu Riga , Pan Yajiao , Wang Shunxia , Qu Baowang , Qin Ying , Shi Yuequn , Zhang Chuchu , Li Ran , Zhang Liyan , Zhou Cheng , Sun Hongyu
Published: April 2018

Massively parallel sequencing (MPS) technologies, also termed as next‐generation sequencing (NGS), are becoming increasingly popular in study of short tandem repeats (STR). However, current library preparation methods are usually based on ligation or two‐round PCR that requires more steps, making it time‐consuming (about 2 days), laborious and expensive. In this study, a 16‐plex STR typing system was designed with fusion primer strategy based on the Ion Torrent S5 XL platform which could effectively resolve the above challenges for forensic DNA database‐type samples (bloodstains, saliva stains, etc.). The efficiency of this system was tested in 253 Han Chinese participants. The libraries were prepared without DNA isolation and adapter ligation, and the whole process only required approximately 5 h. The proportion of thoroughly genotyped samples in which all the 16 loci were successfully genotyped was 86% (220/256). Of the samples, 99.7% showed 100% concordance between NGS‐based STR typing and capillary electrophoresis (CE)‐based STR typing. The inconsistency might have been caused by off‐ladder alleles and mutations in primer binding sites. Overall, this panel enabled the large‐scale genotyping of the DNA samples with controlled quality and quantity because it is a simple, operation‐friendly process flow that saves labor, time and costs.
Barrier response to sea level rise and storms
Authors: Houser Chris
Published: April 2018

This commentary brings together, as a Virtual Special Issue, several recent papers in Earth Surface Processes and Landforms that improve our understanding of coastal barrier response to relative sea level rise and a change in the frequency and/or magnitude of storm events. The ability to predict barrier response depends on the ability to quantify the spatial and temporal scales of sediment exchange amongst the nearshore, beach and dune. This exchange controls the height of the dune, which in turn determines the transfer of sediment to the backbarrier through washover and/or blowouts. The papers in this issue provide new insight on beach–dune interaction and the importance of this interaction to long‐term barrier evolution across a range of sites and scales, and how active management can influence this interaction and alter barrier response. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A curvature‐free multiphase flow solver via surface stress‐based formulation
Authors: Ouazzi A. , Turek S. , Damanik H.
Published: April 2018

In this note, we show the link between the classical continuous surface stress and continuous surface force approaches together with special finite element method techniques toward a fully implicit level set method. Based on a modified surface stress formulation, neither normals nor curvature has to be explicitly calculated. The method is space‐dimension independent. Prototypical numerical tests of benchmarking character for a rising 2D bubble are provided for validating the accuracy of this new approach. We show additionally that the explicit redistancing can be avoided using a nonlinear PDE so that a fully implicit and even monolithic formulation of the corresponding multiphase problem gets feasible.
Variations in agronomic and grain quality traits of rice grown under irrigated lowland conditions in West Africa
Authors: Graham‐Acquaah Seth , Saito Kazuki , Traore Karim , Dieng Ibnou , Alognon Amakoe , Bah Saidu , Sow Abdoulaye , Manful John T.
Published: April 2018

Rice breeding in West Africa has been largely skewed toward yield enhancement and stress tolerance. This has led to the variable grain quality of locally produced rice in the region. This study sought to assess variations in the agronomic and grain quality traits of some rice varieties grown in this region, with a view to identifying sources of high grain yield and quality that could serve as potential donors in their breeding programs. Forty‐five varieties were grown under irrigated conditions in Benin and Senegal with two trials in each country. There were wide variations in agronomic and grain quality traits among the varieties across the trials. Cluster analysis using paddy yield, head rice yield, and chalkiness revealed that 68% of the total variation could be explained by five varietal groupings. One group comprising seven varieties (Afrihikari, BG90‐2, IR64, Sahel 108, WAT311‐WAS‐B‐B‐23‐7‐1, WAT339‐TGR‐5‐2, and WITA 10) had high head rice yield and low chalkiness. Of the varieties in this group, Sahel 108 had the highest paddy yield in three of the four trials. IR64 and Afrihikari had intermediate and low amylose content, respectively, with the rest being high‐amylose varieties. Another group of varieties consisting of B6144F‐MR‐6‐0‐0, C74, IR31851‐96‐2‐3‐2‐1, ITA222, Jaya, Sahel 305, WITA 1, and WITA 2 had high paddy yield but poor head rice yield and chalkiness. The use of materials from these two groups of varieties could accelerate breeding for high yielding rice varieties with better grain quality for local production in West Africa.
The impact of NHS expenditure on health outcomes in England: Alternative approaches to identification in all‐cause and disease specific models of mortality
Authors: Claxton Karl , Lomas James , Martin Stephen
Published: April 2018

Several recent studies have estimated the responsiveness of mortality to English National Health Service spending. Although broadly similar, the studies differ in how they identify the outcome equation. One approach uses conventional socio‐economic variables as instruments for endogenous health care expenditure, whereas the other exploits exogenous elements in the resource allocation formula for local budgets. The former approach has usually been applied to specific disease areas (e.g., for cancer and circulatory disease), whereas the other has only been applied to all‐cause mortality. In this letter, we compare the two approaches by using them to estimate the direct all‐cause elasticity as well as disease‐specific elasticities. We also calculate the implied all‐cause elasticity associated with the disease‐specific results. We find that the “funding rule” approach to identification can be successfully replicated and applied to disease area models. This is important because disease area models reduce the danger of aggregation bias present in all‐cause analysis, and they offer the opportunity to link estimated mortality effects to more complete measures of health outcome that reflect what is currently known about the survival and morbidity disease burden in different programmes.
Neck hematoma after major head and neck surgery: Risk factors, costs, and resource utilization
Authors: Shah‐Becker Shivani , Greenleaf Erin K. , Boltz Melissa M. , Hollenbeak Christopher S. , Goyal Neerav
Published: April 2018

Background

Postoperative cervical hematoma after major head and neck surgery is a feared complication. However, risk factors for developing this complication and attributable costs are not well‐established.

Methods

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was utilized compare patients with and without postoperative cervical hematoma. Logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors for hematoma formation and 30‐day mortality. Total inpatient length of stay (LOS) and costs were fit to generalized linear models.

Results

Of 32 071 patients, 1098 (3.4%) experienced a postoperative cervical hematoma. Male sex (odds ratio [OR] 1.38; P < .0001), black race (OR 1.35; P = .010), 4 or more comorbidities (OR 1.66; P < .0001), or presence of a preoperative coagulopathy (OR 6.76; P < .0001) were associated. Postoperative cervical hematoma was associated with 540% increased odds of death (P < .0001). The LOS and total excess costs were 5.14 days (P < .0001) and $17 887.40 (P < .0001), respectively.

Conclusion

Although uncommon, postoperative cervical hematoma is a life‐threatening complication of head and neck surgery with significant implications for outcomes and resource utilization.
Prognostic implications of CD44, NANOG, OCT4, and BMI1 expression in tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Rodrigues Maria Fernanda Setúbal Destro , Xavier Flávia Caló de Aquino , Andrade Nathália Paiva , Lopes Camila , Miguita Luiz Lucyene , Sedassari Bruno Tavares , Ibarra Ana Melissa Ccopa , López Rossana Verónica Mendoza , Kliemann Schmerling Claudia , Moyses Raquel Ajub , Tajara da Silva Eloiza Elena , Nunes Fabio Daumas
Published: April 2018

Background

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) contains a cell subpopulation referred to as cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are responsible for tumor growth, metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The CSC markers have been used to isolate these cells and as biomarkers to predict overall survival.

Methods

The CSC markers CD44, NANOG, OCT4, and BMI1 were investigated using reverse transcriptase‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and immunohistochemistry and correlated with clinicopathological parameters.

Results

The CD44 overexpression was associated with disease‐related death (P = 0.02) and worst prognosis. NANOG was upregulated in nontumoral margins and associated with T1/T2 classification, lymph node metastasis, and worst prognosis. OCT4 was associated with lymph node metastasis and worst overall survival. BMI1 and CD44v3 were overexpressed in tongue SCC. Coexpression of CD44++/NANOG++ was associated with worst overall survival when compared with patients with CD44‐/+/NANOG‐/+.

Conclusion

The CSC markers might play an important role not only in CSC trait acquisition but also in tongue SCC development and progression.
Investigation of thyroid nodules: A practical algorithm and review of guidelines
Authors: Song Jin Soo A. , Dmytriw Adam A. , Yu Eugene , Forghani Reza , Rotstein Lorne , Goldstein David , Poon Colin S.
Published: April 2018

Background

High resolution ultrasound has led to early detection of subclinical tumors and drastic increase in incidence of thyroid malignancy. To achieve a balance in appropriate investigation without perpetuating an overdiagnosis phenomenon, a concise set of evidence‐based recommendations to stratify risk is required.

Methods

We sought to assemble an evidence‐based diagnostic algorithm and accompanying pictorial review for workup of thyroid nodules that summarizes the most recent guidelines. In addition, we conducted a literature search and analysis of our imaging databases.

Results

Although many imaging features of benign and malignant nodules can be nonspecific, others, such as microcalcifications, lymphadenopathy, and peripheral invasion, are highly suggestive of malignancy. The predictive values of salient imaging characteristics are presented.

Conclusion

Evidence‐based guidelines are available such that a cost‐effective algorithm for thyroid nodule workup can be devised. Conservative management with a focus on periodic monitoring is the working clinical consensus on the approach to thyroid nodules.
Describing the dynamic nature of transactions costs during political event risk episodes
Authors: Putnam Bluford , McDannel Graham , Ayikara Mohandas , Peyyalamitta Lakshmi Sameera
Published: April 2018

Transactions costs as measured by how wide the bid‐ask spread expands to execute fully large trades is a dynamically evolving process, especially during political risk event episodes. Our research looks at four case studies of political event risk: The UK “Brexit” referendum of June 2016, the US elections of November 2016, the first round of the French Presidential election in April 2017, and the UK “snap” Parliamentary election in June 2017. Each of these political events represented cases where the date of the event was known while the pre‐event expectations were dealing with highly polar possible outcomes. This created the possibility of pre‐event bi‐modal return expectation probability distributions, which would resolve into single‐mode distributions as the outcome become known. We examine second‐by‐second order book data for the relevant futures products and describe how transactions costs dynamically evolved during the “outcome discovery” period and then the “post‐outcome re‐balancing” period.
Recent changes in the sediment regime of the Pearl River (South China): Causes and implications for the Pearl River Delta
Authors: Liu Feng , Hu Shuai , Guo Xiaojuan , Luo Xiangxin , Cai Huayang , Yang Qingshu
Published: April 2018

Riverine sediments have played an important role in the morphological evolution of river channels and river deltas. However, the sediment regime in the many world's rivers has been altered in the context of global changes. In this study, temporal changes in the sediment regime of the Pearl River were examined at different time scales, that is, annual, seasonal, and monthly time scales, using the Mann–Kendall test. The results revealed that precipitation variability was responsible for monthly and seasonal distribution patterns of the sediment regime and the long‐term changes in the water discharge; however, dam operation has smoothed the seasonal distribution of water discharge and resulted in decreasing trends in the annual, wet‐season, and dry‐season sediment load series since the 1950s. Due to the different regulation magnitudes of dam operation, differences were observed in sediment regime changes among the three tributaries. In addition, human activities have altered the hysteresis of seasonal rating curves and affected hysteresis differences between increasing and decreasing water discharge stages. Sediment supply is an important factor controlling river channel dynamics, affecting channel morphology. From the 1950s to the 1980s, siltation was dominant in river channels across the West River and North River deltas in response to the sediment increases; however, scouring occurred in the East River deltas due to sediment reduction. Significant erosion occurred in river channels in the 1990s, which was mostly due to downcutting of the river bed caused by sand excavations and partly because of the reduced sediment load from upstream. Although sand excavations have been banned and controlled by authority agencies since 2000, the erosion of cross sections was still observed in the 2000s because of reduced sediment caused by dam construction. Our study examines the different effects of human activities on the sediment regime and downstream channel morphology, which is of substantial scientific importance for river management.