bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation of ITGA3 by the anti‐tumor miR‐199 family inhibits cancer cell migration and invasion in head and neck cancer
Authors: Koshizuka Keiichi , Hanazawa Toyoyuki , Kikkawa Naoko , Arai Takayuki , Okato Atsushi , Kurozumi Akira , Kato Mayuko , Katada Koji , Okamoto Yoshitaka , Seki Naohiko
Published: June 2017

For patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), survival rates have not improved due to local recurrence and distant metastasis. Current targeted molecular therapies do not substantially benefit HNSCC patients. Therefore, it is necessary to use advanced genomic approaches to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the aggressiveness of HNSCC cells. Analysis of our microRNA (miRNA) expression signature by RNA sequencing showed that the miR‐199 family (miR‐199a‐5p, miR‐199a‐3p, miR‐199b‐5p and miR‐199b‐3p) was significantly reduced in cancer tissues. Ectopic expression of mature miRNA demonstrated that all members of the miR‐199 family inhibited cancer cell migration and invasion by HNSCC cell lines (SAS and HSC3). These findings suggested that both passenger strands and guide strands of miRNA are involved in cancer pathogenesis. In silico database and genome‐wide gene expression analyses revealed that the gene coding for integrin α3 (ITGA3) was regulated by all members of the miR‐199 family in HNSCC cells. Knockdown of ITGA3 significantly inhibited cancer cell migration and invasion by HNSCC cells. Moreover, overexpression of ITGA3 was confirmed in HNSCC specimens, and high expression of ITGA3 predicted poorer survival of the patients (P = 0.0048). Our data revealed that both strands of pre‐miR‐199a (miR‐199a‐5p and miR‐199a‐3p) and pre‐miR‐199b (miR‐199b‐5p and miR‐199b‐3p) acted as anti‐tumor miRNA in HNSCC cells. Importantly, the involvement of passenger strand miRNA in the regulation of cellular processes is a novel concept in RNA research. Novel miRNA‐based approaches for HNSCC can be used to identify potential targets for the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Germline factor DDX4 functions in blood‐derived cancer cell phenotypes
Authors: Schudrowitz Natalie , Takagi Satoshi , Wessel Gary M. , Yajima Mamiko
Published: June 2017

DDX4 (the human ortholog of Drosophila Vasa) is an RNA helicase and is present in the germ lines of all metazoans tested. It was historically thought to be expressed specifically in germline, but with additional organisms studied, it is now clear that in some animals DDX4/Vasa functions outside of the germline, in a variety of somatic cells in the embryo and in the adult. In this report, we document that DDX4 is widely expressed in soma‐derived cancer cell lines, including myeloma (IM‐9) and leukemia (THP‐1) cells. In these cells, the DDX4 protein localized to the mitotic spindle, consistent with findings in other somatic cell functions, and its knockout in IM‐9 cells compromised cell proliferation and migration activities, and downregulated several cell cycle/oncogene factors such as CyclinB and the transcription factor E2F1. These results suggest that DDX4 positively regulates cell cycle progression of diverse somatic‐derived blood cancer cells, implying its broad contributions to the cancer cell phenotype and serves as a potential new target for chemotherapy.
Influence of eating quickly and eating until full on anthropometric gains in girls: A population‐based, longitudinal study
Authors: Ochiai H. , Shirasawa T. , Nanri H. , Nishimura R. , Hoshino H. , Kokaze A.
Published: June 2017

Background

In examining childhood overweight/obesity, there is a need to consider both eating quickly and eating until full. This longitudinal study investigated the influence of eating quickly and/or eating until full on anthropometric variables and becoming overweight/obese among Japanese schoolgirls.

Methods

Study participants were fourth‐grade schoolgirls (aged 9 or 10 years) in Ina Town, Japan. Physical examinations and a questionnaire survey were performed at baseline (fourth grade) and after 3 years (seventh grade). Height, weight, and waist circumference were measured in the physical examinations, while the data on eating quickly and eating until full were collected in the questionnaire survey. Analysis of variance and analysis of covariance were used to compare the differences in each anthropometric variable between fourth and seventh grade among groups.

Results

Data on 425 non‐overweight/obese schoolgirls in fourth grade were analyzed. Gains in anthropometric variables (body mass index, waist circumference, and waist‐to‐height ratio) from fourth to seventh grade were significantly larger in the “eating quickly and eating until full” group than in the “not eating quickly and not eating until full” group. In contrast, there were no significant differences in the gains between the “eating quickly or eating until full” group and the “not eating quickly and not eating until full” group. The proportion of overweight/obese girls in seventh grade was higher in the “eating quickly and eating until full” group than in the other groups.

Conclusions

Eating quickly and eating until full had a substantial impact on excess gains in anthropometric variables among schoolgirls, suggesting that modifying these eating behaviors may help prevent non‐overweight/obese girls from the excess gains. Accordingly, school health programs need to focus on not eating quickly and/or not eating until full to prevent overweight/obesity; it is necessary to emphasize “the risk of overweight/obesity associated with these eating behaviors” in schools.
The effect of dental health education on pregnant women's adherence with toothbrushing and flossing — A randomized control trial
Authors: Al Khamis Suad , Asimakopoulou Koula , Newton Tim , Daly Blanaid
Published: June 2017

Objectives

In a three‐arm randomized control trial, this study compared the efficacy of dental health education (DHE) with or without a planning intervention on adherence to oral health‐related behaviours.

Methods

Women (N=154) in their second trimester of pregnancy attending three maternal healthcare clinics in Kuwait completed an assessment of social cognitions and oral health behaviours before a debris and gingival assessment (Plaque Index [PI], Gingival Index [GI]) was undertaken; this was repeated at 1 month. In addition to treatment as usual (TAU), which was a demonstration of OH practices, intervention participants received one of two interventions: (i) DHE, which targeted social cognitions; or (ii) DHE and planning (DHE&P), which targeted social cognitions and intentions to undertake oral health behaviours. The TAU group was given a standard oral hygiene leaflet.

Results

At Time one (T1) 154 women were eligible and randomly allocated to the three groups, respectively: treatment as usual (TAU)=53; DHE=53; DHE and planning=48. At Time two (T2), the number of women in each group completing the intervention (N=90) was, respectively, as follows TAU=28; DHE=30; DHE&P=32. There were no demographic differences between the groups at baseline. The mean age of women was 27.80±SD 5.40; 43% (n=38) had a high school level education. A mixed factor ANOVA analysis demonstrated that all women improved their PI (F=94.343 df=1 P=.001) and GI (F=73.138 df=1 P=.001) scores. There were no differences in self‐reported oral hygiene and PI and GI by intervention group. The social cognition models (SCM) constructs changed over time in all women (N=90) except barriers to attendance (F=1.067 df=1 P=.305). There were no statistically significant differences in SCM constructs by intervention group at T2. All women reported increasing the frequency of toothbrushing and flossing.

Conclusions

The provision of information using a simple leaflet improved the adherence of Kuwaiti pregnant with toothbrushing and flossing advice, while the addition of DHE targeting social cognitions and planning conferred no additional benefits.
Pseudoaprosencephaly: Aplasia of the Forebrain in a Median Facial Cleft Syndrome with Arhinia and Anophthalmia
Authors: Schmitt Horst P. , Born Iwan A.
Published: June 2017

Report of a female fetus aborted at the 25th week of gestation, with severe microcephalus, trigonocephaly, median cleft lip and palate, arhinia, and anophthalmia. On opening of the skull the cranial cavity seemed to be occupied only by hindbrain structures. The forebrain, including the tentorium cerebelli and the falx were absent. However, in the light microscope membraneous remnants of a collapsed forebrain vesicle were found. They were connected with the mid‐brain brain and appeared as glio‐mesenchymal membranes with an ependymal out‐line at their inner surface. There was no cranioschisis. The formal relationship of this forebrain malformation to abobar dorsal sac holoprosencephaly, and its separation from hydranencephaly are discussed. In view of the gross absence of the telencephalon and the microscopic demonstration of remnants of a prosencephalic vesicle it is suggested to term this “missing link” in the classification of human CNS malformations pseudoaprosencephaly.
Aplasia of the Optic Nerve in Microphthalmic Offspring of Prenatally X‐irradiated Rats
Authors: Takeuchi Yoshiko K. , Kitoh Junzoh , Sakai Hisashi , Takeuchi Ikuo K.
Published: June 2017

A considerable number of postnatally‐viable microphthalmic offspring with optic nerves completely absent were obtained by X‐irradiation at a dose of 100 R in pregnant rats on gestational day 10.5. Thirteen of 15 mi‐crophthalmic eyes examined displayed histological features characteristic of aplasia of the optic nerve: complete absence of optic papilla, nerve fiber layer and retinal blood vessels, and great reduction in the number of ganglion cells. The remaining 2 eyes showed the histological features of hypoplasia of the optic nerve. The present experimental system may afford suitable materials for postnatal patho‐genetic studies and also for various physiological and behavioral studies of aplasia of the optic nerve.
The effectiveness of surrogate taxa to conserve freshwater biodiversity
Authors: Stewart David R. , Underwood Zachary E. , Rahel Frank J. , Walters Annika W.
Published: June 2017

Establishing protected areas has long been an effective conservation strategy and is often based on readily surveyed species. The potential of any freshwater taxa to be a surrogate for other aquatic groups has not been explored fully. We compiled occurrence data on 72 species of freshwater fishes, amphibians, mussels, and aquatic reptiles for the Great Plains, Wyoming (U.S.A.). We used hierarchical Bayesian multispecies mixture models and MaxEnt models to describe species’ distributions and the program Zonation to identify areas of conservation priority for each aquatic group. The landscape‐scale factors that best characterized aquatic species’ distributions differed among groups. There was low agreement and congruence among taxa‐specific conservation priorities (<20%), meaning no surrogate priority areas would include or protect the best habitats of other aquatic taxa. Common, wideranging aquatic species were included in taxa‐specific priority areas, but rare freshwater species were not included. Thus, the development of conservation priorities based on a single freshwater aquatic group would not protect all species in the other aquatic groups.
Synthesis and application to cellulose of reactive dye precursor of anti‐bacterial N‐halamine
Authors: Jiang Zhiming , Peng Wenjun , Li Rong , Huang Dan , Ren Xuehong , Huang Tung‐Shi
Published: June 2017

To achieve textile dyeing and functional finishing in one process, a bleach‐resistant reactive dye precursor to anti‐bacterial N‐halamine was synthesised by reacting a type of dichlorotriazine reactive dye with 4‐amino‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine. The synthesised compound, which can be transformed to an N‐halamine molecule by exposure to dilute bleach solution, was used to dye cotton fabrics. After exposure to a dilute sodium hypochlorite solution, dyed cotton fabrics showed excellent anti‐bacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7, facilitating a ca. 6‐log reduction in bacteria within a short period of contact. Compared with the dichlorotriazine reactive dye, the reactive dye precursor demonstrated comparable dyeing properties including exhaustion and fixation values. No differences in rub fastness, wash fastness or bleach fastness were detected between fabrics dyed with, respectively, dichlorotriazine reactive dye and the reactive dye precursor to N‐halamine.
Challenging Current Knowledge on Amazonian Dark Earths: Indigenous Manioc Cultivation on Different Soils of the Colombian Amazon
Authors: Peña‐Venegas Clara P. , Verschoor Gerard , Stomph Tjeerd Jan , Struik Paul C.
Published: June 2017

Amazonian indigenous people grow manioc in landscapes of different agricultural potential, yet studies on indigenous manioc production on fertile soils are scarce. Non‐indigenous communities grow specific manioc landraces on fertile Amazonian Dark Earths (ADE), but it is unknown whether indigenous farmers also do so. During 2 years, we studied manioc cultivation by five indigenous groups on different Amazonian soils using quantitative and qualitative methods. We found that environmental conditions, including soil quality, are less important in determining manioc diversity and agricultural strategies than socioeconomic and socio‐cultural factors such as labor availability, labor organization, and culinary preferences.
Toxicity Reduction in Bamboo Shoots: Field Survey and Scientific Validation of a Traditional Knowledge System
Authors: Singhal Poonam , Singh Ranjay K. , Satya Santosh , Naik Satya Narayan
Published: June 2017

Bamboo shoots form an integral part of the local diet of the Northeastern states of India. Fermented shoots have been eaten by tribal communities there since ancient times, but with increasing globalization, the trend of processing bamboo shoots at the home level seems to be changing. This paper highlights the different methods used by members of the Adi tribe in the state of Arunachal Pradesh for fermenting and detoxifying bamboo. Data were collected using participation and interview methods. The detoxifaction process was also validated scientifically at the laboratory scale using Picrate method. It was observed that some newer practices of processing bamboo shoots have been adopted in place of traditional practices. The notion of detoxification through fermentation was found satisfactory through experimental analysis. Toxicity decreased from 495 to 164.8 ppm over a 30‐day fermentation time.
Survivors of childhood brain tumors and their caregivers: transition to adulthood
Authors: Barakat Lamia P , Hobbie Wendy , Minturn Jane , Deatrick Janet
Published: June 2017

This commentary is on the original article by Memmesheimer et al. on pages 829–836 of this issue.
New economic globalization, new industrial policy and late development in the 21st century: A critical analytical review
Authors: Lauridsen Laurids S.
Published: June 2017

After having been put aside for three decades, industrial policy has reappeared in the research and policy debate on economic development in the Global South. However, it has also been argued that fragmented and decentralized value chains have foreclosed the traditional role of industrial policy. The article reviews three strands of thinking, exploring to what extent and how one can align the call for new industrial policy with the expansion of global value chains? It shows how the research agenda can be moved forward by realigning contributions from global value chain scholarship with researchers who take their point of departure concerning new industrial policy in structural transformation, technological capability and innovation system thinking.
Incremental benefit of three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of a primary pericardial hemangioma
Authors: Arisha Mohammed J. , Hsiung Ming C. , Nanda Navin C. , ElKaryoni Ahmed , Mohamed Ahmed H. , Wei Jeng
Published: June 2017

Hemangiomas are rarely found in the heart and pericardial involvement is even more rare. We report a case of primary pericardial hemangioma, in which three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) provided incremental benefit over standard two‐dimensional images. Our case also highlights the importance of systematic cropping of the 3D datasets in making a diagnosis of pericardial hemangioma with a greater degree of certainty. In addition, we also provide a literature review of the features of cardiac/pericardial hemangiomas in a tabular form.
Oviposition, larval survival and leaf damage by the willow leaf blotch miner, Micrurapteryx salicifoliella, in relation to leaf trichomes across 10 Salix species
Authors: WAGNER DIANE , DOAK PATRICIA
Published: June 2017

1. Foliar trichomes clearly reduce chewing damage and efficiency of movement by some insect herbivores, but the effect of trichomes on insect oviposition is less well characterised. Trichomes are likely to have particularly strong, negative effects on species that require secure attachment of the egg to the leaf epidermis for successful transition to the feeding stage – a group that includes many leaf mining insects.

2. One such species, Micrurapteryx salicifoliella, must initially enter leaf cells directly from an egg adhered to the cuticle, but later instars can move between leaves and initiate new mines from the leaf exterior.

3. Natural patterns of occurrence by M. salicifoliella were quantified on 10 sympatric Salix species varying in trichome expression to test whether trichomes were associated with reduced oviposition, larval survival and leaf damage.

4. Mean egg density and leaf mining damage were negatively related to mean trichome density across Salix species. Survival of M. salicifoliella from egg to pupa was positively related to trichome density, suggesting that initiation of new mines by late‐instar larvae was not adversely affected by trichomes. There was no evidence that trichomes benefited leaf miner larvae indirectly by decreasing density‐dependent mortality; rather, the positive relationship between trichome density and larval survival may reflect less effective chemical defence by Salix species expressing high trichome density.

5. The results suggest that foliar trichomes serve as an effective defence against M. salicifoliella by deterring oviposition, but do not reduce the survivorship of those individuals that successfully transition from egg to larva.
Reduced reward‐related neural response to mimicry in individuals with autism
Authors: Hsu Chun‐Ting , Neufeld Janina , Chakrabarti Bhismadev
Published: June 2017

Mimicry is a facilitator of social bonds in humans, from infancy. This facilitation is made possible through changing the reward value of social stimuli; for example, we like and affiliate more with people who mimic us. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are marked by difficulties in forming social bonds. In this study, we investigate whether the reward‐related neural response to being mimicked is altered in individuals withASD, using a simple conditioning paradigm. Multiple studies in humans and nonhuman primates have established a crucial role for the ventral striatal (VS) region in responding to rewards. In this study, adults withASDand matched controls first underwent a conditioning task outside the scanner, where they were mimicked by one face and ‘anti‐mimicked’ by another. In the second part, participants passively viewed the conditioned faces in a 3TMRIscanner using a multi‐echo sequence. The differential neural response towards mimicking vs. anti‐mimicking faces in theVSwas tested for group differences as well as an association with self‐reported autistic traits. Multiple regression analysis revealed lower leftVSresponse to mimicry (mimicking > anti‐mimicking faces) in theASDgroup compared to controls. TheVSresponse to mimicry was negatively correlated with autistic traits across the whole sample. Our results suggest that for individuals withASDand high autistic traits, being mimicked is associated with lower reward‐related neural response. This result points to a potential mechanism underlying the difficulties reported by many of individuals withASDin building social rapport.
Deficits in temporal processing in mice prenatally exposed to Valproic Acid
Authors: Acosta Julieta , Campolongo Marcos A. , Höcht Christian , Depino Amaicha M. , Golombek Diego A. , Agostino Patricia V.
Published: June 2017

Temporal processing in the seconds‐to‐minutes range, known as interval timing, is a crucial cognitive function that requires activation of cortico‐striatal circuits via dopaminergic–glutamatergic pathways. In humans, both children and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) present alterations in their estimation of time intervals. At present, there are no records of interval timing studies in animal models ofASD. Hence, the objective of the present work was to evaluate interval timing in a mouse model of prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) – a treatment used to induce human‐like autistic features in rodent models. Animals were assessed for their ability to acquire timing responses in 15‐s and 45‐s peak‐interval (PI) procedures. Our results indicate that both female and male mice prenatally exposed toVPApresent decreased timing accuracy and precision compared to control groups, as well as deviations from the scalar property. Moreover, the observed timing deficits in maleVPAmice were reversed after early social enrichment. Furthermore, catecholamine determination byHPLC‐EDindicated significant differences in striatal dopaminergic, but not serotonergic, content in female and maleVPAmice, consistent with previously identified alterations in dopamine metabolism inASD. These deficits in temporal processing in a mouse model of autism complement previous results in humans, and provide a useful tool for further behavioral and pharmacological studies.
Early‐life decline in neurogenesis markers and age‐related changes of TrkB splice variant expression in the human subependymal zone
Authors: Weissleder Christin , Kondo Mari A. , Yang Chunhui , Fung Samantha J. , Rothmond Debora A. , Wong Matthew W. , Halliday Glenda M. , Herman Mary M. , Kleinman Joel E. , Webster Maree J. , Shannon Weickert Cynthia
Published: June 2017

Neurogenesis in the subependymal zone (SEZ) declines across the human lifespan, and reduced local neurotrophic support is speculated to be a contributing factor. While tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) signalling is critical for neuronal differentiation, maturation and survival, little is known about subependymal TrkB expression changes during postnatal human life. In this study, we used quantitative PCR and in situ hybridisation to determine expression of the cell proliferation marker Ki67, the immature neuron marker doublecortin (DCX) and both full‐length (TrkB‐TK+) and truncated TrkB receptors (TrkB‐TK‐) in the human SEZ from infancy to middle age (n = 26–35, 41 days to 43 years). We further measured TrkB‐TK+ and TrkB‐TK‐ mRNAs in the SEZ from young adulthood into ageing (n = 50, 21–103 years), and related their transcript levels to neurogenic and glial cell markers. Ki67, DCX and both TrkB splice variant mRNAs significantly decreased in the SEZ from infancy to middle age. In contrast, TrkB‐TK‐ mRNA increased in the SEZ from young adulthood into ageing, whereas TrkB‐TK+ mRNA remained stable. TrkB‐TK‐ mRNA positively correlated with expression of neural precursor (glial fibrillary acidic protein delta and achaete‐scute homolog 1) and glial cell markers (vimentin and pan glial fibrillary acidic protein). TrkB‐TK+ mRNA positively correlated with expression of neuronal cell markers (DCX and tubulin beta 3 class III). Our results indicate that cells residing in the human SEZ maintain their responsiveness to neurotrophins; however, this capability may change across postnatal life. We suggest that TrkB splice variants may differentially influence neuronal and glial differentiation in the human SEZ.
Network theory and metapopulation persistence: incorporating node self‐connections
Authors: Zamborain‐Mason Jessica , Russ Garry R. , Abesamis Rene A. , Bucol Abner A. , Connolly Sean R.
Published: June 2017

Network analysis is gaining increasing importance in conservation planning. However, which network metrics are the best predictors of metapopulation persistence is still unresolved. Here, we identify a critical limitation of graph theory‐derived network metrics that have been proposed for this purpose: their omission of node self‐connections. We resolve this by presenting modifications of existing network metrics, and developing entirely new metrics, that account for node self‐connections. Then, we illustrate the performance of these new and modified metrics with an age‐structured metapopulation model for a real‐world marine reserve network case study, and we evaluate the robustness of our findings by systematically varying particular features of that network. Our new and modified metrics predict metapopulation persistence much better than existing metrics do, even when self‐connections are weak. Existing metrics become good predictors of persistence only when self‐connections are entirely absent, an unrealistic scenario in the overwhelming majority of metapopulation applications. Our study provides a set of novel tools that can substantially enhance the extent to which network metrics can be employed to understand, and manage for, metapopulation persistence.
Relative size predicts competitive outcome through 2 million years
Authors: Liow Lee Hsiang , Di Martino Emanuela , Krzeminska Malgorzata , Ramsfjell Mali , Rust Seabourne , Taylor Paul D. , Voje Kjetil L.
Published: June 2017

Competition is an important biotic interaction that influences survival and reproduction. While competition on ecological timescales has received great attention, little is known about competition on evolutionary timescales. Do competitive abilities change over hundreds of thousands to millions of years? Can we predict competitive outcomes using phenotypic traits? How much do traits that confer competitive advantage and competitive outcomes change? Here we show, using communities of encrusting marine bryozoans spanning more than 2 million years, that size is a significant determinant of overgrowth outcomes: colonies with larger zooids tend to overgrow colonies with smaller zooids. We also detected temporally coordinated changes in average zooid sizes, suggesting that different species responded to a common external driver. Although species‐specific average zooid sizes change over evolutionary timescales, species‐specific competitive abilities seem relatively stable, suggesting that traits other than zooid size also control overgrowth outcomes and/or that evolutionary constraints are involved.
Thermal effects on the biological parameters of the predatory mirid Pilophorus gallicus (Hemiptera: Miridae)
Authors: Ramírez‐Soria Maria Jose , López‐Gallego Elena , Sanchez Juan Antonio
Published: June 2017

Pilophorus gallicus Remane (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a predatory mirid reported in deciduous trees in the western Mediterranean area. This work aimed to determine the biological and demographic parameters for this species at different temperatures (15, 20, 25 and 30°C). Egg hatching times shortened from 57.8 days at 15°C to 9.2 days at 30°C, and nymphal development times declined from 62.8 days at 15°C to 11.1 days at 30°C. The hatching and nymphal survival rates were low at 15 and 30°C. The lower thermal thresholds for the egg and nymphal development were 12.4 and 12.0°C, respectively. These high thermal thresholds could be a safety mechanism to avoid the emergence of nymphs in the unfavorable winter period. Female weight increased between 15 and 25°C and decreased at 30°C. The fecundity increased from 70.2 eggs per female at 15°C to 212.4 eggs per female at 25°C, and decreased to 88.5 eggs per female at 30°C. Fertility ranged from 9.4% at 15°C to 40.9% at 25°C, being 24.9% at 30°C. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) rose from 0.001 to 0.081 between 15 and 25°C and decreased to 0.05 at 30°C. In summary, this species performs poorly at low temperatures and has a relative tolerance of high temperatures (30°C); its performance was best at 25°C. Knowledge of the variation in the biological parameters with temperature may be very useful for the understanding of its ecology and population dynamics.
Potential spread of kiwifruit bacterial canker (Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae) in Europe
Authors: Wilstermann A. , Schrader G. , Kehlenbeck H. , Robinet C.
Published: June 2017

Pest risk analyses (PRAs) are conducted to determine whether an organism is a pest and whether and how it should be regulated. Estimation of the potential area of establishment and pest spread are key factors of this analysis. Tools for modelling and mapping of these key factors have to be quick and easily applicable for a wide variety of organisms with limited data for parameterization. For this purpose, a dispersal kernel model based on a 2Dt‐distribution had been developed in a European Union project (PRATIQUE). The aim of the present study was the evaluation of this spread model hitherto tested on insects, plants, fungi and nematodes in order to determine its applicability to bacterial pests. Therefore, the potential distribution and spread of kiwifruit bacterial canker Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae in Europe was investigated based on climatic suitability and host plant availability. The results of the modelling were compared with the spread history of the pest in Europe. It is shown that this generic spread model can also be applied to a bacterial pest.
Sexual differentiation and seasonal variation in response to conspecific and heterospecific acoustic signals
Authors: Sosa‐López J. Roberto , Mennill Daniel J. , Renton Katherine
Published: June 2017

Interspecific territoriality is frequently reported between closely related species; however, few studies have demonstrated interspecific territoriality between distantly related species living in sympatry. We conducted playback experiments to investigate territorial behaviour in male and female White‐bellied Wrens (Uropsila leucogastra) in response to simulated conspecific and heterospecific intruders during the breeding and non‐breeding seasons. We explored whether heterospecific songs of the Happy Wren (Pheugopedius felix), a distantly related species and ecological competitor, elicited antagonistic responses from focal White‐bellied Wrens, and whether such responses differed between the sexes. We also examined whether male and female responses to conspecific and heterospecific rivals varied with season. We found that male White‐bellied Wrens always responded to conspecific song, and responded significantly more to heterospecific song compared to a control stimulus (Tropical Parula,Setophaga pitiayumi). In contrast, although female White‐bellied Wrens responded strongly to conspecific song, their response to heterospecific song did not differ significantly from the control stimulus. The proportion of males that responded to heterospecific songs and the proportion of females that responded to conspecific songs varied seasonally, showing significantly lower responses during the breeding season. The intense responses of male White‐bellied Wrens to playback of heterospecific songs suggest that they recognise ecological competitors based on their vocal signals. Furthermore, the decrease in agonistic interactions during the breeding season is in line with the hypothesis that aggressive behaviour may be detrimental to reproductive and parental activity, and the hypothesis that heterospecific animals pose less of a threat during the breeding season.
Dodging the moon: The moon effect on activity allocation of prey in the presence of predators
Authors: Pratas‐Santiago Luís P. , Gonçalves André L. S. , Nogueira António J. A. , Spironello Wilson R.
Published: June 2017

Animals can adapt their activity patterns throughout the circadian cycle. Prey may use moonlight as a predation risk cue and allocate their activity to lower risk periods. Here, we assessed moon transit influence on the activity allocation of nocturnal mammalian prey, in the presence of a predator (pumas, Puma concolor), during different moon phases, through camera trapping in Central Amazon. Thirty camera traps were installed 2 km apart from each other in each of our three study sites. Prey record distributions were assessed across the moon cycle, and their daily activity patterns were described in each moon phase. The record distributions of pacas (Cuniculus paca) (N = 262) and armadillos (Dasypus sp.) (N = 244) were concentrated in darker nights, contrasting with red brocket deer (Mazama americana) (N = 123) and pumas (N = 31), whose records were evenly distributed through the moon cycle. Yet, every prey was found to avoid the brighter times of the night regardless of the moon phase. These findings suggest prey can shift the temporal distribution of their activities under different moon phases when predators are present, perhaps in response to predation risk variations.
Developing flow–ecology relationships: Implications of nonlinear biological responses for water management
Authors: Rosenfeld Jordan S.
Published: June 2017

Empirical relationships between stream flow and ecological responses (flow–ecology relationships) are essential for establishing environmental flows and evaluating tradeoffs between instream values and out‐of‐stream uses. Establishing the shape of flow–ecology relationships (i.e. slope, linearity versus nonlinearity) is particularly important to avoid crossing ecological thresholds in water management.

This review focuses on ecological responses to discharge at low summer flows when out‐of‐stream water demand is often highest, and identifying ecological contexts where nonlinearities are most likely. Most physical attributes (temperature, dissolved oxygen, available habitat) and ecological responses (energy flow, fish survival, recruitment, community structure) show at least some evidence of nonlinear relationships with flow, although assumptions of linearity may be reasonable across limited discharge ranges which may include low flows.

Nonlinearities are most likely in systems that are near existing thresholds (e.g. cold‐water transitional fish communities that are close to upper thermal tolerances). The probability of nonlinearities is likely to increase under future landuse and climate change scenarios, particularly in combination with other stressors, such as eutrophication, which may greatly accelerate temperature‐related decline in dissolved oxygen under climate warming.

Managers need to anticipate changes in flow–ecology relationships and develop management systems that are robust to change. Field programmes to establish the slope and linearity of local flow–ecology relationships are essential for regional management, but developing generalisable flow–ecology relationships that are transferrable to regions with limited resources also needs to be a priority.

Generalised relationships can be generated through meta‐analysis of empirical flow–ecology relationships, and may prove especially useful if they can capture how environmental and ecological context (channel size and morphology, landuse, flow regime, antecedent conditions, habitat or taxonomic guild) affect flow–ecology relationships. For instance, linking empirical data from flow–ecology relationships to available habitat predicted by physical habitat simulation models (e.g. PHABSIM) may provide a better mechanistic basis for modelling ecological responses, while providing much needed validation for habitat simulation approaches. This would also help bridge the gap between emerging holistic environmental flow modelling approaches and more traditional habitat simulation methods.
Inconsistencies of interannual variability and trends in long‐term satellite leaf area index products
Authors: Jiang Chongya , Ryu Youngryel , Fang Hongliang , Myneni Ranga , Claverie Martin , Zhu Zaichun
Published: June 2017

Understanding the long‐term performance of global satellite leaf area index (LAI) products is important for global change research. However, few effort has been devoted to evaluating the long‐term time‐series consistencies of LAI products. This study compared four long‐term LAI products (GLASS, GLOBMAP, LAI3g, and TCDR) in terms of trends, interannual variabilities, and uncertainty variations from 1982 through 2011. This study also used four ancillary LAI products (GEOV1, MERIS, MODIS C5, and MODIS C6) from 2003 through 2011 to help clarify the performances of the four long‐term LAI products. In general, there were marked discrepancies between the four long‐term LAI products. During the pre‐MODIS period (1982–1999), both linear trends and interannual variabilities of global mean LAI followed the order GLASS>LAI3g>TCDR>GLOBMAP. The GLASS linear trend and interannual variability were almost 4.5 times those of GLOBMAP. During the overlap period (2003–2011), GLASS and GLOBMAP exhibited a decreasing trend, TCDR no trend, and LAI3g an increasing trend. GEOV1, MERIS, and MODIS C6 also exhibited an increasing trend, but to a much smaller extent than that from LAI3g. During both periods, the R2 of detrended anomalies between the four long‐term LAI products was smaller than 0.4 for most regions. Interannual variabilities of the four long‐term LAI products were considerably different over the two periods, and the differences followed the order GLASS>LAI3g>TCDR>GLOBMAP. Uncertainty variations quantified by a collocation error model followed the same order. Our results indicate that the four long‐term LAI products were neither intraconsistent over time nor interconsistent with each other. These inconsistencies may be due to NOAA satellite orbit changes and MODIS sensor degradation. Caution should be used in the interpretation of global changes derived from the four long‐term LAI products.
Differential sensitivity of total and active soil microbial communities to drought and forest management
Authors: Bastida Felipe , Torres Irene F. , Andrés‐Abellán Manuela , Baldrian Petr , López‐Mondéjar Rubén , Větrovský Tomáš , Richnow Hans H. , Starke Robert , Ondoño Sara , García Carlos , López‐Serrano Francisco R. , Jehmlich Nico
Published: June 2017

Climate change will affect semiarid ecosystems through severe droughts that increase the competition for resources in plant and microbial communities. In these habitats, adaptations to climate change may consist of thinning—that reduces competition for resources through a decrease in tree density and the promotion of plant survival. We deciphered the functional and phylogenetic responses of the microbial community to 60 years of drought induced by rainfall exclusion and how forest management affects its resistance to drought, in a semiarid forest ecosystem dominated byPinus halepensisMill. A multiOMICapproach was applied to reveal novel, community‐based strategies in the face of climate change. The diversity and the composition of the total and active soil microbiome were evaluated by 16SrRNAgene (bacteria) andITS(fungal) sequencing, and by metaproteomics. The microbial biomass was analyzed by phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), and the microbially mediated ecosystem multifunctionality was studied by the integration of soil enzyme activities related to the cycles of C, N, and P. The microbial biomass and ecosystem multifunctionality decreased in drought‐plots, as a consequence of the lower soil moisture and poorer plant development, but this decrease was more notable in unthinned plots. The structure and diversity of the total bacterial community was unaffected by drought at phylum and order level, but did so at genus level, and was influenced by seasonality. However, the total fungal community and the active microbial community were more sensitive to drought and were related to ecosystem multifunctionality. Thinning in plots without drought increased the active diversity while the total diversity was not affected. Thinning promoted the resistance of ecosystem multifunctionality to drought through changes in the active microbial community. The integration of total and active microbiome analyses avoids misinterpretations of the links between the soil microbial community and climate change.
Stacked species distribution and macroecological models provide incongruent predictions of species richness for Drosophilidae in the Brazilian savanna
Authors: da Mata Renata Alves , Tidon Rosana , de Oliveira Guilherme , Vilela Bruno , Diniz‐Filho José Alexandre Felizola , Rangel Thiago Fernando , Terribile Levi Carina
Published: June 2017

We tested the adequacy of two richness‐modelling approaches within the ‘spatially explicit species assemblage modelling’ (SESAM) framework for drosophilid flies in a tropical biome.

The pattern of drosophilid species richness throughout the Brazilian savanna was investigated by comparing richness estimates from macroecological models (MEM) and stacked species distribution models (S‐SDM). We used occurrence records for macroecological modelling and to generate geographic ranges by modelling species’ niches, which were stacked to generate SDM richness. Richness predictions were compared between models and with empirical data from well‐sampled areas.

The spatial variation in drosophilid richness for both estimates revealed more species in the central and south‐eastern regions of the biome. Nonetheless, MEM generated a more fragmented pattern than S‐SDM, with scattered patches of high richness. S‐SDM produced richness estimates nearer to the empirical values than MEM, which in turn strongly underestimated richness.

The correlation between S‐SDM and observed richness suggests that climate is the major (indirect) driver of drosophilid richness in the Brazilian savanna. Richness estimates based on macroecological modelling are, however, almost certainly affected by inventory incompleteness and sampling bias. We emphasise that S‐SDM can be a valuable approach to explore species richness patterns in poorly sampled regions.
Parental attitudes towards oral health and caries‐risk in their children
Authors: Vermaire JH , van Exel NJA
Published: June 2017

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate whether parents can be matched with attitudes towards oral health by means of a short vignette sheet, developed based on the results of an earlier Q‐methodological study. Furthermore, this study aims to explore how the attitudes associate with diet and oral hygiene habits and with clinical outcomes in children.

Methods

A total of 170 parents of 6‐ to 9‐year‐old children completed a questionnaire including the vignette sheet and clinical scores (oral hygiene, caries) were retrieved from the follow‐up measurement of a RCT on caries‐preventive measures.

Results

Of the 170 respondents, 159 (93.5%) could be matched to a single best matching attitude. Respondents identified “well” to “very well” with at least one of the attitudes and seemed to be able to differentiate well the extent to which they matched to the different attitudes. Parents scoring high on different attitudes were found to be associated with different lifestyle patterns and clinical outcomes.

Conclusions

It was concluded that using a self‐assessed attitude tool, derived from the results of a Q‐methodological study, it is possible to identify different groups of parents with different oral health‐related risk factors. Of course, it is hardly likely that people are 100% only 1 type of parent; parents can be considered to be a mix of different typologies. However, information on the composition of that mix may be helpful for the dental professional to estimate risks and to deliver a more tailored prevention strategy in children.
Using image J to document healing in ulcers of the foot in diabetes
Authors: Jeffcoate William J , Musgrove Alison J , Lincoln Nadina B
Published: June 2017

The aim of the study was to assess the reliability of measuring the cross‐sectional area of diabetic foot ulcers using Image J software. The inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability of ulcer area measures were assessed using digital images of acetate tracings of ulcers of the foot affecting 31 participants in an off‐loading randomised trial. Observations were made independently by five specialist podiatrists, one of whom was experienced in the use of Image J software and educated the other four in a single session. The mean (±SD) of the mean cross‐sectional areas of the 31 ulcers determined independently by the five observers was 1386·7 (±22·7) mm2. The correlation between all pairs of observers was >0·99 (P < 0·001). There was no significant difference overall between the five observers (ANOVA F1.538; P = 0·165) and no difference between any two (paired samples test t = −0·787–1·396; P ≥ 0·088). The correlation between the areas determined by two observers on two occasions separated by not less than 1 week was very high (0·997 and 0·999; P < 0·001 and <0·001, respectively). The inter‐ and intra‐reliability of the Image J software is very high, with no evidence of a difference either between or within observers. This technique should be considered for both research and clinical use in order to document changes in ulcer area.
Dispersion of aluminum‐doped zinc oxide nanopowder in non‐aqueous suspensions
Authors: Li Chia‐Chen , Li Ming‐Jyun , Huang Yung‐Pin
Published: June 2017

This study proposes appropriate dispersants for dispersing aluminum‐doped zinc oxide (AZO) nanopowder in the commonly used organic solvent‐dimethylacetamide (DMAC). The dispersion efficiencies and stabilization mechanisms of four DMAC‐soluble dispersants, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), polyethyleneimine (PEI), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), are compared. The non‐polyelectrolyte‐based PVA and PVP surprisingly exhibit greater efficiency than the polyelectrolyte‐based PAA and PEI. This is because the nano AZO is soft‐agglomerated in DMAC and easily de‐agglomerated by the application of ultrasonic power; therefore, the increased viscosity contributed from additions of PVA and PVP efficiently prevent reagglomeration and sedimentation of the nanopowder. This stabilization mechanism is evidenced by an experimental analysis of zeta potentials and rheology and also by theoretical calculations based on Stokes’ law.
Full reoxidation of CuMn2O4 spinel catalyst triggered by epitaxial Mn3O4 surface nanocrystals
Authors: Trapp Maximilian , Müller Mathis M. , Nazarpoor Zahra , Kleebe Hans‐Joachim
Published: June 2017

Transmission electron microscopy was performed on a model system of a novel CuMn2O4 spinel catalyst in order to study the effects of reduction by carbon monoxide and subsequent reoxidation by oxygen both processed at 600°C. A phase transition from CuMn2O4 spinel into separated MnO and Cu‐rich phases, which are CuO or Cu depending on the reduction period, was observed in the reduced samples. Furthermore, a surface coverage of the MnO grains by epitaxially grown, nanocrystalline Mn3O4 was found in all reduced samples. These Mn3O4 nanocrystals are assumed to act as seed crystals in the subsequent reoxidation step completely reversing the phase transitions and reconstituting single‐phase CuMn2O4 spinel. In addition, superlattice reflections due to cation ordering occurred as a typical feature in the as‐prepared spinel. In the reoxidized spinel, the superlattice reflections were absent, hence indicating a disordered cation distribution.