bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of neurosyphilis: time for a new approach?
Authors: Smibert Olivia C. , Jenney Adam W. J. , Spelman Denis W.
Published: February 2018

Given the long term sequelae of untreated neurosyphilis and insensitive tests to detect treponemes in the cerebrospinal fluid, questions regarding the utility of a lumbar puncture and cerebrospinal fluid analysis either to confirm or exclude neurosyphilis are raised.
Indirect presentation in the thymus limits naive and regulatory T‐cell differentiation by promoting deletion of self‐reactive thymocytes
Authors: Yap Jin Yan , Wirasinha Rushika C. , Chan Anna , Howard Debbie R. , Goodnow Christopher C. , Daley Stephen R.
Published: February 2018

Acquisition of T‐cell central tolerance involves distinct pathways of self‐antigen presentation to thymocytes. One pathway termed indirect presentation requires a self‐antigen transfer step from thymic epithelial cells (TECs) to bone marrow‐derived cells before the self‐antigen is presented to thymocytes. The role of indirect presentation in central tolerance is context‐dependent, potentially due to variation in self‐antigen expression, processing and presentation in the thymus. Here, we report experiments in mice in which TECs expressed a membrane‐bound transgenic self‐antigen, hen egg lysozyme (HEL), from either the insulin (insHEL) or thyroglobulin (thyroHEL) promoter. Intrathymic HEL expression was less abundant and more confined to the medulla in insHEL mice compared with thyroHEL mice. When indirect presentation was impaired by generating mice lacking MHC class II expression in bone marrow‐derived antigen‐presenting cells, insHEL‐mediated thymocyte deletion was abolished, whereas thyroHEL‐mediated deletion occurred at a later stage of thymocyte development and Foxp3+ regulatory T‐cell differentiation increased. Indirect presentation increased the strength of T‐cell receptor signalling that both self‐antigens induced in thymocytes, as assessed by Helios expression. Hence, indirect presentation limits the differentiation of naive and regulatory T cells by promoting deletion of self‐reactive thymocytes.
Phylogeography of a ‘great speciator’ (Aves:Edolisoma tenuirostre) reveals complex dispersal and diversification dynamics across the Indo‐Pacific
Authors: Pedersen Michael Pepke , Irestedt Martin , Joseph Leo , Rahbek Carsten , Jønsson Knud Andreas
Published: February 2018

Aim

We derive a new phylogenetic framework of the Indo‐Pacific avian genusEdolisomabased on a dense taxon sampling and use it in an explicit spatiotemporal framework to understand the history of intraspecific diversification dynamics in a ‘great speciator’, the CicadabirdEdolisoma tenuirostre/remotumcomplex.

Location

The Indo‐Pacific island region, Australia and New Guinea.

Taxon

Corvoid passerine birds (Passeriformes).

Methods

We used Bayesian phylogenetic methods (beast) to construct a time‐calibrated molecular phylogeny of all 19 species in the genusEdolisomaand 27 of 29 subspecies of theE. tenuirostre/remotumcomplex (previouslyCoracina tenuirostris) primarily based on one mitochondrial DNA marker. Ancestral area reconstruction methods (‘BioGeoBEARS’) were used to infer the historical biogeography of the genus. We used population‐level analyses to assess intraspecific phylogeography and a molecular species delimitation test to evaluate the current taxonomy. A morphometric dataset was used to discuss differential dispersal ability among taxa.

Results

Edolisomaoriginated in the late Miocene and diversification within theE. tenuirostre/remotumcomplex began in the Pleistocene. Within the North Melanesian and North Wallacean archipelagos, which have experienced several waves of diversification, we find significant patterns of genetic isolation by distance, but not within the Australo‐Papuan ‘mainland’, which was recently back‐colonized from these archipelagos. Based on the phylogeny, we suggest several taxonomic changes. We also discuss evidence of taxon cycles withinEdolisomabased on correlations of species age, elevational ranges and dispersal ability.

Main conclusions

The biogeographical history and patterns of differentiation between phylogroups withinE. tenuirostresupport the importance of barriers to gene flow in island systems. Examples of both recent genetic exchange across significant sea barriers and differentiation across much smaller water gaps suggest complex dispersal and diversification dynamics. The capacity for dispersal away from islands, and gradual shifts in dispersal ability in relation to the geographical setting, is supported as important factors in generating a ‘great speciator’.
Extracellular vesicles have variable dose‐dependent effects on cultured draining cells in the eye
Authors: Tabak Saray , Schreiber‐Avissar Sofia , Beit‐Yannai Elie
Published: February 2018

The role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as signal mediators has been described in many biological fields. How many EVs are needed to deliver the desired physiological signal is yet unclear. Using a normal trabecular meshwork (NTM) cell culture exposed to non‐pigmented ciliary epithelium (NPCE)–derived EVs, a relevant model for studying the human ocular drainage system, we addressed the EVs dose–response effects on the Wnt signaling. The objective of the study was to investigate the dosing effects of NPCE‐derived EVs on TM Wnt signaling. EVs were isolated by PEG 8000 method from NPCE and RPE cells (used as controls) conditioned media. Concentrations were determined by Tunable Resistive Pulse Sensing method. Various exosomes concentration were incubated with TM cells, for the determination of mRNA (β‐Catenin, Axin2 and LEF1) and protein (β‐Catenin, GSK‐3β) expression using real‐time quantitative PCR and Western blot, respectively. Exposure of NTM cells for 8 hrs to low EVs concentrations was associated with a significant decreased expression of β‐Catenin, GSK‐3β, as opposed to exposure to high exosomal concentrations. Pro‐MMP9 and MMP9 activities were significantly enhanced in NTM cells treated with high EV concentrations of (X10) as compared to low EV concentrations of either NPCE‐ or RPE‐derived EVs and to untreated control. Our data support the concept that EVs biological effects are concentration‐dependent at their target site. Specifically in the present study, we described a general dose–response at the gene and MMPs activity and a different dose–response regarding key canonical Wnt proteins expression.
Alterations in the gut microbiota of patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome
Authors: Zhou Youlian , Ou Zhitao , Tang Xiaoping , Zhou Yongjian , Xu Haoming , Wang Xianfei , Li Kang , He Jie , Du Yanlei , Wang Hong , Chen Ye , Nie Yuqiang
Published: February 2018

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), caused by infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is associated with gastrointestinal disease, systemic immune activation and changes in the gut microbiota. Here, we aim to investigate the gut microbiota patterns of HIV‐infected individuals and HIV‐uninfected individuals in populations from South China. We enrolled 33 patients with HIV (14 participants treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy [HAART] for more than 3 months; the remaining 19 individuals had not received treatment) and 35 healthy controls (HC) for a cross‐sectional comparison of gut microbiota using stool samples. Gut microbial communities were profiled by sequencing the bacterial 16S rRNA genes. Dysbiosis was more common among patients with AIDS compared with healthy individuals. Dysbiosis was characterized by decreased α‐diversity, low mean counts of Bacteroidetes, Faecalibacterium, Prevotella, Bacteroides vulgatus, Dialister and Roseburia inulnivorans, and high mean counts of Proteobacteria, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, Lachnociostridium, Ruminococcus gnavus and Streptococcus vestibularis. Increased abundance of Bacilli was observed in homosexual patients. Proteobacteria were higher among heterosexual patients with HIV infections. Tenericutes were higher among patients with history of intravenous drug abuse. Restoration of gut microbiota diversity and a significant increase in abundance of Faecalibacterium, Blautia and Bacteroides were found in patients receiving HAART compared to those who did not receive. HIV infection‐associated dysbiosis is characterized by decreased levels of α‐diversity and Bacteroidetes, increased levels of Proteobacteria and the alterations of gut microbiota correlate with the route of HIV transmission. The imbalanced faecal microbiota of HIV infection is partially restored after therapy.
SPION‐mediated miR‐141 promotes the differentiation of HuAESCs into dopaminergic neuron‐like cells via suppressing lncRNA‐HOTAIR
Authors: Liu Te , Zhang Hu , Zheng Jiajia , Lin Jiajia , Huang Yongyi , Chen Jiulin , Yu Zhihua , Guo Lihe , Pan Weidong , Xiong Ying , Chen Chuan
Published: February 2018

In this study, a bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay revealed that microRNA‐141 could silence the expression of lncRNA‐HOTAIR by binding to specific sites on lncRNA‐HOTAIR. We used superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) to mediate the high expression of microRNA‐141 (SPIONs@miR‐141) in human amniotic epithelial stem cells (HuAESCs), which was followed by the induction of the differentiation of HuAESCs into dopaminergic neuron‐like cells (iDNLCs). qPCR, western blot, immunofluorescence staining and HPLC all suggested that SPION‐mediated overexpression of miR‐141 could promote an increased expression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), DAT and 5‐TH in HuAESC‐derived iDNLCs. The RIP and ChIP assay also showed that overexpression of miR‐141 could significantly inhibit the recruitment and binding of lncRNA‐HOTAIR to EZH2 on BDNF gene promoter. cDNA microarray analysis revealed that the expression levels of 190 genes were much higher in iDNLCs than in HuAESCs. Finally, a protein interaction network analysis and identification showed that in the iDNLC group with SPIONs@miR‐141, factors that interact with BDNF, such as FGF8, SHH, NTRK3 and CREB1, all showed significantly higher expression levels compared with those in the SPIONs@miR‐Mut. Therefore, this study confirmed that the highly efficient expression of microRNA‐141 mediated by SPIONs could improve the efficiency of HuAESCs differentiation into dopaminergic neuron‐like cells.
Promoting evidence‐based urinary incontinence management in acute nursing and rehabilitation care—A process evaluation of an implementation intervention in the orthopaedic context
Authors: Hälleberg Nyman Maria , Forsman Henrietta , Wallin Lars , Ostaszkiewicz Joan , Hommel Ami , Eldh Ann Catrine
Published: February 2018

Rationale, aims, and objectives

The risk of developing urinary incontinence (UI) is associated with older age and hip surgery. There has been limited focus on factors that promote evidence‐based UI practice in the orthopaedic context. The aim of this study was to evaluate an implementation intervention to support evidence‐based practice for UI in patients aged 65 or older undergoing hip surgery.

Methods

A 3‐month intervention was delivered in 2014 to facilitate the implementation of UI knowledge in orthopaedic units in 2 hospitals in Sweden. Each unit appointed a multidisciplinary team of nurses and physiotherapists or occupational therapists to facilitate the implementation. The teams were supported by external facilitators who shared knowledge about UI and implementation science. Interviews, nonparticipant observations, and audits of patient records were performed.

Results

Prior to the intervention, there was no use of guidelines regarding UI. The intervention raised the internal facilitators' awareness of UI risks associated with hip surgery. As internal facilitators shared this information with their peers, staff awareness of UI increased. The teams of internal facilitators described needing additional time and support from managers to implement evidence‐based UI care. A management initiative triggered by the intervention increased the documentation of UI and urinary problems in 1 unit.

Conclusion

To promote evidence‐based practice related to safe procedures for older people in hospital care, there is a need to better understand strategies that successfully facilitate knowledge implementation. This study suggests that a multiprofessional team approach is promising for instigating a process towards evidence‐based management of UI.
Development of a novel edible coating made by Balangu seed mucilage and Feverfew essential oil and investigation of its effect on the shelf life of beef slices during refrigerated storage through intelligent modeling
Authors: Alizadeh Behbahani Behrooz , Imani Fooladi Abbas Ali
Published: February 2018

In this study, multilayer perceptron (MLP) and radial basis function network (RBFN) were employed to predict the population of microbial pathogens, chemical changes and sensory attributes of the beef slices. The chemical composition of Tanacetum parthenium essential oil (TPEO) was determined through gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Disk diffusion agar, well diffusion agar, pour plate, minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration were used to evaluated the antimicrobial effect of TPEO. The contents of phytochemical and total phenolic compounds as well as the antioxidant activity of TPEO were also measured. Camphor with a percentage of 44.2% was the major compound of TPEO. The total phenolic content and antioxidant power of TPEO were equal to 151.2 ± 2.10 µg/ml gallic acid equivalent and 57.25 ± 0.2 µg/ml, respectively. MLP and RBFN are both capable of fitting the data and predicting. However, RBFN, due to its lower mean squared error, had a better performance than MLP.

Practical applications

In recent years, given the concerns about the risks of the consumption of chemical and synthetic preservatives, there has been a considerable tendency towards replacing them with natural preservatives. Lallemantia royleana seed mucilage (LRSM) is a native Iranian hydrocolloid which can be utilized in producing edible coatings and in the formulations of food products. Feverfew is a valuable medicinal plant which is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammation, pain, fever and infection. In the present study, LRSM and LRSM + 1% TPEO extended the shelf life of beef up to 3 days, whereas LRSM + 1.5% TPEO and LRSM + 2% TPEO resulted in a significant shelf life extension of the samples by 9 days, as compared with the control. These results suggested that LRSM coating combined with TPEO could be used as an effective natural alternative to improve the quality of beef during refrigerate storage.
Implementation of model for improvement (PDCA‐cycle) in dairy laboratories
Authors: Kholif Abdelkader M. , Abou El Hassan Dina S. , Khorshid Mohamed A. , Elsherpieny Elsayed A. , Olafadehan Olurotimi A.
Published: February 2018

The aim of this study was to implement Plan‐Do‐Check‐Act (PDCA cycle) as a method for the continuous quality improvement in the dairy laboratories. This method was used to identify and analyze the critical problems that occur in the preanalytical stage of ultra‐high‐temperature (UHT) milk samples, to find the root causes of their occurrence and proffer solutions. Results showed a reduction in the number of the contaminated UHT milk samples from initial 368 to 85. Moreover, the capability index (CP) increased from 0.52 to 1.07. These reductions in the number of contaminated milk samples and increase in CP increased the efficiency from 68.02% to 74.06% and the effectiveness from 88.95% to 96.85%. Thus, PDCA methodology can be successfully applied in the dairy laboratory to reduce the occurrence of errors and increase the processes capability to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of dairy laboratory.

Practical applications

Continuous quality improvement (CQI) is used in process improvement in medicine laboratories for patient's fulfillment, where the implementation of process improvement project in medicine laboratories resulted in a positive influence with more effective and simplicity workflow. Also, CQI in dairy laboratories is considered an essential issue, as the analytical quality assurance plays a fundamental role in the precision of laboratories results. Furthermore, future laboratory accreditation, which is considered a fundamental tool for the dairy manufacture to increase confidence in laboratories outcomes, can be obtained on the basis of quality assurance and improvement precepts. To the best of our knowledge, this current research introduces a method for CQI in the dairy laboratories (PDCA approach) which has not been discussed in previous related work.
Association of AlkB homolog 3 expression with tumor recurrence and unfavorable prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Qian , Wang Gang , Wang Yi , Liu Chaoxu , He Xianli
Published: February 2018

Background and Aim

The mammalian AlkB homolog protein family has been reported to promote tumor cell invasion and metastasis of human cancer. However, the expression status and clinical significance of AlkB homolog 3 (ALKBH3) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have not been reported yet.

Methods

In the present study, we investigated the protein expression of ALKBH3 by immunohistochemistry assay and evaluated its association with tumor progression, recurrence, and prognosis in 272 patients with HCC. In addition, we explored ALKBH3 function via gene overexpression and knockdown of ALKBH3.

Results

AlkB homolog 3 was overexpressed in HCC compared with adjacent non‐tumorous specimens. Moreover, ALKBH3 expression was closely related to tumor differentiation and tumor–node–metastasis stage. Interestingly, the ALKBH3 high expression in tumor tissues of HCC patients had more poor disease‐free survival and overall survival than low‐expression patients. Consistently, we found that knockdown of ALKBH3 inhibits HCC cell proliferation in vitro and xenograft tumor formation in vivo and overexpressing ALKBH3 showed the opposite results. ALKBH3 knockdown may inhibit cell proliferation, presumably through p21/p27‐mediated cell‐cycle arrest at G1 phase in human HCC. ALKBH3 may also play some role on chemosensitivity to certain genotoxic reagents, such as cisplatin (CDDP) and epirubicin.

Conclusions

These findings reveal an important role of ALKBH3 in HCC, indicating that ALKBH3 could be used as a new therapeutic target in future.
A novel role of the corticotrophin‐releasing hormone regulating peptide, teneurin C‐terminal associated peptide 1, on glucose uptake into the brain
Authors: Hogg D. W. , Chen Y. , D'Aquila A. L. , Xu M. , Husić M. , Tan L. A. , Bull C. , Lovejoy D. A.
Published: February 2018

Teneurin C‐terminal associated peptide (TCAP) is an ancient paracrine signalling agent that evolved via lateral gene transfer from prokaryotes into an early metazoan ancestor. Although it bears structural similarity to corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH), it inhibits the in vivo actions of CRH. The TCAPs are highly expressed in neurones, where they induce rapid cytoskeletal rearrangement and are neuroprotective. Because these processes are highly energy‐dependent, this suggests that TCAP has the potential to regulate glucose uptake because glucose is the primary energy substrate in brain, and neurones require a steady supply to meet the high metabolic demands of neuronal communication. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to assess the effect of TCAP‐mediated glucose uptake in the brain and in neuronal cell models. TCAP‐mediated 18F‐deoxyglucose (FDG) uptake into brain tissue was assessed in male wild‐type Wistar rats by functional positron emission tomography. TCAP‐1 increased FDG uptake by over 40% into cortical regions of the brain, demonstrating that TCAP‐1 can significantly enhance glucose supply. Importantly, a single nanomolar injection of TCAP‐1 increased brain glucose after 3 days and decreased blood glucose after 1 week. This is corroborated by a decreased serum concentration of insulin and an increased serum concentration of glucagon. In immortalised hypothalamic neurones, TCAP‐1 increased ATP production and enhanced glucose uptake by increasing glucose transporter recruitment to the plasma membrane likely via AKT and mitogen‐activated protein kinase/ERK phosphorylation events. Taken together, these data demonstrate that TCAP‐1 increases glucose metabolism in neurones, and may represent a peptide signalling agent that regulated glucose uptake before insulin and related peptides.
The Anatomical Society's core anatomy syllabus for undergraduate nursing
Authors: Connolly S. A. , Gillingwater T. H. , Chandler C. , Grant A. W. , Greig J. , Meskell M. , Ross M. T. , Smith C. F. , Wood A. F. , Finn G. M.
Published: February 2018

The Anatomical Society has developed a series of learning outcomes in consultation with nursing educators delivering anatomical content to undergraduate (preregistration) nursing students. A Delphi panel methodology was adopted to select experts within the field that would recommend core anatomical content in undergraduate nursing programmes throughout the UK. Using the Anatomical Society's Core Gross Anatomy Syllabus for Medical Students as a foundation, a modified Delphi technique was used to develop discipline‐specific outcomes to nursing graduates. The Delphi panel consisted of 48 individuals (n = 48) with a minimum of 3 years' experience teaching anatomy to nursing students, representing a broad spectrum of UK Higher Education Institutions. The output from this study was 64 nursing specific learning outcomes in anatomy that are applicable to all undergraduate (preregistration) programmes in the UK. The new core anatomy syllabus for Undergraduate Nursing offers a basic anatomical framework upon which nurse educators, clinical mentors and nursing students can underpin their clinical practice and knowledge. The learning outcomes presented may be used to develop anatomy teaching within an integrated nursing curriculum.
Randomized investigator‐blinded comparative study of moisturizer containing 4‐t‐butylcyclohexanol and licochalcone A versus 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in facial dermatitis
Authors: Boonchai Waranya , Varothai Supenya , Winayanuwattikun Waranaree , Phaitoonvatanakij Sutasinee , Chaweekulrat Pichanee , Kasemsarn Pranee
Published: February 2018

Background

Facial dermatitis can result from various conditions, some of which are of a chronic and relapsing nature. The use of topical corticosteroid therapy may lead to additional adverse effects.

Objective

To compare the efficacy of moisturizer containing 4‐t‐butylcyclohexanol, which acts as a sensitivity regulator, and licochalcone A, an anti‐inflammatory agent from the licorice plant Glycyrrhiza inflata, with that of 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide (TA) for the treatment of facial dermatitis.

Methods

This was a randomized, prospective, investigator‐blinded study. Eighty participants with mild to moderate facial dermatitis were randomly treated with either the test facial moisturizer or 0.02% TA twice daily for the first 2 weeks. For the subsequent 2 weeks, all patients used only the test moisturizer. Clinical assessment by investigators, bioengineering measurements, patients' subjective evaluation, and clinical photography were performed at baseline, week 2, and week 4.

Results

Both treatments showed a statistically significant improvement with regard to physician clinical assessment, skin hydration, transepidermal water loss, and patient‐assessed visual analog scale after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment compared with baseline. The test facial moisturizer produced better skin hydration than TCS. The improvement in TEWL after 4 weeks of using the test moisturizer was comparable with 2‐week treatment with 0.02% TA cream. However, subjective evaluation by patients indicated that TA more rapidly improved sensation sensitivity.

Conclusion

The test facial moisturizer was slower than 0.02% TA in improving facial dermatitis, but showed greater benefit in erythema control and skin hydration.
Effects of controlled dehydration on sleep quality and quantity: A polysomnographic study in healthy young adults
Authors: Aristotelous Panagiotis , Aphamis George , Sakkas Giorgos K. , Andreou Eleni , Pantzaris Marios , Kyprianou Theodoros , Hadjigeorgiou Georgios M. , Manconi Mauro , Giannaki Christoforos D.
Published: February 2018

Dehydration is associated with several alternations in body homeostasis involving both physiological and mental aspects. In addition some studies have reported a negative effect of dehydration on subjectively assessed sleep‐related parameters. The aim of the current study was to examine for the first time the effect of controlled dehydration on sleep quality and quantity using the gold‐standard method of polysomnography. Twelve healthy male volunteers participated in this study (23.4 ± 0.8 years). Participants performed an in‐house full polysomnographic assessment in two different occasions taking place in random order: (i) in a dehydrated state; and (ii) in a euhydrated state. In the dehydration scenario, the participants were allowed to consume only 1.25 L of non‐caffeinated fluids, while during the euhydrated state participants had to drink at least 3 L of non‐caffeinated fluids during the last 24 hr before the polysomnographic study. Urine specific gravity was assessed by refractrometry on collection day in order to assess hydration status. Participants who did not fulfil the hydration criteria were rescheduled. All participants successfully completed the two polysomnographic studies without any complaints or adverse effects reported. No significant differences were found in any of the examined indices of sleep quality and quantity between the dehydration and euhydration scenarios (p > .05). This is the first study to show that controlled mild dehydration does not seem to affect sleep quality and quantity in young healthy adults. More research is necessary to further verify these conclusions and assess whether other parameters are involved in the manifestation of sleep disturbances.
Effects of a 24‐hr‐shift‐related short‐term sleep deprivation on cardiac function: A cardiac magnetic resonance‐based study
Authors: Kuetting Daniel L. R. , Feisst Andreas , Sprinkart Alois M. , Homsi Rami , Luetkens Julian , Thomas Daniel , Schild Hans H. , Dabir Darius
Published: February 2018

Fatigue and sleep deprivation are common phenomena, especially among medical professionals and shift workers. Studies have proven that short episodes of sleep deprivation can lead to sympathetic hyperactivity with an elevation in blood pressure, heart rate, and an increased secretion of stress hormones (e.g. cortisol, noradrenaline, thyroid hormones). In this study investigating cardiac strain in 20 healthy subjects undergoing short‐term sleep deprivation, it could be shown for the first time that 24‐hr‐shift‐related short‐term sleep deprivation leads to a significant increase in cardiac contractility, blood pressure, heart rate and stress hormone secretion. These findings may help better understand how workload and shift duration affect public health, and lay the foundation for further investigations.
Interactions between abiotic gradients determine functional and phylogenetic diversity patterns in Mediterranean‐type climate mountains in the Andes
Authors: López‐Angulo Jesús , Swenson Nathan G. , Cavieres Lohengrin A. , Escudero Adrián
Published: February 2018

Questions

How do phylogenetic and functional trait dispersions respond to multiple abiotic gradients? Are functional trait and phylogenetic dispersions coupled across different spatial scales? Does phylogenetic signal on functional trait data help to elucidate the degree to which phylogenetic information is providing novel information?

Location

Three massifs in mediterranean‐type climate zone of the high Andes, central Chile.

Methods

We sampled plant species composition in 20 alpine sites above the tree line at three different spatial scales: plot (20 m × 20 m), subplot (2.4 m × 2.4 m) and cell (30 cm × 30 cm). Functional and phylogenetic mean pair‐wise distances (MPD) calculated using data on six functional traits (maximum plant height, plant size, leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content and leaf thickness) and a molecular phylogeny (rbcL and matK) were compared to the patterns expected under a null model to characterize the functional and phylogenetic dispersion along interacting elevation and potential solar radiation gradients.

Results

Our results show that functional and phylogenetic dispersion were related and influenced by potential solar radiation, but the effect of this factor varied with elevation. Overdispersion was found in the most stressful sites, while clustering was observed where the conditions were milder, suggesting a relevant role of facilitation and competitive interactions, respectively. While Blomberg's K statistic indicated no phylogenetic signal for the studied plant traits, Pagel's λ indicated phylogenetic signal, but not of strong intensity (<1), suggesting that the correlation between the functional and phylogenetic diversities was low and that additional unmeasured traits with phylogenetic signal were likely to be important in determining the structure of the studied communities.

Conclusions

Our results support the hypothesis that biotic interactions modulated by environmental conditions are important for alpine plant community assembly. Moreover, they reinforce the notion that multiple processes shape community structure, and this can be elucidated by examining interacting environmental gradients, such as elevation and potential solar radiation, and taking into account multiple spatial scales. Our results reinforce the use of both functional and phylogenetic diversities simultaneously and discourage the use of phylogenetic diversity as a surrogate of functional structure.
Court evaluations of young children's testimony in child sexual abuse cases
Authors: Ernberg Emelie , Magnusson Mikaela , Landström Sara , Tidefors Inga
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Prosecutors working with child sexual abuse (CSA) cases involving young children have raised concerns that reliability criteria from the Supreme Court of Sweden are holding children's testimony to impossible standards (e.g., expecting the child's testimony to be long, rich in detail and spontaneous). This study aimed to address these concerns by investigating how District Courts and Courts of Appeal employ said criteria in their testimonial assessments of young child complainants.

Methods

Court documents from District Courts (n = 100) and Courts of Appeal (n = 45) in CSA cases involving 100 children age 7 years and under were analysed with respect to the courts’ testimonial assessments.

Results

Testimonial assessments were more frequently referenced in acquitting verdicts and in cases with evidence of low corroborative value. Richness in detail was the most frequently used reliability criterion, followed by spontaneity. Most criteria were used in favour of the children's testimony. However, the length criterion was typically used against the reliability of the children's testimony.

Conclusions

Our findings confirm prosecutors’ concerns that criteria from the Supreme Court are frequently used in evaluations of young children's testimony. This is troublesome, as some criteria do not correspond to current research on young children's witness abilities. For example, compared to testimony given by older children or adults, testimony provided by a young child is typically not long or rich in detail. We encourage prosecutors to extend their own knowledge on young children's capability as witnesses and present this to the court.
Examining the Impact and School‐Level Predictors of Impact Variability of an 8th Grade Reading Intervention on At‐Risk Students’ Reading Achievement
Authors: Fien Hank , Anderson Daniel , Nelson Nancy J. , Kennedy Patrick , Baker Scott K. , Stoolmiller Michael
Published: February 2018

The purpose of the present article is to report on a large‐scale investigation of six school districts’ implementation of an initiative aimed at reducing dropout rates by improving reading achievement in the middle grades. Data for the Middle School Intervention Project (MSIP) were collected in 25 middle schools across the state of Oregon. We examined (a) the degree to which the schools improved reading achievement for struggling readers in 8th grade, and (b) whether we could account for school differences in the treatment effect through measured explicit and intensive intervention factors. At the end of 8th grade there was no evidence of significant or positive effects on the two primary reading outcome measures.
Do the shallow‐water habitats of a hypersaline tropical estuary act as nursery grounds for fishes?
Authors: Sales Natalice dos Santos , Baeta Alexandra Sofia Baptista Vicente , de Lima Lidiane Gomes , Pessanha André Luiz Machado
Published: February 2018

Fish assemblages were studied in a hypersaline tropical estuary in Northeastern Brazil. A total of 104 species were collected by beach seine during the dry and rainy seasons of 2012. Two families, Atherinopsidae and Gerreidae, were numerically dominant in all zones of the estuary; juveniles of Atherinella brasiliensis, Eucinostomus argenteus, Lile piquitinga, Ulaema lefroyi, Lutjanus analis and Sphoeroides greeleyi contributed 77% of the total catch. The factors that best explained the fish abundance pattern were salinity and depth, which were related to spatial segregation. Species richness was lowest in the upper zone, an area with high salinity and shallow depth. The distinct roles of structurally different habitats (submerged macrophyte beds and mangrove prop‐roots) and the influence of physicochemical conditions in the middle zone of the estuary may influence taxonomic diversity. The middle zone of the estuary is the one most attractive to juveniles of reef species (Lutjanidae and Serranidae). The fish assemblages are clearly dominated by marine estuarine dependent species, highlighting the importance of the ecosystem as a nursery ground for marine species of the Brazilian coast.
A unified approach to systemic risk measures via acceptance sets
Authors: Biagini Francesca , Fouque Jean‐Pierre , Frittelli Marco , Meyer‐Brandis Thilo
Published: February 2018

We specify a general methodological framework for systemic risk measures via multidimensional acceptance sets and aggregation functions. Existing systemic risk measures can usually be interpreted as the minimal amount of cash needed to secure the system after aggregating individual risks. In contrast, our approach also includes systemic risk measures that can be interpreted as the minimal amount of cash that secures the aggregated system by allocating capital to the single institutions before aggregating the individual risks. An important feature of our approach is the possibility of allocating cash according to the future state of the system (scenario‐dependent allocation). We also provide conditions that ensure monotonicity, convexity, or quasi‐convexity of our systemic risk measures.
Influence of immunogenetics, sex and body condition on the cutaneous microbial communities of two giant salamanders
Authors: Hernández‐Gómez Obed , Briggler Jeffrey T. , Williams Rod N.
Published: February 2018

The complex association between hosts and microbial symbionts requires the implementation of multiple approaches to evaluate variation in host physiology. Within amphibians, heterogeneity in immunogenetic traits and cutaneous microbiota is associated with variation in disease resistance. Ozark (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi) and eastern hellbenders (C. a. alleganiensis) provide a model system to assess variation in host traits and microbial communities. Ozark hellbenders have experienced declines throughout their range, are federally endangered and experience wound retardation that is absent in the eastern subspecies. Previous microbial investigations indicate differentiation in the composition of the skin microbiota of both hellbender subspecies, but it is not clear whether these patterns are concurrent with diversity in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes. We characterized the MHC IIB and the skin microbiota of hellbenders in Missouri, where both subspecies co‐occur though not sympatric. We compared the microbiota composition and MHC diversity between both subspecies and investigated whether individual‐level MHC diversity, sex and body condition were associated with microbiota composition. Overall, MHC IIB diversity was lower in Ozark hellbenders compared to the eastern subspecies. Multivariate statistical comparisons identified microbiota differentiation between Ozark and eastern hellbenders. MHC IIB allele presence/absence, allele divergence, body composition and sex defined grouping of hellbender microbiotas within populations. Differentiation of the cutaneous microbiotas and MHC IIB genes between eastern and Ozark hellbenders suggests that differences exist in immunity between the two subspecies. This study demonstrates how simultaneous assessments of host genetic traits and microbiotas can inform patterns of microbial community structure in natural systems.
The role of hybridization during ecological divergence of southwestern white pine (Pinus strobiformis) and limber pine (P. flexilis)
Authors: Menon Mitra , Bagley Justin C. , Friedline Christopher J. , Whipple Amy V. , Schoettle Anna W. , Leal‐Sàenz Alejandro , Wehenkel Christian , Molina‐Freaner Francisco , Flores‐Rentería Lluvia , Gonzalez‐Elizondo M. Socorro , Sniezko Richard A. , Cushman Samuel A. , Waring Kristen M. , Eckert Andrew J.
Published: February 2018

Interactions between extrinsic factors, such as disruptive selection and intrinsic factors, such as genetic incompatibilities among loci, often contribute to the maintenance of species boundaries. The relative roles of these factors in the establishment of reproductive isolation can be examined using species pairs characterized by gene flow throughout their divergence history. We investigated the process of speciation and the maintenance of species boundaries between Pinus strobiformis and Pinus flexilis. Utilizing ecological niche modelling, demographic modelling and genomic cline analyses, we illustrated a divergence history with continuous gene flow. Our results supported an abundance of advanced generation hybrids and a lack of loci exhibiting steep transition in allele frequency across the hybrid zone. Additionally, we found evidence for climate‐associated variation in the hybrid index and niche divergence between parental species and the hybrid zone. These results are consistent with extrinsic factors, such as climate, being an important isolating mechanism. A build‐up of intrinsic incompatibilities and of coadapted gene complexes is also apparent, although these appear to be in the earliest stages of development. This supports previous work in coniferous species demonstrating the importance of extrinsic factors in facilitating speciation. Overall, our findings lend support to the hypothesis that varying strength and direction of selection pressures across the long lifespans of conifers, in combination with their other life history traits, delays the evolution of strong intrinsic incompatibilities.
Can social partnerships influence the microbiome? Insights from ant farmers and their trophobiont mutualists
Authors: Ivens Aniek B. F. , Gadau Alice , Kiers E. Toby , Kronauer Daniel J. C.
Published: February 2018

Mutualistic interactions with microbes have played a crucial role in the evolution and ecology of animal hosts. However, it is unclear what factors are most important in influencing particular host–microbe associations. While closely related animal species may have more similar microbiota than distantly related species due to phylogenetic contingencies, social partnerships with other organisms, such as those in which one animal farms another, may also influence an organism's symbiotic microbiome. We studied a mutualistic network of Brachymyrmex and Lasius ants farming several honeydew‐producing Prociphilus aphids and Rhizoecus mealybugs to test whether the mutualistic microbiomes of these interacting insects are primarily correlated with their phylogeny or with their shared social partnerships. Our results confirm a phylogenetic signal in the microbiomes of aphid and mealybug trophobionts, with each species harbouring species‐specific endosymbiont strains of Buchnera (aphids), Tremblaya and Sodalis (mealybugs), and Serratia (both mealybugs and aphids) despite being farmed by the same ants. This is likely explained by strict vertical transmission of trophobiont endosymbionts between generations. In contrast, our results show the ants’ microbiome is possibly shaped by their social partnerships, with ants that farm the same trophobionts also sharing strains of sugar‐processing Acetobacteraceae bacteria, known from other honeydew‐feeding ants and which likely reside extracellularly in the ants’ guts. These ant–microbe associations are arguably more “open” and subject to horizontal transmission or social transmission within ant colonies. These findings suggest that the role of social partnerships in shaping a host's symbiotic microbiome can be variable and is likely dependent on how the microbes are transmitted across generations.
Into the wild—WAMBAM goes to Canada
Authors: Morrissey Michael B. , Janeiro Maria João , Sparks Alexandra M. , White Stephen , Pigeon Gabriel , Teplitsky Céline , Réale Denis , Milot Emmanuel
Published: February 2018

The sixth Wild Animal Models Bi‐Annual Meeting was held in July 2017 in Québec, with 42 participants. This report documents the evolution of questions asked and approaches used in evolutionary quantitative genetic studies of wild populations in recent decades, and how these questions and approaches were represented at the recent meeting. We explore how ideas from previous meetings in this series have developed to their present states, and consider how the format of the meetings may be particularly useful at fostering the rapid development and proliferation of ideas and approaches.
Ultrarare marine microbes contribute to key sulphur‐related ecosystem functions
Authors: Kalenitchenko Dimitri , Le Bris Nadine , Peru Erwan , Galand Pierre E.
Published: February 2018

The description of a rare biosphere within microbial communities has created great interest because microbes play a fundamental role in the functioning of all ecosystems on earth. Despite recent progress in understanding the ecology of the rare biosphere, the concept itself is still discussed, and fundamental questions remain. Here, we target the seed bank compartment of the rare biosphere, assess the level of rarity at which micro‐organisms are still able to colonize an ecosystem and investigate whether rare species are functionally redundant. Using an original experimental design where wood in aquaria was inoculated with increasingly diluted coastal seawater, we show that bacteria that represented as few as 0.00000002% of the cells in the environment (or 1 cell in 10 L of seawater) were still able to grow and play key roles within the ecosystem. Our experiment further showed that some bacteria can be replaced by others that have the potential to fulfil the same metabolic tasks. This finding suggests some functional redundancy within bacterial species. However, when ultrarare bacteria were progressively removed, productivity was reduced, and below a certain threshold some processes were lost, and the function of the ecosystem was altered. Overall the study shows that bacteria that are not detected by high‐throughput sequencing approaches are nevertheless viable and able to colonize new ecosystems, suggesting the need to consider ultrarare microbes in the marine environment.
High‐Throughput DNA sequencing of ancient wood
Authors: Wagner Stefanie , Lagane Frédéric , Seguin‐Orlando Andaine , Schubert Mikkel , Leroy Thibault , Guichoux Erwan , Chancerel Emilie , Bech‐Hebelstrup Inger , Bernard Vincent , Billard Cyrille , Billaud Yves , Bolliger Matthias , Croutsch Christophe , Čufar Katarina , Eynaud Frédérique , Heussner Karl Uwe , Köninger Joachim , Langenegger Fabien , Leroy Frédéric , Lima Christine , Martinelli Nicoletta , Momber Garry , Billamboz André , Nelle Oliver , Palomo Antoni , Piqué Raquel , Ramstein Marianne , Schweichel Roswitha , Stäuble Harald , Tegel Willy , Terradas Xavier , Verdin Florence , Plomion Christophe , Kremer Antoine , Orlando Ludovic
Published: February 2018

Reconstructing the colonization and demographic dynamics that gave rise to extant forests is essential to forecasts of forest responses to environmental changes. Classical approaches to map how population of trees changed through space and time largely rely on pollen distribution patterns, with only a limited number of studies exploiting DNA molecules preserved in wooden tree archaeological and subfossil remains. Here, we advance such analyses by applying high‐throughput (HTS) DNA sequencing to wood archaeological and subfossil material for the first time, using a comprehensive sample of 167 European white oak waterlogged remains spanning a large temporal (from 550 to 9,800 years) and geographical range across Europe. The successful characterization of the endogenous DNA and exogenous microbial DNA of 140 (~83%) samples helped the identification of environmental conditions favouring long‐term DNA preservation in wood remains, and started to unveil the first trends in the DNA decay process in wood material. Additionally, the maternally inherited chloroplast haplotypes of 21 samples from three periods of forest human‐induced use (Neolithic, Bronze Age and Middle Ages) were found to be consistent with those of modern populations growing in the same geographic areas. Our work paves the way for further studies aiming at using ancient DNA preserved in wood to reconstruct the micro‐evolutionary response of trees to climate change and human forest management.
Extensive transcriptional variation poses a challenge to thermal stress biomarker development for endangered corals
Authors: Parkinson John Everett , Bartels Erich , Devlin‐Durante Meghann K. , Lustic Caitlin , Nedimyer Ken , Schopmeyer Stephanie , Lirman Diego , LaJeunesse Todd C. , Baums Iliana B.
Published: February 2018

As climate changes, sea surface temperature anomalies that negatively impact coral reef organisms continue to increase in frequency and intensity. Yet, despite widespread coral mortality, genetic diversity remains high even in those coral species listed as threatened. While this is good news in many ways, it presents a challenge for the development of biomarkers that can identify resilient or vulnerable genotypes. Taking advantage of three coral restoration nurseries in Florida that serve as long‐term common garden experiments, we exposed over 30 genetically distinct Acropora cervicornis colonies to hot and cold temperature shocks seasonally and measured pooled gene expression responses using RNAseq. Targeting a subset of 20 genes, we designed a high‐throughput qPCR array to quantify expression in all individuals separately under each treatment with the goal of identifying predictive and/or diagnostic thermal stress biomarkers. We observed extensive transcriptional variation in the population, suggesting abundant raw material is available for adaptation via natural selection. However, this high variation made it difficult to correlate gene expression changes with colony performance metrics such as growth, mortality and bleaching susceptibility. Nevertheless, we identified several promising diagnostic biomarkers for acute thermal stress that may improve coral restoration and climate change mitigation efforts in the future.