bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of fitness from energetics and life‐history data: An example using mussels
Authors: Sebens Kenneth P. , Sarà Gianluca , Carrington Emily
Published: May 2018

Changing environments have the potential to alter the fitness of organisms through effects on components of fitness such as energy acquisition, metabolic cost, growth rate, survivorship, and reproductive output. Organisms, on the other hand, can alter aspects of their physiology and life histories through phenotypic plasticity as well as through genetic change in populations (selection). Researchers examining the effects of environmental variables frequently concentrate on individual components of fitness, although methods exist to combine these into a population level estimate of average fitness, as the per capita rate of population growth for a set of identical individuals with a particular set of traits. Recent advances in energetic modeling have provided excellent data on energy intake and costs leading to growth, reproduction, and other life‐history parameters; these in turn have consequences for survivorship at all life‐history stages, and thus for fitness. Components of fitness alone (performance measures) are useful in determining organism response to changing conditions, but are often not good predictors of fitness; they can differ in both form and magnitude, as demonstrated in our model. Here, we combine an energetics model for growth and allocation with a matrix model that calculates population growth rate for a group of individuals with a particular set of traits. We use intertidal mussels as an example, because data exist for some of the important energetic and life‐history parameters, and because there is a hypothesized energetic trade‐off between byssus production (affecting survivorship), and energy used for growth and reproduction. The model shows exactly how strong this trade‐off is in terms of overall fitness, and it illustrates conditions where fitness components are good predictors of actual fitness, and cases where they are not. In addition, the model is used to examine the effects of environmental change on this trade‐off and on both fitness and on individual fitness components.
Wolbachia enhances insect‐specific flavivirus infection in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes
Authors: Amuzu Hilaria E. , Tsyganov Kirill , Koh Cassandra , Herbert Rosemarie I. , Powell David R. , McGraw Elizabeth A.
Published: May 2018

Mosquitoes transmit a diverse group of human flaviviruses including West Nile, dengue, yellow fever, and Zika viruses. Mosquitoes are also naturally infected with insect‐specific flaviviruses (ISFs), a subgroup of the family not capable of infecting vertebrates. Although ISFs are not medically important, they are capable of altering the mosquito's susceptibility to flaviviruses and may alter host fitness. Wolbachia is an endosymbiotic bacterium of insects that when present in mosquitoes limits the replication of co‐infecting pathogens, including flaviviruses. Artificially created Wolbachia‐infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are being released into the wild in a series of trials around the globe with the hope of interrupting dengue and Zika virus transmission from mosquitoes to humans. Our work investigated the effect of Wolbachia on ISF infection in wild‐caught Ae. aegypti mosquitoes from field release zones. All field mosquitoes were screened for the presence of ISFs using general degenerate flavivirus primers and their PCR amplicons sequenced. ISFs were found to be common and widely distributed in Ae. aegypti populations. Field mosquitoes consistently had higher ISF infection rates and viral loads compared to laboratory colony material indicating that environmental conditions may modulate ISF infection in Ae. aegypti. Surprisingly, higher ISF infection rates and loads were found in Wolbachia‐infected mosquitoes compared to the Wolbachia‐free mosquitoes. Our findings demonstrate that the symbiont is capable of manipulating the mosquito virome and that Wolbachia‐mediated viral inhibition is not universal for flaviviruses. This may have implications for the Wolbachia‐based DENV control strategy if ISFs confer fitness effects or alter mosquito susceptibility to other flaviviruses.
Edge effects in fire‐prone landscapes: Ecological importance and implications for fauna
Authors: Parkins Kate , York Alan , Di Stefano Julian
Published: May 2018

Edges are ecologically important environmental features and have been well researched in agricultural and urban landscapes. However, little work has been conducted in flammable ecosystems where spatially and temporally dynamic fire edges are expected to influence important processes such as recolonization of burnt areas and landscape connectivity. We review the literature on fire, fauna, and edge effects to summarize current knowledge of faunal responses to fire edges and identify knowledge gaps. We then develop a conceptual model to predict faunal responses to fire edges and present an agenda for future research. Faunal abundance at fire edges changes over time, but patterns depend on species traits and resource availability. Responses are also influenced by edge architecture (e.g., size and shape), site and landscape context, and spatial scale. However, data are limited and the influence of fire edges on both local abundance and regional distributions of fauna is largely unknown. In our conceptual model, biophysical properties interact with the fire regime (e.g., patchiness, frequency) to influence edge architecture. Edge architecture and species traits influence edge permeability, which is linked to important processes such as movement, resource selection, and species interactions. Predicting the effect of fire edges on fauna is challenging, but important for biodiversity conservation in flammable landscapes. Our conceptual model combines several drivers of faunal fire responses (biophysical properties, regime attributes, species traits) and will therefore lead to improved predictions. Future research is needed to understand fire as an agent of edge creation; the spatio‐temporal flux of fire edges across landscapes; and the effect of fire edges on faunal movement, resource selection, and biotic interactions. To aid the incorporation of new data into our predictive framework, our model has been designed as a Bayesian Network, a statistical tool capable of analyzing complex environmental relationships, dealing with data gaps, and generating testable hypotheses.
Cracking the case: Seed traits and phylogeny predict time to germination in prairie restoration species
Authors: Barak Rebecca S. , Lichtenberger Taran M. , Wellman‐Houde Alyssa , Kramer Andrea T. , Larkin Daniel J.
Published: May 2018

Traits are important for understanding how plant communities assemble and function, providing a common currency for studying ecological processes across species, locations, and habitat types. However, the majority of studies relating species traits to community assembly rely upon vegetative traits of mature plants. Seed traits, which are understudied relative to whole‐plant traits, are key to understanding assembly of plant communities. This is particularly true for restored communities, which are typically started de novo from seed, making seed germination a critical first step in community assembly and an early filter for plant establishment. We experimentally tested the effects of seed traits (mass, shape, and embryo to seed size ratio) and phylogeny on germination response in 32 species commonly used in prairie grassland restoration in the Midwestern USA, analyzing data using time‐to‐event (survival) analysis. As germination is also influenced by seed dormancy, and dormancy break treatments are commonly employed in restoration, we also tested the effects of two pretreatments (cold stratification and gibberellic acid application) on time to germination. Seed traits, phylogeny, and seed pretreatments all affected time to germination. Of all traits tested, variables related to seed shape (height and shape variance) best predicted germination response, with high‐variance (i.e., pointier and narrower) seeds germinating faster. Phylogenetic position (the location of species on the phylogenetic tree relative to other tested species) was also an important predictor of germination response, that is, closely related species showed similar patterns in time to germination. This was true despite the fact that all measured seed traits showed phylogenetic signal, therefore phylogeny provided residual information that was not already captured by measured seed traits. Seed traits, phylogenetic position, and germination pretreatments were important predictors of germination response for a suite of species commonly used in grassland restoration. Shape traits were especially important, while mass, often the only seed trait used in studies of community assembly, was not a strong predictor of germination timing. These findings illustrate the ecological importance of seed traits that are rarely incorporated into functional studies of plant communities. This information can also be used to advance restoration practice by guiding restoration planning and seed mix design.
Assessment of a livestock GPS collar based on an open‐source datalogger informs best practices for logging intensity
Authors: McGranahan Devan Allen , Geaumont Benjamin , Spiess Jonathan W.
Published: May 2018

Ecologists have used Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to track animals for 30 years. Issues today include logging frequency and precision in estimating space use and travel distances, as well as battery life and cost. We developed a low‐cost (~US$125), open‐source GPS datalogger based on Arduino. To test the system, we collected positions at 20‐s intervals for several 1‐week durations from cattle and sheep on rangeland in North Dakota. We tested two questions of broad interest to ecologists who use GPS collars to track animal movements: (1) How closely do collared animals cluster in their herd? (2) How well do different logging patterns estimate patch occupancy and total daily distance traveled? Tested logging patterns included regular logging (one position every 5 or 10 min), and burst logging (positions recorded at 20‐s intervals for 5 or 10 min per hour followed by a sleep period). Collared sheep within the same pasture spent 75% of daytime periods within 51 m of each other (mean = 42 m); collared cattle were within 111 m (mean = 76 m). In our comparison of how well different logging patterns estimate space use versus constant logging, the proportion of positions recorded in 1‐ and 16‐ha patches differed by 2%–3% for burst logging and 1% for regular logging. Although all logging patterns underestimated total daily distance traveled, underestimations were corrected by multiplying estimations by regression coefficients estimated by maximum likelihood. Burst logging can extend battery life by a factor of 7. We conclude that a minimum of two collars programmed with burst logging robustly estimate patch use and spatial distribution of grazing livestock herds. Research questions that require accurately estimating travel of individual animals, however, are probably best addressed with regular logging intervals and will thus have greater battery demands than spatial occupancy questions across all GPS datalogger systems.
Why does the magnitude of genotype‐by‐environment interaction vary?
Authors: Saltz Julia B. , Bell Alison M. , Flint Jonathan , Gomulkiewicz Richard , Hughes Kimberly A. , Keagy Jason
Published: May 2018

Genotype‐by‐environment interaction (G × E), that is, genetic variation in phenotypic plasticity, is a central concept in ecology and evolutionary biology. G×E has wide‐ranging implications for trait development and for understanding how organisms will respond to environmental change. Although G × E has been extensively documented, its presence and magnitude vary dramatically across populations and traits. Despite this, we still know little about why G × E is so evident in some traits and populations, but minimal or absent in others. To encourage synthetic research in this area, we review diverse hypotheses for the underlying biological causes of variation in G × E. We extract common themes from these hypotheses to develop a more synthetic understanding of variation in G × E and suggest some important next steps.
When is an herbivore not an herbivore? Detritivory facilitates herbivory in a freshwater system
Authors: Sanchez Jessica L. , Trexler Joel C.
Published: May 2018

Herbivory is thought to be an inefficient diet, but it independently evolved from carnivorous ancestors in many metazoan groups, suggesting that plant‐eating is adaptive in some circumstances. In this study, we tested two hypotheses to explain the adaptive evolution of herbivory: (i) the Heterotroph Facilitation hypothesis (herbivory is adaptive because herbivores supplement their diets with heterotrophic microbes); and (ii) the Lipid Allocation hypothesis (herbivory is adaptive because algae, which have high lipid concentrations, are nutritionally similar to carnivory). We tested these hypotheses using enclosure cages placed in the Everglades and stocked with Sailfin Mollies (Poecilia latipinna), a native herbivore. Using shading and phosphorus addition (P), we manipulated the heterotrophic microbe and lipid composition of colonizing epiphyton and examined the effects of varying food quality on Sailfin Molly life history. Epiphyton grown in “shade only” conditions had a 55% increase in bacterial fatty acids and 34% lower ratios of saturated + monounsaturated to polyunsaturated fatty acids relative to the other treatments. Ratio of autotroph to heterotroph biovolume varied throughout the experiment, with a 697% increase at 3 weeks and 98% decrease at 6 weeks compared to the other treatments. Gut contents revealed that fish fed selectively on epiphyton to compensate for apparent deficiencies in the available food. Fish raised in “shade only” cages experienced the highest survival, which was best explained by autotrophic biovolume and algal‐ and bacterial‐derived fatty acids at 3 weeks (2–6× more likely than alternative models with ∆AICc > 2.00), and by percentage of bacterial fatty acids in the diet at 6 weeks (3–8× more likely than alternative models with ∆AICc > 2.00). There were no differences in fish growth among treatments. Autotrophic lipids play a role in early fish life history, but we did not find these to be the best predictors of life history later in the juvenile period. Instead, heterotrophic lipids facilitated the herbivorous diet and enhanced survival of juvenile fish in our experiment. Bacterial fatty acid content of the diet promoted herbivore survival, consistent with the Heterotroph Facilitation hypothesis. This is the first study to explicitly contrast Heterotrophic Facilitation and Lipid Allocation hypotheses for the adaptive evolution of herbivory in an aquatic system.
Phylogenetic diversity patterns in Himalayan forests reveal evidence for environmental filtering of distinct lineages
Authors: Shooner Stephanie , Davies T. Jonathan , Saikia Purabi , Deka Jyotishman , Bharali Sanjeeb , Tripathi Om Prakash , Singha Lalbihari , Latif Khan Mohammed , Dayanandan Selvadurai
Published: May 2018

Large‐scale environmental gradients have been invaluable for unraveling the processes shaping the evolution and maintenance of biodiversity. Environmental gradients provide a natural setting to test theories about species diversity and distributions within a landscape with changing biotic and abiotic interactions. Elevational gradients are particularly useful because they often encompass a large climatic range within a small geographical extent. Here, we analyzed tree communities in plots located throughout Arunachal Pradesh, a province in northeast India located on the southern face of the Eastern Himalayas, representing one of the largest elevational gradients in the world. Using indices of species and phylogenetic diversity, we described shifts in community structure across the landscape and explored the putative biotic and abiotic forces influencing species assembly. As expected, species richness and phylogenetic diversity decreased with increasing elevation; however, contrary to predictions of environmental filtering, species relatedness did not show any clear trend. Nonetheless, patterns of beta diversity (both taxonomic and phylogenetic) strongly suggest lineage filtering along the elevational gradient. Our results may be explained if filtering is driving the assembly of species from distinct evolutionary lineages. New metrics exploring community contributions to regional taxonomic and phylogenetic beta diversity provided additional evidence for the persistence of unique communities at high elevations. We suggest that these patterns may be consistent with filtering on glacial relicts, part of once more diverse clades with convergent traits suited to climates at the last glacial maximum, resulting in random or over‐dispersed community assemblages at high elevations. We propose that these high‐elevation sites with evolutionarily distinct species represent possible regions for conservation priority that may provide refugia for species threatened by current warming trends.
Metal Coordination to Unsymmetric 1,n′‐Disubstituted Ferrocene Histidine Peptides
Authors: Ferranco Annaleizle , Sun Keija , Udaipaul Theodore , Kraatz Heinz‐Bernhard
Published: May 2018

In this study, the coordination chemistry of unsymmetrical 1,n′‐substituted ferrocene (Fc) peptide conjugates is explored, where the peptide substituents are two different histidine‐containing peptides. The resulting Fc‐conjugates serve as ligands for the formation of metal complexes, with the intention to generate complexes that possess a labile coordination site. The following Fc[CO‐His(Trt)‐OMe][COOMe] (1), Fc[CO‐His(Trt)‐Gly‐OMe][CO‐Gly‐OMe] (2), Fc[CO‐His(Trt)‐His(Trt)‐OMe][CO‐His(Trt)‐OMe] (3), and Fc[CO‐His(Trt)‐Gly‐His(Trt)‐OMe][CO‐Gly‐His(Trt)‐OMe] (4) were synthesized and characterized. Each compound forms discrete complexes with metal divalent metal ions Zn2+, Co2+ and Cd2+, where a single metal ion is complexed by the metallo‐ligand, as was confirmed spectroscopically. The redox properties of the Fc group are influenced by metal coordination to the peptide substituents and anodic shifts occur upon the addition of metal ions. These follow the order Zn2+ > Cd2+ > Co2+. NMR experiments indicated imidazole rings are the site of metal coordination. Fc‐peptide conjugates display a switchable axial chirality that is dependent on metal complexation.
CNTs@C@Cu2‐xSe Hybrid Materials: An Advanced Electrode for High Performance Lithium Batteries and Supercapacitors
Authors: Jin Rencheng , Meng Meng , Zhang Shaohua , Yang Lixia , Li Guihua
Published: May 2018

In this work, one dimensional CNTs@C anchored with Cu2‐xSe nanospheres have been prepared by a facile solvothermal method. The parameters affected the morphology of the sample are investigated. When evaluated as anode for Li ion batteries, the obtained CNTs@C@Cu2‐xSe electrode delivers enhanced electrochemical performance with high reversible capacity, better cycle stability and rate capability. After 100th cycle, a discharge capacity of 399 mAh g−1 can be achieved at 0.1 A g−1. Even at high rate of 2 A g−1, the electrode can still keep a capacity of 198 mAh g−1 after 50 cycles. In addition, the obtained CNTs@C@Cu2‐xSe shows typical faradaic redox properties and exhibits excellent specific capacity (302.7 g−1 at 1 A g−1) and prominent cycling stability (86.9 % capacity retention after 2000 cycles at 2 A g−1). The enhanced electrochemical performance can be attributed to the unique structure. The Cu2‐xSe nanospheres consist of numerous nanocrystalline, which increases the contact area between Cu2‐xSe and electrolyte, reduces the pave length as well as accommodates volume change during cycling. The amorphous carbon layer with numerous carboxyl and hydroxyl groups strengthens the adhesion between the Cu2‐xSe and the CNTs. And the CNTs can enhance the conductivity of Cu2‐xSe and alleviate the mechanical stress and strain of the electrode during charge and discharge process.
The presence of algae mitigates the toxicity of copper-based algaecides to a nontarget organism
Authors: Bishop West M. , Willis Ben E. , Richardson Robert J. , Cope W. Gregory
Published: May 2018

Copper-based algaecides are routinely applied to target noxious algal blooms in freshwaters. Standard toxicity testing data with copper suggest that typical concentrations used to control algae can cause deleterious acute impacts to nontarget organisms. These “clean” water experiments lack algae, which are specifically targeted in field applications of algaecides and contain competing ligands. The present research measured the influence of algae on algaecide exposure and subsequent response of the nontarget species Daphnia magna to copper sulfate and an ethanolamine-chelated copper algaecide (Captain®). Significant shifts (p < 0.05) in D. magna 48-h median lethal concentration (LC50) values were found when algae were present in exposures along with a copper salt or a chelated copper formulation. Copper sulfate 48-h LC50 values shifted from 75.3 to 317.8 and 517.8 μg Cu/L, whereas Captain increased from 353.8 to 414.2 and 588.5 μg Cu/L in no algae, 5 × 105, and 5 × 106 cells/mL algae treatments, respectively. Larger shifts were measured with copper sulfate exposures, although Captain was less toxic to D. magna in all corresponding treatments. Captain was more effective at controlling Scenedesmus dimorphus at most concentrations, and control was inversely proportional to toxicity to D. magna. Overall, incorporating target competing ligands (i.e., algae) into standard toxicity testing is important for accurate risk assessment, and copper formulation can significantly alter algaecidal efficacy and risks to nontarget organisms. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2132–2142. © 2018 SETAC
Effect of emulsifying stability of myofibrillar protein on the gel properties of emulsified surimi gel
Authors: Gao Yuanpei , Fukushima Hideto , Deng Shanggui , Jia Ru , Osako Kazufumi , Okazaki Emiko
Published: May 2018

Several kinds of emulsified surimi gels were prepared from different quality levels of Alaska Pollack surimi, and the relationship between the emulsifying stability (ES) of myofibrillar protein and the properties of the emulsified surimi gels was investigated. Fish oil emulsified into surimi gels enhanced the breaking strength, but this was decreased by denaturation of the surimi protein, and the rate of enhanced gel‐forming ability with emulsification decreased with decreasing ES. Expressible drip also decreased with emulsification; however, increasing amounts of lipid in the expressible drip were separated out from the gel upon protein denaturation of the source surimi. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the shape of fish oil particles became irregular and some voids caused by oil leakage were observed with increasing storage period of source surimi. The results suggested that improvement in gel properties of the emulsified surimi gels was correlated with ES as well as the level of protein denaturation.
A new species of Garcinia (Clusiaceae) from the middle Miocene of Fujian, China, and a phytogeographic analysis
Authors: Wang Zixi , Sun Fankai , Xie Sanping , Wang Jidong , Li Yijie , Dong Junling , Sun Mingxuan , Sun Bainian
Published: May 2018

Some well‐preserved Garcinia leaves were collected from middle Miocene deposits from the Fotan Group of Zhangpu County, Fujian, southeast China. Based on leaf architecture and cuticular characteristics, a new species was established, Garcinia zhangpuensis sp. nov. The leaves were elliptic with an acute apex, they had a major secondary vein meeting an adjacent vein to form an intramarginal vein, and the stomata were elliptical or rounded. Fossil leaf characteristics were compared with those of extant and other fossil species hitherto described in this genus. Here, we present the first fossil Garcinia leaf from China and provide a detailed description of its cuticular characteristics. Based on the analysis of leaf architecture and cuticular characteristics, the present fossil leaves most closely resemble those of extant Garcinia tonkinensis leaves, a species that prefers a subtropical climate. Hence, we can infer that G. zhangpuensis lived during the Miocene under a warm, tropical to subtropical climate. Based on the global paleogeographic distribution of Garcinia, we infer that this genus might have originated from Gondwanan during or prior to the Paleogene.
Ambient air pollution and human performance: Contemporaneous and acclimatization effects of ozone exposure on athletic performance
Authors: Mullins Jamie T.
Published: May 2018

This paper utilizes a unique dataset of competitive outcomes from intercollegiate track and field competition to identify the relationship between recent ambient pollution exposure histories and human performance among a young and fit population in a diverse range of physically demanding "tasks". I find that higher contemporaneous ozone levels are associated with poorer performances in events that heavily tax the respiratory system. This is the case despite the low exposure levels observed in the studied sample, which are similar to those regularly experienced across the developed world. Such negative performance effects imply that observed ozone exposures are leading to physiological harm, which can be expected to negatively impact economic outcomes through both health and productivity channels. Leveraging the unique structure of the data— which includes location information for competitions and home institutions— I also identify an acclimatization effect whereby recent exposure to higher ozone levels serves to reduce the negative effects of contemporaneous exposure. This finding underscores the importance of regulating peak ozone levels rather than only mean concentrations, as spikes in ambient ozone levels can be particularly damaging to exposed populations.
The science and practice of workforce analytics: Introduction to the HRM special issue
Authors: Huselid Mark A.
Published: May 2018

This special issue of Human Resource Management is focused on the latest thinking, research, and practical advances in the emerging field of Workforce Analytics. The eight diverse papers in this issue present new theoretical developments, methodological and statistical tools, and examples of innovative workforce analytics in practice. Taken as a whole, the findings show that workforce analytics can significantly enhance the ability of leaders and managers to achieve their operational and strategic objectives through more effective workforce management. But capitalizing on these opportunities will require both HR and line managers to develop a comprehensive understanding of how the workforce contributes to their firm's strategic success—and this understanding must be reflected in the workforce metrics and analytics they develop and deploy.
Storage in confined aquifer: Spectral analysis of groundwater in responses to Earth tides and barometric effect
Authors: Shih David Ching‐Fang
Published: May 2018

Dilatation of aquifer and associated water level fluctuation in groundwater well is known to be driven periodically from lunar, solar, or other tidal forces. Time‐dependent variables in groundwater system, such as water level, can be converted to power spectra in the frequency domain using Fourier transform to evaluate significant fluctuation. The major innovation of this research is to develop spectral representation in frequency domain for the groundwater system that the storage in confined aquifer can be determined considering dilatation affected by Earth tides and barometric effect. In order to verify applicability of the evolved method, time series of Earth tides and barograph are collected; aquifer storage is then determined inversely by selecting significant semidiurnal and diurnal components in spectra computation. It suggests that to discover groundwater storage using groundwater level with barograph and tidal potential of Earth in frequency domain becomes accessible and feasible.
A clinical follow‐up of omalizumab in routine treatment of allergic asthma monitored by CD‐sens
Authors: Johansson S. Gunnar O. , Lilja Gunnar , Hallberg Jenny , Nopp Anna
Published: May 2018

Introduction

Omalizumab has been available for treatment of allergic asthma for more than a decade and thus, its efficacy in routine treatment was of interest to evaluate. Basophil allergen threshold sensitivity (CD‐sens) has been shown to correlate with the bronchial allergen threshold sensitivity and can be used to objectively measure omalizumab treatment efficacy. We aimed to evaluate the effect of omalizumab treatment of allergic asthma by CD‐sens, as an objective marker of the IgE‐mediated inflammation, and related to SPT, spirometry, FeNO, Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ), and Global Evaluation of Treatment Effectiveness (GETE).

Methods

Thirty‐two patients were treated with omalizumab for 16 weeks. CD‐sens was used to define the response and related to clinical parameters. If CD‐sens was negative (<0.1) (CD‐sens low Group) the patient continued with the standard dose. If CD‐sens was ≥0.1 (CD‐sens high Group) a second 16 weeks period with 25–50% dosage increase was started and evaluated after a total of 32 weeks.

Results

Nine of 32 patients became CD‐sens negative after treatment (CD‐sens start: 8.0; 16 weeks: <0.01) and regarded as successful. 15/23 were unsuccessful (CD‐sens start: 13; 16 weeks: 1.65) and the omalizumab dose was increased. CD‐sens decreased significantly (p < 0.05) and further 3/15 patients became CD‐sens negative (CD‐sens at 32 weeks: 0.5). There was a significantly smaller IgE‐ab fraction (IgE‐ab/IgE) in the CD‐sens low versus the CD‐sens high Group (p < 0.0001). A significant decrease in ACQ was seen in both groups after 16 weeks treatment (p = 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). No significant changes could be detected for the other clinical parameters.

Conclusion

By the use of the objective laboratory method CD‐sens, which effectively measure the direct effect of omalizumab, that is, the IgE‐mediated part of the allergic asthma, in combination with clinical parameters it might be possible to more effectively monitor and treat IgE‐mediated allergic asthma.
Optical coherence tomography‐based angiography device with real‐time angiography B‐scans visualization and hand‐held probe for everyday clinical use
Authors: Moiseev Alexander , Ksenofontov Sergey , Sirotkina Marina , Kiseleva Elena , Gorozhantseva Maria , Shakhova Natalia , Matveev Lev , Zaitsev Vladimir , Matveyev Alexander , Zagaynova Elena , Gelikonov Valentin , Gladkova Natalia , Vitkin Alex , Gelikonov Grigory
Published: May 2018

This work is dedicated to the development of the OCT system with angiography for everyday clinical use. Two major problems were solved during the development: compensation of specific natural tissue displacements, induced by contact scanning mode and physiological motion of patients (eg, respiratory and cardiac motions) and online visualization of vessel cross‐sections to provide feedback for the system operator.
Temozolomide regresses a doxorubicin‐resistant undifferentiated spindle‐cell sarcoma patient‐derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX): precision‐oncology nude‐mouse model matching the patient with effective therapy
Authors: Igarashi Kentaro , Kawaguchi Kei , Kiyuna Tasuku , Miyake Kentaro , Miyake Masuyo , Li Yunfeng , Nelson Scott D. , Dry Sarah M. , Singh Arun S. , Elliott Irmina A. , Russell Tara A. , Eckardt Mark A. , Yamamoto Norio , Hayashi Katsuhiro , Kimura Hiroaki , Miwa Shinji , Tsuchiya Hiroyuki , Eilber Fritz C. , Hoffman Robert M.
Published: May 2018

Undifferentiated spindle‐cell sarcoma (USCS) is a recalcitrant cancer, resistant to conventional chemotherapy. A patient with high‐grade USCS from a striated muscle was implanted orthotopically in the right biceps femoris muscle of mice to establish a patient‐derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) model. The PDOX models were randomized into the following groups when tumor volume reached 100 mm3: G1, control without treatment; G2, doxorubicin (DOX) (3 mg/kg, intraperitoneal [i.p.] injection, weekly, for 2 weeks); G3, temozolomide (TEM) (25 mg/kg, p.o., daily, for 14 days). Tumor size and body weight were measured with calipers and a digital balance twice a week. TEM significantly inhibited tumor volume growth compared to the untreated control and the DOX‐treated group on day 14 after treatment initiation: control (G1): 343 ± 78 mm3; DOX (G2): 308 ± 31 mm3, P = 0.272; TEM (G3): 85 ± 21 mm3, P < 0.0001. TEM significantly regressed the tumor volume compared to day 0 (P = 0.019). There were no animal deaths in any group. The body weight of treated mice was not significantly different in any group. Tumors treated with DOX were comprised of spindle‐shaped viable cells without apparent necrosis or inflammatory changes. In contrast, tumors treated with TEM showed extensive tumor necrosis. The present study demonstrates the potential power of matching the patient with an effective drug and saving the patient needless toxicity from ineffective drugs.
Metformin increases the cytotoxicity of oxaliplatin in human DLD‐1 colorectal cancer cells through down‐regulating HMGB1 expression
Authors: Huang Wen‐Shih , Lin Chien‐Tsong , Chen Cheng‐Nan , Chang Shun‐Fu , Chang Hsin‐I , Lee Ko‐Chao
Published: May 2018

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Chemotherapy has been the major strategy for treating patients with advanced CRC. Oxaliplatin (OXA) is used as both an adjuvant and neoadjuvant anticancer agent available to treat advanced CRC. High‐mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) is a critical regulator of cell death and survival. HMGB1 overexpression has been shown to be resistant to cytotoxic agents. In addition, Metformin, a widely used drug for diabetes, has emerged as a potential anticancer agent. In this study, we examined whether HMGB1 plays a role in the OXA‐ and/or metformin‐induced cytotoxic effect on CRC cells. The results showed that treatment with OXA increased HMGB1 expression in the ERK1/2‐ and Akt‐dependent manners in DLD‐1 cells. HMGB1 gene knockdown enhanced the cytotoxicity and cell growth inhibition of OXA. Moreover, OXA‐increased HMGB1 expression was by inducing NF‐κB‐DNA‐binding activity to in DLD‐1 cells. Compared to a single agent, OXA combined with metformin administration resulted in cytotoxicity and cell growth inhibition synergistically, accompanied with reduced HMGB1 level. These findings may have implications for the rational design of future drug regimens incorporating OXA and metformin for the treatment of CRC.
Mechanisms involved in enhancement of osteoclast formation by activin‐A
Authors: Kajita Tomonari , Ariyoshi Wataru , Okinaga Toshinori , Mitsugi Sho , Tominaga Kazuhiro , Nishihara Tatsuji
Published: May 2018

Several growth factors in bone tissues are reported to be associated with osteoclastogenesis. Activin‐A, a member of the transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) family is known to be present in bone tissues and an important regulator in osteoclastogenesis with SMAD‐mediated signaling being crucial for inducing osteoclast differentiation. In the present study, we examined the effect and underlying mechanisms of activin‐A on osteoclast formation in vitro culture systems. Activin‐A enhanced osteoclast formation in both mouse bone marrow cells and monocyte/macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 cells induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) ligand (RANKL) and/or macrophage stimulating factor (M‐CSF). We also found that activin‐A stimulated bone resorption and actin ring formation induced by RANKL and/or M‐CSF. Furthermore, activin‐A enhanced RANKL‐induced expression of nuclear factor of activated T cell cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), a key regulator of osteoclastogenesis, thereby increasing osteoclastogenesis‐related marker gene expression, including tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase, osteoclast stimulatory transmembrane protein, and cathepsin K. Blockage of receptor binding by follistatin, an activing‐binding protein suppressed the activin‐A‐mediated stimulation of NFATc1. In addition, activin‐A increased RANKL‐induced c‐fos expression without significantly affecting the NF‐κB and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Pre‐treatment of the cells with a specific inhibitor of SMAD2/3 attenuated the activin‐A‐induced expression of NFATc1 and co‐immunoprecipitation assay revealed that treatment with activin‐A increased physical interaction of phosphorylated‐c‐fos and phosphorylated‐SMAD2 protein induced by RANKL. These results suggest that activin‐A enhances RANKL‐induced osteoclast formation mediated by interaction of c‐fos and smad2/3.
IL‐1β from M2 macrophages promotes migration and invasion of ESCC cells enhancing epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and activating NF‐κB signaling pathway
Authors: Zhou Jian , Zheng Shutao , Liu Tao , Liu Qing , Chen Yumei , Tan Doudou , Ma Rong , Lu Xiaomei
Published: May 2018

Despite the phenotype has been established that M2 macrophages promotes the metastasis of ESCC, question still remains as to how the M2 macrophages facilitated metastasis of ESCC cells. To begin with, immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of CD163, one typical surface marker of M2 macrophages in 90 paired ESCC and its normal controls after meta‐analyzing the relevant studies regarding M2 macrophages in ESCC, confirming that infiltration of M2 macrophages was significantly linked with lymph node metastasis, T classification, and inferior overall survival of ESCC. To explore the mechanism behind, protein factors secreted by M2 macrophages were identified using antibody microarray. Six different significantly differential protein factors were screened out, including IL‐1β, TIMP1, IL‐1α, MDC, TGF‐β1, and TGF‐β2. Among which, IL‐1β was picked up as cytokine as interest based on previous reports and its absolute fold. Functional analysis of IL‐1β showed that IL‐1β was able to promote migration and invasion of ESCC cells, enhancing epithelial‐mesenchymal transition, and activating NF‐κB pathway. Our study supports the promoting role of M2 macrophages in metastasis of ESCC cells, enriching the profile of protein factors released from M2 macrophages.
Characterization of miRNA transcriptome profiles related to breast muscle development and intramuscular fat deposition in chickens
Authors: Fu Shouyi , Zhao Yinli , Li Yuanfang , Li Guoxi , Chen Yi , Li Zhuanjian , Sun Guirong , Li Hong , Kang Xiangtao , Yan Fengbin
Published: May 2018

Studies of the miRNA expression profiles associated with the postnatal late development of skeletal muscle and IMF deposition are lacking in chicken. Here, we evaluated the patterns of muscle fiber growth and IMF deposition in breast muscle in the Chinese domestic breed called Gushi chicken, where we constructed four small RNA libraries from breast muscle tissues at 6, 14, 22, and 30 weeks. A total of 388 known miRNAs and 31 novel miRNAs were identified based on four small RNA libraries. Comparative analysis identified 92 significant differentially expressed (SDE) miRNAs based on six combinations. KEGG pathway analysis for the SDE miRNAs showed that metabolic pathways such as glycolysis and biosynthesis of amino acids were significantly enriched before 22 weeks, and pathways such as biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and fatty acid elongation were significantly enriched after 22 weeks. This trend was consistent with the patterns of breast muscle fiber growth and IMF deposition in Gushi chickens. We also constructed miRNA‐mRNA interaction networks related to breast muscle development and IMF deposition. The results showed that miRNAs such as gga‐miR‐1a‐3p, and gga‐miR‐133a‐5p may play important roles in breast muscle development, and miRNAs such as gga‐miR‐103‐3p, and gga‐miR‐138‐2‐3p may have key roles in IMF deposition. This study determined the dynamic miRNA transcriptome in breast muscle tissue for the first time in Gushi chickens. The results provide a valuable resource for investigating the post‐transcriptional regulation mechanisms during postnatal late development of breast muscle and IMF deposition and for evaluating the muscular disease.
Combining the polarizable Drude force field with a continuum electrostatic Poisson–Boltzmann implicit solvation model
Authors: Aleksandrov Alexey , Lin Fang‐Yu , Roux Benoît , MacKerell Alexander D.
Published: May 2018

In this work, we have combined the polarizable force field based on the classical Drude oscillator with a continuum Poisson–Boltzmann/solvent‐accessible surface area (PB/SASA) model. In practice, the positions of the Drude particles experiencing the solvent reaction field arising from the fixed charges and induced polarization of the solute must be optimized in a self‐consistent manner. Here, we parameterized the model to reproduce experimental solvation free energies of a set of small molecules. The model reproduces well‐experimental solvation free energies of 70 molecules, yielding a root mean square difference of 0.8 kcal/mol versus 2.5 kcal/mol for the CHARMM36 additive force field. The polarization work associated with the solute transfer from the gas‐phase to the polar solvent, a term neglected in the framework of additive force fields, was found to make a large contribution to the total solvation free energy, comparable to the polar solute–solvent solvation contribution. The Drude PB/SASA also reproduces well the electronic polarization from the explicit solvent simulations of a small protein, BPTI. Model validation was based on comparisons with the experimental relative binding free energies of 371 single alanine mutations. With the Drude PB/SASA model the root mean square deviation between the predicted and experimental relative binding free energies is 3.35 kcal/mol, lower than 5.11 kcal/mol computed with the CHARMM36 additive force field. Overall, the results indicate that the main limitation of the Drude PB/SASA model is the inability of the SASA term to accurately capture non‐polar solvation effects. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Specific expression network analysis of diabetic nephropathy kidney tissue revealed key methylated sites
Authors: Wang Yan‐Zhe , Xu Wen‐Wei , Zhu Ding‐Yu , Zhang Nan , Wang Yong‐Lan , Ding Miao , Xie Xin‐Miao , Sun Lin‐Lin , Wang Xiao‐Xia
Published: May 2018

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common and serious complication in diabetes patients. However, the evidences of gene regulation mechanism and epigenetic modification with DN remain unclear. Therefore, it is necessary to search regulating genes for early diagnosis on DN. We identified tissue specific genes through mining the gene expression omnibus (GEO) public database, enriched function by gene ontology (GO), and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analysis, and further compared tissue‐specific network. Meanwhile, combining with differentially methylated sites, we explored the association epigenetic modification with the pathogenesis of DN. Glomeruli (Glom) may be the main tissue of signal recognition and tubulointerstitium (Tub) is mainly associated with energy metabolism in the occurrence of DN. By comparing tissue‐specific networks between Glom and Tub, we screened 319 genes, which played an important role in multiple tissue on kidney. Among them, ANXA2, UBE2L6, MME, IQGAP, SLC7A7, and PLG played a key role in regulating the incidence of DN. Besides, we also identified 1 up‐regulated gene (PIK3C2B) and 39 down‐regulated genes (POLR2G, DDB1, and ZNF230, etc.) in the methylated data of Glom specific genes. In the Tub specific expressed genes, we identified two hypo‐methylated genes (PPARA and GLS). Tub mainly caused abnormal energy metabolism, and Glom caused the changes in cell connections and histone modification. By analyzing differentially methylated sites and tissue‐specific expressed genes, we found the change of methylated status about the core regulating genes may be a potential factor in the pathogenesis of DN.
Re‐using bauxite residues: benefits beyond (critical raw) material recovery
Authors: Ujaczki Éva , Feigl Viktória , Molnár Mónika , Cusack Patricia , Curtin Teresa , Courtney Ronan , O'Donoghue Lisa , Davris Panagiotis , Hugi Christoph , Evangelou Michael WH , Balomenos Efthymios , Lenz Markus
Published: May 2018

Since the world economy has been confronted with an increasing risk of supply shortages of critical raw materials (CRMs), there has been a major interest in identifying alternative secondary sources of CRMs. Bauxite residues from alumina production are available at a multi‐million tonnes scale worldwide. So far, attempts have been made to find alternative re‐use applications for bauxite residues, for instance in cement / pig iron production. However, bauxite residues also constitute an untapped secondary source of CRMs. Depending on their geological origin and processing protocol, bauxite residues can contain considerable amounts of valuable elements. The obvious primary consideration for CRM recovery from such residues is the economic value of the materials contained. However, there are further benefits from re‐use of bauxite residues in general, and from CRM recovery in particular. These go beyond monetary values (e.g. reduced investment / operational costs resulting from savings in disposal). For instance, benefits for the environment and health can be achieved by abatement of tailing storage as well as by reduction of emissions from conventional primary mining. Whereas certain tools (e.g. life‐cycle analysis) can be used to quantify the latter, other benefits (in particular sustained social and technological development) are harder to quantify. This review evaluates strategies of bauxite residue re‐use / recycling and identifies associated benefits beyond elemental recovery. Furthermore, methodologies to translate risks and benefits into quantifiable data are discussed. Ultimately, such quantitative data are a prerequisite for facilitating decision‐making regarding bauxite residue re‐use / recycling and a stepping stone towards developing a zero‐waste alumina production process. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Intracellular uranium distribution: Comparison of cryogenic fixation versus chemical fixation methods for SIMS analysis
Authors: Suhard D. , Tessier C. , Manens L. , Rebière F. , Tack K. , Agarande M. , Guéguen Y.
Published: May 2018

Localization of uranium within cells is mandatory for the comprehension of its cellular mechanism of toxicity. Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) has recently shown its interest to detect and localize uranium at very low levels within the cells. This technique requires a specific sample preparation similar to the one used for Transmission Electronic Microscopy, achieved by implementing different chemical treatments to preserve as much as possible the living configuration uranium distribution into the observed sample. This study aims to compare the bioaccumulation sites of uranium within liver or kidney cells after chemical fixation and cryomethods preparations of the samples: SIMS analysis of theses samples show the localization of uranium soluble forms in the cell cytoplasm and nucleus with a more homogenous distribution when using cryopreparation probably due to the diffusible portion of uranium inside the cytoplasm.