bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antagonism of Glycolysis and Reductive Carboxylation of Glutamine Potentiates Activity of Oncolytic Adenoviruses in Cancer Cells
Authors: Dyer Arthur , Schoeps Benjamin , Frost Sally , Jakeman Philip , Scott Eleanor M. , Freedman Joshua , Jacobus Egon J. , Seymour Leonard W.
Published: November 2018

Tumor cells exhibiting the Warburg effect rely on aerobic glycolysis for ATP production and have a notable addiction to anaplerotic use of glutamine for macromolecular synthesis. This strategy maximizes cellular biosynthetic potential while avoiding excessive depletion of NAD+ and provides an attractive anabolic environment for viral infection. Here, we evaluate infection of highly permissive and poorly permissive cancer cells with wild-type adenoviruses and the oncolytic chimeric adenovirus enadenotucirev (EnAd). All adenoviruses caused an increase in glucose and glutamine uptake along with increased lactic acid secretion. Counterintuitively, restricting glycolysis using 2-deoxyglucose or by limiting glucose supply strongly improved virus activity in both cell types. Antagonism of glycolysis also boosted EnAd replication and transgene expression within human tumor biopsies and in xenografted tumors in vivo. In contrast, the virus life cycle was critically dependent on exogenous glutamine. Virus activity in glutamine-free cells was rescued with exogenous membrane-permeable α-ketoglutarate, but not pyruvate or oxaloacetate, suggesting an important role for reductive carboxylation in glutamine usage, perhaps for production of biosynthetic intermediates. This overlap between the metabolic phenotypes of adenovirus infection and transformed tumor cells may provide insight into how oncolytic adenoviruses exploit metabolic transformation to augment their selectivity for cancer cells.

Significance:

This study describes changes in glucose and glutamine metabolism induced by oncolytic and wild-type adenoviruses in cancer cells, which will be important to consider in the preclinical evaluation of oncolytic viruses.
Replication Stress: An Achilles' Heel of Glioma Cancer Stem–like Cells
Authors: Morgan Meredith A. , Canman Christine E.
Published: November 2018

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive form of cancer that is resistant to standard therapy with concurrent radiation and temozolomide, two agents that work by inducing DNA damage. An underlying cause of this resistance may be a subpopulation of cancer stem–like cells that display a heightened DNA damage response (DDR). Although this DDR represents an attractive therapeutic target for overcoming the resistance of GBMs to radiotherapy, until now, the cause of this DDR upregulation has not been understood. In a previous issue of Cancer Research, Carruthers and colleagues investigated DNA replication stress as an underlying mechanism responsible for upregulation of the DDR and hence the radiation resistance of glioma stem–like cells. Furthermore, the authors explore the efficacy of combined ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related kinase and PARP inhibitors as a strategy to leverage these mechanisms and overcome radiation resistance.

See related article by Carruthers and colleagues, Cancer Res; 78(17); 5060–71.
Development of PARP and Immune-Checkpoint Inhibitor Combinations
Authors: Stewart Ross A , Pilié Patrick G , Yap Timothy A
Published: November 2018

PARP inhibitors drive increased DNA damage, particularly in tumors with existing defects in DNA repair. This damage not only promotes immune priming through a range of molecular mechanisms, but also leads to adaptive upregulation of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. In this context, PARP inhibition and programmed cell death 1(PD-1)/PD-L1–targeting antibodies represent a rationale combination. In this review, we detail the basic and translational science underpinning this promising new combination, summarize available clinical data, and discuss the key questions that remain to be addressed during future development.
Clinical Development of Novel Drug–Radiotherapy Combinations
Authors: Ahmad Saif S. , Crittenden Marka R. , Tran Phuoc T. , Kluetz Paul G. , Blumenthal Gideon M. , Bulbeck Helen , Baird Richard D. , Williams Kaye J. , Illidge Tim , Hahn Stephen M. , Lawrence Theodore S. , Spears Patricia A. , Walker Amanda J. , Sharma Ricky A.
Published: November 2018

Radiotherapy is a fundamental component of treatment for the majority of patients with cancer. In recent decades, technological advances have enabled patients to receive more targeted doses of radiation to the tumor, with sparing of adjacent normal tissues. There had been hope that the era of precision medicine would enhance the combination of radiotherapy with targeted anticancer drugs; however, this ambition remains to be realized. In view of this lack of progress, the FDA–AACR–ASTRO Clinical Development of Drug–Radiotherapy Combinations Workshop was held in February 2018 to bring together stakeholders and opinion leaders from academia, clinical radiation oncology, industry, patient advocacy groups, and the FDA to discuss challenges to introducing new drug–radiotherapy combinations to the clinic. This Perspectives in Regulatory Science and Policy article summarizes the themes and action points that were discussed. Intelligent trial design is required to increase the number of studies that efficiently meet their primary outcomes; endpoints to be considered include local control, organ preservation, and patient-reported outcomes. Novel approaches including immune-oncology or DNA-repair inhibitor agents combined with radiotherapy should be prioritized. In this article, we focus on how the regulatory challenges associated with defining a new drug–radiotherapy combination can be overcome to improve clinical outcomes for patients with cancer.
Effects of Music Therapy on the Care Burden of In-Home Caregivers and Physiological Parameters of Their In-Home Dementia Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Gok Ugur Hacer , Orak Oya Sevcan , Yaman Aktas Yesim , Enginyurt Ozgür , Saglambilen Okan
Published: November 2018

Objectives: This study was conducted to explore the effects of classical Turkish music therapy on both the caregiver burden and physiological parameters of patients with dementia. Methods: The study was a randomized controlled trial. It was conducted with dementia patients (n = 75) and their caregivers who were registered at in-home care services of the General Secretariat of the Association of Public Hospitals in Ordu. The study sample consisted of 30 control and 30 music group patients and their caregivers who satisfied the inclusion criteria for the study conducted between April 2015 and April 2016. The primary outcome of the study was to measure the care burden of in-home caregivers, and the secondary outcome was to measure physiological parameters, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration rate in patients with dementia. Results: The mean scores of the post-test caregiver burden in the music group were found to be significantly lower than those of the control group (t = -4.478, p = 0.001). The differences in the post-test systolic and diastolic blood pressures between the patient groups were found to be statistically significant (t = -4.603, p = 0.001; t = -2.656, p = 0.010). Conclusions: Classical Turkish music intervention in in-home dementia patients decreased the care burden of caregivers and the patients' blood pressures were brought under control. In parallel with these results, it is recommended that more studies to reveal the effects of classical Turkish music on care burden should be conducted.
Variable Clinical Characteristics and Molecular Spectrum of Patients with Syndromes of Reduced Sensitivity to Thyroid Hormone: Genetic Defects in the THRB and SLC16A2 Genes
Authors: Choi Jin-Ho , Cho Ja Hyang , Kim Ja Hye , Yoo Eun-Gyong , Kim Gu-Hwan , Yoo Han-Wook
Published: November 2018

Background/Aims: Syndromes of reduced sensitivity to thyroid hormone can be caused by innate resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH), thyroid hormone cell transporter defects, or thyroid hormone metabolism defects. This study was performed to describe clinical, endocrinological, and molecular characteristics of patients with disorders associated with impaired sensitivity to thyroid hormone due to THRB or SLC16A2 mutations. Methods: This study included 5 probands (1 male and 4 females) with RTH and 6 patients with Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome (AHDS). Clinical features and endocrine findings were reviewed retrospectively. Molecular analysis of two candidate genes, THRB or SLC16A2, confirmed the diagnosis. Results: Among RTH patients, median age at diagnosis was 5.6 years. Three patients were classified as having generalized RTH, whereas the other 2 patients were regarded as having isolated pituitary RTH. Three novel heterozygous mutations and 2 known mutations in THRB were identified from 5 independent pedigrees. All mutations were located in the major ligand-binding domain. In AHDS patients, delayed development was apparent between 3 and 6 months of age. Direct sequencing of SLC16A2 identified 6 hemizygous missense mutations in each patient: p.I188N, p.G221R, p.A224V, p.G276R, p.W398R, and p.G401R. Conclusions: This study identified 3 novel mutations in THRB in RTH patients and 1 novel mutation in SLC16A2 in AHDS patients. Routine neonatal screening based on the TSH assay has a limited role in detecting RTH or AHDS. Therefore, genetic testing of the candidate genes THRB and SLC16A2 should be performed for diagnosis of RTH and AHDS in patients with the suggestive clinical phenotype.
Two Cases of Long-Term Control of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer via FTD/TPI plus Bevacizumab in Elderly Patients
Authors: Shibutani Masatsune , Maeda Kiyoshi , Nagahara Hisashi , Fukuoka Tatsunari , Iseki Yasuhito , Matsutani Shinji , Wang En , Hirakawa Kosei , Ohira Masaichi
Published: November 2018

With advances in new cytotoxic drugs and molecular-targeted drugs, the prognosis of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has improved. However, physicians often hesitate to administer intensive standard regimens to elderly patients with mCRC. Recently, first-line regimens that are effective in and well-tolerated by patients who are not eligible for intensive chemotherapy have been established. However, the therapeutic strategies to adopt after the failure of first-line treatment for patients who are not eligible for intensive chemotherapy remain unclear. We herein report two cases of long-term control of mCRC via FTD/TPI+bevacizumab (Bmab) as second- or third-line treatment in elderly patients without severe adverse events. In case 1, first-line treatment with Tegafur-Uracil, which is a prodrug of 5-FU, caused disease progression in a short period after the initiation of chemotherapy. In case 2, intensive first-line treatment caused severe adverse events, and treatment was discontinued. However, in both cases, disease control was obtained for a long time without severe adverse events by subsequent treatment with FTD/TPI+Bmab. The success in these present cases indicates that FTD/TPI+Bmab as a second- or third-line treatment is a therapeutic option for elderly patients with mCRC who are not eligible for intensive chemotherapy, even after failure of treatment with 5-FU.
Prevalence of Metabolic Bone Disease in Tube-Fed Children Receiving Elemental Formula
Authors: Creo Ana L. , Epp Lisa M. , Buchholtz Julie A. , Tebben Peter J.
Published: November 2018

Background: Previous studies suggest normal mineral status in children receiving elemental formula. However, a recent multicenter survey described 51 children who developed hypophosphatemia and bone disease while receiving elemental formula. Our aim is to determine the prevalence of metabolic bone disease in children receiving extensively hydrolyzed or amino acid-based formula. Methods: We established a retrospective cohort using an institutional database of tube-fed children. We defined a “confirmed case” as a child with biochemical and radiographic evidence of bone disease (rickets and/or low-trauma fractures). We defined a “suspected case” as a child who had biochemical evidence and/or radiographic evidence of bone disease but with incomplete data during the review period. Results: A total of 102 tube-fed children receiving elemental or semi-elemental formula were identified. The four elemental and semi-elemental formulas evaluated were Neocate®, EleCare®, Pregestimil®, and Alimentum®. Not all children had complete monitoring data performed during the review period. Of the children receiving Neocate who had monitoring data (46%), 23% developed hypophosphatemia and radiographic abnormalities (fractures or rickets), which resolved with phosphorus supplementation and/or change in the formula brand. Conclusions: We estimate that at least 11% and up to 23% of all tube-fed children receiving Neocate develop metabolic bone disease. Based upon the estimated prevalence, we recommend cautious use of this formula with monitoring for evolving bone disease in this population.
Central Nervous System Peripheral T Cell Lymphoma Manifesting as Lymphomatosis Cerebri That Was Misdiagnosed as Neuro-Behçet’s Disease: A Case Report
Authors: Imataki Osamu , Uchida Shumpei , Yokokura Shigeyuki , Uemura Makiko , Kadowaki Norimitsu
Published: November 2018

Background: Lymphomatosis cerebri (LC) is a unique form of primary central nerves lymphoma (PCNSL), which presents as diffuse infiltration of lymphoma cells characteristically in the white matter rather than tumor formation. However, the involvement of central nervous system (CNS) is unclear because of the lack of contrast enhancement. Case Presentation: We treated a 53-year-old woman with LC and brain lesions resembling neuro-Behcet’s disease. She had a past history of acute uveitis and current symptoms of somnolence and gait disturbances progressing for one month. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed high signal lesions in the brain stem. Based on her past history and present clinical findings, she was clinically diagnosed with neuro-Behcet’s disease, which was treated with 1 g of methylprednisolone (mPSL) pulse therapy. Repeated mPSL pulse therapy resulted in a minor response, but the cerebral lesions persisted. After a short remission of several months, signal changes of the brain stem lesion recurred and her consciousness level worsened at 4 months after diagnosis. Upon admission to our hospital, positron emission tomography with 2-deoxy-2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-D-glucose integrated with computed tomography revealed abnormal uptake in the systemic lymph nodes (LNs), including the bilateral inguinal LNs. A diagnosis based on a biopsy of the left inguinal LNs was primary central nervous system lymphoma with inguinal LN lesions, manifesting as LC from malignant peripheral T cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified. Four courses of high-dose methotrexate (3.5 g/m2) therapy lead to temporary recovery of consciousness, but there was no improvement in other neurological findings. All nodal lesions tentatively regressed. Serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) (normal range: 121–613 U/mL) was constitutively decreased from 8,520 U/mL before chemotherapy to 740 U/mL after chemotherapy. We observed cerebral micro-bleeds in the center of LC lesions during chemotherapy, but no surgical intervention was required. Two months later, LC recurred in the brain, which was fatal. Conclusions: Neuro-Behçet’s disease is difficult to distinguish from LC when other clinical findings, including human leukocyte antigen disparity, serum sIL-2R, or cerebrospinal IL-6, are lacking. LC should be differentiated from CNS lymphoma before corticosteroid therapy.
Retaining mTeSR1 Medium during Hepatic Differentiation Facilitates Hepatocyte-Like Cell Survival by Decreasing Apoptosis
Authors: Hou Jian , Long Yan , Hu Bo , Huang Shaojie , Xu Guangtao , Gao Tesheng , Wu Fenfang , Li Yinxiong , Wu Zhong-Kai
Published: November 2018

Background/Aims: Hepatocyte-like cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells could be an important cell source for hepatocyte transplantation. The present study investigated the effect of retaining mTeSR1 medium during hepatic differentiation on hepatocyte-like cells in vitro. Methods: Human embryonic stem cell line H1 were treated with activin A and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) for definitive endoderm (DE) cell induction and subsequently treated with BMP2 and fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4) for early hepatic cell induction. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and fibroblast growth factor (KGF) were added for early hepatic cell expansion and then mixed with oncostatin-M for maturation. During DE induction, 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% concentrations of mTeSR1 medium were separately added for early hepatic induction and expansion. For optimization, the expression levels of SRY-related HMG-box 17 (SOX17) and forkhead box A2 (FOXA2) at day 4, alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) at day 15, and albumin (ALB) at day 25 were quantified in differentiated cells by qRT-PCR. The ALB-positive cell proportion was measured by flow cytometry. Functional tests including ALB secretion and indocyanine green (ICG) angiography uptake and release by ELISA, urea production by urea assay kit, and glycogen storage ability by periodic acid Schif reaction (PAS) staining were performed in the differentiated cells. The induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells were used to examine whether the optimized method was suitable for differentiating iPS cells. DE and hepatic markers were detected by immunostaining, and functional testing was performed as described above. Flow cytometry with an Annexin V-FITC apoptosis detection kit and fluorescence microscopy with Hoechst 33258 were used to analyze apoptosis in differentiated cells derived from H1 cells. Results: All differentiated cells with retention of 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% mTeSR1 expressed SOX17, FOXA2, AFP, HNF4α, and ALB, while higher expression levels were observed in differentiated cells in the 0% and 25% groups. The flow cytometry results showed that the proportion of ALB-positive differentiated cells derived from H1 cells was higher in the 25% mTeSR1 group than in other groups. However, no significant difference in ALB secretion, urea production, ICG uptake and release and glycogen storage ability was detected between the 25% and 0% groups. The iPS cells could differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells with 25% mTeSR1 retention. The apoptosis ratio of differentiated cells was lower in the 25% mTeSR1 group than in the 0% mTeSR1 group. Conclusion: Retaining 25% mTeSR1 medium during hepatic differentiation has been proposed to increase the percentage of ALB-positive cells and cell survival by decreasing cell apoptosis.
Spatial Relationship and Functional Relevance of Three Lipid Domain Populations at the Erythrocyte Surface
Authors: Conrard Louise , Stommen Amaury , Cloos Anne-Sophie , Steinkühler Jan , Dimova Rumiana , Pollet Hélène , Tyteca Donatienne
Published: November 2018

Background/Aims: Red blood cells (RBC) have been shown to exhibit stable submicrometric lipid domains enriched in cholesterol (chol), sphingomyelin (SM), phosphatidylcholine (PC) or ganglioside GM1, which represent the four main lipid classes of their outer plasma membrane leaflet. However, whether those lipid domains co-exist at the RBC surface or are spatially related and whether and how they are subjected to reorganization upon RBC deformation are not known. Methods: Using fluorescence and/or confocal microscopy and well-validated probes, we compared these four lipid-enriched domains for their abundance, curvature association, lipid order, temperature dependence, spatial dissociation and sensitivity to RBC mechanical stimulation. Results: Our data suggest that three populations of lipid domains with decreasing abundance coexist at the RBC surface: (i) chol-enriched ones, associated with RBC high curvature areas; (ii) GM1/PC/chol-enriched ones, present in low curvature areas; and (iii) SM/PC/chol-enriched ones, also found in low curvature areas. Whereas chol-enriched domains gather in increased curvature areas upon RBC deformation, low curvature-associated lipid domains increase in abundance either upon calcium influx during RBC deformation (GM1/PC/chol-enriched domains) or upon secondary calcium efflux during RBC shape restoration (SM/PC/chol-enriched domains). Hence, abrogation of these two domain populations is accompanied by a strong impairment of the intracellular calcium balance. Conclusion: Lipid domains could contribute to calcium influx and efflux by controlling the membrane distribution and/or the activity of the mechano-activated ion channel Piezo1 and the calcium pump PMCA. Whether this results from lipid domain biophysical properties, the strength of their anchorage to the underlying cytoskeleton and/or their correspondence with inner plasma membrane leaflet lipids remains to be demonstrated.
miR-155-5p is Negatively Associated with Acute Pancreatitis and Inversely Regulates Pancreatic Acinar Cell Progression by Targeting Rela and Traf3
Authors: Liu Sulai , Zou Honglian , Wang Yonggang , Duan Xiaohui , Chen Chen , Cheng Wei , Wang Le , Ning Ning , Tang Hongying , Chen Meifu , Mao Xianhai , Peng Chuang , Li Hao , Jiang Yu , Jiang Bo
Published: November 2018

Background/Aims: Acute pancreatitis contributes to high mortality in pancreatitis patients, and miRNAs play a vital role in the development of acute pancreatitis (AP), however, its precise biological role remains largely elusive. Methods: To clarify the potential mechanisms of miRNAs in AP, we built mouse models of mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) and moderate/ severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). MiRNA microarray analysis and Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to analyze the expression of miRNA in MAP/SAP. TargetScan software, dual-luciferase gene reporter assays and Western blotting were used to assess the target genes of miR-155-5p in AP. Results: miR-155-5p was significantly decreased in MAP/SAP mice compared to controls. In pancreatic acinar AR42J cells transfected with miR-155-5p mimic, the expression of Rela and Traf3 notably decreased in both the caerulein- and TLC-S-induced groups compared with the negative control (NC); however, the expression of Rela and Traf3 notably increased after transfection with miR-155-5p inhibitor. Combined analysis using the TargetScan software and dual-luciferase gene reporter assays indicated that Rela and Traf3 were both targeted by miR-155-5p. Meanwhile, the expression of Ptgs2 also decreased after transfection of the AR42J cells with miR-155-5p mimic. The opposite results were found when miR-155-5p inhibitor was transfected into the AR42J cells. In addition, we treated caerulein- and TLC-S-induced AR42J cells with the Rela inhibitor helenalin and found that the expression of Rela, Traf3 and Ptgs2 decreased compared with the NC, while the expression of miR-155-5p did not show any significant difference. Furthermore, we found that miR-155-5p was significantly down-regulated in pancreatitis patients. Conclusion: miR-155-5p inversely regulated AP development through the Rela/Traf3/Ptgs2 signaling pathway.
A paz pede arte: Os diálogos de paz e seus agentes
Authors: Dias Stéphane
Published: November 2018

Este artigo explora uma agenda de pesquisa teórico-aplicada no âmbito das ciências da linguagem. Como parte da pesquisa, apresentaremos nossa análise de um diálogo, disponibilizado pelo projeto The Palestine Papers, entre negociadores do Estado de Israel e da Organização para a Libertação da Palestina. Abordaremos, assim, um objeto teórico (agência dialógica) e um objeto empírico (diálogos de paz israelo-palestinos). E, a partir do arsenal teórico proposto, dos problemas levantados na análise e de uma proposta de pacificação tomada como base, defenderemos um cenário alternativo de mediação, cujo núcleo é o uso de novos agentes e novas linguagens.
A non-invasive water-borne hormone assay for amphibians
Authors: Gabor Caitlin R. , Gabor Caitlin R. , Bosch Jaime , Gabor Caitlin R. , Bosch Jaime , Fries Joe N. , Gabor Caitlin R. , Bosch Jaime , Fries Joe N. , Davis Drew R.
Published: November 2018

Anthropogenic disturbances have been implicated in the rapid decline of amphibians. Disturbances, such as disease and poor water quality, might cause changes in the physiology of amphibians resulting in chronic stress, which can result in decreased growth and development as well as immunosuppression. In amphibians, corticosterone (CORT) is the main hormone released in response to stressors. We took the first steps towards validating a new, non-invasive, technique to assay CORT in amphibians using a water-borne collection method previously used only with fish. In validation of this technique, we found a significant positive correlation between release rates of water-borne CORT and levels of CORT in circulating plasma in adults of the San Marcos salamander, Eurycea nana, and the common midwife toad, Alytes obstetricans. These results indicate that water-borne CORT can be used as a proxy for plasma CORT. Additionally, we examined basic background information on the physiological states of these two species. We found that captive-reared salamanders had significantly lower release rates of CORT than field-collected salamanders. Field-collected salamanders had significantly higher CORT release rates 24 h after capture and transfer to the laboratory. For tadpoles, we found that field-collected tadpoles did not have significantly different CORT release rates than those maintained in the laboratory for four months. Our research indicates that this method of water-borne hormone collection should be viable for many species of amphibians; however, further validation via adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenges is required. This method can be a useful tool for assessing the physiological state of laboratory and field populations of amphibians and the effects of urbanization, pesticides and diseases. An important benefit of this method is that it allows for repeated measures of the same individuals and can be less stressful than drawing blood.
Rapid enigmatic decline drives the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) to the edge of extinction in the Netherlands
Authors: Spitzen-van der Sluijs Annemarieke , Spitzen-van der Sluijs Annemarieke , Spikmans Frank , Spitzen-van der Sluijs Annemarieke , Spikmans Frank , Bosman Wilbert , Spitzen-van der Sluijs Annemarieke , Spikmans Frank , Bosman Wilbert , de Zeeuw Marnix , Spitzen-van der Sluijs Annemarieke , Spikmans Frank , Bosman Wilbert , de Zeeuw Marnix , van der Meij Tom , Spitzen-van der Sluijs Annemarieke , Spikmans Frank , Bosman Wilbert , de Zeeuw Marnix , van der Meij Tom , Goverse Edo , Spitzen-van der Sluijs Annemarieke , Spikmans Frank , Bosman Wilbert , de Zeeuw Marnix , van der Meij Tom , Goverse Edo , Kik Marja , Spitzen-van der Sluijs Annemarieke , Spikmans Frank , Bosman Wilbert , de Zeeuw Marnix , van der Meij Tom , Goverse Edo , Kik Marja , Pasmans Frank , Spitzen-van der Sluijs Annemarieke , Spikmans Frank , Bosman Wilbert , de Zeeuw Marnix , van der Meij Tom , Goverse Edo , Kik Marja , Pasmans Frank , Martel An
Published: November 2018

In the Netherlands, the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) is at the edge of its geographic range and is restricted to three small populations in the extreme south of the country. Despite the species being listed as ‘Endangered’ on the national Red List, the situation was considered to be stable. However, from 2008 onwards dead individuals were seen on more than one occasion. A sharp decline in numbers has been observed since 2010 (96%; ), but we were unable to attribute this to any known cause of amphibian decline, such as chytridiomycosis, ranavirus or habitat degradation. The present work describes this enigmatic decline, and we discuss these results in the context of possible causes.
Phylogeography and morphological variation of the northernmost distributed species of the Liolaemus lineomaculatus section (Liolaemini) from Patagonia
Authors: Breitman María Florencia , Neyro Martinez Ramiro Jesús , Avila Luciano Javier , Sites Jack Walter , Morando Mariana
Published: November 2018

Lizards from the Liolaemus lineomaculatus section are endemic to Patagonia, southern South America. Three main groups are recognized within this section, one of which, the L. kingii group includes eleven species. The two northernmost distributed species of this group, L. somuncurae and L. uptoni, are endemic to a small area that partly overlaps with the Provincial Protected Area Somuncurá Plateau (within the Somuncurá massif). Knowledge available for these species is based on limited sample sizes, and mostly limited to their original descriptions; also a recent molecular phylogenetic study showed evidence for a closely related candidate species (Liolaemus sp. 4). In this paper we morphologically and genetically characterize the species L. somuncurae, L. uptoni, and L. sp. 4, and present past demographic hypotheses. We studied eighty lizards, and collected morphological and genetic data for almost all of them. The specific status of L. somuncurae and L. uptoni is supported by molecular, morphological, and distributional evidence, as well as the status of L. sp. 4; for which we recommend further morphological comparisons with other species of the L. kingii group. We also identified two novel lineages from restricted areas south of the Chubut River that we propose as candidate species. We extend previously published evidence (from plants and rodents) supporting the role of the Chubut River as an allopatric barrier. Also, in agreement with previous results based on plants, we found evidence for two refugia in northwestern Chubut, for which we encourage conservation efforts.
The taxonomic history of the enigmatic Papuan snake genus Toxicocalamus (Elapidae: Hydrophiinae), with the description of a new species from the Managalas Plateau of Oro Province, Papua New Guinea, and a revised dichotomous key
Authors: O’Shea Mark , Allison Allen , Kaiser Hinrich
Published: November 2018

We trace the taxonomic history of Toxicocalamus, a poorly known genus of primarily vermivorous snakes found only in New Guinea and associated island archipelagos. With only a relatively limited number of specimens to examine, and the distribution of those specimens across many natural history collections, it has been a difficult task to assemble a complete taxonomic assessment of this group. As a consequence, research on these snakes has undergone a series of fits and starts, and we here present the first comprehensive chronology of the genus, beginning with its original description by George Albert Boulenger in 1896. We also describe a new species from the northern versant of the Owen Stanley Range, Oro Province, Papua New Guinea, and we present a series of comparisons that include heretofore underused characteristics, including those of unusual scale patterns, skull details, and tail tip morphology. Defined by the smallest holotype in the genus, the new species is easily differentiated from all other Toxicocalamus by a combination of the following eidonomic characters: fused prefrontal-internasal scute; single preocular, separate, not fused with prefrontal; minute circular, counter-sunk naris in the centre of a large, undivided, nasal scute; paired postoculars; single anterior temporal and paired posterior temporals; six supralabials, with 3rd and 4th supralabial contacting the orbit; dorsal scales in 15-15-15 rows; 235 ventral scales, 35 paired subcaudal scales; paired cloacal scales preceded by paired precloacal scales; and a short, laterally slightly compressed, ‘Ultrocalamus-type’ tail, terminating in a short conical scale. Differences from congeners in skull morphology include a reduced anterior extent of the parasphenoid, termination of the palatine tooth row at the anterior level of the parasphenoid, extent and shape of the premaxilla, shape and size of the prootics, extent and shape of the exoccipitals and occipital condyles, and features of the atlas-axis complex. This is the fifteenth species in the genus Toxicocalamus.
Play fighting in Visayan warty pigs (Sus cebifrons): insights on restraint and reciprocity in the maintenance of play
Authors: Pellis Sergio M. , Pellis Vivien C.
Published: November 2018

Restraint is thought to be essential to enable the reciprocity needed for play fighting to remain playful. Descriptions of playing in pigs suggest that they do not exhibit restraint. Analysis of videotaped sequences of play fighting in captive family groups of warty pigs was used to test three hypotheses about restraint and reciprocity. Hypothesis 1 asserts that the lack of restraint arises from neither participant handicapping its actions in favour of its opponent: this was supported. Hypothesis 2 asserts that the winner of a contest will show restraint by not prosecuting further attack: this was not supported. However, the winner did refrain from attacking if the loser signalled submission. Hypothesis 3 asserts that restraint by the winner will allow reciprocal attacks by the loser — this was supported. The dissociation of restraint and reciprocity evident in the pigs offers some new insights into the evolution of play fighting.
Birds of a feather? Parrot and corvid cognition compared
Authors: Lambert Megan L. , Jacobs Ivo , Osvath Mathias , von Bayern Auguste M.P.
Published: November 2018

The last several decades of research on avian cognition have revealed surprising parallels between the abilities of birds — most notably corvids — and great apes. Parrots, albeit far less studied, are cited alongside corvids as “feathered apes”, but are these two taxa really that similar cognitively? In this review we aim to take a step back and present the broader picture, focusing on areas where there is now data from both parrots and corvids to facilitate first comparisons on a somewhat wider scale. By charting these birds’ performance in cognitive tasks, in many of which corvids perform on par with primates, we hope to highlight understudied areas and promising directions for future research. In reviewing the literature, the general pattern that emerges shows that different corvid and parrot species indeed perform similarly in a range of cognitive tasks to the extent that one may call them “feathered apes”.
Galling problems – the Fergusobia nematode/Fergusonina fly mutualism on myrtaceous hosts
Authors: Davies Kerrie A. , Ye Weimin , Taylor Gary S. , Scheffer Sonja , Giblin-Davis Robin M.
Published: November 2018

Fergusobia (Sphaerularioidea, Tylenchida) is the only known nematode to have a dicyclic life cycle with a generation in a plant (a myrtaceous host) followed by one in an insect (a Fergusonina fly: Diptera, Fergusoninidae). The nematode and fly have a mutualistic association, with the nematode inducing a plant gall on which the fly feeds and develops, and the fly providing transport for the nematode. The life cycle, specificity, diversity and distribution of the nematode are described, and the nematode phylogeny is discussed. Fergusobia is monophyletic but its origins are unclear. This paper raises questions about Fergusobia, including: what model best accounts for evolution of the known diversity of the nematode/fly mutualism?; how are the nematode/fly life cycles coordinated?; how do the nematodes avoid resistance mechanisms of both flies and plants?; what cecidogenic processes does the nematode use?; and what is the form of parthenogenesis occurring in Fergusobia and how does it relate to the inheritance of variability? Given the models of genomes and transcriptomes now available for other plant-parasitic nematodes and the availability of technologies to examine Fergusobia, it should be possible to answer some of these questions and begin to understand how Fergusobia nematodes might have evolved.
Description of Aphelenchoides tabarestanensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) isolated from Pinus brutia in Northern Iran
Authors: Golhasan Behrouz , Fang Yiwu , Li Hongmei , Tanha Maafi Zahra , Heydari Ramin
Published: November 2018

Aphelenchoides tabarestanensis n. sp. was isolated during a survey of nematodes associated with bark samples of pine trees (Pinus brutia) in Mazandaran province, northern Iran. The new species is characterised by body length of 656 (580-786) μm (females) and 490 (480-500) μm (males), weakly annulated cuticle, four lines in the lateral field, and an offset lip region. The stylet is 10.5 (10-11) μm long and has small basal swellings. The excretory pore is located at nerve ring level and the hemizonid was not seen. The post-vulval uterine sac is 40.8 (38-43) μm long, the spicules are relatively short (18-19 μm in dorsal limb), and the male tail has the usual three pairs of caudal papillae (2 + 2 + 2). The female tail is subcylindrical with two or three minute processes at the tip. The new species belongs to the Group 3 category of Aphelenchoides species and is close to seven known species of the genus, namely: A. asteromucronatus, A. besseyi, A. fujianensis, A. goodeyi, A. ritzemabosi, A. siddiqii, and A. stellatus, but differs by body size, shape of tail mucron, stylet length, size of spicules, and length of post-vulval uterine sac. Phylogenetic analysis based on small subunit (SSU) and partial large subunit (LSU) sequences of rRNA supported the morphological results.
Bursaphelenchus carpini n. sp., B. laciniatae n. sp. and B. cryphali okhotskensis n. subsp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) isolated from Japan
Authors: Kanzaki Natsumi , Masuya Hayato , Ichihara Yu , Maehara Noritoshi , Aikawa Takuya , Ekino Taisuke , Ide Tatsuya
Published: November 2018

Two new species and a new subspecies of Bursaphelenchus are described. Bursaphelenchus carpini n. sp. and B. cryphali okhotskensis n. subsp. were isolated from Cryphalus carpini emerged from a dead log of a Carpinus sp. collected in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, and from C. piceae emerged from a dead log of Abies sachalinensis collected in Hokkaido, Japan, respectively. Meanwhile, B. laciniatae n. sp. was isolated from the bark of dead Ulmus laciniata, which harboured Scolytus esuriens galleries, collected in Hokkaido, Japan. These three species phylogenetically belong to the eggersi/eremus-group clade and share common typological characters such as a relatively slender body, three-lined lateral field, male spicule with a well-developed condylus, short and wide blade (calomus-lamina complex) and lack of clear cucullus. These three species and subspecies can be distinguished from one another and their close relatives by the condylus shape, female tail shape and phylogenetic and biological characters.
Free-living nematodes associated with pine cones of Pinus thunbergii and P. taeda at Japanese coastal and inland forest sites
Authors: Kitagami Yudai , Kanzaki Natsumi , Tanikawa Toko , Matsuda Yosuke
Published: November 2018

We surveyed the distribution of nematodes in 56 cones of Pinus thunbergii collected from both live branches and on the forest floor in three coastal and inland habitats and in 11 cones of P. taeda collected at different heights. We identified 47 nematodes to family or genera by analysis of an 18S small subunit rRNA gene sequence. The frequencies of occurrence of free-living cone nematodes were 97% in coastal P. thunbergii, 92% in inland P. thunbergii, and 82% in P. taeda. Phylogenetic analysis assigned the nematodes to four clades with high bootstrap values. Nine sequences that were found only in cones on live branches were clustered with Panagrobelus stammeri and an unknown Panagrobelus sp. Our results imply that nematodes are commonly associated with cones in pine forest ecosystems and that a capacity for anhydrobiosis may be a key to surviving above-ground.
New morphological observations on Neolobocriconema serratum (Khan & Siddiqi, 1963) Mehta & Raski, 1971 (Rhabditida: Criconematidae)
Authors: Jahanshahi Afshar Farahnaz , Pourjam Ebrahim , Pedram Majid
Published: November 2018

A population of Neolobocriconema serratum was recovered from the rhizosphere of Hosta sp., northern Iran, for the first time. It was studied using morphological and molecular data and new morphological observations were made. The Iranian population is characterised by females having 37-43 body annuli, their outer margin ornamented with 12-14 small lobe-like outgrowths under light microscopy, anastomoses occur sparsely in some females and the succeeding annulus is usually anteriorly bent opposite to the vulva. The cephalic region has a single smooth wavy annulus with grooves and is separated from the first, wider body annulus by a very short neck. Four prominent discoid submedian lobes and two lateral pseudolips present, appearing two layered (i.e., one above the other) in scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Body 487-607 μm long, stylet 85-93 μm long with rounded to anchor-shaped knobs, ovary very long, vulva generally closed, but open in some specimens under SEM. Tail conoid with bluntly rounded end and males absent. The recovered population agreed well with the type population based upon the morphometric data and female morphology. In having an almost identical morphology and morphometrics, N. allantoideum is proposed as a junior synonym of N. serratum. The molecular phylogenetic analyses were done by using near-full-length sequences of the small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA), the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1 rDNA) and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI mtDNA). The Iranian population of this species formed a clade with three other populations of the species in the SSU rDNA, and with one population in both the ITS1 rDNA and the COI mtDNA trees using Bayesian inference.
Molecular phylogenetic study of Bealius Massey & Hinds, 1970 (Nematoda: Hexatylina: Sphaerulariidae), with description of B. pinus n. sp. from Iran
Authors: Esmaeili Mehrab , Heydari Ramin , Golhasan Behrouz , Ye Weimin
Published: November 2018

Bealius pinus n. sp. is described and illustrated based on its morphological, morphometric, and molecular characters. The new species is characterised by a body length of 1040 (920-1124) μm (females) and 985 (990-1043) μm (males), lip region continuous, 7.2 (7.0-8.0) μm broad, 3.3 (3.0-4.0) μm high, stylet length 8.4 (7.0-9.0) μm or ca 1.0-1.3 times the lip region diam., lateral fields with five or six incisures, the outer incisures crenate and inner incisures weakly crenate, and excretory pore situated 156 (141-170) μm from the anterior end. The basal pharyngeal bulb has a short posterior extension projecting dorsally into the intestine. Post-uterine sac absent. Functional males common in the population, spicules 29 (28-30) μm long. Tail cylindrical with broadly rounded terminus in the female and conical, arcuate, completely enveloped by a well-developed bursa in the male. The new species is compared with two known species of the genus, B. bisulcus and B. pissodi. Molecular phylogenetic studies of the new species using partial sequences of small subunit (SSU) rDNA revealed that it forms a clade with several nematode species belonging to genera in the Sphaerularioidea, namely: Sphaerularia, Paurodontella, Nothotylenchus, and Deladenus.
Occurrence and distribution of vermiform plant-parasitic nematodes and the relationship with soil factors in field pea (Pisum sativum) in North Dakota, USA
Authors: Upadhaya Arjun , Yan Guiping , Pasche Julie , Kalil Audrey
Published: November 2018

Plant-parasitic nematodes restrict crop growth and cause yield loss in field pea (dry edible pea). A 4-year survey of commercial pea fields was conducted in North Dakota, one of the leading producers of field pea in the USA, to investigate nematode distribution, prevalence, abundance and association with soil properties. Beginning in 2014, a total of 243 soil samples were collected from 16 counties, and soil properties of 115 samples were analysed to determine the association of nematodes with soil factors (texture, organic matter, nutrients). The plant-parasitic nematode genera, Paratylenchus (absolute frequency = 58-100%; mean density = 470-1550 (200 g soil)−1; greatest density = 7114 (200 g soil)−1) and Tylenchorhynchus (30-80%; 61-261; 1980, respectively), were the most frequent and widely distributed. Pratylenchus and Helicotylenchus were identified in one-third of the counties surveyed with mean densities ranging from 43 to 224 and 36 to 206 (200 g soil)−1, respectively. Xiphinema was found relatively frequently but at low densities. Hoplolaimus and Paratrichodorus were rarely detected at lower densities. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed that soil factors explained 19% of the total variance of nematode genera abundance. The relationship between nematode abundance and soil sand content and pH was significant, while clay, silt, organic matter and nutrients were not significantly related to nematode abundance. This is the first multi-year study investigating nematodes associated with field peas and their relationship with soil factors in a major field pea production region of the USA.
Tail loss reduces locomotor ability but not metabolic rate in a viviparous skink, Sphenomorphus indicus
Authors: Lu Hong-Liang , Ji Xiang , Du Wei-Guo
Published: November 2018

Tail autotomy is an efficient predator escape form, but imposes locomotor costs in many lizard species. It has been hypothesized that locomotor impairment following tail autotomy results from the altered running dynamics or loss of energy available for locomotion, but there is a paucity of data available to demonstrate such effects. We evaluated the locomotor costs of tail loss in a viviparous skink, Sphenomorphus indicus, and examined whether locomotor costs were related to changes in gait characteristics and metabolic rate. Of 24 field-captured adult males with original intact tails, 12 individuals were used as experimental animals, and the remaining 12 as controls. Locomotor performance and CO2 production were measured for the experimental skinks before and after tail removal; the same parameters were measured at the same time for the control skinks. Compared with tailed skinks, the mean locomotor speed and stamina of tailless skinks was reduced by approximately 26% and 17%, respectively. At any given speed, tailless skinks had a shorter stride length for hindlimbs (but not for forelimbs) and a greater stride frequency than did tailed skinks. In S. indicus, locomotor impairment may be a result of the reduced stride length, and energetic constraints on stride frequency. We found no significant change in standard metabolic rate after the skinks underwent tail removal, which may reflect a minor effect on energy expenditure for maintenance. Although the reduction in metabolically active tissue might cause a lower metabolic rate, tail regeneration counteracted such an effect because it was energetically expensive.
Social Welfare or Moral Warfare?
Authors: Höjdestrand Tova
Published: November 2018

Since the mid-2000s, Russia has increased its efforts to strengthen the legal rights of children and to improve the systems of social assistance to vulnerable families in line with the un Convention of the Rights of the Child. The reform drive has met fierce resistance by a grassroots mobilization in defence of ‘traditional Russian family values’. Child rights are conceived of as weapons in a Western moral war against Russia, but simultaneously, the popular appeal of the campaign stems from a profound distrust in Russian state administrators, who purportedly use the crc for personal gain. This paper suggests that this disbelief makes the protesters locate notions of citizenship primarily to the intimate social sphere, prioritizing ‘parental rights’ rather than ‘civil rights’ defined by the state-citizen relationship. It is also suggested that the confidence of citizens in their own state administration must be considered if the Convention is to be successfully implemented.