bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hybrid Fc‐fused interleukin‐7 induces an inflamed tumor microenvironment and improves the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Kim Ji‐Hae , Kim Young‐Min , Choi Donghoon , Jo Saet‐byeol , Park Han Wook , Hong Sung‐Wook , Park Sujeong , Kim Sora , Moon Sookjin , You Gihoon , Kang Yeon‐Woo , Park Yunji , Lee Byung Ha , Lee Seung‐Woo 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectivesEmerging oncotherapeutic strategies require the induction of an immunostimulatory tumor microenvironment (TME) containing numerous tumor‐reactive CD8+ T cells. Interleukin‐7 (IL‐7), a T‐cell homeostatic cytokine, induces an antitumor response; however, the detailed mechanisms underlying the contributions of the IL‐7 to TME remain unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying the induction of antitumor response by hybrid Fc‐fused long‐acting recombinant human IL‐7 (rhIL‐7‐hyFc) through regulation of both adaptive and innate immune cells in the TME.MethodsWe evaluated rhIL‐7‐hyFc‐mediated antitumor responses in murine syngeneic tumor models. We analysed the cellular and molecular features of tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and changes in the TME after rhIL‐7‐hyFc treatment. Furthermore, we evaluated the antitumor efficacy of rhIL‐7‐hyFc combined with chemotherapy and checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs).ResultsSystemic delivery of rhIL‐7‐hyFc induced significant therapeutic benefits by expanding CD8+ T cells with enhanced tumor tropism. In tumors, rhIL‐7‐hyFc increased both tumor‐reactive and bystander CD8+ TILs, all of which displayed enhanced effector functions but less exhausted phenotypes. Moreover, rhIL‐7‐hyFc suppressed the generation of immunosuppressive myeloid cells in the bone marrow of tumor‐bearing mice, resulting in the immunostimulatory TME. Combination therapy with chemotherapy and CPIs, rhIL‐7‐hyFc elicited a strong antitumor response and even under a T lymphopenic condition by restoring CD8+ T cells. When combined with chemotherapy and CPIs, rhIL‐7‐hyFc administration enhanced antitumor response under intact andlymphopenic conditions by restoring CD8+ T cells.ConclusionTaken together, these data demonstrate that rhIL‐7‐hyFc induces antitumor responses by generating T‐cell‐inflamed TME and provide a preclinical proof of concept of immunotherapy with rhIL‐7‐hyFc to enhance therapeutic responses in the clinic.
Liquid phase human papillomavirus genotype analysis of aspirated metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Fine needle aspiration supernatant is a rich source of tumor DNA that can increase the diagnostic yield
Authors: Hao Yansheng , Mehrotra Meenakshi , Lam Hansen , Si Qiusheng , Salem Fadi , Lu Dan , Gitman Melissa , Miles Brett , Posner Marshall , Houldsworth Jane , Westra William H. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundMost patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)‐related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) present with lymph node metastasis. In these patients, fine needle aspiration (FNA) is not only a diagnostic tool, but a means for determining HPV status. HPV status, in turn, is used to determine tumor origin, prognosis, and even guide therapy. Thus, the limited sampling afforded by FNA must be optimized to meet heavy clinical demands.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine whether the residual supernatant portion of the FNA could serve as a resource for reliable determination of HPV statusDesign/Method25 FNAs from 24 patients with metastatic HNSC underwent HPV genotyping of post‐centrifuged supernatant fluid from FNA needle rinses. HPV genotyping was performed using two real time PCR‐based assays, the two‐step LightCycler and the one‐step automated cobas HPV tests. HPV status of the supernatant was compared with the paired FNA cell blocks and/or surgical tissue samples.ResultsThe supernatant was adequate for HPV testing in 24 (96%) of 25 cases. Of these, 14 (56%) were HPV positive and 11 (44%) negative by the LightCycler assay. HPV16 was the most commonly detected genotype (n = 12). When results of supernatant and paired cell block testing were compared, HPV status was concordant in all cases. The LightCycler method was more sensitive than the cobas assay due to its ability to detect an expanded profile of HPV variant genotypes.ConclusionThe current standard of practice for patients with HNSC who undergo FNA is to construct a cell block and then discard the supernatant. This supernatant is a rich source of tumor DNA that can be used to detect HPV status. It should not be wasted.
Updates on radiofrequency devices for skin tightening and body contouring
Authors: Lee Caroline , Gold Michael H. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractRadiofrequency (RF) devices have evolved over time to effectively and noninvasively tighten and contour the skin and body with minimal to no downtime. RF devices can be categorized as monopolar, unipolar, bipolar, and multipolar based on the number of electrodes used and how the energy is delivered to the tissues beneath the skin. The polarity of the RF determines the comfortability, effectiveness, and frequency of the treatments. Since the first of these deviceswere launched in the early 2000s, different companies have developed RF skin tightening and contouring platforms which utilize new and unique technologies to enhance the clinical results. There have been many clinical trials which study the safety and efficacy of these technologies in tightening and contouring the skin and body, although large randomized, controlled clinical trials are lacking. This article reviews the current literature on an assortment of the latest skin tightening devices and their technologies used.
Macroevolution of defense syndromes in Ficus (Moraceae)
Authors: Zhao Jin , Segar Simon T. , McKey Doyle , Chen Jin 
Published: September 2020

AbstractRecursive adaptations and counter‐adaptations of plant‐feeding insects are thought to have driven chemical and physical diversity in plant defenses. Among existing theories on defensive diversity, the syndromes hypothesis predicts that plants may evolve suites of covarying defense traits along evolutionary arms races with herbivores. We use the large, phenotypically diverse angiosperm genus Ficus (Moraceae) to test the major predictions of this hypothesis: (1) plant species will form distinctive combinations of defensive traits; (2) these traits will be correlated within each syndrome. Trait combinations need not map well onto phylogenies because plant species can converge onto similar trait values, but strong phylogenetic signal driven by selection (as opposed to drift) suggests roles for escalation and coevolution. Finally, Ficus species with complementary combinations of defenses will be less susceptible to insect damage and harbor distinct insect communities. We quantified susceptibility to insect herbivory and nine leaf traits related to resource acquisition and defense in 36 Ficus species growing in a common‐garden setting in dry and wet seasons over 2 yr. We recovered a set of three syndromes defined by relatively small sets of trait combinations. Broadly speaking, these syndromes grouped fig species with different life forms. For example, epiphytic figs had nutrient‐poor, tough, tannin‐rich leaves, while free‐standing trees tended to have leaves covered in trichomes and full of alkaloid‐rich latex. When season and species identity were accounted for, the combination of two traits, higher C:N and higher latex tannin content, provided significantly stronger defense than did either trait taken singly. Several individual traits (C:N, latex tannin, and trichome density) were significantly negatively correlated with herbivore damage, while alkaloid content was positively correlated (perhaps as a result of feeding by adapted herbivores). Several defensive traits influenced insect herbivore community structure. Finally, traits followed different evolutionary trajectories. While latex tannin, C:N, and leaf tannin fit a Brownian‐motion model of evolution, the first two escalating across Ficus phylogeny, others appeared to have more limited phylogenetic signal or tended to de‐escalate. Overall, the patterns we detected support the concept of coordinated defense syndromes, demonstrating that evolutionary arms races can drive combinations of traits in this genus.
Visual trail following in colonial seabirds: theory, simulation, and remote observations
Authors: Urmy Samuel S. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSeabirds have long been thought to exploit social information when searching for their prey, the distribution of which is often patchy and variable. The fact that most seabirds breed colonially has led to speculation that colonies serve as “information centers,” allowing their inhabitants to learn about the distribution of food by observing or following other successful foragers, though this hypothesis is controversial and the evidence for it is mixed. However, several recent studies have documented behaviors that suggest some seabirds do exploit social orientation cues at or near their colonies in order to orient toward food. In this paper, I explore in‐depth one such social orientation behavior, which I call “visual trail following.” I derived a simple model of information transfer and showed that trail following should be favored over other commonly hypothesized foraging behaviors. An individual‐based simulation model was then used to test this theoretical prediction against several other foraging strategies while varying prey patchiness and colony size. The model's results showed that trail following was the optimal strategy across a wide range of conditions. Finally, I used radar data recorded at a tern colony in coastal New York to demonstrate evidence for trail following in the movements of wild seabirds. These results show that trail following and similar behaviors are effective foraging strategies that are likely important for seabirds and other colonial animals.
Impact of flow regulation for hydroelectric production in the movement patterns, growth and condition of a potamodromous fish species
Authors: Oliveira Inês C. , Alexandre Carlos M. , Quintella Bernardo R. , Almeida Pedro R. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractRegulation for hydroelectric production (i.e., hydropeaking) can impact aquatic species life cycle. During 2016–2017, radiotelemetry was used to track 22 Iberian barbels during a 1‐year cycle in a flow regulation scenario. Periodic samples of scales and biometric data were collected in a regulated (hydropeaking regime) and non‐regulated river within the same basin for comparison. Collected tracking, growth and condition data were compared with similar information for the same barbel population, obtained exactly on the same river stretch in a pre‐regulation period (2013–2014). Results on movement patterns of target species showed no effect of regulation on this biological component. However, potential intraspecific differences on migratory behaviour were found. We identified two behavioural profiles in each of the tagged fish groups: a ‘resident’ group that remains in upstream areas of the river during all the year round [maximum distance travel: mean (±SD) = 5.44 ± 5.36 km] and a ‘potamodromous’ group that travels long distances downstream after the reproductive season (20.24 ± 6.30 km).Flow regulation did not seem to affect the growth of the studied barbel populations; however, in terms of condition, differences between the pre‐ and post‐regulation periods were detected, with this parameter being higher for juvenile fish during the post‐regulation period. This study reveals important biological aspects of fish populations under short‐term flow regulation for hydroelectric purposes that should be considered in future monitoring programmes, when dam construction is planned, in order to develop more specific measures to improve habitat availability and quality for fish.
Detection and attribution of lake water loss in the semi‐arid Mongolian Plateau—A case study in the Lake Dalinor
Authors: Bai Meng , Mo Xingguo , Liu Suxia , Hu Shi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractExtensive lake shrinkages have been observed in the semi‐arid Mongolian Plateau over the past several decades, causing a great challenge to the local socio‐economic sustainability and ecological security. However, issue on the dominant drivers of this water loss has not been well addressed. In this work, variations in water area and water level of the Lake Dalinor during the period 1984–2018 were tracked using the satellite altimetry and Landsat images. Dominant drivers for the derived variations were then investigated based on the Standard Precipitation Evaporation Index (SPEI) analysis and the Vegetation Interface Processes model. Results showed that both the water area and water level displayed a two‐stage variation with a slightly increasing trend before 2000 and a drastic decline since 2000 (p < 0.01). The SPEI analysis revealed a close relationship between water level variations and the cumulative water anomalies at seasonal and annual scales. The model‐based attribution analysis suggested that climate change and anthropogenic impacts contributed 76.5% and 23.5% of the observed declining trend, respectively. Climate warming and drying dominated the water level decline since 2000, while the large‐scale conversion from the natural grassland to the seeded pasture might have accelerated this water loss process. This study confirmed the prominent impacts of climate warming and drying on the lake desiccation in the semi‐arid Mongolian Plateau and highlighted the gradually intensifying impacts of human activities such as grassland conversion on the lake water budget.
Environmental DNA is effective in detecting the federally threatened Louisiana Pinesnake (Pituophis ruthveni)
Authors: Katz Aron D. , Harper Lynsey R. , Sternhagen Elizabeth C. , Pearce Sarah E. , Melder Christopher A. , Sperry Jinelle H. , Davis Mark A. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSuccessful conservation of rare, threatened, or endangered (RTE) species is dependent upon rapid and accurate assessment of their distribution and abundance. However, assessments are challenging as RTE species typically exist as numerically small populations in often fragmented habitats and can possess complex natural histories. Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis may provide a rapid, cost‐effective means of assessing RTE species presence/absence in viable habitat patches. We evaluated the efficacy of eDNA surveillance for the Louisiana Pinesnake (Pituophis ruthveni), an elusive, semi‐fossorial, nonvenomous colubroid snake endemic to Louisiana and Texas, USA, that has dramatically declined in both distribution and abundance. We developed two quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays that target the mitochondrial cytochromecoxidase subunit I (COI) and mitochondrially encoded ATP synthase membrane subunit 6 (ATP6) genes. We validated each assayin silico,in vitro, andin situ, and investigated the influence of eDNA extraction method and genetic marker on assay performance. Both assays were highly sensitive and successfully detected the Louisiana Pinesnake under artificial and field conditions, including bedding samples collected from captive snake enclosures (100%), soil samples from Louisiana Pinesnake release sites (100%), and soil samples from sites where Louisiana Pinesnakes were documented via radio telemetry (45%). Although differences between genetic markers were negligible, assay performance was strongly influenced by eDNA extraction method. Informed by our results, we discuss methodological and environmental factors influencing Louisiana Pinesnake eDNA detection and quantification, broader implications for management and conservation of the Louisiana Pinesnake and other terrestrial reptiles and provide recommendations for future research. We suggest that eDNA surveys can more effectively assess Louisiana Pinesnake occupancy than conventional sampling, highlighting the need for comprehensive eDNA monitoring initiatives to better identify suitable habitat that will promote persistence of this imperiled species going forward.
Simplified analysis of bilinear elastic systems exhibiting negative stiffness behavior
Authors: Reggiani Manzo Natalia , Vassiliou Michalis F. 
Published: September 2020

SummaryThis work studies the dynamics of the Negative Stiffness Bilinear Elastic (NSBE) oscillator. Such a mathematical idealization can be used to describe deformable rocking systems equipped with restraining tendons or with curved extensions of their bases. First, this paper establishes the characteristic quantities of the bilinear system to make it equivalent to the actual rocking structures. Then, it proceeds by proposing a simpler “equivalent” system that can be used to study the behavior of the NSBE. The equivalent system is not some linear elastic oscillator but a bilinear elastic system with zero stiffness of the second branch: the Zero Stiffness Bilinear Elastic (ZSBE) system. ZSBE is useful because it needs one parameter less than NSBE to be defined. Next, “Equal Displacement” and “Equal Energy” rules that provide estimates of the maximum displacement of the NSBE based on the response of the ZSBE are defined. The concept is similar to the RμΤ relations that provide estimates of the response of bilinear yielding systems based on the response of an equivalent linear elastic system, with one major difference: it does not resort to a linear elastic system but to the ZSBE. The proposed methodology is applied on the FEMA P695 ground motions scaled at three different levels. The results show that ZSBE is a good proxy of NSBE and, hence, indicate that an exhaustive study of the ZSBE is useful for the design of rocking structures.
Sediment flux‐driven channel geometry adjustment of bedrock and mixed gravel–bedrock rivers
Authors: Baynes Edwin R.C. , Lague Dimitri , Steer Philippe , Bonnet Stéphane , Illien Luc 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSediment supply (Qs) is often overlooked in modelling studies of landscape evolution, despite sediment playing a key role in the physical processes that drive erosion and sedimentation in river channels. Here, we show the direct impact of the supply of coarse‐grained, hard sediment on the geometry of bedrock channels from the Rangitikei River, New Zealand. Channels receiving a coarse bedload sediment supply are systematically (up to an order of magnitude) wider than channels with no bedload sediment input for a given discharge. We also present physical model experiments of a bedrock river channel with a fixed water discharge (1.5 l min−1) under different Qs (between 0 and 20 g l−1) that allow the quantification of the role of sediment in setting the width and slope of channels and the distribution of shear stress within channels. The addition of bedload sediment increases the width, slope and width‐to‐depth ratio of the channels, and increasing sediment loads promote emerging complexity in channel morphology and shear stress distributions. Channels with low Qs are characterized by simple in‐channel morphologies with a uniform distribution of shear stress within the channel while channels with high Qs are characterized by dynamic channels with multiple active threads and a non‐uniform distribution of shear stress. We compare bedrock channel geometries from the Rangitikei and the experiments to alluvial channels and demonstrate that the behaviour is similar, with a transition from single‐thread and uniform channels to multiple threads occurring when bedload sediment is present. In the experimental bedrock channels, this threshold Qs is when the input sediment supply exceeds the transport capacity of the channel. Caution is required when using the channel geometry to reconstruct past environmental conditions or to invert for tectonic uplift rates, because multiple configurations of channel geometry can exist for a given discharge, solely due to input Qs. © 2020 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
The role of fault reactivation in the development of tropical montane lakes
Authors: Souza‐Filho Pedro Walfir M. , Pinheiro Roberto Vizeu L. , Costa Francisco R. , Guimarães José Tasso F. , Sahoo Prafulla K. , Silva Marcio S. , Silva Cleverson G. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis work details the role of fault reactivation in the development of tropical montane lakes by using basin morpho‐structural analysis and seismostratigraphic studies. The upland lakes are severely faulted sinkholes, whose faults penetrate the Quaternary sedimentary units. Four main stages are related to the lake formation: (i) an Early Proterozoic tectonic deformation of the rocks along the southern border of the Carajás Structure, where the lake is placed; (ii) differential erosion by – and building of – the formation of the South Carajás Hill; (iii) Fe‐rich crust formation by weathering and gravitational collapse faults following the E–W plateau border and the start of Violão Lake formation during the Pliocene–Pleistocene; and (iv) episodic fault‐fracture reactivation by gravitational collapse causing pulses of subsidence in the lake and outlining its faulted borders. Dissolution of the lateritic crust and erosion by runoff drainage under wet climate conditions were coeval with fault activities, which allowed the deposition of relatively thick clastic deposits organized in three main seismostratigraphic units associated with major lake‐level fluctuations. Initial fault reactivation under low‐level water started lacustrine basin development with deposition of prograding fan deltas related to the main drainage. A second fault reactivation by gravitational collapse increased the lake accommodation space and resulted in the deposition of fine‐grained sediments from dilute interflows or overflows until 36 000 cal year BP. At about 31 000 cal year BP, rapid decreases in the lake water level under redox conditions at the sediment/water interface allowed widespread siderite formation. A third gravitational collapse episode was responsible for the increase in the lake area and depth and the returning of clastic/organic deposition up to the present. This tropical montane lake can be seen as a representative example for understanding the formation of other upland lakes controlled by fault reactivation. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.