bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estuarine fish and tetrapod evolution: insights from a Late Devonian (Famennian) Gondwanan estuarine lake and a southern African Holocene equivalent
Authors: Gess Robert W. , Whitfield Alan K. 
Published: February 2020

ABSTRACTThe Waterloo Farm lagerstätte in South Africa provides a uniquely well‐preserved record of a Latest Devonian estuarine ecosystem. Ecological evidence from it is reviewed, contextualised, and compared with that available from the analogous Swartvlei estuarine lake, with a particular emphasis on their piscean inhabitants. Although the taxonomic affinities of the estuarine species are temporally very different, the overall patterns of utilisation prove to be remarkably congruent, with similar trophic structures. Significantly, both systems show evidence of widespread use of estuaries as fish nurseries by both resident and marine migrant taxa. Holocene estuaries are almost exclusively utilised by actinopterygians which are overwhelmingly dominated by oviparous species. Complex strategies are utilised by estuarine resident species to avoid exposure of eggs to environmental stresses that characterize these systems. By contrast, many of the groups utilising Devonian estuaries were likely live bearers, potentially allowing them to avoid the challenges faced by oviparous taxa. This may have contributed to dominance of these systems by non‐actinoptergians prior to the End Devonian Mass Extinction. The association of early aquatic tetrapods at Waterloo Farm with a fish nursery environment is consistent with findings from North America, Belgium and Russia, and may be implied by the estuarine settings of a number of other Devonian tetrapods. Tetrapods apparently replace their sister group, the elpistostegids, in estuaries with both groups having been postulated to be adaptated to shallow water habitats where they could access small piscean prey. Correlation of tetrapods (and elpistostegids) with fish nursery areas in the Late Devonian lends strong support to this hypothesis, suggesting that adaptations permitting improved access to the abundant juvenile fish within the littoral zone of estuarine lakes and continental water bodies may have been pivotal in the evolution of tetrapods.
CD4/CD8 ratio is a prognostic factor in IgG nonresponders among peptide vaccine‐treated ovarian cancer patients
Authors: Waki Kayoko , Kawano Kouichiro , Tsuda Naotake , Komatsu Nobukazu , Yamada Akira 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe identification of useful biomarkers is an urgent issue in cancer treatment, particularly for immunotherapy, as only some patients experience benefits from this treatment. The early induction of the IgG response has been reported as a useful biomarker of favorable prognosis for cancer patients treated with a personalized peptide vaccination, but a portion of these patients (IgG nonresponders) fail to achieve an early induction of IgG response yet experience long‐term survival. It is thus necessary to identify other biomarkers of favorable prognosis among these patients. Here we report the usefulness of classical T‐cell markers (ie, the CD8 content and the CD4/CD8 ratio in peripheral blood) in IgG nonresponders among advanced or recurrent ovarian cancer patients treated with a personalized peptide vaccination. Among IgG nonresponders (n = 25), the overall survival (OS) of the increased‐CD8 group (n = 7) was significantly longer than that of the decreased‐CD8 group (n = 18; P = .018), and the OS of the patients with a decreased CD4/CD8 ratio (n = 10) was significantly longer than that of the patients with an increased ratio (n = 15; P = .0055). Thus, an increased content of CD8 and a decreased CD4/CD8 ratio are each favorable prognosis markers in IgG nonresponders treated with a personalized peptide vaccination.
Biocompatibility and osseointegration of nanostructured titanium dental implants in minipigs
Authors: Hoornaert Alain , Vidal Luciano , Besnier Romain , Morlock Jean‐Francois , Louarn Guy , Layrolle Pierre 
Published: February 2020

AbstractObjectivesIt is well known that surface treatments of dental implants have a great impact on their rate of osseointegration. The aim of this study was to compare the biocompatibility and the bone–implant contact (BIC) of titanium dental implants with different surface treatments.Material and methodsTest implants (Biotech Dental) had a nanostructured surface and control implants (Anthogyr) were grit‐blasted with biphasic calcium phosphate and acid‐etched surface. Both titanium implants were inserted in mandible and maxillary bones of 6 Yucatan minipigs for 4 and 12 weeks (n = 10 implants/group). Biocompatibility and osseointegration were evaluated by non‐decalcified histology and back‐scattered electron microscopy images.ResultsThe reading of histology sections by an antomo‐pathologist indicated that the test implants were considered non‐irritating to the surrounding tissues and thus biocompatible compared with control implants. The BIC values were higher for test than for control dental implants at both 4 and 12 weeks.ConclusionsIn summary, the new nanostructured titanium dental implant is considered biocompatible and showed a better osseointegration than the control implant at both 4 and 12 weeks.
Mapping legal authority for terrestrial conservation corridors along streams
Authors: Stahl Amanda T. , Fremier Alexander K. , Cosens Barbara A. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWildlife corridors aim to promote species’ persistence by connecting habitat patches across fragmented landscapes. Their implementation is limited by patterns of land ownership and complicated by differences in the jurisdictional and regulatory authorities under which lands are managed. Terrestrial corridor conservation requires coordination across jurisdictions and sectors subject to site‐specific overlapping sources of legal authority. Mapping spatial patterns of legal authority concurrent with habitat condition can illustrate opportunities to build or leverage capacity for connectivity conservation. Streamside areas provide pragmatic opportunities to leverage existing policy mechanisms for riverine and terrestrial habitat connectivity across boundaries. Conservation planners and practitioners can make use of these opportunities by harmonizing actions for multiple conservation outcomes. We formulated an integrative, data‐driven method for mapping multiple sources of legal authority weighted by capacity for coordinating terrestrial habitat conservation along streams. We generated a map of capacity to coordinate streamside corridor protections across a wildlife habitat gap to demonstrate this approach. We combined values representing coordination capacity and naturalness to generate an integrated legal‐ecological resistance map for connectivity modeling. We then computed least‐cost corridors across the integrated map, masking the terrestrial landscape to focus on streamside areas. Streamside least‐cost corridors in the integrated, local‐scale model diverged (∼25 km) from national‐scale least‐cost corridors based on naturalness. Spatial categories comparing legal‐ and naturalness‐based resistance values by stream reach highlighted potential locations for building or leveraging existing capacity through spatial coordination of policy mechanisms or restoration actions. Agencies or nongovernmental organizations intending to restore or maintain habitat connectivity across fragmented landscapes can use this approach to inform spatial prioritization and build coordination capacity.Article impact statement: Combined mapping of legal authority and habitat condition reveals capacity to coordinate actions along streams for clean water and wildlife.
Generation lengths of the world's birds and their implications for extinction risk
Authors: Bird Jeremy P. , Martin Robert , Akçakaya H. Reşit , Gilroy James , Burfield Ian J. , Garnett Stephen T. , Symes Andy , Taylor Joseph , Şekercioğlu Çağan H. , Butchart Stuart H. M. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBirds have been comprehensively assessed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List more times than any other taxonomic group. However, to date, generation lengths have not been systematically estimated to scale population trends when undertaking assessments, as required by the criteria of the IUCN Red List. We compiled information from major databases of published life‐history and trait data for all birds and imputed missing life‐history data as a function of species traits with generalized linear mixed models. Generation lengths were derived for all species, based on our modeled values of age at first breeding, maximum longevity, and annual adult survival. The resulting generation lengths varied from 1.42 to 27.87 years (median 2.99). Most species (61%) had generation lengths <3.33 years, meaning that the period of 3 generations—over which population declines are assessed under criterion A—was <10 years, which is the value used for IUCN Red List assessments of species with short generation times. For these species, our trait‐informed estimates of generation length suggested that 10 years is a robust precautionary value for threat assessment. In other cases, however, for whole families, genera, or individual species, generation length had a substantial impact on their estimated extinction risk, resulting in higher extinction risk in long‐lived species than in short‐lived species. Although our approach effectively addressed data gaps, generation lengths for some species may have been underestimated due to a paucity of life‐history data. Overall, our results will strengthen future extinction‐risk assessments and augment key databases of avian life‐history and trait data.
A Simple and Rapid UPLC‐UV Method for Detecting DPD Deficiency in Patients With Cancer
Authors: Marin Clémence , Krache Anis , Palmaro Chloé , Lucas Mathilde , Hilaire Valentin , Ugdonne Renée , De Victor Bénédicte , Quaranta Sylvie , Solas Caroline , Lacarelle Bruno , Ciccolini Joseph 
Published: February 2020

Detecting patients with dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency is becoming a major concern in clinical oncology. Monitoring physiologic plasma uracil and/or plasma uracil‐to‐dihydrouracil metabolic ratio is a common surrogate frequently used to determine DPD phenotype without direct measurement of the enzymatic activity. With respect to the increasing number of patients rquiring analysis, it is critical to develop simple, rapid, and affordable methods suitable for routine screening. We have developed and validated a simple and robust ultraperformance liquid chromatography‒ultraviolet (UPLC‐UV) method with shortened (i.e., 12 minutes) analytical run‐times, compatible with the requirements of large‐scale upfront screening. The method enables detection of uracil (U) over a range of 5–500 ng/ml (265 nm) and of dihydrouracil (UH2) over a range of 40–500 ng/ml (210 nm) in plasma with no chromatographic interference. When used as part of routine screening for DPD deficiency, this method was fully able to discriminate nondeficient patients (i.e., with U levels < 16 ng/ml) from deficient patients at risk of severe toxicity (i.e., U > 16 ng/ml). Results from 1 month of routine testing are presented and, although no complete deficits were detected, 10.7% of the screened patients presented DPD deficiency and would thus require s decresed dose. Overall, this new method, using a simple preanalytical solid‐phase extraction procedure, and based on use of a standard UPLC apparatus, is both cost‐ and time‐effective and can be easily implemented in any laboratory aiming to begin routine DPD testing.
Clinical Trial Generalizability Assessment in the Big Data Era: A Review
Authors: He Zhe , Tang Xiang , Yang Xi , Guo Yi , George Thomas J. , Charness Neil , Quan Hem Kelsa Bartley , Hogan William , Bian Jiang 
Published: February 2020

AbstractClinical studies, especially randomized, controlled trials, are essential for generating evidence for clinical practice. However, generalizability is a long‐standing concern when applying trial results to real‐world patients. Generalizability assessment is thus important, nevertheless, not consistently practiced. We performed a systematic review to understand the practice of generalizability assessment. We identified 187 relevant articles and systematically organized these studies in a taxonomy with three dimensions: (i) data availability (i.e., before or after trial (a priori vs. a posteriori generalizability)); (ii) result outputs (i.e., score vs. nonscore); and (iii) populations of interest. We further reported disease areas, underrepresented subgroups, and types of data used to profile target populations. We observed an increasing trend of generalizability assessments, but < 30% of studies reported positive generalizability results. As a priori generalizability can be assessed using only study design information (primarily eligibility criteria), it gives investigators a golden opportunity to adjust the study design before the trial starts. Nevertheless, < 40% of the studies in our review assessed a priori generalizability. With the wide adoption of electronic health records systems, rich real‐world patient databases are increasingly available for generalizability assessment; however, informatics tools are lacking to support the adoption of generalizability assessment practice.
No evidence for the ‘rate‐of‐living’ theory across the tetrapod tree of life
Authors: Stark Gavin , Pincheira‐Donoso Daniel , Meiri Shai 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAimThe ‘rate‐of‐living’ theory predicts that life expectancy is a negative function of the rates at which organisms metabolize. According to this theory, factors that accelerate metabolic rates, such as high body temperature and active foraging, lead to organismic ‘wear‐out’. This process reduces life span through an accumulation of biochemical errors and the build‐up of toxic metabolic by‐products. Although the rate‐of‐living theory is a keystone underlying our understanding of life‐history trade‐offs, its validity has been recently questioned. The rate‐of‐living theory has never been tested on a global scale in a phylogenetic framework, or across both endotherms and ectotherms. Here, we test several of its fundamental predictions across the tetrapod tree of life.LocationGlobal.Time periodPresent.Major taxa studiedLand vertebrates.MethodsUsing a dataset spanning the life span data of 4,100 land vertebrate species (2,214 endotherms, 1,886 ectotherms), we performed the most comprehensive test to date of the fundamental predictions underlying the rate‐of‐living theory. We investigated how metabolic rates, and a range of factors generally perceived to be strongly associated with them, relate to longevity.ResultsOur findings did not support the predictions of the rate‐of‐living theory. Basal and field metabolic rates, seasonality, and activity times, as well as reptile body temperatures and foraging ecology, were found to be unrelated to longevity. In contrast, lower longevity across ectotherm species was associated with high environmental temperatures.Main conclusionsWe conclude that the rate‐of‐living theory does not hold true for terrestrial vertebrates, and suggest that life expectancy is driven by selection arising from extrinsic mortality factors. A simple link between metabolic rates, oxidative damage and life span is not supported. Importantly, our findings highlight the potential for rapid warming, resulting from the current increase in global temperatures, to drive accelerated rates of senescence in ectotherms.
Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide rapidly activates trigeminal sensory neurons and may contribute to pulpal pain
Authors: Kaewpitak A. , Bauer C. S. , Seward E. P. , Boissonade F. M. , Douglas C. W. I. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAimTo determine whether Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can directly activate trigeminal neurons, to identify which receptors are involved and to establish whether activation leads to secretion of the neuropeptide calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) and/or the translocation of NF‐κB.MethodologyMouse trigeminal ganglion (TG) cells were cultured in vitro for 2 days. The effect of P. gingivalis LPS (20 μg mL−1) on calcium signalling was assessed (by calcium imaging using Cal‐520 AM) in comparison with the transient receptor potential channel A1 (TRPA1) agonist cinnamaldehyde (CA; 100 μmol L−1), the TRP channel V1 (TRPV1) agonist capsaicin (CAP; 1 μmol L−1) and high potassium (60 mmol L−1 KCl). TG cultures were pre‐treated with either 1 μmol L−1 CLI‐095 to block Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) signalling or with 3 μmol L−1 HC‐030031 to block TRPA1 signalling. CGRP release was determined using ELISA, and nuclear translocation of NF‐κB was investigated using immunocytochemistry. Data were analysed by one‐way analysis of variance, followed by Bonferroni’s post hoc test as appropriate.ResultsPorphyromonas gingivalis LPS directly exerted a rapid excitatory response on sensory neurons and non‐neuronal cells (P < 0.001 to P < 0.05). The effects on neurons appear to be mediated via TLR4‐ and TRPA1‐dependent pathways. The responses were accompanied by an increased release of CGRP (P < 0.001) and by NF‐κB nuclear translocation (P < 0.01).ConclusionsPorphyromonas gingivalis LPS directly activated trigeminal sensory neurons (via TLR4 and TRPA1 receptors) and non‐neuronal cells, resulting in CGRP release and NF‐κB nuclear translocation. This indicates that P. gingivalis can directly influence activity in trigeminal sensory neurons and this may contribute to acute and chronic inflammatory pain.
Physiological characteristics and irrigation water productivity of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) in response to deficit irrigation imposed at different growing stages—A field study from Southern Iran
Authors: Razzaghi Fatemeh , Bahadori-Ghasroldashti Mohammad Reza , Henriksen Signe , Sepaskhah Ali Reza , Jacobsen Sven‐Erik 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIran has been faced to drought during last decades, and one way to overcome this phenomenon is to improve the water productivity by introducing new crops tolerant to water stresses such as quinoa. Two‐year field experiment was performed to find out the response of quinoa (cv. Titicaca) to deficit irrigation imposed at different growing stages. Hence, the effect of full irrigation (100% irrigation water requirement) and deficit irrigation (50% full irrigation) on physiological parameters, yield, irrigation water productivity and root density of quinoa was investigated during 2016 and 2017 growing seasons. The result showed that there was a significant difference between all variables in two years. Higher average air temperature in 2017 (2.0°C) resulted in a reduction of seed yield and water productivity (55% and 40% of that obtained in 2016, respectively). Application of deficit irrigation during different growing stages reduced crop height, stomatal conductance and seed yield, while it increased the root length density in both years. In conclusion, flowering stage of quinoa was very sensitive to deficit irrigation, and irrigation at grain filling stage would not help to recover the seed yield. Furthermore, the seed yield was lower than that obtained in other studies performed in other countries using same quinoa cultivar, which could be due to higher amount of applied irrigation water and different phenology under different climatic conditions. A decision on cultivating this crop under semi‐arid conditions has to be made considering limited water resources.
Phenol metabolism of two cultivars of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) as affected by ozone and flooding stress
Authors: Chen Chong , Chen Songsong , Jha Rohit Kumar , Cotrozzi Lorenzo , Nali Cristina , Lorenzini Giacomo , Ma Limin 
Published: February 2020

AbstractTo compare the phenolic responses under oxidative stressors, plants of two Italian cultivars of durum wheat (Claudio and Mongibello) were (a) exposed to ozone (O3) (80 ppb, 5 hr/day for 70 consecutive days), with the aim to investigate the changes of phenolic compound contents in their leaves, or (b) flooded (seven consecutive days). Plants showed O3‐induced visible injury, but their photosynthetic performance was not affected by the pollutant. Specifically, Claudio showed a higher O3 tolerance than Mongibello. The major value of the present study is undoubtedly the pioneering investigation of phenolic metabolism of durum wheat under O3. We identified 12 foliar phenolic compounds in all leaf samples (i.e. controls, exposed to O3 and flooded): ten phenolic acids, a flavanol (catechin hydrate) and a phenolic aldehyde (syringaldehyde). Overall, O3 exposure resulted in accumulations of phenolic compounds, especially in Claudio. These responses can be likely considered a fine‐regulated repair process that equipped Claudio stressed plants with an antioxidant system capable of scavenging oxidative stress. Different phenolic variations were found in flooded plants, suggesting that phenolic response to environmental constraints is stress specific. Our study confirms that investigations and characterization of specific phenolic profiles of crop cultivars under oxidative stress may be helpful in breeding programmes.
LncRNA TUG1 alleviates cardiac hypertrophy by targeting miR‐34a/DKK1/Wnt‐β‐catenin signalling
Authors: Fang Qingxia , Liu Ting , Yu Chenhuan , Yang Xiuli , Shao Yanfei , Shi Jiana , Ye Xiaolan , Zheng Xiaochun , Yan Jieping , Xu Danfeng , Zou Xiaozhou 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe current study was designed to explore the role and underlying mechanism of lncRNA taurine up‐regulated gene 1 (TUG1) in cardiac hypertrophy. Mice were treated by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) surgery to induce cardiac hypertrophy, and cardiomyocytes were treated by phenylephrine (PE) to induce hypertrophic phenotype. Haematoxylin‐eosin (HE), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and immunofluorescence (IF) were used to examine morphological alterations. Real‐time PCR, Western blots and IF staining were used to detect the expression of RNAs and proteins. Luciferase assay and RNA pull‐down assay were used to verify the interaction. It is revealed that TUG1 was up‐regulated in the hearts of mice treated by TAC surgery and in PE‐induced cardiomyocytes. Functionally, overexpression of TUG1 alleviated cardiac hypertrophy both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanically, TUG1 sponged and sequestered miR‐34a to increase the Dickkopf 1 (DKK1) level, which eventually inhibited the activation of Wnt/β‐catenin signalling. In conclusion, the current study reported the protective role and regulatory mechanism of TUG1 in cardiac hypertrophy and suggested that TUG1 may serve as a novel molecular target for treating cardiac hypertrophy.