bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pleistocene climate changes, and not agricultural spread, accounts for range expansion and admixture in the dominant grassland species Lolium perenne L.
Authors: Blanco‐Pastor José Luis , Manel Stéphanie , Barre Philippe , Roschanski Anna M. , Willner Evelin , Dehmer Klaus J. , Hegarty Mathew , Muylle Hilde , Ruttink Tom , Roldán‐Ruiz Isabel , Ledauphin Thomas , Escobar‐Gutiérrez Abraham , Sampoux Jean‐Paul 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAimGrasslands have been pivotal in the development of herbivore breeding since the Neolithic and still represent the most widespread agricultural land use across Europe. However, it remains unclear whether the current large‐scale genetic variation of plant species found in natural grasslands of Europe is the result of human activities or natural processes.LocationEurope.TaxonLolium perenne L. (perennial ryegrass).MethodsWe reconstructed the phylogeographic history of L. perenne, a dominant grassland species, using 481 natural populations, including 11 populations of closely related taxa. We combined Genotyping‐by‐Sequencing (GBS) and pool‐Sequencing (pool‐Seq) to obtain high‐quality allele frequency calls of ~500 k SNP loci. We performed genetic structure analyses and demographic reconstructions based on the site frequency spectrum (SFS). We additionally used the same genotyping protocol to assess the genomic diversity of a set of 32 cultivars representative of the L. perenne cultivars widely used for forage purposes.ResultsExpansion across Europe took place during the Würm glaciation (12–110 kya), a cooling period that decreased the dominance of trees in favour of grasses. Splits and admixtures in L. perenne fit historical climate changes in the Mediterranean basin. The development of agriculture in Europe (7–3.5 kya), that caused an increase in the abundance of grasslands, did not have an effect on the demographic patterns of L. perenne. We found that most modern cultivars are closely related to natural diversity from north‐western Europe. Thus, modern cultivars do not represent the wide genetic variation found in natural populations.Main conclusionsDemographic events in L. perenne can be explained by the changing climatic conditions during the Pleistocene. Natural populations maintain a wide genomic variability at continental scale that has been minimally exploited by recent breeding activities. This variability constitutes valuable standing genetic variation for future adaptation of grasslands to climate change, safeguarding the agricultural services they provide.
Rapid growth and large body size in annual fish populations are compromised by density‐dependent regulation
Authors: Vrtílek Milan , Žák Jakub , Polačik Matej , Blažek Radim , Reichard Martin 
Published: May 2019

AbstractWe tested the effect of population density on maximum body size in three sympatric species of annual killifishes Nothobranchius spp. from African ephemeral pools. We found a clear negative effect of population density on body size, limiting their capacity for extremely fast development and rapid growth. This suggests that density‐dependent population regulation and the ephemeral character of their habitat impose contrasting selective pressures on the life history of annual killifishes.
Comparison of two methods of subcision Nokor and blunt blade in acne scars treatment
Authors: Asilian Ali , Faghihi Gita , Asemi Esfahani Alireza , Mokhtari Fatemeh , Nilforoushzadeh Mohammadali , Mozafarpoor Samaneh 
Published: May 2019

AbstractContextSubcision is a simple surgical method that can be effective in treatment of acne scars.AimsThis study was conducted to evaluate and compare the two methods of Nokor needle and blunt blade (BB) subcision in treatment of acne scars.Settings and designThis clinical trial study was conducted on 28 patients with acne scars.Patients and methodsOne side of the face was treated with BB subcision method, and the other side was treated with Nokor needle method. Followed up period was 6 months after treatment. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 20) software using independent sample t test, Mann‐Whitney test, Friedman test, and Fisher's exact test.ResultsIn follow‐up period, the improvement of acne scars was comparable in both groups (P > 0.05). Complications were lower in BB method than another method (P < 0.05). The patient satisfaction was higher in BB method (P < 0.05).ConclusionsBoth of modalities offered similar improvement, but the complication rate was lower and the patient satisfaction was also higher in the BB method than another method.
The efficacy and safety of topical 5% methimazole vs 4% hydroquinone in the treatment of melasma: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gheisari Mehdi , Dadkhahfar Sahar , Olamaei Elham , Moghimi Hamid Reza , Niknejad Nasim , Najar Nobari Niloufar 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe management of melasma is still challenging, and new treatment modalities with favorable side effect profile are required. Methimazole, a peroxidase inhibitor, seems to have a beneficial effect in the management of melasma but there is a paucity of studies for evaluation of its efficacy. This double‐blinded trial was aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of methimazole vs hydroquinone 4% which is the gold standard treatment in the management of melasma.MethodsFifty patients with melasma were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups to receive 4% hydroquinone or 5% methimazole once daily for 8 weeks. Forty patients completed the study. The clinical response was assessed at 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks after treatment by MASI score, patient satisfaction, and physician scores.ResultsBoth groups showed a reduction in the MASI score at the 8th week which was more significant in hydroquinone group but higher relapse rate was also observed in this group after discontinuing the drug. The side effects were similar between groups. Also, patient and physician satisfaction scores were also more in favor of hydroquinone 4%.ConclusionMethimazole could be an alternative treatment of melasma alone or in combination with other depigmenting drugs. Although not as effective as hydroquinone, the noncytotoxic and nonmutagenic aspects of methimazole may make it a promising alternative for the treatment of melasma.
Static allometry in two species of neotropical stalk‐eyed fly
Authors: Oliveira Vasconcelos A. C. , Barros de Carvalho C. J. , Pie M. R. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe eye stalk is a sexually selected trait that has evolved several times within true flies (Diptera). It has been suggested that selection on secondary sexual traits such as the eye stalk favors positive allometry (disproportionate increase in a trait in relation to body size), but it remains unclear how common positive allometry is in such traits compared with nonsexual traits. Although the morphological evolution of eye stalks has been extensively investigated in diopsids, little is known about the evolution of eye stalks in other dipteran families. Our study aimed to assess the allometric relationships of sexual and nonsexual traits in two species of the Neotropical ulidiid genus Plagiocephalus. We estimated the covariance between body size and eye stalks, and between body size and four other nonsexual morphological traits, in males and females of P. latifrons and P. lobularis. We found a significant positive scaling relationship between eye stalk length and body size in both species, representing the steepest allometric exponents ever observed in stalk‐eyed flies. However, our results also show evidence that positive allometry is not exclusive for exaggerated traits. Our findings also lend support to the hypothesis that the allometric intercept is subject to more variation during evolution than the allometric slope.
Camouflage
Authors: Cuthill I. C. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAnimal camouflage has long been used to illustrate the power of natural selection, and provides an excellent testbed for investigating the trade‐offs affecting the adaptive value of colour. However, the contemporary study of camouflage extends beyond evolutionary biology, co‐opting knowledge, theory and methods from sensory biology, perceptual and cognitive psychology, computational neuroscience and engineering. This is because camouflage is an adaptation to the perception and cognition of the species (one or more) from which concealment is sought. I review the different ways in which camouflage manipulates and deceives perceptual and cognitive mechanisms, identifying how, and where in the sequence of signal processing, strategies such as transparency, background matching, disruptive coloration, distraction marks, countershading and masquerade have their effects. As such, understanding how camouflage evolves and functions not only requires an understanding of animal sensation and cognition, it sheds light on perception in other species.
Lecanicillium aphanocladii: snake venom phospholipases A2 and proteases as tools to prospect enzymatic inhibitors
Authors: Cardoso M.G.B. , Trento M.V.C. , Reis C.H. , Marcussi S. , Cardoso P.G. 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Natural enzyme inhibitors have been widely described in literature because of its pharmacological and cosmetic applications. Fungi found in caves represent a promising source of bioactive substances that are still little explored scientifically. Thus, the present work evaluated the presence of enzymatic modulators in a filtrate obtained from the cultivation of the cave fungus Lecanicillium aphanocladii (Family: Cordycipitaceae). Snake venoms from Bothrops alternatus and Bothrops atrox were used as an enzymatic source for the induction of the phospholipase, proteolytic, thrombolytic, cytotoxic and coagulant activities. Compounds present in the fungal filtrate inhibited 50, 23·8, 26·6, 50·9 and 52·5% of the proteolytic, phospholipase, haemolytic, thrombolytic and coagulant activities respectively. The filtrate was not cytotoxic on erythrocytes, but induced partial dissolution of thrombi. Fungal enzyme inhibitors that have low or no toxicity and can be obtained on a large scale and at low cost are relevant in the medical-scientific context. Therefore, the inhibition of phospholipases A2 and proteases observed in the present work highlights the potential of fungal metabolites for the development of drugs that can be used in the treatment of haemostasis and inflammation-related disorders.

Significance and Impact of the Study
In this study, secondary metabolites synthesized by Lecanicillium aphanocladii, a fungus isolated from caves, demonstrated modulating action on proteases and phospholipases A2 present in snake venoms of the Bothrops genus, widely used as tools for the study of pathophysiology processes related to haemostasis and inflammation. The results suggest the possibility of future applications for these metabolites in the development of pharmaceuticals of medical-scientific interest.
Chronic Hepatitis E is associated with cholangitis
Authors: Beer Andrea , Holzmann Heidemarie , Pischke Sven , Behrendt Patrick , Wrba Fritz , Schlue Jerome , Drebber Uta , Neudert Barbara , Halilbasic Emina , Kreipe Hans , Lohse Ansgar , Sterneck Martina , Wedemeyer Heiner , Manns Michael , Dienes Hans P. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackground and AimsSporadic hepatitis E is an emerging indigenous disease in Europe induced by genotype 3 of the virus. While the disease takes an acute self‐limited course in immunocompetent individuals, under immunocompromised conditions chronic hepatitis E might develop. The histology of chronic hepatitis E has not been described in detail systematically.MethodsLiver biopsies from 19 immunosuppressed patients with chronic hepatitis E were collected: 17 were organ transplant recipients, one had a CD4‐deficiency and one had received steroid therapy because of ulcerative colitis. Biopsies were processed with standard stains. Evaluation of histologic activity and fibrosis was performed according to Ishak. Additionally, immunohistochemistry with antibodies directed against open reading frame 2 and 3 of the virus was performed and liver biopsies were tested for hepatitis E virus RNA.ResultsBiochemical data showed an increase in alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, gamma‐glutamyl transferase and total bilirubin. Histopathology displayed typical features of chronic hepatitis with mild to moderate activity. The number of polymorphonuclear leucocytes was considerably increased and all patients had a florid cholangitis that presented as a destructive form in five of them. Hepatocytes and bile duct epithelia stained positive for hepatitis E virus by immunohistochemistry.ConclusionsChronic hepatitis E in immunocompromised individuals runs a similar course as hepatitis B and C and shows similar histopathology. However, the presence of destructive cholangitis in some cases accompanied by an increased number of polymorphonuclear leucocytes is markedly different. Immunohistochemically the virus is present in bile duct epithelia, seemingly the cause for cholangitis.
Dissimilarities across age groups in the associations between complementary feeding practices and child growth: Evidence from rural Togo
Authors: Briaux Justine , Fortin Sonia , Kameli Yves , Agboka Yawavi , Romedenne Magali , Boko Joachim , Martin‐Prevel Yves , Becquet Renaud , Savy Mathilde 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAdequate complementary feeding (CF) practices are essential for achieving optimal growth but challenging to measure comprehensively. This paper describes CF practices in 2,034 children aged 6–23 months and investigates their relationships with length‐for‐age z‐score (LAZ) and stunting, using cross‐sectional data collected from May to July 2014 in rural Northern Togo. The World Health Organization infant and young child feeding indicators were computed, along with ancillary indicators on feeding style and timing of introduction of complementary foods. The associations between those indicators and children's LAZ and stunting were assessed using linear and logistic regressions after stratification by age group and adjustment for children, maternal, and household characteristics. CF practices were suboptimal, and their associations with child's growth varied across indicators and age groups. In children aged 6–11 months, reaching the minimum dietary diversity and the minimum acceptable diet was associated with higher LAZ (p < .05). In 18‐ to 23‐month‐old children, only the consumption of iron‐rich food was associated with both LAZ (p = .02) and stunting (p = .05). The late introduction of family foods was associated with higher odds of being stunted and lower LAZ in children aged 12–17 months (p < .001). The untimely introduction of porridge was associated with higher odds of stunting in children aged 9–23 months (p < .05). Unexpectedly, helping the child to eat was negatively associated with linear growth in all age groups. These findings nurture the ongoing process of review of the World Health Organization infant and young child feeding indicators showing that, in their current version, they hardly capture the links between CF and child's growth at different ages.
Cyclic di‐GMP inactivates T6SS and T4SS activity in Agrobacterium tumefaciens
Authors: McCarthy Ronan R. , Yu Manda , Eilers Kira , Wang Yi‐Chieh , Lai Erh‐Min , Filloux Alain 
Published: May 2019

SummaryThe Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a bacterial nanomachine that delivers effector proteins into prokaryotic and eukaryotic preys. This secretion system has emerged as a key player in regulating the microbial diversity in a population. In the plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens, the signalling cascades regulating the activity of this secretion system are poorly understood. Here, we outline how the universal eubacterial second messenger cyclic di‐GMP impacts the production of T6SS toxins and T6SS structural components. We demonstrate that this has a significant impact on the ability of the phytopathogen to compete with other bacterial species in vitro and in planta. Our results suggest that, as opposed to other bacteria, c‐di‐GMP turns down the T6SS in A. tumefaciens thus impacting its ability to compete with other bacterial species within the rhizosphere. We also demonstrate that elevated levels of c‐di‐GMP within the cell decrease the activity of the Type IV secretion system (T4SS) and subsequently the capacity of A. tumefaciens to transform plant cells. We propose that such peculiar control reflects on c‐di‐GMP being a key second messenger that silences energy‐costing systems during early colonization phase and biofilm formation, while low c‐di‐GMP levels unleash T6SS and T4SS to advance plant colonization.
Evolutionary couplings of amino acid residues reveal structure and function of bacterial signaling proteins
Authors: Szurmant Hendrik 
Published: May 2019

SummaryThe genomic era along with major advances in high‐throughput sequencing technology has led to a rapid expansion of the genomic and consequently the protein sequence space. Bacterial extracytoplasmic function sigma factors have emerged as an important group of signaling proteins in bacteria involved in many regulatory decisions, most notably the adaptation to cell envelope stress. Their wide prevalence and amplification among bacterial genomes has led to sub‐group classification and the realization of diverse signaling mechanisms. Mathematical frameworks have been developed to utilize extensive protein sequence alignments to extract co‐evolutionary signals of interaction. This has proven useful in a number of different biological fields, including de novo structure prediction, protein–protein partner identification and the elucidation of alternative protein conformations for signal proteins, to name a few. The mathematical tools, commonly referred to under the name ‘Direct Coupling Analysis’ have now been applied to deduce molecular mechanisms of activation for sub‐groups of extracytoplasmic sigma factors adding to previous successes on bacterial two‐component signaling proteins. The amplification of signal transduction protein genes in bacterial genomes made them the first to be amenable to this approach but the sequences are available now to aid the molecular microbiologist, no matter their protein pathway of interest.
Plant essential oils synergize various pyrethroid insecticides and antagonize malathion in Aedes aegypti
Authors: Norris E. J. , Gross A. D. , Bartholomay L. C. , Coats J. R. 
Published: May 2019

Abstract.Pyrethroid resistance is a significant threat to agricultural, urban and public health pest control activities. Because economic incentives for the production of novel active ingredients for the control of public health pests are lacking, this field is particularly affected by the potential failure of pyrethroid‐based insecticides brought about by increasing pyrethroid resistance. As a result, innovative approaches are desperately needed to overcome insecticide resistance, particularly in mosquitoes that transmit deadly and debilitating pathogens. Numerous studies have demonstrated the potential of plant essential oils to enhance the efficacy of pyrethroids. The toxicity of pyrethroids combined with plant oils is significantly greater than the baseline toxicity of either oils or pyrethroids applied alone, which suggests there are synergistic interactions between components of these mixtures. The present study examined the potential of eight plant essential oils applied in one of two concentrations (1% and 5%) to enhance the toxicity of various pyrethroids (permethrin, natural pyrethrins, deltamethrin and β‐cyfluthrin). The various plant essential oils enhanced the pyrethroids to differing degrees. The levels of enhancement provided by combinations of plant essential oils and pyrethroids in comparison with pyrethroids alone were calculated and synergistic outcomes characterized. Numerous plant essential oils significantly synergized a variety of pyrethroids; type I pyrethroids were synergized to a greater degree than type II pyrethroids. Eight plant essential oils significantly enhanced 24‐h mortality rates provided by permethrin and six plant essential oils enhanced 24‐h mortality rates obtained with natural pyrethrins. By contrast, only three plant essential plants significantly enhanced the toxicity of deltamethrin and β‐cyfluthrin. Of the plant essential oils that enhanced the toxicity of these pyrethroids, some produced varying levels of synergism and antagonism. Geranium, patchouli and Texas cedarwood oils produced the highest levels of synergism, displaying co‐toxicity factors of > 100 in some combinations. To assess the levels of enhancement and synergism of other classes of insecticide, malathion was also applied in combination with the plant oils. Significant antagonism was provided by a majority of the plant essential oils applied in combination with this insecticide, which suggests that plant essential oils may act to inhibit the oxidative activation processes within exposed adult mosquitoes.
Quality of life and psychological morbidity in patients with superficial cutaneous dermatophytosis
Authors: Narang Tarun , Bhattacharjee Rajsmita , Singh Shubhmohan , Jha Krishna , Kavita  , Mahajan Rahul , Dogra Sunil 
Published: May 2019

SummaryWe are facing an onslaught of chronic and recurrent dermatophytosis in epidemic proportions never encountered previously. There is a dearth of studies assessing the quality of life (QoL) and psychological morbidity in patients with superficial dermatophytosis. Our aim was to assess QoL and psychological morbidity in a sample of Indian patients suffering from dermatophytosis by using Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), respectively. This was a single‐centre, cross‐sectional study where consecutive patients of first episode, chronic or recurrent dermatophytosis were invited to participate. In addition to DLQI and GHQ12, patients' demographic data, duration and symptoms of dermatophyte infection, were also documented and recorded in the case record form. We recruited 196 patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria. The mean total DLQI score was 13.41 ± 7.56 (range 0‐30). The main items in the questionnaire influenced by the disease were “symptoms and feelings,” followed by “daily activities,” “leisure” and “personal relationships.” Age of the patient and body surface area involved had a significant impact on the QoL in our study (P ≤ 0.05). The mean GHQ‐12 score was 16.98; 84.9% of patients had a score higher than or equal to 12 indicating significant psychological distress. GHQ‐12 was found to have significant correlation with the DLQI score. Quality of life issues and psychosocial aspect should be considered while managing dermatophytosis as education about the disease, its management and prognosis may go a long way in improving the adherence to treatment and overall outcome in these patients.