bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disturbance type influences plant community resilience and resistance to Bromus tectorum invasion in the sagebrush steppe
Authors: Seipel Tim , Rew Lisa J. , Taylor Kimberley T. , Maxwell Bruce D. , Lehnhoff Erik A. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractQuestionHow does type of disturbance alter plant community composition when an invasive species with high intrinsic population growth rate is present? The sagebrush steppe is a cold semi‐arid steppe dominated by the native shrub Artemisia tridentata Nutt., native bunchgrasses, and has been invaded by the non‐native winter annual Bromus tectorum L.LocationSagebrush steppe, Montana, USA.MethodsWe assessed the effect of fire and soil disturbance, due to bulldozing to create a firebreak, on the resilience of plant communities and their resistance to invasion by B. tectorum. Plant species richness and species composition were monitored for 3 years at two sites post‐fire and firebreak construction.ResultsBurned plant communities were resilient and had similar native grass cover and native species richness compared with the unburned sites after 3 years. Soil disturbance from firebreak construction resulted in species composition that was distinct and had lower native grass cover. Type of disturbance also affected the community's resistance to B. tectorum. Bromus tectorum cover was similar in burned and unburned areas, but increased up to three times and remained high where soil disturbance occurred, suggesting a shift to an alternative state.ConclusionIn this northern portion of the sagebrush steppe, communities with native plant cover were resilient to fire but not soil disturbance, which facilitated B. tectorum increase and a transition to an alternative state. In areas of high native plant cover, management tactics should avoid soil disturbance.
Acute myeloid/T‐lymphoblastic leukaemia (AMTL): a distinct category of acute leukaemias with common pathogenesis in need of improved therapy
Authors: Gutierrez Alejandro , Kentsis Alex 
Published: February 2018

SummaryAdvances in the classification of acute leukaemias have led to improved outcomes for a substantial fraction of patients. However, chemotherapy resistance remains a major problem for specific subsets of acute leukaemias. Here, we propose that a molecularly distinct subtype of acute leukaemia with shared myeloid and T cell lymphoblastic features, which we term acute myeloid/T‐lymphoblastic leukaemia (AMTL), is divided across 3 diagnostic categories owing to variable expression of markers deemed to be defining of myeloid and T‐lymphoid lineages, such as myeloperoxidase and CD3. This proposed diagnostic group is supported by (i) retained myeloid differentiation potential during early T cell lymphoid development, (ii) recognition that some cases of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) harbour hallmarks of T cell development, such as T‐cell receptor gene rearrangements and (iii) common gene mutations in subsets of AML and T cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T‐ALL), including WT1, PHF6, RUNX1 and BCL11B. This proposed diagnostic entity overlaps with early T cell precursor (ETP) T‐ALL and T cell/myeloid mixed phenotype acute leukaemias (MPALs), and also includes a subset of leukaemias currently classified as AML with features of T‐lymphoblastic development. The proposed classification of AMTL as a distinct entity would enable more precise prospective diagnosis and permit the development of improved therapies for patients whose treatment is inadequate with current approaches.
Dietary niche separation of rodents and shrews in an African savanna
Authors: Namukonde Ngawo , Simukonda Chuma , Ganzhorn Jörg U. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWhile niche separation and relationships with environmental conditions of large mammals of the African savanna have been studied intensively, less conspicuous components have not received similar attention. This is the case of Kafue National Park (KNP), Zambia, where mechanisms supporting coexistence among rodent and shrew species remain unclear, much less the influence of fire on their dietary resource use. Here, we use stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes to assess dietary resource use and partitioning among rodents and shrews found in three vegetation formations ofKNP. According to the nitrogen isotope signatures, rodents are one to two trophic levels above primary production, save forMus tritonthat is above by two to three. Shrews are two trophic levels above primary production. Among shrews, factors allowing coexistence of similar sized species could not be resolved. Rodent species of the same assemblage either differ in body mass by a factor of two (following Hutchinson's rule) or similar sized species occupy different trophic levels or dietary guilds based on their isotopic nitrogen or carbon signatures. At sites with frequent fires, rodents have broader dietary niches than at sites with low fire frequencies. This could either indicate relaxed competition under high fire frequencies as rodent populations do not reach the carrying capacity of the habitat, or it could reflect reduced competition due to lower species numbers under high versus low fire recurrence regimes. The results indicate competition as an important component structuring rodent communities in Zambian savannas, thus suggesting limited resources.
99mTc‐HYNIC‐(Ser)3‐J18 peptide: A radiotracer for non‐small‐cell lung cancer targeting
Authors: Shaghaghi Zahra , Abedi Seyed Mohammad , Hosseinimehr Seyed Jalal 
Published: February 2018

Radiolabeled peptide could be a useful tool for the diagnosis of non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, HYNIC‐(Ser)3‐J18 peptide was labeled with 99mTc using EDDA/tricine as coligands. The in vitro and in vivo studies of this radiolabeled peptide were performed for cellular‐specific binding and tumor targeting in A‐549 cells and tumor‐bearing mice, respectively. The high radiochemical purity was obtained and this radiolabeled peptide exhibited high stability in buffer and serum. The radiolabeled peptide showed high affinity for the A‐549 cells with a dissociation constant value (KD) of 4.4 ± 0.8 nm. The tumor–muscles ratios were 2.7 and 4.4 at 1 and 2 hr after injection of 99mTc‐(EDDA/tricine)‐HYNIC‐(Ser)3‐J18 in tumor‐bearing mice. The tumor uptake was decreased after preinjection with non‐labeled peptide for this radiolabeled peptide in blocking experiment. The results of this study showed the 99mTc‐(EDDA/tricine)‐(Ser)3‐HYNIC‐J18 peptide might be a promising radiolabeled peptide for NSCLC targeting.
Investigation of corneal endothelial changes post selective laser trabeculoplasty
Authors: Leahy Kate E , Madigan Michele C , Sarris Maria , Watson Stephanie L , McCluskey Peter , White Andrew JR 
Published: February 2018

AbstractImportanceTransient corneal endothelial changes are routinely noted on slit‐lamp examination immediately following selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT).BackgroundTo determine the mechanism of transient corneal endothelial changes observed following SLT.DesignUniversity laboratory‐based observational study.SamplesTen corneas from six human cadaveric donors.MethodsCorneas were treated with SLT, direct laser or peroxide, or used as controls. Haematoxylin and eosin staining and immunolabelling for zonula occludens‐1 (ZO‐1) and beta‐catenin were performed.Main Outcome MeasuresHistological appearance; ZO‐1 and beta‐catenin immunostaining.ResultsThere were no differences in histological features between SLT‐treated and control corneas. Corneas treated with SLT or peroxide showed reduced and less regular ZO‐1 immunofluorescence along cell membranes compared with ZO‐1 expression in controls. These changes were generalized across the endothelium. There was no effect on the ZO‐1 immunostaining after direct laser. There was no difference in beta‐catenin immunostaining patterns between control, SLT and peroxide‐treated corneas.Conclusions and RelevanceAltered ZO‐1 immunostaining may represent disassembly of tight junctions between corneal endothelial cells. The similarity of our findings between SLT‐treated and peroxide‐treated corneas suggests that both conditions trigger changes at the level of endothelial tight junctions, perhaps triggered by liberation of free radicals as previously proposed.
Impact of type 1 diabetes mellitus and sitagliptin treatment on the neuropeptide Y system of rat retina
Authors: Campos Elisa J , Martins João , Brudzewsky Dan , Correia Sandra , Santiago Ana R , Woldbye David PD , Ambrósio António F 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundNeuropeptide Y (NPY) is a neuromodulator that is expressed in the retina. Increasing evidence suggests that NPY has pronounced anti‐inflammatory effects, which might depend on the inhibition of dipeptidyl‐peptidase‐IV (DPP‐IV). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) and sitagliptin, a DPP‐IV inhibitor, on the NPY system in the retina using an animal model.MethodsType 1 DM was induced in male Wistar rats by an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Starting 2 weeks after DM onset, animals were treated orally with sitagliptin (5 mg/kg.day) for 2 weeks. The expression of NPY and NPY receptors (Y1, Y2 and Y5 receptors) was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and/or enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The immunoreactivity of NPY and NPY receptors was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and the [35S]GTPγS binding assay was used to assess the functional binding of NPY receptors.ResultsDM decreased the mRNA levels of NPY in the retina, as well as the protein levels of NPY and Y5 receptor. No changes were detected in the localization of NPY and NPY receptors in the retina and in the functional binding of NPY to all receptors. Sitagliptin alone reduced retinal NPY mRNA levels. The effects of DM on the NPY system were not affected by sitagliptin.ConclusionDM modestly affects the NPY system in the retina and these effects are not prevented by sitagliptin treatment. These observations suggest that DPP‐IV enzyme is not underlying the NPY changes detected in the retina induced by type 1 DM.
Predictive performance of a genetic risk score using 11 susceptibility alleles for the incidence of Type 2 diabetes in a general Japanese population: a nested case–control study
Authors: Goto A. , Noda M. , Goto M. , Yasuda K. , Mizoue T. , Yamaji T. , Sawada N. , Iwasaki M. , Inoue M. , Tsugane S. ,   the JPHC Study Group
Published: February 2018

AbstractAimsTo assess the predictive ability of a genetic risk score for the incidence of Type 2 diabetes in a general Japanese population.MethodsThis prospective case–control study, nested within a Japan Public Health Centre‐based prospective study, included 466 participants with incident Type 2 diabetes over a 5‐year period (cases) and 1361 control participants, as well as 1463 participants with existing diabetes and 1463 control participants. Eleven susceptibility single nucleotide polymorphisms, identified through genome‐wide association studies and replicated in Japanese populations, were analysed.ResultsMost single nucleotide polymorphism loci showed directionally consistent associations with diabetes. From the combined samples, one single nucleotide polymorphism (rs2206734 at CDKAL1) reached a genome‐wide significance level (odds ratio 1.28, 95% CI 1.18–1.40; P = 1.8 × 10–8). Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs2206734 in CDKAL1, rs2383208 in CDKN2A/B, and rs2237892 in KCNQ1) were nominally significantly associated with incident diabetes. Compared with the lowest quintile of the total number of risk alleles, the highest quintile had a higher odds of incident diabetes (odds ratio 2.34, 95% CI 1.59–3.46) after adjusting for conventional risk factors such as age, sex and BMI. The addition to the conventional risk factor‐based model of a genetic risk score using the 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms significantly improved predictive performance; the c‐statistic increased by 0.021, net reclassification improved by 6.2%, and integrated discrimination improved by 0.003.ConclusionsOur prospective findings suggest that the addition of a genetic risk score may provide modest but significant incremental predictive performance beyond that of the conventional risk factor‐based model without biochemical markers.
Cover Image, Volume 20, Issue 3
Authors: Franklin Zara J. , Tsakmaki Anastasia , Fonseca Pedro Patricia , King Aileen J. , Huang Guo Cai , Amjad Sakeena , Persaud Shanta J. , Bewick Gavin A. 
Published: February 2018

The cover image, by Zara J. Franklin et al., is based on the Original Article Islet neuropeptide Y receptors are functionally conserved and novel targets for the preservation of beta‐cell mass, DOI: 10.1111/dom.13119.
image
Weathering of primary mineral phosphate in the early stages of ecosystem development in the Hailuogou Glacier foreland chronosequence
Authors: Zhou J. , Bing H. , Wu Y. , Sun H. , Wang J. 
Published: February 2018

Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for plants. Although the transformation of P speciation and the availability of P in soil have been extensively investigated, the weathering processes and rates of weathering of primary mineral phosphate during the initial stage of pedogenesis are not well understood. Soil samples were collected from six sites that had been exposed for different lengths of time in the foreland of the Hailuogou Glacier, SW China. Three classes of P in different minerals were operationally defined using a sequential extraction procedure. The results revealed that the weathering processes of apatite in the Hailuogou chronosequence were divided into two stages: the first was observed at the 30‐, 40‐ and 52‐year‐old sites, where the average rate of weathering of primary mineral phosphate (RLP) increased from 2.6 to 8.7 mmol m−2 year−1, and the second was observed at the 80‐ and 120‐year‐old sites, where the average RLP increased markedly to 26.0 mmol m−2 year−1. The RLP at the 120‐year‐old site was significantly larger than at sites with similar ages in temperate and subtropical zones, mainly because of differences in climate, vegetation type and initial P content of the parent material. The rapid increase in RLP with age in the Hailuogou chronosequence was fitted well by a power function (RLP = 0.012 × Age1.66) and was affected mainly by the rapid decrease in soil pH and rapid development of vegetation. By compiling the data in this study and from the literature, we propose that changes in the RLP with age (100–12 000 years) can be described by a decreasing power function and can be divided roughly into three stages. The average RLP (14.1 mmol m−2 year−1) in the Hailuogou chronosequence was ∼47 times larger than the global rate of P release, thus indicating the importance of glacier forelands in global P cycling.Highlights
The rate of weathering of apatite (RLP) increased as a function: RLP = 0.012 × Age1.66 (Age ≤ 120).
Rapid decrease in pH and development of vegetation controlled the rapid increase in RLP over 0–120 years.
Change in RLP over hundreds to thousands of years depended mainly on length of exposure.
Young glacier forelands are ‘hot spot’ areas of phosphate weathering.
Feedstock determines biochar‐induced soil priming effects by stimulating the activity of specific microorganisms
Authors: Yu Z. , Chen L. , Pan S. , Li Y. , Kuzyakov Y. , Xu J. , Brookes P. C. , Luo Y. 
Published: February 2018

Uncertainty remains over what properties of biochar and which groups of microorganisms are responsible for the direction and magnitude of observed biochar‐induced priming effects (PE). We selected maize straw, grass, peanut shells and sugar cane as feedstocks to produce biochar at 300, 400 and 500°C by slow pyrolysis, and carried out an 80‐day soil–biochar incubation experiment to investigate biochar‐induced soil PE by adopting isotopic techniques. Irrespective of pyrolysis temperature, grass‐derived biochar (Grass‐B) induced the largest PE (348 to 1214 mg C kg−1 soil), whereas peanut shell‐derived biochar (Peanut‐B) induced the smallest (−135 to 261 mg C kg−1 soil) PE. The intensity of PE was largely determined by the feedstock and was closely related to the proportion of cellulose and lignin in it. The bacterial and fungal communities at days 8 and 40 were investigated by high‐throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA and ITS genes. Biochar additions explained 54.0 and 52.9% of the total variation in bacterial and fungal community structure, respectively. The bacterial Actinobacteria and Firmicutes were dominant during the initial phase of the PE (at day 8), whereas the fungal Sordariomycetes and Tremellomycetes were abundant after the longer phase of incubation at day 40. A succession from bacterial community (used the available C fraction of biochar) to fungal community (used the recalcitrant C fraction of biochar and soil organic C) might occur during the PE, together with the alternation of apparent PE to real PE.Highlights
Feedstock type determines biochar‐induced priming effects (PE).
A succession from bacterial to fungal community occurred.
Actinobacteria and Firmicutes used biochar available C during the early stage.
Sordariomycetes and Tremellomycetes were associated with the later real PE.
Increased socially mediated plasticity in gene expression accompanies rapid adaptive evolution
Authors: Pascoal Sonia , Liu Xuan , Fang Yongxiang , Paterson Steve , Ritchie Michael G. , Rockliffe Nichola , Zuk Marlene , Bailey Nathan W. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractRecent theory predicts that increased phenotypic plasticity can facilitate adaptation as traits respond to selection. When genetic adaptation alters the social environment, socially mediated plasticity could cause co‐evolutionary feedback dynamics that increase adaptive potential. We tested this by asking whether neural gene expression in a recently arisen, adaptive morph of the field cricketTeleogryllus oceanicusis more responsive to the social environment than the ancestral morph. Silent males (flatwings) rapidly spread in a Hawaiian population subject to acoustically orienting parasitoids, changing the population's acoustic environment. Experimental altering crickets’ acoustic environments during rearing revealed broad, plastic changes in gene expression. However, flatwing genotypes showed increased socially mediated plasticity, whereas normal‐wing genotypes exhibited negligible expression plasticity. Increased plasticity in flatwing crickets suggests a coevolutionary process coupling socially flexible gene expression with the abrupt spread of flatwing. Our results support predictions that phenotypic plasticity should rapidly evolve to be more pronounced during early phases of adaptation.
Pyrodiversity interacts with rainfall to increase bird and mammal richness in African savannas
Authors: Beale Colin M. , Courtney Mustaphi Colin J. , Morrison Thomas A. , Archibald Sally , Anderson T. Michael , Dobson Andrew P. , Donaldson Jason E. , Hempson Gareth P. , Probert James , Parr Catherine L. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractFire is a fundamental process in savannas and is widely used for management. Pyrodiversity, variation in local fire characteristics, has been proposed as a driver of biodiversity although empirical evidence is equivocal. Using a new measure of pyrodiversity (Hempson et al.), we undertook the first continent‐wide assessment of how pyrodiversity affects biodiversity in protected areas across African savannas. The influence of pyrodiversity on bird and mammal species richness varied with rainfall: strongest support for a positive effect occurred in wet savannas (> 650 mm/year), where species richness increased by 27% for mammals and 40% for birds in the most pyrodiverse regions. Range‐restricted birds were most increased by pyrodiversity, suggesting the diversity of fire regimes increases the availability of rare niches. Our findings are significant because they explain the conflicting results found in previous studies of savannas. We argue that managing savanna landscapes to increase pyrodiversity is especially important in wet savannas.
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans infection causes DNA double‐strand breaks in host cells
Authors: Teshima Rie , Hanada Katsuhiro , Akada Junko , Kawano Kenji , Yamaoka Yoshio 
Published: February 2018

Periodontal disease, an inflammatory disease, is caused by infection with periodontal pathogens. Long‐term periodontal disease increases the risk of oral carcinogenesis. Similar to other peptic cancers, oral carcinogenesis also requires multiple genome instabilities; however, the risk factors related to the accumulation of genome instabilities are poorly understood. Here, we suggested that specific periodontal pathogens may increase the risk of genome instability. Accordingly, we screened several periodontal pathogens based on the ability to induce DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs) in host cells. We found that Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans Y4 infection induced DSB formation in host cells. To assess whether DSB formation induced by infection with A. actinomycetemcomitans occurred through apoptotic chromosome fragmentation, cells were treated with a caspase inhibitor, Z‐VAD‐FMK. DSB accumulation induced by infection with A. actinomycetemcomitans was observed, even in the presence of Z‐VAD‐FMK, suggesting that this breakage occurred independently of apoptosis. These results suggested that some periodontal pathogens can increase the risk of genome instabilities in host cells and subsequently increase the risk of carcinogenesis.
Taxonomic and functional diversity of butterflies along an altitudinal gradient in two NATURA 2000 sites in Greece
Authors: Kaltsas Dimitris , Dede Konstantinia , Giannaka Jamie , Nasopoulou Themis , Kechagioglou Stavros , Grigoriadou Elpida , Raptis Dimitrios , Damos Petros , Vasiliadis Ioakim , Christopoulos Vasilios , Loukaki Elena , Franses Rolanda , Vlachaki Despoina , Avtzis Dimitrios N. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

We investigated the patterns of taxonomic and functional diversity of butterflies within the limits of the NATURA 2000 sites at two national parks, on the mountains Olympus and Rhodopes, in Greece. The study was conducted along an elevation gradient in 24 sampling sites on each mountain using the line transect technique.

Species richness and abundance followed a monotonic decline on Olympus which is much higher, steeper and has a smaller area size, whereas there was no significant pattern on Rhodopes where average richness and abundance were highest at the extended mid‐elevations with flatter landscape. The altitudinal zonation of butterfly communities on both mountains was primarily due to the specificity of some red‐listed species to high elevations, as well as to the preference of common butterfly species for low or intermediate altitudes.

Additive partitioning and null model analyses suggest an ecological redundancy on both mountains, as the environment is filtering species in terms of their environmental requirements rather than their functional position per se. Butterfly communities at high altitudes were not nested subsets of lowland communities. Environmental filtering led to the dominance of generalist species of which many were taxonomically close and had also similar life‐history traits.

The application of complementary networks showed that butterfly SPecies of European conservation Concern (SPEC) are good surrogates of the overall butterfly fauna on both mountains. Thus, our study highlights the importance of the conservation targeting of SPEC's especially at high elevations, where red‐listed butterflies are more frequent and potentially threatened by climate change.