bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the potential for evolutionary mismatch in Batesian mimics: A case study in the endangered smooth snake (Coronella austriaca)
Authors: Valkonen Janne K. , Mäkelä Anni , Mappes Johanna , López‐Sepulcre Andrés 
Published: July 2018

AbstractMany harmless organisms gain a survival advantage by mimicking venomous species. This is the case of the endangered smooth snake (Coronella austriaca), which mimics venomous vipers. Although this may protect the smooth snake against most of its natural predators, it may render them at greater risk of mortality from humans, who are more inclined to kill species, such as vipers, that they consider dangerous. This may cause an evolutionary mismatch, whereby humans may counteract the natural advantage of mimicry. We explore this possibility of evaluating the willingness of humans to kill smooth snakes versus the adder (Vipera berus), as well as their ability to discern them in the Åland Islands. Our results show that, even when respondents did not wish to kill the smooth snakes, these were often mistaken for adders, which they were willing to kill. Altogether, viper mimicry brought about a 2.3‐fold increase in the likelihood of smooth snakes being killed upon human encounter. These results open up the possibility that naturally selected mimicry can pose a threat to endangered snakes in human‐influenced habitats. We discuss the potential for this to be the case, and highlight the importance of protecting entire mimicry complexes, rather than single species, when the endangered species is a mimic.
A re‐evaluation of the domestication bottleneck from archaeogenomic evidence
Authors: Allaby Robin G. , Ware Roselyn L. , Kistler Logan 
Published: July 2018

AbstractDomesticated crops show a reduced level of diversity that is commonly attributed to the “domestication bottleneck”; a drastic reduction in the population size associated with subsampling the wild progenitor species and the imposition of selection pressures associated with the domestication syndrome. A prediction of the domestication bottleneck is a sharp decline in genetic diversity early in the domestication process. Surprisingly, archaeological genomes of three major annual crops do not indicate that such a drop in diversity occurred early in the domestication process. In light of this observation, we revisit the general assumption of the domestication bottleneck concept in our current understanding of the evolutionary process of domestication.
Pathways regulating decreased soil respiration with warming in a biocrust‐dominated dryland
Authors: García‐Palacios Pablo , Escolar Cristina , Dacal Marina , Delgado‐Baquerizo Manuel , Gozalo Beatriz , Ochoa Victoria , Maestre Fernando T. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractA positive soil carbon (C)‐climate feedback is embedded into the climatic models of the IPCC. However, recent global syntheses indicate that the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration (RS) in drylands, the largest biome on Earth, is actually lower in warmed than in control plots. Consequently, soil C losses with future warming are expected to be low compared with other biomes. Nevertheless, the empirical basis for these global extrapolations is still poor in drylands, due to the low number of field experiments testing the pathways behind the long‐term responses of soil respiration (RS) to warming. Importantly, global drylands are covered with biocrusts (communities formed by bryophytes, lichens, cyanobacteria, fungi, and bacteria), and thus,RSresponses to warming may be driven by both autotrophic and heterotrophic pathways. Here, we evaluated the effects of 8‐year experimental warming onRS, and the different pathways involved, in a biocrust‐dominated dryland in southern Spain. We also assessed the overall impacts on soil organic C (SOC) accumulation over time. Across the years and biocrust cover levels, warming reducedRSby 0.30 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1(95% CI = −0.24 to 0.84), although the negative warming effects were only significant after 3 years of elevated temperatures in areas with low initial biocrust cover. We found support for different pathways regulating the warming‐induced reduction inRSat areas with low (microbial thermal acclimation via reduced soil mass‐specific respiration and β‐glucosidase enzymatic activity) vs. high (microbial thermal acclimation jointly with a reduction in autotrophic respiration from decreased lichen cover) initial biocrust cover. Our 8‐year experimental study shows a reduction in soil respiration with warming and highlights that biocrusts should be explicitly included in modeling efforts aimed to quantify the soil C–climate feedback in drylands.
A radiative forcing analysis of tropical peatlands before and after their conversion to agricultural plantations
Authors: Dommain René , Frolking Steve , Jeltsch‐Thömmes Aurich , Joos Fortunat , Couwenberg John , Glaser Paul H. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe tropical peat swamp forests of South‐East Asia are being rapidly converted to agricultural plantations of oil palm and Acacia creating a significant global “hot‐spot” for CO2 emissions. However, the effect of this major perturbation has yet to be quantified in terms of global warming potential (GWP) and the Earth's radiative budget. We used a GWP analysis and an impulse‐response model of radiative forcing to quantify the climate forcing of this shift from a long‐term carbon sink to a net source of greenhouse gases (CO2 and CH4). In the GWP analysis, five tropical peatlands were sinks in terms of their CO2 equivalent fluxes while they remained undisturbed. However, their drainage and conversion to oil palm and Acacia plantations produced a dramatic shift to very strong net CO2‐equivalent sources. The induced losses of peat carbon are ~20× greater than the natural CO2 sequestration rates. In contrast, a radiative forcing model indicates that the magnitude of this shift from a net cooling to warming effect is ultimately related to the size of an individual peatland's carbon pool. The continuous accumulation of carbon in pristine tropical peatlands produced a progressively negative radiative forcing (i.e., cooling) that ranged from −2.1 to −6.7 nW/m2 per hectare peatland by 2010 CE, referenced to zero at the time of peat initiation. Peatland conversion to plantations leads to an immediate shift from negative to positive trend in radiative forcing (i.e., warming). If drainage persists, peak warming ranges from +3.3 to +8.7 nW/m2 per hectare of drained peatland. More importantly, this net warming impact on the Earth's radiation budget will persist for centuries to millennia after all the peat has been oxidized to CO2. This previously unreported and undesirable impact on the Earth's radiative balance provides a scientific rationale for conserving tropical peatlands in their pristine state.
Dramatic loss of seagrass habitat under projected climate change in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Chefaoui Rosa M. , Duarte Carlos M. , Serrão Ester A. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAlthough climate warming is affecting most marine ecosystems, the Mediterranean is showing earlier impacts. Foundation seagrasses are already experiencing a well‐documented regression in the Mediterranean which could be aggravated by climate change. Here, we forecast distributions of two seagrasses and contrast predicted loss with discrete regions identified on the basis of extant genetic diversity. Under the worst‐case scenario, Posidonia oceanica might lose 75% of suitable habitat by 2050 and is at risk of functional extinction by 2100, whereas Cymodocea nodosa would lose only 46.5% in that scenario as losses are compensated with gained and stable areas in the Atlantic. Besides, we predict that erosion of present genetic diversity and vicariant processes can happen, as all Mediterranean genetic regions could decrease considerably in extension in future warming scenarios. The functional extinction of Posidonia oceanica would have important ecological impacts and may also lead to the release of the massive carbon stocks these ecosystems stored over millennia.
Hydrologic and water quality responses to biomass production in the Tennessee river basin
Authors: Wang Gangsheng , Jager Henriette I. , Baskaran Latha M. , Brandt Craig C. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractReducing dependence on fossil‐based energy has raised interest in biofuels as a potential energy source, but concerns have been raised about potential implications for water quality. These effects may vary regionally depending on the biomass feedstocks and changes in land management. Here, we focused on the Tennessee River Basin (TRB), USA. According to the recent 2016 Billion‐Ton Report (BT16) by the US Department of Energy, under two future scenarios (base‐case and high‐yield), three perennial feedstocks show high potential for growing profitably in the TRB: switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus), and willow (Salix spp.). We used the Soil & Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to compare hydrology and water quality for a current landscape with those simulated for two future BT16 landscapes. We combined publicly available temporal and geospatial datasets with local land and water management information to realistically represent physical characteristics of the watershed. We developed a new autocalibration tool (SWATopt) to calibrate and evaluate SWAT in the TRB with reservoir operations, including comparison against synthetic and intermediate response variables derived from gage measurements. Our spatiotemporal evaluation enables to more realistically simulate the current situation, which gives us more confidence to project the effects of land‐use changes on water quality. Under both future BT16 scenarios, simulated nitrate and total nitrogen loadings and concentrations were greatly reduced relative to the current landscape, whereas runoff, sediment, and phosphorus showed only small changes. Difference between simulated water results for the two future scenarios was small. The influence of biomass production on water quantity and quality depended on the crop, area planted, and management practices, as well as on site‐specific characteristics. These results offer hope that bioenergy production in the TRB could help to protect the region's rivers from nitrogen pollution by providing a market for perennial crops with low nutrient input requirements.
Clinical evaluation of a novel and highly sensitive immunoassay for anti‐hepatitis B core antigen using a fully automated immunochemical analyzer
Authors: Izumida Kyo , Kaneko Atsushi , Takahashi Kazuya , Kusumoto Shigeru , Narita Tomoko , Takami Akiyoshi , Iida Shinsuke , Aoyagi Katsumi , Tanaka Yasuhito 
Published: July 2018

AimRecently, the measurement of hepatitis B surface antigen and anti‐hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAb) and/or anti‐hepatitis B surface antigen has been recommended before various therapies to identify patients at risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation. However, a recent study reported that HBV reactivation occurred in HBcAb‐negative patients, indicating that it is challenging to identify patients with a history of HBV infection using conventional HBcAb reagent. We developed a highly sensitive HBcAb (HBcAb‐HS) assay for reducing the risk of HBV reactivation.MethodsThe HBcAb‐HS assay is an automated chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay system, which is suitable for clinical use. The cut‐off was set at 0.020 IU/mL from the distribution patterns of HBcAb‐negative specimens, and we evaluated the performance of this assay compared with conventional reagents.ResultsThis new assay showed a 27–81‐fold greater sensitivity than conventional HBcAb reagents; the quantified measurement range was from 0.005 IU/mL to 1.500 IU/mL, and it showed excellent quantitative performance and correlated well with two conventional assays, using the HBcAb‐positive specimens. Moreover, it showed 100% specificity for the 469 purchased HBcAb‐negative specimens. Notably, this newly developed HBcAb‐HS assay showed positivity in the preserved specimens before HBV reactivation, for which conventional HBcAb reagents gave negative results, and the HBcAb‐HS assay could detect the lower HBcAb levels even after intensive immunosuppressive therapies, including autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.ConclusionsThe clinical efficacy of the newly developed, highly sensitive HBcAb assay would enable the identification of patients at risk of HBV reactivation more accurately.
Ratio between estimated glomerular filtration rates of creatinine and cystatin C predicts overall survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Tamai Yasuyuki , Iwasa Motoh , Kawasaki Yuya , Yoshizawa Naohiko , Ogura Suguru , Sugimoto Ryosuke , Eguchi Akiko , Yamamoto Norihiko , Sugimoto Kazushi , Hasegawa Hiroshi , Takei Yoshiyuki 
Published: July 2018

AimHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with sarcopenia have a poor survival, but there are no predictive markers for survival relating to muscle mass and liver function. Therefore, we investigated whether the ratio between estimated glomerular filtration rates of serum creatinine (Scre) and serum cystatin C (Scys) (eGFRcre/eGFRcys) can be used as a predictive marker of survival in HCC patients.MethodsFirst, the correlation between Scre/Scys ratio and muscle mass was examined in 50 patients with chronic liver disease. Second, a change in Scre/Scys ratio relating to liver function was investigated in cirrhotic rats. Finally, the relationship between the eGFRcre/eGFRcys ratio and survival was assessed in 86 HCC patients.ResultsThe Scre/Scys ratio was correlated with skeletal muscle mass index (r = 0.331, P = 0.019) and psoas muscle area index (r = 0.397, P = 0.004) in chronic liver disease patients. In cirrhotic rats, Scre and Scre/Scys ratio were decreased corresponding with liver function. Thirty‐five of 86 HCC patients died within the average follow‐up period of 35 months. The patients with an eGFRcre/eGFRcys ratio <1.26 had significantly longer rates of survival compared to patients with an eGFRcre/eGFRcys ratio ≥1.26 (28.8 vs. 18.5 months, P = 0.001). Using multivariate Cox regression analyses, the patient‐related eGFRcre/eGFRcys ratio (hazard ratio [HR], 4.178; P = 0.007), as well as the tumor‐related factors α‐fetoprotein (HR, 1.000; P < 0.001) and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage (HR, 2.589; P < 0.001), were independent predictors of survival.ConclusionThe Scre/Scys ratio is associated with muscle mass and liver function. Furthermore, the eGFRcre/eGFRcys ratio could serve as a useful predictive marker for survival of HCC.
Syrah grape skin valorisation using ultrasound‐assisted extraction: Phenolic compounds recovery, antioxidant capacity and phenolic profile
Authors: Mazza Karen E. L. , Santiago Manuela C. P. A. , do Nascimento Luzimar S. M. , Godoy Ronoel L. O. , Souza Erika F. , Brígida Ana Iraidy S. , Borguini Renata G. , Tonon Renata V. 
Published: July 2018

SummaryThe influence of ultrasound power (1000–3000 W/L), citric acid concentration (0–3%) and solid:liquid ratio (1:5–1:15) on the phenolic compounds recovery and antioxidant capacity of Syrah grape skin extracts were evaluated. Total phenolic compounds varied from 6485 to 11732 mg gallic acid/100 g and monomeric anthocyanin content from 453 to 685 mg malvidin‐3‐glucoside/100 g. The antioxidant capacity measured by ORAC and ABTS methods ranged from 230 to 516 μmol Trolox/g and from 442 to 939 μmol Trolox/g, respectively. The most suitable conditions chosen for extraction, within the studied ranges, were 3000 W/L of power, 2.5% citric acid and solid:liquid ratio of 1:15. The extraction yield was satisfactory, with a recovery of 59% of the quantified phenolic compounds, with only 3 min of processing. Ultrasound was considered a suitable method as compared to the conventional extraction, improving the extraction of phenolic acids and facilitating their release.
Arterial damage and cognitive decline in chronic kidney disease patients
Authors: Karasavvidou Despina , Boutouyrie Pierre , Kalaitzidis Rigas , Kettab Hakim , Pappas Kosmas , Stagikas Dimitrios , Antonakis Nikolaos , Tsalikakis Dimitrios , Elisaf Moses , Laurent Stephane 
Published: July 2018

In the general population aortic stiffening, assessed by carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (cf‐PWV), is associated with cognitive dysfunction (CO/DY). Data in chronic kidney disease (CKD) are limited. This study tests the hypothesis that large artery stiffness and microvascular damage in CKD patients are related to the damage of brain microcirculation reflected by impaired cognitive function. A cross‐sectional study enrolled 151 patients (mean age 58.4 years; 64.5% males; 44 patients with CKD stage 1; 47 with stage 2; 25 with stage 3; and 35 with stage 4). Cognitive impairment, assessed by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Clock – drawing test (Clock‐test), and the Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL), was considered as primary outcome. We measured systolic and pulse pressures at the brachial and aortic sites and cf‐PWV. Our patients revealed a significant linear deterioration in all the domains of cognitive function according to CKD stages. High values of cf‐PWV (P = 0.029) and aortic pulse pressure (aPP) (P < 0.026) were independent determinants of cognitive decline assessed by the MMSE. The present trial supports the hypothesis of an interaction between the kidney, large artery damage, central pressure pulsatility, and the injury of brain microcirculation. In clinical practice, cf‐PWV and aPP measurements may help to predict cognitive decline. Whether the reduction in aortic stiffness following an aggressive treatment translates into improved cognitive outcomes remains to be determined.
Long non‐coding RNA NNT‐AS1 sponges miR‐424/E2F1 to promote the tumorigenesis and cell cycle progression of gastric cancer
Authors: Chen Beibei , Zhao Qingfang , Guan Lulu , Lv Huifang , Bie Liangyu , Huang Jinxi , Chen Xiao‐Bing 
Published: July 2018

AbstractLong non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been illustrated to function as important regulators in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. However, the roles of lncRNA NNT‐AS1 in gastric cancer remain unclear. In the present study, we investigate the biological role of NNT‐AS1 in gastric cancer tumorigenesis. Results revealed that NNT‐AS1 expression level was significantly up‐regulated in GC tissue and cell lines compared with adjacent normal tissue and normal cell lines. The ectopic overexpression of NNT‐AS1 indicated the poor prognosis of GC patients. In vitro experiments validated that NNT‐AS1 knockdown suppressed the proliferation and invasion ability and induced the GC cell cycle progression arrest at G0/G1 phase. In vivo xenograft assay, NNT‐AS1 silencing decreased the tumour growth of GC cells. Bioinformatics online program predicted that miR‐424 targeted the 3′‐UTR of NNT‐AS1. Luciferase reporter assay, RNA‐immunoprecipitation (RIP) and RNA pull‐down assay validated the molecular binding within NNT‐AS1 and miR‐424, therefore jointly forming the RNA‐induced silencing complex (RISC). Moreover, E2F1 was verified to act as the target gene of NNT‐AS1/miR‐424, indicating the NNT‐AS1/miR‐424/E2F1 axis. In conclusion, our study indicates that NNT‐AS1 sponges miR‐424/E2F1 to facilitate GC tumorigenesis and cycle progress, revealing the oncogenic role of NNT‐AS1 for GC.
Upregulation of IL‐6 expression in human salivary gland cell line by IL‐17 via activation of p38 MAPK, ERK, PI3K/Akt, and NF‐κB pathways
Authors: Wei Lili , Xiong Haofei , Li Wei , Li Bo , Cheng Yong 
Published: July 2018

BackgroundThe human salivary gland (HSG) cell line has so far been used as in vitro models for study of the influence of cytokines and pharmacologic agents on salivary glands, as well as a model system for inflammation in Sjögren's syndrome (SS). This study aimed to determine the effect of IL‐17 on IL‐6 production and the underlying molecular mechanism regulated by the HSG cell line.MethodsImmunofluorescence analyses, RT‐PCR, and Western blot were conducted to evaluate the IL‐17 receptor (IL‐17R) expression in cultured HSG cells. Real‐time PCR and ELISA were then utilized to establish the mRNA and protein levels of IL‐6 in IL‐17‐stimulated HSG cells. Western blot, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and inhibitor analyses were conducted to elucidate the involved signaling pathways.ResultsThe HSG cells reliably expressed the IL‐17R mRNA and its encoded surface‐bound protein. The expression of IL‐6 mRNA and protein was upregulated by stimulation of HSG cells with IL‐17; this effect was impeded by IL‐17‐ or IL‐17R‐neutralizing antibodies. IL‐17 stimulation ended up with the fast phosphorylation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), Akt, and translocation of nuclear factor‐kappaB (NF‐κB) in the HSG cells. p38 MAPK, Akt, and NF‐κB inhibitors significantly subdued IL‐6 generation in HSG cells stimulated by IL‐17. PD98059, an ERK inhibitor, decreased IL‐6 generation under low dose of IL‐17 but not with high dose.ConclusionsThe HSG cells expressed IL‐17R and reacted to IL‐17 to generate IL‐6 via the stimulation of ERK, p38 MAPK, Akt, and NF‐κB signaling pathways.
Susceptibility of opium poppy and pyrethrum to root infection by Spongospora subterranea
Authors: Clark Tamara J. , Rockliff Luke A. , Tegg Robert S. , Balendres Mark A. , Amponsah Jonathan , Thangavel Tamilarasan , Mulcahy Frank , Wilson Annabel J. , Wilson Calum R. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractSpongospora subterranea, which causes powdery scab of potato, infects a diverse range of plant species. Crop rotation as a powdery scab management tool will be compromised if pathogen hosts exist between potato crops. Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) and pyrethrum (Tanacetum cinerariifolium) are important crops within intensive vegetable production rotations in NW Tasmania. Measurements of S. subterranea soil inoculum within a commercial field showed pathogen amounts were substantially elevated following an opium poppy crop, which suggested host status. In glasshouse testing, opium poppy and pyrethrum were confirmed as hosts of S. subterranea, with opium poppy the more susceptible of the two. Both species were less susceptible than tomato, a known host. Observations of early growth suggested inoculation impacts on all three plant species, although at 16 (tomato and opium poppy) or 26 (pyrethrum) weeks postinoculation, only tomato had significantly reduced shoot and root development. The role of rotation crops in inoculum persistence and the possible role of S. subterranea as a minor pathogen of nonpotato crops are discussed.