bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Food web structure of aphids and their parasitoids in Belgian fruit agroecosystems
Authors: Alhmedi Ammar , Raymaekers Stijn , Tomanović Željko , Bylemans Dany , Beliën Tim 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCommunity structures of aphids and their parasitoids were studied in fruit crop habitats of eastern Belgium in 2014 and 2015. Quantitative food webs of these insects were constructed separately for each year, and divided into subwebs on three host‐plant categories, fruit crop plants, non‐crop woody and shrub plants and non‐crop herbaceous plants. The webs were analyzed using the standard food web statistics designed for binary data. During the whole study period, 78 plant species were recorded as host plants of 71 aphid species, from which 48 parasitoid species emerged. The community structure, aphid / parasitoid species‐richness ratio and trophic link number varied between the two years, whereas the realized connectance between parasitoids and aphids was relatively constant. A new plant–aphid–parasitoid association for Europe was recorded. Dominant parasitoid species in the study sites were Ephedrus persicae, Binodoxys angelicae and Praon volucre: the first species was frequently observed on non‐crop trees and shrubs, but the other two on non‐crop herbaceous plants. The potential influence, through indirect interactions, of parasitoids on aphid communities was assessed with quantitative parasitoid‐overlap diagrams. Symmetrical links were uncommon, and abundant aphid species seemed to have large indirect effects on less abundant species. These results show that trophic indirect interactions through parasitoids may govern aphid populations in fruit crop habitats with various non‐crop plants, implying the importance for landscape management and biological control of aphid pests in fruit agroecosystems.
Phenotypic and functional alterations of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells during the disease course of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Iacobaeus Ellen , Douagi Iyadh , Jitschin Regina , Marcusson‐Ståhl Maritha , Andrén Anton Törnqvist , Gavin Caroline , Lefsihane Katia , Davies Lindsay C , Mougiakakos Dimitrios , Kadri Nadir , Le Blanc Katarina 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system involving dysregulated encephalitogenic T cells. Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have been recognized for their important function in regulating T‐cell responses. Recent studies have indicated a role for MDSCs in autoimmune diseases, but their significance in MS is not clear. Here, we assessed the frequencies of CD14+HLA‐DRlow monocytic MDSCs (Mo‐MDSCs) and CD33+CD15+CD11b+HLA‐DRlow granulocytic MDSCs (Gr‐MDSCs) and investigated phenotypic and functional differences of Mo‐MDSCs at different clinical stages of MS and in healthy subjects (HC). Increased frequencies of Mo‐MDSCs (P < 0.05) and Gr‐MDSCs (P < 0.05) were observed in relapsing‐remitting MS patients during relapse (RRMS‐relapse) compared to stable RRMS (RRMS‐rem). Secondary progressive MS (SPMS) patients displayed a decreased frequency of Mo‐MDSCs and Gr‐MDSCs compared to HC (P < 0.05). Mo‐MDSCs within RRMS patients expressed significantly higher cell surface protein levels of CD86 and CD163 compared to SPMS patients. Mo‐MDSCs within SPMS exhibited decreased mRNA expression of interleukin‐10 and heme oxygenase 1 compared to RRMS and HC. Analysis of T‐cell regulatory function of Mo‐MDSCs demonstrated T‐cell suppressive capacity in RRMS and HCs, while Mo‐MDSCs of SPMS promoted autologous T‐cell proliferation, which aligned with a differential cytokine profile compared to RRMS and HCs. This study is the first to show phenotypic and functional shifts of MDSCs between clinical stages of MS, suggesting a role for MDSCs as a therapeutic target to prevent MS disease progression.
The roles of resident, central and effector memory CD4 T‐cells in protective immunity following infection or vaccination
Authors: Gray Joshua I. , Westerhof Lotus M. , MacLeod Megan K. L. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryImmunological memory provides rapid protection to pathogens previously encountered through infection or vaccination. CD4 T‐cells play a central role in all adaptive immune responses. Vaccines must, therefore, activate CD4 T‐cells if they are to generate protective immunity. For many diseases, we do not have effective vaccines. These include human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis and malaria, which are responsible for many millions of deaths each year across the globe. CD4 T‐cells play many different roles during the immune response coordinating the actions of many other cells. In order to harness the diverse protective effects of memory CD4 T‐cells, we need to understand how memory CD4 T‐cells are generated and how they protect the host. Here we review recent findings on the location of different subsets of memory CD4 T‐cells that are found in peripheral tissues (tissue resident memory T‐cells) and in the circulation (central and effector memory T‐cells). We discuss the generation of these cells, and the evidence that demonstrates how they provide immune protection in animal and human challenge models.
Antigen‐specific airway IL‐33 production depends on FcγR‐mediated incorporation of the antigen by alveolar macrophages in sensitized mice
Authors: Nabe Takeshi , Matsuda Masaya , Ishida Tomoki , Tsujimoto Nau , Kido Hitomi , Kanaya Haruna , Takahashi Hiromu , Takemoto Naoki , Nomura Miku , Ishihara Keiichi , Akiba Satoshi , Mizutani Nobuaki 
Published: March 2018

SummaryAlthough interleukin (IL)‐33 is a candidate for the aggravation of asthma, the mechanisms underlying antigen‐specific IL‐33 production in the lung are unclear. Therefore, we analysed the mechanisms in mice. Intra‐tracheal administration of ovalbumin (OVA) evoked increases in IL‐33 and IL‐33 mRNA in the lungs of both non‐sensitized and OVA‐sensitized mice, and the increases in the sensitized mice were significantly higher than in the non‐sensitized mice. However, intra‐tracheal administration of bovine serum albumin did not increase the IL‐33 level in the OVA‐sensitized mice. Depletion of neither mast cells/basophils nor CD4+ cells abolished the OVA‐induced IL‐33 production in sensitized mice, suggesting that the antigen recognition leading to the IL‐33 production was not related with either antigen‐specific IgE‐bearing mast cells/basophils or memory CD4+ Th2 cells. When a fluorogenic substrate‐labelled OVA (DQ‐OVA) was intra‐tracheally administered, the lung cells of sensitized mice incorporated more DQ‐OVA than those of non‐sensitized mice. The lung cells incorporating DQ‐OVA included B‐cells and alveolar macrophages. The allergic IL‐33 production was significantly reduced by treatment with anti‐FcγRII/III mAb. Depletion of alveolar macrophages by clodronate liposomes significantly suppressed the allergic IL‐33 production, whereas depletion of B‐cells by anti‐CD20 mAb did not. These results suggest that the administered OVA in the lung bound antigen‐specific IgG Ab, and then alveolar macrophages incorporated the immune complex through FcγRII/III on the cell surface, resulting in IL‐33 production in sensitized mice. The mechanisms underlying the antigen‐specific IL‐33 production may aid in development of new pharmacotherapies.
Polylepiswoodland dynamics during the last 20,000 years
Authors: Valencia Bryan G. , Bush Mark B. , Coe Angela L. , Orren Elizabeth , Gosling William D. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAimTo determine the palaeoecological influences of climate change and human land use on the spatial distribution patterns ofPolylepiswoodlands in the Andes.LocationTropical Andes above 2,900 m between 2°S and 18°S of latitude.MethodsPollen and charcoal data were gathered from 13 Andean lake sediment records and were rescaled by the maximum value in each site. The rescaled pollen data were used to estimate a mean abundance and coefficient of variation to show woodland expansions/contractions and woodland fragmentation over the last 20,000 years. The rescaled charcoal was displayed as a 200‐year moving median using 500‐year bins to infer the influence of fire on woodland dynamics at landscape scale. Pollen and charcoal were compared with speleothem, clastic flux and archaeological data to assess the influence of moisture balance, glacial activity and human impact on the spatial distribution ofPolylepiswoodlands.ResultsWoodland expansion and fire were correlated with precipitation changes and glacier dynamics fromc. 20 to 6 kcalbp(thousands of calibrated years before present). Charcoal abundances between 20 and 12 kcalbpwere less common than from 12 kcalbpto modern. However, human‐induced fires were unlikely to be the main cause of a woodland decline centred at 11 kcalbp, as woodlands recovered from 10.5 to 9.5 kcalbp(about twofold increase). Charcoal peaks analogous to those that induced the woodland decline at 11 kcalbpwere commonplace post‐9.5 kcalbpbut did not trigger an equivalent woodland contraction. An increase in the coefficient of variation afterc. 5.5 kcalbpsuggests enhanced fragmentation and coincided with the shift from logistic to exponential growth of human populations. Over the last 1,000 years,Polylepisbecame hyper‐fragmented with over half of sites losingPolylepisfrom the record and with coefficients of variation paralleling those of glacial times.Main conclusionsPolylepiswoodlands formed naturally patchy woodlands, rather than a continuous vegetation belt, prior to human occupation in the Andes. The main factors controlling pre‐human woodland dynamics were precipitation and landscape heterogeneity. Human activity led to hyper‐fragmentation during the lastc. 1,000 years.
Folic acid delays development of atherosclerosis in low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐deficient mice
Authors: Pan Sunlei , Liu Huahua , Gao Feidan , Luo Hangqi , Lin Hui , Meng Liping , Jiang Chengjian , Guo Yan , Chi Jufang , Guo Hangyuan 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMany studies support the cardioprotective effects of folic acid (FA). We aimed to evaluate the utility of FA supplementation in preventing the development of atherosclerotic in low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐deficient (LDLR−/−) mice and to elucidate the molecular processes underlying this effect. LDLR−/− mice were randomly distributed into four groups: control group, HF group, HF + FA group and the HF + RAPA group. vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were divided into the following four groups: control group, PDGF group, PDGF + FA group and PDGF + FA + RAPA group. Blood lipid levels, oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines were measured. Atherosclerosis severity was evaluated with oil red O staining. Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to assess atherosclerosis progression. Immunohistochemical staining was performed with antismooth muscle α‐actin (α‐SMA) antibodies and anti‐osteopontin (OPN) antibodies that demonstrate VSMC dedifferentiation. The protein expression of α‐SMA, OPN and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)/p70S6K signalling was detected by Western blot analysis. FA and rapamycin reduced serum levels of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, LDL, inhibiting oxidative stress and the inflammatory response. Oil red O and H&E staining demonstrated that FA and rapamycin inhibited atherosclerosis. FA and rapamycin treatment inhibited VSMC dedifferentiation in vitro and in vivo, and FA and rapamycin attenuated the mTOR/p70S6K signalling pathway. Our findings suggest that FA attenuates atherosclerosis development and inhibits VSMC dedifferentiation in high‐fat‐fed LDLR−/− mice by reduced lipid levels and inhibiting oxidative stress and the inflammatory response through mTOR/p70S6K signalling pathway.
Childhood neurodevelopmental disorders and risk of coercive sexual victimization in childhood and adolescence – a population‐based prospective twin study
Authors: Ohlsson Gotby Vide , Lichtenstein Paul , Långström Niklas , Pettersson Erik 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundAutism spectrum disorder (ASD), Attention‐deficit/Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other related neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) have, in some previous studies, been shown to increase the risk of being sexually victimized. However, no studies have examined whether the association is driven by a general NDD phenotype versus specific diagnoses, nor the etiology of the association.MethodUsing a genetically informative, prospective design, we examined the association between ASD and ADHD in childhood and coercive sexual victimization up to age 18. A total of 4,500 children participating in the Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (CATSS) were rated by their parents on NDDs at age 9 or 12 years, and self‐reported at age 18 on lifetime experiences of coercive sexual touching and/or coercive sex. First, we regressed sexual victimization on the NDDs. Second, we regressed sexual victimization on general and specific NDD symptoms identified via a bifactor model. Third, we decomposed the observed associations into genetic and environmental parts.ResultsIn females, ASD was associated with an almost threefolded increased risk of coercive sexual victimization, and ADHD with a doubled risk. In males, the risk associated with ASD and ADHD was of the same magnitude but not significant. When controlling for overall NDD symptom load ASD or ADHD, no longer uniquely predicted coercive sexual victimization. The association between the NDD general factor and coercive sexual victimization was due to shared genetics.ConclusionsGeneral NDD symptom load, rather than specific ASD or ADHD symptoms, seems to be a moderate vulnerability factor for coercive sexual victimization. We speculate that an evocative gene–environment correlation might account for this observation, such that sexual perpetrators actively target NDD individuals.
Application of the Mesolens for subcellular resolution imaging of intact larval and whole adult Drosophila
Authors: MCCONNELL G. , AMOS W.B. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryIn a previous paper, we showed a new giant lens called the Mesolens and presented performance data and images from whole fixed and intact fluorescently‐stained 12.5‐day old mouse embryos. Here, we show that using the Mesolens we can image an entire Drosophila larva or adult fly in confocal epifluorescence and show subcellular detail in all tissues. By taking several hundreds of optical sections through the entire volume of the specimen, we show cells and nuclear details within the gut, brain, salivary glands and reproductive system that normally require dissection for study. Organs are imaged in situ in correct 3D arrangement. Imaginal discs are imaged in mature larvae and it proved possible to image pachytene chromosomes in cells within ovarian follicles in intact female flies. Methods for fixing, staining and clearing are given.
Cortical progenitor biology: key features mediating proliferation versus differentiation
Authors: Uzquiano Ana , Gladwyn‐Ng Ivan , Nguyen Laurent , Reiner Orly , Götz Magdalena , Matsuzaki Fumio , Francis Fiona 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe cerebral cortex is a highly organized structure whose development depends on diverse progenitor cell types, namely apical radial glia, intermediate progenitors, and basal radial glia cells, which are responsible for the production of the correct neuronal output. In recent years, these progenitor cell types have been deeply studied, particularly basal radial glia and their role in cortical expansion and gyrification. We review here a broad series of factors that regulate progenitor behavior and daughter cell fate. We first describe the different neuronal progenitor types, emphasizing the differences between lissencephalic and gyrencephalic species. We then review key factors shown to influence progenitor proliferation versus differentiation, discussing their roles in progenitor dynamics, neuronal production, and potentially brain size and complexity. Although spindle orientation has been considered a critical factor for mode of division and daughter cell output, we discuss other features that are emerging as crucial for these processes such as organelle and cell cycle dynamics. Additionally, we highlight the importance of adhesion molecules and the polarity complex for correct cortical development. Finally, we briefly discuss studies assessing progenitor multipotency and its possible contribution to the production of specific neuronal populations. This review hence summarizes recent aspects of cortical progenitor cell biology, and pinpoints emerging features critical for their behavior.
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Determinants of Quality of Life in Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: Hung Hsiu‐Yu , Wu Li‐Min , Chen Kang‐Pan 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPurposeTo examine the relationships of self‐care, symptoms, and a variety of demographic factors to quality of life (QOL), and to identify determinants of QOL in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.DesignA cross‐sectional, correlational study.Methods159 patients with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy were recruited from three southern hospitals in Taiwan. Four instruments were used: the Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30‐item (QLQ‐C30), M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI), Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale‐Short Form (MSAS‐SF), and Self‐Care Behavior Scale (SCBS).FindingsLung cancer patients rated lower scores of self‐care behaviors on food choice and nutrition maintenance, regular exercise and sleep, and medical compliance. Being younger, having spouses as main caregivers, having food choice and nutrition maintenance, and getting regular exercise and sleep were associated with better QOL. Degree of interference with life, age, food choice and nutrition maintenance, and psychological symptoms were found to predict functional QOL and accounted for 43% of total variance.ConclusionsThe findings identified factors influencing QOL and provided evidence for designing an intervention to enhance QOL in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.Clinical RelevanceThe findings may be useful for guiding intervention development for early detection and management of symptom interference with daily living, and place greater focus on patient self‐care to promote food choice and nutrition maintenance, especially in older patients and those whose caregivers are not their spouses.
Working adults’ well‐being: An online self‐help goal‐based intervention
Authors: Oliver Jeremy J. , MacLeod Andrew K. 
Published: March 2018

An online self‐help goal‐setting and planning (GAP) intervention to improve working adults’ well‐being was tested using a longitudinal, randomized crossover design. The study sought to (1) test the effectiveness of the intervention relative to wait‐list controls; and (2) test the stability of effects over a 3‐month follow‐up period. Participants were recruited from the UK Civil Service and were randomized to either a GAP intervention or a wait‐list control condition. Wait‐list participants then crossed‐over to receive GAP. Relative to wait‐list controls (N = 149), GAP participants (N = 158) reported significantly higher levels of positive affect (PA) and flourishing, but similar levels of negative affect (NA) and life satisfaction immediately after the intervention. Longitudinal data were analysed for the whole sample (N = 307). Compared to the start of the intervention, participants reported an increase in PA and flourishing directly after the intervention and 3 months later. NA and life satisfaction showed no change by the end of the intervention, but had improved by 3‐month follow‐up. Completing more modules predicted post‐intervention improvements in well‐being, accounting for pre‐intervention well‐being levels. The online self‐help format allowed the intervention to be offered with minimal therapeutic support, enabling convenient access by a large group of employees. The study provides an example of a successful adaptation of a clinically proven well‐being intervention to make it accessible to working adults.Practitioner points

Well‐being interventions proven in clinical settings can be effectively adapted for use in workplace settings with only minor alterations.

Brief, online self‐help interventions can improve working adults’ well‐being.

Goal‐based interventions can improve working adults’ well‐being when focused towards goals that are aligned with personal values and have been chosen by the individual.
Overexpression of WD repeat domain 5 associates with aggressive clinicopathological features and unfavorable prognosis in head neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wu Yaping , Diao Pengfei , Li Zhongwu , Zhang Wei , Wang Dongmiao , Wang Yanling , Cheng Jie 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundWD repeat domain 5 (WDR5), a core member of Mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) and SET1 histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methyltransferase complexes, is involved in multiple biological and pathological processes. Its deregulation in cancer and pro‐tumorigenic roles has been increasingly appreciated. However, the expression pattern of WDR5 and its biological functions in head neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have not been well established.MethodsThe expression of WDR5 mRNA in HNSCC was determined by data mining and interrogation using publicly available databases. Its protein expression was measured by immunohistochemistry in a retrospective cohort of primary HNSCC samples. Moreover, the associations between WDR5 expression and various clinicopathological parameters and patient survival were assessed. The pro‐tumorigenic roles of WDR5 in HNSCC were further delineated in vitro by loss‐of‐function assay.ResultsOur bioinformatics analyses revealed that WDR5 mRNA was significantly overexpressed in 3 HNSCC cohorts. WDR5 protein was markedly upregulated in HNSCC samples as compared to normal counterparts and its overexpression significantly associated with large tumor size, advanced clinical stage (chi‐square test, P = .048, .006) and reduced overall and disease‐free survival (Kaplan‐Mier analyses, Log‐rank test, P = .0137, .0154). Univariate and multivariate survival analyses further revealed WDR5 protein abundance as an independent prognostic factor for patients’ overall survival. Moreover, WDR5 knockdown significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and induced cell apoptosis in HNSCC cells.ConclusionsOur findings reveal that WDR5 is aberrantly overexpressed in HNSCC and associates with aggressiveness and unfavorable prognosis, thus representing a novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for HNSCC.
Improved prediction of fungal effector proteins from secretomes with EffectorP 2.0
Authors: Sperschneider Jana , Dodds Peter N. , Gardiner Donald M. , Singh Karam B. , Taylor Jennifer M. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryPlant‐pathogenic fungi secrete effector proteins to facilitate infection. We describe extensive improvements to EffectorP, the first machine learning classifier for fungal effector prediction. EffectorP 2.0 is now trained on a larger set of effectors and utilizes a different approach based on an ensemble of classifiers trained on different subsets of negative data, offering different views on classification. EffectorP 2.0 achieves an accuracy of 89%, compared with 82% for EffectorP 1.0 and 59.8% for a small size classifier. Important features for effector prediction appear to be protein size, protein net charge as well as the amino acids serine and cysteine. EffectorP 2.0 decreases the number of predicted effectors in secretomes of fungal plant symbionts and saprophytes by 40% when compared with EffectorP 1.0. However, EffectorP 1.0 retains value, and combining EffectorP 1.0 and 2.0 results in a stringent classifier with a low false positive rate of 9%. EffectorP 2.0 predicts significant enrichments of effectors in 12 of 13 sets of infection‐induced proteins from diverse fungal pathogens, whereas a small cysteine‐rich classifier detects enrichment in only seven of 13. EffectorP 2.0 will fast track the prioritization of high‐confidence effector candidates for functional validation and aid in improving our understanding of effector biology. EffectorP 2.0 is available at http://effectorp.csiro.au.