bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gene flow at the leading range edge: The long‐term consequences of isolation in European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L. Kuhn)
Authors: Sjölund M. Jennifer , González‐Díaz Patricia , Moreno‐Villena Jose J. , Jump Alistair S. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAimIsolation is expected to lead to negative impacts on populations due to a reduction in effective population size and gene flow, exacerbating the effects of genetic drift, which might be stronger in peripheral and fragmented populations. Fagus sylvatica (European beech) in southern Sweden presents a gradient of isolation towards the leading range edge of the species. We sought to determine the impact of long‐term isolation on genetic diversity and population genetic structure within populations of this species.LocationSamples were obtained from 14 sites towards the northern edge of the native range of beech in Sweden.TaxonFagaceae.MethodsUsing historical sources, we obtained area‐ and distance‐based measures of isolation. We measured genetic diversity and structure by using nuclear microsatellite marker data, and performed parentage analysis to estimate external pollen‐mediated gene flow. We implemented a partial least squares regression to determine the effects of isolation on each of the genetic diversity estimators and the measures of external pollen‐mediated gene flow.ResultsLong‐term isolation generally had a negative impact on genetic diversity, which is exacerbated over time, further affecting progeny and suggesting that isolated populations are subject to strong genetic drift, possibly due to the combination of founder events and persistent small population sizes. Bayesian cluster analysis revealed that isolation was also acting as a barrier to gene flow in the north‐eastern distribution of beech.Main conclusionsIsolation at the leading range edge of beech in Sweden has created gradients of contemporary gene flow within the species. The long‐term cumulative effects of isolation on this wind‐pollinated tree species and its negative impacts on genetic diversity and gene flow, could lead to inbreeding depression and higher extinction risk where populations remain small and isolated.
Evaluating presence‐only species distribution models with discrimination accuracy is uninformative for many applications
Authors: Warren Dan L. , Matzke Nicholas J. , Iglesias Teresa L. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAimSpecies distribution models are used across evolution, ecology, conservation and epidemiology to make critical decisions and study biological phenomena, often in cases where experimental approaches are intractable. Choices regarding optimal models, methods and data are typically made based on discrimination accuracy: a model's ability to predict subsets of species occurrence data that were withheld during model construction. However, empirical applications of these models often involve making biological inferences based on continuous estimates of relative habitat suitability as a function of environmental predictor variables. We term the reliability of these biological inferences ‘functional accuracy.’ We explore the link between discrimination accuracy and functional accuracy.MethodsUsing a simulation approach we investigate whether models that make good predictions of species distributions correctly infer the underlying relationship between environmental predictors and the suitability of habitat.ResultsWe demonstrate that discrimination accuracy is only informative when models are simple and similar in structure to the true niche, or when data partitioning is geographically structured. However, the utility of discrimination accuracy for selecting models with high functional accuracy was low in all cases.Main conclusionsThese results suggest that many empirical studies and decisions are based on criteria that are unrelated to models’ usefulness for their intended purpose. We argue that empirical modelling studies need to place significantly more emphasis on biological insight into the plausibility of models, and that the current approach of maximizing discrimination accuracy at the expense of other considerations is detrimental to both the empirical and methodological literature in this active field. Finally, we argue that future development of the field must include an increased emphasis on simulation; methodological studies based on ability to predict withheld occurrence data may be largely uninformative about best practices for applications where interpretation of models relies on estimating ecological processes, and will unduly penalize more biologically informative modelling approaches.
Secukinumab is effective in treatment of moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis: real‐life effectiveness and safety from the PROSPECT study
Authors: Thaçi D. , Körber A. , von Kiedrowski R. , Bachhuber T. , Melzer N. , Kasparek T. , Duetting E. , Kraehn‐Senftleben G. , Amon U. , Augustin M. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundSecukinumab, a fully human anti‐interleukin‐17A monoclonal antibody, has demonstrated efficacy and safety in patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis. Trial protocols specify transition periods and prohibit concomitant psoriasis medication. Data are therefore needed on secukinumab effectiveness and safety in routine clinical practice.ObjectivesThe PROSPECT study assesses prior and concomitant psoriasis treatments and transition periods in subjects receiving secukinumab. Here, we report interim effectiveness and safety data for secukinumab in the context of prior and concomitant treatments.MethodsPROSPECT is an ongoing 24‐week, single‐cohort, non‐interventional study. Subjects with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis with a decision to receive secukinumab 300 mg were included.ResultsOf 1988 subjects, 1238/1988 (62.4%) were male, and mean age was 48.1 ± 13.7 years. Mean baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score was 17.7 ± 12.5. 90.9% of subjects had prior systemic treatment. Concomitant treatment was recorded in 44.3% of subjects. Median duration of transition period was 14.0, 30.0 and 44.5 days from prior topical, conventional systemic and biologic treatments. At Week 24, PASI75/90/100 was reached by 86.1%, 68.5% and 39.7% of subjects who started secukinumab treatment at baseline. No unexpected safety signals were observed.ConclusionPROSPECT provides a large prospective real‐world analysis of secukinumab treatment and includes prior and concomitant use of psoriasis treatments in subjects receiving secukinumab in a real‐world setting. Secukinumab effectiveness and safety were comparable to that seen in the phase 2/3 secukinumab clinical trial programme.
Early‐onset granulomatous arthritis, uveitis and skin rash: characterization of skin involvement in Blau syndrome
Authors: Poline J. , Fogel O. , Pajot C. , Miceli‐Richard C. , Rybojad M. , Galeotti C. , Grouteau E. , Hachulla E. , Brissaud P. , Cantagrel A. , Mazereeuw Hautier J. , Melki I. , Petit A. , Piram M. , Sarrabay G. , Wouters C. , Vignon‐Pennamen M.D. , Bourrat E. , Meinzer U. ,   French Society for Rheumatology and Inflammatory Diseases (SOFREMIP) and the Research Group of Pediatric Dermatology French Society (GRSFDP)
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundBlau syndrome (BS) is a rare monogenic autoinflammatory disease caused by NOD2 mutations. BS classically presents in early childhood as a triad of granulomatous polyarthritis, uveitis and skin involvement. Joint and ocular involvement have been characterized by several cohort studies but only very little data are available on skin lesions.ObjectivesWe aimed to provide a detailed clinical and microscopic analysis of skin manifestations and to study whether they may contribute to an early diagnosis.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective multicentre study in a French cohort of 21 patients diagnosed with genetically confirmed BS.ResultsSkin involvement was the first clinical manifestation of BS in 15/16 patients with dermatological manifestations. The presence of skin lesions was associated with significant shorter age at diagnosis (P = 0.03) and diagnostic delay (P = 0.04). Dermatological assessment allowed an earlier diagnosis (P = 0.001) and reduces the diagnostic delay (P = 0.007). Early skin lesions had a homogeneous, stereotypical clinical presentation, namely non‐confluent erythematous or pigmented millimetric papules in 13/14(93%) patients. In contrast, skin lesions occurring during later disease stages had a more heterogeneous clinical presentation, including ichthyosiform dermatosis, panniculitis, livedoid lesions and vasculitis. Whatever their time of occurrence and the clinical aspect, all biopsied showed histologically presence of granuloma.ConclusionSkin involvement in BS is the earliest clinical manifestation of the BS in the large majority of patients. The recognition of dermatological manifestations as granulomatous skin lesions and early dermatological expertise are the key to an early diagnosis of BS. In view of our results, it seems reasonable to propose a simplified view of skin lesions of BS in which the granuloma is the key structure.
The association between pesticide use and cutaneous melanoma: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Stanganelli I. , De Felici M.B. , Mandel V.D. , Caini S. , Raimondi S. , Corso F. , Bellerba F. , Quaglino P. , Sanlorenzo M. , Ribero S. , Medri M. , Farnetani F. , Feliciani C. , Pellacani G. , Gandini S. ,   IMI the Italian Melanoma Intergroup
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe incidence of cutaneous melanoma (CM), the deadliest form of skin cancer, has gradually increased in the last decades among populations of European origin. Epidemiological studies suggested that farmers and agricultural workers are at an increased risk of CM because they were exposed to pesticides. However, little is known about the relationship between pesticides and CM.ObjectivesTo investigate the association between exposure to pesticides and CM by systematically reviewing the literature. Secondary aim was to determine the categories of pesticides mainly involved in CM development.MethodsA systematic review of the literature was performed up to September 2018 using MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science. Studies assessing CM risk in licensed pesticide applicators were considered. Strict criteria were established to select independent studies and risk estimates; random effect models, taking into account heterogeneity, were applied. A pooled risk estimate for CM was calculated for the use of each type of pesticide and type of exposure. Between‐study and estimate heterogeneity was assessed and publication bias investigated.ResultsA total of nine studies (two case–controls and seven cohorts) comprising 184 389 unique subjects were included. The summary relative risks for the categories ‘herbicides – ever exposure’, ‘insecticides – ever exposure’, ‘any pesticide – ever exposure’ and ‘any pesticide – high exposure’ resulted 1.85 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01, 3.36], 1.57 (95% CI: 0.58, 4.25), 1.31 (95% CI: 0.85, 2.04) and 2.17 (95% CI: 0.45, 10.36), respectively. Herbicides and insecticides had no between‐study heterogeneity (I2 = 0%), while a significant heterogeneity (I2 > 50%) was detected for the high exposure to any pesticide. No indication for publication bias was found.ConclusionsIndividuals exposed to herbicides are at an increased risk of CM. Future properly designed observational studies are required to confirm this finding.
Smart identification of psoriasis by images using convolutional neural networks: a case study in China
Authors: Zhao S. , Xie B. , Li Y. , Zhao X. , Kuang Y. , Su J. , He X. , Wu X. , Fan W. , Huang K. , Su J. , Peng Y. , Navarini A.A. , Huang W. , Chen X. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundPsoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, which holds a high incidence in China. However, professional dermatologists who can diagnose psoriasis early and correctly are insufficient in China, especially in the rural areas. A smart approach to identify psoriasis by pictures would be highly adaptable countrywide and could play a useful role in early diagnosis and regular treatment of psoriasis.ObjectivesDesign and evaluation of a smart psoriasis identification system based on clinical images (without relying on a dermatoscope) that works effectively similar to a dermatologist.MethodsA set of deep learning models using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) was explored and compared in the system for automatic identification of psoriasis. The work was carried out on a standardized dermatological dataset with 8021 clinical images of 9 common disorders including psoriasis along with full electronic medical records of patients built over the last 9 years in China. A two‐stage deep neural network was designed and developed to identify psoriasis. In the first stage, a multilabel classifier was trained to learn the visual patterns for each individual skin disease. In the second stage, the output of the first stage was utilized to distinguish psoriasis from other skin diseases.ResultsThe area under the curve (AUC) of the two‐stage model reached 0.981 ± 0.015, which outperforms a single‐stage model. And, the classifier showed superior performance (missed diagnosis rate: 0.03, misdiagnosis rate: 0.04) than 25 Chinese dermatologists (missed diagnosis rate: 0.19, misdiagnosis rate: 0.10) in the diagnosis of psoriasis on 100 clinical images.ConclusionsUsing clinical images to identify psoriasis is feasible and effective based on CNNs, which also builds a solid technical base for smart care of skin diseases especially psoriasis using mobile/tablet applications for teledermatology in China.
Repeated evolution of terrestrial lineages in a continental lizard radiation
Authors: Lajmi Aparna , Verma Anjali , Karanth K. Praveen 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe “early‐burst” model of adaptive radiation predicts an early increase in phenotypic disparity concurrent with lineage diversification. Although most studies report a lack of this coupled pattern, the underlying processes are not identified. The continental radiation ofHemidactylusgeckos from Peninsular India includes morphologically diverse species that occupy various microhabitats. This radiation began diversifying ~36 Mya with an early increase in lineage diversification. Here, we test the “early‐burst” hypothesis by investigating the presence of ecomorphs and examining the pattern of morphological diversification in a phylogenetic framework. Two ecomorphs—terrestrial and scansorial species—that vary significantly in body size and toepad size were identified. Unlike the prediction of the “early‐burst” model, we find that disparity in toepad morphology accumulated more recently ~14 Mya and fit the Ornstein‐Ulhenbeck model. Ancestral state reconstruction of the two ecomorphs demonstrates that terrestrial lineages evolved independently at least five times from scansorial ancestors, with the earliest diversification in terrestrial lineages 19–12 Mya. Our study demonstrates a delayed increase in morphological disparity as a result of the evolution of terrestrial ecomorphs. The diversification of terrestrial lineages is concurrent with the establishment of open habitat and grasslands in Peninsular India, suggesting that the appearance of this novel resource led to the adaptive diversification.
Olfactory and physical manipulation by males on life‐history traits in Echinothrips americanus MORGAN 1913 (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
Authors: Krueger Stephanie , Müller Britta , Moritz Gerald 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThrips are highly successful invaders due to their broad host range, cryptic lifestyle, fast development of insecticide resistance and adaptability to changing environmental conditions. Echinothrips americanus is native to the eastern USA and has now spread to over 30 countries, including Europe, Asia and Australia. This species is able to adapt oviposition rate, duration of larval development and sex ratio of progeny in relation to the mating status of the mother and presence of males. We designed experiments to distinguish between the mechanical and olfactory male contact for these changes in longevity, fecundity and developmental time of E. americanus. Individuals were reared either pairwise or with known male pheromonal substances (dimethylglutarate DBE‐5 and dimethyladipate DBE‐6), but separated by gauze from each other, which allows olfactory perception but no physical contact. Longevity, fecundity of the parents as well as developmental time and sex ratio of the progeny were recorded. Mated females had a significantly lower longevity under the impact of DBE‐5, compared to virgin ones. On the other hand, mating status itself is shown to affect oviposition rate and total fecundity, as well as developmental time of the progeny. Offspring of mated females had a slower development, compared to offspring of virgin mothers. Alternative strategies for integrative pest management that use male‐produced pheromones are discussed.
In vitro evaluation of the effects of Ultrasound Tongue Scraper on bacteria and biofilm formation
Authors: Amaechi Bennett T. , Abdul Azees Parveez Ahamed , Menon Suchitra , Kasundra Hariyali 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAimOral malodor is a common condition caused by some Gram‐negative oral bacteria, among which are the 3 red complex bacteria (RCB). The present study investigated the effectiveness of the Ultrasound Tongue Scraper (UTS) to disrupt the structural morphology of the bacteria and their biofilm.MethodsWhile developing over 72 hours, multispecies biofilms of RCB (Porphromonas gingivalis, Tryponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia) were treated every 24 hours with 1.6‐MHz ultrasound waves generated with UTS. An untreated group served as controls. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to determine the biofilm thickness, biomass and live : dead cell ratio at each time point (24, 48 and 72 hours). Biofilm morphology and bacteria ultrastructure were viewed using scanning/transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey tests.ResultsAt each time point, the 3 variables were significantly lower in treated samples than the untreated. Significant biofilm disruption was observed in treated samples at each time period while the untreated had intact biofilm morphology. Cells in treated samples showed disrupted cell wall, cytoplasmic material, huge vacuoles and heterogeneity in electron density, while these cell organelles remained intact in untreated samples.ConclusionThe UTS has an inhibitory effect on RCB and could be useful for oral malodor management.
Evaluation of combined excimer laser and platelet‐rich plasma for the treatment of nonsegmental vitiligo: A prospective comparative study
Authors: Khattab Fathia M. , Abdelbary Eman , Fawzi Maggie 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundExcimer laser therapy of vitiligo generally takes months to years to achieve excellent outcomes. Platelet‐rich plasma is an autologous preparation with a focus on various growth factors that can help with vitiligo repigmentation.ObjectivesTo assess the additive effect of PRP in the therapy of vitiligo on the results of the excimer laser.Patients and MethodsA comparative study included 52 patients (8 males and 44 females) in two groups with stable (no new lesion for 6 months), nonsegmental and symmetrical vitiligo. Group I (26 patients): The patient was treated by intradermal PRP injection and the excimer laser, while group II (26 patients) was treated with the excimer laser only. The PRP injection was repeated every 3 weeks for 4 months and excimer laser two times a week and for 16 weeks till complete response. VAS for patient's satisfaction assessment, safety assessment for complications, and follow‐up for 3 months was done. Clinical (repigmentation response) and histopathological assessment was done.ResultsThere was a higher statistically significant treatment response in group I compared with group II. In addition, a statistically significant correlation between the treatment response and the lesion site in group I (P < .000). A significant difference in VAS between both groups (P < .000). Few the side effects were reported.ConclusionThe combination of PRP and excimer laser phototherapy is an efficient vitiligo treatment as PRP increases the excimer laser impact and also improves the result.
Stromal vascular fraction‐enriched platelet‐rich plasma therapy reverses the effects of androgenetic alopecia
Authors: Butt Ghazala , Hussain Ijaz , Ahmad Fridoon Jawad , Choudhery Mahmood S. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundSince antiquity, humans have been trying to devise remedies to cure androgenetic alopecia (AGA). These efforts include use of oral and topical concoctions and hair transplant strategies. As AGA affects people of all colors and creed, there has been a continuous effort to find a magic bullet against AGA. Unfortunately, to date, all the strategies to negate AGA effects have limitations and thus require new treatment options.AimTo evaluate the efficacy of use of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in androgenetic alopecia patients.MethodsStromal vascular fraction was obtained by enzymatic digestion of autologous adipose tissue. The patients were divided into two groups, that is, platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) group and SVF‐PRP group. In PRP group, only PRP was injected, while in SVF‐PRP group a mixture of PRP and SVF was injected in affected scalp areas. After two sessions (4 weeks apart), the patients in both groups were assessed and analyzed using various parameters.ResultsMean hair density in PRP group was increased from 52.44 hair/cm2 to 63.72 hair/cm2 (21.51% increase); while in SVF‐PRP group, it was 37.66 hair/cm2 before treatment and 57.11 hair/cm2 after SVF‐PRP therapy (51.64% increase). Percentage reduction in pull test was more significant in SVF‐PRP group (80.78 ± 5.84) as compared to PRP group (34.01 ± 22.44). The physician and patient assessment scores also indicated a significant improvement in SVF‐PRP group.ConclusionA combined SVF‐PRP therapy reversed effects of AGA more efficiently as compared to PRP therapy alone.
Dermatology in Ancient Rome: Medical ingredients in Ovid's “Remedies for female faces”
Authors: Ursin Frank , Borelli Claudia , Steger Florian 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundIn Roman medicine, face packs, plasters, unguents, and peelings were part of the therapy of dermatological diseases, but also served cosmetic purposes. Ancient medical textbooks inform us about the ingredients for these applications. Beyond medical literature, other genres contain information about dermatological applications. The Roman poet Ovid (43 BC–17 AD) wrote a didactic poem recording five recipes for topical applications for female faces (Medicamina faciei femineae). Researchers debate the relation of Ovid's poem to Roman medicine: Does the poem contain therapeutical or cosmetical information, or is it mere belles lettres?AimsThe objective of the paper is to conduct a medico‐historical classification of Ovid's poem by determining whether the ingredients of Ovid's recipes were thought to be effective by the authors of Roman medical textbooks.MethodsFirst, translation and identification of the ingredients were carried out. Second, comparison of the ingredients' functions regarding the therapy of dermatological diseases in two important Roman medical textbooks was realized. For this purpose, several commentaries on the text of Ovid were used and a keyword search in Roman medical textbooks was performed.ResultsOvid's five recipes contain 23 ingredients. All ingredients can be found in medical textbooks. We find that 14 of these ingredients serve cosmetic purposes, 17 serve the therapy of dermatological diseases, and 13 serve both.ConclusionOvid's recipes contain drugs that were considered effective by the authors of Roman medical textbooks. These drugs were recommended both for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes by the same authors. Therefore, Ovid's didactic poem is not mere belles lettres, but contains serious medical and cosmetical information. As far as we know, it is the first Roman text that contains dermatological recipes.