bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phylogeographic analysis of invasive Asian earthworms (Amynthas) in the northeast United States
Authors: Schult Nancy , Pittenger Kelly , Davalos Sam , McHugh Damhnait 
Published: October 2016

AbstractPhylogeographic studies are useful in reconstructing the history of species invasions, and in some instances can elucidate cryptic diversity of invading taxa. This can help in predicting or managing the spread of invasive species. Among terrestrial invasive species in North America, earthworms can have profound ecological effects. We are familiar with the centuries‐old invasions of European earthworms (Lumbricidae) and their impacts on nutrient cycling in soils. More recent invasions by Asian earthworms of the family Megascolecidae are less fully understood. We used data for two mitochondrial gene fragments, cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and 16S rRNA, to examine the relationships among populations of Asian earthworms in the megascolecid genus Amynthas in the northeast United States. Recent reports have indicated that one species in particular, Amynthas agrestis, is having detrimental effects in mixed forest ecosystems, and we were interested in understanding the invasion history for this species. We were surprised to discover three divergent mitochondrial lineages of Amynthas occurring sympatrically in upstate New York. Given the gap between intra‐ and inter‐lineage sequence divergences, we propose that these three lineages represent cryptic species of Amynthas, one of which is A. agrestis. For each of the three lineages of Amynthas, we observed shared haplotypes across broad geographic distances. This may reflect common origins for populations in each lineage, either by direct routes from native ranges or through post‐introduction spread by natural dispersal or human‐mediated transport within North America. Management efforts focused on horticultural imports from Asia, commercial nurseries within the USA, and on prohibition of bait disposal may help to reduce the further invasion success of Amynthas.
Asynchronous diversification of snakes in the North American warm deserts
Authors: Myers Edward A. , Hickerson Michael J. , Burbrink Frank T. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAimWe quantify the degree to which co‐distributed snakes across the Cochise Filter Barrier (CFB) have a shared history of population divergence and estimate the timing of divergence for each taxon pair.LocationNorth America.MethodsA single locus dataset was collected (n = 747 individuals) for 12 snake taxon pairs. Phylogeographical structure was estimated for each taxon. Redundancy analyses were used to assess the importance of geographical distance, climate and putative barriers to gene flow in structuring genetic diversity. Hierarchical approximate Bayesian computation was used to estimate the magnitude of synchronicity in divergence times across a well‐documented phylogeographical barrier. Lastly, gene divergence and population divergence times were estimated using multiple methods.ResultsThere is substantial phylogeographical structure in many of the snake taxa, particularly at the CFB. A model containing distance, climate and barriers explained the greatest amount of genetic variation in nearly all taxa. When each variable was examined separately, climate explained the most variation. The hABC model testing indicates that there is overwhelming support for asynchronous phylogeographical histories within these co‐distributed taxa. Estimated divergence times range throughout the Quaternary and Neogene.Main ConclusionsWe demonstrate that the 12 snake taxon pairs studied here have diversified within the desert Southwest forming distinct Sonoran and Chihuahuan populations, illustrating the importance of this region in driving diversification in North American taxa. Although these groups exhibit the same pattern of lineage formation, there is strong support for asynchronous diversification and little concordance in divergence time estimates.
Abundance leads to more species, particularly in complex habitats: a test of the increased population size hypotheses in bird communities
Authors: Seoane Javier , Laiolo Paola , Obeso José R. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAimTo examine the relationship between abundance and species richness in a bird community in order to (a) test the effects of sampling and three increased population size hypotheses and (b) assess the effects of energetic constraints (climate and habitat) on the relationship.LocationThe Cantabrian Mountains (c. 16,000 km2), Spain, within the temperate broadleaf and mixed forests biogeographical region.MethodsSpecies richness and individual abundances from a survey of 1106 10‐min 100‐m radius bird point counts spanning 5 years were modelled with generalized additive models, controlling for habitat and climate. Individual‐based rarefaction curves were built to facilitate the comparison among habitats.ResultsSpecies richness depended more on the number of individuals than on habitat or climate and increased with abundance along a nonlinear, strictly monotonic curve. The nature of this relationship varied with habitat type (contradicting sampling effect) and was not stronger for rarer species (contradicting the ‘more‐individuals hypothesis’). Community specialization and nestedness were related to climate constraints (supporting the niche‐specialization hypotheses).Main conclusionsOur analyses strongly suggest that niche packing, particularly through niche breadth, determines the way that energy inputs translate into species richness, arguably through the abundance of individuals.
Assembling a species–area curve through colonization, speciation and human‐mediated introduction
Authors: Economo Evan P. , Janda Milan , Guénard Benoit , Sarnat Eli 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAimThe fundamental biogeographical processes of colonization, speciation and extinction shape island biotas in space–time. On oceanic islands, area and isolation affect these processes and resulting biodiversity patterns. In the Anthropocene, a new human‐mediated colonization dynamic is altering insular ecosystems world‐wide. Here, we test predictions about the roles of archipelago area and isolation in structuring ant diversity patterns through effects on both natural and anthropogenic biogeographical processes.LocationTropical Pacific islands.MethodsWe compiled a comprehensive data set of ant faunal compositions across tropical Pacific archipelagos. Using regression analysis we evaluated the bivariate and interactive effects of area and isolation on the number of colonizing lineages, native species, endemic species, exotic species and total richness in the archipelago.ResultsThere is a strong species–area effect and a much more modest isolation effect on total ant species richness across the Pacific archipelagos. The number of colonizing lineages of each archipelago is strongly driven by the isolation of the archipelago. Endemic species are present in large archipelagos of low and intermediate isolation. The most remote archipelagos are nearly devoid of endemic lineages and their ant faunas are largely composed of Pacific Tramp species and exotics brought from outside the Pacific region.Main conclusionsThe prominent species–area curve in Pacific ants emerged over time through multiple processes. The colonization of lineages is determined primarily by isolation, with few or no lineages reaching remote archipelagos. Cladogenesis mediates the isolation effect and increases the area effect through the differential radiation of lineages in large archipelagos. In the Anthropocene, the assembly of the species–area relationship has accelerated dramatically through human‐mediated colonization. Overall, our results support a view that species–area curves reflect regulating limits on species richness that scale with area, but that multiple biogeographical processes can occur to achieve these limits.
Sitagliptin added to stable insulin therapy with or without metformin in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Shankar R Ravi , Bao Yuqian , Han Ping , Hu Ji , Ma Jianhua , Peng Yongde , Wu Fan , Xu Lei , Engel Samuel S , Jia Weiping 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIntroductionWe evaluated the tolerability and efficacy of the addition of sitagliptin in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus receiving stable insulin therapy alone or in combination with metformin.Materials and MethodsA total of 467 patients with inadequate glycemic control on insulin (glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] ≥7.5% and ≤11%) were randomized 1:1 to receive sitagliptin 100 mg once daily or a matching placebo for 24 weeks. Randomization was stratified based on metformin use (on or not on metformin) and type of insulin (pre‐mixed vs intermediate‐/long‐acting) at screening. The primary end‐point was the change from baseline at week 24 in HbA1c.ResultsThe addition of sitagliptin led to a significantly (P < 0.001) greater week 24 HbA1c reduction (0.7%) compared with the reduction (0.3%) with placebo. A significantly (P = 0.013) greater proportion of patients taking sitagliptin (16%) had an HbA1c of <7.0% at week 24 compared with placebo (8%). The addition of sitagliptin significantly (P < 0.001) reduced 2‐h post‐meal glucose by 26.5 mg/dL (1.5 mmol/L) relative to placebo. Reductions from baseline in fasting plasma glucose were observed in both the sitagliptin (14.4 mg/dL reduction) and placebo (10.7 mg/dL reduction) groups; the between‐group difference was not significant. A total of 64 (27.4%) patients taking sitagliptin and 51 (21.9%) taking placebo experienced adverse events of hypoglycemia (symptomatic or asymptomatic). Neither group had a significant change from baseline in bodyweight.ConclusionsAfter 24 weeks, sitagliptin added to stable insulin therapy (±metformin) was generally well tolerated and improved glycemic control in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Microbiome in healthy skin, update for dermatologists
Authors: Dréno B. , Araviiskaia E. , Berardesca E. , Gontijo G. , Sanchez Viera M. , Xiang L.F. , Martin R. , Bieber T. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe skin is a complex barrier organ made of a symbiotic relationship between microbial communities and host tissue via complex signals provided by the innate and the adaptive immune systems. It is constantly exposed to various endogenous and exogenous factors which impact this balanced system potentially leading to inflammatory skin conditions comprising infections, allergies or autoimmune diseases. Unlike the gut and stool microbiome which has been studied and described for many years, investigations on the skin or scalp microbiome only started recently. Researchers in microbiology and dermatology started using modern methods such as pyrosequencing assays of bacterial 16S rRNA genes to identify and characterize the different microorganisms present on the skin, to evaluate the bacterial diversity and their relative abundance and to understand how microbial diversity may contribute to skin health and dermatological conditions. This article aims to provide an overview on the knowledge about the skin microbiota, the microbiome and their importance in dermatology.
Description of a New Freshwater Ciliate Epistylis wuhanensis n. sp. (Ciliophora, Peritrichia) from China, with a Focus on Phylogenetic Relationships within Family Epistylididae
Authors: Wang Zhe , Zhou Tong , Guo Qingxiang , Gu Zemao 
Published: October 2016

AbstractTwo populations of Epistylis wuhanensis n. sp., a new freshwater peritrich ciliate, were isolated from different freshwater ponds located in Hubei, China. Their morphological characteristics were investigated using live observation, protargol impregnation, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Specimens from the two populations showed identical arrangement of the infraciliature and identical small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene and ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2 sequences. The zooids present bell‐shaped and 90–175 × 27–54 μm in vivo. Macronucleus is variable in shape and located in the middle of cell. Pellicle is usually smooth with 139–154 and 97–105 striations above and below the trochal band, respectively. SSU rRNA gene and ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2 sequences of E. wuhanensis n. sp. did not match any available sequences in GenBank. Phylogenetically, E. wuhanensis n. sp. clusters with the other Epistylis within the family Epistylididae, but is distinct from the major clades of Epistylis. Above all, the morphological characteristics and molecular analyses support that the present Epistylis is a new species. Expanded phylogenetic analyses of sessilids based on both SSU rRNA gene sequences and ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2 sequences reveal that the genus Epistylis consists of Epistylis morphospecies and taxonomic revision of the genus is needed.
Medical Foster Homes: Can the Adult Foster Care Model Substitute for Nursing Home Care?
Authors: Levy Cari , Whitfield Emily A. 
Published: October 2016

ObjectiveTo compare characteristics, healthcare use, and costs of care of veterans in the rapidly expanding Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical foster home (MFH) with those of three other VHA long‐term care (LTC) programs.DesignDescriptive, unmatched study.SettingVHA MFHs, home‐based primary care (HBPC), community living centers (CLCs), and community nursing homes (CNHs).ParticipantsVeterans newly enrolled in one of the four LTC settings in calendar years 2010 or 2011.MeasurementsUsing VA and Medicare data from fiscal years 2010 and 2011, demographic characteristics, healthcare use, and costs of 388 veterans in MFHs were compared with 26,037 of those in HBPC, 5,355 in CLCs, and 5,517 in CNHs in the year before and the year after enrollment.ResultsVeterans enrolled in the MFH program were more likely to be unmarried than those in other LTC programs and had higher levels of comorbidity and frailty than veterans receiving HBPC but had similar levels of comorbidity, frailty, and healthcare use as those in CLCs and CNHs. MFH veterans incurred lower costs than those in CNHs and CLCs.ConclusionMFHs served a distinct subset of veterans with levels of comorbidity and frailty similar to those of veterans cared for in CLCs and CNHs at costs that were comparable to or lower than those of the VHA. Propensity‐matched comparisons will be necessary to confirm these findings.
Paper, Power, and Procedure: Reflections on Amazonian Appropriations of Bureaucracy and Documents
Authors: Allard Olivier , Walker Harry 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe creative and ever‐expanding appropriations of bureaucracy and documents on the part of Amazonian peoples today transcend simple dichotomies between orality and literacy, state and non‐state power, and domination and resistance. The papers collected here highlight the specific forms taken by such engagements and the ways in which they assume a key role in local political processes, offering new perspectives on issues ranging from the everyday workings of the state to local theories of language and materiality. In this introductory essay we draw particular attention to the importance of documents as mediators which facilitate new forms of communication; to the prevalence of bureaucratic magic and ritual; and to the ways in which regional bureaucratic and documentary processes are closely linked to both wealth and violence.
Mapping the spatial changes in Lake Volta using multitemporal remote sensing approach
Authors: Ghansah Benjamin , Asare Yaw M. , Tchao Eric T. , Forkuo Eric K. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractLake Volta is the world's largest man‐made lake by surface area, and the fourth largest by water volume. Located completely within Ghana, it has a surface area of about 8502 km2 (3283 square miles). Like many other lakes on the African continent, Lake Volta is a major natural resource for Ghana, storing water for the operation of the hydroelectric dam, water supply for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes, habitat for diverse aquatic species, an avenue for recreational activities, means of navigation between the north and south parts of the country, and a climate modulator for the tropical region. The lake has experienced variable water level and surface area changes attributable to climate change and excessive water abstractions. Using histogram thresholding techniques, this study produced binary images and vector maps of the lake. Spatial extent mapping of the lake using Landsat TM 1990, ETM + 2000 and ETM + 2007 images indicated the lake experienced both increased and decreased surface area changes during the study period. The lake's surface area varied by about 197 km2 between 1990 and 2007, with the water level fluctuating between ±7 m. Factors thought to be contributing to these changes include human factors (regulated flows, deforestation, increased water abstractions and pollution) as well as natural phenomenon (climate change, water run‐off and subsequent sediment transport).
Experimental petrology of the Tissint meteorite: Redox estimates, crystallization curves, and evaluation of petrogenetic models
Authors: Castle Nicholas , Herd Christopher D. K. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractTissint is an olivine‐phyric shergottite from an incompatible element depleted Martian mantle source. Oxythermobarometry applied to Tissint mineral phases demonstrates that the Tissint magma underwent an increase in oxygen fugacity, from ~3.5 log units below the quarz‐fayalite‐magnetite (QFM) buffer during the early stages of crystallization, to QFM−1.4 during the latter stages. This is the first time that such an oxidation event has been observed in a depleted shergottite. The reason for the oxidation event is unclear; however, calculations using the MELTS thermodynamic model suggest that auto‐oxidation is insufficient to cause more than ~1 log unit of oxidation, and therefore an external oxidation mechanism—such as oxidation by degassing—is required. If volatiles are responsible for the oxidation, then it indicates that volatiles are not exclusively tied to the enriched Martian mantle reservoir. A series of experiments using the Tissint parental magma were carried out under fixed (isothermal) or variable (cooling rate) temperature control, and at either reducing (QFM−3.2) or oxidizing (QFM−1) redox conditions. The observed liquid line of descent supports a potential genetic relationship between basaltic shergottites and olivine‐phyric shergottites. A peritectic relation where olivine is resorbed to form pyroxene is favored by increased oxygen fugacity; if oxidation during crystallization is more common than presently believed, it may explain why olivine is typically anhedral in olivine‐phyric shergottites. Results from a cooling‐rate experiment in which the oxygen fugacity was changed during the latter stages of crystallization resulted in olivine with a Cr compositional profile consistent with oxidized isothermal experiments, despite forming primarily under reducing conditions. A similar profile is observed in Tissint olivines, consistent with its redox history. Our results provide insights into the potential influence of oxidation events on the compositional zoning of minor or trace elements in olivine in olivine‐phyric basalts.
Starvation and recovery in the deep‐sea methanotroph Methyloprofundus sedimenti
Authors: Tavormina Patricia L. , Kellermann Matthias Y. , Antony Chakkiath Paul , Tocheva Elitza I. , Dalleska Nathan F. , Jensen Ashley J. , Valentine David L. , Hinrichs Kai‐Uwe , Jensen Grant J. , Dubilier Nicole , Orphan Victoria J. 
Published: October 2016

SummaryIn the deep ocean, the conversion of methane into derived carbon and energy drives the establishment of diverse faunal communities. Yet specific biological mechanisms underlying the introduction of methane‐derived carbon into the food web remain poorly described, due to a lack of cultured representative deep‐sea methanotrophic prokaryotes. Here, the response of the deep‐sea aerobic methanotroph Methyloprofundus sedimenti to methane starvation and recovery was characterized. By combining lipid analysis, RNA analysis, and electron cryotomography, it was shown that M. sedimenti undergoes discrete cellular shifts in response to methane starvation, including changes in headgroup‐specific fatty acid saturation levels, and reductions in cytoplasmic storage granules. Methane starvation is associated with a significant increase in the abundance of gene transcripts pertinent to methane oxidation. Methane reintroduction to starved cells stimulates a rapid, transient extracellular accumulation of methanol, revealing a way in which methane‐derived carbon may be routed to community members. This study provides new understanding of methanotrophic responses to methane starvation and recovery, and lays the initial groundwork to develop Methyloprofundus as a model chemosynthesizing bacterium from the deep sea.
The Group A Streptococcus serotype M2 pilus plays a role in host cell adhesion and immune evasion
Authors: Tsai Jia‐Yun C. , Loh Jacelyn M. S. , Clow Fiona , Lorenz Natalie , Proft Thomas 
Published: October 2016

SummaryGroup A Streptococcus (GAS), or Streptococcus pyogenes, is a human pathogen that causes diseases ranging from skin and soft tissue infections to severe invasive diseases, such as toxic shock syndrome. Each GAS strain carries a particular pilus type encoded in the variable fibronectin‐binding, collagen‐binding, T antigen (FCT) genomic region. Here, we describe the functional analysis of the serotype M2 pilus encoded in the FCT‐6 region. We found that, in contrast to other investigated GAS pili, the ancillary pilin 1 lacks adhesive properties. Instead, the backbone pilin is important for host cell adhesion and binds several host factors, including fibronectin and fibrinogen. Using a panel of recombinant pilus proteins, GAS gene deletion mutants and Lactococcus lactis gain‐of‐function mutants we show that, unlike other GAS pili, the FCT‐6 pilus also contributes to immune evasion. This was demonstrated by a delay in blood clotting, increased intracellular survival of the bacteria in macrophages, higher bacterial survival rates in human whole blood and greater virulence in a Galleria mellonella infection model in the presence of fully assembled FCT‐6 pili.
Cryptic purine transporters in Aspergillus nidulans reveal the role of specific residues in the evolution of specificity in the NCS1 family
Authors: Sioupouli Georgia , Lambrinidis George , Mikros Emmanuel , Amillis Sotiris , Diallinas George 
Published: October 2016

SummaryNCS1 proteins are H+ or Na+ symporters responsible for the uptake of purines, pyrimidines or related metabolites in bacteria, fungi and some plants. Fungal NCS1 are classified into two evolutionary and structurally distinct subfamilies, known as Fur‐ and Fcy‐like transporters. These subfamilies have expanded and functionally diversified by gene duplications. The Fur subfamily of the model fungus Aspergillus nidulans includes both major and cryptic transporters specific for uracil, 5‐fluorouracil, allantoin or/and uric acid. Here we functionally analyse all four A. nidulans Fcy transporters (FcyA, FcyC, FcyD and FcyE) with previously unknown function. Our analysis shows that FcyD is moderate‐affinity, low‐capacity, highly specific adenine transporter, whereas FcyE contributes to 8‐azaguanine uptake. Mutational analysis of FcyD, supported by homology modelling and substrate docking, shows that two variably conserved residues (Leu356 and Ser359) in transmembrane segment 8 (TMS8) are critical for transport kinetics and specificity differences among Fcy transporters, while two conserved residues (Phe167 and Ser171) in TMS3 are also important for function. Importantly, mutation S359N converts FcyD to a promiscuous nucleobase transporter capable of recognizing adenine, xanthine and several nucleobase analogues. Our results reveal the importance of specific residues in the functional evolution of NCS1 transporters.