bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Loss of genetic diversity and increased embryonic mortality in non‐native lizard populations
Authors: Michaelides Sozos N. , While Geoffrey M. , Zajac Natalia , Aubret Fabien , Calsbeek Brittny , Sacchi Roberto , Zuffi Marco A. L. , Uller Tobias 
Published: July 2016

AbstractMany populations are small and isolated with limited genetic variation and high risk of mating with close relatives. Inbreeding depression is suspected to contribute to extinction of wild populations, but the historical and demographic factors that contribute to reduced population viability are often difficult to tease apart. Replicated introduction events in non‐native species can offer insights into this problem because they allow us to study how genetic variation and inbreeding depression are affected by demographic events (e.g. bottlenecks), genetic admixture and the extent and duration of isolation. Using detailed knowledge about the introduction history of 21 non‐native populations of the wall lizard Podarcis muralis in England, we show greater loss of genetic diversity (estimated from microsatellite loci) in older populations and in populations from native regions of high diversity. Loss of genetic diversity was accompanied by higher embryonic mortality in non‐native populations, suggesting that introduced populations are sufficiently inbred to jeopardize long‐term viability. However, there was no statistical correlation between population‐level genetic diversity and average embryonic mortality. Similarly, at the individual level, there was no correlation between female heterozygosity and clutch size, infertility or hatching success, or between embryo heterozygosity and mortality. We discuss these results in the context of human‐mediated introductions and how the history of introductions can play a fundamental role in influencing individual and population fitness in non‐native species.
Integrative analyses unveil speciation linked to host plant shift in Spialia butterflies
Authors: Hernández‐Roldán Juan L. , Dapporto Leonardo , Dincă Vlad , Vicente Juan C. , Hornett Emily A. , Šíchová Jindra , Lukhtanov Vladimir A. , Talavera Gerard , Vila Roger 
Published: July 2016

AbstractDiscovering cryptic species in well‐studied areas and taxonomic groups can have profound implications in understanding eco‐evolutionary processes and in nature conservation because such groups often involve research models and act as flagship taxa for nature management. In this study, we use an array of techniques to study the butterflies in the Spialia sertorius species group (Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae). The integration of genetic, chemical, cytogenetic, morphological, ecological and microbiological data indicates that the sertorius species complex includes at least five species that differentiated during the last three million years. As a result, we propose the restitution of the species status for two taxa often treated as subspecies, Spialia ali (Oberthür, 1881) stat. rest. and Spialia therapne (Rambur, 1832) stat. rest., and describe a new cryptic species Spialia rosae Hernández‐Roldán, Dapporto, Dincă, Vicente & Vila sp. nov. Spialia sertorius (Hoffmannsegg, 1804) and S. rosae are sympatric and synmorphic, but show constant differences in mitochondrial DNA, chemical profiles and ecology, suggesting that S. rosae represents a case of ecological speciation involving larval host plant and altitudinal shift, and apparently associated with Wolbachia infection. This study exemplifies how a multidisciplinary approach can reveal elusive cases of hidden diversity.
Type IV‐pili dependent motility is co‐regulated by PilSR and PilS2R2 two‐component systems via distinct pathways in Myxococcus xanthus
Authors: Bretl Daniel J. , Müller Susanne , Ladd Kayla M. , Atkinson Samantha N. , Kirby John R. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryMyxococcus xanthus is an environmental bacterium with two forms of motility. One type, known as social motility, is dependent on extension and retraction of Type‐IV pili (T4P) and production of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS). Several signaling systems have been linked to regulation of T4P‐dependent motility. In particular, expression of the pilin subunit pilA requires the PilSR two‐component signaling system (TCS). A second TCS, PilS2R2, encoded within the same locus that encodes PilSR, has also been linked to M. xanthus T4P‐dependent motility. We demonstrate that PilSR and PilS2R2 regulate M. xanthus T4P‐dependent motility through distinct pathways. Consistent with known roles of PilSR, our results indicate that the primary function of PilSR is to regulate expression of pilA. In contrast, PilS2 and PilR2 have little to no affect on PilA protein levels. However, deletion of pilR2 resulted in a reduction of assembled pili, significant decreases in EPS production and loss of T4P‐dependent motility. Furthermore, the pilR2 mutation led to increased production of outer membrane vesicles (OMV). Collectively, we propose that PilS2R2 is required for proper assembly of T4P and regulation of OMV production, and hypothesize that production of these vesicles is related to M. xanthus motility.
The Aspergillus fumigatus conidial melanin production is regulated by the bifunctional bHLH DevR and MADS‐box RlmA transcription factors
Authors: Valiante Vito , Baldin Clara , Hortschansky Peter , Jain Radhika , Thywißen Andreas , Straßburger Maria , Shelest Ekaterina , Heinekamp Thorsten , Brakhage Axel A. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryMelanins play a crucial role in defending organisms against external stressors. In several pathogenic fungi, including the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus, melanin production was shown to contribute to virulence. A. fumigatus produces two different types of melanins, i.e., pyomelanin and dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN)‐melanin. DHN‐melanin forms the gray‐green pigment characteristic for conidia, playing an important role in immune evasion of conidia and thus for fungal virulence. The DHN‐melanin biosynthesis pathway is encoded by six genes organized in a cluster with the polyketide synthase gene pksP as a core element. Here, cross‐species promoter analysis identified specific DNA binding sites in the DHN‐melanin biosynthesis genes pksP‐arp1 intergenic region that can be recognized by bHLH and MADS‐box transcriptional regulators. Independent deletion of two genes coding for the transcription factors DevR (bHLH) and RlmA (MADS‐box) interfered with sporulation and reduced the expression of the DHN‐melanin gene cluster. In vitro and in vivo experiments proved that these transcription factors cooperatively regulate pksP expression acting both as repressors and activators in a mutually exclusive manner. The dual role executed by each regulator depends on specific DNA motifs recognized in the pksP promoter region.
Apyrase inhibitors enhance the ability of diverse fungicides to inhibit the growth of different plant‐pathogenic fungi
Authors: Kumar Tripathy Manas , Weeraratne Gayani , Clark Greg , Roux Stanley J. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryA previous study has demonstrated that the treatment of Arabidopsis plants with chemical inhibitors of apyrase enzymes increases their sensitivity to herbicides. In this study, we found that the addition of the same or related apyrase inhibitors could potentiate the ability of different fungicides to inhibit the growth of five different pathogenic fungi in plate growth assays. The growth of all five fungi was partially inhibited by three commonly used fungicides: copper octanoate, myclobutanil and propiconazole. However, when these fungicides were individually tested in combination with any one of four different apyrase inhibitors (AI.1, AI.10, AI.13 or AI.15), their potency to inhibit the growth of five fungal pathogens was increased significantly relative to their application alone. The apyrase inhibitors were most effective in potentiating the ability of copper octanoate to inhibit fungal growth, and least effective in combination with propiconazole. Among the five pathogens assayed, that most sensitive to the fungicide‐potentiating effects of the inhibitors was Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Overall, among the 60 treatment combinations tested (five pathogens, four apyrase inhibitors, three fungicides), the addition of apyrase inhibitors increased significantly the sensitivity of fungi to the fungicide treatments in 53 of the combinations. Consistent with their predicted mode of action, inhibitors AI.1, AI.10 and AI.13 each increased the level of propiconazole retained in one of the fungi, suggesting that they could partially block the ability of efflux transporters to remove propiconazole from these fungi.
Ss‐Rhs1, a secretory Rhs repeat‐containing protein, is required for the virulence of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Authors: Yu Yang , Xiao Jifen , Zhu Wenjun , Yang Yuheng , Mei Jiaqin , Bi Chaowei , Qian Wei , Qing Ling , Tan Wanzhong 
Published: July 2016

SummarySclerotinia sclerotiorum is a devastating necrotrophic plant pathogen with a worldwide distribution. Cell wall‐degrading enzymes and oxalic acid are important to the virulence of this pathogen. Here, we report a novel secretory protein, Ss‐Rhs1, which is essential for the virulence of S. sclerotiorum. Ss‐Rhs1 is believed to contain a typical signal peptide at the N‐terminal and eight rearrangement hotspot (Rhs) repeats. Ss‐Rhs1 exhibited a high level of expression at the initial stage of sclerotial development, as well as during the hyphal infection process. Targeted silencing of Ss‐Rhs1 resulted in abnormal colony morphology and reduced virulence on host plants. Microscopic observations indicated that Ss‐Rhs1‐silenced strains exhibited reduced efficiency in compound appressoria formation.
Synergism of thymol, carvacrol and eugenol in larvae of the cattle tick,Rhipicephalus microplus, and brown dog tick,Rhipicephalus sanguineus
Authors: ARAÚJO L. X. , NOVATO T. P. L. , ZERINGOTA V. , MATURANO R. , MELO D. , DA SILVA B. C. , DAEMON E. , DE CARVALHO M. G. , MONTEIRO C. M. O. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe effects of combinations of the monoterpenes thymol and carvacrol and the phenylpropanoid eugenol in larvae ofRhipicephalus microplus(Canestrini, 1888) (Acari: Ixodidae) andRhipicephalus sanguineussensu lato (s.l.) (Acari: Ixodidae) were assessed by the larval packet test. The CompuSyn program was used to make qualitative assessments of the effects (synergistic, additive and antagonistic) of the associations. The effects of all combinations tested againstR. micropluslarvae were synergistic, with combination indices (CIs) <0.70. When tested againstR. sanguineus, eight of the mixtures showed a synergistic effect (CI < 0.70); only the carvacrol + thymol mixture at LC50presented a moderate synergistic effect, with CIs between 0.70–0.90. This study is the first to determine the effects of the interactions of these substances in the control of these two tick species. The combinations of carvacrol + thymol, carvacrol + eugenol and thymol + eugenol have synergistic effects inR. microplusandR. sanguineuss.l. larvae.
Identification of three yeast species using the conventional and internal transcribed spacer region sequencing methods as first or second global record from human superficial infections
Authors: Abdel‐Sater Mohamed Ahmed , Moubasher Abdel‐Aal Hassan , Soliman Zeinab 
Published: July 2016

SummaryDuring the mycological analysis of skin and nail samples taken from patients with onychomycosis and tineas in Assiut city, it is interesting to report that yeast fungi were the main causal agents being cultured from 45.79% of total cases. In general, 21 species of yeast were isolated. Some of these are reported for the first time from clinical specimens. From the literature available up‐to‐date around the world, this study reports for the first time Saccharomycopsis fibuligera as the causal agent of four clinical cases: two onychomycoses, one tinea capitis and one tinea amiantacea. Also, it is reported here the second record for Trichosporon dohaense from a case of onychomycosis of a 40‐year‐old woman (after its original description in 2009 by Taj‐Aldeen et al. J Clin Microbiol 47: 1791). Candida galli was also reported for the first time from clinical specimen (tinea unguium) in 2014 by Galán‐Sánchez et al. Mycopathol 178: 303, and this study reports the second case of onychomycosis by C. galli. These strains were identified on the basis of their phenotypic, biochemical, physiological and genotypic features. Strains and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene sequences of these species are deposited at Assiut University Mycological Center Culture Collection (AUMC) and National Center for Biotechnological Information (NCBI) respectively.
Utilization of posaconazole oral suspension or delayed‐released tablet salvage treatment for invasive fungal infection
Authors: Kim Jong Hun , Benefield Russell J. , Ditolla Kali 
Published: July 2016

SummaryPosaconazole may be useful for salvage treatment (ST) for invasive fungal infections (IFIs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of posaconazole ST with either posaconazole oral suspension (SUS) or delayed‐released tablet (TAB) in patients with IFI. A retrospective review of patients who received posaconazole ST for IFI at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center between December 2007 and March 2014 was conducted. A total of 14 episodes of posaconazole ST for proven (9 episodes) and probable (5 episodes) IFI were identified in 14 patients. The median age was 54 years and the majority of patients (64.3%) had underlying haematological diseases. Posaconazole SUS and TAB were used in 11 episodes and 3 episodes respectively. The duration of posaconazole ST ranged from 28 to 370 days with a median of 65 days. Posaconazole ST with TAB achieved favourable serum posaconazole trough concentrations (median 1.4 μg mL−1) compared to posaconazole SUS (median 1.0 μg mL−1). The overall clinical success rate with posaconazole ST was 71.4% (10 of 14 episodes). One patient died of progression of IFI. Adverse events were noted in two patients. Posaconazole SUS or TAB may be used effectively for IFI ST.
Mathematics, Morality, and Self‐Effacement
Authors: Woods Jack 
Published: July 2016

AbstractI argue that certain species of belief, such as mathematical, logical, and normative beliefs, are insulated from a form of Harman‐style debunking argument whereas moral beliefs, the primary target of such arguments, are not. Harman‐style arguments have been misunderstood as attempts to directly undermine our moral beliefs. They are rather best given as burden‐shifting arguments, concluding that we need additional reasons to maintain our moral beliefs. If we understand them this way, then we can see why moral beliefs are vulnerable to such arguments while mathematical, logical, and normative beliefs are not—the very construction of Harman‐style skeptical arguments requires the truth of significant fragments of our mathematical, logical, and normative beliefs, but requires no such thing of our moral beliefs. Given this property, Harman‐style skeptical arguments against logical, mathematical, and normative beliefs are self‐effacing; doubting these beliefs on the basis of such arguments results in the loss of our reasons for doubt. But we can cleanly doubt the truth of morality.
Living donor liver transplantation for inborn errors of metabolism – An underutilized resource in the United States
Authors: Pham Thomas A. , Enns Gregory M. , Esquivel Carlos O. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractInborn metabolic diseases of the liver can be life‐threatening disorders that cause debilitating and permanent neurological damage. Symptoms may manifest as early as the neonatal period. Liver transplant replaces the enzymatically deficient liver, allowing for metabolism of toxic metabolites. LDLT for metabolic disorders is rarely performed in the United States as compared to countries such as Japan, where they report >2000 cases performed within the past two decades. Patient and graft survival is comparable to that of the United States, where most of the studies are based on deceased donors. No living donor complications were observed, suggesting that LDLT is as safe and effective as deceased donor transplants performed in the USA. Increased utilization of living donors in the USA will allow for early transplantation to prevent permanent neurological damage in those with severe disease. Pediatric transplant centers should consider utilizing living donors when feasible for children with metabolic disorders of the liver.
Successful long‐term outcome of liver transplantation in late‐onset lysosomal acid lipase deficiency
Authors: Sreekantam S. , Nicklaus‐Wollenteit I. , Orr J. , Sharif K. , Vijay S. , McKiernan P. J. , Santra S. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractLate‐onset LAL deficiency, previously referred to as cholesteryl ester storage disorder, is a rare lysosomal storage disorder characterized by accumulation of cholesteryl esters. It has a heterogeneous clinical phenotype including abdominal pain, poor growth, hyperlipidemia with vascular complications and hepatosplenomegaly. End‐stage liver disease may occur, but there are few reports of successful LT. There are also concerns that systemic manifestations of the disease might persist post‐LT. We report a case with excellent outcome eight yr following LT. The subject was noted to have asymptomatic hepatosplenomegaly during an intercurrent illness, and LAL deficiency was confirmed with compound heterozygosity in the LIPA. Despite dietary fat restriction, he developed signs of progressive liver disease and subsequently developed hepatopulmonary syndrome. He underwent cadaveric LT at the age of nine and a half yr and recovered with prompt resolution of hepatopulmonary syndrome. Eight yr post‐transplant he has normal growth, normal lipid profile, and liver and renal function tests. Liver histology showed no evidence of disease recurrence at this stage. LT in this subject resulted in an excellent functional correction of late‐onset LAL deficiency.
Pediatric hepatocellular carcinoma in a developing country: Is the etiology changing?
Authors: Palaniappan Kumar , Borkar Vibhor V. , Safwan Mohamed , Vij Mukul , Govil Sanjay , Shanmugam Naresh , Rela Mohamed 
Published: July 2016

AbstractHCC is the second most common malignant liver tumor of childhood. It typically affects children with a median age of 10–14 yr on background hepatitis B‐related liver disease and is often metastatic or locally advanced at diagnosis. Children below the age of five yr typically constitute <10% of all children with HCC. In these children, it occurs on a background of congenital or metabolic liver disease. The records of all children with HCC who presented to our department over a six‐yr study period were reviewed. Twelve patients with a median age of 5.9 yr (range 1.6–15.4) were diagnosed to have HCC. All patients underwent liver transplantation, and none were resected. Eleven patients had background congenital or metabolic liver disease. All five of those with hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 who presented to us were found to have HCC. No patient had hepatitis B‐related liver (HBV) disease. Eight (66.7%) patients had incidentally discovered HCC on examination of the explant. Incidentally discovered HCC were smaller, well differentiated, and did not show microvascular invasion compared to those diagnosed preoperatively. There was no recurrence with a median follow‐up of five months. The patient demographic for pediatric HCC is changing probably as a consequence of successful immunization against HBV. Younger patients with congenital and metabolic liver disease in whom liver transplantation is the ideal treatment are likely to constitute an ever‐increasing proportion of patients with pediatric HCC as HBV disease is controlled or eradicated.
Challenges managing end‐stage renal disease and kidney transplantation in a child with MTFMT mutation and moyamoya disease
Authors: Oates Aris , Brennan Jessica , Slavotinek Anne , Alsadah Adnan , Chow Daniel , Lee Marsha M. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractMoyamoya disease is a chronic cerebrovascular disorder with progressive stenosis. We describe a four‐yr‐old female with features of moyamoya disease referred to our center for kidney transplant evaluation with ESRD secondary to presumed renal dysplasia along with concern for cerebral vascular anomalies. With her constellation of organ involvement, a genetic workup revealed a homozygous, frameshift mutation in the mitochondrial methionyl‐tRNA formyltransferase gene. Given her vascular anomalies and evidence of prior infarcts seen on cerebral imaging, it was felt that her risk of future stroke events was high and that hypotension or intravascular volume depletion would further exacerbate this risk. In hopes of improving her tenuous cerebral perfusion, she underwent a bilateral temporal craniotomy for superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery bypass. We highlight the challenges faced in a child with ESRD and kidney transplantation when cerebral vasculature is compromised. A multidisciplinary approach is critical in determining the need for a revascularization procedure prior to transplant and to help reduce the risk of ischemic or hemorrhagic events in this patient population.
Assessment of Health Risk from Historical Use of Cosmetic Talcum Powder
Authors: Anderson Elizabeth L. , Sheehan Patrick J. , Kalmes Renee M. , Griffin John R. 
Published: July 2016

This study's objective is to assess the risk of asbestos‐related disease being contracted by past users of cosmetic talcum powder. To our knowledge, no risk assessment studies using exposure data from historical exposures or chamber simulations have been published. We conducted activity‐based sampling with cosmetic talcum powder samples from five opened and previously used containers that are believed to have been first manufactured and sold in the 1960s and 1970s. These samples had been subject to conflicting claims of asbestos content; samples with the highest claimed asbestos content were tested. The tests were conducted in simulated‐bathroom controlled chambers with volunteers who were talc users. Air sampling filters were prepared by direct preparation techniques and analyzed by phase contrast microscopy (PCM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with energy‐dispersive x‐ray (EDX) spectra, and selective area diffraction (SAED). TEM analysis for asbestos resulted in no confirmed asbestos fibers and only a single fiber classified as “ambiguous.” Hypothetical treatment of this fiber as if it were asbestos yields a risk of 9.6 × 10−7 (under one in one million) for a lifetime user of this cosmetic talcum powder. The exposure levels associated with these results range from zero to levels far below those identified in the epidemiology literature as posing a risk for asbestos‐related disease, and substantially below published historical environmental background levels. The approaches used for this study have potential application to exposure evaluations of other talc or asbestos‐containing materials and consumer products.