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Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme events in northern ecosystems. The outcome of these events across the landscape, might be mediated by species effects, such as niche construction, with likely consequences on vegetation resilience. To test this hypothesis, we simulated an extreme event by removing aboveground vegetation in tundra heathlands dominated by the allelopathic dwarf shrub Empetrum nigrum, a strong niche constructor. We tested the hypothesis under different climate regimes along a 200-km long gradient from oceanic to continental climate in Northern Norway. We studied the vegetation recovery process over ten years along the climatic gradient. The recovery of E. nigrum and subordinate species was low and flattened out after five years at all locations along the climatic gradient, causing low vegetation cover at the end of the study in extreme event plots. Natural seed recruitment was low at all sites, however, the addition of seeds from faster growing species did not promote vegetation recovery. A soil bioassay from 8 years after the vegetation was removed, suggested the allelopathic effect of E. nigrum was still present in the soil environment. Our results provide evidence of how a common niche constructor species can dramatically affect ecosystem recovery along a climatic gradient after extreme events in habitats where it is dominant. By its extremely slow regrowth and it preventing establishment of faster growing species, this study increases our knowledge on the possible outcomes when extreme events harm niche constructors in the tundra.

ObjectivesTESTATE STI is an online offer of self-sampling kits (SSKs) for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and transgender people (TG) in Catalonia. The aims of this study are: 1) to develop and evaluate the effectiveness, satisfaction and willingness of a pilot online intervention that includes the offer of SSKs for CT/NG screening with online consultation of subsequent results and (2) to analyse its potential as an effective strategy to encourage diagnosis, linkage to treatment and to describe contact notification by participants with a positive diagnosis.MethodsThe distribution of SSKs, which included a urine collection tube, a pharyngeal and a rectal swab, was conducted through two recruitment strategies: autonomously via social media and GBMSM or TG leisure spaces, or accompanied by community-based organisations. Participants completed a socio-demographic, biobehavioural and satisfaction survey.ResultsA total of 386 kits were tested in the laboratory. The estimated positivity rate for having at least one STI was 20.7%. TESTATE STI indicates that approximately 90.0% of positive participants were extragenital. 81.0% of positive cases were linked to the health system, and 96.9% of those were treated. We estimate that five kits must be performed to detect a positive CT/NG with the TESTATE STI intervention. Almost all participants (98.8%) would recommend taking the chlamydia and gonorrhoea self-sampling with TESTATE STI.ConclusionThe TESTATE STI project concluded that the deployment of SSKs for the detection of CT/NG is a viable and feasible strategy for GBMSM and TG in Catalonia. TESTATE STI is an effective strategy for encouraging diagnosis, treatment linkage and contact notification. Implementing TESTATE STI would increase access to confidential testing and promote early STI detection.

Environmental niche modeling (ENM) is commonly used to develop probabilistic maps of species distribution. Among available ENM techniques, MaxEnt has become one of the most popular tools for modeling species distribution, with hundreds of peer-reviewed articles published each year. MaxEnt’s popularity is mainly due to the use of a graphical interface and automatic parameter configuration capabilities. However, recent studies have shown that using the default automatic configuration may not be always appropriate because it can produce non-optimal models; particularly when dealing with a small number of species presence points. Thus, the recommendation is to evaluate the best potential combination of parameters (feature classes and regularization multiplier) to select the most appropriate model. In this work we reviewed 244 articles published between 2013 and 2015 to assess whether researchers are following recommendations to avoid using the default parameter configuration when dealing with small sample sizes, or if they are using MaxEnt as a “black box tool.” Our results show that in only 16% of analyzed articles authors evaluated best feature classes, in 6.9% evaluated best regularization multipliers, and in a meager 3.7% evaluated simultaneously both parameters before producing the definitive distribution model. We analyzed 20 articles to quantify the potential differences in resulting outputs when using software default parameters instead of the alternative best model. Results from our analysis reveal important differences between the use of default parameters and the best model approach, especially in the total area identified as suitable for the assessed species and the specific areas that are identified as suitable by both modelling approaches. These results are worrying, because publications are potentially reporting over-complex or over-simplistic models that can undermine the applicability of their results. Of particular importance are studies used to inform policy making. Therefore, researchers, practitioners, reviewers and editors need to be very judicious when dealing with MaxEnt, particularly when the modelling process is based on small sample sizes.

Glaucoma is a progressive ocular syndrome characterized by degeneration of the optic nerve and irreversible visual field loss. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is the main risk factor for glaucoma. Increased IOP is the result of an imbalance between synthesis and outflow of aqueous humor (AH). Blocking β2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) has shown to reduce IOP by decreasing production of AH at the ciliary body (CB). SYL040012 is a siRNA designed to specifically silence ADRB2 currently under development for glaucoma treatment. Here, we show that SYL040012 specifically reduces ADRB2 expression in cell cultures and eye tissues. The compound enters the eye shortly after administration in eye drops and is rapidly distributed among structures of the anterior segment of the eye. In addition, SYL040012 is actively taken up by cells of the CB but not by cells of systemic organs such as the lungs, where inhibition of ADRB2 could cause undesirable side effects. Moreover, SYL040012 reduces IOP in normotensive and hypertensive animal models and the effect appears to be long lasting and extremely well tolerated both locally and systemically.

Differential diagnoses for unilateral dysfunction of the ocular parasympathetic pathway (dilated pupil with loss of both light pupillary reflexes and accommodation) include oculomotor nerve palsy, tonic pupil (ciliary ganglion or the short ciliary nerves damage), and local drug or toxicity.123 Other causes of a unilateral non-reactive dilated pupil include damage to the iris sphincter and acute angle closure glaucoma.3 2. Other plants with anticholinergic toxins that can affect the ocular parasympathetic system by blocking ciliary muscle receptors are Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade), Datura stramonium (devil’s snare), and Hyoscyamus niger (henbane), all belonging to the Solanaceae family and containing scopolamine and atropine.78 A dilated pupil due to toxicity needs no intervention, and the prognosis is good.9 3. Larger doses can cause heart block and epileptic seizures, for which intravenous physostigmine might be needed.7891011 Learning points In the presence of a unilateral non-reactive dilated pupil, ask about unintentional contact with toxins and plants, and rule out other ocular and neurological conditions.

Climatic conditions affect the growth, development and final crop production. As wheat is of paramount importance as a staple crop in the human diet, there is a growing need to study its abiotic stress adaptation through the performance of key breeding traits. New and complementary approaches, such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and genomic selection (GS), are used for the dissection of different agronomic traits. The present study focused on the dissection of agronomic and quality traits of interest (initial agronomic score, yield, gluten index, sedimentation index, specific weight, whole grain protein and yellow colour) assessed in a panel of 179 durum wheat lines (Triticum durum Desf.), grown under rainfed conditions in different Mediterranean environments in Southern Spain (Andalusia). The findings show a total of 37 marker-trait associations (MTAs) which affect phenotype expression for three quality traits (specific weight, gluten and sedimentation indexes). MTAs could be mapped on the A and B durum wheat subgenomes (on chromosomes 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 3A) through the recently available bread wheat reference assembly (IWGSC RefSeqv1). Two of the MTAs found for quality traits (gluten index and SDS) corresponded to the known Glu-B1 and Glu-A1 loci, for which candidate genes corresponding to high molecular weight glutenin subunits could be located. The GS prediction ability values obtained from the breeding materials analyzed showed promising results for traits as grain protein content, sedimentation and gluten indexes, which can be used in plant breeding programs.

Multiple viruses that are highly pathogenic in humans are known to have evolved in bats. How bats tolerate infection with these viruses, however, is poorly understood. As viruses engage in a wide range of interactions with their hosts, it is essential to study bat viruses in a system that resembles their natural environment like bat-derived in vitro cellular models. However, stable and accessible bat cell lines are not widely available for the broader scientific community. Here, we generated in vitro reagents for the Seba’s short-tailed bat ( Carollia perspicillata ), tested multiple methods of immortalization, and characterized their susceptibility to virus infection and response to immune stimulation. Using pseudotyped virus library and authentic virus infections, we show that these C. perspicillata cell lines derived from a diverse array of tissues are susceptible to viruses bearing the glycoprotein of numerous orthohantaviruses, including Andes and Hantaan virus and are also susceptible to live hantavirus infection. Furthermore, stimulation with synthetic double-stranded RNA prior to infection with vesicular stomatitis virus and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus induced a protective antiviral response, demonstrating the suitability of our cell lines to study the bat antiviral immune response. Taken together, the approaches outlined here will inform future efforts to develop in vitro tools for virology from non-model organisms and these C. perspicillata cell lines will enable studies on virus–host interactions in these bats.

Photovoltaic conversion requires two successive steps: accumulation of a photogenerated charge and charge separation. Determination of how and where charge accumulation is attained and how this accumulation can be identified is mandatory for understanding the performance of a photovoltaic device and for its further optimization. Here we analyse the mechanism of carrier accumulation in lead halide perovskite, CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 , thin-absorber solar cells by means of impedance spectroscopy. A fingerprint of the charge accumulation in high density of states of the perovskite absorber material has been observed at the capacitance of the samples. This is, as far as we know, the first observation of charge accumulation in light-absorbing material for nanostructured solar cells, indicating that it constitutes a new kind of photovoltaic device, differentiated from sensitized solar cells, which will require its own methods of study, characterization and optimization. Understanding the accumulation of photogenerated charges in photovoltaics is crucial to developing more efficient structures. Kim et al. use impedence spectroscopy to observe charge accumulation in thin lead halide perovskite solar cells, finding a high density of states that differs from other types of cells.

Sarcomas are mesenchymal cancers with poor prognosis, representing about 20% of all solid malignancies in children, adolescents, and young adults. Radio- and chemoresistance are common features of sarcomas warranting the search for novel prognostic and predictive markers. GARP/LRRC32 is a TGF-β-activating protein that promotes immune escape and dissemination in various cancers. However, if GARP affects the tumorigenicity and treatment resistance of sarcomas is not known. We show that GARP is expressed by human osteo-, chondro-, and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas and is associated with a significantly worse clinical prognosis. Silencing of GARP in bone sarcoma cell lines blocked their proliferation and induced apoptosis. In contrast, overexpression of GARP promoted their growth in vitro and in vivo and increased their resistance to DNA damage and cell death induced by etoposide, doxorubicin, and irradiation. Our data suggest that GARP could serve as a marker with therapeutic, prognostic, and predictive value in sarcoma. We propose that targeting GARP in bone sarcomas could reduce tumour burden while simultaneously improving the efficacy of chemo- and radiotherapy.

Introduction. The triglyceride and glucose (TyG) index has been described as a biochemical marker of insulin resistance (IR); however, its diagnostic accuracy remains uncertain. Objective. To summarize the evidence assessing the diagnostic accuracy of the TyG index regarding IR. Methods. A comprehensive search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus was performed without any language restriction. Studies assessing the diagnostic accuracy of the TyG index against the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (HIEC) or any other IR biochemical were assessed independently and in duplicate. Diagnostic accuracy measures (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and likelihood ratios) were extracted independently and in duplicate. The QUADAS-2 tool was used to assess the risk of bias of independent studies. Results. We identified 15 eligible studies with 69,922 participants and an overall quality of low to moderate. The TyG index was evaluated by HIEC and HOMA as reference tests. The highest achieved sensitivity was 96% using HIEC, and the highest specificity was of 99% using HOMA-IR, with a cutoff value of 4.68. AUC values varied from 0.59 to 0.88. Cutoff values for IR were variable between studies, limiting its comparability. Conclusion. In this systematic review, we found moderate-to-low quality evidence about the usefulness of the TyG index as a surrogate biochemical marker of IR. Due to the lack of a standardized IR definition and heterogeneity between studies, further validation and standardized cutoff values are needed to be used in clinical practice.