The most thorough, updated guide to frogs and toads in the United States and Canada available.A stunning diversity of frog species can be found from coastal swamps to lofty mountain peaks, and from ...the Florida Keys to the Arctic Ocean. They live in subtropical lowlands, grassland prairies, deserts, and alpine-tundra habitats. Some species have restricted habitat requirements, whereas others occur contiguously from the arid plains or humid southeastern forests to the high tundra. In this new edition of Frogs of the United States and Canada, C. Kenneth Dodd Jr. tours the reader through the marvelous world of North American frogs. Covering 114 native and introduced species from all US states and Canadian provinces, this comprehensive reference on the biology, behavior, and conservation of the Order Anura includes detailed and updated information on• past and present distribution • life history and demography • reproduction and diet• landscape ecology and evolution• diseases, parasites, and threats from toxic substances• conservation and management Hundreds of occurrence maps, line drawings, and new color photographs of frogs and their habitats enhance the text. The most thorough treatment of the life histories, distribution, and status of North American frogs ever produced, Frogs of the United States and Canada has been the go-to reference for naturalists, scientists, and resource managers in their efforts to understand and conserve frogs, their habitats, and biodiversity for over a decade. Based on a meticulously updated examination of more than 8,000 references current through 2021, this second edition ensures Dodd's master work will remain an unparalleled resource for years to come.
It has been over 50 years since the Stonewall Inn Riots in June 1969, a seminal event for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and other sexual and gender-diverse minorities ...(LGBTQI+, or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and everyone else) rights movement. However, sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals still face discrimination and harassment due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. As such, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities has identified SGM communities as a "health disparity population." Broadly, there are higher rates of sexually transmitted infections, substance use and abuse, mental health conditions, obesity and eating disorders, certain cancers (breast, cervical, and anorectal), and cardiovascular disease in SGM communities. Transgender patients, especially those of color, are more likely to be uninsured, experience discrimination, and be denied health care than cisgender patients. In addition, SGM individuals have twice the risk of lifetime exposure to emotional, physical, and sexual trauma compared with heterosexuals. It is expected all these factors would negatively affect digestive health as well. This review summarizes the effects of social determinants of health and discrimination on health care access, highlights important digestive diseases to consider in the SGM population, and offers solutions to improve and prioritize the health of these communities. We aim to draw attention to SGM-specific issues that affect gastrointestinal health and spur research that is desperately lacking.
Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) basic-leucine zipper (bZIP) factor (HBZ) is a key player in proliferation and transformation of HTLV-1-infected cells, thus contributing to adult T-cell ...leukemia (ATL) development. HBZ deregulates gene expression within the host cell by interacting with several cellular partners. Through its C-terminal ZIP domain, HBZ is able to contact and activate JunD, a transcription factor of the AP-1 family. JunD mRNA is intronless but can generate two protein isoforms by alternative translation initiation: JunD full-length and Δ JunD, an N-terminal truncated form unresponsive to the tumor suppressor menin. Using various cell lines and primary T-lymphocytes, we show that after serum deprivation HBZ induces the expression of Δ JunD isoform. We demonstrate that, unlike JunD, Δ JunD induces proliferation and transformation of cells. To decipher the mechanisms for Δ JunD production, we looked into the translational machinery and observed that HBZ induces nuclear retention of RPS25 mRNA and loss of RPS25 protein expression, a component of the small ribosomal subunit. Therefore, HBZ bypasses translational control of JunD uORF and favors the expression of Δ JunD. In conclusion, we provide strong evidences that HBZ induces Δ JunD expression through alteration of the cellular translational machinery and that the truncated isoform Δ JunD has a central role in the oncogenic process leading to ATL.
PurposeThe purpose of this study is to provide an overview of emerging prediction assessment tools for composite-based PLS-SEM, particularly proposed out-of-sample prediction ...methodologies.Design/methodology/approachA review of recently developed out-of-sample prediction assessment tools for composite-based PLS-SEM that will expand the skills of researchers and inform them on new methodologies for improving evaluation of theoretical models. Recently developed and proposed cross-validation approaches for model comparisons and benchmarking are reviewed and evaluated.FindingsThe results summarize next-generation prediction metrics that will substantially improve researchers' ability to assess and report the extent to which their theoretical models provide meaningful predictions. Improved prediction assessment metrics are essential to justify (practical) implications and recommendations developed on the basis of theoretical model estimation results.Originality/valueThe paper provides an overview of recently developed and proposed out-of-sample prediction metrics for composite-based PLS-SEM that will enhance the ability of researchers to demonstrate generalization of their findings from sample data to the population.
The favorable Al hydrates of halogenated DBP precursors destabilization by PACl coagulation with different HA-AOM mixtures at neutral pH (7 ± 0.1) across hydrophilic molecule spectrum.
Display ...omitted
•DOM destabilization by PACl coagulation are affected by organic molecule fraction.•DOM destabilization become worse as humic acid mixed algogenic organic matter.•The total THMFP and HAAFP decreases after humic acid mixed algogenic organic matter.•Total halogenated DBP precursors are predominately destabilized by polymeric Al.
The destabilization of halogenated disinfection-by-product (DBP) precursors by coagulation are mostly subjected to Al speciation of polyaluminum chloride (PACl) and the fraction of dissolved organic matter (DOM), which significantly affect the minimization of halogenated DBP precursors, such as trihalomethane (THM) and haloacetic acids (HAA), in post-chlorination. In this study, the destabilization of DOM in the solution of humic acid (HA) with and without algogenic organic matter (AOM) using two PACl coagulants with different Al speciation was investigated, along with the identification of optical properties for DOM fractions. Additionally, total THM and HAA formation potential of the supernatant before and after coagulation-sedimentation were determined. The results showed that high polymeric Al-containing PACl (PACl-H, 66% Al13) outcompetes in destabilizing HA than commercial PACl (PACl-C, 29% Al13, 32% Al(OH)3). However, the removal of DOM in HA/AOM mixture by both PACl coagulants are significantly suppressed with greater removal of humic-like and fulvic-like substances than aromatic protein-like substances after coagulation-sedimentation, where PACl-C shows superiority in the removal of hydrophobic and hydrophilic substances with MW around 1 kDa than PACl-H. In the absence of AOM, total THM and HAA formation potential were effectively reduced for HA coagulation by both PACl, but vice versa with the presence of AOM, especially for cellular organic matter (COM). Minimization of halogenated DPB precursors by coagulation are predominated by destabilized hydrophilic molecule fractions with Al hydrates. It is concluded that PACl-H favors charge neutralization to destabilize total carbonaceous DBP (C-DBP) precursors in HA or HA/AOM mixture and the corresponding C-DBP formation potential is lower compared to PACl-C that predominates adsorption and co-precipitation in destabilizing C-DBP precursors.
Nutrition exerts considerable effects on health, and dietary interventions are commonly used to treat diseases of metabolic aetiology. Although cancer has a substantial metabolic component
, the ...principles that define whether nutrition may be used to influence outcomes of cancer are unclear
. Nevertheless, it is established that targeting metabolic pathways with pharmacological agents or radiation can sometimes lead to controlled therapeutic outcomes. By contrast, whether specific dietary interventions can influence the metabolic pathways that are targeted in standard cancer therapies is not known. Here we show that dietary restriction of the essential amino acid methionine-the reduction of which has anti-ageing and anti-obesogenic properties-influences cancer outcome, through controlled and reproducible changes to one-carbon metabolism. This pathway metabolizes methionine and is the target of a variety of cancer interventions that involve chemotherapy and radiation. Methionine restriction produced therapeutic responses in two patient-derived xenograft models of chemotherapy-resistant RAS-driven colorectal cancer, and in a mouse model of autochthonous soft-tissue sarcoma driven by a G12D mutation in KRAS and knockout of p53 (Kras
;Trp53
) that is resistant to radiation. Metabolomics revealed that the therapeutic mechanisms operate via tumour-cell-autonomous effects on flux through one-carbon metabolism that affects redox and nucleotide metabolism-and thus interact with the antimetabolite or radiation intervention. In a controlled and tolerated feeding study in humans, methionine restriction resulted in effects on systemic metabolism that were similar to those obtained in mice. These findings provide evidence that a targeted dietary manipulation can specifically affect tumour-cell metabolism to mediate broad aspects of cancer outcome.
A tailored strategy is utilized to modify 5,10-dimethylphenazine (DMP) to donor–acceptor type N,N′-disubstituted-dihydrodibenzoa,cphenazines. The representative compounds DMAC (N,N′-dimethyl), DPAC ...(N,N′-diphenyl), and FlPAC (N-phenyl-N′-fluorenyl) reveal significant nonplanar distortions (i.e., a saddle shape) and remarkably large Stokes-shifted emission independent of the solvent polarity. For DPAC and FlPAC with higher steric hindrance on the N,N′-substituents, normal Stokes-shifted emission also appears, for which the peak wavelength reveals solvent-polarity dependence. These unique photophysical behaviors are rationalized by electronic configuration coupled conformation changes en route to the geometry planarization in the excited state. This proposed mechanism is different from the symmetry rule imposed to explain the anomalously long-wavelength emission for DMP and is firmly supported by polarity-, viscosity-, and temperature-dependent steady-state and nanosecond time-resolved spectroscopy. Together with femtosecond early dynamics and computational simulation of the reaction energy surfaces, the results lead us to establish a sequential, three-step kinetics. Upon electronic excitation of N,N′-disubstituted-dihydrodibenzoa,cphenazines, intramolecular charge-transfer takes place, followed by the combination of polarization stabilization and skeletal motion toward the planarization, i.e., elongation of the π-delocalization over the benzoa,cphenazines moiety. Along the planarization, DPAC and FlPAC encounter steric hindrance raised by the N,N′-disubstitutes, resulting in a local minimum state, i.e., the intermediate. The combination of initial charge-transfer state, intermediate, and the final planarization state renders the full spectrum of interest and significance in their anomalous photophysics. Depending on rigidity, the N,N′-disubstituted-dihydrodibenzoa,cphenazines exhibit multiple emissions, which can be widely tuned from red to deep blue and even to white light generation upon optimization of the surrounding media.
This study examined the links between 24-hour activity patterns (specifically, amplitude and timing of wrist activity) and the persisting qualities of clinical antidepressant response to the ...glutamatergic modulator ketamine.
Twenty-four-hour activity patterns were compared across 5 days of 24-hour activity rhythms in patients with major depressive disorder who displayed either a brief antidepressant response (24-48 hours), a continued antidepressant response (>72 hours), or no antidepressant response to ketamine. These postinfusion-response profiles were then used retrospectively to examine cohort-specific fitted parameters at baseline, postinfusion day 1 (D1), and postinfusion D3.
Relative to the nonresponders, the cohort experiencing a brief antidepressant response had blunted 24-hour amplitude that extended from baseline through D3 and postketamine phase advance of activity on D1 that reverted to baseline on D3. Relative to the nonresponders, the cohort experiencing a continued antidepressant response to ketamine had phase-advanced activity at both baseline and D1, as well as increased amplitude on D1 and D3.
Taken together, the results suggest that the time course of antidepressant response to ketamine is influenced by underlying biological differences in motor activity timekeeping. These differences may provide clues that link durable mood response with the molecular machinery of the circadian system, thus leading to more effective interventions. In addition, biomarkers of preinfusion motor activity (eg, amplitude, timing) may be useful for recommending future individualized treatment interventions, to the extent that they help identify patients who may relapse quickly after treatment.
Parasitic copepods are frequently discovered in many marine animals, and they exhibit great species diversity with remarkable morphological adaptations to their parasitic lifestyle. Similar to their ...free-living relatives, parasitic copepods usually develop through complex life cycle, but they eventually transform into a modified adult form with reduced appendages. Although the life cycle and distinct larval stages have been described in a few species of parasitic copepods, particularly those infecting commercially valuable marine animals (such as fishes, oysters, and lobsters), very little is known about the developmental process of the species that transformed into extremely simplified adult body plan. This paucity also causes some difficulties when investigating the taxonomy and phylogeny of this kind of parasitic copepods. Here we describe the embryonic development and a series of sequential larval stages of a parasitic copepod, Ive ptychoderae, which is a vermiform endoparasite living inside the hemichordate acorn worms. We devised laboratory regimes that enable us raising large quantity of embryos and free living larvae, and obtaining post-infested I. ptychoderae samples from the host tissues. Using defined morphological features, the embryonic development of I. ptychoderae can be categorized into eight stages (1-, 2-, 4-, 8-, 16- cell stages, blastula, gastrula, and limb bud stages) and the post-embryonic development comprises six larval stages (2 naupliar and 4 copepodid stages). Based on the comparisons of morphological characters in the nauplius stage, our results provide evidence to support that the Ive-group is more closely related to the Cyclopoida, which represents one of the two major clades that contain many highly transformed parasitic copepods. Thus, our results help to resolve the problematic phylogenetic position of the Ive-group in previous study based on analysis using 18S rDNA sequences. Combining with more molecular data, future comparative analyses on the morphological features of copepodid stages will further refine our understanding of the phylogenetic relationships of parasitic copepods.
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family consists of four members that belong to the ErbB lineage of proteins (ErbB1–4). These receptors consist of an extracellular domain, a single ...hydrophobic transmembrane segment, and an intracellular portion with a juxtamembrane segment, a protein kinase domain, and a carboxyterminal tail. The ErbB proteins function as homo and heterodimers. Growth factor binding to EGFR induces a large conformational change in the extracellular domain. Two ligand-EGFR complexes unite to form a back-to-back dimer in which the ligands are on opposite sides of the aggregate. Following ligand binding, EGFR intracellular kinase domains form an asymmetric dimer. The carboxyterminal lobe of the activator kinase of the dimer interacts with the amino-terminal lobe of the receiver kinase thereby leading to its allosteric stimulation. Several malignancies are associated with the mutation or increased expression of members of the ErbB family including lung, breast, stomach, colorectal, head and neck, and pancreatic carcinomas. Gefitinib, erlotinib, and afatinib are orally effective protein-kinase targeted quinazoline derivatives that are used in the treatment of ERBB1-mutant lung cancer and lapatinib is an orally effective quinazoline derivative used in the treatment of ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer. Moreover, monoclonal antibodies that target the extracellular domain of ErbB2 are used for the treatment of ErbB2-positive breast cancer and monoclonal antibodies that target ErbB1 and are used for the treatment of colorectal cancer. Cancers treated with these targeted drugs eventually become resistant to them, and a current goal of research is to develop drugs that are effective against drug-resistant tumors.
PDF
