In the Amazon basin, intense precipitation recycling across the forest significantly modifies the isotopic composition of rainfall (δ18O, δD). In the tropical hydrologic cycle, such an effect can be ...identified through deuterium excess (dxs), yet it remains unclear what environmental factors control dxs, increasing the uncertainty of dxs‐based paleoclimate reconstructions. Here we present a 4‐year record of the isotopic composition of rainfall, monitored in the northwestern Amazon basin. We analyze the isotopic variations as a function of the air mass history, based on atmospheric back trajectory analyses, satellite observations of precipitation upstream, leaf area index, and simulated moisture recycling along the transport pathway. We show that the precipitation recycling in the forest exerts a significant control on the isotopic composition of precipitation in the northwestern Amazon basin, especially on dxs during the dry season (r = 0.71). Applying these observations to existing speleothem and pollen paleorecords, we conclude that winter precipitation increased after the mid‐Holocene, as the expansion of the forest allowed for more moisture recycling. Therefore, forest effects should be considered when interpreting paleorecords of past precipitation changes.
Plain Language Summary
How forest evapotranspiration affects rainfall and how the forest changes during the Holocene affected the hydrologic cycle of the Amazon basin are fundamental questions that have guided the paleoclimate research in South America. The interplay between precipitation and the forest is potentially archived in the oxygen (δ18O) and hydrogen (δD) isotopes of past rainfall. Following this idea, we explore the use of oxygen and hydrogen isotopes from rainfall as natural markers of moisture recycling. By comparing the water rainfall isotopes with variations of precipitation recycling along the moisture flux pathways, we find that seasonal changes are related with variation in the deuterium excess. Using isotope records from fossil rainwater trapped in cave mineral deposits, known as speleothems, we establish a relationship between vegetation shifts and moisture recycling in the Amazon rainforest during the last 10,000 years. During the Holocene, periods of forest expansion portrayed in pollen records from lakes sediments match with changes in deuterium excess recorded in speleothems from the western Amazon. Our results show that in the Amazon basin forest expansion went hand in hand with moisture recycling.
Key Points
Precipitation isotopic composition reflects the degree of rainout upstream
Precipitation deuterium excess is related to forest‐atmosphere interactions
Isotopic proxy interpretations need to consider past changes in upstream environment
In this paper, we explore the power of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization (E-mode) data to corroborate four potential anomalies in CMB temperature data: the lack of large ...angular-scale correlations, the alignment of the quadrupole and octupole (Q–O), the point-parity asymmetry, and the hemispherical power asymmetry. We use CMB simulations with noise representative of three experiments—the Planck satellite, the Cosmology Large Angular Scale Surveyor (CLASS), and the LiteBIRD satellite—to test how current and future data constrain the anomalies. We find the correlation coefficients ρ between temperature and E-mode estimators to be less than 0.1, except for the point-parity asymmetry (ρ = 0.17 for cosmic-variance-limited simulations), confirming that E-modes provide a check on the anomalies that is largely independent of temperature data. Compared to Planck component-separated CMB data (smica), the putative LiteBIRD survey would reduce errors on E-mode anomaly estimators by factors of ∼3 for hemispherical power asymmetry and point-parity asymmetry, and by ∼26 for lack of large-scale correlation. The improvement in Q–O alignment is not obvious due to large cosmic variance, but we found the ability to pin down the estimator value will be improved by a factor ≳100. Improvements with CLASS are intermediate to these.
The canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT) is a cancer lineage that arose several millennia ago and survives by "metastasizing" between hosts through cell transfer. The somatic mutations in this ...cancer record its phylogeography and evolutionary history. We constructed a time-resolved phylogeny from 546 CTVT exomes and describe the lineage's worldwide expansion. Examining variation in mutational exposure, we identify a highly context-specific mutational process that operated early in the cancer's evolution but subsequently vanished, correlate ultraviolet-light mutagenesis with tumor latitude, and describe tumors with heritable hyperactivity of an endogenous mutational process. CTVT displays little evidence of ongoing positive selection, and negative selection is detectable only in essential genes. We illustrate how long-lived clonal organisms capture changing mutagenic environments, and reveal that neutral genetic drift is the dominant feature of long-term cancer evolution.
Alternative Pathways to Complexity focuses on the themes of architecture, economics, and power in the evolution of complex societies. Case studies from Mesoamerica, Asia, Africa, and Europe examine ...the relationship between political structures and economic configurations of ancient chiefdoms and states through a framework of comparative archaeology. A group of highly distinguished scholars takes up important issues, theories, and methods stemming from the nascent body of research on comparative archaeology to showcase and apply important theories of households, power, and how the development of complex societies can be extended and refined. Drawing on the archaeological, ethnohistorical, and ethnographic records, the chapters in this volume contain critical investigations on the role of collective action, economics, and corporate cognitive codes in structuring complex societies. Alternative Pathways to Complexity is an important addition to theoretical development and empirical research on Mesoamerica, the Old World, and cross-cultural studies. The theoretical implications addressed in the chapters will have broad appeal for scholars grappling with alternative pathways to complexity in other regions as well as those addressing diverse cross-cultural research. Contributors: Sarah B. Barber, Cynthia L. Bedell, Christopher S. Beekman, Frances F. Berdan, Tim Earle, Carol R. Ember, Gary M. Feinman, Arthur A. Joyce, Stephen A. Kowalewski, Lisa J. LeCount, Linda M. Nicholas, Peter N. Peregrine, Peter Robertshaw, Barbara L. Stark, T. L. Thurston, Deborah Winslow, Rita Wright
The tumor microenvironment is composed of many immune cell subpopulations and is an important factor in the malignant progression of neoplasms, particularly breast cancer (BC). However, the cytokine ...networks that coordinate various regulatory events within the BC interstitium remain largely uncharacterized. Moreover, the data obtained regarding the origin of cytokine secretions, the levels of secretion associated with tumor development, and the possible clinical relevance of cytokines remain controversial. Therefore, we profiled 27 cytokines in 78 breast tumor interstitial fluid (TIF) samples, 43 normal interstitial fluid (NIF) samples, and 25 matched serum samples obtained from BC patients with Luminex xMAP multiplex technology. Eleven cytokines exhibited significantly higher levels in the TIF samples compared with the NIF samples: interleukin (IL)-7, IL-10, fibroblast growth factor-2, IL-13, interferon (IFN)γ-inducible protein (IP-10), IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-β, IL-1β, chemokine ligand 5 (RANTES), vascular endothelial growth factor, and IL-12. An immunohistochemical analysis further demonstrated that IL-1RA, IP-10, IL-10, PDGF-β, RANTES, and VEGF are widely expressed by both cancer cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), whereas IP-10 and RANTES were preferentially abundant in triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) compared to Luminal A subtype cancers. The latter observation corresponds with the high level of TILs in the TNBC samples. IL-1β, IL-7, IL-10, and PDGFβ also exhibited a correlation between the TIF samples and matched sera. In a survival analysis, high levels of IL-5, a hallmark T
H
2 cytokine, in the TIF samples were associated with a worse prognosis. These findings have important implications for BC immunotherapy research.
Traditional, commercially sourced patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) systems for shoulder arthroplasty improve glenoid component placement but can involve considerable cost and outsourcing ...delays. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the accuracy of glenoid component positioning in anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) using an in-house, point-of-care, 3-dimensionally (3D) printed patient-specific glenoid drill guide vs. standard nonspecific instrumentation.
This single-center randomized controlled trial included 36 adult patients undergoing primary aTSA. Patients were blinded and randomized 1:1 to either the PSI or the standard aTSA guide groups. The primary endpoint was the accuracy of glenoid component placement (version and inclination), which was determined using a metal-suppression computed tomography scan taken between 6 weeks and 1 year postoperatively. Deviation from the preoperative 3D templating plan was calculated for each patient. Blinded postoperative computed tomography measurements were performed by a fellowship-trained shoulder surgeon and a musculoskeletal radiologist.
Nineteen patients were randomized to the patient-specific glenoid drill guide group, and 17 patients were allocated to the standard instrumentation control group. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups for native version (P = .527) or inclination (P = .415). The version correction was similar between the 2 groups (P = .551), and the PSI group was significantly more accurate when correcting version than the control group (P = .042). The PSI group required a significantly greater inclination correction than the control group (P = .002); however, the 2 groups still had similar accuracy when correcting inclination (P = .851). For the PSI group, there was no correlation between the accuracy of component placement and native version, native inclination, or the Walch classification of glenoid wear (P > .05). For the control group, accuracy when correcting version was inversely correlated with native version (P = .033), but accuracy was not correlated with native inclination or the Walch classification of glenoid wear (P > .05). The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.703 and 0.848 when measuring version and inclination accuracy, respectively.
When compared with standard instrumentation, the use of in-house, 3D printed, patient-specific glenoid drill guides during aTSA led to more accurate glenoid component version correction and similarly accurate inclination correction. Additional research should examine the influence of proper component position and use of PSI on clinical outcomes.
Background and objectives
Maize (Zea mays) is a cereal of great commercial importance around the world. It has been reported that maize presents polyembryony (PE), which is described as the ...appearance of two or more seedlings from a germinated seed. Minerals and fatty acids (FA) play important roles in the growth and development of plants and animals. The objective of this work was to determine the minerals and FA content in embryo and endosperm of 32 maize genotypes kernels with different levels of PE (high NAP, low NBP, and nonpolyembryonic T).
Findings
The polyembryonic genotypes showed higher concentrations of calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium. In this study, magnesium was only found in the embryo, while in the embryo of NAP genotypes were found the highest content of K (1,834 mg/kg) and P (656 mg/kg). In contrast, the highest amount of Mg (216 mg/kg) was found in the embryo of NBP genotypes. On the other hand, the highest Ca (251 mg/kg) content was found in the endosperm of NAP genotypes. The highest oil content was observed in NBP‐9‐EM genotype grains with 50.2%, while the highest percentage of oleic (29.10%) and linoleic acid (63.21%) was found in kernels of the NAP‐6‐EM genotype.
Conclusions
The polyembryonic maize has high mineral content, and some of them have been associated with the human diet; in addition, in these genotypes, high oil content (with the presence of essential FA) was observed.
Significance and novelty
These results are important because polyembryonic maize kernel may be an alternative for adequate nutrient and essential oils intake. In addition, to the better agronomic characteristics offered by polyembryonic maize genotypes, which may imply a greater income for maize producers.
Lychee is a fruit of Asian origin with an exquisite flavor and an attractive reddish color. However, according to recent reports, the consumption of this fruit reduces the levels of blood glucose ...with adverse effects on human health such as encephalopathy and hypoglycemic. The objective of this work was to determine if the peel, pulp, and seed of "Brewster" lychee fruits harvested at two stages of maturity had antihyperglycemic effect. This effect was determined by an oral glucose tolerance test using Wistar rats. In addition, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry and high-resolution liquid chromatography were used to quantify phenolic compounds, flavonoids, organic acids (OAs), sugars, and antioxidant activity. Results indicated that stage I pulp (immature fruits) and stage II peel and seed (export mature fruits) reduced blood glucose levels, and the effects of the former two were synergistic with metformin. The pulp of mature fruits (stage II), however, lacked a hypoglycemic effect. Additionally, the peel and the seeds of these fruits presented a high antioxidant activity (as determined by DPPH 2,2-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydracyl and ABTS
2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid methods), which correlated well with the total content of phenolic compounds. The highest content of polyphenolics, flavonoids, and OAs was found in the extracts of the peel and seeds of both stages of maturity. It was therefore concluded that "Brewster" mature lychees are safe for human consumption, and both the seed and the peel can be useful sources for obtaining new compounds with antihyperglycemic activity.
Metastases to the breast from non-mammary origin are rare. The majority of these lesions appear as secondary manifestations of melanoma and lymphoma, followed by lung carcinomas, gynecological ...carcinomas, and sarcomas. There has been a steady trend of an increase in diagnosis of intramammary metastases owing to the current advances in imaging technology. Imaging features depend on the type of primary neoplasm and route of dissemination, some of which resemble primary breast cancer and benign breast entities. There are certain imaging features that raise the level of suspicion for metastases in the correct clinical context. However, imaging manifestations of intramammary metastases do not always comply with the known classic patterns. The aim of this review is to clarify these features, emphasizing radiologic-pathologic correlation and a multidisciplinary approach, since most cases are found in patients with advanced disease.
Preclinical Research & Development
The purpose of this study was to assess the interaction and mechanisms of action of the paracetamol‐tapentadol combination in the formalin‐induced pain model in ...mice. Paracetamol (56.23–562.3 mg/kg, i.p.) or tapentadol (1–10 mg/kg, i.p.) were administered 15 min prior the intraplantar injection of formalin. The ED50 value of each drug was determined through the dose–response curves. The ED50 values were used to calculate the combinations in three fixed proportions (1:1, 1:3, and 3:1). Naloxone (1 and 5 mg/kg, i.p.), L‐NAME (3 mg/kg, i.p.), or glibenclamide (10 mg/kg, i.p.) were administered before the combination of drugs to evaluate the antinociceptive mechanisms of action. The results showed that the combination 1:1 and paracetamol3‐tapenadol1 ratios produced additive effects, whereas the paracetamol1‐tapentadol3 proportion showed an antinociceptive synergistic interaction. Moreover, naloxone and glibenclamide reversed the antinociceptive activity of the paracetamol‐tapentadol mixture. Our results indicate that the paracetamol‐tapentadol combination produces an antinociceptive synergistic interaction with the possible participation of ATP‐sensitive K+ channels and μ‐opioid receptors in the second phase of the formalin‐induced pain model in mice.
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