Limited contributions of plant pathogens to density‐dependent seedling mortality of mast fruiting Bornean trees

Fungal pathogens are implicated in driving tropical plant diversity by facilitating strong, negative density‐dependent mortality of conspecific seedlings (C‐NDD). Assessment of the role of fungal pathogens in mediating coexistence derives from relatively few tree species and predominantly the Neotropics, limiting our understanding of their role in maintaining hyper‐diversity in many tropical forests. A key question is whether fungal pathogen‐mediated C‐NDD seedling mortality is ubiquitous across diverse plant communities. Using a manipulative shadehouse experiment, we tested the role of fungal pathogens in mediating C‐NDD seedling mortality of eight mast fruiting Bornean trees, typical of the species‐rich forests of South East Asia. We demonstrate species‐specific responses of seedlings to fungicide and density treatments, generating weak negative density‐dependent mortality. Overall seedling mortality was low and likely insufficient to promote overall community diversity. Although conducted in the same way as previous studies, we find little evidence that fungal pathogens play a substantial role in determining patterns of seedling mortality in a SE Asian mast fruiting forest, questioning our understanding of how Janzen‐Connell mechanisms structure the plant communities of this globally important forest type

Health-related quality of life outcomes among breast cancer survivors

Background: Data from a nationwide sample of US breast cancer survivors were used to examine associations between patient characteristics (breast cancer clinical features, prognostic factors, and treatments) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Associations between postdiagnosis HRQOL and mortality were then evaluated. Methods: The authors identified female breast cancer survivors (n = 2453) from the Sister Study or Two Sister Study who were at least 1 year from breast cancer diagnosis and who had responded to a survivorship survey in 2012. HRQOL was assessed with the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global 10 measures. Multivariable linear regression was used to assess predictors associated with HRQOL. Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between HRQOL and all-cause mortality. Results: HRQOL, assessed an average of 4.9 years after the cancer diagnosis (standard deviation of 1.9 years), was negatively associated with a higher cancer stage at diagnosis; a higher comorbidity score at the survey; experience of surgical complications; dissatisfaction with breast surgery; and experience of any recent recurrence, metastasis, or secondary malignancy. Since the completion of the survey, there were 85 deaths (3.5%) during a mean follow-up of 4 years (standard deviation of 0.5 years). In multivariate models, decreases in PROMIS physical T scores and mental T scores were associated with increased mortality (HR for physical T scores, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.05-1.11; HR for mental T scores, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06). Conclusions: Prognostic and cancer treatment–related factors affect HRQOL in breast cancer survivors and may inform targeted survivorship care. PROMIS global health measures may offer additional insights into patients' well-being and mortality risk. Lay Summary: Findings from a study suggest that prognostic and cancer treatment–related factors affect health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in breast cancer survivors and that poor HRQOL may increase the mortality risk. The evaluation of HRQOL is important because it may hold potential as a tool for optimizing survivorship care

Untersuchung und Vergleich des glykämischen Effekts einer nativen Lindenblütenhonig-Lösung mit einer Lindenblütenhonig-aquivalenten Zuckerlösung

Ziel: Untersuchung und direkter Vergleich der glykämischen und insulinämischen Effekte einer nativ hergestellten Lindenblütenhonig-Lösung und einer Lindenblütenhonigäquivalenter Zuckerlösung bei gesunden männlichen Probanden. Hierbei wird der günstige metabolische Effekt des Lindenblütenhonigs mittels eines standardisierten oralen Glukosetoleranztests (oGTT) untersucht. Methode: Es wurden durch eine Screening-Untersuchung aus 12 männlichen, stoffwechselgesunden Probanden mit einem mittleren Alter von 27,7 ± 2,6 Jahren und einem mittleren Body-Mass-Index (BMI) von 23,2 ±1,5 kg/m2 mittels eines standardisierten oGTTs mit einer Zuckerlösung (Dextro O-G.T) geeignete Probanden zur Teilnahme an der Studie selektiert. 10 Probanden ohne eine gestörte Glukosetoleranz oder Diabetes mellitus wurden zur weiteren Teilnahme an der Studie in zwei Gruppen randomisiert. Eine Woche später haben die Probanden die Testreihe (oGTT), je nach Gruppe, entweder mit einer Lindenblütenhonig-Lösung oder einer Lindenblütenhonig-äquivalenten Zuckerlösung begonnen. Nach einer weiteren Woche wurde die Testreihe durch den Wechsel (Cross-Over) der Testsubstanz der anderen Gruppe beendet. Hierbei wurden Testsubstanzen, welche 75 g Glukose beinhalteten verwendet. Der Serum-Glukosespiegel wurde vor der Einnahme sowie alle 10 Minuten nach der Einnahme des Testsubstanzen für eine Dauer von 120 Minuten bestimmt. Zudem wurden andere relevante Parameter wie Serum-Insulin, CPeptid und Cortisol vor Einnahme der Testsubstanzen sowie nach 60 bzw. 120 Minuten bestimmt. Ergebnisse: Der Vergleich des mittleren Serum-Glukosespiegels der Lindenblütenhonig-Lösung und Lindenblütenhonig-äquivalenten Zuckerlösung nach 60 Minuten zeigt einen starken günstigen glykämischen Effekt des Honigs (p=0,042). Dieser Effekt wurde durch den Vergleich der post-prandialen Fläche unter der Serum-Glukosespiegelkurve (AUC) bestätigt (p=0,018). Vergleich der Serum-Insulinspiegel nach 60 Minuten zeigt einen moderaten günstigen insulinämischen Effekt (p=0,067) und einen starken günstigen C-Peptidantwort der Lindenblütenhonig-Lösung (p=0,013). Fazit: Lindenblütenhonig zeigt einen günstigen glykämischen und insulinämischen Effekt im Vergleich zur Lindenblütenhonig-äquivalenten Zuckerlösung. Die Planung und Durchführung weiterer Studien mit einem größeren Fallzahl und der Beteiligung weiblicher Probanden zur Erforschung der günstigen Effekte des Honigs sowie aufwendigere und genauere biochemische Analyse des Honigs wird empfohlen.Aims: Studies suggest that honey has less influence on serum glucose concentrations than comparable mono- and disaccharides. This study aimed to confirm these findings by a direct analysis and comparing of a basswood honey solution and a honey comparable glucosefructose solution in concern of the glycemic effect, the insulinemic responses and the Cpeptide values in healthy male subjects. Methods: 12 healthy men with a mean age of 27.7 (±2.6) years, a mean body mass index of 23.2 (±1.5) kg/m2 and no history of metabolic disorders participated in the study. Subjects underwent a standard OGT testing to establish values and exclude preclinical diabetes. 10 Subject without any metabolic disorder were screened. One week later they were randomly assigned to basswood honey or a honey comparable glucose-fructose solution. The following week subjects were given the other solution. All solutions contained 75 g glucose. Serum glucose was measured before drinking test solutions and every 10 minutes for 120 minutes afterwards. C-peptide, insulin and cortisol values were measured at 0, 60 and 120 minutes. Results: The direct comparison of the mean serum glucose concentration at 60 minutes between basswood honey solution and the identical sugar solution shows a lower value for honey (p=0.042). This effect was confirmed by comparing of the post-prandial AUC of serum glucose concentration and shows the positive glycemic effect of honey (p=0.018). Comparing of the serum insulin value at 60 minutes shows a moderate positive insulinemic responses of honey (p=0.067) and a strong positive effect in concern of C-peptid value for honey (p=0.013). Conclusion: Honey has a positive effect on serum glucose, insulin and C-peptide values than the honey comparable glucose-fructose solution. Further studies to elucidate underlying mechanisms may be worthwhile, as may investigation of the implications of these findings for diabetic patients

View-mod: A versatile illumination engine with a modular optical design for fluorescence microscopy

We developed VIEW-MOD (Versatile Illumination Engine with a Modular Optical Design): a compact, multi-modality microscope, which accommodates multiple illumination schemes including variable angle total internal reflection, point scanning and vertical/horizontal light sheet. This system allows combining and flexibly switching between different illuminations and imaging modes by employing three electrically tunable lenses and two fast-steering mirrors. This versatile optics design provides control of 6 degrees of freedom of the illumination source (3 translation, 2 tilt, and beam shape) plus the axial position of the imaging plane. We also developed standalone software with an easy-to-use GUI to calibrate and control the microscope. We demonstrate the applications of this system and software in biosensor imaging, optogenetics and fast 3D volume imaging. This system is ready to fit into complex imaging circumstances requiring precise control of illumination and detection paths, and has a broad scope of usability for a myriad of biological applications

Association of dietary and plasma carotenoids with urinary F2-isoprostanes

Purpose: Carotenoids may protect against chronic diseases including cancer and cardiometabolic disease by mitigating oxidative stress and/or inflammation. We cross-sectionally evaluated associations between carotenoids and biomarkers of oxidative stress or inflammation. Methods: From 2003 to 2009, the Sister Study enrolled 50,884 breast cancer-free US women aged 35–74. Post-menopausal participants (n = 512) were randomly sampled to measure carotenoids and biomarkers of oxidative stress. Dietary carotenoid consumption was assessed using a validated 110-item Block 1998 food frequency questionnaire; use of β-carotene-containing supplements was also assessed. Plasma carotenoids were quantified, adjusting for batch. Urinary markers of lipid peroxidation, 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α) and its metabolite (8-iso-PGF2α-M) were also measured. Since the biomarker 8-iso-PGF2α can reflect both oxidative stress and inflammation, we used a modeled 8-iso-PGF2α to prostaglandin F2α ratio approach to distinguish effects reflecting oxidative stress versus inflammation. Multivariable linear regression was used to assess the associations of dietary and plasma carotenoids with the estimated biomarker concentrations. Results: Total plasma carotenoids were inversely associated with 8-iso-PGF2α-M concentrations (P for trend across quartiles = 0.009). Inverse trends associations were also seen for α-carotene and β-carotene. In contrast, lutein/zeaxanthin showed associations with both 8-iso-PGF2α and 8-iso-PGF2α-M concentrations. The inverse association for total carotenoids appeared to be specific for oxidative stress (chemical 8-iso-PGF2α; Phighest vs. lowest quartile = 0.04 and P for trend across quartiles = 0.02). The pattern was similar for α-carotene. However, lutein/zeaxanthin tended to have a stronger association with enzymatic 8-iso-PGF2α, suggesting an additional anti-inflammatory effect. Supplemental β-carotene was inversely associated with both 8-iso-PGF2α and 8-iso-PGF2α-M concentrations, as well as with both chemical and enzymatic 8-iso-PGF2α. Dietary carotenoids were not associated with either biomarker. Conclusion: Plasma carotenoids and supplemental β-carotene were associated with lower concentrations of 8-iso-PGF2α metabolite. Plasma carotenoids associations may reflect antioxidant effects

Combined Atomic Force Microscope and Volumetric Light Sheet System for Correlative Force and Fluorescence Mechanobiology Studies

The central goals of mechanobiology are to understand how cells generate force and how they respond to environmental mechanical stimuli. A full picture of these processes requires high-resolution, volumetric imaging with time-correlated force measurements. Here we present an instrument that combines an open-top, single-objective light sheet fluorescence microscope with an atomic force microscope (AFM), providing simultaneous volumetric imaging with high spatiotemporal resolution and high dynamic range force capability (10 pN – 100 nN). With this system we have captured lysosome trafficking, vimentin nuclear caging, and actin dynamics on the order of one second per single-cell volume. To showcase the unique advantages of combining Line Bessel light sheet imaging with AFM, we measured the forces exerted by a macrophage during FcɣR-mediated phagocytosis while performing both sequential two-color, fixed plane and volumetric imaging of F-actin. This unique instrument allows for a myriad of novel studies investigating the coupling of cellular dynamics and mechanical forces

Single-photon Transistors Based on the Interaction of an Emitter and Surface Plasmons

A symmetrical approach is suggested (Chang DE et al. Nat Phys 3:807, 2007) to realize a single-photon transistor, where the presence (or absence) of a single incident photon in a ‘gate’ field is sufficient to allow (prevent) the propagation of a subsequent ‘signal’ photon along the nanowire, on condition that the ‘gate’ field is symmetrically incident from both sides of an emitter simultaneously. We present a scheme for single-photon transistors based on the strong emitter-surface-plasmon interaction. In this scheme, coherent absorption of an incoming ‘gate’ photon incident along a nanotip by an emitter located near the tip of the nanotip results in a state flip in the emitter, which controls the subsequent propagation of a ‘signal’ photon in a nanowire perpendicular to the axis of the nanotip

Magnetic Coordinate Systems

Geospace phenomena such as the aurora, plasma motion, ionospheric currents and associated magnetic field disturbances are highly organized by Earth's main magnetic field. This is due to the fact that the charged particles that comprise space plasma can move almost freely along magnetic field lines, but not across them. For this reason it is sensible to present such phenomena relative to Earth's magnetic field. A large variety of magnetic coordinate systems exist, designed for different purposes and regions, ranging from the magnetopause to the ionosphere. In this paper we review the most common magnetic coordinate systems and describe how they are defined, where they are used, and how to convert between them. The definitions are presented based on the spherical harmonic expansion coefficients of the International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) and, in some of the coordinate systems, the position of the Sun which we show how to calculate from the time and date. The most detailed coordinate systems take the full IGRF into account and define magnetic latitude and longitude such that they are constant along field lines. These coordinate systems, which are useful at ionospheric altitudes, are non-orthogonal. We show how to handle vectors and vector calculus in such coordinates, and discuss how systematic errors may appear if this is not done correctly

Genetic variants in anti-Müllerian hormone-related genes and breast cancer risk: results from the AMBER consortium

Purpose: Circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels are positively associated with time to menopause and breast cancer risk. We examined breast cancer associations with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the AMH gene or its receptor genes, ACVR1 and AMHR2, among African American women. Methods: In the AMBER consortium, we tested 65 candidate SNPs, and 1130 total variants, in or near AMH, ACVR1, and AMHR2 and breast cancer risk. Overall, 3649 cases and 4230 controls contributed to analyses. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for breast cancer were calculated using multivariable logistic regression. Results: After correction for multiple comparisons (false-discovery rate of 5%), there were no statistically significant associations with breast cancer risk. Without correction for multiple testing, four candidate SNPs in ACVR1 and one near AMH were associated with breast cancer risk. In ACVR1, rs13395576[C] was associated with lower breast cancer risk overall (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.72, 0.97) and for ER+ disease (OR 0.75; CI 0.62, 0.89) (p < 0.05). Rs1220110[A] and rs1220134[T] each had ORs of 0.89–0.90 for postmenopausal and ER+ breast cancer (p ≤ 0.03). Conversely, rs1682130[T] was associated with higher risk of ER+ breast cancer (OR 1.17; 95% CI 1.04, 1.32). Near AMH, rs6510652[T] had ORs of 0.85–0.90 for breast cancer overall and after menopause (p ≤ 0.02). Conclusions: The present results, from a large study of African American women, provide limited support for an association between AMH-related polymorphisms and breast cancer risk and require replication in other studies

Hypertensive conditions of pregnancy, preterm birth, and premenopausal breast cancer risk: a premenopausal breast cancer collaborative group analysis

Purpose: Women with preeclampsia are more likely to deliver preterm. Reports of inverse associations between preeclampsia and breast cancer risk, and positive associations between preterm birth and breast cancer risk are difficult to reconcile. We investigated the co-occurrence of preeclampsia/gestational hypertension with preterm birth and breast cancer risk using data from the Premenopausal Breast Cancer Collaborative Group. Methods: Across 6 cohorts, 3096 premenopausal breast cancers were diagnosed among 184,866 parous women. We estimated multivariable hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for premenopausal breast cancer risk using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: Overall, preterm birth was not associated (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.92, 1.14), and preeclampsia was inversely associated (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.76, 0.99), with premenopausal breast cancer risk. In stratified analyses using data from 3 cohorts, preterm birth associations with breast cancer risk were modified by hypertensive conditions in first pregnancies (P-interaction = 0.09). Preterm birth was positively associated with premenopausal breast cancer in strata of women with preeclampsia or gestational hypertension (HR 1.52, 95% CI: 1.06, 2.18), but not among women with normotensive pregnancy (HR = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.93, 1.28). When stratified by preterm birth, the inverse association with preeclampsia was more apparent, but not statistically different (P-interaction = 0.2), among women who did not deliver preterm (HR = 0.82, 95% CI 0.68, 1.00) than those who did (HR = 1.07, 95% CI 0.73, 1.56). Conclusion: Findings support an overall inverse association of preeclampsia history with premenopausal breast cancer risk. Estimates for preterm birth and breast cancer may vary according to other conditions of pregnancy