Resolving the life cycle alters expected impacts of climate change

Recent models predict contrasting impacts of climate change on tropical and temperate species, but these models ignore how environmental stress and organismal tolerance change during the life cycle. For example, geographical ranges and extinction risks have been inferred from thermal constraints on activity during the adult stage. Yet, most animals pass through a sessile embryonic stage before reaching adulthood, making them more susceptible to warming climates than current models would suggest. By projecting microclimates at high spatio-temporal resolution and measuring thermal tolerances of embryos, we developed a life cycle model of population dynamics for North American lizards. Our analyses show that previous models dramatically underestimate the demographic impacts of climate change. A predicted loss of fitness in 2% of the USA by 2100 became 35% when considering embryonic performance in response to hourly fluctuations in soil temperature. Most lethal events would have been overlooked if we had ignored thermal stress during embryonic development or had averaged temperatures over time. Therefore, accurate forecasts require detailed knowledge of environmental conditions and thermal tolerances throughout the life cycle.     

Spatial and Temporal Heterogeneity in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer: A Phylogenetic Analysis

Background

The major clinical challenge in the treatment of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the development of progressive resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy. The objective of this study was to determine whether intra-tumour genetic heterogeneity resulting from clonal evolution and the emergence of subclonal tumour populations in HGSOC was associated with the development of resistant disease.

Methods and Findings

Evolutionary inference and phylogenetic quantification of heterogeneity was performed using the MEDICC algorithm on high-resolution whole genome copy number profiles and selected genome-wide sequencing of 135 spatially and temporally separated samples from 14 patients with HGSOC who received platinum-based chemotherapy. Samples were obtained from the clinical CTCR-OV03/04 studies, and patients were enrolled between 20 July 2007 and 22 October 2009. Median follow-up of the cohort was 31 mo (interquartile range 22–46 mo), censored after 26 October 2013. Outcome measures were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). There were marked differences in the degree of clonal expansion (CE) between patients (median 0.74, interquartile range 0.66–1.15), and dichotimization by median CE showed worse survival in CE-high cases (PFS 12.7 versus 10.1 mo, p = 0.009; OS 42.6 versus 23.5 mo, p = 0.003). Bootstrap analysis with resampling showed that the 95% confidence intervals for the hazard ratios for PFS and OS in the CE-high group were greater than 1.0. These data support a relationship between heterogeneity and survival but do not precisely determine its effect size. Relapsed tissue was available for two patients in the CE-high group, and phylogenetic analysis showed that the prevalent clonal population at clinical recurrence arose from early divergence events. A subclonal population marked by a NF1 deletion showed a progressive increase in tumour allele fraction during chemotherapy.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that quantitative measures of intra-tumour heterogeneity may have predictive value for survival after chemotherapy treatment in HGSOC. Subclonal tumour populations are present in pre-treatment biopsies in HGSOC and can undergo expansion during chemotherapy, causing clinical relapse.     

Discovery of a potent series of non-steroidal non α-trifluoromethyl carbinol glucocorticoid receptor agonists with reduced lipophilicity

A novel series of indazole non-steroidal glucocorticoid receptor agonist has been discovered. This series features a sulfonamide central core and meta amides which interact with the extended ligand binding domain. This series has produced some of the most potent and least lipophilic agonists of which we are aware such as 20a (NFκB pIC₅₀ 8.3 (100%), c log P 1.9). Certain analogues in this series also display evidence for modulated pharmacology.     

Establishing a minimum dataset for prospective registration of systematic reviews: an international consultation

Background

In response to growing recognition of the value of prospective registration of systematic review protocols, we planned to develop a web-based open access international register. In order for the register to fulfil its aims of reducing unplanned duplication, reducing publication bias, and providing greater transparency, it was important to ensure the appropriate data were collected. We therefore undertook a consultation process with experts in the field to identify a minimum dataset for registration.

Methods and Findings

A two-round electronic modified Delphi survey design was used. The international panel surveyed included experts from areas relevant to systematic review including commissioners, clinical and academic researchers, methodologists, statisticians, information specialists, journal editors and users of systematic reviews. Direct invitations to participate were sent out to 315 people in the first round and 322 in the second round. Responses to an open invitation to participate were collected separately. There were 194 (143 invited and 51 open) respondents with a 100% completion rate in the first round and 209 (169 invited and 40 open) respondents with a 91% completion rate in the second round. In the second round, 113 (54%) of the participants reported having previously taken part in the first round. Participants were asked to indicate whether a series of potential items should be designated as optional or required registration items, or should not be included in the register. After the second round, a 70% or greater agreement was reached on the designation of 30 of 36 items.

Conclusions

The results of the Delphi exercise have established a dataset of 22 required items for the prospective registration of systematic reviews, and 18 optional items. The dataset captures the key attributes of review design as well as the administrative details necessary for registration.     

Highly tractable,sub-nanomolar non-steroidal glucocorticoid receptor agonists

Starting from a non-steroidal glucocorticoid agonist aryl pyrazole derivative, the NFκB agonist activity was optimised in an iterative process from pIC₅₀ 7.5 (for 7), to pIC₅₀ 10.1 (for 38E1). An explanation for the SAR observed based is presented along with a proposed docking of 38E1 into the active site of the glucocorticoid receptor.     

Extracellular esterase activity from Bacillus stearothermophilus

Bacillus stearothermophilus has been reported to produce an extracellular esterase with molecular weight of 42–47 kDa. Extracellular esterase activity in Bacillus stearothermophilus (NCIB 13335) was found to reside in protein with a molecular weight less than 10 kDa. This small esterase was responsible for all the esterase activity observed in this strain under the conditions studied.     

L-methionine sulfoximine as a novel selection agent for genetic transformation of orchids

A key challenge in molecular breeding of orchids is the creation of efficient and reproducible gene transformation systems. In this study, we report a new transformation method utilizing L-methionine sulfoximine (MSO) as a novel agent for selection of transgenic Dendrobium hybrids D. Madame Thong-In and D. Chao Praya Smile with the bialaphos resistance (bar) gene as a selectable marker. Gene transformation was performed by biolistic bombardment with a 4-day recovery period on MSO-free medium and two selection stages on media with increasing amounts of selection agent, using concentrations of 5 and 10 microM MSO for D. Madame Thong-In, and 0.5 and 2 microM MSO for D. Chao Praya Smile. Independent transgenic orchid lines were obtained and the presence of the transgene was confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analysis. Because of substantial time and economic savings, the new transformation system using MSO as a selection agent will facilitate functional studies on orchid genes and genetic engineering of orchids with commercially valuable traits.     

Synthetic peptides induce antibodies in sheep against Taenia ovis

Two peptides corresponding to putative protective regions located at the N- and C-termini of the host-protective T. ovis recombinant antigen, 45W, were synthesized. Antibodies raised against 45W and 45WB/X, a truncated form of 45W, were found to react strongly with the N-terminal peptide. When sheep were immunised with each peptide alone, the N-terminal peptide was found to be highly immunogenic, whereas the C-terminal peptide required conjugation to a carrier protein to be immunogenic. Both these immunogens elicited antibodies that cross-reacted with the parent protein; however, only antibodies directed toward the N-terminal peptide were able to bind antigens from the T. ovis oncosphere. Significant protection against challenge infection was not provided by any of the peptide immunogens used.     

Complex patterns of global spread in invasive insects: eco-evolutionary and management consequences

The advent of simple and affordable tools for molecular identification of novel insect invaders and assessment of population diversity has changed the face of invasion biology in recent years. The widespread application of these tools has brought with it an emerging understanding that patterns in biogeography, introduction history and subsequent movement and spread of many invasive alien insects are far more complex than previously thought. We reviewed the literature and found that for a number of invasive insects, there is strong and growing evidence that multiple introductions, complex global movement, and population admixture in the invaded range are commonplace. Additionally, historical paradigms related to species and strain identities and origins of common invaders are in many cases being challenged. This has major consequences for our understanding of basic biology and ecology of invasive insects and impacts quarantine, management and biocontrol programs. In addition, we found that founder effects rarely limit fitness in invasive insects and may benefit populations (by purging harmful alleles or increasing additive genetic variance). Also, while phenotypic plasticity appears important post-establishment, genetic diversity in invasive insects is often higher than expected and increases over time via multiple introductions. Further, connectivity among disjunct regions of global invasive ranges is generally far higher than expected and is often asymmetric, with some populations contributing disproportionately to global spread. We argue that the role of connectivity in driving the ecology and evolution of introduced species with multiple invasive ranges has been historically underestimated and that such species are often best understood in a global context.