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Photobiont sharing among lichens within communities is a well-documented phenomenon, especially among closely related fungal species that form photobiont-mediated guilds (Dal Grande et al. 2014; Rikkinen et al. 2002). Species of Lobaria and other closely related genera that associate with Symbiochloris reticulata are one example of a photobiont-mediated guild that have been the subject of extensive research (Dal Grande et al. 2014). In their study, Dal Grande et al. (2014) compared algal multi-locus genotypes (MLGs) at one site in Taiwan and one site in Madeira among four species of Dendriscosticta, 16 species of Lobaria, and one species of Ricasolia, and, using pairwise FST values, found the species did not associate with significantly different green algal partners when they co-occurred. Green algal symbiont sharing has also been documented between the predominantly sexually reproducing Umbilicaria spodochroa and predominantly vegetatively reproducing Lasallia pustulata (Hestmark et al 2016). Werth (2012) recovered a more complex pattern of compartmentalization in Ramalina menziesii and adjacent lichen species. Photobiont sharing may also occur with co-occurring non-lichen organisms, such as liverworts (Cornejo & Scheidegger 2016). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of immune mediators on weight homeostasis remains underdefined. Interrogation of resistance to diet-induced obesity in mice lacking a negative regulator of Toll-like receptor signaling serendipitously uncovered a role for B cell activating factor (BAFF). Here we show that overexpression of BAFF in multiple mouse models associates with protection from weight gain, approximating a log-linear dose response relation to BAFF concentrations. Gene expression analysis of BAFF-stimulated subcutaneous white adipocytes unveils upregulation of lipid metabolism pathways, with BAFF inducing white adipose tissue (WAT) lipolysis. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) from BAFF-overexpressing mice exhibits increased Ucp1 expression and BAFF promotes brown adipocyte respiration and in vivo energy expenditure. A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), a BAFF homolog, similarly modulates WAT and BAT lipid handling. Genetic deletion of both BAFF and APRIL augments diet-induced obesity. Lastly, BAFF/APRIL effects are conserved in human adipocytes and higher BAFF/APRIL levels correlate with greater BMI decrease after bariatric surgery. Together, the BAFF/APRIL axis is a multifaceted immune regulator of weight gain and adipose tissue function. Interactions between the immune system and adipose tissue contribute to the regulation of body weight, however, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here the authors dissect the role of two structurally and functionally similar immune mediators, BAFF and APRIL, in modifying diet-induced weight gain and adipocyte lipid handling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Witnessing end-of-life suffering of loved ones is an underappreciated stressor that may affect caregiver bereavement. We interviewed 61 spousal caregivers of hospice patients who died within the past 6–18 months. Higher rumination about suffering and lower feelings of relief was related to poorer well-being. Rumination by caregivers about end-of-life suffering was an important predictor of depression and complicated grief. Most caregivers viewed the death as at least in part a relief. One important focus of grief support may be to help caregivers find productive ways to avoid rumination and use other forms of coping and to acknowledge feelings of relief. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because microbes cannot be eliminated from radioactive waste disposal facilities, the consequences of bio-colonization must be understood. At a pre-Viking era vitrified hillfort, Broborg, Sweden, anthropogenic glass has been subjected to bio-colonization for over 1,500 years. Broborg is used as a habitat analogue for disposed radioactive waste glass to inform how microbial processes might influence long-term glass durability. Electron microscopy and DNA sequencing of surficial material from the Broborg vitrified wall, adjacent soil, and general topsoil show that the ancient glass supports a niche microbial community of bacteria, fungi, and protists potentially involved in glass alteration. Communities associated with the vitrified wall are distinct and less diverse than soil communities. The vitrified niche of the wall and adjacent soil are dominated by lichens, lichen-associated microbes, and other epilithic, endolithic, and epigeic organisms. These organisms exhibit potential bio-corrosive properties, including silicate dissolution, extraction of essential elements, and secretion of geochemically reactive organic acids, that could be detrimental to glass durability. However, long-term biofilms can also possess a homeostatic function that could limit glass alteration. This study documents potential impacts that microbial colonization and niche partitioning can have on glass alteration, and subsequent release of radionuclides from a disposal facility for vitrified radioactive waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent studies provide compelling evidence that recruiting a common pool of motor modules across behaviors (i.e., motor module generalization) may facilitate motor performance. In particular, motor module generalization across standing reactive balance and walking is associated with both walking speed and endurance in neurologically impaired populations (e.g., stroke survivors and individual's with Parkinson's disease). To test whether this phenomenon is a general neuromuscular strategy associated with well-coordinated walking and not limited to motor impairment, this relationship must be confirmed in neurologically intact adults.Research Question: Is motor module generalization across standing reactive balance and walking related to walking performance in neurologically intact young adults?Methods: Two populations of young adults were recruited to capture a wide range of walking performance: professionally-trained ballet dancers (i.e., experts, n = 12) and novices (n = 8). Motor modules (a.k.a. muscle synergies) were extracted from muscles spanning the trunk, hip, knee and ankle during walking and multidirectional perturbations to standing. Motor module generalization was calculated as the number of modules common to these behaviors. Walking performance was assessed using self-selected walking speed and beam-walking proficiency (i.e., distance walked on a narrow beam). Motor module generalization between experts and novices was compared using rank-sum tests and the association between generalization and walking performance was assessed using correlation analyses.Results: Experts generalized more motor modules across standing reactive balance and walking than novices (p = 0.009). Across all subjects, motor module generalization was moderately associated with increased beam walking proficiency (r = 0.456, p = 0.022) but not walking speed (r = 0.092, p = 0.349).Significance: Similar relationships between walking performance and motor module generalization exist in neurologically intact and impaired populations, suggesting that motor module generalization across standing reactive balance and walking may be a general neuromuscular mechanism contributing to the successful control of walking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Anabolic/catabolic index greater in sites invaded by invasive alien species. • Boron and phosphorus related to tree invasion, supporting the Catabolic Theory. • Boron poverty constrains anabolism and hence tree establishment. • Phosphorous enrichment promotes catabolism and hence non-tree species. Invasion by invasive alien trees is a major threat to the biodiversity of the fynbos biome in South Africa. The environmental factors influencing the intensity of invasion are, however, largely unknown. In particular, the effects of soil nutrients on the invasion of alien trees in the fynbos biome have not been investigated. The Catabolic Theory predicts that trees will be more competitive than shrubs and herbaceous plants where anabolic nutrients (e.g. Mg, Mn and B) are comparatively more abundant than catabolic nutrients (e.g. P, Cu and Zn). We tested this theory at seven study sites by comparing soil nutrient concentrations in non-invaded and adjacent invaded sub-sites. Soil samples from 275 plots across 17 sub-sites were analysed for pH, Na, Mg, K, Ca, P, S, C, B, Mn, Cu and Zn. The results corroborated the Catabolic Theory. An index of anabolic to catabolic nutrients was greater in all ten sub-sites invaded by invasive alien trees than in sub-sites without invasion. Nutrients strongly related to tree invasion included B and P. As per the Catabolic Theory, poverty of B at certain sites is likely to constrain anabolism and consequently tree establishment. Some non-invaded sites had B concentrations of 0.02 mg kg−1, which is an order of magnitude less than critical deficiency thresholds in an agronomic context. By contrast, richness of P (as a result of prior fertilization) in fallow agricultural fields would, as per the Catabolic Theory, promote catabolism and the competitive strength of shrubs and/or herbaceous plants relative to trees. Practical implications of these findings include: 1) the mapping of soil properties such as B and P to reveal the inherent propensity of landscapes in the Western Cape to be invaded by trees; and 2) the application of B-binding substances such as illite and vermiculite to constrain invasion of trees in fynbos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United States Appalachian region harbors a higher cancer burden than the rest of the nation, with disparate incidence of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), including oral cavity and pharynx (OC/P) cancers. Whether elevated HNSCC incidence generates survival disparities within Appalachia is unknown. To address this, HNSCC survival data for 259,737 tumors from the North American Association for Central Cancer Registries 2007–2013 cohort were evaluated, with age-adjusted relative survival (RS) calculated based on staging, race, sex, and Appalachian residence. Tobacco use, a primary HNSCC risk factor, was evaluated through the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System from Appalachian states. Decreased OC/P RS was found in stage IV Appalachian white males within a subset of states. The survival disparity was confined to human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancers, specifically the oropharynx subsite. This correlated with significantly higher smoking and male smokeless tobacco use in most Appalachian disparity states. Lower survival of Appalachian males with advanced-stage HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers suggests pervasive tobacco consumption likely generates more aggressive tumors at HPV-associated oropharynx subsites than national averages. Comprehensive tobacco and HPV status should therefore be evaluated prior to considering treatment de-intensification regimens for HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers in populations with high tobacco consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Pain is common among older adults with dementia. There are nonpharmacological options for managing pain in this population. However, the effects of physical therapist-delivered interventions have not been summarized. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the literature on physical therapist-delivered interventions in randomized trials for reducing pain among older adults with dementia. Methods: A systematic search of MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science was conducted for randomized trials of pain management in individuals 60 years or older with medically diagnosed dementia of any severity. Included studies addressed the effects of nonpharmacological physical therapist-delivered interventions on pain outcomes. Pain outcomes included patient or caregiver self-report, observational or interactive measures. Independent reviewers extracted relevant data and assessed methodological quality using the PEDro scale. Results and Discussion: Three studies (total = 222 participants; mean age range = 82.2-84.0 years; 178 [80.2%] females) met inclusion criteria. PEDro scores ranged from 4 to 8/10. Interventions included passive movement and massage. Pain outcomes included the observational measures Pain Assessment Checklist for Seniors with Limited Ability to Communicate (PACSLAC), Pain in Advanced Dementia (PAINAD), and Doloplus-2 Scale. Passive movement did not show better results when compared with no treatment, while massage showed pain-reducing effects in 1 study compared with no treatment. Conclusions: The evidence supporting pain-reducing physical therapy interventions for patients with dementia is limited. There is a clear gap in knowledge related to evidence-based physical therapy for managing pain in this population. Future studies should examine active physical therapist-delivered interventions and utilize interactive pain measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A taxonomic revision of Hypotrachyna subgenus Parmelinopsis in eastern North America is presented based on molecular phylogenetic analyses of ITS and mtSSU data, extensive field observation and analyses of chemical and morphological data. Each species is described, illustrated with photographs, and the distribution in the region is mapped. An identification key is also presented. Eleven species are recognized: H. afrorevoluta, H. appalachensis, H. britannica, H. cryptochlora, H. horrescens, H. kauffmaniana, H. minarum, H. mcmulliniana, H. revoluta, H. showmanii and H. spumosa. Extensive discussion of prior studies is provided, particularly with respect to the delimitation of H. afrorevoluta and H. revoluta. Hypotrachyna kauffmaniana is described from the central and southern Appalachian Mountains and separated from H. afrorevoluta and H. revoluta by its ascending secondary lobes and pustulose soralia that are primarily confined to the secondary lobes. Hypotrachyna horrescens is shown to correspond to a taxon with narrow lobed, small thalli with ciliate isidia. Hypotrachyna mcmulliniana is described from material collected throughout southeastern North America that is chemically identical to H. horrescens but differs in having larger thalli and sparsely ciliate isidia. Hypotrachyna appalachensis is described to accommodate material previously referred to H. minarum but that differs in the production of 4,5-di-O-methylhiascic acid in high concentrations (vs. absent or present as a trace in H. minarum). Hypotrachyna britannica is reported for the first time from North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]