Publications by authors named "Arthur Sands"

Accurate identification of evolutionarily significant units of rare and threatened organisms provides a foundation for effective management and conservation. Up to seven subspecies of the critically endangered Yellow-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea) have been described, four of which were commonly recognised pre-2014. In the absence of genotypic data, C.

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Many highly recognizable species lack genetic data important for conservation due to neglect over their hyperabundance. This likely applies to the Sulfur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), one of the world's most iconic parrots. The species is native to Australia, New Guinea, and some surrounding Melanesian islands of the latter.

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Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), a member of the TEC family of kinases, is an essential effector of B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling. Chronic activation of BTK-mediated BCR signaling is a hallmark of many hematological malignancies, which makes it an attractive therapeutic target. Pharmacological inhibition of BTK enzymatic function is now a well-proven strategy for the treatment of patients with these malignancies.

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Mutation rate is a fundamental parameter in population genetics. Apart from being an important scaling parameter for demographic and phylogenetic inference, it allows one to understand at what rate new genetic diversity is generated and what the expected level of genetic diversity is in a population at equilibrium. However, except for well-established model organisms, accurate estimates of de novo mutation rates are available for a very limited number of organisms from the wild.

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The African continent was subjected to periodic climatic shifts during the Pliocene and Pleistocene. These habitat changes greatly affected the evolutionary processes and tempo of diversification in numerous, widely distributed mammals. The Otomyini (Family Muridae) comprises three African rodent genera, Parotomys, Otomys and Myotomys, characterized by unique laminated-shaped molars.

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The Ponto-Caspian region is an endemicity hotspot that harbours several crustacean radiations, among which amphipods are the most diverse. These poorly known species are severely threatened in their native range, while at the same time they are invading European inland waters with significant ecological consequences. A proper taxonomic knowledge of this fauna is paramount for its conservation within the native region and monitoring outside of it.

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The unique aquatic Pontocaspian (PC) biota of the Black Sea Basin (BSB) is in decline. The lack of detailed knowledge on the status and trends of species, populations, and communities hampers a thorough risk assessment and precludes effective conservation. This paper reviews PC biodiversity trends in the BSB (Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, and Russia) using endemic mollusks as a model group.

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Article Synopsis
  • Obesity is a significant public health issue, and identifying genes linked to it could lead to better risk predictions and new treatments; the study focused on mouse gene knockout (KO) lines that may correlate with obesity-related human genes.* -
  • Researchers conducted high throughput phenotypic screening on 3758 mouse KO lines, measuring body fat through various techniques, comparing findings to existing data from external sources like the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium.* -
  • The study found 75 KO lines with body fat data, confirming increased body fat in 43 lines previously associated with obesity; additionally, 29 new KO lines were identified with high body fat, indicating that many obesity-related genes are yet to be discovered.*
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Background: The Lake Victoria basin is one of the most persistent hotspots of schistosomiasis in Africa, the intestinal form of the disease being studied more often than the urogenital form. Most schistosomiasis studies have been directed to Schistosoma mansoni and their corresponding intermediate snail hosts of the genus Biomphalaria, while neglecting S. haematobium and their intermediate snail hosts of the genus Bulinus.

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The Caspian Sea has been a highly dynamic environment throughout the Quaternary and witnessed major oscillations in lake level, which were associated with changes in salinity and habitat availability. Such environmental pressures are considered to drive strong phylogeographic structures in species by forcing populations into suitable refugia. However, little is actually known on the effect of lake-level fluctuations in the Caspian Sea on its aquatic biota.

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Defining and recording the loss of species diversity is a daunting task, especially if identities of species under threat are not fully resolved. An example is the Pontocaspian biota. The mostly endemic invertebrate faunas that evolved in the Black Sea - Caspian Sea - Aral Sea region and live under variable salinity conditions are undergoing strong change, yet within several groups species boundaries are not well established.

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The disability, mortality and costs caused by non-vertebral osteoporotic fractures are enormous. Existing osteoporosis therapies are highly effective at reducing vertebral but not non-vertebral fractures. Cortical bone is a major determinant of non-vertebral bone strength.

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Hyalomma Koch, 1844 are ixodid ticks that infest mammals, birds and reptiles, to which 27 recognized species occur across the Afrotropical, Palearctic and Oriental regions. Despite their medical and veterinary importance, the evolutionary history of the group is enigmatic. To investigate various taxonomic hypotheses based on morphology, and also some of the mechanisms involved in the diversification of the genus, we sequenced and analysed data derived from two mtDNA fragments, three nuclear DNA genes and 47 morphological characters.

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Purpose Preliminary studies suggested that telotristat ethyl, a tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor, reduces bowel movement (BM) frequency in patients with carcinoid syndrome. This placebo-controlled phase III study evaluated telotristat ethyl in this setting. Patients and Methods Patients (N = 135) experiencing four or more BMs per day despite stable-dose somatostatin analog therapy received (1:1:1) placebo, telotristat ethyl 250 mg, or telotristat ethyl 500 mg three times per day orally during a 12-week double-blind treatment period.

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Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of dual sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT) 1 and SGLT2 inhibition with sotagliflozin as adjunct therapy to insulin in type 1 diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: We treated 33 patients with sotagliflozin, an oral dual SGLT1 and SGLT2 inhibitor, or placebo in a randomized, double-blind trial assessing safety, insulin dose, glycemic control, and other metabolic parameters over 29 days of treatment.

Results: In the sotagliflozin-treated group, the percent reduction from baseline in the primary end point of bolus insulin dose was 32.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Sotagliflozin is an oral agent tested in type 1 diabetes (T1D) mice to enhance blood sugar control without increasing the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) by targeting kidney and intestinal glucose transport mechanisms.
  • - In the study, various groups of T1D mice received different treatments, including low doses of insulin with or without sotagliflozin, and outcomes were measured through blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c (A1c) levels.
  • - Results showed that sotagliflozin improved glycemic control in mice on low insulin without elevating hypoglycemia occurrences, making it a promising option for managing T1D.
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  • - SGLT2 inhibitors are a new class of diabetes medications aimed at selectively targeting the SGLT2 protein, which is important for managing blood sugar levels.
  • - Recent research suggests that inhibiting SGLT1, another glucose transporter in the gut, could also be beneficial for diabetes treatment.
  • - Sotagliflozin (LX4211) is a dual inhibitor of SGLT1 and SGLT2, offering unique benefits like improved blood sugar regulation after meals and may be effective for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
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Context: Carcinoid syndrome (CS) is associated with elevated serotonin, diarrhea, flushing, and increased risk of valvular heart disease. Many patients respond to somatostatin analogs initially, but response diminishes in most patients. Additional options are needed.

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  • Study assessed LX4211, a drug targeting SGLT1 and SGLT2, for safety and effectiveness in type 2 diabetes patients with kidney issues.
  • Thirty-one participants with low kidney function received either LX4211 or placebo for 7 days, measuring various glucose levels and other health markers.
  • LX4211 significantly improved postprandial and fasting glucose levels, with positive effects on glucagon-like peptide 1 levels and urinary glucose excretion, suggesting it may benefit those with type 2 diabetes and renal impairment.
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  • The study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of LX4211, a drug that inhibits SGLT1 and SGLT2, in type 2 diabetes patients who were not well-controlled on metformin.
  • Participants were randomly assigned to different doses of LX4211 or a placebo, with the main goal of measuring changes in A1C levels after 12 weeks.
  • Results showed that LX4211 significantly lowered A1C levels, reduced body weight and systolic blood pressure, and had mild side effects similar to placebo, making it a promising treatment option.
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Serotonin produced by neuroendocrine tumors is believed to be a principal cause of the diarrhea in carcinoid syndrome. We assessed the safety and efficacy of telotristat etiprate, an oral serotonin synthesis inhibitor, in patients with diarrhea associated with carcinoid syndrome. In this prospective, randomized study, patients with evidence of carcinoid tumor and ≥4 bowel movements (BMs)/day despite stable-dose octreotide LAR depot therapy were enrolled in sequential, escalating, cohorts of four patients per cohort.

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Screening gene function in vivo is a powerful approach to discover novel drug targets. We present high-throughput screening (HTS) data for 3 762 distinct global gene knockout (KO) mouse lines with viable adult homozygous mice generated using either gene-trap or homologous recombination technologies. Bone mass was determined from DEXA scans of male and female mice at 14 weeks of age and by microCT analyses of bones from male mice at 16 weeks of age.

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Article Synopsis
  • LX4211 is a new medication that inhibits two glucose transporters, SGLT1 and SGLT2, which play key roles in glucose absorption and reabsorption in the body, impacting blood sugar levels and hormone release.
  • The study aimed to find out how the timing of LX4211 doses in relation to meals affects its effectiveness on glucose levels and hormone release in twelve healthy participants.
  • Results showed that taking LX4211 right before breakfast led to the best outcomes in controlling blood sugar and increasing beneficial hormones, with the treatment being well tolerated and no adverse effects like diarrhea reported.
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Article Synopsis
  • SGLT1 and SGLT2 are key transporters for glucose absorption in the intestines and kidneys, respectively, and LX4211 is a new drug that inhibits both to lower glucose levels.
  • The study involves a phase 2 clinical trial to assess LX4211's safety and effectiveness in type 2 diabetes patients who aren't well-controlled on metformin alone.
  • The main goal is to measure changes in glycated hemoglobin A1c over 12 weeks, with secondary goals looking at fasting glucose, body weight, blood pressure, and safety concerns like hypoglycemia and GI issues.
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