Scientific telephone: The cautionary tale of the global coverage of lichens.

Scientific history has many examples of profound statements that are later found to be unsubstantiated. The consequences of such misinformation can be dire. In the present article, we present a case where an unevidenced estimate of global lichen coverage proliferated through both scientific literature and popular media.

DNA barcoding aids in generating a preliminary checklist of the lichens and allied fungi of Calvert Island, British Columbia: Results from the 2018 Hakai Terrestrial BioBlitz.

Background: Bioblitzes are a tool for the rapid appraisal of biodiversity and are particularly useful in remote and understudied regions and for understudied taxa. Lichens are an example of an often overlooked group, despite being widespread in virtually all terrestrial ecosystems and having many important ecological functions.

New Information: We report the lichens and allied fungi collected during the 2018 terrestrial bioblitz conducted on Calvert Island on the Central Coast of British Columbia, Canada.

A phylogenetic assessment of a fungicolous lineage in , a new genus of -inhabiting species.

The globally distributed genus is one of the most species-rich among polypores in terms of hosting other fungi. Among Trichaptum-associates, there is a group of mazaediate lichenized fungi that previously had an uncertain phylogenetic position. DNA sequences - mitochondrial small subunit (mtSSU), nuclear large subunit rDNA (nuLSU), and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) - were obtained from 29 specimens collected from Europe and North America.

Diversity and assembly of lichens and bryophytes on tree trunks along a temperate to boreal elevation gradient.

Based on hypotheses related to environmental filtering vs. stochastic community assembly, we tested taxon-specific predictions regarding the relationships of alpha diversity, beta diversity and species composition of epiphytic macrolichens and bryophytes with elevation and the lateral gradient on trees (the different sides of the tree bole related to aspect and trunk inclination) at Parc national du Mont-Mégantic in Southeastern Québec, Canada. For lichens on firs, increasing elevation was associated with increasing alpha diversity, and a marked shift in community composition, at the scale of whole trees.

Mitochondrial genomes in the iconic reindeer lichens: Architecture, variation, and synteny across multiple evolutionary scales.

Variation in mitochondrial genome composition across intraspecific, interspecific, and higher taxonomic scales has been little studied in lichen obligate symbioses. is one of the most diverse and ecologically important lichen genera, with over 500 species representing an array of unique morphologies and chemical profiles. Here, we assess mitochondrial genome diversity and variation in this flagship genus, with focused sampling of two clades of the "true" reindeer lichens, subgenus , and additional genomes from nine outgroup taxa.

Unraveling usnic acid: a comparison of biosynthetic gene clusters between two reindeer lichen (Cladonia rangiferina and C. uncialis).

Lichenized fungi are known for their production of a diversity of secondary metabolites, many of which have broad biological and pharmacological applications. By far the most well-studied of these metabolites is usnic acid. While this metabolite has been well-known and researched for decades, the gene cluster responsible for its production was only recently identified from the species Cladonia uncialis.

Understanding impacts of organic contaminants from aquaculture on the marine environment using a chemical fate model.

As demand for sustainable marine aquaculture (mariculture) and marine food supply surges worldwide, there is a growing need for new tools to assess mariculture impacts on local ecosystems, including the cycling of toxic organic contaminants. With this in mind, we developed the Contaminant Fate in Aquaculture-Modified Ecosystems (CFAME) model. The current model was designed to explore the fate of mariculture-derived organic contaminants in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand, known for its Chinook salmon farming industry.

Experimentally derived biochemical modelling parameters to improve understanding of aquaculture's effect on marine food webs.

To construct robust biogeochemical models for application to marine-based aquaculture settings, careful selection of appropriate model parameters is necessary. This study used an experimental approach to establish biomarkers of farm and marine-derived organic matter, and to derive isotopic turnover rates, and trophic discrimination factors specific to aquaculture associated food webs. A shift towards a farm-derived resource base resulted in consumer tissues more depleted in the carbon-13 isotope (indicated by more negative δC values) and a higher proportion of oleic acid, linoleic acid, and alpha-linoleic acid in the fatty acid profile of consumers over time.

Providing Scale to a Known Taxonomic Unknown-At Least a 70-Fold Increase in Species Diversity in a Cosmopolitan Nominal Taxon of Lichen-Forming Fungi.

Robust species delimitations provide a foundation for investigating speciation, phylogeography, and conservation. Here we attempted to elucidate species boundaries in the cosmopolitan lichen-forming fungal taxon . This nominal taxon is morphologically variable, with distinct populations occurring on all seven continents.

Organic contaminants in imported salmon feed and their effects on reef ecosystems in New Zealand.

Organic matter from salmon farms has been shown to be assimilated by soft sediment and rocky reef communities within the ecological footprint of salmon farms. Given these findings, another question arises - What other chemicals in salmon feed may be assimilated into wild communities via organic waste from salmon farms? Here we measured a suite of organic contaminants in salmon feed, in organisms used in a controlled feeding experiment, and in reef species collected within the depositional footprint of salmon farms. Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry was used to quantify trace concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and current-use (CPUs) and historic-use pesticides (HUPs) in salmon feed imported to New Zealand.

Draft Genome Sequence of the Lichenized Fungus Bacidia gigantensis.

The draft genome sequence of Bacidia gigantensis, a lichenized fungus in the order Lecanorales, was sequenced directly from a herbarium specimen collected from the type locality at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada. Using long-read sequencing on the Oxford Nanopore PromethION platform, we assembled a nearly complete genome sequence.

Population genetics and biogeography of the lungwort lichen in North America support distinct Eastern and Western gene pools.

Premise: Populations of species with large spatial distributions are shaped by complex forces that differ throughout their ranges. To maintain the genetic diversity of species, genepool-based subsets of widespread species must be considered in conservation assessments.

Methods: The population genetics of the lichenized fungus Lobaria pulmonaria and its algal partner, Symbiochloris reticulata, were investigated using microsatellite markers to determine population structure, genetic diversity, and degree of congruency in eastern and western North America.

A quantitative analysis of organic matter inputs to soft sediment communities surrounding salmon farms in the Marlborough Sounds region of New Zealand.

Local differences in trophic structure and composition of organic matter subsidies can influence the capacity of soft sediment communities to assimilate recycled organic matter from processes such as salmon farm enrichment. The present study combines biochemical analysis with biomass density information on soft sediment taxa collected within the depositional footprint of salmon farms and at reference sites in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. Distinct biochemical signatures confirmed that the flux of organic matter from salmon farms was an important subsidy for soft sediment communities.

Model systems to elucidate minimum requirements for protected areas networks.

In conservation biology there have been varying answers to the question of "How much land to protect?" Simulation models using decision-support software such as Marxan show that the answer is sensitive to target type and amount, and issues of scale. We used a novel model system for landscape ecology to test empirically whether the minimum conservation requirements to represent all species at least once are consistent across replicate landscapes, and if not, whether these minimum conservation requirements are linked to biodiversity patterns. Our model system of replicated microcosms could be scaled to larger systems once patterns and mechanisms are better understood.

Evaluating methodologies for species delimitation: the mismatch between phenotypes and genotypes in lichenized fungi ( sect. , ).

In many lichen-forming fungi, molecular phylogenetic analyses lead to the discovery of cryptic species within traditional morphospecies. However, in some cases, molecular sequence data also questions the separation of phenotypically characterised species. Here we apply an integrative taxonomy approach - including morphological, chemical, molecular, and distributional characters - to re-assess species boundaries in a traditionally speciose group of hair lichens, sect.

Clinical and Biological Characterisation of Localised High-risk Prostate Cancer: Results of a Randomised Preoperative Study of a Luteinising Hormone-releasing Hormone Agonist with or Without Abiraterone Acetate plus Prednisone.

Optimal therapeutic strategy remains an unmet need in localised high-risk prostate cancer (LHRPC). Androgen biosynthesis inhibition in the preoperative setting may improve outcomes. In this single-centre randomised trial, we looked at therapy outcomes of preoperative treatment with abiraterone acetate+prednisone (AAP)+luteinising hormone-releasing hormone agonist (LHRHa) or LHRHa alone followed by radical prostatectomy in 65 men.

Contribution of sea ice microbial production to Antarctic benthic communities is driven by sea ice dynamics and composition of functional guilds.

Organic matter produced by the sea ice microbial community (SIMCo) is an important link between sea ice dynamics and secondary production in near-shore food webs of Antarctica. Sea ice conditions in McMurdo Sound were quantified from time series of MODIS satellite images for Sept. 1 through Feb.

Thermo-expandable prostatic stents for bladder outlet obstruction in the frail and elderly population: An underutilized procedure?

Purpose: To report our outcomes with the use of a thermo-expandable metallic intraprostatic stent (Memokath) for patients with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) secondary to prostatic obstruction, and to assess it is a feasible option for many frail and elderly men unsuitable for surgery.

Materials And Methods: We reviewed patients who underwent insertion of a Memokath stent for BOO over 17 years (January 1999 to December 2015) at one regional center over a long follow-up period (median, 7 years). Patients were selected if they had obstructive urinary symptoms or urinary retention with an indwelling catheter , and were ineligible for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) under general or spinal anesthesia.

Characterization of an Abiraterone Ultraresponsive Phenotype in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Patient-Derived Xenografts.

To identify the molecular signature associated with abiraterone acetate (AA) response and mechanisms underlying AA resistance in castration-resistant prostate cancer patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). SCID mice bearing LuCaP 136CR, 77CR, 96CR, and 35CR PDXs were treated with AA. Tumor volume and prostate-specific antigen were monitored, and tumors were harvested 7 days after treatment or at end of study for gene expression and immunohistochemical studies.

Comparative study of whole genome amplification and next generation sequencing performance of single cancer cells.

Background: Whole genome amplification (WGA) is required for single cell genotyping. Effectiveness of currently available WGA technologies in combination with next generation sequencing (NGS) and material preservation is still elusive.

Results: In respect to the accuracy of SNP/mutation, indel, and copy number aberrations (CNA) calling, the HiSeq2000 platform outperformed IonProton in all aspects.

Combined MYC Activation and Pten Loss Are Sufficient to Create Genomic Instability and Lethal Metastatic Prostate Cancer.

Genetic instability, a hallmark feature of human cancers including prostatic adenocarcinomas, is considered a driver of metastasis. Somatic copy number alterations (CNA) are found in most aggressive primary human prostate cancers, and the overall number of such changes is increased in metastases. Chromosome 10q23 deletions, encompassing PTEN, and amplification of 8q24, harboring MYC, are frequently observed, and the presence of both together portends a high risk of prostate cancer-specific mortality.

Biodiversity inventories in high gear: DNA barcoding facilitates a rapid biotic survey of a temperate nature reserve.

Background: Comprehensive biotic surveys, or 'all taxon biodiversity inventories' (ATBI), have traditionally been limited in scale or scope due to the complications surrounding specimen sorting and species identification. To circumvent these issues, several ATBI projects have successfully integrated DNA barcoding into their identification procedures and witnessed acceleration in their surveys and subsequent increase in project scope and scale. The Biodiversity Institute of Ontario partnered with the rare Charitable Research Reserve and delegates of the 6th International Barcode of Life Conference to complete its own rapid, barcode-assisted ATBI of an established land trust in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.

Lichen communities along a pollution gradient 40 years after decommissioning of a Cu-Ni smelter.

Pollution control initiatives in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, resulted in the decommissioning of the Coniston Smelter in 1972. The last assessment of the effects from the smelter on the surrounding lichen biota was in 1990, which showed an overall improvement in richness following these initiatives, but still few species were present close to the smelter. We examined five sites along this gradient to determine if this pattern is still present on the landscape.

A BRCA1 deficient-like signature is enriched in breast cancer brain metastases and predicts DNA damage-induced poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor sensitivity.

Introduction: There is an unmet clinical need for biomarkers to identify breast cancer patients at an increased risk of developing brain metastases. The objective is to identify gene signatures and biological pathways associated with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) brain metastasis.

Methods: We combined laser capture microdissection and gene expression microarrays to analyze malignant epithelium from HER2+ breast cancer brain metastases with that from HER2+ nonmetastatic primary tumors.