bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dose-dependent role of claudin-1 in vivo in orchestrating features of atopic dermatitis
Authors: Tokumasu Reitaro , Yamaga Kosuke , Yamazaki Yuji , Murota Hiroyuki , Suzuki Koya , Tamura Atsushi , Bando Kana , Furuta Yasuhide , Katayama Ichiro , Tsukita Sachiko
Published: June 2016

Significance

Claudin-1(CLDN1), which is thought to be a key gene for human skin disease, especially atopic dermatitis (AD), encodes the dominant claudin responsible for the paracellular barrier at tight junctions in the epidermis. Although decreasedCLDN1expression levels are reported in AD patients, it has been difficult to study how CLDN1 contributes to AD development, mainly becauseCldn1knock-out mice die within 1 d after birth from dehydration. In this report, we reproduced features of human AD in mice, by systematically regulating theCldn1expression level. Our experimental approach contributes to the understanding of AD’s etiology and suggests a therapeutic target for this disorder.
A viral kinase mimics S6 kinase to enhance cell proliferation
Authors: Bhatt Aadra Prashant , Wong Jason P. , Weinberg Marc S. , Host Kurtis M. , Giffin Louise C. , Buijnink Joshua , van Dijk Evert , Izumiya Yoshihiro , Kung Hsing-jien , Temple Brenda R. S. , Damania Blossom
Published: June 2016

Significance

Viruses usurp the host cell machinery to replicate, disseminate, and propagate themselves. Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) encodes a viral protein kinase (vPK) also known as ORF36. Using in silico modeling and biochemistry, we report that vPK/ORF36 displays limited homology to cellular S6 kinase B1 (S6KB1). Both kinases share overlapping substrates and can phosphorylate S6. However, unlike S6KB1, vPK augments S6 phosphorylation under conditions where mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is inhibited. vPK modulates cellular proliferation and protein synthesis, augments anchorage independence, and enhances angiogenesis. Depletion of vPK/ORF36 during lytic replication inhibits the production of infectious virions, thereby underscoring the importance of this kinase during the KSHV life cycle. Our collective observations suggest that vPK may function as a constitutively active mimic of S6KB1.
ATP: The crucial component of secretory vesicles
Authors: Estévez-Herrera Judith , Domínguez Natalia , Pardo Marta R. , González-Santana Ayoze , Westhead Edward W. , Borges Ricardo , Machado José David
Published: June 2016

Significance

ATP is highly concentrated in secretory vesicles. In vitro experiments suggest that the association of ATP with catecholamines reduces their osmotic forces, permitting the extraordinary accumulation of amines within chromaffin granules. However, this has yet to be proved in living cells. Because functional cells cannot be deprived of ATP, we manipulated the vesicular nucleotide carrier, demonstrating that the extent of vesicular ATP is closely linked to the quantum catecholamine size. This is particularly evident in newly synthesized vesicles, the first to be released. This is the in vivo demonstration that vesicular ATP is an essential factor in the accumulation of neurotransmitters, which may well be a wider mechanism supporting quantal transmission.
Theranostic near-infrared fluorescent nanoplatform for imaging and systemic siRNA delivery to metastatic anaplastic thyroid cancer
Authors: Liu Yanlan , Gunda Viswanath , Zhu Xi , Xu Xiaoding , Wu Jun , Askhatova Diana , Farokhzad Omid C. , Parangi Sareh , Shi Jinjun
Published: June 2016

Significance

Current therapies have shown limited success in improving outcomes for lethal anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) characterized by rapid tumor growth and metastatic dissemination caused by the activation of genetic mutations. RNAi nanotechnology is emerging as a promising strategy for effectively treating such cancers and suppressing metastasis. However, suboptimal systemic delivery of RNAi agents to tumors and variable therapeutic responses because of tumor heterogeneity represent challenging hurdles to widespread clinical use. We describe an innovative near-infrared nanoplatform for systemic delivery of siRNA to ATC and real-time tracking of tumor accumulation. Antitumor growth and antimetastasis effects in an orthotopic ATC mouse model suggest this nanoplatform as a valuable tool for personalized treatment of ATC and other advanced malignancies.
Structure of the human 26S proteasome at a resolution of 3.9 Å
Authors: Schweitzer Andreas , Aufderheide Antje , Rudack Till , Beck Florian , Pfeifer Günter , Plitzko Jürgen M. , Sakata Eri , Schulten Klaus , Förster Friedrich , Baumeister Wolfgang
Published: June 2016

Significance

The 26S proteasome is a giant protease assembled from at least 32 different canonical subunits. In eukaryotic cells it is responsible for the regulated degradation of proteins marked for destruction by polyubiquitin tags. Mainly because of the conformational heterogeneity of the 26S holocomplex, its structure determination has been challenging. Using cryo-electron microscopy single-particle analysis we were able to obtain a high-resolution structure of the human 26S proteasome allowing us to put forward an essentially complete atomic model. This model provides insights into the proteasome’s mechanism of operation and could serve as a basis for structure-based drug discovery.
Sociolinguistic variation in Asian Englishes
Authors: Hansen Edwards Jette G.
Published: June 2016

This paper examines coronal stop deletion (CSD), the deletion of word-final /-t, -d/ in consonant clusters, in three new varieties of Asian English: China English, Hong Kong English, and Viet Nam English. The study seeks to determine to which extent the linguistic and extralinguistic constraints found to govern CSD in other varieties of English also impact CSD in emerging Englishes such as those examined in the current study. A total of 60 tertiary students, 20 from each variety of English, participated in the study. Results indicate that, while new Englishes such as China English, Hong Kong English, and Viet Nam English are affected by constraints such as linguistic environment and morphological conditioning, the proficiency level of speakers impacts CSD rates and the effects of the various constraints.
A Note on Varro and Etymologiae a Contrariis
Authors: Taylor Daniel J.
Published: June 2016

Marcus Terentius Varro (116–27 B.C.) has often been accused of propagating etymologies from contraries, e.g., war (bellum) is so called because it is not pretty (bellum). The facts prove otherwise, however, for he adduces only two such etymologies in his De Lingua Latina; one he rejects entirely, and the other he merely transmits. The mistaken attribution of etymologiae a contrariis to Varro derives from a misreading of Marcus Fabius Quintilian’s (c.5–100 A.D.) memorable diatribe against etymological excess wherein Varro can be guilty of formulating etymologiae a contrariis only by a false and unwarranted associatio.
British 18th-Century Orientalism and Arabic Dialectology
Authors: González Vázquez Araceli , Benítez Fernández Montserrat
Published: June 2016

This article examines a relatively unknown 18th century European source on Moroccan Arabic. It is the article entitled “Dialogues on the vulgar Arabick of Morocco”, published in London in 1797 by William Price (1771–1830), a self-taught linguist and orientalist from Worcester, England. Price’s work is one of the few European texts predating 1800 focused on Moroccan Arabic, and providing some information about this linguistic variety. As we explain, Price obtained these “Dialogues” from “some natives of Barbary”, who happened to be in London. In the first four sections of the article, we examine the life and works of William Price, we place his activities as an expert in Arabic and other of the so-called “Oriental languages” in the context of 18th century British Orientalism, and we analyse the contents of the “Dialogues” provided in his article. These “Dialogues” consist of a conversation between two interlocutors who are taking a stroll in a walled coastal town of the Moroccan Atlantic strip. The fifth section of our contribution is a linguistic dialectological analysis of both the Arabic and Latin character transcriptions of Moroccan Arabic provided by Price. We analyse different issues concerning the transcriptions given, and we focus our linguistic study on phonological, morphological and syntactical issues.
Protective effects of ulinastatin and methylprednisolone against radiation-induced lung injury in mice
Authors: Sun Yu , Du Yu-Jun , Zhao Hui , Zhang Guo-Xing , Sun Ni , Li Xiu-Jiang
Published: June 2016

The effectiveness of ulinastatin and methylprednisolone in treating pathological changes in mice with radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) was evaluated. Forty C57BL/6 female mice received whole-chest radiation (1.5 Gy/min for 12 min) and were randomly allocated into Group R (single radiation, n =  10), Group U (ulinastatin treatment, n =  10), Group M (methylprednisolone treatment, n =  10), or Group UM (ulinastatin and methylprednisolone treatment, n =  10). Another 10 untreated mice served as controls (Group C). Pathological changes in lung tissue, pulmonary interstitial area density (PIAD) and expression levels of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in lung tissue, serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were determined. Alleviation of pathological changes in lung tissue was observed in Groups U, M and UM. Treatment with ulinastatin, methylprednisolone or both effectively delayed the development of fibrosis at 12 weeks after radiation. Ulinastatin, methylprednisolone or both could alleviate the radiation-induced increase in the PIAD ( P  < 0.05 or P  < 0.01). Treatment with ulinastatin, methylprednisolone or both significantly reduced the expression of TNF-α, but not TGF-β1, at 9 weeks after radiation compared with Group R ( P  < 0.01). Ulinastatin and / or methylprednisolone effectively decreased the level of TNF-α in lung tissue after RILI and inhibited both the inflammatory response and the development of fibrosis.
Assessing Surgical Training and Deliberate Practice Methods in Dermatology Residency: A Survey of Dermatology Program Directors
Authors: Dai Julia , Bordeaux Jeremy S. , Miller Christopher J. , Sobanko Joseph F.
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND

Resident surgical education and technical skills may be enhanced with deliberate practice-based learning. Deliberate practice methods, such as simulation-based training and formal skills-based assessments, allow for trainees to repeatedly practice a defined task with expert supervision and feedback.

OBJECTIVE

The authors sought to characterize how surgical skills are taught and assessed in dermatology residency, with an emphasis on whether deliberate practice methods are incorporated in the surgical curriculum.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A survey was administered to program directors at 117 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education–approved dermatology residency programs during 2013 to 2014.

RESULTS

A total of 42 responses (36%) were collected. Over half of programs (57%) devote 10 to 30 hours each year to surgical didactics. Sixty-nine percent of programs use simulation models, and 62% of programs use formal assessment-guided feedback in evaluating surgical skills. Residents most commonly assume the role of primary surgeon in excisional surgery (100%) and less commonly in graft and flap reconstruction (52% and 52%, respectively). Twenty-nine percent of residents are the primary surgeons in Mohs micrographic surgery.

CONCLUSION

Dermatology residency programs are incorporating deliberate practice-based tenets in the surgical curriculum. These results provide a benchmark for programs to assess and improve the quality of dermatologic surgery training.
RESULTS OF PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF ENDOGENOUS FUNGAL ENDOPHTHALMITIS AFTER URINARY TRACT PROCEDURES
Authors: Ghoraba Hammouda H. , Ellakwa Amin F. , Elgemai Emad M. , Mansour Hosam O. , Heikal Mohammed A.
Published: June 2016

Purpose:

To report the results of pars plana vitrectomy with adjuvant intravitreal amphotericin B and systemic fluconazole in the management of endogenous endophthalmitis after the urinary tract procedures.

Methods:

Retrospective study of 10 eyes of 7 patients diagnosed as endogenous fungal endophthalmitis. Pars planavitrectomy with adjuvant intravitreal amphotericin B and oral fluconazole was conducted once the general condition is suitable. The final anatomical and functional results were evaluated.

Results:

Ten eyes of seven patients, five men and two women had pars plana vitrectomy. Control of infection was achieved in all cases. Visual acuity improved in 7 eyes (70%), remained the same in 2 eyes (20%), and worsened in 1 eye (10%). The retina was flat in all cases. No eye developed phthisis bulbi.

Conclusion:

In cases of fungal endophthalmitis, after urinary tract procedures, the prevention of phthisis bulbi can be achieved in all cases. Improvement of vision can be achieved in most of the cases. The final visual status depends on visual acuity at presentation, macular affection, and the presence of retinal detachment at presentation.
Electroencephalographic signatures of pain and analgesia in rats
Authors: LeBlanc Brian W. , Bowary Paul M. , Chao Yu-Chieh , Lii Theresa R. , Saab Carl Y.
Published: June 2016

Pain modulates rhythmic neuronal activity recorded by Electroencephalography (EEG) in humans. Our laboratory previously showed that rat models of acute and neuropathic pain manifest increased power in primary somatosensory cortex (S1) recorded by electrocorticography (ECoG). In this study, we hypothesized that pain increases EEG power and corticocortical coherence in different rat models of pain, whereas treatments with clinically effective analgesics reverse these changes. Our results show increased cortical power over S1 and prefrontal cortex (PFC) in awake, freely behaving rat models of acute, inflammatory and neuropathic pain. Coherence between PFC and S1 is increased at a late, but not early, time point during the development of neuropathic pain. Electroencephalography power is not affected by ibuprofen in the acute pain model. However, pregabalin and mexiletine reverse the changes in power and S1-PFC coherence in the inflammatory and neuropathic pain models. These data suggest that quantitative EEG might be a valuable predictor of pain and analgesia in rodents.
Intraoperative Handoffs and Postoperative Complications Among Patients Undergoing Gynecologic Oncology Operations
Authors: Doll Kemi M. , Lavery Jessica A. , Snavely Anna C. , Gehrig Paola A.
Published: June 2016

There is evidence that systems-based factors influence surgical outcomes of intraoperative and postoperative morbidity. The goal of this study was to provide an exploratory analysis of systems-based variables and their associations with surgical outcomes in gynecologic oncology patients. We merged electronic records from operating room software with billing claims from major surgeries performed from 2011 to 2013, at a tertiary care academic medical center. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between baseline demographic and clinical covariates (age, comorbidity, procedure type, and surgeon volume), the main exposure variables (case start time, case order, and personnel handoffs), and the primary outcome of 30-day postoperative complications. Multiple logistic regression models were created to analyze the contributing effect of each systemic variable on postoperative complications. The overall rate of postoperative complications among patients was 31.4% (n = 182). Although traditional risk factors of comorbidity, procedure type, and case length were the strongest primary drivers of complication risk, there was a significant relationship between handoffs among surgical scrub technicians and postoperative complications (odds ratio: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.00–4.47). As a novel finding in surgical quality and safety research, this supports greater efforts into integrating key staffing information into studies of systemic variables and surgical outcomes.
Mechanical Ventilation in Patients with the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Treated with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Impact on Hospital and 30 Day Postdischarge Survival
Authors: Modrykamien Ariel M. , Hernandez Omar O. , Im Yunhee , Walters Ryan W. , Schrader Caleb L. , Smith Lauren E. , Lima Brian
Published: June 2016

Mechanical ventilation support for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients involves the use of low tidal volumes and positive end-expiratory pressure. Nevertheless, the optimal ventilator strategy for ARDS patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy remains unknown. A retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of adult ARDS patients treated with V-V ECMO from October 2012 to May 2015 was performed. Mechanical ventilation data, as well as demographic and clinical data, were collected. We assessed the association between ventilator data and outcomes of interest. The primary outcome was hospital survival. Secondary outcome was 30 day survival posthospital discharge. Sixty-four ARDS patients were treated with ECMO. Univariate analysis showed that plateau pressure was independently associated with hospital survival. Tidal volume, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), and plateau were independently associated with 30 day survival. Multivariate analysis, after controlling for covariates, revealed that a 1 unit increase in plateau pressure was associated with a 21% decrease in the odds of hospital survival (95% confidence interval [CI] = 6.39–33.42%, p = 0.007). In regards to 30 day survival postdischarge, a 1 unit increase in plateau pressure was associated with a 14.4% decrease in the odds of achieving the aforementioned outcome (95% CI = 1.75–25.4%, p = 0.027). Also, a 1 unit increase in PEEP was associated with a 36.2% decrease in the odds of 30 day survival (95% CI = 10.8–54.4%, p = 0.009). Among ARDS patients undergoing ECMO therapy, only plateau pressure is associated with hospital survival. Plateau pressure and PEEP are both associated with 30 day survival posthospital discharge.
Outcomes of Patients Implanted Using a Left Thoracotomy Technique for a Miniaturized Centrifugal Continuous-Flow Pump
Authors: Sileshi Bantayehu , O’Hara Brian K. , Davis Mary E. , Haglund Nicholas A. , Meng Xu , Deegan Robert , Stulak John M. , Kushwaha Sudhir S. , Shaw Andrew , Maltais Simon
Published: June 2016

As ventricular-assist devices (VADs) are increasingly employed in heart failure management, a leading cause of mortality, new literature is consistently published on less-invasive implantation techniques. Although early perioperative outcomes have been shown to be favorable with minimally invasive left thoracotomy (LT) approaches compared with conventional sternotomy (CS), studies comparing long-term outcomes are lacking. We set out to evaluate long-term follow up between LT and CS approach. In a single center, retrospective review, data on patients with similar demographic profiles were collected. HeartWare (HVAD) implantation was performed by either CS or LT. Analysis was performed on perioperative adverse outcomes, and 6 month postoperative adverse events. Primary objectives of the study included comparative outcomes of morbidity and mortality between both groups at 180 days postimplantation. Eighty-one (n = 81) bridge to transplant (BTT) patients underwent CS or LT HVAD implantation. Perioperative transfusion (p = 0.04) favored the LT cohort compared with CS, with a median of 6 units and 8 units transfused for each group, respectively. No survival difference was observed between both groups at 6 months postimplantation (p = 0.52). Clinical outcomes at an average of 6 month follow up showed no difference in adverse events, including common postoperative VAD complications such as infection and right heart failure. Miniaturization of LVAD size and improvement in technology has allowed expansion of interest in alternative surgical approaches for HVAD implantation. For BTT patients, no difference in early outcome was observed 6 months after implantation using a left LT versus CS technique.
Neurobiology as Information Physics
Authors: Street Sterling
Published: June 2016

This article reviews thermodynamic relationships in the brain in an attempt to consolidate current research in systems neuroscience. The present synthesis supports proposals that thermodynamic information in the brain can be quantified to an appreciable degree of objectivity, that many qualitative properties of information in systems of the brain can be inferred by observing changes in thermodynamic quantities, and that many features of the brain’s anatomy and architecture illustrate relatively simple information-energy relationships. The brain may provide a unique window into the relationship between energy and information.
The fitness effects of spontaneous mutations nearly unseen by selection in a bacterium with multiple chromosomes
Authors: Dillon Marcus M. , Cooper Vaughn S.
Published: June 2016

Mutation accumulation (MA) experiments employ the strategy of minimizing the population size of evolving lineages to greatly reduce effects of selection on newly arising mutations. Thus, most mutations fix within MA lines independently of their fitness effects. This approach, more recently combined with genome sequencing, has detailed the rates, spectra, and biases of different mutational processes. However, a quantitative understanding of the fitness effects of mutations virtually unseen by selection has remained an untapped opportunity. Here, we analyzed the fitness of 43 sequenced MA lines of the multi-chromosome bacteriumBurkholderia cenocepaciathat had each undergone 5554 generations of MA and accumulated an average of 6.73 spontaneous mutations. Most lineages exhibited either neutral or deleterious fitness in three different environments in comparison with their common ancestor. The only mutational class that was significantly overrepresented in lineages with reduced fitness was the loss of the plasmid, though nonsense mutations, missense mutations, and coding insertion-deletion mutations were also overrepresented in MA lineages whose fitness had significantly declined. Although the overall distribution of fitness effects was similar between the three environments, the magnitude and even the sign of the fitness of a number of lineages changed with the environment, demonstrating that the fitness of some genotypes was environmentally dependent. These results present an unprecedented picture of the fitness effects of spontaneous mutations in a bacterium with multiple chromosomes and provide greater quantitative support of the theory that the vast majority of spontaneous mutations are neutral or deleterious.
Qudaich: A smart sequence aligner
Authors: Akhter Sajia , Edwards Robert A
Published: June 2016

Next generation sequencing (NGS) technology produces massive amounts of data in a reasonable time and low cost. Analyzing and annotating these data requires sequence alignments to compare them with genes, proteins and genomes in different databases. Sequence alignment is the first step in metagenomics analysis, and pairwise comparisons of sequence reads provide a measure of similarity between environments. Most of the current aligners focus on aligning NGS datasets against long reference sequences rather than comparing between datasets. As the number of metagenomes and other genomic data increases each year, there is a demand for more sophisticated, faster sequence alignment algorithms. Here, we introduce a novel sequence aligner, Qudaich, which can efficiently process large volumes of data and is suited to de novo comparisons of next generation reads datasets. Qudaich can handle both DNA and protein sequences and attempts to provide the best possible alignment for each query sequence. Qudaich can produce more useful alignments quicker than other contemporary alignment algorithms.

Author Summary

The recent developments in sequencing technology provides high throughput sequencing data and have resulted in large volumes of genomic and metagenomic data available in public databases. Sequence alignment is an important step for annotating these data. Many sequence aligners have been developed in last few years for efficient analysis of these data, however most of them are only able to align DNA sequences and mainly focus on aligning NGS data against long reference genomes. Therefore, in this study we have designed a new sequence aligner, qudaich, which can generate pairwise local sequence alignment (at both the DNA and protein level) between two NGS datasets and can efficiently handle the large volume of NGS datasets. In qudaich, we introduce a unique sequence alignment algorithm, which outperforms the traditional approaches. Qudaich not only takes less time to execute, but also finds more useful alignments than contemporary aligners.
Asymmetry of the temporal code for space by hippocampal place cells
Authors: Souza Bryan C. , Tort Adriano B. L.
Published: June 2016

Hippocampal place cells convey spatial information through spike frequency (“rate coding”) and spike timing relative to the theta phase (“temporal coding”). Whether rate and temporal coding are due to independent or related mechanisms has been the subject of wide debate. Here we show that the spike timing of place cells couples to theta phase before major increases in firing rate, anticipating the animal’s entrance into the classical, rate-based place field. In contrast, spikes rapidly decouple from theta as the animal leaves the place field and firing rate decreases. Therefore, temporal coding has strong asymmetry around the place field center. We further show that the dynamics of temporal coding along space evolves in three stages: phase coupling, phase precession and phase decoupling. These results suggest that place cells represent more future than past locations through their spike timing and that independent mechanisms govern rate and temporal coding.
The combination of the functionalities of feedback circuits is determinant for the number and size of attractors of molecular networks
Authors: Azpeitia Eugenio , Muñoz Stalin , González-Tokman Daniel , Martínez-Sánchez Mariana Esther , Weinstein Nathan , Naldi Aurélien , Álvarez-Buylla Elena R. , Rosenblueth David A , Mendoza Luis
Published: June 2016

Molecular regulation was initially assumed to follow both a unidirectional and a hierarchical organization forming pathways. Regulatory processes, however, form highly interlinked networks with non-hierarchical and non-unidirectional structures that contain statistically overrepresented circuits (motifs). Here, we analyze the behavior of pathways containing non-hierarchical and non-unidirectional interactions that create motifs. In comparison with unidirectional and hierarchical pathways, our pathways have a high diversity of behaviors, characterized by the size and number of attractors. Motifs have been studied individually showing that feedback circuit motifs regulate the number and size of attractors. It is less clear what happens in molecular networks that usually contain multiple feedbacks. Here, we find that the way feedback circuits couple to each other (i.e., the combination of the functionalities of feedback circuits) regulate both the precise number and size of the attractors. We show that the different sets of expected results of epistasis analysis (a method to infer regulatory interactions) are produced by many non-hierarchical and non-unidirectional structures. Thus, these structures cannot be correctly inferred by epistasis analysis. Finally, we show that the structures producing the epistasis results have remarkably similar sets of combinations of functionalities, that combined with other network properties could greatly improve epistasis analysis.
Calming Meditation Increases Altruism, Decreases Parochialism
Authors: Frost Karl
Published: June 2016

It has been proposed that cultivating calm will increase altruism and decrease parochialism, where altruism is defined as self-sacrifice in support of others, regardless of group affiliation or identity, and parochialism is defined as prosocial self-sacrifice restricted to fellow members of a group. Such could be the case with a calming meditation practice. An alternate hypothesis, coming from the study of ritual, proposes that shared practices lead to bonding, increasing parochialism, but not altruism generally. These contradictory hypotheses of the potential effects of shared cultural practices of calming meditation were explored via a formal behavioral experiment using a simple treatment and control format with a short, facilitated breath awareness practice known to produce calm. Altruism and parochialism were measured through anonymous play in Public Goods games performed with both in-group and out-group individuals. The sum of contributions of the two plays gave a measure of altruism, while the difference between the two gave a measure of parochialism. The analysis of the results using Bayesian AICc model comparison methods supports the first hypothesis that calming practices reduces parochialism and increases altruism. The hypothesis of intentional shared practice as parochialism inducing was not supported by the results in this case of a shared calming practice.
Gene-Culture Coevolution of Prosocial Rituals
Authors: Frost Karl
Published: June 2016

It has been argued that costly socially learned rituals have the potential to generate prosocial emotional responses arising from genetically based behavioral dispositions, hijacking these behavioral dispositions to solve otherwise intractable cooperation problems. An example is the innovation of synchronous movement rituals which seem to engage the same altruistic response as instinctual mimicry. Arguments against this hypothesis are based in the idea that cheap markers of altruistic intent (“Green Beards“)are vulnerable to manipulation from non-cooperating free-riders that are similarly marked. This paper formally models the gene-culture coevolutionary dynamics of a system in which a costly socially learned ritual practice coevolves with the genes underpinning the prosocial response. This takes a ‘genetic mismatch’ hypothesis (where fast evolution of socially learned behaviors create a temporary mismatch with the coevolving genes, which take longer to evolve to equilibrium) and models it dynamically. The genetic and cultural fitness equations are first analyzed for equilibrium and then simulations are used to predicting trajectories for both the socially learned behavior and the hijacked genetic trait over time. Relying on fast culture and slow genes, it demonstrates how high levels of ritual efficacy may be established, at least temporarily, through gene culture interaction. It also shows how longer term feedbacks on the genes from culture may lead to decreases in the prosocial gene in the population and reduced overall population mean fitness, despite high levels of altruism in the population.
Bottom-up ecology of the human microbiome: from metagenomes to metabolomes
Authors: Garza Daniel R. , Van Verk Marcel C. , Huynen Martijn A. , Dutilh Bas E.
Published: June 2016

The environmental metabolome is a dominant and essential factor shaping microbial communities. Thus, we hypothesized that metagenomic datasets could reveal the quantitative metabolic status of a given sample. Using a newly developed bottom-up ecology algorithm, we predicted high-resolution metabolomes of hundreds of metagenomic datasets from the human microbiome, revealing body-site specific metabolomes consistent with known metabolomics data, and suggesting that common cosmetics ingredients are some of the major metabolites shaping the human skin microbiome.
Disorder Atlas: web-based software for the proteome-based interpretation of intrinsic disorder predictions
Authors: Vincent Michael , Schnell Santiago
Published: June 2016

Intrinsically disordered proteins lack a stable three-dimensional structure under physiological conditions. While this property has gained considerable interest within the past two decades, disorder poses substantial challenges to experimental characterization efforts. In effect, numerous computational tools have been developed to predict disorder from primary sequences, however, interpreting the output of these algorithms remains a challenge. To begin to bridge this gap, we present Disorder Atlas, web-based software that facilitates the interpretation of intrinsic disorder predictions using proteome-based descriptive statistics. This service is also equipped to facilitate large-scale systematic exploratory searches for proteins encompassing disorder features of interest, and further allows users to browse the prevalence of multiple disorder features at the proteome level. As a result, Disorder Atlas provides a user-friendly tool that places algorithm-generated disorder predictions in the context of the proteome, thereby providing an instrument to compare the results of a query protein against predictions made for an entire population. Disorder Atlas currently supports ten eukaryotic proteomes and is freely available for non-commercial users athttp://www.disorderatlas.org.
Disrupting dorsolateral prefrontal cortex by rTMS reduces the P300 based marker of deception
Authors: Karton Inga , Kitt Anni-Bessie , Bachmann Talis
Published: June 2016

It is well known that electroencephalographic event related potential component P300 is sensitive to perception of critical items in a concealed information test. However, it is not known whether the relative level of expression of P300 as a neural marker of deception can be manipulated by means of non-invasive neuromodulation. Here, we show that while P300 exhibited systematic amplitude differences in response to the more as well as the less significant stimuli items encountered at the “crime scene” compared to neutral items, offline rTMS to dorsolateral prefrontal cortex attenuated P300 amplitude in response to the critical items. Yet, the individual subjects showed different sensitivity of the P300 as the marker of concealment. We conclude that rTMS can be used for subduing electrophysiological markers of deception, but this effect depends on whether the subject belongs to the group of CIT-sensitive individuals.
Teachers’ perceptions of the benefits of online instruction for students with special educational needs
Authors: Marteney Tina , Bernadowski Carianne
Published: June 2016

This article discusses the perceptions of ‘virtual’ teachers with regard to the benefits of online education for students with special educational needs. Surveys were distributed to teachers from one educational management company about their experiences of teaching in asynchronous (self‐paced) virtual school classrooms. The survey responses revealed the following findings: online education has made it easier for students with limitations to access learning activities; improvements have been made in student academic performance; students have had success with asynchronous (self‐paced) education; student motivation has increased; and more individualised support has been available. Even though these results focused on positive outcomes, some negative perceptions were also recorded. These included discrepancies related to cyber‐bullying in asynchronous learning programmes, matters related to student accommodations, and problems associated with student use of online classroom resources.
Impact of opportunistic salpingectomy on anti‐Müllerian hormone in patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy: a multicentre randomised controlled trial
Authors: Song T , Kim MK , Kim M‐L , Jung YW , Yun BS , Seong SJ , Kwon S‐H
Published: June 2016

Objective

The aim of the study was to investigate whether opportunistic salpingectomy has any deleterious effects on ovarian reserve and increases surgical risk in patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Design

A multicentre, randomised controlled trial.

Setting

Three university hospitals in Korea.

Population

Sixty‐eight patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy for the treatment of symptomatic benign uterine diseases.

Methods

Patients were randomised to undergo either opportunistic salpingectomy (n = 34) or no salpingectomy (n = 34) during laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Main outcome measurements

The primary and secondary outcome measures were the change of ovarian reserve, determined by the rate of decline in anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) level from before surgery to 3 months post‐surgery and surgical outcomes, respectively.

Results

Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups. There was also no difference in operative outcomes such as operative time, operative bleeding, or complications between the two groups. In both groups, postoperative AMH levels were significantly lower than preoperative AMH levels (both, P < 0.01). The decline rate in AMH was 12.5% (interquartile range 0.8–60.9%) in the opportunistic salpingectomy group and 10.8% (interquartile range 6.9–27.4%) in the no salpingectomy group, with no significant difference between both groups (P = 0.898).

Conclusions

Opportunistic salpingectomy at the time of laparoscopic hysterectomy did not have any negative effects on ovarian reserve or increased surgical risk.

Tweetable abstract

Opportunistic salpingectomy did not have any negative effects on ovarian reserve or increased surgical risk.
Transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography: a systematic review of feasibility and impact on diagnosis, management and outcome after cardiac surgery
Authors: Heiberg J. , El‐Ansary D. , Royse C. F. , Royse A. G. , Alsaddique A. A. , Canty D. J.
Published: June 2016

Transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography are increasingly used as tools to improve clinical assessment following cardiac surgery. However, most physicians are not trained in echocardiography, and there is no widespread agreement on the feasibility, indications or effect on outcome of transthoracic or transoesophageal echocardiography for patients after cardiac surgery. We performed a systematic review of electronic databases for focused transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography after cardiac surgery which revealed 15 full‐text articles. They consistently reported that echocardiography is feasible, whether performed by a novice or expert, and frequently resulted in important changes in diagnosis of cardiac abnormalities and their management. However, most were observational studies and there were no well‐designed trials investigating the impact of echocardiography on outcome. We conclude that both transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography are useful following cardiac surgery.
The tumour microenvironment influences survival and time to transformation in follicular lymphoma in the rituximab era
Authors: Blaker Yngvild Nuvin , Spetalen Signe , Brodtkorb Marianne , Lingjærde Ole Christian , Beiske Klaus , Østenstad Bjørn , Sander Birgitta , Wahlin Björn Engelbrekt , Melen Christopher Michael , Myklebust June Helen , Holte Harald , Delabie Jan , Smeland Erlend Bremertun
Published: June 2016

The tumour microenvironment influences outcome in patients with follicular lymphoma (FL), but its impact on transformation is less studied. We investigated the prognostic significance of the tumour microenvironment on transformation and survival in FL patients treated in the rituximab era. We examined diagnostic and transformed biopsies from 52 FL patients using antibodies against CD3, CD4, CD8, CD21 (CR2), CD57 (B3GAT1), CD68, FOXP3, TIA1, PD‐1 (PDCD1), PD‐L1 (CD274) and PAX5. Results were compared with a second cohort of 40 FL patients without signs of transformation during a minimum of five years observation time. Cell numbers and localization were semi‐quantitatively assessed. Better developed CD21+  follicular dendritic cell (FDC) meshworks at diagnosis was a negative prognostic factor for overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS) and time to transformation (TTT) in patients with subsequently transformed FL. Remnants of FDC meshworks at transformation were associated with shorter OS and PFS from transformation. High degrees of intrafollicular CD68+ and PD‐L1+  macrophage infiltration, high total area scores and an extrafollicular/diffuse pattern of FOXP3+  T cells and high intrafollicular scores of CD4+  T cells at diagnosis were associated with shorter TTT. Scores of several T‐cell subset markers from the combined patient cohorts were predictive for transformation, especially CD4 and CD57.
Left ventricular reverse remodeling after aortic valve surgery for acute versus chronic aortic regurgitation
Authors: Regeer Madelien V. , Versteegh Michel I. M. , Ajmone Marsan Nina , Schalij Martin J. , Klautz Robert J. M. , Bax Jeroen J. , Delgado Victoria
Published: June 2016

Aims

Extent of left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling after aortic valve repair or replacement (AVR) may differ between patients operated for acute aortic regurgitation (AR) and chronic AR. The aim of this study was to compare changes in LV volumes and function between patients with acute and chronic AR who underwent AVR.

Methods and Results

A total of 98 patients (54±15 years, 61% men) with acute (n=21) or chronic AR (n=77) were included in the present retrospective evaluation. LV volumes, LV ejection fraction, and global longitudinal strain indexed for LV end‐diastolic volume (GLSi) were assessed preoperatively and after a median follow‐up of 28 months (interquartile range: 17–66 months). Patients with acute AR tended to have smaller preoperative LV end‐diastolic volume compared with chronic AR (156±15 vs 183±6 mL; P=.070). Both in patients with acute and chronic AR, significant LV reverse remodeling with sustained reduction in LV volumes occurred during follow‐up with a significant smaller LV end‐diastolic volume in acute AR compared with chronic AR (106±8 vs 128±5 mL; P=.032). Preoperative and postoperative LV ejection fractions were not significantly different between groups. In contrast, GLSi was better in patients with acute AR compared with chronic AR before AVR (−1.34±0.20 vs −0.96±0.07%/10 mL; P=.042) and during follow‐up (−1.65±0.16 vs −1.29±0.07%/10 mL; P=.017).

Conclusions

After AVR, LV reverse remodeling occurs both in patients with acute and chronic AR. However, LV end‐diastolic volume was more reduced and GLSi was more preserved during follow‐up in acute AR than in chronic AR.
Do River Otters Conform to Habitat Suitability Assessments?
Authors: Holland Angela , van der Merwe Jorista
Published: June 2016

River otters (Lontra canadensis) were reintroduced from 1994–1996 into parts of Illinois where the species was extirpated due to over harvest and habitat loss. At the time of reintroduction, managing for the persistence of the population through habitat was very important and research was conducted to determine which watersheds had quality habitat and which needed increased management and protection. In a study conducted in the mid‐1990s, biologists used pattern recognition (PATREC) modeling to identify high and low quality habitat for river otters at the subunit level (i.e., divided watershed), based on specific habitat attributes including wooded area, sinuosity, and wetland edge. We compared the habitat quality ratings of subunits with river otter use at 112 bridge sites from 2012–2014 to determine if river otters have distributed themselves according to previously determined habitat quality. We found that the PATREC model was a poor predictor of river otter use when sites were located close to the otter reintroduction points. The PATREC model was most likely a poor predictor of river otter use due to an over‐emphasis on the importance of woody vegetation to habitat suitability for river otter in the model. We recommend that future work on the assessment of habitat suitability for river otter use, and accuracy of this assessment, be conducted at a local spatial scale and over a shorter temporal scale. We also recommend that watershed policies and habitat assessments consider changes to land‐cover and follow an adaptive management approach to assess habitat suitability for reintroduced species.
Species range expansion constrains the ecological niches of resident butterflies
Authors: Audusseau Hélène , Le Vaillant Maryline , Janz Niklas , Nylin Sören , Karlsson Bengt , Schmucki Reto
Published: June 2016

Aim

Changes in community composition resulting from environmental changes modify biotic interactions and affect the distribution and density of local populations. Such changes are currently occurring in nettle‐feeding butterflies in Sweden where Araschnia levana has recently expanded its range northward and is now likely to interact with resident species (Aglais urticae and Aglais io). Butterfly occurrence data collected over years and across regions enabled us to investigate how a recent range expansion of A. levana may have affected the environmental niche of resident species.

Location

We focused on two regions of Sweden (Skåne and Norrström) where A. levana has and has not established and two time periods (2001–2006 and 2009–2012) during its establishment in Skåne.

Methods

We performed two distinct analyses in each region using the PCA‐env and the framework described in Broennimann et al. (2012). First, we described the main sources of variation in the environment. Second, in each time period and region, we characterized the realized niches of our focal species across topographic and land use gradients. Third, we quantified overlaps and differences in realized niches between and within species over time.

Results

In Skåne, A. levana has stabilized its distribution over time, while the distribution of the native species has shifted. These shifts depicted a consistent pattern of avoiding overlap between the native species and the environmental space occupied by A. levana, and it was stronger for A. urticae than for A. io. In both regions, we also found evidence of niche partitioning between native species.

Main conclusions

Interspecific interactions are likely to affect local species distributions. It appears that the ongoing establishment of A. levana has modified local biotic interactions and induced shifts in resident species distributions. Among the mechanisms that can explain such patterns of niche partitioning, parasitoid‐driven apparent competition may play an important role in this community.
The internal structure of situational judgement tests reflects candidate main effects: Not dimensions or situations
Authors: Jackson Duncan J. R. , LoPilato Alexander C. , Hughes Dan , Guenole Nigel , Shalfrooshan Ali
Published: June 2016

Despite their popularity and capacity to predict performance, there is no clear consensus on the internal measurement characteristics of situational judgement tests (SJTs). Contemporary propositions in the literature focus on treating SJTs as methods, as measures of dimensions, or as measures of situational responses. However, empirical evidence relating to the internal structure of SJT scores is lacking. Using generalizability theory, we decomposed multiple sources of variance for three different SJTs used with different samples of job candidates (N1 = 2,320; N2 = 989; N3 = 7,934). Results consistently indicated that (1) the vast majority of reliable observed score variance reflected SJT‐specific candidate main effects, analogous to a general judgement factor, and that (2) the contribution of dimensions and situations to reliable SJT variance was, in relative terms, negligible. These findings do not align neatly with any of the proposals in the contemporary literature; however, they do suggest an internal structure for SJTs.

Practitioner points

To help optimize reliable variance, overall‐level aggregation should be used when scoring SJTs.

The majority of reliable variance in SJTs reflects a general performance factor, relative to variance pertaining to specific dimensions or situations.

SJT‐based developmental feedback should be delivered in terms of general SJT performance rather than on performance relating to specific dimensions or situations.

Generalizability theory, although underutilized in organizational multifaceted measurement, offers an approach to informing on the psychometric properties of SJTs that is well suited to the complexities of SJT measurement designs.