bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MPs’ Constituency Orientation in the Absence of Electoral Districts: The Case of Extreme Proportional Electoral Systems
Authors: Itzkovitch-Malka Reut
Published: March 2020

This article examines MPs’ constituency orientation in two of the most ‘extreme’ cases of proportional representation, Israel and the Netherlands. Both countries are considered as limiting cases, providing evidence of the type of geographically based representation we are likely to see when there are no electoral institutions which encourage a geographical link between voters and representatives. While the literature predicts the geographical connection between voters and representatives in extreme proportional electoral systems to be minimal, this article finds this to hold true for the Netherlands but not for Israel. It then seeks to find factors explaining variation in MPs’ constituency orientation in the absence of electoral incentives.
Analysis of SCN9A Gene Variants for Acute and Chronic Postoperative Pain and Morphine Consumption After Total Hysterectomy
Authors: Yeo Junjie , Sia Alex T , Sultana Rehana , Sng Ban Leong , Tan Ene-Choo
Published: March 2020

Background

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the voltage-gated sodium channel alpha subunit gene (SCN9A) have been associated with pain in various settings. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of the SNPs to evaluate the influence of common gene variants on chronic postoperative pain (CPSP) and other related pain variables in a cohort of patients who underwent a scheduled hysterectomy.

Methods

DNA samples from a cohort of 1,075 patients who underwent a scheduled total hysterectomy in our hospital were genotyped for three common SCN9A SNPs using TaqMan assays. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to quantify the association between independent covariates such as pain threshold, pain endurance, pain scores, morphine use, and the presence of chronic pain.

Results

Frequencies of the minor alleles were different between the different ethnic groups. There was a statistically significant association of rs16851799 with morphine consumption and self-reported postoperative pain for the 1,038 subjects genotyped, with the TT genotype reporting higher pain and using more morphine. For the subpopulation of 446 subjects with chronic pain data, there was a similar association with self-reported postoperative pain and tolerance of pressure pain. Univariate analysis also showed a statistically significant association of rs16851799 with CPSP, whereas multivariable analysis revealed a similar association of rs4387806 with this outcome. There were three haplotypes with different relative frequencies for the CPSP and non-CPSP groups.

Conclusions

Our results showed that SCN9A polymorphisms could play a role in acute pain perception and the susceptibility to chronic pain.
Implied Stochastic Volatility Models
Authors: Aït-Sahalia Yacine , Li Chenxu , Li Chen Xu
Published: March 2020

This paper proposes “implied stochastic volatility models” designed to fit option-implied volatility data and implements a new estimation method for such models. The method is based on explicitly linking observed shape characteristics of the implied volatility surface to the coefficient functions that define the stochastic volatility model. The method can be applied to estimate a fully flexible nonparametric model, or to estimate by the generalized method of moments any arbitrary parametric stochastic volatility model, affine or not. Empirical evidence based on S&P 500 index options data show that the method is stable and performs well out of sample.
CONVERSION FACTOR FROM DOSEMETER READING TO AIR KERMA FOR NUCLEAR WORKER USING ANTHROPOMORPHIC PHANTOM FOR FURTHER CONVERSION FROM AIR KERMA TO ORGAN-ABSORBED DOSE
Authors: Furuta Hiroshige , Tsujimura Norio , Nishide Akemi , Kudo Shin’ichi , Saigusa Shin
Published: March 2020

Estimation of cancer risk based on the organ-absorbed dose is underway for the Japanese Epidemiological Study on Low-Dose Radiation Effects (J-EPISODE). The reconstruction method for the organ-absorbed dose follows the approach adopted in the IARC 15-Country Collaborative Study, which examined the dosemeter response to photon exposure for the old film badge (FB) type, a multi-element FB and a thermoluminescence dosemeter. Until 2000, the dosemeters used in Japan were almost the same in the IARC study, so IARC study data could be used as they were. However, since 2000, the type of dosemeter has been replaced with active personal dosemeters (hereafter called electronic personal dosemeters), radio-photoluminescent glass dosemeters (Glass badge) and optically stimulated luminescence dosemeters (Luminess badge). Hence, it was necessary to collect these data again. A dosemeter response experiment was conducted using a device that irradiated an anthropomorphic phantom in the Japan Atomic Energy Agency calibration laboratories. The aim of the paper is to provide a conversion factor from reading in terms of Hp(10) to air kerma for realistic conditions for further conversion from air kerma to organ-absorbed dose. The obtained dosemeter responses for the dosemeter types currently used in Japan were consistent with those in the IARC study. These data will be utilized for J-EPISODE in reconstructing the organ-absorbed dose.
Concerns about Suicide among Asian Americans: The Need for Outreach?
Authors: Leung Carol A
Published: March 2020

Suicide was the ninth leading cause of death for Asian Americans in 2017. The growth of Asian American populations has led to more discussions about suicide prevention efforts. A 128-item needs assessment survey was administered at cultural events in 10 predominantly immigrant Asian communities. In five years, 1,840 respondents (61 percent response rate) filled out the survey anonymously to express their health and mental health concerns. This study aims to identify factors and help-seeking behaviors associated with having suicidal concerns among Asian Americans in various subgroups. Among the respondents, 1,314 rated the intensity of their concerns about suicide with an average of 0.74 (SD = 1.11) on a four-point rating scale in that 13.7 percent rated their concerns as severe. Taiwanese respondents expressed the highest intensity score (1.09) compared with other ethnic groups (from 0.29 to 1.04). A logistic regression analysis found that each unit of health concerns on a four-point rating scale significantly increases the likelihood of suicide concerns by 46 times among Asian Americans. Consistent with previous studies, immigrants were likely to share mental health problems with friends and physicians. Effective suicide prevention requires mental health awareness programming for the Asian American community.
Recent progress in treating advanced prostate cancer
Authors: Gourdin Theodore
Published: March 2020

Purpose of review

Summarize recent advances in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.

Recent findings

Recent randomized data suggest a survival advantage to early use of novel androgen receptor inhibitors in combination with androgen deprivation therapy both in the setting of hormone-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer and nonmetastatic castration-resistant disease. While ongoing analyses examine optimal sequencing of existing agents for treatment of advanced prostate cancer, additional research focuses on expanding treatment options through development of novel genomically targeted therapies, antibody–drug conjugates, and immune therapy combinations.

In this review, we summarize the recent data supporting the early use of novel androgen receptor inhibitors in advanced prostate cancer and aim to also frame how these drugs may fit within the existing context of docetaxel and abiraterone. We present recent series examining sequencing of approved therapies while searching for predictive biomarkers. Finally, we examine trials evaluating novel agents that target certain biological pathways to highlight the likely future directions for progress in the clinical management of advanced prostate cancer.
Epidemiology of head and neck cancers: an update
Authors: Aupérin Anne
Published: March 2020

Purpose of review

This review attempts to give an update of epidemiological knowledge on head and neck cancers (HNC).

Recent findings

Worldwide, from 1990 to 2017, incidence rates for larynx and nasopharyngeal cancers decreased, whereas they increased for oro/hypopharyngeal cancers and lip/oral cavity cancers. They are still markedly higher among men than women. South Asia has the highest HNC incidence rate, followed by Europe, North America, and Australasia.

Tobacco and alcohol remain the major risk factors. Rate of cancers attributable to human papillomavirus (HPV) among HNCs is highly depending on world region and tobacco use prevalence. It increases in high-income countries. In the US population, the number of HPV-attributable oropharyngeal cancers now exceeds the number of cervix cancers. HPV vaccination for boys is recommended in an increasing number of countries. Many occupations are associated with an increased HNC risk. Fruits and vegetables intake have a protective effect against HNC.

To decrease HNC incidence, measures to reduce tobacco use and alcohol consumption remain essential. Improvement of HPV vaccination coverage is also a major objective. Reduction of carcinogens at occupation, protection of workers from carcinogen exposures, education for better diet, and easy and affordable access to fruits and vegetables can contribute to incidence decrease.
Cardioprotective Effects of Latifolin Against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity by Macrophage Polarization in Mice
Authors: Zhang Ni , Shou Binyao , Chen Lanying , Lai Xiaoxiao , Luo Yingying , Meng Xiaowei , Liu Ronghua
Published: March 2020

Latifolin, one of the major flavonoids extracted from lignum dalbergiae odoriferae, has been documented to protect the heart from acute myocardial ischemia induced by pituitrin and isoproterenol in rats and has also been found to inhibit inflammation. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether latifolin could protect the heart from doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity and elucidate its underlying mechanisms. Male mice were treated with an intraperitoneal dose of DOX (20 mg/kg) plus oral latifolin at a dose of 50 or 100 mg/kg for 12 days. After exposure, we assessed cardiac function, myocardial injury, and macrophage polarization in excised cardiac tissue. Our results demonstrated that latifolin prevented DOX-induced cardiac dysfunction and produced macrophage polarization in mice challenged with latifolin. In cultured peritoneal macrophages, latifolin significantly reduced inflammatory cytokines (P < 0.05). Furthermore, latifolin remarkably decreased the percentage of macrophage M1/M2 polarization (P < 0.05). The results from the present study highlight the benefits of treatment with latifolin in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, and the mechanism involved in mediating the polarization phenotype change of M1/M2 macrophages.
Controversies in Surgical Management of Lymphedema
Authors: Hanson Summer E. , Chang Edward I. , Schaverien Mark V. , Chu Carrie , Selber Jesse C. , Hanasono Matthew M.
Published: March 2020

Surgical treatment of lymphedema has expanded in recent years. Lymphovenous bypass and vascularized lymph node transfer are both modern techniques to address the physiologic dysfunction associated with secondary lymphedema. While efficacy of both techniques has been demonstrated in numerous studies, there are several questions that remain. Here, the authors discuss the most pertinent controversies in our practice as well as the current state of surgical management of lymphedema.
Evolution in Surgical Management of Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema: The MD Anderson Cancer Center Experience
Authors: Chang Edward I. , Schaverien Mark V. , Hanson Summer E. , Chu Carrie K. , Hanasono Matthew M.
Published: March 2020

Introduction:

Lymphedema is a lifelong, debilitating condition that plagues a large portion of patients who have undergone multimodality therapy for breast cancer. With the increasing experience in supermicrosurgical treatment of lymphedema, reconstructive surgeons have made a tremendous impact in improving the quality of life of patients suffering from breast cancer related lymphedema.

Methods:

Historical review of our evolution in treatment and management of breast cancer related lymphedema and implementation of our new algorithm. Retrospective review of patients who have undergone both the lymphovenous bypass and vascularized lymph node transfer with autologous breast reconstruction.

Results:

The combined Breast Reconstruction Including Lymphovenous bypass and Inguinal to Axillary Node Transfer (BRILIANT) demonstrates promising outcomes. Thirty-eight patients (average age: 52.9 years, average BMI: 32.6 kg/m2) who have undergone the BRILIANT approach have all demonstrated improvements in their lymphedema. With an average follow-up of 19.1 months, no patients suffered a post-operative cellulitis, and 81.6% of patients also demonstrated a volume reduction.

Conclusion:

Our new algorithm combining breast reconstruction with lymphedema surgery represents an evolution in our approach to treatment of breast cancer related lymphedema has demonstrated promising results with long-term outcomes.
Pectoral Fascia Preservation in Oncological Mastectomy to Reduce Complications and Improve Reconstructions: A Systematic Review
Authors: Suijker Jaco , Blok Yara L. , de Vries Ralph , van den Tol Monique P. , Krekel Nicole M. A.
Published: March 2020

Background:

Excision of the pectoral fascia (PF) is routinely performed in oncological mastectomies. Preservation of the PF may, however, decrease postoperative complication rates for bleeding, infections, and seroma. It may also improve reconstructive outcomes by better prosthesis coverage, thereby reducing implant extrusion rates and improving cosmetic outcomes.

Methods:

A systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis principles was performed. Studies describing PF preservation were searched in 3 databases. All studies including more than 10 patients were included. The main outcomes were oncological safety (local recurrence, regional and distant metastases, and mortality rates), complication rates (bleeding, infections, seroma), loss of the prosthesis after reconstructive surgery, and cosmetic outcomes following reconstruction.

Results:

Five studies were included. Three reported on 2 different randomized controlled trials (n = 73, and n = 244), and 2 studies were retrospective case series (n = 203 and n = 256). PF preservation did not affect oncological outcomes in terms of local recurrences, regional and distant metastases, or mortality rates. One study described a significantly lower incidence of seroma in the PF preservation group. No differences were found for bleeding complications and infections. No objective data were provided for reconstructive complications or cosmetic outcomes.

Conclusions:

The literature on PF preservation is scarce. Based on the current evidence, PF preservation seems oncologically safe while potentially reducing postoperative complication rates. It is expected that reconstructive outcomes will benefit from PF preservation, but these studies lack evidence on this topic. Future studies should provide insight into all aspects of PF preservation.
Surgical and Nonsurgical Pediatric Hand Fractures: A Cohort Study
Authors: Hartley Rebecca L. , Lam Josh , Kinlin Ceilidh , Hulin Karen , Temple-Oberle Claire , Harrop A. Robertson , Fraulin Frankie O. G.
Published: March 2020

Background:

Pediatric hand fractures are common and approximately 10% require surgery.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study reports on hand fractures in a large pediatric population and identifies the characteristics and patterns of fractures that required surgical correction. A χ2 analysis was done to evaluate the association between individual fracture variables and surgery. The STROBE checklist was applied.

Results:

One thousand one-hundred seventy-three hand fractures were reviewed. Peak age was 16 years for boys and 14 years for girls. Most fractures were closed (96.0%) and nonrotated (91.3%), and had no concomitant soft tissue injury (72.7%). More than half (56.3%) were nonepiphyseal plate fractures; yet as a single diagnosis, Salter–Harris II fractures were most common (30.2%). The following variables were significantly associated with surgery: open fractures, rotational deformity, distal phalangeal fracture location, multiple fractures, oblique pattern, comminution, displacement >2 mm, intra-articular involvement, and angulation >15°. Most fractures required only immobilization and early range of motion (64.3%). Closed reduction was required in 22.7%. Minor surgery by the primary provider was performed in 3.2% of fractures. Surgery by a hand surgeon was performed in 9.8%. The most common patterns requiring surgery were proximal or middle phalanx head or neck fractures (38.2%) and metacarpal midshaft fractures (20.9%). The most common operation was open reduction internal fixation (52.2%).

Conclusions:

Pediatric hand fractures are common, but 90.2% do not require surgery and, as such, primary providers play a key role in management. Certain fracture variables and patterns are more likely to lead to surgery.
Tissue Expander Scrotal Reconstruction
Authors: Hollins Andrew , Mundy Lily R. , Atia Andrew , Levites Heather , Peterson Andrew , Erdmann Detlev
Published: March 2020

Fournier’s gangrene is a life-threatening soft tissue infection requiring aggressive debridement of the perineum. Surgical debridement results in large defects of the scrotum requiring reconstruction for functional coverage of the testes. Several studies have described scrotal reconstruction utilizing split thickness skin grafts or local flaps. These procedures create additional morbidity in an unhealthy patient population. This report describes a patient who presents for delayed scrotal reconstruction utilizing tissue expansion. Tissue expander-based reconstruction provides reconstruction of native scrotal soft tissue without additional donor site morbidity. A 40-year-old man presented to an outside hospital with Fournier’s gangrene and underwent significant soft tissue debridement. He had an almost complete loss of his native scrotum with his testes surgically banked in his bilateral thighs. He presented to our clinic for a delayed scrotoplasty. The patient was taken to the operating room and a single tissue expander was inserted into the perineum. He underwent serial insufflations in the clinic setting and returned to the operating room for expander removal and scrotal reconstruction. The patient followed up in clinic 4 months postoperatively with a well-healed scrotoplasty. Our case report demonstrates a 2-stage procedure for patients presenting with significant soft tissue loss of the perineum. This reproducible method of reconstruction can be considered for excellent aesthetic and functional scrotoplasty.
Investigating Lower Limb Hemodynamics during Flap Training Regimens and Patient-led Isometric Contraction Protocols
Authors: Geoghegan Luke , Kwasnicki Richard M. , Henton John M. D. , Hettiaratchy Shehan , Jain Abhilash
Published: March 2020

The evidence for lower limb flap (LLF) training regimens is equivocal. The commonest cause of LLF failure is venous congestion. The aim of this study was to investigate whether venous congestion could be reduced by patient-led isometric calf contractions during flap training. A prospective clinical study was conducted using photospectroscopy and laser Doppler (Oxygen to See) to assess healthy limbs and LLF characteristics during flap training and isometric calf contractions. Tissue oxygen saturation, venous congestion, and blood flow were measured at rest, as well as during and after limb dangling and calf contraction exercises. In the acute postoperative period following LLF surgery, dependency markedly reduced superficial flow (−55.20% ± 19.17%), with a concurrent increase in venous congestion (33.80% ± 28.80%); supine isometric contractions improved superficial flow and reduced venous congestion from postoperative day 5. Contractions cause a significant increase in blood flow in the outpatient cohort (+84.40% ± 7.86%, P = 0.009), with a mean time since discharge of 14 weeks. Our data suggest patient-led isometric calf exercises are well tolerated and may reduce venous congestion in the acute phase. Progressive changes toward normal physiological function were demonstrated in the outpatient rehabilitation period. Incorporating calf exercises into LLF rehabilitation may allow longer periods of leg dependency, quicker recovery from surgery, and ultimately improve outcomes.
Successful Systemic Thrombolysis in a Neonatal Occlusive Abdominal Aortic Thrombus Secondary to Hypernatremic Dehydration: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Al Nuaimi Mohammed , Williams Suzan
Published: March 2020

A 6-day-old neonate presented with hypernatremic dehydration and weight loss. Fluids were started for rehydration. He was subsequently found to have signs of reduced lower limb perfusion and investigations revealed an abdominal aortic thrombus and bilateral occlusion of renal arteries. Systemic thrombolysis led to complete resolution of renal artery thrombi with no major complications. A review of similar cases with hypernatremic dehydration and thrombosis is provided.
Novel gold nanobiosensor platforms for rapid and inexpensive detection of Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Al-abodi Hiba Riyadh , Jawad Zainab Nizar , Al-Yasiri Mohammed Hashim , Al-Saadi Aamal Ghazi Mahdi , Memariani Hamed , Sabokrouh Abdolreza , Mohammadi Reza
Published: March 2020

Vibrio cholerae is a Gram-negative curved-rod bacterium belonging to the Vibrionaceae family. Routine detection of V. cholerae infection can be achieved by isolation of the organism from stool sample on the selective medium, followed by biochemical tests and specific antibodies for serotyping and serogrouping. These methods are labor-working and time-consuming. Furthermore, they provide low sensitivity and specificity. Advanced diagnostic approaches for identification of V. cholerae, such as cell-counting techniques by immunoassay, PCR, and real-time PCR are also used. In addition to these strategies, nanotechnology including gold (Au) or silver nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) hold great promise for rapid, accurate, and cost-effective detection of pathogens. In recent years, composites based on golden-graphene nanoparticles have been synthesized using electrochemical methods. They are capable of detecting very low copy numbers of DNA from Vibrio spp. owing to the synergistic effect between the graphene and gold nanoparticles. Therefore, development of nanobiosensors using the gold nanoparticles combined the golden-graphene binary platform nanobiosensor that will open new avenues for the efficient V. cholerae identification.
High-Resolution Computed Tomography Manifestations of 5 Pediatric Patients With 2019 Novel Coronavirus
Authors: Liu Mengqi , Song Zongbiao , Xiao Kaihu
Published: March 2020

We present clinical and chest computed tomography (CT) features of 5 cases of pediatric patients with 2019 novel coronavirus. Two patients had fever and dry cough, whereas the rest of 3 patients were asymptomatic. Three patients had unilateral ground glass opacities with or without consolidation in the subpleural region on high-resolution chest CT, 1 patient had bilateral ground glass opacities, and 1 patient was negative for CT. We note that up to 66.7% asymptomatic patients had pulmonary lesions, so the asymptomatic children with Wuhan contact are recommended to do a 2019 novel coronavirus real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction screening. Unlike adult patients, only a small amount of patients had multilobes affected, so we speculate that the pediatric patients generally have milder CT findings than adults.
Growing up with interfering neighbours: the influence of time of learning and vocabulary knowledge on written word learning in children
Authors: Walker S. , Gaskell M. G. , Knowland V. C. P. , Fletcher F. E. , Cairney S. A. , Henderson L. M.
Published: March 2020

Evidence suggests that new vocabulary undergoes a period of strengthening and integration offline, particularly during sleep. Practical questions remain, however, including whether learning closer to bedtime can optimize consolidation, and whether such an effect varies with vocabulary ability. To examine this, children aged 8–12-years-old (n59) were trained on written novel forms (e.g. BANARA) in either the morning (long delay) or the evening (short delay). Immediately after training and the next day, lexical competition (a marker of integration) was assessed via speeded semantic decisions to neighbouring existing words (e.g. BANANA); explicit memory was measured via recognition and recall tasks. There were no main effects indicating performance changes across sleep for any task, counter to studies of spoken word learning. However, a significant interaction was found, such that children with poorer vocabulary showed stronger lexical competition on the day after learning if there was a short delay between learning and sleep. Furthermore, while poorer vocabulary was associated with slower novel word recognition speed before and after sleep for the long delay group, this association was only presentbeforesleep for the short delay group. Thus, weak vocabulary knowledge compromises novel word acquisition, and when there is a longer period of post-learning wake, this disadvantage remains after a consolidation opportunity. However, when sleep occurs soon after learning, consolidation processes can compensate for weaker encoding and permit lexical integration. These data provide preliminary suggestion that children with poorer vocabulary may benefit from learning new words closer to bedtime.
Older adults detect happy facial expressions less rapidly
Authors: Saito Akie , Sato Wataru , Yoshikawa Sakiko
Published: March 2020

Previous experimental psychology studies based on visual search paradigms have reported that young adults detect emotional facial expressions more rapidly than emotionally neutral expressions. However, it remains unclear whether this holds in older adults. We investigated this by comparing the abilities of young and older adults to detect emotional and neutral facial expressions while controlling the visual properties of faces presented (termed anti-expressions) in a visual search task. Both age groups detected normal angry faces more rapidly than anti-angry faces. However, whereas young adults detected normal happy faces more rapidly than anti-happy faces, older adults did not. This suggests that older adults may not be easy to detect or focusing attention towards smiling faces appearing peripherally.
Evaluation of the silkworm
lemon
mutant as an invertebrate animal model for human sepiapterin reductase deficiency
Authors: Jiang Guihua , Song Jiangbo , Hu Hai , Tong Xiaoling , Dai Fangyin
Published: March 2020

Human sepiapterin reductase (SR) deficiency is an inherited disease caused by
SPR
gene mutations and is a monoamine neurotransmitter disorder. Here, we investigated whether the silkworm
lemon
mutant could serve as a model of SR deficiency. A point mutation in the
BmSPR
gene led to a five amino acid deletion at the carboxyl terminus in the
lemon
mutant. In addition, classical phenotypes seen in SR deficient patients were observed in the
lemon
mutant, including a normal phenylalanine level, a decreased dopamine and serotonin content, and an increased neopterin level. A recovery test showed that the replenishment of
l
-dopa significantly increased the dopamine level in the
lemon
mutant. The silkworm
lemon
mutant also showed negative behavioural abilities. These results suggest that the silkworm
lemon
mutant has an appropriate genetic basis and meets the biochemical requirements to be a model of SR deficiency. Thus, the silkworm
lemon
mutant can serve as a candidate animal model of SR deficiency, which may be helpful in facilitating accurate diagnosis and effective treatment options of SR deficiency.
Uneven substrates constrain walking speed in ants through modulation of stride frequency more than stride length
Authors: Clifton G. T. , Holway D. , Gravish N.
Published: March 2020

Natural terrain is rarely flat. Substrate irregularities challenge walking animals to maintain stability, yet we lack quantitative assessments of walking performance and limb kinematics on naturally uneven ground. We measured how continually uneven 3D-printed substrates influence walking performance of Argentine ants by measuring walking speeds of workers from laboratory colonies and by testing colony-wide substrate preference in field experiments. Tracking limb motion in over 8000 videos, we used statistical models that associate walking speed with limb kinematic parameters to compare movement over flat versus uneven ground of controlled dimensions. We found that uneven substrates reduced preferred and peak walking speeds by up to 42% and that ants actively avoided uneven terrain in the field. Observed speed reductions were modulated primarily by shifts in stride frequency instead of stride length (flatR2: 0.91 versus 0.50), a pattern consistent across flat and uneven substrates. Mixed effect modelling revealed that walking speeds on uneven substrates were accurately predicted based on flat walking data for over 89% of strides. Those strides that were not well modelled primarily involved limb perturbations, including missteps, active foot repositioning and slipping. Together these findings relate kinematic mechanisms underlying walking performance on uneven terrain to ecologically relevant measures under field conditions.
Diversity within mutualist guilds promotes coexistence and reduces the risk of invasion from an alien mutualist
Authors: Martignoni Maria M. , Hart Miranda M. , Tyson Rebecca C. , Garnier Jimmy
Published: March 2020

Biodiversity is an important component of healthy ecosystems, and thus understanding the mechanisms behind species coexistence is critical in ecology and conservation biology. In particular, few studies have focused on the dynamics resulting from the co-occurrence of mutualistic and competitive interactions within a group of species. Here we build a mathematical model to study the dynamics of a guild of competitors who are also engaged in mutualistic interactions with a common partner. We show that coexistence as well as competitive exclusion can occur depending on the competition strength and on strength of the mutualistic interactions, and we formulate concrete criteria for predicting invasion success of an alien mutualist based on propagule pressure, alien traits (such as its resource exchange ability) and composition of the recipient community. We find that intra guild diversity promotes the coexistence of species that would otherwise competitively exclude each other, and makes a guild less vulnerable to invasion. Our results can serve as a useful framework to predict the consequences of species manipulation in mutualistic communities.
Identification of viral etiology of acute respiratory tract infections in children and adults in Tabanan, Bali, Indonesia
Authors: Widhidewi Ni Wayan , Wiyatno Ageng , Dewantari Aghnianditya Kresno , Paramasatiari Lila , Aryastuti Sri Agung , Artika I Nengah , Setiawan Wayan Doddy , Soebandrio Amin , Aye Myint Khin Saw , safari Dodi
Published: March 2020

Acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) is the most common infectious disease in humans worldwide. The morbidity and mortality rates are high, especially in developing countries from Southeast Asia and Africa. While ARTI is commonly associated with viruses, there is limited data on the spectrum of viruses causing ARTI in developing countries, including Indonesia. This study was based on utilizing molecular techniques targeting a panel of 11 endemic and emerging respiratory viral pathogens including zoonotic viruses in a cohort of children and adults presenting at Tabanan General Hospital, Bali, with acute respiratory illness, from January to November 2017. In total, 98 out of 200 samples (49.0 %) tested positive for viruses. Our study confirmed 64.3 % viral etiology in children and 12.2 % in adults. Viruses that were detected were Herpesviridae (15.0 %) followed by enteroviruses (12.0 %), influenza A virus (11.5 %), respiratory syncytial virus (8.0 %), Adenoviridae (6.5 %), human metapneumovirus (3.5 %), Paramyxoviridae (2.0 %), bocavirus (1.0 %) and Coronaviridae (0.5 %). The study sheds light on the viral spectrum of ARTI in children and adults in Tabanan, Bali, Indonesia
Streptobacillus canis sp. nov. isolated from a dog
Authors: Eisenberg Tobias , Heydel Carsten , Prenger-Berninghoff Ellen , Fawzy Ahmad , Kling Ulrike , Akimkin Valerij , Semmler Torsten , Mühldorfer Kristin , Kämpfer Peter , Blom Jochen , Ewers Christa
Published: March 2020

From a phlegmon in a dog an aerobic and facultatively anaerobic, indole-, oxidase- and catalase-negative, non-motile bacterium was isolated in 2019 in Germany that stained Gram-negative and showed a pleomorphic, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming appearance. Based on the results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses, strain IHIT1603-19Twas assigned to the genusStreptobacilluswith sequence similarities of 98.6, 98.0, 97.9, 97.1 and 94.4 % to the type strains ofStreptobacillus felis,Streptobacillus notomytis,Streptobacillus ratti,Streptobacillus moniliformisandStreptobacillus hongkongensis, respectively. Strain IHIT1603-19Tcould also clearly be differentiated from otherStreptobacillusspecies byrpoB,groELandrecAgene, nucleotide and amino acid sequence analyses as well as by core genome phylogeny. Regarding DNA–DNA relatedness, strain IHIT1603-19Tdemonstrated an average nucleotide identity of 83.00 and 82.28 % compared toS. felis131000547TandS. moniliformisDSM 12112T, respectively. Chemotaxonomic and physiological data of strain IHIT1603-19Twere in congruence with other closely related members of the familyLeptotrichiaceae, represented by highly similar enzyme profiles and fatty acid patterns. MALDI-TOF MS analysis also proved suitable in unequivocally discriminating strain IHIT1603-19Tfrom all currently described taxa of the genusStreptobacillus. On the basis of these data, we propose the novel speciesStreptobacillus canissp. nov. with the type strain IHIT1603-19T(=DSM 110501T=CCUG 74118T=CIP 111795T). The G+C content of the DNA of the type strain is 26.6 mol%, genome size is 1.60 Mbp.
Salinibaculum litoreum gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from salted brown alga Laminaria
Authors: Han Dong , Cui Heng-Lin
Published: March 2020

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic and rod-shaped halophilic archaeon, designated HD8-45T, was isolated from the red brine of salted brown alga Laminaria produced at Dalian, PR China. According to the results of 16S rRNA gene and rpoB′ gene sequence comparisons, strain HD8-45T showed the highest sequence similarity to the corresponding genes of

Salinirussus salinus

YGH44T (95.1 and 85.2 % similarities, respectively),

Halovenus aranensis

EB27T (91.2 and 86.0 % similarities, respectively). The low sequence similarity and the phylogeny implied the novel generic status of strain HD8-45T. Genomic relatedness analyses showed that strain HD8-45T were clearly distinguished from other species in the order

Halobacteriales

, with average nucleotide identity, amino acid identity and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization values not more than 75.1, 65.6 and 21.5 %. The polar lipid pattern contained phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, two major glycolipids and two minor glycolipids. The two major glycolipids and a minor glycolipid were chromatographically identical to disulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether, sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether and mannosyl glucosyl diether, respectively. The major respiratory quinones were menaquinone MK-8 and MK-8(H2). The DNA G+C content was 62.0 mol% (Tm
) and 61.9 mol% (genome). All these results showed that strain HD8-45T represents a novel species of a new genus in the order

Halobacteriales

, for which the name Salinibaculum litoreum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Salinibaculum litoreum is HD8-45T (=CGMCC 1.15328T=JCM 31107T).
Marinobacter denitrificans sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment of southern Scott Coast, Antarctica
Authors: Zhang Ming-Xia , Li An-Zhang , Wu Qingping , Yao Qing , Zhu Hong-Hui
Published: March 2020

A novel bacterium, designated JB02H27T, was isolated from marine sediment collected from the southern Scott Coast, Antarctica. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, polar-ﬂagellated and motile rods. Growth occurred at 4–45 °C, at pH 7.0–9.0 and with 3–25 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JB02H27T consistently fell within the genus

Marinobacter

and formed a clade together with

Marinobacter algicola

DG893T (98.8 % similarity),

Marinobacter confluentis

KCTC 42705T (98.4 %),

Marinobacter salarius

R9SW1T (98.4%) and

Marinobacter halotolerans

CP12T (97.9 %), which were subsequently used as reference strains for comparisons of phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics. Average nucleotide identity values between strain JB02H27T and the four related type strains were 80.9, 76.6, 81.9 and 76.3 %, respectively. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3, C16 : 0, C18 : 1
ω9c and C16 : 0 N alcohol. The polar lipids included phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, and an unidentified phospholipid, aminolipid, aminophospholipid and glycolipids. The sole respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-9. The DNA G+C content was 56.9 mol%. Based on the genomic, phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analysis, we propose that strain JB02H27T represents a novel species of the genus

Marinobacter

, for which the name Marinobacter denitrificans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JB02H27T (=GDMCC 1.1528T=KCTC 62941T).
Genome expansion in early eukaryotes drove the transition from lateral gene transfer to meiotic sex
Authors: Colnaghi Marco , Lane Nick , Pomiankowski Andrew
Published: March 2020

Prokaryotes generally reproduce clonally but can also acquire new genetic material via lateral gene transfer (LGT). Like sex, LGT can prevent the accumulation of deleterious mutations predicted by Muller’s ratchet for asexual populations. This similarity between sex and LGT raises the question why did eukaryotes abandon LGT in favor of sexual reproduction? Understanding the limitations of LGT provides insight into this evolutionary transition. We model the evolution of a haploid population undergoing LGT at a rateλand subjected to a mutation rateμ. We take into account recombination length,L, and genome size,g, neglected by previous theoretical models. We confirm that LGT counters Muller’s ratchet by reducing the rate of fixation of deleterious mutations in small genomes. We then demonstrate that this beneficial effect declines rapidly with genome size. Populations with larger genomes are subjected to a faster rate of fixation of deleterious mutations and become more vulnerable to stochastic frequency fluctuations. Muller’s ratchet therefore generates a strong constraint on genome size. Importantly, we show that the degeneration of larger genomes can be resisted by increases in the recombination length, the average number of contiguous genes drawn from the environment for LGT. Large increases in genome size, as in early eukaryotes, are only possible asLreaches the same order of magnitude asg. This requirement for recombination across the whole genome can explain the strong selective pressure towards the evolution of sexual cell fusion and reciprocal recombination during early eukaryotic evolution – the origin of meiotic sex.
Visual mate preference evolution during butterfly speciation is linked to neural processing genes
Authors: Rossi Matteo , Hausmann Alexander E. , Thurman Timothy J. , Montgomery Stephen H. , Papa Riccardo , Jiggins Chris D. , McMillan W. Owen , Merrill Richard M.
Published: March 2020

Many animal species remain separate not because they fail to produce viable hybrids, but because their individuals “choose” not to mate. However, we still know very little of the genetic mechanisms underlying changes in these mate preference behaviours.Heliconiusbutterflies display bright warning patterns, which they also use to recognize conspecifics. Here, we couple QTL for divergence in visual preference behaviours with population genomic and gene expression analyses of neural tissue (central brain, optic lobes and ommatidia) across development in two sympatricHeliconiusspecies. Within a region containing 200 genes, we identify five genes that are strongly associated with divergent visual preferences. Three of these have previously been implicated in key components of neural signalling (specifically anionotropic glutamate receptorand tworegucalcins), and overall our candidates suggest shifts in behaviour involve changes in visual integration or processing. This would allow preference evolution without altering perception of the wider environment.
Designing Topographically Textured Microparticles for Induction and Modulation of Osteogenesis in Mesenchymal Stem Cell Engineering
Authors: Amer Mahetab H. , Alvarez-Paino Marta , McLaren Jane , Pappalardo Francesco , Trujillo Sara , Wong Jing Qian , Shrestha Sumana , Abdelrazig Salah , Stevens Lee A. , Lee Jong Bong , Kim Dong-Hyun , González-García Cristina , Needham David , Salmerón-Sánchez Manuel , Shakesheff Kevin M. , Alexander Morgan R. , Alexander Cameron , Rose Felicity RAJ
Published: March 2020

Mesenchymal stem cells have been the focus of intense research in bone development and regeneration. We demonstrate the potential of microparticles as modulating moieties of osteogenic response by utilizing their architectural features. Topographically textured microparticles of varying microscale features were produced by exploiting phase-separation of a readily-soluble sacrificial component from polylactic acid. The influence of varying topographical features on primary human mesenchymal stem cell attachment, proliferation and markers of osteogenesis was investigated. In the absence of osteoinductive supplements, cells cultured on textured microparticles exhibited notably increased expression of osteogenic markers relative to conventional smooth microparticles. They also exhibited varying morphological, attachment and proliferation responses. Significantly altered gene expression and metabolic profiles were observed, with varying histological characteristicsin vivo. This study highlights how tailoring topographical design offers cell-instructive 3D microenvironments which allow manipulation of stem cell fate by eliciting the desired downstream response without use of exogenous osteoinductive factors.
PathFlow-MixMatch for Whole Slide Image Registration: An Investigation of a Segment-Based Scalable Image Registration Method
Authors: Levy Joshua J. , Jackson Christopher R. , Haudenschild Christian C. , Christensen Brock C. , Vaickus Louis J.
Published: March 2020

Image registration involves finding the best alignment between different images of the same object. In these tasks, the object in question is viewed differently in each of the images (e.g. different rotation or light conditions, etc.). In digital pathology, image registration aligns correspondent regions of tissue from different stereotactic viewpoints (e.g. subsequent deeper sections of the same tissue). These comparisons are important for histological analysis and can facilitate previously unavailable manipulations, such as 3D tissue reconstruction and cell-level alignment of immunohistochemical (IHC) and special stains. Several benchmarks have been established for evaluating image registration techniques for histological tissue; however, little work has evaluated the impact of scaling registration techniques to Giga-Pixel Whole Slide Images (WSI), which are large enough for significant memory limitations, and contain recurrent patterns and deformations that hinder traditional alignment algorithms. Furthermore, as tissue sections often contain multiple, discrete, smaller tissue fragments, it is unnecessary to align an entire image when the bulk of the image is background whitespace and tissue fragments’ orientations are often agnostic of each other. We present a methodology for circumventing large-scale image registration issues in histopathology and accompanying software. By removing background pixels, parsing the slide into discrete tissue segments, and matching, orienting and registering smaller segment pairs, we recovered registrations with lower Target Registration Error (TRE) when compared to utilizing the unmanipulated WSI. We tested our technique by having a pathologist annotate landmarks from 13 pairs of differently stained liver biopsy slides, performing WSI and segment-based registration techniques, and comparing overall TRE. Preliminary results demonstrate superior performance of registering segment pairs versus registering WSI (difference of median TRE of 44 pixels, p<0.001). Segment matching within WSI is an effective solution for histology image registration but requires further testing and validation to ensure its viability for stain translation and 3D histology analysis.
Asparagine hydroxylation is likely to be a reversible post-translational modification
Authors: Rodriguez Javier , Haydinger Cameron D , Peet Daniel J , Nguyen Lan K , von Kriegsheim Alex
Published: March 2020

Amino acid hydroxylation is a common post-translational modification, which generally regulates protein interactions or adds a functional group that can be further modified. Such hydroxylation is currently considered irreversible, necessitating the degradation and re-synthesis of the entire protein to reset the modification. Here we present evidence that the cellular machinery can reverse FIH-mediated asparagine hydroxylation on intact proteins. These data suggest that asparagine hydroxylation is a flexible and dynamic post-translational modification akin to modifications involved in regulating signalling networks, such as phosphorylation, methylation and ubiquitylation.