bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Image-based correction of continuous and discontinuous non-planar axial distortion in serial section microscopy
Authors: Hanslovsky Philipp , Bogovic John A , Saalfeld Stephan
Published: December 2016

Motivation

Serial section microscopy is an established method for detailed anatomy reconstruction of biological specimen. During the last decade, high resolution electron microscopy (EM) of serial sections has become the de-facto standard for reconstruction of neural connectivity at ever increasing scales (EM connectomics). In serial section microscopy, the axial dimension of the volume is sampled by physically removing thin sections from the embedded specimen and subsequently imaging either the block-face or the section series. This process has limited precision leading to inhomogeneous non-planar sampling of the axial dimension of the volume which, in turn, results in distorted image volumes. This includes that section series may be collected and imaged in unknown order.

Results

We developed methods to identify and correct these distortions through image-based signal analysis without any additional physical apparatus or measurements. We demonstrate the efficacy of our methods in proof of principle experiments and application to real world problems.

Availability and Implementation

We made our work available as libraries for the ImageJ distribution Fiji and for deployment in a high performance parallel computing environment. Our sources are open and available at http://github.com/saalfeldlab/section-sort, http://github.com/saalfeldlab/z-spacing and http://github.com/saalfeldlab/z-spacing-spark.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online
Improving detection of short-duration fishing behaviour in vessel tracks by feature engineering of training data
Authors: O’Farrell Shay , Sanchirico James N. , Chollett Iliana , Cockrell Marcy , Murawski Steven A. , Watson Jordan T. , Haynie Alan , Strelcheck Andrew , Perruso Larry
Published: December 2016

Big data, such as vessel monitoring system (VMS) data, can provide valuable information on fishing behaviours. However, conventional methods of detecting behaviours in movement data are challenged when behaviours are briefer than signal resolution. We investigate options for improving detection accuracy for short-set fisheries using 581 648 position records from 181 vessels in the Gulf of Mexico bandit-reel fishery. We first investigate the effects of increasing VMS temporal resolution and find that detection accuracy improves with fishing-set duration. We then assess whether a feature engineering approach—in our case, changing the way pings are labelled when training a classifier—could improve detection accuracy. From a dataset of 12 184 observed sets, we find that the conventional point-labelling method results in only 49% of pings being correctly labelled as ‘fishing’, whereas a novel window-labelling method results in 88% of records being labelled as ‘fishing’. When the labelled data are used to train classifiers, point labelling attains true-positive/balanced-accuracy rates of only 37%/66%, whereas window labelling achieves 68%/83%. Finally, we map fishing distribution using the two methods, and show that point labelling underestimates the extent of fishing grounds by ∼33%, highlighting the benefits of window labelling in particular, and feature engineering approaches in general.
Management of Closed Diaphyseal Humerus Fractures in Patients With Injury Severity Score ≥17
Authors: Dielwart Cassandra , Harmer Luke , Thompson Jeremy , Seymour Rachel B. , Karunakar Madhav A.
Published: December 2016

Objectives:

The management of closed diaphyseal humerus fractures in the polytrauma patient varies widely. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of operative and nonoperative management in this patient population.

Design:

Single-center, retrospective cohort analysis.

Setting:

Urban, Level 1 trauma center.

Patients:

Seventy-one patients with closed diaphyseal humerus fractures, and Injury Severity Score (ISS) of ≥17, treated between 2006 and 2011 were identified.

Intervention:

Patients were treated operatively versus nonoperatively with a functional brace by surgeon preference.

Main Outcomes:

Primary outcome was union. Secondary outcomes included time to union, time to release to weightbearing, and complications other than nonunion.

Results:

There was no statistical difference between age, Injury Severity Score, or fracture type between the 2 cohorts. There was a statistically higher incidence of associated orthopaedic injury, and more specifically, lower extremity injury in the group treated with operative intervention. There was no difference in union rates (95% operative, 94% nonoperative), time to union (17 weeks operative, 15 weeks nonoperative), or complication rates between the 2 groups. Time to release to weightbearing was 3 weeks shorter in the operative group (9.3 weeks operative, 12.8 weeks nonoperative).

Conclusions:

Polytrauma patients with closed diaphyseal humerus fractures can be treated successfully with equivalent union rates, time to union, and complication rates when selected for conservative management techniques. The decision to undertake operative management of closed diaphyseal humerus fractures in the polytraumatized patient is multifaceted and should consider patient expectations, demographics, injury profile, and ambulatory status.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
New-onset third-degree atrioventricular block because of autoimmune-induced myositis under treatment with anti-programmed cell death-1 (nivolumab) for metastatic melanoma
Authors: Behling Juliane , Kaes Joachim , Münzel Thomas , Grabbe Stephan , Loquai Carmen
Published: December 2016

There has been considerable progress in treating malignant melanoma over the last few years. The immune-checkpoint-inhibitors nivolumab and pembrolizumab have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2014 for the therapy of metastatic melanoma. Anti-programmed cell death-1-blocking antibodies are known to cause immune-related adverse events. Physicians should be aware of common and rare side effects and pay attention to new ones. We therefore report a severe and life-threatening side effect of anti-programmed cell death-1 immunotherapy with nivolumab that has not been previously reported: the development of a third-degree atrioventricular block. After a second infusion with nivolumab, our patient developed a troponin I-positive and autoantibody-positive myositis and a few days later a new-onset third-degree atrioventricular block. This is most likely because of an autoimmune-induced myositis with a cardiac impairment in terms of a myocarditis, which led to an impairment of the conduction of cardiac electrical stimuli.
Proximal versus Distal Nerve Transfer for Biceps Reinnervation—A Comparative Study in a Rat’s Brachial Plexus Injury Model
Authors: McGrath Aleksandra M. , Lu Johnny Chuieng-Yi , Chang Tommy Naj-Jen , Fang Frank , Chuang David Chwei-Chin
Published: December 2016

Background:

The exact role of proximal and distal nerve transfers in reconstruction strategies of brachial plexus injury remains controversial. We compared proximal with distal nerve reconstruction strategies in a rat model of brachial plexus injury.

Methods:

In rats, the C6 spinal nerve with a nerve graft (proximal nerve transfer model, n = 30, group A) and 50% of ulnar nerve (distal nerve transfer model, n = 30, group B) were used as the donor nerves. The targets were the musculocutaneous nerve and the biceps muscle. Outcomes were recorded at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks postoperatively. Outcome parameters included grooming test, biceps muscle weight, compound muscle action potentials, tetanic contraction force, and axonal morphology of the donor and target nerves.

Results:

The axonal morphology of the 2 donor nerves revealed no significant difference. Time interval analysis in the proximal nerve transfer group showed peak axon counts at 12 weeks and a trend of improvement in all functional and physiologic parameters across all time points with statistically significant differences for grooming test, biceps compound action potentials, tetanic muscle contraction force, and muscle weight at 16 weeks. In contrast, in the distal nerve transfer group, the only statistically significant difference was observed between the 4 and 8 week time points, followed by a plateau from 8 to 16 weeks.

Conclusions:

Outcomes of proximal nerve transfers are ultimately superior to distal nerve transfers in our experimental model. Possible explanations for the superior results include a reduced need for cortical adaptation and higher proportions of motor units in the proximal nerve transfers.
Free Flap Salvage after Recurrent Venous Thrombosis by Means of Large-Scale Treatment with Medical Leeches
Authors: Tashiro Kensuke , Fujiki Masahide , Arikawa Masaki , Kagaya Yu , Miyamoto Shimpei
Published: December 2016

An anterolateral thigh flap was salvaged using 110 medical leeches in the absence of an available vein for reanastomosis. After surgical construction of the flap for full-thickness thoracic wall reconstruction, the patient developed complete venous occlusion. Specifically, the anastomotic vein developed complete occlusion, and the internal jugular vein had a thrombus. In addition, because the lung was posterior to the flap, the angiogenic area of the flap was very small. When the medical leeches were first applied, the flap showed prominent venous congestion. However, the congestion began to resolve by day 6 of leech use, leading to complete survival of the flap.
Pilot Study of Lamina Cribrosa Intensity Measurements in Glaucoma Using Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Srinivas Sowmya , Dastiridou Anna , Durbin Mary K. , Nittala Muneeswar G. , Huang Alex A. , Tan James C.H. , Francis Brian A. , Sadda Srinivas R. , Chopra Vikas
Published: December 2016

Purpose:

To compare the lamina cribrosa (LC) intensity in glaucoma-suspect eyes and eyes with mild to moderate glaucoma using swept-source optical coherence tomography.

Methods:

Optic disc volume scans were collected using swept-source optical coherence tomography in 19 clinically defined glaucoma-suspect eyes and 29 eyes with mild to moderate glaucoma. LC intensity was measured using Image J software, and the resultant values were normalized using the retinal pigment epithelium and vitreous signal.

Results:

Mean age was 53.7±18.5 years in the glaucoma-suspect eyes and 63.0±16.1 years in the eyes with mild to moderate glaucoma (P=0.161). Significant differences in LC intensity were observed between the 2 groups, with median LC intensity values of 0.96 and 0.86 units in the glaucoma-suspect and the mild to moderate glaucoma groups, respectively (P<0.001). A weak positive correlation was found between mean deviation and normalized LC intensity (r=0.344; P=0.018).

Conclusions:

Intensity measurement of the LC is a potential novel parameter which warrants further study in the setting of glaucoma.
Time to Discontinuation of Second-Generation Antipsychotics Versus Haloperidol and Sulpiride in People With Schizophrenia
Authors: Chan Hung-Yu , Pan Yi-Ju , Chen Jiahn-Jyh , Chen Chiung-Hsu
Published: December 2016

Purpose

A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the time to discontinuation (TTD) of the first- (FGAs) and second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs).

Methods

In total, 918 treatment episodes of patients with schizophrenia, initiated on one of the investigated drugs on an outpatient basis during 2004–2006, were entered into the study. The primary outcome was the duration of the investigated treatment episode. Discontinuation was defined when either patients were admitted or the investigated drug had been stopped for more than 28 days. We used the Cox proportional hazard model to compare hazards of discontinuations among 8 SGAs versus 2 FGAs (haloperidol and sulpiride). The follow-up period was up to 18 months.

Results

During the follow-up period, clozapine had the highest rate of continuous treatment in the primary analysis: clozapine, 40.6%; olanzapine, 23.4%; aripiprazole, 22.9%; amisulpride, 21.9%; zotepine, 21.3%; sulpiride, 17.0%; risperidone, 12.8%; quetiapine, 12.5%; haloperidol, 10.6%; and ziprasidone, 10.4%. Compared with haloperidol, 5 SGAs had significantly longer TTD (adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals): clozapine (0.403, 0.267–0.607), olanzapine (0.611, 0.439–0.849), aripiprazole (0.570, 0.407–0.795), amisulpride (0.680, 0.487–0.947), and zotepine (0.687, 0.497–0.948), but only clozapine had significantly longer TTD compared with sulpiride (0.519, 0.342–0.786). The sensitivity analysis showed similar results.

Implications/Conclusions

The current findings suggested that SGAs or FGAs are not homogeneous groups. Clozapine has the highest rate of continuous treatment among SGAs, and haloperidol is not the representative drug for all FGAs. Furthermore, antipsychotics dropout rate is high in naturalistic situation. A good service model needs to be constructed to enhance antipsychotic treatment adherence of people with schizophrenia.
Quality Improvement: Changing Patterns of Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Surgical Abortion
Authors: Muramoto Olivia T. , Calfee Alexa L. , Shorter Jade M. , Creinin Mitchell D. , Hou Melody Y.
Published: December 2016

Objective:

Postprocedure infection complicates nearly 5% of abortions. Multiple organizations endorse prophylactic antibiotics to reduce infection risk with surgical abortion, but the adherence rate remains unknown for women who obtain antibiotics at a pharmacy and take them at home before their procedure. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of quality improvement interventions on antibiotic utilization and preoperative documentation for women undergoing surgical abortion at our academic institution.

Methods:

An initial quality evaluation of antibiotic utilization by women who had abortions in our operating room between April 2012 and June 2013 revealed suboptimal antibiotic adherence and poor physician documentation. To address these issues, we recommended patients to fill prescriptions at the pharmacy located in the same building as our clinic and created a standard preoperative template for the medical record. We reexamined outcomes for women having abortions from April 2014 to June 2015.

Results:

Antibiotic adherence increased from 81% to 90% (p < .001). The proportion of patients not receiving antibiotics decreased from 2.4% to 0.5% (p = .01). Adherence documentation rates improved from 69% to 99% (p < .001).

Conclusions:

Using an easily accessible pharmacy and a standard preoperative template improves utilization of prophylactic antibiotics for patients undergoing abortions in the operating room.
Early Diagnosis of Labial Fusion in Women After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Enables Outpatient Treatment
Authors: Scrivani Claire , Merideth Melissa A. , Klepac Pulanic Tajana , Pavletic Steven , Childs Richard W. , Hsieh Matthew M. , Stratton Pamela
Published: December 2016

Objective

The aim of the study was to describe the presentation and successful treatment of labial fusion in women after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT).

Materials and Methods

During routine posttransplant gynecologic evaluation, labial fusion was identified in 5 female patients. Clinical data were collected regarding underlying disease, transplant regimen, genital symptoms, systemic sites of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD) and treatment, and follow-up.

Results

At presentation, women had a median age of 40 years (range = 35–50) and were 23-month to 8-year post-HCT. Four of the 5 patients with labial fusion had evidence of active cGvHD; 3 patients had severe sclerotic cGvHD, and 1 patient had bronchiolitis obliterans. One had rheumatoid arthritis and had recently stopped taking etanercept, but had no sites of cGvHD. One patient presented with only a pinpoint opening for passage of urine. Her complete labial fusion was lysed under general anesthesia. Three of the 4 others presented with dyspareunia. Their labia were fused between the clitoris and urethra narrowing the vaginal opening without obstructing the urethra. These labial adhesions were successfully lysed during an office procedure. Once the labial mucosa healed, the patients applied topical clobetasol and estrogen to prevent reagglutination. On follow-up, 1 month to 1 year later, all women were significantly improved.

Conclusions

These patients highlight the importance of asking women who have undergone allogeneic HCT, especially those with severe cGvHD, about dyspareunia and dysuria. Those with genital symptoms warrant referral to a gynecologist. These cases illustrate that labial fusion, if diagnosed early enough, may be treated successfully with an office procedure and medical therapy.
Unintentional Epinephrine Auto-injector Injuries: A National Poison Center Observational Study
Authors: Anshien Marco , Rose S. Rutherfoord , Wills Brandon K.
Published: December 2016

Background:

Epinephrine is the only first-line therapeutic agent used to treat life-threatening anaphylaxis. Epinephrine auto-injectors are commonly carried by patients at risk for anaphylaxis, and reported cases of unintentional auto-injector injury have increased over the last decade. Modifications of existing designs and release of a new style of auto-injector are intended to reduce epinephrine auto-injector misuse.

Study Question:

The aim of the study was to characterize reported cases of unintentional epinephrine auto-injector exposures from 2013 to 2014 and compare demographics, auto-injector model, and anatomical site of such exposures.

Methods:

The American Association of Poison Control Center's National Poison Data System was searched from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2014, for cases of unintentional epinephrine auto-injector exposures. Anatomical site data were obtained from all cases reported to the Virginia Poison Center and participating regional poison center for Auvi-Q cases.

Results:

A total of 6806 cases of unintentional epinephrine auto-injector exposures were reported to US Poison Centers in 2013 and 2014. Of these cases, 3933 occurred with EpiPen, 2829 with EpiPen Jr, 44 with Auvi-Q, and no case reported of Adrenaclick. The most common site of unintentional injection for traditional epinephrine auto-injectors was the digit or thumb, with 58% of cases for EpiPen and 39% of cases with EpiPen Jr. With Auvi-Q, the most common site was the leg (78% of cases).

Conclusions:

The number of unintentional epinephrine auto-injector cases reported to American Poison Centers in 2013–2014 has increased compared with previous data. Most EpiPen exposures were in the digits, whereas Auvi-Q was most frequently in the leg. Because of the limitations of Poison Center data, more research is needed to identify incidence of unintentional exposures and the effectiveness of epinephrine auto-injector redesign.
Consensus Review of Best Practice of Transanal Irrigation in Children
Authors: Mosiello Giovanni , Marshall David , Rolle Udo , Crétolle Célia , Santacruz Bruno G. , Frischer Jason , Benninga Marc A.
Published: December 2016

Pediatric patients with either functional or organic bowel dysfunction may suffer from constipation and fecal incontinence and represent a complex group in whom management is often difficult. Many noninvasive and invasive treatments have been proposed, with variable efficacy and adverse effects. Transanal irrigation (TAI) is now an accepted alternative, in both children and adults, for bowel dysfunction that has not responded to conservative and medical therapies. There is, however, still some uncertainty about the use of TAI in pediatric populations. Hence, a group of specialists from different nations and pediatric disciplines, all with long‐standing experience of bowel management in children, performed a literature search and had round table discussions to determine the best‐practice use of TAI in the pediatric patient population. Based on these findings, this article provides best‐practice recommendations on indications, patient selection, important considerations before treatment, patient and family training, treatment regimens, troubleshooting, and practical aspects of TAI. We conclude that careful patient selection, a tailored approach, directly supervised training, and sustained follow‐up are key to optimize outcomes with TAI in children with functional or organic bowel dysfunction.
Management of Pediatric Acute Mastoiditis in Israel
Authors: Tamir Sharon Ovnat , Marom Tal , Rekhtman David , Luntz Michal
Published: December 2016

Introduction

Acute mastoiditis (AM) is a medical emergency that mandates prompt diagnosis and treatment. Nevertheless, its management often differs between otorhinolaryngologists (ORLs) and pediatricians (PEDs) working in emergency departments. We sought to characterize the similarities and differences between management protocols of these 2 disciplines.

Methods

A voluntary electronic questionnaire, including 17 items pertaining to pediatric AM management, was sent to all the 20 otorhinolaryngology and their corresponding pediatric emergency departments nationwide. Each department sent 1 filled out questionnaire. The response rate was 100%.

Results

Eighteen (90%) ORLs are notified when a child with suspected AM arrives. Medical history collected by both disciplines was similar—previous otologic history (100%), previous antibiotic use (100%), and pneumococcal conjugate vaccination status (60%)—whereas acute otitis media risk factors were more important to PEDs (13 [65%] PEDs, 10 [50%] ORLs). According to 85% to 90% of ORLs and PEDs, imaging was not mandatory upon admission. According to 14 (70%) PEDs and 16 (80%) ORLs, imaging was overall performed in less than 50% of patients during hospitalization. Intravenous ceftriaxone and cefuroxime were the most common first-line antibiotic treatments (8 [40%] ORLs, 10 [50%] PEDs), with a mean treatment duration of 7 to 10 days. Eighteen (90%) of the ORLs, compared with 15 (75%) PEDs, reported that myringotomy (with or without ventilating tube insertion) was performed upon diagnosis (P = 0.05).

Conclusions

The management of pediatric AM is generally similar by both disciplines. The use of imaging studies is mild-moderate. We call for a national registry and encourage the publication of guidelines.
Neuroendocrine Gastroenteropancreatic Tumors: Where Are We?
Authors: Ulla Rocha Jose L. , Salgado Angel , Sardina Ferreiro Raquel , Fernandez Catalina Pablo , Gallardo Elena
Published: December 2016

Aims:

Neuroendocrine gastroenteropancreatic tumors are infrequently found neoplasms. Our objective was to analyze the survival rates for all sites that they occur in by studying different variables.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective study was carried out using records for a 7-year period from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2014 on neuroendocrine gastroenteropancreatic tumors patients diagnosed at the Pontevedra-Salnés Hospital Complex. The variables used were as follows: age at diagnosis, tumor size, presence or absence of metastases at diagnosis, cell proliferation index, Ki-67 of each tumor, treatments received, postdiagnosis survival time, existence or not of tumor progression, and time from diagnosis to progression and from diagnosis to mortality. In relation to treatments, the information recorded was whether the treatment was endoscopic, surgical, or pharmacological.

Results:

Ninety-three neuroendocrine tumors made up a ratio of 4.42 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per annum. The median patient follow-up time was 44 months. The overall 5-year survival rate for patients who were followed up for a minimum of 60 months (49 patients) was 65.3%. The progression-free survival was 75.6% for 41 patients who were followed up for a minimum of 60 months. The survival rate for patients receiving endoscopic treatment was 100%, as there was no patient mortality recorded for those treated by endoscopic resection during the follow-up period.

Conclusion:

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors may be managed conservatively in elderly patients by either monitoring them with imaging studies or treating them with somatostatin analogs. In the case of digestive tract tumors (stomach, duodenum, and rectum) that meet the criteria for endoscopic resection, this is a reliable and safe technique in the long term.
Open Versus Hand-assisted Laparoscopic Total Gastric Resection With D2 Lymph Node Dissection for Adenocarcinoma: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Zhang Guang-tan , Zhang Xue-dong , Xue Huan-zhou
Published: December 2016

Objective:

A case-control study was conducted to investigate the feasibility and safety of hand-assisted laparoscopic total gastrectomy (HALTG) with D2 lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer as opposed to traditional open total gastrectomy (OTG).

Methods:

One hundred fifty-four patients suffering cardia, upper, middle, or whole gastric cancer operated in our department from February 2009 to February 2012 were divided into 2 groups: the open total gastrectomy group (the OTG group) and the hand-assisted laparoscopic total gastrectomy group (the HALTG group). Operative time, estimated blood loss, number of lymph node retrieval, time to the first flatus, and postoperative hospital stay were compared between the 2 groups.

Results:

HALTG was associated with significantly less operative blood loss, shorter time to the first flatus and shorter postoperative hospital stay, but longer operative time, compared with OTG. There were no significant differences in tumor size, retrieved lymph nodes, American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union International Control Cancer staging and tumor location between the 2 groups. Negative resection margins were obtained in all patients who had undergone a hand-assisted laparoscopic gastrectomy (100%) and in all but 2 patients in the open group (97.6%). The overall observed 5-year survival rate was 56.5% in the HALTG group and 51.8% in the OTG group (P=0.0001, log-rank test).

Conclusions:

HALTG is a safe, feasible, and oncologically sound procedure and has advantages over ODG.
John Norman Murrell. 2 March 1932 — 25 January 2016
Authors: Clary Sir David C. , Stace Anthony J. , Tennyson Jonathan
Published: December 2016

John Murrell was a theoretical chemist who made important contributions to the understanding of the spectra of organic molecules, to the theory of intermolecular forces and to the construction of potential energy surfaces. He established the University of Sussex as a major centre for research and teaching in theoretical chemistry. He was also a successful writer of textbooks for undergraduate and graduate students on chemical bonding and related topics.
Sperm allocation in relation to female size in a semelparous salmonid
Authors: Makiguchi Yuya , Ichimura Masaki , Kitayama Takenori , Kawabata Yuuki , Kitagawa Takashi , Kojima Takahito , Pitcher Trevor E.
Published: December 2016

To maximize reproductive success, males have to adaptively tailor their sperm expenditure in relation to the quality of potential mates because they require time to replenish their sperm supply for subsequent mating opportunities. Therefore, in mating contexts where males must choose among females in a short period of time, as is the case with semelparous species (which die after one intensely competitive short duration breeding season), selection on sperm allocation can be expected to be a powerful selective agent that shapes the male reproductive success. We quantitatively investigated sperm allocation patterns in chum salmon in relation to perceived female quality by developing a novel method for determining the amount of sperm allocated per ejaculate during spawning bouts. We examined the relationship between sperm expenditure and the body size of paired females (a proxy of egg number and egg quality) in the absence of male–male competition in an experimental channel. The estimated amount of sperm released per spawning event was positively correlated with the size of paired females. However, the number of spawning events a female participated in, which reduces the number of eggs she spawns in each subsequent bout, did not affect this relationship. These results provide support for predictions arising from the sperm allocation hypothesis, male salmon do economize their sperm expenditure in accordance with paired female body size as predicted for their first spawning event, but males overestimate or are unable to assess the quality of females beyond size and provide more sperm than they should in theory when paired with a female that spawned previously. Overall, the observed sperm allocation pattern in chum salmon appears to be adapted to maximize reproductive success assuming female size is an honest indicator of quality, although temporal changes in a female's quality during a reproductive season should be considered when examining sperm allocation strategies.
Postcopulatory sexual selection influences baculum evolution in primates and carnivores
Authors: Brindle Matilda , Opie Christopher
Published: December 2016

The extreme morphological variability of the baculum across mammals is thought to be the result of sexual selection (particularly, high levels of postcopulatory selection). However, the evolutionary trajectory of the mammalian baculum is little studied and evidence for the adaptive function of the baculum has so far been elusive. Here, we use Markov chain Monte Carlo methods implemented in a Bayesian phylogenetic framework to reconstruct baculum evolution across the mammalian class and investigate the rate of baculum length evolution within the primate order. We then test the effects of testes mass (postcopulatory sexual selection), polygamy, seasonal breeding and intromission duration on the baculum in primates and carnivores. The ancestral mammal did not have a baculum, but both ancestral primates and carnivores did. No relationship was found between testes mass and baculum length in either primates or carnivores. Intromission duration correlated with baculum presence over the course of primate evolution, and prolonged intromission predicts significantly longer bacula in extant primates and carnivores. Both polygamous and seasonal breeding systems predict significantly longer bacula in primates. These results suggest the baculum plays an important role in facilitating reproductive strategies in populations with high levels of postcopulatory sexual selection.
Automatic facial mimicry in response to dynamic emotional stimuli in five-month-old infants
Authors: Isomura Tomoko , Nakano Tamami
Published: December 2016

Human adults automatically mimic others' emotional expressions, which is believed to contribute to sharing emotions with others. Although this behaviour appears fundamental to social reciprocity, little is known about its developmental process. Therefore, we examined whether infants show automatic facial mimicry in response to others' emotional expressions. Facial electromyographic activity over the corrugator supercilii (brow) and zygomaticus major (cheek) of four- to five-month-old infants was measured while they viewed dynamic clips presenting audiovisual, visual and auditory emotions. The audiovisual bimodal emotion stimuli were a display of a laughing/crying facial expression with an emotionally congruent vocalization, whereas the visual/auditory unimodal emotion stimuli displayed those emotional faces/vocalizations paired with a neutral vocalization/face, respectively. Increased activation of the corrugator supercilii muscle in response to audiovisual cries and the zygomaticus major in response to audiovisual laughter were observed between 500 and 1000 ms after stimulus onset, which clearly suggests rapid facial mimicry. By contrast, both visual and auditory unimodal emotion stimuli did not activate the infants' corresponding muscles. These results revealed that automatic facial mimicry is present as early as five months of age, when multimodal emotional information is present.
A biogeographic network reveals evolutionary links between deep-sea hydrothermal vent and methane seep faunas
Authors: Kiel Steffen
Published: December 2016

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents and methane seeps are inhabited by members of the same higher taxa but share few species, thus scientists have long sought habitats or regions of intermediate character that would facilitate connectivity among these habitats. Here, a network analysis of 79 vent, seep, and whale-fall communities with 121 genus-level taxa identified sedimented vents as a main intermediate link between the two types of ecosystems. Sedimented vents share hot, metal-rich fluids with mid-ocean ridge-type vents and soft sediment with seeps. Such sites are common along the active continental margins of the Pacific Ocean, facilitating connectivity among vent/seep faunas in this region. By contrast, sedimented vents are rare in the Atlantic Ocean, offering an explanation for the greater distinction between its vent and seep faunas compared with those of the Pacific Ocean. The distribution of subduction zones and associated back-arc basins, where sedimented vents are common, likely plays a major role in the evolutionary and biogeographic connectivity of vent and seep faunas. The hypothesis that decaying whale carcasses are dispersal stepping stones linking these environments is not supported.
Crystallographic study of self-organization in the solid state including quasi-aromatic pseudo-ring stacking interactions in 1-benzoyl-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)thiourea and 1-benzoyl-3-(2-hydroxypropyl)thiourea
Authors: Okuniewski Andrzej , Rosiak Damian , Chojnacki Jarosław , Becker Barbara
Published: December 2016

1-Benzoylthioureas contain both carbonyl and thiocarbonyl functional groups and are of interest for their biological activity, metal coordination ability and involvement in hydrogen-bond formation. Two novel 1-benzoylthiourea derivatives, namely 1-benzoyl-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)thiourea, C16H16N2O3S, (I), and 1-benzoyl-3-(2-hydroxypropyl)thiourea, C11H14N2O2S, (II), have been synthesized and characterized. Compound (I) crystallizes in the space group P\overline{1}, while (II) crystallizes in the space group P21/c. In both structures, intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonding is present. The resulting six-membered pseudo-rings are quasi-aromatic and, in each case, interact with phenyl rings via stacking-type interactions. C—H...O, C—H...S and C—H...π interactions are also present. In (I), there is one molecule in the asymmetric unit. Pairs of molecules are connected via two intermolecular N—H...S hydrogen bonds, forming centrosymmetric dimers. In (II), there are two symmetry-independent molecules that differ mainly in the relative orientations of the phenyl rings with respect to the thiourea cores. Additional strong hydrogen-bond donor and acceptor –OH groups participate in the formation of intermolecular N—H...O and O—H...S hydrogen bonds that join molecules into chains extending in the [001] direction.
Parental exposure modulates the effects of UV‐B on offspring in guppies
Authors: Ghanizadeh Kazerouni Ensiyeh , Franklin Craig E. , Seebacher Frank
Published: December 2016

The environment experienced by parents can alter offspring phenotypes. Such developmental plasticity is beneficial when it optimises offspring responses to their prevailing environment. Plasticity may be detrimental, however, if there is a mismatch between parental and offspring environments, although reversible acclimation within individuals could counteract a developmental mismatch.

UV‐B radiation damages cells directly and by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. There are indications that the developmental environment can influence ROS defences, which could enhance performance and fitness. In addition, animals exposed to UV‐B can acclimate to increase their antioxidant defences and thereby reduce ROS‐induced damage. Our aim was to test experimentally whether there are transgenerational effects of UV‐B exposure. We tested the hypothesis that parental exposure to UV‐B modulates offspring ROS defence mechanisms to reduce the negative effects of UV‐B in offspring.

In a fully factorial experiment, we show that exposing guppies (Poecilia reticulata) to UV‐B increased the resilience of their offspring to the negative effects of UV‐B. When exposed to UV‐B, offspring from parents also exposed to UV‐B had significantly greater sustained swimming performance compared to controls. Higher swimming performance was paralleled by increased catalase activity and glutathione concentrations, and reduced ROS‐induced damage to membranes and proteins. There was no effect of parental exposure to UV‐B on offspring superoxide dismutase activity, resting and active metabolic rates or offspring size. However, parental exposure to UV‐B increased damage to proteins and infection rates by white spot fungus in control (no UV‐B) offspring.

Our results showed that UV‐B acts as a signal that can induce developmental modification of phenotypes. Transgenerational matching of offspring phenotypes is likely to have a fitness advantage in environments exposed to UV‐B. However, the trade‐off between the beneficial effects of parental UV‐B exposure on offspring performance when exposed to UV‐B, and the increased susceptibility to infection and protein damage when offspring are not exposed to UV‐B can be important in determining the resilience of populations in variable and modified environments.

A lay summary is available for this article.
28‐year temporal sequence of epidemic dynamics in a natural rust–host plant metapopulation
Authors: Ericson Lars , Müller Warren J. , Burdon Jeremy J.
Published: December 2016

A long‐term study of disease dynamics caused by the rustUromyces valerianaein 31 discrete populations ofValeriana salinaprovides a rare opportunity to explore extended temporal patterns in the epidemiology of a natural host–pathogen metapopulation.

Over a 28‐year period, pathogen population dynamics varied across the metapopulation with disease incidence (presence/absence), prevalence (% plants infected) and severity (% leaf area covered by lesions) all showing strong population and year effects, indicative of heterogeneity among years and host populations in the suitability of conditions for the pathogen.

Disease incidence within individual host populations was significantly affected by host population size, disease prevalence the previous year and the proximity of neighbouring populations infected in the current year. After accounting for these variables there was still a marked temporal component with winter sea level having a significant effect; as did summer rainfall in the second part of the study period (1997–2011).

Disease prevalence was also effected by host population size and disease prevalence in the previous year. However, it was less affected by spatial aspects of disease spread than was disease incidence. Winter sea level and June rainfall significantly affected disease prevalence.

Assessment of disease impact on plant performance found strong variation in disease severity associated with the aspect and positioning of host populations. Plants growing in lower disease environments produced significantly more seeds than those growing in high disease sites.

Significant variation in reaction to infection byU. valerianaewas detected among plants within four populations and between these different populations.

Synthesis. The epidemiology ofUromyces valerianaewas highly influenced by host population size, previous disease and distance. After accounting for these factors, there was a clear temporal signal of change in disease incidence linked to winter sea level and summer rainfall. These patterns reinforce the importance of considering interactions in multiple populations over long periods of time in order to obtain a clear picture of the variability in disease‐induced selection pressures across time and space. The behaviour of the pathogen fitted that predicted for a metapopulation with considerable asynchrony in epidemiological patterns among demes.
ACC deaminase‐producing rhizosphere bacteria modulate plant responses to flooding
Authors: Ravanbakhsh Mohammadhossein , Sasidharan Rashmi , Voesenek Laurentius A. C. J. , Kowalchuk George A. , Jousset Alexandre
Published: December 2016

Flooding events are predicted to increase over the coming decades, calling for a better understanding of plant responses to submergence. Specific root‐associated microbes alter plant hormonal balance, affecting plant growth and stress tolerance. We hypothesized that the presence of such microbes may modulate plant responses to submergence.

We tested whether root‐associated bacteria producing the enzyme ACC (1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate) deaminase affect submergence responses in Rumex palustris, a flood‐tolerant riparian plant. Ethylene is a key plant hormone regulating flood‐associated acclimations, and ACC deaminase activity of bacteria may decrease ethylene levels in the plant. Rumex palustris plants were inoculated with Pseudomonas putida UW4 or an isogenic mutant lacking ACC deaminase, and subsequently exposed to complete submergence.

Submergence triggered ethylene‐mediated responses, including an increase in leaf elongation and shoot fresh weight. Flood responses, including post‐submergence ethylene production, were reduced in plants inoculated with ACC deaminase‐producing wild type bacteria, as compared to plants inoculated with the ACC deaminase‐negative mutant.

Synthesis. We demonstrate that root‐associated bacteria can alter plant response to environmental stress by altering plant hormonal balance. Plant–microbe interactions may thus be an overseen driver of plant life‐history strategies that should be taken into account when assessing plant ecological adaptations such as abiotic stress resistance.
Analysis of Gender Equality in Youth Employment in Africa
Authors: Anyanwu John C.
Published: December 2016

This paper empirically studies the key drivers of gender equality in youth employment over the period, 1991 and 2011. Using the pooled OLS method with year, sub‐regional, and oil fixed‐effects, our results suggest that for Africa as a whole and Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), quadratic levels of real per capita GDP, gender equality in primary education, trade openness, FDI inflows, political globalization, economic growth, urbanization, female population, and being a net oil‐exporting country are significantly positively associated with gender equality in youth employment. The level of real GDP per capita, equality in secondary education, gross domestic investment, access to telephone, youth unemployment, and Muslim faith tend to lower it. Government consumption expenditure also lowers it in SSA. However, North Africa is different: the level of real GDP per capita, gender equality in secondary education, and government consumption expenditure tend to increase gender equality in youth employment, while being an oil‐exporting country and youth unemployment tend to lower it.
A Continuous‐time Markov Chain Approach for Modeling of Poverty Dynamics: Application to Mozambique
Authors: Rabta Boualem , van den Boom Bart , Molini Vasco
Published: December 2016

This paper explores the use of continuous‐time Markov chain theory to describe poverty dynamics. It is shown how poverty measures can be derived beyond the commonly reported headcounts and transition probabilities. The added measures include the stationary situation, the mean sojourn time in a given poverty state and an index for mobility. Probit regression is employed to identify the most influential factors on the transition probabilities. Moreover, sensitivity analysis shows that the results are robust against perturbations of the transition matrix. We illustrate the approach with pseudo‐panel data constructed from a repeated cross‐section survey in Mozambique, using a pairwise matching method to connect households in the 2003 sample to similar households in 2009. Results reflect high and persistent poverty levels with considerable movements into and out of poverty. An estimated 57 percent of the poor in the first wave remained poor in the second wave and 43 percent moved out. Likewise, 64 percent remained non‐poor and 36 percent moved in. The corresponding stationary poverty headcount is 45 percent with respective mean sojourn time of 6.9 years in poverty and 8.4 years out of poverty. Conditioning the Markov chain on covariates identified by probit regressions indicates that poverty dynamics are responsive to household characteristics and livelihoods.
Serious Whitefella Stuff: When Solutions Become the Problem in Indigenous Affairs, MarkMoran (Melbourne University Press, Melbourne, 2016, 224 pp.), ISBN 978145873265 (Paper back)
Authors: Reddel Tim
Published: December 2016

Book review of Serious Whitefella Stuff: When solutions become the problem in Indigenous affairs by Mark Moran.
Occult upper gastrointestinal mucosal abnormalities in critically ill patients
Authors: Ovenden C. , Plummer M. P. , Selvanderan S. , Donaldson T. A. , Nguyen N. Q. , Weinel L. M. , Finnis M. E. , Summers M. J. , Ali Abdelhamid Y. , Chapman M. J. , Rayner C. K. , Deane A. M.
Published: December 2016

Background

The objectives of this study were to estimate the frequency of occult upper gastrointestinal abnormalities, presence of gastric acid as a contributing factor, and associations with clinical outcomes.

Methods

Data were extracted for study participants at a single centre who had an endoscopy performed purely for research purposes and in whom treating physicians were not suspecting gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopic data were independently adjudicated by two gastroenterologists who rated the likelihood that observed pathological abnormalities were related to gastric acid secretion using a 3‐point ordinal scale (unlikely, possible or probable).

Results

Endoscopy reports were extracted for 74 patients [age 52 (37, 65) years] undergoing endoscopy on day 5 [3, 9] of ICU admission. Abnormalities were found in 25 (34%) subjects: gastritis/erosions in 10 (14%), nasogastric tube trauma in 8 (11%), oesophagitis in 4 (5%) and non‐bleeding duodenal ulceration in 3 (4%). The contribution of acid secretion to observed pathology was rated ‘probable’ in six subjects (rater #1) and five subjects (rater #2). Prior to endoscopy, 39 (53%) patients were receiving acid‐suppressive therapy. The use of acid‐suppressive therapy was not associated with the presence of an endoscopic abnormality (present 15/25 (60%) vs. absent 24/49 (49%); P = 0.46). Haemoglobin concentrations, packed red cells transfused and mortality were not associated with mucosal abnormalities (P = 0.83, P > 0.9 and P > 0.9 respectively).

Conclusions

Occult mucosal abnormalities were observed in one‐third of subjects. The presence of mucosal abnormalities appeared to be independent of prior acid‐suppressive therapy and was not associated with reduced haemoglobin concentrations, increased transfusion requirements, or mortality.
Mechanisms and possible controls of the in utero Zika virus infection: Where is the Holy Grail?
Authors: Fuwa Kazumasa , Hayakawa Satoshi
Published: December 2016

Zika virus infection (ZVI) is a great concern for human health because it frequently causes fetal anomalies. Little is known about pathophysiology of ZVI because it has been regarded as a mild, no life‐threatening infection. However, the latest endemic in South and Central America took attention of perinatologists, microbiologists, and pathologists. Both in vivo and in vitro studies suggest neurotropic nature of Zika virus but do not clarify viral kinetics during vertical transmissions. In this review, we focus on the clinical and microbiological natures ZVI for pregnant women especially how placental barriers are broken down.