bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glycerol stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Cellular responses and evolved adaptations
Authors: Mattenberger Florian , Sabater‐Muñoz Beatriz , Hallsworth John E. , Fares Mario A.
Published: November 2016

Glycerol synthesis is key to central metabolism and stress biology in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, yet the cellular adjustments needed to respond and adapt to glycerol stress are little understood. Here, we determined impacts of acute and chronic exposures to glycerol stress in S. cerevisiae. Glycerol stress can result from an increase of glycerol concentration in the medium due to the S. cerevisiae fermenting activity or other metabolic activities. Acute glycerol‐stress led to a 50% decline in growth rate and altered transcription of more than 40% of genes. The increased genetic diversity in S. cerevisiae population, which had evolved in the standard nutrient medium for hundreds of generations, led to an increase in growth rate and altered transcriptome when such population was transferred to stressful media containing a high concentration of glycerol; 0.41 M (0.990 water activity). Evolution of S. cerevisiae populations during a 10‐day period in the glycerol‐containing medium led to transcriptome changes and readjustments to improve control of glycerol flux across the membrane, regulation of cell cycle, and more robust stress response; and a remarkable increase of growth rate under glycerol stress. Most of the observed regulatory changes arose in duplicated genes. These findings elucidate the physiological mechanisms, which underlie glycerol‐stress response, and longer‐term adaptations, in S. cerevisiae; they also have implications for enigmatic aspects of the ecology of this otherwise well‐characterized yeast.
Integrated proteomics and metabolomics suggests symbiotic metabolism and multimodal regulation in a fungal‐endobacterial system
Authors: Li Zhou , Yao Qiuming , Dearth Stephen P. , Entler Matthew R. , Castro Gonzalez Hector F. , Uehling Jessie K. , Vilgalys Rytas J. , Hurst Gregory B. , Campagna Shawn R. , Labbé Jessy L. , Pan Chongle
Published: November 2016

Many plant‐associated fungi host endosymbiotic endobacteria with reduced genomes. While endobacteria play important roles in these tri‐partite plant–fungal–endobacterial systems, the active physiology of fungal endobacteria has not been characterized extensively by systems biology approaches. Here, we use integrated proteomics and metabolomics to characterize the relationship between the endobacterium Mycoavidus sp. and the root‐associated fungus Mortierella elongata. In nitrogen‐poor media, M. elongata had decreased growth but hosted a large and growing endobacterial population. The active endobacterium likely extracted malate from the fungal host as the primary carbon substrate for energy production and biosynthesis of phospho‐sugars, nucleobases, peptidoglycan and some amino acids. The endobacterium obtained nitrogen by importing a variety of nitrogen‐containing compounds. Further, nitrogen limitation significantly perturbed the carbon and nitrogen flows in the fungal metabolic network. M. elongata regulated many pathways by concordant changes on enzyme abundances, post‐translational modifications, reactant concentrations and allosteric effectors. Such multimodal regulations may be a general mechanism for metabolic modulation.
Fire modifies the phylogenetic structure of soil bacterial co‐occurrence networks
Authors: Pérez‐Valera Eduardo , Goberna Marta , Faust Karoline , Raes Jeroen , García Carlos , Verdú Miguel
Published: November 2016

Fire alters ecosystems by changing the composition and community structure of soil microbes. The phylogenetic structure of a community provides clues about its main assembling mechanisms. While environmental filtering tends to reduce the community phylogenetic diversity by selecting for functionally (and hence phylogenetically) similar species, processes like competitive exclusion by limiting similarity tend to increase it by preventing the coexistence of functionally (and phylogenetically) similar species. We used co‐occurrence networks to detect co‐presence (bacteria that co‐occur) or exclusion (bacteria that do not co‐occur) links indicative of the ecological interactions structuring the community. We propose that inspecting the phylogenetic structure of co‐presence or exclusion links allows to detect the main processes simultaneously assembling the community. We monitored a soil bacterial community after an experimental fire and found that fire altered its composition, richness and phylogenetic diversity. Both co‐presence and exclusion links were more phylogenetically related than expected by chance. We interpret such a phylogenetic clustering in co‐presence links as a result of environmental filtering, while that in exclusion links reflects competitive exclusion by limiting similarity. This suggests that environmental filtering and limiting similarity operate simultaneously to assemble soil bacterial communities, widening the traditional view that only environmental filtering structures bacterial communities.
Composition and diversity of mucosa‐associated microbiota along the entire length of the pig gastrointestinal tract; dietary influences
Authors: Kelly Jennifer , Daly Kristian , Moran Andrew W. , Ryan Sheila , Bravo David , Shirazi‐Beechey Soraya P.
Published: November 2016

Mucosa‐associated microbial populations of the gastrointestinal tract are in intimate contact with the outer mucus layer. This proximity offers these populations a higher potential, than lumenal microbiota, in exerting effects on the host. Functional characteristics of the microbiota and influences of host‐physiology shape the composition and activity of the mucosa‐associated bacterial community. We have shown previously that inclusion of an artificial sweetener, SUCRAM, included in the diet of weaning piglets modulates the composition of lumenal‐residing gut microbiota and reduces weaning‐related gastrointestinal disorders. In this study, using Illumina sequencing we characterised the mucosa‐associated microbiota along the length of the intestine of piglets, and determined the effect of SUCRAM supplementation on mucosa‐associated populations. There were clear distinctions in the composition of mucosa‐associated microbiota, between small and large intestine, concordant with differences in regional oxygen distribution and nutrient provision by the host. There were significant differences in the composition of mucosa‐associated compared with lumenal microbiota in pig caecum. Dietary supplementation with SUCRAM affected mucosa‐associated bacterial community structure along the length of the intestinal tract. Most notably, there was a substantial reduction in predominantCampylobacterpopulations proposing that SUCRAM supplementation of swine diet has potential for reducing meat contamination and promoting food safety.
Metagenomic analysis reveals unusually high incidence of proteorhodopsin genes in the ultraoligotrophic Eastern Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Dubinsky Vadim , Haber Markus , Burgsdorf Ilia , Saurav Kumar , Lehahn Yoav , Malik Assaf , Sher Daniel , Aharonovich Dikla , Steindler Laura
Published: November 2016

Sunlight can be directly harvested by photoheterotrophic bacteria to create a pH gradient across the membrane, which can then be utilized to produce ATP. Despite the potential importance of this trophic strategy, when and where such organisms are found in the seas and oceans is poorly described. Here, we describe the abundance and taxonomy of bacteria with different trophic strategies (heterotrophs, phototrophs and photoheterotrophs) in contrasting water masses of the ultra‐oligotrophic eastern Mediterranean Sea. These water bodies, an anticyclonic eddy and a high‐chlorophyll patch resulting from transport of nutrient‐rich coastal waters into offshore oligotrophic waters, each supported different microbial populations in surface waters. Based on infrared microscopy and metagenomics, aerobic anoxygenic photoheterotrophic (AAP) bacteria represented up to 10.4% of the microbial community. In contrast, the proteorhodopsin (PR) gene was found in 78.6%–118.8% of the bacterial genome equivalents, the highest abundance reported to date. These results suggest that PR‐mediated photoheterotrophy may be especially important in oligotrophic, potentially phosphate‐limited conditions.
Assembling activity/setting participation with disabled young people
Authors: Gibson Barbara E , King Gillian , Teachman Gail , Mistry Bhavnita , Hamdani Yani
Published: November 2016

Rehabilitation research investigating activity participation has been largely conducted in a realist tradition that under‐theorises the relationship between persons, technologies, and socio‐material places. In this Canadian study we used a post‐critical approach to explore activity/setting participation with 19 young people aged 14 to 23 years with complex communication and/or mobility impairments. Methods included integrated photo‐elicitation, interviews, and participant observations of community‐based activities. We present our results using the conceptual lens of assemblages to surface how different combinations of bodies, social meanings, and technologies enabled or constrained particular activities. Assemblages were analysed in terms of how they organised what was possible and practical for participants and their families in different contexts. The results illuminate how young people negotiated activity needs and desires in particular ‘spacings’ each with its own material, temporal, and social constraints and affordances. The focus on assemblages provides a dynamic analysis of how dis/abilities are enacted in and across geotemporal spaces, and avoids a reductive focus on evaluating the accessibility of static environmental features. In doing so the study reveals possible ‘lines of flight’ for healthcare, rehabilitation, and social care practices.
A Dive into Deep Constitutional Waters: Article 50, the Prerogative and Parliament
Authors: Phillipson Gavin
Published: November 2016

This article analyses the Article 50 TEU debate and the argument that for the UK Government to trigger the formal withdrawal process without explicit parliamentary authorisation would be unlawful, because it would inevitably result in the removal of rights enjoyed under EU law and the frustration of the purpose of the statutes giving those rights domestic effect. After a brief survey of Article 50, this article argues first of all that the power to trigger Article 50 remains within the prerogative, contesting Robert Craig's argument in this issue that it is now a statutory power. It then suggests a number of arguments as to why the frustration principle may be of only doubtful application in this case, and in doing so it re‐examines one of the key authorities prayed in aid of it ‐ the Fire Brigades Union case.
Microstructural organization of the central nervous system in the harvestman Leiobunum japonicum (Arachnida: Opiliones)
Authors: Park Yong‐Ki , Moon Myung‐Jin
Published: November 2016

Although the order Opiliones constitutes the third‐largest group of arachnids, this creature is still mysterious and has a rich unexplored field compared to what is known about insects and crustaceans. The order Opiliones is traditionally regarded as a close relative of mites, mainly because of morphological similarities in external body structure; however microstructural organization of the ganglionic neurons and nerves in the harvestman Leiobunum japonicum is quite similar to the central nervous system (CNS) in all extant arachnids. The CNS consists of a large neural cluster with paired appendicular nerves. The esophagus passes through the neural cluster and divides it into the upper supraesophageal ganglion (SpG) and the lower subesophageal ganglion (SbG). The dorsal part of the SpG has a quite condensed cell body compared with other parts of the CNS and has two main components, the protocerebrum and the cheliceral ganglion. The protocerebrum receives the optic nerves and has four main groups of neuropiles from the optic lobes, the superior central body, the lateral neuropils (corpora pedunculata) and the inferior neuropil. However, a pair of pedipalpal and four pairs of appendage nerves including several pairs of abdominal nerves arise from the nerve masses of the SbG.
Text and metatext in the resource‐based view
Authors: Barney Jay B. , Mackey Alison
Published: November 2016

This paper distinguishes between text and metatext in the resource‐based view (RBV) – that is, the actual words and logic fundamental to the RBV (the text) and the traditions, interpretations and applications of the theory (the metatext). It argues that Kaufman's () criticism of the RBV as applied to strategic human resource management actually focuses on RBV metatext and not text. Indeed, unlike some RBV metatext, RBV text actually has a great deal to say about research and practice in strategic human resource management.
The summary‐likelihood method and its implementation in the Infusion package
Authors: Rousset François , Gouy Alexandre , Martinez‐Almoyna Camille , Courtiol Alexandre
Published: November 2016

In recent years, simulation methods such as approximate Bayesian computation have extensively been used to infer parameters of population genetic models where the likelihood is intractable. We describe an alternative approach, summary likelihood, that provides a likelihood‐based analysis of the information retained in the summary statistics whose distribution is simulated. We provide an automated implementation as a standard R package,Infusion, and we test the method, in particular for a scenario of inference of population‐size change from genetic data. We show that the method provides confidence intervals with controlled coverage independently of a prior distribution on parameters, in contrast to approximate Bayesian computation. We expect the method to be applicable for at least six‐parameter models and discuss possible modifications for higher‐dimensional inference problems.
Diffusion of e‐government and e‐participation in Democracies and Autocracies
Authors: Kneuer Marianne , Harnisch Sebastian
Published: November 2016

Internet based technology constitutes one of the most important policy innovations in the last decades. Its diffusion has been rapid, widespread and sustained. The increase has raised questions about its drivers. The article focuses on an aspect of this dynamic that has been neglected so far: the variance between and among democracies and autocracies and their respective subtypes. Moreover, the majority of studies tackles the diffusion of e‐government techniques, excluding the important array of e‐participation. Our analysis thus offers a broader and more differentiated account of the adoption of online tools by governments. The findings indicate that the adoption of e‐government and e‐participation techniques varies substantially between and among democratic and autocratic regime types as well as over time and in kind.
Policy Diffusion among Democracies and Autocracies: A Comparison of Trade Reforms and Nuclear Energy Policy
Authors: Richter Thomas , Wurster Stefan
Published: November 2016

This paper reviews the existing comparative literature with regard to differences and similarities of policy diffusion between democratic and authoritarian regimes. There has been an extensive discussion of causes and effects of policy diffusion for democracies, but the literature on autocracies lacks similar focus and scope. Similarly, research on the patterns and causes of policies’ diffusion across regime types is virtually non‐existent. After some theoretical considerations about regime effects on diffusion in the first part of this paper, we analyse data on foreign trade regulations and nuclear power plants and compare results across regime types. Based on cross‐time cross‐section regression models, we can show that, depending on the specific policy field, regime type is of less importance for diffusion processes than theoretically expected. This highlights a need for further detailed research on the general role of regime type regarding policy diffusion.
Introduction: Bringing Regime Types into Diffusion Studies
Authors: Croissant Aurel , Tosun Jale
Published: November 2016

This article introduces the main themes of the special section ‘The Global Diffusion of Policies, Practices and Values: Democracies and Autocracies Compared’. It discusses various strenghts and shortcomings of the existing research, outlines the unifying research questions that tie the various contributions to this special section together and briefly introduces each of the five contributions to this special section.
Zika virus infection and biological treatment for reproductive medicine
Authors: Kwak‐Kim Joanne , Song Jeehey , Kim Michael Woo‐il , Gilman‐Sachs Alice
Published: November 2016

The recent Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic is particularly challenging in the field of reproductive medicine as various biological tissues and byproducts, such as intravenous immunoglobulin G or cells are utilized during reproductive cycles, and an infected mother has an increased risk of having babies with fetal microcephaly and other congenital brain anomalies. In this review, current guidelines for prevention of sexual transmission of ZIKV, ZIKV testing, and tissue and blood product usages are summarized for physicians caring for those planning pregnancy or going through infertility treatment.
Australia's rural medical workforce: Supply from its medical schools against career stage, gender and rural‐origin
Authors: McGrail Matthew R. , Russell Deborah J.
Published: November 2016

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore the association between career stage and rural medical workforce supply among Australian‐trained medical graduates.

Design and Setting

Descriptive analysis using the national Medicine in Australia: Balancing Employment and Life (MABEL) longitudinal study.

Participants

Australian‐trained GPs and other specialists who participated in the MABEL study, 2008‐2013.

Main outcome measure(s)

Proportions of GPs and specialists working in rural locations, according to career stage (establishing, early, mid and late), gender and childhood‐origin type (rural versus metropolitan).

Results

Logistic regression models revealed that establishing‐ and early‐career GPs had significantly higher likelihood (OR 1.67 and 1.38, respectively) of working rurally, but establishing and early‐career doctors were significantly less likely (OR 0.34 and 0.43, respectively) to choose general practice, contributing proportionally fewer rural GPs overall (OR 0.77 and 0.75, respectively) compared to late‐career doctors. For specialists, there were no significant associations between career cohorts and rural practice. Overall, there was a significantly lower likelihood (OR 0.83) of establishing‐career doctors practising rurally. Women were similarly likely to be rural GPs but less likely to be rural specialists, while rural‐origin was consistently associated with higher odds of rural practice.

Conclusions

The supply of Australia's rural medical workforce from its medical schools continues to be challenging, with these data highlighting both their source and associations with doctors at different career stages. Despite large investments through rural medical training and rural workforce recruitment and retention policies, these data confirm continued reliance on internationally trained medical graduates for large proportions of rural supply is likely.
Civilian cerebral gunshot wounds: a South African experience
Authors: Kong Victor , Odendaal Jocinta , Sartorius Benn , Clarke Damian , Brysiewicz Petra , Jerome Ellen , Bruce John , Laing Grant
Published: November 2016

Background

Cerebral gunshot wounds represent one of the most lethal forms of traumatic brain injury, but there is a paucity of literature on the topic, especially from the developing world. We reviewed our experience and describe the spectrum and outcome of civilian cerebral gunshot wounds in a major metropolitan trauma centre in South Africa.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of all patients with isolated cerebral gunshot wounds managed by the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service over a 5‐year period from 2010 to 2014.

Results

One hundred and two patients were included, 92% (94/102) were male and the mean age was 29 years. Fifty‐four per cent (55/102) of all patients were from urban areas. The mean time from injury to arrival was 6 h (standard deviation: 5) for urban patients and 15 h (standard deviation: 5.2) for rural patients (P < 0.001). Ninety‐four per cent (94/102) of all injuries were related to interpersonal violence and involved low velocity firearms. Twenty per cent of all patients (20/102) had a Glasgow Coma Scale 3–8, 20% (20/102) 9–12 and 61% (61/102) 12–15. All 102 patients underwent computed tomography scans. Thirty per cent (31/102) required neurosurgical interventions. The overall mortality rate was 22% (22/102). There was a significant difference in mortality between urban and rural patients (9% versus 36%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Cerebral gunshot wounds are associated with significant mortality and protracted delay to definitive care is common in our setting. Those who survive the delayed transfer to definitive care generally do well and have reasonably good clinical outcomes.
Ultrasound lineal measurements predict ventricular volume in posthaemorrhagic ventricular dilatation in preterm infants
Authors: Benavente‐Fernandez Isabel , Lubián‐Gutierrez Manuel , Jimenez‐Gomez Gema , Lechuga‐Sancho Alfonso M. , Lubián‐López Simon P. ,   Neonatal Neurology Foundation (Fundación Nene)
Published: November 2016

Aim

Posthaemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (PHVD) is monitored by conventional two‐dimensional ultrasound (2DUS). The aims of this study were to determine the volume of the lateral ventricles using three‐dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) in preterm infants with PHVD and to evaluate the relationship between volume and linear measurements.

Methods

Serial 2DUSs and 3DUSs were performed on preterm infants with PHVD admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Puerta del Mar Hospital, Cádiz, Spain, from January 2013 to December 2014. The ventricular index, anterior horn width and thalamo‐occipital distance were used as ventricular lineal measurements. Ventricular volume was calculated offline.

Results

Serial ultrasounds from seven preterm infants were measured. Each linear measurement was significantly associated with volume, and an equation was obtained through a significant multilevel mixed‐effects lineal regression model: ventricular volume (cm3) = −11.02 + 0.668*VI + 0.817*AHW + 0.256*TOD. Intra‐observer and interobserver agreement was excellent with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.99.

Conclusion

Lateral ventricular volumes of preterm infants with PHVD could be reliably determined using 3DUS. Ventricular volume could be accurately estimated using three lineal measurements. More studies are needed to address the importance of volume determination in PHVD.
Effect of organic and inorganic selenium supplementation on semen quality and blood enzymes in buffalo bulls
Authors: El‐Sharawy Mohamed , Eid Entsar , Darwish Samy , Abdel‐Razek Ibrahim , Islam Md. Rashedul , Kubota Kaiyu , Yamauchi Nobuhiko , El‐Shamaa Ibrahim
Published: November 2016

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of organic and inorganic selenium (Se) supplementation on semen quality and blood serum profiles of buffalo bulls. Nine mature buffalo bulls were divided into three groups: control (non‐supplemented); organic Se (10 mg Sel‐Plex®/head twice weekly) and inorganic Se (10 mg sodium selenite/head twice weekly). Semen was collected twice a week for 3 months during Se supplementation. Semen properties were evaluated from fresh ejaculate. Moreover, fructose concentration, aspartate and alanine transaminase (AST and ALT) activities, total protein and total cholesterol were assayed in seminal plasma. Additionally AST, ALT, testosterone and Se levels were determined in the blood serum. Results showed that Se supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) influences the semen parameters during 3 months of treatment. Organic Se significantly (P < 0.05) increased the percentage of viable sperms compared to inorganic Se and the control group. Fructose concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the seminal plasma of organic Se‐treated bulls. Serum testosterone and Se concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the Se supplemented groups than the control group. In conclusion, Se supplementation improved the parameters of buffalo bull semen and more precisely, organic Se was more effective for the improvement of semen quality and some blood components than inorganic Se.
Factors affecting patient reporting of adverse drug reactions: a systematic review
Authors: Al Dweik Rania , Stacey Dawn , Kohen Dafna , Yaya Sanni
Published: November 2016

Aim

The aim of the present study was to determine the barriers and motives influencing consumer reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs).

Methods

A systematic review, guided by the Cochrane Handbook, was conducted. Electronic searches included MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, PubMed and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from 1964 to December 2014. Eligible studies addressed patients' perceptions and factors influencing ADR reporting. Studies about healthcare professional (HCP) reporting of ADRs were excluded. Studies were appraised for quality, and results were analysed descriptively.

Results

Of 1435 citations identified, 21 studies were eligible. Studies were primarily conducted in the UK, the Netherlands and Australia. The identified barriers to patient reporting of ADRs (n = 15 studies) included poor awareness, confusion about who should report the ADR, difficulties with reporting procedures, lack of feedback on submitted reports, mailing costs, ADRs resolved and prior negative reporting experiences. The identified motives for patients reporting ADRs (n = 10 studies) were: preventing others from having similar ADRs, wanting personal feedback, improving medication safety, informing regulatory agencies, improving HCP practices, responding to HCPs not reporting their ADRs and having been asked to report ADRs by HCPs.

Conclusions

Most patients were not aware of reporting systems and others were confused about reporting. Patients were mainly motivated to make their ADRs known to prevent similar suffering in other patients. By increasing patient familiarity and providing clear reporting processes, reporting systems could better achieve patient reporting of ADRs.
Aprepitant in pediatric patients using moderate and highly emetogenic protocols: a systematic review and meta‐analyses of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Okumura Lucas Miyake , D'Athayde Rodrigues Fernanda , Ferreira Maria Angelica Pires , Moreira Leila Beltrami
Published: November 2016

Aims

To review the efficacy and safety of aprepitant in combination with ondansetron and dexamethasone (triple therapy) in children and adolescents on moderate to highly emetogenic chemotherapy.

Methods

Medline, Embase, Scielo, Lilacs, Cochrane and congress abstracts published until September 2016 were used as data sources. Two reviewers independently selected manuscripts and extracted data. A third reviewer solved discrepancies in study selection and data extraction. The primary outcome was overall complete response (no vomiting from 0 to 120 h). Secondary outcomes were: response in acute phase, delayed phase and reported toxicities. Each study was considered a unit of analysis. Summarized relative risks were recalculated based on reported data. All meta‐analyses used a random‐effects model and heterogeneity was reported using the I2 method.

Results

From 1004 studies, we screened 288 titles and abstracts and included three trials for data extraction. The population comprised 451 patients. Most patients were males, ranging from 6 months to 19 years of age, and weighing from 6 to 134 kg. Bone cancer was the most incident (≥50%) neoplasm, followed by rhabdomyosarcoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma. Triple therapy was associated with a reduced risk of developing chemotherapy‐induced vomiting (CIV) (RR = 0.48; 95% CI 0.34–0.67). There were no differences in incidence of febrile neutropenia between groups (RR = 1.02; 95% CI 0.66–1.58).

Conclusions

Triple therapy decreased CIV risk, without increasing the occurrence of febrile neutropenia. However, this review could not address which subpopulations would most benefit from using this strategy. Future studies should focus on assessing risk factors for nausea and vomiting, as many patients did not achieve a complete antiemetic response.
Sound effects: Multimodal input helps infants find displaced objects
Authors: Shinskey Jeanne L.
Published: November 2016

Before 9 months, infants use sound to retrieve a stationary object hidden by darkness but not one hidden by occlusion, suggesting auditory input is more salient in the absence of visual input. This article addresses how audiovisual input affects 10‐month‐olds’ search for displaced objects. In AB tasks, infants who previously retrieved an object at A subsequently fail to find it after it is displaced to B, especially following a delay between hiding and retrieval. Experiment 1 manipulated auditory input by keeping the hidden object audible versus silent, and visual input by presenting the delay in the light versus dark. Infants succeeded more at B with audible than silent objects and, unexpectedly, more after delays in the light than dark. Experiment 2 presented both the delay and search phases in darkness. The unexpected light–dark difference disappeared. Across experiments, the presence of auditory input helped infants find displaced objects, whereas the absence of visual input did not. Sound might help by strengthening object representation, reducing memory load, or focusing attention. This work provides new evidence on when bimodal input aids object processing, corroborates claims that audiovisual processing improves over the first year of life, and contributes to multisensory approaches to studying cognition.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject

Before 9 months, infants use sound to retrieve a stationary object hidden by darkness but not one hidden by occlusion.

This suggests they find auditory input more salient in the absence of visual input in simple search tasks.

After 9 months, infants’ object processing appears more sensitive to multimodal (e.g., audiovisual) input.

What does this study add?

This study tested how audiovisual input affects 10‐month‐olds’ search for an object displaced in an AB task.

Sound helped infants find displaced objects in both the presence and absence of visual input.

Object processing becomes more sensitive to bimodal input as multisensory functions develop across the first year.
Long‐term outcome of the adjustable transobturator male system (ATOMS): results of a European multicentre study
Authors: Friedl Alexander , Mühlstädt Sandra , Zachoval Roman , Giammò Alessandro , Kivaranovic Danijel , Rom Maximilian , Fornara Paolo , Brössner Clemens
Published: November 2016

Objective

To evaluate the long‐term effectiveness and safety of the adjustable transobturator male system (ATOMS®, Agency for Medical Innovations A.M.I., Feldkirch, Austria) in a European‐wide multicentre setting.

Patients and Methods

In all, 287 men with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) were treated with the ATOMS device between June 2009 and March 2016. Continence parameters (daily pad test/pad use), urodynamics (maximum urinary flow rate, voiding volume, residual urine), and pain/quality of life (QoL) ratings (visual analogue scale/Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire‐Short Form [ICIQ‐SF]/Patient Global Impression of Improvement [PGI‐I]) were compared preoperatively and after intermediate (12 months) as well as after individual maximum follow‐up. Overall success rate, dry rate (<10 mL/day and 0–1 pad/day), device durability, treatment failure, and device complications were recorded. Nonparametric tests were used for statistical analyses.

Results

After a median (interquartile range [IQR]) follow‐up of 31 (10–54) months and a median (IQR) of 3 (2–4) adjustments, the overall success rate was 90% (258 men) and the dry rate was 64% (184). Daily pad test and pad use decreased from a median of 400 mL/day and 4 pads/day to a median of 18 mL/day and 1 pad/day (both P < 0.001), concomitantly QoL ratings significantly improved and changed to a high level of satisfaction (PGI‐I 4 to 2, ICIQ‐SF 17 to 5; both P < 0.001). The UI results at 12 months were comparable to those at final follow‐up. Chronic pain and intraoperative complications did not occur. Most of the postoperative complications were Clavien–Dindo grade I–III (no grade IV or V). At present, 231 (80%) of all the ATOMS devices are still functioning; 56 (20%) were removed, the most common reason being local titanium intolerance (41%) and leak/dysfunction (30%). The operating time and continence outcome varied between port generations. In this regard the latest port generation (silicone‐covered scrotal port) was superior to its predecessors. Primary implantation (P = 0.002), good physical health (P = 0.001), and no history of radiotherapy (P < 0.001) were prognostic factors for beneficial treatment outcome.

Conclusion

The ATOMS device is safe and shows high treatment efficacy and patient satisfaction in the largest cohort study to date. The latest generation, with its pre‐attached silicone‐covered scrotal port, is superior to its predecessors. Significantly better results were achieved with primary implantation and in those without a history of radiotherapy.
Impacts of climate variability on tree demography in second growth tropical forests: the importance of regional context for predicting successional trajectories
Authors: Uriarte María , Schwartz Naomi , Powers Jennifer S. , Marín‐Spiotta Erika , Liao Wenying , Werden Leland K.
Published: November 2016

Naturally regenerating and restored second growth forests account for over 70% of tropical forest cover and provide key ecosystem services. Understanding climate change impacts on successional trajectories of these ecosystems is critical for developing effective large‐scale forest landscape restoration (FLR) programs. Differences in environmental conditions, species composition, dynamics, and landscape context from old growth forests may exacerbate climate impacts on second growth stands. We compile data from 112 studies on the effects of natural climate variability, including warming, droughts, fires, and cyclonic storms, on demography and dynamics of second growth forest trees and identify variation in forest responses across biomes, regions, and landscapes. Across studies, drought decreases tree growth, survival, and recruitment, particularly during early succession, but the effects of temperature remain unexplored. Shifts in the frequency and severity of disturbance alter successional trajectories and increase the extent of second growth forests. Vulnerability to climate extremes is generally inversely related to long‐term exposure, which varies with historical climate and biogeography. The majority of studies, however, have been conducted in the Neotropics hindering generalization. Effects of fire and cyclonic storms often lead to positive feedbacks, increasing vulnerability to climate extremes and subsequent disturbance. Fragmentation increases forests’ vulnerability to fires, wind, and drought, while land use and other human activities influence the frequency and intensity of fire, potentially retarding succession. Comparative studies of climate effects on tropical forest succession across biogeographic regions are required to forecast the response of tropical forest landscapes to future climates and to implement effective FLR policies and programs in these landscapes.
Roles of non‐native species in large‐scale regeneration of moist tropical forests on anthropogenic grassland
Authors: Catterall Carla P.
Published: November 2016

This paper presents a new synthesis of the role of native and non‐native species in diverse pathways and processes that influence forest regeneration on anthropogenic grassland in the moist tropics. Because of altered species composition, abiotic conditions and landscape habitat mosaics, together with human interventions, these successional pathways differ from those seen in pre‐clearing forests. However, representation of different functional life forms of plant (tree, vine, grass, herb and fern) and animal (frugivorous seed disperser, granivorous seed predator, seedling herbivore and carnivore) shows consistent global variation among areas of pasture, intact forest, and post‐grassland regrowth. Biotic webs of interaction involve complex indirect influences and feedbacks, which can account for wide observed variation in regeneration trajectories over time. Important processes include: limitation of tree establishment by dense grasses; recruitment and growth of pioneer pasture trees (shading grasses and facilitating bird‐assisted seed dispersal); and smothering of trees by vines. In these interactions, species’ functional roles are more important than their biogeographic origins. Case studies in eastern Australia show native rain forest plant species diversity in all life forms increasing over time when pioneer trees are non‐native (e.g., Cinnamomum camphora, Solanum mauritianum), concurrent with decreased grass and fern cover and increased abundance of trees and vine tangles. The global literature shows both native and non‐native species facilitating and inhibiting regeneration. However conservation goals are often targeted at removing non‐native species. Achieving large‐scale tropical forest restoration will require increased recognition of their multiple roles, and compromises about allocating resources to their removal.
Impacts of large‐scale forest restoration on socioeconomic status and local livelihoods: what we know and do not know
Authors: Adams Cristina , Rodrigues Sidney T. , Calmon Miguel , Kumar Chetan
Published: November 2016

Forests are sources of wood, non‐timber forest products and ecosystems services and goods that benefit society as a whole, and are especially important to rural livelihoods. Forest landscape restoration (FLR) has been proposed as a way to counteract deforestation and reconcile the production of ecosystem services and goods with conservation and development goals. But limited evidence indicates how large‐scale forest restoration could contribute to improving local livelihoods. Here, we present a conceptual framework to analyze the effects of large‐scale restoration on local livelihoods, and use it to review the scientific literature and reduce this knowledge gap. Most of the literature referred to case studies (89%), largely concentrated in China (49%). The main theme explored was income, followed by livelihoods diversification, off‐farm employment opportunities, poverty reduction, equity and the provision of timber and energy as ecosystem services. Nearly 60 percent of the papers discussed the importance of governance systems to socioeconomic outcomes. The reforestation/restoration programs and policies investigated in the studies had mixed socioeconomic effects on local livelihoods depending on other variables, such as availability of off‐farm jobs, household characteristics, land productivity, land tenure, and markets for forest products and ecosystem services. We conclude that the effects of large‐scale restoration initiatives on local livelihoods may vary due to several factors and is still not clear for many situations; therefore, monitoring over time with clear indicators is needed.
The potential for automating assisted natural regeneration of tropical forest ecosystems
Authors: Elliott Stephen
Published: November 2016

Assisted (or accelerated) natural regeneration (ANR) will play an important role in meeting the UN target to restore forest to 350 million hectares of degraded land, by 2030. However, since most accessible land is already used for agriculture, most of the sites, available for ANR, are far from roads and/or on difficult terrain, where implementing ANR with human labour is not practical. Therefore, this paper explores the potential of emerging technologies, such as low‐cost UAVs (drones) and new imaging devices, to automate ANR tasks, including site monitoring (to assess site potential for natural regeneration, plan interventions and assess progress), maintenance of natural regeneration (particularly weeding) and species enrichment through aerial seeding. The usefulness of existing technologies is reviewed and future innovations needed, to provide practicable support for ANR, are discussed. Intensive collaboration, among technologists and forest ecologists, will be essential to ensure that technological innovations are based firmly on sound restoration science.
Ecological outcomes and livelihood benefits of community‐managed agroforests and second growth forests in Southeast Brazil
Authors: de Souza Saulo E. X. Franco , Vidal Edson , Chagas Germano de Freitas , Elgar Amelia T. , Brancalion Pedro H. S.
Published: November 2016

The Forest and Landscape Restoration movement has emerged as an approach to reconcile biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services provisioning and human well‐being in degraded landscapes, but little is known so far about the potential of different reforestation methods to achieve these objectives. Based on this gap, we assessed the ecological outcomes and local livelihood benefits of community‐managed agroforests and second growth forests to assist natural regeneration in the coastal Atlantic Forest of Brazil. We investigated and compared agroforests and secondary forests according to their structure and floristic composition in 51 circular plots of 314 m², their role in supporting local livelihoods (45 semi‐structured interviews) and the use and cultural importance of plant species (61 interviews). Agroforests and, more remarkably, managed secondary forests (1) re‐established a well‐developed forest structure, with a higher density of tree‐sized individuals and similar basal area compared to nearby old growth forests; (2) were composed by a rich array of native species, including five threatened species, but had lower species richness than old growth remnants; and (3) improved local livelihoods by supplying market valuable and culturally important plants, including 231 native ethnospecies. Overall, local production systems showed remarkable potential to engage smallholders of developing tropical countries in Forest and Landscape Restoration and contribute to achieve its overall goals. We advocate the promotion of these systems as effective Forest and Landscape Restoration approaches in multi‐scale programs and policies.
The role of natural regeneration to ecosystem services provision and habitat availability: a case study in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: Strassburg Bernardo B. N. , Barros Felipe S. M. , Crouzeilles Renato , Iribarrem Alvaro , Santos Juliana Silveira dos , Silva Daniel , Sansevero Jerônimo B. B. , Alves‐Pinto Helena N. , Feltran‐Barbieri Rafael , Latawiec Agnieszka E.
Published: November 2016

Natural regeneration provides multiple benefits to nature and human societies, and can play a major role in global and national restoration targets. However, these benefits are context specific and impacted by both biophysical and socioeconomic heterogeneity across landscapes. Here, we investigate the benefits of natural regeneration for climate change mitigation, sediment retention and biodiversity conservation in a spatially explicit way at very high resolution for a region within the global biodiversity hotspot of the Atlantic Forest. We classified current land‐use cover in the region and simulated a natural regeneration scenario in abandoned pasturelands, areas where potential conflicts with agricultural production would be minimized and where some early stage regeneration is already occurring. We then modeled changes in biophysical functions for climate change mitigation and sediment retention, and performed an economic valuation of both ecosystem services. We also modeled how land‐use changes affect habitat availability for species. We found that natural regeneration can provide significant ecological and social benefits. Economic values of climate change mitigation and sediment retention alone could completely compensate for the opportunity costs of agricultural production over 20 yr. Habitat availability is improved for three species with different dispersal abilities, although by different magnitudes. Improving the understanding of how costs and benefits of natural regeneration are distributed can be useful to design incentive structures that bring farmers’ decision making more in line with societal benefits. This alignment is crucial for natural regeneration to fulfill its potential as a large‐scale solution for pressing local and global environmental challenges.
Natural regeneration in the context of large‐scale forest and landscape restoration in the tropics
Authors: Chazdon Robin L. , Uriarte María
Published: November 2016

Large‐scale and long‐term restoration efforts are urgently needed to reverse historical global trends of deforestation and forest degradation in the tropics. Restoration of forests within landscapes offers multiple social, economic, and environmental benefits that enhance lives of local people, mitigate effects of climate change, increase food security, and safeguard soil and water resources. Despite rapidly growing knowledge regarding the extent and feasibility of natural regeneration and the environmental and economic benefits of naturally regenerating forests in the tropics, tree planting remains the major focus of restoration programs. Natural regeneration is often ignored as a viable land‐use option. Here, we assemble a set of 16 original papers that provide an overview of the ecological, economic, and social dimensions of forest and landscape restoration (FLR), a relatively new approach to forest restoration that aims to regain ecological integrity and enhance human well‐being in deforested or degraded forest landscapes. The papers describe how spontaneous (passive) and assisted natural regeneration can contribute to achieving multiple social and ecological benefits. Forest and landscape restoration is centered on the people who live and work in the landscape and whose livelihoods will benefit and diversify through restoration activities inside and outside of farms. Given the scale of degraded forestland and the need to mitigate climate change and meet human development needs in the tropics, harnessing the potential of natural regeneration will play an essential role in achieving the ambitious goals that motivate global restoration initiatives.
Antizyme inhibitor 1: a potential carcinogenic molecule
Authors: Qiu Shiqiao , Liu Jing , Xing Feiyue
Published: November 2016

Polyamines are multivalent and organic cations essential for cellular growth, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Increased levels of polyamines are closely associated with numerous forms of cancer. An autoregulatory circuit composed of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), antizyme (AZ) and antizyme inhibitor (AZI) govern the intracellular level of polyamines. Antizyme binds with ODC to inhibit ODC activity and to promote the ubiquitin‐independent degradation of ODC. Antizyme inhibitor binds to AZ with a higher affinity than ODC. Consequently, ODC is released from the ODC–AZ complex to rescue its activity. Antizyme inhibitor increases the ODC activity to accelerate the formation of intracellular polyamines, triggering gastric and breast carcinogenesis as well as hepatocellular carcinoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma development. Antizyme inhibitor 1 (AZIN1), a primary member of the AZI family, has aroused more attention because of its contribution to cancer. Even though its conformation is changed by adenosine‐to‐inosine (A→I) RNA editing, it plays an important role in tumorigenesis through regulating intracellular polyamines. Encouragingly, AZIN1 has been revealed to have an additional function outside the polyamine pathway so as to bypass the deficiency of targeting the polyamine biosynthetic pathway, promising to become a critical target for cancer therapy. Here, we review the latest research advances into AZIN1 and its potential contribution to carcinogenesis.