bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probability of Fixation of an Advantageous Mutant in a Viral Quasispecies
Authors: Wilke Claus O
Published: April 2021

The probability that an advantageous mutant rises to fixation in a viral quasispecies is investigated in the framework of multitype branching processes. Whether fixation is possible depends on the overall growth rate of the quasispecies that will form if invasion is successful rather than on the individual fitness of the invading mutant. The exact fixation probability can be calculated only if the fitnesses of all potential members of the invading quasispecies are known. Quasispecies fixation has two important characteristics: First, a sequence with negative selection coefficient has a positive fixation probability as long as it has the potential to grow into a quasispecies with an overall growth rate that exceeds that of the established quasispecies. Second, the fixation probabilities of sequences with identical fitnesses can nevertheless vary over many orders of magnitudes. Two approximations for the probability of fixation are introduced. Both approximations require only partial knowledge about the potential members of the invading quasispecies. The performance of these two approximations is compared to the exact fixation probability on a network of RNA sequences with identical secondary structure.
A Linkage Map of an F2 Hybrid Population ofAntirrhinum majusandA. molle
Authors: Schwarz-Sommer Zsuzsanna , de Andrade Silva Eugenia , Berndtgen Rita , Lönnig Wolf-Ekkehard , Müller Andreas , Nindl Ingo , Stüber Kurt , Wunder Jörg , Saedler Heinz , Gübitz Thomas , Borking Amanda , Golz John F , Ritter Enrique , Hudson Andrew
Published: April 2021

To increase the utility of Antirrhinum for genetic and evolutionary studies, we constructed a molecular linkage map for an interspecific hybrid A. majus × A. molle. An F2 population (n = 92) was genotyped at a minimum of 243 individual loci. Although distorted transmission ratios were observed at marker loci throughout the genome, a mapping strategy based on a fixed framework of codominant markers allowed the loci to be placed into eight robust linkage groups consistent with the haploid chromosome number of Antirrhinum. The mapped loci included 164 protein-coding genes and a similar number of unknown sequences mapped as AFLP, RFLP, ISTR, and ISSR markers. Inclusion of sequences from mutant loci allowed provisional alignment of classical and molecular linkage groups. The total map length was 613 cM with an average interval of 2.5 cM, but most of the loci were aggregated into clusters reducing the effective distance between markers. Potential causes of transmission ratio distortion and its effects on map construction were investigated. This first molecular linkage map for Antirrhinum should facilitate further mapping of mutations, major QTL, and other coding sequences in this model genus.
Quantitative Trait Loci Analysis of Water and Anion Contents in Interaction With Nitrogen Availability in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Loudet Olivier , Chaillou Sylvain , Krapp Anne , Daniel-Vedele Françoise
Published: April 2021

In plants, water and anion parameters are linked, for example through the integration of nutritional signaling and the response to diverse stress. In this work, Arabidopsis thaliana is used as a model system to dissect the genetic variation of these parameters by quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping in the 415 recombinant inbred lines of the Bay-0 × Shahdara population. Water, nitrate, chloride, and phosphate contents were measured at the vegetative stage in the shoots of plants grown in controlled conditions. Two contrasting nitrogen (N) conditions were studied, one leading to the complete depletion of the nitrate pool in the plants. Most of the observed genetic variation was identified as QTL, with medium but also large phenotypic contributions. QTL colocalization provides a genetic basis for the correlation between water and nitrate contents in nonlimiting N conditions and water and chloride contents in limiting N conditions. The 34 new QTL described here represent at least 19 loci polymorphic between Bay-0 and Shahdara; some may correspond to known genes from water/anion transport systems, while others clearly identify new genes controlling or interacting with water/anion absorption and accumulation. Interestingly, flowering-time genes probably play a role in the regulation of water content in our conditions.
Quantitative Trait Loci Responsible for Variation in Sexually Dimorphic Traits in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Kopp Artyom , Graze Rita M , Xu Shizhong , Carroll Sean B , Nuzhdin Sergey V
Published: April 2021

To understand the mechanisms of morphological evolution and species divergence, it is essential to elucidate the genetic basis of variation in natural populations. Sexually dimorphic characters, which evolve rapidly both within and among species, present attractive models for addressing these questions. In this report, we map quantitative trait loci (QTL) responsible for variation in sexually dimorphic traits (abdominal pigmentation and the number of ventral abdominal bristles and sex comb teeth) in a natural population of Drosophila melanogaster. To capture the pattern of genetic variation present in the wild, a panel of recombinant inbred lines was created from two heterozygous flies taken directly from nature. High-resolution mapping was made possible by cytological markers at the average density of one per 2 cM. We have used a new Bayesian algorithm that allows QTL mapping based on all markers simultaneously. With this approach, we were able to detect small-effect QTL that were not evident in single-marker analyses. Our results show that at least for some sexually dimorphic traits, a small number of QTL account for the majority of genetic variation. The three strongest QTL account for >60% of variation in the number of ventral abdominal bristles. Strikingly, a single QTL accounts for almost 60% of variation in female abdominal pigmentation. This QTL maps to the chromosomal region that Robertson et al. have found to affect female abdominal pigmentation in other populations of D. melanogaster. Using quantitative complementation tests, we demonstrate that this QTL is allelic to the bric a brac gene, whose expression has previously been shown to correlate with interspecific differences in pigmentation. Multiple bab alleles that confer distinct phenotypes appear to segregate in natural populations at appreciable frequencies, suggesting that intraspecific and interspecific variation in abdominal pigmentation may share a similar genetic basis.
Estimating Polygenic Effects Using Markers of the Entire Genome
Authors: Xu Shizhong
Published: April 2021

Molecular markers have been used to map quantitative trait loci. However, they are rarely used to evaluate effects of chromosome segments of the entire genome. The original interval-mapping approach and various modified versions of it may have limited use in evaluating the genetic effects of the entire genome because they require evaluation of multiple models and model selection. Here we present a Bayesian regression method to simultaneously estimate genetic effects associated with markers of the entire genome. With the Bayesian method, we were able to handle situations in which the number of effects is even larger than the number of observations. The key to the success is that we allow each marker effect to have its own variance parameter, which in turn has its own prior distribution so that the variance can be estimated from the data. Under this hierarchical model, we were able to handle a large number of markers and most of the markers may have negligible effects. As a result, it is possible to evaluate the distribution of the marker effects. Using data from the North American Barley Genome Mapping Project in double-haploid barley, we found that the distribution of gene effects follows closely an L-shaped Gamma distribution, which is in contrast to the bell-shaped Gamma distribution when the gene effects were estimated from interval mapping. In addition, we show that the Bayesian method serves as an alternative or even better QTL mapping method because it produces clearer signals for QTL. Similar results were found from simulated data sets of F2 and backcross (BC) families.
Analysis of Quantitative Trait Loci for Behavioral Laterality in Mice
Authors: Roubertoux Pierre L , Le Roy Isabelle , Tordjman Sylvie , Cherfou Améziane , Migliore-Samour Danièle
Published: April 2021

Laterality is believed to have genetic components, as has been deduced from family studies in humans and responses to artificial selection in mice, but these genetic components are unknown and the underlying physiological mechanisms are still a subject of dispute. We measured direction of laterality (preferential use of left or right paws) and degree of laterality (absolute difference between the use of left and right paws) in C57BL/6ByJ (B) and NZB/BlNJ (N) mice and in their F1 and F2 intercrosses. Measurements were taken of both forepaws and hind paws. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) did not emerge for direction but did for degree of laterality. One QTL for forepaw (LOD score = 5.6) and the second QTL for hind paw (LOD score = 7.2) were both located on chromosome 4 and their peaks were within the same confidence interval. A QTL for plasma luteinizing hormone concentration was also found in the confidence interval of these two QTL. These results suggest that the physiological mechanisms underlying degree of laterality react to gonadal steroids.
Cis- and trans-acting Influences on Telomeric Position Effect in Drosophila melanogaster Detected With a Subterminal Transgene
Authors: Mason James M , Konev Alexander Y , Golubovsky Mikhail D , Biessmann Harald
Published: April 2021

One model of telomeric position effect (TPE) in Drosophila melanogaster proposes that reporter genes in the vicinity of telomeres are repressed by subterminal telomere-associated sequences (TAS) and that variegation of these genes is the result of competition between the repressive effects of TAS and the stimulating effects of promoters in the terminal HeT-A transposon array. The data presented here support this model, but also suggest that TPE is more complex. Activity of a telomeric white reporter gene increases in response to deletion of some or all of the TAS on the homolog. Only transgenes next to fairly long HeT-A arrays respond to this trans-interaction. HeT-A arrays of 6-18 kb respond by increasing the number of dark spots on the eye, while longer arrays increase the background eye color or increase the number of spots sufficiently to cause them to merge. Thus, expression of a subtelomeric reporter gene is influenced by the telomere structure in cis and trans. We propose that the forces involved in telomere length regulation in Drosophila are the underlying forces that manifest themselves as TPE. In the wild-type telomere TAS may play an important role in controlling telomere elongation by repressing HeT-A promoter activity. Modulation of this repression by the homolog may thus regulate telomere elongation.
The Drosophila melanogaster sir2+ Gene Is Nonessential and Has Only Minor Effects on Position-Effect Variegation
Authors: Åström Stefan U , Cline Thomas W , Rine Jasper
Published: April 2021

Five Drosophila melanogaster genes belong to the highly conserved sir2 family, which encodes NAD+-dependent protein deacetylases. Of these five, dsir2+ (CG5216) is most similar to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae SIR2 gene, which has profound effects on chromatin structure and life span. Four independent Drosophila strains were found with P-element insertions near the dsir2 transcriptional start site as well as extraneous linked recessive lethal mutations. Imprecise excision of one of these P elements (PlacW 07223) from a chromosome freed of extraneous lethal mutations produced dsir217, a null intragenic deletion allele that generates no DSIR2 protein. Contrary to expectations from the report by Rosenberg and Parkhurst on their P-mobilization allele dSir2ex10, homozygosity for dsir217 had no apparent deleterious effects on viability, developmental rate, or sex ratio, and it fully complemented sir2ex10. Moreover, through a genetic test, we ruled out the reported effect of dSir2ex10 on Sex-lethal expression. We did observe a modest, strictly recessive suppression of whitem4 position-effect variegation and a shortening of life span in dsir2 homozygous mutants, suggesting that dsir2 has some functions in common with yeast SIR2.
The Drosophila chk2 Gene loki Is Essential for Embryonic DNA Double-Strand-Break Checkpoints Induced in S Phase or G2
Authors: Masrouha Nisrine , Yang Long , Hijal Sirine , Larochelle Stéphane , Suter Beat
Published: April 2021

Cell cycle checkpoints are signal transduction pathways that control the order and timing of cell cycle transitions, ensuring that critical events are completed before the occurrence of the next cell cycle transition. The Chk2 family of kinases is known to play a central role in mediating the cellular responses to DNA damage or DNA replication blocks in various organisms. Here we show through a phylogenetic study that the Drosophila melanogaster serine/threonine kinase Loki is the homolog of the yeast Mek1p, Rad53p, Dun1p, and Cds1 proteins as well as the human Chk2. Functional analyses allowed us to conclude that, in flies, chk2 is involved in monitoring double-strand breaks (DSBs) caused by irradiation during S and G2 phases. In this process it plays an essential role in inducing a cell cycle arrest in embryonic cells. Our results also show that, in contrast to C. elegans chk2, Drosophila chk2 is not essential for normal meiosis and recombination, and it also appears to be dispensable for the MMS-induced DNA damage checkpoint and the HU-induced DNA replication checkpoint during larval development. In addition, Drosophila chk2 does not act at the same cell cycle phases as its yeast homologs, but seems rather to be involved in a pathway similar to the mammalian one, which involves signaling through the ATM/Chk2 pathway in response to genotoxic insults. As mutations in human chk2 were linked to several cancers, these similarities point to the usefulness of the Drosophila model system.
Nuclear Gene Genealogies Reveal Historical, Demographic and Selective Factors Associated With Speciation in Field Crickets
Authors: Broughton Richard E , Harrison Richard G
Published: April 2021

Population genetics theory predicts that genetic drift should eliminate shared polymorphism, leading to monophyly or exclusivity of populations, when the elapsed time between lineage-splitting events is large relative to effective population size. We examined patterns of nucleotide variation in introns at four nuclear loci to relate processes affecting the history of genes to patterns of divergence among natural populations and species. Ancestral polymorphisms were shared among three recognized species, Gryllus firmus, G. pennsylvanicus, and G. ovisopis, and genealogical patterns suggest that successive speciation events occurred recently and rapidly relative to effective population size. High levels of shared polymorphism among these morphologically, behaviorally, and ecologically distinct species indicate that only a small fraction of the genome needs to become differentiated for speciation to occur. Among the four nuclear gene loci there was a 10-fold range in nucleotide diversity, and patterns of polymorphism and divergence suggest that natural selection has acted to maintain or eliminate variation at some loci. While nuclear gene genealogies may have limited applications in phylogeography or other approaches dependent on population monophyly, they provide important insights into the historical, demographic, and selective forces that shape speciation.
Fine Mapping of Complex Trait Genes Combining Pedigree and Linkage Disequilibrium Information: A Bayesian Unified Framework
Authors: Pérez-Enciso Miguel
Published: April 2021

We present a Bayesian method that combines linkage and linkage disequilibrium (LDL) information for quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping. This method uses jointly all marker information (haplotypes) and all available pedigree information; i.e., it is not restricted to any specific experimental design and it is not required that phases are known. Infinitesimal genetic effects or environmental noise (“fixed”) effects can equally be fitted. A diallelic QTL is assumed and both additive and dominant effects can be estimated. We have implemented a combined Gibbs/Metropolis-Hastings sampling to obtain the marginal posterior distributions of the parameters of interest. We have also implemented a Bayesian variant of usual disequilibrium measures like D′ and r2 between QTL and markers. We illustrate the method with simulated data in “simple” (two-generation full-sib families) and “complex” (four-generation) pedigrees. We compared the estimates with and without using linkage disequilibrium information. In general, using LDL resulted in estimates of QTL position that were much better than linkage-only estimates when there was complete disequilibrium between the mutant QTL allele and the marker. This advantage, however, decreased when the association was only partial. In all cases, additive and dominant effects were estimated accurately either with or without disequilibrium information.
A Tail’s Tale: Biomechanical Roles of Dorsal Thoracic Spine of Barnacle Nauplii
Authors: Branam Emily N , Wong Jin Yung , Chan Benny K K , Chan Kit Yu Karen
Published: April 2021

Many marine invertebrates have complex life histories that begin with a planktonic larval stage. Similar to other plankton, these larval invertebrates often possess protruding body extensions, but their function beyond predator deterrence is not well-documented. For example, the planktonic nauplii of crustaceans have spines. Using the epibiotic pedunculate barnacle Octolasmis spp., we investigated how the dorsal thoracic spine affects swimming and fluid disturbance by comparing nauplii with their spines partially removed against those with intact spines. Our motion analysis showed that amputated Octolasmis spp. swam slower, in jerkier trajectories, and were less efficient per stroke cycle than those with intact spines. Amputees showed alterations in limb beat pattern: larger beat amplitude, increased phase lag, and reduced contralateral symmetry. These changes might partially help increase propulsive force generation and streamline the flow, but were insufficient to restore full function. Particle image velocimetry further showed that amputees had a larger relative area of influence, implying elevated risk by rheotactic predator. Body extensions and their interactions with limb motion play important biomechanical roles in shaping larval performance, which likely influences the evolution of form.
The role of taxonomic expertise in interpretation of metabarcoding studies
Authors: Pappalardo Paula , Collins Allen G , Pagenkopp Lohan Katrina M , Hanson Kate M , Truskey Sarit B , Jaeckle William , Ames Cheryl Lewis , Goodheart Jessica A , Bush Stephanie L , Biancani Leann M , Strong Ellen E , Vecchione Michael , Harasewych M G , Reed Karen , Lin Chan , Hartil Elise C , Whelpley Jessica , Blumberg Jamie , Matterson Kenan , Redmond Niamh E , Becker Allison , Boyle Michael J , Osborn Karen J
Published: April 2021

The performance of DNA metabarcoding approaches for characterizing biodiversity can be influenced by multiple factors. Here, we used morphological assessment of taxa in zooplankton samples to develop a large barcode database and to assess the congruence of taxonomic identification with metabarcoding under different conditions. We analysed taxonomic assignment of metabarcoded samples using two genetic markers (COI, 18S V1–2), two types of clustering into molecular operational taxonomic units (OTUs, ZOTUs), and three methods for taxonomic assignment (RDP Classifier, BLASTn to GenBank, BLASTn to a local barcode database). The local database includes 1042 COI and 1108 18S (SSU) barcode sequences, and we added new high-quality sequences to GenBank for both markers, including 109 contributions at the species level. The number of phyla detected and the number of taxa identified to phylum varied between a genetic marker and among the three methods used for taxonomic assignments. Blasting the metabarcodes to the local database generated multiple unique contributions to identify OTUs and ZOTUs. We argue that a multi-marker approach combined with taxonomic expertise to develop a curated, vouchered, local barcode database increases taxon detection with metabarcoding, and its potential as a tool for zooplankton biodiversity surveys.
Durable mechanical circulatory support in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Lanmueller Pia , Eulert-Grehn Jaime-Juergen , Schoenrath Felix , Pieske Burkert , Mulzer Johanna , Mueller Marcus , Falk Volkmar , Potapov Evgenij
Published: April 2021

Only few patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction undergo durable mechanical circulatory support implantation. We identified three patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction who needed durable mechanical circulatory support as bridge-to-transplant therapy. In two patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the hypertrophic papillary muscles and myocardium were resected to allow for subsequent left ventricular assist device implantation. In one patient, all visible parts of the mitral valve were additionally resected. The third patient with restrictive cardiomyopathy underwent Berlin Heart Excor BVAD implantation with left atrial cannulation.
The Meaning of Participation in Transitional Justice: A Conceptual Proposal for Empirical Analysis
Authors: Evrard Elke , Mejía Bonifazi Gretel , Destrooper Tine
Published: April 2021

Much has been written about the potential of participatory approaches to entrench and expand transitional justice processes. Yet, evidence-based research on how to understand, organize and evaluate victim participation has lagged behind. Empirical research, moreover, often lacks an explicit conceptualization of participation or adopts existing models that start from an institutional perspective and that normatively hierarchize forms and functions of participation. This article, instead, proposes an actor-oriented analytical framework that outlines participants’ trajectories throughout the transitional justice ecosystem. This framework invites a more rigorous investigation of (a) participants’ identities and interests, (b) the spaces they navigate, (c) the relation between various interests, spaces and temporalities and (d) the open-ended nature of outcomes. We apply this framework to Guatemalan indigenous women’s quest for redress for conflict-related sexual violence. The framework facilitates a different way of understanding impact, rooted in local actors’ multidirectional, context-specific and non-linear engagement with transitional justice.
Emotional reactions towards COVID-19 among persons with diabetes
Authors: Shinan-Altman Shiri , Levkovich Inbar
Published: April 2021

The emotional impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on populations at large is emerging in the literature. However, the emotional response of persons with diabetes to the pandemic is only now beginning to emerge. Therefore this study aimed to identify factors contributing to emotional reactions towards this pandemic among persons with diabetes. A total of 205 persons with diabetes participated in this cross-sectional online survey between 14 May and 22 June 2020. Participants completed measures of emotional reactions towards COVID-19, perceived diabetes status, perceived susceptibility, knowledge about COVID-19, sense of mastery and sociodemographic questionnaires. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlations and regression analysis. According to the results, the mean score of negative emotional reactions towards COVID-19 was 3.45 (standard deviation 1.11, range 1–5), meaning that the score was relatively high. Higher levels of negative emotional reactions towards COVID-19 were associated with higher perceived susceptibility, greater knowledge about COVID-19 and a lower sense of mastery. The study's findings emphasize the need to communicate ongoing knowledge regarding COVID-19 and diabetes as well as to provide persons with diabetes with the necessary emotional support related to coping with diabetes and COVID-19.
International, national and local trends in the spread of COVID-19: a geographic view of COVID-19 spread and the role to be played by coproduction
Authors: Schmidt Peter , Nelson Eugene C , Kearney Gregory , Kraft Sally , Oliver Brant J
Published: April 2021

Background

COVID-19, a respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, emerged in 2019 and led to a worldwide pandemic in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a massive natural experiment in the formation of mitigation strategies to prevent cases and to provide effective healthcare for those afflicted. Regional differences in the impact of the pandemic on morbidity and mortality have been driven by political and regional differences in the coproduction of public health and social policy. We explored the United States (US) experience of COVID-19 for trends and correlations with other nations and also at the national, regional, state and local levels.

Objective

To identify geographic and temporal trends in the spread of COVID-19 in the United States.

Methods

Population data on COVID-19 cases and mortality were acquired on a daily basis from multiple publicly available databases, including the New York Times and Johns Hopkins University. At each geographic level (national, state and county), geographic entities’ reported cases were evaluated for correlations using linear least-squares methods to identify patterns of correlation in the cases independent of scale. We evaluated for two specific characteristics: (i) the nature of the curvature of the line linking across percentile scores, ranging from concave to convex and (ii) the area under this curve, indicating how effectively a selected region (nation, state and county) is linked to its entire containing unit (world, country and state). We used this approach to identify three distinct COVID behavior phenotypes, each of which consisted of a number of states in the USA.

Results

We found that COVID activity in the USA follows a unique trend compared to other countries and that within the USA during the first year of the pandemic, three initial COVID phenotypes emerged: (i) the metropolitan outbreak (early outbreak phenotype); (ii) the regional outbreak (summer peak phenotype) and (iii) trans-regional outbreak (fall/winter peak phenotype), which, taken in sum, represent the overall USA national trend. Each phenotype has specific behavioral characteristics and is composed of a cluster of different states experiencing different conditions.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest a new opportunity for public health strategy in the pandemic, namely to apply targeted public health approaches to address the specific needs of each phenotype. In the future, we should create databases that capture key health and hardship data elements at the smallest geographic level possible and use these to track trends, predict the future and apply targeted coproduction approaches to more effectively and efficiently safeguard population health, economic vitality and social well-being.
Erylysin A inhibits cytokinesis in Escherichia coli by binding with cardiolipin
Authors: Sakihara Tomoko , Takiguchi Naoko , Uzawa Hikari , Serizawa Rika , Kobayashi Tetsuyuki
Published: April 2021

Cardiolipin (CL) localizes to curved membranes such as cristae in mitochondria as well as cell poles and division sites in rod-shaped bacteria. CL is believed to stabilize the membrane curvature by localizing to sites of negative curvature. However, this hypothesis has not been tested because of a lack of appropriate tools to distinguish CL inside and outside lipid bilayers. In this study, we provided the first evidence that CL localized to regions of negative curvature in Escherichia coli using the novel CL probe erylysin A-EGFP (EryA-EGFP). Staining in E.coli illustrated that CL localized to the inner leaflets at cell poles and the outer leaflets at division sites. Furthermore, we revealed that EryA-EGFP inhibited cytokinesis. We propose that cytokinesis completes after CL in the outer leaflets transfers to the inner leaflets at division sites by inspecting the mechanism of inhibition of cytokinesis. Moreover, the cytoskeletal protein RodZ was abnormally distributed when cytokinesis was inhibited by EryA-EGFP, suggesting that RodZ participates in cytokinesis. In summary, we revealed the detailed distribution of CL and proposed a new model of cytokinesis.
Burn Specific Health Scale – Brief – Brazil and International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health in Burn Patients
Authors: Nehme Passos Maria Claudia , Gragnani Alfredo , Sarto Piccolo Mônica , Daher Ricardo Piccolo , Santana Cordeiro Eduardo , Masako Ferreira Lydia
Published: April 2021

With better burn trauma survival rates, quality of life and functionality have become important outcomes in the evaluation of burn patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of burn survivors using the Burn Specific Health Scale-Brief-Br and their function and health using the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) in order to assess whether there is a correlation in the results obtained between the two instruments. A cross-sectional study with 80 burn patients who underwent outpatient follow-up was completed. Quality of life was assessed using the BSHS-B-Br, an instrument translated and validated in Brazilian Portuguese. Based on ICF category concepts, a data collection tool was used with “yes” and “no” answers. A “yes” answer represented the “8” qualifier, indicating a problem without a specific order of magnitude. Both instruments were self-applied in standardized conditions without complications during the process. Results were analyzed through Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients. The BSHS-B-Br had an average score of 127.12 (SD ± 23.03). The correlation was moderate between the total BSHS-B-Br score and the answers of ICF for body functions (r = −.53; P < .001) and environmental factors (r = −.50; P < .001). It was weak for body structures (r = −.47; P < .001) and for activities and participation (r = −.43; P < .001). This study found a moderate correlation between the results of the Burn Specific Health Scale – Brief – Brazil and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for burn patients showing that both instruments provide complementary information about burned patients.
Financial Services Trade in Special Economic Zones
Authors: Delimatsis Panagiotis
Published: April 2021

The mushrooming of special economic zones (SEZs) in recent years has led to a significant increase in the supply of attractive incentives for investors looking for opportunities abroad. Special economic zones are self-contained regimes, inextricably associated with investment promotion policies and domestic industrial policy in general, that many times form part of a broader strategic governmental planning that aims at experimenting with economic rule-making in strictly defined territorial and jurisdictional boundaries. While empirical evidence is still inconclusive, special economic zones can contribute to economic development at the domestic level through a varying degree of channels. This is even more the case with services-only special economic zones, a new phenomenon that exemplifies the rising importance of trade in services but also the ‘servicification trend’ that drives global economic activity. Against this background, this article examines the case of services in special economic zones and offers a tour d’horizon of the current services-related special economic zone landscape. Furthermore, the article critically reviews the patterns, traits, and limits of trade in financial services within special economic zones and discusses the relevance of the General Agreement on Trade in Services at this juncture. It concludes with a discussion of potential development-related benefits ensuing from trade in financial services within special economic zones.
Paracomplete truth theory with KFS-definable determinateness
Authors: Cramer Marcos
Published: April 2021

One way to deal with the liar paradox is the paracomplete approach to theories of truth, which gives up proofs by contradiction, and the law of the excluded middle. This allows one to reject both the liar sentence and its negation. The simplest paracomplete theory of truth is $\textit {KFS}$ due to Saul Kripke. At face value, this theory suffers from the problem that it cannot say anything about the liar paradox, so a defender of this theory cannot explain their rejection of the liar sentence within the language of $\textit {KFS}$. This was one of the motivations for Hartry Field to extend $\textit {KFS}$ with a conditional that is not definable within $\textit {KFS}$. With the help of this conditional, Field defines a determinateness operator that can be used to explain one’s rejection of the liar sentence within the object language of his theory. Field’s determinateness operator can be transfinitely iterated to create stronger notions of determinateness required to explain the rejection of paradoxical sentences involving the determinateness operator. In this paper, we show that Field’s complex extension of $\textit {KFS}$ is not required in order to express rejection of paradoxical sentences like the liar sentence. Instead, one can work with a transfinite hierarchy of determinateness operators that are definable in $\textit {KFS}$. This allows for Field’s philosophically appealing treatment of the liar sentence, the truth-teller and strengthenings of the liar sentence to be reproducible within the theory $\textit {KFS}$, which is semantically much simpler than Field’s extension of $\textit {KFS}$ with a conditional.
The high-energy aerial insectivore lifestyle of swallows does not produce clear thermogenic side effects
Authors: Zhang Yufeng , Yap Kang Nian , David Kyle T , Swanson David L
Published: April 2021

Ecological traits related to pace of life, such as foraging strategies and activity levels, influence daily energy expenditure (DEE) and can affect fitness. A fast pace of life tends to be supported by high-energy aerobic activity and is positively correlated with high DEE and basal and maximal metabolic rates in some endotherms. Given that maximal capacities for exercise and thermogenesis are both functions of aerobic muscle output and are often positively correlated with each other, high-energy aerobic lifestyles might be associated with high aerobic capacities, which would be expected to produce high thermogenic capacities as a side effect. We tested whether the high-energy aerial insectivore lifestyle in swallows is correlated with elevated basal and maximal thermogenic metabolic rates. We measured basal (BMR) and summit (Msum = maximum cold-induced metabolic rate) metabolic rates in 6 species of swallows (Hirundinidae) and combined these data with literature data for additional swallows (n = 10 for BMR; n = 8 for Msum) and non-aerial insectivore birds (n = 215 for BMR; n = 64 for Msum) to address the hypothesis that swallows have higher BMR and Msum than non-aerial insectivores. BMR in swallows was significantly higher than for non-aerial insectivore birds for phylogenetically adjusted analyses after correcting for body mass and region of origin (tropical vs. temperate). In contrast, Msum did not differ significantly between swallows and non-aerial insectivores. Thermogenic scope (Msum – BMR), however, was lower in tropical non-aerial insectivore birds compared with tropical swallows and temperate birds. This suggests that the aerial insectivore lifestyle elevates maintenance costs, but maximum thermogenic capacities are not clearly upregulated, despite tropical swallows having higher thermogenic scope than tropical non-aerial insectivores. These data suggest that the high-energy aerial insectivore lifestyle does not produce strong thermogenic side effects in swallows.
Default mode network functional connectivity negatively associated with trait openness to experience
Authors: Marstrand-Joergensen Maja Rou , Madsen Martin K , Stenbæk Dea S , Ozenne Brice , Jensen Peter S , Frokjaer Vibe G , Knudsen Gitte M , Fisher Patrick M
Published: April 2021

Evaluating associations between the five-factor personality domains and resting-state functional connectivity networks (e.g. default mode network, DMN) highlights distributed neurobiological systems linked to behaviorally relevant phenotypes. Establishing these associations can highlight a potential underlying role for these neural pathways in related clinical illness and treatment response. Here, we examined associations between within- and between-network resting-state functional connectivity with functional magnetic resonance imaging and the five-factor personality domains: Openness to experience (Openness), Extraversion, Neuroticism, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness. We included data from 470 resting-state scan sessions and personality assessments in 295 healthy participants. Within- and between-network functional connectivity from 32 a priori defined regions was computed across seven resting-state networks. The association between functional connectivity and personality traits was assessed using generalized least squares. Within-network DMN functional connectivity was significantly negatively associated with trait Openness (regression coefficient = −0.0010; [95% confidence interval] = [−0.0017, −0.0003]; PFWER = 0.033), seemingly driven by association with the Fantasy subfacet. Trait Extraversion was significantly negatively associated with functional connectivity between the visual and dorsal attention networks and positively associated with functional connectivity between the frontoparietal and language networks. Our findings provide evidence that resting-state DMN is associated with trait Openness and gives insight into personality neuroscience.
Improving Medical Student Comfort and Competence in Performing Gynecological Exams: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kirubarajan Abirami , Li Xinglin , Got Tiffany , Yau Matthew , Sobel Mara
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Performing a gynecological exam is an essential skill for physicians. While interventions have been implemented to optimize how this skill is taught in medical school, it remains an area of concern and anxiety for many medical students. To date, a comprehensive assessment of these interventions has not been done. The authors conducted a systematic review of the literature on interventions that aim to improve medical student education on gynecological exams.

Method

The authors searched 6 databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, EBSCO CINAHL Plus, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, and ERIC [Proquest]) from inception to August 4, 2020. Studies were included if they met the following criteria: focus on medical students, intervention with the purpose of teaching students to better perform gynecological exams, and reported outcomes/evaluation. Extracted data included study location, study design, sample size, details of the intervention and evaluation, and context of the pelvic exam. All outcomes were summarized descriptively; key outcomes were coded as subjective or objective assessments.

Results

The search identified 5,792 studies; 50 met the inclusion criteria. The interventions described were diverse, with many controlled studies evaluating multiple methods of instruction. Gynecological teaching associates (GTAs), or professional patients, were the most common method of education. GTA-led teaching resulted in improvements in student confidence, competence, and communication skills. Physical adjuncts, or anatomic models and simulators, were the second most common category of intervention. Less resource-intensive interventions, such as self-directed learning packages, online training modules, and video clips, also demonstrated positive results in student comfort and competence. All studies highlighted the need for improved education on gynecological exams.

Conclusions

The literature included evaluations of numerous interventions for improving medical student comfort and competence in performing gynecological exams. GTA-led teaching may be the most impactful educational tool described, though less resource-intensive interventions can also be effective.
Virtual Telesimulation for Medical Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ray Jessica M. , Wong Ambrose H. , Yang Thomas J. , Buck Samuel , Joseph Melissa , Bonz James W. , Auerbach Marc A. , Couturier Katherine , Tomassoni Anthony J. , Schwartz Michael L. , Evans Leigh V.
Published: April 2021

Problem

In March 2020, the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) became a global pandemic. Medical schools around the United States faced difficult decisions, temporarily suspending hospital-based clerkship rotations for medical students due to potential shortages of personal protective equipment and a need to social distance. This decision created a need for innovative, virtual learning opportunities to support undergraduate medical education.

Approach

Educators at Yale School of Medicine developed a novel medical student curriculum converting high-fidelity, mannequin-based simulation into a fully online virtual telesimulation format. By using a virtual videoconferencing platform to deliver remote telesimulation as an immersive educational experience for widely dispersed students, this novel technology retains the experiential strengths of simulation-based learning while complying with needs for social distancing during the pandemic. The curriculum comprises simulated clinical scenarios that include live patient actors; facilitator interactions; and real-time assessment of vital signs, labs, and imaging. Each 90-minute session includes 2 sets of simulation scenarios and faculty-led teledebriefs. A team of 3 students performs the first scenario, while an additional team of 3 students observes. Teams reverse roles for the second scenario.

Outcomes

The 6-week virtual telesimulation elective enrolled the maximum 48 medical students and covered core clinical clerkship content areas. Communication patterns within the virtual telesimulation format required more deliberate turn-taking than normal conversation. Using the chat function within the videoconferencing platform allowed teams to complete simultaneous tasks. A nurse confederate provided cues not available in the virtual telesimulation format.

Next Steps

Rapid dissemination of this program, including online webinars and live demonstration sessions with student volunteers, supports the development of similar programs at other universities. Evaluation and process improvement efforts include planned qualitative evaluation of this new format to further understand and refine the learning experience. Future work is needed to evaluate clinical skill development in this educational modality.
Sodium butyrate enhances fear extinction and rescues hippocampal acetylcholinesterase activity in a rat model of posttraumatic stress disorder
Authors: Mohammadi-Farani Ahmad , Limoee Mazdak , Shirooie Samira
Published: April 2021

It is believed that impaired extinction of fear memories is an underlying cause for the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Histone deacetylases (HDAC) are enzymes that modulate extinction by changing the chromatin structure and altering protein synthesis in the brain. Studies show that stress modifies both HDAC activity and cerebral cholinergic neurotransmission. The present work aims to evaluate the effect of sodium butyrate (NaBu), an HDAC inhibitor, on behavioral markers of extinction and biochemical changes in HDAC and acetylcholinesterase activity in the hippocampus. NaBu was administered for 7 days in a group of rats that were exposed to single prolonged stress (SPS), as a model for PTSD. Contextual fear conditioning was performed on the 8th day, and fear extinction was measured in the next 4 consecutive days. Other behavioral tests to measure anxiety, locomotor activity and working memory were performed for further interpretation of the results. Hippocampal acetylcholinesterase and HDAC activity were also measured through biochemical tests. Behavioral results showed that treatment with NaBu can reverse the SPS-induced extinction deficits. Biochemical data indicated that while SPS induced overactivity in hippocampal HDAC, it decreased acetylcholinesterase activity in the region. Both effects were reversed after NaBu treatment. It seems that at least part of extinction deficiency in SPS exposed rats is related to hypoacetylation of acetylcholinesterase in the hippocampus. Preemptive therapy with an HDAC inhibitor reverses this process and is worth further evaluation as a possible therapeutic approach in PTSD.
The Use of a Hartmann’s Pouch for Bowel Vaginoplasty: A Case Report
Authors: Zak, Peter William , Chow Ian , Zhu Xiao , Sell Harry W. , Rusilko Paul J. , Stofman Guy M.
Published: April 2021

Bowel vaginoplasty is a well-described procedure utilizing a pedicled segment of large or small bowel. It has most commonly been used for vaginal agenesis, male-to-female gender affirmation surgery when the phallus skin is not sufficient, or a revision after failure of the primary reconstruction. Our case report describes the usage of a pedicled segment of large bowel to reconstruct the vagina after severe stricture of the original reconstruction. We were able to provide relief of the symptomatic Hartmann’s pouch mucocele, urethral stricture, and provide a functional introitus and vaginal canal. This technique can provide a framework that can be used as a salvage plan in patients with previously irritated and inhospitable defects.
Survey Outcomes of Lipedema Reduction Surgery in the United States
Authors: Herbst Karen L. , Hansen Emily A. , Cobos Salinas Leopoldo M. , Wright Thomas F. , Larson Ethan E. , Schwartz Jaime S.
Published: April 2021

Background:

Lipedema is a loose connective tissue disease affecting the limbs of women, that is difficult to lose by diet, exercise, or bariatric surgery. Publications from Europe demonstrate that lipedema reduction surgery improves quality of life for women with lipedema. There are no comparable studies in the United States (USA). The aim of this study was to collect data from women with lipedema in the USA who have undergone lipedema reduction surgery in the USA to determine if quality of life, pain, and other measures improved after lipedema reduction surgery.

Methods:

Subjects were recruited and consented online for a 166-item questionnaire in REDCap. In total, 148 women answered the questionnaire after undergoing lipedema reduction surgery in the USA. Significance set atP< 0.05 was determined by ANOVA, Tukey’s multiple comparison test, or pairedt-test.

Results:

Quality of life improved in 84% and pain improved in 86% of patients. Ambulation improved most in lipedema Stage 3 (96%). Weight loss occurred in all stages by 3 months after surgery. Complications included growth of loose connective tissue within and outside treated areas, tissue fibrosis, anemia, blood clots, and lymphedema.

Conclusions:

Women with lipedema noticed significant benefits after lipedema reduction surgery in the USA. Prospective studies are needed to assess benefits and complications after lipedema reduction surgery in the USA.