bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
State-shifts of lion prey selection in the Kruger National Park
Authors: Maruping-Mzileni N. T. , Funston P. J. , Ferreira S. M.
Published: March 2017

Aims
Indicators of pending state-shifts carry value for policy makers. Predator–prey relations reflect key ecological processes that shape ecosystems. Variance in predator–prey relations may serve as a key indicator of future state-shifts.

Methods
Lion (Panthera leo) diet in the Kruger National Park was evaluated as such an indicator. Over the three-decade time span reviewed, variance in diet in relation to rainfall, prey abundance, management strategies and disease emergence were reviewed.

Key results
Rainfall patterns, both seasonal and cyclical, were identified as key drivers of predator–prey selection. However, the intensity of management in the form of artificial waterpoints overrode and confounded natural process. The results suggest that savanna systems are stable and punctuated by climatic events in the form of extreme above-average rainfall that temporarily destabilises the system. However, droughts are a cyclical part of the savanna system.

Conclusion
Lion prey selection did fluctuate with changing environmental conditions. Abrupt state shifts did occur; however, the ecosystem returned to a stable state.

Implications
State shifts in ecosystems pose key challenges to conservation managers. State shifts appear to be primarily associated with management interventions and environmental factors.
SMN deficiency in severe models of spinal muscular atrophy causes widespread intron retention and DNA damage
Authors: Jangi Mohini , Fleet Christina , Cullen Patrick , Gupta Shipra V. , Mekhoubad Shila , Chiao Eric , Allaire Norm , Bennett C. Frank , Rigo Frank , Krainer Adrian R. , Hurt Jessica A. , Carulli John P. , Staropoli John F.
Published: March 2017

Significance

Spinal muscular atrophy is the leading monogenic cause of infant mortality and is caused by homozygous loss of the survival of motor neuron 1 (
SMN1
) gene. We investigated global transcriptome changes in the spinal cord of inducible SMA mice. SMN depletion caused widespread retention of introns with weak splice sites or belonging to the minor (U12) class. In addition, DNA double strand breaks accumulated in the spinal cord of SMA mice and in human SMA cell culture models. DNA damage was partially rescued by suppressing the formation of R-loops, which accumulated over retained introns. We propose that instead of single gene effects, pervasive splicing defects caused by severe SMN deficiency trigger a global DNA damage and stress response, thus compromising motor neuron survival.
Massive increase in visual range preceded the origin of terrestrial vertebrates
Authors: MacIver Malcolm A. , Schmitz Lars , Mugan Ugurcan , Murphey Todd D. , Mobley Curtis D.
Published: March 2017

Significance

Starting 385 million years ago, certain fish slowly evolved into legged animals living on land. We show that eyes tripled in size and shifted from the sides to the top of the head long before fish modified their fins into limbs for land. Before permanent life on land, these animals probably hunted like crocodiles, looking at prey from just above the water line, where the vastly higher transparency of air enabled long-distance vision and selected for larger eyes. The “buena vista” hypothesis that our study forwards is that seeing opportunities far away provided an informational zip line to the bounty of invertebrate prey on land, aiding selection for limbs—first for brief forays onto land and eventually, for life there.
Entanglement of quantum clocks through gravity
Authors: Castro Ruiz Esteban , Giacomini Flaminia , Brukner Časlav
Published: March 2017

Significance

We find that there exist fundamental limitations to the joint measurability of time along neighboring space–time trajectories, arising from the interplay between quantum mechanics and general relativity. Because any quantum clock must be in a superposition of energy eigenstates, the mass–energy equivalence leads to a trade-off between the possibilities for an observer to define time intervals at the location of the clock and in its vicinity. This effect is fundamental, in the sense that it does not depend on the particular constitution of the clock, and is a necessary consequence of the superposition principle and the mass–energy equivalence. We show how the notion of time in general relativity emerges from this situation in the classical limit.
Synchronous circadian voltage rhythms with asynchronous calcium rhythms in the suprachiasmatic nucleus
Authors: Enoki Ryosuke , Oda Yoshiaki , Mieda Michihiro , Ono Daisuke , Honma Sato , Honma Ken-ichi
Published: March 2017

Significance

The mammalian master circadian clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), contains a network composed of various neuron types. The SCN network plays critical roles in expressing robust circadian rhythms in physiology and behavior, such as sleep–wake cycles. The molecular clock in individual SCN neurons controls membrane excitability, and sends output signals to various organs. However, how the SCN neurons transmit output signals remains unknown. Using a genetically encoded voltage sensor, we directly measured the circadian rhythms of membrane voltage in the SCN network. Remarkably, the circadian voltage rhythms are synchronous across the entire SCN network, whereas simultaneously recorded Ca
2+
rhythms are asynchronous in the dorsal and ventral SCN regions. These results indicate that the SCN network produces coherent output signals.
Coordination of auxin-triggered leaf initiation by tomato
LEAFLESS
Authors: Capua Yossi , Eshed Yuval
Published: March 2017

Significance

Plant leaves form at the flanks of the shoot apical meristem in response to cues provided by the phytohormone auxin. Auxin signals determine the sites of leaf initiation and bulging, a process followed by gradual and ongoing differentiation of leaf tissues. We show here that the tomato ethylene response factor-type transcription factor
LEAFLESS
is induced by, and necessary for, auxin-triggered leaf initiation. These mechanisms provide a localized and transient developmental context for a specific morphogenetic output generated by general regulators such as auxin.
Phosphoproteins in extracellular vesicles as candidate markers for breast cancer
Authors: Chen I-Hsuan , Xue Liang , Hsu Chuan-Chih , Paez Juan Sebastian Paez , Pan Li , Andaluz Hillary , Wendt Michael K. , Iliuk Anton B. , Zhu Jian-Kang , Tao W. Andy
Published: March 2017

Significance

Protein phosphorylation is a major regulatory mechanism for many cellular functions, but no phosphoprotein in biofluids has been developed for disease diagnosis because of the presence of active phosphatases. This study presents a general strategy to isolate and identify phosphoproteins in extracellular vesicles (EVs) from human plasma as potential markers to differentiate disease from healthy states. We identified close to 10,000 unique phosphopeptides in EVs from small volumes of plasma samples and more than 100 phosphoproteins in plasma EVs that are significantly higher in patients diagnosed with breast cancer as compared with healthy controls. This study demonstrates that the development of phosphoproteins in plasma EVs as disease biomarkers is highly feasible and may transform cancer screening and monitoring.
Integrin-β4 identifies cancer stem cell-enriched populations of partially mesenchymal carcinoma cells
Authors: Bierie Brian , Pierce Sarah E. , Kroeger Cornelia , Stover Daniel G. , Pattabiraman Diwakar R. , Thiru Prathapan , Liu Donaher Joana , Reinhardt Ferenc , Chaffer Christine L. , Keckesova Zuzana , Weinberg Robert A.
Published: March 2017

Significance

It is widely appreciated that carcinoma cells exhibiting certain mesenchymal traits are enriched for cancer stem cells (CSCs) and can give rise to tumors with aggressive features. Whereas it has been proposed that mesenchymal carcinoma cell populations are internally heterogeneous, the field has made little progress in resolving the specific subtypes of mesenchymal carcinoma cells that pose the greatest risk for patients. We demonstrate the utility of integrin-β4 (ITGB4) in segregating these cells into distinct subpopulations with differing tumor-initiating abilities and pathological behaviors. In addition, we identified mechanistic links between ZEB1 (zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1) and TAp63α (tumor protein 63 isoform 1) as regulators of ITGB4 expression and demonstrate that ITGB4 can be used as a marker to determine which patients are more likely to relapse after treatment.
Integration of Shh and Fgf signaling in controlling
Hox
gene expression in cultured limb cells
Authors: Rodrigues Alan R. , Yakushiji-Kaminatsui Nayuta , Atsuta Yuji , Andrey Guillaume , Schorderet Patrick , Duboule Denis , Tabin Clifford J.
Published: March 2017

Significance

Because structures in the developing embryo are organized by secreted signals, embryonic cells must integrate multiple inputs to turn on the target genes necessary for proper development. Little is known about how multiple signals can work together to regulate such target genes in an embryological context. In this work, we use cultured limb bud mesenchymal cells to investigate how two such signals, Sonic hedgehog (Shh) and fibroblast growth factor 8 (Fgf8), work together to control the activity of
Hoxd
genes, a set of transcription factors necessary for the patterning of developing tetrapod limbs.
Sensing of cell stress by human γδ TCR-dependent recognition of annexin A2
Authors: Marlin Romain , Pappalardo Angela , Kaminski Hannah , Willcox Carrie R. , Pitard Vincent , Netzer Sonia , Khairallah Camille , Lomenech Anne-Marie , Harly Christelle , Bonneville Marc , Moreau Jean-François , Scotet Emmanuel , Willcox Benjamin E. , Faustin Benjamin , Déchanet-Merville Julie
Published: March 2017

Significance

Human γδ T lymphocytes have innate-like and adaptive-like functions and can circulate in blood or reside in tissues. They are activated by specific antigens recognized by their T-cell receptor and recognize infected and transformed cells, suggesting that cellular stress is involved in specific antigen expression. However, molecular characterization of stress-induced antigens remains elusive, hampering our understanding of the role of γδ T cells in cancer and infections. In the present study we identify annexin A2 as such stress-induced antigen known as a phospholipid-binding protein involved in tumorigenesis, redox potential regulation, and wound healing. Stress-mediated membrane exposure of annexin A2 could thus constitute a danger signal for γδ T cells to recognize various cell dysregulations and protect the host against cancer and infections.
Ablation of cytochrome P450 omega-hydroxylase 4A14 gene attenuates hepatic steatosis and fibrosis
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Li Sha , Zhou Yunfeng , Su Wen , Ruan Xiongzhong , Wang Bing , Zheng Feng , Warner Margaret , Gustafsson Jan-Åke , Guan Youfei
Published: March 2017

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by simple hepatic steatosis (SS), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), hepatic fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Dysregulated fatty acid metabolism in the liver plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Cytochrome P450 omega-hydroxylase 4A14 (CYP4A14) is a homolog of human CYP4A hydroxylase that catalyzes omega-hydroxylation of medium-chain fatty acids and arachidonic acid in mice. The goal of this study was to determine the role of CYP4A14 in the development and the progression of NAFLD. Here, we showed that hepatic CYP4A expression was up-regulated in the livers of patients and three murine models of NAFLD. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of CYP4A14 in the livers of C57BL/6 mice resulted in a fatty liver phenotype with a significant increase in hepatic fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36) expression. In contrast, CYP4A14 gene-deficient mice fed a high-fat diet or a methionine and choline-deficient (MCD) diet exhibited attenuated liver lipid accumulation and reduced hepatic FAT/CD36 expression. In addition, hepatic inflammation and fibrosis was markedly ameliorated in MCD diet-fed CYP4A14-deficient mice. Collectively, CYP4A14 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of both SS and NASH and may represent a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of NAFLD.
Hybrid incompatibility caused by an epiallele
Authors: Blevins Todd , Wang Jing , Pflieger David , Pontvianne Frédéric , Pikaard Craig S.
Published: March 2017

Significance

Deleterious mutations in different copies of a duplicated gene pair have the potential to cause hybrid incompatibility between diverging subpopulations, contributing to reproductive isolation and speciation. This study demonstrates a case of epigenetic gene silencing rather than pseudogene creation by mutation, contributing to a lethal gene combination on hybridization of two ecotypes of
Arabidopsis thaliana
. Our findings provide direct evidence that naturally occurring epigenetic variation can contribute to incompatible hybrid genotypes, reducing gene flow between subtypes of the same species.
Resuscitation of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
from dormancy requires hibernation promoting factor (PA4463) for ribosome preservation
Authors: Akiyama Tatsuya , Williamson Kerry S. , Schaefer Robert , Pratt Shawna , Chang Connie B. , Franklin Michael J.
Published: March 2017

Significance

The dormant subpopulations of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
biofilms are linked to chronic infections because dormant cells tolerate antibiotic treatment and then repopulate the infections when conditions become favorable. Dormant cells must maintain cellular integrity, including preformed ribosomes, to resuscitate. The small-ribosome–binding proteins, ribosome modulation factor, and hibernation promoting factor (HPF) have evolved to maintain ribosomes in an inactive state. Using both population and single-cell–level studies, we show that HPF provides the primary mechanism used by
P. aeruginosa
to maintain ribosome integrity during dormancy, and that HPF is required for optimal
P. aeruginosa
resuscitation from dormancy. Preventing regrowth of the dormant subpopulation by targeting HPF may provide an effective means for eliminating the dormant subpopulations of
P. aeruginosa
infections.
Diverse regulation of mammary epithelial growth and branching morphogenesis through noncanonical Wnt signaling
Authors: Kessenbrock Kai , Smith Prestina , Steenbeek Sander Christiaan , Pervolarakis Nicholas , Kumar Raj , Minami Yasuhiro , Goga Andrei , Hinck Lindsay , Werb Zena
Published: March 2017

Significance

The extracellular signals that regulate cell growth and tissue rearrangements during organogenesis are still poorly understood. One large family of secreted signaling molecules, called wingless-type MMTV integration site family member (WNTs), governs many of these processes by controlling cell–cell interactions. Here, we show that two closely related members of the WNT superfamily influence the development of the mammary gland by signaling through different tyrosine kinase receptors. WNT5A enhances the growth of mammary stem/progenitor cells while restricting the process of branching morphogenesis. In contrast, WNT5B represses mammary stem/progenitor cell proliferation through a different receptor. Together, the distinct actions of these highly homologous extracellular cues regulate the developmental processes that supply cells and shape tissues during periods of rapid growth.
Revealing stereotype threat effects and women’s maths performance: the moderating role of mathematical anxiety / Análisis de los efectos de la amenaza del estereotipo y el rendimiento matemático de las mujeres: el rol moderador de la ansiedad matemática
Authors: Pérez-Garín Daniel , Bustillos Antonio , Molero Fernando
Published: March 2017

Stereotype threat is a phenomenon by which members of a stereotyped group have their performance impaired when their group identity is made salient. Previous research has found that telling women about stereotype threat prevents impaired performance in mathematical tasks. Moreover, the effect of stereotype threat seems to be moderated by mathematical anxiety. The present work seeks (1) to test the effect of stereotype threat on women’s maths performance taking into account a previous maths score, (2) to replicate in a Spanish sample the protective effect of teaching intervention and (3) to test the moderator role of maths anxiety in the relationship between stereotype threat and impaired performance. Participants (110 undergraduate students) were randomly assigned to either stereotype threat or teaching intervention condition and the decrement in their performance was used as a dependent variable. Stereotype threat only impairs the performance of women with higher maths anxiety scores, and teaching intervention is effective to ameliorate this decrement in performance. We recommend the development of programmes that teach girls about stereotype threat and reduce mathematical anxiety.
Earning their Stripes: The Potential of Tiger Trout and Other Salmonids as Biological Controls of Forage Fishes in a Western Reservoir
Authors: Winters Lisa K. , Budy Phaedra , Thiede Gary P.
Published: March 2017

Maintaining a balance between predator and prey populations can be an ongoing challenge for fisheries managers, especially in managing artificial ecosystems such as reservoirs. In a high-elevation Utah reservoir, the unintentional introduction of the Utah Chub Gila atraria and its subsequent population expansion prompted managers to experimentally shift from exclusively stocking Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss to also stocking tiger trout (female Brown Trout Salmo trutta × male Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis) and Bonneville Cutthroat Trout O. clarkii utah (hereafter, Cutthroat Trout) as potential biological control agents. We measured a combination of diet, growth, temperature, and abundance and used bioenergetic simulations to quantify predator demand versus prey supply. Utah Chub were the predominant prey type for tiger trout, contributing up to 80% of the diet depending on the season. Utah Chub represented up to 70% of the total diet consumed by Cutthroat Trout. Although Utah Chub dominated the fish biomass in the reservoir, we still estimated abundances of 238,000 tiger trout, 214,000 Cutthroat Trout, and 55,000 Rainbow Trout. Consequently, when expanded to the population level of each predator, tiger trout and Cutthroat Trout consumed large quantities of Utah Chub on an annual basis: tiger trout consumed 508,000 kg (2,660 g/predator) of the standing prey population, and Cutthroat Trout consumed an estimated 322,000 kg (1,820 g/predator). The estimated combined consumption by Cutthroat Trout and tiger trout exceeded the estimate of Utah Chub annual production. As such, our results suggest that the high rates of piscivory exhibited by Cutthroat Trout and tiger trout in artificial lentic ecosystems are likely sufficient to effectively reduce the overall abundance of forage fishes and to prevent forage fishes from dominating fish assemblages. Collectively, this research provides the first documented findings on tiger trout ecology and performance, which will aid managers in designing and implementing the best stocking strategy to optimize sport fish performance, control undesirable forage fish, and enhance and maintain angler satisfaction.

Received April 1, 2016; accepted November 8, 2016 Published online March 8, 2017
Salient Needs for Conservation of Atlantic Salmon
Authors: Gibson Robert John
Published: March 2017

A short review is presented on the major factors contributing to recent precipitous declines in populations of wild Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar, with the approach of describing the major needs for stabilizing or enhancing factors to conserve and reverse the decline of salmon populations and incidentally of other salmonid species. Some aspects of physiology and required habitat characteristics through the life history of Atlantic Salmon are reviewed that determine responses to degradation of habitats. Anthropogenic developments, including obstructions to migration and degradation of freshwater habitats, are major reasons for declines in the resource. Thus, habitat is a primary factor to be considered in conservation and restoration. Socioeconomic considerations may override ecological and public interest concerns, and examples are given from Canada, where environmental regulations have been relaxed in favor of economic interests. Public education and awareness and advocacy in order for political “will” for better conservation of the resource are required to slow, and eventually stop, the decline in Atlantic Salmon populations.
Innovation after Brexit
Authors: Kingston William
Published: March 2017

Brexit is intended to return autonomy for law-making to the UK Parliament, and this opportunity could be used to improve intellectual property laws. These were originally drafted to support innovation, but like other laws of property they were captured by interests. The result is that their original function has been far surpassed in economic importance by their use for moving corporate profits to and through tax havens for tax evasion and avoidance. Although an opportunity to improve information protection laws may indeed result, Britain has never been a leader in drafting these, compared with Germany and the United States. Also, to the extent that better laws could refocus investment on technological innovation, and away from financial innovation, it could be expected that they would be opposed by interests with a major stronghold in the City of London. Reference is made to specific proposals for change already advanced in Prometheus, to which is added a new suggestion about how more generous overhead payments from public funding of innovation could help to stimulate more firms to bid for this. Also, a proposal is made for a means of rectifying a series of legal decisions which have had the effect of denying firms the ability to benefit from new ideas offered by outsiders.
Isospectrality, comparison formulas for determinants of Laplacian and flat metrics with non-trivial holonomy
Authors: Hillairet Luc , Kokotov Alexey
Published: March 2017

We study comparison formulas for

ζ
\zeta

-regularized determinants of self-adjoint extensions of the Laplacian on flat conical surfaces of genus

g
≥
2

g\geq 2

. The cases of trivial and non-trivial holonomy of the metric turn out to differ significantly.
Remarks to Cartan’s Second Main Theorem for holomorphic curves into ℙ^{ℕ}(ℂ)
Authors: Yang Liu , Shi Lei , Pang Xuecheng
Published: March 2017

In 1933, H. Cartan proved a Second Main Theorem for a holomorphic curve into

P

N

(

C

)

\mathbb {P}^N(\mathbb {C})

. Here we give the best possible truncated level in Cartan’s result with some examples related to Femart-type equations. In addition, a Second Main Theorem for a holomorphic curve intersecting a fixed hypersurface is also obtained.
On non-abelian Lubin-Tate theory and analytic cohomology
Authors: Chojecki Przemysław
Published: March 2017

We prove that the

p
p

-adic local Langlands correspondence for

GL
2

⁡
(

Q

p

)

\operatorname {GL}_2(\mathbb {Q}_p)

appears in the étale cohomology of the Lubin-Tate tower at infinity. We use global methods using recent results of Emerton on the local-global compatibility, and hence our proof applies to local Galois representations which come via a restriction from global pro-modular Galois representations.
Boundedness, compactness, and invariant norms for Banach cocycles over hyperbolic systems
Authors: Kalinin Boris , Sadovskaya Victoria
Published: March 2017

We consider group-valued cocycles over dynamical systems with hyperbolic behavior. The base system is either a hyperbolic diffeomorphism or a mixing subshift of finite type. The cocycle

A

\mathcal {A}

takes values in the group of invertible bounded linear operators on a Banach space and is Hölder continuous. We consider the periodic data of

A

\mathcal {A}

, i.e., the set of its return values along the periodic orbits in the base. We show that if the periodic data of

A

\mathcal {A}

is uniformly quasiconformal or bounded or contained in a compact set, then so is the cocycle. Moreover, in the latter case the cocycle is isometric with respect to a Hölder continuous family of norms. We also obtain a general result on existence of a measurable family of norms invariant under a cocycle.
poRe GUIs for parallel and real-time processing of MinION sequence data
Authors: Stewart Robert D , Watson Mick
Published: March 2017

Motivation

Oxford Nanopore’s MinION device has matured rapidly and is now capable of producing over one million reads and several gigabases of sequence data per run. The nature of the MinION output requires new tools that are easy to use by scientists with a range of computational skills and which enable quick and simple QC and data extraction from MinION runs.

Results

We have developed two GUIs for the R package poRe that allow parallel and real-time processing of MinION datasets. Both GUIs are capable of extracting sequence- and meta- data from large MinION datasets via a friendly point-and-click interface using commodity hardware.

Availability and Implementation

The GUIs are packaged within poRe which is available on SourceForge: https://sourceforge.net/projects/rpore/files/.

Documentation is available on GitHub: https://github.com/mw55309/poRe_docs.
The effects of 50 Hz magnetic field exposure on DNA damage and cellular functions in various neurogenic cells
Authors: Su Liling , Yimaer Aziguli , Wei Xiaoxia , Xu Zhengping , Chen Guangdi
Published: March 2017

Epidemiological studies have indicated a possible association between extremely low–frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) exposure and the risk of nervous system diseases. However, laboratory studies have not provided consistent results for clarifying this association, despite many years of studies. In this study, we have systematically investigated the effects of 50 Hz MF exposure on DNA damage and cellular functions in both neurogenic tumor cell lines (U251, A172, SH-SY5Y) and primary cultured neurogenic cells from rats (astrocytes, microglia, cortical neurons). The results showed that exposure to a 50 Hz MF at 2.0 mT for up to 24 h did not influence γH2AX foci formation (an early marker of DNA double-strand breaks) in any of six different neurogenic cells. Exposure to a 50 Hz MF did not affect cell cycle progression, cell proliferation or cell viability in neurogenic tumor U251, A172 or SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, the MF exposure for 24 h did not significantly affect the secretion of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 or IL-1β) in astrocytes or microglia, or the phagocytic activity of microglia. In addition, MF exposure for 1 h per day did not significantly influence expression levels of microtubule-associated protein tau, microtubule-associated protein 2, postsynaptic density 95 or gephyrin in cortical neurons, indicating an absence of effects of MF exposure on the development of cortical neurons. In conclusion, our data suggest that exposure to a 50 Hz MF at 2.0 mT did not elicit DNA damage effects or abnormal cellular functions in the neurogenic cells studied.
Acute care in glioblastoma: the burden and the consequences
Authors: Wasilewski Andrea , Serventi Jennifer , Kamalyan Lily , Wychowski Thomas , Mohile Nimish
Published: March 2017

Background

The utilization of inpatient medical services by patients with glioblastoma (GBM) is not well studied. We sought to describe causes, frequency, and outcomes of acute care visits in GBM.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of 158 GBM patients at the University of Rochester over 5 years. Electronic medical records were reviewed to identify all local and outside acute care visits. Acute care visits were defined as any encounter resulting in an emergency department visit or inpatient admission.

Results

Seventy-one percent (112/158) of GBM patients had 235 acute care visits corresponding to 163 hospitalizations (69%) and 72 emergency department visits (31%). Sixty-three percent of patients had multiple visits. Admission diagnoses were seizure (33%), neurosurgical procedure (15%), infection (12%), focal neurologic symptoms (9%), and venous thromboembolism (VTE, 9%). Forty-six patients had 1 or more visits for seizures. Median time to first acute care visit was 65.6 days and 22% of patients had an acute care visit within 30 days of diagnosis. Median length of stay was 5 days. Thirty-five percent of admitted patients were discharged home; 62% required a higher level of care than prior to admission (23% were discharged home with services, 17% to a nursing facility, 16% to hospice, 6% to acute rehab) and 3% died. Thirty-eight percent of patients had ACV within 30 days of death. Median survival was 14 months for patients who had acute care visits and 22.2 months for patients who did not.

Conclusion

The majority of GBM patients utilize acute care, most commonly for seizures. The high number of emergency department visits, short length of stay, and many patients discharged home suggest that some acute care visits may be avoidable.
Specific Host-Responsive Associations Between Medicago truncatula Accessions and Sinorhizobium Strains
Authors: Kazmierczak Théophile , Nagymihály Marianna , Lamouche Florian , Barrière Quentin , Guefrachi Ibtissem , Alunni Benoit , Ouadghiri Mouna , Ibijbijen Jamal , Kondorosi Éva , Mergaert Peter , Gruber Véronique
Published: March 2017

Legume plants interact with rhizobia to form nitrogen-fixing root nodules. Legume-rhizobium interactions are specific and only compatible rhizobia and plant species will lead to nodule formation. Even within compatible interactions, the genotype of both the plant and the bacterial symbiont will impact on the efficiency of nodule functioning and nitrogen-fixation activity. The model legume Medicago truncatula forms nodules with several species of the Sinorhizobium genus. However, the efficiency of these bacterial strains is highly variable. In this study, we compared the symbiotic efficiency of Sinorhizobium meliloti strains Sm1021, 102F34, and FSM-MA, and Sinorhizobium medicae strain WSM419 on the two widely used M. truncatula accessions A17 and R108. The efficiency of the interactions was determined by multiple parameters. We found a high effectiveness of the FSM-MA strain with both M. truncatula accessions. In contrast, specific highly efficient interactions were obtained for the A17-WSM419 and R108-102F34 combinations. Remarkably, the widely used Sm1021 strain performed weakly on both hosts. We showed that Sm1021 efficiently induced nodule organogenesis but cannot fully activate the differentiation of the symbiotic nodule cells, explaining its weaker performance. These results will be informative for the selection of appropriate rhizobium strains in functional studies on symbiosis using these M. truncatula accessions, particularly for research focusing on late stages of the nodulation process.
EFFICACY OF INTRAVITREAL INJECTION OF BEVACIZUMAB IN VITRECTOMY FOR PATIENTS WITH PROLIFERATIVE VITREORETINOPATHY RETINAL DETACHMENT
Authors: Zhao Xin-Yu , Xia Song , Wang Er-Qian , Chen You-Xin
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

To evaluate the effect of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab in vitrectomy for patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR)-related retinal detachment.

Methods:

The PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from their earliest entries through October, 2016, to identify the studies that had evaluated the effects of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab in vitrectomy for eyes with PVR-related retinal detachment. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. The relevant data were analyzed using Stata 12.0 software. The weighted mean difference, relative risk, and their 95% confidence intervals were used to assess the strength of the association.

Results:

The authors' search yielded 133 records from which 3 studies that have examined the effects of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (120 eyes with PVR-related retinal detachment) were included for review and analysis. Their meta-analyses showed that neither the best-corrected visual acuity nor retinal redetachment rate showed any clinically or statistically important difference between the nonbevacizumab and bevacizumab groups (P > 0.05). In addition, bevacizumab did not influence the interval between vitrectomy and retinal redetachment (P > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Based on the available evidence, intravitreal injection of bevacizumab in vitrectomy for patients with PVR-related retinal detachment did not decrease retinal redetachment rate or improve visual acuity. Better-designed studies with larger simple sizes and longer follow-up periods are required to reach valid conclusions regarding benefits and harms. Moreover, evaluation of anti–vascular endothelial growth factor therapy on surgical outcomes in eyes with milder subtypes of PVR or no PVR, but deemed at high risk of PVR, may be worthy of future consideration.
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS IN THE CHOROID OF PATIENTS WITH ACTIVE BEHÇET UVEITIS
Authors: Onal Sumru , Uludag Gunay , Oray Merih , Mengi Emre , Herbort Carl P. , Akman Mehmet , Metin Mustafa M. , Koc Akbay Aylin , Tugal-Tutkun Ilknur
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

To quantitatively analyze in vivo morphology of subfoveal choroid during an acute attack of Behçet uveitis.

Methods:

In this prospective study, 28 patients with Behçet uveitis of ≤4-year duration, and 28 control subjects underwent enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography. A novel custom software was used to calculate choroidal stroma-to-choroidal vessel lumen ratio. Subfoveal choroidal thickness was measured at fovea and 750 μm nasal, temporal, superior, and inferior to fovea. Patients underwent fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography. Receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve were computed for central foveal thickness. The eye with a higher Behçet disease ocular attack score 24 was studied. The main outcome measures were choroidal stroma-to-choroidal vessel lumen ratio and choroidal thickness.

Results:

The mean total Behçet disease ocular attack score 24, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography scores were 7.42 ± 4.10, 17.42 ± 6.03, and 0.66 ± 0.73, respectively. Choroidal stroma-to-choroidal vessel lumen ratio was significantly higher in patients (0.413 ± 0.056 vs. 0.351 ± 0.063, P = 0.003). There were no significant differences in subfoveal choroidal thickness between patients and control subjects. Choroidal stroma-to-choroidal vessel lumen ratio correlated with retinal vascular staining and leakage score of fluorescein angiography (r = 0.300, P = 0.036). Central foveal thickness was significantly increased in patients (352.750 ± 107.134 μm vs. 263.500 ± 20.819 μm, P < 0.001). Central foveal thickness showed significant correlations with logarithm of minimum angle of resolution vision, Behçet disease ocular attack score 24, total fluorescein angiography score, retinal vascular staining and/or leakage and capillary leakage scores of fluorescein angiography, and total indocyanine green angiography score. At 275 μm cutoff, diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of central foveal thickness for acute Behçet uveitis were 89% and 72%, respectively (area under the curve = 0.902; 95% CI = 0.826–0.978, P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

There was choroidal stromal expansion which was not associated with thickening of the choroid. Central foveal thickness may be used as a noninvasive measure to assess inflammatory activity in early Behçet uveitis.
Use of a Dog Visitation Program to Improve Patient Satisfaction in Trauma Patients
Authors: Stevens Penelope , Kepros John P. , Mosher Benjamin D.
Published: March 2017

Clinical staff members all recognize the importance of attaining high patient satisfaction scores. Although there are many variables that contribute to patient satisfaction, implementation of a dog visitation program has been shown to have positive effects on patient satisfaction in total joint replacement patients. This innovative practice had not previously been studied in trauma patients. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to determine whether dog visitation to trauma inpatients increased patient satisfaction scores with the trauma physicians. A team consisting of a dog and handler visited 150 inpatients on the trauma service. Patient satisfaction was measured using a preexisting internal tool for patients who had received dog visitation and compared with other trauma patients who had not received a visit. This study demonstrated that patient satisfaction on four of the five measured scores was more positive for the patients who had received a dog visit.
Brief Report: Long-Term (96-Week) Efficacy and Safety After Switching From Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate to Tenofovir Alafenamide in HIV-Infected, Virologically Suppressed Adults
Authors: Raffi François , Orkin Chloe , Clarke Amanda , Slama Laurence , Gallant Joel , Daar Eric , Henry Keith , Santana-Bagur Jorge , Stein David K. , Bellos Nicholaos , Scarsella Anthony , Yan Mingjin , Abram Michael E. , Cheng Andrew , Rhee Martin S.
Published: March 2017

In a double-blind, phase 3 trial, 663 HIV-infected, virologically suppressed adults were randomized to switch to tenofovir alafenamide (TAF; n = 333) vs. remain on tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF; n = 330), each coformulated with emtricitabine (FTC), while continuing their third agent (boosted protease inhibitor or unboosted third agent). At week 96, 88.6% on FTC/TAF and 89.1% on FTC/TDF had HIV-1 RNA <50 copies per milliliter [adjusted difference −0.5% (95% confidence interval: −5.3 to 4.4%)]. Proteinuria, albuminuria, proximal renal tubular function, and bone mineral density improved after switching to TAF- from TDF-containing regimens. These longer-term data support FTC/TAF as a safe, well-tolerated, and durable nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor backbone.
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Substance Use Disorders
Authors: Lupi Matteo , Martinotti Giovanni , Santacroce Rita , Cinosi Eduardo , Carlucci Maria , Marini Stefano , Acciavatti Tiziano , di Giannantonio Massimo
Published: March 2017

Introduction

New treatment options such as noninvasive brain stimulation have been recently explored in the field of substance use disorders (SUDs), including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).

Objectives

In light of this, we have performed a review of the scientific literature to assess efficacy and technical and methodological issues resulting from applying tDCS to the field of SUDs.

Methods

Our analysis highlighted the following selection criteria: clinical studies on tDCS and SUDs (alcohol, caffeine, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and nicotine). Study selection, data analysis, and reporting were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Exclusion criteria were as follows: clinical studies about tDCS among behavioral addiction; review and didactic articles; physiopathological studies; and case reports.

Results

Eighteen scientific papers were selected out of 48 articles. Among these, 16 studied the efficacy of tDCS applied to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and 8 suggested the efficacy of tDCS in reducing substance craving.

Conclusions

In light of these data, it is premature to conclude that tDCS over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is a very efficient technique in reducing craving. Small sample size, different stimulation protocols, and study duration were the main limitations. However, the efficacy of tDCS in treating SUDs requires further investigation.
A modelling approach to the dynamics of gait initiation
Authors: Anand Manish , Seipel Justin , Rietdyk Shirley
Published: March 2017

Gait initiation is an integral and complex part of human locomotion. In this paper, we present a novel compliant-leg model-based approach to understanding the key phases of initiation, the nature of the effective forces involved in initiation, and the importance of the anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs). The results demonstrate that in the presence of APAs, we observe a change in the characteristic of forcing required for initiation, and the energetic cost of gait initiation is also reduced by approximately 58%. APAs also result in biologically relevant leg landing angles and trajectories of motion. Furthermore, we find that a sublinear functional relationship with the velocity error from steady state predicts the required force, consistent with an open loop control law basis for gait initiation.
Body-monitoring with photonic textiles: a reflective heartbeat sensor based on polymer optical fibres
Authors: Quandt Brit M. , Braun Fabian , Ferrario Damien , Rossi René M. , Scheel-Sailer Anke , Wolf Martin , Bona Gian-Luca , Hufenus Rudolf , Scherer Lukas J. , Boesel Luciano F.
Published: March 2017

Knowledge of an individual's skin condition is important for pressure ulcer prevention. Detecting early changes in skin through perfusion, oxygen saturation values, and pressure on tissue and subsequent therapeutic intervention could increase patients' quality of life drastically. However, most existing sensing options create additional risk of ulcer development due to further pressure on and chafing of the skin. Here, as a first component, we present a flexible, photonic textile-based sensor for the continuous monitoring of the heartbeat and blood flow. Polymer optical fibres (POFs) are melt-spun continuously and characterized optically and mechanically before being embroidered. The resulting sensor shows flexibility when embroidered into a moisture-wicking fabric, and withstands disinfection with hospital-type laundry cycles. Additionally, the new sensor textile shows a lower static coefficient of friction (COF) than conventionally used bedsheets in both dry and sweaty conditions versus a skin model. Finally, we demonstrate the functionality of our sensor by measuring the heartbeat at the forehead in reflection mode and comparing it with commercial finger photoplethysmography for several subjects. Our results will allow the development of flexible, individualized, and fully textile-integrated wearable sensors for sensitive skin conditions and general long-term monitoring of patients with risk for pressure ulcer.
A test of male infanticide as a reproductive tactic in a cichlid fish
Authors: Jindal Shagun , Bose Aneesh P. H. , O'Connor Constance M. , Balshine Sigal
Published: March 2017

Infanticide and offspring cannibalism are taxonomically widespread phenomena. In some group-living species, a new dominant individual taking over a group can benefit from infanticide if doing so induces potential mates to become reproductively available sooner. Despite widespread observations of infanticide (i.e. egg cannibalism) among fishes, no study has investigated whether egg cannibalism occurs in fishes as a result of group takeovers, or how this type of cannibalism might be adaptive. Using the cooperatively breeding cichlid,Neolamprologus pulcher, we tested whether new unrelated males entering the dominant position in a social group were more likely to cannibalize eggs, and whether such cannibalism would shorten the interval until the female's next spawning. Females spawned again sooner if their broods were removed than if they were cared for. Egg cannibalism occurred frequently after a group takeover event, and was rarer if the original male remained with the group. While dominant breeder females were initially highly aggressive towards newcomer males that took over the group, the degree of resistance depended on relative body size differences between the new pair and, ultimately, female aggression did not prevent egg cannibalism. Egg cannibalism, however, did not shorten the duration until subsequent spawning, or increase fecundity during subsequent breeding in our laboratory setting. Our results show that infanticide as mediated through group takeovers is a taxonomically widespread behaviour.
The importance of temperature fluctuations in understanding mosquito population dynamics and malaria risk
Authors: Beck-Johnson Lindsay M. , Nelson William A. , Paaijmans Krijn P. , Read Andrew F. , Thomas Matthew B. , Bjørnstad Ottar N.
Published: March 2017

Temperature is a key environmental driver of
Anopheles
mosquito population dynamics; understanding its central role is important for these malaria vectors. Mosquito population responses to temperature fluctuations, though important across the life history, are poorly understood at a population level. We used stage-structured, temperature-dependent delay-differential equations to conduct a detailed exploration of the impacts of diurnal and annual temperature fluctuations on mosquito population dynamics. The model allows exploration of temperature-driven temporal changes in adult age structure, giving insights into the population’s capacity to vector malaria parasites. Because of temperature-dependent shifts in age structure, the abundance of potentially infectious mosquitoes varies temporally, and does not necessarily mirror the dynamics of the total adult population. In addition to conducting the first comprehensive theoretical exploration of fluctuating temperatures on mosquito population dynamics, we analysed observed temperatures at four locations in Africa covering a range of environmental conditions. We found both temperature and precipitation are needed to explain the observed malaria season in these locations, enhancing our understanding of the drivers of malaria seasonality and how temporal disease risk may shift in response to temperature changes. This approach, tracking both mosquito abundance and age structure, may be a powerful tool for understanding current and future malaria risk.
Superregular breathers, characteristics of nonlinear stage of modulation instability induced by higher-order effects
Authors: Zhang Jian-Hui , Wang Lei , Liu Chong
Published: March 2017

We study the higher-order generalized nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation describing the propagation of ultrashort optical pulse in optical fibres. By using Darboux transformation, we derive the superregular breather solution that develops from a small localized perturbation. This type of solution can be used to characterize the nonlinear stage of the modulation instability (MI) of the condensate. In particular, we show some novel characteristics of the nonlinear stage of MI arising from higher-order effects: (i) coexistence of a quasi-Akhmediev breather and a multipeak soliton; (ii) two multipeak solitons propagation in opposite directions; (iii) a beating pattern followed by two multipeak solitons in the same direction. It is found that these patterns generated from a small localized perturbation do not have the analogues in the standard NLS equation. Our results enrich Zakharov’s theory of superregular breathers and could provide helpful insight on the nonlinear stage of MI in presence of the higher-order effects.
Incompatibility-governed elasto-plasticity for continua with dislocations
Authors: Amstutz Samuel , Van Goethem Nicolas
Published: March 2017

In this paper, a novel model for elasto-plastic continua is presented and developed from the ground up. It is based on the interdependence between plasticity, dislocation motion and strain incompatibility. A generalized form of the equilibrium equations is provided, with as additional variables, the strain incompatibility and an internal thermodynamic variable called incompatibility modulus, which drives the plastic behaviour of the continuum. The traditional equations of elasticity are recovered as this modulus tends to infinity, while perfect plasticity corresponds to the vanishing limit. The overall nonlinear scheme is determined by the solution of these equations together with the computation of the topological derivative of the dissipation, in order to comply with the second principle of thermodynamics.