bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A phylogenetic perspective on the association between ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and black yeasts (Ascomycota: Chaetothyriales)
Authors: Vasse Marie , Voglmayr Hermann , Mayer Veronika , Gueidan Cécile , Nepel Maximilian , Moreno Leandro , de Hoog Sybren , Selosse Marc-André , McKey Doyle , Blatrix Rumsaïs
Published: March 2017

The frequency and the geographical extent of symbiotic associations between ants and fungi of the order Chaetothyriales have been highlighted only recently. Using a phylogenetic approach based on seven molecular markers, we showed that ant-associated Chaetothyriales are scattered through the phylogeny of this order. There was no clustering according to geographical origin or to the taxonomy of the ant host. However, strains tended to be clustered according to the type of association with ants: strains from ant-made carton and strains from plant cavities occupied by ants (‘domatia’) rarely clustered together. Defining molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) with an internal transcribed spacer sequence similarity cut-off of 99% revealed that a single MOTU could be composed of strains collected from various ant species and from several continents. Some ant-associated MOTUs also contained strains isolated from habitats other than ant-associated structures. Altogether, our results suggest that the degree of specialization of the interactions between ants and their fungal partners is highly variable. A better knowledge of the ecology of these interactions and a more comprehensive sampling of the fungal order are needed to elucidate the evolutionary history of mutualistic symbioses between ants and Chaetothyriales.
Network component analysis reveals developmental trajectories of structural connectivity and specific alterations in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Ball Gareth , Beare Richard , Seal Marc L.
Published: March 2017

The structural organisation of the brain can be characterised as a hierarchical ensemble of segregated modules linked by densely interconnected hub regions that facilitate distributed functional interactions. Disturbances to this network may be an important marker of abnormal development. Recently, several neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), have been framed as disorders of connectivity but the full nature and timing of these disturbances remain unclear.

In this study, we use non-negative matrix factorisation, a data-driven, multivariate approach, to model the structural network architecture of the brain as a set of superposed subnetworks, or network components.

In an openly available dataset of 196 subjects scanned between 5 to 85 years we identify a set of robust and reliable subnetworks that develop in tandem with age and reflect both anatomically local and long-range, network hub connections. In a second experiment, we compare network components in a cohort of 51 high-functioning ASD adolescents to a group of age-matched controls. We identify a specific subnetwork representing an increase in local connection strength in the cingulate cortex in ASD (t=3.44, p<0.001).

This work highlights possible long-term implications of alterations to the developmental trajectories of specific cortical subnetworks.
Daisy quorum drives for the genetic restoration of wild populations
Authors: Min John , Noble Charleston , Najjar Devora , Esvelt Kevin M.
Published: March 2017

An ideal gene drive system to alter wild populations would 1) exclusively affect organisms within the political boundaries of consenting communities, and 2) be capable of restoring any engineered population to its original genetic state. Here we describe ‘daisy quorum’ drive systems that meet these criteria by combining daisy drive with underdominance. A daisy quorum drive system is predicted to spread through a population until all of its daisy elements have been lost, at which point its fitness becomes frequency-dependent: mostly altered populations become fixed for the desired change, while engineered genes at low frequency are swiftly eliminated by natural selection. The result is an engineered population surrounded by wild-type organisms with limited mixing at the boundary. Releasing large numbers of wild-type organisms or a few bearing a population suppression element can reduce the engineered population below the quorum, triggering elimination of all engineered sequences. In principle, the technology can restore any drive-amenable population carrying engineered genes to wild-type genetics. Daisy quorum systems may enable efficient, community-supported, and genetically reversible ecological engineering.

Local communities should be able to control their own environments without forcing those choices on others. Ideally, each community could reversibly alter local wild organisms in ways that cannot spread beyond their own boundaries, and any engineered population could be restored to its original genetic state. We've invented a 'daisy quorum' drive system that appears to meet these criteria.

“Daisy” refers to a daisy drive, which typically uses a daisy-chain of linked genes to spread a change through a local population while losing links every generation until it stops spreading. “Quorum” reflects the system's ability to “vote” on whether a local population should be altered or not: once all daisy elements are lost, it favors replication by the altered version or the original depending on which is more abundant in the local area. Put together, they result in a change that first spreads through a local population, then either becomes locally prevalent is eliminating, inhibiting mixing at the boundary. All organisms in the target population are altered, but changes are unable to spread much beyond that area due to being greatly outnumbered by wild-type organisms and consequently less able to replicate.

We haven't yet performed any experiments involving daisy quorum systems. Rather, we’re describing what we intend to do, including the safeguards we will use and our assessment of risks, in the hope that others will evaluate our plans and tell us if there's anything wrong that we missed. We hope that all researchers working on gene drive systems - and other technologies that could impact the shared environment - will similarly pre-register their plans. Sharing plans can reduce needless duplication, accelerate progress, and make the proposed work safer for everyone.
A homozygous missense mutation inERAL1,encoding a mitochondrial rRNA chaperone, causes Perrault syndrome
Authors: Chatzispyrou Iliana A. , Alders Marielle , Guerrero-Castillo Sergio , Perez Ruben Zapata , Haagmans Martin A. , Mouchiroud Laurent , Koster Janet , Ofman Rob , Baas Frank , Waterham Hans R. , Spelbrink Johannes N. , Auwerx Johan , Mannens Marcel M. , Houtkooper Riekelt H. , Plomp Astrid S.
Published: March 2017

Perrault syndrome (PS) is a rare recessive disorder characterized by ovarian dysgenesis and sensorineural deafness. It is clinically and genetically heterogeneous, and previously mutations have been described in different genes, mostly related to mitochondrial proteostasis. We diagnosed three unrelated females with PS and set out to identify the underlying genetic cause using exome sequencing. We excluded mutations in the known PS genes, but identified a single homozygous mutation in theERAL1gene (c.707A>T; p.Asn236Ile). Since ERAL1 protein binds to the mitochondrial 12S rRNA and is involved in the assembly of the small mitochondrial ribosomal subunit, the identified variant represented a likely candidate.In silicoanalysis of a 3D model for ERAL1 suggested that the mutated residue hinders protein-substrate interactions, potentially affecting its function. On a molecular basis, PS skin fibroblasts had reduced ERAL1 protein levels. Complexome profiling of the cells showed an overall decrease in the levels of assembled small ribosomal subunit, indicating that theERAL1variant affects mitochondrial ribosome assembly. Moreover, levels of the 12S rRNA were reduced in the patients, and were fully rescued by lentiviral expression of wild type ERAL1. At the physiological level, mitochondrial respiration was markedly decreased in PS fibroblasts, confirming disturbed mitochondrial function. Finally, knockdown of theC. elegans ERAL1homologueE02H1.2almost completely blocked egg production in worms, mimicking the compromised fertility in PS-affected women. Our cross-species data in patient cells and worms support the hypothesis that mutations inERAL1can cause PS and are associated with changes in mitochondrial metabolism.
Whole genome sequences of the raspberry and strawberry pathogensPhytophthora rubiandP. fragariae
Authors: Tabima Javier F. , Kronmiller Brent A. , Press Caroline M. , Tyler Brett M. , Zasada Inga A. , Grünwald Niklaus J.
Published: March 2017

Phytophthora rubiandP. fragariaeare two closely related oomycete plant pathogens that exhibit strong morphological and physiological similarities, but are specialized to infect different hosts of economic importance, namely raspberry and strawberry. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of these twoPhytophthoraspecies as a first step towards understanding the genomic processes underlying plant host adaptation in these pathogens.
A mechanistic model for the evolution of multicellularity
Authors: Amado André , Batista Carlos , Campos Paulo R. A.
Published: March 2017

Through a mechanistic approach we investigate the formation of aggregates of variable sizes, accounting mechanisms of aggregation, dissociation, death and reproduction. In our model, cells can produce two metabolites, but the simultaneous production of both metabolites is costly in terms of fitness. Thus, the formation of larger groups can favor the aggregates to evolve to a configuration where division of labor arises. It is assumed that the states of the cells in a group are those that maximizes organismal fitness. In the model it is considered that the groups can grow linearly, forming a chain, or compactly keeping a roughly spherical shape. Starting from a population consisting of single-celled organisms, we observe the formation of groups with variable sizes and usually much larger than two-cell aggregates. Natural selection can favor the formation of large groups, which allows the system to achieve new and larger fitness maxima.
Data-driven modeling of corrosion and scale deposition rate in economizer
Authors: Kumari Amrita , Das S.K. , Srivastava P.K.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to study the effect of the parametric sensitivity of all critical parameters of feed water and other operating variables on the corrosion rate and oxide scale deposition on economizer tubes of a typical coal-fired 250-MW boiler.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a multilayer perceptron-based artificial neural network (ANN) model has been developed to envisage the corrosion rate and oxide scale deposition rate in economizer tubes of a coal-fired boiler. The neural network architecture has been optimized using an efficient gradient-based network optimization algorithm to minimize the training and testing errors rapidly during simulation runs.

Findings

The parametric sensitivity of all critical parameters of feed water and other operating variables on the corrosion rate and oxide scale deposition activities has been investigated. It has been observed that dissolved oxygen, dissolved copper content, residual hydrazine content and pH of the feed water have a relatively predominant influence on the corrosion rate, whereas dissolved iron content, silica content, pH and temperature of the feed water have a moderately major influence on oxide scale deposition phenomenon. There has been very good agreement between ANN model predictions and the measured values of corrosion rate and oxide scale deposition rate substantiated by the regression fit between these values.

Originality/value

This paper details the development of an alternative model to accurately predict corrosion rate and deposition rate on the inner surface of economizer tubes of a boiler over first principle-based kinetic model.
Debiasing the halo effect in audit decision: evidence from experimental study
Authors: Utami Intiyas , Kusuma Indra Wijaya , Gudono Gudono , Supriyadi Supriyadi
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the existence of the halo effect caused by the presentation of information scope (holistic/specific), which can eventually lead to an inaccurate risk assessment of material misstatement. Empirical evidence is provided to demonstrate that methods of knowledge acquisition (explanatory feedback and self-explanation) are able to mitigate the halo effect.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used an experimental research, which focused on control and experimental groups in order to determine if the halo effect caused by the information scope (holistic/specific) can be mitigated via the explanatory feedback or self-explanation method.

Findings

It was found that auditors who received information from the holistic scope tend to experience the halo effect and eventually, their risk assessments of material misstatement also became less accurate when compared to auditors who received information from the specific scope. The explanatory feedback was found to be effective in mitigating the halo effect. However, the self-explanation knowledge acquisition method was not reliable in mitigating the halo effect.

Research limitations/implications

This research use self-explanation with a manual technique but, in practice, most auditors use audit tools based on computer. Experimental setting with computer to self-explanation cannot held because there is limitation of seminar setting. This research used individual decision; in practice most of audit decision with discussion in audit team.

Practical implications

CPA firms can use explanatory feedback, which comes in the form of managers’ review as a form of knowledge acquisition method as a mitigation strategy for the halo effect.

Social implications

The social implication of this research is the halo effect that can influence the decision in many aspects. Individuals must increase their professional values with many trainings that are useful to mitigating the halo effect.

Originality/value

The outcome of this paper was derived from the first accounting study that relied on learning methods as a mitigation strategy for the halo effect. In other words, this study used explanatory feedback and self-explanation as methods to test the halo effect. Previous literature on mitigating the halo effect had used audit experiences, implying that CPA firms’ intervention was unnecessary. Moreover, such study periods had been much longer, thereby, deteriorating the effectiveness of the research. Previous studies had only used the learning method to increase human capital quality and this was not related to any method as a mean to mitigate individual bias, for example, the halo effect, and an issue that was covered by this study.
The impact of accelerated filing requirements on meeting audit report deadlines
Authors: Farag Magdy
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine audit report lags and audit report deadline margins. It specifically examines whether audits of large accelerated filers are completed within a shorter period as compared with regular accelerated filers due to the introduction of new deadline filing requirements by the SEC. The paper also examines whether large accelerated filers have shorter audit report deadline margins.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 7,129 firm-year observations over the period 2007-2013, an OLS regression model is applied by regressing audit report lags and audit report deadline margins on an indicator variable for large accelerated filers and a set of control variables.

Findings

Results indicate that audits of large accelerated filers have shorter audit report lags as compared with regular accelerated filers. Also, large accelerated filers have shorter audit report deadline margins as compared with regular accelerated filers. These results suggest that even though large accelerated filers’ audits are more complex by nature, auditors of these firms are under more pressure to complete their audits and issue their clients’ audit reports on time.

Research limitations/implications

While the control variables included in the models are all based on established theories and validated in prior research, there may still be some control variables that were excluded from the study’s models. Also, these results cannot be generalized beyond firms that are categorized as large accelerated filers or accelerated filers.

Practical/implications

Public accounting firms should be prepared to devote more resources to large accelerated filers’ clients. Also, regulators might need to reconsider revising the filing deadline requirements for the new category of large accelerated filers by weighing the pros against the cons of these new deadlines, as it appears that auditors of large accelerated filers need more time to complete their audits.

Originality/value

This study uses a new measuring tool in addition to audit report lags, which is the ‘audit report deadline margin’.
Investigating the volume and structure of alcohol consumption in Russian regions
Authors: Kossova Tatiana , Kossova Elena , Sheluntcova Maria
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine macroeconomic factors that are significantly related to consumption of various alcoholic beverages in Russia.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors consider 78 Russian regions for the period from 2008 to 2012. Data were collected from the Federal State Statistics Service of Russia. The authors investigate differences in the volume and structure of consuming absolute alcohol in aggregate, vodka, beer, and wine. Estimating fixed effect panel models enables us to reveal the relationship between alcohol consumption and the set of macroeconomic factors that include economic development of regions and living standards, the effect of unemployment, and the degree of urbanization.

Findings

Alcohol consumption is procyclical in Russia. Two main alcoholic beverages in Russia are vodka and beer. Economic development and urbanization of regions are positively related to consuming alcohol. Unemployment rate affects consumption of different types of alcoholic drinks in a different way. For absolute alcohol, vodka and beer, this relationship is negative. However, it is positive for wine. The effect of unemployment on absolute alcohol and vodka increases over time. For beer, it is remained unchanged. For wine, this effect weakens over time.

Originality/value

To the authors knowledge, the paper is the first one to analyze macro-level factors of consumption of different alcoholic beverages in Russia. Conclusions made on aggregate macroeconomic data add to understanding of drinking patterns in Russia as a country with the large territory and great regional variations. Findings can be used for correcting the alcohol policy at the national and regional level.
Twelve‐week, multicenter, placebo‐controlled, randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group, comparative phase II/III study of benzoyl peroxide gel in patients with acne vulgaris: A secondary publication
Authors: Kawashima Makoto , Sato Shinichi , Furukawa Fukumi , Matsunaga Kayoko , Akamatsu Hirohiko , Igarashi Atsuyuki , Tsunemi Yuichiro , Hayashi Nobukazu , Yamamoto Yuki , Nagare Toshitaka , Katsuramaki Tsuneo
Published: March 2017

A placebo‐controlled, randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group, comparative, multicenter study was conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) gel, administrated once daily for 12 weeks to Japanese patients with acne vulgaris. Efficacy was evaluated by counting all inflammatory and non‐inflammatory lesions. Safety was evaluated based on adverse events, local skin tolerability scores and laboratory test values. All 609 subjects were randomly assigned to receive the study products (2.5% and 5% BPO and placebo), and 607 subjects were included in the full analysis set, 544 in the per protocol set and 609 in the safety analyses. The median rates of reduction from baseline to the last evaluation of the inflammatory lesion counts, the primary end‐point, in the 2.5% and 5% BPO groups were 72.7% and 75.0%, respectively, and were significantly higher than that in the placebo group (41.7%). No deaths or other serious adverse events were observed. The incidences of adverse events in the 2.5% and 5% BPO groups were 56.4% and 58.8%, respectively; a higher incidence than in the placebo group, but there was no obvious difference between the 2.5% and 5% BPO groups. All adverse events were mild or moderate in severity. Most adverse events did not lead to study product discontinuation. The results suggested that both 2.5% and 5% BPO are useful for the treatment of acne vulgaris.
Immunocompetence in a long‐lived ectothermic vertebrate is temperature dependent but shows no decline in older adults
Authors: Zimmerman Laura M. , Carter Amanda Wilson , Bowden Rachel M. , Vogel Laura A.
Published: March 2017

Temperature affects nearly all aspects of the physiology of ectotherms, including their ability to mount an immune response. Typically, the ectothermic vertebrate immune system can respond over a wide range of temperatures, but there is a species‐specific temperature at which responses are strongest, with impaired responses above and below this threshold. In long‐lived ectotherms, ageing could also influence the ability to respond to temperature changes as immunosenecence, the functional decrease in immune function with age, is widely reported.

This study examined the effects of the interaction between temperature and age on B‐cell function in a long‐lived reptile, the red‐eared slider turtle, Trachemys scripta. B cells in this species have previously been shown to have two main functions, phagocytosis and antibody production.

Adult turtles were trapped and blood samples taken. Because sliders grow throughout their lifetime, plastron length was used as a proxy for age. Leucocytes were isolated and used in either an ELISpot assay to examine their ability to produce antibodies spontaneously or when stimulated, or used in a phagocytic assay. The ELISpot and phagocytic assays were conducted over a range of biologically relevant temperatures.

We found no interaction between age and temperature on any measure of B‐cell function. In all cases there was a significant effect of temperature, with impaired function at temperatures below 29 °C, but no impairment of function at higher temperatures. We also found little evidence of immunosenescence in any response.

This study provides insight into the thermal biology of B‐cell function in sliders and provides an interesting connection between immunology, behaviour and ecology in this long‐lived turtle.

A lay summary is available for this article.
Current and voltage source induced polarization transients: a comparative consideration
Authors: Kozhevnikov N.O. , Antonov E.Y.
Published: March 2017

The article discusses the excitation of transient induced polarization responses using current and voltage sources. The first method has found a wide application in induced polarization surveys and—directly or indirectly—in the theory of the induced polarization method. Typically, rectangular current pulses are injected into the earth via grounding electrodes, and decaying induced polarization voltage is measured during the pauses between pulses. In this case, only the secondary field is recorded in the absence of the primary field, which is an important advantage of this method. On the other hand, since the current injected into the ground is fully controlled by the source, this method does not allow studying induced polarization by measuring the current in the transmitter line or associated magnetic field. When energising the earth with voltage pulses, the measured quantity is the transient induced polarization current. In principle, this method allows induced polarization studies to be done by recording the transmitter line current, the associated magnetic field, or its rate of change. The decay of current in a grounded transmitter line depends not only on the induced polarization of the earth but also on the polarization of the grounding electrodes. This problem does not occur when induced polarization transients in the earth are excited inductively. A grounded transmitter line is a mixed‐type source; hence, for a purely inductive excitation of induced polarization transients, one should use an ungrounded loop, which is coupled to the earth solely by electromagnetic induction.
Institutional Environment and Microfinance Performance in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Chikalipah Sydney
Published: March 2017

This paper explores the impact of the institutional environment on the performance of 291 microfinance institutions in 34 sub‐Saharan Africa countries during the period 2006 to 2014, by analysing the unbalanced panel data using fixed effects and generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation techniques. The panel regression results demonstrate strong evidence that a strong institutional environment has a positive effect on the performance of microfinance institutions in sub‐Saharan Africa. More specifically, the findings reveal a positive and significant relationship between business freedom and microfinance performance in sub‐Saharan Africa. These vital findings not only provide useful information to policy makers and key microfinance industry players, but also highlight the impact that institutional qualities have on microfinance performance.
Ethnolinguistic Background and Enrollment in Primary Education: Evidence from Kenya*
Authors: Vimefall Elin , Andrén Daniela , Levin Jörgen
Published: March 2017

In Kenya, educational enrollment rates increased significantly after 2003, when primary education became free of charge. Unfortunately, approximately one million school‐aged children are still not enrolled in school. Earlier literature provides evidence that educational opportunities differ among children, due to poverty, gender and area of residence. Our paper provides new empirical evidence of the importance of children's ethnolinguistic background for their probability of being in school. Using data from the Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey 2005/06, we found that Somali and Maasai children are least likely to be in school. Girls and boys from the Somali and Maasai groups, but also Mijikenda and Swahili girls, have a lower probability to be in school than their Kikuyu peers. This might indicate that gender norms are stronger in these groups.
Early Termination of Small Loans in the Multifamily Mortgage Market
Authors: Pennington‐Cross Anthony , Smith Brent C
Published: March 2017

This article uses micro‐level data on small (as defined by Fannie Mae) multifamily loans in the Fannie Mae loan portfolio to examine prepayment and default performance. The results document the importance of equity, as measured by the loan‐to‐value ratio, and contemporaneous property operating income relative to debt service obligations, as measured by the debt‐to‐income ratio. Our results indicate that the expiration of prepayment penalties and yield maintenance provisions lead to large spikes in prepayment and default. The results also illustrate that multifamily loans, as they are not fully amortized, also have a substantial risk of both extension and default at term. The operating efficiency of the property, cash reserves and local economic conditions can also impact terminations.
The Effect of Frailty on 30‐day Mortality Risk in Older Patients With Acute Heart Failure Attended in the Emergency Department
Authors: Martín‐Sánchez Francisco Javier , Rodríguez‐Adrada Esther , Mueller Christian , Vidán María Teresa , Christ Michael , Frank Peacock W. , Rizzi Miguel Alberto , Alquezar Aitor , Piñera Pascual , Aragues Paula Lázaro , Llorens Pere , Herrero Pablo , Jacob Javier , Fernández Cristina , Miró Òscar
Published: March 2017

Objective

The objective was to determine the effect of frailty on risk of 30‐day mortality in nonseverely disabled older patients with acute heart failure (AHF) attended in emergency departments (EDs).

Methodology

The Frailty‐AHF Study is a retrospective analysis of a multicenter, observational, prospective, cohort study (Older‐AHF Register). This study included consecutive patients ≥ 65 years of age without severe functional dependence or dementia attended for AHF in three Spanish EDs for 4 months. Frailty was defined by frailty phenotype as the presence of three or more domains. Baseline and episode characteristics and 30‐day mortality were collected in all the patients.

Results

A total of 465 patients with a mean (±SD) age of 82 (±7) years were included, 283 (61.0%) being female and 225 (51.3%) with severe comorbidity (Charlson index ≥ 3). Frailty was present in 169 (36.3%). The rate of 30‐day mortality was 7.3%. Frailty adjusted for potential confounding factors was an independent factor associated with 30‐day mortality (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.5; 95% confidence interval = 1.0 to 6.0; p = 0.047).

Conclusion

The presence of frailty is an independent risk factor of 30‐day mortality in nonsevere dependent older patients attended with AHF in EDs.
Anxiety sensitivity and cannabis use‐related problems: The impact of race
Authors: Dean Kimberlye E. , Ecker Anthony H. , Buckner Julia D.
Published: March 2017

Background and Objectives

Cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance among young adults. Anxiety sensitivity (AS; ie, fear of anxiety‐related symptoms) is positively related to coping motives for cannabis use (which are robustly positively linked to cannabis‐related problems). However, AS is unrelated to cannabis use‐related problems. Yet, extant studies have been conducted on primarily White samples. It may be that among Black students, AS‐physical concerns (ie, fear of physical anxiety‐related sensations) are related to cannabis problems given that Black individuals are more likely than White individuals to report experiencing greater and more intense somatic symptoms when experiencing anxiety. Black individuals may rely on cannabis to cope with fear of these somatic symptoms, continuing to use despite cannabis‐related problems.

Methods

The current study tested whether race moderated the relation between AS‐physical concerns and cannabis problems among 102 (85.3% female) current cannabis using undergraduates who were either non‐Hispanic Black (n = 51) or non‐Hispanic White (n = 51).

Results

After controlling for frequency of cannabis use, income, and gender, race significantly moderated the relation between AS‐physical concerns and cannabis use‐related problems such that AS‐physical concerns significantly predicted cannabis‐related problems among Black and not White individuals.

Discussion and Conclusions

Findings highlight the importance of considering race in identifying psychosocial predictors of cannabis‐related problems.

Scientific Significance

Intervention strategies for Black cannabis users may benefit from examining and targeting AS‐physical concerns. (Am J Addict 2017;26:209–214)
Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis score for early diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis in Darwin
Authors: Narasimhan Vignesh , Ooi Geraldine , Weidlich Stephanie , Carson Phillip
Published: March 2017

Background

Soft tissue infections are a major health burden in the Top End of the Northern Territory of Australia. Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is associated with mortality rates from 8 to 40%. Early recognition and aggressive surgical debridement are the cornerstones of successful treatment. The Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) score, developed by Wong et al., uses six routine biochemical variables to aid early diagnosis. We aim to assess the diagnostic efficacy of the LRINEC score in our population.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients with NF between 2005 and 2013 was conducted. A time matched cohort of abscesses/cellulitis was selected. Admission bloods were used to calculate the LRINEC score. An intraoperative finding of NF was used as the gold standard definition for comparison. The diagnostic accuracy of the LRINEC score was assessed.

Results

Ninety‐eight patients with NF and 205 control patients were identified. The area under the receiver operator curve for the LRINEC score in detecting NF was 0.925 (0.890–0.959, P < 0.001). The sensitivity of the LRINEC ≥5 for NF was 76.3%, with a specificity of 93.1%. The positive and negative predictive values were 95.5 and 88.1%, respectively. The positive and negative likelihood ratios were 11 and 0.25.

Conclusion

The LRINEC score is a useful, robust, non‐invasive and easily calculated scoring system that can be used as an adjunct to early diagnosis of NF. However, a high degree of clinical suspicion remains the most important factor in early diagnosis of NF.
Targeting C3a/C5a receptors inhibits human mesangial cell proliferation and alleviates immunoglobulin A nephropathy in mice
Authors: Zhang Y , Yan X , Zhao T , Xu Q , Peng Q , Hu R , Quan S , Zhou Y , Xing G
Published: March 2017

Complement activation has a deep pathogenic influence in immunoglobulin (Ig)A nephropathy (IgAN). C3a and C5a, small cleavage fragments generated by complement activation, are key mediators of inflammation. The fragments exert broad proinflammatory effects by binding to specific receptors (C3aR and C5aR, respectively). However, no studies thus far have investigated the effects of C3a, C5a and their receptors on IgAN. We observed that C3aR and C5aR antagonists repressed IgA-induced cell proliferation and interleukin (IL)-6 and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) production in cultured human mesangial cells (HMCs). Furthermore, an IgAN mouse model induced by Sendai virus infection was employed to investigate the effects of C3aR and C5aR on IgAN in vivo for the first time. Wild-type (WT) and several knock-out mouse strains (C3aR–/– or C5aR–/–) were immunized intranasally with increasing doses of inactivated virus for 14 weeks and were subjected to two intravenous viral challenges during the time-period indicated. In the Sendai virus-induced IgAN model, C3aR/C5aR-deficient mice had significantly reduced proteinuria, lower renal IgA and C3 deposition, less histological damage and reduced mesangial proliferation compared with WT mice. Both C3aR deficiency and C5aR deficiency, especially C3aR deficiency, inhibited renal tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, IL-1β, IL-6 and MCP-1 expression significantly. However, C3aR/C5aR-deficient and WT mice with IgAN did not differ with respect to their blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels. Our findings provide further support for the idea that C3aR and C5aR are crucially important in IgAN, and suggest that pharmaceutically targeting C3aR/C5aR may hold promise for the treatment of IgAN.
Copy number variants analysis in a cohort of isolated and syndromic developmental delay/intellectual disability reveals novel genomic disorders, position effects and candidate disease genes
Authors: Di Gregorio E. , Riberi E. , Belligni E.F. , Biamino E. , Spielmann M. , Ala U. , Calcia A. , Bagnasco I. , Carli D. , Gai G. , Giordano M. , Guala A. , Keller R. , Mandrile G. , Arduino C. , Maffè A. , Naretto V.G. , Sirchia F. , Sorasio L. , Ungari S. , Zonta A. , Zacchetti G. , Talarico F. , Pappi P. , Cavalieri S. , Giorgio E. , Mancini C. , Ferrero M. , Brussino A. , Savin E. , Gandione M. , Pelle A. , Giachino D.F. , De Marchi M. , Restagno G. , Provero P. , Cirillo Silengo M. , Grosso E. , Buxbaum J.D. , Pasini B. , De Rubeis S. , Brusco A. , Ferrero G.B.
Published: March 2017

Background

Array‐comparative genomic hybridization (array‐CGH) is a widely used technique to detect copy number variants (CNVs) associated with developmental delay/intellectual disability (DD/ID).

Aims

Identification of genomic disorders in DD/ID.

Materials and methods

We performed a comprehensive array‐CGH investigation of 1,015 consecutive cases with DD/ID and combined literature mining, genetic evidence, evolutionary constraint scores, and functional information in order to assess the pathogenicity of the CNVs.

Results

We identified non‐benign CNVs in 29% of patients. Amongst the pathogenic variants (11%), detected with a yield consistent with the literature, we found rare genomic disorders and CNVs spanning known disease genes. We further identified and discussed 51 cases with likely pathogenic CNVs spanning novel candidate genes, including genes encoding synaptic components and/or proteins involved in corticogenesis. Additionally, we identified two deletions spanning potential Topological Associated Domain (TAD) boundaries probably affecting the regulatory landscape.

Discussion and conclusion

We show how phenotypic and genetic analyses of array‐CGH data allow unraveling complex cases, identifying rare disease genes, and revealing unexpected position effects.
A nonsense mutation in CEP55 defines a new locus for a Meckel‐like syndrome, an autosomal recessive lethal fetal ciliopathy
Authors: Bondeson M.‐L. , Ericson K. , Gudmundsson S. , Ameur A. , Pontén F. , Wesström J. , Frykholm C. , Wilbe M.
Published: March 2017

Mutations in genes involved in the cilium‐centrosome complex are called ciliopathies. Meckel‐Gruber syndrome (MKS) is a ciliopathic lethal autosomal recessive syndrome characterized by genetically and clinically heterogeneous manifestations, including renal cystic dysplasia, occipital encephalocele and polydactyly. Several genes have previously been associated with MKS and MKS‐like phenotypes, but there are still genes remaining to be discovered. We have used whole‐exome sequencing (WES) to uncover the genetics of a suspected autosomal recessive Meckel syndrome phenotype in a family with 2 affected fetuses. RNA studies and histopathological analysis was performed for further delineation. WES lead to identification of a homozygous nonsense mutation c.256C>T (p.Arg86*) in CEP55 (centrosomal protein of 55 kDa) in the affected fetus. The variant has previously been identified in carriers in low frequencies, and segregated in the family. CEP55 is an important centrosomal protein required for the mid‐body formation at cytokinesis. Our results expand the list of centrosomal proteins implicated in human ciliopathies and provide evidence for an essential role of CEP55 during embryogenesis and development of disease.
Towards a semantic approach to numerical tree inference in phylogenetics
Authors: Vogt Lars
Published: March 2017

Conventional approaches to phylogeny reconstruction require a character analysis step prior to and methodologically separated from a numerical tree inference step. The former results in a character matrix that contains the empirical data analysed in the latter. This separation of steps involves various methodological and conceptual problems (e.g. homology assessment independent of tree inference and character optimization, character dependencies, discounting of alternative homology hypotheses). In morphology, the character analysis step covers the stages of morphological comparative studies, homology assessment and the identification and coding of morphological characters. Unfortunately, only the last stage requires some formalism, whereas the preceding stages are commonly regarded to be pre‐rational and intuitive, which is why their reproducibility and analytical accessibility is limited. Here, I introduce a rational for a semantic approach to numerical tree inference that uses sets of semantic instance anatomies as data source instead of character matrices, thereby avoiding the above‐mentioned problems. A semantic instance anatomy is an ontology‐based description of the anatomical organization of a specimen in the form of a semantic graph. The semantic approach to numerical tree inference combines and integrates the steps of character analysis and numerical tree inference and makes both analytically accessible and communicable. Before outlining first steps for a research programme dedicated to the semantic approach to numerical tree inference, I discuss in detail the methodological, conceptual, and computational challenges and requirements that first have to be dealt with before adequate algorithms can be developed.
The epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infection in a national kidney transplant center
Authors: Kennedy Claire , Waldron Carmel , Skally Mairead , Gaughan Leah , Magee Colm , Burns Karen , Fitzpatrick Fidelma
Published: March 2017

Background

We aimed to describe the epidemiology and outcomes of CDI in a national kidney transplant center from 2008 to 2015.

Methods

Adult kidney and kidney‐pancreas transplant recipients were included for analysis if they met the surveillance CDI case definition. Rates of new healthcare‐associated CDI (HA‐CDI) were expressed per 10 000 KTR/KTPR bed days used (BDU) to facilitate comparisons.

Results

Fifty‐two cases of CDI were identified in 42 KTRs and KPTRs. This corresponded to an average annual rate of 9.6 per 10 000 BDU, higher than that seen among general hospital inpatients locally, nationally, and internationally. Of the 45 cases (87%) that were considered HA‐CDI, nine (20%) had symptom onset in the community. Recent proton‐pump inhibitor (PPI) and broad‐spectrum antimicrobial exposure preceded the majority of cases. KTRs and KPTRs with CDI had a longer mean length of hospital stay (35 days) than those KTR and KPTRs admitted during the same period that did not have CDI (8 days).

Conclusions

Education regarding CDI must be extended to transplant recipients and their general practitioners. Other targets for future CDI rate reduction must include stringent antimicrobial stewardship (both in hospital and in the community) and judicious PPI prescribing.
Can Lutheran Theology and Virtue Ethics Be Friends?
Authors: Hoffmeyer John F.
Published: March 2017

Lutheran theology is generally suspicious of virtue ethics. This suspicion arises from (1) the Lutheran commitment to justification by faith in God's unconditional promise; and (2) Luther's corollary understanding of sin as existential self‐absorption. Some Lutheran theologians have sought to incorporate virtue ethics by using it as an orientation for Christian life, while making sure to avoid any contamination of the doctrine of justification by virtue ethics. My project is to consider the possibility of a mutual illumination and interaction between the doctrine of justification and virtue ethics’ focus on formation by habituation. As an aid in exploring this possibility I use the distinction in Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Ethics between the “ultimate” and the “penultimate.”
A life course approach to increase physical activity in individuals with Rett syndrome
Authors: Mcphee Patrick G , Gorter Jan Willem
Published: March 2017

This commentary is on the original article by Downs et al. on pages 605–611 of this issue.
Cav1.3 channels play a crucial role in the formation of paroxysmal depolarization shifts in cultured hippocampal neurons
Authors: Stiglbauer Victoria , Hotka Matej , Ruiß Manuel , Hilber Karlheinz , Boehm Stefan , Kubista Helmut
Published: March 2017

Objective

An increase of neuronal Cav1.3 L‐type calcium channels (LTCCs) has been observed in various animal models of epilepsy. However,LTCCinhibitors failed in clinical trials of epileptic treatment. There is compelling evidence that paroxysmal depolarization shifts (PDSs) involve Ca2+influx throughLTCCs.PDSs represent a hallmark of epileptiform activity. In recent years, a probable epileptogenic role forPDSs has been proposed. However, the implication of the two neuronalLTCCisoforms, Cav1.2 and Cav1.3, inPDSs remained unknown. Moreover, Ca2+‐dependent nonspecific cation (CAN) channels have also been suspected to contribute toPDSs. Nevertheless, direct experimental support of an important role ofCANchannel activation inPDSformation is still lacking.

Methods

Primary neuronal networks derived from dissociated hippocampal neurons were generated from mice expressing a dihydropyridine‐insensitive Cav1.2 mutant (Cav1.2DHP−/−mice) or from Cav1.3−/−knockout mice. To investigate the role of Cav1.2 and Cav1.3, perforated patch‐clamp recordings were made of epileptiform activity, which was elicited using either bicuculline or caffeine.LTCCactivity was modulated using the dihydropyridines Bay K 8644 (agonist) and isradipine (antagonist).

Results

DistinctPDScould be elicited uponLTCCpotentiation in Cav1.2DHP−/−neurons but not in Cav1.3−/−neurons. In contrast, when bicuculline led to long‐lasting, seizure‐like discharge events rather thanPDS, these were prolonged in Cav1.3−/−neurons but not in Cav1.2DHP−/−neurons. Because only the Cav1.2 isoform is functionally coupled toCANchannels in primary hippocampal networks,PDSformation does not requireCANchannel activity.

Significance

Our data suggest that theLTCCrequirement ofPDSrelates primarily to Cav1.3 channels rather than to Cav1.2 channels andCANchannels in hippocampal neurons. Hence, Cav1.3 may represent a new therapeutic target for suppression ofPDSdevelopment. The proposed epileptogenic role ofPDSs may allow for a prophylactic rather than the unsuccessful seizure suppressing application ofLTCCinhibitors.
Innovation and gendered negotiations: Insights from six small‐scale fishing communities
Authors: Locke Catherine , Muljono Paramita , McDougall Cynthia , Morgan Miranda
Published: March 2017

There has so far been limited investigation into gender in relation to innovation in fisheries. Therefore, this study investigates how gender relations shape the capacity and motivation of different individuals in fishing communities to innovate. We compare six fishing communities in Cambodia, the Philippines and the Solomon Islands. Our findings suggest that gendered negotiations mediate the capacity to innovate but that wider structural constraints are important constraints for both men and women. Our findings show that men's and women's capacity to innovate is strongly mediated by the behaviour of their marriage partner. Consequently, we argue that gender research from a social relational perspective has an important contribution to make in understanding poor fishing communities where new ways of doing things or new technologies are being promoted.
Multiple exaptations leading to fish sound production
Authors: Parmentier Eric , Diogo Rui , Fine Michael L
Published: March 2017

The term exaptation introduced by Stephen J. Gould and Elizabeth Vrba has been used infrequently. The high diversity of sound‐producing mechanisms in fishes highlights a recurrent use of this process in unrelated taxa. We propose that sonic evolution typically involves exaptations: in many fish taxa, sound production was acquired by the independent modification of existing structures with other functions. These structures were modified into complex effectors for courtship and agonistic sound production without major changes to their gnathostome Bauplan. Existing anatomical structures (teeth, bones, etc.) were likely first used in non‐voluntary sound production, which incidentally provided advantages and could then be selected specifically for signal production leading to the refinement of more sophisticated sonic organs. We postulate that in many if not most cases, sound‐production specializations originated in fish taxa that took advantage of incidental non‐voluntary sounds. We use different case‐studies to show that exaptation may be a key, albeit largely unrecognized, agent of major morphological and behavioural changes.
The perplexing dilemma of measuring sun protection factors
Authors: Pissavini M. , Diffey B. , Doucet O.
Published: March 2017

Truth, like knowledge, is surprisingly difficult to define. Indeed, every definition of truth that philosophers have developed falls prey to the question, ‘Is it true?’ In this essay, we consider what is the true SPF of a sunscreen product and whether it can ever be realizable.