bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A humped latitudinal phylogenetic diversity pattern of orchid bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossini) in western Amazonia: assessing the influence of climate and geologic history
Authors: Abrahamczyk Stefan , de Vos Jurriaan M. , Sedivy Claudio , Gottleuber Peter , Kessler Michael
Published: November 2013

Amazonian rainforests are among the most species‐rich terrestrial habitats on Earth. The aim of this study was to analyze phylogenetic diversity (PD) patterns of orchid bee assemblages along a latitudinal gradient of 15° from northern Peru to central Bolivia and to relate them to climatic factors and geological history. We expanded an existing phylogeny of orchid bees and analyzed the PD of 15 orchid bee assemblages along a latitudinal gradient using mean pair‐wise phylogenetic distance. The resulting pattern was correlated to climatic factors and elevation. We found a hump‐shaped pattern of PD that peaked in central Peru and decreased towards the equatorial and especially towards the southern, subtropical sites. The decrease in PD towards higher latitudes is a common pattern found in many taxa, which in our case correlates with increasing climatic seasonality. However, the decrease towards the equatorial sites is unusual and may be related to a particular historic event: the northern sites with low PD are situated in the area of the former Lake Pebas, which covered western Amazonia until 3 mya. After the lake disappeared orchid bees mainly belonging to two distantly related species groups apparently colonized the region and diversified, which led to the comparatively low observed PD. In contrast, in central Peru, no in situ radiations were detected, hence the assemblages were composed of species from diverse phylogenetic lineages. Additionally, we identified multiple phylogenetically independent radiations of regionally restricted Euglossa species along the latitudinal gradient that, according to a published, dated phylogeny, diversified roughly 3–1 mya. The hump‐shaped latitudinal pattern of PD of the orchid bees of western Amazonia thus appears to have resulted from a preponderance of early divergent lineages in central Peru and of young radiations from distantly related clades colonizing higher latitudes, possibly triggered by historic climate fluctuations and major geological events.
Estimates of species extinctions from species–area relationships strongly depend on ecological context
Authors: Matias Miguel G. , Gravel Dominique , Guilhaumon François , Desjardins‐Proulx Philippe , Loreau Michel , Münkemüller Tamara , Mouquet Nicolas
Published: November 2013

Species–area (SAR) and endemics–area (EAR) relationships are amongst the most common methods used to forecast species loss resulting from habitat loss. One critical, albeit often ignored, limitation of these area‐based estimates is their disregard of the ecological context that shapes species distributions. In this study, we estimate species loss using a spatially explicit mechanistic simulation model to evaluate three important aspects of ecological context: coexistence mechanisms (e.g. species sorting, competition–colonization tradeoffs and neutral dynamics), spatial distribution of environmental conditions, and spatial pattern of habitat loss. We found that 1) area‐based estimates of extinctions are sensitive to coexistence mechanisms as well as to the pattern of environmental heterogeneity; 2) there is a strong interaction between coexistence mechanisms and the pattern of habitat loss; 3) SARs always yield higher estimates of species loss than do EARs; and 4) SARs and EARs consistently underestimate the realized species loss. Our results highlight the need to integrate ecological mechanisms in area‐estimates of species loss.
Philodendron carajasense sp. nov. (Araceae), a rheophyte from Carajás Mountain Range, northern Brasil
Authors: Gonçalves Eduardo G. , Arruda André J.
Published: November 2013

A new rheophytic species of Philodendron, viz. P. carajasense E. G. Gonç. & A. J. Arruda sp. nov., is described from the Carajás region, northern Brazil. This is the second rheophyte described in the genus, the first being P. flumineum E. G. Gonç. to which P. carajasense seems to be related. The new species is also compared with the closely related sympatric P. guttiferum, but the latter lacks the rheophytic habit. The new species is thought to be endemic to the Carajás region.
Predicting land use voting behavior: expanding our understanding of the influence of attitudes and social norms
Authors: Maloney Erin K. , Lapinski Maria K. , Neuberger Lindsay
Published: November 2013

Voting to tax oneself in the current economic climate seems improbable. Framed in theories of normative influence and behavior change, this study tests the factors that predict voting for a county‐level millage (i.e., tax) to fund land preservation. Behavioral beliefs that contribute to people's attitudes toward the millage are identified and a model is tested with an expanded normative component. Results indicate that attitudes and subjective norms significantly predict voting intentions, and injunctive norms (i.e., people's perceptions of others' approval of taking an action) add significantly to the model's predictive power. Findings are reinforced by election results in which the millage proposal passed and can contribute to the applied literature by identifying social‐psychological factors that can be targeted with campaign messages.
Extending the expanded model of organizational identification to occupations
Authors: Ashforth Blake E. , Joshi Mahendra , Anand Vikas , O'Leary‐Kelly Anne M.
Published: November 2013

We extend Kreiner and Ashforth's (2004) research on the expanded model of organizational identification to the occupational level of self. A survey of 251 customer service representatives from an Indian call center indicates that occupational identification, occupational disidentification, ambivalent occupational identification, and neutral occupational identification are empirically differentiable. Further, each form of identification in the expanded model was related to certain predictors from a set of ten situational and individual difference variables, and to certain outcomes from a set of five adjustment variables. The differing patterns of antecedents and outcomes for each form of occupational identification suggest that each form constitutes a relatively unique phenomenon.
Neotropical diversification seen through glassfrogs
Authors: Castroviejo‐Fisher Santiago , Guayasamin Juan M. , Gonzalez‐Voyer Alejandro , Vilà Carles
Published: November 2013

Aim

We used frogs of the clade Allocentroleniae (Centrolenidae + Allophrynidae; c. 170 species endemic to Neotropical rain forests) as a model system to address the historical biogeography and diversification of Neotropical rain forest biotas.

Location

Neotropical rain forests.

Methods

We used an extensive taxon (109 species) and gene (seven nuclear and three mitochondrial genes) sampling to estimate phylogenetic relationships, divergence times, ancestral area distributions, dispersal–vicariance events, and the temporal pattern of diversification rate.

Results

The Allocentroleniae started to diversify in the Eocene in South America and by the early Miocene were present in all major Neotropical rain forests except in Central America, which was colonized through 11 late range expansions. The initial uplifts of the Andes during the Oligocene and early Miocene, as well as marine incursions in the lowlands, are coincidental with our estimates of the divergence times of most clades of Allocentroleniae. Clades with broad elevational distributions occupy more biogeographical areas. Most dispersals involve the Andes as a source area but the majority were between the Central and the Northern Andes, suggesting that the Andes did not play a major role as a species pump for the lowlands. The diversification of glassfrogs does not follow a south‐to‐north pattern of speciation for Andean clades, and the establishment of a transcontinental Amazon drainage system is coincidental in time with the isolation of the Atlantic Forest glassfrogs. Diversification analyses indicated that a model of constantly increasing diversity best fits the data, compatible with the ‘evolutionary museum’ hypothesis or ‘ancient cradle’ hypothesis.

Main conclusions

Our work illustrates how the different geological and climatic historical events of the Neotropics shaped, at different levels of the phylogeny, the diversity of a species‐rich clade, highlighting the importance of studying large evolutionary radiations at a continental scale.
The importance of biotic interactions in species distribution models: a test of the Eltonian noise hypothesis using parrots
Authors: de Araújo Carlos B. , Marcondes‐Machado Luiz Octavio , Costa Gabriel C.
Published: November 2013

Aim

To test the Eltonian noise hypothesis (ENH), that biotic interactions do not affect species distributions at large geographical scales.

Location

The Brazilian cerrado, a central South American savanna and biodiversity hotspot.

Methods

We modelled the distributions of 11 species of cerrado parrots using the software Maxent at four different spatial resolutions. We built models using abiotic variables, biotic variables (distribution of diet resources) and models combining abiotic and biotic variables. We compared model performance using the area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic (AUC), retrieved from test data. We partitioned the variance between sets of predictors using a generalized linear model (GLM). Finally, we evaluated whether improvement in model performance (higher AUC values) in models with both abiotic and biotic variables, was related to the species' dietary niche breadth and/or spatial resolution of the models.

Results

We found that model performance was improved in most cases by the addition of biotic variables. Our variance‐partitioning approach revealed that abiotic and biotic variables contribute independently to the final model. We found no relationship between model improvement and spatial resolution. We also found no relationship between dietary niche breadth and model improvement, indicating that dietary generalist and specialist species were not differently affected by the inclusion of biotic variables in the models.

Main conclusions

Our results did not support the ENH. In this study, we explicitly incorporated a biotic variable (diet resource distribution) into species distribution models (SDMs), and we showed that these variables generally improve models and have independent contributions. These results agree with previous studies that incorporated biotic variables into SDMs. Ultimately, our results indicate that SDMs performed with abiotic variables only may depict only a partial representation of the geographical distribution of a species.
Global patterns of phylogenetic beta diversity components in bats
Authors: Peixoto Franciele P. , Braga Pedro Henrique P. , Cianciaruso Marcus Vinicius , Diniz‐Filho José Alexandre F. , Brito Daniel
Published: November 2013

Aim

To investigate global patterns of phylogenetic beta diversity (phylobetadiversity, PBD) components in bats (Chiroptera), testing whether the strong dispersal barriers among realms led to lineage differentiation between them and whether the flight capability of the study group created distance‐decay patterns in PBD, with lower turnover rates between the closest biogeographical regions.

Location

Global, delimited by biogeographical regions.

Methods

Using the global distribution of bats and a supertree available for most species, we calculated PBD using the complement of the PhyloSor index. In addition, to distinguish the relative roles of local (e.g. lineage filtering) and regional processes (e.g. speciation) in shaping broad‐scale patterns of PBD, we partitioned PBD into two components: the turnover component (PBDTurn) and the phylogenetic diversity (PD) component (PBDPD). We used a null model to test whether assemblages were more or less phylogenetically dissimilar than expected by chance. We also performed a Mantel analysis to analyse the distance‐decay patterns of PBD and its two components.

Results

The most striking difference in PBD was found between the Old World and the New World. In general, the PBD pattern was determined by PBDTurn. For some adjacent regions we noticed the PBDPD component was more important, indicating that the dissimilarity was mostly due to differences in phylogenetic diversity. On the other hand, for other adjacent regions, the observed PBDTurn was higher than expected by chance and the PBDPD was lower. This demonstrates that, although these regions are relatively close in space, there are other factors driving phylogenetic differences between them (i.e. ecological factors).

Main conclusions

Our results suggest that at broad scales, the PBD of bats is determined by PBDTurn. We postulate that the flight ability of bats led to low turnover rates between adjacent regions in the absence of other factors that can drive differences between them (e.g. strong environmental barriers).
Efforts to secure universal access to HIV/AIDS treatment: a comparison of BRICS countries
Authors: Sun Jing , Boing Alexandra Crispim , Silveira Marysabel PT , Bertoldi Andréa D , Ziganshina Liliya E , Khaziakhmetova Veronica N , Khamidulina Rashida M , Chokshi Maulik R , McGee Shelley , Suleman Fatima
Published: November 2013

This article illustrates how the BRICS countries have been building their focused leadership, making important high level commitment and national policy changes, and improving their health systems, in addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemics in respective settings. Specific aspects are focused on efforts of creating public provisions to secure universal access to ARVs from the aspects of active responsive system and national program, health system strengthening, fostering local production of ARVs, supply chain management, and information system strengthening. Challenges in each BRICS country are analyzed respectively. The most important contributors to the success of response to HIV/AIDS include: creating legal basis for healthcare as a fundamental human right; political commitment to necessary funding for universal access and concrete actions to secure equal quality care; comprehensive system to secure demands that all people in need are capable of accessing prevention, treatment and care; active community involvement; decentralization of the management system considering the local settings; integration of treatment and prevention; taking horizontal approach to strengthen health systems; fully use of the TRIPS flexibility; and regular monitoring and evaluation to serve evidence based decision making.
Automatic detection and analysis of cell motility in phase‐contrast time‐lapse images using a combination of maximally stable extremal regions and Kalman filter approaches
Authors: KAAKINEN M. , HUTTUNEN S. , PAAVOLAINEN L. , MARJOMÄKI V. , HEIKKILÄ J. , EKLUND L.
Published: November 2013

Phase‐contrast illumination is simple and most commonly used microscopic method to observe nonstained living cells. Automatic cell segmentation and motion analysis provide tools to analyze single cell motility in large cell populations. However, the challenge is to find a sophisticated method that is sufficiently accurate to generate reliable results, robust to function under the wide range of illumination conditions encountered in phase‐contrast microscopy, and also computationally light for efficient analysis of large number of cells and image frames. To develop better automatic tools for analysis of low magnification phase‐contrast images in time‐lapse cell migration movies, we investigated the performance of cell segmentation method that is based on the intrinsic properties of maximally stable extremal regions (MSER). MSER was found to be reliable and effective in a wide range of experimental conditions. When compared to the commonly used segmentation approaches, MSER required negligible preoptimization steps thus dramatically reducing the computation time. To analyze cell migration characteristics in time‐lapse movies, the MSER‐based automatic cell detection was accompanied by a Kalman filter multiobject tracker that efficiently tracked individual cells even in confluent cell populations. This allowed quantitative cell motion analysis resulting in accurate measurements of the migration magnitude and direction of individual cells, as well as characteristics of collective migration of cell groups. Our results demonstrate that MSER accompanied by temporal data association is a powerful tool for accurate and reliable analysis of the dynamic behaviour of cells in phase‐contrast image sequences. These techniques tolerate varying and nonoptimal imaging conditions and due to their relatively light computational requirements they should help to resolve problems in computationally demanding and often time‐consuming large‐scale dynamical analysis of cultured cells.
Roles for Primary Cilia in Gonadotrophin‐Releasing Hormone Neurones in the Mouse
Authors: Shin J. , Prescott M. , Mair J. , Campbell R. E.
Published: November 2013

During embryonic development, gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) neurones make an extraordinary migration out of the nose and into the brain where, in adulthood, they drive the pituitary regulation of gonadal function and fertility. Primary cilia are antennae‐like, immotile organelles that project from the surface of nearly all cells, including GnRH neurones. Links between defects in primary cilia and a variety of human pathologies have been discovered that suggest a role for primary cilia in embryogenesis and reproductive function. The present study aimed to investigate whether GnRH neurone primary cilia are critical for their embryonic migration and the adult control of fertility. To achieve this, we used a Cre‐loxP strategy to selectively disrupt primary cilia by deleting Kif3a, an intraflagellar transport protein family member essential for primary cilia assembly and function, specifically in GnRH neurones. Confocal analysis revealed that, in Kif3afl/fl (WT‐Kif3a) controls, all GnRH neurones possessed primary cilia, whereas, in GnRH‐Cre+/−;Kif3afl/fl (GnRH‐Kif3aKO) mice, 60% of GnRH neurones lacked any evidence of primary cilia and the remaining 40% possessed only stunted primary cilia (< 2 μm). Despite abolishing normal primary cilia assembly in GnRH neurones from embryogenesis, adult GnRH neurone distribution and reproductive function was remarkably normal. The total number of GnRH neurones was the same in GnRH‐Kif3aKO and WT‐Kif3a controls; however, a significant increase (25%) was identified in the number of GnRH neurones sampled through the midpoint of the rostral pre‐optic area in GnRH‐Kif3aKO mice (P < 0.05). The time to vaginal opening was not different in GnRH‐Kif3aKO mice, although they displayed significantly advanced first oestrus (P < 0.05), and oestrous cycle length was increased (P < 0.05). However, females displayed normal basal levels of luteinising hormone, responded normally to oestrogen‐induced negative‐ and positive‐feedback, and displayed normal fecundity. Taken together, these data suggest that primary cilia and associated signal transduction pathways play a role in the topographical distribution and specific functions of GnRH neurones; however, they are not essential for fertility.
Normal and indeterminate pattern of fetal cardiotocography in admission test and pregnancy outcome
Authors: Sharbaf Fatemeh Rahimi , Amjadi Nooshin , Alavi Azin , Akbari Soheila , Forghani Forough
Published: November 2013

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of normal and indeterminate patterns of cardiotocography in admission test (AT) and pregnancy outcome.

Material and Methods

A prospective study enrolled 818 intrapartum singleton pregnancies with gestational age of >34 weeks, in the latent phase and with intact membrane. Cases were divided into the high‐ and low‐risk groups. Non‐Stress Test was interpreted according to the 2008 National Institute of Child Health and Human Development workshop. Adverse pregnancy outcomes were compared between groups based on AT interpretation.

Results

Out of 818 patients, 492 (60%) were categorized as low‐risk and 326 (40%) as high‐risk pregnancies. In low‐risk patients, 410 (83.3%) had normal and 82 (16.7%) had indeterminate AT. These figures were 249 (76.4%) and 77 (23.6%) in high‐risk patients, respectively, and two cases (0.6%) had abnormal AT. In both groups, thick meconium staining, non‐reassuring fetal heart rate pattern, cesarean section and cesarean section due to non‐reassuring fetal heart rate pattern were significantly more frequent in indeterminate AT than normal ones (P < 0.001). In high‐risk pregnancies with indeterminate AT, the risk of low birthweight and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission increased. The positive predictive value was less than 30% in predicting thick meconium staining, non‐reassuring fetal heart rate pattern, PH ≤ 7.2 and NICU admission in both groups. Overall, negative predictive value of AT for neonatal death and NICU admission was 100% and 96%, respectively.

Conclusions

Indeterminate patterns of cardiotocography can predict adverse pregnancy outcomes and when facing this condition, obstetricians should act cautiously.
Update on sentinel node mapping in uterine cancer: 10‐year experience at Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center
Authors: Abu‐Rustum Nadeem R.
Published: November 2013

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy. In the majority of patients, the disease will present at an early stage, without metastasis, and with an excellent prognosis. Although the rate of metastasis in patients with early stage endometrial cancer is low, the standard of treatment still includes a complete or selective pelvic and para‐aortic lymphadenectomy for staging. Many patients will undergo a comprehensive lymphadenectomy despite having disease confined to the uterus, resulting in detrimental side‐effects, including lower extremity lymphedema. Recent studies, such as ‘A Study in the Treatment of Endometrial Cancer’, have shown that there is no therapeutic benefit to a complete lymphadenectomy in early stage endometrial cancer, although further study is needed to confirm these findings. The use of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in endometrial cancer may provide an appropriate middle ground between the two schools of thought of complete lymphadenectomy versus no nodal evaluation. SLN mapping, which is gaining ever‐increasing acceptance in many cancer types, is based on the concept that lymph node metastasis is the result of an orderly process, that is, the lymph drains in a specific pattern away from the tumor, and therefore if the SLN, or first node, is negative for metastasis, then the nodes after the SLN should also be negative. We present here the Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center experience with SLN mapping in uterine cancer, a technique we first began using in 2003 and have improved over the years.
Role of subcutaneous closure in preventing wound complications after cesarean delivery with Pfannenstiel incision: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Corbacioglu Esmer Aytul , Cilesiz Goksedef Pinar , Akca Aysu , Akbayir Ozgur , Dagdeviren Hediye , Yanik Turan Gulden , Yarsilikal Filiz
Published: November 2013

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of suture closure of the subcutaneous tissue in preventing wound complications after cesarean section with a Pfannenstiel incision, and to investigate factors associated with wound complications.

Material and Methods

Patients undergoing cesarean delivery were randomly assigned to either suture closure or non‐closure of the subcutaneous tissue. The participants were invited to two follow‐up examinations at the 1st and 4th postoperative weeks for the detection of wound complications. The two main outcomes were composite wound complication and superficial wound separation. Factors associated with wound complications were analyzed using multiple logistic regression.

Results

During the study period, a total of 361 patients (176 in the closure group, 185 in non‐closure group) were analyzed. Composite wound complication occurred in 23.3% (41/176) of the closure group, and in 20% (37/185) of the non‐closure group with no significant difference (P = 0.44). Wound separation occurred in 2.3% (4/176) of the closure group and 1.6% (3/185) of the non‐closure group without any significant differences (P = 0.64). None of the factors were found to be associated with the rate of composite complication. The significant factors found to be associated with wound separation were subcutaneous tissue thickness of 4 cm or more (P = 0.01) and maternal diabetes mellitus (P = 0.01), however they lost their significance in multivariate analyses.

Conclusion

The rate of wound complications, including superficial wound separation, did not differ according to the subcutaneous closure in cesarean delivery with Pfannenstiel incision. It is not possible to predict wound complications using previously defined clinical and operative risk factors, including subcutaneous tissue thickness.
History, pelvic examination findings and mobility of ovaries as a sonographic marker to detect pelvic adhesions with fixed ovaries
Authors: Marasinghe Jeevan Prasanga , Senanayake Hemantha , Saravanabhava Namasivayam , Arambepola Carukshi , Condous George , Greenwood Peter
Published: November 2013

Aim

To compare the performance of history and examination findings combined with transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) ‘soft marker’ evaluation of ovarian mobility for the prediction of fixed ovaries secondary to endometriosis at laparoscopy.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study performed at the University Gynecology unit, National Hospital of Colombo Sri Lanka. Women who were scheduled for laparoscopic assessment of their pelvis to investigate subfertility or chronic pelvic pain were enrolled. All women underwent history evaluation for dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia, vaginal examination and detailed presurgical TVS. TVS was used to assess ‘soft marker’ of ovarian mobility. ‘Fixed’ ovaries on ultrasound were defined as one or other of the ovaries being fixed or adherent to the internal iliac artery or pelvic sidewall laterally or to the uterus medially. These findings were compared with ‘fixed’ ovaries confirmed at laparoscopy.

Results

A total of 106 patients were analyzed. Mean age was 33.3 years (standard deviation, 5.1). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of each of the screening methods against laparoscopy in detecting endometriosis were as follows: dyspareunia, 45.9%, 76.8%, 51.5% and 72.6%; dysmenorrhea, 75.7%, 69.6%, 57.1% and 84.2%; positive vaginal examination, 73%, 88.4%, 77.1% and 85.9%; fixed ovaries with TVS, 78.4%, 94.2%, 87.9% and 89%; and a combination of history, examination findings and detection of fixed ovaries in TVS, 91.9%, 60.9%, 55.7% and 93.3%, respectively.

Conclusion

A combination of clinical and TVS‐based ‘soft marker’ of ovarian mobility provides a valid method for identifying fixed ovaries secondary to endometriosis.
Effects of body mass index and body fat percentage on gestational complications and outcomes
Authors: Zhao Ya‐Ning , Li Qin , Li Yan‐Chuan
Published: November 2013

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BFP) and gestational outcomes.

Material and Methods

Maternal‐ and infant‐related data of gestation and gestational outcomes of 411 pregnant women were retrospectively analyzed. BMI was used to classify the women as obese, overweight, or normal. BFP was measured by the segmental multi‐frequency bioelectrical impedance method. The mothers' blood lipid profiles were assessed by automated chemical analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the correlation of BMI and BFP with gestational complications.

Results

The rates of gestational diabetes and hypertension were significantly different between mothers who were obese (33.3%, 52.6%), overweight (10.3%, 32.2%) and normal (8.7%, 14.9%) (P < 0.001). The Apgar score at 1 min and intensive care unit admissions rate at birth were significantly different between infants born to obese (6.14 ± 0.80, 14.0%), overweight (6.64 ± 1.10, 8.9%) and normal (7.20 ± 0.78, 1.9%) mothers (P < 0.01). The Apgar score at 5 min and the birthweights were not significantly different between these three groups (P > 0.05). Additionally, the levels of serum total cholesterol (mmol/L), total triglycerides (mmol/L), and leptin (ng/mL) were significantly higher in obese (5.87 ± 2.26, 2.04 ± 1.65, 24.79 ± 18.38) and overweight (5.29 ± 1.85, 1.74 ± 1.05, 20.79 ± 15.19) women, compared to normal women (4.89 ± 1.05, 1.45 ± 0.77, 13.35 ± 6.51) (P < 0.05). Furthermore, BFP was more strongly correlated to gestational diabetes (rs = 0.57 vs 0.68) and hypertension (rs = 0.31 vs 0.43) than BMI.

Conclusions

Obesity and overweight are associated with increased adverse maternal and neonatal complications. BFP is a more accurate predictor of gestational outcomes than BMI.
The impact of CO2 emission scenarios and nutrient enrichment on a common coral reef macroalga is modified by temporal effects
Authors: Bender Dorothea , Diaz‐Pulido Guillermo , Dove Sophie
Published: November 2013

Future coral reefs are expected to be subject to higher pCO2 and temperature due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Such global stressors are often paired with local stressors thereby potentially modifying the response of organisms. Benthic macroalgae are strong competitors to corals and are assumed to do well under future conditions. The present study aimed to assess the impact of past and future CO2 emission scenarios as well as nutrient enrichment on the growth, productivity, pigment, and tissue nutrient content of the common tropical brown alga Chnoospora implexa. Two experiments were conducted to assess the differential impacts of the manipulated conditions in winter and spring. Chnoospora implexa's growth rate averaged over winter and spring declined with increasing pCO2 and temperature. Furthermore, nutrient enrichment did not affect growth. Highest growth was observed under spring pre‐industrial (PI) conditions, while slightly reduced growth was observed under winter A1FI (“business‐as‐usual”) scenarios. Productivity was not a good proxy for growth, as net O2 flux increased under A1FI conditions. Nutrient enrichment, whilst not affecting growth, led to luxury nutrient uptake that was greater in winter than in spring. The findings suggest that in contrast with previous work, C. implexa is not likely to show enhanced growth under future conditions in isolation or in conjunction with nutrient enrichment. Instead, the results suggest that greatest growth rates for this species appear to be a feature of the PI past, with A1FI winter conditions leading to potential decreases in the abundance of this species from present day levels.
Prevalence of Symptoms and Associated Comorbidities of Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome in the Korean General Population
Authors: Moon Du Geon , Kim Jin Wook , Kim Je Jong , Park Kwang Sung , Park Jong Kwan , Park Nam Cheol , Kim Sae Woong , Lee Sung Won
Published: November 2013

Introduction

Testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) is a prevalent disease of the aging male with much confusion to its associated presentation, diagnosis, and comorbidities.

Aim

We investigated the overall prevalence of TDS and its putative symptoms and associated diseases in a nationwide study on participants recruited from routine checkup.

Methods

One thousand eight hundred seventy-five participants seeking biennial health checkup were enrolled from a nationwide distribution of randomly selected registry of primary clinics. Putative symptoms and comorbidities were assessed for serum testosterone-dependent prevalence change, independent of age. The identified symptoms were then assessed by multivariate backward stepwise binominal regression to determine the optimal reference level of testosterone and the strength of the associated comorbidities.

Main Outcome Measures

TDS was assessed by serum testosterone, the Aging Males' Symptom scale, and the Androgen Deficiency in Aging Male questionnaire. Patient body habitus measurements and history of associated comorbidities were also described. The dependent variables included the age-specific prevalence of decreased testosterone and the probability of TDS-specific symptoms.

Results

Grossly 10.2% of the participants fell into the criteria for TDS. Testosterone was highly age dependent, and most putative symptoms of TDS showed significant age dependence but was not affected by serum testosterone levels. However, the symptoms of decreased libido and erectile dysfunction, and comorbidities such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and obesity showed relevant dependence on serum testosterone levels as well as age above 50 years of age. Furthermore, these symptoms were also affected at different serum testosterone thresholds. Decreased libido increased significantly at serum testosterone levels of 550 ng/dL (odds ratio [OR] = 1.295, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.047–1.601), and erectile dysfunction was affected by serum testosterone levels at 250 ng/dL (OR = 1.369, 95% CI = 1.005–1.866).

Conclusions

Most symptoms and diseases thought to be associated with TDS are primarily age dependent. Few sexual symptoms and diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity show testosterone dependence only at older ages.
A critical role of hypocretin deficiency in pregnancy
Authors: Bastianini Stefano , Berteotti Chiara , Lo Martire Viviana , Silvani Alessandro , Zoccoli Giovanna
Published: November 2013

Hypocretin/orexin peptides are known for their role in the control of the wake–sleep cycle and narcolepsy–cataplexy pathophysiology. Recent studies suggested that hypocretin peptides also have a role in pregnancy. We tested this hypothesis by conducting a retrospective analysis on pregnancy complications in two different mouse models of hypocretin deficiency. We recorded 85 pregnancies of mice lacking either hypocretin peptides (knockout) or hypocretin‐releasing neurons (transgenic) and their wild‐type controls. Pregnancy was associated with unexplained dam death before delivery in 3/15 pregnancies in knockout mice, and in 3/23 pregnancies in transgenic mice. No casualties occurred in wild‐type pregnant dams (P < 0.007 versus hypocretin‐deficient mice as a whole). Hypocretin deficiency did not impact either on litter size or the number of weaned pups per litter. These data provide preliminary evidence of a critical role of hypocretin deficiency in pregnancy.
Consensus Recommendations for the Diagnostic Investigation of Dogs with Suspected Glomerular Disease
Authors:   IRIS Canine GN Study Group Diagnosis Subgroup, Littman M.P. , Daminet S. , Grauer G.F. , Lees G.E. , van Dongen A.M.
Published: November 2013

Background

The International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) offers guidelines for chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury. As dogs with glomerular disease may present differently and require different treatment than those with whole nephron or tubular disease, the IRIS Canine Glomerulonephritis (GN) Study Group was convened to formulate guidelines for these cases. The Diagnosis Subgroup was asked to make recommendations for diagnostic evaluation of such cases.

Objective

To seek consensus among renal specialists for the evaluation of dogs with proteinuria because of suspected glomerular disease.

Methods

After reviewing the literature, subgroup members discussed and wrote the draft paper and recommendations, which members of the IRIS Canine GN Study Group voted upon by electronic secret ballot, with comments noted. Consensus was declared if votes showed strong or general agreement from 85% of the respondents.

Results

Diagnostic tests were categorized as essential, recommended, or potentially helpful, with prioritization dependent on case characteristics, eg, for cases with uncomplicated proteinuria versus complicated with hypoalbuminemia, azotemia, or both. Consensus was reached with 86–100% agreement on all questions posed. All cases should have basic examinations including blood pressure measurement, blood, and urine testing, and a search for infectious diseases relevant to their environs. The majority ranked imaging (chest radiographs, abdominal ultrasonogram) and renal biopsy procured and interpreted by experienced personnel as essential evaluations in complicated cases, but a few respondents deemed these to be essential in uncomplicated cases as well.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Strong consensus about recommendations for diagnostic evaluation of dogs with suspected glomerular protein loss was attained. These guidelines help clinicians characterize disease processes for more informed therapeutic decision‐making.
Within the genome, long telomeres are more informative than short telomeres with respect to fitness components in a long‐lived seabird
Authors: Bauch Christina , Becker Peter H. , Verhulst Simon
Published: November 2013

Telomeres, DNA‐protein structures at chromosome ends, shorten with age, and telomere length has been linked to age‐related diseases and survival. In vitro studies revealed that the shortest telomeres trigger cell senescence, but whether the shortest telomeres are also the best biomarker of ageing is not known. We measured telomeres in erythrocytes of wild common terns Sterna hirundo using terminal restriction fragment analysis. This yields a distribution of telomere lengths for each sample, and we investigated how different telomere subpopulations (percentiles) varied in their relation to age and fitness proxies. Longer telomeres within a genome lost more base pairs with age and were better predictors of survival than shorter telomeres. Likewise, fitness proxies such as arrival date at the breeding grounds and reproductive success were best predicted by telomere length at the higher percentiles. Our finding that longer telomeres within a genome predict fitness components better than the shorter telomeres indicates that they are a more informative ageing biomarker. This finding contrasts with the fact that cell senescence is triggered by the shortest telomeres. We suggest that this paradox arises, because longer telomeres lose more base pairs per unit time and thus better reflect the various forms of stress that accelerate telomere shortening, and that telomeres primarily function as biomarker because their shortening reflects cumulative effects of various stressors rather than reflecting telomere‐induced cell senescence.
The timing of pediatric epilepsy syndromes: What are the developmental triggers?
Authors: Paolicchi Juliann M.
Published: November 2013

Pediatric epilepsy is characterized by multiple epilepsy syndromes with specific developmental triggers. They initiate spontaneously at critical periods of development and can just as spontaneously remit. Accompanying neurocognitive disabilities are often specific to the epileptic syndrome. Infantile or epileptic spasms have a very specific developmental window in the first year of life. Preceding the epilepsy, developmental arrest is common. The neurologic pathways underlying the development of spasms have been identified through PET scans as developmental abnormalities of serotonergic and GABAergic neurotransmitter systems in the brain stem and basal ganglia. Childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) and benign centrotemporal epilepsy syndrome (BECTS) are both known genetic epilepsy syndromes; they have a discrete onset in childhood with remission by puberty. In CAE, disturbances of specific calcium channels at key developmental stages lead to aberrant disruption of thalamocortical synchrony. Similarly, a complex interplay between brain development, maturation, and susceptibility genes underlies the seizures and the neurocognitive deficits of BECTS.
Epilogue: Emergent (re‐)assemblings of biological economies
Authors: Lewis Nick , Rosin Christopher
Published: November 2013

This paper presents an epilogue to the Special Issue. The paper examines the interplay among ontology, epistemology, methodology, politics and geography by elaborating on Esbjörn‐Hargen's framework of the ‘who’, ‘what’ and ‘how’ of knowledge making. It uses this discussion to relate the different papers in the Special Issue, traces the engagement of the authors with concepts of assemblage and considers the further work to which the concept of assemblage might be put by exploring potential new research directions emerging from the Biological Economies research project.
Transvenous Atrial Pacing from the Superior Vena Cava Stump after the Hemi‐Fontan Operation—A New Approach
Authors: ROSENTHAL ERIC , KONTA LAURA
Published: November 2013

Background

The placement of a standard endocardial pacemaker system is challenging after a superior cavopulmonary connection (hemi‐Fontan operation or Glenn shunt) as the continuity between the superior vena cava (SVC) and right atrium is divided. The standard transvenous approach for endocardial lead placement has therefore in general been avoided, and epicardial leads have been placed.

Methods

In three patients after a hemi‐Fontan procedure, we found viable atrial tissue in the SVC stump of the superior cavopulmonary anastomosis, which was still connected electrically to the right atrium into which active‐fixation leads could be safely implanted.

Results

There was excellent short‐ and long‐term atrial pacing and sensing characteristics in the SVC stump.

Conclusions

We describe a technique for transvenous pacing in patients after the hemi‐Fontan procedure using the conventional subclavian vein approach and pectoral placement of the generator. For ventricular pacing, it was possible to cross the patch dividing the right atrium from the SVC either using a spontaneous leak or by needle puncture.
Wrinkled Skin and Fat Pads in Patients with ALG8‐CDG: Revisiting Skin Manifestations in Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation
Authors: Kouwenberg Dorus , Gardeitchik Thatjana , Mohamed Miski , Lefeber Dirk J. , Morava Eva
Published: November 2013

Glycosylation is the posttranslational coupling of sugar chains to proteins or lipids. Proper glycosylation is essential for normal protein structure, function, and trafficking. Mutations in the glycosylation pathway lead to a phenotypically heterogeneous group of metabolic disorders, the congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG). Some of these conditions, including PMM2‐CDG, frequently present with recognizable skin abnormalities such as abnormal fat distribution, skin wrinkling, or peau d'orange, whereas others, such as COG7‐CDG and ATP6V0A2‐CDG, have been described in association with cutis laxa: wrinkled, inelastic, and sagging skin. Ichthyosis is also common in several types of CDG. ALG8‐CDG is a severe disorder characterized by dysmorphic features, failure to thrive, protein‐losing enteropathy, neurologic and ophthalmologic problems, and developmental delay. We reviewed the clinical features in all nine previously reported patients diagnosed with ALG8‐CDG with a special focus on their skin signs. Three of the nine patients had abnormal fat distribution and skin wrinkling. As the spectrum of CDG presenting with skin signs expands further, we suggest screening for CDG in all patients presenting with any type of central nervous involvement and wrinkled skin, cutis laxa, severe ichthyosis, or abnormal fat distribution.
Acne Vulgaris in Preadolescent Children: Recommendations for Evaluation
Authors: Bree Alanna F. , Siegfried Elaine C.
Published: November 2013

Acne vulgaris in infants and children often triggers extensive laboratory evaluation out of concern about associated endocrinopathy. Clinical parameters to help guide evaluation of these children have not been defined. This was a retrospective chart review of 24 preadolescent patients with acne and a review of related medical literature. Two age‐related subsets were identified: 12 patients who developed acne before the age of 15 months, 75% male, with comedonal and inflammatory lesions; and 12 patients who developed acne between the ages of 2 and 7 years, 75% female, with primarily comedonal lesions. Laboratory evaluation in 13 of the patients was unremarkable. Bone age was advanced in 1 of the 11 children imaged. Premature adrenarche was diagnosed in four patients; all four had additional clinical signs of puberty and growth parameters >90th percentile. None required additional treatment. Our cohort of preadolescent children presenting with acne included an equal number of patients in two distinct subsets: infantile and childhood‐onset acne. Literature review identified a rare third subset presenting with acne, signs of advanced puberty, and associated endocrinopathy. There was no evidence of endocrinopathy in our patients with infantile acne. Two‐thirds of our patients with childhood‐onset acne had no additional clinical signs of puberty and no evidence of endocrinopathy. A focused history and physical examination is sufficient to evaluate the majority of infants and children with acne. Hand X‐ray for bone age is a useful screening test. Further evaluation and endocrinology referral are warranted in preadolescents with acne and advanced bone age or additional clinical evidence of early puberty.
Familial Papular Epidermal Nevus with “Skyline” Basal Cell Layer
Authors: Brena Michela , Besagni Francesca , Boneschi Vinicio , Tadini Gianluca
Published: November 2013

Papular epidermal nevus with “skyline” basal cell layer (PENS), a novel keratinocytic nevus, has recently been described as a mosaic condition with varying presentations. We herein describe typical PENS lesions, which usually occur sporadically, affecting two members of the same family. The concept of paradominant inheritance is proposed to explain the paradox of occasional transmission of normally sporadically occurring traits.
Hand Function and Quality of Life in Children with Epidermolysis Bullosa
Authors: Eismann Emily A. , Lucky Anne W. , Cornwall Roger
Published: November 2013

Patient‐reported outcomes are becoming increasingly important to clinical care. Epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a rare genetic skin disorder, can result in severe hand impairment, but parent and patient perceptions of hand function have never been assessed. This study aimed to quantify parent‐ and patient‐reported hand function and assess its relationship with quality of life (QOL) in children with EB. This cross‐sectional study included children with EB treated at an interdisciplinary EB center. Hospital records were searched for demographic characteristics and medical history. Eligible families were invited to complete two surveys by mail or telephone. The ABILHAND‐Kids questionnaire assessed manual hand ability for 21 functions. The Quality of Life in Epidermolysis Bullosa questionnaire assessed EB‐related QOL. Hand function and QOL of various subtypes were compared using Mann–Whitney tests. Seventy‐one parents and patients ages 2 to 18 years with EB from 20 states in the United States completed questionnaires. Children with recessive dystrophic EB reported the worst hand function and QOL. Bimanual functions involving finger mobility were the most challenging for all EB subtypes. QOL was highly related to the degree of hand function, being correlated with 20 of the 21 individual hand functions and most associated with the ability to perform unimanual functions. Parent‐ and patient‐reported hand function can be measured in children with EB using the ABILHAND‐Kids questionnaire. Hand impairment is strongly associated with worse QOL, probably due to difficulty performing daily activities. The effect of interventions such as hand surgery could be prospectively evaluated using this questionnaire.
Harlequin Ichthyosis: Neonatal Management and Identification of a New ABCA12 Mutation
Authors: Koochek Arash , Choate Keith A. , Milstone Leonard M.
Published: November 2013

A case of harlequin ichthyosis with compound heterozygous mutations in ABCA12 was successfully managed with intensive neonatal care and endotracheal intubation and without oral retinoids. The individual's appearance improved dramatically during hospitalization and at discharge resembled congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma.