bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes and Characteristics of Patients Undergoing Surgical Management for Mesh Related Complications
Authors: Mazloomdoost Donna , Pauls Rachel N. , Kleeman Steven D. , Crisp Catrina C.
Published: June 2017

Objective

The aims of this study were to describe the characteristics of women presenting with mesh-related complications and evaluate postoperative quality of life, sexual functioning, and patient-perceived outcomes.

Methods

This institutional review board–approved study included a retrospective chart review and a cross-sectional follow-up with validated questionnaires. Demographics and medical histories were collected from charts of women treated for mesh-related complaints between 2010 and 2014. Subjects completed follow-up validated questionnaires regarding health, sexual functioning, postoperative symptom improvement/severity, satisfaction, and regret with the decision to pursue treatment.

Results

Ninety-three charts were analyzed. Mean subject age was 55 years, median body mass index was 28.7 kg/m2, and median time from mesh placement to presentation was 2.7 years. Forty-nine had midurethral sling mesh only, 30 had prolapse-related mesh, and 14 had both. Forty-two subjects (48.9%) had mesh exposures, 19 involving prolapse-related mesh (52.4% transvaginal and 47.4% sacrocolpopexy). Surgical revisions were most often for exposure and pain. Seventy-five women were reached for follow-up; 71 agreed to participate, 53 (75%) returned the questionnaires. Thirty had sling revision, 22 had prolapse mesh revision, and 1 had both. Questionnaire results revealed no changes in health or sexual function after treatment. Postoperatively, subjects reported symptom improvement, low symptom severity, as well as high satisfaction and low regret with the decision to pursue surgical intervention.

Conclusions

Women with mesh complications presented 2 years after initial placement, most often complaining of exposure or pain/dyspareunia. Although no changes in health or sexual functioning were noted postoperatively, participants reported symptom improvement after revision and satisfaction with the decision to pursue treatment.
Effect of Cystocele Repair on Cervix Location in Women With Uterus In Situ
Authors: Swenson Carolyn W. , Morgan Daniel M. , George Jenny , DeLancey John O.
Published: June 2017

Introduction and Hypothesis

Our objective was to test the hypothesis that cystocele repair, in the absence of hysterectomy or apical suspension, results in higher cervix location in some women.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of women with a uterus in situ who underwent native tissue anterior repair without hysterectomy/apical suspension from 2008 to 2014. Demographics, medical history, and preoperative and 6-week postoperative Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System measurements were abstracted. Cervix location was defined by the clinic Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System point C value. Women with higher (more negative) postoperative point C values were compared with those with a lower (more positive)/unchanged point C.

Results

Of the 33 women included, mean age was 59.8 ± 11.3 years. Median preoperative point C was −6.0 (interquartile range [IQR]: −6.75, −5.0) and point Ba was +2.0 (IQR: +0.5, +3.0). Point C was higher postoperatively in 21 (64%) of 33 women. Overall, point C was 1 cm higher post- versus preoperatively (−7.0 [IQR: −8.0, −6.0] vs −6.0 [IQR: −6.75, −5.0], P < 0.001) and point Ba was 4 cm higher (−2 [IQR: −3.0, −2.0] vs 2.0 [IQR: 0.5, 3.0], P < 0.001). Compared with women with lower/unchanged postoperative point C, those with higher point C were older (53.9 ± 12.3 vs 63.1 ± 9.4, P = 0.02) with lower parity (3.0 [IQR: 2.0, 3.0] vs 2.0 [IQR: 2.0, 3.0], P = 0.028).

Conclusions

The test of our hypothesis shows that in certain women with cystocele, anterior repair alone may be associated with higher cervix location 6 weeks postoperatively.
One and the Same? Nocturnal Enuresis and Overactive Bladder in the Female Veteran Population: Evaluation of a Large National Database
Authors: Ninivaggio Cara , Riese Heather , Dunivan Gena C. , Jeppson Peter C. , Komesu Yuko M. , Murata Allison , Murata Glen , Rogers Rebecca G. , Cichowski Sara B.
Published: June 2017

Objectives

The aims of this study were to describe relationships between women given a diagnosis of nocturnal enuresis (NE) and controls without any urinary complaints and to compare women with NE with those with overactive bladder (OAB). We hypothesized that NE has unique associations with demographics and medical and psychosocial diagnoses.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of a database that included all female veterans who established care with a primary care provider from 1997 to 2015. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes identified women with a diagnosis of NE or OAB. Patient characteristics, medical diagnoses, and psychosocial factors previously described as relating to NE and/or OAB were compared between the 2 distinct comparative groups, with significance set at P < 0.05. Stepwise logistic regression was used to assess all significant findings.

Results

A total of 596,815 women were identified; controls totaled 570,049, the group with OAB totaled 26,446 (4.4%), and the group with NE totaled 301 (0.05%).

Multivariable analysis compared the group with NE with controls; all measured psychosocial characteristics remained significantly associated with an NE diagnosis (all Ps < 0.05), as well as obstructive sleep apnea history, stroke, self-identification as “minority,” smoking, hypertension, and a body mass index higher than those of the general control population (all Ps < 0.05).

When the populations with NE and OAB were compared, a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder, an overdose history, depression, military sexual trauma, increasing body mass index, and younger age remained significantly associated with NE (all Ps < 0.05).

Conclusions

The association of NE with psychosocial characteristics and psychiatric illnesses persisted irrespective of the comparison population. Practitioners should investigate the diagnosis of NE in those female veterans with psychosocial issues.
Radiographic Misdiagnoses After Periurethral Bulking Agents
Authors: Gaines Natalie , Gupta Priyanka , Khourdaji Ayad S. , Ehlert Michael , Parikh Keval , Kohli Harjivan , Sirls Larry T.
Published: June 2017

Objectives

Injectable urethral bulking agents are commonly used to manage stress urinary incontinence. Urologic or other symptoms may prompt pelvic imaging at a later date, when bulking agents may be visualized and incorrectly interpreted. Our goal was to evaluate the incidence of misdiagnosis and which pathologies were the most common misinterpretations and their frequency.

Methods

All records were reviewed for patients who underwent periurethral injection for stress urinary incontinence for pelvic imaging after treatment from 2005 to 2015. Radiological reports were reviewed for any description potentially related to injection therapy, and descriptive statistics performed.

Results

A total of 528 patients underwent injection of a urethral bulking agent. Of these, 79 patients (15%) had a total of 111 additional abdominal or pelvic imaging studies performed with abnormal periurethral findings mentioned. Thirty-nine (35%) of 111 studies were correctly interpreted as urethral bulking agents, and in 72 (65%) of 111 studies, the urethral bulking agents were not correctly identified. The most common misdiagnoses were bladder calcification (26; 23%), urethral diverticulum with stone (12; 11%), periurethral calcification (9; 8%), unknown pelvic density (8; 7%), and mass suspicious for malignancy (6; 5%).

Conclusions

Urethral bulking agents commonly were not mentioned on subsequent imaging but, when commented on, were misinterpreted 65% of the time including worrisome pathologies (diverticulum with stone, unknown mass, and malignancy), requiring subsequent evaluation and potentially procedural/surgical management. It is critical for the ordering clinician to inform the radiologist of this history and for radiologists to consider bulking agents in the differential diagnosis of radiographic findings in this location.
Obesity and Perioperative Complications in Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery in 2013: Analysis of the National Inpatient Sample
Authors: Pratt Toya S. , Hudson Catherine O. , Northington Gina M. , Greene Kristie A.
Published: June 2017

Objectives

The primary aim of this study was to determine the impact of obesity on national rates of perioperative complications in women undergoing pelvic reconstructive surgery in 2013 in the United States.

Methods

Women who underwent pelvic reconstructive surgery were identified in the 2013 National Inpatient Sample using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision procedure codes. Demographic data and comorbidities including obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) were abstracted. Perioperative complications and mortalities that occurred during the same admission were abstracted from the data set using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision diagnosis codes. The complication rates were compared between obese and nonobese subjects. Univariate analysis was performed to determine factors associated with the primary outcome. Significant factors were included in the regression model to determine the adjusted odds ratio for perioperative complications in obese women.

Results

A total of 16,639 women underwent pelvic reconstructive surgery in the 2013 National Inpatient Sample data set and were included in the analysis. Approximately 10% of the study cohort was obese. The overall perioperative complication rate during the surgical admission was 25%. On multivariate analysis, obesity was found to increase the odds of perioperative complications by approximately 40% after controlling for age, race, income, concomitant hysterectomy, and medical comorbidities (adjusted odds ratio, 1.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.24–1.58; P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Obesity is an independent risk factor for perioperative complications in women who undergo pelvic reconstructive surgery. This information can be used for preoperative counseling and risk stratification.
Myasthenia gravis: new developments in research and treatment
Authors: Evoli Amelia
Published: June 2017

Purpose of review

Myasthenia gravis, a rare disorder of the neuromuscular transmission, is increasingly acknowledged as a syndrome more than as a single disease. This review summarizes recent advances in pathophysiology which confirm the disease heterogeneity, and may help find disease-targeted and patient-targeted therapies.

Recent findings

Antibodies to the acetylcholine receptor, the muscle-specific tyrosine kinase and the lipoprotein receptor protein 4, characterize disease subtypes with distinct clinical traits and immune-pathogenic mechanisms. Genome-wide approaches have identified susceptibility loci within genes that participate in the immune response. Regulatory T and B cells appear to be defective in myasthenia gravis. In patients with acetylcholine receptor antibodies, thymectomy associated with prednisone proved more effective than prednisone alone in a multicenter randomized trial. New therapeutic options target B cells, B-cell growth factors and complement inhibition, and are currently reserved for patients with refractory disease.

In the recent past, there has been an active search for new antigens in myasthenia gravis, whereas clinical and experimental studies have provided new insights of crucial pathways in immune regulation, which might become the targets of future therapeutic interventions.
Quantum communication with coherent states of light
Authors: Khan Imran , Elser Dominique , Dirmeier Thomas , Marquardt Christoph , Leuchs Gerd
Published: June 2017

Quantum communication offers long-term security especially, but not only, relevant to government and industrial users. It is worth noting that, for the first time in the history of cryptographic encoding, we are currently in the situation that secure communication can be based on the fundamental laws of physics (information theoretical security) rather than on algorithmic security relying on the complexity of algorithms, which is periodically endangered as standard computer technology advances. On a fundamental level, the security of quantum key distribution (QKD) relies on the non-orthogonality of the quantum states used. So even coherent states are well suited for this task, the quantum states that largely describe the light generated by laser systems. Depending on whether one uses detectors resolving single or multiple photon states or detectors measuring the field quadratures, one speaks of, respectively, a discrete- or a continuous-variable description. Continuous-variable QKD with coherent states uses a technology that is very similar to the one employed in classical coherent communication systems, the backbone of today’s Internet connections. Here, we review recent developments in this field in two connected regimes: (i) improving QKD equipment by implementing front-end telecom devices and (ii) research into satellite QKD for bridging long distances by building upon existing optical satellite links.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Quantum technology for the 21st century’.
Noise management to achieve superiority in quantum information systems
Authors: Nemoto Kae , Devitt Simon , Munro William J.
Published: June 2017

Quantum information systems are expected to exhibit superiority compared with their classical counterparts. This superiority arises from the quantum coherences present in these quantum systems, which are obviously absent in classical ones. To exploit such quantum coherences, it is essential to control the phase information in the quantum state. The phase is analogue in nature, rather than binary. This makes quantum information technology fundamentally different from our classical digital information technology. In this paper, we analyse error sources and illustrate how these errors must be managed for the system to achieve the required fidelity and a quantum superiority.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Quantum technology for the 21st century’.
Quantum photonic network and physical layer security
Authors: Sasaki Masahide , Endo Hiroyuki , Fujiwara Mikio , Kitamura Mitsuo , Ito Toshiyuki , Shimizu Ryosuke , Toyoshima Morio
Published: June 2017

Quantum communication and quantum cryptography are expected to enhance the transmission rate and the security (confidentiality of data transmission), respectively. We study a new scheme which can potentially bridge an intermediate region covered by these two schemes, which is referred to as quantum photonic network. The basic framework is information theoretically secure communications in a free space optical (FSO) wiretap channel, in which an eavesdropper has physically limited access to the main channel between the legitimate sender and receiver. We first review a theoretical framework to quantify the optimal balance of the transmission efficiency and the security level under power constraint and at finite code length. We then present experimental results on channel characterization based on 10 MHz on–off keying transmission in a 7.8 km terrestrial FSO wiretap channel.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Quantum technology for the 21st century’.
Metagenomics reveals niche partitioning within the phototrophic zone of a microbial mat
Authors: Lee Jackson Z , Everroad R Craig , Karaoz Ulas , Detweiler Angela M , Pett-Ridge Jennifer , Weber Peter K , Prufert-Bebout Leslie , Bebout Brad M
Published: June 2017

Hypersaline photosynthetic microbial mats are stratified microbial communities known for their taxonomic and metabolic diversity and strong light-driven day-night environmental gradients. In this study of the upper photosynthetic zone of hypersaline microbial mats of Elkhorn Slough, California (USA), we show how reference-based and reference-free methods can be used to meaningfully assess microbial ecology and genetic partitioning in these complex microbial systems. Mapping of metagenome reads to the dominantCyanobacteriaobserved in the system,Coleofasciculus (Microcoleus) chthonoplastes, was used to examine strain variants within these metagenomes. Highly conserved gene subsystems indicate a core genome for the species, and a number of variant genes and subsystems suggest strain level differentiation, especially for carbohydrate utilization. Metagenome sequence coverage binning was used to assess ecosystem partitioning of remaining microbes. Functional gene annotation of these bins (primarily ofProteobacteria, Bacteroidetes,andCyanobacteria) recapitulated the known biogeochemical functions in microbial mats using a genetic basis, and also revealed evidence of novel functional diversity within theGemmatimonadetesandGammaproteobacteria. Combined, these two approaches show how genetic partitioning can inform biogeochemical partitioning of the metabolic diversity within microbial ecosystems.
Worldwide genetic variation of the IGHV and TRBV immune receptor gene families in humans
Authors: Luo Shishi , Yu Jane A. , Li Heng , Song Yun S.
Published: June 2017

The immunoglobulin heavy variable (IGHV) and T cell beta variable (TRBV) loci are among the most complex and variable regions in the human genome. Generated through a process of gene duplication/deletion and diversification, these loci can vary extensively between individuals in copy number and contain genes that are highly similar, making their analysis technically challenging. Here, we present a comprehensive study of the functional gene segments in the IGHV and TRBV loci, quantifying their copy number and single nucleotide variation in a globally diverse sample of 109 (IGHV) and 286 (TRBV) humans from over a hundred populations. We find that the IGHV and TRBV gene families exhibit starkly different patterns of variation. In particular, with hundreds of copy number haplotypes (instances that have differences in the number of functional gene segments), the IGHV locus has undergone more frequent gene duplication/deletion compared to the TRBV locus, which has only a few copy number haplotypes. In contrast, the TRBV locus has a greater or at least equal propensity to mutate, as evidenced by greater single nucleotide variation, compared to the IGHV locus. Thus, despite common molecular and functional characteristics, the genes that comprise the IGHV and TRBV loci have evolved in strikingly different ways. As well as providing insight into the different evolutionary paths the IGHV and TRBV loci have taken, our results are also important to the adaptive immune repertoire sequencing community, where the lack of frequencies of common alleles and copy number variants is hampering existing analytical pipelines.
Taking the short- or long-chain route: conversion efficiency of alpha linolenic acid to long-chain omega-3 fatty acids in aerial insectivore chicks
Authors: Twining Cornelia W. , Lawrence Peter , Winkler David W. , Flecker Alexander S. , Brenna J. Thomas
Published: June 2017

Food availability and quality are both critical for growing young animals. In nature, swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) and other aerial insectivores feed on both aquatic insects, which are rich in omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) and terrestrial insects, which contain considerably less LCPUFA. Carnivorous mammals and fishes must obtain LCPUFA from diet, as they have lost the capacity to convert the precursor omega-3 ALA into LCPUFA. Thus, the relative value of aquatic versus terrestrial insects depends not only on the fatty acid composition of the prey, but also upon the capacity of consumers to convert ALA into LCPUFA. We used a combination of stable-isotope-labeled fatty acid tracers to ask if, and how efficiently, Tree Swallows can deposit newly synthesized LCPUFA into tissue. Our data show for the first time that Tree Swallows can convert ALA into LCPUFA deposited in liver and skeletal muscle. However, high Tree Swallow demand for LCPUFA combined with low ALA availability in natural terrestrial foods may strain their modest conversion ability. This suggests that while Tree Swallows can synthesize LCPUFA de novo, LCPUFA are ecologically essential nutrients in natural systems. Our findings thus provide mechanistic support for our previous findings and the importance of LCPUFA-rich aquatic insects for Tree Swallows and most likely other aerial insectivores with similar niches.

Summary Statement

A stable-isotope-labeled tracer reveals the mechanism for omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) limitation in a wild avian insectivore, showing that LCPUFA are an ecologically essential nutrient.
High-Resolution Maps of Mouse Reference Populations
Authors: Simecek Petr , Forejt Jiri , Williams Robert W. , Shiroishi Toshihiko , Takada Toyoyuki , Lu Lu , Johnson Thomas E. , Bennett Beth , Deschepper Christian F. , Scott-Boyer Marie-Pier , Churchill Gary , Pardo-Manuel de Villena Fernando
Published: June 2017

Genetic reference panels are widely used to map complex, quantitative traits in model organisms. We have generated new high-resolution genetic maps of 259 mouse inbred strains from recombinant inbred strain panels (C57BL/6J x DBA/2J, ILS/IbgTejJ x ISS/IbgTejJ, C57BL/6J x A/J) and chromosome substitution strain panels (C57BL/6J-Chr#, C57BL/6J-Chr#, C57BL/6JChr#). We genotyped all samples using the Affymetrix Mouse Diversity Array with an average inter-marker spacing of 4.3kb. The new genetic maps provide increased precision in the localization of recombination breakpoints compared to the previous maps. Although the strains were presumed to be fully inbred, we found residual heterozygosity in 40% of individual mice from five of the six panels. We also identifiedde novodeletions and duplications, in homozygous or heterozygous state, ranging in size from 21kb to 8.4Mb. Almost two–thirds (46 out of 76) of these deletions overlap exons of protein coding genes and may have phenotypic consequences. Twenty-nine putative gene conversions were identified in the chromosome substitution strains. We find that gene conversions are more likely to occur in regions where the homologous chromosomes are more similar. The raw genotyping data and genetic maps of these strain panels are available athttp://churchill-lab.jax.org/website/MDA.
Tonic Inhibition is Abolished in GABAAReceptor γ2R43Q Knock-in Mice with Absence Epilepsy and Febrile Seizures
Authors: Mangan Kile P. , Potter Wyatt B. , Nelson Aaron B. , Petrou Steve , Johnson Stephen M. , Roopra Avtar , Cirelli Chiara , Jones Mathew V.
Published: June 2017

The γ2R43Q GABAAreceptor mutation confers absence epilepsy in humans, and γ2R43Q knock-in mice (RQ) display absence seizures and generalized spike-and-wave discharges reminiscent of their human counterparts. Previous work on several rodent models led to the conclusion that elevated tonic inhibition in thalamic neurons is necessary and sufficient to produce typical absence epilepsy. In contrast, here we used patch-clamp electrophysiology in brain slices to show that RQ mice entirely lack tonic inhibition in principal cells of layer II/III somatosensory cortex and ventrobasal thalamus. Additionally, protein quantification and multielectrode electrophysiology show that the mutation interferes with trafficking of GABAAreceptor subunits involved in generating tonic currents, leading to increased cortical firing and decreased thalamic bursting rates. Together with previous work, our results suggest that an optimum level of tonic inhibition is required for normal thalamocortical function, such that deviations in either direction away from this optimum enhance susceptibility to absence seizures.
Phototaxis as a Collective Phenomenon in Cyanobacterial Colonies
Authors: Varuni P. , Menon Shakti N. , Menon Gautam I.
Published: June 2017

Cyanobacteria are a widely distributed, diverse group of photosynthetic bacteria that exhibit phototaxis, or motion in response to light. Cyanobacteria such asSynechocystissp. secrete a mixture of complex polysaccharides that facilitate cell motion, while their type 4 pili allow them to physically attach to each other. Even though cells can respond individually to light, colonies of such bacteria are observed to move collectively towards the light source in dense finger-like projections. Agent-based models are especially useful in connecting individual cell behaviour with the emergent collective phenomena that arise out of their interactions. We present an agent-based model for cyanobacterial phototaxis that accounts for slime deposition as well as for direct physical links between bacteria, mediated through their type 4 pili. We reproduce the experimentally observed aggregation of cells at the colony boundary as a precursor to finger formation. Our model also describes the changes in colony morphology that occur when the location of the light source is abruptly changed. We find that the overall motion of cells toward light remains relatively unimpaired even if a fraction of them do not sense light, allowing heterogeneous populations to continue to mount a robust collective response to stimuli. Our work suggests that in addition to bio-chemical signalling via diffusible molecules in the context of bacterial quorum-sensing, short-ranged physical interactions may also contribute to collective effects in bacterial motility.
Resting heart rate rapid reduction by moderate exercise evolutionarily encoded
Authors: Pavlik Gábor , Bakács Eva , Csajági Eszter , Bakács Tibor , Noe Judit , Kirschner Robert
Published: June 2017

Background

Global physical inactivity pandemic is responsible for more than 5 million deaths annually through its effects on non-communicable diseases. This requires urgent intervention.

Objective

To investigate associations of physical activity with cardiovascular fitness in a cross-sectional retrospective observational study. Data were collected for 21 years from 2530 healthy volunteers and athletes representing the entire spectrum of physical activity from the totally inactive sedentary persons to the highly trained national athletes.

Methods

Simple echocardiographic parameters of cardiovascular fitness were analyzed. Cardiac fitness was characterized by reduced resting heart rate, increased relative left ventricular muscular mass, improved left ventricular diastolic function and peak exercise oxygen consumption.

Results

We found that even moderate exercise is associated with improved cardiac fitness. The largest improvement of fitness was observed between the inactive and the least active group, whereas fitness decreased in the highly trained national athletes enduring up to 20 training hours per week.

Conclusions

Our finding that moderate exercise is associated with positive changes in sedentary persons makes sense only in the light of evolution. Human endurance running performance capabilities that emerged ~2 million years ago are evolutionary coded and seems to be awakened even by moderate exercise. This finding would help physicians to encourage patients for doable and sustainable behavioral change who are currently inactive and find physical exercise intimidating. (Word count: 218)

Abbreviations

CV

(cardiovascular)

CVD

(cardiovascular disease)

CVH

(cardiovascular health)

HD

(heart disease)

BSA

(body surface area)

LV

(left ventricular)

RHR

(Resting Heart Rate)

Key Points

This cross-sectional retrospective observational echocardiographic study of 2530 healthy volunteers and athletes representing the entire spectrum of physical activity from the totally inactive sedentary persons to the highly trained national athletes found that it is possible to experience cardiovascular benefits soon after the sedentary persons become physically active. This makes sense only in the light of evolution. With increasing performance level cardiovascular fitness is increased up to a point but then decreased in highly trained national athletes.

The non-invasive and simple echocardiographic test could be used to monitor exercise induced positive changes. This would help physicians in their efforts to promote the expansive benefits of exercise in all spectrums of society and encourage patients for doable and sustainable behavioral change.
Sharing of heteroplasmies between human liver lobes varies across the mtDNA genome
Authors: Hübner Alexander , Wachsmuth Manja , Schröder Roland , Li Mingkun , Eis-Hübinger Anna Maria , Madea Burkhard , Stoneking Mark
Published: June 2017

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) heteroplasmy (intra-individual variation) varies among different human tissues and increases with age, suggesting that the majority of mtDNA heteroplasmies are acquired, rather than inherited. However, the extent to which heteroplasmic sites are shared across a tissue remains an open question. We therefore investigated heteroplasmy in two liver samples (one from each primary lobe) from 83 Europeans, sampled at autopsy. Minor allele frequencies (MAF) at heteroplasmic sites were significantly correlated between the two liver samples from an individual, with significantly more sharing of heteroplasmic sites in the control region than in the coding region. We show that this increased sharing for the control region cannot be explained by recent mutations at just a few specific heteroplasmic sites or by the possible presence of 7S DNA. Moreover, we carried out simulations to show that there is significantly more sharing than would be predicted from random genetic drift from a common progenitor cell. We also observe a significant excess of non-synonymous vs. synonymous heteroplasmies in the coding region, but significantly more sharing of synonymous heteroplasmies. These contrasting patterns for the control vs. the coding region, and for non-synonymous vs. synonymous heteroplasmies, suggest that selection plays a role in heteroplasmy sharing.
Legionellabecoming a mutualist: adaptive processes shaping the genome of symbiont in the lousePolyplax serrata
Authors: Říhová Jana , Nováková Eva , Husník Filip , Hypša Václav
Published: June 2017

Legionellaceae are intracellular bacteria known as important pathogens of man. In the environment, they are mainly found in biofilms associated with amoebas. In contrast to another gammaproteobacterial family Enterobacteriaceae which established a broad spectrum of symbioses with many insect taxa, the only instance of legionella-like symbiont has been reported from lice of the genusPolyplax. Here, we sequenced the complete genome of this symbiont and compared its main characteristics to otherLegionellaspecies and insect symbionts. Based on rigorous multigene phylogenetic analyses, we confirm this bacterium as a member of the genusLegionellaand propose the nameCandidatusLegionella polyplacis, sp.n. We show that the genome ofCa.Legionella polyplacis underwent massive degeneration, including considerable size reduction (529.746 bp, 484 protein coding genes) and a severe decrease in GC content (23%). We identify several possible constraints underlying the evolution of this bacterium. On one hand,Ca.Legionella polyplacis and the louse symbiontsRiesiaandPuchtellaexperienced convergent evolution, perhaps due to adaptation to similar hosts. On the other hand, some metabolic differences are likely to reflect different phylogenetic positions of the symbionts and hence availability of particular metabolic function in the ancestor. This is exemplified by different arrangements of thiamine metabolism inCa.Legionella polyplacis andRiesia. Finally, horizontal gene transfer is shown to play a significant role in the adaptive and diversification process. Particularly, we show thatCa.L. polyplacis horizontally acquired a complete biotin operon (bioADCHFB) that likely assisted this bacterium when becoming an obligate mutualist.
Systems-Level Annotation of Metabolomics Data Reduces 25,000 Features to Fewer than 1,000 Unique Metabolites
Authors: Mahieu Nathaniel G. , Patti Gary J.
Published: June 2017

When using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) to perform untargeted metabolomics, it is now routine to detect tens of thousands of features from biological samples. Poor understanding of the data, however, has complicated interpretation and masked the number of unique metabolites actually being measured in an experiment. Here we place an upper bound on the number of unique metabolites detected inEscherichia colisamples analyzed with one untargeted metabolomic method. We first group multiple features arising from the same analyte, which we call “degenerate features”, using a context-driven annotation approach. Surprisingly, this analysis revealed thousands of previously unreported degeneracies that reduced the number of unique analytes to ~2,961. We then applied an orthogonal approach to remove non-biological features from the data by using the13C-based credentialing technology. This further reduced the number of unique analytes to less than 1,000.
A pesticide paradox: Fungicides indirectly increase fungal infections
Authors: Rohr Jason R. , Browna Jenise , Battaglin William A. , McMahon Taegan A. , Relyea Rick A.
Published: June 2017

There are many examples where the use of chemicals have had profound unintended consequences, such as fertilizers reducing crop yields (paradox of enrichment) and insecticides increasing insect pests (by reducing natural biocontrol). Recently, the application of agrochemicals, such as agricultural disinfectants and fungicides, has been explored as an approach to curb the pathogenic fungus,Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis(Bd), which is associated with worldwide amphibian declines. However, the long-term, net effects of early-life exposure to these chemicals on amphibian disease risk have not been thoroughly investigated. Using a combination of laboratory experiments and analysis of data from the literature, we explored the effects of fungicide exposure onBdinfections in two frog species. Extremely low concentrations of the fungicides azoxystrobin, chlorothalonil, and mancozeb were directly toxic toBdin culture. However, estimated environmental concentrations of the fungicides did not reduceBdon Cuban tree frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) tadpoles exposed simultaneously to any of these fungicides andBd, and fungicide exposure actually increasedBd-induced mortality. Additionally, exposure to any of these fungicides as tadpoles resulted in higherBdabundance and greaterBd-induced mortality when challenged withBdpost-metamorphosis, an average of 71 days after their last fungicide exposure. Analysis of data from the literature revealed that previous exposure to the fungicide itraconazole, which is commonly used to clearBdinfections, made the critically endangered booroolong frog (Litoria booroolongensis) more susceptible toBd. Finally, a field survey revealed thatBdprevalence was positively associated with concentrations of fungicides in ponds. Although fungicides show promise for controllingBd, these results suggest that, if fungicides do not completely eliminateBdor ifBdre-colonizes, exposure to fungicides has the potential to do more harm than good. To ensure that fungicide applications have the intended consequence of curbing amphibian declines, researchers must identify which fungicides do not compromise the pathogen resistance mechanisms of amphibians.
The Y chromosome contributes to sex-specific aging in Drosophila
Authors: Brown Emily J. , Nguyen Alison H. , Bachtrog Doris
Published: June 2017

Heterochromatin suppresses repetitive DNA, and a loss of heterochromatin has been observed in aged cells of several species, including humans and Drosophila. Males often contain substantially more heterochromatic DNA than females, due to the presence of a large, repeat-rich Y chromosome, and male flies generally have shorter average life spans than females. Here we show that repetitive DNA becomes de-repressed more rapidly in old male flies relative to females, and repeats on the Y chromosome are disproportionally mis-expressed during aging. This is associated with a loss of heterochromatin at repetitive elements during aging in male flies, and a general loss of repressive chromatin in aged males away from pericentromeric regions and the Y. By generating flies with different sex chromosome karyotypes (XXY females; X0 and XYY males), we show that repeat de-repression and average lifespan is directly correlated with the number of Y chromosomes. Thus, sex-specific chromatin differences contribute to sex-specific aging in flies.
Modulation of Ether-à-go-go related gene (ERG) current governs intrinsic persistent activity in rodent neocortical pyramidal cells
Authors: Cui Edward D. , Strowbridge Ben W.
Published: June 2017

While cholinergic receptor activation has long been known to dramatically enhance the excitability of cortical neurons, the cellular mechanisms responsible for this effect are not well understood. We used intracellular recordings in rat neocortical brain slices to assess the ionic mechanisms supporting persistent firing modes triggered by depolarizing stimuli following cholinergic receptor activation. We found multiple lines of evidence suggesting that a component of the underlying hyperexcitability associated with persistent firing reflects a reduction in the standing (leak) K+current mediated by Ether-à-go-go-Related Gene (ERG) channels. Three chemically diverse ERG channel blockers (terfenadine, ErgToxin-1, and E-4031) abolished persistent firing and the underlying increase in input resistance in deep pyramidal cells in temporal and prefrontal association neocortex. Calcium accumulation during triggering stimuli appear to attenuate ERG currents, leading to membrane potential depolarization and increased input resistance, two critical elements generating persistent firing. Our results also suggest that ERG current normally governs cortical neuron responses to depolarizing stimuli by opposing prolonged discharges and by enhancing the post-stimulus repolarization. The broad expression of ERG channels and the ability of ERG blocks to abolish persistent firing evoked by both synaptic and intracellular step stimuli suggests modulation of ERG channels may underlie many forms of persistent activity observed in vivo.
Conformational study of the 3,6-dihydro-2H-1,4-oxazin-2-one fragment in 8-tert-butyl-7-methoxy-8-methyl-9-oxa-6-azaspiro[4.5]decane-2,10-dione stereoisomers
Authors: Żesławska Ewa , Jakubowska Anna , Nitek Wojciech
Published: June 2017

Unnatural cyclic α-amino acids play an important role in the search for biologically active compounds and macromolecules. Enantiomers of natural amino acids with a D configuration are not naturally encoded, but can be chemically synthesized. The crystal structures of two enantiomers obtained by a method of stereoselective synthesis, namely (5R,8S)-8-tert-butyl-7-methoxy-8-methyl-9-oxa-6-azaspiro[4.5]decane-2,10-dione, (1), and (5S,8R)-8-tert-butyl-7-methoxy-8-methyl-9-oxa-6-azaspiro[4.5]decane-2,10-dione, (2), both C14H21NO4, were determined by X-ray diffraction. Both enantiomers crystallize isostructurally in the space group P21, with one molecule in the asymmetric unit and with the same packing motif. The crystal structures are stabilized by C—H...O hydrogen bonds, resulting in the formation of chains along the [100] and [010] directions. The conformation of the 3,6-dihydro-2H-1,4-oxazin-2-one fragment was compared with other crystal structures possessing this heterocyclic moiety. The comparison showed that the title compounds are not exceptional among structures containing the 3,6-dihydro-2H-1,4-oxazin-2-one fragment. The planar moiety was more frequently observed in derivatives in which this fragment was not condensed with other rings.
Redetermination of the crystal structure of K2Hg(SCN)4
Authors: Bandemehr Jascha , Conrad Matthias , Kraus Florian
Published: June 2017

Single crystals of K2Hg(SCN)4[dipotassium tetrathiocyanatomercurate(II)] were grown from aqueous solutions of potassium thiocyanate and mercury(II) thiocyanate and studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In comparison with the previously reported structure model [Zvonkova (1952).Zh. Fiz. Khim.26, 1798–1803], all atoms in the crystal structure were located, with lattice parameters and fractional coordinates determined to a much higher precision. In the (crystal) structure, the HgIIatom is located on a twofold rotation axis and is coordinated in the form of a distorted tetrahedron by four S atoms of the thiocyanate anions. The K+cation shows a coordination number of eight.
Di-μ-chlorido-bis[bis(tetrahydrothiophene-κS)silver(I)]
Authors: Liebing Phil
Published: June 2017

The title compound, [Ag2Cl2(C4H8S2)4] or [Ag2(μ-Cl)2(THT)4] (THT = tetrahydrothiophene), is readily available by reaction of AgCl with THT. In this markedly labile complex, the Ag atoms are coordinated in a distorted tedrahedral fashion by two μ-bridging chloride ligands and each two terminal THT ligands. The structure is therefore more similar to that of THT-complexed CuCl than to that of THT-complexed AuCl, and resembles those of other [Ag2(μ-Cl)2L4]-type complexes. The molecule is located on a crystallographic center of inversion.
Chinese traditionality, job attitudes, and job performance: a study of Chinese employees
Authors: Li Hui , Ngo Hang-yue
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationships among Chinese traditionality, job attitudes, and job performance. Chinese traditionality, an indigenous cultural variable, is expected to enhance employees’ organizational commitment and job satisfaction, which in turn affect their job performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected via employee survey from 399 workers in two large firms in China. The HR department helped the authors to distribute a self-administered questionnaire to the respondents. The authors assured them of confidentiality and protected their anonymity. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that Chinese traditionality is positively related to organizational commitment and job satisfaction. The authors also find that the positive effect of Chinese traditionality on employees’ job performance is mediated by organizational commitment, but not by job satisfaction.

Practical implications

Based on the findings, Chinese firms should pay attention to cultural values, which play an important role in affecting employees’ job attitudes and performance.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature in two ways. First, it provides evidence about the significant positive effect of Chinese traditionality on organizational commitment and job attitudes. Second, it reveals a key mechanism through which Chinese traditionality enhances employees’ job performance.
Discriminating market segments using preferential green shift: a conjoint approach
Authors: Kulshreshtha Kushagra , Tripathi Vikas , Bajpai Naval , Dubey Prince
Published: June 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to explore surprising facets of consumer delight behavior. The study is the empirical juncture of three studies based on consumer survey on the Indian television market. Study 1 traces the existence of greenies in India among brownies prevailing around the globe by using the surprise-delight model. Study 2 is a pre-intervention research design confirming greenies preferences to television attributes such as screen technology, annual energy cost saving, screen resolution, screen size and free gifts. Study 3 signifies a price intervention design by allowing customers to include their preference by replacing the annual energy cost saving with price.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a harvest of studies based on discriminant analysis for identifying green and brown customers and a two-level conjoint analysis for identifying attributes contributing to green behavior.

Findings

The empirical generalization of a study comes out with unique findings of the greenies and brownies and their preference and attitude toward green attribution and substitution. A “preferential green shift” appeared as a vital output owing to knowledge–attitude–practice from these consecutive studies. This gap exists because of the price factor. The authors suggest the measures for improvement in product offering by targeting and positioning green products from the findings and the preferential green shift.

Research limitations/implications

Future research may focus on other segments of products such as automobiles, i.e. cars. Despite the availability of the non-probabilistic sampling technique, the probabilistic sampling technique can be used. Finally, a larger sample size could have given a better generalization of results.

Originality/value

The gap in knowledge–attitude–practice was evident. This gap was caused by the presence of “price” concern. The study revealed that heavy consumer durable buyers are aware of the benefit of green, but the reality of price cannot be ignored and finally make a purchasing decision on the basis of price criteria. Hence price is recommended as another criterion to be considered in the technology acceptance models.
Grey target decision-making model of interval grey number based on cone volume
Authors: Wang Lizhen , Qian Wuyong
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a grey target decision model based on cobweb area in order to overcome the effect and influence from the extreme value of the index on the decision result. However, it does not take into account the impact of the correlation between indicators on the angle of the index, and produce a certain degree decision information distortion as a result of the equal angle between the indicators. In order to solve the above problems, a novel grey decision-making model based on cone volume is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the model uses the whitening weight function to whiten the interval grey number, and the Delphi method and the maximal entropy method are exploited to integrate the weight of the index. On the basis of this, the center of the bull’s eye, the weight and the index value are constructed as the center circle, the radius, and the high cone, respectively. The scheme is selected by the volume of the cone, the decision is made according to the order relation, and the example is utilized to prove and analyze the validity of the proposed model.

Findings

The results show that the proposed model can well improve the traditional grey target decision-making model from the modeling object and modeling method.

Practical implications

The method exposed in the paper can be used to deal with the grey target decision-making problems which characteristics are multi-indexes, and the attribute values are interval grey numbers.

Originality/value

The paper succeeds in overcoming the disadvantages of grey target decision making based on the target center distance and the cobweb area.
A novel grey fixed weight cluster model based on interval grey numbers
Authors: Ye Jing , Dang Yaoguo
Published: June 2017

Purpose

Nowadays, evaluation objects are becoming more and more complicated. The interval grey numbers can be used to more accurately express the evaluation objects. However, the information distribution of interval grey numbers is not balanced. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the central-point triangular whitenization weight function to solve the clustering process of this kind of numbers.

Design/methodology/approach

A new expression of the central-point triangular whitenization weight function is presented in this paper, in terms of the grey cluster problem based on interval grey numbers. By establishing the integral mean value function on the set of interval grey numbers, the application range of grey clustering model is extended to the interval grey number category, and, in this way, the grey fixed weight cluster model based on interval grey numbers is obtained.

Findings

The model is verified by a case which reveals a high distinguishability, validity and practicability.

Practical implications

This model can be used in many fields, such as agriculture, economy, geology and medical science, and provides a feasible method for evaluation schemes in performance evaluation, scheme selection, risk evaluation and so on.

Originality/value

The central-point triangular whitenization weight function is introduced. The method reflects the thought “make full use of the information” in grey system theory and further enriches the system of grey clustering theory as well as expands the application scope of the grey clustering method.