bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of Vaginal Hysterectomy for Female-to-Male Transgender Men
Authors: Obedin-Maliver Juno , Light Alexis , de Haan Gene , Jackson Rebecca A.
Published: February 2017

OBJECTIVE:

To describe the hysterectomy data among a cohort of transgender men and nontransgender (ie, cisgender) women with a particular goal to evaluate the feasibility of vaginal hysterectomy among transgender men.

METHODS:

This cohort study includes all hysterectomies performed for benign indications on transgender men and cisgender women at a single academic county hospital from 2000 to 2012. Hysterectomy cases and patient gender were identified by billing records and confirmed by review of medical records. Primary study outcome was the hysterectomy route among transgender men compared with cisgender women. We also examined risk factors and operative outcomes. Student two-sided t tests, χ2 analysis, and descriptive statistics are presented; sensitivity analyses using regression techniques were performed.

RESULTS:

Hysterectomies for benign gynecologic procedures were performed in 883 people: 33 on transgender men and 850 on cisgender women. Transgender men were younger, had fewer pregnancies and deliveries, and smaller uteri. The leading indication for hysterectomy differed significantly: pain (85%) was most common among transgender men (compared with 22% in cisgender women; P<.001), whereas leiomyomas (64%) was most common for cisgender women (compared with 21% in transgender men; P<.001). Vaginal hysterectomies were performed in 24% transgender men and 42% of cisgender women. Estimated blood loss was less among transgender men (P=.002), but when uterine size and route of hysterectomy were considered, the difference between gender groups was no longer significant. There was no difference in patients experiencing complications between the groups.

CONCLUSION:

Transgender men and cisgender women have different preoperative characteristics and surgical indications. Vaginal hysterectomies have been successfully completed among transgender men. Because vaginal hysterectomy is a viable procedure for this population, it should be considered in surgical planning for transgender men.
Urinary Microbiome and Cytokine Levels in Women With Interstitial Cystitis
Authors: Abernethy Melinda G. , Rosenfeld Amy , White James R. , Mueller Margaret G. , Lewicky-Gaupp Christina , Kenton Kimberly
Published: February 2017

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate differences in the urinary microbiome and cytokine levels between women with and without interstitial cystitis and to correlate differences with scores on standardized symptom severity scales and depression and anxiety screening tools.

METHODS:

Our cross-sectional study compared women presenting to a pelvic floor clinic and diagnosed with interstitial cystitis over a 6-month period with age-matched women in a control group from the same institution. Participants provided a catheterized urine sample and completed symptom severity, quality-of-life, depression, and anxiety screening questionnaires. Urinary microbiomes generated through bacterial ribosomal RNA sequencing and cytokine levels were analyzed using a standard immunoassay. Nonparametric analyses were used for all comparisons.

RESULTS:

Participants with interstitial cystitis reported more disability, bothersome urinary symptoms, genitourinary pain, and sexual dysfunction and scored higher on depression and anxiety screens compared with women in the control group. The urine of participants with interstitial cystitis contained fewer distinct operational taxonomic units (2 [median range 2–7, interquartile range 1] compared with 3.5 [median, range 2–22, interquartile range 5.25], P=.015) and was less likely to contain Lactobacillus acidophilus (1/14 [7%] compared with 7/18 [39%], P=.05) compared with women in the control group. L acidophilus was associated with less severe scores on the Interstitial Cystitis Symptoms Index (1 [median, range 0–17, interquartile range 5] compared with 10 [median, range 0–14, interquartile range 11], P=.005) and the Genitourinary Pain Index (0 [median, range 0–42, interquartile range 22] compared with 22.5 [median, range 0–40, interquartile range 28], P=.03). Participants with interstitial cystitis demonstrated higher levels of macrophage-derived chemokine (13.32 [median, range 8.93–17.05, interquartile range 15.86] compared with 0 [median, range 8.93–22.67, interquartile range 10.35], P=.037) and interleukin-4 (1.95 [median, range 1.31–997, interquartile range 11.84] compared with 1.17 [median, range 0.44–3.26, interquartile range 1.51], P=.029). There was a positive correlation between interleukin-4 and more severe scores on the Interstitial Cystitis Symptoms Index (r=0.406, P=.013). No associations between the presence of lactobacillus species and cytokine levels were observed.

CONCLUSION:

The urinary microbiome of participants with interstitial cystitis was less diverse, less likely to contain Lactobacillus species, and associated with higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines. It is unknown whether this represents causality and whether the effect of alterations to the urinary microbiome is mediated through an inflammatory response.
Relocation of Obstetrician–Gynecologists in the United States, 2005–2015
Authors: Xierali Imam M. , Nivet Marc A. , Rayburn William F.
Published: February 2017

OBJECTIVE:

To examine recent trends in the relocation of obstetrician–gynecologists (ob-gyns) in the United States.

METHODS:

This longitudinal descriptive study analyzed relocation patterns of ob-gyns between the earliest reference point (2005) and most recently (2015). A physician's county location in a year was compared with his or her location during the previous year. Physician background and county characteristics came from three data resources (Association of American Medical Colleges databases, American Medical Association Physician Masterfile, American Community Survey). A multilevel logistic regression model was used to model factors associated with relocation for the entire period.

RESULTS:

An average of 2,446 (6.5%) of the 37,385 ob-gyns in practice moved per year. Approximately one third (32.1%) relocated (usually once or twice) during the 10 years with more than half (58.2%) remaining within their state. The odds of relocating were higher if the ob-gyns was young, male, black, or an international medical graduate. Relocations were predominantly to counties that were either urban or with a lower percentage of the population in poverty (less than 21.2%). Although the number of ob-gyns and women 18 years or older increased in most states, the population to ob-gyn ratio increased from 3,155 in 2006 to 3,293 in 2015. Net gains from relocations were most apparent in Florida, California, and Washington, whereas net losses were especially apparent in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and New York.

CONCLUSION:

Approximately one in every three ob-gyns in the United States moved at least once in the past 10 years to counties that were predominantly urban or with less poverty. Observing this trend might contribute to a better understanding about the uneven national distribution of ob-gyns.
Consensus Bundle on Maternal Mental Health
Authors: Kendig Susan , Keats John P. , Hoffman M. Camille , Kay Lisa B. , Miller Emily S. , Moore Simas Tiffany A. , Frieder Ariela , Hackley Barbara , Indman Pec , Raines Christena , Semenuk Kisha , Wisner Katherine L. , Lemieux Lauren A.
Published: February 2017

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions encountered by women of reproductive age. When left untreated, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders can have profound adverse effects on women and their children, ranging from increased risk of poor adherence to medical care, exacerbation of medical conditions, loss of interpersonal and financial resources, smoking and substance use, suicide, and infanticide. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are associated with increased risks of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity and are recognized as a significant patient safety issue. In 2015, the Council on Patient Safety in Women's Health Care convened an interdisciplinary workgroup to develop an evidence-based patient safety bundle to address maternal mental health. The focus of this bundle is perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. The bundle is modeled after other bundles released by the Council on Patient Safety in Women's Health Care and provides broad direction for incorporating perinatal mood and anxiety disorder screening, intervention, referral, and follow-up into maternity care practice across health care settings. This commentary provides information to assist with bundle implementation.
Clinical Updates in Women’s Health Care Summary: Structural Heart Disease
Authors: Frisoli Tiberio , Voeltz Michele Doughty
Published: February 2017

Reproductive-aged women with structural heart disease who become pregnant as well as postreproductive-aged women with this condition represent a significant proportion of patients seen by obstetrician– gynecologists. Usually, their conditions are complex, and a basic knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the heart is required. Additionally, understanding the effect of pregnancy on women with structural heart disease is critically important to optimizing maternal and fetal outcomes. This monograph addresses the pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, screening and diagnosis, basic management, and suggested counseling for an obstetric–gynecologic patient with structural heart disease.
Combined adductor canal and sciatic nerve block compared with local intraarticular infiltration analgesia for total knee arthroplasty: a prospective blinded randomized controlled study
Authors: Rizk Haitham , Hosni Yaser , Abdeldayem Sherif
Published: February 2017

Background:

A combined adductor canal block and sciatic nerve block is an efficient way to obtain postoperative analgesia after total knee replacement that spares the motor power of the femoral nerve. This is a prospective controlled randomized study comparing the efficacy of local infiltrative analgesia (LIA) to a combined adductor canal block and sciatic nerve block (CNB).

Methods:

Seventy-five patients were included and randomized to two groups. The first (34 patients) received ultrasound guided CNB and the second group (41 patients) received LIA.

Results:

There was no significant difference in pain control after 4, 6, or 12 hr postoperatively, and there was no significant difference in pain before or after physiotherapy. Both groups achieved knee flexion to 90 degrees at comparable times. Operative time and length of hospital stay were significantly less in the LIA group. Opiate use was similar in both groups. One patient in the LIA group had transient popliteal artery spasm postoperatively.

Conclusions:

LIA may be comparable in efficacy to combined adductor canal and sciatic nerve block, moreover it is easier and faster to perform.
Reverse total shoulder replacement: approaches and current controversies
Authors: Matson Andrew P. , Garrigues Grant E.
Published: February 2017

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) is a well-accepted treatment option for a number of pathologies including glenohumeral arthropathy with severe rotator cuff deficiency, revision of anatomic arthroplasty, rheumatoid arthritis, reconstruction after tumor resection, and severe fractures in the elderly. Despite advances in RTSA, significant challenges persist and continue to inspire innovation in technique and design. This review outlines the pervasive challenges of RTSA and the strategies that have been developed for these challenges. The anterosuperior and deltopectoral approaches have both been used successfully for RTSA, with considerations that render each approach applicable in certain scenarios. Pertinent issues related to the glenoid component center around determining the ideal position for the center of rotation and the ideal degree of baseplate tilt. On the humeral component side, debate exists regarding the optimal humerosocket inclination and the role for humeral component lateralization. With conflicting or limited data pertaining to these topics, there remains room for continued research, improvement, and innovation.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Topiramate in Japanese Pediatric and Adult Patients With Epilepsy Using Routinely Monitored Data
Authors: Takeuchi Masato , Yano Ikuko , Ito Satoko , Sugimoto Mitsuhiro , Yamamoto Shota , Yonezawa Atsushi , Ikeda Akio , Matsubara Kazuo
Published: February 2017

Background:

Topiramate is a second-generation antiepileptic drug used as monotherapy and adjunctive therapy in adults and children with partial seizures. A population pharmacokinetic (PPK) analysis was performed to improve the topiramate dosage adjustment for individualized treatment.

Methods:

Patients whose steady-state serum concentration of topiramate was routinely monitored at Kyoto University Hospital from April 2012 to March 2013 were included in the model-building data. A nonlinear mixed effects modeling program was used to evaluate the influence of covariates on topiramate pharmacokinetics. The obtained PPK model was evaluated by internal model validations, including goodness-of-fit plots and prediction-corrected visual predictive checks, and was externally confirmed using the validation data from January 2015 to December 2015.

Results:

A total of 177 steady-state serum concentrations from 93 patients were used for the model-building analysis. The patients' age ranged from 2 to 68 years, and body weight ranged from 8.6 to 105 kg. The median serum concentration of topiramate was 1.7 mcg/mL, and half of the patients received carbamazepine coadministration. Based on a one-compartment model with first order absorption and elimination, the apparent volume of distribution was 105 L/70 kg, and the apparent clearance was allometrically related to the body weight as 2.25 L·h−1·70 kg−1 without carbamazepine or phenytoin. Combination treatment with carbamazepine or phenytoin increased the apparent clearance to 3.51 L·h−1·70 kg−1. Goodness-of-fit plots, prediction-corrected visual predictive check, and external validation using the validation data from 43 patients confirmed an appropriateness of the final model. Simulations based on the final model showed that dosage adjustments allometrically scaling to body weight can equalize the serum concentrations in children of various ages and adults.

Conclusions:

The PPK model, using the power scaling of body weight, effectively elucidated the topiramate serum concentration profile ranging from pediatric to adult patients. Dosage adjustments based on body weight and concomitant antiepileptic drug help obtain the dosage of topiramate necessary to reach an effective concentration in each individual.
Avoiding Facial Incisions with Midface Free Tissue Transfer
Authors: Stalder Mark W. , Sosin Michael , Urbinelli Leo J. , Mayo James L. , Dorafshar Amir H. , Hilaire Hugo St. , Borsuk Daniel E. , Rodriguez Eduardo D.
Published: February 2017

Background:

We have adopted an intraoral microsurgical anastomosis to the facial vessels to eliminate the need for any visible facial incisions.

Methods:

Cadaveric dissection was used to demonstrate accessibility of the facial artery and vein through an intraoral approach. Additionally, 5 patients underwent free tissue transfer for reconstruction of major defects of the midface through an intraoral, transmucosal approach, obviating the need for visible skin incisions.

Results:

The pathology included palatal defects due to mucoepidermoid carcinoma and ischemic necrosis from cocaine abuse, maxillary defects secondary to fibrous dysplasia and avascular necrosis from traumatic blast injury, and a residual posttraumatic bony deformity of the zygoma. Reconstructions were performed with a free ulnar forearm flap, a free vastus lateralis muscle flap, a deep circumflex iliac artery myoosseous flap, a free fibula flap, and a deep circumflex iliac artery osseous flap, respectively. The facial artery and vein were used as recipient vessels for microvascular anastomosis for all cases. Mean follow-up was 12.2 months. All free tissue transfers were successful, and each patient had a satisfactory aesthetic outcome with no associated facial scars.

Conclusion:

This technique can be employed during reconstruction of an array of bony or soft-tissue midface deficits with minimal morbidity. This small series effectively demonstrates the varied pathologies and tissue deficiencies that can be successfully reconstructed with free tissue transfer using an entirely intraoral approach to the recipient facial vessels, resulting in no visible scars on the face and an improvement in the overall aesthetic outcome.
First Presentation Acute Rheumatic Fever is Preventable in a Community Setting
Authors: Lennon Diana , Anderson Philippa , Kerdemilidis Melissa , Farrell Elizabeth , Crengle Mahi Suzanne , Percival Teuila , Jansen David , Stewart Joanna
Published: February 2017

Background:

Robust evidence is lacking for community initiatives to prevent first presentation acute rheumatic fever (ARF) by group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis treatment.

Methods:

We measured the effect of introducing a sore throat clinic program on first presentation ARF into 61-year 1–8 schools with students 5–13 years of age (population ≈25,000) in Auckland, New Zealand. The study period was 2010–2016. A generalized linear mixed model investigated ARF rate changes before and after the staggered introduction of school clinics. Nurses and lay workers treated culture-proven GAS sore throats (including siblings) with 10 days of amoxicillin. ARF cases were identified from a population-based secondary prophylaxis register. Annual pharyngeal GAS prevalence was assessed in a subset.

Results:

ARF rates in 5–13 year olds dropped from 88 [95% confidence interval (CI): 79–111] per 100,000 preclinics to 37 (95% CI: 15–83) per 100,000 after 2 years of clinic availability, a 58% reduction. No change in rate was demonstrated before the introduction of clinics [P = 0.88; incidence risk ratio for a 1-year change: 0.98 (95% CI: 0.63–1.52)], but there was a significant decrease of first presentation ARF rates with time after the introduction of the sore throat program [P = 0.008; incidence risk ratio: 0.61 (95% CI: 0.43–0.88)]. Pharyngeal GAS cross-sectional prevalence fell from 22.4% (16.5–30.5) preintervention to 11.9% (8.6–16.5) and 11.4% (8.2–15.7) 1 or 2 years later (P = 0.005).

Conclusions:

ARF declined significantly after school-based GAS pharyngitis management using oral amoxicillin paralleled by a decline in pharyngeal GAS prevalence.
Implementation of an Early Mobility Pathway in Neurointensive Care Unit Patients With External Ventricular Devices
Authors: Moyer Megan , Young Bethany , Wilensky Eileen Maloney , Borst Joseph , Pino William , Hart Marisa , LoBreglio Jesse , Zaleski Derek , Leonor Isaira , Kung David , Smith Michelle , Zager Eric , Grady M. Sean , Kumar Monisha
Published: February 2017

Background: Patients with an external ventricular drain (EVD) may not be readily mobilized because of concerns of catheter dislodgment and/or inappropriate cerebrospinal fluid drainage. Delayed mobilization may result in longer hospital stays and an increased risk for complications related to immobility. We aimed to determine the safety, feasibility, and outcome of an EVD mobilization protocol in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Methods: A multidisciplinary group developed a formal algorithm for the mobilization of patients with SAH with EVDs. Outcome measures included intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), day to first mobilization, and discharge disposition. Patients were prospectively enrolled during a 12-month period and compared with a historical control group of patients with SAH for the preceding 12-month period. Results: Thirty-nine of 45 (86.7%) patients were women. Mean age did not differ significantly between the preintervention (n = 19) and postintervention (n = 26) groups (59.6 vs 55.7). Number of EVD device days did not differ significantly between groups (16.3 vs 15, P = .422]. Of 101 attempted postintervention mobilization sessions, six were aborted for increased lethargy (1), pain (1), elevated intracranial pressure (1), drain malfunction (1), and hypotension (2). Twenty-four sessions were attempted but never initiated because of worsening neurologic examination (10), pulmonary instability (2), hemodynamic instability (2), medical instability (3), and provider request (1). No patient experienced catheter dislodgment. Mean ICU LOS was not different between groups (20.7 vs 18.2, P = .262). The day of first mobilization was significantly earlier in the postintervention group (18.7 vs 6.5, P < .0001). The percentage of patients discharged home or to acute rehabilitation was higher in the postintervention group (63.2% vs 88.5%, P = .018], when accounting for Hunt and Hess grade. Conclusions: The mobilization of patients with EVDs is safe and feasible; it may be associated with earlier mobilization, reduced ICU LOS, and better discharge disposition. No major complications were attributable to early mobilization.
Hospital Outpatient Visits Associated With Medication-Related Problems in Thailand: A Multicenter Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Dechanont Supinya , Jedsadayanmata Arom , Butthum Bodin , Kongkaew Chuenjid
Published: February 2017

Objectives

The aims of the study were to investigate the prevalence of hospital visits associated with medication-related problems (MRPs, i.e., adverse drug events [ADEs], adverse drug reactions [ADRs], nonadherence [NA] to medication, and medication error) and to identify the medications involved in hospital visits associated with MRPs in outpatient departments (OPDs).

Methods

A prospective observational study was carried out in OPD of 11 hospitals in the lower northern region of Thailand. Patients visiting OPDs were screened for suspected MRPs by clinical pharmacists using medical record review supplemented by patient interview. Three experts evaluated suspected MRPs using the following 3 criteria: causality, severity, and preventability.

Results

Of the 3069 patients who visited the OPDs during the study period, 113 (3.7%) were deemed to have causal MRPs. Nearly half of the causal MRPs (n = 49, 43.4%) were preventable. The following 4 types of causal MRPs were identified: ADEs (n = 112, 3.7%), ADRs (n = 65, 2.1%), NA to medications (n = 48, 1.6%), and medication errors (n = 1, 0.03%). In nonelective patients (n = 764), 35 patients (4.6%) were judged to have causal MRPs. Of the nonelective patients who experienced causal MRPs, 25 (71.4%) were preventable. The medications commonly associated with ADEs and NA to medication were those targeting the cardiovascular system (especially enalapril, amlodipine, and hydrochlorothiazide), whereas the medications involving ADRs involved the cardiovascular and endocrine systems (especially, enalapril, amlodipine, and metformin).

Conclusions

Outpatient department visits associated with MRPs, particularly in nonelective patients, were preventable. Effective strategies are needed for reducing visits to hospital OPD associated with preventable MRPs.
The Effect of Preoperative Phenazopyridine on Urinary Retention Following Midurethral Sling
Authors: Dueñas-Garcia Omar Felipe , Sierra Tania , Nicasio Erica , Leung Katherine , Hall Cynthia D. , Flynn Michael K.
Published: February 2017

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of preoperative oral phenazopyridine on short-term voiding dysfunction in patients undergoing a retropubic midurethral sling.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study in subjects undergoing a retropubic midurethral sling comparing those who received preoperative oral phenazopyridine with those who did not. We included all women who underwent a retropubic midurethral sling without concomitant procedures under general anesthesia at our institution. Slings were placed by either suprapubic or transvaginal approach, per surgeon’s preference. Demographics and intraoperative data on preoperative dose of phenazopyridine and medications linked to voiding dysfunction were captured.

Results

One hundred seventy-four subjects were identified. Twenty-five subjects failed to meet inclusion and exclusion criteria and were excluded, and 149 subjects comprised the final groups. Eighty-two subjects (55.03%) received phenazopyridine, and 67 (44.97%) did not. Most subjects received a 200-mg dose (97.6%). Except for surgical approach, both groups receiving and not receiving phenazopyridine had similar demographic characteristics. Eighty-eight percent of the subjects who received phenazopyridine passed the voiding trial versus 73.1% (odds ratio, 2.98; 95% confidence interval, 1.23–7.17). After adjusting for medications, estimated blood loss, number of trocar passages, or bladder perforation, the patients receiving phenazopyridine were still more likely to pass the postoperative voiding trials compared with those who did not (odds ratio, 2.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.10–7.98).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the preoperative administration of phenazopyridine may improve postoperative voiding function after a retropubic midurethral sling. Additional prospective trials are needed to confirm this finding.
Male–female interactions drive the (un)repeatability of copula duration in an insect
Authors: Eady Paul E. , Brown Denise V.
Published: February 2017

Across the animal kingdom the duration of copulation varies enormously from a few seconds to several days. Functional explanations for this variation are largely embedded within sperm competition theory in which males modulate the duration of copula in order to optimize their fitness. However, copulation is the union of two protagonists which are likely to have separate and often conflicting reproductive interests, yet few experimental designs specifically assess the effect of male–female interactions on the duration of copulation. This can result in inexact assertions over which sex controls copulatory behaviour. Here we analyse the repeatability of copulatory behaviour in the seed beetle
Callosobruchus maculatus
to determine which sex exerts primary influence over copulation duration. In
C. maculatus
, copulation follows two distinct phases: an initial quiescent phase followed by a period of vigorous female kicking behaviour that culminates in the termination of copulation. When males or females copulated with several novel mates, copulatory behaviour was not significantly repeatable. By contrast, when males or females mated repeatedly with the same mate, copula duration was repeatable. These data suggest copulatory behaviour in
C. maculatus
to be largely the product of male–female interactions rather than the consistent, sex-specific modulation of copula duration of one protagonist in response to the phenotypic variation presented by the other protagonist.
Heritable variation in colour patterns mediating individual recognition
Authors: Sheehan Michael J. , Choo Juanita , Tibbetts Elizabeth A.
Published: February 2017

Understanding the developmental and evolutionary processes that generate and maintain variation in natural populations remains a major challenge for modern biology. Populations ofPolistes fuscatuspaper wasps have highly variable colour patterns that mediate individual recognition. Previous experimental and comparative studies have provided evidence that colour pattern diversity is the result of selection for individuals to advertise their identity. Distinctive identity-signalling phenotypes facilitate recognition, which reduces aggression between familiar individuals inP. fuscatuswasps. Selection for identity signals may increase phenotypic diversity via two distinct modes of selection that have different effects on genetic diversity. Directional selection for increased plasticity would greatly increase phenotypic diversity but decrease genetic diversity at associated loci. Alternatively, heritable identity signals under balancing selection would maintain genetic diversity at associated loci. Here, we assess whether there is heritable variation underlying colour pattern diversity used for facial recognition in a wild population ofP. fuscatuswasps. We find that colour patterns are heritable and not Mendelian, suggesting that multiple loci are involved. Additionally, patterns of genetic correlations among traits indicated that many of the loci underlying colour pattern variation are unlinked and independently segregating. Our results support a model where the benefits of being recognizable maintain genetic variation at multiple unlinked loci that code for phenotypic diversity used for recognition.
Stokes phenomena in discrete Painlevé II
Authors: Joshi N. , Lustri C. J. , Luu S.
Published: February 2017

We consider the asymptotic behaviour of the second discrete Painlevé equation in the limit as the independent variable becomes large. Using asymptotic power series, we find solutions that are asymptotically pole-free within some region of the complex plane. These asymptotic solutions exhibit Stokes phenomena, which is typically invisible to classical power series methods. We subsequently apply exponential asymptotic techniques to investigate such phenomena, and obtain mathematical descriptions of the rapid switching behaviour associated with Stokes curves. Through this analysis, we determine the regions of the complex plane in which the asymptotic behaviour is described by a power series expression, and find that the behaviour of these asymptotic solutions shares a number of features with thetronquéeandtri-tronquéesolutions of the second continuous Painlevé equation.
What do territory owners defend against?
Authors: Hinsch Martin , Komdeur Jan
Published: February 2017

Theoretical research on evolutionary aspects of territoriality has a long history. Existing studies, however, differ widely in modelling approach and research question. A generalized view on the evolution of territoriality is accordingly still missing. In this review, we show that territorial conflicts can be classified into qualitatively distinct types according to what mode of access to a territory which competitor attempts to gain. We argue that many of the inconsistencies between existing studies can be traced back to the fact that, while using the same terminology, different instances of these types of conflicts have been investigated. We discuss the connections of each type of conflict to existing research within the wider area of animal conflicts. We conclude that a clear conceptual separation of different types of territorial conflicts is helpful but that a more general theory of territoriality has to account for interdependencies between them and that a more mechanistic approach to modelling territoriality is needed.
Differentiating causality and correlation in allometric scaling: ant colony size drives metabolic hypometry
Authors: Waters James S. , Ochs Alison , Fewell Jennifer H. , Harrison Jon F.
Published: February 2017

Metabolic rates of individual animals and social insect colonies generally scale hypometrically, with mass-specific metabolic rates decreasing with increasing size. Although this allometry has wide ranging effects on social behaviour, ecology and evolution, its causes remain controversial. Because it is difficult to experimentally manipulate body size of organisms, most studies of metabolic scaling depend on correlative data, limiting their ability to determine causation. To overcome this limitation, we experimentally reduced the size of harvester ant colonies (Pogonomyrmex californicus) and quantified the consequent increase in mass-specific metabolic rates. Our results clearly demonstrate a causal relationship between colony size and hypometric changes in metabolic rate that could not be explained by changes in physical density. These findings provide evidence against prominent models arguing that the hypometric scaling of metabolic rate is primarily driven by constraints on resource delivery or surface area/volume ratios, because colonies were provided with excess food and colony size does not affect individual oxygen or nutrient transport. We found that larger colonies had lower median walking speeds and relatively more stationary ants and including walking speed as a variable in the mass-scaling allometry greatly reduced the amount of residual variation in the model, reinforcing the role of behaviour in metabolic allometry. Following the experimental size reduction, however, the proportion of stationary ants increased, demonstrating that variation in locomotory activity cannot solely explain hypometric scaling of metabolic rates in these colonies. Based on prior studies of this species, the increase in metabolic rate in size-reduced colonies could be due to increased anabolic processes associated with brood care and colony growth.
Trial-and-error copying of demonstrated actions reveals how fledglings learn to ‘imitate’ their mothers
Authors: Truskanov Noa , Lotem Arnon
Published: February 2017

Understanding how humans and other animals learn to perform an act from seeing it done has been a major challenge in the study of social learning. To determine whether this ability is based on ‘true imitation’, many studies have applied the two-action experimental paradigm, examining whether subjects learn to perform the specific action demonstrated to them. Here, we show that the insights gained from animals' success in two-action experiments may be limited, and that a better understanding is achieved by monitoring subjects' entire behavioural repertoire. Hand-reared house sparrows that followed a model of a mother demonstrator were successful in learning to find seeds hidden under a leaf, using the action demonstrated by the mother (either pushing the leaf or pecking it). However, they also produced behaviours that had not been demonstrated but were nevertheless related to the demonstrated act. This finding suggests that while the learners were clearly influenced by the demonstrator, they did not accurately imitate her. Rather, they used their own behavioural repertoire, gradually fitting it to the demonstrated task solution through trial and error. This process is consistent with recent views on how animals learn to imitate, and may contribute to a unified process-level analysis of social learning mechanisms.
Citrus platymamma inhibits the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 in RAW264.7 macrophage
Authors: Kim Sang Suk , Park Kyung Jin , An Hyun Joo , Choi Young Hun
Published: February 2017

Citrus platymamma hort. ex Tanaka is widely used in traditional Korean medicine because of its medicinal benefits including an anti-inflammatory effect. This study aimed to evaluate changes in the flavonoid content and anti-inflammatory activities of C. platymamma during its harvest period. Fruit peel samples were obtained between September 2015 and February 2016. The results indicate that C. platymamma peel extract (CPE) was an effective inhibitor of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells. The inhibitory effects of CPE at 100 μg/mL concentration included dose-dependent decreases in the expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins. In addition, CPE decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. The highest anti-inflammatory activity and flavonoid content were observed in CPE of C. platymamma peel harvested during the immature fruit period in September. Further, to assess the suitability of CPE for cosmetic use, we performed MTT assays using HaCaT keratinocytes and observed that CPE did not exhibit any cytotoxicity. To test the potential application of CPE as a cosmetic material, we also performed primary skin irritation tests on normal skin of 30 volunteers and no adverse reactions were observed. The results of this study indicate that CPE may be considered as an anti-inflammatory candidate for inclusion in cosmetic materials.
Antioxidant and antiproliferating effects of Setaria italica, Panicum miliaceum and Sorghum bicolor extracts on prostate cancer cell lines
Authors: Kim Jeong-Ho , Cho Hyun-Dong , Hong Seong-Min , Lee Ju-Hye , Lee Yong-Seok , Kim Du-Hyun , Seo Kwon-Il
Published: February 2017

In this study, we evaluated antioxidant and antiproliferating effects of Setaria italica extract (SIE), Panicum miliaceum extract (PME) and Sorghum bicolor extract (SBE). Antioxidant effects of these extracts were determined by assessing DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS·+ radical scavenging activity, reducing power and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity. From high concentrations (1,000 μg/mL) of each extract at DPPH radical scavenging activities of SIE, PME and SBE were 10.5%, 5.5% and 86.8% respectively, ABTS+ radical activities were 4.92%, 5.9% and 62.3% respectively, reducing powers (OD 700) were 0.15, 0.18 and 1.7 respectively, and SOD-like activities were 17.0%, 15.9% and 38.6% respectively. In addition, SBE significantly decreased the cell viability of androgen-sensitive lymph node metastasis type of prostate cancer (LNCaP) cells in a dose-dependent manner. Morphological study of SBE-treated LNCaP cells revealed distorted and shrunken cell masses. SBE-induced cell death was confirmed by observation of nuclear condensation and increased formation of apoptotic bodies. The antiproliferative effect of SBE seems to be associated with the antioxidant activity of its polyphenol content. The results of this study indicate that SBE can exert antioxidant and antiproliferative effects and may be as a useful food material.
Quality characteristics and antioxidant activity of Sulgidduk added with maquiberry powder
Authors: Cho Namsook , Chung Hai-Jung
Published: February 2017

This study was carried out to investigate the quality characteristics and antioxidant activity of Sulgidduk (oriental-style rice cakes) prepared with different amounts (0%, 2%, 4%, or 6%) of maquiberry (Aristotelia chilensis) powder. The moisture content of treated Sulgidduk ranged from 37.75% to 38.79%, with no significant differences between treatment groups. The pH gradually decreased with the increasie in maquiberry powder. The soluble solid content did not show significant differences between groups. The lightness (L) value decreased, while redness (a) value increased with the increase in added maquiberry powder. Hardness of the control group was lower than those of the treatment groups. Consumer acceptance test results revealed no significant differences in smell, taste and overall acceptability scores. The total polyphenol and total anthocyanin contents were 8.66~262.71 mg GAE/100 g amd 0.01~9.76 mg C3G/100 g), respectively. Moreover, the polyphenol and anthocyanin levels increased with increasing levels of added maquiberry powder. In addition. reducing power and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities significantly increased with increase in added maquiberry powder. Based on the above results, addition up to 6% maquiberry powder incorporated into Sulgidduk will meet the taste and functional needs for consumers.
Quality characteristics and processing of rice cake (Backsulgi) with rice flour containing Lactobacillus plantarum CGKW3 by spray-drying
Authors: Lee Dae-Hoon , Park Hye-Mi , Hong Joo-Heon
Published: February 2017

The quality characteristics and processing of rice cake (Backsulgi) with rice flour containing Lactobacillus plantarum CGKW3 by spray-drying (LP-B) were investigated. The LP-B was applied at ratios of 10, 20, and 30 (w/w), and the moisture contents and pH were 33.39%~36.70% and 5.81~5.46, respectively. The L value of LP-B increased as the rice flour decreased, while the a and b value increased as the LP-B increased. The texture profiles showed that Backsulgi prepared with LP-B mixture had higher hardness, cohesiveness, springiness and chewiness than 100% rice flour. The pH of LP-B Backsulgi (LP-B20 and LP-B30) did not differ during 6 days at room temperature. The total bacteria in Backsulgi prepared LP-B20 and LP-B30 Backsulgi was 104 CFU/g after 2 days of storage at room temperature. The shelf life of Backsulgi prepared with LP-B20 and LP-B30 were extended by about 2 days when compared with the control at room temperature. Sensory evaluation showed that Backsulgi without LP-B20 had higher scores in terms of appearance, color, flavor, taste, texture, hardness and overall acceptability than Backsulgi without 100% rice flour. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that LP-B20 may prove quite useful as a Backsulgi flour with desirable properties.
Identification of volatile flavor compounds in Jeju citrus fruits
Authors: Hong Young Shin , Kim Kyong Su
Published: February 2017

The volatile flavor compounds in five Jeju citrus fruit varieties (Cheonhyehyang, Hallabong, Jinjihyang, Hwanggeum hyang and Redhyang) were extracted by simultaneous distillation-extraction (SDE) using solvent mixture of n-pentane and diethyl ether (1:1, v/v) and analyzed by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The number of aroma compounds were identified with : 104 (4,939.77 mg/kg) in Cheonhyehyang, 98 (3,286.38 mg/kg) in Hallabong, 105 (3,317.56 mg/kg) in Jinjihyang, 102 (4,293.39 mg/kg) in Hwanggeumhyang, and 108 (4,049.94 mg/kg) in Redhyang. The detected main volatile compounds were; limonene, sabinene, β-myrcene, α-pinene, β-pinene, linalool, 4-terpineol, α-terpineol, (E)-β-ocimene and γ-terpinene. Among the identified volatiles compounds, ethyl-benzene, nonanol, 1-p-menthen-9-al, (E)-isocarveol, methyl salicylate, α-terpinen-7-al, perilla alcohol, and ethyl-dodecanoate were detected in Cheonhyehyang. only Furthermore, β-chamigrene and α-selinene were in Hallabong only; 3-hydroxybutanal, (E)-2-nonenal, isoborneol, octyl acetate, (E)-2-undecenal, β-ylangene and guaia-6,9-diene in Jinjihyang. ρ-Cymenene, β-thujone, selina-4,11-diene and (E,E)-2,6-farnesol in Hwanggeumhyang only; and ρ-cymen-8-ol, bornyl acetate, carvacrol, bicycloelemene, α-cubebene and 7-epi-α-selinene in Redhyang only. This study confirmed the differences in composition and content of volatile aroma components in five varieties of Jeju citrus fruits.
Fitting mechanistic epidemic models to data: a comparison of simple Markov chain Monte Carlo approaches
Authors: Li Michael , Dushoff Jonathan , Bolker Ben
Published: February 2017

Background

Simple mechanistic epidemic models are widely used for forecasting and parameter estimation of infectious diseases based on noisy case reporting data. Despite the widespread application of models to emerging infectious diseases, we know little about the comparative performance of standard computational-statistical frameworks in these contexts. Here we build a simple stochastic, discrete-time, discrete-state epidemic model with both process and observation error and use it to characterize the effectiveness of different flavours of Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) techniques. We use fits to simulated data, where parameters (and future behaviour) are known to explore the limitations of different platforms and quantify parameter estimation accuracy, forecasting accuracy, and computational efficiency across combinations of modeling decisions (e.g. discrete vs. continuous latent states, levels of stochasticity) and computational platforms (JAGS, NIMBLE, Stan).

Results

Models incorporating at least one source of population-level variation (i.e., dispersion in either the transmission process or the observation process) provide reasonably good forecasts and parameter estimates, while models that incorporate only individual-level variation can lead to inaccurate (or overconfident) results. Models using continuous approximations to the transmission process showed improved computational efficiency without loss of accuracy.

Conclusion

Simple models of disease transmission and observation can be fitted reliably to simple simulations, as long as population-level variation is taken into account. Continuous approximations can improve computational efficiency using more advanced MCMC techniques.
HIV population-level adaptation can rapidly diminish the impact of a partially effective vaccine
Authors: Herbeck Joshua T. , Peebles Kathryn , Edlefsen Paul T. , Rolland Morgane , Murphy James T. , Gottlieb Geoffrey S. , Abernethy Neil , Mullins James I. , Mittler John E. , Goodreau Steven M.
Published: February 2017

Development of an HIV vaccine is essential to ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic. However, vaccines can result in the emergence and spread of vaccine-resistant strains. Indeed, analyses of breakthrough infections in the HIV vaccine trial RV144 identified HIV genotypes with differential rates of transmission in vaccine and placebo recipients. We hypothesized that, for HIV vaccination programs based on partially effective vaccines similar to RV144, HIV adaptation will diminish the expected vaccine impact. Using two HIV epidemic models, we simulated large-scale vaccination programs and, critically, included HIV strain diversity with respect to the vaccine response. We show here that rapid population-level viral adaptation can lead to decreased overall vaccine efficacy and substantially fewer infections averted by vaccination, when comparing scenarios with and without viral evolution (depending on vaccination coverage, vaccine efficacy against the sensitive allele, and the initial resistant allele frequency). Translating this to the epidemic in South Africa, a scenario with 70% vaccination coverage may result in 250,000 new infections within 10 years of vaccine rollout that are due solely to HIV adaptation, all else being equal. These findings suggest that approaches to HIV vaccine development, program implementation, and epidemic modeling may require attention to viral evolutionary responses to vaccination.
Decoding temporal interpretation of the morphogen Bicoid in the earlyDrosophilaembryo
Authors: Huang Anqi , Amourda Christopher , Zhang Shaobo , Tolwinski Nicholas S. , Saunders Timothy E.
Published: February 2017

Morphogen gradients provide essential spatial information during development. Not only the local concentration but also duration of morphogen exposure is critical for correct cell fate decisions. Yet, how and when cells temporally integrate signals from a morphogen remains unclear. Here, we use optogenetic manipulation to switch off Bicoid-dependent transcription in the earlyDrosophilaembryo with high temporal resolution, allowing time-specific and reversible manipulation of morphogen signalling. We find that Bicoid transcriptional activity is dispensable for embryonic viability in the first hour after fertilization, but persistently required throughout the rest of the blastoderm stage. Short interruptions of Bicoid activity alter the most anterior cell fate decisions, while prolonged inactivation expands patterning defects from anterior to posterior. Such anterior susceptibility correlates with high reliance of anterior gap gene expression on Bicoid. Therefore, cell fates exposed to higher Bicoid concentration require input for longer duration, demonstrating a previously unknown aspect of morphogen decoding.