bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of sugammadex and neostigmine–atropine on intraocular pressure and postoperative effects
Authors: Hakimoğlu Sedat , Tuzcu Kasım , Davarcı Işıl , Karcıoğlu Murat , Ayhan Tuzcu Esra , Hancı Volkan , Aydın Suzan , Kahraman Hilal , Elbeyli Ahmet , Turhanoğlu Selim
Published: February 2016

During surgery, changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) can be observed resulting from several factors, such as airway manipulations and drugs used. We aimed to investigate the effects of sugammadex and neostigmine on IOP, hemodynamic parameters, and complications after extubation. Our study comprised 60 patients, aged 18–65 years, with a risk status of the American Society of Anesthesiologists I–II who underwent arthroscopic surgery under general anesthesia. The patients were randomly assigned into two groups. At the end of the surgery, the neuromuscular block was reversed using neostigmine (50 μg/kg) plus atropine (15 μg/kg) in Group 1, and sugammadex (4 mg/kg) in Group 2. Neuromuscular blockade was monitored using acceleromyography and a train‐of‐four mode of stimulation. IOP was measured before induction and at 30 seconds, 2 minutes, and 10 minutes after extubation. A Tono‐Pen XL applanation tonometer was used to measure IOP. This showed that elevation in IOP of patients reversed using sugammadex was similar to that recorded in patients reversed using neostigmine–atropine. When heart rate was compared, there was a significant difference between basal values and those obtained at 30 seconds and 10 minutes after extubation in the neostigmine–atropine group. Extubation time (time from withdrawal of anesthetic gas to extubation) was significantly shorter in the sugammadex group (p = 0.003) than in the neostigmine–atropine group. The postextubation IOP values of the sugammadex group were similar to the neostigmine–atropine group. Extubation time (time from withdrawal of anesthetic gas to extubation) was significantly shorter in the sugammadex group (p = 0.003) than in the neostigmine–atropine group.
Delayed sequence intubation: is it ready for prime time?
Authors: Taylor John A. , Hohl Corinne Michele
Published: February 2016

Clinical question

Does delayed sequence intubation (DSI) improve preoxygenation and safety when intubating otherwise uncooperative patients?

Article chosen

Weingart SD, Trueger S, Wong N, et al. Delayed sequence intubation: a prospective observational study. Ann Emerg Med 2015;65(4):349-55. doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2014.09.025

Objective

To investigate whether the administration of ketamine 3 minutes prior to the administration of a muscle relaxant allows for optimal preoxygenation in uncooperative patients undergoing intubation.
In Situ Ptychography of Heterogeneous Catalysts using Hard X-Rays: High Resolution Imaging at Ambient Pressure and Elevated Temperature
Authors: Baier Sina , Damsgaard Christian D. , Scholz Maria , Benzi Federico , Rochet Amélie , Hoppe Robert , Scherer Torsten , Shi Junjie , Wittstock Arne , Weinhausen Britta , Wagner Jakob B. , Schroer Christian G. , Grunwaldt Jan-Dierk
Published: February 2016

A new closed cell is presented for in situ X-ray ptychography which allows studies under gas flow and at elevated temperature. In order to gain complementary information by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, the cell makes use of a Protochips E-chipTM which contains a small, thin electron transparent window and allows heating. Two gold-based systems, 50 nm gold particles and nanoporous gold as a relevant catalyst sample, were used for studying the feasibility of the cell. Measurements showing a resolution around 40 nm have been achieved under a flow of synthetic air and during heating up to temperatures of 933 K. An elevated temperature exhibited little influence on image quality and resolution. With this study, the potential of in situ hard X-ray ptychography for investigating annealing processes of real catalyst samples is demonstrated. Furthermore, the possibility to use the same sample holder for ex situ electron microscopy before and after the in situ study underlines the unique possibilities available with this combination of electron microscopy and X-ray microscopy on the same sample.
Sun's Magnetic Fields Best at Forecasting Solar Cycle Peaks
Authors: Higginson Aleida
Published: February 2016

Models based on the Sun's polar magnetic fields performed best in simulating the solar cycle and predicting solar behavior.
Calcium imaging of sleep–wake related neuronal activity in the dorsal pons
Authors: Cox Julia , Pinto Lucas , Dan Yang
Published: February 2016

The dorsal pons has long been implicated in the generation of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, but the underlying circuit mechanisms remain poorly understood. Using cell-type-specific microendoscopic Ca2+ imaging in and near the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, we found that many glutamatergic neurons are maximally active during REM sleep (REM-max), while the majority of GABAergic neurons are maximally active during wakefulness (wake-max). Furthermore, the activity of glutamatergic neurons exhibits a medio-lateral spatial gradient, with medially located neurons more selectively active during REM sleep.
A workflow to process 3D+time microscopy images of developing organisms and reconstruct their cell lineage
Authors: Faure Emmanuel , Savy Thierry , Rizzi Barbara , Melani Camilo , Stašová Olga , Fabrèges Dimitri , Špir Róbert , Hammons Mark , Čúnderlík Róbert , Recher Gaëlle , Lombardot Benoît , Duloquin Louise , Colin Ingrid , Kollár Jozef , Desnoulez Sophie , Affaticati Pierre , Maury Benoît , Boyreau Adeline , Nief Jean-Yves , Calvat Pascal , Vernier Philippe , Frain Monique , Lutfalla Georges , Kergosien Yannick , Suret Pierre , Remešíková Mariana , Doursat René , Sarti Alessandro , Mikula Karol , Peyriéras Nadine , Bourgine Paul
Published: February 2016

The quantitative and systematic analysis of embryonic cell dynamics from in vivo 3D+time image data sets is a major challenge at the forefront of developmental biology. Despite recent breakthroughs in the microscopy imaging of living systems, producing an accurate cell lineage tree for any developing organism remains a difficult task. We present here the BioEmergences workflow integrating all reconstruction steps from image acquisition and processing to the interactive visualization of reconstructed data. Original mathematical methods and algorithms underlie image filtering, nucleus centre detection, nucleus and membrane segmentation, and cell tracking. They are demonstrated on zebrafish, ascidian and sea urchin embryos with stained nuclei and membranes. Subsequent validation and annotations are carried out using Mov-IT, a custom-made graphical interface. Compared with eight other software tools, our workflow achieved the best lineage score. Delivered in standalone or web service mode, BioEmergences and Mov-IT offer a unique set of tools for in silico experimental embryology.
Thyroid Transcription Factor 1 Reprograms Angiogenic Activities of Secretome
Authors: Wood Lauren W. , Cox Nicole I. , Phelps Cody A. , Lai Shao-Chiang , Poddar Arjun , Talbot Conover , Mu David
Published: February 2016

Through both gain- and loss-of-TTF-1 expression strategies, we show that TTF-1 positively regulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and that theVEGFpromoter element contains multiple TTF-1-responsive sequences. The major signaling receptor for VEGF, i.e VEGFR2, also appears to be under a direct and positive regulation of TTF-1. The TTF-1-dependent upregulation of VEGF was moderately sensitive to rapamycin, implicating a partial involvement of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). However, hypoxia did not further increase the secreted VEGF level of the TTF-1+lung cancer cells. The TTF-1-induced VEGF upregulation occurs in both compartments (exosomes and exosome-depleted media (EDM)) of the conditioned media. Surprisingly, the EDM of TTF-1+lung cancer cells (designated EDM-TTF-1+) displayed an anti-angiogenic activity in the endothelial cell tube formation assay. Mechanistic studies suggest that the increased granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) level in the EDM-TTF-1+conferred the antiangiogenic activities. In human lung cancer, the expression ofTTF-1andGM-CSFexhibits a statistically significant and positive correlation. In summary, this study provides evidence that TTF-1 may reprogram lung cancer secreted proteome into an antiangiogenic state, offering a novel basis to account for the long-standing observation of favorable prognosis associated with TTF-1+lung adenocarcinomas.
Tailoring the Oxygen Content of Graphite and Reduced Graphene Oxide for Specific Applications
Authors: Morimoto Naoki , Kubo Takuya , Nishina Yuta
Published: February 2016

Graphene oxide (GO) is widely recognized as a promising material in a variety of fields, but its structure and composition has yet to be fully controlled. We have developed general strategies to control the oxidation degree of graphene-like materials via two methods: oxidation of graphite by KMnO4in H2SO4(oGO) and reduction of highly oxidized GO by hydrazine (rGO). Even though the oxygen content may be the same, oGO and rGO have different properties, for example the adsorption ability, oxidation ability and electron conductivity. These differences in property arise from the difference in the underlying graphitic structure and the type of defect present. Our results can be used as a guideline for the production of tailor-made graphitic carbons. As an example, we show that rGO with 23.1 wt% oxygen showed the best performance as an electrode of an electric double-layer capacitor.
Specific IgA Enhances the Transcytosis and Excretion of Hepatitis A Virus
Authors: Counihan Natalie A. , Anderson David A.
Published: February 2016

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) replicates in the liver, and is excreted from the body in feces. However, the mechanisms of HAV transport from hepatocytes to the gastrointestinal tract are poorly understood, mainly due to lack of suitable in vitro models. Here, we use a polarized hepatic cell line and in vivo models to demonstrate vectorial transport of HAV from hepatocytes into bile via the apical cell membrane. Although this transport is specific for HAV, the rate of fecal excretion in inefficient, accounting for less than 1% of input virus from the bloodstream per hour. However, we also found that the rate of HAV excretion was enhanced in the presence of HAV-specific IgA. Using mice lacking the polymeric IgA receptor (pIgR−/−), we show that a proportion of HAV:IgA complexes are transported via the pIgR demonstrating a role for specific antibody in pathogen excretion.
Game auction prices are not related to biodiversity contributions of southern African ungulates and large carnivores
Authors: Dalerum Fredrik , Miranda Maria
Published: February 2016

There is an urgent need for human societies to become environmentally sustainable. Because public policy is largely driven by economic processes, quantifications of the relationship between market prices and environmental values can provide important information for developing strategies towards sustainability. Wildlife in southern Africa is often privately owned and traded at game auctions to be utilized for commercial purposes mostly related to tourism. This market offers an interesting opportunity to evaluate how market prices relate to biologically meaningful species characteristics. In this market, prices were not correlated with species contributions to either phylogenetic or functional diversity and species contributions to phylogenetic or functional diversity did not influence the trends in prices over time for the past 20 years. Since this economic market did not seem to appreciate evolutionary or ecologically relevant characteristics, we question if the game tourism market may contribute towards biodiversity conservation in southern Africa. We suggest that market prices in general may have limited values as guides for directing conservation and environmental management. We further suggest that there is a need to evaluate what humans value in biological organisms and how potentially necessary shifts in such values can be instigated.
Improved lipids, diastolic pressure and kidney function are potential contributors to familial longevity: a study on 60 Chinese centenarian families
Authors: He Yong-Han , Pu Shao-Yan , Xiao Fu-Hui , Chen Xiao-Qiong , Yan Dong-Jing , Liu Yao-Wen , Lin Rong , Liao Xiao-Ping , Yu Qin , Yang Li-Qin , Yang Xing-Li , Ge Ming-Xia , Li Ying , Jiang Jian-Jun , Cai Wang-Wei , Kong Qing-Peng
Published: February 2016

Centenarians are a good healthy aging model. Interestingly, centenarians’ offspring are prone to achieve longevity. Here we recruited 60 longevity families and investigated the blood biochemical indexes of family members to seek candidate factors associated with familial longevity. First, associations of blood indexes with age were tested. Second, associations of blood parameters in centenarians (CEN) with their first generation of offspring (F1) and F1 spouses (F1SP) were analyzed. Third, genes involved in regulating target factors were investigated. We found that total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) increased with age (20–80 years), but decreased in CEN. Similarly, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and blood creatinine (BCr) increased with age (20–80 years), but were maintained on a plateau in CEN. Importantly, we first revealed dual changes in blood pressure, i.e., decreased diastolic blood pressure but increased systolic blood pressure in CEN, which associated with altered CST3 expression. Genetic analysis revealed a significant association of blood uric acid (BUA) and BCr in CEN with F1 but not with F1SP, suggesting they may be heritable traits. Taken together, our results suggest serum lipids, kidney function and especially diastolic pressure rather than systolic pressure were improved in CEN or their offspring, suggesting these factors may play an important role in familial longevity.
Multipolar Effects in the Optical Active Second Harmonic Generation from Sawtooth Chiral Metamaterials
Authors: Su Huimin , Guo Yuxiang , Gao Wensheng , Ma Jie , Zhong Yongchun , Tam Wing Yim , Chan C. T. , Wong Kam Sing
Published: February 2016

Based on the facts that chiral molecules response differently to left- and right-handed circular polarized light, chiroptical effects are widely employed for determining structure chirality, detecting enantiomeric excess, or controlling chemical reactions of molecules. Compared to those in natural materials, chiroptical behaviors can be significantly amplified in chiral plasmonic metamaterials due to the concentrated local fields in the structure. The on-going research towards giant chiroptical effects in metamaterial generally focus on optimizing the field-enhancement effects. However, the observed chiroptical effects in metamaterials rely on more complicated factors and various possibilities towards giant chiroptical effects remains unexplored. Here we study the optical-active second harmonic generation (SHG) behaviors in a pair of planar sawtooth gratings with mirror-imaged patterns. Significant multipolar effects were observed in the polarization-dependent SHG curves. We show that the chirality of the nanostructure not only give rise to nonzero chiral susceptibility tensor components within the electric-dipole approximation, but also lead to different levels of multipolar interactions for the two orthogonal circular polarizations that further enhance the nonlinear optical activity of the material. Our results thus indicate novel ways to optimize nonlinear plasmonic structures and achieve giant chiroptical response via multipolar interactions.
Cell intrinsic role of NF-κB-inducing kinase in regulating T cell-mediated immune and autoimmune responses
Authors: Li Yanchuan , Wang Hui , Zhou Xiaofei , Xie Xiaoping , Chen Xiang , Jie Zuliang , Zou Qiang , Hu Hongbo , Zhu Lele , Cheng Xuhong , Brightbill Hans D , Wu Lawren C. , Wang Linfang , Sun Shao-Cong
Published: February 2016

NF-κB inducing kinase (NIK) is a central component of the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway. Although NIK has been extensively studied for its function in the regulation of lymphoid organ development and B-cell maturation, the role of NIK in regulating T cell functions remains unclear and controversial. Using T cell-conditional NIK knockout mice, we here demonstrate that although NIK is dispensable for thymocyte development, it has a cell-intrinsic role in regulating the homeostasis and function of peripheral T cells. T cell-specific NIK ablation reduced the frequency of effector/memory-like T cells and impaired T cell responses to bacterial infection. The T cell-conditional NIK knockout mice were also defective in generation of inflammatory T cells and refractory to the induction of a T cell-dependent autoimmune disease, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Our data suggest a crucial role for NIK in mediating the generation of effector T cells and their recall responses to antigens. Together, these findings establish NIK as a cell-intrinsic mediator of T cell functions in both immune and autoimmune responses.
Identification of different pathways of electron injection in dye-sensitised solar cells of electrodeposited ZnO using an indoline sensitiser
Authors: Minda Iulia , Ahmed Essraa , Sleziona Vivien , Richter Christoph , Beu Max , Falgenhauer Jane , Miura Hidetoshi , Schlettwein Derck , Schwoerer Heinrich
Published: February 2016

Charge transfer dynamics in fully operational dye sensitised solar cells as observed using ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy.
Towards natural-fibre-based thermoplastic films produced by conventional papermaking
Authors: Larsson P. A. , Wågberg L.
Published: February 2016

Strong and ductile barrier materials based on cellulose are predicted to be of great importance in a sustainable society. Such materials can be achieved by partial conversion of the cellulose of wood fibres to dialcohol cellulose. The chemical modification does not compromise the macroscopic fibre structure and still allows for rapid processing by conventional papermaking.
Recent advances in catalytic CO2 reduction by organometal complexes anchored on modified electrodes
Authors: Sun Cunfa , Gobetto Roberto , Nervi Carlo
Published: February 2016

A critical overview of the very recent literature on heterogeneous electrochemical catalysis of CO2 reduction with organic metal modified electrodes is summarized by taking into account different functionalization methods.
Electric, magnetic, piezoelectric and magnetoelectric studies of phase pure (BiFeO3–NaNbO3)–(P(VDF-TrFE)) nanocomposite films prepared by spin coating
Authors: Ummer Rehana P. , B Raneesh , Thevenot Camille , Rouxel Didier , Thomas Sabu , Kalarikkal Nandakumar
Published: February 2016

(BiFeO3–NaNbO3)–(P(VDF-TrFE)) co-polymer thin films were fabricated by spin coating technique and their electric, magnetic, electromechanical and magnetoelectric properties were investigated.
Typical MSW odor abatement using sludge derived carbon prepared by activation with Fenton’s reagent and NaClO
Authors: Ziyang Lou , Chen Miao , Yachen Wang , Nanwen Zhu , Vityi Andrea , Czupy Imre
Published: February 2016

Sludge derived carbon (SBC) is a potential resource way for sewage sludge, and chemical pre-treatment is a necessary activation method for the improvement of the SBC quality.
Nitrogen-doped porous graphene with surface decorated MnO2 nanowires as a high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Jiang Cheng , Yuan Chenpei , Li Peihang , Wang Heng-guo , Li Yanhui , Duan Qian
Published: February 2016

Nitrogen-doped porous graphene with surface decorated MnO2 nanowires is used as a high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries.
Phosphorylated poly(sebacoyl diglyceride) – a phosphate functionalized biodegradable polymer for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Huang Peng , Bi Xiaoping , Gao Jin , Sun Lijie , Wang Shaofei , Chen Shuo , Fan Xianqun , You Zhengwei , Wang Yadong
Published: February 2016

This study demonstrates a simply powerful way to make therapeutic materials: using small functional units (phosphates) to control bioactivity (osteogenesis).
Fabrication of a multifunctional graphene/polyvinylphosphonic acid/cotton nanocomposite via facile spray layer-by-layer assembly
Authors: Nooralian Zoha , Parvinzadeh Gashti Mazeyar , Ebrahimi Izadyar
Published: February 2016

Dispersibility and zeta potential of functionalized graphene in water with CTAB.
Quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics study of the reaction mechanism of quorum quenching enzyme: N-acyl homoserine lactonase with C6-HSL
Authors: Zhang Shujun , Su Hao , Ma Guangcai , Liu Yongjun
Published: February 2016

N-Acyl-homoserine lactonase fromOchrobactrumsp. strain (AidH) is a novel AHL (N-acyl-homoserine lactone)-lactonase that hydrolyzes the ester bond of the homoserine lactone ring of AHLs.
Altering C2H4/C3H6 yield in methanol to light olefins over HZSM-5, SAPO-34 and SAPO-34/HZSM-5 nanostructured catalysts: influence of Si/Al ratio and composite formation
Authors: Mohammadkhani Bahman , Haghighi Mohammad , Sadeghpour Parisa
Published: February 2016

HZSM-5 zeolites with various Si/Al ratios were synthesized by hydrothermal method and the sample with optimum Si/Al ratio combined with SAPO-34. In MTO reaction, SAPO-34/HZSM-5 composite shows high activity and selectivity toward light olefins.
Marginal solvents preferentially improve the molecular order of thin polythiophene films
Authors: Kim Shinae , Lee Wi Hyoung , Mun Junyoung , Lee Hwa Sung , Park Yeong Don
Published: February 2016

The impact of the solvent exposure was more pronounced in thin P3HT films, especially at the center of the film. Concomitant with the improved ordering, the charge carrier transport increased in the resulting field-effect transistors.
Functionalization of ZnO aggregate films via iodine-doping and TiO2 decorating for enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity and stability
Authors: Wang Yuan , Fang Hua-Bin , Ye Rong-Qin , Zheng Yan-Zhen , Li Nan , Tao Xia
Published: February 2016

A multifunctional visible-light-driven photocatalyst composed of ZnO aggregates film via iodine-doping and TiO2 decorating is developed.
A nanocomposite membrane composed of incorporated nano-alumina within sulfonated PVDF-co-HFP/Nafion blend as separating barrier in a single chambered microbial fuel cell
Authors: Kumar Vikash , Kumar Piyush , Nandy Arpita , Kundu Patit P.
Published: February 2016

Nano-Al2O3 is incorporated within the blend of sulfonated PVDF-co-HFP/Nafion in varying molar ratios for the preparation of nanocomposite membranes.
Rapid electrochemical detection of single influenza viruses tagged with silver nanoparticles
Authors: Sepunaru Lior , Plowman Blake J. , Sokolov Stanislav V. , Young Neil P. , Compton Richard G.
Published: February 2016

Using a state of the art nano-electrochemical technique, we show that a single virus ‘tagged’ with silver nanoparticles can be rapidly detected in real time at the single virus level.
Cu superstructures hydrothermally reduced by leaves and derived Cu–Co3O4 hybrids for flexible solid-state electrochemical energy storage devices
Authors: Pang Huan , Li Bing , Zhao Qunxing , Lai Wen-Yong , Huang Wei
Published: February 2016

A Cu–Co3O4 hybrid//activated carbon EES device is successfully assembled, and shows great performance, which represents the first report of this material being applied for supercapacitors.
Association between Lipid Accumulation Product and Hirsutism in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Oliveira Flávia Ribeiro de , Rezende Mariana Bicalho , Faria Nícolas Figueiredo , Dias Tomás Ribeiro Gonçalves , Oliveira Walter Carlos Santos de , Rocha Ana Luiza Lunardi , Cândido Ana Lúcia
Published: February 2016

Objective Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine metabolic disorder in women between menarche and menopause. Clinical hyperandrogenism is the most important diagnostic criterion of the syndrome, which manifests as hirsutism in 70% of cases. Hirsute carriers of PCOS have high cardiovascular risk. Lipid accumulation product (LAP) is an index for the evaluation of lipid accumulation in adults and the prediction of cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between LAP and hirsutism in women with PCOS.

Methods This was a cross-sectional observational study of a secondary database, which included 263 patients who had visited the Hyperandrogenism Outpatient Clinic from November 2009 to July 2014. The exclusion criteria were patients without Ferriman-Gallwey index (FGI) and/or LAP data. We used the Rotterdam criteria for the diagnosis of PCOS. All patients underwent medical assessment followed by measurement and recording of anthropometric data and the laboratory tests for measurement of the following: thyroid-stimulating hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, total testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone (follicular phase), glycohemoglobin A1c, and basal insulin. In addition, the subjects underwent lipid profiling and oral glucose tolerance tests. Other laboratory measurements were determined according to clinical criteria. LAP and the homeostatic model assessment index (HOMA-IR) were calculated using the data obtained. We divided patients into two groups: the PCOS group with normal LAP (< 34.5) and the PCOS group with altered LAP (> 34.5) to compare the occurrence of hirsutism. For statistical analysis, we used SPSS Statistics for Windows® and Microsoft Excel programs, with descriptive (frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations) and comparative analyses (Student's t-test and Chi-square test). We considered relations significant when the p-value was ≤ 0.05.

Results LAP was high in most patients (n = 177; 67.3%) and the FGI indicated that 58.5% of the patients (n = 154) had hirsutism. The analysis by LAP quartiles showed a positive correlation (p = 0.04) among patients with a high FGI and an upper quartile LAP (> 79.5) when compared with those with LAP < 29.0 (lower quartile).

Conclusion This study demonstrated an association between high LAP and hirsutism. The FGI could represent a simple and low-cost tool to infer an increased cardiovascular risk in women with PCOS.
Lung cancer interval times from point of referral to the acute health sector to the start of first treatment
Authors: Largey Geraldine , Ristevski Eli , Chambers Helen , Davis Heather , Briggs Peter
Published: February 2016

Objective
The aim of the present study was to compare lung cancer diagnostic and treatment intervals with agreed target measures across three large public health services in Victoria and assess any differences in interval times by treatment type and health service.

Methods
A retrospective medical record audit of 78 patients admitted with a new diagnosis of lung cancer was conducted. Interval times from referral to diagnosis, diagnosis to first treatment and referral to first treatment were recorded in three treatment types: surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Results
There was a significant difference in the mean number of days from referral to diagnosis by treatment type. Patients who underwent surgery waited significantly longer (mean (± s.d.) 41.6 ± 38.4 days) to obtain a diagnosis than those who received radiotherapy (15.1 ± 18.6 days). Only 47% of surgical patients obtained a diagnosis within the recommended 28 days. Moreover, only 45% and 44% of patients, respectively, met the diagnosis-to-treatment target of 14 days and referral-to-treatment target of 42 days.

Conclusion
The present study highlights the effect of treatment type on lung cancer referral interval times. It demonstrates the benefits of using evidenced-based interval target times to benchmark and compare performance outcomes in lung cancer.

What is known about the topic?
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in Australia and has the lowest 5-year survival rate of all cancer types. Delays in the diagnosis of lung cancer can change the prognosis from potentially curable to incurable, particularly in faster-growing tumours.

What does this paper add?
This study reveals treatment type was a greater factor in explaining variations in diagnosis and treatment than health service. Surgical patients were consistently lower in meeting the recommended interval targets across referral to diagnosis, diagnosis to treatment and referral to treatment.

What are the implications for practitioners?
This study demonstrates the value of using evidenced-based interval target times to benchmark and compare performance outcomes in lung cancer. Such measures may further improve prognostic outcomes in lung cancer by reducing unwanted delays.
Assessing display variability in wild brown anoles Anolis sagrei using a mechanical lizard model
Authors: Partan Sarah R. , Otovic Peter , Price Virginia L. , Brown Scott E.
Published: February 2016

Signals used for species identity ought to be highly stereotyped so as to facilitate immediate recognition by con-specifics. It is surprising therefore to find variability in putative species signature displays. The brown anole Anolis sagrei has a high degree of variability in its signature bobbing display. In this study we collected descriptive data on variability in the temporal structure of wild brown anole bobbing patterns, finding that no two displays analyzed had the same temporal structure, and we also tested whether wild brown anoles prefer the signature display over an alternate display pattern by using mechanical robot playbacks in the field. As a response metric we assessed whether or not the lizards showed social responses (pushup, dewlap extension, or head-nod) in response to the robotic presentations. We found that the lizards responded slightly more to the signature than to the alternate pattern, providing support for the idea that despite the variability seen in displays, the signature pattern is meaningful to them. We tested two other independent variables: speed of the display and elevation of the robot during its display, neither of which was significant. Dewlap extensions were given predominantly by adult males and were more likely to be given in the breeding season than the nonbreeding season. Pushups and head-nods were given equally by males and a combined class of females and juveniles, and were not seasonal. Head-nods increased after the robot turned off, suggesting that they may be used in a conversational turn-taking style during communication.
Hear no evil: The effect of auditory warning signals on avian innate avoidance, learned avoidance and memory
Authors: Siddall Emma C. , Marples Nicola M.
Published: February 2016

Many aposematic insect species advertise their toxicity to potential predators using olfactory and auditory signals, in addition to visual signals, to produce a multimodal warning display. The olfactory signals in these displays may have interesting effects, such as eliciting innate avoidance against novel colored prey, or improving learning and memory of defended prey. However, little is known about the effects of such ancillary signals when they are auditory rather than olfactory. The few studies that have investigated this question have provided conflicting results. The current study sought to clarify and extend understanding of the effects of prey auditory signals on avian predator responses. The domestic chick Gallus gallus domesticus was used as a model avian predator to examine how the defensive buzzing sound of a bumblebee Bombus terrestris affected the chick’s innate avoidance behavior, and the learning and memory of prey avoidance. The results demonstrate that the buzzing sound had no effect on the predator’s responses to unpalatable aposematically colored crumbs, suggesting that the agitated buzzing of B. terrestris may provide no additional protection from avian predators.
Extreme climatic events in relation to global change and their impact on life histories
Authors: Moreno Juan , Møller Anders Pape
Published: February 2016

Extreme weather conditions occur at an increasing rate as evidenced by higher frequency of hurricanes and more extreme precipitation and temperature anomalies. Such extreme environmental conditions will have important implications for all living organisms through greater frequency of reproductive failure and reduced adult survival. We review examples of reproductive failure and reduced survival related to extreme weather conditions. Phenotypic plasticity may not be sufficient to allow adaptation to extreme weather for many animals. Theory predicts reduced reproductive effort as a response to increased stochasticity. We predict that patterns of natural selection will change towards truncation selection as environmental conditions become more extreme. Such changes in patterns of selection may facilitate adaptation to extreme events. However, effects of selection on reproductive effort are difficult to detect. We present a number of predictions for the effects of extreme weather conditions in need of empirical tests. Finally, we suggest a number of empirical reviews that could improve our ability to judge the effects of extreme environmental conditions on life history.
Comprehension of functional support by enculturated chimpanzees Pan troglodytes
Authors: Yocom Anna M. , Boysen Sarah T.
Published: February 2016

Studies of causal understanding of tool relationships in captive chimpanzees have yielded disparate findings, particularly those reported by Povinelli & colleagues (2000) for tool tasks by laboratory chimpanzees. The present set of experiments tested nine enculturated chimpanzees on three versions of a support task, as described by Povinelli (2000), during which food rewards were presented in different experimental configurations. In Experiment 1, stimulus pairs included a choice between a cloth with a reward on the upper right corner or with a second reward off the cloth, adjacent to a corner, with the second pair comprised of a cloth with food on the upper right corner, and a second cloth with the reward on the substrate, partially covered. All subjects were successful with both test conditions in Experiment 1. In a second study, the experimental choices included one of two possible correct options, paired with one of three incorrect options, with the three incorrect choices all involving varying degrees of perceptual containment. All nine chimpanzees scored significantly above chance across all six conditions. In Experiment 3, four unique conditions were presented, combining one of two possible correct choices with one of two incorrect choices. Six of the subjects scored significantly above chance across the four conditions, and group performance on individual conditions was also significant. Superior performance was demonstrated by female subjects in Experiment 3, similar to sex differences in tool use previously reported for wild chimpanzees and some tool tasks in captive chimpanzees. The present results for Experiments 2 & 3 were significantly differed from those reported by Povinelli et al. (2000) for laboratory-born, peer-reared chimpanzees. One contribution towards the dramatic differences between the two study populations may be the significant rearing and housing differences of the chimpanzee groups. One explanation is that under conditions of enculturation, rich social interactions with humans and conspecifics, as well as active exploration of artifacts, materials, and other aspects of their physical environment had a significant impact on the animals’ ability to recognize the support relationships among the stimulus choices. Overall, the present findings provide strong support for the hypothesis that our chimpanzee subjects based their responses on an understanding of functional support which represented one facet of their folk physics repertoire.
Assessing the vulnerability of Dutch water bodies to exotic species: A new methodology
Authors: Leewis R.J. , Gittenberger A.
Published: February 2016

Invasive exotic (alien) species have not been taken into enough consideration concerning the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) and other European directives until recently. The Dutch ministry responsible for water management is looking for ways to establish the impacts that invasive alien species may have on specified water types. This paper concentrates on the vulnerability of such water types to the introduction of exotic species. This new approach focusses on the system where the alien species are introduced into rather than only on the alien species themselves. We propose an equation that combines threats to and in water types with effects of particular species (observed or prognosticated). Numerical values used in the formula have been found by scoring a number of properties in different water types and species, which are specified in questionnaires. The results of the calculations are given as relative vulnerability scores (scale 1–10). By testing as many as 8 water types and 13 species, we demonstrate that this method is flexible and easy to use for water managers. Our results can be translated into classes of vulnerability, which are represented on geographical maps with colour codes to indicate different degrees of vulnerability in the different water bodies. This readily corresponds to the way countries are required to report to the European Union in the context of the WFD. The method can also be generalized using functional groups of (exotic) species instead of particular species.
The influence of mitochondria in epigenetics revealed through naturally occurring fish cybrids
Authors: Angers Bernard , Dallaire Antoine , Vervaet Simon , Vallières Francis , Angers Annie
Published: February 2016

Epigenetic processes are important mechanisms for phenotypic changes that occur in response to the environment. As such, it is expected that the alteration of cytoplasmic composition (the immediate environment of nuclei) results in the modification of the methylome and the expression of the nuclear genome. Cytoplasmic hybrids (or cybrids) are an ideal model to study the influence of mitochondria on gene expression. In this study, we take advantage of the natural co-occurrence of two biotypes that have a similar nuclear genome type Chrosomus eos, but harbor mitochondria from different species (C. eos in wild type or C. neogaeus in cybrids) to assess the effects of mitochondria on DNA methylation profiles and protein expression of the nuclear genome. Comparison between these biotypes is particularly relevant given their recent divergence and their low level of genetic differentiation. Variations of DNA methylation assessed on tissues from different embryonic origins revealed the distinct profiles of cybrid and wild type populations. Differences are more pronounced between wild type and cybrids than between populations of a given biotype. The proteome is also more different between biotypes than within a given biotype. These results indicate a strong influence of mitochondria on the nuclear genome, which remains detectable in different genetic and environmental contexts. These changes in the methylome and proteome of cybrids are expected to reflect the adjustments imposed by the coexistence of nuclear and mitochondrial genomes from different species.
Developmental rate: A unifying mechanism for sympatric divergence in postglacial fishes?
Authors: Mcphee Megan V. , Noakes David L. G. , Allendorf Fred W.
Published: February 2016

Morphologically divergent ecotypes arise in fish populations on postglacial time scales, and resource polymorphisms are often invoked to explain their origin. However, genetic recombination can constrain the ability of divergent selection to produce reproductive isolation in sympatry. Recombination breaks up favorable combinations of traits (“adaptive suites”) if individual traits are affected by different loci. Recombination also breaks up any association between traits under divergent selection and traits contributing to reproductive isolation. Thus, ecological speciation in the absence of preexisting barriers to gene flow is more likely when pleiotropy minimizes the number of loci involved. Here, we revisit research conducted by Carl Hubbs in the early 1900s on the effects of developmental rate on morphological traits in fishes. Hubbs’ work provides a mechanism to explain how sympatric divergence by trophic polymorphism can occur despite the challenges of recombination. We consider the implications of Hubbs’ observations for ecological speciation with gene flow in fishes, as well as rapid evolution in captive fish populations.
Consistent individual differences in fathering in threespined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus
Authors: Stein Laura R. , Bell Alison M.
Published: February 2016

There is growing evidence that individual animals show consistent differences in behavior. For example, individual threespined stickleback fish differ in how they react to predators and how aggressive they are during social interactions with con-specifics. A relatively unexplored but potentially important axis of variation is parental behavior. In sticklebacks, fathers provide all of the parental care that is necessary for offspring survival; therefore paternal care is directly tied to fitness. In this study, we assessed whether individual male sticklebacks differ consistently from each other in parental behavior. We recorded visits to nest, total time fanning, and activity levels of 11 individual males every day throughout one clutch, and then allowed the males to breed again. Half of the males were exposed to predation risk while parenting during the first clutch, and the other half of the males experienced predation risk during the second clutch. We detected dramatic temporal changes in parental behaviors over the course of the clutch: for example, total time fanning increased six-fold prior to eggs hatching, then decreased to approximately zero. Despite these temporal changes, males retained their individually-distinctive parenting styles within a clutch that could not be explained by differences in body size or egg mass. Moreover, individual differences in parenting were maintained when males reproduced for a second time. Males that were exposed to simulated predation risk briefly decreased fanning and increased activity levels. Altogether, these results show that individual sticklebacks consistently differ from each other in how they behave as parents.
Changes in nectar supply: A possible cause of widespread butterfly decline
Authors: Wallisdevries Michiel F. , Van Swaay Chris A.M. , Plate Calijn L.
Published: February 2016

Recent studies have documented declining trends of various groups of flower-visiting insects, even common butterfly species. Causes of these declines are still unclear but the loss of habitat quality across the wider countryside is thought to be a major factor. Nectar supply constitutes one of the main resources determining habitat quality. Yet, data on changes in nectar abundance are lacking. In this study, we provide the first analysis of changes in floral nectar abundance on a national scale and link these data to trends in butterfly species richness and abundance. We used transect data from the Dutch Butterfly Monitoring Scheme to compare two time periods: 1994-1995 and 2007-2008. The results show that butterfly decline can indeed be linked to a substantial decline in overall flower abundance and specific nectar plants, such as thistles. The decline is as severe in reported flower generalists as in flower specialists. We suggest that eutrophication is a main cause of the decline of nectar sources.
Can sexual selection and disassortative mating contribute to the maintenance of a shell color polymorphism in an intertidal marine snail?
Authors: Rolán-Alvarez Emilio , Saura María , Diz Angel P. , José Rivas María , Alvarez Marga , Cortés Beatriz , Coo Alicia de , Estévez Daniel , Iglesias Laura
Published: February 2016

Littorina fabalis is an intertidal snail commonly living on the brown algae Fucus vesiculosus and showing frequent shell-color polymorphisms in the wild. The evolutionary mechanism underlying this polymorphism is currently unknown. Shell color variation was studied in mated and non-mated specimens of this species from different microareas in one locality from NW Spain, in order to estimate sexual selection and assortative mating that may (still) be operating in this population. The analyses across microareas allowed us to investigate frequency-dependent selection and assortative mating components, mechanisms that could maintain the polymorphism. The presence of shell scars caused by crab attacks, an environmental variable not related with sexual selection or assortative mating, was used as experimental control. This study provides new evidence of significant disas-sortative mating and some degree of sexual selection against some shell colors, supporting the results found 21 years ago in a similar study, i.e. in the same species and locality. The similarity of these estimates during the studied period suggests that this experimental approach is consistent and valid to be extended to other populations and organisms. In addition, sexual selection and assortative mating estimates did not change across microareas differing in shell color frequencies, suggesting than the polymorphism can not be maintained by a frequency-dependent (sexual selection-based) mechanism. Our main hypothesis is that negative assortative mating could contribute to the maintenance of the polymorphism, perhaps by males showing distinct female color preferences when searching for mates.
Variation in intergroup encounters among two provisioned free-ranging populations of Japanese macaques Macaca fuscata
Authors: Zhang Peng , Watanabe Kunio
Published: February 2016

Typically, Japanese macaques are thought to avoid encountering other groups wherever possible. Intergroup relations between macaques on Shodoshima Island, however, appear exceptional. We show that neighboring groups of Shodoshima monkeys spent 32.8% of their active time in proximity to (<100 m) and even foraged simultaneously at the same provisioning site with another group. The average duration and rate of intergroup encounters at Shodoshima (59.8 min, 0.33 times/hour, n=269) were approximately ten times longer and 16.5 times more frequent than those at Jigokudani (6.1 min, 0.02 times/hour, n=14). Since both populations have similar provisioning and ecological conditions, such variation cannot be explained by the socioecology model alone. Compared with other populations of Japanese macaques, intergroup relations of Shodoshima monkeys are also characterized by more frequent neutral encounters, less frequent agonistic encounters, more frequent unsuccessful displacement, a lower intensity of aggression, and more frequent counter-aggression between groups. These characteristics suggest that intergroup relationships on Shodoshima Island are more tolerant than those in other Japanese macaque populations. This study reveals considerable differences in intergroup encounters within local populations of Japanese macaques living in similar environments, and emphasizes the role of social factors in such intra-specific variation.