bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
No evidence for short‐term purging benefits of sexual selection in inbred red flour beetle populations
Authors: Prokop Z. M. , Hlebowicz K. , Gaczorek T. S. , Antoł W. M. , Martin O. Y. , Gage M. J. G. , Michalczyk Ł. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSexual selection may increase population‐level fitness by facilitating the removal of deleterious mutations with pleiotropic effects on competition for fertilizations as well as other fitness components in both sexes. Under inbreeding, this could promote purging selection, that is the removal of deleterious recessive alleles exposed in homozygotes via matings between closely related individuals. Here, in two independent experiments, we found no evidence for short‐term purging of the inbreeding load from severely bottlenecked populations of red flour beetles, Tribolium castaneum. We hypothesize that sexual selection may have dual effects on purging, corresponding to good‐genes versus compatible‐genes mechanisms. Whereas the former should facilitate the removal of inbreeding load from bottlenecked populations, the latter may actually hamper this process while simultaneously limiting inbreeding depression by preventing the expression of deleterious recessives.
Form and Orbital Tonality in the Finale of Bruckner's Seventh Symphony
Authors: HORTON JULIAN 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACTThis article investigates questions of form in the Finale of Bruckner's Seventh Symphony, paying special attention to the reversed recapitulation as a problematic category in contemporaryFormenlehre. Counterpointing Timothy Jackson's reading of the movement as a ‘tragic’ reversed sonata against James Hepokoski and Warren Darcy's critique of the concept of reversal, it seeks ways of accounting for the movement's novel form‐functional characteristics, which integrate concepts of thematic syntax with a model of chromatic tonality, drawing simultaneously on Schenkerian and neo‐Riemannian theories and the notion of the double‐tonic complex first proposed by Robert Bailey. The argument is contextualised in relation to critical debates about Bruckner's forms that originated during the composer's lifetime, especially claims of material discontinuity and harmonic illogicality, which were common in the symphonies’ pro‐Brahmsian reception and which linger in the discourse up to the present. The article's central claim is that a substantial understanding of both the Finale's form and its critical reception is attendant upon a theory of formal function, which takes seriously the difficulties of harmonic analysis that Bruckner's post‐Wagnerian idiom engenders.
Oxidosqualene cyclase and CYP716 enzymes contribute to triterpene structural diversity in the medicinal tree banaba
Authors: Sandeep  , Misra Rajesh Chandra , Chanotiya Chandan Singh , Mukhopadhyay Pradipto , Ghosh Sumit 
Published: November 2018

Summary

Pentacyclic triterpenes (PCTs) represent a major class of bioactive metabolites in banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa) leaves; however, biosynthetic enzymes and their involvement in the temporal accumulation of PCTs remain to be studied.

We use an integrated approach involving transcriptomics, metabolomics and gene function analysis to identify oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) that catalyzed sequential cyclization and oxidative reactions towards PCT scaffold diversification.

Four monofunctional OSCs (LsOSC1,3–5) converted the triterpene precursor 2,3‐oxidosqualene to either lupeol, β‐amyrin or cycloartenol, and a multifunctional LsOSC2 formed α‐amyrin as a major product along with β‐amyrin. Two CYP716 family P450s (CYP716A265, CYP716A266) catalyzed C‐28 oxidation of α‐amyrin, β‐amyrin and lupeol to form ursolic acid, oleanolic acid and betulinic acid, respectively. However, CYP716C55 catalyzed C‐2α hydroxylation of ursolic acid and oleanolic acid to produce corosolic acid and maslinic acid, respectively. Besides, combined transcript and metabolite analysis suggested major roles for the LsOSC2, CYP716A265 and CYP716C55 in determining leaf ursane and oleanane profiles.

Combinatorial expression of OSCs and CYP716s in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Nicotiana benthamiana led to PCT pathway reconstruction, signifying the utility of banaba enzymes for bioactive PCT production in alternate plant/microbial hosts that are more easily tractable than the tree species.
Biome: evolution of a crucial ecological and biogeographical concept
Authors: Mucina Ladislav 
Published: November 2018

SummaryA biome is a key community ecological and biogeographical concept and, as such, has profited from the overall progress of community ecology, punctuated by two major innovations: shifting the focus from pure pattern description to understanding functionality, and changing the approach from observational to explanatory and, most importantly, from descriptive to predictive. The functional focus enabled development of mechanistic and function‐focused predictive and retrodictive modelling; it also shaped the current understanding of the concept of a biome as a dynamic biological entity having many aspects, with deep roots in the evolutionary past, and which is undergoing change. The evolution of the biome concept was punctuated by three synthetic steps: the first synthesis formulated a solid body of theory explaining the ecological and biogeographical meaning of zonality and collated our knowledge on drivers of vegetation patterns at large spatial scales; the second translated this knowledge into effective mechanistic modelling tools, developing further the link between ecosystem functionality and biogeography; and the third (still in progress) is seeking common ground between large‐scale ecological and biogeographic phenomena, using macroecology and macroevolutionary research tools.
Estimating the incidence of atrial fibrillation in single‐chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients
Authors: Zweibel Steven , Cronin Edmond M. , Schloss Edward J. , Auricchio Angelo , Kurita Takashi , Sterns Laurence D. , Gerritse Bart , Lexcen Daniel R. , Cheng Alan 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackgroundAtrial arrhythmias are associated with major adverse cardiovascular events. Recent reports among implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients have demonstrated a high prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF), predominantly in dual‐chamber recipients. AF incidence among patients with single‐chamber systems (approximately 50% of all ICDs) is currently unknown. The objective was to estimate the prevalence of new‐onset AF among single‐chamber ICD patients by observing the rates of new atrial tachycardia (AT)/AF among a propensity scoring matched cohort of dual‐chamber ICD patients from the PainFree SmartShock technology study, to better inform screening initiatives.MethodsAmong 2770 patients enrolled, 1862 single‐chamber, dual‐chamber, and cardiac resynchronization therapy subjects with no prior history of atrial tachyarrhythmias were included. Daily AT/AF burden was estimated using a propensity score weighted model against data from dual‐chamber ICDs.ResultsOver 22 ± 9 months of follow‐up, the estimated incidence of AT/AF—lasting at least 6 min, 6 h, and 24 h per day —in the single‐chamber cohort was 22.0, 9.8, and 6.3%, whereas among dual‐chamber patients, the prevalence was 26.6, 13.1, and 7.1%, respectively. Initiation of oral anticoagulation was estimated to occur in 9.8% of the propensity matched single‐chamber cohort, which was higher than the actual observed rate of 6.0%. Stroke and transient ischemic attack occurred at low rates in all device subgroups.ConclusionsAtrial arrhythmias occur frequently, and significant underutilization of anticoagulation is suggested in single‐chamber ICD recipients. Routine screening for AF should be considered among single‐chamber ICD recipients.
Treatment Outcome of Acute Sacral Nerve Stimulation in Functional Anorectal Pain
Authors: Rongqing Gao , Yafei Wang , Zhimin Wang , Feng Liu , Yuantao Li , Xinhua Chen , Lu Chen , Hui Zhang , Kailun Liu 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackgroundSacral nerve stimulation (SNS) has revolutionized the management of certain intractable cases of fecal and urinary incontinence; however, the management of functional anorectal pain (FAP) has been addressed in only a few studies.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment effect of SNS in improving FAP symptoms.MethodsA total of 120 patients with FAP who had undergone temporary SNS probe placement were investigated at Qianfoshan Hospital between January 2014 and December 2016. Pre‐ and post‐SNS treatment outcomes were assessed using the VAS, anorectal manometry, and the 36‐item short‐form health survey (SF‐36) medical outcomes study instrument.ResultsA total of 120 patients proceeded to insertion of an SNS probe at the S3 nerve root (2 Hz, 1.50 mA, 0.10 milliseconds). Of these, 75 patients were cured, 41 improved, and 4 had an ineffective outcome. The total effectiveness rate was 96.7% 1 year after treatment. There was a significant reduction in the median VAS score pre‐SNS and post‐SNS, from 8 to 3, respectively. Patients post‐SNS had lower anal maximum contraction pressure and anal rest pressure than did patients pre‐SNS. Compared with the pretreatment group, there were no substantial differences between anal longest contraction time and rectal rest pressure. In addition to general health, there was a substantial improvement in the remaining dimension scores of the SF‐36.ConclusionThe effect of SNS in treating FAP was positive, and the improvement of symptoms was substantial and worthy of clinical promotion.
Rapid phenotyping of adult plant resistance in barley (Hordeum vulgare) to leaf rust under controlled conditions
Authors: Rothwell Christopher T. , Singh Davinder , van Ogtrop Floris , Sørensen Chris , Fowler Ryan , Germán Silvia , Park Robert F. , Dracatos Peter 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBreeding for adult plant resistance (APR) is currently impeded by the low frequency of annual field‐based testing and variable environmental conditions. We developed and implemented a greenhouse‐based methodology for the rapid phenotyping of APR to leaf rust in barley to improve the efficacy of gene discovery and cloning. We assessed the effects of temperature (18 and 23°C) and growth stage (1–5 weeks) on the expression of APR in the greenhouse using 28 barley genotypes with both known and uncharacterized APR. All lines were susceptible in week 1, while lines carrying Rph20 and several with uncharacterized resistance expressed resistance as early as week 2. In contrast, lines lacking Rph20 and carrying either Rph23 and/or Rph24 expressed resistance from week 4. Resistant phenotypes were clearest at 18°C. A subset of 16 of the 28 lines were assessed for leaf rust across multiple national and international field sites. The greenhouse screening data reported in this study were highly correlated to most of the field sites, indicating that they provide comparable data on APR phenotypes for screening purposes.
Circulating cell‐free microRNAs in cutaneous melanoma staging and recurrence or survival prognosis
Authors: Polini Beatrice , Carpi Sara , Romanini Antonella , Breschi Maria Cristina , Nieri Paola , Podestà Adriano 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCutaneous melanoma is a skin cancer with increasing incidence. Identification of novel clinical biomarkers able to detect the stage of disease and suggest prognosis could improve treatment and outcome for melanoma patients. Cell‐free microRNAs (cf‐miRNAs) are the circulating copies of short non‐coding RNAs involved in gene expression regulation. They are released into the interstitial fluid, are detectable in blood and other body fluids and have interesting features of ideal biomarker candidates. They are stable outside the cell, tissue specific, vary along with cancer development and are sensitive to change in the disease course such as progression or therapeutic response. Moreover, they are accessible by non‐invasive methods or venipuncture. Some articles have reported different cf‐miRNAs with the potential of diagnostic tools for melanoma staging, recurrence and survival prediction. Although some concordance of results is already emerging, differences in analytical methods, normalization strategies and tumour staging still will require further research and standardization prior to clinical usage of cf‐miRNA analysis. This article reviews this literature with the aim of contributing to a shared focusing on these new promising tools for melanoma treatment and care.
Sambucus ebulus extract stimulates cellular responses in cutaneous leishmaniasis
Authors: Heidari‐Kharaji Maryam , Fallah‐Omrani Vahid , Badirzadeh Alireza , Mohammadi‐Ghalehbin Behnam , Nilforoushzadeh Mohammad Ali , Masoori Leila , Montakhab‐Yeganeh Hossein , Zare Mehrak 
Published: November 2018

SummaryThis is the first study aiming to determine the therapeutic effects of the Sambucus ebulus aquatic extract as an antileishmanial herbal drug and evaluate the immune responses in Leishmania major major infected BALB/c mice. The antileishmanial activity of S ebulus aquatic extract was evaluated using MTT test as well as parasite rescue and transformation assay. Footpad swelling and parasite load of infected mice were measured by several techniques. The immune responses were evaluated by measuring the levels of IFN‐γ, IL‐4, nitric oxide and arginase. The results indicated that S. ebulus can significantly decrease L. major promastigotes and amastigotes viability, but it was not toxic to macrophages. The lesion size, parasite burden and the level of ARG decreased in the treated infected mice, while the IFN‐γ‐to‐IL‐4 ratio and the level of NO increased significantly. Altogether, the S. ebulus extract is an effective compound for killing Leishmania parasite without excessive toxicity to the host cells and can cure the CL by switching the host immune responses towards Th1 response. Thus, it may be a perfect therapeutic option for CL treatment.
Genetic variability of Pseudocercospora fijiensis, the black Sigatoka pathogen of banana (Musa spp.) in Mexico
Authors: Manzo‐Sánchez G. , Orozco‐Santos M. , Islas‐Flores I. , Martínez‐Bolaños L. , Guzmán‐González S. , Leopardi‐Verde C. L. , Canto‐Canché B. 
Published: November 2018

Pseudocercospora (previously known as Mycosphaerella) fijiensis causes black Sigatoka disease in banana (Musa spp.) and is considered to be the most devastating pathogen of this crop worldwide. To improve knowledge of its evolutionary patterns, this study determined the genetic variability of populations from two regions of Mexico: Central Pacific (Colima and Michoacan) and Southern (Chiapas, Tabasco and Oaxaca), using 10 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci and the MAT‐specific PCR assay. Both mating types were present in all regions under study, with frequencies of 63% MAT1‐1 and 37% MAT1‐2. The SSR markers showed an average of three alleles per locus, resulting in 34 alleles in total. The genetic diversity (HT) was 0.3308, but at the local level (HS) ranged from 0.0976 (Colima) to 0.2228 (Oaxaca). However, the genotypic diversity was usually high (H′ > 2.4, S > 0.89). Cluster analysis grouped the isolates into five clusters with high statistical support (au > 80%), suggesting a geographic organization of the genetic variability of P. fijiensis; AMOVA, the minimum spanning tree and the population structure analysis supported this result, and all data indicated that the major genetic differences were between the different populations under analysis. Thus, the high level of genetic variability in P. fijiensis is attributed partly to a high rate of sexual reproduction, and also to a strong evolutionary capacity coupled with isolation due to limited genetic flow between distant populations. Both possibilities could be playing a relevant role in population differentiation of the pathogen.
A Counterexample to Three Imprecise Decision Theories
Authors: Bradley Seamus 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThere is currently much discussion about how decision making should proceed when an agent's degrees of belief are imprecise; represented by a set of probability functions. I show that decision rules recently discussed by Sarah Moss, Susanna Rinard and Rohan Sud all suffer from the same defect: they all struggle to rationalize diachronic ambiguity aversion. Since ambiguity aversion is among the motivations for imprecise credence, this suggests that the search for an adequate imprecise decision rule is not yet over.
The importance of pancreatic inflammation in endosonographic diagnostics of solid pancreatic masses
Authors: Vitali Francesco , Strobel Deike , Frulloni Luca , Heinrich Marc , Pfeifer Lukas , Goertz Ruediger Stephan , Hundorfean Gheorghe , Wachter David L. , Gruetzmann Robert , Bernatik Thomas , Neurath Markus F. , Wildner Dane 
Published: November 2018

Aims: Endosonography (EUS) is one of the main diagnostic tools for the differential diagnosis of pancreatic masses. The aim of our study was to describe the value of this technique in the work-up of solid pancreatic lesions, considering the influence of the morphological evidence of pancreatic inflammation in the diagnostic process.Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data in our tertiary University center. From March 2007 to October 2015, 218 patients underwent EUS for a suspected solid pancreatic neoplasm (based on previous cross-sectional imaging results, idiopatic acute pancreatitis, weight loss, pancreatic hyperenzymemia, painless jaundice or elevated Ca 19-9 values).Results: Malignant lesions were diagnosed in 98 (45%) patients. Sensitivity of EUS for malignancy was 91% and specificity 89.2%. Signs of pancreatic inflammation in the surrounding pancreatic parenchyma around the focal lesion were present in 97 patients (44.4%)(more often in men, smokers and drinkers, and the most common etiology was focal chronic pancreatitis) and in these patients the sensitivity and sensibility dropped to 44% and 87.1%, respectively. In patients without signs of pancreatic inflammation, the pancreatic focal lesions were adenocarcinoma, neuroendocrine tumor, ventral/dorsal split, non-pancreatic pathology, pancreatic lipomatosis and autoimmune pancreatitis.Conclusion: Pancreatic inflammation (either focal or involving the whole gland) lowers the diagnostic sensibility of EUS in the work- up of pancreatic masses suspected for cancer, requiring further invasive diagnostic methods. Focal autoimmune pancreatitis and paraduodenal pancreatitis are still confused with pancreatic cancer, even in the absence of pancreatic inflammation.
Evaluation of the McMaster Family Health Team: results and practical implications for quality improvement
Authors: Nasser Laila , Stosic Alix , Price David 
Published: November 2018

PurposeTo evaluate the McMaster Family Health Team (MFHT) as part of a Continuous Quality Improvement initiative using a set of provincial performance metrics to demonstrate which measures of assessment are actually clinically meaningful in context and where system-level changes might be implemented to improve operational practice.MethodsMeasures were selected from the Primary Care Performance Measurement Framework based on data availability for the MFHT and provincial comparators. The measures explored in this paper are those that were deemed to have actionable properties. Data were extracted from billing reports, electronic medical records and information collated for the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario Data to Decisions database. Metrics were then examined to demonstrate the importance of interpretation in clinical context.ConclusionsQuantitative assessment of performance based on standardised measures is a suitable starting point when evaluating a practice, however it is not appropriate as a stand-alone report card of practice performance. Rather, quantitative measures must be of clinical relevance and applicable to the patient populations of interest in order to create conversation and impact change. Thus, the focus of quality improvement should not be to improve numbers relating to efficiency, patient satisfaction and continuity of care, but rather to determine what drives those numbers and how changes might be made at a system or practice level that will optimise clinician buy-in.
Anifrolumab effects on rash and arthritis: impact of the type I interferon gene signature in the phase IIb MUSE study in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Merrill Joan T , Furie Richard , Werth Victoria P , Khamashta Munther , Drappa Jorn , Wang Liangwei , Illei Gabor , Tummala Raj 
Published: November 2018

ObjectiveThis post hoc analysis compared anifrolumab 300 mg every 4 weeks with placebo on rash and arthritis measures with different stringency in patients with moderate to severe SLE (phase IIb; MUSE;NCT01438489). Subgroups were analysed by type I interferon gene signature (IFNGS test–high or test–low).MethodsRash was measured with the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K), British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) Index and modified Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (mCLASI). Arthritis was evaluated using SLEDAI-2K, BILAG and swollen and tender joint counts. Outcomes were measured at week 52.ResultsMore anifrolumab-treated patients demonstrated resolution of rash by SLEDAI-2K versus placebo: 39/88 (44.3%) versus 13/88 (14.8%), OR (90% CI) 4.56 (2.48 to 8.39), p<0.001; improvement of BILAG: 48/82 (58.5%) versus 24/85 (28.2%), OR (90% CI) 3.59 (2.08 to 6.19), p<0.001; and ≥50% improvement by mCLASI: 57/92 (62.0%) versus 30/89 (33.7%), OR (90% CI) 3.31 (1.97 to 5.55), p<0.001. More anifrolumab-treated patients had improved arthritis by SLEDAI-2K versus placebo: 55/97 (56.7%) versus 42/99 (42.4%), OR (90%  CI) 1.88 (1.16 to 3.04), p=0.032;  and BILAG: 65/94 (69.1%) versus 47/95 (49.5%), OR (90% CI) 2.47 (1.48 to 4.12), p=0.003; and mean (SD) swollen and tender joint reductions: –5.5 (6.3) versus –3.4 (5.9), p=0.004. Comparable results were demonstrated in IFNGS test–high patients (n=151). In IFNGS test–low patients (n=50), substantial numerical differences in partial rash and arthritis responses were observed in anifrolumab-treated patients versus placebo, with statistical significance only for rash by BILAG in this small population.ConclusionsAnifrolumab treatment was associated with improvements versus placebo in specific SLE features of arthritis and rash using measures of different stringency. Although driven by robust data in the prevalent IFNGS test–high population, further evaluation in IFNGS test–low patients is warranted.