bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The American College of Rheumatology Provisional Composite Response Index for Clinical Trials in Early Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Khanna Dinesh , Berrocal Veronica J. , Giannini Edward H. , Seibold James R. , Merkel Peter A. , Mayes Maureen D. , Baron Murray , Clements Philip J. , Steen Virginia , Assassi Shervin , Schiopu Elena , Phillips Kristine , Simms Robert W. , Allanore Yannick , Denton Christopher P. , Distler Oliver , Johnson Sindhu R. , Matucci‐Cerinic Marco , Pope Janet E. , Proudman Susanna M. , Siegel Jeffrey , Wong Weng Kee , Wells Athol U. , Furst Daniel E. 
Published: January 2016

ObjectiveEarly diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) is characterized by rapid changes in the skin and internal organs. The objective of this study was to develop a composite response index in dcSSc (CRISS) for use in randomized controlled trials (RCTs).MethodsWe developed 150 paper patient profiles with standardized clinical outcome elements (core set items) using patients with dcSSc. Forty scleroderma experts rated 20 patient profiles each and assessed whether each patient had improved or not improved over a period of 1 year. Using the profiles for which raters had reached a consensus on whether the patients were improved versus not improved (79% of the profiles examined), we fit logistic regression models in which the binary outcome referred to whether the patient was improved or not, and the changes in the core set items from baseline to followup were entered as covariates. We tested the final index in a previously completed RCT.ResultsSixteen of 31 core items were included in the patient profiles after a consensus meeting and review of test characteristics of patient‐level data. In the logistic regression model in which the included core set items were change over 1 year in the modified Rodnan skin thickness score, the forced vital capacity, the patient and physician global assessments, and the Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index, sensitivity was 0.982 (95% confidence interval 0.982–0.983) and specificity was 0.931 (95% confidence interval 0.930–0.932), and the model with these 5 items had the highest face validity. Subjects with a significant worsening of renal or cardiopulmonary involvement were classified as not improved, regardless of improvements in other core items. With use of the index, the effect of methotrexate could be differentiated from the effect of placebo in a 1‐year RCT (P = 0.02).ConclusionWe have developed a CRISS that is appropriate for use as an outcome assessment in RCTs of early dcSSc.
Total Synthesis of Sacrolide A by Following a Nozaki‐Hiyama‐Kishi Macrocyclization Strategy
Authors: Jena Bighnanshu K. , Reddy Aedula Vishnu V. , Mohapatra Debendra K. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe stereoselective total synthesis of oxylipin macrolide (+)‐sacrolide A was achieved in a 13 longest linear step sequence with 12.1 % overall yield. The key reactions are Jacobsen′s hydrolytic kinetic resolution, Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation, Yamaguchi esterification and intramolecular Nozaki–Hiyama–Kishi (NHK) macrocyclization to construct the required 14‐membered lactone.
Iron(III)‐Catalyzed 1,3‐Functional Group Transposition Reactions: Synthetic Protocol to Access 3‐Substituted Indoles
Authors: Li De‐Yao , Wei Yin , Shi Min 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAn iron(III)‐catalyzed 1,3‐dihydroisobenzofuran transferring reaction of indoles provides a practical synthetic protocol to access 3‐substituted indoles under mild conditions. This is the first example of a 1,3‐functional group transposition of a N‐protected indole to give a 3‐substituted indole derivative in good yield. A plausible mechanism has been proposed on the basis of deuterium‐labeling and control experiments. Furthermore, after a simple oxidation, the obtained product could be easily transformed into 3‐phthalide indole, a drug candidate for treating Alzheimer′s disease.
The evolutionary origin and population history of the grauer gorilla
Authors: Tocheri Matthew W. , Dommain René , McFarlin Shannon C. , Burnett Scott E. , Troy Case D. , Orr Caley M. , Roach Neil T. , Villmoare Brian , Eriksen Amandine B. , Kalthoff Daniela C. , Senck Sascha , Assefa Zelalem , Groves Colin P. , Jungers William L. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTGorillas living in western central Africa (Gorilla gorilla) are morphologically and genetically distinguishable from those living in eastern central Africa (Gorilla beringei). Genomic analyses show eastern gorillas experienced a significant reduction in population size during the Pleistocene subsequent to geographical isolation from their western counterparts. However, how these results relate more specifically to the recent biogeographical and evolutionary history of eastern gorillas remains poorly understood. Here we show that two rare morphological traits are present in the hands and feet of both eastern gorilla subspecies at strikingly high frequencies (>60% in G. b. graueri; ∼28% in G. b. beringei) in comparison with western gorillas (<1%). The intrageneric distribution of these rare traits suggests that they became common among eastern gorillas after diverging from their western relatives during the early to middle Pleistocene. The extremely high frequencies observed among grauer gorillas—which currently occupy a geographic range more than ten times the size of that of mountain gorillas—imply that grauers originated relatively recently from a small founding population of eastern gorillas. Current paleoenvironmental, geological, and biogeographical evidence supports the hypothesis that a small group of eastern gorillas likely dispersed westward from the Virungas into present‐day grauer range in the highlands just north of Lake Kivu, either immediately before or directly after the Younger Dryas interval. We propose that as the lowland forests of central Africa expanded rapidly during the early Holocene, they became connected with the expanding highland forests along the Albertine Rift and enabled the descendants of this small group to widely disperse. The descendant populations significantly expanded their geographic range and population numbers relative to the gorillas of the Virunga Mountains and the Bwindi‐Impenetrable Forest, ultimately resulting in the grauer gorilla subspecies recognized today. This founder‐effect hypothesis offers some optimism for modern conservation efforts to save critically endangered eastern gorillas from extinction. Am J Phys Anthropol 159:S4–S18, 2016. © 2016 American Association of Physical Anthropologists
Hominin taxic diversity: Fact or fantasy?
Authors: Wood Bernard , K. Boyle Eve 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTIn this review of the evidence for and against taxic diversity within the hominin clade, we begin by looking at the logic and the history of simple “ladder‐like” interpretations of the hominin fossil record. We then look at the hominin fossil record in a series of time intervals and use current published evidence about the first and last appearance dates of each taxon to decide whether a species or specimens should be included in one, or more, of the intervals. Within each time interval, we consider the strength of the evidence that more than one hominin species is sampled. Decisions about whether taxonomic diversity exists depend on what alpha taxonomic hypotheses are used and although we use a relatively speciose interpretation of the hominin fossil record, we also explore what impact more inclusive interpretations of alpha taxonomy would have on assessments of hominin taxic diversity. With the exception of the oldest (7–5 Ma) all of the other time intervals have in our judgment at least one well‐supported example of taxic diversity and several have multiple examples. In summary, not all new hominin taxa are created equally, but while taxic diversity may not be as prevalent as some have claimed, it is a feature of the hominin clade from 4 Ma until c.40 ka years ago. Am J Phys Anthropol 159:S37–S78, 2016. © 2016 American Association of Physical Anthropologists
Sexual Selection and the differences between the sexes inMandrills (Mandrillus sphinx)
Authors: Setchell Joanna M. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTSexual selection has become a major focus in evolutionary and behavioral ecology. It is also a popular research topic in primatology. I use studies of mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx), a classic example of extravagant armaments and ornaments in animals, to exemplify how a long‐term, multidisciplinary approach that integrates field observations with laboratory methods can contribute to on‐going theoretical debates in the field of sexual selection. I begin with a brief summary of the main concepts of sexual selection theory and the differences between the sexes. I then introduce mandrills and the study population and review mandrill life history, the ontogeny of sex differences, and maternal effects. Next, I focus on male‐male competition and female choice, followed by the less well‐studied questions of female‐female competition and male choice. This review shows how different reproductive priorities lead to very different life histories and divergent adaptations in males and females. It demonstrates how broadening traditional perspectives on sexual selection beyond the ostentatious results of intense sexual selection on males leads to an understanding of more subtle and cryptic forms of competition and choice in both sexes and opens many productive avenues in the study of primate reproductive strategies. These include the potential for studies of postcopulatory selection, female intrasexual competition, and male choice. These studies of mandrills provide comparison and, I hope, inspiration for studies of both other polygynandrous species and species with mating systems less traditionally associated with sexual selection. Am J Phys Anthropol 159:S105–S129, 2016. © 2016 American Association of Physical Anthropologists
The reproductive ecology of iron in women
Authors: Miller Elizabeth M. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTReproductive ecology focuses on the sensitivity of human reproduction to environmental variation. While reproductive ecology has historically focused on the relationship between energy status and reproductive outcomes, iron status is equally critical to women's reproductive health, given the wide‐ranging detrimental effects of iron‐deficiency anemia on maternal and infant well‐being. This review interprets the vast literature on iron status and women's reproduction through an evolutionary framework. First, it will critique the evidence for iron deficiency caused by blood loss during menstruation, reinterpreting the available data as ecological variation in menses within and between populations of women. Second, it will highlight the scant but growing evidence that iron status is implicated in fertility, a relationship that has deep evolutionary roots. Third, this review proposes a new hypothesis for the transfer of iron from mother to infant via pregnancy and breastfeeding: reproductive iron withholding. In this hypothesis, mothers transfer iron to infants in a manner that helps infants avoid iron‐mediated infection and oxidative stress, but trades off with potential risk of maternal and infant iron deficiency. Finally, this review explores two main factors that can modify the relationship between iron status and the gestation‐lactation cycle: (1) the relationship between long‐term reproductive effort (parity) and iron status and (2) supplementation schemes before and during pregnancy. The review concludes by suggesting continued research into iron homeostasis in women using evolutionary, ecological, and biocultural frameworks. Am J Phys Anthropol 159:S172–S195, 2016. © 2016 American Association of Physical Anthropologists
Incorporating the gut microbiota into models of human and non‐human primate ecology and evolution
Authors: Amato Katherine R. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTThe mammalian gut is home to a diverse community of microbes. Advances in technology over the past two decades have allowed us to examine this community, the gut microbiota, in more detail, revealing a wide range of influences on host nutrition, health, and behavior. These host‐gut microbe interactions appear to shape host plasticity and fitness in a variety of contexts, and therefore represent a key factor missing from existing models of human and non‐human primate ecology and evolution. However, current studies of the gut microbiota tend to include limited contextual data or are clinical, making it difficult to directly test broad anthropological hypotheses. Here, I review what is known about the animal gut microbiota and provide examples of how gut microbiota research can be integrated into the study of human and non‐human primate ecology and evolution with targeted data collection. Specifically, I examine how the gut microbiota may impact primate diet, energetics, disease resistance, and cognition. While gut microbiota research is proliferating rapidly, especially in the context of humans, there remain important gaps in our understanding of host‐gut microbe interactions that will require an anthropological perspective to fill. Likewise, gut microbiota research will be an important tool for filling remaining gaps in anthropological research. Am J Phys Anthropol 159:S196–S215, 2016. © 2016 American Association of Physical Anthropologists
Identifications of ancient Egyptian royal mummies from the 18th Dynasty reconsidered
Authors: Habicht M.E. , Bouwman A.S. , Rühli F.J. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTFor centuries, ancient Egyptian Royal mummies have drawn the attention both of the general public and scientists. Many royal mummies from the New Kingdom have survived. The discoveries of the bodies of these ancient rulers have always sparked much attention, yet not all identifications are clear even nowadays. This study presents a meta‐analysis to demonstrate the difficulties in identifying ancient Egyptian royal mummies. Various methods and pitfalls in the identification of the Pharaohs are reassessed since new scientific methods can be used, such as ancient DNA‐profiling and CT‐scanning. While the ancestors of Tutankhamun have been identified, some identities are still highly controversial (e.g., the mystery of the KV‐55 skeleton, recently most likely identified as the genetic father of Tutankhamun). The meta‐analysis confirms the suggested identity of some mummies (e.g., Amenhotep III, Thutmosis IV, and Queen Tjye). Am J Phys Anthropol 159:S216–S231, 2016. © 2016 American Association of Physical Anthropologists
Accepting, understanding, teaching, and learning (human) evolution: Obstacles and opportunities
Authors: Pobiner Briana 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTQuestions about our origin as a species are universal and compelling. Evolution—and in particular human evolution—is a subject that generates intense interest across the world, evidenced by the fact that fossil and DNA discoveries grace the covers of major science journals and magazines as well as other popular print and online media. However, virtually all national polls indicate that the majority of Americans strongly reject biological evolution as a fact‐based, well‐tested, and robust understanding of the history of life. In the popular mind, no topic in all of science is more contentious or polarizing than evolution and media sources often only serve to magnify this polarization by covering challenges to the teaching of evolution. In the realm of teaching, debates about evolution have shaped textbooks, curricula, standards, and policy. Challenges to accepting and understanding evolution include mistrust and denial of science, cognitive obstacles and misconceptions, language and terminology, and a religious worldview, among others. Teachers, who are on the front lines of these challenges, must be armed with the tools and techniques to teach evolution in formal education settings across grades K‐16 in a straightforward, thorough, and sensitive way. Despite the potentially controversial topic of human evolution, growing research is demonstrating that a pedagogical focus on human examples is an effective and engaging way to teach core concepts of evolutionary biology. Am J Phys Anthropol 159:S232–S274, 2016. © 2016 American Association of Physical Anthropologists
Oxygen transfer rates in shaken culture vessels from Fernbach flasks to microtiter plates
Authors: Running Jeffrey A. , Bansal Karan 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTBy a sulfite oxidation method, oxygen transfer rates (OTRs) were determined in 11 types of culture vessels from 2.8‐L Fernbach (FB) flasks to 96‐, 48‐, and 24‐well square deepwell microtiter plates (MTPs). OTRs ranged from 140 mM/h in 250‐mL Ultrayield™ flasks shaken at 300 rpm with a 50 mm diameter shaker throw to 5 mM/h in unbaffled FBs shaken at 200 rpm with a 25 mm throw. Baffles in FBs increased OTRs 6–12‐fold under various shaking conditions, and up to five‐fold in 250‐mL flasks, depending on the type of baffles. Corner‐baffling was superior to bottom‐baffling in glass, 250‐mL flasks. In MTPs, OTRs increased with increasing well size and decreasing fill volume. At 50 mm throw and 300 rpm, 24‐well MTPs had OTRs comparable to corner‐baffled, 250‐mL flasks (∼100 mM/h). The OTRs in unbaffled flasks were relatively insensitive to shaking conditions, increasing less than two‐fold between the most modest and the most vigorous conditions. There was no consistency across vessels as to whether the alternate incubation conditions of 70 mm throw and 250 rpm produced higher OTRs than the 50 mm throw and 300 rpm regimen. No increase in OTR was seen in any MTP when the cover hole diameter was increased beyond 4.5 mm. OTRs decreased as viscosity increased, falling smoothly in unbaffled flasks and 24‐well MTPs, but 48‐well and 96‐well MTPs showed precipitous OTR drops as viscosity increased. Matching the OTRs of screening vessels to the oxygen uptake rates of microbial cultures can greatly reduce the number of false positive strains that are forwarded from microbial screens. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 1729–1735. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Engineered bacterial polyester hydrolases efficiently degrade polyethylene terephthalate due to relieved product inhibition
Authors: Wei Ren , Oeser Thorsten , Schmidt Juliane , Meier René , Barth Markus , Then Johannes , Zimmermann Wolfgang 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTRecent studies on the enzymatic degradation of synthetic polyesters have shown the potential of polyester hydrolases from thermophilic actinomycetes for modifying or degrading polyethylene terephthalate (PET). TfCut2 from Thermobifida fusca KW3 and LC‐cutinase (LCC) isolated from a compost metagenome are remarkably active polyester hydrolases with high sequence and structural similarity. Both enzymes exhibit an exposed active site in a substrate binding groove located at the protein surface. By exchanging selected amino acid residues of TfCut2 involved in substrate binding with those present in LCC, enzyme variants with increased PET hydrolytic activity at 65°C were obtained. The highest activity in hydrolyzing PET films and fibers were detected with the single variant G62A and the double variant G62A/I213S. Both variants caused a weight loss of PET films of more than 42% after 50 h of hydrolysis, corresponding to a 2.7‐fold increase compared to the wild type enzyme. Kinetic analysis based on the released PET hydrolysis products confirmed the superior hydrolytic activity of G62A with a fourfold higher hydrolysis rate constant and a 1.5‐fold lower substrate binding constant than those of the wild type enzyme. Mono‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) terephthalate is a strong inhibitor of TfCut2. A determination of the Rosetta binding energy suggested a reduced interaction of G62A with 2PET, a dimer of the PET monomer ethylene terephthalate. Indeed, G62A revealed a 5.5‐fold lower binding constant to the inhibitor than the wild type enzyme indicating that its increased PET hydrolysis activity is the result of a relieved product inhibition by mono‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) terephthalate. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 1658–1665. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Engineering and comparison of non‐natural pathways for microbial phenol production
Authors: Thompson Brian , Machas Michael , Nielsen David R. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTThe non‐renewable petrochemical phenol is used as a precursor to produce numerous fine and commodity chemicals, including various pharmaceuticals and phenolic resins. Microbial phenol biosynthesis has previously been established, stemming from endogenous tyrosine via tyrosine phenol lyase (TPL). TPL, however, suffers from feedback inhibition and equilibrium limitations, both of which contribute to reduced flux through the overall pathway. To address these limitations, two novel and non‐natural phenol biosynthesis pathways, both stemming instead from chorismate, were constructed and comparatively evaluated. The first proceeds to phenol in one heterologous step via the intermediate p‐hydroxybenzoic acid, while the second involves two heterologous steps and the associated intermediates isochorismate and salicylate. Maximum phenol titers achieved via these two alternative pathways reached as high as 377 ± 14 and 259 ± 31 mg/L in batch shake flask cultures, respectively. In contrast, under analogous conditions, phenol production via the established TPL‐dependent route reached 377 ± 23 mg/L, which approaches the maximum achievable output reported to date under batch conditions. Additional strain development and optimization of relevant culture conditions with respect to each individual pathway is ultimately expected to result in further improved phenol production. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 1745–1754. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Behavioural recovery after treatment for varicose veins
Authors: Cotton S C , MacLennan G , Brittenden J , Prior M , Francis J 
Published: January 2016

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study was to assess behavioural recovery from the patient's perspective as a prespecified secondary outcome in a multicentre parallel-group randomized clinical trial comparing ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS), endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and surgery for the treatment of primary varicose veins.

Methods
Participants were recruited from 11 UK sites as part of the CLASS trial, a randomized trial of UGFS, EVLA or surgery for varicose veins. Patients were followed up 6 weeks after treatment and asked to complete the Behavioural Recovery After treatment for Varicose Veins (BRAVVO) questionnaire. This is a 15-item instrument that covers eight activity behaviours (tasks or actions an individual is capable of doing in an idealized situation) and seven participation behaviours (what the individual does in an everyday, real-world situation) that were identified to be important from the patient's perspective.

Results
A total of 798 participants were recruited. Both UGFS and EVLA resulted in a significantly quicker recovery compared with surgery for 13 of the 15 behaviours assessed. UGFS was superior to EVLA in terms of return to full-time work (hazard ratio 1·43, 95 per cent c.i. 1·11 to 1·85), looking after children (1·45, 1·04 to 2·02) and walks of short (1·48, 1·19 to 1·84) and longer (1·32, 1·05 to 1·66) duration.

Conclusion
Both UGFS and EVLA resulted in more rapid recovery than surgery, and UGFS was superior to EVLA for one-quarter of the behaviours assessed. The BRAVVO questionnaire has the potential to provide important meaningful information to patients about their early recovery and what they may expect to be able to achieve after treatment.