julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Safety and efficacy of MitraClip™ therapy in patients with severely impaired left ventricular ejection fraction: results from the German transcatheter mitral valve interventions (TRAMI) registry
2017-08-18

Aims The aim of the present study was to assess the safety and efficacy of percutaneous mitral valve repair using the MitraClip TM device in patients with severely reduced systolic left ventricular ( LV ) function. Methods and results Among 777 MitraClip TM implantations included in the German mitral valve registry, we identified 256 patients suffering from severely reduced LV function [ejection fraction ( EF ) &lt;30%] in whom successful percutaneous mitral valve repair was performed. Procedural safety, efficacy, and 1‐year outcome was compared with 241 patients with preserved LV function ( EF &gt;50%) and 280 patients presenting with an EF 30–50% prior to MitraClip TM therapy. High procedural success rates, low periprocedural complication rates, and low residual mitral regurgitation grades at discharge were achieved throughout all groups. In‐hospital mortality was low and comparable in all groups. After 1 year, mortality rates were 24.2% ( EF &lt;30%), 17.3% ( EF 30–50%), and 18.9% ( EF &gt;50%). Major adverse cardiac or cardiovascular event rates were 29.7% ( EF &lt;30%), 24.4% ( EF 30–50%), and 23.5% ( EF &gt;50%). Procedural failure was the main predictor for mortality in EF &lt;30% patients (hazard ratio 10.38; 95% CI 3.71–29.02). Improved clinical symptoms were observed in the majority of patients in all groups. Thus, 69.5% of EF &lt;30% patients improved by one or more New York Heart Association functional class. Compared with patients with preserved LV function, this is a significantly larger proportion (EF &gt;50%: 56.8%; P &lt; 0.05). Moreover, quality of life, being very poor at baseline, improved distinctively in severe heart failure patients. Conclusion In patients with severely reduced systolic LV function undergoing MitraClip TM therapy, procedural safety, efficacy, and clinical improvement after 1 year are comparable to patients with preserved LV function.
Saccade Reorienting Is Facilitated by Pausing the Oculomotor Program
2017-08-18

Abstract As we look around the world, selecting our targets, competing events may occur at other locations. Depending on current goals, the viewer must decide whether to look at new events or to ignore them. Two experimental paradigms formalize these response options: double-step saccades and saccadic inhibition. In the first, the viewer must reorient to a newly appearing target; in the second, they must ignore it. Until now, the relationship between reorienting and inhibition has been unexplored. In three experiments, we found saccadic inhibition ∼100 msec after a new target onset, regardless of the task instruction. Moreover, if this automatic inhibition is boosted by an irrelevant flash, reorienting is facilitated, suggesting that saccadic inhibition plays a crucial role in visual behavior, as a bottom–up brake that buys the time needed for decisional processes to act. Saccadic inhibition may be a ubiquitous pause signal that provides the flexibility for voluntary behavior to emerge.
Community-based benchmarking improves spike rate inference from two-photon calcium imaging data
2017-08-18

In recent years, two-photon calcium imaging has become a standard tool to probe the function of neural circuits and to study computations in neuronal populations. However, the acquired signal is only an indirect measurement of neural activity due to the comparatively slow dynamics of fluorescent calcium indicators. Different algorithms for estimating spike trains from noisy calcium measurements have been proposed in the past, but it is an open question how far performance can be improved. Here, we report the results of the spikefinder challenge, launched to catalyze the development of new spike inference algorithms through crowd-sourcing. We present ten of the submitted algorithms which show improved performance compared to previously evaluated methods. Interestingly, the top-performing algorithms are based on a wide range of principles from deep neural networks to generative models, yet provide highly correlated estimates of the neural activity. The competition shows that benchmark challenges can drive algorithmic developments in neuroscience.
A Radical-Based Synthesis of Lingzhiol
2017-08-18

The polycyclic natural product lingzhiol [(±)-1] was synthesized from dimethoxytetralone 8 via cyclization of an intermediate benzylic radical, generated from spiroepoxide 14, onto an alkynyl substituent generating tetracyclic compound 13 with an exocyclic double bond. After oxidative cleavage of the double bond of 13 and reduction of the keto function of 23, the correct diastereomer, 12-syn, was converted to lingzhiol (1) via known steps. In a similar manner, lingzhiol analogue 39 was synthesized from 5-methoxy-1-tetralone (27).
Frontal alpha asymmetry and callous‐unemotional traits in imprisoned violent offenders: A pilot study
2017-08-18

Abstract Based on the approach‐withdrawal model of hemispheric asymmetry, anger and aggression have been linked to an approach‐related pattern, characterized by stronger relative left‐hemispheric anterior cortical activity. Recent work suggests that also in individuals with extremely violent tendencies, such as imprisoned offenders, approach‐related asymmetry may be associated with self‐reported trait anger and aggression. A putative association between alpha asymmetry and further characteristics relevant for aggression, such as callous‐unemotional (CU) traits, remains to be explored. CU traits may increase the probability of aggressive behavior; nevertheless, they may also enable individuals to inhibit and postpone the overt display of aggression until circumstances grant its strongest impact. In the current exploratory study, we measured trait aggression, CU traits, and resting‐state EEG asymmetry in the alpha band (8–13 Hz) in imprisoned violent offenders in a German high security prison. Results revealed that particularly trait callousness was associated with stronger relative right‐hemispheric anterior cortical activity (i.e., a withdrawal‐related pattern). An association between alpha asymmetry and aggression was not replicated. These preliminary findings suggest that, due to the involved emotional and interpersonal detachment, callousness might be withdrawal related, despite its potential to bring about aggressive behavior. They also imply that the identification of putative clinical subtypes in prisoners is required, as varying psychopathology might undermine an association between alpha asymmetry and aggression.
New turtle remains from the Late Cretaceous of Monte Alto-SP, Brazil, including cranial osteology, neuroanatomy and phylogenetic position of a new taxon
2017-08-18

A high diversity of land vertebrates is known from the Late Cretaceous deposits of the Bauru Basin, Brazil, including at least five turtle taxa, all belonging tothe cladePodocnemidoidae. Some of the richest fossil sites of this basin are in the area of Monte Alto, which yielded several squamate, dinosaur, and crocodyliform taxa. Yet, the single turtle reported so far from this area was only briefly described. Here, we further describe that specimen, a complete but very crushed shell, as well as a partial skull, both found in outcrops of the Adamantina Formation. Comparison of the shell to other podocnemidoid taxa reveals its affinities to Roxochelys wanderleyi, a turtle originally described from that same stratigraphic unit. The comparative description of the skull and its inclusion in a phylogenetic study, supports the proposal of a new taxon representing a lineage (Peiropemydodda) so far known only from the Marília Formation of the Bauru Basin and the early Paleocene of Bolivia. The digitally reconstructed endocast and inner ear of the new taxon were also described, as not previously done fora fossil pleurodire.
Translation of the UK Pediatric Influenza Vaccination Programme in Primary Schools to 13 European Countries Using a Dynamic Transmission Model
2017-08-18

Objectives: To simulate the impact of a pediatric influenza vaccination programme using quadrivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine (QLAIV) in Europe by applying coverage rates achieved in the United Kingdom during the 2014–2015 season and to compare the model outcomes to the UK results. Methods: We used a deterministic, age-structured, dynamic transmission model adapted to the demography, contact patterns and influenza incidence of 13 European countries, with a 10-year horizon. The reference strategy was the unchanged country-specific coverage rate, using quadrivalent inactivated vaccine (assumed efficacy against infection from 45% in 1-year-old children to 60% in healthy adults). In the evaluated strategy, 56.8% of 5–10-year-old children were additionally vaccinated with QLAIV (assumed efficacy 80%), as was the case in 2014–2015 in the United Kingdom’s primary school pilot areas. Symptomatic influenza cases and associated medical resources (primary care consultations [PCC], hospitalization, intensive care unit [ICU] admissions) were calculated. The evaluated versus reference strategies were compared using odds ratios (ORs) for PCC in the target (aged 5–10-years) and non-target adult (aged &amp;gt;17 years) populations as well as number needed to vaccinate (NNV) with QLAIV to avert one PCC, hospitalization or ICU admission. Model outcomes, averaged over 10 seasons, were compared with published real-life data from the United Kingdom for the 2014–2015 season. Results: Over 13 countries and 10 years, the evaluated strategy prevented 32.8 million of symptomatic influenza cases (172.3 vs 205.2 million). The resulting range of ORs for PCC was 0.18–0.48 among children aged 5–10-years, and the published OR in the United Kingdom was 0.06 (95% confidence interval [0.01; 0.62]). In adults, the range of ORs for PCC was 0.60–0.91 (UK OR=0.41 [0.19; 0.86]). NNV ranges were 6–19 per averted PCC (UK NNV=16), 530–1524 per averted hospitalization (UK NNV=317) and 5298–15 241 per averted ICU admission (UK NNV=2205). Conclusions: Across a range of European countries, our model shows the beneficial direct and indirect impact of a paediatric vaccination programme using QLAIV in primary school-aged children, consistent with what was observed during a single season in the United Kingdom. Recommendations for the implementation of pediatric vaccination programmes are, therefore, supported in Europe.
Retraction: Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α–Dependent Protection from Intestinal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Involves Ecto-5′-Nucleotidase (CD73) and the A2B Adenosine Receptor
2017-08-21

Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury (IR) is characterized by intermittent loss of perfusion to the gut, resulting in dramatic increases in morbidity and mortality. Based on previous studies indicating an anti-inflammatory role for hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1-elicited enhancement of extracellular adenosine production via ecto-5'-nucleotidase (CD73) and signaling through the A2B adenosine receptor (A2BAR), we targeted HIF-1 during IR using pharmacological or genetic approaches. Initial studies with pharmacological HIF activation indicated attenuation of intestinal injury with dimethyloxallyl glycine (DMOG) treatment during murine IR. Although DMOG treatment was associated with induction of CD73 transcript and protein, DMOG protection was abolished in cd73(-/-) mice. Similarly, DMOG treatment enhanced A2BAR transcript and protein levels, whereas DMOG protection was abolished in A2BAR(-/-) mice. Finally, studies of mice with conditional HIF-1α deletion in intestinal epithelia or pharmacological inhibition of HIF-1 with 17-(dimethylaminoethylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin revealed enhanced tissue injury during IR. These studies indicated a tissue-protective role of HIF-dependent enhancement of intestinal adenosine generation and signaling during intestinal IR.
Conditional Deletion ofPrnpRescues Behavioral and Synaptic Deficits after Disease Onset in Transgenic Alzheimer's Disease
2017-08-21

Biochemical and genetic evidence implicate soluble oligomeric amyloid-β (Aβo) in triggering Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology. Moreover, constitutive deletion of the Aβo-binding cellular prion protein (PrP C ) prevents development of memory deficits in APP swe /PS1ΔE9 mice, a model of familial AD. Here, we define the role of PrP C to rescue or halt established AD endophenotypes in a therapeutic disease-modifying time window after symptom onset. Deletion of Prnp at either 12 or 16 months of age fully reverses hippocampal synapse loss and completely rescues preexisting behavioral deficits by 17 months. In contrast, but consistent with a neuronal function for Aβo/PrP C signaling, plaque density, microgliosis, and astrocytosis are not altered. Degeneration of catecholaminergic neurons remains unchanged by PrP C reduction after disease onset. These results define the potential of targeting PrP C as a disease-modifying therapy for certain AD-related phenotypes after disease onset. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The study presented here further elucidates our understanding of the soluble oligomeric amyloid-β–Aβo-binding cellular prion protein (PrP C ) signaling pathway in a familial form of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by implicating PrP C as a potential therapeutic target for AD. In particular, genetic deletion of Prnp rescued several familial AD (FAD)-associated phenotypes after disease onset in a mouse model of FAD. This study underscores the therapeutic potential of PrP C deletion given that patients already present symptoms at the time of diagnosis.
European Trade, Colonialism, and Human Capital Accumulation in Senegal, Gambia and Western Mali, 1770–1900
2017-08-21

We trace the development of human capital in today's Senegal, Gambia, and Western Mali between 1770 and 1900. European trade, slavery, and early colonialism were linked to human capital formation, but this connection appears to have been heterogeneous. The contact with the Atlantic slave trade increased regional divergence, as the coast of Senegambia developed more quickly than inner areas. This pattern was affected by French early colonialism and by the reaction of different West African populations to the economic incentives provided by foreign demand for agricultural products. The peanut trade since the mid-nineteenth century further amplified regional economic inequalities.
Circumbinary discs: Numerical and physical behaviour
2017-08-21

Aims. Discs around a central binary system play an important role in star and planet formation and in the evolution of galactic discs. These circumbinary discs are strongly disturbed by the time varying potential of the binary system and display a complex dynamical evolution that is not well understood. Our goal is to investigate the impact of disc and binary parameters on the dynamical aspects of the disc. Methods. We study the evolution of circumbinary discs under the gravitational influence of the binary using two-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations. To distinguish between physical and numerical effects we apply three hydrodynamical codes. First we analyse in detail numerical issues concerning the conditions at the boundaries and grid resolution. We then perform a series of simulations with different binary parameters (eccentricity, mass ratio) and disc parameters (viscosity, aspect ratio) starting from a reference model with Kepler-16 parameters. Results. Concerning the numerical aspects we find that the length of the inner grid radius and the binary semi-major axis must be comparable, with free outflow conditions applied such that mass can flow onto the central binary. A closed inner boundary leads to unstable evolutions. We find that the inner disc turns eccentric and precesses for all investigated physical parameters. The precession rate is slow with periods (Tprec) starting at around 500 binary orbits (Tbin) for high viscosity and a high aspect ratio H/R where the inner hole is smaller and more circular. Reducing α and H/R increases the gap size and Tprec reaches 2500 Tbin. For varying binary mass ratios qbin the gap size remains constant, whereas Tprec decreases with increasing qbin. For varying binary eccentricities ebin we find two separate branches in the gap size and eccentricity diagram. The bifurcation occurs at around ecrit ≈ 0.18 where the gap is smallest with the shortest Tprec. For ebin lower and higher than ecrit, the gap size and Tprec increase. Circular binaries create the most eccentric discs.
Enhanced motivation to alcohol in transgenic mice expressing human α‐synuclein
2017-08-21

Abstract α‐Synuclein (α SYN ) is the neuropathological hallmark protein of Parkinson's disease ( PD ) and related neurodegenerative disorders. Moreover, the gene encoding α SYN ( SNCA ) is a major genetic contributor to PD . Interestingly, independent genome‐wide association studies also identified SNCA as the most important candidate gene for alcoholism. Furthermore, single‐nucleotide‐polymorphisms have been associated with alcohol‐craving behavior and alcohol‐craving patients showed augmented α SYN expression in blood. To investigate the effect of α SYN on the addictive properties of chronic alcohol use, we examined consumption, motivation, and seeking responses induced by environmental stimuli and relapse behavior in transgenic mice expressing the human mutant [A30P]α SYN throughout the brain. The primary reinforcing effects of alcohol under operant self‐administration conditions were increased, while consumption and the alcohol deprivation effect were not altered in the transgenic mice. The same mice were subjected to immunohistochemical measurements of immediate‐early gene inductions in brain regions involved in addiction‐related behaviors. Acute ethanol injection enhanced immunostaining for the phosphorylated form of cAMP response element binding protein in both amygdala and nucleus accumbens of α SYN transgenic mice, while in wild‐type mice no effect was visible. However, at the same time, levels of cF os remain unchanged in both genotypes. These results provide experimental confirmation of SNCA as a candidate gene for alcoholism in addition to its known link to PD. image
GPla Polymorphisms Are Associated with Outcomes in Patients at High Cardiovascular Risk
2017-08-21

GPla SNPs are associated with cardiovascular prognosis especially in high-risk patients. Identification of GPIa SNPs is of importance to tailor therapies in patients at already high cardiovascular risk.
Expecting “the Arab world”: imaginative geographies as dominant diversity frames
2017-08-21

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight the dangers of Orientalist framing. Orientalism (Said, 1979/2003) shows how “the West” actually creates “the Orient” as an inferior opposite to affirm itself, for instance by using imaginative geographical frames such as “East” and “West” (Said, 1993). Design/methodology/approach Qualitative interviews were conducted with the members of a German-Tunisian project team in research engineering. The interview purpose was to let individuals reflect upon their experiences of difference and to find out whether these experiences are preframed by imaginative geographical categories. Findings Tunisian researchers were subjected to the dominant imaginative geographical frame “the Arab world.” This frame involves ascribed religiousness, gender stereotyping and ascriptions of backwardness. Research limitations/implications Research needs to investigate Orientalist thought and imaginative geographies in specific organizational and interpersonal interactions lest they overshadow managerial theory and practice. Practical implications Practitioners need to challenge dominant frames and Orientalist thought in their own practice and organizational surroundings to devise a truly inclusive managerial practice, for instance, regarding Muslim minorities. Social implications In times of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment in “the West,” this paper highlights the frames from which such sentiments might originate, and the need to reflect upon them. Originality/value The theoretical value lies in introducing a critical framing approach and the concept of imaginative geographies to perceived differences at work. For practice, it highlights how certain individuals are constructed as “Muslim others” and subjected to ascriptions of negative difference. By this mechanism, their inclusion is obstructed.
Altered chromatin compaction and histone methylation drive non-additive gene expression in an interspecific Arabidopsis hybrid
2017-08-22

It has long been suspected that genome-scale properties cause the differential responses of genes from one or the other parent to hybridization. Our work links global chromatin compactness and H3K27me3 histone modification to global differences in gene expression in an interspecific Arabidopsis hybrid.
Different patterns of neuronal activity trigger distinct responses of oligodendrocyte precursor cells in the corpus callosum
2017-08-22

In the developing and adult brain, oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are influenced by neuronal activity: they are involved in synaptic signaling with neurons, and their proliferation and differentiation into myelinating glia can be altered by transient changes in neuronal firing. An important question that has been unanswered is whether OPCs can discriminate different patterns of neuronal activity and respond to them in a distinct way. Here, we demonstrate in brain slices that the pattern of neuronal activity determines the functional changes triggered at synapses between axons and OPCs. Furthermore, we show that stimulation of the corpus callosum at different frequencies in vivo affects proliferation and differentiation of OPCs in a dissimilar way. Our findings suggest that neurons do not influence OPCs in "all-or-none" fashion but use their firing pattern to tune the response and behavior of these nonneuronal cells.
Simulating plant invasion dynamics in mountain ecosystems under global change scenarios
2017-08-22

Abstract Across the globe, invasive alien species cause severe environmental changes, altering species composition and ecosystem functions. So far, mountain areas have mostly been spared from large‐scale invasions. However, climate change, land‐use abandonment, the development of tourism and the increasing ornamental trade will weaken the barriers to invasions in these systems. Understanding how alien species will react and how native communities will influence their success is thus of prime importance in a management perspective. Here, we used a spatially and temporally explicit simulation model to forecast invasion risks in a protected mountain area in the French Alps under future conditions. We combined scenarios of climate change, land‐use abandonment and tourism‐linked increases in propagule pressure to test if the spread of alien species in the region will increase in the future. We modelled already naturalized alien species and new ornamental plants, accounting for interactions among global change components, and also competition with the native vegetation. Our results show that propagule pressure and climate change will interact to increase overall species richness of both naturalized aliens and new ornamentals, as well as their upper elevational limits and regional range‐sizes. Under climate change, woody aliens are predicted to more than double in range‐size and herbaceous species to occupy up to 20% of the park area. In contrast, land‐use abandonment will open new invasion opportunities for woody aliens, but decrease invasion probability for naturalized and ornamental alien herbs as a consequence of colonization by native trees. This emphasizes the importance of interactions with the native vegetation either for facilitating or potentially for curbing invasions. Overall, our work highlights an additional and previously underestimated threat for the fragile mountain flora of the Alps already facing climate changes, land‐use transformations and overexploitation by tourism.