Previous Comparative Studies Research Articles

Comparative studies on in vitro antitumor activities and apoptosis-inducing effects of enantiomeric ruthenium(II) complexes.

On the basis of our previous comparative studies on the DNA binding of a pair of ruthenium(II) complex enantiomers, Δ-[Ru(bpy)2PBIP]2+ and Λ-[Ru(bpy)2PBIP]2+ {bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, PBIP = 2-(4-bromophenyl)imidazo[4,5-f]1,10-phenanthroline}, in this study, their antitumor activities and mechanisms were further investigated comparatively. The cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that both the enantiomers exerted selective antiproliferative effects on cancer cell lines A2780 and PC3. Fluorescence localization experiments suggested that both the enantiomers effectively permeated the nucleus of HeLa cells and co-localized with DNA, resulting in their DNA damage and apoptosis. Flow cytometry experiments showed that the apoptosis was enhanced by increasing the concentration of each enantiomer. Western blotting analyses indicated that both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways were activated by the two enantiomers. miRNA microarray analyses displayed that both the enantiomers up- and downregulated multiple miRNAs, some of which were predicted to be associated with carcinogenesis. The above experimental results also showed that the Δ-enantiomer exerted a more potent antitumor activity, a higher efficiency of entering cancer cells and a stronger apoptosis-inducing effect compared with the Λ-enantiomer. Combined with the previously published research results, experimental results from this study implied that the antitumor activity of a metal complex might have originated from the conformation change of DNA in tumor cells caused by the intercalation of the complex, that the antitumor mechanism of a metal complex could be related to its DNA-binding mode, and that the antitumor efficiency of a metal complex could result from its DNA-binding strength.

Beliefs about illness: comparing foreign- and native-born persons with type 2 diabetes living in Sweden in a cross-sectional survey.

Based on previous qualitative studies, it was hypothesised that dissimilarities in beliefs about illness, which influence healthcare-seeking behaviour, exist between foreign- and native-born persons diagnosed with type 2 diabetes living in Sweden (in the following termed 'Swedish-born'). Beliefs about illness are individual, culturally related, based on knowledge, and guide health-related behaviour, and thus have an impact on health. The question is whether beliefs differ between foreign- and native-born persons diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. No previous comparative studies have been found on this. Based on previous qualitative studies, it was hypothesised that dissimilarities in beliefs about illness, which influence healthcare-seeking behaviour, exist between foreign- and native-born (Swedish) persons diagnosed with type 2 diabetes living in Sweden. Cross-sectional survey, 138 participants, comprising 69 foreign- and 69 Swedish-born persons aged 33-90 vs 48-91years. Data were analysed with descriptive and analytic statistics. Beliefs about illness differed between foreign- and Swedish-born persons concerning causes of diabetes and healthcare-seeking behaviour. Foreign-born persons more often than Swedish-born persons reported uncertainty or lack of knowledge about whether heredity (67% vs 90%, P = 0.002) and pancreatic disease (40% vs 62%, P = 0.037) could cause diabetes. To a higher extent than Swedish-born persons, they reported that emotional stress and anxiety could cause the disease. Furthermore, they claimed they had sought care due to diabetes during the last 6 months to a higher extent than Swedish-born persons (30% vs 4%, P = 0.000).The findings confirmed that dissimilarities in beliefs about illness, including the causes of diabetes and healthcare-seeking behaviour, exist between foreign- and Swedish-born persons with type 2 diabetes.

Effect of heparin as an anticoagulant on measurements of the erythrocyte genome size using flow cytometry in bony fishes of different ploidy

The aim of the study was to verify whether the use of heparin as an anticoagulant can affect the results of genome size measurements using a flow cytometer. The values obtained by measuring blood samples with different concentrations of heparin were compared. The differences observed were highly significant, suggesting that the results of previous comparative studies, or those determining individual polyploidy, may need reinterpretation. We anticipate that our findings will increase the accuracy of flow cytometric analysis and will be useful for further surveys of genome size undertaken using blood samples.

Genomic Assembly of Clinical Candida glabrata (Nakaseomyces glabrata) Isolates Reveals within-Species Structural Plasticity and Association with In Vitro Antifungal Susceptibility.

The opportunistic human pathogen Candida glabrata has become an increasingly important threat to human health, with infections globally characterized by high mortality rates and multidrug resistance. To face this threat, more efficient diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are required, underpinning research to help define the intraspecies epidemiology, genetic variability, and therefore, diagnostic and therapeutic target stability. Previous comparative genetics studies conducted on limited numbers of strains only revealed partial resolution of chromosomal settings. In this study, by combining short- and long-read genome sequencing, phenotypic characterization, and comparative genomics over a large set of strains, we detected strict relationships between large chromosomal rearrangements and phylogenetic clades, genes subjected to different selective pressures, and new sets of genes associated with resistance to antifungals. Overall, these results not only provide a fundamental contribution to our knowledge of C. glabrata evolution and epidemiology but may also lay the foundations for the future development of tailored therapeutic approaches. IMPORTANCE The human pathogen Candida glabrata has become a global threat to human health, with infections characterized by high mortality and multidrug resistance. We have obtained nine fully assembled genomes from clinical isolates through a combination of short- and long-read sequencing approaches. The quality and completeness of such genomes and their subsequent comparison to the broadest set of genomes so far allowed us to pinpoint chromosomal rearrangements in several genomes and detect phylogenetic clades that were not associated with geographic location or isolation source. We identified a new set of genes associated with resistance to antifungals coding for adhesin or adhesin-like proteins, suggesting C. glabrata resists antifungals by forming aggregates or adhering to the host tissue. These results, which provide a fundamental contribution to our knowledge of C. glabrata evolution and epidemiology, may initiate the development of precision medicine interventions for patients with suspected or proven invasive fungal infections.

Discordance in lumbar bone mineral density measurements by quantitative computed tomography and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in postmenopausal women: a prospective comparative study

Background ContextLevel-specific lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) evaluation of a single vertebral body can provide useful surgical planning and osteoporosis management information. Previous comparative studies have primarily focused on detecting spinal osteoporosis but not at specific levels. PurposeTo compare the detection rate of lumbar osteoporosis between quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA); to explore and analyze the distribution models of QCT-derived BMD and DXA T-score at the specific levels; and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of level-specific BMD thresholds for the prediction of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) in postmenopausal women. Study Design/SettingA comparative analysis of prospectively collected data comparing QCT-derived BMD with DXA T-score. Patient SampleA total of 296 postmenopausal women who were referred to the spine service of a single academic institution were enrolled. Outcome MeasuresQCT-derived BMD and DXA T-score at specific levels, with or without osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. MethodsPostmenopausal women who underwent QCT and DXA within a week of admission from May 2019 to June 2022 were enrolled. The diagnostic criteria for osteoporosis recommended by the World Health Organization and the American College of Radiology were used for lumbar osteoporotic diagnosis. To evaluate differences in lumbar BMD measurements at specific levels, a threshold of T score=-2.5 and QCT-derived BMD = 80 mg/cm3 were used to categorize level-specific lumbar BMD into low and high BMD. Disagreements in BMD categorization between DXA and QCT were classified as a minor or major discordance based on the definition by Woodson. Data between QCT and DXA were visualized in a stacked bar plot and analyzed. Correlations between DXA and QCT at the specific levels were evaluated using Pearson's linear correlation and scatter plots. Curve fitting of BMD distribution, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC) for each single vertebral level was performed. ResultsOf the 296 patients, QCT diagnosed 61.1% as osteoporosis, 30.4% as osteopenia and 8.4% as normal. For those screened with DXA, 54.1% of the patients had osteoporosis, 29.4% had osteopenia and 16.6% had normal BMD. Diagnoses were concordant for 194 (65.5%) patients. Of the other 102 discordant patients, 5 (1.7%) were major and 97 (32.8%) were minor. Significant correlations in level-specific BMD between DXA and QCT were observed (p<.001), with Pearson's correlation coefficients ranging from 0.662 to 0.728. The correlation strength was in the order of L1 > L2 > L3 > L4. The low BMD detection rate for QCT was significantly higher than that for DXA at the L3 and L4 levels (65% vs. 47.9% and 68.1% vs 43.7, respectively, p<.001). Patients with OVCF showed significantly lower QCT-derived BMD (47.2 mg/cm3 vs. 83.2 mg/cm3, p<.001) and T-score (-3.39 vs. -1.98, p<.001) than those without OVCF. Among these patients, 82.8% (101/122) were diagnosed with osteoporosis by QCT measurement, while only 74.6% (91/122) were diagnosed by DXA. For discrimination between patients with and without OVCF, QCT-derived BMD showed better diagnosed performance (AUC range from 0.769 to 0.801) than DXA T-score (AUC range from 0.696 to 0.753). ConclusionQCT provided a more accurate evaluation of lumbar osteoporosis than DXA. The QCT-derived BMD measurements at a specific lumbar level have a high diagnostic performance for OVCF.

Gambling disorder symptoms among Slovenian gamblers

Abstract Background We are facing a growing popularity of gambling, partly due to the rapid rise of internet related technologies. This growth has been linked to a considerable increase in problem gambling and gambling disorder, which has been an established non-substance addiction. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence rate of gambling disorder among the Slovenian population. Methods National Survey on the Use of Tobacco, Alcohol and Other Drugs was conducted in 2018 on a nationally representative sample (n = 16,000; age: 15-64 years), using mixed-mode data collection (CAWI and CAPI). Responses were obtained from 9,161 respondents, of those 18.4% (n = 1,686) reported to have gambled in the last 12 months (i.e. gamblers). Gambling disorder symptoms were assessed using Berlin Inventory of Gambling Behavior - Screening, consisting of 14 items with a yes/no response option, which measure 9 gambling disorder criteria (DSM-V). Participants who reported at least 5 out of 9 gambling disorder criteria were classified as disordered. Results Data shows that 4.3% of Slovenian gamblers met the criteria for gambling disorder. Significantly higher shares were observed among men (5.9%; compared to 1.2% of women) and among younger generations (highest shares among 15-19 year olds (19.4%) and 20-24 year olds (14.5%)). The same goes for money spent for gambling. Namely, males (4.4% of men; compared to 0.6% of women) and younger generations (highest shares among 20-24 year olds (9.2%) and 30-34 year-olds (6.9%)) were more likely to spend more than 100 EUR in a day for gambling. Conclusions Data obtained in the present study indicates the extent of gambling disorder symptomatology and highlights key demographic groups with risk for gambling disorder. These findings are consistent with previous comparable studies and provide a basis for tailored public health measures in Slovenia with an emphasis on early intervention. Key messages • 4.3% of Slovenian residents, who engaged in gambling in the last 12 months met the criteria for gambling disorder. • Males and younger generations were more likely to report gambling disorder symptoms and spent more money on gambling. The data shows the need for tailored public health measures.

Unified Modeling and Analysis of Vibration Energy Harvesters under Inertial Loads and Prescribed Displacements

In this paper, we extend the optimization analysis found in the current literature for single-degree-of-freedom vibrational energy harvesters. We numerically derive and analyze the optimization conditions based on unified expressions for piezoelectric and electromagnetic energy harvesters. Our contribution lies in the detailed analysis and comparison of both resonant and anti-resonant states while fully including the effect of intrinsic resistance. We include both the case of excitation by inertial load and prescribed displacement, as the latter has not been elaborated on in the previous literature and provides new insights. We perform a general analysis but also consider typical values of applied piezoelectric and electromagnetic energy harvesters. Our results improve upon previous similar comparative studies by providing new and useful insights regarding optimal load, load power and power input to output efficiency. Our analysis shows an exponential increase in the critical mechanical quality factor due to the resistive loss coefficient. We find that the ratio of mechanical quality factor to resistive loss coefficient, at resonance, increases drastically close to the theoretical maximum for load power. Under the same optimization conditions, an equivalent conclusion can be drawn regarding efficiency. We find that the efficiency at anti-resonance behaves differently and is equal to or larger than the efficiency at resonance. We also show that the optimal load coefficient at resonance has a significant dependence on the mechanical quality factor only when the resistive loss coefficient is large. Our comparison of excitation types supports the previous literature, in a simple and intuitive way, regarding optimal load by impedance matching and power output efficiency. Our modeling and exploration of new parameter spaces provide an improved tool to aid the development of new harvester prototypes.

How effective are APRI, FIB-4, FIB-5 scores in predicting liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B patients?

Liver fibrosis is the most important factor in the prognosis and treatment plan of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis index based on 4 factors (FIB-4), and fibrosis index based on 5 factors (FIB-5) scores are noninvasive fibrosis markers, and previous comparative studies have shown that they are as effective as liver biopsy in detecting liver fibrosis in different liver diseases. The aim of our study is to investigate whether existing scoring systems are effective in demonstrating fibrosis in CHB patients and to compare the APRI, FIB 4, and FIB 5 scores in differentiating early and advanced fibrosis in 123 patients who underwent liver biopsy for CHB infection. APRI, FIB-4, and FIB-5 scores of patients who underwent liver biopsy due to CHB were calculated by means of calculators and recorded to be compared with liver biopsies in terms of fibrosis scoring. One hundred twenty-three patients who underwent liver biopsy due to chronic hepatitis B were included in the study. APRI (area under the receiver-operating characteristic [ROC] curve 0.728), FIB-4 (area under the ROC curve 0.693) and FIB-5 (area under the ROC curve 0.643) scores were evaluated as significant predictors of advanced fibrosis. The scoring system with the highest positive and negative predictive value was evaluated as FIB-4. APRI, FIB-4, and FIB-5 scoring systems are appropriate scoring systems in the assessment of advanced fibrosis in patients with CHB. Our study is the first to compare APRI, FIB-4, and FIB-5 values in CHB patients, and more comprehensive studies are needed.

Two-Year Functional Outcomes of Operative vs Nonoperative Treatment of Completely Displaced Midshaft Clavicle Fractures in Adolescents: Results From the Prospective Multicenter FACTS Study Group

Background: The optimal treatment of midshaft clavicle fractures is controversial. Few previous comparative functional outcome studies have investigated these fractures in adolescents, the most commonly affected epidemiologic subpopulation. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to prospectively compare the outcomes of operative versus nonoperative treatment in adolescents with completely displaced midshaft clavicle fractures. The study hypothesis was that surgery would yield superior outcomes. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Patients aged 10 to 18 years treated for a midshaft clavicle fracture over a 5-year period at 1 of 8 pediatric centers were prospectively screened, with independent treatment decisions determined by individual musculoskeletal professionals. Demographics, radiographic clinical features, complications, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were prospectively recorded for 2 years. Regression and matching techniques were utilized to adjust for potential age- and fracture severity–based confounders for creation of comparable subgroups for analysis. Results: Of 416 adolescents with completely displaced midshaft clavicle fractures, 282 (68) provided 2-year PRO data. Operative patients (n = 88; 31%) demonstrated no difference in sex (78% male) or athletic participation but were older (mean age, 15.2 vs 13.5 years; P < .001), had more comminuted fractures (49.4% vs 26.3%; P < .001), and had greater fracture shortening (25.5 vs 20.7 mm; P < .001) than nonoperative patients (n = 194; 69%). There was no difference in mean PRO scores or rates of “suboptimal” scores (based on threshold values established a priori) between the operative and nonoperative treatment groups (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, 96.8 vs 98.4; shortened version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand, 3.0 vs 1.6; EuroQol [EQ] visual analog scale, 93.0 vs 93.9; EQ–5 Dimensions index, 0.96 vs 0.98), even after regression and matching techniques adjusted for confounders. Operative patients had more unexpected subsequent surgery (10.4% vs 1.4%; P = .004) and clinically significant complications (20.8% vs 5.2%; P = .001). Overall, nonunion (0.4%), delayed union (1.9%), symptomatic malunion (0.4%), and refracture (2.6%) were exceedingly rare, with no difference between treatment groups. Conclusion: Surgery demonstrated no benefit in patient-reported quality of life, satisfaction, shoulder-specific function, or prevention of complications after completely displaced clavicle shaft fractures in adolescents at 2 years after injury. Registration: NCT04250415 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

The significance of preclinical anti-BP180 autoantibodies.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease. Although the pathomechanism of BP onset has yet to be elucidated in detail, BP autoantibodies targeting two hemidesmosomal components, BP180 and BP230, are known to play a pivotal role in BP pathogenesis. Thus, the detection and measurement of BP autoantibodies are necessary for diagnosing BP and monitoring the disease activity. Immune assays such as immunofluorescence microscopy, immunoblotting, and ELISAs using BP180 and BP230 detect BP autoantibodies in most BP cases with high specificity; however, BP autoantibodies are sometimes detected in BP patients before the onset of this disease. BP autoantibodies that are detected in patients without typical tense blisters are defined as “preclinical BP autoantibodies”. These preclinical BP autoantibodies are detected even in a low percentage of normal healthy individuals. Although the importance of preclinical BP autoantibodies remains elusive, these autoantibodies might be a potential risk factor for subsequent BP development. Therefore, previous comparative epidemiological studies have focused on the prevalence of preclinical BP autoantibodies in populations susceptible to BP (e.g., the elderly) or in diseases with a higher risk of comorbid BP. This mini-review summarizes the literature on the prevalence of preclinical BP autoantibodies in patients with various conditions and diseases, and we discuss the significance of preclinical BP autoantibody detection.

A user-configurable and explainable framework for ranking fuzzy numbers

Fuzzy number ranking is an important and fundamental subject matter within fuzzy set theory, just as the ranking of crisp values is important and fundamental to classical mathematics. For a user of fuzzy set theory, a fuzzy number ranking method that is user-configurable and user-explainable is highly desirable -- being user-configurable is important for ensuring the fitness of the fuzzy ranking method in relation with the assumptions of the application domain of interest, and being user-explainable is important for providing confidence to the user and the stakeholders of the appropriateness of the ranking outcomes in an expert system. In this article, a simple framework for ranking fuzzy numbers is proposed and developed. This simple framework consists of concrete constructs similar to the building blocks in a LEGO set, for the user to configure his/her own fuzzy ranking operator. The proposed framework is applied to examples taken from previous comparative studies from the fuzzy set theory literature, and to multiple-criteria-decision-making and other fuzzy ranking problems. First of all, these demonstrations will illustrate that fuzzy number ranking can indeed be done in a concrete, user-configurable, and user-explainable manner. Thus, the proposed framework represents a viable alternative for the fuzzy ranking literature, which currently consists of various ranking methods that are mathematically sophisticated yet oftentimes highly non-trivial for the user to interpret and to adapt/re-configure for his/her applications. Secondly, we note that the precursor of the proposed framework has been successfully employed to re-derive, instead of postulate, commonly used fuzzy set-theoretic operators, and to derive fuzzy arithmetic operators that do not produce anomalies plaguing other fuzzy arithmetic approaches. Thus, the applicability of such a framework to fuzzy ranking will further demonstrate its potential as a fundamental framework for tackling a wide range of issues in fuzzy set theory, rather than being an isolated approach limited to narrow aspects of fuzzy set theory.

Love and beloved metaphors in Jordanian Arabic and English songs

AbstractThis study examinesloveandbelovedmetaphors from the cross-cultural perspective of Jordanian Arabic (JA) and English. The conceptual models suggested by Lakoff and Johnson (1980,1999) andKövecses (2014)and force dynamics proposed byTalmy (1988)are adopted as the theoretical frameworks for this study. The data was collected from contemporary songs by Jordanian and English-speaking artists. Unlike previous comparative studies onloveandbelovedmetaphors, this study demonstrates that source domains found in JA songs such aspain/suffering, sadness, weakness, wound, stupid endeavour, crueltyanddeadly forcealso exist in English songs to conceptualiselove.It is argued that while the use of these source domains in JA is expected as they form part of the prototypical cognitive model ofloveor thelovematrix in JA, they could be viewed as nonprototypical in English. The analysis also revealed certain JA culture-specific source domains used to conceptualisethe object of love [beloved], i.e.arabian oryxandbasil. We argued that despite the existence of similar conceptual metaphors in the two languages, geographical, historical and ideological factors may have an effect on the prevailing conceptual frames in a certain speech community creating some differences in the metaphorical conceptualisations ofloveandbeloved.

Comparison of triple-DMEK to pseudophakic-DMEK: A cohort study of 95 eyes.

Previous comparative studies show that triple Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) (i.e. phacoemulsification followed immediately by DMEK) has either equivalent or better visual outcomes than DMEK in pseudophakic patients. To resolve this discrepancy, a retrospective cohort study was conducted. All consecutive patients with Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy who underwent triple or pseudophakic DMEK in 2015-2019 in a tertiary-care hospital (France) and were followed for >12 months were compared in terms of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), final refractive outcomes, and endothelial-cell loss at 12 months as well as rebubbling rates. The triple-DMEK (40 eyes, 34 patients) and pseudophakic-DMEK (55 eyes, 43 patients) groups were similar in terms of age and other baseline variables. They also did not differ in final BSCVA (both 0.03 logMAR), final endothelial-cell loss (54% vs. 48%), or astigmatism (-1.25 vs. -1 D). At 12 months, triple-DMEK associated with significantly smaller residual hyperopia (0.75 vs. 1 D; p = 0.04) and spherical equivalence (0 vs. 0.5 D; p = 0.02). Triple-DMEK also tended to associate with more frequent rebubbling (40% vs. 24%, p = 0.09). In conclusion, while triple-DMEK and pseudophakic-DMEK achieved similar visual acuity improvement, triple-DMEK was superior in terms of final sphere and spherical refraction but also tended to have higher complication rates.

SG-LOM as Metadata Description for Serious Games to Benefit from LMS Monitoring Features

Compared to the conventional approach of e-learning, serious games are playing an increasingly important role in the educational sphere and reached a certain maturity to become a possible alternative to traditional methods of learning that is often seen as restrictive and boring sometimes by learners. This is due to the fact that young people today are familiar with new technologies and virtual worlds outside schools as part of their leisure. A habit that enable these young people to be immediately in the heart of the matter since they already have a video game culture (gameplay) that allows them to focus on the main message. However, the integration of serious games in the learning process still limited since they don’t provide efficient features for monitoring and assessing learner (player) interactions and decisions without breaking the nonlinearity of the game in order to show them the consequences of their decisions, a limit that has been proven in a previous comparative study [1].&#x0D; In this paper we address the aspects of serious games (Robocode as example) integration and deployment into LMS (Dokeos as example) based on the automatic packaging and exportation of serious games as reusable learning objects (LO) that can be easily distributed through any LMS. This integration uses the ADL SCORM data model that defines how content may be packaged as a Package Interchange File (PIF), and the IEEE LOM Application Profile “SG-LOM” [2] as metadata description to describe every level of SCORM since the standard LOM doesn’t meets the particular needs of serious games.

A Test of Altitude‐Related Variation in Aerobic Metabolism of Andean Birds

Endotherms at high altitude face the combined challenges of cold and hypoxia. Cold increases thermoregulatory costs, and hypoxia may limit both thermogenesis and aerobic exercise capacity. Consequently, in comparisons between closely related highland and lowland taxa, we might expect to observe consistent differences in basal metabolism (BMR), maximal metabolism (MMR), and aerobic scope. Previous broad‐scale comparative studies of birds have revealed no association between BMR and native elevation; however, altitude effects may be detectable in fine‐grained comparisons between pairs of ecologically similar, closely related species that are native to different elevations. Moreover, it remains unknown if exercise‐induced MMR and aerobic scope exhibit consistent patterns of altitude variation. To evaluate whether there is an association between altitude and metabolic rates, we tested for altitude‐related variation in aerobic metabolism in 10 Andean passerines representing five pairs of closely related species with contrasting elevational ranges. We used a paired‐lineage design such that the five pairwise comparisons were phylogenetically independent. In our small sample of Andean passerines, we found a significant effect of elevation on mass‐corrected BMR, MMR, and aerobic scope in most but not all cases. BMR and MMR were significantly higher for the high‐elevation species in three pairs, two of which also had a significantly higher aerobic scope at high‐elevation. One pair did not exhibit significant elevational differences in BMR, MMR, or aerobic scope. Overall, we could not document a uniformly consistent elevational trend in the species analyzed.

COMPAIRING CLINICAL AND RADIOLOGICAL OUTCOME OF LAMINECTOMY VS LAMINOPLASTY FOR CERVICAL SPONDYLOTIC MYELOPATHY: AN INSTITUTIONAL STUDY.

Introduction &amp; Background: Laminectomy has been a traditional approach in the operative management of patients suffering from cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Laminoplasty is an attractive alternative of laminectomy. Objective: Majority of the previous comparative studies between laminoplasty and laminectomy done in a patient suffering from cervical spondylotic myelopathy did not show any signicant difference in neurological outcome. Purpose of this study is to compare the clinical outcome and radiological results following the operation in a similar group of patient at a 12 months of follow-up. Study Design: Single centered prospective randomized blind control trial. Materials &amp; Methods: A consecutive series of twenty six patients who underwent laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy has been compared with a similar group of twenty ve matched patients who underwent laminectomy. They were similar in age, gender and ethnicity. Results: Modied Nurick scale improved from pre-operative average of 2.51 to 1.44 in the laminoplasty group and from pre-operative average of 2.67 to 2.11 in the laminectomy group. Pain improved in 39% and 8% in laminoplasty and laminectomy group respectively. There was some loss of range of movement in laminoplasty group, although the radiological effectiveness of decompression was greater in laminoplasty group. Conclusion: Although both laminoplasty and laminectomy are effective at improving the clinical disease severity and quality of life, radiological results are more favourable in laminoplasty group. We therefore conclude that laminoplasty is an effective alternative to laminectomy in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy or radiculopathy.

Discrete embryonic character variation uncovers hidden ecological adaptations in lacertid lizards.

Embryogenesis is the first step in the ontogenetic life journey of any individual, and is thus a starting point for natural selection to cause evolutionary change. There are slight variations in the timing of embryonic development, known as heterochrony, which may eventually lead to major differences in adult anatomy. To test this hypothesis, the embryonic development of three closely related lizard species, Darevskia armeniaca, Lacerta agilis, and L. viridis, which are adapted to different habitats, was compared by analyzing discrete timing characters. Both intra- and interspecific variation was detected. The latter may be interpreted as embryonic pre-adaptions to later adult lifestyles, demonstrating that developmental penetrance manifests within a few million years. Traits with large intraspecific temporal variation, such as limb-related features, were susceptible to natural selection. In particular, the mountain-dwelling, climbing species D. armeniaca showed embryonic preadaptions by an early developing limb anlagen. This observation demonstrated interspecific variation, which was elusive in a previous comparative study based on purely metric data of developing limb lengths, and highlighted the importance of multiple data sources to draw robust conclusions about evolutionary change. Timing differences indicated unexplored ecological adaptations of the poorly understood lifestyle of these lizards. Thus, embryonic research provides a platform to explore superficially hidden evolutionary adaptations of all organisms on Earth.

Star finches Neochmia ruficauda have a visual preference for white dot patterns: a possible case of trypophilia

Many animals have polka dot patterns on their body surface, some of which are known to have signalling functions; however, their evolutionary origins remain unclear. Dot patterns can trigger a fear response (trypophobia) in humans and are known to function as aposematic signals in non-human animals, suggesting that dots may deserve attention for biological reasons. Interestingly in many birds, plumage dot patterns serve for social/sexual signalling. To understand their evolution, we have focused on the sensory bias hypothesis, which predicts the role of pre-existing sensory preference driven by natural selection in shaping signal design. Our previous phylogenetic comparative study supported the hypothesis and showed that diet-driven visual preference promoted the evolution of plumage patterns, as there was an evolutionary correlation between termite-eating (white roundish gregarious prey) and the presence of plumage dot patterns in species of the family Estrildidae. This suggests that these species possess an intrinsic preference for dots. To test this, we compared the responses of an Estrildid species with dot plumage pattern (star finch Neochmia ruficauda) towards simultaneously presented monochrome-printed white dot vs white stripe patterns under both food-deprived and -supplied conditions. Overall, star finches preferred dots to stripes. They showed foraging-like behaviours almost only toward dots when hungry and gazed at dots frequently even when food was available, suggesting both hunger-related and hunger-neutral dot preferences. These results are rather surprising, given how strongly the subjects were attracted to abstract dot patterns without organic structure, but provided good support for the sensory bias hypothesis.

Multicolor light-sheet microscopy for a large field of view imaging: A comparative study between Bessel and Gaussian light-sheets configurations.

Light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) is useful for developmental biology studies, which require a simultaneous visualization of dynamic microstructures over large fields of views (FOVs). A comparative study between multicolor Bessel and Gaussian-based LSFM systems is presented. Discussing the chromatic implications to achieve colocalized and large FOVs when both optical arrays are implemented under the same excitation objective is the purpose of this work. The light-sheets FOVs, optical sectioning, and resolution are experimentally characterized and discussed. The advantages of using Bessel beams and the main drawbacks of using Gaussian beams for multicolor imaging are highlighted. Multiple Bessel excitation minimizes the FOV's mismatch's effects due to the beams chromatic defocusing and alleviates the aside object blurring obtained with multiple Gaussian beams. It also offers a fair homogeneous axial resolution and optical sectioning over a larger effective FOV. Imaging over perithecia samples of the fungus Sordaria macrospora demonstrates such advantages. This work complements previous comparative studies that discuss only single wavelengths light-sheets excitations.

Co-option of the SHOOT MERISTEMLESS network regulates protocorm-like body development in Phalaenopsis aphrodite.

The protocorm is a structure that is formed upon germination of an orchid seed. It lacks cotyledons and is ovoid in shape. The protocorm-like body (PLB), on the other hand, is a protocorm-like organ induced from somatic tissues. PLBs have been widely used for orchid micropropagation. Because of its unique structure and its application in the orchid industry, PLB development has drawn considerable interest from orchid and developmental biologists. Our previous genome-wide comparative transcriptome study demonstrated that protocorms and PLBs share similar molecular signatures and suggested that SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM)-dependent organogenesis is important for PLB development. Here, we show that overexpression of Phalaenopsis aphrodite STM (PaSTM) greatly enhances PLB regeneration from vegetative tissue-based explants of Phalaenopsis orchids, confirming its regulatory role in PLB development. Expression of PaSTM restored shoot meristem function of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) stm-2 mutant. Moreover, we identified class S11 MYB transcription factors (TFs) as targets downstream of PaSTM. A cis-acting element, TTGACT, identified in the promoters of S11 MYB TFs was found to be important for PaSTM binding and activation. Overexpression of PaSTM or its downstream targets, PaMYB13, PaMYB14, and PaMYB17, enhanced de novo shoot regeneration in Arabidopsis, indicating the active role of the PaSTM-S11 PaMYB module in organogenesis. In summary, our data demonstrate that PaSTM is important for PLB development. The STM-S11 MYB regulatory module is evolutionarily conserved and may regulate shoot or shoot-related organ development in plants.