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Showing papers by "University of Bern published in 2008"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Assessment of the strength of associations between BMI and different sites of cancer and differences in these associations between sex and ethnic groups should inform the exploration of biological mechanisms that link obesity with cancer.

4,504 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of the methods that can be used by investigators who are attempting to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as by reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that investigate these processes are presented.
Abstract: Research in autophagy continues to accelerate,(1) and as a result many new scientists are entering the field Accordingly, it is important to establish a standard set of criteria for monitoring macroautophagy in different organisms Recent reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose(2,3) There are many useful and convenient methods that can be used to monitor macroautophagy in yeast, but relatively few in other model systems, and there is much confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure macroautophagy in higher eukaryotes A key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers of autophagosomes versus those that measure flux through the autophagy pathway; thus, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation needs to be differentiated from fully functional autophagy that includes delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (in most higher eukaryotes) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi) Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of the methods that can be used by investigators who are attempting to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as by reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that investigate these processes This set of guidelines is not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to verify an autophagic response

2,310 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
13 Mar 2008-BMJ
TL;DR: The average bias associated with defects in the conduct of randomised trials varies with the type of outcome, andSystematic reviewers should routinely assess the risk of bias in the results of trials, and should report meta-analyses restricted to trials at low risk of biases.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the association of inadequate or unclear allocation concealment and lack of blinding with biased estimates of intervention effects varies with the nature of the intervention or outcome. DESIGN: Combined analysis of data from three meta-epidemiological studies based on collections of meta-analyses. DATA SOURCES: 146 meta-analyses including 1346 trials examining a wide range of interventions and outcomes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ratios of odds ratios quantifying the degree of bias associated with inadequate or unclear allocation concealment, and lack of blinding, for trials with different types of intervention and outcome. A ratio of odds ratios <1 implies that inadequately concealed or non-blinded trials exaggerate intervention effect estimates. RESULTS: In trials with subjective outcomes effect estimates were exaggerated when there was inadequate or unclear allocation concealment (ratio of odds ratios 0.69 (95% CI 0.59 to 0.82)) or lack of blinding (0.75 (0.61 to 0.93)). In contrast, there was little evidence of bias in trials with objective outcomes: ratios of odds ratios 0.91 (0.80 to 1.03) for inadequate or unclear allocation concealment and 1.01 (0.92 to 1.10) for lack of blinding. There was little evidence for a difference between trials of drug and non-drug interventions. Except for trials with all cause mortality as the outcome, the magnitude of bias varied between meta-analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The average bias associated with defects in the conduct of randomised trials varies with the type of outcome. Systematic reviewers should routinely assess the risk of bias in the results of trials, and should report meta-analyses restricted to trials at low risk of bias either as the primary analysis or in conjunction with less restrictive analyses.

2,093 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
28 Aug 2008-PLOS ONE
TL;DR: There is strong evidence of an association between significant results and publication; studies that report positive or significant results are more likely to be published and outcomes that are statistically significant have higher odds of being fully reported.
Abstract: Background The increased use of meta-analysis in systematic reviews of healthcare interventions has highlighted several types of bias that can arise during the completion of a randomised controlled trial. Study publication bias has been recognised as a potential threat to the validity of meta-analysis and can make the readily available evidence unreliable for decision making. Until recently, outcome reporting bias has received less attention.

1,373 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
02 Oct 2008-Nature
TL;DR: This work identifies the ecological and molecular basis of divergent evolution in the cichlid visual system, demonstrates associated divergence in male colouration and female preferences, and shows subsequent differentiation at neutral loci, indicating reproductive isolation.
Abstract: Theoretically, divergent selection on sensory systems can cause speciation through sensory drive. However, empirical evidence is rare and incomplete. Here we demonstrate sensory drive speciation within island populations of cichlid fish. We identify the ecological and molecular basis of divergent evolution in the cichlid visual system, demonstrate associated divergence in male colouration and female preferences, and show subsequent differentiation at neutral loci, indicating reproductive isolation. Evidence is replicated in several pairs of sympatric populations and species. Variation in the slope of the environmental gradients explains variation in the progress towards speciation: speciation occurs on all but the steepest gradients. This is the most complete demonstration so far of speciation through sensory drive without geographical isolation. Our results also provide a mechanistic explanation for the collapse of cichlid fish species diversity during the anthropogenic eutrophication of Lake Victoria.

1,020 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The recommendations of the ANCHOR (Academic Network for Conservational Hip Outcomes Research) study group regarding the most important aspects of radiographic technique and image interpretation to evaluate the symptomatic, skeletally mature hip are summarized.
Abstract: Orthopaedic evaluation of hip pain in the young adult population has undergone a rapid evolution over the past decade1,2. This is in large part due to enhanced awareness of structural hip disorders, including developmental dysplasia of the hip and femoroacetabular impingement1-5. Surgical treatment for these disorders continues to be refined6-9, and our ability to identify patients along the spectrum of disease continues to improve10-15. Yet, despite our advances, obtaining an accurate diagnosis can remain challenging, especially in the setting of mild structural abnormalities. Therefore, radiographic examination is a critical component of the diagnostic evaluation and treatment decision-making process. It is essential that physicians have common and reliable radiographic views as well as parameters for plain radiographic assessment that can serve as a foundation for accurate diagnosis, disease classification, and surgical decision-making. Many different radiographic measurements have been described as indicators of structural disease. In particular, measurements such as the lateral center-edge angle of Wiberg16, the anterior center-edge angle of Lequesne17, the ac-etabular index of depth to width described by Heyman and Herndon18, the femoral head extrusion index19, and the Tonnis angle20 have been used as markers for acetabular dysplasia. Similarly, measurements of acetabular version21, the head-neck offset (initially described by Eijer)3,22, and the alpha angle19 have been used in the diagnosis of femoroacetabular impingement. Nevertheless, there is limited literature that provides comprehensive information regarding the details of radiographic evaluation in the young patient with hip symptoms. This paper summarizes the recommendations of the ANCHOR (Academic Network for Conservational Hip Outcomes Research) study group regarding the most important aspects of radiographic technique and image interpretation to evaluate the symptomatic, skeletally mature hip.

1,004 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The aim of this review is to summarize and provide the state of the art of research in this field, addressing aspects such as cell isolation protocols and characteristics of these cells, as well as providing preliminary indications of the possibilities for use ofThese cells in future clinical applications.
Abstract: Placental tissue draws great interest as a source of cells for regenerative medicine because of the phenotypic plasticity of many of the cell types isolated from this tissue. Furthermore, placenta, which is involved in maintaining fetal tolerance, contains cells that display immunomodulatory properties. These two features could prove useful for future cell therapy-based clinical applications. Placental tissue is readily available and easily procured without invasive procedures, and its use does not elicit ethical debate. Numerous reports describing stem cells from different parts of the placenta, using nearly as numerous isolation and characterization procedures, have been published. Considering the complexity of the placenta, an urgent need exists to define, as clearly as possible, the region of origin and methods of isolation of cells derived from this tissue. On March 23-24, 2007, the first international Workshop on Placenta Derived Stem Cells was held in Brescia, Italy. Most of the research published in this area focuses on mesenchymal stromal cells isolated from various parts of the placenta or epithelial cells isolated from amniotic membrane. The aim of this review is to summarize and provide the state of the art of research in this field, addressing aspects such as cell isolation protocols and characteristics of these cells, as well as providing preliminary indications of the possibilities for use of these cells in future clinical applications.

998 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
23 Dec 2008-PLOS ONE
TL;DR: It is suggested that local adaptation is less common in plant populations than generally assumed, and the clear role of population size for the ability to evolve local adaptation raises considerable doubt on the ability of small plant populations to cope with changing environments.
Abstract: Local adaptation is of fundamental importance in evolutionary, population, conservation, and global-change biology The generality of local adaptation in plants and whether and how it is influenced by specific species, population and habitat characteristics have, however, not been quantitatively reviewed Therefore, we examined published data on the outcomes of reciprocal transplant experiments using two approaches We conducted a meta-analysis to compare the performance of local and foreign plants at all transplant sites In addition, we analysed frequencies of pairs of plant origin to examine whether local plants perform better than foreign plants at both compared transplant sites In both approaches, we also examined the effects of population size, and of the habitat and species characteristics that are predicted to affect local adaptation We show that, overall, local plants performed significantly better than foreign plants at their site of origin: this was found to be the case in 710% of the studied sites However, local plants performed better than foreign plants at both sites of a pair-wise comparison (strict definition of local adaption) only in 453% of the 1032 compared population pairs Furthermore, we found local adaptation much more common for large plant populations (>1000 flowering individuals) than for small populations (<1000 flowering individuals) for which local adaptation was very rare The degree of local adaptation was independent of plant life history, spatial or temporal habitat heterogeneity, and geographic scale Our results suggest that local adaptation is less common in plant populations than generally assumed Moreover, our findings reinforce the fundamental importance of population size for evolutionary theory The clear role of population size for the ability to evolve local adaptation raises considerable doubt on the ability of small plant populations to cope with changing environments

909 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It can be concluded that after an observation period of 5 years, high survival rates for implants and implant-supported SCs can be expected, however, biological and particularly technical complications are frequent.
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The objective of this systematic review was to assess the 5-year survival of implant-supported single crowns (SCs) and to describe the incidence of biological and technical complications. METHODS: An electronic MEDLINE search complemented by manual searching was conducted to identify prospective and retrospective cohort studies on SCs with a mean follow-up time of at least 5 years. Failure and complication rates were analyzed using random-effects Poisson's regression models to obtain summary estimates of 5-year proportions. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies from an initial yield of 3601 titles were finally selected and data were extracted. In a meta-analysis of these studies, survival of implants supporting SCs was 96.8% [95% confidence interval (CI): 95.9-97.6%] after 5 years. The survival rate of SCs supported by implants was 94.5% (95% CI: 92.5-95.9%) after 5 years of function. The survival rate of metal-ceramic crowns, 95.4% (95% CI: 93.6-96.7%), was significantly (P=0.005) higher than the survival rate, 91.2% (95% CI: 86.8-94.2%), of all-ceramic crowns. Peri-implantitis and soft tissue complications occurred adjacent to 9.7% of the SCs and 6.3% of the implants had bone loss exceeding 2 mm over the 5-year observation period. The cumulative incidence of implant fractures after 5 years was 0.14%. After 5 years, the cumulative incidence of screw or abutment loosening was 12.7% and 0.35% for screw or abutment fracture. For supra-structure-related complications, the cumulative incidence of ceramic or veneer fractures was 4.5%. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that after an observation period of 5 years, high survival rates for implants and implant-supported SCs can be expected. However, biological and particularly technical complications are frequent.

898 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A framework is proposed to facilitate the comparative analysis of invasion pathways by a wide range of taxa in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and helps identify existing gaps in current knowledge of pathways and highlight the limitations of existing legislation to manage introductions of alien species.
Abstract: Summary 1. Pathways describe the processes that result in the introduction of alien species from one location to another. A framework is proposed to facilitate the comparative analysis of invasion pathways by a wide range of taxa in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Comparisons with a range of data helped identify existing gaps in current knowledge of pathways and highlight the limitations of existing legislation to manage introductions of alien species. The scheme aims for universality but uses the European Union as a case study for the regulatory perspectives. 2. Alien species may arrive and enter a new region through three broad mechanisms: importation of a commodity, arrival of a transport vector, and/or natural spread from a neighbouring region where the species is itself alien. These three mechanisms result in six principal pathways: release, escape, contaminant, stowaway, corridor and unaided. 3. Alien species transported as commodities may be introduced as a deliberate release or as an escape from captivity. Many species are not intentionally transported but arrive as a contaminant of a commodity, for example pathogens and pests. Stowaways are directly associated with human transport but arrive independently of a specific commodity, for example organisms transported in ballast water, cargo and airfreight. The corridor pathway highlights the role transport infrastructures play in the introduction of alien species. The unaided pathway describes situations where natural spread results in alien species arriving into a new region from a donor region where it is also alien. 4. Vertebrate pathways tend to be characterized as deliberate releases, invertebrates as contaminants and plants as escapes. Pathogenic micro-organisms and fungi are generally introduced as contaminants of their hosts. The corridor and unaided pathways are often ignored in pathway assessments but warrant further detailed consideration. 5. Synthesis and applications. Intentional releases and escapes should be straightforward to monitor and regulate but, in practice, developing legislation has proved difficult. New introductions continue to occur through contaminant, stowaway, corridor and unaided pathways. These pathways represent special challenges for management and legislation. The present framework should enable these trends to be monitored more clearly and hopefully lead to the development of appropriate regulations or codes of practice to stem the number of future introductions.

867 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is shown that lipopolysaccharide from Gram-negative bacteria activates interleukin-5 (IL-5)- or interferon-γ–primed eosinophils to release mitochondrial DNA in a reactive oxygen species–dependent manner, but independent of eosInophil death, suggesting a previously undescribed mechanism of eOSinophil-mediated innate immune responses that might be crucial for maintaining the intestinal barrier function after inflammation-associated epithelial cell damage
Abstract: Although eosinophils are considered useful in defense mechanisms against parasites, their exact function in innate immunity remains unclear. The aim of this study is to better understand the role of eosinophils within the gastrointestinal immune system. We show here that lipopolysaccharide from Gram-negative bacteria activates interleukin-5 (IL-5)- or interferon-gamma-primed eosinophils to release mitochondrial DNA in a reactive oxygen species-dependent manner, but independent of eosinophil death. Notably, the process of DNA release occurs rapidly in a catapult-like manner--in less than one second. In the extracellular space, the mitochondrial DNA and the granule proteins form extracellular structures able to bind and kill bacteria both in vitro and under inflammatory conditions in vivo. Moreover, after cecal ligation and puncture, Il5-transgenic but not wild-type mice show intestinal eosinophil infiltration and extracellular DNA deposition in association with protection against microbial sepsis. These data suggest a previously undescribed mechanism of eosinophil-mediated innate immune responses that might be crucial for maintaining the intestinal barrier function after inflammation-associated epithelial cell damage, preventing the host from uncontrolled invasion of bacteria.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Large well-designed randomised controlled trials with clear descriptions of patients are needed to improve the present recommendations on the treatment of these common syndromes.
Abstract: There is poor agreement on definitions of different phenotypes of preschool wheezing disorders. The present Task Force proposes to use the terms episodic (viral) wheeze to describe children who wheeze intermittently and are well between episodes, and multiple-trigger wheeze for children who wheeze both during and outside discrete episodes. Investigations are only needed when in doubt about the diagnosis. Based on the limited evidence available, inhaled short-acting beta(2)-agonists by metered-dose inhaler/spacer combination are recommended for symptomatic relief. Educating parents regarding causative factors and treatment is useful. Exposure to tobacco smoke should be avoided; allergen avoidance may be considered when sensitisation has been established. Maintenance treatment with inhaled corticosteroids is recommended for multiple-trigger wheeze; benefits are often small. Montelukast is recommended for the treatment of episodic (viral) wheeze and can be started when symptoms of a viral cold develop. Given the large overlap in phenotypes, and the fact that patients can move from one phenotype to another, inhaled corticosteroids and montelukast may be considered on a trial basis in almost any preschool child with recurrent wheeze, but should be discontinued if there is no clear clinical benefit. Large well-designed randomised controlled trials with clear descriptions of patients are needed to improve the present recommendations on the treatment of these common syndromes.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is shown by spatially explicit simulations that massive introgression of neutral genes takes place during the invasion of an occupied territory if interbreeding is not severely prevented between the invading and the local species.
Abstract: Despite hundreds of reports involving both plants and animals, the mechanisms underlying introgression remain obscure, even if some form of selection is frequently invoked. Introgression has repeatedly been reported in species that have recently colonized a new habitat, suggesting that demographic processes should be given more attention for understanding the mechanisms of introgression. Here we show by spatially explicit simulations that massive introgression of neutral genes takes place during the invasion of an occupied territory if interbreeding is not severely prevented between the invading and the local species. We also demonstrate that introgression occurs almost exclusively from the local to the invading species, especially for populations located far away from the source of the invasion, and this irrespective of the relative densities of the two species. This pattern is strongest at markers experiencing reduced gene flow, in keeping with the observation that organelle genes are often preferentially introgressed across species boundaries. A survey of the literature shows that a majority of published empirical studies of introgression during range expansions, in animals and in plants, follow the predictions of our model. Our results imply that speciation genes can be identified by comparing genomes of interfertile native and invading species pairs.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The insertion of dental implants in combination with maxillary sinus floor elevation is a predictable treatment method showing high implant survival rates and low incidences of surgical complications.
Abstract: Objectives: The objectives of this systematic review were to assess the survival rate of implants placed in sites with transalveolar sinus floor elevation. Material and Methods: An electronic search was conducted to identify prospective and retrospective cohort studies on transalveolar sinus floor elevation, with a mean follow-up time of at least 1 year after functional loading. Failure and complication rates were analyzed using random-effects Poisson regression models to obtain summary estimates/ year proportions. Results: The search provided 849 titles. Full-text analysis was performed for 176 articles, resulting in 19 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis of these studies indicated an estimated annual failure rate of 2.48% (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.37‐4.49%) translating to an estimated survival rate of 92.8% (95% CI): 87.4‐96.0%) for implants placed in transalveolarly augmented sinuses, after 3 years in function. Furthermore, subject-based analysis revealed an estimated annual failure of 3.71% (95% CI: 1.21‐11.38%), translating to 10.5% (95% CI: 3.6‐28.9%) of the subjects experiencing implant loss over 3 years. Conclusion: Survival rates of implants placed in transalveolar sinus floor augmentation sites are comparable to those in non-augmented sites. This technique is predictable with a low incidence of complications during and post-operatively.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Aug 2008-Science
TL;DR: A northern shift of the Intertropical Convergence Zone could be the trigger of these abrupt shifts of Northern Hemisphere atmospheric circulation, resulting in changes of 2 to 4 kelvin in Greenland moisture source temperature from one year to the next.
Abstract: The last two abrupt warmings at the onset of our present warm interglacial period, interrupted by the Younger Dryas cooling event, were investigated at high temporal resolution from the North Greenland Ice Core Project ice core. The deuterium excess, a proxy of Greenland precipitation moisture source, switched mode within 1 to 3 years over these transitions and initiated a more gradual change (over 50 years) of the Greenland air temperature, as recorded by stable water isotopes. The onsets of both abrupt Greenland warmings were slightly preceded by decreasing Greenland dust deposition, reflecting the wetting of Asian deserts. A northern shift of the Intertropical Convergence Zone could be the trigger of these abrupt shifts of Northern Hemisphere atmospheric circulation, resulting in changes of 2 to 4 kelvin in Greenland moisture source temperature from one year to the next.

Journal ArticleDOI
Heather C Mefford1, Andrew J. Sharp2, Carl Baker1, Andy Itsara1, Zhaoshi Jiang1, Karen Buysse3, Shuwen Huang4, Viv K. Maloney4, John A. Crolla4, Diana Baralle5, Amanda L. Collins5, Catherine Mercer5, Koenraad Norga6, Thomy de Ravel6, Koenraad Devriendt6, Ernie M.H.F. Bongers7, Nicole de Leeuw7, William Reardon, Stefania Gimelli2, Frédérique Béna2, Raoul C.M. Hennekam8, Raoul C.M. Hennekam9, Alison Male9, Lorraine Gaunt10, Jill Clayton-Smith10, Ingrid Simonic, Soo Mi Park, Sarju G. Mehta, Serena Nik-Zainal, C. Geoffrey Woods, Helen V. Firth, Georgina Parkin, Marco Fichera, Santina Reitano, Mariangela Lo Giudice, Kelly Li, Iris Casuga, Adam Broomer, Bernard Conrad11, Markus Schwerzmann11, Lorenz Räber11, Sabina Gallati11, Pasquale Striano12, Antonietta Coppola12, John Tolmie13, Edward S. Tobias13, Chris Lilley13, Lluís Armengol14, Yves Spysschaert3, Patrick Verloo3, Anja De Coene3, Linde Goossens3, Geert Mortier3, Frank Speleman3, Ellen van Binsbergen15, Marcel R. Nelen15, Ron Hochstenbach15, Martin Poot15, Louise Gallagher, Michael Gill, Jon McClellan1, Mary Claire King1, Regina Regan16, Cindy Skinner, Roger E. Stevenson, Stylianos E. Antonarakis2, Caifu Chen, Xavier Estivill14, Björn Menten3, Giorgio Gimelli, Susan M. Gribble17, Stuart Schwartz18, James S. Sutcliffe19, Tom Walsh1, Samantha J. L. Knight16, Jonathan Sebat20, Corrado Romano, Charles E. Schwartz, Joris A. Veltman7, Bert B.A. de Vries7, Joris Vermeesch6, John C. K. Barber4, Lionel Willatt, May Tassabehji10, Evan E. Eichler21, Evan E. Eichler1 
TL;DR: Recurrent molecular lesions that elude syndromic classification and whose disease manifestations must be considered in a broader context of development as opposed to being assigned to a specific disease are identified.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Duplications and deletions in the human genome can cause disease or predispose persons to disease. Advances in technologies to detect these changes allow for the routine identification of submicroscopic imbalances in large numbers of patients. METHODS: We tested for the presence of microdeletions and microduplications at a specific region of chromosome 1q21.1 in two groups of patients with unexplained mental retardation, autism, or congenital anomalies and in unaffected persons. RESULTS: We identified 25 persons with a recurrent 1.35-Mb deletion within 1q21.1 from screening 5218 patients. The microdeletions had arisen de novo in eight patients, were inherited from a mildly affected parent in three patients, were inherited from an apparently unaffected parent in six patients, and were of unknown inheritance in eight patients. The deletion was absent in a series of 4737 control persons (P=1.1x10(-7)). We found considerable variability in the level of phenotypic expression of the microdeletion; phenotypes included mild-to-moderate mental retardation, microcephaly, cardiac abnormalities, and cataracts. The reciprocal duplication was enriched in nine children with mental retardation or autism spectrum disorder and other variable features (P=0.02). We identified three deletions and three duplications of the 1q21.1 region in an independent sample of 788 patients with mental retardation and congenital anomalies. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified recurrent molecular lesions that elude syndromic classification and whose disease manifestations must be considered in a broader context of development as opposed to being assigned to a specific disease. Clinical diagnosis in patients with these lesions may be most readily achieved on the basis of genotype rather than phenotype.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A selectively reviewed the literature for habitat suitability studies that directly addressed four common facets of niche theory: niche characteristics, niche interactions, community-wide processes and niche evolution, and a list of pointers to key niche-theory concepts and a wide palette of related HSM studies.
Abstract: Summary 1. The concept of the ecological niche relates a set of environmental variables to the fitness of species, while habitat suitability models (HSMs) relate environmental variables to the likelihood of occurrence of the species. In spite of this relationship, the concepts are weakly linked in the literature, and there is a strong need for better integration. 2. We selectively reviewed the literature for habitat suitability studies that directly addressed four common facets of niche theory: niche characteristics, niche interactions, community-wide processes and niche evolution. 3. We found that HSMs have mostly contributed to the study of niche characteristics, but the three other themes are gaining impetus. We discuss three issues that emerge from these studies: (i) commonly used environmental variables and their link with ecological niches; (ii) the causes of false absences and false presences in species data, and associated issues; (iii) the three axes of model generalization (interpolation and extrapolation): environmental, spatial and temporal. Finally, we propose a list of 12 recommendations to strengthen the use of HSMs for wildlife management. 4. Synthesis and applications. This selective review provides conservation biologists with a list of pointers to key niche-theory concepts and a wide palette of related HSM studies. It also brings together frameworks that are often separated: theoretical and applied ecology studies; botany, zoology and parasitology; and different HSM frameworks, such as Resource Selection Functions, Species Distribution Modelling, Ecological Niche Modelling, and Gradient Analysis. We hope that integration of all these slices of knowledge will improve the quality and reliability of HSM predictions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Using microbial populations, Hallatschek and colleagues have provided the first experimental evidence of surfing during spatial expansions and suggest that a single range expansion can create very complex patterns at neutral loci, mimicking adaptive processes and resembling postglacial segregation of clades from distinct refuge areas.
Abstract: Recent studies have shown that low-frequency alleles can sometimes surf on the wave of advance of a population range expansion, reaching high frequencies and spreading over large areas. Using microbial populations, Hallatschek and colleagues have provided the first experimental evidence of surfing during spatial expansions. They also show that the newly colonized area should become structured into sectors of low genetic diversity separated by sharp allele frequency gradients, increasing the global genetic differentiation of the population. These experimental results can be easily reproduced in silico and they should apply to a wide variety of higher organisms. They also suggest that a single range expansion can create very complex patterns at neutral loci, mimicking adaptive processes and resembling postglacial segregation of clades from distinct refuge areas.


Journal ArticleDOI
03 Apr 2008-Nature
TL;DR: It is proposed that the observed ∼25-fold increase in glacial dust flux over all eight glacial periods can be attributed to a strengthening of South American dust sources, together with a longer lifetime for atmospheric dust particles in the upper troposphere resulting from a reduced hydrological cycle during the ice ages.
Abstract: Dust can affect the radiative balance of the atmosphere by absorbing or reflecting incoming solar radiation; it can also be a source of micronutrients, such as iron, to the ocean. It has been suggested that production, transport and deposition of dust is influenced by climatic changes on glacial-interglacial timescales. Here we present a high-resolution record of aeolian dust from the EPICA Dome C ice core in East Antarctica, which provides an undisturbed climate sequence over the past eight climatic cycles. We find that there is a significant correlation between dust flux and temperature records during glacial periods that is absent during interglacial periods. Our data suggest that dust flux is increasingly correlated with Antarctic temperature as the climate becomes colder. We interpret this as progressive coupling of the climates of Antarctic and lower latitudes. Limited changes in glacial-interglacial atmospheric transport time suggest that the sources and lifetime of dust are the main factors controlling the high glacial dust input. We propose that the observed approximately 25-fold increase in glacial dust flux over all eight glacial periods can be attributed to a strengthening of South American dust sources, together with a longer lifetime for atmospheric dust particles in the upper troposphere resulting from a reduced hydrological cycle during the ice ages.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that a stents eluting biolimus from a biodegradable polymer represents a safe and effective alternative to a stent eluting sirolimus from a durable polymer in patients with chronic stable coronary artery disease or acute coronary syndromes.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Wir hoffen, dass das STROBE-Statement dazu beitragen kann, dassing Beobachtungsstudien besser berichtet werden, as well as empirische Evidenz and methodologische Aspekte berucksichtigt.
Abstract: Ein Grosteil der biomedizinischen Forschung ist beobachtend, und die Qualitat der veroffentlichten Berichte uber diese Forschung ist oft unzureichend. Dies behindert die Beurteilung der Starken und Schwachen einer Studie und ihrer Ubertragbarkeit. Die Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE-) Initiative hat Empfehlungen entwickelt, was in einem akkuraten und vollstandigen Bericht einer Beobachtungsstudie enthalten sein sollte. Die Empfehlungen wurden von uns so definiert, dass sie 3 Hauptstudientypen abdecken: Kohorten-, Fallkontroll- und Querschnittsstudien. Im September 2004 veranstalteten wir einen zweitagigen Workshop mit Methodikern, Forschern und Herausgebern wissenschaftlicher Zeitschriften, um eine Checkliste zu entwerfen. Anschliesend wurde der Entwurf bei mehreren Treffen der Koordinierungsgruppe und nach E-Mail-Diskussionen mit der erweiterten STROBE-Gruppe revidiert und dabei empirische Evidenz und methodologische Aspekte berucksichtigt. Das Ergebnis des Workshops und des anschliesenden iterativen Prozesses aus Beratung und Revision war eine Checkliste von 22 Punkten (STROBE-Statement), die sich auf die Bereiche Titel, Abstract, Einleitung, Methoden, Ergebnisse und Diskussion eines Artikels beziehen. 18 der Punkte sind relevant fur alle 3 Studiendesigns, wahrend 4 der Punkte spezifisch fur Kohorten-, Fallkontroll- und Querschnittsstudien sind. Ein ausfuhrlicher Begleitartikel („Explanation and Elaboration“) wurde separat veroffentlicht und ist auf den Webseiten von „PLoS Medicine“, „Annals of Internal Medicine“ und „Epidemiology“ frei zuganglich. Wir hoffen, dass das STROBE-Statement dazu beitragen kann, dass Beobachtungsstudien besser berichtet werden.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Periacetabular osteotomy is an effective technique for treating symptomatic developmental dysplasia of the hip and can maintain the natural hip at least 19 years in selected patients.
Abstract: The goal of the Bernese periacetabular osteotomy is to correct the deficient acetabular coverage in hips with developmental dysplasia to prevent secondary osteoarthrosis We determined the 20-year survivorship of symptomatic patients treated with this procedure, determined the clinical and radiographic outcomes of the surviving hips, and identified factors predicting poor outcome We retrospectively evaluated the first 63 patients (75 hips) who underwent periacetabular osteotomy at the institution where this technique was developed The mean age of the patients at surgery was 29 years (range, 13–56 years), and preoperatively 24% presented with advanced grades of osteoarthritis Four patients (five hips) were lost to followup and one patient (two hips) died The remaining 58 patients (68 hips) were followed for a minimum of 19 years (mean, 204 years; range, 19–23 years) and 41 hips (60%) were preserved at last followup The overall mean Merle d’Aubigne and Postel score decreased in comparison to the 10-year value and was similar to the preoperative score We observed no major changes in any of the radiographic parameters during the 20-year postoperative period except the osteoarthritis score We identified six factors predicting poor outcome: age at surgery, preoperative Merle d’Aubigne and Postel score, positive anterior impingement test, limp, osteoarthrosis grade, and the postoperative extrusion index Periacetabular osteotomy is an effective technique for treating symptomatic developmental dysplasia of the hip and can maintain the natural hip at least 19 years in selected patients Level of Evidence: Level III, prognostic study See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study shows that treatment with mepolizumab, an agent designed to target eosinophils, can result in corticosteroid-sparing for patients negative for FIP1L1-PDGFRA who have the hypereos inophilic syndrome.
Abstract: The primary end point was reached in 84% of patients in the mepolizumab group, as compared with 43% of patients in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 2.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.59 to 5.26; P<0.001) with no increase in clinical activity of the hypereosinophilic syndrome. A blood eosinophil count of less than 600 per microliter for 8 or more consecutive weeks was achieved in 95% of patients receiving mepolizumab, as compared with 45% of patients receiving placebo (hazard ratio, 3.53; 95% CI, 1.94 to 6.45; P<0.001). Serious adverse events occurred in seven patients receiving mepolizumab (14 events, including one death; mean [±SD] duration of exposure, 6.7±1.9 months) and in five patients receiving placebo (7 events; mean duration of exposure, 4.3±2.6 months). CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that treatment with mepolizumab, an agent designed to target eosinophils, can result in corticosteroid-sparing for patients negative for FIP1L1– PDGFRA who have the hypereosinophilic syndrome. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00086658.)

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Diabetes is an independent predictor of early stent thrombosis, whereas acute coronary syndrome, younger age, and PES implantation are associated with late ST.

Journal ArticleDOI
13 Mar 2008-Nature
TL;DR: The discovery of the amino-acetonitrile derivatives (AADs) as a new chemical class of synthetic anthelmintics and the development of drug candidates that are efficacious against various species of livestock-pathogenic nematodes are described.
Abstract: Anthelmintic resistance in human and animal pathogenic helminths has been spreading in prevalence and severity to a point where multidrug resistance against the three major classes of anthelmintics--the benzimidazoles, imidazothiazoles and macrocyclic lactones--has become a global phenomenon in gastrointestinal nematodes of farm animals. Hence, there is an urgent need for an anthelmintic with a new mode of action. Here we report the discovery of the amino-acetonitrile derivatives (AADs) as a new chemical class of synthetic anthelmintics and describe the development of drug candidates that are efficacious against various species of livestock-pathogenic nematodes. These drug candidates seem to have a novel mode of action involving a unique, nematode-specific clade of acetylcholine receptor subunits. The AADs are well tolerated and of low toxicity to mammals, and overcome existing resistances to the currently available anthelmintics.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Residual residual PPD >or=5 mm and bleeding on probing (BOP) after active periodontal therapy (APT) on the progression of periodontitis and tooth loss represents an incompleteperiodontal treatment outcome and require further therapy.
Abstract: Background: Limited evidence exists on the significance of residual probing pocket depth (PPD) as a predictive parameter for periodontal disease progression and tooth loss. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of residual PPD 5 mm and bleeding on probing (BOP) after active periodontal therapy (APT) on the progression of periodontitis and tooth loss. Material and Methods: In this retrospective cohort, 172 patients were examined after APT and supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) for 3–27 years (mean 11.3 years). Analyses were conducted using information at site, tooth and patient levels. The association of risk factors with tooth loss and progression of periodontitis was investigated using multilevel logistic regression analysis. Results: The number of residual PPD increased during SPT. Compared with PPD3 mm, PPD=5 mm represented a risk factor for tooth loss with odds ratios of 5.8 and 7.7, respectively, at site and tooth levels. The corresponding odds ratios for PPD=6 mm were 9.3 and 11.0 and for PPD7 mm 37.9 and 64.2, respectively. At patient level, heavy smoking, initial diagnosis, duration of SPT and PPD6 mm were risk factors for disease progression, while PPD6 mm and BOP30% represented a risk for tooth loss. Conclusion: Residual PPD6 mm represent an incomplete periodontal treatment outcome and require further therapy.

Book ChapterDOI
04 Dec 2008
TL;DR: A repository of graph data sets and corresponding benchmarks, covering a wide spectrum of different applications is introduced, to make the different approaches in graph based machine learning better comparable.
Abstract: In recent years the use of graph based representation has gained popularity in pattern recognition and machine learning. As a matter of fact, object representation by means of graphs has a number of advantages over feature vectors. Therefore, various algorithms for graph based machine learning have been proposed in the literature. However, in contrast with the emerging interest in graph based representation, a lack of standardized graph data sets for benchmarking can be observed. Common practice is that researchers use their own data sets, and this behavior cumbers the objective evaluation of the proposed methods. In order to make the different approaches in graph based machine learning better comparable, the present paper aims at introducing a repository of graph data sets and corresponding benchmarks, covering a wide spectrum of different applications.