Can Male Circumcision Have an Impact on the HIV Epidemic in Men Who Have Sex with Men?

Background

Three trials have demonstrated the prophylactic effect of male circumcision (MC) for HIV acquisition among heterosexuals, and MC interventions are underway throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Similar efforts for men who have sex with men (MSM) are stymied by the potential for circumcised MSM to acquire HIV easily through receptive sex and transmit easily through insertive sex. Existing work suggests that MC for MSM should reach its maximum potential in settings where sexual role segregation is historically high and relatively stable across the lifecourse; HIV incidence among MSM is high; reported willingness for prophylactic circumcision is high; and pre-existing circumcision rates are low. We aim to identify the likely public health impact that MC interventions among MSM would have in one setting that fulfills these conditions—Peru—as a theoretical upper bound for their effectiveness among MSM generally.

Methods and Findings

We use a dynamic, stochastic sexual network model based in exponential-family random graph modeling and parameterized from multiple behavioral surveys of Peruvian MSM. We consider three enrollment criteria (insertive during 100%, >80% or >60% of UAI) and two levels of uptake (25% and 50% of eligible men); we explore sexual role proportions from two studies and different frequencies of switching among role categories. Each scenario is simulated 10 times. We estimate that efficiency could reach one case averted per 6 circumcisions. However, the population-level impact of an optimistic MSM-MC intervention in this setting would likely be at most ∼5–10% incidence and prevalence reductions over 25 years.

Conclusions

Roll-out of MC for MSM in Peru would not result in a substantial reduction in new HIV infections, despite characteristics in this population that could maximize such effects. Additional studies are needed to confirm these results for other MSM populations, and providers may consider the individual health benefits of offering MC to their MSM patients.     

Inference or Enaction? The Impact of Genre on the Narrative Processing of Other Minds

Do narratives shape how humans process other minds or do they presuppose an existing theory of mind? This study experimentally investigated this problem by assessing subject responses to systematic alterations in the genre, levels of intentionality, and linguistic complexity of narratives. It showed that the interaction of genre and intentionality level are crucial in determining how narratives are cognitively processed. Specifically, genres that deployed evolutionarily familiar scenarios (relationship stories) were rated as being higher in quality when levels of intentionality were increased; conversely, stories that lacked evolutionary familiarity (espionage stories) were rated as being lower in quality with increases in intentionality level. Overall, the study showed that narrative is not solely either the origin or the product of our intuitions about other minds; instead, different genres will have different—even opposite—effects on how we understand the mind states of others.     

Does Collocation Inform the Impact of Collaboration?

Background

It has been shown that large interdisciplinary teams working across geography are more likely to be impactful. We asked whether the physical proximity of collaborators remained a strong predictor of the scientific impact of their research as measured by citations of the resulting publications.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Articles published by Harvard investigators from 1993 to 2003 with at least two authors were identified in the domain of biomedical science. Each collaboration was geocoded to the precise three-dimensional location of its authors. Physical distances between any two coauthors were calculated and associated with corresponding citations. Relationship between distance of coauthors and citations for four author relationships (first-last, first-middle, last-middle, and middle-middle) were investigated at different spatial scales. At all sizes of collaborations (from two authors to dozens of authors), geographical proximity between first and last author is highly informative of impact at the microscale (i.e. within building) and beyond. The mean citation for first-last author relationship decreased as the distance between them increased in less than one km range as well as in the three categorized ranges (in the same building, same city, or different city). Such a trend was not seen in other three author relationships.

Conclusions/Significance

Despite the positive impact of emerging communication technologies on scientific research, our results provide striking evidence for the role of physical proximity as a predictor of the impact of collaborations.     

Does Global and Local Vision Have an Impact on Creative and Analytic Thought? Two Failed Replications

According to GLOMO^sys (the GLObal versus LOcal processing MOdel, a systems account), an important distinction is that between a local and a global processing system: The former processes information in parts, the latter processes it globally. These systems can be activated by perceptual processing and carry over to subsequent conceptual processing, in particular to analytical and creative thought. A conceptual and a high-powered close replication of previously reported studies test predictions of GLOMO^sys for analytical thought and for analytical and creative thought, respectively. The present studies found no evidence that processing style primed via the Navon letter task has an impact on creative or analytic thought.     

Determination of Flower Structure in Elaeis guineensis: Do Palms use the Same Homeotic Genes as Other Species?

AIMS: In this article a review is made of data recently obtained on the structural diversity and possible functions of MADS box genes in the determination of flower structure in the African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). MADS box genes play a dominant role in the ABC model established to explain how floral organ identity is determined in model dicotyledon species such as Arabidopsis thaliana and Antirrhinum majus. In the monocotyledons, although there appears to be a broad general conservation of ABC gene functions, the model itself needs to be adapted in some cases, notably for certain species which produce flowers with sepals and petals of similar appearance. For the moment, ABC genes remain unstudied in a number of key monocot clades, so only a partial picture is available for the Liliopsida as a whole. The aim of this article is to summarize data recently obtained for the African oil palm Elaeis guineensis, a member of the family Arecaceae (Arecales), and to discuss their significance with respect to knowledge gained from other Angiosperm groups, particularly within the monocotyledons. SCOPE: The essential details of reproductive development in oil palm are discussed and an overview is provided of the structural and functional characterization of MADS box genes likely to play a homeotic role in flower development in this species. CONCLUSIONS: The structural and functional data provide evidence for a general conservation of the generic 'ABC' model in oil palm, rather than the 'modified ABC model' proposed for some other monocot species which produce homochlamydeous flowers (i.e. with morphologically similar organs in both perianth whorls), such as members of the Liliales. Our oil palm data therefore follow a similar pattern to those obtained for other Commelinid species in the orders Commelinales and Poales. The significance of these findings is discussed.     

Does the Genetic Code Have A Eukaryotic Origin?

In the RNA world, RNA is assumed to be the dominant macromolecule performing most, if not all, core "house-keeping" functions. The ribo-cell hypothesis suggests that the genetic code and the translation machinery may both be born of the RNA world, and the introduction of DNA to ribo-cells may take over the informational role of RNA gradually, such as a mature set of genetic code and mechanism enabling stable inheritance of sequence and its variation. In this context, we modeled the genetic code in two content variables-GC and purine contents-of protein-coding sequences and measured the purine content sensitivities for each codon when the sensitivity (% usage) is plotted as a function of GC content variation. The analysis leads to a new pattern-the symmetric pattern-where the sensitivity of purine content variation shows diagonally symmetry in the codon table more significantly in the two GC content invariable quarters in addition to the two existing patterns where the table is divided into either four GC content sensitivity quarters or two amino acid diversity halves. The most insensitive codon sets are GUN (valine) and CAN (CAR for asparagine and CAY for aspartic acid) and the most biased amino acid is valine (always over-estimated) followed by alanine (always under-estimated). The unique position of valine and its codons suggests its key roles in the final recruitment of the complete codon set of the canonical table. The distinct choice may only be attributable to sequence signatures or signals of splice sites for spliceosomal introns shared by all extant eukaryotes.     

Truffle Br?lés Have an Impact on the Diversity of Soil Bacterial Communities

Background

The development of Tuber melanosporum mycorrhizal symbiosis is associated with the production of an area devoid of vegetation (commonly referred to by the French word ‘brûlé’) around the symbiotic plants and where the fruiting bodies of T. melanosporum are usually collected. The extent of the ecological impact of such an area is still being discovered. While the relationship between T. melanosporum and the other fungi present in the brûlé has been assessed, no data are available on the relationship between this fungus and the bacteria inhabiting the brûlé.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We used DGGE and DNA microarrays of 16S rRNA gene fragments to compare the bacterial and archaeal communities inside and outside of truffle brûlés. Soil samples were collected in 2008 from four productive T. melanosporum/Quercus pubescens truffle-grounds located in Cahors, France, showing characteristic truffle brûlé. All the samples were analyzed by DGGE and one truffle-ground was analyzed also using phylogenetic microarrays. DGGE profiles showed differences in the bacterial community composition, and the microarrays revealed a few differences in relative richness between the brûlé interior and exterior zones, as well as differences in the relative abundance of several taxa.

Conclusions/Significance

The different signal intensities we have measured for members of bacteria and archaea inside versus outside the brûlé are the first demonstration, to our knowledge, that not only fungal communities, but also other microorganisms are affected by T. melanosporum. Firmicutes (e.g., Bacillus), several genera of Actinobacteria, and a few Cyanobacteria had greater representation inside the brûlé compared with outside, whereas Pseudomonas and several genera within the class Flavobacteriaceae had higher relative abundances outside the brûlé. The findings from this study may contribute to future searches for microbial bio-indicators of brûlés.     

Does Aging Have a Purpose?

Ideas of proponents and opponents of programmed aging concerning the expediency of this phenomenon for the evolution of living organisms are briefly considered. We think that evolution has no “gerontological” purpose, because the obligate restriction of cell proliferation during the development of multicellular organisms is a factor that “automatically” triggers aging due to the accumulation of various macromolecular lesions in cells as a result of the suppression, or even complete cessation of emergence of new, intact cells. This leads to the “dilution” of stochastic damage (the most important of which is DNA damage) at the level of the entire cellular population. Some additional arguments in favor of the inexpediency of aging for both species and individuals are also listed.     

Do Mirror Glasses Have the Same Effect on Brain Activity as a Mirror Box? Evidence from a Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study with Healthy Subjects

Since its original proposal, mirror therapy has been established as a successful neurorehabilitative intervention in several neurological disorders to recover motor function or to relieve pain. Mirror therapy seems to operate by reactivating the contralesional representation of the non-mirrored limb in primary motor- and somatosensory cortex. However, mirror boxes have some limitations which prompted the use of additional mirror visual feedback devices. The present study evaluated the utility of mirror glasses compared to a mirror box. We also tested the hypothesis that increased interhemispheric communication between the motor hand areas is the mechanism by which mirror visual feedback recruits the representation of the non-mirrored limb. Therefore, mirror illusion capacity and brain activations were measured in a within-subject design during both mirror visual feedback conditions in counterbalanced order with 20 healthy subjects inside a magnetic resonance imaging scanner. Furthermore, we analyzed task-dependent functional connectivity between motor hand representations using psychophysiological interaction analysis during both mirror tasks. Neither the subjective quality of mirror illusions nor the patterns of functional brain activation differed between the mirror tasks. The sensorimotor representation of the non-mirrored hand was recruited in both mirror tasks. However, a significant increase in interhemispheric connectivity between the hand areas was only observed in the mirror glasses condition, suggesting different mechanisms for the recruitment of the representation of the non-mirrored hand in the two mirror tasks. We conclude that the mirror glasses might be a promising alternative to the mirror box, as they induce similar patterns of brain activation. Moreover, the mirror glasses can be easy applied in therapy and research. We want to emphasize that the neuronal mechanisms for the recruitment of the affected limb representation might differ depending on conceptual differences between MVF devices. However, our findings need to be validated within specific patient groups.     

How Much Is the Dose Varying between Follow-Up CT-Examinations Performed on the Same Scanner with the Same Imaging Protocol?

PurposeTo investigate the dose variation between follow-up CT examinations, when a patient is examined several times on the same scanner with the identical scan protocol which comprised automated exposure control.ResultsThe median percentage difference in DLP between follow-up examinations was 9.6% for CH-CT, 10.3% for LI-CT, and 10.1% for AB-CT; the median percentage difference in CTDI_vol 8.3% for CH-CT, 7.4% for LI-CT and 7.7% for AB-CT (p<0.0001 for all values). The maximum difference in DLP between follow-up examinations was 67.5% for CH-CT, 50.8% for LI-CT and 74.3% for AB-CT; the maximum difference in CTDI_vol 62.9% for CH-CT, 47.2% for LI-CT, and 49% for AB-CT.ConclusionA significant variance in the radiation dose occurs between follow-up CT examinations when the same CT scanner and the identical imaging protocol are used in combination with automated exposure control.     

The Molecular Symplesiomorphies Shared by the Stem Groups of Metazoan Evolution: Can Sites as Few as 1 % Have a Significant Impact on Recognizing the Phylogenetic Position of Myzostomida?

Although it is clear that taxon sampling, alignments, gene sampling, tree reconstruction methods and the total length of the sequences used are critical to the reconstruction of evolutionary history, weakly supported or misleading nodes exist in phylogenetic studies with no obvious flaw in those aspects. The phylogenetic studies focusing on the basal part of bilaterian evolution are such a case. During the past decade, Myzostomida has appeared in the basal part of Bilateria in several phylogenetic studies of Metazoa. However, most researchers have entertained only two competing hypotheses about the position of Myzostomida—an affinity with Annelida and an affinity with Platyhelminthes. In this study, dozens of symplesiomorphies were discovered by means of ancestral state reconstruction in the complete 18S and 28S rDNAs shared by the stem groups of Metazoa. By contrastive analysis on the datasets with or without such symplesiomorphic sites, we discovered that Myzostomida and other basal groups are basal lineages of Bilateria due to the corresponding symplesiomorphies shared with earlier lineages. As such, symplesiomorphies account for approximately 1–2 % of the whole dataset have an essential impact on phylogenetic inference, and this study reminds molecular systematists of the importance of carrying out ancestral state reconstruction at each site in sequence-based phylogenetic studies. In addition, reasons should be explored for the low support of the hypothesis that Myzostomida belongs to Annelida in the results of phylogenomic studies. Future phylogenetic studies concerning Myzostomida should include all of the basal lineages of Bilateria to avoid directly neglecting the stand-alone basal position of Myzostomida as a potential hypothesis.     

A Preliminary Investigation Regarding the Effect of Tennis Grunting: Does White Noise During a Tennis Shot Have a Negative Impact on Shot Perception?

Background

There is a growing chorus of critics who complain that many of the top-ranked professional tennis players who grunt when they hit the ball gain an unfair advantage because the sound of the grunt interferes with their opponent''s game. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We explored this potential detrimental effect of grunting by presenting videos of a tennis player hitting a ball to either side of a tennis court; the shot either did, or did not, contain a brief sound that occurred at the same time as contact. The participants'' task was to respond as quickly as possible, indicating whether the ball was being hit to the left- or right-side of the court. The results were unequivocal: The presence of an extraneous sound interfered with a participants'' performance, making their responses both slower and less accurate.

Conclusions/Significance

Our data suggest that a grunting player has a competitive edge on the professional tennis tour. The mechanism that underlies this effect is a topic for future investigation. Viable alternatives are discussed. For example, the possibility that the interfering auditory stimulus masks the sound of the ball being struck by the racket or it distracts an opponent''s attention away from the sound of the ball.     

Does the Adequacy Parameter Kt/Vurea Reflect Uremic Toxin Concentrations in Hemodialysis Patients?

Hemodialysis aims at removing uremic toxins thus decreasing their concentrations. The present study investigated whether Kt/V_urea, used as marker of dialysis adequacy, is correlated with these concentrations. Predialysis blood samples were taken before a midweek session in 71 chronic HD patients. Samples were analyzed by colorimetry, HPLC, or ELISA for a broad range of uremic solutes. Solute concentrations were divided into four groups according to quartiles of Kt/V_urea, and also of different other parameters with potential impact, such as age, body weight (BW), Protein equivalent of Nitrogen Appearance (PNA), Residual Renal Function (RRF), and dialysis vintage. Dichotomic concentration comparisons were performed for gender and Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Analysis of Variance in quartiles of Kt/V_urea did not show significant differences for any of the solute concentrations. For PNA, however, concentrations showed significant differences for urea (P<0.001), uric acid (UA), p-cresylsulfate (PCS), and free PCS (all P<0.01), and for creatinine (Crea) and hippuric acid (HA) (both P<0.05). For RRF, concentrations varied for β₂-microglobulin (P<0.001), HA, free HA, free indoxyl sulfate, and free indole acetic acid (all P<0.01), and for p-cresylglucuronide (PCG), 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropionic acid (CMPF), free PCS, and free PCG (all P<0.05). Gender and body weight only showed differences for Crea and UA, while age, vintage, and diabetes mellitus only showed differences for one solute concentration (UA, UA, and free PCS, respectively). Multifactor analyses indicated a predominant association of concentration with protein intake and residual renal function. In conclusion, predialysis concentrations of uremic toxins seem to be dependent on protein equivalent of nitrogen appearance and residual renal function, and not on dialysis adequacy as assessed by Kt/V_urea. Efforts to control intestinal load of uremic toxin precursors by dietary or other interventions, and preserving RRF seem important approaches to decrease uremic solute concentration and by extension their toxicity.     

Does Hyphal‐Tip Ensure the Same Allelic Composition at SSR Loci as Monosporic Isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum?

The proper characterization of individual is a basic stage in population genetic studies. In Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, genetic uniformity of an individual can be obtained by isolation of single ascospore; however, hyphal‐tip isolates are commonly used in genetic studies. The aim of this study was to assess whether hyphal‐tip isolates of S. sclerotiorum can be used as surrogate of monoascosporic (monosporic) isolates. Twenty‐eight isolates of S. sclerotiorum were collected from common bean plants with white mold symptoms and were purified by hyphal‐tip or single ascospore. The correspondence between hyphal‐tip and monosporic isolates was assessed through the allelic composition at 10 microsatellite (SSR) loci of the isolates obtained by both methods. For the SSR loci comprised of dinucleotide repeats in 92% of the cases, the difference (di) between the amplicon size values for hyphal‐tip and monosporic isolates was no more than one base pair. For the loci comprised of tetra or pentanucleotide repeats in 89% of the cases, di was no more than one base pair. The same allelic profile was found for hyphal‐tip or single ascospore isolates of S. sclerotiorum. When monosporic isolates cannot be easily obtained, hyphal‐tip can safeguard the genotypic identity of S. sclerotiorum isolates.     

Should the Same Safety Scrutiny of Antiobesity Medications be Applied to Other Chronic Usage Drugs?

Obesity treatment is highly stigmatized, mainly because of the stigma of obesity itself. The frequent withdrawal of medications, lorcaserin being the last example, contributes to this stigma, but it is also probably a reflection of it, as data suggest that the threshold for a withdrawal is lower than with other classes of drugs. Safety should always be an absolute priority for every new medication, especially when used on a chronic basis; however, the safety scrutiny given to antiobesity medications is not given for other medications, such as postmenopausal hormone therapy and central nervous system drugs for psychiatric use. The withdrawal of medications for obesity can also impact future research in the area, so we need transparency and equality. Transparency in knowing exactly what reason led to a drug being discontinued and equality in long‐term safety should be a concern with any medication prescribed for chronic diseases.     

Does Actaea asiatica Have the Most Symmetric and Primitive Karyotype in the Ranunculaceae?

Actaea asiatica was previously reported to have the most symmetric and primitive karyotype, consisting of 10 m- and 6 sm-chromosomes, which is quite different from those of the remaining species in the genus Actaea, consisting of 10 m-, 4 sm- and two T-chromo somes. In this paper, the chromosomes of this species were re-examined. The results show that Actaea asiatica has the same karyotype as the other species in the genus. Compared with the species in other genera in the tribe Cimicifugeae, i.e. Beesia, Anemonopsis, Souliea and Cimicifuga, Actaea asiatica, together with the remaining species of the genus, has the most asymmetric and thus probably the most advanced karyotype in this tribe because of the presence of two T- chromosomes in their chromosome complements. The two T- chromosomes may serve as one of the most important cytological markers, by which the species in Actaea are clearly distinguishable cytologically from those in Beesia, Anemonop-sis, Souliea and Cimicifuga.     

Does the Arthropod Microbiota Impact the Establishment of Vector-Borne Diseases in Mammalian Hosts?

The impact of the microbiota on the immune status of its host is a source of intense research and publicity. In comparison, the effect of arthropod microbiota on vector-borne infectious diseases has received little attention. A better understanding of the vector microbiota in relation to mammalian host immune responses is vital, as it can lead to strategies that affect transmission and improve vaccine design in a field of research where few vaccines exist and effective treatment is rare. Recent demonstrations of how microbiota decrease pathogen development in arthropods, and thus alter vector permissiveness to vector-borne diseases (VBDs), have led to renewed interest. However, hypotheses on the interactions between the arthropod-derived microbiota and the mammalian hosts have yet to be addressed. Advances in DNA sequencing technology, increased yield and falling costs, mean that these studies are now feasible for many microbiologists and entomologists. Here, we distill current knowledge and put forward key questions and experimental designs to shed light on this burgeoning research topic.     

Models of Electrical Activity: Calibration and Prediction Testing on?the?Same Cell

Mathematical models are increasingly important in biology, and testability is becoming a critical issue. One limitation is that one model simulation tests a parameter set representing one instance of the biological counterpart, whereas biological systems are heterogeneous in their properties and behavior, and a model often is fitted to represent an ideal average. This is also true for models of a cell’s electrical activity; even within a narrowly defined population there can be considerable variation in electrophysiological phenotype. Here, we describe a computational experimental approach for parameterizing a model of the electrical activity of a cell in real time. We combine the inexpensive parallel computational power of a programmable graphics processing unit with the flexibility of the dynamic clamp method. The approach involves 1), recording a cell’s electrical activity, 2), parameterizing a model to the recording, 3), generating predictions, and 4), testing the predictions on the same cell used for the calibration. We demonstrate the experimental feasibility of our approach using a cell line (GH4C1). These cells are electrically active, and they display tonic spiking or bursting. We use our approach to predict parameter changes that can convert one pattern to the other.