Summary goodness‐of‐fit statistics for binary generalized linear models with noncanonical link functions

Generalized linear models (GLM) with a canonical logit link function are the primary modeling technique used to relate a binary outcome to predictor variables. However, noncanonical links can offer more flexibility, producing convenient analytical quantities (e.g., probit GLMs in toxicology) and desired measures of effect (e.g., relative risk from log GLMs). Many summary goodness‐of‐fit (GOF) statistics exist for logistic GLM. Their properties make the development of GOF statistics relatively straightforward, but it can be more difficult under noncanonical links. Although GOF tests for logistic GLM with continuous covariates (GLMCC) have been applied to GLMCCs with log links, we know of no GOF tests in the literature specifically developed for GLMCCs that can be applied regardless of link function chosen. We generalize the Tsiatis GOF statistic originally developed for logistic GLMCCs, (), so that it can be applied under any link function. Further, we show that the algebraically related Hosmer–Lemeshow () and Pigeon–Heyse (J²) statistics can be applied directly. In a simulation study, , , and J² were used to evaluate the fit of probit, log–log, complementary log–log, and log models, all calculated with a common grouping method. The statistic consistently maintained Type I error rates, while those of and J² were often lower than expected if terms with little influence were included. Generally, the statistics had similar power to detect an incorrect model. An exception occurred when a log GLMCC was incorrectly fit to data generated from a logistic GLMCC. In this case, had more power than or J².     

小鼠脑潜伏巨细胞病毒激活模型的建立

目的:我们建立了小鼠脑潜伏巨细胞病毒激活模型,来实现小鼠脑内潜伏的巨细胞病毒(MCMV)的激活,并对潜伏MCMV激活时程进行分析,确定MCMV即刻早期蛋白基因1(ie1)基因转录,完成对ie1基因转录和活病毒产生量时程动力学的分析,以及为进一步阐明原始MCMV在脑中潜伏的细胞类型提供模型。方法:采用出生后两天的BALB/c幼鼠,经右侧耳和眼连线为底边的正三角形的中心将Smith Strain MCMV 500 PFU/5μL注射进入右侧脑室,培养至16周。之后,将脂多糖(LPS)依15μg/kg体重(接近致死量)分别经腹腔和侧脑室内注射,对照组注射生理盐水。于注射后的1日,2日,5日,7日,14日和21日分别在LPS组和对照组中选取5只小鼠取脑。应用反转录-聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)和高敏感性病毒空斑实验(结合病毒空斑实验和RT-PCR)测定MCMV即刻早期蛋白1(IE1)mRNA的表达以及活病毒产生定量分析。结果:LPS组中,可于14日和21日的脑内检测到IE1 mRNA的转录,敏感性病毒空斑实验只在14日和21日出现细胞病毒效应(CPE),病毒量约为4.29×104 PFU/μL和5.20×105PFU/μL,相应对应MEF细胞匀浆物的RT-PCR结果检测到7,14,21日有IE1 mRNA转录。结论:该实验成功建立了小鼠脑潜伏巨细胞病毒激活的模型,并证实和分析了即刻早期蛋白基因ie1在潜伏MCMV激活过程中的表达和时程。该模型的建立将为进一步阐明MCMV在脑中潜伏细胞类型以及MCMV在急性感染、潜伏和重激活过程中对中枢神经细胞的影响提供研究平台,并为人巨细胞病毒(HCMV)的临床研究提供实验依据。     

Enucleation: a possible mechanism of cancer cell death

There are few major morphologies of cell death that have been described so far: apoptosis (type I), cell death associated with autophagy (type II), necrosis (type III) and anchorage‐dependent mechanisms—anoikis. Here, we show for the first time a possibly novel mechanism inducing tumour cell death under in vitro conditions—enucleation. We pursued the influence of colloidal suspensions of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles on tumour cell lines (SK‐BR‐3 and MCF‐7 breast cancer cell lines) grown according to standard cell culture protocols. Magnetite nanoparticles were prepared by combustion synthesis and double layer coated with oleic acid. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed that tumour cells developed a network of intracytoplasmic stress fibres, which induce extrusion of nuclei, and enucleated cells die. Normal adult mesenchymal stem cells, used as control, did not exhibit the same behaviour. Intact nuclei were found in culture supernatant of tumour cells, and were visualized by immunofluorescence. Enucleation as a potential mechanism of tumour cell death might open new horizons in cancer biology research and development of therapeutic agents capable of exploiting this behaviour.     

Animal models of social anxiety disorder and their validity criteria

Anxiety disorders pose one of the largest threats to global mental health, and they predominantly emerge early in life. Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is the most common of all anxiety disorders. Moreover, it has severe consequences and is a disabling disorder that can cause an individual to be unable to perform the tasks of daily life. Social anxiety disorder is associated with the subsequent development of major depression and other mental diseases, as well as increased substance abuse. Although some neurobiological alterations have been found to be associated with social anxiety disorder, little is known about this disorder. Animal models are useful tools for the investigation of this disorder, as well as for finding new pharmacological targets for treatment. Thus, this review will highlight the main animal models of anxiety associated with social phobia.     

Targeting ion transport in cancer

The metabolism of cancer cells differs substantially from normal cells, including ion transport. Although this phenomenon has been long recognized, ion transporters have not been viewed as suitable therapeutic targets. However, the acidic pH values present in tumours which are well outside of normal limits are now becoming recognized as an important therapeutic target. Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) is fundamental to tumour pH regulation. CAIX is commonly expressed in cancer, but lowly expressed in normal tissues and that presents an attractive target. Here, we discuss the possibilities of exploiting the acidic, hypoxic tumour environment as possible target for therapy. Additionally, clinical experience with CAIX targeting in cancer patients is discussed.     

Distinctive roles of receptor‐interacting protein kinases 1 and 3 in caspase‐independent cell death of L929

Upon tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) stimulation, cells respond actively by way of cell survival, apoptosis or programmed necrosis. The receptor‐interacting proteins 1 (RIP1) and 3 (RIP3) are responsible for TNFα‐mediated programmed necrosis. To delineate the differential contributions of RIP3 and RIP1 to programmed necrosis, L929 cells were stimulated with TNFα, carbobenzoxy‐valyl‐alanyl‐aspartyl‐[O‐methyl]‐fluoromethylketone (zVAD) or zVAD along with TNFα following RNA interference against RIP1 and RIP3, respectively. RIP1 silencing did not protect cells from TNFα‐mediated cell death, while RIP3 down‐regulation made them refractory to TNFα. The heat shock protein 90 inhibitor geldanamycin (GA) down‐regulated both RIP1 and RIP3 expression, which rendered cells resistant to zVAD/TNFα‐mediated cell death but not to TNFα‐mediated cell death alone. Therefore, the protective effect of GA on zVAD/TNFα‐stimulated necrosis might be attributed to RIP3, not RIP1, down‐regulation. Pretreatment of L929 cells with rapamycin mitigated zVAD‐mediated cell death, while the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine did not affect necrotic cell death. Meanwhile, necrotic cell death by zVAD and TNFα was caused by reactive oxygen species generation and effectively diminished by lipid‐soluble butylated hydroxyanisole. Taken together, the results indicate that RIP1 and RIP3 can independently mediate death signals being transduced by two different death stimuli, zVAD and TNFα. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Co-diversity and co-distribution in phyllostomid bats: Evaluating the relative roles of climate and niche conservatism

Explaining the causes of geographic gradients in biodiversity remains an elusive task. Traditionally, correlative approaches have been used to relate species richness with contemporary climate, without actually explaining the causal factors. Recent approaches propose simulation models as more appropriate tools for assessing potential causes of macroecological patterns. Here we developed stochastic models to assess the relative contribution of climate and niche conservatism in determining compositional similarity among sites (co-diversity) and geographic association among species (co-distribution) in the bat family Phyllostomidae. We used range-diversity plots and variance-ratio tests to describe and evaluate such patterns. Our results supported a strong effect of climate in determining cohesive ranges causing positive co-diversity and co-distribution. We also demonstrated a marginal effect of niche conservatism, as modeled here, among species in shaping these patterns. However, climate and niche conservatism are not sufficient and other processes are still required to explain observed patterns. Our study highlights the importance of historical processes and demonstrates the usefulness of a simulation framework in testing biogeographical hypothesis to understand the relationship between diversity and distribution.