EMMLi: A maximum likelihood approach to the analysis of modularity

Identification of phenotypic modules, semi-autonomous sets of highly-correlated traits, can be accomplished through exploratory (e.g., cluster analysis) or confirmatory approaches (e.g., RV coefficient analysis). While statistically more robust, confirmatory approaches are generally unable to compare across different model structures. For example, RV coefficient analysis finds support for both two- and six-module models for the therian mammalian skull. Here, we present a maximum likelihood approach that takes into account model parameterization. We compare model log-likelihoods of trait correlation matrices using the finite-sample corrected Akaike Information Criterion, allowing for comparison of hypotheses across different model structures. Simulations varying model complexity and within- and between-module contrast demonstrate that this method correctly identifies model structure and parameters across a wide range of conditions. We further analyzed a dataset of 3-D data, consisting of 61 landmarks from 181 macaque (Macaca fuscata) skulls, distributed among five age categories, testing 31 models, including no modularity among the landmarks, and various partitions of 2, 3, 6, and 8 modules. Our results clearly support a complex six-module model, with separate within- and inter-module correlations. Furthermore, this model was selected for all five age categories, demonstrating that this complex pattern of integration in the macaque skull appears early and is highly conserved throughout postnatal ontogeny. Subsampling analyses demonstrate that this method is robust to relatively low sample sizes, as is commonly encountered in rare or extinct taxa. This new approach allows for the direct comparison of models with different parameterizations, providing an important tool for the analysis of modularity across diverse systems. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Propiedades de la membrana y viabilidad celular: Importancia de la fluidez

Numerosos estudios sugieren que las vías de señalización y por ende la funcionalidad celular dependen de la organización de dominios en la membrana, que a su vez está determinada por la composición lipídica de la misma. El colesterol (Col) interviene en la regulación de la fluidez al particionar de manera selectiva en dominios específicos de la membrana, y se ha demostrado que su homeostasis es crucial para la viabilidad celular. Además, se sabe que el exceso de Col puede resultar citotóxico. Este lípido no puede ser degradado o utilizado como combustible, por lo que su exceso debe ser removido por aceptores o almacenado en compartimientos intracelulares. Las lipoproteínas de alta densidad (HDL) y en particular su apolipoproteína mayoritaria, la apoA-I, cumplen un rol fundamental en el transporte reverso del Col, que consiste en transportar el excedente desde los tejidos periféricos hacia el hígado para su eliminación en forma de sales biliares, o para ser redirigido desde los hepatocitos hacia los tejidos esteroidogénicos

Role of plasma membrane lipid composition on cellular homeostasis: learning from cell line models expressing fatty acid desaturases

Experimental evidence has suggested that plasma membrane (PM)-associated signaling and hence cell metabolism and viability depend on lipid composition and organization. The aim of the present work is to develop a cell model to study the endogenous polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) effect on PM properties and analyze its influence on cholesterol (Chol) homeostasis. We have previously shown that by using a cell line over-expressing stearoyl-CoA-desaturase, membrane composition and organization coordinate cellular pathways involved in Chol efflux and cell viability by different mechanisms. Now, we expanded our studies to a cell model over-expressing both Δ5 and Δ6 desaturases, which resulted in a permanently higher PUFA content in PM. Furthermore, this cell line showed increased PM fluidity, Chol storage, and mitochondrial activity. In addition, human apolipoprotein A-I-mediated Chol removal was less efficient in these cells than in the corresponding control. Taken together, our results suggested that the cell functionality is preserved by regulating PM organization and Chol exportation and homeostasis.Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La PlataFacultad de Ciencias Médica

First human case of West Nile virus neuroinvasive infection in Italy, September 2008 - case report.

On 20 September 2008, the laboratory of the Regional Reference Centre for Microbiological Emergencies (Centro di Riferimento Regionale per le Emergenze Microbiologiche, CRREM) in Bologna, reported the detection of specific IgM and IgG antibodies against West Nile virus (WNV) in the serum of a female patient in her eighties who lived in a rural area between Ferrara and Bologna, Italy

Retrospective screening of serum and cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with acute meningo-encephalitis does not reveal past Japanese encephalitis virus infection, Emilia Romagna, Italy, 2011.

P Gaibani1, A C Finarelli2, R Cagarelli2, A Pierro1, G Rossini1, M Calzolari3, M Dottori3, P Bonilauri3, M P Landini1, V Sambri ([email protected])1 1. Operative Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Regional Reference Centre for Microbiological Emergencies, S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy 2. Public Health Authority, Emilia Romagna Region, Bologna, Italy 3. Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna 'B. Ubertini' (IZSLER; Experimental veterinary institute of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna), Reggio Emilia, Ital

Rapid communications Ongoing outbreak of visceral leishmaniasis in Bologna

(VL) cases has recently been reported in Bologna Province in northern Italy. Over six months from November 2012 to May 2013, 14 cases occurred, whereas the average number of cases per year was 2.6 (range: 0–8) in 2008 to 2012. VL was diagnosed in a median of 40 days (range: 15–120) from disease onset. This delay in diagnosis shows the need for heightened awareness of clinicians for autochthonous VL in Europe. From November 2012 to May 2013, public health authorities, microbiologists and clinicians in Bologna Province, northern Italy, noted an upsurge in human cases of visceral leishmaniasis. During these six months, 14 cases were notified, an over five-fold increase compared with the annual average of 2.

Ongoing outbreak of visceral leishmaniasis in Bologna Province, Italy, November 2012 to May 2013

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Epidemiological surveillance of West Nile neuroinvasive diseases in Italy, 2008 to 2011.

Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matche

West Nile virus transmission with human cases in Italy, August - September 2009.

In 2009, to date 16 human cases of West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND) have been reported in Italy, in three regions: Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Lombardia. The number of cases is higher compared with last year when nine cases were identified (eight cases of WNND and one case of West Nile fever) and the geographical distribution indicates spread from east to west

Propiedades de la membrana y viabilidad celular: importancia de la fluidez

Numerosos estudios sugieren que las vías de señalización y por ende la funcionalidad celular dependen de la organización de dominios en la membrana, que a su vez está determinada por la composición lipídica de la misma. El colesterol (Col) interviene en la regulación de la fluidez al particionar de manera selectiva en dominios específicos de la membrana, y se ha demostrado que su homeostasis es crucial para la viabilidad celular. Además, se sabe que el exceso de Col puede resultar citotóxico. Este lípido no puede ser degradado o utilizado como combustible, por lo que su exceso debe ser removido por aceptores o almacenado en compartimientos intracelulares. Las lipoproteínas de alta densidad (HDL) y en particular su apolipoproteína mayoritaria, la apoA-I, cumplen un rol fundamental en el transporte reverso del Col, que consiste en transportar el excedente desde los tejidos periféricos hacia el hígado para su eliminación en forma de sales biliares, o para ser redirigido desde los hepatocitos hacia los tejidos esteroidogénicos.Universidad Nacional de La Plat