Exploring modularity in biological networks

Network theoretical approaches have shaped our understanding of many different kinds of biological modularity. This essay makes the case that to capture these contributions, it is useful to think about the role of network models in exploratory research. The overall point is that it is possible to provide a systematic analysis of the exploratory functions of network models in bioscientific research. Using two examples from molecular and developmental biology, I argue that often the same modelling approach can perform one or more exploratory functions, such as introducing new directions of research, offering a complementary set of concepts, methods and algorithms for individuating important features of natural phenomena, generating proofs of principle demonstrations and potential explanations for phenomena of interest and enlarging the scope of certain research agendas. This article is part of the theme issue 'Unifying the essential concepts of biological networks: biological insights and philosophical foundations'

Magnetic resonance imaging basedcomputer-guideddental implant surgery-A clinical pilot study

Background: Computer-guided implant surgery is currently based on radiographic techniques exposing patients to ionizing radiation. Purpose: To assess, whether computer-assisted 3D implant planning with template-guided placement of dental implants based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is feasible. Materials and methods: 3-Tesla MRI was performed in 12 subjects as a basis for prosthetically driven virtual planning and subsequent guided implant surgery. To evaluate the transferability of the virtually planned implant position, deviations between virtually planned and resulting implant position were studied. Matching of occlusal surfaces was assessed by comparing surface scans with MRI-derived images. In addition, the overall image quality and the ability of depicting anatomically important structures were rated. Results: MRI-based guided implant surgery with subsequent prosthetic treatment was successfully performed in nine patients. Mean deviations between virtually planned and resulting implant position (error at entry point 0.8 +/- 0.3 mm, error at apex 1.2 +/- 0.6 mm, angular deviation 4.9 +/- 3.6 degrees), mean deviation of occlusal surfaces between surface scans and MRI-based tooth reconstructions (mean 0.254 +/- 0.026 mm) as well as visualization of important anatomical structures were acceptable for clinical application. Conclusion Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based computer-assisted implant surgery is a feasible and accurate procedure that avoids exposure to ionizing radiation

Evasion in the public sector: a case study of the career of specialists in public policies and government management in the state of Minas Gerais

Este artigo aborda a evasão na carreira de Especialista em Políticas Públicas e Gestão Governamental (EPPGG) no Governo do Estado de Minas Gerais. Seu objetivo principal é investigar as causas da evasão, conhecer em que condições ela ocorre e para onde se direcionam os recursos humanos que dela se desligaram. Apoia-se em pesquisa empírica realizada junto aos ex-integrantes da carreira, explorando os aspectos relacionados ao momento do desligamento, aos condicionantes para sua ocorrência, à relação com a experiência profissional e à direção tomada após a evasão. Foram obtidas 94 respostas de ex-servidores evadidos. A evasão tende a ocorrer logo nos primeiros anos da vida profissional, após o estágio probatório. Caso a saída ocorra antes desse prazo, o ex-servidor deve ressarcir o Estado o custo de seu treinamento. Os evadidos tendem a ganhar mais fora da carreira, a buscar também uma segunda graduação, em sua maioria em Direito, e a realocar-se no próprio serviço público. Apenas uma pequena parte se realoca no setor privado ou no terceiro setor. Como em outros estudos, a insatisfação salarial, e não com o próprio trabalho, parece ser a principal razão para a evasão.Este artículo analiza la evasión en la carrera de Especialista en Políticas Públicas y Gestión Gubernamental (EPPGG) en el estado de Minas Gerais. Su objetivo principal es comprender las razones por las cuales ocurren estas evasiones, las características básicas de los evadidos y sus respectivos destinos profesionales. El trabajo se apoya en una investigación empírica realizada con los antiguos miembros de la carrera, donde se analizan los aspectos relacionados con el momento de la desconexión, las condiciones de su surgimiento, la relación con la experiencia profesional y la dirección tomada después de evadirse. Obtuvimos 94 respuestas a nuestra encuesta. La evasión tendería a ocurrir en los primeros años de trabajo. Caso el servidor deje el gobierno antes de tres años, debe de reembolsar al Estado por su capacitación. Los evadidos tienden a ganar más en la carrera, y también tienden a buscar una segunda titulación (la mayoría en derecho), así como a reubicarse en el propio servicio público. Al igual que en otros estudios, la insatisfacción salarial (y no con el trabajo en sí) parece ser la principal razón para la evasión.This research intends to discuss employee turnover in the Minas Gerais Public Policy and Government Management Specialist career (EPPGG). Its main objective is to understand the reasons why these evasions occur, the main characteristics of the evaded and their professional destiny. To do so, an empirical research was carried out with these career former members, exploring the reasons for this evasion, the conditions for its occurrence, the relation with the professional experience and the direction taken after it. We were able to get 94 answers for our questionnaire. The turnover tends to occur early in the working years. If the worker leaves the government before three years, he should pay the government back for his training. The evaders would tend to earn more out than in the abandoned career. They would also tend to seek a second college degree (most in law school). They also tend to relocate themselves in the public service (not in the private or in the third sectors). As in other studies, wage dissatisfaction seems to be the main reason for avoidance and not with work itself.Revista do Serviço Público - RSP, v. 71, n. 3, p. 434-475Desenvolvimento PessoalGestão PúblicaISSN Eletrônico: 2357-8017ISSN Impresso: 0034-924

The war in Ukraine and political parties: Positions in Argentina and Uruguay

El reciente conflicto en Ucrania sacudió al sistema internacional en varios sentidos. El 24de febrero, Vladimir Putin ordenó el inicio de la intervención militar. Los países de la región se posicionaron de modos diversos al respecto. En algunos casos esa posición remite a tradiciones históricas continentales y/o nacionales, como la no intervención, la no injerencia, el derecho internacional y la solución pacífica de las controversias. En otros, se hizo sentir el peso de los vínculos económicos o bien de la distancia con los Estados Unidos. El recrudecimiento de los conflictos entre las potencias mundiales también pone en evidencia las distintas asociaciones de los países latinoamericanos, los vínculos de dependencia y la complejidad de su inserción internacional. Por esa razón, nos proponemos estudiar los argumentos y posiciones de los distintos partidos políticos y la internas en algunos de ellos, para acercarnos a la comprensión de los profundos debates respecto de la inserción económica y política internacional que viven la Argentina y Uruguay.The recent conflict in Ukraine shook the international system in several ways. On February 24, Vladimir Putin ordered the start of military intervention. The countries of the region took different positions on the conflict. In some cases, this position refers to historical continental and/or national traditions, such as non-intervention, non-interference, international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes. In others, the weight of economic ties or distance from the United States was felt. The intensification of conflicts between world powers also highlights the different associations of Latin American countries, the links of dependence and the complexity of their international insertion. For that reason, we propose to study the arguments and positions of the different political parties and the internal politics in some of them, to approach the understanding of the deep debates on the international economic and political insertion that Argentina and Uruguay are going through.Fil: Miguez, Maria Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Instituto de Estudios Históricos, Económicos, Sociales e Internacionales. Instituto de Investigaciones de Historia Económica y Social; ArgentinaFil: Hernandez Nilson, Diego. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; BrasilFil: López Burian, Camilo. Universidad de la República; Urugua

The war in Ukraine and political parties: Positions in Argentina and Uruguay

El reciente conflicto en Ucrania sacudió al sistema internacional en varios sentidos. El 24de febrero, Vladimir Putin ordenó el inicio de la intervención militar. Los países de la región se posicionaron de modos diversos al respecto. En algunos casos esa posición remite a tradiciones históricas continentales y/o nacionales, como la no intervención, la no injerencia, el derecho internacional y la solución pacífica de las controversias. En otros, se hizo sentir el peso de los vínculos económicos o bien de la distancia con los Estados Unidos. El recrudecimiento de los conflictos entre las potencias mundiales también pone en evidencia las distintas asociaciones de los países latinoamericanos, los vínculos de dependencia y la complejidad de su inserción internacional. Por esa razón, nos proponemos estudiar los argumentos y posiciones de los distintos partidos políticos y la internas en algunos de ellos, para acercarnos a la comprensión de los profundos debates respecto de la inserción económica y política internacional que viven la Argentina y Uruguay.The recent conflict in Ukraine shook the international system in several ways. On February 24, Vladimir Putin ordered the start of military intervention. The countries of the region took different positions on the conflict. In some cases, this position refers to historical continental and/or national traditions, such as non-intervention, non-interference, international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes. In others, the weight of economic ties or distance from the United States was felt. The intensification of conflicts between world powers also highlights the different associations of Latin American countries, the links of dependence and the complexity of their international insertion. For that reason, we propose to study the arguments and positions of the different political parties and the internal politics in some of them, to approach the understanding of the deep debates on the international economic and political insertion that Argentina and Uruguay are going through.Fil: Miguez, Maria Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Instituto de Estudios Históricos, Económicos, Sociales e Internacionales. Instituto de Investigaciones de Historia Económica y Social; ArgentinaFil: Hernandez Nilson, Diego. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; BrasilFil: López Burian, Camilo. Universidad de la República; Urugua

Comparison of methods for obtaining doubled haploids of carrot

Doubled haploid lines of carrot can be obtained through androgenesis in anther cultures and in isolated microspore cultures. The two methods were compared using three carrot cultivars (‘Kazan F1’, ‘Feria F1’, and ‘Narbonne F1’) at the androgenesis induction stage, during plant regeneration from embryos, and during acclimatization of androgenetic plants as well as their characterization. It was found that cultivar was the main factor affecting the efficiency at each stage of plant production in both anther and isolated microspore cultures. The efficiency of androgenesis in anther cultures of ‘Feria F1’ was considerably higher in comparison with isolated microspore cultures, and more plants were obtained from the embryos of androgenesis-cultured plants. In ‘Kazan F1’ and ‘Narbonne F1’, more acclimatized androgenetic plants were produced from anther cultures. Ploidy assessment of acclimatized plants of ‘Narbonne F1’ showed that the majority of the plants in the population derived from anther cultures had a doubled chromosome (DH) set. On the other hand, the majority of plants obtained from isolated microspore cultures were haploids. When assessing homozygosity, it was found among plants obtained in anther cultures that the percentage of homozygotes for phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) and aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) depended on the cultivar. In contrast, the majority of plants derived from isolated microspore cultures were homozygous regardless of cultivar

Endoscopic vacuum therapy for in- and outpatient treatment of colorectal defects

Background. Evidence for endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) for colorectal defects is still based on small patient series from various institutions, employing different treatment algorithms and methods. As EVT was invented at our institution 20 years ago, the aim was to report the efficacy and safety of EVT for colorectal defects as well as to analyze factors associated with efficacy, therapy duration, and outpatient treatment. Methods. Cohort study with analysis of prospectively collected data of patients receiving EVT for colorectal defects at a tertiary referral center in Germany (n=281). Results. The majority of patients had malignant disease (83%) and an American Society of Anesthesiologists classification of III/IV (81%). Most frequent indications for EVT were anastomotic leakage after sigmoid or rectal resection (67%) followed by rectal stump leakage (20%). EVT was successful in 256 out of 281 patients (91%). EVT following multi-visceral resection (P = 0.037) and recent surgical revision after primary surgery (P = 0.009) were risk factors for EVT failure. EVT-associated adverse events occurred in 27 patients (10%). Median treatment duration was 25 days. Previous chemo-radiation (P = 0.006) was associated with a significant longer duration of EVT. Outpatient treatment was conducted in 49% of patients with a median hospital stay reduction of 15 days and 98% treatment success. Younger patient age (P = 0.044) was associated with the possibility of outpatient treatment. Restoration of intestinal continuity was achieved in 60% of patients where technically possible with a 12-month rate of 52%. Conclusions. In patients with colorectal defects, EVT appears to be a safe and effective, minimally invasive option for in- and outpatient treatment

Immediate tumor resection in patients with locally advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma with nonresponse to chemotherapy after 4 weeks of treatment versus resection after completion of chemotherapy (OPTITREAT trial, DRKS00004668): study protocol for a randomized controlled pilot trial

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a standard of care for patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and stomach in Europe, but still only 20–40 % respond to therapy and the critical issue; how to treat nonresponding patients is still unclear. So far, there is no randomized trial evaluating the impact of early termination of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and immediate tumor resection in nonresponding patients with locally advanced gastroesophageal cancer on postoperative outcome. With this exploratory pilot trial, we want to get first estimates about the effect of discontinuation of chemotherapy with the aim to plan and conduct a further definitive trial. Methods/design: OPTITREAT is designed as a single-center, randomized controlled pilot trial with two parallel study groups. Four weeks after starting neoadjuvant chemotherapy in all patients, clinical response will be assessed by endoscopy and endosonographic ultrasound. Then, nonresponding patients (n = 84) will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to intervention group with stopping chemotherapy and immediate tumor resection or control group with completion of chemotherapy before surgery. Outcome measures are overall survival, R0 resection rate, perioperative morbidity and mortality, histopathological response, and quality of life. Statistical analysis will be based on the intention-to-treat population. Due to the study design as an explorative pilot trial, no formal sample size calculation was performed. The planned total sample size of 120 patients is considered ethical and large enough to show the feasibility and safety of the concept. First data on differences between the study groups in the defined endpoints will also be generated. Discussion: Individualized therapy is of utmost interest in the treatment of locally advanced gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma as less than half of the patients show objective response to current chemotherapy regimens. The findings of the OPTITREAT trial will help to get first data about clinical response evaluation followed by immediate tumor resection in nonresponding patients after 4 weeks of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Based on the results of this pilot study, a future confirmatory trial will be planned to prove efficacy and evaluate significance. Trial registration: German Clinical Trial Register number: DRKS0000466