The language network is not engaged in object categorization.

The relationship between language and thought is the subject of long-standing debate. One claim states that language facilitates categorization of objects based on a certain feature (e.g.

Dog Life Spans and the Evolution of Aging.

AbstractThe basic tenets of the evolutionary theories of senescence are well supported. However, there has been little progress in determining the relative influences of mutation accumulation and life history optimization. The causes of the well-established inverse relationship between life span and body size across dog breeds are used here to test these two classes of theories.

Predictors of Complications Following Bariatric Surgery for Adolescent Patients.

Background: Bariatric surgery for adolescent patients has been shown to be safe but potentially underutilized. A better understanding of operative risk in adolescents may temper apprehension to its adoption. This study intends to examine the association between preoperative risk factors and complications following bariatric surgery for adolescent patients.

The kin selection theory of genomic imprinting and modes of reproduction in the eusocial Hymenoptera.

Genomic imprinting is known from flowering plants and mammals but has not been confirmed for the Hymenoptera even though the eusocial Hymenoptera are prime candidates for this peculiar form of gene expression. Here, the kin selection theory of genomic imprinting is reviewed and applied to the eusocial Hymenoptera. The evidence for imprinting in eusocial Hymenoptera with the typical mode of reproduction, involving the sexual production of diploid female offspring, which develop into workers or gynes, and the arrhenotokous parthenogenesis of haploid males, is also reviewed briefly.

Impact of Robotic Approach on Post-Anastomotic Leaks After Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer.

Introduction: Although mortality rates after esophagectomy have decreased over the last 30 years, anastomotic leaks still commonly persist and portend significant morbidity. Previous studies have analyzed patient and perio-perative risk factors for leaks, yet data describing the association of leaks and an open or minimally invasive approach are lacking. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of operative approach on leak rates and subsequent management of the leaks.

Lower Rates of Unplanned Conversion to Open in Robotic Approach to Esophagectomy for Cancer.

Background: Minimally invasive approaches to esophagectomy have gained popularity worldwide; however, unplanned conversion to an open approach is not uncommon. This study sought to investigate risk factors associated with converting to an open approach and to evaluate outcomes following conversion.

Methods: Patients undergoing minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) for cancer were identified using the 2016-2019 Procedure Targeted NSQIP Database.

Gene dynamics of haplodiploidy favor eusociality in the Hymenoptera.

The problem of whether haplodiploidy is responsible for the frequent evolution of eusociality in the Hymenoptera remains unresolved. The little-known "protected invasion hypothesis" posits that because a male will transmit a new allele for alloparental care to all his daughters under haplodiploidy, such an allele has a higher probability of spreading to fixation under haplodiploidy than under diploidy. This mechanism is investigated using the mating system and lifecycles ancestral to eusocial lineages.

Opportunistic Salpingectomy at the Time of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Ovarian Cancer Prevention: A Cost-effectiveness Analysis.

Objective: To perform a cost-effectiveness analysis to examine the utility and effectiveness of OS performed at the time of elective cholecystectomy [laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LAP-CHOL)].

Summary Background Data: OS has been adopted as a strategy to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in women undergoing hysterectomy and tubal sterilization, although the procedure is rarely performed as a risk reducing strategy during other abdominopelvic procedures.

Methods: A decision model was created to examine women 40, 50, and 60 years of age undergoing LAP-CHOL with or without OS.

Rapidly fatal necrotizing soft tissue infection due to Clostridium sordellii in an injection drug user.

Clostridium sordellii infections are known to be associated with high morbidity and mortality. To date, only a small number of cases with necrotizing soft tissue infection due to C. Sordellii have been reported.

Plastic Senescence in the Honey Bee and the Disposable Soma Theory.

The demonstration of life span plasticity in natural populations would provide a powerful test of evolutionary theories of senescence. Plastic senescence is not easily explained by mutation accumulation or antagonistic pleiotropy but is a corollary of the disposable soma theory. The life span differences among castes of the eusocial Hymenoptera are potentially some of the most striking and extreme examples of life span plasticity.

Effect of Donor Race-Matching on Overall Survival for African-American Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) is the preferred treatment for early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in select patients. Differences in outcomes after LT have been previously described between recipient races, but the role of donor race is not well defined. This study sought to examine the effect of donor-recipient race-matching on overall survival after liver transplantation for HCC in African-American patients (AA).

Isogamy in large and complex volvocine algae is consistent with the gamete competition theory of the evolution of anisogamy.

Although the gamete competition theory remains the dominant explanation for the evolution of anisogamy, well-known exceptions to its predictions have raised doubts about the completeness of the theory. One of these exceptions is isogamy in large or complex species of green algae. Here, we show that this exception may be explained in a manner consistent with a game-theoretic extension of the original theory: a constraint on the minimum size of a gamete may prevent the evolution of continuously stable anisogamy.

Elective Regional Therapy Treatment for Hepatic Adenoma.

Background: Locoregional therapy treatments for hepatic adenoma (HA) are typically limited to selective hepatic arterial embolization (HAE) to control acute hemorrhage. This systematic review sought to report the utilization of HAE and ablation for non-emergent treatment of HA.

Methods: A PubMed query identified studies reporting ablation or embolization for HA patients.

One-Year Mortality after Contemporary Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery: An Analysis of the Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database.

Background: Contemporary mortality after bariatric surgery is low and has been decreasing over the past 2 decades. Most studies have reported inpatient or 30-day mortality, which may not represent the true risk of bariatric surgery. The objective of this study was to examine 1-year mortality and factors predictive of 1-year mortality after contemporary laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Ablation approach for primary liver tumors: Peri-operative outcomes.

Background And Objectives: Ablation is a common treatment modality for malignant primary liver tumors(PLTs), outcomes following laparoscopic (LA) versus open ablation (OA) are ill-defined. This project compares peri-procedural outcomes of LA versus OA for PLTs.

Materials And Methods: Patients with PLTs undergoing radiofrequency ablation were queried from ACS NSQIP Database (2005-2013) using CPT codes.

The effect of prior upper abdominal surgery on outcomes after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: An analysis of the database of the organ procurement transplant network.

Objectives: Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the preferred treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in select patients. Many patients listed for OLT have a history of prior upper abdominal surgery (UAS). Repeat abdominal surgery increases operative complexity and may cause a greater incidence of complication.

The evolution of sexes: A specific test of the disruptive selection theory.

The disruptive selection theory of the evolution of anisogamy posits that the evolution of a larger body or greater organismal complexity selects for a larger zygote, which in turn selects for larger gametes. This may provide the opportunity for one mating type to produce more numerous, small gametes, forcing the other mating type to produce fewer, large gametes. Predictions common to this and related theories have been partially upheld.

Minimally invasive hepatectomy conversions: an analysis of risk factors and outcomes.

Background: Surgical approach may influence morbidity following hepatectomy. This study sought to compare outcomes in minimally invasive surgery (MIS), conversion from MIS to open, and planned open hepatectomy patients and analyze factors leading to conversion.

Methods: The 2014 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program dataset was queried for patients undergoing hepatectomy.

Pain catastrophizing as a predictor for postoperative pain and opiate consumption in total joint arthroplasty patients.

Background: Pain catastrophizing has been suggested as a prospective risk factor for poor postoperative pain outcomes in total joint arthroplasty (TJA). However, results from the previous studies have been mixed and have not controlled for postoperative opiate analgesic intake. This study investigates pain catastrophizing and postoperative pain intensity in TJA patients, adjusting for analgesic intake.

Overall survival after resection of retroperitoneal sarcoma at academic cancer centers versus community cancer centers: An analysis of the National Cancer Data Base.

Background: Operative resection remains the definitive curative therapy for retroperitoneal sarcoma. Data published recently show a correlation between improved outcomes for complex oncologic operations and treatment at academic centers. For large retroperitoneal sarcomas, operative resection can be complex and require multidisciplinary care.