bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mycobacterium tuberculosis DosS binds H2S through its Fe3+ heme iron to regulate the Dos dormancy regulon
Authors: Sevalkar Ritesh R. , Glasgow Joel N. , Pettinati Martín , Marti Marcelo A. , Reddy Vineel P. , Basu Swati , Alipour Elmira , Kim-Shapiro Daniel B. , Estrin Dario A. , Lancaster Jack R. , Steyn Adrie J.C.
Published: June 2021

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) senses and responds to host-derived gasotransmitters NO and CO via heme-containing sensor kinases DosS and DosT and the response regulator DosR. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important signaling molecule in mammals, but its role in Mtb physiology is unclear. We have previously shown that exogenous H2S can modulate expression of genes in the Dos dormancy regulon via an unknown mechanism(s). Here, we tested the hypothesis that Mtb senses and responds to H2S via the DosS/T/R system. Using UV-Vis and EPR spectroscopy, we show that H2S binds directly to the ferric (Fe3+) heme of DosS (KD = 5.64 µM) but not the ferrous (Fe2+) form. No interaction with DosT was detected. Thus, the mechanism by which DosS senses H2S is different from that for sensing NO and CO, which bind only the ferrous forms of DosS and DosT. Steered Molecular Dynamics simulations show that H2S, and not the charged HS- species, can enter the DosS heme pocket. We also show that H2S increases DosS autokinase activity and subsequent phosphorylation of DosR, and H2S-mediated increases in Dos regulon gene expression is lost in Mtb lacking DosS. Finally, we demonstrate that physiological levels of H2S in macrophages can induce Dos regulon genes via DosS. Overall, these data reveal a novel mechanism whereby Mtb senses and responds to a third host gasotransmitter, H2S, via DosS-Fe3+. These findings highlight the remarkable plasticity of DosS and establish a new paradigm for how bacteria can sense multiple gasotransmitters through a single heme sensor kinase.

Significance Statement

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important signaling molecule in eukaryotes and bacteria, and along with CO and NO, is an important part of host defense against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). However, the mechanism(s) by which Mtb senses and responds to H2S is unknown. Here, we report that the Mtb heme sensor kinase DosS, a known sensor of CO and NO, is also a sensor of H2S. We found that H2S binds DosS in its ferric (Fe3+) state, which is considered as its inactive state, to induce the Dos dormancy regulon during infection. These data highlight the unusual capacity of Mtb to sense multiple gasotransmitters through a single sensing protein.
A turquoise fluorescence lifetime-based biosensor for quantitative imaging of intracellular calcium
Authors: van der Linden Franka H. , Mahlandt Eike K. , Arts Janine J.G. , Beumer Joep , Puschhof Jens , de Man Saskia M.A. , Chertkova Anna O. , Ponsioen Bas , Clevers Hans , van Buul Jaap D. , Postma Marten , Gadella Theodorus W.J. , Goedhart Joachim
Published: June 2021

The most successful genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) employ an intensity or intensiometric readout. Despite a large calcium-dependent change in fluorescence intensity, the quantification of calcium concentrations with GECIs is problematic, which is further complicated by the sensitivity of all GECIs to changes in the pH in the biological range. Here, we report on a novel sensing strategy in which a conformational change directly modifies the fluorescence quantum yield and fluorescence lifetime of a circular permutated turquoise fluorescent protein. The fluorescence lifetime is an absolute parameter that enables straightforward quantification, eliminating intensity-related artifacts. A new engineering strategy that optimizes lifetime contrast led to a biosensor that shows a 3-fold change in the calcium-dependent quantum yield and a fluorescence lifetime change of 1.3 ns. Additionally, the response of the calcium sensor is insensitive to pH between 6.2-9. As a result, the turquoise GECI enables robust measurements of intracellular calcium concentrations by fluorescence lifetime imaging. We demonstrate quantitative imaging of calcium concentration with the turquoise GECI in single endothelial cells and human-derived organoids.

Abstract Figure
Multi-omics-based label-free metabolic flux inference reveals obesity-associated dysregulatory mechanisms in liver glucose metabolism
Authors: Uematsu Saori , Ohno Satoshi , Tanaka Kaori Y. , Hatano Atsushi , Kokaji Toshiya , Ito Yuki , Kubota Hiroyuki , Hironaka Ken-ichi , Suzuki Yutaka , Matsumoto Masaki , Nakayama Keiichi I. , Hirayama Akiyoshi , Soga Tomoyoshi , Kuroda Shinya
Published: June 2021

Glucose homeostasis is maintained by modulation of metabolic flux. Enzymes and metabolites regulate the involved metabolic pathways. Dysregulation of glucose homeostasis is a pathological event in obesity. Analyzing metabolic pathways and the mechanisms contributing to obesity-associated dysregulation in vivo is challenging. Here, we introduce OMELET: Omics-Based Metabolic Flux Estimation without Labeling for Extended Trans-omic Analysis. OMELET uses metabolomic, proteomic, and transcriptomic data to identify changes in metabolic flux, and to quantify contributions of metabolites, enzymes, and transcripts to the changes in metabolic flux. By evaluating the livers of fasting ob/ob mice, we found that increased metabolic flux through gluconeogenesis resulted primarily from increased transcripts, whereas that through the pyruvate cycle resulted from both increased transcripts and changes in substrates of metabolic enzymes. With OMELET, we identified mechanisms underlying the obesity-associated dysregulation of metabolic flux in liver.

Highlights

We created OMELET to infer metabolic flux and its regulation from multi-omic data.

Gluconeogenic and pyruvate cycle fluxes increased in fasting ob/ob mice.

Transcripts increases mediated the increase in gluconeogenic fluxes in ob/ob mice.

Increases in transcripts and substrates enhanced pyruvate cycle flux in ob/ob mice.
SARS-CoV-2 activates ER stress and Unfolded protein response
Authors: Rosa-Fernandes Livia , Lazari Lucas C. , da Silva Janaina Macedo , de Morais Gomes Vinicius , Machado Rafael Rahal Guaragna , dos Santos Ancely Ferreira , Araujo Danielle Bastos , Coutinho João Vitor Paccini , Arini Gabriel Santos , Angeli Claudia B. , de Souza Edmarcia E. , Wrenger Carsten , Marinho Claudio R. F. , Oliveira Danielle B. L. , Durigon Edison L. , Labriola Leticia , Palmisano Giuseppe
Published: June 2021

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection is a major global public health concern affecting millions of people worldwide. The scientific community has joint efforts to provide effective and rapid solutions to this disease. Knowing the molecular, transmission and clinical features of this disease is of paramount importance to develop effective therapeutic and diagnostic tools. Here, we provide evidence that SARS-CoV-2 hijacks the glycosylation biosynthetic, ER-stress and UPR machineries for viral replication using a time-resolved (0-48 hours post infection, hpi) total, membrane as well as glycoproteome mapping and orthogonal validation. We found that SARS-CoV-2 induces ER stress and UPR is observed in Vero and Calu-3 cell lines with activation of the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP signaling pathway. ER-associated protein upregulation was detected in lung biopsies of COVID-19 patients and associated with survival. At later time points, cell death mechanisms are triggered. The data show that ER stress and UPR pathways are required for SARS-CoV-2 infection, therefore representing a potential target to develop/implement anti-CoVID-19 drugs.
Wuschel2enables highly efficient CRISPR/Cas-targeted genome editing during rapidde novoshoot regeneration in sorghum
Authors: Che Ping , Wu Emily , Simon Marissa K. , Anand Ajith , Lowe Keith , Gao Huirong , Sigmund Amy L. , Yang Meizhu , Albertsen Marc C. , Gordon-Kamm William , Jones Todd J.
Published: June 2021

For many important crops, including sorghum, the use of CRISPR/Cas technology is limited not only by the delivery of the gene-modification components into a plant cell, but more critically, by the ability to regenerate a fertile plant from the engineered cell through conventional tissue culture methods. Here, we report thatWuschel2 (Wus2)-enabled sorghum (Sorghum bicolorL.) transformation increases not only the efficiency of transgenic plant recovery, but also increases the observed efficiency of CRISPR/Cas-targeted genome editing within the population of T0 plants. UsingAgrobacterium-mediated transformation, we have demonstratedWus2-induced direct somatic embryo formation and regeneration, bypassing genotype-dependent callus formation and significantly shortening the tissue culture cycle time. This method also increased regeneration capacity, resulting in higher transformation efficiency across different sorghum genotypes. Subsequently, advanced excision systems and “altruistic” transformation technology have been developed to generate high-quality morphogenic gene-free and/or selectable marker-free sorghum events. Finally, we demonstrated up to an additional 6.8-fold increase in CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene dropout frequency usingWus2-enabled,Agrobacterium-mediated transformation (compared to the control treatment with noWus2), across various targeted loci in different sorghum genotypes.Wus2-enabled genome editing may be applicable to other crops and increasingly popularin plantatransformation strategies.
Consistent signatures of urban adaptation in a native, urban invader ant Tapinoma sessile
Authors: Blumenfeld Alexander J. , Eyer Pierre-André , Helms Anjel M. , Buczkowski Grzegorz , Vargo Edward L.
Published: June 2021

Biological invasions are becoming more prevalent due to the rise of global trade and expansion of urban areas. Ants are among the most prolific invaders, with many exhibiting a multi-queen colony structure, dispersal through budding and a lack of inter-nest aggression. Although these characteristics are generally associated with the invasions of exotic ants, they may also facilitate the spread of native ants into novel habitats (e.g., urban areas). Native to North American forests, the odorous house ant Tapinoma sessile has become abundant in urban environments throughout the United States. Forest-dwelling colonies typically have a small workforce, inhabit a single nest, and are headed by a single queen, whereas urban colonies tend to be several orders of magnitude larger, inhabit multiple nests and are headed by multiple queens. Here, we explore and compare the population genetic and breeding structure of T. sessile within and between urban and natural environments in several localities across its distribution range. We found the social structure of a colony to be a plastic trait in both habitats, although extreme polygyny (i.e., nests with multiple queens) was confined to urban habitats. Additionally, polydomous colonies (i.e., nests lacking genetic differentiation and behavioral antagonism) were only present in urban habitats, suggesting T. sessile can only achieve unicoloniality within urbanized areas. Finally, we identified strong differentiation between urban and natural populations in each locality and continent-wide, indicating cities may restrict gene flow and exert intense selection pressure. Overall, our study highlights urbanization’s influence in charting the evolutionary course for species.
Transregulation of an odorant binding protein by a proto-Y chromosome affects male courtship in house fly
Authors: Delclos Pablo J , Adhikari Kiran , Mai Alexander B , Hassan Oluwatomi , Oderhowho Alexander A , Sriskantharajah Vyshnika , Trinh Tammie , Meisel Richard P
Published: June 2021

Y chromosomes have male-limited inheritance, which favors the fixation of alleles that affect spermatogenesis, courtship, and other male-specific traits. Y-linked male-beneficial alleles can also have female-deleterious (sexually antagonistic) effects because they never experience direct selection in females. However, determining the mechanisms underlying these male-beneficial effects is challenging because it can require studying Y-linked alleles while they still segregate as polymorphism. We used a Y chromosome polymorphism in the house fly,Musca domestica, to address this challenge. Two common male-determining Y chromosomes (YMand IIIM) segregate as stable polymorphisms in natural house fly populations, and they differentially affect multiple traits, including male courtship performance. We performed a meta-analysis of RNA-seq data and identified differentially expressed genes encoding odorant binding proteins (in theObp56hfamily) as candidate causal agents in the courtship differences. TheObp56hgenes are not found on either the YMor IIIMchromosomes, suggesting that they must be regulated intransby one of the house fly sex chromosomes. Using a network analysis and allele-specific expression measurements, we identified multiple genes on the house fly IIIMchromosome that could serve astransinhibitors ofObp56hgene expression. One of those genes is homologous toD. melanogaster CG2120, which encodes a transcription factor that binds both up- and down-stream ofObp56h. We found that up-regulation ofCG2120inD. melanogasternervous tissues reduces copulation latency, consistent with this transcription factor acting as a negative regulator ofObp56hexpression. We propose the namespeed date(spdt) forCG2120, with the house fly homolog namedMd-spdt. The expression ofspdtacrossD. melanogasterdevelopment and tissues suggests that evolution of higher expression in neurons may be constrained by pleiotropic or sexual antagonistic effects. We hypothesize that acis-regulatory allele that increases expression ofMd-spdton the IIIMchromosome exists because Y-linkage of this allele releases it from those constraints. This provides evidence for a molecular mechanism by which a Y-linked gene can evolve a male-beneficial function regardless of the negative effects on females.
Biorational Management And Mycosis Studies Of Grape Thrips [Rhipiphorothrips cruentatus H.]
Authors: reddy Ankireddy Jawahar , Saindane Y. S. , Datkhile R. V. , Deore B. V.
Published: June 2021

Field experiment was conducted to test the bioefficacy of various biorational insecticides against grapevine thrips at AICRP on Fruits, Department of Horticulture, MPKV, Rahuri, during 2017-18. Results revealed that standard check emamectin benzoate 5% SG consistently proved to be the most promising by recording the least thrips population (3.10/shoot). Among biorational insecticides neem oil 2% (4.09/shoot) proved as best treatment followed by, karanj oil (4.51/shoot) and neemazol (5.08/shoot). While entomopathogenic fungi Lecanicillium lecanii recorded less population (4.24/shoot) and emerged as best treatment as compared to the Metarhizium anisopliae (4.87/shoot) and Beauveria bassiana (5.34/shoot). However chlli methanolic extract (6.29/shoot), garlic methanolic extract (6.78/shoot), chilli water extract (6.85/shoot) and garlic water extract (7.08/shoot) are the least effective treatments.

Incremental Cost Benefit Ratio (ICBR) in respect of different treatments ranged between 1.30 to 7.92. The highest ICBR of 1:7.92 was recorded in the treatment with emamectin benzoate 5 SG, and it was followed by Lecanicillium lecanii (1:6.34) and Metarhizium anisopliae (1:5.32). Although neem oil and karanj oil has great reduction of thrips population, but has less incremental cost benefit ratio i.e. 2.81 and 3.04, respectively, due to high dose and its cost.

The mycosis test of three entomopathogenic fungi viz. Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Lecanicillium lecanii were studied on grape thrips. Mycosis by Beauveria bassiana was confirmed the pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi on grape thrips. Highly pronounced mycosis was observed by Metarhizium anisopliae on the dead bodies of thrips. Mycosis test of Lecanicillium lecanii was also proved on grape thrips (plate - 1, 2 and 3).
Regulation of the Molecular Shuttle Service: A Multiscale Model of Aquaporin 2 Recycling
Authors: Leberecht Christoph , Schroeder Michael , Labudde Dirk
Published: June 2021

The response of cells to their environment is driven by a variety of proteins and messenger molecules. In eukaryotes their distribution, which is regulated by a vesicular transport system, is important for a tight cellular response. The recycling of aquaporin 2 between membrane and storage region is a crucial part of the body water homeostasis and its malfunction can lead to Diabetes insipidus. To understand the regulation of this system, we aggregated pathways and mechanisms from literature and derived three models in a hypothesis-driven approach. Furthermore, we combined the models to a single system to gain insight into key regulatory mechanisms. To achieve this we developed a multiscale computational framework for the modeling and simulation of cellular systems. The analysis of the system rationalises that the compartmentalization of cAMP in renal principal cells is a result of the protein kinase A signalosome and can only occur if specific cellular components are observed in conjunction. Endocytotic and exocytotic processes are inherently connected and can be regulated by the same protein kinase A signal.
In vivo imaging of mammary epithelial cell dynamics in response to lineage-biased Wnt/β-catenin activation
Authors: Lloyd-Lewis Bethan , Gobbo Francesca , Perkins Meghan , Jacquemin Guillaume , Faraldo Marisa M , Fre Silvia
Published: June 2021

Real-time, in vivo imaging provides an essential window into the spatiotemporal cellular and molecular events contributing to tissue development and pathology. By coupling longitudinal intravital imaging with genetic lineage tracing, here we captured the earliest cellular events underlying the impact of active Wnt/β-catenin signaling on the organization and differentiation of the mammary epithelium. This enabled us to interrogate how Wnt/β-catenin regulates the dynamics of distinct subpopulations of mammary epithelial cells in vivo and in real time. We show that β-catenin stabilization, when targeted to either of the mammary luminal or basal epithelial lineages, invariably leads to cellular rearrangements that precipitate the formation of hyperplastic lesions that undergo squamous transdifferentiation. These results enhance our understanding of the earliest stages of hyperplastic lesion formation in vivo, and reveal that in mammary neoplastic development, β-catenin activation dictates a hair-follicle/epidermal differentiation program independently of the targeted cell of origin.
Lead to transform a successful organizational change
Authors: Wang Zheni
Published: June 2021

Study Level/Applicability

This case aims to assist students to learn about leadership theory and leadership effectiveness in terms of organizational change. It is best suited for undergraduate courses in leadership development, organizational behavior and specific teaching modules in Master in Business Administration courses.

Subject area

Leadership and leadership effectiveness; organizational change.

Case overview

This case is about a decade (2010–2020) of a transformation journey of the School of Business at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU). Dr Durnin has been the first female Dean of School of Business in Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) who made this transformation possible and continuing on. With listening ears and a supportive heart, Dr Durnin first moved faculty and staff members out of a “sick” office building and then created a supportive and collaborative culture to build the consensus among faculty and staff members to change for good. It has been her personalized influence, charisma and extraordinary upward negotiation that lead the School to shape its collective effort toward a multi-year Association to Advance Collegiate School of Business accreditation process since 2014. When dealing the uncertainty caused by the 2020 global pandemic, her autonomy-supportive approach once again connected people meaningfully together to excel the challenges brought by COVID-19 pandemic.

Expected learning outcomes

This case provides an example of female leader in higher education to illustrate a successful transformational leadership (TFL) example in the USA, as well as its implications on gender issues and leadership effectiveness. Upon completing the analysis of this case, students should be able to: – understand the TFL concepts, theory and its behavioral implications on gender and leadership effectiveness; and – assess and evaluate effectiveness of TFL styles in organizations.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or e-mail support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 6: Human resources.

Keywords

Transformational leadership, Organizational change, Gender and leadership effectiveness
The values-driven startup
Authors: Black Christina , Munshaw Supriya
Published: June 2021

Study level/applicability

The case is suitable for both undergraduate and graduate business students. The suggestions in the teaching note would suit classes of varying sizes and can be organized by teams or for individual work.

Subject area

The case is suitable for classes discussing a range of topics including business ethics, values-based leadership and entrepreneurship. The case is told from the perspective of a Hispanic, first-generation female CEO in tech – a male-dominated field. As some of its decision points include discussions with other female entrepreneurs in similar positions, this case is also suitable for discussions on gender and minority leader representation.

Case overview

This case tells the story of a female tech entrepreneur in Baltimore, how her personal values influenced the values of her company and how she successfully applied those values even in the early stages of her venture. It includes a discussion of her former career in the military and her experiences as a first-generation American.

Expected learning outcomes

The case offers several decision points where students are invited to anticipate and discuss the protagonists’ values and their application of them in her work. It likewise invites students to reflect on their own values and how they influence their business decisions. As the case is based on true events and uses real names, students may also perform research on the real business and its context to extend this case even further.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Social implications

Women are chronically underrepresented in leadership positions and some choose to become entrepreneurs because it offers a surer path to CEO roles. Additionally, this case offers some perspective on the different leadership styles of women, such as this protagonist’s choice to allow her personal and corporate values to drive important early decisions for her business. The instructor and students also may wish to focus on aspects of the case related to the protagonist’s ethnicity and her family’s status as recent immigrants to the USA. Ideally, class discussions will consider the protagonist holistically, and her identities as intersectional.

Subject code

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
Market entry of over-the-counter nutritional supplement – a case study from Thailand
Authors: Sangwongwanich Patama , Wongsurawat Winai
Published: June 2021

Learning Outcomes

Teaching objectives are as follows: students need to understand the critical choices involved in introducing a product into a new market, including but not limited to the macroeconomic context, the target consumer segment, the positioning of the product, distribution channels, pricing and promotion strategy. Students must learn to appreciate the importance of anticipating the reaction of incumbents, and how such reactions may determine the success or failure of a new product entry into the market. Students develop skills to analyze complementarities between different distribution channels and understand how investments in developing one channel can result in positive or negative consequences in other channels.

Case Overview/Synopsis

How can health products such as multivitamins and other nutritional supplements make headway into emerging markets that are moving up the ranks of middle-income economies? This case study investigates the case of Thailand, a country that in the early 1990s registered a per capita income comparable to Vietnam and Laos and Cambodia today. It illustrates, through the real experience of Pat – an executive of a local subsidiary of an American multinational pharmaceutical company – how a new entrant exploited the rapidly changing economic and retailing environment to become a successful player in an important and growing segment of consumer products.

Complexity Academic Level

This case is suitable for master’s degree students or short-course executives.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
Willingness to pay for crop insurance: a case from citrus farmers in Nepal
Authors: Dahal Bhishma R. , Adhikari Sudip , Khanal Aditya R.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

In Nepal, crop insurance is at initial phase. However, since its implementation seven years ago, the adoption rate has been fairly low even with the government's lucrative subsidy on premium. There have been very limited studies on specifics of insurance for different crops, and farmer's acceptability on insurance. This study examines WTP for tree-based insurance, a potential insurance scheme on fruit crops in hilly areas of Nepal.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a contingent valuation method to estimate farmer's willingness to pay (WTP) premium for insurance. They used a double-bounded dichotomous choice (DBDC) framework to elicit WTP and an interval regression method to estimate the WTP model.

Findings

The authors found that the farmers revealed WTP for tree-based insurance is three times higher than the premium they would pay under government's current subsidy plans of insurance. The authors’ result from interval regression also suggests that the factors such as farm size, farmer's adverse experience about invasive pest and weather, awareness of crop insurance, farming experience, and family involvement in agriculture significantly influence farmers' WTP.

Research limitations/implications

A distinct modality of insurance, like tree-based insurance for fruit crops in mid and high hill areas, may enhance the adoption rate rather than a broad area-based plan generalized for all crops.

Originality/value

Only a few studies have examined specifics of insurance in fruit crop insurance in developing countries. The authors’ estimated WTP factors influencing WTP on citrus fruit-crop insurance in Nepal indicates that there is a scope for extending this insurance program. However, the authors also found that there is a gap in understanding of crop insurance and have limited awareness on the government's subsidy programs among farmers.
Earnings management in public-sector organizations: a structured literature review
Authors: Bisogno Marco , Donatella Pierre
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Research dealing with earnings management in the public-sector context is expanding. This paper aims to review the existing literature to understand how research is developing and points out gaps deserving further investigation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the structured literature methodology to investigate the state-of-the-art and future directions of the literature on earnings management in the public sector. In total, 78 articles were explored.

Findings

The critical analysis of the literature shows that different but related streams of literature are emerging, focused on both a macro- and a micro-level perspective (mainly local governments and state-owned enterprises).

Originality/value

This study is the first that offers a comprehensive review of the literature on the emerging topic of earnings management in the public-sector context. The structured literature review enables the identification of future directions for the literature in this field.
Which resource acquisition acts drive growth of informal firms? Evidence from Zambia
Authors: Tang Yee Kwan , Konde Victor
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The study seeks to differentiate informal firms with high-growth prospects by their resource acquisition acts and to improve identification of growth-oriented informal firms for effective design and targeting of support measures.

Design/methodology/approach

An original set of firm-level data was collected using face-to-face survey in Lusaka, Zambia. Six clearly defined criteria were used to sample informal firms, apart from general informal business. Regression analyses were conducted to test the association of different resource acquisition acts with two growth dimensions: number of employees and business earnings of the 325 informal firms sampled.

Findings

Accessing clientele beyond local market, linking up with formal businesses and acquiring information and knowledge via online sources were found influential to growth in business earnings. Surprising, acquisition of finance and skills showed no effect. Employment expansion, though widely used, may not be a stable indicator of informal firm growth.

Research limitations/implications

The study highlights the relevance of the emerging entrepreneurship perspective to understanding the topic. It cautions against pre-setting a size threshold for sampling informal firms and against relying on employment expansion as the sole proxy of growth.

Practical implications

The findings prompt a rethink of the effectiveness of conventional support programmes to drive growth of informal firms such as funding and training. Directing support measures to target growth-oriented informal firms will lead to creation of decent and sustainable jobs and formalisation.

Originality/value

With an original firm-level dataset, the study challenges a long-held assumption that growth of informal firm is negligible and shows that segments of informal firms are sustainable and could attain significant growth and derives new insights into researching and supporting informal firm growth.
An empirical analysis among foreign direct investment, trade openness and economic growth: evidence from the Indian economy
Authors: Kumari Reenu , Shabbir Malik Shahzad , Saleem Sharjeel , Yahya Khan Ghulam , Abbasi Bilal Ahmed , Lopez Lydia Bares
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study examines the long-term and causal relationship among foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, trade openness and economic growth from India.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has used annual time series data from the period 1985–2018 and applied the Johansen cointegration and vector autoregression (VAR) model.

Findings

The results of Johansen's cointegration confirm no long-term relationship among all the above three variables. Further, the results of VAR Granger causality indicate that FDI causes economic growth and economic growth causes FDI, which confirms the bi-directional causality. In contrast, this study found that there is no bi-directional causality between trade openness and economic growth.

Social implications

Through this study, the government could take the decisions related to foreign investment after adopting more trade openness because the study results revealed that if India follows more trade openness, then how FDI will flow (upward and downward). With impulse analysis, researchers, government and policymakers take the decision-related FDI inflows for the forthcoming ten years after 2018.

Originality/value

This study has found the most exciting results from the impulse functions of FDI inflows, trade openness and economic growth, which showed the situation of these three variables as increase and decrease in the forthcoming ten years.
Subterranean morphology modulates the degree of mycoheterotrophy in a green orchid Calypso bulbosa exploiting wood‐decaying fungi
Authors: Suetsugu Kenji , Matsubayashi Jun
Published: June 2021

Many vascular plants and aquatic organisms are not strictly autotrophic or heterotrophic but rather mixotrophic. Mixotrophy is a widespread nutritional strategy, merging autotrophy and heterotrophy to acquire organic carbon (C). Because all orchids are mycoheterotrophic during the early stages, many species are also predisposed to mycoheterotrophic nutrition during the mature stage. Consequently, many green orchids adopt partially mycoheterotrophy, a kind of mixotrophic strategy, obtaining carbon through autotrophy and mycoheterotrophy. However, the proportions of fungal‐derived carbon reported for these mixotrophic orchids show considerable variation, even within species under similar light conditions and at similar growth stages. The factors promoting such variation remain to be fully elucidated.

We investigated the nutritional mode of a green orchid Calypso bulbosa to determine whether coralloid rhizomes, which are often found in fully mycoheterotrophic orchids, affect the degree of mycoheterotrophy. To this end, we performed molecular barcoding and 13C and 15N analyses to identify the mycorrhizal partners and fungal dependency of C. bulbosa specimens with and without coralloid rhizomes.

We found that C. bulbosa individuals were consistently colonized by an OTU of the wood‐decaying fungal genus Protomerulius (Auriculariales), regardless of the presence of rhizomes. Furthermore, although both types of C. bulbosa specimens are partially mycoheterotrophic, as indicated by their higher 13C and 15N abundances, those with coralloid rhizomes exhibited a higher degree of mycoheterotrophy. Our results indicate that partial mycoheterotrophy in C. bulbosa is a flexible mechanism driven by subterranean morphology.

Although mixotrophy has evolved repeatedly in vascular plants and aquatic organisms, their trophic plasticity remains largely unexplored. Here we propose a novel mechanism modulating the degree of mycoheterotrophy in green orchids, providing a new perspective on the ecological plasticity of nutritional mode in mixotrophic organisms.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
The impact of metformin on hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis activity in postmenopausal women with untreated non‐autoimmune subclinical hypothyroidism
Authors: Krysiak Robert , Kowalcze Karolina , Okopień Bogusław
Published: June 2021

Metformin was found to reduce elevated thyrotropin levels in subjects with hypothyroidism. The impact on thyrotropin levels was stronger in women receiving oral contraceptive pills than in women not using any contraception. The aim of the present study was to determine whether physiological levels of oestradiol determine the effect of metformin on hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis activity. The study population included 40 postmenopausal women with prediabetes and untreated non‐autoimmune subclinical hypothyroidism, using (group A; n = 18) or not using (group B; n = 22) oestradiol replacement therapy. Over the entire study periods, all subjects were treated with metformin (2.55–3.00 g daily). Plasma levels of glucose, lipids, insulin, thyrotropin, free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, prolactin, gonadotropins and oestradiol were measured, while the structure parameters of thyroid homeostasis and the degree of insulin sensitivity were calculated at the beginning of the study and 6 months later. At entry, both groups differed in gonadotropin and oestrogen levels. Despite improving insulin sensitivity, thyrotropin levels and Jostel's thyrotropin index in both study groups, these effects were stronger in group A than group B. Only in group A, metformin increased SPINA‐GT, while only in group B the drug decreased FSH levels. Levels of the other variables remained at a similar level throughout the study. The effect of treatment on thyrotropin levels correlated with its baseline values, as well as with the improvement of insulin sensitivity. The results obtained suggest that the impact of metformin on hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis activity depends on the oestrogen status of patients.
Resveratrol suppresses cholestasis‐induced liver injury and fibrosis in rats associated with the inhibition of TGFβ1–Smad3–miR21 axis and profibrogenic and hepatic injury biomarkers
Authors: ShamsEldeen Asmaa M. , Al‐Ani Bahjat , Ebrahim Hasnaa A. , Rashed Laila , Badr Amul M. , Attia Abeer , Farag Ayman M. , Kamar Samaa S. , Haidara Mohamed A. , Al Humayed Suliman , Ali Eshra Mohammed
Published: June 2021

Cholestasis caused by slowing or blockage of bile flow is a serious liver disease that can lead to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. The link between transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1), Smad family member 3 (Smad3), and microRNA 21 (miR21) in bile duct ligation (BDL)‐induced liver fibrosis in the presence and absence of the anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant compound, resveratrol (RSV), has not been previously studied. Therefore, we tested whether RSV can protect against BDL‐induced liver fibrosis associated with the inhibition of the TGFβ1–Smad3–miR21 axis and profibrogenic and hepatic injury biomarkers. The model group of rats had their bile duct ligated (BDL) for 3 weeks before being killed, whereas, the BDL‐treated rats were separated into three groups that received 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg RSV daily until the end of the experiment. Using light microscopy and ultrasound examinations, we documented in the BDL group, the development of hepatic injury and fibrosis as demonstrated by hepatocytes necrosis, bile duct hyperplasia, collagen deposition, enlarged liver with increased echogenicity, irregular nodular border and dilated common bile duct, which were more effectively inhibited by the highest used RSV dosage. In addition, RSV significantly (p ≤ 0.0027) inhibited BDL‐induced hepatic TGFβ1, Smad3, miR21, the profibrogenic biomarker tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases‐1 (TIMP‐1), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin‐17a (IL‐17a), and blood levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and bilirubin. These findings show that RSV at 30 mg/kg substantially protects against BDL‐induced liver injuries, which is associated with the inhibition of TGFβ1‐Smad3‐miR21 axis, and biomarkers of profibrogenesis, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
Food‐grade carrageenans and their implications in health and disease
Authors: Liu Fang , Hou Pengfen , Zhang Hui , Tang Qingjuan , Xue Changhu , Li Robert W.
Published: June 2021

Food additives, often used to guarantee the texture, shelf‐life, taste, and appearance of processed foods, have gained widespread attention due to their increased link to the growing incidence of chronic diseases. As one of the most common additives, carrageenans have been used in human diets for hundreds of years. While classified as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for human consumption, numerous studies since the 1980s have suggested that carrageenans, particularly those with random coil conformations, may have adverse effects on gastrointestinal health, including aggravating intestinal inflammation. While these studies have provided some evidence of adverse effects, the topic is still controversial. Some have suggested that the negative consequence of the consumption of carrageenans may be structure dependent. Furthermore, pre‐existing conditions may predispose individuals to varied outcomes of carrageenan intake. In this review, structure–function relationships of various carrageenans in the context of food safety are discussed. We reviewed the molecular mechanisms by which carrageenans exert their biological effects. We summarized the findings associated with carrageenan intake in animal models and clinical trials. Moreover, we examined the interactions between carrageenans and the gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal disorders. This review argues for personalized guidance on carrageenan intake based on individuals’ health status. Future research efforts that aim to close the knowledge gap on the effect of low‐dose and chronic carrageenan intake as well as interactions among food additives should be conducive to the improved safety profile of carrageenans in processed food products.
Effect of Cedrus deodara extract on the physiochemical and sensory properties of salted meat and its action mechanism
Authors: Xu Qian‐Da , Zhou Zhi‐Qiang , Yu Jie , He Qiang , Sun Qun , Zeng Wei‐Cai
Published: June 2021

The effect of pine needle extract from Cedrus deodara (PNE) on the quality of salted meat was reported, and its action mechanism was further investigated. With the treatment of PNE, the physicochemical properties of salted meat were improved. The peroxide value decreased from 16.18 to 6.78 mmol O2/kg, while the thiobarbituric acid value decreased from 0.79 to 0.40 mg MDA/kg. Moreover, the salted meat with PNE also had the better texture, color, and volatile compositions. The 0.2% PNE group showed the highest ΔE value (63.16 ± 0.56), hardness (813.5 ± 48.7 g), and volatility (45.86 ± 0.39), while the control group showed the lowest ΔE value (43.92 ± 2.13), hardness (515.8 ± 17.3 g) and volatility (29.97 ± 0.56). In addition, with the analysis of fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy, the spatial structures of myofibrillar protein (MP) in salted meat were obviously changed by PNE. Meanwhile, methylconiferin, 1‐O‐feruloyl‐β‐D‐glucose, nortrachelogenin, secoxyloganin, 1‐O‐(4‐coumaroyl)‐β‐D‐glucose and pelargonidin‐3‐O‐glucoside were identified from PNE. Furthermore, according to the analysis of molecular docking, hydrogen bond, hydrophobic force, and electrostatic force were obtained as the main molecular forces between MP and the phenolic compounds of PNE, while arginine, glutamic acid, and glycine residues were the main binding sites. All results suggested that PNE might be a potential candidate to improve the quality of salted meat in the food industry.

Practical Application

The quality deterioration of meat may not only affect its further processing and consumption but also may lead to some food safety problems. In present study, PNE exhibited the fine capability to inhibit the oxidation of meat, while it could ameliorate the texture, color, and physicochemical properties of meat due to its tightly interaction with myofibrillar protein. All result suggested that PNE could be potentially utilized to improve the quality of meat in food industry.
Realities and hopes in the application of microbial tools in agriculture
Authors: Batista Bruna D. , Singh Brajesh K.
Published: June 2021

The use of microbial tools to sustainably increase agricultural production has received significant attention from researchers, industries and policymakers. Over the past decade, the market access and development of microbial products have been accelerated by (i) the recent advances in plant‐associated microbiome science, (ii) the pressure from consumers and policymakers for increasing crop productivity and reducing the use of agrochemicals, (iii) the rising threats of biotic and abiotic stresses, (iv) the loss of efficacy of some agrochemicals and plant breeding programs and (v) the calls for agriculture to contribute towards mitigating climate change. Although the sector is still in its infancy, the path towards effective microbial products is taking shape and the global market of these products has increased faster than that of agrochemicals. Promising results from using microbes either as biofertilizers or biopesticides have been continually reported, fuelling optimism and high expectations for the sector. However, some limitations, often related to low efficacy and inconsistent performance in field conditions, urgently need to be addressed to promote a wider use of microbial tools. We propose that advances in in situ microbiome manipulation approaches, such as the use of products containing synthetic microbial communities and novel prebiotics, have great potential to overcome some of these current constraints. Much more progress is expected in the development of microbial inoculants as areas such as synthetic biology and nano‐biotechnology advance. If key technical, translational and regulatory issues are addressed, microbial tools will not only play an important role in sustainably boosting agricultural production over the next few decades but also contribute towards other sustainable development goals, including job creation and mitigation of the impacts of climate change.
Mandatory Environmental Reporting in Australia: An In‐depth Analysis of Quantity and Quality
Authors: Yang Hao , Le Luo Laura , Bhattacharyya Asit
Published: June 2021

This study contributes to the debate on the effectiveness of mandatory environmental reporting regulation in the Australian context. Our longitudinal in‐depth quantitative and qualitative analysis evaluates the changes in compliance with Australian mandatory environmental reporting regulation (the Corporations Act, s. 299(1)(f)) of Australian listed companies, as well as their changes in reporting quantity and quality from 1997 to 2017. We measure disclosure quality from a multidimensional and innovative perspective: the comprehensiveness, negativity, and substance of the disclosure. Adopting the institutional perspective of legitimacy theory and the various dynamics of the legitimacy framework developed by Suchman (1995), as well as a substantive legitimation perspective, we extend the interpretive power of legitimacy theory in the area of mandatory environmental reporting. The results show that, overall, mandatory environmental reporting in Australia is improving with respect to increased compliance with s. 299(1)(f), and increased quantity and quality of reporting. Our research provides an in‐depth examination of the process by which mandatory environmental reporting regulation becomes influential. Our findings show that s. 299(1)(f) remains effective 20 years after its adoption.
Cell nonautonomous roles of NHR‐49 in promoting longevity and innate immunity
Authors: Naim Nikki , Amrit Francis R. G. , Ratnappan Ramesh , DelBuono Nicholas , Loose Julia A. , Ghazi Arjumand
Published: June 2021

Aging and immunity are inextricably linked and many genes that extend life span also enhance immunoresistance. However, it remains unclear whether longevity‐enhancing factors modulate immunity and longevity by discrete or shared mechanisms. Here, we demonstrate that the Caenorhabditis elegans pro‐longevity factor, NHR‐49, also promotes resistance against Pseudomonas aeruginosa but modulates immunity and longevity distinctly. NHR‐49 expression increases upon germline ablation, an intervention that extends life span, but was lowered by Pseudomonas infection. The immunosusceptibility induced by nhr‐49 loss of function was rescued by neuronal NHR‐49 alone, whereas the longevity diminution was rescued by expression in multiple somatic tissues. The well‐established NHR‐49 target genes, acs‐2 and fmo‐2, were also differentially regulated following germline elimination or Pseudomonas exposure. Interestingly, neither gene conferred immunity toward Gram‐negative Pseudomonas, unlike their known functions against gram‐positive pathogens. Instead, genes encoding antimicrobial factors and xenobiotic‐response proteins upregulated by NHR‐49 contributed to resistance against Pseudomonas. Thus, NHR‐49 is differentially regulated by interventions that bring about long‐term changes (life span extension) versus short‐term stress (pathogen exposure) and in response it orchestrates discrete outputs, including pathogen‐specific transcriptional programs.