bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pathfinder: A gamified measure to integrate general cognitive ability into the biological, medical, and behavioural sciences
Authors: Malanchini Margherita , Rimfeld Kaili , Gidziela Agnieszka , Cheesman Rosa , Allegrini Andrea G. , Shakeshaft Nicholas , Schofield Kerry , Packer Amy , Ogden Rachel , McMillan Andrew , Ritchie Stuart J. , Dale Philip S. , Eley Thalia C. , Stumm Sophie von , Plomin Robert
Published: February 2021

Genome-wide association (GWA) studies have uncovered DNA variants associated with individual differences in general cognitive ability (g), but these are far from capturing heritability estimates obtained from twin studies. A major barrier to finding more of this ‘missing heritability’ is assessment – the use of diverse measures across GWA studies as well as time and cost of assessment. In a series of four studies, we created a 15-minute (40-item), online, gamified measure ofgthat is highly reliable (alpha = .78; two-week test-retest reliability = .88), psychometrically valid and scalable; we called this new measure Pathfinder. In a fifth study, we administered this measure to 4,751 young adults from the Twins Early Development Study. This novelgmeasure, which also yields reliable verbal and nonverbal scores, correlated substantially with standard measures of g collected at previous ages (r ranging from .42 at age 7 to .57 at age 16). Pathfinder showed substantial twin heritability (.57, 95% CIs = .43, .68) and SNP heritability (.37, 95% CIs = .04, .70). A polygenic score computed from GWA studies of five cognitive and educational traits accounted for 12% of the variation ing, the strongest DNA-based prediction ofgto date. Widespread use of this engaging new measure will advance research not only in genomics but throughout the biological, medical, and behavioural sciences.
Establishment of a reverse genetic system from a bovine derived Influenza D virus isolate
Authors: Holwerda Melle , Laloli Laura , Wider Manon , Schönecker Lutz , Becker Jens , Meylan Mireille , Dijkman Ronald
Published: February 2021

The ruminant-associated Influenza D virus (IDV) has a broad host tropism and was shown to have zoonotic potential. To identify and characterize molecular viral determinants influencing the host spectrum of IDV, a reverse genetic system is required. For this, we first performed 5′ and 3′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) of all seven genomic segments, followed by assessment of the 5′ and 3′ NCR activity prior to constructing the viral genomic segments of a contemporary Swiss bovine IDV isolate (D/CN286) into the bidirectional pHW-2000 vector. The bidirectional plasmids were transfected in HRT-18G cells followed by viral rescue on the same cell type. Analysis of the segment specific 5′ and 3′ non-coding regions (NCR) highlighted that the terminal 3′ end of all segments harbours an Uracil instead of a Cytosine nucleotide, similar to other Influenza viruses. Subsequent analysis on the functionality of the 5′ and 3′ NCR in a minireplicon assay revealed that these sequences were functional and that the variable sequence length of the 5′ and 3′ NCR influences reporter gene expression. Thereafter, we evaluated the replication efficiency of the reverse genetic clone on conventional cell lines of human, swine and bovine origin by use of an in vitro model recapitulating the natural replicate site of IDV in bovine and swine. This revealed that the reverse genetic clone D/CN286 replicates efficiently in all cell culture models. Combined, these results demonstrate the successful establishment of a reverse genetic system from a contemporary bovine IDV isolate that can be used for future identification and characterization of viral determinants influencing the broad host tropism of IDV.
Cardiopharyngeal deconstruction and ancestral tunicate sessility
Authors: Ferrández-Roldán A. , Fabregà-Torrus M. , Sánchez-Serna G. , Durán-Bello E. , Joaquín-Lluís M. , Garcia-Fernàndez J. , Albalat R. , Cañestro C.
Published: February 2021

A key problem in understanding chordate evolution has been the origin of sessility of ascidians, and whether the appendicularian free-living style represents a primitive or derived condition of tunicates. To address this problem, we performed comprehensive developmental and genomic comparative analyses of the cardiopharyngeal gene regulatory network (GRN) between appendicularians and ascidians. Our results reveal that the cardiopharyngeal GRN has suffered a process of evolutionary deconstruction with massive ancestral losses of genes (Mesp,Ets1/2,Gata4/5/6,Mek1/2,Tbx1/10, and RA- and FGF-signaling related genes) and subfunctions (e.g.FoxF,Islet,Ebf,Mrf,Dachand Bmp signaling). These losses have led to the deconstruction of two modules of the cardiopharyngeal GRN that in ascidians are related to early and late multipotent state cells involved in lineage fate determination towards first and secondary heart fields, and siphon muscle. Our results allow us to propose an evolutionary scenario, in which the evolutionary deconstruction of the cardiopharyngeal GRN has had an adaptive impact on the acceleration of the developmental cardiac program, the redesign of the cardiac architecture into an open-wide laminar structure, and the loss of pharyngeal muscle. Our findings, therefore, provide evidence supporting that the ancestral tunicate had a sessile ascidian-like lifestyle, and points to the deconstruction of the cardiopharyngeal GRN in appendicularians as a key event that facilitated the evolution of their pelagic free-living style connected to the innovation of the house.
High-Intensity Interval Training Remodels the Proteome and Acetylome of Human Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Hostrup M , Lemminger AK , Stocks B , Gonzalez-Franquesa A , Larsen JK , Quesada J Prats , Thomassen M , Weinert BT , Bangsbo J , Deshmukh AS
Published: February 2021

Exercise is an effective strategy in the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases. Alterations in the skeletal muscle proteome, including post-translational modifications, regulate its metabolic adaptations to exercise. Here, we examined the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on the proteome and acetylome of human skeletal muscle, revealing the response of 3168 proteins and 1263 lysine acetyl-sites on 464 acetylated proteins. We identified global protein adaptations to exercise training involved in metabolism, excitation-contraction coupling, and myofibrillar calcium sensitivity. Furthermore, HIIT increased the acetylation of mitochondrial proteins, particularly those of complex V. We also highlight the regulation of exercise-responsive histone acetyl-sites. These data demonstrate the plasticity of the skeletal muscle proteome and acetylome, providing insight into the regulation of contractile, metabolic and transcriptional processes within skeletal muscle. Herein, we provide a substantial hypothesis-generating resource to stimulate further mechanistic research investigating how exercise improves metabolic health.

Impact statement

Hostrup and colleagues identify global proteomic and acetylomic adaptations to high-intensity interval training, demonstrating adaptations to processes regulating metabolism and contraction.
Cas9 targeted enrichment of mobile elements using nanopore sequencing
Authors: McDonald Torrin L. , Zhou Weichen , Castro Christopher , Mumm Camille , Switzenberg Jessica A. , Mills Ryan E. , Boyle Alan P.
Published: February 2021

Mobile element insertions (MEIs) are highly repetitive genomic sequences that contribute to inter- and intra-individual genetic variation and can lead to genetic disorders. Targeted and whole-genome approaches using short-read sequencing have been developed to identify reference and non-reference MEIs; however, the read length hampers detection of these elements in complex genomic regions. Here, we pair Cas9 targeted nanopore sequencing with computational methodologies to capture active MEIs in human genomes. We demonstrate parallel enrichment for distinct classes of MEIs, averaging 44% of reads on targeted signals. We show an individual flow cell can recover a remarkable fraction of MEIs (97% L1Hs, 93%AluYb, 51%AluYa, 99% SVA_F, and 65% SVA_E). We identify twenty-one non-reference MEIs in GM12878 overlooked by modern, long-read analysis pipelines, primarily in repetitive genomic regions. This work introduces the utility of nanopore sequencing for MEI enrichment and lays the foundation for rapid discovery of elusive, repetitive genetic elements.
CardiacNmnat/NAD+/SIR2 pathways activation mediates endurance exercise resistance to heart defects induced by a high-fat diet in agingDrosophila
Authors: Wen Deng-tai , Zheng Lan , Lu Kai , Hou Wen-qi
Published: February 2021

Endurance exercise is an important way to resist and treat a high-fat-diet(HFD)-induced heart defects, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we usedDrosophilato identify whether cardiac Nmnat/NAD+/SIR2 pathways activation could mediate endurance exercise resistance to heart defects. The results showed that endurance exercise activated the cardiac Nmnat/NAD+/SIR2/FOXOpathway and Nmnat/NAD+/SIR2/PGC-1αpathway, including up-regulating cardiacNmnat, SIR2, FOXO, PGC-1αexpression, SOD activity, and NAD+level, and it prevented HFD-induced or cardiacNmnatknock-down-induced cardiac lipid accumulation, MDA content and fibrillation increase, and fractional shortening decrease. CardiacNmnatoverexpression activated heart Nmnat/NAD+/SIR2 pathways and resisted HFD-induced cardiac malfunction, but it could not protect against HFD-induced lifespan reduction and locomotor impairment. Exercise improved lifespan and mobility in cardiacNmnatknockdown flies. Therefore, current results confirmed that cardiac Nmnat/NAD+/SIR2 pathways were important antagonists of HFD-induced heart defects. The cardiacNmnat/NAD+/SIR2pathways activation was the important underlying molecular mechanism of endurance exercise and cardiac Nmnat overexpression against heart defects inDrosophila.
Evolution of genome structure in theDrosophila simulansspecies complex
Authors: Chakraborty Mahul , Chang Ching-Ho , Khost Danielle E. , Vedanayagam Jeffrey , Adrion Jeffrey R. , Liao Yi , Montooth Kristi L. , Meiklejohn Colin D. , Larracuente Amanda M. , Emerson J.J.
Published: February 2021

The rapid evolution of repetitive DNA sequences, including satellite DNA, tandem duplications, and transposable elements, underlies phenotypic evolution and contributes to hybrid incompatibilities between species. However, repetitive genomic regions are fragmented and misassembled in most contemporary genome assemblies. We generated highly contiguous de novo reference genomes for theDrosophila simulansspecies complex (D. simulans,D. mauritiana, andD. sechellia), which speciated ∼250,000 yr ago. Our assemblies are comparable in contiguity and accuracy to the currentD. melanogastergenome, allowing us to directly compare repetitive sequences between these four species. We find that at least 15% of theD. simulanscomplex species genomes fail to align uniquely toD. melanogasterowing to structural divergence—twice the number of single-nucleotide substitutions. We also find rapid turnover of satellite DNA and extensive structural divergence in heterochromatic regions, whereas the euchromatic gene content is mostly conserved. Despite the overall preservation of gene synteny, euchromatin in each species has been shaped by clade- and species-specific inversions, transposable elements, expansions and contractions of satellite and tRNA tandem arrays, and gene duplications. We also find rapid divergence among Y-linked genes, including copy number variation and recent gene duplications from autosomes. Our assemblies provide a valuable resource for studying genome evolution and its consequences for phenotypic evolution in these genetic model species.
Rtt109 slows replication speed by histone N-terminal acetylation
Authors: Frenkel Nelly , Jonas Felix , Carmi Miri , Yaakov Gilad , Barkai Naama
Published: February 2021

The wrapping of DNA around histone octamers challenges processes that use DNA as their template. In vitro, DNA replication through chromatin depends on histone modifiers, raising the possibility that cells modify histones to optimize fork progression. Rtt109 is an acetyl transferase that acetylates histone H3 before its DNA incorporation on the K56 and N-terminal residues. We previously reported that, in budding yeast, a wave of histone H3 K9 acetylation progresses ∼3–5 kb ahead of the replication fork. Whether this wave contributes to replication dynamics remained unknown. Here, we show that the replication fork velocity increases following deletion ofRTT109, the gene encoding the enzyme required for the prereplication H3 acetylation wave. By using histone H3 mutants, we find that Rtt109-dependent N-terminal acetylation regulates fork velocity, whereas K56 acetylation contributes to replication dynamics only when N-terminal acetylation is compromised. We propose that acetylation of newly synthesized histones slows replication by promoting replacement of nucleosomes evicted by the incoming fork, thereby protecting genome integrity.
Social capital and individual entrepreneurial orientation: innovativeness, proactivity, and risk-taking in an emerging economy
Authors: Corrêa Victor Silva , Queiroz Maciel M. , Shigaki Helena Belintani
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper investigates if and how entrepreneurs' social capital influences their individual entrepreneurial orientation attributes (innovativeness, proactiveness, and risk-taking).

Design/methodology/approach

The research method adopted is an exploratory multiple case study. The case chosen is that of an emerging and under-examined entrepreneur, the religious entrepreneur. The study investigates 20 pastors responsible for small enterprise-churches in Brazil.

Findings

Social capital influences individual entrepreneurial orientation, being characterized by a relative paradox. The networks must be dense enough to stimulate entrepreneurs' individual entrepreneurial orientation but not be so dense as to harm innovativeness, proactivity and risk-taking. Further, data show that individual entrepreneurial orientation influences social capital.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation relates to the semi-structured interviews' restricted use. A second limitation is associated with the recognition of churches only as productive enterprises.

Practical implications

This article suggests the significance of incorporating both themes in entrepreneurial education and training programs. It also stresses the appropriateness of religious entrepreneurship as an empirical research field for business scholars.

Originality/value

The contributions are fivefold. First, the authors build exploratory theoretical propositions on the influence of social capital on individual entrepreneurial orientation. Second, they highlight the significance of dense networks for individual entrepreneurial orientation, expanding the literature that supports the relevance of cohesive networks solely to the construct's organizational dimension. Third, the authors suggest that a relative paradox may characterize individual entrepreneurial orientation. Fourth, the authors suggest the existence of recursion between both constructs. Finally, this study is one of the first to examine social capital and individual entrepreneurial orientation, considering innovativeness, proactivity, and risk-taking, which represents a neglected field in benchmarking studies.
Career success is not always an outcome: its mediating role between competence employability model and perceived employability
Authors: Bargsted Mariana , Yeves Jesús , Merino Cristóbal , Venegas-Muggli Juan I.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Career success has been understood as an outcome of career goals, achievement and employability resources. Recent research has enlightened its potential effect on career decisions and perceived employability. This paper aims to test the role of career success in the relationship between competence employability and perceived employability.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was answered by 1,087 graduates from a large nonselective higher education institution that enrolls a significant number of first generation and lower socioeconomic background students. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the mediating role of career success, as was proposed.

Findings

Subjective career success partially mediates the relationship between competence employability model and perceived employability. However, objective career success was not related to perceived employability.

Research limitations/implications

The study made use of a cross-sectional design, which hinders the identification of causal direction.

Practical implications

For training and education, both employability competences and subjective career success are resources to enhance in order to promote employee's personal beliefs about obtaining and maintaining employment.

Originality/value

This study combines different employability approaches, and their relationship with career success, considering subjective and objective career success as relevant personal resources that could impact self-perceptions and foster career behaviors. Testing the utility of these theoretical models on a group that has been underrepresented in career development studies is also relevant, particularly, the use of gain spiral concept from Conservation of Resources theory.
Public pension and borrowing behavior: evidence from rural China
Authors: Fang Conglong , Shi Qinghua
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how China's rural public pension affects farmers' formal borrowing, which has always been rationed.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a difference-in-difference (DID) estimation to evaluate the effect of the implementation of the New Rural Pension Scheme (NRPS) at the end of 2009 on farmers' formal borrowing.

Findings

The results show that the NRPS significantly reduces farmers' formal borrowing from rural credit cooperatives (RCCs). The effect is significant among the elderly, eastern China and high-income groups.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by identifying another potential reason for rural formal credit shortage. Policymakers and rural formal financial institutions should consider the demand side problem of lending.
A review of enterprise social media: visualization of landscape and evolution
Authors: Li Yongfang , Shi Si , Wu Yuliang , Chen Yang
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this review is to systematically understand the development of enterprise social media (ESM) research, quantitatively analyze the landscape and track the development of ESM literature and reveal new trends and challenges in ESM research.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on 321 relevant literature studies (2005–2020) collected from the Web of Science core collection, the visualization tool CiteSpace is used to conduct bibliometric cocitation and cooccurrence analyses to quantify and visualize the landscape and evolution of ESM research.

Findings

Through analyzing the author cocitation network, document cocitation network, journal cocitation network and keywords cooccurrence network, this review proposes an integrated research framework, which highlights major purposes, antecedents and consequences of ESM use in organizations and presents future research trends of ESM research.

Originality/value

Different from the existing qualitative review of ESM, this review adopts bibliometric review to quantify and visualize the landscape of ESM research.
Network change processes for environmental practices
Authors: Bayne Lyndie , Purchase Sharon , Soutar Geoffrey N.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop an understanding of how change in environmental practices occurs in business networks. The study examines what types of network change processes occur in bringing about environmental change. Further, the basic change process theory types (life-cycle, teleology, dialectics and evolution) involved in the change processes are analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple, embedded, network case study was undertaken in the Australian agrifood sector, focusing on the pork and dairy industries.

Findings

Change was found to occur through the interaction of multiple network processes operating simultaneously and sequentially over time. Thirteen network process categories were identified, grouped further into legislative, business case and altruistic overarching motivations. Legislative change processes emphasize the need for continued government intervention through enforced legislation. Teleology and dialectics were common at the beginning of many change processes, followed by life-cycle theory types.

Originality/value

The study brings together change process conceptualizations from prior unconnected literatures into a comprehensive change process categorization framework. Examining changes in the activity dimension adds to network dynamics literature previously focusing on changes in the actor and resource dimensions. Contributions are made to processual research methods by theoretically and empirically clarifying connections between events, activities and processes. Analyzing the underlying change process theory types at the network level adds to both management and business network literature. Finally, the study answers calls to study sustainability issues at a network level.
The influence of institutional qualities on CSR engagement: a comparison of developed and developing economies
Authors: Al-Mamun Abdullah , Seamer Michael
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effects of institutional qualities on corporate social responsibility (CSR) engagement from a global perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors examine CSR engagement across 83 developed and developing economies focusing on four potential institutional drivers: the rule of law, economic financial development, human capital formation and exposure to international trade.

Findings

The authors find that the level of human capital formation and financial development is positively associated with CSR engagement in both developing and developed economies. However, the rule of law was only associated with CSR engagement in developing economies whereas the level of international trade was found having no association with CSR engagement across both developed economies and developing economies.

Research limitations/implications

The effect of macroinstitutional qualities on aggregate CSR engagement practices across 83 developed and developing economies was examined; however, the analysis did not attempt to identify the relevance of these institutional factors at the micro or mezzo level and how they interplay with firm-level factors.

Practical implications

The empirical findings in this study offer some important insights into the theoretical constructs of institutional qualities and institutional logics that impact CSR engagement from both developing and developed economy contexts. Not only will these findings encourage regulators and stakeholders to call for enhanced CSR engagement, it will also benefit the accounting and assurance profession’s efforts to evaluate organizational risk and mitigate corporate opportunistic use of CSR disclosure. The finding that strengthening a country’s rule of law enhances CSR engagement in developing economies is further evidence for the current debate in the accounting literature regarding mandating firm CSR disclosure.

Originality/value

The authors conclude that improving the level of human capital formation and encouraging financial development is important for the overall social well-being of all economies, whereas developing economies can further encourage CSR engagement by enhancing their rule of law.
Motivation and crime scene behavior in Korean fire setting: a new typology
Authors: Hewitt Ashley N. , Beauregard Eric , Sea Jonghan
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Early classification systems of fire setting have suffered from several limitations, including the lack of empirical validation and the focus mainly on the offender motivation behind this type of crime. More recent research shows that looking at the crime scene behaviors may present a more fruitful approach for helping to solve fire setting offenses. The purpose of this study is to advance current scholarship by developing a new typology of fire setting based on the combination of offender motive and crime scene behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

Latent class analyses were used with a sample of 134 fire setters who committed 275 arsons from the Korean National Police Agency to identify distinct fire setter motivations and crime scene contexts. Chi-square and crosstabulation analysis were then conducted to determine whether crime scene behaviors were associated with distinct offender motives and vice versa. Lastly, to improve the external validity of each of the latent classes, chi-square analyses were performed using variables related to the fire setters' criminal history, sociodemographic characteristics and arson classification.

Findings

Five motive subtypes were identified as well as five distinct crime scene contexts in which serial fire setting occurs. A significant association among these classes suggests that it is possible to infer fire setters’ motive from crime scene behavior and vice versa.

Originality/value

This comprehensive typology of fire setters has potential for profiling of unknown offenders as well as for suspect prioritization in police investigations.
Microbial transformation of distinct exogenous substrates into analogous composition of recalcitrant dissolved organic matter
Authors: Lian Jie , Zheng Xiaoxuan , Zhuo Xiaocun , Chen Yi‐Lung , He Chen , Zheng Qiang , Lin Ta‐Hui , Sun Jia , Guo Weidong , Shi Quan , Jiao Nianzhi , Cai Ruanhong
Published: February 2021

Oceanic dissolved organic matter (DOM) comprises a complex molecular mixture which is typically refractory and homogenous in the deep layers of the ocean. Though the refractory nature of deep‐sea DOM is increasingly attributed to microbial metabolism, it remains unexplored whether ubiquitous microbial metabolism of distinct carbon substrates could lead to similar molecular composition of refractory DOM. Here, we conducted microbial incubation experiments using four typically bioavailable substrates (L‐alanine, trehalose, sediment DOM extract, and diatom lysate) to investigate how exogenous substrates are transformed by a natural microbial assemblage. The results showed that although each‐substrate‐amendment induced different changes in the initial microbial assemblage and the amended substrates were almost depleted after 90 days of dark incubation, the bacterial community compositions became similar in all incubations on day 90. Correspondingly, revealed by ultra‐high resolution mass spectrometry, molecular composition of DOM in all incubations became compositionally consistent with recalcitrant DOM and similar toward that of DOM from the deep‐sea. These results indicate that while the composition of natural microbial communities can shift with substrate exposures, long‐term microbial transformation of distinct substrates can ultimately lead to a similar refractory DOM composition. These findings provide an explanation for the homogeneous and refractory features of deep‐sea DOM.
Welfare state reforms and mass media attention: Evidence from three European democracies
Authors: JENSEN CARSTEN , WENZELBURGER GEORG
Published: February 2021

The mass media is conventionally assumed to play an important role in welfare state politics. So far, however, we have very little systematic theorizing or empirical evidence of when and how the mass media reports on welfare state reforms. Building on news value theory and the welfare state reform literature, we develop a set of hypotheses about mass media reporting on welfare state reforms. We argue that mass media attention is conditioned not only by the direction of reforms, with cuts getting more attention than expansions, but also by the election platform that the incumbent party ran on in the last election as well as by the policy reputation of the government. Drawing on a new dataset including about 4,800 news articles in British, Danish and German quality newspapers from 1995 to 2014, we find supporting empirical evidence of our expectations.
The impact of urgent care centers on nonemergent emergency department visits
Authors: Allen Lindsay , Cummings Janet R. , Hockenberry Jason M.
Published: February 2021

Objective

To estimate the impact of urgent care centers on emergency department (ED) use.

Data Sources

Secondary data from a novel urgent care center database, linked to the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Emergency Department Databases (SEDD) from six states.

Study Design

We used a difference‐in‐differences design to examine ZIP code‐level changes in the acuity mix of emergency department visits when local urgent care centers were open versus closed. ZIP codes with no urgent care centers served as a control group. We tested for differential impacts of urgent care centers according to ED wait time and patient insurance status.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Urgent care center daily operating times were determined via the urgent care center database. Emergency department visit acuity was assessed by applying the NYU ED algorithm to the SEDD data. Urgent care locations and nearby emergency department encounters were linked via zip code.

Principal Findings

We found that having an open urgent care center in a ZIP code reduced the total number of ED visits by residents in that ZIP code by 17.2% (P < 0.05), due largely to decreases in visits for less emergent conditions. This effect was concentrated among visits to EDs with the longest wait times. We found that urgent care centers reduced the total number of uninsured and Medicaid visits to the ED by 21% (P < 0.05) and 29.1% (P < 0.05), respectively.

Conclusions

During the hours they are open, urgent care centers appear to be treating patients who otherwise would have visited the ED. This suggests that urgent care centers have the potential to reduce health care expenditures, though questions remain about their net cost impact. Future work should assess whether urgent care centers can improve health care access among populations that often experience barriers to receiving timely care.
High‐throughput molecular analyses of microbiomes as a tool to monitor the wellbeing of aquatic environments
Authors: Michán Carmen , Blasco Julián , Alhama José
Published: February 2021

Aquatic environments are the recipients of many sources of environmental stress that trigger both local and global changes. To evaluate the associated risks to organisms and ecosystems more sensitive and accurate strategies are required. The analysis of the microbiome is one of the most promising candidates for environmental diagnosis of aquatic systems. Culture‐independent interconnected meta‐omic approaches are being increasing used to fill the gaps that classical microbial approaches cannot resolve. Here, we provide a prospective view of the increasing application of these high‐throughput molecular technologies to evaluate the structure and functional activity of microbial communities in response to changes and disturbances in the environment, mostly of anthropogenic origin. Some relevant topics are reviewed, such as: (i) the use of microorganisms for water quality assessment, highlighting the incidence of antimicrobial resistance as an increasingly serious threat to global public health; (ii) the crucial role of microorganisms and their complex relationships with the ongoing climate change, and other stress threats; (iii) the responses of the environmental microbiome to extreme pollution conditions, such as acid mine drainage or oil spills. Moreover, protists and viruses, due to their huge impacts on the structure of microbial communities, are emerging candidates for the assessment of aquatic environmental health.
Activity of bacteria isolated from bats against Pseudogymnoascus destructans in China
Authors: Li Zhongle , Li Aoqiang , Hoyt Joseph R. , Dai Wentao , Leng Haixia , Li Yanfei , Li Wei , Liu Sen , Jin Longru , Sun Keping , Feng Jiang
Published: February 2021

White‐nose syndrome, a disease that is caused by the psychrophilic fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, has threatened several North America bat species with extinction. Recent studies have shown that East Asian bats are infected with P. destructans but show greatly reduced infections. While several factors have been found to contribute to these reduced infections, the role of specific microbes in limiting P. destructans growth remains unexplored. We isolated three bacterial strains with the ability to inhibit P. destructans, namely, Pseudomonas yamanorum GZD14026, Pseudomonas brenneri XRD11711 and Pseudomonas fragi GZD14479, from bats in China. Pseudomonas yamanorum, with the highest inhibition score, was selected to extract antifungal active substance. Combining mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy analyses, we identified the active compound inhibiting P. destructans as phenazine‐1‐carboxylic acid (PCA), and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 50.12 μg ml−1. Whole genome sequencing also revealed the existence of PCA biosynthesis gene clusters. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) analysis identified volatile organic compounds. The results indicated that 10 ppm octanoic acid, 100 ppm 3‐tert‐butyl‐4‐hydroxyanisole (isoprenol) and 100 ppm 3‐methyl‐3‐buten‐1‐ol (BHA) inhibited the growth of P. destructans. These results support that bacteria may play a role in limiting the growth of P. destructans on bats.
Influence of Land Use Land Cover on River Water Quality in Rural North Wales, UK
Authors: Crooks Elizabeth C. , Harris Ian M. , Patil Sopan D.
Published: February 2021

Agricultural and rural land management practices can have a significant impact on the health of river ecosystems. In this study, our goal was to quantify the extent of land use influence on river water quality at two catchments in rural North Wales, Conwy and Clwyd. Stream water samples were collected bi‐weekly from five sampling sites over a three‐month period (September–November 2018) and analyzed in the laboratory to measure six water quality variables, namely, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), phosphorus, nitrate and ammonium concentrations, and bacterial coliform count. We then quantified their relationships with dominant land cover of the contributing catchments using two different land cover classification systems. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed across the sampling sites for pH, EC, nitrate and phosphorus concentration, and coliform count. Strong correlations were observed between pH and the proportion of Acid Grassland, and between nitrate levels and the proportion of Improved Grassland in the catchment. The presence of high‐quality agricultural land correlated positively with nitrate and phosphorus concentrations and bacterial coliform count. Conversely, dominance of poor quality agricultural land correlated with lower levels of all the measured water quality indicators. Our results suggest that the proportion of high‐quality agricultural land is a reliable indicator of stream water quality in rural catchments, most likely linked to intensive farming practices.
The choices we make and the impacts they have: Machine learning and species delimitation in North American box turtles (Terrapene spp.)
Authors: Martin Bradley T. , Chafin Tyler K. , Douglas Marlis R. , Placyk John S. , Birkhead Roger D. , Phillips Christopher A. , Douglas Michael E.
Published: February 2021

Model‐based approaches that attempt to delimit species are hampered by computational limitations as well as the unfortunate tendency by users to disregard algorithmic assumptions. Alternatives are clearly needed, and machine‐learning (M‐L) is attractive in this regard as it functions without the need to explicitly define a species concept. Unfortunately, its performance will vary according to which (of several) bioinformatic parameters are invoked. Herein, we gauge the effectiveness of M‐L‐based species‐delimitation algorithms by parsing 64 variably‐filtered versions of a ddRAD‐derived SNP data set collected from North American box turtles (Terrapene spp.). Our filtering strategies included: (i) minor allele frequencies (MAF) of 5%, 3%, 1%, and 0% (= none), and (ii) maximum missing data per‐individual/per‐population at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% (= no filtering). We found that species‐delimitation via unsupervised M‐L impacted the signal‐to‐noise ratio in our data, as well as the discordance among resolved clades. The latter may also reflect biogeographic history, gene flow, incomplete lineage sorting, or combinations thereof (as corroborated from previously observed patterns of differential introgression). Our results substantiate M‐L as a viable species‐delimitation method, but also demonstrate how commonly observed patterns of phylogenetic discordance can seriously impact M‐L‐classification.
Musculoskeletal sarcoidosis: A single center experience over 15 years
Authors: Patil Sanjeev , Hilliard Carolyn A. , Arakane Masumi , Koppisetti Jenigiri Sreedevi , Field Elizabeth H. , Singh Namrata
Published: February 2021

Background

Musculoskeletal (MSK) sarcoidosis presents with a variety of clinical phenotypes. Four subtypes of MSK sarcoidosis have been identified to date: Lofgren syndrome, chronic sarcoid arthritis, osseous sarcoidosis, sarcoid myopathy. Each subtype has been reported with varying incidence mainly due to lack of universal classification criteria.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with MSK sarcoidosis at a single academic center between January 2000 and December 2014. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the proportion of patients with sarcoidosis who had the 4 MSK syndromes of interest, demographic characteristics and therapeutic agents used.

Results

A cohort of 58 patients with MSK manifestations were identified among 1016 patients with sarcoidosis. Frequency of subtypes include: Lofgren syndrome 46.6%, osseous sarcoidosis 25.9%, chronic sarcoid arthritis 24.1% and sarcoid myopathy 6.9%. The cohort was predominantly female (43/58 patients, 74%) and Caucasian (48/58 patients, 82.8%). Mean age was 47.2 years. One patient had overlap of osseous sarcoidosis and chronic sarcoid arthritis, another patient initially had Lofgren syndrome and later developed chronic sarcoid arthritis. Sarcoid myopathy patients presented with myalgia more often than muscle weakness.

Conclusion

We identified a large cohort of MSK sarcoidosis and determined the prevalence of all 4 subtypes. In patients who do develop MSK manifestations of sarcoidosis, they are commonly a part of the initial presentation of sarcoidosis. There is an unmet need to establish standardized classification criteria for the 4 MSK sarcoidosis syndromes.
A Bacillus subtilis ΔpdxT mutant suppresses vitamin B6 limitation by acquiring mutations enhancing pdxS gene dosage and ammonium assimilation
Authors: Richts Björn , Lentes Sabine , Poehlein Anja , Daniel Rolf , Commichau Fabian M.
Published: February 2021

Pyridoxal‐5′‐phosphate (PLP), the biologically active form of vitamin B6, serves as a cofactor for many enzymes. The Gram‐positive model bacterium Bacillus subtilis synthesizes PLP via the PdxST enzyme complex, consisting of the PdxT glutaminase and the PdxS PLP synthase subunits, respectively. PdxT converts glutamine to glutamate and ammonia of which the latter is channelled to PdxS. At high extracellular ammonium concentrations, the PdxS PLP synthase subunit does not depend on PdxT. Here, we assessed the potential of a B. subtilis ΔpdxT mutant to adapt to PLP limitation at the genome level. The majority of ΔpdxT suppressors had amplified a genomic region containing the pdxS gene. We also identified mutants having acquired as yet undescribed mutations in ammonium assimilation genes, indicating that the overproduction of PdxS and the NrgA ammonium transporter partially relieve vitamin B6 limitation in a ΔpdxT mutant when extracellular ammonium is scarce. Furthermore, we found that PdxS positively affects complex colony formation in B. subtilis. The catalytic mechanism of the PdxS PLP synthase subunit could be the reason for the limited evolution of the enzyme and why we could not identify a PdxS variant producing PLP independently of PdxT at low ammonium concentrations.
Taurine represses age‐associated gut hyperplasia in Drosophila via counteracting endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Du Gang , Liu Zhiming , Yu Zihua , Zhuo Zhangpeng , Zhu Yuedan , Zhou Juanyu , Li Yang , Chen Haiyang
Published: February 2021

As they age, adult stem cells become more prone to functional decline, which is responsible for aging‐associated tissue degeneration and diseases. One goal of aging research is to identify drugs that can repair age‐associated tissue degeneration. Multiple organ development‐related signaling pathways have recently been demonstrated to have functions in tissue homeostasis and aging process. Therefore, in this study, we tested several chemicals that are essential for organ development to assess their ability to delay intestinal stem cell (ISC) aging and promote gut function in adult Drosophila. We found that taurine, a free amino acid that supports neurological development and tissue metabolism in humans, represses ISC hyperproliferation and restrains the intestinal functional decline seen in aged animals. We found that taurine represses age‐associated ISC hyperproliferation through a mechanism that eliminated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by upregulation of the target genes of unfolded protein response in the ER (UPRER) and inhibiting the c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) signaling. Our findings show that taurine plays a critical role in delaying the aging process in stem cells and suggest that it may be used as a natural compound for the treatment of age‐associated, or damage‐induced intestinal dysfunction in humans.
Are you interested in economic inequality? Depends on where you live
Authors: Sánchez‐Rodríguez Ángel , Moreno‐Bella Eva
Published: February 2021

Although several scholars and international institutions have considered high levels of economic inequality an issue for society, the populations who live in more unequal countries tend to be less concerned about it. Given the ideological connotations in the construct of people’s concerns about economic inequality, whether those who live in more unequal countries are more interested in economic inequality remains unclear. In this research, we aimed to examine whether objective economic inequality is related to individuals’ interest in the topic of economic inequality. First, we used data from the United States Census Bureau and Google Trends to examine whether the objective level of economic inequality predicted the interest of the population in searching Google for terms such as “economic inequality” and “income inequality.” Our results showed that individuals who live in more economically unequal U.S. states more often search these terms. Second, we analysed the tweets that contained the terms “economic inequality” and “income inequality” (10,118 tweets) published over 9 days and localised by U.S. state. We found that individuals who live in more economically unequal U.S. states more often post tweets about economic and income inequality. To take a closer look at the narrative around economic/income inequality, we conducted a network analysis using tweets as nodes and retweets as edges. Our results suggest that the public narrative about economic inequality via Twitter was built on three large communities. Finally, we discuss the implications of our results in relation to economic inequality consequences.
Advances in understanding calcite varve formation: new insights from a dual lake monitoring approach in the southern Baltic lowlands
Authors: Roeser Patricia , Dräger Nadine , Brykała Dariusz , Ott Florian , Pinkerneil Sylvia , Gierszewski Piotr , Lindemann Christin , Plessen Birgit , Brademann Brian , Kaszubski Michał , Fojutowski Michał , Schwab Markus J. , Słowiński Michał , Błaszkiewicz Mirosław , Brauer Achim
Published: February 2021

We revise the conceptual model of calcite varves and present, for the first time, a dual lake monitoring study in two alkaline lakes providing new insights into the seasonal sedimentation processes forming these varves. The study lakes, Tiefer See in NE Germany and Czechowskie in N Poland, have distinct morphology and bathymetry, and therefore, they are ideal to decipher local effects on seasonal deposition. The monitoring setup in both lakes is largely identical and includes instrumental observation of (i) meteorological parameters, (ii) chemical profiling of the lake water column including water sampling, and (iii) sediment trapping at both bi‐weekly and monthly intervals. We then compare our monitoring data with varve micro‐facies in the sediment record. One main finding is that calcite varves form complex laminae triplets rather than simple couplets as commonly thought. Sedimentation of varve sub‐layers in both lakes is largely dependent on the lake mixing dynamics and results from the same seasonality, commencing with diatom blooms in spring turning into a pulse of calcite precipitation in summer and terminating with a re‐suspension layer in autumn and winter, composed of calcite patches, plant fragments and benthic diatoms. Despite the common seasonal cycle, the share of each of these depositional phases in the total annual sediment yield is different between the lakes. In Lake Tiefer See calcite sedimentation has the highest yields, whereas in Lake Czechowskie, the so far underestimated re‐suspension sub‐layer dominates the sediment accumulation. Even in undisturbed varved sediments, re‐suspended material becomes integrated in the sediment fabric and makes up an important share of calcite varves. Thus, while the biogeochemical lake cycle defines the varves’ autochthonous components and micro‐facies, the physical setting plays an important role in determining the varve sub‐layers’ proportion.
Perineal hernia repair after abdominoperineal rectal excision with prosthetic mesh—a single surgeon experience
Authors: Morales‐Cruz Mariana , Oliveira‐Cunha Melissa , Chaudhri Sanjay
Published: February 2021

Aim

Extralevator abdominoperineal excision for rectal cancer is associated with an increased incidence of perineal hernia. The purpose of this study was to determine clinical outcome following perineal hernia repair with prosthetic mesh by a perineal open approach.

Methods

We present a case series of 10 patients who underwent 12 repairs of their hernia using a prosthetic mesh placed by a perineal open technique. Patients were identified from a prospectively maintained database and their case records were retrieved along with their imaging and analysed retrospectively.

Results

Perineal hernia incidence in our series is 10%. The median age was 73 ± 5.9 years. No gender predilection was found. The median time interval between extralevator abdominoperineal excision and surgical repair of perineal hernia was 25.3 months. The surgical approach was perineal with the use of a double layer prosthetic mesh. The recurrence ratio was 30% (n = 3). Overall morbidity was also 30% with no major complications (Clavien–Dindo I–II). Recurrence following primary repair was diagnosed in a median time interval of 28.3 ± 16.57 months. Two patients had repeat surgery to treat their recurrence.

Conclusions

Our small series supports the use of a prosthetic mesh repair of perineal hernias through a perineal approach. It is safe and effective with complication rates similar to those previously reported.