bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fagalean phylogeny in a nutshell: Chronicling the diversification history of Fagales
Authors: Siniscalchi Carolina M. , Correa-Narvaez Julian , Kates Heather R. , Soltis Douglas E. , Soltis Pamela S. , Guralnick Robert P. , Manchester Steven R. , Folk Ryan A.
Published: March 2023

Reconstructing the biogeographical history and timing of the diversification of temperate forests is essential for understanding their history and resolving uncertainties about how flowering plants emerged from their deep tropical origins to dominate in today’s freezing terrestrial environments. The angiosperm order Fagales, comprising iconic components of temperate forests worldwide with an extensive fossil record, are an excellent plant system in which to apply a fossil-aware paradigm, such as the fossilized birth-death (FBD) process, for investigating the macroevolution of temperate forest biomes. Here, we improve upon previous efforts to resolve phylogeny and incorporate fossils in Fagales using low-copy nuclear loci and an expanded morphological matrix to reevaluate the Fagales fossil record and: (1) infer the phylogenetic relationships and the time of origin of the clade using the FBD model as implemented in RevBayes, (2) provide a framework for evaluating the climatic and biogeographic history of Fagales, and (3) investigate how the inclusion of fossils via the FBD method influences ancestral reconstruction and diversification estimation. The phylogenetic relationships we recovered are conventional except for the position of Nothofagaceae, while our inferred ages support older timelines than previously proposed, with a mid-Cretaceous date for the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of the order. Biogeographical analysis shows an origin of Fagales consistent with an ancestral circumboreal temperate distribution corroborated by ancestral niche reconstructions. While distributions today largely reflect the general conservatism of temperate forests, we identified two episodes of high diversification, one at the mid-Cretaceous origin of the clade and the other continuing from the Miocene to the present. Removing fossil taxa from the tree reveals a different story, shifting the origin of extant families from North America to East Asia, reflecting refugial distributions in this biodiversity “museum” and implying a general bias towards low extinction areas in biogeographic reconstruction. Likewise, without fossil data, diversification estimates were higher and unable to detect an early diversification burst. Based on our analyses, we close with recommendations regarding the interpretation of estimates of diversification and ancestral state reconstruction using phylogenetic trees with only extant species as tips.
Functional Ambidexterity of an Ancient Nucleic Acid-Binding Domain
Authors: Weil-Ktorza Orit , Despotović Dragana , Fridmann-Sirkis Yael , Naveh-Tassa Segev , Levy Yaacov , Metanis Norman , Longo Liam M.
Published: March 2023

Homochirality of biopolymers emerged early in the history of life on Earth, nearly 4 billion years ago. Whether the establishment of homochirality was the result of abiotic physical and chemical processes, or biological selection, remains unknown. However, given that significant events in protein evolution predate the last universal common ancestor, the history of homochirality may have been written into some of the oldest protein folds. To test this hypothesis, the evolutionary trajectory of the ancient and ubiquitous helix-hairpin-helix (HhH) protein family was analyzed for functional robustness to total chiral inversion of just one binding partner. Against expectations, functional ‘ambidexterity’ was observed across the entire trajectory, from phase separation of HhH peptides with RNA to dsDNA binding of the duplicated (HhH)2-Fold. Moreover, dissociation kinetics, mutational analysis, and molecular dynamics simulations revealed significant overlap between the binding modes of a natural and a mirror-image protein to natural dsDNA. These data suggest that the veil between worlds with alternative chiral preferences may not be as impenetrable as is often assumed, and that the HhH protein family is an intriguing exception to the dogma of reciprocal chiral substrate specificity proposed by Milton and Kent (Miltonet al. Science 1992).
The ComRS-SigX pathway regulates natural transformation inStreptococcus ferus
Authors: Rued Britta E. , Federle Michael J.
Published: March 2023

The ability to take up and incorporate foreign DNA via natural transformation is a well-known characteristic of some species ofStreptococcus,and is a mechanism that rapidly allows for the acquisition of antibacterial resistance. Here, we describe that the understudied speciesStreptococcus ferusis also capable of natural transformation and uses a system analogous to that identified inStreptococcus mutans.S. mutansnatural transformation is under the control of the alternative sigma factorsigX(also known ascomX), whose expression is induced by two types of peptide signals: CSP (competencestimulatingpeptide, encoded bycomC) and XIP (sigX-inducingpeptide, encoded bycomS). These systems induce competence via either the two-component signal-transduction system ComDE or the RRNPP transcriptional regulator ComR, respectively. Protein and nucleotide homology searches identified putative orthologs ofcomRSandsigXinS. ferus, but not homologs ofS. mutans blpRH(also known ascomDE). We demonstrate that natural transformation inS. ferusis induced by a small, double-tryptophan containing competence-inducing peptide (XIP), akin to that ofS. mutans, and requires the presence of thecomRandsigXorthologs for efficient transformation. Additionally, we find that natural transformation is induced inS. ferusby both the native XIP and the XIP variant ofS. mutans, implying that crosstalk between the two species is possible. This process has been harnessed to construct gene deletions inS. ferusand provides a method to genetically manipulate this understudied species.

IMPORTANCE

Natural transformation is the process by which bacteria take up DNA and allows for acquisition of new genetic traits, including those involved in antibiotic resistance. This study demonstrates that the understudied speciesStreptococcus ferusis capable of natural transformation using a peptide-pheromone system like that previously identified inStreptococcus mutansand provides a framework for future studies concerning this organism.
Mechanical transmission of Dengue Virus byAedes aegyptimay influence disease transmission dynamics during outbreaks
Authors: Li Hsing-Han , Su Matthew P. , Wu Shih-Cheng , Tsou Hsiao-Hui , Chang Meng-Chun , Cheng Yu-Chieh , Tsai Kuen-Nan , Wang Hsin-Wei , Chen Guan-Hua , Tang Cheng-Kang , Chung Pei-Jung , Tsai Wan-Tin , Huang Li-Rung , Yueh Yueh Andrew , Chen Hsin-Wei , Pan Chao-Ying , Akbari Omar S. , Chang Hsiao-Han , Yu Guann-Yi , Marshall John M. , Chen Chun-Hong
Published: March 2023

The escalating number of dengue virus (DENV) outbreaks and their worldwide spread pose a major threat to global public health. DENV transmission dynamics significantly influence outbreak duration and magnitude. Conventional DENV transmission requires an incubation period between mosquitoes biting infected humans and the mosquitoes becoming infectious. However, the possibility of immediate, mechanical transmission of DENV without viral replication in the mosquito has received little attention despite its potential importance.

Here, we show thatAedes aegyptimosquitoes can mechanically transmit DENV to susceptible mice immediately after biting infected mice without the need for an incubation period. By incorporating parameters from our experiments into a newly developed mathematical model, we found a significant impact on DENV outbreak characteristics.

Mechanical transmission may amplify existing disease transmission routes and influence outbreak dynamics. Our findings have implications for vector control strategies that target mosquito lifespan and suggest the possibility of similar mechanical transmission routes in other disease-carrying mosquitoes.
Brassinosteroid receptor BRL3 triggers systemic plant adaptation to elevated temperature from the phloem cells
Authors: Gupta Aditi , Rico-Medina Andrés , Lozano-Elena Fidel , Marqués-Bueno Mar , Fontanet Juan B. , Fàbregas Norma , Alseekh Saleh , Fernie Alisdair R. , Caño-Delgado Ana I.
Published: March 2023

Understanding plant receptor signaling is crucial to mitigate climate change impact on agriculture. BRs bind to membrane receptor-kinase BR-INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1) in most plant cells that is essential to promote growth and stress responses, while the roles of vascular BRI1-LIKE1 and 3 (BRL3) receptors were considered redundant. While going unnoticed for twenty years, our study unveils thatbrl3mutants show conditional phenotypes to climate stress factors such as elevated temperatures, water deprivation and rising CO2levels. In response to adverse climate conditions such as elevated temperature, BRL3 signaling at the phloem-companion cells can promote growth by activating BRI1-EMS-SUPPRESSOR1 (BES1) effector, hormonal homeostasis, and central carbon metabolism. This study shifts the paradigm for our present understanding of BR signaling and opens innovative strategies to develop climate-smart crops.

One sentence summary

Phloem-specific BRL3 receptor pathway controls plant adaption to elevated temperature.
MeC3HDZ1/MeCNA is a strong candidate for cassava storage root productivity improvement
Authors: Solé-Gil Anna , López Anselmo , Ombrosi Damiano , Urbez Cristina , Brumós Javier , Agustí Javier
Published: March 2023

The storage root (SR) of cassava is the main staple food in sub-Saharan Africa, where it feeds over 500 million people. However, little is known about the genetic and molecular regulation underlying its development. Unraveling such regulation would pave the way for biotechnology approaches aimed at enhancing cassava productivity. Anatomical studies indicate that SR development relies on the massive accumulation of xylem parenchyma, a cell-type derived from the vascular cambium. The C3HDZ family of transcription factors regulate cambial cells proliferation and xylem differentiation in Arabidopsis and other species. We thus aimed at identifying C3HDZ proteins in cassava and determining whether any of them shows preferential activity in the SR cambium and/or xylem. Using phylogeny and synteny studies, we identified eight C3HDZ proteins in cassava, namely MeCH3DZ1-8. We observed that the expression ofMeC3HDZ1in SR cambium and xylem is higher than that of any otherMeC3HDZgene in any of the SR vascular tissues or any of the other vegetative organs. We established anin-silicopipeline which revealed the existence of a number of theoretical C3HDZ targets displaying significant preferential expression in the SR. Subsequent Y1H analyses proved that MeC3HDZ1 can bind canonical C3HDZ binding sites in the promoters of these targets. Transactivation assays demonstrated that MeC3HDZ1 can regulate the expression of genes downstream of promoters harboring such binding sites, thereby demonstrating that MeC3HDZ1 is a C3HDZ transcription factor which constitutes a strong candidate for future biotechnology strategies directed at increasing cassava productivity.
Energy-dispersive X-ray stress analysis under geometric constraints: exploiting the material's inherent anisotropy
Authors: Genzel Christoph , Klaus Manuela , Hempel Nico , Nitschke-Pagel Thomas , Pantleon Karen
Published: March 2023

Two data evaluation concepts for X-ray stress analysis based on energy-dispersive diffraction on polycrystalline materials with cubic crystal structure, almost random crystallographic texture and strong single-crystal elastic anisotropy are subjected to comparative assessment. The aim is the study of the residual stress state in hard-to-reach measurement points, for which the sin2ψ method is not applicable due to beam shadowing at larger sample tilting. This makes the approaches attractive for stress analysis in engineering parts with complex shapes, for example. Both approaches are based on the assumption of a biaxial stress state within the irradiated sample volume. They exploit in different ways the elastic anisotropy of individual crystallites acting at the microscopic scale and the anisotropy imposed on the material by the near-surface stress state at the macroscopic scale. They therefore complement each other, in terms of both their preconditions and their results. The first approach is based on the evaluation of strain differences, which makes it less sensitive to variations in the strain-free lattice parameter a
0. Since it assumes a homogeneous stress state within the irradiated sample volume, it provides an average value of the in-plane stresses. The second approach exploits the sensitivity of the lattice strain to changes in a
0. Consequently, it assumes a homogeneous chemical composition but provides a stress profile within the information depth. Experimental examples from different fields in materials science, namely shot peening of austenitic steel and in situ stress analysis during welding, are presented to demonstrate the suitability of the proposed methods.
Crystal structure of [2-({[2-(dimethylamino-κN)ethyl]imino-κN}methyl)phenolato-κO](1,10-phenanthroline-κ2
N,N′)copper(II) perchlorate
Authors: Mamindla Anjaneyulu , Varadhan Manikandan , Velusamy Marappan , Ulaganathan Venkatasubramanian , Rajendiran Venugopal
Published: March 2023

The title compound, [Cu(C11H15N2O)(C12H8N2)]ClO4 or [Cu(L)(phen)](ClO4) {where L refers to the deprotonated form of 2-[(2-dimethylaminoethylimino)methyl]phenol} and phen is 1,10-phenanthroline) is a mononuclear mixed ligand copper(II) complex. The CuII atom is coordinated by two N and one O atoms of the tridentate Schiff base ligand (HL) and two N atoms of the 1,10-phenanthroline ligand, resulting in a five-coordinate complex. The asymmetric unit of the title complex contains two crystallographically independent complex cations (a and b) with a slightly different geometry around the CuII ion. The value of the trigonality index τ, indicates that in both cations a and b, the CuII atoms display a square-pyramidal distorted trigonal–bipyramidal (SPDTBP) geometry, although the distortion is greater for cation a.
rac-1-(4-tert-Butylphenyl)-5-ethyl-4-ferrocenyl-5-hydroxy-1H-pyrrol-2(5H)-one
Authors: Biletzki Tobias , Görls Helmar , Imhof Wolfgang
Published: March 2023

The title compound, [Fe(C5H5)(C21H24NO2)], which is produced by the oxidation of 1-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-2-ethyl-3-ferrocenylpyrrole, crystallizes as a racemic mixture in the centrosymmetric space group P21/n. The central heterocyclic pyrrole ring system subtends dihedral angles of 13.7 (2)° with respect to the attached cyclopentadienyl ring and of 43.6 (7)° with the major component of the disordered phenyl group bound to the N atom. The 4-tert-butylphenyl group, as well as the non-substituted Cp ring are disordered with s.o.f. values of 0.589 (16) and 0.411 (16), respectively. In the crystal, molecules with the same absolute configuration are linked into infinite chains along the b-axis direction by O—H...O hydrogen bonds between the hydroxy substituent and the carbonyl O atom of the adjacent molecule.
Sexuality and gender within Afghanistan'sbacha bereeshpopulation
Authors: Racine Elise E.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Limited evidence exists onbacha bazi, Afghanistan's steadily revived practice involving transgenerational same-sex relationships, despite its frequent association with violence towards young males, known asbacha bereesh. This paper aims to fill this critical gap.

Design/methodology/approach

The author conducted an integrative literature review using qualitative and quantitative secondary data. An ecological framework for violence was applied to the findings.

Findings

The findings offer a comprehensive overview ofbacha baziin its modern form, including the unique health needs, sexual practices, and gender identities and orientations ofbacha bereesh. The author reveals how Afghan masculine identities and male-male sexual activity occur in relation to power structures and notions of honor. Numerous risk factors increasingbacha bereeshvulnerability for violence and socio-legal barriers constraining access to crucial services are also discussed.

Research limitations/implications

Afghanistan's shame-based culture limits accurate data collection by obscuring the practice and stigmatizingbacha bereeshwho serve in feminized roles.

Practical implications

The research highlights the inadequacies of applying Western gender-binary frameworks to bacha bazi. It contributes to our understanding of sexuality, gender, masculinity, and male-directed sexual violence within Afghan culture. These insights will help us better address the health needs of this underserved population.

Originality/value

The lack of evidence addressing these topics highlights our paper's originality, while the literature firmly linking violence to poor physical and psychological health outcomes emphasizes the importance of its contribution.
Strengthening health data governance: new equity and rights-based principles
Authors: Holly Louise , Thom Shannon , Elzemety Mohamed , Murage Beatrice , Mathieson Kirsten , Iñigo Petralanda Maria Isabel
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper introduces a new set of equity and rights-based principles for health data governance (HDG) and makes the case for their adoption into global, regional and national policy and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses the need for a unified approach to HDG that maximises the value of data for whole populations. It describes the unique process employed to develop a set of HDG principles. The paper highlights lessons learned from the principle development process and proposes steps to incorporate them into data governance policies and practice.

Findings

More than 200 individuals from 130 organisations contributed to the development of the HDG principles, which are clustered around three interconnected objectives of protecting people, promoting health value and prioritising equity. The principles build on existing norms and guidelines by bringing a human rights and equity lens to HDG.

Practical implications

The principles offer a strong vision for HDG that reaps the public good benefits of health data whilst safeguarding individual rights. They can be used by governments and other actors as a guide for the equitable collection and use of health data. The inclusive model used to develop the principles can be replicated to strengthen future data governance approaches.

Originality/value

The article describes the first bottom-up effort to develop a set of principles for HDG.
Earnings quality, institutional investors and corporate cash holdings: evidence from India
Authors: Chada Swechha , Varadharajan Gopal
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the relationship between earnings quality and corporate cash holdings in an emerging economy. Existing literature posits that earnings quality is a result of information asymmetry and firms with lower earnings quality increases cash holdings, to shield the firm from future uncertainties. In this paper, the authors propose a ‘private benefits hypothesis’, which suggests that lower earnings quality is an indicator of opportunism and expropriation of resources in the firm, through tunneling or excessive executive compensations. As a result, firms with lower earnings quality increase cash holdings in their control, to increase their private benefits and to avoid the scrutiny of the external stakeholders. The authors further examine the monitoring role played by institutional investors on cash holdings, with varying degrees of earnings quality.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses an unbalanced panel data sourced from Prowessdx, from 2000 to 2019. The analysis employs 20,231 firm-year observations from 2,421 firms. Earnings quality is calculated following Dechow and Dichev (2002).

Findings

Empirical analysis confirms that the firms with higher earnings quality reduce cash. Further, institutional investors reduce the cash holdings in firms with higher earnings quality. Institutional investors effectively reduce the cash only in firms with at least 10% of equity shareholding. The results are robust to alternative measures of earnings quality and endogeneity concerns.

Originality/value

This study diverges from the information asymmetry hypothesis in the existing literature on earnings quality and cash holdings and highlights the underlying private benefits hypothesis, that will impact cash holdings. Next, the 10% institutional shareholding is important in the Indian context as it represents the minimum threshold at which block holders can request extraordinary general meetings (Section 100 of the Companies Act 2013) or the involvement of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) (Section 213 of the Companies Act 2013). This study highlights that unlike in Anglo-Saxon economies, institutional investors or other minority shareholders are empowered by the Companies Act 2013 to play a vital role in corporate governance with a mere 10% equity.
Increased frequency of clindamycin‐resistant Cutibacterium acnes strains isolated from Japanese patients with acne vulgaris caused by the prevalence of exogenous resistance genes
Authors: Koyanagi Sahya , Koizumi Juri , Nakase Keisuke , Hayashi Nobukazu , Horiuchi Yuki , Watanabe Kaoru , Asai Toshiya , Yamazaki Akiko , Nakazaki Emi , Nakaminami Hidemasa
Published: March 2023

Cutibacterium acnes, a resident bacterium of the skin, is a target for antimicrobial treatment of acne vulgaris, because it exacerbates inflammation. Recently, antimicrobial‐resistant C. acnes strains have been isolated worldwide, and their prevalence has led to failure of antimicrobial treatment. This study aimed to analyze the antimicrobial resistance of C. acnes strains isolated from Japanese patients with acne vulgaris who visited the hospital and dermatological clinics between 2019 and 2020. Resistance rates to roxithromycin and clindamycin increased during 2019 to 2020 compared with those during 2013 to 2018. Additionally, the proportion of doxycycline‐resistant and low‐susceptibility strains (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] ≥8 μg/mL) increased. No difference in clindamycin resistance rates between patients with and without a history of antimicrobial use was observed during 2019 to 2020, which were significantly higher for patients with a history than for patients without a history during 2016 to 2018. The proportion of high‐level clindamycin‐resistant strains (MIC ≥256 μg/mL) gradually increased; particularly, the resistance rate was 2.5 times higher in 2020 than that in 2013. The proportion of strains showing high‐level clindamycin resistance that also have the exogenous resistance genes erm(X) or erm(50), which confer high resistance, showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.82). Strains with the multidrug resistance plasmid pTZC1 encoding erm(50) and tet(W) genes were frequent in clinic patients. Notably, most strains with erm(X) or erm(50) were classified as single‐locus sequence types A and F (traditional types IA1 and IA2). Our data show that the prevalence of antimicrobial‐resistant C. acnes is increasing in patients with acne vulgaris attributable to acquisition of exogenous genes in specific strains. To control the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial‐resistant strains, it is important to select the appropriate antimicrobials while taking into consideration the latest information on resistant strains.
Haplotype‐based non‐invasive prenatal diagnosis of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa via targeted capture sequencing of maternal plasma
Authors: Wang Jianbo , Gao Pengfei , Cao Qiaoyu , Chen Fuying , Song Jinghui , Wang Chen , Dou Jinfa , Wu Yiming , Niu Qiaona , Li Jianguo , Li Ming , Lu Daru
Published: March 2023

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a rare and severe hereditary skin disease, caused by mutations in the COL7A1. However, whether non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) can be used for this monogenic genodermatosis remains unknown. Accordingly, we conducted a study in which one couple at high risk of having a fetus with RDEB were recruited and tested by haplotyping‐based NIPT. Next‐generation sequencing‐based multi‐gene panel testing was carried out in this couple and their first child as proband who was affected with RDEB. We deduced parental haplotypes via single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)‐based haplotype linkage analysis. Then the maternal plasma cell‐free DNA was also sequenced to determine the fetal haplotypes using a parental haplotype‐assisted hidden Markov model (HMM) analysis. Results show that the fetus was only a heterozygous mutation carrier in COL7A1 and the identical results were obtained after birth. These results demonstrate that haplotyping‐based NIPT is a feasible method for NIPT of RDEB.
Island area and remoteness shape plant and soil bacterial diversity through land use and biological invasion
Authors: Xu Mingshan , Yang Anna , Yang Xiaodong , Cao Wenting , Zhang Zengke , Li Zengyan , Zhang Yu , Zhang Huaguo , You Wenhui , Yan En‐Rong , Wardle David A.
Published: March 2023

Biodiversity is declining dramatically due to human‐driven land use change and biological invasion, but our knowledge of how such drivers influence plant and heterotroph diversity on island ecosystems remains limited. Historically island biogeography theory has focused solely on direct effects of island size and remoteness on biodiversity, but these factors can also indirectly affect species gain and/or loss through impacting land use change and biological invasion.

We built the structural equation model to explore direct effects of island size and remoteness, and indirect effects of these factors via land use intensity and pinewood nematode invasion, on the diversity of plants and soil bacteria across 37 continental shelf islands in the largest land‐bridge archipelago in eastern China.

As expected we found that increasing island area directly promoted plant diversity. However, land use intensity increased with island area which also promoted plant diversity, and loss of pine forest by the pinewood nematode invasion increased with island remoteness which reduced plant diversity. Island remoteness only indirectly reduced plant diversity through increasing pine forest loss. Soil bacterial diversity was directly negatively impacted by island remoteness, and indirectly negatively impacted by island remoteness through increased soil electrical conductivity likely caused by greater salinity from sea spray. Furthermore, soil bacterial diversity was indirectly promoted by island area through increased plant diversity and decreased soil electrical conductivity, and indirectly reduced by pine forest loss through decreased plant diversity.

Our findings highlight that island biogeography theory has relevance to understanding human impacts in the Anthropocene, and that there is a need to more explicitly recognizing how island size and remoteness affect biodiversity not only directly, but also indirectly via their effects on human‐induced drivers of biodiversity, such as land use change and biological invasion.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
The effect of natural gas discoveries in Israel on the strength of its currency
Authors: Tavor Tchai
Published: March 2023

In light of the natural gas discoveries in the Mediterranean Sea and their impact on the Israeli economy, I must assess the change in the exchange rate and its impact on the foreign exchange market. There are numerous positive social impacts resulting from the gas discoveries including optimising Israel's energy security and its move to cleaner energy. However, not all of the consequences of discovering natural resources may be positive. One possibly negative outcome could be the well‐known phenomenon called the “Dutch disease” in which the discovery of a natural resource can cause a country's currency to spike. To investigate whether the strengthening of the Israeli currency in recent years is a symptom of the “Dutch disease” I used daily and intraday event study methodology to explore the changes in the real exchange rate of the Israeli shekel and the US dollar between 2008 and 2017, according to announcements related to the gas discoveries published during this period. In addition, I examined whether an increase in the real exchange rate was a result of the publication of announcements about natural gas harming the manufacturing and industrial sectors. I found that announcements related to gas discoveries did affect the real exchange rate and caused an appreciation of the Israeli shekel. Investors could analyse the announcements and achieve an abnormal return in the foreign exchange market. In addition, investors' expectations of an appreciation in the real exchange rate causes damage to various manufacturing and industrial sectors.
Getting back to normal? Identity and role disruptions among adults with Long COVID
Authors: Spence Naomi J. , Russell David , Bouldin Erin D. , Tumminello Christa M. , Schwartz Tatum
Published: March 2023

Long COVID is a novel chronic illness with a variety of symptoms that people who have labelled themselves ‘long‐haulers’ experience for an extended duration following a COVID‐19 infection. We draw on in‐depth interviews conducted in March–April 2021 with 20 working‐aged adults in the U.S. who self‐identified as long‐haulers to understand the consequences for identities. The results demonstrate that Long COVID has important consequences for identities and sense of self. Long‐haulers described experiencing three stages of biographical disruptions: realising their illness experience as misaligned with sense of self and embodied, age‐based expectations; facing challenges to identities and changes in social roles; and reconciling illness and identity in the context of an uncertain prognosis. It remains unclear how long‐haulers will resolve biographical disruptions and identity conflicts, especially as scientific insights about this novel condition emerge. Such outcomes may depend largely on whether Long COVID remains a contested illness or medical knowledge progresses to improve their quality of life. For now, healthcare providers may approach Long COVID holistically to address the identity disruptions that long‐haulers face as they manage the consequences of this chronic illness.
Non‐gene‐editing microbiome engineering of spontaneous food fermentation microbiota—Limitation control, design control, and integration
Authors: Chen Liangqiang , Wang Guozheng , Teng Mengjing , Wang Li , Yang Fan , Jin Guangyuan , Du Hai , Xu Yan
Published: March 2023

Non‐gene‐editing microbiome engineering (NgeME) is the rational design and control of natural microbial consortia to perform desired functions. Traditional NgeME approaches use selected environmental variables to force natural microbial consortia to perform the desired functions. Spontaneous food fermentation, the oldest kind of traditional NgeME, transforms foods into various fermented products using natural microbial networks. In traditional NgeME, spontaneous food fermentation microbiotas (SFFMs) are typically formed and controlled manually by the establishment of limiting factors in small batches with little mechanization. However, limitation control generally leads to trade‐offs between efficiency and the quality of fermentation. Modern NgeME approaches based on synthetic microbial ecology have been developed using designed microbial communities to explore assembly mechanisms and target functional enhancement of SFFMs. This has greatly improved our understanding of microbiota control, but such approaches still have shortcomings compared to traditional NgeME. Here, we comprehensively describe research on mechanisms and control strategies for SFFMs based on traditional and modern NgeME. We discuss the ecological and engineering principles of the two approaches to enhance the understanding of how best to control SFFM. We also review recent applied and theoretical research on modern NgeME and propose an integrated in vitro synthetic microbiota model to bridge gaps between limitation control and design control for SFFM.
Mandated but willing? Preferences and expectations among mandatory work from home employees
Authors: Gutworth Melissa B. , Howard Matt C. , Simonet Daniel V.
Published: March 2023

The turbulent COVID‐19 pandemic offered the opportunity to examine employees who are required to work from home (WFH), which can provide significant implications given that some companies have adopted full‐time remote work even after COVID‐19 restrictions have lifted. The current study draws on psychological contract theory and HR differentiation theory to examine the interactive effects of WFH preferences and relational organizational practices such as perceived support, feedback, and information sharing in predicting burnout and turnover intentions. Multi‐wave, U.S. study results demonstrate that higher WFH preference employees are particularly responsive to these practices; they experience greater well‐being when they receive them, but they also seek alternative employment when they do not. Our findings provide insight into the full‐time WFH dynamics and suggest that fully remote organizations should consider not only effective management of employees, but also organizational practices that match employee preferences in times of turbulence.
Analysis of potential clinical management issues in unreported mortality data from an Australian health service
Authors: Qin Shane Shen , Vinluan Jessele , McCahy Philip
Published: March 2023

Background

We have previously reported incomplete data submission to the Victorian Audit of Surgical Mortality (VASM) by a large health service. We have further examined the source health service clinical data to assess whether any clinical management issues (CMI) occurred and should have been reported.

Methods

The previous study identified 46 deaths that should have been reported to VASM. The hospital records of these patients were further analysed. Data recorded included the patient's age, gender, admission type and clinical course. Any potential clinical management issues were recorded and classified using the VASM definitions (area of consideration or concern, adverse event).

Results

Median age of the deceased patients was 72 (range 17–94), with 17 (37%) being female. Patients were under the care of nine different specialties with general surgery being the most common (18/46). Only four (8.7%) of the cases were electively admitted. 17 (37%) patients had at least one CMI with 10 (21.7%) classified as adverse events. Most deaths were not considered preventable.

Conclusion

The proportion of CMI in the unreported deaths was consistent with the previously reported VASM data, however current findings show a high percentage of adverse events. The underreporting may be due to inexperienced medical staff or coders, poor quality notes or confusion about what should be reported. These findings reinforce the importance of data collection and reporting at the health service level, and a number of important lessons and opportunities to improve patient safety have been lost.
Steriod‐associated psychiatric burden in cancer patients
Authors: Günther Moritz Philipp , Riemann Philip Maximilian , von Känel Roland , Euler Sebastian , Schulze Jan Ben
Published: March 2023

This study explores the role of steroid administration in identifying distressed or even mentally disordered cancer patients (so‐called case finding). Charts of 12 298 cancer patients (4499 treated with prednisone equivalents) were analysed descriptively. A subset of 10 945 was further explored via latent class analysis (LCA). LCA avoids confounding by indication because it subgroups patients without prior preconceptions based on homogeneous expression of traits (i.e. the variables examined). LCA identified four subgroups: two subgroups with high dosages of prednisone equivalent (≥80 mg/day on average over all treatment days) and two with low dosages. The two subgroups with high average dosages had an increased likelihood of psychotropic drug administration, but only one was more likely to require 1:1 observation. In one subgroup, low dosages of prednisone equivlents correlated with a slightly increased probability for a psychiatric assessment and psychotropic drug administration. The subgroup least likely to receive steroid treatment was also the least likely to receive a psychiatric assessment and psychotropic drug administration. Descriptive statistics on age, sex, cumulative inpatient treatment, type of cancer, stage of cancer at first diagnosis, mental disorders, severe mental disorders and psychotropic drug administration (antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants/mood stabilizers, opioids) are provided for patients receiving no, less and more than 80 mg of prednisone equivalent.
Investment subsidies and redistributive capital income taxation in a neoclassical growth model
Authors: Rehme Günther
Published: March 2023

How do investment subsidies bear on pure redistribution when coupled with capital income taxes? In a heterogeneous agent, neoclassical growth framework it is found that on impact, with no optimizing behavior, investment subsidies are good for growth but bad for redistribution. The opposite holds for capital income taxes. But when the government acts as a Stackelberg leader vis‐à‐vis the private sector (the follower), the optimal feedback policy is by construction time‐consistent and implies that in a long‐run optimum the tax scheme does not distort accumulation. This holds regardless of social preferences. For the feedback Stackelberg equilibrium I find that (pure) redistribution can go either way and capital income taxes are nonzero in the long‐run, time‐consistent optimum, depending on the social weight of those who receive redistributive transfers, the distribution of pretax factor incomes, and the intertemporal elasticity of substitution. It is argued that investment subsidies may be an important indirect tool for redistribution, and may allow for the separation of “efficiency” and “equity” concerns.
Beringia as a high‐latitude engine of avian speciation
Authors: Winker Kevin , Withrow Jack J. , Gibson Daniel D. , Pruett Christin L.
Published: March 2023

Beringia is a biogeographically dynamic region that extends from northeastern Asia into northwestern North America. This region has affected avian divergence and speciation in three important ways: (i) by serving as a route for intercontinental colonisation between Asia and the Americas; (ii) by cyclically splitting (and often reuniting) populations, subspecies, and species between these continents; and (iii) by providing isolated refugia through glacial cycles. The effects of these processes can be seen in taxonomic splits of shallow to increasing depths and in the presence of regional endemics. We review the taxa involved in the latter two processes (splitting–reuniting and isolation), with a focus on three research topics: avian diversity, time estimates of the generation of that diversity, and the regions within Beringia that might have been especially important. We find that these processes have generated substantial amounts of avian diversity, including 49 pairs of avian subspecies or species whose breeding distributions largely replace one another across the divide between the Old World and the New World in Beringia, and 103 avian species and subspecies endemic to this region. Among endemics, about one in three is recognised as a full biological species. Endemic taxa in the orders Charadriiformes (shorebirds, alcids, gulls, and terns) and Passeriformes (perching birds) are particularly well represented, although they show very different levels of diversity through evolutionary time. Endemic Beringian Charadriiformes have a 1.31:1 ratio of species to subspecies. In Passeriformes, endemic taxa have a 0.09:1 species‐to‐subspecies ratio, suggesting that passerine (and thus terrestrial) endemism might be more prone to long‐term extinction in this region, although such ‘losses’ could occur through their being reconnected with wider continental populations during favourable climatic cycles (e.g. subspecies reintegration with other populations). Genetic evidence suggests that most Beringian avian taxa originated over the past 3 million years, confirming the importance of Quaternary processes. There seems to be no obvious clustering in their formation through time, although there might be temporal gaps with lower rates of diversity generation. For at least 62 species, taxonomically undifferentiated populations occupy this region, providing ample potential for future evolutionary diversification.
Consensus statement on the management of incidentally discovered FDG avid thyroid nodules in patients being investigated for other cancers
Authors: Wadsley Jonathan , Balasubramanian Sabapathy P. , Madani Gitta , Munday Jean , Roques Tom , Rowe Christopher W. , Touska Philip , Boelaert Kristien
Published: March 2023

With the widespread use of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET/CT) in the investigation and staging of cancers, incidental discovery of FDG‐avid thyroid nodules is becoming increasingly common, with a reported incidence in the range 1%–4% of FDG PET/CT scans. The risk of malignancy in an incidentally discovered FDG avid thyroid nodule is not clear due to selection bias in reported retrospective series but is likely to be less than 15%. Even in cases where the nodule is found to be malignant, the majority will be differentiated thyroid cancers with an excellent prognosis even without treatment. If, due to index cancer diagnosis, age and co‐morbidities, it is unlikely that the patient will survive 5 years, further investigation of an incidental FDG avid thyroid nodule is unlikely to be warranted. We provide a consensus statement on the circumstances in which further investigation of FDG avid thyroid nodules with ultrasound and fine needle aspiration might be appropriate.
Serum kisspeptin, neurokinin B and inhibin B levels can be used as alternative parameters to distinguish idiopathic CPP from premature thelarche in the early stages of puberty
Authors: Vuralli Dogus , Ciftci Nurdan , Demirbilek Huseyin
Published: March 2023

Objective

There is controversial results about serum kisspeptin, neurokinin‐B (NKB), anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B (INHB) levels in girls with central precocious puberty (CPP). Aim of this study is to evaluate serum levels of these four peptides in patients presented with early pubertal signs, and to evaluate their diagnostic validity in the diagnosis of CPP.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Patients

Study included 99 girls (51 CPP, 48 premature thelarche [PT]) whose breast development started before 8 years and 42 age‐matched healthy prepubertal girls. Clinical findings, antropometric measurements, laboratory and radiological findings were recorded. Gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test was performed in all cases with early breast development.

Measurements

Kisspeptin, NKB, INHB and AMH levels were measured in fasting serum samples using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between mean ages of girls with CPP (7.1 ± 1.2 years), PT (7.2 ± 1.3 years) and prepubertal controls (7.0 ± 1.0 years). Serum kisspeptin, NKB and INHB levels were higher in CPP group compared to PT and control groups, while serum AMH level was lower in CPP group. Serum kisspeptin, NKB, and INHB were all positively correlated with bone age (BA) advancement, and peak luteinizing hormone in GnRH test. Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that the most important factors used to differentiate CPP from PT were advanced BA, serum kisspeptin, NKB and INHB levels (AUC: 0.819, p < .001).

Conclusions

We, first showed in the same patients' group that serum kisspeptin, NKB and INHB were higher in patients with CPP and can be used as alternative parameters to distinguish CPP from PT.
Activation of the bile acid receptors TGR5 and FXR in the spinal dorsal horn alleviates neuropathic pain
Authors: Wu Yuning , Qiu Yuxin , Su Minzhi , Wang Linjie , Gong Qingjuan , Wei Xuhong
Published: March 2023

Aims

Beyond digestion, bile acids have been recognized as signaling molecules with broad paracrine and endocrine functions by activating plasma membrane receptor (Takeda G protein‐coupled receptor 5, TGR5) and the nuclear farnesoid X receptor (FXR). The present study investigated the role of bile acids in alleviating neuropathic pain by activating TGR5 and FXR.

Method

Neuropathic pain was induced by spared nerve injury (SNI) of the sciatic nerve. TGR5 or FXR agonist was injected intrathecally. Pain hypersensitivity was measured with Von Frey test. The amount of bile acids was detected using a bile acid assay kit. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to assess molecular changes.

Results

We found that bile acids were downregulated, whereas the expression of cytochrome P450 cholesterol 7ahydroxylase (CYP7A1), a rate‐limiting enzyme for bile acid synthesis, was upregulated exclusively in microglia in the spinal dorsal horn after SNI. Furthermore, the expression of the bile acid receptors TGR5 and FXR was increased in glial cells and GABAergic neurons in the spinal dorsal horn on day 7 after SNI. Intrathecal injection of either TGR5 or FXR agonist on day 7 after SNI alleviated the established mechanical allodynia in mice, and the effects were blocked by TGR5 or FXR antagonist. Bile acid receptor agonists inhibited the activation of glial cells and ERK pathway in the spinal dorsal horn. All of the above effects of TGR5 or FXR agonists on mechanical allodynia, on the activation of glial cells, and on ERK pathway were abolished by intrathecal injection of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline.

Conclusion

These results suggest that activation of TGR5 or FXR counteracts mechanical allodynia. The effect was mediated by potentiating function of GABAA receptors, which then inhibited the activation of glial cells and neuronal sensitization in the spinal dorsal horn.
Microglial transglutaminase 2 deficiency causes impaired synaptic remodelling and cognitive deficits in mice
Authors: Liu Cong , Gao Xing , Shi Ruo‐Xi , Wang Ying‐Ying , He Xuan‐Cheng , Du Hong‐Zhen , Hu Baoyang , Jiao Jianwei , Liu Chang‐Mei , Teng Zhao‐Qian
Published: March 2023

Microglia are the primary source of transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) in the brain; however, the roles of microglial TGM2 in neural development and disease are still not well known. The aim of this study is to elucidate the role and mechanisms of microglial TGM2 in the brain. A mouse line with a specific knockout of Tgm2 in microglia was generated. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot and qRT‐PCR assays were performed to evaluate the expression levels of TGM2, PSD‐95 and CD68. Confocal imaging, immunofluorescence staining and behavioural analyses were conducted to identify phenotypes of microglial TGM2 deficiency. Finally, RNA sequencing, qRT‐PCR and co‐culture of neurons and microglia were used to explore the potential mechanisms. Deletion of microglial Tgm2 causes impaired synaptic pruning, reduced anxiety and increased cognitive deficits in mice. At the molecular level, the phagocytic genes, such as Cq1a, C1qb and Tim4, are significantly down‐regulated in TGM2‐deficient microglia. This study elucidates a novel role of microglial TGM2 in regulating synaptic remodelling and cognitive function, indicating that microglia Tgm2 is essential for proper neural development.