bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The ABC transporter Pdr18 is required for yeast thermotolerance due to its role in ergosterol transport and plasma membrane properties
Authors: Godinho Cláudia P. , Costa Rute , Sá‐Correia Isabel
Published: September 2020

Among the mechanisms by which yeast overcomes multiple stresses is the expression of genes encoding ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters required for resistance to a wide range of toxic compounds. These substrates may include weak acids, alcohols, agricultural pesticides, polyamines, metal cations, as in the case of Pdr18. This pleotropic drug resistance transporter was previously proposed to transport ergosterol at the plasma membrane (PM) level contributing to the maintenance of PM lipid organization and reduced diffusional permeation induced by lipophilic compounds. The present work reports a novel phenotype associated with the putative drug/xenobiotic‐efflux‐pump transporter Pdr18: the resistance to heat shock and to long‐term growth at supra‐optimal temperatures. Cultivation at 40°C was demonstrated to lead to higher PM permeabilization of a pdr18Δ cell population with the PDR18 gene deleted compared with the parental strain population, as indicated by flow cytometry analysis of propidium iodide stained cells. Cells of pdr18Δ grown at 40°C also exhibited increased transcription levels from genes of the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway, compared with parental cells. However, this adaptive response at 40°C was not enough to maintain PM physiological ergosterol levels in the population lacking the Pdr18 transporter and free ergosterol precursors accumulate in the deletion mutant cells.
An ultrahigh‐throughput screening platform based on flow cytometric droplet sorting for mining novel enzymes from metagenomic libraries
Authors: Ma Fuqiang , Guo Tianjie , Zhang Yifan , Bai Xue , Li Changlong , Lu Zelin , Deng Xi , Li Daixi , Kurabayashi Katsuo , Yang Guang‐yu
Published: September 2020

Uncultivable microbial communities provide enormous reservoirs of enzymes, but their experimental identification by functional metagenomics is challenging, mainly due to the difficulty of screening enormous metagenomic libraries. Here, we propose a reliable and convenient ultrahigh‐throughput screening platform based on flow cytometric droplet sorting (FCDS). The FCDS platform employs water‐in‐oil‐in‐water double emulsion droplets serving as single‐cell enzymatic micro‐reactors and a commercially available flow cytometer, and it can efficiently isolate novel biocatalysts from metagenomic libraries by processing single cells as many as 108 per day. We demonstrated the power of this platform by screening a metagenomic library constructed from domestic running water samples. The FCDS assay screened 30 million micro‐reactors in only 1 h, yielding a collection of esterase genes. Among these positive hits, Est WY was identified as a novel esterase with high catalytic efficiency and distinct evolutionary origin from other lipolytic enzymes. Our study manifests that the FCDS platform is a robust tool for functional metagenomics, with the potential to significantly improve the efficiency of exploring novel enzymes from nature.
Renato Guttuso's Boogie Woogie in Rome (1953): A Geopolitical Tableau
Authors: Golan Romy
Published: September 2020

A quasi‐panic underlies Renato Guttuso's Boogie Woogie in Rome, his single envoi to the 1954 Venice Biennale. It depicts teenagers dancing frenetically in front of Mondrian's eponymous painting, its kinetic, neoplasticist language absorbed into their plaid clothes. This essay shows how this painting pulled into its orbit much of the geopolitics of the 1950s. Guttuso's depiction of gyrating youths drew its – mostly negative – energy from events taking place just beyond its frame. It identifies afterimages (Guttuso's painting elicited other paintings); medial crossovers as well as medial denials (namely film, a medium that Guttuso professed to abhor); anticipations thwarted by reversed scenarios (the fiasco of the Soviets and the success of Mondrian at the subsequent Biennale in 1956); and blind spots (nations with no pavilion). Its leitmotif is plaid as a multifarious sign for youthful rebellion, nonchalant bohemianism, lumberjacks and hillbilly folk, solidarity with the working class, and modish sophistication.
Trump's electoral speeches and his appeal to the American white working class
Authors: Lamont Michèle , Park Bo Yun , Ayala‐Hurtado Elena
Published: September 2020

This paper contributes to the study of social change by considering boundary work as a dimension of cultural change. Drawing on the computer‐assisted qualitative analysis of 73 formal speeches made by Donald Trump during the 2016 electoral campaign, we argue that his political rhetoric, which led to his presidential victory, addressed the white working class's concern with their declining position in the national pecking order. He addressed this group's concern by raising their moral status, that is, by (1) emphatically describing them as hard‐working Americans who are victims of globalization; (2) voicing their concerns about ‘people above’ (professionals, the rich, and politicians); (3) drawing strong moral boundaries toward undocumented immigrants, refugees, and Muslims; (4) presenting African Americans and (legal) Hispanic Americans as workers who also deserve jobs; (5) stressing the role of working‐class men as protectors of women and LGBTQ people. This particular case study of the role of boundary work in political rhetoric provides a novel, distinctively sociological approach for capturing dynamics of social change.
Psychotherapy as a skilled practice
Authors: Colman Warren
Published: September 2020

While psychotherapy is related to both science and art, it is primarily a craft activity requiring the development of skilful practice, epitomized by the discipline of the analytic attitude. In terms of the forms of knowledge outlined by Aristotle, this places psychotherapy in the realm of ‘technê’ (arts and craft) rather than epistêmê (science). In particular, the technê of psychotherapy is concerned with the development of phronesis (practical wisdom) in both patient and analyst and its ultimate aim is concerned with the promotion of eudaimonia, a state of well‐being considered by Aristotle to be definitive of ‘the good life’. It is therefore fundamentally an ethical endeavour. The nature of psychotherapeutic skill is illustrated by analogy with three other forms of technê – music, meditation and pottery. Clinical examples illustrate the crafting of interpretations and the art of patient holding.
Early maternal Zika infection predicts severe neonatal neurological damage: results from the prospective Natural History of Zika Virus Infection in Gestation cohort study
Authors: Coutinho CM , Negrini SFBM , Araujo DCA , Teixeira SR , Amaral FR , Moro MCR , Fernandes JDCP , da Motta MSF , Negrini BVM , Caldas CACT , Anastasio ART , Furtado JM , Bárbaro AAT , Yamamoto AY , Duarte G , Mussi‐Pinhata MM ,   for the NATZIG Cohort Study Team
Published: September 2020

Objective

To define the prevalence of adverse outcomes of maternal infection in a large cohort of ZIKV‐infected Brazilian women and their infants.

Design

Prospective population‐based cohort study.

Setting

Ribeirão Preto's region's private and public health facilities.

Population

Symptomatic ZIKV‐infected mothers and their infants.

Methods

Prenatal/early neonatal data were obtained for all mother–child pairs. A subgroup of infants had cranial ultrasonography, eye fundoscopy, hearing and neurological examinations and Bayley III screening tests within 3 months of age.

Main outcome measures

Prevalence of pregnancy losses and anomalies detected at birth or within 3 months according to the gestational age of infection.

Results

Overall, 511 ZIKV‐infected women were identified from a total of 1116 symptomatic women; as there were two twins, there were a total of 513 fetuses included. Of these, 13 (2.5%; 95% CI 1.5–4.3) presented with major signs of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). Of the 511 women, there were 489 livebirths and 24 (4.7%) pregnancy losses (20 miscarriages and four stillbirths). ZIKV‐related anomalies occurred in the offspring of 42/511 (8.2%) mothers. Microcephaly or other CNS malformations were diagnosed in 1/4 (25.0%) stillbirths and in 19/489 (3.9%; 95% CI 2.5–5.9) of the liveborn infants. Fetal abnormalities were 14.0 (95% CI 7.6–26.0) times more likely with gestational infection occurring in ≤11 weeks. On follow up of 280 asymptomatic infants, 2/155 (1.3%) had eye abnormalities, 1/207 (0.5%) had CNS imaging findings and 16/199 (8%) presented neurological alert signs.

Conclusions

This prospective population‐based study represents the largest Brazilian cohort study of ZIKV in pregnancy. Congenital anomalies potentially associated with CZS are less frequent than previously thought. There is a strong association between the gestational age of infection (≤11 weeks) and a poorer early infant prognosis. A notable proportion of apparently asymptomatic newborns can present with subclinical findings within 3 months of age.

Tweetable abstract

ZIKV and pregnancy: adverse outcomes are less common, more prevalent for first‐trimester infections, and potentially subclinical.
Fetal medicine specialist experiences of providing a new service of termination of pregnancy for fatal fetal anomaly: a qualitative study
Authors: Power S , Meaney S , O’Donoghue K
Published: September 2020

Objective

To explore fetal medicine specialists’ experiences of caring for parents following a diagnosis of fatal fetal anomaly (FFA) during the implementation of termination of pregnancy (TOP) for FFA for the first time.

Design

Qualitative study.

Setting

Fetal medicine units in the Republic of Ireland.

Population

Ten fetal medicine specialists from five of the six fetal medicine units.

Methods

nvivo 12 assisted in the thematic analysis of semi‐structured in‐depth face‐to‐face interviews.

Main outcome measures

Fetal medicine specialists’ experiences of prenatal diagnosis and holistic management of pregnancies complicated by FFA.

Results

Four themes were identified: ‘not fatal enough’, ‘interactions with colleagues’, ‘supporting pregnant women’ and ‘internal conflict and emotional challenges’. Fetal medicine specialists feared getting an FFA diagnosis incorrect because of media scrutiny and criminal liability associated with the TOP for FFA legislation. Challenges with the ambiguous and ‘restrictive’ legislation were identified that ‘ostracised’ severe anomalies. Teamwork was essential to facilitate opportunities for learning and peer support; however, conflict with colleagues was experienced regarding the diagnosis of FFA, the provision of feticide and palliative care to infants born alive following TOP for FFA. Participants reported challenges implementing TOP for FFA, including the absence of institutional support and ‘stretched’ resources. Fetal medicine specialists experienced internal conflict and a psychological burden providing TOP for FFA, but did so to ‘provide full care for women’.

Conclusions

Our study identified challenges regarding the suitability of the Irish legislation for TOP for FFA and its rapid introduction into clinical practice. It illustrates the importance of institutional and peer support, as well as the need for supportive management, in the provision of a new service.

Tweetable abstract

The implementation of termination services for fatal fetal anomaly is complex and requires institutional support.
Discrimination of phenethylamine regioisomers and structural analogues by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Liu Cui‐Mei , Xu Lin , He Hong‐Yuan , Jia Wei , Hua Zhen‐Dong
Published: September 2020

In this study, the Raman spectra of 21 phenethylamines were obtained using far‐red excitation (785 nm). The distinguishing ability of Raman for phenethylamines, especially for phenethylamine regioisomers and structural analogues, was investigated. Here, the evaluation of a cross section of Raman spectra demonstrated that all types of phenethylamines were distinguishable, even for certain structural analogues with high spectrum similarity. Raman exhibited high distinguishing ability for phenethylamine regioisomers that differ in the substitution position of halogen, methoxy, alkyl, or other substituted groups; as well as for structural analogues containing different groups, such as furanyl, 2,3‐dihydrofuranyl, halogen, and alkyl substituted at the same position. The Raman spectra for homologues with differences in only a methyl group were found to be highly similar; however, their spectra demonstrated small but detectable differences. Four analogue mixtures and 59 seized samples were also analyzed to study the practical use of the Raman method in forensic field. 95% of the seized samples were correctly identified, which significantly validated the ability of Raman method in identifying the correct isomers. Accordingly, this study provides a non‐destructive, high‐throughput and minimal sample preparation technique for the discrimination of phenethylamines.
Detection of trace drugs of abuse in baby formula using solid‐phase microextraction direct analysis in real‐time mass spectrometry (SPME‐DART‐MS)
Authors: Watt Laura , Sisco Edward
Published: September 2020

The intentional or unintentional adulteration of baby formula with drugs of abuse is one of the many increasingly complex samples forensic chemists may have to analyze. This sample type presents a challenge because of a complex matrix that can mask the detection of trace drug residues. To enable screening of baby formula for trace levels of drugs, the use of solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with direct analysis in real‐time mass spectrometry (DART‐MS) was investigated. A suite of five drugs was used as adulterants and spiked into baby formula. Samples were then extracted using SPME fibers which were analyzed by DART‐MS. Development of a proof‐of‐concept method was completed by investigating the effects of the DART gas stream temperature and the linear speed of the sample holder. Optimal values of 350°C and 0.2 mm/s were found. Once the method was established, representative responses and sensitivities for the five drugs were measured and found to be in the range of single ng/mL to hundreds ng/mL. Additional studies found that the presence of the baby formula matrix increased analyte signal (relative to methanolic solutions) by greater than 200%. Comparison of the SPME‐DART‐MS method to a traditional DART‐MS method for trace drug detection found at least a factor of 13 improvement in signal for the drugs investigated. This work demonstrates that SPME‐DART‐MS is a viable technique for the screening of complex matrices, such as baby formula, for trace drug residues and that development of a comprehensive method is warranted.
Towards a broader understanding of workplace inequality and exclusion in China: a review of discrimination based on social class, gender and physical ability
Authors: Cooke Fang Lee , Zhao Chenhui
Published: September 2020

Research on equality, diversity and inclusion in the Chinese context is insufficient. This paper fills part of the research gap by examining the role of the institutional actors in shaping the equality and inclusion discourse, policy and reality in contemporary China. In particular, it highlights the crucial role of the state, and the emergence and maintenance of privileged social groups. This is because the construction of public discourse on inequality and inclusion is necessarily a political and social process, with social policy implications. Public discourse not only reflects the political ideals and moral standards of the nation at a given time, but also impacts the vested interests of different social groups, and their acquisition and maintenance of power. This paper reveals the entrenched, disadvantaged positions of rural migrant workers and other lower social groups, and of women and persons of disability at workplaces, and calls for policy and management intervention.
Effects of exercise therapy on the persistence of physical function, exercise habits, and self‐efficacy after cessation of exercise in patients undergoing hemodialysis: A nonrandomized control trial
Authors: Yamaguchi Tomoya , Yabe Hiroki , Mitake Yuya , Chishiki Aika , Katogi Takehide , Fujii Takayuki
Published: September 2020

The present study investigated the sustained effect of exercise therapy discontinuation in patients under hemodialysis with low physical function. Seven subjects in the exercise group and eight in the control group who had low physical function (short physical performance battery; SPPB ≤ 9 points) were included in the study. The exercise group received 6 months of intradialytic exercise, followed by 6 months of observation. We assessed SPPB, grip strength, self‐efficacy (SE), and exercise habits in both the groups before and after 12 months. There were statistically significant improvements in SPPB (effect size, 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13–3.55) and SE (effect size, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.25–7.57) in the exercise group relative to the control group. The exercise group displayed more exercise habits than the control group at 12 months. A 6‐month period of intradialytic exercise may contribute to the continuation of SPPB and SE after exercise discontinuation.
Where and When Soil Amendment is Most Effective as a Low Impact Development Practice in Residential Areas
Authors: Voter Carolyn B. , Loheide Steven P.
Published: September 2020

Improving the infiltration capacity of urban soil is critical for effective stormwater management, but existing guidance on soil amendment in residential areas typically calls for tilling and amending soil throughout the entire yard, an approach that is most feasible during development or redevelopment. To develop guidance on less‐extensive soil amendment interventions which a homeowner could implement postconstruction, we designed a modeling study to compare four scenarios targeting soil amendment in a single‐family yard (1) at disconnected impervious features, (2) at locations with large upslope drainage areas, (3) at locations with a high topographic wetness index (TWI), and (4) randomly (control). We find that soil amendment may be ineffective at reducing runoff from residential areas with high near‐surface infiltration rates (e.g., Ksat > 1 × 10−2 m/hr), but can reduce runoff by 46%–73% (up to 15% of precipitation) on yards with lower near‐surface infiltration rates. We find that targeting amendment at interfacial hotspots near disconnected impervious surfaces can reduce runoff by over 10× more than amending a random equivalent area and by at least 2× more than targeting amendment by drainage area or TWI. We suggest including this intervention in the suite of low impact development practices promoted to residential property owners since it effectively and efficiently reduces runoff and may appeal to homeowners who are wary of maintenance needs of other practices.
Soil Moisture Assessment Based on Multi‐Source Remotely Sensed Data in the Huaihe River Basin, China
Authors: Zhao Junfang , Wang Yupeng , Xu Jingwen , Xie Hongfei , Sun Shuang
Published: September 2020

The reliable estimation of soil moisture on spatial and temporal scales is of fundamental importance in improving the impact assessment of drought and flood on plant productivity and enhancing our understanding of the link between the water and biogeochemical cycles. Currently, remotely sensed data can offer a chance to improve spatial variability, especially in environments with scarce ground‐based data. To obtain soil moisture information with high resolution and high precision in such mountainous areas as the Huaihe River Basin, we combined the advantages of MODerate‐resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) optical remote sensing sensor that has high spatial resolution and sensitive characteristics to surface covering type and Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer on the Earth Observing System (AMSR‐E) passive microwave sensor that has high temporal resolution and the characteristics of small interference by clouds. Five years of AMSR‐E and MODIS data (2006–2010) were fused based on the wavelet transform (WT) method. The soil moisture in the Huaihe River Basin was extracted using these fused remotely sensed data. The results showed that the soil moisture from AMSR‐E and MODIS fusion data could capture soil moisture dynamics well. The accuracies of soil moisture from AMSR‐E and MODIS fusion data based on WT were better than those from single remote sensing data. The soil moisture from MODIS and AMSR‐E fusion data was more sensitive to the season, especially in spring, summer, and autumn. The accuracy of soil moisture from MODIS and AMSR‐E fusion data in time and space varied in the Huaihe Basin. From the time series, high accuracies of soil moisture were observed in the spring of 2009 and in the spring and winter of 2010. From the spatial series, high accuracies of soil moisture were found in Zhumadian and Bozhou stations, and the worst accuracies were observed in Huaiyin and Shangqiu stations, which were primarily related to some factors such as local topography, vegetation coverage, and precipitation. These findings will provide interesting insights that can be useful for developing measures to prevent drought and flood disasters on a regional scale in China.
Biomass Production with Conservation Practices for Two Iowa Watersheds
Authors: Ha Miae , Wu May , Tomer Mark D. , Gassman Philip W. , Isenhart Thomas M. , Arnold Jeffrey G. , White Michael J. , Parish Esther S. , Comer Kevin S. , Belden Bill
Published: September 2020

Hydrologic modeling was used to estimate potential changes in nutrients, suspended sediment, and streamflow in various biomass production scenarios with conservation practices under different landscape designs. Two major corn and soybean croplands were selected for study: the South Fork of the Iowa River watershed and the headwater of the Raccoon River watershed. A physically based model, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool, was used to simulate hydrology and water quality under different scenarios with conservation practices and biomass production. Scenarios are based on conservation practices and biomass production; riparian buffer (RB), saturated buffer, and grassed waterways; various stover harvest rates of 30%, 45%, and 70% with and without winter cover crops; and conversion of marginal land to switchgrass. Conservation practices and landscape design with different biomass feedstocks were shown to significantly improve water quality while supporting sustainable biomass production. Model results for nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended sediments were analyzed temporally at spatial scales that varied from hydrologic response units to the entire watershed. With conservation practices, water quality could potentially improve by reducing nitrogen loads by up to 20%–30% (stover harvest with cover crop), phosphorus loads by 20%–40% (RB), and sediment loads by 30%–70% (stover harvest with cover crop and RB).
Chromosome‐level genome assembly for the largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides provides insights into adaptation to fresh and brackish water
Authors: Sun Chengfei , Li Jia , Dong Junjian , Niu Yongchao , Hu Jie , Lian Jinmin , Li Wuhui , Li Jiang , Tian Yuanyuan , Shi Qiong , Ye Xing
Published: September 2020

Largemouth bass (LMB; Micropterus salmoides) has been an economically important fish in North America, Europe, and China. This study obtained a chromosome‐level genome assembly of LMB using PacBio and Hi‐C sequencing. The final assembled genome is 964 Mb, with contig N50 and scaffold N50 values of 1.23 Mb and 36.48 Mb, respectively. Combining with RNA sequencing data, we annotated a total of 23,701 genes. Chromosomal assembly and syntenic analysis proved that, unlike most Perciformes with the popular haploid chromosome number of 24, LMB has only 23 chromosomes (Chr), among which the Chr1 seems to be resulted from a chromosomal fusion event. LMB is phylogenetically closely related to European seabass and spotted seabass, diverging 64.1 million years ago (mya) from the two seabass species. Eight gene families comprising 294 genes associated with ionic regulation were identified through positive selection, transcriptome and genome comparisons. These genes involved in iron facilitated diffusion (such as claudin, aquaporins, sodium channel protein and so on) and others related to ion active transport (such as sodium/potassium‐transporting ATPase and sodium/calcium exchanger). The claudin gene family, which is critical for regulating cell tight junctions and osmotic homeostasis, showed a significant expansion in LMB with 27 family members and 68 copies for salinity adaptation. In summary, we reported the first high‐quality LMB genome, and provided insights into the molecular mechanisms of LMB adaptation to fresh and brackish water. The chromosome‐level LMB genome will also be a valuable genomic resource for in‐depth biological and evolutionary studies, germplasm conservation and genetic breeding of LMB.
High quality genome of Erigeron breviscapus provides a reference for herbal plants in Asteraceae
Authors: He Simei , Dong Xiao , Zhang Guanghui , Fan Wei , Duan Shengchang , Shi Hong , Li Dawei , Li Rui , Chen Geng , Long Guangqiang , Zhao Yan , Chen Mo , Yan Mi , Yang Jianli , Lu Yingchun , Zhou Yanli , Chen Wei , Dong Yang , Yang Shengchao
Published: September 2020

Erigeron breviscapus is an important medicinal plant in Compositae and the first species to realize the whole process from the decoding of the draft genome sequence to scutellarin biosynthesis in yeast. However, the previous low‐quality genome assembly has hindered the optimization of candidate genes involved in scutellarin synthesis and the development of molecular‐assisted breeding based on the genome. Here, the E. breviscapus genome was updated using PacBio RSII sequencing data and Hi‐C data, and increased in size from 1.2 Gb to 1.43 Gb, with a scaffold N50 of 156.82 Mb and contig N50 of 140.95 kb, and a total of 43,514 protein‐coding genes were obtained and oriented onto nine pseudo‐chromosomes, thus becoming the third plant species assembled to chromosome level after sunflower and lettuce in Compositae. Fourteen genes with evidence for positive selection were identified and found to be related to leaf morphology, flowering and secondary metabolism. The number of genes in some gene families involved in flavonoid biosynthesis in E. breviscapus have been significantly expanded. In particular, additional candidate genes involved in scutellarin biosynthesis, such as flavonoid‐7‐O‐glucuronosyltransferase genes (F7GATs) were identified using updated genome. In addition, three candidate genes encoding indole‐3‐pyruvate monooxygenase YUCCA2 (YUC2), serine carboxypeptidase‐like 18 (SCPL18), and F‐box protein (FBP), respectively, were identified to be probably related to leaf development and flowering by resequencing 99 individuals. These results provided a substantial genetic basis for improving agronomic and quality traits of E. breviscapus, and provided a platform for improving other draft genome assemblies to chromosome‐level.
Interleukin‐5‐producing malignant pleural mesothelioma with eosinophilic pleural effusion
Authors: Takeuchi Eiji , Takahashi Naoki , Morizumi Shun , Tamiya Hiroyuki , Matsuoka Hisashi , Kuroda Naoto , Yorita Kenji
Published: September 2020

Malignant tumors are often associated with eosinophilic pleural effusion. Here, we encountered a case of interleukin‐5 (IL‐5)‐producing malignant pleural mesothelioma with eosinophilic pleural effusion. The patient was a 50‐year‐old male. He had a history of a cough for several weeks and had visited a local doctor. Left pleural effusion was noted, and the patient was referred to our hospital. He was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma by pleural biopsy, with eosinophilic pleural effusion. IL‐5 in the pleural effusion increased, and tumor cells were IL‐5‐positive by immunostaining. There have been few reports of IL‐5‐producing tumors, and this is the first report of IL‐5‐producing malignant pleural mesothelioma. Host‐tumor cell interactions cause eosinophilic pleural effusion. In patients with eosinophilic pleural effusion, malignant pleural effusion should be considered. It is necessary to clarify the pathophysiology of malignant tumors and eosinophils.
Adverse Selection, Diversion of Resources, and Conservatism*
Authors: Liao Pei‐Cheng , Ma Guang , Radhakrishnan Suresh
Published: September 2020

We consider an investor's choice of conservative reporting, bonus payments, and investment decisions in the presence of the hidden‐information agency problem of a manager's productivity and the hidden‐action agency problem of a manager's diversion of resources. It is important to consider the hidden‐action and hidden‐information agency problems in isolation and their interaction to gain insights into the drivers of demand for conservatism. We show that the conservative (nonconservative) regime is optimal for the high‐productivity (low‐productivity) manager when both agency problems exist, even though the nonconservative regime is optimal for both the high‐ and low‐productivity managers when only the hidden‐action or the hidden‐information problem exists. Essentially, the low‐productivity manager can misrepresent as the high‐productivity manager to obtain high investment levels and divert resources only in the presence of both agency problems. This added layer of agency problem creates the demand for conservatism and highlights the importance of the interaction between the hidden‐action and hidden‐information agency problems. Furthermore, we show that as the conservatism level increases (i) the optimal investment level conditional on a good report for the high‐productivity manager increases and approaches the first‐best level (i.e., ex‐post investment efficiency increases); (ii) the expected optimal investment level for the high‐productivity manager decreases and diverges from the expected first‐best level (i.e., ex‐ante investment efficiency decreases); and (iii) the expected bonus payment to the high‐ and low‐productivity managers decreases. These findings provide insights into how the demand for conservatism arises in the presence of both hidden‐information and hidden‐action agency problems and provide empirical guidance relating conservatism to investment efficiency.
The Importance of Director External Social Networks to Stock Price Crash Risk*
Authors: Fang Xiaohua , Pittman Jeffrey , Zhao Yuping
Published: September 2020

Prior research documents that information transmitted via director networks affects firms' policies and real economic activities. Given a manager's potential monopoly over firm information, it is important to analyze whether information transmission through director social networks undermines the manager's control. Specifically, we explore whether information flow through director networks influences managers' ability to hoard bad news. We predict and find that the extent of external connections of the board of directors is negatively associated with future stock price crash risk. Additional analysis implies that this evidence is driven by firms with more powerful executives, with weaker auditor monitoring, or subject to strong investor protection, and by directors with greater monitoring incentives or responsibilities and directors with less firm‐specific knowledge. Collectively, our research lends empirical support for the monitoring view under which better‐informed directors narrow the scope for bad news hoarding evident in stock price crash risk. In another series of tests, we fail to find evidence consistent with the information leakage view under which directors pass sensitive firm‐specific information to connections that trade on the information before its public release. Other analysis helps dispel the concern that the endogenous match between directors and companies is spuriously responsible for our core results. Our empirical findings have important implications on how social networks affect the proper functioning of capital markets.
Type I interferons and related pathways in cell senescence
Authors: Frisch Steven M. , MacFawn Ian P.
Published: September 2020

This review article addresses the largely unanticipated convergence of two landmark discoveries. The first is the discovery of interferons, critical signaling molecules for all aspects of both innate and adaptive immunity, discovered originally by Isaacs and Lindenmann at the National Institute for Medical Research, London, in 1957 (Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences, 1957, 147, 258). The second, formerly unrelated discovery, by Leonard Hayflick and Paul Moorhead (Wistar Institute, Philadelphia) is that cultured cells undergo an irreversible but viable growth arrest, termed senescence, after a finite and predictable number of cell divisions (Experimental Cell Research, 1961, 25, 585). This phenomenon was suspected to relate to organismal aging, which was confirmed subsequently (Nature, 2011, 479, 232). Cell senescence has broad‐ranging implications for normal homeostasis, including immunity, and for diverse disease states, including cancer progression and response to therapy (Nature Medicine, 2015, 21, 1424; Cell, 2019, 179, 813; Cell, 2017, 169, 1000; Trends in Cell Biology, 2018, 28, 436; Journal of Cell Biology, 2018, 217, 65). Here, we critically address the bidirectional interplay between interferons (focusing on type I) and cell senescence, with important implications for health and healthspan.
Long‐term mid‐onset dietary restriction rejuvenates hematopoietic stem cells and improves regeneration capacity of total bone marrow from aged mice
Authors: Tao Si , Wang Yiting , Wu Jianying , Zeng Ting , Cui Hui , Tao Zhendong , Lei Lang , Yu Li , Liu Anwen , Wang Hua , Zhang Liu , Tang Duozhuang
Published: September 2020

Currently, the world's aging population is expanding rapidly, leading to a rise in aged hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients and aged donors. However, the age of donors is negatively related to the prognosis after transplantation due to functional decline in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) during aging. Previously, we showed that an early‐onset dietary restriction (DR) significantly retards early aging of HSCs. However, the effects of a mid‐onset DR on HSCs remain unknown. In the current study, we performed 30% DR in 15‐ to 18‐month‐old mice (equivalent to 50–60 human years) for short‐term (4 months) and long‐term (9 months). We show that DR reduces and rectifies the imbalance of the HSC pool in aged mice. Short‐term DR improves hematopoietic reconstitution in purified HSC transplantations, but not in bone marrow transplantations. Intriguingly, long‐term mid‐onset DR improves the hematopoietic regeneration of aging HSCs with a particular enhancement of lymphoid outputs even in total bone marrow transplantation settings. Mechanistically, long‐term DR rejuvenates the aberrantly regulated mitochondrial pathways in aging HSCs and is accompanied by increased quiescence and reduced DNA damage signaling in HSCs. Short‐term DR showed a similar trend of rescuing these aging hallmarks but to a much lesser extent. Together, the current study suggests that mid‐onset DR ameliorates the function of aging HSCs and long‐term DR even improved hematopoietic reconstitution in bone marrow transplantation, which could potentially have considerable implications in HCT of humans when only old donors are available.
Liquidity and information asymmetry around unscheduled mining announcements
Authors: Katselas Dean , Sidhu Baljit K. , Yu Chuan
Published: September 2020

This paper examines liquidity and information asymmetry around unanticipated disclosure events of Australian mining companies. We do so via bid‐ask spread decomposition in order to isolate the spread’s adverse selection component, around ‘progress report’ disclosures pertaining to mining activities. We find that abnormal bid‐ask spreads rise significantly leading up to progress report announcements, before rapidly dropping following the event. This effect is most pronounced in small firms, and announcements not preceded by another within the prior month. Upon controlling for the spread’s liquidity‐related component, we find that the abnormal spread significantly increases before initial announcements, with the effect continuing post‐announcement for positive surprise events.
Publication records of Australian accounting and finance faculty promoted to full professor, set within an international context
Authors: Goodacre Alan , Gaunt Clive , Henry Darren
Published: September 2020

Australian accounting and finance faculty promoted to full professor required a median 15 papers in ABDC‐listed journals, with 7 at the highest A*/A quality levels. Promotees were typically 44 years old, with 14 years' academic experience including 9 years post‐PhD. Neither gender nor whether promotion was internal/external seemed to affect promotion requirements. Finance professors typically had more publications than accounting professors, though not at the higher quality levels; however, accounting promotees had greater academic experience but a shorter period post‐PhD. Female promotees were typically older than males. Both the volume and quality of pre‐promotion publications have increased over time.
Computer‐delivered brief alcohol intervention for patients with liver disease: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Cucciare Michael A. , Combs Ann S. , Joshi Gauri , Han Xiaotong , Humphreys Keith
Published: September 2020

Background and aims

Reducing alcohol consumption by liver disease patients can reduce morbidity and mortality. This study compared a computer‐delivered brief alcohol intervention (cBAI) with standard care in a sample of US military veterans with liver disease.

Design

Multi‐site, randomized controlled trial of a cBAI plus standard care (n = 67) versus standard care only (n = 71). Participants were assessed at baseline and 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐up.

Setting

US Veterans Health Administration liver clinics.

Participants

Participants were mostly male and diagnosed with hepatitis C.

Interventions and comparators

A cBAI tailored to veterans with liver disease and consisting of assessment and personalized feedback. Standard care was brief education and advice about alcohol and liver disease.

Measurement

Primary outcomes were self‐reported number of drinking days and unhealthy drinking days (defined as more than two drinks for men and more than one for women) in the past 30 days at 6‐month follow‐up. Secondary outcomes were these two variables at 3‐month follow‐up, and drinks consumed per drinking day, depression and overall health at 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐ups. Missing data were imputed using multiple imputation.

Findings

Compared with standard care, cBAI participants reported significantly fewer drinking days at 6‐month follow‐up and fewer unhealthy drinking days at both 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐ups. Least square means (LS‐means) for number of drinking days were 3.78 for the cBAI condition and 6.89 for the standard care condition at 6 months [LS‐mean ratio = 3.78/6.89 = 0.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.34, 0.89]. LS‐means for number of unhealthy drinking days were 1.04 for the cBAI condition and 2.57 for the standard care condition at 3‐month follow‐up (LS‐mean ratio = 1.04/2.57 = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.19, 0.85). At 6‐months follow‐up, LS‐means were 1.18 for the cBAI condition and 2.75 for the standard care condition (LS‐mean ratio = 1.18/2.75 = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.20, 0.91).

Conclusions

A computer‐delivered brief alcohol intervention reduced drinking days and unhealthy drinking days at 6‐month follow up in military veterans with liver disease compared with brief education and advice to reduce consumption.
The use of enamel matrix derivative in the treatment of class II furcation defects: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Soares Diego Moura , de Melo Jéssica Gomes Alcoforado , Barboza Carlos Augusto Galvão , Alves Renato de Vasconcelos
Published: September 2020

Objective

To evaluate the effect of enamel matrix derivative (EMD) in the regeneration of class II furcation defects, used alone or in conjunction with biomaterials.

Methods

Electronic database searches and hand searches were carried out and double‐blind randomized controlled trials evaluating the use of EMD in class II furcation therapy were included, and a meta‐analysis comparing the effect of open flap debridement (OFD) + βTCP/HA with and without EMD was carried out.

Results

The initial search resulted in a total of 298 articles, after removing the duplicates and exclusions after analysing the titles, abstracts and full text, five studies were included for the qualitative synthesis and two for the quantitative analysis. The meta‐analysis showed no statistical difference when comparing OFD + βTCP/ HA with or without EMD in the treatment of furcation defects in any of the evaluated parameters. According to GRADE, the certainty of the evidence for the variables evaluated was moderate.

Conclusion

The therapeutic modalities studied improved the periodontal clinical parameters of class II furcations, but the use of EMD in the treatment of these defects did not contribute to a clinical improvement that justified its use associated with the therapies/biomaterials. It is important to emphasize the need for more studies with larger samples to increase the certainty of the evidence reported in this review.
Prognostic analysis for children with hepatoblastoma with lung metastasis: A single‐center analysis of 98 cases
Authors: Hu Huimin , Zhang Weiling , Wang Yizhuo , Zhang Yi , Yi You , Gao Yanan , Chen Liping , Huang Dongsheng
Published: September 2020

Aims

To analyze the factors affecting the prognosis of hepatoblastoma (HB) with lung metastasis in children.

Methods

The HB patients with lung metastases admitted to Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University were collected. The clinical data, overall results, and prognostic factors were analyzed. Multivariate analysis was done by the Cox proportional hazards model for patients’ prognosis.

Results

Finally, 98 HB patients (64 boys and 34 girls) with lung metastasis met the inclusion criteria, in which 64 patients had lung metastases at diagnosis (median age, 22.3 months) and 34 patients developed lung metastases while on treatment (median time, 6.5 months). The survival time and 5‐year survival rate of patients with standard treatment were significantly longer than that of without standard treatment (P < .001). The survival time and 3‐year survival rate had no difference between patients underwent lung metastasectomy and without lung metastasectomy (P = .099), between different diagnosis time of lung metastasis in HB patients (P = .37), between each histology type (P = .313), and different PRETEXT stage (P = .353). While the survival time and 3‐year survival rate of patients with lung metastasis alone were significantly longer than that of patients with extrapulmonary involvement (P = .007). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model revealed that the lung metastasis accompanied with extrapulmonary involvement was a risk factor affecting prognosis (HR = 0.460, 95% CI 0.239‐0.888).

Conclusions

For HB children with lung metastatic, extrapulmonary involvement might be a high‐risk factor of prognosis and standardized treatment with lung metastasectomy might prolong the survival time of them.
Immune checkpoint inhibitor‐associated myositis and myasthenia gravis overlap: Understanding the diversity in a case series
Authors: Wong Evelyn Yi Ting , Yong Ming Hui , Yong Kok Pin , Tan Eng Huat , Toh Chee Keong , Kanesvaran Ravindran , Takano Angela , Ng Quan Sing
Published: September 2020

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have improved survival across tumor types however they cause immune‐related toxicities through removal of the inhibition of auto‐reactive T cells. In this case review, we present 4 patients with metastatic cancer who developed de‐novo neuromuscular side effects of myositis with overlapping seropositive myasthenia gravis after ICI treatment. Declaration: This study was performed in accordance to the ethical standards set by the SingHealth Institutional Review Board, with consent taken from living patients and waiver of consent from deceased patients (CIRB Ref 2019/2485). Supporting data were collected from our institution's digital medical records system.
Histopathological findings in COVID‐19‐induced cutaneous lesions. Clinicopathological correlation of SARS‐CoV‐19 dermatologic patterns: review of the literature
Authors: Nieto‐Benito Lula María , Hernández de la Torre‐Ruiz Elisa , Balaguer‐Franch Inmaculada , Rosell‐Díaz Ángel Manuel , Mateos‐Mayo Ana , Herrero‐Sanchez Alejandro , Lacasta‐Plasín Clara , García‐Piqueras Paloma , Barchino‐Ortiz Lucía , Bergón‐Sendín Marta , Pulido‐Pérez Ana , Baniandrés‐Rodríguez Ofelia , Rodriguez‐Lomba Enrique , Molina‐Lopez Irene , Suárez‐Fernandez Ricardo
Published: September 2020

An increasing number of publications have brought attention to COVID‐19‐associated cutaneous lesions. Histopathological descriptions and clinical correlation of the histopathological findings of COVID‐19 skin lesions are lacking. In this manuscript, we reviewed and described the histopathological characteristics of COVID‐19 infection cutaneous patterns reported in the literature.
Patterns of emergency department use in rural and metropolitan New South Wales from 2012 to 2018
Authors: Lower Tony , Kinsman Leigh , Dinh Michael M. , Lyle David , Cheney Richard , Allan Julaine , Munro Alice , Taylor Barbara , Wiggers John H. , Bailey Andrew , Weller Lauren , Jacob Alycia , Stephens Alexandre S.
Published: September 2020

Objective

To explore the patterns of and investigate the factors associated with rises in emergency department presentations in rural and metropolitan New South Wales from 2012 to 2018.

Design

A retrospective descriptive study of de‐identified data from the New South Wales Emergency Department Data Collection.

Setting

New South Wales, Australia.

Participants

All individuals presenting to 99 New South Wales emergency departments, which continuously reported to the Emergency Department Data Collection between 2012 and 2018. A total of 2 166 449 presentations recorded throughout New South Wales in 2012 (rural 786 278; metropolitan 1 380 171) and 2 477 192 in 2018 (rural 861 761; metropolitan 1 615 431).

Main outcome measures

Total emergency department presentations, plus Poisson regression modelled annual changes in emergency department presentations over the period 2012‐2018.

Results

Growth in emergency department presentations outpaced population growth in both rural and metropolitan New South Wales between 2012 and 2018. The patterns of age‐standardised rates of presentations were broadly similar between rural and metropolitan areas, with highest rates observed in the youngest (0‐4 years) and oldest (85+ years) cohorts. The rural sample also displayed a distinct third peak in ages 15‐39 years, and rates were higher across all age groups. Rural New South Wales displayed disproportionately higher emergency department presentations in the two most deprived socio‐economic status quintiles. While rural New South Wales displayed significant reductions in triage category 5 (non‐urgent cases) over time, the relative proportion remained approximately double that of metropolitan sites.

Conclusions

There are differences between rural and metropolitan emergency department presentations relating to demographic factors, triage levels, acuity and admissions. Detailed local investigations are required to determine specific contextual issues that impact on emergency department demand.