bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
3D printing of cordierite honeycomb structures and evaluation of compressive strength under quasi‐static condition
Authors: Mamatha Sirisala , Biswas Papiya , Das Dibakar , Johnson Roy
Published: October 2019

Ceramic honeycombs exhibit unique mechanical properties based on engineered formulations and geometry of cells. Extrusion of formable paste through a complex honeycomb die is the commonly practiced technique for the manufacturing of honeycombs globally. Extrusion die fabrication is a complex process which necessitates sophisticated infrastructure facilities that provide high geometrical accuracy and finish to produce defect free honeycombs. Furthermore, every configuration of honeycomb requires a specific tool. Additive manufacturing (AM)/ 3D printing is a rapid prototyping technique which offers flexibility in fabrication of honeycombs with desired geometries from a virtual model directly. Further, this does not require complicated dies. In this study, viscoplastic printable cordierite raw mix paste with a shear rate exponent of 0.87 was printed into honeycombs with hexagonal, square, and triangular cells using a ram type 3D printer. The printed honeycomb samples are found to possess good integrity and near net shape after drying. Sintered 3D‐printed honeycomb samples of all configurations have exhibited cordierite as a major phase along with minor phases of magnesium aluminate (MgAl2O4) spinel, clinoenstatite (MgSiO3), and corundum (Al2O3) with sintered density of 2.41‐2.48 g/cc. The samples are also subjected to compression testing under quasi‐static condition. The study demonstrates 3D printing as a viable and flexible technique for rapid prototyping of honeycombs with desired configurations and engineered properties.
Monocyte isolation techniques significantly impact the phenotype of both isolated monocytes and derived macrophages in vitro
Authors: Nielsen Marlene C. , Andersen Morten N. , Møller Holger J.
Published: October 2019

Monocyte‐derived macrophages (MDMs) generated from peripheral blood monocytes are widely used to model human macrophages for in vitro studies. However, the possible impact of different isolation methods on the resulting MDM phenotype is poorly described. We aimed to investigate the effects of three commonly used monocyte isolation techniques on the resulting MDM phenotype. Plastic adhesion, negative selection, and CD14pos selection were compared. Monocyte‐derived macrophages were generated by 5‐day culture with macrophage and granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factors. We investigated monocyte and MDM yields, purity, viability, and cell phenotype. CD14pos selection resulted in highest monocyte yield (19·8 × 106 cells, equivalent to 70% of total) and purity (98·7%), compared with negative selection (17·7 × 106 cells, 61% of total, 85·0% purity), and plastic adhesion (6·1 × 106 cells, 12·9% of total, 44·2% purity). Negatively selected monocytes were highly contaminated with platelets. Expression of CD163 and CD14 were significantly lower on CD14pos selection and plastic adhesion monocytes, compared with untouched peripheral blood mononuclear cells. After maturation, CD14pos selection also resulted in the highest MDM purity (98·2%) compared with negative selection (94·5%) and plastic adhesion (66·1%). Furthermore, MDMs from plastic adhesion were M1‐skewed (CD80high HLA‐DRhigh CD163low), whereas negative selection MDMs were M2‐skewed (CD80low HLA‐DRlow CD163high). Choice of monocyte isolation method not only significantly affects yield and purity, but also impacts resulting phenotype of cultured MDMs. These differences may partly be explained by the presence of contaminating cells when using plastic adherence or negative selection. Careful considerations of monocyte isolation methods are important for designing in vitro assays on MDMs.
Influenza and tuberculosis co‐infection: A systematic review
Authors: Walaza Sibongile , Cohen Cheryl , Tempia Stefano , Moyes Jocelyn , Nguweneza Athermon , Madhi Shabir A. , McMorrow Meredith , Cohen Adam L.
Published: October 2019

Introduction

There are limited data on risk of severe disease or outcomes in patients with influenza and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) co‐infection compared to those with single infection.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of published literature on the interaction of influenza viruses and PTB. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they presented data on prevalence, disease association, presentation or severity of laboratory‐confirmed influenza among clinically diagnosed or laboratory‐confirmed PTB cases. We searched eight databases from inception until December 2018. Summary characteristics of each study were extracted, and a narrative summary was presented. Cohort or case‐control studies were assessed for potential bias using the Newcastle‐Ottawa scale.

Results

We assessed 5154 abstracts, reviewed 146 manuscripts and included 19 studies fulfilling selection criteria (13 human and six animal). Of seven studies reporting on the possible effect of the underlying PTB disease in patients with influenza, three of four analytical studies reported no association with disease severity of influenza infection in those with PTB, whilst one study reported PTB as a risk factor for influenza‐associated hospitalization.

An association between influenza infection and PTB disease was found in three of five analytical studies; whereas the two other studies reported a high frequency of PTB disease progression and complications among patients with seasonal influenza co‐infection.

Conclusion

Human analytical studies of an association between co‐infection and severe influenza‐ or PTB‐associated disease or increased prevalence of influenza co‐infection in individuals' hospitalized for PTB were not conclusive. Data are limited from large, high‐quality, analytical epidemiological studies with laboratory‐confirmed endpoints.
Effectiveness of e‐health based self‐management to improve cancer‐related fatigue, self‐efficacy and quality of life in cancer patients: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Xu Anqi , Wang Yinping , Wu Xue
Published: October 2019

Aims

To integrate the overall effect of e‐health based self‐management on cancer‐related fatigue (CRF), self‐efficacy, and quality of life (QOL) among adult cancer patients.

Design

A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Data sources

We researched PubMed, Cumulative Index Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science and Embase up to 14 July 2019.

Review Methods

We conducted the review with the Cochrane Handbook (version 5.1.0) and measured the quality of evidence with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria.

Results

Literature searching identified 15 trials with a total of 2,337 participants. Integrated results analysis of e‐health based self‐management demonstrated a statistically significant but small effect on CRF and self‐efficacy, but no statistically significant improvement on the QOL. Meanwhile, subgroup analysis indicated that e‐health based self‐management had a larger effect on fatigue compared with usual care/waiting list control.

Conclusion

E‐health based self‐management is effective for CRF and self‐efficacy, but not the QOL. More high‐quality randomized control trials are warranted to confirm these conclusions.

Impact

Results showed e‐health could improve fatigue and self‐efficacy but not the QOL. Health providers could take into the various factors of e‐health interventions when providing telehealth service. Other researchers might be inspired by the current review before they begin a study about e‐health.
LncRNA PART‐1 targets TGFBR2/Smad3 to regulate cell viability and apoptosis of chondrocytes via acting as miR‐590‐3p sponge in osteoarthritis
Authors: Lu Chao , Li Zheng , Hu Shouye , Cai Yuanzhen , Peng Kan
Published: October 2019

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that commonly occurs in the elderly. This study focused on apoptosis and explored the modulating effects of long non‐coding (lncRNAs) prostate androgen‐regulated transcript‐1 (PART‐1) on chondrocytes apoptosis. In the present study, the PART‐1 expression level was down‐regulated in the OA cartilages. Silence of PART‐1 decreased the cell viability and promoted chondrocytes apoptosis. Overexpression of PART‐1 could reverse the effects induced by interleukin 1β (IL‐1β) stimulation, thus slowing down the apoptosis rate. MiR‐590‐3p was found to be the potential target, and RNA immunoprecipitation and luciferase activity assay confirmed the binding between PART‐1 and miR‐590‐3p. Moreover, miR‐590‐3p was down‐regulated by PART‐1 and was negatively associated with PART‐1. Transforming growth factor‐beta receptor type 2 (TGFBR2) was positively associated with PART‐1. Down‐regulation of PART‐1 decreased cell viability and induced cell apoptosis, which was partially reversed by miR‐590‐3p silence or TGFBR2 overexpression; while overexpression of PART‐1 increased the cell viability and decreased the caspase 3 activity and apoptotic rates, and the effects were partially attenuated by miR‐590‐3p overexpression or silence of TGFBR2 in IL‐1β‐stimulated chondrocytes. Knock‐down of PART‐1 down‐regulated both Smad3 and p‐Smad3 protein levels, which was reversed by miR‐590‐3p inhibition or TGFBR2 overexpression. Smad3 expression level was lower in the OA group than that in the normal group and was positively associated with the PART‐1 expression level. Collectively, the study revealed that lncRNA PART‐1 regulates the apoptosis of chondrocytes in OA by acting as a sponge for miR‐590‐3p, which subsequently regulates TGFBR2/Smad3 signalling.
Unique osmoregulatory morphology in primitive sharks: an intermediate state between holocephalan and derived shark secretory morphology
Authors: Larsen Matthew E. , Abel Daniel C. , Crane Derek P. , Parker Scott L. , Yancey Paul H. , Keller Bryan A. , Grubbs Dean R.
Published: October 2019

Discovery of an unusual rectal gland in the Atlantic sixgill shark Hexanchus vitulus led us to examine the rectal glands of 31 species of sharks to study diversity in rectal‐gland morphology. Twenty‐four of 31 species of sharks had digitiform glands (mean width–length ratio ± SD = 0.17 ± 0.04) previously assumed to be characteristic of all elasmobranchs regardless of habitat depth or phylogenetic age. Rectal glands from the family Somniosidae were kidney bean‐shaped (mean width: length ± SD = 0.46 ± 0.05); whereas those from families Echinorhinidae and Hexanchidae were lobulate (mean width: length ± SD = 0.55 ± 0.06). Rectal gland width: length were different among species with digitiform morphology and lobulate morphology (ANOVA; R2 = 0.9; df = 15, 386; 401, F = 219.24; P < 0.001). Histological and morphological characteristics of the digitiform morphology from deep‐sea sharks were similar to those from shallow‐water sharks. Histology of lobulate rectal glands from hexanchids were characterised by tubule bundles separated by smooth muscle around a central lumen. Additionally, we examined plasma chemistry of four species of sharks with digitiform rectal glands and two species with lobulate rectal‐gland morphology to see if there were differences between morphologies. Plasma chemistry analysis showed that urea and trimethylamine N‐oxide (TMAO) followed the piezolyte hypothesis, with TMAO being highest and urea being lowest in deep‐sea sharks. Among electrolytes, Na+ was highest in species with lobulate rectal glands. Hexanchids and echinorhinids both have lobulate rectal glands similar to those of holocephalans, despite the more than 400 million years separating these two groups. The morphological similarities between the lobulate rectal‐gland anatomy of primitive sharks and the secretory morphology of holocephalans may represent an intermediate state between Holocephali and derived shark species.
A wireless sensor network system for monitoring environmental factors affecting bulk grains storability
Authors: Onibonoje Moses O. , Nwulu Nnamdi I. , Bokoro Pitshou N.
Published: October 2019

Many nations and their people rely on agriculture for gross domestic product and food security. Globally, 2.4 billion tons of grains are produced per annum. Efficient monitoring and control of the environmental factors affecting quality of granaries is therefore important to both farmers and governments. This study designs and develops a distributed low‐power, low‐cost but effective wireless monitoring system for storing bulk grains. Furthermore, a mini storage facility for grains is also designed and constructed according to standard considerations for a pilot test. The study deployed the developed wireless monitoring system with efficient coverage in the constructed mini bin and monitored the environmental factors affecting the quality of the stored grains over a time period. The entire system was then evaluated. From the obtained results, the developed system achieved optimal trade‐offs among coverage efficiency, reduced power consumption, reduced cost, real‐time monitoring, and longer node life. The system is appropriate for small and medium scale farmers and marketers.

Practical applications

The major application of the developed system resides in modular storage facilities for small scale farmers and middle level marketers of grains. The shortage or inaccessibility of small scale farmers and marketers of grains to resourceful storage bins has been eliminated. Furthermore, the system can possibly be deployed in existing large volume granary storage systems provided by governments in cities and major towns, for effective monitoring purpose. In most developing countries, many of the storage units provided by the governments for bulk grains are poorly managed. The relevance of this study is justified in its contribution to the provision of information on the selection of comparatively resourceful components for wireless monitoring systems. The network system analyses various components, topologies, and technologies based on specific criteria in order to identify the ones with comparative advantages. In summary, the developed wireless sensor network system helps to ensure food security and good economic returns of quality grains through well‐monitored, controlled, and affordable storage facilities.
To Teach Is to Learn Twice: Introducing the Geriatrics Education and Innovation Corner
Authors: Sehgal Mandi
Published: October 2019

This editorial comments on the article by Streiter et al. and Powers et al.
Evaluation of a Multicomponent Care Transitions Program for High‐Risk Hospitalized Older Adults
Authors: Huckfeldt Peter J. , Reyes Bernardo , Engstrom Gabriella , Yang Qingnan , Diaz Sanya , Fahmy Samer , Ouslander Joseph G.
Published: October 2019

OBJECTIVES

To test the effectiveness of a multicomponent care transition intervention targeted at hospitalized patients, aged 75 years and older, at high risk for hospital readmissions, return emergency department (ED) visits, and related complications.

DESIGN

Implementation as a quality improvement program with propensity‐matched preintervention and concurrent comparison groups over a 12‐month period.

SETTING

A 400‐bed community teaching hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients, aged 75 years and older, admitted to non–intensive care unit beds who met specific high‐risk criteria. The intervention group included 202 patients, and the concurrent and preintervention comparison groups included 4142 and 4592 patients, respectively.

MEASUREMENTS

Primary outcomes were 30‐day hospital readmissions and returns to the ED; 7‐day readmissions and ED visits were secondary measures.

RESULTS

Among the 202 patients enrolled in the “Safe Transitions for At‐Risk Patients” (“STAR”) program, 37 (18.3%) were readmitted within 30 days, in contrast to 14.3% and 14.6% in the concurrent and preintervention comparison groups, respectively. Rates for 30‐day return ED visits that did not result in hospitalization were 10.9% in the intervention group, and 7.2% and 7.9% in the comparison groups. STAR patients had greater 30‐day ED use than patients in the preintervention comparison group (5.0 percentage points; 95% confidence interval = 0.8‐9.3 percentage points; P = .020). Implementation challenges included suboptimal involvement of the participating hospital and post–acute care organizations and a relatively high proportion of patients who did not receive the intervention as planned, despite agreeing to participate before leaving the hospital.

CONCLUSION

A multicomponent care transitions intervention targeting high‐risk patients, aged 75 years and older, admitted to a community teaching hospital was not effective in reducing 30‐ or 7‐day readmissions or return ED visits. Our implementation experience offers many lessons for future programs for similar high‐risk geriatric populations. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:2634–2642, 2019
Muscovite dehydration melting: Reaction mechanisms, microstructures, and implications for anatexis
Authors: Dyck Brendan , Waters David J. , St‐Onge Marc R. , Searle Mike P.
Published: October 2019

Dehydration melting of muscovite in metasedimentary sequences is the initially dominant mechanism of granitic melt generation in orogenic hinterlands. In dry (vapour‐absent) crust, muscovite reacts with quartz to produce K‐feldspar, sillimanite, and monzogranitic melt. When water vapour is present in excess, sillimanite and melt are the primary products of muscovite breakdown, and any K‐feldspar produced is due to melt crystallization. Here we document the reaction mechanisms that control nucleation and growth of K‐feldspar, sillimanite, and silicate melt in the metamorphic core of the Himalaya, and outline the microstructural criteria used to distinguish peritectic K‐feldspar from K‐feldspar grains formed during melt crystallization. We have characterized four stages of microstructural evolution in selected psammitic and pelitic samples from the Langtang and Everest regions: (a) K‐feldspar nucleates epitaxially on plagioclase while intergrowths of fibrolitic sillimanite and the remaining hydrous melt components replace muscovite. (b) In quartzofeldspathic domains, K‐feldspar replaces plagioclase by K+–Na+ cation exchange, while melt and intergrowths of sillimanite+quartz form in the aluminous domains. (c) At 7–8 vol.% melt generation, the system evolves from a closed to open system and all phases coarsen by up to two orders of magnitude, resulting in large K‐feldspar porphyroblasts. (d) Preferential crystallization of residual melt on K‐feldspar porphyroblasts and coarsened quartz forms an augen gneiss texture with a monzogranitic‐tonalitic matrix that contains intergrowths of sillimanite+tourmaline+muscovite+apatite. Initial poikiloblasts of peritectic K‐feldspar trap fine‐grained inclusions of quartz and biotite by replacement growth of matrix plagioclase. During subsequent coarsening, peritectic K‐feldspar grains overgrow and trap fabric‐aligned biotite, resulting in a core to rim coarsening of inclusion size. These microstructural criteria enable a mass balance of peritectic K‐feldspar and sillimanite to constrain the amount of free H2O present during muscovite dehydration. The resulting modal proportion of K‐feldspar in the Himalayan metamorphic core requires vapour‐absent conditions during muscovite dehydration melting and leucogranite formation, indicating that the generation of large volumes of granitic melts in orogenic belts is not necessarily contingent on an external source of fluids.
Platelet‐rich plasma treatment for melasma: A pilot study
Authors: Sirithanabadeekul Punyaphat , Dannarongchai Arada , Suwanchinda Atchima
Published: October 2019

Background

Melasma treatments have varying success and are associated with some complications.

Aims

To assess the effectiveness of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) treatment for melasma.

Methods

Ten female patients with bilateral mixed‐type melasma were enrolled in our randomized, split‐face, single‐blinded prospective trial. Over 4 treatment sessions that each took place every 2 weeks, PRP was injected intradermally on one side of the face (PRP condition) and normal saline on the other (control condition). PRP was prepared by using the YCELLBIO Kit®. Outcomes were evaluated with the modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI), Mexameter®, and Antera® 3D. Patient satisfaction was also assessed at baseline, at 2, 4, and 6 weeks, and 1 month after treatment completion.

Results

mMASI score and Antera® 3D‐assessed melanin levels show significant improvement in the PRP condition than control condition between baseline and week 6, while patient satisfaction significantly increased over time. However, Mexameter®‐assessed erythema and melanin indices did not significantly differ between the control and PRP conditions, though there was a trend toward reduced pigmentation in the latter. Finally, side effects of treatment were mild and resolved spontaneously within a few days.

Conclusion

This is the first randomized, placebo‐controlled trial study using PRP for treatment of melasma. PRP injection significantly improved melasma within 6 weeks of treatment in terms of mMASI scores, patient satisfaction, and Antera®‐assessed melanin levels. Hence, intradermal PRP injection could be used as an alternative or adjuvant therapy for melasma. However, additional trials are needed for more rigorous evaluation of its long‐term efficacy and safety.
Preserving a Professional Institution: Emotion in Discursive Institutional Work
Authors: Goodrick Elizabeth , Jarvis Lee C. , Reay Trish
Published: October 2019

We studied the discursive institutional work written by pharmacy leaders as part of a larger institutional project to preserve the institution of pharmacy. Our analysis of monthly editorials printed in theJournal of the American Pharmacists Associationfrom 1960 to 2003 shows how different discrete emotions were systematically incorporated in specific rhetorical argument structures over the course of an institutional project. In contrast to previous research, we show how discursive institutional work that is directed to members of the same specific social group (e.g., a profession) can vary over time in response to significant events and changes in practices of the target audience. Our longitudinal study shows that the relative frequency of argument types, the incorporation of emotion, and the content of rhetorical argumentation changed over time. We contribute to theory about the role of emotions in discursive institutional work by unpacking the role of discrete emotions and showing how such discourse evolves over time in concert with field conditions.
Entanglements of colonialism, social class, andUnequal Englishes
Authors: Tupas Ruanni
Published: October 2019

Recent work in applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, and language education has called for the “return” of class in the critical examination of the role of language in society and education under the organizing logic of capitalist globalization. Nevertheless, while the restoration of class as a core aspect of sociolinguistic analysis is much welcome, it has also come with its own ideological erasures: the disappearance of colonialism and coloniality. Thus, this paper aims to, first, tackle the general erasure of class in intellectual movements in the humanities and social sciences for the past few decades, then second, demonstrate how such erasure in fact involves the decoupling of class and colonialism through the example of the politics of Englishes in the Philippines, before introducing the concept of colonially inducedUnequal Englishes(Tupas, 2015; Tupas & Salonga, 2016) as a way to address directly such politics.
Influence of Japanese green tea on the Koku attributes of bonito stock: Proposed basic rules of pairing Japanese green tea with Washoku
Authors: Sato Kohei , Kinugasa Hitoshi
Published: October 2019

Here, we paired Japanese green tea with Washoku, a Japanese traditional cuisine, to investigate the influence of green tea on the sensory perception of Japanese food. We hypothesized that Japanese green tea would enhance the Koku attributes of thickness, continuity, mouthfulness, and umami intensity. This hypothesis was verified by evaluating: (a) synergistic effects on umami; (b) green tea's enhancing effect on the Koku attributes using descriptive analysis; (c) Koku attributes of Japanese food induced by green tea consumption using time–intensity methodology; and (d) changes in the dominant perception of Japanese food induced by green tea consumption using temporal dominance of sensations. We found an enhancing effect on Koku attributes derived from the synergetic effect of green tea and bonito stock on umami. Additionally, enhancement of Koku attributes changed the dominant perception of bonito stock. Further, catechin, an astringent ingredient of green tea, suppressed these effects.

Practical Applications

This study verified that green tea enhanced the Koku attributes of Japanese food. However, this effect was suppressed when the tea was highly astringent (high catechin content). Therefore, to accentuate the effects of green tea on the Koku attributes to the greatest extent possible, it is necessary to prepare green tea with high umami and low astringency. These findings are useful for preparing appropriate pairings of green tea and Japanese food that would emphasize its Koku attributes, thus offering basic rules for aligning particular green tea and Japanese food types in actual meal settings.
Business for Society is Society’s Business: Tension Management in a Migrant Integration Supply Chain
Authors: Longoni Annachiara , Luzzini Davide , Pullman Madeleine , Habiague Martin
Published: October 2019

Social enterprises are acquiring an increasingly relevant role as focal organizations for managing supply chains to address social problems. We argue that the presence of misaligned institutional logics between these focal organizations and their supply chain stakeholders generates tensions. Building on institutional theory and paradox theory, we analyzed seven dyadic relationships between a single focal social enterprise with a goal of migrant integration and its supply chain stakeholders. We propose relationship management mechanisms related to relationship governance, power, and trust to manage such tensions. We observe the application of different relationship management mechanisms relative to different types of tensions. Finally, we relate different relationship management mechanisms to specific tension management approaches referred to as complementarity, acceptance, and accommodation, and offer propositions based on our findings.
Quantitative analyses of jaw‐opening muscle activity during the active phase of jaw‐closing muscles in sleep bruxism
Authors: Maeda Masana , Yamaguchi Taihiko , Mikami Saki , Yachida Wataru , Saito Taishi , Sakuma Toshimitsu , Nakamura Hironobu , Saito Miku , Mizuno Mariko , Yamada Kyoko , Satoh Kaoru
Published: October 2019

Rhythmic masticatory muscle activity (RMMA), which is defined as three or more consecutive phasic bursts, accounts for a large part of sleep bruxism (SB). RMMA is thought to be characterized by co‐contraction, a jaw muscle activity in which jaw‐opening muscles contract during the active phase of jaw‐closing muscles, which is different from that during mastication. However, there has been limited information about co‐contraction. The aim of the present study was to clarify the amplitudes and patterns of jaw‐opening muscle activity during the active phase of jaw‐closing muscles in RMMA. Data from 14 healthy volunteers with bruxism, which was diagnosed by using polysomnographic recording with audio‐video, were analysed. RMMA with electromyographic amplitudes of more than two times the baseline amplitude was selected. From the selected RMMA, burst groups consisting of five or more consecutive phasic bursts, including tonic bursts, were selected for analyses. Electromyographic activities during gum chewing were also recorded before sleeping. The minimum, maximum and average value of the amplitudes of jaw‐opening muscle activity during the active phase of jaw‐closing muscles were calculated. Jaw‐opening muscle activity during the active phase of jaw‐closing muscles in RMMA was closer to the baseline than that in gum chewing. The minimum, maximum and average values of amplitudes of jaw‐opening muscle activity during the phase were significantly smaller than those of gum chewing. Contrary to our hypothesis prior to the study, the obtained results suggested that the pattern of electromyogram activity of jaw‐opening and jaw‐closing muscles in RMMA was not necessarily co‐contraction.
Tanshinone IIA prevents rifampicin‐induced liver injury by regulating BSEP/NTCP expression via epigenetic activation of NRF2
Authors: Yang Yujie , Liu Lei , Zhang Xiqian , Jiang Xuehua , Wang Ling
Published: October 2019

Background & Aims

Rifampicin (RFP)‐induced cholestatic liver injury is characterized by impaired hepatic bile acid (BA) transport. Bile salt efflux pump (BSEP) and Na+/taurocholate cotransporter (NTCP) are the major BA transporters. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying these transporters.

Methods

The role of tanshinone IIA (TAN IIA) in preventing RFP‐induced liver injury was evaluated in vitro and in vivo, based on the regulatory mechanism of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (NRF2)‐BSEP/NTCP signalling. The epigenetic induction of NRF2 by TAN IIA was investigated as well as the influence on BSEP and NTCP transcriptional activation and NRF2 DNA‐binding ability.

Results

TAN IIA strongly induced BSEP and NTCP expression in hepatocytes. NRF2 knockdown abrogated the induction. We found two NRF2 binding sites on the human BSEP promoter, called musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma recognition elements (MAREs), and one MARE on the NTCP promoter. Human BSEP and NTCP promoter luciferase reporter gene plasmids were stimulated by NRF2. Mutations of the predicted MAREs abolished NRF2 transcriptional activation. TAN IIA induced the expression of ten‐eleven translocation 2 (TET2) to mediate the demethylation of NRF2, which promoted NRF2 DNA‐binding on the BSEP and NTCP promoters and their transcriptional activation. Finally, in vivo, Nrf2 played an important role in RFP‐induced liver injury (more serious liver injury in Nrf2‐/‐ mice), and TAN IIA prevented it.

Conclusions

These results indicate that NRF2 regulates the target transporters BSEP and NTCP, depending on the DNA demethylation by TET2. Pharmacological activation of NRF2 by TAN IIA may be beneficial for RFP‐induced liver injury.
Adherence to pan‐genotypic glecaprevir/pibrentasvir and efficacy in HCV‐infected patients: A pooled analysis of clinical trials
Authors: Brown Ashley , Welzel Tania M. , Conway Brian , Negro Francesco , Bräu Norbert , Grebely Jason , Puoti Massimo , Aghemo Alessio , Kleine Henning , Pugatch David , Mensa Federico J. , Chen Yaozhu J. , Lei Yang , Lawitz Eric , Asselah Tarik
Published: October 2019

Background & Aims

Adequate adherence to hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment is believed to be a key component of treatment success because non‐adherence can potentially result in treatment failure and the emergence of resistant viral variants. This analysis assessed factors associated with non‐adherence to glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P) therapy and the impact of non‐adherence on sustained virological response at post‐treatment week 12 (SVR12) rates in HCV genotype (GT) 1‐6‐infected patients.

Methods

Adherence was calculated by pill counts at study visits during treatment, and defined as having a lowest treatment adherence of ≥80% and ≤120% at each study visit. Exploratory logistic regression modelling assessed predictors of non‐adherence to G/P therapy. SVR12 rates by treatment adherence were assessed in the intent‐to‐treat (ITT) population and modified ITT (mITT) population, which excludes non‐virological failures.

Results

Overall, 97% (2024/2091) of patients were adherent to G/P therapy at all consecutive study visits. Alcohol use was the only baseline characteristic independently associated with non‐adherence to G/P therapy (OR: 2.38; 95% CI: 1.13‐5.01; P = .022). In the mITT population, overall SVR12 rates were high both in patients who were adherent to G/P therapy and those who were not (99% [1983/2008] and 95% [58/61] respectively; P = .047). Corresponding SVR12 rates in the ITT population were 98% (1983/2024) and 87% (58/67) respectively.

Conclusions

Most patients adhered to G/P therapy. SVR12 rates were high both in patients who were adherent to G/P treatment and those who were not. Patient education on treatment adherence should remain an important part of HCV treatment.

Clinical trials registration

NCT02604017, NCT02640482, NCT02640157, NCT02636595, NCT02642432, NCT02651194, NCT02243293, NCT02446717.
Petrogenesis of main group pallasite meteorites based on relationships among texture, mineralogy, and geochemistry
Authors: McKibbin Seann J. , Pittarello Lidia , Makarona Christina , Hamann Christopher , Hecht Lutz , Chernonozhkin Stepan M. , Goderis Steven , Claeys Philippe
Published: October 2019

Main group pallasite meteorites are samples of a single early magmatic planetesimal, dominated by metal and olivine but containing accessory chromite, sulfide, phosphide, phosphates, and rare phosphoran olivine. They represent mixtures of core and mantle materials, but the environment of formation is poorly understood, with a quiescent core–mantle boundary, violent core–mantle mixture, or surface mixture all recently suggested. Here, we review main group pallasite data sets and petrologic characteristics, and present new observations on the low‐MnO pallasite Brahin that contains abundant fragmental olivine, but also rounded and angular olivine and potential evidence of sulfide–phosphide liquid immiscibility. A reassessment of the literature shows that low‐MnO and high‐FeO subgroups preferentially host rounded olivine and low‐temperature P2O5‐rich phases such as the Mg‐phosphate farringtonite and phosphoran olivine. These phases form after metal and silicate reservoirs back‐react during decreasing temperature after initial separation, resulting in oxidation of phosphorus and chromium. Farringtonite and phosphoran olivine have not been found in the common subgroup PMG, which are mechanical mixtures of olivine, chromite with moderate Al2O3 contents, primitive solid metal, and evolved liquid metal. Lower concentrations of Mn in olivine of the low‐MnO PMG subgroup, and high concentrations of Mn in low‐Al2O3 chromites, trace the development and escape of sulfide‐rich melt in pallasites and the partially chalcophile behavior for Mn in this environment. Pallasites with rounded olivine indicate that the core–mantle boundary of their planetesimal may not be a simple interface but rather a volume in which interactions between metal, silicate, and other components occur.
Responsible Research and Innovation as a Novel Approach to Guide Educational Impact of Mind, Brain, and Education Research
Authors: van Atteveldt Nienke , Tijsma Geertje , Janssen Tieme , Kupper Frank
Published: October 2019

We propose a Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) framework to improve the alignment between mind, brain, and education (MBE) research, the educational practice, and other societal stakeholders. RRI is an approach that has successfully been used in different research fields, but not yet in MBE research. After substantiating the need for, and possibilities of using this framework within MBE research, we report a case study to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of RRI within an MBE context. This case study entails developing an educational intervention to improve learners' sense of agency regarding their own learning processes using neurofeedback. Using RRI, we found that societal stakeholders (teenagers, parents, and teachers) anticipate different potential impacts of this neurotechnology‐based intervention than researchers did, enabling us to adapt the intervention according to these perspectives. This example demonstrates that RRI enables researchers to be reflexive and responsive to the stakeholders needs and values, to ultimately improve the educational and societal value of MBE research.
Widespread intersex differentiation across the stickleback genome – The signature of sexually antagonistic selection?
Authors: Bissegger Mirjam , Laurentino Telma G. , Roesti Marius , Berner Daniel
Published: October 2019

Females and males within a species commonly have distinct reproductive roles, and the associated traits may be under perpetual divergent natural selection between the sexes if their sex‐specific control has not yet evolved. Here, we explore whether such sexually antagonistic selection can be detected based on the magnitude of differentiation between the sexes across genome‐wide genetic polymorphisms by whole‐genome sequencing of large pools of female and male threespine stickleback fish. We find numerous autosomal genome regions exhibiting intersex allele frequency differences beyond the range plausible under pure sampling stochasticity. Alternative sequence alignment strategies rule out that these high‐differentiation regions represent sex chromosome segments misassembled into the autosomes. Instead, comparing allele frequencies and sequence read depth between the sexes reveals that regions of high intersex differentiation arise because autosomal chromosome segments got copied into the male‐specific sex chromosome (Y), where they acquired new mutations. Because the Y chromosome is missing in the stickleback reference genome, sequence reads derived from DNA copies on the Y chromosome still align to the original homologous regions on the autosomes. We argue that this phenomenon hampers the identification of sexually antagonistic selection within a genome, and can lead to spurious conclusions from population genomic analyses when the underlying samples differ in sex ratios. Because the hemizygous sex chromosome sequence (Y or W) is not represented in most reference genomes, these problems may apply broadly.
The impure phenomenology of episodic memory
Authors: Boyle Alexandria
Published: October 2019

Episodic memory has a distinctive phenomenology: it involves “mentally reliving” a past event. It has been suggested that characterising episodic memory in terms of this phenomenology makes it impossible to test for in animals, because “purely phenomenological features” cannot be detected in animal behaviour. Against this, I argue that episodic memory's phenomenological features areimpure, having both subjective and objective aspects, and so can be behaviourally detected. Insisting on a phenomenological characterisation of episodic memory consequently does nothing to damage the prospects for detecting it in nonhuman animals.
Foreign Language Anxiety and Foreign Language Performance: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: ZHANG XIAN
Published: October 2019

This meta‐analysis investigated the relationship between foreign language (FL) anxiety and FL performance. Fifty‐five independent samples with more than 10,000 participants were surveyed. It was found that the overall correlation between FL anxiety and FL performance was −.34 (p < .01). FL listening anxiety had the strongest correlation with FL listening performance. Both FL reading anxiety and test anxiety had a weaker correlation with FL performance as compared to other types of anxiety. The anxiety–performance correlation remained stable across groups with different FL proficiency levels, suggesting that the role of FL anxiety should not be ignored regardless of the FL learners’ proficiency level. As compared to language family, lexical similarity was found to have a more decisive modulating effect on the anxiety–performance correlation. However, language family and lexical similarity may interact to affect the anxiety–performance correlation. Finally, a metaregression analysis showed that age could affect the correlation between FL anxiety and performance.
Populations of a widespread invader and co‐occurring native species vary in phenotypic plasticity
Authors: Hiatt Drew , Flory S. Luke
Published: October 2019

Phenotypic plasticity can promote plant invasions and enhance impacts on native species, but little is known about variation in plasticity among invader populations compared with native species. Variation in plasticity among invader populations could inform more precise predictions of invader spread and impacts across heterogeneous resource environments.

We used a common garden experiment with sun and shade treatments to test for variation in plasticity among 12 populations of an invasive grass (Imperata cylindrica), and to determine whether the invader exhibited greater plasticity than six native species that co‐occur in the Southeast USA.

Principal component analysis revealed that invader populations from different native ranges consistently varied from each other and native species in traits linked to more favorable phenotypes under resource limitation. Overall, the invader exhibited greater plasticity than native species did, as demonstrated by higher plasticity index values for traits such as plant height, leaf mass ratio, and root : shoot ratio.

Variation in phenotypic plasticity among invader populations suggests the potential for evolution of plasticity, and greater plasticity of invader populations than native species may underlie invader dominance. Differences in plasticity among populations appears to play an important role in predictions of the spread and potentially the impacts of invasive species.
Blurring the boundaries between cereal crops and model plants
Authors: Borrill Philippa
Published: October 2019

The cereal crops rice (Oryza sativa), maize (Zea mays ssp. mays) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) provide half of the food eaten by humankind. However, understanding their biology has proved challenging due to their large size, long lifecycle and large genomes. The model plant Arabidopsis thaliana avoids these practical problems and has provided fundamental understanding of plant biology, however not all of this knowledge is directly transferrable to cereals. Recent developments in gene editing, speed breeding and genome assembly techniques mean that the challenges associated with working with the major cereal crops can be overcome. Resources such as mutant collections and genome sequences are now available for these crops, making them attractive experimental systems with which to make discoveries that are directly applicable to increasing crop production.
QTL mapping and effect confirmation for anaerobic germination tolerance derived from the japonica weedy rice landrace PBR
Authors: Jeong Jong‐Min , Cho Young‐Chan , Jeong Ji‐Ung , Mo Young‐Jun , Kim Choon‐Song , Kim Woo‐Jea , Baek Man‐Kee , Kim Suk‐Man
Published: October 2019

As one of the main rice establishment methods, direct seeding has the advantages of saving labour and reducing costs for farmers. However, the expansion of direct seeding has been constrained by poorly levelled fields, heavy rainfall and poor drainage after sowing. The development of cultivars with anaerobic germination tolerance could improve or overcome these shortcomings of most rice under flooding conditions. In this study, a japonica‐type rice with anaerobic germination tolerance was suggested as a new genetic source and QTL analysis was carried out to improve adaptation to direct seeding. Three QTLs, qAG1, qAG3 and qAG11, were identified, explaining 13.44%, 6.71% and 14.52% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. In an evaluation of the most effective QTL combination, two QTL combinations (qAG1NP + qAG3PBR + qAG11PBR and qAG1NP + qAG11PBR) showed stable survival rates under submergence of filed condition. Based on the results, we will characterize the candidate genes within the detected target regions in further research, and the lines with advantageous alleles will be used to develop reliable cultivars to support the wide adoption of direct‐seeding practices in japonica rice.
Molecular advancements in male sterility systems ofCapsicum: A review
Authors: Jindal Salesh Kumar , Dhaliwal Major Singh , Meena Om Prakash
Published: October 2019

In recent years, plant molecular research on genetic mapping, gene tagging and cloning, and marker‐assisted selection (MAS) have gained importance in crop improvement programmes. InCapsicum, several inter‐ and intra‐specific genetic maps with wide distribution of markers covering the whole genome have been developed. Recently, whole genome of the hot pepperC. annuum, its wild progenitorC. annuumvar.glabriusculumandC. baccatumhas been sequenced. TheCapsicumgenome size has been estimated to be approx. 4× (3.48 Gb) the genome size of cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicumL.) (900 Mb). Breeders’ access to the pepper genomic information would facilitate the choice of markers from different linkage groups, thus paving the way for gene cloning and its introgression into the elite breeding lines through MAS. Till date, approx. 20 independently inherited nuclear male sterility (NMS) genes have been reported. Linked markers have been identified forms1,ms3,ms8,ms10,msk,msc‐1and an undesignated gene. However, markers tightly linked toms8andms10are still lacking. Exceptms1,ms3,ms8andms10, the map position of other NMS genes is not known. In cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), markers for the mitochondrial geneatp6have been developed and the gene cloned. Number of markers some very tightly linked to therestorer‐of‐fertility(Rf) gene have been identified. However, the actual map position of theRflocus is still not determined. Another CMS‐associated nuclear gene “pr”responsible for restoring partial fertility has been identified and tagged. In this review, we have compiled up‐to‐date information about the marker technology relating to the NMS and the CMS‐associated genes inCapsicum. This information can be useful when screeningCapsicumgermplasm, developing NMS lines through MAS, improving efficiency of the NMS system, transferringrfgene for maintainer line breeding andRfgenes for restorer line breeding in CMS and assessing genetic purity of the hybrid seed.
Subaquatic slope instabilities: The aftermath of river correction and artificial dumps in Lake Biel (Switzerland)
Authors: Dubois Nathalie , Råman Vinnå Love , Rabold Marvin , Hilbe Michael , Anselmetti Flavio S. , Wüest Alfred , Meuriot Laetitia , Jeannet Alice , Girardclos Stéphanie
Published: October 2019

River engineering projects are developing rapidly across the globe, drastically modifying water courses and sediment transfer. Investigation of the impact of engineering works focuses usually on short‐term impacts, thus a longer‐term perspective is still missing on the effects that such projects have. The ‘Jura Water Corrections’ – the largest river engineering project ever undertaken in Switzerland – radically modified the hydrological system of Lake Biel in the 19th and 20th Century. The deviation of the Aare River into Lake Biel more than 140 years ago, in 1878, thus represents an ideal case study to investigate the long‐term sedimentological impacts of such large‐scale river rerouting. Sediment cores, along with new high‐resolution bathymetric and seismic reflection datasets were acquired in Lake Biel to document the consequences of the Jura Water Corrections on the sedimentation history of Lake Biel. Numerous subaquatic mass transport structures were detected on all of the slopes of the lake. Notably, a relatively large mass transport complex (0·86 km2) was observed on the eastern shore, along the path of the Aare River intrusion. The large amount of sediment delivered by the Aare River since its deviation into the lake likely caused sediment overloading resulting in subaquatic mass transport. Alternatively, the dumping since 1963 in a subaquatic landfill of material excavated during the second phase of river engineering, when the channels flowing into and out of Lake Biel were widened and deepened, might have triggered the largest mass transport, dated to 1964 or 1965. Additional potential triggers include two nearby small earthquakes in 1964 and 1965 (MW 3·9 and 3·2, respectively). The data for this study indicate that relatively large mass transports have become recurrent in Lake Biel following the deviation of the Aare River, thus modifying hazard frequency for the neighbouring communities and infrastructure.