bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gut Microbiota-Targeted Diets Modulate Human Immune Status
Authors: Wastyk Hannah C. , Fragiadakis Gabriela K , Perelman Dalia , Dahan Dylan , Merrill Bryan D , Yu Feiqiao B. , Topf Madeline , Gonzalez Carlos G. , Robinson Jennifer L. , Elias Joshua E. , Sonnenburg Erica D. , Gardner Christopher D. , Sonnenburg Justin L.
Published: October 2020

Diet modulates the gut microbiome, and gut microbes, in turn, can impact the immune system. Here, we used two gut microbiota-targeted dietary interventions, plant-based fiber or fermented foods, to determine how each influences the human microbiome and immune system in healthy adults. Using a 17-week randomized, prospective study design combined with -omics measurements of microbiome and host, including extensive immune profiling, we found distinct effects of each diet. High-fiber consumers showed increased gut microbiome-encoded glycan-degrading CAZymes despite stable community diversity. Three distinct immunological trajectories in high fiber-consumers corresponded to baseline microbiota diversity. Alternatively, the high-fermented food diet steadily increased microbiota diversity and decreased inflammatory markers. The data highlight how coupling dietary interventions to deep and longitudinal immune and microbiome profiling can provide individualized and population-wide insight. Our results indicate that fermented foods may be valuable in countering the decreased microbiome diversity and increased inflammation pervasive in the industrialized society.
Effect of earthworms in removal and fate of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistant genes (ARG) during clinical laboratory wastewater treatment by vermifiltration
Authors: Arora Sudipti , Saraswat Sakshi , Rajpal Ankur , Shringi Harshita , Mishra Rinki , Sethi Jasmine , Rajvanshi Jayana , Nag Aditi , Saxena Sonika , Kazmi A.A.
Published: October 2020

The wastewater treatment plants effluent has been implicated in the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) as these environment contains multiple selective pressures that may increase mutation rates, pathogen survivability, and induce gene transfer between bacteria. In lieu of this, the present study explored the dynamics of earthworm-microorganisms interactions on the treatment efficacy of clinical laboratory wastewater treatment by vermifiltration and the effect of earthworms in the fate of removal of pathogens and ARB. The results of the study showed that earthworms and VF associated microbial community had a significant effect on BOD and COD reduction (78-85%), pathogen removal (>99.9 %) and caused a significant shift in the prevalence pattern of ARB. Additionally, molecular profiling of ESBL (blaSHV, blaTEMand blaCTX-M), MRSA (mec-A)and Colistin (mcr-1) gene confirmed the probable mechanisms behind the resistance pattern. The microbial community diversity assists in the formation of biofilm, which helps in the removal of pathogens and results in a paradigm shift in the resistance profile of ARB and ARG, specifically most effective against drugs, targeting cell wall and protein synthesis inhibition like Ampicillin, Ticarcillin, Gentamicin and Chloramphenicol. These findings prove vermifiltration technology as a sustainable and natural treatment technology for clinical laboratory wastewater.
LncRNAs interacting with the translation machinery contribute to human neuronal differentiation
Authors: Douka Katerina , Birds Isabel , Wang Dapeng , Clayton Sophie , Byford Abigail , Vasconcelos Elton J. R. , O’Connell Mary J. , Deuchars Jim , Whitehouse Adrian , Aspden Julie L.
Published: October 2020

LncRNAs are less conserved, yet more tissue and developmental-stage specific than mRNAs and are particularly enriched in the nervous system ofDrosophila melanogaster, mouse and human. The function of cytoplasmic lncRNAs and their potential translation remains poorly understood. Here we performed Poly-Ribo-Seq to understand the interaction of lncRNAs with the translation machinery and the functional consequences during neuronal differentiation of SH-SH5Y cells. We discovered 237 cytoplasmic lncRNAs upregulated during early neuronal differentiation, most of which are associated with polysome complexes. The majority are cytoplasmically enriched and are intergenic or anti-sense. In addition, we find 45 small ORFs in lncRNAs to be actively translated, 17 specifically upon differentiation. 11 of these smORFs exhibit high sequence conservation acrossHominidaesuggesting they are under strong selective constraint with putative function in this clade. We discover LINC01116 is induced upon differentiation and contains an 87 codon smORF, which we detect as translated, with increased ribosome profiling signal upon differentiation. The LINC01116 peptide exhibits a cytoplasmic distribution and is detected in neurites. Knockdown of LINC01116 results in significant reduction of neurite length in differentiated cells indicating it contributes to neuronal differentiation. Our findings indicate lncRNAs are a source of non-canonical peptides and contribute to neuronal function.
Robust metabolic transcriptional components in 34,494 patient-derived samples and cell lines
Authors: Leeuwenburgh V.C. , Urzúa-Traslaviña C.G. , Bhattacharya A. , Walvoort M.T.C. , Jalving M. , de Jong S. , Fehrmann R.S.N.
Published: October 2020

Patient-derived expression profiles of cancers can provide insight into transcriptional changes that underlie reprogrammed metabolism in cancer. These profiles represent the average expression pattern of all heterogeneous tumor and non-tumor cells present in biopsies of tumor lesions. Therefore, subtle transcriptional footprints of metabolic processes can be concealed by other biological processes and experimental artifacts. We, therefore, performed consensus Independent Component Analyses (c-ICA) with 34,494 bulk expression profiles of patient-derived tumor biopsies, non-cancer tissues, and cell lines. c-ICA enabled us to create a transcriptional metabolic landscape in which many robust metabolic transcriptional components and their activation score in individual samples were defined. Here we demonstrate how this landscape can be used to explore associations between the metabolic transcriptome and drug sensitivities, patient outcomes, and the composition of the immune tumor microenvironment. The metabolic landscape can be explored athttp://www.themetaboliclandscapeofcancer.com.
Immature HIV-1 assembles from Gag dimers leaving partial hexamers at lattice edges as substrates for proteolytic maturation
Authors: Tan Aaron , Pak Alexander J. , Morado Dustin R. , Voth Gregory A. , Briggs John A. G.
Published: October 2020

The CA (capsid) domain of immature HIV-1 Gag and the adjacent spacer peptide 1 (SP1) play a key role in viral assembly by forming a lattice of CA hexamers, which adapts to viral envelope curvature by incorporating small lattice defects and a large gap at the site of budding. This lattice is stabilized by intra- and inter-hexameric CA-CA interactions, which are important in regulating viral assembly and maturation. We applied subtomogram averaging and classification to determine the structure of CA at lattice edges and found that they form partial hexamers. These structures reveal the network of interactions formed by CA-SP1at the lattice edge. We also performed atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of CA-CA interactions stabilizing the immature lattice and of partial CA-SP1 helical bundles. Free energy calculations reveal increased propensity for helix-to-coil transitions in partial hexamers compared to complete six-helix bundles. Taken together, these results suggest that the CA dimer is the basic unit of lattice assembly, that partial hexamers exist at lattice edges, that these are in a helix-coil dynamic equilibrium and that partial helical bundles are more likely to unfold, representing potential sites for HIV-1 maturation initiation.

Significance Statement

HIV-1 particle assembly is driven by the viral Gag protein, which oligomerizes into an hexameric array on the inner surface of the viral envelope, forming a truncated spherical lattice containing large and small gaps. Gag is then cut by the viral protease, disassembles and rearranges to form the mature, infectious virus. Here, we present structures and molecular dynamics simulations of the edges of the immature Gag lattice. Our analysis shows that Gag dimers are the basic assembly unit of the HIV-1 particle, that lattice edges are partial hexamers, and that partial hexamers are prone to structural changes allowing protease to cut Gag. These findings provide insights into assembly of the immature virus, its structure, and how it disassembles during maturation.
Review and assessment of factors affecting adaptive reuse of commercial projects in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Hamida Mohammad B. , Hassanain Mohammad A. , Al-Hammad Abdul-Mohsen
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper intends to review and assess the factors influencing adaptive reuse of commercial projects, throughout their life cycle, in Saudi Arabia.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed approach of literature review, pilot-testing and questionnaire survey was utilized to identify and assess the factors affecting adaptive reuse of commercial projects. Thirty-eight factors were identified and categorized under four groups, corresponding to the key phases of the project life cycle. The questionnaire survey was administered to a targeted group of 90 architecture/engineering, construction and facilities management (AEC/FM) practitioners of building adaptive reuse, in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The relative importance index (RII) for each factor was calculated. Three levels of agreement, based on the ranking of the factors, among the respondents were determined.

Findings

The most important factors affecting adaptive reuse of commercial projects are: structural integrity of the building, municipal approval for the land use change, enforcement of safety procedures at the project site, compliance with health and safety measures and accuracy and completeness of the contract documents. A high level of agreement was observed among the three groups of respondents, on the ranking of the factors.

Originality/value

This research expands the body of knowledge, through providing AEC/FM practitioners, with the type, importance and ranking of the influential factors on adaptive reuse of commercial projects, throughout their life cycle.
COVID-19 – what do we know and how are we dealing with it? A quick online cross-sectional study in India
Authors: Verma Ashwani , Gunjawate Dhanshree R , Bhushan Kumar Sanny , Bharath CNV Sai , Ravi Rohit
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Coronavirus disease 2019 is a global public health emergency affecting almost the entire world. The exponential spread of the infection has become a matter of concern. The study aims to determine how well people in India know about COVID-19 outbreak and actions taken to cope up during lockdown.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 5,000 randomly selected participants were sent the survey link, of which 1,526 responded (response rate of 30.5%). The survey was conducted from March 28 till March 31, 2020. The 20-item questionnaire aimed to determine how well people know about COVID-19 outbreak as well as actions taken to cope up during the lockdown. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the findings.

Findings

Participants exhibited good knowledge about the primary and secondary symptoms of COVID-19 and infection spread. Over 95% participants knew preventive measures such as use of masks, sanitizers and hand wash. And, 80% of the participants felt that steps taken by the government are effective, while 93% opined that lockdown would be effective. There was apprehension regarding the infection spread, its containment and age group affected. Over 60% referred the World Health Organization website as their source of information. During the lockdown, participants engaged in home-based exercise (39%) and yoga (28%) for fitness while used social media (64%) and television (63%) for entertainment.

Originality/value

Although participants exhibited good knowledge related to symptoms and preventive measure related to COVID-19, the beliefs related to infection spread and containment need to be addressed. These should be targeted through health promotional campaigns focusing on mental health and home-based physical activities.
Trade credit and firm profitability: moderation analysis of intercompany financing in Italy
Authors: Bussoli Candida , Conte Danilo
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to verify whether the benefits gained by granting extended payment terms can lead to higher profitability for Italian companies. Moreover, the analysis aims to investigate whether trade credit offered at a higher level than the sector average can contribute to the profitability of companies. Finally, it aims to test whether the profitability connected to granting trade credit is higher for the unconstrained and financially sound companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analyses are conducted on a sample of Italian firms, over the period 2008–2016. The methodologies used to test research hypotheses are panel analysis with fixed effects and random effects models, as well as the generalized method of moment (GMM).

Findings

The results show the contribution of trade credit to the profitability of Italian companies. The empirical analysis also suggests that companies might improve their profitability by increasing investments in trade receivables to a greater extent than companies in their business sector. Finally, the greater use of payables to suppliers and the higher incidence of bank debt reduce the contribution of accounts receivable to the profitability of companies.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature as very few studies have analyzed whether trade credit offered at a higher level than the sector average may contribute to the profitability of companies. Moreover, the study provides new evidence on the moderation effect of payables to banks and suppliers on the contribution of granting trade credit to company performance.
Moving toward democratic-transformational leadership in academic libraries
Authors: Wilson Daniel Earl
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore academic library leadership behaviors and the methods for integrating the democratic and transformational leadership styles.

Design/methodology/approach

Eleven structured interviews were conducted with academic deans and directors. A thematic content analysis was conducted on their responses, analyzing the frequency of certain topics and identifying emergent themes. These themes were then used to construct a democratic communication model.

Findings

The interview responses were grouped into five general leadership themes: participation in decision-making, relationship building, frequent and honest communication, equality and knowing the environment.

Research limitations/implications

The structured interview format did not permit for unplanned follow-up questions, and some topics may not have come up in every interview unless specifically asked by an interview question. Due to the qualitative nature of this study, the perspectives of the participants may not be generalizable to the larger population.

Practical implications

This study identifies core themes of leadership practice that extend beyond the focus of transformational leadership alone. It suggests a democratic communication model to assist in integrating democratic leadership methods with transformational practices and goals.

Social implications

This study suggests a greater emphasis on the communication and engagement practices of democratic leadership. In doing so, it suggests that the American Library Association's emphasis on transformational leadership alone should be reconsidered and that library science schools should increase focus on democratic leadership practices.

Originality/value

Most library leadership style studies emphasize transformational leadership. While there are some studies that explore elements of democratic leadership such as engagement and a flattening of organizational hierarchy, there is limited research on the integration of democratic and transformational leadership practices.
From lockdown to rāhui and teddy bears in windows: Initial responses to Covid‐19 in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Authors: TRNKA SUSANNA
Published: October 2020

Scholarly examinations of states of emergency frequently underscore how the crisis imaginary is employed to rapidly and unjustifiably expand state power. This line of analysis affords great insight into the misuse of state power. It also, however, tends to depict the citizenry as either weak and overwhelmed or at best, duped by the workings of the state, and thus ignores the possibility of democratic processes continuing within a state of emergency. Aotearoa/New Zealand’s response to Covid‐19 reveals a collaborative dynamic in which the citizenry actively engaged in constituting the state of emergency, and suggests the need for a broader examination of how collective responsibility, care and blame are envisioned and enacted, not only by governments but by (neo‐liberal) citizenries during times of national crisis.
American hybrid: Donald Trump and the strange merger of populism and plutocracy
Authors: Pierson Paul
Published: October 2020

Any effort to situate Trump’s ascendance in the broader currents of cross‐national developments, or in the longer course of American political development, must begin by recognizing it as a curious hybrid of populism and plutocracy. Although American right‐wing populism has real social roots, it has long been nurtured by powerful elites seeking to undercut support for modern structures of economic regulation and the welfare state. American political institutions offered a distinctive opportunity for a populist figure to draw on this fury to first capture the nomination of the GOP, and from that position to ascend to the White House. Yet the administration’s substantive agenda constitutes a full‐throated endorsement of the GOP economic elite’s long‐standing demands for cuts in social spending, tax reductions for the wealthy, and the gutting of consumer, worker and environmental protections. The chasm between Trump’s rhetoric and his actions justifies a more skeptical assessment of the breadth and depth of American populism, one that acknowledges how its contours are shaped by the nation's unusual political institutions, its intensifying political polarization and the out‐sized influence of the wealthy.
Giant African snail genomes provide insights into molluscan whole‐genome duplication and aquatic–terrestrial transition
Authors: Liu Conghui , Ren Yuwei , Li Zaiyuan , Hu Qi , Yin Lijuan , Wang Hengchao , Qiao Xi , Zhang Yan , Xing Longsheng , Xi Yu , Jiang Fan , Wang Sen , Huang Cong , Liu Bo , Liu Hangwei , Wan Fanghao , Qian Wanqiang , Fan Wei
Published: October 2020

Whole‐genome duplication (WGD), contributing to evolutionary diversity and environmental adaptability, has been observed across a wide variety of eukaryotic groups, but not in molluscs. Molluscs are the second largest animal phylum in terms of species numbers, and among the organisms that have successfully adapted to the nonmarine realm through aquatic–terrestrial (A‐T) transition. We assembled a chromosome‐level reference genome for Achatina immaculata, a globally invasive species, and compared the genomes of two giant African snails (A. immaculata and Achatina fulica) to other available mollusc genomes. Macrosynteny, colinearity blocks, Ks peak and Hox gene clusters collectively suggested a WGD event in the two snails. The estimated WGD timing (~70 million years ago) was close to the speciation age of the Sigmurethra–Orthurethra (within Stylommatophora) lineage and the Cretaceous–Tertiary (K‐T) mass extinction, indicating that the WGD may have been a common event shared by all Sigmurethra–Orthurethra species and conferred ecological adaptability allowing survival after the K‐T extinction event. Furthermore, the adaptive mechanism of WGD in terrestrial ecosystems was confirmed by the presence of gene families related to the respiration, aestivation and immune defence. Several mucus‐related gene families expanded early in the Stylommatophora lineage, and the haemocyanin and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase families doubled during WGD, and zinc metalloproteinase genes were highly tandemly duplicated after WGD. This evidence suggests that although WGD may not have been the direct driver of the A‐T transition, it played an important part in the terrestrial adaptation of giant African snails.
Hsa_circRNA_0000518 facilitates breast cancer development via regulation of the miR‐326/FGFR1 axis
Authors: Jiang Jing , Lin Hui , Shi Shenghong , Hong Ying , Bai Xianan , Cao Xuchen
Published: October 2020

Background

Breast cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous malignant tumor that threatens the health of women worldwide. Hsa_circRNA_0000518 (circ_0000518) has been revealed to be upregulated in BC tissues. However, the role and mechanism of circ_0000518 in BC are indistinct.

Methods

Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was implemented to detect the levels of circ_0000518, microRNA (miR)‐326, and fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) mRNA in BC tissues and cells. Cell counting kit‐8 (CCK‐8), colony formation, flow cytometry, and transwell assays were executed to estimate BC cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. The relationship between circ_0000518 or FGFR1 and miR‐326 was verified by dual‐luciferase reporter and/or RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. The role of circ_0000518 in vivo was confirmed by xenograft assay.

Results

Circ_0000518 and FGFR1 were upregulated while miR‐326 was downregulated in BC tissues and cells. Circ_0000518 silencing impeded tumor growth in vivo and induced cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, cured proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion of BC cells in vitro. Circ_0000518 regulated FGFR1 expression via competitively binding to miR‐326 in BC cells. MiR‐326 inhibitor reversed the inhibitory influence of circ_0000518 knockdown on the malignant behaviors of BC cells. FGFR1 overexpression abolished miR‐326 mimic‐mediated influence on the malignant behaviors of BC cells.

Conclusions

Circ_0000518 facilitated BC development via regulation of the miR‐326/FGFR1 axis, suggesting that circ_0000518 might be a promising target for BC treatment.
Latent alcohol use patterns and their link to depressive symptomatology in medical care patients
Authors: Guertler Diana , Moehring Anne , Krause Kristian , Tomczyk Samuel , Freyer‐Adam Jennis , Baumann Sophie , Bischof Gallus , Rumpf Hans‐Juergen , Batra Anil , Wurm Susanne , John Ulrich , Meyer Christian
Published: October 2020

Aims

To investigate latent patterns of alcohol use and bingeing by gender and their association with depressive symptom severity and individual depressive symptoms.

Design

Cross‐sectional data were collected from January 2017 to March 2018 as part of a joint screening recruiting for different intervention studies.

Setting

Ambulatory practices and general hospitals from three sites in Germany.

Participants

A total of 5208 male and 5469 female proactively recruited alcohol users aged 18–64 years.

Measurements

Frequency and typical quantity of alcohol use, frequency of bingeing, alcohol‐related problems (assessed by the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test); depressive symptom severity, individual depressive symptoms (assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire‐8); and socio‐demographics and health‐related variables.

Findings

Latent categorical analysis identified six patterns of alcohol use, with the majority of patients engaging in ‘light use plus no or occasional bingeing’ (males: 41.85%; females: 64.04%), followed by ‘regular use plus occasional bingeing’ (males: 34.03%; females: 16.17%). Multinomial logistic regression analyses (three‐step approach with correction for classification uncertainty, as implemented in the Mplus R3STEP command) controlling for socio‐demographics and health‐related variables revealed that severity of depressive symptoms was positively associated with ‘frequent use plus frequent bingeing’ when compared with ‘light use plus no or occasional bingeing’ [relative risk ratio (RRR)male = 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03–1.11; RRRfemale = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.04–1.14]. Severity of depressive symptoms was negatively associated with ‘regular use plus occasional bingeing’ for males (RRRmale = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.95–1.00) and positively with ‘occasional use plus occasional bingeing’ for females (RRRfemale = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.01–1.05) when compared with ‘light use plus no or occasional bingeing’. Individual depressive symptoms were differentially associated with alcohol use patterns, with depressed mood, poor appetite or overeating, feelings of worthlessness or guilt and psychomotor agitation or retardation, being especially pronounced in the ‘frequent use plus frequent bingeing’ class (RRRsmale = 1.72–2.36; RRRsfemale = 1.99–2.17).

Conclusions

Patterns of ‘frequent alcohol use plus frequent bingeing’ and ‘occasional alcohol use plus occasional bingeing’ appear to have positive associations with depression when compared with ‘light alcohol use plus no or occasional bingeing’.
Breast cancer screening in women at high risk of hereditary breast cancer: an Australian experience
Authors: Bennett Ian , Tourani Saam , Cockburn Linda , Reasbeck Jane , Grobbelaar Neels , Dann Sonia , Patrikios Penny , Brazier Jane
Published: October 2020

Background

While population‐based breast screening is a well‐documented health strategy worldwide, very few centres offer breast‐screening programmes specifically targeted at women at high risk of hereditary breast cancer. We present our experience with multimodality breast screening in a high‐risk population.

Methods

The outcomes from a familial breast cancer clinic at the North Brisbane BreastScreen Queensland Service providing a multimodality screening programme for high‐risk women were reviewed from the prospectively maintained database between 2011 and 2018.

Results

Over the 8 years of study period, a total of 6686 annual screening rounds were performed for 823 asymptomatic women at high risk of hereditary breast cancer. As a result, 40 cancers were diagnosed including 25 invasive ductal cancers, three invasive lobular cancers, two invasive cancers with mixed ductal and lobular features and 10 ductal carcinomas in situ. Ultrasound and mammography detected 72.5% (29/40) and 55% (22/40) of the cancers, respectively. A total of 3672 magnetic resonance imaging studies were performed. Ten (25%) cancers were initially only seen on magnetic resonance imaging including seven invasive ductal cancers, one invasive lobular cancer and two high‐grade ductal carcinomas in situ. The cancer detection rate for first‐round screening was 13.3 cancers per 1000 women screened, with 4.9 cancers per 1000 women detected on subsequent‐round screening. One interval cancer occurred in the study period.

Conclusion

Multimodality breast screening of younger women at high risk of hereditary breast cancer is effective with the yield substantially exceeding the results from established breast screening programmes in older women. Co‐location of this service within BreastScreen Australia efficiently shares resources.
Ex vivo evaluation of the biventricular cardiac function for donation after circulatory death model: An experimental study
Authors: Kobayashi Yasuyuki , Kotani Yasuhiro , Sakoda Naoya , Kadowaki Sachiko , Kasahara Shingo
Published: October 2020

Few reports on a biventricular working heart model with ex vivo perfusion exist owing to the complexity of establishing a circuit. Hence, we investigated it for donation after circulatory death. The heart in six juvenile pigs (~20 kg) was arrested by asphyxiation. After 30 minutes of global ischemia, the heart was harvested, reperfused with normoxemic blood cardioplegia for 20 minutes, and subsequently perfused with hyperxemic blood. After 70 minutes of controlled reperfusion, the system was switched to the biventricular working mode. Cardiac function was assessed before anoxia and during the biventricular mode. Left and right ventricular functions worsened during the biventricular mode, as compared to those before anoxia (dP/dtmax, 673 ± 120 vs. 283 ± 95 and 251 ± 35 vs. 141 ± 21 mm Hg/s, respectively; P < .001). Systemic (resistance/100 g net heart weight) and pulmonary vascular resistance indexes during the biventricular mode were similar to those before anoxia (829 ± 262 vs. 759 ± 359, P = .707, and 167 ± 57 vs. 158 ± 83 dynes·sec·cm–5 ‐ l‐100‐g net heart weight, P = .859, respectively). The biventricular working heart model with ex vivo perfusion was feasible, exhibited stable hemodynamics, and has the potential to be a powerful tool for direct cardiac function assessment.
Modeling the transfer of low molecular weight plasma proteins during hemodialysis and online hemodiafiltration
Authors: Glancey Gerald
Published: October 2020

Replacing the renal excretion of low molecular weight proteins (LMWP) by extracorporeal dialysis (dialysis) treatment poses technological challenges. Hemodialyzers with sieving coefficients for LMWP that match or even exceed those of the glomerular membrane barrier are commercially available; however, the associated losses of albumin are much higher than physiological levels of renal albumin excretion. A unidimensional, convection‐diffusion model of solute transfer has been developed to analyze and quantitate LMWP extraction and albumin loss during dialysis treatment. The model is applicable to any extracorporeal dialysis technique and any type of hemodialyzer. Clinical extraction data for beta 2 microglobin (β2M, 11.6 kDa), myoglobin (16.7 kDa) and interleukin 6 (IL6, 21‐30 kDa) from 15 patients on hemodiafiltration (HDF) using a Nipro Elisio H series high flux hemodialyzer were analyzed using the model and values for the convection and mass transfer coefficients were derived. The model predicts that under normal clinical operating conditions, given equal amounts of β2M removal, albumin losses are higher using pre‐dilution rather than post‐dilution HDF. The model can be used to provide estimates of the internal filtration rates of hemodialyzers operating in vivo.
The conversion of RAS status in metastatic colorectal cancer patients after first‐line biological agent treatment
Authors: Arici Serdar , Hamdard Jamshid , Sakin Abdullah , Sengiz Erhan Selma , Atci Muhammed Mustafa , Cekin Ruhper , Saka Burcu , Köse Emin , Saydam Tuba , Geredeli Caglayan , Cihan Sener , Bilici Ahmet
Published: October 2020

Aim

The aim was to investigate the RAS discordance between initial and recurrent metastasectomy specimens in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients treated with chemotherapy (CT) plus biological agents in a first‐line setting.

Methods

Patients who had been treated with CT plus bevacizumab or cetuximab or panitumumab followed by R0 resection for potentially resectable colorectal cancer liver metastases were scanned. Among these, patients who developed resectable new metastases after a disease‐free interval longer than 6 months were included in the study. We compared the RAS mutation status between the first biopsy and the second metastasectomy specimen.

Results

A total of 82 mCRC patients treated with CT plus biological agents in a first‐line setting were included in the study. The first biopsy assessment showed wild‐type RAS tumours in 39 (47.6%) patients and mutant RAS tumours in 43 (52.4%) patients. The mean time for new operable liver metastasis after R0 resection was 15.5 months. In the second metastasectomy specimens, the numbers of wild‐type and mutant RAS tumours were 30 (36.6%) and 52 (63.4%), respectively. The comparison with the first biopsy specimens showed RAS status conversions in 17 (20.7%) patients. Univariate comparison between patients with and without RAS status conversion revealed that grade, pathological T stage, wild‐type RAS tumour and longer biological agent use time in the first‐line treatment were significant factors for RAS conversion.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that re‐biopsy is needed for an optimal second‐line treatment decision in mCRC patients regardless of backbone biological agent, especially in patients with wild‐type RAS mCRC.
Predicting range expansion of invasive species: Pitfalls and best practices for obtaining biologically realistic projections
Authors: Lake Thomas A. , Briscoe Runquist Ryan D. , Moeller David A.
Published: October 2020

Aim

Species distribution models (SDMs) are widely used to forecast potential range expansion of invasive species. However, invasive species occurrence datasets often have spatial biases that may violate key SDM assumptions. In this study, we examined alternative methods of spatial bias correction and multiple methods for model evaluation for seven invasive plant species.

Location

North America.

Taxon

Common Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa), Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia virgata), Common Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum), Brown Knapweed (Centaurea jacea), Black Swallowwort (Vincetoxicum nigrum) and Dalmatian Toadflax (Linaria dalmatica).

Methods

We employed bias‐correction measures for both occurrence sampling and background sampling inputs in a factorial design for Maxent resulting in six potential models for each species. We evaluated our models for complexity, model fit and using commonly employed evaluation metrics: AUC, partial AUC, the continuous Boyce index and sensitivity. We then developed a structured process for model selection.

Results

Models developed without occurrence or background bias correction often were overly complex and did not transfer well to expanding range fronts. Conversely, models that employed occurrence and/or background bias‐correction measures were less complex, had better AICc scores and had greater projection into incipient areas. These simpler models were also more likely to be selected when evaluated using a process that integrated multiple evaluation metrics. We found that invasion history (e.g. established versus incipient) was associated with the effectiveness of spatial bias correction techniques.

Main Conclusions

While challenges exist in building climate‐based correlative species distribution models for invasive species, we found that methods relying on maximizing AUC performed poorly for invasive species. We advocate for the use of multiple and diverse metrics for model evaluation. Users of species distribution models need to incorporate explicit consideration of model discrimination, model fit and model complexity into their decision‐making processes if they are to build biologically realistic models.
What can lycophytes teach us about plant evolution and development? Modern perspectives on an ancient lineage
Authors: Spencer Victoria , Nemec Venza Zoe , Harrison Cecily Jill
Published: October 2020

All Evo‐Devo studies rely on representative sampling across the tree of interest to elucidate evolutionary trajectories through time. In land plants, genetic resources are well established in model species representing lineages including bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, and hornworts), monilophytes (ferns and allies), and seed plants (gymnosperms and flowering plants), but few resources are available for lycophytes (club mosses, spike mosses, and quillworts). Living lycophytes are a sister group to the euphyllophytes (the fern and seed plant clade), and have retained several ancestral morphological traits despite divergence from a common ancestor of vascular plants around 420 million years ago. This sister relationship offers a unique opportunity to study the conservation of traits such as sporophyte branching, vasculature, and indeterminacy, as well as the convergent evolution of traits such as leaves and roots which have evolved independently in each vascular plant lineage. To elucidate the evolution of vascular development and leaf formation, molecular studies using RNA Seq, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridisation and phylogenetics have revealed the diversification and expression patterns of KNOX, ARP, HD‐ZIP, KANADI, and WOX gene families in lycophytes. However, the molecular basis of further trait evolution is not known. Here we describe morphological traits of living lycophytes and their extinct relatives, consider the molecular underpinnings of trait evolution and discuss future research required in lycophytes to understand the key evolutionary innovations enabling the growth and development of all vascular plants.
Population genomics and history of speciation reveal fishery management gaps in two related redfish species (Sebastes mentella and Sebastes fasciatus)
Authors: Benestan Laura M. , Rougemont Quentin , Senay Caroline , Normandeau Eric , Parent Eric , Rideout Rick , Bernatchez Louis , Lambert Yvan , Audet Céline , Parent Geneviève J.
Published: October 2020

Understanding the processes shaping population structure and reproductive isolation of marine organisms can improve their management and conservation. Using genomic markers combined with estimation of individual ancestries, assignment tests, spatial ecology, and demographic modeling, we (i) characterized the contemporary population structure, (ii) assessed the influence of space, fishing depth, and sampling years on contemporary distribution, and (iii) reconstructed the speciation history of two cryptic redfish species, Sebastes mentella and S. fasciatus. We genotyped 860 individuals in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean using 24,603 filtered single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Our results confirmed the clear genetic distinctiveness of the two species and identified three ecotypes within S. mentella and five populations in S. fasciatus. Multivariate analyses highlighted the influence of spatial distribution and depth on the overall genomic variation, while demographic modeling revealed that secondary contact models best explained inter‐ and intragenomic divergence. These species, ecotypes, and populations can be considered as a rare and wide continuum of genomic divergence in the marine environment. This acquired knowledge pertaining to the evolutionary processes driving population divergence and reproductive isolation will help optimizing the assessment of demographic units and possibly to refine fishery management units.
HLA‐G: Function, polymorphisms and pathology
Authors: Arnaiz‐Villena Antonio , Juarez Ignacio , Suarez‐Trujillo Fabio , López‐Nares Adrián , Vaquero Christian , Palacio‐Gruber Jose , Martin‐Villa Jose M.
Published: October 2020

HLA‐G immune modulatory genes and molecules are presently being studied by a widespread number of research groups. In the present study, we do not aim to be exhaustive since the number of manuscripts published every year is overwhelming. Instead, our aim is pointing out facts about HLA‐G function, polymorphism and pathology that have been confirmed by several different researchers, together with exposing aspects that may have been overlooked or not sufficiently remarked in this productive field of study. On the other hand, we question whether performing mainly studies on HLA‐G and disease associations is going to give a clear answer in the future, since 40 years of study of classical HLA molecules association with disease has still given no definite answer on this issue.
Machine learning for detection of walnuts with shriveled kernels by fusing weight and image information
Authors: Zhai Zhiqiang , Jin Zuohui , Li Jiangbo , Zhang Mengyun , Zhang Ruoyu
Published: October 2020

Walnut is one of the popular nut foods with rich nutritional value and medicinal value. However, it is difficult to detect the internal quality of walnuts because of their solid shell. In this study, a novel method was proposed to nondestructively detect the shriveled kernels in shelled walnuts based on the fusion of image and weight information by machine learning. First, the image and weight information of walnut samples was collected using an industrial charge‐coupled device camera and an electronic balance. Then, three kinds of models including partial least squares‐linear discrimination analysis, a support vector machine (SVM) and a particle swarm optimization algorithm with back propagation (PSO‐BP) were established to discriminate walnuts with shriveled kernels. The classifying effectiveness of all methods was comprehensively compared to determine the optimal one. Finally, the testing results were used to evaluate the three models. Under the same conditions, SVM has the best performance. The classification accuracy and average costing time of SVM were 97% and 0.001 s. Overall research demonstrated that the machine learning method based on weight and image information can be used to quickly, accurately and nondestructively detect the walnuts with shriveled kernels.

Practical Applications

Nondestructively detection of walnuts has significant value for walnuts processing in practical application. It can allow the walnut industry to provide better‐tasting walnut to the consumers, and thus, improve industry competitiveness and profitability. A strategy for detecting walnuts with shriveled kernels was proposed based on the fusion of weight and image information using machine‐learning algorithms. The SVM model can quickly and accurately classify walnuts with shriveled kernels using information fusion of imaging and weighing. This work is valuable for online sorting of walnuts with shriveled kernel.
Does anti‐tumor necrosis factor alpha prevent the recurrence of Crohn's disease? Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Uchino Motoi , Ikeuchi Hiroki , Hata Keisuke , Minagawa Tomohiro , Horio Yuki , Kuwahara Ryuichi , Nakamura Shiro , Watanabe Kenji , Saruta Masayuki , Fujii Toshimitsu , Kobayashi Taku , Sugimoto Ken , Hirai Fumihito , Esaki Motohiro , Hiraoka Sakiko , Matsuoka Katsuyoshi , Shinzaki Shinichiro , Matsuura Minoru , Inoue Nagamu , Nakase Hiroshi , Watanabe Mamoru
Published: October 2020

Background and Aim

Anti‐tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α agents are now well known to function as effective treatments for Crohn's disease (CD). Several meta‐analyses have revealed the efficacy of anti‐TNF therapy for preventing recurrence after surgery; however, the efficacies reported in some prospective studies differed according to the outcomes. Moreover, adverse events (AEs) were not well evaluated. We conducted this systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate both the efficacy of anti‐TNF therapy after stratification by the outcome of interest and the AEs.

Methods

We performed a systematic literature review of studies investigating anti‐TNF therapy, CD, and postoperative recurrence. Meta‐analyses were performed for endoscopic and clinical recurrence and AEs.

Results

A total of 570 participants, including 254 patients in the intervention group and 316 patients in the control group, in eight studies, were analyzed for recurrence. Based on the results of the meta‐analysis, the efficacies of anti‐TNF therapy at preventing endoscopic and clinical recurrence were as follows: relative risk (RR) 0.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22–0.53 and RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.36–1.02, respectively. The RR of AEs with anti‐TNF therapy was 1.75 (95% CI 0.81–3.79).

Conclusions

Anti‐TNF therapy after surgery for CD displays efficacy at preventing endoscopic recurrence for 1–2 years, without increasing the incidence of AEs. However, clinical recurrence was not significantly reduced. The efficacy of postoperative anti‐TNF therapy may differ in terms of the outcomes, which include long‐term prevention, the avoidance of further surgery, and cost‐effectiveness.
Cladocopiumcommunity divergence in twoAcroporacoral hosts across multiple spatial scales
Authors: Davies Sarah W. , Moreland Kelsey N. , Wham Drew C. , Kanke Matt R. , Matz Mikhail V.
Published: October 2020

Many broadly‐dispersing corals acquire their algal symbionts (Symbiodiniaceae) “horizontally” from their environment upon recruitment. Horizontal transmission could promote coral fitness across diverse environments provided that corals can associate with divergent algae across their range and that these symbionts exhibit reduced dispersal potential. Here we quantified community divergence ofCladocopiumalgal symbionts in two coral host species (Acropora hyacinthus, Acropora digitifera) across two spatial scales (reefs on the same island, and between islands) across the Micronesian archipelago using microsatellites. We find that both hosts associated with a variety of multilocus genotypes (MLG) within two genetically distinctCladocopiumlineages (C40, C21), confirming thatAcroporacoral hosts associate with a range ofCladocopiumsymbionts across this region. Both C40 and C21 included multiple asexual lineages bearing identical MLGs, many of which spanned host species, reef sites within islands, and even different islands. Both C40 and C21 exhibited moderate host specialization and divergence across islands. In addition, within every island, algal symbiont communities were significantly clustered by both host species and reef site, highlighting that coral‐associatedCladocopiumcommunities are structured across small spatial scales and within hosts on the same reef. This is in stark contrast to their coral hosts, which never exhibited significant genetic divergence between reefs on the same island. These results support the view that horizontal transmission could improve local fitness for broadly dispersingAcroporacoral species.
A 3D finite element analysis of maxillary molar distalization using unilateral zygoma gear and asymmetric headgear
Authors: Alosman Hala Sadek , Bayome Mohamed , Vahdettin Levent
Published: October 2020

Objective

The aims of this study were (a) to evaluate the displacement and stress distribution in the maxillary dentition associated with the use of two different unilateral distalization appliances—unilateral zygoma gear (UZG) appliance and asymmetric headgear (AHG)—in non‐growing patients; and (b) to assess the effects of fully erupted maxillary third molars on the distalization of the first molar with both appliances by using three‐dimensional finite element analysis.

Settings and sample population

Two 3D models of the maxilla were created: one with third molars and one without. Next, two distalizing appliances (UZG and AHG) were added to each model to create four models.

Materials and methods

Distalization forces were applied, and the resultant displacements were recorded at the mesiobuccal and distolingual cusps and palatal root apex of each molar and the incisal edge root apex of the central incisors. The resulting von Mises stress distributions were evaluated.

Results

With the UZG, the first molar showed greater root distalization than the crown in the model with the third molar, whereas the model without the third molar showed distalization and distal tipping of the first molar. With the AHG, the first molar showed a large amount of distal tipping in the model without a third molar. However, this tipping was less than that in the model with third molars.

Conclusion

The presence of completely erupted third molars decreased the amount of uncontrolled distal tipping in both appliances. UZG can be considered as an effective option for maxillary molar distalization.
Beyond Truth and Integrity in State Budgeting: Why State Governments Use Budget Balancing Maneuvers (or Gimmicks)?
Authors: Hendrick Rebecca , Hu Xiaoyan
Published: October 2020

This study investigates the influence of political, structural, economic, and other factors on state governments’ use of maneuvers to balance budgets and eliminate deficits from FY 15 to FY 18. Budget maneuvers are unsound and nonsustainable strategies, such as using borrowed funds to finance operations and underfunding pensions. These practices were documented and graded by The Volcker Alliance for all states and years in collaboration with faculty and students at multiple universities. Consistent with prior research that uses an adaptation framework to explain the strategies government officials use to balance budgets, this research finds that state financial condition has the strongest effect or one of the strongest effects on states’ use of such budget gimmicks.