bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elevating plant immunity by translational regulation of a rice WRKY transcription factor
Authors: Zheng Chao , Zhou Jie , Yuan Xiaoya , Zheng Ersong , Liu Xiuli , Cui Weijun , Yan Chengqi , Wu Yueyan , Ruan Wenyuan , Yi Keke , Chen Jianping , Wang Xuming
Published: November 2023

Plants have intricate mechanisms that tailor their defence responses to pathogens. WRKY transcription factors play a pivotal role in plant immunity by regulating various defence signalling pathways. Many WRKY genes are transcriptionally activated upon pathogen attack, but how their functions are regulated after transcription remains elusive. Here, we show that OsWRKY7 functions as a crucial positive regulator of rice basal immunity against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). The activity of OsWRKY7 was regulated at both translational and post‐translational levels. Two translational products of OsWRKY7 were generated by alternative initiation. The full‐length OsWRKY7 protein is normally degraded by the ubiquitin–proteasome system but was accumulated following elicitor or pathogen treatment, whereas the alternate product initiated from the downstream in‐frame start codon was stable. Both the full and alternate OsWRKY7 proteins have transcriptional activities in yeast and rice cells, and overexpression of each form enhanced resistance to Xoo infection. Furthermore, disruption of the main AUG in rice increased the endogenous translation of the alternate stabilized form of OsWRKY7 and enhanced bacterial blight resistance. This study provides insights into the coordination of alternative translation and protein stability in the regulation of plant growth and basal defence mediated by the OsWRKY7 transcription factor, and also suggests a promising strategy to breed disease‐resistant rice by translation initiation control.
Development of TALE‐adenine base editors in plants
Authors: Zhang Dingbo , Boch Jens
Published: November 2023

Base editors enable precise nucleotide changes at targeted genomic loci without requiring double‐stranded DNA breaks or repair templates. TALE‐adenine base editors (TALE‐ABEs) are genome editing tools, composed of a DNA‐binding domain from transcription activator‐like effectors (TALEs), an engineered adenosine deaminase (TadA8e), and a cytosine deaminase domain (DddA), that allow A•T‐to‐G•C editing in human mitochondrial DNA. However, the editing ability of TALE‐ABEs in plants apart from chloroplast DNA has not been described, so far, and the functional role how DddA enhances TadA8e is still unclear. We tested a series of TALE‐ABEs with different deaminase fusion architectures in Nicotiana benthamiana and rice. The results indicate that the double‐stranded DNA‐specific cytosine deaminase DddA can boost the activities of single‐stranded DNA‐specific deaminases (TadA8e or APOBEC3A) on double‐stranded DNA. We analysed A•T‐to‐G•C editing efficiencies in a β‐glucuronidase reporter system and showed precise adenine editing in genomic regions with high product purity in rice protoplasts. Furthermore, we have successfully regenerated rice plants with A•T‐to‐G•C mutations in the chloroplast genome using TALE‐ABE. Consequently, TALE‐adenine base editors provide alternatives for crop improvement and gene therapy by editing nuclear or organellar genomes.
Stomatal cell fate commitment via transcriptional and epigenetic control: Timing is crucial
Authors: Kim Eun‐Deok , Torii Keiko U.
Published: November 2023

The formation of stomata presents a compelling model system for comprehending the initiation, proliferation, commitment and differentiation of de novo lineage‐specific stem cells. Precise, timely and robust cell fate and identity decisions are crucial for the proper progression and differentiation of functional stomata. Deviations from this precise specification result in developmental abnormalities and nonfunctional stomata. However, the molecular underpinnings of timely cell fate commitment have just begun to be unravelled. In this review, we explore the key regulatory strategies governing cell fate commitment, emphasizing the distinctions between embryonic and postembryonic stomatal development. Furthermore, the interplay of transcription factors and cell cycle machineries is pivotal in specifying the transition into differentiation. We aim to synthesize recent studies utilizing single‐cell as well as cell‐type‐specific transcriptomics, epigenomics and chromatin accessibility profiling to shed light on how master‐regulatory transcription factors and epigenetic machineries mutually influence each other to drive fate commitment and maintenance.
Beneath the blooms: Unearthing the effect of rhizospheric bacteria on floral signals and pollinator preferences
Authors: Magalhães Diego M. , Lourenção André L. , Bento José Maurício S.
Published: November 2023

The relationship between plants and pollinators is known to be influenced by ecological interactions with other community members. While most research has focused on aboveground communities affecting plant–pollinator interactions, it is increasingly recognized that soil‐dwelling organisms can directly or indirectly impact these interactions. Although studies have examined the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on floral traits, there is a gap in research regarding similar effects associated with plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), particularly concerning floral scent. Our study aimed to investigate the influence of the PGPR Bacillus amyloliquefaciens on the floral traits of wild (Solanum habrochaites, Solanum pimpinellifolium and Solanum peruvianum) and cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), as well as the impact of microbially‐driven changes in floral scent on the foraging behaviour of the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata. Our findings revealed that inoculating tomatoes with PGPR led to an increased number of flowers and enhanced overall floral volatile emission. Additionally, we observed higher flower biomass and pollen levels in all species, except S. peruvianum. Importantly, these changes in volatile emissions influenced the foraging behaviour of M. quadrifasciata significantly. Our results highlight the impact of beneficial soil microbes on plant–pollinator interactions, shedding light on the multiple effects that plant–microbial interactions can have on aboveground organisms.
The soybean sugar transporter GmSWEET6 participates in sucrose transport towards fungi during arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis
Authors: Zheng Linsheng , Zhao Shaopeng , Zhou Yifan , Yang Guoling , Chen A , Li Xinxin , Wang Jinxiang , Tian Jiang , Liao Hong , Wang Xiurong
Published: November 2023

In arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis, sugars in root cortical cells could be exported as glucose or sucrose into peri‐arbuscular space for use by AM fungi. However, no sugar transporter has been identified to be involved in sucrose export. An AM‐inducible SWEET transporter, GmSWEET6, was functionally characterised in soybean, and its role in AM symbiosis was investigated via transgenic plants. The expression of GmSWEET6 was enhanced by inoculation with the cooperative fungal strain in both leaves and roots. Heterologous expression in a yeast mutant showed that GmSWEET6 mainly transported sucrose. Transgenic plants overexpressing GmSWEET6 increased sucrose concentration in root exudates. Overexpression or knockdown of GmSWEET6 decreased plant dry weight, P content, and sugar concentrations in non‐mycorrhizal plants, which were partly recovered in mycorrhizal plants. Intriguingly, overexpression of GmSWEET6 increased root P content and decreased the percentage of degraded arbuscules, while knockdown of GmSWEET6 increased root sugar concentrations in RNAi2 plants and the percentage of degraded arbuscules in RNAi1 plants compared with wild‐type plants when inoculated with AM fungi. These results in combination with subcellular localisation of GmSWEET6 to peri‐arbuscular membranes strongly suggest that GmSWEET6 is required for AM symbiosis by mediating sucrose efflux towards fungi.
Cella: 3D data visualization for plant single‐cell transcriptomics in Blender
Authors: Su Chang , Lyu Munan , Mähönen Ari Pekka , Helariutta Ykä , De Rybel Bert , Muranen Sampo
Published: November 2023

Aims

Recent advancements in single‐cell transcriptomics have facilitated the possibility of acquiring vast amounts of data at single‐cell resolution. This development has provided a broader and more comprehensive understanding of complex biological processes. The growing datasets require a visualization tool that transforms complex data into an intuitive representation. To address this challenge, we have utilized an open‐source 3D software Blender to design Cella, a cell atlas visualization tool, which transforms data into 3D heatmaps that can be rendered into image libraries. Our tool is designed to support especially research on plant development.

Data resources generated

To validate our method, we have created a 3D model representing the Arabidopsis thaliana root meristem and mapped an existing single‐cell RNA‐seq dataset into the 3D model. This provided a user‐friendly visual representation of the expression profiles of 21,489 genes from two perspectives (42,978 images).

Utility of the resource

This approach is not limited to single‐cell RNA‐seq data of the Arabidopsis root meristem. We provide detailed step‐by‐step instructions to generate 3D models and a script that can be customized to project data onto different tissues.

Key results

Our tool provides a proof‐of‐concept method for how increasingly complex single‐cell RNA‐seq datasets can be visualized in a simple and cohesive manner.
Glutamate dehydrogenase in “Liverworld”—A study in selected species to explore a key enzyme of plant primary metabolism in Marchantiophyta
Authors: Brambilla Martina , Chiari Giorgio , Commisso Mauro , Nerva Luca , Musetti Rita , Petraglia Alessandro , Degola Francesca
Published: November 2023

In plants, glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) is an ubiquitous enzyme that catalyzes the reversible amination of 2‐oxoglutarate in glutamate. It contributes to both the amino acid homeostasis and the management of intracellular ammonium, and it is regarded as a key player at the junction of carbon and nitrogen assimilation pathways. To date, information about the GDH of terrestrial plants refers to a very few species only. We focused on selected species belonging to the division Marchantiophyta, providing the first panoramic overview of biochemical and functional features of GDH in liverworts. Native electrophoretic analyses showed an isoenzymatic profile less complex than what was reported for Arabidposis thaliana and other angiosperms: the presence of a single isoform corresponding to an α‐homohexamer, differently prone to thermal inactivation on a species‐ and organ‐basis, was found. Sequence analysis conducted on amino acid sequences confirmed a high similarity of GDH in modern liverworts with the GDH2 protein of A. thaliana, strengthening the hypothesis that the duplication event that gave origin to GDH1‐homolog gene from GDH2 occurred after the evolutionary bifurcation that separated bryophytes and tracheophytes. Experiments conducted on Marchantia polymorpha and Calypogeia fissa grown in vitro and compared to A. thaliana demonstrated through in gel activity detection and monodimensional Western Blot that the aminating activity of GDH resulted in strongly enhanced responses to ammonium excess in liverworts as well, even if at a different extent compared to Arabidopsis and other vascular species. The comparative analysis by bi‐dimensional Western Blot suggested that the regulation of the enzyme could be, at least partially, untied from the protein post‐translational pattern. Finally, immuno‐electron microscopy revealed that the GDH enzyme localizes at the subcellular level in both mitochondria and chloroplasts of parenchyma and is specifically associated to the endomembrane system in liverworts.
Biochemical composition changes can be linked to the tolerance of four grassland species under more persistent precipitation regimes
Authors: Zi Lin , Reynaert Simon , Nijs Ivan , De Boeck Hans , Verbruggen Erik , Beemster Gerrit T. S. , Asard Han , AbdElgawad Hamada
Published: November 2023

Climate models suggest that the persistence of summer precipitation regimes (PRs) is on the rise, characterized by both longer dry and longer wet durations. These PR changes may alter plant biochemical composition and thereby their economic and ecological characteristics. However, impacts of PR persistence have primarily been studied at the community level, largely ignoring the biochemistry of individual species. Here, we analyzed biochemical components of four grassland species with varying sensitivity to PR persistence (Holcus lanatus, Phleum pratense, Lychnis flos‐cuculi, Plantago lanceolata) along a range of increasingly persistent PRs (longer consecutive dry and wet periods) in a mesocosm experiment. The more persistent PRs decreased nonstructural sugars, whereas they increased lignin in all species, possibly reducing plant quality. The most sensitive species Lychnis seemed less capable of altering its biochemical composition in response to altered PRs, which may partly explain its higher sensitivity. The more tolerant species may have a more robust and dynamic biochemical network, which buffers the effects of changes in individual biochemical components on biomass. We conclude that the biochemical composition changes are important determinants for plant performance under increasingly persistent precipitation regimes.
Optimizing foliar N‐fertilization in sugarcane depends on plant genotype and nitrogen concentration
Authors: Quassi de Castro Saulo Augusto , Sermarini Renata Alcarde , Rossi Monica Lanzoni , Linhares de Castro Renata Rebellato , Trivelin Paulo Cesar Ocheuze , Linhares Francisco Scaglia
Published: November 2023

Foliar N‐fertilization (FNf) has emerged as a promising approach to synchronize plant nitrogen (N) demands and application timing, reducing the N losses to the environment associated with traditional soil‐based fertilization methods. However, limited information exists regarding the effectiveness of FNf in sugarcane. This study aimed to optimize FNf in sugarcane by evaluating N‐fertilizer recovery by the plant (NRP) and assessing potential toxicity effects. Four sugarcane genotypes were subjected to FNf using 15N‐urea at five nitrogen concentrations. NRP was assessed at five time points for roots, stalk, old leaves, 15N‐urea‐fertilized leaves (15NL), and unexpanded leaves (UEL). Leaf scorching, indicating FNf toxicity, was analyzed using morpho‐anatomical and histochemical techniques. The results showed that FNf promoted high NRP, with an average recovery of 62.3%. Surprisingly, the redistribution of 15N‐urea did not follow the nitrogen uptake rate by sugarcane leaves, with an average of 41.3% of the total‐NRP. The stalk emerged as the primary sink for 15N‐urea, followed by the UEL. Genotypes differed in the leaf scorching intensity, which increased with higher concentration of 15N‐urea. Genotypes also differed in the 15N‐urea uptake rate, down‐regulated by the N content in the 15NL. These findings emphasize that by carefully choosing the appropriate genotype and nitrogen concentration, FNf can significantly enhance N‐fertilizer uptake, resulting in potential environmental and economic benefits.
Genotypic differences in systemic root responses to mechanical obstacles
Authors: Colombi Tino , Eitelberg Leah , Kolb Evelyne , Legué Valérie , Bogeat‐Triboulot Marie‐Béatrice
Published: November 2023

As roots grow through the soil to forage for water and nutrients, they encounter mechanical obstacles such as patches of dense soil and stones that locally impede root growth. Here, we investigated hitherto poorly understood systemic responses of roots to localised root impedance. Seedlings of two wheat genotypes were grown in hydroponics and exposed to impenetrable obstacles constraining the vertical growth of the primary or a single seminal root. We deployed high‐resolution in vivo imaging to quantify temporal dynamics of root elongation rate, helical root movement, and root growth direction. The two genotypes exhibited distinctly different patterns of systemic responses to localised root impedance, suggesting different strategies to cope with obstacles, namely stress avoidance and stress tolerance. Shallower growth of unconstrained seminal roots and more pronounced helical movement of unconstrained primary and seminal roots upon localised root impedance characterised the avoidance strategy shown by one genotype. Stress tolerance to localised root impedance, as exhibited by the other genotype, was indicated by relatively fast elongation of primary roots and steeper seminal root growth. These different strategies highlight that the effects of mechanical obstacles on spatiotemporal root growth patterns can differ within species, which may have major implications for resource acquisition and whole‐plant growth.
Orchestrating orphan ideas in the fuzzy front end of a large firm's R&D department
Authors: Cohendet Patrick , Dupouët Olivier , Naggar Raouf , Rampa Romain
Published: November 2023

The fuzzy front end is the critical initial step of an innovation process during which new ideas emerge. This step's functioning is well understood when the ideas produced are in line with the organisation's directions or roadmap. In that case, there are a variety of managerial methods available to guide, filter and control the development of ideas while reducing the associated risks. However, we know considerably less about the emergence and development of orphan ideas, that is ideas that are not aligned with the firm's strategic roadmap. Such orphan ideas are beyond the scope of managers because they are not consistent with the orientations and needs identified by the firm. The aim of this article is to start to fill this gap through the qualitative study of three unexpected ideation processes at Hydro‐Québec's research institute. Our data reveal a process characterised by a complicated intertwinement of formal and informal mechanisms and relationships. In particular, our results show that informal groups, which can be assimilated to epistemic communities, play a major role in the orchestration of the first stages of the journey of orphan ideas by taking charge of the development of the value proposition and of the idea's integration in the firm's managerial and strategic framework. Further, managing orphan ideas requires specific managerial devices and social mechanisms.
Trade and credit: Revisiting the evidence
Authors: Gutiérrez Eduardo , Moral‐Benito Enrique
Published: November 2023

This paper explores the effects of bank lending shocks on the export behavior of Spanish firms. For that purpose, we combine data on exports at the firm‐product‐destination level with a matched bank‐firm dataset incorporating information on the universe of corporate loans from 2002 to 2013. Armed with this dataset, we identify bank‐year specific credit supply shocks and estimate their impact on firms' exports at the product‐destination level. According to our estimates, credit supply shocks have sizable effects on both the intensive margin (amount exported) and the extensive margin of trade (decision to export).
KP reductions and various soliton solutions to the Fokas–Lenells equation under nonzero boundary condition
Authors: Zhang Yujuan , Ma Ruyun , Feng Bao‐Feng
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we clarify the connection of the Fokas–Lenells (FL) equation to the Kadomtsev–Petviashvili (KP)–Toda hierarchy by using a set of bilinear equations as a bridge and confirm multidark soliton solution to the FL equation previously given by Matsuno (J. Phys. A 2012 45 (475202). We also show that the set of bilinear equations in the KP–Toda hierarchy can be generated from a single discrete KP equation via Miwa transformation. Based on this finding, we further deduce the multibreather and general rogue wave solutions to the FL equation. The dynamical behaviors and patterns for both the breather and rogue wave solutions are illustrated and analyzed.
Epidemiology of quadriceps muscle strain injuries in elite male Australian football players
Authors: Pietsch Samuel , Green Brady , Schache Anthony G. , Pizzari Tania
Published: November 2023

Objective

To describe the epidemiology of quadriceps muscle strain injury (QMSI) in elite Australian Football League (AFL) players, explore recovery milestones and determine whether recovery is impacted by factors such as injury type (index vs. re‐injury), the primary muscle injured and the mechanism of injury.

Measures

All QMSI data reported to the Soft Tissue Injury Registry of the AFL from the 2014 to 2020 seasons were evaluated. Player demographic data, circumstances of injury, MRI reports and recovery outcomes following injury were extracted. Descriptive statistics and frequency distributions are presented. Recovery outcomes for injury type, primary muscle injured and the mechanism of injury were compared using univariate analyses.

Results

There were 164 QMSIs from 122 players reported (134 index; 30 re‐injuries). Almost all (91.3%) QMSIs involved the rectus femoris. Half (48.4%) of the QMSIs occurred during kicking and most commonly affected the dominant kicking leg (72%). The majority occurred at training (64.6%). All re‐injuries involved the rectus femoris, most occurred from kicking (63.0%) and within 6 months of the preceding injury (70%). The mean return to play (RTP) time was 25.4 days (95%CI = 22.6–28.2) and rectus femoris injuries took around 14 days longer to RTP than vastii injuries (p = 0.001). QMSIs with a kicking mechanism took the longest to RTP of all injury mechanisms.

Conclusion

In AFL players, QMSIs occur mostly in the dominant leg from a kicking mechanism. Rectus femoris injuries are more prevalent and result in longer RTP time frames. Re‐injuries exclusively involved the rectus femoris, primarily from kicking.
Welfare state regimes and social policy resistance to fiscal consolidations
Authors: Jacques Olivier
Published: November 2023

We study how welfare states regimes influence the effect of episodes of fiscal consolidations on the four main components of the welfare state: social investment, pensions, healthcare and labour market insurance. Welfare state regimes are associated with distinct social policy legacies that feedback into political competition by shaping the size and influence of different coalitions of constituents. Using data from 1980 to 2014 in 16 OECD countries, we find that labour market insurance is more vulnerable to consolidations in Liberal regimes, while social investments are more resistant to consolidations in Nordic regimes. In the Continental regime, which overlaps with Social Health Insurance systems, healthcare is more resistant to consolidations. Finally, pensions are more resistant to consolidations in the Southern regime. These findings contribute to the study of the comparative political economy of welfare state retrenchment.
A randomized, double‐blind, controlled study evaluating the effects of two facial serums on skin aging
Authors: Banov Daniel , Carvalho Maria , Schwartz Steve , Frumento Robert
Published: November 2023

Background

Skin aging is a natural process that occurs because of oxidative stress. Facial skin aging is often concerning for individuals due to the exposure of the face.

Objectives

To assess and compare the effects of two anti‐aging facial serums on the following characteristics associated with facial skin aging: fine lines/wrinkles, age spots, firmness, elasticity, texture, radiance, tone, lifting, clarity, and complexion.

Methods

A 24‐week, double‐blind controlled study was conducted on 130 participants who were randomized into two groups: facial serum with Liposomal Blend and facial serum without Liposomal Blend. Clinical evaluations (Visual Analog Scale) and instrumental evaluations (Cutometer, SIAscope, and Clarity Pro image analysis) were performed at weeks 0 (baseline), 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 to assess for changes in skin aging characteristics.

Results

A total of 123 participants completed the study; participants that used the facial serum with Liposomal Blend had significantly greater improvements in skin aging characteristics compared to those that used the facial serum without Liposomal Blend. This study shows that Liposomal Blend is a vehicle with the ability to enhance the anti‐aging properties of the ingredients within the facial serum by facilitating its delivery into the underlying layers of the skin. Higher concentration of ingredients at the site of action could potentially lead to greater damage repair and improvements in signs of facial skin aging.

Conclusion

By using Liposomal Blend, practitioners and pharmacists could potentially improve the delivery of the ingredients within their formulations into the skin, which may lead to increased treatment efficacy.
Source‐to‐sink tandem geochronology reveals tectonic influences on the Cambrian Transcontinental Arch of Laurentia
Authors: Holland Mark E. , Mohr Michael , Schmitz Mark , Madronich Lauren , Karlstrom Karl
Published: November 2023

Competing hypotheses attribute the regional loss of 1.2–1.0 Ga detrital zircon from the Cambrian Sauk Sequence in southwestern North America to differing tectonic controls on surface topography. We test three hypotheses with source‐to‐sink detrital zircon provenance analysis via tandem in situ and isotope dilution U–Pb geochronology paired with geochemical and Hf‐isotope tracers. Our data indicate that the lower‐to‐middle Sixtymile Formation in Grand Canyon was derived from ca. 1.1 Ga rocks of the Llano Uplift and the ca. 539–523 Ma Wichita igneous province, approximately 1400 km away. In contrast, new U–Pb geochronology links the upper Sixtymile and Tapeats formations to the 513–510 Ma Florida Mountains intrusive complex, southern New Mexico, and proximal 1.4 and 1.7 Ga basement approximately 650 km away. We attribute a regional provenance shift to plume–lithosphere interactions on the Iapetan margin, tectonism along ‘leaky’ intracratonic transverse fault zones and the rift‐to‐drift transition on the Cordilleran margin.
Urban high‐quality navigation path planning that integrates human emotion perception learning
Authors: Liu Shaojun , Long Yi , Zhang Ling , Huang Yi
Published: November 2023

Geographic information system navigation services are now incorporating psychological well‐being as a factor when devising navigation routes. However, challenges such as limited data, method generalizability, and subjective human perception remain unresolved. Therefore, a general humanized path‐navigation method that effectively quantifies human emotional perception demands is required. In this study, we designed a deep learning model using a large, crowdsourced dataset to predict emotional responses to street‐view images. Our method enhances urban path planning, thus providing comprehensive emotional benefits. Our approach and several goal‐oriented methods were applied in Nanjing, and the findings were compared via comparative analyses and questionnaire surveys. The results confirmed that our proposed method outperforms utilitarian goal‐driven path planning methods in terms of subjective perception. This study provides a widely available technique for high‐quality navigation planning that meets psychological perception needs and offers a valuable guidance for the research on humanized geographic information services.
Moral explanation of moral judgements
Authors: Chonabayashi Ryo
Published: November 2023

“The wrongness of Albert's action causally explains why Jane judged that his action was wrong”. This type of causal moral explanation has been extensively discussed in the recent metaethical literature. This paper motivates the following claims about this type of moral explanation. First, a typical defence of this type of moral explanation suggested in the literature does not work because it predicts inaccurate modal information. Second, focusing on different aspects of the ways moral judgements are generated provides better chances for the defender of this type of moral explanation. Third, the strategy mentioned in the previous point leads us to the following alternative evaluative explanation: The property of being a harmful action explains a recognisable pattern of moral judgements observed in the relevant empirical studies. One crucial implication the paper alludes to is a localist approach to the debates concerning moral realism: We should consider each moral property's ontological genuineness separately, referring to specific empirical findings that are particularly relevant to the target moral property in question. Such a localist approach can provide solid resources for realists to respond to various anti‐realist challenges, such as an influential evolutionary debunking argument.
Investigation of regulatory divergence between homoeologs in the recently formed allopolyploids, Tragopogon mirus and T. miscellus (Asteraceae)
Authors: Yoo Mi‐Jeong , Koh Jin , Boatwright J. Lucas , Soltis Douglas E. , Soltis Pamela S. , Barbazuk W. Brad , Chen Sixue
Published: November 2023

Polyploidy is an important evolutionary process throughout eukaryotes, particularly in flowering plants. Duplicated gene pairs (homoeologs) in allopolyploids provide additional genetic resources for changes in molecular, biochemical, and physiological mechanisms that result in evolutionary novelty. Therefore, understanding how divergent genomes and their regulatory networks reconcile is vital for unraveling the role of polyploidy in plant evolution. Here, we compared the leaf transcriptomes of recently formed natural allotetraploids (Tragopogon mirus and T. miscellus) and their diploid parents (T. porrifolius X T. dubius and T. pratensis X T. dubius, respectively). Analysis of 35 400 expressed loci showed a significantly higher level of transcriptomic additivity compared to old polyploids; only 22% were non‐additively expressed in the polyploids, with 5.9% exhibiting transgressive expression (lower or higher expression in the polyploids than in the diploid parents). Among approximately 7400 common orthologous regions (COREs), most loci in both allopolyploids exhibited expression patterns that were vertically inherited from their diploid parents. However, 18% and 20.3% of the loci showed novel expression bias patterns in T. mirus and T. miscellus, respectively. The expression changes of 1500 COREs were explained by cis‐regulatory divergence (the condition in which the two parental subgenomes do not interact) between the diploid parents, whereas only about 423 and 461 of the gene expression changes represent trans‐effects (the two parental subgenomes interact) in T. mirus and T. miscellus, respectively. The low degree of both non‐additivity and trans‐effects on gene expression may present the ongoing evolutionary processes of the newly formed Tragopogon polyploids (~80–90 years).
The impact of automation on labour market outcomes in emerging countries
Authors: Díaz Pavez Luis R. , Martínez‐Zarzoso Inmaculada
Published: November 2023

The labour market effects of automation have gained significant attention from scholars and policymakers. Concerns about negative effects are important in emerging countries, where a rapid acceleration of robot adoption and an increasing involvement in global value chains have been observed in recent years, with the subsequent increase in exposure to foreign competition. This paper estimates the effect of local and foreign robots on labour market outcomes and labour shares using a panel dataset composed of 16 sectors and ten emerging countries from 2008 to 2014. The endogeneity of robots' adoption is addressed with an instrumental variables approach and using a shift‐share index of exposure to foreign robots. The main results for all sectors show that foreign robot adoption has negatively affected employment in emerging countries. When exploring sectoral heterogeneity, we find that the foreign robots' negative effect on employment has occurred in many sectors, being more prominent in those with higher exposure to foreign robots. Moreover, we found small and negative inter‐sectoral spillover effects of local robots on employment and wages. Finally, the results also show that the labour share is affected in some sectors of emerging countries by both the use of local and foreign robots.
Glacial Sensing: Entanglements of Sound and Vision
Authors: Mirza Saadia
Published: November 2023

What is the relationship between vision and sound in more‐than‐human environmental sensing? This article traces an ethnography of glaciologists' experiences with technological sensing systems that surpass human sensing capabilities, producing an expansion of sensory knowledge that enmeshes both imagery and acoustics. Sound and vision emerge no longer as separate modalities, but in a united vocabulary of sensing in which the human and the machine are collaborators, producing a multi‐eared and multi‐eyed system by which icebergs and glaciers are observed and perceived as a quickly morphing process, rather than as a static object. It examines the manifold aesthetic variations and conversions of data from acoustic sensing systems into sounds and images that work together to reshape the scientific imagination of the cryosphere. This process ultimately reveals how technology changes perceptions and how glaciers, human bodies, and machines become intertwined with each other in a more‐than‐human system that holds the promise to diversify knowledge.
Effects of plasmapheresis frequency on health status and exercise performance in men: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mortier Alexandre , Khoudary Jina , van Dooslaer de Ten Ryen Sophie , Lannoy Camille , Benoit Nicolas , Antoine Nancy , Copine Sylvie , Van Remoortel Hans , Vandekerckhove Philippe , Compernolle Veerle , Deldicque Louise
Published: November 2023

Background and Objectives

Most research studies on the effects of repeated plasma donation are observational with different study limitations, resulting in high uncertainty on the link between repeated plasma donation and health consequences. Here, we prospectively investigated the safety of intensive or less intensive plasma donation protocols.

Materials and Methods

Sixty‐three male subjects participated in this randomized controlled trial and were divided into low‐frequency (LF, once/month, n = 16), high‐frequency (HF, three times/month, n = 16), very high‐frequency (VHF, two times/week, n = 16) and a placebo (P, once/month, n = 15) groups. Biochemical, haematological, clinical, physiological and exercise‐related data were collected before (D0), after 1½ months (D42) and after 3 months (D84) of donation.

Results

In VHF, red blood cells, haemoglobin and haematocrit levels decreased while reticulocyte levels increased from D0 to D84. In both HF and VHF, plasma ferritin levels were lower at D42 and D84 compared to D0. In VHF, plasma levels of albumin, immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) dropped from D0 to D42 and remained lower at D84 than at D0. In HF, plasma IgG, IgA and IgM were lower at D42, and IgG and IgM were lower at D84, compared to D0. Few adverse events were reported in HF and VHF. Repeated plasma donation had no effect on blood pressure, body composition or exercise performance.

Conclusion

VHF plasmapheresis may result in a large reduction in ferritin and IgG levels. HF and VHF plasmapheresis may result in little to no difference in other biochemical, haematological, clinical, physiological and exercise‐related parameters.
Interstitial cells of Cajal – pacemakers of the gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Sanders Kenton M. , Santana L. Fernando , Baker Salah A.
Published: November 2023

Gastrointestinal (GI) organs display spontaneous, non‐neurogenic electrical, and mechanical rhythmicity that underlies fundamental motility patterns, such as peristalsis and segmentation. Electrical rhythmicity (aka slow waves) results from pacemaker activity generated by interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). ICC express a unique set of ionic conductances and Ca2+ handling mechanisms that generate and actively propagate slow waves. GI smooth muscle cells lack these conductances. Slow waves propagate actively within ICC networks and conduct electrotonically to smooth muscle cells via gap junctions. Slow waves depolarize smooth muscle cells and activate voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channels (predominantly CaV1.2), causing Ca2+ influx and excitation–contraction coupling. The main conductances responsible for pacemaker activity in ICC are ANO1, a Ca2+‐activated Cl− conductance, and CaV3.2. The pacemaker cycle, as currently understood, begins with spontaneous, localized Ca2+ release events in ICC that activate spontaneous transient inward currents due to activation of ANO1 channels. Depolarization activates CaV3.2 channels, causing the upstroke depolarization phase of slow waves. The upstroke is transient and followed by a long‐duration plateau phase that can last for several seconds. The plateau phase results from Ca2+‐induced Ca2+ release and a temporal cluster of localized Ca2+ transients in ICC that sustains activation of ANO1 channels and clamps membrane potential near the equilibrium potential for Cl− ions. The plateau phase ends, and repolarization occurs, when Ca2+ stores are depleted, Ca2+ release ceases and ANO1 channels deactivate. This review summarizes key mechanisms responsible for electrical rhythmicity in gastrointestinal organs.

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Reduced in utero substrate supply decreases mitochondrial abundance and alters the expression of metabolic signalling molecules in the fetal sheep heart
Authors: Dimasi Catherine G. , Darby Jack R. T. , Cho Steven K. S. , Saini Brahmdeep S. , Holman Stacey L. , Meakin Ashley S. , Wiese Michael D. , Macgowan Christopher K. , Seed Mike , Morrison Janna L.
Published: November 2023

Babies born with fetal growth restriction (FGR) are at higher risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases across the life course. The reduction in substrate supply to the developing fetus that causes FGR not only alters cardiac growth and structure but may have deleterious effects on metabolism and function. Using a sheep model of placental restriction to induce FGR, we investigated key cardiac metabolic and functional markers that may be altered in FGR. We also employed phase‐contrast magnetic resonance imaging MRI to assess left ventricular cardiac output (LVCO) as a measure of cardiac function. We hypothesized that signalling molecules involved in cardiac fatty acid utilisation and contractility would be impaired by FGR and that this would have a negative impact on LVCO in the late gestation fetus. Key glucose (GLUT4 protein) and fatty acid (FATP, CD36 gene expression) substrate transporters were significantly reduced in the hearts of FGR fetuses. We also found reduced mitochondrial numbers as well as abundance of electron transport chain complexes (complexes II and IV). These data suggest that FGR diminishes metabolic and mitochondrial capacity in the fetal heart; however, alterations were not correlated with fetal LVCO. Overall, these data show that FGR alters fetal cardiac metabolism in late gestation. If sustained ex utero, this altered metabolic profile may contribute to poor cardiac outcomes in FGR‐born individuals after birth.

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Key points

Around the time of birth, substrate utilisation in the fetal heart switches from carbohydrates to fatty acids. However, the effect of fetal growth restriction (FGR) on this switch, and thus the ability of the fetal heart to effectively metabolise fatty acids, is not fully understood.

Using a sheep model of early onset FGR, we observed significant downregulation in mRNA expression of fatty acid receptors CD36 and FABP in the fetal heart. FGR fetuses also had significantly lower cardiac mitochondrial abundance than controls.

There was a reduction in abundance of complexes II and IV within the electron transport chain of the FGR fetal heart, suggesting altered ATP production.

This indicates reduced fatty acid metabolism and mitochondrial function in the heart of the FGR fetus, which may have detrimental long‐term implications and contribute to increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life.
Interval colorectal cancers after negative faecal immunochemical test in the New Zealand Bowel Screening Pilot
Authors: Saw Kai Sheng , Sexton Kerry , Frankish Paul , Hulme-Moir Mike , Bissett Ian , Parry Susan
Published: November 2023

Objective

Evaluate the diagnostic performance of faecal immunochemical test (FIT), identify risk factors for FIT-interval colorectal cancers (FIT-IC) and describe long-term outcomes of participants with colorectal cancers (CRC) in the New Zealand Bowel Screening Pilot (BSP).

Design

From 2012 to 2017, the BSP offered eligible individuals, aged 50–74 years, biennial screening using a quantitative FIT with positivity threshold of 15 µg haemoglobin (Hb)/g faeces. Retrospective review of prospectively maintained data extracted from the BSP Register and New Zealand Cancer Registry identified any CRC reported in participants who returned a definitive FIT result. Further details were obtained from hospital records. FIT-ICs were primary CRC diagnosed within 24 months of a negative FIT. Factors associated with FIT-ICs were identified using logistic regression.

Results

Of 387 215 individuals invited, 57.4% participated with 6.1% returning positive FIT results. Final analysis included 520 CRC, of which 111 (21.3%) met FIT-IC definition. Overall FIT sensitivity for CRC was 78.7% (95% CI=74.9% to 82.1%), specificity was 94.1% (95% CI=94.0% to 94.2%). In 78 (70.3%) participants with FIT-IC, faecal Hb was reported as undetectable. There were no significant associations between FIT-IC and age, sex, ethnicity and deprivation. FIT-ICs were significantly associated with proximal tumour location, late stage at diagnosis, high-grade tumour differentiation and subsequent round screens. Median follow-up time was 74 (2–124) months. FIT-IC had significantly poorer overall survival.

Conclusion

FIT sensitivity in BSP compared favourably to published data. FIT-ICs were more likely to be proximal tumours with poor long-term outcomes. Further lowering of FIT threshold would have minimal impact on FIT-IC.
Ambroxol as a disease-modifying treatment to reduce the risk of cognitive impairment inGBA-associated Parkinson’s disease: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II trial. The AMBITIOUS study protocol
Authors: Colucci Fabiana , Avenali Micol , De Micco Rosita , Fusar Poli Marco , Cerri Silvia , Stanziano Mario , Bacila Ana , Cuconato Giada , Franco Valentina , Franciotta Diego , Ghezzi Cristina , Gastaldi Matteo , Elia Antonio Emanuele , Romito Luigi , Devigili Grazia , Leta Valentina , Garavaglia Barbara , Golfrè Andreasi Nico , Cazzaniga Federico , Reale Chiara , Galandra Caterina , Germani Giancarlo , Mitrotti Pierfrancesco , Ongari Gerardo , Palmieri Ilaria , Picascia Marta , Pichiecchio Anna , Verri Mattia , Esposito Fabrizio , Cirillo Mario , Di Nardo Federica , Aloisio Simone , Siciliano Mattia , Prioni Sara , Amami Paolo , Piacentini Sylvie , Bruzzone Maria Grazia , Grisoli Marina , Moda Fabio , Eleopra Roberto , Tessitore Alessandro , Valente Enza Maria , Cilia Roberto
Published: November 2023

Background

Heterozygous mutations in theGBAgene, encoding the lysosomal enzyme β-glucocerebrosidase (GCase), are the most frequent genetic risk factor for Parkinson’s disease (PD).GBA-related PD (GBA-PD) patients have higher risk of dementia and reduced survival than non-carriers. Preclinical studies and one open-label trial in humans demonstrated that the chaperone ambroxol (ABX) increases GCase levels and modulates α-synuclein levels in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Methods and analysis

In this multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II clinical trial, we randomise patients with GBA-PD in a 1:1 ratio to either oral ABX 1.2 g/day or placebo. The duration of treatment is 52 weeks. Each participant is assessed at baseline and weeks 12, 26, 38, 52 and 78. Changes in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score and the frequency of mild cognitive impairment and dementia between baseline and weeks 52 are the primary outcome measures. Secondary outcome measures include changes in validated scales/questionnaires assessing motor and non-motor symptoms. Neuroimaging features and CSF neurodegeneration markers are used as surrogate markers of disease progression. GCase activity, ABX and α-synuclein levels are also analysed in blood and CSF. A repeated-measures analysis of variance will be used for elaborating results. The primary analysis will be by intention to treat.

Ethics and dissemination

The study and protocols have been approved by the ethics committee of centres. The study is conducted according to good clinical practice and the Declaration of Helsinki. The trial findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences.

Trial registration numbers

NCT05287503, EudraCT 2021-004565-13.
Multivariate analysis of repeatability for the Near Eye Tool for Refractive Assessment (NETRA)
Authors: Hasrod Nabeela , Rubin Alan
Published: November 2023

Objective

To investigate repeatability of refractive state using a smartphone-based assessment tool, the Near Eye Tool for Refractive Assessment (NETRA).

Methods and analysis

This study included 279 participants, predominantly female (66.7%) of African descent (49.1%). The age range was 9–63 years with mean age (s) 22.6 (8.9) years. Two consecutive measurements per eye with the NETRA were measured for both eyes of all participants. However, analyses for the right eyes only are included here. Multivariate statistical analysis included stereo-pair comets and scatterplots with 95% surfaces of constant probability density. Correlation coefficients for repeated samples were determined. Repeatability and agreement for NETRA were assessed with Bland-Altman plots, coefficients of repeatability (CR=1.96sd;sdis the SD of differences) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).

Results

Bland-Altman plots, within-subject SD (sw), coefficients of repeatability and ICC indicated that repeated measurements were similar for many but not all eyes and there was good agreement (ICC=0.96) for the spherical coefficient (FI=M) but less so for antistigmatic coefficients (FJ=J0andFK=J45) of power. Although mean differences for repeated samples were almost zero, 95% limits of agreement widths were larger for the stigmatic coefficients. Without cycloplegia, repeatability (2.77sw) was 1.63 D, 0.58 D and 0.56 D for the stigmatic and antistigmatic coefficients, respectively.

Conclusion

NETRA is a potentially useful and inexpensive portable method in clinical and primary health settings, and especially in less-developed regions of the world. The subjective nature of the self-refraction task can be challenging for younger individuals, and cycloplegia is recommended for NETRA with such patients.