bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consolidated bioprocessing of lignocellulose for production of glucaric acid by an artificial microbial consortium
Authors: Li Chaofeng , Lin Xiaofeng , Ling Xing , Li Shuo , Fang Hao
Published: April 2020

The biomanufacturing of D-glucaric acid has been attracted increasing interest and the industrial yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is regarded as an excellent host for D-glucaric acid production. Here we constructed the biosynthetic pathway of D-glucaric acid in S. cerevisiae INVSc1 whose opi1 was knocked out and obtained two engineered strains, LGA-1 and LGA-C, producing record breaking titers of D-glucaric acid, 9.53 ± 0.46 g/L and 11.21 ± 0.63 g/L D-glucaric acid from 30 g/L glucose and 10.8 g/L myo-inositol in the mode of fed-batch fermentation, respectively. Due to the genetic stability and the outperformance in subsequent applications, however, LGA-1 was a preferable strain. As one of the top chemicals from biomass, there have been no reports on D-glucaric acid production from lignocellulose, which is the most abundant renewable on earth. Therefore, the biorefinery processes of lignocellulose for D-glucaric acid production including separated hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF), simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) and consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) were investigated in this work and CBP by an artificial microbial consortium composed of Trichoderma reesei Rut-C30 and S. cerevisiae LGA-1 was found to have relatively high D-glucaric acid titers and yields after 7 d fermentation, 0.54 ± 0.12 g/L D-glucaric acid from 15 g/L Avicel, and 0.45 ± 0.06 g/L D-glucaric acid from 15 g/L steam exploded corn stover (SECS), respectively. In attempts to design the microbial consortium for more efficient CBP the team consisted of the two members, T. reesei Rut-C30 and S. cerevisiae LGA-1, was found to be the best with excellent work distribution and collaboration. This desirable and promising approach for direction production of D-glucaric acid from lignocellulose deserves extensive and in-depth research.
ADrosophilanatural variation screen identifies NKCC1 as a substrate of NGLY1 deglycosylation and a modifier of NGLY1 deficiency
Authors: Talsness Dana M. , Owings Katie G. , Coelho Emily , Mercenne Gaelle , Pleinis John M. , Zuberi Aamir R. , Partha Raghavendran , Clark Nathan L. , Lutz Cathleen M. , Rodan Aylin R. , Chow Clement Y.
Published: April 2020

N-Glycanase 1 (NGLY1) is a cytoplasmic deglycosylating enzyme. Loss-of-function mutations in theNGLY1gene cause NGLY1 deficiency, which is characterized by developmental delay, seizures, and a lack of sweat and tears. To model the phenotypic variability observed among patients, we crossed aDrosophilamodel of NGLY1 deficiency onto a panel of genetically diverse strains. The resulting progeny showed a phenotypic spectrum from 0-100% lethality. Association analysis on the lethality phenotype as well as an evolutionary rate covariation analysis generated lists of modifying genes, providing insight into NGLY1 function and disease. The top association hit wasNcc69(humanNKCC1/2), a conserved ion transporter. Analyses in NGLY1 -/- mouse cells demonstrated that NKCC1 is misglycosylated and has reduced function, making it only the second confirmed NGLY1 enzymatic substrate. The misregulation of this ion transporter may explain the observed defects in secretory epithelium function in NGLY1 deficiency patients.
Altered functional connectivity of cortical networks in semantic variant Primary Progressive Aphasia
Authors: Popal Haroon , Quimby Megan , Hochberg Daisy , Dickerson Bradford C. , Collins Jessica A.
Published: April 2020

As their illness progresses, patients with the semantic variant of Primary Progressive Aphasia (svPPA) frequently exhibit peculiar behaviors indicative of altered visual attention or an increased interest in artistic endeavors. In the present study, we examined changes within and between large-scale functional brain networks that may explain this altered visual behavior. We first examined the connectivity of the visual association network, the dorsal attention network, and the default mode network in healthy young adults (n=89) to understand the typical architecture of these networks in the healthy brain. We then compared the large-scale functional connectivity of these networks in a group of svPPA patients (n=12) to a group of age-matched cognitively normal controls (n=30). Our results showed that the between-network connectivity of the dorsal attention and visual association networks was elevated in svPPA patients relative to controls. We further showed that this heightened between-network connectivity was associated with a decrease in the within-network connectivity of the default mode network, possibly due to progressive degeneration of the anterior temporal lobes in svPPA. These results suggest that focal neurodegeneration can lead to the reorganization of large-scale cognitive networks beyond the primarily affected network(s), possibly contributing to cognitive or behavioral changes that are commonly present as part of the clinical phenotype of svPPA.
Probing the Plasticity in the Active Site of Protein N-terminal Methyltransferase 1 Using Bisubstrate Analogs
Authors: Chen Dongxing , Dong Cheng , Dong Guangping , Srinivasan Karthik , Min Jinrong , Noinaj Nicholas , Huang Rong
Published: April 2020

The interactions of a series of bisubstrate analogs with protein N-terminal methyltransferase 1 (NTMT1) were examined to probe the molecular properties of the NTMT1 active site through biochemical characterization and structural studies. Our results indicate that a 2-C to 4-C atom linker enables its respective bisubstrate analog to occupy both substrate and cofactor binding sites of NTMT1, but the bisubstrate analog with a 5-C atom linker only interacts with the substrate binding site and functions as a substrate. Furthermore, the 4-C atom linker is the optimal and produces the most potent inhibitor (Ki, app= 130 ± 40 pM) for NTMT1 to date, displaying over 100,000-fold selectivity over other methyltransferases and 3,000-fold even to its homolog NTMT2. This study reveals the molecular basis for the plasticity of the NTMT1 active site. Additionally, our study outlines a general guidance on the development of bisubstrate inhibitors for any methyltransferases.
Oncogenetic Network Estimation with Disjunctive Bayesian Networks
Authors: Nicol Phillip B. , Coombes Kevin R. , Deaver Courtney , Chkrebtii Oksana , Paul Subhadeep , Toland Amanda E. , Asiaee Amir
Published: April 2020

Motivation

Cancer is the process of accumulating genetic alterations that confer selective advantages to tumor cells. The order in which aberrations occur is not arbitrary, and inferring the order of events is challenging due to the lack of longitudinal samples from tumors. Moreover, a network model of oncogenesis should capture biological facts such as distinct progression trajectories of cancer subtypes and patterns of mutual exclusivity of alterations in the same pathways. In this paper, we present the Disjunctive Bayesian Network (DBN), a novel oncogenetic model with a phylogenetic interpretation. DBN is expressive enough to capture cancer subtypes’ trajectories and mutually exclusive relations between alterations from unstratified data.

Results

In cases where the number of studied alterations is small (<30), we provide an efficient dynamic programming implementation of an exact structure learning method that finds a best DBN in the super-exponential search space of networks. In rare cases that the number of alterations is large, we provided an efficient genetic algorithm in our software package, OncoBN. Through numerous synthetic and real data experiments, we show OncoBN’s ability in inferring ground truth networks and recovering biologically meaningful progression networks.

Availability

OncoBN is implemented in R and is available athttps://github.com/phillipnicol/OncoBN.
Discovery of potential epigenetic inhibitors against histone methyltransferases through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Babu Tirumalasetty Muni Chandra , Zhang Zaiping , Qin Danian , Huang Chengyang
Published: April 2020

Histone methyltransferases (HMTases) catalyze histone methylations that are the important epigenetic marks regulating gene expression, cell fate, and disease progression. In this study, we investigated potential epigenetic inhibitors against HMTases through in silico approaches, including ensembled molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations (MDS).We identified three candidate compounds, including echinomycin, emetine, and streptonigrin, which showed interactions with HMTases. Echinomycin showed similar binding affinity with H3K4-HMTase NSD3 and H3K9-HMTase SETDB1 but streptonigrin and emetine had preferential binding affinity with NSD3 and SETDB1, respectively. The binding of NSD3 to streptonigrin and echinomycin and binding of SETDB1 to emetine and echinomycin were further confirmed by the results of hydrogen bonding profile and MM/PBSA calculations. Together, our results uncover the binding affinities of echinomycin, emetine, and streptonigrin with histone methyltransferases, and suggest that these compounds are potential epigenetic inhibitors regulating cell activities.
White matter fascicles and cortical microstructure predict reading-related responses in human ventral temporal cortex
Authors: Grotheer Mareike , Yeatman Jason , Grill-Spector Kalanit
Published: April 2020

Reading-related responses in the lateral ventral temporal cortex (VTC) show a consistent spatial layout across individuals, which is puzzling, since reading skills are acquired during childhood. Here, we tested the hypothesis that white matter fascicles and gray matter microstructure predict the location of reading-related responses in lateral VTC. We obtained functional (fMRI), diffusion (dMRI), and quantitative (qMRI) magnetic resonance imaging data in 30 adults. fMRI was used to map reading-related responses by contrasting responses in a reading task with those in adding and color tasks; dMRI was used to identify the brain’s fascicles and to map their endpoints density in lateral VTC; qMRI was used to measure proton relaxation time (T1), which depends on cortical tissue microstructure. We fit linear models that predict reading-related responses in lateral VTC from endpoint density and T1and used leave-one-subject-out cross-validation to assess prediction accuracy. Using a subset of our participants (N=10, feature selection set), we find that i) endpoint density of the arcuate fasciculus (AF), inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF), and vertical occipital fasciculus (VOF) are significant predictors of reading-related responses, and ii) cortical T1of lateral VTC further improves the predictions of the fascicle model. Next, in the remaining 20 participants (validation set), we showed that a linear model that includes T1, AF, ILF and VOF significantly predicts i) the map of reading-related responses across lateral VTC and ii) the location of the visual word form area, a region critical for reading. Overall, our data-driven approach reveals that the AF, ILF, VOF and cortical microstructure have a consistent spatial relationship with an individual’s reading-related responses in lateral VTC.

Highlights

The ILF, AF, and VOF predict the spatial layout of reading-related responses in VTC

Gray matter microstructure improves the prediction of reading-related responses

Fascicles and gray matter structure together predict the location of the VWFA
RNA matchmaking remodels lncRNA structure and promotes PRC2 activity
Authors: Balas Maggie M. , Hartwick Erik W. , Barrington Chloe , Roberts Justin T. , Wu Stephen K. , Bettcher Ryan , Griffin April M. , Kieft Jeffrey S. , Johnson Aaron M.
Published: April 2020

Human Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) catalysis of histone H3 lysine 27 methylation at certain loci depends on long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Yet, in apparent contradiction, RNA is a potent catalytic inhibitor of PRC2. Here we show that intermolecular RNA-RNA interactions between the lncRNA HOTAIR and its target genes can relieve RNA inhibition of PRC2. RNA matchmaking is promoted by heterogenous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) B1, which uses multiple protein domains to bind regions of HOTAIR via multi-valent protein-RNA interactions. Chemical probing demonstrates that RNA matchmaking changes HOTAIR RNA structure. Genome-wide HOTAIR/PRC2 activity occurs at genes whose transcripts can make favorable RNA-RNA interactions with HOTAIR. We demonstrate that RNA-RNA matches of HOTAIR with target gene RNAs can relieve the inhibitory effect of a single lncRNA for PRC2 activity. Our work highlights an intrinsic switch that allows PRC2 activity in specific RNA contexts, which could explain how many lncRNAs work with PRC2.
rcs5-mediated spot blotch resistance in barley is conferred by wall-associated kinases that resist pathogen manipulation
Authors: Ameen Gazala , Solanki Shyam , Drader Thomas , Sager-Bittara Lauren , Steffenson Brian , Kleinhofs Andris , Vogiatzis Chrysafis , Brueggeman Robert S.
Published: April 2020

Plant biotrophic pathogen disease resistances rely on immunity receptor-mediated programmed cell death (PCD) responses, but specialized necrotrophic/hemi-biotrophic pathogens hijack these mechanisms to colonize the resulting dead tissue in their necrotrophic phase. Thus, immunity receptors can become necrotrophic pathogen dominant susceptibility targets but resistance mechanisms that resist necrotroph manipulation are recessive resistance genes. The barleyrcs5QTL imparts recessive resistance against the disease spot blotch caused by the hemi-biotrophic fungal pathogenBipolaris sorokiniana. Thercs5genetic interval was delimited to ~0.23 cM, representing an ~234 kb genomic region containing four wall-associated kinase (WAK) genes, designatedHvWak2, Sbs1, Sbs2(susceptibility toBipolarissorokiniana1&2), andHvWak5. Post-transcriptional gene silencing ofSbs1&2in susceptible barley cultivars resulted in resistance showing dominant susceptibility function. Allele analysis ofSbs1&2from resistant and susceptible barley cultivars identified sequence polymorphisms associated with phenotypes in their primary coding sequence and promoter regions, suggesting differential transcriptional regulation may contribute to susceptibility. Transcript analysis ofSbs1&2showed nearly undetectable expression in resistant and susceptible cultivars prior to pathogen challenge; however, upregulation of both genes occurred specifically in susceptible cultivars post-inoculation with a virulent isolate. Apoplastic wash fluids collected from barley infected with a virulent isolate inducedSbs1, suggesting regulation by an apoplastic-secreted effector. Thus,Sbs1&2 function asB. sorokinianasusceptibility targets and non-functional alleles or alleles that resist induction by the pathogen mediatercs5-recessive resistance. Thesbs1&2alleles underlying thercs5QTL that the pathogen is unable to manipulate are the first resistance genes identified against spot blotch.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Thercs5locus in barley confers a high level of seedling resistance and a moderate level of adult plant resistance to spot blotch. It is part of a complex that has provided durable spot blotch resistance in many North American barley cultivars (cv) for more than 50 years. Genetic characterization and positional cloning ofrcs5identified the dominant susceptibility genes,Sbs1andSbs2(susceptibility toBipolaris sorokiniana1 and 2) as wall-associated kinases. These genes are hijacked by the hemibiotrophic pathogen in its necrotrophic phase to induce programmed cell death, facilitating disease development. We report the first spot blotch resistance/susceptibility genes cloned that function via alleles that cannot be specifically induced and hijacked by virulent isolates of the pathogen.
A Cyclic Phosphoramidate Prodrug of 2’-deoxy-2’-fluoro-2’-C-methylguanosine for the Treatment of Dengue Infection
Authors: Karuna Ratna , Yokokawa Fumiaki , Wang Keshi , Zhang Jin , Xu Haoying , Wang Gang , Ding Mei , Chan Wai Ling , Abdul Ghafar Nahdiyah , Leonardi Andrea , Seh Cheah Chen , Seah Peck Gee , Liu Wei , Rao Srinivasa P. S. , Lim Siew Pheng , Lakshminarayana Suresh Bangalore , Growcott Ellena J , Babu Sreehari , Fenaux Martijn , Zhong Weidong , Gu Feng , Shi Pei-Yong , Blasco Francesca , Chen Yen-Liang
Published: April 2020

Monophosphate prodrug analogs of 2’-deoxy-2’-fluoro-2’-C-methylguanosine have been reported as potent inhibitors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. These prodrugs also display potent anti-dengue activities in cellular assays although their prodrug moieties were designed to produce high levels of triphosphate in the liver. Since peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are one of the major targets of dengue virus, different prodrug moieties were designed to effectively deliver 2’-deoxy-2’-fluoro-2’-C-methylguanosine monophosphate prodrugs and their corresponding triphosphates into PBMCs after oral administration. We identified a cyclic phosphoramidate prodrug 17 demonstrating a well-balanced anti-dengue cellular activity and in vitro stability profiles. In dogs, oral administration of 17 resulted in high PBMC triphosphate level, exceeding TP50(the intracellular triphosphate concentration at which 50% of virus replication is inhibited) at 10 mg/kg. Compound 17 demonstrated 1.6- and 2.2 log viremia reduction in the dengue mouse model at 100 and 300 mg/kg twice daily, respectively. At 100 mg/kg twice daily, the terminal triphosphate concentration in PBMCs reached above TP50, defining for the first time the minimum efficacious dose for a nucleos(t)ide prodrug. In the two-week dog toxicity studies at 30 to 300 mg/kg/day, no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) could not be achieved due to pulmonary inflammation and hemorrhage. The preclinical safety results suspended further development of 17. Nevertheless, present work has proven the concept that an efficacious monophosphate nucleoside prodrug could be developed for the potential treatment of dengue infection.
Integration of IL-2 and IL-4 Signals Coordinates Divergent Regulatory T cell Responses and Drives Therapeutic Efficacy
Authors: Zhou Julie Y. , Alvarez Carlos A. , Cobb Brian A
Published: April 2020

Cells exist within complex milieus of communicating factors, such as cytokines, that combine to generate context-specific responses, yet nearly all knowledge about the function of each cytokine and the signaling propagated downstream of their recognition is based upon the response to individual cytokines. Here, we found that regulatory T cells (Tregs) integrate concurrent signaling initiated by IL-2 and IL-4 to generate a response divergent from the sum of the two pathways in isolation. IL-4 stimulation of STAT6 phosphorylation was blocked by IL-2, while IL-2 and IL-4 synergized to enhance STAT5 phosphorylation, IL-10 production, and the selective proliferation of IL-10-producing Tregs, leading to increased inhibition of conventional T cell activation and the reversal of asthma and multiple sclerosis in mice. These data define a mechanism of combinatorial cytokine signaling and lay the foundation upon which to better understand the origins of cytokine pleiotropy while informing improved the clinical use of cytokines.
Resource cell for juvenile justice: challenges of motivation of social workers
Authors: Ajgaonkar Mihir , D’Souza Keith , Mukundan K. P. Asha
Published: April 2020

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes are as follows: understanding issues involved in the employee motivation, particularly those engaged in social change and development in emerging economies; develop insights into how to motivate team members by drawing on relevant theories of motivation; and orient students towards the application of these theories in the organization.

Case overview/synopsis

Resource cell for juvenile justice (RCJJ) was initiated as a field action project at the centre for criminology and justice, Tata Institute of Social Sciences with the objective of working on issues of children with a special focus on juveniles in conflict with law (JCL). RCJJ aimed at highlighting the socio-legal issues of juvenile children who were in conflict of law providing aid to these children and their families, and working towards their eventual social reintegration. RCJJ also trained stakeholders in the juvenile justice system and facilitated rehabilitation and social integration of JCLs as directed by the juvenile justice boards (JJBs). RCJJ had teams at six places within India. These teams worked with various government institutions, parents and JCLs to eventually effect change in the conditions of JCLs. The social workers engaged by RCJJ had a challenging task of facilitating social integration of the children, in coordination with the police, JJBs, families and lawyers. They had to actively manage help desks at the judicial observation homes where JCLs were housed. The social workers were under great stress because of antagonism from lawyers and police. The JJBs were prejudiced against them for being “outside watchdogs”. This resulted in high demotivation and attrition among employees. Jyoti Mhatre, project manager, interviewed past and present field workers to gauge the extent and reasons for demotivation. This intervention highlighted the positive and negative aspects of the organizational culture and the stress points that were causing demotivation. The situation was alarming and Jyoti had to develop an action plan to improve the motivation of the social workers to bring down the attrition.

Complexity academic level

Courses in human resource management, organizational behaviour and general management as part of masters-level programmes in business administration and management, and executive development programmes on employee motivation for middle/senior management.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 6: Human resource management.
Developing a sport fan equity index
Authors: Kim Young Do , Magnusen Marshall J. , Kim Yukyoum , Kim Minjung
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The primary purpose of this study was to generate a composite sport fan equity index (SFEI) for use in estimating the asset value of an individual fan to a sport organization. The index was developed by applying a simple additive weighting (SAW) method.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey-based research was carried out to validate key components of sport fan equity (SFE) and formulate the SFEI on the basis of the NCAA Division I collegiate sport context. These objectives were satisfied through a twofold process involving first-order confirmatory factor analysis intended to assess the validity of SFE measurement scales and SAW designed to produce the composite SFEI.

Findings

The developed index indicated that the average SFE of focal sport fans of Division I collegiate sport was 54.8 and that the overall SFE of such contributors ranged from 20.4 (the lowest score) to 94.6 (the highest score). The SFEI serves as a single, summary score and an essential gauge for sport marketers to use when assessing profitable fans and tracking/comparing them over time.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the sport marketing literature through its application of SAW in an initial effort to produce an easily understandable index that determines the asset value of sport fans and serves as an imperative criterion for overall sport team valuation from the sport consumer side. Specifically, the SFEI can function as a standard numeric measure that enables sport marketers to identify fans from whom sport organizations can generate considerable profits, segment these devotees systematically, and tailor marketing strategies to each fan base.
Bigenderism at work? Organizational responses to trans men and trans women employees
Authors: Rudin Joel , Billing Tejinder , Farro Andrea , Yang Yang
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to test bigenderism, a universalistic theory that purports to explain why trans men employees enjoy greater organizational acceptance and superior economic outcomes compared to trans women employees.

Design/methodology/approach

Respondents were presented with one of two case studies in which they had to choose whether or not to respect the right of a trans employee to use the restroom of their choice at work. The only difference between the two case studies was the gender of the trans employee. In one case, the employee was a trans man and in the other case, the employee was a trans woman.

Findings

The gender of the trans employee had no impact on the choices of the respondents.

Research limitations/implications

The chief research implication is that heightened discrimination against trans men may better be explained by situational theories of transphobia rather than the universalistic theory that was tested in this paper. The primary research limitation was the use of American undergraduate business students as respondents.

Practical implications

Organizations need to be especially vigilant in protecting the restroom rights of their transgender employees, which may entail eliminating gender-segregated restrooms.

Originality/value

This paper is original in that it uses an experimental design to test the theory of bigenderism. It adds value by encouraging experimental research that examines situational theories of transphobia.
Patterns of clinicopathological features and outcome in epithelial ovarian cancer patients: 35 years of prospectively collected data
Authors: Irodi A , Rye T , Herbert K , Churchman M , Bartos C , Mackean M , Nussey F , Herrington CS , Gourley C , Hollis RL
Published: April 2020

Objective

Investigate the clinical landscape of ovarian carcinoma (OC) over time.

Design

Register‐based prospectively collected data.

Setting

South East Scotland.

Sample

A total of 2805 OC patients diagnosed in 1981–2015.

Methods

Survival times were visualised using the Kaplan–Meier method; median survival, 5‐year survival probabilities and associated restricted mean survival time analyses were used to quantify survival differences.

Main outcome measures

Disease‐specific survival.

Results

A significant increase in disease‐specific survival (DSS) from 1981–1985 to 2011–2015 was observed (median 1.73 versus 4.23 years, P < 0.0001). Corresponding increase in progression‐free survival (PFS) was not statistically significant (median 1.22 versus 1.58 years, P = 0.2568). An increase in the proportion of cases with low residual disease volume (RD) (<2 cm RD) following debulking was observed (54.0% versus 87.7%, P < 0.0001). The proportion of high grade serous (HGS) cases increased (P < 0.0001), whereas endometrioid and mucinous cases decreased (P = 0.0005 and P = 0.0002). Increases in stage IV HGS OC incidence (P = 0.0009) and stage IV HGS OC DSS (P = 0.0122) were observed. Increasing median age at diagnosis correlated with increasing Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) over time (r = 0.86).

Conclusions

OC DSS has improved over the last 35 years. PFS has not significantly increased, highlighting that improvement in outcome has been limited to extending post‐relapse survival. Distribution of stage at diagnosis, histological subtype and RD following debulking has changed over time, reflecting evolution in tumour classification, staging and optimal debulking definitions (from low RD to minimal or zero RD). Histology, stage, RD and ECOG PS remain reliable outcome predictors. Increasing median age at diagnosis and ECOG PS indicates demographic shifts in the clinical population.

Tweetable abstract

Significant improvement in ovarian carcinoma survival has been seen over time. Most of this improvement is due to an extension of survival following disease relapse.
Disinfestation techniques for major cereals: A status report
Authors: Paul Anjaly , Radhakrishnan Mahendran , Anandakumar Sugumar , Shanmugasundaram Saravanan , Anandharamakrishnan Chinnaswamy
Published: April 2020

Management of stored product insects is a major concern and widely researched topic in the food and grain processing and storage industry. In the scenario of estimated utilization of produces exceeding the production, postharvest losses should be properly controlled to feed the growing population. The prevailing disinfestation techniques are forced to meet regulatory standards and market demands. The resistance developed by insects, environmental concerns, and occupational hazards lead to the vanishing of many chemicals used in insect and pest management programs. Some of the major disinfestation techniques such as the use of chemical fumigants, ozone, irradiation, dielectric heating, extreme temperature treatments, and bio rational approaches are discussed, particularly on the storage of cereal grains and its products, as they contribute to a significant proportion of food consumed worldwide. Newer techniques such as nonthermal plasma and metabolic stress disinfestation and decontamination for stored pest control are developed and evaluated in different parts of the world. The knowledge about the mode of action of these disinfestation techniques is important to avoid the cross‐resistance and multiple resistance developed by insects with frequently used techniques. Various alternatives to conventional fumigants are discussed in this review as there is a growing demand for toxic‐free, environment‐friendly, and, at the same time, efficient techniques.
Viscoelastic haemostatic assays in aeromedical transport
Authors: Bates Alexander , Donohue Andrew , McCullough James , Winearls James
Published: April 2020

Objective

To assess the feasibility of using rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM®)‐sigma and thromboelastography (TEG®)‐6s viscoelastic point‐of‐care assays during rotary wing aeromedical transport, and to determine the reliability of the results obtained.

Methods

A single centre, prospective, observational, non‐interventional feasibility study performed at Gold Coast University Hospital intensive care unit, and in a LifeFlight Retrieval Medicine operated Leonardo AW139 helicopter. Blood was collected from eight healthy volunteers on 18 April 2019 and all testing was performed on that day. Functions measured were ROTEM‐sigma extrinsically activated thromboelastometry (EXTEM) clotting time (CT), EXTEM amplitude at 5 min after CT (A5) and fibrin‐based extrinsically activated thromboelastometry (FIBTEM) A5, and TEG‐6s Kaolin (CK) reaction time (R), functional fibrinogen (CFF) maximal amplitude (MA) and CFF amplitude at 10 min after R (A10). Differences between the results obtained in the helicopter and control results at Gold Coast University Hospital during flight and after flight, and also differences in control results over time up to 3 h were analysed.

Results

During flight both the ROTEM‐sigma and TEG‐6s devices failed to give reliable results. Post flight, the helicopter and control samples correlated well. Repeat testing of control samples at 1 and 3 h also revealed good correlation over time.

Conclusion

It is feasible to reliably run tests on both the ROTEM‐sigma and TEG‐6s after the devices have been flown in a rotary wing aircraft. However, testing cannot be performed while in flight conditions. It is also possible to run blood samples collected up to 3 h prior and acquire results which correlate well with initial testing.
Effects of age, sex and pathological type on the risk of multiple polyps: A Chinese teaching hospital study
Authors: Han Xu , Qian Wei , Liu Yu , Zheng Ting , Su Xiao Ju , Zhang Ping Ping , Chen Yan , Hu Liang Hao , Li Zhao Shen
Published: April 2020

Objectives

The lack of risk profile data on changes in multiple polyps identified by a colonoscopy constrains the creation of evidence‐based guidelines. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between size, location and histology of multiple polyps and patients’ characteristics in a large teaching hospital‐based Chinese population.

Methods

We conducted a large, case‐control, retrospective analysis on polyps obtained from 8308 patients who presented at the Digestive Endoscopy Center, Changhai Hospital (Shanghai, China) from January 2013 to August 2015. In total 10572 polyps were analyzed, with risk factors extrapolated through chart reviews of patients’ electronic medical records.

Results

Single polyps were identified in 6843 (82.4%) patients while multiple polyps were found in 1465 (17.6%). A multivariate analysis indicated that men were more likely than women to have multiple polyps (P < 0.001). Compared with the single polyps group, the numbers of patients with multiple polyps increased significantly with age (P < 0.001). Multiple small (6‐9 mm) non‐advanced adenomas were more likely to be found than were diminutive (<5 mm) non‐advanced adenomas (P < 0.001). While most advanced and non‐advanced adenomas were diagnosed in patients with single adenomas (55.9% and 65.6%, respectively), advanced adenomas were more likely than non‐advanced adenomas to be in multiples (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our data indicate that particular features of colorectal polyps, such as their large size, advanced histology, together with patients’ characteristics, including their sex and age, are risk factors associated with multiple polyps during diagnosis, screening and surveillance.
A DNA mini‐barcode for marine macrophytes
Authors: Ortega Alejandra , Geraldi Nathan R. , Díaz‐Rúa Rubén , Ørberg Sarah B. , Wesselmann Marlene , Krause‐Jensen Dorte , Duarte Carlos M.
Published: April 2020

Studies focusing on marine macrophyte metabarcoding from environmental samples are scarce, due to the lack of a universal barcode for these taxa, and to their poor representation in DNA databases. Here, we searched for a short barcode able to identify marine macrophytes from tissue samples; then, we created a DNA reference library which was used to identify macrophytes in eDNA from coastal sediments. Barcoding of seagrasses, mangroves and marine macroalgae (Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta and Phaeophyceae) was tested using 18 primer pairs from six barcoding genes: the plant barcodes rbcL, matK and trnL, plus the genes ITS2, COI and 18S. The 18S gene showed the highest universality among marine macrophytes, amplifying 95%–100% of samples; amplification performance of the other barcodes was limited. Taxonomy was assigned using a phylogeny‐based approach to create an 18S DNA reference library. Macrophyte tissue sequences were accurately identified within their phyla (88%), order (76%), genus (71%) and species (23%). Nevertheless, out of 86 macrophytes tested, only 48% and 15% had a reference sequence at genus and at species level, respectively. Identification at these levels can be improved by more inclusive reference libraries. Using the 18S mini‐barcode and the reference library, we recovered eDNA from 21 marine macrophytes in sediments, demonstrating the barcode's ability to trace primary producers that contribute to blue carbon. We expect this barcode to also be useful for other ecological questions, such as tracing macro primary producers in marine food webs.
A life‐course theory exploration of opioid‐related maternal mortality in the United States
Authors: Cleveland Lisa M. , McGlothen‐Bell Kelly , Scott Leticia A. , Recto Pamela
Published: April 2020

Background and Aims

Between 2007 and 2016, pregnancy‐associated mortality resulting from overdose more than doubled in the United States. This study explored the circumstances surrounding maternal opioid‐related morbidity and mortality, using the life‐course theory as a sensitizing framework to examine how each participant's life‐course contributed to her substance use, relapse, recovery or overdose.

Design

A mixed‐methods study using semi‐structured, in‐depth face‐to‐face interviews and focus groups were conducted.

Setting

Texas, United States.

Participants

Women who had relapsed into opioid use or experienced a ‘near‐miss’ overdose and family members of women who had died during the maternal period due to opioid overdose were interviewed (n = 99).

Measurements

A socio‐demographic questionnaire captured participants’ ethnicity, age, marital status, medical and mental health history and employment status. The Stressful Life Events Screening Questionnaire—revised (SLESQ‐R) assessed life‐time exposure to trauma.

Findings

Women reported histories of abuse and loss of a loved one through homicide or suicide. Participants indicated that limited social support, interpersonal conflict with their partner and unaddressed mental illness made recovery more challenging. Additionally, losing their children through the child welfare system was described as punitive and placed them at greater risk for relapse and overdose.

Conclusions

A life‐course theory approach to examining maternal opioid‐related morbidity and mortality in Texas, United States reveals the complex needs of women at risk for opioid use relapse and overdose and the significant role of previous traumatic experiences.
Staff knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to mobilisation in a rehabilitation setting: Short report of a multidisciplinary survey
Authors: Mudge Alison M. , Bew Paul , Smith Simon , McRae Prue
Published: April 2020

Objectives

Regular mobilising is important in inpatient rehabilitation, but objective measurements show low patient mobility. We sought to understand multidisciplinary staff perspectives on barriers and enablers to mobility in a rehabilitation setting.

Methods

A validated barriers survey (standardised score 0‐100, higher representing greater barriers) was distributed to 99 clinical staff on two wards at a single rehabilitation facility.

Results

The survey was completed by 83 staff (52 nurses, 25 allied health professionals, 4 therapy assistants and 2 medical officers) and identified barriers in behaviour (mean 39, SD 11), attitudes (mean 34, SD 12) and knowledge (mean 23, SD 18). Prominent perceived barriers were nursing workload, unclear responsibility for mobilising, risk of staff injury, patient motivation and family participation; perceived enablers were good knowledge, positive outcome expectations and team communication.

Conclusions

These barriers can inform locally tailored strategies to improve rehabilitation patient mobility.
The survival benefit of radiotherapy in localized primary adult rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Zhao Ruping , Yu Xiaoli , Feng Yan , Wang Jian , Chen Yong , Mao Yanjiao , Yin Wei , Zhang Zhen , Guo Xiaomao , Ma Shenglin
Published: April 2020

Aim

To evaluate the role of radiotherapy (RT) in the treatment of localized primary adult rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS).

Methods

This retrospective study identified 62 consecutive adult patients with localized primary RMS from January 2000 and July 2016. Local failure‐free survival (LFFS), distant metastasis‐free survival (DMFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed by the Kaplan–Meier method. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were fit to assess the ability of patient characteristics to predict survival.

Results

With a median follow‐up of 33 months (range, 6–195 months), the 5‐year LFFS, DMFS and OS of all patients were 64.0%, 50.0% and 45.0%, respectively. RT was administered to 28 patients (45.2%). Patients who received RT had a higher 5‐year LFFS (81.7% vs 47.2%), 5‐year DMFS (59.4% vs 43.1%) and 5‐year OS (57.1% vs 34.8%) compared with patients who did not received RT. In mulitvariate analysis, RT retained significance as an independent predictor of improved LFFS [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.282; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.095–0.838; P = 0.023], DMFS (HR = 0.289; 95% CI, 0.125–0.991; P = 0.004) and OS (HR = 0.334; 95% CI, 0.153–0.727; P = 0.006).

Conclusions

RT significantly reduced local recurrence, distant metastasis and tumor mortality compared with no radiotherapy for localized primary adult RMS.
The Dilemma of International Diversification: Evidence from the European Sovereign Debt Crisis
Authors: Francis Bill B. , Hasan Iftekhar , Kostova Gergana L. , Ben Naceur Sami
Published: April 2020

This paper tests how capital markets value the international diversification of banks in good and in bad economic times by investigating changes in domestic and foreign sovereign debt ratings before and during the European sovereign debt crisis. Tracing 320 European banks in 29 countries and 226 credit rating announcements for European sovereigns between 1 January 2001 and 15 August 2012, we show that the market values banks with access to foreign funds. Despite occasional adverse effects immediately following negative news regarding sovereign credit rating changes, international diversification was found to be beneficial to European banks, especially during periods of distress.
Current perspective on eicosanoids in asthma and allergic diseases: EAACI Task Force consensus report, part I
Authors: Sokolowska Milena , Rovati G. Enrico , Diamant Zuzana , Untersmayr Eva , Schwarze Jargen , Lukasik Zuzanna , Sava Florentina , Angelina Alba , Palomares Oscar , Akdis Cezmi A. , O’Mahony Liam , Sanak Marek , Dahlen Sven‐Erik , Woszczek Grzegorz
Published: April 2020

Eicosanoids are biologically active lipid mediators, comprising prostaglandins, leukotrienes, thromboxanes, and lipoxins, involved in several pathophysiological processes relevant to asthma, allergies, and allied diseases. Prostaglandins and leukotrienes are the most studied eicosanoids and established inducers of airway pathophysiology including bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation. Drugs inhibiting the synthesis of lipid mediators or their effects, such as leukotriene synthesis inhibitors, leukotriene receptors antagonists, and more recently prostaglandin D2 receptor antagonists, have been shown to modulate features of asthma and allergic diseases. This review, produced by an European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) task force, highlights our current understanding of eicosanoid biology and its role in mediating human pathology, with a focus on new findings relevant for clinical practice, development of novel therapeutics, and future research opportunities.
Use of mini‐incision microdissection testicular sperm extraction in men with cryptozoospermia and non‐obstructive azoospermia
Authors: Almajed Wael , Alharbi Mohannad , Zini Armand
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro‐TESE) is a procedure commonly utilized to harvest spermatozoa in severe male factor infertility. We have developed a technique involving a mini tunica albuginea incision with superficial tissue dissection (mini‐incision micro‐TESE). The modification is designed to reduce potential tissue injury, and we studied its effectiveness to harvest spermatozoa in men with cryptozoospermia and non‐obstructive azoospermia.

Materials and Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 103 infertile men with NOA and cryptozoospermia who underwent a mini‐incision micro‐TESE between March 2015 and August 2018 at the OVO fertility clinic. We consider the mini‐incision micro‐TESE procedure successful when at least five spermatozoa are identified in the micro‐biopsies obtained from the superficial tissue exposed by the 1‐cm mini‐incision. If no spermatozoa are identified through the mini‐incision, we can easily extend the incision to the standard micro‐TESE.

Results

The mini‐incision procedure allowed for successful recovery of spermatozoa (intra‐operative recovery of ≥ 5 spermatozoa) in 58% of men with cryptozoospermia and 25.6% of men with NOA. Overall, a successful sperm retrieval (with conversion to conventional micro‐TESE if mini‐incision was not successful) was achieved in 89% of men with cryptozoospermia and 48% of men with NOA. A successful mini‐incision micro‐TESE was associated with a significantly lower number of biopsies than conventional micro‐TESE (8.8 vs 24.2, P < .0001). Moreover, in men undergoing a redo micro‐TESE after a previously successful micro‐TESE, 64% (9/14) had spermatozoa found and 21% (3/14) of these men only required a mini‐incision micro‐TESE.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that mini‐incision micro‐TESE is a useful approach in men undergoing micro‐TESE, allowing for a shorter incision and a high sperm retrieval rate in men with cryptozoospermia. Furthermore, the findings of our study offer insight into the distribution of spermatogenesis in men with cryptozoospermia and NOA.
Cold‐inducible RNA binding protein agonist enhances the cardioprotective effect of UW solution during extended heart preservation
Authors: Pan Hai‐Zhou , Zhang Li‐Jing , Liu Yi‐Wei , Li Yong‐Nan , Su Zhan‐Hao , Meng Jian , Zhang Hao
Published: April 2020

In heart transplantation, time restriction is an unavoidable thorny problem during cardiac transport. Cold storage is an important organ preservation method in donor heart transport. Cold‐inducible RNA binding protein (CIRBP) has been proven to play a protective role under cold stress. In this study, we investigated the role of CIRBP in hypothermic cardioprotection during heart preservation in UW solution and explored a new approach to extend the heart preservation time. Cirbp‐knockout (Cirbp−/−), Cirbp‐transgenic (Cirbp‐Tg), and wild‐type rats were, respectively, randomized into two groups based on various heart preservation times (6 or 12‐hour group) (n = 8 per group). After preservation in UW solution, all hearts were mounted on a Langendorff apparatus and underwent measurement of cardiac parameters, histological analysis, and molecular study. Within the 6‐hour preservation group, no significant difference was found in cardiac functions and histological changes between different rat species. However, after 12 hours of preservation, Cirbp−/− rat hearts showed more apoptosis and worse cardiac function, but less apoptosis and better cardiac function were observed in Cirbp‐Tg rat hearts. Furthermore, we found CIRBP‐mediated cardiac ubiquinone (CoQ10) biosynthesis plays an important role in extending heart preservation, and ubiquinone biosynthesis protein COQ9 was an essential down‐stream regulator during this process. Finally, we found that zr17‐2, a CIRBP agonist, could enhance the expression of CIRBP, which further enhances the synthesis of CoQ10 and promotes scavenging of reactive oxygen species and ATP production to extend heart preservation. This study demonstrated that CIRBP‐enhanced CoQ10 biosynthesis during hypothermic heart preservation and zr17‐2‐supplemented UW solution could be a promising approach to ameliorate heart damage and extend heart preservation during cardiac transport.