bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Genomics Reveals Factors Associated with Phenotypic Expression of Wolbachia
Authors: Baião Guilherme Costa , Janice Jessin , Galinou Maria , Klasson Lisa
Published: May 2021

Wolbachia is a widespread, vertically transmitted bacterial endosymbiont known for manipulating arthropod reproduction. Its most common form of reproductive manipulation is cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), observed when a modification in the male sperm leads to embryonic lethality unless a compatible rescue factor is present in the female egg. CI attracts scientific attention due to its implications for host speciation and in the use of Wolbachia for controlling vector-borne diseases. However, our understanding of CI is complicated by the complexity of the phenotype, whose expression depends on both symbiont and host factors. In the present study, we perform a comparative analysis of nine complete Wolbachia genomes with known CI properties in the same genetic host background, Drosophila simulans STC. We describe genetic differences between closely related strains and uncover evidence that phages and other mobile elements contribute to the rapid evolution of both genomes and phenotypes of Wolbachia. Additionally, we identify both known and novel genes associated with the modification and rescue functions of CI. We combine our observations with published phenotypic information and discuss how variability in cif genes, novel CI-associated genes, and Wolbachia titer might contribute to poorly understood aspects of CI such as strength and bidirectional incompatibility. We speculate that high titer CI strains could be better at invading new hosts already infected with a CI Wolbachia, due to a higher rescue potential, and suggest that titer might thus be a relevant parameter to consider for future strategies using CI Wolbachia in biological control.
Proof of principle for piggyBac-mediated transgenesis in the flatworm Macrostomum lignano
Authors: Ustyantsev Kirill , Wudarski Jakub , Sukhikh Igor , Reinoite Filipa , Mouton Stijn , Berezikov Eugene
Published: May 2021

Regeneration-capable flatworms are informative research models to study the mechanisms of stem cell regulation, regeneration, and tissue patterning. The free-living flatworm Macrostomum lignano is currently the only flatworm where stable transgenesis is available, and as such it offers a powerful experimental platform to address questions that were previously difficult to answer. The published transgenesis approach relies on random integration of DNA constructs into the genome. Despite its efficiency, there is room and need for further improvement and diversification of transgenesis methods in M. lignano. Transposon-mediated transgenesis is an alternative approach, enabling easy mapping of the integration sites and the possibility of insertional mutagenesis studies. Here, we report for the first time that transposon-mediated transgenesis using piggyBac can be performed in M. lignano to create stable transgenic lines with single-copy transgene insertions.
The Importance of Monitoring the Postpartum Period in Moderate to Severe Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Bennett Audrey , Mamunes Alexander , Kim Mindy , Duley Caroline , Garrett Ailish , Annis Kim , Wagnon Julianne , Dalal Robin , Scoville Elizabeth , Beaulieu Dawn , Schwartz David , Horst Sara
Published: May 2021

Background

Prior research demonstrates Crohn’s disease patients often do well in pregnancy; however, less is known about the risk of flare in the postpartum period.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted at a tertiary care inflammatory bowel disease center. All pregnant women with Crohn’s disease who were followed in the postpartum period, defined as 6 months after delivery, were included. Statistical analysis included χ 2 analysis, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and logistic regression analysis. The primary outcome of interest was rate of flare in the postpartum period.

Results

There were 105 patients included in the study, with a majority (68%) on biologic medication during pregnancy. Thirty-one patients (30%) had a postpartum flare at a median of 9 weeks (range 2–24 weeks). Twenty-five patients (81%) had their postpartum flare managed in the outpatient setting with medications (only 4 of these patients required prednisone). 6 of 31 patients (19%) were hospitalized at a median of 4 weeks (range 2–26 weeks) after delivery, requiring intravenous corticosteroids or surgery. In multivariable regression, there was no significant increase in risk of postpartum flare with increasing maternal age, flare during pregnancy, or steroid or biologic use during pregnancy. Smoking during pregnancy increased risk of postpartum flare (odds ratio, 16.2 [1.72–152.94], P < 0.05).

Conclusion

In a cohort of Crohn’s disease patients, 30% experienced a postpartum flare despite being on medical therapy, but most were able to be managed in the outpatient setting.
Protein composition and associated material properties of cobweb spiders’ gumfoot glue droplets
Authors: Ayoub Nadia A , Friend Kyle , Clarke Thomas , Baker Richard , Correa-Garhwal Sandra , Crean Andrew , Dendev Enkhbileg , Foster Delaney , Hoff Lorden , Kelly Sean , Patterson Wade , Hayashi Cheryl Y , Opell Brent D
Published: May 2021

The origin of aggregate silk glands and their production of wet adhesive silks is considered a key innovation of the Araneoidea, a superfamily of spiders that build orb-webs and cobwebs. Orb-web weavers place aggregate glue on an extensible capture spiral, whereas cobweb weavers add it to the ends of strong, stiff fibers, called gumfoot lines. Here we describe the material behavior and quantitative proteomics of the aggregate glues of two cobweb weaving species, the Western black widow, Latrodectus hesperus, and the common house spider, Parasteatoda tepidariorum. For each species respectively, we identified 48 and 33 proteins that were significantly more abundant in the portion of the gumfoot line with glue than in its fibers. These proteins were more highly glycosylated and phosphorylated than proteins found in silk fibers without glue, which likely explains aggregate glue stickiness. Most glue-enriched proteins were of anterior aggregate gland origin, supporting the hypothesis that cobweb weavers’ posterior aggregate glue is specialized for another function. We found that cobweb weaver glue droplets are stiffer and tougher than the adhesive of most orb-web weaving species. Attributes of gumfoot glue protein composition that likely contribute to this stiffness include the presence of multiple protein families with conserved cysteine residues, a bimodal distribution of isoelectric points, and families with conserved functions in protein aggregation, all of which should contribute to cohesive protein-protein interactions. House spider aggregate droplets were more responsive to humidity changes than black widow droplets, which could be mediated by differences in protein sequence, post-translational modifications, the non-protein components of the glue droplets, and/or the larger amount of aqueous material that surrounds the adhesive cores of their glue droplets.
Analysis of backward Euler projection FEM for the Landau–Lifshitz equation
Authors: An Rong , Sun Weiwei
Published: May 2021

The paper focuses on the analysis of the Euler projection Galerkin finite element method (FEM) for the dynamics of magnetization in ferromagnetic materials, described by the Landau–Lifshitz equation with the point-wise constraint $|{\textbf{m}}|=1$. The method is based on a simple sphere projection that projects the numerical solution onto a unit sphere at each time step, and the method has been used in many areas in the past several decades. However, error analysis for the commonly used method has not been done since the classical energy approach cannot be applied directly. In this paper we present an optimal $\textbf{L}^2$ error analysis of the backward Euler sphere projection method by using quadratic or higher order finite elements under a time step condition $\tau =O(\epsilon _0 h)$ with some small $\epsilon _0>0$. The analysis is based on more precise estimates of the extra error caused by the sphere projection in both $\textbf{L}^2$ and $\textbf{H}^1$ norms, and the classical estimate of dual norm. Numerical experiment is provided to confirm our theoretical analysis.
Linear Integrable Systems on Quad-Graphs
Authors: Bobenko Alexander I , Suris Yuri B
Published: May 2021

In the first part of the paper, we classify linear integrable (multidimensionally consistent) quad-equations on bipartite isoradial quad-graphs in $\mathbb{C}$, enjoying natural symmetries and the property that the restriction of their solutions to the black vertices satisfies a Laplace type equation. The classification reduces to solving a functional equation. Under certain restriction, we give a complete solution of the functional equation, which is expressed in terms of elliptic functions. We find two real analytic reductions, corresponding to the cases when the underlying complex torus is of a rectangular type or of a rhombic type. The solution corresponding to the rectangular type was previously found by Boutillier, de Tilière, and Raschel. Using the multidimensional consistency, we construct the discrete exponential function, which serves as a basis of solutions of the quad-equation. In the second part of the paper, we focus on the integrability of discrete linear variational problems. We consider discrete pluri-harmonic functions, corresponding to a discrete two-form with a quadratic dependence on the fields at black vertices only. In an important particular case, we show that the problem reduces to a two-field generalization of the classical star-triangle map. We prove the integrability of this novel 3D system by showing its multidimensional consistency. The Laplacians from the first part come as a special solution of the two-field star-triangle map.
Effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on human reproduction
Authors: Yang Ming , Wang Jing , Chen Yidong , Kong Siming , Qiao Jie
Published: May 2021

The worldwide infection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) impacts human health and life on multiple levels. People infected with SARS-CoV-2 suffer from physical disorders and psychological distress. At present, no direct evidence indicates that SARS-CoV-2 negatively influences human reproduction, and the possibility that gametes and embryos are affected requires further investigation. To evaluate the potential effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on human reproduction and fetal health, this review summarizes the basic and clinical research of SARS-CoV-2 on reproduction up to date, hoping to offer guidance and advice to people at reproductive age and provide clues for the prevention and treatment of associated diseases.
Host Bloodmeal Source Has No Significant Effect on the Fecundity and Subsequent Larval Development Traits of the Progeny in Culicoides furens Poey (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)
Authors: Erram Dinesh , Vincent Black Theodore , Burkett-Cadena Nathan
Published: May 2021

Culicoides Latreille species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are insects of significant medical and veterinary importance worldwide because their bites can cause major annoyance, allergic reactions, and/or pathogen transmission to vertebrates, including humans. In this study, we examined the effect of host bloodmeal source on the fecundity and subsequent larval development traits of the progeny of Culicoides furens Poey, a nuisance species in coastal Florida. Field-collected females were fed on two different classes of hosts: birds (chicken) or mammals (human). Fecundity outcomes of the females and larval developmental traits of the progeny were recorded and compared between the two groups. The percentage of females that developed eggs, percentage of gravid females that deposited eggs, number of eggs produced per female, number of eggs deposited per female, egg hatch rates, larval survival rates, time to pupation, pupal sex-ratios, and adult eclosion rates were not significantly different between the two groups. Our results demonstrate that the host bloodmeal source has no significant effect on the fecundity and subsequent larval developmental life-history traits of the progeny in C. furens. Previous studies reported C. furens to be a generalist feeder that shows no host preference for birds or mammals. Collectively, these findings suggest that C. furens is well adapted, not just behaviorally, but also physiologically to efficiently utilize blood meals from avian and mammalian hosts, a quality that offers a major evolutionary advantage to the success of this midge species as a generalist feeder.
Adulticide Resistance Status ofAedes albopictus(Diptera: Culicidae) in Sarawak State, Malaysia
Authors: Lau Koon Weng , Chen Chee Dhang , Low Van Lun , Lee Han Lim , Azidah Abdul Aziz , Sofian-Azirun Mohd
Published: May 2021

Resistance status of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) from 13 districts in Sarawak State, Malaysia, was evaluated against four major classes of adulticides, namely organochlorine, organophosphate, carbamate, and pyrethroid. Adult bioassays were performed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) standard protocols to assess knockdown and mortality rates of Ae. albopictus. Among the tested pyrethroids, only cyfluthrin was able to exhibit complete knockdown. On the other hand, different susceptibility and resistance patterns were observed in other adulticides. As for mortality rates, the mosquitoes were susceptible to cyfluthrin and dieldrin but exhibited various susceptibilities to other tested adulticides. Cross-resistance was discovered within and between tested insecticide classes. Significant correlations were found within pyrethroid and carbamate classes (i.e., bendiocab and propoxur, P = 0.036; etofenprox and permethrin, P = 0.000; deltamethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin, P = 0.822; deltamethrin and permethrin, P = 0.042). Additionally, insecticides belonging to different groups were also found significantly correlated (i.e., malathion and deltamethin, P = 0.019; malathion and bendiocarb, P = 0.008; malathion and propoxur, P = 0.007; and bendiocarb and deltamethrin, P = 0.031). In conclusion, cyfluthrin was effective for Aedes albopictus control in Sarawak State and these data may assist local authorities to improve future vector control operations.
International Arbitration and Cross-Border Insolvency—Friends or Foes? Revisiting the Role of Arbitration in Resolving Cross-border Insolvency-Related Disputes
Authors: Hristova Velislava , Alvarado Garzón Andrés Eduardo
Published: May 2021

In the midst of a global pandemic, whose economic consequences are still unfolding, cross-border insolvencies loom closer. Besides the ripple effect cross-border insolvency cases might have on the economy, another cause of concern lies in the complexity of resolving such cases. Against this backdrop, this contribution posits that international arbitration may facilitate the resolution of some of the cross-border insolvency-related disputes as long as certain safeguards are put in place. Consequently, the perceived advantages of international arbitration may ease the already intricate cross-border insolvency proceedings, relieving insolvency courts around the world.
Light Chain–Predominant Multiple Myeloma Subgroup: Impaired Renal Function Correlates with Decreased Survival
Authors: Singh Gurmukh , Savage Natasha M , Jillella Anand P , Bollag Roni J
Published: May 2021

Objective

Patients with light chain–predominant multiple myeloma have been shown to exhibit shorter survival. Retrospective comparison of clinical and laboratory data was undertaken to ascertain the likely cause(s) of this observation.

Methods

Records of patients with multiple myeloma seen at 1 institution revealed 316 patients with conventional and 71 patients with light chain–predominant multiple myelomas with secretion of intact immunoglobulins. Laboratory and clinical findings in the 2 groups were compared.

Results

Patients with light chain–predominant multiple myeloma had a significantly higher death rate, a higher rate of chronic dialysis, a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate and serum albumin, a significantly higher urine protein concentration, and a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension and blood transfusion requirements. Other clinical and laboratory parameters surveyed were not significantly different between the 2 groups.

Conclusion

The shorter survival of patients with light chain–predominant multiple myeloma is clearly associated with renal damage caused by excess free immunoglobulin light chains. Renal damage may be ameliorated by early aggressive treatment with chemotherapy, plasmapheresis, and dialysis; a multi-institutional prospective controlled trial would be needed to test this hypothesis.
Suppressed cooling and turbulent heating in the core of X-ray luminous clusters RXCJ1504.1-0248 and Abell 1664
Authors: Liu Haonan , Fabian Andrew C , Pinto Ciro , Russell Helen R , Sanders Jeremy S , McNamara Brian R
Published: May 2021

We present the analysis of XMM–Newton observations of two X-ray luminous cool core clusters, RXCJ1504.1-0248 and Abell 1664. The Reflection Grating Spectrometer reveals a radiative cooling rate of $180\pm 40\, \rm M_{\odot }\rm \, yr^{-1}$ and $34\pm 6\, \rm M_{\odot }\rm \, yr^{-1}$ in RXCJ1504.1-0248 and Abell 1664 for gas above 0.7 keV, respectively. These cooling rates are higher than the star formation rates observed in the clusters and support simultaneous star formation and molecular gas mass growth on a time-scale of 3 × 108 yr or longer. At these rates, the energy of the X-ray cooling gas is inadequate to power the observed UV/optical line-emitting nebulae, which suggests additional strong heating. No significant residual cooling is detected below 0.7 keV in RXCJ1504.1-0248. By simultaneously fitting the first- and second-order spectra, we place an upper limit on turbulent velocity of 300 km $\rm s^{-1}$ at 90 per cent confidence level for the soft X-ray emitting gas in both clusters. The turbulent energy density is considered to be less than 8.9 and 27 per cent of the thermal energy density in RXCJ1504.1-0248 and Abell 1664, respectively. This means that it is insufficient for AGN heating to fully propagate throughout the cool core via turbulence. We find that the cool X-ray component of Abell 1664 (∼0.8 keV) is blueshifted from the systemic velocity by 750$^{+800}_{-280}$ km $\rm s^{-1}$. This is consistent with one component of the molecular gas in the core and suggests a similar dynamical structure for the two phases. We find that an intrinsic absorption model allows the cooling rate to increase to $520\pm 30\, \rm M_{\odot }\rm \, yr^{-1}$ in RXCJ1504.1-0248.
Hinting a dark matter nature of Sgr A* via the S-stars
Authors: Becerra-Vergara E A , Argüelles C R , Krut A , Rueda J A , Ruffini R
Published: May 2021

The motion data of the S-stars around the Galactic Centre gathered in the last 28 yr imply that Sgr A* hosts a supermassive compact object of about $4 \times 10^6\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$, a result awarded with the Nobel Prize in Physics 2020. A non-rotating black hole (BH) nature of Sgr A* has been uncritically adopted since the S-star orbits agree with Schwarzschild geometry geodesics. The orbit of S2 has served as a test of general relativity predictions such as the gravitational redshift and the relativistic precession. The central BH model is, however, challenged by the G2 post-peripassage motion and by the lack of observations on event-horizon-scale distances robustly pointing to its univocal presence. We have recently shown that the S2 and G2 astrometry data are better fitted by geodesics in the spacetime of a self-gravitating dark matter core–halo distribution of 56 keV-fermions, ‘darkinos’, which also explains the outer halo Galactic rotation curves. This letter confirms and extends this conclusion using the astrometry data of the 17 best-resolved S-stars, thereby strengthening the alternative nature of Sgr A* as a dense core of darkinos.
Upregulation of RNA cap methyltransferase RNMT drives ribosome biogenesis during T cell activation
Authors: Galloway Alison , Kaskar Aneesa , Ditsova Dimitrinka , Atrih Abdelmadjid , Yoshikawa Harunori , Gomez-Moreira Carolina , Suska Olga , Warminski Marcin , Grzela Renata , Lamond Angus I , Darzynkiewicz Edward , Jemielity Jacek , Cowling Victoria H
Published: May 2021

The m7G cap is ubiquitous on RNAPII-transcribed RNA and has fundamental roles in eukaryotic gene expression, however its in vivo role in mammals has remained unknown. Here, we identified the m7G cap methyltransferase, RNMT, as a key mediator of T cell activation, which specifically regulates ribosome production. During T cell activation, induction of mRNA expression and ribosome biogenesis drives metabolic reprogramming, rapid proliferation and differentiation generating effector populations. We report that RNMT is induced by T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation and co-ordinates the mRNA, snoRNA and rRNA production required for ribosome biogenesis. Using transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, we demonstrate that RNMT selectively regulates the expression of terminal polypyrimidine tract (TOP) mRNAs, targets of the m7G-cap binding protein LARP1. The expression of LARP1 targets and snoRNAs involved in ribosome biogenesis is selectively compromised in Rnmt cKO CD4 T cells resulting in decreased ribosome synthesis, reduced translation rates and proliferation failure. By enhancing ribosome abundance, upregulation of RNMT co-ordinates mRNA capping and processing with increased translational capacity during T cell activation.
Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among Belgian workers in long-term care facilities
Authors: Mylle G , Vanacker H , Verbeek C , Bulterys S , Godderis L , De Schryver A
Published: May 2021

Background

Healthcare workers (HCWs) can be a source of SARS-CoV-2 within long-term care facilities (LTCFs); therefore, we analysed the data from a testing programme among LTCF employees.

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and its determinants among employees of LTCFs and the risk for fellow workers and residents.

Methods

Testing started at week 15, the first wave’s peak, using nasopharyngeal swabs for PCR up to week 23. At the start of the second wave (week 32), testing resumed.

Results

A total of 32 457 test results were available from 446 LTCFs: 2% were positive: 1% in men, 2% in women, 2% in HCWs (=having patient contact), 1% in non-HCWs, higher in younger age groups. In total, 30 729 employees were tested once, 823 twice, 66 thrice and 4 four times. Prevalence was 13% during the first week of testing (week 15) and declined to 7% (week 16) to stay at around 1% (from week 17 until week 23). At the start of the second wave (week 31–33), the prevalence was around 3%. In 70% of positive tests, the employee was asymptomatic.

Conclusions

Our study confirms the presence of HCWs with SARS-CoV-2 as a possible source of infection in LTCFs even when the incidence in the general population was low; 70% were asymptomatic. To control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in LTCFs vaccination, infection prevention and control measures are necessary as well as testing of all LTCF HCWs during possible outbreaks, even if asymptomatic.
EAR domain-containing transcription factors trigger PRC2-mediated chromatin marking in Arabidopsis
Authors: Baile Fernando , Merini Wiam , Hidalgo Inés , Calonje Myriam
Published: May 2021

Polycomb group (PcG) complexes ensure that every cell in an organism expresses the genes needed at a particular stage, time, or condition. However, it is still not fully understood how PcG complexes PcG-repressive complex 1 (PRC1) and PRC2 are recruited to target genes in plants. Recent findings in Arabidopsis thaliana support the notion that PRC2 recruitment is mediated by different transcription factors (TFs). However, it is unclear how all these TFs interact with PRC2 and whether they also recruit PRC1 activity. Here, by using a system to bind selected TFs to a synthetic promoter lacking the complexity of PcG target promoters in vivo, we show that while binding of the TF VIVIPAROUS1/ABSCISIC ACID-INSENSITIVE3-LIKE1 recapitulates PRC1 and PRC2 marking, the binding of other TFs only renders PRC2 marking. Interestingly, all these TFs contain an Ethylene-responsive element binding factor-associated Amphiphilic Repression (EAR) domain that triggers both HISTONE DEACETYLASE COMPLEX and PRC2 activities, connecting two different repressive mechanisms. Furthermore, we show that different TFs can have an additive effect on PRC2 activity, which may be required to maintain long-term repression of gene expression.
Explaining Intergovernmental Conflict in the COVID-19 Crisis: The United States, Canada, and Australia
Authors: Lecours André , Béland Daniel , Fenna Alan , Fenwick Tracy Beck , Paquet Mireille , Rocco Philip , Waddan Alex
Published: May 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic produced more significant immediate intergovernmental conflict in the U.S. than in Australia and Canada. This article considers three variables for this cross-national divergence: presidentialism versus parliamentarism; vertical party integration; and strength of intergovernmental arrangements. We find that the U.S. presidential system, contrary to parliamentarism in Canada and Australia, provided an opportunity for a populist outsider skeptical of experts to win the presidency and pursue a personalized style that favored intergovernmental conflict in times of crisis. Then, the intergovernmental conflict-inducing effect of the Trump presidency during the pandemic was compounded by the vertical integration of political parties, which provided incentives for the President to criticize Democratic governors and vice-versa. Third, the virtual absence of any structure for intergovernmental relations in the United States meant that, unlike Australian states and Canadian provinces, American states struggled to get the federal government’s attention and publicly deplored its lack of leadership.
The Association of Feeding Practices and Sociodemographic Factors on Underweight and Wasting in Children in Ethiopia: A Secondary Analysis of Four Health Surveys from 2000 to 2016
Authors: Hiruy Aschalew Fikru , Xiong Qianqian , Jin Qiman , Zhao Jing , Lin Xuechun , He Shuiqing , Abebe Anissa , Zuo Xuezhi , Ying Chenjiang
Published: May 2021

Background

Feeding practices highly influence the nutritional status of children between 6 and 23 months of age in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the association of feeding practices and sociodemographic factors on underweight and wasting of children aged 6–23 months in Ethiopia.

Methods

Data on 8003 children 6–23 months of age from four Ethiopia demographic and health surveys (EDHS) from 2000 to 2016 were analyzed using complex sample crosstabs for multivariate analysis. The association of feeding practices and sociodemographic factors on underweight and wasting was assessed via multiple logistic regression analyses adjusting the covariates. The outcomes were reported based on the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

Male children, very small at birth size children, diarrhea and fever, and short stature mother were risk factors for underweight and wasting (p < 0.05–0.001). Also, minimum dietary diversity, rich and middle-income families, vitamin A in the previous 6 months and antenatal care visits during pregnancy were protective factors for both underweight and wasting (p < 0.05–0.001). Minimum meal frequency was significantly related to lower odds of wasting (p < 0.001). Higher age of the child was significantly associated with underweight (p < 0.05–0.001); however, it was less likely wasted (p < 0.05–0.01).

Conclusion

The present study depicted that among infant young children feeding core indicators except breastfed, all the other indicators did not met the required standard; however, sociodemographic factors on four health surveys from 2000 to 2016 were associated with underweight and wasting in children in Ethiopia.

LAY SUMMARY

• Over the years the prevalence of underweight in children aged 6–23 months in the country has shown a significant improvement from 40.2% in 2000 to 34.7% in 2005, then further reduced to 28.9% and 20.0% in 2011 and 2016 EDHS, respectively.

• In the same manner, the prevalence of wasting in children aged 6–23 months in Ethiopia also observed improvement from 18.9% in 2000 to 16.7% in 2005, then further reduced to 15.4% and 13.9% in 2011 and 2016 EDHS, respectively.

• Male children, very small at birth size children, diarrhea and fever (for the last 2 weeks), and short stature mother were risk factors for underweight and wasting.

• Minimum dietary diversity, rich and middle-income families, vitamin A in the previous 6 months and antenatal care visits during pregnancy were protective factors for both underweight and wasting.

• Minimum meal frequency was significantly related to lower odds of wasting.

• Higher age of the children was significantly associated with underweight; however, less likely wasted.
Chronic Use of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and/or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers is Not Associated With Stroke After Noncardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis
Authors: Rajan Shobana , Ahuja Sanchit , Cohen Barak , Martin Adriana , Pursell Amanda , Liang Chen , Mao Guangmei , Komatsu Ryu , Farag Ehab , Sessler Daniel I.
Published: May 2021

Background:

Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone pathways reduces blood pressure and proliferation of vascular smooth muscles and may therefore reduce the risk of stroke. We tested the hypothesis that patients taking angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) for at least 6 months have fewer postoperative strokes after non-neurological, noncarotid, and noncardiac surgeries than those who do not.

Methods:

We considered adults who had noncardiac surgery at the Cleveland Clinic between January 2005 and December 2017. After excluding neurological and carotid surgeries, we assessed the confounder-adjusted association between chronic use of ACEIs/ARBs (during 6 preoperative months) and the incidence of postoperative stroke using logistic regression models.

Results:

Postoperative strokes occurred in 0.26% (27/10,449) of patients who were chronic ACEI/ARBs users and in 0.18% (112/62,771) of those who were not. There was no significant association between ACEI/ARB use and postoperative stroke, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.15 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91-1.44;P=0.24). Secondarily, there was no association between exposures to ACEIs and postoperative stroke, versus no such exposure (adjusted odds ratio 0.88, 95% CI: 0.65-1.19;P=0.33). Similarly, there was no association between exposure to ARBs and postoperative stroke, versus no such exposure (adjusted odds ratio 1.05, 95% CI: 0.75-1.48;P=0.75).

Conclusion:

We did not detect an effect of chronic ACEI/ARB use on postoperative strokes in patients who had non-neurological, noncarotid and noncardiac surgery; however, power was extremely limited.
Vagus nerve stimulation suppresses corticotropin-releasing factor-induced adrenocorticotropic hormone release in rats
Authors: Chen Xiao , Liang Huaibin , Hu Kejia , Sun Qingfang , Sun Bomin , Bian Liuguan , Sun Yuhao
Published: May 2021

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent Cushing’s syndrome is characterized by hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction. As the neuroendocrinological axis has been shown to react under the regulation of the central nerve system through the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) releasing from the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. Whether one of the neuromodulation therapies, vagus nerve stimulation, is able to treat this neuroendocrinological disorder remains unknown. In this study, we explored the effects of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on CRF-induced serum ACTH level change in normal rats. After the vagus nerve electrode placement, the ACTH and corticosterone levels were measured multiple times before and after the administration of CRF (2 μg/kg) in switched-ON and -OFF groups, respectively, compared to the control group. Our results showed that 2 h continuous stimulation on the vagus nerve inhibited CRF-induced ACTH release up to 1 h compared with the control group, while the corticosterone level was not influenced. The vagus nerve might be a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome disorders involving hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction.
Pseudomonas quercus sp. nov, associated with leaf spot disease of Quercus mongolica
Authors: Li Yong , Wang Shengkun , Bian Danran , Sun Shang , Ma Tengfei
Published: May 2021

Two Gram-negative, aerobic, motile bacteria strains were isolated from leaf spot disease of Quercus mongolica. Strain hsmgli-8T has 99.86 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to LY10J, and the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to

Pseudomonas cerasi

58T (97.2 %), then

Pseudomonas ficuserectae

JCM 2400T (97.18 %),

Pseudomonas meliae

CFBP 3225T,

Pseudomonas tremae

CFBP 6111T and

Pseudomonas congelans

DSM 14939T (all 97.12 %), and less than 97.1 % similarity to other recognized species. In phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene and multilocus sequence data, the two novel strains form a separate branch, indicating that they do not belong to any

Pseudomonas

group and subgroup, and should belong to a novel species within the genus

Pseudomonas

. This assertion is also supported by the results of genome average nucleotide identity analysis. The major fatty acids are C16 : 0, C18 : 1 
ω7c and/or C18 : 1 
ω6c, C16 : 1 
ω7c and/or C16 : 1
 ω6c. Polar lipids include phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, aminolipid and seven uncharacterized phospholipids. The predominant respiratory quinone is Q-9. The DNA G+C content is 59.45–59.50 mol%. Based on these data, we propose that the two novel strains should be assigned as a novel species within the genus

Pseudomonas

. We propose that the novel strains be named Pseudomonas quercus sp. nov. The type strain is hsmgli-8T (=CFCC 15739T=LMG 31544T).
Cellvibrio polysaccharolyticus sp. nov., a cellulolytic bacterium isolated from agricultural soil
Authors: Tóth Ákos , Máté Rózsa , Kutasi József , Bata-Vidács Ildikó , Tóth Erika , Táncsics András , Kovács Gábor , Nagy István , Kukolya József
Published: May 2021

A novel Gram-reaction-negative bacterial strain, designated Ka43T, was isolated from agricultural soil and characterised using a polyphasic approach to determine its taxonomic position. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the strain shows highest similarity (97.1 %) to

Cellvibrio diazotrophicus

E50T. Cells of strain Ka43T are aerobic, motile, short rods. The major fatty acids are summed feature 3 (C16 : 1
ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH), C18 : 1
 ω7c and C16 : 0. The only isoprenoid quinone is Q-8. The polar lipid profile includes phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, four phospholipids, two lipids and an aminolipid. The assembled genome of strain Ka43T has a total length of 4.2 Mb and the DNA G+C content is 51.6 mol%. Based on phenotypic data, including chemotaxonomic characteristics and analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences, it was concluded that strain Ka43T represents a novel species in the genus

Cellvibrio

, for which the name Cellvibrio polysaccharolyticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the species is strain Ka43T (=LMG 31577T=NCAIM B.02637T).
Genetic analysis of Enterovirus D68 associated with pneumonia in children from South India
Authors: Sanjay Ramachandran Erathodi , Sabeena Sasidharanpillai , Robin Sudandiradas , Shaji John T. , Jayakrishnan M. P. , Suresh E. K. Kumar , Michael C. J. , Aswathyraj S. , Josmi Joseph , Shahin Sheik , Anup Jayaram , Arunkumar Govindakarnavar
Published: May 2021

EV-D68 is an emerging enterovirus infection associated with severe acute respiratory illness (SARI), acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) and acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). While EV-D68 outbreaks and sporadic cases are reported globally, a single case has been reported from India. The present study aims to investigate the molecular epidemiology and clinical characteristics of EV-D68-associated SARI cases from South India. We screened influenza-negative archived throat swab specimens from Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and SARI cases (n=959; 2016 to 2018 period) for enteroviruses by pan-enterovirus real-time RT-PCR. Thirteen samples positive for enteroviruses were typed by PCR and sequencing based on VPI, VP2 and/or 5′NCR regions. One EV-D68 RNA sample was subjected to next-generation sequencing for whole genome characterisation. Among 13 enterovirus cases, four were ECHO-11, three EV-D68, two CV-A16 and one each EV-71, CV-B1, CV-B2 and CV-A9. All three cases of EV-D68 infection were reported in children below 2 years of age from Kerala state of South India during June and July 2017. The patients developed pneumonia without any neurological complications. Sequencing based on VPI and 5′NCR regions showed that EV-D68 strains belong to the novel subclade B3. The EV-D68 complete genome identified with two unique amino acid substitutions in VP1 (T-246-I) and 3D (K-344-R) regions. This study reiterates the EV-D68 novel subclade B3 circulation in India and indicates the urgent need for structured EV-D68 surveillance in the country to describe the epidemiology.
The Effects of Education on Cognition in Older Age: Evidence from Genotyped Siblings1
Authors: Fletcher Jason , Topping Michael , Zheng Fengyi , Lu Qiongshi
Published: May 2021

A growing literature has sought to tie educational attainment with later-life cognition and Alzheimer’s disease outcomes. This paper leverages sibling comparisons in educational attainment as well as genetic predictors (polygenic scores) for cognition, educational attainment, and Alzheimer’s disease to estimate effects of educational attainment on cognition in older age in the United Kingdom. We find that the effects of education on cognition are confounded by family background factors (∼40%) and by genetics (<10%). After adjustments, we continue to find large effects of education. College graduates have cognition scores that are approximately 0.75 SD higher than those who report no credentials. We also find evidence that educational effects on cognition are smaller for those with high polygenic scores for Alzheimer’s disease.
Cancer patient survival can be accurately parameterized, revealing time-dependent therapeutic effects and doubling the precision of small trials
Authors: Plana Deborah , Fell Geoffrey , Alexander Brian M. , Palmer Adam C. , Sorger Peter K.
Published: May 2021

Individual participant data (IPD) from completed oncology clinical trials are a valuable but rarely available source of information. A lack of minable survival distributions has made it difficult to identify factors determining the success and failure of clinical trials and improve trial design. We imputed survival IPD from ∼500 arms of phase III oncology trials (representing ∼220,000 events) and found that they are well fit by a two-parameter Weibull distribution. This makes it possible to use parametric statistics to substantially increase trial precision with small patient cohorts typical of phase I or II trials. For example, a 50-person trial parameterized using Weibull distributions is as precise as a 90-person trial evaluated using traditional statistics. Mining IPD also showed that frequent violations of the proportional hazards assumption, particularly in trials of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), arise from time-dependent therapeutic effects and hazard ratios. Thus, the duration of ICI trials has an underappreciated impact on the likelihood of their success.
Missing-value imputation and in-silico region detection for spatially resolved transcriptomics
Authors: Wang Linhua , Liu Zhandong
Published: May 2021

We are pleased to introduce a first-of-its-kind algorithm that combines in-silico region detection and spatial gene-expression imputation. Spatial transcriptomics by 10X Visium (ST) is a new technology used to dissect gene and cell spatial organization. Analyzing this new type of data has two main challenges: automatically annotating the major tissue regions and excessive zero values of gene-expression due to high dropout rates. We developed a computational tool—MIST—that addresses both challenges by automatically identifying tissue regions and estimating missing gene-expression values for individual tissue regions. We validated MIST detected regions across multiple datasets using manual annotation on the histological staining images as references. We also demonstrated that MIST can accurately recover ST’s missing values through hold-out experiments. Furthermore, we showed that MIST could identify subtle intra-tissue heterogeneity and recover spatial gene-gene interaction signals. We therefore strongly encourage using MIST prior to downstream ST analysis because it provides unbiased region annotations and enables accurately de-noised spatial gene-expression profiles.
Campylobacter jejuni trigger signaling through host cell focal adhesions to inhibit cell motility and impede wound repair
Authors: Klappenbach Courtney M , Negretti Nicholas M. , Aaron Jesse , Chew Teng-Leong , Konkel Michael E.
Published: May 2021

Campylobacter jejuni is a major foodborne pathogen that exploits the focal adhesions of intestinal cells to promote invasion and cause severe gastritis. Focal adhesions are multiprotein complexes involved in bidirectional signaling between the actin cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix. We investigated the dynamics of focal adhesion structure and function in C. jejuni infected cells using a comprehensive set of approaches, including confocal microscopy of live and fixed cells, immunoblots, and super-resolution iPALM. We found that C. jejuni infection of epithelial cells results in an increased focal adhesion size and altered topology. These changes resulted in a persistent modulatory effect on the host cell focal adhesion, as evidenced by an increase in cell adhesion strength, a decrease in individual cell motility, and a reduction of collective cell migration. We discovered that C. jejuni infection causes an increase in phosphorylation of paxillin and an alteration of paxillin turnover at the focal adhesion, which together represent a potential mechanistic basis for altered cell motility. Finally, we observed that infection of epithelial cells with the C. jejuni wild-type strain in the presence of protein synthesis inhibitor, a C. jejuni CadF and FlpA fibronectin-binding protein mutant, or a C. jejuni flagellar export mutant blunts paxillin phosphorylation and partially re-establishes individual host cell motility and collective cell migration. These findings provide a potential mechanism for the restricted intestinal repair observed in C. jejuni-infected animals and raise the possibility that bacteria targeting extracellular matrix components can alter cell behavior after binding and internalization by manipulating focal adhesions.
Predictive evolution of metabolic phenotypes using model-designed selection niches
Authors: Jouhten Paula , Konstantinidis Dimitrios , Pereira Filipa , Andrejev Sergej , Grkovska Kristina , Ghiachi Payam , Beltran Gemma , Almaas Eivind , Mas Albert , Warringer Jonas , Gonzalez Ramon , Morales Pilar , Patil Kiran R.
Published: May 2021

Traits lacking fitness benefit cannot be directly selected for under Darwinian evolution. Thus, features such as metabolite secretion are currently inaccessible to adaptive laboratory evolution. Here, we utilize environment-dependency of trait correlations to enable Darwinian selection of fitness-neutral or costly traits. We use metabolic models to design selection niches and to identify surrogate traits that are genetically correlated with cell fitness in the selection niche but coupled to the desired trait in the target niche. Adaptive evolution in the selection niche and subsequent return to the target niche is thereby predicted to enhance the desired trait. We experimentally validate the theory by evolvingSaccharomyces cerevisiaefor increased secretion of aroma compounds in wine fermentation. Genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic changes in the evolved strains confirmed the predicted flux re-routing to aroma biosynthesis. The use of model-designed selection niches facilitates the predictive evolution of fitness-costly traits for ecological and biotechnological applications.
Experimental recommendations for estimating lower extremity loading based on joint and activity
Authors: Hullfish Todd J. , Drazan John F. , Baxter Josh R.
Published: May 2021

Researchers often estimate joint loading using musculoskeletal models to solve the inverse dynamics problem. This approach is powerful because it can be done non-invasively, however, it relies on assumptions and physical measurements that are prone to measurement error. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of these errors – specifically, segment mass and shear ground reaction force - have on analyzing joint loads during activities of daily living. We preformed traditional marker-based motion capture analysis on 8 healthy adults while they completed a battery of exercises on 6 degree of freedom force plates. We then scaled the mass of each segment as well as the shear component of the ground reaction force in 5% increments between 0 and 200% and iteratively performed inverse dynamics calculations, resulting in 1,681 mass-shear combinations per activity. We compared the peak joint moments of the ankle, knee, and hip at each mass-shear combination to the 100% mass and 100% shear combination to determine the percent error. We found that the ankle was most resistant to changes in both mass and shear and the knee was resistant to changes in mass while the hip was sensitive to changes in both mass and shear. These results can help guide researchers who are pursuing lower-cost or more convenient data collection setups.