bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol to compare the risk of attrition among prenatal vitamin D supplemented gestational diabetes mellitus patients with its non-recipients
Authors: Saha Sumanta
Published: May 2020

Aim

Recently, several clinical trials have tested the effect of prenatal vitamin D supplementation in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients and their newborns. However, their participant attrition, an important determinant of the internal validity, remains poorly explored. Therefore, this review protocol is proposed, which aims to compare it between prenatal vitamin D supplemented and not supplemented GDM patients.

Method

Randomized clinical trials studying the above will be searched mainly in different electronic databases. It will search for the English language articles irrespective of publication date. Data concerning the reviewed trials’ design, population, interventions, and outcome of interest will be extracted. Subsequently, their risk of bias will be assessed. Outcome data between the interventions will be juxtaposed meta-analytically to estimate the risk ratio. Next, the statistical heterogeneity (by Chi2 and I2 statistics) and publication bias (using funnel plot and Eggers test) among the trials will be evaluated. Subgroup analysis will follow if the heterogeneity is high. Finally, a sensitivity analysis will iterate the meta-analysis using an alternative model and by eliminating a trial every time. Statistical significance will be determined at p<0.05 and 95% CI. All analyses will be done in Stata. If a meta-analysis is not possible, a narrative reporting will ensue.

Results

The review will follow the PRISMA reporting guideline. Any statistically significant finding’s evidence quality will be graded by the GRADE approach.

Conclusion

The proposed review will compare the risk of loss to follow up among GDM patients complemented and not complemented with prenatal vitamin D.
Acute Pulmonary Embolism in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19
Authors: Manjunath Madhura , Miranda Julio , Fraenkel Liana , Johansen Paul Mange , Phinney Blessing , Valli-Harwood Georgianne , Callahan Cynthia , Alsmaan Hafez , Oelberg David
Published: May 2020

Since the discovery of the novel coronavirus (SARS-Co-V-2) in December 2019, multiple characteristics have been reported, as our understanding of this new disease unfolds. One such association is its tendency to cause thromboembolic events, particularly venous thromboembolism1,2. In a four-week period during the initial spread of COVID-19 at a 300 bed community hospital in western Massachusetts, 23 patients who were PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA required treatment in either the intensive care unit (ICU) or intermediate/step-down unit (SDU). All patients were treated with standard DVT prophylaxis from the time of admission, except for two patients who were on full anticoagulation for chronic atrial fibrillation. Of the 23 patients, 7 (30%) were diagnosed with acute, clinically significant, pulmonary embolism (PE). Four of the 7 manifested evidence of acute cor pulmonale, one of whom succumbed as a direct consequence of a massive PE. Other markers were reviewed in the 7 patients to identify trends that could allow for early suspicion of PE in COVID-19 patients. Although D-dimer tended to rise during the hospitalization relative to the control group, the results were inconsistent, and there were no other meaningful distinguishing features between the groups at the time of admission.
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies are associated with reduced viral load
Authors: Bryan Andrew , Fink Susan L. , Gattuso Meghan A. , Pepper Gregory , Chaudhary Anu , Wener Mark H. , Morishima Chihiro , Jerome Keith R. , Mathias Patrick C. , Greninger Alexander L.
Published: May 2020

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies have been described, but correlation with virologic outcomes is limited. Here, we find anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG to be associated with reduced viral load. High viral loads were rare in individuals who had seroconverted. Higher viral load on admission was associated with increased 30-day mortality (OR 4.20 [95% CI: 1.62-10.86]).
Occupational Exposures and Programmatic Response to COVID-19 Pandemic: An Emergency Medical Services Experience
Authors: Murphy David L. , Barnard Leslie M. , Drucker Christopher J. , Yang Betty Y. , Emert Jamie M. , Schwarcz Leilani , Counts Catherine R. , Jacinto Tracie Y. , McCoy Andrew M. , Morgan Tyler A. , Whitney Jim E. , Bodenman Joel V. , Duchin Jeffrey S. , Sayre Michael R. , Rea Thomas D.
Published: May 2020

Background

Rigorous assessment of occupational COVID-19 risk and personal protective equipment (PPE) use are not well-described. We evaluated 9-1-1 emergency medical services (EMS) encounters for patients with COVID-19 to assess occupational exposure, programmatic strategies to reduce exposure, and PPE use.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort investigation of lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients in King County, WA who received 9-1-1 EMS responses from February 14, 2020 to March 26, 2020. We reviewed dispatch, EMS, and public health surveillance records to evaluate the temporal relationship between exposure and programmatic changes to EMS operations designed to identify high-risk patients, protect the workforce, and conserve PPE.

Results

There were 274 EMS encounters for 220 unique COVID-19 patients involving 700 unique EMS providers with 988 EMS person-encounters. Use of “full” PPE including mask, eye protection, gown and gloves (MEGG) was 67%. There were 151 person-exposures among 129 individuals, who required 981 quarantine days. Of the 700 EMS providers, 3 (0.4%) tested positive within 14 days of encounter. Programmatic changes were associated with a temporal reduction in exposures. When stratified at the study encounters midpoint, 94% (142/151) of exposures occurred during the first 137 EMS encounters compared to 6% (9/151) during the second 137 EMS encounters (p<0.01). By the investigation’s final week, EMS deployed MEGG PPE in 34% (3579/10,468) of all EMS person-encounters.

Conclusion

Less than 0.5% of EMS providers experienced COVID-19 illness within 14 days of occupational encounter. Programmatic strategies were associated with a reduction in exposures, while achieving a measured use of PPE.
COVID-19 detection from chest X-Ray images using Deep Learning and Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Makris Antonios , Kontopoulos Ioannis , Tserpes Konstantinos
Published: May 2020

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has highlighted the need to pull all available resources towards the mitigation of the devastating effects of such “Black Swan” events. Towards that end, we investigated the option to employ technology in order to assist the diagnosis of patients infected by the virus. As such, several state-of-the-art pre-trained convolutional neural networks were evaluated as of their ability to detect infected patients from chest X-Ray images. A dataset was created as a mix of publicly available X-ray images from patients with confirmed COVID-19 disease, common bacterial pneumonia and healthy individuals. To mitigate the small number of samples, we employed transfer learning, which transfers knowledge extracted by pre-trained models to the model to be trained. The experimental results demonstrate that the classification performance can reach an accuracy of 95% for the best two models.
COVID-19 pandemic brings a sedentary lifestyle: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study
Authors: Zheng Chen , Huang Wendy Yajun , Sheridan Sinead , Sit Cindy Hui-Ping , Chen Xiang-Ke , Wong Stephen Heung-Sang
Published: May 2020

Objectives

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to pose profound challenges on society. Governments around the world have managed to mitigate its spread through strategies including social distancing; however, this may result in the adoption of sedentary lifestyle. This study aimed to investigate: 1) physical activity (PA) levels, sedentary behavior (SB) and sleep among young adults during COVID-19 epidemic, and 2) the change in these behaviors before and during the pandemic.

Methods

A total of 631 young adults (38.8% males) participated in the cross-sectional study and completed an online survey that included five components: general information, COVID-19 related issues, PA, SB, and sleep. For longitudinal study, PA, SB, and sleep data collected from 70 participants before and during COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed.

Results

Participants reported engaging in low PA, high SB and long sleep duration during COVID-19 pandemic. Females had greater concern for COVID-19 related issues and engaged in more prevention strategies than males. Moreover, a significant decline in PA while increase in both times spent in SB and sleep were determined after COVID-19 outbreak.

Conclusion

The results of this study demonstrated a sedentary lifestyle in young adults in responses to social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, which will assist health policy makers and practitioners in the development of population specific health education and behavior interventions during this pandemic and for other future events.

What are the new findings?

This is the first study to investigate lifestyle behaviors in young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and the changes in these behaviors after its outbreak.

Low physical activity (PA) level, high sedentary behavior (SB) and long sleep duration were found in young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

All types of PA and both time spent in SB and sleep significantly decreased and increased after COVID-19 outbreak, respectively.

How might it impact on clinical practice in the future?

The current study provided evidences that young adults engaged in sedentary lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may assist in the development and provision of appropriate and tailored health education and behavior interventions during and after this or other future global pandemics.
Frizzled-dependent Planar Cell Polarity without Wnt Ligands
Authors: Yu Joyce J.S. , Maugarny-Calès Aude , Pelletier Stéphane , Alexandre Cyrille , Bellaiche Yohanns , Vincent Jean-Paul , McGough Ian J.
Published: May 2020

Planar cell polarity (PCP) organizes the orientation of cellular protrusions and migratory activity within the tissue plane. PCP establishment involves the subcellular polarization of core PCP components. It has been suggested Wnt gradients could provide a global cue that coordinates local PCP with tissue axes. Here we dissect the role of Wnt ligands in the orientation of hairs of Drosophila wings, an established system for study of PCP. We found that PCP was normal in quintuple mutant wings that rely solely on membrane-tethered Wingless for Wnt signaling, suggesting that a Wnt gradient is not required. We then used a nanobody-based approach to trap Wntless in the endoplasmic reticulum, and hence prevent all Wnt secretion, specifically during the period of PCP establishment. PCP was still established. We conclude that, even though Wnt ligands could contribute to PCP, they are not essential, and another global cue must exist for tissue-wide polarization.
Arterial endoglin does not protect against arteriovenous malformations
Authors: Singh Esha , Redgrave Rachael E. , Phillips Helen , Arthur Helen M.
Published: May 2020

Endoglin (ENG) forms a receptor complex with ALK1 in endothelial cells (ECs) to promote BMP9/10 signalling. Loss of function mutations in eitherENGorALK1genes lead to the inherited vascular disorder Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT), characterised by arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). However, the vessel-specific role of ENG and ALK1 proteins in protecting against AVMs is unclear. For example, AVMs have been described to initiate in arterioles, whereas ENG is predominantly expressed in venous ECs. To investigate whether ENG has any arterial involvement in protecting against AVM formation we specifically depleted theEnggene in venous and capillary endothelium whilst maintaining arterial expression, and investigated how this affected the incidence and location of AVMs in comparison with pan-endothelialEngknockdown.

Methods

Using the mouse neonatal retinal model of angiogenesis, we first established the earliest time point at which Apj-Cre-ERT2 activity was present in venous and capillary ECs but absent from arterial ECs. We then compared the incidence of AVMs following pan-endothelial or venous/capillary-specific ENG knockout.

Results

Activation of Apj-Cre-ERT2 with tamoxifen from postnatal day (P) 5 ensured preservation of arterial ENG protein expression. Specific loss of ENG expression in ECs of veins and capillaries led to retinal AVMs at a similar frequency to pan-endothelial loss of ENG. AVMs occurred in the proximal as well as the distal part of the retina consistent with a defect in vascular remodelling during maturation of the vasculature.

Conclusion

Expression of ENG is not required in arterial ECs to protect against AVM formation.
Inferring the Allelic Series at QTL in Multiparental Populations
Authors: Crouse Wesley L. , Kelada Samir N.P. , Valdar William
Published: May 2020

Multiparental populations (MPPs) are experimental populations in which the genome of every individual is a mosaic of known founder haplotypes. These populations are useful for detecting quantitative trait loci (QTL) because tests of association can leverage inferred founder haplotype descent. It is difficult, however, to determine how haplotypes at a locus group into distinct functional alleles, termed the allelic series. The allelic series is important because it provides information about the number of causal variants at a QTL and their combined effects. In this study, we introduce a fully-Bayesian model selection framework for inferring the allelic series. This framework accounts for sources of uncertainty found in typical MPPs, including the number and composition of functional alleles. Our prior distribution for the allelic series is based on the Chinese restaurant process, a relative of the Dirichlet process, and we leverage its connection to the coalescent to introduce additional prior information about haplotype relatedness via a phylogenetic tree. We evaluate our approach via simulation and apply it to QTL from two MPPs: the Collaborative Cross (CC) and the Drosophila Synthetic Population Resource (DSPR). We find that, although posterior inference of the exact allelic series is often uncertain, we are able to distinguish biallelic QTL from more complex multiallelic cases. Additionally, our allele-based approach improves haplotype effect estimation when the true number of functional alleles is small. Our method, Tree-Based Inference of Multiallelism via Bayesian Regression (TIMBR), provides new insight into the genetic architecture of QTL in MPPs.
Tripartite Inhibition of SRC-WNT-PKC Signalling Consolidates Human Naïve Pluripotency
Authors: Bayerl Jonathan , Ayyash Muneef , Shani Tom , Manor Yair , Gafni Ohad , Kalma Yael , Aguilera-Castrejon Alejandro , Zerbib Mirie , Amir Hadar , Sheban Daoud , Geula Shay , Mor Nofar , Weinberger Leehee , Krupalnik Vladislav , Oldak Bernardo , Livnat Nir , Tarazi Shadi , Tawil Shadi , Lasman Lior , Hanna Suhair , Novershtern Noa , Ben-Yosef Dalit , Viukov Sergey , Hanna Jacob H.
Published: May 2020

Different conditions have been devised to isolate MEK/ERK signalling independent human naïve pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) that are distinct from conventional primed PSCs and better correspond to pre-implantation developmental stages. While the naïve conditions described thus far endow human PSCs with different extents of naivety features, isolating human pluripotent cells that retain characteristics of ground state pluripotency while maintaining differentiation potential and genetic integrity, remains a major challenge. Here we engineer reporter systems that allow functional screening for conditions that can endow both the molecular and functional features expected from human naive pluripotency. We establish that simultaneous inhibition of SRC-NFκB, WNT/ßCATENIN and PKC signalling pathways is essential for enabling expansion of teratoma competent fully naïve human PSCs in defined or xeno-free conditions. Divergent signalling and transcriptional requirements for maintaining naïve pluripotency were found between mouse and human. Finally, we establish alternative naïve conditions in which MEK/ERK inhibition is substituted with inhibition for NOTCH/RBPj signalling, which allow obtaining alternative human naïve PSCs with diminished risk for loss of imprinting and deleterious global DNA hypomethylation. Our findings set a framework for the signalling foundations of human naïve pluripotency and may advance its utilization in future translational applications.

Highlights of key findings

Combined inhibition of SRC, WNT and PKC signaling consolidates human naïve pluripotency

Stable expansion of DNA/RNA methylation-independent and TGF/ACTIVIN-independent human naïve PSCs

Opposing roles for ACTIVIN and WNT/ßCATENIN signaling on mouse vs. human naive pluripotency

2i and MEK/ERKi independent alternative human naïve PSC conditions via inhibiting NOTCH/RBPj signaling
Construction and application of a revised satisfaction index model for Chinese urban and rural residents basic medical insurance
Authors: Cheng Wenwei , Cheng Jin , Liu Xiaofang , Wu Yanyan , Sun Weichu , Yan Xiaofang , Peng Liai , Liu Xiaoli , Wang Qi , Luo Mingming , Sha Tingting , Shi Jingcheng , Yang Fang
Published: May 2020

Background

Quality is the most important factor of satisfaction However, the existing URRBMI index model lacks the decomposition of the connotation of perceived quality and cannot provide a reference for quality improvement and satisfaction promotion.

Objective

This study aims to construct a Satisfaction Index Model for Chinese Urban and Rural Residents Basic Medical Insurance (SIM-URRBMI) with accurate and detailed measurement of perceived quality and give a feasible and scientific suggestion for URRBMI or insurance for other countries in the world.

Methods

Based on the theoretical framework of The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), the connotation of perceived quality was refined by literature review and expert consultation to form a pool of alternative measurement variables. A three-stage randomized stratified cluster sampling was adopted to select the main decision makers for pupils’ URRBMI in 8 primary schools from Changsha City. Both Classic Test Theory (CTT) and Item Response Theory (IRT) were used for selection of the measurement variables. The model’s reliability and validity were tested using partial least square (PLS) related methods.

Results

A total of 1909 respondents who had insurance for their children were investigated with the initial questionnaire. The revised SIM-URRBMI consists of 11 latent variables and 28 measurement variables with good reliability and validity. Among the three explanatory variables of public satisfaction, perceived quality had the largest total effect (0.737). The variable with greatest effect among the five first-order latent variables on perceived quality was quality of the medical insurance policy (0.472).

Conclusions

The revised SIM-URRBMI consists of 11 latent variables and 28 measurement variables with good reliability and validity. It provides accurate assessment of perceived quality, which will greatly help performance improvement. Perceived quality is crucial to public satisfaction, especially, the most important aspects are policies regarding medical insurance reimbursement (basic coverage scope, coinsurance, deductible).
Visualizing the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh using coxcombs: A tribute to Florence Nightingale
Authors: Khan Hasinur Rahaman , Howlader Tamanna
Published: May 2020

Following detection of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in early December 2019 in Wuhan, China, nearly six months have passed and almost every country in the world is battling against the COVID-19 war. The frontline warriors, namely the doctors, nurses and healthcare staff, have in many countries struggled to care for the sick under conditions of limited resources and protection and the threat of an overwhelmed healthcare system. It is during times such as this, that we draw strength and inspiration from Florence Nightingale - a passionate statistician, social reformer, feminist champion and a pioneer of modern nursing and data visualization. Nightingale’s famed Florence Night-ingle Diagram also known as “coxcomb”, which was created 150 years ago and used to display the causes of death in the British Army hospital barracks, demonstrated how data visualization techniques could be a powerful medium of communication and a force for change. This paper pays tribute to Nightingale’s work by using data from Bangladesh to show that the coxcomb graph is still relevant in the era of COVID-19. The coxcomb graphs that have been produced to display COVID-19 data have provided deeper insights into the trends and relative changes of variables over the course of the pandemic. The paper also describes codes that allow one to easily reproduce the graphs using the statistical programming language R.
Modelling the impact of Plasma Therapy and Immunotherapy for Recovery of COVID-19 Infected Individuals
Authors: Shah Nita H. , Suthar Ankush H. , Jayswal Ekta N. , Shukla Nehal , Shukla Jagdish
Published: May 2020

Since the first case of COVID-19 was detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019, COVID-19 has become a pandemic causing a global economic and public health emergency. There is no known treatment or vaccine available for COVID-19 to date. Immunotherapy and plasma therapy has been used with satisfactory efficacy over the past two decades in many viral infections like SARS (Systemic Acute Respiratory Syndrome), MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome), and H1N1. Limited data from China show clinical benefit, radiological resolution, reduction in viral loads, and improved survival. Our aim is to create a mathematical model for COVID-19 transmission and then apply various control parameters to see their effects on recovery from COVID-19 disease. We have formulated a system of non-linear ordinary differential equations, calculated basic reproduction R0, and applied five different controls (self-isolation, quarantine, herd immunity, immunotherapy, plasma therapy) to test the effectiveness of control strategy. Control optimality was checked by Lagrangian functions. Numerical simulations and bifurcation analyses were carried out. The study concludes that the COVID-19 outbreak can be controlled up to a significant level three weeks after applying all the control strategies together. These strategies lead to a reduction in hospitalization and a rise in recovery from infection. Immunotherapy is highly effective initially in hospitalized infected individuals however better results were seen in the long term with plasma therapy.
The ORF8 Protein of SARS-CoV-2 Mediates Immune Evasion through Potently Downregulating MHC-I
Authors: Zhang Yiwen , Zhang Junsong , Chen Yingshi , Luo Baohong , Yuan Yaochang , Huang Feng , Yang Tao , Yu Fei , Liu Jun , Liu Bingfen , Song Zheng , Chen Jingliang , Pan Ting , Zhang Xu , Li Yuzhuang , Li Rong , Huang Wenjing , Xiao Fei , Zhang Hui
Published: May 2020

SARS-CoV-2 infection have caused global pandemic and claimed over 5,000,000 tolls1–4. Although the genetic sequences of their etiologic viruses are of high homology, the clinical and pathological characteristics of COVID-19 significantly differ from SARS5,6. Especially, it seems that SARS-CoV-2 undergoes vast replicationin vivowithout being effectively monitored by anti-viral immunity7. Here, we show that the viral protein encoded from open reading frame 8 (ORF8) of SARS-CoV-2, which shares the least homology with SARS-CoV among all the viral proteins, can directly interact with MHC-I molecules and significantly down-regulates their surface expression on various cell types. In contrast, ORF8a and ORF8b of SARS-CoV do not exert this function. In the ORF8-expressing cells, MHC-I molecules are selectively target for lysosomal degradation by an autophagy-dependent mechanism. As a result, CTLs inefficiently eliminate the ORF8-expressing cells. Our results demonstrate that ORF8 protein disrupts antigen presentation and reduces the recognition and the elimination of virus-infected cells by CTLs8. Therefore, we suggest that the inhibition of ORF8 function could be a strategy to improve the special immune surveillance and accelerate the eradication of SARS-CoV-2 in vivo.
Structural basis of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein induced by ACE2
Authors: Meirson Tomer , Bomze David , Markel Gal
Published: May 2020

Motivation

The recent emergence of the novel SARS-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its international spread pose a global health emergency. The viral spike (S) glycoprotein binds the receptor (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) ACE2 and promotes SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells. The trimeric S protein binds the receptor using the distal receptor-binding domain (RBD) causing conformational changes in S protein that allow priming by host cell proteases. Unravelling the dynamic structural features used by SARS-CoV-2 for entry might provide insights into viral transmission and reveal novel therapeutic targets. Using structures determined by X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM, we performed structural analysis and atomic comparisons of the different conformational states adopted by the SARS-CoV-2-RBD.

Results

Here, we determined the key structural components induced by the receptor and characterized their intramolecular interactions. We show that κ-helix (also known as polyproline II) is a predominant structure in the binding interface and in facilitating the conversion to the active form of the S protein. We demonstrate a series of conversions between switch-like κ-helix and β-strand, and conformational variations in a set of short α-helices which affect the proximal hinge region. This conformational changes lead to an alternating pattern in conserved disulfide bond configurations positioned at the hinge, indicating a possible disulfide exchange, an important allosteric switch implicated in viral entry of various viruses, including HIV and murine coronavirus. The structural information presented herein enables us to inspect and understand the important dynamic features of SARS-CoV-2-RBD and propose a novel potential therapeutic strategy to block viral entry. Overall, this study provides guidance for the design and optimization of structure-based intervention strategies that target SARS-CoV-2.
N-type calcium channels control GABAergic transmission in brain areas related to fear and anxiety
Authors: Blazon Maxwell , LaCarubba Brianna , Bunda Alexandra , Czepiel Natalie , Mallat Shayna , Londrigan Laura , Andrade Arturo
Published: May 2020

Presynaptic N-type (Cav2.2) calcium channels are key for action potential evoked transmitter release in the peripheral and central nervous system. Previous studies have highlighted the functional relevance of N-type calcium channels at both the peripheral and central level. In the periphery, the N-type calcium channels regulate nociceptive and sympathetic responses. At the central level, N-type calcium channels have been linked to aggression, hyperlocomotion, and anxiety. Among the areas of the brain that are involved in anxiety are the basolateral amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex, and ventral hippocampus. These three areas share similar characteristics in their neuronal circuitry. Pyramidal projection neurons are under the inhibitory control of a wide array of interneurons including those that express the peptide cholecystokinin. This type of interneuron is well-known to rely on N-type calcium channels to release GABA in the hippocampus, however whether these channels control GABA release from cholecystokinin-expressing interneurons in the basolateral amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex is not known. Here using sophisticated mouse models to genetically label cholecystokinin-expressing interneurons, we found that N-type calcium channels control ~50% of GABA release in basolateral amygdala. By contrast, N-type calcium channels are functionally absent in synapses of cholecystokinin-expressing interneurons of medial prefrontal cortex. Our findings provide insights into the precise localization of N-type calcium channels in synapses of brain areas related to anxiety.
Variable Number Tandem Repeats mediate the expression of proximal genes
Authors: Bakhtiari Mehrdad , Park Jonghun , Ding Yuan-Chun , Shleizer-Burko Sharona , Neuhausen Susan L. , Halldórsson Bjarni V. , Stefánsson Kári , Gymrek Melissa , Bafna Vineet
Published: May 2020

Variable Number Tandem Repeats (VNTRs) account for a significant amount of human genetic variation. VNTRs have been implicated in both Mendelian and Complex disorders, but are largely ignored by whole genome analysis pipelines due to the complexity of genotyping and the computational expense. We describe adVNTR-NN, a method that uses shallow neural networks for fast read recruitment. On 55X whole genome data, adVNTR-NN genotyped each VNTR in less than 18 cpu-seconds, while maintaining 100% accuracy on 76% of VNTRs.

We used adVNTR-NN to genotype 10,264 VNTRs in 652 individuals from the GTEx project and associated VNTR length with gene expression in 46 tissues. We identified 163 ‘eVNTR’ loci that were significantly associated with gene expression. Of the 22 eVNTRs in blood where independent data was available, 21 (95%) were replicated in terms of significance and direction of association. 49% of the eVNTR loci showed a strong and likely causal impact on the expression of genes and 80% had maximum effect size at least 0.3. The impacted genes have important role in complex phenotypes including Alzheimer’s, obesity and familial cancers. Our results point to the importance of studying VNTRs for understanding the genetic basis of complex diseases.
The relationship between professional development and school principals’ leadership practices: the mediating role of self-efficacy
Authors: Gümüş Sedat , Bellibaş Mehmet Şükrü
Published: May 2020

Purpose

There is an extensive body of contemporary educational literature concerning teachers' professional development (PD), but little attention has been paid to the PD of principals, despite their vital role in improving student learning outcomes. The available literature on principals' PD deals with content and quality while mostly ignoring whether and how PD activities have an impact on leadership practices. In our study, we wanted to examine the extent to which principals perform learning-centred leadership practices and whether and how their practices are influenced by the PD programmes they have engaged in during the past twelve months.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 130 Turkish principals participated in the study. Using the SEM model, we examined the direct and indirect links between principals' PD and their self-perceived learning-centred leadership practices, with self-efficacy as the mediating variable.

Findings

We found a positive, statistically significant yet weak relationship between principals' PD and their leadership practices, with self-efficacy playing a considerable mediating role.

Originality/value

We argue that traditional types of PD activities can contribute to the leadership practices of principals, at least in countries where school principals are not adequately prepared for principalship positions. We suggest that such activities can contribute by providing newly appointed school principals with certain basic knowledge regarding effective leadership that many principals in developing countries are missing due to the lack of pre-service training. These activities can also strengthen principals' belief in their ability to overcome school problems and improve student learning. This, in turn, could motivate them to focus more on learning-centred leadership practices.
Autism spectrum disorders and stalking
Authors: Mercer Johanna E. , Allely Clare Sarah
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Despite an increasing number of studies that examine sexual offending behaviour in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) individuals, there has been a lack of research investigating stalking and ASD. This study aims to carry out a scoping review following PRISMA guidelines to identify studies which have been carried out exploring stalking behaviour in individuals with threshold or subthreshold ASD.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of five bibliographic databases were searched to identify studies which explored ASD in relation to stalking and harassment (including case studies as well as empirical studies).

Findings

A total of five relevant articles were identified in the present review. One article contained a case study. In a short report, the authors discussed stalking and ASD. One paper explored ASD and stalking behaviour in employment settings and specific interventions that could be used in such environments. Another paper focused on stalking behaviour in those with ASD in school settings. The final paper examined stalking and social and romantic functioning in individuals with ASD. This final paper contained only the empirical study identified in this search.

Practical implications

The studies identified in this review clearly highlight the need for intensive socio-sexual interventions to improve social interaction skills and romantic functioning in individuals with ASD. There is also a need for schools to provide sex education programs for individuals with ASD.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first review looking at ASD and stalking.
A study of the influence of project managers’ signature strengths on project team resilience
Authors: Karlsen Jan Terje , Berg Morten Emil
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to study the influence of project managers’ signature strengths on project team resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors performed a qualitative multiple case study design to explore the research question. Open-ended interviews, site visits, observations and documents were the data sources. The authors used character strengths and virtues within positive psychology as a theoretical framework in the data analysis.

Findings

The main finding of this study is that the project manager’s use of signature strengths influences the resilience of the project team. The cross-case analysis revealed four signature strengths – leadership, open-mindedness, persistence and hope – that influenced team resilience in all three studied cases.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should investigate other organizations, types of projects and countries so that the findings may be generalized.

Practical implications

This paper provides managers and teams with useful insights on signature strengths and team resilience. The findings stress the importance of managers being aware of their signature strengths and knowing how to use them. As the working situation today is often more complex, uncertain and difficult than ever, it is important to have resilient managers and teams.

Originality/value

This study contributes to increased knowledge on signature strengths and team resilience.
Greening of grey infrastructure should not be used as a Trojan horse to facilitate coastal development
Authors: Firth Louise B. , Airoldi Laura , Bulleri Fabio , Challinor Steve , Chee Su‐Yin , Evans Ally J. , Hanley Mick E. , Knights Antony M. , O'Shaughnessy Kathryn , Thompson Richard C. , Hawkins Stephen J.
Published: May 2020

Climate change and coastal urbanization are driving the replacement of natural habitats with artificial structures and reclaimed land globally. These novel habitats are often poor surrogates for natural habitats.

The application of integrated greening of grey infrastructure (IGGI) to artificial shorelines demonstrates how multifunctional structures can provide biodiversity benefits whilst simultaneously serving their primary engineering function. IGGI is being embraced globally, despite many knowledge gaps and limitations. It is a management tool to compensate anthropogenic impacts as part of the Mitigation Hierarchy. There is considerable scope for misuse and ‘greenwashing’ however, by making new developments appear more acceptable, thus facilitating the regulatory process.

We encourage researchers to exercise caution when reporting on small‐scale experimental trials. We advocate that greater attention is paid to when experiments ‘fail’ or yield unintended outcomes. We advise revisiting, repeating and expanding on experiments to test responses over broader spatio‐temporal scales to improve the evidence base.

Synthesis and applications. Where societal and economic demand makes development inevitable, particular attention should be paid to avoiding, minimizing and rehabilitating environmental impacts. Integrated greening of grey infrastructure (IGGI) should be implemented as partial compensation for environmental damage. Mutual benefits for both humans and nature can be achieved when IGGI is implemented retrospectively in previously developed or degraded environments. We caution, however, that any promise of net biodiversity gain from new developments should be scrutinized and any local ecological benefits set in the context of the wider environmental impacts. A ‘greened’ development will always impinge on natural systems, a reality that is much less recognized in the sea than on land.
Phylogenetic relatedness mediates persistence and density of soil seed banks
Authors: Gioria Margherita , Pyšek Petr , Baskin Carol C. , Carta Angelino
Published: May 2020

Soil seed banks can strongly affect survival and expansion of plant populations by spreading mortality risks and distributing genetic diversity through time. Knowledge of the main factors regulating the ability of seeds to persist in the soil beyond the first germination season is however limited. While morphological and physiological seed traits, and the degree of environmental uncertainty are considered important in shaping the seed banking strategies of plants, global assessments that explicitly account for phylogenetic relatedness are lacking.

Using a global seed bank database comprising data for 2,350 angiosperms, we examined the extent to which two seed bank properties, i.e. seed bank type (transient vs. persistent) and density of viable seed banks, are determined by phylogenetic relatedness. We then tested phylogenetic correlations between these properties with seed mass and seed dormancy (dormant vs. non‐dormant), and the contribution of phylogenetic relatedness relative to that of climatic and habitat‐related variables in shaping seed bank properties.

We found significant phylogenetic signal in seed bank type and density, providing evidence that the ability to form persistent seed banks is not randomly distributed across the phylogeny. While the ability to persist in the soil was phylogenetically correlated to the production of dormant and smaller seeds, seed mass and seed dormancy per se were poor predictors of seed persistence. Interestingly, habitat‐related variables (mainly disturbance and canopy openness) but not climate significantly affect the ability of seed plants to form persistent seed banks.

Synthesis. Our study is the first to show that phylogenetic relatedness plays an important role in explaining seed bank properties in angiosperms and how these properties relate to early life‐history traits, climate and habitat‐related variables. These findings represent a starting point to assess the generality of persistent seed banks as a bet‐hedging strategy in unpredictable environments and provide important insights into how seed plants might respond to global environmental changes.
Land size and productivity in the livestock sector: evidence from pastoral areas in China
Authors: Xia Fang , Hou Lingling , Jin Songqing , Li Dongqing
Published: May 2020

This article explores the relationship between land size and productivity in the livestock sector. Household panel data from pastoral areas in northwestern China were analysed. Results suggest an inverse relationship (IR) between land size and the number of livestock per ha. IR can be largely explained by labour input intensity, which is negatively correlated with land size. We find that household’s labour demand is not separable from household’s labour supply and households’ decisions to rent land and hire labour for grazing are significantly related to the labour–land endowment ratio. These findings are consistent with the Chayanovian explanation that labour input intensity varies with farm size due to unobserved interhousehold variation in shadow wage rates. In addition, participation in the labour market does not significantly influence the IR for the employer, while the practice of land renting reduces, but does not eliminate, the IR for the lease. These findings point towards the potential for using factor markets to optimise pasture‐based livestock production scale, and the need to promote the factor market development to achieve efficiency in resource use.
Effect of reaction temperature on the protein structure and the ability to encapsulate β‐carotene of WPI‐dextran conjugates
Authors: Xi Chunyu , Kang Naixin , Zhao Changhui , Song Hongxin , Liu Yujia , Zhang Tiehua
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we studied the effect of glycosylation reaction on the molecular structure and functional properties of whey protein isolate (WPI), and studied the effect of reaction temperature (50 to 90 °C) on the molecular structure and functional properties of WPI–dextran conjugates (WPI‐D). The results of the extent of glycation (EG) and sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis confirmed the formation of WPI‐D. Circular dichroism (CD), Fourier transform infrared spectrum, and fluorescence spectroscopy indicated that the molecular structure of WPI was changed after glycosylation—the β‐sheet content was decreased and the tryptophan content was increased. The emulsifying properties and the ability to encapsulate β‐carotene of WPI‐D were improved compared with WPI (P < 0.05). When the reaction temperature was 70 and 80 °C, the EG and the ability to encapsulate β‐carotene of WPI‐D were better (P < 0.05), which was related to protein unfolding. However, due to the polymerization between the WPI molecules, the emulsion activity index of WPI‐D and the ability to encapsulate β‐carotene were lowered at 90 °C (P < 0.05). Therefore, the glycosylation reaction can change the molecular structure and functional properties of WPI; the emulsifying properties and the ability to encapsulate β‐carotene of WPI‐D can be changed by controlling the reaction temperature of glycosylation.

Practical Application

The glycosylation reaction can change the molecular structure and functional properties of Whey protein isolate; the emulsifying properties and the ability to encapsulate β‐carotene of WPI‐dextran conjugates can be changed by controlling the reaction temperature of glycosylation.
Fermentability and nutritional characteristics of sorghum Mahewu supplemented with Bambara groundnut
Authors: Qaku Xolisile W. , Adetunji Adeoluwa , Dlamini Bhekisisa C.
Published: May 2020

Processing functionality in terms of fermentability and nutritional characteristics of Mahewu (a sorghum‐based nonalcoholic beverage product) supplemented with different proportions of Bambara groundnut (BGN) (80:20 and 70:30, respectively) was investigated to develop a sorghum‐based beverage product with improved nutritional quality. Sorghum‐BGN Mahewu blends showed a rapid reduction in pH and significantly (P < 0.05) lower final pH (4.3) after 24 hr compared to the control (pH 5.1) (100% Sorghum Mahewu). With total titratable acidity (TTA), sorghum–BGN Mahewu blends had significantly higher final TTA (0.7%) than control (0.4%). Sorghum–BGN Mahewu blends had higher protein and crude fiber contents (up to 7.7% and 7.9%, respectively) than control (6.1% and 5.7%, respectively). In general, sorghum Mahewu supplemented with BGN did not show substantial increase in mineral and individual amino acid contents after fermentation compared to the control, possibly due to increase in tannin content with BGN supplementation. Fermentation significantly (P < 0.05) reduced phytate content by more than 90% in sorghum Mahewu supplemented with BGN when compared to the control (28% reduction). Importantly, BGN supplementation improved the level of some essential amino acids such as threonine, methionine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, leucine, histidine, and lysine. Therefore, supplementation with BGN can potentially improve the nutritional quality of sorghum Mahewu but modification in processing procedure is required to effectively improve the nutritional quality of sorghum–BGN blends.

Practical Application

This research work has direct application in addressing problem of malnutrition, as well as improving utilization of indigenous food crops in commercial food processing. This is one of the practical approach to address food insecurity that is prevalent in most African countries.
Stabilization of peanut butter by rice bran wax
Authors: Huang Zhaohua , Guo Baozhong , Deng Chong , Luo Shunjing , Liu Chengmei , Hu Xiuting
Published: May 2020

To improve stability of peanut butter, rice bran wax (RBX) was added into peanut butter as a stabilizer by formation of organogel. Effects of addition of RBX, heating temperature, and cooling temperature on stabilization effect of peanut butter by RBX were investigated. The optimum conditions were as follow: addition of RBX at 4.0 wt%; heating temperature at 85 °C, and cooling temperature at 20 °C. Under the optimum conditions, the oil loss of peanut butter decreased from 12.19% to 4.04%, and the adhesiveness of peanut butter increased from 23.5 to 165.9 g·s. After storage for 25 weeks, the acid value (AV) of peanut butter prepared under the optimum conditions increased from 0.65  to 0.80 mg/g, and the peroxide value (PV) increased from 0.116 to 0.127 meq/kg. However, the AV of natural peanut butter increased to 1.73 mg/g, and PV increased to 0.178 meq/kg. The confocal laser scanning microscope images showed that the cooling temperature significantly affected crystallization of RBX and distribution of solid particles. When RBX formed needle‐like crystals and peanut solid particles were evenly distributed in the oil phase, stable peanut butter was obtained. These results suggested that the RBX was an effective stabilizer for peanut butter.

Practical Application

Oil separation often occurred to peanut butter during storage, which reduced the sensory quality of peanut butter and shortened its shelf life. This study stabilized peanut butter by addition of RBX based on the formation of organogel, which was of great practical significance to improve the shelf life of peanut butter.
Limonoid compounds from Xylocarpus granatum and their anticancer activity against esophageal cancer cells
Authors: Jing Li , Feng Li , Zhou Zhiguo , Shi Shuai , Deng Ruoying , Wang Zhicong , Liu Yibing
Published: May 2020

Background

To investigate the anticancer effects of limonoid compounds that were isolated and purified from Xylocarpus granatum fruits on human esophageal cancer (EC) cells. A structure‐activity relationship experiment was designed to identify the functional moiety of limonoid compounds identified as being critical for its anticancer activity.

Methods

Eca109 cells were cultured in RPMI1640 medium and treated with limonoid compounds. Cell proliferation was determined by the MTT assay in vitro. Eca109 cells apoptosis was analyzed by by flow cytometry after being treated with xylogranatin C. The expression of p53, Bax, bcl‐2, caspase‐3 and GRP78 in Eca109 cells after xylogranatin C treatment was examined by western blot assay.

Results

Four linonoid compounds strongly inhibited the cellular proliferation of Eca109 cells. Xylogranatin C was the strongest inhibitor, whose inhibitory effect was comparable to that of the well‐known chemotherapeutic agent, cisplatin. Furthermore, xylogranatin C might induce Eca109 cell apoptosis through joint effects on multiple pathways, including the death receptor and endoplasmic reticulum pathways. Additionally, xylogranatin C suppressed tumor cell proliferation by upregulating miR‐203a expression in Eca109 cells.

Conclusions

Xylogranatin C induced Eca109 cellular apoptosis and exerted antitumor activity. Xylogranatin C suppressed tumor cell proliferation by upregulating miR‐203a expression in Eca109 cells.