bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A synthesis on the role of mycorrhizal fungal traits for understanding forest tree functions
Authors: Khokon Anis Mahmud , Meier Ina Christin
Published: March 2023

Nearly all tree species associate with mycorrhizal fungi, which promote their hosts in soil resource acquisition and influence the nutrient economy of the ecosystem. Yet despite the fundamentality of this symbiotic interaction, our understanding how fungal traits relate to host traits is still in its infancy. We compiled a unique mycorrhizal fungal trait database, which sets fungal effect traits in relation to host response functions in the tree response trait categories (i) resource acquisition, (ii) plant productivity, and (iii) carbon (C) release. Based on meta-analysis, we demonstrate current strengths and gaps of knowledge with respect to tree species and spatial coverage, and fungal trait-tree function relationships. Most studies demonstrate a positive influence of traits in the effect trait categories ‘fungal community assembly’, ‘host-symbiont interactions’, and ‘soil exploration’ on traits in the response trait categories ‘resource acquisition’ and ‘plant production’. By contrast, traits in the category ‘fungal community assembly’ related negatively to root C exudation (with low certainty). The influence of mycorrhizal colonization or ‘soil exploration’ effect traits on ‘host C release’ response traits remains unclear. We conclude that the fungal effect trait category ‘soil exploration’ and the tree response trait category ‘C release’ remain major avenues for future research, which should advance from lab-measurements of soft traits and increasingly focus on mycorrhizal traits with the widest importance in ecosystem functioning.
Andrographis saxatilis(Acanthaceae) a new woody species from the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Kusom Raja Kullayiswamy , Naidu Sarojini Devi
Published: March 2023

Andrographis saxatilis(Acanthaceae) a woody undershrub, is described and illustrated from the rocky plateaus of the Owk dam area, Andhra Pradesh. It resemblesA. beddomeibut differs in many morphological characters.
Fast and frugal decision tree for the rapid critical appraisal of systematic reviews
Authors: Lorenz Robert C. , Jenny Mirjam , Jacobs Anja , Matthias Katja
Published: March 2023

Conducting high-quality overviews of reviews (OoR) is time-consuming. Because the quality of systematic reviews (SRs) varies, it is necessary to critically appraisal SRs when conducting an OoR. A well-established appraisal tool is AMSTAR 2, which takes about 15 to 32 minutes per application. To save time, we developed two fast-and-frugal decision trees (FFTs) for assessing the methodological quality of SR for OoR either during the full text screening stage (Screening FFT) or to the resulting pool of SRs (Rapid Appraisal FFT).

To build a data set for developing the FFT, we identified published AMSTAR 2 appraisals. Overall confidence ratings of the AMSTAR 2 were used as criterion and the 16 items as cues.

1,519 appraisals were obtained from 24 publications and divided into training and test data sets. The resulting Screening FFT consists of three items and correctly identifies all non-critically low-quality SRs (sensitivity of 100%), but a positive predictive value of 59%. The three-item Rapid Appraisal FFT correctly identifies 80% of the high-quality SRs and correctly identifies 97% of the low-quality SRs resulting in an accuracy of 95%. When applying the FFTs about 10% of the 16 AMSTAR 2 items are used.

The Screening FFT may be applied during full text screening in order to exclude SRs with critically low quality. The Rapid Appraisal FFT may be applied to the final SR pool to identify SR that might be of high methodological quality.
GPR41/43 regulates blood pressure by improving gut epithelial barrier integrity to prevent TLR4 activation and renal inflammation
Authors: Muralitharan Rikeish R. , Zheng Tenghao , Dinakis Evany , Xie Liang , Barbaro-Wahl Anastasia , Jama Hamdi A. , Nakai Michael , Patterson Madeleine , Johnson Chad , Salimova Ekaterina , Bitto Natalie , Liaskos Maria-Kaparakis , Kaye David M. , O’Donnell Joanne A. , Mackay Charles R. , Marques Francine Z.
Published: March 2023

Fermentation of dietary fibre by the gut microbiota leads to the production of metabolites called short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which have emerged as potent regulators of immune, metabolic, and tissue barrier functions. More recently, a high fibre diet and SCFA supplementation were shown to lower blood pressure and be cardio-protective. SCFAs activate host signalling responses via the receptors GPR41 and GPR43, which have redundancy in their signalling pathways. Whether these receptors play a role in hypertension or mediate the cardio-protective effects of fibre remains unknown. Using an experimental model that lacks both GPR41 and GPR43, we show that lack of signalling via these receptors increases risk to high blood pressure and leads to cardiorenal fibrosis and hypertrophy.

Moreover, we demonstrate that GPR41/43 signalling is essential in maintaining gut epithelial barrier, which prevents the translocation of the bacterial toxins lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from entering the peripheral circulation. In the absence of GPR41/43, this is accompanied by macrophage infiltration to the kidneys, resulting in pro-inflammatory cytokine production.

Using an antagonist against the LPS’ receptor, TLR4, a potent pro-inflammatory signalling pathway, we were able to rescue the cardiovascular phenotype in GPR41/43 knockout mice. We also demonstrate that GPR41/43 are, at least partially, responsible for the blood pressure- lowering and cardio-protective effects of a high fibre diet; however, improvements of gut barrier integrity and macrophages in the kidney were independent of GPR41/43 signalling.

Finally, using the UK Biobank, we provide translational evidence that variants associated with lower expression of both GPR41/43 are more prevalent in hypertensive patients. Our findings highlight that lack of SCFA-receptor signalling via both GPR41/43 increases risk of high blood pressure, suggesting these receptors could be targeted as a new treatment.
The genome of medicinal plantSophora flavescenshas undergone significant expansion of both transposons and genes
Authors: Qu Zhipeng , Wang Wei , Adelson David L.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Sophora flavescensis a medicinal plant in the genus Sophora of the Fabaceae family. The root ofS. flavescensis known in China as Kushen and has a long history of wide use in multiple formulations of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). However, there is little genomic information available forS. flavescens.

Methods

In this study, we used third-generation Nanopore long-read sequencing technology combined with Hi-C scaffolding technology to de novo assemble the S. flavescens genome.

Results

We obtained a chromosomal level high-qualityS. flavescensdraft genome. The draft genome size is approximately 2.08 Gb, with more than 80% annotated as Transposable Elements (TEs), which have recently and rapidly proliferated. This genome size is ∼5x larger than its closest sequenced relativeLupinus albus l.. We annotated 60,485 genes and examined their expression profiles in leaf, stem and root tissues, and also characterised the genes and pathways involved in the biosynthesis of major bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids and isoflavonoids.

Conclusion

The assembled genome highlights the very different evolutionary trajectories that have occurred in recently diverged Fabaceae, leading to smaller duplicated genomes vs larger genomes resulting from TE expansion. Our assembly provides valuable resources for conservation, genetic research and breeding ofS. flavescens.
Multitrophic assembly: a perspective from modern coexistence theory
Authors: Song Chuliang , Spaak Jurg W.
Published: March 2023

Ecological communities encompass rich diversity across multiple trophies. While modern coexistence theory has been useful in understanding community assembly, its traditional formalism only allows for the study of assembly within a single trophic level. Here, using an expanded definition of niche and fitness differences applicable to multi-trophic communities, we study how diversity within and across trophics affect species coexistence. Specifically, we investigate how assembly in one trophic level impacts the coexistence of three types of communities: (1) the single-trophic subcommunity with species at that level, (2) the single-trophic subcommunity with species at an adjacent level, and (3) the entire multitrophic community. We find that while coexistence mechanisms are similar for single-trophic communities, they differ for multitrophic ones. We also find that fitness differences primarily constrain diversity in lower-level tropics, while niche differences primarily constrain diversity in higher-level tropics. Empirical data corroborates our predictions about multitrophic structures. Our work provides needed theoretical expectation of multitrophic communities within modern coexistence theory.
Psidium guajavaderived carbon nanoparticles: A promising red emissive cellular bioimaging agent
Authors: Mehta Shivani , Singh Udisha , Barve Ketki , Bhatia Dhiraj
Published: March 2023

We report a simple, cost-effective, microwave-assisted green synthesis route of red-emitting fluorescence carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) usingPsidium guajava(Guava leaves). The synthesis of CNPs is a simple, affordable, and rapid method of producing carbon nanoparticles. The CNPs were characterized by various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Atomic force microscopy studies showed that the average size of CNPs is approximately 50 nm. The CNPs exhibited excellent photoluminescence properties with a maximum emission at 677 nm, making them suitable for bioimaging applications. The Ionic, photostability, and thermal stability of CNPs were also checked to understand their robustness. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells were exposed to these nanoparticles and showed very efficient uptake, some fraction of it also getting targeted to the nucleus, indicating that CNPs are non-toxic and biocompatible for future biological experiments. The results indicate that guava leaves can be a promising source for the synthesis of red emissive CNPs through the very simple method of synthesis and with bioimaging applications.
Effect of acetic acid bacteria colonization on oviposition and feeding site choice inDrosophila suzukiiand its related species
Authors: Sato Airi , Yew Joanne Y. , Takahashi Aya
Published: March 2023

Oviposition site choice has a large impact on offspring performance. Unlike other vinegar flies that colonize decaying fruits,Drosophila suzukiilay eggs into hard ripening fruits by using their enlarged and serrated ovipositors (oviscapts). This behavior has an advantage over other species by providing access to the host fruit earlier and avoiding competition. However, the larvae are not fully adapted to a low-protein diet, and the availability of intact healthy fruits is seasonally restricted. Thus, to investigate oviposition site preference for microbial growth in this species, we conducted an oviposition assay using single species of commensalDrosophilaacetic acid bacteria,AcetobacterandGluconobacter. The oviposition site preferences for media with or without bacterial growth were quantified in multiple strains ofD. suzukiiand its closely related species,D. subpulchrellaandD. biarmipes, and a typical fermenting-fruit consumer,D. melanogaster. Our comparisons demonstrated a continuous degree of preference for sites withAcetobactergrowth both within and across species, suggesting that the niche separation is notable but not complete. The preference forGluconobactershowed large variations among replicates and no clear differences between the strains. In addition, the lack of interspecific differences in feeding site preference forAcetobacter-containing media implies that the interspecific divergence in oviposition site preference occurred independently from the feeding site preference. Our oviposition assays measuring the preference of multiple strains from each fly species for acetic acid bacteria growth revealed intrinsic properties of shared resource usage among these fruit fly species.
Managing very small scale objective structured clinical examinations - can we ensure reliability of pass/fail decisions with low candidate numbers? A feasibility study of global score only decision making
Authors: Gray James , Darling-Pomranz Claire , Rone James , Spencer David
Published: March 2023

Background

This study assesses a change to pass/fail decision making from an Angoff method to one based on examiner global judgements in very small scale Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE).

Approach

Data was collected from a Physician Associate OSCE in which two examiners marked each station one utilising a global rating based mark scheme and the other the original, Angoff based, mark scheme. Alternative global ratings were used to try and improve the judgement decision of examiners and checklists significantly reduced into a small number of broader domains. Examiners were also asked to provide some feedback on the new rating scales.

Evaluation

Mann-Whitney U tests were used to evaluate the data. Overall there was fairly good correlation of candidate performance between the two methods. Some anomalies were found with the use of the word safe in the global ratings creating a “killer” station. Examiners had mixed views but most were positive about the change in approach.

Implications

The initial results seem promising suggesting that global rating scales alone may be suitable to determine pass/fail decisions in very small scale OSCE with implications for all educators managing such assessments. We intend to keep the adjusted global rating scales.
Impact of Obesity on Catheter Ablation of Atrial fibrillation: Patient Characteristics, Procedural Complications, Outcomes and Quality of Life
Authors: Tabaja Chadi , Younis Arwa , Santageli Pasquale , Farwati Medhat , Braghieri Lorenzo , Nakagawa Hiroshi , Saliba Walid I. , Madden Ruth , Bouscher Patricia , Kanj Mohamed , Callahan Thomas D. , Martin David , Bhargava Mandeep , Chung Mina , Baranowski Bryan , Nakhla Shady , Sroubek Jakub , Lee Justin , Taigen Tyler , Tchou Patrick J. , Wazni Oussama M. , Hussein Ayman A.
Published: March 2023

Background

Obesity is a well-known risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objective

To evaluate the effect of baseline obesity on procedural complications, AF recurrence, and symptoms following catheter ablation (CA).

Methods

A total of 5841 patients undergoing AF ablation (2013-2021) were enrolled in a prospectively maintained registry. Primary endpoint was AF recurrence based on electrocardiographic documentation. Patients were categorized into 5 groups according to their baseline body mass index (BMI). Patients survey at baseline and at follow-up were used to calculate AF severity score (AFSS) as well as AF burden.

Results

Major procedural complications were low (1.5%) among BMI sub-groups. At 3 years AF recurrence was highest in Class III obesity patients (48%) followed by Class II (43%), whereas Class I, normal, and overweight had similar results with lower recurrence (35%). In multivariable analyses, Class III obesity was independently associated with increased risk for AF recurrence (HR=1.30, P=0.01), whereas other groups had similar risk in comparison to normal weight. Baseline AFSS was lowest in normal weight, and highest in Obesity-III, median [interquartile range] 10 [5-16] vs 15 [10-21]. In all groups, CA resulted in improvement in their AFSS with a similar magnitude among the groups. At follow-up, AF burden was minimal and did not differ significantly between the groups.

Conclusion

AF ablation is safe with a low complication rate across all BMI groups. Morbid obesity (BMI ≥40) was significantly associated with reduced AF ablation success. However, ablation resulted in improvement in QOL including reduction of the AFSS, and AF burden.

What is known?

Obesity is an independent risk factor of atrial fibrillation (AF)

Catheter ablation (CA) has emerged as a standard of care in arrhythmia management, leading to improvements in quality of life, reductions in hospitalizations, and potential reductions in major adverse clinical outcomes.

More obese patients are being referred to catheter ablation of AF.

What is new?

AF ablation is safe with low complication rates across all BMI sub-groups (<1.5%)

Morbid obesity (BMI ≥40) was associated with increased risk of AF recurrence after ablation

Using patient reported outcomes, AF Ablation resulted in improvement of quality of life regardless of BMI
Integration of DNA methylation datasets for individual prediction
Authors: Merzbacher Charlotte , Ryan Barry , Goldsborough Thibaut , Hillary Robert F , Campbell Archie , Murphy Lee , McIntosh Andrew M , Liewald David , Harris Sarah E , McRae Allan F , Cox Simon R , Cannings Timothy I , Vallejos Catalina , McCartney Daniel L , Marioni Riccardo E
Published: March 2023

Background

Epigenetic scores (EpiScores) can provide blood-based biomarkers of lifestyle and disease risk. Projecting a new individual onto a reference panel would aid precision medicine and risk communication but is challenging due to the separation of technical and biological sources of variation with array data. Normalisation methods can standardize data distributions but may also remove population-level biological variation.

Methods

We compared two independent birth cohorts (Lothian Birth Cohorts of 1921 and 1936 – nLBC1921= 387 and nLBC1936= 498) with DNA methylation assessed at the same chronological age (79 years) and processed in the same lab but in different years and experimental batches. We examined the effect of 15 normalisation methods on a BMI EpiScore (trained in an external cohort of 18,413 individuals) when the cohorts were normalised separately and together.

Results

The BMI EpiScore explained a maximum variance of R2=24.5% in BMI in LBC1936 after SWAN normalisation. Although there were differences in the variance explained across cohorts, the normalisation methods made minimal differences to the estimates within cohorts. Conversely, a range of absolute differences were seen for individual-level EpiScore estimates when cohorts were normalised separately versus together. While within-array methods result in identical BMI EpiScores whether a cohort was normalised on its own or together with the second dataset, a range of differences were observed for between-array methods.

Conclusions

Using normalisation methods that give similar EpiScores whether cohorts are analysed separately or together will minimise technical variation when projecting new data onto a reference panel. These methods are especially important for cases where when raw data and joint normalisation of cohorts is not possible or is computationally expensive.
Selective Aurora A-TPX2 interaction inhibitors havein vivoefficacy as targeted anti-mitotic agents
Authors: Stockwell Simon R. , Scott Duncan E. , Fischer Gerhard , Guarino Estrella , Rooney Timothy P. C. , Feng Tzu-Shean , Moschetti Tommaso , Srinivasan Rajavel , Alza Esther , Asteian Alice , Dagostin Claudio , Alcaide Anna , Rocaboy Mathieu , Blaszczyk Beata , Higueruelo Alicia , Wang Xuelu , Rossmann Maxim , Perrior Trevor R. , Blundell Tom L. , Spring David R. , McKenzie Grahame , Abell Chris , Skidmore John , Venkitaraman Ashok R. , Hyvönen Marko
Published: March 2023

The protein kinase Aurora A, and its close relative, Aurora B, regulate human cell division. Aurora A is frequently overexpressed in cancers of the breast, ovary, pancreas and blood, provoking genome instability and resistance to anti-mitotic chemotherapy. Intracellular localization and enzymatic activity of Aurora A are regulated by its interaction with the spindle assembly factor TPX2. Here, we have used fragment-based, structure-guided lead discovery to develop small-molecule inhibitors of the Aurora A-TPX2 protein-protein interaction (PPI). These compounds act by novel mechanism compared to existing Aurora A inhibitors and they are highly specific to Aurora A over Aurora B. Our biophysically, structurally and phenotypically validated lead compound,CAM2602, exhibits oral bioavailability, favourable pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamic biomarker modulation, and arrest of growth in tumour xenografts. Consistent with our original finding that Aurora A overexpression drives taxane-resistance in cancer cells, inhibition of Aurora A-TPX2 PPI synergizes with paclitaxel to suppress the outgrowth of pancreatic cancer cells. Our results provide a blueprint for targeting the Aurora A-TPX2 PPI for cancer therapy and suggest a promising clinical utility for this mode of action.
Transcriptomic contributions to a modern cytoarchitectonic parcellation of the human cerebral cortex
Authors: King Leana , Weiner Kevin S.
Published: March 2023

Transcriptomic contributions to the anatomical, functional, and network layout of the human cerebral cortex (HCC) has become a major interest in cognitive and systems neuroscience. Here, we tested if transcriptomic differences support a modern, algorithmic cytoarchitectonic parcellation of HCC. Using a data-driven approach, we identified a sparse subset of genes that differentially contributed to the cytoarchitectonic parcellation of HCC. A novel metric (cortical thickness/myelination ratio; CT/M ratio), as well as cell density, correlated with gene expression. Enrichment analyses showed that genes specific to the cytoarchitectonic parcellation of the HCC were related to molecular functions such as transmembrane transport and ion channel activity. Together, the novel relationship between transcriptomics and the CT/M ratio bridges the gap among i) gradients at the macroscale, ii) areas at the meso-scale, and iii) cell density at the microscale, as well as supports the recently proposed cortical spectrum theory.
Individual thalamic inhibitory interneurons are functionally specialized towards distinct visual features
Authors: Müllner Fiona E. , Roska Botond
Published: March 2023

Inhibitory interneurons in the dorsolateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) are situated at the first central synapse of the image-forming visual pathway but little is known about their function. Given their anatomy, they are expected to be multiplexors, integrating many different retinal channels along their dendrites. Here, using targeted single-cell-initiated rabies tracing, we found that mouse dLGN interneurons exhibit a degree of retinal input specialization similar to thalamocortical neurons. Some are anatomically highly specialized, for example, towards direction-selective information. Two-photon calcium imaging performedin vivorevealed that interneurons are also functionally specialized. In mice lacking retinal horizontal direction selectivity, horizontal direction selectivity is reduced in interneurons, suggesting a causal link between input and functional specialization. Functional specialization is not only present at interneuron somata, but also extends into their dendrites. Altogether, each inhibitory interneuron globally encodes one visual feature originating mostly in the retina and is ideally suited to perform feature-selective inhibition.
Homocysteine Metabolites Inhibit Autophagy and Elevate Amyloid Beta by Impairing Phf8/H4K20me1-dependent Epigenetic Regulation of mTOR in Cystathionine β-Synthase-Deficient Mice
Authors: Witucki Łukasz , Jakubowski Hieronim
Published: March 2023

The loss of cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), an important homocysteine (Hcy)-metabolizing enzyme or the loss of PHF8, an important histone demethylase participating in epigenetic regulation, causes severe mental retardation in humans. Similar neuropathies were also observed inCbs-/-andPhf8-/-mice. How CBS or PHF8 depletion can cause neuropathy was unknown. To answer this question, we examined a possible interaction between PHF8 and CBS usingCbs-/-mouse and neuroblastoma cell models. We quantified gene expression by RT-qPCR and Western blotting, mTOR-bound H4K20me1 by chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) assay, and amyloid β (Aβ) by confocal fluorescence microscopy using anti-Aβ antibody. We found significantly reduced expression of Phf8, increased H4K20me1, increased mTOR expression and phosphorylation, and increased App, both on protein and mRNA levels in brains ofCbs-/-micevs. Cbs+/-sibling controls. Autophagy-related proteins Becn1, Atg5, and Atg7 were downregulated while p62 was upregulated on protein and mRNA levels, suggesting impaired autophagy inCbs-/-brains. In mouse neuroblastoma N2a or N2a-APPswe cells, treatments with Hcy-thiolactone,N-Hcy-protein or Hcy, orCbsgene silencing by RNA interference significantly reduced Phf8 expression and increased total H4K20me1 as well as mTOR promoter-bound H4K20me1. This led to transcriptional mTOR upregulation, autophagy downregulation, and significantly increased App and Aβ levels. ThePhf8gene silencing increased Aβ, but not App, levels. Taken together, our findings identify Phf8 as a regulator of Aβ synthesis and suggest that neuropathy of Cbs deficiency is mediated by Hcy metabolites, which transcriptionally dysregulate the Phf8->H4K20me1->mTOR->autophagy pathway thereby increasing Aβ accumulation.
Protective role of protease-activated receptor-2 in anaphylaxis model mice
Authors: Nakazawa Maho , Tochinai Ryota , Fujii Wataru , Yonezawa Tomohiro , Momoi Yasuyuki , Maeda Shingo
Published: March 2023

Anaphylaxis is a severe life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction induced by mast cell degranulation. Among the various mediators of mast cells, little is known about the role of tryptase. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the role of protease-activating receptor-2 (PAR-2), a receptor activated by tryptase, in murine anaphylactic models using PAR-2-deficient mice and newly generated tryptase-deficient mice. Anaphylaxis was induced by IgE-dependent and IgE-independent mast cell degranulation in mice. PAR-2 deficiency exacerbated the decrease in body temperature and hypotension during anaphylaxis; however, the number of skin mast cells, degree of mast cell degranulation, and systemic and local vascular hyperpermeability were comparable in PAR-2 knockout and wild-type mice. Nitric oxide, which is produced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), is an indispensable vasodilator in anaphylaxis. In the lungs of anaphylactic mice, PAR-2 deficiency promoted eNOS expression and phosphorylation, suggesting a protective effect of PAR-2 against anaphylaxis by downregulating eNOS activation and expression. Based on the hypothesis that the ligand for PAR-2 in anaphylaxis is mast cell tryptase, tryptase-deficient mice were generated using CRISPR-Cas9. In wild-type mice, the PAR-2 antagonist exacerbated the body temperature drop due to anaphylaxis; however, the effect of the PAR-2 antagonist was abolished in tryptase-deficient mice. These results suggest that tryptase is a possible ligand of PAR-2 in anaphylaxis and that the tryptase/PAR-2 pathway attenuates the anaphylactic response in mice.
Mammalian cell characterisation by non-invasive plate reader assay
Authors: Grob Alice , Bena Chiara Enrico , Di Blasi Roberto , Pessina Daniele , Sood Matthew , Yunyue Zhou , Bosia Carla , Isalan Mark , Ceroni Francesca
Published: March 2023

Automated and non-invasive mammalian cell analysis is currently lagging behind due to a lack of methods suitable for a variety of cell lines and applications. Here, we report the development of a high throughput non-invasive method for tracking mammalian cell growth and performance based on plate reader measurements. We show the method to be suitable for both suspension and adhesion cell lines, and we demonstrate it can be adopted when cells are grown under different environmental conditions. We establish that the method can inform on effective drug treatment to be used depending on the cell line considered, and that it can support characterisation of engineered mammalian cells over time. This work provides the scientific community with a novel approach to mammalian cell screening, also contributing to the current efforts towards high throughput and automated mammalian cell engineering.
Elite women's schools across three Australian states in the 1930s: a prosopographical study
Authors: May Josephine
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper presents a descriptive analysis of elite women's biographical sketches in Who's Who-type collections, now out of copyright, published in Australia in the 1930s: Victoria (1934), New South Wales (1936) and Queensland (1939). It concentrates on information given about their schooling.

Design/methodology/approach

The biographical sketches of the women, defined as “elite” by their inclusion in three collections from the 1930s, were examined for information about their and their daughters' education. Using mixed methods in a prosopographical approach, this is mainly a quantitative analysis. It outlines and compares the schools they attended where given as well as providing basic demographic details of the 491 women.

Findings

The paper shows that, for those who gave educational details, the women and their daughters attended private schools almost exclusively. Three types of schools were listed – private venture, corporate, and a very few state schools. The paper demonstrates that the landscape for girls’ secondary schooling was not a settled terrain in terms of type, place, religion, or age of schools available for elite girls' education in the late 19th and early 20th century. Private schools are shown to be part of the “machinery of exclusiveness which characterised the inter-war years” (Teese, 1998, p. 402) and private venture schools survived well into the third decade of the 20th century.

Originality/value

Beyond the histories of individual schools, little is known about the educational profile of Australian elite women in the past. This largely quantitative analysis helps to uncover and compare across state-based cohorts, previously unknown demographic, and schooling details for interwar women who recorded their educational details, as well as for the NSW and Victorian daughters where given.
The effect of charity website design on perceived consistency and its consequences
Authors: Kwak Dong-Heon , Nazareth Derek L. , Lee Saerom , Lee Jinwoong , Polites Greta L. , Knapp Deborah Erdos
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Drawing upon the consistency literature, the theory of visual rhetoric and social judgment of warmth and competence, this study examines the determinants and impacts of perceived interface design consistency in the context of charity websites.

Design/methodology/approach

To identify design factors of perceived interface design consistency, this study separates charity website interface design into two aspects: main appeal design (i.e. appeal quality) and peripheral design (i.e. image type). The authors designed a two (appeal quality: low vs high) × three (image type: control vs adults vs children) controlled lab experiment to investigate the effects of various interface choices. A total of 217 subjects participated in the experiment. The authors used structural equation model (SEM) analysis and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

This study found that appeal quality and human images increase perceived interface design consistency. The authors also found that the relationship between appeal quality and perceived interface design consistency is moderated by image type. Finally, the authors showed that perceived interface design consistency increases perceived warmth and competence of charity websites, which in turn affect intention to use the website for donations.

Originality/value

The authors’ findings provide novel insights for theory on consistency and interface design and practical implications for charity website designers by identifying determinants and consequences of perceived interface design consistency.
The informativeness of dividend ratios and their economic predictive value towards equity premium
Authors: Awad Ali A. , Al-Hamadeen Radhi , Alsharairi Malek
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine and compare the dividend ratios’ statistical and economic ability to predict the equity premium in the UK and US markets and two US sub-indices (S&P 500 Growth and S&P 500 Value).

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors use the linear regression models to examine the dividend ratios’ statistical ability to predict the equity premium. The in-sample and out-of-sample approaches, including Diebold and Mariano (1995) statistics, and Goyal and Welch’s (2003) graphical approach, are used. Also, the mean-variance analysis is used to test the economic significance.

Findings

The paper findings indicate that the dividend ratios have in-sample and out-of-sample predictive abilities in both UK and US markets and both US sub-indices. However, the results show that the dividend ratios have a less impressive predictive ability in the US market compared to the UK market and less in the US value index than the US growth index. This could indicate that there is no relation between the number of companies that distribute dividends in each index and the informativeness of dividends ratios. Furthermore, the tests show the dividend ratios’ predictive ability departure during particular periods and in some indices.

Research limitations/implications

Results and implications of this research are exclusively applied to the US and UK markets. These results can also be applied with caution to other markets, taking into consideration the distinctive characteristics of these markets.

Practical implications

Results revealed in this paper imply that the investors in any of the indices may experience economic gain by adopting a dynamic trading strategy using the information content of the dividend ratios prediction models instead of the benchmark model, which is the prevailing simple moving average model.

Originality/value

This paper adds value through testing the prediction models’ economic significance in two well-developed markets, in addition to exploring the relationship between the number of companies distributing cash dividends and the dividends ratio prediction ability. Unlike most of the previous studies in which dividend ratios’ prediction ability is attributed to the number of companies that distribute dividends in the market, this paper denied this interpretation by studying two S&P 500 sub-indices. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to test the prediction models’ ability for these sub-indices.
A chopper amplifier with a pseudo MOS resistor-based tunable bandwidth for EEG applications
Authors: Sajja Amrita , Rooban S.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of chopper amplifier is to provide the wideband frequency to support biomedical signals.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a chopper-stabilized amplifier with a cascoded operational transconductance amplifier. The high impedance loop is established using an MOS pseudo resistor and with a tunable MOS capacitor.

Findings

The total power consumption is 451 nW with a supplied voltage of 800 mV. The Gain and common mode rejection ratio are 48 dB and 78 dB, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

All kinds of real time data analysis was not carried out, only few test samples related to EEG signals are validated because the real time chip was not manufactured due to funding issues.

Practical implications

The proposed work was validated with Monte-Carlo simulations. There is no external funding for the proposed work. So there is no fabrication for the design. But post simulations are performed.

Originality/value

The high impedance loop is established using an MOS pseudo resistor and with a tunable MOS capacitor. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this concept is completely novel and there are no publications on this work. All the modules designed for chopper amplifier are new concepts.
Sensory irritation to methylparaben is caused by its low metabolism in the skin
Authors: Ninomiya Rie , Nishijima Takafumi , Aoshima Masahiro , Sakaguchi Hitoshi , Tokura Yoshiki
Published: March 2023

Sensitive skin is a well‐ known skin condition showing sensory irritation to daily used products such as cosmetics or pharmaceuticals, possibly containing sensory irritants. Methylparaben (MP), widely used as a preservative, is a representative sensory irritant and hydrolyzed in the skin. We aimed to clarify the relationship between MP sensory irritation and MP hydrolysis. First, we investigated the percutaneous penetration and hydrolysis of MP by using an ex vivo pig skin system and confirmed that topically applied MP was immediately hydrolyzed to p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA). We next evaluated whether MP or PHBA causes sensory irritation using a well‐used stinging test in human skin and found that MP, but not PHBA, induced irritation. Additionally, MP, but not PHBA, increased intracellular calcium in cultured TRPA1‐expressed HEK293 cells, supporting the stimulatory activity of MP. Five and 10 individuals with sensitive and non‐sensitive skin, respectively, were selected by a questionnaire and stinging test. In their biopsied skin samples, MP hydrolytic activity was significantly lower in sensitive than non‐sensitive skin. Finally, we examined the activity of carboxylesterase (CES), which promptly hydrolyzes MP to PHBA. By using specific inhibitors of CES and CES2, we found that CES1 was responsible for MP metabolism. Our study suggests that low skin metabolism of topical agents is one of the causes of skin sensory irritation and resultant sensitive skin.
Branching into heritage: the genesis of the Anne Frank Tree and its multiplications
Authors: Stengs Irene
Published: March 2023

This ethnography contributes to the field of Holocaust heritage studies by exploring the paradoxical tendencies of memorial proliferation and oblivion. The topic of investigation is the genesis and multiplications of the so‐called ‘Anne Frank Tree’, the horse chestnut tree behind the Secret Annex that Anne Frank wrote about in her diary. Fungus‐infected, the tree fell in 2010. The Anne Frank Tree testifies to both the terrible fate of the European Jews and the shelter offered to some. Therefore, its eventual safeguarding, whether by conservation or multiplication, became a topic of concern worldwide. Following the roots and routes of the Anne Frank Tree legacy (stump, seedlings, grafts, wood, and chestnuts), this article examines the processes of sacralization that have stirred the material's vivid proliferation and, importantly, the burden which the accumulating material subsequently imposes on the people in charge of it. The case sheds light on the tendency of the sacred to proliferate, often to the extent of excess. Paradoxically, this tendency threatens to undo the sacrality.
Review article: Non‐penetrating neck artery dissection in young adults: Not to be missed!
Authors: Deen Raeed , Austin Calyb , Bullen Andrew
Published: March 2023

Young adults who present to the ED with neck pain following non‐penetrating, seemingly trivial trauma to the neck, are at risk of neck artery dissection and subsequent stroke. Sport‐related neck injury is the chief cause. Physical examination may often be unremarkable, and although there may be reluctance to expose young patients to radiation, radiological imaging is central to making a diagnosis of arterial wall disruption. A comprehensive literature search was performed in relation to neck artery dissection, and the evidence was scrutinised. We discuss the typical mechanism of injury, symptoms, anatomical considerations and clinical aids in diagnosis of neck artery dissection. Although the incidence is low, neck artery dissection has a mortality of 7%. As such, it is important for front‐line physicians to have a high suspicion of the diagnosis and a low threshold to organise radiological examinations, specifically computerised tomography. Early detection of neck artery dissection will trigger clinical protocols that call for multi‐disciplinary team management of this condition. In general, guideline‐based recommendation for the management of neck artery dissection involving an intimal flap is by anti‐platelet therapy while treatment of neck artery dissection that results in a pseudo‐aneurysm or thrombosis is managed by surgical intervention or endovascular techniques. Close follow up combined with antithrombotic treatment is recommended in these individuals, the goal being prevention of stroke.
The reverse transcriptase inhibitor 3TC protects against age‐related cognitive dysfunction
Authors: Wahl Devin , Smith Meghan E. , McEntee Cali M. , Cavalier Alyssa N. , Osburn Shelby C. , Burke Samuel D. , Grant Randy A. , Nerguizian David , Lark Daniel S. , Link Christopher D. , LaRocca Thomas J.
Published: March 2023

Aging is the primary risk factor for most neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. Major hallmarks of brain aging include neuroinflammation/immune activation and reduced neuronal health/function. These processes contribute to cognitive dysfunction (a key risk factor for Alzheimer's disease), but their upstream causes are incompletely understood. Age‐related increases in transposable element (TE) transcripts might contribute to reduced cognitive function with brain aging, as the reverse transcriptase inhibitor 3TC reduces inflammation in peripheral tissues and TE transcripts have been linked with tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease. However, the effects of 3TC on cognitive function with aging have not been investigated. Here, in support of a role for TE transcripts in brain aging/cognitive decline, we show that 3TC: (a) improves cognitive function and reduces neuroinflammation in old wild‐type mice; (b) preserves neuronal health with aging in mice and Caenorhabditis elegans; and (c) enhances cognitive function in a mouse model of tauopathy. We also provide insight on potential underlying mechanisms, as well as evidence of translational relevance for these observations by showing that TE transcripts accumulate with brain aging in humans, and that these age‐related increases intersect with those observed in Alzheimer's disease. Collectively, our results suggest that TE transcript accumulation during aging may contribute to cognitive decline and neurodegeneration, and that targeting these events with reverse transcriptase inhibitors like 3TC could be a viable therapeutic strategy.
An integrative approach to assess non‐native iguana presence on Saba and Montserrat: Are we losing all native Iguana populations in the Lesser Antilles?
Authors: van den Burg M. P. , Goetz M. , Brannon L. , Weekes T. S. , Ryan K. V. , Debrot A. O.
Published: March 2023

Invasive alien species are among the main drivers of the ongoing sixth mass extinction wave, especially affecting island populations. Although the Caribbean is well‐known for its high species richness and endemism, also for reptiles, equally important is the regional contribution of non‐native species to island biodiversity. The Lesser Antilles encompass high genetic diversity in Iguana, though most native populations either have gone extinct or are declining following competitive hybridization with invasive non‐native green iguanas. Here, we assessed non‐native presence in two poorly‐studied native melanistic Iguana iguana populations using available genetic tools and explored utilizing size‐dependent body measurements to discriminate between native and non‐native iguanas. Genetic samples from Saba and Montserrat were genotyped across 17 microsatellite loci with STRUCTURE, and multivariate analyses indicating non‐native iguana presence only on Saba. This was corroborated by mtDNA and nDNA sequences, highlighting a non‐native origin in Central America and the ABC islands. We identified preliminary evidence suggestive of hybridization. Morphological variation among size‐dependent characteristics showed that non‐native iguanas have significantly larger subtympanic plates than native iguanas. Non‐native individuals also differed in scalation and coloration patterns. Overall, our findings demonstrate the need for continuous monitoring of non‐native iguanas within remaining native Iguana populations in the Lesser Antilles, as those not directly threatened by non‐native green iguanas are restricted to only 8.7% of the historic range. Although genetic data allow for the identification of non‐native or hybrid iguana presence, this field‐to‐lab workflow is time‐consuming. Rapid in‐situ identification of non‐native individuals is crucial for conservation management. In addition to patterns of scalation and coloration, we have highlighted the utility of size‐dependent variables for rapid diagnosis. We urge regional partners to build morphometric databases for native Iguana populations allowing the quick detection of future incursions of non‐native green iguanas and the rapid implementation of effective countermeasures during the early phase of invasion.
Local knowledge of the impact of uncontrolled fires on ecosystem services: A case study in the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve in Benin (West Africa)
Authors: Houehanou D. T. , Yaoitcha A. S. , Edalo V. , Ahoyo C. C. , Habiyaremye Muhashy F. , Assogbadjo A. E. , Janssens de Bisthoven L. , Houinato M. R. B. , Sinsin A. B.
Published: March 2023

Ecosystem services are fundamental to people and are undergoing many threats such as uncontrolled fire. Local knowledge has been widely used to guide management decisions for plant biodiversity. Therefore, we assessed the knowledge of the people of Pendjari Biosphere Reserve (PBR) on the impact of fire on ecosystem services (ES). A semi‐structured questionnaire with three fire impact levels (no, low and high) was used to interview 150 randomly selected households in four ethnic groups. The generalised linear model (GLM) was performed on the relative frequency of quotations to assess the effect of ethnic group, age and sex for each impact level of fire on ES and also to test the interaction among the considered factors. The local people reported that uncontrolled fire causes damage to many provisioning ES. The local knowledge concerning the impact of fire on ES was affected significantly (p < 0.0001) by ethnic group, age and sex irrespective of the impact level of fire on ES. Moreover, there was no significant interaction among the considered factors. The studied factors are benchmarks to be integrated into awareness and preservation measures of ES to mitigate the impact of uncontrolled fire practices in the study area.
Letter: Low to moderate alcohol intake and progression of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Gu Panyao , Liu Yuanbin , Wei Shujun , Chen Mingkai
Published: March 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Magherman et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17388
Letter: should we abandon FIB‐4 to characterise noninvasively patients with NAFLD? Authors' reply
Authors: Henry Linda , Younossi Zobair
Published: March 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Younossi et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17346 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17422