bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drought stress and pathogen infection alter feeding behavior of a phytopathogen vector
Authors: Nalam Vamsi J. , Han Jinlong , Nachappa Punya , Szczepaniec Adrianna
Published: May 2020

The impact of drought stress on tripartite plant‐pathogen‐vector interactions constitutes a complex and largely understudied field of plant‐insect interaction. A number of studies explored these topics using aphid vectors of plant pathogens, but few have considered the interactions between drought‐stressed plants and pathogen‐transmitting psyllids. The potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae), is one of the key pests of solanaceous crops in the USA that causes direct injury as well as indirect injury through transmission of a bacterial pathogen, Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (Lso), the causal agent of zebra chip. Previous studies explored the impact of Lso infection and drought stress on B. cockerelli development and reproductive rate separately, but no research to date has evaluated whether drought stress and Lso infection alter feeding behavior of the insects. We explored this using the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique and monitored feeding behavior of Lso‐infected and uninfected potato psyllids on well‐watered and drought‐stressed tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L., Solanaceae). We found that drought stress had a significant effect on feeding behavior associated with salivation into the phloem and phloem ingestion, both linked to Lso transmission. Furthermore, infected potato psyllids in particular produced a higher number of events associated with these feeding behaviors and remained in these phases longer in well‐watered plants than in plants that were under drought stress. We also reported a new and previously undescribed waveform H of unknown biological function that was produced by the psyllids. This is the first study that considered the impact of bacterial infection and concomitant drought stress on feeding behavior of an insect quantified using EPG.
Bacterial shoot blight of sweet crab apple caused by Pseudomonas viridiflava
Authors: Choi Okhee , Lee Yeyeong , Kang Byeongsam , Kim Seunghoe , Bae Juyoung , Kim Jinwoo
Published: May 2020

Sweet crab apple (Malus coronaria) is a popular ornamental tree planted in gardens and urban forests in South Korea. In 2018, severe symptoms were observed on street plantings of sweet crab apple in Jinju, South Korea including shoot blight: shoot tips, twigs and foliage of infected trees turned brown, and dried completely. The causal agent isolated from the disease lesions was identified as Pseudomonas viridiflava based on biochemical tests, pathogenicity, and 16S rRNA and rpoD gene sequencing. On artificial inoculation, this pathogen not only caused shoot blight on sweet crab apple, but also bulb rot and leaf blight on onion. Here, we report the occurrence of bacterial shoot blight caused by P. viridiflava in sweet crab apple for the first time in the world.
Planar cell polarity governs the alignment of the nasopharyngeal epithelium in mammals
Authors: Luo Wen‐wei , Chen Bin‐Jun , Wang Yan‐mei , Yang Juan‐mei , Liu Xiang , Yuan Ya‐sheng , Lin Xi , Chi Fang‐lu , Chen Ping , Ren Dong‐dong
Published: May 2020

Planar cell polarity (PCP) signalling specifies the orientation of epithelial cells and regulates directional beating of motile cilia of multiciliated epithelial cells. Clinically, defects in cilia function are associated with nasopharyngeal symptoms. The polarity of the nasopharyngeal epithelium is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrated PCP in the nasopharyngeal epithelium. Multiciliated cells (MCCs) were uniformly aligned with their long axis parallel to the tissue axis of the nasopharynx (NP). In addition, PCP proteins exhibited an asymmetrical localisation between adjacent cells. Motile cilia were uniformly aligned in the same direction within both individual cells and neighbouring cells, which manifested as cilial polarity in MCCs. Mutation of Vangl2, a mammalian homologue of the Drosophila PCP gene, resulted in significant disruption of the orientation of epithelial cells. Finally, keratin‐5‐positive basal cells constantly replenished the luminal ciliated cells; the new dynamic ciliated cells were also oriented parallel to the tissue axis. These results indicate a role for the PCP pathway in the uniform orientation of dynamically replenished epithelial cells in the NP.
Metabolomic/lipidomic‐based analysis of plasma to diagnose hepatocellular ballooning in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: A multicenter study
Authors: Ogawa Yuji , Kobayashi Takashi , Honda Yasushi , Kessoku Takaomi , Tomeno Wataru , Imajo Kento , Nakahara Takashi , Oeda Satoshi , Nagaoki Yuko , Amano Yuichiro , Ando Tatsuya , Hirayama Megumi , Isono Osamu , Kamiguchi Hidenori , Nagabukuro Hiroshi , Ogawa Shinji , Satomi Yoshinori , Saigusa Yusuke , Takahashi Hirokazu , Hyogo Hideyuki , Yoneda Masato , Saito Satoru , Yamanaka Takeharu , Aishima Shinichi , Eguchi Yuichiro , Kage Masayoshi , Chayama Kazuaki , Nakajima Atsushi
Published: May 2020

Aim

Liver biopsy is still required for the diagnosis of hepatocellular ballooning and inflammation, which are important histological features of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis. We undertook this multicenter, cross‐sectional study to identify novel blood markers for the diagnosis of hepatocellular ballooning.

Methods

We enrolled 176 patients, of whom 132 were proven by liver biopsy as having non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and classified as non‐ballooning (ballooning grade 0) (n = 83) or ballooning (ballooning grade 1 and 2) (n = 49) by a central pathology review. We carried out gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, and lipidomics with plasma.

Results

As correlates of hepatocellular ballooning, among the clinical parameters, serum type IV collagen 7S correlated most significantly with the ballooning grade (correlation coefficient [CC] = 0.463; P < 0.001). Among the metabolic/lipidomic markers, phosphatidylcholine (PC) (aa‐44:8) correlated most significantly with the ballooning grade (CC = 0.394; P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of type IV collagen 7S, choline, and lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) (e‐18:2), was 0.846 (95% confidence interval, 0.772–0.919).

Conclusions

Plasma levels of PC were positively correlated, and those of lysophosphatidylcholine and LPE were negatively correlated with hepatocellular ballooning in NAFLD patients. These non‐invasive metabolic/lipidomic‐based plasma tests might be useful to distinguish between cases of NAFLD with and without hepatocellular ballooning.
Hepatoprotective peptides purified from Corbicula fluminea and its effect against ethanol‐induced LO2 cells injury
Authors: Ren Jiaoyan , Sha Wanqian , Shang Shuaiming , Yuan Erdong
Published: May 2020

This study was focused on the purification, identification and mechanism of hepatoprotective peptides from Corbicula fluminea by using Sephadex G‐15 chromatography, UPLC–MS/MS, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, cell experiment and molecular docking. Six identified peptides were synthesised chemically and subjected to evaluate hepatoprotective effect. ORAC value and hepaprotective effect against ethanol‐induced LO2 cell injury in vitro were determined. The results showed that Tyr‐Phe‐Leu‐Pro (YP‐4) and Leu‐Val‐Tyr‐Pro (LP‐4) exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity and significantly increased the viability of ethanol‐injured LO2 cells. These two peptides significantly reduced ROS levels and efficiently inhibited the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential in ethanol‐injured LO2 cells. Molecular docking revealed that YP‐4 and LP‐4 possess potential inhibitory activity on CYP2E1 and thus reduce ethanol‐induced oxidative stress. It is suggested that YP‐4 and LP‐4 have good hepatoprotective effect against alcoholic liver injury.
Complete wound closure following a single topical application of a novel autologous homologous skin construct: first evaluation in an open‐label, single‐arm feasibility study in diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Armstrong David G. , Orgill Dennis P. , Galiano Robert , Glat Paul M. , Carter Marissa , Zelen Charles M. , Li William W.
Published: May 2020

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a growing burden on patients and health care systems that often require multiple treatments of both conventional and advanced modalities to achieve complete wound closure. A novel autologous homologous skin construct (AHSC) has been developed to treat cutaneous defects with a single topical application, by leveraging the endogenous repair capabilities of the patient's healthy skin. The AHSC's ability to close DFUs with a single treatment was evaluated in an open‐label, single‐arm feasibility study. Eleven patients with DFUs extending up to tendon, bone, or capsule received a single topical application of AHSC. Closure was documented weekly with high‐resolution digital photography and wound planimetry. All 11 DFUs demonstrated successful graft take. Ten DFUs closed within 8 weeks. The median time‐to‐complete closure was 25 days. The mean percent area reduction for all 11 wounds at 4 weeks was 83%. There were no adverse events related to the AHSC treatment site. This pilot study demonstrated AHSC may be a viable single application topical intervention for DFUs and warrants investigation in larger, controlled studies.
Tumour‐associated macrophages as a novel target of VEGI‐251 in cancer therapy
Authors: Dong Xinhuai , Huang Xuan , Yao Zhicheng , Wu Yun , Chen Delin , Tan Chahui , Lin Jiajie , Zhang Danrui , Hu Yiwen , Wu Jueheng , Wei Guohong , Zhu Xun
Published: May 2020

Tumour‐associated macrophages (TAMs), which possess M2‐like characters and are derived from immature monocytes in the circulatory system, represent a predominant population of inflammatory cells in solid tumours. TAM infiltration in tumour microenvironment can be used as an important prognostic marker in many cancer types and is a potential target for cancer prevention or treatment. VEGI‐251 not only is involved in the inhibition of tumour angiogenesis, but also participates in the regulation of host immunity. This work aimed to investigate the involvement of VEGI‐251 in the regulation of specific antitumour immunity. We found that recombinant human VEGI‐251(rhVEGI‐251) efficiently mediated the elimination of TAMs in tumour tissue in mice, and induced apoptosis of purified TAMs in vitro. During this process, caspase‐8 and caspase‐3 were activated, leading to PARP cleavage and apoptosis. Most importantly, we further elucidated the mechanism underlying VEGI‐251‐triggered TAM apoptosis, which suggests that ASK1, an intermediate component of the VEGI‐251, activates the JNK pathway via TRAF2 in a potentially DR3‐dependent manner in the process of TAM apoptosis. Collectively, our findings provide new insights into the basic mechanisms underlying the actions of VEGI‐251 that might lead to future development of antitumour therapeutic strategies using VEGI‐251 to target TAMs.
Validation of a Patient Global Assessment for extent, severity and impact to define the severity strata for the Self Assessment Vitiligo Extent Score (SA‐VES)
Authors: van Geel N. , Uitentuis S.E. , Zuidgeest M. , Wolkerstorfer A. , Bekkenk M.W. , Moock C. , Van Goethem C. , Verlaeckt E. , Smet C. , Grine L. , Speeckaert R.
Published: May 2020

Background

The Self Assessment Vitiligo Extent Score (SA‐VES) is a validated, patient‐reported outcome measure to assess the body surface area affected with vitiligo. Information on how to translate the obtained score into extent, severity and impact strata (mild–moderate–severe) is still lacking. Stratification is helpful to define inclusion criteria for trials, enables comparison and pooling of trial results and can be used for epidemiological research.

Objectives

The aim was to develop extent, severity and impact strata for the SA‐VES based on validated anchor‐based questions.

Methods

In total, 315 patients with vitiligo (non‐segmental; age ≥ 16) recruited at the Ghent University Hospital (Belgium) completed a questionnaire that was conducted in cooperation with the Dutch Society for vitiligo patients to ensure content validity. First three anchor questions included in the questionnaire [Patient Global Assessment (PtGA) for vitiligo extent, severity and impact] were assessed for content validity, construct validity and intrarater reliability. Subsequently, the PtGAs were used to stratify the SA‐VES based on ROC analysis.

Results

For all PtGAs (PtGA extent, PtGA severity, PtGA impact), at least 75% of hypotheses evaluated for construct validity were confirmed. Intrarater reliability of all PtGAs was good to excellent (ICCs PtGA extent: 0.623; PtGA severity: 0.828; PtGA impact: 0.851). The optimal cut‐off values of the SA‐VES between the three global categories (mild/limited – moderate – severe/extensive) were 1.05% and 6.45% based on PtGA extent, 2.07% and 4.8% based on PtGA severity and 2% and 3.35% based on PtGA impact.

Conclusion

This study provides the first guide for the interpretation of the numerical output obtained by the SA‐VES (vitiligo extent) and enables the translation into a global vitiligo grading for extent, severity and impact. As patients’ interpretation of vitiligo extent, severity and impact may vary amongst patients worldwide, future international studies will be required.
Impact of modern systemic therapies and clinical markers on treatment outcome for metastatic melanoma in a real‐world setting
Authors: Krakowski I. , Bottai M. , Häbel H. , Masucci G. , Girnita A. , Smedby K.E. , Eriksson H.
Published: May 2020

Background

The survival in metastatic melanoma has dramatically improved after the introduction of immune checkpoint‐ (ICIs) and MAPKinase inhibitors (MAPKis).

Objective

Our aim was to describe therapy response and survival in a real‐world population as well as to assess the associations between clinical variables and therapy outcome for patients with metastatic melanoma receiving first‐line ICIs or MAPKis.

Methods

A total of 252 patients with metastatic (stage IV) melanoma were prospectively followed between 1 January 2010 and 3 December 2017 with follow‐up until 31 March 2019, at the Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden. Hazard ratios (HRs) for progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analysed with Cox regression, and logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for therapy response.

Results

Patients receiving ICIs (n = 138) experienced longer PFS compared to patients that received MAPKis (n = 114; median PFS for ICIs was 6.8 months, and median PFS for MAPKis was 5.3 months). In the multivariable analyses of clinical markers, increasing M‐stage (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.45–0.94; P = 0.022) and male sex (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.19–0.90; P = 0.027) were significantly associated with lower response to ICIs. Lower baseline albumin levels (OR 0.90; 95% CI 0.83–0.98; P = 0.019) and male sex (OR 0.33; 95% CI 0.12–0.93; P = 0.036) were related with lower response to MAPKis. For ICIs, increasing M‐stage (HR 1.34; 95% CI 1.07–1.68; P = 0.010), increasing LDH (HR 1.73; 95% CI 1.19–2.50; P = 0.004) and decreasing albumin (HR 1.06; 95% CI 1.01–1.10; P = 0.011) were significantly associated lower PFS in the adjusted model. The corresponding markers for MAPKis were increasing LDH (HR 1.44; 95% CI 1.08–1.92; P = 0.013) and decreasing albumin (HR 1.05; 95% CI 1.02–1.09; P = 0.005) for PFS.

Conclusion

ICIs and MAPKis were effective in this real‐world population, and we could confirm the importance of previously reported clinical prognostic markers. Albumin values may be associated with therapy outcome but need further validation.
Does Formation of Multicellular Colonies by Choanoflagellates Affect Their Susceptibility to Capture by Passive Protozoan Predators?
Authors: Kumler William E. , Jorge Justin , Kim Paul M. , Iftekhar Noama , Koehl M. A. R.
Published: May 2020

Microbial eukaryotes, critical links in aquatic food webs, are unicellular, but some, such as choanoflagellates, form multicellular colonies. Are there consequences to predator avoidance of being unicellular vs. forming larger colonies? Choanoflagellates share a common ancestor with animals and are used as model organisms to study the evolution of multicellularity. Escape in size from protozoan predators is suggested as a selective factor favoring evolution of multicellularity. Heterotrophic protozoans are categorized as suspension feeders, motile raptors, or passive predators that eat swimming prey which bump into them. We focused on passive predation and measured the mechanisms responsible for the susceptibility of unicellular vs. multicellular choanoflagellates, Salpingoeca helianthica, to capture by passive heliozoan predators, Actinosphaerium nucleofilum, which trap prey on axopodia radiating from the cell body. Microvideography showed that unicellular and colonial choanoflagellates entered the predator's capture zone at similar frequencies, but a greater proportion of colonies contacted axopodia. However, more colonies than single cells were lost during transport by axopodia to the cell body. Thus, feeding efficiency (proportion of prey entering the capture zone that were engulfed in phagosomes) was the same for unicellular and multicellular prey, suggesting that colony formation is not an effective defense against such passive predators.
Design of low impact development in the urban context considering hydrological performance and life‐cycle cost
Authors: Li Yu , Huang Jeanne J. , Hu Maochuan , Yang Hong , Tanaka Kenji
Published: May 2020

The pressures on water system are increasing in cities. Rapid urbanisation caused by booming population leads to more impervious area and less infiltration, with the consequence of larger runoff volume and higher flood risk. Launched in 2014, the low impact development (LID), an important part of Sponge City in China initiative, invests in projects that aim to restore the water cycle in the urban area. A comprehensive understanding of the performance of LID measures at watershed scale under different rainfall scenarios and life cycle costs is necessary. The objectives of this study are to assess the hydrological performance and to identify the optimal LID design by using SWMM model and life cycle cost (LCC) method. This study found that LID practices, including bioretention, grass swale, and permeable pavement, showed good performance on urban storm mitigation at watershed scale under different rainfall scenarios. Furthermore, the rates of surface runoff reduction were largely insusceptible to the change of rainfall volume and duration. Regarding the cost‐effectiveness, the priority was grass swale > bioretention > permeable pavement in the study area. The optimal LID scenario was the combination of these three types of LID. The proposed approach can help the decision‐makers to determine the preferable LID plan suitable for the local communities.
Heterogeneity of fibrillin‐rich microfibrils extracted from human skin of diverse ethnicity
Authors: Langton Abigail K , Hann Mark , Costello Patrick , Halai Poonam , Sisto Alessi César Sabrina , Lien‐Lun Chien Anna , Kang Sewon , Griffiths Christopher E.M. , Sherratt Michael J. , Watson Rachel E.B.
Published: May 2020

The dermal elastic fibre network is the primary effector of skin elasticity, enabling it to extend and recoil many times over the lifetime of the individual. Fibrillin‐rich microfibrils (FRMs) constitute integral components of the elastic fibre network, with their distribution showing differential deposition in the papillary dermis across individuals of diverse skin ethnicity. Despite these differential findings in histological presentation, it is not known if skin ethnicity influences FRM ultrastructure. FRMs are evolutionarily highly conserved from jellyfish to man and, regardless of tissue type or species, isolated FRMs have a characteristic ‘beads‐on‐a‐string’ ultrastructural appearance, with an average inter‐bead distance (or periodicity) of 56 nm. Here, skin biopsies were obtained from the photoprotected buttock of healthy volunteers (18‐27 years; African: n = 5; European: n = 5), and FRMs were isolated from the superficial papillary dermis and deeper reticular dermis and imaged by atomic force microscopy. In the reticular dermis, there was no significant difference in FRM ultrastructure between European and African participants. In contrast, in the more superficial papillary dermis, inter‐bead periodicity was significantly larger for FRMs extracted from European participants than from African participants by 2.20 nm (p < .001). We next assessed whether these differences in FRM ultrastructure were present during early postnatal development by characterizing FRMs from full‐thickness neonatal foreskin. Analysis of FRM periodicity identified no significant difference between neonatal cohorts (p = .865). These data suggest that at birth, FRMs are developmentally invariant. However, in adults of diverse skin ethnicity, there is a deviation in ultrastructure for the papillary dermal FRMs that may be acquired during the passage of time from child to adulthood. Understanding the mechanism by which this difference in papillary dermal FRMs arises warrants further study.
National survey of confirmed thromboembolism related to female hormones in Japan
Authors: Sugiura Kazuko , Kobayashi Takao , Ojima Toshiyuki
Published: May 2020

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the number of thromboembolism patients among Japanese users of female hormones.

Methods

A survey of confirmed thromboembolism patients among Japanese users of female hormones was conducted at randomly selected hospitals from across Japan. The survey examined six types of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and arterial thromboembolism (ATE) in all users of female hormones, including women and men: pulmonary embolism (PE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), other venous thrombosis (other VTE), cerebral infarction (stroke), myocardial infarction (MI) and other arterial thrombosis (other ATE). The survey covered 5 years from 2009 to 2013. This study was approved in an ethical review by the Hamamatsu University School of Medicine.

Results

The overall number of thromboembolism patients over the 5 years was estimated to be about 3211. They included 452 patients with PE, 795 with DVT, 157 with other VTE, 1228 with stroke, 478 with MI and 101 with other ATE. Among the abovementioned conditions, detailed information was available for 750 thromboembolism patients (645 women and 105 men), including 63 PE, 203 DVT, 159 PE + DVT, 65 other VTE, 189 stroke, 35 MI, 21 other ATE and 15 other cases. Thromboembolism increased year by year. The number of VTE was larger than that of ATE in younger people who used female hormones, while the number of ATE was larger than that of VTE in older people who used female hormones.

Conclusion

The number and characteristics of thromboembolism patients among Japanese female hormone users were revealed in this national survey.
Abundance and Extracellular Release of Phytohormones in Aero‐terrestrial Microalgae (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta) As a Potential Chemical Signaling Source1
Authors: Pichler Gregor , Stöggl Wolfgang , Candotto Carniel Fabio , Muggia Lucia , Ametrano Claudio Gennaro , Holzinger Andreas , Tretiach Mauro , Kranner Ilse
Published: May 2020

Phytohormones are pivotal signaling compounds in higher plants, in which they exert their roles intracellularly, but are also released for cell‐to‐cell communication. In unicellular organisms, extracellularly released phytohormones can be involved in chemical crosstalk with other organisms. However, compared to higher plants, hardly any knowledge is available on the roles of phytohormones in green algae. Here, we studied phytohormone composition and extracellular release in aero‐terrestrial Trebouxiophyceae. We investigated (a) which phytohormones are produced and if they are released extracellularly, and if extracellular phytohormone levels are (b) affected by environmental stimuli, and (c) differ between lichen‐forming and non‐lichen‐forming species. Three free‐living microalgae (Apatococcus lobatus, Chloroidium ellipsoideum, and Myrmecia bisecta) and three lichen‐forming microalgae (Asterochloris glomerata, Trebouxia decolorans, and Trebouxia sp.) were studied. Algae were grown on solid media and the following cellular phytohormones were identified by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐MS/MS): indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA), indole‐3‐butyric acid (IBA), abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellin A4 (GA4), and zeatin (ZT). Furthermore, IAA, IBA, ABA, jasmonic acid (JA), gibberellin A3 (GA3), and GA4 were found to be released extracellularly. IAA and ABA were released by all six species, and IAA was the most concentrated. Phytohormone release was affected by light and water availability, especially IAA in A. glomerata, Trebouxia sp., and C. ellipsoideum. No clear patterns were observed between lichen‐forming and non‐lichen‐forming species. The results are envisaged to contribute valuable baseline information for further studies into the roles of phytohormones in microalgae.
Genome‐wide SNP analysis reveals an increase in adaptive genetic variation through selective breeding of coral
Authors: Quigley Kate M. , Bay Line K. , van Oppen Madeleine J. H.
Published: May 2020

Marine heat waves are increasing in magnitude, duration, and frequency as a result of climate change and are the principal global driver of mortality in reef‐building corals. Resilience‐based genetic management may increase coral heat tolerance, but it is unclear how temperature responses are regulated at the genome level and thus how corals may adapt to warming naturally or through selective breeding. Here we combine phenotypic, pedigree, and genomic marker data from colonies sourced from a warm reef on the Great Barrier Reef reproductively crossed with conspecific colonies from a cooler reef to produce combinations of warm purebreds and warm‐cool hybrid larvae and juveniles. Interpopulation breeding created significantly greater genetic diversity across the coral genome compared to breeding between populations and maintained diversity in key regions associated with heat tolerance and fitness. High‐density genome‐wide scans of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified alleles significantly associated with larval families reared at 27.5°C (87–2,224 loci), including loci putatively associated with proteins involved in responses to heat stress (cell membrane formation, metabolism, and immune responses). Underlying genetics of these families explained 43% of PCoA multilocus variation in survival, growth, and bleaching responses at 27.5°C and 31°C at the juvenile stage. Genetic marker contribution to total variation in fitness traits (narrow‐sense heritability) was high for survival but not for growth and bleaching in juveniles, with heritability of these traits being higher at 31°C relative to 27.5°C. While based on only a limited number of crosses, the mechanistic understanding presented here demonstrates that allele frequencies are affected by one generation of selective breeding, key information for the assessments of genetic intervention feasibility and modelling of reef futures.
Environmental DNA surveys detect distinct metazoan communities across abyssal plains and seamounts in the western Clarion Clipperton Zone
Authors: Laroche Olivier , Kersten Oliver , Smith Craig R. , Goetze Erica
Published: May 2020

The deep seafloor serves as a reservoir of biodiversity in the global ocean, with >80% of invertebrates at abyssal depths still undescribed. These diverse and remote deep‐sea communities are critically under‐sampled and increasingly threatened by anthropogenic impacts, including future polymetallic nodule mining. Using a multigene environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding approach, we characterized metazoan communities sampled from sediments, polymetallic nodules and seawater in the western Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) to test the hypotheses that deep seamounts (a) are species richness hotspots in the abyss, (b) have structurally distinct communities in comparison to other deep‐sea habitats, and (c) that seafloor particulate organic carbon (POC) flux and polymetallic nodule density are positively correlated with metazoan diversity. eDNA metabarcoding was effective at characterizing distinct biotas known to occur in association with different abyssal substrate types (e.g., nodule‐ and sediment‐specific fauna), with distinct community composition and few taxa shared across substrates. Seamount faunas had higher overall taxonomic richness, and different community composition and biogeography than adjacent abyssal plains, with seamount communities displaying less connectivity between regions than comparable assemblages on the abyssal plains. Across an estimated gradient of low to moderate POC flux, we find lowest taxon richness at the lowest POC flux, as well as an effect of nodule size on community composition. Our results suggest that while abyssal seamounts are important reservoirs of metazoan diversity in the CCZ, given limited taxonomic overlap between seamount and plains fauna, conservation of seamount assemblages will be insufficient to protect biodiversity and ecosystem function in regions targeted for mining.
Internal force monitoring and estimation of a long‐span ring beam using long‐gauge strain sensing
Authors: Zhang Qingqing , Zhang Jian
Published: May 2020

The internal force information of curved beam members is important evidence for the stress state evaluation and design verification of long‐span space structure during construction. Many structural analysis methods for curved beams have been proposed, but most are used to handle the complex geometric shapes. For stress state evaluation of long‐span steel‐concrete composite (SCC) ring beam, this article presents a method that employs a sectional strain distribution model (SSDM) and a fiber model to estimate the internal force distribution depending on the long‐gauge strain. The SSDM of the ring beam used in the article is based on a mechanical model of two‐dimensional (2‐D) plane bending deformation and a three‐dimensional (3‐D) solid finite element model of curved beam members. The application range of the SSDM is defined by the divided different stress areas of ring beam based on the 3‐D solid finite element model. Combined with the established SSDM and the different stress areas, the axial force and bending moment along the span are then identified separately based on the fiber model. In consideration of field monitoring, the influence of different sensor layout on the establishment of SSDM and the result of internal force identification is discussed. The results of the numerical studies show that the proposed methodology can identify the internal force distribution accurately. Internal force of long‐span ring beam from Jiangsu Grand Theater during construction is also identified through the proposed method by using the strain monitoring data.
Evidence summaries and recommendations from the international evidence‐based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome: Lifestyle management
Authors: Moran Lisa J. , Tassone Eliza C. , Boyle Jacqueline , Brennan Leah , Harrison Cheryce L. , Hirschberg Angelica Lindén , Lim Siew , Marsh Kate , Misso Marie L. , Redman Leanne , Thondan Mala , Wijeyaratne Chandrika , Garad Rhonda , Stepto Nigel K. , Teede Helena J.
Published: May 2020

Lifestyle is fundamental in chronic disease prevention and management, and it has been recommended as a first‐line treatment in the Australian polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) guideline 2011. The first international evidence‐based guideline on PCOS was developed in 2018, which expanded the scope and evidence in the Australian guideline. This paper summarizes the lifestyle recommendations and evidence summaries from the guideline. International multidisciplinary guideline development groups delivered the International Evidence‐based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome 2018. The process followed the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II and The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework. Extensive communication and meetings addressed six prioritized clinical questions through five reviews. Evidence‐based recommendations were formulated before consensus voting within the panel. Evidence shows the benefits of multicomponent lifestyle intervention, efficacy of exercise and weight gain prevention with no specific diet recommended. Lifestyle management is the first‐line management in the intervention hierarchy in PCOS. Multicomponent lifestyle intervention including diet, exercise and behavioural strategies is central to PCOS management with a focus on weight and healthy lifestyle behaviours. The translation programme optimizes reach and dissemination for health professionals and consumers.
Characterisation of blink dynamics using a high‐speed infrared imaging system
Authors: Navascues‐Cornago Maria , Morgan Philip B , Maldonado‐Codina Carole , Read Michael L
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Development and validation of a non‐invasive imaging system to capture spontaneous blinking and characterise blink dynamics using a custom image analysis algorithm.

Methods

A pilot study investigated the influence of illumination type on blink dynamics. Spontaneous blinking was recorded in eight subjects using a high‐speed camera under two illumination conditions: white light and infrared. Custom semi‐automated software assessed palpebral aperture height (PAH), blink rate, blink speed, blink completeness and blink duration. The main clinical study compared two different image analysis techniques. Spontaneous blinking was recorded in 20 subjects using a high‐speed infrared camera. Blink speed and duration were determined using two techniques: manual tracking and semi‐automated tracking. Agreement between the two techniques was assessed using Bland‐Altman analysis. Coefficients of repeatability (COR) were calculated for the semi‐automated technique.

Results

There were significant differences between white light and infrared illumination for PAH (p < 0.0001), blink rate (p = 0.04), closing speed (p = 0.009), opening speed (p < 0.0001) and blink duration (p = 0.0003). The mean differences (95% limits of agreement) between the two techniques were 0.6 mm s−1 (−15.9 to 17.0) closing speed, 1.5 mm s−1 (−6.8 to 9.8) opening speed, 2.4 ms (−6.8 to 11.5) closed phase duration and 5.0 ms (−19.4 to 29.3) total blink duration. COR values were 10.1 mm s−1 closing speed, 3.7 mm s−1 opening speed, 6.7 ms closed phase duration and 11.2 ms total blink duration.

Conclusions

This study has shown that spontaneous blinking can be characterised using a non‐invasive imaging system. The semi‐automated analysis provides a rapid characterisation of blink dynamics, allowing its application in large‐scale trials in a number of clinical areas.
Coproducing Responses to COVID‐19 with Community‐Based Organizations: Lessons from Zhejiang Province, China
Authors: Cheng Yuan (Daniel) , Yu Jianxing , Shen Yongdong , Huang Biao
Published: May 2020

Zhejiang Province achieved one of the best records in containing the COVID‐19 pandemic in China. What lessons can the world learn from it? What roles do community‐based organizations play in this success story? Based on more than 100 interviews during and after the outbreak in Zhejiang, this article provides a road map of how community‐based organizations were involved in the three distinct stages of Zhejiang's response to COVID‐19. The authors recommend that public sector leaders (1) strategically leverage the strengths of community‐based organizations at multiple stages of the COVID‐19 response; (2) incentivize volunteers to participate in epidemic prevention and control; (3) provide data infrastructure and digital tracking platforms; and (4) build trust and long‐term capacity of community‐based organizations.
Is the e‐cigarette harmless among asthmatic patients?
Authors: Chaumont Martin , Morra Sofia
Published: May 2020

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Neogene marine sediments and biota encapsulated between lava flows on Santa Maria Island (Azores, north‐east Atlantic): An interplay between sedimentary, erosional and volcanic processes
Authors: Uchman Alfred , Johnson Markes E. , Ramalho Ricardo S. , Quartau Rui , Berning Björn , Hipólito Ana , Melo Carlos S. , Rebelo ANA C. , Cordeiro Ricardo , Ávila Sérgio P.
Published: May 2020

Sedimentary rocks are rarely preserved on reefless volcanic oceanic islands because their sediments are mostly exported from coastal areas towards the deep sea and such islands typically undergo subsidence. In contrast, the exceptional geological record of the uplifted Santa Maria Island (Azores) provides a unique opportunity to gain insight on such coastal systems. This study focuses on a locality at Ponta do Cedro (eastern Santa Maria Island), which features a series of marine fossiliferous sediments wedged between steep lava deltas. As demonstrated by local structure, these sediments correspond to clinoforms deposited on the steep submarine slope of an active volcanic island, implying transport from shallow waters to greater depths and subsequent colonization by benthic communities. Rapid volcanic progradation eventually sealed the deposits, allowing for their preservation and providing a rare snapshot of the ecology during those intervals, in addition to insights on sedimentary dynamics along submarine island slopes. This study reveals spatial relationships between wedges of sedimentary bodies encapsulated by lavas in the Ponta do Cedro section, and interprets depositional processes preserved in those strata based on sedimentological and palaeontological data. The dynamics of the environment are mostly related to relative sea‐level changes, intense volcanic activity and regional uplift during the Neogene.
Upper Cretaceous bottom current deposits, north‐east Greenland
Authors: Hovikoski Jussi , Uchman Alfred , Weibel Rikke , Nøhr‐Hansen Henrik , Sheldon Emma , Ineson Jon , Bjerager Morten , Therkelsen Jens , Olivarius Mette , Larsen Michael , Alsen Peter , Bojesen‐Koefoed Jørgen
Published: May 2020

Reported ancient bottom current deposits in deep marine settings are scarce and most of them remain contentious. This study describes sedimentological, ichnological and petrographical characteristics of a drill core that covers ca 10 Myr of Upper Cretaceous stratigraphy at Hold with Hope, north‐east Greenland. The core is divided into four facies associations, which are interpreted to reflect deposition from bottom currents, turbidity flows and hemipelagic settling in slope and/or near slope environments. The evidence for bottom current influence is three‐fold. Firstly, pervasive indications of winnowing such as marine bioclast‐rich lags and outsized clasts on ‘mud on mud’ contacts are suggestive of low‐sediment concentration flows capable of transporting up to pebble‐sized clasts. Common Mn–Fe–Mg rich carbonate matrix cements and various types of hiatal chemogenic lag deposits showing glauconite, apatite and carbonate clasts also point to condensation, prolonged exposure at the sediment–water interface and recurrent phases of sea‐floor erosion. Secondly, such deposits can show indicators for tidal processes such as double mud‐drapes, tangential bottom sets in dune‐scale cross‐bedding and cyclic rhythmites. Thirdly, inverse to normal grading at various scales is common in fully marine, commonly seafloor‐derived sediments. Ichnological data indicate considerable taxonomic variability in the bottom current deposits, but recurrent fabrics are characteristically dominated by morphologically simple burrows such as Thalassinoides and Planolites, with secondary Phycosiphon, Nereites, Zoophycos and/or Chondrites. In general, opportunistic taxa are common whereas mature composite ichnofabrics are rare. The omission surfaces are locally burrowed with stiffground to firmground trace fossil suites. The results contribute to establishing sedimentological, ichnological and mineralogical criteria for recognition of bottom current deposits as well as to the understanding of the Late Cretaceous palaeoenvironmental evolution of the Arctic region.
COVID‐19 in an HIV‐positive kidney transplant recipient
Authors: Kumar Rebecca N. , Tanna Sajal D. , Shetty Aneesha A. , Stosor Valentina
Published: May 2020

We report a case of a 50‐year‐old male with a history of HIV and kidney transplant who presented with SARS‐CoV‐2. We also present a review of COVID‐19 cases in kidney transplant recipients.
The use of English and linguistic hybridity among Emirati millennials
Authors: Hopkyns Sarah , Zoghbor Wafa , Hassall Peter John
Published: May 2020

For Emirati millennials, multilingualism is both typical and expected. Although Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is the official language of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Emiratis mainly use Khaleeji (Gulf Arabic) dialects at home. English is the lingua franca and common medium of instruction with approximately 100 other languages also being spoken in the nation. While top‐down language policies overtly favor English and MSA, which appear on signage, in educational contexts, and online as two ‘pure’ languages placed side‐by‐side, language ‘on the ground’ is considerably more complex than as ‘planned’. This paper explores the language ideologies and language use of 100 Emirati university students through mixed‐method questionnaires and classroom observations recorded in researcher journals. Analysis of the data revealed creative translanguaging practices. It is argued that such grassroots hybridity could act as a counter‐discourse to rigid ‘English only’ expectations in English‐medium universities and policies advocating ‘pure and separate’ language use.
Advanced modeling of field enhanced thermionic emission
Authors: Edelen Jonathan P. , Cook Nathan M. , Hall Christopher C. , Hu Yuan , Tan Xi , Vay Jean-Luc
Published: May 2020

Shaped emitters are of interest to a broad range of applications in vacuum electronic devices. In particular, thermionic energy converters (TECs) take advantage of shaped emitters to increase the local surface field, thereby extracting more current for a given cathode temperature and applied voltage. However, modeling these devices is challenging; Warp [J.-L. Vay, D. P. Grote, R. H. Cohen, and A. Friedman, Comput. Sci. Discov. 5, 014019 (2012)] is a fully 3D particle-in-cell code capable of handling a wide range of physics problems and is well suited to modeling TECs. Additionally, recent improvements to Warp have enabled the accurate modeling of emitters with arbitrary curved surfaces. Specifically, the inclusion of subgrid resolution for computing the electrostatic potential and the ability to apply mesh refinement for specific areas of interest allow for a more accurate solution to the fields on these surfaces. These improvements coupled with Warp’s ability to handle variable particle weights make it an ideal candidate for simulating these complex devices. In this paper, the authors study the applicability of different subgrid configurations for simulating shaped emission surfaces and field convergence for different mesh-refinement techniques. They then implement a custom weighting algorithm that allows for uniform sampling of emission surfaces with a large variation in the surface electric field. They then use this algorithm to study emission for curved emitters in both the field-enhancement regime and the space-charge regime.
Antioxidation protection for Ce metal by atomic layer deposition upon air exposure
Authors: Zhou Lihua , Chen Yiwu , Yang Qiang , Zhu Yingxi , Zhao Jing , Li Tianfu , Zou Xiaoyu , Wang Jian , Yang Tinggui
Published: May 2020

Some extremely reactive metals like Ce, U, and Pu are easily oxidized; instead of forming a stable surface oxide layer preventing further oxidation, the oxide layer break into powders as exposed to air in few days. For nuclear mineral industry, these materials need to be in storage for 1 month or so, which need to minimize surface oxidation. To provide a novel way to storage, atomic layer deposition (ALD) of thin Al2O3 film on the Ce metal surface is demonstrated, which prevents the oxidation of Ce for 40 days with just 2 nm of Al2O3. ALD also minimizes the foreign elements of passivation materials with great uniformity for different shapes, which unveils the potential for extremely reactive metal passivation in nuclear industry.
Coach Development: Practical Recommendations for Collegiate Sport
Authors: Van Mullem Pete , Croft Chris
Published: May 2020

Coaching at the collegiate level requires a varied skill set in a competitive environment, where coaching positions have a high turnover rate. Preparing to work as a coach at the collegiate level is often self-driven and aligns with how coaches learn in other contexts. Research on the career progression of collegiate coaches is scant and tends to focus on gender differences or one’s desire to become a head coach. Recently, research has expanded to examine the preparation of coach developers and their role in guiding coach development activities in a variety of contexts. Therefore, guided by the literature on coach development, the role of the coach developer in collegiate sport, and insight gleaned from a descriptive study on the career path of collegiate head coaches, this best practices article offers practical recommendations for coach developers to best serve collegiate coaches along their coaching journey.
Phosphoproteomics of Aspergillus fumigatus Exposed to the Antifungal Drug Caspofungin
Authors: Mattos Eliciane Cevolani , Palmisano Giuseppe , Goldman Gustavo H.
Published: May 2020

Aspergillus fumigatusis an opportunistic human-pathogenic fungus causing allergic reactions or systemic infections, such as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients. Caspofungin is an echinocandin that impacts the construction of the fungal cell wall by inhibiting the biosynthesis of the β-1,3-glucan polysaccharide. Caspofungin is a fungistatic drug and is recommended as a second-line therapy for treatment of aspergillosis. Treatment at high concentrations induces an increase of fungal growth, a phenomenon called thecaspofunginparadoxicaleffect (CPE). Collaboration between the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) of the cell wall integrity (MapkA) and high-osmolarity glycerol (SakA) pathways is essential for CPE. Here, we investigate the global proteome and phosphoproteome ofA. fumigatuswild-type, ΔmpkA, and ΔsakAstrains upon CPE. This study showed intense cross talk between the two MAPKs for the CPE and identified novel protein kinases and transcription factors possibly important for CPE. Increased understanding of how the modulation of protein phosphorylation may affect the fungal growth in the presence of caspofungin represents an important step in the development of new strategies and methods to combat the fungus inside the host.