bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teratogen update: Malaria in pregnancy and the use of antimalarial drugs in the first trimester
Authors: Clark Robert L.
Published: October 2020

Malaria is a particular problem in pregnancy because of enhanced sensitivity, the possibility of placental malaria, and adverse effects on pregnancy outcome. Artemisinin‐containing combination therapies (ACTs) are the most effective antimalarials known. WHO recommends 7‐day quinine therapy for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in the first trimester despite the superior tolerability and efficacy of 3‐day ACT regimens because artemisinins caused embryolethality and/or cardiovascular malformations at relatively low doses in rats, rabbits, and monkeys. The developmental toxicity of artesunate, artemether, and DHA were similar in rats but artesunate was embryotoxic at lower doses in rabbits (5 mg/kg/day) than artemether (no effect level = 25 mg/kg/day). In clinical studies in Africa, treatment with artemether–lumefantrine in the first trimester was observed to be highly efficacious and the miscarriage rate (≤3.1%) was similar to no antimalarial treatment (2.6%). When data from the first‐trimester use of largely artesunate‐based therapies in Thailand were pooled together, there was no difference in miscarriage rate compared to quinine. However, individually, artesunate–mefloquine was associated with a higher miscarriage rate (15/71 = 21%) compared to other artemisinin‐based therapies including 7‐day artesunate + clindamycin (2/50 = 4%) and quinine (92/842 = 11%). Thus, appropriate statistical comparisons of individual ACT groups are needed prior to assuming that they all have the same risk for developmental toxicity. Current limitations in the assessment of the safety of ACTs in the first trimester are a lack of exposures early in gestation (gestational weeks 6–7), limited postnatal evaluation for cardiovascular malformations, and the pooling of all ACTs for the assessment of risk.
Emerging Strategies in Anticancer Combination Therapy Employing Silica‐Based Nanosystems
Authors: Castillo Rafael R. , Vallet‐Regí Maria
Published: October 2020

Combination therapy has emerged as one of the most promising approaches for cancer treatment. However, beyond remotely‐triggered therapies that require advanced infrastructures and optimization, new combination therapies based on internally triggered cell‐killing effects have also demonstrated promising therapeutic profiles. In this revision, the focus is on self‐triggered strategies able to improve the therapeutic effect of drug delivery nanosystems. As reviewed, ferroptosis, hypoxia, and immunotherapy show potency enough to treat satisfactorily tumors in vivo. However, the interest of combining those with chemotherapeutics, especially with carriers based on mesoporous silica, has provided a new generation of therapeutic nanomedicines with potential enough to achieve complete tumor remission in murine models.
Incidence trends of lung and gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms in Switzerland
Authors: Alwan Heba , La Rosa Stefano , Andreas Kopp Peter , Germann Simon , Maspoli‐Conconi Manuela , Sempoux Christine , Bulliard Jean‐Luc
Published: October 2020

The incidence of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) seems to increase worldwide. Long‐term, population‐based series that consider tumor differentiation are, however, sparse. We assessed the incidence trend of lung and gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) NENs according to the latest International Agency for Research on Cancer/World Health Organization classification over a 41‐year time period in two Swiss regions. All cases of lung and GEP NENs recorded in the Vaud and Neuchâtel Cancer Registries from 1976 to 2016 were included. NENs were stratified into well‐differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs). Changes in annual age‐standardized incidence rates were calculated for lung and GEP NETs and NECs by sex. Of 4,141 patients diagnosed with NENs, 65% were men. The incidence of lung NETs among men and women increased by 3.9%/year (95% CI: −5.3, 14.1%) and 4.9%/year (0.1, 9.9%), respectively, between 1976 and 2016. The incidence of lung NECs decreased by 2.6%/year (−3.1,‐1.8%) in men from 1985 to 2016 whereas it increased in women between 1976 and 1998 by 6%/year (4.2, 7.9%). For GEP NETs, a steady annual increase in incidence occurred between 1976 and 2016 with a magnitude of 1.7% (0.7, 2.7%) in men and 1.3% (0.5, 2.1%) in women. No significant trend in incidence of GEP NECs was found for both sexes. The incidence trends of lung NECs in men and women parallel changes in smoking prevalence in the population. Causes of the increase in incidence of GEP NETs are likely multifactorial. Our study supports the importance of evaluating the epidemiology of NENs by tumor differentiation.
The use of banter in psychotherapy: A systematic literature review
Authors: Brooks Adrian B. J. , Herrmann Pauline L. , Andreas Sylke
Published: October 2020

There has been a large body of literature and commentary on the use of humour in therapy. The goal of this paper was to systematically review the literature to find out whether one type of humour, banter, is reported as being used in psychotherapy. Aims included investigating the measures taken, banter's relevance to psychotherapy and the extent to which the existing literature addressed the outcome of therapy. Additionally, a deductive content analysis was carried out to extract banter‐related examples reported in clinical practice. Results showed that few studies explicitly referred to banter, and no study investigated banter as the main independent variable in the context of therapy. Results also revealed that there was only one paper that related banter to the outcome of therapy. Several conceptual nuances of banter‐related humour were highlighted, and theory‐driven constructs regarding the use of banter in therapy were identified. Context and attunement to a client's banter palate were highlighted as particularly important factors concerning the reception of banter in the therapeutic relationship. Finally, initial results indicate that one kind of psychodynamic‐oriented psychotherapy, the mentalisation‐based treatment, seems to be very well suited for the use of banter when challenging clients.
Structural Determination of a New Cycloartane Glycoside from Asplenium ruprechtii
Authors: Jiang Zhi‐Bo , Liu Xiao‐Xi , Chen Jing‐Zhi , Guo Huan‐Huan , Hu Yun‐Qi , Guo Xin , Ma Xiao‐Li , Wang Fang , Zhang Dai‐Zhou , Wu Xiu‐Li
Published: October 2020

We characterized a new cycloartane glycoside, herein known as aspleniumside F (1), along with five known compounds as kaempferol‐3‐O‐[(6‐O‐(E)‐feruloyl)‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl]‐(1→2)‐β‐D‐galacopyranoside (2), quercetin‐3‐O‐[(6‐O‐(E)‐feruloyl)‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl]‐(1→2)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (3), kaempferol‐3‐O‐[(6‐O‐(E)‐caffeoyl)‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl]‐(1→2)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (4), kaempferol‐3‐O‐[(6‐O‐(E)‐caffeoyl)‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl]‐(1→2)‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐7‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (5), and kaempferol‐3‐O‐[(6‐O‐p‐coumaroyl)‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl]‐(1→2)‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐7‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (6), from Asplenium ruprechtii Sa. Kurata, a folk medicine widely used to treat Thromboangiitis obliterans in China, Japan, and Korea. Based on spectroscopic, mainly 1D‐, 2D‐NMR and (+)‐HR‐ESI‐MS, analyses as well as through comparisons with previous reports, its chemical structure was determined as 3β,24,30‐tri‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐23,25‐dihydroxycycloartane (= (23R,24R)‐3β,24‐bis‐(β‐D‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐23,25‐dihydroxy‐9β‐9,19‐cyclolanostan‐29‐yl β‐D‐glucopyranoside). According to the 1H coupling constant of anomeric protons and co‐TLC of the acid hydrolysate with D‐glucose, all three glycoside groups in 1 were revealed as β‐D‐glucopyranosyl. Furthermore, SOD‐like antioxidant activity evaluation via IC50 of 12.43, 6.78, 9.12, 6.94 and 4.85 μM revealed that compounds 2–6 had bioactivity.
Major Fatty Acid Compositions and Antioxidant Activity of Cultivated Paeonia ostii under Different Nitrogen Fertilizer Application
Authors: Liu Wei , Yin Dong‐Xue , Zhang Tong , Hou Xiao‐Gai , Qiao Qi , Song Peng
Published: October 2020

Paeonia ostii is now being extensively planted for oil extraction in China, which is recognized as a single oil‐use tree peony cultivar and commonly called ‘Fengdan’. This study investigated the effects of nitrogen fertilizer on oil yield, fatty acid compositions and antioxidant activity of P. ostii. Oil yield (33.46 %), oleic acid (25.12 %), linoleic acid (29.21 %) and α‐linolenic acid (43.12 %) reached the maximum at N450 treatment, with significant differences compared with other treatments (P<0.05). Furthermore, strong antioxidant activity with low DPPHIC50 value (19.43±1.91 μg mL−1) and large ABTS value (1216.53±30.21 μmol Trolox g−1) and FRAP value (473.57±9.11 μmol Trolox g−1) was also observed at N450. Palmitic acid (5.57 %) and stearic acid (2.02 %) reached a maximum at N375, but not significant with N450 (P<0.05). Nitrogen fertilizer could promote oil yield, fatty acid accumulation and antioxidant activity, and N450 (450 kg ha−1) is recommended as the optimum application for P. ostii.
Reduced expression of ppGalNAc‐T4 promotes proliferation of human breast cancer cells
Authors: Wu Qiong , Xie Xueqin , Zhang Keren , Niang Bachir , Liu Yimin , Zhang Cheng , Huang Tianmiao , Huang Huang , Li Wenli , Zhang Jianing , Liu Yubo
Published: October 2020

Breast cancer, one of the most frequently diagnosed and aggressive malignancies, is the major cause of cancer‐related death greatly threatening women health. Polypeptide N‐acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 4 (ppGalNAc‐T4), responsible for the initial step of mucin‐type O‐glycosylation, has been reported to be implicated in diverse types of human tumors. However, the biological role of ppGalNAc‐T4 in breast cancer is still undetermined. In this study, we investigate the effects and mechanism of ppGalNAc‐T4 to breast cancer cell proliferation. From analysis of high throughput RNA sequencing datasets of Gene Expression Omnibus and ArrayExpress, a positive correlation between ppGalNAc‐T4 and the recurrence‐free survival was observed in multigroup of human breast cancer datasets. Moreover, transcriptomes analysis using RNA‐sequencing in MCF7 cells revealed that cell cycle‐related genes induced the effects of ppGalNAc‐T4 on breast cancer cell proliferation. Additionally, investigations showed that ppGalNAc‐T4 impaired cell proliferation in MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 breast cells. Furthermore, our results suggested that the ppGalNAc‐T4 knockout activated Notch signaling pathway and enhanced cell proliferation. Collectively, our data indicated that ppGalNAc‐T4 affected the proliferation of human breast cancer cells, which appears to be a novel target for understanding the underlying molecular mechanism of breast cancer.
Identifying functional characteristics of soft white wheat for saltine crackers
Authors: Deng Lingzhu , Hou Gary G. , Xu Min , Bock Jayne
Published: October 2020

Background and objectives

Soft red winter (SRW) wheat has been traditionally used in the manufacture of cookie and cracker products in Latin America; however, in some years SRW has experienced a supply shortage due to poor planting and/or crop conditions. Therefore, the demand for soft white wheat (SWH) for such products is increasing in Latin American markets, but buyers have been uncertain as to appropriate SWH contract specifications as SWH functions differently from SRW in cracker products. The objective of this study was to identify the optimal grain protein level and flour specifications of SWH for saltine crackers. SWH blends of varying grain protein contents from 8.7% to 12.5% were used to make saltine crackers. Flour solvent retention capacity (SRC), gluten and dough characteristics, and cracker‐baking performance were evaluated.

Findings

The sodium carbonate SRC increased from 71.9% to 75.0%, sucrose SRC from 83.4% to 94.2%, and lactic acid SRC from 98.0% to 113.3% as SWH protein content increased from 8.7% to 12.5%. Dough concurrently became more extensible (L: 109.0–143.0 mm) and deformation energy (W: 91.5–133.5 (10−4 J)) increased with higher protein content, especially in the range of 10.5%–12.5%. Cracker stack height (6.65–7.10 cm), stack height‐to‐weight ratio (0.196–0.210), and texture (breaking force: 1,934.9–3,158.2 g) gradually increased with increasing protein levels. The flour lactic acid SRC and dough rheological parameters (measured by Farinograph, Alveograph, and GlutoPeak) were significantly correlated with the cracker stack height‐to‐weight ratio and texture.

Conclusions

SWH of grain protein content of 10.5%–11.6% had intermediate lactic acid SRC and dough strength that produced saltine crackers with appropriate stack height (6.95–7.10 cm) and desirable texture (2,172.9–2,473.8 g).

Significance and novelty

This research identified the SWH functionalities for saltine crackers and provided an initial starting point for Latin America and other buyers, millers, and bakers to better utilize SWH for cracker manufacturing.
Effects of growing environment, genotype, and commercial fertilization levels on free asparagine concentration in Western Canadian wheat
Authors: Xie Yi , Malunga Lovemore Nkhata , Ames Nancy P. , Waterer John , Khorshidi Ali Salimi , Scanlon Martin G.
Published: October 2020

Background and objectives

Free asparagine (ASN) is the precursor to the formation of acrylamide, which is a probable neurotoxic and carcinogenic compound formed during high‐temperature (>120°C) processing of starchy foods, such as cereal‐based products. Controlling the acrylamide concentration of cereal‐based products, for example, bread, within the allowable levels established by the European Commission, is necessary for food safety purposes. One effective measure recommended by the European Commission to mitigate acrylamide in cereal‐based products is to reduce free ASN levels in raw ingredients, for example, wheat. Therefore, knowledge of free ASN levels in Canadian commercial wheat and the strategies to reduce its formation is necessary for the Canadian wheat industry to secure global market access for Canadian wheat. The objective of this study was to understand the effects of genotype, growing environment, and fertilization on free ASN concentration of whole‐wheat flour from Western Canadian wheat varieties.

Findings

The free ASN concentration of whole‐wheat flours in this study ranged from 281 to 1,014 µg/g (dry basis). The variation in free ASN levels in wheat was mainly influenced by the growing environment (44%), followed by genotype (31%) and the interaction between genotype and environment (18%). Although being significant, the effects of fertilization and interactions involving fertilization on free ASN concentration in whole‐wheat flour were minimal (0.7%–2.2%).

Conclusion

Growing wheat genotypes in suitable environments, along with the selection of wheat genotypes with lower potential for free ASN formation, are the most effective strategies to control free ASN levels in Canadian wheat.

Significance and novelty

Limited knowledge in regard to free ASN concentration and the strategies to reduce its formation in Canadian wheat may have a serious impact on Canadian wheat access to global markets, especially the European market. This study provides an understanding of the effects of growing environment, genotype, and fertilization on free ASN concentration of select Western Canadian commercial wheat varieties.
Gold(I) Complexation of Phosphanoxy‐Substituted Phosphaalkenes for Activation‐Free LAuCl Catalysis
Authors: Kato Miki , Ueta Yasuhiro , Ito Shigekazu
Published: October 2020

The phosphanoxy‐substituted phosphaalkene bearing the P=C−O−P skeleton can be prepared from diphosphene Mes*P=PMes* (Mes*=2,4,6‐tBu3C6H2), and their use for catalysis is of interest. In this paper, complexation of the phosphanoxy‐substituted phosphaalkenes with gold are investigated, and the catalytic activity of the mono‐ and bis(chlorogold) complexes are subsequently evaluated. Reaction of the P=C−O−P compound with (tht)AuCl (tht=tetrahydrothiophene) showed dominant coordination on the sp3phosphorus, and complete coordination on the sp2phosphorus required removal of tetrahydrothiophene. Atoms In Molecules (AIM) analysis based on the X‐ray structure of the mono(chlorogold) complex indicated a pseudo coordinating interaction between the gold center and the P=C unit. The bis(chlorogold) complexes displayed conformational isomerism, and catalyzed the cycloisomerization/alkoxycyclization of 1,6‐enyne and for hydration of terminal alkyne without activation treatment. Even the mono(chlorogold) complexes catalyzed the alkoxycyclization reactions without a silver co‐catalyst, indicating that the alcohols were effective in activating the AuCl unit.
The Biorefinery Concept: Producing Cellulosic Ethanol from Agricultural Residues
Authors: Hortsch Ralf , Corvo Paolo
Published: October 2020

The increasing requirement for more sustainability in the transport sector, which is responsible for more than 25% of CO2 emissions worldwide and consumes almost 50% of the world's oil production, creates a growing demand for technological advancement in this field. Cellulosic ethanol, produced from agricultural residues, is an advanced biofuel that meets these needs: it offers excellent greenhouse gas savings based on renewable raw materials that are already available in large quantities worldwide. This essay will outline challenges and opportunities for using advanced biofuels, in this particular case, cellulosic ethanol, to reduce the usage and dependency of fossil fuels and cut greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector, showcasing Clariant's sunliquid® process technology.
Bioraffinerie
Authors: Bertau Martin , Ulber Roland
Published: October 2020

No abstract.
Stereoselective Synthesis and Antiallodynic Activity of 3‐Hydroxylated Paroxetines
Authors: Chamorro‐Arenas Delfino , Salgado‐Moreno Giovanna , Martinez‐Mendieta Liliana , Quintero Leticia , Godínez‐Chaparro Beatriz , Sartillo‐Piscil Fernando
Published: October 2020

The design, stereoselective synthesis and in vivo antiallodynic activity of four novel paroxetine analogs, named 3‐hydroxy paroxetines (3HPXs), is reported herein. Among the novel synthesized compounds, three showed an antiallodynic effect, while (R,R)‐3HPX was found to be 2.5 times more bioactive than (‐)‐paroxetine itself in neuropathic rats. Consequently, the current investigation not only discloses a novel promising analgesic drug, but also reveals that functionalization at the C3 position of paroxetine could be as effective as the common functionalization at either C4 or within the sesamol group.
Impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on a population‐based breast cancer screening program
Authors: Peng Sze‐Min , Yang Kuen‐Cheh , Chan Wing P. , Wang Ying‐Wei , Lin Li‐Ju , Yen Amy Ming‐Fang , Smith Robert A. , Chen Tony Hsiu‐Hsi
Published: October 2020

Not only were social events and public facilities closed temporarily due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, but health services also were affected greatly. In this commentary, the authors discuss how the national program of mammography screening in Taiwan was affected, even without known community‐acquired transmission.
A randomized study to prevent lymphedema in women treated for breast cancer: CALGB 70305 (Alliance)
Authors: Paskett Electra D. , Le‐Rademacher Jennifer , Oliveri Jill M. , Liu Heshan , Seisler Drew K. , Sloan Jeffrey A. , Armer Jane M. , Naughton Michelle J. , Hock Karen , Schwartz Michael , Unzeitig Gary , Melnik Marianne , Yee Lisa D. , Fleming Gini F. , Taylor John R. , Loprinzi Charles
Published: October 2020

Background

Lymphedema affects many women who are treated for breast cancer. We examined the effectiveness of an education‐only (EO) versus education plus sleeve compression/exercise intervention (lymphedema education and prevention [LEAP]) on lymphedema incidence and range of motion (ROM) in a group‐randomized trial across 38 cooperative group sites.

Methods

The treating institution was randomly assigned to either EO or LEAP by a study statistician. All patients at a treating institution participated in the same intervention (EO or LEAP) to minimize contamination bias. Participants completed surveys, arm volume measurements, and self‐reported ROM assessments before surgery and at 12 and 18 months after surgery. Lymphedema was defined as a ≥10% difference in limb volume at any time post‐surgery up to 18 months after surgery or diagnosis by a health provider. Cochran‐Mantel‐Haenszel tests were used to compare lymphedema‐free rates between groups, stratified by lymph node surgery type. Self‐reported ROM differences were compared between groups.

Results

A total of 554 participants (56% LEAP) were included in the analyses. At 18 months, lymphedema‐free rates were 58% (EO) versus 55% (LEAP) (P = .37). ROM for both arms was greater in LEAP versus EO at 12 months; by 18 months, most women reported full ROM, regardless of group. In LEAP, only one‐third wore a sleeve ≥75% of the time; 50% performed lymphedema exercises at least weekly.

Conclusion

Lymphedema incidence did not differ by intervention group at 18 months. Poor adherence in the LEAP group may have contributed. However, physical therapy may speed recovery of ROM. Further research is needed to effectively reduce the incidence and severity of lymphedema in patients who have breast cancer.
Color determinants of surface stratification
Authors: Da Pos Osvaldo , Vishwanath Dhanraj , Albertazzi Liliana
Published: October 2020

Although color plays a crucial role in the demarcation of surfaces in the visual field, its role in depth perception is not well understood. Certain special effects of color on depth perception that arise from optical factors such as chromatic aberration (chromostereopsis) have been studied, but less is known about the role of perceptual factors of color in determining depth relations. The present study explores the role that the different attributes of color such as hue, chroma, and lightness play in the stratification of surfaces in depth. In two experiments, subjects manipulated specific dimensions of colors (hue, chroma, lightness, and whiteness) while making judgments of coplanarity of either two or more abutting surfaces. The results demonstrate that for surfaces to appear coplanar, their lightness has to be proportional to the natural (intrinsic) lightness of the hues. No meaningful effects of chroma, whiteness, or blackness were found in depth stratification. The results suggest a primary role of the natural lightness of hues in depth perception.
Occlusion gesture recognition based on improvedSSD
Authors: Liao Shangchun , Li Gongfa , Wu Hao , Jiang Du , Liu Ying , Yun Juntong , Liu Yibo , Zhou Dalin
Published: October 2020

Gesture recognition has always been a research hotspot in the field of human‐computer interaction. Its purpose is to realize the natural interaction with the machine by recognizing the semantics expressed by gesture. In the process of gesture recognition, the occlusion of gesture is an inevitable problem. In the process of gesture recognition, some or even all of the gesture features will be lost due to the occlusion of the gesture, resulting in the wrong recognition or even unrecognizability of the gesture. Therefore, it is of great significance to study gesture recognition under occlusion. The single shot multibox detector (SSD) algorithm is analyzed, and the front‐end network is compared. Mobilenets is selected as the front‐end network, and the Mobilenets‐SSD network is improved. In tensorflow environment, based on the improved network model, the self‐occlusion gesture and object occluding gesture are trained in color map, depth map, and color and depth fusion respectively. The recognition models of self‐occlusion gestures and object‐occlusion gestures in color map, depth map, and color and depth fusion are obtained. And compare and analyze the learning rate, loss function, and average accuracy of various models obtained for occlusion gesture recognition.
Hot‐Electron Photodynamics in Silver‐Containing BEA‐Type Nanozeolite Studied by Femtosecond Transient Absorption Spectroscopy
Authors: Kawtharani Farah , Mintova Svetlana , Retoux Richard , Mostafavi Mehran , Buntinx Guy , De Waele Vincent
Published: October 2020

Silver cations were introduced in nanosized BEA‐type zeolite containing organic template by ion‐exchange followed by chemical reduction towards preparation of photoactive materials (Ag0‐BEA). The stabilization of highly dispersed Ag0 nanoparticles with a size of 1–2 nm in the BEA zeolite was revealed. The transient optical response of the Ag‐BEA samples upon photoexcitation at 400 nm was studied by femtosecond absorption. The photodynamic of the hot electrons was found to depend on the sample preparation. The lifetime of the hot electrons in the Ag−BEA samples containing small Ag nanoparticles (1–2 nm) is significantly shortened in comparison to bear Ag nanoparticles with a size of 10 nm. While for the larger Ag nanoparticles, the energy absorbed in the conduction band is decaying by electron‐phonon coupling into the metal lattice, the high surface‐to‐volume ratio of the small Ag nanoparticles favors the dissipation of the energy of the hot electrons from the metal nanoparticles (Ag0) towards the zeolitic micro‐environment. This finding is encouraging for further applications of Ag‐containing zeolites in photocatalysis and plasmonic chemistry.
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis: Cultivation, Storage, and Methods for Introducing DNA
Authors: Davidson Robert K. , Davis Kimberly M.
Published: October 2020

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis has been studied for many decades, and research on this microbe has taught us a great deal about host‐pathogen interactions, bacterial manipulation of host cells, virulence factors, and the evolution of pathogens. This microbe should not be cultivated at 37°C because this is a trigger that the bacterium uses to sense its presence within a mammalian host and results in expression of genes necessary to colonize a mammalian host. Prolonged growth at this temperature can result in accumulation of mutations that reduce the virulence of the strain, so all protocols need to be modified for growth at room temperature, or 26°C. This article describes protocols for cultivating this microbe and for its long‐term storage and its genetic manipulation by transformation and conjugation. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Growth of Y. pseudotuberculosis from a stock

Basic Protocol 2: Growth of Y. pseudotuberculosis in liquid medium from a single colony

Basic Protocol 3: Freezing Y. pseudotuberculosis in glycerol for long‐term storage

Basic Protocol 4: Transformation of Y. pseudotuberculosis by electroporation

Basic Protocol 5: Tri‐parental mating/conjugation
Religious social norms and corporate sustainability: The effect of religiosity on environmental, social, and governance disclosure
Authors: Terzani Simone , Turzo Teresa
Published: October 2020

This study examines the relationship between religious social norms and corporate sustainability by analyzing the effect of religiosity and religious affiliation on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure. To this aim an empirical analysis was conducted on a sample of 17,432 firm‐year observations across 33 countries between 2004 and 2017. A principal component analysis (PCA) was performed in order to estimate a country‐level measure of religiosity, which included the variables “religious person,” “importance of religion,” and “religious service attendance.” The results, obtained by means of a country‐weighted random‐effect Tobit regression model, showed a non‐linear, U‐shaped relationship between religiosity and ESG disclosure, and a significantly moderating effect of religious affiliation. Consistent with the “social norm” theory, this study contributes to previous literature on ESG determinants by showing that religiosity and religious affiliation significantly influence companies' attitude toward non‐financial disclosure.
Synthesis of Bio‐Based Methylcyclopentadiene from 2,5‐Hexanedione: A Sustainable Route to High Energy Density Jet Fuels
Authors: Woodroffe Josanne‐Dee , Harvey Benjamin G.
Published: October 2020

The sustainable, bio‐based, platform chemical, 2,5‐hexanedione [HD (1)], was efficiently converted to methylcyclopentadiene [MCPD (4)] through a three‐step process consisting of intramolecular aldol condensation, catalytic chemoselective hydrogenation, and dehydration. Base‐catalyzed aldol condensation of 1 resulted in the formation of 3‐methyl‐2‐cyclopenten‐1‐one [MCO (2)], which was then converted to 3‐methyl‐2‐cyclopenten‐1‐ol [MCP (3)] by chemoselective reduction with a ternary Ru catalyst system [RuCl2(PPh3)3/NH2(CH2)2NH2/KOH]. The hydrogenation proceeded with 96 % chemoselectivity. 3 was then dehydrated over AlPO4/MgSO4 at 70 °C under reduced pressure to yield 4, which can undergo an ambient temperature [4+2]‐Diels‐Alder cyclization to generate dimethyldicyclopentadiene (DMDCPD), a commodity chemical useful for the preparation of high‐performance fuels and polymers. Through this approach, advanced jet fuels and materials can be conveniently produced from sustainable cellulosic feedstocks.
Associations between early life stress and anterior pituitary gland volume development – A novel index of long‐term hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis functioning
Authors: Díaz‐Arteche Carmela , Simmons Julian G. , Ganella Despina E. , Schwartz Orli , Kim Jee Hyun , Farrow Paige , Whittle Sarah
Published: October 2020

Previous research has established associations between early life stress (ELS) and altered pituitary gland volume (PGV) growth during adolescence. The pituitary gland, however, is composed of an anterior and a posterior lobe with distinct histological and neuroendocrinological properties. While the anterior (but not posterior) pituitary gland is directly involved in the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis (HPAA) stress response, no studies have examined the effects of ELS on anterior PGV (aPGV). The present study investigated whether previously reported associations between ELS and PGV development during adolescence were driven by aPGV versus posterior PGV (pPGV). Ninety‐one adolescents (49 males) were included from a longitudinal, community‐based adolescent development study investigating risk for psychopathology. ELS (maternal affective behavior, childhood maltreatment, stressful life events) was assessed during early adolescence. Participants underwent two waves of structural magnetic resonance imaging during mid‐ and late‐adolescence, and aPGV and pPGV were manually traced. Regression analyses showed that childhood maltreatment predicted greater aPGV growth in females. This finding was stronger than that previously reported for PGV. No associations were found between ELS and pPGV development. Neither aPGV nor pPGV changes mediated associations between ELS and psychopathology. Results suggest that ELS may accelerate aPGV (but not pPGV) growth throughout adolescence. Investigating the development of aPGV, rather than PGV, represents a novel approach to studying the effects of stress on HPAA functioning.
Loss and resiliency of social amoeba symbiosis under simulated warming
Authors: Shu Longfei , Qian Xinye , Brock Debra A. , Geist Katherine S. , Queller David C. , Strassmann Joan E.
Published: October 2020

Anthropogenic global change is increasingly raising concerns about collapses of symbiotic interactions worldwide. Therefore, understanding how climate change affects symbioses remains a challenge and demands more study. Here, we look at how simulated warming affects the social ameba Dictyostelium discoideum and its relationship with its facultative bacterial symbionts, Paraburkholderia hayleyella and Paraburkholderia agricolaris. We cured and cross‐infected ameba hosts with different symbionts. We found that warming significantly decreased D. discoideum's fitness, and we found no sign of local adaptation in two wild populations. Experimental warming had complex effects on these symbioses with responses determined by both symbiont and host. Neither of these facultative symbionts increases its hosts’ thermal tolerance. The nearly obligate symbiont with a reduced genome, P. hayleyella, actually decreases D. discoideum's thermal tolerance and even causes symbiosis breakdown. Our study shows how facultative symbioses may have complex responses to global change.
Environmental influences on migration patterns and pathways of a threatened potamodromous fish in a regulated lowland river network
Authors: Koster Wayne Michael , Stuart Ivor , Tonkin Zeb , Dawson David , Fanson Ben
Published: October 2020

In riverine ecosystems, movements of biota among different parts of the river network are fundamental to the functioning and sustainability of populations, especially for fish. Globally, human activities (e.g., dam construction and altered flow regimes) have impaired riverine fish movements through reduced river connectivity, leading to well‐documented population declines. This study examined the timing and extent of movement of a nationally threatened potamodromous fish, silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus), among different parts of the mid‐Murray River network in south‐eastern Australia using acoustic telemetry to identify the relative importance of different environmental variables (including river discharge) influencing timing and extent of movements. A total of 203 silver perch (fork length range 120–415 mm) was tagged in the Murray River. Silver perch occupied extended reaches of river (hundreds of kilometres) and multiple habitats throughout the river network, ranging from a large mainstem river to inflowing tributaries, anabranches and floodplain habitats. Movements were associated with aspects of the flow regime, such as small to moderate mainstem discharge rises and elevated tributary discharge. These results emphasise the importance of managing silver perch populations within an integrated riverscape context rather than solely focusing on reach/river scales. The inter‐relationship between silver perch movement and river discharge highlights the susceptibility of the species to river regulation, which has previously been implicated in its decline. The information on migratory behaviours in this study provides empirical evidence to support refinement and implementation of targeted restoration strategies, such as environmental flows, to assist the management and conservation of an imperilled species.
Warming of alpine tundra enhances belowground production and shifts community towards resource acquisition traits
Authors: Yang Yan , Klein Julia A. , Winkler Daniel E. , Peng Ahui , Lazarus Brynne E. , Germino Matthew J. , Suding Katharine N. , Smith Jane G. , Kueppers Lara M.
Published: October 2020

Climate warming is expected to stimulate plant growth in high‐elevation and high‐latitude ecosystems, significantly increasing aboveground net primary production (ANPP). However, the effects of simultaneous changes in temperature, snowmelt timing, and summer water availability on total net primary production (NPP)—and elucidation of both above‐ and belowground responses—remain an important area in need of further study. In particular, measures of belowground net primary productivity (BNPP) are required to understand whether ANPP changes reflect changes in allocation or are indicative of a whole plant NPP response. Further, plant functional traits provide a key way to scale from the individual plant to the community level and provide insight into drivers of NPP responses to environmental change. We used infrared heaters to warm an alpine plant community at Niwot Ridge, Colorado, and applied supplemental water to compensate for soil water loss induced by warming. We measured ANPP, BNPP, and leaf and root functional traits across treatments after 5 yr of continuous warming. Community‐level ANPP and total NPP (ANPP + BNPP) did not respond to heating or watering, but BNPP increased in response to heating. Heating decreased community‐level leaf dry matter content and increased total root length, indicating a shift in strategy from resource conservation to acquisition in response to warming. Water use efficiency (WUE) decreased with heating, suggesting alleviation of moisture constraints that may have enabled the plant community to increase productivity. Heating may have decreased WUE by melting snow earlier and creating more days early in the growing season with adequate soil moisture, but stimulated dry mass investment in roots as soils dried down later in the growing season. Overall, this study highlights how ANPP and BNPP responses to climate change can diverge, and encourages a closer examination of belowground processes, especially in alpine systems, where the majority of NPP occurs belowground.
Torque control of a series elastic actuator using an ultrasonic motor with angular‐velocity saturation
Authors: Nakamura Toshiya , Yashiro Daisuke , Yubai Kazuhiro , Komada Satoshi
Published: October 2020

A series elastic actuator (SEA) using an ultrasonic motor (USM) and an elastic element has attracted attention as a compact actuator with high torque–weight ratio and high force control performance. However, an elastic element in a SEA often causes mechanical vibrations. To suppress these vibrations, studies implemented the state feedback of the motor‐ and load‐side angles. However, as the controller has many integrators, the control system becomes unstable when the angular‐velocity of the USM is saturated. Therefore, in this study, integrators in the controller were reduced in number. Furthermore, a limit error feedback controller was designed to suppress the windup phenomenon caused by the integrators. The frequency analysis using a describing function showed that stability is guaranteed even if the angular‐velocity is saturated. In addition, the experimental results indicate that an overshoot of the torque response is suppressed.
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells regulate host immune response to Citrobacter rodentium induced colitis in colon‐draining lymph nodes
Authors: Pöysti Sakari , Silojärvi Satu , Toivonen Raine , Hänninen Arno
Published: October 2020

Dendritic cells (DCs) are first in line to sense invading microbes and to deliver signals to other immune cells. Plasmacytoid DCs (pDC) produce high amounts of type I interferons (IFNs) but also regulate immune responses. Using the Clec4C (BDCA2)‐diphtheria toxin receptor mouse model allowing conditional pDC depletion, we identified an essential role for pDCs in regulating intestinal inflammation locally in the gut. In pDC‐depleted mice, Citrobacter rodentium infection led to enhanced activation of conventional DCs and induction of IFN‐γ‐producing Th1‐cells in colon‐draining lymph nodes, while induction of Foxp3+/CD25+ Treg and IL‐17‐producing Th17 cells was impaired. Concomitantly, F4/80+ macrophages accumulated into the colon lamina propria in excess, and levels of Il‐1β and Tnf transcripts increased and Foxp3+ Treg were fewer. Our results indicate that pDCs control inflammation in the gut during C. rodentium infection and that they have an important immune regulatory role in colon‐draining lymph nodes.
How do patients with Alzheimer's disease imagine their pain?
Authors: Borg Céline , Sala Emilie , Chainay Hanna , Labouré Julien , Getenet Jean‐Claude , Dorey Jean‐Michel , Laurent Bernard , Rouch Isabelle
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Pain is underdiagnosed and undertreated in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Pain management is of major importance in this population to limit behavioural and functional consequences. Our study aimed to assess the capacity of AD patients to represent pain using a questionnaire exploring daily painful situations and to determine the most appropriate pain scale assessment.

Methods

Twenty‐eight patients with mild AD, 21 with moderate AD and 28 matched controls underwent the Situation Pain Questionnaire (SP‐Q) and assessed imaginary pain with four pain scales. Two scores were compared between the three groups: the P(A) discrimination score and the response bias β score. P(A) reflects the degree of discrimination between high‐pain and low‐pain events, whereas the β score means the degree to which situations are considered as painful.

Results

Our results showed that AD patients hardly discriminated the high‐ from low‐pain events. Compared to controls, the mean P(A) score was significantly lower for Mild AD (p < 0.03) and Moderate AD (p < 0.004). In addition, the β score indicated that the response bias is higher for AD patients (p < 0.01) in that they overestimated the level of pain.

Conclusion

The present results suggest that patients with Mild and Moderate AD are able to recognize and assess an imagined painful situation even though their pain tolerance is lower than that of controls. The pain scales used should be chosen according to the cognitive, sensorial and personal profiles of the patients.

Significance

The present research is significant because it examines how patients with Alzheimer’s disease understand and assess painful situations. Cognitive impairments can modify this ability. Pain is a sensory and subjective experience and to define its feeling can help us in our clinical practice.
The Time of Crochet: Interruption, Plasticity, and the Domestic in Delhi
Authors: Sehdev Megha Sharma
Published: October 2020

Recent feminist writings have likened crochet to coral reefs and other ecological forms that privilege a hyperbolic and expansive creativity. Looping text with a series of photographs taken by the author between 2013 and 2016, this essay describes women's crochet in Delhi, India as a form that intensively manipulates surfaces rather than expanding along them. The proximate action of crochet – structured and expressive, domestic and otherworldly – imparts a disruptive plasticity to surroundings. Women's domestic lives are sites of sensory and temporal attunement, a wakefulness to the self, mediated by this plasticity of crochet in both practice and form.
Sensitivity analysis of heat and mass transfer characteristics during forced‐air cooling process of peaches on different air‐inflow velocities
Authors: Chen Ying‐Min , Song Hai‐Yan , Chen Zhen‐Shi , Zhao Rui , Su Qin , Jin Peng‐Yong , Sun Yi‐Shu , Wang Hao
Published: October 2020

Peach is one of the most perishable fruits. During forced‐convection cooling, the heat sources (respiratory and evaporative latent heat) internal to freshly harvested peaches have a remarkable influence on its evaluation of cooling characteristics with respect to various cooling strategies. Therefore, to improve the accuracy of simulation results in peaches cooling, the term of heat source was coded as detailed procedures and included into a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. By comparing the temperature simulated with and without considering these heat sources, it is found that a reasonable decrease in variations of cooling performances is obtained with sustained increase in air‐inflow velocities. A maximum discrepancy in peaches volume‐weighted average temperature (∆Tvwa‐max) is mainly concentrated in 0.1–0.3°C when the air‐inflow velocity not exceeds 1.7 m/s, and its corresponded 7/8ths cooling time (SECT) is also prolonged by 1–6 min. This means that, below 1.7 m/s, these heat sources should be added as a term into the heat transfer equations for modifying the mathematical model inside peaches computational domain. Furthermore, the feasibility of this modeling method is confirmed by a great agreement with experiments, and its modified model has a higher accuracy with the decreased RMSE and MAPE values of 6.90%–11.26% and 7.28%–12.95%, respectively.
Germline testing for homologous recombination repair genes—opportunities and challenges
Authors: Hirsch Steffen , Gieldon Laura , Sutter Christian , Dikow Nicola , Schaaf Christian P.
Published: October 2020

Pathogenic variants in theBRCA1andBRCA2genes are well known causes of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Other genes involved in the homologous recombination pathway can also be associated with increased probability of cancer development, for example, breast and ovarian cancer, prostate and pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, and even childhood tumors like medulloblastoma. Traditionally, patients and families likely to harbor a genetic predisposition have been identified using personal and family history. Several checklists and risk prediction tools have proven to be useful in the clinic. Through the widespread application of next generation sequencing of tumor tissue, a growing number of individuals with genetic cancer predisposition is now identified molecularly, even in the absence of a suggestive family history. Any constitutional variant identified during molecular genetic testing has to be assessed for its relevance, both functionally and in the context of patient phenotype. Variant curation is time consuming, but has been increasingly standardized by introduction of several guidelines to allow reliable and reproducible classification of constitutional variants. Variant classification by expert panels using data mining tools, evidence‐based decision trees and gene specific criteria represents the gold standard. Participation of geneticists in molecular tumor boards facilitates the curation of potential constitutional variants, germline validation and thus directing the patient to appropriate counselling and care pathways. Due to the high relevance of germline variants for treatment and surveillance of the index patient and predictive testing and surveillance of relatives, only pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants must be used for clinical decision‐making.
Microglial reduction of colony stimulating factor‐1 receptor expression is sufficient to confer adult onset leukodystrophy
Authors: Biundo Fabrizio , Chitu Violeta , Shlager Gabriel G. L. , Park Eun S. , Gulinello Maria E. , Saha Kusumika , Ketchum Harmony C. , Fernandes Christopher , Gökhan Şölen , Mehler Mark F. , Stanley E. Richard
Published: October 2020

Adult onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia (ALSP) is a dementia resulting from dominantly inherited CSF1R inactivating mutations. The Csf1r+/− mouse mimics ALSP symptoms and pathology. Csf1r is mainly expressed in microglia, but also in cortical layer V neurons that are gradually lost in Csf1r+/− mice with age. We therefore examined whether microglial or neuronal Csf1r loss caused neurodegeneration in Csf1r+/− mice. The behavioral deficits, pathologies and elevation of Csf2 expression contributing to disease, previously described in the Csf1r+/− ALSP mouse, were reproduced by microglial deletion (MCsf1rhet mice), but not by neural deletion. Furthermore, increased Csf2 expression by callosal astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia was observed in Csf1r+/− mice and, in MCsf1rhet mice, the densities of these three cell types were increased in supraventricular patches displaying activated microglia, an early site of disease pathology. These data confirm that ALSP is a primary microgliopathy and inform future therapeutic and experimental approaches.