bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combination chemotherapy with NAB®‐paclitaxel and capecitabine for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (NAP‐CAPABIL Pilot Study)
Authors: Woodford Rachel , Brungs Daniel , Leighton Carly , Grimison Peter , Sjoquist Katrin M. , Becker Therese , Robinson Samuel , Gebski Val , Wilson Kate , Chantrill Lorraine , Aghmesheh Morteza
Published: June 2021

Background

 Advanced biliary tract cancer (ABTC) is a highly aggressive malignancy, with a 5‐year overall survival of < 10%. Although preliminary evidence suggests a role of targeted treatments or immunotherapy in a subset of patients, chemotherapy remains the standard second‐line treatment in the majority. We conducted a pilot study of second‐line chemotherapy with capecitabine and nab‐paclitaxel after failure of gemcitabine and platinum.

Methods

Eligible patients had histologically proven, unresectable biliary tract cancer, which had progressed on a gemcitabine/platinum doublet. In this single‐arm, multicenter trial, all patients received capecitabine (825 mg/m2 bd PO D1‐14 q21d) and nab‐paclitaxel (125 mg/m2 IV D1,8 q21d) until progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary objective was feasibility of delivering the proposed regimen, with secondary objectives of disease control measures and QOL outcomes.

Results

Ten patients were enrolled between 2015 and 2016 from four cancer centers in NSW. Treatment was generally well tolerated with grade III toxicities in five patients (including infection, cholangitis, obstruction, and intestinal perforation) and no grade IV toxicity. Median treatment duration was 4.3 months, with a disease control rate of 80% (8/10), and median progression‐free and overall survival of 5.7 and 12.1 months, respectively. Quality of life data and specimens for translational research have been collected.

Conclusions

Our pilot study demonstrates that combination of capecitabine and nab‐paclitaxel is feasible as a second‐line treatment in ABTC. Adequate safety and promising early efficacy signals make further assessment of the combination in a formal phase II or III trial reasonable. Clinical trial information: ACTRN12615000504516.
Separation of the CaV1.2‐CaV1.3 calcium channel duo prevents type 2 allergic airway inflammation
Authors: Giang Nicolas , Mars Marion , Moreau Marc , Mejia Jose E. , Bouchaud Grégory , Magnan Antoine , Michelet Marine , Ronsin Brice , Murphy Geoffrey G. , Striessnig Joerg , Guéry Jean‐Charles , Pelletier Lucette , Savignac Magali
Published: June 2021

Background

Voltage‐gated calcium (Cav1) channels contribute to T‐lymphocyte activation. Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 channels are expressed in Th2 cells but their respective roles are unknown, which is investigated herein.

Methods

We generated mice deleted for Cav1.2 in T cells or Cav1.3 and analyzed TCR‐driven signaling. In this line, we developed original fast calcium imaging to measure early elementary calcium events (ECE). We also tested the impact of Cav1.2 or Cav1.3 deletion in models of type 2 airway inflammation. Finally, we checked whether the expression of both Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 in T cells from asthmatic children correlates with Th2‐cytokine expression.

Results

We demonstrated non‐redundant and synergistic functions of Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 in Th2 cells. Indeed, the deficiency of only one channel in Th2 cells triggers TCR‐driven hyporesponsiveness with weakened tyrosine phosphorylation profile, a strong decrease in initial ECE and subsequent reduction in the global calcium response. Moreover, Cav1.3 has a particular role in calcium homeostasis. In accordance with the singular roles of Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 in Th2 cells, deficiency in either one of these channels was sufficient to inhibit cardinal features of type 2 airway inflammation. Furthermore, Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 must be co‐expressed within the same CD4+ T cell to trigger allergic airway inflammation. Accordingly with the concerted roles of Cav1.2 and Cav1.3, the expression of both channels by activated CD4+ T cells from asthmatic children was associated with increased Th2‐cytokine transcription.

Conclusions

Thus, Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 act as a duo, and targeting only one of these channels would be efficient in allergy treatment.
Vices in autonomous paternalism: The case of advance directives and persons living with dementia1
Authors: Um Sungwoo
Published: June 2021

Advance directives are intended to extend patient autonomy by enabling patients to prospectively direct the care of their future incapacitated selves. There has been much discussion about issues such as whether the future incompetent self is identical to the agent who issues the advance directive or whether advance directives can legitimately secure patient autonomy. However, there is another important question to ask: to what extent and in what conditions is it ethically appropriate for one to limit the liberty or agency of one’s future incompetent self by issuing an advance directive? In this paper, I use a virtue‐ethical approach to explore this question, focusing on the case of an advance directive for the future self with moderate dementia. First, I examine virtuous attitudes with regard to autonomy and argue that one can manifest vices or ethically undesirable character traits in trying to intervene in the future self’s life. In particular, I argue that this case can manifest vices such as disdainfulness, intellectual arrogance, and self‐dictatorship, which is the vice of trying to control one’s life to an excessive degree, and that a self‐dictator fails to give due moral consideration to the future self’s liberty or agency. I then introduce the Daoist idea of wu‐wei, which recommends embracement of what happens in one’s life, as one of the possible remedies for the overemphasis on the value of autonomy and control.
Public funding of uterus transplantation: Deepening the socio‐moral critique
Authors: Lotz Mianna
Published: June 2021

Human uterus transplantation (UTx)—the most radical and experimental of all current forms of assisted reproduction—gives rise to a range of complex ethical questions, including those related to individual safety, risk, and informed consent. I have argued elsewhere that the wider social impacts and implications of UTx provision must form part of a comprehensive ethical analysis. My socio‐moral critique of UTx provision has been responded to with a number of defences of possible public funding of UTx. In this paper I examine a select number of those defences. These include: that UTx provision would address harms and needs that already exist and as such have priority; that UTx provision is fully compatible with the needed reform of the procreative context in which it would be offered; that UTx provision would not necessarily involve legitimation or endorsement of what are widely agreed to be problematic pronatalist or geneticist norms; and that UTx provision is required as a matter of justice and consistency with other practices. Importantly, defenders are not proposing a ceteris paribus justification of UTx provision; nor do my responses to their arguments represent a comprehensive opposition to UTx. Rather, my more limited purpose here is to show that whatever other defences may be given of publicly funded UTx provision, those considered here do not ultimately succeed and therefore do not allay the concerns underpinning the original socio‐moral critique.
Three‐year monitoring of roadkill trend in a road adjacent to a national park in Panama
Authors: Gálvez Dumas
Published: June 2021

Roadkill monitoring can provide important information about spatial and temporal trends on roadkill events. These studies are important for conservation, but there are few examples from Central America. Here, I identified in a road near a national park in Panama that monthly vertebrate roadkill events decreased with increases in temperature and precipitation.

Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.
Extraction, structural analysis, and activities of rice bran polysaccharide
Authors: Huang Shiyu , Huang Gangliang
Published: June 2021

The rice bran polysaccharide was extracted from defatted rice bran, and the optimal conditions of the experiment were determined. The chemical structure of rice bran polysaccharide was analyzed by IR and 13C NMR. Three rice bran polysaccharide derivatives were prepared and characterized, namely carboxymethylated rice bran polysaccharide, phosphorylated rice bran polysaccharide, and acetylated rice bran polysaccharide. It showed that the phosphorylated rice bran polysaccharide had good activity.
Mitogenome phylogeny reveals Indochina Peninsula origin and spatiotemporal diversification of freshwater crabs (Potamidae: Potamiscinae) in China
Authors: Pan Da , Shi Boyang , Du Shiyu , Gu Tianyu , Wang Ruxiao , Xing Yuhui , Zhang Zhan , Chen Jiajia , Cumberlidge Neil , Sun Hongying
Published: June 2021

The Asian potamid subfamily Potamiscinae is the most species‐rich group of primary freshwater crabs in the world, and a large number of these (318 species in 52 genera) are found in China where they exhibit a remarkably high rate of endemism. However, the evolutionary history and phylogenetic relationships of this subfamily is still poorly understood and the hypothesis that the Chinese potamids originated in the Indochina Peninsula has yet to be tested using a modern phylogeographic reconstruction and molecular dating methods. Here we analyze the phylogenetic relationships and biogeographic history of the Chinese potamiscines based on whole mitogenomes of 72 species of Asian freshwater crabs representing 65% of the potamiscine genera found in China, including new mitogenome sequences for 57 species. The mitogenomic phylogeny generated four separate clades: Southwest China (SWC), Indochina‐Southwest China (ISWC), Central China (CC), and South China‐adjacent Islands (SCI). Our results suggest that the Chinese potamiscine fauna most likely originated in Indochina during the Eocene. The establishment of the East Asian monsoon during the Eocene/Oligocene resulted in major climate changes that coincide with the local diversification of the CC and SCI clades. In addition, diversification of two other clades (ISWC and SWC) may have been driven by past large scale environmental changes taking place at that time such as increased local precipitation and expanding freshwater habitats associated with the uplifting of the Hengduan Mountains. In addition, our phylogenies did not support monophyly for six currently recognized potamiscine genera, highlighting the need for further taxonomic revisions of this fauna. The broad taxonomic sampling and well‐supported molecular phylogenies used here allow for the updating of our understanding of the evolutionary origins and diversification of the potamiscine freshwater crabs in China.
Comparing ultrasound assessment of thyroid nodules using BTA U classification and ACR TIRADS measured against histopathological diagnosis
Authors: McClean Simon , Omakobia Eugene , England R. James A.
Published: June 2021

Introduction

The British Thyroid Association (BTA) recommends ultrasound assessment of thyroid nodules using the U classification. The American College of Radiologists (ACR) recommend assessment with the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS). We conduct the first UK study to compare these two systems.

Methods

Ultrasound (US) reports of patients who underwent surgical excision of thyroid nodules over a 10‐year period in one UK centre were reviewed. US findings were collected, and the classifications were retrospectively applied. The systems were compared to histopathological diagnosis.

Results

308 nodules in 296 patients are included. 135 nodules (43.8%) were malignant. U classification showed sensitivity of 88.1% in recommending FNA, significantly higher than TIRADS at 73.3% (p = .0002). The U classification showed specificity of 41.6%, significantly lower than TIRADS at 64.2% (p=<0.0001). PPV between classifications at equivalent levels showed no significant difference at U3/TR‐3 (p=.81), U4/TR‐4 (p=.30) or U5/TR‐5 (p=.90).

Discussion

Classification systems enable risk stratification of potentially malignant thyroid nodules. This study shows BTA U classification has a higher sensitivity but lower specificity than TIRADS.
Strategies for overcoming therapeutic inertia in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Powell Rhea E. , Zaccardi Francesco , Beebe Christine , Chen Xin Mei , Crawford Alyssa , Cuddeback John , Gabbay Robert A. , Kissela Lauren , Litchman Michelle L. , Mehta Rajesh , Meneghini Luigi , Pantalone Kevin M. , Rajpathak Swapnil , Scribner Paul , Skelley Jessica W. , Khunti Kamlesh
Published: June 2021

Aims

To systematically investigate the effect of interventions to overcome therapeutic inertia on glycaemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

We electronically searched for randomized controlled trials or quasi‐experimental studies published between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2019 evaluating the effect of interventions on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) control. Characteristics of included studies and HbA1c difference between intervention and control arms (main outcome) were extracted. Interventions were grouped as: care management and patient education; nurse or certified diabetes educator (CDE); pharmacist; or physician‐based.

Results

Thirty‐six studies including 22 243 individuals were combined in nonlinear random‐effects meta‐regressions; the median (range) duration of intervention was 1 year (0.9 to 36 months). Compared to the control arm, HbA1c reduction ranged from: −17.7 mmol/mol (−1.62%) to −4.4 mmol/mol (−0.40%) for nurse‐ or CDE‐based interventions; −13.1 mmol/mol (−1.20%) to 3.3 mmol/mol (0.30%) for care management and patient education interventions; −9.8 mmol/mol (−0.90%) to −6.6 mmol/mol (−0.60%) for pharmacist‐based interventions; and −4.4 mmol/mol (−0.40%) to 2.8 mmol/mol (0.26%) for physician‐based interventions. Across the included studies, a reduction in HbA1c was observed only during the first year (6 months: −4.2 mmol/mol, 95% confidence interval [CI] −6.2, −2.2 [−0.38%, 95% CI −0.56, −0.20]; 1 year: −1.6 mmol/mol, 95% CI −3.3, 0.1 [−0.15%, 95% CI −0.30, 0.01]) and in individuals with preintervention HbA1c >75 mmol/mol (9%).

Conclusions

The most effective approaches to mitigating therapeutic inertia and improving HbA1c were those that empower nonphysician providers such as pharmacists, nurses and diabetes educators to initiate and intensify treatment independently, supported by appropriate guidelines.
Why do parasites exhibit reverse latitudinal diversity gradients? Testing the roles of host diversity, habitat and climate
Authors: Johnson Pieter , Haas Sarah E.
Published: June 2021

Aim

The latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG), in which species richness decreases from the equator towards the poles, is among the most fundamental distributional patterns in ecology. Despite the expectation that the diversity of parasites tracks that of their hosts, available evidence suggests that many parasites exhibit reverse latitudinal gradients or no pattern, yet the rarity of large‐scale datasets on host–parasite interactions calls into question the robustness of such trends. Here, we collected parasitological data from a host group of conservation importance, lentic‐breeding amphibians, to characterize the form and direction of relationships among latitude, parasite richness and parasite load.

Location

The contiguous USA.

Time period

2000–2014.

Major taxa studied

Lentic‐breeding frogs and toads and their helminth parasites.

Methods

We collected information on parasite richness and infection load for 846 amphibian populations representing 31 species. We combined these data with environmental and biological data to test for LDGs and potential mechanisms.

Results

Both parasite richness and parasite abundance increased across 20° of latitude (i.e., a reverse LDG). For parasite richness, this pattern was explained, in part, by latitudinal increases in wetland area, land‐cover diversity and the richness of waterbirds, which function as definitive hosts for many amphibian parasites. Host body size also correlated positively with latitude and helminth richness, potentially reflecting increased habitat availability, greater host longevity or a persistent phylogenetic signal. Parasite abundance associated positively with wetland area and land‐cover diversity, but negatively with amphibian taxonomic richness. Longitude exhibited nonlinear relationships with parasite abundance and richness, which we suggest stem from large‐scale variation in host availability (e.g., migratory bird flyways).

Main conclusions

With growing interest in the distribution of parasites and pathogens, these results highlight the importance of inverse latitudinal gradients while emphasizing the explanatory influence of host body size, habitat availability and host diversity.
The online marketplace: Zero‐order city or new source of social inequality?
Authors: Ganning Joanna P. , Green Timothy
Published: June 2021

Online shopping revenues in the United States were $520 billion 2018, a more than threefold increase over a decade prior. Recent research on county‐level shares of consumer expenditures conducted online shows aggregate consumer gains but also considerable spatial variation, creating a new source of social inequality. Through the lens of classical retail location theory, this paper uses a novel approach to test the effects of marginalization, by both income and remoteness, on online shopping behavior. We find that increased shipping costs weaken demand for online goods across consumer groups. When the costs of shipping are controlled for, distance from a city most strongly motivates low‐income counties to engage in online shopping, reflecting sensitivity to cost reductions. However, variations in cost and cost/distance ratios have little effect for this group, because if shipping surcharges exist, which they almost always do at high levels, consumers in these counties will forego online shopping. Medium‐income counties are sensitive to variations in cost and cost/distance ratios. The highest‐income counties display no response to the marginal costs of remoteness. In sum, online shopping benefits consumers living in counties marginalized by either remoteness or low income but not both.
About job market outcomes: Assessing the performance of Colombian higher education institutions
Authors: Saavedra‐Caballero Fabiola , Van Bellegem Sébastien
Published: June 2021

One method for evaluating higher education performance is to conceptualize it as a production function represented as an input/output process. This paper proposes a performance evaluation of higher education institutions from the perspective of recent graduates taking as inputs students' cognitive abilities and tuition, and as outputs three we contend are relevant for recent graduates: starting salary, sectoral distinctiveness, and sectoral variety. Using a sample of recent Colombian higher‐education graduates, we apply the DEA technique to analyze efficiency at the institutional level in the formal labor market. Our results highlight the importance of focusing on the student as the protagonist of the educational process and contribute to the debate about the selection of relevant inputs and outputs when measuring institution's efficiency.
The demography of an increasing insular Eurasian Scops Owl (Otus scops) population in western France
Authors: Barbraud Christophe , Bavoux Christian , Burneleau Guy
Published: June 2021

Rapid population declines of many long‐distance Afro‐Palaearctic migratory bird species are ongoing across Europe but the demographic drivers are often poorly understood, thereby limiting the development of appropriate conservation actions. Using long‐term population monitoring (39 years), capture–mark–recapture data and a matrix model, we estimated demographic parameters and the effect of climate variables on adult survival, and modelled the dynamics of an increasing population of Eurasian Scops Owls Otus scops in a landscape with agricultural abandonment in western France. The observed mean annual population growth rate was 1.055 (from 68 to 523 territorial males between 1981 and 2019). Over the study period, clutch size and hatching success were stable, but fledging success and breeding success showed slight negative trends, probably due to density‐dependence. Survival varied with age, with an increase during early life and evidence for rapid senescence from 4 years old. Adult survival remained stable and was positively linked to the amount of autumn rainfall in the Sahel and to the winter North Atlantic Oscillation. Survival of younger age‐classes made the largest contribution to the variance of the population growth rate, followed by clutch size, fledging success and survival of older birds. Such a long‐term population increase in a landscape where intensive agriculture has decreased by 64.6% sheds some new light on the causes of the decline of European Scops Owl and other Afro‐Palaearctic bird populations. We infer some of the possible causes of this large‐scale decline, in particular food shortage, and discuss conservation measures that could be applicable to reverse this trend.
A decision method on yard cranes transformation and deployment in green ports
Authors: Tan Zheyi , Zhang Qian , Yuan Yingying , Jin Ying
Published: June 2021

This study proposes a strategic level decision method for yard cranes (YCs) transformation and deployment for the purpose of building efficient and energy‐saving green ports with low carbon emission. An integer programming model is embedded in the method for the above decision considering some green technology for YC transformation. The aim of the model is to minimize the investment cost for purchasing and transforming YCs as well as the operation costs during the planning horizon. A neighborhood descent particle swarm optimization algorithm is developed for solving the proposed model. Real data based on numerical experiments are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed decision method. Take the case of Shanghai Yangshan Deep Water Port, the carbon emission is reduced by 415,756.8 kg and the energy consumption costs are saved 1,226,016 RMB. The above method may be potentially useful for the practitioners on the strategic level decisions of YCs transformation and deployment.
Investigation of β‐hydroxybutyrate in early lactation of Simmental cows: Genetic parameters and genomic predictions
Authors: Falchi Laura , Gaspa Giustino , Cesarani Alberto , Correddu Fabio , Degano Lorenzo , Vicario Daniele , Lourenco Daniela , Macciotta Nicolò P. P.
Published: June 2021

Genomic information allows for a more accurate calculation of relationships among animals than the pedigree information, leading to an increase in accuracy of breeding values. Here, we used pedigree‐based and single‐step genomic approaches to estimate variance components and breeding values for β‐hydroxybutyrate milk content (BHB). Additionally, we performed a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) to depict its genetic architecture. BHB concentrations within the first 90 days of lactation, estimated from milk medium infrared spectra, were available for 30,461 cows (70,984 records). Genotypes at 42,152 loci were available for 9,123 animals. Low heritabilities were found for BHB using pedigree‐based (0.09 ± 0.01) and genomic (0.10 ± 0.01) approaches. Genetic correlation between BHB and milk traits ranged from −0.27 ± 0.06 (BHB and protein percentage) to 0.13 ± 0.07 (BHB and fat‐to‐protein ratio) using pedigree and from −0.26 ± 0.05 (BHB and protein percentage) to 0.13 ± 0.06 (BHB and fat‐to‐protein ratio) using genomics. Breeding values were validated for 344 genotyped cows using linear regression method. The genomic EBV (GEBV) had greater accuracy (0.51 vs. 0.45) and regression coefficient (0.98 vs. 0.95) compared to EBV. The correlation between two subsequent evaluations, without and with phenotypes for validation cows, was 0.85 for GEBV and 0.82 for EBV. Predictive ability (correlation between (G)EBV and adjusted phenotypes) was greater when genomic information was used (0.38) than in the pedigree‐based approach (0.31). Validation statistics in the pairwise two‐trait models (milk yield, fat and protein percentage, urea, fat/protein ratio, lactose and logarithmic transformation of somatic cells count) were very similar to the ones highlighted for the single‐trait model. The GWAS allowed discovering four significant markers located on BTA20 (57.5–58.2 Mb), where the ANKH gene is mapped. This gene has been associated with lactose, alpha‐lactalbumin and BHB. Results of this study confirmed the usefulness of genomic information to provide more accurate variance components and breeding values, and important insights about the genomic determination of BHB milk content.
Underlying microevolutionary processes parallel macroevolutionary patterns in ancient neotropical mountains
Authors: Dantas‐Queiroz Marcos Vinicius , Cacossi Tami da Costa , Leal Bárbara Simões Santos , Chaves Cleber Juliano Neves , Vasconcelos Thais N. C. , Versieux Leonardo de Melo , Palma‐Silva Clarisse
Published: June 2021

Aim

Ancient climatic fluctuations are invoked as the main driving force that generates the astonishing biodiversity in ancient mountains. As a result, endemism and spatial turnover are usually high and few species are widespread amongst entire mountain ranges, precluding the understanding of origins of macroevolutionary patterns. Here, we used a species endemic to, but widespread in, one of the most species‐rich ancient mountains in the globe to test how environmental changes acted on and how their macroevolutionary patterns were shaped.

Location

Espinhaço Range, Eastern Brazil.

Taxon

Vriesea oligantha species complex (Bromeliaceae).

Methods

We compiled data for plastidial regions and nuclear microsatellites to assess genetic diversity, population structure, migration rates and phylogenetic relationships. Using temperature and precipitation variables, we modelled suitable areas for the present and the past, estimating corridors between isolated populations. We also implemented Bayesian demographic analyses to estimate ancient populations dynamics. Finally, we tested if population structure is driven by isolation by environment or by distance using a Bayesian modelling approach.

Results

Our results showed that the intraspecific divergence events of V. oligantha are older than those associated with the latest Pleistocene climatic oscillations, supporting the view that Quaternary climatic fluctuations are key components for understanding its population differentiation processes. Species distribution modelling estimated corridors between populations in the past, as also shown in the demographic analyses, depicting a major spatial reorganization during colder climates. Besides, the high genetic structure estimated results from both models of isolation by distance and by environment.

Main conclusions

V. oligantha is a remarkable model to test the effects of climatic oscillations over the biological community, since this species originated in the early‐Pleistocene, prevailing over several cycles of climatic fluctuations until today. The estimated demographic dynamics of V. oligantha agrees with the species‐pump mechanism, suggesting it as the main cause of speciation within the Espinhaço Range. Moreover, the phylogeographic patterns of V. oligantha reflect previously recognised spatial and temporal macroevolutionary patterns in the Espinhaço Range, providing insights into how microevolutionary processes may have given rise to this astonishing mountain biodiversity.
Comprehensive transcriptome analysis of erythroid differentiation potential of olive leaf in haematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Kondo Shinji , Ferdousi Farhana , Yamauchi Ken , Suidasari Sofya , Yokozawa Miki , Harrabi Mohamed Moncef , Tominaga Ken‐ichi , Isoda Hiroko
Published: June 2021

Anaemia is one of the leading causes of disability in young adults and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in elderly. With a global target to reduce the disease burden of anaemia, recent researches focus on novel compounds with the ability to induce erythropoiesis and regulate iron homeostasis. We aimed to explore the biological events and potential polypharmacological effects of water‐extracted olive leaf (WOL) on human bone marrow–derived haematopoietic stem cells (hHSCs) using a comprehensive gene expression analysis. HPLC analysis identifies six bioactive polyphenols in the WOL. Treatment with WOL for 12 days regulated gene expressions related to erythroid differentiation, oxygen homeostasis, iron homeostasis, haem metabolism and Hb biosynthesis in hHSCs. Functional clustering analysis reveals several major functions of WOL such as ribosomal biogenesis and mitochondrial translation machinery, glycolytic process, ATP biosynthesis and immune response. Additionally, the colonies of both primitive and mature erythroid progenitors, CFU‐E and BFU‐E, were significantly increased in WOL‐treated hHSCs. The expressions of erythroid markers, CD47, glycophorin A (GYPA), and transferrin receptor (TFRC) and adult Hb subunits‐HBA and HBB were also confirmed in immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometer analysis in WOL‐treated hHSCs. It is well known that induction of lineage‐specific differentiation, as well as the maturation of early haematopoietic precursors into fully mature erythrocytes, involves multiple simultaneous biological events and complex signalling networks. In this regard, our genome‐wide transcriptome profiling with microarray study on WOL‐treated hHSCs provides general insights into the multitarget prophylactic and/or therapeutic potential of WOL in anaemia and other haematological disorders.
LncRNA‐ATB regulates epithelial‐mesenchymal transition progression in pulmonary fibrosis via sponging miR‐29b‐2‐5p and miR‐34c‐3p
Authors: Xu Qi , Cheng Demin , Liu Yi , Pan Honghong , Li Guanru , Li Ping , Li Yan , Sun Wenqing , Ma Dongyu , Ni Chunhui
Published: June 2021

Dysregulation of non‐coding RNAs (ncRNAs) has been proved to play pivotal roles in epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and fibrosis. We have previously demonstrated the crucial function of long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) ATB in silica‐induced pulmonary fibrosis‐related EMT progression. However, the underlying molecular mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Here, we verified miR‐29b‐2‐5p and miR‐34c‐3p as two vital downstream targets of lncRNA‐ATB. As opposed to lncRNA‐ATB, a significant reduction of both miR‐29b‐2‐5p and miR‐34c‐3p was observed in lung epithelial cells treated with TGF‐β1 and a murine silicosis model. Overexpression miR‐29b‐2‐5p or miR‐34c‐3p inhibited EMT process and abrogated the pro‐fibrotic effects of lncRNA‐ATB in vitro. Further, the ectopic expression of miR‐29b‐2‐5p and miR‐34c‐3p with chemotherapy attenuated silica‐induced pulmonary fibrosis in vivo. Mechanistically, TGF‐β1‐induced lncRNA‐ATB accelerated EMT as a sponge of miR‐29b‐2‐5p and miR‐34c‐3p and shared miRNA response elements with MEKK2 and NOTCH2, thus relieving these two molecules from miRNA‐mediated translational repression. Interestingly, the co‐transfection of miR‐29b‐2‐5p and miR‐34c‐3p showed a synergistic suppression effect on EMT in vitro. Furthermore, the co‐expression of these two miRNAs by using adeno‐associated virus (AAV) better alleviated silica‐induced fibrogenesis than single miRNA. Approaches aiming at lncRNA‐ATB and its downstream effectors may represent new effective therapeutic strategies in pulmonary fibrosis.
Infection dynamics of Enteromyxum leei (Myxozoa, Myxosporea) in culture water and its effects on cultured olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus (Temminck & Schlegel)
Authors: Sohn Hanchang , Jin Chang Nam , Kang Bong Jo , Shin Sang Phil , Lee Jehee
Published: June 2021

Enteromyxum leei is a causative agent of enteromyxosis, with a wide range of marine fish hosts. Recently, massive morbidity and mortality were caused by E. leei infection in cultured olive flounders in Korea. To reveal a relationship between E. leei abundance in culture water and the occurrence of parasite infection in host fish, we used a quantitative PCR assay targeting the 28S rDNA of E. leei in three fish farms (two where enteromyxosis had occurred and one where it did not) from April to November 2018. The gene of E. leei was detected at levels greater than 10 cells/L in the culture water where enteromyxosis occurred from July to September. Furthermore, 2 months after the detection in the water, the parasite gene (with more than 5,000 cells per 100 mg) was detected in fish intestine samples. However, in the fish farms where enteromyxosis had not occurred, the E. leei gene was detected at <10 cells in culture water (1 L) and fish intestine samples (100 mg). The quantification method used in this research provides a baseline of the infection timeline in olive flounder to develop effective management practices.
Foaming and foam mat drying characteristics of ripe banana [Musa balbisiana (BB)] pulp
Authors: Watharkar Ritesh Balaso , Chakraborty Sourav , Srivastav Prem Prakash , Srivastava Brijesh
Published: June 2021

Foam‐mat drying characteristics of wild ripe banana [Musa balbisiana (BB)] pulp on the attributes of the product were investigated. The effects of pulp concentration (PC), skim milk powder (SMP) and whipping time (WT) on foaming characteristics such as foam density, drainage volume and foam expansion were studied. The obtained optimum condition for the foaming process was 9.62°Brix of PC, 8.18% of SMP, and 145.54 s of WT. The hot air drying of banana foam was carried out at 50–70°C; the drying rate and moisture diffusivity (3.9–5.9 × 10−10 m2/s) increased with drying temperature. The physico‐chemical properties of banana foam powder such as moisture content, water activity, bulk density, and Carr index decreased with an increase in drying temperature, whereas hygroscopicity, water solubility index, and water absorption index increased. The dried samples were moderately bright in color and had a porous microstructure. The present study is expected to be useful in the preparation of banana powder.

Practical Applications

Foam‐mat drying technology is a pragmatic method to dry fruit juices and pulps. The concept behind the foam‐mat drying is an increase in the surface area of material to be dried. The process depends on the material property of pulp/juice and the use of the additives to create a foam structure and ensuring its stability during the phase of drying to offer granular products having low bulk density.
Advantages of liquid nitrogen freezing in long‐term frozen preservation of hairtail (Trichiurus haumela): Enzyme activity, protein structure, and tissue structure
Authors: Hu Lingping , Ying Yubin , Zhang Hongwei , Liu Jialin , Chen Xin , Shen Ni , Li Yujin , Hu Yaqin
Published: June 2021

This study aimed to investigate the effects of liquid nitrogen freezing (LNF) in long‐term frozen preservation of hairtail. Fresh hairtail was frozen by liquid nitrogen or cold air and stored at −20°C or −80°C for up to 120 days. The contents of carbonyl, TCA‐soluble peptides, AG and NAG enzyme activities increased, whereas Ca2+‐ATPase, Mg2+‐ATPase activity and the contents of sulfhydryl group decreased with the storage time increased. The activities of cathepsin B and B + L could be inhibited by low temperatures in the initial 40 days. However, the inhibition gradually weakened as the storage time increased. Protein surface hydrophobicity increased and reached a peak of 480.23 on day 60 with a subsequent fluctuant decrease. The α‐helix and β‐sheet structures of myofibrillar protein decreased, while the β‐turn and random coil structures increased. And the texture degradation occurred in all the tested four groups. The muscle fibers begun to break in cold air freezing (CAF) group after storage of 60 days. After a storage period of 120 days, large holes appeared in meat sample of CAF group. The muscle fibers of the LNF groups were kept much more complete than that of the CAF groups, indicating the advantages of LNF.

Practical Application

In this study, the advantages of liquid nitrogen freezing (LNF) on the quality of hairtail during long‐term frozen preservation were showed by enzyme activity, protein structure and tissue structure. Although LNF causes inevasible damage to the fish meat, the ice crystals during freezing were rather small and distributed homogenously due to fast freezing rate. Thus, the mechanical damage to muscle was much lower than that of the cold air freezing (CAF), showing great advantages of LNF. Liquid nitrogen was recommended for pre‐frozen of hairtail before frozen storage to maintain the quality of hairtail. These results could provide theoretical guidance for the applying of LNF on the hairtail processing for the quality maintenance of hairtail whilst aiming to get maximum nutritional benefits. This knowledge can also be widely applicated in other fishery products preservation.
The use of paired comparison test on the goat's milk adulteration detection (whole and semiskimmed)
Authors: Zine‐eddine Yassine , Zinelabidine Lalla Hasna , Kzaiber Fouzia , Oussama Abdelkhalek , Boutoial Khalid
Published: June 2021

Dairy goat products are in high demand in both traditional and new emerging markets. Compared to cow milk, goat milk and its products are increasingly preferred for their health and nutritional benefits such as greater digestibility and lipid metabolism. As a result, it appears that goat's milk consumers and manufacturers encounter the problem of goat's milk falsification with cow's milk. In this study, paired comparison tests were performed by adding varying amounts of cow's milk to the whole and semiskimmed goat's milk to determine to what extent the consumer can detect its falsification. As the amount of cow's milk reaches 50%, the detection of goat's milk adulteration becomes visible. This identification of goat milk adulteration by cow's milk is more marked in semiskimmed milk than in whole milk. This nondetection of whole goat milk adulteration by small amounts of cow's milk may be due to the milk's unique organoleptic characteristics, including an intense smell and a strong flavor. Furthermore, no parameter tested in our study had any effect on detecting potential adulteration of goat's milk.

Practical applications

This work highlighted a practical and rapid method for the detection of possible goat's milk adulteration (whole and semiskimmed) by cow's milk using a paired comparison test.
Leadership in innovation communities: The impact of transformational leadership language on member participation
Authors: Becker Laura , Coussement Kristof , Büttgen Marion , Weber Ellen
Published: June 2021

Many organizations seek to establish online innovation communities (ICs) to obtain valuable knowledge and innovative ideas, though both research and practice suggest that they also struggle to sustain continued, high‐quality member participation. Designated IC moderators might be able to stimulate IC members to participate regularly and make high‐quality contributions. In response to calls to integrate organizational behavior and IC research, this study addresses the impact of community moderators’ uses of transformational leadership (TFL) language on member participation. By operationalizing the TFL dimensions—charisma, individualized consideration, and intellectual stimulation—with language cues, this article uses an automated text analysis approach to review 64 firm‐hosted ICs with 538,805 posts, analyzed with two hierarchical linear models. The findings show that moderators’ charismatic language cues enhance members’ participation quality and quantity. Although individualized consideration and intellectual stimulation increase participation quality, they decrease participation quantity. Organizations thus should assign moderators to lead ICs by using TFL language strategically, in accordance with the focal IC goals, in terms of the quality and quantity of member contributions to their innovation processes. This article contributes to the literature by exploring how leadership language in online communities can facilitate the development of innovative ideas. In addition, this study offers a more nuanced view on the effects of TFL by revealing both positive and negative outcomes in firm‐hosted online ICs and it introduces a new, objective measure of TFL built on linguistic markers. This article also includes specific guidelines for how moderators can achieve effective leadership through their language use, as well as managerial implications for the effective selection, training, and support of IC moderators.
The best defence is not being there: avoidance of larger carnivores is not driven by risk intensity
Authors: Zalewska K. , Waggershauser Cristian N. , Kortland K. , Lambin X.
Published: June 2021

Species interactions are key factors determining the distribution and structure of species assemblages. Owing to their central positions, mid‐ranking mammalian carnivores are involved in interactions with numerous species, including competition for resources and instances of killing by higher ranking predators. Lethal interactions can directly influence species’ demography. However, the fear of lethal interactions, competition or both may also affect when and where individuals are active (i.e. non‐lethal interactions). Although differences in body–size and trophic overlap are known predictors of the frequency of lethal interactions, their influence on non‐lethal interactions is uncertain. Through camera trapping, we studied non‐lethal interactions between a small mesocarnivore (pine marten), a potential killer and intense competitor (red fox) and a moderate competitor and unlikely killer (Eurasian badger). We determined overlap and differences in their diel activity patterns and the degree of spatial overlap in two seasons with contrasting resource availability. Additionally, we estimated the effect of larger carnivore detection rates on pine marten detection rates. We also compared time intervals between pine marten visits to baited stations in the absence and presence of either or both larger carnivores. Our results are consistent with pine martens distributing their daily activity to maximize overlap with prey and to minimize competition and risk of aggression over the spatial scale. Pine martens also responded to the immediate threat of larger carnivores irrespective of the threat they pose by taking 4–7 days longer to re‐visit a station. Small‐scale non‐lethal interactions such as these may enable pine martens to coexist closely with two larger carnivores, yet it remains uncertain whether their population incurs a demographic cost through restricted access to resources. Carnivore's risk‐avoidance strategies could be harnessed to protect prey species of interest. However, our results suggest avoidance is short‐lived and recurrent stimuli would be necessary.
Convergence of optimal expected utility for a sequence of binomial models
Authors: Hubalek Friedrich , Schachermayer Walter
Published: June 2021

We consider the convergence of the solution of a discrete‐time utility maximization problem for a sequence of binomial models to the Black‐Scholes‐Merton model for general utility functions. In previous work by D. Kreps and the second named author a counter‐example for positively skewed non‐symmetric binomial models has been constructed, while the symmetric case was left as an open problem. In the present article we show that convergence holds for the symmetric case and for negatively skewed binomial models. The proof depends on some rather fine estimates of the tail behaviors of binomial random variables. We also review some general results on the convergence of discrete models to Black‐Scholes‐Merton as developed in a recent monograph by D. Kreps.
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis due to Sphingomonas paucimobilis meningitis
Authors: Ohnmar Ohnmar , Kyaw Myat , Lwin Thandar
Published: June 2021

A 44‐year‐old man with end‐stage renal disease on regular hemodialysis presented with fever, loose motion, and confusion followed by coma. Screening for systemic infections was negative. MRI (Brain) showed multiple T2/FLAIR hyperintensities in the bilateral periventricular/subcortical regions involving corpus callosum and right cerebral peduncle with some restricted diffusions without abnormal enhancement suggestive of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. Cerebrospinal fluid examination revealed normal protein, mildly reduced sugar and no pleocytosis but culture was Sphingomonas paucimobilis positive. Anti‐MOG antibody was negative. He was treated with antibiotics according to sensitivity and high dose steroid. At one and a half month after steroid initiation, he has significantly improved to Glasgow Coma Scale 15. Brain MRI rechecked at 3 months showed significant improvement with no recurrence. Here, we report a rare case of Sphingomonas paucimobilis meningitis complicated with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.
Repolarization disparity as a predictor of response to Head up Tilt‐table Test in pediatric syncope
Authors: Khalilian Mohammad Reza , Ghasemi Abdolrahim , Khazaei Narges , Khoshkhou Sara , Mahmoudi Elham
Published: June 2021

Background

Head up Tilt‐table Test (HUTT) is a practical examination of the most common type of pediatrics syncope. The electrocardiographic (ECG) changes during this test, show the autonomic defects that cause neuraly‐mediated syncope in response to tilting process.

Methods

All pediatric syncope patients referred to our center in a 1‐year period, were included in the study. HUTT was performed and patients were classified into two groups of Negative and Positive HUTT results, and the latter group was subclassified as three subgroups of “vasodepressor”, “cardioinhibitory” and “mixed type” responses to HUTT. QT and corrected QT (QTc) dispersion was measured by the baseline standard 12‐lead ECG obtained before HUTT.

Results

Eighty‐six patients with a mean age of 12.19 ± 5.34 were included. Patients with positive HUTT were significantly younger and male gender was more prevalent in this group. Mean QT dispersion was significantly higher in patients with positive HUTT result and also in patients with mixed response to HUTT compared to isolated vasodepressor response. Duration of QTc interval did not change between different study groups. Reciever‐Operating‐Characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that QT dispersion higher than 32 ms is a significant predictor of positive HUTT result (with 92% sensitivity and 98% specificity) and values higher than 40 ms can predict the mixed type of response to HUTT (with 84% sensitivity and 63% specificity).

Conclusions

Baseline myocardial repolarization disparity significantly correlates with susceptibility to symptomatic vasovagal syncope. This pathology seems to play its role mainly via excessive vagotonic response to sympathetic activation during HUTT process (known as cardioinhibitory response).
Increasing grain yield in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) by selection for high spike fertility index
Authors: Pontaroli Ana Clara , Alonso María Pía , Mirabella Nadia Estefania , Panelo Juan Sebastián , Franco María Fiorella , Vanzetti Leonardo Sebastián , Lorenzo Máximo
Published: June 2021

Spike fertility index (SF) has been proposed as a promising selection criterion for increasing grain yield (GY) in bread wheat. Here, changes in GY and related traits after simulated selection (10% intensity) for high SF or high GY per se were assessed in two RIL populations: (I) Avalon/Glupro and (II) Baguette 10/Klein Chajá, and in (III) advanced lines from a breeding programme. Grain yield, SF, grain number per unit area (GN), grain weight (GW), test weight (TW) and grain protein content (GPC) were determined. Regardless of the environmental conditions, simulated selection for high SF always resulted in GN increases (between 1.6% and 27.4%). Average GY increase observed after selection for high SF (11.5%; N = 10; SEM = 5.8) did not differ (p = .92) from the average GY increase observed after selection for GY per se (11.8%; N = 10; SEM = 4.9). Grain weight, GPC and TW tended to decrease with selection for high SF; however, these trade‐offs might be avoided by concurrent selection. Our findings validate the use of SF as a selection criterion for increasing grain yield in bread wheat.