bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increasing temperature and productivity change biomass, trophic pyramids and community‐level omega‐3 fatty acid content in subarctic lake food webs
Authors: Keva Ossi , Taipale Sami J. , Hayden Brian , Thomas Stephen M. , Vesterinen Jussi , Kankaala Paula , Kahilainen Kimmo K.
Published: October 2020

Climate change in the Arctic is outpacing the global average and land‐use is intensifying due to exploitation of previously inaccessible or unprofitable natural resources. A comprehensive understanding of how the joint effects of changing climate and productivity modify lake food web structure, biomass, trophic pyramid shape and abundance of physiologically essential biomolecules (omega‐3 fatty acids) in the biotic community is lacking. We conducted a space‐for‐time study in 20 subarctic lakes spanning a climatic (+3.2°C and precipitation: +30%) and chemical (dissolved organic carbon: +10 mg/L, total phosphorus: +45 µg/L and total nitrogen: +1,000 µg/L) gradient to test how temperature and productivity jointly affect the structure, biomass and community fatty acid content (eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) of whole food webs. Increasing temperature and productivity shifted lake communities towards dominance of warmer, murky‐water‐adapted taxa, with a general increase in the biomass of primary producers, and secondary and tertiary consumers, while primary invertebrate consumers did not show equally clear trends. This process altered various trophic pyramid structures towards an hour glass shape in the warmest and most productive lakes. Increasing temperature and productivity had negative fatty acid content trends (mg EPA + DHA/g dry weight) in primary producers and primary consumers, but not in secondary nor tertiary fish consumers. The massive biomass increment of fish led to increasing areal fatty acid content (kg EPA + DHA/ha) towards increasingly warmer, more productive lakes, but there were no significant trends in other trophic levels. Increasing temperature and productivity are shifting subarctic lake communities towards systems characterized by increasing dominance of cyanobacteria and cyprinid fish, although decreasing quality in terms of EPA + DHA content was observed only in phytoplankton, zooplankton and profundal benthos.
Noncentrifugal activation patterns in focal RVOT PVC/VT: New insights from high density multielectrode mapping
Authors: Ng Justin , Chhachhi Binita , Stobie Paul , Keren Arieh , Popal Sohail , Reichlin Tobias
Published: October 2020

Background

Activation from an automatic focus is thought to show centrifugal spread. In patients with premature ventricular complex/ventricular tachycardia (PVC/VT) from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), the presence of preferential conduction and epicardial connections could however also lead to noncentrifugal wavefront propagation.

Objective

To study endocardial activation in RVOT PVC/VT using high‐resolution 3D activation mapping.

Methods

Consecutive patients with frequent idiopathic PVC/VT were studied. High‐resolution 3D activation maps were acquired using a multielectrode mapping catheter (Orion, Rhythmia, Boston Scientific). Noncentrifugal activation was defined as a pattern of wavefront propagation which does not show uniform propagation in all directions from one focus. Patients without sustained ablation success and patients with a left‐sided PVC origin or with insufficient map density were excluded from the analysis.

Results

Sixteen patients (44% female) with a median age of 54 years (interquartile range [IQR], 47–64) and a median PVC burden of 19% (IQR, 15–27) were studied. High‐resolution activation maps consisting of a median number of 1863 mapping points (IQR, 1195–2463 points) demonstrated a centrifugal activation in 6/16 (38%) and a noncentrifugal activation in 10/16 (62%). When comparing patients with centrifugal and noncentrifugal activation, patients with centrifugal activation were older (p = .01), but no differences were found in age, gender, QRS duration of the PVC's and sites of origin in the RVOT. No procedural complications occurred.

Conclusions

High‐resolution multielectrode mapping demonstrates the presence of noncentrifugal activation patterns in some of the patients with idiopathic RVOT PVC/VT. This may indicate the presence of preferential conduction and or epicardial/intramural connections in the outflow tract.
Comparison of ambulatory central hemodynamics and arterial stiffness in patients with diabetic and non‐diabetic CKD
Authors: Loutradis Charalampos , Schoina Maria , Dimitroulas Theodoros , Doumas Michael , Garyfallos Alexandros , Karagiannis Asterios , Papagianni Aikaterini , Sarafidis Pantelis
Published: October 2020

Increased arterial stiffness is independently associated with renal function decline in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Whether DM has additional deleterious effects on central hemodynamics and arterial stiffness in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients is yet unknown. This study aimed to compare ambulatory central BP, arterial stiffness parameters, and trajectories between patients with diabetic and non‐diabetic CKD. This study examined 48 diabetic and 48 non‐diabetic adult patients (>18 years) with CKD (eGFR: <90 and ≥15 ml/min/1.73 m2), matched in a 1:1 ratio for age, sex, and eGFR within CKD stages (2, 3a, 3b and 4). All patients underwent 24‐h ABPM with the Mobil‐O‐Graph device. Parameters of central hemodynamics [central systolic (cSBP) and diastolic blood pressure (cDBP), pulse pressure (PP)], wave reflection [augmentation index (AIx), and pressure (AP)] and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were estimated from the 24‐h recordings. Diabetic CKD patients had higher 24‐h cSBP (118.57 ± 10.05 vs. 111.59 ± 9.46, P = .001) and 24‐h cPP (41.48 ± 6.80 vs. 35.25 ± 6.98, P < .001) but similar 24‐h cDBP (77.09 ± 8.14 vs. 76.34 ± 6.75 mmHg, P = .625) levels compared to patients with non‐diabetic CKD. During day‐ and nighttime periods, cSBP and cPP levels were higher in diabetics compared to non‐diabetics. 24‐h PWV (10.10 ± 1.62 vs. 9.61 ± 1.80 m/s, P = .165) was numerically higher in patients with DM, but no between‐group differences were noted in augmentation pressure and index. In multivariate analysis, DM, female gender, and peripheral SBP were independently associated with higher cPP levels. Patients with diabetic CKD have higher ambulatory cSBP and increased arterial stiffness, as indicated by higher ambulatory cPP. These finding suggest that DM is a factor independently contributing to the adverse macrocirculatory profile of CKD patients.
Hydrogen sulphide ameliorates dopamine‐induced astrocytic inflammation and neurodegeneration in minimal hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: Zhuge Weishan , Zhuge Qichuan , Wang Weikan , Lu Xiaoai , You Ruimin , Liu Leping , Yu He , Wang Jian , Wang Xuebao , Ye Yiru , Ding Saidan
Published: October 2020

It has been demonstrated that the action of dopamine (DA) could enhance the production of tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) by astrocytes and potentiate neuronal apoptosis in minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE). Recently, sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) has been found to have neuroprotective properties. Our study addressed whether NaHS could rescue DA‐challenged inflammation and apoptosis in neurons to ameliorate memory impairment in MHE rats and in the neuron and astrocyte coculture system. We found that NaHS suppressed DA‐induced p65 acetylation, resulting in reduced TNF‐α production in astrocytes both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, decreased apoptosis was observed in neurons exposed to conditioned medium from DA + NaHS‐challenged astrocytes, which was similar to the results obtained in the neurons exposed to TNF‐α + NaHS, suggesting a therapeutic effect of NaHS on the suppression of neuronal apoptosis via the reduction of TNF‐α level. DA triggered the inactivation of p70 S6 ribosomal kinase (S6K1) and dephosphorylation of Bad, resulting in the disaggregation of Bclxl and Bak and the release of cytochrome c (Cyt. c), and this process could be reversed by NaHS administration. Our work demonstrated that NaHS attenuated DA‐induced astrocytic TNF‐α release and ameliorated inflammation‐induced neuronal apoptosis in MHE. Further research into this approach may uncover future potential therapeutic strategies for MHE.
NR4A1 counteracts JNK activation incurred by ER stress or ROS in pancreatic β‐cells for protection
Authors: Pu Ze‐qing , Liu Dong , Lobo Mouguegue Hanse Pablick Patherny , Jin Cheng‐wen , Sadiq Esha , Qin Dan‐dan , Yu Tian‐fu , Zong Chen , Chen Ji‐cui , Zhao Ru‐xing , Lin Jing‐Yu , Cheng Jie , Yu Xiao , Li Xia , Zhang Yu‐chao , Liu Yuan‐tao , Guan Qing‐bo , Wang Xiang‐dong
Published: October 2020

Sustained hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia incur endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction in pancreatic β‐cells. ER stress or ROS causes c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) activation, and the activated JNK triggers apoptosis in different cells. Nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 (NR4A1) is an inducible multi‐stress response factor. The aim of this study was to explore the role of NR4A1 in counteracting JNK activation induced by ER stress or ROS and the related mechanism. qPCR, Western blotting, dual‐luciferase reporter and ChIP assays were applied to detect gene expression or regulation by NR4A1. Immunofluorescence was used to detect a specific protein expression in β‐cells. Our data showed that NR4A1 reduced the phosphorylated JNK (p‐JNK) in MIN6 cells encountering ER stress or ROS and reduced MKK4 protein in a proteasome‐dependent manner. We found that NR4A1 increased the expression of cbl‐b (an E3 ligase); knocking down cbl‐b expression increased MKK4 and p‐JNK levels under ER stress or ROS conditions. We elucidated that NR4A1 enhanced the transactivation of cbl‐b promoter by physical association. We further confirmed that cbl‐b expression in β‐cells was reduced in NR4A1‐knockout mice compared with WT mice. NR4A1 down‐regulates JNK activation by ER stress or ROS in β‐cells via enhancing cbl‐b expression.
microRNA expression variation as a potential molecular mechanism contributing to adaptation to hydrogen sulphide
Authors: Kelley Joanna L. , Desvignes Thomas , McGowan Kerry L. , Perez Marcos , Rodriguez Lenin Arias , Brown Anthony P. , Culumber Zach , Tobler Michael
Published: October 2020

microRNAs (miRNAs) are post‐transcriptional regulators of gene expression and can play an important role in modulating organismal development and physiology in response to environmental stress. However, the role of miRNAs in mediating adaptation to diverse environments in natural study systems remains largely unexplored. Here, we characterized miRNAs and their expression in Poecilia mexicana, a species of small fish that inhabits both normal streams and extreme environments in the form of springs rich in toxic hydrogen sulphide (H2S). We found that P. mexicana has a similar number of miRNA genes as other teleosts. In addition, we identified a large population of mature miRNAs that were differentially expressed between locally adapted populations in contrasting habitats, indicating that miRNAs may contribute to P. mexicana adaptation to sulphidic environments. In silico identification of differentially expressed miRNA‐mRNA pairs revealed, in the sulphidic environment, the downregulation of miRNAs predicted to target mRNAs involved in sulphide detoxification and cellular homeostasis, which are pathways essential for life in H2S‐rich springs. In addition, we found that predicted targets of upregulated miRNAs act in the mitochondria (16.6% of predicted annotated targets), which is the main site of H2S toxicity and detoxification, possibly modulating mitochondrial function. Together, the differential regulation of miRNAs between these natural populations suggests that miRNAs may be involved in H2S adaptation by promoting functions needed for survival and reducing functions affected by H2S. This study lays the groundwork for further research to directly demonstrate the role of miRNAs in adaptation to H2S. Overall, this study provides a critical stepping‐stone towards a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying the adaptive variation in gene expression in a natural system.
Comparison of conceptual rainfall–runoff models in semi‐arid watersheds of eastern Algeria
Authors: Abdi Ishak , Meddi Mohamed
Published: October 2020

The northeastern of Algeria is the rainiest region of the country, where regional catchments are often subject to devastating floods. To improve the management of water resources, there is a need to develop rainfall–runoff models. This study was conducted to propose an event‐based flood prediction model adapted to the region. Thereby, available rainfall–runoff data were used in several models to find the best one able to reproduce the flood hydrographs in three catchments. These models are based on the coupling of both production and transfer functions. For this purpose, five production functions were tested: the Soil Conservation Service–Curve Number (SCS‐CN) model, including three antecedent moisture conditions, and four modified Mishra and Singh models, incorporating antecedent moisture amounts. Three transfer functions were also tested: the Nash, Clark, and Weibull models. The tested models were all calibrated through a multi‐objective optimisation using the genetic algorithms method. It was found that the MMS models were better than the SCS‐CN method according to the performance criteria. Moreover, the proposed modified empirical equation (M4) improved runoff prediction. Furthermore, combined with the Nash model as a transfer function, the coupled model was found to be the best performing model, giving satisfactory results.
Andrographolide restores glucose uptake in rat hippocampal neurons
Authors: Gherardelli Camila , Cisternas Pedro , Gutiérrez Joel , Martinez Milka , Inestrosa Nibaldo C.
Published: October 2020

Cerebral glucose hypometabolism is a common pathophysiological characteristic of many neurodegenerative diseases. This metabolic dysfunction includes alterations in glucose transport from the blood into the neurons by the facilitative glucose transporters (GLUTs). Several studies suggest that metabolic disturbances precede clinical symptoms and correlate with disease progression. Some groups have started to explore the use of therapeutic strategies that target decreased cerebral glucose metabolism to promote its availability. We selected Andrographolide (Andro), a natural product obtained from Andrographis paniculate that has both anti‐hyperglycemic and anti‐diabetic effects. Although it was shown to promote glucose uptake in vivo, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we evaluated the acute effects of Andro on glucose transport and metabolism using primary rat hippocampal neuronal cultures. Our results showed that Andro enhances neuronal glucose uptake and stimulates glucose metabolism by inducing GLUT3 and 4 expression in neurons, as well as by promoting glycolysis. We also observed that Andro‐mediated effects depend on the activity of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), one of the central regulators of glucose metabolism. Our studies open the possibility to use Andro as a drug to restore glucose levels in neurodegenerative diseases.

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How Life Experiences and Cultural Context Matter: A Multilevel Framework of Global Leader Effectiveness
Authors: Javidan Mansour , Waldman David A. , Wang Danni
Published: October 2020

We explore the implications of social cognitive and contact theories as applied to leader effectiveness in a global context. Specifically, we test a multilevel, moderated mediated model using a sample of 755 global leaders and their supervisors from 43 countries. These leaders were drawn from mostly senior executive ranks in large global corporations. Our findings support hypotheses confirming the indirect relationship of intense multicultural life exposure through global mindset in the prediction of global leader effectiveness, as well as the moderating role of home country culture tightness. These findings have implications for the selection and development of leaders in global roles.
Found in Transliteration: Translanguaging and the Polyvocality of Xiqu Centre
Authors: Wong Andrew D.
Published: October 2020

This article illustrates how the linguistic‐anthropological notion of axes of differentiation can illuminate translanguaging practices. Through an analysis of media texts, it explores the ways in which multilingual Hongkongers draw on their semiotic repertoires to make sense of Xiqu Centre as the English name of the recently inaugurated center for traditional Chinese theater in their city. Against the backdrop of different axes of differentiation, supporters and detractors contrast the Putonghua word xìqǔ “traditional Chinese theater” with its equivalents in English and Cantonese respectively, thereby arriving at diametrically opposed interpretations of the name. While many detractors engage in interpretive practices that challenge the discreteness of linguistic systems, others who use their multilingual knowledge to criticize the name appeal to ideologies of linguistic purism. To fully understand multilinguals’ production and interpretation of signs, we need to examine not only communicative practices that disrupt language boundaries but also those practices that do not.
Seasonal variation in the canopy color of temperate evergreen conifer forests
Authors: Seyednasrollah Bijan , Bowling David R. , Cheng Rui , Logan Barry A. , Magney Troy S. , Frankenberg Christian , Yang Julia C. , Young Adam M. , Hufkens Koen , Arain M. Altaf , Black T. Andrew , Blanken Peter D. , Bracho Rosvel , Jassal Rachhpal , Hollinger David Y. , Law Beverly E. , Nesic Zoran , Richardson Andrew D.
Published: October 2020

Evergreen conifer forests are the most prevalent land cover type in North America. Seasonal changes in the color of evergreen forest canopies have been documented with near‐surface remote sensing, but the physiological mechanisms underlying these changes, and the implications for photosynthetic uptake, have not been fully elucidated.

Here, we integrate on‐the‐ground phenological observations, leaf‐level physiological measurements, near surface hyperspectral remote sensing and digital camera imagery, tower‐based CO2 flux measurements, and a predictive model to simulate seasonal canopy color dynamics.

We show that seasonal changes in canopy color occur independently of new leaf production, but track changes in chlorophyll fluorescence, the photochemical reflectance index, and leaf pigmentation. We demonstrate that at winter‐dormant sites, seasonal changes in canopy color can be used to predict the onset of canopy‐level photosynthesis in spring, and its cessation in autumn. Finally, we parameterize a simple temperature‐based model to predict the seasonal cycle of canopy greenness, and we show that the model successfully simulates interannual variation in the timing of changes in canopy color.

These results provide mechanistic insight into the factors driving seasonal changes in evergreen canopy color and provide opportunities to monitor and model seasonal variation in photosynthetic activity using color‐based vegetation indices.
white panicle2 encoding thioredoxin z, regulates plastid RNA editing by interacting with multiple organellar RNA editing factors in rice
Authors: Wang Yunlong , Wang Yihua , Ren Yulong , Duan Erchao , Zhu Xiaopin , Hao Yuanyuan , Zhu Jianping , Chen Rongbo , Lei Jie , Teng Xuan , Zhang Yuanyan , Wang Di , Zhang Xin , Guo Xiuping , Jiang Ling , Liu Shijia , Tian Yunlu , Liu Xi , Chen Liangming , Wang Haiyang , Wan Jianmin
Published: October 2020

Thioredoxins (TRXs) occur in plant chloroplasts as complex disulphide oxidoreductases. Although many biological processes are regulated by thioredoxins, the regulatory mechanism of chloroplast TRXs are largely unknown.

Here we report a rice white panicle2 mutant caused by a mutation in the thioredoxin z gene, an orthologue of AtTRX z in Arabidopsis. white panicle2 (wp2) seedlings exhibited a high‐temperature‐sensitive albinic phenotype.

We found that plastid multiple organellar RNA editing factors (MORFs) were the regulatory targets of thioredoxin z. We showed that OsTRX z protein physically interacts with OsMORFs in a redox‐dependent manner and that the redox state of a conserved cysteine in the MORF box is essential for MORF–MORF interactions. wp2 and OsTRX z knockout lines show reduced editing efficiencies in many plastidial‐encoded genes especially under high‐temperature conditions. An Arabidopsis trx z mutant also exhibited significantly reduced chloroplast RNA editing.

Our combined results suggest that thioredoxin z regulates chloroplast RNA editing in plants by controlling the redox state of MORFs.
Facemask therapy with skeletal anchorage: A possible alternative to orthognathic surgery
Authors: Cha Bong‐Kuen , Park Jae Hyun , Choi Dong‐Soon , Jang Insan
Published: October 2020

Treatment of skeletal Class III malocclusion in young patients is very challenging. Facemask therapy has been proven to be effective in early correction of Class III malocclusion. With the aid of skeletal anchorage, the orthopaedic effects are expected to be greater than the effects with conventional facemask with tooth‐borne anchorage. However, only a few studies have reported on the long‐term stability of facemask therapy combined with skeletal anchorage. This report examines two patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion who were treated with facemask and skeletal anchorage followed by orthodontic treatment using fixed orthodontic appliances. The long‐term effects of facemask therapy with skeletal anchorage are discussed and compared with the conventional facemask therapy.
Dysfunctional role of elevated TIGIT expression on T cells in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients
Authors: Liu Xiangqi , Li Qunxing , Zhou Ying , He Xinlin , Fang Juan , Lu Huanzi , Wang Xi , Wang Dikan , Ma Da , Cheng Bin , Liao Guiqing , Wang Zhi
Published: October 2020

Objective

This study was aimed to analyze the role of T‐cell immunoreceptor with immunoglobulin and tyrosine‐based inhibitory motif domains (TIGIT) expression on T cells in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Materials and Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were collected from OSCC patients. The correlation between TIGIT expression and clinicopathologic features was analyzed by chi‐square test. Phenotypic and functional study of TIGIT+ T cells were performed by flow cytometry.

Results

TIGIT was highly expressed on T cells from PBMC and TILs. High expression of TIGIT on CD4+ T cells (19.0%) and CD8+ T cells (35.9%) was also associated with higher T stage and nodal invasion. Moreover, TIGIT+CD4+ and TIGIT+CD8+ T cells sorted from OSCC patients showed a dysfunctional phenotype (low cell proliferation and low secretion of IL‐2, TNF‐α and IFN‐γ), and TIGIT+CD4+ T cells exhibited inhibitory function (high expression of Foxp3 and high amounts of IL‐10). Importantly, TIGIT blockade can enhance the proliferation ability and effective cytokine production (IL‐2, TNF‐α, and IFN‐γ) of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from OSCC patients in vitro.

Conclusions

TIGIT‐expressing T cells exhibit a lower effector cytokine‐releasing phenotype in OSCC patients.
Expanding the Concept of End‐of‐life Care in Long‐term Care: A Scoping Review Exploring the Role of Healthcare Assistants
Authors: Just Danielle T. , O’Rourke Hannah M. , Berta Whitney B. , Variath Caroline , Cranley Lisa A.
Published: October 2020

Background

The context of care provided in long‐term care homes is changing, as an increasing number of older adults are entering long‐term care with advance stages of illness and higher care needs. Long‐term care homes are quickly becoming the place of death for an increasing number of older adults, despite recent literature identifying inadequate and suboptimal levels of end‐of‐life care. Within long‐term care, healthcare assistants represent 60%‐70% of the unregulated workforce and provide 70%‐90% of the direct care to residents. Research indicates that a high level of uncertainty exists surrounding the role of healthcare assistants in end‐of‐life care, with numerous studies reporting the role of healthcare assistants to be ‘unclear’ with varying levels of responsibilities and autonomy.

Objective

The purpose of this scoping review was to explore healthcare assistants’ experiences and perspectives of their role in end‐of‐life care in long‐term care.

Methods

We applied Arksey and O’Malley's methodological framework, with recommendations from Levac and colleagues’ guiding principles. Electronic databases and the grey literature were searched for relevant articles. Search concepts included end‐of‐life care and healthcare assistants. Articles were included in this review if they explored healthcare assistants’ experiences or perspectives of providing end‐of‐life care in long‐term care. The peaceful end of life theory by Ruland and Moore (1998) was used to organise data extraction and analysis.

Results

A total of n = 15 articles met the inclusion criteria. The most predominant role‐required behaviours reported by healthcare assistants were as follows: psychosocial support to significant others, knows the resident's care wishes and physical care with respect and dignity. The most predominant extra‐role behaviours reported by healthcare assistants were as follows: becoming emotionally involved, acting as extended family and ensuring residents do not die alone.

Conclusions

Findings from this review expanded the concept of end‐of‐life care by illustrating the role‐required and extra‐role behaviours healthcare assistants perform when providing end‐of‐life care in long‐term care.

Implications for practice

Findings from this scoping review highlight the numerous behaviours healthcare assistants perform outside their role description in order to provide end‐of‐life care to dying residents in long‐term care. These findings could inform policymakers and managers of long‐term care homes.
Distinguishing the street‐level policy entrepreneur
Authors: Arnold Gwen
Published: October 2020

Policy entrepreneurs—individuals who champion a policy and engage in intense advocacy to secure it—are most frequently characterized as political elites or individuals well connected to such elites. However, an emerging literature suggests that street‐level bureaucrats who deliver government services to the public can also prosecute policy entrepreneurship. There has been little investigation of how these actors differ from elite‐level policy entrepreneurs who focus on agenda‐setting and initial policy approval. Evidence from six case vignettes from US state wetland policy suggest that street‐level policy entrepreneurs are distinguished by defensive motivation, greater constancy of effort, recruitment of a less politically powerful network of supporters, and challenges associated with cultivating ties to external resource providers and intra‐governmental allies. Street‐level policy entrepreneurship helps explain policy innovation within bureaucracies and by bureaucrats, offering new insight into the motivation and behaviours of ground‐level officials whose day‐to‐day choices shape policy.
Effects of 660 nm and 810 nm Low‐Power Diode Laser on Proliferation and Invasion of Oral Cancer Cells in Cell Culture Media
Authors: Shirazian Shiva , Keykha Elham , Pourshahidi Sara , Ebrahimi Hooman
Published: October 2020

In the present study, the effects of 660 and 810 nm diode laser on the proliferation and invasion of cancer cells were investigated. Sixteen plates of oral cancer cells originated from tongue SCC were irradiated with diode laser at 660 nm (40 and 80 mW) and 810 nm (100 and 200 mW) with the energy density of 4 J cm−2. One plate received no irradiation (the control). Irradiation was performed at four times (0, 24, 72 and 168 h). Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. The Ki67 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) markers were examined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Cyclin D1, E‐cadherin, β‐catenin and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9; flow cytometry) were also evaluated. Proliferation was lower in the irradiated groups. This result was significant for all groups at 24 h. The percentages of cyclin D1 and MMP‐9 were higher in 810 nm groups, β‐catenin and E‐cadherin were higher in 660 nm groups, VEGF marker was significantly lower in 810 nm/200 mW group, and Ki67 marker has no difference between the groups. According to the results of this study, laser irradiation at 0 and 24 h resulted in a significant inhibitory effect on cell proliferation especially in 660 nm/80 mW and 810 nm/200 mW. Further studies are needed in this respect.
Environmental and Organizational Antecedents of Plural Sourcing of Public Services
Authors: Damanpour Fariborz , Sanchez‐Henriquez Fernando , Avellaneda Claudia N.
Published: October 2020

Organizations use multiple governance modes (make,buy,ally) to produce their services. We consider plural sourcing as a portfolio of governance mode choices that a public service organization selects to provide its services,and investigate environmental and organizational factors that stimulate plural sourcing of public services. While studies of governance mode have usually relied on insights from theories of organizational economics (transaction cost,public choice,agency),we rely on insights from theories of organization management (strategic adaptation,structural contingency,organizational capability) to construct a theoretical framework and develop propositions on the determinants of plural sourcing. Theory is tested by a four‐panel dataset we constructed by merging data from three different sources within 1992–2007. The results using multilevel (hierarchical) logit identify conditions under which organizations choose to externalize,internalize,or co‐produce their services. We discuss the implications of our findings for sourcing of organizational activities and suggest ideas for future research.

Evidence for Practice

Plural sourcing is a governance form when an organization combines the three governance choices of make, buy, and ally in producing and delivering its products or services.

Environmental and organizational characteristics variably influence government organizations’ choice of three service delivery modes – internalization, externalization, and cooperation.

Organizations tend to choose a service delivery governance mode that is prevalent among members of their organizational population.

The decision structure of organizations influences governance choice: when top decision‐makers are elected leaders, internalization tends to be preferred; when professional administrators decide, cooperation is favored; and when elected officials and professional administrators decide jointly, cooperation is more likely and internalization is less likely.

Choice of public service provision is driven by both economic factors (community wealth, financial resources, and fiscal pressure) and institutional factors (political leadership, trends in provision mode, and non‐fiscal pressure).
Melatonin supplementation improved cryopreserved Thai swamp buffalo semen
Authors: Inyawilert Wilasinee , Rungruangsak Janyaporn , Liao Yu‐Jing , Tang Pin‐Chi , Paungsukpaibool Vuttikai
Published: October 2020

The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during cryopreservation process impairs the sperm characteristics and fertilizing ability. However, melatonin, an antioxidant, could protect spermatozoa against this cell damage during cryopreservation. Therefore, we attempted to evaluate whether the melatonin supplementing in the semen extender could improve the sperm quality of swamp buffalo during cryopreservation. The semen collected from six swamp buffalo bulls were diluted with tris‐citrate egg yolk extender supplementing with 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 mM of melatonin. The parameters of sperm viability and motility were evaluated using computer‐assisted semen analyser (CASA) after cryopreservation on days 1, 7, 15 and 30. The group supplemented with 1.0 mM melatonin exhibited the higher viability after cryopreservation on days 1, 7, 15 and 30 with 58.346 ± 2.1a, 57.586 ± 2.0a, 55.082 ± 1.8a and 55.714 ± 1.8a, respectively, and showed the best results of motility parameters. However, higher concentration of melatonin at 3.0 mM impaired all the parameters. In conclusion, the addition of melatonin at 1 mM to semen extender could exert the best protection against sperm damage in swamp buffalo bull during cryopreservation.
Population colonization of introduced trochus (Gastropoda) on coral reefs in Samoa
Authors: Purcell Steven W. , Ceccarelli Daniela M.
Published: October 2020

Shellfish have been introduced to countries beyond their native distributions in order to develop new fisheries, but the success of such translocations has been variable. In 2003 and 2006, adult trochus (Rochia nilotica), a herbivorous coral reef gastropod, were translocated from Fiji and Vanuatu to Samoa. This translocation extended their natural range and created a new fishery in Samoa. In 2018, we had the opportunity to assess the population structure of trochus stocks at 28 sites around Samoa's two main islands using underwater visual censuses along transects. This assessment revealed that the distribution of populations showed no correspondence with initial translocation sites. Densities of trochus were spatially variable, and very high (>500 individuals/ha) at some sites. Size‐frequency distributions also varied among sites, yet all populations contained some large individuals. There was no evidence of competitive dominance of trochus over native gastropods or negative impacts to coral communities. This study shows that stocked shellfish such as trochus can develop to exploitable population levels within 15 years. Translocations of marine organisms must be considered with great caution. Our study indicates that livelihood benefits of introducing alien shellfish species are likely to be spatially variable. Translocations of the right species could support food webs and provide further food security and livelihood options to coastal fishing communities.
Periodontal management in a primary polycythemia rubra vera patient: A case report
Authors: Hassan Farah Wahida , Mohd Nurulhuda
Published: October 2020

Background/aim

Polycythemia rubra vera (PRV) is a myeloproliferative disease, which is characterized by the proliferation of all three major hematopoietic groups (erythrocytes, leucocytes and platelets). This hematological condition presented with different clinical manifestations depending on the thrombohemorrhagic status of the patient. It is suggested patient with preexisting PRV may suffer complication during periodontal treatment. Thus, this case would therefore demonstrate periodontal management outcome in PRV patient.

Case presentation

A 60‐year‐old Malay gentleman presented to the Periodontic Clinic, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. He was a known case of primary PRV for the past 5 years. Intraoral examination showed generalized periodontal deep pockets ranging from 5 to 10 mm. He was diagnosed as Stage III Grade C periodontitis. Nonsurgical periodontal therapy was provided, followed by surgical correction of residual periodontal deep pockets on teeth 17, 11, and 23. He was reviewed at 4‐month intervals for supportive periodontal therapy after stabilization of his periodontal condition.

Conclusion

Polycythemia rubra vera (PRV) patients should have preoperative therapeutic control for more than 4 months and have been treated with myelosuppressive agents prior to periodontal surgery. Good oral hygiene and periodical supportive periodontal therapy are the key factors for successful periodontal treatment outcomes in well‐controlled PRV patients.
Badge of Courage or Sign of Criminality? Experimental Evidence for How Voters Respond to Candidates Who Were Arrested at a Protest
Authors: Armendariz Karen O. Caballero , Farrer Ben , Martinez Monica
Published: October 2020

Objective

To test whether political activists who are arrested at a protest will subsequently be more or less able to successfully run for office.

Methods

We use a conjoint survey experiment conducted on Amazon's Mechanical Turk platform. Participants are asked to choose between hypothetical candidates, with a protest arrest randomly added to the description of one candidate. We also vary the group that organized the protest, the demographics of the candidate, how much time has passed since the protest, and the seriousness of the arrest charge.

Results

We find left‐leaning voters can see a protest arrest as an asset, if it occurred at a left‐wing protest. Right‐leaning voters are less tolerant of protest arrests though, especially if the candidate is black or if the protest was recent.

Conclusion

We conclude that activists with electoral ambitions should weigh the risks of arrest carefully, especially if they are black or will need to appeal to right‐leaning electorates.
Legal, Political Science, and Economics Approaches to Measuring Malapportionment: The U.S. House, Senate, and Electoral College 1790–2010
Authors: Cervas Jonathan , Grofman Bernard
Published: October 2020

Objective

We compare and contrast methods for measuring malapportionment from different disciplines: law, political science, and economics.

Methods

With data from the U.S. House, Senate, and Electoral College (EC) over the period 1790–2010, we compare disproportionality measures and compare both across time and between institutions.

Results

We demonstrate that which approach to measurement we take can dramatically affect some of the conclusions we reach. However, we also demonstrate that the House and the EC are hardly malapportioned, regardless of which measure we use, while the level of malapportionment we observe in the Senate can depend on which measure we use.

Conclusion

Since there are many axiomatic properties we might wish to satisfy, no one measure is uniformly best with respect to all feasible desiderata. However, one measure, the minimum population needed to win a majority, offers a readily comparable measure across legislatures and jurisdictions, and is easy for nonspecialists to understand.
Identification of a novel HLA‐B null allele, HLA‐B*27:225N
Authors: Muñoz‐Sánchez Guillermo , Gonzalez‐Navarro Europa A. , Fabregat Virginia , Serra‐Pages Carles
Published: October 2020

Identification of the novel HLA‐B*27 null allele officially designated HLA‐B*27:225N.
What, If Anything, Is Wrong with Offsetting Nature?
Authors: Björnberg Karin Edvardsson
Published: October 2020

Biodiversity offsetting is an increasingly popular policy instrument used to compensate for losses in biodiversity and ecosystem services caused by development projects. Although evidence suggests that offsetting can yield significant environmental benefits, application of the policy instrument is surrounded by controversy. Among other things, critics argue that offsetting builds on normatively contentious assumptions regarding the value of nature and the fungibility of biodiversity components, such as species, habitats, ecosystems, and landscapes. A large portion of the criticism targets the allegedly illegitimate commodification of nature that the policy instrument entails. Exploring the significantly more developed normative discussion on carbon offsetting, this article identifies four arguments that plausibly could be made to support the claim that it is wrong to commodify nature in the way biodiversity offsetting schemes do: the common ownership argument, the price argument, the non‐substitutability argument, and the “crowding out” argument. Although none of the arguments definitively invalidate the use of biodiversity offsets, they provide good reasons to proceed with caution when designing and implementing them.
Impact of COVID‐19 in the attendance of blood donors and production on a Brazilian Blood Centres
Authors: Silva‐Malta Maria Clara Fernandes , Rodrigues Daniela de Oliveira Werneck , Chaves Daniel Gonçalves , Magalhães Nathalia Noyma Sampaio , Ribeiro Maísa Aparecida , Cioffi Junia Guimarães Mourão , Martins Marina Lobato
Published: October 2020

Background

One of the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic is the risk of shortages in Blood Centres.

Objectives

To verify the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the blood donor's attendance and production of blood components in Fundação Hemominas, a Brazilian public institution was formed by several Blood Centres.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was carried out from January to June 2020. Data collected were compared to a historical series from 2016 to 2019.

Results

The study showed a reduction in the attendance of blood donors, whole blood collections and blood component production from March 2020, when the first case of COVID‐19 was notified in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The results evidenced that Hemominas Blood Centres were affected in a very distinct way by the pandemic with a general mean reduction around 17% in attendance of blood donors and in production of blood components in the period of March to June. On the other hand, the return of blood donors rate increased.

Conclusion

The reduction in blood donation during the pandemic period was significant, despite the measures adopted. Still, the recruitment of return donors appears to be an important measure to be considered to decrease the pandemic's effect on blood stocks.
A phased genome based on single sperm sequencing reveals crossover pattern and complex relatedness in tea plants
Authors: Zhang Weiyi , Luo Cheng , Scossa Federico , Zhang Qinghua , Usadel Björn , Fernie Alisdair R. , Mei Hanwei , Wen Weiwei
Published: October 2020

For diploid organisms that are highly heterozygous, a phased haploid genome can greatly aid in functional genomic, population genetic and breeding studies. Based on the genome sequencing of 135 single sperm cells of the elite tea cultivar ‘Fudingdabai’, we herein phased the genome of Camellia sinensis, one of the most popular beverage crops worldwide. High‐resolution genetic and recombination maps of Fudingdabai were constructed, which revealed that crossover (CO) positions were frequently located in the 5′ and 3′ ends of annotated genes, while CO distributions across the genome were random. The low CO frequency in tea can be explained by strong CO interference, and CO simulation revealed the proportion of interference insensitive CO ranged from 5.2% to 11.7%. We furthermore developed a method to infer the relatedness between tea accessions and detected complex kinship and genetic signatures of 106 tea accessions. Among them, 59 accessions were closely related with Fudingdabai and 31 of them were first‐degree relatives. We additionally identified genes displaying allele specific expression patterns between the two haplotypes of Fudingdabai and genes displaying significantly differential expression levels between Fudingdabai and other haplotypes. These results lay the foundation for further investigation of genetic and epigenetic factors underpinning the regulation of gene expression and provide insights into the evolution of tea plants as well as a valuable genetic resource for future breeding efforts.
Vertical specialisation and gains from trade
Authors: Alexander Patrick
Published: October 2020

Multi‐stage production is a significant source of gains from trade in many recent quantitative trade models. Meanwhile, specialisation across stages of production, or ‘vertical specialisation’, has been largely ignored in these models. In this paper, I provide evidence that vertical specialisation is a salient feature in the international trade data, which suggests that standard models are inaccurate. I develop a model with multi‐stage production where country‐level productivity differences provide a basis for vertical specialisation and potentially new gains from trade. I then quantify the gains from vertical specialisation according to the model using data. Despite the evidence of vertical specialisation in the data, I find that the average gains from trade due to this channel are modest at less than 1% of GDP. These results suggest that, if vertical specialisation is an important source of gains from trade, then revealing these gains may require either more complex models, or more granular data, than are typically used in workhorse quantitative trade models.
Anaphylaxis‐related hemoperitoneum in 11 dogs
Authors: Hnatusko Aubrey L. , Gicking John C. , Lisciandro Gregory R.
Published: October 2020

Objective

To describe the unique complication of hemoperitoneum associated with anaphylaxis.

Design

Retrospective case series from September 2012 to August 2017.

Setting

Two private emergency and specialty referral hospitals.

Animals

Eleven client‐owned dogs diagnosed with anaphylaxis and hemoperitoneum upon presentation or
referral.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and Main Results

Inclusion criteria included clinical signs consistent with anaphylaxis (hypotension, tachycardia, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, collapse, with or without the presence of dermal signs) due to witnessed or unwitnessed presumed bee sting, an elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT), performance of abdominal FAST (AFAST) examination with an abdominal fluid score, the sonographic presence of gallbladder wall edema, and hemoperitoneum.

All dogs (n=11) were managed medically without surgical intervention. 91% (n=10) of dogs survived to discharge.

Conclusions

Hemoperitoneum development can be seen with anaphylactic reactions, though the exact mechanism remains to be fully understood. Medical therapy is warranted and can be successful in these patients; surgery is not indicated to address hemoperitoneum.
An Experimental Study on Thermal Runaway Behavior for High-Capacity Li(Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1)O2 Pouch Cells at Different State of Charges
Authors: Li Cheng , Wang Hewu , Han Xuebing , Wang Yan , Wang Yu , Zhang Yajun , Feng Xuning , Ouyang Minggao
Published: October 2020

Lithium-ion cells normally operate during 0% and 100% state of charge (SOC), therefore thermal runaway can occur at any SOC. In this paper, the 74 Ah lithium-ion pouch cells with the Li(Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1)O2 cathode were thermally abused by lateral heating in a semi-open chamber. The differences of thermal runaway behavior were investigated under six SOCs. Characteristic parameters such as triggering time and triggering temperature for thermal runaway show a negative correlation with SOCs, while maximum surface temperature and maximum surface temperature rise rate show a strongly positive correlation. Besides, mass loss ratio increases exponentially with equivalent specific capacity statistically, which implies that the pouch cells with high specific energy density and high capacity may eject more violently. Furthermore, the impact on the surroundings caused by high-temperature ejections was studied, and maximum ambient temperature and maximum ambient pressure in the chamber reached a plateau at middle SOCs. Based on the thermal impact on the surroundings, a theoretical method is proposed to evaluate the deterioration of heat dissipation by venting, and simplified to quantitatively calculate the deterioration under above SOCs. The results can provide guidance for battery safety management strategies and structure design of the battery pack.