bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant carbohydrate depletion impairs water relations and spreads via ectomycorrhizal networks
Authors: Sapes Gerard , Demaree Patrick , Lekberg Ylva , Sala Anna
Published: August 2020

Carbon and water relations are fundamental to plant life and strongly interact. Under drought, the ability of plants to assimilate carbon is reduced, which increases their consumption of stored labile carbon in the form of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC). Stored NSC depletion may impair plant water relations, but mechanisms are not clear, and we do not know if its effects are independent of water deficit. If so, carbon costs of fungal symbionts could also indirectly influence plant drought tolerance through stored NSC depletion. We connected well-wateredPinus ponderosaseedling pairs via ectomycorrhizal (EM) networks where one seedling was shaded and the other experienced full light and compared responses to seedling pairs in the light. We measured plant water relations and traced carbon movements using13CO2to explore the mechanisms linking stored NSC to water relations, and to identify potential tradeoffs between the ability to endure low water potentials and maintaining EM fungi under carbon-limiting conditions. Even in the absence of drought, mild NSC depletion impaired osmoregulation capacity and turgor maintenance, a critical strategy to tolerate drought. This demonstrates that NSC storage influences plant water relations independently of plant water status. We also found that EM networks propagated NSC depletion and its negative effects on water relations from carbon stressed hosts to non-stressed hosts. These results highlight carbon allocation tradeoffs between supporting fungal symbionts and retaining water via stored NSC and have implications for biotic interactions and forest drought responses.

Significance Statement

The potential effects of future drought on global carbon cycles, vegetation-climate feedbacks, species distributions and their ecological impacts, urgently call for a clear understanding of factors influencing vegetation tolerance to drought. Key to this is the understanding of mechanisms and processes by which plants tolerate drought and how prevalent plant-fungal interactions may influence these processes.

We demonstrate that even mild depletion of plant non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) storage readily decreases plant water retention capacity, therefore decreasing tolerance to drought. Because plant-fungal interactions depend on NSC exchange, plants face carbon-allocation tradeoffs between maintaining drought tolerance and feeding fungal symbionts. The impacts of these tradeoffs extend across plants connected via ectomycorrhizal networks as fungi propagate NSC depletion from NSC-limited plants to non-stressed individuals.
In-vivomonitoring and quantification of breast cancer growth dynamics with non-invasive intravital mesoscopic fluorescence molecular tomography
Authors: Ozturk Mehmet S. , Montero Marta G. , Wang Ling , Chaible Lucas M. , Jechlinger Martin , Prevedel Robert
Published: August 2020

Preclinical breast tumor models are an invaluable tool to systematically study tumor progression and treatment response, yet methods to non-invasively monitor the involved molecular and mechanistic properties under physiologically relevant conditions are limited. Here we present an intravital mesoscopic fluorescence molecular tomography (henceforth IFT) approach that is capable of tracking fluorescently labeled tumor cells in a quantitative manner inside the mammary gland of living mice. Our mesoscopic approach is entirely non-invasive and thus permits prolonged observational periods of several months. The relatively high sensitivity and spatial resolution further enable inferring the overall number of oncogene-expressing tumor cells as well as their tumor volume over the entire cycle from early tumor growth to residual disease following the treatment phase. We find that sheer tumor volume, as commonly assessed by other imaging modalities, is not well correlated to tumor cell quantity, hence our IFT approach is a promising new method for studying tumor growth dynamics in a quantitative and longitudinal fashionin-vivo.
EEG signals index a global signature of arousal embedded in neuronal population recordings
Authors: Johnston Richard , Snyder Adam C. , Schibler Rachel S. , Smith Matthew A.
Published: August 2020

Electroencephalography (EEG) has long been used to index brain states, from early studies describing activity during visual stimulation to modern work employing complex perceptual tasks. These studies shed light on brain-wide signals but lacked explanatory power at the single neuron level. Similarly, single neuron studies can suffer from inability to measure brain-wide signals. Here, we combined these techniques while monkeys performed a change detection task and discovered a link between EEG and a signal embedded in spiking responses. This ‘slow drift’ was associated with arousal: decreases in pre-stimulus α power/increases in P1 amplitude were accompanied by :1) increases in pupil size, false alarm rate and saccade velocity; and 2) decreases in microsaccade rate and reaction time. These results show that brain-wide EEG signals can be used to index modes of activity acquired from direct neural recordings, that in turn reflect global changes in brain state that influence perception and behavior.
Intestinal infection results in impaired lung innate immunity to secondary respiratory infection
Authors: Trivedi Shubhanshi , Grossmann Allie H. , Jensen Owen , Cody Mark J. , Wahlig Taylor A. , Serpa Paula Hayakawa , Langelier Charles , Warren Kristi J. , Yost Christian C. , Leung Daniel T.
Published: August 2020

Background

Pneumonia and diarrhea are among the leading causes of death worldwide, and epidemiological studies have demonstrated that diarrhea is associated with an increased risk of subsequent pneumonia. Our aim was to determine the impact of intestinal infection on innate immune responses in the lung.

Methods

Using a mouse model of intestinal infection bySalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium (ST)), we investigated how infection in the gut compartment can modulate immunity in the lungs and impact susceptibility to bacterial (Klebsiella pneumoniae(KP)) challenge.

Results

We found alterations in frequencies of innate immune cells in lungs of intestinally-infected mice compared to uninfected mice. On subsequent challenge withK. pneumoniaewe found that mice with prior intestinal infection have higher lung bacterial burden and inflammation, increased neutrophil margination, and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), but lower overall numbers of neutrophils, compared to mice without prior intestinal infection. Total numbers of dendritic cells, innate-like T cells, and natural killer cells were not different between mice with and without prior intestinal infection.

Conclusions

Together, these results suggest that intestinal infection impacts lung innate immune responses, most notably neutrophil characteristics, potentially resulting in increased susceptibility to secondary pneumonia.

Article summary

We show, in a mouse model, that prior intestinal infection withSalmonella Typhimuriumleads to increased susceptibility to respiratoryKlebsiella pneumoniae infection, which is associated with altered neutrophil responses.
Cytidine monophosphate N-acetylneuraminic acid synthetase and solute carrier family 35 member A1 are required for reovirus binding and infection
Authors: Urbanek Kelly , Sutherland Danica M. , Orchard Robert C. , Wilen Craig B. , Knowlton Jonathan J. , Aravamudhan Pavithra , Taylor Gwen M. , Virgin Herbert W. , Dermody Terence S.
Published: August 2020

Engagement of cell-surface receptors by viruses is a critical determinant of viral tropism and disease. The reovirus attachment protein, σ1, binds sialylated glycans and proteinaceous receptors to mediate infection, but the specific requirements on different cell types are unknown. To identify host factors required for reovirus-induced cell death, we conducted a CRISPR-knockout screen targeting over 20,000 genes in murine microglial BV2 cells. Candidate genes identified as required for reovirus to cause cell death were highly enriched for sialic acid synthesis and transport. Two of the top candidates identified, cytidine monophosphate N-acetylneuraminic acid synthetase (Cmas) and solute carrier family 35 member A1 (Slc35a1), promote sialic acid expression on the cell surface. Two reovirus strains differing in the capacity to bind sialic acid, T3SA+ and T3SA-, were used to evaluateCmasandSlc35a1as potential host genes required for infection. Following CRISPR-Cas9 disruption of either gene, cell-surface expression of sialic acid was diminished. These results correlated with decreased binding of strain T3SA+, which is capable of engaging sialic acid. Disruption of either gene did not alter the low-level binding of T3SA-, which does not engage sialic acid. Infectivity of T3SA+ was diminished to levels of T3SA-in cells lackingCmasandSlc35a1by CRISPR ablation. However, exogenous expression ofCmasandSlc35a1into the respective null cells restored sialic acid expression and T3SA+ binding and infectivity. These results demonstrate thatCmasandSlc35a1, which mediate cell-surface expression of sialic acid, are required in murine microglial cells for efficient reovirus binding and infection.

IMPORTANCE

Attachment factors and receptors are important determinants of dissemination and tropism during reovirus-induced disease. In a CRISPR cell-survival screen, we discovered two genes,CmasandSlc35a1, which encode proteins required for sialic acid expression on the cell surface, that mediate reovirus infection of microglial cells. This work elucidates host genes that render microglial cells susceptible to reovirus infection and expands current understanding of the receptors on microglial cells that are engaged by reovirus. Such knowledge may lead to new strategies to selectively target microglial cells for oncolytic applications.
Illumina iSeq 100 and MiSeq exhibit similar performance in freshwater fish environmental DNA metabarcoding
Authors: Nakao Ryohei , Inui Ryutei , Akamatsu Yoshihisa , Goto Masuji , Doi Hideyuki , Matsuoka Shunsuke
Published: August 2020

Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is a method of detecting DNA from environmental samples and is used as a biomonitoring tool. In recent studies, Illumina MiSeq has been the most extensively used tool for eDNA metabarcoding. The Illumina iSeq 100 (hereafter, iSeq), one of the high-throughput sequencers (HTS), has a relatively simple workflow and is potentially more affordable than other HTS. However, its utility in eDNA metabarcoding has still not been investigated. In the present study, we applied fish eDNA metabarcoding to 40 water samples from river and lake ecosystems to assess the difference in species detectability and composition between iSeq and MiSeq. To check differences in sequence quality and errors, we also assessed differences in read changes between the two HTS. There were similar sequence qualities between iSeq and MiSeq. Significant difference was observed in the number of species between two HTS, but no difference was observed in species composition between the two HTS. Additionally, the species compositions in common with the conventional method were the same between the two HTS. According to the results, using the same amplicon library for sequencing, two HTS would exhibit a similar performance of fish species detection using eDNA metabarcoding.
KRASG12D mutant cells are outcompeted by wild type neighbours in adult pancreas in an EPHA2-dependent manner
Authors: Hill William , Zaragkoulias Andreas , Salvador Beatriz , Parfitt Geraint , Alatsatianos Markella , Padilha Ana , Porazinski Sean , Woolley Thomas E. , Morton Jennifer P. , Sansom Owen J. , Hogan Catherine
Published: August 2020

As we age, our tissues are repeatedly challenged by mutational insult, yet cancer occurrence is a relatively rare event. Cells carrying cancer-causing genetic mutations compete with normal neighbours for space and survival in tissues. However, the mechanisms underlying mutant-normal competition in adult tissues and the relevance of this process to cancer remain incompletely understood. Here, we investigate how the adult pancreas maintains tissue healthin vivofollowing sporadic expression of oncogenicKras(KrasG12D), the key driver mutation in human pancreatic cancer. We find that when present in tissues in low numbers, KrasG12D mutant cells are outcompeted and cleared from exocrine and endocrine compartmentsin vivo. Using quantitative 3D tissue imaging, we show that prior to being cleared, KrasG12D cells lose cell volume, segregate from normal cells and decrease E-cadherin-based cell-cell adhesions with normal neighbours. We identify EphA2 receptor is an essential signal in the clearance of KrasG12D cells from exocrine and endocrine tissuesin vivo. In the absence of functional EphA2, KrasG12D cells no longer segregate, E-cadherin-based cell-cell adhesions increase and KrasG12D cells are retained in tissues. Retention of KRasG12D cells leads to an increased burden of premalignant pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanINs) in tissues. Our data show that adult pancreas tissues remodel to clear KrasG12D cells and maintain tissue health. This study provides evidence to support a conserved functional role of EphA2 in Ras-driven cell competition in epithelial tissues and suggests that EphA2 is a novel tumour suppressor in pancreatic cancer.
A Failure Mode and Effect Analysis of plant metabolism reveals why cytosolic fumarase is required for temperature acclimation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Herrmann Helena A. , Calzadilla Pablo I. , Schwartz Jean-Marc , Johnson Giles N.
Published: August 2020

Plants acclimate their photosynthetic capacity in response to changing environmental conditions. InArabidopsis thaliana, photosynthetic acclimation to cold requires the accumulation of the organic acid fumarate, catalysed by a cytosolic fumarase FUM2, however the role of this is currently unclear.

In this study, we use an integrated experimental and modelling approach to examine the role of FUM2 and fumarate across the physiological temperature range. Using physiological and biochemical analyses, we demonstrate that FUM2 is necessary for high as well as low temperature acclimation.

To understand the role of FUM2 activity, we have adapted a reliability engineering technique, Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA), to formalize a rigorous approach for ranking metabolites according to the potential risk that they pose to the metabolic system. FMEA identifies fumarate as a low-risk metabolite. Its precursor, malate, is shown to be high-risk and liable to cause system instability. We conclude that the role of cytosolic fumarase, FUM2, is to provide a fail-safe, maintaining system stability under changing environmental conditions.

We argue that FMEA is a technique which is not only useful in understanding plant metabolism, it can also be used to study reliability in other systems and aid the design of synthetic pathways.
Using a simple cellular assay to map NES motifs in cancer-related proteins, gain insight into CRM1-mediated NES export, and search for NES-harbouring micropeptides
Authors: Sendino Maria , Omaetxebarria Miren Josu , Prieto Gorka , Rodriguez Jose Antonio
Published: August 2020

The nuclear export receptor CRM1 (XPO1) recognizes and binds specific sequence motifs termed nuclear export signals (NESs) in cargo proteins. About 200 NES motifs have been identified, but over a thousand human proteins are potential CRM1 cargos, and most of their NESs remain to be identified. On the other hand, the interaction of NES peptides with the “NES-binding groove” of CRM1 has been studied in detail using structural and biochemical analyses, but a better understanding of CRM1 function requires further investigation of how the results from these in vitro studies translate into actual NES export in a cellular context. Here we show that a simple cellular assay, based on a recently described reporter (SRVB/A), can be applied to identify novel potential NESs motifs, and to obtain relevant information on different aspects of CRM1-mediated NES export. Using cellular assays, we first map 19 new sequence motifs with nuclear export activity in 14 cancer-related proteins that are potential CRM1 cargos. Next, we investigate the effect of mutations in individual NES-binding groove residues, providing further insight into CRM1-mediated NES export. Finally, we extend the search for CRM1-dependent NESs to a recently uncovered, but potentially vast, set of small proteins called micropeptides. By doing so, we report the first NES-harbouring human micropeptides.
A valid protective immune response elicited in rhesus macaques by an inactivated vaccine is capable of defending against SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Chen Hongbo , Xie Zhongping , Long Runxiang , Fan Shengtao , Li Heng , He Zhanlong , Xu Kanwei , Liao Yun , Wang Lichun , Zhang Ying , Li Xueqi , Dong Xingqi , Mou Tangwei , Zhou Xiaofang , Yang Yaoyun , Guo Lei , Yang Jianbo , Zheng Huiwen , Xu Xingli , Li Jing , Liang Yan , Li Dandan , Zhao Zhimei , Hong Chao , Zhao Heng , Jiang Guorun , Che Yanchun , Yang Fengmei , Hu Yunguang , Wang Xi , Pu Jing , Ma Kaili , Wang Lin , Chen Chen , Duan Weiguo , Shen Dong , Zhao Hongling , Jiang Ruiju , Deng Xinqiang , Li Yan , Zhu Hailian , Zhou Jian , Yu Li , Xu Mingjue , Yang Huijuan , Yi Li , Zhou Zhenxin , Yang Jiafang , Duan Nan , Yang Huan , Zhao Wangli , Yang Wei , Li Changgui , Liu Longding , Li Qihan
Published: August 2020

With the relatively serious global epidemic outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection, public concerns focus on not only clinical therapeutic measures and public quarantine for this disease but also the development of vaccines. The technical design of our SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccine provides a viral antigen that enables the exposure of more than one structural protein based upon the antibody composition of COVID-19 patients’ convalescent serum. This design led to valid immunity with increasing neutralizing antibody titers and a CTL response detected post-immunization of this vaccine by two injections in rhesus macaques. Further, this elicited immunoprotection in macaques enables not only to restrain completely viral replication in tissues of immunized animals, compared to the adjuvant control and those immunized by an RBD peptide vaccine, but also to significantly alleviate inflammatory lesion in lung tissues in histo-pathologic detection, compared to the adjuvant control with developed interstitial pneumonia. The data obtained from these macaques immunized with the inactivated vaccine or RBD peptide vaccine suggest that immunity with a clinically protective effect against SARS-CoV-2 infection should include not only specific neutralizing antibodies but also specific CTL responses against at least the S and N antigens.
Trypanosoma cruziamastigotes have a reduced replication rate during chronic stage infections
Authors: Ward Alexander I. , Olmo Francisco , Atherton Richard , Taylor Martin C. , Kelly John M.
Published: August 2020

ChronicTrypanosoma cruziinfections are typically life-long, with small numbers of parasites surviving in restricted tissue sites, which include the gastro-intestinal tract. There is considerable debate about the replicative status of these persistent parasites. Here, we investigatedT. cruziproliferation in the colon of chronically infected mice using 5-ethynyl-2’deoxyuridine incorporation into DNA to provide “snapshots” of parasite replication. Highly sensitive imaging of infection foci at single cell resolution revealed that parasites are three times more likely to be in S-phase during the acute stage than during the chronic stage. By implication, chronic infections are associated with a reduced rate of parasite replication. Despite this, very few host cells survive infection for >14 days, suggesting thatT. cruzipersistence continues to involve regular cycles of replication, host cell lysis and re-infection. Therefore, long-term persistence in the colon is more likely to be associated with reduced proliferation than with dormancy.
Machine Learning-Based Protein Microarray Digital Assay Analysis
Authors: Song Yujing , Zhao Jingyang , Cai Tao , Su Shiuan-Haur , Sandford Erin , Flora Christopher , Singer Benjamin H. , Ghosh Monalisa , Choi Sung Won , Tewari Muneesh , Kurabayashi Katsuo
Published: August 2020

Serial measurement of a large panel of protein biomarkers near the bedside could provide a promising pathway to transform the critical care of acutely ill patients. However, attaining the combination of high sensitivity and multiplexity with a short assay turnaround poses a formidable technological challenge. Here, we developed a rapid, accurate, and highly multiplexed microfluidic digital immunoassay by incorporating machine learning-based autonomous image analysis. The assay achieved 14-plexed biomarker detection at concentrations < 10pg/mL with a sample volume < 10 μL, including all processes from sampling to analyzed data delivery within 30 min, while only requiring a 5-min assay incubation. The assay procedure applied both a spatial-spectral microfluidic encoding scheme and an image data analysis algorithm based on machine learning with a convolutional neural network (CNN) for pre-equilibrated single-molecule protein digital counting. This unique approach remarkably reduced errors facing the high-capacity multiplexing of digital immunoassay at low protein concentrations. Longitudinal data obtained for a panel of 14 serum cytokines in human patients receiving chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cell therapy manifested the powerful biomarker profiling capability and great potential of the assay for its translation to near-real-time bedside immune status monitoring.
Structural analysis of interpenetrated methyl-modified MOF-5 and its gas-adsorption properties
Authors: Sugamata Koh , Yanagisawa Daichi , Awano Keiko , Iihama Teruyuki , Minoura Mao
Published: August 2020

The first example of an interpenetrated methyl-modified MOF-5 with the formula Zn4O(DMBDC)3(DMF)2, where DMBDC2− is 2,5-dimethylbenzene-1,4-dicarboxylate and DMF is N,N-dimethylformamide (henceforth denoted as Me2MOF-5-int), namely, poly[tris(μ4-2,5-dimethylbenzene-1,4-dicarboxylato)bis(N,N-dimethylformamide)-μ4-oxido-tetrazinc(II)], [Zn4(C10H8O4)3O(C3H7NO)2]
n
, has been obtained from a solvothermal synthesis of 2,5-dimethylbenzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid and Zn(NO3)2·6H2O in DMF. A systematic study revealed that the choice of solvent is of critical importance for the synthesis of phase-pure Me2MOF-5-int, which was thoroughly characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), as well as by gas-adsorption analyses. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area of Me2MOF-5-int (660 m2 g−1), determined by N2 adsorption, is much lower than that of nonpenetrated Me2MOF-5 (2420 m2 g−1). However, Me2MOF-5-int displays an H2 uptake capacity of 1.26 wt% at 77 K and 1.0 bar, which is comparable to that of non-interpenetrated Me2MOF-5 (1.51 wt%).
The crystal structure of KScP2O7
Authors: Redhammer Günther J. , Tippelt Gerold
Published: August 2020

Single crystals of KScP2O7, potassium scandium diphosphate, were grown in a borate flux. The title compound crystallizes isotypically with KAlP2O7 in space-group type P21/c, Z = 4. The main building block is an {ScP2O11}9– unit, forming layers parallel to (001). These layers are stacked along [001] via common corners of octahedral and tetrahedral units to span up large heptagonal cavities that host the potassium cations with a coordination number of 10. The P—O—P bridging angle increases with increasing size of the octahedrally coordinated M
III cation, as do the K—O distances within a series of KM
IIIP2O7 compounds (M
III = Al to Y with ionic radii r = 0.538 to 0.90 Å).
Exploring lesson study in postsecondary education through self-study
Authors: Moghaddam Alireza , Arnold Christine , Azam Saiqa , Goodnough Karen , Maich Kimberly , Penney Sharon , Young Gabrielle
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this collaborative self-study inquiry was to enhance the professional practice of faculty members through the adoption of lesson study. A seven-member faculty of education self-study group engaged in lesson study in a computer and learning resources for primary/elementary teachers’ course with teacher candidates.

Design/methodology/approach

This study focused on providing teacher candidates with increased opportunities for action and expression during in-class instruction. This collaborative lesson study inquiry (Fernandezet al., 2003; Fernandez and Yoshida, 2004; Murata, 2011) involved the four-step process of planning, doing, checking and acting (PDCA) (Cheng, 2019). Several data collection methods were adopted and data sources analyzed.

Findings

Challenges the group encountered during the study included ascertaining the goals of lesson study and offering critical feedback to each other. While this made decision-making more intricate and intentional, there was exceptional value in participating in the lesson study process. The results revealed three overarching themes: 1) challenges in classroom observations; 2) hesitation in providing supportive feedback to colleagues and 3) deliberations regarding what constitutes expertise within subject-specific preservice teacher education.

Originality/value

While lesson study has been adopted fairly extensively in K-12 settings, its adoption in postsecondary education is limited (Chenault, 2017). Considering the merits of lesson study for K-12 practitioners, this research investigated the similar advantages that lesson study might have for postsecondary education faculty, students and programs.
Determinants of Islamic social reporting in Islamic banks of Pakistan
Authors: Hussain Arif , Khan Muhammad , Rehman Alam , Sahib Zada Shehnaz , Malik Shumaila , Khattak Asiya , Khan Hassan
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study aims to spotlight and explore various determinants of Islamic social reporting (ISR) in Islamic banks of Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have used firm size, firm profitability, firm age, board size and board independence as determinants of ISR. The authors collected data from Islamic banks listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange for the period 2012–2019. Multiple estimation techniques, i.e. fixed effect model, random effect model and one-step difference generalized method of moment (GMM), have been applied.

Findings

Random effect model was found to be more robust as compared to fixed effect model and one-step difference GMM. The results reported by the random effect model, preferred among the three, show that firm size, firm profitability, firm age and board size are important determinants of ISR in Islamic banks of Pakistan, while board independence does not determine social reporting for Islamic banks in Pakistan. Although social reporting in annual reports of Islamic banks in Pakistan is increasing, further improvement and compliance is required to ensure accountability and transparency in financial reporting as recommended by Islamic teachings. The study has certain managerial implications, especially for top management of Islamic banks.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to discuss determinants of ISR in Islamic banks of Pakistan. The developed framework herein provides a precise guideline for Islamic banking to enhance their performance, which has never been discussed before.
In defence of digital contact-tracing: human rights, South Korea and Covid-19
Authors: Ryan Mark
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The media has even been very critical of some East Asian countries’ use of digital contact-tracing to control Covid-19. For example, South Korea has been criticised for its use of privacy-infringing digital contact-tracing. However, whether their type of digital contact-tracing was unnecessarily harmful to the human rights of Korean citizens is open for debate. The purpose of this paper is to examine this criticism to see if Korea’s digital contact-tracing is ethically justifiable.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper will evaluate Korea’s digital contact-tracing through the lens of the four human rights principles to determine if their response is ethically justifiable. These four principles were originally outlined in the European Court of Human Rights, namely, necessary, proportional, scientifically valid and time-bounded (European Court of Human Rights 1950).

Findings

The paper will propose that while the use of Korea’s digital contact-tracing was scientifically valid and proportionate (albeit, in need for improvements), it meets the necessity requirement, but is too vague to meet the time-boundedness requirement.

Originality/value

The Covid-19 pandemic has proven to be one of the worst threats to human health and the global economy in the past century. There have been many different strategies to tackle the pandemic, from somewhat laissez-faire approaches, herd immunity, to strict draconian measures. Analysis of the approaches taken in the response to the pandemic is of high scientific value and this paper is one of the first to critically engage with one of these methods – digital contact-tracing in South Korea.
Integrating sustainability in higher education: a Swedish case
Authors: Argento Daniela , Einarson Daniel , Mårtensson Lennart , Persson Christel , Wendin Karin , Westergren Albert
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to unveil how sustainability is integrated into the courses/programmes of higher education institutions. The research question addressed is: how do academics representing different disciplines cooperate and engage in the work of integrating sustainability into their teaching programmes.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws upon the notions of practise variation and institutional work from institutional theory and empirically focusses on the case of Kristianstad University (Sweden). This case is based on an autoethnographic approach and illustrates the experiences shared by six colleagues, representing different disciplines, engaged in implementing sustainability in their courses/programmes.

Findings

The findings highlight how academics representing different disciplines, with specific traditions and characteristics, face the sustainability challenge. Despite being bound by similar sustainable development goals, differences across disciplines need to be acknowledged and used as an asset if trans-disciplinarity is the ultimate goal.

Research limitations/implications

Although the intrinsic motivation of individuals to work with sustainability might be a strong driver, the implementation of sustainability within courses/programmes and across disciplines requires joint efforts and collective institutional work.

Practical implications

By highlighting how academics engage in the work of integrating sustainability, this study emphasizes that managers of higher education institutions need to account for the time and additional resources needed to ensure that academics effectively cope with sustainability. Intrinsic motivation may not last if organizational structures and leadership are not supportive on a practical level and in the long run.

Social implications

With the successful implementation of a holistic approach to sustainability, students will have better insights and understanding of both themselves and the surrounding society, laying the ground for an inclusive future society.

Originality/value

This paper emphasizes the gradual approach to be followed when sustainability becomes part of an organization-wide discourse. Dialogues within and across disciplines are needed to overcome silo thinking and stimulate cooperation within a trans-disciplinary approach.
Corporate citizenship, stakeholder management and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in financial institutions and capital markets
Authors: Rendtorff Jacob Dahl
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The aim of this theoretical and conceptual research paper is to give a definition of the concept of corporate citizenship, which together with business ethics and stakeholder management function as foundation of a vision of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for financial institutions and capital markets.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a conceptual methodology which analyzes the main aspects of corporate citizenship with regard stakeholder management and the UN SDGs. In particular there is focus on stakeholder justice, integrity and fairness with regard to stakeholder responsibility at capital markets.

Findings

This paper suggests that concepts of corporate citizenship, business ethics, stakeholder justice, integrity and fairness, as well as stakeholder responsibility must be conceived as the basis for an acceptable vision of sustainable development at capital markets.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is a theoretical paper so the paper is limited to the presentation of major concepts from the point of view of business ethics, stakeholder management and SDGs. This is a framework that needs to be developed in specific research and investment practice at capital markets.

Practical implications

This paper provides the basis for developing a good vision of SDGs in financial institutions and capital markets and it demonstrates that the SDGs must be developed as the foundation of ethics of investments and capital markets.

Social implications

With suggestions of visions of corporate citizenship, business ethics and stakeholder management this paper situates the firm in a social context as a social actor in the context of sustainable development. The business firm is therefore integrated in society and there is a close connection between business and society which needs to be developed in codes and values of ethics of financial institutions capital markets.

Originality/value

The originality and value of this paper is a conceptual formulation of the relation between the concepts of corporate citizenship, business ethics, stakeholder management and SDGs in financial markets. With this the paper refers to earlier research and summarizes concepts from this in a short synthesis.
No textbook cost general education pathway: an effort to increase retention at Central Washington University
Authors: Valentino Maura , Hopkins Geri
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study aims to describe a project that aims to give students a choice to complete their general education requirements without purchasing a textbook.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 26 faculty, teaching in the new general education curriculum, at Central Washington University were given stipends to eliminate expensive textbooks and use free to the student resources such as open educational resources (OER) or library resources. The data was collected on student savings and student and faculty satisfaction with the program.

Findings

Many paths were created through the general education curriculum, so a student may easily finish these requirements without purchasing a textbook. The data from this case study coincide with the literature on the subject. Faculty found it fairly easy to replace their required textbooks with pedagogically sound, free resources. Students were relieved to have some financial relief and found the resources to be good. The student’s biggest complaint was that faculty often use very small portions of expensive required textbooks.

Research limitations/implications

This is a case study and the results are limited as such. This is one university and one general education curriculum. Also, if an academic library wants to replicate this case study, some funding is required.

Practical implications

Students struggle financially and alleviating the costs of textbooks is one-way librarians can ease that burden.

Social implications

Students struggle financially and alleviating the costs of textbooks is one-way librarians can ease that burden.

Originality/value

There have been some case studies written about OER, where 8 or 10 courses are replaced. There are studies written about zero-textbook-cost degrees at community colleges, but this case study explores a textbook-cost-free general education program at a state university.
LncRNA GAS5 activates the AMPK pathway in peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Cao Jijun , Lv Xinlu , Zhang Yuemei , Xu Aiping , Jiang Tingwang
Published: August 2020

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease, which seriously affects human joints. This study aimed to detect the changes in the expression of long non‐coding RNA growth arrest‐specific transcript 5 (GAS5) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from patients with RA and healthy controls (HC), as well as analyze the correlation between GAS5 and clinical indicators of RA. Also, the role and mechanism of GAS5 in regulating the AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway in RA was further assessed.

Methods

The PBMCs were isolated from the RA patients. Next, GAS5 expression was detected in RA PBMCs by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and its diagnostic value on RA was determined by receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC). The levels of interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐17 were detected via enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of total and phosphorylated AMPK as well as p38MAPK were determined with Western blot.

Results

GAS5 was down‐regulated in RA PBMCs, and consequently serves as a potential diagnostic marker for RA (sensitivity, 90%; specificity, 80%; area under the curve, 0.89). Further, GAS5 negatively regulated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C‐reactive protein, Disease Activity Score of 28 joints and antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptide, as well as the IL‐6 and IL‐17 levels of RA PBMCs. Similarly, GAS5 was observed to activate the AMPK pathway.

Conclusion

GAS5 activated the AMPK pathway, while it negatively regulated the expression of cytokines IL‐6 and IL‐17.
The impact of home storage conditions on the accumulation of acrylamide precursors in potato tubers
Authors: Ducreux Laurence J. M. , Pont Simon D. A. , Verrall Susan R. , McManus William , Hancock Robert D. , Taylor Mark A.
Published: August 2020

The aim of this work was to investigate the impact of domestic storage conditions on total reducing sugars and free asparagine in fresh potatoes to understand the implications for acrylamide‐forming potential. Current advice to consumers is that potatoes should be stored in a dark cool place, but not in the refrigerator based on an expectation that home storage in the refrigerator will result in “cold sweetening” and increased acrylamide‐forming potential. Potato tubers of two common varieties (King Edward and Nectar) were obtained from four independent sources and were sampled from commercial store conditions on three occasions between November 2018 and May 2019. Tuber reducing sugar contents were assessed under conditions that mimicked home storage, at either 18 or 5°C during a 15‐day treatment period. There was a similar pattern of reducing sugar content in tubers from all four sources. For tubers stored at 5°C, reducing sugar levels showed little or no variation over the 15‐day time‐course. Differences in reducing sugar contents between varieties and between the source of tubers of the same variety were far higher than those observed dependent on cold storage. For tubers stored at 18°C, total reducing sugar levels remained the same or decreased over 15 days of storage. Decreases in sugar content were not consistent between samples, varying by sampling point, source and cultivar. Tuber asparagine content was independent of storage temperature with no significant differences in asparagine observed between tuber samples stored at 5 or 18°C for 15 days. In some tuber samples, storage at 5°C significantly retarded sprouting compared with samples stored at 18°C, indicating the potential for refrigerator storage to extend shelf life and reduce waste. The premise that home storing potato tubers at 5°C postpurchase increases levels of reducing sugars and therefore acrylamide‐forming potential is not supported by these data. Much larger sources of variation were from other factors.
Effects of experimental nitrogen enrichment on soil properties and litter decomposition in a Neotropical savanna
Authors: Silva Laura Vivian Barbosa , Vasconcelos Heraldo L. , Mack Michelle C. , Ferreira Adão de Siqueira , Bruna Emilio M.
Published: August 2020

The amount of reactive nitrogen has more than doubled in terrestrial ecosystems due to human activities such fertiliser application that is predicted to increase dramatically in coming decades. We conducted a 3‐year experiment in a Neotropical savanna in which we determined the effects of increased N deposition on litter decomposition in plots subjected to different levels of N addition (50 kg N ha−1 year−2, 20 kg N ha−1 year−2, or no N addition). For this, we compared the litter decomposition from the bunchgrass Tristachya leiostachya using litter collected from plots with different N addition treatments. Five randomly selected bags of litter from each N addition treatment (origin) were distributed to each plot (destination). We also compared litter nitrogen (N) concentration and indicators of microbial activity (basal respiration, carbon of microbial biomass, metabolic quotient, enzyme activity) in all plots. We found that nitrogen addition influences litter decay, but in idiosyncratic ways that differ between years. In year 1, litter decomposed faster in high‐N addition plots than in low‐N and control plots, regardless of its origin. In contrast, litter from high‐N addition plots decomposing fastest in year 2, regardless of its destination. Finally, there was no effect of either litter origin or destination on the rate of decomposition in year 3. Litter collected in high‐N addition plots had a concentration of N 12–17% higher than litter collected in other plots and higher in 2009 than in other years. Four years after the beginning of the fertilisation experiment, concentration and the microbial activity in the soil did not differ between the treatments. Our findings suggest that the levels of N addition predicted for Neotropical savannas can alter litter N concentrations and the process of litter decomposition, but that the direction and magnitude of these changes may be challenging to predict since that precipitation can influence the mechanisms regulating decomposition in the Cerrado.
Debris extrusion during root canal preparation with nickel‐titanium instruments using liquid and gel formulations of sodium hypochlorite in vitro
Authors: Ozlek Esin , Neelakantan Prasanna , Khan Khadija , Cheung Gary S.P. , Rossi‐Fedele Giampiero
Published: August 2020

This study compared the amount of apically extruded debris during root canal preparation with three single‐file systems using liquid and gel‐based formulations of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) or distilled water. Seventy‐two single‐canalled roots were divided into three groups: HyFlex EDM (Coltene–Whaledent); Reciproc Blue (VDW); and F‐One Blue (Shanghai Fanta) and then divided into three subgroups: NaOCl liquid (Imicrly), NaOCl gel (Cerkamed Medical) and distilled water. The amount of extruded debris was calculated by determining the dry weight of the debris collected. Data were analysed using Kruskal–Wallis test with Bonferroni correction. Debris extrusion occurred in all subgroups. Both the instrument and the irrigant had an impact. The F‐One Blue tended to extrude the least debris, though no significant difference was observed in the pairwise comparisons between instruments. NaOCl liquid resulted in significantly more extruded debris than NaOCl gel or distilled water. The results lead us to conclude that the NaOCl gel reduced debris extrusion compared to NaOCl liquid.
Upregulated expression of NMDA receptor in the paraventricular nucleus shortens ejaculation latency in rats with experimental autoimmune prostatitis
Authors: Yang Jie , Zhang Qi‐jie , Zhang Jia‐yi , Wang Ya‐min , Zhu Guo‐qing , Song Ning‐hong , Wang Zeng‐jun , Chen Jian‐huai , Xia Jia‐dong
Published: August 2020

Background

Estimated 30%‐40% of patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) suffer from premature ejaculation (PE), which is difficult to cure, but the mechanism is still unknown. Based on the results of our previous clinical studies and animal experiments, we propose that the glutamatergic system dysfunction in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) may be involved.

Methods

To test this hypothesis, we used experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) rats to investigate the effects of CP/CPPS on ejaculation behavior through integrating copulatory behavior testing, neuroelectrophysiologic experiments, and molecular biology technologies.

Results

Histological examination of prostate tissue in EAP rats exhibited consistent pathological findings with that in CP/CPPS patients. Behavior testing showed that ejaculation latency (EL) of EAP rats significantly shortened compared with the controls (5.1 ± 1.8 vs 9.1 ± 2.4 min, P < .001). Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity testing revealed that EAP rats displayed significantly higher plasma norepinephrine (NE) level (1780 ± 493 vs 1421 ± 453 pg/mL, P = .043) and SNS sensitivity (67.8 ± 9.6 vs 44.6 ± 8.7%, P < .001). Immunohistochemical detection and Western blot analysis both displayed that NR1 subunit expression of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors in the PVN of EAP rats was significantly upregulated (P = .007 and P < .001). Furthermore, the expression of NMDA NR1 subunit positively correlated both with SNS sensitivity (r = .917, P < .001) and prostatic inflammation scores (r = .964, P < .001).

Conclusion

This study shows that EAP rats suffer from the same PE symptom as CP/CPPS patients. CP/CPPS‐induced inflammatory‐immune response can significantly upregulate the expression of NMDA receptors in the PVN, which shortening the EL by enhancing SNS sensitivity. However, the exact mechanism of chronic inflammation in the prostate causing the upregulated expression of NMDA receptors needs to be further studied.
Multidisciplinary management of auto‐immune ocular diseases in adult patients by ophthalmologists and rheumatologists
Authors: Van Bentum Rianne Elise , Van den Berg Jesse M. , Wolf Sanne E. , Van der Bijl Joyce , Tan H. Stevie , Verbraak Frank D. , van der Horst‐Bruinsma Irene E.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Management of chronic vision threatening auto‐immune ocular diseases (AIOD, e.g. uveitis, scleritis) can be challenging. Guidelines recommend a multidisciplinary approach (MDA) with ophthalmologists and rheumatologists, to enhance the recognition of systemic diseases and guide the use of immunosuppressives. However, the indications and results of such an approach have not yet been studied.

Methods

A monocentre, retrospective chart review of all patients treated in a MDA between ophthalmologists and rheumatologists, in a Dutch tertiary center. The collaboration was twofold: a combined multidisciplinary team meeting every 2 weeks, and an ophthalmology‐dedicated rheumatology outpatient clinic. Primary endpoints of this descriptive study were as follows: indications for MDA, new diagnoses of systemic auto‐immune diseases and changes in systemic immunosuppression and prednisone dosages.

Results

In total, 157 adults (mean age 46 years, 57% female, median disease duration 19 months) were included, mainly with uveitis (74%) and scleritis (12%). Multidisciplinary approach (MDA)‐indications included diagnostic workup (32%), treatment support (44%), diagnostic‐and‐treatment support (10%) and side effects (8%). A systemic disease was newly diagnosed in eight and already present in 34 patients. At baseline, 54 patients used oral prednisone at >7.5 mg/day. Non‐corticoid immunosuppressives, mostly methotrexate, were started in 41% of the patients. During follow‐up, systemic prednisone was lowered to ≤7.5 mg/day in 68% of the patients.

Conclusion

This evaluation of an MDA‐programme in the management of AIOD demonstrated its added value. Mainly, it addressed the high demand for support in managing systemic immunosuppression, resulting in significant corticosteroid tapering. In addition, it resulted in the recognition of underlying systemic diseases.