bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-range quantum coherence of the photosystem 2 complexes in living cyanobacteria
Authors: Rammler T. , Wackenhut F. , Oven-Krockhaus S. zur , Rapp J. , Forchhammer K. , Harter K. , Meixner A. J.
Published: December 2019

The first step in photosynthesis is an extremely efficient energy transfer mechanism, which is difficult to be explained by classical short-range energy migration (“hopping”) and led to the debate to which extent quantum coherence is involved in the energy transfer between the photosynthetic pigments. Embedding living cyanobacteria between the mirrors of an optical microresonator and using low intensity white light irradiation we observe vacuum Rabi splitting in the transmission and fluorescence spectra as a result of strong light matter coupling of the chlorophyll and the resonator modes. The Rabi-splitting scales with the number of chlorophyll a pigments involved in coherent coupling indicating forming a polaritonic state which is delocalized over the entire cyanobacterial thylakoid system, down to the single photon level. Our data provide evidence that a delocalized polaritonic state is the basis of the extremely high energy transfer efficiency under natural conditions.
Unconventional kinetochore kinases KKT2 and KKT3 have unique centromere localization domains
Authors: Marcianò Gabriele , Ishii Midori , Nerusheva Olga O. , Akiyoshi Bungo
Published: December 2019

Chromosome segregation in eukaryotes is driven by the kinetochore, the macromolecular protein complex that assembles onto centromeric DNA and binds spindle microtubules. Cells must tightly control the number and position of kinetochores so that all chromosomes assemble a single kinetochore. A central player in this process is the centromere-specific histone H3 variant CENP-A, which localizes constitutively at centromeres and promotes kinetochore assembly. However, CENP-A is absent from several eukaryotic lineages including kinetoplastids, a group of evolutionarily divergent eukaryotes that have an unconventional set of kinetochore proteins. There are six proteins that localize constitutively at centromeres in the kinetoplastid parasiteTrypanosoma brucei,among which two homologous protein kinases (KKT2 and KKT3) have limited similarity to polo-like kinases. In addition to the N-terminal kinase domain and the C-terminal divergent polo boxes, KKT2 and KKT3 have a central domain of unknown function as well as putative DNA-binding motifs. Here we show that KKT2 and KKT3 are important for the localization of several kinetochore proteins and that their central domains are sufficient for centromere localization inT. brucei. Crystal structures of the KKT2 central domain from two divergent kinetoplastids reveal a unique zinc-binding domain (termed the CL domain for centromere localization), which promotes its kinetochore localization inT. brucei. Mutations in the equivalent domain in KKT3 abolish its kinetochore localization and function. Our work shows that the unique central domains play a critical role in mediating the centromere localization of KKT2 and KKT3.
Quantification of guanosine tetraphosphate and other nucleotides in plants and algae using stable isotope-labelled internal standards
Authors: Bartoli Julia , Citerne Sylvie , Mouille Gregory , Bouveret Emmanuelle , Field Ben
Published: December 2019

Guanosine tetraphosphate (G4P) and guanosine pentaphosphate (G5P) are signalling nucleotides found in bacteria and photosynthetic eukaryotes that are implicated in a wide-range of processes including stress acclimation, developmental transitions and growth control. Measurements of G4P/G5P levels are essential for studying the diverse roles of these nucleotides. However, G4P/G5P quantification is particularly challenging in plants and algae due to lower cellular concentrations, compartmentation and high metabolic complexity. Despite recent advances the speed and accuracy of G4P quantification in plants and algae can still be improved. Here, we report a new approach for rapid and accurate G4P quantification, applicable to plants and algae, which relies on the use of synthesised stable isotope-labelled as internal standards. We anticipate that this approach will accelerate research into the function of G4P signaling in plants, algae and other organisms.
A unified circuit model of attention: Neural and behavioral effects
Authors: Lindsay Grace W. , Rubin Daniel B. , Miller Kenneth D.
Published: December 2019

Selective visual attention modulates neural activity in the visual system in complex ways and leads to enhanced performance on difficult visual tasks. Here, we show that a simple circuit model, the stabilized supralinear network, gives a unified account of a wide variety of effects of attention on neural responses. We replicate results from studies of both feature and spatial attention, addressing findings in a variety of experimental paradigms on changes both in firing rates and in correlated neural variability. Finally, we expand this circuit model into an architecture that can perform visual tasks—a convolutional neural network—in order to show that these neural effects can enhance detection performance. This work provides the first unified mechanistic account of the effects of attention on neural and behavioral responses.
Representation of semantic information in ventral areas during encoding is associated with improved visual short-term memory
Authors: Stojanoski Bobby , Emrich Stephen M. , Cusack Rhodri
Published: December 2019

We rely upon visual short-term memory (VSTM) for continued access to perceptual information that is no longer available. Despite the complexity of our visual environments, the majority of research on VSTM has focused on memory for lower-level perceptual features. Using more naturalistic stimuli, it has been found that recognizable objects are remembered better than unrecognizable objects. What remains unclear, however, is how semantic information changes brain representations in order to facilitate this improvement in VSTM for real-world objects. To address this question, we used a continuous report paradigm to assess VSTM (precision and guessing rate) while participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure the underlying neural representation of 96 objects from 4 animate and 4 inanimate categories. To isolate semantic content, we used a novel image generation method that parametrically warps images until they are no longer recognizable while preserving basic visual properties. We found that intact objects were remembered with greater precision and a lower guessing rate than unrecognizable objects (this also emerged when objects were grouped by category and animacy). Representational similarity analysis of the ventral visual stream found evidence of category and animacy information in anterior visual areas during encoding only, but not during maintenance. These results suggest that the effect of semantic information during encoding in ventral visual areas boosts visual short-term memory for real-world objects.
Enhanced prediction of cognitive function using aging-sensitive networks within the human structural connectome
Authors: Madole James W. , Ritchie Stuart J. , Cox Simon R. , Buchanan Colin R. , Hernández Maria Valdés , Maniega Susana Muñoz , Wardlaw Joanna M. , Harris Mat A. , Bastin Mark E. , Deary Ian J. , Tucker-Drob Elliot M.
Published: December 2019

Using raw structural and diffusion brain MRI data from the UK Biobank (UKB;N= 3,155, ages 45-75 years) and the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 (LBC1936;N= 534, all age 73 years), we examine aging of regional grey matter volumes (nodes) and white matter structural connectivity (edges) within networks-of-interest in the human brain connectome. In UKB, the magnitude of age-differences in individual node volumes and edge weights corresponds closely with their loadings on their respective principal components of connectome-wide integrity (|rnodes| = 0.459; |redges| = 0.595). In LBC1936, connectome-wide and subnetwork-specific composite indices of node integrity were predictive of processing speed, visuospatial ability, and memory, whereas composite indices of edge integrity were associated specifically with processing speed. Childhood IQ was associated with greater node integrity at age 73. However, node and edge integrity remained associated with age 73 cognitive function after controlling for childhood IQ. Adult connectome integrity is therefore both a marker of early-life cognitive function and a substrate of late-life cognitive aging.
Origin Specific Genomic Selection: a simple process to optimize the favourable contribution of parents to progeny
Authors: Yang Chin Jian , Sharma Rajiv , Gorjanc Gregor , Hearne Sarah , Powell Wayne , Mackay Ian
Published: December 2019

Modern crop breeding is in constant demand for new genetic diversity as part of the arms race with genetic gain. The elite gene pool has limited genetic variation and breeders are trying to introduce novelty from unadapted germplasm, landraces and wild relatives. For polygenic traits, currently available approaches to introgression are not ideal, as there is a demonstrable bias against exotic alleles during selection. Here, we propose a partitioned form of genomic selection, called Origin Specific Genomic Selection (OSGS), where we identify and target selection on favourable exotic alleles. Briefly, within a population derived from a bi-parental cross, we isolate alleles originating from the elite and exotic parents, which then allows us to separate out the predicted marker effects based on the allele origins. We validated the usefulness of OSGS using two nested association mapping (NAM) datasets: barley NAM (elite-exotic) and maize NAM (elite-elite), as well as by computer simulation. Our results suggest that OSGS works well in bi-parental crosses, and it is possible to extend the approach to broader multi-parental populations.
A novel drug-inducible sex-separation technique for insects
Authors: Kandul Nikolay P. , Liu Junru , Hsu Alexander D. , Hay Bruce A. , Akbari Omar S.
Published: December 2019

Large sterile male releases are the gold standard for most insect population control methods and thus precise sex sorting is essential to the success of these technologies. Sex sorting is especially important for mosquito control because female mosquitoes bite and transmit diseases. However, current methods for insect sex sorting have deficiencies as they are error prone, low throughput, expensive, reduce male fitness, or lack cross species adaptability. Here we describe a novel drug-inducible system for insect sex-separation that demonstrates proof-of-principle for positive sex selection inD. melanogaster. The system exploits the toxicity of commonly used broad-spectrum antibiotics geneticin and puromycin and rescues only one sex. Sex specific rescue is achieved by inserting the sex-specific introns,TraFandDsxM, into the coding sequence of antibiotic resistance genes,NeoRorPuroR. We engineer a dual sex-sorter gene cassette and demonstrate sex specific, constitutive expression of NeoR and PuroR proteins in females and males, respectively. When raised on geneticin supplements, this sex-sorter line established 100% positive selection for female progeny, while the food supplemented with puromycin generated 100% male progeny. This system is 100% efficient and operates at remarkably low fitness costs inD. melanogaster. Since the described system exploits a conserved sex-specific splicing mechanism and reagents, which are active in many insects, it has the potential to be adaptable to insect species of medical and agricultural importance.

GRAPHIC ABSTRACT
Effects of fluorescent glutamate indicators on neurotransmitter diffusion and uptake
Authors: Armbruster Moritz , Dulla Chris G. , Diamond Jeffrey S.
Published: December 2019

Genetically encoded fluorescent glutamate indicators (iGluSnFRs) enable neurotransmitter release and diffusion to be visualized in intact tissue. Synaptic iGluSnFR signal time courses vary widely depending on experimental conditions and often last 10-100 times longer than the extracellular lifetime of synaptically released glutamate estimated with uptake measurements. iGluSnFR signals typically also decay much more slowly than the unbinding kinetics of the indicator. To resolve these discrepancies, here we have modeled synaptic glutamate diffusion, uptake and iGluSnFR activation to identify factors influencing iGluSnFR signal waveforms. Simulations suggested that iGluSnFR competes with transporters to bind synaptically released glutamate, delaying glutamate uptake. Accordingly, synaptic transporter currents recorded in iGluSnFR-expressing cortical astrocytes were slower than those in control astrocytes. Simulations also suggested that iGluSnFR reduces free glutamate levels in extrasynaptic spaces, likely limiting extrasynaptic receptor activation. iGluSnFR and lower-affinity variants nonetheless provide linear indications of vesicle release, underscoring their value for optical quantal analysis.
TF protein of Sindbis virus antagonizes host type I interferon responses in a palmitoylation-dependent manner
Authors: KJ. Rogers , S. Jones-Burrage , W. Maury , S. Mukhopadhyay
Published: December 2019

Sindbis virus (SINV) produces the small membrane protein TF from the 6K gene via a (−1) programmed ribosomal frameshifting. While several groups have shown that TF-deficient virus exhibits reduced virulence, mechanism(s) by which this occurs remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate a role for TF in antagonizing the host interferon response. Using wild-type and type 1 interferon receptor-deficient mice and primary cells derived from these animals, we show that TF controls the induction of the host interferon responses at early times during infection. Loss of TF production leads to elevated interferon and a concurrent reduction in viral loads with a loss of pathogenicity. Palmitoylation of TF has been shown to be important for particle assembly and morphology. We find that palmitoylation of TF also contributes to the ability of TF to antagonize host interferon responses as dysregulated palmitoylation of TF reduces virulence in a manner similar to loss of TF.
A novelArabidopsisphyllosphere residentProtomycessp. and a re-examination of genusProtomycesbased on genome sequence data
Authors: Wang Kai , Sipilä Timo , Overmyer Kirk
Published: December 2019

Protomycesis a genus of yeast-like fungi that is currently defined as plant pathogens of only the Umbelliferae (Apiaceae) and Compositae (Asteraceae) family plants. ManyProtomycesspecies have been proposed; however, there is a lack of molecular data and available specimens forProtomycesspp., just over ten species are officially accepted and only six species are preserved and available in public culture collections for examination. Phylogenetic relationships and species boundaries within this genus remain largely controversial. Recently, we isolatedProtomycesstrains from wildArabidopsis thaliana(Arabidopsis), aBrassicaceaefamily plant only distantly related to the acceptedProtomyceshosts. We have previously sequenced the genomes of all the currently public availableProtomycesspecies, together with a strain (SC29) we isolated from theArabidopsisphyllosphere. Genome-wide phylogenetic analysis suggests that SC29 occupies a unique phylogenetic position in the genusProtomyces. The SC29 genome has low average nucleotide identity values in comparison with other species genomes. As physiological evidence, SC29 has morphological characteristics and carbon assimilation patterns that distinguish it from the other sixProtomycesspecies. Analysis with several nuclear gene phylogenetic markers further confirms SC29 as a novelProtomycesspecies and suggests theact1gene DNA sequences can be used together with ITS sequences for the rapid identification ofProtomycesspecies. In our previous study, SC29 could persist on theArabidopsisphyllosphere in both short term laboratory and overwinter outdoor garden experiments andProtomycesspp. (or OTUs) were found in theArabidopsisphyllosphere at multiple sites in both Finland and Germany. We conclude that SC29 is a novelProtomycesspecies isolated fromArabidopsisand propose the name ofProtomyces arabidopsidicolasp. nov. Additionally, the genusProtomycesmay not be strictly associated with only Compositae or Umbelliferae family host plants, as evidenced by SC29 andProtomycesstrains previously isolated from plants in other families. The merging of twoProtomycesspecies found to have high genomic similarity (P. inouyeiandP. lactucaedebilis) is also proposed.
Structure and function of a neocortical synapse
Authors: Holler-Rickauer Simone , Köstinger German , Martin Kevan A.C. , Schuhknecht Gregor F.P. , Stratford Ken J.
Published: December 2019

Thirty-four years since the small nervous system of the nematodeC. eleganswas manually reconstructed in the electron microscope (EM)1, ‘high-throughput’ EM techniques now enable the dense reconstruction of neural circuits within increasingly large brain volumes at synaptic resolution2–6. As withC. elegans, however, a key limitation for inferring brain function from neuronal wiring diagrams is that it remains unknown how the structure of a synapse seen in EM relates to its physiological transmission strength. Here, we related structure and function of the same synapses to bridge this gap: we combined paired whole-cell recordings of synaptically connected pyramidal neurons in slices of mouse somatosensory cortex with correlated light microscopy and high-resolution EM of all putative synaptic contacts between the neurons. We discovered a linear relationship between synapse size (postsynaptic density area) and synapse strength (excitatory postsynaptic potential amplitude), which provides an experimental foundation for assigning the actual physiological weights to synaptic connections seen in the EM. Furthermore, quantal analysis revealed that the number of vesicle release sites exceeded the number of anatomical synapses formed by a connection by a factor of at least 2.6, which challenges the current understanding of synaptic release in neocortex and suggests that neocortical synapses operate with multivesicular release, like hippocampal synapses7–11. Thus, neocortical synapses are more complex computational devices and may modulate their strength more flexibly than previously thought, with the corollary that the canonical neocortical microcircuitry possesses significantly higher computational power than estimated by current models.
Global gene expression patterns in response to white patch syndrome: Disentangling symbiont loss from the thermal stress response in reef-building coral
Authors: Kenkel Carly D. , Mocellin Veronique J.L. , Bay Line K.
Published: December 2019

The mechanisms resulting in the breakdown of the coral symbiosis once the process of bleaching has been initiated remain unclear. Distinguishing symbiont loss from the abiotic stress response may shed light on the cellular and molecular pathways involved in each process. This study examined physiological changes and global gene expression patterns associated with white patch syndrome (WPS) inP. lobata, which manifests in localized bleaching independent of thermal stress. In addition, a meta-analysis of global gene expression studies in other corals and anemones was used to contrast differential regulation as a result of abiotic stress from expression patterns correlated with symbiotic state. Symbiont density, chlorophyllacontent, holobiont productivity, instant calcification rate, and total host protein content were uniformly reduced in WPS relative to healthy tissue. While expression patterns associated with WPS were secondary to fixed effects of source colony, specific functional enrichments suggest that the viral infection putatively giving rise to this condition affects symbiont rather than host cells. The meta-analysis revealed that expression patterns in WPS-affected tissues were significantly correlated with prior studies examining short-term thermal stress responses. This correlation was independent of symbiotic state, as the strongest correlations were found between WPS adults and both symbiotic adult and aposymbiotic coral larvae experiencing thermal stress, suggesting that the majority of expression changes reflect a non-specific stress response. Across studies, the magnitude and direction of expression change among particular functional enrichments suggests unique responses to stressor duration, and highlights unique responses to bleaching in an anemone model which engages in a non-obligate symbiosis.
Cdc48 Cofactor Shp1 Regulates Signal-Induced SCFMet30Disassembly
Authors: Lauinger Linda , Flick Karin , Yen James L. , Mathur Radhika , Kaiser Peter
Published: December 2019

Organisms can adapt to a broad spectrum of sudden and dramatic changes in their environment. These abrupt changes are often perceived as stress and trigger responses that facilitate survival and eventual adaptation. The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is involved in most cellular processes. Unsurprisingly, components of the UPS also play crucial roles during various stress response programs. The budding yeast SCFMet30complex is an essential Cullin-RING ubiquitin ligase that connects metabolic and heavy metal stress to cell cycle regulation. Cadmium exposure results in the active dissociation of the F-box protein Met30 from the core ligase leading to SCFMet30inactivation. Consequently, SCFMet30substrate ubiquitylation is blocked and triggers a downstream cascade to activate a specific transcriptional stress response program. Signal-induced dissociation is initiated by autoubiquitylation of Met30 and serves as a recruitment signal for the AAA-ATPase Cdc48/p97, which actively disassembles the complex. Here we show that the UBX cofactor Shp1/p47 is an additional key element for SCFMet30disassembly during heavy metal stress. Although the cofactor can directly interact with the ATPase, Cdc48 and Shp1 are recruited independently to SCFMet30during cadmium stress. An intact UBX domain is crucial for effective SCFMet30disassembly, and a concentration threshold of Shp1 recruited to SCFMet30needs to be exceeded to initiate Met30 dissociation. The latter is likely related to Shp1-mediated control of Cdc48 ATPase activity. This study identifies Shp1 as the crucial Cdc48 cofactor for signal-induced, selective disassembly of a multi-subunit protein complex to modulate activity.

Significance Statement

Ubiquitylation affects many important cellular processes, and has been linked to a number of human diseases. It has become a synonym for protein degradation, but ubiquitylation also has important non-proteolytic signaling functions. Understanding the molecular concepts that govern ubiquitin signaling is of great importance for development of diagnostics and therapeutics. The cadmium-induced inactivation of the SCFMet30ubiquitin ligase via the disassembly of the multi-subunit ligase complex, illustrates an example for non-proteolytic signaling pathways. Dissociation is triggered by autoubiquitylation of the F-box protein Met30, which is the recruiting signal for the highly conserved AAA-ATPase Cdc48/p97. Here we show that the UBX cofactor Shp1/p47 is important for this ubiquitin-dependent, active remodeling of a multi-protein complex in response to a specific environmental signal.
Novel splicing and open reading frames revealed by long-read direct RNA sequencing of adenovirus transcripts
Authors: Price Alexander M. , Hayer Katharina E. , Depledge Daniel P. , Wilson Angus C. , Weitzman Matthew D.
Published: December 2019

Adenovirus is a common human pathogen that relies on host cell processes for production and processing of viral RNA. Although adenoviral promoters, splice junctions, and cleavage and polyadenylation sites have been characterized using low-throughput biochemical techniques or short read cDNA-based sequencing, these technologies do not fully capture the complexity of the adenoviral transcriptome. By combining Illumina short-read and nanopore long-read direct RNA sequencing approaches, we mapped transcription start sites and cleavage and polyadenylation sites across the adenovirus genome. The canonical viral early and late RNA cassettes were confirmed, but analysis of splice junctions within long RNA reads revealed an additional 20 novel viral transcripts. These RNAs include seven new splice junctions which lead to expression of canonical open reading frames (ORF), as well as 13 transcripts encoding for messages that potentially alter protein functions through truncations or the fusion of canonical ORFs. In addition, we also detect RNAs that bypass canonical cleavage sites and generate potential chimeric proteins by linking separate gene transcription units. Our work highlights how long-read sequencing technologies can reveal further complexity within viral transcriptomes.
Wss1 promotes replication stress tolerance by degrading histones
Authors: Maddi Karthik , Sam Daniel Kwesi , Bonn Florian , Prgomet Stefan , Tulowetzke Eric , Akutsu Masato , Lopez-Mosqueda Jaime , Dikic Ivan
Published: December 2019

Timely completion of DNA replication is central to accurate cell division and to the maintenance of genomic stability. However, certain DNA-protein interactions can physically impede DNA replication fork progression. Cells remove or bypass these physical impediments by different mechanisms to preserve DNA macromolecule integrity and genome stability. InSaccharomyces cerevisiae, Wss1, the DNA-protein crosslink repair protease, allows cells to tolerate hydroxyurea-induced replication stress but the underlying mechanism by which Wss1 promotes this function has remained unknown. Here we report that Wss1 provides cells tolerance to replication stress by directly degrading core histone subunits that non-specifically and non-covalently bind to single-stranded DNA. Unlike Wss1-dependent proteolysis of covalent DNA-protein crosslinks, proteolysis of histones does not require Cdc48 nor SUMO-binding activities. Wss1 thus acts as a multi-functional protease capable of targeting a broad range of covalent and non-covalent DNA-binding proteins to preserve genome stability during adverse conditions.
Ribosome biogenesis is a downstream effector of the oncogenic U2AF1-S34F mutation
Authors: Akef Abdalla , McGraw Kathy , Cappell Steven D. , Larson Daniel R.
Published: December 2019

U2AF1 forms a heterodimeric complex with U2AF2 that is primarily responsible for 3’ splice site selection. U2AF1 mutations have been identified in most cancers but are prevalent in Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Acute Myeloid Leukemia, and the most common mutation is a missense substitution of serine-34 to phenylalanine (S34F). However, the U2AF heterodimer also has a non-canonical function as a translational regulator. Here, we report that the U2AF1 S34F mutation results in specific mis-regulation of the translation initiation and ribosome biogenesis machinery, with the potential for widespread translational changes. The net result is a global increase in mRNA translation at the single cell level. Among the translationally upregulated targets of U2AF1-S34F are Nucleophosmin1 (NPM1), which is a major driver of myeloid malignancy. Depletion of NPM1 impairs the viability of wt/S34F cells and causes rRNA processing defects, thus indicating an unanticipated synthetic interaction between U2AF1, NPM1 and ribosome biogenesis. Our results establish a unique molecular phenotype for the U2AF1 mutation which recapitulates translational mis-regulation in myeloid disease.
Effect of porosity gradient on the permeability tensor
Authors: Madadi Mahyar , Müller Tobias M.
Published: December 2019

Experimental investigations often reveal that there is a correlation between porosity and permeability in rocks. The most commonly used model to predict the porosity–permeability relation is due to Kozeny–Carman or its many modifications. However, these models are problematic because they always involve an empirical constant and, in macroscopically heterogeneous porous media with non‐uniform porosity, more than one empirical constant would be required. Moreover, the tensor character of the permeability is not accounted for when the permeability is conceptualized as a plain function of the porosity. To overcome these limitations, we devise an approach by analysing the drag force in the volume averaging framework of poroelasticity. This allows us to deduce an expression for the inverse permeability tensor. It is the sum of the inverse of the permeability pertaining to a representative volume element and the second spatial derivative of porosity. Therefore, the gradient of porosity changes the permeability depending on the variations of macroscopic porosity variations. This result is thought to be relevant in applications where porosity maps are converted into permeability maps.
Prevention of postoperative abdominal adhesions using systemic enoxaparin and local diclofenac. An experimental study
Authors: Guzmán‐Valdivia Gómez Gilberto , Linares‐Rivera Eduardo , Tena‐Betancourt Eduardo , Arroyo‐Del Castillo Gerardo , Reipen Lukas
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Postoperative abdominal adhesions (PAA) are a cause of morbidities, generating higher health care costs for patients and institutions responsible for health procurement. PAAs occur due to an imbalance between the enzymatic linkage in favour of fibrinogenesis in the cascade of coagulation, which encompasses a pathological process initiated by injury to the peritoneum amid the additional activation of inflammatory processes under tissue hypoxia. The objective of this study was to test the potential benefits of the use of subcutaneous enoxaparin plus intraperitoneal diclofenac in a porcine model.

Material and Methods

Using 32 hybrid female pigs, surgical adhesions were induced by open conventional splenectomy. The animals were divided into four groups: (I) control, irrigation with saline solution; (II) subcutaneous enoxaparine was applied; (III) intraperitoneal diclofenac; and (IV) combination of both.

Results

By far, the greater degree of formation of abdominal adhesions occurs in the non‐treated control group I (P < .01). In contrast, in the macroscopic and histopathological report in terms of the degree of abdominal adhesion formation encountered in our assessments, the comparison among the treated groups showed no statistically significant differences among them, but asserted the preventive formation of PAA after the systemic application of enoxaparin and local diclofenac.

Conclusions

Subcutaneous enoxaparine and intraperitoneal diclofenac reduced the formation of PAA significantly, but we found no synergic action in their combination.
Apoptotic and cytotoxic effects on human glioblastoma cell lines induced by essential oil Lavandula Augustifolia
Authors: Chan Siu‐Yee , Li Yi , Poon Wai‐Sang
Published: December 2019

Aim

The challenge of treating glioblastoma has been the lack of curative treatment. This study aimed to identify an effective low dose of the essential oil from Lavandula angustifolia (EOla), within a short exposure time for inhibiting growth and inducing apoptosis in glioblastoma cells.

Methods

Cell lines U‐87MG and U‐138MG were treated with diluted EOla (1:250 to 1:50) at 2, 4, 8 and 48 hours time points. The treated samples were compared with the negative control and DMSO vehicle control in MTT anti‐proliferation tests and flow cytometry cell sorting experiments. A positive control (DNase I) was included in the TUNEL imaging assay.

Results

Our data consistently showed that diluted EOla started inducing apoptosis at 1:250 dilution in both U‐138MG and U‐87MG samples. Significant differences in cell viability between DMSO and EOla samples were found in U‐87MG, (P = .02) and U‐138MG, (P = .003). Our flow cytometry results demonstrated that glioblastoma cells exposed to 1:100 diluted EOla for 4 hours had induced cell death in U‐87MG with 94.9% ± 2.6 apoptosis and 1.7% ± 2.2 necrosis; and in U‐138MG with 99% ± 3.3 apoptosis and 9.8% ± 3.1 necrosis.

Conclusion

Unadulterated pure therapeutic grade EOla at the concentration of 1:100 dilution has been shown to induce predominantly apoptosis (>95%) with limited necrosis (1%‐10%).
The fibrous sheath of tunnelled central venous catheters: A simple and reliable access for revision
Authors: Chan Kin Wai Edwin , Lee Kim Hung , Wong Hei Yi Vicky , Tsui Siu Yan Bess , Wong Yuen Shan Sammi , Pang Kristine Kit Yi , Mou Jennifer Wai Cheung , Tam Yuk Him Peter
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Children may require the long‐term use of a central venous catheter (CVC) for treatment. Multiple revisions may be required when these catheters malfunction. We herein reported our experience of utilizing the fibrous sheath in tunnelled CVCs for the revision.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted from July 2008 to June 2018 on all children with the revision of tunnelled CVCs using the fibrous sheath.

Results

Sixteen children underwent 31 revisions of a tunnelled CVC (16 Broviac/Hickman catheters, 15 Permcath for haemodialysis). The age ranged from 6 months to 16 years old (mean 3.8 years old). The indications for CVC revision included blockage (n = 14), breakage (n = 9) and dislodgement (n = 6). The mean time interval between CVC insertion and revision was 10.1 months (range: 20 days to 39 months). The fibrous sheath could be used for re‐insertion in 27 revisions (success rate: 87%). The failure was associated with the upsizing of the CVC (P = .003). In three of the four failed cases, a new CVC could be inserted by the cut‐down technique through the same venous access site. The overall success rate of CVC revision using the same venous access was 97%. There was no 30‐day postoperative infective complication.

Conclusions

The fibrous sheath of tunnelled CVCs is a reliable access for CVC re‐insertion. This helps to preserve the same venous access site for repeated revision of CVCs. This is extremely important in those children who depend on long‐term CVC usage.
CIC‐associated round cell sarcoma of the small bowel
Authors: Chan Angus C.K. , Chiu Jennifer H.F. , Lau Kevin C.N.
Published: December 2019

Small round cell sarcoma (SRCS) is considered a highly aggressive soft tissue tumour. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized a distinct subtype in view of the recently discovered CIC fusion gene. It has shown to have distinct pathophysiology and prognosis unlike Ewing sarcoma (ES) and rhabdomyosarcoma. However, due to its rarity, no standardized treatment has been concluded. We reported a case of intestinal obstruction caused by small bowel associated associated, laparotomy and small bowel resection was performed with good recovery and 1 year free disease survival. The gold standard of diagnosis with molecular confirmation is utmostly important in order to learn more about the natural history of this subtype thus formulating the best management plan.
Posterior mediastinal ganglioneuroblastoma in an adolescent: A case report and review
Authors: Sekiguchi Nodoka , Noguchi Takuro , Fukushima Toshirou , Kobayashi Takashi , Ozawa Takesumi , Sato Yoshinori , Takeda Tetsu , Yoshida Kazuo , Koizumi Tomonobu
Published: December 2019

Ganglioneuroblastoma is an uncommon malignant tumor of the sympathetic nervous system, which is considered a disease of children with the majority of cases in patients less than four years old and it rarely occurs in adults. We encountered a very unusual case of a posterior mediastinal ganglioneuroblastoma that developed in a 17‐year‐old male adolescent who underwent successful excision of the mediastinal mass and remained stable postoperatively. However, he developed lumbago one year after the surgery. Radiographic findings revealed osteolytic lesions in the lumbar vertebra and histological analysis confirmed bone metastasis of ganglioneuroblastoma. Here, we report the clinical course and present a review of the literature regarding adolescent and adult onset mediastinal ganglioneuroblastoma.
The decreasing value of non‐SOEs’ political connections during China’s anti‐corruption campaign: evidence and mechanism
Authors: Liu Jinsong , Ying Qianwei
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we find that China’s anti‐corruption campaign since 2012 significantly reduces the value of political connections for non‐state‐owned enterprises (non‐SOEs). We provide evidence showing that the decline of the value of political connections for non‐SOEs is attributed mainly to the decreasing return from political connections, instead of increasing political risk. We further find that the decreasing return of the politically connected firms is driven mainly by the disappearance of the ‘resource effect’ of political connection in facilitating access to bank credit and government subsidies, but not due to the increasing cost of maintaining political connections.
Provision of immediate postpartum intrauterine contraception after vaginal birth within a public maternity setting: Health services research evaluation
Authors: Cooper Michelle , McGeechan Kevin , Glasier Anna , Coutts Shiona , McGuire Frances , Harden Jeni , Boydell Nicola , Cameron Sharon T.
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Expanding access to postpartum intrauterine contraception (PPIUC) can reduce unintended pregnancies and short inter‐pregnancy intervals; however, provision across Europe is limited. Our aim was to determine the feasibility, clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction of providing immediate PPIUC after vaginal birth using a health services research model.

Material and methods

Phased introduction of PPIUC across two Lothian maternity hospitals; all women intending vaginal birth during the study period without a contraindication to use of the method were eligible to receive PPIUC. Midwives and obstetric doctors were trained in vaginal PPIUC insertion using Kelly forceps. Women received information antenatally and had PPIUC insertion of either a levonorgestrel intrauterine system or a copper intrauterine device within 48 hours of vaginal birth. Follow‐up was conducted in‐person at 6 weeks postpartum and by telephone at 3, 6 and 12 months. Primary outcomes were: uptake, complications (infection, uterine perforation), expulsion and patient satisfaction at 6 weeks; and method of continuation up to 12 months. Secondary outcomes included hazard ratio for expulsion adjusted for demographic and insertion‐related variables.

Results

Uptake of PPIUC was 4.6% of all vaginal births; 465/447 (96.1%) of those requesting PPIUC successfully received it and most chose a levonorgestrel intrauterine system (73%). At 6 weeks postpartum, the infection rate was 0.8%, there were no perforations and 98.3% of women said they would recommend the service. The complete expulsion rate was 29.8% (n = 113) and most had symptoms (n = 79). Of the additional 121 devices removed, 118 were because of partial expulsion. The rate of complete/partial expulsion was higher for insertions by midwives compared with those by doctors. The re‐insertion rate after expulsion/removal was 87.6% and method continuation at 12 months was 79.6%.

Conclusions

Routine PPIUC at vaginal birth is feasible. Complications were extremely rare. High expulsion rates may be observed in early stages of service introduction and with inexperienced providers. Re‐insertion and therefore longer‐term continuation rates of intrauterine contraception were very high. In settings with low rates of attendance for interval postpartum intrauterine contraception insertion, PPIUC could be a useful intervention to prevent unintended and closely spaced pregnancies.
Safety and effectiveness of lurasidone for the treatment of schizophrenia in Asian patients: Results of a 26‐week open‐label extension study
Authors: Higuchi Teruhiko , Ishigooka Jun , Iyo Masaomi , Hagi Katsuhiko
Published: December 2019

Introduction

This study was designed to evaluate the long‐term safety and effectiveness of lurasidone in the treatment of schizophrenia among Asian patients.

Methods

Patients (N = 281) with schizophrenia who had completed a randomized, double‐blind (DB), 6‐week comparison of lurasidone (40 and 80 mg/day) and placebo were enrolled in a 26‐week extension study in which all patients received open‐label (OL), flexible doses of lurasidone (40 or 80 mg/day). Effectiveness was measured using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) scale.

Results

Fifty‐seven percent of patients completed the OL extension study; 16.7% discontinued early due to lack of effectiveness; and 10.3% due to adverse events. The most common adverse events were insomnia (11.3%), akathisia (11.0%), and nasopharyngitis (10.6%). Adverse events related to weight gain, metabolic parameters, prolactin, and ECG measures were uncommon. Mean change in the PANSS total score from the DB baseline to OL endpoint was −28.4, with mean improvement of −7.5 observed from baseline to OL endpoint, and with a PANSS responder rate of 73.7%.

Discussion

The results of the current 26‐week extension study found lurasidone to be a generally safe, well‐tolerated, and effective long‐term treatment for schizophrenia in Asian patients.
High resistance of plant biodiversity to moderate native woody encroachment in loess steppe grassland fragments
Authors: Teleki Balázs , Sonkoly Judit , Erdős László , Tóthmérész Béla , Prommer Mátyás , Török Péter
Published: December 2019

Questions

Woody encroachment affects many open habitats from semi‐deserts to wetlands and grasslands. We aimed to study the effect of native woody encroachment on grassland plant biodiversity in loess steppe fragments by analysing the vegetation composition of grasslands subjected to increasing levels of encroachment. We studied both ancient and restored grasslands with the following research hypotheses: (a) increasing woody encroachment decreases total diversity and the species richness of dry‐grassland species; and (b) the effect of woody cover on grassland biodiversity differs between ancient and restored grasslands.

Location

South‐Eastern part of Transdanubia, Hungary, Central Europe.

Methods

Altogether 63 loess grassland fragments were selected for the study. The percentage cover of trees, shrubs and herbaceous vegetation were recorded in 400‐m2‐sized plots (n = 110). The effects of woody encroachment and grassland age on diversity, total species richness of the herb layer, and richness of dry‐grassland species were analysed.

Results

We found that woody encroachment affected the total richness of the herb layer and the species richness of dry‐grassland species. For most of the listed variables, lowest values were found for the highest woody encroachment groups. Grassland age affected the species richness of the herb layer and that of dry‐grassland species; lower values were detected in restored grasslands. In restored grasslands, Shannon diversity and species evenness were lower, while Berger–Parker dominance was higher than in ancient grasslands. Species composition and richness displayed a relatively high resistance to moderate woody encroachment; the highest decrease in diversity was detected at a high level of woody encroachment (>52% of woody cover).

Conclusions

We can conclude that low to moderate woody encroachment cannot be simplistically regarded as degradation. Results suggest that moderately encroached loess grasslands can be easily restored by the suppression of woody species, as their species pool still contains many dry‐grassland species targeted for restoration.
Parents’ observed responses to children’s emotional distress: Relations with social competence in preschool
Authors: Roberts William L.
Published: December 2019

Although affective interactions in the family are important for development, home observational data are sparse. We replicated and extended one such study, Roberts & Strayer (1987, Developmental Psychology, 23, 415). Interactions in 33 two‐parent families (mean child age = 4.8 years; 48% girls) were observed for four evenings, from suppertime until the child settled for the night. Parents completed the Child Rearing Practices Q‐sort. Peer interactions and friendship networks in preschool were observed over four days. Teachers and observers completed the Preschool Behavior Q‐Sort. Based on Q‐rated peer competence and aggression, three expected groups of children were identified, one of them high on both aggression and peer competence. Although socially active and accepted by peers, they were, compared with other children, less cooperative with adults, less prosocial with peers, more impulsive, less achievement oriented, less purposive, and less happy (mean η2 = .52). Parenting, especially observed impatience, threats, and use of force when children were emotionally distressed, showed important differences across groups.
Refining the history of Younger Dryas and Early Holocene glacier oscillations in the Borgarfjörður region, western Iceland
Authors: Sigfúsdóttir Thorbjörg , Benediktsson Ívar Örn
Published: December 2019

The lower Borgarfjörður region, western Iceland, has been central to the reconstructions of the dynamics and collapse of the Icelandic Ice Sheet during the deglaciation. Here, extensive stratigraphical sections and landforms provide a rare opportunity to study past glacier dynamics in this part of Iceland. Previous studies reveal that a large outlet glacier in Borgarfjörður advanced during the Late Weichselian resulting in large‐scale deformation of glaciomarine sediments and the formation of a series of ice‐marginal moraines. However, the events recorded by these sediments and landforms are poorly constrained in time. We present and discuss 22 new radiocarbon dates in the context of recent reconstructions of the regional glacier dynamics in order to constrain the timing of the glacier oscillations. The results show that a dynamic, marine‐terminating glacier advanced out of Borgarfjörður sometime after c. 13.0 cal. ka BP, resulting in the formation of an extensive moraine complex. The timing indicates that the advance occurred during climate cooling and widespread glacier expansions within the Younger Dryas. Followed by the first initial advance, the glacier exhibited at least five re‐advances punctuated by phases of retreat. Each re‐advance terminated proximal (within 5 km) to the outermost moraine complex although the extent of periodic retreat and the exact timing of these oscillations are unknown. All these phases of re‐advance occurred prior to the onset of the Holocene (around 11.7 cal. ka BP), during which marine fauna re‐colonized the area and the Borgarfjörður glacier retreated from the moraines. During the Early Holocene (sometime after c. 11.3 cal. ka BP), the Borgarfjörður glacier re‐advanced to a position within ~5 km of the YD ice limit. This is the first recorded Early Holocene large‐scale glacier advance in western Iceland and suggests that glacier expansion in this region coincided with widespread advances elsewhere in Iceland.