bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolution of the pore and framework structure of NaY zeolite during alkali treatment and its effect on methanol oxidative carbonylation over a CuY catalyst
Authors: Yan Lifei , Fu Tingjun , Wang Jiajun , Narkhede Nilesh , Li Zhong
Published: April 2020

Alkali treatment is widely used on aluminosilicate zeolites with high Si/Al ratios in order to fabricate mesopores in the framework. However, for zeolites with low Si/Al ratios, the effect of alkali treatment on the pore and framework structure needed further study. In this work, Y zeolite is treated with NaOH solutions of different concentrations and is used as the support for Cu-based catalysts for oxidative carbonylation of methanol to dimethyl carbonate. The physicochemical properties of the supports and corresponding catalysts are characterized by N2 adsorption–desorption, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, transmission electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and H2-temperature-programmed reduction analyses. The results show that no obvious mesopores are formed under alkali treatment, even at high NaOH concentration. However, amorphous species present in the micropores of Y zeolite are removed, which increases the micropore surface area as well as the crystallinity. Simultaneously, the cage structure is partially destroyed, which also leads to a slight increase of the pore volume and surface area. The altered micropore structure eventually increases the content and accessibility of the exchanged Cu species, which is beneficial to the catalytic activity. When the concentration of NaOH is 0.6 M, the space time yield of dimethyl carbonate for the corresponding catalyst was 151.4 mg g−1 h−1 which is 3.3-fold higher than that of the untreated-Y-zeolite-supported Cu catalyst. However, further increasing the alkali treatment strength can seriously destroy the basic aluminosilicate structure of the Y zeolite and decrease its intrinsic ion-exchange capacity. This results in the formation of agglomerated CuO on the catalyst surface, which was not conducive to catalytic activity.
Factors affecting sensory recovery after thumb reconstruction using a wrap-around flap
Authors: Masuda Tetsuo , Sunagawa Toru , Suzuki Osami , Kurumadani Hiroshi , Peng Feng , Nobuo Adachi
Published: April 2020

This study evaluated factors affecting sensory restoration after thumb reconstruction using a wrap-around flap in 21 thumbs in patients aged 11 to 50 years old. The patients were followed from 12 to 94 months after surgery. Static and moving 2-point discrimination of the reconstructed pulp was measured and analysed using multiple regression analysis. According to the univariate and multivariate analyses, the preoperative period, the number of nerve coaptations, and the duration of follow-up all significantly affected sensory recovery. Sensory recovery with more than three coaptations was significantly better than those with less than three coaptations, and the number of nerve coaptations was one of the primary factors influencing sensory recovery. We conclude from this study that the wrap-around flap should be performed soon after injury and that surgeons should try to coaptate three or more nerves to enhance sensory recovery.

Level of evidence: IV
CD40 up-regulation on dendritic cells correlates with Th17/Treg imbalance in chronic periodontitis in young population
Authors: Su Xin , Zhang Jiahui , Qin Xue
Published: April 2020

We aimed to discover the influence of age on the development of chronic periodontitis and illustrate the molecular mechanism in this process. Blood samples were collected from 63 chronic periodontitis patients and 30 healthy controls. Th17 cell/Foxp3+ regulatory T cell (Treg) ratio and expression of costimulatory molecules in dendritic cells (DCs) were analyzed by flow cytometry. The serum levels of soluble CD40 ligand (CD40L) and IL-17 were examined by ELISA. In young chronic periodontitis patients, the Th17/Treg ratio was significantly higher than that in old patients. CD40 on DCs and serum levels of CD40L and IL-17 were all higher in young chronic periodontitis patients. Mature DCs with high CD40 expression level elevated the Th17/Treg ratio in vitro. During the pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis, young patients had higher Th17/Treg ratio than old patients and this phenomenon was in line with the differential expression levels of CD40 in DCs.
CXCR4 and JUNB double-positive disseminated tumor cells are detected frequently in breast cancer patients at primary diagnosis
Authors: Kallergi Galatea , Hoffmann Oliver , Bittner Ann-Kathrin , Papadimitriou Lina , Katsarou Spyridoula D. , Zacharopoulou Nefeli , Zervakis Michalis , Sfakianakis Stelios , Stournaras Christos , Georgoulias Vassilis , Kimmig Rainer , Kasimir-Bauer Sabine
Published: April 2020

Background:

The chemokine receptor CXCR4 and the transcription factor JUNB, expressed on a variety of tumor cells, seem to play an important role in the metastatic process. Since disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in the bone marrow (BM) have been associated with worse outcomes, we evaluated the expression of CXCR4 and JUNB in DTCs of primary, nonmetastatic breast cancer (BC) patients before the onset of any systemic treatment.

Methods:

Bilateral BM (10 ml) aspirations of 39 hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative BC patients were assessed for the presence of DTCs using the following combination of antibodies: pan-cytokeratin (A45-B/B3)/CXCR4/JUNB. An expression pattern of the examined proteins was created using confocal laser scanning microscopy, Image J software and BC cell lines.

Results:

CXCR4 was overexpressed in cancer cells and DTCs, with the following hierarchy of expression: SKBR3 > MCF7 > DTCs > MDA-MB231. Accordingly, the expression pattern of JUNB was: DTCs > MDA-MB231 > SKBR3 > MCF7. The mean intensity of CXCR4 (6411 ± 334) and JUNB (27725.64 ± 470) in DTCs was statistically higher compared with BM hematopoietic cells (2009 ± 456, p = 0.001; and 11112.89 ± 545, p = 0.001, respectively). The (CXCR4+JUNB+CK+) phenotype was the most frequently detected [90% (35/39)], followed by the (CXCR4–JUNB+CK+) phenotype [36% (14/39)]. However, (CXCR4+JUNB–CK+) tumor cells were found in only 5% (3/39) of patients. Those patients harboring DTCs with the (CXCR4+JUNB+CK+) phenotype revealed lower overall survival (Cox regression: p = 0.023).

Conclusions:

(CXCR4+JUNB+CK+)-expressing DTCs, detected frequently in the BM of BC patients, seem to identify a subgroup of patients at higher risk for relapse that may be considered for close follow up.
The diffusion of international standards on managerial practices
Authors: Di Luozzo Sebastiano , Varisco Martina , Schiraldi Massimiliano M
Published: April 2020

This article presents a comprehensive framework which identifies the relevant factors that can influence the standard adoption process, along with insights for performing a qualitative perspective analysis on the possible market diffusion of a specific standard under development or under review. This article also shows an example of framework application to the ISO 22400 standard, evidencing organizational and managerial implications on the standard adoption process.
A New Polyoxygenated Cyclohexene From the Rhizomes of Globba pendula Roxb.
Authors: Thi Phuong Ngo , Thi Thanh Huyen Do , Thi Hai Hoa Bui , Ngoc Hung Le , Minh Ha Le
Published: April 2020

A new polyoxygenated cyclohexene, globbanol A (1), 2 other cyclohexene derivatives, crotepoxide (2) and boesenboxide (3), along with a chalcone, 2ʹ- hydroxy-4,4ʹ,6ʹ-trimethoxy-chalcone (4) were isolated from the rhizomes of Globba pendula Roxb. ( Zingiberaceae) of Vietnam. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive analysis of high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and NMR spectral data. Absolute configuration of new compound was determined by circular dichroism spectra. All these compounds are first reported from the genus Globba.
Hemorrhage in Onodi Cell Leading to Traumatic Optic Neuropathy
Authors: Mehta Aditi , Rathod Ramya , Ahuja Chirag , Singh Manpreet , Virk Ramandeep S.
Published: April 2020

Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is an important cause of vision loss in the setting of cranial and/or facial trauma. Both direct and indirect variants exist, with the latter being more common. We describe the case of a young male presenting with loss of vision following trauma with an intact globe, an intraorbital foreign body, and Onodi cell hemorrhage. The challenges in diagnoses of type of TON, exact pathology, and management are discussed. We also highlight the role of thin section digital computed tomography imaging which is paramount for timely detection of subtle injuries and their management.
A Community-Based Study on the Prevalence of Olfactory Dysfunction
Authors: Schlosser Rodney J. , Desiato Vincent M. , Storck Kristina A. , Nguyen Shaun A. , Hill Jonathan B. , Washington Brandon J. , Noonan Tegan E. , Lamira Jensine , Mulligan Jennifer K. , Rowan Nicholas R. , Yoo Frederick , Matthews Lois J. , Dubno Judy R. , Soler Zachary M.
Published: April 2020

Background

Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is common, affecting an estimated 13 million adults in the United States. Prior studies may underestimate OD prevalence due to use of brief smell identification tests or age-adjusted cutoff values, which concede that it is acceptable for older people to have a decreased sense of smell.

Objective

To determine OD prevalence in the healthy community when the goal and expectation is ideal olfactory function, rather than age-based population norms. Secondary goals were to explore factors associated with OD.

Methods

Subjects without otolaryngic complaints were recruited from the community surrounding the Medical University of South Carolina. Olfactory-specific information was collected, and olfactory function was assessed using the Sniffin’ Sticks test (Burghardt, Wedel, Germany) to measure threshold, discrimination, and identification (TDI). OD was defined as a TDI score < 31. Bivariate analysis and linear regression were used to determine factors associated with OD.

Results

In total, 176 subjects were included with mean age of 52 years (range: 20–93), 111 (63%) female, and 127 (72%) white. Mean TDI score was 28.8 (6.9) and OD was present in 94 (53%) subjects. Multivariate linear regression revealed that TDI decreased an average of 1 point every 5 years. TDI was also associated with Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) score, asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Threshold was associated with age, heart problems, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Discrimination was associated with age and MMSE scores. Identification was associated with age, heart problems, and anxiety.

Conclusions

In a community-based sample, OD affects greater than 50% of subjects. Aging impacts all aspects of olfaction, while the effects of factors such as asthma, MMSE scores, gastroesophageal reflux disease, heart problems, and anxiety may only be evident in specific olfactory subtests.
Larvae of Musca domestica (common house fly) found intraoperatively in a male breast abscess
Authors: Kangas-Dick Aaron W , Bornstein Yadin , Azar Omar , Rojas Kristin E , Borgen Patrick I
Published: April 2020

A 62-year-old male with type 2 diabetes mellitus presented to our nationally accredited breast center with bilateral breast masses present for 7 years and new-onset pink nipple discharge for several months. Mammography and ultrasound demonstrated a left 2.7 retroareolar cystic lesion and a right 2.1 cm retroareolar solid lesion. Given the suspicious nature of the bilateral breast discharge, core needle biopsies were performed to rule out underlying malignancy. The biopsies revealed benign results, but the discordance between the biopsy, imaging, and suspicious discharge led to the decision to perform bilateral excisional biopsies. Intraoperatively, a small organism resembling a larva was encountered. The abnormal tissue was sent for histopathological examination, along with the organism, which was identified as the larvae of Musca domestica, or common house fly.
A child with recurrent pyogenic arthritis with the PSTPIP1 mutation
Authors: Guo Yan-Nan
Published: April 2020

Pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, and acne syndrome is a rare disease, linked to an auto-inflammatory pathway. We report a 7-year-old boy with recurrent suppurative knee arthritis without signs of suppurative skin infection or ulcer; his younger brother had the same symptom. Genetic testing indicated the presence of proline-serine-threonine phosphatase interacting protein 1 gene mutation in both boys. Our patient’s grandfather had a history of recurrent pyoderma, and his father though a genetic carrier had no symptoms. Interestingly, our patient displayed markedly high levels of interleukin-6, while interleukin-1 and other cytokines were not elevated. These lab findings led to the treatment of pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, and acne syndrome with tocilizumab. Previously reported cases of similar phenotypes of the syndrome have not presented in this fashion, nor have there been reported cases of pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, and acne syndrome with a positive family history and an elevation in interleukin-6. The mutation site of proline-serine-threonine phosphatase interacting protein 1 in this incomplete pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, and acne syndrome has not been reported before. It is possible that there are other pathogenic ways to trigger these auto-inflammatory disorders. Tocilizumab, which specifically targets interleukin-6, was effective in this case.
The power of nonfiction life story narratives to communicate conservation to a non-specialist audience
Authors: Pye Sarah
Published: April 2020

Without significant adaptation and response to climate change and environmental destruction, human behaviour has the capacity to lead to our eventual demise. However, in our fast-paced media world, conservation messages and warnings are often ignored by the public, politicians and commercial concerns. This article proposes that long-form nonfiction narratives are an important communication tool for the dissemination of conservation science in the Anthropocene. Furthermore, it suggests that future-focused nature biographies have the capacity to present science in a way that is accessible to a non-specialist audience, evoking the necessary responsibilities and stewardship outside of scientific circles. This article compares biographical exemplars with the author’s practice-led research exploring the life of Malaysian biologist and tropical ecologist, Dr Wong Siew Te.
Deep time and compressed time in the Anthropocene: The new timescape and the value of cosmic storytelling
Authors: Shoshitaishvili Boris
Published: April 2020

The scientific discovery of our universe’s immense cosmological history and Earth’s vast geologic history has radically altered common perceptions of time, prompting us to think in terms of millions and billions of years rather than hundreds and thousands. Meanwhile human societies impact the Earth System at accelerating rates and more comprehensively than ever before, leading scientists to propose the new geological epoch of the Anthropocene. These two contrasting temporal transformations have mostly been considered separately: the expanding awareness of cosmological and geologic duration, on the one hand, and the acute sense of swift technological change, on the other. However, their contrast and coexistence are important to recognize. The challenge of understanding the Anthropocene’s complex timescales is partly due to the inability of human institutions to reconcile this twofold disruption whereby time has both expanded (into deep time) and compressed (in techno-social acceleration). After theorizing this transformation, I evaluate the current cosmic stories helping human beings reconceptualize the new timescape.
A dialogic analysis of Hello Barbie’s conversations with children
Authors: Steeves Valerie
Published: April 2020

This paper analyses Hello Barbie as a commercial artefact to explore how big data practices are reshaping the enterprise of marketing. The doll uses voice recognition software to ‘listen’ to the child and ‘talk back’ by algorithmically selecting a response from 8000 predetermined lines of dialogue. As such, it is a useful example of how marketers use customer relationship management systems that rely on sophisticated data collection and analysis techniques to create a relationship between companies and customers in which both parties are positioned as active participants who are able to obtain what they wish from the interaction. I use dialogic analysis to see how Mattel ‘makes sense’ of the dialogue as a dialogic partner. I argue that, in spite of the rhetoric of instantaneity and personalization, in which the technology is positioned as an immediate response to a child’s imagination, Mattel’s dialogic communication is both asynchronous and carefully crafted to fit the child’s responses within predetermined consumer subjectivities that are crafted to encourage particular kinds of consumption. Although the dialogue spoken by Hello Barbie is able to situate Barbie as an active subject, the control exercised by the company in order to elicit data for customer relationship management purposes and steer the dialogue to brand-friendly messages relegates the child to a passive role. Accordingly, the doll fails to deliver the promises of customer relationship management.
Relationships and Mediating Effects of Employee Engagement: An Empirical Study of Managerial Employees of Sri Lankan Listed Companies
Authors: Iddagoda Yasangi Anuradha , Opatha Henarath H. D. N. P.
Published: April 2020

This study is a systematic and scientific attempt to fill five identified research gaps in the existing literature with regard to employee engagement through the use of empirical evidence from Sri Lankan listed companies. This study focuses on investigating employee engagement, its selected dynamics such as high-performance work practices (HPWPs), religiosity, personal character, leadership, work–life balance, and mediating effects of employee engagement on the relationship between the selected dynamics and employee job performance. The data gathered from 272 executives and managers in the Sri Lankan listed companies were analyzed and a set of hypotheses established and developed based on the theoretical and empirical accounts with regard to the dynamics of employee engagement, the combined effect of the dynamics of employee engagement, employee engagement as an independent variable, and the mediating role of employee engagement. A total of 12 hypotheses were tested with minimum researcher interference, in a noncontrived setting as a cross-sectional study and they were substantiated. Implications of the research findings have been discussed.
What Drives Symptom Reduction in Attention Bias Modification Treatment? A Randomized Controlled Experiment in Clinically Anxious Youths
Authors: Linetzky Marian , Pettit Jeremy W. , Silverman Wendy K. , Pine Daniel S. , Bar-Haim Yair
Published: April 2020

Attention-bias modification (ABM) is a novel treatment for anxiety disorders. We tested the contribution of two possible factors implicated in ABM’s efficacy: training of threat-related selective spatial attention and exposure to threat. We also measured general attention control to examine its potential role in treatment effects. A four-arm randomized controlled design was used, which dissociated spatial attention and threat exposure while equating treatment expectancies. One hundred clinically anxious youths were randomized and assessed at pretreatment, midtreatment, posttreatment, and 3-month follow-up. All four groups manifested large reductions in anxiety symptoms; there were no significant between-group differences. Level of change in anxiety symptoms significantly correlated with level of change in youths’ self-rated attention control. Findings did not support the role of either dissociated spatial attention or threat exposure as underlying mechanisms. Implications of the findings are discussed including possible roles of expectations and general attention control in ABM efficacy.
An Examination of Afghanistan’s 2018 Wolesi Jirga Elections: Chaos, Confusion and Fraud
Authors: Johnson Thomas H. , Barnhart Ronald J.
Published: April 2020

This article’s primarily focus concerns Afghanistan’s ‘democratic’ electoral processes and procedures. Fraud and other critical aspects of the 2018 election for the Wolesi Jirga, Afghanistan’s lower house of parliament, are systematically assessed and official election data and results are examined in depth. As witnessed in earlier Wolesi Jirga elections, this legislative election was duplicitous and unrepresentative. By definition, a democratic legislature serves as the voice of a country’s population. Assessing the voting results in Kabul, the largest and most important province, can summarise the problems of the election. The leading ‘vote getter’ in the Kabul Province got a mere 2.0 per cent of the vote—11,158 out of 666,478 votes cast. Twenty-six of the elected Wolesi Jirga legislators received less than 1 per cent of the vote. Only 23.5 per cent of Kabuli voters voted for a winning candidate. Overall, this article paints a bleak picture of the state of democracy in Afghanistan. The already restricted Afghan environment is further hindered by operational mismanagement by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) throughout the electoral process. The single non-transferable voting (SNTV) system again proved to be a disaster resulting in the vast majority of Afghans voting for losing candidates and winning candidates receiving few votes.
Measuring the changing pattern of ethnic segregation in England and Wales with Consumer Registers
Authors: Lan Tian , Kandt Jens , Longley Paul
Published: April 2020

Analysis of changing patterns of ethnic residential segregation is usually framed by the coarse categorisations of ethnicity used in censuses and other large-scale public sector surveys and by the infrequent time intervals at which such surveys are conducted. In this paper, we use names-based classification of Consumer Registers to investigate changing degrees of segregation in England and Wales over the period 1997–2016 at annual resolution. We find that names-based ethnic classification of the individuals that make up Consumer Registers provides reliable estimates of the residential patterning of different ethnic groups and the degree to which they are segregated. Building upon this finding, we explore more detailed segregation patterns and trends of finer groups at annual resolutions and discover some unexpected trends that have hitherto remained unrecorded by Census-based studies. We conclude that appropriately processed Consumer Registers hold considerable potential to contribute to various domains of urban geography and policy.
The Role of the Project Management Office (PMO) in Stimulating Innovation in Projects Initiated by Owner and Operator Organizations
Authors: Sergeeva Natalya , Ali Sultan
Published: April 2020

This article explores the extent to which innovations are driven by the project management office (PMO), an internal unit within owner and operator organizations that is responsible for overall project assurance and control. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with organizational members of Transport for London (TfL), a public transport owner and operator organization and a key stakeholder in the UK infrastructure sector. This was combined with the analysis of four project assurance reviews initiated and delivered by TfL. The findings demonstrate that the PMO provides opportunities for building and enhancing innovative capabilities of the owner and operator organization.
Thoracic ultrasound in the modern management of pleural disease
Authors: Hassan Maged , Mercer Rachel M. , Rahman Najib M.
Published: April 2020

Physician-led thoracic ultrasound (TUS) has substantially changed how respiratory disorders, and in particular pleural diseases, are managed. The use of TUS as a point-of-care test enables the respiratory physician to quickly and accurately diagnose pleural pathology and ensure safe access to the pleural space during thoracentesis or chest drain insertion. Competence in performing TUS is now an obligatory part of respiratory speciality training programmes in different parts of the world. Pleural physicians with higher levels of competence routinely use TUS during the planning and execution of more sophisticated diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, such as core needle pleural biopsies, image-guided drain insertion and medical thoracoscopy. Current research is gauging the potential of TUS in predicting the outcome of different pleural interventions and how it can aid in tailoring the optimum treatment according to different TUS-based parameters.
YSMR: a video tracking and analysis program for bacterial motility
Authors: Schwanbeck Julian , Oehmig Ines , Dretzke Jerôme , Zautner Andreas E. , Groß Uwe , Bohne Wolfgang
Published: April 2020

Background

Motility in bacteria forms the basis for taxis and is in some pathogenic bacteria important for virulence. Video tracking of motile bacteria allows the monitoring of bacterial swimming behaviour and taxis on the level of individual cells, which is a prerequisite to study the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Results

The open-source python program YSMR (Your Software for Motility Recognition) was designed to simultaneously track a large number of bacterial cells on standard computers from video files in various formats. In order to cope with the high number of tracked objects, we use a simple detection and tracking approach based on grey-value and position, followed by stringent selection against suspicious data points. The generated data can be used for statistical analyses either directly with YSMR or with external programs.

Conclusion

In contrast to existing video tracking software, which either requires expensive computer hardware or only tracks a limited number of bacteria for a few seconds, YSMR is an open-source program which allows the 2-D tracking of several hundred objects over at least 5 minutes on standard computer hardware.

The code is freely available at https://github.com/schwanbeck/YSMR
circRNAprofiler: an R-based computational framework for the downstream analysis of circular RNAs
Authors: Aufiero Simona , Reckman Yolan J. , Tijsen Anke J. , Pinto Yigal M. , Creemers Esther E.
Published: April 2020

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a newly appreciated class of non-coding RNA molecules. Numerous tools have been developed for the detection of circRNAs, however computational tools to perform downstream functional analysis of circRNAs are scarce.

Results

We present circRNAprofiler, an R-based computational framework that runs after circRNAs have been identified. It allows to combine circRNAs detected by multiple publicly available annotation-based circRNA detection tools and to analyze their expression, genomic context, evolutionary conservation, biogenesis and putative functions.

Conclusions

Overall, the circRNA analysis workflow implemented by circRNAprofiler is highly automated and customizable, and the results of the analyses can be used as starting point for further investigation in the role of specific circRNAs in any physiological or pathological condition.
Genetic dissection of stem WSC accumulation and remobilization in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under terminal drought stress
Authors: Li Mengfei , Liu Yuan , Ma Jingfu , Zhang Peipei , Wang Caixiang , Su Junji , Yang Delong
Published: April 2020

Background

The accumulation and remobilization of stem water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) are determinant physiological traits highly influencing yield potential in wheat against drought stress. However, knowledge gains of the genetic control are still limited. A hexaploid wheat population of 120 recombinant inbred lines were developed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and to dissect the genetic basis underlying eight traits related to stem WSC under drought stress (DS) and well-watered (WW) conditions across three environments.

Results

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed larger environmental and genotypic effects on stem WSC-related traits, indicating moderate heritabilities of 0.51–0.72. A total of 95 additive and 88 pairs of epistatic QTLs were identified with significant additive and epistatic effects, as well as QTL× water environmental interaction (QEI) effects. Most of additive QTLs and additive QEIs associated with drought-stressed environments functioned genetic effects promoting pre-anthesis WSC levels and stem WSC remobilization to developing grains. Compared to other genetic components, both genetic effects were performed exclusive contributions to phenotypic variations in stem WSC-related traits. Nineteen QTL clusters were identified on chromosomes 1B, 2A, 2B, 2D, 3B, 4B, 5A, 6A, 6B and 7A, suggestive of the genetic linkage or pleiotropy. Thirteen additive QTLs were detectable repeatedly across two of the three water environments, indicating features of stable expressions. Some loci were consistent with those reported early and were further discussed.

Conclusion

Stem WSC-related traits were inherited predominantly by additive and QEI effects with a moderate heritability. QTL cluster regions were suggestive of tight linkage or pleiotropy in the inheritance of these traits. Some stable and common loci, as well as closely linked molecular markers, had great potential in marker-assisted selection to improve stem WSC-related traits in wheat, especially under drought-stressed environments.
Transcriptomic analysis of flower induction for long-day pitaya by supplementary lighting in short-day winter season
Authors: Xiong Rui , Liu Chengli , Xu Min , Wei Shuang-shuang , Huang Jia-quan , Tang Hua
Published: April 2020

Background

Pitayas are currently attracting considerable interest as a tropical fruit with numerous health benefits. However, as a long-day plant, pitaya plants cannot flower in the winter season from November to April in Hainan, China. To harvest pitayas with high economic value in the winter season, it is necessary to provide supplementary lighting at night to induce flowering. To further explore the molecular regulating mechanisms of flower induction in pitaya plants exposed to supplementary lighting, we used de novo RNA sequencing-based transcriptomic analysis for four stages of pitaya plants subjected to light induction.

Results

We assembled 68,113 unigenes in total, comprising 29,782 unigenes with functional annotations in the NR database, 20,716 annotations in SwissProt, 18,088 annotations in KOG, and 11,059 annotations in KEGG. Comparisons between different samples revealed different numbers of significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A number of DEGs involved in energy metabolism-related processes and plant hormone signaling were detected. Moreover, we identified many CONSTANS-LIKE, FLOWERING LOCUS T, and other DEGs involved in the direct regulation of flowering including CDF and TCP, which function as typical transcription factor genes in the flowering process. At the transcriptomic level, we verified 13 DEGs with different functions in the time-course response to light-induced flowering by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR analysis.

Conclusions

The identified DEGs may include some key genes controlling the pitaya floral-induction network, the flower induction and development is very complicated, and it involves photoperiod perception and different phytohormone signaling. These findings will increase our understanding to the molecular mechanism of floral regulation of long-day pitaya plants in short-day winter season induced by supplementary lighting.
The influence of balanced complex chromosomal rearrangements on preimplantation embryonic development potential and molecular karyotype
Authors: Li Gang , Shi Weiyi , Niu Wenbin , Xu Jiawei , Guo Yihong , Su Yingchun , Sun Yingpu
Published: April 2020

Background

Balanced complex chromosome rearrangements (BCCR) are balanced chromosomal structural aberrations that involve two or more chromosomes and at least three breakpoints. It is very rare in the population. The objective is to explore the difference of influence of three types of BCCR on early embryonic development and molecular karyotype.

Results

Twelve couples were recruited including four couples of three-way rearrangements carriers (group A), three couples of double two-way translocations carriers (group B) and five couples of exceptional CCR carriers (group C). A total of 243 oocytes were retrievedin the seventeen preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) cycles, and 207 of these were available for fertilization. After intracytoplasmic sperm injection, 181oocytes normally fertilized. The rates of embryos forming on day3 in three groups were 87.88, 97.78 and77.14%, which was significantly different (P = 0.01). Compared with group B, the rate of embryo formation was statistically significantly lower in group C (P = 0.01). Furthermore, the rates of high-quality blastocysts in three group were 14.71, 48.15 and 62.96%, respectively, which was significantly different (P = 0.00). Compared with group B andC, the rate of high-quality blastocysts in group A was statistically significantly lower (P = 0.00;P = 0.00).

Comprehensive chromosome analysis was performed on 83 embryos, including 75 trophectodermcellsand 8 blastomeres. Except 7 embryos failed to amplify, 9.01%embryos were diagnosed as euploidy, and 90.91% were diagnosed as abnormal. As for group A, the euploid embryo rate was 10.71%and the abnormal embryo rate was 89.29%. In group B,the euploid embryo rate was 3.85%, the abnormal embryo rate was 96.15%. The euploid embryo rate was 13.04%, the abnormal embryo rate was 86.96% in group C. There were no significant differences among the three groups (P = 0.55).

Conclusions

The lowest rate of high quality blastocysts has been for three-way rearrangements and the lowest rate of euploidy has been for double two-way translocations, although no significant difference. Different types of BCCR maybe have little effect on the embryonic molecular karyotype. The difference of influence of BCCR on early embryonic developmentandmolecular karyotypeshould be further studied.
Genome-wide analysis on the maize genome reveals weak selection on synonymous mutations
Authors: Chu Duan , Wei Lai
Published: April 2020

Background

Synonymous mutations are able to change the tAI (tRNA adaptation index) of a codon and consequently affect the local translation rate. Intuitively, one may hypothesize that those synonymous mutations which increase the tAI values are favored by natural selection.

Results

We use the maize (Zea mays) genome to test our assumption. The first supporting evidence is that the tAI-increasing synonymous mutations have higher fixed-to-polymorphic ratios than the tAI-decreasing ones. Next, the DAF (derived allele frequency) or MAF (minor allele frequency) of the former is significantly higher than the latter. Moreover, similar results are obtained when we investigate CAI (codon adaptation index) instead of tAI.

Conclusion

The synonymous mutations in the maize genome are not strictly neutral. The tAI-increasing mutations are positively selected while those tAI-decreasing ones undergo purifying selection. This selection force might be weak but should not be automatically ignored.
Genetic differentiation and intrinsic genomic features explain variation in recombination hotspots among cocoa tree populations
Authors: Schwarzkopf Enrique J. , Motamayor Juan C. , Cornejo Omar E.
Published: April 2020

Background

Recombination plays an important evolutionary role by breaking up haplotypes and shuffling genetic variation. This process impacts the ability of selection to eliminate deleterious mutations or increase the frequency of beneficial mutations in a population. To understand the role of recombination generating and maintaining haplotypic variation in a population, we can construct fine-scale recombination maps. Such maps have been used to study a variety of model organisms and proven to be informative of how selection and demographics shape species-wide variation. Here we present a fine-scale recombination map for ten populations of Theobroma cacao – a non-model, long-lived, woody crop. We use this map to elucidate the dynamics of recombination rates in distinct populations of the same species, one of which is domesticated.

Results

Mean recombination rates in range between 2.5 and 8.6 cM/Mb for most populations of T. cacao with the exception of the domesticated Criollo (525 cM/Mb) and Guianna, a more recently established population (46.5 cM/Mb). We found little overlap in the location of hotspots of recombination across populations. We also found that hotspot regions contained fewer known retroelement sequences than expected and were overrepresented near transcription start and termination sites. We find mutations in FIGL-1, a protein shown to downregulate cross-over frequency in Arabidopsis, statistically associated to higher recombination rates in domesticated Criollo.

Conclusions

We generated fine-scale recombination maps for ten populations of Theobroma cacao and used them to understand what processes are associated with population-level variation in this species. Our results provide support to the hypothesis of increased recombination rates in domesticated plants (Criollo population). We propose a testable mechanistic hypothesis for the change in recombination rate in domesticated populations in the form of mutations to a previously identified recombination-suppressing protein. Finally, we establish a number of possible correlates of recombination hotspots that help explain general patterns of recombination in this species.
Homoeolog expression bias and expression level dominance (ELD) in four tissues of natural allotetraploid Brassica napus
Authors: Li Mengdi , Wang Ruihua , Wu Xiaoming , Wang Jianbo
Published: April 2020

Background

Allopolyploidy is widespread in angiosperms, and they can coordinate two or more different genomes through genetic and epigenetic modifications to exhibit stronger vigor and adaptability. To explore the changes in homologous gene expression patterns in the natural allotetraploid Brassica napus (AnAnCnCn) relative to its two diploid progenitors, B. rapa (ArAr) and B. oleracea (CoCo), after approximately 7500 years of domestication, the global gene pair expression patterns in four major tissues (stems, leaves, flowers and siliques) of these three species were analyzed using an RNA sequencing approach.

Results

The results showed that the ‘transcriptomic shock’ phenomenon was alleviated in natural B. napus after approximately 7500 years of natural domestication, and most differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in B. napus were downregulated relative to those in its two diploid progenitors. The KEGG analysis indicated that three pathways related to photosynthesis were enriched in both comparison groups (AnAnCnCn vs ArAr and AnAnCnCn vs CoCo), and these pathways were all downregulated in four tissues of B. napus. In addition, homoeolog expression bias and expression level dominance (ELD) in B. napus were thoroughly studied through analysis of expression levels of 27,609 B. rapa-B. oleracea orthologous gene pairs. The overwhelming majority of gene pairs (an average of 86.7%) in B. napus maintained their expression pattern in two diploid progenitors, and approximately 78.1% of the gene pairs showed expression bias with a preference toward the A subgenome. Overall, an average of 48, 29.7 and 22.3% homologous gene pairs exhibited additive expression, ELD and transgressive expression in B. napus, respectively. The ELD bias varies from tissue to tissue; specifically, more gene pairs in stems and siliques showed ELD-A, whereas the opposite was observed in leaves and flowers. More transgressive upregulation, rather than downregulation, was observed in gene pairs of B. napus.

Conclusions

In general, these results may provide a comprehensive understanding of the changes in homologous gene expression patterns in natural B. napus after approximately 7500 years of evolution and domestication and may enhance our understanding of allopolyploidy.
Human CD8+CD28− T suppressor cells expanded by common gamma chain (γc) cytokines retain steady allospecific suppressive capacity in vivo
Authors: Liu Guihuan , Yu Yuming , Feng Fu , Zhu Ping , Zhang Hua , Zhang Danni , Feng Xiaoqiang , Zhang Zedan , Liu Yanjun
Published: April 2020

Background

CD8+CD28−T suppressor (Ts) cells play critical role in transplant tolerance. Our previous study has generated CD8+CD28−Ts cells in vitro which exert robust allospecific suppressive capacity in vitro.

Results

CD8+CD28−Ts cells were expanded by stimulating human CD8+T cells with allogeneic antigen presenting cells in the presence of the common gamma chain cytokines IL-2, IL-7 and IL-15 in vitro, and were further verified in vitro through day 7 to 11 for their persistency of the allospecific suppressive capacity. When CD8+CD28−Ts cells were adoptively transferred into NOG mice, their capacity to inhibit CD4+T cell proliferation in allospecific manner remained potent on 11 days after their injection. The mechanisms for expansion of CD8+CD28−Ts cells by the common gamma chain cytokines were investigated. These included promoting CD8+CD28−T cells proliferation, converting CD8+CD28+T cells to CD8+CD28−T cells and decreasing CD8+CD28−T cell death. Furthermore, the expanded CD8+CD28−Ts cells showed upregulation of the co-inhibitory molecule Tim-3 and down-regulation of the cytotoxic molecule granzyme B.

Conclusions

In summary, these results demonstrated that the in vitro-expanded human CD8+CD28−T cells retained potent allospecific suppressive capacity in vivo and depicted multiple mechanisms for the expansion of Ts cells, which might promote further bench to clinic research.
Low phosphatase activity of LiaS and strong LiaR-DNA affinity explain the unusual LiaS to LiaR in vivo stoichiometry
Authors: Jani Shailee , Sterzenbach Karen , Adatrao Vijaya , Tajbakhsh Ghazal , Mascher Thorsten , Golemi-Kotra Dasantila
Published: April 2020

Background

LiaRS mediates Bacillus subtilis response to cell envelope perturbations. A third protein, LiaF, has an inhibitory role over LiaRS in the absence of stimulus. Together, LiaF and LiaRS form a three-component system characterized by an unusual stoichiometry, a 4:1 ratio between LiaS and LiaR, the significance of which in the signal transduction mechanism of LiaRS is not entirely understood.

Results

We measured, for the first time, the kinetics of the phosphorylation-dependent processes of LiaRS, the DNA-binding affinity of LiaR, and characterized the effect of phosphorylation on LiaR oligomerization state. Our study reveals that LiaS is less proficient as a phosphatase. Consequently, unspecific phosphorylation of LiaR by acetyl phosphate may be significant in vivo. This drawback is exacerbated by the strong interaction between LiaR and its own promoter, as it can drive LiaRS into losing grip over its own control in the absence of stimuli. These intrinsic, seemingly ‘disadvantageous”, attributes of LiaRS are likely overcome by the higher concentration of LiaS over LiaR in vivo, and a pro-phosphatase role of LiaF.

Conclusions

Overall, our study shows that despite the conservative nature of two-component systems, they are, ultimately, tailored to meet specific cell needs by modulating the dynamics of interactions among their components and the kinetics of phosphorylation-mediated processes.
The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of successful conversion surgery for stage IV gastric cancer: a retrospective study
Authors: Nakamura Naohiko , Kinami Shinichi , Tomita Yasuto , Miyata Takashi , Fujita Hideto , Takamura Hiroyuki , Ueda Nobuhiko , Kosaka Takeo
Published: April 2020

Background

Conversion surgery (CS) following a response to chemotherapy occasionally leads to prolonged survival in patients with stage IV gastric cancer (GC). This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for the success of CS in patients with stage IV GC.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data of 50 patients with stage IV GC who received systemic chemotherapy between January 2009 and December 2017 at the Kanazawa Medical University Hospital. The successful CS group included the patients who underwent R0 or R1 resection with CS, and the failed CS group included the patients who did not undergo CS after chemotherapy or those who, despite undergoing CS, had to additionally undergo R2 resection. Clinicopathological characteristics were examined in both groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify pretherapeutic parameters that were independently associated with the achievement of successful CS.

Results

The number of patients in the successful and failed CS groups were 12 and 38, respectively. On univariate analysis, gender (P = 0.01), NLR (P = 0.003), albumin levels (P = 0.004), and absence of peritoneal metastasis (P = 0.004) were found to be significantly correlated with a successful CS. On multivariate analysis, NLR < 4 and absence of peritoneal metastasis were independently correlated with a successful CS (P = 0.02 andP = 0.002, respectively). In patients without peritoneal metastasis, successful CS rates in patients with NLR < 4 were significantly higher than those in patients with NLR ≥ 4 (61.1% vs. 10.0%,P = 0.005).

Conclusions

The NLR was a significant independent predictor of the achievement of successful CS in stage IV GC patients, especially among the patients without peritoneal metastasis. Patients with a low NLR could have higher possibility of achieving successful CS.
Workplace violence against hospital healthcare workers in China: a national WeChat-based survey
Authors: Tian Yusheng , Yue Yuchen , Wang Jianjian , Luo Ting , Li Yamin , Zhou Jiansong
Published: April 2020

Background

Workplace violence (WPV) is a serious issue for healthcare workers and leads to many negative consequences. Several studies have reported on the prevalence of WPV in China, which ranges from 42.2 to 83.3%. However, little information is available regarding the correlates of WPV among healthcare workers and the differences across the different levels of hospitals in China. This study aimed to explore the correlates of WPV and career satisfaction among healthcare workers in China.

Methods

A self-designed WeChat-based questionnaire was used that included demographic and occupational factors. The Chinese version of the Workplace Violence Scale was used to measure WPV. Career satisfaction was assessed using two questions about career choices. Descriptive analyses, chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regressions were used.

Results

A total of 3706 participants (2750 nurses and 956 doctors) responded to the survey. Among the 3684 valid questionnaires, 2078 (56.4%) reported at least one type of WPV in the last year. Multivariate logistic regressions revealed that male sex, shift work, bachelor’s degree education, a senior professional title, working more than 50 h per week and working in secondary-level hospitals were risk factors associated with WPV. Healthcare workers who had experienced higher levels of WPV were less likely to be satisfied with their careers.

Conclusions

WPV remains a special concern for the Chinese healthcare system. Interventions to reduce WPV should be implemented by health authorities to create a zero-violence practice environment.