bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In-depth analysis reveals complex molecular etiology of idiopathic cerebral palsy
Authors: Li Na , Zhou Pei , Tang Hongmei , He Lu , Fang Xiang , Zhao Jinxiang , Wang Xin , Qi Yifei , Sun Chuanbo , Lin Yunting , Qin Fengying , Yang Miaomiao , Zhang Zhan , Liao Caihua , Zheng Shuxin , Peng Xiaofang , Xue Ting , Zhu Qianying , Li Yan , Liu Liru , Huang Jingyu , Liu Li , Peng Changgeng , Han Dingding , Liu Dong , Xu Kaishou , Hu (Cougar) Hao
Published: August 2020

Cerebral palsy (CP), the most prevalent physical disability in children, has long been ignored with regard to its inherent molecular mechanism. In this work, we performed in-depth clinical and molecular analysis on 120 idiopathic CP families, and identified in half of the patients the underlying risk factors. By a compilation of 117 CP-related genes, we recognized the characteristic features in terms of inheritance and function, and proposed a dichotomous classification system according to the expression patterns. In two patients with both CP and intellectual disability, we revealed that the defective TYW1, a tRNA hypermodification enzyme, caused microcephaly and problems in motion and cognition by hindering neuronal proliferation and migration. We developed an algorithm and proved in mice brain that this malfunctioning hypermodification specifically perturbed the translation of a subset of proteins involved in cell cycling. In a CP patient with normal intelligence, we identified a mitochondrial enzyme GPAM, the hypomorphic form of which led to hypomyelination of corticospinal tract. We confirmed that the aberrant Gpam in mice perturbed the lipid metabolism in astrocyte, resulting in suppressed astrocyte proliferation and a shortage of lipid contents supplied for oligodendrocyte myelination. This work broadened the scope of understanding of CP etiology and paved a way for innovative therapeutic strategies.
Characterization of Mice Bearing Humanized Androgen Receptor Genes (h/mAr) Varying in Polymorphism Length
Authors: Lindenmaier Zsuzsa , Yee Yohan , Kinman Adrienne , Fernandes Darren , Ellegood Jacob , Burton Christie L. , Robins Diane M. , Raznahan Armin , Arnold Paul , Lerch Jason P.
Published: August 2020

The androgen receptor (AR) is known for masculinization of behavior and brain. To better understand the role that AR plays, mice bearing humanizedArgenes with varying lengths of a polymorphic N-terminal glutamine (Q) tract were created (Albertelli et al 2006). The length of the Q tract is inversely proporitional to AR activity. Biological studies of the Q tract length may also provide a window into potential AR contributions to sex-biases in disease risk.

Here we take a multi-pronged approach to characterizing AR signaling effects on brain and behavior in mice using the humanizedArQ tract model. We first map effects of Q tract length on regional brain anatomy, and consider if these are modified by gonadal sex. We then test the notion that spatial patterns of anatomical variation related to Q tract length could be organized by intrinsic spatiotemporal patterning of AR gene expression in the mouse brain. Finally, we test influences of Q tract length on four behavioral tests.

Altering Q tract length led to neuroanatomical differences in a non-linear dosage-dependent fashion. Gene expression analyses indicated that adult neuroanatomical changes due to Q tract length are only associated with neurodevelopment (as opposed to adulthood). No significant effect of Q tract length was found on the behavior of the three mouse models. These results indicate that AR activity differentially mediates neuroanatomy and behavior, that AR activity alone does not mediate sex differences, and that neurodevelopmental processes are associated with spatial patterns of volume changes due to Q tract length in adulthood. They also indicate that androgen sensitivity in adulthood does not directly lead to autism-related behaviors or neuroanatomy, although neurodevelopmental processes may play a role earlier. Further study into sex differences, development, other behaviors, and other sex-specific mechanisms are needed to better understand AR sensitivity, neurodevelopmental disorders, and the sex difference in their prevalence.
Selective Elimination of Osteosarcoma Cell Lines with Short Telomeres by ATR Inhibitors
Authors: Goncalves Tomas , Zoumpoulidou Georgia , Alvarez-Mendoza Carlos , Mancusi Caterina , Collopy Laura C. , Strauss Sandra J. , Mittnacht Sibylle , Tomita Kazunori
Published: August 2020

To avoid replicative senescence or telomere-induced apoptosis, cancers employ telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) involving either the upregulation of telomerase or the acquisition of recombination-based alternative telomere lengthening (ALT). The choice of TMM may differentially influence cancer evolution and be exploitable in targeted therapies. Here, we examine TMMs in a panel of seventeen osteosarcoma-derived cell lines defining three separate groups according to TMM. Eight were ALT-positive, including the previously uncharacterised lines, KPD and LM7. ALT-negative cell lines were further classified into two groups according to their telomere length. HOS-MNNG, OHSN, SJSA-1, HAL, 143b and HOS displayed sub-normally short telomere length, while MG-63, MHM and HuO-3N1 displayed long telomeres. Importantly, sub-normally short telomeres were significantly associated with hypersensitivity to three different therapeutics targeting the ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) kinase - AZD-6738/Ceralasertib, VE-822/Berzoserib and BAY-1895344 - compared to long telomeres, maintained via ALT or telomerase. Within 24 hours of ATR inhibition, cells with short but not long telomeres displayed chromosome bridges and underwent cell death, indicating a selective dependency on ATR for chromosome stability. Collectively, our work provides a resource to identify links between TMMs and drug sensitivity in osteosarcoma and indicates that telomere length predicts ATR-inhibitor sensitivity in cancer.
Functional mapping of androgen receptor enhancer activity
Authors: Huang Chia-Chi Flora , Lingadahalli Shreyas , Morova Tunc , Ozturan Dogancan , Hu Eugene , Lok Yu Ivan Pak , Linder Simon , Hoogstraat Marlous , Stelloo Suzan , Sar Funda , van der Poel Henk , Altintas Umut Berkay , Saffarzadeh Mohammadali , Bihan Stephane Le , McConeghy Brian , Gokbayrak Bengul , Feng Felix Y. , Gleave Martin E. , Bergman Andries M. , Collins Colin , Hach Faraz , Zwart Wilbert , Emberly Eldon , Lack Nathan A.
Published: August 2020

Androgen receptor (AR) is critical to the initiation, growth and progression of almost all prostate cancers. Once activated, the AR binds tocis-regulatory enhancer elements on DNA that drive gene expression. Yet, there are 10-100x more binding sites than differentially expressed genes. It still remains unclear how individual sites contribute to AR-mediated transcription. While descriptive functional genomic approaches broadly correlate with enhancer activity, they do not provide the locus-specific resolution needed to delineate the underlying regulatory logic of AR-mediated transcription. Therefore, we functionally tested all commonly occuring clinical AR binding sites with Self-Transcribing Active Regulatory Regions sequencing (STARRseq) to generate the first map of intrinsic AR enhancer activity. This approach is not significantly affected by endogenous chromatin modifications and measures the potential enhancer activity at eachcis-regulatory element. Interestingly we found that only 7% of AR binding sites displayed increased enhancer activity upon hormonal stimulation. Instead, the vast majority of AR binding sites were either inactive (81%) or constitutively active enhancers (11%). These annotations strongly correlated with enhancer-associated features in both cell line and clinical prostate cancer. With these validated annotations we next investigated the effect of each enhancer class on transcription and found that AR-driven inducible enhancers frequently interacted with promoters, forming central chromosomal loops critical for gene transcription. We demonstrated that these inducible enhancers act as regulatory hubs that increase contacts with both other AR binding sites and gene promoters. This functional map was used to identify a somatic mutation that significantly reduces the expression of a commonly mutated AR-regulated tumour suppressor. Together, our data reveal a complex interplay between different AR binding sites that work in a highly coordinated manner to drive gene transcription.
EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE FIRE-EYE-TETRAMoenkhausia oligolepis(CHARACIFORMES: CHARACIDAE)
Authors: Santos Raquel Santos dos , Rodrigues Jeane Rodrigues , Cordeiro Jhennifer Gomes , Tercya Hadda , Leite Marissol , Costa Bruna Patrícia Dutra , da Silva Costa Raphael , Maximino Caio , de Siqueira-Silva Diógenes Henrique
Published: August 2020

This study describes the embryonic development ofMoenkhausia oligolepisin captive conditions. After fertilization, the embryos were collected every 10 min up to 2 h, every 20 min up to 4 h, and every 30 min until hatching. The fertilized eggs ofM. oligolepismeasured approximately 0.85 ± 0.5 mm and have an adhesive surface. The embryonic development lasted 14 hours at 25°C, with the Zygote, Cleavage, Blastula, Gastrula, Neurula and Segmentation phases. The hatching occurred in embryos around the 30-somites stage. Our results bring only the second description of embryonic development to a species of Moenkhausia genus, the first for the refereed species. Such data are of paramount importance considering the current conflicting state of this genus phylogenetic classification and may help taxonomic studies. Understand the biology of a species that is easily handling in captive conditions and has an ornamental appeal may assist studies in its reproduction in order to both, supply the aquarium market and help the species conservation in nature. Moreover, our data enable theM. oligolepisto be used as a model species in biotechnological applications, such germ cell transplantation approach.
Microbial community composition interacts with local abiotic conditions to drive colonization resistance in human gut microbiome samples
Authors: Baumgartner Michael , Pfrunder-Cardozo Katia R , Hall Alex R
Published: August 2020

Biological invasions can alter ecosystem stability and function, and predicting what happens when a new species or strain arrives remains a major challenge in ecology. In the mammalian gastrointestinal tract, susceptibility of the resident microbial community to invasion by pathogens has important implications for host health. However, at the community level, it is unclear whether susceptibility to invasion depends mostly on resident community composition (which microbes are present), or also on local abiotic conditions (such as nutrient status). Here, we used a gut microcosm system to disentangle some of the drivers of susceptibility to invasion in microbial communities sampled from humans. We found resident microbial communities inhibited an invadingE. colistrain, compared to community-free control treatments, sometimes excluding the invader completely (colonization resistance). These effects were stronger at later time points, coinciding with shifts in microbial community composition and nutrient availability. By separating these two components (microbial community and abiotic environment), we found taxonomic composition played a crucial role in suppressing invasion, but this depended critically on local abiotic conditions (adapted communities were more suppressive in nutrient-depleted conditions). This helps predict when resident communities will be most susceptible to invasion, with implications for optimizing treatments based around microbiota management.
Entrepreneurial intention of Indian university students: the role of opportunity recognition and entrepreneurship education
Authors: Hassan Aamir , Saleem Imran , Anwar Imran , Hussain Syed Abid
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of opportunity recognition and entrepreneurial self-efficacy on the entrepreneurial intention of Indian university students. This paper also examines the moderating role of entrepreneurship education and gender on the opportunity recognition–intention and self-efficacy–intention relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected through a comprehensive questionnaire from 334 students having business and management background. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to ensure the reliability and validity of all the constructs, and structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

This study unveils three important findings. First, opportunity recognition and self-efficacy both show a significant positive impact on the entrepreneurial intention of students. Second, education positively moderates “self-efficacy–intention relationship”, and third, gender negatively moderates “opportunity recognition–intention” and “self-efficacy–intention” relationships.

Research limitations/implications

This study has been carried out using a sample of students from only one university, and the study included only business and management background students. Similar studies can be conducted by adding more motivational and contextual factors with an increased sample size of students having different educational backgrounds.

Practical implications

This study provides pragmatic support to formulate new educational initiatives that can support students in their present or future entrepreneurial projects.

Originality/value

This study adds to the scarce literature on opportunity recognition and entrepreneurial intention and also highlights the moderating role of entrepreneurship education and gender on opportunity recognition–intention and entrepreneurial self-efficacy–intention relationships.
EMNC technological competence creation: key mechanisms and innovative performance
Authors: Zhang Feng
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Considerable attention has been paid to the motives and process of idiosyncratic internationalization trajectory of Multinational Corporations from emerging economies (EMNCs). Yet, the ability to undertake strategic asset-seeking foreign direct investments (FDIs) is not the same as the ability to achieve subsequent investment success (Buckley, 2018). Since an ultimate goal of strategic asset-seeking FDIs is to tap advanced knowledge in host locations to accelerate EMNC competence creation, and the current study aims to shed light on the question of whether, and if so how, EMNCs have been able to build competences after strategic asset-seeking motivated FDIs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study tests the US patent and citation data from 2000 to 2014 of leading innovation-oriented MNCs from China and India, complemented with data from LexisNexis Directory of Corporate Affiliations and Mergent Online databases. Wilcoxon rank sum test is employed to compare EMNCs with control group MNCs from mature industrialized countries to identify key technological competence creation mechanisms of EMNCs. Negative binomial regression technique is then employed to test the relationship between the key mechanisms and EMNC innovative performance in terms of quantity and quality of patented inventions.

Findings

In contrast to the extant EMNC literature, the author finds that EMNC parents adopt a hands-on and less of an orchestrating approach. They are playing critical roles in accessing and transferring knowledge from international host locations. The empirical analyses indicate an absence of reverse transfers of knowledge from subsidiaries to the parent. Instead, EMNC parents directly access and absorb explicit knowledge from external sources in subsidiary host locations, which significantly contributes to EMNC innovative performance. Meanwhile, the author finds that the employment of intra-firm and inter-unit inventor teams and associated internal tacit knowledge access and transfer significantly contribute to EMNC innovative performance.

Originality/value

This study investigates the post-internationalization performance of EMNCs and contributes to the reconciliation of theoretical debates, as well as the generation of a comprehensive understanding of the MNC. Managerial implications are also discussed.
The mediating role of self-congruity in transnational higher education choice: a proposed framework
Authors: Sudhana Pranakusuma , Noermijati Noermijati , Sabil Hussein Ananda , Khusniyah Indrawati Nur
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a conceptual framework to bridge the gap between the dimensions of brand equity (brand awareness, brand association and perceived quality) and the purchase intention of transnational higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper revisits and critically reviews the concepts of marketing in higher education, brand equity, and self-congruity as well as related past studies.

Findings

Several past empirical studies concluded that the dimensions of brand equity have been unable to significantly influence purchase intention. The review and synthesis of the literature have supported the feasibility of self-congruity to mediate the relationship, thus closing the gap. This study has been able to extend the self-congruity concept into external and internal self-congruity to fit the context of this study which is transnational higher education choice.

Originality/value

Focusing on a developing market of Indonesia, it is anticipated that the proposed model will assist the future research in branding of transnational higher education. It was hypothesized that educational brands that are congruent with prospective students' self-image both externally (from the perception by the reference group) and internally (from the perception by themselves) will be more likely to yield positive purchase intention. As a result, this study adds to the current body of knowledge in the field of transnational higher education choice which was found to be lacking.
Critical drivers towards generative process health and safety culture
Authors: Nyawera James Xolani , Haupt Theodore Conrad
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to report on the development of a model to improve process health and safety within the context of a petrochemical environment to achieve a generative health and safety culture within that sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research methodology and deductive research approach were used in the study. A survey was conducted in a major petrochemical enterprise in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa with 259 returned and duly completed questionnaires. The data was statistically analysed using statistical packages for social science version 25.

Findings

This study found that the key process health and safety critical drivers needed to grow a generative process health and safety culture were leadership commitment, chemical exposure management, health and safety risk assessment, process hazard analysis and permit to work.

Research limitations/implications

This study was conducted in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa within the petrochemical industry. Because of self-reported methods of data collection, there is a probability of bias existing in the results of the study.

Practical implications

The contribution of this research is to understand, based on theoretical assumptions, how health and safety improvement could be institutionalised in an organisation. The developed model can be used as a practical tool.

Social implications

This paper is part of the larger discussion of increasing importance in health and safety policy-making. This study aims at contributing to the literature in the field of health and safety by incorporating the drivers towards a generative process health and safety culture.

Originality/value

This study provides a model to assist senior management to reduce exposure to process health and safety hazards in the petrochemical industry and improve overall performance.
Preparation of polyaniline-modified praseodymium nanofibers as a novel eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor to protect AZ31 magnesium alloy
Authors: Samadi Amir , Amini Reza , Rostami Mehran , Kardar Pooneh , Fedel Michele
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility of using conductive polymers such as polyaniline (PANI) as corrosion inhibitors for metals.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the effect of the addition of praseodymium (Pr3+) cations on the corrosion inhibition performance of PANI for AZ31 magnesium alloy was appraised through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization tests.

Findings

The results of EIS and potentiodynamic polarization tests indicated the improvement of corrosion resistance of AZ31 during different immersion times.

Research limitations/implications

This anti-corrosion ability of PANI/Pr3+ composite applies as non-toxic environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitor on the self-healing corrosion protection properties.

Practical implications

The conductive polymers are interested for many industries. The reported data can be used by the formulators working in the R&D departments.

Social implications

The anti-corrosion ability of PANI/Pr3+ composite present a novel and high effective route against metal corrosion besides application of toxic corrosion.

Originality/value

The application of titanium dioxide coating in the field of architectural heritage is a great challenge. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to study the synthesis, characterization and corrosion inhibition performance of Pr3+ cations doped PANI nano-fibers as an anti-corrosion additive for AZ31 magnesium alloy in 3.5 Wt.% NaCl solution.
Stadium visitors' smartphone usage and digital resource integration
Authors: Horbel Chris , Buck Christoph , Diel Sören , Reith Riccardo , Walter Yannic
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Smartphones have become ubiquitous devices that enable individuals to integrate digital resources in virtually all value co-creation processes, including visiting sport events. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to understand smartphone-enabled digital resource integration in the context of sport events from an individual intra-perspective. It thereby connects the perspectives of Service Dominant Logic and Experiential Computing.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model was developed and empirically tested utilizing a survey of 707 visitors of eight first and second league soccer, handball and basketball matches in Germany. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was applied to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The results reveal that stadium visitors integrate sport event-related and unrelated digital resources to co-create value at sport events. While event-unrelated digital resources generally have more influence on visitors' perceived value, their importance is decreasing with higher team identification. Digital resources in the form of sports betting opportunities are only relevant in some specific contexts. Hence, both individual and contextual characteristics determine digital resource integration.

Originality/value

This study integrates the perspectives of value co-creation at sport events and experiential computing and proposes a conceptual model exploring how sport event visitors enrich their experience through the integration of sport event-related and unrelated smartphone-enabled digital resources. By illuminating the intra-level perspective of sport event visitors' resource integration, it provides the basis for future studies on digital resource integration on higher levels of aggregation including engagement platforms and entire sport event ecosystems.
Mental mapping and multinational migrations: A geographical imaginations approach
Authors: Thompson Maddy
Published: August 2020

Investigating migration decision‐making raises certain methodological issues because of the complexity of these practices and the diverse possibilities that exist for aspiring migrants. Migrants are increasingly engaging in multiple migrations, moving between various locations in three or more international destinations. Particularly in Asia, where short‐term temporary contracts are increasingly the norm for labour migrants, it becomes counter‐productive to analyse migration decision‐making as a movement from one place to another. Based on research undertaken in Metro Manila, the Philippines, with 48 Filipino nurses, this article addresses how to do research related to the multinational migration pathways that structure migration goals and aspirations through demonstrating the benefits and practicalities of mental mapping, a participatory visual method. By exploring the geographical imaginations of migrants and aspiring migrants, multinational pathways are shown to be planned for at the earliest stage of migration. Overall, the work reported here leads to the conclusion that researchers need to consider multiple migrations in more multidirectional and messy terms.
Editorial: comorbidities in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Liang Lei , Huang Dong‐Sheng , Yang Tian
Published: August 2020

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Oh et al and Yoon et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15867 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15979
Letter: improve survival! Place early pre‐emptive TIPSS in high‐risk variceal bleeders—Authors' reply
Authors: Dunne Philip D. J. , Sinha Rohit , Stanley Adrian J. , Lachlan Niel , Ireland Hamish , Shams Aman , Kasthuri Ram , Forrest Ewan H. , Hayes Peter C.
Published: August 2020

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Dunne et al and García‐Pagán et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15797 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15926
Letter: risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in immune‐tolerant phase of chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Gattani Mayur , Ingle Meghraj , Chauhan Shamshersingh , Lad Saiprasad
Published: August 2020

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Lee et al and Lee and Kim papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15741 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15992
Editorial: current challenges in predicting mortality in patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites
Authors: Mahgoub Sara , Armstrong Matthew J. , Ferguson James W.
Published: August 2020

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Jepsen et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15882
Editorial: direct costs are only the tip of the iceberg in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Vasudevan Abhinav , van Langenberg Daniel R.
Published: August 2020

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Khalili et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15889
Sex differences in the multilevel determinants of injection risk behaviours among people who inject drugs in Tijuana, Mexico
Authors: Jain Jennifer P. , Strathdee Steffanie A. , West Brooke S. , Gonzalez‐Zuniga Patricia , Rangel Gudelia , Pitpitan Eileen V.
Published: August 2020

Introduction and Aims

HIV and hepatitis C virus transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID) is fuelled by personal and environmental factors that vary by sex. We studied PWID in Mexico to identify sex differences in multilevel determinants of injection risk.

Design and Methods

From 2011 to 2013, 734 PWID (female: 277, male: 457) were enrolled into an observational cohort study in Tijuana. Participants completed interviews on injection and sexual risks. Utilising baseline data, we conducted multiple generalised linear models stratified by sex to identify factors associated with injection risk scores (e.g. frequency of injection risk behaviours).

Results

For both sexes, difficult access to sterile syringes was associated with elevated injection risk (b = 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16–1.33), using syringes from a safe source (e.g. needle exchange programs) was associated with lower injection risk (b = 0.87, 95% CI 0.82–0.94), and for every one‐unit increase in safe injection self‐efficacy we observed a 20% decrease in injection risk (b = 0.80, 95% CI 0.76–0.84). Females had a higher safe injection self‐efficacy score compared to males (median 2.83, interquartile range 2.2–3 vs. median 2.83, interquartile range 2–3; P = 0.01). Among females, incarceration (b = 1.22, 95% CI 1.09–1.36) and police confiscation of syringes in the past 6 months (b = 1.16, 95% CI 1.01–1.33) were associated with elevated injection risk. Among males, sex work (b = 1.16, 95% CI 1.04–1.30) and polysubstance use in the past 6 months (b = 1.22, 95% CI 1.13–1.31) were associated with elevated injection risk.

Discussion and Conclusions

Interventions to reduce HIV and hepatitis C virus transmission among PWID in Tijuana should be sex‐specific and consider multilevel determinants of injection risk to create safer drug use environments.
Predicted salivary human protease activity in experimental gingivitis revealed by endoProteo‐FASP approach
Authors: Mulkern Dimitri , Hewitt Amy , Parker Hadyn , Batt Joanna , Yonel Zehra , Grant Melissa M.
Published: August 2020

Gingivitis is a highly prevalent oral condition that can be studied in humans via the 21‐d experimental gingivitis model, which allows for investigations into the induction and resolution of gingivitis. In this study, we used the autolysis of saliva as a source of peptides to predict the activity of human proteases in saliva during induction and resolution of inflammation. Healthy volunteers, with no remarkable oral or systemic conditions, were recruited into the study and stimulated saliva samples were collected at days 0, 21, and 35 of experimental gingivitis. Plaque and gingival indices were recorded to ensure clinical induction and resolution. Saliva was auto‐digested at 37°C for 18 h before identification of peptides by mass spectrometry. Protease prediction was carried out using Proteasix in silico with the identified peptides. A comparison of day 0 to days 21 and 35 showed changes in predicted protease activity. Correlation network analysis revealed that at day 21 the proteases became less connected and showed a potential for a dysregulated system; by day 35 the connectivity was returning towards similar conditions at day 0. This study demonstrates that changes in predicted proteases are apparent even in saliva collected from donors experiencing inflammation around three teeth.
Nonelective hospital admissions, discharge disposition, and health services utilization in epilepsy patients: A population‐based study
Authors: Kwon Churl‐Su , Wong Bonnie , Agarwal Parul , Lin Jung‐Yi , Mazumdar Madhu , Dhamoon Mandip , Jetté Nathalie
Published: August 2020

Objective

Identifying adverse outcomes and examining trends and causes of nonelective admissions among persons with epilepsy would be beneficial to optimize patient care and reduce health services utilization. We examined the association of epilepsy with discharge status, in‐hospital mortality, length‐of‐stay, and charges. We also examined 10‐year trends and causes of hospital admissions among those with and without epilepsy.

Methods

Nonelective hospital admission in persons with epilepsy was identified in the 2005‐2014 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) using a validated International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD‐9‐CM) case definition. The NIS is the largest US all‐payer database including patient and hospital‐level variables, and represents hospitalizations in the general population. Descriptive statistics on trends and causes of admissions and multivariable regression analysis summarizing the association of epilepsy with the outcomes of interest are presented.

Results

Of 4 718 178 nonelective admissions in 2014, 3.80% (n = 179 461) were in persons with epilepsy. Admissions in persons with epilepsy increased from 14 636 to 179 461 (P < .0001) between 2005 and 2014. As compared to persons without epilepsy, hospital admissions in persons with epilepsy had higher odds of transfer to other facilities (odds ratio [OR] = 1.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.72‐1.81, P < .0001), being discharged against medical advice (OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.38‐1.59, P < .0001), and incurring 4% greater total charges (P < .0001). Epilepsy, convulsions, pneumonia, mood disorders, cerebrovascular disease, and septicemia were the top causes for admissions in those with epilepsy.

Significance

Future research should focus on designing targeted health care interventions that decrease the number of hospital admissions, reduce health services utilization, and increase the odds of discharge home in people with epilepsy.
Sex differences in the blood pressure level associated with increased risks of cardiovascular events: a Korean nationwide population‐based cohort study
Authors: Kee Youn Kyung , Kim Min‐ho , Oh Jongmin , Oh Hyung Jung , Ryu Dong‐Ryeol
Published: August 2020

Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular events and death. Despite differences in clinical implications of hypertension between men and women, guidelines establishing optimal blood pressure (BP) targets are still debated. The aim of this study was to investigate sex differences in the BP level associated with increased risks of major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCEs) among antihypertensive‐treated patients. Using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service‐National Sample Cohort, we enrolled antihypertensive‐treated patients and divided them into four categories: Group 1: SBP < 120 and DBP < 80 mm Hg; Group 2: 120 ≤ SBP < 130 and DBP < 80 mm Hg; Group 3: 130 ≤ SBP < 140 or 80 ≤ DBP < 90 mm Hg; and Group 4: SBP ≥ 140 or DBP ≥ 90 mm Hg. We performed time‐dependent cox regression analysis to investigate sex differences in the BP levels that increased the risk of MACCEs. Most of the 98 267 patients fell into Group 3 (53.2% men and 52.8% women) and Group 4 (30.5% men and 28.1% women). During 8.34 ± 2.07 years, there were 8,813 MACCEs and 791 deaths. The incidences of MACCEs and death tended to increase as the BP increased in both sexes. Compared to Group 1, the risk of MACCEs significantly increased only in Group 4 for men, while it significantly increased in Groups 3 and 4 for women. This study shows that there are sex differences in the BP level at which the risk of MACCEs increases. Our finding suggests that sex should be significantly considered when determining the optimal BP target in patients undergoing hypertension treatment.
Serum vaspin levels are positively associated with diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Yang Hong‐Wei , Huang Yong‐gang , Gai Chun‐liu , Chai Guang‐rui , Lee Shufang
Published: August 2020

Aims/Introduction

Vaspin is linked to obesity and its metabolic abnormalities. However, the role of vaspin serum levels in diabetic retinopathy (DR) is unknown. In the present study, we investigated the association between serum levels of vaspin and both DR and vision‐threatening DR.

Materials and Methods

This was a cross‐sectional single‐center observational study from December 2018 to September 2019. We evaluated circulating serum levels of vaspin in 372 participants with type 2 diabetes. DR was screened through detailed ocular examination. DR patients were also divided two groups: vision‐threatening DR and non‐vision‐threatening DR. The relationship between vaspin and DR was investigated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, and the results are shown as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

The vaspin serum levels of 372 patients were obtained, with a median value of 1.50 ng/mL (interquartile range 0.94–2.18 ng/mL). The median age of those patients was 53 years (interquartile range 44–62 years), and 44.4% were women. Patients with DR and VDTR had significantly increased vaspin serum levels (P < 0.001 andP < 0.001). A multivariable regression model found that patients with high levels of vaspin were approximately 1.85‐fold (odds ratio for per unit increase 1.85, 95% confidence interval 1.43–2.55; P < 0.001) more likely to experience DR, and 3.76‐fold (odds ratio for per unit increase 3.76, 95% confidence interval 2.05–6.55; P < 0.001) more likely to experience VTDR. The predictive value of vaspin was stronger in women than in men.

Conclusion

Higher vaspin serum levels were associated with an increased risk of DR and VDTR in patients with type 2 diabetes, which showed that vaspin is an important indicator factor for DR.
Viable but non culturable state and expression of pathogenic genes of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in salted silver carp
Authors: Khezri Mohammad , Rezaei Masoud , Mohabbati Mobarez Ashraf , Zolfaghari Mehdi
Published: August 2020

Many bacteria including Escherichia coli can enter into the viable but non‐culturable (VBNC) state under unfavorable condition. This study investigated the fate of E. coli O157:H7 under high salinity stress in salted silver carp. E. coli O157:H7 was inoculated in distilled water and fish meat under 0, 10, and 30% NaCl at room temperature. The culturability of bacteria was investigated using culture‐based colony counting method. Viability and expression of pathogenic genes of E. coli O157:H7 were evaluated using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) of 16S rRNA, stx1, stx2, eae, and hly genes. The bacteria kept their culturability in both water microcosms and fish meat without salinity stress, however, bacterial culturabillity was lost under salinity of 10 and 30% in water microcosms on day 4 and in fish meat under salinity of 10% and 30%, respectively, on day 9 and 5. RT‐PCR showed positive expression of 16S rRNA in both culturable and non‐culturable bacteria indicating the entering of E. coli O157:H7 into the VBNC state under salinity stress. Moreover, VBNC E. coli O157:H7 kept the expression of its pathogenesis genes. So, E. coli O157: H7 in salted silver carp should be considered as a threat to public health and food safety.
Corporate financial distress: The case of publicly listed firms in an emerging market economy
Authors: Lizares Regina M. , Bautista Carlos C.
Published: August 2020

Occurrences of financial distress (FD) are not readily obvious yet can span several periods. This paper examines episodes of FD using industry‐relative (IR) firm‐/ accounting‐, market‐ and macro‐level information. Mixed logit regressions reveal that firm‐ and market‐based measures, as well as macro‐level variables explain the likelihood of FD in 263 publicly listed non‐banking firms in the Philippines during the period 1995 to 2018. Rates of identification of firms in financial distressed states of close to 69 percent are obtained at a cutoff probability of 0.30 in the model with time‐varying intercept and slope. This study shows the importance of recognizing heterogeneous firm behavior. The ability to more accurately predict the probability of FD and to determine the financial health of firms can help financial institutions in allocating funds and policy makers in predicting crises episodes.
The association between burning mouth syndrome and urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome: A case‐control study
Authors: Crocetto Felice , Coppola Noemi , Barone Biagio , Leuci Stefania , Imbimbo Ciro , Mignogna Michele Davide
Published: August 2020

Background

The overlap between some painful conditions is widespread. The aim of this study was to evaluate the overlap between burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and urological chronic pelvic pain syndrome (UCPPS) in an outpatient clinic of a university hospital.

Methods

A controlled clinical study was performed. BMS patients and healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Patients were screened through laboratory test and a complete urological examination. Two validated questionnaires were submitted to all the patients: National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH‐CPSI) and International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS).

Results

A total of 50 BMS patients and 50 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding the items of the IPSS questionnaire of Incomplete Emptying (U = 750, P < .001), Intermittency (U = 768.5, P < .001), QoL (U = 848, P < .002), and Total Symptom score (U = 1040, P = .05) were found. Moreover, the responses of NIH‐CPSI showed statistically significant differences regarding Pain subscale (U = 714, P < .001), QoL Impact subscale (U = 1016.500, P = .05), and NIH‐CPSI total score (U = 953.500, P = .002).

Conclusion

To the best our knowledge, the reported data demonstrate for the first time an association between BMS and UCPPS. Further studies with a larger sample are needed to confirm the co‐occurrence of urological symptoms in patients with burning mouth syndrome.
Molecular mapping of stripe rust resistance gene YrH921 in a wheat introgression line H921‐11‐1
Authors: Ma Dong‐fang , Jiang Liling , Sun Cai , Li Han , Hou Lu , Guo Qingyun , Li Qiurong
Published: August 2020

Several novel stripe rust pathogen races emerging in the wheat‐planting regions of China in recent years were virulent to a majority of the designated wheat seedling resistance genes. Therefore, it is of great significance to continuously select more new and valuable materials for enriching resistant sources diversity, pyramiding different excellent resistance genes and achieving durable resistance. In this study, a resistance gene, temporarily designated as YrH921, was identified from wheat–Psathyrostachys huashanica introgression line H921‐11‐1. Two hybrid populations, 160 F2 plants and corresponding derived F2:3 families, of the two parents about Mingxian169 as female and H921‐11‐1 as male, were used to evaluate stripe rust resistance in seedling stage and as a mapping population. At last, a genetic map which comprises of four simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and six expressed sequence tag (EST) markers was constructed. YrH921 was located on the long arm of chromosome 5A. Two closely linked EST‐STS markers (BF483937 and BF484913) were screened, and the genetic distance linked to YrH921 was 3.0 and 4.3 cM, respectively. There was great value in research and production if the two closest markers were effectively used for marker‐assisted selection of YrH921 in breeding.
EffectorK, a comprehensive resource to mine for Ralstonia, Xanthomonas, and other published effector interactors in the Arabidopsis proteome
Authors: González‐Fuente Manuel , Carrère Sébastien , Monachello Dario , Marsella Benjamin G. , Cazalé Anne‐Claire , Zischek Claudine , Mitra Raka M. , Rezé Nathalie , Cottret Ludovic , Mukhtar M. Shahid , Lurin Claire , Noël Laurent D. , Peeters Nemo
Published: August 2020

Pathogens deploy effector proteins that interact with host proteins to manipulate the host physiology to the pathogen's own benefit. However, effectors can also be recognized by host immune proteins, leading to the activation of defence responses. Effectors are thus essential components in determining the outcome of plant–pathogen interactions. Despite major efforts to decipher effector functions, our current knowledge on effector biology is scattered and often limited. In this study, we conducted two systematic large‐scale yeast two‐hybrid screenings to detect interactions between Arabidopsis thaliana proteins and effectors from two vascular bacterial pathogens: Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum and Xanthomonas campestris. We then constructed an interactomic network focused on Arabidopsis and effector proteins from a wide variety of bacterial, oomycete, fungal, and invertebrate pathogens. This network contains our experimental data and protein–protein interactions from 2,035 peer‐reviewed publications (48,200 Arabidopsis–Arabidopsis and 1,300 Arabidopsis–effector protein interactions). Our results show that effectors from different species interact with both common and specific Arabidopsis interactors, suggesting dual roles as modulators of generic and adaptive host processes. Network analyses revealed that effector interactors, particularly “effector hubs” and bacterial core effector interactors, occupy important positions for network organization, as shown by their larger number of protein interactions and centrality. These interactomic data were incorporated in EffectorK, a new graph‐oriented knowledge database that allows users to navigate the network, search for homology, or find possible paths between host and/or effector proteins. EffectorK is available at www.effectork.org and allows users to submit their own interactomic data.
Technocracy in the Era of Twitter: Between intergovernmentalism and supranational technocratic politics in global tax governance
Authors: Picciotto Sol
Published: August 2020

The international tax system developed as a form of technocratic governance, aimed at facilitating international investment, neglecting provisions for cooperation between national governments for tax enforcement. Its endogenous flaws resulted in its politicization in the 1970s, and again in the 1990s, leading to an increasingly technicized form of global governance. The great financial crisis was even more disruptive and accelerated a shift toward increasingly volatile interactions between the spheres of technocracy and politics. Complex global problems requiring long time‐horizons are dealt with by increasingly narrowly focused technical specialists, dominated by corporatized bureaucracies operating in public‐private symbiosis; while in the sphere of politics, a wider public seeks simple solutions and mistrusts experts, with good reason given the experience of regulatory failures, often due to the capture of regulation by private interests. Instant communication favors opinion‐formers claiming authority, while representative democracy has shifted to “audience representation,” opening the way for demagogue leaders, as well as clientelism and corruption. While the financial crisis opened up possibilities for a paradigm shift in international tax governance, the tensions in both the technocratic and political spheres, as well as the growing gap between them, make it hard to achieve a stable and effective outcome.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐DQB1*03:417 allele by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Genebrier Steve , Elsermans Vincent , Texeraud Emeric , Bertrand Gerald , Renac Virginie
Published: August 2020

DQB1*03:417 differs from DQB1*03:01:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution at position 179 in exon 2.
Phylogeny and diversification of the gallopheasants (Aves: Galliformes): Testing roles of sexual selection and environmental niche divergence
Authors: Hosner Peter A. , Owens Hannah L. , Braun Edward L. , Kimball Rebecca T.
Published: August 2020

The gallopheasants comprise a clade of 22 species including some of the most elaborately plumaged and highly ornamented birds in the world. They also occupy a remarkable breath of environments and habitats, ranging from lowland rainforests to high grasslands and steppes of the Tibetan plateau. Here, we provide the first well‐resolved species phylogeny of this charismatic group, inferred from ultraconserved elements, nuclear introns and mitochondrial DNA sequences. Unlike previous studies which found unresolvable relationships and suggested a rapid initial burst of diversification, we identified a well‐resolved phylogeny supported in both concatenated and coalescent analytical frameworks, and a steady accrual of lineages through time. Morphological trait reconstructions demonstrated strong phylogenetic signal, not only for highly ornamented males, but also in more cryptically plumaged females. Environmental niche similarly exhibited strong phylogenetic signal. Moreover, evolution of male traits, female traits and environmental niche were all significantly correlated, making it difficult to disentangle their individual roles in gallopheasant diversification.