bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inherited OKT4 epitope deficiency in a Chinese rhesus macaque
Authors: Liu Ben‐Bo , Zhao Ming‐Liang , Wang Yun , Hu Zheng‐Fei , Zheng Yong‐Tang , Tian Ren‐Rong
Published: April 2021

OKT4 is an important epitope of the CD4 molecular. Amino acid mutations in the CD4V3 region result in deficiency of the OKT4 epitope in human. Here, we firstly reported a case of hereditary deficiency of OKT4 epitope in an inbred Chinese rhesus macaque family. This epitope deficiency is due to cytosine to thymine transition and homozygote at the nucleotide position 793 of CD4 coding sequences, which leads to the replace of arginine at 265th position of CD4 molecule by tryptophan. The results reveal that OKT4 epitope deficiency is a very old phenotype and may be parentally inherited, and emphasize the importance of avoiding inbreeding in primate population breeding.
RNA editing‐mediated regulation of calcium‐dependent activator protein for secretion (CAPS1) localization and its impact on synaptic transmission
Authors: Shumate Kayla M. , Tas Sadik T. , Kavalali Ege T. , Emeson Ronald B.
Published: April 2021

Calcium‐dependent activator protein for secretion 1 (CAPS1) is a SNARE accessory protein that facilitates formation of the SNARE complex to enable neurotransmitter release. Messenger RNAs encoding CAPS1 are subject to a site‐specific adenosine‐to‐inosine (A‐to‐I) editing event resulting in a glutamate‐to‐glycine (E‐to‐G) substitution in the C‐terminal domain of the encoded protein product. The C‐terminal domain of CAPS1 is necessary for its synaptic enrichment andCadpsRNA editing has been shown previously to enhance the release of neuromodulatory transmitters. Using mutant mouse lines engineered to solely express CAPS1 protein isoforms encoded by either the non‐edited or editedCadpstranscript, primary neuronal cultures from mouse hippocampus were used to explore the effect ofCadpsediting on neurotransmission and CAPS1 synaptic localization at both glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses. While the editing ofCadpsdoes not alter baseline evoked neurotransmission, it enhances short‐term synaptic plasticity, specifically short‐term depression, at inhibitory synapses.Cadpsediting also alters spontaneous inhibitory neurotransmission. Neurons that solely express editedCadpshave a greater proportion of synapses that contain CAPS1 than neurons that solely express non‐editedCadpsfor both glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses. Editing ofCadpstranscripts is regulated by neuronal activity, as global network stimulation increases the extent of transcripts edited in wild‐type hippocampal neurons, whereas chronic network silencing decreases the level ofCadpsediting. Taken together, these results provide key insights into the importance ofCadpsediting in modulating its own synaptic localization, as well as the modulation of neurotransmission at inhibitory synapses in hippocampal neurons.

image
Effect of Staining Solutions on Color Stability, Gloss and Surface Roughness of Removable Partial Dental Prosthetic Polymers
Authors: Papathanasiou Ioannis , Papavasiliou George , Kamposiora Phophi , Zoidis Panagiotis
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To assess the effect of commonly used solutions on color stability, gloss, and surface roughness of removable partial dental prostheses polymers.

Materials and methods

Discs (n = 112) were made of a poly(etheretherketone) (PEEK) polymer, a polyamide, an acetal resin and a heat‐cured poly(methylmethacrylate) PMMA acrylic resin polished according to manufacturers’ instructions. Seven specimens of each material were immersed in coffee, red wine, coca cola and distilled water for 30 days at 37οC. Changes of color (ΔΕ*) and color coordinates L*α*b* after immersion were calculated with a colorimeter. Changes in the values of gloss and surface roughness parameters (Sa, Sz, Str, Sdr, Sci, Svi) were also measured. Two‐way ANOVA and pairwise comparisons were used to evaluate the effect of material and staining solution on parameter value alterations (α = 0.05).

Results

The two‐way ANOVA revealed that the interaction between material and staining solution significantly affected color changes after immersion [F(9,96) = 44.67, p < 0.001]. PEEK presented the lowest color change (ΔΕ* = 3.83 ± 2) while polyamide had the highest color change overall (ΔΕ* = 14.59 ± 8.65) (p < 0.001). Coffee caused the highest color (ΔΕ* = 13.08 ± 6.98) and gloss changes (ΔG = –6.36 ± 19.2 GU) among different solutions (p < 0.001). PEEK showed the highest alteration of gloss (ΔG = –11.31 ± 15.49 GU), with significant difference with the other three materials (p < 0.001). Insignificant interaction of material and immersing solution was found for surface roughness parameters (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Among the materials tested, PEEK seemed to be the most stable material when subjected to common, everyday staining solutions. Therefore, PEEK could be a viable solution for an RPDP framework fabrication, expanding the material list of prosthetic options. Further research and clinical trials are required to confirm the above statement.
The contribution of intimate relationships to legal socialization: Legitimacy, legal cynicism, and relationship characteristics
Authors: Forrest Walter
Published: April 2021

Legal attitudes, such as legal cynicism and perceived legitimacy, develop through an ongoing process of legal socialization involving both legal authorities and non‐legal agents of socialization. Most research on the non‐legal sources of legal socialization has focused on authorities most relevant to the early stages of the life‐course. Few studies have examined the influence of non‐legal sources of socialization relevant to adulthood, even though early pioneers of the field anticipated that legal socialization involves a life‐long process. In this article, I investigate the influence of changes in intimate relationships and their characteristics on legal cynicism and legitimacy. Using data from a longitudinal study of serious, young offenders, I investigate the extent to which changes in relationship characteristics contribute to within‐individual changes in legitimacy and legal cynicism during the transition from adolescence to early adulthood. The results indicate that changes in the characteristics of intimate relationships are associated with changes in legal attitudes, and that these involve both direct and indirect effects. These findings highlight the importance of non‐legal sources of legal socialization over the life‐course and show that they are not confined to the authority figures traditionally acknowledged in the legal socialization literature.
Assessment of subclinical effects of Hepatitis E virus infection in the United States
Authors: Anugwom Chimaobi , Campbell Christopher , Debes Jose D.
Published: April 2021

Some studies have exposed an increase in liver cirrhosis in hepatitis E seropositive individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus. The interrelation between HEV seroprevalence and risk of liver disease in immune‐competent individuals remains under‐ investigated. Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data containing >30,000 subjects, we addressed if HEV exposure leads to subclinical effects that can influence liver health. We determined the association between HEV IgM and ALT and that of HEV IgG and Fib‐4—a composite score reflecting potential liver fibrosis. These analyses were repeated in populations at risk for liver disease as well as among different races and ethnicities. The prevalence of HEV IgG was significantly associated with age as IgG positive individuals were, on average, 20 years older than IgG negative patients. We found a statistically significant increase in the likelihood of having a Fib‐4 score >1.45 (significant fibrosis) in those positive for HEV IgG (RR: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01–1.05). However, due to the small effect, it is unlikely that this association has clinical significance. Moreover, the effect was not present in those with pre‐existing liver disease. We found no association between ALT levels and the presence of HEV IgM or IgG. This is the first study examining subclinical effects of HEV infection in the United States. Our study found that in the general US population, predominantly asymptomatic HEV infections do not contribute to the overall burden of liver disease.
Clinical significance of quantitative e antigen in a cohort of hepatitis B virus‐infected children and adults in North America
Authors: Cooper Stewart L. , King Wendy C. , Mogul Douglas B. , Ghany Marc G. , Schwarz Kathleen B. ,   Hepatitis B Research Network (HBRN)
Published: April 2021

Background: In chronic hepatitis B (CHB) viral infection, e antigen positivity (HBeAg+) is associated with high levels of viral replication and infectivity. Furthermore, HBeAg‐positive CHB is associated with a liver disease spectrum ranging from none to severe. Aim: To assess whether the level of circulating HBeAg is associated with different clinical presentations of HBeAg‐positive CHB. Methods: A cross‐sectional analysis was conducted among HBV mono‐infected participants enrolled in Hepatitis B Research Network (HBRN) cohorts to explore clinical and virological associations with quantitative HBeAg (qHBeAg). Results: Among 763 HBeAg+ participants (56% female; 85% Asian; median age 26 years), multivariable median regression modelling significantly associated qHBeAg with liver injury (inverse qHBeAg association with ALT p<.001 and APRI p<.001), and with both race and age (p=0.01). Among Asians, qHBeAg was inversely related to age; a relationship less clear among Blacks and Whites. Among Asians also, median qHBeAg levels were higher among those infected with HBV genotype C versus B (p<0.001), suggesting causal virologic differences. Across all races, median qHBeAg was higher in women (p=.01). Independent of sex, age, race and HBV genotype, qHBeAg was higher in participants with predominant wild‐type versus basal core promoter and/or precore ‘stop’ viral variants (p<0.001). Conclusion: Lower qHBeAg was observed among HBRN participants with the greatest degree of liver injury independent of demographics and HBV genotype. These data support longitudinal studies to examine the role of qHBeAg in modulating the host immune response and predicting the outcomes of chronic HBV infection.
Global prevalence and phylogeny of hepatitis B virus (HBV) drug and vaccine resistance mutations
Authors: Mokaya Jolynne , Vasylyeva Tetyana I. , Barnes Eleanor , Ansari M. Azim , Pybus Oliver G. , Matthews Philippa C.
Published: April 2021

Vaccination and anti‐viral therapy with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) are key approaches to reducing the morbidity, mortality and transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, the efficacy of these interventions may be reduced by the emergence of drug resistance‐associated mutations (RAMs) and/or vaccine escape mutations (VEMs). We have assimilated data on the global prevalence and distribution of HBV RAMs/VEMs from publicly available data and explored the evolution of these mutations. We analysed sequences downloaded from the HBV Database and calculated prevalence of 41 RAMs and 38 VEMs catalogued from published studies. We generated maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees and used treeBreaker to investigate the distribution and estimated the age of selected mutations across tree branches. RAM M204I/V had the highest prevalence, occurring in 3.8% (109/2838) of all HBV sequences in our data set, and a significantly higher rate in genotype C at 5.4% (60/1102, p = 0.0007). VEMs had an overall prevalence of 1.3% (37/2837) and had the highest prevalence in genotype C and in Asia at 2.2% (24/1102; p = 0.002) and 1.6% (34/2109; p = 0.009), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that RAM/VEMs can arise independently of treatment/vaccine exposure. In conclusion, HBV RAMs/VEMs have been found globally and across genotypes, with the highest prevalence observed in genotype C. Screening for genotype and for resistance‐associated mutations may help to improve stratified patient treatment. As NAs and HBV vaccines are increasingly being deployed for HBV prevention and treatment, monitoring for resistance and advocating for better treatment regimens for HBV remains essential.
Henry and Sarah Fielding: The 2010s in retrospect
Authors: Maioli Roger
Published: April 2021

This article provides an overview of studies of Henry and Sarah Fielding since the 2010s, with occasional discussion of earlier sources. These years have given pronounced attention to the Fieldings' responses to material and intellectual contexts: economic, political, and religious crises; empiricist epistemology and science; Lockean theories of education; discourses on gender and sexuality; and the dynamics of the public sphere. Work on aesthetics has reassessed the Fieldings' handling of satire and their attitudes towards both national and international genres. I identify zones of growing consensus as well as persistent disagreement, and I close by noting two unresolved attribution problems and calling for more work on Sarah's influence on Henry.
Maternal nicotine exposure aggravates metabolic associated fatty liver disease via PI3K/Akt signaling in adult offspring mice
Authors: Huang Shu‐Jing , Chen Shu‐qiang , Lin Yan , Yang Hong‐Yi , Ran Jing , Yan Fang‐Fang , Huang Mei , Liu Xian‐Lan , Hong Long‐Cheng , Zhang Xiao‐Dong , Lyu Guo‐Rong , Wang Zhan‐Xiang , Su Yi‐Ming
Published: April 2021

Aim

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of maternal nicotine exposure (MNE) on the development of metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in adulthood offspring and the underlying mechanism.

Methods

Pregnant mice (n = 22) were subcutaneously injected with either saline vehicle (n = 11) or nicotine (n = 11) twice a day on gestational days 11‐21. Offspring mice (n = 176) from both groups were weaned at postnatal day 21, and for 6 months after postnatal day 21, 96 mice were fed either a standard chow diet (n = 48) or a high‐fat diet (n = 48). Serum lipid indicators, liver function indicators, insulin, and liver mitochondrial respiration were analyzed. The expression levels of fibrosis‐related proteins, phosphorylated PI3K, phosphorylated Akt, sterol regulatory element‐binding transcription factor 1 (SREBP1c), and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha (PPAR‐α) were detected in the liver by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.

Results

MNE significantly decreased the weight of both maternal and offspring mice (~30%) and inhibited organ growth in offspring mice (P < .05). MNE also significantly increased serum levels of total bile acid, triglycerides, total cholesterol, glucose, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, low‐density lipoprotein, and insulin while decreasing serum high‐density lipoprotein levels and mitochondrial respiration activity in mice fed either the normal diet or high‐fat diet (all P < .05). These effects of MNE on lipid metabolism and insulin resistance were mediated via PI3K and Akt phosphorylation and down‐regulation of SREBP1c and PPAR‐α.

Conclusion

Our data indicate MNE induces lipid metabolism disorder and insulin resistance to promote MAFLD progression in adult offspring through activation of PI3K/Akt signaling and suppression of SREBP1c and PPARα protein expression.
Over time evaluation of glycaemic control in direct‐acting antiviral‐treated hepatitis C virus/diabetic individuals with chronic hepatitis or with cirrhosis
Authors: Cacciola Irene , Russo Giuseppina , Filomia Roberto , Pitrone Concetta , Caccamo Gaia , Giandalia Annalisa , Alibrandi Angela , Stella Franzè Maria , Porcari Serena , Maimone Sergio , Saitta Carlo , Squadrito Giovanni , Raimondo Giovanni
Published: April 2021

Background

Data concerning the impact of hepatitis C virus (HCV) cure on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are controversial. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of anti‐HCV direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) treatments on long‐term glucose control in HCV/T2DM patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) or with cirrhosis.

Methods

One hundred and eighty‐two consecutive HCV/T2DM patients who achieved a viral clearance by DAA treatment were enrolled. Seventy or 182 of them had CHC, and 112 had cirrhosis. Clinical, biochemical and instrumental parameters were recorded at baseline and at 48, 96 and 120 weeks (48w, 96w and 120w, respectively) after stopping DAA therapy.

Results

At baseline, the overall study population had a mean of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) value of 7.2% (ranging from 5 to 11.2), without any significant differences between CHC and cirrhosis [7.1 and 7.2, respectively]. Evaluation over time of HbA1c variations showed a significant improvement of glucose control at all post‐treatment time points compared with baseline in CHC patients (P = .001). In cirrhotic patients, a significant decrease of HbA1c levels was only found when comparing HbA1c values between baseline and 48w time‐point (P = .001), whereas this improvement disappeared at both 98w and 120w (P = .8 and P = .3, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients with chronic hepatitis have a 2.5 (CI 1.066‐5.945) times greater chance of achieving an improvement of glycaemic values than patients with liver cirrhosis (P = .035).

Conclusion

DAA‐based HCV cure induces a significant and persistent amelioration of glycaemic control in HCV/diabetic patients with chronic hepatitis, whereas cirrhotic HCV/diabetic subjects have only a transient benefit from the virus elimination.
Automatic roller path tracking and mapping for pavement compaction using infrared thermography
Authors: Lu Linjun , Dai Fei , Zaniewski John P.
Published: April 2021

Compaction is an important task in asphalt pavement construction. It ensures high quality of the pavement to provide required long‐term performance. Intelligent compaction (IC) integrated with global positioning system (GPS) is an innovative technology to help control the compaction quality of asphalt pavement by continuously providing the operator with the roller's current position and the number of rolling passes. However, the high equipment cost and signal disturbance are two identified issues when adopting the GPS for position estimation. This paper proposed a thermal‐based method for real‐time roller path tracking and mapping in pavement compaction operations. In this method, first, the incremental roller motion between each two consecutive frames was jointly estimated via calculation of the roller's heading direction by exploiting the pavement boundary information and the roller's translation using the optical flow technique. Then, the accuracy of the estimated incremental motion was optimized by incorporation of the roller's lateral position estimated by a position optimization model proposed by the authors. Finally, the roller's global location was estimated by chaining frame‐by‐frame roller motions recursively. Both laboratory and field validations were conducted to examine the performance of the proposed method, leading to the maximum mean absolute errors along the lateral direction to be 5.2 mm and 3.3 cm, respectively, and the maximum cumulative error rates along the longitudinal direction to be 0.85% and 0.73%, respectively. The validation results signified the method's potential as a low‐cost and applicable alternative to the GPS in the current IC technology for roller's position tracking and mapping.
Comparative effectiveness of amphotericin B, azoles and echinocandins in the treatment of candidemia and invasive candidiasis: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Demir Koray K. , Butler‐Laporte Guillaume , Del Corpo Olivier , Ekmekjian Taline , Sheppard Donald C. , Lee Todd C. , Cheng Matthew P.
Published: April 2021

Background + Objectives

The echinocandins, amphotericin B preparations, voriconazole and fluconazole are approved for the treatment of invasive candidiasis, though it remains unclear which agent is most effective. In order to answer this question, we performed a systematic review and network meta‐analysis of the randomised controlled trials (RCTs) which evaluated these agents in comparison.

Methods

Four electronic databases were searched from database inception to 8 October 2020. RCTs comparing triazoles, echinocandins or amphotericin B for the treatment of invasive candidiasis or candidemia were included. Random effect Bayesian network meta‐analysis methods were used to compare treatment outcomes.

Results

Thirteen RCTs met inclusion criteria. Of the 3528 patients included from these trials, 1531 were randomised to receive an echinocandin, 944 to amphotericin B and 1053 to a triazole. For all forms of invasive candidiasis, echinocandins were associated with the highest rate of treatment success when compared to amphotericin B (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.04–1.92) and the triazoles (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.35–2.51). Rank probability analysis favoured echinocandins as the most effective choice 98% of the time. Overall survival did not significantly differ between groups.

Conclusions

Among patients with invasive candidiasis, echinocandins had the best clinical outcomes and should remain the first‐line agents in the treatment of invasive candidiasis.
HsfA1d promotes hypocotyl elongation under chilling via enhancing expression of ribosomal protein genes in Arabidopsis
Authors: Liu Huimin , Zhang Yan , Lu Shan , Chen Hao , Wu Jiawen , Zhu Xiang , Zou Baohong , Hua Jian
Published: April 2021

How plants maintain growth under nonfreezing low temperatures (chilling) is not well understood. Here we use hypocotyl elongation under dark to investigate the molecular mechanisms for chilling growth in Arabidopsis thaliana.

The function of HsfA1d (Heat shock transcription factor A1d) in chilling growth is investigated by physiological and molecular characterization of its mutants. Subcellular localization of HsfA1d under chilling is analyzed. Potential target genes of HsfA1d were identified by transcriptome analysis, chromatin immunoprecipitation, transcriptional activation assay and mutant characterization.

HsfA1d is a positive regulator of hypocotyl elongation under chilling. It promotes expression of a large number of ribosome biogenesis genes to a moderate but significant extent under chilling. HsfA1d could bind to the promoter regions of two ribosome protein genes tested and promote their expression. The loss‐of‐function of one ribosome gene also reduced hypocotyl elongation under chilling. In addition, HsfA1d did not have increased nuclear accumulation under chilling and its basal nuclear accumulation is promoted by a salicylic acid receptor under chilling.

This study thus unveils a new HsfA1d‐mediated pathway that promotes the expression of cytosolic and plastid cytosolic and plastid ribosomal protein genes which may maintain overall protein translation for plant growth in chilling.
The T‐N tract involvement as a new prognostic factor for PORT in locally advanced oral cavity tumors
Authors: Alterio Daniela , Augugliaro Matteo , Tagliabue Marta , Bruschini Roberto , Gandini Sara , Calabrese Luca , Belloni Pietro , Preda Lorenzo , Maffini Fausto Antonio , Marvaso Giulia , Ferrari Annamaria , Volpe Stefania , Zerella Maria Alessia , Oneta Olga , Turturici Irene , Alessandro Ombretta , Ruju Francesca , Ansarin Mohssen , Orecchia Roberto , Jereczek‐Fossa Barbara Alicja
Published: April 2021

Objective

The space comprised between tumor and neck lymph nodes (T‐N tract) is one of the main routes of tumor spread in oral cavity tumors. Aim of the study was to investigate the impact of T‐N tract involvement on the postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) outcomes.

Materials and Methods

Patients (pts) treated between 2000 and 2016 with indication to PORT were retrospectively retrieved. Inclusion criteria were: (a) locally advanced tumors of the oral cavity, (b) who received with indication to PORT (c) with a minimum follow‐up of six months.

Results

One hundred and fifty‐seven pts met the inclusion criteria (136 pts treated with PORT and 21 pts not treated with PORT). In the PORT cohort, the T‐N tract involvement had no impact on both OS (p = .09) and LRFS (p = .2). Among the non‐PORT cohort, both OS (p = .007) and LRFS (p = .017) were worse for pts with positive T‐N tract compared to those with negative T‐N tract. PORT improved both OS (p = .008) and LRFS (p = .003) in pts with positive T‐N tract but not in those with negative T‐N tract (p = .36 and p = .37, respectively).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that involvement of T‐N tract should be considered as prognostic factors informing the indication to PORT.
Genetic diversity of Ralstonia solanacearum species complex strains obtained from Guangxi, China and their pathogenicity on plants in the Cucurbitaceae family and other botanical families
Authors: He Yonglin , Chen Yuanyuan , Zhang Yaowen , Qin Xiaofang , Wei Xiaolan , Zheng Dehong , Lin Wei , Li Qiqin , Yuan Gaoqing
Published: April 2021

Bacterial wilt, caused by the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC), is a destructive plant disease in Guangxi, China. However, the diversity of RSSC populations in the area is unknown. To this end, we performed an extensive bacterial wilt survey from 2015 to 2018. Using phylotype‐specific multiplex PCR (Pmx‐PCR) and an egl‐based tree, 189 strains collected from 20 plant species were identified as R. pseudosolanacearum phylotype I, which included 14 sequevars (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 30, 34, 44, 48, 54, 70, and 71); two strains isolated from potato plants belonged to R. solanacearum phylotype II, sequevar 1. Sequevars 13, 17, and 44 were prevalent in Guangxi, and sequevar 13 dominated the RSSC sequevars of four Cucurbitaceae plants. The susceptibility of different Cucurbitaceae species to bacterial wilt and the host range of 16 representative strains were further tested. Members of the Cucurbita, Momordica, and Luffa genera were susceptible to bacterial wilt, with wilt incidence ranging from 73% to 100%. Most strains were pathogenic to solanaceous plants, mulberry, and ginger plants but not to melon crops; however, the strains from kidney bean, pepper, and Cucurbitaceae plants were highly virulent to melon crops. This is the first comprehensive report on the genetic and host range diversity of the RSSC in Guangxi and the susceptibility of different Cucurbitaceae species to bacterial wilt, which can provide valuable information for the development of bacterial wilt control strategies.
European financial systems through the crisis: Patterns and convergence
Authors: Colozza Tommaso , Barucci Emilio
Published: April 2021

We investigate the financial crisis as a cut‐off point in EU financial systems’ evolution and assess its effects on cross‐country convergence patterns. Before the crisis, we observe a rise in the centrality of the financial sector, driven by an upward convergent pattern of bank credit. This inflated leverage ratios across all economic sectors, and a catch‐up phenomenon is retrieved in the leveraging of the real sector. The crisis caused a general deleveraging across all economic sectors, with a downward convergence pattern characterizing the financial sector, and triggered an upward convergent pattern in the level of insurance products in households’ portfolios.
Phylogenomics of Ichneumoninae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) reveals pervasive morphological convergence and the shortcomings of previous classifications
Authors: Santos Bernardo F. , Wahl David B. , Rousse Pascal , Bennett Andrew M. R. , Kula Robert , Brady Seán G.
Published: April 2021

The evolutionary history of Ichneumoninae, the largest subfamily of ichneumonid wasps, is investigated using genomic ultraconserved elements (UCEs). The dataset includes 147 species in 130 genera of Ichneumoninae and 155 outgroup taxa from 19 subfamilies. Matrices with varying degrees of completeness were analysed with different partition schemes and the resulting topologies were found to be mostly congruent. All analyses recovered Ichneumoninae as a monophyletic group, sister to all other Ichneumoniformes except Agriotypinae. Almost no support was found for previous tribal classification schemes, except that the tribes Phaeogenini and Platylabini are largely monophyletic. A new tribal classification is proposed based on the relationships recovered, consisting of seven tribes: Alomyini Förster, Phaeogenini Förster, Notosemini Townes, Eurylabini Heinrich, Platylabini Berthoumieu, Ichneumonini Latreille and a new monogeneric tribe, Abzariini Santos & Wahl. As documented in other lineages of Ichneumonidae, pervasive morphological convergence poses a challenge to the establishment of higher‐level groups that are both monophyletic and diagnosable. Extremely short branches at the base of the Ichneumoninae clade suggest that the group may have undergone a rapid radiation when it first diverged, potentially associated with its specialization on lepidopteran hosts. Multiple changes in the morphology of the female abdomen suggest that morphological convergence is associated with multiple transitions in the use of pupal versus larval hosts across the subfamily. The results demonstrate the power of phylogenomic approaches to resolve evolutionary relationships in hyper‐diverse and poorly studied insect groups and to provide a framework for testing evolutionary hypotheses.
Optical maps refine the bread wheat Triticum aestivum cv. Chinese Spring genome assembly
Authors: Zhu Tingting , Wang Le , Rimbert Hélène , Rodriguez Juan C. , Deal Karin R. , De Oliveira Romain , Choulet Frédéric , Keeble‐Gagnère Gabriel , Tibbits Josquin , Rogers Jane , Eversole Kellye , Appels Rudi , Gu Yong Q. , Mascher Martin , Dvorak Jan , Luo Ming‐Cheng
Published: April 2021

Until recently, achieving a reference‐quality genome sequence for bread wheat was long thought beyond the limits of genome sequencing and assembly technology, primarily due to the large genome size and > 80% repetitive sequence content. The release of the chromosome scale 14.5‐Gb IWGSC RefSeq v1.0 genome sequence of bread wheat cv. Chinese Spring (CS) was, therefore, a milestone. Here, we used a direct label and stain (DLS) optical map of the CS genome together with a prior nick, label, repair and stain (NLRS) optical map, and sequence contigs assembled with Pacific Biosciences long reads, to refine the v1.0 assembly. Inconsistencies between the sequence and maps were reconciled and gaps were closed. Gap filling and anchoring of 279 unplaced scaffolds increased the total length of pseudomolecules by 168 Mb (excluding Ns). Positions and orientations were corrected for 233 and 354 scaffolds, respectively, representing 10% of the genome sequence. The accuracy of the remaining 90% of the assembly was validated. As a result of the increased contiguity, the numbers of transposable elements (TEs) and intact TEs have increased in IWGSC RefSeq v2.1 compared with v1.0. In total, 98% of the gene models identified in v1.0 were mapped onto this new assembly through development of a dedicated approach implemented in the MAGAAT pipeline. The numbers of high‐confidence genes on pseudomolecules have increased from 105 319 to 105 534. The reconciled assembly enhances the utility of the sequence for genetic mapping, comparative genomics, gene annotation and isolation, and more general studies on the biology of wheat.
In vivoelectrophysiological mechanisms underlying cervical epidural stimulation in adult rats
Authors: Sharma Pawan , Shah Prithvi K.
Published: April 2021

Key points

To electrophysiologically determine the predominant neural structures activated with cervical epidural stimulation (ES), well‐established electrophysiological protocols (single‐pulse, paired‐pulse and multiple frequency stimulation) were delivered at rest, during motor activity and under anaesthesia in adult rats.

Cervical ES resulted in spinal evoked motor responses with three different waveforms – early response (ER), middle response (MR) and late response (LR).

ERs remained unmodulated by repeated stimulation protocols. In contrast, MRs and LRs were modulated by repeated stimulation protocols and volitional motor activity.

ERs are consequential to the direct activation of motor efferents; MRs are secondary to type‐I sensory afferent activation and LRs result from the engagement of wider spinal interneuronal circuitry with potential influence from supraspinal pathways.

Evidence from this work is fundamental in enhancing our understanding of cervical ES, and critical in refining the design of neuromodulation‐based rehabilitative strategies and in the construction of neuroprosthetics.

Epidural stimulation (ES) of the lumbar spinal cord has demonstrated significant improvements in various physiological functions after a traumatic spinal cord injury in humans. Electrophysiological evidence from rodent, human and computational studies collectively suggest that the functional recovery following lumbar ES is mediated via direct activation of sensory afferent fibres. However, the mechanisms underlying cervical ES have not been comprehensively studied, which greatly limits our understanding of its effectiveness in restoring upper limb function. In this work, we determined the predominant neural structures that are activated with cervical ES usingin vivocervical spinal evoked motor responses (SEMRs). Standard electrophysiological protocols (single‐pulse, paired‐pulse and multiple frequency stimulation) were implemented in 11 awake and anaesthetized rats in four experimental stages. Three distinct types of cervical SEMRs were identified based on latency of their appearance: early response (ER), middle response (MR) and late response (LR). ERs remained unmodulated by repeated stimulation protocols. MRs and LRs were modulated by repeated stimulation protocols and volitional motor activity. Except for LRs being completely abolished under urethane, ketamine or urethane anaesthesia did not affect the appearance of cervical SEMRs. Our data, backed by literature, suggest that ERs are secondary to the direct activation of motor efferents, MRs are elicited by activation of type‐I sensory afferents and LRs result from the engagement of interneuronal circuitry with potential influence from supraspinal pathways. The gathered information paves the way to designing motor rehabilitation strategies that can utilize cervical ES to recover upper limb function following neurological deficits.
Study on Wear Dynamic Reliability of Gear System Based on Markov Diffusive Process
Authors: Pei Jiaxing , Han Xu , Tao Yourui , Feng Shizhe
Published: April 2021

Wear is one of the most common failure forms of gear transmission system. In this paper, a dynamic wear reliability evaluation method for gear system, which subjects to stochastic external load, is proposed on the basis of the Markov diffusive process. The stochastic load is considered as the combination of constant load and random noise. The failure is defined as the wear depth of the maximum wear point of gear under the constant load that exceeds a specific threshold. The maximum wear point and relative sliding velocity are obtained by deterministic wear analysis. The stochastic noise is assumed as Gaussian white noise; hence, the wear depth can be described as Markov diffusive process, and the transition probability is governed by Fokker–Planck–Kolmogorov (FPK) equation. With the transition probability function, the wear life and dynamic reliability of gear systems with different noise spectral densities are predicted. The results reveal that the wear depth obeys normal distribution and becomes more and more scattered with noise spectral density increases. The wear life does not obey normal distribution, and the effect of noise spectral density on mean life is neglectable while on a standard deviation of life is considerable.
A Review on Mechanisms and Testing of Wear in Slurry Pumps, Pipeline Circuits, and Hydraulic Turbines
Authors: Singh Jashanpreet
Published: April 2021

This paper presents an overview about particulate wear that occurs in various components of slurry pumps, pipeline systems, and hydraulic turbines due to the mechanical action caused by the flow of solid–liquid mixtures. Three most common wear problems, namely, erosion, erosion–corrosion, and abrasion occur in different industries like thermal and hydro power plants, mining, chemical, and marine industries. Therefore, the efficiency of these industries and power plants highly depends on the wear damages. So, it becomes necessary to govern the wear phenomenon. In this paper, the various properties of particles and target are discussed on which the particulate wear depends. Present overview explains the experimental methods of measuring the particulate wear at in situ and ex situ conditions by using the different types of testers, rigs, and pilot plant test loops. Moreover, the empirical and analytical correlations or models for the prediction of particulate wear in pumps, piping circuits, and hydraulic turbines are also discussed in present literature review. By studying the all possible advantages and disadvantages, the gaps in knowledge of wear prediction methods and models are highlighted. At the end, a “think-model” for the prediction as well as reduction of wear in the various components is presented on the basis of different experimental and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based simulation work. Further investigations can be carried out to develop the more accurate and flexible models that can be used to predict the particulate wear in a wide range of applications.
On the Performance of Isotropic Hyperelastic Constitutive Models for Rubber-Like Materials: A State of the Art Review
Authors: Dal Hüsnü , Açıkgöz Kemal , Badienia Yashar
Published: April 2021

Besides the well-known landmark models for the hyperelastic response of rubberlike materials, many new hyperelastic constitutive models have emerged over the last decade. Despite many reviews on constitutive modeling or elastomers, it is still a challenging endeavor for engineers to decide for a constitutive model for the specific rubber compound and application. In this work, we have reviewed 44 hyperelastic constitutive models for elastomers and assessed their strength and weaknesses under uniaxial, pure shear, and (equi)biaxial deformations. To this end, we first present a novel parameter identification methodology based on various multi-objective optimization strategies for the selection of the best constitutive models from a given set of uniaxial tension, pure shear, and (equi)biaxial tension experiments. We utilize a hybrid multi-objective optimization procedure using a genetic algorithm to generate multiple initial points for gradient-based search algorithm, Fmincon utility in matlab. The novelty of the approach is (i) simultaneous fitting with variable weight factors for uniaxial, equibiaxial, and pure shear data, and (ii) the sorting of the models based on objective normalized quality of fit metric. For the models incapable of simultaneously fitting the three distinct deformation data, the validity range is assessed through a threshold value for the quality of fit measure. Accordingly, 44 hyperelastic models are sorted with respect to their simultaneous fitting performance to the experimental dataset of Treloar and Kawabata. Based on the number of material parameters, and their fitting performance to experimental data, a detailed discussion is carried out.
“Know That You’re Not Just Settling”: Exploring Women Athletes’ Self-Compassion, Sport Performance Perceptions, and Well-Being Around Important Competitive Events
Authors: Adam Margo E.K. , Eke Abimbola O. , Ferguson Leah J.
Published: April 2021

Self-compassion, an adaptive self-attitude, is a resource that women athletes use during emotionally difficult times and as a way to reach their potential. The relationship between self-compassion and sport performance, however, is complex. The role and experience of self-compassion within perceived important competitive events are important to explore, as athletes face unique pressures and stressors in these meaningful sport experiences. This collective case study describes women athletes’ self-compassion, sport performance perceptions, and well-being around a self-identified important competitive event. Competitive women athletes (N = 9) participated in two one-on-one interviews, before and after their important competitive event. Results from the holistic, functional, and thematic analyses are represented by holistic case descriptions and an overarching theme, Continuing to Excel in Sport, and subthemes, Reframing Criticism and A Determined Approach. In important competitive events, women athletes utilize self-compassion to promote performance perceptions and well-being when preparing, competing, and reflecting to excel in sport.
Gut Dysbiosis and Its Associations with Gut Microbiota-Derived Metabolites in Dogs with Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease
Authors: Li Qinghong , Larouche-Lebel Éva , Loughran Kerry A. , Huh Terry P. , Suchodolski Jan S. , Oyama Mark A.
Published: April 2021

Our study expands the current “gut hypothesis” to include gut dysbiosis at the preclinical stage, prior to the onset of heart failure. Gut dysbiosis index increases in proportion to the severity of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and is inversely associated with
Clostridium hiranonis
, a key bile acid (BA) converter in the gut.
Host Immunity Alters Community Ecology and Stability of the Microbiome in a Caenorhabditis elegans Model
Authors: Taylor Megan , Vega N. M.
Published: April 2021

Here, we used a
Caenorhabditis elegans
microbiome model to demonstrate how genetic differences in innate immunity alter microbiome composition, diversity, and stability by changing the ecological processes that shape these communities. These results provide insight into the role of host genetics in controlling the ecology of the host-associated microbiota, resulting in differences in community composition, successional trajectories, and response to perturbation.
Identifying the causal effect of child marriage on unmet needs for modern contraception and unintended pregnancy in Nepal: a cross-sectional study using propensity score matching
Authors: Sekine Kazutaka , Carandang Rogie Royce , Ong Ken Ing Cherng , Tamang Anand , Jimba Masamine
Published: April 2021

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate whether child marriage had causal effects on unmet needs for modern contraception, and unintended pregnancy, by estimating the marginal (population-averaged) treatment effect of child marriage.

Design

This study used secondary data from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2016. Applying one-to-one nearest-neighbour matching with replacement within a calliper range of ±0.01, 15–49 years old women married before the age of 18 were matched with similar women who were married at 18 or above to reduce selection bias.

Setting

Nationally representative population survey data.

Participants

The sample consisted of 7833 women aged 15–49 years who were married for more than 5 years.

Outcome measures

Unmet needs for modern contraception and unintended pregnancy.

Results

The matching method achieved adequate overlap in the propensity score distributions and balance in measured covariates between treatment and control groups with the same propensity score. Propensity score matching analysis showed that the risk of unmet needs for modern contraception, and unintended pregnancy among women married as children were a 14.3 percentage point (95 % CI 10.3 to 18.2) and a 10.1 percentage point (95 % CI 3.7 to 16.4) higher, respectively, than among women married as adults. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the estimated effects were robust to unmeasured covariates.

Conclusions

Child marriage appears to increase the risk of unmet needs for modern contraception and unintended pregnancy. These findings call for social development and public health programmes that promote delayed entry into marriage and childbearing to improve reproductive health and rights.
Economic costs of terminal care for selected non-communicable diseases from a healthcare perspective: a review of mortality records from a tertiary hospital in Nigeria
Authors: Olumide Adesola Oluwafunmilola , Shmueli Amir , Omotade Olayemi O , Adebayo Emmanuel S , Alonge Temitope O , Ogun Gabriel O
Published: April 2021

Introduction

WHO revealed that morbidity and mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are on the increase and NCDs accounted for approximately 29% of all deaths in Nigeria in 2016. This study was conducted to estimate the economic cost of selected NCDs—lung cancer, liver cancer and liver cirrhosis. These diseases are known to be associated with key modifiable health risk behaviours (smoking and alcohol use), which are prevalent in Nigeria and often commence during the adolescent years.

Methods

Data were obtained between 2016 and 2017, from mortality records of patients managed for the selected diseases in the University College Hospital, a major referral centre in Nigeria. Information on costs of treatment, clinic visits, admission and transportation was obtained. Average costs of terminal in-patient care and transportation costs (in 2020 prices) were computed per patient. Costs were converted to the US dollar equivalent using the current official rate of US$1: ₦360.50.

Results

Twenty-two (out of 90 cases recorded) could be retrieved and all the patients had been diagnosed in the terminal stages of the disease. The average direct costs were ₦510 152.62 (US$1415.13) for an average of 49.2 days of terminal care for lung cancer; ₦308 950.27 (US$857.00) and ₦238 121.83 (US$660.53) for an average of 16.6 and 21.7 days of terminal care for patients managed for liver cancer and liver cirrhosis, respectively.

Conclusion

The economic costs of each of the diseases were very high. Findings emphasise the need for aggressive efforts to promote primary prevention, improve early diagnosis and provide affordable treatment in view of the fact that the monthly minimum wage is less than US$85.00 and treatment costs are borne out-of-pocket by the generality of the population in Nigeria.