bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences in the structure of plant polygalacturonases specify enzymes’ dynamics and processivities to fine-tune cell wall pectins
Authors: Safran Josip , Tabi Wafae , Ung Vanessa , Lemaire Adrien , Habrylo Olivier , Bouckaert Julie , Rouffle Maxime , Voxeur Aline , Pongrac Paula , Bassard Solène , Molinié Roland , Fontaine Jean-Xavier , Pilard Serge , Pau-Roblot Corinne , Bonnin Estelle , Larsen Danaé Sonja , Morel-Rouhier Mélanie , Girardet Jean-Michel , Lefebvre Valérie , Sénéchal Fabien , Mercadante Davide , Pelloux Jérôme
Published: June 2022

The fine-tuning of pectins by polygalacturonases (PGs) plays a key role in modulating plant cell wall chemistry and mechanics, impacting plant development. In plants, the high number of PGs encoded in the genome questions the regulation of pectin depolymerization and the roles of distinct isozymes in the control of development. Here we report the first crystal structures of two PGs from Arabidopsis, PGLR and ADPG2 whose expression overlap in roots. Albeit having overall conserved folds and active sites, PGLR and ADPG2 differed in the structure of their binding grooves and in the amino-acids of the subsites. We determined the structural features that explain the absence of inhibition of the plant PGs by endogenous PG-Inhibiting Proteins (PGIPs). By combining molecular dynamic simulations, analysis of enzymes’ kinetics and hydrolysis products, we showed that subtle differences in PGLR and ADPG2 structures translated into distinct enzyme-substrate dynamics and enzymes’ processivities. Using the plant root as a developmental model, exogenous application of purified enzymes showed that these distinct PGLR/ADPG2 processivities ultimately translated into different impacts on development. The highly processive ADPG2 had major effects on both root cell elongation and cell adhesion. Our study suggests that, in plants, gene redundancy is unlikely to reflect redundant biochemical specificities. Isozymes of distinct specificities and processivities are likely to be of major importance for the fine spatial and temporal regulation of pectin structure.

Significance Statement

Plant polygalacturonases (PG) are enzymes that play a key role in the regulation of cell wall pectin chemistry by controlling the degree of polymerization of the HG chains. The high number of genes encoding PG in Arabidopsis questions the rationale for such abundance. We solved the crystal structure of two PG (PGLR and ADPG2) whose expression overlap in roots and showed, using combined computational and experimental approaches, that they differ in their enzyme-substrate dynamics, leading to distinct processivities. The highly processive ADPG2 can generate digestion products of shorter degree of polymerization, and upon exogenous application on developing roots, induced drastic developmental defects. Our study suggests that gene redundancy is unlikely to reflect redundant biochemical specificities of isozymes.
Glycolysis revisited: from steady state growth to glucose pulses
Authors: Lao-Martil David , Schmitz Joep P.J. , Teusink Bas , van Riel Natal A.W.
Published: June 2022

Kinetic metabolic models of central metabolism have been proposed to understand how Saccharomyces cerevisiae navigates through nutrient perturbations. Yet, these models lacked important variables that constrain metabolism under relevant physiological conditions and thus have limited operational use such as in optimization of industrial fermentations. In this work, we developed a physiologically informed kinetic model of yeast glycolysis connected to central carbon metabolism by including the effect of anabolic reactions precursors, mitochondria and the trehalose cycle. A parameter estimation pipeline was developed, consisting of a divide and conquer approach, supplemented with regularization and global optimization. We show how this first mechanistic description of a growing yeast cell captures experimental dynamics at different growth rates and under a strong glucose perturbation, is robust to parametric uncertainty and explains the contribution of the different pathways in the network. Our work suggests that by combining multiple types of data and computational methods, complex but physiologically representative and robust models can be achieved.
Evaluation of methods to detect shifts in directional selection at the genome scale
Authors: Duchemin Louis , Lanore Vincent , Veber Philippe , Boussau Bastien
Published: June 2022

Identifying the footprints of selection in coding sequences can inform about the importance and function of individual sites. Analyses of the ratio of non-synonymous to synonymous sub-stitutions (dN/dS) have been widely used to pinpoint changes in the intensity of selection, but cannot distinguish them from changes in the direction of selection, i.e., changes in the fitness of specific amino acids at a given position. A few methods that rely on amino acid profiles to detect changes in directional selection have been designed, but their performance have not been well characterized. In this paper, we investigate the performance of 6 of these methods. We evaluate them on simulations along empirical phylogenies in which transition events have been annotated, and compare their ability to detect sites that have undergone changes in the direction or intensity of selection to that of a widely used dN/dS approach, codeml’s branch-site model A. We show that all methods have reduced performance in the presence of biased gene conversion but not CpG hypermutability. The best profile method, Pelican, a new implementation of [Tamuri et al., 2009], performs as well as codeml in a range of conditions except for detecting relaxations of selection, and performs better when tree length increases, or in the presence of persistent positive selection. It is fast, enabling genome-scale searches for site-wise changes in the direction of selection associated with phenotypic changes.
Host Cell Rap1b mediates cAMP-dependent invasion by Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Ferri Gabriel , Edreira Martin M.
Published: June 2022

Trypanosoma cruzi cAMP-mediated invasion has been long described, however, the detailed mechanism of action of the pathway activated by this cyclic nucleotide still remains unknown. We have recently demonstrated a crucial role for Epac in the cAMP-mediated invasion of the host cell. In this work, we proved that the cAMP/Epac pathway is activated in different cells lines and, by pull-down experiments designed to identify only the active form of Rap1b (Rap1b-GTP) and invasion assays using cells transfected with a constitutively active form of Rap1b (Rap1b-G12V), established the participation of Rap1b as mediator of the pathway. In addition to the activation of this small GTPase, fluorescence microscopy allowed us to demonstrate the relocalization of Rap1b to the entry site of the parasite. Moreover, phospho-mimetic and non-phosphorylable mutants of Rap1b were used to demonstrate a PKA-dependent antagonistic effect on the pathway, by phosphorylation of Rap1b, and potentially of Epac. Finally, Western Blot analysis was used to determine the involvement of the MEK/ERK signalling downstream of cAMP/Epac/Rap1b-mediated invasion.
Vaccinia virus vaccination is expected to elicit highly cross-reactive immunity to the 2022 monkeypox virus
Authors: Ahmed Syed Faraz , Sohail Muhammad Saqib , Quadeer Ahmed Abdul , McKay Matthew R.
Published: June 2022

Starting May 2022, a novel cluster of monkeypox virus infections was detected in humans. This has spread rapidly to non-endemic countries and sparked global concern. Vaccinia virus vaccines have demonstrated high efficacy against monkeypox viruses in the past and are considered an important outbreak control measure. Viruses observed in the current outbreak carry distinct genetic variation that have the potential to affect vaccine-induced immune recognition. Here, by investigating genetic variation with respect to orthologous immunogenic vaccinia-virus proteins, we report data that anticipates vaccine-induced immune responses to remain highly cross-reactive against the newly observed monkeypox viruses.
Social learning mechanisms shape transmission pathways through replicate local social networks of wild birds
Authors: Beck Kristina B. , Sheldon Ben C. , Firth Josh A.
Published: June 2022

The emergence and spread of novel behaviours via social learning can lead to rapid population-level changes whereby the social connections between individuals shape information flow. However, behaviours can spread via different mechanisms and little is known about how information flow depends on the underlying learning rule individuals employ. Here, comparing four different learning mechanisms, we simulated behavioural spread on replicate empirical social networks of wild great tits and explored the relationship between individual sociality and the order of behavioural acquisition. Our results reveal that, for learning rules dependent on the sum and strength of social connections to informed individuals, social connectivity was related to the order of acquisition, with individuals with increased social connectivity and reduced social clustering adopting new behaviours faster. However, when behavioural adoption depends on the ratio of an individuals’ social connections to informed versus uninformed individuals, social connectivity was not related to the order of acquisition. Finally, we show how specific learning mechanisms may limit behavioural spread within networks. These findings have important implications for understanding whether and how behaviours are likely to spread across social systems, the relationship between individuals’ sociality and behavioural acquisition, and therefore for the costs and benefits of sociality.
Positioning Prem Sikka’s academic activism in the third space
Authors: Samkin Grant
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This paper applies Bhabha’s concept of the third space to frame an understanding of Prem Sikka’s use of digital media to bridge the academic–activist binary. In doing this, the paper makes two contributions. First, it conceptualises Sikka’s engagement, and second, through the lens of the third space, it analyses it to establish whether, in the era of the neoliberal corporatised university, public intervention has the potential to generate new perspectives and new knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

Sikka’s articles and blogs for the period 20 February 2002 to 15 April 2020 were analysed using Leximancer, a textual analysis software programme that displays the output visually. A discriminant analysis was used to identify where each year of the study is situated in the overall semantic analysis. Netnography, the examination of archived published texts, was then used to analyse the responses by members of the public, academics, accountants and auditors, tax experts, policy makers and regulators to Sikka’s digital media engagement.

Findings

As a third space practitioner, Sikka has overcome some of the shortcomings associated with academic research to challenge the activities of professional accounting firms, regulatory bodies and multinational corporations. Through extending the boundaries of accounting and accountability, he has facilitated new radical alliances aiming to create a just and equitable society. The paper also finds that by opening up a third space of engagement, academic activists’ work can play an essential part in social transformation and emancipatory change framed in terms of social justice and equity.

Originality/value

This is one of the few papers to provide an in-depth examination of the activities of an accounting activist over twenty years.
Deep learning in hospitality and tourism: a research framework agenda for future research
Authors: Essien Aniekan , Chukwukelu Godwin
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to provide a systematic review of the existing literature on the applications of deep learning (DL) in hospitality, tourism and travel as well as an agenda for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

Covering a five-year time span (2017–2021), this study systematically reviews journal articles archived in four academic databases: Emerald Insight, Springer, Wiley Online Library and ScienceDirect. All 159 articles reviewed were characterised using six attributes: publisher, year of publication, country studied, type of value created, application area and future suggestions (and/or limitations).

Findings

Five application areas and six challenge areas are identified, which characterise the application of DL in hospitality, tourism and travel. In addition, it is observed that DL is mainly used to develop novel models that are creating business value by forecasting (or projecting) some parameter(s) and promoting better offerings to tourists.

Research limitations/implications

Although a few prior papers have provided a literature review of artificial intelligence in tourism and hospitality, none have drilled-down to the specific area of DL applications within the context of hospitality, tourism and travel.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper represents the first theoretical review of academic research on DL applications in hospitality, tourism and travel. An integrated framework is proposed to expose future research trajectories wherein scholars can contribute significant value. The exploration of the DL literature has significant implications for industry and practice, given that this, as far as the authors know, is the first systematic review of existing literature in this research area.
What role does enterprise social network play? A study on enterprise social network use, knowledge acquisition and innovation performance
Authors: Xiong Jie , Sun Daoyin
Published: June 2022

Purpose

In order to explore the role of enterprise social network (ESN), this study examines how the different dimensions of ESN use – within teams and across teams – facilitate knowledge acquisition in organizations and how knowledge acquisition, in turn, impacts exploitative and exploratory innovation performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applied the survey approach to collect a valid sample of 150 Chinese companies that had innovation activities and were using ESN. The partial least squares (PLS) technique was used for data analysis to test the research model and hypotheses.

Findings

ESN use within teams has a positive impact on knowledge depth and knowledge breadth, and ESN use across teams has a positive impact on knowledge depth. Knowledge depth and knowledge breadth are both beneficial for innovation performance. The two types of ESN use have different impacts on knowledge depth and knowledge breadth; moreover, knowledge depth and knowledge breadth have different impacts on innovation performance. Specifically, the impacts of ESN use within teams and across teams on exploitative innovation performance are mediated by knowledge depth; the impact of ESN use within teams on exploratory innovation performance is mediated by knowledge breadth.

Originality/value

This paper can enhance the understanding of the importance of ESN use and ESN's role in facilitating knowledge acquisition and innovation performance.
Emergence of false realities about the concept of “Silaturrahim”: an academic social construction perspective
Authors: Anwar Ch. Mahmood
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to raise awareness among tourism and business scholars and professionals to avoid using socially constructed academic artifacts (such as “Silaturrahim”), which do not describe their real meanings but reflect false realities constructed by scholars over a period of time. In the last decade, academic research on identifying false information has played a significant role to raise awareness among electronic and social media users so that they may distinguish between false and true reality. In contrast, studies on misleading devices, such as false information reporting and citations in published academic literature, and their pejorative consequences are rare and scant. This paper, therefore, viewed the underexamined and relatively obscure issues of false information reporting and citations in published business and tourism research by highlighting a wrongly perceived concept “Silaturrahim” from the theoretical lens of social constructionism. It has been established that factors like false information, false information citation chains and falsely attributed meanings of academic artifacts pave the way for myths and urban legends which in turn formulate socially constructed academic artifacts. These artifacts are impulsively entrusted by the academic community but, in reality, their meanings are socially constructed, therefore, represent false realities. This paper calls the experts to invest their time and efforts to further explore the proposed concepts of “academic social construction” and “academic social artifacts.” Lastly, it is suggested to develop strategies to minimize or eradicate the dreadful psychological impacts of “academic social construction” on academic communities.
Employee perceptions of individual green HRM practices and voluntary green work behaviour: a signalling theory perspective
Authors: Garavan Thomas , Ullah Irfan , O'Brien Fergal , Darcy Colette , Wisetsri Worakamol , Afshan Gul , Mughal Yasir Hayat
Published: June 2022

Green human resource management (GHRM) practices increasingly receive attention by both HRM scholars and practitioners. Research on these practices has emphasised systems rather than individual HR practices and HR managers' perceptions rather than employees' perceptions of these practices. In addition, little attention has been paid to the mediating mechanisms that link employee perceptions of GHRM practices to voluntary green work behaviour (VGWB) outcomes. This study addresses these research gaps by investigating the impact of employee perception of four individual GHRM practices – recruitment, selection, performance management and compensation – and their impact on employee VGWB in Chinese manufacturing firms. We also investigate the mediating role of reflective moral attentiveness (RMA). Applying signalling theory and drawing on data collected from 300 employees in 50 manufacturing organisations, we found a direct relationship between all four individual GHRM practices and VGWB. We also found that RMA partially mediated the relationship between selection, performance management and compensation practices (but not recruitment) and VGWB. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our study findings.
Comparison of Machine Learning Models Performance on Simulating Reservoir Outflow: A Case Study of Two Reservoirs in Illinois, U.S.A.
Authors: Qie Guangping , Zhang Zhenxing , Getahun Elias , Allen Mamer Emily
Published: June 2022

Reservoir outflow is an important variable for understanding hydrological processes and water resource management. Natural streamflow variation, in addition to the streamflow regulation provided by dams and reservoirs, can make streamflow difficult to understand and predict. This makes them a challenge to accurately simulate hydrologic processes at a daily scale. In this study, three Machine Learning (ML) algorithms, Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Artificial Neural Network (ANN), were examined and compared to model reservoir outflow. Past, current, and future hydrologic and meteorological data were used as model inputs, and the outflow of next day was used as prediction. Simulation results demonstrated that all three models can reasonably simulate reservoir outflow. For Carlyle Lake, the coefficient of determination and Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency were each close to one for the three models. The coefficient of determination, relative mean bias, and root mean square error indicated that the SVM performed better than the RF and ANN, but the SVM output displayed a larger relative mean bias than that from RF and ANN. For Lake Shelbyville, the ANN model performed better than RF and SVM when considering the coefficient of determination, Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency, relative mean bias, and root mean square error. The study results demonstrate that the three ML algorithms (RF, SVM, and ANN) are all promising tools for simulating reservoir outflow. Both the accuracy and efficacy of the three ML algorithms are considered to support practitioners in planning reservoir management.
Multiple primary pulmonary meningioma: A case report and literature review
Authors: Huang Xin , Mou Yun‐Fei , Ren Fu‐Qiang , Wang Yuan , Yang Yi
Published: June 2022

Lung cancer has become a leading cause of cancer‐related deaths. With the conventional use of low‐dose spiral computed tomography (CT) in physical examinations, an increasing number of small pulmonary nodules are screened. However, primary pulmonary meningiomas (PPMs) are rarely reported. Here, we report the case of a 64‐year‐old woman who had a CT scan during physical examination, which revealed three ground‐glass‐like opacity pulmonary nodules in both lungs. The patient underwent video‐assisted thoracoscopic wedge resection of the right upper and lower lobes. Paraffin sections revealed pulmonary meningothelial‐like and collagenous nodules in the right upper and lower lobes which stained as follows: EMA+, VIM+, SMA‐, S‐100‐, CD34‐, STAT6‐, Ki‐67+ (2%), and CgA‐. Primary pulmonary meningiomas (PPMs) were finally diagnosed. PPM is a kind of rare and benign tumor. Surgery can provide a precise pathological examination, and patients can achieve an excellent prognosis after surgical resection.
Slovakia: Political Developments and Data in 2021
Authors: LÁŠTIC ERIK
Published: June 2022

The meteoric rise of Prime Minister Igor Matovič, the leader of the anti‐corruption movement Ordinary People and Independent Personalities/Obyčajní ľudia a nezávislé osobnosti (OĽaNO), which won over a third of parliamentary seats in the 2020 elections, ended abruptly in March 2021. He was forced to resign to save the governing coalition, agreeing to switch positions with Finance Minister Eduard Heger. Matovič, whose improvisational style of politics became intolerable for the coalition partners (and most of the public), fell victim to his decision to purchase the Sputnik Covid‐19 vaccine from Russia, which undermined the European Union's vaccination strategy and raised concerns about Slovakia's foreign policy direction.
Assessment of left ventricular myocardial work done by noninvasive pressure–strain loop technique in patients with essential hypertension
Authors: Ding Jun , Sun Hong‐Guang , Liu Juan , Wu Dan
Published: June 2022

Objective

To investigate the value of the noninvasive pressure–strain loop (PSL) technique for assessing left ventricular myocardial work done in patients with essential hypertension.

Methods

Prospectively, 60 patients with hypertension visiting the hospital from August 2020 to July 2021 were collected and divided into the mild hypertension group (SBP 140–159 mmHg, 35 cases) and the moderate‐to‐severe hypertension group (SBP ≥160 mmHg, 25 cases). Another 40 cases of healthy adults were collected as the control group. The differences in the global long‐axis strain (GLS) and peak strain dispersion (PSD) of the left ventricle, global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work (GWW), and global work efficiency (GWE) were compared among the three groups. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the PSD, GWI, GCW, and GWW. The myocardial work index (MWI) and MWI percentages in the apical, middle, and basal segments of the heart were also compared among the groups.

Results

(1) The PSD, GWI, GCW, and GWW were significantly different among the groups (Χ2 = 57.605, 79.203, 76.973, and 17.429, respectively, p < .05), while the GLS and GWE were not (Χ2 = 1.559 and 5.849, respectively, p > .05). (2) The GWI had the highest specificity (97.5%) and the GCW the highest sensitivity (95%) in predicting hypertension. The percentage of apical MWI gradually increased (F = 11.230, p < .05) and the percentage of basal MWI gradually decreased (F = 10.665, p < .05) from the control group to the mild hypertension group to the moderate‐to‐severe hypertension group; there was no significant difference in the percentage of mid‐MWI (F = 0.593, p > .05).

Conclusions

The noninvasive PSL technique could be used to assess myocardial work done in patients with essential hypertension.
Meta‐analysis: global prevalence, trend and forecasting of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in children and adolescents, 2000–2021
Authors: Li Jie , Ha Audrey , Rui Fajuan , Zou Biyao , Yang Hongli , Xue Qi , Hu Xinyu , Xu Yayun , Henry Linda , Barakat Monique , Stave Christopher D. , Shi Junping , Wu Chao , Cheung Ramsey , Nguyen Mindie H.
Published: June 2022

Background

NAFLD is increasing in children.

Aims

To determine the recent trend and forecast the future global prevalence of paediatric NAFLD

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane library databases from inception to 1 May 2021 for studies of children and adolescents (≤21 years) with NAFLD. Obesity was defined with weight at ≥95th percentile and overweight as 85th to <95th percentile as per the Center for Disease Control BMI‐for‐age percentile cut‐offs.

Results

From 3350 titles and abstracts, we included 74 studies (276,091 participants) from 20 countries/regions. We included 14 studies in the general NAFLD prevalence analysis, yielding an overall prevalence of 7.40% (95% CI: 4.17–12.81) regardless of the diagnostic method, and 8.77% (95% CI: 3.86–18.72) by ultrasound. Among continents with more than one study, the prevalence of NAFLD was 8.53% (95% CI: 5.71–12.55) for North America, 7.01% (95% CI: 3.51–13.53) for Asia, and 1.65% (95% CI: 0.97–2.80) for Europe. NAFLD prevalence regardless of the diagnostic method was 52.49% (95% CI: 46.23–58.68, 9159 participants) and 39.17% (95% CI: 30.65–48.42, 5371 participants) among obese and overweight/obese participants, respectively. For the general population, trend analysis from 2000 to 2017 indicates an increasing global prevalence of paediatric NAFLD from 4.62% to 9.02% at a yearly increase of 0.26%, whereas forecast analysis predicts a prevalence of 30.7% by 2040.

Conclusion

The prevalence of paediatric NAFLD varies by region and is 52.49% overall among the obese population and 7.40% in the general population. It is predicted to reach 30.7% by 2040.
Coercion and non‐consent during birth and newborn care in the United States
Authors: Logan Rachel G. , McLemore Monica R. , Julian Zoë , Stoll Kathrin , Malhotra Nisha ,   GVtM Steering Council, Vedam Saraswathi
Published: June 2022

In the United States, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) experience more adverse health outcomes and report mistreatment during pregnancy and birth care. The rights to bodily autonomy and consent are core components of high‐quality health care. To assess experiences of coercion and nonconsent for procedures during perinatal care among racialized service users in the United States, we analyzed data from the Giving Voice to Mothers (GVtM‐US) study.

Methods

In a subset analysis of the full sample of 2700, we examined survey responses for participants who described the experience of pressure or nonconsented procedures or intervention during perinatal care. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses by racial and ethnic identity for the outcomes: pressure to have perinatal procedures (eg, induction, epidurals, episiotomy, fetal monitoring), nonconsented procedures performed during perinatal care, pressure to have a cesarean birth, and nonconsented procedures during vaginal births.

Results

Among participants (n = 2490), 34% self‐identified as BIPOC, and 37% had a planned hospital birth. Overall, we found significant differences in pressure and nonconsented perinatal procedures by racial and ethnic identity. These inequities persisted even after controlling for contextual factors, such as birthplace, practitioner type, and prenatal care context. For example, more participants with Black racial identity experienced nonconsented procedures during perinatal care (AOR 1.89, 95% CI 1.35–2.64) and vaginal births (AOR 1.87, 95% CI 1.23–2.83) than those identifying as white. In addition, people who identified as other minoritized racial and ethnic identities reported experiencing more pressure to accept perinatal procedures (AOR 1.55, 95% CI 1.08–2.20) than those who were white.

Discussion

There is a need to address human rights violations in perinatal care for all birthing people with particular attention to the needs of those identifying as BIPOC. By eliminating mistreatment in perinatal care, such as pressure to accept services and nonconsented procedures, we can help mitigate long‐standing inequities.
Complications of sinus floor elevation procedure and management strategies: A systematic review
Authors: Hsu Yung‐Ting , Rosen Paul S. , Choksi Karishma , Shih Ming‐Chieh , Ninneman Shale , Lee Chun‐Teh
Published: June 2022

Aim

This systematic review aimed to investigates the types and incidences of complications following sinus floor elevations (SFE) along with their prevention and management strategies.

Materials and methods

Electronic database and hand search were conducted to screen the literature published from January 1960 to June 2021. The selected studies had to report well‐described SFE techniques, complications during, and post‐SFE. Data extraction included types of SFE techniques, complications, and their treatment strategies.

Results

A total of 74 studies with 4411 SFE procedures met the inclusion criteria. Different SFE techniques demonstrated varying patterns for both complications and complication rates. Postoperative pain, swelling, and edema were widely reported. The most common complications that required intervention following Lateral SFE (LSFE) were sinus membrane perforation (SMP), wound dehiscence, graft exposure and failure, and sinusitis. LSFE had more SMPs and sinusitis cases compared with a transcrestal SFE (TSFE). The presence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo following TSFE was significant in certain selected studies.

Conclusion

Given the inherent limitations, this systematic review showed distinct features of complications in SFE using varying techniques. Treatment planning for these procedures should incorporate strategies to avoid complication occurrence.
Triptolide promotes autophagy to inhibit mesangial cell proliferation in IgA nephropathy via the CARD9/p38 MAPK pathway
Authors: Zhao Lu , Lan Zhixin , Peng Liang , Wan Lili , Liu Di , Tan Xia , Tang Chengyuan , Chen Guochun , Liu Hong
Published: June 2022

Background

Mesangial cell proliferation is the most basic pathological feature of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN); however, the specific underlying mechanism and an appropriate therapeutic strategy are yet to be unearthed. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of triptolide (TP) on IgAN and the mechanism by which TP regulates autophagy and proliferation of mesangial cells through the CARD9/p38 MAPK pathway.

Methods

We established a TP‐treated IgAN mouse model and produced IgA1‐induced human mesangial cells (HMC) and divided them into control, TP, IgAN, and IgAN+TP groups. The levels of mesangial cell proliferation (PCNA, cyclin D1, cell viability, and cell cycle) and autophagy (P62, LC3 II, and autophagy flux rate) were measured, with the autophagy inhibitor 3‐Methyladenine used to explore the relationship between autophagy and proliferation. We observed CARD9 expression in renal biopsies from patients and analyzed its clinical significance. CARD9 siRNA and overexpression plasmids were constructed to investigate the changes in mesangial cell proliferation and autophagy as well as the expression of CARD9 and p‐p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK following TP treatment.

Results

Administering TP was safe and effectively alleviated mesangial cell proliferation in IgAN mice. Moreover, TP inhibited IgA1‐induced HMC proliferation by promoting autophagy. The high expression of CARD9 in IgAN patients was positively correlated with the severity of HMC proliferation. CARD9/p38 MAPK was involved in the regulation of HMC autophagy and proliferation, and TP promoted autophagy to inhibit HMC proliferation by downregulating the CARD9/p38 MAPK pathway in IgAN.

Conclusion

TP promotes autophagy to inhibit mesangial cell proliferation in IgAN via the CARD9/p38 MAPK pathway.
Computational and behavioral markers of model‐based decision making in childhood
Authors: Smid Claire R. , Kool Wouter , Hauser Tobias U. , Steinbeis Nikolaus
Published: June 2022

Human decision‐making is underpinned by distinct systems that differ in flexibility and associated cognitive cost. A widely accepted dichotomy distinguishes between a cheap but rigid model‐free system and a flexible but costly model‐based system. Typically, humans use a hybrid of both types of decision‐making depending on environmental demands. However, children's use of a model‐based system during decision‐making has not yet been shown. While prior developmental work has identified simple building blocks of model‐based reasoning in young children (1–4 years old), there has been little evidence of this complex cognitive system influencing behavior before adolescence. Here, by using a modified task to make engagement in cognitively costly strategies more rewarding, we show that children aged 5–11‐years (N = 85), including the youngest children, displayed multiple indicators of model‐based decision making, and that the degree of its use increased throughout childhood. Unlike adults (N = 24), however, children did not display adaptive arbitration between model‐free and model‐based decision‐making. Our results demonstrate that throughout childhood, children can engage in highly sophisticated and costly decision‐making strategies. However, the flexible arbitration between decision‐making strategies might be a critically late‐developing component in human development.
Shifting fish distributions impact predation intensity in a sub‐Arctic ecosystem
Authors: Goodman Maurice C. , Carroll Gemma , Brodie Stephanie , Grüss Arnaud , Thorson James T. , Kotwicki Stan , Holsman Kirstin , Selden Rebecca L. , Hazen Elliott L. , De Leo Giulio A.
Published: June 2022

An abundance of studies in marine systems have documented species range shifts in response to climate change, and many more have used species distribution models to project species ranges under future conditions. However, there is increasing interest in moving beyond a single‐species focus to understand how species redistribution alters ecosystem dynamics via changes in trophic interactions. We employed spatiotemporal models to characterize decadal‐scale changes in spatial overlap between the distribution of juvenile walleye pollock Gadus chalcogrammus and the distributions of four of its groundfish predators: arrowtooth flounder Atheresthes stomias, Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus, Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis and adult walleye pollock. These fishes represent ecologically and commercially important species in a rapidly changing sub‐Arctic ecosystem, the eastern Bering Sea, Alaska, USA. We then examined whether changes in spatial overlap corresponded to changes in predation, using spatiotemporal models of predator stomach contents. We found marked shifts in spatial overlap between juvenile pollock and two predators (arrowtooth flounder and Pacific halibut) over 34 years, with changes in overlap corresponding to increases in population‐scale predation pressure. By contrast, we did not find clear relationships between spatial overlap and predation for Pacific cod and adult pollock, the two predators for which juvenile pollock constitute a much smaller diet proportion. Our findings highlight the complexity of predicting predation dynamics for generalist marine species and suggest a need for better process‐based methods for understanding the potential future ecological impacts of coupled species range shifts. However, simple metrics of spatial overlap between relatively specialized predators and their prey offer promise as a means to integrate predictions from species distribution models into ecosystem‐based fisheries management.
Ophthalmic findings in a herd of Caspian miniature horses
Authors: Faghihi Houman , Rajaei Seyed Mehdi , Aftab Ghazal , Ozmai Saeed , Golabdar Salar
Published: June 2022

Background

The Caspian miniature horse (CMH) is a small horse breed, which has not previously been evaluated for ophthalmic diseases.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to describe the ocular findings and to declare the normal ocular parameters seen in a small herd of CMH.

Study design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Forty‐five Caspian miniature horses (25 mares and 20 stallions) were examined. Complete ophthalmic examination, commensal ocular surface microbiota culture and measurement of the horizontal and vertical fissure length were performed.

Results

Mean ± SD age of horses was 52.0 ± 33.9 months (range: 12–122 months). Nine different ocular disorders were observed: dacryocystitis, conjunctivitis, linear keratopathy, Haab's striae, corpora nigra atrophy, iris hyperpigmentation, cataract, peripapillary butterfly inactive lesions and inactive choroiditis were detected. In total, 17 eyes (18.8%) of 12 horses (26.2%) had ocular related lesions. Two horses (4%) had more than one ocular lesion; the lesions were consistent with a diagnosis of either traumatic or recurrent uveitis. No vision loss was detected in these horses despite the identified ocular disorders.

Main limitations

Limited number of studied animals.

Conclusions

This study reported ocular findings in a small herd of CMH. A minority of horses in the herd had ocular lesions suggesting a history of glaucoma and/or equine recurrent uveitis.
Lipopolysaccharide reduces melanin synthesis in vitiligo melanocytes by regulating autophagy
Authors: Sun Lijun , Sun Jingying , Huo Xueping , Feng Qing , Li Yan , Xie Xin , Geng Songmei
Published: June 2022

Vitiligo is an autoimmune‐related disease with a complex aetiology that involves innate immunity. Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are important parts of innate immunity and are related to a variety of autoimmune diseases, including vitiligo, through an unknown mechanism. In this study, we found that the TLR4 gene expression was increased in blood samples of patients with advanced stage vitiligo, and then, we evaluated the effect of TLR4 ligand lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on melanin synthesis in a vitiligo melanocyte cell line PIG3V and along with its mechanism. LPS suppressed melanin synthesis, downregulated the expression of melanin synthesis‐related proteins and activated autophagy in vitiligo melanocytes. Inhibiting autophagy with 3‐methyladenine or chloroquine blocked these effects. This suggests that LPS inhibits skin pigmentation by modulating autophagy, thus providing novel insights into the pathogenesis of vitiligo.
Immunological memory to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and COVID‐19 vaccines
Authors: Sette Alessandro , Crotty Shane
Published: June 2022

Immunological memory is the basis of protective immunity provided by vaccines and previous infections. Immunological memory can develop from multiple branches of the adaptive immune system, including CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, B cells, and long‐lasting antibody responses. Extraordinary progress has been made in understanding memory to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and COVID‐19 vaccines, addressing development; quantitative and qualitative features of different cellular and anatomical compartments; and durability of each cellular component and antibodies. Given the sophistication of the measurements; the size of the human studies; the use of longitudinal samples and cross‐sectional studies; and head‐to‐head comparisons between infection and vaccines or between multiple vaccines, the understanding of immune memory for 1 year to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and vaccines already supersedes that of any other acute infectious disease. This knowledge may help inform public policies regarding COVID‐19 and COVID‐19 vaccines, as well as the scientific development of future vaccines against SARS‐CoV‐2 and other diseases.
Effects of elevated CO2 on grain yield and quality in five wheat cultivars
Authors: Wang Xizi , Li Xiangnan , Zhong Yuyue , Blennow Andreas , Liang Kehao , Liu Fulai
Published: June 2022

Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations (e[CO2]) have a significant impact on plant physiology, grain yield and quality and the specific response of plants to e[CO2] is closely linked to cultivars. Here, five Chinese wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars were grown under ambient CO2 (a[CO2], 400 ppm) and e[CO2] (800 ppm). CO2 enrichment significantly increased net photosynthetic rate and water use efficiency but depressed stomatal conductance. e[CO2] increased the carbon (C) concentration but decreased the nitrogen (N) concentration in all five cultivars, whereas the effect of e[CO2] on grain yield was highly dependent on cultivar. Moreover, e[CO2] caused a significant reduction in grain minerals and protein, although the magnitude of reduction was different among these cultivars. The starch concentrations in the grains and flour viscosity were not significantly affected at e[CO2]. These findings improve our understanding of the interactive effect of CO2 conditions and cultivars on plant performances and provide a research basis to select suitable wheat cultivars to deal with food crisis in future climate.
Improved performance of bimetallic oxides CuO–Y2O3 synthesized by sol–gel for methanol steam reforming
Authors: Shen Qiuwan , Cai Zhongwen , Shao Zicheng , Yang Guogang , Li Shian
Published: June 2022

A series of bimetallic oxide catalysts CuO–Y2O3 were synthesized by different sol–gel methods for methanol steam reforming (MSR). The performance of the synthesized catalyst was investigated by characterization of X‐ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope, and X‐ray photoelectron spectrometer techniques. The effects of different complexing agents on the property of the CuO–Y2O3 were identified. The results showed that CuO–Y2O3 synthesized by citric acid‐EDTA as a complexing agent showed the best performance, which has the largest specific surface area and shows the highest dispersion of particles and lowest average size than others. The relatively large specific surface area could increase the contact area between the catalyst and the feed, thereby improving the catalytic performance of the catalyst. Moreover, without hydrogen reduction treatment, the selectivity of hydrogen to CuO–Y2O3 can reach more than 99%, whereas the selectivity of CO is only 0.3% (under the reaction conditions: temperature of 300°C, the ratio of water to methanol of 4:1, feed flow rate of 4 ml/h). The addition of yttrium enhances the interaction of the two active components, copper and yttrium, thereby preventing the migration of the active components. This work provides a potential and economical Cu–Y oxide catalyst for onboard in situ hydrogen production from MSR, because it can reduce the hydrogen reduction process time.
Robust prognostic model based on immune infiltration‐related genes and clinical information in ovarian cancer
Authors: Zhang Xi , Kong Weikaixin , Gao Miaomiao , Huang Weiran , Peng Chao , Huang Zhuo , Xie Zhengwei , Guo Hongyan
Published: June 2022

Immune infiltration of ovarian cancer (OV) is a critical factor in determining patient's prognosis. Using data from TCGA and GTEx database combined with WGCNA and ESTIMATE methods, 46 genes related to OV occurrence and immune infiltration were identified. Lasso and multivariate Cox regression were applied to define a prognostic score (IGCI score) based on 3 immune genes and 3 types of clinical information. The IGCI score has been verified by K‐M curves, ROC curves and C‐index on test set. In test set, IGCI score (C‐index = 0.630) is significantly better than AJCC stage (C‐index = 0.541, p < 0.05) and CIN25 (C‐index = 0.571, p < 0.05). In addition, we identified key mutations to analyse prognosis of patients and the process related to immunity. Chi‐squared tests revealed that 6 mutations are significantly (p < 0.05) related to immune infiltration: BRCA1, ZNF462, VWF, RBAK, RB1 and ADGRV1. According to mutation survival analysis, we found 5 key mutations significantly related to patient prognosis (p < 0.05): CSMD3, FLG2, HMCN1, TOP2A and TRRAP. RB1 and CSMD3 mutations had small p‐value (p < 0.1) in both chi‐squared tests and survival analysis. The drug sensitivity analysis of key mutation showed when RB1 mutation occurs, the efficacy of six anti‐tumour drugs has changed significantly (p < 0.05).
Immediate implant placement with or without immediate provisionalization: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Pitman Jeremy , Seyssens Lorenz , Christiaens Véronique , Cosyn Jan
Published: June 2022

Aim

To assess the effect of immediate provisionalization (IP) on soft tissue changes, hard tissue changes, and clinical parameters following single immediate implant placement (IIP).

Materials and Methods

Two independent reviewers conducted an electronic literature search in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases as well as a manual search to identify eligible clinical studies up to September 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing IIP with IP (test) and IIP without IP (control) were included for a qualitative and quantitative analysis. The primary outcome was vertical midfacial soft tissue changes. Secondary outcomes included horizontal midfacial soft tissue changes, implant survival, mesial and distal papillary changes, Pink Esthetic Score (PES) at final follow‐up, marginal bone‐level changes, probing depth at final follow‐up, and bleeding on probing at final follow‐up.

Results

Of the 8213 records, 7 RCTs reporting on 323 patients who received 323 single immediate implants (IIP + IP: 161 implants in 161 patients; IIP: 162 implants in 162 patients) were selected with a mean follow‐up ranging from 12 to 60 months. Risk of bias assessment yielded some concerns for five RCTs and high risk for two RCTs. Meta‐analysis on the cases with intact alveoli demonstrated 0.87 mm (95% confidence interval [CI] [0.57; 1.17], p < .001) less apical migration of the midfacial soft tissue level for IIP + IP when compared to IIP alone. Implant survival, papillary changes, marginal bone‐level changes, probing depth, and bleeding on probing were not significantly affected by IP. Insufficient data were available for meta‐analyses on horizontal midfacial soft tissue changes and PES.

Conclusions

IP may contribute to midfacial soft tissue stability at immediate implants. However, high‐quality RCTs are needed since the strength of this conclusion is currently rated as low according to GRADE guidelines.