bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Helicase-like functions in phosphate loop containing beta-alpha polypeptides
Authors: Vyas Pratik , Trofimyuk Olena , Longo Liam M. , Deshmukh Fanindra Kumar , Sharon Michal , Tawfik Dan S.
Published: April 2021

Significance

It is widely assumed that today’s large and complex proteins emerged from much shorter and simpler polypeptides. Yet the nature of these early precursors remains enigmatic. We describe polypeptides that contain one of the earliest protein motifs, a phosphate-binding loop, or P-loop, embedded in a single beta-alpha element. These simple P-loop polypeptides show intriguing characteristics of a primordial world composed of nucleic acids and peptides. They are “generalists” capable of binding different phospho-ligands, including inorganic polyphosphates and single-stranded DNA. Nonetheless, in promoting double-stranded DNA unwinding and strand-exchange, they resemble modern P-loop helicases and recombinases. Our study describes a missing link in the evolution of complex proteins—prototypes that tangibly relate to contemporary P-loop enzymes in sequence, structure, and function.
A complex of distal appendage–associated kinases linked to human disease regulates ciliary trafficking and stability
Authors: Loukil Abdelhalim , Barrington Chloe , Goetz Sarah C.
Published: April 2021

Significance

Primary cilia (PC) are sensory organelles essential for the development and maintenance of adult tissues. Accordingly, dysfunction of PC causes human disorders called ciliopathies. Hence, a thorough understanding of the molecular regulation of PC is critical. Our findings highlight CSNK2A1 as a modulator of cilia trafficking and stability, tightly related to TTBK2 function. Enriched at the centrosome, CSNK2A1 prevents abnormal accumulation of key ciliary proteins, instability at the tip, and aberrant activation of the Sonic Hedgehog pathway. Furthermore, we establish that
Csnk2a1
mutations associated with Okur-Chung neurodevelopmental disorder (OCNDS) alter cilia morphology. Thus, we report a potential linkage between CSNK2A1 ciliary function and OCNDS.
Constraining the atmospheric limb of the plastic cycle
Authors: Brahney Janice , Mahowald Natalie , Prank Marje , Cornwell Gavin , Klimont Zbigniew , Matsui Hitoshi , Prather Kimberly Ann
Published: April 2021

Significance

Microplastic particles and fibers generated from the breakdown of mismanaged waste are now so prevalent that they cycle through the earth in a manner akin to global biogeochemical cycles. In modeling the atmospheric limb of the plastic cycle, we show that most atmospheric plastics are derived from the legacy production of plastics from waste that has continued to build up in the environment. Roads dominated the sources of microplastics to the western United States, followed by marine, agriculture, and dust emissions generated downwind of population centers. At the current rate of increase of plastic production (∼4% per year), understanding the sources and consequences of microplastics in the atmosphere should be a priority.
Dnmt3a deficiency in the skin causes focal, canonical DNA hypomethylation and a cellular proliferation phenotype
Authors: Chen David Y. , Ferguson Ian M. , Braun Krista A. , Sutton Leslie A. , Helton Nichole M. , Ramakrishnan Sai Mukund , Smith Amanda M. , Miller Christopher A. , Ley Timothy J.
Published: April 2021

Significance

Keratinocyte carcinomas are the most common malignancies in fair-skinned patients. Increased age and sun exposure are important skin cancer risk factors and have been associated with a loss of DNA methylation in the human epidermis. Complete Dnmt3a deficiency in mouse skin creates a premalignant state, but the mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon are not clear. This study demonstrates that Dnmt3a deficiency in murine epidermis causes focal, canonical DNA hypomethylation and an increased proportion of cells with a proliferative gene expression signature. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for the premalignant state may be important for defining novel preventative or therapeutic strategies for skin cancers.
Rapid hydraulic collapse as cause of drought-induced mortality in conifers
Authors: Arend Matthias , Link Roman M. , Patthey Rachel , Hoch Günter , Schuldt Bernhard , Kahmen Ansgar
Published: April 2021

Significance

Sound knowledge of the limits of tree hydraulic function is crucial to understand drought-induced tree mortality, although the mechanisms are difficult to study in adult trees. We explored the dynamic changes that the tree hydraulic system undergoes during the progression of a severe drought in dying adults of Norway spruce. Xylem pressure and hydraulic conductance showed sudden, nonlinear declines that commenced at surprisingly low levels of xylem embolism and caused a rapid collapse of the tree’s hydraulic system and tree death. These observations provide striking field-based evidence for hydraulic failure in adult conifers that are on the trajectory to drought-induced mortality. The nonlinear temporal dynamic of dehydration suggests a higher mortality risk than previously assumed for this major European tree species.
Albizia niopoides (silk tree).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: April 2021

A datasheet on Albizia niopoides covering, as an economically important tree, its taxonomy, importance, silviculture, distribution, biology and ecology, uses, products and pests.
Prosopis velutina (velvet mesquite).
Authors: Pasiecznik Nick
Published: April 2021

P. velutina was widely introduced around the world intentionally, due to its value as a fuel/fodder species and also an ornamental in some regions. It was widely used by native Amerindians as a source of poles and fuels, and the pods were a valuable source of human and animal nutrition. The month of the year when pods were harvested was commonly named after the tree, indicating its importance. However, its has also spread, both in its native range and where introduced, and its infamy as an invasive species has lead to several governments banning further importation of planting stock, and the risk of introduction is perceived as low. P. velutina is a declared noxious weed in Australia and South Africa, and the genus as a whole is regulated in several other countries. Losses to the livestock industry from P. velutina invasion in its native range, although much less than that caused by the invasion of P. glandulosa, are still considerable. The thorns can also cause injury to livestock, and consumption of the pods, when they may up the bulk of the animal's diet, can lead to ill health and even death. A similar situation to that of the south-western USA exists in Australia and South Africa, where P. velutina is a major weed of rangelands.
Rosa multiflora (multiflora rose).
Authors: Popay Ian
Published: April 2021

A datasheet on Rosa multiflora covering, as an economically important tree, its taxonomy, importance, silviculture, distribution, biology and ecology, uses, products and pests.
Rubus parviflorus (thimbleberry).
Authors: Madeleine Florin
Published: April 2021

A datasheet on Rubus parviflorus covering, as an economically important tree, its taxonomy, importance, silviculture, distribution, biology and ecology, uses, products and pests.
Do Athlete and Coach Performance Perfectionism Predict Athlete Burnout?
Authors: Olsson Luke F. , Madigan Daniel J. , Hill Andrew P. , Grugan Michael C.
Published: April 2021

Research has illustrated that athlete perfectionism predicts athlete burnout. The present study sought to build on existing research in two ways. First, we provide the first test of the relationship between performance perfectionism and athlete burnout. That is, whether the degree to which athlete's expect their own or others’ sport performances to be perfect, predicts burnout. Second, we broaden the examination of the perfectionism‐burnout relationship to include coaches by testing the incremental predictive ability of perceptions of coach other‐oriented performance perfectionism (the degree to which coaches were perceived to expect perfect performances from others). A sample of 190 competitive adult athletes (M age = 20.54) completed measures of their own performance perfectionism (self‐oriented, socially prescribed, and other‐oriented performance perfectionism), perceived coach other‐oriented performance perfectionism, and burnout symptoms. Regression analyses indicated that both athlete self‐oriented and socially prescribed performance perfectionism positively predicted athlete burnout. In addition, after controlling for all dimensions of athlete performance perfectionism, perceived coach other‐oriented performance perfectionism positively predicted athlete burnout. The findings suggest that, in addition to their own perfectionism, when athletes perceive their coaches to be more perfectionistic towards others, they are more likely to experience burnout.
Voicing the Supply Chain
Authors: Cotter William M.
Published: April 2021

The specialty coffee industry emphasizes the importance of personal relationships that span disparate levels of the supply chain and production models that focus on the wellbeing of coffee producers. This emphasis presents specialty coffee as a socially progressive form of consumption that is often represented as superior to mass-produced coffee. Discourses that emphasize relationships between baristas and professionals at other levels of the supply chain serve as a tool in marketing specialty coffee, with baristas serving as an interface between consumers and other levels of the supply chain. The somewhat recent elevation of baristas to professional status is due, in part, to the growth of barista competitions. This article takes barista competitions as a context for analysis, highlighting how baristas incorporate voices from across the supply chain into their competition performances. I argue that in voicing individuals from across the supply chain, baristas draw on the expertise and authority represented by coffee farmers and roasters to support the development of their own authentic professional persona. This article also shows that, by voicing the supply chain, baristas respond to consumer desires for more ethical forms of consumption through these narratives, providing the moral and emotional experience of coffee that consumers crave.
Negotiating “Good Food” at an Elite Elementary School in New York City
Authors: Riley Kathleen C.
Published: April 2021

This article explores the discourses produced, circulated, and enregistered by administrators, teachers, and parents around and about “good food” at an elite elementary school in New York City. The larger research goal was to understand how privileged school children are socialized into elite foodways (how to identify, procure, and consume food) and elite forms of food talk (the codes and registers used around and about food) that contribute to the social field within which they develop the cultural capital needed to succeed as privileged worker-consumers in the neoliberal, late-capitalist world their parents are building. Here the analytic focus is on the intertextuality and indexical stance-taking of adults at the school and how these contribute to the sedimentation of elite signs and values and their imbrication into a moral economy of food and language in this privileged setting. The negotiation of contradictory messaging holds some hope for the roles these children may play as late capitalism unravels.
Image of a regular phantom compact object and its luminosity under spherical accretions
Authors: Qin Xin , Chen Songbai , Jing Jiliang
Published: April 2021

We have studied the shadow and its luminosity for a static and regular phantom compact object under the static spherical accretion and the infalling spherical accretion, respectively. Comparing with the usual Schwarzschild black hole, the presence of phantom hair yields the larger black hole shadow and the darker image. In both spherical accretion models, with the increase of phantom parameter, the maximum luminosity occurred at photon ring and the brightness of the central region in the shadow decrease, but in the region far from the shadow, the luminosity of image slightly increases. The image of a phantom wormhole and its luminosity have similar behaviors. Moreover, as the phantom charge parameter α increases up to the critical value at where the compact object changes from black hole to wormhole, there exists a jump for the specific intensity, which also appears in the slowly rotating case. This implies that the phantom hair is imprinted on both the shadow radius and the intensity of the electromagnetic flux radiation around compacted object.
More than 30 years of experience in fusion education at the Institute of Plasma Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences
Authors: Stockel J , Cavalier J , Mlynar J , Hron M , Panek R
Published: April 2021

The complexity of making magnetic confinement fusion a suitable source of energy for mankind imposes long lasting investigations. To accompany these efforts, new generations of physicists have to be trained over the years to ensure continuity of the research. These scientists must have very versatile profiles as fusion inquiries are multiphysics (magnetohydrodynamic, plasma-wall interactions, cutting edge technologies...) and require skills in both experimental and theoretical physics. The Institute of Plasma Physics IPP Prague of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IPP Prague) has contributed to the education and training of a non-negligible number of students in this area, one reason being the good accessibility of its fusion facility, the other being its strong connection with universities. This article shows the views and achievements of IPP Prague on education. In particular, we insist on the fact that to keep students in the field they have to be acquainted with practical plasma physics as early as possible (on the bachelor level if possible). We also show that a strong integration of PhD candidates within the scientific staff is an important factor for their training and serves them to be autonomous. Last, we present two experimental 2 weeks training courses, called SUMTRAIC and EMTRAIC, that are annually organized by IPP Prague and that have acquainted more than 300 participants to the practical physics of tokamaks.
Multiscale modeling and analysis for high-fidelity interferometric scattering microscopy
Authors: He Yong , Lin Shupei , Marc Louis Robert Hadrien , Li Hong , Zhang Pu , Piliarik Marek , Chen Xue-Wen
Published: April 2021

Interferometric scattering microscopy (iSCAT), as an ultrasensitive fluorescence-free imaging modality, has recently gained enormous attention and has been rapidly developing from demonstration of principle to quantitative sensing and bioanalytics. Here we report on a theoretical framework of multiscale modeling and analysis for iSCAT with samples of arbitrary shapes under any types of illumination and detection schemes. We theoretically predict and experimentally confirm different evolution behaviors of the interference contrast as a function of the axial defocusing for dielectric and metallic nanoparticles. We provide a transparent understanding of the origin of the interference phenomenon in terms of plane wave components and explain how the interference contrast changes with the size and material of the nanoprobe and the numerical aperture of the microscope objective. Moreover, we investigate a sample system mimicking a gold nanoparticle in a simplified cell environment and show the position-dependent and asymmetric point spread function of the nanoparticle.
Theoretical scheme for finite-temperature dynamics of Kitaev’s spin liquids
Authors: Udagawa Masafumi
Published: April 2021

In this article, we review the theoretical formulation of finite temperature dynamics of Kitaev’s spin liquid. We present the exact analytical solution of the dynamical spin correlation function at the integrable limit of Kitaev’s model, on the basis of (2018 Phys. Rev. B
98 220404). By combining the analytical solution with the equilibrium classical Monte-Carlo scheme, we construct a formulation to access the finite temperature dynamics of Kitaev’s spin liquid exactly, with a reasonable amount of computational cost. This formulation is based on the real-time representation, which enables us to directly access the experimental observables defined in real frequency, without analytical continuation. The real-time scheme is essential to capturing the resonant features of the spectrum accurately, which occurs e.g. in the chiral spin liquid phase with isolated Majorana zero modes. Accordingly, this scheme provides an effective approach to address the nature of fractional excitations in Kitaev’s spin liquid. As an application, we address the detection of zero mode around the site vacancy through the local resonant spectrum and discuss how the character of Kitaev’s spin liquid emerges in its dynamical signature.
The Health Physics Society’s ‘Ask-The-Expert’ feature: widening public support through empathy and science
Authors: Caffrey Emily , Caffrey Jarvis
Published: April 2021

A very large segment of the population is fearful of radiation, and sometimes rightly so. It is a word that conjures up images of something dangerous and invisible, and is often associated with the real fears of nuclear apocalypse that permeated the cold war era. TV dramas such as HBO’s Chernobyl certainly fuel that fear response. Public response to radiological events, ranging from true emergencies such as the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident in 2011 to benign events such as the bucket of uranium ore discovered at the Grand Canyon Visitor’s Center in early 2019, highlight the need for effective public communication strategies. All too frequently when an event is not considered dangerous by scientists, we fail to capitalise on the opportunity for public engagement. Public communication and empathy are some of the most important challenges that the health physics and radiation protection community face today. Empathy is of particular importance in effective public communication- understanding and explaining the science in layman’s terms is insufficient to widen public support. Rather, the ability to plainly explain the science must be coupled with an understanding of what the public or an individual is feeling about a particular issue. This requires more than science. This paper presents the Health Physics Society’s Ask The Expert (ATE) feature, focuses on how ATE works, why it has been successful at building a culture of empathy, how ATE is adapting to the ever-changing public information consumption practices, and how the underlying principles ATE uses can be applied by the health physics community at large.
Adaptive prestressing system using shape memory alloys and conventional steel for concrete crossties
Authors: Sung Minsoo , Andrawes Bassem
Published: April 2021

Typical railroad concrete crossties are prestressed with straight high strength steel (HSS) reinforcement throughout the length of the tie, which could lead to end splitting cracks and excessive stress concentration at compressive zones. This paper presents a novel adaptive prestressing system (APS) that can apply localized prestressing only at targeted regions. The APS comprises a short fuse made of shape memory alloy (SMA) connected to HSS reinforcement and placed at the location where prestressing is needed. Once the SMA fuse is thermally activated, recovery stress is induced in the system applying internal prestressing force at the desired locations. The new APS is investigated experimentally through testing a half-scale crosstie specimen prestressed with APS. Finite element analysis is also conducted to compare the behavior of APS and HSS reinforced crossties while considering prestress losses in both systems. The study results indicate that APS is able to effectively apply prestress at target regions as designed with significantly less prestress losses compared to HSS.
Toy model of accumulation and radiation of strain energy driven by big data of earthquakes
Authors: Fukuzawa Katsutoshi , Yano Ryosuke
Published: April 2021

We propose the pointwise toy-model, which demonstrates the accumulation and radiation of the (seismic) strain-energy. The calculated absorbed-seismic-energy is mapped to the accumulated strain-energy to balance the radiated strain-energy, because the accumulation of the strain-energy is caused by the subduction of one plate below another plate rather than the absorption of the seismic energy radiated from the hypocenter, which are located at other points. The distribution function of the accumulated strain-energy can be approximated with the Γ-distribution, where the high accumulated-strain-energy-tail is approximated by the inverse-power-law like tail. Meanwhile, the distributions of the radiated and accumulated strain-energies deviate from the Γ-distribution in the both low and high radiated strain-energy-domain. In particular, they have the inverse-power-law (Pareto) type tails in both high radiated and accumulated strain-energy-tails. The accumulated and radiated strain-energies calculated in the long period indicate that the present linear-map must be improved in order to balance the accumulated strain-energy with the radiated strain-energy.
Trp-Trp acts as a multifunctional blocker for human bitter taste receptors, hTAS2R14, hTAS2R16, hTAS2R43, and hTAS2R46
Authors: Ojiro Ichie , Nishio Hiromi , Yamazaki-Ito Toyomi , Nakano Shogo , Ito Sohei , Toyohara Yoshikazu , Hiramoto Tadahiro , Terada Yuko , Ito Keisuke
Published: April 2021

Many functional food ingredients activate human bitter taste receptors (hTAS2Rs). In this study, A novel inhibitor, Trp-Trp, for hTAS2R14 was identified by searching for the agonist peptide's analogs. Trp-Trp also inhibited hTAS2R16, hTAS2R43, and hTAS2R46, which share the same agonists with hTAS2R14. The multifunctional characteristic of Trp-Trp is advantageous for use as bitterness-masking agents in functional foods.
A case for mutualistic deceptive mimicry
Authors: Loeffler-Henry Karl , Sherratt Thomas N
Published: April 2021

It has long been understood that species that are profitable for predators to attack can gain protection if they resemble unprofitable species (Batesian mimicry), and that unprofitable species may face selection to evolve a common warning signal (Müllerian mimicry). Here we suggest that there may be widespread selection for another form of protective mimicry, so far unrecognized, that can arise even among profitable prey. Specifically, when predators adopt species-specific attack strategies, then co-occurring prey species that are caught in different ways may be selected to resemble one another. This is because the mimicry may increase the chance that the predator deploys an inappropriate attack strategy, thereby increasing the probability the prey will escape. We refer to this phenomenon as “mutualistic deceptive mimicry”, since the mimicry misleads the predator yet potentially benefits all co-mimics. We show that this hypothesis is quantitatively plausible. We then provide an empirical ‘proof of concept’ demonstrating that predators can learn to attack distinct prey types in specific ways and that this behaviour readily generates selection for mimicry. Finally, we discuss how this unrecognized form of mimicry fits into an earlier classification of protective mimicry and suggest a number of potential examples in the natural world.
Phylogenetic relationships, infrageneric classification and species limits in the Neotropical genusFaramea(Coussareeae: Rubiaceae)
Authors: Löfstrand Stefan D , Taylor Charlotte M , Razafimandimbison Sylvain G , Rydin Catarina
Published: April 2021

Faramea is characterized by white or blue, tetramerous corollas and blue-black, fleshy fruits with a single, large pyrene. Both infrageneric relationships and species boundaries are poorly understood in the genus. This study represents the first broad-scale phylogenetic study of Faramea, with 80 of the c. 170 species sampled, 24 by two or more specimens. We aimed to include specimens representing the entire geographical, morphological and ecological ranges of the genus. Morphological characters historically utilized to delimit infrageneric sections in Faramea (e.g. bract and pyrene forms) were also evaluated. Only one of the currently accepted infrageneric sections was recovered as monophyletic (within a complex of species from other sections) and none of the morphological features traditionally utilized to determine infrageneric relationships in the genus was found to be uniquely diagnostic of a larger clade. Some Faramea lineages appear to be geographically isolated, with several clades containing solely specimens collected in the Atlantic Forest biomes. Of the 24 species represented by at least two specimens, 11 were supported as monophyletic, ten as non-monophyletic and three were not resolved as either monophyletic nor non-monophyletic. The results of the present study constitute a good basis for future studies of taxonomy, biogeography and ecology of Faramea.
Energy-Efficient Cluster-Based Routing Protocol for WSN Based on Hybrid BSO–TLBO Optimization Model
Authors: Krishnan Kannan , Yamini B , Alenazy Wael Mohammad , Nalini M
Published: April 2021

The most famous wireless sensor networks is one of the cheapest and rapidly evolving networks in modern communication. It can be used to sense various substantial and environmental specifications by providing cost-effective sensor devices. The development of these sensor networks is exploited to provide an energy-efficient weighted clustering method to increase the lifespan of the network. We propose a novel energy-efficient method, which utilizes the brainstorm algorithm in order to adopt the ideal cluster head (CH) to reduce energy draining. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the BrainStorm Optimization (BSO) algorithm is enhanced with the incorporation of the modified teacher–learner optimized (MTLBO) algorithm with it. The modified BSO–MTLBO algorithm can be used to attain an improved throughput, network lifetime, and to reduce the energy consumption by nodes and CH, death of sensor nodes, routing overhead. The performance of our proposed work is analyzed with other existing approaches and inferred that our approach performs better than all the other approaches.
APICURON: a database to credit and acknowledge the work of biocurators
Authors: Hatos András , Quaglia Federica , Piovesan Damiano , Tosatto Silvio C E
Published: April 2021

APICURON is an open and freely accessible resource that tracks and credits the work of biocurators across multiple participating knowledgebases. Biocuration is essential to extract knowledge from research data and make it available in a structured and standardized way to the scientific community. However, processing biological data—mainly from literature—requires a huge effort that is difficult to attribute and quantify. APICURON collects biocuration events from third-party resources and aggregates this information, spotlighting biocurator contributions. APICURON promotes biocurator engagement implementing gamification concepts like badges, medals and leaderboards and at the same time provides a monitoring service for registered resources and for biocurators themselves. APICURON adopts a data model that is flexible enough to represent and track the majority of biocuration activities. Biocurators are identified through their Open Researcher and Contributor ID. The definition of curation events, scoring systems and rules for assigning badges and medals are resource-specific and easily customizable. Registered resources can transfer curation activities on the fly through a secure and robust Application Programming Interface (API). Here, we show how simple and effective it is to connect a resource to APICURON, describing the DisProt database of intrinsically disordered proteins as a use case. We believe APICURON will provide biological knowledgebases with a service to recognize and credit the effort of their biocurators, monitor their activity and promote curator engagement.

Database URL: https://apicuron.org
Incidence and clinical relevance of left atrial appendage membranes: a new congenital heart disease?
Authors: Cresti Alberto , Solari Marco , Gismondi Anna Laura , Baratta Pasquale , De Sensi Francesco , Breschi Marco , Limbruno Ugo
Published: April 2021

Aims

Left atrial appendage (LAA) membranes are rare congenital anomalies. Those involving the appendage orifice may obstruct its emptying flows, thus promoting blood stasis and clot formation. However, the epidemiology of LAA membranes has never been studied and a correlation with appendage thrombosis has never been proved. Very few case reports described LAA membranes, therefore, their frequency and clinical significance are not known. Moreover, their presence and degree are of crucial importance in planning LAA percutaneous closure, a procedure whose indication is evolving, and whether their presence can represent technical issues during the device implantation is not known. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and the clinical significance of LAA membranes.

Methods and results

A population of 6030 consecutive transoesophageal echo (TOE) studies has been retrospectively reviewed in order to find those patients in whom an LAA membrane has been found. A literature research has been performed to review previous described cases. Among 6030 TOE cases, an LAA membrane has been described in 6 (prevalence of 1/1000). In one case, the membrane was associated to a severe LAA hypoplasia and in another case to an LAA thrombus (these represent the first cases ever described). All patients had an atrial fibrillation (AF) history and two were in AF during the TOE exam.

Conclusion

LAA membranes are rare congenital abnormalities occasionally discovered during a TOE exam, frequently in patients affected by AF. In half of the cases, they obstruct the LAA flow, thus theoretically pre-disposing to clot formation. They may be rarely associated to an appendage hypoplasia. During a TOE exam, cardiac imagers should always rule out their presence.
The effect of transcatheter aortic valve implantation on pulmonary artery pressures in a patient suffering from chronic heart failure: a case report
Authors: Radhoe Sumant P , Veenis Jesse F , Van Mieghem Nicolas M , Brugts Jasper J
Published: April 2021

Background

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is most commonly caused by left-sided heart disease and may negatively affect the long-term prognosis and quality of life of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). CardioMEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System) allows physicians to monitor pulmonary artery (PA) pressures remotely and optimize heart failure treatment based on haemodynamic parameters, which provides further insight into the effect of valvular interventions.

Case summary

We present a case of a 61-year-old male patient with an ischaemic cardiomyopathy, poor LV function, moderate to severe mitral regurgitation, and severe aortic valve regurgitation in refractory heart failure. Right heart catheterization and CardioMEMS monitoring revealed severe pulmonary hypertension with mean PA pressures of 55 mmHg and a mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure of 21 mmHg despite up titration of heart failure medication and sildenafil. Pulmonary and systemic causes of pulmonary hypertension were excluded. After heart team consensus, the patient underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) which resulted in normalization of PA pressures and a significant improvement of functional performance.

Discussion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report describing the direct effects of TAVI on continuous PA pressures in a patient with poor LV function and severe aortic regurgitation. Elective TAVI appeared to be safe and very effective in reverting severe pulmonary hypertension. Most strikingly, drug interventions could not affect the elevated pulmonary pressures, but TAVI corrected the aortic valve insufficiency with normalization of left-sided pulmonary hypertension.
Surgical resection of a giant pericardial cyst: a case report
Authors: Taguchi Eiji , Oshitomi Takashi , Kamio Takihiro , Sakamoto Tomohiro
Published: April 2021

Background

Pericardial cysts are rare congenital mediastinal cysts. They are typically asymptomatic and are often discovered incidentally, although some patients may present with chest pain and dyspnoea. Asymptomatic patients are managed conservatively with multiple modalities, with surgical resection often recommended for symptomatic patients only. The frequency of follow-up imaging has yet to be established.

Case summary

We report a case of a 59-year-old female with a gradually increasing pericardial cyst, first noted 10 years prior as an abnormal cardiac silhouette on routine chest radiography. Further evaluation confirmed the presence of a pericardial cyst compressing the left ventricle with new-onset atrial fibrillation. The patient underwent successful thoracoscopic excision of the pericardial cyst under general anaesthesia. The patient’s post-operative course was uneventful, and she was ultimately discharged in stable condition.

Discussion

Pericardial cysts are typically benign, but complications may arise in the case of compression of adjacent cardiac structures, inflammation, haemorrhage, or rupture of the cyst. Magnetic resonance imaging is considered the better modality for both diagnosis and follow-up of pericardial cysts. This case illustrates the need for long-term clinical follow-up in order to optimize the time for treatment.
Stage 1 hypertension, sex, and acute coronary syndromes during midlife: the Hordaland Health Study
Authors: Kringeland Ester , Tell Grethe S , Midtbø Helga , Igland Jannicke , Haugsgjerd Teresa R , Gerdts Eva
Published: April 2021

Aims

Hypertension has been suggested as a stronger risk factor for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in women than men. Whether this also applies to stage 1 hypertension [blood pressure (BP) 130–139/80–89 mmHg] is not known.

Methods and results

We tested associations of stage 1 hypertension with ACS in 12 329 participants in the Hordaland Health Study (mean baseline age 41 years, 52% women). Participants were grouped by baseline BP category: Normotension (BP < 130/80 mmHg), stage 1 and stage 2 hypertension (BP ≥140/90 mmHg). ACS was defined as hospitalization or death due to myocardial infarction or unstable angina pectoris during 16 years of follow-up. At baseline, a lower proportion of women than men had stage 1 and 2 hypertension, respectively (25 vs. 35% and 14 vs. 31%, P < 0.001). During follow-up, 1.4% of women and 5.7% of men experienced incident ACS (P < 0.001). Adjusted for diabetes, smoking, body mass index, cholesterol, and physical activity, stage 1 hypertension was associated with higher risk of ACS in women [hazard ratio (HR) 2.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32–3.60], while the association was non-significant in men (HR 1.30, 95% CI 0.98–1.71). After additional adjustment for systolic and diastolic BP, respectively, stage 1 diastolic hypertension was associated with ACS in women (HR 2.79 [95% CI 1.62-4.82]), but not in men (HR 1.24 [95% CI 0.95-1.62]), while stage 1 systolic hypertension was not associated with ACS in either sex.

Conclusion

Among subjects in their early 40s, stage 1 hypertension was a stronger risk factor for ACS during midlife in women than in men.
Structure and Expression of Wild-Type and Suppressible Alleles of the Drosophila purple Gene
Authors: Kim Nacksung , Kim Jaeseob , Park Dongkook , Rosen Christina , Dorsett Dale , Yim John
Published: April 2021

Viable mutant alleles of purple (pr), such as prbw, exhibit mutant eye colors. This reflects low 6-pyruvoyl tetrahydropterin (PTP) synthase activity required for pigment synthesis. PTP synthase is also required for synthesis of the enzyme cofactor biopterin; presumably this is why some pr alleles are lethal. The prbw eye color phenotype is suppressed by suppressor of sable [su(s)] mutations. The pr gene was cloned to explore the mechanism of this suppression. pr produces two PTP synthase mRNAs: one constitutively from a distal promoter and one in late pupae and young adult heads from a proximal promoter. The latter presumably supports eye pigment synthesis. The prbw allele has a 412 retrotransposon in an intron spliced from both mRNAs. However, the head-specific mRNA is reduced >10-fold in prbw and is restored by a su(s) mutation, while the constitutive transcript is barely affected. The Su(s) protein probably alters processing of RNA containing 412. Because the intron containing 412 is the first in the head-specific mRNA and the second in the constitutive mRNA, binding of splicing machinery to nascent transcripts before the 412 insertion is transcribed may preclude the effects of Su(s) protein.
Mutations in the Drosophila pushover Gene Confer Increased Neuronal Excitability and Spontaneous Synaptic Vesicle Fusion
Authors: Richards Stephen , Hillman Timothy , Stern Michael
Published: April 2021

We describe the identification of a gene called pushover (push), which affects both behavior and synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction. Adults carrying either of two mutations in push exhibit sluggishness, uncoordination, a defective escape response, and male sterility. Larvae defective in push exhibit increased release of transmitter at the neuromuscular junction. In particular, the frequency of spontaneous transmitter release and the amount of transmitter release evoked by nerve stimulation are each increased two- to threefold in push mutants at the lowest external [Ca2+] tested (0.15 mM). Furthermore, these mutants are more sensitive than wild type to application of the potassium channel-blocking drug quinidine: following quinidine application, push mutants, but not wild-type, display repetitive firing of the motor axon, leading to repetitive muscle postsynaptic potentials. The push gene thus might affect both neuronal excitability and the transmitter release process. Complementation tests and recombinational mapping suggest that the push mutations are allelic to a previously identified P-element-induced mutation, which also causes behavioral abnormalities and male sterility.
Production of Androgenetic Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Corley-Smith Graham E , Lim Chinten James , Brandhorst Bruce P
Published: April 2021

To help investigate the evolutionary origin of the imprinting (parent-of-origin mono-allelic expression) of paternal genes observed in mammals, we constructed haploid and diploid androgenetic zebrafish (Danio rerio). Haploid androgenotes were produced by fertilizing eggs that had been X-ray irradiated to eliminate the maternal genome. Subsequent inhibition of the first mitotic division of haploid androgenotes by heat shock produced diploid androgenotes. The lack of inheritance of maternal-specific DNA markers (RAPD and SSR) by putative diploid and haploid androgenotes confirmed the androgenetic origin of their genomes. Marker analysis was performed on 18 putative androgenotes (five diploids and 13 haploids) from six families. None of 157 maternal-specific RAPD markers analyzed, some of which were apparently homozygous, were passed on to any of these putative androgenotes. A mean of 7.7 maternal-specific markers were assessed per family. The survival of androgenetic zebrafish suggests that if paternal imprinting occurs in zebrafish, it does not result in essential genes being inactivated when their expression is required for development. Production of haploid androgenotes can be used to determine the meiotic recombination rate in male zebrafish. Androgenesis may also provide useful information about the mechanism of sex determination in zebrafish.
Equilibrium Values of Measures of Population Subdivision for Stepwise Mutation Processes
Authors: Rousset François
Published: April 2021

Expected values of Wright'sF-statistics are functions of probabilities of identity in state. These values may be quite different under an infinite allele model and under stepwise mutation processes such as those occurring at microsatellite loci. However, a relationship between the probability of identity in state in stepwise mutation models and the distribution of coalescence times can be deduced from the relationship between probabilities of identity by descent and the distribution of coalescence times. The values of FIS and FST can be computed using this property. Examination of the conditional probability of identity in state given some coalescence time and of the distribution of coalescence times are also useful for explaining the properties of FIS and FST at high mutation rate loci, as shown here in an island model of population structure.
Health of two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people experiencing poverty in Canada: a review
Authors: Kinitz David J , Salway Travis , Kia Hannah , Ferlatte Olivier , Rich Ashleigh J , Ross Lori E
Published: April 2021

Two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (2SLGBTQ+) people are disproportionately represented among those experiencing poverty. Both 2SLGBTQ+ people and people experiencing poverty face poorer health outcomes and greater difficulty accessing healthcare. Evidence of intersectional impacts of 2SLGBTQ+ status and poverty on health can help to inform economic and health policy. The objective of this review is to determine what is known about the health of 2SLGBTQ+ people in Canada experiencing poverty. Following the PRISMA framework, we searched and summarized Canadian literature on 2SLGBTQ+ poverty indexed in Medline, Sociological Abstracts, PsycInfo and EconList (N = 33). 2SLGBTQ+ poverty-related literature remains sparse but is expanding as illustrated by the fact that most (31/33) studies were published in the past decade. Half the studies analysed poverty as a focal variable and half as a covariate. Intersectionality theory assists in understanding the three health-related themes identified—healthcare access, physical health and mental health and substance use—as these outcomes are shaped by intersecting social structures that result in unique forms of discrimination. Those at the intersection of poverty and 2SLGBTQ+ status face poorer health outcomes than other 2SLGBTQ+ people in Canada. Discrimination was an overarching finding that explained persistent associations between 2SLGBTQ+ status, poverty and health. Research that directly interrogated the experiences of 2SLGBTQ+ populations experiencing poverty was sparse. In particular, there is a need to conduct research on underrepresented 2SLGBTQ+ sub-groups who are disproportionately impacted by poverty, including transgender, bisexual and two-spirit populations.
Modeling muscle regeneration in RNA toxicity mice
Authors: Yadava Ramesh S , Mandal Mahua , Giese Jack M , Rigo Frank , Bennett C Frank , Mahadevan Mani S
Published: April 2021

RNA toxicity underlies the pathogenesis of disorders such as myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Muscular dystrophy is a key element of the pathology of DM1. The means by which RNA toxicity causes muscular dystrophy in DM1 is unclear. Here, we have used the DM200 mouse model of RNA toxicity due to the expression of a mutant DMPK 3′UTR mRNA to model the effects of RNA toxicity on muscle regeneration. Using a BaCl2-induced damage model, we find that RNA toxicity leads to decreased expression of PAX7, and decreased numbers of satellite cells, the stem cells of adult skeletal muscle (also known as MuSCs). This is associated with a delay in regenerative response, a lack of muscle fiber maturation and an inability to maintain a normal number of satellite cells. Repeated muscle damage also elicited key aspects of muscular dystrophy, including fat droplet deposition and increased fibrosis, and the results represent one of the first times to model these classic markers of dystrophic changes in the skeletal muscles of a mouse model of RNA toxicity. Using a ligand-conjugated antisense (LICA) oligonucleotide ASO targeting DMPK sequences for the first time in a mouse model of RNA toxicity in DM1, we find that treatment with IONIS 877864, which targets the DMPK 3′UTR mRNA, is efficacious in correcting the defects in regenerative response and the reductions in satellite cell numbers caused by RNA toxicity. These results demonstrate the possibilities for therapeutic interventions to mitigate the muscular dystrophy associated with RNA toxicity in DM1.
Supranational entrepreneurs: the High Representative and the EU global strategy
Authors: Sus Monika
Published: April 2021

By applying the Multiple Streams Approach (MSA) developed by Kingdon and adapted to EU policy-making, this article explores a new analytical lens that provides a more substantiated insight into the role of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR) in the policy-making process. According to the MSA, policy change happens when policy entrepreneurs successfully explore a window of opportunity that opens in the problems or policies stream. Applying a single case-study approach, this article argues that it was the entrepreneurship of HR Federica Mogherini that coupled problems, politics and policies streams which presented themselves between 2014 and 2015, made use of the window of opportunity, and pushed for policy change in EU's foreign and security policy. By finding observable evidence for the HR's deployment of entrepreneurial strategies during the drafting and implementation of the European Union's Global Strategy, this contribution unpacks Mogherini's footprint in the recent progress. The conceptualization of the HR office-holder as a policy entrepreneur lets us systematically investigate their agency and impact on the policy change within the existing formal constraints, and thus it paves a way towards a more fruitful research direction regarding the HR's role than the concept of the constrained agent that is dominant in the literature. More broadly, since the office-holder can be perceived as a supranational agent that is dependent upon an intergovernmental system for its mandate, by examining its entrepreneurial strategies this article offers insights on the role of supranational agents beyond the EU context, i.e. within UN and NATO.
John Hart Ely in the Mexican Supreme Court
Authors: Niembro Ortega Roberto
Published: April 2021

In this article, I reflect upon the influence that John Hart Ely’s book Democracy and Distrust can have on our discussions about the Mexican Supreme Court. For that purpose, I distinguish the Mexican Court’s role under authoritarian rule and in democracy. In the former era, Ely’s theory would not have even been considered. In the latter, the Court has adopted a substantive conception of democracy and judicial review based on authors such as Ronald Dworkin, Robert Alexy, and Luigi Ferrajoli. Moreover, in the last twelve years, the Court has developed a human rights agenda. During this time, it has interpreted human rights and economic liberties, issuing rulings that are similar to those that preoccupied Ely forty years ago (Lochner v. New York or Roe v. Wade). In this regard, Ely’s theory is useful to think about the current situation of constitutional justice in Mexico, even if we do not embrace his proposal that limits the role of the Court to procedural issues. In a country such as Mexico, where the reality of our democracy is much feebler and deep economic and social inequalities predominate, the Court is compelled to play a transformative role.