bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antipsychotics Do Not Influence Neurological Soft Signs in Children and Adolescents at Ultra-High Risk for Psychosis: A Pilot Study
Authors: PITZIANTI MARIABERNARDA , CASARELLI LIVIA , PONTILLO MARIA , VICARI STEFANO , ARMANDO MARCO , PASINI AUGUSTO
Published: November 2019

Objective:

Ultra-high risk for psychosis (UHR) is considered as the condition that temporally precedes the onset of psychotic symptoms. In addition to the core symptoms, patients with schizophrenia show motor abnormalities, also known as neurological soft signs (NSS), that are considered an endophenotype for psychotic disorders and particularly for schizophrenia. Antipsychotic medications do not appear to influence NSS in individuals with schizophrenia. However, NSS in UHR subjects have been poorly studied and, to date, we do not know what effects antipsychotics have in early treated UHR subjects. Therefore, we evaluated NSS in treated UHR subjects in comparison with drug-naive UHR subjects and a group of healthy control subjects and the effect of pharmacological treatment on early treated UHR children and adolescents.

Patients and Methods:

Fifteen UHR subjects receiving pharmacological treatment, 15 drug-naive UHR subjects, and 25 healthy control subjects were evaluated for NSS to analyze any differences between clinical subjects and healthy controls and to evaluate the effect of antipsychotic medications in early treated UHR subjects.

Results:

Both clinical groups showed a greater number of NSS compared with the healthy control subjects. However, no significant differences in NSS were found between treated and drug-naive UHR subjects.

Conclusions:

Consistent with what has been observed in the population of patients with a first psychotic episode and/or with schizophrenia, our results support the conclusion that antipsychotic medications do not influence NSS in children and adolescents who are at high risk for psychosis.
Chinese Therapists’ Beliefs About Exposure Therapy for Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders
Authors: FANG FANG , ZHANG YINGYING , ZHANG LI , JIANG MEIMEI , SONG RUI , WANG YU , WANG ZUOWEI , LI BIN , FARRELL NICHOLAS , CEPEDA SANDRA L. , SCHNEIDER SOPHIE C. , MCINGVALE ELIZABETH , SHRESTHA SRIJANA , GOODMAN WAYNE K. , ZHANG CHENCHENG , STORCH ERIC A.
Published: November 2019

Objectives:

The goal of this study was to assess Chinese therapists’ beliefs about exposure therapy and to examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Therapist Beliefs about Exposure Scale (TBES). Modification of therapists’ beliefs about exposure therapy was also assessed following attendance at an exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) training workshop.

Methods:

A total of 203 therapists participated in the study. The TBES and a measure of anxiety sensitivity were administered in Chinese. After a half-day ERP training workshop, the Chinese version of the TBES was administered to the participants again.

Results:

The Chinese version of the TBES demonstrated adequate internal consistency, moderate item-level psychometric properties, and a normal distribution in the sample in this study. The TBES scores of the participants decreased significantly after they attended an ERP training course. The reduction in TBES scores was significantly correlated with therapists’ caseload of clients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Conclusions:

The results of this study support the reliability of the Chinese version of the TBES. Chinese therapists had more negative beliefs about exposure than did American therapists who were evaluated in a different study; however, therapists’ negative beliefs were significantly reduced after they attended an ERP training workshop. Future studies are encouraged to explore effective strategies to improve the disseminiation and delivery of exposure therapy in China.
Cerbera odollam: A Case Report of Attempted Suicide by Pong Pong
Authors: RUEKERT LAURA F. , CUNNINGHAM ELIZABETH A. , NAQVI HIRA
Published: November 2019

Cerbera odollam, commonly referred to as the “suicide tree” or “pong pong,” produces highly toxic seeds that are used for suicidal and homicidal purposes. It is important that western physicians be aware of the symptoms associated with these seeds and how to diagnose and treat them.
One Hundred Years of Austen Riggs
Authors: PLAKUN ERIC M.
Published: November 2019

This column reviews the history of the Austen Riggs Center on the occasion of its centennial. Riggs has come to stand for high quality, state of the art, biopsychosocial, psychodynamic treatment in contemporary psychiatry and psychoanalysis. This column reviews elements of the positioning of Riggs in the field, and contributions that have emerged from Riggs that continue to have an impact on psychiatry, psychoanalysis, and their intersection—psychodynamic psychiatry.
Drug-Drug Interactions (DDIs) in Psychiatric Practice, Part 6: Pharmacodynamic Considerations
Authors: PRESKORN SHELDON H.
Published: November 2019

This column is the sixth in a series exploring drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with a special emphasis on psychiatric medications. The first 3 columns in this DDI series discussed why patients being treated with psychiatric medications are at increased risk for taking multiple medications and thus experiencing DDIs, how to recognize such DDIs, strategies for avoiding and/or minimizing adverse outcomes from such DDIs, and pharmacokinetic considerations concerning DDIs in psychiatric practice. The fourth and fifth columns in this series presented a pair of parallel tables, one of which outlined the primary, known mechanism(s) of action of all commonly used psychiatric medications and one of which summarized major types of pharmacodynamic DDIs based on mechanism of action. Clinicians can use these 2 tables together to predict pharmacodynamically mediated DDIs. This sixth column in the series discusses some key issues related to pharmacodynamic interactions involving commonly used psychiatric medications. The column first discusses 3 types of pharmacological agents that deserve special mention because of the widespread types of pharmacodynamic DDIs they can have with psychiatric and other medications: ethanol, opioids, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, with a special focus on hypertensive crises and serotonin syndrome with monoamine oxidase inhibitors. The column also discusses DDIs in terms of effects on the cardiovascular system, including QTc prolongation, blood pressure and heart rate regulation, increased risk of bleeding and abnormal bleeding, and valvular heart disease, and on the central nervous system, including increased sedation, respiratory depression, body temperature regulation, and tardive dyskinesia. The overall goal of this series of columns is to present a simple way of conceptualizing neuropsychiatric medications in terms of their pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics to allow prescribers to take these facts into consideration when they need to use more than 1 drug in combination to optimally treat a patient.
Accuracy of Anxiety Disorder Not Otherwise Specified Diagnosis in Older Veterans
Authors: FLETCHER TERRI L. , HUNDT NATALIE E. , KUNIK MARK E. , SINGH HARDEEP , STANLEY MELINDA A.
Published: November 2019

We examined the accuracy of the anxiety not otherwise specified (anxiety NOS) diagnosis in 61 patients, using data from older Veterans screened for a large trial of cognitive behavioral therapy for late-life generalized anxiety disorder. We compared the anxiety NOS diagnoses based on the electronic medical record to diagnoses obtained via a gold standard structured diagnostic interview conducted for this trial. We found concordance of the anxiety NOS diagnosis in only 2 participants (3%). Most patients (77%) met diagnostic criteria for a specific Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) anxiety disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, and/or social anxiety disorder, on the basis of a structured diagnostic interview. The erroneous diagnosis of anxiety NOS is a barrier to patients receiving appropriate evidence-based care for specific anxiety-related and trauma-related disorders. Undertreated anxiety can result in poorer health outcomes, overutilization of medical services, and increased health care costs. Accurate diagnosis of anxiety disorders is foundational to evidence-based treatment; thus, it is imperative that patients presenting with anxiety symptoms receive proper diagnostic assessment to facilitate access to the appropriate evidence-based mental health services.
Plain Computed Tomography With Spectral Imaging Findings of Early Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Yongjun Luo , Hao Zhu , Wenjuan Zhang , Dan Wang , Qiaoying Zhang , Junlin Zhou
Published: November 2019

Purpose:

To investigate the findings of plain spectral computed tomography (CT) with multiparameter of early cerebral ischemia.

Patients and Methods:

Thirty-three patients with suspected early cerebral ischemia who received a one-stop CT examination (plain scan with spectral CT imaging mode, CTP and CTA) of the brain were enrolled in this study. No clear lesion was observed in any patient on the plain CT. However, the CTA displayed evidence of vascular stenosis and the CTP displayed a corresponding low perfusion area consistent with early cerebral ischemia. Regions of interest were placed in the abnormal perfusion regions and the contralateral symmetric regions on plain CT. Then, the CT value of the monochromatic images (70 kV), the slope of the spectral HU curve, blood (iodine), iodine (water), and water (iodine) concentrations were measured. A paired t-test was performed for data comparison. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate diagnostic performance.

Results:

The CT values of the ischemic regions at 70 keV, the spectral HU curve, water, and blood values of the ischemic measurements were slightly lower than those of the contralateral symmetric regions (P < .05). Monochromatic images at 70 keV had the highest area under the curve value, and the sensitivity and specificity were 90.0% and 63.0%, respectively.

Conclusion:

The difference of monochromatic CT values, spectral HU curve, and basic material concentrations between the early cerebral ischemia region and the contralateral symmetric region on spectral CT imaging may provide a reference with the diagnosis of early cerebral ischemia.
AAC and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Authors: Sennott Samuel C. , Akagi Linda , Lee Mary , Rhodes Anthony
Published: November 2019

Artificially intelligent tools have given us the capability to use technology to address ever more complex challenges. What are the capabilities, challenges, and hazards of incorporating and developing this technology for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)? Artificial intelligence (AI) can be defined as the capability of a machine to imitate human intelligence. The goal of AI is to create machines that can use characteristics of human intelligence to solve problems and adapt to a changing environment. Harnessing the capabilities of AI tools has the potential to accelerate progress in serving individuals with complex communication needs. In this article, we discuss components of AI, including (a) knowledge representation, (b) reasoning, (c) natural language processing, (d) machine learning, (e) computer vision, and (f) robotics. For each AI component, we delve into the implications, promise, and precautions of that component for AAC.
GBA variants in REM sleep behavior disorder: a multicenter study
Authors: Krohn Lynne , Ruskey Jennifer A. , Rudakou Uladzislau , Leveille Etienne , Asayesh Farnaz , Hu Michele T.M. , Arnulf Isabelle , Dauvilliers Yves , Högl Birgit , Stefani Ambra , Monaca Christelle Charley , Beatriz Abril , Plazzi Giuseppe , Antelmi Elena , Ferini-Strambi Luigi , Heidbreder Anna , Boeve Bradley F. , Espay Alberto J. , De Cock Valérie Cochen , Mollenhauer Brit , Sixel-Döring Friederike , Trenkwalder Claudia , Sonka Karel , Kemlink David , Figorilli Michela , Puligheddu Monica , Dijkstra Femke , Viaene Mineke , Oertel Wolfgang , Toffoli Marco , Gigli Gian Luigi , Valente Mariarosaria , Gagnon Jean-François , Desautels Alex , Montplaisir Jacques Y. , Postuma Ronald B. , Rouleau Guy A. , Gan-Or Ziv
Published: November 2019

Objective

To study the role of GBA variants in the risk for isolated rapid-eye-movement (REM)-sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) and conversion to overt neurodegeneration.

Methods

A total of 4,147 individuals were included: 1,061 iRBD patients and 3,086 controls. GBA was fully sequenced using molecular inversion probes and Sanger sequencing. We analyzed the effects of GBA variants on the risk for iRBD, age at onset (AAO) and conversion rates.

Results

GBA variants were found in 9.5% of iRBD patients compared to 4.1% in controls (odds ratio [OR]=2.45, 95% CI=1.87–3.22, p=1×10−10). The estimated OR for mild p.N370S variant carriers was 3.69, 95% CI=1.90–7.14, p=3.5×10−5, while for severe variant carriers it was 17.55, 95% CI=2.11–145.9, p=0.0015. Carriers of severe GBA variants had an average AAO of 52.8 years, 7-8 years earlier than those with mild variants or non-carriers (p=0.029). Of the GBA variant carriers with available data, 52.5% had converted, compared to 35.6% in non-carriers (p=0.011), with a trend for faster conversion among severe GBA variant carriers. However, the results on AAO and conversion were based on small numbers and should be taken with caution.

Conclusions

GBA variants robustly and differentially increase the risk of iRBD. The rate of conversion to neurodegeneration is also increased and may be faster among severe GBA variant carriers, although confirmation will be required in larger samples. Screening for RBD in healthy carriers of GBA variants should be studied as a potential way to identify GBA variant carriers who will develop a synucleinopathy in the future.
Eco-evolutionary dynamics of nested Darwinian populations and the emergence of community-level heredity
Authors: Doulcier Guilhem , Lambert Amaury , De Monte Silvia , Rainey Paul B.
Published: November 2019

Interactions among microbial cells can generate new chemistries and functions, but exploitation requires establishment of communities that reliably recapitulate community-level phenotypes. Using mechanistic mathematical models, we show how simple manipulations to population structure can exogenously impose Darwinian-like properties on communities. Such scaffolding causes communities to participate directly in the process of evolution by natural selection and drives the evolution of cell-level interactions to the point where, despite underlying stochasticity, derived communities give rise to offspring communities that faithfully re-establish parental phenotype. The mechanism is akin to a developmental process (developmental correction) that arises from density dependent interactions among cells. Knowledge of ecological factors affecting evolution of developmental correction has implications for understanding the evolutionary origin of major egalitarian transitions, symbioses, and for top-down engineering of microbial communities.
Sample demultiplexing, multiplet detection, experiment planning and novel cell type verification in single cell sequencing
Authors: Xin Hongyi , Yan Qi , Jiang Yale , Lian Qiuyu , Luo Jiadi , Erb Carla , Duerr Richard , Chen Kong , Chen Wei
Published: November 2019

Identifying and removing multiplets from downstream analysis is essential to improve the scalability and reliability of single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). High multiplet rates create artificial cell types in the dataset. Sample barcoding, including the cell hashing technology and the MULTI-seq technology, enables analytical identification of a fraction of multiplets in a scRNA-seq dataset.

We propose a Gaussian-mixture-model-based multiplet identification method, GMM-Demux. GMM-Demux accurately identifies and removes the sample-barcoding-detectable multiplets and estimates the percentage of sample-barcoding-undetectable multiplets in the remaining dataset. GMM-Demux describes the droplet formation process with an augmented binomial probabilistic model, and uses the model to authenticate cell types discovered from a scRNA-seq dataset.

We conducted two cell-hashing experiments, collected a public cell-hashing dataset, and generated a simulated cellhashing dataset. We compared the classification result of GMM-Demux against a state-of-the-art heuristic-based classifier. We show that GMM-Demux is more accurate, more stable, reduces the error rate by up to 69×, and is capable of reliably recognizing 9 multiplet-induced fake cell types and 8 real cell types in a PBMC scRNA-seq dataset.
Unique allometry of group size and collective brain mass in humans and primates relative to other mammals
Authors: Hamilton Marcus J. , Walker Robert S.
Published: November 2019

Group living is common in mammals, particularly in primates and humans. Across species, groups are social networks where co-residing members exchange information and balance trade-offs between competition and cooperation for space, resources, and reproductive opportunities. From a macroecological perspective, species-specific group sizes are ultimately constrained by body size, population density, and the environmental supply rate of home ranges. Here, we derive an allometric null model for group size in mammals based on individual energy demands and ecological constraints. Using Bayesian phylogenetic mixed models we show that primates exhibit unique allometries relative to other mammals. Moreover, as large-bodied primates, human hunter-gatherers have among the largest social groups of any mammal. We then explore the consequences of this unique social allometry by considering how mammalian brain size scales up in social groups that differ in size across mammals. We show similarly unique allometries in what we term the collective brain mass of social groups in primates relative to all other mammals. These results show that for a given body size primates have both larger brains and larger social networks than other mammals. Consequently, proportionally larger primate brains interact in proportionally larger social networks with important consequences for group cognition. We suggest that the size, scale, and complexity of human social networks in the 21stcentury have deep evolutionary roots in primate ecology and mammalian brain allometry.
Cortical cell stiffness is independent of substrate mechanics
Authors: Rheinlaender Johannes , Dimitracopoulos Andrea , Wallmeyer Bernhard , Kronenberg Nils M. , Chalut Kevin J. , Gather Malte C. , Betz Timo , Charras Guillaume , Franze Kristian
Published: November 2019

Cortical stiffness is an important cellular property that changes during migration, adhesion, and growth. Previous atomic force microscopy (AFM) indentation measurements of cells cultured on deformable substrates suggested that cells adapt their stiffness to that of their surroundings. Here we show that the force applied by AFM onto cells results in a significant deformation of the underlying substrate if it is softer than the cells. This ‘soft substrate effect’ leads to an underestimation of a cell’s elastic modulus when analyzing data using a standard Hertz model, as confirmed by finite element modelling (FEM) and AFM measurements of calibrated polyacrylamide beads, microglial cells, and fibroblasts. To account for this substrate deformation, we developed the ‘composite cell-substrate model’ (CoCS model). Correcting for the substrate indentation revealed that cortical cell stiffness is largely independent of substrate mechanics, which has significant implications for our interpretation of many physiological and pathological processes.
Translationally relevant transcriptomic alterations in mouse ischemic cerebral microvessels
Authors: Callegari Keri , Dash Sabyasachi , Uchida Hiroki , Lee Yunkyoung , Ito Akira , Zhang Tuo , Xiang Jenny , Sanchez Teresa
Published: November 2019

Increasing evidence implicates cerebral microvascular dysfunction in the pathophysiology of numerous central nervous system pathologies, including stroke. Understanding the molecular alterations in cerebral microvessels in these conditions will provide original opportunities for scientific investigation at the pre-clinical and clinical levels. In this study, we conducted a novel genome-wide transcriptomic analysis of microvessels in a mouse model of transient focal cerebral ischemia. Using a publicly available human ischemic stroke dataset, we identified shared alterations in our microvessel dataset with implications for human pathophysiology. From this unbiased analysis, we report predicted alterations in inter- and intra-cellular signaling, emphasizing perturbations in genes involved in blood brain barrier function, endothelial cell activation and metabolism. Furthermore, our study unveiled previously unreported gene expression changes associated with altered sphingolipid metabolism. Altogether, our results have identified microvessel-specific transcriptomic changes in a number of translationally relevant pathways that support the targeting of these pathways in preclinical studies. The data shared here provide a resource for future investigation of translationally relevant pathways in ischemic stroke.
Genomics of a complete butterfly continent
Authors: Zhang Jing , Cong Qian , Shen Jinhui , Opler Paul A. , Grishin Nick V.
Published: November 2019

Never before have we had the luxury of choosing a continent, picking a large phylogenetic group of animals, and obtaining genomic data for its every species. Here, we sequence all 845 species of butterflies recorded from North America north of Mexico. Our comprehensive approach reveals the pattern of diversification and adaptation occurring in this phylogenetic lineage as it has spread over the continent, which cannot be seen on a sample of selected species. We observe bursts of diversification that generated taxonomic ranks: subfamily, tribe, subtribe, genus, and species. The older burst around 70 Mya resulted in the butterfly subfamilies, with the major evolutionary inventions being unique phenotypic traits shaped by high positive selection and gene duplications. The recent burst around 5 Mya is caused by explosive radiation in diverse butterfly groups associated with diversification in transcription and mRNA regulation, morphogenesis, and mate selection. Rapid radiation correlates with more frequent introgression of speciation-promoting and beneficial genes among radiating species. Radiation and extinction patterns over the last 100 million years suggest the following general model of animal evolution. A population spreads over the land, adapts to various conditions through mutations, and diversifies into several species. Occasional hybridization between these species results in accumulation of beneficial alleles in one, which eventually survives, while others become extinct. Not only butterflies, but also the hominids may have followed this path.
Unraveling the complex story of intergenomic recombination in ABB allotriploid bananas
Authors: Alberto Cenci , Julie Sardos , Yann Hueber , Guillaume Martin , Catherine Breton , Nicolas Roux , Rony Swennen , Christian Carpentier Sebastien , Mathieu Rouard
Published: November 2019

Background and Aims

Bananas (Musa spp.) are a major staple food for hundreds of millions of people in developing countries. The cultivated varieties are seedless and parthenocarpic clones of which the ancestral origin remains to be clarified. The most important cultivars are triploids with an AAA, AAB, or ABB genome constitution, with A and B genomes provided by M. acuminata and M. balbisiana, respectively. Previous studies suggested that inter-genome recombinations were relatively common in banana cultivars and that triploids were more likely to have passed through an intermediate hybrid. In this study, we investigated the chromosome structure within the ABB group, composed of starchy cooking bananas that play an important role in food security.

Methods

Using SNP markers called from RAD-Seq data, we studied the chromosome structure of 36 ABB genotypes spanning defined taxonomic subgroups. To complement our understanding, we search for similar events within nine AB hybrid genotypes.

Key Results

Recurrent Homoeologous Exchanges (HEs), i.e. chromatin exchanges between A and B subgenomes were unraveled with at least 9 founding events at the origin of the ABB bananas prior to the clonal diversification. The discovery of this nine founding events allows discussing the possible routes that led to the creation of the different subgroups and formulate new hypotheses. Based on our observations, we suggest different routes that gave rise to the current diversity in the ABB cultivars. Routes involving primary AB hybrids, routes leading to shared HEs and routes leading to a B excess ratio. Genetic fluxes took place between M. acuminata and M. balbisiana, particularly in India, where these unbalanced AB hybrids and ABB allotriploid originated and where cultivated M. balbisiana are abundant.

Conclusions

The result of this study clarifies the classification of ABB cultivars and leading possibly to the revision of the classification of this subgroup. This is an important step to unravel the origin of polyploid bananas, and contributes to possible scenarios on the origin. ABB bananas are hypothesized to be more drought tolerant. Knowing the origin of our current cultivars and so their potential parents will help breeders to make the right choices for future crosses. The M. balbisiana genome is a good source to create new cultivars able to answer the numerous challenges of banana breeding.
CRB2 controls primary ciliogenesis in association with PAR6α, HOOK2 and RAB8A
Authors: Barthelemy-Requin Magali , Massey-Harroche Dominique , Audebert Stephane , Borg Jean-Paul , Wijnholds Jan , Le Bivic Andre
Published: November 2019

Ciliogenesis is an essential process in animal development and physiology and when affected, the origin of severe pathologies called ciliopathies. CRB2 has been recently implicated when mutated in several pathologies such as retina degeneration and a ciliopathy-like syndrome. Here, we have investigated the role of CRB2 in primary ciliogenesis and showed that CRB2 depletion blocks the formation of the ciliary vesicle after activation of the mother centriole, indicating a defect in either transport or anchoring of the ciliary vesicle. CRB2 is accumulated in intracellular vesicles in the vicinity of the centrosome and we showed here that CRB2 forms a complex made of HOOK2 and PAR6α, two proteins important for primary ciliogenesis or centrosome integrity. In addition, CRB2 interacts with RAB8A which over-expression rescued CRB2 knockdown. All together, these findings indicate that CRB2 regulates a membrane transport step essential for the formation of the ciliary vesicle.
Immediate activation of chemosensory neuron gene expression by bacterial metabolites is selectively induced by distinct cyclic GMP-dependent pathways inC. elegans
Authors: Park Jaeseok , Meisel Joshua D , Kim Dennis H
Published: November 2019

Dynamic gene expression in neurons shapes fundamental processes of the nervous systems of animals. But how different stimuli that activate the same neuron can lead to distinct transcriptional responses remains unclear. We have been studying how microbial metabolites modulate gene expression in chemosensory neurons ofCaenorhabditis elegans. Considering the diverse environmental stimuli that can activate chemosensory neurons ofC. elegans, we have sought to understand how specific transcriptional responses can be generated in these neurons in response to distinct cues. We have focused on the mechanism of rapid (<6 min) and selective transcriptional induction ofdaf-7, a gene encoding a TGF-β ligand that promotes bacterial lawn avoidance, in the ASJ chemosensory neurons in response to the pathogenic bacteriumPseudomonas aeruginosa. Here, we define the involvement of two distinct cyclic GMP (cGMP)-dependent pathways that are required fordaf-7expression in the ASJ neuron pair in response toP. aeruginosa. We show that a calcium-independent pathway dependent on the cGMP-dependent protein kinase G (PKG) EGL-4, and a canonical calcium-dependent signaling pathway dependent on the activity of a cyclic nucleotide-gated channel subunit CNG-2, function in parallel to activate rapid, selective transcription ofdaf-7in response toP. aeruginosametabolites. Our data suggest a requirement for PKG in promoting the fast, selective early transcription of neuronal genes in shaping responses to distinct microbial stimuli in a pair of chemosensory neurons ofC. elegans.

Author Summary

The nervous systems of animals carry out the crucial roles of sensing and interpreting the external environment. When the free-living microscopic roundwormC. elegansis exposed to the pathogenic bacteriaPseudomonas aeruginosa, sensory neurons detect metabolites produced by the pathogen and induce expression of the gene for a neuroendocrine ligand called DAF-7. In turn, activity of DAF-7 is required for the full avoidance response to theP. aeruginosa, allowing the animals to reduce bacterial load and survive longer. Here, we systematically dissect the molecular pathway between the sensation ofP. aeruginosametabolites and the expression ofdaf-7in a pair of C. elegans sensory neurons. We show that the intracellular signaling molecule cyclic GMP is a key signaling intermediate. In addition, we show that there are calcium-dependent and calcium-independent pathways that are both required to engagedaf-7expression, highlighting an organizational principle that allows neurons to distinguish between various stimuli.
Relationships between puroindoline-prolamin interactions and wheat grain hardness
Authors: Geneix Nathalie , Dalgalarrondo Michèle , Tassy Caroline , Nadaud Isabelle , Barret Pierre , Bakan Bénédicte , Elmorjani Khalil , Marion Didier
Published: November 2019

Grain hardness is an important quality trait of cereal crops. In wheat, it is mainly determined by theHardnesslocus that harbors genes encoding puroindoline A (PINA) and puroindoline B (PINB). Any deletion or mutation of these genes leading to the absence of PINA or to single amino acid changes in PINB leads to hard endosperms. Although it is generally acknowledged that hardness is controlled by adhesion strength between the protein matrix and starch granules, the physicochemical mechanisms connecting puroindolines and the starch-protein interactions are unknown as of this time. To explore these mechanisms, we focused on PINA. The overexpression in a hard wheat cultivar (cv. Courtot with thePina-D1aandPinb-D1dalleles) decreased grain hardness in a dose-related effect, suggesting an interactive process. When PINA was added to gliadins in solution, large aggregates of up to 13 µm in diameter were formed. Turbidimetry measurements showed that the PINA-gliadin interaction displayed a high cooperativity that increased with a decrease in pH from neutral to acid (pH 4) media, mimicking the pH change during endosperm development. No turbidity was observed in the presence of isolated α– and γ-gliadins, but non-cooperative interactions of PINA with these proteins could be confirmed by surface plasmon resonance. A significant higher interaction of PINA with γ-gliadins than with α–gliadins was observed. Similar binding behavior was observed with a recombinant repeated polypeptide that mimics the repeat domain of gliadins, i.e., (Pro-Gln-Gln-Pro-Tyr)8. Taken together, these results suggest that the interaction of PINA with a monomeric gliadin creates a nucleation point leading to the aggregation of other gliadins, a phenomenon that could prevent further interaction of the storage prolamins with starch granules. Consequently, the role of puroindoline-prolamin interactions on grain hardness should be addressed on the basis of previous observations that highlight the similar subcellular routing of storage prolamins and puroindolines.
Robust, general purpose, digital power line hum filter which is free of deformations and which can be applied to large transients
Authors: de Lussanet de la Sablonière Marc H. E.
Published: November 2019

Power line interference (“hum noise”) is a common source of noise in recorded biological data. It has a highly constant frequency with harmonics and little variation in amplitude and wave shape. In contrast to stochastic noise it is phasic, i.e., the phase relation remains constant across long intervals. In digital recordings, the measurement frequency is typically very close to a multiple of the hum frequency (50 or 60 Hz). Common filters introduce various kinds of distortions and errors. The here proposed subtraction method makes use of the specific properties of power line hum. For this, it computes a moving estimate of the hum noise by taking the periodic median of the high-pass filtered signal. The resulting periodic median subtraction (PMS) filter reliably removes hum of any harmonic composition, even if the ground frequency is lacking. The filter is completely free of border artifacts. It does not introduce distortions, even if around sharp transients such as in force plate recordings of jumping. The filter is validated on recorded and artificial data. The errors are quantified. The results also show that the errors of hum filters generally increase with the high-frequency content of the data. Thus, the removal of hum from a force plate recording generally gives better results than from an EMG recoding. Compared to other filters, the errors of the PMS filter are generally lower than the best hum filters currently known.
An integrated multiscale, multicellular skin model
Authors: Tasseff Ryan , Aguilar Boris , Kahan Simon , Kang Seunghwa , Bascom Charles C. , Isfort Robert J.
Published: November 2019

Skin is our primary barrier to the outside world, protecting us from physical, biological and chemical threats. Developing innovative products that preserve and improve skin barrier function requires a thorough understanding of the mechanisms underlying barrier response to topical applications. In many fields, computer simulations already facilitate understanding, thus accelerating innovation. Simulations of software models allow scientists to test hypothesized mechanisms by comparing predicted results to physical observations. They also enable virtual product optimization, without physical experiments, once mechanisms have been validated. The physical accessibility and abundant knowledge of skin structure makes it a prime candidate for computational modeling. In this article, we describe a computational multiscale multicellular skin model used to simulate growth and response of the epidermal barrier. The model integrates several modeling styles and mathematical frameworks including ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, discrete agent-based modeling and discrete element methods. Specifically, to capture cell biology and physical transport, we combined four distinct sub-models from existing literature. We also implemented methods for elastic biomechanics. Our software implementation of the model is compatible with the high-performance computing simulation platform Biocellion. The integrated model recapitulates barrier formation, homeostasis and response to environmental, chemical and mechanical perturbation. This work exemplifies methodology for integrating models of vastly different styles. The methodology enables us to effectively build on existing knowledge and produce “whole-system” tissue models capable of displaying emergent properties. It also illustrates the inherent technical difficulties associated with the mounting complexity of describing biological systems at high fidelity. Among the challenges are validation of the science, the mathematical representations approximating the science and the software implementing these representations. Responsibility for a discrepancy observed between in silico and in vitro results may as easily lie at one of these three levels as at another, demanding that any sustainable modeling endeavor engage expertise from biology, mathematics and computing.
DCP2plays multiple roles duringDrosophiladevelopment – possible case of moonlighting?
Authors: Kunar Rohit , Roy Jagat K
Published: November 2019

mRNA decapping proteins (DCPs) are components of the P-bodies in the cell which are hubs of mRNAs targeted for decay and they provide the cell with a reversible pool of mRNAs in response to cellular demands. TheDrosophilagenome codes for two decapping proteins, DCP1 and DCP2 out of which DCP2 is the cognate decapping enzyme. The present endeavour explores the endogenous promoter firing, transcript and protein expression ofDCP2inDrosophilawherein, besides a ubiquitous expression across development, we identify active expression paradigm during dorsal closure and a plausible moonlighting expression in the Corazonin neurons of the larval brain. We also demonstrate that the ablation ofDCP2leads to embryonic lethality and defects in vital morphogenetic processes whereas a knockdown ofDCP2in the Corazonin neurons reduces the sensitivity to ethanol in adults, thereby ascribing novel regulatory roles to DCP2. Our findings unravel novel putative roles for DCP2 and identify it as a candidate for studies on the regulated interplay of essential molecules during early development inDrosophila, nay the living world.
Two coordination polymers constructed by 5-[(4-carboxyphenoxy)methyl]benzene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid and 2,2′-bipyridine: syntheses, structures and luminescence properties
Authors: He Yuan-Chun , Xiao Li-Yuan , Yuan Zi-Han , Zhang Jie , Wang Yan , Xu Na
Published: November 2019

Coordination polymers (CPs) have attracted increasing interest in recent years. In this work, two new CPs, namely poly[[aquabis(2,2′-bipyridine-κ2
N,N′){μ3-5-[(4-carboxylatophenoxy)methyl]benzene-1,3-dicarboxylato-κ4
O
1,O
1′:O
3:O
5}(μ-formato-κ3
O:O,O′)dicadmium(II)] monohydrate], {[Cd2(C16H9O7)(HCO2)(C10H8N2)2(H2O)]·H2O}
n
(1), and poly[[(2,2′-bipyridine-κ2
N,N′){μ3-5-[(4-carboxylphenoxy)methyl]benzene-1,3-dicarboxylato-κ4
O
1,O
1′:O
3:O
5}manganese(II)] sesquihydrate], {[Mn(C16H10O7)(C10H8N2)]·1.5H2O}
n
(2), have been prepared using the tricarboxylic acid 5-[(4-carboxyphenoxy)methyl]benzene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid and 2,2′-bipyridine under hydrothermal conditions. CP 1 displays a two-dimensional layer structure which is further extended into a three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular structure via intermolecular π–π interactions, while CP 2 shows a different 3D supramolecular structure extended from one-dimensional ladder chains by intermolecular π–π interactions. In addition, the solid-state luminescence spectra of 1 and 2 were studied at room temperature.
Band gap, sorption properties and fluorescence sensing behaviour of a novel 1D→2D cathenane-like cobalt(II)–organic framework
Authors: Zhang Chong , Zhang Qing-Hong , Zhang Kou-Lin
Published: November 2019

A novel hydrolytic stable CoII–organic framework, namely poly[[bis(2-amino-4-sulfonatobenzoato-κO1)tetraaquatris{μ-1,4-bis[(imidazol-1-yl)methyl]benzene-κ2N3:N3′}dicobalt(II)] tetrahydrate], {[Co(C7H5NO5S)(C14H14N4)1.5(H2O)2]·2H2O}n, (1), based on multifunctional 2-amino-5-sulfobenzoic acid (H2asba) and the auxiliary flexible ligand 1,4-bis[(imidazol-1-yl)methyl]benzene (bix), was prepared using the solution evaporation method. The purity of (1) was confirmed by elemental analysis and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis. Complex (1) shows a novel 1D→2D interpenetrating network, which is further extended into a 3D supramolecular framework with channels occupied by the lattice water molecules. The 2-amino-4-sulfonatobenzoate (asba2−) ligand adopts a monodentate coordination mode. The bix ligands exhibitgauche–gauche(GG) andtrans–trans(TT) conformations. A detailed analysis of the solid-state diffuse-reflectance UV–Vis spectrum reveals that an indirect band gap exists in the complex. The band structure, the total density of states (TDOS) and the partial density of states (PDOS) were calculated using theCASTEPprogram. The calculated band gap (Eg) matches well with the experimental one. The complex exhibits a reversible dehydration–rehydration behaviour. Interestingly, gas sorption experiments demonstrate that the new fully anhydrous compound obtained by activating complex (1) at 400 K shows selective adsorption of CO2over N2. Complex (1) retains excellent framework stability in a variety of solvents and manifests distinct solvent-dependent fluorescence properties. Moreover, the complex shows multiresponsive fluorescence sensing for some nitroaromatics in aqueous medium.
Automatic annotation of protein residues in published papers
Authors: Firth Robert , Talo Francesco , Venkatesan Aravind , Mukhopadhyay Abhik , McEntyre Johanna , Velankar Sameer , Morris Chris
Published: November 2019

This work presents an annotation tool that automatically locates mentions of particular amino-acid residues in published papers and identifies the protein concerned. These matches can be provided in context or in a searchable format in order for researchers to better use the existing and future literature.
Major conformational changes in the structure of lysozyme obtained from a crystal with a very low solvent content
Authors: Salinas-Garcia M. Carmen , Plaza-Garrido Marina , Alba-Elena Daniel , Camara-Artigas Ana
Published: November 2019

A new crystal form of lysozyme with a very low solvent content (26.35%) has been obtained in the orthorhombic space group P212121 (with unit-cell parameters a = 30.04, b = 51.68, c = 61.53 Å). The lysozyme structure obtained from these crystals does not show the typical overall fold. Instead, major conformational changes take place in some elements of the secondary structure and in the hydrophobic core of the protein. At the end of the central α-helix (α2), Glu35 is usually buried in the catalytic site and shows an abnormally high pK
a value, which is key to the activity of the enzyme. The high pK
a value of this glutamate residue is favoured by the hydrophobic environment, particularly by its neighbour Trp108, which is important for structural stability and saccharide binding. In this new structure, Trp108 shows a 90° rotation of its side chain, which results in the rearrangement of the hydrophobic core. Conformational changes also result in the exposure of Glu35 to the solvent, which impairs the catalytic site by increasing the distance between Glu35 and Asp52 and lowering the pK
a value of the glutamate. Altogether, this new lysozyme structure reveals major conformational changes in the hydrophobic core and catalytic site that might play a role in the folding and bactericidal function of the protein.
The last breath of glassblowing?
Authors: Badran Jana , Kharrouby Amale , Chaar Abdel-Maoula
Published: November 2019

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes are as follows: identify how tools and frameworks of strategic management can be applied to understand the evolution of the timeline of a firm; analyse the core competencies and weaknesses of a firm and understand their relevance in strengthening the competitive advantage of a firm; and design appropriate business models that are grounded in an integrated strategic analysis.

Case overview/synopsis

The case series traces the attempts of Nisrine Khalifeh to save her family’s ailing Lebanese artisan micro-enterprise that produces handmade glass blown jars, jugs and cups. Despite their unique traditional know-how in glassblowing, The Khalifeh struggle to survive since the early 2000s until today in a context of a growing concurrence by more competitive glass products. After each triggering event faced by the Khalifeh firm, Nisrine’s exploits opportunities offered to her in an archaic business model approach that provides short business solutions. Nisrine seems not to realize that her business approach is just keeping her family business from dying today instead of tomorrow while keeping it on the verge of going under. Facing an additional dilemma, she is challenged to realize how competitive and sustainable the Khalifeh business model is, and which actions she should take to withstand the competitive threats. More sustainable business options exist to this traditional micro-enterprise which carries a strong growth rate potential if sustainable business models are developed and deployed using key tools and frameworks of strategic management analysis.

Complexity academic level

Undergraduate Business Students,

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
How capitalism abolishes itself in the digital era in favour of robo-economic systems: socio-economic implications of decentralized autonomous self-owned businesses
Authors: Hoffmann Christian Hugo , Dahlinger André
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore socio-economic implications of decentralized autonomous self-owned businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors take the approach of a case study analysis.

Findings

Unlike dark scenarios according to which almost half of our jobs are at risk in the wake of new emerging technologies such as AI and Blockchain (Frey and Osborne, 2013), the authors envision a world of decentralized autonomous self-owned businesses, using the example of the taxi market. The authors, first, outline their characteristics and how they work. Second, they elaborate on the socio-economic implications of markets where this novel kind of business enters. Third and most important, the authors argue that so-called robo-economic systems would be tantamount to a post-capitalistic society that is enforced by applying capitalistic principles.

Research limitations/implications

The presented scenario of this paper is very futuristic and furthermore reduces a complex system quite drastically to be able to focus on the two implications of interest. Therefore, we are confronted with the necessity to take assumptions on socio-technical feasibilities and individual preferences. Most of these assumptions can be challenged (see Section 6.3).

Social implications

The scenario presented by the authors stands in contrast to the fear that increased automation inherently leads to increased inequality. There is a general debate going on whether automation and digitalization will lead to a massive loss of employment, because machines will replace humans in many fields of work. Frey and Osborne (2013) estimate that nearly every second job is at risk to disappear in the coming decades because of computerization. Hence, many people fear to be left behind because of this development and inequality will increase tremendously as only those who own the machines will benefit directly from the profit share. In the scenario, however, the profits are mostly distributed among the consumers via reduced prices.

Originality/value

The proposed scenario seems to reconcile socialism (less private property) with liberalism (a radicalization of markets) and shows an effective way to tackle market power, the problem that certain persons and firms would benefit almost exclusively from the increased profit margins promised by automation.