bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Over-expansion of a coronal mass ejection generates sub-Alfvénic plasma conditions in the solar wind at Earth
Authors: Chané E. , Schmieder B. , Dasso S. , Verbeke C. , Grison B. , Démoulin P. , Poedts S.
Published: February 2021

Context.From May 24–25, 2002, four spacecraft located in the solar wind at about 1 astronomical unit (au) measured plasma densities one to two orders of magnitude lower than usual. The density was so low that the flow became sub-Alfvénic for four hours, and the Alfvén Mach number was as low as 0.4. Consequently, the Earth lost its bow shock, and two long Alfvén wings were generated.

Aims.This is one of the lowest density events ever recorded in the solar wind at 1 au, and the least documented one. Our goal is to understand what caused the very low density.

Methods.Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) and in situ data were used to identify whether something unusual occurred that could have generated such low densities

Results.The very low density was recorded inside a large interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME), which displayed a long, linearly declining velocity profile, typical of expanding ICMEs. We deduce a normalised radial expansion rate of 1.6. Such a strong expansion, occurring over a long period of time, implies a radial size expansion growing with the distance from the Sun to the power 1.6. This can explain a two-orders-of-magnitude drop in plasma density. Data from LASCO and the Advanced Composition Explorer show that this over-expanding ICME was travelling in the wake of a previous ICME.

Conclusions.The very low densities measured in the solar wind in May 2002 were caused by the over-expansion of a large ICME. This over-expansion was made possible because the ICME was travelling in a low-density and high-velocity environment present in the wake of another ICME coming from a nearby region on the Sun and ejected only three hours previously. Such conditions are very unusual, which explains why such very low densities are almost never observed.
Evolution and motions of magnetic fragments during the active region formation and decay: A statistical study
Authors: Švanda Michal , Sobotka Michal , Mravcová Lucia , Výbošťoková Tatiana
Published: February 2021

Context. The evolution of solar active regions is still not fully understood. The growth and decay of active regions have mostly been studied in case-by-case studies.

Aims. Instead of studying the evolution of active regions case by case, we performed a large-scale statistical study to find indications for the statistically most frequent scenario.

Methods. We studied a large sample of active regions recorded by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager instrument. The sample was split into two groups: forming (367 members) and decaying (679 members) active regions. We tracked individual dark features (i.e. those that are assumed to be intensity counterparts of magnetised fragments from small objects to proper sunspots) and followed their evolution. We investigated the statistically most often locations of fragment merging and splitting as well as their properties.

Results. Our results confirm that statistically, sunspots form by merging events of smaller fragments. The coalescence process is driven by turbulent diffusion in a process similar to random-walk, where supergranular flows seem to play an important role. The number of appearing fragments does not seem to significantly correlate with the number of sunspots formed. The formation seems to be consistent with the magnetic field accumulation. Statistically, the merging occurs most often between a large and a much smaller object. The decay of the active region seems to take place preferably by a process similar to the erosion.
Demystifying intuition as the main decision system used by farmers
Authors: Nuthall Peter
Published: February 2021

Over the decades, many researchers have explored the concept of intuition as a decision-making process. However, most of this research does not quantify the important aspects of intuition, making it difficult to fully understand its nature and improve the intuitive process, enabling an efficient method of decision-making. The research described here, through a review of the relevant literature, demystifies intuition as a decision system by isolating the important intuition determining variables and relating them to quantitative intuition research. As most farm decisions are made through intuition, farmers, consultants, researchers and students of farm management will find the review useful, stimulating efforts for improving decision-making skills in farmers. The literature search covered all journals and recent decades and includes articles that consider the variables to be targeted in improving intuitive skill. This provides a basis for thinking about intuition and its improvement within the farming world. It was found from the literature that most of the logical areas that should influence decisions do in fact do so and should be targeted in improving intuition. One of the most important improvement processes is a farmer’s self-criticism skills through using a decision diary in conjunction with reflection and consultation leading to improved decisions. This must be in conjunction with understanding, and learning about, the many other variables also impacting on intuitive skill.
From Enemies to Friends with No Benefits: The Failed Attempt at an Ottoman–Iranian Alliance in the Aftermath of the 1908 Revolution
Authors: Atamaz Serpil
Published: February 2021

This paper examines the historical developments and the debates revolving around the formation of an Ottoman–Iranian alliance in the Ottoman Empire in the aftermath of the 1908 Revolution. It argues that although neither the idea of an alliance between the two states nor the attempt to establish it was new, the way it was discussed, justified, and promoted in this period was different. The previous attempts by the Ottomans were led by the state as part of a broader pan-Islamist project (ittihad-ı İslam) that adopted a heavily religious tone. On the other hand, the main proponents of the alliance during the constitutional period were mostly transnational/international figures and religious scholars, who framed the issue within the context of Ottoman–Iranian relations, focusing on immediate pragmatic, strategic, and ideological concerns, such as protecting the sovereignty and security of the two countries against European imperialism through constitutionalism. Rather than focusing on reconciling the disputes between the Sunnis and Shi’is, and presenting this alliance as the first step towards the formation of a broader Islamic union as Abdülhamid II did in the nineteenth century, these people emphasized brotherhood and solidarity between the two constitutional governments, and tried to establish a strategic partnership based on shared borders, experiences, ideals, and enemies.
Iodine allergy: Common misperceptions
Authors: Wulf Nicole R , Schmitz John , Choi Amy , Kapusnik-Uner Joan
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The current evidence regarding iodine-containing compounds and iodine allergy cross-reactivity is reviewed.

Iodine is an essential human nutrient found in the thyroid gland. It is used in the synthesis of the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyroxine. Patients who report having adverse reactions to iodine-containing substances are often labelled as having an “iodine allergy,” which can result in delays in care or patients being denied essential iodinated contrast media (ICM) or other iodine-containing drugs. A literature review was conducted to evaluate the evidence regarding iodine allergy and iodine-containing drugs. Of 435 articles considered potentially appropriate for full review (plus 12 additional articles included on the basis of references from the eligible articles), 113 could not be obtained. After exclusion of 353 articles that did not meet all inclusion criteria, the remaining 81 articles were included in the review. The results of the literature review indicated that iodine has not been shown to be the allergen responsible for allergic reactions to iodinated contrast media, amiodarone, povidone-iodine, and other iodine-containing compounds.

Conclusion

There is a lack of evidence to support cross-reactivity between iodine-containing compounds in so called iodine-allergic individuals.
Direct deuteration of hinokitiol and its mechanistic study
Authors: Sakakibara Yoshimichi , Osada Kota , Uraki Yasumitsu , Ubukata Makoto , Shigetomi Kengo
Published: February 2021

Hinokitiol has a broad antibacterial activity against bacteria and fungi. While its biosynthetic pathway has been intensively studied, its dynamics in natural environments, such as biodegradation pathway, remain unclear. In this study, the authors report a direct deuterium labeling of hinokitiol as a traceable molecular probe to serve those studies. Hinokitiol was subjected to the H2-Pd/C-D2O conditions and deuterated hinokitiol was obtained with excellent deuteration efficiencies and in moderate yield. The 1H and 2H NMR spectra indicated that all ring- and aliphatic hydrogens except that on C-6 were substituted by deuterium. According to the substrate scope and computational chemistry, deuteration on tropolone ring was suggested to proceed via D+-mediated process, and which was supported by the results of the experiment with trifluoroacetic acid and Pd(TPP)4. On the other hand, the deuteration on aliphatic group was predicted to be catalyzed by Pd(II) species.
Elucidation of the mechanism of action of pinitol against pressure overload–induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in an animal model of aortic stenosis
Authors: Hu Xiaojing , Zhu Yuanyuan , L V Xiaoyan , Feng Zhanbin
Published: February 2021

The long-term imposition of pressure overload on the cardiac tissue causes left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and cardiac fibrosis. Pinitol has been reported to possess antioxidant potential. The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of pinitol against pressure overload–induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in the aortic stenosis (AS) rat model. Cardiac hypertrophy was produced in Sprague-Dawley rats by abdominal aortic constriction and treated with lisinopril (15 mg/kg) or pinitol (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg). Pressure overload–induced alterations in hemodynamic and left ventricular function tests, cardiac SOD, GSH, MDA, NO, Na-K-ATPase, and mitochondrial complex enzyme levels were significantly attenuated by pinitol. The upregulated mRNA expressions of cardiac ANP, BNP, cTn-I, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, Bax, Caspase-3, collagen-I, and cardiac apoptosis were markedly downregulated by pinitol. In conclusion, pinitol ameliorated pressure overload–induced LVH and fibrosis via its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifibrotic, and antiapoptotic potential in experimental AS.
Tobacco rattle virus–induced gene silencing in Hevea brasiliensis
Authors: Li Hui-Liang , Guo Dong , Wang Ying , Zhu Jia-Hong , Qu Long , Peng Shi-Qing
Published: February 2021

Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a powerful gene-silencing tool that has been intensively applied in plants. To data, the application of VIGS in rubber tree has not yet been reported. In this study, we described the efficient gene silencing in rubber tree by VIGS. The gene encoding Hevea brasiliensis phytoene desaturase (HbPDS) was identified in rubber tree genome. Small interfering RNAs from HbPDS and the silencing gene fragment were predicted and a length of 399 bp was selected to be tested. We showed that the tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-VIGS could induce effective HbPDS silencing in rubber tree. This study was the first to report VIGS in rubber tree. The present TRV-VIGS method could be used to perform reverse genetic approaches to identify unknown gene functions and might be further applied to produce gene silenced rubber tree plants, to advance functional gene of rubber tree.
Comparative analysis using the draft genome sequence of California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) for exploring the candidate genes involved in benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis
Authors: Yamada Yasuyuki , Hirakawa Hideki , Hori Kentaro , Minakuchi Yohei , Toyoda Atsushi , Shitan Nobukazu , Sato Fumihiko
Published: February 2021

Genome characterization of California poppy (Eschscholzia californica cv. “Hitoezaki”), which produces pharmaceutically important benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs), was carried out using the draft genome sequence. The numbers of tRNA and rRNA genes were close to those of the other plant species tested, whereas the frequency of repetitive sequences was distinct from those species. Comparison of the predicted genes with those of Amborella trichopoda, Nelumbo nucifera, Solanum lycopersicum, and Arabidopsis thaliana, and analyses of gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway indicated that the enzyme genes involved in BIA biosynthesis were highly enriched in the California poppy genome. Further comparative analysis using the genome information of Papaver somniferum and Aquilegia coerulea, both BIA-producing plants, revealed that many genes encoding BIA biosynthetic enzymes, transcription factors, transporters, and candidate proteins, possibly related to BIA biosynthesis, were specifically distributed in these plant species.
Survival analysis on rare events using group-regularized multi-response Cox regression
Authors: Li Ruilin , Tanigawa Yosuke , Justesen Johanne M , Taylor Jonathan , Hastie Trevor , Tibshirani Robert , Rivas Manuel A
Published: February 2021

Motivation

The prediction performance of Cox proportional hazard model suffers when there are only few uncensored events in the training data.

Results

We propose a Sparse-Group regularized Cox regression method to improve the prediction performance of large-scale and high-dimensional survival data with few observed events. Our approach is applicable when there is one or more other survival responses that 1. has a large number of observed events; 2. share a common set of associated predictors with the rare event response. This scenario is common in the UK Biobank dataset where records for a large number of common and less prevalent diseases of the same set of individuals are available. By analyzing these responses together, we hope to achieve higher prediction performance than when they are analyzed individually. To make this approach practical for large-scale data, we developed an accelerated proximal gradient optimization algorithm as well as a screening procedure inspired by Qian et al.

Availabilityandimplementation

https://github.com/rivas-lab/multisnpnet-Cox
Comparative phylogeography of bromeliad species: effects of historical processes and mating system on genetic diversity and structure
Authors: Neri Jordana , Wendt Tânia , Palma-Silva Clarisse
Published: February 2021

A fundamental challenge in population genetics is to understand the role of ecological and historical processes in shaping genetic diversity patterns within and among species. Based on a set of nuclear microsatellite loci, we conducted a comparative study of the genetic diversity and structure of two epiphytic plant species: Vriesea simplex and V. scalaris (Bromeliaceae), endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. The results showed contrasting genetic diversity and structure patterns according to variation in reproductive systems of these species. High genetic diversity, high effective population sizes and low genetic differentiation were observed in the mainly outcrossing V. simplex populations. In contrast, low genetic diversity, low effective population sizes and high genetic differentiation were detected in the mainly selfing V. scalaris populations. Accordingly, the isolation-by-distance indicated stronger population structures in V. scalaris than in V. simplex. Both species showed a similar phylogeographic north-south split across the Atlantic Rainforest, suggesting possible multiple refugia in this biome. Historical climatic changes during the Pleistocene were possible determinants of the genetic diversity and structure of these species in the Atlantic Rainforest. Divergent mating systems (selfing vs. outcrossing), genetic drift and colonization history influenced the genetic diversity and structure of these Neotropical plant species.
Neurological and mental health consequences of COVID-19: potential implications for well-being and labour force
Authors: Meier Irene Beatrix , Vieira Ligo Teixeira Camila , Tarnanas Ioannis , Mirza Fareed , Rajendran Lawrence
Published: February 2021

Recent case studies show that the SARS-CoV-2 infectious disease, COVID-19, is associated with accelerated decline of mental health, in particular, cognition in elderly individuals, but also with neurological and neuropsychiatric illness in young people. Recent studies also show a bidirectional link between COVID-19 and mental health in that people with previous history of psychiatric illness have a higher risk for contracting COVID-19 and that COVID-19 patients display a variety of psychiatric illnesses. Risk factors and the response of the central nervous system to the virus show large overlaps with pathophysiological processes associated with Alzheimer’s disease, delirium, post-operative cognitive dysfunction and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, all characterized by cognitive impairment. These similarities lead to the hypothesis that the neurological symptoms could arise from neuroinflammation and immune cell dysfunction both in the periphery as well as in the central nervous system and the assumption that long-term consequences of COVID-19 may lead to cognitive impairment in the well-being of the patient and thus in today’s workforce, resulting in large loss of productivity. Therefore, particular attention should be paid to neurological protection during treatment and recovery of COVID-19, while cognitive consequences may require monitoring.
The Function of Fear Chemosignals: Preparing for Danger
Authors: Gomes Nuno , Semin Gün R
Published: February 2021

It has been shown that the presence of conspecifics modulates human vigilance strategies as is the case with animal species. Mere presence has been found to reduce vigilance. However, animal research has also shown that chemosignals (e.g., sweat) produced during fear-inducing situations modulate individuals’ threat detection strategies. In the case of humans, little is known about how exposure to conspecifics’ fear chemosignals modulates vigilance and threat detection effectiveness. This study (N = 59) examined how human fear chemosignals affect vigilance strategies and threat avoidance in its receivers. We relied on a paradigm that simulates a “foraging under threat” situation in the lab, integrated with an eye-tracker to examine the attention allocation. Our results showed that the exposure to fear chemosignals (vs. rest chemosignals and a no-sweat condition) while not changing vigilance behavior leads to faster answers to threatening events. In conclusion, fear chemosignals seem to constitute an important warning signal for human beings, possibly leading their receiver to a readiness state that allows faster reactions to threat-related events.
Right ventricular systolic function in severe tricuspid regurgitation: prognostic relevance of longitudinal strain
Authors: Ancona Francesco , Melillo Francesco , Calvo Francesco , Attalla El Halabieh Nadia , Stella Stefano , Capogrosso Cristina , Ingallina Giacomo , Tafciu Elvin , Pascaretta Antonia , Ancona Marco Bruno , De Bonis Michele , Castiglioni Alessandro , Denti Paolo , Montorfano Matteo , Latib Azeem , Colombo Antonio , Alfieri Ottavio , Agricola Eustachio
Published: February 2021

Aims 

The aim of this study is to analyse the prognostic implications of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction as detected by strain analysis in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR). The evaluation of RV systolic function in presence of severe TR is of paramount importance for operative risk stratification; however, it remains challenging, as conventional echocardiographic indexes usually lead to overestimation.

Methods and results

We enrolled 250 consecutive patients with severe TR referred to our centre. Baseline clinical and echocardiographic data and follow-up outcomes were collected. Patients were predominantly female, with multiple cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities, history of heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. Most of them had presented with clinical signs of RV heart failure (RVHF) and advanced New York Heart Association class. The RV strain analysis [both RV free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS) and RV global longitudinal strain (RVGLS)] reclassified ∼42–56% of patients with normal RV systolic function according to conventional parameters in patients with impaired RV systolic function. RVFWLS ≤17% (absolute values, AUC: 0.66, P = 0.002) predicted the presence of RVHF [odds ratio (OR) 0.93, P = 0.01]. At follow-up, patients with RVFWLS >14% (absolute values, AUC: 0.70, P = 0.001, sensitivity 72%, specificity 54%) showed a better survival (P = 0.01).

Conclusion

Different ranges of RVFWLS have different implications in patients with severe TR, allowing to identify a preclinical and a clinical window, with correlations to RVHF and survival.
Chi-miR-130b-3p regulates Inner Mongolia cashmere goat skin hair follicles in fetuses by targetingWnt family member 10A
Authors: Wu Zhihong , Hai Erhan , Di Zhengyang , Ma Rong , Shang Fangzheng , Wang Min , Liang Lili , Rong Youjun , Pan Jianfeng , Su Rui , Wang Zhiying , Wang Ruijun , Zhang Yanjun , Li Jinquan
Published: February 2021

The development of hair follicles (HFs) is dependent on interactions between epithelial cells and dermal fibroblasts, which may play an important role in maintaining the structure of HFs during their development and maturation. Wnt family member 10 (WNT10A) is a hub gene during HF development and maturation that may regulate the proliferation of dermal fibroblasts and epithelial cells through microRNAs (miRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) to maintain the structural stability of HFs. In the present study, we confirmed that WNT10A is the target gene of chi-miR-130b-3p by real-time quantitative PCR, western blotting, and a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. We successfully cultured fetal epithelial cells and dermal fibroblasts using the tissue block attachment method, and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) results showed that chi-miR-130b-3p regulates epithelial cell and dermal fibroblast proliferation by targeting WNT10A.
A high-quality genome assembly and annotation of the gray mangrove, Avicennia marina
Authors: Friis Guillermo , Vizueta Joel , Smith Edward G , Nelson David R , Khraiwesh Basel , Qudeimat Enas , Salehi-Ashtiani Kourosh , Ortega Alejandra , Marshell Alyssa , Duarte Carlos M , Burt John A
Published: February 2021

The gray mangrove [Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh.] is the most widely distributed mangrove species, ranging throughout the Indo-West Pacific. It presents remarkable levels of geographic variation both in phenotypic traits and habitat, often occupying extreme environments at the edges of its distribution. However, subspecific evolutionary relationships and adaptive mechanisms remain understudied, especially across populations of the West Indian Ocean. High-quality genomic resources accounting for such variability are also sparse. Here we report the first chromosome-level assembly of the genome of A. marina. We used a previously release draft assembly and proximity ligation libraries Chicago and Dovetail HiC for scaffolding, producing a 456,526,188-bp long genome. The largest 32 scaffolds (22.4–10.5 Mb) accounted for 98% of the genome assembly, with the remaining 2% distributed among much shorter 3,759 scaffolds (62.4–1 kb). We annotated 45,032 protein-coding genes using tissue-specific RNA-seq data in combination with de novo gene prediction, from which 34,442 were associated to GO terms. Genome assembly and annotated set of genes yield a 96.7% and 95.1% completeness score, respectively, when compared with the eudicots BUSCO dataset. Furthermore, an FST survey based on resequencing data successfully identified a set of candidate genes potentially involved in local adaptation and revealed patterns of adaptive variability correlating with a temperature gradient in Arabian mangrove populations. Our A. marina genomic assembly provides a highly valuable resource for genome evolution analysis, as well as for identifying functional genes involved in adaptive processes and speciation.
Diploid chromosome-scale assembly of theMuscadinia rotundifoliagenome supports chromosome fusion and disease resistance gene expansion duringVitisandMuscadiniadivergence
Authors: Cochetel Noé , Minio Andrea , Massonnet Mélanie , Vondras Amanda M , Figueroa-Balderas Rosa , Cantu Dario
Published: February 2021

Muscadinia rotundifolia, the muscadine grape, has been cultivated for centuries in the southeastern United States. M. rotundifolia is resistant to many of the pathogens that detrimentally affect Vitis vinifera, the grape species commonly used for winemaking. For this reason, M. rotundifolia is a valuable genetic resource for breeding. Single-molecule real-time reads were combined with optical maps to reconstruct the two haplotypes of each of the 20 M. rotundifolia cv. Trayshed chromosomes. The completeness and accuracy of the assembly were confirmed using a high-density linkage map. Protein-coding genes were annotated using an integrated and comprehensive approach. This included using full-length cDNA sequencing (Iso-Seq) to improve gene structure and hypothetical spliced variant predictions. Our data strongly support that Muscadinia chromosomes 7 and 20 are fused in Vitis and pinpoint the location of the fusion in Cabernet Sauvignon and PN40024 chromosome 7. Disease-related gene numbers in Trayshed and Cabernet Sauvignon were similar, but their clustering locations were different. A dramatic expansion of the Toll/Interleukin-1 Receptor-like Nucleotide-Binding Site Leucine-Rich Repeat (TIR-NBS-LRR) class was detected on Trayshed chromosome 12 at the Resistance to Uncinula necator 1 (RUN1)/Resistance to Plasmopara viticola 1 (RPV1) locus, which confers strong dominant resistance to powdery and downy mildews. A genome browser, annotation, and Blast tool for Trayshed are available at www.grapegenomics.com.
Divergent Anabolic Response to Exercise in Young and Older Adult Men-Dependency on Time Frame of Measurement
Authors: Reitelseder Søren , Bülow Jacob , Holm Lars
Published: February 2021

Older adults’ skeletal muscle has shown to be less responsive to anabolic stimuli as compared to young both in vitro, in short and controlled in vivo settings and in long-term training studies. However, to translate controlled mechanistic findings to long-term adaptations intermediate measures allowing daily life routines with regard to activity and diet would be useful to evaluate physiological interventions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the exercise effect in young and older adults with 2 independent methods to measure muscle protein synthesis rate. Healthy young and old men were recruited to the study protocol where myofibrillar fractional synthesis rate was measured during 2 days allowing normal activities of daily living with D2O-labeled alanine and during 4 hours in the overnight fasted state with [13C6]phenylalanine infusion. During this period 1 leg completed an exercise session every day (exercise leg) while the contralateral leg was kept inactive (normal leg). Both legs were used for activities of daily living. Two-day myofibrillar fractional synthesis rate was significantly higher in the exercise leg in both young and old as compared to normal leg with no age difference. The 4-hour overnight fasted myofibrillar fractional synthesis rate showed that only young exercise leg was significantly higher than normal leg. The present findings support the notion that anabolic resistance exists in the skeletal muscle of healthy older men when evaluated in controlled settings. However, this response is not as clear when measured during daily life where variance is greater, which calls for further investigations in larger cohorts.
Core transcriptional networks in Williams syndrome: IGF1-PI3K-AKT-mTOR, MAPK and actin signaling at the synapse echo autism
Authors: Dai Li , Weiss Robert B , Dunn Diane M , Ramirez Anna , Paul Sharan , Korenberg Julie R
Published: February 2021

Gene networks for disorders of social behavior provide the mechanisms critical for identifying therapeutic targets and biomarkers. Large behavioral phenotypic effects of small human deletions make the positive sociality of Williams syndrome (WS) ideal for determining transcriptional networks for social dysfunction currently based on DNA variations for disorders such as autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia (SCHZ). Consensus on WS networks has been elusive due to the need for larger cohort size, sensitive genome-wide detection and analytic tools. We report a core set of WS network perturbations in a cohort of 58 individuals (34 with typical, 6 atypical deletions and 18 controls). Genome-wide exon-level expression arrays robustly detected changes in differentially expressed gene (DEG) transcripts from WS deleted genes that ranked in the top 11 of 12 122 transcripts, validated by quantitative reverse transcription PCR, RNASeq and western blots. WS DEG’s were strictly dosed in the full but not the atypical deletions that revealed a breakpoint position effect on non-deleted CLIP2, a caveat for current phenotypic mapping based on copy number variants. Network analyses tested the top WS DEG’s role in the dendritic spine, employing GeneMANIA to harmonize WS DEGs with comparable query gene-sets. The results indicate perturbed actin cytoskeletal signaling analogous to the excitatory dendritic spines. Independent protein–protein interaction analyses of top WS DEGs generated a 100-node graph annotated topologically revealing three interacting pathways, MAPK, IGF1-PI3K-AKT-mTOR/insulin and actin signaling at the synapse. The results indicate striking similarity of WS transcriptional networks to genome-wide association study-based ASD and SCHZ risk suggesting common network dysfunction for these disorders of divergent sociality.
A Global Synthesis of the Correspondence Between Epizoic Barnacles and Their Sea Turtle Hosts
Authors: Zardus John D
Published: February 2021

Synopsis

Barnacles that are obligate epizoites of sea turtles are not parasites in the traditional sense. However, they can impair their hosts in some instances, disqualifying the association as strictly commensal. Characterizing these interactions requires knowing which epibionts pair with which hosts, but records of barnacles from sea turtles are scattered and symbiont/host match-ups remain equivocal. The objective of this study was to collate global records on the occurrence of barnacles with sea turtles and describe each species pair quantitatively. Records reporting barnacles with sea turtles were searched spanning the last 167 years, including grey literature, and findings were enumerated for 30,580 individual turtles to evaluate prevalence. The data were summarized globally as well as subdivided across six geographic regions to assess constancy of the affiliations. Patterns of partnering were visualized by hierarchical clustering analysis of percent occurrence values for each barnacle/turtle pair and the relative selectivity of each symbiont and susceptibility of each host were evaluated. After adjusting for synonymies and taxonomic inaccuracies, the occurrence of 16 nominal species of barnacles was recorded from all 7 extant sea turtle species. Mostly, barnacles were not specific to single turtle species, partnering on average with three hosts each. Neither were barnacles entirely host-consistent among regions. Three barnacles were common to all sea turtles except leatherbacks. The most common, widespread, and least selective barnacle was Chelonibia testudinaria, the only symbiont of all turtles. Excluding single-record occurrences, the barnacle Stomatolepas transversa was the only single-host associate of any hard-shell sea turtle (the green sea turtle) and Platylepas coriacea and Stomatolepas dermochelys were exclusive associates of leatherback sea turtles. Green sea turtles were the most vulnerable to epibiosis, hosting 13 barnacle species and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles were the least, hosting three. Geographically, there was an average of nine barnacle species per world region, with diversity highest in the Pacific Ocean (12 species) and lowest in the Mediterranean Sea (6 species). It is paradoxical that the flexibility of barnacles for multiple host species contrasts with their overall strict specificity for sea turtles, with each symbiont occupying a virtually unique suite of turtle hosts.
Application of Critical Care Scores in Severely Burned Patients
Authors: Dastagir Khaled , Krezdorn Nicco , Bingoel Alperen Sabri , Mett Tobias R , Radtke Christine , Jokuszies Andreas , Vogt Peter M
Published: February 2021

Early detection of sepsis is of crucial importance in patients with severe burn injuries. However, according to the S1-guideline, based on systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria, the early diagnosis of sepsis in severely burned patients is difficult. The value of the new definition of sepsis based on sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) according to S3-guidelines for patients with severe burn injuries is not described in detail in the literature. We analyzed retrospectively all data during the period 2014 to 2018 from the electronic patient information system. Using the receiver operating characteristic curve, the area under the curve was calculated for the diagnostic value of procalcitonin, SIRS, and SOFA score according to the burned total body surface area. Six hundred fifty-one patients with burn injuries were admitted to our burn unit, 315 of them had burn injuries affecting more than 10% body surface area with partial- to full-thickness burns (grade 2–4). In this group, 59 patients showed one or more septic events in the course of the intensive care treatment, defined by positive bloodstream infection. Both S1- and S3-guidelines were inappropriate to diagnose sepsis in patients with severe burn injuries. Due to pathophysiological changes of the body function in severely burned patients, which show features of both SIRS and pathological SOFA scores (>2 points) at the outset of burn injury, the diagnosis of sepsis associated with burns is intricate in this patient group. Assessing data for potential hallmarks of sepsis in burn patients we found procalcitonin to show a significant correlation with sepsis.
Undeliverable Sapien 3 prosthesis in transaortic transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Shirasaka Tomonori , Kunioka Shingo , Kitani Yuya , Kamiya Hiroyuki
Published: February 2021

In transaortic (TAo) trasncatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), direct transmission of forces to the stenotic aortic valve is possible. Therefore, the need of balloon aortic valvoplasty in TAo-TAVI may be very limited regarding the deliverability of TAVI prosthesis. However, if the TAVI prosthesis becomes undeliverable, it becomes seriously problematic. Herein, we present a case of TAo-TAVI in which the TAVI prosthesis was undeliverable, and it was forcefully pushed together with the introducer system into the aortic valve as a bailout technique.
Molecular interplay between phytohormones and geminiviruses: a saga of a never-ending arms race
Authors: Ghosh Dibyendu , Chakraborty Supriya
Published: February 2021

Geminiviruses can infect a wide range of plant hosts worldwide and have hence become an emerging global agroeconomic threat. The association of these viruses with satellite molecules and highly efficient insect vectors such as whiteflies further prime their devastating impacts. Plants elicit a strong antiviral immune response to restrict the invasion of these destructive pathogens. Phytohormones help plants to mount this response and occupy a key position in combating these biotrophs. These defense hormones not only inhibit geminiviral propagation but also hamper viral transmission by compromising the performance of their insect vectors. Nonetheless, geminiviruses have co-evolved to have a few multitasking virulence factors that readily remodel host cellular machineries to circumvent the phytohormone-mediated manifestation of the immune response. Furthermore, these obligate parasites exploit plant growth hormones to produce a cellular environment permissive for virus replication. In this review, we outline the current understanding of the roles and regulation of phytohormones in geminiviral pathogenesis.
The Influence of a 14-Week Infantry Commanders Courses on the Achilles Tendon and Patellar Tendon Structure
Authors: Steinberg Nili , Funk Shany , Svorai-Band Shani , Yavnai Nirit , Pantanowitz Michal , Zeev Aviva , Dar Gali
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Alternated tendon structure may raise stress to the musculoskeletal structures and may increase the potential for overuse injury. Screening the tendon structure of soldiers pre- and post-participation in a strenuous combat course is essential. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of a 14-week infantry commanders courses on the Achilles tendon (AT) structure and patellar tendon (PT) structure in combat soldiers.

Materials and Methods

Ninety-eight participants from an infantry commanders course were screened pre- and post-course for the AT and PT structures, using ultrasonographic tissue characterizaton (UTC) imaging to capture a 3D structure of four echo-type fibers (I-IV).

Results

In both tendons, the mean relative frequency of echo-type I fibers significantly decreased from pre- to post-testing, with a significant increase in the relative frequency of echo-types II, III, and IV fibers. In the AT, 60.2% of the subjects showed positive differences (between pre- and post-testing in the echo-type III + IV fiber (“worsened” tendon structure), whereas in the PT, 92.2% of the subject showed an increased frequency. No significant correlation (r = 0.108; P = .324) was found between the differences of echo-type III + IV fibers of the AT and that of the PT.

Conclusions

Loads to the musculoskeletal structures along the combat course increased the mean relative frequency of the “reduced” echo-type fibers (III + IV) in both the AT structure and the PT structure. Yet, whereas in the AT around 40% of the soldiers showed an improved tendon structure along the course, in the PT less than 10% of the soldiers showed that improvement. Soldiers and commanders should be aware of the different influence of the loading exercises along the course on the AT and on the PT structure, as “reduced” tendons structure might put the soldiers at higher risk for injury in the future.
Baryon acoustic oscillations in the projected cross-correlation function between the eBOSS DR16 quasars and photometric galaxies from the DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys
Authors: Zarrouk Pauline , Rezaie Mehdi , Raichoor Anand , Ross Ashley J , Alam Shadab , Blum Robert , Brookes David , Chuang Chia-Hsun , Cole Shaun , Dawson Kyle S , Eisenstein Daniel J , Kehoe Robert , Landriau Martin , Moustakas John , Myers Adam D , Norberg Peder , Percival Will J , Prada Francisco , Schubnell Michael , Seo Hee-Jong , Tarlé Gregory , Zhao Cheng
Published: February 2021

We search for the baryon acoustic oscillations in the projected cross-correlation function binned into transverse comoving radius between the SDSS-IV DR16 eBOSS quasars and a dense photometric sample of galaxies selected from the DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys. We estimate the density of the photometric sample of galaxies in this redshift range to be about 2900 deg−2, which is deeper than the official DESI emission line galaxy selection, and the density of the spectroscopic sample is about 20 deg−2. In order to mitigate the systematics related to the use of different imaging surveys close to the detection limit, we use a neural network approach that accounts for complex dependences between the imaging attributes and the observed galaxy density. We find that we are limited by the depth of the imaging surveys that affects the density and purity of the photometric sample and its overlap in redshift with the quasar sample, which thus affects the performance of the method. When cross-correlating the photometric galaxies with quasars in the range 0.6 ≤ z ≤ 1.2, the cross-correlation function can provide better constraints on the comoving angular distance DM (6 per cent precision) compared to the constraint on the spherically averaged distance DV (9 per cent precision) obtained from the autocorrelation. Although not yet competitive, this technique will benefit from the arrival of deeper photometric data from upcoming surveys that will enable it to go beyond the current limitations we have identified in this work.
The substructure of the Perseus star-forming region: a survey with Gaia DR2
Authors: Pavlidou Tatiana , Scholz Aleks , Teixeira Paula S
Published: February 2021

We use photometric and kinematic data from Gaia DR2 to explore the structure of the star-forming region associated with the molecular cloud of Perseus. Apart from the two well-known clusters, IC 348 and NGC 1333, we present five new clustered groups of young stars, which contain between 30 and 300 members, named Autochthe, Alcaeus, Heleus, Electryon, and Mestor. We demonstrate that these are co-moving groups of young stars, based on how the candidate members are distributed in position, proper motion, parallax, and colour–magnitude space. By comparing their colour–magnitude diagrams to isochrones, we show that they have ages between 1 and 5 Myr. Using 2MASS and WISE colours, we find that the fraction of stars with discs in each group ranges from 10 to ∼50 per cent. The youngest of the new groups is also associated with a reservoir of cold dust, according to the Planck map at 353 GHz. We compare the ages and proper motions of the five new groups to those of IC 348 and NGC 1333. Autochthe is clearly linked with NGC 1333 and may have formed in the same star formation event. The seven groups separate roughly into two sets that share proper motion, parallax, and age: Heleus, Electryon, and Mestor as the older set, and NGC 1333 and Autochthe as the younger set. Alcaeus is kinematically related to the younger set, but at a more advanced age, while the properties of IC 348 overlap with both sets. All older groups in this star-forming region are located at higher galactic latitude.
The likelihood of undiscovered globular clusters in the outskirts of the Milky Way
Authors: Webb Jeremy J , Carlberg Raymond G
Published: February 2021

The currently known Galactic globular cluster population extends out to a maximum galactocentric distance of ∼145 kpc, with the peculiarity that the outermost clusters predominantly have an inward velocity. Orbit averaging finds that this configuration occurs by chance about $6{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the time, suggesting that several globular clusters with positive radial velocities remain undiscovered. We evaluate the expected number of undiscovered clusters at large distances under the assumption that the cluster population has a smooth radial distribution and is in equilibrium within the Milky Way’s virial radius. By comparing the present day kinematic properties of outer clusters to random orbital configurations of the Galactic globular cluster system through orbit averaging, we estimate a likelihood of $73{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of there being at least one undiscovered globular cluster within the Milky Way. This estimate assumes the current population is complete out to 50 kpc, and increases to $91{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ if the population is complete out to 150 kpc. The likelihood of there being two undiscovered clusters is between $60$ and $70{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$, with the likelihood of there being three undiscovered clusters being on the order of $50{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$. The most likely scenario is that the undiscovered clusters are moving outwards, which results in the outer cluster population being consistent with an equilibrium state. Searches for distant and possibly quite low concentration and very low metallicity globular clusters will be enabled with upcoming deep imaging surveys.
Reconstructing three-dimensional densities from two-dimensional observations of molecular gas
Authors: Hu Zipeng , Krumholz Mark R , Federrath Christoph , Pokhrel Riwaj , Gutermuth Robert A
Published: February 2021

Star formation has long been known to be an inefficient process, in the sense that only a small fraction ϵff of the mass of any given gas cloud is converted to stars per cloud free-fall time. However, developing a successful theory of star formation will require measurements of both the mean value of ϵff and its scatter from one molecular cloud to another. Because ϵff is measured relative to the free-fall time, such measurements require accurate determinations of cloud volume densities. Efforts to measure the volume density from two-dimensional projected data, however, have thus far relied on treating molecular clouds as simple uniform spheres, while their real shapes are likely to be filamentary and their density distributions far from uniform. The resulting uncertainty in the true volume density is likely to be one of the major sources of error in observational estimates of ϵff. In this paper, we use a suite of simulations of turbulent, magnetized, radiative, self-gravitating star-forming clouds in order to examine whether it is possible to obtain more accurate volume density estimates and thereby reduce this error. We create mock observations from the simulations, and show that current analysis methods relying on the spherical assumption likely yield ∼0.26 dex underestimations and ∼0.51 dex errors in volume density estimates, corresponding to a ∼0.13 dex overestimation and a ∼0.25 dex scatter in ϵff, comparable to the scatter in observed cloud samples. We build a predictive model that uses information accessible in two-dimensional measurements – most significantly, the Gini coefficient of the surface density distribution – to produce estimates of the volume density with ∼0.3 dex less scatter. We test our method on a recent observation of the Ophiuchus cloud, and show that it successfully reduces the ϵff scatter.
A Quantitative Systematic Review of Clinical Outcome Measure Use in Peripheral Nerve Injury of the Upper Limb
Authors: Murphy Ralph N A , Elsayed Heba , Singh Sahiba , Dumville Jo , Wong Jason K F , Reid Adam J
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is common, leading to reduced function, pain, and psychological impact. Treatment has not progressed partly due to inability to compare outcomes between centers managing PNI. Numerous outcome measures exist but there is no consensus on which outcome measures to use nor when.

OBJECTIVE

To perform a systematic review in order to describe and classify outcome measures used in PNI.

METHODS

A search of Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), and CENTRAL (Cochrane Clinical Trials) was conducted. Randomized control trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and case-controlled and case series (≥5 participants) published from inception of the database until 2019 investigating adult patients with a traumatic upper limb PNI in which an outcome measurement was utilized were included.

RESULTS

A total of 96 studies were included (15 RCTs, 8 case-control studies, 18 cohort studies, 5 observational studies, and the remainder were case series or retrospective reviews). A total of 56 individual outcome measures were identified, utilized across 28 different countries and 7097 patients. Ten core domains were defined: sensory subjective, sensory objective, motor subjective, motor objective, sensorimotor function, psychology and well-being, disability, quality of life, pain and discomfort, and neurotrophic measures.

CONCLUSION

Lack of consensus on outcome measure use hinders comparison of outcomes between nerve injury centers and the development of novel treatments. Development of a core outcome set will help standardize outcome reporting, improve translation of novel treatments from lab to clinical practice, and ensure future research in PNI is more amenable to systematic review and meta-analysis.