bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hidden paths to endless forms most wonderful: Parasite-blind diversification of host quality
Authors: Freund Lisa , Vasse Marie , Velicer Gregory J.
Published: December 2020

Evolutionary diversification can occur in allopatry or sympatry, can be unselected or driven by selection, and can be phenotypically manifested immediately or remain phenotypically latent until later manifestation in a newly encountered environment. Diversification of host-parasite interactions is frequently studied in the context of intrinsically selective coevolution, but the potential for host-parasite interaction phenotypes to diversify latently during parasite-blind evolution is rarely considered. Here we use a social bacterium experimentally adapted to several environments in the absence of phage to analyse allopatric diversification of latent host quality - the degree to which a host population supports a viral epidemic. Phage-blind evolution reduced host quality overall, with some bacteria becoming completely resistant to growth suppression by phage. Selective-environment differences generated only mild divergence in host-quality. However, selective environments nonetheless played a major role in shaping evolution by determining the degree of stochastic diversification among replicate populations within treatments. Ancestral motility genotype was also found to strongly shape patterns of latent hostquality evolution and diversification. These outcomes show that adaptive landscapes can differ in how they constrain stochastic diversification of a latent phenotype and that major effects of selection on biological diversification can be missed by focusing on trait means. Collectively, our findings suggest that latent-phenotype evolution (LPE) should inform host-parasite evolution theory and that diversification should be conceived broadly to include latent phenotypes.
On-chipperivascular niche with patient-derived glioma cells
Authors: Gerigk Magda , Bulstrode Harry , Shi HaoTian Harvey , Tönisen Felix , Cerutti Camilla , Morrison Gillian , Rowitch David , Huang Yan Yan Shery
Published: December 2020

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is the most common and the most aggressive type of primary brain malignancy. Glioblastoma stem-likecells (GSCs) are able to migrate in vascular niches within or away from the tumour mass, increasing tumour resistance to patient treatments and contributing to relapses. To study individual GSCs migration and their interactions with the microenvironment in the vasculature, there is a need to develop a model of human blood vesselsin vitro. Herein, we report a systematic study on the interaction between patient-derived glioma stem-likecell lines with different organotypic perivascular niche models. A microfluidic chip integrated with an extracellular matrix was fabricated to support the culture of rounded microvessels, formed with endothelial cells from three different organs, (1) human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3), (2) human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and, (3) human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-L). Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture retains selected adherent and tight junction markers of the endothelial cells, and the stemness-related genes of GSCs. We optimized the experimental protocol to perform qPCR, and western blot on the co-cultured GSCs with endothelial cells forming microvessels. Endpoint biological assays showed upregulation of neovascularization-related genes in endothelial cells (e.g., angiopoietins, vascular endothelial growth factor receptors) resulted after their co-culture with GBM cells. Moreover, we measured cancer cell speed and polarization during migration towards the endothelial cell formed vessel by live-cell imaging showing that organotypic (brain cancer cells – brain endothelial microvessel) interactions differ from those within non-tissue specific vascular niches. The development and optimization of this 3D microfluidic device could provide the next level of complexity of anin vitrosystem to study the influence of glioma cells on normal brain endothelium. More importantly, it enables the possibility to conduct comparative studies to dissect the influence of 3D culture, microvessel architecture and organotypic vessel types on glioma cells’ stemness and migration.
Nodal root diameter and node number in maize (Zea mays L.) interact to influence plant growth under nitrogen stress
Authors: Schneider Hannah M. , Yang Jennifer T. , Brown Kathleen M. , Lynch Jonathan P.
Published: December 2020

Under nitrogen limitation, plants increase resource allocation to root growth relative to shoot growth. The utility of various root architectural and anatomical phenotypes for nitrogen acquisition are not well understood. Nodal root number and root cross-sectional area were evaluated in maize in field and greenhouse environments. Nodal root number and root cross-sectional area were inversely correlated under both high and low nitrogen conditions. Attenuated emergence of root nodes, as opposed to differences in the number of axial roots per node, was associated with substantially reduced root number. Greater root cross-sectional area was associated with a greater stele area and number of cortical cell files. Genotypes that produced few, thick nodal roots rather than many, thin nodal roots had deeper rooting and better shoot growth in low nitrogen environments. Fewer nodal roots offset the respiratory and nitrogen costs of thicker diameter roots, since total nodal root respiration and nitrogen content was similar for genotypes with many, thin and few, thick nodal roots. We propose that few, thick nodal roots may enable greater capture of deep soil nitrogen and improve plant performance under nitrogen stress. The interaction between an architectural and anatomical trait may be an important strategy for nitrogen acquisition. Understanding trait interactions among different root nodes has important implications in for improving crop nutrient uptake and stress tolerance.
RgCop-A regularized copula based method for gene selection in single cell rna-seq data
Authors: Lall Snehalika , Ray Sumanta , Bandyopadhyay Sanghamitra
Published: December 2020

Gene selection in unannotated large single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data is important and crucial step in the preliminary step of downstream analysis. The existing approaches are primarily based on high variation (highly variable genes) or significant high expression (highly expressed genes) failed to provide stable and predictive feature set due to technical noise present in the data. Here, we proposeRgCop, a novelregularizedcopula based method for gene selection from large single cell RNA-seq data.RgCoputilizes copula correlation (Ccor), a robust equitable dependence measure that captures multivariate dependency among a set of genes in single cell expression data. We raise an objective function by adding al1regularization term withCcorto penalizes the redundant co-efficient of features/genes, resulting non-redundant effective features/genes set. Results show a significant improvement in the clustering/classification performance of real life scRNA-seq data over the other state-of-the-art.RgCopperforms extremely well in capturing dependence among the features of noisy data due to the scale invariant property of copula, thereby improving the stability of the method. Moreover, the differentially expressed (DE) genes identified from the clusters of scRNA-seq data are found to provide an accurate annotation of cells. Finally, the features/genes obtained fromRgCopcan able to annotate the unknown cells with high accuracy.

Availability

Corresponding software is available in:https://github.com/Snehalikalall/RgCop

Contact

sumanta.ray@cwi.nl
Proteomic and functional analyses of the periodic membrane skeleton in neurons
Authors: Zhou Ruobo , Han Boran , Nowak Roberta , Lu Yunzhe , Heller Evan , Xia Chenglong , Chishti Athar H. , Fowler Velia M. , Zhuang Xiaowei
Published: December 2020

Actin, spectrin, and associated molecules form a membrane-associated periodic skeleton (MPS) in neurons. The molecular composition and functions of the MPS remain incompletely understood. Here, using co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry, we identified hundreds of candidate MPS-interacting proteins that span diverse functional categories. We validated representative proteins in several of these categories, including previously unknown MPS structural components, as well as motor proteins, cell adhesion molecules, ion channels, and signaling proteins, demonstrating periodic distributions of ∼20 proteins in neurons using super-resolution imaging. Genetic perturbations of the MPS and its interacting proteins further suggested functional roles of the MPS in axon-axon and axon-dendrite interactions and in axon diameter regulation, and implicated the involvement of MPS interactions with cell adhesion molecules and non-muscle myosin in these roles. These results provide new insights into the interactome of the MPS, and suggest new functions of the MPS in neurons.
Potentiation of glutamatergic synaptic transmission onto lateral habenula neurons following early life stress and intravenous morphine self-administration in rats
Authors: Langlois Ludovic D. , Berman Rina Y. , Shepard Ryan D. , Simmons Sarah C. , Tsuda Mumeko C. , Gouty Shawn , Choi Kwang H. , Nugent Fereshteh S.
Published: December 2020

Early life stress (ELS) presents an important risk factor for drug addiction and comorbid depression and anxiety through persistent effects on the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) pathways1. Using an ELS model for child neglect (a single 24 h episode of maternal deprivation, MD) in rats, recent published works from our lab show that MD induces dysfunction in ventral tegmental area (VTA) DA neurons2–4and its negative controller, the lateral habenula (LHb)5–7. In regard to LHb, MD-induced potentiation of glutamatergic synaptic transmission onto LHb neurons shifts the coordination of excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance towards excitation, resulting in an increase in the overall spontaneous neuronal activity with elevation in bursting and tonic firing, and intrinsic excitability of LHb neurons in early adolescent male rats5–7. Here, we explored how MD affects intravenous morphine self-administration (MSA) acquisition and sucrose preference as well as glutamatergic synaptic function in LHb neurons of adult male rats self-administering morphine. We found that MD-induced increases in LHb neuronal and glutamatergic synaptic activity and E/I ratio persisted into adulthood. Moreover, MD significantly reduced morphine intake, triggered anhedonia-like behavior in the sucrose preference test (SPT), and was associated with persistent glutamatergic potentiation 24h after the last MSA session. MSA also triggered postsynaptic glutamatergic potentiation in LHb neurons of control rats during this time period. Our data highlights that ELS-induced glutamatergic plasticity in LHb may dampen the positive reinforcing properties of natural rewards and opioids, and contribute to the development of anhedonic and dysphoric states associated with opioids.
Translatome-based classification reveals a dual metabolic dependency of a new tumor subtype of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Shin Sauyeun , Nicolle Remy , Jean Christine , Samain Remi , Ayadi Mira , Raffenne Jerome , Brunel Alexia , Solorzano Jacobo , Neuzillet Cindy , Joffre Carine , Rocchi Stephane , Iovanna Juan , Dusetti Nelson , Larsson Ola , Pyronnet Stephane , Bousquet Corinne , Martineau Yvan
Published: December 2020

Molecular profiling of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDA), based on transcriptomic analyses, identifies two main prognostic subtypes (basal-like and classical), but does not allow personalized first-line treatment. To date, tumors have not been profiled based on protein synthesis rates, yet the step of mRNA translation is highly deregulated in both PDA cancer cells and their microenvironment. Using a collection of twenty-seven pancreatic Patient-Derived Xenografts (PDX), we performed genome-wide analysis of translated mRNA (translatome). Unsupervised bioinformatics analysis revealed a new tumor subtype harboring a low protein synthesis rate, but associated with a robust translation of mRNAs encoding effectors of the integrated stress response (ISR), including the transcription factor ATF4. Functional characterization of the “ISR-activated” human cancer cells revealed a high resistance to drugs, low autophagic capacities, and importantly, metabolic impairments in the serine synthesis and transsulfuration pathways. Overall, our study highlights the strength of translatomic profiling on PDA, which here revealed an unforeseen drug-resistant cancer cell phenotype, whose auxotrophy to both serine and cysteine may be amenable to targeted therapy.
Exercise training in a color-polymorphic lizard reveals differential effects of mating tactics and color morphs on telomere, body condition and growth dynamics
Authors: Friesen Christopher R , Wilson Mark , Rollings Nicky , Sudyka Joanna , Giraudeau Mathieu , Whittington Camilla M , Olsson Mats
Published: December 2020

Alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) are correlated suites of sexually selected traits that are likely to impose differential physiological costs on different individuals. While some level of activity might be beneficial, animals living in the wild are often working at the margins of their resources and performance limits. Individuals using ARTs may have divergent capacities for activity, and when pushed beyond their capacity, they may experience condition loss, oxidative stress, and molecular damage that must be repaired with limited resources. We used the Australian painted dragon lizard that exhibits color-polymorphims with corresponding alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) as a model to experimentally test the effect of exercise on body condition, growth, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and telomere dynamics—a potential marker of stress and aging and a correlate of longevity. For most males, ROS tended to be lower with greater exercise; however, males with yellow throat patches—or bibs— had higher ROS than non-bibbed males. At the highest level of exercise, bibbed males exhibited telomere loss, while non-bibbed males gained telomere length; the opposite pattern was observed in the no-exercise controls. Growth was positively related to food intake but negatively correlated with telomere length at the end of the experiment. Body condition was not related to food intake but was positively correlated with increases in telomere length. These results, along with our previous work, suggest that aggressive bibbed males suffer physiological costs that may reduce longevity.
Reconstructing the human genetic history of mainland Southeast Asia: insights from genome-wide data from Thailand and Laos
Authors: Kutanan Wibhu , Liu Dang , Kampuansai Jatupol , Srikummool Metawee , Srithawong Suparat , Shoocongdej Rasmi , Sangkhano Sukrit , Ruangchai Sukhum , Pittayaporn Pittayawat , Arias Leonardo , Stoneking Mark
Published: December 2020

Thailand and Laos, located in the center of Mainland Southeast Asia (MSEA), harbor diverse ethnolinguistic groups encompassing all five language families of MSEA: Tai-Kadai (TK), Austroasiatic (AA), Sino-Tibetan (ST), Hmong-Mien (HM) and Austronesian (AN). Previous genetic studies of Thai/Lao populations have focused almost exclusively on uniparental markers and there is a paucity of genome-wide studies. We therefore generated genome-wide SNP data for 33 ethnolinguistic groups, belonging to the five MSEA language families from Thailand and Laos, and analysed these together with data from modern Asian populations and SEA ancient samples. Overall, we find genetic structure according to language family, albeit with heterogeneity in the AA-, HM- and ST-speaking groups, and in the hill tribes, that reflects both population interactions and genetic drift. For the TK speaking groups, we find localized genetic structure that is driven by different levels of interaction with other groups in the same geographic region. Several Thai groups exhibit admixture from South Asia, which we date to ∼600-1000 years ago, corresponding to a time of intensive international trade networks that had a major cultural impact on Thailand. An AN group from Southern Thailand shows both South Asian admixture as well as overall affinities with AA-speaking groups in the region, suggesting an impact of cultural diffusion. Overall, we provide the first detailed insights into the genetic profiles of Thai/Lao ethnolinguistic groups, which should be helpful for reconstructing human genetic history in MSEA and selecting populations for participation in ongoing whole genome sequence and biomedical studies.
A novel mode of photoprotection mediated by a cysteine residue in the chlorophyll protein IsiA
Authors: Chen Hui-Yuan Steven , Niedzwiedzki Dariusz M. , Bandyopadhyay Anindita , Biswas Sandeep , Pakrasi Himadri B.
Published: December 2020

Oxygenic photosynthetic organisms have evolved multitude mechanisms for protection against high light stress. IsiA, a chlorophylla-binding cyanobacterial protein serves as an accessory antenna complex for photosystem I. Intriguingly, IsiA can also function as an independent pigment protein complex in the thylakoid membrane and facilitate dissipation of excess energy, providing photoprotection. The molecular basis of IsiA-mediated excitation quenching mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that IsiA uses a novel cysteine-mediated process to quench excitation energy. The single cysteine in IsiA in the cyanobacteriumSynechocystis6803 was converted to a valine. Ultrafast fluorescence spectroscopic analysis showed that this single change abolishes the excitation energy quenching ability of IsiA, thus providing direct evidence of the crucial role of this cysteine residue in the energy dissipation from excited chlorophylls. Under stress condition, the mutant cells exhibited enhanced light sensitivity, indicating that the cysteine-mediated quenching process is critically important for photoprotection.
Metaproteomic Profiling of Fungal Gut Colonization in Gnotobiotic Mice
Authors: Pettersen Veronika Kuchařová , Dufour Antoine , Arrieta Marie-Claire
Published: December 2020

Eukaryotic microbes can modulate mammalian host health and disease states, yet the molecular contribution of gut fungi remains nascent. We previously showed that mice exclusively colonized with fungi displayed increased sensitivity to allergic airway inflammation and fecal metabolite profiles similar to germ-free mice. To gain insights into the functional changes attributed to fungal colonization, we performed quantitative proteomic analyses of feces and small intestine of four-week-old gnotobiotic mice colonized with bacteria, fungi, or both. A comparison of fecal metaproteomic profiles between the mouse groups yielded broad changes in the relative levels of bacterial (46% of 2,860) and mouse (76% from 405) proteins. Many of the detected fungal proteins (3% of 1,492) have been previously reported as part of extracellular vesicles and having immunomodulating properties. Changes in the levels of mouse proteins derived from the jejunum (4% of 1,514) were mainly driven by proteins functional in lipid metabolism and apoptosis. Using metaproteomic profiling of gnotobiotic conditions, we show that fungal colonization profoundly impacts the host gut proteome. Our results suggest that an increased abundance of certain gut fungal species in early life may impact the developing intracellular balance of epithelial and immune cells.
Food purchasing behaviour at automatic vending machines: the role of planograms and shopping time
Authors: Marinelli Luca , Fiano Fabio , Gregori Gian Luca , Daniele Lucia Michela
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the food and beverage automatic retail environment by analysing the impact of planograms, conceived as a visual merchandising practice and shopping time – the time spent making a purchase – as part of food consumer purchasing behaviour to further enrich the debate on the ability of companies to absorb customer knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

A real-world experiment was conducted using a sample of 27,230 valid observations of consumer purchasing decision-making processes at automatic vending machines (AVMs). Data were collected by a shopper behaviour analytics system that allows for a better understanding of the AVM users' behaviour. Two sets of regressions were run to test the two hypotheses.

Findings

The experimental results demonstrated that planograms – the planned, systematic organisation of products in an AVM – positively impact food purchases. A planogram acts as a mediator in the relationship between shopping time and purchase, resulting in shorter shopping times and more purchases.

Originality/value

This work adds to the customer knowledge literature by focussing on customer behaviour in the food and beverage automated shopping environment. The shopper analytics technology adopted to collect real-time data leads to a better understanding of the purchasing behaviour of AVMs' users and provides new marketing and retail insights into AVMs' performance that retailers can use to improve their marketing strategies.
Impact of purchasing practices, supplier relationships and use of information technology on firm performance
Authors: Ambekar Suhas Suresh , Deshmukh Umesh , Hudnurkar Manoj
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The study aims to establish an impact of supplier relationship and information and communication technology through purchasing practices on firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Review of relevant literature resulted in constructs, namely, supplier relationships, information and communication technology, purchasing practices and firm performance. A survey of 179 manufacturing companies through structured questionnaire was conducted. The responses were analysed through structural equation modelling using the partial least squares method.

Findings

It is observed that the firm performance is directly influenced by purchasing practices and indirectly by supplier relationships and information technology. The use of information technology in materials management affects supplier relationships and purchasing practices both.

Practical implications

The study provides a model for purchasing practitioners by highlighting the importance of supplier relationship management. Though the firms are running after improving technology, it can only affect firm performance through proper purchasing practices.

Originality/value

The study provides empirical evidence to the practical notions that exist in purchasing practitioners.
Experimental dynamic analysis of rod-fastening rotor bearing system with a transverse crack
Authors: Wang Nanshan , Liu Heng , Wang Qidan , Qi Shemiao , Liu Yi
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study aims to obtain the dynamic behaviours of cracked rod-fastening rotor bearing system (RFBS), and experimental investigation was carried out to examine the dynamic characteristics of this kind of assembled rotor bearing system with a transverse crack passing through the critical speed.

Design/methodology/approach

An experimental test rig of cracked RFBS was established for examining the vibration behaviours between intact and cracked system. The crack on the surface of a fastening rod was simulated by wire-electrode cutting processing method. The comprehensive analysis method of vibration was used to obtain the dynamic characteristics such as vibration amplitude, acceleration and whirling orbits before and after the critical speed as well as the instantaneous response in the process of speed up.

Findings

Some experimental vibration datum is obtained for cracked RFBS. The appearance of a crack will introduce the initial bending and make the vibration amplitude, acceleration and instant response in the process of speed up increase greatly as well as the change of whirling orbits.

Originality/value

The actual vibration characteristics for this complex assembled rotor system with a transverse crack are given passing through the critical speed. It can provide some useful help for monitoring the vibration behaviours of this kind of assembled rotor system as well as the detection of the crack fault.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at:https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-07-2020-0260/
A new frontier: alcohol sponsorship activation through esports
Authors: Kelly Sarah J. , Van der Leij Dymphna
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of alcohol sponsorship-linked advertising through esports upon young gaming audiences and how gaming behaviours affect advertising response.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey study was employed to examine the prevalence and nature of alcohol advertising in esports, and the impact of esports participation upon young audiences' consumption and preferences concerning alcohol. Survey data were collected from 976 young Australian gamers aged between 16 and 34 years (58.9% male) using online questionnaires.

Findings

Results revealed a vulnerability to alcohol sponsorship and advertising among 25 to 34-year-old and heavy gamer cohorts. As predicted, heavy gamers were more receptive to alcohol advertising in terms of awareness, preference and consumption while gaming than casual gamers.

Practical implications

This research advances theories of consumer behaviour and advertising exposure situated in a new landscape of converging virtual and real experiential marketing. It also provides much-needed evidence to guide marketing strategy to the next-generation audiences and regulation of new and burgeoning digital platforms. Our research also highlights a need for policy to address the burgeoning, largely unregulated nature of online gaming.

Originality/value

This research provides the first empirical evidence of the impacts of alcohol-linked sponsorship in esports upon young playing and streaming audiences. It informs marketing strategy and policy in relation to the rapidly growing, potentially vulnerable online competitive gaming audience.
Agricultural productivity growth in Latin America and the Caribbean: an analysis of climatic effects, catch‐up and convergence*
Authors: Lachaud Michée A. , Bravo‐Ureta Boris E.
Published: December 2020

This paper investigates whether climatic adjusted total factor productivity (CATFP) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is converging, converging to different steady states or exhibit absolute convergence, that is the process does not require (government) interventions to reach its equilibrium path. We use data from the University of East Anglia’s Climatic Research Unit and from the Food and Agriculture Organization for 28 LAC countries over a 54‐year period (1961–2014) to estimate random parameters stochastic production frontier models to calculate CATFP and then use cross‐sectional regressions and an error correction model to analyse CATFP convergence across countries in the region. The results show that technological progress is the main driver of CATFP growth in the region and there is no absolute convergence, that is CATFP gaps across countries will not decrease over time and least performing countries will not grow faster than better performing ones without targeted policies. However, CATFP across LAC exhibits conditional convergence towards different steady states. Technological progress plays a critical role in raising the steady state level of CATFP with an overall average of 2.22 per cent per annum.
Brain structure and clinical profile point to neurodevelopmental factors involved in pedophilic disorder
Authors: Abé Christoph , Adebahr Roberth , Liberg Benny , Mannfolk Christian , Lebedev Alexander , Eriksson Jonna , Långström Niklas , Rahm Christoffer
Published: December 2020

Objective

Pedophilic disorder (PD) is characterized bypersistent, intense sexual attraction to prepubertal children that the individual has acted on, or causes marked distress or interpersonal difficulty. Although prior research suggests that PD has neurodevelopmental underpinnings, the evidence remains sparse. To aid the understanding of etiology and treatment development, we quantified neurobiological and clinical correlates of PD.

Method

We compared 55 self‐referred, help‐seeking, non‐forensic male patients with DSM‐5 PD with 57 age‐matched, healthy male controls (HC) on clinical, neuropsychological, and structural brain imaging measures (cortical thickness and surface area, subcortical and white matter volumes). Structural brain measures were related to markers for aberrant neurodevelopment including IQ, and the 2nd to 4th digit ratio (2D:4D).

Results

PD was associated with psychiatric disorder comorbidity and ADHD and autism spectrum disorder symptoms. PD patients had lower total IQ than HC. PD individuals exhibited cortical surface area abnormalities in regions belonging to the brain's default mode network and showed abnormal volume of white matter underlying those regions. PD subjects had smaller hippocampi and nuclei accumbens than HC. Findings were not related to history of child‐related sexual offending. IQ correlated negatively with global expression of PD‐related brain features and 2D:4D correlated with surface area in PD.

Conclusions

In the largest single‐center study to date, we delineate psychiatric comorbidity, neurobiological and cognitive correlates of PD. Our morphometric findings, their associations with markers of aberrant neurodevelopment, and psychiatric comorbidities suggest that neurodevelopmental mechanisms are involved in PD. The findings may need consideration in future development of clinical management of PD patients.
Axial skeleton morphology of the Western Palearctic aphaniid fishes (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes; Family: Aphaniidae)
Authors: Teimori Azad , Esmaeili Hamid Reza
Published: December 2020

The axial skeleton morphology of eighteen aphaniid species was examined for the first time by X‐ray radiography, a non‐lethal method. The number of total vertebrae in the genus Aphanius is ranged from 26 to 29, in Aphaniops, it is ranged from 24 to 28, and in Paraphanius mento, it is ranged from 26 to 27. The vertebral column in Aphanius was often slightly curved, and it is varied from almost straight (most common) to slightly or strongly curved and straight in two others. The caudal skeleton of the family Aphaniidae is characterized by a single and completely fused hypural plate, and a total number of 9–12 branched segmented soft rays, a single and elongate epural bone. All examined species of the genus Aphanius and Paraphanius mento displayed a straight epural bone in their caudal skeleton, while it was often sinuous‐like and thick in all species of the genus Aphaniops. This study supports the assumption that a sinuous epural is likely the first detected morphological synapomorphy for the “inner” clade of Aphaniops. The family Aphaniidae is closer to Cyprinodontidae, Valenciidae and Fundulidae than other cyprinodontiforms in the caudal skeleton, which is in agreement with the multigene phylogeny of cyprinodontiforms.
Hydrogen sulfide donors prevent lipopolysaccharide‐induced airway hyperreactivity in an in vitro model of chronic inflammation in mice
Authors: Karaman Yasemin , Kaya‐Yasar Yesim , Bozkurt T Emrah , Sahin‐Erdemli Inci
Published: December 2020

We aimed to investigate and compare the effects of rapid (NaHS) and slow (GYY4137 and AP39) hydrogen sulfide (H2S) releasing donors on LPS‐induced tracheal hyperreactivity and pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels in lung tissues of mice. Tissues were isolated from male BALB/c mice and incubated with LPS (10 µg/mL) in tissue culture. The subgroups were incubated with NaHS, GYY4137 and mitochondria‐targeted donor AP39. LPS incubation did not alter contraction response to carbachol, but enhanced 5‐HT and bradykinin‐induced contractions in tracheal rings, and elevated IL‐1β, IL‐6 and TNF‐α levels in lung homogenates. NaHS at 300 µmol/L and 1000 µmol/L, GYY4137 at 30 µmol/L and 100 µmol/L, and AP39 at 30 nmol/L concentrations inhibited the tracheal hyperreactivity to 5‐HT, whereas none of these donors affected the enhanced contraction to bradykinin. GYY4137 was also effective to inhibit 5‐HT hyperreactivity acutely. In lung tissues, NaHS prevented the elevation of IL‐1β level at 1000 μmol/L, and IL‐6 and TNF‐α levels at 100 μmol/L concentrations. Incubation with GYY4137 (100 µmol/L) and AP39 (30 nmol/L and 300 nmol/L) inhibited the increase in IL‐6 and TNF‐α levels, but not IL‐1β at concentrations that they affected tracheal hyperreactivity. These results indicate that H2S donors can decrease inflammation and prevent airway hyperreactivity.
N‐acetylcysteine as an adjunctive treatment for bipolar depression: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Nery Fabiano G. , Li Wenbin , DelBello Melissa P. , Welge Jeffrey A.
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Previous studies and meta‐analyses suggested that N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) was superior to placebo in improving depression in bipolar disorder. However, more recent data, including two larger trials, found that NAC was no more effective than placebo. We conducted a meta‐analysis to appraise the possible efficacy of NAC in treating bipolar depression.

Methods

A systematic review and meta‐analysis of double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trials of NAC as a treatment augmentation strategy for bipolar depression was carried out in PubMed (1966–2020). We utilized random‐effect analysis to evaluate improvement in depressive symptoms from baseline to endpoint as the primary efficacy measure.

Results

Six trials including 248 patients were included. Treatment augmentation with NAC showed a moderate effect size favoring NAC over placebo (d = 0.45, 95% C.I.: 0.06–0.84). There was substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 49%). Meta‐regression analyses did not identify any moderator that might explain variation in heterogeneity, including baseline depressive symptom scores, mean NAC dose, or duration of study.

Conclusions

Results from six clinical trials suggest that treatment augmentation with NAC for bipolar depression appears to be superior to placebo, with a moderate effect size, but a large confidence interval. Larger clinical trials, investigating possible moderating factors, such as NAC dose, treatment duration, baseline depression severity, or chronicity of illness, are warranted.
Long‐term treatment of bipolar disorder type I: A systematic and critical review of clinical guidelines with derived practice algorithms
Authors: Verdolini Norma , Hidalgo‐Mazzei Diego , Del Matto Laura , Muscas Michele , Pacchiarotti Isabella , Murru Andrea , Samalin Ludovic , Aedo Alberto , Tohen Mauricio , Grunze Heinz , Young Allan H. , Carvalho André F. , Vieta Eduard
Published: December 2020

Objectives

This systematic review aimed at providing a critical, comprehensive synthesis of international guidelines’ recommendations on the long‐term treatment of bipolar disorder type I (BD‐I).

Methods

MEDLINE/PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched from inception to January 15th, 2019 following PRISMA and PICAR rules. International guidelines providing recommendations for the long‐term treatment of BD‐I were included. A methodological quality assessment was conducted with the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation‐AGREE II.

Results

The final selection yielded five international guidelines, with overall good quality. The evaluation of applicability was the weakest aspect across the guidelines. Differences in their updating strategies and the rating of the evidence, particularly for meta‐analyses, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational studies, could be responsible of some level of heterogeneity among recommendations. Nonetheless, the guidelines recommended lithium as the ‘gold standard’ in the long‐term treatment of BD‐I. Quetiapine was another possible first‐line option as well as aripiprazole (for the prevention of mania). Long‐term treatment should contemplate monotherapy, at least initially. Clinicians should check regularly for efficacy and side effects and if necessary, switch to first‐line alternatives (i.e. Valproate), combine first‐line compounds with different mechanisms of action or switch to second‐line options or combinations.

Conclusions

The possibility to monitor improvements in long‐term outcomes, namely relapse prevention and inter‐episode subthreshold depressive symptoms, based on the application of their recommendations is an unmet need of clinical guidelines. In terms of evidence of clinical guidelines, there is a need for more efficacious treatment strategies for the prevention of bipolar depression.
Biallelic loss‐of‐function HACD1 variants are a bona fide cause of congenital myopathy
Authors: Abbasi‐Moheb Lia , Westenberger Ana , Alotaibi Maha , Alghamdi Malak Ali , Hertecant Jozef L. , Ariamand Amir , Beetz Christian , Rolfs Arndt , Bertoli‐Avella Aida M. , Bauer Peter
Published: December 2020

Congenital myopathies include a wide range of genetically determined disorders characterized by muscle weakness that usually manifest shortly after birth. To date, two different homozygous loss‐of‐function variants in the HACD1 gene have been reported to cause congenital myopathy. We identified three patients manifesting with neonatal‐onset generalized muscle weakness and motor delay that carried three novel homozygous likely pathogenic HACD1 variants. The two of these changes (c.373_375+2delGAGGT and c.785‐1G>T) were predicted to introduce splice site alterations, while one is a nonsense change (c.458G>A). The clinical presentation of our and the previously reported patients was comparable, including the temporally progressive improvement that seems to be characteristic of HACD1‐related myopathy. Our findings conclusively confirm the implication of HACD1 in the pathogenesis of congenital myopathies, corroborate the main phenotypic features, and further define the genotypic spectrum of this genetic form of myopathy. Importantly, the genetic diagnosis of HACD1‐related myopathy bears impactful prognostic value.
European Academy of Neurology/European Alzheimer’s Disease Consortium position statement on diagnostic disclosure, biomarker counseling, and management of patients with mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Frederiksen Kristian Steen , Nielsen T. Rune , Winblad Bengt , Schmidt Reinhold , Kramberger Milica G. , Jones Roy W. , Hort Jakub , Grimmer Timo , Georges Jean , Frölich Lutz , Engelborghs Sebastiaan , Dubois Bruno , Waldemar Gunhild
Published: December 2020

Background and purpose

Careful counseling through the diagnostic process and adequate postdiagnostic support in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is important. Previous studies have indicated heterogeneity in practice and the need for guidance for clinicians.

Methods

A joint European Academy of Neurology/European Alzheimer’s Disease Consortium panel of dementia specialists was appointed. Through online meetings and emails, positions were developed regarding disclosing a syndrome diagnosis of MCI, pre‐ and postbiomarker sampling counseling, and postdiagnostic support.

Results

Prior to diagnostic evaluation, motives and wishes of the patient should be sought. Diagnostic disclosure should be carried out by a dementia specialist taking the ethical principles of “the right to know” versus “the wish not to know” into account. Disclosure should be accompanied by written information and a follow‐up plan. It should be made clear that MCI is not dementia. Prebiomarker counseling should always be carried out if biomarker sampling is considered and postbiomarker counseling if sampling is carried out. A dementia specialist knowledgeable about biomarkers should inform about pros and cons, including alternatives, to enable an autonomous and informed decision. Postbiomarker counseling will depend in part on the results of biomarkers. Follow‐up should be considered for all patients with MCI and include brain‐healthy advice and possibly treatment for specific underlying causes. Advice on advance directives may be relevant.

Conclusions

Guidance to clinicians on various aspects of the diagnostic process in patients with MCI is presented here as position statements. Further studies are needed to enable more evidence‐based and standardized recommendations in the future.
Progress and challenges in eliminating illegal fishing
Authors: Vince Joanna , Hardesty Britta Denise , Wilcox Chris
Published: December 2020

Illegal fishing is a widespread, global phenomenon that is affecting already heavily depleted wild fish stocks, threatening marine habitats and contributing to marine pollution through discarded fishing gear. Many different measures have been implemented by nation states to deter and prevent illegal fishing. These include coastal surveillance and policing, policies and regulation, and education. In this paper, we examine the case of Australia through an analysis of regulative arrangements, policies and guidelines that form the governance framework to better understand the changing seascape of illegal fishing. We argue that joint efforts with neighbouring states such as Indonesia and regional fisheries management authorities have contributed to a decrease in illegal fishing in and around the Australian EEZ. Finally, we discuss current and future challenges, opportunities, recent advancements and technological approaches for reducing illegal fishing around the world.
The price of motherhood in the Irish film and television industries
Authors: O'Brien Anne , Liddy Susan
Published: December 2020

This study describes the gendered challenges that mothers face when working in Irish film and television industries. Data were derived from a snowball sample of 44 mothers located in multiple genres of film and television production. The key findings are first, there is a systemic bias against mothers, not just a gender bias against them as women but an additional and more specific bias against them as mothers; second, there is evidence that mothers internalize the marginalization that comes from their maternal status. Many of the respondents accepted the inequality and maternal penalty they experienced as inevitable and “the way it is” and so made no demands that the industry change; and third, many mothers described various adaptations that help them to sustain their working lives, but they were rarely supported in those adaptations by the screen production industry. The impact and consequences of maternal inequality need to be examined and addressed further by industry in order to better include the voices of mothers in cultural productions.
A gendered pandemic: Childcare, homeschooling, and parents' employment during COVID‐19
Authors: Petts Richard J. , Carlson Daniel L. , Pepin Joanna R.
Published: December 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic has dramatically affected employment, particularly for mothers. Many believe that the loss of childcare and homeschooling requirements are key contributors to this trend, but previous work has been unable to test these hypotheses due to data limitations. This study uses novel data from 989 partnered, US parents to empirically examine whether the loss of childcare and new homeschooling demands are associated with employment outcomes early in the pandemic. We also consider whether the division of childcare prior to the pandemic is associated with parents' employment. For parents with young children, the loss of full‐time childcare was associated with an increased risk of unemployment for mothers but not fathers. Yet, father involvement in childcare substantially buffered against negative employment outcomes for mothers of young children. For parents with school‐age children, participation in homeschooling was associated with adverse employment outcomes for mothers but not fathers. Overall, this study provides empirical support for the current discourse on gender differences in employment during the pandemic and also highlights the role fathers can play in buffering against reduced labor force participation among mothers.
Gastrointestinal adverse reactions reduce the success rate of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy: A multicenter prospective cohort study
Authors: Kakiuchi Toshihiko , Matsuo Muneaki , Endo Hiroyoshi , Sakata Yasuhisa , Esaki Motohiro , Noda Takahiro , Imamura Ichiro , Hashiguchi Kazutoshi , Ogata Shinichi , Fujioka Yasuhiko , Hanada Keiichiro , Fukuda Kayoko , Yoshimura Masaya , Kajiwara Tetsuro , Yamamoto Kentaroh , Yamaguchi Daisuke , Kawakubo Hiroharu , Akashi Taro , Sumino Michihiro , Matsunaga Keiji , Muro Eriko , Kuwahara Atsuo , Taniguchi Kazuto , Fukuyama Koji , Watanabe Akira , Takamori Ayako , Okuda Masumi , Yamanouchi Kohei , Fujimoto Kazuma
Published: December 2020

Background

The screening and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection for all junior high students in Saga Prefecture, Japan, were started in 2016. The present study aims to evaluate the influence of adverse reactions on the success of the eradication therapy.

Methods

From 2017 to 2019, 25,006 third‐grade junior high school students were tested for urinary anti‐H. pylori antibodies. Positive cases were confirmed by H. pylori stool antigen tests. Of the 531 students who were found to be H. pylori‐positive, 390 (358 in first‐line and 32 in second‐line therapy) underwent eradication therapy, and 274 (242 in first‐line and 32 in second‐line) students actually completed a self‐reported form to rate stool consistency (based on the Bristol Stool Scale), the maximum number of bowel movements, and abdominal symptoms during the 7 days of treatment.

Results

Among the 274 students, the total of primary and secondary eradication success rates was 87% (95% confidential interval: 82.9–90.1) in intention‐to‐treat analysis. On days 4, 5, and 6, stool consistency was looser in the primary eradication failure group than in the success group (p < .05). Looser stool consistencies were observed in male students with abdominal pain compared to those who did not experience pain (p < .05). Abdominal pain and diarrhea were detected in 28.5% and 42.7% of the subjects, respectively. The overall incidence of other adverse events was low (n = 8/274, 2.9%), and only two students discontinued treatment because of adverse events.

Conclusions

Softening of the stool was related to the eradication failure in the junior high school students, especially in males with abdominal pain. Adverse effects did not induce discontinuation of the eradication treatment.
Specificity of serum amyloid A as a biomarker of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Vietri Lucia , d'Alessandro Miriana , Bergantini Laura , Carleo Alfonso , Cameli Paolo , Mazzei Maria Antonietta , Sestini Piersante , Bargagli Elena
Published: December 2020

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an apo‐lipoprotein produced by the liver in response to proinflammatory cytokines. Few data are available on SAA levels in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the most common idiopathic form of interstitial pneumonitis (ILD). This study compared SAA concentration in IPF patients to other ILD groups to explore its potential use as a clinical biomarker.
Industry payments to hospitalist physicians: a 5‐year analysis of the Open Payments programme from 2014 to 2018
Authors: Pakanati Krishna C. , Siddamreddy Suman , Nalleballe Krishna , Thombre Vaishali , Sheng Sen , Veerapaneni Karthika , Yadala Sisira , Kapoor Nidhi , Dandu Vasuki , Avula Akshay , Meegada Sreenath , Bere Praveen
Published: December 2020

We analysed Open Payments programme data (https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov) on industry‐to‐physician payments to hospitalists for the years 2014 to 2018. Payments to hospitalists increased by 106.5% from 2014 to 2018 with food and beverage (38.5%) and compensation for services other than consulting (24.3%) being the highest‐paid categories. Industry payment to hospitalists was highly skewed with top 10 hospitalists receiving more than 30% of the total payments during the study period. The most common drugs associated with payments were anticoagulant medications (apixaban and rivaroxaban). Industry seems to be spending a significant amount of money to increase awareness of medications among hospitalists. Identification of these trends and potential motives of industry spending is critical to address any potential physician bias.