bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The unfolded protein response modulates the autophagy‐mediated egg production in the mosquito Aedes aegypti
Authors: Weng S.‐C. , Shiao S.‐H.
Published: April 2020

Mosquitoes must feed on vertebrate blood for egg development. As a consequence, some mosquito species are vectors for pathogens that cause devastating diseases in humans. Hence, understanding the mechanisms that control egg developmental cycles is important for developing novel approaches for the control of mosquito‐borne diseases. The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a cellular stress response related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The UPR is activated in response to an accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the ER. Massive proteins have been shown to be produced during egg development, and it is obvious that unfolded or misfolded proteins may arise during vitellogenesis. It has been shown that autophagy in the mosquito fat body plays a central role in the progression of gonadotrophic cycles in the mosquito Aedes aegypti. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the induction of UPR and the correlation between UPR and autophagy remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that autophagy is activated during vitellogenesis and that the activation of autophagy is correlated with the UPR. We also show that the expressions of UPR and autophagy can be induced in an in vitro fat body culture system through an amino acid treatment. In addition, the expressions of UPR, autophagy‐specific markers and vitellogenin were also induced during dithiothreitol treatment. Interestingly, the silencing of UPR‐related genes significantly reduced the expression of autophagy‐specific markers and inhibited mosquito fecundity. Taken together, we conclude that autophagy‐mediated egg production in the mosquito A. aegypti is regulated by UPR.
Ficolin A derived from local macrophages and neutrophils protects against lipopolysaccharide‐induced acute lung injury by activating complement
Authors: Wu Xu , Yao Duoduo , Bao Linlin , Liu Di , Xu Xiaoxue , An Yunqing , Zhang Xulong , Cao Bin
Published: April 2020

Ficolins are important and widely distributed pattern recognition molecules that can induce lectin complement pathway activation and initiate the innate immune response. Although ficolins can bind lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro, the sources, dynamic changes and roles of local ficolins in LPS‐induced pulmonary inflammation and injury remain poorly understood. In this study, we established a ficolin knockout mouse model by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR‐associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) technology, and used flow cytometry and hematoxylin and eosin staining to study the expressions and roles of local ficolins in LPS‐induced pulmonary inflammation and injury. Our results show that besides ficolin B (FcnB), ficolin A (FcnA) is also expressed in leukocytes from the bone marrow, peripheral blood, lung and spleen. Further analyses showed that macrophages and neutrophils are the main sources of FcnA and FcnB, and T and B cells also express a small amount of FcnB. The intranasal administration of LPS induced local pulmonary inflammation with the increased recruitment of macrophages and neutrophils. LPS stimulation induced increased expression of FcnA and FcnB in neutrophils at the acute stage and in macrophages at the late stage. The severity of the lung injury and local inflammation of Fcna−/− mice was increased by the induction of extracellular complement activation. The recovery of LPS‐induced local lung inflammation and injury was delayed in Fcnb−/− mice. Hence, these findings suggested that the local macrophage‐ and neutrophil‐derived FcnA protects against LPS‐induced acute lung injury by mediating extracellular complement activation.
The effect of social media on corporate violations: Evidence from Weibo posts in China
Authors: Zhou Jing , Ye Silin , Lan Wei , Jiang Yunwen
Published: April 2020

At the new stage of information technology era, the transmission of information between listed companies and investors may not be dominated by traditional media, but the widely used social media which can provide additional information to listed companies. We utilize the volume of Weibo posts by individuals to generate a direct attention proxy for the effect of social media in China. By applying the latent instrument variables (LIV) approach to control for endogeneity problem, we find that investor attention brought by social media after violations announcements positively affects corporate violations, as reflected in a higher probability and more timely action to redress violations. The positive Weibo‐based attention effects are stronger when executives are more concerned about their reputations and companies have better reputations in the capital markets. This paper shows that building an effective and efficient social media platform can better inspire investors to actively pay their attention to certain information of listed companies. Such investors' active attention may form a monitoring role in listed companies and thereby substitute for some external mechanisms to protect their own rights.
Polysaccharides from Dicliptera chinensis ameliorate liver disturbance by regulating TLR‐4/NF‐κB and AMPK/Nrf2 signalling pathways
Authors: Zhang Kefeng , Xu Qiongmei , Gao Ya , Cao Houkang , Lian Yuanyu , Li Zimeng , Xu Jie , Zhong Mingli , Li Jiani , Wei Riming , Dong Jianghui , Jin Ling
Published: April 2020

The purpose of this study was to alleviate liver disturbance by applying polysaccharides from Dicliptera chinensis (DCP) to act on the adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase/ nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (AMPK/ Nrf2) oxidative stress pathway and the Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR‐4)/ nuclear factor kappa‐B (NF‐κB) inflammatory pathway and to establish an in vivo liver disturbance model using male C57BL/6J and TLR‐4 knockout (−/−) mice. For this, we evaluated the expression levels of SREBP‐1 and Nrf2 after silencing the expression of AMPK using siRNA technology. Our results show that with regard to the TLR‐4/ NF‐κB inflammatory pathway, DCP inhibits TLR‐4, up‐regulates the expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPAR‐γ), reduces the expression of phospho(p)‐NF‐κB and leads to the reduction of downstream inflammatory factors, such as tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐1β, thereby inhibiting the inflammatory response. Regarding the AMPK/ Nrf2 oxidative stress pathway, DCP up‐regulates the expression of p‐AMPK and Nrf2, in addition to regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, oxidative stress and ameliorating liver disturbance symptoms. In summary, our study shows that DCP alleviates liver disturbances by inhibiting mechanisms used during liver inflammation and oxidative stress depression, which provides a new strategy for the clinical treatment of liver disturbance.
miR‐145 inhibits the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells by regulating autophagy
Authors: Wang Weirong , Chen Lifang , Shang Chenxu , Jin Zhen , Yao Feng , Bai Liang , Wang Rong , Zhao Sihai , Liu Enqi
Published: April 2020

miR‐145, the most abundant miRNA in the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), regulates VSMC function in intimal hyperplasia. It has been reported that autophagy participates in the regulation of proliferation and migration of VSMCs. However, the effect of miR‐145 on autophagy and related mechanism in the proliferation and migration of VSMCs remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effect of miR‐145 on autophagy and the mechanism in VSMCs. Cell autophagy was determined by transmission electron microscope, mRFP‐GFP‐LC3 assay and Western blotting. A recombinant lentivirus containing miR‐145 was used to construct VSMCs with miR‐145 overexpression. We found that miR‐145 expression was decreased, and autophagy was increased in the carotid arteries of C57BL/6J mice with intimal hyperplasia and TGF‐β1‐stimulated VSMCs. Furthermore, miR‐145 overexpression inhibited cell autophagy, whereas miR‐145 inhibition promoted autophagy in TGF‐β1‐stimulated VSMCs. Meanwhile, miR‐145 inhibited the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. More importantly, our study showed that autophagy inhibition augmented the inhibitory effect of miR‐145 on the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. In addition, we found that the sirtuins are not direct targets of miR‐145 in the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. These results suggest that miR‐145 inhibits the proliferation and migration of VSMCs by suppressing the activation of autophagy.
Randomness Pre‐Considered: Recognizing and Accounting for “De‐Randomizing” Events When Utilizing Random Judicial Assignment
Authors: Thorley Dane
Published: April 2020

This article contributes to the growing literature challenging the general assumption of and reliance on random judicial assignment by identifying common court procedures and practices that threaten unbiased causal inference. These “de‐randomizing” events, which include differing probabilities of assignment, post‐assignment judicial changes, nonrandom missingness, and nonrandom assignment itself, should be accounted for when making causal claims but are commonly either ignored or not even recognized by researchers utilizing random judicial assignment. The article explores how these de‐randomizing events violate the key empirical assumptions underlying randomized studies and offers methodological solutions. It also presents original data from a survey of the 30 largest U.S. state‐level criminal courts, outlining their assignment protocols and identifying the extent to which they feature the de‐randomizing events described in the article.
Coronavirus, Ageism, and Twitter: An Evaluation of Tweets about Older Adults and COVID‐19
Authors: Jimenez‐Sotomayor Maria Renee , Gomez‐Moreno Carolina , Soto‐Perez‐de‐Celis Enrique
Published: April 2020

OBJECTIVES

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) a pandemic. High morbidity and mortality rates of COVID‐19 have been observed among older adults and widely reported in both mainstream and social media. The objective of this study was to analyze tweets related to COVID‐19 and older adults, and to identify ageist content.

DESIGN

We obtained a representative sample of original tweets containing the keywords “elderly,” “older,” and/or “boomer” plus the hashtags “#COVID19” and/or “#coronavirus.”

SETTING

Tweets posted between March 12 and March 21, 2020.

MEASUREMENTS

We identified the type of user and number of followers for each account. Tweets were classified by three raters as (1) informative, (2) personal accounts, (3) personal opinions, (4) advice seeking, (5) jokes, and (6) miscellaneous. Potentially offensive content, as well as that downplaying the severity of COVID‐19 because it mostly affects older adults, was identified.

RESULTS

A total of 18,128 tweets were obtained, of which a random sample of 351 was analyzed. Most accounts (91.7%) belonged to individuals. The most common types of tweets were personal opinions (31.9%), followed by informative tweets (29.6%), jokes/ridicule (14.3%), and personal accounts (13.4%). Overall, 72 tweets (21.9%) likely intended to ridicule or offend someone and 21.1% had content implying that the life of older adults was less valuable or downplayed the relevance of COVID‐19.

CONCLUSION

Most tweets related to COVID‐19 and older adults contained personal opinions, personal accounts, and jokes. Almost one‐quarter of analyzed tweets had ageist or potentially offensive content toward older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1661‐1665, 2020.
Temporal volume increase after reduction of masseteric hypertrophy utilizing incobotulinumtoxin type A
Authors: Nikolis Andreas , Enright Kaitlyn M. , Rudolph Christina , Cotofana Sebastian
Published: April 2020

Background

Treating the lower face with neuromodulators and targeting the masseter muscle can reduce masseteric hypertrophy but can also change the facial shape. A novel observation after the treatment of the masseter muscle with incobotulinumtoxin Type A was the increase in temporal volume.

Aim

Objectively assess temporal volume increase following treatment of masseteric hypertrophy using incobotulinumtoxin Type A.

Methods

Nine female patients with a mean age of 35.11 years ± 9.1 [Asian (11.1%) and Caucasian (88.9%)] were treated with incobotulinumtoxin Type A for masseteric hypertrophy. Masseteric prominence and temporal volume were assessed by two independent raters, and temporal fossa volume was measured via 3‐dimensional volumetric imaging.

Results

Independent of the neuromodulator injection technique (ie, single‐injection versus multi‐injection), a reduction in masseteric hypertrophy occurred represented by a decrease in the masseter prominence scale. In addition, the treatment resulted in a significant improvement of the temporal volume scale and an increase in the measured volume of the temporal fossa. None of the presented measurements were statistically significantly different between the two utilized injection techniques.

Conclusions

This study supports using a full‐face approach when performing aesthetic treatments. Anatomical concepts can help to guide treatments: the compensatory increase in temporalis function after masseter muscle treatment resulted in an increased in temporal fossa volume. The findings presented herein should not be considered as a new concept for treating the temporal fossa but rather as an additional possibility for increasing the temporal volume.
Declining Labor and Capital Shares
Authors: BARKAI SIMCHA
Published: April 2020

This paper presents direct measures of capital costs, equal to the product of the required rate of return on capital and the value of the capital stock. The capital share, equal to the ratio of capital costs and gross value added, does not offset the decline in the labor share. Instead, a large increase in the share of pure profits offsets declines in the shares of both labor and capital. Industry data show that increases in concentration are associated with declines in the labor share.
Obesity in adolescent men increases the risk of venous thromboembolism in adult life
Authors: Glise Sandblad K. , Jern S. , Åberg M. , Robertson J. , Torén K. , Lindgren M. , Adiels M. , Hansson P.O. , Rosengren A.
Published: April 2020

Background

As the population of obese and severely obese young adults grows, it is becoming increasingly important to recognize the long‐term risks associated with adolescent obesity.

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the association between body mass index (BMI) in young men at enlistment for military service and later risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Methods

Nationwide register‐based prospective cohort study of men enlisting 1969 to 2005, followed through the Swedish National Patient and Cause of Death registries. We identified 1 639 838 men (mean age, 18.3 years) free of prior venous thromboembolism, of whom 29 342 were obese (BMI 30 to <35 kg m−2) and 7236 severely obese (BMI ≥ 35 kg m−2). The participants were followed until a first registered diagnosis of VTE.

Results

During a median follow‐up of 28 years (interquartile interval, 20 to 36 years), 11 395 cases of deep vein thrombosis and 7270 cases of pulmonary embolism were recorded. Compared with men with a BMI of 18.5 to <20 kg m−2, men with higher BMI in young adulthood showed an incrementally increasing risk of VTE that was moderately but significantly increased already at normal BMI levels. Adolescent obese men with a BMI of 30 to 35 kg m−2 had an adjusted hazard ratio of 2.93 (95% confidence interval, 2.65 to 3.24) for VTE. Severely obese men with a BMI of ≥35 kg m−2 had a hazard ratio of 4.95 (95% confidence interval, 4.16 to 5.90).

Conclusions

Men who were obese or severely obese in young adulthood had a marked increase in risk of VTE.
Population structure, landscape genomics, and genetic signatures of adaptation to exotic disease pressure inCornus floridaL.—Insights from GWAS and GBS data
Authors: Pais Andrew L. , Whetten Ross W. , Xiang Qiu‐Yun (Jenny)
Published: April 2020

Understanding the consequences of exotic diseases on native forests is important to evolutionary ecology and conservation biology because exotic pathogens have drastically altered US eastern deciduous forests.Cornus floridaL. (flowering dogwood tree) is one such species facing heavy mortality. Characterizing the genetic structure ofC. floridapopulations and identifying the genetic signature of adaptation to dogwood anthracnose (an exotic pathogen responsible for high mortality) remain vital for conservation efforts. By integrating genetic data from genotype by sequencing (GBS) of 289 trees across the host species range and distribution of disease, we evaluated the spatial patterns of genetic variation and population genetic structure ofC. floridaand compared the pattern to the distribution of dogwood anthracnose. Using genome‐wide association study and gradient forest analysis, we identified genetic loci under selection and associated with ecological and diseased regions. The results revealed signals of weak genetic differentiation of three or more subgroups nested within two clusters—explaining up to 2%–6% of genetic variation. The groups largely corresponded to the regions within and outside the eastern Hot‐Continental ecoregion, which also overlapped with areas within and outside the main distribution of dogwood anthracnose. The fungal sequences contained in the GBS data of sampled trees bolstered visual records of disease at sampled locations and were congruent with the reported range ofDiscula destructiva, suggesting that fungal sequences within‐host genomic data were informative for detecting or predicting disease. The genetic diversity between populations at diseased vs. disease‐free sites across the range ofC. floridashowed no significant difference. We identified 72 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 68 loci putatively under selection, some of which exhibited abrupt turnover in allele frequencies along the borders of the Hot‐Continental ecoregion and the range of dogwood anthracnose. One such candidate SNP was independently identified in two prior studies as a possible L‐type lectin‐domain containing receptor kinase. Although diseased and disease‐free areas do not significantly differ in genetic diversity, overall there are slight trends to indicate marginally smaller amounts of genetic diversity in disease‐affected areas. Our results were congruent with previous studies that were based on a limited number of genetic markers in revealing high genetic variation and weak population structure inC. florida.
Population genetic structure of the giant panda staple food bamboo (Fargesia spathacea complex) and its taxonomic implications
Authors: Huang Lei , Xing Xiao‐Cheng , Li Wan‐Wan , Zhou Yun , Zhang Yu‐Qu , Xue Cheng , Ren Yi , Kang Ju‐Qing
Published: April 2020

The taxonomy of woody bamboo presents many difficulties due to its long blooming interval and complex morphological variation. Whether the current taxonomy reflects genuine species divergence within woody bamboo is an intriguing question. The Fargesia spathacea Franch. complex comprises 15 closely related species with a sympatric distribution in China. Their classification has long been controversial because only a handful of vegetative traits are available, providing a good opportunity to explore the evolutionary relationships and genetic differentiation in woody bamboo. Here, we present a study involving 750 individuals from 39 representative populations in the F. spathacea complex using 14 simple sequence repeat markers. We found varying degrees of genetic diversity across populations of the F. spathacea complex (He = 0.07–0.81) and largely negative F‐values at the population level, implying an excess of heterozygotes in the populations. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that all populations were divided into two major groups (clusters A and B), with the majority of the 15 species representing distinct genetic lineages. Based on population genetic analysis along with morphological evidence, we confirmed the identity of three species (F. decurvata J. L. Lu, F. spathacea, and F. murielae Gamble) and suggested the invalidation of four other species (F. scabrida T. P. Yi, F. robusta T. P. Yi, F. denudata T. P. Yi F. murielae (Gamble) T. P. Yi, and F. nitida (Mitford) Keng f. ex T. P. Yi). The delimitation of the remaining eight species has yet to be explored. The analysis of ecological factors and spatial autocorrelation suggested that altitudinal differences might account for the distinct genetic divergence between the two major groups.
Functional divergence of Populus MYB158 and MYB189 gene pair created by whole genome duplication
Authors: Jiang Peng‐Fei , Xu Hui , Guan Chao‐Nan , Wang Xiao‐Xia , Wu Ai‐Min , Liu Yan‐Jing , Zeng Qing‐Yin
Published: April 2020

Whole genome duplication (WGD) provides new genetic material for genome evolution. After a WGD event, some duplicates are lost, while other duplicates still persist and evolve diverse functions. A particular challenge is to understand how this diversity arises. This study identified two WGD‐derived duplicates, MYB158 and MYB189, from Populus tomentosa. Populus MYB158 and MYB189 had expression divergence. Populus tomentosa overexpressing MYB158 or MYB189 had similar phenotypes: creep growth, decreased width of xylem and secondary cell wall thickness. Compared to wild‐type, neither myb158 mutant nor myb158 myb189 double mutant showed obvious phenotypic variation in P. tomentosa. Although MYB158 and MYB189 proteins could repress the same structural genes involved in lignin, cellulose, and xylan biosynthesis, the two proteins had their own specific regulatory targets. Populus MYB158 could act as the upstream regulator of secondary cell wall NAC master switch and directly represses the expression of the SND1‐B2 gene. Taken together, Populus MYB158 and MYB189 have retained similar functions in negatively regulating secondary cell wall biosynthesis, but have evolved partially distinct functions in direct regulation of NAC master switch, with MYB158 playing a more crucial role. Our findings provide new insights into the evolutionary and functional divergence of WGD‐derived duplicate genes.
Incidence of extrahepatic cancers among individuals with chronic hepatitis B or C virus infection: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Hong Chai Yeong , Sinn Dong Hyun , Kang Danbee , Paik Seung Woon , Guallar Eliseo , Cho Juhee , Gwak Geum‐Youn
Published: April 2020

This study examined the association between chronic HBV or HCV infection and the risk of extrahepatic cancers. A total of 537 103 adults aged ≥20 years without history of cancer were identified from the Korean National Health Insurance Service‐National Sample Cohort between 2003 and 2013. The difference in cancer incidence was compared between those with and without chronic HBV or HCV infection. During 3 854 130 person‐years of follow‐up (median follow‐up: 8.0 years), 19 089 participants developed cancer. After adjusting for sex, body mass index, smoking, drinking, income percentile, residential area and comorbidities, hazard ratios (HRs) for incident extrahepatic cancer were significantly higher in participants with chronic HBV infection (HR: 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20‐1.35), HCV infection (HR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.16‐1.48) or HBV/HCV dual infection (HR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.31‐1.72) compared to participants without HBV or HCV infection. In chronic HBV infection, the cancer risk was higher for haematologic malignancy [HR (95% CI) = 2.46 (1.92‐3.15)], gallbladder [1.55 (1.05‐2.29)], pancreas [1.52 (1.07‐2.15)], stomach [1.39 (1.22‐1.58)], lung [1.27 (1.04‐1.55)], colorectum [1.21 (1.03‐1.42)] and thyroid cancer [1.20 (1.05‐1.36)]. In chronic HCV infection, the cancer risk was higher for testis [10.34 (1.35‐79.78)], gallbladder [2.90 (1.62‐5.18)], prostate [2.51 (1.65‐3.82)] and thyroid cancer [1.46 (1.10‐1.93)]. In conclusion, chronic HBV or HCV infection was not only associated with an increased risk of liver cancer, but also associated with an increased risk of multiple extrahepatic cancers.
A comparative study of the evolving jurisprudence on standard essential patent licensing
Authors: Bharadwaj Ashish , Jain Srajan
Published: April 2020

Courtrooms in several jurisdictions have proven to be legal battleground for developing jurisprudence for disputes on standard essential patent (SEP) licensing. In India, a settlement and a decision defined and reshaped the SEP licensing landscape. These decisions by the Indian adjudicators come in light of the solutions proposed by the Japan Patent Office, decisions taken by the U.K. Courts and official position of the U.S. Department of Justice more recently. In this paper, we seek to analyze the outcomes of SEP disputes in India and make comparison with the ongoing efforts in developing fair, reasonable and non‐discriminatory jurisprudence in Japan, EU, and United States.
Impact of vehicles on benthic macrofauna on a subtropical sand beach
Authors: Bom Fabio Cavalca , Colling Leonir André
Published: April 2020

Our study aimed to identify possible relationships between the structure of the benthic macrofauna and the intense use of vehicles in Cassino Beach. Physical changes in the sediment were identified, with high compaction in the sector most affected by the vehicles, especially during the summer. The benthic macrofauna was significantly affected by vehicles, with lower densities observed in the most impacted sector, mainly in the summer, unlike the control sector, where higher densities were observed during the pre‐summer and summer. We concluded that the vehicle traffic changes the physical environment of the beach and consequently affects the benthic community in the face of this disturbance. We conclude that the benthic macrofauna is highly impacted by vehicle traffic at Cassino Beach, mainly in the period with the highest traffic, and alternatives are needed for this impact, helping to recover this ecosystem.
Factors associated with anaemia among adolescent boys and girls 10–19 years old in Nepal
Authors: Ford Nicole D. , Bichha Ram Padarth , Parajuli Kedar Raj , Paudyal Naveen , Joshi Nira , Whitehead Ralph D. , Chitekwe Stanley , Mei Zuguo , Flores‐Ayala Rafael , Adhikari Debendra P. , Rijal Sanjay , Jefferds Maria Elena
Published: April 2020

We used data from the 2016 Nepal National Micronutrient Status Survey to evaluate factors associated with anaemia (World Health Organization cut‐points using altitude‐ and smoking‐adjusted haemoglobin [Hb]) among nationally representative samples of adolescents 10–19 years. Hb, biomarkers of micronutrients, infection and inflammation were assessed from venous blood. Sociodemographic and household characteristics, dietary diversity, pica and recent morbidity were ascertained by interview. We explored bivariate relationships between candidate predictors and anaemia among boys (N = 967) and girls (N = 1,680). Candidate predictors with P < 0.05 in bivariate analyses were included in sex‐specific multivariable logistic regression models. Anaemia prevalence was 20.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] [17.1, 24.1]) among girls and 10.9% (95% CI [8.2, 13.6]) among boys. Among girls, living in the Mountain and Hill ecological zones relative to the Terai (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.28, 95% CI [0.15, 0.52] and AOR 0.42, 95% CI [0.25, 0.73], respectively), ln ferritin (μg/L) (AOR 0.53, 95% CI [0.42, 0.68]) and ln retinol binding protein (RBP) (μmol/L) (AOR 0.08, 95% CI [0.04, 0.16]) were associated with reduced anaemia odds. Older age (age in years AOR 1.19, 95% CI [1.12, 1.27]) and Janajati ethnicity relative to the Muslim ethnicity (AOR 3.04, 95% CI [1.10, 8.36]) were associated with higher anaemia odds. Among boys, ln RBP [μmol/L] (AOR 0.25, 95% CI [0.10, 0.65]) and having consumed flesh foods (AOR 0.57, 95% CI [0.33, 0.99]) were associated with lower anaemia odds. Open defecation (AOR 2.36, 95% CI [1.15, 4.84]) and ln transferrin receptor [mg/L] (AOR 3.21, 95% CI [1.25, 8.23]) were associated with increased anaemia odds. Anaemia among adolescents might be addressed through effective public health policy and programs targeting micronutrient status, diet and sanitation.
Regulating the regulator: nitric oxide control of post‐translational modifications
Authors: Gupta Kapuganti Jagadis , Kolbert Zsuzsanna , Durner Jorg , Lindermayr Christian , Corpas Francisco J. , Brouquisse Renaud , Barroso Juan B. , Umbreen Saima , Palma José M. , Hancock John T. , Petrivalsky Marek , Wendehenne David , Loake Gary J.
Published: April 2020

Nitric oxide (NO) is perfectly suited for the role of a redox signalling molecule. A key route for NO bioactivity occurs via protein S‐nitrosation, and involves the addition of a NO moiety to a protein cysteine (Cys) thiol (–SH) to form an S‐nitrosothiol (SNO). This process is thought to underpin a myriad of cellular processes in plants that are linked to development, environmental responses and immune function. Here we collate emerging evidence showing that NO bioactivity regulates a growing number of diverse post‐translational modifications including SUMOylation, phosphorylation, persulfidation and acetylation. We provide examples of how NO orchestrates these processes to mediate plant adaptation to a variety of cellular cues.
Crystalline lens gradient refractive index distribution in the guinea pig
Authors: de Castro Alberto , Martinez‐Enriquez Eduardo , Perez‐Merino Pablo , Velasco‐Ocaña Miriam , Revuelta Luis , McFadden Sally , Marcos Susana
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The crystalline lens undergoes morphological and functional changes with age and may also play a role in eye emmetropisation. Both the geometry and the gradient index of refraction (GRIN) distribution contribute to the lens optical properties. We studied the lens GRIN in the guinea pig, a common animal model to study myopia.

Methods

Lenses were extracted from guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) at 18 days of age (n = 4, three monolaterally treated with negative lenses and one untreated) and 39 days of age (n = 4, all untreated). Treated eyes were myopic (−2.07 D on average) and untreated eyes hyperopic (+3.3 D), as revealed using streak retinoscopy in the live cyclopeged animals. A custom 3D spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) system (λ = 840 nm, Δλ = 50 nm) was used to image the enucleated crystalline lens at two orientations. Custom algorithms were used to estimate the lens shape and GRIN was modelled with four variables that were reconstructed using the OCT data and a minimisation algorithm. Ray tracing was used to calculate the optical power and spherical aberration assuming a homogeneous refractive index or the estimated GRIN.

Results

Guinea pig lenses exhibited nearly parabolic GRIN profiles. When comparing the two age groups (18‐ and 39 day‐old) there was a significant increase in the central thickness (from 3.61 to 3.74 mm), and in the refractive index of the surface (from 1.362 to 1.366) and the nucleus (from 1.443 to 1.454). The presence of GRIN shifted the spherical aberration (−4.1 µm on average) of the lens towards negative values.

Conclusions

The guinea pig lens exhibits a GRIN profile with surface and nucleus refractive indices that increase slightly during the first weeks of life. GRIN plays a major role in the lens optical properties and should be incorporated into computational guinea pig eye models to study emmetropisation, myopia development and ageing.
Lung protective ventilation in infants undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery for congenital heart disease: A prospective randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sun Yuan , Shen Sai‐E , Deng Xiao‐Ming , Cai Ying , Du Yi
Published: April 2020

Background

Lung protective ventilation (LPV) has been applied to surgical adults with normal pulmonary function for optimizing mechanical ventilation and reducing postoperative pulmonary complications. Few studies have reported the use of LPV in infants undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Aims

To explore safety and effectiveness of LPV in infants undergoing CPB surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD).

Methods

Included in this study were 77 infants who underwent CPB surgery for CHD from November 2017 to September 2018. They were randomized into the LPV group and conventional ventilation (CV) group. In the LPV group, small‐tidal‐volume (6‐8 ml/kg) ventilation, lung recruitment by PEEP increment to the maximum level of 15 cm H2O after CPB, and individualized optimal PEEP titration were applied. In the CV group, traditional tidal volume (10‐12 ml/kg with zero PEEP) was applied. The primary outcome was the ratio of arterial partial pressure of oxygen to inspiratory oxygen fraction (PaO2/FiO2). The secondary outcomes were respiratory dynamic parameters, hypoxemia, prognostic indexes, and postoperative pulmonary complications.

Results

PaO2/FiO2 in the LPV group (416.86, 95%CI: 381.60‐452.12) was significantly higher than that in the CV group (263.37, 95%CI: 227.65‐299.09) after intervention (P < .001). There was a significant difference in the trend of change in dynamic compliance, alveolar‐arterial oxygen difference, arterial‐end‐expired carbon dioxide difference, driving pressure, and respiratory index between the two groups at different time points from weaning from CPB to 2 hours after operation. There was no significant difference in PaO2/FiO2, alveolar‐arterial oxygen difference, respiratory index, and dynamic compliance 2 hours postoperative and in the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications, prognostic indexes between the two groups.

Conclusions

LPV could be used safely in infants undergoing CPB in that it can improve oxygenation, alveolar aeration, and dynamic compliance, and reduce driving pressure, pulmonary shunting, and dead space. Its effect on oxygenation, pulmonary gas exchange, and pulmonary compliance was relatively short, and had less impact on postoperative pulmonary complications and prognosis.
Agnosticism I: Language, perspectives and evidence
Authors: Wilczewska Sylwia
Published: April 2020

The subject of agnosticism about the existence of God has emerged in many of the major conversations within analytic philosophy of religion, such as the debate on the nature of evidence for and against religious beliefs. In this article, I outline a map of the debate on agnosticism in religious epistemology—especially in relation to evidentialism—highlighting the significance of the problem of the ambiguity of evidence and connecting said problem to discussions of religious language and peer disagreement.
Association of body mass index and blood lipid profile with cognitive function in Chinese elderly population based on data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, 2009–2015
Authors: Li Jiang , Jiao Mingyuan , Wen Jiangping , Fan Danping , Xia Ya , Cao Yongtong , Shi Rongxing , Xiao Cheng
Published: April 2020

Aim

The associations of body mass index (BMI) and serum lipids with cognitive function are inconsistent and remain unclear, especially in the elderly population. This discrepancy triggered our interest in exploring the impact of BMI and serum lipids on memory status among the elderly Chinese population.

Methods

Data were collected from the China Health and Nutrition Survey database. We used data from the survey’s 2015 wave to examine the association between BMI and memory status and from the 2009–2015 surveys to examine the association between serum lipids and cognitive function. We performed multivariable logistic regression analyses and multivariable linear regression analyses to examine these associations.

Results

Being underweight, normal weight, and severely obese were associated with an increased risk of bad self‐reported memory status, with overweight as the reference. After adjustment for confounding factors, BMI was positively associated with cognitive function score in the low BMI group (≤24.5 kg/m2) (β ± SE: 0.02 ± 0.01, P = 0.013) and negatively associated with cognitive function score in the high BMI group (>24.5 kg/m2) (β ± SE: −0.04 ± 0.01, P = 0.009) in multivariable linear regression analysis. In men, higher levels of serum triglycerides and apolipoprotein B were associated with a decreased risk of cognitive impairment. In women, a higher level of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol was associated with a decreased risk of cognitive impairment.

Conclusion

We found inverse U‐shaped relationships between BMI and cognitive function and for the gender‐specific association of serum lipids with cognitive function. This result indicated that among the elderly population, better nutritional status suggests superior memory status and cognitive function performance.
Plant tissue succulence engineering improves water‐use efficiency, water‐deficit stress attenuation and salinity tolerance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Lim Sung Don , Mayer Jesse A. , Yim Won Cheol , Cushman John C.
Published: April 2020

Tissue succulence (ratio of tissue water/leaf area or dry mass) or the ability to store water within living tissues is among the most successful adaptations to drought in the plant kingdom. This taxonomically widespread adaptation helps plants avoid the damaging effects of drought, and is often associated with the occupancy of epiphytic, epilithic, semi‐arid and arid environments. Tissue succulence was engineered in Arabidopsis thaliana by overexpression of a codon‐optimized helix‐loop‐helix transcription factor (VvCEB1opt) from wine grape involved in the cell expansion phase of berry development. VvCEB1opt‐overexpressing lines displayed significant increases in cell size, succulence and decreased intercellular air space. VvCEB1opt‐overexpressing lines showed increased instantaneous and integrated water‐use efficiency (WUE) due to reduced stomatal conductance caused by reduced stomatal aperture and density resulting in increased attenuation of water‐deficit stress. VvCEB1opt‐overexpressing lines also showed increased salinity tolerance due to reduced salinity uptake and dilution of internal Na+ and Cl− as well as other ions. Alterations in transporter activities were further suggested by media and apoplastic acidification, hygromycin B tolerance and changes in relative transcript abundance patterns of various transporters with known functions in salinity tolerance. Engineered tissue succulence might provide an effective strategy for improving WUE, drought avoidance or attenuation, salinity tolerance, and for crassulacean acid metabolism biodesign.
Retrieval of Uniaxial Permittivity and Permeability for the Study of Near-Field Radiative Transport Between Metallic Nanowire Arrays
Authors: Chang Jui-Yung , Sabbaghi Payam , Weng Yu-Shao , Chen Yu-Bin , Wang Liping
Published: April 2020

Recently metamaterials made of periodic nanowire arrays, multilayers, and grating structures have been studied for near-field thermal radiation with enhanced coupling of evanescent waves due to surface plasmon/phonon polariton, hyperbolic mode, epsilon-near-zero and epsilon-near-pole (ENP) modes, guided mode, and wave interference. In this work, both effective uniaxial electric permittivity and magnetic permeability of a nanowire-based metamaterial are retrieved theoretically through the far-field radiative properties obtained by finite difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations. The artificial magnetic response of metamaterials, which cannot be obtained by traditional effective medium theory (EMT) based on electric permittivity of constitutes only, is successfully captured by the nonunity magnetic permeability, whose resonant frequency is verified by an inductor-capacitor model. By incorporating the retrieved electric permittivity and magnetic permeability into fluctuational electrodynamics with multilayer uniaxial wave optics, the near-field radiative heat transfer between the metallic nanowire arrays is theoretically studied and spectral near-field heat enhancements are found for both transverse electric and magnetic waves due to artificial magnetic resonances. The understanding and insights obtained here will facilitate the application of metamaterials in near-field radiative transfer.
Heat Transfer and Hydraulic Resistance in Turbulent Flow in Vertical Round Tubes at Supercritical Pressures—Part II: Results From Numerical Simulation With Differential Turbulent Viscosity Models
Authors: Yankov Georgy G. , Kurganov Vladimir A. , Zeigarnik Yury A. , Maslakova Irina V.
Published: April 2020

The review of numerical studies on the turbulent flow and heat transfer of supercritical pressure (SCP) coolants in heated vertical round tubes, which were conducted using different differential turbulent viscosity models, is presented. The results of predictions are compared with the experimental data on wall temperature and heat transfer rate. It is shown that most often the turbulent viscosity models only qualitatively (but not quantitatively) predict the deteriorated heat transfer effects, which appear due do buoyancy forces and thermal acceleration effects at strongly variable physical properties of a coolant. At the same time, the regimes of normal heat transfer are successfully reproduced by “standard” k–ε and RNG models with wall functions (WFs), as well as by two-layer models. The conclusion is made that none of the presently known turbulent viscosity models can be confidently recommended for predicting any flow regimes and heat transfer of SCP coolants. Strongly variable properties of SCP coolant stipulate more strict demands for validating mesh independence of the obtained results and for an accuracy of approximation of the tabulated values of the coolant properties. It was ascertained that using more and more numerous calculation codes and the results from their application requires certain caution and circumspection. Sometimes, the energy transport equations were erroneously written for temperature or temperature variance rather than for enthalpy. Crying discrepancy in the predictions of different authors conducted using the same CFD codes and turbulence models and possible reasons for such a discrepancy are not analyzed.
Radionuclide Composition of Airborne Discharges of European NPPS With WWER, Pressurized Water Reactor, and Boiling Water Reactor Facilities
Authors: Vukolova Angelina-Nataliya V. , Rusinkevich Andrei A.
Published: April 2020

The article presents the analysis of the data on radionuclide composition of airborne discharges of 52 European nuclear power plants (NPPs) with water–water energetic reactor facilities (WWER), pressurized water reactor facilities (PWR), and boiling water reactor facilities (BWR) under normal operation conditions. It contains lists of radionuclides, registered in discharges of researched NPPs, and gives estimation of contributions of radionuclides, forming the discharge, into total activity of discharge and into total effective dose, created by the discharge activity. It was determined that the maximal contribution into discharge activity of all researched NPPs make noble gases, tritium, and carbon-14, while the latter is the main dose-making radionuclide.
Core Practices for Teaching Physical Education: Recommendations for Teacher Education
Authors: Ward Phillip
Published: April 2020

Purpose: To identify and define a set of core practices for physical education teacher education (PETE), to situate these practices within existing conceptions of core practices in other subject matters, and to validate the core practices using expert opinion and the evidence-based pedagogy literature.Method: A total of 45 PETE teacher educators, consisting of 22 research experts and 23 faculty members, were purposely selected to establish a consensus on core practices. The procedures draw upon guidelines from evaluation and program planning, medicine, nursing, and health education. Data were collected over e-mail.Results: From an initial set of 18 core practices, 16 practices were further developed and refined by the experts. These 16 practices were further validated by seeking evidence from the physical education literature and by using meta-analytic effect sizes.Discussion/Conclusion: The results of this study can be used as an invitation to the field to improve the authors’ teacher education efforts.
Squalene-based multidrug nanoparticles for improved mitigation of uncontrolled inflammation in rodents
Authors: Dormont Flavio , Brusini Romain , Cailleau Catherine , Reynaud Franceline , Peramo Arnaud , Gendron Amandine , Mougin Julie , Gaudin Françoise , Varna Mariana , Couvreur Patrick
Published: April 2020

Delivering adenosine and antioxidants together could serve as an improved approach for the treatment of acute inflammation.
Novel Class of Chikungunya Virus Small Molecule Inhibitors That Targets the Viral Capping Machinery
Authors: Abdelnabi Rana , Kovacikova Kristina , Moesslacher Julia , Donckers Kim , Battisti Verena , Leyssen Pieter , Langer Thierry , Puerstinger Gerhard , Quérat Gilles , Li Changqing , Decroly Etienne , Tas Ali , Marchand Arnaud , Chaltin Patrick , Coutard Bruno , van Hemert Martijn , Neyts Johan , Delang Leen
Published: April 2020

Despite the worldwide reemergence of the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and the high morbidity associated with CHIKV infections, there is no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment available. Here, we aimed to identify the target of a novel class of CHIKV inhibitors, i.e., the CHVB series. CHVB compounds inhibit the
in vitro
replication of CHIKV isolates with 50% effective concentrations in the low-micromolar range. A CHVB-resistant variant (CHVB
res
) was selected that carried two mutations in the gene encoding nsP1 (responsible for viral RNA capping), one mutation in nsP2, and one mutation in nsP3.
Advances in Understanding the Human Urinary Microbiome and Its Potential Role in Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Neugent Michael L. , Hulyalkar Neha V. , Nguyen Vivian H. , Zimmern Philippe E. , De Nisco Nicole J.
Published: April 2020

Recent advances in the analysis of microbial communities colonizing the human body have identified a resident microbial community in the human urinary tract (UT). Compared to many other microbial niches, the human UT harbors a relatively low biomass. Studies have identified many genera and species that may constitute a core urinary microbiome. However, the contribution of the UT microbiome to urinary tract infection (UTI) and recurrent UTI (rUTI) pathobiology is not yet clearly understood. Evidence suggests that commensal species within the UT and urogenital tract (UGT) microbiomes, such as
Lactobacillus crispatus
, may act to protect against colonization with uropathogens.
Complete Structure of the Enterococcal Polysaccharide Antigen (EPA) of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis V583 Reveals that EPA Decorations Are Teichoic Acids Covalently Linked to a Rhamnopolysaccharide Backbone
Authors: Guerardel Yann , Sadovskaya Irina , Maes Emmanuel , Furlan Sylviane , Chapot-Chartier Marie-Pierre , Mesnage Stéphane , Rigottier-Gois Lionel , Serror Pascale
Published: April 2020

Enterococci are opportunistic pathogens responsible for hospital- and community-acquired infections. All enterococci produce a surface polysaccharide called EPA (
e
nterococcal
p
olysaccharide
a
ntigen) required for biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance, and pathogenesis. Despite the critical role of EPA in cell growth and division and as a major virulence factor, no information is available on its structure. Here, we report the complete structure of the EPA polymer produced by the model strain
E. faecalis
V583. We describe the structure of the EPA backbone, made of a rhamnan hexasaccharide substituted by Glc and GlcNAc residues, and show that teichoic acids are covalently bound to this rhamnan chain, forming the so-called “EPA decorations” essential for host colonization and pathogenesis. This report represents a key step in efforts to identify the structural properties of EPA that are essential for its biological activity and to identify novel targets to develop preventive and therapeutic approaches against enterococci.