bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A unifying framework for the transient parasite dynamics of migratory hosts
Authors: Peacock Stephanie J. , Krkošek Martin , Lewis Mark A. , Molnár Péter K.
Published: May 2020

Significance

When animals migrate, they take their parasites with them—or not. Understanding infectious disease in migratory animals is challenging because the vast distances covered result in variable host densities and infection pressure and make it difficult to collect data. Empirical studies show that migrants may have higher, lower, or the same infection intensity as residents. We present a model that produces different infection patterns and migration outcomes under different parameters, laying a theoretical foundation for exploring what may be driving observed diverse patterns in nature. Our model can help guide empirical studies, suggesting when and where data need to be collected in order to distinguish mechanisms, and inform targeted management and conservation efforts.
Paternal provisioning results from ecological change
Authors: Alger Ingela , Hooper Paul L. , Cox Donald , Stieglitz Jonathan , Kaplan Hillard S.
Published: May 2020

Paternal provisioning among humans is puzzling because it is rare among primates and absent in nonhuman apes and because emergent provisioning would have been subject to paternity theft. A provisioning “dad” loses fitness at the hands of nonprovisioning, mate-seeking “cads.” Recent models require exacting interplay between male provisioning and female choice to overcome this social dilemma. We instead posit that ecological change favored widespread improvements in male provisioning incentives, and we show theoretically how social obstacles to male provisioning can be overcome. Greater availability of energetically rich, difficult-to-acquire foods enhances female–male and male–male complementarities, thus altering the fitness of dads versus cads. We identify a tipping point where gains from provisioning overcome costs from paternity uncertainty and the dad strategy becomes viable. Stable polymorphic states are possible, meaning that dads need not necessarily eliminate cads. Our simulations suggest that with sufficient complementarities, dads can emerge even in the face of high paternity uncertainty. Our theoretical focus on ecological change as a primary factor affecting the trade-off between male mating and parenting effort suggests different possibilities for using paleo-climatic, archaeological, and genomic evidence to establish the timing of and conditions associated with emergence of paternal provisioning in the hominin lineage.
Modulations of foveal vision associated with microsaccade preparation
Authors: Shelchkova Natalya , Poletti Martina
Published: May 2020

It is known that attention shifts prior to a saccade to start processing the saccade target before it lands in the foveola, the high-resolution region of the retina. Yet, once the target is foveated, microsaccades, tiny saccades maintaining the fixated object within the fovea, continue to occur. What is the link between these eye movements and attention? There is growing evidence that these eye movements are associated with covert shifts of attention in the visual periphery, when the attended stimuli are presented far from the center of gaze. Yet, microsaccades are primarily used to explore complex foveal stimuli and to optimize fine spatial vision in the foveola, suggesting that the influences of microsaccades on attention may predominantly impact vision at this scale. To address this question we tracked gaze position with high precision and briefly presented high-acuity stimuli at predefined foveal locations right before microsaccade execution. Our results show that visual discrimination changes prior to microsaccade onset. An enhancement occurs at the microsaccade target location. This modulation is highly selective and it is coupled with a drastic impairment at the opposite foveal location, just a few arcminutes away. This effect is strongest when stimuli are presented closer to the eye movement onset time. These findings reveal that the link between attention and microsaccades is deeper than previously thought, exerting its strongest effects within the foveola. As a result, during fixation, foveal vision is constantly being reshaped both in space and in time with the occurrence of microsaccades.
The dopamine receptor antagonist trifluoperazine prevents phenotype conversion and improves survival in mouse models of glioblastoma
Authors: Bhat Kruttika , Saki Mohammad , Vlashi Erina , Cheng Fei , Duhachek-Muggy Sara , Alli Claudia , Yu Garrett , Medina Paul , He Ling , Damoiseaux Robert , Pellegrini Matteo , Zemke Nathan R. , Nghiemphu Phioanh Leia , Cloughesy Timothy F. , Liau Linda M. , Kornblum Harley I. , Pajonk Frank
Published: May 2020

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the deadliest adult brain cancer, and all patients ultimately succumb to the disease. Radiation therapy (RT) provides survival benefit of 6 mo over surgery alone, but these results have not improved in decades. We report that radiation induces a glioma-initiating cell phenotype, and we have identified trifluoperazine (TFP) as a compound that interferes with this phenotype conversion. TFP causes loss of radiation-induced Nanog mRNA expression, and activation of GSK3 with consecutive posttranslational reduction in p-Akt, Sox2, and β-catenin protein levels. TFP did not alter the intrinsic radiation sensitivity of glioma-initiating cells (GICs). Continuous treatment with TFP and a single dose of radiation reduced the number of GICs in vivo and prolonged survival in syngeneic and patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) mouse models of GBM. Our findings suggest that the combination of a dopamine receptor antagonist with radiation enhances the efficacy of RT in GBM by preventing radiation-induced phenotype conversion of radiosensitive non-GICs into treatment-resistant, induced GICs (iGICs).
Noise-driven cellular heterogeneity in circadian periodicity
Authors: Li Yan , Shan Yongli , Desai Ravi V. , Cox Kimberly H. , Weinberger Leor S. , Takahashi Joseph S.
Published: May 2020

Nongenetic cellular heterogeneity is associated with aging and disease. However, the origins of cell-to-cell variability are complex and the individual contributions of different factors to total phenotypic variance are still unclear. Here, we took advantage of clear phenotypic heterogeneity of circadian oscillations in clonal cell populations to investigate the underlying mechanisms of cell-to-cell variability. Using a fully automated tracking and analysis pipeline, we examined circadian period length in thousands of single cells and hundreds of clonal cell lines and found that longer circadian period is associated with increased intercellular heterogeneity. Based on our experimental results, we then estimated the contributions of heritable and nonheritable factors to this variation in circadian period length using a variance partitioning model. We found that nonheritable noise predominantly drives intercellular circadian period variation in clonal cell lines, thereby revealing a previously unrecognized link between circadian oscillations and intercellular heterogeneity. Moreover, administration of a noise-enhancing drug reversibly increased both period length and variance. These findings suggest that circadian period may be used as an indicator of cellular noise and drug screening for noise control.
The structural basis of African swine fever virus pA104R binding to DNA and its inhibition by stilbene derivatives
Authors: Liu Ruili , Sun Yeping , Chai Yan , Li Su , Li Shihua , Wang Liang , Su Jiaqi , Yu Shaoxiong , Yan Jinghua , Gao Feng , Zhang Gaiping , Qiu Hua-Ji , Gao George F. , Qi Jianxun , Wang Han
Published: May 2020

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a highly contagious nucleocytoplasmic large DNA virus (NCLDV) that causes nearly 100% mortality in swine. The development of effective vaccines and drugs against this virus is urgently needed. pA104R, an ASFV-derived histone-like protein, shares sequence and functional similarity with bacterial HU/IHF family members and is essential for viral replication. Herein, we solved the crystal structures of pA104R in its apo state as well as in complex with DNA. Apo-pA104R forms a homodimer and folds into an architecture conserved in bacterial heat-unstable nucleoid proteins/integration host factors (HUs/IHFs). The pA104R-DNA complex structure, however, uncovers that pA104R has a DNA binding pattern distinct from its bacterial homologs, that is, the β-ribbon arms of pA104R stabilize DNA binding by contacting the major groove instead of the minor groove. Mutations of the basic residues at the base region of the β-strand DNA binding region (BDR), rather than those in the β-ribbon arms, completely abolished DNA binding, highlighting the major role of the BDR base in DNA binding. An overall DNA bending angle of 93.8° is observed in crystal packing of the pA104R-DNA complex structure, which is close to the DNA bending angle in the HU-DNA complex. Stilbene derivatives SD1 and SD4 were shown to disrupt the binding between pA104R and DNA and inhibit the replication of ASFV in primary porcine alveolar macrophages. Collectively, these results reveal the structural basis of pA104R binding to DNA highlighting the importance of the pA104R-DNA interaction in the ASFV replication cycle and provide inhibitor leads for ASFV chemotherapy.
Influence of spatially segregated IP
3
-producing pathways on spike generation and transmitter release in Purkinje cell axons
Authors: Gomez Laura C. , Kawaguchi Shin-ya , Collin Thibault , Jalil Abdelali , Gomez Maria del Pilar , Nasi Enrico , Marty Alain , Llano Isabel
Published: May 2020

Significance

IP
3
receptors are well-documented regulators of intracellular calcium concentration, but their role in axons of central neurons remains unexplored. Here we show that IP
3
receptors are present throughout the axon of cerebellar Purkinje cells where their activation leads to calcium release from intracellular stores. We reveal distinct, sharply delimited signaling cascades leading to IP
3
production in the axon initial segment (AIS), in the more distal part of the axon, and in synaptic terminals. In the AIS, IP
3
-induced calcium rises inhibit action potential generation, whereas similar signals in axonal terminals increase transmitter release. Metabotropic purinergic receptors appear to control the IP
3
-driven cascade. Altogether, the results reveal potent actions of IP
3
in central axons, which are both diverse and spatially constrained.
Load effects of thigh wearable resistance on angular and linear kinematics and kinetics during non‐motorised treadmill sprint‐running
Authors: Macadam Paul , Nuell Sergi , Cronin John B. , Diewald Shelley , Rowley Rebecca , Forster James , Fosch Pol
Published: May 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the load effects of thigh attached wearable resistance (WR) on linear and angular kinematics and linear kinetics during sprint‐running. Fourteen recreational active subjects performed a series of maximal sprints with and without WR of 1%, 2%, and 3% body mass (BM) in a randomised order. Sprints were performed on a non‐motorised treadmill that collected velocity, and linear step kinematics and kinetics. Angular kinematics of the thigh were collected from an inertial measurement unit attached to the left thigh. Trivial decreases were found in peak velocity with all WR loads (−0.9 to −.2.4%, effect size [ES] 0.09–0.17, p > .05). The WR conditions resulted in significantly decreased average step frequency (−2.0% to −3.0%, ES = 0.35–0.44, p < .05) with loads of ≥2% BM, whereas average step length was statistically unchanged (1.9–2.8%, ES = 0.20–0.33). Average angular displacement was significantly decreased (−7.0% to −10.3%, ES = 0.88–1.10, p = 0.00–0.03) with loads of ≥2% BM. Average angular flexion velocity (−10.2%, ES = 1.07, p = .02) and extension velocity (−12.0%, ES = 0.85, p = .01) were significantly decreased with 3% BM. Trivial to small ES changes (p > .05) were found in the linear kinetic measures of interest. Thigh WR provides a sprint‐specific rotational form of resistance resulting in greater changes to angular kinematics than linear properties of sprint‐running. For practitioners who wish to target thigh angular kinematics and step frequency without decreasing step length, thigh WR of ≥2% BM offers a sprint‐specific resistance training tool.
Differentiation of power supply systems for consumers in the Arctic zone
Authors: Gubanov M M , Morkovkin D E , Begmurodzoda Eraj , Sharipov F F , Romanova Ju A
Published: May 2020

The article discusses the problems of providing energy supply to consumers in remote regions of Russia, including in the Arctic zone. The necessity of introducing and developing the best available technologies for autonomous energy supply to consumers in the decentralized electricity supply zone, which should be based on the combined use of technologies and reducing cross-subsidization for the long term in the framework of the implementation of a unified state energy policy, is proved. Differentiation of power supply systems of consumers was carried out, according to the results of which it is advisable to pay special attention to the location of the source of electric energy generation. The paper suggests that in the conditions of the Arctic zone it should be as close as possible to the center of energy consumption and the possibility of combined generation of electric and thermal energy.
Reconstruction of the spatio-temporal diversification and ecological niche evolution ofHelianthemum(Cistaceae) in the Canary Islands using genotyping-by-sequencing data
Authors: Albaladejo Rafael G , Martín-Hernanz Sara , Reyes-Betancort J Alfredo , Santos-Guerra Arnoldo , Olangua-Corral María , Aparicio Abelardo
Published: May 2020

Background and Aims

Several biogeographical models have been proposed to explain the colonization and diversification patterns of Macaronesian lineages. In this study, we calculated the diversification rates and explored what model best explains the current distribution of the 15 species endemic to the Canary Islands belonging to Helianthemum sect. Helianthemum (Cistaceae).

Methods

We performed robust phylogenetic reconstructions based on genotyping-by-sequencing data and analysed the timing, biogeographical history and ecological niche conservatism of this endemic Canarian clade.

Key Results

Our phylogenetic analyses provided strong support for the monophyly of this clade, and retrieved five lineages not currently restricted to a single island. The pristine colonization event took place in the Pleistocene (~1.82 Ma) via dispersal to Tenerife by a Mediterranean ancestor.

Conclusions

The rapid and abundant diversification (0.75–1.85 species per million years) undergone by this Canarian clade seems the result of complex inter-island dispersal events followed by allopatric speciation driven mostly by niche conservatism, i.e. inter-island dispersal towards niches featuring similar environmental conditions. Nevertheless, significant instances of ecological niche shifts have also been observed in some lineages, making an important contribution to the overall diversification history of this clade.
Activation of Calcium Binding Protein-ir Neurons in Medial Amygdala during Chemosignal Processing
Authors: Biggs Lindsey M , Meredith Michael
Published: May 2020

The medial amygdala receives sensory input from chemical signals important in mammalian social communication. As measured by immediate-early gene expression, its responses to different chemosignals differ in the spatial patterns of neuronal activation and in the types of cells activated. Medial amygdala projections to basal forebrain contribute to generation of appropriate behavioral responses and GABA neurons are important for these functions, both as interneurons and as projection neurons. Here we investigate responses of male golden-hamster medial amygdala neurons expressing immunoreactivity (ir) for calbindin (CB), calretinin (CR) and parvalbumin (PV), calcium binding proteins (CBPs), which can distinguish different GABAergic neuron types. CB-ir and CR-ir cells had significant responses to female hamster chemosignals and showed different spatial patterns across medial amygdala. Responses to chemosignals from unfamiliar females were significantly reduced in males with sexual experience, compared with naive males. Medial amygdala did not express PV-ir cells and the adjacent intercalated nucleus, which has been implicated in medial amygdala chemosensory responses did not express any of the CBPs investigated here. This additional evidence for chemosensory specificity in the response of medial amygdala to social chemical signals, in cells characterized by CBP expression, suggests multiple GABA circuit elements may be involved in information processing for behavioral response.
A New Framework of IND-CCA Secure Public Key Encryption with Keyword Search
Authors: Ma Sha , Huang Qiong
Published: May 2020

In the era of cloud computing, public key encryption with keyword search (PEKS) is an extremely useful cryptographic tool for searching on encryption data, whose strongest security notion is indistinguishability encryption against chosen ciphertext attack (ind-cca). Adballa et al. presented a transformation from identity based encryption (IBE) to PEKS in the Theory of Cryptography Conference 2010. This paper proposes a new framework of ind-cca secure PEKS in the standard model. Our main technical tool is a newly introduced notion of smooth projective hash function with key mapping, in which the hash key hk is mapped into another mapping projection key mhp besides the classical projection key hp. Finally, we provide an instantiation of our framework based on symmetric eXternal Diffie–Hellman assumption.
Early outcomes in 147 consecutive cases of subxiphoid single-port thymectomy and evaluation of learning curves
Authors: Suda Takashi , Ishizawa Hisato , Nagano Hiromitsu , Negi Takahiro , Kawai Hiroshi , Tochii Daisuke , Tochii Sachiko , Hoshikawa Yasushi
Published: May 2020

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to examine some initial results and learning curves concerning subxiphoid single-port thymectomy (SSPT), thereby clarifying the safety of this surgical approach and describing the precautions for adopting it.

METHODS

From March 2011 to August 2019, a total of 203 patients underwent thymectomy for either anterior mediastinal tumours or myasthenia gravis at Fujita Health University Hospital. Of these 203 patients, 147 patients who had undergone SSPT were selected as participants for the present study.

RESULTS

Of the 147 cases, transition to a different approach was required in three (2.0%) cases: two (1.3%) cases transitioned to median sternotomy, whereas one (0.7%) case transitioned to the side chest trans-intercostal approach. The two cases that transitioned to median sternotomy were the second cases for different operators after they began performing this technique. There were six (4.0%) cases with complications and no deaths. The operation time cumulative summation learning curve analysis revealed that the curves descended from the 38th case. In the 83 cases handled by one surgeon, the learning curves descended from the 31st case.

CONCLUSIONS

SSPT is a safe modality with few complications and no associated cases of mortality reported. Operators are required to experience 31–38 cases until the operation time for SSPT was stabilized. Special care should be exercised to prevent vascular damage in the vicinity of the innominate veins during the early stages after SSPT introduction.
Landscape implications of managing forests for carbon sequestration
Authors: Riviere Miguel , Caurla Sylvain
Published: May 2020

We explore the implications of managing forests for the dual purpose of sequestering carbon and producing timber, using a model of the forest sector that includes a Hartman-based representation of forest owners’ behaviour as well as heterogeneity in environmental conditions. We focus on France, where recent policies aim at increasing the carbon sink and where the diversity of forests makes an analysis of spatial dynamics relevant, and we use recent estimates of the shadow price of carbon consistent with the country’s climate commitments. Results suggest that forests may sequester up to 550 MtCO2eq by 2100, driven by changes in harvest levels and species choice, whilst rotation lengths increase overall. A spatial analysis reveals a high spatial variability for these trends, highlighting the importance of considering the local context. Changes in investment patterns affect the spatial distribution of forest cover types: by the end of the century, a majority of regions comprise a larger share of older, multiple-species and mixed-structure forests. Whilst such an evolution may present benefits in terms of biodiversity, ecosystem services provision and resilience, it raises questions regarding the adequacy of such developments with current forest policy, which also aims at increasing harvest levels. An overall mitigation strategy for the forest sector would likely include incentives to energy and material substitution in downstream industries, which we did not consider and may interact with sequestration incentives.
Assessing Study Quality in Meta-Analysis
Authors: Feeley Thomas Hugh
Published: May 2020

An assumption of meta-analyses is made with regard to the quality of the primary studies included for analysis. Specifically, the process assumes each study is a valid estimation of a hypothesized relationship of interest. In instances when a primary study's quality is below an acceptable standard, one option is for the study be excluded from further analyses. Alternatively, studies of acceptable merit could be further investigated through moderator analyses in an attempt to explain heterogeneity among effect sizes due to quality elements. The current essay discusses methods for evaluating study quality before proposing guidelines for their assessment. It is recommended that future meta-analyses in communication include a dedicated section detailing how study quality is addressed when reviewing studies for inclusion.
Delafloxacin activity against Staphylococcus aureus with reduced susceptibility or resistance to methicillin, vancomycin, daptomycin or linezolid
Authors: Saravolatz Louis D , Pawlak Joan M , Wegner Corinne
Published: May 2020

Background

Delafloxacin is a recently approved anionic fluoroquinolone antibiotic with broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms. The drug has been approved for patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections including those caused by MRSA. There are limited data available against MRSA blood isolates (MRSABIs), vancomycin-intermediate strains (VISA), vancomycin-resistant strains (VRSA), daptomycin-non-susceptible strains (DNSSA) and linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LRSA).

Methods

Antimicrobial activity of delafloxacin, levofloxacin, vancomycin, daptomycin and linezolid was determined against 110 MRSABIs, 15 VRSA, 35 VISA, 40 DNSSA and 6 LRSA. Microdilution testing using CAMHB was used to determine MIC according to CLSI guidelines. FDA breakpoints were used to determine delafloxacin susceptibility, and CLSI breakpoints were used for all other antibiotics. PCR testing for molecular markers was performed.

Results

Delafloxacin demonstrated activity against MRSABIs with an MIC90 of 1 mg/L and 68% susceptibility. Against the other groups the MIC90 and susceptibility were 1 mg/L and 40%, respectively, for VISA, 4 mg/L and 7% for VRSA and 1 mg/L and 38% for DNSSA. None of the LRSA isolates was susceptible to delafloxacin. Delafloxacin was active against 94% of MRSA blood isolates that were genotype SCC IVa. For MRSABIs with a levofloxacin MIC ≥8 mg/L (55/110), suggesting multiple mutations in the QRDR, delafloxacin MIC90 was 1 mg/L with a 36.4% susceptibility rate.

Conclusions

Delafloxacin demonstrates superior activity to levofloxacin against recent MRSA blood isolates, VISA, VRSA and DNSSA, and demonstrates good activity against blood isolates most commonly found in the community.
Opportunities at the intersection of work and health: Developing the occupational data for health information model
Authors: Marovich Stacey , Luensman Genevieve Barkocy , Wallace Barbara , Storey Eileen
Published: May 2020

Objective

The study sought to develop an information model of data describing a person’s work for use by health information technology (IT) systems to support clinical care, population health, and public health.

Materials and Methods

Researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health worked with stakeholders to define relationships and structure, vocabulary, and interoperability standards that would be useful and collectable in health IT systems.

Results

The Occupational Data for Health (ODH) information model illustrates relationships and attributes for a person’s employment status, retirement dates, past and present jobs, usual work, and combat zone periods. Key data about the work of a household member that could be relevant to the health of a minor were also modeled. Existing occupation and industry classification systems were extended to create more detailed value sets that enable self-reporting and support patient care. An ODH code system, available in the Public Health Information Network Vocabulary Access and Distribution System, was established to identify the remaining value sets. ODH templates were prepared in all 3 Health Level 7 Internationalinteroperability standard formats.

Discussion

The ODH information model suggests data elements ready for use by health IT systems in the United States. As new data elements and values are better defined and refined by stakeholders and feedback is obtained through experience using ODH in clinical settings, the model will be updated.

Conclusion

The ODH information model suggests standardized work information for trial use in health IT systems to support patient care, population health, and public health.
School Nurses' Perspectives on Components of Asthma Programs to Address Pediatric Disparities
Authors: Everhart Robin S , Corona Rosalie , Mazzeo Suzanne E , Dempster Katherine W , Schechter Michael S
Published: May 2020

Objective

To use a community engaged, collaborative approach with school nurses working within an urban community, to develop recommendations for future school-based interventions targeting pediatric asthma disparities.

Methods

Open-ended survey data were collected from 33 nurses (77% of nurses in the school district) during a face-to-face monthly health services meeting. Questions asked nurses to estimate the proportion of students with asthma with the necessary forms and medications at school and to describe perceived barriers to having such forms and medications, and potential initiatives that could be implemented. A 30-min asthma education class was also piloted with school nurses, who then rated its acceptability and feasibility. Open-ended survey data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Nurses estimated that 12% of students with asthma had an asthma action plan, 19% had a medication release form, and 15% had medications at school (i.e. inhalers). Four themes emerged regarding barriers to asthma management in schools and strategies for promoting asthma management in schools: coordination of care, asthma education, access to care, and medication adherence. Nurses noted the need for education focused specifically on teaching inhaler technique, and better communication between schools, providers, and families.

Conclusions

School nurses provided valuable information regarding specific barriers, as well as approaches to addressing these barriers in a future intervention. Findings suggest that a school-based intervention needs to address coordination among schools, parents, and medical providers, and will be optimally effective if it also addresses structural barriers.
GCN5 modulates salicylic acid homeostasis by regulating H3K14ac levels at the 5′ and 3′ ends of its target genes
Authors: Kim Soonkap , Piquerez Sophie J M , Ramirez-Prado Juan S , Mastorakis Emmanouil , Veluchamy Alaguraj , Latrasse David , Manza-Mianza Deborah , Brik-Chaouche Rim , Huang Ying , Rodriguez-Granados Natalia Y , Concia Lorenzo , Blein Thomas , Citerne Sylvie , Bendahmane Abdelhafid , Bergounioux Catherine , Crespi Martin , Mahfouz Magdy M , Raynaud Cécile , Hirt Heribert , Ntoukakis Vardis , Benhamed Moussa
Published: May 2020

The modification of histones by acetyl groups has a key role in the regulation of chromatin structure and transcription. The Arabidopsis thaliana histone acetyltransferase GCN5 regulates histone modifications as part of the Spt-Ada-Gcn5 Acetyltransferase (SAGA) transcriptional coactivator complex. GCN5 was previously shown to acetylate lysine 14 of histone 3 (H3K14ac) in the promoter regions of its target genes even though GCN5 binding did not systematically correlate with gene activation. Here, we explored the mechanism through which GCN5 controls transcription. First, we fine-mapped its GCN5 binding sites genome-wide and then used several global methodologies (ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq and RNA-seq) to assess the effect of GCN5 loss-of-function on the expression and epigenetic regulation of its target genes. These analyses provided evidence that GCN5 has a dual role in the regulation of H3K14ac levels in their 5′ and 3′ ends of its target genes. While the gcn5 mutation led to a genome-wide decrease of H3K14ac in the 5′ end of the GCN5 down-regulated targets, it also led to an increase of H3K14ac in the 3′ ends of GCN5 up-regulated targets. Furthermore, genome-wide changes in H3K14ac levels in the gcn5 mutant correlated with changes in H3K9ac at both 5′ and 3′ ends, providing evidence for a molecular link between the depositions of these two histone modifications. To understand the biological relevance of these regulations, we showed that GCN5 participates in the responses to biotic stress by repressing salicylic acid (SA) accumulation and SA-mediated immunity, highlighting the role of this protein in the regulation of the crosstalk between diverse developmental and stress-responsive physiological programs. Hence, our results demonstrate that GCN5, through the modulation of H3K14ac levels on its targets, controls the balance between biotic and abiotic stress responses and is a master regulator of plant-environmental interactions.
How did the Feudal Economy Work? the Economic Logic of Medieval Societies
Authors: Wickham Chris
Published: May 2020

This article aims to create a model for the underlying economic logic of the feudal economy, which can then be contrasted with the much better-known models for the capitalist economy. It does so by developing a discussion of a very frequent pattern in pre-industrial, feudal, societies: active local economies with highly developed exchange, which never, even remotely, developed in the direction of capitalism. It is argued here that this is because they obeyed a different economic logic, rather than just a simpler version of the logic of the capitalist world, which was somehow ‘blocked’ from developing any further. The article then sets out the basic elements of what that logic could be.
The SUPPRESSOR of MAX2 1 (SMAX1)-Like SMXL6, SMXL7 and SMXL8 Act as Negative Regulators in Response to Drought Stress in Arabidopsis
Authors: Yang Tao , Lian Yuke , Kang Jihong , Bian Zhiyuan , Xuan Lijuan , Gao Zhensheng , Wang Xinyu , Deng Jianming , Wang Chongying
Published: May 2020

Drought represents a major threat to crop growth and yields. Strigolactones (SLs) contribute to regulating shoot branching by targeting the SUPPRESSOR OF MORE AXILLARY GROWTH2 (MAX2)-LIKE6 (SMXL6), SMXL7 and SMXL8 for degradation in a MAX2-dependent manner in Arabidopsis. Although SLs are implicated in plant drought response, the functions of the SMXL6, 7 and 8 in the SL-regulated plant response to drought stress have remained unclear. Here, we performed transcriptomic, physiological and biochemical analyses of smxl6, 7, 8 and max2 plants to understand the basis for SMXL6/7/8-regulated drought response. We found that three D53 (DWARF53)-Like SMXL members, SMXL6, 7 and 8, are involved in drought response as the smxl6smxl7smxl8 triple mutants showed markedly enhanced drought tolerance compared to wild type (WT). The smxl6smxl7smxl8 plants exhibited decreased leaf stomatal index, cuticular permeability and water loss, and increased anthocyanin biosynthesis during dehydration. Moreover, smxl6smxl7smxl8 were hypersensitive to ABA-induced stomatal closure and ABA responsiveness during and after germination. In addition, RNA-sequencing analysis of the leaves of the D53-like smxl mutants, SL-response max2 mutant and WT plants under normal and dehydration conditions revealed an SMXL6/7/8-mediated network controlling plant adaptation to drought stress via many stress- and/or ABA-responsive and SL-related genes. These data further provide evidence for crosstalk between ABA- and SL-dependent signaling pathways in regulating plant responses to drought. Our results demonstrate that SMXL6, 7 and 8 are vital components of SL signaling and are negatively involved in drought responses, suggesting that genetic manipulation of SMXL6/7/8-dependent SL signaling may provide novel ways to improve drought resistance.
Monetary Policy and the Predictability of Nominal Exchange Rates
Authors: Eichenbaum M S , Johannsen B K , Rebelo S T
Published: May 2020

This article studies how the monetary policy regime affects the relative importance of nominal exchange rates and inflation rates in shaping the response of real exchange rates to shocks. We document two facts about inflation-targeting countries. First, the current real exchange rate predicts future changes in the nominal exchange rate. Second, the real exchange rate is a poor predictor of future inflation rates. We estimate a medium-size, open-economy DSGE model that accounts quantitatively for these facts as well as other empirical properties of real and nominal exchange rates. The key estimated shocks that drive the dynamics of exchange rates and their covariance with inflation are disturbances to the foreign demand for dollar-denominated bonds.
Overcoming Discount Window Stigma: An Experimental Investigation
Authors: Armantier Olivier , Holt Charles A
Published: May 2020

A core responsibility of the Federal Reserve is to ensure financial stability by acting as the “lender of last resort” through its discount window (DW). Historically, however, the DW has not been effective because its usage is stigmatized. In this paper, we develop a coordination game with adverse selection, and we test in the lab policies that have been proposed to mitigate DW stigma. We find that lowering the DW cost and making DW borrowing difficult to detect are ineffective, but regular random DW borrowing can overcome DW stigma. Implications for other forms of stigma in finance are discussed.
Refractive outcome of toric intraocular lens calculation in cases of oblique anterior corneal astigmatism
Authors: Sheen Ophir Shira , LaHood Ben , Goggin Michael
Published: May 2020

Purpose:

To establish whether toric intraocular lens (IOL) calculation on the basis of anterior corneal measurements alone, in corneas with oblique anterior astigmatism, will result in a systematic overcorrection or undercorrection of postoperative refractive astigmatism, and to establish whether adjustment of oblique anterior corneal astigmatism to allow for the likely effect of posterior corneal astigmatism is needed in such eyes.

Setting:

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Adelaide, South Australia.

Design:

Retrospective case series.

Methods:

Data were collected from consecutive eyes with oblique anterior corneal astigmatism undergoing cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange. Toric IOL calculations were made using unadjusted anterior corneal astigmatism measurements and an astigmatically neutral technique. By comparison of targeted vs achieved astigmatic correction using vector analysis, the astigmatic power prediction error and angle of error were derived.

Results:

In 50 eyes, the mean postoperatively measured refractive astigmatism was 0.42 diopters (D) (SD 0.33 D), the mean targeted refractive astigmatism was 0.15 (SD 0.18), and the vector-derived mean absolute prediction error was 0.23 D (SD 0.21). All 50 eyes (100%) fell at or within ±1.00 D of the target and 45 eyes (90%) at or within ±0.50 D. The geometric mean astigmatism correction index was 0.98, and the mean absolute angle of error was 8.63 degrees (SD 8.55).

Conclusions:

There is no systematic error attributable to posterior corneal astigmatism in toric IOL calculation and no need for adjustment of anteriorly measured corneal keratometric values for toric IOL calculation in eyes with oblique anterior corneal astigmatism. To do so may introduce an error in astigmatic outcome.
Disparities in the Deaths of Despair by Occupation, Massachusetts, 2000 to 2015
Authors: Hawkins Devan , Davis Letitia , Punnett Laura , Kriebel David
Published: May 2020

Objective:

To explore mortality rates and trends according to the occupation of workers who died from the deaths of despair (DoD).

Methods:

Death certificates for deaths due to poisonings (including opioid-related overdoses), suicides, and alcoholic liver disease occurring in Massachusetts from 2000 to 2015 were collected and coded according to the occupation of the decedent. Mortality rates and trends in mortality were calculated for each occupation.

Results:

DoDs increased by more than 50% between 2000 to 2004 and 2011 to 2015. There were substantial differences in mortality rates and trends according to occupation. Blue collar workers were at a particularly elevated risk for DoD and had elevated trends for these deaths, notably: construction and farming, fishing, and forestry workers.

Conclusions:

Interventions should be targeted to occupations with elevated mortality rates and trends. Occupational risk factors that may contribute to these disparities should be explored.
Increasing Physical Therapy Visits as a Marker for Time Lost From Work and High Workers’ Compensation Claim Costs
Authors: Bernacki Edward J. , Leung Nina , Yuspeh Larry , Kalia Nimisha , Lavin Robert A. , Tsourmas Nicholas F. , Tao Xuguang (Grant)
Published: May 2020

Objective:

To quantify the association between physical therapy (PT) visits and workers’ compensation costs and lost time.

Method:

A total of 40,203 lost-time claims (1998 to 2018) were analyzed.

Results:

The odds ratio of total paid claim costs more than or equal to $100,000 increased with the number of PT visits from 1.91 with 1 to 3 PT visits (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.62 to 2.26) to 5.56 (95% CI: 4.86 to 6.37) for workers with a surgical procedure and more than or equal to 50 PT visits versus those without PT visits, when controlling for confounding factors. The risk of remaining at an off work status is greatest among claims involving surgery, escalating among claims with 15 or more PT visits (hazard ratio more than or equal to 3.76).

Conclusions:

PT visits may be used as a marker for high workers’ compensation cost and delayed return-to-work.
Impact of a Mindfulness-Based, Workplace Group Yoga Intervention on Burnout, Self-Care, and Compassion in Health Care Professionals
Authors: Ofei-Dodoo Samuel , Cleland-Leighton Anna , Nilsen Kari , Cloward Jacob L. , Casey Eastin
Published: May 2020

Objective:

To investigate whether a workplace, group mindfulness-based yoga intervention could help manage burnout and improve wellbeing among health care professionals.

Methods:

A total of 43 health care professionals participated in 8-week supervised workplace, group mindfulness-based yoga activities. The authors used a single-sample, pre-post design. At two points in time (baseline and postintervention), participants completed a set of online measures assessing burnout, depression, anxiety, stress, resilience, and compassion. The authors used linear mixed model analysis to assess changes in outcome measures.

Results:

Participants had improvements after the 8-week intervention. At postintervention, they had significantly better scores on personal accomplishment, depression, anxiety, stress, perceived resilience, and compassion. Participants had a positive perception of the yoga intervention.

Conclusion:

Group mindfulness-based yoga program may be convenient and low-cost approach to support health and wellbeing among health care professionals.
Advanced Pulmonary and Cardiac Support of COVID-19 Patients: Emerging Recommendations From ASAIO—A “Living Working Document”
Authors: Rajagopal Keshava , Keller Steven P. , Akkanti Bindu , Bime Christian , Loyalka Pranav , Cheema Faisal H. , Zwischenberger Joseph B. , El Banayosy Aly , Pappalardo Federico , Slaughter Mark S. , Slepian Marvin J.
Published: May 2020

The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 is an emerging viral pathogen responsible for the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID)-19 pandemic resulting in significant human morbidity and mortality. Based on preliminary clinical reports, hypoxic respiratory failure complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome is the leading cause of death. Further, septic shock, late-onset cardiac dysfunction, and multiorgan system failure are also described as contributors to overall mortality. Although extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and other modalities of mechanical cardiopulmonary support are increasingly being utilized in the treatment of respiratory and circulatory failure refractory to conventional management, their role and efficacy as support modalities in the present pandemic are unclear. We review the rapidly changing epidemiology, pathophysiology, emerging therapy, and clinical outcomes of COVID-19; and based on these data and previous experience with artificial cardiopulmonary support strategies, particularly in the setting of infectious diseases, provide consensus recommendations from ASAIO. Of note, this is a “living document,” which will be updated periodically, as additional information and understanding emerges.
Plaque features and vascular geometry in basilar artery atherosclerosis
Authors: Zhou Li , Yan Yufeng , Du Heng , Ni Xiaoxing , Wang Guodong , Wang Qiaoshu
Published: May 2020

Hemodynamic changes occurring at the segments of arterial bifurcations, up and down stream of stenotic vessels appear to play a critical role in the development of atherosclerosis. Therefore, we hypothesized that basilar artery (BA) geometry may be related to the distribution of atherosclerotic plaque.

In this retrospective cross-sectional study, all patients hospitalized with ischemic stroke and intracranial atherosclerotic disease were sifted from March 2017 to October 2017. Sixty-seven patients with intracranial atherosclerotic disease (39 with and 28 without BA atherosclerosis) were analyzed. Magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography, and high-resolution black-blood MRI were performed within 7 days after symptoms onset. BA tortuosity, plaque location, and plaque enhancement were assessed. Plaque burden and vascular remodeling were measured.

Of the 39 patients with BA atherosclerosis, plaques preferred to be formed at the inner arc than the outer arc (27/39, 69% vs 12/39, 31%) in the tortuous BA. In addition, patients with BA plaque had a greater vascular tortuosity compared with those without plaque (113.1 ± 10.2 vs 107 ± 4.6; P = .034). Finally, patients with apparent BA plaque had greater plaque enhancement (14/21, 67% vs 5/18, 28%; P = .017) and plaque burden (0.76 ± 0.15 vs 0.70 ± 0.09; P = .036) compared with those with minimal plaque.

Plaque may be more likely to form at the inner arc of tortuous BA with atherosclerotic disease, and increased BA tortuosity is associated with its likelihood to form plaque.
Incidence of injuries among amateur badminton players
Authors: Marchena-Rodriguez Ana , Gijon-Nogueron Gabriel , Cabello-Manrique David , Ortega-Avila Ana Belen
Published: May 2020

The main aims of this study were, firstly, to investigate the frequency, location, and severity of injuries in amateur badminton players, and then to determine risk factors that may be associated with a higher incidence of injuries.

A cross-sectional study, composed of 150 players drawn from the 2018 BWF European Senior Championships, was analyzed. The definitions and types of injury included in the study are based on those published in previous epidemiology studies.

Among the 150 players analyzed, 221 injuries were observed, of which the highest proportion (40.3%, n = 89) affected the lower limb. Of these 22.44% were to the knee and 18.3% to the leg. In the upper limb, the shoulder was most frequently affected (11.8%). The mean rate of injuries per 1000 hours of play was 0.134 (standard deviation [SD]: 0.1), with 0.138 (SD: 0.1) among the male players and 0.131 (SD: 0.08) among the female players (P = .981: F = 0.001). The average duration of the injuries suffered exceeded 28 days in 34.5% of the cases.

The incidence of injury varied according to sex and age. Most injuries affected the muscles, especially those of the knee (in the lower limbs) and the shoulder (in the upper limbs).
Acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcer: Experience in 11 patients at an urban acute care center in the USA
Authors: Sugawa Choichi , Culver Ashley , Diebel Mark , McLeod Jennifer S. , Lucas Charles E.
Published: May 2020

Introduction:

Acute hemorrhagic rectal ulcer (AHRU) is a rare entity which has most frequently been described in Japan and Taiwan literature. This study characterizes 11 AHRUs identified and managed at an urban acute care hospital in the United States of America (USA).

Methods:

A total of 2253 inpatients underwent colonoscopy. In 1172 patients (52%), colonoscopy was performed for evaluation of lower gastrointestinal (LGI) bleeding. Eleven (0.9%) of the 1172 patients with LGI bleeding had AHRU.

Results:

AHRU is characterized by a sudden onset of painless and massive lower rectal bleeding in elderly, bedridden patients (pts) with major underlying diseases. The endoscopic findings were classified into 4 types. All 11 ulcers were located in the distal rectum within 10 cm of the dentate line. All 11 patients required blood transfusion (mean = 3.7 units; range 2–9 units). Seven patients responded to blood, plasma, and platelet transfusions. The other 4 patients required endoscopic hemostasis.

Three patients died within a month of colonoscopy from comorbidities. None had bleeding as a cause of death. Eight surviving patients did not have recurrent bleeding.

Conclusion:

AHRU does exist in the USA and should be considered as an important cause of acute lower GI bleeding in elderly, critically ill, and bedridden patients. AHRU should be recognized and managed correctly.
Loco-regional outcomes of adjusted breast radiotherapy with conventional fractionation after breast conserving surgery
Authors: Kim Sang-Won , Chun Mison , Oh Young-Taek , Noh O. Kyu
Published: May 2020

We compared the cumulative incidence of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) between 2 whole breast irradiation (WBI) dose range with conventional fractionation.

We retrospectively reviewed 1122 patients who received WBI at 2 institutions between 2004 and 2012. One institution delivered WBI 41.4 to 45 Gy followed by boost 14 to 18 Gy (adjusted group), while the other delivered WBI 50 to 50.4 Gy followed by boost 10 Gy (standard group).

The median follow-up period was 85 months. The 10-year cumulative incidence in all patients was 6.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.3%–8.4%) for IBTR and 3.0% (95% CI: 1.7%–4.8%) for regional recurrence. The 10-year cumulative incidence of IBTR was not significantly influenced by WBI dose (6.3% in the adjusted group vs 5.2% in the standard group, P = .136). Comparable IBTR rates between the 2 groups were observed regardless of clinical and pathological factors. The WBI dose was not significantly associated with the 10-year cumulative incidence of regional recurrence in these groups (3.5% in the adjusted group vs 0.5% in the standard group, P = .214).

De-escalated WBI doses while intensifying tumor bed boost did not compromise local and regional outcomes compared to standard group.