bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of new insect Host Defense Peptides (HDP) from Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) transcriptomes
Authors: Ramirez Germán Alberto Téllez , Osorio-Méndez Juan Felipe , Arias Diana Carolina Henao , Toro S Lily Johanna , Castrillón Juliana Franco , Rojas-Montoya Maribel , Osorio Jhon Carlos Castaño
Published: June 2020

Introduction

The Coleoptera Scarabaeidae family is one of the most diverse groups of insects on the planet, living in complex microbiological environments. Their immune systems have evolved with the generation of host defense peptides but only a small number of these peptides have been characterized.

Methods

In this work two sources of information were retrieved: 1)De novotranscriptomic data from two species of neotropical Scarabidae (Dichotomius satanasandOntophagus curvicornis); 2) Sequence data deposited in available databases. A BLAST-based search against the transcriptomes with a subset of sequences representative of the Host Defense Peptides (HDP). The HDP were described with the cecropin, defensin, attacin, and coleoptericin families; their physical/chemical and structural properties were described.

Results

This work reports 155 novel sequences of HDP identified in 9 transcriptomes from seven species from the Coleoptera order:D. satanas(n= 76; 49.03%),O. curvicornis(n= 23; 14.83%),T. dichotomus(n= 18; 11.61%),O. nigriventris(n= 10; 6.45%),Heterochelus sp(n= 6; 3.87%),O. conspicillatum(n= 18; 11.61%) andP. japonica(n= 4; 2.58%). These sequences were identified based on similarity to known HDP insect families. New members of defensins (n= 58; 37.42%), cecropins (n= 18; 11.61%), attancins (n= 41; 26.45%) and coleoptericins (n= 38; 24.52%), with their physicochemical, structural characteristics, and sequence relationship to other insect HDP were analyzed.

Conclusions

155 new HDP could be identified, based on similarity to known HDP insect families on nine transcriptome sequences of seven beetle species.

Highlights

This work identified 155 novel sequences of HDP found in nine transcriptomes from seven Coleoptera species.

De novotranscriptomic data from two species of neotropical Scarabaeidae (Dichotomius satanasandOntophagus curvicornis).

In silicoprediction of physicochemical properties, structural features, sequence similarity, and antimicrobial activity of Scarabaeidae HDP.
Coronatine is More Potent than Jasmonates in Regulating Arabidopsis Circadian Clock
Authors: Gao Min , Zhang Chong , Lu Hua
Published: June 2020

Recent studies establish a crucial role of the circadian clock in regulating plant defense against pathogens. Whether pathogens modulate host circadian clock as a potential strategy to suppress host innate immunity is not well understood. Coronatine is a toxin produced by the bacterial pathogenPseudomonas syringaethat is known to counteract Arabidopsis defense through mimicking defense signaling molecules, jasmonates (JAs). We report here that COR preferentially suppresses expression of clock-related genes in high throughput gene expression studies, compared with the plant-derived JA molecule methyl jasmonate (MJ). COR treatment dampens the amplitude and lengthens the period of all four reporters tested while MJ and another JA agonist JA-isoleucine (JA-Ile) only affect some reporters. COR, MJ, and JA-Ile act through the canonical JA receptor COI1 in clock regulation. These data support a stronger role of the pathogen-derived molecule COR than plant-derived JA molecules in regulating Arabidopsis clock. Further study shall reveal mechanisms underlying COR regulation of host circadian clock.
Quantitative study of unsaturated transport of glycerol through aquaglyceroporin that has high affinity for glycerol
Authors: Rodriguez Roberto A. , Chan Ruth , Liang Huiyun , Chen Liao Y.
Published: June 2020

Graphical Abstract

The structures of several aquaglyceroporins have been resolved to atomic resolution showing two or more glycerols bound inside a channel and confirming a glycerol-facilitator’s affinity for its substrate glycerol. However, the kinetics data of glycerol transport experiments all point to unsaturated transport that is characteristic of low substrate affinity in terms of the Michaelis-Menten kinetics. In this article, we present anin silico-in vitroresearch focused on AQP3, one of the human aquaglyceroporins that is natively expressed in the abundantly available erythrocytes. We conducted 2.1 μsin silicosimulations of AQP3 embedded in a model erythrocyte membrane with intracellular-extracellular asymmetries in leaflet lipid compositions and compartment salt ions. From the equilibrium molecular dynamics (MD), we elucidated the mechanism of glycerol transport at high substrate concentrations. From the steered MD simulations, we computed the Gibbs free-energy profile throughout the AQP3 channel. From the free-energy profile, we quantified the kinetics of glycerol transport that is unsaturated due to glycerol-glycerol interaction mediated by AQP3 resulting in the concerted movement of two glycerol molecules for the transport of one glycerol molecule across the cell membrane. We conductedin vitroexperiments on glycerol uptake into human erythrocytes for a wide range of substrate concentrations and various temperatures. The experimental data quantitatively validated our theoretical-computational conclusions on the unsaturated glycerol transport through AQP3 that has high affinity for glycerol.
A palette of fluorophores that are differentially accumulated by wild-type and mutant strains ofEscherichia coli: surrogate ligands for bacterial membrane transporters
Authors: Salcedo-Sora Jesus Enrique , Jindal Srijan , O’Hagan Steve , Kell Douglas B.
Published: June 2020

Our previous work had demonstrated that two commonly used fluorescent dyes that were accumulated by wild-typeE. coliMG1655 were accumulated differentially in single-gene knockout strains, and also that they might be used as surrogates in flow cytometric transporter assays. We summarise the desirable properties of such stains, and here survey 143 candidate dyes. We triage them eventually (on the basis of signal, accumulation levels, and cost) to a palette of 39 commercially available and affordable fluorophores that are accumulated significantly by wild-type cells of the ‘Keio’ strain BW25113, as measured flow cytometrically. Cheminformatic analyses indicate both their similarities and their (much more considerable) structural differences. We describe the effects of pH and of the efflux pump inhibitor chlorpromazine on the accumulation. Even the ‘wild-type’ MG1655 and BW25113 strains can differ significantly in their ability to take up such dyes. We illustrate the highly differential uptake of our dyes into strains with particular lesions in, or overexpressed levels of, three particular transporters or transporter components (yhjV, yihN, andtolC). The relatively small collection of dyes described offers a rapid, inexpensive, convenient and valuable approach to the assessment of microbial physiology and transporter function.
Empirical and Computational Evaluation of Hemolysis in a Microfluidic Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenator (ECMO) Prototype
Authors: Imtiaz Nayeem , Poskus Matthew , Stoddard William A. , Gaborski Thomas R. , Day Steven W.
Published: June 2020

Microfluidic devices promise to overcome the limitations of conventional hemodialysis and oxygenation technologies by incorporating novel membranes with ultrahigh permeability into portable devices with low blood volume. However, the characteristically small dimensions of these devices contribute to both non-physiologic shear that could damage blood components and laminar flow that inhibits transport. While many studies have applied empirical and computational models of hemolysis to medical devices, such as valves and blood pumps, little is known about blood damage in the microfluidic flow regime. In this study, four design variants of a microfluidic membrane-based oxygenator and two controls (positive and negative) are introduced and modeled using a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model to predict hemolysis. The simulations were performed in ANSYS Fluent for nine shear stress-based Power Law hemolysis model variants. Empirical testing of the devices in a recirculating loop revealed levels of hemolysis significantly lower (3 ppm hemolysis for pump, tube, and device combined) than the hemolysis ranges (>10 ppm) observed in conventional oxygenators. We found that most of the nine tested hemolysis models overpredict (5× to 10×) hemolysis compared to empirical experiments. However, two models demonstrated higher predictive accuracy for hemolysis values in devices characterized by low shear conditions, while another set of three models exhibited better performance for devices operating under higher shear conditions. Our study highlights the limitations of combining hemolysis models with computational fluid dynamics models for a priori in silico device-induced hemolysis. Nevertheless, with a judicious selection of hemolysis models based on the shear ranges of the test device, we propose that computational modeling can complement empirical testing in the development of novel micro-dialyzers or oxygenators, allowing for a more efficient iterative design process. Furthermore, the low device-induced hemolysis (< 2 ppm) measured in our study at physiologically relevant flow rates is promising for the future development of microfluidic dialyzers and oxygenators.
An Organoid for Woven Bone
Authors: Akiva Anat , Melke Johanna , Ansari Sana , Liv Nalan , van der Meijden Robin , van Erp Merijn , Zhao Feihu , Stout Merula , Nijhuis Wouter H. , de Heus Cilia , Muñiz Ortera Claudia , Fermie Job , Klumperman Judith , ito Keita , Sommerdijk Nico , Hofmann Sandra
Published: June 2020

Bone formation (osteogenesis) is a complex process in which cellular differentiation and the generation of a mineralized organic matrix are synchronized to produce a hybrid hierarchical architecture. To study the mechanisms of osteogenesis in health and disease, there is a great need for functional model systems that capture in parallel both cellular and matrix formation processes. Stem cell-based organoids are promising as functional, self-organizing 3Din vitromodels for studying the physiology and pathology of various tissues. However, for human bone, no such functional model system is yet available.

This study reports thein vitrodifferentiation of human bone marrow stromal cells into a functional 3D self-organizing co-culture of osteoblasts and osteocytes, creating an organoid for early stage bone (woven bone) formation. It demonstrates the formation of an organoid where osteocytes are embedded within the collagen matrix that is produced by the osteoblasts and mineralized under biological control. Alikein vivoosteocytes the embedded osteocytes show network formation and communication via expression of sclerostin. The current system forms the most complete 3D livingin vitromodel system to investigate osteogenesis, both in physiological and pathological situations, as well as under influence of external triggers (mechanical stimulation, drug administration).
Devaluation-sensitive responding to preconditioned cues requires orbitofrontal cortex during initial cue-cue learning
Authors: Hart Evan E , Sharpe Melissa J , Gardner Matthew PH , Schoenbaum Geoffrey
Published: June 2020

The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is necessary for value inference in tests of model-based reasoning. This ability could be accounted for by either representation of value or by representation of broader associative structure. Our lab recently reported correlates of both value and of valueless associative structure in OFC using single-unit recording (Sadacca et al., 2018). This incidental stimulus-stimulus representation was surprising since OFC was thought to be involved only when items of biological significance were driving responses. However, we did not assess whether this activity was necessary for encoding the associative information that would contribute to value inference during probe testing. Here, we used optogenetic OFC inhibition during sensory preconditioning to test this. We found that OFC inhibition during preconditioning impaired value inference during the probe test, demonstrating that the correlates we previously observed are not simply downstream readouts of sensory processing and instead contribute to encoding valueless sensory associative information.
PKIS Deep Dive Yields a Chemical Starting Point for Dark Kinases and a Cell Active BRSK2 Inhibitor
Authors: Tamir Tigist Y. , Drewry David H. , Wells Carrow , Major M. Ben , Axtman Alison D.
Published: June 2020

The Published Kinase Inhibitor Set (PKIS) is a publicly-available chemogenomic library distributed to more than 300 laboratories by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) between 2011–2015 and by SGC-UNC from 2015–2017. Screening this library of well-annotated, published kinase inhibitors has yielded a plethora of data in diverse therapeutic and scientific areas, funded applications, publications, and provided impactful pre-clinical results. Based on kinome-wide screening results, we report a thorough investigation of one PKIS compound, GW296115, as an inhibitor of several members of the Illuminating the Druggable Genome (IDG) list of understudied dark kinases. Specifically, GW296115 validates as a potent lead chemical tool that inhibits six IDG kinases with IC50values less than 100nM. Focused studies establish that GW296115 is cell active, and directly engages BRSK2. Further evaluation showed that GW296115 downregulates BRSK2-driven phosphorylation and downstream signaling.

Summary Statement

GW296115 inhibits understudied kinases, including BRSK2, with IC50values less than 100nM.
Improving oligo-conjugated antibody signal in multimodal single-cell analysis
Authors: Buus Terkild Brink , Herrera Alberto , Ivanova Ellie , Mimitou Eleni , Cheng Anthony , Herati Ramin Sedaghat , Papagiannakopoulos Thales , Smibert Peter , Ødum Niels , Koralov Sergei B.
Published: June 2020

Simultaneous measurement of surface proteins and gene expression within single cells using oligo-conjugated antibodies offers high resolution snapshots of complex cell populations. Signal from oligo-conjugated antibodies is quantified by high-throughput sequencing and is highly scalable and sensitive. In this study, we investigated the response of oligo-conjugated antibodies towards four variables: Concentration, staining volume, cell number at staining, and tissue. We find that staining with recommended antibody concentrations cause unnecessarily high background and that concentrations can be drastically reduced without loss of biological information. Reducing volume only affects antibodies targeting abundant epitopes used at low concentrations and is counteracted by reducing cell numbers. Adjusting concentrations increases signal, lowers background and reduces costs. Background signal can account for a major fraction of the total sequencing and is primarily derived from antibodies used at high concentrations. Together, this study provides new insight into the titration response and background of oligo-conjugated antibodies and offers concrete guidelines on how such panels can be improved.

Impact statement

Oligo-conjugated antibodies are a powerful tool but require thorough optimization to reduce background signal, increase sensitivity, and reduce sequencing costs.
Plasticity in parental effects confers rapid larval thermal tolerance inNematostella vectensis
Authors: Rivera Hanny E. , Chen Cheng-Yi , Gibson Matthew C. , Tarrant Ann M.
Published: June 2020

Parental effects can prepare offspring for different environments and facilitate survival across generations. We exposed parental populations of the estuarine anemone,Nematostella vectensis, from Massachusetts to elevated temperatures and quantified larval mortality across a temperature gradient. We find that parental exposure to elevated temperatures results in a consistent increase in larval thermal tolerance (mean ΔLT50: 0.3°C), and larvae from subsequent spawns return to baseline thermal thresholds when parents are returned to normal temperatures. Histological analyses of gametogenesis in females suggests these dynamic shifts in larval thermal tolerance may be facilitated by maternal effects in non-overlapping gametic cohorts. We also compared larvae from North Carolina (a genetically distinct population with higher baseline thermal tolerance) and Massachusetts parents, and found larvae from heat-exposed Massachusetts parents have thermal thresholds comparable to larvae from unexposed North Carolina parents. North Carolina parents also increased larval thermal tolerance under the same high-temperature regime, suggesting plasticity in parental effects is an inherent trait forN. vectensis. Overall, we find larval thermal tolerance inN. vectensisshows both a strong genetic basis and phenotypic plasticity. Further understanding the mechanisms behind these shifts can elucidate the fate of thermally sensitive ectotherms in a rapidly changing thermal environment.
A self-supervised domain-general learning framework for human ventral stream representation
Authors: Konkle Talia , Alvarez George A.
Published: June 2020

Anterior regions of the ventral visual stream encode substantial information about object categories. Are top-down category-level forces critical for arriving at this representation, or can this representation be formed purely through domain-general learning of natural image structure? Here we present a fully self-supervised model which learns to represent individual images, rather than categories, such that views of the same image are embedded nearby in a low-dimensional feature space, distinctly from other recently encountered views. We find (i) category information implicitly emerges in the local similarity structure of this feature space, and (ii) these models learn hierarchical features which capture the structure of brain responses across the human ventral visual stream, on par with category-supervised models. These results provide computational support for a domain-general framework guiding the formation of visual representation, where the proximate goal is not explicitly about category information, but is instead to learn unique, compressed descriptions of the visual world.
Spatial context of trait variation: morphology of spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) varies more within ponds than between ponds
Authors: Green Elizabeth T. , Dell Anthony I. , Crawford John A. , Biro Elizabeth G. , Daversa David R.
Published: June 2020

The influence of intraspecific trait variation on species interactions makes trait-based approaches critical to understanding eco-evolutionary processes. Because species occupy habitats that are patchily distributed in space, advancement in trait-based ecology hinges on understanding how trait variation is distributed within and between habitat patches. We sampled larval spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) across spatially discrete ponds to quantify within- and between-pond variation in mass, length, and their allometric relationship. Between-pond variation explained 7-35% of total observed variation in the length and shape of salamander larvae, depending on the body segment measured (i.e., head, body, or tail). Salamander tail morphology was more variable and exhibited more between-pond variation than head or body morphology. Salamander mass was highly variable and strongly correlated with total length. Allometric analysis revealed that the slopes of mass-length relationships were similar across ponds, but that intercepts differed across ponds. Preliminary evidence hinted that newly constructed ponds were a driver of the observed differences in mass-length relationships. Pond construction may therefore bolster trait diversity across the broader landscape, and in so doing instil more adaptive potential of salamander populations under current and future environmental change.
Citrulline supplementation improves spatial memory in a murine model for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Martínez-González Katia , Serrano-Cuevas Leonor , Almeida-Gutiérrez Eduardo , Flores-Chavez Salvador , Mejía-Aranguré Juan Manuel , Garcia-delaTorre Paola
Published: June 2020

Background

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) correlates with the dysfunction of metabolic pathways that translates into neurological symptoms. An arginine deficiency, a precursor of nitric oxide (NO), has been reported for AD patients.

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the effect of citrulline oral supplementation on cognitive decline in an AD murine model.

Methos

Three-month citrulline or water supplementation was blindly given to male and female wild type and 3xTg-AD mice trained and tested in the Morris Water Maze (MWM). Cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue were collected. Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography was used for arginine determinations while the Griess method was used for NO.

Results

Eight-month-old male 3xTg-AD mice supplemented with citrulline performed significantly better in the MWM task; arginine levels increased in cerebrospinal fluid although no changes were seen in brain tissue and only a tendency of increase of NO was observed.

Conclusions

Citrulline oral administration is a viable treatment for memory improvement in the early stages of AD pointing to NO as a viable, efficient target for memory dysfunction in AD.
Metagenomic characterization of soil microbial communities in the Luquillo experimental forest (Puerto Rico) and implications for nitrogen cycling
Authors: Karthikeyan Smruthi , Orellana Luis H. , Johnston Eric R. , Hatt Janet K. , Löffler Frank E. , Ayala-del-Río Héctor L. , González Grizelle , Konstantinidis Konstantinos T
Published: June 2020

The phylogenetic and functional diversity of microbial communities in tropical rainforests, and how these differ from temperate communities remain poorly described but are directly related to the increased fluxes of greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide (N2O) from the tropics. Towards closing these knowledge gaps, we analyzed replicated shotgun metagenomes representing distinct life zones from four locations in the Luquillo Experimental Forest (LEF), Puerto Rico. These soils had a distinct microbial community composition and lower species diversity when compared to temperate grasslands or agricultural soils. Unlike temperate soils, LEF soils showed little stratification with depth in the first 0-30cm, with ~45% of community composition differences explained solely by location. The relative abundances and nucleotide sequences of N2O reductases (nosZ) were highly similar between tropical forest and temperate soils. However, respiratory NO reductase (norB) was 2-fold more abundant in the tropical soils, which might be relatable to their greater N2O emissions. Nitrogen fixation (nifH) also showed higher relative abundance in rainforest compared to temperate soils (20% vs. 0.1-0.3% of bacterial genomes in each soil type harbored the gene, respectively). Collectively, these results advance our understanding of spatial diversity and metabolic repertoire of tropical rainforest soil communities, and should facilitate future ecological modeling efforts.

Importance

Tropical rainforests are the largest terrestrial sinks of atmospheric CO2and the largest natural source of N2O emissions, two critical greenhouse gases for the climate. The microbial communities of rainforest soils that directly or indirectly, through affecting plant growth, contribute to these fluxes remain poorly described by cultured-independent methods. To close this knowledge gap, the present study applied shotgun metagenomics to samples selected from 3 distinct life zones within the Puerto Rico rainforest. The results advance our understanding of microbial community diversity in rainforest soils and should facilitate future studies of natural or manipulated perturbations of these critical ecosystems.
Utility of Lung Ultrasound in COVID-19: A Systematic Scoping Review
Authors: Trauer Michael M , Matthies Ashley , Mani Nick , Mcdermott Cian , Jarman Robert
Published: June 2020

Lung ultrasound (LUS) has an established evidence base and has proven useful in previous viral epidemics. An understanding of the utility of LUS in COVID-19 is crucial to determine its most suitable role based on local circumstances. A scoping review was thus undertaken to explore the utility of LUS in COVID-19 and guide future research.

33 studies were identified which represent a rapidly expanding evidence base for LUS in COVID-19. The quality of the included studies was relatively low. However LUS appears to be a highly sensitive and fairly specific test for COVID-19 in all ages and in pregnancy and is almost certainly more sensitive than CXR. The precise diagnostic accuracy of LUS may be influenced by various factors including disease severity, pre-existing lung disease, scanning protocol, operator experience, disease prevalence and the reference standard.

High quality research is needed in various fields including: diagnostic accuracy in undifferentiated patients; triage and prognostication; monitoring progression and guiding interventions; persistence of residual LUS findings; inter-observer agreement; and the role of contrast-enhanced LUS.
Complement and tissue factor-enriched neutrophil extracellular traps are key drivers in COVID-19 immunothrombosis
Authors: Skendros Panagiotis , Mitsios Alexandros , Chrysanthopoulou Akrivi , Mastellos Dimitrios C. , Metallidis Simeon , Rafailidis Petros , Ntinopoulou Maria , Sertaridou Eleni , Tsironidou Victoria , Tsigalou Christina , Tektonidou Maria , Konstantinidis Theocharis , Papagoras Charalampos , Mitroulis Ioannis , Germanidis Georgios , Lambris John D. , Ritis Konstantinos
Published: June 2020

Emerging data indicate that complement and neutrophils are involved in the maladaptive host immune response that fuels hyper-inflammation and thrombotic microangiopathy increasing the mortality rate in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we investigated the interaction between complement and the platelet/neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs)/thrombin axis, using COVID-19 clinical samples, cell-based inhibition studies and NETs/human aortic endothelial cell (HAEC) co-cultures. Increased plasma levels of NETs, TF activity and sC5b-9 were detected in patients. Neutrophils yielded high tissue factor (TF) expression and released NETs carrying functionally active TF. Confirming our ex vivo findings, treatment of control neutrophils with COVID-19 platelet-rich plasma generated TF-bearing NETs that induced thrombotic activity of HAEC. Thrombin or NETosis inhibition or C5aR1 blockade attenuated platelet-mediated NET-driven thrombogenicity. Serum isolated from COVID-19 patients induces complement activation in vitro, which is consistent with high complement activity in clinical samples. Complement inhibition at the level of C3 with compstatin Cp40 disrupted TF expression in neutrophils. In conclusion, we provide a mechanistic basis that reveals the pivotal role of complement and NETs in COVID-19 immmunothrombosis. This study supports emerging strategies against SARS-CoV-2 infection that exploit complement therapeutics or NETosis inhibition.
Remdesivir Efficacy in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Systematic Review
Authors: Roshanshad Amirhossein , Kamalipour Alireza , Ashraf Mohammad Ali , Roshanshad Romina , Akbari Mohammad Reza
Published: June 2020

Background

Researchers are working hard to find an effective treatment for the new coronavirus 2019. We performed a comprehensive systematic review to investigate the latest clinical evidence on the treatment efficacy and safety of Remdesivir in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Methods

We performed a systematic search of the Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, Google scholar, and MedRxiv for relevant observational and interventional studies. Measured outcomes were mortality rates, improvement rates, time to clinical improvement, all adverse event rates and severe adverse event rates.

Results

3 RCTs and 2 cohorts were included in our study. In 2 cohort studies, patients received Remdesivir for 10 days. 2 RCTs evaluated 10-day treatment of Remdesivir efficacy versus placebo group and the other RCT compared its 5-day regimen versus 10-day regimen. Visual inspection of the forest plots revealed that Remdesivir efficacy was not much different in reducing 28-day mortality versus 14-day mortality rates. Besides, 10-day treatment regimen overpowers 5-day treatment and placebo in decreasing time to clinical improvement. All adverse event rates did not have significant difference; however, severe adverse event rate was lower in 5-day Remdesivir group compared to 10-day and placebo groups.

Conclusion

5-day course of Remdesivir therapy in COVID-19 patients is probably efficacious and safe and patients without invasive mechanical ventilation benefit the most. Treatment can be extended to 10 days if satisfactory improvement is not seen by day 5. Most benefits from Remdesivir therapy take place in the first 14 days of the start of the treatment.
Experimental investigation using micro-PIV of the effect of microRNA-1 deficiency on motility inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Ravikumar S. , Fedrizzi M. , Prabhakar R. , Pocock R. , O’Bryan M. K. , Soria J.
Published: June 2020

Caenorhabditis elegansis a microscopic nematode used extensively as a model organism in studies of neuromuscular function and neurodegenerative disorders. A mutation inmir-1affects signalling at the neuromuscular junction. We investigate the effect of this mutation on the propulsive power exerted by nematodes as they grow in size with age. We compare the motility of wild-type andmir-1(gk276)mutant nematodes in a Newtonian fluid using a two-component, two dimensional (2C-2D) Digital Microscopic Particle Image Velocimetry (µ-PIV) technique. Beating amplitudes of the head and tail, the wavelength of undulatory waves and the swimming speed scale linearly with size in both the wild-type and mutant strains. The beating frequency is independent of size or position along the body. Differences in the magnitudes of these kinematic parameters between the two strains, however, grow systematically with age. The swimming speed scales linearly with the wave speed of the neuromuscular undulation in both nematode strains with a conserved ratio. The magnitude of mean power and mean local fluid circulation in the mutant is significantly lower compared to those of the wild-type animals of the same age. This indicates that a mutation inmir-1adversely affects motility inC. elegans.
Airway-associated macrophages in homeostasis and repair
Authors: Engler Anna E. , Ysasi Alexandra B. , Pihl Riley M.F. , Villacorta-Martin Carlos , Heston Hailey M. , Richardson Hanne M.K. , Moniz Noah R. , Belkina Anna C. , Mazzilli Sarah A. , Rock Jason R.
Published: June 2020

There is an increasing appreciation for the heterogeneity of myeloid lineages in the respiratory system, but whether distinct populations associate with the conducting airways remains unknown. We use single cell RNA sequencing, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence to characterize myeloid cells of the mouse trachea during homeostasis and epithelial injury/repair. We identify submucosal macrophages that are similar to lung interstitial macrophages and intraepithelial macrophages, and find that repair of the tracheal epithelium is impaired inCcr2-deficient mice. Following injury there are early increases in neutrophils and submucosal macrophages, including M2-like macrophages. Unexpectedly, intraepithelial macrophages are initially lost but later replaced from CCR2+monocytes. Mast cells and group 2 innate lymphoid cells are sources of IL13 that polarizes macrophages and directly influences basal cell behaviors. Their proximity to the airway epithelium establishes these myeloid populations as potential therapeutic targets for airway disease.
Wnt- and Glutamate-receptors orchestrate stem cell dynamics and asymmetric cell division
Authors: Junyent Sergi , Reeves Joshua , Szczerkowski James L. A. , Garcin Clare L. , Trieu Tung-Jui , Wilson Matthew , Lundie-Brown Jethro , Habib Shukry J.
Published: June 2020

The Wnt-pathway is part of a signalling network that regulates many aspects of cell biology. Recently we discovered crosstalk between AMPA/Kainate-type ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) and the Wnt-pathway during the initial Wnt3a-interaction at the cytonemes of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Here, we demonstrate that this crosstalk persists throughout the Wnt3a-response in ESCs. Both AMPA- and Kainate-receptors regulate early Wnt3a-recruitment, dynamics on the cell membrane, and orientation of the spindle towards a Wnt3a-source at mitosis. AMPA-receptors specifically are required for segregating cell fate components during Wnt3a-mediated asymmetric cell division (ACD). Using Wnt-pathway component knockout lines, we determine that Wnt co-receptor Lrp6 has particular functionality over Lrp5 in cytoneme formation, and in facilitating ACD. Both Lrp5 and 6, alongside pathway effector β-catenin act in concert to mediate the positioning of the dynamic interaction with, and spindle orientation to, a localized Wnt3a-source. Wnt-iGluR crosstalk may prove pervasive throughout embryonic and adult stem cell signalling.
Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and DFT studies of (E)-4-methyl-2-{[(4-methylphenyl)imino]methyl}phenol
Authors: Yagci Nermin Kahveci , Faizi Md. Serajul Haque , Aydin Alev Sema , Dege Necmi , Dogan Onur Erman , Agar Erbil , Mashrai Ashraf
Published: June 2020

In the title compound, C15H15NO, the configuration of the C=N bond of the Schiff base is E, and an intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bond is observed, forming an intramolecular S(6) ring motif. The phenol ring is inclined by 45.73 (2)° from the plane of the aniline ring. In the crystal, molecules are linked along the b axis by O—H...N and C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming polymeric chains. The Hirshfeld surface analysis of the crystal structure indicates that the most important contributions for the packing arrangement are from H...H (56.9%) and H...C/C...H (31.2%) interactions. The density functional theory (DFT) optimized structure at the B3LYP/ 6–311 G(d,p) level is compared with the experimentally determined molecular structure, and the HOMO–LUMO energy gap is provided. The crystal studied was refined as an inversion twin.
4-Nitrobenzyl 3,4-bis(acetyloxy)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)pyrrolidine-1-carboxylate: crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and computational chemistry
Authors: Dallasta Pedroso Sofia , Caracelli Ignez , Zukerman-Schpector Julio , Soto-Monsalve Monica , De Almeida Santos Regina H. , Correia Carlos Roque D. , Llanes Garcia Ariel L. , Kwong Huey Chong , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: June 2020

The title compound, C23H24N2O9, is a tetra-substituted pyrrolidine derivative with a twisted conformation, with the twist evident in the C—C bond bearing the adjacent acetyloxy substituents. These are flanked on one side by a C-bound 4-methoxyphenyl group and on the other by a methylene group. The almost sp
2-N atom [sum of angles = 357°] bears a 4-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl substituent. In the crystal, ring-methylene-C—H...O(acetyloxy-carbonyl) and methylene-C—H...O(carbonyl) interactions lead to supramolecular layers lying parallel to (\overline{1}01); the layers stack without directional interactions between them. The analysis of the calculated Hirshfeld surfaces indicates the combined importance of H...H (42.3%), H...O/O...H (37.3%) and H...C/C...H (14.9%) surface contacts. Further, the interaction energies, largely dominated by the dispersive term, point to the stabilizing influence of H...H and O...O contacts in the inter-layer region.
Non-national clients in Belgian substance use treatment
Authors: De Kock Charlotte , Blomme Eva , Antoine Jérôme
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Substance use treatment (SUT) among migrants and ethnic minorities is an underresearched domain in European countries, although preliminary studies point out disparities in treatment use and access compared to general populations. This paper aims to identify the main characteristics of and the types of services solicited by non-nationals in Belgium.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper compares the types of SUT services used by Belgian and non-national clients. Second, the referral source for Belgian and non-national clients is considered. Third, the study compares the client characteristics of Belgian and non-national clients. This descriptive analysis is based on aggregated data sets in the European treatment demand indicator (TDI) registry including all Belgian treatment episodes between 2012 and 2014.

Findings

Non-national clients were more often located in outpatient SUT and were less often referred by general practitioners and hospitals, compared to Belgian clients. Third-country clients appear to have lower socioeconomic statuses (education, employment, housing) than Belgian clients. Non-national youngsters and third-country females appear to be underrepresented in Belgian SUT compared to their presence in the general population. The gender gap is larger among third-country clients than among Belgian clients.

Research limitations/implications

These associations between nationality and solicited services, gender, education, employment, housing and referral document treatment gaps among some non-nationals that require special attention in targeted treatment. In the European context, further research is needed on better monitoring migration background in the European TDI registries.

Practical implications

The overrepresentation of non-nationals in low-threshold opioid substitution treatment services and their underrepresentation in high-threshold residential services requires an in-depth analysis of the core goals of these respective services. Residential services, for instance, should consider how a dominant focus on speech therapy hampers access to treatment for these populations and how access for these populations could be enhanced by modifying or diversifying methods in treatment.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper that analyses the national indicator in a European TDI data set.
The role of labour migration inflows on R&D and innovation activity: evidence from Russian regions
Authors: Aldieri Luigi , Kotsemir Maxim , Vinci Concetto Paolo
Published: June 2020

Purpose

What is the effect of an increase of migration inflows on the R&D and innovative performance of developing countries? The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of migration inflows on the R&D and innovation activity (measured as expenditures on R&D and technological innovations) in Russian regions.

Design/methodology/approach

To this end, the authors use data on 85 Russian regions for the period 2010-2016 through a multi-region economic geography model. In particular, the authors test the hypothesis about the importance of migration inflows on R&D and technological innovation activity (H1) and the hypothesis about the importance of immigrants’ (incoming migrants) human capital (measured by the education level of incoming migrants) on R&D and innovation activity (H2).

Findings

Empirical findings support the evidence in favour of a positive causal link between innovation and migration inflows. Results of our investigation are important because they suggest useful insights for formulating science and innovation policies in Russia, which is a developing country where the recent policies favouring the technological innovation as the transition period have not yet achieved a satisfying outcome.

Originality/value

This paper increases the knowledge in the field with respect to the existing literature, shedding further light on the migration inflows effects, which is a political topic to manage very relevant in all countries.
The combined effect of perceived organizational injustice and perceived politics on deviant behaviors
Authors: Khattak Mohammad Nisar , Zolin Roxanne , Muhammad Noor
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to examine the catalytic impact of perceptions of politics in organizations on the relationship between perceived unfairness and deviant behavior at work.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the proposed research model, the authors collected field data in a public sector university located in Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan. A two-wave questionnaire was distributed to 400 employees. In the first wave, the questionnaire was used to collect data on participants’ perceptions of perceived injustice and organizational politics. After two weeks, the second wave of data collection was conducted by sending another questionnaire to the same respondents to collect data on their organizational and interpersonal deviance.

Findings

Empirical findings revealed that perceived interactional injustice results in interpersonal deviance, and perceived distributive and procedural injustice results in organizational deviance. Moreover, the direct relationship between perceived injustice and deviant behaviors was stronger when the perception of politics factor was high.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to test the detrimental effect of perception of politics on deviance in a public organization in Pakistan.
Assessing the market niche of Eurasian rail freight in the belt and road era
Authors: Zhang Xu , Schramm Hans-Joachim
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper presents an overview of the recent development of Eurasian rail freight in the Belt and Road era and further evaluates its service quality in terms of transit times and transport costs compared to other transport modes in containerised supply chains between Europe and China.

Design/methodology/approach

A trade-off model of transit time and transport costs based on quantitative data from primary and secondary sources is developed to demonstrate the market niche for Eurasian rail freight vis-a-vis the more established modes of transport of sea, air and sea/air. In a scenario analysis, further cargo attributes influencing modal choice are employed to show for which cargo type Eurasian rail freight service is favourable from a shipper's point of view.

Findings

At present, Eurasian rail freight is about 80% less expensive than air freight with only half of the transit time of conventional sea freight. Our scenario analysis further suggests that for shipping time-sensitive goods with lower cargo value ranging from $US1.23/kg to $US10.89/kg as well as goods with lower time sensitivity and higher value in a range of $US2.46/kg to $US21.78/kg, total logistics costs of Eurasian rail freight service rail is cheaper than all other modes of transport.

Practical implications

As an emerging competitive solution, Eurasian rail freight demonstrates to be an option beneficial in terms of transport cost, transit time, reliability and service availability, which offers a cost-efficient option enabling shippers to build up agile and more sustainable supply chains between China and Europe.

Originality/value

Our study firstly provides a comprehensive assessment of present Eurasian rail freight including a thorough comparison with alternative modes of transport from a shipper's point of view.
Robots in a contagious world
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to show how robotic technology is being used to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a short introduction, this discusses the role of robots in the following COVID-related applications: disinfection, checking human temperature, monitoring public places, delivering food and other items, food preparation and personal interactions by telepresence. It concludes with a brief discussion.

Findings

Robots are playing diverse and vital roles. They have helped to reduce the chances of spreading the infection by reducing inter-personal contact; freed-up medical professionals by conducting certain routine teaks; assisted and speeded-up the provision of food and medical supplies; monitored public places; informed the public of the need for social distancing; and allowed those in isolation to remain in contact with friends and family.

Originality/value

This provides a timely account of the use of robots in efforts to ameliorate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conceptualizing a pedagogy of wellness for rural district leadership: leading, healing and leading self-healing
Authors: Ryan Antoinette M.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This article considers the integration of aspects of mindfulness, social and emotional learning (SEL) and leadership wellness practice as a structure for a pedagogy of wellness in rural schools. Research has demonstrated positive outcomes for K–12 students and teachers as a result of training in practices such as mindfulness and SEL, but there has been less attention toward wellness practices incorporated by educational leaders in their own work. Support of professional and community learning for mindfulness may begin with district and school-based leaders in many communities, who facilitate programs in their schools.

Design/methodology/approach

This article explores an emergent pedagogy of wellness, which was developed in a small rural district that applied wellness programming, including mindfulness, with parallel learning experiences for leaders, staff members, students and families.

Findings

Through engagement with multiple local stakeholder groups in integrating themes of SEL, mindfulness and leadership wellness, the pedagogy of wellness emerged as a potential framework for improved organizational health, new conceptualizations of students’ success and opportunities for engagement of families in systemic organization of practices of care.

Originality/value

Consideration of the preparation of leadership in wellness practices such as mindfulness is discussed, in light of the necessity to address the care and wellness needs of rural communities, toward the sustainability of the pedagogy of wellness.
William A. Shryer, scientific advertising, habits and motivation research
Authors: Tadajewski Mark
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper examines a neglected stream of literature in marketing theory which engaged with the idea that there was more to consumer behavior than conscious and rational thought.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a close reading of the core themes that appear in William A. Shryer’s work. Linkages are made to other pertinent sources.

Findings

We extend McMahon’s (1972) study and offer a different reading of Shryer’s writing to that proffered in recent commentary by Tadajewski (2019), focusing on the managerial side of Shryer’s publications, connecting this to the theoretically innovative foundations based on normal and abnormal psychology. We respond to the suggestion proposed by McMahon (1972) that Shryer was an early pioneer of motivation research, largely in the affirmative.

Originality/value

We provide an alternative interpretation of Shryer’s writing, connecting this to an emergent “advertising science” and subsequently to contemporary strands of literature that have a “family resemblance” to his contributions. These include salient aspects of motivation research; crowd and habitual behavior; mindlessness and social cognition; and finally, empirical examinations of cumulative value theory.