bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of adipose‐derived, muscle‐derived, and co‐cultured stem cells for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in rat models
Authors: Jalali Tehrani Hora , Daryabari Seyedeh Sima , Fendereski Kiarad , Alijani Zirdehi Maryam , Kajbafzadeh Abdol‐Mohammad
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Based on the recent advancements in cell therapy techniques, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of transurethral injection of autologous adipose‐derived stem cells, muscle‐derived stem cells, and co‐cultured cells for the rehabilitation of stress urinary incontinence rat models. We hypothesized that the utilization of co‐cultured stem cells could result in enhanced therapeutic outcomes attributed to their more comprehensive environment of paracrine factors and cytokines.

Methods

We performed bilateral pudendal nerve transection surgeries to simulate urinary incontinence in 25 female Wistar rats and employed urodynamic evaluations to confirm the injury. We autologously isolated and cultured adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells, muscle‐derived stem cells, and a mixed culture of the two types, which we subsequently injected into the urethral lumen of the damaged animals. Three weeks after the injection, urodynamic assays, histological staining, and immunohistochemical evaluations were performed to determine the efficacy of the implanted cell cultures in sphincter function improvements or structural modifications.

Results

Histological evaluations suggested a regenerative process in the muscular layer of the external sphincter 3 weeks after the injection. Also, immunohistochemical analysis revealed a thickened periurethral striated muscle layer in the co‐cultured group. Postinjection urodynamic analysis indicated that the urethral pressure profile significantly increased in the co‐cultured group compared with other groups.

Conclusions

The outcomes of this investigation indicated that the application of co‐cultured adipose‐derived and muscle‐derived stem cells could be associated with higher therapeutic value in stress urinary incontinence patients compared with singular‐cell treatments.
Latitudinal and seasonal plasticity in American bison Bison bison diets
Authors: Hecker Lee J. , Coogan Sean C. P. , Nielsen Scott E. , Edwards Mark A.
Published: October 2020

In ecological niche theory, diet is a trait frequently used to place species along a continuum from specialists to generalists. A multidimensional approach to investigating species’ niches has been developed to incorporate nutrition. We apply the concepts of multidimensional nutritional niche theory to the dietary patterns of a widespread, large herbivore, the American bison Bison bison, at various levels of its nutritional niche.

Specifically, we sought to estimate dietary niches for female bison at the levels of the forage items they consume and the macronutrients they acquire from those forage items. We assessed how these dietary niches changed seasonally and explored physical and climatic mechanisms that contribute to observed differences in the dietary niches. We also examined dietary differences between the two bison subspecies: wood bison Bison bison athabascae and plains bison Bison bison bison.

We compiled data for 16 bison subpopulations using 26 peer‐reviewed publications, government reports, conference proceedings, and graduate theses that described the dietary composition of female bison for analysis of dietary niches.

We found that the diets of female bison were, as expected, dominated by graminoids throughout the year, but during the growing season (spring and summer), dietary niches had greater breadth. Their diets were relatively high in carbohydrates, but percentages of dietary lipid and protein increased during the growing season. Further, we found significant increases in consumption of browse items, lipids, and proteins with increasing latitude (†N), and differences between American bison subspecies.

Our study provides insight into the fundamental macronutrient niche of the American bison and also provides a framework for the nutritional targets of bison. We show that bison are able to adapt to availability of local forage and that they may consume different items in different proportions in order to regulate nutritional composition of their diet.
Application of plant metabarcoding to identify diverse honeybee pollen forage along an urban–agricultural gradient
Authors: Richardson Rodney T. , Eaton Tyler D. , Lin Chia‐Hua , Cherry Garrett , Johnson Reed M. , Sponsler Douglas B.
Published: October 2020

Understanding animal foraging ecology requires large sample sizes spanning broad environmental and temporal gradients. For pollinators, this has been hampered by the laborious nature of morphologically identifying pollen. Identifying pollen from urban environments is particularly difficult due to the presence of diverse ornamental species associated with consumer horticulture. Metagenetic pollen analysis represents a potential solution to this issue. Building upon prior laboratory and bioinformatic methods, we applied quantitative multilocus metabarcoding to characterize the foraging ecology of honeybee colonies situated in urban, suburban, mixed suburban–agricultural and rural agricultural sites in central Ohio, USA. In cross‐validating a subset of our metabarcoding results using microscopic palynology, we find strong concordance between the molecular and microscopic methods. Our results suggest that forage from the agricultural site exhibited decreased taxonomic diversity and temporal turnover relative to the urban and suburban sites, though the generalization of this observation will require replication across additional sites and cities. Our work demonstrates the power of honeybees as environmental samplers of floral community composition at large spatial scales, aiding in the distinction of taxa characteristically associated with urban or agricultural land use from those distributed ubiquitously across the sampled landscapes. Observed patterns of high forage diversity and compositional turnover in our more urban sites are likely reflective of the fine‐grain heterogeneity and high beta diversity of urban floral landscapes at the scale of honeybee foraging. This provides guidance for future studies investigating how relationships between urbanization and measures of pollinator health are mediated by variation in floral resource dynamics across landscapes.
Climate explains population divergence in drought‐induced plasticity of functional traits and gene expression in a South African Protea
Authors: Akman Melis , Carlson Jane E. , Latimer Andrew M.
Published: October 2020

Long‐term environmental variation often drives local adaptation and leads to trait differentiation across populations. Additionally, when traits change in an environment‐dependent way through phenotypic plasticity, the genetic variation underlying plasticity will also be under selection. These processes could create a landscape of differentiation across populations in traits and their plasticity. Here, we performed a dry‐down experiment under controlled conditions to measure responses in seedlings of a shrub species from the Cape Floristic Region, the common sugarbush (Protea repens). We measured morphological and physiological traits, and sequenced whole transcriptomes of leaf tissues from eight populations that represent both the climatic and the geographical distribution of this species. We found that there is substantial variation in how populations respond to drought, but we also observed common patterns such as reduced leaf size and leaf thickness, and up‐regulation of stress‐related and down‐regulation of growth‐related gene groups. Both high environmental heterogeneity and milder source site climates were associated with higher plasticity in various traits and co‐expression gene networks. Associations between traits, trait plasticity, gene networks and the source site climate suggest that temperature may play a greater role in shaping these patterns when compared to precipitation, in line with recent changes in the region due to climate change. We also found that traits respond to climatic variation in an environment‐dependent manner: some associations between traits and climate were apparent only under certain growing conditions. Together, our results uncover common responses of P. repens populations to drought, and climatic drivers of population differentiation in functional traits, gene expression and their plasticity.
IDH clonal heterogeneity segregates a subgroup of non‐1p/19q codeleted gliomas with unfavourable clinical outcome
Authors: Luo Shangyi , Zhu Shiwei , Liao Jianlong , Zhang Yajing , Hou Xiaobo , Luo Tao , Zhao Erjie , Xu Jinyuan , Pang Lin , Liang Xin , Xiao Yun , Li Xia
Published: October 2020

Aims

Diffuse gliomas (DGs) are classified into three major molecular subgroups following the revised World Health Organisation (WHO) classification criteria based on their IDH mutation and 1p/19q codeletion status. However, substantial biological heterogeneity and differences in the clinical course are apparent within each subgroup, which remain to be resolved. We sought to assess the clonal status of somatic mutations and explore whether additional molecular subgroups exist within DG.

Methods

A computational framework that integrates the variant allele frequency, local copy number and tumour purity was used to infer the clonality of somatic mutations in 876 DGs from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We performed an unsupervised cluster analysis to identify molecular subgroups and characterised their clinical and biological significance.

Results

DGs showed widespread genetic intratumoural heterogeneity (ITH), with nearly all driver genes harbouring subclonal mutations, even for known glioma initiating event IDH1 (17.1%). Gliomas with subclonal IDH mutation and without 1p/19q codeletion showed shorter overall and disease‐specific survival, higher ITH and exhibited differences in genomic patterns, transcript levels and proliferative potential, when compared with IDH clonal mutation and no 1p/19q codeletion gliomas. We defined a refined stratification system based on the current WHO glioma molecular classification, which showed close correlations with patients’ clinical outcomes.

Conclusions

For the first time, we integrated the clonal status of somatic mutations into cancer genomic classification and highlighted the necessity of considering IDH clonal architectures in glioma precision stratification.
AtMIF1 increases seed oil content by attenuating GL2 inhibition
Authors: Cheng Tianhe , Zhao Peng , Ren Yanru , Zou Jun , Sun Meng‐Xiang
Published: October 2020

Vegetable oil is a major edible oil and an important industrial raw material. However, breeders have found it challenging to improve the oil content of crop seeds, and little is known about regulators with the potential to increase oil content via molecular engineering in modern oil crop breeding.

We reported an F‐box protein, Arabidopsis thaliana MYB Interaction Factor 1 (AtMIF1), which is a member of the ubiquitin‐protein ligase E3 complex involved in the 26S proteasome protein degradation pathway. AtMIF1 physically interacts with MYB domain protein 5 (MYB5), which results in MYB5 degradation, so that transcriptional activation of the MYB/bHLH/WD‐repeat (MBW) complex does not occur normally and GLABRA2 (GL2), encoding an inhibitor of oil content and functioning as a direct downstream gene of MBW, is not properly transcribed.

AtMIF1 functioned as a positive regulator that increases oil content by attenuating GL2 inhibition. We overexpressed AtMIF1 and obtained transgenic plants with significantly higher seed oil contents. Importantly, both vegetative and reproductive growth of the transgenic plants appeared normal.

In summary, this work reveals a novel regulator, AtMIF1, and a new regulatory pathway, 26S proteasome‐AtMIF1‐MYB5, for increasing the oil content of seeds without affecting plant growth, thus facilitating oil crop breeding.
Plasma membrane calcineurin B‐like calcium‐ion sensor proteins function in regulating primary root growth and nitrate uptake by affecting global phosphorylation patterns and microdomain protein distribution
Authors: Chu Liang‐Cui , Offenborn Jan Niklas , Steinhorst Leonie , Wu Xu Na , Xi Lin , Li Zhi , Jacquot Aurore , Lejay Laurence , Kudla Jörg , Schulze Waltraud X.
Published: October 2020

The collective function of calcineurin B‐like (CBL) calcium ion (Ca2+) sensors and CBL‐interacting protein kinases (CIPKs) in decoding plasma‐membrane‐initiated Ca2+ signals to convey developmental and adaptive responses to fluctuating nitrate availability remained to be determined.

Here, we generated a cbl‐quintuple mutant in Arabidopsis thaliana devoid of these Ca2+ sensors at the plasma membrane and performed comparative phenotyping, nitrate flux determination, phosphoproteome analyses, and studies of membrane domain protein distribution in response to low and high nitrate availability.

We observed that CBL proteins exert multifaceted regulation of primary and lateral root growth and nitrate fluxes. Accordingly, we found that loss of plasma membrane Ca2+ sensor function simultaneously affected protein phosphorylation of numerous membrane proteins, including several nitrate transporters, proton pumps, and aquaporins, as well as their distribution within plasma membrane microdomains, and identified a specific phosphorylation and domain distribution pattern during distinct phases of low and high nitrate responses.

Collectively, these analyses reveal a central and coordinative function of CBL–CIPK‐mediated signaling in conveying plant adaptation to fluctuating nitrate availability and identify a crucial role of Ca2+ signaling in regulating the composition and dynamics of plasma membrane microdomains.
WRKY33 interacts with WRKY12 protein to up‐regulate RAP2.2 during submergence induced hypoxia response in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Tang Hu , Bi Hao , Liu Bao , Lou Shangling , Song Yan , Tong Shaofei , Chen Ningning , Jiang Yuanzhong , Liu Jianquan , Liu Huanhuan
Published: October 2020

Tolerance of hypoxia is essential for most plants, but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Here we show that adaptation to submergence induced hypoxia in Arabidopsis involves up‐regulation of RAP2.2 through interactive action of WRKY33 and WRKY12.

WRKY33‐ or WRKY12‐overexpressing plants showed enhanced resistance to hypoxia. Y2H, BiFC, Co‐IP and pull‐down experiments confirmed the interaction of WRKY33 with WRKY12. Genetic experiments showed that RAP2.2 acts downstream of WRKY33/WRKY12.

WRKY33 and WRKY12 can bind to and activate RAP2.2 individually. Genetic and molecular experiments demonstrate that the two WRKYs can synergistically enhance activation towards RAP2.2 to increase hypoxia tolerance. WRKY33 expression is increased in RAP2.2‐overexpressing plants, indicating a feedback regulation by RAP2.2 during submergence process, which was corroborated by EMSA, ChIP, dual‐LUC and genetic experiments.

Our results show that a regulatory cascade module involving WRKY33, WRKY12 and RAP2.2 plays a key role in submergence induced hypoxia response of Arabidopsis and illuminate functions of WRKYs in hypoxia tolerance.
The contribution of photodegradation to litter decomposition in a temperate forest gap and understorey
Authors: Wang Qing‐Wei , Pieristè Marta , Liu Chenggang , Kenta Tanaka , Robson Thomas Matthew , Kurokawa Hiroko
Published: October 2020

Litter decomposition determines carbon (C) backflow to the atmosphere and ecosystem nutrient cycling. Although sunlight provides the indispensable energy for terrestrial biogeochemical processes, the role of photodegradation in decomposition has been relatively neglected in productive mesic ecosystems.

To quantify the effects of this variation, we conducted a factorial experiment in the understorey of a temperate deciduous forest and an adjacent gap, using spectral‐attenuation‐filter treatments.

Exposure to the full spectrum of sunlight increased decay rates by nearly 120% and the effect of blue light contributed 75% of this increase. Scaled‐up to the whole forest ecosystem, this translates to 13% loss of leaf‐litter C through photodegradation over the year of our study for a scenario of 20% gap. Irrespective of the spectral composition, herbaceous and shrub litter lost mass faster than tree litter, with photodegradation contributing the most to surface litter decomposition in forest canopy gaps. Across species, the initial litter lignin and polyphenolic contents predicted photodegradation by blue light and ultraviolet B (UV‐B) radiation, respectively.

We concluded that photodegradation, modulated by litter quality, is an important driver of decomposition, not just in arid areas, but also in mesic ecosystems such as temperate deciduous forests following gap opening.
Rab‐E and its interaction with myosin XI are essential for polarised cell growth
Authors: Orr Robert G. , Furt Fabienne , Warner Erin L. , Agar Erin M. , Garbarino Jennifer M. , Cabral Sarah E. , Dubuke Michelle L. , Butt Allison M. , Munson Mary , Vidali Luis
Published: October 2020

The fundamental process of polarised exocytosis requires the interconnected activity of molecular motors trafficking vesicular cargo within a dynamic cytoskeletal network. In plants, few mechanistic details are known about how molecular motors, such as myosin XI, associate with their secretory cargo to support the ubiquitous processes of polarised growth and cell division.

Live‐cell imaging coupled with targeted gene knockouts and a high‐throughput RNAi assay enabled the first characterisation of the loss of Rab‐E function. Yeast two‐hybrid and subsequent in silico structural prediction uncovered a specific interaction between Rab‐E and myosin XI that is conserved between P. patens and A. thaliana.

Rab‐E co‐localises with myosin XI at sites of active exocytosis, and at the growing tip both proteins are spatiotemporally coupled. Rab‐E is required for normal plant growth in P. patens and the rab‐E and myosin XI phenotypes are rescued by A. thaliana’s Rab‐E1c and myosin XI‐K/E, respectively. Both PpMyoXI and AtMyoXI‐K interact with PpRabE14, and the interaction is specifically mediated by PpMyoXI residue V1422. This interaction is required for polarised growth.

Our results suggest that the interaction of Rab‐E and myosin XI is a conserved feature of polarised growth in plants.
C3 plant carbon isotope discrimination does not respond to CO2 concentration on decadal to centennial timescales
Authors: Stein Rebekah A. , Sheldon Nathan D. , Smith Selena Y.
Published: October 2020

Plant carbon isotope discrimination is complex, and could be driven by climate, evolution and/or edaphic factors. We tested the climate drivers of carbon isotope discrimination in modern and historical plant chemistry, and focus in particular on the relationship between rising [CO2] over Industrialization and carbon isotope discrimination.

We generated temporal records of plant carbon isotopes from museum specimens collected over a climo‐sequence to test plant responses to climate and atmospheric change over the past 200 yr (including Pinus strobus, Platycladus orientalis, Populus tremuloides, Thuja koraiensis, Thuja occidentalis, Thuja plicata, Thuja standishii and Thuja sutchuenensis). We aggregated our results with a meta‐analysis of a wide range of C3 plants to make a comprehensive study of the distribution of carbon isotope discrimination and values among different plant types.

We show that climate variables (e.g. mean annual precipitation, temperature and, key to this study, CO2 in the atmosphere) do not drive carbon isotope discrimination.

Plant isotope discrimination is intrinsic to each taxon, and could link phylogenetic relationships and adaptation to climate quantitatively and over ecological to geological time scales.
Osteogenic effects in a rat osteoporosis model and femur defect model by simvastatin microcrystals
Authors: Zhu Junxiong , Zhang Chenggui , Jia Jialin , Wang Hong , Leng Huijie , Xu Yingsheng , Wu Cuishuan , Zhang Qiang , Song Chunli
Published: October 2020

Simvastatin is a translational drug that may be used to induce local bone formation. In this study, simvastatin microcrystals were made by a wet media milling method, and then we verified the osteogenic effect of the microcrystals in rat ovariectomy (OVX)–induced osteoporosis and femur defect models. For the osteoporosis model, we delivered simvastatin microcrystals to the tibia with poloxamer hydrogels via an intraosseous injection. Bone mineral density and the ultimate force of the treated tibia were significantly improved after injection of simvastatin microcrystals at 0.5 and 1 mg compared with the OVX or 0‐mg control groups. For the femur defect model, simvastatin microcrystals were incorporated in clinically used calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) as an implant. Quantitative analysis of bone regeneration by microcomputed tomography (μCT) showed improved bone morphology with simvastatin microcrystals at 50 and 100 μg, compared with the CPC vehicle. A semiquantitative scale for histology assessment further demonstrated a higher bone regeneration score in the drug‐loaded groups. Our study shows that simvastatin microcrystals can promote bone formation by local delivery using a poloxamer hydrogel or CPC, which may be translationally useful.
Treatment outcomes and related clinical characteristics in patients with burning mouth syndrome
Authors: Kim Moon‐Jong , Kim Jihoon , Kho Hong‐Seop
Published: October 2020

Objectives

To evaluate the treatment outcomes of medication therapies in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and to identify the clinical characteristics that may affect the efficacy of prescribed medications.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of 769 patients with oral burning sensations. Of these patients, 420 patients diagnosed as the primary BMS received an “Initial Approach” that involved a detailed explanation about its etiopathophysiology, self‐care instruction, and use of an oral lubricant. Neuropathic medications were prescribed for 277 patients who did not respond to the initial approach. Clinical characteristics, prescribed medications, and changes in intensity of oral symptoms were reviewed.

Results

Clonazepam was administered as the first‐line medication. Alpha‐lipoic acid (ALA), gabapentin, and nortriptyline were commonly administered in combination with clonazepam. More than two‐thirds of the patients reported a marked improvement in oral symptoms after treatments with combination of neuropathic medications and ALA. The efficacies of the initial approach and clonazepam had significant positive associations with the initial intensity of oral symptoms and significant negative associations with depression.

Conclusions

Clonazepam therapy in combination with appropriate medications was effective for managing patients with BMS. The initial intensity of oral symptoms and psychological status were significantly associated with treatment outcomes.
Vitamin D decreases Porphyromonas gingivalis internalized into macrophages by promoting autophagy
Authors: Niu Li , Chen Shuangshuang , Yang Xue , Ma Chunliang , Pan Chunling , Wang Hongyan , Li Qian , Geng Fengxue , Tang Xiaolin
Published: October 2020

Objectives

This paper aims to study the effect of the active form of vitamin D (calcitriol) on the internalized Porphyromonas gingivalis in macrophages and to assess the role of autophagy during this process.

Materials and methods

Quantitative RT‐PCR and bacteria culture were used to quantify live P. gingivalis internalized into U937‐derived macrophages. Western blot assays were performed to detect the effect of P. gingivalis and calcitriol on autophagy in macrophages. Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the effect of calcitriol on the status of internalized P. gingivalis. Colocalization of P. gingivalis with the autophagosome and lysosome markers was observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Results

Calcitriol caused a dose‐dependent decrease in live P. gingivalis numbers and promoted both the endogenous and P. gingivalis‐induced autophagy in macrophages. Calcitriol significantly promoted the destruction of P. gingivalis and the colocalization of P. gingivalis with autophagosome and lysosome markers. Conversely, with 3‐MA, live P. gingivalis numbers in macrophages increased significantly and inhibition effect of calcitriol on the number of live P. gingivalis was attenuated.

Conclusion

In U937‐derived macrophages, calcitriol may promote colocalization of P. gingivalis with autophagosomes and lysosomes, namely autophagy process, to degrade live P. gingivalis.
Antipredator tactics: a kin‐selection benefit for defensive spines in coral catfish?
Authors: Shine Richard , Udyawer Vinay , Goiran Claire
Published: October 2020

Morphological features that impair a predator's ability to consume a prey item may benefit individual prey; but what of features that prolong prey‐handling but do not enhance prey survival? For example, a striped eel catfish Plotosus lineatus will be fatally envenomated if struck by its specialist predator, the greater sea snake Hydrophis major. Nonetheless, the catfish typically erects long, toxic pectoral and dorsal spines that increase prey‐handling times for the snake by around eightfold. Because the catfish travel in swarms of closely‐related individuals, the delay enforced by spines may enable the victim's swarm‐mates to disperse before the snake is able to search for another meal. In keeping with that hypothesis, defensive spines tend to be longer in catfish from regions where the greater sea snake occurs, than from areas where the snake does not occur.
NovelPGM3compound heterozygous variants with IgE‐related dermatitis, lymphopenia, without syndromic features
Authors: García‐García Ana , Buendia Arellano Monserrat , Deyà‐Martínez Àngela , Lozano Blasco Jaime , Serrano Mercedes , Van Den Rym Ana , García‐Solis Blanca , Esteve‐Solé Ana , Yiyi Luo , Vlagea Alexandru , Solanich Xavier , Fisher Megan R. , Lyons Jonathan J. , de Diego Rebeca Pérez , Alsina Laia
Published: October 2020

Background

Phosphoglucomutase‐3 (PGM3) deficiency is a congenital disorder of glycosylation (CDG) with hyperimmunoglobulin IgE, atopy, and a variable immunological phenotype; most reported patients display dysmorphic features.

The aim of the study was to characterize the genotype and phenotype of individuals with newly identified compound heterozygous variants in the phosphate‐binding domain ofPGM3in order to better understand phenotypic differences between these patients and published cases.

Methods

We analyzed PGM3 protein expression, PGM3 enzymatic activity, the presence of other gene variants within the N‐glycosylation pathway, and the clinical and immunological manifestations of two affected siblings.

Results

Patients belonged to a non‐consanguineous family, presenting with atopic dermatitis, elevated levels of IgE, and CD4+lymphopenia (a more severe phenotype was observed in Patient 2), but lacked dysmorphic features or neurocognitive impairment. Compound heterozygousPGM3variants were identified, located in the phosphate‐binding domain of the enzyme. PGM3 expression was comparable to healthy donors, but L‐PHA binding in naïve‐CD4+ cells was decreased. Examination of exome sequence identified the presence of one additional candidate variant of unknown significance (VUS) in the N‐glycosylation pathway in Patient 2: a variant predicted to have moderate‐to‐high impact inALG12.

Conclusions

Our analysis revealed that L‐PHA binding is reduced in naïve‐CD4+ cells, which is consistent with decreased residual PGM3 enzymatic activity. Other gene variants in the N‐glycosylation pathway may modify patient phenotypes in PGM3 deficiency. This study expands the clinical criteria for when PGM3 deficiency should be considered among individuals with hyper‐IgE.
A chromosome‐level genome assembly provides insights into ascorbic acid accumulation and fruit softening in guava (Psidium guajava)
Authors: Feng Chen , Feng Chao , Lin Xinggu , Liu Shenghui , Li Yingzhi , Kang Ming
Published: October 2020

Guava (Psidium guajava) is an important fleshy‐fruited tree of the Myrtaceae family that is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas of the world and has attracted considerable attention for the richness of ascorbic acid in its fruits. However, studies on the evolution and genetic breeding potential of guava are hindered by the lack of a reference genome. Here, we present a chromosome‐level genomic assembly of guava using PacBio sequencing and Hi‐C technology. We found that the genome assembly size was 443.8 Mb with a contig N50 of ~15.8 Mb. We annotated a total of 25 601 genes and 193.2 Mb of repetitive sequences for this genome. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that guava has undergone a recent whole‐genome duplication (WGD) event shared by all species in Myrtaceae. In addition, through metabolic analysis, we determined that the L‐galactose pathway plays a major role in ascorbic acid biosynthesis in guava fruits. Moreover, the softening of fruits of guava may result from both starch and cell wall degradation according to analyses of gene expression profiles and positively selected genes. Our data provide a foundational resource to support molecular breeding of guava and represent new insights into the evolution of soft, fleshy fruits in Myrtaceae.
Non‐invasive evaluation of elasticity of skin with the processing of ultrasound images during ultraviolet radiation: An animal photoaging model
Authors: Estaji Mohadese , Mokhtari‐Dizaji Manijhe , Movahedin Mansoureh , Ghaffari Khaligh Sahar
Published: October 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to provide a non‐invasive imaging method to evaluate the physical and mechanical parameters as a novelty method during skin photoaging.

Methods

In order to evaluate the process of skin damage, 25 mice (C57BL6) were exposed to UVB radiation (0.03 mW/cm2), 5 times a week for 5 weeks. The thickness of the epidermal and dermal layers was measured weekly from the ultrasound images (40 MHz). The elastic parameters of the skin were estimated from the processing of the sequential ultrasound images with the motion detection algorithm during the injury generation process.

Results

The thickening, Young modulus, and shear modulus of the dermal and epidermal layers during the UVB damage process significantly increased during the 5‐week study period (P < .05). In addition, the percentage of changes in the thickness of the epidermal layer (0.22 ± 0.01 mm in day 0 to 0.37 ± 0.02 mm in day 35) and dermal layer (0.57 ± 0.05 mm in day 0 to 0.90 ± 0.08 mm in day 35) increased by 68% and 57%, respectively. Furthermore, Young modulus (154.41 ± 8.8 kPa) was 11 times more than that of non‐irradiated skin (14.90 ± 2.2 kPa) and the shear modulus (2.33 ± 0.04 kPa) was 2.2 times more than non‐irradiated skin (1.06 ± 0.04 kPa).

Conclusion

With processing the sequential ultrasound images and extracting the thickening, the elasticity of the skin layers can detect skin lesions by UVB radiation.
Polyreactive antibodies as potential humoral biomarkers of host resistance to cystic echinococcosis
Authors: García‐Luna Joaquín , Magnone Javier , Miles Sebastián , López‐Santurio Camila , Dematteis Sylvia , Mourglia‐Ettlin Gustavo
Published: October 2020

Polyreactive antibodies (pAb) bind to a broad range of unrelated structures, providing hosts with functional components able to rapidly recognize and protect against different pathogens. However, their roles against helminth parasites are still unexplored. Here, pAb profiles were analysed in cystic echinococcosis (CE), a zoonosis caused by the cestode Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato. Levels of anti‐DNP (2,4‐dinitrophenyl‐hapten) antibodies were measured as a surrogate parameter of pAb in different biological settings. Firstly, levels of serum and peritoneal pAb were measured during early experimental secondary CE, using both high (Balb/c) and low (C57Bl/6) susceptible mouse strains. Serum pAb mostly differed in normal mice, being pAb levels of IgG subclasses with poor anti‐parasite activities predominant in Balb/c animals. Conversely, peritoneal pAb isotypes/subclasses with efficient anti‐parasite activities predominated in normal and infected C57Bl/6 mice. Secondly, sera from potentially resistant patients, susceptible individuals and healthy donors were analysed, showing higher pAb levels of the IgA and IgG—particularly IgG1—isotypes in potentially resistant individuals compared to control groups. Finally, since remarkable differences were observed in pAb profiles according to the intrinsic host susceptibility to the infection, we proposed here that pAb might be considered as potential humoral biomarkers for host resistance to CE.
Prediction, structure characterization, and evolutionary analysis of Erwinia psidii putative type III effectors
Authors: Pereira Isadora C. , Badel Jorge L. , Vidigal Pedro M. P. , Sousa Adryelle A. , Santos Samuel A. , Guimarães Lúcio M. S. , Alfenas Acelino C.
Published: October 2020

Erwinia psidii is a gram‐negative bacterium that threatens both guava and eucalypt plantations in several countries. Despite the economic importance of both crops, nothing is currently known about the molecular mechanisms underlying E. psidii pathogenicity and, consequently, how it evolved to infect Eucalyptus species besides its presumed native host Psidium guajava. In this study, we predicted putative type III secretion system effectors that may play important roles during plant–E. psidii interactions and conducted effector structure and phylogenetic analyses to gain important insights into their function and evolution. For that, the whole genomes of four E. psidii strains that exhibit differential aggressiveness towards eucalypt clones were sequenced and their effector repertoires predicted based on sequence identity with known effectors of the model phytopathogen Erwinia amylovora. Only proteins sharing significant sequence identity with the DspE and Eop1 effectors were found. Here, it is shown that these two E. psidii effectors retain all structural characteristics of their corresponding protein superfamilies, but exhibit allelic variations that are consistent with the observed aggressiveness differences between strains. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that whereas E. psidii housekeeping gene sequences are more closely related to those from Erwinia tracheiphila, the effector (either nucleotide or amino acid) sequences are more closely related to their Pantoea agglomerans counterparts, suggesting that dspE and eop1 were both acquired through horizontal gene transfer from the latter bacterial species. The results of this study provide important insights on E. psidii pathogenicity and set the stage for future effector functional studies.
Integrated analysis of miRNA–mRNA interaction in ovaries of Turpan Black Sheep during follicular and luteal phases
Authors: Song Pengyan , Yue Qiaoxian , Fu Qiang , Li Xiangyun , Li Xujing , Zhou Rongyan , Chen Xiaoyong , Tao Chenyu
Published: October 2020

To investigate the regulatory mechanism of the follicular–luteal phase transition in Turpan black sheep (Ovis aries), the genome‐wide expression patterns of microRNAs (miRNAs) and genes were investigated in ovaries of six sheep (3 years and single lamb with 3 consecutive births) during follicular and luteal phases of the oestrous cycle. Bioinformatic analysis was used to screen potential miRNAs and genes related to Turpan black sheep ovarian function. RT‐qPCR was used to validate the sequencing results. In total, we identified 139 known and 71 novel miRNAs in the two phases with miRNA‐seq, and a total of 19 miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed, of which 7 were up‐regulated and 12 were down‐regulated in the follicular phase compared with luteal phase. A total of 150 genes were significantly differentially expressed, including 63 up‐regulated and 87 down‐regulated in the follicular phase compared with the luteal phase by RNA‐seq data analysis. Those DEGs were significantly enriched in 103 GO terms and several KEGG pathways, including metabolic pathway, ovarian steroidogenesis, steroid hormone biosynthesis and oestrogen signalling pathway. In addition, we created a miRNA–mRNA regulatory network to further elucidate the mechanism of follicular–luteal transition. Finally, we identified key miRNAs and genes including miR‐143, miR‐99a, miR‐150, miR‐27a, miR‐125b, STAR, STAT1, which might play crucial roles in reproductive hormone biosynthesis and follicular development. The miRNA–mRNA interactive network clearly illustrates molecular basis involving in follicular–luteal transition.
Early modern reader management: begin+infinitive as a discourse marker in P. C. Hooft’s Dutch prose
Authors: van de Poppe Cora
Published: October 2020

This article combines linguistic, rhetorical and material perspectives on early modern reader management in order to investigate how the Dutch historian P. C. Hooft (1581–1647) guided his readers through a new genre: humanist history written in the vernacular. Central to this paper is the linguistic construction begin+infinitive, which is known to have text‐structuring functions in several historical varieties. Study of this construction in historical Dutch, however, is currently lacking. Although the Roman historian Tacitus, Hooft’s classical writing model, largely avoided the begin+infinitive construction, Hooft used it in his translations of Tacitus’s prose and in his own magnum opus, the Nederlandsche Historien (Dutch Histories, first edition 1642). More specifically, Hooft employed the construction as part of his humanist tempo‐changing style, using begin’s durative semantics in combination with rhetorical devices to slow the narrative pace and to alert the reader to an upcoming main event. Such main events were highlighted not only by linguistic and rhetorical guidance but also by material devices, i.e. printed marginalia.
Changes in the kinetics and kinematics of a reactive cut maneuver after successful athletic groin pain rehabilitation
Authors: Daniels Katherine A. J. , King Enda , Richter Chris , Falvey Éanna , Franklyn‐Miller Andy
Published: October 2020

Athletic groin pain (AGP) is a chronic, painful condition which is prevalent in players of field sports that require rapid changes of direction. Following successful rehabilitation, systematic changes have been observed in the kinetics and kinematics of pre‐planned change of direction maneuvers, providing insight into potential foci for rehabilitation monitoring and for the assessment of interventions. However, changing direction in field sports is often reactive rather than pre‐planned, and it is not known whether such post‐rehabilitation changes are seen in reactive maneuvers. We analyzed the stance phase kinetics and kinematics of a 90° reactive cutting maneuver in 35 AGP patients before and after a successful exercise intervention program. Following the intervention, transverse plane rotation of the pelvis toward the intended direction of travel increased, and the body center of mass was positioned more anteriorly relative to the center of pressure. Ankle dorsiflexion also increased, and participants demonstrated greater ankle plantar flexor internal moment and power during the second half of stance. These findings provide insight into mechanical variables of potential importance in AGP, as identified during a maneuver based on a common sporting task.
High‐intensity exercise to improve cardiorespiratory fitness in cancer patients and survivors: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Lavín‐Pérez Ana Myriam , Collado‐Mateo Daniel , Mayo Xián , Humphreys Liam , Liguori Gary , James Copeland Robert , Del Villar Álvarez Fernando , Jiménez Alfonso
Published: October 2020

Improving cardiorespiratory fitness (CRFit) in cancer patients is crucial to increase survivorship, promote health, and improve quality of life. High‐intensity training (HIT) has the potential to increase CRFit, perhaps better than other exercise modalities, but the extant evidence has yet to be fully explored. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of HIT on CRFit in cancer patients and survivors and to identify the optimal characteristics of the interventions (eg, cancer type, intervention timing, exercise modality, intervention's duration, and the number of minutes of high‐intensity exercise in each session). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. A total of 31 articles (2515 participants) were included in the systematic review and 25 in the meta‐analyses. CRFit significantly improved with HIT in comparison with a control group (P < .00001, SMD = 0.44 and a 95% confidence interval from 0.25 to 0.64). The results obtained in the sub‐analysis were statistically significant except the comparison with the active group CRFit (P = .13). The results showed that higher effects could be achieved in: patients starting to exercise before treatment, interventions longer than eight weeks, programs including exclusively cardiovascular training and with a high‐intensity part of session duration of at least 20 minutes.
Towards a theoretical understanding of the selfie: A descriptive review
Authors: Faimau Gabriel
Published: October 2020

Over the past 2 decades or so, the triple digital revolution—social network, Internet, and mobile phone—has increased the use and popularity of the “selfie.” Within social sciences, the phenomenon of the selfie has been examined as a new culture that shapes human self‐presentation, social relationships, and social consumptions. This article provides an overview of the most common theoretical approaches that have been used by researchers to understand the phenomenon of the selfie. In particular, the article focuses on the use of the following frameworks: dramaturgic lens, sociosemiotic approach, and dialectical framework. In addition to these approaches, this article also introduces some preliminary ideas relating to the possibility of exploring the selfie through the lens of mediatization theory. This is based on the argument that the selfie phenomenon operates within media logic as it offers symbolic resources, discursive strategies, communicative messages, and performance tactics that shape and transform the presentation of self, social interaction, and social order.
Lost by definition: Why boredom matters for psychology and society
Authors: Westgate Erin C. , Steidle Brianna
Published: October 2020

Long overlooked, boredom has drawn increasing attention across multiple subfields of psychology (including clinical, developmental, educational, cognitive, and industrial/organizational psychology), as well as economics, philosophy, neuroscience, and animal cognition. In this article, we review and integrate this work by providing a social psychological perspective on boredom as an emotion and its role in signaling the need for change to restore successful attention in meaningful activity. In doing so, we discuss the implications of that approach for understanding boredom cross‐culturally and cross‐species, and identify opportunities for targeted interventions to reduce boredom and improve well‐being.
Egocentrism shapes moral judgements
Authors: Bocian Konrad , Baryla Wieslaw , Wojciszke Bogdan
Published: October 2020

We review past and recent literature on how egocentrism shapes moral judgements. We focus on mechanisms by which egocentric evaluations appear to people as objective, impartial and morally right. We also show that people seem to be unaware of these biases and suggest that understanding how egocentrism impacts moral judgements demands studying morality embedded in a specific social context rather than the social void created in a laboratory. Finally, we argue that egocentric biases in moral judgements are not easily overcome and persist even if people deliberately try to omit attitudes in their judgements or if morally relevant information is present. We conclude that egocentric evaluations triggered by such factors as personal and group interests or attitudes may lay at the core of moral judgements of others because they help maintain a strategic social and personal relationships.
The first report of diagnosing of keratoacanthoma in Chinese Han patients using dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy
Authors: Wang Xiuli , Wang Yifan , Wang Hui , Zheng Liyun , Guo Ze , Fan Xing , Gao Min
Published: October 2020

Background

Keratoacanthoma (KA) is a special kind of tumor, which is regarded as a variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in some academic disciplines. But differentiating KA from SCC remains a diagnostic challenge. The noninvasive techniques dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) can provide new insights for diagnosis.

Objective

To observe the characteristics of KA under dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), in order to gain experience and reference for clinicians to facilitate earlier diagnosis.

Methods

We collected two cases of KA, which were confirmed by clinical and histopathological examination. The two cases were examined by dermoscopy and RCM, respectively. Then, we collected the microscopic characteristics of KA lesions.

Results

The dermoscopy features of KA are concentric circles of central crater, keratin mass, keratin scale, and polymorphic vascular pattern. The RCM features are described as refractile crust, atypical honeycomb pattern, dark center cells, large round nucleated cells, dendritic cells, and linear or round vessels traversing dermal papillae in the dermis.

Conclusion

KA has some specific dermoscopy and RCM features, which can provide a basis for doctors to diagnose and intervene earlier.
Meta‐analysis and mega‐analysis: A simple introduction
Authors: Eisenhauer Joseph G.
Published: October 2020

Statistical methods are increasingly being used to integrate findings from the ever‐expanding universe of empirical research. Meta‐analysis encompasses various techniques for synthesizing summary statistics, and mega‐analysis pools raw data across studies. This paper offers an introduction to meta‐analysis and mega‐analysis that complements the study of analysis of variance (ANOVA). After a brief conceptual discussion, we provide simple numerical examples.
Raised CA125 – what we actually know…
Authors: Howe Tamara , Sokolovsky Nava , Sayasneh Ahmad , Omar Kazal , Tahmasebi Farshad
Published: October 2020

Key content

Carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) is an antigen used in the diagnosis of epithelial nonmucinous ovarian cancers.

CA125 may be elevated in many benign and malignant conditions, so elevated levels can cause confusion over patient management.

The multidisciplinary team is important when planning care for patients with suspected ovarian cancer.

Learning objectives

To know the factors leading to CA125 production and its mechanism of action.

To understand how CA125 is used as a diagnostic tool and to assess the treatment response of ovarian cancer.

To appreciate patient care options in cases of falsely elevated CA125.

Ethical issues

Is the CA125 blood test being used in patients appropriately and safely?

In patients with elevated CA125 levels, does this lead to unnecessary investigations and invasive treatments?