bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION WITH SEVERE MACULAR EDEMA IN EARLY PREGNANCY
Authors: Pokroy Russell , Raskin Eyal , Masarwa Dua
Published: October 2020

Purpose:

To report the clinical course and treatment outcomes of a patient with central retinal vein occlusion with severe macular edema in early pregnancy.

Methods:

Interventional case report.

Results:

A 39-year-old woman with gestational diabetes mellitus and a 15-pack year smoking history presented at 7 weeks gestation with decreased vision due to central retinal vein occlusion with marked macular edema. One month later, visual acuity had decreased to 20/400, and macular edema had worsened to a central subfield thickness of 1,432 μm. She was treated with a single intravitreal dexamethasone implant at 16 weeks gestation. She responded well with visual acuity improving to 20/40+ and complete resolution of macular edema. At 33 weeks gestation, the cystoid macular edema recurred, but the patient refused treatment. The cystoid macular edema spontaneously resolved 3 weeks postpartum but recurred 3 months later with visual acuity worsening to 20/50. This macular edema resolved completely after a single 1.25 mg bevacizumab injection. She required no further treatment, and 23 months later, her macula was dry with visual acuity of 20/25. Her baby was healthy.

Conclusion:

Although pregnancy seems to aggravate central retinal vein occlusion –associated macular edema, the visual loss may be reversible. Intravitreal steroid seems to be effective during pregnancy with no apparent systemic or fetal complications. Young patients with retinal vein occlusion and center-involving macular edema may stabilize with minimal treatment.
VITREOUS HEMORRHAGE IN TYPE 3 GAUCHER DISEASE: AN ANGIOGRAPHIC AND PATHOLOGIC ANALYSIS
Authors: Hua Hong-Uyen , Haghighi Arezu , Shillingford Nick , Lee Thomas C. , Nagiel Aaron
Published: October 2020

Purpose:

To describe the case of a 12-year-old woman with vitreoretinal manifestations of Type 3 Gaucher disease.

Methods:

A retrospective case report including multimodal imaging and histologic examination of the vitreous.

Results:

A 12-year-old woman with a history of Gaucher disease Type 3 was referred to the ophthalmology service for evaluation of vitreous deposits in both eyes. Funduscopic examination was notable for white vitreous opacities in both eyes. Ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography demonstrated areas of blockage associated with the deposits and focal areas of leakage. Optical coherence tomography angiography showed shadow artifact without intrinsic flow at these sites. Three years after presentation, she developed a right hemorrhagic posterior vitreous detachment, requiring pars plana vitrectomy with scleral buckle. A vitreous sample was sent to pathology, which demonstrated Gaucher cells.

Conclusion:

Gaucher disease is a rare metabolic condition caused by an autosomal recessive deficiency of glucocerebrosidase. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of hemorrhagic posterior vitreous detachment in Type 3 Gaucher disease, including ultra-widefield imaging, optical coherence tomography angiography, and histopathology.
Structured Mentorship and the Nursing Clinical Ladder
Authors: Mijares Ann H. , Radovich Patricia
Published: October 2020

When nursing turnover is greater than the national average, professional development of nursing staff increases job satisfaction and employment retention. One approach that can address the professional development is mentoring.

Purpose

The evidence-based practice (EBP) project's aim was to determine whether a short-term structured mentorship program led by a clinical nurse specialist increased work engagement among staff nurses within 8 to 10 weeks.

Description

The EBP project was implemented on 2 adult acute care inpatient units. Using Wagner's caring mentorship model, a mentorship program using the organization's clinical ladder criteria was established where nurses were able to participate and complete selected professional development activities based on personal interests and perceived strengths. The clinical nurse specialist provided guidance and advice based each participant's identified activity.

Outcome

Since the completion of the initial pilot, the organization has expanded the mentorship program to include mentorship of nursing leaders as well as staff on the clinical units. With this expansion, the organization has trained an additional 167 mentors and has a consistent 27% overall advancement of nurses on the clinical ladder. In addition, advanced practice registered nurses have implemented mentorship as part of their onboarding practice for advanced practice nursing.

Conclusion

The EBP project demonstrated that a mentorship program using an established clinical ladder can increase elements of work engagement and satisfaction with the mentor and program among hospital nursing staff. Sustaining and expanding the program can facilitate with increased nursing job satisfaction and employee retention.
The Value and Role of the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility
Authors: Perret Danielle , Whyte John , Melvin John , Celnik Pablo , Knowlton Tiffany , Nguyen Benjamin , Roberts-Atwater Beverly , Wu Sam S. H.
Published: October 2020

Although healthcare is always changing, the inpatient rehabilitation facility has indispensable and enduring roles in patient care, medical education, and research. For patients with complex medical and functional limitations, inpatient rehabilitation facility–level care fosters recovery and community reintegration and plays a strategic role in optimizing healthcare transitions from acute and to postacute settings. It is an incomparable and distinct zone for interprofessional education: the healthcare system is dependent on the inpatient rehabilitation facility as the epicenter for instruction to healthcare professionals on how to care for patients with complex rehabilitation needs. As healthcare evolves, patients’ increasing medical complexity requires ongoing research focused on patients’ evolving healthcare needs. The inpatient rehabilitation facility alone offers the requisite infrastructure to support such discovery. In this Association of Academic Physiatrists Position Paper, we provide a fresh perspective on the value proposition of the inpatient rehabilitation facility and advocate for this unique clinical environment as a critical component of contemporary healthcare.
Listeria valentina sp. nov., isolated from a water trough and the faeces of healthy sheep
Authors: Quereda Juan J. , Leclercq Alexandre , Moura Alexandra , Vales Guillaume , Gómez-Martín Ángel , García-Muñoz Ángel , Thouvenot Pierre , Tessaud-Rita Nathalie , Bracq-Dieye Hélène , Lecuit Marc
Published: October 2020

In the context of a study on the occurrence of

Listeria

species in an animal farm environment in Valencia, Spain, six

Listeria

-like isolates could not be assigned to any known species. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene and on 231

Listeria

core genes grouped these isolates in a monophyletic clade within the genus

Listeria

, with highest similarity to

Listeria thailandensis

. Whole-genome sequence analyses based on in silico DNA–DNA hybridization, the average nucleotide blast and the pairwise amino acid identities against all currently known

Listeria

species confirmed that these isolates constituted a new taxon within the genus

Listeria

. Phenotypically, these isolates differed from other

Listeria

species mainly by the production of acid from inositol, the absence of acidification in presence of methyl α-d-glucoside, and the absence of α-mannosidase and nitrate reductase activities. The name Listeria valentina sp. nov. is proposed for this novel species, and the type strain is CLIP 2019/00642T (=CIP 111799T=DSM 110544T).
Sex Differences in the Impact of Childhood Socioeconomic Status on Immune Function
Authors: Gassen Jeffrey , White Jordon D. , Peterman Julia L. , Mengelkoch Summer , Leyva Randi P. Proffitt , Prokosch Marjorie L. , Eimerbrink Micah J. , Brice Kelly , Cheek Dennis J. , Boehm Gary W. , Hill Sarah E.
Published: October 2020

We examined relationships between multiple sources of early life stress and adult immune function in humans. Adult participants provided retrospective information about their childhood a) socioeconomic status, b) household unpredictability, and c) exposure to adverse experiences. Participants’ peripheral blood mononuclear cells were then isolated for use in functional assays: a) tumor cell lysis by natural killer cells, and b) phagocytosis of Escherichia coli bioparticles, and c) mitogen-induced leukocyte proliferation and cytokine release. In men, lower childhood socioeconomic status predicted decrements in immunological performance across functional assays, along with greater spontaneous cytokine release from PBMCs. These changes co-occurred with elevations in plasma testosterone levels. Similar effects were not observed for other sources of stress, nor were they found in women (with the exception of spontaneous cytokine release). These findings provide evidence that low childhood socioeconomic status has a lasting negative impact on multiple aspects of immune function, particularly in men.
Epidemiological Risk Factors of SARS-CoV-2 Infections
Authors: Barletta William A.
Published: October 2020

Since the first recognitions by governments of the pandemic characteristic of the SARS-CoV-2 infections, public health agencies have warned the public about the dangers of the virus to persons with a variety of underlying physical conditions, many of which are more commonly found in persons over 50 years old or in certain ethnic groups. To investigate the statistical, rather than physiological basis of such warnings, this study examines correlations globally on a nation-by-nation basis between the statistical data concerning COVID-19 fatalities among the populations of the ninety-nine countries with the greatest number of SARS-CoV-2 infections plus the statistics of potential co-morbidities that may influence the severity of the infections. It examines reasons that may underlie of the degree to which advanced age increases the risk of mortality of an infection and contrasts the risk factors of SARS-Cov-2 infections with those of influenzas and their associated pneumonias.
Small extracellular vesicles secreted by Candida albicans hyphae have highly diverse protein cargoes that include virulence factors and stimulate macrophages
Authors: Martínez-López Raquel , Hernáez Maria Luisa , Redondo Esther , Calvo Guillermo , Radau Sonja , Gil Concha , Monteoliva Lucía
Published: October 2020

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been described as mediators of microorganism survival and interaction with the host. InCandida albicans, a relevant commensal fungal pathogen, the dimorphic transition is an important virulence trait in candidiasis. We have analyzed EVs secreted by yeast (YEVs) or hyphal cells (HEVs) fromC. albicans, finding interesting differences in both size distribution and protein loading. In general, HEVs were smaller and carried a much more diverse protein cargo than YEVs, including most of the proteins identified in YEVs, which were mainly cell surface proteins. Virulence factors such as phospholipases, aspartic proteases (Saps), adhesins and invasins, and the precursor protein of candidalysin toxin Ece1p were also detected. HEVs were also enriched in proteasomal and ribosomal proteins, and in enzymes from amino acid biosynthetic pathways, all involved in protein metabolism, as well as proteins related to intracellular protein transport and components of the ESCRT pathway related to exosome biogenesis. Both types of EV presented immune reactivity with human sera from patients suffering invasive candidiasis. In our conditions, only HEVs could elicit the release of TNFα by activated macrophages. This first analysis ofC. albicansHEVs shows their relevance to pathogenesis and possible new diagnostics or treatments.
Variations in the frequency and amplitude of resting-state EEG and fMRI signals in normal adults: The effects of age and sex
Authors: Zhong Xiaole , Chen J. Jean
Published: October 2020

Frequency and amplitude features of both resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) are crucial metrics that reveal patterns of brain health in aging. However, the association between these two modalities is still unclear. In this study, we examined the peak frequency and standard deviation of both modalities in a dataset comprising healthy young (35.5±3.4 years, N=134) and healthy old (66.9±4.8 years, N=51) adults. Both age and sex effects were examined using non-parametric analyses of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference (HSD) post-hoc comparisons in the cortical and subcortical regions. We found that, with age, EEG power decreases in the low frequency band (1-12 Hz) but increases in the high frequency band (12-30 Hz). Moreover, EEG frequency generally shifts up with aging. For fMRI, fluctuation amplitude is lower but fluctuation frequency is higher in older adults, but in a manner that depends on the fMRI frequency range. Furthermore, there are significant sex effects in EEG power (female > male), but the sex effect is negligible for EEG frequency as well as fMRI power and frequency. We also found that the fMRI-EEG power ratio is higher in young adults than old adults. However, the mediation analysis shows the association between EEG and fMRI parameters in aging is negligible. This is the first study that examines both power and frequency of both resting EEG and fMRI signals in the same cohort. In conclusion, both fMRI and EEG signals reflect age-related and sex-related brain differences, but they likely associate with different origins.
Role for the Na+/K+ATPase pump alpha 3 (ATP1A3) subunit in folding and lamination of the human neocortex
Authors: Smith Richard S. , Florio Marta , Akula Shyam K. , Neil Jennifer E. , Wang Yidi , Hill R. Sean , Goldman Melissa , Mullally Christopher D. , Reed Nora , Bello-Espinosa Luis , Flores-Sarnat Laura , Monteiro Fabiola Paoli , Erasmo Casella B. , e Vairo Filippo Pinto , Morava Eva , Barkovich A. James , Gonzalez-Heydrich Joseph , Brownstein Catherine A. , McCarroll Steven A. , Walsh Christopher A.
Published: October 2020

Osmotic equilibrium and membrane potential in animal cells depend on concentration gradients of sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) ions across the plasma membrane, a function that is catalyzed by the Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit. In vertebrates, four paralogous genes,ATP1A1-4, encode distinct alpha subunit isoforms (a1-a4), three of which (a1, a2, a3) are expressed in the brain, and two (a1, a3) predominantly in neurons. Thea3isoform, encoded byATP1A3, is critical to neuronal physiology, and a growing spectrum of neurological diseases are associated withATP1A3pathogenic variants, with ages of onset ranging from early childhood to adulthood. Here, we describeATP1A3variants encoding dysfunctionala3subunits in children affected by polymicrogyria, a developmental malformation of the cerebral cortex characterized by abnormal folding and laminar organization. To gain cell-biological insights into the spatiotemporal dynamics of prenatalATP1A3expression, we established a transcriptional atlas ofATP1A3expression during cortical development using mRNAin situhybridization and transcriptomic profiling of ~125,000 individual cells with single-cell RNA sequencing (Drop-Seq) from various areas of the midgestational human neocortex. We find that fetal expression ofATP1A3is restricted to a subset of excitatory neurons carrying transcriptional signatures of neuronal activity and maturation characteristic of the developing subplate. Furthermore, by performing Drop-Seq on ~52,000 nuclei from four different areas of an infant human neocortex, we show thatATP1A3expression persists throughout early postnatal development, not only within excitatory neurons across all cortical layers, but also and more predominantly in inhibitory neurons, with specific enrichment in fast-spiking basket cells. In addition, we show thatATP1A3expression, both in fetal and postnatal neurons, tends to be higher in frontal cortical areas than in occipital areas, in a pattern consistent with the rostro-caudal maturation gradient of the human neocortex. Finally, we discover distinct co-expression patterns linking catalytic α subunit isoforms (ATP1A1,2,3) and auxiliary isoforms (ATP1B1,2,3), suggesting the ATPase pump may form non-redundant, cell-type specific α-β combinations. Together, the importance of the developmental phenotypes and dynamic expression patterns ofATP1A3point to a key role fora3in the development and function of human cortex.
Using Touchscreen Equipped Operant Chambers to Study Comparative Cognition. Benefits, Limitations, and Advice
Authors: Seitz BM , McCune KB , MacPherson M , Bergeron L , Blaisdell AP , Logan CJ
Published: October 2020

Operant chambers are small enclosures used to test animal behavior and cognition. While traditionally reliant on simple technologies for presenting stimuli (e.g., lights and sounds) and recording responses made to basic manipulanda (e.g., levers and buttons), an increasing number of researchers are beginning to use Touchscreen-equipped Operant Chambers (TOCs). These TOCs have obvious advantages, namely by allowing researchers to present a near infinite number of stimuli as well as increased flexibility in the types of responses that can be made and recorded. Here, we trained wild-caught adult and juvenile great-tailed grackles (Quiscalus mexicanus) to complete experiments using a TOC. We have learned much from these efforts, and outline the advantages and disadvantages of these two approaches. We report data from our training sessions and discuss important modifications we made to facilitate animal engagement and participation in various tasks. Finally, we provide a “training guide” for creating experiments using PsychoPy, a free and open-source software that we have found to be incredibly useful during these endeavors. This article, therefore, should serve as a useful resource to those interested in switching to or maintaining a TOC, or who similarly wish to use a TOC to test the cognitive abilities of non-model species or wild-caught individuals.
In silicocharacterization ofMTP1gene associated with Zn homeostasis across different dicot plant species
Authors: Kabir Ahmad Humayan
Published: October 2020

Zinc (Zn) is tightly regulated in plants. The MTP1/ZAT (metal tolerance protein) plays a critical role in adjusting Zn homeostasis upon Zn fluctuation in plants. This study characterizes MTP1 homologs with particular emphasis on AtMT1 in various dicot plants. The protein BLAST search was used to identify a total of 21 MTP1 proteins. Generally, all these MTP1 proteins showed around 400 residues long, six transmembrane helices, stable instability index along with cation transmembrane transporter activity (GO:0008324). These physio-chemical features of MTP1 can be utilized as a benchmark in the prediction of Zn uptake and tolerance in plants. These MTP1 homologs were located on chromosomes 2, 7, and 14 with one exon. Motif analysis showed conserved sequences of 41-50 residues belonging to the family of cation efflux, which may be helpful for binding sites targeting and transcription factor analysis. Phylogenetic studies revealed close similarities ofAtZATwithGlycine maxandMedicago trunculatathat may infer a functional relationship in Zn tolerance or uptake across different plant species. Further, interactome analysis suggests that AtZAT is closely linked cadmium/zinc-transporting ATPase and ZIP metal ion transporter, which could provide essential background for functional genomics studies in plants. The network of AtZAT is predominantly connected to cadmium/zinc-transporting ATPase (HMA2, HMA3, HMA4), cation efflux protein (MTP11), and metal tolerance protein C3 (AT4G58060). The Genevestigator platform further predicts the high expression potential of AtMTP1 in root tissue at the germination and grain filling stage. The structural analysis of MTP1 proteins suggests the conserved N-glyco motifs as well as similar hydrophobicity, net charge and nonpolar residues, alpha-helix in all MTP1 proteins. Altogether, thesein silicocharacterization features of MTP1 and its orthologs will provide an essential theoretical background to perform wet-lab experiments and to better understand Zn homeostasis aiming to develop genetically engineered plants.
5-HT2C agonists and antagonists block different components of behavioral responses to potential, distal, and proximal threat in zebrafish
Authors: Xavier do Carmo Silva Rhayra , Gomes do Nascimento Bianca , Gomes Gabriela Cristini Vidal , Holanda da Silva Nadyme Assad , Pinheiro Jéssica Souza , Nayara da Silva Chaves Suianny , Pimentel Ana Flávia Nogueira , Costa Bruna Patrícia Dutra , Herculano Anderson Manoel , Lima-Maximino Monica , Maximino Caio
Published: October 2020

Serotonin (5-HT) receptors have been implicated in responses to aversive stimuli in mammals and fish, but its precise role is still unknown. Moreover, since at least seven families of 5-HT receptors exist in vertebrates, the role of specific receptors is still debated. Aversive stimuli can be classified as indicators of proximal, distal, or potential threat, initiating responses that are appropriate for each of these threat levels. Responses to potential threat usually involve cautious exploration and increased alertness, while responses to distal and proximal threat involve a fight-flight-freeze reaction. We exposed adult zebrafish to a conspecific alarm substance (CAS) and observed behavior during (distal threat) and after (potential threat) exposure, and treated with the 5-HT2Creceptor agonists MK-212 or WAY-161503 or with the antagonist RS-102221. The agonists blocked CAS-elicited defensive behavior (distal threat), but not post-exposure increases in defensive behavior (potential threat), suggesting inhibition of responses to distal threat. MK-212 blocked changes in freezing elicited by acute restraint stress, a model of proximal threat, while RS-102221 blocked changes in geotaxis elicited this stressor. We also found that RS-102221, a 5-HT2Creceptor antagonist, produced small effect on behavior during and after exposure to CAS.

Preprint:https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.10.04.324202;Data and scripts:https://github.com/lanec-unifesspa/5-HT-CAS/tree/master/data/5HT2C
CXCL10+peripheral activation niches couple preferred sites of Th1 entry with optimal APC encounter
Authors: Prizant Hen , Patil Nilesh , Negatu Seble , McGurk Alexander , Leddon Scott A. , Hughson Angela , McRae Tristan D. , Gao Yu-Rong , Livingstone Alexandra M , Groom Joanna R , Luster Andrew D , Fowell Deborah J
Published: October 2020

Correct positioning of T cells within infected tissues is critical for T cell activation and pathogen control. Upon tissue entry, effector T cells must efficiently locate antigen presenting cells (APC) for peripheral activation. We reveal that tissue entry and initial peripheral activation of Th1 effector T cells are tightly linked to perivascular positioning of chemokine-expressing APCs. Dermal inflammation induced tissue-widede novogeneration of discrete perivascular CXCL10+cell clusters, enriched for CD11c+MHC-II+monocyte-derived dendritic cells. These chemokine clusters were ‘hot spots’ for both Th1 extravasation and activation in the inflamed skin. CXCR3-dependent Th1 localization to the cluster micro-environment prolonged T-APC interactions and boosted function. Both the frequency and range of these clusters were enhanced via a Th1-intrinsic, IFNγ-dependent positive feedback loop. Thus, the perivascular CXCL10+clusters act as initial peripheral activation niches, optimizing controlled activation broadly throughout the tissue by coupling Th1 tissue entry with enhanced opportunities for Th1-APC encounter.
Preneoplastic lesions fimbria pan-proteomic studies establish the fimbriectomy benefit for BRCA1/2 patients and identify early diagnosis markers of HGSC
Authors: Wisztorski Maxence , Saudemont Philippe , Aboulouard Soulaimane , Cardon Tristan , Narducci Fabrice , Robin Yves-Marie , Lemaire Anne-Sophie , Bertin Delphine , Kobeissy Firas , Leblanc Eric , Fournier Isabelle , Salzet Michel
Published: October 2020

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancer worldwide; however, the origin of ovarian tumors, particularly for high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), is still debated. Accumulated evidence converges towards the involvement of the preneoplastic lesions observed in the fimbriated end of the fallopian tubes. In this study, we propose to carry out an in-depth proteomics analysis of these epithelial lesions (p53 signature, serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma-STIC and serous tubal intraepithelial lesions-STIL) based on spatially resolved proteomic guided by IHC technique. We identified specific clusters related to each preneoplastic lesions, specific protein mutations based on Cosmic database and a Ghost proteome translated from non-coding RNAs and alternative ORFs, using the OpenProt database. Protein networks have been constructed from each cluster utilizing systems biology platform. Generated data were used to confirm the potentially dormant character of the STIL lesion and the more aggressive profile of the STIC which appears closer to HGSC than other lesions. In summary, our results established the chronological mechanisms and genesis of different ovarian cancer phenotypes but also identified the early diagnostic markers of HCSC guiding an adapted therapy and a better patient care.
Peripheral kappa opioid receptor activation drives noxious cold hypersensitivity in mice
Authors: Madasu Manish K. , Thang Loc V. , Chilukuri Priyanka , Palanisamy Sree , Arackal Joel S. , Sheahan Tayler D. , Foshage Audra M. , Houghten Richard A. , McLaughlin Jay P. , McCall Jordan G. , Al-Hasani Ream
Published: October 2020

Noxious cold sensation is commonly associated with peripheral neuropathies, however, there has been limited progress in understanding the mechanism of cold pain. Here we identify a role for kappa opioid receptors (KOR) in driving noxious cold hypersensitivity. First, we show that systemic activation of KOR by the agonist U50,488 (U50), increases the latency to jump and the number of jumps on a cold plate at 3°C, and that the KOR antagonist NorBNI attenuates U50-induced noxious cold hypersensitivity. However, the central administration of NorBNI does not block U50-induced noxious cold hypersensitivity, suggesting that peripheral KOR may modulate this effect. To directly test this, we use the peripherally-restricted KOR agonist, ff(nle)r-NH2 and also show selective activation of peripheral KOR causes noxious cold hypersensitivity. To begin to understand how peripheral KOR drive noxious cold hypersensitivity we investigated whether KOR interact with transient receptor potential ankyrin 1(TRPA1) channels, known to facilitate the perception of noxious cold, in dorsal root ganglion (DRG). Using fluorescentin situhybridization, we show that KOR mRNA colocalizes with the transcripts for the cold-activated TRPA1 channels in DRG. We also show a potentiation in intracellular calcium release in DRG neurons during the simultaneous application of the TRPA1 agonist, mustard oil (MO), and a KOR agonist, U50, when compared to MO alone. Together our data suggest that peripheral KOR may induce noxious cold hypersensitivity through modulation of TRPA1 channels.
GABA administration prevents severe illness and death following coronavirus infection in mice
Authors: Tian Jide , Middleton Blake , Kaufman Daniel L.
Published: October 2020

There is an urgent need for new treatments to prevent and ameliorate severe illness and death induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection in COVID-19 patients. The coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV)-1 causes pneumonitis in mice which shares many pathological characteristics with human SARS-CoV infection. Previous studies have shown that the amino acid gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has anti-inflammatory effects. We tested whether oral treatment with GABA could modulate the MHV-1 induced pneumonitis in susceptible A/J mice. As expected, MHV-1-inoculated control mice became severely ill (as measured by weight loss, clinical score, and the ratio of lung weight to body weight) and >60% of them succumbed to the infection. In contrast, mice that received GABA immediately after MHV-1 inoculation became only mildly ill and all of them recovered. When GABA treatment was initiated after the appearance of illness (3 days post-MHV-1 infection), we again observed that GABA treatment significantly reduced the severity of illness and greatly increased the frequency of recovery. Therefore, the engagement of GABA receptors (GABA-Rs) prevented the MHV-1 infection-induced severe pneumonitis and death in mice. Given that GABA-R agonists, like GABA and homotaurine, are safe for human consumption, stable, inexpensive, and available worldwide, they are promising candidates to help prevent severe illness stemming from SARS-CoV-2 infection and other coronavirus strains.
Deep Collection of Quantitative Nuclear Division Dynamics Data in RNAi-treatedCaenorhabditis elegansEmbryos
Authors: Kyoda Koji , Okada Hatsumi , Itoga Hiroya , Onami Shuichi
Published: October 2020

Recent advances in bioimage informatics techniques have yielded quantitative data on multicellular dynamics from microscopy images of animal development. Several such data collections have been created forCaenorhabditis elegansembryos under various gene silencing conditions. However, because of the limited depth of the datasets, it is impractical to apply standard statistical methods to these collections. Here, we created a deep collection of quantitative data on nuclear division dynamics during the first three rounds of cell division inC. elegansembryos, in which 263 essential embryonic genes were silenced individually by RNA-mediated interference. The collection consists of datasets from 33 wild-type and 1142 RNAi-treated embryos, including five or more datasets for 189 genes. Application of a two-samplet-test identified 8660 reproducible RNAi-induced phenotypes for 421 phenotypic characters. Clustering analysis suggested 24 functional processes essential for early embryogenesis. Our collection is a rich resource for understanding animal development mechanisms.

In Brief

Kyoda et al. used bioimage informatics techniques to create a deep collection of quantitative data on nuclear division dynamics in RNAi-treatedC. elegansembryos for 263 essential embryonic genes. Statistical analysis identified 8660 reproducible RNAi phenotypes for 421 phenotypic characters. The collection is a rich resource for understanding animal development.

Highlights

Bioimage informatics quantified nuclear division dynamics inC. elegansembryos

From RNAi-silenced embryos we collected 1142 data sets on 263 essential genes

Statistical analysis identified 8660 reproducible RNAi phenotypes

Clustering analysis suggested 24 functional processes inC. elegansembryogenesis
The contribution of PARP1, PARP2 and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation to base excision repair in the nucleosomal context
Authors: Kutuzov M.M. , Belousova E.A. , Kurgina T.A. , Ukraintsev A.A. , Vasil’eva I.A. , Khodyreva S.N. , Lavrik O.I.
Published: October 2020

The repair processes regulation including base excision repair (BER) is implemented by a cellular signal PARylation catalysed by PARP1 and PARP2. Despite intensive studies, it is far from clear how BER is regulated by PARPs and how the roles are distributed between the PARPs. Here, we investigated the effects of PARP1, PARP2 and PARylation on activities of the main BER enzymes (APE1, Polβ and LigIIIα) in combination with XRCC1 in the nucleosomal context. We constructed nucleosomes with midward- or outward-oriented damage. It was concluded that in most cases, the presence of PARP1 leads to the suppression of the activities of APE1, Polβ, and to a lesser extent LigIIIα. PARylation by PARP1 attenuated this effect to various degrees. PARP2 had an influence predominantly on the last stage of BER: DNA sealing. Nonetheless, PARylation by PARP2 led to Polβ inhibition and to significant stimulation of LigIIIα activities in a NAD+-dependent manner.
TopBP1 assembles nuclear condensates to switch on ATR signalling
Authors: Frattini Camilla , Promonet Alexy , Alghoul Emile , Vidal-Eychenie Sophie , Lamarque Marie , Blanchard Marie-Pierre , Urbach Serge , Basbous Jihane , Constantinou Angelos
Published: October 2020

ATR checkpoint signalling is crucial for cellular responses to DNA replication impediments. Using an optogenetic platform, we show that TopBP1, the main activator of ATR, self-assembles extensively to yield micron-sized condensates. These opto-TopBP1 condensates are functional entities organized in tightly packed clusters of spherical nano-particles. TopBP1 condensates are reversible, occasionally fuse and co-localise with TopBP1 partner proteins. We provide evidence that TopBP1 condensation is a molecular switch that amplifies ATR activity to phosphorylate checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) and slowdown replication forks. Single amino acid substitutions of key residues in the intrinsically disordered ATR-activation domain disrupt TopBP1 condensation and, consequently, ATR/Chk1 signalling. In physiologic salt concentration and pH, purified TopBP1 undergoes liquid-liquid phase separationin vitro. We propose that the actuation mechanism of ATR signalling is the assembly of TopBP1 condensates driven by highly regulated multivalent and cooperative interactions.
Evolution of molecular determinants for SUMO-activating enzyme subcellular localization in plants
Authors: Más Abraham , Castaño-Miquel Laura , Carretero-Paulet Lorenzo , Colomé Núria , Canals Francesc , Lois L. Maria
Published: October 2020

Post-translational modification by Small Ubiquitin-related Modifier (SUMO) is an essential regulatory mechanism in eukaryotes. In the cell, SUMO conjugates are highly enriched in the nucleus and, consistently, SUMOylation machinery components are mainly nuclear. Nonetheless, cytosolic SUMO targets also exist and the mechanisms that facilitate SUMO conjugation in the cytosol are unknown. Here, we show that the nuclear localization of the Arabidopsis SUMO activating enzyme large subunit SAE2 is dependent on two nuclear localization signals, the canonical NLS1 and the non-canonical NLS2 identified and validated here. NLS2 is proteolytic processed from SAE2 during seed development, facilitating SAE2 enrichment in the cytosol. Results obtained using transgenic plants expressing different SAE2 proteoforms suggest that SAE2 cytosolic enrichment could constitute a rapid signal for growth arrest. Phylogenetic studies indicated that the Arabidopsis NLS1-NLS2 structural organization is conserved only in seed plants, providing a potential evolutionary role of cytosolic SUMOylation in seed appearance.
Who really values healthy food?
Authors: Arroyo Pilar Ester , Liñan Javier , Vera Martínez Jorge
Published: October 2020

Purpose

When selecting manufactured foods, customers consider several product features. Given the contemporary trends of food consumption, the purpose of this paper is to determine the influence that some demographic and psychographic key variables have on the chances of a consumer belonging to a market segment characterised by health-related food preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

The food choice scale is revised to develop a multidimensional measure of the factors underlying consumer food choices. Data of 288 sampled consumers were used to validate the scale and to group consumers into four segments based on the value assigned to several food-product meta-attributes. Depending on these food choice values, the study identified four dissimilar clusters: utilitarian, protecting, toning and highly demanding.

Findings

Consumers use multiple attributes when choosing food products. However, emerging segments tend to prefer health-related attributes over utilitarian or conventional attributes, such as price, flavour or accessibility. The consumers of these segments tend to be older, more health conscious and more prone to psychological health risks.

Originality/value

Demographic and psychographic traits tend to drive trade-offs between health- and non-health-related attributes when considering food products. Several multivariate methodologies were innovatively coupled to characterize consumers based on their healthy food preferences and individual traits.
Nutritional labelling and purchase intention interaction of interpretative food labels with consumers' beliefs and decisions
Authors: Medina-Molina Cayetano , Pérez-González Benito
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Spain decided to implement NutriScore with the objective of helping consumers to choose healthier foods. NutriScore is a summary indicator interpretative nutritional labelling. This study aims to verify whether the coexistence with other interpretative labelling may influence NutriScore effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was used to analyse two different brands in the same category; one of them ranked with a “B” NutriScore rating and the other with a “D” NutriScore rating. The product packaging was shown in four different ways: without indications, with nutrient-specific labels, with summary indicators (NutriScore) and with both interpretative indicators. Having positive and negative evaluations of NutriScore allowed us to assess its impact. Structural equation modelling (SEM), Student t-test and F-test were employed with a sample of 301 questionnaires.

Findings

The different formats of the interpretative labels did not moderate the relationship between perceived healthiness and purchase intention. When a food product is given positive evaluation from NutriScore, nutrient-specific interpretative labelling reinforces the effect of NutriScore. When a food product is given negative evaluation from NutriScore, nutrient specific interpretative labelling cancels the effect of NutriScore on perceived healthiness and purchase intention.

Originality/value

Previous studies have analysed the interaction between NutriScore and nutrient-specific interpretative labels, but they attribute a negative message to the product (warning labels). This study was aimed at analysing the interaction between NutriScore and summary indicators nutrient specific with positive message about the nutritional quality of the food item.
Fruitzone India Limited (B): Designing the Research Questionnaire
Authors: Tripathi Sanjeev
Published: October 2020

Fruitzone India Limited was the Indian subsidiary of the multinational company Gypsy Inc., the global leader in the beverages industry. The company was conducting market research to identify a new flavour of fruit juice that it could launch. The case discusses how Fruitzone India Limited conducted the exploratory research and then prepared to conduct a confirmatory research. The case can be used to discuss different exploratory research techniques, how to interpret the findings of exploratory research and questionnaire construction. This case is useful for participants in the Business Research Methods, Market Research and Qualitative Research courses.
An off-site construction readiness maturity model for the Indian construction sector
Authors: Bendi Deepthi , Rana Muhammad Qasim , Arif Mohammed , Goulding Jack Steven , Sawhney Anil
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to present an off-site construction (OSC) readiness maturity model for assessing the readiness of offsite construction companies in the Indian construction sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted in three stages. The first stage consisted of a detailed literature review to document 17 different variables affecting the OSC adoption in India. In Stage 2, 15 semi-structured interviews were carried out where the participants were asked to refine those variables for the Indian context and define what would be different levels of attainment. In the third stage, another set of 5 semi-structure interviews was performed to validate the maturity levels and definitions.

Findings

A three-level OSC readiness maturity model is presented for discussion. This describes 17 variables at different levels of maturity.

Practical Implications

The proposed OSC readiness maturity model guides construction practitioners in India through a structured process to enable them to assess their OSC readiness in the market. This assessment enables them to evaluate and benchmark their processes through the strategic and operational phases. The maturity model also identifies the areas of concern and the scope for further development or change to secure the optimal advantage of OSC methods.

Originality/value

The research produced a model to assess the readiness of OSC adoption in the Indian construction sector. Although the model has been applied to the Indian construction sector, it can easily be modified to accommodate other OSM contexts.
Women, Gender equality and COVID-19
Authors: Carli Linda L.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to review the existing literature on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on gender and work roles to determine whether the pandemic has undermined the status, pay and advancement of women or has provided opportunities for reducing gender inequality.

Design/methodology/approach

The author reviewed the literature on the effects of COVID-19 and past pandemics on gender equality, focusing on job loss, the effects of being in essential occupations on health and well-being, the increased domestic responsibilities of women and men due to closure of schools and other social services and the effects of telecommuting on gender roles.

Findings

The pandemic has generally created challenges for women’s advancement. More women than men have lost their jobs; more women than men are in essential jobs that expose them to infection and psychological stress, and women have had more work disruption than men have had because of increases in childcare and other responsibilities. On the other hand, telecommuting has increased men’s amount of childcare, and this does have the potential to increase men’s childcare responsibilities in the long term, thereby reducing the gender gap in domestic responsibilities and increasing gender equality.

Research limitations/implications

The COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing and the research on the pandemic’s effects are new and ongoing.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first scholarly review of the literature on the potential effects of COVID-19 on the gender gap in pay and advancement.
Does transformational leadership matter for innovation in banks? The mediating role of knowledge sharing
Authors: Al-Ahmad Chaar Sherine , Easa Nasser Fathi
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the mediating role of knowledge sharing (KS) on the relationship between the transformational leadership (TL) and innovation in banks.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative analysis was conducted by using the structural equations modeling with AMOS 24 to examine the influence of the mediating role of KS on the TL–innovation relationship. Data were collected from 310 employees at 27 banks in Lebanon.

Findings

The research highlights that leaders exhibiting transformational behavior were able to promote knowledge-sharing culture that enhances the generation of new ideas, products and processes. The findings confirmed that KS mediates the association of TL and innovation.

Practical implications

The findings point to how TL mobilizes employees to engage in innovative products and processes by encouraging a knowledge-sharing culture.

Originality/value

The research findings advance the understanding of how TL stimulates innovation and highlights the benefits gained by cultivating KS to generate more innovative outcomes.
Performance analysis of optimal cluster selection and intrusion detection by hierarchical K-means clustering with hybrid ABC-DT
Authors: Jesuretnam Josemila Baby , Rose Jeba James
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a multi-dimensional hierarchical K-means clustering algorithm for the purpose of intrusion detection. Initially, the clustering set of rules is proposed to shape some of clusters in the network and then the most beneficial clusters are decided on by the use of Cuckoo search optimization set of rules. Finally, an Artificial Bee Colony primarily based selection tree (ABC-DT) classifier is rented to classify the regular and unusual instances present in the network with the aid of the extracted features.

Design/methodology/approach

Intrusion detection system (IDS) is crucial for the network system; the intruder can take sensitive details about the network. IDS are said to be more effective when it has both high intrusion detection rate and low false alarm rate. Numerous strategies including gadget mastering, records mining and statistical techniques were tested for IDS mission. Recent study reveals that combining multiple classifiers, i.e. classifiers ensemble, can also own better performance than unmarried classifier. In this paper, a comparative study is conducted of the overall performance of four classifiers, i.e. hybrid ABC-DT particle swarm optimization-based K-means clustering (PSO-KM), help vector device (SVM) and K-Nearest neighbour (KNN). All the four classifiers are tested with exceptional packet sizes 1470, 1024, 512 and 256. The experiment is carried out for the speed ranging from turned into done for the velocity ranging from 250Mbps, 500Mbps, 750Mbps, 1.0Gpbs, 1.5Gbps, and 2.0Gbps in terms of accuracy, detection charge, specificity, false alarm charge and computational time. The experimental results reveals that the hybridization of classifiers performs better than the base classifiers in all scenarios.

Findings

This study analyses the performance of hybrid ABC-DT classifier and compares the performance against three well-known classifiers such as PSO-KM, SVM and K-NN. The performances of all the four classifiers are tested with Discovery in Data Mining (KDD) CUP 99 dataset with different packet sizes 1470, 1024, 512 and 256. The results show the classifier performance variations with different speed ranges. From the experimental results and analysis, the hybridization of classifiers such as ABC-DT outperforms the base classifiers in all scenarios.

Originality/value

The novel approach in this paper is used to study the hybrid ABC-DT classifier and compare the performance against three well-known classifiers such as PSO-KM, SVM and K-NN. The discussed concept is used within the network to monitor the traffic to and from all the devices connected in that network.