bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Persistent telomere cohesion protects aged cells from premature senescence
Authors: Azarm Kameron , Bhardwaj Amit , Kim Eugenie , Smith Susan
Published: February 2020

Human telomeres are bound by the telomere repeat binding proteins TRF1 and TRF2. Telomere shortening in human cells leads to a DNA damage response that signals replicative senescence. While insufficient loading of TRF2 at shortened telomeres contributes to the DNA damage response in senescence, the contribution of TRF1 to senescence induction has not been determined. Here we show that counter to TRF2 deficiency-mediated induction of DNA damage, TRF1 deficiency serves a protective role to limit induction of DNA damage induced by subtelomere recombination. Shortened telomeres recruit insufficient TRF1 and as a consequence inadequate tankyrase 1 to resolve sister telomere cohesion. The persistent cohesion protects short telomeres from inappropriate recombination. Ultimately, in the final division, telomeres are no longer able to maintain cohesion and subtelomere copying ensues. Thus, the gradual loss of TRF1 and concomitant persistent cohesion that occurs with telomere shortening ensures a measured approach to replicative senescence.
Targeting STAT3 signalling using stabilised sulforaphane (SFX-01) inhibits endocrine resistant stem-like cells in ER-positive breast cancer
Authors: Simões Bruno M. , Santiago-Gómez Angélica , Chiodo Chiara , Moreira Tiago , Conole Daniel , Lovell Scott , Alferez Denis , Eyre Rachel , Spence Katherine , Sarmiento-Castro Aida , Kohler Bertram , Lanzino Marilena , Andò Sebastiano , Marangoni Elisabetta , Sims Andrew H. , Tate Edward , Howell Sacha J. , Clarke Robert B.
Published: February 2020

PURPOSE

Estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer is frequently sensitive to endocrine therapy. Multiple mechanisms of endocrine therapy resistance have been identified, including cancer stem-like cell (CSC) activity. Sulforaphane (SFN) has previously been shown to target CSCs but its mechanism of action is unclear. Here we investigate SFX-01, a stabilised formulation of SFN, for its effects on breast CSC activity in ER+ preclinical models and to study its mechanism.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

CSC activity was measured by mammosphere formation efficiency (MFE), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity, and tumor formation using patient samples and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumors treated with SFX-01 alone or in combination with tamoxifen or fulvestrant. Gene expression and SFN target proteins in treated samples were assessed.

RESULTS

SFX-01 reduced MFE of both ER+ primary and metastatic patient samples. Both tamoxifen and fulvestrant increased MFE and ALDH activity of PDX tumors, which was reversed by combination with SFX-01. SFX-01 significantly reduced tumor initiating cell frequency in secondary transplants at limiting dilution and reduced the formation of spontaneous lung micrometastases by PDX tumors in mice. Mechanistically, we establish that both tamoxifen and fulvestrant induce STAT3 phosphorylation. SFX-01 suppressed phospho-STAT3 and SFN directly bound STAT3 in patient and PDX samples. Analysis of ALDH+ cells from endocrine-resistant patient samples revealed activation of STAT3 target genesMUC1andOSMR, which were inhibited by SFX-01 in patient samples. Increased expression of these genes after 3 months’ endocrine treatment of ER+ patients (n=68) predicted poor prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data establish the importance of STAT3 signaling in CSC-mediated resistance to endocrine therapy and the potential of SFX-01 for improving clinical outcomes in ER+ breast cancer.
LIVE-PAINT: Super-Resolution Microscopy Inside Live Cells Using Reversible Peptide-Protein Interactions
Authors: Oi Curran , Gidden Zoe , Holyoake Louise , Kantelberg Owen , Mochrie Simon , Horrocks Mathew H. , Regan Lynne
Published: February 2020

We present LIVE-PAINT, a new approach to super-resolution fluorescent imaging inside live cells. In LIVE-PAINT only a short peptide sequence is fused to the protein being studied, unlike conventional super-resolution methods, which rely on directly fusing the biomolecule of interest to a large fluorescent protein, organic fluorophore, or oligonucleotide. LIVE-PAINT works by observing the blinking of localized fluorescence as this peptide is reversibly bound by a protein that is fused to a fluorescent protein. We have demonstrated the effectiveness of LIVE-PAINT by imaging a number of different proteins inside liveS. cerevisiae. Not only is LIVE-PAINT widely applicable, easily implemented, and the modifications minimally perturbing, but we also anticipate it will extend data acquisition times compared to those previously possible with methods that involve direct fusion to a fluorescent protein.
Energy supply per neuron is constrained by capillary density in the mouse brain
Authors: Ventura-Antunes Lissa , Herculano-Houzel Suzana
Published: February 2020

Neuronal densities vary enormously across sites within a brain. Does the density of the capillary bed accompany the presumably larger energy requirement of sites with more neurons, or with larger neurons, or is energy supply constrained by a mostly homogeneous capillary bed? Here we find evidence for the latter across various sites in the mouse brain and show that as a result, the ratio of capillary cells per neuron, and thus presumably blood and energy supply per neuron, decreases uniformly with increasing neuronal density and therefore smaller average neuronal size across sites. Additionally, we find that local capillary density is also not correlated with local synapse densities, although there is a small but significant correlation between lower neuronal density (and therefore larger neuronal size) and more synapses per neuron within the restricted range of 6,500-9,500 across cortical sites. Further, local variations in the glial/neuron ratio are also not correlated with local variations in number of synapses per neuron or local synaptic densities. These findings suggest that it is not that larger neurons, neurons with more synapses, or even sites with more synapsesdemandmore energy, but simply that larger (and thus fewer) neurons have more energy available per cell, and to its synapses as a whole, than smaller (and thus more numerous) neurons due to competition for limited resources supplied by a capillary bed of fairly homogeneous density throughout the brain.

Significance Statement

The brain is an expensive organ and at rest already uses nearly as much energy as during sensory activation. To ultimately determine whether the high energy cost of the brain is driven by an unusually high energy demand by neurons or constrained by capillary density in the organ, we examine whether sites in the mouse brain with more neurons, larger neurons, or more synapses have more capillary supply, and find instead that capillary density is mostly homogeneous across brain structures. We propose that neurons are constrained to using what energy is available, with little evidence for adjustments according to local demand, which explains its high risk of ischemia and vulnerability to states of compromised metabolism, including normal aging.
Consistent Effects of Pesticides on Community Structure and Ecosystem Function in Freshwater Systems
Authors: Rumschlag Samantha L. , Mahon Michael B. , Hoverman Jason T. , Raffel Thomas R. , Carrick Hunter J. , Hudson Peter J. , Rohr Jason R.
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Predicting ecological effects of contaminants remains challenging because of the sheer number of chemicals and their ambiguous role in biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships. We evaluated responses of pond ecosystems to standardized concentrations of 12 pesticides, nested in four pesticide classes and two pesticide types. We show consistent effects of herbicides and insecticides on ecosystem function, but slightly less consistent effects on community composition. Effects of pesticides on ecosystem functions were often mediated by changes to biodiversity, and our analyses show that consistency in effects of pesticide types on functions was driven by functional redundancy among species. These results suggest that risk assessment of the thousands of registered chemicals on ecosystem responses could be simplified to a smaller number of chemical groups and to groups of functionally redundant taxa.
Plastid EF-Tu Regulates Root Development through Both the ATM Pathway and GUN1
Authors: Li Pengcheng , Ma Junjie , Sun Xueping , Zhao Chuanzhi , Ma Changle , Wang Xingjun
Published: February 2020

Impaired plastid translation affects various aspects of plant development, but the molecular mechanism remains elusive. Here, we described that the reduced function of plastid translation elongation factor EF-Tu encoded byRAB GTPASE HOMOLOG 8D(Rab8d) elicits defects in root development, including the reduced meristem size, programmed cell death (PCD) in the stem cell niche (SCN), and quiescent center (QC) division. We found that the ATAXIA-TELANGIECTASIA-MUTATED (ATM)-SUPPRESSOR OF GAMMA RESPONSE 1 module mediated overexpression ofSIAMSE-RELATED 5in the root meristem region is responsible for the reduced meristem size in therab8dmutant through arresting the cell cycle. The QC activation inrab8dis dependent onETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR 115, which expression is tightly associated with the PCD in SCN. We further found that Rab8d physically interacts with GENOME UNCOUPLED 1 (GUN1), and GUN1 is required for inducing PCD in therab8dSCN. However, the loss of GUN1 function inrab8dseverely impairs the root architecture, suggesting that the GUN1-mediated renewal of stem cells is essential for maintaining root growth. Our observations extend our knowledge on the roles of ATM and GUN1 in regulating root development through mediating plastid translation dependent signals.

One-sentence summary

Therab8d-dependent plastid signal mediated by ATM and GUN1 regulates the root meristem size and renewal of root stem cells, respectively.
Behavioural cue reactivity to alcohol and non-alcohol-related stimuli among individuals with severe alcohol use disorder: an fMRI study with a visual task
Authors: Fukushima Shou , Kuga Hironori , Oribe Naoya , Mutou Takeo , Yuzuriha Takefumi , Ozawa Hiroki , Ueno Takefumi
Published: February 2020

Patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) have difficulties controlling alcohol cravings and thus exhibit increased use and earlier relapse. Although patients tend to respond more strongly to alcohol-related images compared with non-alcohol-related images, few researchers examined the factors that modulate cravings. Here, we examined whole-brain blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) responses to behavioural cues in individuals with AUD and healthy controls (HCs). The participants included 24 patients with severe AUD and 15 HCs. We presented four beverage images (juice, drinking juice, sake, and drinking sake) and compared participant BOLD responses between the two groups. Multiple comparisons revealed that the AUD group had lower BOLD responses compared with the HC group to images of drinking juice in the left precuneus (p = 0.036) and the left posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) (p = 0.044) and higher BOLD responses to images of drinking sake in the left PCC (p = 0.044). Furthermore, compared to the HCs, the AUD patients had decreased BOLD responses associated with cue reactivity to drinking juice in the left precuneus during the period from 15 to 18 s (p = 0.004, df = 37) and 18 to 21 s (p = 0.002, df = 37). Using the Spearman correlation, we found a significant negative correlation between BOLD responses in the left PCC of the AUD patients and Mini–Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores (r = −0.619, p = 0.001). Our findings suggest that HCs and severe AUD patients differ in their responses not to images of alcoholic beverages but those related to alcohol drinking behavior. Thus, these patients appear to have different patterns of brain activity. This information may aid clinicians in developing treatments for patients with AUD.
An isothermal method for sensitive detection ofMycobacterium tuberculosis complexesusing CRISPR/Cas12acis-andtrans-cleavage
Authors: Xu Haipo , Zhang Xiaolong , Cai Zhixiong , Dong Xiuqing , Chen Geng , Li Zhenli , Qiu Liman , He Lei , Liu Xiaolong , Liu Jingfeng
Published: February 2020

Tuberculosis is still one of the most serious infectious diseases resulting in lethal death worldwide. The traditional method is still not enough to meet the clinical requirements of rapid diagnosis, high specificity and sensitivity. Fast, sensitive and accurate detection ofmycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB) is an urgent need for the treatment and control of tuberculosis disease. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-associated proteins (Cas12a) exhibits strongly nonspecific degradation ability of exogenous single-strand nucleic acid (trans-cleavage) after specific recognition of target sequence. We purified Cas12a protein and selected a proper guide RNA (gRNA) based on conserved sequences of MTB from gRNA library we designed. Then, we proposed a novel method based on recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and CRISPR/Cas12a nuclease system for specific and sensitive detection of MTB DNA. The assay based on fluorescence detection pattern showed 4.48 fM of limit of detection (LOD) and good linear correlation of concentration and fluorescence value (R2=0.9775). Also, it showed good performance in distinguishing other bacteria. Furthermore, its clinical performance was evaluated by 193 samples and showed sensitivity of 99.29% (139/140) and specificity of 100% (53/53) at 99% confidence interval, respectively, compared with culture method. The CRISPR/Cas12a system showed good specificity, excellent sensitivity and accuracy for MTB detection, and it meets requirements of MTB detection in clinical samples and has great potential for clinical translation.
EM-net: Deep learning for electron microscopy image segmentation
Authors: Khadangi Afshin , Boudier Thomas , Rajagopal Vijay
Published: February 2020

Recent high-throughput electron microscopy techniques such as focused ion-beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) provide thousands of serial sections which assist the biologists in studying sub-cellular structures at high resolution and large volume. Low contrast of such images hinder image segmentation and 3D visualisation of these datasets. With recent advances in computer vision and deep learning, such datasets can be segmented and reconstructed in 3D with greater ease and speed than with previous approaches. However, these methods still rely on thousands of ground-truth samples for training and electron microscopy datasets require significant amounts of time for carefully curated manual annotations. We address these bottlenecks with EM-net, a scalable deep convolutional neural network for EM image segmentation. We have evaluated EM-net using two datasets, one of which belongs to an ongoing competition on EM stack segmentation since 2012. We show that EM-net variants achieve better performances than current deep learning methods using small- and medium-sized ground-truth datasets. We also show that the ensemble of top EM-net base classifiers outperforms other methods across a wide variety of evaluation metrics.
Low aflatoxin levels and flowering delay inAspergillus flavus-resistant maize lines are correlated with increased corn earworm damage and enhanced seed fumonisin content
Authors: Chalivendra Subbaiah , Huang Fangneng , Busman Mark , Williams W. Paul , Ham Jong Hyun , Moore Geromy G.
Published: February 2020

Preharvest mycotoxin contamination of field-grown crops is influenced not only by the host genotype, but also inoculum load, insect pressure and their confounding interactions with seasonal weather. In two field trials, we observed a preferred natural infestation of specific maize (Zea maysL.) genotypes by corn earworm (Helicoverpa zeaBoddie) and investigated this unexpected interaction. These studies involved four maize lines with contrasting levels of resistance toAspergillus flavus. The resistant lines had 7 to 14-fold greater infested ears than the susceptible lines. However, seed aflatoxin B1levels, in mock- orA. flavus-inoculated ears were consistent with maize genotype resistance toA. flavus. Further, the corn earworm-infested ears had greater levels of fumonisin content in seeds than uninfested ears, indicating that the insect may have vectored nativeFusarium verticillioidesinoculum. The two maize lines with heavy infestation showed delayed flowering. The availability of young silk for egg-laying could have been a factor in the pervasive corn earworm damage of these lines. At the same time,H. zealarvae reared on AF-infused diet showed decreasing mass with increasing AF and >30% lethality at 250 ppb. In contrast, corn earworm was tolerant to fumonisin with no significant loss in mass even at 100 ppm, implicating the low seed aflatoxin content as a predominant factor for the prevalence of corn earworm infestation and the associated fumonisin contamination inA. flavusresistant lines. These results highlight the need for integrated strategies targeting mycotoxigenic fungi and their insect vectors to enhance the safety of crop commodities.

IMPORTANCE

AspergillusandFusariumspp. not only cause ear rots in maize leading to crop loss, they can also contaminate the grain with carcinogenic mycotoxins. Incorporation of genetic resistance into breeding lines is an ideal solution for mycotoxin mitigation. However, the goal is fraught by a major problem. Resistance for AF or FUM accumulation is quantitative and contributed by several loci with small effects. Our work reveals that host phenology (flowering time) and insect vector-mycotoxin interactions can further confound breeding efforts. A host genotype even with demonstrable resistance can become vulnerable due to seasonal variation in flowering time or an outbreak of chewing insects. Incorporation of resistance to a single mycotoxin accumulation and not pairing it with insect resistance may not adequately ensure food safety. Diverse strategies including host-induced silencing of genes essential for fungal and insect pest colonization and broad-spectrum biocontrol systems need to be considered for robust mycotoxin mitigation.
An empirical investigation on learning and teaching lean manufacturing
Authors: Luz Tortorella Guilherme , Miorando Rogério , Fettermann Diego , Tlapa Mendoza Diego
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This article identifies the association between two methods for teaching lean manufacturing (LM): problem-based learning (PBL) and classroom lectures, and students' learning styles of a postgraduate course.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from graduate students LM courses that present different teaching approaches. Thus, students' learning preferences were gathered through the application of the Index of Learning Style questionnaire, and their performance assessed after each course.

Findings

Results indicate that learning styles are indeed associated with LM teaching approaches, and comprehending interaction effects between learning style dimensions is essential for properly adapting the teaching method. However, these interactions have different extensions.

Originality/value

Although teaching LM has significantly evolved over the past decades, the single application of traditional teaching methods jeopardizes learning effectiveness of graduate students because of the practical nature of LM. This study provides evidence to better understand the effect of complementary teaching methods and their relationship with students' preferences, empirically examining that there is not one best approach for understanding LM.
Hybrid nanofluid flow and heat transfer over a permeable biaxial stretching/shrinking sheet
Authors: Waini Iskandar , Ishak Anuar , Pop Ioan
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the axisymmetric flow and heat transfer of a hybrid nanofluid over a permeable biaxial stretching/shrinking sheet.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, 0.1 solid volume fraction of alumina (Al2O3) is fixed, then consequently, various solid volume fractions of copper (Cu) are added into the mixture with water as the base fluid to form Cu-Al2O3/water hybrid nanofluid. The hybrid nanofluid equations are converted to the similarity equations by using the similarity transformation. The bvp4c solver, which is available in the Matlab software is used for solving the similarity equations numerically. The numerical results for selected values of the parameters are presented in tabular and graphical forms, and are discussed in detail.

Findings

It is found that dual solutions exist up to a certain value of the stretching/shrinking and suction parameters. The critical value λc < 0 for the existence of the dual solutions decreases as nanoparticle volume fractions for copper increase. The temporal stability analysis is performed to analyze the stability of the dual solutions, and it is revealed that only one of them is stable and physically reliable.

Originality/value

The present problem is new, original with many important results for practical problems in the modern industry.
Role of brand attachment in customers’ evaluation of service failure
Authors: Saavedra Torres Jose Luis , Rawal Monika , Bagherzadeh Ramin
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the role of brand attachment as a relevant construct in customers’ evaluation after they face a service failure which impacts future consumer behaviors. It mainly answers the research question: does brand attachment cushion or amplify the effect of service failure on customers’ negative emotions?

Design/methodology/approach

A 2 × 2 × 2 experimental design was conducted. Data analysis was performed with ANOVA and moderated mediation.

Findings

Customer’s feelings toward a brand (brand attachment) that existed before a service failure occurred can regulate customer’s negative emotions especially when consumer attribute service failure to a controllable cause. This process minimizes the effect of service failure in customer’s satisfaction and consequently increase customer behaviors like word of mouth and loyalty intentions.

Research limitations/implications

Adding perceived intentionality as a service failure’s attribution could provide another layer of explanation of customer behavior. Also, an expanded study using a sector characterized by higher cost of change and permanent consumption could provide result’s generalizability.

Practical implications

Brand attachment should be included in the customer service strategy. In a service failure situation, brand attachment becomes part of the “service customer policy” helping customers to regulate their negative emotions.

Originality/value

This study fills the knowledge gap regarding the role of customers’ positive emotions toward brands when a service failure occurs. The current study extends branding literature by differentiating brand attachment role from coping tactics.
Consumers’ proneness to value corporate social responsibility as predictor of extra-role and intra-role behaviors
Authors: Silva Raquel , Azevedo António , Farhangmehr Minoo
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss how the perceived importance of economic, ethical/legal and philanthropic dimensions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) can influence the consumer–brand identification (CBI) and the brand identity attractiveness (BI). Moreover, the paper examines how these constructs affect the in-role behaviors (purchasing intention), the extra-role behaviors (feedback, recommendation and word-of-mouth (WOM) and behavioral loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

An online questionnaire collects data using a snow ball/convenience sampling method, obtained in 356 valid responses. The paper adopts both path analysis and structural equation modeling approaches.

Findings

The importance of CSR is positively correlated with perceived BI and is a significant predictor of loyalty. However, the results do not support the hypothesis that the CSR influences CBI.

Research limitations/implications

This study proposes a new model describing the antecedents and consequences of buying decision-making.

Practical implications

Consumers may want to reward those brands that direct part of their budgets to social causes or are truly concerned with the general well-being of society.

Social implications

The findings confirmed that social responsibility initiatives will improve the corporate image and reputation thus fostering the development of a sense of identification moderated by brand familiarity.

Originality/value

The major contribution of this paper relies on the proposed conceptual model that provides a holistic approach to the buying decision process, thus facilitating a deeper comprehension of the role of brand’s CSR practices, in particular in self-expression and emotional categories such as perfumes.
An integrated Lean, Green and Six Sigma strategies
Authors: Gaikwad Lokpriya , Sunnapwar Vivek
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic literature review and its analysis concerning a possible framework, compatibility, drivers and barriers for integrating three manufacturing strategies – Lean, Green and Six Sigma. In particular, analyzing current proposals and identifying the literature gaps in the existing literature from which future research directions and challenges have been suggested for developing a specific integrated framework for the Indian manufacturing industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This study explores manufacturing strategic area in depth through literature review, which will point out to the better understanding of the compatibility and impact of these initiatives through the conceptual framework, on the performance of the manufacturing organization.

Findings

The review of shortlisted articles indicates that Lean, Green and Six Sigma (LGSS) strategies help the manufacturing organizations to compete in global markets through the impact of a sustainability strategy for their business. Various researchers provide evidence of challenges like cost reduction, quality improvement, on-time delivery, changing needs of the customers and scarce resources that can be overcome through these strategies to achieve overall business objectives.

Research limitations/implications

In this research, only works of literature related to LGSS and sustainability have been studied so information related to linking between these strategies in manufacturing industries is limited.

Practical implications

Help the manufacturing practitioners to deploy three strategies simultaneously in an environment when the linking among LGSS methods in manufacturing industries has not been established. Hence simultaneous deployment of these three strategies helps the organization to boost its operational and environmental performance.

Social implications

The strategies, LGSS, will be adopted in the operational management to reduce both waste and pollution which will definitely help to society. It will highlight the need for cost effective and easy to implement solutions as well as brand building, which is one of the top incentives for LGSS, highlighting the importance of public perception of how companies operate.

Originality/value

An integrated framework of the LGSS will help the Indian manufacturing industries to improve performance and competitiveness in the global market.
A framework to retain the knowledge of departing knowledge workers in the manufacturing industry
Authors: Sumbal Muhammad Saleem , Tsui Eric , Durst Susanne , Shujahat Muhammad , Irfan Irfan , Ali Syed Muhammad
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a conceptual framework on knowledge loss in a manufacturing sector based on three aspects: likelihood of knowledge loss, critical areas of knowledge loss and relevance of each of these knowledge areas in terms of utilization and alignment with organizational goals and strategy. Such a conceptual framework can be helpful to the practicing managers in understanding the types of knowledge that is lost of a given departing employee and thus deciding on a measure to retain the critical employees or capture their knowledge before they leave.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a case study approach, data has been collected from a multinational battery manufacturing company based in Hong Kong. Semi-structured interviews have been conducted and analyzed through CAQDAS ATLAS.ti to generate the themes which were then used to develop the conceptual framework.

Findings

The findings revealed that the likelihood factors of knowledge loss in the manufacturing sector include layoffs, retirement, immigration and job change. The critical areas of knowledge loss comprise the knowledge of relationships and networks, especially with the customers and suppliers, the technical knowledge (battery and process technology) and knowledge of management, among others. The relevance of each of these knowledge areas needs to be determined through proper analysis whether these knowledge areas are needed in future projects, up to date and aligned with organizational goals and strategy along with other factors.

Research limitations/implications

Using the developed conceptual framework, managers and executives can identify critical employees in the manufacturing sector and accordingly take some appropriate measures to retain their knowledge. Caution should be taken while applying the findings of this study in other industries and context.

Originality/value

This paper is an attempt to reduce the dearth of empirical studies by exploring knowledge retention in the manufacturing sector, especially in the development of proper conceptual frameworks to assess the potential knowledge loss of employees.
Food supplementation affects gut microbiota and immunological resistance to parasites in a wild bird species
Authors: Knutie Sarah A.
Published: February 2020

Supplemental feeding can increase the overall health of animals but also can have varying consequences for animals dealing with parasites. Furthermore, the mechanism mediating the effect of food supplementation on host–parasite interactions remains poorly understood.

The goal of the study was to determine the effect of food supplementation on host defences against parasitic nest flies and whether host gut microbiota, which can affect immunity, potentially mediates these relationships. In a fully crossed design, I experimentally manipulated the abundance of parasitic nest flies Protocalliphora sialia and food availability then characterized the gut microbiota, immune responses and nest parasite abundance of nestling eastern bluebirds Sialia sialis.

Food supplemented birds had 75% fewer parasites than unsupplemented birds. Parasite abundance decreased throughout the breeding season for unsupplemented birds, but abundance did not change throughout the season for supplemented birds.

Food supplementation increased overall fledging success. Parasitism had a sublethal effect on blood loss, but food supplementation mitigated these effects by increasing parasite resistance via the nestling IgY antibody response.

Food supplementation increased the gut bacterial diversity in nestlings, which was negatively related to parasite abundance. Food supplementation also increased the relative abundance of Clostridium spp. in nestlings, which was positively related to their antibody response and negatively related to parasite abundance.

Synthesis and applications. Overall, the results of this study suggest that food supplementation, especially early in the breeding season, increases resistance to parasitism during the early life stage of the host, which might be mediated by the gut microbiota. Wildlife food supplementation is a common pastime for humans worldwide and therefore it is important to understand the consequences of this activity on animal health. Furthermore, supplemental feeding could induce resistance to detrimental parasites (e.g. invasive parasites) in hosts when management of the parasite is not immediately possible.
Homeschooled and Self‐Cultured: The Gendering of Margaret Fuller and Caroline Dall
Authors: Willsky‐Ciollo Lydia
Published: February 2020

This article examines the gendering of the human mind by nineteenth‐century Unitarians and Transcendentalists or, more specifically, the employment of the doctrine of “self‐culture” to encourage girls and young women to cultivate traits that would lead themselves and others to gender their intellect “masculine,” even while many proponents of self‐culture maintained a traditional understanding of woman's role: as wife and mother and the keeper of house and home. Beholden to nineteenth‐century categories of masculinity and femininity, many Unitarian and Transcendentalist men — and women — were ambivalent about the practical results of self‐culture for women. How could the people who promoted self‐culture and self‐reliance as the primary religious duties of the spiritually engaged person show only lukewarm support and occasionally outright opposition for the women who followed such advice? To answer this question, this article examines the early lives and educational experiences of Margaret Fuller and Caroline Dall, in their own words and through primary and secondary sources that highlight self‐culture as a source of both empowerment and enervation. In doing so it tracks how both the process and effects of cultivating the “masculine mind” shaped these women and their respective understandings of what it meant to be whole in their own bodies.
Biocatalysis in the winemaking industry: Challenges and opportunities for immobilized enzymes
Authors: Ottone Carminna , Romero Oscar , Aburto Carla , Illanes Andrés , Wilson Lorena
Published: February 2020

Enzymes are powerful catalysts already being used in a large number of industrial processes. Impressive advantages in enzyme catalysts improvement have occurred in recent years aiming to improve their performance under harsh operation conditions far away from those of their cellular habitat. Production levels of the winemaking industry have experienced a remarkable increase, and technological innovations have been introduced for increasing the efficiency at different process steps or for improving wine quality, which is a key issue in this industry. Enzymes, such as pectinases and proteases, have been traditionally used, and others, such as glycosidases, have been more recently introduced in the modern wine industry, and many dedicated studies refer to the improvement of enzyme performance under winemaking conditions. Within this framework, a thorough review on the role of enzymes in winemaking is presented, with special emphasis on the use of immobilized enzymes as a significant strategy for catalyst improvement within an industry in which enzymes play important roles that are to be reinforced paralleling innovation.
Clinical diagnosis and treatment recommendations for immune checkpoint inhibitor‐related hematological adverse events
Authors: Zhuang Junling , Du Jianhua , Guo Xiaoxiao , Zhou Jiaxin , Duan Lian , Qiu Wei , Si Xiaoyan , Zhang Li , Li Yue , Liu Xiaowei , Wang Hanping , Zhou Daobin , Zhang Li
Published: February 2020

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are able to reactivate the immune system, thereby enhancing the anti‐tumor effects. However, over‐activated T cells may induce immune‐related adverse events (irAEs). Hematological irAEs are rarely reported which mainly represent monolineage cytopenia or pancytopenia, including autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), neutropenia and aplastic anemia, sometimes even life‐threatening diseases such as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Here, the clinical manifestations of hematological irAEs are summarized and recommendations for diagnosis and treatment proposed.

Key points

Significant findings of the study

• Hematological immune‐related adverse events (irAEs) caused by checkpoint inhibitors are rare and may sometimes be life‐threatening. This study summarizes the manifestations of hematological irAEs and proposes preliminary recommendations for diagnosis and treatment.

What this study adds

• Much still remains unknown regarding hematological irAEs caused by checkpoint inhibitors. This study delineates the overview of hematological irAEs, and provides practical treatment suggestions, in particular addressing the issue of rechallenge.
Clinical diagnosis and treatment recommendations for ocular toxicities of targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy
Authors: Liu Xiaowei , Wang Zheng , Zhao Chan , Wang Hanping , Guo Xiaoxiao , Zhou Jiaxin , Duan Lian , Si Xiaoyan , Zhang Li , Li Yue , Wang Mengzhao , Zhang Meifen , Zhang Li
Published: February 2020

The increased use of targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancers has brought new hope of survival to patients with advanced tumors. However, increasing numbers of immune‐related adverse events (irAEs) of these medications have been reported, affecting almost all human organs including the eye. These adverse effects may affect the entire ocular region, including the eyelid, eye lashes, conjunctiva, cornea, uvea, retina and optic nerve, and have thus far been largely ignored by patients and doctors. In this review, we summarize the characteristics of ocular diseases related to irAEs and advise on how to diagnose and manage these diseases.

Key points

This review will enable clinical oncologists to recognize, diagnose, and manage targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitor‐related ocular adverse events.
Ultrastructural studies on the pancreatic acini in duck (Anas boscas) and pigeon (Columba livia)
Authors: Beheiry Rasha Ragab , Salem Hoda Foad , Karkit Mayada Wahid
Published: February 2020

The aim of this research work was to study the histological structure of the pancreatic acini by transmission electron microscope in two avian species, duck and pigeon. The specimens were collected and processed for electron microscopic study. The results showed that the acini of the two avian species were two types; the first one was an electron dense and the second one an electron lucent. The light acinar cells were larger in size than the dark cells. These cells contained centrally located ovoid nuclei with prominent nucleoli and abundant euchromatin. The cytoplasm was electron lucent, with many rough endoplasmic reticulum, polymorphic mitochondria. Numerous zymogen granules were distributed in the basal part and around the nucleus, so these cells considered active cells. The dark acinar cells were characterized by an electron dense cytoplasm. The most prominent cell organelle in these cells were the zymogen granules that appeared in different sizes while other organelles as mitochondria, and rough endoplasmic reticulum were inconspicuous or few, so these cells were considered as inactive cells. The nucleus with indented nuclear membrane located centrally with prominent nucleoli and abundant heterochromatin. Prominent intercellular spaces between the individual acinar cells, as well as well‐developed basement membrane separating the electron dense cells and the lumen contained the secretion between acinar cells. It could be concluded that the acinar cells in ducks and pigeons were divided into two types, that is, light and dark acinar cells which mainly attributed to the activity of these cells.
The Role of Land Tenure, Taxation, and Monetary Systems in Achieving and Enjoying Free Trade
Authors: Dodson Edward J.
Published: February 2020

Civilizations rise and fall based on the effectiveness of their socio‐political arrangements and institutions. The institutions that matter most are the laws and customs that govern 1) production and exchange of goods (trade), 2) land tenure and the distribution of the surplus associated with it, 3) the levying of taxes to provide public goods and services, and 4) the monetary systems adopted to facilitate such activities. If those institutions distribute the benefits of civilization equitably to all members of society, the result is likely to be peace and prosperity. However, if the rules of a society are designed to protect the interests of an elite, conflict is likely to ensue. Unrestricted trade across national borders (“free trade”) has the potential to produce socially beneficial outcomes, but it is not sufficient to overcome systemic injustices associated with flawed systems of land tenure, taxation, and monetary management. This article makes use of historical examples to examine trade in relation to the other institutions to show why just social arrangements must be considered an essential part of trade policy.
True Free Trade Is Still True
Authors: Foldvary Fred E.
Published: February 2020

Protection or Free Trade (1886) by Henry George remains the classic argument for complete free trade. The arguments against free trade were either anticipated and refuted by George, or they are unanticipated arguments that claim changed or overlooked circumstances have altered the case for free trade. This article refutes these unanticipated arguments by restating the classic economic case for free trade, analyzing counterarguments to free trade, and examining the continuing relevance of George’s theory of the distribution of the benefits of free trade.
American Commerce, American Empire: Late 19th‐Century Merchant Organizations and Trade Policy
Authors: Davis Cory
Published: February 2020

The American debate over free trade and protectionism has taken many forms, but it is particularly instructive when it occurs within a single sector of the economy, pitting allied economic interests against each other. That occurred in the shipping industry in the 19th century when shippers and shipbuilders fought each other over trade‐related questions: subsidies for shipbuilding and reciprocal trade agreements with foreign nations. Shipbuilders wanted protection and subsidies; shippers wanted the freedom to make use of cheaper foreign vessels for trade and to develop trade agreements. We show how these opposing forces stymied each other and prevented the shipping industry from taking an active, unified role in national politics. These particular intra‐industry debates reveal broader divisions within the business community over the relationship between business and government under modern commercial capitalism.
Trump’s New Trade Tariffs: A Response to Voters’ Demands?
Authors: Bartesaghi Ignacio , Melgar Natalia
Published: February 2020

President Trump has dramatically changed U.S. trade policy through the adoption of steep tariffs. We argue in this article that even when there are significant geopolitical reasons, Trump’s actions on trade are a response to internal demands resonant with a long history of protectionism. We provide clear evidence of the impacts of social demographics on U.S. trade policy and show that individuals from capital‐intense regions with high educational attainment tend to support protectionism.
Guidelines for the management of glucocorticoids during the peri‐operative period for patients with adrenal insufficiency
Authors: Woodcock T. , Barker P. , Daniel S. , Fletcher S. , Wass J. A. H. , Tomlinson J. W. , Misra U. , Dattani M. , Arlt W. , Vercueil A.
Published: February 2020

These guidelines aim to ensure that patients with adrenal insufficiency are identified and adequately supplemented with glucocorticoids during the peri‐operative period. There are two major categories of adrenal insufficiency. Primary adrenal insufficiency is due to diseases of the adrenal gland (failure of the hormone‐producing gland), and secondary adrenal insufficiency is due to deficient adrenocorticotropin hormone secretion by the pituitary gland, or deficient corticotropin‐releasing hormone secretion by the hypothalamus (failure of the regulatory centres). Patients taking physiological replacement doses of corticosteroids for either primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency are at significant risk of adrenal crisis and must be given stress doses of hydrocortisone during the peri‐operative period. Many more patients other than those with adrenal and hypothalamic–pituitary causes of adrenal failure are receiving glucocorticoids as treatment for other medical conditions. Daily doses of prednisolone of 5 mg or greater in adults and 10–15 mg.m−2 hydrocortisone equivalent or greater in children may result in hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis suppression if administered for 1 month or more by oral, inhaled, intranasal, intra‐articular or topical routes; this chronic administration of glucocorticoids is the most common cause of secondary adrenal suppression, sometimes referred to as tertiary adrenal insufficiency. A pragmatic approach to adrenal replacement during major stress is required; considering the evidence available, blanket recommendations would not be appropriate, and it is essential for the clinician to remember that adrenal replacement dosing following surgical stress or illness is in addition to usual steroid treatment. Patients with previously undiagnosed adrenal insufficiency sometimes present for the first time following the stress of surgery. Anaesthetists must be familiar with the symptoms and signs of acute adrenal insufficiency so that inadequate supplementation or undiagnosed adrenal insufficiency can be detected and treated promptly. Delays may prove fatal.
Counterinsurgency Reexamined: Racism, Capitalism, and US Military Doctrine
Authors: Camp Jordan T. , Greenburg Jennifer
Published: February 2020

The US has been engaged in coercive projects of counterinsurgency since the Indian Wars in the 19th century. Racist constructions of the enemy have been central to this process. Counterinsurgency has called forth new waves of contestation at every juncture, which has in turn shaped the very texture of military doctrine. This article draws on archival research, historical geography, and Marxist theory to trace the dialectics of counterinsurgency and insurgency through a series of turning points in US imperial history from the development of small wars doctrine in the 1930s to renewal of counterinsurgency during hybrid wars in Venezuela and Latin America in the current conjuncture. Through a conjunctural analysis, we argue that racism performs fundamental work in achieving consent to counterinsurgency wars, allowing capitalism to survive challenges to its legitimacy.
Auditory exposure of high‐risk infants discharged from the NICU and the impact of social factors
Authors: Liszka Lara , Heiny Elizabeth , Smith Joan , Schlaggar Bradley L. , Mathur Amit , Pineda Roberta
Published: February 2020

Aim

To (a) define the early home auditory environment of high‐risk infants within one month of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge, (b) compare auditory exposures in the home environment to the NICU environment,  and (c) define relationships between maternal/infant factors and auditory exposures within the home.

Methods

Seventy‐three high‐risk infants (48 high‐risk infants in the NICU at term‐equivalent age and 25 high‐risk infants in the home following NICU discharge) had auditory exposures measured.

Results

An average of 1.3 hours more noise (P ≤ .001) and 2 hours less silence (P = .01) were observed in the NICU compared with the home, but differences varied based on whether comparing to an open ward or private room. Infants with public insurance, lower household income and mothers without a college education were exposed to an average of 2.8, 3.0 and 2.3 hours more TV/electronic sounds respectively (P < .05). An average of 1744 fewer adult words (P = .03) were spoken in households with public insurance. There was an average of 3.1 hours less silence and 4.5 dB louder stimuli among households with lower income (P < .05).

Conclusion

Elucidating differences across environments can lead to interventions to foster appropriate auditory exposures to improve language development of high‐risk infants.