bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How morphology impacts reading and spelling: advancing the role of morphology in models of literacy development
Authors: Levesque Kyle C. , Breadmore Helen L. , Deacon S. Hélène
Published: June 2020

A defining feature of language lies in its capacity to represent meaning across oral and written forms. Morphemes, the smallest units of meaning in a language, are the fundamental building blocks that encode meaning, and morphological skills enable their effective use in oral and written language. Increasing evidence indicates that morphological skills are linked to literacy outcomes, including word reading, spelling and reading comprehension. Despite this evidence, the precise ways in which morphology influences the development of children's literacy skills remain largely underspecified in theoretical models of reading and spelling development. In this paper, we draw on the extensive empirical evidence base in English to explicitly detail how morphology might be integrated into models of reading and spelling development. In doing so, we build on the perspective that morphology is multidimensional in its support of literacy development. The culmination of our efforts is the Morphological Pathways Framework – an adapted framework that illuminates precise mechanisms by which morphology impacts word reading, spelling and reading comprehension. Through this framework, we bring greater clarity and specificity on how the use of morphemes in oral and written language supports the development of children's literacy skills. We also highlight gaps in the literature, revealing important areas to focus future research to improve theoretical understanding. Furthermore, this paper provides valuable theoretical insight that will guide future empirical inquiries in identifying more precise morphological targets for intervention, which may have widespread implications for informing literacy practices in the classroom and educational policies more broadly.
Unity versus Collaboration: Construction of China's Belt and Road Free Trade Agreement 2.0 Network
Authors: Lu Jing , Pan Xiuyang , Xie Zuoling
Published: June 2020

In the context of the United States prioritizing bilateral as well as trilateral trade agreements and China's regional economic integration strategy based on the Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative, the B&R free trade agreement (FTA) and the US–European–Japanese FTA (UEJFTA) have become the two regional economic integration processes with the greatest potential impact on the world economic landscape. The present paper examines the game situation as well as the economic effects of China's B&R‐FTA 2.0 network against the United States' UEJFTA to study the optimization of China's B&R FTA system. By constructing a four‐country extended game model under a two‐part expansion, we find that an increase in members will promote the welfare of each country when there is a single regional trade agreement; the potential member countries tend to choose larger organizations for higher economic benefits when there are several regional trade agreements. Our quantitative simulation shows that promoting the construction of the FTA 2.0 network based on the B&R can significantly alleviate the impact of FTA entered into by the United States with its major trading partners.
Detection of growth‐restricted fetuses during pregnancy is associated with fewer intrauterine deaths but increased adverse childhood outcomes: an observational study
Authors: Andreasen LA , Tabor A , Nørgaard LN , Rode L , Gerds TA , Tolsgaard MG
Published: June 2020

Objective

Exploring associations between antenatal detection of fetal growth restriction (FGR) and adverse outcome.

Design

Retrospective, observational, register‐based study.

Setting

Zealand, Denmark.

Population or sample

Children born from 1 September 2012 to 31 August 2015.

Methods

Diagnoses from birth until 1 January 2018 were retrieved from The National Patient Registry. Detection was defined as estimated fetal weight less than the 2.3rd centile. Cox regression was used to associate detection status with the hazard rate of adverse outcome, adjusted for fetal weight deviation, maternal age, ethnicity, body mass index and smoking.

Main outcome measures

Adverse neonatal outcome, adverse neuropsychiatric outcome, respiratory disorders, endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal/urogenital disorders.

Results

A total of 2425 FGR children were included. An association was found for gastrointestinal/urogenital disorders (hazard ratio [HR] 1.68, 95% CI 1.26–2.23, P < 0.001) and respiratory disorders (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.02–1.46, P = 0.03) in detected versus undetected infants. For adverse neuropsychiatric outcome, HR was 1.32 (95% CI 1.00–1.75, P = 0.05). There was no evidence of an association between detection and adverse neonatal outcome (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.62–1.61, P = 0.99) and endocrine disorders (HR 1.39, 95% CI 0.88–2.19, P = 0.16). Detected infants were smaller (median −28% versus −25%, P < 0.0001), more often born preterm (odds ratio [OR] 4.15, 3.12–5.52, P < 0.0001) and more often born after induction or caesarean section (OR 5.19, 95% CI 4.13–6.51, P < 0.0001). Stillbirth risk was increased in undetected FGR fetuses (OR 2.63, 95% CI 1.37–5.04, P = 0.004).

Conclusions

We found an association between detection of FGR and risk of adverse childhood conditions, possibly caused by prematurity. Iatrogenic prematurity may be inevitable in stillbirth prevention, but is accompanied by a risk of long‐term childhood conditions.

Tweetable abstract

Antenatal detection of growth‐restricted fetuses is associated with adverse childhood outcomes but fewer intrauterine deaths.
An overview of insect innate immunity
Authors: Ali Mohammadie Kojour Maryam , Han Yeon Soo , Jo Yong Hun
Published: June 2020

Due to the exposure of insects to various sources of pathogens during different stages of their life cycle and their vulnerability towards subsequent infections, moreover lack of morality issues, economical breeding and short‐term‐life cycle, insect's immunity has been considered as a high‐potential candidate to study underlying mechanisms of defense responses against all sort of invaders, as well as pandemic diseases. Currently, the world is enduring monumental pressure to meet global food production demands. One viable option would be to mass rear edible insects, such as coleopteran meal worm Tenebrio molitor, which is thought to be a substantial protein source. In addition, using antimicrobial peptides as an alternative for antibiotic source against multidrug‐resistant pathogens, makes insects a valuable option to solve this health issue. As a consequence, sufficient knowledge of insect immunity will lead us to reach advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies. To accomplish these goals, crucial importance of identification and functional characterization of the main signaling pathways, such as Toll and immune deficiency (IMD), prompted us to review the mechanisms of the signaling pathways involved in immune response in well‐known insect models.
Sodium‐glucose cotransporter 1 as a sugar taste sensor in mouse tongue
Authors: Yasumatsu Keiko , Ohkuri Tadahiro , Yoshida Ryusuke , Iwata Shusuke , Margolskee Robert F. , Ninomiya Yuzo
Published: June 2020

Aim

We investigated potential neuron types that code sugar information and how sodium‐glucose cotransporters (SGLTs) and T1Rs are involved.

Methods

Whole‐nerve recordings in the chorda tympani (CT) and the glossopharyngeal (GL) nerves and single‐fibre recordings in the CT were performed in T1R3‐KO and wild‐type (WT) mice. Behavioural response measurements were conducted in T1R3‐KO mice using phlorizin (Phl), a competitive inhibitor of SGLTs.

Results

Results indicated that significant enhancement occurred in responses to sucrose and glucose (Glc) by adding 10 mmol/L NaCl but not in responses to KCl, monopotassium glutamate, citric acid, quinine sulphate, SC45647(SC) or polycose in both CT and GL nerves. These enhancements were abolished by lingual application of Phl. In single‐fibre recording, fibres showing maximal response to sucrose could be classified according to responses to SC and Glc with or without 10 mmol/L NaCl in the CT of WT mice, namely, Phl‐insensitive type, Phl‐sensitive Glc‐type and Mixed (Glc and SC responding)‐type fibres. In T1R3‐KO mice, Phl‐insensitive‐type fibres disappeared. Results from behavioural experiments showed that the number of licks and amount of intake for Glc with or without 10 mmol/L NaCl were significantly suppressed by Phl.

Conclusion

We found evidence for the contribution of SGLTs in sugar sensing in taste cells of mouse tongue. Moreover, we found T1R‐dependent (Phl‐insensitive) type, Glc‐type and Mixed (SGLTs and T1Rs)‐type fibres. SGLT1 may be involved in the latter two types and may play important roles in the glucose‐specific cephalic phase of digestion and palatable food intake.
Adjustment of azathioprine dose should be based on a lower 6‐TGN target level to avoid leucopenia in NUDT15 intermediate metabolisers
Authors: Kang Ben , Kim Tae Jun , Choi Jaeyoung , Baek Sun‐Young , Ahn Soohyun , Choi Rihwa , Lee Soo‐Youn , Choe Yon Ho
Published: June 2020

Background

The association between NUDT15 polymorphisms and thiopurine‐induced leucopenia is well known.

Aim

To investigate the association between NUDT15 polymorphisms and time‐to‐leucopenia in paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) receiving azathioprine and to determine the relationship between NUDT15 polymorphisms and 6‐thioguanine nucleotide (6‐TGN) levels.

Methods

This retrospective observational study included Korean paediatric patients with IBD who were treated with azathioprine and underwent NUDT15 and TPMT genotyping. Azathioprine doses were adjusted by regular thiopurine metabolite monitoring. Factors associated with time‐to‐leucopenia and the relationship between NUDT15 polymorphisms and 6‐TGN levels were analysed.

Results

Among the 167 patients included, leucopenia was observed in 16% (19/119), 44% (20/45) and 100% (3/3) of the NUDT15 normal, intermediate and poor metabolisers respectively (P < 0.001). NUDT15 polymorphism was significantly associated with time‐to‐leucopenia (HR = 5.26, 95% CI = 2.74‐10.09, P < 0.001). There was a positive association between 6‐TGN levels and leucopenia among the NUDT15 intermediate/TPMT normal metabolisers (median 361.3 vs 263.8 pmol/8 × 108 RBC, P = 0.013). The most accurate 6‐TGN cut‐off level associated with leucopenia was 308.2 pmol/8 × 108 RBC (AUC = 0.742, 95% CI = 0.569‐0.915, sensitivity 80.0%, specificity 72.7%, P < 0.001) in this subgroup. When the specificity was set to <15%, the 6‐TGN cut‐off level was 167.1 pmol/8 × 108 RBC (sensitivity 93.3%, specificity 13.6%).

Conclusions

NUDT15 polymorphisms were associated with time‐to‐leucopenia during azathioprine treatment in Korean paediatric patients with IBD. In order to reduce the development of thiopurine‐induced leucopenia (<15%) in NUDT15 intermediate metabolisers, adjustment of azathioprine doses should be based on a lower 6‐TGN target level (<167.1 pmol/8 × 108 RBC).
Clinical value of next‐generation sequencing compared to cytogenetics in patients with suspected myelodysplastic syndrome
Authors: Kawata Eri , Lazo‐Langner Alejandro , Xenocostas Anargyros , Hsia Cyrus C. , Howson‐Jan Kang , Deotare Uday , Saini Lalit , Yang Ping , Broadbent Robert , Levy Michael , Howlett Christopher , Stuart Alan , Kerkhof Jennifer , Santos Stephanie , Lin Hanxin , Sadikovic Bekim , Chin‐Yee Ian
Published: June 2020

Next‐generation sequencing (NGS) increasingly influences diagnosis, prognosis and management of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). In addition to marrow morphology and flow cytometry, our institution performs cytogenetics (CG) and NGS‐based testing routinely in patients with suspected MDS. We evaluated the relative value of NGS in the assessment of patients with suspected MDS. We initially compared the diagnostic and prognostic information derived from CG and NGS in 134 patients. NGS enhanced the diagnostic yield compared to CG for clonal myeloid disorders (sensitivity 77% vs. 42·2%; specificity 90·2% vs. 78%; positive predictive value 92·8% vs. 76%; and negative predictive value 70·8% vs. 45·5%). The identification of poor prognosis mutations by NGS altered risk category in 27/39 (69·2%) patients with MDS with good/intermediate risk CG. Subsequently, we prospectively evaluated 70 patients with suspected MDS using an ‘NGS‐first approach’ with CG restricted to samples with morphological abnormalities. We rarely identified mutations or CG abnormalities in patients without dysplastic features. NGS has a superior diagnostic performance compared to CG in patients with suspected MDS. We estimate that by using an ‘NGS‐first approach’ we could reduce karyotyping by approximately 30%.
Pharmaco‐genetic inhibition of pyramidal neurons retards hippocampal kindling‐induced epileptogenesis
Authors: Chen Li‐Ying , Liang Jiao , Fei Fan , Ruan Ye‐Ping , Cheng He‐Ming , Wang Yi , Chen Zhong , Xu Ceng‐Lin
Published: June 2020

Aims

Pharmaco‐genetics emerges as a new promising approach for epileptic seizures. Whether it can modulate epileptogenesis is still unknown.

Methods

Here, parvalbumin neurons and pyramidal neurons of the seizure focus were transfected with engineered excitatory Gq‐coupled human muscarinic receptor hM3Dq and engineered inhibitory Gi‐coupled human muscarinic receptor hM4Di, respectively. And their therapeutic value in mouse hippocampal kindling‐induced epileptogenesis was tested.

Results

Pharmaco‐genetic activating parvalbumin neurons limitedly retarded the progression of behavioral seizure stage and afterdischarge duration (ADD) during epileptogenesis induced by kindling. Activating parvalbumin neurons delayed seizure development only in the early stage, but accelerated it in late stages. On the contrary, pharmaco‐genetic inhibiting pyramidal neurons robustly retarded the progression of seizure stages and ADDs, which greatly delayed seizure development in both early and late stages. Although both pharmaco‐genetic therapeutics efficiently alleviated the severity of acute kindling‐induced seizures, pharmaco‐genetic inhibiting pyramidal neurons were able to reverse the enhanced synaptic plasticity during epileptogenesis, compared with that of pharmaco‐genetic activating parvalbumin neurons.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that pharmaco‐genetic inhibiting pyramidal neurons retard hippocampal kindling‐induced epileptogenesis and reverse the enhanced synaptic plasticity during epileptogenesis, compared with that of pharmaco‐genetic activating parvalbumin neurons. It suggests that pharmaco‐genetics targeting pyramidal neurons may be a promising treatment for epileptogenesis.
RNA processing genes characterize RNA splicing and further stratify colorectal cancer
Authors: Lu Xiaofan , Zhou Yujie , Meng Jialin , Jiang Liyun , Gao Jun , Cheng Yu , Yan Hangyu , Wang Yang , Zhang Bing , Li Xiaobo , Yan Fangrong
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Due to the limited evaluation of the prognostic value of RNA processing genes (RPGs), which are regulators of alternative splicing events (ASEs) that have been shown to be associated with tumour progression, this study sought to determine whether colorectal cancer (CRC) could be further stratified based on the expression pattern of RPGs.

Materials and Methods

The gene expression profiles of CRCs were collected from TCGA (training set) and three external validation cohorts, representing 1060 cases totally. Cox regression with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) penalty was used to develop an RNA processing gene index (RPGI) risk score. Kaplan‐Meier curves, multivariate Cox regression and restricted mean survival (RMS) analyses were harnessed to evaluate the prognostic value of the RPGI.

Results

A 22‐gene RPGI signature was developed, and its risk score served as a strong independent prognostic factor across all data sets when adjusted for major clinical variables. Moreover, ASEs for certain genes, such as FGFR1 and the RAS oncogene family, were significantly correlated with RPGI. Expression levels of genes involved in splicing‐ and tumour‐associated pathways were significantly correlated with RPGI score. Furthermore, a combination of RPGI with age and tumour stage resulted in significantly improved prognostic accuracy.

Conclusions

Our findings highlighted the prognostic value of RPGs for risk stratification of CRC patients and provide insights into specific ASEs associated with the development of CRC.
Exopolysaccharide from Cryptococcus heimaeyensis S20 induces autophagic cell death in non‐small cell lung cancer cells via ROS/p38 and ROS/ERK signalling
Authors: Hao Yao , Huang Yao , Chen Jingyi , Li Jiadai , Yuan Yuncong , Wang Mingzhen , Han Lingling , Xin Xiu , Wang Hailong , Lin Danqing , Peng Fang , Yu Fang , Zheng Congyi , Shen Chao
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Cryptococcus heimaeyensis S20 is found in Antarctica and can produce exopolysaccharides (CHEPS). Here, we explore the anti‐tumour effects of CHEPS on non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Materials and methods

Cell viability was assessed by CCK8 and colony formation assays. Flow cytometry was used to analyse the cell cycle, cell apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cell autophagy was detected by EGFP‐LC3 puncta assay, Lyso‐Tracker Red staining and transmission electron microscopy. mRNA and protein levels were analysed by qRT‐PCR and Western blot. Related mechanisms were confirmed using appropriate inhibitors or shRNA. In vitro results were further confirmed by a tumour xenograft study.

Results

CHEPS inhibited the proliferation of NSCLC cells by inducing S‐ and G2/M‐phase arrest and autophagic cell death, but not apoptosis. CHEPS was less toxic to normal human embryonic lung fibroblasts. CHEPS activated the MAPK pathway in NSCLC cells, and p38 and ERK promoted CHEPS‐induced cell death. Further studies showed that p38 and ERK promoted CHEPS‐induced NSCLC cell autophagy and ERK promoted CHEPS‐induced S‐ and G2/M‐phase arrest. ROS were induced by CHEPS. A ROS scavenger attenuated CHEPS‐induced p38 and ERK activation, autophagy and cell death. Finally, CHEPS reduced orthotopic lung tumour growth without organ‐related toxicity. CHEPS also induced ROS, activated p38 and ERK, and triggered autophagy in vivo.

Conclusions

CHEPS induces autophagic cell death and S‐ and G2/M‐phase arrest in NSCLC cells via ROS/p38 and ROS/ERK signalling.
Chrysophanic acid shifts the differentiation tendency of BMSCs to prevent alcohol‐induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head
Authors: Yu Hongping , Liu Pei , Zhu Daoyu , Yin Junhui , Yang Qianhao , Huang Yigang , Chen Yixuan , Zhang Changqing , Gao Youshui
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), largely caused by alcohol abuse, is a refractory bone disease characterized by the impaired capacity of osteogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), as well as the disordered adipocyte accumulation. Chrysophanic acid (CPA) is a natural anthraquinone which has lipid regulation and bone protection capacity. The aim of this study was to reveal the potential function of CPA and the underlying mechanisms for the alcohol‐induced ONFH.

Materials and Methods

The effects of alcohol and CPA on BMSCs were investigated by cell proliferation, induced differentiation assays and immunofluorescent staining. Meanwhile, the function of PI3K/AKT and AMPK pathway was investigated in the process of osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation, respectively. Furthermore, we established the rat model of alcohol‐induced ONFH to reveal the pharmacotherapeutic effect of CPA in vivo using radiographical and histopathological methods.

Results

In vitro, alcohol significantly inhibited the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs but stimulated the adipogenic differentiation. However, CPA could counteract the anti‐osteogenesis of alcohol partly via PI3K/AKT pathway and retard the promotion of alcohol‐induced adipogenesis via AMPK pathway. In vivo, radiographical and histopathological findings showed that CPA could alleviate alcohol‐induced ONFH and substantially restore the bone volume.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that CPA ameliorated alcohol‐induced ONFH possibly via regulating the differentiation tendency of BMSCs. Hence, CPA may become a beneficial herb extract to alleviate alcohol‐induced ONFH.
Embracing fragmentation to save reindeer from disease
Authors: Mysterud Atle , Strand Olav , Rolandsen Christer M.
Published: June 2020

Space demanding mammalian species, such as reindeer, are in decline worldwide due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Policy to restore connectivity of reindeer habitat is now put to an abrupt halt in several areas because of an outbreak of Chronic Wasting Disease in Norway, and replaced with deliberate fragmentation of the landscape by enhancing barrier effects of linear structures.
The importance of total‐body photography and sequential digital dermatoscopy for monitoring patients at increased melanoma risk
Authors: Deinlein Teresa , Michor Carina , Hofmann‐Wellenhof Rainer , Schmid‐Zalaudek Karin , Fink‐Puches Regina
Published: June 2020

Background and objectives

The incidence of melanoma is rising and prevention plays an important role. Multiple nevi as well as a medical history of melanoma are important risk factors. In affected patients, a two‐step algorithm consisting of total‐body photography (TBP) and sequential digital dermatoscopy (SDD) is a helpful diagnostic tool.

Patients and methods

This was a retrospective observational study that lasted six years in order to evaluate the significance of the two‐step algorithm. Cases were evaluated based on distinct dermoscopic patterns and statistical analyses were performed with the latest version of SPSS.

Results

6020 dermoscopic images of 214 patients were included. TBP was performed at a mean interval of 16.9 months (SD ± 1.43 months), while SDD was performed every 9.9 months (SD ± 1.68 months). The number needed to excise was 4.6 and the number needed to monitor was 548. Excisions were mostly performed because dynamic changes were observed. A total of eleven melanomas were detected and had a mean tumor thickness of 0.44 mm (SD ± 0.15 mm; range 0.2–0.6 mm).

Conclusions

Invasive melanomas had a tumor thickness of less than 0.6 mm, thus providing evidence of an effective strategy for early melanoma detection. Excisions of benign nevi were minimized as indicated by a low number needed to excise.
Participation of young people with disabilities and/or chronic conditions in low‐ and middle‐income countries: a scoping review
Authors: Schlebusch Liezl , Huus Karina , Samuels Alecia , Granlund Mats , Dada Shakila
Published: June 2020

Aim

The purpose of this scoping review was to describe and map the literature available on the participation of young people (0–21y) with disabilities and/or chronic conditions living in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs).

Method

A systematic search and selection process identified 78 publications. Descriptive data were extracted using a data‐charting form, and studies were mapped using the family of participation‐related constructs framework.

Results

The findings demonstrated that, although the published evidence is steadily increasing, the participation research on this vulnerable population is still either absent or very scarce in the majority of LMICs, and very little is known about the participation of children with chronic health conditions. Most studies included in this review focused on attendance or ‘being there’.

Interpretation

Although attendance is an important aspect, more needs to be done to understand children’s experiences or involvement while attending, thus capturing both dimensions of participation.

What this paper adds

There is an increasing trend in research on participation patterns of children with disabilities in low‐ and middle‐income countries.

Most research focuses on children’s attendance, or ‘being there’.

We know very little about children’s involvement, or experience, while attending daily activities.
Clinical prevalence and outcome of cardiovascular events in the first 100 days postallogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant
Authors: Alblooshi Rehab , Kanfar Solaf , Lord Bridgette , Atenafu Eshetu G. , Michelis Fotios V. , Pasic Ivan , Gerbitz Armin , Al‐Shaibani Zeyad , Viswabandya Auro , Kim Dennis (Dong Hwan) , Lam Wilson , Law Arjun , Mattsson Jonas , Kumar Rajat , Lipton Jeffrey H.
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Recent advances in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) have allowed us to offer HSCT to older, advanced disease patients with more co‐morbidities. Cardiovascular toxicity post‐transplant is a major concern due to the increased risk of mortality. Few studies have examined the prevalence of CV events including CAD (MI, angina, PCI, CABG, CHF, arrhythmias), HTN, stroke/TIA, and death in the first 100 days post‐transplant.

Patients

We assessed the impact of pretransplant MUGA results in predicting postallogeneic HSCT CV events and overall survival in the first 100 days, and whether or not transient anthracycline‐induced cardiomyopathy or cumulative anthracycline dose affected overall survival. This retrospective, cohort study included 665 patients with a median age of 52 years who underwent HSCT from 2009 to 2015.

Results

The most frequent CV event in the first 100 days post‐HSCT was arrhythmia seen in 2.9% of patients followed up by CHF (12.3%), MI (9%), and angina (8%). Two patients had PCI, and both survived the first 100 days. Cardiovascular risk factors predict for a poor MUGA scan but not survival. Higher dose anthracycline pretransplant predicted for a poor outcome.

Conclusion

A history of CV disease, MI, or CAD was the most important predictive of CV events, P‐value = .00002. 88.6% survived the first 100 days. Patients with an EF < 50% had a significant likelihood of having a CV event compared to patients with an EF > 60% (OR = 5.3, 95% CI [1.6‐18.1], P = .0219). Cumulative anthracycline dose did not have a significant impact on overall survival.
Species loss drives ecosystem function in experiments, but in nature the importance of species loss depends on dominance
Authors: Genung Mark A. , Fox Jeremy , Winfree Rachael
Published: June 2020

Aim

Decades of experimental research have conclusively shown a positive relationship between species richness and ecosystem function. However, authoritative reviews find no consensus on how species loss affects function in natural communities. We analyse experimental and observational data in an identical way and test whether they produce similar results.

Location

North America and Europe (experimental communities); global (natural communities).

Time period

Experimental communities: 1998–2013; natural communities: 1982–2018.

Major taxa studied

Experimental communities: temperate grassland plants; natural communities: temperate grassland plants, tropical forest trees, kelp forest producers and native bees.

Methods

We used an approach inspired by the Price equation to analyse 129 datasets from experimental and natural communities worldwide. We tested how the effects of species loss on ecosystem function varied with dominance and the non‐randomness of species loss and, in turn, how these two factors differed between experiments and observations.

Results

Studies carried out in experimental and natural communities reached different conclusions regarding the effects of species loss. First, species loss had greater effects on ecosystem function in experiments than in nature. Second, the importance of species loss was negatively correlated with dominance in nature because as dominance increased, lost species were increasingly those contributing little to ecosystem function. Although experimental and natural communities exhibited similar levels of dominance, an analogous relationship was not possible in experiments because the order of species loss was randomized by design.

Main conclusions

Species loss was sometimes, but not always, the major driver of loss of function in nature. Variation in the importance of species loss was not messy and context dependent; instead, it was predicted by functional dominance. Although results from experimental and natural communities were similar in several key ways, they differed in that species loss was a consistent predictor of ecosystem function in experiments and not in nature.
Identification of potential mechanosensitive ion channels involved in texture discrimination during Drosophila suzukii egg‐laying behaviour
Authors: Guo L. , Zhou Z.‐D. , Mao F. , Fan X.‐Y. , Liu G.‐Y. , Huang J. , Qiao X.‐M.
Published: June 2020

Drosophila suzukii (spotted wing drosophila) has become a major invasive insect pest of soft fruits in the America and Europe, causing severe yield losses every year. The female D. suzukii shows the oviposition preference for ripening or ripe fruit by cutting the hard skin with its serrated ovipositor. A recent study reported that mechanosensation is involved in the texture discrimination during egg‐laying behaviour in D. suzukii. However, the underlying mechanism and molecular entity that control this behaviour are not known. The transient receptor potential (TRP) channels and degenerin/epithelial sodium channels (DEG/ENaC) are two candidate gene families of mechanically activated ion channels. Thus, we first identified TRP and DEG/ENaC genes in D. suzukii by bioinformatic analysis. Using transcriptome sequencing, we found that many TRP genes were expressed in the ovipositor in both D. suzukii and D. melanogaster, while some DEG/ENaCs showed species‐specific expression patterns. Exposure to drugs targeting TRP and DEG/ENaC channels abolished the oviposition preference for harder texture in female D. suzukii. Therefore, mechanosensitive ion channels may play significant roles in the texture assessment of egg‐laying behaviour in D. suzukii, which has promising implications to further research on the development of novel control measures.
A simple method to detect leaks after left atrial appendage occlusion with Watchman
Authors: Ayhan Hüseyin , Mohanty Sanghamitra , Gedikli Ömer , Trivedi Chintan , Canpolat Ugur , Tapia Alfredo Chauca , Chen Qiong , Della Rocca Domenico G. , Gianni Carola , Salwan Anu , Annanab Alisara , MacDonald Bryan , Mayedo Angel , Burkhardt J. David , Horton Rodney , Gallinghouse Gerald J. , Di Biase Luigi , Al‐Ahmad Amin , Natale Andrea
Published: June 2020

Background

We evaluated the efficacy of a new method in identifying peri‐device leak (PDL) using morphology of the thrombus formed inside the left atrial appendage (LAA) as seen on follow‐up transesophageal echo (TEE).

Method

A total of 291 consecutive patients undergoing Watchman procedure were included in this analysis. TEE was performed at 45 days postprocedure. Based on the presence of the thrombus inside the LAA behind the device, patients were grouped as (1) white (W) group: LAA completely filled with thrombus (n = 101), 2) nonwhite (NW) group: LAA completely black or mixed (part black and part white; n = 190). Follow‐up TEE was repeated at 6 and 12 months.

Results

Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups except the device size, number of patients with chicken‐wing morphology, and prevalence of left atrial “smoke” that were significantly higher in the NW group. Detection of black appearance was comparable between the pre‐coil closure image and the NW population (26/36 [72.2%] vs 99/154 [64.3%], p = .37). After adjusting for clinically relevant covariates, NW appearance of the LAA was associated with the presence of significant leak (odds ratio: 47.96, 95% confidence interval: 2.91–790.2, p < .001). The 11 patients with mixed appearance at the 6‐month TEE remained unchanged (part black and part white) at the 12‐month TEE. LAA appearance was white in all 36 patients following coil closure.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrated white and nonwhite appearance of the appendage on TEE to be reliable markers of complete closure and leak respectively, following LAA occlusion with the Watchman device.
The oncogenic role of MUC12 in RCC progression depends on c‐Jun/TGF‐β signalling
Authors: Gao Sheng‐Lin , Yin Rui , Zhang Li‐Feng , Wang Si‐Min , Chen Jia‐Sheng , Wu Xing‐Yu , Yue Chuang , Zuo Li , Tang Min
Published: June 2020

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common kidney cancer worldwide. Even though current treatments show promising therapeutic effectiveness, metastatic RCC still has limited therapeutic options so that novel treatments were urgently needed. Here, we identified that MUC12 was overexpressed in RCC patients and served as poor prognostic factor for RCC progression. Overexpression of MUC12 increased RCC cell growth and cell invasion while deficiency of MUC12 exerted opposite effects on RCC cells. Mechanistic dissection demonstrated that MUC12‐mediated RCC cell growth and cell invasion were dependent of TGF‐β1 signalling because they could be blocked in the presence of TGF‐β1 inhibitor. Moreover, the regulation of TGF‐β1 by MUC12 relied on the transactivation of c‐Jun. MUC12 promoted the recruitment of c‐Jun on the promoter of TGF‐β1, leading to its transcription. Importantly, knockdown of c‐Jun also attenuated MUC12‐mediated TGF‐β1 induction and RCC cell invasion. In summary, our study defines the role of MUC12 in RCC progression and provides rational to develop novel targeted therapy to battle against RCC.
FDPS promotes glioma growth and macrophage recruitment by regulating CCL20 via Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway
Authors: Chen Zhuo , Chen Guangyong , Zhao Hang
Published: June 2020

Glioma is one of the most lethal tumours and common malignant in the central nervous system (CNS), which exhibits diffuse invasion and aggressive growth. Several studies have reported the association of FDPS to tumour development and progression. However, the role of FDPS in progression of glioma and macrophage recruitment is not well‐elucidated. In the current study, a remarkable enhancement in FDPS level was observed in glioma tissues and associated with poor prognosis, contributed to tumour growth. FDPS was correlated with macrophage infiltration in glioma and pharmacological deletion of macrophages largely abrogated the oncogenic functions of FDPS in glioma. Mechanistically, FDPS activated Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway and ultimately facilitates macrophage infiltration by inducing CCL20 expression. In conclusion, overexpressed FDPS exhibits an immunomodulatory role in glioma. Therefore, targeting FDPS may be an effective therapeutic strategy for glioma.
LncRNA SNHG3 promotes bladder cancer proliferation and metastasis through miR‐515‐5p/GINS2 axis
Authors: Dai Guangcheng , Huang Chenchen , Yang Jinhui , Jin Lu , Fu Kai , Yuan Feng , Zhu Jin , Xue Boxin
Published: June 2020

Growing evidence suggests that long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are associated with carcinogenesis. LncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 3 (SNHG3) is up‐regulated in various cancers and positively associated with poor prognosis of these cancers. However, the precise role of lncRNA SNHG3 in bladder cancer (Bca) remains unclear. In our research, we first reported that lncRNA SNHG3 was up‐regulated in bladder cancer tissues and positively related to poor clinical prognosis. Moreover, knockdown of lncRNA SNHG3 significantly suppressed the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT process of Bca cells in vitro and vivo. Mechanistically, we revealed that suppression of SNHG3 evidently enhanced miR‐515‐5p expression and decreased GINS2 expression at posttranscriptional levels. Moreover, SNHG3 positively regulated GINS2 expression by sponging miR‐515‐5p under a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism. To sum up, our study suggested lncRNA SNHG3 acted as a microRNA sponge and an oncogenic role in the progression of bladder cancer.
Randomized trial of an intensified, multifactorial intervention in patients with advanced‐stage diabetic kidney disease: Diabetic Nephropathy Remission and Regression Team Trial in Japan (DNETT‐Japan)
Authors: Shikata Kenichi , Haneda Masakazu , Ninomiya Toshiharu , Koya Daisuke , Suzuki Yoshiki , Suzuki Daisuke , Ishida Hitoshi , Akai Hiroaki , Tomino Yasuhiko , Uzu Takashi , Nishimura Motonobu , Maeda Shiro , Ogawa Daisuke , Miyamoto Satoshi , Makino Hirofumi ,   the Diabetic Nephropathy Remission and Regression Team Trial in Japan (DNETT‐Japan) collaborative group
Published: June 2020

Aims/Introduction

We evaluated the efficacy of multifactorial intensive treatment (IT) on renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and advanced‐stage diabetic kidney disease (DKD).

Materials and Methods

The Diabetic Nephropathy Remission and Regression Team Trial in Japan (DNETT‐Japan) is a multicenter, open‐label, randomized controlled trial with a 5‐year follow‐up period. We randomly assigned 164 patients with advanced‐stage diabetic kidney disease (urinary albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio ≥300 mg/g creatinine, serum creatinine level 1.2–2.5 mg/dL in men and 1.0–2.5 mg/dL in women) to receive either IT or conventional treatment. The primary composite outcome was end‐stage kidney failure, doubling of serum creatinine or death from any cause, which was assessed in the intention‐to‐treat population.

Results

The IT tended to reduce the risk of primary end‐points as compared with conventional treatment, but the difference between treatment groups did not reach the statistically significant level (hazard ratio 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.43–1.11; P = 0.13). Meanwhile, the decrease in serum low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level and the use of statin were significantly associated with the decrease in primary outcome (hazard ratio 1.14; 95% confidence interval 1.05–1.23, P < 0.001 and hazard ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.28–0.998, P < 0.05, respectively). The incidence of adverse events was not different between treatment groups.

Conclusions

The risk of kidney events tended to decrease by IT, although it was not statistically significant. Lipid control using statin was associated with a lower risk of adverse kidney events. Further follow‐up study might show the effect of IT in patients with advanced diabetic kidney disease.
Resources and culture in organizations
Authors: Prasad Suraj , Tomaino Marcus
Published: June 2020

We look at how an organization's level of resources interacts with its culture—that is, its shared beliefs and preferences. We consider an organization where workers exert effort to develop projects. These projects (a) have externalities for other members, (b) compete for funds when resources are scarce, and (c) can be implemented in various ways, which members have beliefs and preferences over. When resources are plenty, so that all feasible projects are funded, workers' efforts are independent of each other and a coherent culture is optimal. By contrast, when resources are scarce, competition across workers with diverging beliefs or preferences (competing cultures) can be optimal.
Conserving and Extracting Nature: Environmental Politics and Livelihoods in the New “Middle Grounds” of Amazonia
Authors: High Casey , Oakley R. Elliott
Published: June 2020

Tanto como los pueblos de la Amazonía son conocidos en antropología por haber desafiado ideas modernistas de “la naturaleza,” industrias extractivas y varios proyectos de desarrollo los colocan al frente de conflictos acerca del medio ambiente. En 1995, Conklin y Graham identificaron que estas interfazes son cada vez mas translocales, provocando a describir un emergente “middle ground” que ubica los pueblos indígenas de la Amazonía y los ambientalistas occidentales como aliados naturales. Reconociendo veinticinco años de la Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Anthropology y del artículo seminal de Conklin y Graham, este “jubilee special issue” reconsidera el concepto “middle ground” en el contexto de nuevos y emergentes relaciones en la Amazonía contemporánea. Al conceptualizer los “new middle grounds” de conservación y economias extractivas, investigamos los procesos de acomodación, coloboración, oposición, y posible dominación basadas en perspectivas y prácticas locales. De esta manera nos proponemos extender discusiones de las diferencias radicales en la Amazonía para reconocer también las maneras complejas en que las experiencias indígenas están profundamente integradas en la cultura y política latinoamericana.
Multiperiod Loans, Occasionally Binding Constraints, and Monetary Policy: A Quantitative Evaluation
Authors: BLUWSTEIN KRISTINA , BRZOZA‐BRZEZINA MICHAł , GELAIN PAOLO , KOLASA MARCIN
Published: June 2020

We introduce multiperiod mortgage loans, fixed interest rate, a lower bound constraint on newly granted loans, and a possibly slack collateral constraint, in an otherwise standard Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) model with housing. Our nonlinear estimation shows that all those features are important to understand the evolution of mortgage debt during the recent U.S. housing market boom and bust. The transmission of monetary policy becomes dependent on the housing cycle, with weaker effects when house prices are high or start falling sharply. Higher average loan duration makes monetary policy less effective, eventually leading to asymmetric responses to positive and negative monetary shocks.
Subject‐specific muscle properties from diffusion tensor imaging significantly improve the accuracy of musculoskeletal models
Authors: Charles James P. , Grant Barbara , D’Août Kristiaan , Bates Karl T.
Published: June 2020

Musculoskeletal modelling is an important platform on which to study the biomechanics of morphological structures in vertebrates and is widely used in clinical, zoological and palaeontological fields. The popularity of this approach stems from the potential to non‐invasively quantify biologically important but difficult‐to‐measure functional parameters. However, while it is known that model predictions are highly sensitive to input values, it is standard practice to build models by combining musculoskeletal data from different sources resulting in ‘generic’ models for a given species. At present, there are little quantitative data on how merging disparate anatomical data in models impacts the accuracy of these functional predictions. This issue is addressed herein by quantifying the accuracy of both subject‐specific human limb models containing individualised muscle force‐generating properties and models built using generic properties from both elderly and young individuals, relative to experimental muscle torques obtained from an isokinetic dynamometer. The results show that subject‐specific models predict isokinetic muscle torques to a greater degree of accuracy than generic models at the ankle (root‐mean‐squared error – 7.9% vs. 49.3% in elderly anatomy‐based models), knee (13.2% vs. 57.3%) and hip (21.9% vs. 32.8%). These results have important implications for the choice of musculoskeletal properties in future modelling studies, and the relatively high level of accuracy achieved in the subject‐specific models suggests that such models can potentially address questions about inter‐subject variations of muscle functions. However, despite relatively high levels of overall accuracy, models built using averaged generic muscle architecture data from young, healthy individuals may lack the resolution and accuracy required to study such differences between individuals, at least in certain circumstances. The results do not wholly discourage the continued use of averaged generic data in musculoskeletal modelling studies but do emphasise the need for to maximise the accuracy of input values if studying intra‐species form–function relationships in the musculoskeletal system.
The relationship between masticatory performance and intakes of foods and nutrients in Japanese male workers: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Kawashima Bori Fuyoko , Fukuhara Masayo , Masaki Chihiro , Ohta Yuko , Nakamichi Ikuo , Sakata Satoko , Goto Kenichi , Kataoka Shota , Kakuta Satoko , Iwasaki Masanori , Ansai Toshihiro , Hosokawa Ryuji
Published: June 2020

Background

Although many studies have been conducted on the relationship between masticatory performance and nutrient ingestion in the elderly, few large‐scale studies have been carried out using relatively young individuals.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to clarify the association between the masticatory performance evaluated by the gummy‐jelly test, not by visual examination, and nutrient ingestion state based on the brief self‐administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ).

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional survey of 540 male workers. Somatometry, blood pressure measurement, blood test and medical interview were performed as a periodic health check‐up. In the dental check‐up, an oral examination, gummy‐jelly test (glucosensor) and survey of ingested food and nutrients using BDHQ were performed. The participants were classified into two groups with low and normal values of masticatory performance. Participants with a score on the gummy‐jelly test below 150 mg/dL or 150 mg/dL or higher were included in the low and normal groups, respectively.

Results

Two hundred and forty‐eight participants (45.8%) had low masticatory performance, and 292 (53.2%) had normal masticatory performance. The intakes of some minerals and vitamins, such as calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B2, small fish with bones and non‐oily fish, were significantly lower in the low masticatory group than in the normal group. In contrast, the intake of sugar for coffee and tea and that of chicken were significantly higher in the low masticatory group than in the normal group.

Conclusion

This study suggested that low masticatory performance can affect nutrient intake, which may cause non‐communicable diseases.
Functional lagged regression with sparse noisy observations
Authors: Rubín Tomáš , Panaretos Victor M.
Published: June 2020

A functional (lagged) time series regression model involves the regression of scalar response time series on a time series of regressors that consists of a sequence of random functions. In practice, the underlying regressor curve time series are not always directly accessible, but are latent processes observed (sampled) only at discrete measurement locations. In this article, we consider the so‐called sparse observation scenario where only a relatively small number of measurement locations have been observed, possibly different for each curve. The measurements can be further contaminated by additive measurement error. A spectral approach to the estimation of the model dynamics is considered. The spectral density of the regressor time series and the cross‐spectral density between the regressors and response time series are estimated by kernel smoothing methods from the sparse observations. The impulse response regression coefficients of the lagged regression model are then estimated by means of ridge regression (Tikhonov regularization) or principal component analysis (PCA) regression (spectral truncation). The latent functional time series are then recovered by means of prediction, conditioning on all the observed data. The performance and implementation of our methods are illustrated by means of a simulation study and the analysis of meteorological data.
Access to essential medicines to guarantee women's rights to health: The pharmaceutical patents connection
Authors: Mike Jennifer H. M.
Published: June 2020

Indubitably, everyone is entitled to the right to a standard of health. While women's rights to health and life are clearly established in legal instruments, having these laws without the fulfilling them will not serve the people they are meant to safeguard. For this reason, this article argues that the right to health and life includes the right to an effective access to available, good quality, safe and effective medicines that are equally affordable to everyone. Essentially, human rights principles, norms and standards provide strong moral support for the consideration of women's access to medicines, in view of the adverse impact of international and national patent law on public health. It is also submitted that ensuring this access to a choice of essential medicines at an affordable price requires the state to ensure that the granting of patent rights to inventors and pharmaceutical companies does not hinder access to essential drugs. In the same vein, the article argues for the design, interpretation and implementation of patent rights to respond to the right to health, life and access to medicines.