bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inorganic Pyrophosphate Promotes Osteoclastogenic Commitment and Survival of Bone Marrow Derived Monocytes mediated byEgr-1up-regulation and MITF phosphorylation
Authors: Abdelmagid Samir M. , Zajac Allison , Salhab Imad , Nah Hyun-Duck
Published: October 2020

Several reports emphasized the importance of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) in hindering osteoblast differentiation and bone matrix mineralization. Its ubiquitous presence is thought to prevent “soft” tissue calcification, whereas its degradation to Piin bones and teeth by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) may facilitate crystal growth. While the inhibiting role of PPion osteoblast differentiation and function is largely understood, less is known about its effects on osteoclast determination and activity. In this study, we investigated the role of PPiin bone resorption using calverial organ culturesex vivo. We present an evidence that PPistimulated calvarial bone resorption marked by calcium (Ca2+) release in the condition media (CM). We then examined PPieffects on osteoclast differentiation using mouse bone marrow-derived monocytes (BMMs). Our results revealed that PPienhanced osteoclast differentiationex vivo, marked by increased number and size of TRAP-stained mature osteoclasts. Moreover, PPistimulated osteoclastogenesis in BMMs co-cultured with osteoblasts. These data supported the increased osteoclast activity in bone resorption using functional osteo-assays. The finding of PU.1-Egr-1 dependent up-regulation of c-FMS and RANK receptors in BMMs supported the enhanced pre-osteoclast commitment and differentiation. Moreover, osteoclast survival was enhanced by activation of MITF-BCL-2 pathway that was mediated by MAPK-ERK1/2 signaling. Last, our data showed that PPiup-regulated ANK; PPitransporter, during osteoclast differentiation through ERK1/2 phosphorylation whereas mutation of ANK inhibited osteoclastogenesis. Collectively, our data suggest that PPipromotes osteoclast differentiation, survival, and function through PU.1 up-regulation and MITF phosphorylation whereas ANK loss-of-function inhibited osteoclastogenesis.
The effect of maternal HMB supplementation on bone mechanical and geometrical properties, as well as histomorphometry and immunolocalization of VEGF, TIMP2, MMP13, BMP2 in the bone and cartilage tissue of the humerus of their newborn piglets
Authors: Tomczyk-Warunek Agnieszka , Blicharski Tomasz , Jarecki Jaromir , Dobrowolski Piotr , Muszyński Siemowit , Tomaszewska Ewa , Rovati Lucio C.
Published: October 2020

The presented experiment focuses on assessing the impact of HMB (hydroxy-β-methobutyrate) supplementation of mothers during pregnancy on the development of the skeletal system of their offspring. For this purpose, an experiment was carried out on 12 clinically healthy sows of the Great White Poland breed, which were divided randomly into two groups the control and the HMB group. All animals were kept under standard conditions and received the same feed for pregnant females. In contrast, females from the HMB group between 70 and 90 days were supplemented with 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyle in the amount of 0.2g/kg b.w/day. Immediately after birth, the piglets were also divided into groups based on: sex, and presence or lack HMB supplementation, and subsequently were euthanized and humerus bones from all piglets were collected.

Mother’s HMB supplementation during pregnancy affected the multiple index of their offspring. The higher humerus mass and length was observed with the greater effect in males. Maternal supplementation also influenced on the geometrical and mechanical properties of the humerus as in the case of mass, this effect was higher in males. Also, the collagen structure of the compacted and trabecular bone changed under the HMB addition. Maternal supplementation also affected the expression of selected proteins in growth cartilage and trabecular bone. The obtained results show that the administration to the mother during pregnancy by the HMB significantly affects the development of the humerus in many ways. The obtained results also confirm the utility of such experiments in understanding of the importance of the pregnancy diet as an develop and adaptable factor of offspring organisms and are the base for further research in that area as well as in the protein markers expression area.
DamageProfiler: Fast damage pattern calculation for ancient DNA
Authors: Neukamm Judith , Peltzer Alexander , Nieselt Kay
Published: October 2020

In ancient DNA research, the authentication of ancient samples based on specific features remains a crucial step in data analysis. Because of this central importance, researchers lacking deeper programming knowledge should be able to run a basic damage authentication analysis. Such software should be user-friendly and easy to integrate into an analysis pipeline. Here, we present DamageProfiler, a Java based, stand-alone software to determine damage patterns in ancient DNA. The results are provided in various file formats and plots for further processing. DamageProfiler has an intuitive graphical as well as command line interface that allows the tool to be easily embedded into an analysis pipeline.
Single cell transcriptional and functional analysis of human dopamine neurons in 3D fetal ventral midbrain organoid like cultures
Authors: Birtele Marcella , Sharma Yogita , Storm Petter , Kajtez Janko , Wahlestedt Jenny Nelander , Sozzi Edoardo , Nilsson Fredrik , Stott Simon , He Xiaoling L , Mattsson Bengt , Ottosson Daniella Rylander , Barker Roger A , Fiorenzano Alessandro , Parmar Malin
Published: October 2020

Transplantation of midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a strategy that has being extensively explored and clinical trials using fetal and stem cell-derived DA neurons are ongoing. An increased understanding of the mechanisms promoting the generation of distinct subtypes of midbrain DA during normal development will be essential for guiding future efforts to precisely generate molecularly defined and subtype specific DA neurons from pluripotent stem cells. In this study, we used droplet-based scRNA-seq to transcriptionally profile a large number of fetal cells from human embryos at different stages of ventral midbrain (VM) development (6, 8, and 11 weeks post conception). This revealed that the emergence of transcriptionally distinct cellular populations was evident already at these early timepoints. To study late events of human DA differentiation and functional maturation, we established a primary fetal 3D culture system that recapitulates key molecular aspects of late human DA neurogenesis and sustains differentiation and functional maturation of DA neurons in a physiologically relevant cellular context. This approach allowed us to define the molecular identities of distinct human DA progenitors and neurons at single cell resolution and construct developmental trajectories of cell types in the developing fetal VM.

Overall these findings provide a unique transcriptional profile of developing fetal VM and functionally mature human DA neurons, which can be used to quality control stem cell-derived DA neurons and guide stem cell-based therapies and disease modeling approaches in PD.
A conserved cell division protein directly regulates FtsZ dynamics in filamentous and unicellular actinobacteria
Authors: Ramos-Léon Felix , Bush Matthew J. , Sallmen Joseph W. , Chandra Govind , Richardson Jake , Findlay Kim C. , McCormick Joseph R. , Schlimpert Susan
Published: October 2020

Bacterial cell division is driven by the polymerization of the GTPase FtsZ into a contractile structure, the so-called Z-ring. This essential process involves proteins that modulate FtsZ dynamics and hence the overall Z-ring architecture. Actinobacteria, likeStreptomycesandMycobacteriumlack known key FtsZ-regulators. Here we report the identification of SepH, a conserved actinobacterial protein that directly regulates FtsZ dynamics. We show that SepH is crucially involved in cell division inStreptomycesand that it binds FtsZ via a conserved helix-turn-helix motif, stimulating the assembly of FtsZ protofilaments. Comparativein vitrostudies using the SepH homolog fromMycobacteriumfurther reveal that SepH can also bundle FtsZ protofilaments, indicating an additional Z-ring stabilizing functionin vivo. We propose that SepH plays a crucial role at the onset of cytokinesis in actinobacteria by promoting the rapid assembly of FtsZ filaments into division-competent Z-rings that can go on to mediate septum synthesis.
Gut metabolites are more predictive of disease- and cohoused- states than gut bacterial features in a mouse model of polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Ho Bryan , Ryback Daniel , Benson Basilin , Torres Pedro J. , Quinn Robert A , Thackray Varykina G. , Kelley Scott T.
Published: October 2020

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) impacts ∼10% of reproductive-aged women worldwide. In addition to infertility, women with PCOS suffer from metabolic dysregulation which increases their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Studies have shown differences in the gut microbiome of women with PCOS compared to controls, a pattern replicated in mouse models. Recently, using a letrozole-induced mouse model of PCOS, we demonstrated that cohousing was protective against development of metabolic and reproductive phenotypes and showed via 16S amplicon sequencing that this protection correlated with time-dependent shifts in gut bacteria. Here, we applied untargeted metabolomics and shotgun metagenomics approaches to further analyze the longitudinal samples from the cohousing experiment. Analysis of beta diversity found that untargeted metabolites had the strongest correlation to both disease and cohoused states and that shifts in metabolite diversity were detected prior to shifts in bacterial diversity. In addition, log2-fold analyses found numerous metabolite features, particularly bile acids (BA), to be highly differentiated between placebo (P) and letrozole (LET), as well as cohoused LET versus LET. Our results indicate that changes in gut metabolites, particularly BAs, are associated with a PCOS-like phenotype in the LET mouse model as well as the protective effect of cohousing. Our results also suggest that transfer of metabolites via coprophagy occurs rapidly and may precipitate changes in bacterial diversity. This study joins a growing body of research highlighting changes in primary and secondary bile acids that may provide a link between host metabolism and gut microbes relevant to the pathology of PCOS.

IMPORTANCE

Using a combination of untargeted metabolomics and metagenomics, we performed a comparative longitudinal analysis of the feces collected in a cohousing study with a PCOS mouse model. Our results showed that gut metabolite composition experienced earlier and more pronounced differentiation in both the disease model and cohoused mice compared with the microbial composition. Notably, statistical and machine learning approaches identified shifts in the relative abundance of primary and secondary BA, which have been implicated as modifiers of gut microbial growth and diversity. Network correlation analysis showed strong associations between particular BA and bacterial species, particularly members ofLactobacillus, and that these correlations were time and treatment dependent. Our results provide novel insights into host/microbe relationships related to hyperandrogenism in females and indicate that focused research into small molecule control of gut microbial diversity and host physiology may provide new therapeutic options for the treatment of PCOS.
Cross-compartment signal propagation in the Mitotic Exit Network
Authors: Zhou Xiaoxue , Li Wenxue , Liu Yansheng , Amon Angelika
Published: October 2020

In budding yeast, the Mitotic Exit Network (MEN), a GTPase signaling cascade integrates spatial and temporal cues to promote exit from mitosis. This signal integration requires transmission of a signal generated on the cytoplasmic face of spindle pole bodies (SPBs; yeast equivalent of centrosomes) to the nucleolus, where the MEN effector protein Cdc14 resides. Here, we show that the MEN activating signal at SPBs is relayed to Cdc14 in the nucleolus through the dynamic localization of its terminal kinase complex Dbf2-Mob1. Cdc15, the protein kinase that activates Dbf2-Mob1 at SPBs, also regulates its nuclear access. Once in the nucleus, priming phosphorylation of Cfi1/Net1, the nucleolar anchor of Cdc14, by the Polo-like kinase Cdc5 targets Dbf2-Mob1 to the nucleolus. Nucleolar Dbf2-Mob1 then phosphorylates Cfi1/Net1 and Cdc14, activating Cdc14. The kinase-primed transmission of the MEN signal from the cytoplasm to the nucleolus exemplifies how signaling cascades can bridge distant inputs and responses.
Human-specificARHGAP11Bis necessary and sufficient for human-type basal progenitor levels in primate brain organoids
Authors: Fischer Jan , Peters Jula , Namba Takashi , Huttner Wieland B. , Heide Michael
Published: October 2020

Based on studies in various animal models, including developing ferret neocortex (Kalebic et al., 2018), the human-specific geneARHGAP11Bhas been implicated in human neocortex expansion. However, the extent of its contribution to this expansion during primate evolution is unknown. Here we addressed this issue by genetic manipulation of ARHGAP11B levels and function in chimpanzee and human cerebral organoids. Interference with ARHGAP11B’s function in human cerebral organoids caused a massive decrease, down to a chimpanzee level, in the proliferation and abundance of basal progenitors, the progenitors thought to have a key role in neocortex expansion. Conversely,ARHGAP11Bexpression in chimpanzee cerebral organoids resulted in a doubling of cycling basal progenitors. Taken together, our findings demonstrate thatARHGAP11Bis necessary and sufficient to maintain the elevated basal progenitor levels that characterize the fetal human neocortex, suggesting that this human-specific gene was a major contributor to neocortex expansion during human evolution.
The GARP Domain of the Rod CNG Channel’s β1-subunit Contains Distinct Sites for Outer Segment Targeting and Connecting to the Photoreceptor Disc Rim
Authors: Pearring Jillian N. , Willer Jason R. , Martínez-Márquez Jorge Y. , Lieu Eric C. , Salinas Raquel Y. , Arshavsky Vadim Y.
Published: October 2020

Vision begins when light is captured by the outer segment organelle of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Outer segments are modified cilia filled with hundreds of flattened disc-shaped membranes. Disc membranes are separated from the surrounding plasma membrane and each membrane type has unique protein components. The mechanisms underlying this protein sorting remain entirely unknown. In this study, we investigated the outer segment delivery of the rod cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel, which is located in the outer segment plasma membrane where it mediates the electrical response to light. We now show that the targeted delivery of the CNG channel to the outer segment requires pre-assembly of its constituent α1 and β1 subunits and that CNGβ1 contains specific targeting information encoded within the glutamic acid-rich region of its N-terminal GARP domain. We also found that the GARP domain connects the CNG channel to photoreceptor disc rims likely through an interaction with peripherin-2 and demonstrated that this function is performed by a proline-enriched region adjacent to the GARP domain. Our data reveal fine functional specializations within the structural domains of the CNG channel and suggest that channel delivery to the outer segment is independent of peripherin-2 interactions.

Significance Statement

The precise delivery and organization of signaling proteins in the ciliary outer segment organelle of photoreceptor cells is critical for light detection. We report that the CNG channel, mediating the electrical response to light in rods, contains a region within the N-terminus of its CNGβ1 subunit that encodes the outer segment targeting information for the entire channel. This targeting region is adjacent to a region that connects CNGβ1 to the rims of photoreceptor discs, likely determining the subcellular compartmentalization of the CNG channel into the outer segment plasma membrane.
Perilipin2 down-regulation in β cells impairs insulin secretion under nutritional stress and damages mitochondria
Authors: Mishra Akansha , Liu Siming , Promes Joseph , Harata Mikako , Sivitz William , Fink Brian , Bhardwaj Gourav , O’Neill Brian T. , Kang Chen , Sah Rajan , Strack Stefan , Stephens Samuel , King Timothy , Jackson Laura , Greenberg Andrew S , Anokye-Danso Frederick , Ahima Rexford S , Ankrum James , Imai Yumi
Published: October 2020

Perilipin 2 (PLIN2) is the lipid droplet (LD) protein in β cells that increases under nutritional stress. Down-regulation of PLIN2 is often sufficient to reduce LD accumulation. To determine whether PLIN2 positively or negatively affects β cell function under nutritional stress, PLIN2 was down-regulated in mouse β cells, INS1 cells, and human islet cells. β cell specific deletion of PLIN2 in mice on a high fat diet reduced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in vivo and in vitro. Down-regulation of PLIN2 in INS1 cells blunted GSIS after 24 h incubation with 0.2 mM palmitic acids. Down-regulation of PLIN2 in human pseudoislets cultured at 5.6 mM glucose impaired both phases of GSIS, indicating that PLIN2 is critical for GSIS. Down-regulation of PLIN2 decreased specific OXPHOS proteins in all three models and reduced oxygen consumption rates in INS1 cells and mouse islets. Moreover, we found that PLIN2 deficient INS1 cells increased the distribution of a fluorescent oleic acid analog to mitochondria and showed signs of mitochondrial stress as indicated by susceptibility to fragmentation and alterations of acyl-carnitines and glucose metabolites. Collectively, PLIN2 in β cells have an important role in preserving insulin secretion, β cell metabolism and mitochondrial function under nutritional stress.
When do women on board of directors reduce bank risk?
Authors: Birindelli Giuliana , Chiappini Helen , Savioli Marco
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between female directors and bank risk. In particular, whether such a relationship varies across sound or unsound banks and with or without a critical mass of female directors is tested.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 215 listed banks from 40 countries over the period 2008–2016, this study carries out panel data analyses and tests all the model specifications on four different measures of risk (common equity ratio, leverage, NPLs ratio and price volatility).

Findings

The findings show that increasing the number of female directors does not reduce bank risk when banks are unsound. When banks are sound, female directors have a significant and positive role in reducing risk, only until reaching a critical mass of women.

Practical implications

This study provides useful corporate governance indications for policymakers and practitioners. Advantages of gender diversity on boards are recognized especially in sound banks, but increasing the number of women directors beyond the critical mass may not lead to lower risk. In fact, ethical or legal pressures aimed at increasing gender diversity on boards (i.e. soft or hard gender quotas) may cause undesired effects on bank risk, especially if female directors are not chosen on merit and skills. Moreover, gender-balanced boards, namely, with a “dual critical mass,” seem to assure more effective decision-making processes.

Originality/value

This study provides empirical evidence on female board members and risk minimization, differentiating between sound or unsound banks. Furthermore, this study contributes to the literature on the critical mass of women on the board of directors by testing this theory for these two categories of banks.
A novel method for gear gravimetric wear prediction based on improved particle swarm optimization and non-stationary random process probability distribution fitting
Authors: Chen Cheng , Wang Honghua
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Stimulated by previous reference, which proposed making straight line of regression to test gear gravimetric wear loss sequence distribution, this paper aims to propose using straight line of regression to fit gear gravimetric wear loss sequence based on stationary random process suppose. Faced to that the stationary random sequence suppose had not been proved by previous reference, and that prediction did not present high precision, this paper proposes a method of fitting non-stationary random process probability distribution function.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, this paper proposes using weighted sum of Gauss items to fit zero-step approximate probability density. Secondly, for the beginning, this paper uses the method with few Gauss items under low precision. With the amount of points increasing, this paper uses more Gauss items under higher precision, and some Gauss items and some former points are deleted under precision condition. Thirdly, for particle swarm optimization with constraint problem, this paper proposed improved method, and the stop condition is under precision condition.

Findings

In experiment data analysis section, gear wear loss prediction is done by the method proposed by this paper. Compared with the method based on the stationary random sequence suppose by prediction relative error, the method proposed by this paper lowers the relative error whose absolute values are more than 5%, except when the current point sequence number is 2, and retains the relative error, whose absolute values are lower than 5%, still lower than 5%.

Originality/value

Finally, the method proposed by this paper based on non-stationary random sequence suppose is proved to be the better method in gear gravimetric wear loss prediction.
A review of carbon trading based on an evolutionary perspective
Authors: Shen Neng , Zhao Yuqing , Deng Rumeng
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to review the literature on carbon trading from the perspective of evolution, finds out the evolution path of these literatures and gives out the future research hotspots in this field.

Design/methodology/approach

Uses visualization tools (CiteSpace and HistCite) to systematically categorize the literature on carbon-trading schemes in the Web of Science core collection from 1998 to 2018, comprehensively analyzes carbon-trading schemes from four dimensions, namely, discipline evolution, keyword evolution, citation cluster evolution and citation path evolution.

Findings

Research on carbon-trading schemes has a specific development and evolution path along four dimensions, namely, in the discipline dimension, the largest change lies in the mathematics pointed to by at least four different disciplines; the keyword evolution dimension shows a gradual deepening emphasis on coordinated development; citation clusters identify three major clusters – carbon prices, China’s carbon trading, carbon market and supply chain; and citation paths identify three major evolutionary paths, the most important of which shows that “What affects carbon price?” has changed to “What is the impact of carbon prices?”

Originality/value

Reveals the evolution path of carbon trading research studies and proposes four possible development directions for carbon-trading scheme research, which is helpful for future carbon trading-related research and serves as a reference for the promotion of and improvements in carbon-trading schemes.
Measuring hospital process service quality: emerging technologies’ challenge
Authors: Zhang Min , Wang Lu , Wang Ran , Xiong Jingjing
Published: October 2020

Purpose

In the mobile internet era, the path and mechanism of hospital patient-perceived quality have been changed radically. The purpose of this study is to develop a scale that adequately captures the characteristics of hospital service quality from the patient’s perspective under the background of the mobile internet.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on previous related research and interviews with focus groups, this paper conceptualized, constructed, refined and tested a multiple-item scale that examined key dimensions of hospital process service quality in the mobile context. To validate this scale, data were collected through two formal surveys in Chinese hospitals and were used to test the reliability and validity of the instrument.

Findings

The final measurement scale contains three dimensions, that is, environment conditions, attitude and behavior and technical convenience. With the help of this quality scale, hospital managers could have a better understanding of patients’ expectations under the new condition and pinpoint appropriate initiatives to fill the service gap.

Originality/value

This study focuses on service quality measurement issues related to the application of mobile internet technology in traditional clinical settings, such as hospitals. This paper develops an original and specific service quality scale that catches the online and offline characteristics of the hospital process in the mobile setting and considers both human-technology interaction and human-human interaction.
A compounding-model comprising back propagation neural network and genetic algorithm for performance prediction of bio-based lubricant blending with functional additives
Authors: Yu Tong , Yin Peng , Zhang Wei , Song Yanliang , Zhang Xu
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The amount, type and addition conditions of additives of lubricants should be continuously adjusted to obtain appealing performance. To obtain the optimal pretreatment parameters and reduce the cost of time-consuming experiments, the purpose of this paper is to establish an optimal back propagation neural network (BPNN) model combined with genetic algorithm (GA) in this work.

Design/methodology/approach

Using trimethylolpropane trioleate as the base oil and three types of phosphorus compounds as additives, 25 sets of lubricant formulas were designed regarding lubricant performances of average friction coefficient, average spot diameter, disk wear volume and extreme pressure. The data set was used for training and learning of BPNN and then combined with GA to optimize BPNN with continuously optimization by adjusting various parameters.

Findings

Comparing prediction data of BPNN with actual test data, correlation coefficients were above 90%, indicating that the model could accurately predict the performance of lubricants. When combined with GA, all performance errors were less than 5%, indicating that BPNN could be optimized by GA to obtain an accurate combined model for prediction of lubricant performance. The best additive formula with excellent performances was obtained from the BPNN–GA model.

Originality/value

This work developed a new method to study lubricant compounding. The combined model was expected to provide a theoretical basis and guidance for the compounding optimization of lubricant additives with high efficiency and low cost and to expand the scope to practical applications.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-05-2020-0165/
Expressions of m6A RNA methylation regulators and their clinical predictive value in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endometrial adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wu Hongyuan , Dong Heling , Fu You , Tang Yu , Dai Meng , Chen Yanya , Wang Gang , Wu Yifen
Published: October 2020

The mortality caused by cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC) ranks second among female malignant tumour deaths, but their diagnostic and therapeutic targets are still limited. N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common and extensive modification in mRNA molecules, and its methylation regulators participate in regulating the occurrence and development of many tumours. However, whether m6A RNA methylation regulators can be used as independent prognostic indicators of CESC remains unknown. This study unveiled differential expression of 20 m6A RNA methylation regulators between normal and CESC tumour samples, which RNA sequence data and clinical information were obtained from TCGA database. As a result, five m6A RNA methylation regulators (FTO, HNRNPA2B1, RBM15, IGF2BP1, IGF2BP3) were identified to be significantly linked to CESC tumour status. After Lasso cox regression analysis, six m6A RNA methylation regulators (YTHDC2, YTHDC1, ALKBH5, ZC3H13, RBMX, YTHDF1) were chosen to construct a risk signature. CESC patients were then classified as high‐risk and low‐risk group based on the median risk score. The overall survival (OS) of the CESC patients in high‐risk group was significantly lower than that in low‐risk group, and the area under curve (AUC) is 0.718. Moreover, the risk model can be an independent prognosis factors for CESC patients and can predict OS of CESC patients with different clinical factors. In conclusion, m6A RNA methylation regulators are closely correlated with CESC clinical characteristics and the selected six m6A RNA methylation regulators may be useful for CESC patients personalized treatment.
Families' reports of problematic foods, management strategies and continuous glucose monitoring in type 1 diabetes: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Smith Tenele A. , Blowes Ashley A. , King Bruce R. , Howley Peter P. , Smart Carmel E.
Published: October 2020

Aims

To identify foods that cause problematic postprandial blood glucose levels (BGLs) in children and young people with type 1 diabetes, the strategies families use to manage these foods and the impact of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) on nutritional management.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional survey of 100 families attending a paediatric diabetes centre in Australia.

Results

Participants (n = 100) had a mean age of 13.0 ± 3.6 years; diabetes duration 5.2 ± 4.0 years; HbA1c 53 ± 0.9 mmol/mol (7.0 ± 0.8%); 52% used multiple daily injections (MDI, ≥4 injections/day); 48% used insulin pump therapy; and overall, 60% used CGM.

Ninety‐one participants (91%) identified problematic foods, including pizza (60%), pasta (55%) and rice (31%). Of these, 96% used one or more strategies to manage BGLs, including correcting BGLs more often (51%), use of a combination bolus (39%) and increasing the meal insulin dose (32%). Participants who gave additional meal insulin (n = 28) increased the dose by 10% to 25%. All MDI users (n = 15) gave additional insulin pre‐prandially. Of those using CGM, 88% (n = 53) reported an increased awareness of the glycaemic impact of foods, and 27% (n = 16) had subsequently made changes to their management including avoiding and/or restricting new foods (n = 7).

Conclusions

Families with type 1 diabetes reported foods such as pizza, pasta and rice as problematic and used strategies such as increasing the insulin dose to minimise their glycaemic impact. CGM contributed to the awareness of problematic foods. Clinicians should discuss these foods and, if challenging, provide targeted strategies including adjusting the insulin dose and delivery pattern to improve postprandial glycaemia.
COVID‐19 is an emergent disease of aging
Authors: Santesmasses Didac , Castro José Pedro , Zenin Aleksandr A. , Shindyapina Anastasia V. , Gerashchenko Maxim V. , Zhang Bohan , Kerepesi Csaba , Yim Sun Hee , Fedichev Peter O. , Gladyshev Vadim N.
Published: October 2020

COVID‐19 is an ongoing pandemic caused by the SARS‐CoV‐2 coronavirus that poses one of the greatest challenges to public health in recent years. SARS‐CoV‐2 is known to preferentially target older subjects and those with pre‐existing conditions, but the reason for this age dependence is unclear. Here, we found that the case fatality rate for COVID‐19 grows exponentially with age in all countries tested, with the doubling time approaching that of all‐cause human mortality. In addition, men and those with multiple age‐related diseases are characterized by increased mortality. Moreover, similar mortality patterns were found for all‐cause pneumonia. We further report that the gene expression of ACE2, the SARS‐CoV‐2 receptor, grows in the lung with age, except for subjects on a ventilator. Together, our findings establish COVID‐19 as an emergent disease of aging, and age and age‐related diseases as its major risk factors. In turn, this suggests that COVID‐19, and deadly respiratory diseases in general, may be targeted, in addition to antiviral approaches, by approaches that target the aging process.
Shifts in alcohol consumption during the COVID‐19 pandemic: early indications from Australia
Authors: Callinan Sarah , Smit Koen , Mojica‐Perez Yvette , D'Aquino Simon , Moore David , Kuntsche Emmanuel
Published: October 2020

Background and aim

The effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on alcohol consumption is currently unclear. This study aimed to provide early estimates of how stress and demographics will interact with shifts in harmful alcohol consumption from before the COVID‐19 outbreak to 2 months into social distancing.

Design

Cross‐sectional convenience sample.

Setting

Australia.

Participants

A total of 1684 Australians aged 18–65 years who drink at least monthly.

Measurements

Items from the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and the stress subscale of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS).

Findings

Overall, harmful drinking decreased during social distancing measures in our sample [2019 score = 8.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 7.9–8.4; during the pandemic = 7.3, 95% CI = 7.1–7.6]. Younger drinkers, particularly young women, decreased their consumption the most, but there was a small increase in consumption in middle‐aged women. Drinkers experiencing high levels of stress also reported a relatively higher shift in harmful consumption compared with those with low levels of stress (β = 0.65, P = 0.003), despite reporting a small decrease overall.

Conclusions

The closure of licensed premises and social distancing measures in Australia in response to the COVID‐19 outbreak appear to have reduced harmful alcohol consumption in younger drinkers, particularly young women.
Post‐haemorrhagic hydrocephalus management: Delayed neonatal transport negatively affects outcome
Authors: Parodi Alessandro , Giordano Ilaria , De Angelis Laura , Malova Mariya , Calevo Maria Grazia , Preiti Deborah , Ravegnani Marcello , Cama Armando , Bellini Carlo , Ramenghi Luca A.
Published: October 2020

Background

Post‐haemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (PHVD) still represents an important cause of brain injury in premature infants. Intervention for PHVD is recommended once Ventricular Index (VI) crosses the 97th percentile + 4 mm line according to Levene.

Objectives

We aimed to compare PHVD severity, timing of intervention, and outcome between outborn infants transferred to a level IV NICU in order to be treated for PHVD and a control population of inborn infants.

Methods

Preterm infants with PHVD requiring treatment were divided into: outborn infants (transferred to our NICU in order to be treated for PHVD) and inborn infants (PHVD diagnosed at our NICU). Age at intervention, difference between VI and the 97th percentile according to postmenstrual age (VI‐p97), permanent shunt rate, and developmental delay rate were compared between the two groups. Neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales II (VABS‐II), a parental questionnaire investigating four domains of adaptive behaviour and overall adaptive functioning. Developmental delay was defined as a score <70 (−2 SD or less).

Results

Twelve outborn and 15 inborn infants were included. Age at intervention (31.6 vs 17.4 days) and VI‐p97 (left 10.0 vs 5.1 mm, right 7.7 vs 5.1 mm) were significantly higher among outborn infants. A permanent shunt was inserted in 66.7% of outborn and in 40.0% of inborn infants (p = 0.18). After excluding subjects with parenchymal lesions, a significantly higher rate of developmental delay was observed at 5 years in outborn patients compared to inborn patients (66.7% of outborn vs 18.2% of inborn patients with VABS‐II composite score <70, p = 0.04).

Conclusions

Outborn infants reached a significantly more severe ventricular dilatation than inborn infants, largely exceeding the recommended cutoff for intervention. Our follow‐up data showed a trend towards a higher rate of permanent shunt and developmental delay in outborn than in inborn patients. Infants requiring treatment should be timely transported to centres with adequate expertise in PHVD management.
Correlates of Perceived Physical Activity Transitions during the COVID‐19 Pandemic among Canadian Adults
Authors: Rhodes Ryan E. , Liu Sam , Lithopoulos Alexander , Zhang Chun‐Qing , Garcia‐Barrera Mauricio A.
Published: October 2020

Background

The purpose of this study was to explore socio‐ecological predictors of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) as a result of the COVD‐19 pandemic restrictions.

Method

A representative sample of 1,055 English‐speaking Canadians (18+ years) completed measures of MVPA during the COVID‐19 restrictions and reflecting on MVPA prior to these restrictions, as well as demographics, COVID‐19‐related cognitions and behavior (i.e. perceived threat, social distancing), psychological factors (e.g. personality traits, habit, identity, strategic planning), social factors (e.g. dependent children, co‐habitation), home environment affordances (exercise equipment, programming) and the neighborhood environment (e.g. access to outdoor recreation, neighborhood safety).

Results

Participants perceived that they had decreased weekly MVPA (p < .01) and the availability of home equipment and strategic planning were critical predictors (p < .01). Profiles by MVPA guidelines, however, showed that 58 per cent of the sample had not changed and 6 per cent had increased MVPA. Identity was the critical predictor of the different MVPA profiles, followed by habit, extraversion, availability of home equipment, and the age of the participant (p < .01).

Conclusion

Pandemic restrictions have affected the MVPA of many Canadians, and variables across the socio‐ecological spectrum explain who has been able to maintain MVPA during this unprecedented time.
Infliximab, adalimumab and vedolizumab concentrations across pregnancy and vedolizumab concentrations in infants following intrauterine exposure
Authors: Flanagan Emma , Gibson Peter R. , Wright Emily K. , Moore Gregory T. , Sparrow Miles P. , Connell William , Kamm Michael A. , Begun Jakob , Christensen Britt , De Cruz Peter , Shelton Edward , Dowling Damian , Andrews Jane M. , Brown Steven J. , Niewiadomski Olga , Ward Mark G. , Rosella Ourania , Rosella Gennaro , Kiburg Katerina V. , Ross Alyson L. , Bell Sally J. ,   The PICCOLO Study Group
Published: October 2020

Background

The impact of pregnancy on levels of biologic agents in patients with IBD is undefined and time to elimination in vedolizumab‐exposed infants is unknown.

Aims

To determine the effect of pregnancy on infliximab, adalimumab and vedolizumab levels and to study infant vedolizumab clearance

Methods

In a prospective observational study, maternal drug levels were measured pre‐conception, in each trimester, at delivery and postpartum. The association between drug levels and gestation in weeks was assessed using generalised estimating equation modelling. Infant vedolizumab levels were performed at birth (cord blood), 6 weeks and 3 months or until undetectable.

Results

We included 50 IBD patients (23 on infliximab, 15 on adalimumab and 12 on vedolizumab) with at least two intrapartum observations, plus 5 patients on vedolizumab with only mother and baby samples at delivery. Modelling showed no change in adalimumab levels, an increase in infliximab levels of 0.16 (95% CI 0.08‐0.24) µg/L/week (P < 0.001) and a decrease of 0.18 (95% CI: −0.33 to −0.02) µg/L/week (P = 0.03) for vedolizumab. In 17 mother‐baby pairs, median infant vedolizumab levels at birth were lower than maternal levels (P < 0.05) with an infant:maternal ratio of 0.7 (IQR 0.5‐0.9). Vedolizumab was undetectable between 15 and 16 weeks of age in all 12 infants completing follow‐up testing.

Conclusions

During pregnancy, adalimumab levels remain stable, while infliximab levels increase and vedolizumab levels decrease. However, the increments were small suggesting that intrapartum therapeutic drug monitoring and dose adjustment are not indicated. Unlike infliximab and adalimumab, infant vedolizumab levels are lower in cord blood than in mothers and appear to clear rapidly.
Love is heterosexual‐by‐default: Cultural heterosexism in default prototypes of romantic love
Authors: Thorne Sapphira R. , Hegarty Peter , Hepper Erica G.
Published: October 2020

Cultural heterosexist ideologies assume heterosexuality to be the default norm. Four studies investigated when concepts of romantic love are heterosexual‐by‐default (N = 685). In Studies 1–2, participants generated features of romantic love, in general (i.e., the default prototype) or among one of three sexual orientation‐specific couples (lesbian, gay, or heterosexual). Heterosexual‐identified participants’ default prototypes were more similar to heterosexual than same‐gender prototypes (Study 1). Lesbian‐ and gay‐identified participants’ default prototypes were more similar to both heterosexual and gay male than lesbian prototypes, whereas bisexual‐identified participants’ sexual orientation‐specific prototypes were equivalently similar to the default (Study 2). However, heterosexual‐identified participants rated presented features of love similarly across sexual orientation‐specific conditions (Study 3). In a timed feature‐verification task (Study 4), participants categorized fewer peripheral features of romantic love as relevant to same‐gender than mixed‐gender couples. Activating sexual orientation‐specific representations affected subsequent default concepts of romantic love. We discuss implications for heterosexism theories and intervention.
Predicting adverse drug reactions of two‐drug combinations using structural and transcriptomic drug representations to train an artificial neural network
Authors: Shankar Susmitha , Bhandari Ishita , Okou David T. , Srinivasa Gowri , Athri Prashanth
Published: October 2020

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are pharmacological events triggered by drug interactions with various sources of origin including drug–drug interactions. While there are many computational studies that explore models to predict ADRs originating from single drugs, only a few of them explore models that predict ADRs from drug combinations. Further, as far as we know, none of them have developed models using transcriptomic data, specifically the LINCS L1000 drug‐induced gene expression data to predict ADRs for drug combinations. In this study, we use the TWOSIDES database as a source of ADRs originating from two‐drug combinations. 34,549 common drug pairs between these two databases were used to train an artificial neural network (ANN), to predict 243 ADRs that were induced by at least 10% of the drug pairs. Our model predicts the occurrence of these ADRs with an average accuracy of 82% across a multifold cross‐validation.
Multiple Temporalities of Household Labour: The Challenge of Assessing Women's Empowerment
Authors: Simon Gregory L. , Peterson Cody , Anderson Emily , Berve Brendan , Caturia Marcelle , Rivera Isaac
Published: October 2020

The economic empowerment of women remains a central feature of development projects worldwide. This article explores these empowerment aspirations by examining various temporal complexities related to two development projects in South India targeting individual cooking and fuel‐collection routines. It argues that three temporal considerations of household labour — polychronic time, collectivized time and hybrid labour/leisure time — are largely overlooked, thus challenging the appropriateness of empowerment strategies from the outset. By highlighting key household dynamics this study argues that efforts to pursue economic empowerment by members of the clean cookstove sector devalue unpaid labour and glorify waged work that is often tedious and mediated by powerful men. Further, waged work can be burdensomely added to pre‐existing unpaid domestic labour responsibilities. This common portrayal of empowerment by the clean cookstove sector can be viewed as facilitating the advancement of a neoliberal vision of rural women's livelihoods where empowerment and agency are reconfigured and incorporated into the problematic wage relations of capitalist economies. This view of empowerment, which privileges market participation, also overlooks many of the actually experienced positive effects of improved stoves; benefits which tend to be domestic, communal, routine, non‐economic and difficult to quantify. The article argues that conventional definitions and visions of ‘empowerment’ should be re‐evaluated to include forms of ‘mundane agency’.
“Hello group, I need advice”: A Textual Analysis of Black Fathers' Help‐Seeking Posts on Facebook
Authors: McLeod PhD, MSW Branden A.
Published: October 2020

Objective

To explore the types of advice and help that Black fathers seek from one another on a Facebook group dedicated to fathers.

Background

Research demonstrates that Black men are less likely to seek help from formal supports when dealing with life stressors. Informal supports, such as social networks, can help facilitate access to formal support services. Parents use social media for social support; yet a dearth of research exists that explores how Black fathers use social media for social support.

Methods

A keyword search for “advice” amassed 137 Facebook posts generated by 134 fathers. An inductive textual analysis assisted in interpreting fathers' posts to explore prominent themes.

Results

Eighty percent of all posts addressed five dominant themes for advice, including family expansion, financial matters, maternal gatekeeping, navigating family relationship conflict, and raising children and child development.

Conclusion

This study finds that Black fathers' express their strengths to one another and present nuanced familial challenges via social media.

Implications

Formal service systems should consider supplementing existing services and encourage virtual and informal social support networks. Informal and virtual social support networks could be convened and moderated by fathers in a grassroots format.
New forest biomass carbon stock estimates in Northeast Asia based on multisource data
Authors: Luo Weixue , Kim Hyun Seok , Zhao Xiuhai , Ryu Daun , Jung Ilbin , Cho Hyunkook , Harris Nancy , Ghosh Sayon , Zhang Chunyu , Liang Jingjing
Published: October 2020

Forests play an important role in both regional and global C cycles. However, the spatial patterns of biomass C density and underlying factors in Northeast Asia remain unclear. Here, we characterized spatial patterns and important drivers of biomass C density for Northeast Asia, based on multisource data from in situ forest inventories, as well as remote sensing, bioclimatic, topographic, and human footprint data. We derived, for the first time, high‐resolution (1 km × 1 km) maps of the current and future forest biomass C density for this region. Based on these maps, we estimated that current biomass C stock in northeastern China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Republic of Korea to be 2.53, 0.40, and 0.35 Pg C, respectively. Biomass C stock in Northeast Asia has increased by 20%–46% over the past 20 years, of which 40%–76% was contributed by planted forests. We estimated the biomass C stock in 2080 to be 6.13 and 6.50 Pg C under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, respectively, which exceeded the present region‐wide C stock value by 2.85–3.22 Pg C, and were 8%–14% higher than the baseline C stock value (5.70 Pg C). The spatial patterns of biomass C densities were found to vary greatly across the Northeast Asia, and largely decided by mean diameter at breast height, dominant height, elevation, and human footprint. Our results suggest that reforestation and forest conservation in Northeast Asia have effectively expanded the size of the carbon sink in the region, and sustainable forest management practices such as precision forestry and close forest monitoring for fire and insect outbreaks would be important to maintain and improve this critical carbon sink for Northeast Asia.