bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long non-coding RNA FOXP4-AS1 is a prognostic biomarker and associated with immune infiltrates in ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma
Authors: Liao Cheng , Wang Ao , Ma Yushan , Liu Hui
Published: October 2021

Background:

FOXP4-AS1 expression participates in multiple signal pathways and has been previously reported in colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, and other cancer cells. However, its role on prognosis and immune infiltrates in ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma (OVs) remains unclear. The purpose of our study was to investigate the expression of FOXP4-AS1 in OVs and its association with immune infiltrates, and determined its prognostic roles in OVs.

Methods:

Using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we retrieved FOXP4-AS1 expression and clinical information for 376 patients with OVs. Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare the expression of FOXP4-AS1 in OVs and normal ovarian tissue. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between clinicopathologic features and FOXP4-AS1. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), and single sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA) was conducted to investigate the enrich pathways and functions and quantify the extent of immune cells infiltration for FOXP4-AS1. Kaplan–Meier method was used to generate survival curves, and Cox regression was used to analyze the relationship between FOXP4-AS1 and survival rate.

Results:

High FOXP4-AS1 expression was significantly correlated with tumor FIGO stage (P = .026). Multivariate survival analysis showed that FOXP4-AS1was an independent prognostic marker for overall survival (OS; hazard ratio [HR]: 0.638; 95% confidence interval [CI]:0.467–0.871; P = .001) and disease-specific survival (DSS; HR: 0.649; CI: 0.476–0.885; P = .006). GSEA showed that High FOXP4-AS1 expression may active programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) signaling, the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA4) pathway, the B cell receptor signaling pathway, apoptosis, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling, and the Janus-activated kinase signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling pathway. FOXP4-AS1 expression was negatively correlated with markers of immune cells, including aDC, cytotoxic cells and neutrophils.

Conclusion:

High FOXP4-AS1 expression has the potential to be a prognostic molecular marker of favorable survival in OVs.
Prevalence and associated factors of disability in patients with chronic pain
Authors: Fujiwara Aki , Ida Mitsuru , Watanabe Keisuke , Kawanishi Hideaki , Kimoto Katsuhiro , Yoshimura Kie , Shinohara Kozue , Kawaguchi Masahiko
Published: October 2021

The primary treatment goal of patients experiencing chronic pain has shifted from pain reduction to functional status improvement. However, the prevalence of disability and its associated factors in patients with chronic pain remain unknown.

Individuals aged ≥50 years who visited the Pain Center at Nara Medical University with chronic pain from June 2019 to May 2020 were eligible for enrollment. Patients were asked to complete the Japanese version of the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. Patient demographics, pain intensity, level of catastrophizing, anxiety, depression, and exercise habits were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with disability.

Of the 551 patients with a median age of 73 years, 51.5% experienced disability. Fixed factors such as age (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.06, P = .002) and lumbar and lower limb pain (OR, 3.10; 95% CI, 1.83–5.24, P < .001) and some modifiable factors, including anxiety (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.06–3.98, P = .03), depression (OR, 3.62; 95% CI, 1.92–6.82, P < .001), pain catastrophizer (OR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.88–4.61, P < .001), numeric rating scale at the most painful site (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.18–1.42, P < .001), exercise habits (walking (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.33–0.83, P = .006) and working out (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.34–0.99, P = .046), were found to be independently associated with disability.

This cross-sectional study revealed a high prevalence of disability in patients with chronic pain and identified the factors associated with disability.
Impact of drug formulation on outcomes of pharmaceutical poisoning in children aged 7 years or younger
Authors: Ko Yura , Jeon Woochan , Choi Yoo Jin , Yang Heewon , Lee Jisook
Published: October 2021

Pharmaceutical poisoning in children is almost unintentional and there are various types of drug out of curiosity. Understanding the attractive features and formulation of drugs related to poisoning in younger children may be helpful in treatment and prevention of poisoning. To investigate the impact of drug formulation on outcomes of pharmaceutical poisoning in young children.

We retrospectively reviewed the data of pharmaceutical exposures among children who were registered in a Korean 23-center, emergency department (ED) based registry from 2011 to 2016. Our study was conducted on preschool children aged 0 to 7 years. According to the formulation and category of the ingested drugs, the exposures were divided into the “tablet and capsule (TAC)” and “syrup” groups. In the TAC group, we additionally recorded data on the shape, color, and size of the drugs. The ED outcomes, such as hospitalization and length of stay, were compared between the 2 groups.

Among the 970 enrolled exposures, 674 (69.5%) were classified into the TAC group. In this group, hormones/hormone antagonists (18.5%) were the most commonly ingested, followed by central nervous system drugs (17.1%). In the syrup group, antihistamines (28.4%) were the most commonly ingested, followed by respiratory drugs (24.3%). The TAC group showed a higher hospitalization and transfer rate to tertiary centers than the counterpart (TAC, 18.0% vs syrup, 11.5%, P = .03) without a significant difference in the length of stay (TAC, 173.5 minutes [interquartile range, 95.0–304.0] vs syrup, 152.5 [77.5–272.0]; P = .08). No in-hospital mortality occurred in the exposures. Round-shaped and chromatic TACs, accounting for 91.7% (618) and 56.1% (378), respectively, were more commonly ingested. The median size of the TACs was less than 1.0 cm.

Young children who visited the ED ingested TACs more frequently than syrups, particularly small, round-shaped, or chromatic drugs, leading to a higher hospitalization rate. Our findings can contribute to prevention strategies and safety education on childhood drug poisoning.
Factors associated with the appropriate use of ultra-broad spectrum antibiotics, meropenem, for suspected healthcare-associated pneumonia
Authors: Kirsch Nathan , Ha Jane , Kang Hee-Taik , Frisch Tina , Yoo Ji Won , Grossman Craig , Oroomchi Neema , Shigemitsu Hidenobu , Cross Chad L. , Kioka Mutsumi John
Published: October 2021

Pneumonia is a common disease-causing hospitalization. When a healthcare-associated infection is suspected, antibiotics that provide coverage for multi-drug resistant (MDR) or extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) bacteria are frequently prescribed. Limited data is available for guidance on using meropenem as a first-line empiric antimicrobial in hospitalized patients with risk factors for MDR/ESBL bacterial infections.

This was a single-center, retrospective study designed and conducted to identify factors associated with positive cultures for MDR/ESBL pathogens in hospitalized patients with suspected healthcare-associated pneumonia.

Of the 246 patients, 103 patients (41%) received meropenem. Among patients prescribed meropenem, MDR/ESBL pathogens were detected in only 20 patients (13%). Patients admitted from a skilled nursing facility/long-term acute care (SNF/LTAC) or with a history of a positive culture for MDR/ESBL pathogens were significantly associated with positive cultures of MDR/ESBL pathogens during the hospitalization (odds ratio [95% confidence intervals], 31.40 [5.20–189.6] in SNF/LTAC and 18.50 [2.98–115.1] in history of culture-positive MDR/ESBL pathogen). There was no significant difference in mortality between the 3 antibiotic groups.

Admission from a SNF/LTAC or having a history of cultures positive for MDR/ESBL pathogens were significantly associated with a positive culture for MDR/ESBL pathogens during the subsequent admission. We did not detect significant association between meropenem use as a first-line drug and morbidity and mortality for patients admitted to the hospital with suspected healthcare-associated pneumonia, and further prospective studies with larger sample size are needed to confirm our findings.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the oral health and nutritional status of elderly patients with digestive cancer?
Authors: Matsuda Shinpei , Yoshida Hisato , Yoshimura Hitoshi , Goi Takanori , Yoshida Yoshio , Iwasaki Hiromichi
Published: October 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected various aspects, including socioeconomic status and health. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on oral health based on the number of teeth that contribute to mastication, and the nutritional status of elderly patients with digestive cancers.

The authors defined the before and during COVID-19 periods in this study as January 2019 to December 2019 and January 2020 to December 2020, respectively. Patients with digestive cancer who underwent general, laboratory, and orthopantomograph examinations for preoperative oral health assessment before general anesthesia participated in this study. The authors investigated the following general characteristics: (1) sex, (2) age, and (3) the organ affected by disease and scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia. The authors collected information about (4) the number of teeth that could contribute to mastication as a clinical oral health parameter. The parameters: (5) body mass index, (6) serum total protein levels, and (7) serum albumin levels were used to indicate the nutritional status.

A total of 233 elderly patients with digestive cancer participated in this study. There was no significant difference between the age of the patients with digestive cancer. There was also no significant difference in the number of teeth that could contribute to mastication. Additionally, there was no significant difference in nutritional status as indicated by the body mass index, serum total protein levels, and serum albumin levels.

This study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020 did not have a significant influence on the oral health and nutritional status of elderly patients with digestive cancer. However, the influence of COVID-19 on community oral health may become apparent in the future. Thus, dental professionals should continue further research regarding the effects of COVID-19 on oral health.
The association between lesion tracer uptake on 68Ga-DOTATATE PET with morphological response to 177Lu-DOTATATE therapy in patients with progressive metastatic neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Metser Ur , Eshet Yael , Ortega Claudia , Veit-Haibach Patrick , Liu Amy , K.S. Wong Rebecca
Published: October 2021

Purpose

To determine in a group of patients with progressive metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (PM-NETs) treated with 177Lu-DOTATATE whether a correlation exists between somatostatin receptor (SSTR)-2 expression in various tumors on baseline 68Ga-DOTATATE PET and their response to therapy. A secondary aim was to determine whether an association exists between tumor product of diameter (POD) and PET-derived Krenning score.

Materials & methods

Patients treated PM-NETs who had SSTR-2 overexpression (SSTR-RADS 5) on screening 68Ga-DOTATATE PET and CT at baseline and 3 months after therapy completion were included. Marker lesions on baseline CT were reassessed on CT after therapy using adapted Southwest Oncology Group solid tumor evaluation criteria. For each lesion, bidimensional diameter on CT and SSTR expression on PET (SSTR-RADS uptake score & PET-derived Krenning score) were recorded. Logistic regression models fitted through generalized estimating equations were used to assess for an association between SSTR expression and response to therapy, or lesion’s POD.

Results

Forty-one patients with SSTR-RADS 5 PM-NETs treated with 177Lu-DOTATATE were included. There were 135 marker lesions (mean 3.2 lesions/patient) with Krenning score of 4 (n = 74), 3 (n = 44) or 2 (n = 17). There was no association found between SSTR-2 expression, as determined by SSTR-RADS uptake score or PET-derived Krenning score, and POD or response to therapy.

Conclusion

In patients with SSTR-RADS 5 PM-NETs treated with 177Lu-DOTATATE, there was similar response to therapy for all lesions with PET-generated Krenning score ≥2. No correlation was found between lesion’s POD and level of tracer uptake.
Management of familial hypercholesterolemia in pregnancy
Authors: Graham Dorothy F. , Raal Frederick J.
Published: October 2021

Purpose of review

To highlight quandaries and review options for the management of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) during pregnancy.

Recent findings

Women with FH face barriers to effective care and consequently face significant disease related long term morbidity and mortality.

Pregnancy includes major maternal physiological changes resulting in exacerbation of maternal hypercholesterolemia compounded by the current practice of cessation or reduction in the dose of lipid-lowering therapy during pregnancy and lactation that may impact short and long term cardiac morbidity and mortality. Although lipoprotein apheresis is the treatment of choice for high- risk FH patients, reassuring safety evidence for the use of statins during pregnancy is mounting rapidly. However, it will be some time before subtle effects on the development of the offspring can be definitively excluded. Women with homozygous FH or with an established atherosclerotic vessel or aortic disease should be offered therapy with statins during pregnancy if lipoprotein apheresis is not readily available. Pregnancy outcomes tend to be favourable in women with FH. We have reviewed the currently available evidence regarding the risks and benefits of treatment options for FH during pregnancy.
Implementing regulations and policies for uterus transplantation
Authors: Johnson Nicole , Wall Anji , Johannesson Liza
Published: October 2021

Purpose of review

Policy development for uterus transplantation (UTx) is in its infancy. Understanding current oversight of UTx programmes can inform further development.

Recent findings

Currently, the United States has the most comprehensive regulations for UTx. Much of the policy outside the USA is focused on candidate selection. In the USA, UTx is categorized as, and follows policies of, a vascular composite allograft. Some considerations for UTx have not yet been addressed in policy, including the need for candidates to have a viable embryo before listing and transplantation, additional factors that may be warranted in organ allocation and the need to report data on the infant as well as the recipient.

Oversight of UTx falls within the governance of solid organ transplantation with unique aspects to be considered. Guidelines for multidisciplinary care, transplant-focused infrastructure and defined outcome metrics found in other solid organ transplant programmes provide a useful framework for UTx programmes.
Transition Into Practice for Nursing Professional Development Specialists
Authors: DeVolt Marta E. , Reid Rachelle , Luttrell Julianne , Robinson Elaina
Published: October 2021

Novice nursing professional development practitioners lack the experience and confidence needed to be successful in their new role. A large, multistate healthcare system implemented a facilitated, virtual nursing professional development fellowship program intended to bridge the gap by providing learning integrated with current practice, support, and community. An initial pilot of the program led to curriculum adjustments, resulting in a 6-month program that has demonstrated a positive impact on self-assessed learning gains.
Neonatal PT Improves Neurobehavior and General Movements in Moderate to Late Preterm Infants Born in India: An RCT
Authors: Khurana Sonia , Rao Bhamini Krishna , Lewis Leslie E. , Kumaran Senthil D , Kamath Asha , Einspieler Christa , Dusing Stacey C.
Published: October 2021

Purpose:

To examine whether a structured neonatal physical therapy program (SNP) improves neurobehavior and general movements in moderate to late preterm (MLP) infants.

Methods:

Sixty MLP infants participated in this clinical trial. After baseline assessment using the Neurobehavioral Assessment of Preterm Infant (NAPI) and Prechtl General Movements (GMs) Assessment, infants were randomly allocated to a usual care (n = 30) or an SNP group (n = 30) and continued receiving usual care. The SNP group received intervention for 90 minutes/day, 6 days/week until discharge. Changes in neurobehavior and GMs were assessed at hospital discharge.

Results:

Changes in scores on scarf sign and motor development and vigor clusters of NAPI document an improvement in the SNP group. The proportion of infants with poor repertoire GMs also decreased more in the SNP group than in the usual care group.

Conclusion:

The SNP may be effective in improving some aspects of neurobehavior and quality of GMs in MLP infants.

What this adds to the evidence:

The addition of a structured neonatal physical therapy program to usual care can promote neurobehavioral organization and improve the quality of general movements in moderate and late preterm infants in India.
Oncological Safety and Potential Cost Savings of Routine vs Selective Histopathological Examination After Appendectomy
Authors: Bastiaenen Vivian P. , de Jonge Joske , Corten Bartholomeus J.G.A. , de Savornin Lohman Elise A.J. , Kraima Anne C. , Swank Hilko A. , van Vliet Jaap L.P. , van Acker Gijs J.D. , van Geloven Anna A.W. , in ‘t Hof Klaas H. , Koens Lianne , de Reuver Philip R. , van Rossem Charles C. , Slooter Gerrit D. , Tanis Pieter J. , Terpstra Valeska , Dijkgraaf Marcel G.W. , Bemelman Willem A. ,   for the Dutch Snapshot Research Group
Published: October 2021

Objective:

To investigate the oncological safety and potential cost savings of selective histopathological examination after appendectomy.

Background:

The necessity of routine histopathological examination after appendectomy has been questioned, but prospective studies investigating the safety of a selective policy are lacking.

Methods:

In this multicenter, prospective, cross-sectional study, inspection and palpation of the (meso)appendix was performed by the surgeon in patients with suspected appendicitis. The surgeon's opinion on additional value of histopathological examination was reported before sending all specimens to the pathologist. Main outcomes were the number of hypothetically missed appendiceal neoplasms with clinical consequences benefiting the patient (upper limit two-sided 95% confidence interval below 3:1000 considered oncologically safe) and potential cost savings after selective histopathological examination.

Results:

Seven thousand three hundred thirty-nine patients were included. After a selective policy, 4966/7339 (67.7%) specimens would have been refrained from histopathological examination. Appendiceal neoplasms with clinical consequences would have been missed in 22/4966 patients. In 5/22, residual disease was completely resected during additional surgery. Hence, an appendiceal neoplasm with clinical consequences benefiting the patient would have been missed in 1.01:1000 patients (upper limit 95% confidence interval 1.61:1000). In contrast, twice as many patients (10/22) would not have been exposed to potential harm due to re-resections without clear benefit, whereas consequences were neither beneficial nor harmful in the remaining seven. Estimated cost savings established by replacing routine for selective histopathological examination were €725,400 per 10,000 patients.

Conclusions:

Selective histopathological examination after appendectomy for suspected appendicitis is oncologically safe and will likely result in a reduction of pathologists' workload, less costs, and fewer re-resections without clear benefit.
The association between personality traits and hoarding behaviors
Authors: Dozier Mary E. , DeShong Hilary L.
Published: October 2021

Purpose of review

Hoarding is a behavior that occurs across a variety of disorders, including hoarding disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and schizophrenia. Hoarding is also a normative human behavior within certain contexts, including the recent coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, when individuals became panicked about the availability of products such as toilet paper and antibacterial wipes. Previous research suggests that personality traits and personality disorder symptoms may be linked with hoarding behaviors. The purpose of this review is to provide a snapshot of recent research on hoarding and personality.

Recent findings

Most recent research on this topic has focused on hoarding behaviors as the action of stockpiling goods during a pandemic. Research on this area was mixed with regard to extraversion and openness but was strongly suggestive of a link between stockpiling behaviors and increased neuroticism. Hoarding in the context of OCD was linked with lower levels of both extraversion and conscientiousness. Patients with hoarding disorder almost universally have clinically elevated levels of personality disorder traits.

The directions of observed associations between five-factor model personality traits and hoarding behaviors differ across diagnostic and geographic contexts. Additional research is needed with participants who meet diagnostic criteria for hoarding disorder.
Minimal exposures reveal visual processing priorities
Authors: Lanfranco Renzo C. , Canales-Johnson Andrés , Rabagliati Hugh , Cleeremans Axel , Carmel David
Published: October 2021

Human vision can detect a single photon, but the minimal exposure required to extract meaning from stimulation remains unknown. This requirement cannot be cha racterised by stimulus energy, because the system is differentially sensitive to attributes defined by configuration rather than physical amplitude. Determining minimal exposure durations required for processing various stimulus attributes can thus reveal the system’s priorities. Using a tachistoscope enabling arbitrarily brief displays, we established minimal durations for processing human faces, a stimulus category whose perception is associated with several well-characterised behavioural and neural markers. Neural and psychophysical measures showed a sequence of distinct minimal exposures for stimulation detection, object-level detection, face-specific processing, and emotion-specific processing. Resolving ongoing debates, face orientation affected minimal exposure but emotional expression did not. Awareness emerged with detection, showing no evidence of subliminal perception. These findings inform theories of visual processing and awareness, elucidating the information to which the visual system is attuned.
The matrisome contributes to the increased rigidity of the bovine ovarian cortex and provides a source of new bioengineering tools to investigate ovarian biology
Authors: Henning Nathaniel F.C. , Laronda Monica M.
Published: October 2021

The gonadotoxic effects of some cancers significantly increase the risk of developing infertility and cessation of ovary hormones (premature ovarian insufficiency, POI). Fertility preservation in the form of ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) is offered to pediatric and adolescent cancer patients who cannot undergo oocyte retrieval and egg cryopreservation. The cryopreserved ovarian tissue can be transplanted back and has been found to restore fertility in 20 - 40% of transplants and restore hormone function for an average of 3 to 5 years. However, some individuals have primary or metastatic disease within their ovarian tissue and would not be able to transplant it back in its native form. Therefore, there is a need for additional methods for hormone and fertility restoration that would support a safe transplant with increased successful livebirths and long-term hormone restoration. To support these goal, we sought to understand the contribution of the ovarian microenvironment to its physical and biochemical properties to inform bioprosthetic ovary scaffolds that would support isolated follicles. Using atomic force microscopy (AFM), we determined that the bovine ovarian cortex was significantly more rigid than the medulla. To determine if this difference in rigidity was maintained in isolated matrisome proteins from bovine ovarian compartments, we cast and 3D printed hydrogels created from decellularized bovine ovarian cortex and medulla slices. The cast gels and 3D printed bioprosthetic ovary scaffolds from the cortex was still significantly more rigid than the medulla biomaterials. To expand our bioengineering toolbox that will aide in the investigation of how biochemical and physical cues may affect folliculogenesis, we sought to confirm the concentration of matrisome proteins in bovine ovarian compartments. The matrisome proteins, COL1, FN, EMILIN1 and AGRN were more abundant in the bovine ovarian cortex than the medulla. Whereas, VTN was more abundant in the medulla than the cortex and COL4 was present in similar amounts within both compartments. Finally, we removed proteins of interest, EMILIN1 and AGRN, from decellularized bovine ovarian cortex materials and confirmed that this specifically depleted these proteins without affecting the rigidity of cast or 3D printed hydrogels. Taken together our results indicate the existence of a rigidity gradient in the bovine ovary, that this rigidity gradient is maintained in resulting engineered materials strongly implicating a role for matrisome proteins in contributing to the physical properties of the bovine ovary. By establishing additional engineering tools we will continue to explore mechanisms behind matrisome-follicle interactions.
Dependence of Heart Rate Variability on Immersion in a Virtual Game and Change of Visual Content in the Flow of Virtual Reality
Authors: Pyatin Vasily , Videnin Arseny , Maslova Olga , Chaplygin Sergei , Rovnov Sergey
Published: October 2021

A modern person constantly changes the environment of his mental activity, moving real into an immersive environment, for example, from the surrounding reality to the information environment of a smartphone and back. This kind of transition is needed to satisfy many of the cognitive and emotional needs of people. The transition from a real physical environment to virtual reality (VR) with the help of a special headset, for example, the Oculus Rift or HTC vive, occurs less often, causing less frequent emotional state. If at the same time the emotional state of a person is investigated, then, as a rule, the manifestation of heart rate variability (HRV) is used as an indicator. However, there are relatively few studies in the literature on physiological responses using HRV during the perception of VR content. The results of such studies are extrapolated to data evoked in HRV manifestations by stimuli of real and virtual environments. We studied HRV in 55 participants while they were in the flow of VR content of different dynamics. The results were analyzed by statistically testing the hypothesis of the effect of VR immersion and the effect of transitions between realities on HRV manifestations, as well as the effect of VR flow dynamics on HRV. The results showed that the perception of the VR flow and the content transitions made in it determine the change in HRV in the form of such parameters as LF and the Baevsky Index, which can be considered as markers of immersion in VR. An increase in emotional arousal with sequential participation in virtual games in one virtual stream determines the manifestations of HRV - HR, Moda and PAR.

The results contribute to understanding the possibilities of using VR technology to recognize emotions during the transition between the natural environment and VR, as well as to determine the level of emotional arousal when immersed in the changing flow of virtual content. These studies are important for the study of the psychology of emotions in the VR flow paradigm.
Dwarf-shrubs dynamics in Mediterranean high mountain ecosystems
Authors: De Toma Andrea , Carboni Marta , Bazzichetto Manuele , Malavasi Marco , Cutini Maurizio
Published: October 2021

Question

Vegetation in the alpine and treeline ecotone faces changes in both climate and land use. Shrub encroachment is considered an effect of these changes, but it’s still unclear how this effect is mediated by environmental heterogeneity. Our goal is to determine which environmental factors shape the fine-scale spatial distribution and temporal trends of alpine dwarf shrub.

Location

Three sites in the Central Apennine, Italy.

Methods

We used a comprehensive set of environmental factors across a broad temporal span to model, at a fine-scale, both (1) the current spatial distribution and (2) the change in shrub cover over the past 60 years.

Results

Our results show that dwarf shrubs have generally increased in our study sites over the past 60 years, yet their distribution is strongly shaped by the joint influence of the fine-scale topography, productivity, land use and micro-climate. In particular, shrubs have been locally favored in areas with harsher alpine environmental constraints and stronger resource limitation. Instead, contrary to expectations, at this fine scale, warmer temperatures and the decline in grazing have not favored shrub encroachment.

Conclusion

Dwarf shrubs appear as a stress-tolerant, pioneer vegetation that is currently distributed mainly over areas that are otherwise sparsely vegetated. It appears that shrubs exhibit poor competitive ability to invade grasslands and, though they have increased overall, they remain restricted to the least productive areas. Fine-scale environmental heterogeneity may strongly influence future responses of dwarf shrubs in changing alpine ecosystems.
Modelling sexual violence in male rats: The sexual aggression test (SxAT)
Authors: de Moura Oliveira Vinícius E. , de Jong Trynke R. , Neumann Inga D.
Published: October 2021

Sexual assault and rape are crimes that impact victims worldwide. Although the psychosocial and eco-evolutionary factors associated with this antisocial behavior have repeatedly been studied, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms are still unknown mainly due to the lack of an appropriate animal model of sexual aggression (SxA). Here, we established a novel paradigm to provoke and subsequently assess SxA in adult male Wistar rats: the sexual aggression test (SxAT). Briefly, male Wistar rats are sexually aroused by a receptive female, which is exchanged by a non-receptive female immediately after the first intromission. This protocol elicits forced mounting (FM) and aggressive behavior (AB) towards the non-receptive female to different degrees, which can be scored. In a series of experiments we can show that SxA behavior is a relatively stable trait in rats and correlates positively with sexual motivation. Rats with innate abnormal anxiety and aggressive behavior also show abnormal SxA behavior. In addition, central infusion of oxytocin moderately inhibits AB, but increases FM. Finally, we identified the agranular insular cortex to be specifically activated by SxA, and inhibition of this region mildly decreased AB during the SxAT.

Altogether, the SxAT is a paradigm that can be readily implemented in behavioral laboratories as a valuable tool to find answers regarding the biological mechanisms underlying SxA in humans, as well as social decision-making in general.
Spatial differences in stoichiometry of EGR phosphatase and Microtubule-Associated Stress Protein 1 control root meristem activity during drought stress
Authors: Longkumer Toshisangba , Chen Chih-Yun , Biancucci Marco , Bhaskara Govinal Badiger , Verslues Paul E.
Published: October 2021

During moderate severity drought and low water potential (ψw) stress, poorly understood signaling mechanisms restrict both meristem cell division and subsequent cell expansion. We found that the Clade E Growth-Regulating 2 (EGR2) protein phosphatase andMicrotubule Associated Stress Protein 1(MASP1) differed in their stoichiometry of expression across the root meristem and had opposing effects on root meristem activity at low ψw. Ectopic MASP1 or EGR expression increased or decreased, respectively, root meristem size and root elongation during low ψwstress. This, along with the ability of phosphomimic MASP1 to overcome EGR suppression of root meristem size and observation that ectopic EGR expression had no effect on unstressed plants, indicated that during low ψwEGR activation and attenuation of MASP1 phosphorylation in their overlapping zone of expression determines root meristem size and activity. Ectopic EGR expression also decreased root cell size at low ψw. Conversely, both theegr1-1egr2-1andegr1-1egr2-1masp1-1mutants had similarly increased root cell size; but, onlyegr1-1egr2-1had increased cell division. These observations demonstrated that EGRs affect meristem activity via MASP1 but affect cell expansion via other mechanisms. Interestingly, EGR2 was highly expressed in the root cortex, a cell type important for growth regulation and environmental response.

One Sentence Summary

Spatial differences in EGR-MASP1 expression and control of MASP1 phosphorylation adjust root meristem activity to regulate growth during drought stress.

The author responsible for distribution of materials integral to the findings presented in this article in accordance with the policy described in the Instructions for Authors (www.plantcell.org) is: Paul E. Verslues (paulv@gate.sinica.edu.tw).
Low potential electron generating enzymes serve different functions during aerobic nitrogen fixation in Azotobacter vinelandii
Authors: Alleman Alexander B. , Mus Florence , Peters John W.
Published: October 2021

Biological nitrogen fixation requires large amounts of energy in the form of ATP and low potential electrons to overcome the high activation barrier for cleavage of the dinitrogen triple bond. The model aerobic nitrogen-fixing bacteria, Azotobacter vinelandii, generates low potential electrons in the form of reduced ferredoxin (Fd) and flavodoxin (Fld) using two distinct mechanisms via the enzyme complexes Rnf and Fix. Both Rnf and Fix are expressed during nitrogen fixation, and deleting either rnf1 or fix genes has little effect on diazotrophic growth. However, deleting both rnf1 and fix eliminates the ability to grow diazotrophically. Rnf and Fix both use NADH as a source of electrons, but overcoming the energetics of NADH’s endergonic reduction of Fd/Fld is accomplished through different mechanisms. Rnf harnesses free energy from the proton motive force, whereas Fix uses electron bifurcation to effectively couple the endergonic reduction of Fd/Fld to the exergonic reduction of quinone. Different stoichiometries and gene expression analyses indicate specific roles for the two reactions under different conditions. In this work, complementary physiological studies and thermodynamic modeling reveal how Rnf and Fix simultaneously balance redox homeostasis in various conditions. Specifically, the Fix complex is required for efficient growth under low oxygen concentrations, while Rnf sustains homeostasis and delivers sufficient reduced Fd to nitrogenase under standard conditions. This work provides a framework for understanding how the production of low potential electrons sustains robust nitrogen fixation in various conditions.

Importance

The availability of fixed nitrogen is critical for life in many ecosystems, from hot springs to agriculture. Due to the energy demands of biological nitrogen fixation, organisms must tailor their metabolism during diazotrophic growth to deliver energy requirements to nitrogenase in the form of ATP and low potential electrons. Therefore, a complete understanding of diazotrophic energy metabolism and redox homeostasis is required to understand the impact on ecological communities or to promote crop growth in agriculture through engineered diazotrophs.
Transcriptional differences of lipid-metabolizing enzymes in sebocytes derived from sebaceous glands of the skin and pre-putial glands
Authors: Klas Katharina , Copic Dragan , Direder Martin , Laggner Maria , Prucksamas Patricia S , Gruber Florian , Ankersmit Hendrik Jan , Mildner Michael
Published: October 2021

Sebaceous glands are adnexal structures, which critically contribute to skin homeostasis and the establishment of a functional epidermal barrier. Sebocytes, the main cell population found within the sebaceous glands, are highly specialized lipid-producing cells. Sebaceous gland-resembling tissue structures are also found in male rodents in form of preputial glands. Similar to sebaceous glands, they are composed of lipid-specialized sebocytes. Due to a lack of adequate organ culture models for skin sebaceous glands and the fact that preputial glands are much larger and easier to handle, previous studies have used preputial glands as a model for skin sebaceous glands. Here, we compared both types of sebocytes, using a single cell RNA sequencing approach, to unravel potential similarities and differences between the two sebocyte populations. In spite of common gene expression patterns due to general lipid-producing properties, we found significant differences in the expression levels of genes encoding enzymes involved in the biogenesis of specialized lipid classes. Specifically, genes critically involved in the mevalonate pathway, including squalene synthase, as well as the sphingolipid salvage pathway, such as ceramide synthase, (acid) sphingomyelinase or acid and alkaline ceramidases, were significantly less expressed by preputial gland sebocytes. Together, our data revealed tissue-specific sebocyte populations, indicating major developmental, functional as well as biosynthetic differences between both glands. The use of preputial glands as surrogate model to study skin sebaceous glands is therefore limited, and major differences between both glands need to be carefully considered before planning an experiment.
Development and characterization of influenza M2 ectodomain and/or HA stalk-based DC-targeting vaccines for different influenza infections
Authors: Olukitibi Titus Abiola , Ao Zhujun , Azizi Hiva , Mahmoudi Mona , Coombs Kevin , Kobasa Darwyn , Kobinger Gary , Yao Xiaojian
Published: October 2021

A universal influenza vaccine is required for broad protection against influenza infection. Here, we revealed the efficacy of novel influenza vaccine candidates based on Ebola glycoprotein (EboGP) DC-targeting domain (EΔM) fusion protein technology. We fused influenza hemagglutinin stalk (HAcs) and extracellular matrix protein (M2e) or four copies of M2e (referred to as tetra M2e (tM2e)) with EΔM to generate EΔM-HM2e or EΔM-tM2e, respectively, and revealed that EΔM facilitates DC/macrophage targeting in vitro. In a mouse study, EΔM-HM2e- or EΔM-tM2e-pseudotyped viral particles (PVPs) induced significantly higher titers of anti-HA and/or anti-M2e antibodies. We also developed recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV)-EΔM-HM2e and rVSV-EΔM-tM2e vaccines that resulted in rapid and potent induction of HA and/or M2 antibodies in mouse sera and mucosa. Importantly, vaccination protects mice from influenza H1N1 and H3N2 challenges. Taken together, our study suggests that recombinant rVSV-EΔM-HM2e and rVSV-EΔM-tM2e are efficacious and protective universal vaccines against influenza.
Impaired trigeminal control of ingestive behavior in the Prrxl1- / - mouse is associated with a lemniscal-biased orosensory deafferentation
Authors: Resulaj Admir , Wu Jeannette , Hartmann Mitra J. Z. , Feinstein Paul , Zeigler H. Phillip
Published: October 2021

Although peripheral deafferentation studies have demonstrated a critical role for trigeminal afference in modulating the orosensorimotor control of eating and drinking, the central trigeminal pathways mediating that control, as well as the timescale of control, remain to be elucidated. In rodents, three ascending somatosensory pathways process and relay orofacial mechanosensory input: the lemniscal, paralemniscal, and extralemniscal. Two of these pathways (the lemniscal and extralemniscal) exhibit highly structured topographic representations of the orofacial sensory surface, as exemplified by the one-to-one somatotopic mapping between vibrissae on the animals’ face and barrelettes in brainstem, barreloids in thalamus, and barrels in cortex. Here we use the Prrxl1 knockout mouse model to investigate ingestive behavior deficits associated with disruption of the lemniscal pathway. The Prrxl1 deletion disrupts somatotopic patterning and axonal projections throughout the lemniscal pathway but spares patterning in the extralemniscal nucleus. Our data reveal an imprecise and inefficient ingestive phenotype with deficits that span timescales from milliseconds to months, tightly linking trigeminal input with ingestion, from moment-to-moment consummatory to long term appetitive control. We suggest that ordered assembly of trigeminal sensory information along the lemniscal pathway is critical for the rapid and precise modulation of motor circuits driving eating and drinking action sequences.
Simultaneous mnemonic and predictive representations in the auditory cortex
Authors: Cappotto Drew , Kang HiJee , Li Kongyan , Melloni Lucia , Schnupp Jan , Auksztulewicz Ryszard
Published: October 2021

Recent studies have shown that stimulus history can be decoded via the use of broadband sensory impulses to reactivate mnemonic representations. It has also been shown that predictive mechanisms in the auditory system demonstrate similar tonotopic organization of neural activity as that elicited by the perceived stimuli. However, it remains unclear if the mnemonic and predictive information can be decoded from cortical activity simultaneously and from overlapping neural populations. Here, we recorded neural activity using electrocorticography (ECoG) in the auditory cortex of anesthetized rats while exposed to repeated stimulus sequences, where events within the sequence were occasionally replaced with a broadband noise burst or omitted entirely. We show that both stimulus history and predicted stimuli can be decoded from neural responses to broadband impulse at overlapping latencies but linked to largely independent neural populations. We also demonstrate that predictive representations are learned over the course of stimulation at two distinct time scales, reflected in two dissociable time windows of neural activity. These results establish a valuable tool for investigating the neural mechanisms of passive sequence learning, memory encoding, and prediction mechanisms within a single paradigm, and provide novel evidence for learning predictive representations even under anaesthesia.
Identification of factors and outcomes of trust in mobile supply chains
Authors: Ghondaghsaz Nassim , Engesser Sven
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is the identification of the conceptualization of trust as well as its factors and outcomes in interorganizational relations in mobile supply chains (MSCs) in which multiple stakeholders collaborate.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first used a comprehensive literature review to extract related factors and outcomes of trust. Second, the authors conducted semi-structured interviews in chemical and pharmaceutical companies in Germany. These organizations stand out as leaders in the concept of MSCs and have developed collaborations with various stakeholders.

Findings

Based on the results, a conceptual model has been developed that elaborates on the nature of trust and its factors and outcomes for cultivating trustful stakeholder collaboration. The study identifies six factors or approaches for building trust and two outcomes resulting from mutual trust.

Practical implications

The conceptual model presented in this study can serve as a basis for developing trust in MSCs. Interorganizational collaborations in MSCs are more successful when saturated with trust. The collaboration systems must allow the innovative organizations to create value through the adaptation of advanced technologies without failure.

Originality/value

The study adds to the body of knowledge in building trust in multiple stakeholder collaboration, particularly in innovative organizations which are involved with disruptive technologies.
Ethical marketing strategies: the unique Nash equilibrium
Authors: Krishnamurthy Nagarajan , Swain Biswanath , Ramanathan Jayasankar
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Can industrial marketers afford to choose unethical strategies? To answer this question, this study aims to use game theory to analyze whether an industrial marketer choosing and implementing an unethical strategy is successful in maximizing her market share across her strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

The competition between two industrial marketers is modeled as a strategic game for the market share of a product that is identical in all attributes except the production process. Each industrial marketer’s objective is to choose to implement either the ethical or the unethical production process to maximize her market share.

Findings

The study finds that both industrial marketers choosing to implement ethical strategies is the unique Nash equilibrium of the game. That is, an industrial marketer choosing to implement an unethical strategy in the production process will be unsuccessful in maximizing her market share when both the industrial marketers are rational.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to the literature on industrial marketing ethics, particularly that on product ethics, by showing that industrial marketers gain market share if they choose ethical strategies.

Practical implications

The study has implications for industrial marketing executives, as organizational consumers are increasingly aware of the strategies of industrial marketers. Failure to implement ethical strategies will cause industrial marketers to forgo their best possible market shares.

Originality/value

This study’s novelty lies in using a game theoretic approach to demonstrate the positive implications of ethical strategies for industrial marketers.
Influence of celebrities and online communities on Indian consumers' green clothing involvement and purchase behavior
Authors: Khare Arpita , Sadachar Amrut , Chakraborty Swagata
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The study examined the role of collective self-esteem (CSE), online communities, green attitudes and the influence of celebrities on green clothing involvement and consequently its impact on green clothing purchase behavior of Indian consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

A mix of convenience and random sampling was used for data collection via an online survey. The sample (n = 403) comprised consumers having awareness about green clothing. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used for analysis.

Findings

Online communities, green attitudes and influence of celebrities predicted green clothing involvement and in turn their purchase behavior. CSE had no impact on consumers' green clothing involvement.

Practical implications

The findings can help green apparel manufacturers and designers to use celebrities and online communities to educate and promote the benefits of green clothing. Social media can be employed to share experiences and engage consumers about green clothing.

Originality/value

Since online networking sites are gaining predominance in influencing behavior, the study extends the earlier research on social influence by examining its role along with celebrities and CSE on green apparel involvement and purchase. The study combines celebrities, online communities and collective identity influences (offline and online) in predicting green clothing purchase in India.