bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Closely related tree species support distinct communities of seed‐associated fungi in a lowland tropical forest
Authors: Zalamea Paul‐Camilo , Sarmiento Carolina , Arnold A. Elizabeth , Davis Adam S. , Ferrer Astrid , Dalling James W.
Published: February 2021

Previous theoretical work has highlighted the potential for natural enemies to mediate the coexistence of species with similar life histories via density‐dependent effects on survivorship. For plant pathogens to play this role, they must differ in their ability to infect or induce disease in different host plant species. In tropical forests characterized by high diversity, these effects must extend to phylogenetically closely related species pairs. Mortality at the seed and seedling stage strongly influences the abundance and distribution of tropical tree species, but the host preferences and spatial distributions of fungi are rarely determined.

We examined how host species identity, relatedness and seed viability influence the composition of fungal communities associated with seeds of four co‐occurring pioneer trees (Cecropia insignis, C. longipes, C. peltata and Jacaranda copaia). Seeds were buried in mesh bags in five common gardens in the understorey of a lowland tropical forest in Panama and retrieved at intervals from 1 to 30 months. A subset of the seeds in each bag was used to determine germination success. One half of each remaining seed was tested for viability; and the other half was used to culture and identify seed‐infecting fungi.

Seeds were infected by fungi after burial. Although fungal communities differed in viable versus dead seeds, and across burial locations, community composition primarily varied as a function of plant species identity (30.7% of variation in community composition vs. 4.5% for viability and location together), even for congeneric Cecropia species. Phylogenetic reconstruction showed that relatedness of fungi mostly reflected differences between Jacaranda (Bignoniaceae) and Cecropia (Urticaceae).

Although the proportion of germinable seeds decreased gradually over time for all species, intraspecific variation in survival was high at the same location (e.g. ranging from 0% to 100% for C. peltata) suggesting variable exposure or susceptibility to seed pathogens.

Synthesis. Our study provides evidence under field conditions that congeneric tree species with similar life history traits differ markedly in seed‐associated fungal communities when exposed to the same soil‐borne fungi. This is a critical first step supporting pathogen‐mediated coexistence of closely related tree species.
The infection cushion of Botrytis cinerea: a fungal ‘weapon’ of plant‐biomass destruction
Authors: Choquer Mathias , Rascle Christine , Gonçalves Isabelle R. , de Vallée Amélie , Ribot Cécile , Loisel Elise , Smilevski Pavlé , Ferria Jordan , Savadogo Mahamadi , Souibgui Eytham , Gagey Marie‐Josèphe , Dupuy Jean‐William , Rollins Jeffrey A. , Marcato Riccardo , Noûs Camille , Bruel Christophe , Poussereau Nathalie
Published: February 2021

The necrotrophic plant‐pathogen fungus Botrytis cinerea produces multicellular appressoria dedicated to plant penetration, named infection cushions (IC). A microarray analysis was performed to identify genes upregulated in mature IC. The expression data were validated by RT‐qPCR analysis performed in vitro and in planta, proteomic analysis of the IC secretome and biochemical assays. 1231 upregulated genes and 79 up‐accumulated proteins were identified. The data support the secretion of effectors by IC: phytotoxins, ROS, proteases, cutinases, plant cell wall–degrading enzymes and plant cell death–inducing proteins. Parallel upregulation of sugar transport and sugar catabolism–encoding genes would indicate a role of IC in nutrition. The data also reveal a substantial remodelling of the IC cell wall and suggest a role for melanin and chitosan in IC function. Lastly, mutagenesis of two upregulated genes in IC identified secreted fasciclin‐like proteins as actors in the pathogenesis of B. cinerea. These results support the role of IC in plant penetration and also introduce other unexpected functions for this fungal organ, in colonization, necrotrophy and nutrition of the pathogen.
Gene family expansions and transcriptome signatures uncover fungal adaptations to wood decay
Authors: Hage Hayat , Miyauchi Shingo , Virágh Máté , Drula Elodie , Min Byoungnam , Chaduli Delphine , Navarro David , Favel Anne , Norest Manon , Lesage‐Meessen Laurence , Bálint Balázs , Merényi Zsolt , de Eugenio Laura , Morin Emmanuelle , Martínez Angel T. , Baldrian Petr , Štursová Martina , Martínez María Jesús , Novotny Cenek , Magnuson Jon K. , Spatafora Joey W. , Maurice Sundy , Pangilinan Jasmyn , Andreopoulos Willian , LaButti Kurt , Hundley Hope , Na Hyunsoo , Kuo Alan , Barry Kerrie , Lipzen Anna , Henrissat Bernard , Riley Robert , Ahrendt Steven , Nagy László G. , Grigoriev Igor V. , Martin Francis , Rosso Marie‐Noëlle
Published: February 2021

Because they comprise some of the most efficient wood‐decayers, Polyporales fungi impact carbon cycling in forest environment. Despite continuous discoveries on the enzymatic machinery involved in wood decomposition, the vision on their evolutionary adaptation to wood decay and genome diversity remains incomplete. We combined the genome sequence information from 50 Polyporales species, including 26 newly sequenced genomes and sought for genomic and functional adaptations to wood decay through the analysis of genome composition and transcriptome responses to different carbon sources. The genomes of Polyporales from different phylogenetic clades showed poor conservation in macrosynteny, indicative of genome rearrangements. We observed different gene family expansion/contraction histories for plant cell wall degrading enzymes in core polyporoids and phlebioids and captured expansions for genes involved in signalling and regulation in the lineages of white rotters. Furthermore, we identified conserved cupredoxins, thaumatin‐like proteins and lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases with a yet uncharacterized appended module as new candidate players in wood decomposition. Given the current need for enzymatic toolkits dedicated to the transformation of renewable carbon sources, the observed genomic diversity among Polyporales strengthens the relevance of mining Polyporales biodiversity to understand the molecular mechanisms of wood decay.
Dysfunction of complement receptors CR3 (CD11b/18) and CR4 (CD11c/18) in pre‐eclampsia: a genetic and functional study
Authors: Lokki AI , Teirilä L , Triebwasser M , Daly E , Bhattacharjee A , Uotila L , Llort Asens M , Kurki MI , Perola M , Auro K , Salmon JE , Daly M , Atkinson JP , Laivuori H , Fagerholm S , Meri S ,   Finnpec
Published: February 2021

Objective

To study genetic variants and their function within genes coding for complement receptors in pre‐eclampsia.

Design

A case–control study.

Setting

Pre‐eclampsia is a common vascular disease of pregnancy. The clearance of placenta‐derived material is one of the functions of the complement system in pregnancy.

Population

We genotyped 500 women with pre‐eclamptic pregnancies and 190 pregnant women without pre‐eclampsia, as controls, from the FINNPEC cohort, and 122 women with pre‐eclamptic pregnancies and 1905 controls from the national FINRISK cohort.

Methods

The functional consequences of genotypes discovered by targeted exomic sequencing were explored by analysing the binding of the main ligand iC3b to mutated CR3 or CR4, which were transiently expressed on the surface of COS‐1 cells.

Main outcome measures

Allele frequencies were compared between pre‐eclamptic pregnancies and controls in genetic studies. The functional consequences of selected variants were measured by binding assays.

Results

The most significantly pre‐eclampsia‐linked CR3 variant M441K (P = 4.27E‐4, OR = 1.401, 95% CI = 1.167–1.682) displayed a trend of increased adhesion to iC3b (P = 0.051). The CR4 variant A251T was found to enhance the adhesion of CR4 to iC3b, whereas W48R resulted in a decrease of the binding of CR4 to iC3b.

Conclusions

Results suggest that changes in complement‐facilitated phagocytosis are associated with pre‐eclampsia. Further studies are needed to ascertain whether aberrant CR3 and CR4 activity leads to altered pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokine responses in individuals carrying the associated variants, and the role of these receptors in pre‐eclampsia pathogenesis.

Tweetable abstract

Genetic variants of complement receptors CR3 and CR4 have functional consequences that are associated with pre‐eclampsia.
The Montreal Criteria and uterine transplants in transgender women
Authors: Balayla Jacques , Pounds Pauline , Lasry Ariane , Volodarsky‐Perel Alexander , Gil Yaron
Published: February 2021

Ever since its first documented live birth in 2014, the use of uterine transplantation (UTx) for the treatment of absolute uterine factor infertility (UFI) has seen major clinical advances, which include the use of alternative surgical approaches, different donor states, and diverse patient populations. In addition to the thorough research programs that developed the technique, this accomplishment has occurred in large part following a number of ethical frameworks, such as the Montreal Criteria and the Indianapolis Consensus, which paved the way to transition from experimental animal trials to human ones. To date, over 60 uterine transplants have been performed in the world, and at least 18 births have been thus far confirmed. While the procedure remains experimental, the vast knowledge and procedural experience amassed over the last 20 years of rigorous research have hinted at the next step of discovery. In particular, advancing social circumstances have prompted the question regarding the use of this technology in transgender individuals. Though the potential use of uterine transplants in the transgender population has been hypothesized, no in‐depth ethical framework has been developed towards this purpose. Herein, we explore the ethical issues revolving around the use of this technology in this patient population and provide key insights that may advance this cause.
Long‐term and long‐distance deformation in submarine volcanoclastic sediments: Coupling of hydrogeology and debris avalanche emplacement off W Martinique Island
Authors: Llopart Jaume , Lafuerza Sara , Le Friant Anne , Urgeles Roger , Watremez Louise
Published: February 2021

West off Martinique (Lesser Antilles), the Grenada Basin submarine sediments were affected by the emplacement of Debris Avalanche Deposits (DAD). Montagne Pelée Volcano has experienced three major flank collapses during the last ca. 127 kyrs, resulting in a cumulated volume of up to 300 km3 offshore. Using a combination of geophysical and geotechnical data, we investigate the effect of these debris avalanches emplacements on the basin hydrogeology and their relationship with the observed sediment deformation in the seismic and coring data. The geotechnical test carried on IODP‐340 cores samples reveal four sediment types within the basin with distinctive mechanical and hydraulic properties: proximal volcanoclastics, distal volcanoclastics, hemipelagic and ash‐rich sediments. These results, together with margin stratigraphic models obtained from seismic reflection data, were used as inputs for the numerical finite‐element model. This model shows that the coupling of the sediment properties with the mid‐ to low‐sedimentation rates results in the development of low overpressures prior to the first flank collapse at 127 ka. However, the emplacement of the first two DADs, between 127 and 36 ka, developed high overpressures ratios (λ* > 0.9) in the easternmost part of the Grenada Basin. According to the model, the sudden compaction of the pre‐existing sediments due to the DADs load created fluid flow velocities up to 7 times higher than the hydraulic conductivities, which would have thus reduced the sediment bearing capacities and shear strength, favouring their mobilization and deformation. From 127 to 36 ka, the sea‐floor sediments suffered a long‐term deformation driven by the combination of the weight of the emplaced material and the persistence of high overpressure ratios through time. This deformation propagated tens of kilometres away from the DAD’s emplacement and it is possible that still continues today due to the persistence of low overpressure ratios. This long‐term and long‐distance deformation and persisted overpressures are a key factor to take into account in the framework of a geohazards evaluation in areas recurrently affected by earthquakes and volcanic flank collapses.
Quantitative analysis of proteome dynamics in a mouse model of asthma
Authors: Funke Lukas , Gnipp Stefanie , Ahrens Maike , Eisenacher Martin , Peters Marcus , Sitek Barbara , Bracht Thilo
Published: February 2021

Background

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the respiratory system, and a major factor of increasing health care costs worldwide. The molecular actors leading to the development of chronic asthma are not fully understood and require further investigation.

Objective

The aim of this study was to monitor the proteome dynamics during asthma development from early inflammatory to late fibrotic stages.

Methods

A mouse asthma model was used to analyse the lung proteome at four time points during asthma development (0 weeks = control, 5, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment, n = 6 each). The model was analysed using lung function tests, immune cell counting and histology. Furthermore, a multi‐fraction mass spectrometry‐based proteome analysis was performed to achieve a comprehensive coverage and quantification of the lung proteome.

Results

At early stages, the mice showed predominant eosinophilic inflammation of the airways, which disappeared at later stages and was replaced by marked airway hyper‐reactivity and fibrosis of the airways. 3325 proteins were quantified with 435 proteins found to be significantly differentially abundant between the experimental groups (ANOVA p‐value ≤.05, maximum fold change ≥1.5). We applied hierarchical clustering to identify common protein abundance profiles along the asthma development and analysed these clusters using gene ontology annotation and enrichment analysis. We demonstrate the correlation of protein clusters with the course of asthma development, that is eosinophilic inflammation and fibrotic remodelling of the airways.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Proteome analysis revealed proteins that were previously described to be important during asthma chronification. Moreover, we identified additional proteins previously not described in the context of asthma. We provide a comprehensive data set of a long‐term mouse model of asthma that may contribute to a better understanding and allow new insights into the progression and development of chronic asthma. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD011159.
Perceived influence over marine conservation: Determinants and implications of empowerment
Authors: Nuno Ana , Matos Litoney , Metcalfe Kristian , Godley Brendan J. , Broderick Annette C.
Published: February 2021

Understanding empowerment is integral to facilitating sustainable use policies and requires assessing potential drivers. However, critical applications are rare in conservation. Using the island of Príncipe (São Tomé and Príncipe) as a case study, we undertook household surveys (N = 869) to assess potential drivers of psychological empowerment towards conservation, measured as the perceived abilities of people to individually or collectively influence marine conservation outcomes, accounting for gender. Law enforcement, collective influence, freedom of choice and action, environmental condition and living in coastal community were key variables for understanding perceived personal influence. In particular, no‐fishing areas and raising awareness about sustainable practices were recommended by those with higher self‐perceived influence. Such information on target groups and factors to promote is essential for facilitating empowerment towards conservation and laying robust foundations for resource comanagement, especially given the role communities can play in the face of limited state capacity and enforcement.
Caregivers use gesture contingently to support word learning
Authors: Cheung Rachael W. , Hartley Calum , Monaghan Padraic
Published: February 2021

Children learn words in environments where there is considerable variability, both in terms of the number of possible referents for novel words, and the availability of cues to support word‐referent mappings. How caregivers adapt their gestural cues to referential uncertainty has not yet been explored. We tested a computational model of cross‐situational word learning that examined the value of a variable gesture cue during training across conditions of varying referential uncertainty. We found that gesture had a greater benefit for referential uncertainty, but unexpectedly also found that learning was best when there was variability in both the environment (number of referents) and gestural cue use. We demonstrated that these results are reflected behaviourally in an experimental word‐learning study involving children aged 18–24‐month‐olds and their caregivers. Under similar conditions to the computational model, caregivers not only used gesture more when there were more potential referents for novel words, but children also learned best when there was some referential ambiguity for words. Thus, caregivers are sensitive to referential uncertainty in the environment and adapt their gestures accordingly, and children are able to respond to environmental variability to learn more robustly. These results imply that training under variable circumstances may actually benefit learning, rather than hinder it.
Children’s altruism following acute stress: The role of autonomic nervous system activity and social support
Authors: Alen Nicholas V. , Deer LillyBelle K. , Karimi Mona , Feyzieva Elis , Hastings Paul D. , Hostinar Camelia E.
Published: February 2021

Altruistic behavior after stress exposure may have important health and psychological benefits, in addition to broader societal consequences. However, so far experimental research on altruism following acute stress has been limited to adult populations. The current study utilized an experimental design to investigate how altruistic donation behavior among children may be influenced by (a) exposure to an acute social stressor, the Trier Social Stress Test modified for use with children (TSST‐M), (b) individual differences in stress physiology, and (c) social support from a parent. The sample consisted of 180 children (54.9% male, 45.1% female; mean age = 9.92 years, SD = 0.56 years) randomly assigned to one of three conditions involving the TSST‐M: (a) prepare for the TSST‐M alone, (b) prepare for the TSST‐M with a parent, and (c) no‐stress control group. Results revealed that children made larger donations post‐stressor if they were alone before the acute stressor, if they had moderate cardiac autonomic balance, reflecting both parasympathetic and sympathetic influence, and if they were older. Children who prepared for the TSST‐M with social support from a parent made comparable donations as children in the no‐stress control group, in accord with stress buffering models. Increased altruism following acute stress among children suggests that a comprehensive understanding of the human stress response needs to incorporate “tend‐and‐befriend” behavior—the tendency for humans to show increased altruistic behavior during times of distress.
Rapidly increasing eco‐certification coverage transforming management of world’s tuna fisheries
Authors: Schiller Laurenne , Bailey Megan
Published: February 2021

Tuna support some of the world's largest, most valuable and spatially extensive fisheries, but effective management has been challenging due to their transboundary movements and the need for multilateral decision‐making. To address public concerns of over‐exploitation, fishing companies have sought to differentiate themselves through involvement in “sustainable seafood” eco‐certification programmes. Here, we show that the volume associated with such initiatives for tuna increased 237‐fold between 2007 and 2019. Today, 2.31 million tonnes (47%) of the global tuna catch comes from fisheries holding or seeking Marine Stewardship Council eco‐certification. This is due to a 57‐fold increase in the number of fisheries engaged in the eco‐certification process. Crucially, this growth is also correlated with a concurrent 14‐fold increase in the adoption of harvest strategies by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs). Semi‐structured interviews with a broad range of RFMO stakeholders corroborate that the rapid uptake of harvest strategies is largely attributable to pressure from fishing companies needing to meet eco‐certification requirements; over 90% of respondents had directly observed or speculated on this type of advocacy. These results suggest the tuna fishing industry and associated seafood supply chain actors are now playing an unprecedented role in shaping the international governance of these species.
INNOVATION AND DIFFUSION OF MEDICAL TREATMENT
Authors: Hamilton Barton H. , Hincapié Andrés , Miller Robert A. , Papageorge Nicholas W.
Published: February 2021

We develop and estimate a dynamic structural model of demand in a setting where product characteristics endogenously evolve in response to aggregate consumer choices. The direction and speed of innovation are inefficient because individuals do not account for their influence on innovation, creating an externality. Our application focuses on drugs invented to combat human immunodeficiency virus; they differ in their efficacy and propensity to cause side effects. We find that the externality is quantitatively important; temporarily subsidizing the experimental treatment would have increased average social welfare by improving average health and would have reduced inequality in lifetime utility across health groups.
Factors influencing the quality of life over a 4‐year period of time in Romanian patients with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Vonica Camelia Larisa , Gâvan Norina Alinta , Cosma Daniel‐Tudor , Sima Diana Iulia , Vinik Etta Johanna , Vinik Aaron , Veresiu Andrei Ioan , Bondor Cosmina‐Ioana
Published: February 2021

Aim

To evaluate the changes in quality of life (QOL), diabetic neuropathy (DN) and amputations over 4 years in patients with diabetes.

Methods

In 2012, 25,000 Romanian‐translated Norfolk QOL‐DN self‐administered questionnaires were distributed during a cross‐sectional study. Between March‐December 2016, all patients identified from the 2012 cohort and enrolled in this follow‐up study completed the Norfolk QOL‐DN questionnaire; amputations suffered since 2012 were recorded. The influence of age and duration of diabetes (DD) on delta QOL scores (defined as the differences between 2012 and 2016 scores) and of sex, age, diabetes type, DD and declared DN on amputations was explored using multivariate linear and logistic regression, respectively.

Results

The mean (standard deviation) age of the 1865 participants was 60.6 (10.3) years. Mean total QOL‐DN score increased from 2012 to 2016 by 4.39% (P = .079). Both DD (b = 0.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21‐0.57, P < .001) and age (b = 0.25, 95% CI 0.13‐0.36, P < .001) were significantly correlated with total QOL‐DN score. Delta total QOL was higher in patients whose statement about having DN changed since 2012. Over 4 years, 36 patients suffered amputations. Male sex (OR = 3.11, 95% CI 1.46‒6.62, P = .003), physical functioning/large‐fibre neuropathy subscale score (OR = 1.04, 95% CI 1.001‒1.09, P = .047), autonomic neuropathy subscale score (OR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.64‒0.94, P = .011) and small‐fibre neuropathy subscale score (OR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.05‒1.40, P = .007) were significant predictors of amputations. Delta total QOL‐DN score was 10 times higher in patients who suffered amputation(s) compared with their amputation‐free counterparts.

Conclusion

QOL deteriorates with age and DD. Norfolk QOL‐DN subscale scores can predict amputations.
Effect of verbal counselling on metred‐dose inhaler proper use and lung function test amongst asthmatic patients: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Abdelrahman Mona A. , Saeed Haitham , Osama Hasnaa , Harb Hadeer S. , Madney Yasmin M. , Abdelrahim Mohamed E. A.
Published: February 2021

Introduction

The main cause of poor asthma control is mostly related to the inability of the asthmatic subjects to use their metred‐dose inhaler (pMDI) correctly. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of contentious pMDI verbal‐counselling on the pMDI inhalation technique and pulmonary functions of asthmatics.

Methods

Through a systematic literature search up to December 2020, 10 studies with 1937 asthmatic subjects, who had at least two pMDI inhalation technique verbal counselling sessions (visits), were identified reporting relationships between contentious pMDI verbal counselling, and the number of inhalation technique mistakes and lung functions score. Mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated comparing counselling visits results using the continuous method with a random effect model.

Results

Visit 1 had a significantly higher mean number of mistakes compared with visit 2 (MD, 19.98; 95% CI, 11.54‐28.41, P < .001); Also, visit 2 had a significantly higher mean number of mistakes compared with visit 3 (MD, 12.17; 95% CI, 9.31‐15.02, P < .001). The extent of improvement in the inhalation technique was higher between visits 1 and 2 compared with that between visits 2 and 3. The impact of continuous verbal counselling was also observed on the forced expiratory volume in one second as percentage of vital capacity [(MD, −5.56; 95% CI, −6.50 to −4.61, P < .001) between visits 1 and 2 and (MD, −6.40; 95% CI, −7.71 to −5.10, P < .001) between visits 2 and 3] and the peak expiratory flow rate [(MD, −11.47; 95% CI, −18.73 to −4.22, P < .001) between visits 1 and 2 and (MD, −16.53; 95% CI, −25.80 to −7.26, P < .001) between visits 2 and 3]. The extent of improvement in lung functions was similar between visits 1 and 2 and visits 2 and 3.

Conclusion

Based on this meta‐analysis, Continuous pMDI verbal counselling, at every possible opportunity, is a must since lung functions and pMDI inhalation technique improvements were observed with continuous pMDI verbal counselling.
Xeroderma pigmentosum in Yemen
Authors: Khatri Mishri Lal
Published: February 2021

Background

The incidence of xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) in Yemen seems to be quite high but there are no previous reports.

Objective

To study the clinicoepidemiologic aspect of XP in Yemen.

Methods

All 40 patients (24 male and 16 female patients from 32 families) treated and followed between 1997 and 2014 were subjected to detailed analysis with the help of a standardized protocol. The diagnosis was based on clinical features and histopathologic data, when needed. The diagnosis of tumors was confirmed by histopathologic examination in all cases.

Results

The median age of onset of initial manifestations was 9.5 months, and that of malignant lesions was 7 years. Parents of the patients were not affected, but history of consanguinity was recorded in 38. Initial lesions, such as dryness of the skin and freckles on the face, were noticed in all patients. In addition, erythema of the face with photosensitivity was observed in 21 patients. Premalignant and malignant skin lesions observed later were actinic keratosis in 15 patients, lentigo maligna in one, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in 10, and basosquamous carcinoma in one. Eyes were affected with SCC in seven and malignant melanoma (MM) in two patients. SCC of the lip developed in two patients and that of the tongue in one patient. Judicious use of acitretin in 12 patients showed good result.

Conclusion

XP in Yemen is characterized by a relatively high incidence, high percentage of consanguinity in parents of the patients, early onset of initial manifestations, malignant tumors, and severe ocular and oral lesions. Acitretin showed good result.
Le travail n'est pas une marchandise. Contenu et sens du travail au XXIe siècle
Authors: SUPIOT Alain
Published: February 2021

Dans sa dernière leçon au Collège de France, Alain Supiot revient sur les travaux qu'il a consacrés aux transformations du travail au XXIe siècle, en soulignant le rôle du droit et des institutions pour faire face aux conséquences de la révolution numérique et au défi écologique. La faillite morale, sociale et écologique du néolibéralisme doit nous obliger, selon lui, à reconsidérer la fiction juridique du travail marchandise et à établir ce que le préambule de la Constitution de l'OIT nomme «un régime de travail réellement humain», qui fasse place au sens et au contenu du travail. Cette thèse est illustrée par l’étude du cas de la recherche scientifique.
Comparison between the use of intense pulsed light and Q‐switched neodymium‐doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser for the treatment of axillary hyperpigmentation
Authors: Amornpetkul Watinee , Kanokrungsee Silada , Kamanamool Nanticha , Udompataikul Montree , Rojhirunsakool Salinee
Published: February 2021

Background

Axillary hyperpigmentation (AH) is a condition in which axillary skin is darker than the adjacent areas. To date, there is no standard treatment for AH. The Q‐switched neodymium‐doped yttrium aluminum garnet 1064‐nm(QS) laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) are two effective modalities for the treatment of pigmentary disorders; however, the efficacy and safety levels of both treatments for AH have not yet been compared in a controlled study.

Aims

To evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of the QS laser and IPL in the treatment of AH.

Methods

A randomized, split‐side study was conducted on 22 subjects; all subjects received a total of five split‐side treatments every 2 weeks. The efficacy was determined using the melanin index (MI), color chart level using the Pantone SkinTone™ Guide, improvement grading scale (IGS), and patient satisfaction scores at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10.

Results

The results showed that there was no significant difference in MI, color chart level, IGS, and patient satisfaction scores between the two treatments. Both treatments significantly improved AH after three sessions. However, the pain score was lower for IPL treatment. The adverse effects were transient and were found after IPL treatment in one participant (4.45%) who developed hyperpigmentation and another participant (4.45%) who developed erythema.

Conclusions

Intense pulsed light therapy is safe and effective for the treatment of AH, with no significant difference in the outcome compared with QS laser treatment.
Analgesic effect of topical lidocaine is enhanced by cold atmospheric plasma pretreatment in facial CO2 laser treatments
Authors: Xin Yue , Wen Xiang , Jiang Xian
Published: February 2021

Background

Topical anesthesia is widely used in many dermatological and cosmetic procedures. Nevertheless, the stratum corneum serves as the skin barrier, impedes the transdermal drug delivery greatly, and results in insufficient analgesia. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has been researched as a transdermal drug delivery promoter with ex vivo experiments for a few years, while clinical trials are scarce.

Aims

To assess the efficacy and safety of CAP as a pretreatment to improve the transdermal absorption of topical anesthetic cream before the CO2 laser treatment for postacne scars in the human body.

Patients/Methods

Twenty patients, seeking full facial laser treatment for atrophic acne scars, underwent a randomized split‐face study. One side of the face was pretreated by CAP before topical anesthetic cream was applied, and the other side was applied with topical anesthetic cream only as control. After that, the subjects went through full‐face fractional CO2 laser treatment of postacne scars. They were asked to score the pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS) after the laser treatment to measure the anesthesia effects which indicates the transdermal absorption of the cream. Possible adverse effects of the plasma were recorded during the pretreatment including associated pain, heat, erythema, and edema.

Results

The VAS score of the treated side was statistically lower (5.1 ± 2.1) compared with the nontreated side (6.3 ± 1.9), with a mean difference of 1.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.6‐1.9; P < .0001). No severe adverse event was reported, and all the disturbing sensations and symptoms (pain, heat, and edema) were evaluated as mild with no mean score surpassing 4.0.

Conclusion

Plasma pretreatment of 5 minutes before topical anesthetic cream application gives significant pain reduction during the laser procedures, showing the potential effects of CAP on promoting transdermal drug delivery, with no obvious adverse effects reported.
A developmental perspective on personality and psychopathology across the life span
Authors: Wilson Sylia , Olino Thomas M.
Published: February 2021

Taking a developmental perspective, guided by core principles of developmental science and developmental psychopathology, is necessary to move the fields of personality science and psychopathology forward. Personality and psychopathology can be delineated using hierarchical models of individual differences, as evidenced by decades of converging evidence across community and psychiatric samples, countries and cultures, and ages and developmental periods. A large body of empirical research likewise documents associations between personality and various forms of psychopathology. Cross‐sectional investigations of personality–psychopathology links in samples of adults now yield diminishing returns. Prospective, longitudinal investigations that assess personality, psychopathology, and their co‐development across the life span are needed to determine their temporal ordering, capture dynamic associations over time and development, and elucidate causal origins and underlying mechanisms. We lay out a developmental framework that integrates across the developmental, personality, and psychopathology literatures in order to further understanding and guide future investigations of the nature of personality–psychopathology links.
Viral hepatitis C pandemic: Challenges and threats to its elimination
Authors: Krekulova Laura , Honzák Radkin , Riley Lee W.
Published: February 2021

Under the WHO plan, the global elimination of the HCV pandemic is scheduled for 2030. The burden of HCV infection in developed countries is largely borne by people who inject drugs (PWID): new infections and reinfections are related to their risky behaviour. Although safe and sensitive hepatitis C diagnostic tools and directly acting antiviral medication are widely used, major challenges to disease elimination still remain in developed countries, where the WHO plan is in progress. The challenge is in the involvement and engagement of infected PWID. There is a strong need to change our uptake and treatment strategies to address all patients from the risk groups, connect them with the healthcare system and cure them with the vision to eliminate this HCV pandemic.
Effects of a First‐Grade Mathematics Vocabulary Intervention: A Pilot Study for Students with Mathematics Difficulty
Authors: Nelson Gena , Kiss Allyson J.
Published: February 2021

There is an emerging research base exploring the relation between mathematics vocabulary and achievement; therefore, we conducted a pilot study of a mathematics vocabulary intervention for first‐grade students with mathematics difficulty (MD). At posttest, the vocabulary intervention group scored significantly higher than the active control on mathematics vocabulary; growth, however, was not significant. The vocabulary intervention group had significantly higher gains on the Concepts and Communication subtest of a distal measure. While all students began the intervention below the 13th percentile in mathematics, 31% of participants exceeded the 25th percentile at posttest. The results of this pilot study have implications for practitioners working with students with MD, and also make a contribution to the knowledge base on mathematics vocabulary intervention.
Margolis Looks at the Arts
Authors: Pryba Russell
Published: February 2021

This paper examines the early aesthetic writings of Joseph Margolis from the late 1950s to the mid‐1960s in order to argue for the relevance of these works in understanding Margolis’s later, more well‐known views in the philosophy of art. Specifically, the paper addresses Margolis’s early essays on the definition and ontology of art and aesthetic perception. These essays not only show Margolis engaged in the most significant debates in mid‐century analytic aesthetics but also provide important indications of the limitations of that approach to thinking about the arts that informs the development of Margolis’s later cultural realism.
Vertical decoupling of soil nutrients and water under climate warming reduces plant cumulative nutrient uptake, water‐use efficiency and productivity
Authors: Querejeta José Ignacio , Ren Wei , Prieto Iván
Published: February 2021

Warming‐induced desiccation of the fertile topsoil layer could lead to decreased nutrient diffusion, mobility, mineralization and uptake by roots. Increased vertical decoupling between nutrients in topsoil and water availability in subsoil/bedrock layers under warming could thereby reduce cumulative nutrient uptake over the growing season.

We used a Mediterranean semiarid shrubland as model system to assess the impacts of warming‐induced topsoil desiccation on plant water‐ and nutrient‐use patterns. A 6 yr manipulative field experiment examined the effects of warming (2.5°C), rainfall reduction (30%) and their combination on soil resource utilization by Helianthemum squamatum shrubs.

A drier fertile topsoil (‘growth pool’) under warming led to greater proportional utilization of water from deeper, wetter, but less fertile subsoil/bedrock layers (‘maintenance pool’) by plants. This was linked to decreased cumulative nutrient uptake, increased nonstomatal (nutritional) limitation of photosynthesis and reduced water‐use efficiency, above‐ground biomass growth and drought survival.

Whereas a shift to greater utilization of water stored in deep subsoil/bedrock may buffer the negative impact of warming‐induced topsoil desiccation on transpiration, this plastic response cannot compensate for the associated reduction in cumulative nutrient uptake and carbon assimilation, which may compromise the capacity of plants to adjust to a warmer and drier climate.
The “saddest repudiation” redux: Structural racism and the unlearned lesson of 1918
Authors: de Valpine Maria Gilson , Lewis Erica J.
Published: February 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic reveals how the systems and structures of racism devastate the health and well‐being of people of color. The debate is an old one and the lesson we have yet to learn was tragically apparent a century ago during the 1918–1919 influenza pandemic. Any history of structural racism in America must begin with the chronicles of African Americans, Native Alaskans, and Indigenous North Americans as they were the originally enslaved and displaced people, subjected to overt and covert policies of oppression ever since. The experiences of Native Alaskans of Bristol Bay Alaska in 1918–1919 present a parallel, illuminating a wrenching example of structural racism that cost lives and impoverished society, then as now. Proven policy solutions exist to remove the structures that produce inequitable health outcomes, but implementing them will require public health officials and policymakers to take multidisciplinary policy actions, to find policy opportunities for change to be made, and, likely, a change in the political environment. The first exists now, the second is afforded because of the current pandemic and the urgent need for policy solutions, and the third is likely coming soon.
Three novel HLA‐DQB1 alleles identified in Brazilian individuals by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Vianna Romulo , Lopes Giovanna , Menezes Raphaela , Porto Luís Cristóvão
Published: February 2021

Characterization of three novel HLA‐DQB1 alleles: HLA‐DQB1*04:02:01:11, ‐DQB1*05:01:01:13, and ‐DQB1*06:03:01:04.
Three HLA‐A alleles, A*11:01:89, A*11:01:96 and A*11:01:01:14 were identified in Chinese individuals
Authors: Dong Lina , Wang Wei , Zhang Wei , He Ji , Zhu Faming
Published: February 2021

Compared with HLA‐A*11:01:01:01, the alleles HLA‐A*11:01:89, ‐A*11:01:96 and ‐A*11:01:01:14 each show one nucleotide substitution.
Individual, household and environmental factors associated with arboviruses in rural human populations, Brazil
Authors: Catenacci Lilian S. , Ferreira Milene S. , Fernandes Debora , Padda Hannah , Travassos‐da‐Rosa Elizabeth S. , Deem Sharon L. , Vasconcelos Pedro F. C. , Martins Livia C.
Published: February 2021

Landscape change is one of the foremost drivers of the emergence of infectious diseases. Exploring demographic, household and environmental conditions under which infectious diseases occur may inform strategies to prevent disease emergence in human populations. We collected blood samples from 523 humans and explore factors for arbovirus emergence in Bahia, Brazil. The overall arbovirus seroprevalence was 65.2%, with the genus Flavivirus most prevalent (64.4%). Based on monotypic reactions, the population had contact with five arbovirus: Dengue 3, Ilheus, Oropouche, Caraparu and Eastern equine encephalitis virus. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting exposure to Oropouche, Caraparu and Eastern equine encephalitis virus in human populations in Bahia, Northeast of Brazil. The best model fit demonstrated that household and environmental variables were more predictive of the risk of arbovirus exposure than demographic variables. The presence of forest and free‐living monkeys in the areas close to the communities had a protective effect for the human population (i.e. lower seroprevalence). The dilution effect is considered as one explanation for this finding. These results highlight the important ecological role of wildlife‐friendly agriculture.
M2 muscarinic autoantibodies and thyroid hormone promote susceptibility to atrial fibrillation and sinus tachycardia in an autoimmune rabbit model
Authors: Deng Jielin , Guo Yankai , Zhang Gege , Zhang Ling , Kem David , Yu Xichun , Jiang Hong , Li Hongliang
Published: February 2021

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Do autoantibodies to the M2 muscarinic receptor (M2R‐AAbs) have the potential to facilitate specific sustained tachyarrhythmias in the presence of thyroxine (T4) in rabbits?

What is the main finding and its importance?

The M2R‐AAb and T4 jointly destabilized the electrophysiological properties, thus promoting the occurrence of atrial and sinus tachyarrhythmias in rabbits. These findings provide a practical basis for understanding the pathophysiological role of M2R‐AAb alone and with T4 in arrhythmia induction and might provide an innovative option for treatment of Graves’ disease with rhythm disturbance.

Activating autoantibodies toward the β1/2‐adrenergic receptors (β1/2AR‐AAbs) and M2 muscarinic receptor (M2R‐AAbs) are present in a high proportion of patients with Graves’ disease. We previously demonstrated that β1/2AR‐AAbs with or without the presence of M2R‐AAbs in combination with excessive thyroxine (T4) increased the induction of sustained tachyarrhythmias in an autoimmune rabbit model. However, the separate role of M2R‐AAbs and their interaction with T4 are not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of M2R‐AAbs and T4 on the induction of cardiac arrhythmias in a similar rabbit model. Ten New Zealand White rabbits were randomly divided into two groups. In group A (n = 6), the rabbits were immunized with the second extracellular loop peptide of M2R and subjected to 2 weeks of T4 treatment. In group B (n = 4), the rabbits were treated only with T4 for 2 weeks. After induction of general anaesthesia, rabbits were subjected to an electrophysiological study at 0 (pre‐immune), 6 (post‐immune) and 8 weeks (post‐immune+T4 treatment) in group A and at 0 (baseline) and 8 weeks (T4 treatment) in group B. Each rabbit served as its own control. In group A, high levels and activity of M2R‐AAbs were detected in all immunized animals. Thyroxine in combination with immunization significantly increased induction of sustained sinus tachycardia and atrial fibrillation in comparison to the pre‐immune state. In group B, T4 predominantly induced sustained sinus tachycardia. This study demonstrated that M2R‐AAbs and T4 jointly increased the susceptibility to both sinus and atrial tachyarrhythmias. The data supported the pathophysiological role of M2R‐AAbs in hyperthyroidism‐associated supraventricular tachyarrhythmias.
Modification of frequency-domain active noise control algorithm without secondary path modeling
Authors: Chen Kai , Niu Feng , Zou Haishan , Lu Jing
Published: February 2021

The phase-shifting based active noise control (ANC) algorithm without secondary path modeling is appealing due to its simple implementation and high computational efficiency. However, the algorithm suffers from the influence of an implicit circular convolution caused by directly applying the most appropriate phase shift to the reference signal in the frequency domain. The implicit circular convolution results in a poor linear relationship between the phase-shifted reference signal and the error signal, which considerably degrades the convergence performance of the ANC system. In this paper, two methods are proposed to deal with this problem. In the first method, the circular wraparound artifacts are removed by the time-domain constraining operation. In the second method, a noncausal phase-shifting filter is used to regularize the phase of the reference signal. Compared with the standard frequency-domain implementation, the two proposed algorithms both eliminate the influence caused by the wraparound artifacts of the circular convolution and improve the linear relationship between the phase-shifted reference signal and the error signal, leading to a higher level of noise attenuation with a tolerable increase in computational complexity. Simulation results validate the better noise attenuation ability of the proposed algorithms.
Underwater channel estimation exploiting multipath feature morphology
Authors: McCarthy R. A. , Sen Gupta A.
Published: February 2021

Real-time accurate channel estimation has been an ongoing challenge because of diverse oceanic events that cause rapid fluctuations of high-energy multipath activity across the delay spread. This work leverages current compressed sensing and sparse optimization techniques with topological signal processing to improve estimation time and localize channel estimation to salient parts of the delay spread. This work improves the estimation time by tracking the channel as a union of overlapping multipath and other scattering events, which are modeled as “feature braids” in the delay-time domain. A channel feature braid may be intuitively visualized as the topologically connected trajectory of a group of channel delay taps, which represent the support of dominant or persistent scattering events, e.g., surface bounce multipath scattering. We present algorithms that harness support-constrained mixed norm optimization techniques to track the evolving support of channel feature braids. We validate our channel feature tracking algorithm independently in experimental field data as well as BELLHOP channel simulations across a diversity of oceanic conditions. This work shows that braiding used in estimation can improve estimation time and track high-energy events that develop within the delay vs time channel representation.