bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating dynamic relations between factual information and misinformation: Empirical studies of tweets related to prevention measures during COVID‐19
Authors: Wang Yan , Gao Shangde , Gao Wenyu
Published: November 2021

During COVID‐19, misinformation on social media has affected people's adoption of appropriate prevention behaviors. Although an array of approaches have been proposed to suppress misinformation, few have investigated the role of disseminating factual information during crises. None has examined its effect on suppressing misinformation quantitatively using longitudinal social media data. Therefore, this study investigates the temporal correlations between factual information and misinformation, and intends to answer whether previously predominant factual information can suppress misinformation. It focuses on two prevention measures, that is, wearing masks and social distancing, using tweets collected from April 3 to June 30, 2020, in the United States. We trained support vector machine classifiers to retrieve relevant tweets and classify tweets containing factual information and misinformation for each topic concerning the prevention measures’ effects. Based on cross‐correlation analyses of factual and misinformation time series for both topics, we find that the previously predominant factual information leads the decrease of misinformation (i.e., suppression) with a time lag. The research findings provide empirical understandings of dynamic relations between misinformation and factual information in complex online environments and suggest practical strategies for future misinformation management during crises and emergencies.
Comparison of the performance of estimated fetal weight charts for the detection of small‐ and large‐for‐gestational age newborns with adverse outcomes: a French population‐based study
Authors: Monier I , Ego A , Benachi A , Hocquette A , Blondel B , Goffinet F , Zeitlin J
Published: November 2021

Objective

To compare the performance of estimated fetal weight (EFW) charts at the third trimester ultrasound for detecting small‐ and large‐for‐gestational age (SGA/LGA) newborns with adverse outcomes.

Design

Nationally representative observational study.

Setting

French maternity units in 2016.

Population

9940 singleton live births with an ultrasound between 30 and 35 weeks of gestation.

Methods

We compared three prescriptive charts (INTERGROWTH‐21st, World Health Organization (WHO), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development [NICHD]), four descriptive charts (Hadlock, Fetal Medicine Foundation, two French charts) and a French customised growth model (Epopé).

Main outcome measures

SGA and LGA (birthweights <10th and >90th percentiles) associated with adverse outcomes (low Apgar score, delivery‐room resuscitation, neonatal unit admission).

Results

2.1% and 1.1% of infants had SGA and LGA and adverse outcomes, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for detecting these infants with an EFW <10th and >90th percentile varied from 29–65% and 84–96% for descriptive charts versus 27–60% and 83–96% for prescriptive charts. WHO and French charts were closest to the EFW distribution, yielding a balance between sensitivity and specificity for SGA and LGA births. INTERGROWTH‐21st and Epopé had low sensitivity for SGA with high sensitivity for LGA. Areas under the receiving operator characteristics curve ranged from 0.62 to 0.74, showing low to moderate predictive ability, and diagnostic odds ratios varied from 7 to 16.

Conclusion

Marked differences in the performance of descriptive as well as prescriptive EFW charts highlight the importance of evaluating them for their ability to detect high‐risk fetuses.

Tweetable abstract

Choice of growth chart strongly affected identification of high‐risk fetuses at the third trimester ultrasound.
Discretion as a double‐edged sword in global work: The perils of international business travel
Authors: Jooss Stefan , Conroy Kieran M. , McDonnell Anthony
Published: November 2021

International business travellers (IBTs) have become omnipresent in multinational enterprises, and yet we know little on how they manage the inherent complexities of their global work. Through a qualitative research design, our study reveals a perturbing job demands‐resources mismatch faced by these individuals. IBTs are afforded substantial discretion with respect to how they carry out their global work and this discretion enables engagement in a series of job crafting actions. The job crafting actions we identify in this study inadvertently intensified rather than eased the demands‐resources mismatch that IBTs confronted. Our study advances job crafting theory through unpacking the potentially dysfunctional nature of job crafting in a global work context. In doing so, we challenge much of the extant literature which tends to overwhelmingly focus on the positive impact of job crafting actions. Our findings lead us to call for greater organisational oversight and configuration of support structures for IBTs.
Enzymatic acylation of lutein with a series of saturated fatty acid vinyl esters and the thermal stability and anti‐lipid oxidation properties of the acylated derivatives
Authors: Tan Xin‐Jia , Li Hai‐Mei , Peng Qing‐Xia , Zhou Hua , Chen Yong‐Sheng , Lu Yu‐Yun , Yan Ri‐An
Published: November 2021

Lutein was enzymatically acylated with saturated fatty acid vinyl esters of different lengths of carbon chain (C6‐C14) under the action of Candida antarctica lipase B (Novozyme 435). The acylation reaction was optimized by considering substrate molar ratio, reaction solvent, type of enzyme, and reaction time. The highest yield (88%) was obtained using the Novozyme 435 to catalyze the acylation reaction of lutein and vinyl decanoate (lutein/vinyl decanoate molar ratio of 1/10) for 16 h in methyl tert‐butyl ether. Ten lutein esters were synthesized, isolated, and purified, which were characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, high‐resolution mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We found that the acylation of lutein improved its antioxidant capacity in lipid system and thermal stability. Our study extended the potential application of lutein in lipophilic food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.

Practical Application: Enzyme acylation of lutein improved its antioxidant capacity in lipid system and thermal stability, extended its potential application in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. In addition, our study also provided a new perspective and cognition for the further development and utilization of lutein.
Differentiation between fresh and frozen‐thawed scallop adductor muscle as raw materials for sashimi during cold storage
Authors: Niu Yabin , Dong Shiliang , Shimakage Naoto , Wei Huamao , Yu Kefeng , Yuan Chunhong , Takaki Koichi
Published: November 2021

The changes of sensory and biochemical characteristics on the fresh and frozen‐thawed scallop adductor muscle during storage at 4°C were discussed in this study. The Quality Index Method (QIM) scheme for evaluating scallop adductor muscle as raw materials for sashimi was proposed for the first time. The results of sensory evaluation showed that frozen‐thawed scallop adductor muscle within zero to one day of refrigeration can be happily accepted by consumers, indicating the superiority of freezing for long‐distance transportation, although the triangle test confirmed that there are still sensorial differences between fresh and frozen‐thawed scallop adductor muscle. The microscopic observation of myofibrils extracted from scallop adductor muscle suggested that the myofibrillar protein which constitutes myofibrils has suffered some extent change due to freezing and thawing, even though the head region of myosin remained stable judging by the fact that there was no significant difference in Ca2+‐ATPase activity (p > 0.05). The changes of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and its related compounds, and pH value during storage can be regarded as indicators to differentiate fresh and frozen‐thawed scallop adductor muscle. The changes of Mg2+‐ATPase activity indicated that the interaction between myosin and actin was weakened by the freezing and thawing process.

Practical Application: The QIM scheme can be used to evaluate the scallop adductor muscle as raw materials for sashimi. The mechanism of quality changes in the frozen‐thawed scallop adductor muscle was discussed in combination with the destruction of myofibrils, ATP degradation and the decrease of pH value. This study has positive significance for improving the quality of frozen‐thawed scallop adductor muscle by combining the changes of sensory and biochemical characteristics.
Cariprazine‐induced mania: A case series report
Authors: Pons‐Cabrera María T. , Palacios‐Garrán Roberto , Tardón‐Senabre Laia , Fernández‐Plaza Tabatha , Marco‐Estrada Oriol , Madero Santiago , Anmella Gerard , Colomer Lluc , Druetta Mauro , Giménez‐Palomo Anna , Navarro‐Cortés Lourdes , Sagué‐Vilavella María , Sánchez‐Sierra Carlos , Verdolini Norma , Catalan Rosa , Bioque Miquel , Goikolea Jose M. , Vieta Eduard , Pacchiarotti Isabella
Published: November 2021

Bipolar depression is the most prevalent phase of bipolar disorder (BD). There is a risk of inducing treatment‐emergent affective switches (TEAS) with antidepressants (ADs). Hence, clinical guidelines do not recommend their use in monotherapy. Cariprazine is a dopamine‐serotonin partial agonist, with a recent FDA approval as a monotherapy for BD type 1 (BD‐I) depression. To our knowledge, there is no significant evidence of cariprazine‐induced TEAS in bipolar depression. We describe three clinical cases of patients admitted to our acute psychiatric ward who developed manic episodes after the introduction of low doses of cariprazine. Two of the patients met the DSM‐5 criteria for BD‐I, and one for schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. All patients were initially treated with low doses of cariprazine (1.5 mg) during a depressive phase. All three cases were simultaneously treated with mood stabilizers, regardless of which they switched to a manic episode when cariprazine was initiated. In our review of previous studies assessing the efficacy and side effects profile of cariprazine in BD‐I, TEAS have not been found to be significant. However, according to our experience, cariprazine may induce affective switches in BD‐I patients. Patients and psychiatrists should receive information regarding early warning symptoms and monitor possible cariprazine‐induced mood switching.
Association of tacrolimus time‐to‐therapeutic range on renal dysfunction and acute cellular rejection after orthotopic heart transplantation in a high use basiliximab population
Authors: Nanni Alexis N. , Harris Matthew , Watson Mara , Yang Zidanyue , Lee Hui‐Jie , DeVore Adam D. , Henderson James B.
Published: November 2021

Background

Currently, clinicians often delay initiation of tacrolimus after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) to help mitigate nephrotoxicity. This study aimed to determine if there is an association between the time‐to‐therapeutic range (TTT) of tacrolimus, early renal dysfunction, and acute cellular rejection (ACR) after OHT.

Methods

This was a retrospective, single center study with adult patients who underwent OHT from July 2013 to April 2020. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to examine the association of TTT with new renal dysfunction after tacrolimus initiation post‐OHT.

Results

In a study of 317 patients, the unadjusted analysis showed patients who developed new renal dysfunction after tacrolimus initiation had a numerically shorter TTT (9.5 vs. 11.0 days, P = .065), and were more likely to have supratherapeutic tacrolimus levels (56% vs. 39.2%, P = .010). When adjusted for established risk factors for renal dysfunction, TTT was significantly associated with new renal dysfunction (OR .95; 95% CI [.90, .99], P = .03). There was no association between TTT and the incidence of ACR (11.1 vs. 10.8 days, P = .64).

Conclusion

When adjusting for known risk factors, a shorter TTT was associated with new renal dysfunction. Supratherapeutic tacrolimus levels were also associated with new renal dysfunction. There was no association between TTT and ACR in the setting of high use basiliximab induction.
Face–hand sensorimotor interactions revealed by afferent inhibition
Authors: Ramalho Bia Lima , Moly Julien , Raffin Estelle , Bouet Romain , Harquel Sylvain , Farnè Alessandro , Reilly Karen T.
Published: November 2021

Reorganization of the sensorimotor cortex following permanent (e.g., amputation) or temporary (e.g., local anaesthesia) deafferentation of the hand has revealed large‐scale plastic changes between the hand and face representations that are accompanied by perceptual correlates. The physiological mechanisms underlying this reorganization remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate sensorimotor interactions between the face and hand using an afferent inhibition transcranial magnetic stimulation protocol in which the motor evoked potential elicited by the magnetic pulse is inhibited when it is preceded by an afferent stimulus. We hypothesized that if face and hand representations in the sensorimotor cortex are functionally coupled, then electrocutaneous stimulation of the face would inhibit hand muscle motor responses. In two separate experiments, we delivered an electrocutaneous stimulus to either the skin over the right upper lip (Experiment 1) or right cheek (Experiment 2) and recorded muscular activity from the right first dorsal interosseous. Both lip and cheek stimulation inhibited right first dorsal interosseous motor evoked potentials. To investigate the specificity of this effect, we conducted two additional experiments in which electrocutaneous stimulation was applied to either the right forearm (Experiment 3) or right upper arm (Experiment 4). Forearm and upper arm stimulation also significantly inhibited the right first dorsal interosseous motor evoked potentials, but this inhibition was less robust than the inhibition associated with face stimulation. These findings provide the first evidence for face‐to‐hand afferent inhibition.
Structural and functional brain networks of individual differences in trait anger and anger control: An unsupervised machine learning study
Authors: Sorella Sara , Vellani Valentina , Siugzdaite Roma , Feraco Paola , Grecucci Alessandro
Published: November 2021

The ability to experience, use and eventually control anger is crucial to maintain well‐being and build healthy relationships. Despite its relevance, the neural mechanisms behind individual differences in experiencing and controlling anger are poorly understood. To elucidate these points, we employed an unsupervised machine learning approach based on independent component analysis to test the hypothesis that specific functional and structural networks are associated with individual differences in trait anger and anger control. Structural and functional resting state images of 71 subjects as well as their scores from the State–Trait Anger Expression Inventory entered the analyses. At a structural level, the concentration of grey matter in a network including ventromedial temporal areas, posterior cingulate, fusiform gyrus and cerebellum was associated with trait anger. The higher the concentration, the higher the proneness to experience anger in daily life due to the greater tendency to orient attention towards aversive events and interpret them with higher hostility. At a functional level, the activity of the default mode network (DMN) was associated with anger control. The higher the DMN temporal frequency, the stronger the exerted control over anger, thus extending previous evidence on the role of the DMN in regulating cognitive and emotional functions in the domain of anger. Taken together, these results show, for the first time, two specialized brain networks for encoding individual differences in trait anger and anger control.
Spherical fuzzy extension of AHP‐ARAS methods integrated with modified k‐means clustering for logistics hub location problem
Authors: Gocer Fethullah , Sener Nazmi
Published: November 2021

Like most other industries, logistics services are currently encountering enormous transformation. Many companies worldwide are applying big data analytics to implement operational strategies and facilitate location selection. Logistics companies need to focus on now and explore some futures of logistics hub location problems. Creating a profitable logistic network is a crucial task for airline and postal services. To establish a cost‐effective network, transportation expenses should be decreased, and networks should be simplified. Hub location problem is born out of these needs. The concept of hub cumulates the flows and makes networks more reliable. In this article, a novel hub location selection approach is introduced in a group decision making (GDM) environment with uncertainty by integrating a modified weighted k‐means clustering algorithm with multi‐criteria decision‐making (MCDM) tools. The combined MCDM method integrates analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to measure criteria weights and Additive Ratio Assessment technique to measure the performance of hub location alternatives in a spherical fuzzy set (SFS) environment. The SFS has shown definite advantages in handling vagueness and uncertainty over crisp, fuzzy, or intuitionistic fuzzy sets to depict experts' evaluations with a richer structure, allowing for more representative decision making. Using Turkish logistics data, big data algorithm facilitates 15 possible locations, and these sites are ranked in order by the integrated GDM methodology. The validation of the proposed evaluation model is illustrated in an application of the network structure in Turkey. Finally, sensitivity and comparison evaluations are introduced to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Plague risk in the western United States over seven decades of environmental change
Authors: Carlson Colin J. , Bevins Sarah N. , Schmid Boris V.
Published: November 2021

After several pandemics over the last two millennia, the wildlife reservoirs of plague (Yersinia pestis) now persist around the world, including in the western United States. Routine surveillance in this region has generated comprehensive records of human cases and animal seroprevalence, creating a unique opportunity to test how plague reservoirs are responding to environmental change. Here, we test whether animal and human data suggest that plague reservoirs and spillover risk have shifted since 1950. To do so, we develop a new method for detecting the impact of climate change on infectious disease distributions, capable of disentangling long‐term trends (signal) and interannual variation in both weather and sampling (noise). We find that plague foci are associated with high‐elevation rodent communities, and soil biochemistry may play a key role in the geography of long‐term persistence. In addition, we find that human cases are concentrated only in a small subset of endemic areas, and that spillover events are driven by higher rodent species richness (the amplification hypothesis) and climatic anomalies (the trophic cascade hypothesis). Using our detection model, we find that due to the changing climate, rodent communities at high elevations have become more conducive to the establishment of plague reservoirs—with suitability increasing up to 40% in some places—and that spillover risk to humans at mid‐elevations has increased as well, although more gradually. These results highlight opportunities for deeper investigation of plague ecology, the value of integrative surveillance for infectious disease geography, and the need for further research into ongoing climate change impacts.
Invasive versus conservative strategy in the very elderly with non‐ST‐elevation acute coronary syndrome: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Wang Haiyan , Shi Liye , Tian Wen , Zhao Shijie
Published: November 2021

Aim

To investigate the optimal treatment strategy in patients older than 80 years with non‐ST‐segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE‐ACS).

Methods

All published randomized, placebo‐controlled trials (RCTs) reporting on comparisons between invasive and conservative strategies for patients aged 80 years or older with NSTE‐ACS were identified. The literature search was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and the ISI Web of Science, from their establishment to July 2021 with no language restriction. The pooled risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for dichotomous outcomes were calculated.

Results

Three RCTs involving a total of 893 cases met the inclusion criteria. Compared with the conservative group, the invasive strategy could significantly improve the incidence rate of composite endpoint (I2 = 21.9%; RR 0.727, 95% CI 0.619 to 0.855, P < 0.001), recurrent myocardial infarction (MI) (I2 = 0.0%; RR 0.585, 95% CI 0.441 to 0.776, P < 0.001) and revascularization (I2 = 0.0%; RR 0.239, 95% CI 0.126 to 0.455, P < 0.001). However, no benefits were observed on outcomes of all‐cause death (I2 = 0.0%; RR 0.888, 95% CI 0.681 to 1.160, P = 0.384), cardiac death (I2 = 0.0%; RR 0.769, 95% CI 0.412 to 1.433, P = 0.408) and stroke (I2 = 0.0%; RR 0.778, 95% CI 0.392 to 1.543, P = 0.473). The major bleeding events were comparable between the two groups (I2 = 0.0%; RR 1.582, 95% CI 0.622 to 4.025, P = 0.336).

Conclusions

Compared with a conservative strategy, the invasive treatment could reduce the incidence of composite endpoint, recurrent MI, and revascularization in the very elderly with NSTE‐ACS. However, no benefits were observed on mortality. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 36–41.
Some characteristics of clinical sequelae of COVID‐19 survivors from Wuhan, China: A multi‐center longitudinal study
Authors: Chen Xian , Li Ying , Shao Tong‐Ren , Yang Ling‐Li , Li Si‐Jing , Wang Xiu‐Juan , Li Ao , Wu Yin‐Yu , Liu Xue‐Fei , Liu Chun‐Mei , Liu Yu‐Hui , Zeng Fan , Cen Yuan
Published: November 2021

Background

The pandemic of COVID‐19 has a persistent impact on global health, yet its sequelae need to be addressed at a wide scale around the globe. This study aims to investigate the characteristics, prevalence, and risk factors for mid‐term (>6 months) clinical sequelae in a cohort of COVID‐19 survivors.

Methods

Totally 715 COVID‐19 survivors discharged before April 1, 2020, from three medical centers in Wuhan, China, were included. The longitudinal study was conducted by telephone interviews based on a questionnaire including the clinical sequelae of general, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems. Demographics and some characteristics of clinical sequelae of the survivors were recorded and analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to explore the risk factors for the sequelae.

Results

The median time interval from discharge to telephone interview was 225.0 days. The COVID‐19 survivors' median ages were 69 years, and 51.3% were male. Among them, 29.9% had at least one clinical sequela. There were 19.2%, 22.7%, and 5.0% of the survivors reporting fatigue, respiratory symptoms, and cardiovascular symptoms, respectively. Comorbidities, disease severity, the application of mechanical ventilation and high‐flow oxygen therapy, and the history of re‐admission were associated with the presence of clinical sequelae.

Conclusions

Our study provides further evidence for the prevalence and characteristics of clinical sequelae of COVID‐19 survivors, suggesting long‐term monitoring and management is needed for their full recovery.
Improvement of anti‐erosion performance of TiN coatings through using a filtration cathode vacuum arc deposition method
Authors: He Guangyu , Wang Li , Chen Jiao , Sun Danyang , Chai Yan , Fang Zhihao
Published: November 2021

Sand erosion is a major factor that shortens the service life of aircraft in desert regions. The anti‐erosion performance of titanium alloys may be improved using TiN coatings. However, few studies have employed Ti sputtering on Ti transition layers to improve the erosion resistance of the coatings. Herein, TiN coatings with a sputtering layer between the Ti transition layer and the TiN layer were deposited on a Ti–6Al–4V alloy by filtered cathodic vacuum arc deposition. For comparison, another group of TiN coatings without a Ti sputtering layer but processed using the same deposition parameters were prepared. The effects of the nanoscale sputtering layer on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and anti‐erosion performance of the coatings were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and nanoindentation. The results show that the introduction of a Ti sputtering layer promoted the growth of TiN grains, leading to the formation of finer and denser TiN columnar grains. The preferred orientation of the coatings with the sputtering layer is (111) plane, whereas that of the coatings without the sputtering layer is (200) plane. The TiN coatings containing a sputtering layer exhibit higher hardness, elastic modulus, and H3/E2 ratio, which enhances the anti‐erosion performance of the coatings. The coatings with a sputtering layer exhibited better erosion resistance (erosion rate reduced by 75%) than the coatings without a sputtering layer. The underlying mechanism to understand the effect of the sputtering layer on the erosion resistance was discussed based on variations in the microstructure and mechanical properties of the coatings with and without the Ti sputtering layer. Ti sputtering layer was finally proved to be an effective method to improve the erosion resistance of TiN coatings.
Plant endophytic bacteria: A potential resource pool of electroactive micro-organisms
Authors: Ling Lijun , Yang Caiyun , Li Zibin , Luo Hong , Feng Shenglai , Zhao Yunhua , Lu Lu
Published: November 2021

Aims

Electroactive micro-organisms play a significant role in microbial fuel cells. It is necessary to discover potential resources in plant endophytes. In this study, plant tissues were selected to isolate endophytic bacteria, and the electrochemical activity potential was evaluated.

Methods and results

The microbial fuel cell (MFC) is used to evaluate the electricity-producing activity of endophytic bacteria in plant tissues, and the species distribution of micro-organisms in the anode of the MFC after inoculation of plant tissues is determined by high-throughput sequencing. Twenty-six strains of bacteria were isolated from plant tissues belonging to Angelica and Sweet Potato, of which 17 strains from six genera had electrochemical activity, including Bacillus sp., Pleomorphomonas sp., Rahnella sp., Shinella sp., Paenibacillus sp. and Staphylococcus sp. Moreover, the electricity-producing micro-organisms in the plant tissue are enriched. Pseudomonas and Clostridioides are the dominant genera of MFC anode inoculated with angelica tissue. Staphylococcus and Lachnoclostridium are the dominant genera in MFC anode inoculated with sweet potato tissue. And the most representative Gram-positive strain Staphylococcus succinus subsp. succinus H6 and plant tissue were further analysed for electrochemical activity. And a strain numbered H6 and plant tissue had a good electrogenerating activity.

Conclusion

This study is of great significance for expanding the resource pool of electricity-producing micro-organisms and tapping the potential of plant endophytes for electricity-producing.

Significance and Impact of Study

This is the first study to apply plant endophytes to MFC to explore the characteristics of electricity production. It is of great significance for exploring the diversity of plant endophytes and the relationship between electricity producing bacteria and plants.
Molecular insights into psychedelic drug action
Authors: Slocum Samuel T. , DiBerto Jeffrey F. , Roth Bryan L.
Published: November 2021

A confluence of factors has renewed interest in the scientific understanding and translational potential of psychedelic drugs such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), mescaline, and psilocybin: the desire for additional approaches to mental health care, incremental progress in basic and clinical research, and the reconsideration and relaxation of existing drug policies. With the United States Food and Drug Administration's designation of psilocybin as a “Breakthrough Therapy” for treatment‐resistant depression, a new path has been forged for the conveyance of psychedelics to the clinic. Essential to the further development of such applications, however, is a clearer understanding of how these drugs exert their effects at the molecular level. Here we review the current knowledge regarding the molecular details of psychedelic drug actions and suggest that these discoveries can facilitate new insights into their hallucinogenic and therapeutic mechanisms.

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Roles of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF2K) in neuronal plasticity, cognition, and Alzheimer disease
Authors: Ma Tao
Published: November 2021

Understanding the molecular signaling mechanisms underlying cognition and neuronal plasticity would provide insights into the pathogenesis of neuronal disorders characterized by cognitive syndromes such as Alzheimer disease (AD). Phosphorylation of the mRNA translational factor eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) by its specific kinase eEF2K is critically involved in protein synthesis regulation. In this review, we discussed recent studies on the roles of eEF2K/eEF2 signaling in the context of regulation/dysregulation of cognitive function and synaptic plasticity. We specifically focus on the discussion of recent evidence indicating suppression of eEF2K signaling as a potential novel therapeutic avenue for AD and related dementias (ADRDs).

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Rank test of unit‐root hypothesis with AR‐GARCH errors
Authors: Liao Guili , Liu Qimeng , Zhang Rongmao , Zhang Shifang
Published: November 2021

A robust rank test based on the regression rank score process is proposed to test the unit‐root hypothesis under linear GARCH noises in this article. It is shown that the limit distribution of the rank test is a function of a stable process and a Brownian motion. The finite sample studies indicate that the proposed test statistic exhibits a reliable size and a remarkable power under a variety of tail index , and performs better than other unit‐root tests based on least square procedure, such as the augmented Dick Fuller (ADF) and the Phillips–Perron (PP) tests.
Where and when does the danger lie? Assessing how location, season and time of day affect the sequential stages of predation by lions in western Serengeti National Park
Authors: Kittle A. M. , Bukombe J. K. , Sinclair A. R. E. , Mduma S. A. R. , Fryxell J. M.
Published: November 2021

Predation is a fundamental ecological process influencing the distribution and abundance of animal populations and underlying how prey species perceive risk. The predation process is composed of four sequential stages – search, encounter, attack and kill – each of which has been used to describe risk across the landscape. Here, we used direct observational data of free‐ranging, radio‐collared African lions in Serengeti National Park's western corridor to (1) investigate daily and seasonal predation stage probabilities and (2) using two analytical approaches, compare four mechanisms – prey distribution, intra‐specific competition, spatially anchored landscape features and predator hunting method – that potentially drive spatial predation stage patterns. Results showed that lions encountered potential prey at night significantly less than during diurnal or crepuscular periods. Nocturnal observations were predominantly during full‐moon phases, so if this lower nocturnal encounter rate was due to moon phase it may contribute to lions' typically poor full‐moon hunting success. Predation stage probabilities did not differ between seasons despite high variability in seasonal prey abundance. Spatially, lions encountered potential prey in prey‐rich, open areas near water and spatial range centres. Compared with available areas within seasonal ranges, lion attacks were more likely where prey abundance was high, and kill locations were associated with prey‐rich areas near water and range centres, collectively suggesting opportunistic hunting. However, compared with preceding predation stage locations, attacks occurred near range peripheries and kills where hunting cover was greater, suggesting ambush predation. Our results indicate substantial temporal and spatial variation across the different stages of the predation process. They also highlight first, that results can vary in important ways depending on how analyses are approached, and second, that understanding predator‐prey dynamics depends on analyses of the different stages of predation.
Do previous urethral endoscopic procedures and preoperative self‐dilatation increase the risk of stricture recurrence after urethroplasty?
Authors: Yildirim Hilin , Hennus Pauline M. L. , Wyndaele Michel I. A. , de Kort Laetitia M. O.
Published: November 2021

Objective

To evaluate the relation between clinically relevant stricture recurrence after first urethroplasty and prior endoscopic treatments (dilatation and/or direct visual internal urethrotomy) or intermittent self‐dilatation (ISD).

Methods

Patients with bulbar urethral strictures treated with first urethroplasty between 2011 and April 2019 were included in a prospectively gathered database with standardized follow‐up. Stricture recurrence was defined as any need for reintervention. Primary outcome was the analysis of recurrence risk after first urethroplasty in relation with the number of prior endoscopic treatments or performance of ISD. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed.

Results

Overall, 106 patients were included with a median follow‐up of 12 months (interquartile range 8‐13]. Reintervention was necessary in 16 patients (15%). Recurrence was more prevalent in patients with ≥3 prior endoscopic treatments (28%, P = .009). No increased risk of recurrence was found in patients with 1 or 2 prior endoscopic treatments. The prevalence of prior ISD was twice as high in the stricture recurrence group (56% vs 26%, P = .014), and ISD was performed in 61% of the patients with ≥3 prior endoscopic treatments (P < .001). The number of prior endoscopic interventions and performance of ISD were no independent predictors for recurrence in the multivariable analysis.

Conclusions

This study shows that the risk of recurrence after first urethroplasty is increased in patients with ≥3 prior endoscopic treatments and in those who performed ISD. Patients performing ISD more often had ≥3 prior endoscopic treatments. Prior endoscopic treatment and performance of ISD were not independent predictors of stricture recurrence.
Regulatory function of the novel transcription factor CxrC in Penicillium oxalicum
Authors: Zhang Ting , Mai Rong‐Ming , Fang Qi‐Qi , Ou Jian‐Feng , Mo Li‐Xiang , Tian Di , Li Cheng‐Xi , Gu Li‐Sha , Luo Xue‐Mei , Feng Jia‐Xun , Zhao Shuai
Published: November 2021

Numerous transcription factors (TFs) in ascomycete fungi play crucial roles in cellular processes; however, how most of them function is poorly understood. Here, we identified and characterized a novel TF, CxrC (POX01387), acting downstream of the key TF CxrA, which is essential for plant‐biomass‐degrading‐enzyme (PBDE) production in Penicillium oxalicum. Deletion of cxrC in P. oxalicum significantly affected the production of PBDEs, as well as mycelial growth and conidiospore production. CxrA directly repressed the expression of cxrC after about 12 hr following switch to Avicel culture. CxrC bound the promoters of major PBDE genes and genes involved in conidiospore development. CxrC was found to bind the TSSGTYR core sequence (S: C and G; Y: T and C; R: G and A) of the important cellulase genes cbh1 and eg1. Both N‐ and C‐terminal peptides of CxrC and the CxrC phosphorylation were found to mediate its homodimerization. The conserved motif LPSVRSLLTP (65–74) in CxrC was found to be required for regulating cellulase production. This study reveals novel mechanisms of TF‐mediated regulation of the expression of PBDE genes and genes involved in cellular processes in an ascomycete fungus.
Pacesetters in contemporary telework: How smartphones and mediated presence reshape the time–space rhythms of daily work
Authors: Thulin Eva , Vilhelmson Bertil
Published: November 2021

We examine how mobile information and communication technologies (ICTs) and mediated interaction transform daily work activity in contemporary, extended telework. We expand on the concepts of mediated bundles and pacesetters to understand how the rhythms and employee control of work activity change. We draw on in‐depth interviews with 22 teleworkers with varying skills and work tasks. We find that mobile technology not only relaxes the time–space constraints of telework but fosters countering processes of recoupling and fixity. New ICTs shift the relative importance of individually defined and work‐related pacesetters. The rhythm of daily work is increasingly set by horizontal interaction between spatially dispersed coworkers. It is informally regulated through practices of the continuous‐mediated interweaving of workflows and synchronised responsivity in relation to changing work intensity. Highly qualified teleworkers more often signal that they are in control and setting the pace compared to less qualified.
Public crowdsourcing: Analyzing the role of government feedback on civic digital platforms
Authors: Schmidthuber Lisa , Hilgers Dennis , Randhawa Krithika
Published: November 2021

Government organizations increasingly use crowdsourcing platforms to interact with citizens and integrate their requests in designing and delivering public services. Drawing on attribution theory, this study asks how the causal attributions of the government response to a citizen request affect continued participation in crowdsourcing platforms. To test our hypotheses, we use a 7‐year dataset of both online requests from citizens to government and government responses to citizen requests. We focus on citizen requests that are denied by government, and find that the reasoning for denying a request is related with continued participation behavior. Citizens are less willing to collaborate further with government via the platform, when their requests are denied although the locus of causality is with the government. This study contributes to research on the role of responsiveness in digital interaction between citizens and government and highlights the importance of rationale transparency to sustain citizen participation.
Clinical significance of assessing cerebral blood volume by time‐domain near‐infrared spectroscopy in children with congenital heart disease
Authors: Suemori Tomohiko , Nagano Tatsuya , Sunoki Kohei , Shinohara Takako , Taga Naoyuki , Takeuchi Mamoru
Published: November 2021

Background

Despite providing cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (StO2), the lack of quantitative information for continuous wave near‐infrared spectroscopy (CW‐NIRS) is an obstacle in evaluating cerebral hemodynamic conditions. Time‐domain NIRS (TD‐NIRS) provides both StO2 and cerebral blood volume and has recently become clinically available.

Aim

To investigate if the additional monitoring of cerebral blood volume by TD‐NIRS facilitates the understanding of cerebral hemodynamic conditions in patients with congenital heart disease.

Methods

Preoperative TD‐NIRS values were retrospectively reviewed in patients who underwent a cardiac surgery or catheter examination. We compared the values between patients with single and two ventricles. Moreover, we investigated the association of these values with the demographic and clinical variables.

Results

There was no significant difference in StO2 between single ventricle and two ventricles groups (median: 59.9 vs. 54.4, median difference [95% CI]: −4.06 [−9.90 to 2.90], p = .37). However, cerebral blood volume was significantly higher in the single ventricle group (median: 4.68 vs. 2.84, median difference [95% CI]: −2.01 [−2.88 to −1.06], p < .001). Spearman's rank correlation analysis demonstrated an association between StO2 and postmenstrual age (r = 0.35, p = .03). In contrast, cerebral blood volume was correlated with single ventricle physiology (r = 0.62, p < .001), postmenstrual age (r = 0.74, p < .001), central venous pressure (r = 0.38, p = .02), and SaO2 (r = −0.38, p = .02). The multivariable regression analysis identified the postmenstrual age, single ventricle physiology, and SaO2 as independent factors associated with cerebral blood volume. In the logistic analysis, cerebral blood volume was identified as a significant predictor of unfavorable conditions.

Conclusion

Cerebral blood volume monitoring detected differences in cerebral hemodynamic conditions, related to the age and the type of ventricle physiologies. However, the differences were not apparent in StO2. The additional monitoring of cerebral blood volume by TD‐NIRS would facilitate a better understanding of cerebral hemodynamic conditions in patients with congenital heart disease.
Genome‐wide identification and characterization of long noncoding RNAs in maize under rice black streaked dwarf virus infection
Authors: Cao Weilin , Wang Ruolin , Cao Junyuan , Gao Jiaqi , Zhao Xuechen , Gan Liming , Zhu Changxiang
Published: November 2021

The functions of long noncoding (lnc) RNA in the response of maize to infection by rice black streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) is poorly understood, and therefore, a comprehensive disease‐responding lncRNA profile in maize infected with RBSDV was investigated. A total of 38,511 mRNAs and 2717 lncRNAs were identified by performing transcriptomic analysis of maize leaves infected with the virus, including 558 and 8276 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRs) and mRNAs (DEmRs). Functional enrichment analysis of DEmRs showed that multiple immune‐related pathways were significantly enriched (p < 0.05), such as “plant hormone signal transduction”, “phenylpropanoid biosynthesis”, and “plant–pathogen interaction”. There were 248 DElncR‐DEmR pairs, including 169 DElncRs and 236 target DEmRs generated by combining location information and differentially expressed transcripts in this work. In addition, we found that the promoter of lncRNA MSTRG.17772.1 that responds to RBSDV contains abscisic acid (ABA)‐ and methyl jasmonate (MeJA)‐responsive regions, and these two hormones can increase the level of MSTRG.17772.1 and corresponding target mRNA Zm00001d049643_T003, suggesting that ABA and MeJA may respond to RBSDV infection through MSTRG.17772.1–Zm00001d049643_T003 in maize. Our findings revealed the expression of RBSDV‐responsive lncRNAs in maize and provide novel insights into the connection between lncRNAs and ABA and MeJA in the regulation of plant disease resistance.
Root:shoot balance controls flush phenology and carbohydrate translocation dynamics in citrus (Citrusxsinensis) trunk
Authors: Li Sheng‐yang , Vincent Christopher
Published: November 2021

Flush shoot growth presents a fluctuation pattern alternating with root growth. The cyclic pattern determines the balance of root:shoot and can affect the direction and speed of carbohydrate translocation during the vegetative growth period. In this study, we used water deficit to limit corresponding growth in sweet orange (Citrus x sinensis) “OLL 4” grafted on “US‐942” rootstock, and then observed the changes of translocation dynamics between two flush statuses. Our first hypothesis was that water deficit would reduce root growth and extend the root growth phase during the growth cycle, delaying the following flush. We then tested the related second hypothesis that shoot flushes would switch the direction and slow the speed of carbohydrate transport due to fluctuation between single and dual sinks. After recovery from a severe deficit, the flush was synchronized and emerged within 2 weeks. Mild and moderate water‐deficit plants showed a delayed new flush. Next, we used a14C‐labeling method to test whether translocation was affected by the presence of new flush. Basipetal translocation was dominant, but the new flush increased the likelihood of acropetal translocation. Translocation speeds were not different in both directions regardless of flushing status, though speed estimates were highly variable, even though14C export from the source leaf increased when new flush was present. The results suggest that flush timing across an environmental gradient is governed by source‐sink dynamics. The presence of new flush altered the direction of photoassimilate translocation and rate of leaf export, but stem transport speeds were not distinguishably different.
Immunoadsorption apheresis versus intravenous immunoglobulin therapy for exacerbation of myasthenia gravis
Authors: Yasuda Manato , Uzawa Akiyuki , Ozawa Yukiko , Kojima Yuta , Onishi Yosuke , Akamine Hiroyuki , Kuwabara Satoshi
Published: November 2021

Immunoadsorption apheresis (IA) or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is used to treat exacerbation of myasthenia gravis (MG). This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety between IA and IVIg for MG patients with anti‐acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies. We retrospectively studied 19 AChR antibody‐positive generalized MG patients who underwent IA (n = 9) or IVIg treatment (n = 10). We reviewed the MG activities of daily living profile (MG‐ADL) scores at baseline, 1 and 3 months after the treatment. Adverse events during the treatment period were also reviewed. The MG‐ADL scores showed significantly greater improvement from the baseline in the IA group than in the IVIg group (1 month: −7 vs −3, P = .035; 3 months −9 vs −2.5, P = .016). An adverse event that led to the discontinuation of the treatment was observed in only one patient in the IVIg group (anaphylactic reaction). Our data suggest that the IA treatment is safe and more efficacious than the IVIg treatment for aggravation of anti‐AChR‐positive MG. Larger prospective studies are required to confirm the finding.
The biology of time: dynamic responses of cell types to developmental, circadian and environmental cues
Authors: Swift Joseph , Greenham Kathleen , Ecker Joseph R. , Coruzzi Gloria M. , Robertson McClung C.
Published: November 2021

As sessile organisms, plants are finely tuned to respond dynamically to developmental, circadian and environmental cues. Genome‐wide studies investigating these types of cues have uncovered the intrinsically different ways they can impact gene expression over time. Recent advances in single‐cell sequencing and time‐based bioinformatic algorithms are now beginning to reveal the dynamics of these time‐based responses within individual cells and plant tissues. Here, we review what these techniques have revealed about the spatiotemporal nature of gene regulation, paying particular attention to the three distinct ways in which plant tissues are time sensitive. (i) First, we discuss how studying plant cell identity can reveal developmental trajectories hidden in pseudotime. (ii) Next, we present evidence that indicates that plant cell types keep their own local time through tissue‐specific regulation of the circadian clock. (iii) Finally, we review what determines the speed of environmental signaling responses, and how they can be contingent on developmental and circadian time. By these means, this review sheds light on how these different scales of time‐based responses can act with tissue and cell‐type specificity to elicit changes in whole plant systems.
Ichthyosis and hereditary cornification disorders in dogs
Authors: Mauldin Elizabeth A. , Elias Peter M.
Published: November 2021

The stratum corneum (SC), the outermost layer of the epidermis, serves a crucial role in maintaining body hydration and protection from environmental insults. When the stratum corneum is injured or when the genetic blueprints are flawed, the body is at risk of dehydration, secondary infections and allergen sensitization. Advancements in veterinary dermatology have revealed a wide gamut of disease from relatively benign to lethal that specifically arise from flawed structural proteins, enzymes or lipids needed to create the corneocytes and lipid bilayers of the SC. Some conditions closely mimic their human counterparts while others are unique to the dog. This review will focus on forms of ichthyosis in the dog.