bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Haliea alexandrii sp. nov., isolated from phycosphere microbiota of the toxin-producing dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella
Authors: Yang Qiao , Jiang Zhiwei , Zhou Xin , Zhang Ruonan , Xie Zhangxian , Zhang Shuo , Wu Yiru , Ge Yaming , Zhang Xiaoling
Published: November 2019

A Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped bacterium, named strain LZ-16-2T, was isolated from the phycosphere microbiota of the paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin-producing marine dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella LZT09. Strain LZ-16-2T grew optimally at 28 °C at pH 6.5 and with 3 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain LZ-16-2T fell within the genus

Haliea

and was most closely related to

Haliea salexigens

DSM 19537T, with which the new isolate exhibited 98.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. The major respiratory quinone was Q-8. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C17 : 1
 ω8c, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1
 ω7c and/or C16 : 1
 ω6c), summed feature 8 (C18 : 1
 ω7c and/or C18 : 1
 ω6c), C17 : 1
 ω6c, C11 : 0 3-OH and C17 : 0. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA–DNA genome hybridization relatedness values between strain LZ-16-2T and its closest relative,

H. salexigens

DSM 19537T, were 92.8 and 55.1 %, respectively. The DNA G+C content was 61.3 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness distinguished strain LZ-16-2T from all other members of the genus

Haliea

. On the basis of the polyphasic characterization, strain LZ-16-2T represents a novel species of the genus

Haliea

, for which the name Haliea alexandrii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LZ-16-2T (=KCTC 62344T=CCTCC AB2017229T).
Investigation of working memory networks for verbal and rhythmic stimuli
Authors: Hoddinott Joshua D. , Schuit Dirk , Grahn Jessica A.
Published: November 2019

Auditory working memory is often conceived of as a unitary capacity, with memory for different auditory materials (syllables, pitches, rhythms) thought to rely on similar neural mechanisms. One spontaneous behavior observed in working memory studies is ‘chunking’. For example, individuals often recount digit sequences in groups, or chunks, of 3 to 4 digits, and this chunking improves performance. Chunking may also operate in musical rhythm, with beats acting as chunk boundaries for tones in rhythmic sequences. Similar to chunking, beat-based structure in rhythms also improves performance. Thus, beat processing may rely on the same mechanisms that underlie chunking of verbal material. The current fMRI study examined whether beat perception is a type of chunking, measuring brain responses to chunked and unchunked letter sequences relative to beat-based and nonbeat-based rhythmic sequences. Participants completed a sequence discrimination task, and comparisons between stimulus encoding, maintenance, and discrimination were made for both rhythmic and verbal sequences. Overall, rhythm and verbal working memory networks overlapped substantially. When comparing rhythmic and verbal conditions, rhythms activated basal ganglia, supplementary motor area, and anterior insula, compared to letter strings, during encoding and discrimination. Letter strings compared to rhythms activated bilateral auditory cortex during encoding, and parietal cortex, precuneus, and middle frontal gyri during discrimination. Importantly, there was a significant interaction in the basal ganglia during encoding: activation for beat-based rhythms was greater than for nonbeat-based rhythms, but verbal chunked and unchunked conditions did not differ. The significant interaction indicates that beat perception is not simply a case of chunking, suggesting a dissociation between beat processing and grouping mechanisms that warrants further exploration.
Stereological characterization of neurogenic niche secretory cell types in the mouse dorsal dentate gyrus
Authors: Rieskamp Joshua D. , Sarchet Patricia , Smith Bryon M. , Kirby Elizabeth D.
Published: November 2019

Adult neurogenesis in the dorsal dentate gyrus (DG) subregion of the mammalian hippocampus supports critical cognitive processes related to memory. Local DG cell populations form a neurogenic niche specialized to regulate adult neurogenesis. Recently, DG astrocytes, microglia, endothelia, and neural stem cells have been identified as sources of neurogenesismodulating secreted factors. Accurately estimating the size of these cell populations is useful for elucidating their relative contributions to niche physiology. Previous studies have characterized these cell types individually, but to our knowledge no comprehensive study of all these cell types exists. This is problematic because considerable variability in reported population size complicates comparisons across studies. Here, we apply consistent stereological methods within a single study to estimate cell density for neurogenesis-modulating secretory cell types in the dorsal DG of adult mice. We used immunohistochemical phenotypic markers to quantify cell density and found that stellate astrocytes were the most numerous followed by endothelia, intermediate progenitors, microglia, and neural stem cells. We did not observe any significant sex differences in cell density. We expect our data will facilitate efforts to elucidate the role of DG secretory cell populations in regulating adult neurogenesis.
Linked networks reveal dual roles of insect dispersal and species sorting for bacterial communities in flowers
Authors: Zemenick Ash T. , Vannette Rachel L. , Rosenheim Jay A.
Published: November 2019

Due to the difficulty of tracking microbial dispersal, it rarely possible to disentangle the relative importance of dispersal and species sorting for microbial community assembly. Here, we leverage a detailed multilevel network to examine drivers of bacterial community assembly within flowers. We show that plant species with similar visitor communities tend to have similar bacterial communities, and visitor identity to be more important than dispersal rate in structuring floral bacterial communities. However, plants occupied divergent positions in plant-insect and plant-microbe networks, suggesting an important role for species sorting. Taken together, our analyses suggest dispersal is important in determining similarity in microbial communities across plant species, but not as important in determining structural features of the floral bacterial network. A multilevel network approach thus allows us to address features of community assembly that cannot be considered when viewing networks as separate entities.
An asymmetric sheath controls flagellar supercoiling and motility in the Leptospira spirochete
Authors: Gibson Kimberley H. , Trajtenberg Felipe , Wunder Elsio A. , Brady Megan R. , San Martin Fabiana , Mechaly Ariel E. , Shang Zhiguo , Liu Jun , Picardeau Mathieu , Ko Albert I. , Buschiazzo Alejandro , Sindelar Charles V.
Published: November 2019

Spirochete bacteria, including important pathogens, exhibit a distinctive means of swimming via undulations of the entire cell. Motility is powered by the rotation of supercoiled ‘endoflagella’ that wrap around the cell body, confined within the periplasmic space. To investigate the structural basis of flagellar supercoiling, which is critical for motility, we determined the structure of native flagellar filaments from the spirocheteLeptospiraby integrating high-resolution cryo-electron tomography and X-ray crystallography. We show that these filaments are coated by a highly asymmetric, multi-component sheath layer, contrasting with flagellin-only homopolymers previously observed in exoflagellated bacteria. Distinct sheath proteins localize to the filament inner and outer curvatures to define the supercoiling geometry, explaining a key functional attribute of the spirochete flagellum.

One Sentence summary

The corkscrew-like motility of Spirochete bacteria is enabled by a unique, asymmetrically constructed flagellum that wraps around the cell body within the periplasm.
Pits and CtBP control tissue growth in Drosophila melanogaster with the Hippo pathway transcription repressor, Tgi
Authors: Vissers Joseph H.A. , Dent Lucas G. , House Colin , Kondo Shu , Harvey Kieran F.
Published: November 2019

The Hippo pathway is an evolutionary conserved signalling network that regulates organ size, cell fate control and tumorigenesis. In the context of organ size control, the pathway incorporates a large variety of cellular cues such as cell polarity and adhesion into an integrated transcriptional response. The central Hippo signalling effector is the transcriptional co-activator Yorkie, which controls gene expression in partnership with different transcription factors, most notably Scalloped. When it is not activated by Yorkie, Scalloped can act as a repressor of transcription, at least in part due to its interaction with the corepressor protein Tgi. The mechanism by which Tgi represses transcription is incompletely understood and therefore we sought to identify proteins that potentially operate together with it. Using an affinity purification and mass-spectrometry approach we identified Pits and CtBP as Tgi-interacting proteins, both of which have been linked to transcriptional repression. Both Pits and CtBP were required for Tgi to suppress the growth of the D. melanogaster eye and CtBP loss suppressed the undergrowth of yorkie mutant eye tissue. Furthermore, as reported previously for Tgi, overexpression of Pits suppressed transcription of Hippo pathway target genes. These findings suggest that Tgi might operate together with Pits and CtBP to repress transcription of genes that normally promote tissue growth. The human orthologues of Tgi, CtBP and Pits (VGLL4, CTBP2 and IRF2BP2) physically and functionally interact to control transcription, implying that the mechanism by which these proteins control transcriptional repression is conserved throughout evolution.
Zoonotic tuberculosis in India: looking beyondMycobacterium bovis
Authors: Duffy Shannon C , Srinivasan Sreenidhi , Schilling Megan A , Stuber Tod , Danchuk Sarah N , Michael Joy S , Venkatesan Manigandan , Bansal Nitish , Maan Sushila , Jindal Naresh , Chaudhary Deepika , Dandapat Premanshu , Katani Robab , Chothe Shubhada , Veerasami Maroudam , Robbe-Austerman Suelee , Juleff Nicholas , Kapur Vivek , Behr Marcel A
Published: November 2019

Background

Zoonotic tuberculosis (zTB) is the transmission ofMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex (MTBC) subspecies from animals to humans. zTB is generally quantified by determining the proportion of human isolates that areMycobacterium bovis. Although India has the world’s largest number of human TB cases and the largest cattle population, where bovine TB is endemic, the burden of zTB is unknown.

Methods

To obtain estimates of zTB in India, a PCR-based approach was applied to sub-speciate positive MGIT® cultures from 940 patients (548 pulmonary, 392 extrapulmonary disease) at a large referral hospital in India. Twenty-five isolates of interest were subject to whole genome sequencing (WGS) and compared with 715 publicly available MTBC sequences from South Asia.

Findings

A conclusive identification was obtained for 939 samples; wildtypeM. boviswas not identified (95% CI: 0 – 0.4%). There were 912M. tuberculosis sensu stricto(97.0%, 95% CI: 95.7 – 98.0), 7M. orygis(95% CI: 0.3 – 1.5%); 5M. bovisBCG, and 15 non-tuberculous mycobacteria. WGS analysis of 715 MTBC sequences again identified noM. bovis(95% CI: 0 – 0.4%). Human and cattle MTBC isolates were interspersed within theM. orgyisandM. tuberculosis sensu strictolineages.

Interpretation

M. bovisprevalence in humans is an inadequate proxy of zTB in India. The recovery ofM. orygisfrom humans, together with the finding ofM. tuberculosisin cattle, underscores the need for One Health investigations to assess the burden of zTB in countries with endemic bovine TB.

Funding

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Canadian Institutes for Health Research
Comparative metatranscriptomics of periodontitis supports a common polymicrobial shift in metabolic function and identifies novel putative disease-associated ncRNAs
Authors: Ram-Mohan Nikhil , Meyer Michelle M.
Published: November 2019

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that deteriorates bone supporting teeth afflicting ∼743 million people worldwide. Bacterial communities associated with disease have been classified into red, orange, purple, blue, green, and yellow complexes based on their roles in the periodontal pocket. Previous metagenomic and metatranscriptomics analyses suggest a common shift in metabolic signatures in disease vs. healthy communities with up-regulated processes including pyruvate fermentation, histidine degradation, amino acid metabolism, TonB-dependent receptors. In this work, we examine existing metatranscriptome datasets to identify the commonly differentially expressed transcripts and potential underlying RNA regulatory mechanisms behind the metabolic shifts. Raw RNA-seq reads from three studies (including 49 healthy and 48 periodontitis samples) were assembled into transcripts de novo. Analyses revealed 859 differentially expressed (DE) transcripts, 675 more- and 174 less-expressed. Only ∼20% of the DE transcripts originate from the pathogenic red/orange complexes, and ∼50% originate from organisms unaffiliated with a complex. Comparison of expression profiles revealed variations among disease samples; while specific metabolic processes are commonly up-regulated, the underlying organisms are diverse both within and across disease associated communities. Surveying DE transcripts for known ncRNAs from the Rfam database identified a large number of tRNAs and tmRNAs as well as riboswitches (FMN, glycine, lysine, and SAM) in more prevalent transcripts and the cobalamin riboswitch in both more and less prevalent transcripts. In silico discovery identified many putative ncRNAs in DE transcripts. We report 15 such putative ncRNAs having promising covariation in the predicted secondary structure and interesting genomic context. Seven of these are antisense of ribosomal proteins that are novel and may involve maintaining ribosomal protein stoichiometry during the disease associated metabolic shift. Our findings describe the role of organisms previously unaffiliated with disease and identify the commonality in progression of disease across three metatranscriptomic studies. We find that although the communities are diverse between individuals, the switch in metabolic signatures characteristic of disease is typically achieved through the contributions of several community members. Furthermore, we identify many ncRNAs (both known and putative) which may facilitate the metabolic shifts associated with periodontitis.
Testes of DAZL null sheep lack spermatogonia and maintain normal somatic cells
Authors: McLean Zachariah , Appleby Sarah Jane , Wei Jingwei , Snell Russell Grant , Oback Björn
Published: November 2019

Multiplying the germline would increase the number of offspring that can be produced from selected animals, accelerating genetic improvement for livestock breeding. This could be achieved by producing multiple chimaeric animals, each carrying a mix of donor and host germ cells in their gonads. However, such chimaeric germlines would produce offspring from both donor and host genotypes, limiting the rate of genetic improvement. To resolve this problem and produce chimaeras with absolute donor germline transmission, we have disrupted the RNA-binding protein DAZL and generated germ cell-deficient host animals. Using Cas9 mediated homology-directed repair (HDR), we introduced a DAZL loss-of-function mutation in male ovine fetal fibroblasts. Following manual single-cell isolation, 4/48 (8.3%) of donor cell strains were homozygously HDR-edited. Sequence-validated strains were used as nuclear donors for somatic cell cloning to generate three lambs, which died at birth. All DAZL-null male neonatal sheep lacked germ cells. Somatic cells within their testes were morphologically intact and expressed normal levels of somatic cell-specific marker genes, indicating that the germ cell niche remained intact. This extends the DAZL-mutant phenotype beyond mice into agriculturally relevant ruminants, providing a pathway for using absolute transmitters in rapid livestock improvement.
Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number and Incident Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Zhao Di , Bartz Traci M. , Sotoodehnia Nona , Post Wendy S. , Heckbert Susan R. , Alonso Alvaro , Longchamps Ryan J. , Castellani Christina A. , Hong Yun Soo , Rotter Jerome I. , Lin Henry J. , O’Rourke Brian , Pankratz Nathan , Lane John A , Yang Stephanie Y. , Guallar Eliseo , Arking Dan E.
Published: November 2019

Background

Mechanistic studies suggests that mitochondria DNA (mtDNA) dysfunction may be associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). The association between mtDNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) and incident AF in the general population, however, remains unknown.

Methods

We conducted prospective analyses of 19,709 participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC), the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) and the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS). mtDNA-CN from peripheral blood was calculated from probe intensities on the Affymetrix Genome-Wide Human single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) Array 6.0 in ARIC and MESA, and from multiplexed real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in CHS. Incident AF cases were identified through electrocardiograms, review of hospital discharge codes, Medicare claims, and death certificates.

Results

The median follow-up time was 21.4 years in ARIC, 12.9 years in MESA and 11.0 years in CHS, during which 4,021 participants developed incident atrial fibrillation (1,761 in ARIC, 790 in MESA, and 1,470 in CHS). The fully-adjusted pooled hazard ratio for incident atrial fibrillation comparing the 1st to the 5th quintile of mitochondria DNA copy number was 1.13 (1.01, 1.27). The fully-adjusted pooled hazard ratio comparing the 10th vs the 90th percentile of mitochondria DNA copy number was 1.13 (1.04, 1.24). Dose-response spline analysis also showed an inverse association between mitochondria DNA copy number and hazard for atrial fibrillation for all three cohorts. These associations were consistent across subgroups.

Conclusions

Mitochondria DNA copy number was inversely associated with the risk of AF independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. These findings implicate mitochondria DNA copy number as a novel risk factor for atrial fibrillation. Further research is warranted to understand the underlying mechanisms and to evaluate the role of mitochondria DNA copy number in the management of atrial fibrillation risk.
Restriction of essential amino acids dictates the systemic response to dietary protein dilution
Authors: Yap Yann W. , Rusu Patricia M. , Chan Andrea Y. , Fam Barbara C. , Jungmann Andreas , Solon-Biet Samantha M. , Barlow Christopher K. , Creek Darren J. , Huang Cheng , Schittenhelm Ralf B. , Morgan Bruce , Schmoll Dieter , Kiens Bente , Piper Matthew D.W. , Heikenwälder Mathias , Simpson Stephen J. , Bröer Stefan , Andrikopoulos Sofianos , Müller Oliver J. , Rose Adam J.
Published: November 2019

Dietary protein dilution (DPD) promotes metabolic remodelling and health but the precise nutritional components driving this response remain elusive. Here we demonstrate that dietary amino acids (AA) are sufficient and necessary to drive the response to DPD. In particular, the restriction of dietary essential AA (EAA) supply, but not non-EAA, drives the systemic metabolic response to total AA deprivation. Furthermore, systemic deprivation of Thr and Trp, independent of total AA supply, are both adequate and necessary to confer the systemic metabolic response to both diet, and genetic AA-transport loss, driven AA restriction. Thr is also potentially limiting in low-protein diet fed humans, and dietary Thr restriction (DTR) retarded the development of obesity-associated metabolic dysfunction in mice. Liver-derived fibroblast growth factor 21 was required for the metabolic remodelling with DTR. Strikingly, hepatocyte-selective establishment of Thr biosynthetic capacity reversed the systemic response to DTR. Taken together, our studies demonstrate that the restriction of EAA are sufficient and necessary to confer the systemic metabolic effects of DPD.
FUSgene is dual-coding with both proteins united in FUS-mediated toxicity
Authors: Brunet Marie A. , Jacques Jean-Francois , Nassari Sonya , Tyzack Giulia E. , McGoldrick Philip , Zinman Lorne , Jean Steve , Robertson Janice , Patani Rickie , Roucou Xavier
Published: November 2019

Novel functional coding sequences (altORFs) are camouflaged within annotated ones (CDS) in a different reading frame. We discovered an altORF nested in the FUS CDS encoding a conserved 169 amino acid protein, altFUS. AltFUS is endogenously expressed in human tissues, notably in the motor cortex and motor neurons. Overexpression of wild-type FUS and/or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-linked FUS mutants is known to trigger toxic mechanisms in different models. These include an inhibition of autophagy, loss of mitochondrial potential, and accumulation of cytoplasmic aggregates. We show here that altFUS, not FUS, is responsible for the inhibition of autophagy. AltFUS is also pivotal in the mechanisms leading to the mitochondrial potential loss and accumulation of cytoplasmic aggregates. Suppression of altFUS expression in aDrosophilamodel ofFUS-related toxicity protects against neurodegeneration. Some mutations found in ALS patients are overlooked because of their synonymous effect on the FUS protein. Yet we showed they exert a deleterious effect via their missense consequence on the overlapping altFUS protein. These findings demonstrate thatFUSis a bicistronic gene and suggest that both proteins, FUS and altFUS, cooperate in toxic mechanisms.
Characterisation of the ERF102 to ERF105 genes of Arabidopsis thaliana and their role in the response to cold stress
Authors: Illgen Sylvia , Zintl Stefanie , Zuther Ellen , Hincha Dirk K. , Schmülling Thomas
Published: November 2019

The ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (ERF) genes of Arabidopsis thaliana form a large family encoding plant-specific transcription factors. Here, we characterise the four phylogenetically closely related ERF102/ERF5, ERF103/ERF6, ERF104 and ERF105 genes. Expression analyses revealed that these four genes are similarly regulated by different hormones and abiotic stresses. Analyses of tissue-specific expression using promoter:GUS reporter lines revealed their predominant expression in root tissues including the root meristem (ERF103), the quiescent center (ERF104) and the root vasculature (all). All GFP-ERF fusion proteins were nuclear-localised. The analysis of insertional mutants, amiRNA lines and 35S:ERF overexpressing transgenic lines indicated that ERF102 to ERF105 have only a limited impact on regulating shoot and root growth. Previous work had shown a role for ERF105 in the cold stress response. Here, measurement of electrolyte leakage to determine leaf freezing tolerance and expression analyses of cold-responsive genes revealed that the combined activity of ERF102 and ERF103 is also required for a full cold acclimation response likely involving the CBF regulon. Together, these results suggest a common function of these ERF genes in regulating root architecture and the response to cold stress.
The effect of anteroposterior perturbations on the control of the center of mass during treadmill walking
Authors: van den Bogaart Maud , Bruijn Sjoerd M. , van Dieën Jaap H. , Meyns Pieter
Published: November 2019

Shifts of the center of pressure (CoP) through modulation of foot placement and ankle moments (CoP-mechanism) cause accelerations of the center of mass (CoM) that can be used to stabilize gait. An additional mechanism that can be used to stabilize gait, is the counter-rotation mechanism, i.e., changing the angular momentum of segments around the CoM to change the direction of the ground reaction force. The relative contribution of these mechanisms to the control of the CoM is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to determine the relative contribution of these mechanisms to control the CoM in the anteroposterior (AP) direction during a normal step and the first recovery step after perturbation in healthy adults. Nineteen healthy subjects walked on a split-belt treadmill and received unexpected belt acceleration perturbations of various magnitudes applied immediately after right heel-strike. Full-body kinematic and force plate data were obtained to calculate the contributions of the CoP-mechanism and the counter-rotation mechanism to control the CoM. We found that the CoP-mechanism contributed to corrections of the CoM acceleration after the AP perturbations, while the counter-rotation mechanism actually contributed to CoM acceleration in the direction of the perturbation, but only in the initial phases of the first step after the perturbation. The counter-rotation mechanism appeared to prevent interference with the gait pattern, rather than using it to control the CoM after the perturbation. Understanding the mechanisms used to stabilize gait may have implications for the design of therapeutic interventions that aim to decrease fall incidence.

Summary statement

Understanding the mechanisms used to stabilize gait during unperturbed and perturbed walking may have implications for the design of therapeutic interventions that aim to decrease fall incidence.
Combining Focused Identification of Germplasm and Core Collection Strategies to Identify Genebank Accessions for Central European Soybean Breeding
Authors: Haupt Max , Schmid Karl
Published: November 2019

Environmental adaptation of crops is essential for reliable agricultural production and an important breeding objectives. Genbanks provide genetic variation for the improvement of modern varieties, but the selection of suitable germplasm is frequently impeded by incomplete phenotypic data. We address this bottleneck by combining aFocused Identification of Germplasm Strategy(FIGS) with core collection methodology to select soybean (Glycine max) germplasm for Central European breeding from a collection of >17,000 accessions. By focussing on environmental adaptation to high-latitude cold regions, we selected an ‘environmental precore’ of 3,663 accessions using environmental data and compared the Donor Population of Environments (DPE) in Asia and the Target Population of Environments (TPE) in Central Europe in the present and in 2070. Using SNP genotypes we reduced the precore into two diverse core collections of 183 and 366 of accessions as diversity panels for evaluation in high-latitude cold regions. Tests of genetic differentiation between precore and core collections revealed differentiation signatures in genomic regions that control maturity, and novel candidate loci for environmental adaptation demonstrating the potential of diversity panels for studying environmental adaptation. Objective-driven core collections increase germplasm utilization for abiotic adaptation by breeding for a rapidly changing climate, orde novoadaptation of crop species to expand cultivation ranges.
Adiponectin Receptor Fragmentation in Mouse Models of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Frabutt Dylan , Stull Natalie , Pineros Annie R. , Tersey Sarah A. , Scheuner Donalyn , Mastracci Teresa L. , Pugia Michael J.
Published: November 2019

The protein hormone adiponectin regulates glucose and fatty acid metabolism by binding to two PAQR-family receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2). Both receptors feature a C-terminal segment which is released by proteolysis to form a freely-circulating C-terminal fragment (CTF) found in the plasma of normal individuals but not in some undefined diabetes patients. The AdipoR1-CTF344-376 is a competitive inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor α cleavage enzyme (TACE) but it contains a shorter peptide domain (AdipoR1 CTF351-362) that is a strong non-competitive inhibitor of insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE). The link between adiponectin receptor fragmentation and diabetes pathology is unclear but could lead to new therapeutic strategies. We therefore investigated physiological variations in the concentrations of CTF in non-obese diabetic (NOD/ShiLtJ) mice and C57BL/6 mice with diet-induced obesity (DIO) as models of diabetes types 1 and 2, respectively. We tested for changes in adiponectin receptor signaling, immune responses, disease progression, and the abundance of neutralizing autoantibodies. Finally, we administered exogenous AdipoR1-CTF peptides either containing or lacking the IDE-binding domain. We observed the more pronounced CTF shedding in the TACE-active NOD mice, which represents an inflammatory autoimmune phenotype, but fragmentation was also observed to a lesser extent in the DIO model. Autoantibodies to CTF were detected in both models. Neither exogenous CTF peptide affected IgG-CTF plasma levels, body weight or the conversion of NOD mice to diabetes. The pattern of AdipoR1 fragmentation and autoantibody production under physiological conditions of aging, DIO, and autoimmune diabetes therefore provides insight into the association adiponectin biology and diabetes.
Interneuron dysfunction in a new knock-in mouse model of SCN1A GEFS+
Authors: Das Antara , Zhu Bingyao , Xie Yunyao , Zeng Lisha , Pham An T. , Neumann Jonathan C. , MacGregor Grant R. , Schutte Soleil , Hunt Robert F. , O’Dowd Diane K.
Published: November 2019

Advances in genome sequencing have identified over 1300 mutations in the SCN1A sodium channel gene that result in genetic epilepsies. However, how individual mutations within SCN1A produce seizures remains elusive for most mutations. Previous work from our lab has shown that the K1270T (KT) mutation, which is linked to GEFS+ (Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizure plus) in humans, causes reduced firing of GABAergic neurons in a Drosophila knock-in model. To examine the effect of this mutation in mammals, we introduced the equivalent KT mutation into the mouse Scn1a (Scn1aKT) gene using CRISPR/Cas9. Mouse lines carrying this mutation were examined in two widely used genetic backgrounds, C57BL/6NJ and 129×1/SvJ. In both backgrounds, homozygous mutants had spontaneous seizures and died by postnatal day 23. There was no difference in the lifespan of mice heterozygous for the mutation in either background when compared to wild-type littermates up to 6 months. Heterozygous mutants had heat-induced seizures at ~42 deg. Celsius, a temperature that did not induce seizures in wild-type littermates. In acute hippocampal slices, current-clamp recordings revealed a significant depolarized shift in action potential threshold and reduced action potential amplitude in parvalbumin-expressing inhibitory interneurons in Scn1aKT/+ mice. There was no change in the firing properties of excitatory CA1 pyramidal neurons. Our results indicate that Scn1aKT/+ mice develop seizures, and impaired action potential firing of inhibitory interneurons in Scn1aKT/+ mice may produce hyperexcitability in the hippocampus.
Genomic Characterization of SiGRFs in Foxtail Millet and SiGRF1-overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana Promotes Plant to Avoid Salt Stress
Authors: Liu Jiaming , Jiang Chengyao , Kang Lu , Zhang Chongchang , Song Yu , Zheng Weijun
Published: November 2019

In plants, 14-3-3 proteins are recognized as mediators of signal transduction and function in both development and stress response. However, their functions have not been reported in the C4 crop foxtail millet. Here, phylogenetic analysis categorized foxtail millet 14-3-3s (SiGRFs) into ten discrete groups (Clusters I to □). Transcriptome and qPCR analyses showed that all the SiGRFs responded to at least one abiotic stress. All but one SiGRF-overexpressing (OE) Arabidopsis thaliana line (SiGRF1) exhibited insensitivity to abiotic stresses during seed germination and seedling growth. Compared with the Col-0 wild-type, SiGRF1-OEs had slightly lower germination rates and smaller leaves. However, flowering time of SiGRF1-OEs occurred earlier than that of Col-0 under high-salt stress. Interaction of SiGRF1 with a foxtail millet E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase (SiRNF1/2) indicates that the proteinase system might hydrolyse SiGRF1. Further investigation showed that SiGRF1 localized in the cytoplasm, and its gene was ubiquitously expressed in various tissues throughout various developmental stages. Additionally, flowering-related genes, WRKY71, FLOWERING LOCUS T, LEAFY and FRUITFULL, in SiGRF1-OEs exhibited considerably higher expression levels than those in Col-0 under salinity-stressed conditions. Results suggest that SiGRF1 hastens flowering, thereby providing a means for foxtail millet to complete its life cycle and avoid further salt stress.

Highlight

SiGRFs in foxtail millet: SiGRF1 hastens flowering in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana exposed to salt stress
Structural variation, functional differentiation and expression characteristics of the AP2/ERF gene family and its response to cold stress and methyl jasmonate inPanax ginsengC.A. Meyer
Authors: Chen Jing , Zhou Yuanhang , Zhang Qi , Li Li , Sun Chunyu , Wang Kangyu , Wang Yanfang , Zhao Mingzhu , Li Hongjie , Han Yilai , Chen Ping , Li Ruiqi , Lei Jun , Zhang Meiping , Wang Yi
Published: November 2019

The APETALA2/Ethylene Responsive Factor (AP2/ERF) gene family has been shown to play a crucial role in plant growth and development, stress responses and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Nevertheless, little is known about the gene family in ginseng (Panax ginseng), an important traditional medicinal herb in Asia and North America. Here, we report the systematic analysis of the gene family present in ginseng using several transcriptomic databases. A total of 189 putativeAP2/ERFgenes, defined asPgERF001throughPgERF189. The 93PgERFgenes that have the complete AP2 domain in their open reading frames were classified into five subfamilies, DREB, ERF, AP2, RAV and Soloist. The DREB subfamily and ERF subfamily were further clustered four and six groups, respectively, compared to the 12 groups of these subfamilies found in Arabidopsis. Gene ontology categorized these 397 transcripts of the 189PgERFgenes into eight functional subcategories, suggesting their functional differentiation and they have been especially enriched for the nucleic acid binding transcription factor activity subcategory. The expression activity and networks of the 397PgERFtranscripts have substantially diversified across tissues, developmental stages and genotypes. Then, the expression change of sixPgERFgenes randomly selected from DREB subfamily, i.e.,PgERF073,PgERF079,PgERF110,PgERF115,PgERF120andPgERF128responding to cold stress suggesting that DREB subfamily genes played an important role in cold resistance of ginseng. Finally, we studied the responses of thePgERFgenes to methyl jasmonate (MeJA). 288 (72.5%) of the 397PgERFgene transcripts responded to the MeJA treatment, with 136 up-regulated and 152 down-regulated, indicating that most members of thePgERFgene family are responsive to MeJA. These results provide resources and knowledge necessary for family-wide functional analysis of thePgERFgenes in ginseng and related species.
Crystal structures of (E)-3-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)chroman-4-one and (E)-3-(3-hydroxybenzylidene)-2-phenylchroman-4-one
Authors: Suchojad Kamil , Dołęga Anna , Adamus-Grabicka Angelika , Budzisz Elżbieta , Małecka Magdalena
Published: November 2019

The synthesis and crystal structures of (E)-3-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)chroman-4-one, C16H12O3, I, and (E)-3-(3-hydroxybenzylidene)-2-phenylchroman-4-one, C22H16O3, II, are reported. These compounds are of interest with respect to biological activity. Both structures display intermolecular C—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonding, forming layers in the crystal lattice. The crystal structure of compound I is consolidated by π–π interactions. The lipophilicity (logP) was determined as it is one of the parameters qualifying compounds as potential drugs. The logP value for compound I is associated with a larger contribution of C...H interaction in the Hirshfeld surface.
Customer in-role and extra-role behaviours in a retail setting
Authors: Paulssen Marcel , Brunneder Johanna , Sommerfeld Angela
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Prior research does not provide a clear picture of how managers can effectively manage customer in-role and extra-role behaviours in a retail setting. This study aims to test the differential impact of the two main customer relationship predictor paths – identity-based and satisfaction-based paths – on customer in-role and extra-role behaviours.

Design/methodology/approach

A random sample of 500 customers from the flagship store of an up-market, international department store chain participated in a written survey. Purchase spending data for each customer was obtained from the retailer’s loyalty card database.

Findings

The two studied predictor paths possess a differential impact on customer extra-role behaviours. Civic virtue and co-creation behaviours are exclusively driven by the identity-based path, whereas sportsmanship is driven solely by the satisfaction-based path. Moreover, the identity-based path impacts purchase behaviour only when symbolic purchase motivation is high. Overall satisfaction has no impact on purchase behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

In some retailing contexts, extra-role behaviours such as co-creation or civic virtue might simply be irrelevant (e.g. discount chains).

Practical implications

Managers, who have the intention to stimulate customers to give constructive feedback on products or services, or to involve them in co-creation activities, are well advised to also invest in identity-based path activities.

Originality/value

This study is the first to empirically test the effects of customer identification and overall customer satisfaction on the various dimensions of customer in-role and extra-role behaviours. Customer extra-role behaviours should not be conceptualised as one global construct but should comprise distinct dimensions of discretionary behaviours that have different antecedents.
Between appropriation and assassination
Authors: Murrey Amber
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Oriented to ongoing student and university momentums for decolonial futures, the purpose of this paper is to interrogate the role and status of mainstream international development curricula and pedagogies by critiquing two absences in the sub-discipline’s teaching formulae: appropriations and assassinations.

Design/methodology/approach

The author draws from a decade of research on oil extraction in Central Africa, including ethnographic work with two communities in Cameroon along the Chad–Cameroon Oil Pipeline; four years of research (interview-based and unofficial or grey materials) on the 1983 August Revolution in Burkina Faso and assassination of Thomas Sankara; and five years of experience teaching international development in North America, Western Europe and North and Eastern Africa.

Findings

Through a critical synthesis of political and rhetorical practices that are often considered in isolation (i.e. political assassinations and corporate appropriation of Indigenous knowledges), the author makes the case for what the author calls pedagogical disobedience: an anticipatory decolonial development curricula and praxis that is attentive to the simultaneity of violence and misappropriation within colonial operations of power (i.e. “coloniality of power” or “coloniality”).

Originality/value

This paper contributes to debates within international development about the future of the discipline given its neo-colonial and colonial constitutions and functions with a grounded attention to how this opens up possibilities for teaching praxis and scholarship in action.
Moderating effect of the digital divide of e-commerce
Authors: Sánchez-Torres Javier A.
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the digital divide has a moderating effect on the technological factors that affect the adoption of electronic commerce.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes an exploratory empirical model that integrates the basic variables of e-commerce adoption through the use of the technology adoption model, making an extension with the facilitating conditions and the digital divide as a moderating variable. A digital survey was randomly distributed in Colombia, reaching a final sample of 745 electronic buyers.

Findings

The explanatory result validates that the perception of the digital divide negatively moderates the influence of the variables related to internet technology on the use of e-commerce.

Originality/value

This one of the first studies that analyzes the effect of the digital divide on the adoption of e-commerce.
Local corruption and local stock returns
Authors: Karadas Serkan , McAndrew William , Schlosky Minh Tam Tammy
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of corruption on stock returns in the USA. In particular, this study examines the relationship between corruption in a state (i.e. local corruption) and stock returns of firms headquartered in that state (i.e. local returns).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses the Fama–MacBeth two-step regressions. In the first step, the authors estimate the coefficients on the market, size, value and momentum factors for individual stocks. In the second step, they use those coefficients along with the corruption score of the state where stocks are headquartered to explain stock returns.

Findings

This paper finds that corruption in a state adversely affects stock returns of firms headquartered in that state. It further documents that the effect of corruption on stock returns is limited to geographically concentrated firms.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to document the effect of state-level corruption on individual stock returns in the USA using the Fama–MacBeth regressions. This study contributes to the literature by documenting the effect of local corruption on local stock returns in a low corruption country.
Differentiating risk factors of Ponzi from non-Ponzi frauds
Authors: Raval Vasant , Raval Vivek
Published: November 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the attributes of Ponzi schemes (“Ponzis”) to determine whether they are a unique class of financial fraud.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors apply the disposition-based fraud model to classify and differentiate the attributes of Ponzis. This classification exercise helps comprehend the distinct drivers of Ponzis.

Findings

Fraud risk factors of Ponzis are different from those involved in other financial frauds. Four propositions about risk and risk mitigation measures are developed.

Research limitations/implications

The research approach used is conceptual, not empirical. However, the insights from this exercise should inform how different Ponzis are from other financial frauds and why they should be treated as a separate class for prevention and enforcement. In turn, this may trigger an interest in empirical research focused on the unique risks of Ponzis.

Practical implications

Knowledge of risk factors unique to Ponzis will permit a consideration of customized risk mitigation measures to prevent or detect Ponzis. Enforcement actions can also become more effective because of a distinct risk-based classification of Ponzis.

Social implications

The prevention of damage from Ponzis hinges upon how well prospective victims are educated to become aware of signs of Ponzis. This should lead to the more effective protection of investors from victimization from Ponzi schemes.

Originality/value

The implicit understanding that all financial frauds are alike and that the risk-factors involved are substantially the same across all classes of fraud is challenged. This revelation opens opportunities to add value through focused research on Ponzis as a distinct class of fraud.
Effect of blockchain technology adoption on supply chain adaptability, agility, alignment and performance
Authors: Sheel Ashutosh , Nath Vishnu
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how blockchain technology can improve supply chain adaptability, alignment and agility which collectively enhance competitive advantage which in turn influences firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual framework of the present study is developed by conducting an extensive literature review on blockchain technology, supply chain adaptability, alignment, agility and competitive advantage. The sample data were collected from 397 supply chain practitioners in India to validate the conceptual model. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to ascertain the validity of the measures used and a structural model was analyzed for testing the proposed conceptual framework.

Findings

The results of the present study show that blockchain technology can improve supply chain adaptability, alignment, agility which lead to competitive advantage, which leads to better firm performance. Besides, trust generated through blockchain use also increases firm performance.

Research limitations/implications

Currently, the respondents do not have practical experience of using blockchain technology. They have responded based on their knowledge about supply chain and blockchain which they acquired from published sources. Different supply chains require different strategic choices and different information needs. But the present study assumes that all supply chain needs are identical. The present study assumes that government regulations regarding blockchain technology are favorable; however, currently, there is no legal framework to address blockchain technology. The findings of the current study indicate that companies not only should create more awareness regarding blockchain but also should actively work with IT companies that are engaged in developing blockchain-based supply chain solution. Managers, as well as IT companies and academicians, should join hands to study and develop a framework for regulating blockchain technology and suggest these to the policy actors.

Practical implications

The present study shows that supply chain practitioners are confident that blockchain technology will help improve supply chain parameters. These findings can help IT companies and their marketers for developing and promoting blockchain-based IT applications. In addition, the important implication for supply chain practitioners is that blockchain helps in creating a competitive advantage and increases firm performance.

Originality/value

The effect of IT on important supply chain variables has been studied in the past; however, there is not a single study which sheds light on how disruptive technologies such as blockchain will affect supply chain adaptability, alignment, agility and firm performance.