bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased FOXL2 expression alters uterine structures and functions†
Authors: Li Rong , Wu San-Pin , Zhou Lecong , Nicol Barbara , Lydon John P , Yao Humphrey H-C , DeMayo Francesco J
Published: August 2020

The transcription factor forkhead box L2 (FOXL2) regulates sex differentiation and reproductive function. Elevated levels of this transcription factor have been observed in the diseases of the uterus, such as endometriosis. However, the impact of elevated FOXL2 expression on uterine physiology remains unknown. In order to determine the consequences of altered FOXL2 in the female reproductive axis, we generated mice with over-expression of FOXL2 (FOXL2OE) by crossing Foxl2LsL/+ with the Progesterone receptor Pgrcre model. FOXL2OE uterus showed severe morphological abnormality including abnormal epithelial stratification, blunted adenogenesis, increased endometrial fibrosis, and disrupted myometrial morphology. In contrast, increasing FOXL2 levels specifically in uterine epithelium by crossing the Foxl2LsL/+ with the lactoferrin Ltficre mice resulted in the eFOXL2OE mice with uterine epithelial stratification but without defects in endometrial fibrosis and adenogenesis, demonstrating a role of the endometrial stroma in the uterine abnormalities of the FOXL2OE mice. Transcriptomic analysis of 12 weeks old Pgrcre and FOXL2OE uterus at diestrus stage showed multiple signaling pathways related with cellular matrix, wnt/β-catenin, and altered cell cycle. Furthermore, we found FOXL2OE mice were sterile. The infertility was caused in part by a disruption of the hypophyseal ovarian axis resulting in an anovulatory phenotype. The FOXL2OE mice failed to show decidual responses during artificial decidualization in ovariectomized mice demonstrating the uterine contribution to the infertility phenotype. These data support that aberrantly increased FOXL2 expressions in the female reproductive tract can disrupt ovarian and uterine functions.
Aberrant and constitutive expression of FOXL2 impairs ovarian development and functions in mice
Authors: Nicol Barbara , Rodriguez Karina , Yao Humphrey H-C
Published: August 2020

Development and functions of the ovary rely on appropriate signaling and communication between various ovarian cell types. FOXL2, a transcription factor that plays a key role at different stages of ovarian development, is associated with primary ovarian insufficiency and ovarian cancer as a result of its loss-of-function or mutations. In this study, we investigated the impact of aberrant, constitutive expression of FOXL2 in somatic cells of the ovary. Overexpression of FOXL2 that started during fetal life resulted in defects in nest breakdown and consequent formation of polyovular follicles. Granulosa cell differentiation was impaired and recruitment and differentiation of steroidogenic theca cells was compromised. As a consequence, adult ovaries overexpressing FOXL2 exhibited defects in compartmentalization of granulosa and theca cells, significant decreased steroidogenesis and lack of ovulation. These findings demonstrate that fine-tuned expression of FOXL2 is required for proper folliculogenesis and fertility.
Introduction to the Symposium on Legal Dimensions of Chinese Globalization: China and Global Health Governance
Authors: Erie Matthew S
Published: August 2020

China has emerged as a champion of economic globalization, particularly through building global supply chains, financing overseas infrastructure and energy projects, and exporting labour to developing countries throughout the world. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), announced in 2013, is a keystone in China’s economic globalization. The BRI emphasizes connectivity: policy, infrastructure, trade, financial, and ‘people-to-people’. Despite the broad significance of Chinese economic globalization, its legal dimensions are still poorly understood. China, Law and Development (CLD) is an international and multi-disciplinary research project that aims to study the legal and regulatory aspects of this stage of globalization. This symposium is comprised of articles by CLD research associates who investigate various questions, including labour rights, skilled migration facilitation, investment review, multilateralism, and patronage and clientelism. This article introduces the symposium, and it does so through the example of China’s role in global health governance. The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic in late 2019 in China, which has since become a worldwide pandemic, has obstructed BRI connectivity through delinking global supply chains, blocking labour migration, freezing markets, and exacerbating Sinophobia. In response, China has sought to lead an effort in improving global health governance through participation in international organizations and strengthening its bilateral ties through health aid and technology export. The coronavirus pandemic may offer the Chinese an opportunity to lead a more circumscribed re-globalization, although China faces significant challenges.
A Blockchain-Based Framework for IoT Data Monetization Services
Authors: Ali Muhammad Salek , Vecchio Massimo , Antonelli Fabio
Published: August 2020

Within internet of things (IoT) research, there is a growing interest in leveraging the decentralization properties of blockchains, towards developing IoT authentication and authorization mechanisms that do not inherently require centralized third-party intermediaries. This paper presents a framework for sharing IoT data in a decentralized and private-by-design manner in exchange for monetary services. The framework is built on a tiered blockchain architecture, along with InterPlanetary File System for IoT data storage and transfer. The goal is to enable IoT data users to exercise fine-grained control on how much data they share with entities authenticated through blockchains. To highlight how the framework would be used in real-life scenarios, this paper presents two use cases, namely an IoT data marketplace and a decentralized connected vehicle insurance. These examples showcase how the proposed framework can be used for varying smart contract-based applications involving exchanges of IoT data and cryptocurrency. Following the discussion about the use cases, the paper outlines a detailed security analysis performed on the proposed framework, based on multiple attack scenarios. Finally, it presents and discusses extensive evaluations, in terms of various performance metrics obtained from a real-world implementation.
Dunlin subspecies exhibit regional segregation and high site fidelity along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway
Authors: Lagassé Benjamin J , Lanctot Richard B , Barter Mark , Brown Stephen , Chiang Chung-Yu , Choi Chi-Yeung , Gerasimov Yuri N , Kendall Steve , Liebezeit Joseph R , Maslovsky Konstantin S , Matsyna Alexander I , Matsyna Ekaterina L , Payer David C , Saalfeld Sarah T , Shigeta Yoshimitsu , Tiunov Ivan M , Tomkovich Pavel S , Valchuk Olga P , Wunder Michael B
Published: August 2020

The degree to which individuals migrate among particular breeding, migration, and wintering sites can have important implications for prioritizing conservation efforts. Four subspecies of Dunlin (Calidris alpina) migrate along the East Asian−Australasian Flyway. Each subspecies has a distinct and well-defined breeding range, but their migration and winter ranges are poorly defined or unknown. We assessed the migratory connectivity of 3 of these subspecies by evaluating a dataset that encompasses 57 yr (1960–2017), and comprises more than 28,000 Dunlin banding records and 818 observations (71 recaptures and 747 band resightings). We present some of the first evidence that subspecific segregation likely occurs, with arcticola Dunlin wintering in areas of Japan, and other arcticola, actites, and sakhalina Dunlin wintering in areas of the Yellow and China seas. Observations indicate that whether an arcticola Dunlin winters in Japan or the Yellow and China seas is independent of their breeding location, sex, or age. Furthermore, observations indicate that ≥83% of arcticola Dunlin exhibit interannual site fidelity to specific wintering sites. This suggests that the degradation of specific wetland areas may negatively affect particular individuals of a particular subspecies (or combination of subspecies), and, if widespread, could result in population declines. Given the possible biases inherent in analyzing band recovery data, we recommend additional flyway-wide collaboration and the use of lightweight tracking devices and morphological and genetic assignment techniques to better quantify subspecies’ migratory movements and nonbreeding distributions. This information, when combined, will enable effective conservation efforts for this species across the East Asian−Australasian Flyway.
A combined microRNA and target protein-based panel for predicting the probability and severity of uraemic vascular calcification: a translational study
Authors: Chao Chia-Ter , Yeh Hsiang-Yuan , Tsai You-Tien , Chiang Chih-Kang , Chen Huei-Wen
Published: August 2020

Aims 

Vascular calcification (VC) increases the future risk of cardiovascular events in uraemic patients, but effective therapies are still unavailable. Accurate identification of those at risk of developing VC using pathogenesis-based biomarkers is of particular interest and may facilitate individualized risk stratification. We aimed to uncover microRNA (miRNA)-target protein-based biomarker panels for evaluating uraemic VC probability and severity.

Methods and results 

We created a three-tiered in vitro VC model and an in vivo uraemic rat model receiving high phosphate diet to mimic uraemic VC. RNAs from the three-tiered in vitro and in vivo uraemic VC models underwent miRNA and mRNA microarray, with results screened for differentially expressed miRNAs and their target genes as biomarkers. Findings were validated in original models and additionally in an ex vivo VC model and human cells, followed by functional assays of identified miRNAs and target proteins, and tests of sera from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients without and with VC. Totally 122 down-regulated and 119 up-regulated miRNAs during calcification progression were identified initially; further list narrowing based on miRNA–mRNA pairing, anti-correlation, and functional enrichment left 16 and 14 differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs. Levels of four miRNAs (miR-10b-5p, miR-195, miR-125b-2-3p, and miR-378a-3p) were shown to decrease throughout all models tested, while one mRNA (SULF1, a potential target of miR-378a-3p) exhibited the opposite trend concurrently. Among 96 ESRD (70.8% with VC) and 59 CKD patients (61% with VC), serum miR-125b2-3p and miR-378a-3p decreased with greater VC severity, while serum SULF1 levels increased. Adding serum miR-125b-2-3p, miR-378a-3p, and SULF1 into regression models for VC substantially improved performance compared to using clinical variables alone.

Conclusion 

Using a translational approach, we discovered a novel panel of biomarkers for gauging the probability/severity of uraemic VC based on miRNAs/target proteins, which improved the diagnostic accuracy.
Role of interleukin-23/interleukin-17 axis in T-cell-mediated actions in hypertension
Authors: Higaki Akinori , Mahmoud Ahmad U M , Paradis Pierre , Schiffrin Ernesto L
Published: August 2020

Current knowledge suggests that hypertension is in part mediated by immune mechanisms. Both interleukin (IL)-23 and IL-17 are up-regulated in several experimental hypertensive rodent models, as well as in hypertensive humans in observational studies. Recent preclinical studies have shown that either IL-23 or IL-17A treatment induce blood pressure elevation. However, the IL-23/IL-17 axis has not been a major therapeutic target in hypertension, unlike in other autoimmune diseases. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the role of these cytokines in immune mechanisms contributing to hypertension, and discuss the potential of IL-23/IL-17-targeted therapy for treatment of hypertension.
Interaction between Lactobacillus reuteri and periodontopathogenic bacteria using in vitro and in vivo (G. mellonella) approaches
Authors: Santos Thaís Aguiar , Scorzoni Liliana , Correia Raquel , Junqueira Juliana Campos , Anbinder Ana Lia
Published: August 2020

Periodontitis is a multifactorial inflammatory disease, and the major cause of tooth loss in adults. New therapies have been proposed for its treatment, including the use of probiotics such as Lactobacillus reuteri. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of L. reuteri: live, heat-killed and culture filtrate (cell-free supernatant), on periodontopathogenic bacteria (Fusobacterium nucleatum and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans) in vitro, as well as the in vivo survival curve, hemocyte density and microbial recovery using Galleria mellonella. For in vitro assays, all preparations reduced colony forming units of F. nucleatum, while only live L. reuteri reduced the growth of A. actinomycetemcomitans. All treatments reduced periodontopathogenic bacteria growth in vivo. The treatment with the supernatant increased the survival of larvae infected with F. nucleatum more than the treatment with live L. reuteri, and none of the treatments altered the survival of A. actinomycetemcomitans-infected larvae. In addition, the treatment with L. reuteri preparations did not alter the hemocyte count of F. nucleatum- and A. actinomycetemcomitans-infected larvae. This study demonstrated that L. reuteri preparations exerted antimicrobial effects and increased the survival of G. mellonella infected by F. nucleatum, although only live L. reuteri was able to reduce the growth of A. actinomycetemcomitans in vitro.
Adipose Tissue Inflammation Is Directly Linked to Obesity-Induced Insulin Resistance, while Gut Dysbiosis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction Are Not Required
Authors: Petrick Heather L , Foley Kevin P , Zlitni Soumaya , Brunetta Henver S , Paglialunga Sabina , Miotto Paula M , Politis-Barber Valerie , O’Dwyer Conor , Philbrick Diana J , Fullerton Morgan D , Schertzer Jonathan D , Holloway Graham P
Published: August 2020

Obesity is associated with adipose tissue hypertrophy, systemic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and intestinal dysbiosis. Rodent models of high-fat diet (HFD)-feeding or genetic deletion of multifunctional proteins involved in immunity and metabolism are often used to probe the etiology of obesity; however, these models make it difficult to divorce the effects of obesity, diet composition, or immunity on endocrine regulation of blood glucose. We, therefore, investigated the importance of adipose inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and gut dysbiosis for obesity-induced insulin resistance using a spontaneously obese mouse model. We examined metabolic changes in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, liver, the intestinal microbiome, and whole-body glucose control in spontaneously hyperphagic C57Bl/6J mice compared to lean littermates. A separate subset of lean and obese mice was subject to 8 weeks of obesogenic HFD feeding, or to pair feeding of a standard rodent diet. Hyperphagia, obesity, adipose inflammation, and insulin resistance were present in obese mice despite consuming a standard rodent diet, and these effects were blunted with caloric restriction. However, hyperphagic obese mice had normal mitochondrial respiratory function in all tissues tested and no discernable intestinal dysbiosis relative to lean littermates. In contrast, feeding mice an obesogenic HFD altered the composition of the gut microbiome, impaired skeletal muscle mitochondrial bioenergetics, and promoted poor glucose control. These data show that adipose inflammation and redox stress occurred in all models of obesity, but gut dysbiosis and mitochondrial respiratory dysfunction are not always required for obesity-induced insulin resistance. Rather, changes in the intestinal microbiome and mitochondrial bioenergetics may reflect physiological consequences of HFD feeding.
Birth outcomes are superior after transfer of fresh versus frozen embryos for donor oocyte recipients
Authors: Roeca Cassandra , Johnson Rachel L , Truong Tracy , Carlson Nichole E , Polotsky Alex J
Published: August 2020

STUDY QUESTION

For donor oocyte recipients, are birth outcomes superior for fresh versus frozen embryos?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Among fresh donor oocyte recipients, fresh embryos are associated with better birth outcomes when compared with frozen embryos.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Frozen embryo transfer (ET) with vitrification has been associated with improved pregnancy rates, but also increased rates of large for gestational age infants. Donor oocyte recipients represent an attractive biological model to attempt to isolate the impact of embryo cryopreservation on IVF outcomes, yet there is a paucity of studies in this population.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

A retrospective cohort of the US national registry, the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinic Outcome Reporting System, of IVF cycles of women using fresh donor oocytes resulting in ET between 2013 and 2015. Thawed oocytes were excluded.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTINGS, METHODS

Good obstetric outcome (GBO), defined as a singleton, term, live birth with appropriate for gestational age birth weight, was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcomes included live birth, clinical pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, multiple births and gestational age-adjusted weight. Outcomes were modeled using the generalized estimating equation approach.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Data are from 25 387 donor oocyte cycles, in which 14 289 were fresh and 11 098 were frozen ETs. A GBO was 27% more likely in fresh ETs (26.3%) compared to frozen (20.9%) (adjusted risk ratio 1.27; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21–1.35; P < 0.001). Overall, fresh transfer was more likely to result in a live birth (55.7% versus 39.5%; adjusted risk ratio 1.21; 95% CI 1.18–1.26; P < 0.001). Among singleton births, there was no difference in gestational age-adjusted birth weight between groups.

LIMITATION, REASONS FOR CAUTION

Our cohort findings contrast with data from autologous oocytes. Prospective studies with this population are warranted.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Among donor oocyte recipients, fresh ETs may be associated with better birth outcomes. Reassuringly, given its prevalent use, modern embryo cryopreservation does not appear to result in phenotypically larger infants.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

None.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

N/A.
Topology of Subvarieties of Complex Semi-abelian Varieties
Authors: Liu Yongqiang , Maxim Laurentiu , Wang Botong
Published: August 2020

We use the non-proper Morse theory of Palais–Smale to investigate the topology of smooth closed subvarieties of complex semi-abelian varieties and that of their infinite cyclic covers. As main applications, we obtain the finite generation (except in the middle degree) of the corresponding integral Alexander modules as well as the signed Euler characteristic property and generic vanishing for rank-one local systems on such subvarieties. Furthermore, we give a more conceptual (topological) interpretation of the signed Euler characteristic property in terms of vanishing of Novikov homology. As a byproduct, we prove a generic vanishing result for the $L^2$-Betti numbers of very affine manifolds. Our methods also recast June Huh’s extension of Varchenko’s conjecture to very affine manifolds and provide a generalization of this result in the context of smooth closed sub-varieties of semi-abelian varieties.
Increase of E3 ubiquitin ligase NEDD4 expression leads to degradation of its target proteins PTEN/IGF1R during the formation of goose fatty liver
Authors: Yan Chunchi , Zhao Minmeng , Li Shuo , Liu Tongjun , Xu Cheng , Liu Long , Geng Tuoyu , Gong Daoqing
Published: August 2020

Goose fatty liver may have a unique protective mechanism as it does not show a pathological injury even in the case of severe steatosis. Although neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated gene 4 (NEDD4) participates in repair and regeneration of injured liver through its target proteins, its role in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease remains unknown. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunoblot analyses, here, we found that the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expressions of NEDD4 were induced in goose fatty liver compared with normal liver. The mRNA expression of the gene of phosphate and tension homology deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) was also induced in goose fatty liver; however, their protein expression was or tended to be suppressed. Moreover, the co-immunoprecipitation analysis indicated that there was a physical association between NEDD4 and PTEN in goose liver, which was consistent with the ubiquitination of PTEN in goose fatty liver. Furthermore, NEDD4 overexpression in goose primary hepatocytes suppressed the PTEN and IGF1R protein levels without a significant effect on their mRNA expression. In conclusion, the increased expression of NEDD4 leads to the degradation of PTEN and IGF1R proteins through ubiquitination in goose fatty liver, suggesting that NEDD4 may protect goose fatty liver from severe steatosis-associated injury via its target proteins during the development of goose fatty liver.
Effects of mineral methionine hydroxy analog chelate in sow diets on epigenetic modification and growth of progeny
Authors: Jang Ki Beom , Kim Jong Hyuk , Purvis Jerry M , Chen Juxing , Ren Ping , Vazquez-Anon Mercedes , Kim Sung Woo
Published: August 2020

The study was conducted to determine the effects of mineral methionine hydroxy analog chelate (MMHAC) partially replacing inorganic trace minerals in sow diets on epigenetic and transcriptional changes in the muscle and jejunum of progeny. The MMHAC is zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu) chelated with methionine hydroxy analog (Zn-, Mn-, and Cu-methionine hydroxy analog chelate [MHAC]). On day 35 of gestation, 60 pregnant sows were allotted to two dietary treatments in a randomized completed block design using parity as a block: 1) ITM: inorganic trace minerals with zinc sulfate (ZnSO4), manganese oxide (MnO), and copper sulfate (CuSO4) and 2) CTM: 50% of ITM was replaced with MMHAC (MINTREX trace minerals, Novus International Inc., St Charles, MO). Gestation and lactation diets were formulated to meet or exceed NRC requirements. On days 1 and 18 of lactation, milk samples from 16 sows per treatment were collected to measure immunoglobulins (immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin A, and immunoglobulin M) and micromineral concentrations. Two pigs per litter were selected to collect blood to measure the concentration of immunoglobulins in the serum, and then euthanized to collect jejunal mucosa, jejunum tissues, and longissimus muscle to measure global deoxyribonucleic acid methylation, histone acetylation, cytokines, and jejunal histomorphology at birth and day 18 of lactation. Data were analyzed using Proc MIXED of SAS. Supplementation of MMHAC tended to decrease (P = 0.059) body weight (BW) loss of sows during lactation and tended to increase (P = 0.098) piglet BW on day 18 of lactation. Supplementation of MMHAC increased (P < 0.05) global histone acetylation and tended to decrease myogenic regulatory factor 4 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA; P = 0.068) and delta 4-desaturase sphingolipid1 (DEGS1) mRNA (P = 0.086) in longissimus muscle of piglets at birth. Supplementation of MMHAC decreased (P < 0.05) nuclear factor kappa B mRNA in the jejunum and DEGS1 mRNA in longissimus muscle and tended to decrease mucin-2 (MUC2) mRNA (P = 0.057) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) mRNA (P = 0.057) in the jejunum of piglets on day 18 of lactation. There were, however, no changes in the amounts of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-8, TGF-β, MUC2, and myogenic factor 6 in the tissues by MMHAC. In conclusion, maternal supplementation of MMHAC could contribute to histone acetylation and programming in the fetus, which potentially regulates intestinal health and skeletal muscle development of piglets at birth and weaning, possibly leading to enhanced growth of their piglets.
The Effect of Education on Primary School Students’ Knowledge Regarding Burn Prevention Measures and Actions to Take
Authors: Bagheri Tooran , Fatemi Mohammad Javad , Saberi Mohsen , Rahbar Arya , Momeni Mahnoush
Published: August 2020

Burns injuries are a global concern. Many health specialists develop prevention programs, especially for high-risk groups such as children. This study was designed to investigate the effect of education on knowledge of primary school students about burn prevention and initial actions to take in dealing with burns. This is a quasi-experimental study conducted on primary school students. The sampling was done by cluster method in six boys’ and girls’ public schools (fourth to sixth grade) in three different regions of Tehran. The collected data included a demographic section and 17 questions for assessing students’ awareness about prevention and initial actions in dealing with burns. The training was conducted by two experts who were familiar with the children’s education in the schools. The level of the students’ knowledge was evaluated by the questionnaire before the intervention, immediately after, and 3 months follow-up. The results showed that the knowledge score in both domains of prevention and initial actions significantly increased immediately and 3 months after training (P < .05). Also, there was a significant relationship between knowledge score in both domains with sex, educational level, and education area after intervention. Education is effective on raising students’ knowledge about prevention and initial actions to take after a burn injury. Therefore, it is suggested to repeat educational programs, educate parents and students simultaneously, and use media to change beliefs and attitudes that are rooted in the culture of a society, especially in lower socioeconomic classes.
Attachment to and Detachment from Favorite Stores: An Affordance Theory Perspective
Authors: Borghini Stefania , Sherry John F , Joy Annamma
Published: August 2020

Like homes, neighborhoods, and cities, retail locations offer significant opportunities for attachment far from domestic spheres. In commercial settings, consumers construct personal geographies, and find stable references for their lives. Our work advances previous consumer research by showing how these relationalities are situated, implicitly unstable and often impermanent. Individuals attach to commercial spaces in multiple ways, through both immediate and slow processes. We theorize that multiple affordances of spaces—whether sensual, symbolic, or cerebral—trigger meaningful ties, stimulate new affective and practice repertoires and may exert a transformative power in personal biographies. Bonds evolve in tandem with individuals’ life courses and are also impacted by events beyond consumers’ control, such as store closures. Whether disruptive or constructive, detachments can precipitate constructive change, allowing individuals to mobilize the emotional and cognitive resources at the base of their affective bond with treasured places, and redirect these assets more effectively. Forced and voluntary detachment from retail spaces are thus interpreted as integral and complementary components of attachment.
Molecular Identification of Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) From Frass by Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification
Authors: Rizzo Domenico , Taddei Andrea , Da Lio Daniele , Bruscoli Tommaso , Cappellini Giovanni , Bartolini Linda , Salemi Chiara , Luchi Nicola , Pennacchio Fabrizio , Rossi Elisabetta
Published: August 2020

Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky, 1853), native to eastern Asia, is a destructive woodborer of many ornamental species, leading to the decline and the death of the attacked trees. In outbreak areas as Europe or North America, this pest is usually identified using morphological or molecular analyses of adult or larval specimens. However, the procedures for collecting A. glabripennis specimens from infested plants are too expensive and time consuming for routine screening. A noninvasive diagnostic tool based on frass discrimination is therefore crucial for the rapid identification of A. glabripennis at different development stages in the host. This article describes a rapid diagnostic protocol based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). DNA extracted from A. glabripennis frass was amplified with both visual and real-time LAMP and compared with those of nontarget species. The results show that the method is reliable and accurate and therefore could be a promising diagnostic tool in phytosanitary surveys.
Yield, Insect-Derived Ear Injury, and Aflatoxin Among Developmental and Commercial Maize Hybrids Adapted to the North American Subtropics
Authors: Pruter Luke S , Brewer Michael J , Murray Seth C , Isakeit Thomas , Pekar Jacob J , Wahl Nancy J
Published: August 2020

The development of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids that are adapted to subtropical areas of North America should consider yield potential under heat and moisture stress, and reduced susceptibility to insect herbivory and disease. To aid in this process, maize hybrids (43 developmental and seven non-Bt commercial hybrids) were evaluated for severity of ear injury to Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) and Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), susceptibility to Aspergillus flavus (Link) (Deuteromycetes: Moniliales), and yield. In subtropical Corpus Christi and College Station, TX, field experiments conducted over three years revealed significant differences among maize hybrids with the rank of the selected measurements differing across the two locations. When the location by maize hybrid interaction was not significant, variation across the main factors of maize hybrid genetics (in all cases) and location (in some cases) was detected. In 2014, a significant location by maize hybrid interaction in yield but not aflatoxin and ear injury were likely associated with differences in weather between locations. In Corpus Christi in 2015, a location by maize hybrid interaction was detected for ear injury only. Overall, experimental maize hybrids, containing the inbred line Tx777, displayed partial resistance to insect derived ear injury in both locations, and some hybrid testcrosses exhibited low rates of aflatoxin accumulation while maintaining relatively high yields. Tx777 was selected from populations originating in Bolivia and adapted to subtropical climates. The most promising hybrid testcrosses had lower ear injury and aflatoxin accumulation, and good yield under varying heat and moisture stress at the two subtropical maize growing areas in this study.
Ecological Drift and Directional Community Change in an Isolated Mediterranean Forest Reserve—Larger Moth Species Under Higher Threat
Authors: Wölfling Mirko , Uhl Britta , Fiedler Konrad
Published: August 2020

Long-term data are important to understand the changes in ecological communities over time but are quite rare for insects. We analyzed such changes using historic museum collections. For our study area, an isolated forest reserve in North-East Italy, data from the past 80 yr were available. We used records of 300 moth species to analyze whether extinction risk was linked to their body size or to their degree of ecological specialization. Specialization was scored 1) by classifying larval food affiliations, habitat preferences, and the northern distributional limit and 2) by analyzing functional dispersion (FDis) within species assemblages over time. Our results show that locally extinct species (mean wingspan: 37.0 mm) were larger than persistent (33.2 mm) or previously unrecorded ones (30.7 mm), leading to a smaller mean wingspan of the moth community over time. Some ecological filters appear to have selected against bigger species. By using coarse specialization categories, we did not observe any relationship with local extinction risk. However, FDis, calculated across 12 species traits, significantly decreased over time. We conclude that simple classification systems might fail in reflecting changes in community-wide specialization. Multivariate approaches such as FDis may provide deeper insight, as they reflect a variety of ecological niche dimensions. With the abandonment of extensive land use practices, natural succession seems to have shifted the moth community toward a preponderance of forest-affiliated species, leading to decreased FDis values. Multivariate analyses of species composition also confirmed that the moth community has significantly changed during the last 80 yr.
Effects of Sublethal Concentrations of Insecticides on the Fecundity of Sogatella furcifera (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) via the Regulation of Vitellogenin and Its Receptor
Authors: Zhou Cao , Yang Xi-bin , Yang Hong , Long Gui-yun , Jin Dao-chao
Published: August 2020

White-backed planthopper (Sogatella furcifera, Hemiptera: Delphacidae) is an important migratory pest of rice. It causes severe economic losses by reducing crop production. Vg and VgR are important proteins that help in the successful reproduction of insects and have been studied in many insects. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of insecticides on white-backed planthopper reproduction, we studied the expression profiles of SfVg, SfVg-like, and SfVgR in white-backed planthopper exposed to insecticides. SfVg and SfVgR silencing inhibited the ovarian development, number of eggs laid by, and hatching rate of white-backed planthopper. Thiamethoxam LC10 significantly inhibited SfVg-like and SfVgR expression. In contrast, triazophos LC25 significantly promoted SfVg, SfVg-like, and SfVgR expression and increased vitellogenin content in white-backed planthopper. These results demonstrate that insecticides can regulate the reproduction of white-backed planthopper by altering the expression of SfVg and SfVgR, thereby affecting the population density of white-backed planthopper. These findings build a foundation for improving our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of insecticides on the reproduction and resurgence of pests.
COVID-19 and psychiatric illness: rectal foreign bodies (30 stylus batteries) in a young male patient affected by Asperger syndrome
Authors: Lovisetto Federico , Guala Andrea , Facciotto Giuseppe , Zonta Sandro
Published: August 2020

Here we present the case of a 17-year-old male patient, affected by Asperger syndrome, who reached the emergency division of our hospital after anal insertion of some stylus batteries. Transanal extraction of 30 stylus batteries avoided surgical intervention. Lockdown and boredom due to the strict domestic quarantine policies adopted during COVID-19 pandemic might have unmasked in our patient a susceptibility to unhealthy behaviour.
Impact of Spinal Cord Stimulation on Opioid Dose Reduction: A Nationwide Analysis
Authors: Adil Syed M , Charalambous Lefko T , Spears Charis A , Kiyani Musa , Hodges Sarah E , Yang Zidanyue , Lee Hui-Jie , Rahimpour Shervin , Parente Beth , Greene Kathryn A , McClellan Mark , Lad Shivanand P
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Opioid misuse in the USA is an epidemic. Utilization of neuromodulation for refractory chronic pain may reduce opioid-related morbidity and mortality, and associated economic costs.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) on opioid dose reduction.

METHODS

The IBM MarketScan® database was retrospectively queried for all US patients with a chronic pain diagnosis undergoing SCS between 2010 and 2015. Opioid usage before and after the procedure was quantified as morphine milligram equivalents (MME).

RESULTS

A total of 8497 adult patients undergoing SCS were included. Within 1 yr of the procedure, 60.4% had some reduction in their opioid use, 34.2% moved to a clinically important lower dosage group, and 17.0% weaned off opioids entirely. The proportion of patients who completely weaned off opioids increased with decreasing preprocedure dose, ranging from 5.1% in the >90 MME group to 34.2% in the ≤20 MME group. The following variables were associated with reduced odds of weaning off opioids post procedure: long-term opioid use (odds ratio [OR]: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.21-0.30; P < .001), use of other pain medications (OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.65-0.87; P < .001), and obesity (OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.60-0.94; P = .01).

CONCLUSION

Patients undergoing SCS were able to reduce opioid usage. Given the potential to reduce the risks of long-term opioid therapy, this study lays the groundwork for efforts that may ultimately push stakeholders to reduce payment and policy barriers to SCS as part of an evidence-based, patient-centered approach to nonopioid solutions for chronic pain.
Impact of a specialist service in the Emergency Department on admission, length of stay and readmission of patients presenting with falls, syncope and dizziness
Authors: Jusmanova K , Rice C , Bourke R , Lavan A , McMahon C G , Cunningham C , Kenny R A , Briggs R
Published: August 2020

Background

Up to half of patients presenting with falls, syncope or dizziness are admitted to hospital. Many are discharged without a clear diagnosis for their index episode, however, and therefore a relatively high risk of readmission.

Aim

To examine the impact of ED-FASS (Emergency Department Falls and Syncope Service) a dedicated specialist service embedded within an ED, seeing patients of all ages with falls, syncope and dizziness.

Design

Pre- and post-cohort study.

Methods

Admission rates, length of stay (LOS) and readmission at 3 months were examined for all patients presenting with a fall, syncope or dizziness from April to July 2018 (pre-ED-FASS) inclusive and compared to April to July 2019 inclusive (post-ED-FASS).

Results

There was a significantly lower admission rate for patients presenting in 2019 compared to 2018 [27% (453/1676) vs. 34% (548/1620); X2 = 18.0; P < 0.001], with a 20% reduction in admissions. The mean LOS for patients admitted in 2018 was 20.7 [95% confidence interval (CI) 17.4–24.0] days compared to 18.2 (95% CI 14.6–21.9) days in 2019 (t = 0.98; P = 0.3294). This accounts for 11 344 bed days in the 2018 study period, and 8299 bed days used after ED-FASS. There was also a significant reduction in readmission rates within 3 months of index presentation, from 21% (109/1620) to 16% (68/1676) (X2 = 4.68; P = 0.030).

Conclusion

This study highlights the significant potential benefits of embedding dedicated multidisciplinary services at the hospital front door in terms of early specialist assessment and directing appropriate patients to effective ambulatory care pathways.
Genealogies of Story in Jean Rhys’s ‘The Day They Burned the Books’
Authors: Thomas Sue
Published: August 2020

Jean Rhys’s story ‘The Day They Burned the Books’ (1960) has a pivotal place in her career and in literary history. Rhys lost her sense of a literary vocation by 1949 when she was in her very late fifties; ‘The Day They Burned the Books’, written by early 1953, marked its return. In this essay I address what is at stake in her revisiting of the racialized cultural inheritances and affiliations of a white Creole storyteller in the early 1950s by tracing the composition of the story. An examination of its textual patterns and allusions and her working in of small narrative detail from her Black Exercise Book of the late 1930s complicates standard readings of the story, of the relation between its narrative and authorial voice, and of Rhys’s awareness of contemporary West Indian writing. The story is the earliest known exploration of what has been termed ‘the daffodil gap’ in the experience of the colonial schoolchild. I briefly compare Rhys’s evocation of the daffodil gap with V. S. Naipaul’s and Derek Walcott’s subsequent references to it in the 1960s.
Feasibility of online home spirometry in systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease: a pilot study
Authors: Moor Catharina C , van Leuven Sander I , Wijsenbeek Marlies S , Vonk Madelon C
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Frequent monitoring of forced vital capacity at home may be of added value in patients with SSc-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) to monitor disease progression and guide treatment decisions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and optimal frequency of online home spirometry using a home monitoring application in patients with SSc-ILD.

Methods

This was a prospective, observational study in patients with SSc-ILD. Patients evaluated for 3 months the online home monitoring application ILD-online integrated with a Bluetooth-connected spirometer. Patients performed daily home spirometry for 6 weeks and weekly home spirometry for 6 weeks. In addition, patients completed an evaluation questionnaire after 3 months and online patient-reported outcomes at baseline and 3 months.

Results

Ten consecutive patients participated. Mean adherence to home spirometry was 98.8% (s.d. 1.5). Home and hospital spirometry were highly correlated. The mean coefficient of variation was lower for weekly [2.45% (s.d. 1.19)] than daily [3.86% (s.d. 1.45)] forced vital capacity measurements (P = 0.005). All patients considered the home monitoring application and spirometer easy to use and no patients considered home spirometry burdensome. All patients would recommend home monitoring to other patients with SSc.

Conclusions

Home spirometry using an online home monitoring application is feasible in patients with SSc-ILD, with high adherence and patient satisfaction. Larger long-term studies are needed to assess whether home spirometry can detect the progression of ILD in patients with SSc.
Diversity of Citrus tristeza virus Strains in the Upper Gulf Coast Area of Texas
Authors: Park Jong-Won , da Graça John V. , Sétamou Mamoudou , Kunta Madhurababu
Published: August 2020

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) in Texas was first reported in the 1950s and has since been sporadically reported in the residential areas in the Upper Gulf Coast region. Because the major rootstock for commercial citriculture in South Texas is sour orange, which is susceptible to CTV decline, the spread of CTV into South Texas can pose a great threat to Texas citrus industry. Thirty-six CTV-positive samples, collected during surveys conducted in the Upper Gulf Coast area of Texas from 2013 to 2018, were first analyzed by strain-specific real-time PCR (RT-PCR) targeting various regions of CTV Open reading frame (Orf) 1a and then by amplicon sequencing derived from p25 and p20 region of CTV genome. Among 36 samples, 33 were successfully genotyped by strain-specific RT-PCR and by amplicon sequencing followed by phylogenetic analysis. Variability in the detection of CTV strains was observed over a 6-year period. In 2013, T3 and T30 were the only strains detected in the Upper Gulf Coast of Texas, but in further surveys until 2018, additional strains were detected, including T36, VT, and RB. Mixed infections were also detected in 14 samples comprising about 42% of CTV samples examined in the study. Although genotyping mixed infection samples by targeting Orf 1a and full-length p25, residing in the 5′ and 3′ region of the CTV genome, respectively, confirmed the presence of multiple strains in these samples, incongruent genotyping data were observed. These findings suggested that the current status of CTV strain diversity in Texas Upper Gulf Coast region might have been established by multiple introductions of CTV-infected plant materials for propagation and with a potential recombination in planta.
Etiology of Halo Blight in Michigan Hopyards
Authors: Higgins Douglas S. , Hatlen Ross J. , Byrne Jan M. , Sakalidis Monique L. , Miles Timothy D. , Hausbeck Mary K.
Published: August 2020

Michigan’s hop acreage ranks fourth nationally, but the state’s growers contend with unique disease challenges resulting from frequent rainfall and high humidity. In August 2018, a Michigan hop grower reported necrosis and blighting of foliage and shattering of cones resulting in yield loss. Irregular-shaped lesions developed on leaves, surrounded by a halo of chlorotic tissue, and cone bracts became brown. Pycnidia were observed in symptomatic tissue. The goal of this study was to identify and characterize the causal agent of symptoms in leaf and cone tissue. In symptomatic leaves, 15 of 19 isolates recovered had 96.4% internal transcribed spacer rDNA (ITSrDNA) homology with Diaporthe nomurai. Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses were performed on a subset of isolates using ITSrDNA, histone H3, beta-tubulin, and elongation factor 1 alpha. Bootstrap and posterior probabilities supported a unique cluster of Diaporthe sp. 1-MI isolates most closely related to the Diaporthe arecae species complex, Diaporthe hongkongensis, and Diaporthe multigutullata. Diaporthe sp. 1-MI was pathogenic in detached leaf and whole plant assays. Single-spore isolates from pycnidia originating from cones and leaves shared 100% ITSrDNA homology with Diaporthe sp. 1-MI obtained from the lesion margins of leaves collected in 2018. The distribution of Diaporthe sp. 1-MI was widespread among 347 cones collected from 15 Michigan hop yards and accounted for >38% of fungi recovered from cones in three hop yards. Diaporthe sp. 1-MI causing halo and cone blight presents a new disease management challenge for Michigan hop growers.
Complete Genome Sequence of Enterobacter roggenkampii Strain KQ-01, Isolated from Bacterial Wilt-Resistant Mulberry Cultivar YS283
Authors: Zhou Yinan , Yang Hongyu , Liu Jiping
Published: August 2020

An Enterobacter roggenkampii strain, named KQ-01, was isolated for the first time from the diseased roots of the bacterial wilt-resistant mulberry (Morus atropurpurea) cultivar YS283 in the western part of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. E. roggenkampii KQ-01 was characterized by a single, circular chromosome of 4,667,006 bp in size, with a 56.16% GC content. In total, 4,396 genes were annotated, of which 4,281 were assigned as protein-coding genes. In addition, 25 ribosomal RNA, 84 transfer RNA, and 6 noncoding RNA genes as well as 34 pseudogenes were predicted. The resource herein presented will help to explore the pathogenetic mechanisms of mulberry wilt disease caused by genus Enterobacter.
Pain Acceptance Partially Mediates the Relationship Between Perceived Injustice and Pain Outcomes Over 3 Months
Authors: Ysidron Dominic W. , Slepian Peter Maxwell , Ankawi Brett , Himawan Lina K. , France Christopher R.
Published: August 2020

Objectives:

Perceived injustice is a maladaptive cognitive appraisal of pain or injury, characterized by attributions of blame, unfairness, severity of loss, and irreparability of loss. Research suggests that perceived injustice may negatively affect pain outcomes by inhibiting the development of pain-related acceptance. The current study aimed to extend cross-sectional research by testing whether pain acceptance mediates the effects of perceived injustice on pain-related outcomes longitudinally.

Materials and Methods:

Data was analyzed from a prospective study to examine the potential mediating role of pain acceptance on recovery 3 months after an episode of low back pain. Using Mechanical Turk, we recruited participants who experienced an episode of back pain within the preceding 2 weeks, 343 of whom completed measures of perceived injustice, pain acceptance, pain ratings, and quality of life at each of 3 timepoints (recruitment, 1 mo later, and 3 mo later). Path analyses were conducted to examine pain acceptance at 1 month as a potential mediator of the relationship between perceived injustice at recruitment and pain intensity, disability, and depressive symptoms at 3 months.

Results:

Results indicated that perceived injustice at recruitment was directly related to pain intensity, disability, and depressive symptoms 3 months later, and that pain acceptance partially mediated these relationships.

Discussion:

Although these findings provide further support for pain acceptance as a buffer for the deleterious effects of perceived injustice, they also highlight that adjunctive mechanisms should be investigated to provide more comprehensive clinical insight.