bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population-scale detection of non-reference sequence variants using colored de Bruijn Graphs
Authors: Krannich Thomas , White W. Timothy J. , Niehus Sebastian , Holley Guillaume , Halldórsson Bjarni V. , Kehr Birte
Published: March 2021

Motivation

With the increasing throughput of sequencing technologies, structural variant (SV) detection has become possible across tens of thousands of genomes. Non-reference sequence (NRS) variants have drawn less attention compared to other types of SVs due to the computational complexity of detecting them. When using short-read data, the detection of NRS variants inevitably involves a de novo assembly which requires high-quality sequence data at high coverage. Previous studies have demonstrated how sequence data of multiple genomes can be combined for the reliable detection of NRS variants. However, the algorithms proposed in these studies have limited scalability to larger sets of genomes.

Results

We introduce PopIns2, a tool to discover and characterize NRS variants in many genomes, which scales to considerably larger numbers of genomes than its predecessor PopIns. In this article, we briefly outline the PopIns2 workflow and highlight our novel algorithmic contributions. We developed an entirely new approach for merging contig assemblies of unaligned reads from many genomes into a single set of NRS using a colored de Bruijn graph. Our tests on simulated data indicate that the new merging algorithm ranks among the best approaches in terms of quality and reliability and that PopIns2 shows the best precision for a growing number of genomes processed. Results on the Polaris Diversity Cohort and a set of 1000 Icelandic human genomes demonstrate unmatched scalability for the application on population-scale datasets.

Availability

The source code of PopIns2 is available from https://github.com/kehrlab/PopIns2.

Contact

thomas.krannich@bihealth.de or birte.kehr@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
Characterization and functional interrogation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA interactome
Authors: Labeau Athéna , Lefevre-Utile Alain , Bonnet-Madin Lucie , Fery-Simonian Luc , Soumelis Vassili , Lotteau Vincent , Vidalain Pierre-Olivier , Amara Ali , Meertens Laurent
Published: March 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused a devastating global health crisis. The emergence of highly transmissible novel viral strains that escape neutralizing responses emphasizes the urgent need to deepen our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 biology and to develop additional therapeutic strategies. Using a comprehensive identification of RNA binding proteins (RBP) by mass spectrometry (ChIRP-M/S) approach, we identified 142 high-confidence cellular factors that bind the SARS-CoV-2 viral genome during infection. By systematically knocking down their expression in a human lung epithelial cell line, we found that the majority of the RBPs identified in our study are proviral factors that regulate SARS-CoV-2 genome replication. We showed that some of these proteins represented drug targets of interest for inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection. In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive view of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA interactome during infection and highlights candidates for host-centered antiviral therapies.
Ferroptotic stress promotes the accumulation of pro-inflammatory proximal tubular cells in maladaptive renal repair
Authors: Ide Shintaro , Kobayashi Yoshihiko , Ide Kana , Strausser Sarah A. , Herbek Savannah , O’Brien Lori L. , Crowley Steven D. , Barisoni Laura , Tata Aleksandra , Tata Purushothama Rao , Souma Tomokazu
Published: March 2021

Overwhelming lipid peroxidation induces ferroptotic stress and ferroptosis, a non-apoptotic form of regulated cell death that has been implicated in maladaptive renal repair in mice and humans. Using single-cell transcriptomic and mouse genetic approaches, we show that proximal tubular (PT) cells develop a molecularly distinct, pro-inflammatory state following injury. While these inflammatory PT cells transiently appear after mild injury and return to their original state without inducing fibrosis, they accumulate and contribute to persistent inflammation after severe injury. This transient inflammatory PT state significantly downregulates glutathione metabolism genes, making them vulnerable to ferroptotic stress. Genetic induction of high ferroptotic stress in these cells after mild injury leads to the accumulation of the inflammatory PT cells, enhancing inflammation and fibrosis. Our study broadens the roles of ferroptotic stress from being a trigger of regulated cell death to include the promotion and accumulation of proinflammatory cells that underlie maladaptive repair.
Selecting Mutual Funds for Retirement Accounts (A)
Authors: Braun Phillip A.
Published: March 2021

Alice Monroe, a 30-year-old married mother of two, was an admissions officer at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She was just completing her first year of service at Northwestern and qualified for the university's 403(b) retirement plan. It was early October 2017, and she had until the end of the month to decide if and to what extent she would participate in Northwestern's retirement plan–that is, how much of her salary should she put into the retirement plan, and into which mutual fund or funds should she allocate her savings?

The case includes background on defined contribution and benefit plans as well as mutual funds. It goes into detail about Northwestern's retirement plan, including data on the performance of 15 of the plan's core mutual funds. The case also provides each fund's strategy, Morningstar Rating and Morningstar Category, expense ratio, assets under management, turnover rate, and historical performance for the last 10 years.

Using modern portfolio theory (diversification and risk-return trade-off) and with an understanding of mutual fund fees and the tax advantages of retirement savings, students will decide how much Alice should invest and in which mutual funds.
Sony Computer Science Laboratories: Sustaining a Culture and Organization for Fundamental Research
Authors: Toriyama Masahiro , Sawhney Mohanbir , Kruse Katharine
Published: March 2021

In late 2019, Dr. Hiroaki Kitano, the president and director of research at Sony Computer Science Laboratories (Sony CSL), had decided he would be stepping down from his position soon. Sony CSL, a small blue-sky fundamental research facility funded by Sony, had always operated on the strength of the trust between Sony's CEO and the lab's director. Sony had been hands-off in its management, leaving Kitano to hire, fire, fund, and evaluate the lab's researchers and project portfolio at his own discretion. Now that he was stepping down, however, he worried that Sony CSL could not withstand his departure. Kitano wanted to make a transparent plan for the organization's future before he handed off Sony CSL to his successor. That plan involved three key decisions. First, what should be the optimal structure and governance of Sony CSL? Should it maintain its independence and autonomy, or should it align more closely with Sony's business priorities? Second, how could Sony CSL scale its impact on Sony and society at large, given its small size? Finally, should Sony CSL establish some standard methods of measuring project success and strength of the portfolio? In making these decisions, Kitano wanted to ensure that he preserved the unique culture that had allowed Sony CSL to pursue path-breaking research and innovation.
Identity of ecological systems and the meaning of resilience
Authors: Delettre Olivier
Published: March 2021

The concept of resilience is polysemic (i.e. has multiple definitions) in ecology. Despite various attempts at clarification, its meaning is still hotly debated.

We propose a broad definition of resilience as ‘the capacity of an ecological system to maintain its identity in the face of disturbance’ and posit that the polysemy of the concept is partly due to the multiple meanings of the term ‘identity’.

We distinguish four definitions of identity and use the landscape metaphor to represent each of them.

We draw on four historical uses of the resilience concept in ecology, showing that each of them refers to the conservation of a certain type of identity and therefore corresponds to a particular level of persistence. This work leads to the formulation of four definitions that enlighten the polysemy of the concept in ecology.

Synthesis. We assert that the various facets of the identity concept shed light on the polysemy of the resilience concept. Drawing on four historical uses of the concept, we propose four definitions of resilience, each one referring to the maintenance of a different type of identity and thus to a different level of persistence of ecological systems.
Identification of novel catabolic genes involved in 17β‐estradiol degradation by Novosphingobium sp. ES2‐1
Authors: Li Shunyao , Sun Kai , Yan Xin , Lu Chao , Waigi Michael Gatheru , Liu Juan , Ling Wanting
Published: March 2021

Novosphingobium sp. ES2‐1 is an efficient 17β‐estradiol (E2)‐degrading bacterium, which can convert E2 to estrone (E1), then to 4‐hydroxyestrone (4‐OH‐E1) for subsequent oxidative cracking. In this study, the molecular bases for this process were elucidated. Two novel monooxygenase systems EstP and EstO were shown to catalyse the oxygenation of E1 and 4‐OH‐E1, respectively. EstP was a three‐component cytochrome P450 monooxygenase system consisting of EstP1 (P450 monooxygenase), EstP2 (ferredoxin) and EstP3 (ferredoxin reductase). Ultraperformance liquid chromatography‐high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC‐HRMS) analysis revealed that EstP catalysed the 4‐hydroxylation of E1 to produce 4‐OH‐E1. The resultant 4‐OH‐E1 was further oxidized by a two‐component monooxygenase system EstO consisting of EstO1 (flavin‐dependent monooxygenases) and EstO2 (flavin reductase). UPLC‐HRMS combined with 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance analysis demonstrated that EstO catalysed the breakage of C9‐C10 to yield a ring B‐cleavage product. In addition, the oxygenase component genes estP1 and estO1 exhibited contrary inductive behaviours when exposed to different steroids, suggesting that EstP1‐mediated 4‐hydroxylation was E2‐specific, whereas EstO1‐mediated monooxygenation might be involved in the degradation of testosterone, androstenedione, progesterone and pregnenolone. This also implied that the mechanisms of the catabolism of different steroids by the same microorganism might be partially interlinked.
Assembly processes and source tracking of planktonic and benthic bacterial communities in the Yellow River estuary
Authors: Wang Jianing , Wang Lidong , Hu Weifeng , Pan Zhuo , Zhang Peng , Wang Chuandong , Wang Jingjing , Wu Shuge , Li Yue‐zhong
Published: March 2021

Estuaries connect rivers with the ocean and are considered transition regions due to the continuous inputs from rivers. Microbiota from different sources converge and undergo succession in these transition regions, but their assembly mechanisms along environmental gradients remain unclear. Here, we found that salinity had a stronger effect on planktonic than on benthic microbial communities, and the dominant planktonic bacteria changed more distinctly than the dominant benthic bacteria with changes in salinity. The planktonic bacteria in the brackish water came mainly from seawater, which was confirmed in the laboratory, whereas the benthic bacteria were weakly affected by salinity, which appeared to be a mixture of the bacteria from riverine and oceanic sediments. Benthic bacterial community assembly in the sediments was mainly controlled by homogeneous selection and almost unaffected by changes in salinity, the dominant assemblage processes for planktonic bacteria changed dramatically along the salinity gradient, from homogeneous selection in freshwater to drift in seawater. Our results highlight that salinity is the key driver of estuarine microbial succession and that salinity is more important in shaping planktonic than benthic bacterial communities in the Yellow River estuary.
Rapid selection response to ethanol in Saccharomyces eubayanus emulates the domestication process under brewing conditions
Authors: Mardones Wladimir , Villarroel Carlos A. , Abarca Valentina , Urbina Kamila , Peña Tomás A. , Molinet Jennifer , Nespolo Roberto F. , Cubillos Francisco A.
Published: March 2021

Although the typical genomic and phenotypic changes that characterize the evolution of organisms under the human domestication syndrome represent textbook examples of rapid evolution, the molecular processes that underpin such changes are still poorly understood. Domesticated yeasts for brewing, where short generation times and large phenotypic and genomic plasticity were attained in a few generations under selection, are prime examples. To experimentally emulate the lager yeast domestication process, we created a genetically complex (panmictic) artificial population of multiple Saccharomyces eubayanus genotypes, one of the parents of lager yeast. Then, we imposed a constant selection regime under a high ethanol concentration in 10 replicated populations during 260 generations (6 months) and compared them with propagated controls exposed solely to glucose. Propagated populations exhibited a selection differential of 60% in growth rate in ethanol, mostly explained by the proliferation of a single lineage (CL248.1) that competitively displaced all other clones. Interestingly, the outcome does not require the entire time‐course of adaptation, as four lineages monopolized the culture at generation 120. Sequencing demonstrated that de novo genetic variants were produced in all propagated lines, including SNPs, aneuploidies, INDELs and translocations. In addition, the different propagated populations showed correlated responses resembling the domestication syndrome: genomic rearrangements, faster fermentation rates, lower production of phenolic off‐flavours and lower volatile compound complexity. Expression profiling in beer wort revealed altered expression levels of genes related to methionine metabolism, flocculation, stress tolerance and diauxic shift, likely contributing to higher ethanol and fermentation stress tolerance in the evolved populations. Our study shows that experimental evolution can rebuild the brewing domestication process in ‘fast motion’ in wild yeast, and also provides a powerful tool for studying the genetics of the adaptation process in complex populations.
Diagnosis of miliary nodules as lung adenocarcinoma by cryobiopsy: A case report
Authors: Morishita Momoko , Suzuki Manabu , Watanabe Hiromu , Morita Chie , Ishida Akane , Hashimoto Masao , Naka Go , Takeda Yuichiro , Hojo Masayuki , Sugiyama Haruhito
Published: March 2021

A 62‐year‐old woman with rheumatoid arthritis and a history of receiving immunosuppressant therapy had a recurrence of lung adenocarcinoma with EGFR L858R mutation. Following 14 months of treatment with erlotinib, computed tomography (CT) findings revealed the presence of small diffuse nodules. Bronchoscopy was performed as metastasis was suspected; however, this was not detected on lung biopsy with forceps. Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) succeeded in detecting metastatic adenocarcinoma, and T790M and L858R gene mutations. Pathological examination revealed a cluster of tumor cells in the intralobular interstitial areas, which was consistent with the CT findings. This report provides important information regarding the role of TBLC in diagnosing metastatic cancer, such as diffuse small miliary nodules, and its genetic mutations.
Contribution to the geology of Failaka Island, Kuwait: Evidence from sedimentological and petrographic data from the NE part of the island
Authors: Chagelishvili Rusudan , Jaoshvili George , Chkhvimiani Jimsher , Al Mutairi Hamed
Published: March 2021

Kuwait–Georgian archaeological work at Failaka Island showed the need for geological study. Analysis of sediments related to drinking water‐collecting cisterns was performed on a Late Islamic settlement (NE part of the island) in 2018. Field sedimentological, grain size and XRD analysis of the sediment profiles showed that the shallow (about 1 m deep) cone‐shaped wells are dug in the loose, porous, cross‐stratified calcareous coarse‐grained quartz sandstones. Three upper layers of quartz sandstones in the profile have high infiltration rate and provide a rare yet ideal material for water retention. The fourth dense layer below, composed of very fine sand and silt fraction, tends to hinder water movement and forms a relatively impermeable water‐resistant surface. Thus, the distribution patterns of clay content, grain sizes and porosity of the well‐hosting sediments are favourable for freshwater infiltration and harvesting. An additional petrographic analysis was conducted on different types of rocks discovered on the archaeological site, used as building material and fragments of stone artifacts to identify their origin. It was established that archaeological building material is of local origin, whereas the source rocks for stone artifacts were imported.
Is the COVID‐19 Pandemic a High‐Risk Period for College Student Alcohol Use? A Comparison of Three Spring Semesters
Authors: Jaffe Anna E. , Kumar Shaina A. , Ramirez Jason J. , DiLillo David
Published: March 2021

Background

There has been widespread concern that the COVID‐19 pandemic may be a high‐risk time for alcohol use among heavy drinking populations such as college students. Initial efforts to evaluate changes in college drinking have not yet accounted for typical drinking patterns within a semester.

Methods

To fill this gap, we evaluated how college student drinking patterns changed with the onset of restrictions related to the COVID‐19 pandemic during spring 2020 relative to spring 2018 and 2019. Participants were 1,365 college students aged 19 and older, including 895 students who reported past‐month alcohol use. Daily drinking data were extracted from an online Timeline Followback survey.

Results

Negative binomial hurdle models revealed that, with the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic in spring 2020, college student drinkers did not increase their drinking frequency as was typical in late spring semester, and the number of drinks per occasion declined substantially (28% reduction), greater than the change observed from early to late spring 2018 (3% reduction) or spring 2019 (8% increase). This reduction in drinking quantity in spring 2020 was larger for college student drinkers who moved residences because of the pandemic (49% reduction) than students who did not move (21% reduction). Perceptions in pandemic‐related changes in drinking also revealed that 83.5% of college student drinkers self‐reported that their drinking stayed the same or decreased.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that, on average, college students drank less—not more—during the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic and highlight the importance of living situation in college student drinking behavior. More research is needed to assess alcohol use in other universities, as this information could be utilized in norms‐based interventions to further reduce drinking in students who remain at risk.
Potential distribution of Schistocerca gregaria gregaria in southwestern Asia
Authors: Zhu Gengping , Men Yongliang , Han Xinrao
Published: March 2021

The northern subspecies of desert locust Schistocerca gregaria gregaria has recently expanded into western Asia. It poses a serious threat to food security in areas that are already socially and politically unstable. Its further expansion into other parts of southwestern Asia is an issue of great concern (e.g., China).

We assembled S. g. gregaria occurrence records that were accumulated by the Food and Agriculture Organization and environmental variables that summarized aspects of climate, soil condition and vegetation. We predicted the potential distribution of S. g. gregaria via the fine‐tuned Maxent model and ensemble ecological niche model approaches.

The models predicted that India and other southwestern Asian countries face high risk of S. g. gregaria invasion because of the presence of suitable habitats and the absence of natural barriers that would prevent S. g. gregaria dispersal into these areas. By contrast, the risk of S. g. gregaria invasion in China is low because the suitability values were very low. Moreover, the Tianshan Mountains, the Kunlun Mountains and the Himalaya Mountains may act as natural barriers against S. g. gregaria dispersal.

Responses of S. g. gregaria to these environmental variables were modelled using fine‐tuned Maxent models.
Predicting adverse cardiovascular outcomes in post‐coronary artery bypass grafting patients using novel ECG frequency analysis of the QRS complex
Authors: Hua Thalia , Vlahos Alexandra , Shariat Mohammad Hassan , Payne Darrin , Redfearn Damian
Published: March 2021

Background

A novel metric called Layered Symbolic Decomposition frequency (LSDf) has been shown to be an independent predictor of ventricular arrhythmia and mortality in patients receiving implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) devices. This novel index studies the fragmentation of the QRS complex. However, its generalizability to predict cardiovascular events for other cardiac procedures is unknown. Herein, we investigated the applicability of LSDf as a predictive measure for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients receiving coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods and Results

One hundred ninety‐five patients had high‐resolution ECG recorded prior to CABG surgery in 2012/2013 and were followed for a mean duration of 7.32 ± 0.32 years for postoperative cardiovascular outcomes. These outcomes were described as a modified composite of MACE defined as hospitalization for heart failure, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and cardiovascular death including stroke and cardiac arrest. One hundred seventy‐two patients were included for analysis and 18 patients experienced a postoperative cardiovascular outcome. These patients had significantly increased age (71.3 vs. 64.6 years, p = .007), prolonged QRS duration (113.22 vs. 97.35 ms, p = .003), reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (42.7% vs. 56.5%, p < .001), and lower LSDf percent (13.5% vs. 16.9%, p = .002). Patients with an LSDf below 13.25% were 4.8 (OR 1.7–13.5, p < .001) times more likely to experience a MACE and up to 19.4 (OR 4.2–90.3, p < .001) times more likely to experience a MACE when older than 70 years and an ejection fraction below 50%.

Conclusion

Layered Symbolic Decomposition frequency may be an applicable metric to predict long‐term cardiovascular outcomes in patients with ischemic heart disease.
Suppression of amiodarone‐induced torsade de pointes by landiolol in a patient with atrial fibrillation‐mediated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Takahashi Koji , Yamashita Mina , Sakaue Tomoki , Enomoto Daijiro , Uemura Shigeki , Okura Takafumi , Ikeda Shuntaro , Takemoto Masafumi , Utsunomiya Yutaka , Hyodo Takashi
Published: March 2021

An elderly Japanese woman developed acute decompensated heart failure caused by persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Approximately 6 days after starting intravenous administration of amiodarone (600 mg/day) for maintaining sinus rhythm after cardioversion of AF, electrocardiograms revealed a prolonged QT interval associated with torsade de pointes (TdP). The amiodarone‐induced TdP disappeared after intravenous administration of landiolol plus magnesium and potassium, without discontinuation of amiodarone or overdrive cardiac pacing, although the prolonged QT interval persisted. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that landiolol could be effective for amiodarone‐induced TdP.
A systematic overview of the spermatotoxic and genotoxic effects of methotrexate, ganciclovir and mycophenolate mofetil
Authors: Jensen Nicolai B. , Justesen Signe D. , Larsen Agnete , Ernst Erik , Pedersen Lars H.
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Immunosuppressant drugs are increasingly being used in the reproductive years. Theoretically, such medications could affect fetal health either through changes in the sperm DNA or through fetal exposure caused by a presence in the seminal fluid. This systematic overview summarizes existing literature on the spermatotoxic and genotoxic potentials of methotrexate (MTX), a drug widely used to treat rheumatic and dermatologic diseases, and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), which alone or supplemented with ganciclovir (GCV) may be crucial for the survival of organ transplants.

Material and methods

The systematic overview was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines: A systematic literature search of the MEDLINE and Embase databases was done using a combination of relevant terms to search for studies on spermatotoxic or genotoxic changes related to treatment with MTX, GCV or MMF. The search was restricted to English language literature, and to in vivo animal studies (mammalian species) and clinical human studies.

Results

A total of 102 studies were identified, hereof 25 human and 77 animal studies. For MTX, human studies of immunosuppressive dosages show transient effect on sperm quality parameters, which return to reference values within 3 months. No human studies have investigated the sperm DNA damaging effect of MTX, but in other organs the genotoxic effects of immunosuppressive doses of MTX are fluctuating. In animals, immunosuppressive and cytotoxic doses of MTX adversely affect sperm quality parameters and show widespread genotoxic damages in various organs. Cytotoxic doses transiently change the DNA material in all cell stages of spermatogenesis in rodents. For GCV and MMF, data are limited and the results are indeterminate, for which reason spermatotoxic and genotoxic potentials cannot be excluded.

Conclusions

Data from human and animal studies indicate transient spermatotoxic and genotoxic potentials of immunosuppressive and cytotoxic doses of MTX. There are a limited number of studies investigating GCV and MMF.
Occurrence of macroprolactinemia in schizophrenia patients treated with risperidone or amisulpride
Authors: Zhenhua Wang , Haizhi Chen , Jing Li , Xiaocong Fei , Jianhua Li , Jianjun Liu , Lilei Lei , Haiying Jin
Published: March 2021

Objective

To investigate macroprolactinemia caused by antipsychotics and its clinical significance.

Methods

A total of 133 patients with schizophrenia were selected, all of whom were treated with either risperidone or amisulpride alone. The levels of total prolactin (T‐PRL) and macroprolactin (MPRL) were measured before treatment as well as the second, fourth, and sixth weeks of treatment.

Results

After 2 weeks of treatment, 75.09% (100/133) of the patients met the diagnostic criteria for hyperprolactinemia, the incidence of macroprolactinemia was 43% (43/100), and MPRL levels were positively correlated T‐PRL levels.

Conclusion

Risperidone and amisulpride caused hyperprolactinemia and macroprolactinemia; thus, detection of MPRL in the clinical setting should be performed as this phenomenon appears early in treatment (the second week) and continues, that can avoid unnecessary examination and treatment for asymptomatic patients with macroprolactinemia.
Effects of exogenous lactoferrin on characteristics and functions of bovine epididymal, ejaculated and frozen‐thawed sperm
Authors: Kobayashi Jin , Sasaki Aya , Watanabe Asuka , Komine Kenichi , Kuroishi Toshinobu , Takada Naokazu , Sasada Hiroshi , Sato Eimei
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of addition of lactoferrin on characteristics and functions of bovine epididymal, ejaculated, and frozen‐thawed sperm. The addition of lactoferrin was significantly (p < .05) effective on increasing values of progressive motility, straightness, and linearity in caput epididymal sperm and values of motility in cauda epididymal sperm. When ejaculated sperm were incubated in capacitation medium, percentages of motile and progressively motile sperm decreased largely within the first period of 30 min, followed by only minor changes. However, the addition of lactoferrin significantly lessened the early decreases of these parameters and additionally promoted capacitation‐dependent changes of chlortetracycline staining patterns (from F pattern to B pattern). In other experiments, when ejaculated sperm were exposed to oxidative stress with 100‐µM H2O2, the addition of lactoferrin partially protected them from dysfunction of flagellar movement and loss of progressive movement. In final experiments with frozen‐thawed samples incubated in the capacitation medium, the addition of lactoferrin effectively survived dying sperm and suppressed occurrence of sperm agglutination. These results may suggest biological and biotechnological potentials of lactoferrin for modulation of bovine sperm viability, motility, capacitation state, and preservation in vitro.
Digital Corporate Reporting: Research Developments and Implications
Authors: Troshani Indrit , Rowbottom Nick
Published: March 2021

Innovations surrounding digital corporate reporting and underlying technology such as XBRL have been slowly introduced to corporate reporting infrastructure since the early 2000s. These innovations promise to enhance the accessibility, accuracy and comparability of reported information, and more effectively meet the needs of information users. Whilst research in the last two decades has attempted to provide evidence of the impact of digital corporate reporting, it remains largely fragmented and sparse. We take an eclectic perspective to review and synthesise existing research on digital corporate reporting and assess the broader research implications for key stakeholders, including preparers and users of corporate reports, regulators and standard‐setters. In doing so, we offer an appraisal for those contemplating the growing influence of digital corporate reporting, and identify opportunities and avenues for future research.
Effects of dexmedetomidine on the function of distal organs and oxidative stress after lower limb ischaemia–reperfusion in elderly patients undergoing unilateral knee arthroplasty
Authors: Lu Sunshan , Chen Xingtong , Chen Qian , Cahilog Zhen , Hu Lili , Chen Yan , Cao Jian , Ning Jiaolin , Yi Bin , Lu Kaizhi , Gu Jianteng
Published: March 2021

Aims

This study aims to evaluate the effects of dexmedetomidine on organ function, inflammation response, and oxidative stress in elderly patients following iatrogenic lower limb ischaemia–reperfusion (IR) during unilateral total knee arthroplasty.

Methods

Following unilateral total knee arthroplasty, 54 elderly patients were randomized to receive either intraoperative intravenous injection of dexmedetomidine (n = 27) or equivalent volume of 0.9% saline (n = 27). Blood samples were harvested at 5 minutes before lower limb tourniquet release (baseline); and 1, 6 and 24 hours after tourniquet release. Surrogate markers of cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic and renal function, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, along with parasympathetic and sympathetic activity were recorded and analysed.

Results

The levels of blood xanthine oxidase, creatine kinase, lactic acid and respiratory index increased in patients following tourniquet‐induced lower limb IR injury. Dexmedetomidine administration decreased the respiratory index (P = .014, P = .01, and P = .043) and the norepinephrine level (P < .001) at 1, 6 and 24 hours; and decreased the xanthine oxidase level (P = .049, P < .001) at 6 and 24 hours after tourniquet release compared with the Control group. Other measurements, including creatine kinase isoenzyme, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine, urea nitrogen, glutamic–oxalacetic transaminase, glutamic–pyruvic transaminase, malondialdehyde, interleukin‐1, interleukin‐6 and tumour necrosis factor‐α, were not statistically significantly different between the 2 groups.

Conclusions

Intraoperative dexmedetomidine administration in elderly patients dampens the deterioration in respiratory function and suppresses the oxidative stress response in elderly patients following iatrogenic lower limb IR injury.
Individuals with schizophrenia display behaviour inconsistent with learned social impressions during a gambling task
Authors: Lokey Savannah B. , Iwanski Colin M. , Demos Alexander P. , Herbener Ellen S.
Published: March 2021

Many studies of social perception and judgement have required individuals to make evaluations of social parameters based on static presentations of social stimuli. In the current study, we assessed whether individuals with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder and community controls differed in their judgements of others based on a series of computerized encounters designed to simulate impression formation over time. Twenty‐eight community controls and 29 individuals with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder completed 25 gambling interactions with three different computer partners. After interacting with each partner, subjects rated how much they liked, trusted, and would like to play again with each partner. Results indicated that while individuals with schizophrenia rated the three partners differently (evaluating partners who returned more money higher than partners who returned less money), they did not adjust their gambling strategies with the different partners. Community controls adjusted the amount of money they gambled with the different partners, gambling more with partners that returned more money and gambling less with partners who returned less money, despite not rating the neutral and positive partners significantly differently from one another. These results suggest differences in behavioural strategies and social evaluation practices between community controls and individuals with schizophrenia.

Practitioner Points

Schizophrenia (SZ) and community control (CC) participants evaluate virtual partners on a gambling task in accordance with their behaviour (e.g., positive > neutral > negative in terms of trustworthiness, how much they liked them, and the likelihood that they would play with that individual again).

Individuals with schizophrenia gambled equally with neutral, negative, and positive partner.

Individuals with schizophrenia demonstrate an intact ability to form social impressions based on others’ behaviour.

However, subsequent behaviour does not parallel the formed impression (i.e., changing their gambling amount so that they are betting less money with a virtual partner they know is untrustworthy).
What makes a physical education teacher? Personal characteristics for physical education development
Authors: Schnitzius Melina , Kirch Alina , Spengler Sarah , Blaschke Simon , Mess Filip
Published: March 2021

Background

The physical education (PE) teacher is a decisive factor for PE development and teaching. Reflecting on and making the best possible use of the PE teachers’ personal resources positively influence teacher effectiveness and student achievement. This requires a comprehensive analysis of PE teachers’ personal characteristics.

Aims

Consequently, this study aimed to describe PE teachers by using an aggregated examination of PE teachers’ synergistic personal characteristics and analysing gender, age, and school type differences.

Sample

1,163 German PE teachers (61.9% female; M = 43.16 ± 10.8 years) from six different school types participated in the study.

Methods

Participants completed self‐report questionnaires assessing PE teachers’ General Personality Traits, General Interests, and Motivational Characteristics (Teacher Self‐Efficacy, Enthusiasm, and Interests). Descriptive analyses, between subjects MANOVAs, and univariate ANOVAs with pairwise multiple comparison tests were applied.

Results

Multivariate gender differences occurred for General Personality Traits (η2 = .04), General Interests (η2 = .07), and Motivational Characteristics (η2 = .03); age differences for General Personality Traits (η2 = .03); school type differences for General Personality Traits (η2 = .05); and Motivational Characteristics (η2 = .11). Considering individual dimensions, gender revealed most univariate differences, especially in General Personality Traits and General Interests. School types revealed most univariate differences in Motivational Characteristics.

Conclusion

The educational personnel can (1) make use of the PE teachers’ general stable factors by aligning teaching accordingly, for example considering teachers’ gender and (2) specifically foster PE teacher personal development regarding Motivational Characteristics by, for example adapting teacher education or professional training to the particular school type.
Toxic Parents, Addictions, and Institutional Psychotherapy
Authors: Evzonas Nicolas
Published: March 2021

This article discusses the connection between the compulsive use of toxic substances and the shortcomings of the family environment. It provides a detailed account of the author's experience with an adult patient in a psychoanalytically oriented mental health care institution in France and argues that drug abuse can be conceived as a self‐calming strategy and an effort to be without the other. The coexistence of neurotic and psychotic mechanisms in the patient's mental function is highlighted and discussed in the light of structural psychopathology. Finally, French institutional psychotherapy, as a dynamic and tolerant form of psychiatry that emphasizes multi‐transference in response to the split‐off elements of the psychotic ego, highlights the pertinence of treating psychotic drug addiction in a pluralistic framework.
Progression of phosphorylated α‐synuclein in Macaca fuscata
Authors: Kawakami Ito , Motoda Atsuko , Hashimoto Masashi , Shimozawa Aki , Masuda‐Suzukake Masami , Ohtani Reiko , Takase Mina , Kumashiro Mari , Samejima Kazuyuki , Hasegawa Masato
Published: March 2021

Prion‐like spreading of abnormal proteins is proposed to occur in neurodegenerative diseases, and the progression of α‐synuclein (α‐syn) deposits has been reported in the brains of animal models injected with synthetic α‐syn fibrils or pathological α‐syn prepared from patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). However, α‐syn transmission in nonhuman primates, which are more similar to humans, has not been fully clarified. Here, we injected synthetic human α‐syn fibrils into the left striatum of a macaque monkey (Macaca fuscata). At 3 months after the injection, we examined neurodegeneration and α‐syn pathology in the brain using α‐syn epitope‐specific antibodies, antiphosphorylated α‐syn antibodies (pSyn#64 and pSer129), anti‐ubiquitin antibodies, and anti‐p62 antibodies. Immunohistochemical examination with pSyn#64, pSer129, and α‐syn epitope‐specific antibodies revealed Lewy bodies, massive α‐syn‐positive neuronal intracytoplasmic inclusions (NCIs), and neurites in the left putamen. These inclusions were also positive for ubiquitin and p62. LB509, a human‐specific α‐syn antibody targeting amino acid residues 115–122, showed limited immunoreactivity around the injection site. The left substantia nigra (SN) and the bilateral frontal cortex also contained some NCIs and neurites. The left hemisphere, including parietal/temporal cortex presented sparse α‐syn pathology, and no immunoreactivity was seen in olfactory nerves, amygdala, hippocampus, or right parietal/temporal cortex. Neuronal loss and gliosis in regions with α‐syn pathology were mild, except for the left striatum and SN. Our results indicate that abnormal α‐syn fibrils propagate throughout the brain of M. fuscata via projection, association, and commissural fibers, though the progression of α‐syn pathology is limited.
Changing our view of the Schistosoma granuloma to an ecological standpoint
Authors: Malta Kássia K. , Silva Thiago P. , Palazzi Cinthia , Neves Vitor H. , Carmo Lívia A. S. , Cardoso Simone J. , Melo Rossana C. N.
Published: March 2021

Schistosomiasis, a neglected parasitic tropical disease that has plagued humans for centuries, remains a major public health burden. A primary challenge to understanding schistosomiasis is deciphering the most remarkable pathological feature of this disease, the granuloma – a highly dynamic and self‐organized structure formed by both host and parasite components. Granulomas are considered a remarkable example of how parasites evolved with their hosts to establish complex and intimate associations. However, much remains unclear regarding life within the granuloma, and strategies to restrain its development are still lacking. Here we explore current information on the hepatic Schistosoma mansoni granuloma in the light of Ecology and propose that this intricate structure acts as a real ecosystem. The schistosomal granuloma is formed by cells (biotic component), protein scaffolds, fibres, and chemical compounds (abiotic components) with inputs/outputs of energy and matter, as complex as in classical ecosystems. We review the distinct cell populations (‘species’) within the granuloma and examine how they integrate with each other and interact with their microenvironment to form a multifaceted cell community in different space–time frames. The colonization of the hepatic tissue to form granulomas is explained from the point of view of an ecological succession whereby a community is able to modify its physical environment, creating conditions and resources for ecosystem construction. Remarkably, the granuloma represents a dynamic evolutionary system that undergoes progressive changes in the ‘species’ that compose its community over time. In line with ecological concepts, we examine the granuloma not only as a place where a community of cells is settled (spatial niche or habitat) but also as a site in which the functional activities of these combined populations occur in an orchestrated way in response to microenvironmental gradients such as cytokines and egg antigens. Finally, we assert how the levels of organization of cellular components in a granuloma as conventionally defined by Cell Biology can fit perfectly into a hierarchical structure of biological systems as defined by Ecology. By rethinking the granuloma as an integrating and evolving ecosystem, we draw attention to the inner workings of this structure that are central to the understanding of schistosomiasis and could guide its future treatment.
Emergency department use for nontraumatic dental conditions among children and adolescents: NEDS 2014‐2015
Authors: Claiborne Denise M. , Kelekar Uma , Shepherd Jewel Goodman , Naavaal Shillpa
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Despite great efforts to improve paediatric dental care access in the last two decades, the use of emergency departments (ED) for dental conditions among children that are more appropriately addressed in dental offices remains a public health concern in the United States. We examined factors associated with ED visits for nontraumatic dental conditions or NTDCs and ED visits for any other reason among children and adolescents.

Methods

A retrospective secondary data analysis of ED visits was conducted using the 2014‐2015 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) data. NTDCs were further categorized as diseases of hard tissue (eg dental caries), pulp/periapical (eg root canal infections), gingival/periodontal (eg conditions that affect the supporting tissues) and other. We included patient/socioeconomic characteristics, disposition, time of visit, and the Grouped Charlson Comorbidity Index (GRPCI) in our analysis. Bivariate associations were tested using chi‐squared test (α = 0.05).

Results

There were 70 616 194 ED visits in 2014‐15, with 465 353 (0.7%) visits for NTDCs. Statistically significant differences were observed for all patient characteristics tested, except for gender when comparing children visiting the ED for NTDCs and children visiting for any other reason. Medicaid was the expected payer for nearly 60% of all ED visits, and the uninsured shared a larger proportion of NTDC visits (19.4%) than other visits (8.8%). Late adolescents (aged 18‐21) accounted for over 50% of NTDC visits but only one‐fifth of all other types of ED visits. Late adolescents (18‐21 years old) who were uninsured had a significantly higher proportion of NTDC visits. Of all NTDC visits, 19.1% were related to hard tissue disease, 25.3% pulp/periapical, 7.9% periodontal disease, and the remaining were grouped as other dental diseases.

Conclusions

The ED use for NTDCs is more common among late adolescents, Medicaid and uninsured groups. Examining and implementing new approaches that improve access to routine dental care for these groups may help in reducing inefficient ED use related to NTDCs.
Determinants of hypercalciuria and renal calcifications in chronic hypoparathyroidism: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ridder Lukas Ochsner , Harsløf Torben , Sikjær Tanja , Underbjerg Line , Rejnmark Lars
Published: March 2021

Objective

Hypercalciuria, impaired kidney function and renal calcifications are common in chronic hypoparathyroidism (HypoPT). We aimed to study associations between indices of known importance to the kidney in HypoPT by hypothesizing adverse effects of hypercalciuria on renal outcomes.

Design

We used cross‐sectional design.

Patients

We identified all patients followed for chronic HypoPT at our department and who had been examined by a 24‐h urine collection for measurement of renal calcium excretion (24 h U‐Ca).

Measurements

By chart review, we identified additional biochemistry measured in close connection with the collection of urine, as well as demographic, treatments and anthropometrics.

Results

The 166 included patients (79.5% females) had a high prevalence of hypercalciuria (65.7%). In multiple adjusted analyses, hypercalciuria was in an independent manner inversely associated with (residual) levels of plasma PTH and positively associated with levels of 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D and ionized calcium as well as 24 h U‐phosphate, gender, and etiology (surgical vs. non‐surgical). Overall, this model explained 54% (p < .001) of the variation in the presence of hypercalciuria. Chronic kidney disease stage three or above was present in 18.3% of the patients, and 42.6% of the 54 patients examined by renal imaging had renal calcifications. However, neither renal function nor renal calcifications were associated with 24 h U‐Ca.

Conclusions

Hypercalciuria, impaired renal function and renal calcifications are common in hypoparathyroidism. Hypercalciuria is to a large extent explained by indices of known physiological importance to 24 h U‐Ca. However, in the present study, a high renal calcium excretion did not explain renal impairment or kidney calcifications.
At which bone level are implants explanted?
Authors: Wentorp Fionn , Jablonowski Lukasz , Pink Christiane , Holtfreter Birte , Kocher Thomas
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Clear guidelines when to remove an implant are missing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the amount of peri‐implant bone loss at explantation by specialists.

Material and Methods

Implantology specialists were asked to provide implants explanted due to peri‐implantitis with related clinical information. Early failures (survival time <12 months) were analyzed separately. Questionnaires inquired age, sex, smoking, implant location, usage of bone substitutes, and implant brand. Explants were measured and bone loss was assessed using radiographs. Covariate‐adjusted mixed‐effects models were evaluated for bone loss and survival time.

Results

Twelve dental offices provided 192 explants from 161 patients with 99 related radiographs. Thirty‐three (17.2%) explants were early failures. Excluding early failures, average survival time was 9.5 ± 5.8 years with absolute and relative bone loss of 7.0 ± 2.7 mm and 66.2 ± 23.7%, respectively. Late failures were removed at mean bone loss of 57.7% in the maxilla and 73.7% in the mandible irrespective of survival time. In fully adjusted mixed‐effects models, only age at implantation (B = −0.19; 95% CI: −0.27, −0.10) remained a significant factor for survival time. Implants exhibited significantly more relative bone loss if they were positioned in the mandible (B = 17.3; 95% CI: 3.91, 30.72) or if they were shorter (B = −2.79; 95% CI: −5.50, −0.08).

Conclusions

Though the mean bone loss (66.2%) at which implants were explanted was in accordance with the literature, its wide variation and differentiation between jaws showed that the profession has no universally accepted threshold beyond which an implant cannot be preserved.