bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The receptor kinase SRF3 coordinates iron-level and flagellin dependent defense and growth responses in plants
Authors: Platre Matthieu P. , Satbhai Santosh B. , Brent Lukas , Gleason Matias F. , Grison Magali , Glavier Marie , Zhang Ling , Cao Min , Gaillochet Christophe , Goeschl Christian , Giovannetti Marco , Enugutti Balaji , von Reth Marcel , Alcázar Ruben , Parker Jane E. , Vert Grégory , Bayer Emmanuelle , Busch Wolfgang
Published: April 2021

Iron is critical for host-pathogen interactions. While pathogens seek to scavenge iron to spread, the host aims at decreasing iron availability to reduce pathogen virulence. Thus, iron sensing and homeostasis are of particular importance to prevent host infection and part of nutritional immunity. While the link between iron homeostasis and immunity pathways is well established in plants, how iron levels are sensed and integrated with immune response pathways remain unknown. We identified a receptor kinase, SRF3 coordinating root growth, iron homeostasis and immunity pathways via regulation of callose synthase activity. These processes are modulated by iron levels and rely on SRF3 extracellular and kinase domain which tune its accumulation and partitioning at the cell surface. Mimicking bacterial elicitation with the flagellin peptide flg22 phenocopies SRF3 regulation upon low iron levels and subsequent SRF3-dependent responses. We propose that SRF3 is part of nutritional immunity responses involved in sensing external iron levels.
Comparison of the therapeutic effects of hUC-MSC intravenous delivery and intraperitoneal administration of MSCs encapsulated in alginate capsules for the treatment of rat liver cirrhosis
Authors: Rymar S. , Pikus P. , Buchek P. , Shuvalova N. , Pokholenko Ia. , Irodov D. , Kordium V.
Published: April 2021

Mesenchymal stem cells are the most promising regenerative medicine tool for the treatment of various diseases, including liver disease, although the exact mechanism of their therapeutic action remains unclear. It was found that MSCs are captured by the lungs after systemic transplantation, quickly disappear, and are not detected at the site of injury, but at the same time exhibit an obvious therapeutic effect. Comparison of the MSC efficiency depending on the route of their administration may shed light on the mechanisms involved in the implementation of MSC therapeutic potential. In this work, we compared the therapeutic effects of human umbilical cord MSCs (hUC-MSCs) administered systemically and intraperitoneally in the form of MSCs encapsulated in alginate capsules in a CCl4-induced model of liver cirrhosis in rats. Our study showed that both treatments resulted in liver recovery. MSC transplantation by two different routes led to a decrease in collagen deposition, the disappearance of the fibrous area by the 13th week, and normalization of the morphometric parameters of liver parenchyma cells. The expression of some genes (EGF, alpha SMA, GFAP) which is activated in liver injury, decreased to the level observed in negative control animals. However, a detailed study of liver recovery in dynamics showed that encapsulated MSCs led to faster normalization in several parameters of the liver tissue. Our results showed that human umbilical cord MSCs effectively exhibit their therapeutic properties when using both methods of transplantation, however, intraperitoneal administration of encapsulated MSCs accelerated the process of liver regeneration.
Mechanical control of innate immune responses against viral infection revealed in a human Lung Alveolus Chip
Authors: Bai Haiqing , Si Longlong , Jiang Amanda , Belgur Chaitra , Plebani Roberto , Oh Crystal , Rodas Melissa , Nurani Atiq , Gilpin Sarah , Powers Rani K. , Goyal Girija , Baun Rachelle Prantil- , Ingber Donald E.
Published: April 2021

Mechanical forces associated with breathing play a fundamental role in lung development and disease but the molecular pathways remain largely unknown. Here, we used a mechanically actuatable Human Lung Alveolus Chip that recapitulates human lung alveolar type I and type II cell differentiation, alveolar-capillary interface formation, and genome-wide gene expression profiles characteristic of the distal lung to investigate the role of physical forces associated with cyclic breathing motions in lung innate immune responses to viral infection. When the mechanically active Alveolus Chips are infected with the influenza H3N2 virus, a cascade of host responses is elicited on-chip, including increased production of cytokines and expression of inflammation-associated genes in pulmonary epithelial and endothelial cells, resulting in enhanced recruitment of circulating immune cells as occurs during viral infection in vivo. Surprisingly, studies carried out in parallel with static chips revealed that physiological breathing motions suppress viral replication by activating protective innate immune responses in epithelial and endothelial cells. This is mediated at least in part through upregulation of S100 calcium-binding protein A7 (S100A7), which binds to the Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGE), an inflammatory mediator that is most highly expressed in the lung alveolusin vivo. This mechano-immunological control mechanism is further supported by the finding that existing RAGE inhibitor drugs can suppress the production of inflammatory cytokines in response to influenza virus infection in this model. S100A7-RAGE interactions and modulation of mechanical ventilation parameters could therefore serve as new targets for therapeutic intervention in patients infected with influenza and other potential pandemic viruses that cause life-threatening lung inflammation.
EVALUATION OF TAURINE’S NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECTS ON SH-SY5Y CELLS UNDER OXIDATIVE STRESS
Authors: Rossato Rafaella Carvalho , Granato Alessandro Eustaquio Campos , Pinto Jessica Cristina , de Oliveira Moraes Carlos Dailton Guedes , Salles Geisa Nogueira , Soares Cristina Pacheco
Published: April 2021

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a type of dementia that affects millions of people. Although there is no cure, several study strategies seek to elucidate the mechanisms of the disease. Recent studies address the benefits of taurine. Thus, the present study aims to analyze the neuroprotective effect of taurine on human neuroblastoma, using anin vitroexperimental model of oxidative stress induced by hydrocortisone in the SH-SY5Y cell line as a characteristic model of AD. The violet crystal assay was used for cell viability and the evaluation of cell morphology was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After pretreatment with taurine, the SH-SY5Y cell showed an improvement in cell viability in the face of oxidative stress and improved cell morphology. Thus, the treatment presented a neuroprotective effect.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Seed banks alter metacommunity diversity: the interactive effects of competition, germination, and survival
Authors: Wisnoski Nathan I. , Shoemaker Lauren G.
Published: April 2021

Dispersal and dormancy are two common strategies allowing for species persistence and the maintenance of ecological diversity in variable environments. However, theory and empirical tests of spatial diversity patterns tend to examine either mechanism in isolation. Here, we developed a stochastic, spatially explicit metacommunity model incorporating seed banks with varying germination and survival rates. We found that dormancy and dispersal had interactive, nonlinear effects on the maintenance and distribution of metacommunity diversity, where scale-dependent effects of seed banks were modified by local competitive interactions and dispersal. The interplay between seed germination and survival regulated the benefits of seed banks for diversity. Our study shows that the role of seed banks depends critically on spatial processes, and that classic predictions for how dispersal affects metacommunity diversity can be strongly influenced by dormancy. Together, these results highlight the need to consider both temporal and spatial storage when predicting multi-scale patterns of diversity.
Sensory evidence accumulation using optic flow in a naturalistic navigation task
Authors: Alefantis Panos , Lakshminarasimhan Kaushik J. , Avila Eric , Noel Jean-Paul , Pitkow Xaq , Angelaki Dora E.
Published: April 2021

Sensory evidence accumulation is considered a hallmark of decision-making in noisy environments. Integration of sensory inputs has been traditionally studied using passive stimuli, segregating perception from action. Lessons learned from this approach, however, may not generalize to ethological behaviors like navigation, where there is an active interplay between perception and action. We designed a sensory-based sequential decision task in virtual reality in which humans and monkeys navigated to a memorized location by integrating optic flow generated by their own joystick movements. A major challenge in such closed-loop tasks is that subjects’ actions will determine future sensory input, causing ambiguity about whether they rely on sensory input rather than expectations based solely on a learned model of the dynamics. To test whether subjects performed sensory integration, we used three independent experimental manipulations: unpredictable optic flow perturbations, which pushed subjects off their trajectory; gain manipulation of the joystick controller, which changed the consequences of actions; and manipulation of the optic flow density, which changed the reliability of sensory evidence. Our results suggest that both macaques and humans relied heavily on optic flow, thereby demonstrating a critical role for sensory evidence accumulation during naturalistic action-perception closed-loop tasks.
Cdc42activity in Sertoli cells is essential for maintenance of spermatogenesis
Authors: Bhandary Bidur , Heinrich Anna , Potter Sarah J. , Ratner Nancy , DeFalco Tony
Published: April 2021

Sertoli cells are highly polarized testicular supporting cells that simultaneously nurture progressively maturing germ cells. Proper localization of polarity protein complexes within Sertoli cells, including those responsible for blood-testis barrier formation, are vital for successful spermatogenesis. However, the mechanisms and developmental timing that underlie the establishment of polarity are poorly understood. To investigate this aspect of testicular function, we conditionally deletedCdc42, encoding a Rho GTPase involved in regulating cell polarity, specifically in Sertoli cells.Cdc42deletion disrupted adult Sertoli cell maturation and localization of polarity proteins, but did not affect fetal and early postnatal testicular development, nor the onset of the first wave of spermatogenesis. By early adulthood, however, conditional knockout males exhibited a loss of spermatogenic cells, resulting in a complete lack of sperm. These findings demonstrate thatCdc42plays an essential role in establishing adult Sertoli cell polarity and, thus, maintaining steady-state spermatogenesis and healthy sperm production.
Ancient gene duplications, rather than polyploidization, facilitate diversification of petal pigmentation patterns inClarkia gracilis(Onagraceae)
Authors: Lin Rong-Chien , Rausher Mark D.
Published: April 2021

It has been suggested that gene duplication and polyploidization create opportunities for the evolution of novel characters. However, the connections between the effects of polyploidization and morphological novelties have rarely been examined. In this study, we investigated whether petal pigmentation patterning in an allotetraploidClarkia gracilishas evolved as a result of polyploidization.C.gracilisis thought to be derived through a recent polyploidization event with two diploid species,C.amoena huntianaand an extinct species that is closely related toC.lassenensis. We reconstructed phylogenetic relationships of theR2R3-MYBs (the regulators of petal pigmentation) from two subspecies ofC.gracilisand the two purported progenitors,C.a.huntianaandC.lassenensis. The gene tree reveals that theseR2R3-MYBgenes have arisen through duplications that occurred before the divergence of the two progenitor species, i.e., before polyploidization. After polyploidization and subsequent gene loss, only one of the two orthologous copies inherited from the progenitors was retained in the polyploid, turning it to diploid inheritance. We examined evolutionary changes in theseR2R3-MYBs and in their expression, which reveals that the changes affecting patterning (including expression domain contraction, loss-of-function mutation,cis-regulatory mutation) occurred after polyploidization within theC.gracilislineages. Our results thus suggest that polyploidization itself is not necessary in producing novel petal color patterns. By contrast, duplications ofR2R3-MYBgenes in the common ancestor of the two progenitors have apparently facilitated diversification of petal pigmentation patterns.
Validation of non-negative matrix factorization for rapid assessment of large sets of atomic pair distribution function data
Authors: Liu Chia-Hao , Wright Christopher J. , Gu Ran , Bandi Sasaank , Wustrow Allison , Todd Paul K. , O'Nolan Daniel , Beauvais Michelle L. , Neilson James R. , Chupas Peter J. , Chapman Karena W. , Billinge Simon J. L.
Published: April 2021

The use of the non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) technique is validated for automatically extracting physically relevant components from atomic pair distribution function (PDF) data from time-series data such as in situ experiments. The use of two matrix-factorization techniques, principal component analysis and NMF, on PDF data is compared in the context of a chemical synthesis reaction taking place in a synchrotron beam, applying the approach to synthetic data where the correct composition is known and on measured PDFs from previously published experimental data. The NMF approach yields mathematical components that are very close to the PDFs of the chemical components of the system and a time evolution of the weights that closely follows the ground truth. Finally, it is discussed how this would appear in a streaming context if the analysis were being carried out at the beamline as the experiment progressed.
Synthesis, structure and computational study of 5-[(prop-2-en-1-yl)sulfanyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (Pesta) and its heterometallic π,σ-complex [Cu2FeCl2(Pesta)4][FeCl4]
Authors: Slyvka Yurii , Kinzhybalo Vasyl , Shyyka Olga , Mys'kiv Marian
Published: April 2021

Copper(I) π-coordination compounds with allyl derivatives of azoles are an interesting subject of current research, but CuI π-complexes with other transition-metal ions incorporated in the structure have been virtually uninvestigated. The present work is directed toward the synthesis and structural characterization of the novel heterometallic CuI/FeII π-complex di-μ2-chlorido-1:2κ2
Cl;2:3κ2
Cl-tetrakis[μ2-5-(prop-2-en-1-ylsulfanyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine]-1:2κ2
N
4:N
3;1(η2),κN
4:2κN
3;2:3κ2
N
3:N
4;2κN
3:3(η2),κN
4-dicopper(I)iron(II) tetrachloridoferrate(II), [Cu2FeCl2(C5H7N3S2)4][FeCl4] (1). The structure of the 5-[(prop-2-en-1-yl)sulfanyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine (Pesta, C5H7N3S2) ligand is also presented. The cationic substructure in 1 consists of one FeII and two CuI ions bridged by two chloride ions along with two σ,σ- and two π,σ-coordinated ligands, whereas the anionic part is built of isolated tetrahedral [FeCl4]2− ions. π-Coordination of the Pesta allyl group to the CuI ions prevents agglomeration of the inorganic Cu–Cl–Fe–Cl–Cu part into infinate chains. An energy framework computational analysis was performed for Pesta.
Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and interaction energy calculation of 1-decyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzimidazol-2-one
Authors: Ait Elmachkouri Younesse , Saber Asmaa , Irrou Ezaddine , Amer Bushra , Mague Joel T. , Hökelek Tuncer , Labd Taha Mohamed , Sebbar Nada Kheira , Essassi El Mokhtar
Published: April 2021

The title molecule, C17H26N2O, adopts an L-shaped conformation, with the straight n-decyl chain positioned nearly perpendicular to the dihydrobenzimidazole moiety. The dihydrobenzimidazole portion is not quite planar as there is a dihedral angle of 1.20 (6)° between the constituent planes. In the crystal, N—H...O hydrogen bonds form inversion dimers, which are connected into the three-dimensional structure by C—H...O hydrogen bonds and C—H...π(ring) interactions. Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates that the most important contributions for the crystal packing are from H...H (75.9%), H...C/C...H (12.5%) and H...O/O...H (7.0%) interactions. Based on computational chemistry using the CE–B3LYP/6–31 G(d,p) energy model, C—H...O hydrogen bond energies are −74.9 (for N—H...O) and −42.7 (for C—H...O) kJ mol−1.
Structural study and Hirshfeld surface analysis of (Z)-4-(2-methoxybenzylidene)-3-phenylisoxazol-5(4H)-one
Authors: Benouatas Assia , Laroum Rima , Hamdouni Noudjoud , Zemamouche Wissame , Debache Abdelmadjid , Boudjada Ali
Published: April 2021

The title compound, C17H13NO3, adopts a Z configuration about the C=C bond. The isoxazole and methoxybenzylidene rings are almost coplanar with a dihedral angle of 9.63 (7)° between them. In contrast, the phenyl substituent is twisted significantly out of the plane of the oxazole ring, with the two rings inclined to each other by 46.22 (4)°. The crystal structure features C—H...O, C—H...N and C—H...π hydrogen bonds and π–π contacts. An analysis of the Hirshfeld surfaces points to the importance of H...H, H...C/C...H and H...O/O...H contacts. The included surface areas of the title compound were compared to those of the isomeric structure (Z)-4-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-3-phenylisoxazol-5(4H)-one [Zhang et al. (2015). CrystEngComm, 17, 7316–7322].
Crystal structure of Zn2(HTeO3)(AsO4)
Authors: Eder Felix , Weil Matthias
Published: April 2021

Single crystals of Zn2(HTeO3)(AsO4), dizinc(II) hydroxidodioxidotellurate(IV) oxidoarsenate(V), were obtained as one of the by-products in a hydrothermal reaction between Zn(NO3)2·6H2O, TeO2, H3AsO4 and NH3 in molar ratios of 2:1:2:10 at 483 K for seven days. The asymmetric unit of Zn2(HTeO3)(AsO4) contains one Te (site symmetry m), one As (m), one Zn (1), five O (three m, two 1) and one H (m) site. The ZnII atom exhibits a coordination number of 5 and is coordinated by four oxygen atoms and a hydroxide group, forming a distorted trigonal bipyramid. The hydroxide ion is positioned at a significantly larger distance on one of the axial positions of the bipyramid. The [ZnO4OH] polyhedra are connected to each other by corner-sharing to form ∞
2[ZnO3/2(OH)1/2O1/1] layers extending parallel to (001). The TeIV atom is coordinated by three oxygen atoms and a hydroxide group in a one-sided manner in the shape of a bisphenoid, revealing stereochemical activity of its 5s
2 electron lone pair. The AsV atom is coordinated by four oxygen atoms to form the tetrahedral oxidoarsenate(V) anion. By corner-sharing, [TeO3OH] and [AsO4] groups link adjacent ∞
2[ZnO3/2(OH)1/2O1/1] layers along [001] into a three-dimensional framework structure.
Attitude towards entrepreneurship development courses of MOOCs
Authors: Ahmed Md. Meraz , Sultana Naveed , Astri Dwi Jayanti Suhandoko , Mardoni Yosi , Helmiatin Helmiatin
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to explore the attitude of faculty members and students of two open universities – Bangladesh Open University (BOU) and Universitas Terbuka (UT) (Open University of Indonesia) towards entrepreneurship development courses of massive open online courses (MOOCs).

Design/methodology/approach

The mixed-method research design was employed for this study. A self-structured survey questionnaire and focus group discussions (FGDs) were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data. A total of 66 faculty members and 149 tertiary level students of BOU and UT were selected as respondents. These respondents were selected using purposive sampling techniques. Data were analysed using quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques.

Findings

The findings revealed that both universities' faculty members and students possessed a positive attitude towards entrepreneurship development courses of MOOCs (EDCM). However, this positive attitude of both groups was significantly different.

Originality/value

The policy recommendations could provide a strategic approach to developing various types of courses within the MOOC, which are attractive as a means of developing entrepreneurship in Bangladesh and Indonesia. It also aggressively promotes EDCM for the academic community in particular and society, in general, to elaborate on their entrepreneurial spirit. Nevertheless, before introducing MOOCs, an empirical study regarding MOOCs readiness is essential for both universities.
Employees' working life and performance of UK ethnic minority restaurants: a qualitative approach
Authors: Razzak B M , Blackburn Robert , Saridakis George
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper investigates the linking between employees' working life (EWL) and job performance of ethnic minority Bangladeshi restaurants in Greater London.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use in depth face-to-face interviews of 40 participants working in 20 Bangladeshi restaurants (BRs) following a convenience sampling method. A thematic analysis technique, with the help of QSR N10, developed two key themes related to EWL and performance.

Findings

These themes highlight several aspects of the relationship between EWL and performance. First, EWL is “beyond” the UK tradition; employers show a domineering attitude; however, employees continue to work due to lack of skills and competence. Second, employees perceive and present themselves as satisfied; however, this satisfaction is not reflected in the business performance of BRs. Third, the analysis shows that business owners “trap strategy” constrains employees to develop their skills for mobility to other industries. Hence, employees express satisfaction with their existing situation on the basis that it is the best they can hope for, given their specific skills and competence, and need for some security in the UK. Fourth, non-financial performance, for example, job autonomy, sense of fulfilment is related to EWL.

Practical implications

The paper provides a framework to promote a better understanding of the linking between employees' working life and performance of UK ethnic minority restaurants. Also, the paper makes recommendations for further research, including an examination of the applicability of the findings to SMEs operated by other ethnic groups in the UK.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the scarce literature on the working life of people in Bangladeshi restaurant businesses in the UK and the relationship between EWL and business performance.
Assessing dialogic features of corporate pages on Facebook in Latin American companies
Authors: Capriotti Paul , Zeler Ileana , Oliveira Andrea
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study aims to analyze whether companies from six Latin American countries are encouraging dialogic communication on Facebook.

Design/methodology/approach

To do so, the paper studied the level of predisposition for interaction and the type of interaction achieved by companies on Facebook to produce an effective dialogic communication exchange and to generate conversation through different types of communication exchange between organizations and users. This research includes a specific analysis of the active presence, interactive attitude, interactive resources, responsiveness and conversation of 29,078 posts on 135 corporate fanpages of companies from six Latin American countries.

Findings

The results show that companies have a low interest in managing communication from a dialogic perspective on the social network, not only because a greater predisposition to interaction is needed, but also because the interaction generated is very low. Therefore, the paper identifies the need to review the communication strategy on social networks and to define a strategy aligned to the dialogic nature of the social network.

Originality/value

This research contributes to broadening the conceptual reflection on the evaluation of the dialogue in the digital context and aims to generate new methodological contributions to the evaluation of dialogic communication in an integrated way.
Education-smoking gradient and upstream health policies: comparing Generation X with millennials
Authors: Dilmaghani Maryam
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Over the years, many upstream health policies have sought to reduce smoking across populations. While smoking has been substantially reduced, the effects of these policies on education-smoking gradient remain unclear. The present paper compares the education-smoking gradient among the Generation X and the millennials, who grew up with different types of upstream policies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study relies on regression analysis. The data are from the Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey of 2017, with the sample restricted to those born between 1965 and 1995.

Findings

At the zero-order, the education-smoking gradient has not significantly flattened from Generation X to millennials. And, accounting for the channels of impact of education on smoking does not substantially change this pattern.

Social implications

The implications for health inequalities associated with socioeconomic status, and tobacco consumption reduction policies, are discussed.

Originality/value

This paper is the first study of the kind using Canadian data.
Trends and relationship among intellectual capital disclosures, patent statistics and firm performance in Indian manufacturing sector
Authors: Dharni Khushdeep , Jameel Saddam
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study highlights the trends of qualitative intellectual capital disclosures and patent statistics in the Indian manufacturing context by considering the numerous patent applications, patent grants, forward citations and backward citations. Furthermore, the study investigates the relation among qualitative disclosures, patent statistics and firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

All manufacturing companies of CNX 500 Index of National Stock Exchange of India Limited are considered. Based on data availability, 243 manufacturing firms spanning across seven major manufacturing sectors are included. Secondary data were obtained from the annual report of companies and patent databases from 2004 to 2005 to 2013–2014, generating a sample of 2,430 firm years. Content analysis and citation analysis are used for collecting the relevant data.

Findings

Overall, the study results indicated increasing trends for all types of intellectual capital disclosures. Similar trends are observed for patent applications and patent grants, indicating a surge in patenting activities across the manufacturing sector. However, increasing trends in patenting activities are not reflected for forward and backward citations. In addition, significant differences in means and trend coefficients for qualitative disclosures and patent statistics indicated industry specificity within the Indian manufacturing sector. Furthermore, industry specificity is observed when translating intellectual capital to firm performance. The measure of firm performance, that is, Tobin's Q, is having a significant positive association with qualitative disclosures and patent statistics.

Research limitations/implications

As the study is based on secondary data, its accuracy is limited by the accuracy of the data sources such as the annual reports of companies and patent databases.

Practical implications

The study findings imply that policymakers should devise and execute sector-specific policy interventions. Moreover, managers and policymakers should emphasize the qualitative aspect of patenting activities.

Originality/value

The study is an original work that highlights the trends in qualitative disclosures in the Indian manufacturing context. The value relevance of intellectual capital and patent statistics has been established.
An aggregated template methodology: Novel automatic phase‐onset identification by template matching
Authors: Duboeuf Laure , Oye Volker , Dando Ben D. E.
Published: April 2021

The precision of P‐ and S‐wave phase picking strongly determines the precision of earthquake locations, but such picking can be challenging in the case of emergent signals, large data sets or temporally varying seismic networks. To overcome these challenges, we have developed the concept of an aggregated template to perform automatic picking of the P‐ and S‐wave phases. An aggregated template is defined as a representative event for a small area, built by aggregating the best signal‐to‐noise‐ratio seismic traces from events with similar waveforms (i.e. multiplet events). A template matching procedure, based on the cross‐correlation between an aggregated template and an unpicked event, automatically determines the unpicked event P‐ and S‐wave phases. This method enables (1) consistent and accurate P‐ and S‐wave phase picking and (2) reduces processing time relative to traditional template matching by using a clustering method that finds the most representative templates for a region, and thus limiting the required number of templates. We established two parameters to weight the picking precision: (1) the cross‐correlation between the aggregated template and the unpicked event and (2) the number of P‐ and S‐wave picks determined per event. We tested this method on 2100 events recorded in the south‐west of Iceland. Nineteen aggregated templates have been defined and used to automatically pick ∼65% of the complete event catalogue with an accuracy within the range of the manual picking uncertainty. These automatically picked events can then be used for event location, even when characterized by low magnitude, low signal to noise ratios and with emergent P‐wave signals.
Medicare fee reductions and the overuse of intensity‐modulated radiotherapy
Authors: Howard David H. , Hockenberry Jason
Published: April 2021

Objective

To estimate the impact of a large Medicare fee reduction for intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) on its use in prostate and breast cancer patients.

Data Sources/Study Setting

SEER‐Medicare.

Study Design

We compared trends in the use of IMRT between patients treated in practices directly affected by fee reductions (for prostate cancer, men treated in urology practices that own IMRT equipment; for breast cancer, women treated in freestanding radiotherapy clinics) and patients treated in other types of practices.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We identified breast and prostate cancer patients receiving IMRT using outpatient and physician office claims. We classified urology practices based on whether they billed for IMRT and radiotherapy clinics based on whether they were reimbursed under the Physician Fee Schedule.

Principal Findings

Between 2006 and 2015 the payment for IMRT delivered in freestanding clinics and physician offices declined by $367 (−54.7%). However, the use of IMRT increased in physician practices subject to payment cuts, both in absolute terms and relative to use in practices unaffected by the payment cut. Use of IMRT in prostate cancer patients treated at urology practices that own IMRT equipment increased by 9.1 (95% CI: 2.0‐16.2) percentage points between 2005 and 2016 relative to use in patients treated at other urology practices. Use of IMRT in breast cancer patients treated at freestanding radiotherapy centers increased by 7.5 (95% CI: −5.1 to 20.1) percentage points relative to use in patients treated at hospital‐based centers.

Conclusions

A steep decline in IMRT fees did not decrease IMRT use over the period from 2006 to 2015, though use has declined since 2010.
Multiple dens invaginatus in Wilson’s disease: A case report
Authors: Memis Sadi , Bas Zubeyir
Published: April 2021

Wilson's disease (WD) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disease that affects copper metabolism. Anomalies can be seen in the dento‐maxillofacial structures of WD patients. Dens invaginatus (DI) is an uncommon tooth anomaly, and its incidence in decidious and permanent molars is even lower. This case report primarily explored the multiple DI of a patient with WD. A 9‐year‐old boy was admitted to our clinic with complaints of pain and swelling in the right lower molar area. It was learnt that the patient was diagnosed with WD after he was born. Fistula, submandibular lymphadenopathy and diffuse swelling were detected. Using cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT), multiple DIs were observed in bilateral bimaxillary four first molars and deciduous molars. When the patient’s systemic condition was considered, extraction was planned under oral antibiotic therapy and was performed. During the 6‐month follow‐up, uneventful healing was observed.
Placentas associated with female neonates from pregnancies complicated by urinary tract infections have higher cAMP content and cytokines expression than males
Authors: Olmos‐Ortiz Andrea , Olivares‐Huerta Alberto , García‐Quiroz Janice , Zariñán Teresa , Chavira Roberto , Zaga‐Clavellina Verónica , Avila Euclides , Halhali Ali , Durand Marta , Larrea Fernando , Díaz Lorenza
Published: April 2021

Problem

The cAMP pathway is involved in important biological processes including immune regulation and hormone signaling. At the feto‐maternal unit, cAMP participates in placental function/physiology and the establishment of immunoendocrine networks. Low cAMP in male fetuses cord blood has been linked to poorer perinatal outcomes; however, cAMP placental content and its relationship with immune factors and fetal sex in an infectious condition have not been investigated.

Method of study

Sex‐dependent changes in cAMP content and its association with cytokines and antimicrobial peptides expression were studied in human placentas collected from normal pregnancies and with urinary tract infections (UTI). Radioimmunoassay was used to quantify cAMP in placental tissue, while immune markers expression was studied by qPCR. Additionally, cAMP effect on antimicrobial peptides expression was studied in cultured trophoblasts challenged with lipopolysaccharide, to mimic an infection.

Results

In UTI, placentas from female neonates had higher cAMP tissue content and increased expression of TNFA, IL1B, and IL10 than those from males, where IFNG was more elevated. While cAMP negatively correlated with maternal bacteriuria and IFNG, it positively correlated with the antimicrobial peptide S100A9 expression in a sex‐specific fashion. In cultured trophoblasts, cAMP significantly stimulated β‐defensin‐1 while reduced the lipopolysaccharide‐dependent stimulatory effect on β‐defensin‐2, β‐defensins‐3, and S100A9.

Conclusion

Our results showed higher cAMP content and defense cytokines expression in placentas associated with female neonates from pregnancies complicated by UTI. The associations between cAMP and bacteriuria/immune markers, together with cAMP’s ability to differentially regulate placental antimicrobial peptides expression, suggest a dual modulatory role for cAMP in placental immunity.
Prediction of preterm birth based on machine learning using bacterial risk score in cervicovaginal fluid
Authors: Park Sunwha , Oh Daejoong , Heo Hanna , Lee Gain , Kim Soo Min , Ansari AbuZar , You Young‐Ah , Jung Yun Ji , Kim Young‐Han , Lee Myunghoon , Kim Young Ju
Published: April 2021

Problem

Preterm birth (PTB) is a major cause of increased morbidity and mortality in newborns. The main cause of spontaneous PTB (sPTB) is the activation of an inflammatory response as a result of ascending genital tract infection. Despite various studies on the effects of the vaginal microbiome on PTB, a practical method for its clinical application has yet to be developed.

Method of study

In this case‐control study, 94 Korean pregnant women with PTB (n = 38) and term birth (TB; n = 56) were enrolled. Their cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) was sampled, and a total of 10 bacteria were analyzed using multiplex quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR). The PTB and TB groups were compared, and a PTB prediction model was created using bacterial risk scores using machine learning techniques (decision tree and support vector machine). The predictive performance of the model was validated using random subsampling.

Results

Bacterial risk scoring model showed significant differences (P < 0.001). The PTB risk was low when the Lactobacillus iners ratio was 0.812 or more. In groups with a ratio under 0.812, moderate and high risk was classified as a U. parvum ratio of 4.6 × 10–3. The sensitivity and specificity of the PTB prediction model using bacteria risk score were 71% and 59%, respectively, and 77% and 67%, respectively, when white blood cell (WBC) data were included.

Conclusion

Using machine learning, the bacterial risk score in CVF can be used to predict PTB.
Adherence to subcutaneous immunotherapy with aeroallergens in real‐life practice during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Yeğit Osman Ozan , Demir Semra , Ünal Derya , Olgaç Müge , Terzioğlu Kadriye , Eyice Karabacak Deniz , Tüzer Can , Ayhan Vehbi , Çolakoğlu Bahattin , Büyüköztürk Suna , Gelincik Aslı
Published: April 2021

Background

The success of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) mostly depends on regular injections. Our aim was to investigate adherence to SCIT with aeroallergens during the COVID‐19 pandemic and demonstrate clinical consequences of treatment disruptions in real life.

Methods

Visual analogue scale for quality of life (VAS‐QoL), VAS for symptom scores (VAS‐symptom), medication scores (MSs), and total symptom scores (TSS‐6) were recorded during the pandemic in 327 adult allergic rhinitis and/or asthmatic patients receiving maintenance SCIT, and these scores were compared with the pre‐pandemic data. Patients were grouped according to SCIT administration intervals; no delay (Group 1), <2 months (Group 2), and ≥2‐month intervals (Group 3).

Results

A total of 104 (31.8%) patients (Group 3) were considered as nonadherent which was mostly related to receiving SCIT with HDMs and using public transportation for reaching the hospital. Median MS, VAS‐symptom, and TSS‐6 scores of Group 3 patients during the pandemic were higher than the pre‐pandemic scores (p = 0.005, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively), whereas median VAS‐QoL scores of Group 3 during the pandemic were lower than the pre‐pandemic scores (p < 0.001). Median TSS‐6 and VAS‐symptom scores were the highest in Group 3 compared with other groups (p < 0.001 for each comparison). Median VAS‐QoL scores were the lowest in Group 3 compared with Group 1 and Group 2 (p < 0.001, p = 0.043, respectively).

Conclusion

When precautions in allergy clinics are carefully applied, adherence to SCIT can be high during a pandemic. Patients must be encouraged to regularly adhere to SCIT injections since delays in SCIT administration can deteriorate clinical symptoms.
With linear pricing, can profit‐maximizing monopoly output be socially efficient?
Authors: Chao Yong , Nahata Babu
Published: April 2021

We revisit the prevailing wisdom that a profit‐maximizing monopolist using linear pricing cannot produce socially efficient output. We show that when market demand function exhibits a flat portion, the prevailing wisdom may not be true. Such a “midway landing” in demand is consistent with weakly convex preferences, and many general demand functions such as any polynomials of degree three and higher. Thus, our analysis demonstrates that the output distortion resulting from linear pricing by a profit‐maximizing monopolist is demand specific. In general, neither monopoly per se nor linear pricing is the main reason for social inefficiency.
Editorial: Do we need inpatient units?
Authors: Carlson Gabrielle A. , Elvins Rachel
Published: April 2021

There is probably a consensus that psychiatric hospitalization for children and adolescents should be part of a continuum of care, but that given its expense and unnatural nature (children should be with families in a community), as noted by Kyriakopoulos in this issue, it should be used sparingly. Child psychiatrists in both the United States (McClellan) and the United Kingdom (Cotgrove and Northover) rue the fact that resources spent on inpatient units would be better spent on preventing hospitalization or providing better aftercare. It is certainly easy to see that the significant financial cost of a child’s inpatient stay might well pay for his or her psychiatric treatment in the community for a year – assuming there were enough well‐trained clinicians and resources to provide it. As we describe below, that is the rate‐limiting step to providing alternatives and may account for why treatment is centralized rather than kept in communities. Hamdani et al eloquently describe the situation in low‐ and middle‐income countries where there is a dearth of both inpatient and community resources; requiring urgent attention to the provision of holistic care for young people with mental health problems from preventive services upwards. The approach they describe is what our other authors are calling for, due to an historical over‐reliance on inpatient beds in higher income countries.
Multiple interactions between melatonin and non‐coding RNAs in cancer biology
Authors: Maleki Masomeh , Khelghati Nafiseh , Alemi Forough , Younesi Simin , Asemi Zatollah , Abolhasan Rozita , Bazdar Mahtab , Samadi‐Kafil Hossein , Yousefi Bahman
Published: April 2021

The melatonin hormone secreted by the pineal gland is involved in physiological functions such as growth and maturation, circadian cycles, and biological activities including antioxidants, anti‐tumor, and anti‐ischemia. Melatonin not only interacts with proteins but also has functional effects on regulatory RNAs such as long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs). In this study, we overview various physiological and pathological conditions affecting melatonin through lncRNA and miRNA. The information compiled herein will serve as a solid foundation to formulate ideas for future mechanistic studies on melatonin. It will also provide a chance to more clarify the emerging functions of the non‐coding transcriptome.
In silico identification and in vitro evaluation of a protein‐protein interaction inhibitor of Escherichia coli fatty acid biosynthesis
Authors: Charov Katherine , Burkart Michael D.
Published: April 2021

To combat the rise in antibiotic resistance, new targets must be identified and probes against them developed. Protein‐protein interactions (PPI) of bacterial type II fatty acid biosynthesis (FAS‐II) represent an untapped, yet rich area for new antibiotic discovery. Here, we present a computational and in vitro workflow for the discovery of new inhibitors of PPI in Escherichia coli FAS‐II. As part of this study, we identified suramin, an existing treatment for African sleeping sickness, to effectively block the interaction of E. coli dehydratase FabA and the acyl carrier protein EcACP, with an IC50 = 85 μΜ. This finding validates a workflow that combines in silico screening with in vitro PPI assays to identify probes appropriate for further optimization.
Physiological response of the retinal pigmented epithelium to 3‐ns pulse laser application, in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Wood John P. M. , Tahmasebi Marzieh , Casson Robert J. , Plunkett Malcolm , Chidlow Glyn
Published: April 2021

Background

To treat healthy retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) with the 3‐ns retinal rejuvenation therapy (2RT) laser and to investigate the subsequent wound‐healing response of these cells.

Methods

Primary rat RPE cells were treated with the 2RT laser at a range of energy settings. Treated cells were fixed up to 7 days post‐irradiation and assessed for expression of proteins associated with wound‐healing. For in vivo treatments, eyes of Dark Agouti rats were exposed to laser and tissues collected up to 7 days post‐irradiation. Isolated wholemount RPE preparations were examined for structural and protein expression changes.

Results

Cultured RPE cells were ablated by 2RT laser in an energy‐dependent manner. In all cases, the RPE cell layer repopulated completely within 7 days. Replenishment of RPE cells was associated with expression of the heat shock protein, Hsp27, the intermediate filament proteins, vimentin and nestin, and the cell cycle‐associated protein, cyclin D1. Cellular tight junctions were lost in lased regions but re‐expressed when cell replenishment was complete. In vivo, 2RT treatment gave rise to both an energy‐dependent localised denudation of the RPE and the subsequent repopulation of lesion sites. Cell replenishment was associated with the increased expression of cyclin D1, vimentin and the heat shock proteins Hsp27 and αB‐crystallin.

Conclusions

The 2RT laser was able to target the RPE both in vitro and in vivo, causing debridement of the cells and the consequent stimulation of a wound‐healing response leading to layer reformation.
Deep learning based six‐dimensional pose estimation in virtual reality
Authors: Yang Jiachen , Lei Yutian , Tian Ying , Xi Meng
Published: April 2021

Virtual reality technology, with its continuous development, is gradually applied to healthcare, education, business, and other fields. In the application of the technology, position and attitude estimation, as a space positioning technology, is indispensable. Traditional pose estimation has the problems of high dependence on environment and great complexity. But convolutional neural network (CNN) and other technologies with computational intelligence provide a strong guarantee for the progress of pose estimation. This article, based on the theory of CNN in deep learning, as well as monocular vision system and target sample set with markers, proposes a method for estimation of target position and attitude, and at the same time, describes in detail a general way of making dataset with markers based on simulation environment. In this article, the comparative experiments of different network structures show that this measurement method can avoid manual extraction of complex image features, and realize fast, arbitrary and accurate measurement, which plays a key role in pose and attitude measurement. Moreover, the visual correspondence between the world coordinate system and the pixel coordinate system is proved effectively by quaternion.
Whole‐brain mapping of amylin‐induced neuronal activity in receptor activity–modifying protein 1/3 knockout mice
Authors: Skovbjerg Grethe , Roostalu Urmas , Hansen Henrik H. , Lutz Thomas A. , Le Foll Christelle , Salinas Casper G. , Skytte Jacob L. , Jelsing Jacob , Vrang Niels , Hecksher‐Sørensen Jacob
Published: April 2021

The pancreatic hormone amylin plays a central role in regulating energy homeostasis and glycaemic control by stimulating satiation and reducing food reward, making amylin receptor agonists attractive for the treatment of metabolic diseases. Amylin receptors consist of heterodimerized complexes of the calcitonin receptor and receptor‐activity modifying proteins subtype 1‐3 (RAMP1‐3). Neuronal activation in response to amylin dosing has been well characterized, but only in selected regions expressing high levels of RAMPs. The current study identifies global brain‐wide changes in response to amylin and by comparing wild type and RAMP1/3 knockout mice reveals the importance of RAMP1/3 in mediating this response. Amylin dosing resulted in neuronal activation as measured by an increase in c‐Fos labelled cells in 20 brain regions, altogether making up the circuitry of neuronal appetite regulation (e.g., area postrema (AP), nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), parabrachial nucleus (PB), and central amygdala (CEA)). c‐Fos response was also detected in distinct nuclei across the brain that typically have not been linked with amylin signalling. In RAMP1/3 knockout amylin induced low‐level neuronal activation in seven regions, including the AP, NTS and PB, indicating the existence of RAMP1/3‐independent mechanisms of amylin response. Under basal conditions RAMP1/3 knockout mice show reduced neuronal activity in the hippocampal formation as well as reduced hippocampal volume, suggesting a role for RAMP1/3 in hippocampal physiology and maintenance. Altogether these data provide a global map of amylin response in the mouse brain and establishes the significance of RAMP1/3 receptors in relaying this response.