bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: A Clinical Primer for Nonexperts
Authors: MINZENBERG MICHAEL J. , YOON JONG H.
Published: November 2020

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a safe and effective therapeutic modality for a rapidly expanding range of neuropsychiatric indications. Among psychiatric conditions, it is presently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment-resistant unipolar major depressive disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, 2 highly prevalent conditions with a considerable public health impact. There is also mounting evidence for its clinical utility in numerous other neuropsychiatric conditions. Nonetheless, many mental health providers, as well as primary care and other providers, remain unfamiliar with its clinical use. In this primer, we seek to describe in nontechnical terms how the magnetic field is applied to the brain, the unmet needs that may be remediated with TMS, the present state of evidence for clinical effectiveness, particularly in major depressive disorder, the safety profile of TMS, what patients experience during TMS, and some recent developments that serve to advance the use of this still novel intervention. TMS is poised to assume an important place in the armamentarium of interventions to better serve our patients, especially those with serious, chronic conditions with high rates of resistance to more conventional treatments. Consequently, it is essential that mental health providers gain as adequate a working knowledge of device-based interventions such as TMS as they currently have of psychopharmacological and psychosocial interventions. Among other potential benefits, this information should aid the process of obtaining informed consent from patients who are candidates for these treatments.
Severe Hypothyroidism Manifested as Acute Mania With Psychotic Features: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: KAPLAN JONATHAN L. , CASTRO-REVOREDO IRIS
Published: November 2020

Hypothyroidism is associated with a wide array of medical, neurological, and psychiatric symptoms. Severe hypothyroidism may present as myxedema coma, a medical emergency. In addition, patients may present with myxedema psychosis, a psychiatric emergency manifested as hyperactive encephalopathy, hallucinations, delusions, and suicidal ideation. In rare instances, patients may present with symptoms of mania with psychosis. We present the case of a 26-year-old woman with no known psychiatric history who presented with gradual onset of altered mental status, distractibility, decreased need for sleep, pressured speech, and religious and paranoid delusions. Her medical history was significant for a surgically absent thyroid gland and nonadherence to thyroid hormone. The patient was found to have a severely elevated level of thyroid-stimulating hormone, low level of triiodothyronine, and undetectable thyroxine. Thyroid ultrasound demonstrated a surgically absent thyroid gland. The patient’s metabolic panel and random serum cortisol level were normal. Rapid plasma reagin was nonreactive, and toxin screening was negative. It was concluded that severe hypothyroidism was the cause of the patient’s mania with psychotic features, given her thyroid hormone levels and lack of history of a psychiatric or substance use disorder. Thyroid hormone monitoring and treatment of hypothyroidism is necessary in all patients who have undergone surgical excision of the thyroid gland. All patients presenting with a first episode mania should be screened for thyroid dysfunction. The preferred treatment includes an atypical antipsychotic and thyroid replacement therapy. Rapid resolution of symptoms can occur with combined levothyroxine and liothyronine. Correction of hypothyroidism improves response to antipsychotics.
Brief Report: Dipyridamole Decreases Gut Mucosal Regulatory T-Cell Frequencies Among People With HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Mallarino-Haeger Christina , Abebe Kaleab Z. , Jackson Edwin K. , Zyhowski Ashley , Klamar-Blain Cynthia , Cyktor Joshua C , Comer Diane , Brand Rhonda M. , Gillespie Delbert G. , Holleran Kyle , Mellors John W. , McGowan Ian , Riddler Sharon A. , Macatangay Bernard J.C.
Published: November 2020

Background:

We had previously conducted a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled, partial cross-over trial showing that 12 weeks of dipyridamole decreased CD8+ T-cell activation among treated HIV(+) individuals by increasing extracellular adenosine levels.

Methods:

In this substudy, rectosigmoid biopsies were obtained from 18 participants (9 per arm), to determine whether 12 weeks of dipyridamole affects mucosal immune cells. Participants randomized to placebo were then switched to dipyridamole for 12 weeks while the treatment arm continued dipyridamole for another 12 weeks. We evaluated T-cell frequencies and plasma markers of microbial translocation and intestinal epithelial integrity. Linear regression models on log-transformed outcomes were used for the primary 12-week analysis.

Results:

Participants receiving dipyridamole had a median 70.2% decrease from baseline in regulatory T cells (P = 0.007) and an 11.3% increase in CD8+ T cells (P = 0.05). There was a nonsignificant 10.80% decrease in plasma intestinal fatty acid binding protein levels in the dipyridamole arm compared with a 9.51% increase in the placebo arm. There were no significant differences in plasma levels of β-d-glucan. In pooled analyses, there continued to be a significant decrease in regulatory T cells (−44%; P = 0.004). There was also a trend for decreased CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell activation.

Conclusion:

Increasing extracellular adenosine levels using dipyridamole in virally suppressed HIV (+) individuals on antiretroviral therapy can affect regulation of gut mucosal immunity.
Methotrexate Decreases Tenofovir Exposure in Antiretroviral-Suppressed Individuals Living With HIV
Authors: Gingrich David , Deitchman Amelia N. , Kantor Amy , Huang Liusheng , Stein James H. , Currier Judith S. , Hsue Priscilla Y. , Ribaudo Heather J. , Aweeka Francesca T. ,   the ACTG 5314 Protocol Team
Published: November 2020

Background:

To mitigate increased risk of premature cardiovascular disease in antiretroviral therapy (ART) suppressed adults living with HIV (PWH), low-dose methotrexate (LDMTX) was evaluated in a multicenter randomized placebo controlled clinical trial of 176 PWH taking various ART regimens (ACTG A5314). Given shared methotrexate (MTX) and tenofovir (TFV) pharmacokinetic (PK) pathways, a substudy was conducted to investigate whether LDMTX alters TFV exposure.

Methods:

Adults virally suppressed on ART for >24 weeks were randomized to LDMTX or placebo. The first 66 participants taking a tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-containing regimen underwent intensive PK sampling over 24 hours after the second dose of LDMTX 10 mg or placebo. TFV and MTX levels were quantified using validated mass spectrometry methods. TFV PK between LDMTX and placebo groups were compared and MTX PK was characterized.

Results:

Forty-eight participants completed this substudy (n = 20 on LDMTX and 28 on placebo). Baseline characteristics were balanced except for protease inhibitor (PI)-use (25% in LDMTX and 43% in placebo groups). For TFV, AUC6 (primary endpoint), and AUC24,imputed, Cmax, and Cmin (secondary endpoints) were on average 22%, and 24%, 27%, and 31% less in the LDMTX versus placebo groups, with reductions in secondary endpoints reaching statistical significance. Additional analyses suggested a greater reduction in the absence of PI although not significant.

Conclusion:

Lower TFV AUC24,imputed and Cmax indicates that LDMTX reduces TFV exposure in PWH. However, this change was modest, not warranting a change in TFV dosing at this time. Further studies of TFV PK with LDMTX, especially without PI co-administration, are warranted.
Protocatechuic acid attenuates brain edema and blood-brain barrier disruption after intracerebral hemorrhage in mice by promoting Nrf2/HO-1 pathway
Authors: Xi Zhiyu , Chen Xiao , Xu Canxin , Wang Baofeng , Zhong Zhihong , Sun Qingfang , Sun Yuhao , Bian Liuguan
Published: November 2020

The brain edema following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) plays a key role in the recovery process. Protocatechuic acid (PCA) has been proved possessing neuroprotection in ICH. Here we tried to explore its value in brain edema after ICH and reveal underlying mechanisms. ICH model was created in C57 mice using collagenase IV. PCA was injected intraperitoneally at 30 mg/kg every 24 h in PCA group. On day 3 after ICH, the water content of hemorrhagic ipsilateral hemisphere in PCA group was significantly reduced compared with vehicle group. AQP4, the main water channel, was remarkably decreased in PCA group. Additionally, ZO-1 and occludin expression were increased in PCA group. The bEnd.3 cells were cultured to understand the effect of PCA on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. Compare to hemin treated group, plus PCA enhanced the expression of HO-1 and Nrf2 nuclear translocation. Furtherly, the overexpression of HO-1, ZO-1, occludin, in the PCA treatment group was inhibited after knockdown of Nrf2. Taken together, our results proved PCA alleviated brain edema and BBB disruption in ICH by promoting the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
MiR-124-3p alleviates the dezocine tolerance against pain by regulating TRAF6 in a rat model
Authors: Huo Yan , Zhang Kun , Zhang Tao , Han Yaqi , Hu Zhenjie
Published: November 2020

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in drug tolerance and regulating pain. The purpose of the present study is to explore the regulatory mechanism of miR-124-3p on dezocine tolerance against pain in a rat model. The expression of miR-124-3p and TRAF6 in spinal cord of rats was detected by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR. The paw withdrawal latency (PWL) and maximal potential efficiency % of rats were detected by PWL assay. The levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in spinal cord tissues of rats were measured by ELISA assay. The interaction between TRAF6 and miR-124-3p was predicted by TargetScan software (http://www.targetscan.org) and confirmed by the dual-luciferase reporter assay. The protein level of TRAF6 was determined by western blot. MiR-124-3p expression was highly downregulated in a dezocine-resistant model. MiR-124-3p overexpression could alleviate dezocine tolerance in rats. TRAF6 expression was significantly upregulated in a dezocine-resistant model. MiR-124-3p targeted TRAF6 and TRAF6 was negatively modulated by miR-124-3p. In addition, overexpression of TRAF6 could reverse the inhibitory effects of miR-124-3p on dezocine tolerance. Overexpression of miR-124-3p alleviates dezocine tolerance against pain via regulating TRAF6 in a rat model, providing a possible solution to address dezocine tolerance in clinical.
Reclassification of Geobacillus galactosidasius and Geobacillus yumthangensis as Parageobacillus galactosidasius comb. nov. and Parageobacillus yumthangensis comb. nov., respectively
Authors: Najar Ishfaq Nabi , Das Sayak , Thakur Nagendra
Published: November 2020

Members of the genus

Geobacillus

within the phylum

Firmicutes

are Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, endospore-forming, obligate thermophiles. In 2016, the genus

Geobacillus

was subdivided into two genera based on whole-genome approaches. The new genus,

Parageobacillus

, comprises five genomospecies. In this study, we recommend the reclassification of two

Geobacillus

species,

Geobacillus galactosidasius

and

Geobacillus yumthangensis

, into the genus

Parageobacillus

. We have applied whole genome approaches to estimate the phylogenetic relatedness among the 18

Geobacillus

and

Parageobacillus

type strains for which genome sequences are currently publicly available. The phylogenomic metrics AAI (average amino acid identity), ANI (average nucleotide identity) and dDDH (digital DNA–DNA hybridization) denoted that the type strains of

G. galactosidasius

and

G. yumthangensis

belong to the genus

Parageobacillus

. Furthermore, a phylogeny based on comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequences, recN gene sequences and core genes identified from the whole-genome analyses designated that the type strains of

G. galactosidasius

and

G. yumthangensis

belong in the genus

Parageobacillus

. With these findings, we consequently propose that

G. galactosidasius

and

G. yumthangensis

should be reclassified as Parageobacillus galactosidasius comb. nov. and Parageobacillus yumthangensis comb. nov.
Neuron-gated silicon nanowire field effect transistors to follow single spike propagation within neuronal network
Authors: Delacour C. , Veliev F. , Crozes T. , Bres G. , Minet J. , Becq G. , Ionica I. , Ernst T. , Briançon-Marjollet A. , Albrieux M. , Villard C.
Published: November 2020

Silicon nanowire field effect transistors SiNW-FETs provide a local probe for sensing neuronal activity at the subcellular scale, thanks to their nanometer size and ultrahigh sensitivity. The combination with micro-patterning or microfluidic techniques to build model neurons networks above SiNW arrays could allow monitoring spike propagation and tailor specific stimulations, being useful to investigate network communications at multiple scales, such as plasticity or computing processes. This versatile device could be useful in many research areas, including diagnosis, prosthesis, and health security. Using top-down silicon nanowires-based array, we show here the ability to record electrical signals from matured neurons with top-down silicon nanowires, such as local field potential and unitary spike within ex-vivo preparations and hippocampal neurons grown on chip respectively. Furthermore, we demonstrate the ability to guide neurites above the sensors array during 3 weeks of cultures and follow propagation of spikes along cells. Silicon nanowire field effect transistors are obtained by top-down approach with CMOS compatible technology, showing the possibility to implement them at manufacturing level. These results confirm further the potentiality of the approach to follow spike propagation over large distances and at precise location along neuronal cells, by providing a multiscale addressing at the nano and mesoscales.
Modeling Combined Ultrasound and Photoacoustic Imaging: Simulations aiding Device Development and Deep Learning
Authors: Agrawal Sumit , Dangi Ajay , Kothapalli Sri-Rajasekhar
Published: November 2020

Combined ultrasound and photoacoustic (USPA) imaging has attracted several clinical applications due to its ability to simultaneously display structural and molecular information of deep biological tissue in real time. However, the depth dependent optical attenuation and the unknown optical and acoustic heterogeneities, limit the USPA imaging performance, especially from deeper tissue regions. Novel instrumentation, image reconstruction and deep learning methods are currently being explored to improve the USPA image quality. Effective implementation of these approaches requires a reliable USPA simulation tool capable of generating US based anatomical and PA based molecular information. Here, we developed a hybrid USPA simulation platform by integrating finite element models of light and ultrasound propagation. The feasibility of modeling US combined with optical fluence dependent multispectral PA imaging is demonstrated using in silico homogeneous and heterogeneous prostate tissue. The platform allows optimization of device design parameters, such as the aperture size and frequency of light source and ultrasound detector arrays. In addition, the potential of this simulation platform to generative massive USPA datasets aiding the data driven deep-learning enhanced USPA imaging has been validated using both simulations and experiments.
ExHuMId: A curated resource and analysis of Exposome of Human Milk across India
Authors: Karthikeyan Bagavathy Shanmugam , Ravichandran Janani , Aparna S. R. , Samal Areejit
Published: November 2020

Human milk is a vital source of nourishment for infants, containing nutrients, immunoprotective components, and bioactive substances. However, several environmental contaminants find their way into human milk. Although lactation physiology has been well documented, the effect of human milk contaminants on maternal and infant health remains unclear. Human milk is the major route of contaminant exposure to infants; these contaminants and their effects can themselves be considered an exposome. While there are chemical regulations in India and scientific literature on environmental contaminants is available, yet there is a lack of systematic compilation, monitoring, and risk management of human milk contaminants. We have harnessed the potential of this large body of literature to develop theExposome ofHumanMilk acrossIndia (ExHuMId) containing detailed information on 101 environmental contaminants detected in human milk samples, studied across 13 Indian states, compiled from 36 research articles. ExHuMId also compiles the detected concentrations of the contaminants, structural and physicochemical properties, and factors associated with the donor of the sample. Here, we also present findings from a three-pronged analysis of ExHuMId and two other resources on human milk contaminants, with a focus on the Indian scenario. Through a comparative analysis with global chemical regulations and guidelines, we identify human milk contaminants of high concern, such as potential carcinogens, endocrine disruptors and neurotoxins. We then study the physicochemical properties of the contaminants to gain insights on their propensity to transfer into human milk. Further, we employ a systems biology approach to shed light on potential effects of human milk contaminants on maternal and infant health, by identifying contaminant-gene interactions associated with lactation, cytokine signalling and production, and protein-mediated transport. ExHuMId is accessible online at:https://cb.imsc.res.in/exhumid/.
Invariant Odor Recognition with ON-OFF Neural Ensembles
Authors: Nizampatnam Srinath , Zhang Lijun , Chandak Rishabh , Katta Nalin , Raman Barani
Published: November 2020

Invariant recognition of a stimulus is a challenging pattern-recognition problem that must be dealt with by all sensory systems. Since neural responses evoked by a stimulus could be perturbed in a multitude of ways, could a single scheme be devised to achieve this computational capability? We examined this issue in locust olfactory system. We found that odor-evoked responses in individual projection neurons in the locust antennal lobe varied unpredictably with repetition, stimulus dynamics, stimulus history, presence of background odorants, and changes in ambient conditions. Yet, a highly-constrained Bayesian logistic regression approach with ternary weights could provide robust odor recognition. We found that this approach could be further simplified: sum firing rates of ON neurons and subtract total activity in OFF neurons (‘ON minus OFF’ classifier). Notably, we found that this approach could be generalized to develop a Boolean neural network that can perform well in a non-olfactory pattern recognition task.
Mitotic interhomolog recombination drives genomic diversity in diatoms
Authors: Bulánková Petra , Sekulić Mirna , Jallet Denis , Nef Charlotte , Delmont Tom , van Oosterhout Cock , Vercauteren Ilse , Osuna-Cruz Cristina Maria , Vancaester Emmelien , Mock Thomas , Sabbe Koen , Daboussi Fayza , Bowler Chris , Vyverman Wim , Vandepoele Klaas , De Veylder Lieven
Published: November 2020

Diatoms, an evolutionarily successful group of microalgae, display high levels of intraspecific variability in natural populations. However, the process generating such diversity is unknown. Here we estimated the variability within a natural diatom population and subsequently mapped the genomic changes arising within cultures clonally propagated from single diatom cells. We demonstrate that genome rearrangements and mitotic recombination between homologous chromosomes underlie clonal variability, resulting in haplotype diversity accompanied by the appearance of novel protein variants and loss of heterozygosity resulting in the fixation of alleles. The frequency of interhomolog mitotic recombination exceeds 4 out of 100 cell divisions and increases under environmental stress. We propose that this plastic response in the interhomolog mitotic recombination rate increases the evolutionary potential of diatoms, contributing to their ecological success.

One Sentence Summary

Recombination between homologous chromosomes in diatom vegetative cells leads to extensive genomic diversity in clonal populations.
Genomic Insights into the Demographic History of Southern Chinese
Authors: Huang Xiufeng , Xia Zi-Yang , Bin Xiaoyun , He Guanglin , Guo Jianxin , Lin Chaowen , Yin Lianfei , Zhao Jing , Ma Zhuofei , Ma Fuwei , Li Yingxiang , Hu Rong , Wei Lan-Hai , Wang Chuan-Chao
Published: November 2020

Southern China is the birthplace of rice-cultivating agriculture, different language families, and human migrations that facilitated these cultural diffusions. The fine-scale demographic historyin situ, however, remains unclear. To comprehensively cover the genetic diversity in East and Southeast Asia, we generated genome-wide SNP data from 211 present-day Southern Chinese and co-analyzed them with more than 1,200 ancient and modern genomes. We discover that the previously described ‘Southern East Asian’ or ‘Yangtze River Farmer’ lineage is monophyletic but not homogeneous, comprising four regionally differentiated sub-ancestries. These ancestries are respectively responsible for the transmission of Austronesian, Kra-Dai, Hmong-Mien, and Austroasiatic languages and their original homelands successively distributed from East to West in Southern China. Multiple phylogenetic analyses support that the earliest living branching among East Asian-related populations is First Americans (∼27,700 BP), followed by the pre-LGM differentiation between Northern and Southern East Asians (∼23,400 BP) and the pre-Neolithic split between Coastal and Inland Southern East Asians (∼16,400 BP). In North China, distinct coastal and inland routes of south-to-north gene flow had established by the Holocene, and further migration and admixture formed the genetic profile of Sinitic speakers by ∼4,000 BP. Four subsequent massive migrations finalized the complete genetic structure of present-day Southern Chinese. First, a southward Sinitic migration and the admixture with Kra-Dai speakers formed the ‘Sinitic Cline’. Second, a bi-directional admixture between Hmong-Mien and Kra-Dai speakers gave rise to the ‘Hmong-Mien Cline’ in the interior of South China between ∼2,000 and ∼1,000 BP. Third, a southwestward migration of Kra-Dai speakers in recent ∼2,000 years impacted the genetic profile for the majority of Mainland Southeast Asians. Finally, an admixture between Tibeto-Burman incomers and indigenous Austroasiatic speakers formed the Tibeto-Burman speakers in Southeast Asia by ∼2,000 BP.
The markets' evaluation triangle
Authors: Katselidis Ioannis , Daflos George , Fetanis Stelios
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The main goal of this paper is to provide us with a more systematic framework for examining the moral background of markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper makes an attempt to put forward a way of market evaluation relying upon the three major moral theories of utilitarianism, deontology (Kantianism) and virtue ethics. Specifically, by using these three basic pillars, an “evaluation triangle” is constructed in order to examine various crucial moral aspects of markets' functioning.

Findings

The paper examines some significant distortions with respect to the three above-mentioned triangle's sides, using also examples from the real world. The paper also discusses the main findings from the previous analysis, stressing also emphasis on some crucial factors with respect to the triangle's functioning, such as the role of culture and time.

Originality/value

Mainstream economic theory, with a very few exceptions, does not acknowledge the interwovenness of economic behavior and morality, adopting the fact/value dichotomy underlying modern science. Accordingly, most economists usually avoid answering questions concerning ethical topics. The market system, however, has a direct effect on our everyday lives, so it is crucial that a systematic method of moral assessment can be proposed. Thus, this paper seeks to promote the dialogue with respect to the interconnection between economic and moral issues.
Men’s psychological and functional changes during parental transition: a review study
Authors: Samadaee Gelehkolaee Keshvar , Geranmayeh Mehrnaz , Behboodi Moghadam Zahra , Mirghafourvand Mojgan , Zareiyan Armin , Sanaati Fovziye
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Transition to parenthood (TTP) is a major life event that affects all aspects of one’s psychosocial function. Similar to their partners, men experience a lot of psychological changes during the TTP process. As there are a few studies on this subject, so the purpose of this study is to review previous studies on psychological and functional changes in men during TTP.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a review study that reports the findings from a review of previous studies on psychological and functional changes in men during TTP. This study searched from the electronic database between articles published in between 2005–20.

Findings

This study was carried out in five stages: framing research questions; searching databases with an effective strategy; selecting relevant studies; findings mining; summarizing and classifying findings; and providing results. After the literature review, relevant studies were categorized into three groups. The first, second and third groups included studies on prenatal, labor and delivery and postnatal TTP, respectively. Psychological and functional changes in men during TTP significantly affect child-father relationships, development of children and sexual relationship with a partner. Therefore, further attention should be given to this important process, along with changes, expectations, needs, etc.

Originality/value

This study reviews men’s functional changes along with their psychological changes during the parental transition. This study also reviews effective strategies and interventions for successful parental transition in men.
Managing an existential threat: how a global crisis contaminates organizational decision-making
Authors: Norris J. Ian , Casa de Calvo Mario P. , Mather Robert D.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The paper introduces a new model, the evolutionary-existential model of organizational decision-making. The purpose of the model is to provide an empirical framework for understanding the context for decision-making under conditions of existential threat to organizations, such as the global COVID-19 pandemic during the year 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

The model is built on an extensive interdisciplinary literature review, drawing from research in social psychology, management, behavioral economics, evolutionary psychology and consumer behavior. In general, the authors follow Bargal's (2006) call for action research in the spirit of Lewin (1951).

Findings

According to the model, organizational decision-making during the pandemic threat is influenced by (1) existential threat and (2) an unprecedented macroenvironmental context for decision-making. The authors argue that these psychological and macroenvironmental forces may lead to suboptimal decision-making, based on (1) their basic cognitive architecture and (2) specific evolutionary triggers activated by the pandemic. The authors highlight how the interaction between these inputs and the decision context manifest in various social psychological phenomena that are known to impact judgments and decisions.

Practical implications

Simply put, the magnitude and the urgency of the global pandemic call for new and integrative ways of understanding organizational decision-making.

Originality/value

The model is new. Although the authors draw on prior research and theory, the model is uniquely interdisciplinary; further, the authors are able to make specific and unique predictions about the inputs, decision context and their social–psychological consequences for decision-making.
The relation between employee characteristics and knowledge sharing
Authors: Matošková Jana , Bartók Ottó , Tomancová Lucie
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Knowledge sharing becomes crucial in today’s competitive world to foster organizational performance. This paper aims to explore which employee characteristics facilitate knowledge sharing in the organizations and to examine the dimensions of these characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

Opinion-based questionnaires among employees in Czech companies were applied. The research design in this study was cross-sectional. The hypotheses were tested by Pearson’s correlations and regression analyses.

Findings

The findings support the idea that specific individual employee characteristics increase knowledge sharing in the organization. Four categories of potentially appropriate employee individual characteristics were suggested: social and communication skills; positive work feelings; competences for problem-solving; and employee’s self-efficacy. However, only employee’s positive work feelings and self-efficacy significantly predicted the extent of knowledge sharing in the organization.

Practical implications

The findings offer a basis for future research. The results of the study can be used in recruiting new employees and managerial decision-making. The recruitment methods and the selection methods deployed should enable the firm to attract those whose values are in harmony with the organization’s values. Managers should build a work environment that promotes greater and more trusting ties among employees via organizing social activities for employees, a supervisor’s acceptance of an employee’s autonomy and responsibility and increasing employees’ confidence in their abilities.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to investigate dimensions of employee knowledge-oriented characteristics. It supports the idea that some individual employee characteristics boost spontaneous knowledge sharing behaviour.
On the evolution of cellular senescence
Authors: Kowald Axel , Passos João F. , Kirkwood Thomas B. L.
Published: November 2020

The idea that senescent cells are causally involved in aging has gained strong support from findings that the removal of such cells alleviates many age‐related diseases and extends the life span of mice. While efforts proceed to make therapeutic use of such discoveries, it is important to ask what evolutionary forces might have been behind the emergence of cellular senescence, in order better to understand the biology that we might seek to alter. Cellular senescence is often regarded as an anti‐cancer mechanism, since it limits the division potential of cells. However, many studies have shown that senescent cells often also have carcinogenic properties. This is difficult to reconcile with the simple idea of an anti‐cancer mechanism. Furthermore, other studies have shown that cellular senescence is involved in wound healing and tissue repair. Here, we bring these findings and ideas together and discuss the possibility that these functions might be the main reason for the evolution of cellular senescence. Furthermore, we discuss the idea that senescent cells might accumulate with age because the immune system had to strike a balance between false negatives (overlooking some senescent cells) and false positives (destroying healthy body cells).
Evaluating endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response through the lens of ecology and evolution
Authors: Yap Kang Nian , Yamada KayLene , Zikeli Shelby , Kiaris Hippokratis , Hood Wendy R.
Published: November 2020

Considerable progress has been made in understanding the physiological basis for variation in the life‐history patterns of animals, particularly with regard to the roles of oxidative stress and hormonal regulation. However, an underappreciated and understudied area that could play a role in mediating inter‐ and intraspecific variation of life history is endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and the resulting unfolded protein response (UPRER). ER stress response and the UPRER maintain proteostasis in cells by reducing the intracellular load of secretory proteins and enhancing protein folding capacity or initiating apoptosis in cells that cannot recover. Proper modulation of the ER stress response and execution of the UPRER allow animals to respond to intracellular and extracellular stressors and adapt to constantly changing environments. ER stress responses are heritable and there is considerable individual variation in UPRER phenotype in animals, suggesting that ER stress and UPRER phenotype can be subjected to natural selection. The variation in UPRER phenotype presumably reflects the way animals respond to ER stress and environmental challenges. Most of what we know about ER stress and the UPRER in animals has either come from biomedical studies using cell culture or from experiments involving conventional laboratory or agriculturally important models that exhibit limited genetic diversity. Furthermore, these studies involve the assessment of experimentally induced qualitative changes in gene expression as opposed to the quantitative variations that occur in naturally existing populations. Almost all of these studies were conducted in controlled settings that are often quite different from the conditions animals experience in nature. Herein, we review studies that investigated ER stress and the UPRER in relation to key life‐history traits including growth and development, reproduction, bioenergetics and physical performance, and ageing and senescence. We then ask if these studies can inform us about the role of ER stress and the UPRER in mediating the aforementioned life‐history traits in free‐living animals. We propose that there is a need to conduct experiments pertaining to ER stress and the UPRER in ecologically relevant settings, to characterize variation in ER stress and the UPRER in free‐living animals, and to relate the observed variation to key life‐history traits. We urge others to integrate multiple physiological systems and investigate how interactions between ER stress and oxidative stress shape life‐history trade‐offs in free‐living animals.
Bizarre giant cells in human angiosarcoma exhibit chemoresistance and contribute to poor survival outcomes
Authors: Tan Grace Fangmin , Goh Shane , Lim Abner Herbert , Liu Wei , Lee Jing Yi , Rajasegaran Vikneswari , Sam Xin Xiu , Tay Timothy Kwang Yong , Selvarajan Sathiyamoorthy , Ng Cedric Chuan‐Young , Teh Bin Tean , Chan Jason Yongsheng
Published: November 2020

Giant cells (GC) are a poorly understood subset of tumor cells that have been increasingly recognized as a potential contributor to tumor heterogeneity and treatment resistance. We aimed to characterize the biological and clinical significance of GC in angiosarcoma, an aggressive rare cancer of endothelial origin. Archival angiosarcoma samples were examined for the presence of GC and compared with clinicopathological as well as NanoString gene expression data. GC were examined in angiosarcoma cell lines MOLAS and ISOHAS using conventional and electron microscopy, single cell whole genome profiling, and other assays. In the cell lines, GC represented a rare population of mitotically active, non–senescent CD31+ cells, and shared similar genomic profiles with regular‐sized cells, consistent with a malignant endothelial phenotype. GC remained viable and persisted in culture following exposure to paclitaxel and doxorubicin. In patient samples, GC were present in 24 of 58 (41.4%) cases. GC was correlated with poorer responses to chemotherapy (25.0% vs 73.3%, P = 0.0213) and independently contributed to worse overall survival outcomes (hazard ratio 2.20, 95% confidence interval 1.17‐4.15, P = 0.0142). NanoString profiling revealed overexpression of genes, including COL11A1, STC1, and ERO1A, accompanied by upregulation of immune‐related metabolic stress and metastasis/matrix remodeling pathways in GC‐containing tumors. In conclusion, GC may contribute to chemoresistance and poor prognosis in angiosarcoma.
TNK2‐AS1 upregulated by YY1 boosts the course of osteosarcoma through targeting miR‐4319/WDR1
Authors: Yao Weitao , Yan Qiang , Du Xinhui , Hou Jingyu
Published: November 2020

Mounting research papers have suggested that long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) elicit important functions in the progression of osteosarcoma (OS). This study focused on the role of TNK2‐AS1 in OS. TNK2‐AS1 was powerfully expressed in OS tissues and cell lines. In addition, TNK2‐AS1 downregulation inhibited proliferative, migratory, and invasive capacities while promoting apoptosis in OS cells. miR‐4319 was removed by TNK2‐AS1 and therefore TNK2‐AS1 elevated WDR1 expression in OS cells. miR‐4319 had an inhibitory influence on OS progression, while WDR1 was a contributor to OS progression. Rescue assays certified that TNK2‐AS1 promoted malignant phenotypes in vitro and the growth in vivo of OS cells by upregulating WDR1. In depth, we found that YY1 accelerated the transcription of TNK2‐AS1 in OS cells, and that its role in OS also depended on TNK2‐AS1‐regulated WDR1. In conclusion, TNK2‐AS1 was positively modulated by YY1 and aggravated the development of OS by ‘sponging’ miR‐4319 to elevate WDR1. The findings highlighted that TNK2‐AS1 might be a promising target for the treatment of OS.
Progress report on new antiepileptic drugs: A summary of the Fifteenth Eilat Conference on New Antiepileptic Drugs and Devices (EILAT XV). II. Drugs in more advanced clinical development
Authors: Bialer Meir , Johannessen Svein I. , Koepp Matthias J. , Levy René H. , Perucca Emilio , Perucca Piero , Tomson Torbjörn , White H. Steve
Published: November 2020

The Fifteenth Eilat Conference on New Antiepileptic Drugs and Devices (EILAT XV) was held as a fully virtual conference from July 27 to July 30, 2020 for the sessions on drugs, and on August 3, 2020 for the sessions on devices. A total of 534 delegates from 63 countries attended lectures and interactive discussions, representing a broad range of disciplines from basic science, clinical research, and clinical care. This progress report provides summaries of recent findings on investigational compounds for which preclinical data as well as data from patient studies were presented. The report includes the following five compounds: anakinra, cenobamate, CVL‐865, fenfluramine, and ganaxolone, all with novel modes of action compared to more established antiepileptic drugs. Some of these compounds demonstrated promising results in placebo‐controlled phase 3 trials, and two have recently received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These include cenobamate, which was approved by the FDA on November 21, 2019 for the treatment of partial onset (focal) seizures in adults, and fenfluramine oral solution, which was approved by the FDA on June 25, 2020 for the treatment of seizures associated with Dravet syndrome in patients 2 years and older.
On the use of the Fictitious Material Concept in estimating the ultimate load of keyhole notched AA6061‐T6 specimens under large tension‐torsion deformations
Authors: Torabi Ali Reza , Mohammadi Saeed , Saboori Behnam , Ayatollahi Majid Reza
Published: November 2020

This paper examines the fracture of AA6061‐T6 specimens with ductile behavior having notches with keyhole geometry under combined loading of tension/torsion. The investigation is performed by theoretical and experimental methods. New fracture tests are performed using a loading fixture on the samples made of AA6061‐T6 weakened by keyhole notches with different notch tip radii. For theoretically estimating the onset of fracture in the tested notched specimens, a concept called “Fictitious Material Concept (FMC)” is used to equate the ductile material with a fictitious brittle material. Therefore, use of this concept allows use of the linear elastic brittle fracture criteria for ductile materials. The brittle fracture criteria utilized are the “mean stress (MS)” and “maximum tangential stress (MTS)” criteria. The small difference between the theoretical and experimental results confirms that use of the combination of FMC with the two criteria is successful in predicting failure of the keyhole notched AA6061‐T6 samples.
Diets of double‐crested cormorants in the Lake Winnebago System, Wisconsin
Authors: Koenigs Ryan P. , Dembkowski Daniel J. , Lovell Charles D. , Isermann Daniel A. , Nickel Adam D.
Published: November 2020

Double‐crested cormorant Phalacrocorox auritus Lesson (cormorant) populations have increased throughout the Great Lakes region of North America causing concern related to the impact of cormorant predation on fish communities. A recent decline in yellow perch Perca flavescens (Mitchill) abundance within the Lake Winnebago System, Wisconsin, USA, prompted an assessment of cormorant diets to evaluate potential effects of cormorant predation on the sportfish community. Diets were collected from 883 cormorants (417 from Lake Winnebago and 466 from Lake Butte des Morts) between 2015 and 2017. Cormorant diets on both waterbodies consisted mostly of freshwater drum Aplodinotus grunniens Rafinesque and gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum (Lesueur). Yellow perch and walleye Sander vitreus (Mitchill) observations were infrequent and represented < 5% of cormorant diets by weight each year. Under current conditions, cormorant predation likely has minimal impact on the Lake Winnebago sportfish community, but more research is needed to assess potential impacts on Lake Butte des Morts.
Association between uric acid and atherosclerosis in community‐dwelling older people: The SONIC study
Authors: Tanaka Kentaro , Kabayama Mai , Sugimoto Ken , Akasaka Hiroshi , Takami Yoichi , Takeya Yasushi , Yamamoto Koichi , Sekiguchi Toshiaki , Kiyoshige Eri , Akagi Yuya , Godai Kayo , Yasumoto Saori , Masui Yukie , Gondo Yasuyuki , Ikebe Kazunori , Arai Yasumichi , Ishizaki Tatsuro , Rakugi Hiromi , Kamide Kei ,   the SONIC study group
Published: November 2020

Aim

The association between serum uric acid (UA) and atherosclerosis in old people is controversial. Therefore, in this study, we clarified this association by assessing serum UA and common carotid atherosclerosis examined by carotid ultrasound in community‐dwelling older people in their 70s, 80s and 90s in the SONIC study.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted involving 538 men and 577 women recruited from the community. The analysis was performed using serum UA as the explanatory variable and the maximum carotid intima‐media thickness (max‐CIMT) and mean‐IMT as the dependent variables. The analysis was performed by multiple regression using traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis as adjustment variables.

Results

Analysis of the association between serum UA and IMT revealed a significant correlation only in women >70 years old. Max‐CIMT (β = 0.081, 95% CI = 0.026, 0.136; P = 0.004) and mean‐IMT (β = 0.015, 95% CI = 0.003, 0.029; P = 0.016) were significant. In the analysis of each age group, a significant correlation was only found in women in their 70s for mean‐IMT (β = 0.031, 95% CI = 0.008, 0.053; P = 0.008).

Conclusion

In community‐dwelling women aged about 70 years old, elevated serum UA may be an independent risk factor for IMT thickening as a surrogate marker for atherosclerosis. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 94–101.
Infantile Myofibromatosis: A Case Study and Review of Literature
Authors: Giannakopoulou Christina , Hatzidaki Eleftheria , Giannakopoulos Konstantinos , Matalliotakis Ioannis , Koumantakis Evgenios , Kalmanti Maria
Published: November 2020

Infantile myofibromatosis is an unusual condition generally presenting in the newborn period. The case being reported is that of a female newborn who had multiple lesions that involved skin, subcutaneous tissue, skeletal muscles, bone, and lungs. The disease was diagnosed because of the easily palpable skin tumors and subcutaneous nodules that were obvious immediately after birth. The diagnosis was established by histopathological examination of one nodule that showed a spindle‐celled mesenchymatogenic lesion demonstrating the morphological and immuno‐phenotype characteristics of myofibroblastic differentiation. The histologic picture, combined with the clinical manifestations and the imaging findings, are consistent with infantile myofibromatosis. The physical condition of the newborn was excellent and remains so six months later. The tumors of the skin and the subcutaneous nodules have gradually regressed without therapy. At the age of six months, four (4) nodules are palpable; the infant is under continuous observation.
The difference between nocturnal dipping status and morning blood pressure surge for target organ damage in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Song Jun , Li Yongjie , Han Tong , Wu Jianhao , Lou Tanqi , Zhang Jun , Ye Zengchun , Peng Hui
Published: November 2020

The authors aimed to investigate the epidemiology of morning blood pressure (BP) surge (MBPS) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, and the interaction effect between MBPS and dipping status for target organ damage (TOD). A total of 823 non‐dialysis CKD patients were enrolled in this cross‐sectional study. Subjects were grouped according to their systolic BP morning surge and dipping status, assessed by 24‐hour ambulatory BP monitoring. Patients with elevated MBPS had the highest quartile of MBPS (≥26.89 mm Hg). Non‐dipping pattern was defined as a decline in the nocturnal systolic BP of <10%. The factorial‐designed analysis of variance indicated that there was no statistically significant interaction effect for TOD between MBPS and dipping status (P > .05). There was a statistically significant association between MBPS and the non‐dipping pattern (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.12‐0.25; OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.91‐0.93). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that excessive MBPS is an independent risk factor for poor renal function, independent of a non‐dipping pattern, and BP level, whereas the non‐dipping pattern was an important risk factor for left ventricular hypertrophy. Special attention should be paid to synchronous control of MBPS and nocturnal BP in CKD patients in clinical practice.
Identification of potential hosts plants of Cowpea aphid‐borne mosaic virus
Authors: Junco Michele Cristina , Silva Camila de Cassia , do Carmo Camila Maria , Kotsubo Roger Yochiharu , de Novaes Tanara Garcia , Molina Rubia de Oliveira
Published: November 2020

Among the major pathogens affecting passion fruit orchards, the cowpea aphid‐borne mosaic virus (CABMV), also known as the fruit‐hardening virus, has gained prominence owing to its role in the drastic reduction in fruit production in yellow passion fruit orchards (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) from the second year of cultivation. To mitigate the damage, several regions adopt the annual planting system where a sanitary void is maintained from August to September. However, the virus is believed to remain dormant in weeds. This study aimed to identify potential weed hosts of CABMV. The study was conducted with a randomized design with four replications in Londrina, PR. Twenty‐eight weed species were tested, and a sample of yellow passion fruit leaves symptomatic for CABMV infection was used as the virus inoculum source. Mechanical inoculation was performed using the extract from the symptomatic plant. Symptoms were visually evaluated every 3 days. For molecular confirmation, total RNA was extracted, followed by RT‐PCR with CABMV‐specific oligonucleotides, reinoculation in passion fruit plants and sequencing. CABMV infection was observed in southern sandbur (Cenchrus echinatus), Siberian motherwort (Leonurus sibiricus), showy rattlepod (Crotalaria spectabilis) and yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis). The CABMV‐positive weed species extract was able to infect yellow passion fruit plant when a fresh mechanical inoculation was performed. Showy rattlepod (Crotalaria spectabilis) was the only weed species to exhibit observable symptoms of CABMV. C. echinatus, L. sibiricus and C. spectabilis act as a source of CABMV inoculum.