bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Signals of recent tropical radiations in Cunoniaceae, an iconic family for understanding Southern Hemisphere biogeography
Authors: Segovia Ricardo A. , Griffiths Andy R. , Arenas Diego , Dias A. A. Piyali , Dexter Kyle G.
Published: January 2020

Extratropical angiosperm diversity is thought to have arisen from lineages that originated in the more diverse tropics, but studies of dispersal between tropical and extratropical environments and their consequences for diversification are rare. In order to understand the evolutionary effects of shifts between the tropics and extratropics, defined here as areas thatdoversusdo notregularly experience freezing temperatures, we studied the biogeographic history and associated diversification patterns of Cunoniaceae. We mapped the distribution of all species in the family and combined this with a newly constructed phylogeny for the family. The family shows a long evolutionary association with both tropical and extratropical environments, the tropics house considerably greater species richness of Cunoniaceae. Indeed, both tropical and extratropical environments appear to have had a similar number of lineages until 12 Ma, after which time the number of lineages in tropical areas increased at a faster rate. In addition, community phylogenetic approaches show that tropical regions have markedly less phylogenetic diversity than expected given their species richness, which is further suggestive of recent species radiations in tropical areas. The Cunoniaceae show an atypical pattern for angiosperms of frequent shifts between tropical and extratropical environments, but despite this, shows a more conventional pattern of higher, although recent, diversification rates in the tropics. Our results support the idea that high angiosperm species richness in the tropics may result from the tropics acting as a cradle of recent angiosperm diversification.
Establishment of a Human RNA Pol II Pausing System and the Identification of O-GlcNAc Cycling Regulating Pol II Pausing and Elongation
Authors: Lewis Brian A. , Levens David
Published: January 2020

Paused RNA polymerase II is the major regulated step of transcription in metazoans. We describe here a unique human cell-free transcription system that recapitulates RNA pol II pausing and assemble paused pol IIs on the human CMV IE, SV40, and heat shock promoters, all is the case in vivo. We then use the system to show that PARP-1 and CDK12/13 inhibitors directly affect pausing and elongation. We then show that O-GlcNAcylation is required for the establishment of a paused pol II: inhibition of OGT allowed pol II to bypass pausing and begin to elongate. Addback of rOGT or the pausing factor NELF re-established the pausing. In vivo nascent RNA measurements showed that OGA inhibition blocks elongation. These data show that cell-free systems can recapitulate RNA pol II pausing, that PARP-1 and CDK12/13 directly regulate RNA pol II elongation, and identify O-GlcNAc cycling regulating both pausing and pause release.
Functional characterization of two rare BCR–FGFR1+ leukemias
Authors: Barnes Evan J. , Leonard Jessica , Medeiros Bruno C. , Druker Brian J. , Tognon Cristina E.
Published: January 2020

8p11 myeloproliferative syndrome (EMS) represents a unique World Health Organization (WHO)-classified hematologic malignancy defined by translocations of the FGFR1 receptor. The syndrome is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by eosinophilia and lymphadenopathy, with risk of progression to either acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or T- or B-lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia. Within the EMS subtype, translocations between breakpoint cluster region (BCR) and fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) have been shown to produce a dominant fusion protein that is notoriously resistant to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Here, we report two cases of BCR–FGFR1+ EMS identified via RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Sanger sequencing revealed that both cases harbored the exact same breakpoint. In the first case, the patient presented with AML-like disease, and in the second, the patient progressed to B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Additionally, we observed that that primary leukemia cells from Case 1 demonstrated sensitivity to the tyrosine kinase inhibitors ponatinib and dovitinib that can target FGFR1 kinase activity, whereas primary cells from Case 2 were resistant to both drugs. Taken together, these results suggest that some but not all BCR–FGFR1 fusion positive leukemias may respond to TKIs that target FGFR1 kinase activity.
The early history of cryo-cooling for macromolecular crystallography
Authors: Haas David J.
Published: January 2020

This paper recounts the first successful cryo-cooling of protein crystals that demonstrated the reduction in X-ray damage to macromolecular crystals. The project was suggested by David C. Phillips in 1965 at the Royal Institution of Great Britain and continued in 1967 at the Weizmann Institute of Science, where the first cryo-cooling experiments were performed on lysozyme crystals, and was completed in 1969 at Purdue University on lactate dehydrogenase crystals. A 1970 publication in Acta Crystallographica described the cryo-procedures, the use of cryo-protectants to prevent ice formation, the importance of fast, isotropic cryo-cooling and the collection of analytical data showing more than a tenfold decrease in radiation damage in cryo-cooled lactate dehydrogenase crystals. This was the first demonstration of any method that reduced radiation damage in protein crystals, which provided crystallographers with suitable means to employ synchrotron X-ray sources for protein-crystal analysis. Today, fifty years later, more than 90% of the crystal structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank have been cryo-cooled.
Small-angle neutron scattering studies suggest the mechanism of BinAB protein internalization
Authors: Sharma Mahima , Aswal Vinod K. , Kumar Vinay , Chidambaram R.
Published: January 2020

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is one of the most widely used neutron-based approaches to study the solution structure of biological macromolecular systems. The selective deuterium labelling of different protein components of a complex provides a means to probe conformational changes in multiprotein complexes. The Lysinibacillus sphaericus mosquito-larvicidal BinAB proteins exert toxicity through interaction with the receptor Cqm1 protein; however, the nature of the complex is not known. Rationally engineered deuterated BinB (dBinB) protein from the L. sphaericus ISPC-8 species was synthesized using an Escherichia coli-based protein-expression system in M9 medium in D2O for `contrast-matched' SANS experiments. SANS data were independently analysed by ab initio indirect Fourier transform-based modelling and using crystal structures. These studies confirm the dimeric status of Cqm1 in 100% D2O with a longest intramolecular vector (D
max) of ∼94 Å and a radius of gyration (R
g) of ∼31 Å. Notably, BinB binds to Cqm1, forming a heterodimeric complex (D
max of ∼129 Å and R
g of ∼40 Å) and alters its oligomeric status from a dimer to a monomer, as confirmed by matched-out Cqm1–dBinB (D
max of ∼70 Å and R
g of ∼22 Å). The present study thus provides the first insight into the events involved in the internalization of larvicidal proteins, likely by raft-dependent endocytosis.
The thrombospondin module 1 domain of the matricellular protein CCN3 shows an atypical disulfide pattern and incomplete CWR layers
Authors: Xu Emma-Ruoqi , Lafita Aleix , Bateman Alex , Hyvönen Marko
Published: January 2020

The members of the CCN (Cyr61/CTGF/Nov) family are a group of matricellular regulatory proteins that are essential to a wide range of functional pathways in cell signalling. Through interacting with extracellular matrix components and growth factors via one of their four domains, the CCN proteins are involved in critical biological processes such as angiogenesis, cell proliferation, bone development, fibrogenesis and tumorigenesis. Here, the crystal structure of the thrombospondin module 1 (TSP1) domain of CCN3 (previously known as Nov) is presented, which shares a similar three-stranded fold with the thrombospondin type 1 repeats of thrombospondin-1 and spondin-1, but with variations in the disulfide connectivity. Moreover, the CCN3 TSP1 domain lacks the typical π-stacked ladder of charged and aromatic residues on one side of the domain that is seen in other TSP1 domains. Using conservation analysis among orthologous domains, it is shown that a charged cluster in the centre of the domain is the most conserved site and this cluster is predicted to be a potential functional epitope for heparan sulfate binding. This variant TSP1 domain has also been used to revise the sequence determinants of TSP1 domains and to derive improved Pfam sequence profiles for the identification of novel TSP1 domains in more than 10 000 proteins across diverse phyla.
Temperature dependence of friction coefficient and transfer film formation in organic friction materials containing different abrasive components
Authors: Chung Jin Oh , Go Sang Ryul , Choi Hee Bum , Son Tae Kwan
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the temperature dependence of transfer film formation and friction coefficients in NAO friction materials with four different abrasive components, ZrO2, ZrSiO4, Al2O3 and Fe3O4.

Design/methodology/approach

8.5% SnS2 was added as a lubricating component to friction materials. Friction tests comprised 100 times of consecutive braking application for each friction material under constant temperature of 300°C, 400°C, 500°C and 600°C. After the friction tests, the friction surfaces of the counterpart disks were examined by scanning electron microscope to access the formation of transfer film.

Findings

Coefficients of friction depended on not only friction temperature but also friction history which is related to development of transfer film. The effect of the transfer film formation was to reduce the friction coefficients for most friction materials. Quantities of the transfer film formation varied with friction materials; at low temperature below 400° the transfer film formation was most active in the Fe3O4 materials, while at 600° it was the most active in the Al2O3 material. The effect of the lubricating component SnS2 was to suppress the formation of transfer film, thus enhancing friction coefficients.

Social implications

The enhancement of friction coefficients with addition of small amount of lubricating components such as SnS2 is expected to open a new approach in developing high performance-brake pads.

Originality/value

Temperature was the controlling parameter in the present test. Under these test modes, transfer film could be fully developed to access the role of the transfer film.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-10-2019-0427/
Impacts of high-speed railway on the industrial pollution emissions in China
Authors: Fan Xiaomin , Xu Yingzhi , Nan Yongqing , Li Baoli , Cai Haiya
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of high-speed railway (HSR) on industrial pollution emissions using the data for 285 prefecture-level cities in China from 2004 to 2016.

Design/methodology/approach

The research method used in this paper is the multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) model, which is an effective policy effect assessment method. To further address the issue of endogeneity, the DID integrated with the propensity score matching (PSM-DID) approach is employed to eliminate the potential self-selection bias.

Findings

The results show that the HSR has significantly reduced industrial pollution emissions, which is validated by several robustness tests. Compared with peripheral cities, HSR exerts a greater impact on industrial pollution emissions in central cities. In addition, the mechanism test reveals that the optimised allocation of inter-city industries is an important channel for HSR to mitigate industrial pollution emissions, and this is closely related to the location of HSR stations.

Originality/value

Previous studies have paid more attention to evaluating the economic effects of HSR, however, most of these studies overlook its environmental effects. Consequently, the impact of HSR on industrial pollution emissions is led by using multi-period DID models in this paper, in which the environmental effects are measured. The results of this paper can provide a reference for the pollution reduction policies and also the coordinated development of economic growth and environmental quality.
A typology of sources, manifestations, and implications of environmental degradation
Authors: Yeganeh Kia Hamid
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize and classify sources, manifestations and implications of environmental degradation.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the typological analysis is used to conceptualize environmental degradation and its components. Then, the concepts are disaggregated into some dimensions organized in row-and-column variables and a cross-tabulated matrix is constructed. Finally, different types of environmental degradation are identified, labeled and discussed.

Findings

The study distinguishes between two types of degradation as pollution and deterioration and accordingly identifies ten types (five pairs) of environmental degradation. Furthermore, the paper presents a conceptual framework and offers insights into the dynamic interchange between the causes and effects of environmental degradation.

Originality/value

The originality/value of this study resides in reducing the ambiguities associated with the concept of environmental degradation and offering a multidimensional framework that can be used in empirical research to organize propositions, test hypotheses, analyze data and construct indexes.
The failure reason of epoxy-phenolic coating on the internal surface of BG90S steel tubing under sour gas environment
Authors: Wu Guiyang , Zhang Qiang , Zhang Nange
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Organic coatings are one of the most widely applied methods for corrosion protection of metallic materials such as the tubing used in sour gas field. However, such coatings usually encounter the risk of failure due to the harsh and complex environment. Therefore, the study of failure of the organic coating is highly significant.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the effects of Cl-concentration, HCl content, hydrogen sulfide/carbon dioxide (H2S/CO2), temperature and flow rate on the failure of epoxy-phenolic coating on the internal surface of BG90S steel tubing were investigated using adhesion force measurement, metallographic microscope, electrochemistry impedance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Findings

The results show that the Cl-concentration, HCl content and H2S/CO2 do not affect the failure process too much as the ion concentration increased. However, the flow rate at the high temperature is the most important factor affecting the corrosion resistance of the inner coating tubing. With the increase of the flow rate, the pore resistance of the coating shows a decreasing trend, and the rate of decrease in pore resistance is first rapid and then slow. It demonstrates that the penetration speed of the electrolyte solution into the coating varied from fast to slowly. A weakening influence of the flow rate on the penetration failure of the inner coating can be found as the increase of the flow rate. Once the HS-ions penetrate through the coating and reach at the coating/steel interface where H2 could be formed through the adsorption reaction, the coating failure occurs.

Originality/value

The failure of the coating depends on the penetration rate of water and ions, with the presence of exposed or punctured holes is accelerated and HS- was adsorpted by substrate Fe, and form H2 molecules between the coatings and substrate, that results failure of coatings.
New water-based copolymer nanoparticles and their use as eco-friendly binders for industry of flexographic ink, part I
Authors: Abd El-Wahab H. , El-Meligi G. , Hassaan M.G. , Kazlauciunas A. , Lin Long
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to prepare, characterise and evaluate nano-emulsions of copolymers of various compositions as eco-friendly binders for flexographic ink industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Various nano-emulsions of copolymers were prepared using styrene (St), butyl acrylate (BuAc), acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (AAm) monomers by means of a conventional seeded emulsion polymerisation technique, using K2S2O8 as the initiator. The characterisation of the prepared emulsions was performed using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A selection of copolymers was formulated with pigments and additional ingredients, as water-based flexographic inks. The inks were characterised for their viscosity, pH, degree of dispersion, water resistance and colour density.

Findings

It was found that the low viscosity of the prepared copolymers may reduce the film thickness of the flexographic inks and may also increase the spreading of the ink on the surface. As a result, stable modified polyacrylate-based latex with improved physico-mechanical properties were obtained. The prepared latexes were showed improving and enhancing in water resistance; gloss values, and the print density that ranged from 2.06 to 2.51 and the maximum gloss values (39 and 48) were also obtained. Also, these binders provide excellent adhesion properties for both the pigment particles and the base paper.

Practical implications

This study focuses on the preparation of new water-based copolymer nanoparticles and their use as eco-friendly binders for flexographic ink industry.

Social implications

The ink formulations developed could find use in industrial-scale printing.

Originality/value

Eco-friendly environment ink formulations for printing on paper substrates are novel.
The effect of facial expression on emotional contagion and product evaluation in print advertising
Authors: Isabella Giuliana , Vieira Valter Afonso
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the emotional contagion theory in print ads, and expand the literature of smiling to different type of smiles and gender congruency. Emotional contagion happens when an emotion is transferred from a sender to a receiver by the synchronization of emotions from the emitter. Drawing on emotional contagion theory, the authors expand this concept and propose that smiles in static facial expressions influence product evaluation. They suggest that false smiles do not have the same impact as genuine smiles on product evaluation, and the congruence between the model gender–product in a static ad and the gender of the viewer moderates the effects.

Design/methodology/approach

In Experiment 1, subjects were randomly assigned to view one of the two ad treatments to guard against systematic error (e.g. bias). In Experiment 2, it was investigated whether viewing a static ad featuring a model with a false smile can result in a positive product evaluation as was the case with genuine smiles (H3). In Experiment 3, it was assumed that when consumers evaluate an ad featuring a smiling face, the facial expression influences product evaluation, and this influence is moderated by the congruence between the gender of the ad viewer and the product H gender of the model in the ad.

Findings

Across three experiments, the authors found that the model’s facial expression influenced the product evaluation. Second, they supported the association between a model’s facial expression and mimicry synchronization. Third, they showed that genuine smiles have a higher impact on product evaluation than false smiles. This novel result enlarges the research on genuine smiles to include false smiles. Fourth, the authors supported the gender–product congruence effect in that the gender of the ad’s reader and the model have a moderating effect on the relationship between the model’s facial expression and the reader’s product evaluation.

Originality/value

Marketing managers would benefit from understanding that genuine smiles can encourage positive emotions on the part of consumers via emotional contagion, which would be very useful to create a positive effect on products. The authors improved upon previous psychological theory (Gunnery et al., 2013; Hennig-Thurau et al., 2006) showing that a genuine smile results in higher evaluation scores of products presented in static ads. The theoretical explanation for this effect is the genuine smile, which involves contraction of both zygomatic major and orbicularis oculi muscles. These facial muscles can be better perceived and transmit positive emotions (Hennig-Thurau et al., 2006).
An inkjet‐printed sulfonephthalein dye indicator array for volatile amine detection
Authors: Luo Xiaoyu , Lim Loong‐Tak
Published: January 2020

Colorimetric indicators are versatile for applications such as intelligent food packaging, for reflecting the actual quality and/or monitoring distribution history of food products. In this study, a colorimetric indicator array composed of sulfonephthalein dyes was successfully developed by piezoelectric inkjet printing, for the detection of volatile amines—the primary spoilage gases for fish and seafood products. The printing inks were formulated in water/ethanol/1‐butanol mixture. By refilling the printer's cartridges with our formulated inks and controlling the red, green, and blue color parameters, a 7 × 9 indicator array was printed onto inkjet transparency films. The color response of the indicator array was tested with different volatile amines at various concentrations. The array indicator was capable of discriminating six different volatile amines: ammonia, trimethylamine, dimethylamine, triethylamine, piperidine, and hydrazine. The printability of the inks was investigated by characterizing their density, surface tension, and dynamic viscosity, dictating that all formulated inks were printable fluid. The microstructural morphologies of the printed dyes on transparency films were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. Interactions of the dye with the volatiles were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In summary, the piezoelectric inkjet printing method presented in this study offers a convenient, efficient, and flexible means to fabricate colorimetric indicators for detecting food spoilage volatiles. These indicators are promising as sensing components in intelligent packaging systems, to reveal the freshness of fish products by correlating with quality parameters such as total volatile basic nitrogen, microbial growth, and sensory attributes. Further studies on the feasibility of using the array indicators in real food packaging systems, development of strategy to mitigate the potential migration of the indicator dyes, and designing array patterns optimal for machine/human interpretation, are important to commercialize the technology.

Practical Application

Piezoelectric inkjet printing offers a convenient way to fabricate sensing materials and aligns with industrial packaging operations. The use of indicators on food package helps consumers more accurately perceive real‐time food quality information.
Treatment outcome and clinical characteristics of HER2 mutated advanced non‐small cell lung cancer patients in China
Authors: Xu Fei , Yang Guangjian , Xu Haiyan , Yang Lu , Qiu Weini , Wang Yan
Published: January 2020

Background

HER2 mutation is found in 1%–2% of lung cancer patients. Studies comparing chemotherapy to HER2‐TKIs are limited. This study aimed to investigate the molecular and clinical patterns of HER2 mutations in advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and compare the different outcomes between chemotherapy and HER2‐TKIs.

Methods

Advanced or recurrent non‐small cell lung cancer patients with de novo HER2 mutations (N = 75) were included in this study. Molecular information, clinical features, and treatment outcomes were retrospectively collected from a web‐based patient registry and hospital chart review.

Results

Between October 2012 and December 2018, 65 patients with in‐frame insertion mutations, eight with point mutations and two with gene amplification were found. The most common subtypes of insertion mutations were A775_G776insYVMA, G776delinsVC, and V777_G778insGSP. HER2 mutated patients were mostly young‐aged, females, never or light smokers, with adenocarcinoma. Chemotherapy achieved better outcomes than HER2‐TKIs (median PFS: 5.5 vs. 3.7 months in the first‐line setting and 4.2 vs. 2.0 months in the second‐line setting, P = 0.001 and 0.031, respectively). In particular for the most common subtype, YVMA insertions, PFS was significantly longer in chemotherapy than HER2‐TKIs both in the first‐line (6.0 vs. 2.6 months, P = 0.008) and the second‐line (4.2 vs. 2.6 months P < 0.001).

Conclusions

HER2 mutated lung cancer patients were younger, mostly females, never or light smokers, with histologically diagnosed adenocarcinomas. Compared with afatinib, chemotherapy might bring more benefit to HER2 mutated advanced lung cancer patients, especially the most common type of HER2 exon 20 insertions, A775_G776insYVMA subtype.

Key points

Chemotherapy achieved better outcomes than afatinib for Chinese HER2 mutated advanced NSCLC patients, especially for the most common subtype, YVMA insertions.
Environmental pollutants damage airway epithelial cell cilia: Implications for the prevention of obstructive lung diseases
Authors: Cao Yu , Chen Miao , Dong Dan , Xie Songbo , Liu Min
Published: January 2020

Mucociliary epithelium lining the upper and lower respiratory tract constitutes the first line of defense of the airway and lungs against inhaled pollutants and pathogens. The concerted beating of multiciliated cells drives mucociliary clearance. Abnormalities in both the structure and function of airway cilia have been implicated in obstructive lung diseases. Emerging evidence reveals a close correlation between lung diseases and environmental stimuli such as sulfur dioxide and tobacco particles. However, the underlying mechanism remains to be described. In this review, we emphasize the importance of airway cilia in mucociliary clearance and discuss how environmental pollutants affect the structure and function of airway cilia, thus shedding light on the function of airway cilia in preventing obstructive lung diseases and revealing the negative effects of environmental pollutants on human health.
Effect of age on the relative efficacy of clozapine in schizophrenia
Authors: Jones R. , MacCabe J.H. , Price M.J. , Liu X. , Upthegrove R.
Published: January 2020

Objective

Early treatment of schizophrenia improves outcomes. Clozapine appears to have unique benefit when other antipsychotic medication has failed. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aims to assess clozapine’s superiority over alternative antipsychotic medication and examine whether earlier use is associated with additional benefit.

Method

Systematic retrieval of blinded, randomized controlled trials comparing clozapine with alternative antipsychotics in adults with schizophrenia. The effect of mean age on relative clozapine response was examined using random effects meta‐regression, and multiple linear regression on available patient data.

Results

A total of 276 studies were retrieved. Thirty‐four studies were included in the meta‐analysis. Clozapine was significantly more effective than alternative antipsychotics in reducing psychotic symptoms and increasing response. However, meta‐regression failed to show a more significant effect in younger patients (age on effect size (total psychotic symptoms) 0.00,P = 0.79 CI −0.03 to 0.03). Individual patient data were available for two studies, the larger of which showed a significant interaction between younger age and superiority of clozapine.

Conclusion

The results support clozapine’s superiority over other antipsychotics. A convincing effect of age on this effect was not demonstrated, although this was suggested in one study. In view of the age of many of the included studies, and changes in reporting practice over time, new clozapine RCTs, which include age of illness onset as well as age at trial time, would be welcome in order to provide meta‐analysable data for future use.
Aberrant reward prediction errors in young adult at‐risk alcohol users
Authors: Cao Zhipeng , Bennett Marc , O'Halloran Laura , Pragulbickaite Gabija , Flanagan Luke , McHugh Louise , Whelan Robert
Published: January 2020

Previous studies suggest that individuals with substance use disorder have abnormally large responses to unexpected outcomes (reward prediction errors [RPEs]). However, there is much less information on RPE in individuals at risk of alcohol misuse, prior to neurobiological adaptations that might result from sustained alcohol use. Here, participants (mean age 23.77 years, range 18‐32 years) performed the electrophysiological monetary incentive delay task. This task involved responding to a target stimulus following reward incentive cues to win, or avoid losing, the cued reward while brain activity was recorded under 64‐channel EEG. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was used to quantify at‐risk alcohol use, with high (n = 22, mean AUDIT score: 13.82) and low (n = 22, mean AUDIT score: 5.77) alcohol use groups. Trial‐by‐trial RPEs were estimated using a Rescorla‐Wagner reinforcement model based on behavioral data. A single‐trial analysis revealed that the feedback‐related negativity (FRN) and feedback P3 (fb‐P3) event‐related potential components were significantly modulated by RPEs. There was increased RPE‐related fb‐P3 amplitude for those in the high alcohol use group. Next, the mean amplitude of ERPs elicited by positive and negative RPEs were compared between groups. We found that high alcohol use participants had attenuated FRN amplitude in contrast with low alcohol use participants for both positive and negative RPEs but enhanced fb‐P3 for both positive and negative RPE. These results, with differences in RPE in an at‐risk group, suggest that RPE a potential vulnerability marker for alcohol use disorder.
Discovery of a new nucleotide substitution in the MC1R gene and haplotype distribution in native and non‐Japanese chicken breeds
Authors: Kabir M. H. , Takenouchi A. , Haqani M. I. , Nakamura Y. , Takeuchi S. , Tsudzuki M.
Published: January 2020

Melanocortin 1‐receptor (MC1R) is one of the major genes that controls chicken plumage colour. In this study, we investigated the sequence and haplotype distribution of the MC1R gene in native Japanese chickens, along with non‐Japanese chicken breeds. In total, 732 and 155 chickens from 30 Japanese and eight non‐Japanese breeds respectively were used. Three synonymous and 11 non‐synonymous nucleotide substitutions were detected, resulting in 15 haplotypes (H0–H14). Of these, three were newly found haplotypes (H9, H13 and H14), of which one (H9) was composed of known substitutions C69T, T212C, G274A and G636A. The second one (H13) possessed newly found non‐synonymous substitution C919G, apart from the known substitutions C69T, G178A, G274A, G636A and T637C. The third one (H14) comprised a newly discovered substitution C919G in addition to the known C69T, G274A and G409A substitutions. The homozygote for this new haplotype exhibited wt like plumage despite the presence of G274A. In addition to discovering a new nucleotide substitution (C919G) and three new haplotypes, we defined the plumage colour of the bird that was homozygous for the A644C substitution (H5 haplotype) as wheaten‐like for the first time; although the substitution has been already reported, its effect was not revealed. Besides detecting the new plumage colour, we also confirmed that the A427G and G274A substitutions contribute in expressing brownish and black plumage colour respectively, as reported by the previous studies. Moreover, we confirmed that the buttercup allele does not express black plumage despite possessing a G274A substitution, under the suppression effect of A644C. In contrast, the birds homozygous for the birchen allele presented solid black plumage, which was contradictory to the previous reports. In conclusion, we revealed a large diversity in the MC1R gene of native Japanese chicken breeds, along with the discovery of a new non‐synonymous nucleotide substitution (C919G) and three novel haplotypes (H9, H13 and H14).
NotJustParticipation: The Rise of the Eco‐Precariat in the Green Economy
Authors: Neimark Benjamin , Mahanty Sango , Dressler Wolfram , Hicks Christina
Published: January 2020

Despite recent attention to “frontier” green economies and the governance of emerging ecosystem services, the specific division of labour in these economies has been little studied. As many such initiatives are in the global South, labour’s marginality potentially contributes to the existing precariousness of those who are more often identified as “participants”. This article examines the roles and vulnerabilities of these actors: the carbon counters, species identifiers, GIS mappers, tree planters and others operating in the shadows. We draw on current understandings of labour and precarity to examine the geographical contours of an apparent and emerging “eco‐precariat”: a socio‐economically diverse group of labourers that address the volatile demands of an ever‐expanding environmental service‐based economy. We illustrate our analysis drawing on examples from a Blue Carbon project in Kenya, ecosystem services project in the Philippines, and REDD+ scheme in Cambodia. We use these examples to theorise the nature of labour in these frontier economies and put forward a framework for analysing the eco‐precariat. We highlight the need to understand the precarity and marginalisation potentially created by this green division of labour in the provision of new ecosystem products and services. This framework contributes to ongoing analyses of labour as a central part of the green economy discourse and to larger discussions in the geographies of labour literature around the future of work in the global South and beyond.
Organised physical activity during leisure time is associated with more objectively measured physical activity among Swedish adolescents
Authors: Fröberg Andreas , Lindroos Anna‐Karin , Ekblom Örjan , Nyberg Gisela
Published: January 2020

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate associations between participation in organised physical activity (PA), such as sport and exercise during leisure time, and objectively measured PA and sedentary time in a large representative sample of Swedish adolescents.

Methods

This study was part of the school‐based cross‐sectional Swedish national dietary survey Riksmaten Adolescents 2016‐17. Data from 3477 adolescents aged 11‐12, 14‐15 and 17‐18 years were used in the analyses. Participation in organised PA and parental education were reported in questionnaires. PA and sedentary time were objectively measured through accelerometry during seven consecutive days.

Results

Adolescents who participated in organised PA had significantly higher total PA (14%, P < .001), more time spent on moderate‐to‐vigorous PA (MVPA) (8 minutes, P < .001) and had less sedentary time (15 minutes, P < .001). Those who participated in organised PA were more likely to reach recommended PA levels. Total PA and MVPA did not differ by parental education among those who participated in organised PA.

Conclusion

Adolescents who participated in organised PA were more physically active, less sedentary and more likely to reach PA recommendations than those who did not.
Constructing confidence intervals for selected parameters
Authors: Zhao Haibing , Cui Xinping
Published: January 2020

In large‐scale problems, it is common practice to select important parameters by a procedure such as the Benjamini and Hochberg procedure and construct confidence intervals (CIs) for further investigation while the false coverage‐statement rate (FCR) for the CIs is controlled at a desired level. Although the well‐known BY CIs control the FCR, they are uniformly inflated. In this paper, we propose two methods to construct shorter selective CIs. The first method produces shorter CIs by allowing a reduced number of selective CIs. The second method produces shorter CIs by allowing a prefixed proportion of CIs containing the values of uninteresting parameters. We theoretically prove that the proposed CIs are uniformly shorter than BY CIs and control the FCR asymptotically for independent data. Numerical results confirm our theoretical results and show that the proposed CIs still work for correlated data. We illustrate the advantage of the proposed procedures by analyzing the microarray data from a HIV study.
Roflupram exerts neuroprotection via activation of CREB/PGC‐1α signalling in experimental models of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Zhong Jiahong , Dong Wenli , Qin Yunyun , Xie Jinfeng , Xiao Jiao , Xu Jiangping , Wang Haitao
Published: January 2020

Background and Purpose

Roflupram improves cognition and limits neuroinflammation in the brain. However, the beneficial effects of roflupram on Parkinson's disease (PD) remain unknown. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of action of ROF in experimental models of PD.

Experimental Approach

We used an in vitro PD model of SH‐SY5Y cells exposed to 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium iodide (MPP+). Cell viability and apoptosis were analysed via the MTT assay and flow cytometry. Mitochondrial morphology, mitochondrial respiratory capacity, and ROS were measured by a mitochondrial tracker, Seahorse Analyzer, and a MitoSOX‐Red dye. For in vivo PD model, behavioural tests, Nissl staining, and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate protection by roflupram. The levels of TH, cAMP response element‐binding protein (CREB), and PPARγ coactivator‐1α (PGC‐1α) were analysed by western blotting.

Key Results

Roflupram decreased MPP+‐induced apoptosis in SH‐SY5Y cells and human dopaminergic neurons. Roflupram also increased mitochondrial respiratory capacity, decreased ROS production, and restored mitochondrial morphology. Roflupram reversed the MPP+‐induced reductions of phosphorylated CREB, PGC‐1α and TH. These protective effects were blocked by the PKA inhibitor H‐89 or by PGC‐1α siRNA. In mice treated with MPTP, roflupram significantly improved motor functions. Roflupram prevented both dopaminergic neuronal loss and the reduction of phosphorylated CREB and PGC‐1α in the substantia nigra and striatum.

Conclusion and Implications

Roflupram protected dopaminergic neurons from apoptosis via the CREB/PGC‐1α pathway in PD models. Hence, roflupram has potential as a protective drug in the treatment of PD.
Overcoming tamoxifen resistance in oestrogen receptor‐positive breast cancer using the novel thiosemicarbazone anti‐cancer agent, DpC
Authors: Maqbool Sundus N. , Lim Syer C. , Park Kyung Chan , Hanif Rumeza , Richardson Des R. , Jansson Patric J. , Kovacevic Zaklina
Published: January 2020

Background and Purpose

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women worldwide, with resistance to current therapeutic strategies, including tamoxifen, causing major clinical challenges and leading to more aggressive and metastatic disease. To address this, novel strategies that can inhibit the mechanisms responsible for tamoxifen resistance need to be assessed.

Experimental Approach

We examined the effect of the novel, clinically‐trialled, thiosemicarbazone anti‐cancer agent, DpC, and its potential as a combination therapy with the clinically used estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist, tamoxifen, using both tamoxifen‐resistant and ‐sensitive, human breast cancer cells (MDA‐MB‐453, MDA‐MB‐231 and MCF‐7) in 2D and 3D cell‐culture. Synergy was assessed using the Chou‐Talalay method. The molecular and anti‐proliferative effects of these agents and their combination was examined via Western blot, immunofluorescence and colony formation assays.

Key Results

Combinations of tamoxifen with DpC were highly synergistic, leading to potent inhibition of cell proliferation, colony formation, and ER‐α transcriptional activity. The combination also more efficiently reduced major molecular drivers of proliferation of tamoxifen‐resistant cells, including c‐Myc, cyclin D1, and p‐AKT, while up‐regulating the cell cycle inhibitor, p27, and inhibiting oncogenic phosphorylation of ER‐α at Ser167. Assessing these effects using 3D cell culture further confirmed the greater effects of DpC combined with tamoxifen in reducing ER‐α expression, and that of the proliferation marker, Ki‐67, in both tamoxifen‐sensitive and ‐resistant MCF‐7 spheroids.

Conclusions and Implications

These studies demonstrate that the synergistic combination of DpC with tamoxifen could be a promising new therapeutic strategy to overcome tamoxifen resistance in ER‐positive breast cancer.
How early intervention practitioners describe family‐centred practice: A collective broadening of the definition
Authors: Foster Tricia D. , Decker Kalli B. , Vaterlaus J. Mitchell , Belleville Amanda
Published: January 2020

Background

Given the importance of families in supporting the health and developmental outcomes of young children, current recommended practices for early intervention services advocate for a family‐centred practice (FCP) approach that recognizes the importance of children's family systems. Though there is consensus in the field on the importance of this approach, there often remains a disconnection between these values and the everyday practice of early intervention practitioners. This study focuses on understanding the ways in which practitioners define FCP as this can provide valuable insight into why these belief–practice disconnections may exist.

Methods

Early intervention practitioners (n = 203; e.g., special education or child development teachers, therapists, audiologists, etc) were surveyed at a statewide early intervention conference. Qualitative content analyses procedures were used to analyse participants' open‐ended responses.

Results

Three themes emerged in the analysis, including the following: (a) FCP is a distinct approach to providing early intervention services; (b) there are specific practices for best implementing FCP; and (b) there are provider qualities that are essential in order to use FCP.

Conclusions

Practitioners' definitions of FCP were primarily in line with recommended practices; however, they extend beyond the current definition of FCP in the early intervention literature, suggesting that the way this approach is conceptualized may be collectively broadening within the field. Opportunities, difficulties, and practical implications of this broadening definition are discussed.
The education of children in care and children in need: Who falls behind and when?
Authors: Sinclair Ian , Luke Nikki , Fletcher John , O'Higgins Aoife , Strand Steve , Berridge David , Sebba Judy , Thomas Sally
Published: January 2020

We seek to explain the development of the educational gap between children in “out‐of‐home care” (CLA), children deemed in social need (CIN), and other pupils. A cohort of 642,805 pupils aged 16 in 2013 was used to chart the educational progress of the full cohort, the CLA (n = 6,236), the CIN in 2012 or 2013 but not CLA (n = 20,384), and a sample individually matched with the CLA (n = 11,084). At age 7, attainment of the CLA and CIN was approximately 1 standard deviation lower than the cohort average and predicted attainment at 16. At this point, the persistent “CIN” (those with earlier and persistent needs) had the lowest attainment relative to others, and this declined further during secondary school. Those entering care before or during primary school had very low attainment at age 7, but their relative attainment did not decline. Attainment of CLA and CIN at age 16 likely reflects early environment, special educational needs, and poor relationships with secondary school. Policy, research, and intervention should focus on CIN as well as CLA, do so before entry to care, and take account of the onset of, and probable reasons for, educational difficulties.
Long‐term functional results and quality of life after redo rectal surgery: delayed versus immediate colo‐anal anastomosis
Authors: Boullenois H. , Lefevre J. H. , Creavin B. , Voron T. , Debove C. , Chafai N. , Parc Y.
Published: January 2020

Aim

To compare the functional results and quality of life after delayed colo‐anal anastomosis (DCAA) or immediate colo‐anal anastomosis (ICAA) following redo rectal surgery.

Method

Twenty‐six patients with DCAA between 2014 and 2018 were studied retrospectively (group A). Two control groups were used: 26 ICAA after redo surgery (group B) and 52 colo‐anal anastomosis (CAA) after anterior resection (group C). Control groups were matched for age, sex, pelvic radiotherapy and time to surgery. Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) and Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) scores were used to assess function and quality of life.

Results

The indications for surgery were comparable for groups A and B: anastomotic failure with chronic sepsis (38% vs 50%, P = 0.40), vaginal fistula (42% vs 42%, P = 1) and urinary fistula (20% vs 8%, P = 0.22) as well as the number of previous abdominal operations (1.3 ± 0.9 vs 1.1 ± 0.6, P = 0.19). The median LARS score in the first 2 years was 30 [interquartile range (IQR) 14–41] for group A, 23 (IQR 0–41) for group B and 22 (IQR 11–37) for group C. After 2 years, the median LARS score improved in each group [A, 21 (IQR 11–35); B, 18 (IQR 5–26); C, 13 (IQR 9–20)], but was still high in group A. There was a tendency toward more major LARS in group A than in group B (46% vs 27%; P = 0.149). There was no difference in the mean GIQLI score between groups A and B (120 ± 16 vs 117 ± 19; P = 0.53) at the end of the follow‐up period. Time after stoma closure (< 2 years) and previous radiotherapy were risk factors for major LARS in all populations.

Conclusion

ICAA should be the procedure of choice where possible in redo surgery as it has better functional outcomes.
Effect of different Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans strains on dual‐species biofilms formed with Porphyromonas gingivalis or Dialister pneumosintes
Authors: Sha Qiong , Chen Casey
Published: January 2020

There are five evolutionarily divergent clades of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, with possible differences in phenotype and virulence potential among strains. This study examined the formation of biofilm by each of 11 distinct strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans, alone or after coculture with two species of oral bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC33277 or Dialister pneumosintes ATCC33048). Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and electron microscopy were used to characterize the dual‐species biofilms of interest. A reduction in dual‐species A. actinomycetemcomitans–P. gingivalis biofilms was observed for A. actinomycetemcomitans RHAA1, suggesting an antagonistic relationship. The amounts of dual‐species A. actinomycetemcomitans–D. pneumosintes biofilms were either increased or decreased in some – but not all – strains, indicative of strain‐specific phenotypes. The CLSM analyses confirmed the existence of an antagonistic relationship between A. actinomycetemcomitans D7S‐1 and P. gingivalis ATCC33277, and a synergistic relationship between A. actinomycetemcomitans D7S‐1 and D. pneumosintes ATCC33048. The electron microscopy analyses revealed distinct morphological features of A. actinomycetemcomitans D7S‐1 and D. pneumosintes ATCC33048 dual‐species biofilms. The results indicate that the relationship between A. actinomycetemcomitans and oral bacteria may vary among strains, which could lead to distinct strain‐specific patterns of niche sharing in subgingival microbiota.