bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TOM-1/Tomosyn acts with the UNC-6/Netrin receptor UNC-5 to inhibit growth cone protrusion in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Mahadik Snehal S. , Lundquist Erik A.
Published: June 2022

In the polarity/protrusion model of growth cone repulsion from UNC-6/Netrin, UNC-6 first polarizes the VD growth cone via the UNC-5 receptor, and then regulates protrusion asymmetrically across the growth cone based on this polarity. Through the UNC-40/DCC receptor, UNC-6 stimulates protrusion dorsally, and through UNC-5 inhibits protrusion ventrally and laterally, resulting in net dorsal growth. Previous studies showed that UNC-5 inhibits growth cone protrusion via the flavin monooxygenases and potential destabilization of F-actin, and via UNC-33/CRMP and restriction of microtubule + end entry into the growth cone. To explore the role of vesicle fusion in growth cone protrusion, we analyzed tom-1/tomosyn mutants. Tomosyn normally occludes formation of the SNARE complex by interacting with and inhibiting Syntaxin and thus preventing vesicle fusion. VD growth cones of tom-1 null mutants were similar to wild-type. However, tom-1 null mutants suppressed the effects of constitutively-activated MYR::UNC-5, which alone causes small growth cones with little protrusion. This suggests that TOM-1 is normally required for the inhibitory effects of MYR::UNC-5 on growth cone protrusion. tom-1 encodes long and short isoforms, and results here indicate that tom-1S is required downstream of UNC-5 to inhibit protrusion, whereas the tom-1L has a pro-protrusive role. unc-64/Syntaxin mutants displayed reduced growth cone protrusion, suggesting that TOM-1 inhibits growth cone protrusion by inhibiting UNC-64/Syntaxin, similar to its role in neurotransmission. TOM-1L, TOM-1S, and UNC-64/Syntaxin were all required for VD growth cone polarity of protrusion, indicating that regulated vesicle fusion is required for the establishment and/or maintenance of VD growth cone polarity. These studies show that, in addition to effects on actin and microtubules, UNC-5 might inhibit VD growth cone protrusion by inhibiting growth cone vesicle fusion and thus the ability of growth cones to add plasma membrane necessary for protrusive growth.
The Chlamydomonas Genome Project, version 6: reference assemblies for mating type plus and minus strains reveal extensive structural mutation in the laboratory
Authors: Craig Rory J. , Gallaher Sean D. , Shu Shengqiang , Salomé Patrice , Jenkins Jerry W. , Blaby-Haas Crysten E. , Purvine Samuel O. , O’Donnell Samuel , Barry Kerrie , Grimwood Jane , Strenkert Daniela , Kropat Janette , Daum Chris , Yoshinaga Yuko , Goodstein David M. , Vallon Olivier , Schmutz Jeremy , Merchant Sabeeha S.
Published: June 2022

Five versions of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii reference genome have been produced over the last two decades. Here we present version 6, bringing significant advances in assembly quality and structural annotations. PacBio-based chromosome-level assemblies for two laboratory strains, CC-503 and CC-4532, provide resources for the plus and minus mating type alleles. We corrected major misassemblies in previous versions and validated our assemblies via linkage analyses. Contiguity increased over ten-fold and >80% of filled gaps are within genes. We used Iso-Seq and deep RNA-seq datasets to improve structural annotations, and updated gene symbols and textual annotation of functionally characterized genes via extensive curation. We discovered that the cell wall-less classical reference strain CC-503 exhibits genomic instability potentially caused by deletion of RECQ3 helicase, with major structural mutations identified that affect >100 genes. We therefore present the CC-4532 assembly as the primary reference, although this strain also carries unique structural mutations and is experiencing rapid proliferation of a Gypsy retrotransposon. We expect all laboratory strains to harbor gene-disrupting mutations, which should be considered when interpreting and comparing experimental results across laboratories and over time. Collectively, the resources presented here herald a new era of Chlamydomonas genomics and will provide the foundation for continued research in this important reference.
Drug-induced change in transmitter identity is a shared mechanism generating cognitive deficits
Authors: Marta Pratelli , Hakimi Anna M. , Thaker Arth , Li Hui-quan , Godavarthi Swetha K. , Spitzer Nicholas C.
Published: June 2022

Cognitive deficits are a long-lasting consequence of drug use, yet the convergent mechanism by which classes of drugs with different pharmacological properties cause similar deficits is unclear. We find that both phencyclidine and methamphetamine, despite differing in their targets in the brain, impair memory by causing the same glutamatergic neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex to gain a GABAergic phenotype and decrease their expression of the vesicular glutamate transporter. Suppressing drug-induced gain of GABA with RNA-interference prevents the appearance of memory deficits. Drug-induced prefrontal hyperactivity drives this change in transmitter identity. Normalizing the activity of prefrontal glutamatergic neurons after drug-exposure reverses the gain of GABAergic phenotype and rescues the associated memory deficits. Increased activity of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area is necessary and sufficient to produce the change in transmitter identity. The results reveal a shared and reversible mechanism by which exposure to different drugs causes cognitive deficits.
Nascent dendrite branches initiated by a localized burst of Spire-dependent actin polymerization
Authors: Hatton Deirdre , Marquilly Claire , Hanrahan Caitlin , Ferreira Tiago , Ou Yimiao , Cinq-Mars Lauren , Silkworth Will , Bailey Hannah M. , Quinlan Margot E. , van Meyel Donald J.
Published: June 2022

Dendrites form arbors whose size, shape and complexity define how neurons cover their receptive territories. Actin dynamics contribute to growth and remodeling of dendrite arbors. Here we examined how Spire, a conserved actin nucleation factor, promotes formation of new branches in vivo. In live imaging of Drosophila class IV dendritic arborization (c4da) neurons, Spire was observed at new sites of branch initiation, where it assembled new actin polymer in a burst just prior to filopodial outgrowth. For dendrite arborization, Spire required intact structural domains to nucleate actin and target the secretory network, and interacted with Rab11 GTPase, a key regulator of recycling endosomes. Together, these findings support a model in which Spire cooperates with Rab11 to promote new dendrite branches by linking localized actin dynamics with intracellular trafficking of endosomes that deliver lipids and cargoes to fuel protrusive outgrowth of nascent dendrites.
Use of a citizen science tool for the determination of biological invasions in urban areas
Authors: Botan Ana Luiza Moreira , Heringer Gustavo , de Matos Ana Carolina Lacerda , Oliveira Daniel Luiz , Ramos de Alvarenga Danielle , Wilson Almeida Jonathan , Palmieri Tavares Karla , Lopes Bueno Marina , Lopes Vitor Hugo , Zenni Rafael Dudeque
Published: June 2022

Urban environments are critical points for biological invasions because these areas are susceptible to a greater number of environmental disturbances. Because they are densely populated ecosystems, urban environments present a unique opportunity for the involvement of society in the management of invasive exotic species. Similarly, citizen science offers opportunities to conduct research in the field of ecology together with society. The objective of our study was to analyze the occurrence of exotic species in urban areas recorded on iNaturalist and determine whether citizen science applications are good data sources for research projects in invasion ecology. Specifically, we evaluated whether richness and composition of the exotic species community in the cities registered on the iNaturalist platform were explained by socioeconomic and environmental factors. We also verified whether richness of the exotic species in cities registered on the iNaturalist platform were similar to the richness of the exotic species community in the region where the city is located using data collected only by researchers. We obtained 38,374 occurrences of 265 invasive species covering 2,057 cities in 72 countries. Occurrence records were concentrated in North America, Western Europe and Oceania, and there were no data for cities in most of Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and West Asia. Socioeconomic and environmental factors were important determinants of the richness of exotic species in urban areas of the world and were important determinants of the richness of exotic species in natural environments. Urban hotspots of invasive exotic species were different from those for ecosystems in general.
Fish environmental DNA in lake sediment overcomes the gap of reconstructing past fauna in lake ecosystems
Authors: Sakata Masayuki K. , Tsugeki Narumi , Kuwae Michinobu , Ochi Natsuki , Hayami Kana , Osawa Ryohei , Morimoto Teppei , Yasashimoto Tetsu , Takeshita Daiki , Doi Hideyuki , Minamoto Toshifumi
Published: June 2022

Underwater sediments are a natural archive of biological information. Reconstruction of past fauna has been conducted for various taxonomic groups using morphological remains and DNA derived from these remains. However, information on past occurrences of fish species, the top predator of lake ecosystems, could have been reproduced only in exceptional environments, and past quantitative information on fish, particularly in lake ecosystems, has been a knowledge gap in reconstructing past fauna. Tracking the quantitative fluctuations of fish is essential for reconstructing multiple trophic levels of organisms in lake ecosystems.

To acquire past quantitative fish information from lake sediments, we collected approximately 30 cm-length of underwater sediments in Lake Biwa. We extracted sedimentary environmental DNA (eDNA) and measured temporal fluctuations in the eDNA concentration of the native and fishery target speciesPlecoglossus altivelisandGymnogobius isaza. ForP. altivelis, we examined the possibility of tracking quantitative fluctuations by comparing sedimentary eDNA with recorded catch per unit effort (CPUE).

The chronology of the sediments allowed us to obtain information on sediments collected in Lake Biwa over the past 100 years. The deepest depths at which sedimentary eDNA was detected were 30 and 13 cm forP. altivelisandG. isazafrom the surface, corresponding to approximately 100 and 30 years ago, respectively. In the comparison of sedimentary eDNA concentrations and biomass, we found a significant correlation between the CPUE ofP. altivelisand its sedimentary eDNA concentration adjusted to compensate for DNA degradation. Sedimentary eDNA fluctuations were observed inP. altivelis, possibly reflecting the abundance fluctuation due to variations in the main food resources of zooplankton.

Our findings provide essential pieces for the reconstruction of past fauna of lake ecosystems. The addition of quantitative information on fish species will reach a new phase, for instance, by investigating population shifts or biological interactions in the reconstruction of past fauna in lake ecosystems.
Epsin2, a novel target for multiple system atrophy therapy via α-synuclein/FABP7 propagation
Authors: Cheng An , Kawahata Ichiro , Wang Yifei , Jia Wenbin , Sekimori Tomoki , Chen Yi , Stefanova Nadia , Finkelstein David I , Ma Wenbo , Chen Min , Sasaki Takuya , Fukunaga Kohji
Published: June 2022

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative disease showing accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein and myelin disruption. However, the mechanism how α-synuclein (α-syn) accumulate in MSA brain remains unclear. Here, we identify the protein epsin-2 as a novel target for MSA therapy via controlling α-synuclein accumulation. In MSA mouse model, PLP-hαSyn transgenic mice and FABP7/α-syn hetero-aggregates injected mice, we firstly found that fatty acid-binding protein 7 (FABP7) related to MSA development and formed hetero-aggregates with α-syn, which exhibited stronger toxicity than α-syn aggregates. Furthermore, injected FABP7/α-syn hetero-aggregates in mice selectively accumulated in oligodendrocytes and Purkinje neurons and cause cerebellar dysfunction. By bioinformatic analyses, the protein epsin-2 expresses in both oligodendrocyte and Purkinje cells was found as a potential target to regulate FABP7/α-syn hetero-aggregates propagation via clathrin-dependent endocytosis. The AAV5-dependent epsin-2 knock-down mice exhibited decreased levels of aggregates accumulation in Purkinje neurons and oligodendrocytes as well as performed improved myelin levels and Purkinje neurons in cerebellum and motor functions. Thus, we propose epsin-2 as a novel and therapeutic candidate for MSA.
Translation, reliability, and validity of Amharic versions of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20) and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7)
Authors: Melkie Tadesse Belayneh , Gashaw Zelalem Mengistu , Workineh Zelalem Ayichew , Andargie Tamiru Minwuye , Debele Tibeb Zena , Nigatu Solomon Gedlu
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Pelvic Floor Disorders (PFDs) affects many women and have a significant impact on their quality of life. Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7) and Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20) help to assess PFDs; however, both are not culturally translated into the Amharic-language. Hence, we aimed to translate the English versions of short forms of the PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 into Amharic-language and evaluate their psychometric properties in Amharic-speaking Ethiopian women with symptomatic PFDs.

Methods

The PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 were translated into Amharic language using standard procedures. The Amharic versions were completed by 197 patients (response rate 92%) with PFDs from University of Gondar specialized and comprehensive Hospital. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were examined through Cronbach’s alpha and Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). A relative criterion standard, POP-SS-7 score, was correlated with total PFDI-20 and subscale POPDI-6 scores (spearman’s rank order correlation (SCC). Construct validity was evaluated by known group validity using the Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

Both instruments were successfully translated and adapted with an excellent content validity (> 0.90). The Amharic versions of the PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 showed excellent internal consistency and test-retest reliability in both summary and subscales (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.92 for PFDI-20 and 0.91 for PFIQ-7; and ICC: 0.97 for PFDI-20 and 0.86 for PFIQ-7). Criterion validity was good for POPDI-6 (SCC = 0.71; p < 0.001). Moreover, construct validity was acceptable, showing significant differences among groups of PFDs in the PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 scores (Mann–Whitney U Test; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The Amharic versions of the PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 are comprehensible, reliable, valid, and feasible in Ethiopian Amharic-speaking women with PFDs to evaluate symptoms and its impact during research and clinical practice. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the responsiveness.
Nasal DNA methylation at three CpG sites predicts childhood allergic disease
Authors: van Breugel Merlijn , Qi Cancan , Xu Zhongli , Pedersen Casper-Emil Tingskov , Petoukhov Ilya , Vonk Judith M. , Gehring Ulrike , Berg Marijn , Bügel Marnix , Capraij Orestes A. , Forno Erick , Morin Andréanne , Eliasen Anders Ulrik , Jiang Yale , van den Berge Maarten , Nawijn Martijn C. , Li Yang , Chen Wei , Bont Louis , Bønnelykke Klaus , Celedón Juan C. , Koppelman Gerard H. , Xu Cheng-Jian
Published: June 2022

Childhood allergic diseases, including asthma, rhinitis and eczema, are prevalent conditions that share strong genetic and environmental components. Diagnosis relies on clinical history and measurements of allergen-specific IgE. We hypothesized that a multi-omics model could accurately diagnose childhood allergic disease. We show that nasal DNA methylation has by far the strongest predictive power to diagnose childhood allergy, surpassing blood DNA methylation, genetic risk scores, and environmental factors. DNA methylation at only three nasal CpG sites classifies allergic disease in Dutch children, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.86. This was replicated in US Hispanic children (AUC 0.82). DNA methylation at these CpGs additionally detects allergic multimorbidity and symptomatic IgE sensitization. Using nasal single-cell RNA-sequencing data, we map these three CpG sites to reflect the influx of T cells and macrophages that contribute to allergic inflammation. Our study offers a simple, non-invasive diagnostic test for childhood allergy.
A machine learning model to aid detection of familial hypercholesterolaemia
Authors: Gratton Jasmine , Futema Marta , Humphries Steve E. , Hingorani Aroon D. , Finan Chris , Schmidt A. Floriaan
Published: June 2022

2.

TEXT ABSTRACT AND KEYWORDS

Background and Aims

People with monogenic familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) are at an increased risk of premature coronary heart disease and death. Currently there is no population screening strategy for FH, and most carriers are identified late in life, delaying timely and cost-effective interventions. The aim was to derive an algorithm to improve detection of people with monogenic FH.

Methods

A penalised (LASSO) logistic regression model was used to identify predictors that most accurately identified people with a higher probability of FH in 139,779 unrelated participants of the UK Biobank, including 488 FH carriers. Candidate predictors included information on medical and family history, anthropometric measures, blood biomarkers, and an LDL-C polygenic score (PGS). Model derivation and evaluation was performed using a random split of 80% training and 20% testing data.

Results

A 14-variable algorithm for FH was derived, where the top five variables included triglyceride, LDL-C, and apolipoprotein A1 concentrations, self-reported statin use, and an LDL-C PGS. Model evaluation in the test data resulted in an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.71; 0.83), and appropriate calibration (calibration-in-the-large: -0.07 (95% CI: -0.28; 0.13); calibration slope: 1.02 (95% CI: 0.85; 1.19)). Employing this model to prioritise people with suspected monogenic FH is anticipated to reduce the number of people requiring sequencing by 88% compared to a population-wide sequencing screen, and by 18% compared to prioritisation based on LDL-C and statin use.

Conclusions

The detection of individuals with monogenic FH can be improved with the inclusion of additional non-genetic variables and a PGS for LDL-C.
A G protein coupled receptor like protein systematically modulates nutrient-growth by Ca2+mediated phosphatidylcholine perception during evolutionary adaptation
Authors: Huang Zhixiong , He Xue , Zhao Xueqiang , Teng Wan , Hu Mengyun , Zhang Yijing , Li Junming , Li Hui , Tong Yiping
Published: June 2022

Nutrients are important for growth in both plants and animals, uncovering of signaling pathway in nutrients determined growth is essential. Here we clonedTaPCGR1-3B(Phospholipid Coordinated Growth and nutrients Response1), controlled by SNPs on alternative splicing and transcription factors binding, conferring nitrogen deficiency response. TaPCGR1-3B was localized in plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum of meristem cell. Nitrogen deprivation stimulated interaction of TaPCGR1-3B with G protein alpha subunit and phospholipase C 9, which was inhibited by phosphatidylcholine, to trigger Ca2+signaling and inhibit normal growth. Knockdown ofTaPCGR1rescued the growth inhibition caused by nutrient deficient conditions by modulation of phosphatidylcholine induced growth gene expression through Ca2+signaling disruption. Modulating of phosphatidylcholine mediatedTaPCGR1activity thus tightly regulated growth through Ca2+signaling.
Single-cell atlas of bronchoalveolar lavage from preschool cystic fibrosis reveals new cell phenotypes
Authors: Maksimovic Jovana , Shanthikumar Shivanthan , Howitt George , Hickey Peter F , Ho William , Anttila Casey , Brown Daniel V. , Senabouth Anne , Kaczorowski Dominik , Amann-Zalcenstein Daniela , Powell Joseph E. , Ranganathan Sarath C. , Oshlack Alicia , Neeland Melanie R.
Published: June 2022

Inflammation is a key driver of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease, not addressed by current standard care. Improved understanding of the mechanisms leading to aberrant inflammation may assist the development of effective anti-inflammatory therapy. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) allows profiling of cell composition and function at previously unprecedented resolution. Herein, we seek to use multimodal single-cell analysis to comprehensively define immune cell phenotypes, proportions and functional characteristics in preschool children with CF. We analyzed 42,658 cells from bronchoalveolar lavage of 11 preschool children with CF and a healthy control using scRNA-seq and parallel assessment of 154 cell surface proteins. Validation of cell types identified by scRNA-seq was achieved by assessment of samples by spectral flow cytometry. Analysis of transcriptome expression and cell surface protein expression, combined with functional pathway analysis, revealed 41 immune and epithelial cell populations in BAL. Spectral flow cytometry analysis of over 256,000 cells from a subset of the same patients revealed high correlation in major cell type proportions across the two technologies. Macrophages consisted of 13 functionally distinct sub populations, including previously undescribed populations enriched for markers of vesicle production and regulatory/repair functions. Other novel cell populations included CD4 T cells expressing inflammatory IFNα/β and NFκB signalling genes. Our work provides a comprehensive cellular analysis of the pediatric lower airway in preschool children with CF, reveals novel cell types and provides a reference for investigation of inflammation in early life CF.
Landscape drives zoonotic malaria prevalence in non-human primates
Authors: Johnson Emilia , Kumar Sharma Reuben Sunil , Cuenca Pablo Ruiz , Byrne Isabel , Salgado-Lynn Milena , Shahar Zarith Suraya , Lin Lee Col , Zulkifli Norhadila , Mohd Saidi Nor Dilaila , Drakeley Chris , Matthiopoulos Jason , Nelli Luca , Fornace Kimberly
Published: June 2022

Zoonotic disease dynamics in wildlife hosts are rarely quantified at macroecological scales due to the lack of systematic surveys. Non-human primates (NHPs) hostPlasmodium knowlesi,a zoonotic malaria of public health concern and the main barrier to malaria elimination in Southeast Asia. Understanding of regionalP. knowlesiinfection dynamics in wildlife is limited. Here, we systematically assemble reports of NHPP. knowlesiand investigate geographic determinants of prevalence in reservoir species. Meta-analysis of 6322 NHPs from 148 sites reveals that prevalence is heterogeneous across Southeast Asia, with low overall prevalence and high estimates for Malaysian Borneo. We find that regions exhibiting higher prevalence in NHPs overlap with human infection hotspots. In wildlife and humans, parasite transmission is linked to land conversion and fragmentation. By assembling remote sensing data and fitting statistical models to prevalence at multiple spatial scales, we identify novel relationships betweenP. knowlesiin NHPs and forest fragmentation. This suggests that higher prevalence may be contingent on habitat complexity, which would begin to explain observed geographic variation in parasite burden. These findings address critical gaps in understanding regionalP. knowlesiepidemiology and indicate that prevalence in simian reservoirs may be a key spatial driver of human spillover risk.
Nuclear fascin regulates cancer cell survival
Authors: Lawson Campbell D. , Peel Samantha , Jayo Asier , Corrigan Adam , Iyer Preeti , Dalrymple Mabel Baxter , Marsh Richard J. , Cox Susan , Van Audenhove Isabel , Gettemans Jan , Parsons Maddy
Published: June 2022

Fascin is an important regulator of F-actin bundling leading to enhanced filopodia assembly. Fascin is also overexpressed in most solid tumours where it supports invasion through control of F-actin structures at the periphery and nuclear envelope. Recently fascin has been identified in the nucleus of a broad range of cell types but the contributions of nuclear fascin to cancer cell behaviour remain unknown. Here we demonstrate that fascin bundles F-actin within the nucleus to support chromatin organisation and efficient DNA damage response. Fascin associates directly with phosphorylated Histone H3 leading to regulated levels of nuclear fascin to support these phenotypes. Forcing nuclear fascin accumulation through the expression of nuclear-targeted fascin-specific nanobodies or inhibition of Histone H3 kinases results in enhanced and sustained nuclear F-actin bundling leading to reduced invasion, viability and nuclear fascin-specific/driven apoptosis. These findings represent an additional important route through which fascin can support tumorigenesis and provide insight into potential pathways for targeted fascin-dependent cancer cell killing.
Alternative Splicing of Apoptosis Genes Promotes Human T Cell Survival
Authors: Blake Davia , Radens Caleb M. , Ferretti Max B , Gazzara Matthew R , Lynch Kristen W.
Published: June 2022

Alternative splicing occurs in the vast majority of human genes, giving rise to distinct mRNA and protein isoforms. We, and others, have previously identified hundreds of genes that change their isoform expression upon T cell activation via alternative splicing; however, how these changes link activation input with functional output remains largely unknown. Here we investigate how costimulation of T cells through the CD28 receptor impacts alternative splicing in T cells activated through the T cell receptor (CD3) and find that while CD28 signaling alone has minimal impact on splicing, it enhances the extent of change for up to 20% of TCR-induced alternative splicing events. Interestingly, a set of CD28-enhanced splicing events occur within genes encoding key components of the apoptotic signaling pathway; namely caspase-9, Bax and Bim. Using both CRISPR-edited cells and antisense oligos to force expression of specific isoforms, we show for all three of these genes that the isoform induced by CD3/CD28 costimulation promotes resistance to apoptosis, and that changes in all three genes together function combinatorially to further promote cell viability. Finally, we show that the JNK signaling pathway, induced downstream of CD3/CD28 costimulation, is required for each of these splicing events, further highlighting their co-regulation. Together these findings demonstrate that alternative splicing is a key mechanism by which costimulation of CD28 promotes viability of activated T cells.
Maintaining job crafting over time: joint effect of autonomy and career support from family and friends
Authors: Wang Zhonghao , Huang Jason L. , Xie Baoguo
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The study focuses on intraindividual trajectory of job crafting change over time. Integrating the self-regulation and demands-resources perspectives, this study examines how career support from family and friends interacts with job autonomy to influence the change pattern of job crafting.

Design/methodology/approach

Four waves of self-report survey data were collected in a semester from 324 university professors and instructors in China. Latent growth curve modeling was used to examine intraindividual change of job crafting and conducted latent interaction analysis to test the joint effect of autonomy and career support from family and friends on job crafting change.

Findings

There was a general declining trend in job crafting over the course of a semester. Career support from family and friends moderated the association between job autonomy and job crafting maintenance. Specifically, when career support was low, job autonomy was negatively associated with job crafting maintenance.

Research limitations/implications

The study showed that job crafting maintenance over time is distinct from the typical between-person conceptualization. Further, job crafting maintenance was predicted from a self-regulatory perspective. However, the unique context of college faculty from China may limit generalization of the findings.

Practical implications

Managers should recognize the challenges in maintaining job crafting over time. In addition to providing autonomy at work, organizations may benefit from establishing channels for employees to receive career support from non-work domains.

Originality/value

The authors adopt a self-regulation perspective to understand intraindividual change in job crafting over time and situate the current investigation in the cyclical nature of university faculty’s job.
Bank competition, risk-taking and financial stability: insights from an emerging economy
Authors: Srivastava Bhavya , Singh Shveta , Jain Sonali
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Amidst the backdrop of a wide array of structural developments that have revolutionized the competitive landscape of Indian commercial banking, this paper aims to empirically examine the role of two external monitoring mechanisms – competition and concentration on financial stability and further highlights the significance of bank-level heterogeneity in the nexus.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses the Lerner index, defined through a translog specification, as a measure of market power. A system generalized method of moments technique accounts for the dynamic associations among the competition-concentration-stability nexus. The study further examines the moderating effect of ownership, size and capitalization on the nexus. The study also uses the Boone indicator and comments on the competition-bank stability relationship after controlling for bank governance.

Findings

The findings indicate that banks are less stable in a more competitive and higher concentrated environment. Exploring bank-level heterogeneity, first, the authors report that as competition increases, state-owned banks have greater incentives to undertake risky activities than private and foreign banks, which point to implicit sovereign guarantees that characterize the former. Second, the authors document an adverse influence of competition on the soundness of larger banks consistent with the “too-big-to-fail” assertion. Third, results corroborate the disciplinary role of regulatory capital and lend support to stricter capital norms under Basel III in a more competitive environment.

Originality/value

This paper is perhaps the first to capture competition and concentration in a single model; to reconcile conflicting evidence on competition-risk nexus; to shed light on the joint effect of competition and Basel accords for Indian banks.
Antecedents of absorptive capacity: context of companies' incubators in Northeastern Brazil
Authors: Miranda Ana Lucia Brenner Barreto , Nodari Cristine Hermann , Severo Eliana , De Guimarães Julio Cesar Ferro
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This research aims at analyzing the antecedents of absorptive capacity (ACAP) in the companies incubated in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. In this context, 111 incubated companies took part in the research.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used the confirmatory factor analysis and the multiple linear regression to analyze the relationship of the dependent variables (ACAP) with the dependent variables (interaction with other companies, professionals' knowledge (PK), knowledge use (KU) and knowledge acquisition).

Findings

The results highlight that external KU was the construct that most influences the ACAP. Among the dependent variables suggested, only the construct concerning the incubators' PK presented no model significance, which shows that the PK is not an antecedent of ACAP in the incubated companies.

Originality/value

This study is relevant due to pointing out that the incubators may not be providing their professionals with knowledge properly, or that this knowledge is not being accessed by the incubated companies, which allows actions turned to encouraging businesses in this context.
Temperature‐induced compensatory growth in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is regulated by a thermosensitive TRP channel and influences reproductive rate
Authors: Sekajova Zuzana , Rosa Elena , Spagopoulou Foteini , Zervakis Panagiotis‐Ioannis , Lind Martin I.
Published: June 2022

Animals are often not growing at the maximum rate, but can compensate for a bad start of life by subsequently increasing growth rate. While this compensatory growth is widespread, its direct fitness consequences are seldom investigated and its genetic basis is unknown.

We investigated the genetic regulation, as well as fitness and lifespan consequences of compensatory growth in response to temperature, using Caenorhabditis elegans knockout of the thermo‐sensitive TRP ion channel TRPA‐1, involved in temperature recognition. We exposed juvenile worms to cold, favourable (intermediate) or warm temperatures in order to delay or speed up development.

Wild‐type worms initially exposed to cold temperature experienced slower growth but after being switched to a more favourable temperature, they expressed compensatory growth and caught up in size. Those initially reared at warmer temperatures than favourable experienced slower growth and attained smaller adult size after being switched to the most favourable temperature.

Compensatory growth also altered the reproductive schedule. While rate‐sensitive individual fitness decreased by cold juvenile temperatures, as a direct effect of the substantial developmental delay, once worms returned to more favourable temperature, they shifted their reproductive schedule towards early reproduction. Therefore, when focusing on the post‐treatment period, the reproductive rate increased even though lifetime reproductive success was unaffected. Surprisingly, compensatory growth did not reduce adult lifespan. In contrast to the findings for wild‐type worms, juvenile temperature did not induce compensatory or slowed‐down growth in the trpa‐1 knockout mutants.

We thus show that the trpa‐1 is involved in the network regulating temperature‐induced compensatory growth in C. elegans and that this compensatory growth can influence the reproductive rate.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
The important role of sponges in carbon and nitrogen cycling in a deep‐sea biological hotspot
Authors: Hanz Ulrike , Riekenberg Philip , de Kluijver Anna , van der Meer Marcel , Middelburg Jack J. , de Goeij Jasper M. , Bart Martijn C. , Wurz Erik , Colaço Ana , Duineveld Gerard C. A. , Reichart Gert‐Jan , Rapp Hans‐Tore , Mienis Furu
Published: June 2022

Deep‐sea sponge grounds are hotspots of biodiversity, harbouring thriving ecosystems in the otherwise barren deep sea. It remains unknown how these sponge grounds survive in this food‐limited environment.

Here, we unravel how sponges and their associated fauna sustain themselves by identifying their food sources and food‐web interactions using bulk and compound‐specific stable isotope analysis of amino and fatty acids.

We found that sponges with a high microbial abundance had an isotopic composition resembling organisms at the base of the food web, suggesting that they are able to use dissolved resources that are generally inaccessible to animals. In contrast, low microbial abundance sponges had a bulk isotopic composition that resembles a predator at the top of a food web, which appears to be the result of very efficient recycling pathways that are so far unknown. The compound‐specific‐isotope analysis, however, positioned low‐microbial abundance sponges with other filter‐feeding fauna. Furthermore, fatty‐acid analysis confirmed transfer of sponge‐derived organic material to the otherwise food‐limited associated fauna.

Through this subsidy, sponges are key to the sustenance of thriving deep‐sea ecosystems and might have, due to their ubiquitous abundance, a global impact on biogeochemical cycles.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Relapse predictability of topological signature on pretreatment planning CT images of stage I non‐small cell lung cancer patients before treatment with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy
Authors: Kodama Takumi , Arimura Hidetaka , Shirakawa Yuko , Ninomiya Kenta , Yoshitake Tadamasa , Shioyama Yoshiyuki
Published: June 2022

Background

This study aimed to explore the predictability of topological signatures linked to the locoregional relapse (LRR) and distant metastasis (DM) on pretreatment planning computed tomography images of stage I non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients before treatment with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR).

Methods

We divided 125 primary stage I NSCLC patients (LRR: 34, DM: 22) into training (n = 60) and test datasets (n = 65), and the training dataset was augmented to 260 cases using a synthetic minority oversampling technique. The relapse predictabilities of the conventional wavelet‐based features (WF), topology‐based features [BF, Betti number (BN) map features; iBF, inverted BN map features], and their combined features (BWF, iBWF) were compared. The patients were stratified into high‐risk and low‐risk groups using the medians of the radiomics scores in the training dataset.

Results

For the LRR in the test, the iBF, iBWF, and WF showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05), and the highest nLPC was obtained for the iBF. For the DM in the test, the iBWF showed a significant difference and the highest nLPC.

Conclusion

The iBF indicated the potential of improving the LRR and DM prediction of stage I NSCLC patients prior to undergoing SABR.
Incorporating historical weather information in crop insurance rating
Authors: Liu Yong , Ramsey A. Ford
Published: June 2022

Crop insurance programs rely on conditional predictive distributions of loss random variables (e.g., yield, revenue, loss costs, etc.) to determine probabilities and magnitudes of loss. The loss variables may be related to stochastic variables that are not known at the time the policy is priced. Such is the case for weather; weather is stochastic, realizations are not known when the crop insurance policy is sold, and there is often additional historical information on weather relative to the loss variable itself. We provide a Bayesian methodology for incorporating historical weather information in crop insurance rating. We apply the method in empirical applications to county‐level U.S. corn yields and loss cost ratios in the Midwest. The historical weather‐conditioned distributions differ from those based on shorter samples. In the yield distribution setting, additional temporal weather information leads to economic gains relative to other rating approaches; the magnitude of these gains increases with the amount of historical weather information included in the analysis.
The Triglycerides and Glucose Index is not superior to HOMA‐IR in predicting testosterone deficiency among adult males
Authors: Liu Nuozhou , Luo Xinyao , Li Peiyao , Xiong Wei
Published: June 2022

Background

Testosterone decline and deficiency in males have aroused increased attention in male health management, which might have a close relationship with insulin resistance (IR).

Objectives

We utilized a novel and practical IR indicator, the triglyceride‐glucose (TyG) index, to investigate the association between the TyG index and serum testosterone in US adult males.

Materials and methods

This was a cross‐sectional study based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013–2014 and 2015–2016. The TyG index was calculated from fasting plasma glucose and serum triglyceride, and serum testosterone was measured by isotope dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in NHANES.

Results

A total of 2186 male participants aged more than 20 years old were included, and the mean TyG index was 8.72 ± 0.71. Participants with a higher TyG index showed a lower level of total testosterone (β = −45.83, 95% CI: −58.50, −33.15, p < 0.0001) and a higher risk of testosterone deficiency (OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.46, 2.21, p < 0.0001) after we adjusted for all potential cofounders. Males in TyG index tertile 3 had a 113% (95% CI: 1.50, 3.02, p < 0.0001) higher risk of testosterone deficiency than those in tertile 1. Subgroup analysis stratified by diabetes condition indicated that the TyG index might be a good predictor of testosterone decline or deficiency in either people with or without diabetes. However, ROC cure analysis indicated that a larger area under the curve was found in the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) (0.71, 95% CI: 0.68,0.74) than in the TyG index (0.67, 95% CI: 0.64, 0.70).

Conclusions

Males with a higher TyG index tended to have a higher risk of testosterone decline or even testosterone deficiency. However, the predictability of the TyG index for testosterone deficiency was not better than that of HOMA‐IR. More well‐designed studies are still needed to validate this relationship.
Chemical composition of early modern and modern window glass from archaeological excavations in Prague‐Hradčany, Czech Republic
Authors: Zlámalová Cílová Zuzana , Blažková Gabriela
Published: June 2022

A total of 101 fragments of the window rondels and fillings from four waste pits located in Prague‐Hradčany and dating to between 1500 and 1775 were analysed. In the sample set examined, ash‐based glass was found to be the most abundant (93 samples). The analysis also identified five fragments of non‐ash glass, that is, glass probably made with the addition of potash, two samples of sodium ash glass (containing halophytic plant ash used as an alkaline raw material), and one fragment of high‐lime low‐alkali (HLLA) ash‐based glass. The evolution of window glass composition in the Czech Republic is shown to differ in comparison with other European regions where the HLLA‐type predominates.
Differentiating human from non‐human bone fragments through histomorphological assessment of remains from Camposanto cemetery, Italy
Authors: Porto Shanley , Flavel Ambika , Maggio Ariane , Franklin Daniel
Published: June 2022

When bones are found within archaeological contexts it is important for site interpretation that they are identified by species, or at the very least as human or non‐human. However, key landmarks and characteristics typically used for such an assessment are often destroyed when bones are highly fragmented; thus methods including DNA or histology are amongst the few remaining options. Histological analysis of cortical tissue can be performed to discriminate human from non‐human origin. A set of 40 bone fragments recovered during excavation of the Camposanto cemetery on the island of Lazzaretto Nuovo (Venice, Italy), used to accommodate mass plague deaths from 1468 ce, were histologically determined to be of non‐human origin. Histomorphometric analysis of secondary osteons and Haversian canals, and non‐metric assessment of plexiform, osteonal and non‐plexiform fibrolamellar tissue, were applied to determine the most probable species origin. Discriminant function analysis established by Martiniaková and co‐workers in 2006, was applied, resulting in 36 samples classified as pig and four as cattle. This is consistent with the island’s use as a quarantine station during this period when imported cattle were housed to avoid the spread of disease. These results further enhance the understanding of the Lazzaretto Nuovo site.
Disorders of histone methylation: Molecular basis and clinical syndromes
Authors: Al Ojaimi Mode , Banimortada Bashar J. , Othman Amna , Riedhammer Korbinian M. , Almannai Mohammed , El‐Hattab Ayman W.
Published: June 2022

Epigenetic modifications of DNA and histone tails are essential for gene expression regulation. They play an essential role in neurodevelopment as nervous system development is a complex process requiring a dynamic pattern of gene expression. Histone methylation is one of the vital epigenetic regulators and mostly occurs on lysine residues of histones H3 and H4. Histone methylation is catalyzed by two sets of enzymes: histone lysine methyltransferases (KMTs) and histone lysine demethylases (KDMs). KMT2 enzymes form a distinct multi‐subunit complex known as COMPASS to enhance their catalytic activity and diversify their biologic functions. Several neurodevelopmental syndromes result from defects in histone methylation which can be caused by deficiencies in histone methyltransferases and demethylases, loss of the histone methyltransferase activator TASP1, or derangements in COMPASS formation. In this review article, the molecular mechanism of histone methylation is discussed followed by summarizing clinical syndromes caused by monogenic defects in histone methylation.
Use of DNA image cytometry in conducting oral cancer screening in rural India
Authors: Datta Madhurima , Guillaud Martial , Chaitanya Nallan , NDVN Shyam , Palat Gayatri , Kumari Priya , Rapelli Vineela , Jn Jagannath , Kumari Sanjeeva , Broughton Sandra , Sutcliffe Simon , Laronde Denise M.
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Oral cancer screening can assist in the early detection of oral potentially malignant lesions (OPMLs) and prevention of oral cancers. It can be challenging for clinicians to differentiate OPMLs from benign conditions. Adjunct screening tools such as fluorescence visualisation (FV) and DNA image cytometry (DNA‐ICM) have shown success in identifying OPMLs in high‐risk clinics. For the first time we aimed to assess these technologies in Indian rural settings and evaluate if these tools helped clinicians identify high‐risk lesions during screening.

Methods

Dental students and residents screened participants in five screening camps held in villages outside of Hyderabad, India, using extraoral, intraoral, and FV examinations. Lesion and normal tissue brushings were collected for DNA‐ICM analysis and cytology.

Results

Of the 1116 participants screened, 184 lesions were observed in 152 participants. Based on white light examination (WLE), 45 lesions were recommended for biopsy. Thirty‐five were completed on site; 25 (71%) were diagnosed with low‐grade dysplasias (17 mild, 8 moderate) and the remaining 10 showed no signs of dysplasia. FV loss was noted in all but one dysplastic lesion and showed a sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 17%. Cytology combined with DNA‐ICM had a sensitivity of 64% and specificity of 86% in detecting dysplasia.

Conclusion

DNA‐ICM combined with cytology identified the majority of dysplastic lesions and identified additional lesions, which were not considered high‐risk during WLE and biopsy on site. Efforts to follow‐up with these participants are ongoing. FV identified most high‐risk lesions but added limited value over WLE.