bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An inside look at a biofilm: Pseudomonas aeruginosa flagella bio-tracking
Authors: Ozer Eden , Yaniv Karin , Chetrit Einat , Boyarski Anastasya , Meijler Michael M. , Berkovich Ronen , Kushmaro Ariel , Alfonta Lital
Published: August 2020

The opportunistic pathogen,Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a flagellated bacterium, is one of the top model organisms for studying biofilm formation. In order to elucidate the role of the bacteria flagella in biofilm formation, we developed a new tool for flagella bio-tracking. We have site-specifically labeled the bacterial flagella by incorporating an unnatural amino acid into the flagella monomer via genetic code expansion. This enabled us to label and track the bacterial flagella during biofilm maturation. Direct, live imaging revealed for the first-time presence and synthesis of flagella throughout the biofilm lifecycle. To ascertain the possible role of the flagella in the strength of a biofilm we produced a “flagella knockout” strain and compared its biofilm to that of the wild type strain. Results showed a one order of magnitude stronger biofilm structure in the wild type in comparison to the flagella knockout strain. This suggests a newly discovered structural role for bacterial flagella in biofilm structure, possibly acting as a scaffold. Based on our findings we suggest a new model for biofilm maturation dynamic and underscore the importance of direct evidence from within the biofilm.
AI aided design of epitope-based vaccine for the induction of cellular immune responses against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Mazzocco G. , Niemiec I. , Myronov A. , Skoczylas P. , Kaczmarczyk J. , Sanecka-Duin A. , Gruba K. , Król P. , Drwal M. , Szczepanik M. , Pyrc K. , Stępniak P.
Published: August 2020

The heavy burden imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic on our society triggered the race towards the development of therapies or preventive strategies. Among these, antibodies and vaccines are particularly attractive because of their high specificity, low probability of drug-drug interaction, and potentially long-standing protective effects. While the threat at hand justifies the pace of research, the implementation of therapeutic strategies cannot be exempted from safety considerations. There are several potential adverse events reported after the vaccination or antibody therapy, but two are of utmost importance: antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) and cytokine storm syndrome (CSS). On the other hand, the depletion or exhaustion of T-cells has been reported to be associated with worse prognosis in COVID-19 patients. This observation suggests a potential role of vaccines eliciting cellular immunity, which might simultaneously limit the risk of ADE and CSS. Such risk was proposed to be associated with FcR-induced activation of proinflammatory macrophages (M1) by Fu et al. 2020 and Iwasaki et al. 2020. All aspects of the newly developed vaccine (including the route of administration, delivery system, and adjuvant selection) may affect its effectiveness and safety. In this work we use a novel in silico approach (based on AI and bioinformatics methods) developed to support the design of epitope-based vaccines. We evaluated the capabilities of our method for predicting the immunogenicity of epitopes. Next, the results of our approach were compared with other vaccine-design strategies reported in the literature. The risk of immuno-toxicity was also assessed. The analysis of epitope conservation among otherCoronaviridaewas carried out in order to facilitate the selection of peptides shared across different SARS-CoV-2 strains and which might be conserved in emerging zootic coronavirus strains. Finally, the potential applicability of the selected epitopes for the development of a vaccine eliciting cellular immunity for COVID-19 was discussed, highlighting the benefits and challenges of such an approach.
Many ways to make darker flies: Intra- and inter-specific variation inDrosophilabody pigmentation components
Authors: Lafuente Elvira , Alves Filipa , King Jessica G , Peralta Carolina M , Beldade Patrícia
Published: August 2020

Body pigmentation is an evolutionarily diversified and ecologically relevant trait that shows variation within and between species, and important roles in animal survival and reproduction. Insect pigmentation, in particular, provides some of the most compelling examples of adaptive evolution and its ecological and genetic bases. Yet, while pigmentation includes multiple aspects of color and color pattern that may vary more or less independently, its study frequently focuses on one single aspect. Here, we develop a method to quantify color and color pattern inDrosophilabody pigmentation, decomposing thorax and abdominal pigmentation into distinct measurable traits, and we quantify different sources of variation in those traits. For each body part, we measured overall darkness, as well as four other pigmentation properties distinguishing between background color and color of the darker pattern elements that decorate the two body parts. By focusing on two standardD. melanogasterlaboratory populations, we show that pigmentation components vary and co-vary in different manners depending on sex, genetic background, and developmental temperature. By studying three natural populations ofD. melanogasteralong a latitudinal cline and five otherDrosophilaspecies, we then show that evolution of lighter or darker bodies can be achieved by changing distinct component traits. Our study underscores the value of detailed phenotyping for a better understanding of phenotypic variation and diversification, and the ecological pressures and genetic mechanisms underlying them.
Voltage imaging using transgenic mouse lines expressing the GEVI ArcLight in two olfactory cell types
Authors: Platisa Jelena , Zeng Hongkui , Madisen Linda , Cohen Lawrence B. , Pieribone Vincent A , Storace Douglas A.
Published: August 2020

Genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) allow for cell-specific optical recordings of membrane potential changes in defined cell populations. One tool that would further their use in thein vivomammalian brain is transgenic reporter animals that facilitate precise and repeatable targeting with high expression levels. The present literature on the development and use of transgenic mouse lines as vehicles for GEVI expression is limited. Here we report the firstin vivoexperiments using a transgenic reporter mouse for the GEVI ArcLight (Ai86(TITL-ArcLight)), which utilizes a Cre/tTA dependent expression system (TIGRE 1.0). Following pairing to appropriate Cre- and tTA transgenic mice, we report two mouse lines with ArcLight expression restricted to olfactory sensory neurons (OMP-ArcLight), and a subpopulation of interneurons that include periglomerular and granule cells (Emx1-ArcLight) in the olfactory bulb (OB). The ArcLight expression in these lines was sufficient forin vivoimaging of odorant responses in single trials. Odor responses were measured in the OB using epifluorescence and 2-photon imaging. The voltage responses were odor-specific and concentration-dependent, and confirmed earlier conclusions from calcium measurements. This study shows that the ArcLight Ai86(TITL-ArcLight) transgenic line is a flexible genetic tool that can be used to record neuronal electrical activity of a variety of cell types with a signal-to-noise ratio that is comparable to previous reports using viral transduction.
Prefrontal neural ensembles develop selective code for stimulus associations within minutes of novel experiences
Authors: Takehara-Nishiuchi Kaori , Morrissey Mark D , Pilkiw Maryna
Published: August 2020

Prevailing theories posit that the hippocampus rapidly learns stimulus conjunctions during novel experiences, whereas the neocortex learns slowly through subsequent, off-line interaction with the hippocampus. Parallel evidence, however, shows that the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC, a critical node of the neocortical network supporting long-term memory storage) undergoes rapid modifications of gene expression, synaptic structure, and physiology at the time of encoding. These observations, along with impaired learning with disrupted mPFC, suggest that mPFC neurons may exhibit rapid neural plasticity during novel experiences; however, direct empirical evidence is lacking. We extracellularly recorded action potentials of cells in the prelimbic region of the mPFC, while male rats received a sequence of stimulus presentations for the first time in life. Moment-to-moment tracking of neural ensemble firing patterns revealed that the prelimbic network activity exhibited an abrupt transition within a minute after the first encounter of an aversive but not neutral stimulus. This network-level change was driven by ~15% of neurons that immediately elevated their spontaneous firing rates and developed firing responses to a neutral stimulus preceding the aversive stimulus within a few instances of their pairings. When a new sensory stimulus was paired with the same aversive stimulus, about half of these neurons generalized firing responses to the new stimulus association. Thus, prelimbic neurons are capable of rapidly forming ensemble codes for novel stimulus associations within minutes. This circuit property may enable the mPFC to rapidly detect and selectively encode the central content of novel experiences.
A Phased Canis lupus familiaris Labrador Retriever Reference Genome Utilizing High Molecular Weight DNA Extraction Methods and High Resolution Sequencing Technologies
Authors: Player Robert A. , Forsyth Ellen R. , Verratti Kathleen J. , Mohr David W. , Scott Alan F. , Bradburne Christopher E.
Published: August 2020

Reference genome fidelity is critically important for genome wide association studies (GWAS), yet many are incomplete or too dissimilar from the study population. A typical whole genome sequencing approach implies short-read technologies resulting in fragmented assemblies with regions of ambiguity low complexity. Further information is lost by economic necessity when genotyping populations, as lower resolution technologies such as genotyping arrays are commonly utilized. Here we present a phased reference genome for Canis lupus familiaris utilizing high molecular weight sequencing technologies. We tested wet lab and bioinformatic approaches to demonstrate a minimum workflow to generate the 2.4 gigabase genome for a Labrador Retriever. The resulting de novo assembly required eight Oxford Nanopore R9.4 flowcells (~23X depth) and running a 10X Genomics library on the equivalent of one lane of an Illumina NovaSeq S1 flowcell (~88X depth), bringing the cost of generating a nearly complete reference genome to less than $10K. Mapping of publicly available short-read data from ten Labrador Retrievers against this breed-specific reference resulted in an average of approximately 1% more aligned reads compared to mapping against the current gold standard reference (CanFam3.1, p<0.001), indicating a more complete breed-specific reference. An average 15% reduction of variant calls was observed from the same mapped data, which increases the chance of identifying low effect size variants in a GWAS. We believe that by incorporating the cost to produce a full genome assembly into any large-scale canine genotyping study, an investigator can make an informed cost/benefit analysis regarding genotyping technology.
Postsynaptic potential energy as determinant of synaptic plasticity
Authors: Chen Huan-Wen , Xie Li-Juan , Wang Yi-Jun , Zhang Hang
Published: August 2020

Metabolic energy can be used as a unified principle to control neuronal activity. However, whether and how metabolic energy alone can determine the outcome of synaptic plasticity remains unclear. In this study, a computational model of synaptic plasticity that is completely determined by energy is proposed. A simple quantitative relationship between synaptic plasticity and postsynaptic potential energy is established. Synaptic weight is directly proportional to the difference between the baseline potential energy and the suprathreshold potential energy and is constrained by the maximum energy supply. Results show that the energy constraint improves the performance of synaptic plasticity and avoids setting the hard boundary of synaptic weights. With the same set of model parameters, our model can reproduce several classical experiments in homo and heterosynaptic plasticity. The proposed model can explain the interaction mechanism of Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity at the cellular level, thereby providing a new way to deeply understand the characteristics of learning and memory.
Green competencies: insights and recommendations from a systematic literature review
Authors: Cabral Clement , Dhar Rajib Lochan
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study conceptualises the construct – green competencies. The concept is in the niche stage and needs further elaboration. Hence, to address the research gap, this study follows the steps proposed by Tranfield et al. (2003). The major part of the study comprises descriptive analysis and thematic analysis. Descriptive analysis of the selected 66 articles was examined with the classification framework, which contains year-wise distribution, journal-wise distribution, the focus of the concept, the economic sector, and dimensions of sustainable development. The paper conducts a thematic analysis of the following research questions. What are the green competencies and their conceptual definition? What are their dimensions?

Design/methodology/approach

This paper applies a systematic literature review of green competencies literature, extends the state-of-the-art using the natural resource-based view, and discusses future research directions for academicians and practitioners.

Findings

In recent years, there was considerable interest in green competencies (GC), as reflected in the surge of articles published in this genre. This paper asserts that green competencies are a multidimensional construct comprised of green knowledge, green skills, green abilities, green attitudes, green behaviours, and green awareness.

Originality/value

Despite the significance of green competencies, there has been a dearth of study to define the constructs and identify the dimensions. Hence, this study addresses the literature gap by conceptualisation and discusses dimensions of the construct.
Choice experiments in non-market value analysis: some methodological issues
Authors: Koemle Dieter , Yu Xiaohua
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper reviews the current literature on theoretical and methodological issues in discrete choice experiments, which have been widely used in non-market value analysis, such as elicitation of residents' attitudes toward recreation or biodiversity conservation of forests.

Design/methodology/approach

We review the literature, and attribute the possible biases in choice experiments to theoretical and empirical aspects. Particularly, we introduce regret minimization as an alternative to random utility theory and sheds light on incentive compatibility, status quo, attributes non-attendance, cognitive load, experimental design, survey methods, estimation strategies and other issues.

Findings

The practitioners should pay attention to many issues when carrying out choice experiments in order to avoid possible biases. Many alternatives in theoretical foundations, experimental designs, estimation strategies and even explanations should be taken into account in practice in order to obtain robust results.

Originality/value

The paper summarizes the recent developments in methodological and empirical issues of choice experiments and points out the pitfalls and future directions both theoretically and empirically.
Case study on renewable energy in New York: bridging the gap between promise and reality
Authors: Tomoiaga Alin Simion , Ammar Salwa , Freund Christopher
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The assessment of the achievement of the goal is data driven and uses analytical modeling of the forecasted demand and the projected electrical power generated capacities. The analysis is based on compiled granular observations and is compared to reported aggregated information. The model takes into account changes in demand patterns such as the increase in the use of electric cars, and decreased demand because of improving efficiencies and behind-the-meter generation.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study is designed to examine one of the major goals of New York State (NYS) Governor Andrew Cuomo’s energy plan, namely, that 50% of all electric generation will come from renewable energy resources by the year 2030. The aim is to compare the aspiration of the political policy with the reality of its implementation.

Findings

The analyses describe a measurable gap between the achievement of the stated goal and the projected reality. The paper includes discussions on the nature of this gap and factors that could potentially further increase this deficit.

Practical implications

In addition, the paper highlights the need to recognize the complexities of projecting the future and difficulty of developing aggressive contingencies given practical and political constraints.

Originality/value

This paper provides a data-driven independent assessment of the NYS’ current energy plan and highlights important issues for consideration if the political promise is ever to become a reality.
Changing in sync with societal preferences: LEGO masters strategic alliances
Authors: Srikant Chethan D. , Lessard Bethany
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Changes in societal preferences can have a significant impact on the business strategy of companies. This paper aims to illustrate the utility of strategic alliances in channelizing societal preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

LEGO and its many strategic alliances are carefully examined to illustrate the need for considering strategic alliances from a societal preference perspective. LEGO’s strategic alliances are juxtaposed with two major societal trends of the past few decades, environmental movement and multiple efforts toward greater inclusivity.

Findings

The following important lessons are elaborated for helping business organizations pursuing strategic alliances: long-term orientation should not become an excuse for complacency, need for alignment of organizations within the strategic alliance, strategic alliances should be viewed as a bidirectional channel for influence and attending to internal transformations is crucial for success.

Originality/value

This paper deviates from the traditional treatment of strategic alliances as a business arrangement that only drives financial performance but instead provides insights into how strategic alliances can be connected to changing societal preferences. It also challenges the received wisdom in the academic literature on strategic alliance, which is dominated by some very restrictive theoretical perspectives.
The historic (wrong) turn in management and organizational studies
Authors: Bowden Bradley
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Management history has in the past 15 years witnessed growing enthusiasm for “critical” research methodologies associated with the so-called “historic turn”. This paper aims to argue, however, that the “historic turn” has proved to an “historic wrong turn”, typically associated with confused and contradictory positions. In consequence, Foucault’s belief that knowledge is rooted in discourse, and that both are rooted in external structures of power, is used while simultaneously professing advocacy of White’s understanding that history is fictive, the product of the historian’s imagination.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explores the intellectual roots of the historic (wrong) turn in the idealist philosophies of Nietzsche, Croce, Foucault, White and Latour as well as the critiques that have been made of those theories from within “critical” or “Left” theoretical frameworks.

Findings

Failing to properly acknowledge the historical origin of their ideas and/or the critiques of those ideas – and misrepresenting all contrary opinion as “positivist” – those associated with the historic (wrong) turn replicate the errors of their theoretical champions. The author thus witnesses a confusion of ontology (the nature of being) and epistemology (the nature of knowledge) and, consequently, of “facts” (things that exist independently of our fancy), “evidence” (how ascertain knowledge of a fact) and “interpretation” (how I connect evidence to explain an historical outcome).

Originality/value

Directed toward an examination of the conceptual errors that mark the so-called “historic turn” in management studies, this article argues that the holding contradictory positions is not an accidental by-product of the “historic turn”. Rather, it is a defining characteristic of the genre.
Price discrimination in political advertising: Evidence from the 2012 presidential election
Authors: Moshary Sarah
Published: August 2020

In 2010, the US Supreme Court loosened contribution limits to Political Action Committees (PACs), sparking fears that big donors could exert outsize influence on elections by funding PAC advertising. However, PACs are potentially handicapped when buying advertising time; data from 2012 reveal that PACs pay 32% above regulated campaign rates. I estimate a model of demand for advertising by PACs, exploiting the misalignment of state and media market borders to address price endogeneity. I find that prices reflect willingness‐to‐pay for viewer demographics rather than media bias. The estimates further suggest that network‐owned stations discriminate more successfully than do local affiliates.
Molecular elevation of insulin receptor signaling improves memory recall in aged Fischer 344 rats
Authors: Frazier Hilaree N. , Anderson Katie L. , Ghoweri Adam O. , Lin Ruei-Lung , Hawkinson Tara R. , Popa Gabriel J. , Sompol Pradoldej , Mendenhall Michael D. , Norris Christopher M. , Thibault Olivier
Published: August 2020

As demonstrated by increased hippocampal insulin receptor density following learning in animal models and decreased insulin signaling, receptor density, and memory decline in aging and Alzheimer's diseases, numerous studies have emphasized the importance of insulin in learning and memory processes. This has been further supported by work showing that intranasal delivery of insulin can enhance insulin receptor signaling, alter cerebral blood flow, and improve memory recall. Additionally, inhibition of insulin receptor function or expression using molecular techniques has been associated with reduced learning. Here, we sought a different approach to increase insulin receptor activity without the need for administering the ligand. A constitutively active, modified human insulin receptor (IRβ) was delivered to the hippocampus of young (2 months) and aged (18 months) male Fischer 344 rats in vivo. The impact of increasing hippocampal insulin receptor expression was investigated using several outcome measures, including Morris water maze and ambulatory gait performance, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and Western immunoblotting. In aged animals, the IRβ construct was associated with enhanced performance on the Morris water maze task, suggesting that this receptor was able to improve memory recall. Additionally, in both age‐groups, a reduced stride length was noted in IRβ‐treated animals along with elevated hippocampal insulin receptor levels. These results provide new insights into the potential impact of increasing neuronal insulin signaling in the hippocampus of aged animals and support the efficacy of molecularly elevating insulin receptor activity in vivo in the absence of the ligand to directly study this process.
Exercise‐induced ventricular tachycardia in a case with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy taking cibenzoline
Authors: Shiohira Shinya , Kawabata Mihoko , Goya Masahiko , Maeda Shingo , Sasano Tetsuo , Hirao Kenzo
Published: August 2020

We report a 17‐year‐old woman with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) successfully resuscitated from ventricular fibrillation while taking cibenzoline. During exercise–stress testing before implanting an implantable cardioverter–defibrillator, ventricular tachycardia was induced and thought to be a proarrhythmia due to the use‐dependent effect of the Na channel blockade with cibenzoline. In patients with arrhythmogenic substrates such as HCM, it is critical to pay attention to the proarrhythmic effects of class I antiarrhythmic drugs while increasing heart rate.
Native plant community recovery after Carpobrotus (ice plant) removal on an island — results of a 10‐year project
Authors: Buisson Elise , Braschi Julie , Chenot‐Lescure Julie , Hess Manon Célia Morgane , Vidaller Christel , Pavon Daniel , Ramone Hervé , Amy‐Krebs Elise , Cottaz Cyril , Passetti Aurélie , Aboucaya Annie , Affre Laurence
Published: August 2020

Question

Species of the genus Carpobrotus, or ice plant, are succulent mat‐forming perennial herbs often introduced for soil stabilization. They are common in coastal environments and may thus threaten island biodiversity. While their effects are well known on soils, plant communities and associated fauna, the effects of Carpobrotus control on vegetation recovery are poorly documented. The aim of the paper is to describe plant community trajectories after Carpobrotus removal.

Location

Bagaud: a 58‐ha Mediterranean island, southern France.

Methods

Carpobrotus and its litter were removed in 2011–2012. Follow‐up controls of germinations and resprouts were carried out from then on. Plant communities were surveyed every year two years before and seven years after Carpobrotus removal: on two ca. 0.5‐ha sites (one coastal and one inland) and in three native plant communities used as potential references. Differences in resprouts, vegetation parameters, and Bray–Curtis similarity indices between years were tested. Plant community dynamics was studied through a non‐metric multidimensional scaling and two recovery indices.

Results

The removal of Carpobrotus and its litter led to the recovery of diverse native plant communities. To prevent Carpobrotus return and ensure success, follow‐up controls were necessary for a period of at least seven years, but the amount of work decreased with time. The plant community recovering on the coastal site quickly reached a composition and structure similar to that of non‐invaded coastal vegetation, although some slow‐growing native species remain underrepresented (e.g., Crithmum maritimum and Limonium pseudominutum). The plant community recovering on the inland site was still very different from the surrounding matorral vegetation because of its slow colonization dynamics, particularly in the presence of competitive herbaceous species.

Conclusion

Both sites now provide diverse native plant communities with a more diversified composition and structure (plant heights, litter, bare ground patches) than the plant communities which used to be associated with Carpobrotus mats.
Identification of a unique anti-Ro60 subset with restricted serological and molecular profiles
Authors: Lee A Y S , Beroukas D , Brown L , Lucchesi C , Kaur A , Gyedu L , Hughes N , Ng Y H , Saran O , Gordon T P , Wang J J
Published: August 2020

Anti-Ro60 is one of the most common and clinically important serum autoantibodies that has a number of diagnostic and predictive capabilities. Most diagnostic laboratories report this simply as a qualitative positive/negative result. The objective of this study was to examine the clinical and serological relevance of a novel subset of anti-Ro60 in patients who display low levels of anti-Ro60 (anti-Ro60low). We retrospectively identified anti-Ro60 sera during a 12-month period at a major immunopathology diagnostic laboratory in Australia. These all were anti-Ro60-precipitin-positive on the diagnostic gold standard counter-immuno-electrophoresis (CIEP). Lineblot immunoassay was used to stratify patients into either anti-Ro60low or anti-Ro60high subsets. We compared the medical and laboratory parameters associated with each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and mass spectrometry techniques were used to analyse the serological and molecular basis behind the two subsets. Anti-Ro60low patients displayed less serological activity than anti-Ro60high patients with less intermolecular spreading, hypergammaglobulinaemia and less tendency to undergo anti-Ro60 isotype-switching than anti-Ro60high patients. Mass spectrometric typing of the anti-Ro60low subset showed restricted variable heavy chain subfamily usage and amino acid point mutations. This subset also displayed clinical relevance, being present in a number of patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD). We identify a novel anti-Ro60low patient subset that is distinct from anti-Ro60high patients serologically and molecularly. It is not clear whether they arise from common or separate origins; however, they probably have different developmental pathways to account for the stark difference in immunological maturity. We hence demonstrate significance to anti-Ro60low and justify accurate detection in the diagnostic laboratory.
Two cases of adenodermatofibroma
Authors: Leiphart Paul , Chu Christopher , Helm Klaus
Published: August 2020

Dermatofibromas (DF) are common skin lesions composed of a dermal proliferation of fibroblasts and histiocytes. Among the variants of DFs, adenodermatofibroma are characterized by a dense proliferation of fibroblasts and histiocytes admixed with entrapped dilated glandular structures. We report two additional cases of adenodermatofibromas, review the literature, theorize on the histopathogenesis of this variant, and suggest that there are different patterns among adenodermatofibromas, from primarily cystic to primarily glandular.
C‐low threshold mechanoafferent targeted dynamic touch modulates stress resilience in rats exposed to chronic mild stress
Authors: Walker Susannah C. , Cavieres Antonia , Peñaloza‐Sancho Valentín , El‐Deredy Wael , McGlone Francis P. , Dagnino‐Subiabre Alexies
Published: August 2020

Affiliative tactile interactions buffer social mammals against neurobiological and behavioral effects of stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the cutaneous mechanisms underlying such beneficial consequences of touch by determining whether daily stroking, specifically targeted to activate a velocity/force tuned class of low‐threshold c‐fiber mechanoreceptor (CLTM), confers resilience against established markers of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CMS). Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to 2 weeks of CMS. Throughout the CMS protocol, some rats were stroked daily, either at CLTM optimal velocity (5 cm/s) or outside the CLTM optimal range (30 cm/s). A third CMS exposed group did not receive any tactile stimulation. The effect of CMS on serum corticosterone levels, anxiety‐ and depressive‐like behaviors in these three groups was assessed in comparison to a control group of non‐CMS exposed rats. While stroking did not mitigate the effects of CMS on body weight gain, CLTM optimal velocity stroking did significantly reduce CMS‐induced elevations in corticosterone following an acute forced‐swim. Rats receiving CLTM optimal stroking also showed significantly fewer anxiety‐like behaviors (elevated plus‐maze) than the other CMS exposed rats. In terms of depressive‐like behavior, whereas the same velocity‐specific resilience was observed in a forced‐swim test and social interaction test both groups of stroked rats spent significantly less time interacting than control rats, though they also spent significantly less time in the corner than non‐stroked CMS rats. Together, these findings support the theory CLTMs play a functional role in regulating the physiological condition of the body.
Maintenance of variation in virulence and reproduction in populations of an agricultural plant pathogen
Authors: Dutta Anik , Croll Daniel , McDonald Bruce A. , Barrett Luke G.
Published: August 2020

Genetic diversity within pathogen populations is critically important for predicting pathogen evolution, disease outcomes and prevalence. However, we lack a good understanding of the processes maintaining genetic variation and constraints on pathogen life‐history evolution. Here, we analysed interactions between 12 wheat host genotypes and 145 strains of Zymoseptoria tritici from five global populations to investigate the evolution and maintenance of variation in pathogen virulence and reproduction. We found a strong positive correlation between virulence (amount of leaf necrosis) and reproduction (pycnidia density within lesions), with substantial variation in both traits maintained within populations. On average, highly virulent isolates exhibited higher reproduction, which might increase transmission potential in agricultural fields planted to homogeneous hosts at a high density. We further showed that pathogen strains with a narrow host range (i.e. specialists) for reproduction were on average less virulent, and those with a broader host range (i.e. generalists) were on average less fecund on a given specific host. These costs associated with adaptation to different host genotypes might constrain the emergence of generalists by disrupting the directional evolution of virulence and fecundity. We conclude that selection favouring pathogen strains that are virulent across diverse hosts, coupled with selection that maximizes fecundity on specific hosts, may explain the maintenance of these pathogenicity traits within and among populations.
Ethiopian indigenous goats offer insights into past and recent demographic dynamics and local adaptation in sub‐Saharan African goats
Authors: Tarekegn Getinet M. , Khayatzadeh Negar , Liu Bin , Osama Sarah , Haile Aynalem , Rischkowsky Barbara , Zhang Wenguang , Tesfaye Kassahun , Dessie Tadelle , Mwai Okeyo A. , Djikeng Appolinaire , Mwacharo Joram M.
Published: August 2020

Knowledge on how adaptive evolution and human socio‐cultural and economic interests shaped livestock genomes particularly in sub‐Saharan Africa remains limited. Ethiopia is in a geographic region that has been critical in the history of African agriculture with ancient and diverse human ethnicity and bio‐climatic conditions. Using 52K genome‐wide data analysed in 646 individuals from 13 Ethiopian indigenous goat populations, we observed high levels of genetic variation. Although runs of homozygosity (ROH) were ubiquitous genome‐wide, there were clear differences in patterns of ROH length and abundance and in effective population sizes illustrating differences in genome homozygosity, evolutionary history, and management. Phylogenetic analysis incorporating patterns of genetic differentiation and gene flow with ancestry modelling highlighted past and recent intermixing and possible two deep ancient genetic ancestries that could have been brought by humans with the first introduction of goats in Africa. We observed four strong selection signatures that were specific to Arsi‐Bale and Nubian goats. These signatures overlapped genomic regions with genes associated with morphological, adaptation, reproduction and production traits due possibly to selection under environmental constraints and/or human preferences. The regions also overlapped uncharacterized genes, calling for a comprehensive annotation of the goat genome. Our results provide insights into mechanisms leading to genome variation and differentiation in sub‐Saharan Africa indigenous goats.
The political cost of public–private partnerships: Theory and evidence from Colombian infrastructure development
Authors: Angulo Amaya Maria Camila , Bertelli Anthony Michael , Woodhouse Eleanor Florence
Published: August 2020

Infrastructure public–private partnerships (PPPs) eschew traditional public management to provide distributive goods worldwide. Yet, in Colombia, the context of our study, both the promise of and voters' experience with PPPs hinder incumbent parties in elections when theories of distributive politics expect otherwise. We argue that negative experiences with PPPs introduce a sociotropic turn in individual voting: bad experience crowds out the possibility that promising a new project will improve a voter's own welfare. Studying what are, to our knowledge, all 109 Colombian PPP projects between 1998 and 2014, and over 8,700 individual survey responses, our evidence shows that vote intention for the incumbent executive or his party decreases as experience with more PPPs in respondents' districts increases. Our analysis and results introduce an important agenda for research into the political significance of these legacies of new public management.
On the Fringes of Social Protection: New Southern European Labour Migration to Germany
Authors: Castellani Simone
Published: August 2020

The last economic recession has exposed significant differences among EU countries revealing strong core–periphery dynamics. Freedom of movement in the EU has represented an opportunity for workers from peripheral countries to find better employment opportunities in the core countries. However, the mobility of EU workers has been questioned and “welfare chauvinism” has become stronger in most EU countries. Drawing from two extensive studies driven by a qualitative–ethnographic methodology with Southern EU citizens who moved to Germany for working reasons since 2008, this paper aims to inquire whether the legal status of European citizens is still a guarantee of social protection for these people by itself. Findings show the magnitude of Southern EU migrants entering the lower part of the German labour market and how they experience increasing difficulties accessing welfare coverage. Despite that, these migrants do not accept passively these welfare exclusions and adopt transnational tactics for achieving social protection.
Comparison of Arteriolar Blood Flow in the Hamster Cheek Pouch at Two Different Oxygen Tensions
Authors: Svensjö E. , Tuma R. F. , Arfors K.‐E.
Published: August 2020

Svensjö, E., R. F. Tuma and K.‐E. Arfors. Comparison of arteriolar blood flow in the hamster cheek pouch at two different oxygen tensions. Acta physiol. scand. 1977. 100. 404‐411.

Red cell velocity and diameter were measured in arterioles of the hamster cheek pouch microvasculature. The cheek pouch tissue was exposed to two different oxygen tensions, PO2 <30 mmHg and PO2 > 150 mmHg. Blood flow was calculated from velocity and diameter measurements and was found to be significantly reduced (44%) when cheek pouch was exposed to room oxygen superfusant. This reduction was the combined result of a significant decrease in both diameter (17%) and red cell velocity (17%) as compared to the measurements during the initial low oxygen period.
IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF p53 AND PROLIFERATING CELL NUCLEAR ANTIGEN (PCNA) IN BLADDER CANCER: POSITIVE IMMUNOSTAINING AND RADIOSENSITIVITY
Authors: Ogura Keiji , Habuchi Tomonori , Yamada Hitoshi , Ogawa Osamu , Yoshida Osamu
Published: August 2020

Background

Preoperative radiation therapy followed by radical cystectomy for invasive bladder cancer has been considered beneficial for selected patients whose tumors display a pronounced initial response to radiotherapy.

Methods

In order to determine whether overexpression of p53 gene products or proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) can be used to predict the response of invasive bladder cancer to radiotherapy, an immunohistochemical study of bladder cancers with monoclonal antibodies to p53 or PCNA (PAb 1801 or PC10) was performed. The results of immunostaining of pretreatment biopsy specimens from 60 invasive bladder cancers were analyzed to determine the relationship between labeling for p53 or PCNA and radiosensitivity as determined by histopathological examination of cystectomy specimens obtained after preoperative radiation.

Results

The group with a good response to preoperative radiation therapy had better progression‐free rates than did the group with a poor response (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in radiosensitivity between patients with primary tumors with negative and positive immunostaining for p53. On the other hand, the PCNA labeling index (LI) differed significantly between tumors with poor and good histopathological responses to radiation therapy (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

No correlation was found between immunohistochemically detectable alterations of p53 gene products and the radiosensitivity of invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. However, PCNA immunostaining may be useful for identifying patients for whom preoperative radiation might prove beneficial.
COMPARISON OF MULTIDRUG RESISTANCE GENE EXPRESSION LEVELS WITH MALIGNANT POTENTIALS AND INFLUENCE OF CHEMOTHERAPY IN UROTHELIAL CANCERS
Authors: Kakehi Yoshiyuki , Wu Wen‐Jeng , Kim Wun‐Jae , Arao Shinji , Fukumoto Manabu , Yoshida Osamu
Published: August 2020

Background

We sought to determine how often P‐glycoprotein is involved in the drug‐resistance of urothelial cancer, and whether MDR1 gene expression is correlated with tumor grade, invasiveness, or metastasis.

Methods

Forty‐two tumor specimens and two normal bladder mucosal samples obtained from 34 urothelial cancer patients were analyzed. Reverse‐transcription and polymerase chain reaction were conducted. MDR1 mRNA levels were determined by measuring the relative ratio of the MDR1 to beta‐2‐microglobulin (b2 m) mRNA specific PCR products.

Results

The MDR1/b2 m in two normal urothelial samples were 0.044 and 0.045. For untreated primary tumors, levels of MDR1 gene expression in 46% tumor samples were less than that of normal urothelium, while 27% showed expression levels with a MDR1/b2 m ratio more than 0.1. There was no statistical correlation between MDR1 mRNA level and tumor grade, stage, or metastatic status. There was higher MDR1 gene expression in two lymph node metastasis specimens and almost equal expressions in two more. There was no significant difference in the mean MDR1/b2 m ratio between postchemotherapy and untreated tumors. A remarkable elevation of the MDR1 mRNA level (15 times greater than prechemotherapy) was found in one tumor; mRNA levels of the multidrug resistance‐associated protein (MRP) gene, glutathione S‐transferase π (GST‐π) gene or DNA topoisomerase II (topo II) gene did not increase.

Conclusions

It is still unclear whether the MDR1 gene expression in urothelial tumor cells is inducible by the current combination chemotherapy regimens. RT‐PCR quantitation is useful for determining the expression level of MDR1 gene in urothelial cancer.
MAXIMUM FLOW RATE — THE SINGLE UROFLOWMETRIC PARAMETER IN CLINICAL TRIALS FOR BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA?
Authors: Homma Yukio , Imajo Chieko , Kawabe Kazuki
Published: August 2020

Background

Uroflowmetry parameters should be examined for both reliability and optimal test conditions in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), since the difference between one pre‐ and one post‐intervention uroflow rate is usually evaluated in clinical trials of BPH.

Patients and Methods:

Reproducibility of maximum flow rate (Qmax) or its modified forms, and the effects of urinary volume on the reproducibility were examined in terms of Spearman's correlation coefficient (r) in 67 BPH patients.

Results:

Qmax had a higher r (0.672) as compared to other uroflow rates, such as mathematically modified forms of Qmax and adjusted values of Qmax on nomograms. Reliability was improved by bladder instillation (r = 0.811) or when voided volume was ≥ 150 ml or the ratio of volumes was < 2.0 (r = 0.690–0.736).

Conclusion(s):

Qmax, preferably performed with urinary volumes of more than 150 ml or the ratio of volumes less than 2.0, is the most practical single parameter at present in the comparison of two uroflowmetric tests in BPH treatment.
Correlates of SIV encephalitis in rhesus monkeys
Authors: Baskin Gary B. , Murphey‐Corb Michael , Roberts E. Donald , Didier Peter J. , Martin Louis N.
Published: August 2020

Necropsy records from 204 SIV‐infected rhesus monkeys that had been inoculated with various strains of SIV and had died of SIV‐related disease were reviewed. The relationship of SIV encephalitis with other parameters was evaluated. Encephalitis was associated with the presence of syncytial cells in other tissues, with persistent or early recurrent antigenemia, with a selective decrease in CD4+ CD29+ blood lymphocytes, and with a shortened time of survival. Monkeys whose lymphocytes produced high levels of virus in culture also had a higher incidence of encephalitis. SIV was more frequently isolated from the brains of animals with encephalitis. No other clear associations were detected.
Recent advances in molecular and genetic analysis of Rh blood group structures
Authors: Colin Yves , Cherif‐Zahar Baya , Le Van Kim Caroline , Mouro Isabelle , Cartron Jean‐Pierre
Published: August 2020

The Rh antigens are carried by 30‐32 kDa integral proteins of the red cell membrane. The Rh locus is composed of two genes: RhD, which encodes the major D antigen and is present only in Rh‐positive genomes, and RhCcEe, which encodes both the Cc and Ee polypeptides, most likely by alternative splicing events. The D and non‐D Rh mRNAs have been cloned. Their sequence homology suggest that the two Rh genes have evolved by duplication of a common ancestor.
Tubal ligation in the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) as a means of contraception
Authors: Mundy N.I. , Luton D. , Ancrenaz M.
Published: August 2020

Contraception of two chimpanzees was considered necessary for clinical reasons. After failure of reversible methods of contraception (an intrauterine device and a long‐acting progestagen), tubal ligation was successfully performed, using a technique similar to one used in women.
Three‐factor structure of the eHealth Literacy Scale and its relationship with nurses' health‐promoting behaviours and performance quality
Authors: Gartrell Kyungsook , Han Kihye , Trinkoff Alison , Cho Hyeonmi
Published: August 2020

Aims

To examine the factorial validity of the eHealth Literacy Scale among hospital nurses and to investigate the associations of its components with health‐promoting behaviours and nursing performance quality.

Design

This cross‐sectional study used survey data of 484 Korean hospital nurses, which were collected between March–May 2016.

Methods

The three‐factor structure was tested using confirmatory factor analyses. Multiple linear regression was conducted to test associations of the three components' scores with health‐promoting behaviours and self‐rated nursing performance quality.

Results

The eHealth Literacy Scale supported a three‐factor structure: awareness of internet health resources (awareness), having skills needed to access resources (skills), and the ability to evaluate the quality of internet health resources (evaluation). All the three components were significantly associated with higher quality of nursing performance and better interpersonal relations. Stress management, spiritual growth, and health responsibility were linked with evaluation or skills but physical activity and nutrition were not.

Conclusion

Strategies to enhance eHealth literacy among nurses could improve nurses' health and further patient care. Training to build nurses' self‐efficacy to evaluate internet health information could improve eHealth literacy and should be developed and examined.

Impact

To improve nurses' health and patient care, training programs to build nurses' self‐efficacy to access and evaluate internet health information should be developed.