bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generalizing neural signal-to-text brain-computer interfaces
Authors: Sheth Janaki , Tankus Ariel , Tran Michelle , Pouratian Nader , Fried Itzhak , Speier William
Published: April 2021

Objective: Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) may help patients with faltering communication abilities due to neurodegenerative diseases produce text or speech by direct neural processing. However, their practical realization has proven difficult due to limitations in speed, accuracy, and generalizability of existing interfaces. The goal of this study is to evaluate the BCI performance of a robust speech decoding system that translates neural signals evoked by speech to a textual output. While previous studies have approached this problem by using neural signals to choose from a limited set of possible words, we employ a more general model that can type any word from a large corpus of English text. Approach: In this study, we create an end-to-end BCI that translates neural signals associated with overt speech into text output. Our decoding system first isolates frequency bands in the input depth-electrode signal encapsulating differential information regarding production of various phonemic classes. These bands form a feature set that then feeds into a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model which discerns at each time point probability distributions across all phonemes uttered by a subject. Finally, a particle filtering algorithm temporally smooths these probabilities by incorporating prior knowledge of the English language to output text corresponding to the decoded word. The generalizability of our decoder is driven by the lack of a vocabulary constraint on this output word. Main result: This method was evaluated using a dataset of 6 neurosurgical patients implanted with intra-cranial depth electrodes to identify seizure foci for potential surgical treatment of epilepsy. We averaged 32% word accuracy and on the phoneme-level obtained 46% precision, 51% recall and 73.32% average phoneme error rate while also achieving significant increases in speed when compared to several other BCI approaches. Significance: Our study employs a more general neural signal-to-text model which could facilitate communication by patients in everyday environments.
Radiotherapy dose calculations in high-Z materials: comprehensive comparison between experiment, Monte Carlo, and conventional planning algorithms
Authors: Cheng Zhangkai J , Bromley Regina M , Oborn Brad , Booth Jeremy T
Published: April 2021

Purpose. To compare the accuracies of the AAA and AcurosXB dose calculation algorithms and to predict the change in the down-stream and lateral dose deposition of high energy photons in the presence of material with densities higher that commonly found in the body. Method. Metal rods of titanium (d = 4.5 g cm−3), stainless steel (d = 8 g cm−3) and tungsten (d = 19.25 g cm−3) were positioned in a phantom. Film was position behind and laterally to the rods to measure the dose distribution for a 6 MV, 18 MV and 10 FFF photon beams. A DOSXYZnrc Monte Carlo simulation of the experimental setup was performed. The AAA and AcurosXB dose calculation algorithms were used to predict the dose distributions. The dose from film and DOSXYZnrc were compared with the dose predicted by AAA and AcurosXB. Results. AAA overestimated the dose behind the rods by 15%–25% and underestimated the dose laterally to the rods by 5%–15% depending on the range of materials and energies investigated. AcurosXB overestimated the dose behind the rods by 1%–18% and underestimated the dose laterally to the rods by up to 5% depending on the range of material and energies investigated. Conclusion. AAA cannot deliver clinically acceptable dose calculation results at a distance less than 10 mm from metals, for a single field treatment. Acuros XB is able to handle metals of low atomic numbers (Z ≤ 26), but not tungsten (Z = 74). This can be due to the restriction of the CT-density table in EclipseTM TPS, which has an upper HU limit of 10501.
Multilayer adsorption and kinetic studies of dyes on pure and structurally modified poly(methyl methacrylate) electrospun nanofibers
Authors: Philip Princy , Jose Tomlal , Mathew Jomit T , Kuthanapillil Jinesh M
Published: April 2021

Natural fibers and materials are well known for adsorption studies, whereas synthetic fibers have not received enough attention in this field. Therefore, an attempt is made here to study the adsorption properties of synthetic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanofibers and methods for improving or modifying their adsorption properties. PMMA nanofibers are prepared by the most recent electrospinning technique and the structural, and hence, the adsorption properties of the PMMA nanofibers are modified by preparing them in surface-roughened and coaxial hollow forms through electrospinning. Studies of the adsorption of methylene blue (MB) and brilliant green (BG) dyes by the three types of PMMA nanofiber demonstrate that all the PMMA nanofibers show a certain amount of adsorption. Fiber samples that had adsorbed MB and BG were subjected to various adsorption isotherms which confirmed the multilayer adsorption properties of the fiber samples by satisfying various isotherms, mainly the Freundlich and Elovich adsorption isotherms. Kinetic studies of pure and structurally modified PMMA nanofibers that had adsorbed MB and BG dyes proved that the intraparticle diffusion model applied to these fiber samples. Here, it is also shown that the adsorption properties of electrospun synthetic fibers can be further improved by structural modification using the possibilities of electrospinning.
A complete, parallel and autonomous photonic neural network in a semiconductor multimode laser
Authors: Porte Xavier , Skalli Anas , Haghighi Nasibeh , Reitzenstein Stephan , Lott James A , Brunner Daniel
Published: April 2021

Neural networks are one of the disruptive computing concepts of our time. However, they fundamentally differ from classical, algorithmic computing. These differences result in equally fundamental, severe and relevant challenges for neural network computing using current computing substrates. Neural networks urge for parallelism across the entire processor and for a co-location of memory and arithmetic, i.e. beyond von Neumann architectures. Parallelism in particular made photonics a highly promising platform, yet until now scalable and integratable concepts are scarce. Here, we demonstrate for the first time how a fully parallel and fully implemented photonic neural network can be realized by spatially multiplexing neurons across the complex optical near-field of a semiconductor multimode laser. Discrete spatial sampling defines ∼90 nodes on the surface of a large-area vertical cavity surface emitting laser that is optically injected with the artificial neural networks input information. Importantly, all neural network connections are realized in hardware, and our processor produces results without pre- or post-processing. Input and output weights are realized via the complex transmission matrix of a multimode fiber and a digital micro-mirror array, respectively. We train the readout weights to perform 2-bit header recognition, a 2-bit XOR logical function and 2-bit digital to analog conversion, and obtain

<
0.9
×

10

−
3

and 2.9 × 10−2 error rates for digit recognition and XOR, respectively. Finally, the digital to analog conversion can be realized with a standard deviation of only 5.4 × 10−2. Crucially, our proof-of-concept system is scalable to much larger sizes and to bandwidths in excess of 20 GHz.
Implants and Breast Pocket Irrigation: Outcomes of Antibiotic, Antiseptic, and Saline Irrigation
Authors: Awad Amanda N , Heiman Adee J , Patel Ashit
Published: April 2021

Background

Breast implant–associated infection and capsular contracture are challenging complications that can result in poor outcomes following implant-based breast surgery. Antimicrobial irrigation of the breast pocket or implant is a widely accepted strategy to prevent these complications, but the literature lacks an evidence-based consensus on the optimal irrigation solution.

Objectives

The objective of this systematic review was to compare clinical outcomes, specifically capsular contracture, infection, and reoperation rates, associated with the use of antibiotic, antiseptic, and saline irrigation.

Methods

A systematic review was performed in March 2020 based on the following search terms: “breast implant,” “irrigation,” “antibiotic,” “bacitracin,” “antiseptic,” “povidone iodine,” “betadine,” “low concentration chlorhexidine,” and “hypochlorous acid.” Capsular contracture, infection, and reoperation rates were compared by analysis of forest plots.

Results

Out of the 104 articles screened, 14 met the inclusion criteria. There was no significant difference in capsular contracture rates between antibiotic and povidone-iodine irrigation, although the data comparing these 2 groups were limited and confounded by the concurrent use of steroids. Antibiotic irrigation showed a significantly lower rate of capsular contracture compared with saline irrigation and a lower rate of capsular contracture and reoperation compared with no irrigation at all. Povidone-iodine was associated with lower rates of capsular contracture and reoperation compared with saline irrigation but there were no data on infection rates specific to povidone-iodine irrigation.

Conclusions

Our study supports the use of antibiotics or povidone-iodine for breast implant irrigation. Further research is required to better determine which of these 2 irrigation types is superior.

Level of Evidence: 4
Reconciling multiple connectivity scores for drug repurposing
Authors: Samart Kewalin , Tuyishime Phoebe , Krishnan Arjun , Ravi Janani
Published: April 2021

The basis of several recent methods for drug repurposing is the key principle that an efficacious drug will reverse the disease molecular ‘signature’ with minimal side effects. This principle was defined and popularized by the influential ‘connectivity map’ study in 2006 regarding reversal relationships between disease- and drug-induced gene expression profiles, quantified by a disease-drug ‘connectivity score.’ Over the past 15 years, several studies have proposed variations in calculating connectivity scores toward improving accuracy and robustness in light of massive growth in reference drug profiles. However, these variations have been formulated inconsistently using various notations and terminologies even though they are based on a common set of conceptual and statistical ideas. Therefore, we present a systematic reconciliation of multiple disease-drug similarity metrics ($ES$, $css$, $Sum$, $Cosine$, $XSum$, $XCor$, $XSpe$, $XCos$, $EWCos$) and connectivity scores ($CS$, $RGES$, $NCS$, $WCS$, $Tau$, $CSS$, $EMUDRA$) by defining them using consistent notation and terminology. In addition to providing clarity and deeper insights, this coherent definition of connectivity scores and their relationships provides a unified scheme that newer methods can adopt, enabling the computational drug-development community to compare and investigate different approaches easily. To facilitate the continuous and transparent integration of newer methods, this article will be available as a live document (https://jravilab.github.io/connectivity_scores) coupled with a GitHub repository (https://github.com/jravilab/connectivity_scores) that any researcher can build on and push changes to.
Early and late morbidity of local excision after chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer
Authors: Teste B , Rouanet P , Tuech J -J , Valverde A , Lelong B , Rivoire M , Faucheron J -L , Jafari M , Portier G , Meunier B , Sielezneff I , Prudhomme M , Marchal F , Dubois A , Capdepont M , Denost Q , Rullier E
Published: April 2021

Background

Local excision (LE) after chemoradiotherapy is a new option in low rectal cancer, but morbidity has never been compared prospectively with total mesorectal excision (TME). Early and late morbidity were compared in patients treated either by LE or TME after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer.

Method

This was a post-hoc analysis from a randomized trial. Patients with clinical T2/T3 low rectal cancer with good response to the chemoradiotherapy and having either LE, LE with eventual completion TME, or TME were considered. Early (1 month) and late (2 years) morbidities were compared between the three groups.

Results

There were no deaths following surgery in any of the three groups. Early surgical morbidity (20 per cent LE versus 36 per cent TME versus 43 per cent completion TME, P = 0.025) and late surgical morbidity (4 per cent versus 33 per cent versus 57 per cent, P < 0.001) were significantly lower in the LE group than in the TME or the completion TME group. of LE, was associated with the lowest rate of early (10 versus 18 versus 21 per cent, P = 0.217) and late medical morbidities (0 versus 7 versus 7 per cent, P = 0.154), although this did not represent a significant difference between the groups. The severity of overall morbidity was significantly lower at 2 years after LE compared with TME or completion TME (4 versus 28 versus 43 per cent grade 3–5, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The rate of surgical complications after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in the LE group was half that of TME group at 1 month and 10 times lower at 2 years. LE is a safe approach for organ preservation and should be considered as an alternative to watch-and-wait in complete clinical responders and to TME in subcomplete responders.
Flexible Rigidity and Caring Distance: How Discretion Works in Compulsory Care
Authors: Svensson Kerstin , Ponnert Lina
Published: April 2021

The aim of this article was to develop the understanding of discretion in compulsory care for youth and the influence of emotional aspects in developing a collective discretionary practice. The empirical material consists of group interviews with staff at these institutions. The theoretical concepts of emotional labour and emotional energy are used to understand discretion and face-to-face interaction in this specific setting. The results show how the staff navigate between rigidity and flexibility in order to uphold institutional rules, whilst also being able to meet youths’ different needs in specific situations in a personal, yet not private, manner. Professionalism is understood as providing a caring distance, in other words, a temporary emotional involvement with the youth. The staffs’ reasoning and understanding of their work show how to manage emotional labour in a setting where the youth can be seen as both dangerous and vulnerable. The emotional energy is primarily connected to the long-lasting relation amongst staff and not to the youth, and hence, it is of primary importance to form a shared collective discretionary practice.
Physiological consequences of consuming low-energy foods: herbivory coincides with a stress response in Yellowstone bears.
Authors: Christianson David , Coleman Tyler H , Doan Quint , Haroldson Mark A
Published: April 2021

Meat, fruit, seeds and other high-energy bear foods are often highly localized and briefly available and understanding which factors influence bear consumption of these foods is a common focus of bear conservation and ecology. However, the most common bear foods, graminoids and forbs, are more widespread but of lower quality. We poorly understand how herbage consumption impacts bear physiology, such as endocrine system function that regulates homeostasis and stress responses. Here, we described bear diets with a novel approach, measuring the concentration of chlorophyll in bear scats (faecal chlorophyll) to index the proportion of the recent diet that was composed of leaves from graminoids and forbs. We measured faecal chlorophyll and faecal cortisol in 351 grizzly (Ursus arctos, n = 255) and black bear (Ursus americanus, n = 96) scats from Yellowstone National Park in 2008–2009. We compared models of faecal chlorophyll and faecal cortisol concentrations considering the effects of spatial, dietary, scat and bear-specific factors including species. Faecal chlorophyll levels were the strongest predictor of faecal cortisol in a manner that suggested an endocrine response to a low-energy diet. Both compounds were highest during the spring and early summer months, overlapping the breeding season when higher energy foods were less available. Effects of scat composition, scat weathering, bear age, bear sex, species and other factors that have previously been shown to influence faecal cortisol in bears were not important unless faecal chlorophyll was excluded from models. The top models of faecal chlorophyll suggested grazing was primarily influenced by spatial attributes, with greater grazing closer to recreational trails, implying that elevated cortisol with grazing could be a response to anthropogenic activity. Our results confirm that higher stress hormone concentrations correspond with lower quality diets in bears, particularly grazing, and that faecal chlorophyll shows promise as a metric for studying grazing behaviour and its consequences.
Quick response code applications in medical and cardiology settings: a systematic scoping review
Authors: Faggiano Andrea , Fioretti Francesco , Nodari Savina , Carugo , Stefano
Published: April 2021

Aims

To review published literature on the use of quick response (QR) codes within medical and cardiology settings.

Methods and Results

Medline, Scopus Search, and Cochrane Library were used to conduct the research. Title and abstract review of 376 publications were performed. Papers that discussed the application of QR codes in medical setting were included. A total of 151 articles were reviewed and thematic analysis conducted to understand how QR codes are currently used in the medical setting, the medical areas in which they are mostly used, their applications in the cardiovascular area. The analysis of 151 articles revealed that QR code technology is mainly used in the medical field to: (i) collect data via survey, (ii) educate medical staff or students, and (iii) provide information about therapies or surgery. The medical area in which QR codes are most used is the clinical one, but only 3.3% of publications concern cardiovascular settings. A third of the QR code-related articles of 2020 is about Covid-19.

Conclusions

Different uses of QR codes in a medical setting are increasing. Quick response codes might represent an easy and convenient digital tool to collect data and implement telemedicine programs on a large scale involving also the cardiovascular setting.
Synchronous computer-mediated communication as a peer observation tool
Authors: Bates Paul , Donaghue Helen
Published: April 2021

Peer observation plays a key developmental role in initial teacher education courses. However, potential benefits can be limited due to time constraints and the rigidity of individual observation tasks. This article examines the use of synchronous computer-mediated communication (SCMC) as a peer observation tool on a CELTA course. We analyse SCMC feeds and participant interviews to discover how CELTA trainees and tutors use SCMC during observations and how participants perceive SCMC as an observation tool. SCMC enabled trainees to identify and solve problems, share ideas and opinions, give constructive feedback, and reflect on their own and their peers’ teaching. Tutor questions were an important resource in prompting these actions. SCMC seemed to help build rapport and democratize feedback as trainees initiated discussions, chose topics, and interacted with each other and the tutor. Participants found SCMC engaging and useful. Results suggest that SCMC enhanced collaboration, dialogue, and reflection during peer observation.
Socioeconomic position and first-time major cardiovascular event in patients with type 2 diabetes: a Danish nationwide cohort study
Authors: Falkentoft Alexander C , Zareini Bochra , Andersen Julie , Wichmand Charlotte , Hansen Tina B , Selmer Christian , Schou Morten , Gæde Peter Haulund , Staehr Peter Bisgaard , Hlatky Mark A , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Gislason Gunnar H , Gerds Thomas Alexander , Bruun Niels E , Ruwald Anne-Christine
Published: April 2021

Aims 

The association between socioeconomic position and cardiovascular disease has not been well studied in patients with type 2 diabetes. We aimed to examine the association between socioeconomic position and first-time major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods and results 

Through the Danish nationwide registers, we identified all residents with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes between 2012 and 2017. Based on sex-stratified multivariable cause-specific Cox regression models, we calculated the standardized absolute 5-year risk of the composite outcome of first-time myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiovascular mortality (MACE) according to income quartiles. A total of 57 106 patients with type 2 diabetes were included. During 155 989 person years, first-time MACE occurred in 2139 patients. Among both men and women, income was inversely associated with the standardized absolute 5-year risk of MACE. In men, the 5-year risk of MACE increased from 5.7% [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.9–6.5] in the highest income quartile to 9.3% (CI 8.3–10.2) in the lowest income group, with a risk difference of 3.5% (CI 2.4–4.7). In women, the risk of MACE increased from 4.2% (CI 3.4–5.0) to 6.1% (CI 5.2–7.0) according to income level, with a risk difference of 1.9% (CI 0.8–2.9).

Conclusion 

Despite free access to medical care in Denmark, low-socioeconomic position was associated with a higher 5-year risk of first-time MACE in patients with incident type 2 diabetes. Our results suggest prevention strategies could be developed specifically for patients with low-socioeconomic position.
Evaluating Causes of Current Genetic Gradients of Modern Humans of the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Ferreiro David , Núñez-Estévez Bernabé , Canedo Mateo , Branco Catarina , Arenas Miguel
Published: April 2021

The history of modern humans in the Iberian Peninsula includes a variety of population arrivals sometimes presenting admixture with resident populations. Genetic data from current Iberian populations revealed an overall east–west genetic gradient that some authors interpreted as a direct consequence of the Reconquista, where Catholic Kingdoms expanded their territories toward the south while displacing Muslims. However, this interpretation has not been formally evaluated. Here, we present a qualitative analysis of the causes of the current genetic gradient observed in the Iberian Peninsula using extensive spatially explicit computer simulations based on a variety of evolutionary scenarios. Our results indicate that the Neolithic range expansion clearly produces the orientation of the observed genetic gradient. Concerning the Reconquista (including political borders among Catholic Kingdoms and regions with different languages), if modeled upon a previous Neolithic expansion, it effectively favored the orientation of the observed genetic gradient and shows local isolation of certain regions (i.e., Basques and Galicia). Despite additional evolutionary scenarios could be evaluated to more accurately decipher the causes of the Iberian genetic gradient, here we show that this gradient has a more complex explanation than that previously hypothesized.
INTERCONVERSION OF YEAST MATING TYPES II. RESTORATION OF MATING ABILITY TO STERILE MUTANTS IN HOMOTHALLIC AND HETEROTHALLIC STRAINS
Authors: Hicks James B , Herskowitz Ira
Published: April 2021

The two mating types of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae can be interconverted in both homothallic and heterothallic strains. Previous work indicates that all yeast cells contain the information to be both a and α and that the HO gene (in homothallic strains) promotes a change in mating type by causing a change at the mating type locus itself. In both heterothallic and homothallic strains, a defective α mating type locus can be converted to a functional a locus and subsequently to a functional α locus. In contrast, action of the HO gene does not restore mating ability to a strain defective in another gene for mating which is not at the mating type locus. These observations indicate that a yeast cell contains an additional copy (or copies) of α information, and lead to the "cassette" model for mating type interconversion. In this model, HM  a and hmα loci are blocs of unexpressed α regulatory information, and HMα and hm  a loci are blocs of unexpressed a regulatory information. These blocs are silent because they lack an essential site for expression, and become active upon insertion of this information (or a copy of the information) into the mating type locus by action of the HO gene.
LACK OF DOSAGE COMPENSATION FOR AN AUTOSOMAL GENE RELOCATED TO THE X CHROMOSOME IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER
Authors: Roehrdanz Richard L , Kitchens James M , Lucchesi John C
Published: April 2021

Aldehyde oxidase activity has been measured in flies with the structural gene for this enzyme translocated to the X chromosome. These measurements are presented as experimental evidence that, in Drosophila melanogaster, an autosomal gene relocated to the X chromosome is not dosage compensated.
GENE POLYMORPHISM IN NATURAL POPULATIONS OF DROSOPHILA PERSIMILIS
Authors: Prakash Satya
Published: April 2021

Genetic variation at 43 loci has been studied in six different populations of Drosophila persimilis by electrophoresis of enzymes and proteins. In D. persimilis the mean proportion of polymorphic loci is 0.362, the mean proportion of heterozygous loci per individual is 0.100 and the average number of alleles per locus is 1.651. In all populations, the loci coding for the hydrolytic and other nonspecific enzymes are much more variable than the loci coding for the enzymes of the glycolytic pathway, Kreb's cycle, other specific enzymes and larval proteins. Most loci have similar allele frequency in all populations except the two loci, Amylase and Pt-12, which show a pattern of associations of different alleles with different third chromosome inversions.
GENETIC STUDIES OF ACRIDINE-INDUCED MUTANTS IN STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE
Authors: Gasc A M , Sicard A M
Published: April 2021

The mutagenic properties of acridines on pneumococcus are described. All seven acridines tested were mutagenic at the amiA locus conferring a resistance to 10-5 m aminopterin. The effects of quinacrine were more specifically investigated. It was observed that: mutants can be obtained only by treatment of exponentially growing cells; a sharp maximum mutagenic effect occurs at a concentration slightly lower than the bacteriostatic value; and the amount of quinacrine required to yield the maximum mutagenic effect decreases with the pH of the medium. Moreover, the number of mutants detected after quinacrine treatment varies from locus to locus. The majority of quinacrine-induced mutants are readily reverted by quinacrine, but not by nitrosoguanidine treatment. This suggests that in pneumococcus quinacrine induces mainly frameshift mutations. A further study of the revertants obtained by quinacrine treatment of quinacrine-induced mutants strengthens this interpretation: most of the revertants result from a mutation at the same site; some partial revertants exhibiting an intermediate resistance to aminopterin were found to contain two very closely linked mutated sites, each mutation conferring the maximum level of resistance to aminopterin. Thus, the majority of quinacrine-induced mutants at the amiA locus of pneumococcus consists of frameshift mutations. Nearly all of the isolated mutants induced by quinacrine as well as other acridines belong to the low efficiency class of transformation. It was concluded that the mismatch resulting from the pairing between the wild type and the frameshift-containing sequence is recognized by the excision-repair system involved in the discrimination function in a way similar to that in which it recognizes mismatched base pairs between a transition mutation and the wild-type sequence.
METABOLISM OF RIBOSOMAL RNA IN MUTANTS OF ESCHERICHIA COLI DOUBLY DEFECTIVE IN RIBONUCLEASE III AND THE TRANSCRIPTION TERMINATION FACTOR RHO
Authors: Apirion David , Neil Jeff , Ko Thong-Sung , Watson Ned
Published: April 2021

To determine if proteins RNase III and rho, both of which can determine the 3' ends of RNA molecules, can complement each other, double mutants defective in these two factors were constructed. In all cases (four rho mutations tested) the double mutants were viable at lower temperatures, but were unable to grow at higher temperatures at which both of the parental strains grew. Genetic analyses suggested that the combination of the rnc rho (RNase III-Rho-) mutations was necessary and probably sufficient to confer temperature sensitivity on carrier strains. Physiological studies showed that synthesis and maturation of rRNA, which is greatly affected by RNase III, as well as other RNAs, was indistinguishable in rnc rho strains as compared to rnc rho  + strains, thus suggesting that RNase III and rho do not complement one another in determining the 3' ends of RNA molecules. In rnc rho strains, however, the newly synthesized rRNA failed to accumulate. Thus, decay of rRNA could be the reason for the temperature sensitivity of the double mutant strains. These experiments suggest that RNase III and rho can both protect rRNA from degradation by cellular ribonucleases. They also point to the possibility that the nucleotide sequences involved in the determination of the 3' ends of RNA molecules by these two factors are not identical.
GENETIC AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ADAPTATION OF THE COPEPOD EURYTEMORA AFFINIS TO SEASONAL TEMPERATURES
Authors: Bradley Brian P
Published: April 2021

Evidence of significant additive genetic (genic) variance in temperature tolerance of the copepod Eurytemora affinis was derived from several sources. Differences were observed between average tolerances of progeny of animals exposed and not exposed to heat shock in a power plant. Genic variance was estimated using offspring-parent regressions, full-sib, and half-sib covariances, with quite consistent results. Expressed genic variance between male progeny was always higher than that among female progeny.—The pairs of estimates obtained were as follows: female heritabilities first, 0.40 ± 0.09 and 0.84 ± 0.35 (half-sibs); 0.20 ± 0.09 and 0.79 ± 0.24 (full-sibs); 0.11 ± 0.10 and 0.89 ± 0.45 (full-sibs); 0.28 ± 0.18 and 0.78 ± 0.29 (full-sibs); 0.11 ± 0.44 and 0.72 ± 0.26 (offspring-parent regression). There was no evidence of either nonadditive genetic variance or common environmental (maternal and brood) effects, implying that the genetic variance was mostly additive and was not maintained because of heterozygous advantage.—The presence of so much genetic variance is surprising in view of the high physiological adaptation found earlier, especially in females.
MEIOTIC RECOMBINATION AND DNA SYNTHESIS IN A NEW CELL CYCLE MUTANT OF SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE
Authors: Kassir Yona , Simchen Giora
Published: April 2021

Vegetative cells carrying the new temperature-sensitive mutation cdc40 arrest at the restrictive temperature with a medial nuclear division phenotype. DNA replication is observed under these conditions, but most cells remain sensitive to hydroxyurea and do not complete the ongoing cell cycle if the drug is present during release from the temperature block. It is suggested that the cdc40 lesion affects an essential function in DNA synthesis. Normal meiosis is observed at the permissive temperature in cdc40 homozygotes. At the restrictive temperature, a full round of premeiotic DNA replication is observed, but neither commitment to recombination nor later meiotic events occur. Meiotic cells that are already committed to the recombination process at the permissive temperature do not complete it if transferred to the restrictive temperature before recombination is realized. These temperature shift-up experiments demonstrate that the CDC40 function is required for the completion of recombination events, as well as for the earlier stage of recombination commitment. Temperature shift-down experiments with cdc40 homozygotes suggest that meiotic segregation depends on the final events of recombination rather than on commitment to recombination.
POSITION EFFECTS AND VARIEGATION ENHANCERS IN AN AUTOSOMAL REGION OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER
Authors: Henikoff Steven
Published: April 2021

A dominant eye color mutation was found associated with a third chromosome inversion broken distally at or near the karmoisin (kar) locus in 87C and proximally within centric heterochromatin. Suppressibility of the mutant phenotype by an extra Y chromosome indicated that this was an example of dominant position-effect variegation. When heterozygous with deficiencies uncovering the kar locus, this inversion chromosome was found to be lethal unless a region in 87EF was also deleted. Extra Y chromosomes rescued inversion/deletion heterozygotes, while removal of the Y chromosome from heterozygous males deficient for the region in 87EF was lethal. Thus, a variegating lethal lies near the breakpoint in 87C, and a wild-type gene that enhances its variegation lies in 87EF. Furthermore, deletion of the region in 87EF was found to strongly suppress white-mottled-4 (wm4) variegation, while deletion of another region in 87BC suppressed less strongly. These results indicate that essential genes on autosomes are sensitive to position effects, and loci that enhance variegation, as defined by deficiency mapping, are very common.
PATTERNS OF GENETIC AND PHENOTYPIC SUPPRESSION OF lys2 MUTATIONS IN THE YEAST SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE
Authors: Chattoo Bharat B , Palmer Edward , Ono Bun-Ichiro , Sherman Fred
Published: April 2021

A total of 358 lys2 mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been characterized for suppressibility by the following suppressors: UAA and UAG suppressors that insert tyrosine, serine or leucine; a putative UGA suppressor; an omnipotent suppressor SUP46; and a frameshift suppressor SUF1-1. In addition, the lys2 mutants were examined for phenotypic suppression by the aminoglycoside antibiotic paromomycin, for osmotic remediability and for temperature sensitivity. The mutants exhibited over 50 different patterns of suppression and most of the nonsense mutants appeared similar to nonsense mutants previously described. A total of 24% were suppressible by one or more of the UAA suppressors, 4% were suppressible by one or more of the UAG suppressors, while only one was suppressible by the UGA suppressor and only one was weakly suppressible by the frameshift suppressor. One mutant responded to both UAA and UAG suppressors, indicating that UAA or UAG mutations at certain rare sites can be exceptions to the specific action of UAA and UAG suppressors. Some of the mutants appeared to require certain types of amino acid replacements at the mutant sites in order to produce a functional gene product, while others appeared to require suppressors that were expressed at high levels. Many of the mutants suppressible by SUP46 and paromomycin were not suppressible by any of the UAA, UAG or UGA suppressors, indicating that omnipotent suppression and phenotypic suppression need not be restricted to nonsense mutations. All of the mutants suppressible by SUP46 were also suppressible by paromomycin, suggesting a common mode of action of omnipotent suppression and phenotypic misreading.
THE FATE OF MITOCHONDRIAL LOCI IN RHO MINUS MUTANTS INDUCED BY ULTRAVIOLET IRRADIATION OF SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE: EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT POST-IRRADIATION TREATMENTS
Authors: Heude M , Moustacchi E
Published: April 2021

Three main features regarding the loss of mitochondrial genetic markers among rhomutants induced by ultraviolet irradiation are reported: (a) the frequency of loss of six loci examined increases with UV dose; (b) preferential loss of one region of the mitochondrial genome observed in spontaneous rho-mutants is enhanced by UV; and (c) the loss of each marker results from large deletions. Marker loss in rho-mutants was also investigated under conditions that modulate rho-induction. Liquid holding of irradiated exponential or stationary phase cells, as well as a split-dose regime applied to stationary phase cells, results in rho-mutants in which the loss of markers is correlated with rho-induction: the more sensitive the cells are to rho-induction, the more frequent are the marker losses among rho-clones derived from these cells. This correlation is not found in exponential-phase cells submitted to a split-dose treatment, suggesting that a different mechanism is involved in the latter case. It is known that UV-induced pyrimidine dimers are not excised in a controlled manner in mitochondrial DNA. How-ever, our studies indicate that an accurate repair mechanism (of the recombinational type ?) can lead to the restoration of mitochondrial genetic information in growing cells.
MATING-TYPE REGULATION OF METHYL METHANESULFONATE SENSITIVITY IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE
Authors: Livi George P , Mackay Vivian L
Published: April 2021

Heterozygosity at the mating-type locus (MAT) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been shown previously to enhance X-ray survival in diploid cells. We now show that a/α diploids are also more resistant to the radiomimetic agent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) that are diploids that are homozygous at MAT (i.e., either a/a or α/α). Log-phase a/α cultures exhibit biphasic MMS survival curves, in which the more resistant fraction consists of budded cells (those cells in the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle). Survival curves for log-phase cultures of a/a or α/α diploids have little if any biphasic nature, suggesting that the enhanced S- and G2-phase repair capacity of a/α cells may be associated with heterozygosity at MAT. The survival of cells arrested at the beginning of the S phase with hydroxyurea indicates that MAT-dependent MMS repair is limited to S and G2, whereas MAT-independent repair can occur in Gl.
CLASSIFICATION OF NORMAL AND MALE-STERILE CYTOPLASMS IN MAIZE. II. ELECTROPHORETIC ANALYSIS OF DNA SPECIES IN MITOCHONDRIA
Authors: Kemble R J , Gunn R E , Flavell R B
Published: April 2021

Mitochondrial DNA preparations were made from 31 maize lines carrying different sources of cytoplasm in the same nuclear genetic background. The DNAs were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. A number of discrete low molecular weight bands were present in all lines. However, only four different DNA banding patterns were observed. These were correlated with the N, T, S and C cytoplasms defined by nuclear fertility restorer genes. Of the 31 cytoplasmic sources examined, six possessed DNA species characteristic of N cytoplasms, four possessed DNA species characteristic of T cytoplasm, 19 possessed DNA species characteristic of S cytoplasm and two possessed DNA species characteristic of C cytoplasm. This classification is in complete agreement with that based on mitochondrial translation products reported in the accompanying paper. No within-group heterogeneity was observed in the DNA banding patterns, indicating a lack of cytoplasmic variation within the four cytoplasmic groups. Attributes of the various methods available for classifying maize cytoplasms are compared and discussed.
Family Caregiving During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Beach Scott R , Schulz Richard , Donovan Heidi , Rosland Ann-Marie
Published: April 2021

Background and Objectives

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has negatively affected persons with existing chronic health conditions. The pandemic also has the potential to exacerbate the stresses of family caregiving. We compare family caregivers with noncaregivers on physical, psychosocial, and financial well-being outcomes during the pandemic and determine family caregivers most at risk for adverse outcomes.

Research Design and Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of 576 family caregivers and 2,933 noncaregivers from April to May 2020 in Pittsburgh, PA region with a national supplement. Outcome measures included concurrent anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, social participation, and financial well-being and perceived changes due to COVID-19 (loneliness, financial well-being, food security). We also measured sociodemographic, caregiving contextual variables, and COVID-19-related caregiver stressors (COVID Caregiver Risk Index).

Results

Controlling for sociodemographics, family caregivers reported higher anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, lower social participation, lower financial well-being, increased food insecurity (all p < .01), and increased financial worries (p = .01). Caregivers who reported more COVID-19-related caregiver stressors and disruptions reported more adverse outcomes (all p < .01). In addition, caregivers who were female, younger, lower income, providing both personal/medical care, and providing care for cognitive/behavioral/emotional problems reported more adverse outcomes.

Discussion and Implications

Challenges of caregiving are exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Family caregivers reported increased duties, burdens, and resulting adverse health, psychosocial, and financial outcomes. Results were generally consistent with caregiver stress–health process models. Family caregivers should receive increased support during this serious public health crisis.
Drivers and implications of change in an inshore multi-species fishery
Authors: Henly Lauren , Stewart James E , Simpson Stephen D
Published: April 2021

Inshore fisheries are an important source of employment and income across Europe. However, their sustainability and management efficacy are relatively understudied, particularly in a multispecies context. Management of these data-limited fisheries can be informed by assessments of standardized catch and landings per unit effort (CPUE and LPUE) data from fishery-dependent surveys. We demonstrate the utility of this approach in the first robust assessment of the sustainability and management of a multispecies inshore fishery for live wrasse (Labridae) in southern England. Our findings have wider ramifications for assessment and management of inshore fisheries, including international live wrasse fisheries, many of which are intensely exploited but have less stringent management than the fishery studied here. Using generalized linear models, we identified ecologically relevant drivers of variation in CPUE and LPUE, alongside interspecific variation in responses to fishing pressure during 2017–2019. We also highlight robust evidence of declines in the primary target species, a protogynous hermaphrodite, that are suggestive of fishery impacts driven by management-enabled selective removal of mature females. We demonstrate the need to consider ecologically similar species separately for management purposes, and account for ecogeographical variables in assessments; a failure to do so risks erroneous conclusions regarding inshore fisheries’ sustainability.
Combined Complex Skin Repair in Patient With Extensive Burns: A Case Report
Authors: Gao Xingxin , Zhang Min , Lin Yuan , Li Dehui , Zhang Liming
Published: April 2021

Auto-skin grafting is the current treatment of choice for extensive burns. Nevertheless, the lack of donor sites for skin grafting remains one of the greatest limiting factors for the treatment of extensively burned patients. We present the case of a 53-year-old male patient with deep and full thickness burns on 91% of the total body surface area. We used the Meek technique for split-thickness skin graft expansion to treat this patient. In order to obtain sufficient skin for grafting, we repeatedly harvested the same anatomical areas. Acceleration of burn wounds, recipient, and donor site healing was achieved by systemic treatment with recombinant human growth hormone and topical recombinant human epidermal growth factors. This combined, complex treatment modality contributed to the successful skin repair in this patient.
Inhibition of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase impairs DNA damage tolerance and repair in glioma cells
Authors: Reed Megan R , Maddukuri Leena , Ketkar Amit , Byrum Stephanie D , Zafar Maroof K , Bostian April C L , Tackett Alan J , Eoff Robert L
Published: April 2021

Expression of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) is a determinant of malignancy in gliomas through kynurenine (KYN) signaling. We report that inhibition of TDO activity attenuated recovery from replication stress and increased the genotoxic effects of bis-chloroethylnitrosourea (BCNU). Activation of the Chk1 arm of the replication stress response (RSR) was reduced when TDO activity was blocked prior to BCNU treatment, whereas phosphorylation of serine 33 (pS33) on replication protein A (RPA) was enhanced—indicative of increased fork collapse. Analysis of quantitative proteomic results revealed that TDO inhibition reduced nuclear 53BP1 and sirtuin levels. We confirmed that cells lacking TDO activity exhibited elevated gamma-H2AX signal and defective recruitment of 53BP1 to chromatin following BCNU treatment, which corresponded with delayed repair of DNA breaks. Addition of exogenous KYN increased the rate of break repair. TDO inhibition diminished SIRT7 deacetylase recruitment to chromatin, which increased histone H3K18 acetylation—a key mark involved in preventing 53BP1 recruitment to sites of DNA damage. TDO inhibition also sensitized cells to ionizing radiation (IR)-induced damage, but this effect did not involve altered 53BP1 recruitment. These experiments support a model where TDO-mediated KYN signaling helps fuel a robust response to replication stress and DNA damage.
Multiparametric MRI texture analysis in prediction of glioma biomarker status: added value of MR diffusion
Authors: Kihira Shingo , Tsankova Nadejda M , Bauer Adam , Sakai Yu , Mahmoudi Keon , Zubizarreta Nicole , Houldsworth Jane , Khan Fahad , Salamon Noriko , Hormigo Adilia , Nael Kambiz
Published: April 2021

Background

Early identification of glioma molecular phenotypes can lead to understanding of patient prognosis and treatment guidance. We aimed to develop a multiparametric MRI texture analysis model using a combination of conventional and diffusion MRI to predict a wide range of biomarkers in patients with glioma.

Methods

In this retrospective study, patients were included if they (1) had diagnosis of gliomas with known IDH1, EGFR, MGMT, ATRX, TP53, and PTEN status from surgical pathology and (2) had preoperative MRI including FLAIR, T1c+ and diffusion for radiomic texture analysis. Statistical analysis included logistic regression and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to determine the optimal model for predicting glioma biomarkers. A comparative analysis between ROCs (conventional only vs conventional + diffusion) was performed.

Results

From a total of 111 patients included, 91 (82%) were categorized to training and 20 (18%) to test datasets. Constructed cross-validated model using a combination of texture features from conventional and diffusion MRI resulted in overall AUC/accuracy of 1/79% for IDH1, 0.99/80% for ATRX, 0.79/67% for MGMT, and 0.77/66% for EGFR. The addition of diffusion data to conventional MRI features significantly (P < .05) increased predictive performance for IDH1, MGMT, and ATRX. The overall accuracy of the final model in predicting biomarkers in the test group was 80% (IDH1), 70% (ATRX), 70% (MGMT), and 75% (EGFR).

Conclusion

Addition of MR diffusion to conventional MRI features provides added diagnostic value in preoperative determination of IDH1, MGMT, and ATRX in patients with glioma.