bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MAPS integrates overlooked regulation of actin-targeting effector SteC into the virulence control network ofSalmonellasmall RNA PinT
Authors: Santos Sara Correia , Bischler Thorsten , Westermann Alexander J. , Vogel Jörg
Published: July 2020

A full understanding of the contribution of small RNAs (sRNAs) to bacterial virulence demands knowledge of their target suites under infection-relevant conditions. Here, we take an integrative approach to capturing targets of the Hfq-associated sRNA PinT, a known post-transcriptional timer of the two major virulence programs ofSalmonella enterica. Using MS2 affinity purification and RNA-sequencing (MAPS), we identify PinT ligands in bacteria underin-vitroconditions mimicking specific stages of the infection cycle, and in bacteria growing inside macrophages. This reveals PinT-mediated translational inhibition of the secreted effector kinase SteC, which had gone unnoticed in previous target searches. Using genetic, biochemical, and microscopic assays, we provide evidence for PinT-mediated repression ofsteCmRNA, eventually preventing actin rearrangements in infected host cells. Our findings support the role of PinT as a central post-transcriptional regulator inSalmonellavirulence and illustrate the need for complementary methods to reveal the full target suites of sRNAs.
Chiral evasion and stereospecific antifolate resistance inStaphylococcus aureus
Authors: Wang Siyu , Reeve Stephanie M. , Ojewole Adegoke A. , Frenkel Marcel S. , Holt Graham T. , Gainza Pablo , Keshipeddy Santosh , Fowler Vance G. , Wright Dennis L. , Donald Bruce R.
Published: July 2020

Antimicrobial resistance is a health care crisis. The resistance-conferring mutation F98Y inStaphylococcus aureusdihydrofolate reductase (SaDHFR) reduces effectiveness of antifolates, e.g., trimethoprim (TMP). Although propargyl-linked antifolates (PLAs) are much more resilient than TMP towards F98Y, this substitution still vitiates their inhibition potency. Surprisingly, differences in the enantiomeric configuration at the stereogenic center of PLAs influence the isomeric state of NADPH cofactor. Is resistance correlated with chiral evasion? A mechanism of action underpinning this coupling is unknown. To understand the molecular basis of F98Y-mediated resistance and how PLAs’ inhibition drives NADPH isomeric states, we used OSPREY to analyze a comprehensive suite of structural, biophysical, biochemical, and computational data. We present a model showing how F98Y SaDHFR exploits a different anomeric configuration of NADPH to evade certain PLAs’ inhibition, while other PLAs remain resilient to resistance. Our model should enable general design of inhibitors that are resilient to chiral evasion.
SARS-CoV-2 in-vitro neutralization assay reveals inhibition of virus entry by iota-carrageenan
Authors: Morokutti-Kurz Martina , Graf Philipp , Grassauer Andreas , Prieschl-Grassauer Eva
Published: July 2020

In the absence of a vaccine and other effective prophylactic or therapeutic countermeasures the severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains a significant public health threat. Attachment and entry of coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2 is mediated by the spike glycoprotein (SGP). Recently, a SARS-CoV-2 Spike Pseudotyped Lentivirus (SSPL) was developed that allows studying spike-mediated cell entry via luciferase reporter activity in a BSL2 environment. Here, we show that iota-carrageenan can inhibit the cell entry of SSPL in a dose dependent manner. SSPL particles were efficiently neutralized with an IC50value of 2.6 µg/ml iota-carrageenan. In vitro data on iota-carrageenan against various Rhino- and Coronaviruses showed similar IC50values and translated readily into clinical effectiveness when a nasal spray containing iota-carrageenan demonstrated a reduction in severity and duration of symptoms of common cold caused by various respiratory viruses. Accordingly, our in vitro data on SSPL suggest that administration of iota-carrageenan may be an effective and safe prophylaxis or treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infections.
Influence of membrane-cortex linkers on the extrusion of membrane tubes
Authors: Paraschiv Alexandru , Lagny Thibaut J. , Campos Christian Vanhille , Coudrier Evelyne , Bassereau Patricia , Šarić Anđela
Published: July 2020

The cell membrane is an inhomogeneous system composed of phospholipids, sterols and proteins that can be directly attached to underlying cytoskeleton. The linkers between the membrane and the cytoskeleton are believed to have a profound effect on the mechanical properties of the cell membrane and its ability to reshape. Here we investigate the role of membrane-cortex linkers on the extrusion of membrane tubes using computer simulations and experiments. In simulations we find that the force for tube extrusion has a non-linear dependence on the density of membrane-cortex attachments: at a wide range of low and intermediate densities of linkers the force is not significantly influenced by the presence of membrane linking proteins and resembles that of the bare membrane. For large concentrations of linkers however the force substantially increases compared to the bare membrane. In both cases the linkers provided membrane tubes with increased stability against coalescence. We then pulled tubes from HEK cells using optical-tweezers for varying expression levels of the membrane-cortex attachment protein Ezrin. In line with simulations, we observed that overexpression of Ezrin led to an increased extrusion force, while Ezrin depletion had negligible effect on the force. Our results shed light on the importance of local effects in membrane reshaping at the nanoscopic scales.
Concerted but segregated actions of oxytocin and vasopressin within the ventral and dorsal lateral septum determine female aggression
Authors: de Moura Oliveira Vinícius Elias , Lukas Michael , Wolf Hannah Nora , Durante Elisa , Lorenz Alexandra , Mayer Anna-Lena , Bludau Anna , Bosch Oliver J. , Grinevich Valery , Egger Veronica , de Jong Trynke R. , Neumann Inga D.
Published: July 2020

In contrast to males, aggression in females has been rarely studied. Here, we established a rat model of enhanced female aggression using a combination of social isolation and aggression-training to specifically investigate the involvement of the oxytocin (OXT) and vasopressin (AVP) systems within the lateral septum (LS). Using neuropharmacological, optogenetic, chemogenetic as well as microdialyses approaches, we revealed that enhanced OXT release within the ventral LS (vLS), combined with reduced AVP release within the dorsal LS (dLS), are required for female aggression. Accordingly, increased excitability of OXT-responsive neurons in the vLS and decreased excitability of AVP-responsive neurons in the dLS were essential to evoke female aggression. Finally,in vitroactivation of OXT receptors in the vLS increased tonic GABAergic inhibition of dLS neurons. Overall, our data demonstrate that septal release of OXT and AVP affects female aggression by differential regulation of the excitatory-inhibitory balance within subnetworks of the LS.
Crystal structure of the extracellular domain of the receptor-like kinase TMK3 from Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Chen Hong , Kong Yanqiong , Chen Jia , Li Lan , Li Xiushan , Yu Feng , Ming Zhenhua
Published: July 2020

Transmembrane kinases (TMKs) are members of the plant receptor-like kinase (RLK) family. TMKs are characterized by an extracellular leucine-rich-repeat (LRR) domain, a single transmembrane region and a cytoplasmic kinase domain. TMKs have been shown to act as critical modulators of cell expansion and cell proliferation. Here, the crystal structure of the extracellular domain of TMK3 (TMK3-ECD) was determined to a resolution of 2.06 Å, with an R
work of 17.69% and an R
free of 20.58%. Similar to the extracellular domain of TMK1, the TMK3-ECD structure contains two solenoids with 13 LRRs and a non-LRR region (316–364) between the tenth and 11th LRRs. A comparison of TMK3-ECD with other LRR-RLKs that contain a non-LRR region indicates that the non-LRR region plays a critical role in structural integrity and may contribute to ligand interactions. The non-LRR region of TMK3-ECD is characterized by two disulfide bonds that may have critical biological implications.
Preparation and characterization of palm oil in water microemulsion for application in the food industry
Authors: Fatehi Parichehr , Baba Ahmad Salihin , Eh suk Vicit Rizal , Misran Misni
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Red palm oil contains both tocopherol (∼30%) and tocotrienol (∼70%) with the latter having better antioxidant potency than the former by a factor of 60 times. The microemulsion is one of the most suitable carriers to protect this vitamin E from environmental stress due to food processing and storage. However, the instability of microemulsion might limit the presentation of vitamin E in the food industry. In the present study, we demonstrated the preparation of microemulsions from different ratios of palm oil and Span 60 to achieve potential carrier formulations for vitamin E delivery.

Design/methodology/approach

The microemulsions with the different ratios of palm oil and water (o/w) and Span 60 were prepared by using homogenization technique, incubated and observed at 45.0 ± 0.1 °C, room temperature (25 °C ± 0.1) or 8.0 ± 0.1 °C. The microemulsion formed was analyzed by Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to observe the molecular composition and the functional groups in the employed oil and emulsifier. Back-scattered dynamic light scattering (DLS) method was employed to determine the stability of microemulsion by measuring the average particle size and polydispersity index (PDI). The zeta potential values of microemulsion were measured by Shape Zeta sizer Nano ZS. The shape and dynamic properties of the microemulsion were observed by Leica optical polarizing microscope (OPM). The creaming, sedimentation, the ratio of aqueous separation and clarification of the microemulsions were evaluated visually whereas the changes in pH were determined using pH meter.

Findings

The morphological study showed the presence of spherical-shaped particles. The average particle size was found to be the smallest in the presence of 7% Span 60 in the 70/30 (o/w) formulation, and the zeta potential was less than −30 mV for most of the formulations. The most stable pH (the least amount of changes in the pH at room temperature) prevailed for 7% Span 60. Accelerated stability test showed that formulations 30:70 and 50:50 (o/w), in the presence of 5% and 7% Span 60, were the most stable throughout the incubation period.

Originality/value

The palm oil in water microemulsion in the presence of 7% Span 60 has the potential to be further developed as a delivery system for hydrophobic nutrients such as vitamin E, proteins or peptides and antioxidants in the food and beverage industry.
Solving the mystery about the factors conditioning higher education students' assessment: Finland versus Spain
Authors: Camacho-Miñano María-del-Mar , del Campo Cristina , Urquía-Grande Elena , Pascual-Ezama David , Akpinar Murat , Rivero Carlos
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to compare the assessment in two subjects of the Business Administration Degree between Finland and Spain and, second, to test whether there are factors such as gender, age, subject, students’ motivation, or preferences that may have an impact on the assessment.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was designed for students enrolled in Statistics and Financial Accounting subjects in the two universities, and multivariate statistical analysis were run.

Findings

First, coursework marks are higher than the final examination marks. In both universities and subjects, learning is enhanced by student involvement in coursework activities that are directly related to the learning outcomes. Second, there are differences in assessment by culture, gender, and type of subject. Finnish students are more used to work in teams and apply varied teaching resources than Spanish students.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size and the analyses are from two subjects in two universities. More similar studies are needed to generalize the findings.

Practical implications

There are several implications for Higher Education. First, university policymakers should design training courses on the good implementation of new assessment processes and criteria in order to align learning objectives and assessment criteria. Second, teachers from different countries should openly discuss their manner of assessment and promote creativity and innovation in their methodologies to assess learning outcomes. Third, students should engage with deeper learning and competence development in subjects. This will contribute to their future employability.

Originality/value

Our findings not only question the concept of assessment validity and the compulsory relationship between assessment and learning but also provide suggestions to improve assessment criteria.
Female directors and agency costs: evidence from Chinese listed firms
Authors: Ain Qurat Ul , Yuan Xianghui , Javaid Hafiz Mustansar , Usman Muhammad , Haris Muhammad
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine whether board gender diversity reduces the agency costs of firms in the context of Chinese listed firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a large sample of 23,340 firm-year observations of Chinese listed companies during 2004–2017. The authors use ordinary least squares regressions as the primary methodology with a wide range of methods to control for endogeneity and to check robustness, including the fixed-effect method, instrumental variable approach, lagged gender diversity measures, propensity score matching, Blau index, Shannon index and industry-adjusted measures of agency costs.

Findings

The evidence reveals that the participation of female directors in corporate board reduces agency costs, which correlates with conflicts of interest. Moreover, gender-diverse boards are more effective in state-owned enterprises (SOEs), in which agency issues are more severe. Female directors also provide better monitoring roles in more-developed areas. Finally, corporate boards that have a critical mass of female directors have a greater tendency to reduce agency costs as compared to their token participation. Overall, all findings support the validity of agency theory.

Practical implications

This study shows the economic benefit of female directors in the boardroom by reducing agency costs and by improving firms' governance structure. Regarding the government, which is gradually introducing board gender diversity policies, this study provides valuable pragmatic information for Chinese regulators on this issue.

Originality/value

This study extends the literature by providing evidence that gender diversity in boardroom matters for shareholders' wealth maximization. It provides novel evidence that a critical mass of female directors is more effective in reducing agency costs compared to a single female on the board, and that the effect of gender diversity varies in relation to ownership structure and region.
Status-quo satisfaction and smartwatch adoption: a multi-group analysis
Authors: Ghazali Ezlika M. , Mutum Dilip S. , Pua Michele Hui-Jing , Ramayah T.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study explains and predicts smartwatch adoption trends among non-users of smartwatches based on theories of the diffusion of innovation and inertia. It explores the impact of satisfaction with the status-quo with traditional wristwatches, on attitudes toward smartwatches and intentions to adopt the technology.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used PLS-SEM to conduct a multi-group analysis considering high (HSQS) and low (LSQS) status-quo satisfaction groups. The multi-group analysis followed the MICOM procedure, and the software SmartPLS three was used to analyse the data.

Findings

The results suggest that attitudes of the LSQS group were more strongly impacted by perceived ease of use and trialability. Their attitude toward innovation also had a stronger effect on their adoption intention. For the HSQS group, social influence more strongly impacted adoption intention; this group also perceived the disruption associated with an innovation as greater than the LSQS group. Analysis using PLS-Predict indicated that both models have considerable predictive power.

Originality/value

Most scholarship on this subject has taken a positive view of the diffusion and adoption of smartwatches. This study considers smartwatches from positive and inhibitory perspectives. In the context of smartwatches, this is the first scholarly attempt at comparing levels of resistance to innovation adoption to consumer satisfaction with the status quo.
Migration (Hijra) to Islamic bank based on push–pull–mooring theory: a services marketing mix perspective
Authors: Hati Sri Rahayu Hijrah , Gayatri Gita , Indraswari Kenny Devita
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the interactive effect of the push factor from the conventional bank, the pull factor from the Islamic bank and the internal mooring factor of the customers in influencing the switching behavior of two types of customer account holders, the conventional only and the mixed (conventional and Islamic bank) account holders, from the services marketing mix perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applied an explanatory research design. The data were collected via an online survey from 1,171 Muslim participants; participants consisted of conventional only account holders, Islamic bank only account holders and mixed (conventional and Islamic bank) account holders. The data were mainly analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Based on the account, the results showed that the three types of customers differ significantly in terms of the effect of the push, pull and mooring factors. The study also showed that the mooring factor, which is internal to the customer, is the most significant factor that inhibits customers from migrating to Islamic banks. The effect was observed for both conventional customers and those who hold mixed accounts.

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted via an online survey, which reduces the representativeness of the sample. In addition, most respondents were urban dwellers and well educated, which might not represent the banking behaviour of Indonesian Muslim customers in general.

Practical implications

The study implies that to attract the conventional only account holder, Islamic banks should first weaken the mooring factors (the internal characteristics of the customers) that inhibit customers from switching to an Islamic bank.

Originality/value

The main contribution of the study is that it simultaneously identifies the push, pull and mooring factors that have the most significant impacts on Muslim customers' switching behavior from a conventional to an Islamic bank.
Analytical study and structural treatment for a thin panel painting
Authors: Mohie Mostafa Attia , Sultan Gilan Mahmoud
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a deeper understanding of the painting techniques, materials used and deterioration phenomena in a thin panel painting. As well as, straightening buckling in a thin panel painting and reinforcement have been used by an auxiliary support system.

Design/methodology/approach

This requires using several scientific and analytical techniques to provide a deeper understanding of the painting techniques, materials used, deterioration phenomena and a greater awareness of how well treatment the panel painting is. Visual observation and multispectral imaging (Visible Ultraviolet-induced luminescence, as well as Ultraviolet reflected and Infrared [IR]), optical Microscopy (OM), handheld X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography were used in this case study.

Findings

The analytical study of a thin panel with different methods allowed defining that the thin panel painting consists of plywood panel, ground layer (white lead and animal glue) and painted layer (lead red, cobaltic black, chrome yellow, Venetian red, iron black and white lead and poppy oil). Also, these determined that a convex buckling was the main form of deterioration. The structure treatment was executed by using a wet compress to straighten the thin panel painting and followed by fixing a new special design of the second auxiliary support system on the back of the thin panel painting.

Originality/value

The importance of analytical study to determine the painting techniques, materials used, deterioration phenomena and how well treatment the panel painting is. As well as, using a wet compress to straightening of warping or buckling wooden panel painting. Also, the Plexiglas second auxiliary support system could use to reinforcement the wooden panel and control the wooden panel movements.
The IHRA Definition of Antisemitism: Defining Antisemitism by Erasing Palestinians
Authors: Ruth Gould Rebecca
Published: July 2020

The IHRA definition is one of the most contentious documents in the history of efforts to combat antisemitism. Although it first became well known in the UK as a result of disputes within the Labour Party, the definition reaches well beyond that context, and has been adopted by universities, city councils, and governments. With its intensive focus on the critique of Israel as a marker of antisemitism, the IHRA definition has been heavily implicated in the suppression of Israel‐critical speech in recent years. This article is among the first to adopt a global perspective on the definition—both its history and its content—clarifying the political stakes of this definition and broader paratextual apparatus for a general audience, and provides an explanation of why it should be rejected rather than used to censor Israel‐critical speech.
Cardiac function in gestational diabetes mellitus: A longitudinal study from fetal life to infancy
Authors: Aguilera J , Semmler J , Anzoategui S , Zhang H , Nicolaides KH , Charakida M
Published: July 2020

Objective

To determine whether cardiac functional and structural changes in fetuses of mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) persist in the offspring beyond the neonatal period.

Design

Longitudinal study.

Setting

Fetal Medicine Unit in a UK teaching hospital.

Methods

73 women with GDM and 73 women with uncomplicated pregnancy were recruited and fetal cardiac scans were performed at 35–36 weeks' gestation. Repeat echocardiogram was performed in their offspring during infancy.

Main outcome measures

Fetal and infant cardiac functional and structural changes.

Results

Fetuses of mothers with GDM, compared with controls, had more globular right ventricles (sphericity index 0.7, interquartile range [IQR] 0.6/0.7 versus 0.6, IQR 0.5/0.6, P < 0.001) and reduced right global longitudinal systolic strain (−16.4, IQR −18.9/−15.3 versus −18.5, IQR −20.6/−16.8, P = 0.001) and left global longitudinal systolic strain (−20.1, IQR −22.5/−16.9 versus −21.3, IQR −23.5/−19.5), P = 0.021). In the GDM group, compared with controls, in infancy there was higher left ventricular E/e’ (8.7, IQR 7.3/9.7 versus 7.9 IQR, 6.8/8.9 P = 0.011) and lower left ventricular global longitudinal systolic strain (−21.0, IQR −22.5/−19.4 versus −22.3, IQR −23.5/−20.7, P = 0.001) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (13.8, IQR 12.7/16.1 versus 15.2, IQR 13.8/16.8, P = 0.003). These differences remained following multivariable analysis.

Conclusion

Gestational diabetes mellitus is associated with alterations in fetal cardiac function and structure compared with controls and persistent cardiac changes in infancy.

Tweetable abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus, even when well controlled, is associated with fetal cardiac changes and these persist in infancy.
Q&A in legislative oversight: A framework for analysis
Authors: Maricut‐Akbik Adina
Published: July 2020

Parliamentary questions are an essential tool of legislative oversight. However, the extent to which they are effective in controlling the executive remains underspecified both theoretically and methodologically. This article advances a systematic framework for evaluating the effectiveness of parliamentary questions drawing on principal–agent theory, the public administration literature on accountability and communication research. The framework is called the ‘Q&A approach to legislative oversight’ based on the premise that the study of parliamentary questions (Q) needs to be linked to their respective answers (A) and examined together (Q&A) at the micro‐level as an exchange of claims between legislative and executive actors. Methodologically, the Q&A approach to legislative oversight offers a step‐by‐step guide for qualitative content analysis of Q&A that can be applied to different legislative oversight contexts at different levels of governance. It is argued that the effectiveness of Q&A depends on the strength of the questions asked and the responsiveness of answers provided, which are correspondingly operationalised. To illustrate the merits of the approach, the article includes a systematic case study on the relationship between the European Parliament and the European Central Bank in banking supervision (2013–2018), showing the connection between specific institutional settings and the effectiveness of parliamentary questions.
Graphical Tour de Force, or Mere Artwork?
Authors: Gunter Bert
Published: July 2020

Bert Gunter critiques a New York Times graph of historical temperatures, and challenges himself – and readers – to do better
What we know – And don't know – About Terrorism
Authors: Python Andre
Published: July 2020

To study terrorism, we must start by asking questions about the evidence we have and its limitations, says Andre Python
Susceptibility and interactions between Aedes mosquitoes and Zika viruses
Authors: Zhou Teng‐Fei , Lai Ze‐Tian , Liu Shuang , Zhou Jia‐Yong , Liu Yang , Wu Yang , Xu Ye , Wu Kun , Gu Jin‐Bao , Cheng Gong , Chen Xiao‐Guang
Published: July 2020

Zika virus disease is caused by Zika virus infection, as transmitted by Aedes spp. mosquitoes. Many of the Zika virus strains isolated from patients display different pathogenicities toward humans. The vector mosquitoes for Zika virus are mainly of the Aedes genus, especially Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. However, susceptibility and interactions between Aedes spp. mosquitoes and Zika viruses remain unclear. In this study, we chose two Zika virus strains (FSS13025 and PRVABC59) with different abilities to infect the primary vector mosquitoes Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. The transcriptomes and small RNA profiles of infected and uninfected mosquitoes were comparatively analyzed, and differentially expressed genes were functionally examined using RNA interference. According to the results, the susceptibility of PRVABC59 was higher than that of FSS13025 in Aedes vector mosquitoes, and Ae. aegypti was more susceptible to Zika virus than was Ae. albopictus. For PRVABC59 infection, specific differential expression profiles correlated with Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, and susceptibility was significantly affected when three targeted genes were successfully knocked down. Compared with PRVABC59, infection of Ae. albopictus with FSS13025 generated more 21‐nt virus small interference RNA. It can be concluded that the susceptibility of vector Aedes spp. mosquitoes to Zika viruses varies and that the interactions between mosquitoes and Zika virus correlate with susceptibility.
Boron modulates the plasma membrane H+‐ATPase activity affecting nutrient uptake of Citrus trees
Authors: Ferreira Guilherme A. , Hippler Franz W. R. , Prado Luis A. dos S. , Rima Janaína A. H. , Boaretto Rodrigo M. , Quaggio José A. , Façanha Arnoldo R. , Mattos‐Jr Dirceu
Published: July 2020

Boron (B) affects plasma membrane (PM) integrity and consequently modulates the P‐type PM H+‐ATPase activity creating a driving force for nutrient influx at the root level. Because citrus rootstocks respond differently to B supply, we hypothesised that PM H+‐ATPase activity of varieties contrasting in horticultural traits would affect nutrient uptake by trees. Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) trees grafted onto Rangpur lime (RL; Citrus limonia) or Swingle citrumelo (SW; Citrus paradisi × Poncirus trifoliata) were grown in nutrition solution with four B concentrations (0 [control concentration], 46, 230 and 460 μM B, as H3BO3) up to 7 days of treatment imposition after plant adaptation into the hydroponic condition. SW exhibited higher B absorption, leaf B and enzyme activity than RL. The highest enzyme activity was achieved with 230 μM of B 1 day after treatment imposition (ATI), whereas B excess impaired the PM H+‐ATPase in all periods evaluated. Absorption of mineral nutrients correlated with PM H+‐ATPase activity, with greater nutrient uptake per root unit in SW compared to RL. Leaf and root nutrient concentrations were equivalent to amounts absorbed and enzyme activity, with greater increments exhibited by trees grafted onto SW compared to RL. Effects of B supply on PM H+‐ATPase activity explain distinct nutrient uptake patterns by trees, what supports fine‐tuning fertilisation guidelines of citrus taking into account rootstock varieties.
Aging and sex: Impact on microglia phagocytosis
Authors: Yanguas‐Casás Natalia , Crespo‐Castrillo Andrea , Arevalo Maria‐Angeles , Garcia‐Segura Luis Miguel
Published: July 2020

Microglia dysfunction and activation are important hallmarks of the aging brain and are concomitant with age‐related neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. Age‐associated changes in microglia migration and phagocytic capacity result in maladaptive responses, chronic neuroinflammation, and worsened outcomes in neurodegenerative disorders. Given the sex bias in the incidence, prevalence, and therapy response of most neurological disorders, we have here examined whether the phagocytic activity of aged microglia is different in males and females. With this aim, the phagocytosis activity of male and female cells was compared in an in vitro aged microglia model and in microglia isolated from adult (5‐month‐old) or aged (18‐month‐old) mice. In both models, the phagocytosis of neural debris increased with aging in male and female cells and was higher in aged female microglia than in aged male cells. However, female aged microglia lost its ability to adapt its phagocytic activity to inflammatory conditions. These findings suggest that microglia phagocytosis of neural debris may represent a previously unexplored neuroprotective characteristic of aged microglia that may contribute to the generation of sex differences in the manifestation of neurodegenerative diseases.
Perioperative versus postoperative chemotherapy for gastric cancer: A propensity score matched analysis
Authors: Kumar Surendra , Seshadri Ramakrishnan Ayloor , Trivadi S. Ganesan , Dhanushkodi Manikandan , Ellusamy Hemanth Raj
Published: July 2020

Aim

In advanced gastric cancer, chemotherapy, given either perioperatively or as an adjuvant treatment, has been shown to improve survival when compared to surgery alone. However, no trial has compared these two approaches head‐to‐head. Hence, we aimed to compare the short‐ and long‐term outcomes of patients with gastric cancer who received either perioperative chemotherapy or adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of patients with gastric cancers treated from 2010 to 2016. Using propensity score matching, resected patients who received perioperative chemotherapy were matched for histology, nodal dissection, and extent of surgery with another cohort of patients who received only adjuvant chemotherapy to create two matched groups of 101 patients each—group A (perioperative) and group B (adjuvant)—and the outcomes were compared between them.

Results

The patient demographics were evenly distributed in the two groups. There was no difference in the median number of chemotherapy cycles delivered (6 vs 6, P = .8) or the grade 3‐4 toxicity (17.2% vs 12.1%, P = .26) in group A and group B, respectively. We could not demonstrate a significant difference in the postoperative mortality (2.6% vs 0%) or overall postoperative complications (23% vs 19%) between groups A and B. The overall recurrence rate (37% vs 42%), 3‐year disease‐free survival rate (51% vs 48%), and 3‐year overall survival rate (53% vs 55%) were not significantly different in group A and group B, respectively.

Conclusions

We were unable to detect a significant difference in the short‐term or long‐term outcomes of patients with gastric cancer undergoing either perioperative or adjuvant chemotherapy.
Recovery of hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis in paediatric Cushing disease
Authors: Tatsi Christina , Neely Megan , Flippo Chelsi , Bompou Maria‐Eleni , Keil Meg , Stratakis Constantine A.
Published: July 2020

Objectives

The postoperative period of Cushing disease (CD) is complicated by a phase of adrenal insufficiency (AI). Factors that influence the duration of AI and its prognostic significance for CD recurrence in children have not been extensively studied. We investigated whether clinical or biochemical factors contribute to the duration of AI, and the correlation of the recovery process with the risk for recurrence.

Design

Patients with paediatric‐onset CD who were followed up for at least 3 months after transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) (n = 130) were included in the study. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to assess the association of biochemical and clinical factors with the duration of AI.

Results

Overall, 102 patients recovered adrenal function during their follow‐up. Median time to recovery was 12.7 months [95% confidence intervals (CI): 12.2‐13.4]. On multivariable analysis, clinical (age, gender, disease duration, puberty stage, BMI z‐score, tumour size, invasion of the cavernous sinus and year of surgery) and biochemical (midnight cortisol and morning ACTH) factors did not correlate with the time to recovery, except for increase in recovery time noted with increase in urinary free cortisol (UFC) [hazard ratio (HR): 0.94; 95% CI: 0.89‐0.99]. Among patients who eventually recovered adrenal function, the risk for CD recurrence was associated with the time to recovery (HR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.75‐0.99).

Conclusions

Recovery of adrenal function in patients with CD after TSS may not be associated with most clinical and biochemical factors in the preoperative period except for total cortisol excretion. Earlier recovery is associated with higher risk for recurrence, which has implications for the patients’ follow‐up and counselling.
Conservation optimism and reckoning with the future
Authors: Faria Luiz R. R.
Published: July 2020

Article impact statement: The optimism permeating biological conservation should be recalibrated considering the future that present times portend.
Exosome‐transferred long non‐coding RNA ASMTL‐AS1 contributes to malignant phenotypes in residual hepatocellular carcinoma after insufficient radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Ma Dening , Gao Xinyi , Liu Zhuo , Lu Xingang , Ju Haixing , Zhang Ning
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging RNA regulators in cancer progression, including in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, insufficient radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been reported to lead to recurrence and metastasis of residual HCC tumours. Herein, we aimed to the role of ASMTL‐AS1 in residual HCC after insufficient RFA.

Materials and methods

In vitro insufficient RFA model was simulated in Huh7 cells and subsequently named Huh7‐H cells. In vitro and in vivo assays were conducted to investigate ASMTL‐AS1 function in HCC.

Results

LncRNA ASMTL‐AS1 low expressed in normal human liver was found to be highly expressed in HCC tissues and further increased in tumours after insufficient RFA. ASMTL‐AS1 expression was related to stage, metastasis and prognosis in HCC. Huh7‐H possessed higher ASMTL‐AS1 level and more aggressive than Huh7 cells. ASMTL‐AS1 contributed to the malignancy of HCC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, ASMTL‐AS1 was trans‐activated by MYC and promoted NLK expression to activate YAP signalling via sequestering miR‐342‐3p in HCC. Interestingly, ASMTL‐AS1 could be wrapped by exosomes and then convey malignancy through NLK/YAP axis between cells even in residual HCC after insufficient RFA.

Conclusions

Exosomal ASMTL‐AS1 aggravates the malignancy in residual HCC after insufficient RFA via miR‐342‐3p/NLK/YAP signalling, opening a new road for the treatment of HCC and the prevention of recurrence or metastasis of residual HCC after insufficient RFA.
Identification and validation of a novel candidate gene regulating net meat weight in Simmental beef cattle based on imputed next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Bordbar Farhad , Jensen Just , Du Min , Abied Adam , Guo Wei , Xu Lingyang , Gao Huijiang , Zhang Lupei , Li Junya
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) represent a powerful approach to detecting candidate genes for economically important traits in livestock. Our aim was to identify promising candidate muscle development genes that affect net meat weight (NMW) and validate these candidate genes in cattle.

Materials and methods

Using a next‐generation sequencing (NGS) dataset, we applied ~ 12 million imputed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 1,252 Simmental cattle to detect genes influencing net meat yield by way of a linear mixed model method. Haplotype and linkage disequilibrium (LD) blocks were employed to augment support for identified genes. To investigate the role of MTPN in bovine muscle development, we isolated myoblasts from the longissimus dorsi of a bovine foetus and treated the cells during proliferation, differentiation and hypertrophy.

Results

We identified one SNP (rs100670823) that exceeded our stringent significance threshold (P = 8.58 × 10−8) for a putative NMW‐related quantitative trait locus (QTL). We identified a promising candidate gene, myotrophin (MTPN), in the region around this SNP Myotrophin had a stimulatory effect on six muscle‐related markers that regulate differentiation and myoblast fusion. During hypertrophy, myotrophin promoted myotube hypertrophy and increased myotube diameters. Cell viability assay and flow cytometry showed that myotrophin inhibited myoblast proliferation.

Conclusions

The present experiments showed that myotrophin increases differentiation and hypertrophy of skeletal muscle cells, while inhibiting their proliferation. Our examination of GWAS results with in vitro biological studies provides new information regarding the potential application of myotrophin to increase meat yields in cattle and helpful information for further studies.
Simulation modeling reveals the evolutionary role of landscape shape and species dispersal on genetic variation within a metapopulation
Authors: Chiu Ming‐Chih , Nukazawa Kei , Carvajal Thaddeus , Resh Vincent H. , Li Bin , Watanabe Kozo
Published: July 2020

Different shapes of landscape boundaries can affect the habitat networks within them and consequently the spatial genetic‐patterns of a metapopulation. In this study, we used a mechanistic framework to evaluate the effects of landscape shape, through watershed elongation, on genetic divergence among populations at the metapopulation scale. Empirical genetic data from four, sympatric stream‐macroinvertebrates having aerial adults were collected from streams in Japan to determine the roles of species‐specific dispersal strategies on metapopulation genetics. Simulation results indicated that watershed elongation allows the formation of river networks with fewer branches and larger topographic constraints. This results in decreased interpopulation connectivity but a lower level of spatial isolation of distal populations (e.g. those found in headwaters) occurring in the landscapes examined. Distal populations had higher genetic divergence when their downstream‐biased dispersal (relative to upstream‐ and/or overland‐biased dispersal) was high. This underscores the importance of distal populations influencing genetic divergence at the metapopulation scale for species having downstream‐biased dispersal. In turn, lower genetic divergence was observed under watershed elongation when the genetic isolation of distal populations was decreased in such species. This strong association between landscape shape and evolutionary processes highlights the importance of natural, spatial architecture in assessing the effectiveness of conservation and management strategies.
Gait‐combined transcranial alternating current stimulation modulates cortical control of muscle activities during gait
Authors: Kitatani Ryosuke , Koganemaru Satoko , Maeda Ayaka , Mikami Yusuke , Matsuhashi Masao , Mima Tatsuya , Yamada Shigehito
Published: July 2020

Non‐invasive brain stimulation has been of interest as a therapeutic tool to modulate cortical excitability. However, there is little evidence that oscillatory brain stimulation can modulate the cortical control of muscle activities during gait, which can be assessed using coherence analysis of paired surface electromyographic (EMG) recordings. This study aimed to investigate the effects of gait‐combined transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) at the gait cycle frequency on the cortical control of muscle activities during gait using EMG‐EMG coherence analysis. Fourteen healthy young adults participated in this study. All participants underwent 2 test conditions (real tACS and sham stimulation over the leg area of the primary motor cortex during 10‐min treadmill walking). The average peak‐to‐peak amplitudes of the motor evoked potentials (MEPs) from the tibialis anterior (TA) and lateral gastrocnemius muscles in the sitting position and EMG‐EMG coherences in the TA muscle, triceps surae muscles, quadriceps muscles, and hamstring muscles during gait were measured before and after stimulation. Entrainment effect was significantly higher during real tACS than during sham stimulation. After real tACS, the MEP amplitude and beta band (13–33 Hz) coherence area increased in the TA muscle. The change in MEP amplitude from the TA muscle was positively correlated with the change in beta band coherence area in the TA muscle. Gait‐combined tACS can modulate the strength of descending neural drive to TA motoneurons during gait. This suggests that oscillatory brain stimulation is a useful therapeutic tool to modulate the cortical control of muscle activities during gait.
Standardization and UNDERSTANDardization in Educational Assessment
Authors: Sireci Stephen G.
Published: July 2020

Educational tests are standardized so that all examinees are tested on the same material, under the same testing conditions, and with the same scoring protocols. This uniformity is designed to provide a level “playing field” for all examinees so that the test is “the same” for everyone. Thus, standardization is designed to promote fairness in testing. In practice, the material tested, the conditions under which a test is administered, and the scoring processes, are often too rigid to provide the intended level playing field. For example, standardized testing conditions may interact with personal characteristics of examinees that affect test performance, but are not construct‐relevant. Thus, more flexibility in standardization is needed to account for the diversity of experiences, talents, and handicaps of the incredibly heterogeneous populations of examinees we currently assess. Traditional standardization procedures grew out of experimental psychology and psychophysics laboratories where keeping all conditions constant was crucial. Today, accounting for and measuring what is not constant across examinees is crucial to valid construct interpretations. To meet this need I introduce the concept of understandardization, which refers to ensuring sufficient flexibility in standardized testing conditions to yield the most accurate measurement of proficiency for each examinee.
The influence of microstructure on the fatigue crack growth rate in marine steels in the Paris Region
Authors: Igwemezie Victor , Mehmanparast Ali , Brennan Feargal
Published: July 2020

This paper presents a study on the effect of microstructure on the fatigue crack growth (FCG) rate in advanced S355 marine steels in the Paris Region of theda/dNversus ΔKlog–log plot. The environments of study were air and seawater (SW), under constant amplitude sinewave fatigue loading. Fundamentally, three phenomena (crack tip diversion, crack front bifurcation and metal crumb formation) were observed to influence the rate of FCG. These phenomena appear to be a function of the material microstructure, environment and crack tip loading conditions. The three factors retarded the crack growth by reducing or redistributing the effective driving force at the main active crack tip. A crack path containing extensively the three phenomena was observed to offer strong resistance to FCG. In SW, the degree of the electrochemical dissolution of themicroplastic zoneappears to be an additional primary factor influencing FCG in the steels.
Building a Low‐Cost, Internet‐of‐Things, Real‐Time Groundwater Level Monitoring Network
Authors: Drage John , Kennedy Gavin
Published: July 2020

A community‐based, real‐time, groundwater level monitoring network consisting of 11 sites was built in Nova Scotia, Canada, using privately owned domestic wells and low‐cost, custom‐made water level meters. The real‐time meters use an ultrasonic sensor to measure water levels and an Internet‐of‐Things device to transmit the data to the Internet by WiFi or cellular connection. The water level data are plotted in real‐time on a time‐series graph and are available immediately for online viewing and downloading. Based on observations at three sites, the real‐time water level meter data compare well to pressure transducer measurements, with mean absolute errors of less than 0.02 m. The meters are simple to build, and components are readily available from online suppliers at low cost.
Farming system and soil management affect butterfly diversity in sloping olive groves
Authors: Sánchez‐Fernández José , A. Vílchez‐Vivanco Juan , B. Navarro Francisco , Castro‐RodrÍguez Juan
Published: July 2020

Olive groves on steep slopes with a low yield account for 29.6% of the total olive growing area in Andalusia, Spain. This type of olive grove is at high risk of abandonment. Thus, apart from their productive function, we should also take into consideration the ecosystem services that they provide.

The diversity of Lepidoptera Rhopalocera was studied in sloping olive groves under conventional, organic, and abandoned farming systems. Line‐transect methods were used to survey butterflies in different olive grove treatments, which were defined by a combination of farming systems and soil management systems.

The greatest diversity of Lepidoptera Rhopalocera was observed in organic and abandoned olive groves with cover crops. Mechanical soil tillage was found to have a negative effect in conventional and organic tillage treatments. From this viewpoint, although abandonment has economic repercussions, it does not lead to a loss of biodiversity. The environmental variables with the greatest influence are landscape complexity and the presence of areas of shrubland. The species Pyronia bathseba appears to be strongly associated with long‐abandoned olive groves.

The results of this study confirm that the presence of sloping olive groves with cover crops and long‐abandoned groves set in heterogeneous landscapes and with areas of shrubland nearby, help to explain the distribution of Lepidoptera Rhopalocera communities, as well as fostering their richness and abundance.