bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heart rate variability related to season of birth: A replication study
Authors: Iseger Tabitha A. , Vollebregt Madelon A. , Krepel Noralie , Arns Martijn
Published: June 2019

Low heart rate variability (HRV) has strongly been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. With cardiovascular disease being the number one cause of global deaths, factors that influence its development are relevant to understand. Season of birth has been suggested as one of the factors influencing the development of HRV. The current study was set up to replicate the finding that men born in winter have higher HRV later in life compared to those born in other seasons. To this end, we studied a sample of 1,871 healthy participants from the Brain Resource International Database during rest and during task. Furthermore, sex and age differences and associations with personality traits and psychiatric symptoms were explored. We replicated the earlier finding that men born in winter have a lower ratio of low frequency (LF) power to high frequency (HF) power during rest compared to summer and fall, and, although less pronounced, higher HF compared to summer. A difference between summer and winter for LF/HF in men was internally replicated using data recorded during task. Additionally, for both sexes, LF/HF ratio increased with age, and LF and HF both decreased. In general, LF/HF was lower in women, but heart rate was higher. In men, low HRV was associated with depression and the personality trait openness. In conclusion, results from a large multicenter data set covering the entire lifespan demonstrate that HRV changes with age in both sexes and confirm that season of birth influences HRV later in life in men.
Nitrite implications and its management strategies in aquaculture: a review
Authors: Ciji Alexander , Akhtar Mohammad Shahbaz
Published: June 2019

High nitrite levels are often encountered in intensive and recirculatory aquaculture systems but can also be found in natural waters under certain circumstances. Significant research advancement on nitrite and its implications in aquaculture sector has been made for last few decades, but emphasis on its management aspects has been given due consideration since recent past. Therefore, this review article not only aims to summarize the voluminous published reports on nitrite implications in fish but also recapitulates the research progress made on mitigation/management strategies. Nitrite exposure has been shown to adversely affect fish and shellfish growth, moulting, blood oxygen carrying capacity, water balance, osmoregulation, ionic homoeostasis and cause endocrine disruption. The nitric oxide produced from nitrite can inhibit several components of steroidogenic pathway leading to reduced reproductive performance. Different approaches and management strategies that have been evolved so far to address the nitrite‐associated stress have varying degrees of success. Adopting better nutritional approach like feeding antioxidant or nutraceutical fortified feeds along with effectively functioning biological filters is found to be helpful in reducing the deleterious effects of nitrite in cultured animals. This review paper, containing the plethora of information on nitrite and its management in one place, will definitely act as a ready reference for different stakeholders such as farmers, researchers and policymakers for sustainable development of aquaculture.
Genetic parameters for semen production traits in Swiss dairy bulls
Authors: Burren Alexander , Joerg Hannes , Erbe Malena , Gilmour Arthur R. , Witschi Ulrich , Schmitz‐Hsu Fritz
Published: June 2019

Variance components (VC) were estimated for the semen production trait ejaculate volume, sperm concentration and sperm motility in the Swiss cattle breeds Brown Swiss (BS), Original Braunvieh (OB), Holstein (HO), Red‐Factor‐Carrier (RF), Red Holstein (RH), Swiss Fleckvieh (SF) and Simmental (SI). For this purpose, semen production traits from 2,617 bulls with 124,492 records were used. The data were collected in the years 2000–2012. The model for genetic parameter estimation across all breeds included the fixed effects age of bull at collection, year of collection, month of collection, number of collection per bull and day, interval between consecutive collections, semen collector, bull breed as well as a random additive genetic component and a permanent environmental effect. The same model without a fixed breed effect was used to estimate VC and repeatabilities separately for each of the breeds BS, HO, RH, SF and SI. Estimated heritabilities across all breeds were 0.42, 0.25 and 0.09 for ejaculate volume, sperm concentration and sperm motility, respectively. Different heritabilities were estimated for ejaculate volume (0.42; 0.45; 0.49; 0.40; 0.10), sperm concentration (0.34; 0.30; 0.20; 0.07; 0.23) and number of semen portions (0.18; 0.30; 0.04; 0.14; 0.04) in BS, HO, RH, SF and SI breed, respectively. The phenotypic and genetic correlations across all breeds between ejaculate volume and sperm concentration were negative (−0.28; −0.56). The other correlations across all breeds were positive. The phenotypic and genetic correlations were 0.01 and 0.19 between sperm motility and ejaculate volume, respectively. Between sperm motility and sperm concentration, the phenotypic and genetic correlations were 0.20 and 0.36, respectively. The results are consistent with other analyses and show that genetic improvement through selection is possible in bull semen production traits.
Industrial development in Malaysia and Singapore: Empirical analysis with multiple‐cone Heckscher–Ohlin Model
Authors: Suzuki Kensuke , Doi Yasuhiro
Published: June 2019

This paper employs the multiple‐cone Heckscher–Ohlin model to analyze industrial development in Malaysia and Singapore. In particular, we focus on industrial upgrading along with capital accumulation as a key determinant for the cross‐country difference in production technology and income. By pooling two countries’ data on factor endowment and sectoral output in manufacturing from 1990 to 2008, we estimate the common industrial development paths of the two‐cone Heckscher–Ohlin model, the Rybczynski linear relationship between capital–labor ratio and sectoral output per capita. Our results demonstrate that, after controlling for quality of workers (by educational attainment), the two countries resided in different cones during our sample period, implying that Singapore succeeded in accumulating capital steadily with the support of foreign investment and upgrading its industry mix to make it more capital‐intensive. The separation of cones is also consistent with the observed gap in gross domestic product per capita between the two countries. Furthermore, we implement a factor‐augmenting productivity test to see the gaps in efficiency of capital and human‐capital‐augmented labor and confirm no significant difference between the two countries.
Foreign direct investment and the correlation between cost and revenue
Authors: Bar‐Ilan Avner , Borodko Ivan
Published: June 2019

This paper studies irreversible investment in the presence of uncertain revenue and uncertain cost of production. Using methodology of real options, we find the threshold markup of price over cost that triggers investment. When the processes for revenue and cost are negatively correlated, the standard result that uncertainty delays investment always holds. However, when these two processes are positively correlated, greater uncertainty of revenue or cost might accelerate investment. As less correlated cost and revenue, vertical FDI is less desirable than producing at home, but horizontal FDI that brings production to the output market is an advantage.
Examining accelerometer validity for estimating physical activity in pre‐schoolers during free‐living activity
Authors: Dobell Alexandra P. , Eyre Emma L. J. , Tallis Jason , Chinapaw Marijke J. M. , Altenburg Teatske M. , Duncan Michael J.
Published: June 2019

The present study examined the efficacy of accelerometers for the assessment of free play physical activity (PA) in pre–school‐aged children with consideration of epoch length and wear location. Following ethics approval, parental informed consent, and child assent, 66 pre‐schoolers aged 3‐4 years (30 females and 36 males) wore an accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3X; sampling at 100 Hz) on their non‐dominant wrist and their right hip during 1 hour of free play. Concurrently, direct observation, using the OSRAC‐P, was used to determine sedentary behavior (SB), light (LPA), or moderate‐to‐vigorous (MVPA) intensity PA. For the ActiGraph, vertical axis counts and summed vector magnitude (VM) for hip, and VM for wrist, were downloaded using 5‐, 10‐, 15‐, and 30‐second epoch lengths. Accelerometer counts were averaged over each 30 seconds to match the observation periods. Receiver operating curve analysis was used to evaluate the ability of the ActiGraph to predict SB, LPA, and MVPA. SB and MVPA obtained from wrist‐ and hip‐worn accelerometers demonstrated fair agreement with direct observation (AUC => 0.7). LPA determined by accelerometer had poor agreement with observed LPA, for both the hip and wrist placement (AUC = 0.53‐0.56), with weak levels of specificity (0.34‐0.43), although sensitivity was fair (0.74‐0.84). This study is the first to examine accelerometer validity, considering wear location and epoch in pre‐schoolers during free play, and suggests that the ActiGraph is a fair measure for SB and MVPA in pre‐school children. Neither placement performed predominantly better irrespective of epochs or used count data (vertical axis, VM).
Change in physical activity and health‐related quality of life in old age—A 10‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Jantunen Hanna , Wasenius Niko , Salonen Minna K. , Kautiainen Hannu , von Bonsdorff Mikaela B. , Kajantie Eero , Eriksson Johan G.
Published: June 2019

The aim of the study was to examine the association between change in leisure‐time physical activity (LTPA) and change in health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and symptoms of depression during a 10‐year follow‐up. This prospective study included 1036 men and women (mean age at baseline = 61.2 years) from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study. Leisure‐time physical activity was measured with a questionnaire, HRQoL with SF36 and depression symptoms with Beck's depression inventory (BDI). The association between the change in LTPA and change in HRQoL and BDI were investigated with sex‐stratified general linear models adjusted for age, smoking, educational attainment, comorbidity score, and baseline value of outcomes. One standard deviation (SD) increase in LTPA was associated with increase in physical summary component of HRQoL in women (B = 0.7 unit, 95% CI = 0.1‐1.3, P = 0.032) and in men (B = 0.8 unit, 95% CI = 0.2‐1.5, P = 0.014). In women, the 1SD increase in LTPA was also associated with an increase in mental summary component score (B = 1.0, 95% CI = 0.3‐1.7, P = 0.005) and a reduction in depressive symptoms (B = −0.7, 95% CI = −1.1 to −0.2, P = 0.003). In conclusion, increase in the volume of LTPA over a 10‐year period in late adulthood was associated with improved HRQoL in both men and women, and also diminished depressive symptoms in women. The findings support the promotion of physical activity in later years to enhance HRQoL and mental well‐being.
Effects of 24‐week exergame intervention on physical function under single‐ and dual‐task conditions in fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Martín‐Martínez Juan Pedro , Villafaina Santos , Collado‐Mateo Daniel , Pérez‐Gómez Jorge , Gusi Narcis
Published: June 2019

Objective

To evaluate the effects of 24‐week exergame intervention in the physical fitness of women with fibromyalgia in both single‐ and dual‐task conditions.

Design

Single‐blinded, randomized controlled trial.

Setting

University facilities.

Participants

Fifty‐five women with fibromyalgia, recruited from the local fibromyalgia association, were randomly assigned to one of the two groups: exercise group and control group.

Intervention

The exercise group completed 24 weeks of supervised and group‐based exergame protocol, divided into two sessions of 60 minutes. The intervention was focused on mobility, postural control, upper and lower limbs coordination, aerobic fitness, and strength.

Main outcome measures

The strength of the upper limbs was measured using the arm curl test. The mobility skill was assessed through the timed‐up and go test, and the flexibility of both upper and lower limbs was measured using the back scratch and the sit and reach tests, respectively.

Results

Fifty participants completed the study. In the single‐task condition, exergame intervention led to significantly higher effects in the arm curl test (P = 0.008), sit and reach test (P = 0.033), and timed‐up and go test (P = 0.021). Moreover, under dual‐task condition, exergames led to significant effects in all the physical fitness tests (arm curl test, timed‐up and go test, back scratch test, and sit and reach test) compared to the control group.

Conclusions

Exergame is an effective tool to improve the physical fitness in women with fibromyalgia under single or dual‐task conditions.
Soil loss and run‐off characteristics under different soil amendments and cropping systems in the semi‐deciduous forest zone of Ghana
Authors: Bashagaluke Janvier Bigabwa , Logah Vincent , Opoku Andrews , Tuffour Henry Oppong , Sarkodie‐Addo Joseph , Quansah Charles
Published: June 2019

Soil erosion is a major constraint to crop production on smallholder arable lands in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). Although different agronomic and mechanical measures have been proposed to minimize soil loss in the region and elsewhere, soil management practices involving biochar‐inorganic inputs interactions under common cropping systems within the framework of climate‐smart agriculture, have been little studied. This study aimed to assess the effect of different soil and crop management practices on soil loss characteristics under selected cropping systems, typical of the sub‐region. A two‐factor field experiment was conducted on run‐off plots under different soil amendments over three consecutive cropping seasons in the semi‐deciduous forest zone of Ghana. The treatments, consisting of three soil amendments (inorganic fertilizer, biochar, inorganic fertilizer + biochar and control) and four cropping systems (maize, soyabean, cowpea, maize intercropped with soyabean) constituted the sub‐plot and main plot factors, respectively. A bare plot was included as a soil erosion check. Seasonal soil loss was greater on the bare plots, which ranged from 9.75–14.5 Mg ha−1. For individual crops grown alone, soil loss was 31%–40% less under cowpea than under maize. The soil management options, in addition to their direct role in plant nutrition, contributed to significant (p < 0.05) reductions in soil loss. The least soil loss (1.23–2.66 Mg ha−1) was observed under NPK fertilizer + biochar treatment (NPK + BC) over the three consecutive cropping seasons. Biochar in combination with NPK fertilizer improved soil moisture content under cowpea crops and produced considerably smaller bulk density values than most other treatments. The NPK + BC consistently outperformed the separate mineral fertilizer and biochar treatments in biomass yield under all cropping systems. Biochar associated with inorganic fertilizers gave economic returns with value–cost ratio (VCR) > 2 under soyabean cropping system but had VCR < 2 under all other cropping systems. The study showed that biochar/NPK interactions could be exploited in minimizing soil loss from arable lands in SSA.
Identification of the novel HLA‐B*18:147 allele in two Colombian umbilical cord blood bank samples
Authors: González‐Acero Lorena X. , Camacho‐Rodríguez Bernardo , Perdomo‐Arciniegas Ana M.
Published: June 2019

HLA‐B*18:147 differs from HLA‐B*18:01:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution.
High‐resolution analysis of the HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C and ‐DRB1 alleles and national and regional haplotype frequencies based on 120 926 volunteers from the Italian Bone Marrow Donor Registry
Authors: Sacchi Nicoletta , Castagnetta Mauro , Miotti Valeria , Garbarino Lucia , Gallina Annamaria
Published: June 2019

HLA genes are highly polymorphic and structurally complex. They are located in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on chromosome 6, and the frequency of alleles and haplotypes varies widely among human populations.

In this paper, we calculated the allele and haplotype frequencies using the HLA data of more than 120 000 Italian unrelated bone marrow donors enrolled in the national registry (IBMDR) and typed them with a high‐resolution (HR) method for the HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C and ‐DRB1 alleles. The allele frequency data were obtained by manual counting; haplotype frequencies were calculated using the expectation maximisation (EM) algorithm. The total numbers of observed alleles were 226 for HLA‐A, 343 for HLA‐B, 201 for HLA‐C and 210 for HLA‐DRB1, which account for 5.4%, 6.7%, 5.2% and 8.5%, respectively, of each locus allele (IPD‐IMGT/HLA Database Release 3.32, April 2018). The three most frequent Italian haplotypes were HLA‐A*01:01~B*08:01~C*07:01~DRB1*03:01 (2.5%), A*02:01~B*18:01~C*07:01~DRB1*11:04 (1.1%) and A*30:01~B*13:02~C*06:02~DRB1*07:01 (1.1%). Moreover, for a relevant subset of the examined population (>100 000 individuals), the birthplace was available, and thus, we grouped the frequency data based on the corresponding Italian geographic areas, describing the HLA specificity of the Italian regional populations. The haplotype frequencies were also compared between national and regional data, and we observed remarkable differences in the regional haplotype frequencies, particularly in Sardinia. This study represents a valid tool to identify a more efficient haematopoietic stem cell unrelated donor recruitment and selection strategy, as well as for population genetic and HLA‐disease association fields.
Timing of the Erlangping back‐arc basin in the Qinling orogen, central China and its tectonic significance
Authors: Hu Pan , Wu Yuanbao , Zhang Wenxiang , He Yu
Published: June 2019

Back‐arc basins hold the key in understanding the geodynamics of orogenic processes. The Qinling–Dabie orogenic belt in central China is one of the most important orogenic belts constraining the tectonic framework of eastern Asia. However, its Palaeozoic accretionary processes remain equivocal, mainly derived from the age uncertainty of the back‐arc basin in the Qinling orogen. We carried out zircon U–Pb geochronology for two pyroclastic volcanic rocks intercalated within the Erlangping back‐arc basin basalts. They yield U–Pb ages of 435.8 ± 4.2 Ma and 435.7 ± 3.8 Ma, which precisely constrain the timing of the back‐arc basin opening. The opening of the Erlangping back‐arc basin might have been triggered by the rollback of the Proto‐Tethyan oceanic slab due to the southward migration of arc magmatism at ca. 440 Ma. The Palaeozoic tectonic evolution and orogen‐scale geodynamic processes of the Qinling orogen are thus reconstructed.
Neuronal ribonucleoprotein granules: Dynamic sensors of localized signals
Authors: Formicola Nadia , Vijayakumar Jeshlee , Besse Florence
Published: June 2019

Membrane‐less organelles, because of their capacity to dynamically, selectively and reversibly concentrate molecules, are very well adapted for local information processing and rapid response to environmental fluctuations. These features are particularly important in the context of neuronal cells, where synapse‐specific activation, or localized extracellular cues, induce signaling events restricted to specialized axonal or dendritic subcompartments. Neuronal ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles, or granules, are nonmembrane bound macromolecular condensates that concentrate specific sets of mRNAs and regulatory proteins, promoting their long‐distance transport to axons or dendrites. Neuronal RNP granules also have a dual function in regulating the translation of associated mRNAs: while preventing mRNA translation at rest, they fuel local protein synthesis upon activation. As revealed by recent work, rapid and reversible switches between these two functional modes are triggered by modifications of the networks of interactions underlying RNP granule assembly. Such flexible properties also come with a cost, as neuronal RNP granules are prone to transition into pathological aggregates in response to mutations, aging, or cellular stresses, further emphasizing the need to better understand the mechanistic principles governing their dynamic assembly and regulation in living systems.
The roles of Centrin 2 and Dynein Light Chain 8a in apical secretory organelles discharge of Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Lentini Gaëlle , Dubois David J. , Maco Bohumil , Soldati‐Favre Dominique , Frénal Karine
Published: June 2019

To efficiently enter host cells, apicomplexan parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii rely on an apical complex composed of tubulin‐based structures as well as two sets of secretory organelles named micronemes and rhoptries. The trafficking and docking of these organelles to the apical pole of the parasite is crucial for the discharge of their contents. Here, we describe two proteins typically associated with microtubules, Centrin 2 (CEN2) and Dynein Light Chain 8a (DLC8a), that are required for efficient host cell invasion. CEN2 localizes to four different compartments, and remarkably, conditional depletion of the protein occurs in stepwise manner, sequentially depleting the protein pools from each location. This phenomenon allowed us to discern the essential function of the apical pool of CEN2 for microneme secretion, motility, invasion and egress. DLC8a localizes to the conoid, and its depletion also perturbs microneme exocytosis in addition to the apical docking of the rhoptry organelles, causing a severe defect in host cell invasion. Phenotypic characterization of CEN2 and DLC8a indicates that while both proteins participate in microneme secretion, they likely act at different steps along the cascade of events leading to organelle exocytosis.
Foreign direct investment productivity premium and foreign affiliates' heterogeneity: A comparison between advanced and emerging market overseas investments in the EU
Authors: Pittiglio Rosanna , Reganati Filippo
Published: June 2019

This paper aims to investigate the existence of productivity heterogeneity among foreign‐owned firms (FOFs) based in the European Union (EU). Using firm‐level data for a sample of FOFs investing in the EU over the period 2006–14, we find that foreign affiliates from advanced countries (AFOFs) show a positive productivity gap compared to foreign affiliates from emerging countries (EFOFs). However, when we consider the type and the motivation of foreign direct investment, our results reveal that, while AFOFs always seem to be more productive than EFOFs in manufacturing sectors, EFOFs appear to enjoy a productivity premium compared to AFOFs in the services, when their activity occurs in the same industry as their parent and they operate in less knowledge‐intensive market sectors.
Muscle metaboreflex activation increases ventilation and heart rate during dynamic exercise in humans
Authors: Lam Elliot , Greenhough Evelyn , Nazari Parsa , White Michael J. , Bruce Richard M.
Published: June 2019

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Classically, the stimulation of thin‐fibre skeletal muscle afferents, via the application of postexercise circulatory occlusion (PECO) at rest, fails to generate ventilatory responses. We used a new experimental protocol to examine whether the involvement of these metabosensitive afferents in ventilatory control can only be revealed during exercise, when other potentially synergistic inputs that increase central respiratory drive are activated.

What is the main finding and its importance?

We found that PECO of one leg augmented the ventilatory and heart rate responses to single‐legged exercise of the contralateral leg, suggesting that metaboreceptive muscle afferents contribute to the control of the exercise hyperpnoea.

Inhibition of thin‐fibre skeletal muscle afferent neurotransmission attenuates ventilatory and cardiovascular responses to exercise. However, stimulation of muscle metaboreceptive afferents at rest, via postexercise circulatory occlusion (PECO), classically fails to generate increases in ventilation or heart rate. It is possible that the involvement of muscle afferent feedback in ventilatory control can only be revealed during exercise, when other potentially synergistic inputs that increase central respiratory drive are activated. Therefore, we assessed the cardiorespiratory responses to single‐legged cycling exercise with or without PECO of the contralateral leg. Thirteen healthy participants performed left‐legged cycling exercise (40 or 60 W) followed by either: (i) no PECO (Con trial); or (ii) PECO (PECO trial) of the left leg for 3 min. During this 3 min period, right‐legged cycling exercise was performed at the same workload as the preceding left‐legged exercise (40 or 60 W). During 60 W right‐legged cycling, ventilation relative to baseline was significantly higher in the PECO versus Con trial (22.9 ± 2 versus 18.7 ± 1.8 l min−1; P < 0.05), but there was no difference between the trials performed at 40 W. The change in heart rate was significantly greater during right‐legged cycling in the PECO versus Con trial in the 40 (41.2 ± 4 versus 34.1 ± 3.1 beats min−1; P < 0.05) and 60 W trials (49.7 ± 2.7 versus 43.4 ± 3.7 beats min−1; P < 0.05). There were no differences in oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide production and ratings of perceived exertion between trials. These findings suggest that stimulation of muscle metaboreceptive afferents can drive increases in ventilation and heart rate during dynamic exercise.
A mouse model of gestational glucose intolerance through exposure to a low protein diet during fetal and neonatal development
Authors: Szlapinski Sandra K. , King Renee T. , Retta Gabrielle , Yeo Erica , Strutt Brenda J. , Hill David J.
Published: June 2019

Key points

Pancreatic β‐cell dysfunction is hypothesized to be the significant determinant of gestational diabetes pathogenesis, however pancreatic samples from patients are scarce.

This study reports a novel mouse model of gestational glucose intolerance in pregnancy, originating from previous nutrition restriction in utero, in which glucose intolerance was restricted to late gestation as is seen in human gestational diabetes.

Glucose intolerance was attributed to reduced β‐cell proliferation, leading to impaired gestational β‐cell mass expansion in maternal endocrine pancreas, in addition to reduced glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion.

This model reproduces some of the features of gestational diabetes and is suitable for testing safe therapeutic interventions that increase β‐cell mass during pregnancy and prevent or reverse gestational glucose intolerance.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an increasingly prevalent form of diabetes that appears during pregnancy. Pathological studies link a failure to adaptively increase maternal pancreatic β‐cell mass (BCM) in pregnancy to GDM. Due to the scarcity of pancreatic samples from GDM patients, we sought to develop a novel mouse model for impaired gestational glucose tolerance. Mature female C57Bl/6 mouse offspring (F1) born to dams fed either a control (C) or low‐protein (LP) diet during gestation and lactation were randomly allocated into two subsequent study groups: pregnant (CP, LPP) or non‐pregnant (CNP, LPNP). Glucose tolerance tests were performed at gestational day (GD) 9, 12 and 18. Subsequently, pancreata were removed for fluorescence immunohistochemistry to assess α‐cell mass (ACM), BCM and β‐cell proliferation. An additional group of animals was used to measure insulin secretion from isolated islets at GD18. LPP females displayed glucose intolerance compared to CP females at GD18 (P < 0.001). BCM increased threefold at GD18 in CP females. However, LPP females had reduced BCM expansion (P < 0.01) concurrent with reduced β‐cell proliferation at GD12 (P < 0.05). LPP females also had reduced ACM expansion at GD18 (P < 0.01). LPP islets had impaired glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion in vitro compared to CP islets (P < 0.01). Therefore, impaired glucose tolerance during pregnancy is associated with a failure to adequately adapt BCM, as a result of reduced β‐cell proliferation, in addition to lower glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion. This model could be used to evaluate novel interventions during pregnancy to increase BCM or function as a strategy to prevent/reverse GDM.
Cosserat Effects in Achiral and Chiral Cubic Lattices
Authors: Reasa Daniel R. , Lakes Roderic S.
Published: June 2019

Cubic 3D lattices were designed, made by 3D printing, and studied experimentally. One lattice was simple cubic with ribs of diameter 1/5 the cell size. The second lattice was chiral with spiral ribs. The chiral lattice, but not the achiral lattice, exhibited squeeze-twist coupling with size effects. The squeeze-twist coupling cannot occur in a classically elastic solid but is anticipated by theory in a Cosserat solid. Both lattices exhibited size effects in bending and torsion.
Tn
6674
Is a Novel Enterococcal
optrA
-Carrying Multiresistance Transposon of the Tn
554
Family
Authors: Li Dexi , Li Xing-Yun , Schwarz Stefan , Yang Mengyan , Zhang Su-Mei , Hao Wenbo , Du Xiang-Dang
Published: June 2019

The novel 12,932-bp nonconjugative multiresistance transposon Tn
6674
was identified in the chromosomal DNA of a porcine
Enterococcus faecalis
strain. Tn
6674
belongs to the Tn
554
family of transposons. It shares the same arrangement of the transposase genes
tnpA
,
tnpB,
and
tnpC
with Tn
554
. However, in addition to the Tn
554
-associated resistance genes
spc
and
erm
(A), Tn
6674
harbored the resistance genes
fexA
and
optrA
.
mcr-9
, an Inducible Gene Encoding an Acquired Phosphoethanolamine Transferase in Escherichia coli, and Its Origin
Authors: Kieffer Nicolas , Royer Guilhem , Decousser Jean-Winoc , Bourrel Anne-Sophie , Palmieri Mattia , Ortiz De La Rosa Jose-Manuel , Jacquier Hervé , Denamur Erick , Nordmann Patrice , Poirel Laurent
Published: June 2019

The plasmid-located
mcr-9
gene, encoding a putative phosphoethanolamine transferase, was identified in a colistin-resistant human fecal
Escherichia coli
strain belonging to a very rare phylogroup, the D-ST69-O15:H6 clone. This MCR-9 protein shares 33% to 65% identity with the other plasmid-encoded MCR-type enzymes identified (MCR-1 to -8) that have been found as sources of acquired resistance to polymyxins in
Enterobacteriaceae
.
The Properties of 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase (MetF1) and Its Role in the Tetrahydrofolate-Dependent Dicamba Demethylation System in Rhizorhabdus dicambivorans Ndbn-20
Authors: Yao Shigang , Chen Le , Yang Zhou , Yao Li , Zhu Jianchun , Qiu Jiguo , Wang Guoxiang , He Jian
Published: June 2019

There are several THF-dependent methyltransferase genes and THF-metabolic genes in the genome of
R. dicambivorans
Ndbn-20; however, which genes are involved in dicamba demethylation and the mechanism underlying THF regeneration remain unknown. This study revealed that scaffold 66 is responsible for dicamba demethylation and that MetF1 physiologically catalyzes the dehydrogenation of 5-CH
3
-THF to 5,10-CH
2
-THF in the THF-dependent dicamba demethylation system in
R. dicambivorans
Ndbn-20. Furthermore, the results showed that MetF1 differs from previously characterized MetF in phylogenesis, biochemical properties, and catalytic activity; e.g., MetF1
in vitro
did not show 5,10-CH
2
-THF reductase activity, which is the physiological function of
Escherichia coli
MetF. This study provides new insights into the mechanism of the THF-dependent methyltransferase system.
Progeny Varicella-Zoster Virus Capsids Exit the Nucleus but Never Undergo Secondary Envelopment during Autophagic Flux Inhibition by Bafilomycin A1
Authors: Girsch James H. , Walters Katherine , Jackson Wallen , Grose Charles
Published: June 2019

This study of VZV assembly in the presence of bafilomycin A1 emphasizes the importance of the Golgi apparatus/
trans
-Golgi network as a platform in the alphaherpesvirus life cycle. We have previously shown that VZV induces levels of autophagy far above the basal levels of autophagy in human skin, a major site of VZV assembly. The current study documented that bafilomycin treatment led to impaired assembly of VZV capsids after primary envelopment/de-envelopment but before secondary reenvelopment. This VZV study also complemented prior herpes simplex virus 1 and pseudorabies virus studies investigating two other inhibitors of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)/Golgi apparatus function: brefeldin A and monensin. Studies with porcine herpesvirus demonstrated that primary enveloped particles accumulated in the perinuclear space in the presence of brefeldin A, while studies with herpes simplex virus 1 documented an impaired secondary assembly of enveloped viral particles in the presence of monensin.
Pulmonary Iron Limitation Induced by Exogenous Type I IFN Protects Mice from Cryptococcus gattii Independently of T Cells
Authors: Davis Michael J. , Moyer Shannon , Hoke Elizabeth S. , Sionov Edward , Mayer-Barber Katrin D. , Barber Dan L. , Cai Hongyi , Jenkins Lisa , Walter Peter J. , Chang Yun C. , Kwon-Chung Kyung J.
Published: June 2019

Cryptococcus neoformansandCryptococcus gattiicause fatal infection in immunodeficient and immunocompetent individuals. While these fungi are sibling species,C. gattiiinfects very few AIDS patients, whileC. neoformansinfection is an AIDS-defining illness, suggesting that the host response to HIV selectsC. neoformansoverC. gattii. We used a viral mimic molecule (pICLC) to stimulate the immune response, and pICLC treatment improved mouse outcomes from both species. pICLC-induced action againstC. neoformanswas due to activation of well-defined immune pathways known to deterC. neoformans, whereas these immune pathways were dispensable for pICLC treatment ofC. gattii. Since these immune pathways are eventually destroyed by HIV/AIDS, our data help explain why the antiviral immune response in AIDS patients is unable to controlC. neoformansinfection but is protective againstC. gattii. Furthermore, pICLC induced tighter control of iron in the lungs of mice, which inhibitedC. gattii, thus suggesting an entirely new mode of nutritional immunity activated by viral signals.
Mouse Norovirus Infection Arrests Host Cell Translation Uncoupled from the Stress Granule-PKR-eIF2α Axis
Authors: Fritzlar Svenja , Aktepe Turgut E. , Chao Yi-Wei , Kenney Nathan D. , McAllaster Michael R. , Wilen Craig B. , White Peter A. , Mackenzie Jason M.
Published: June 2019

Viruses hijack host machinery and regulate cellular homeostasis to actively replicate their genome, propagate, and cause disease. In retaliation, cells possess various defense mechanisms to detect, destroy, and clear infecting viruses, as well as signal to neighboring cells to inform them of the imminent threat. In this study, we demonstrate that the murine norovirus (MNV) infection stalls host protein translation and the production of antiviral and proinflammatory cytokines. However, virus replication and protein translation still ensue. We show that MNV further prevents the formation of cytoplasmic RNA granules, called stress granules (SGs), by recruiting the key host protein G3BP1 to the MNV replication complex, a recruitment that is crucial to establishing and maintaining virus replication. Thus, MNV promotes immune evasion of the virus by altering protein translation. Together, this evasion strategy delays innate immune responses to MNV infection and accelerates disease onset.
Upregulation of BST-2 by Type I Interferons Reduces the Capacity of Vpu To Protect HIV-1-Infected Cells from NK Cell Responses
Authors: Prévost Jérémie , Pickering Suzanne , Mumby Mitchell J. , Medjahed Halima , Gendron-Lepage Gabrielle , Delgado Gloria G. , Dirk Brennan S. , Dikeakos Jimmy D. , Stürzel Christina M. , Sauter Daniel , Kirchhoff Frank , Bibollet-Ruche Frederic , Hahn Beatrice H. , Dubé Mathieu , Kaufmann Daniel E. , Neil Stuart J. D. , Finzi Andrés , Richard Jonathan
Published: June 2019

The restriction factor BST-2 and the NK cell ligands NTB-A and PVR are among a growing list of membrane proteins found to be downregulated by HIV-1 Vpu. BST-2 antagonism enhances viral release, while NTB-A and PVR downmodulation contributes to NK cell evasion. However, it remains unclear how Vpu can target multiple cellular factors simultaneously. Here we provide evidence that under physiological conditions, BST-2 is preferentially targeted by Vpu over NTB-A and PVR. Specifically, we show that type I IFNs decrease Vpu’s polyfunctionality by upregulating BST-2, thus reducing its capacity to protect HIV-1-infected cells from NK cell responses. This indicates that there is a hierarchy of Vpu substrates upon IFN treatment, revealing that for the virus, targeting BST-2 as part of its resistance to IFN takes precedence over evading NK cell responses. This reveals a potential weakness in HIV-1’s immunoevasion mechanisms that may be exploited therapeutically to harness NK cell responses against HIV-1.
Serine-Threonine Kinases Encoded by Split
hipA
Homologs Inhibit Tryptophanyl-tRNA Synthetase
Authors: Vang Nielsen Stine , Turnbull Kathryn Jane , Roghanian Mohammad , Bærentsen Rene , Semanjski Maja , Brodersen Ditlev E. , Macek Boris , Gerdes Kenn
Published: June 2019

Bacterial toxin-antitoxin (TA) modules confer multidrug tolerance (persistence) that may contribute to the recalcitrance of chronic and recurrent infections. The first high-persister gene identified was
hipA
of
Escherichia coli
strain K-12, which encodes a kinase that inhibits glutamyl-tRNA synthetase. The
hipA
gene encodes the toxin of the
hipBA
TA module, while
hipB
encodes an antitoxin that counteracts HipA. Here, we describe a novel, widespread TA gene family,
hipBST
, that encodes HipT, which exhibits sequence similarity with the C terminus of HipA. HipT is a kinase that phosphorylates tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase and thereby inhibits translation and induces the stringent response. Thus, this new TA gene family may contribute to the survival and spread of bacterial pathogens.
Low Polymerase Activity Attributed to PA Drives the Acquisition of the PB2 E627K Mutation of H7N9 Avian Influenza Virus in Mammals
Authors: Liang Libin , Jiang Li , Li Junping , Zhao Qingqing , Wang Jinguang , He Xijun , Huang Shanyu , Wang Qian , Zhao Yuhui , Wang Guangwen , Sun Nan , Deng Guohua , Shi Jianzhong , Tian Guobin , Zeng Xianying , Jiang Yongping , Liu Liling , Liu Jinxiong , Chen Pucheng , Bu Zhigao , Kawaoka Yoshihiro , Chen Hualan , Li Chengjun
Published: June 2019

The emergence of the PB2 E627K substitution is critical in the mammalian adaptation and pathogenesis of AIV. H7N9 AIVs that emerged in 2013 possess a prominent ability in gaining the PB2 E627K mutation in humans. Here, we demonstrate that the acquisition of the H7N9 PB2 E627K mutation is driven by the low polymerase activity conferred by the viral PA protein in human cells, and four PA residues are collectively involved in this process. Notably, the H7N9 PA protein leads to significant dependence of viral polymerase function on human ANP32A protein, and
Anp32a
knockout abolishes PB2 E627K acquisition in mice. These findings reveal that viral PA and host ANP32A are crucial for the emergence of PB2 E627K during adaptation of H7N9 AIVs to humans.
Functional Gene Array-Based Ultrasensitive and Quantitative Detection of Microbial Populations in Complex Communities
Authors: Shi Zhou , Yin Huaqun , Van Nostrand Joy D. , Voordeckers James W. , Tu Qichao , Deng Ye , Yuan Mengting , Zhou Aifen , Zhang Ping , Xiao Naijia , Ning Daliang , He Zhili , Wu Liyou , Zhou Jizhong
Published: June 2019

The rapid development of metagenomic technologies, including microarrays, over the past decade has greatly expanded our understanding of complex microbial systems. However, because of the ever-expanding number of novel microbial sequences discovered each year, developing a microarray that is representative of real microbial communities, is specific and sensitive, and provides quantitative information remains a challenge. The newly developed GeoChip 5.0 is the most comprehensive microarray available to date for examining the functional capabilities of microbial communities important to biogeochemistry, ecology, environmental sciences, and human health. The GeoChip 5 is highly specific, sensitive, and quantitative based on both computational and experimental assays. Use of the array on a contaminated groundwater sample provided novel insights on the impacts of environmental contaminants on groundwater microbial communities.
Porcine Feed Efficiency-Associated Intestinal Microbiota and Physiological Traits: Finding Consistent Cross-Locational Biomarkers for Residual Feed Intake
Authors: McCormack Ursula M. , Curião Tânia , Metzler-Zebeli Barbara U. , Magowan Elizabeth , Berry Donagh P. , Reyer Henry , Prieto Maria L. , Buzoianu Stefan G. , Harrison Michael , Rebeiz Natalie , Crispie Fiona , Cotter Paul D. , O’Sullivan Orla , Gardiner Gillian E. , Lawlor Peadar G.
Published: June 2019

Interest in the role of intestinal microbiota in determining FE in pigs has increased in recent years. However, it is not known if the same FE-associated bacteria are found across different rearing environments. In this study, geographic location and intestinal sampling site had a greater influence on the pig gut microbiome than FE. This presents challenges when aiming to identify consistent reliable microbial biomarkers for FE. Nonetheless, seven FE-associated microbial taxa were common across two geographic locations and/or two batches within one location, and these indicated a potentially “healthier” and metabolically more capable microbiota in more-feed-efficient pigs. These taxa could potentially be employed as biomarkers for FE, although bacterial consortia, rather than individual taxa, may be more likely to predict FE. They may also merit consideration for use as probiotics or could be targeted by dietary means as a strategy for improving FE in pigs in the future.
Comparison of two patients presenting with the clear cell variant of urothelial cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder: laser-assisted partial cystectomy for local disease versus chemotherapy for locally advanced disease
Authors: Blackmur James P , Melquiot Nadja , Robertson Katherine E , Teahan Seamus
Published: June 2019

A 43-year-old woman and a 73-year-old man were referred separately from primary care to the urology service with short histories of frank haematuria. In both cases, histology from transurethral resection of their bladder tumours demonstrated the rare clear cell variant of urothelial/transitional cell carcinoma. Staging scans found the former patient had low-volume local disease, and the latter had locally advanced disease. The former patient went on to have partial cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection (with the endoscopic portion of the partial cystectomy undertaken by holmium:YAG laser), while the latter was found to have inoperable disease, and proceeded to chemotherapy. The former patient was alive with no evidence of disease recurrence at 45 months, while the latter was alive but with extensive lymph nodal recurrence at 45 months.
Teaching evidence-based medicine application: transformative concepts of information mastery that foster evidence-informed decision-making
Authors: Sokol Randi G , Slawson David C , Shaughnessy Allen F
Published: June 2019

Information mastery is an approach to applying the methods of evidence-based medicine to everyday practice. The aim of this research is to describe concepts identified by clinicians attending a 3-day course on applied evidence-based medicine that led to ‘transformative learning’, in which they experienced a deep, structural shift in the basic premises of thought, feelings and actions in their approach to making medical decisions. We used a qualitative approach to capture the lived experience of 12 current and 9 prior attendees of the ‘information mastery’ course through individual interviews, focus groups and observation. Data were thematically analysed and themes were reported. We found that current and previous attendees who seemed to undergo transformative learning identified eight concepts that constitute an information mastery approach to medical decision-making, which we grouped into two general themes. Some participants attending this course underwent transformative learning, resulting in an alternative decision-making process no longer relying on the anecdotes or guidance of others (what ‘ought to work’) and instead on incorporating patient-oriented outcomes based on the best evidence (what ‘does work’).
Cognitive impairment of workers in a large-scale aluminium factory in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Meng Huaxing , Wang Shanshan , Guo Junhong , Zhao Yarong , Zhang Shuhui , Zhao Yuqing , Niu Qiao
Published: June 2019

Objectives

To investigate the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment and the relationship with plasma aluminium among aluminium workers.

Design

This was a cross-sectional case-control study in the SH Aluminium Factory, China.

Setting

The university and affiliated hospital cooperated in the study.

Participants

There were 910 aluminium workers on duty, among whom 853 participated in our study. Participants, such as those with cerebral vascular disease, epilepsy, brain trauma, Parkinson’s and mental diseases, aluminium-containing drug and mental drug use, and any family history of dementia in first-degree relatives were excluded.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Blood samples were collected, and plasma aluminium was measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. For each case, four age-matched controls were evaluated to determine the relationship between aluminium exposure and mild cognitive impairment. Conditional logistic regression was used to explore influential factors in mild cognitive impairment.

Results

Among 910 workers, 93.74% participated in stage 1; 53 cases were finally diagnosed. The crude prevalence of mild cognitive impairment among aluminium workers on duty was 6.21%. There was a significant difference in plasma aluminium concentration between the two groups. In the multivariate analysis, we found that a higher level of plasma aluminium was associated with a high risk of cognitive impairment when compared with a lower aluminium level (AOR=2.24, 95% CI=1.17 to 4.26), and a high education level was a protective factor (AOR=0.36, 95% CI=0.18 to 0.70). No other factor was statistically significant.

Conclusions

Mild cognitive impairment is no longer a disease specific to elderly people. High plasma aluminium exposure might be associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment, but a reduced risk was observed with a high education level. The cognitive function of aluminium workers on duty must be considered seriously.