bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protein abundance and folding rather than the redox state of Kelch13 determine the artemisinin susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Schumann Robin , Bischoff Eileen , Klaus Severina , Möhring Sophie , Flock Julia , Keller Sandro , Remans Kim , Ganter Markus , Deponte Marcel
Published: July 2021

Decreased susceptibilities of Plasmodium falciparum towards the endoperoxide antimalarial artemisinin are linked to mutations of residue C580 of Kelch13, which is the homologue of the redox sensor Keap1 in vertebrates. Here, we addressed whether mutations alter the artemisinin susceptibility by modifying the redox properties of Kelch13 or by compromising its native fold or abundance. Using selection-linked integration and the glmS ribozyme, efficient down-regulation of Kelch13 resulted in ring-stage survival rates around 40%. While the loss of a potential disulfide bond between residues C580 and C532 had no effect on the artemisinin suceptibility, the thiol group of C473 could not be replaced. We also established a protocol for the production of recombinant Kelch13. In contrast to cysteine-to-serine replacements, common field mutations resulted in misfolded and insoluble protein. In summary, not the redox properties but impaired folding of Kelch13, resulting in a decreased Kelch13 abundance, is the central parameter for mutant selection.
Recruitment of Peroxin14 to lipid droplets affects triglyceride storage in Drosophila
Authors: Anderson-Baron Matthew N , Ueda Kazuki , Haskins Julie , Hughes Sarah C , Simmonds Andrew J
Published: July 2021

The activity of multiple organelles must be coordinated to ensure cellular lipid homeostasis. This includes the peroxisomes which metabolise certain lipids and lipid droplets which act as neutral lipid storage centres. Direct organellar contact between peroxisomes and lipid droplets has been observed, and interaction between proteins associated with the membranes of these organelles has been shown, but the functional role of these interactions is not clear. In Drosophila cells, we identified a novel localization of a subset of three transmembrane Peroxin proteins (Peroxin3, Peroxin13, and Peroxin14), normally required for peroxisome biogenesis, to newly formed lipid droplets. This event was not linked to significant changes in peroxisome size or number, nor was recruitment of other Peroxin proteins or mature peroxisomes observed. The presence of these Peroxin proteins at lipid droplets influences their function as changes in the relative levels of Peroxin14 associated with the lipid droplet surface directly affected the presence of regulatory perilipin and lipases with corresponding effects on triglyceride storage.

Summary statement

Interactions between peroxisomes and lipid droplets is thought to help coordinate management of cellular lipids. Peroxin proteins are required for peroxisome biogenesis. A spectrum of effects on triacylglyceride storage was seen when each of the 12 conserved Peroxins are knocked down in the Drosophila fat body with Peroxin14 knockdown having the largest effect. When Drosophila S2 cells were cultured in excess oleic acid, Peroxin3, Peroxin13, and Peroxin14, but not other Peroxins were localized to lipid droplets independently of other peroxisome markers. The presence of Peroxin14 at the lipid droplet surface altered recruitment of perilipin and lipase proteins.
Inclusive and regenerative urban tourism: capacity development perspectives
Authors: Bellato Loretta , Cheer Joseph M.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Using case study analysis, this paper aims to examine the application of capacity development perspectives, critical towards urban tourism that is inclusive and regenerative.

Design/methodology/approach

The study design used a mixed qualitative methods approach underpinned by the inclusive tourism development framework following Scheyvens and Biddulph (2017). This comprised in-depth interviews, focus groups and observational research. A community-based approach was adopted in a diverse cultural and socio-economic field setting.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that people who are marginalised hold valuable tacit knowledge and unique skills that can complement expert tourism knowledge and contribute to the development of more sustainable places and inclusive communities. This finding challenges claims that capacity development must occur before their participation. Local government, alongside non-government organisations and community groups, were found to have a significant role to play in ensuring that residents and people who are marginalised are included in sustainable tourism development.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the burgeoning discourse regarding stakeholder capacity development and readiness for inclusion in urban tourism initiatives. Importantly, regenerative development approaches are applied within the gambit of capacity development making this a unique attempt to integrate stakeholders into the design and implementation of tourism planning processes that uphold inclusive and regenerative priorities.
The prospective applicability of the strengths-based approach to managing and developing employees in small businesses
Authors: Wijekuruppu Chamila Kumudunee , Coetzer Alan , Susomrith Pattanee
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The strength-based approach is promulgated as a management practice that improves individual productivity and performance. This study's purpose is to explore the prospective applicability of the strengths-based approach to managing and developing employees in small businesses. The study focuses on four domains of practice: selection, training, performance evaluation and task assignment.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed semi-structured, face-to-face interviews to obtain data. The units of analysis were managers and employees of small businesses. Eleven managers and 19 employees were interviewed. Data analysis involved thematic analysis with the NVivo 12 software program.

Findings

First, the small businesses used a strengths-based approach for employee selection during employees' temporary status of employment and in employee task assignment. However, managers did not employ a strengths-based approach to employee selection during selection interviews, training or performance evaluations. Second, the managers perceived strengths identification as a difficult task. Based on personal observations, they perceived employees' positive character traits, job-related skills and work-related efficiency as employee strengths.

Practical implications

This study informs managers about a potential alternative to the traditional weakness-based management practice. The findings and conceptual arguments suggest that a strengths-based approach can provide a cost-effective alternative to the resource-intensive approaches commonly employed to enhance employee productivity and performance.

Originality/value

The study provides the first empirical evidence on the prospective applicability of the strengths-based approach to small businesses and explores conceptually the suitability of the said approach to this context.
Police bias and diminished trust in police: a role for procedural justice?
Authors: Madon Natasha S. , Murphy Kristina
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Since 9/11, Muslims have experienced discrimination and scrutiny from authorities. For many, this experience has damaged their trust in law enforcement and left them with the impression that they are viewed as suspect. This study seeks to better understand the relationship between Muslims' perceived police bias and trust, and how procedural justice may shape this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected survey data from 398 Muslims in Sydney, Australia, as part of a larger study on immigrants' views of police. Participants were surveyed on a range of topics including contact with police, global assessments of police procedural justice and how they believe police treat their cultural group.

Findings

Overall, the authors find that the extent to which people perceive police bias is associated with their level of trust in police. Greater preconceived bias is associated with lower trust in police. The authors also find that perceiving police as procedurally just is positively related to trust. Importantly, this study finds a significant interaction effect between perceptions of police bias and procedural justice on Muslims' trust in police. Specifically, for those who hold the view that police are unbiased, perceiving police as generally procedural just has a strong positive effect on trust. For those who view police as biased against Muslims, procedural justice has a weak but positive effect on trust. This interaction effect suggests that perceived bias may shape how Muslims interpret police treatment of Muslims.

Originality/value

This study is the first to explore how perceived police bias and perceptions of procedural justice predict and interact to shape Muslims' trust in police, advancing existing procedural justice policing scholarship.
Planned mode of birth after previous caesarean section and special educational needs in childhood: a population‐based record linkage cohort study
Authors: Fitzpatrick KE , Kurinczuk JJ , Quigley MA
Published: July 2021

Objective

To investigate the association between planned mode of birth after previous caesarean section and a child’s risk of having a record of special educational needs (SENs).

Design

Population‐based cohort study.

Setting

Scotland.

Population

A cohort of 44 892 singleton children born at term in Scotland between 2002 and 2011 to women with one or more previous caesarean sections.

Methods

Linkage of Scottish national health and education data sets.

Main outcome measures

Any SENs and specific types of SEN recorded when a child was aged 4–11 years and attending a Scottish primary or special school.

Results

Children born following planned vaginal birth after previous caesarean (VBAC) compared with elective repeat caesarean section (ERCS) had a similar risk of having a record of any SENs (19.24 versus 17.63%, adjusted risk ratio aRR 1.04, 95% CI 0.99–1.09) or specific types of SEN. There was also little evidence that planned VBAC with or without labour induction compared with ERCS was associated with a child’s risk of having a record of any SENs (21.42 versus 17.63%, aRR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01–1.17 and 18.78 versus 17.63%, aRR 1.03, 95% CI 0.98–1.08, respectively) or most types of SEN. However, an increased risk of sensory impairment was seen for planned VBAC with labour induction compared with ERCS (1.18 versus 0.78%, risk difference 0.4%, adjusted odds ratio aOR 1.60, 95% CI 1.09–2.34).

Conclusions

This study provides little evidence of an association between planned mode of birth after previous caesarean and SENs in childhood beyond a small absolute increased risk of sensory impairment seen for planned VBAC with labour induction. This finding may be the result of performing multiple comparisons or residual confounding. The findings provide valuable information to manage and counsel women with previous caesarean section concerning their future birth choices.

Tweetable abstract

There is little evidence planned mode of birth after previous caesarean section is associated with special educational needs in childhood.
Flower bud thrips (Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom) population diversity and sources of resistance among Benin cowpea germplasm
Authors: Agbahoungba Symphorien , Datinon Benjamin , Billah Maxwell , Tossou Hospice Tamegnon , Agoyi Eric Etchikinto , Kpoviessi Akovognon Dieudonne , Assogbadjo Achille Ephrem , Sinsin Brice
Published: July 2021

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] is a main legume food cultivated for its leaves and grains in Benin. However, cowpea production is limited by insect pests with flower bud thrips being the most damaging and can cause up to 100% yield loss. Host plant resistance is the best strategy to control the pest. This study aimed to screen Benin cowpea germplasm for resistance to flower bud thrips. Forty‐eight accessions were evaluated under greenhouse conditions with reared flower bud thrips. Data were collected on thrips damage (score = 1–9), larvae and adults thrips counts in flowers, on yield and yield components. Data were subjected to analysis of variance, Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses. Results showed that two thrips species (Megalurothrips sjostedti and Sericothrips occipitalis) attacked cowpea with M. sjostedti being the most dominant. The different collected populations of M. sjostedti caused similar damage to cowpea. Significant differences were observed among accessions for thrips damage, for yield and yield components. The accessions IT07K‐243‐1‐10, Nontchè‐Wagbèhamin, Kplobè‐Wewe, Kpegnikoun, Kpodjiguegue, Moussa, IT86D‐888, Sanzibanili and Sèwé were highly resistant to flower bud thrips by presenting low thrips damage and very few thrips counts in flower while Tiligré, IT83S‐742‐2 and IT84S‐2246‐4 were tolerant to thrips by presenting low thrips damage despite the presence of many thrips counts in flowers. These accessions could serve as resistance sources in breeding programs on cowpea in Benin.
Development of immunocapture reverse transcription loop‐mediated isothermal amplification assays to detect both lily symptomless virus and cucumber mosaic virus
Authors: Zhang Yubao , Xie Zhongkui , Wang Yajun , Wang Ruoyu , Guo Zhihong , Qiu Yang , He Yuhui
Published: July 2021

Lily symptomless virus (LSV) and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) are two of the most prevalent viruses that infect lily plants around the world. Infections of the edible Lanzhou lily (Lilium davidii var. unicolor) by these viruses seriously decrease crop yield in northwestern China. Development of reliable, practical and sensitive diagnostic tools is essential for surveillance and management of the viruses. Here we describe the development of immunocapture (IC) reverse transcription (RT) loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays for detecting both viruses. This approach captures viral antigens using antibodies (anti‐rabbit IgG) against recombinant LSV or CMV coat proteins and then detects them by means of RT‐LAMP, without needing to isolate RNA. Optimal conditions for both LAMP reactions were 60°C for 60 min. The detection limit of both assays was 100 times more sensitive than the IC‐RT‐polymerase chain reaction assay. The IC‐RT‐LAMP assay results are also visible to the naked eye using SYBR Green dye. This is the first study to report the detection of LSV and CMV in lily using an IC‐RT‐LAMP assay. We believe that this convenient and sensitive method has excellent potential for enhanced diagnosis of field‐collected samples, especially where laboratory facilities and technical resources are limited or absent.
Pseudomonas cerasi, the new wild cherry pathogen in Serbia and the potential use of recG helicase in bacterial identification
Authors: Iličić Renata , Jelušić Aleksandra , Marković Sanja , Barać Goran , Bagi Ferenc , Popović Tatjana
Published: July 2021

In May 2016, an unusual appearance of leaf spot (water‐soaked, brown‐purple, round to angular surrounded with yellow halos) was observed on the leaves of wild cherry specimens grown in Rimski Šančevi, Vojvodina (North Serbia). The causal pathogen was isolated from the wild cherry diseased leaves on Nutrient Agar supplemented with 5% sucrose and identified as Pseudomonas cerasi based on multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA). PCR amplification and sequencing of four housekeeping genes—gapA, gltA, rpoD and gyrB—showed 100% (gapA, gltA), 99.81% (rpoD) and 99.67% (gyrB) identity with P. cerasi type strain CFBP8305T (=58T = LMG28609T) and strain PL963 sequences from NCBI database. Pseudomonas cerasi isolates (coded as RE10‐RE19) were LOPAT +− − − + (Pseudomonas Group Ia) and GATTa + − + −, produced fluorescent pigment, were able to utilise lactic and aspartic acid, but not tartaric acid. All isolates were pathogenic on wild cherry seedlings and leaves, immature sweet and sour cherry fruitlets, as well as on lilac leaves and green bean pods. This study also aimed to design new primers (recG‐F/recG‐R) for amplification of recG gene (encoding ATP‐dependent DNA helicase RecG) known for its crucial role in DNA recombination and repair. Amplification of this gene enabled high identification ability of our wild cherry isolates as well as isolates belonging to the closely related stone fruit pathogenic Pseudomonas species. The obtained results highlight the potential of using recG gene for the specific detection and the identification of pathogenic Pseudomonas syringae complex. This research presents the first report of P. cerasi infecting wild cherry as well as first description of this bacterium in Serbia. Obtained results indicate the risk from further spread of this bacterium with the infected cherries rootstock, having a key role in its epidemiology.
Severe progressive scarring pembrolizumab‐induced lichen planopilaris in a patient with metastatic melanoma
Authors: Uthayakumar Aarthy K , Rudd Emily , Noy Mariana , Weir Justin , Larkin James , Fearfield Louise
Published: July 2021

Lichenoid reactions are one of the many cutaneous immune‐related adverse events seen with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors, particularly anti‐PD1 inhibitors. We present a rare care of severe lichen planopilaris secondary to pembrolizumab, with progression even after cessation of immunotherapy. It is important to recognise the significant long‐term impact of these cutaneous adverse effects on patient’s quality of life.
Saline lavage for the management of severe pleural empyema: A cohort study
Authors: Guinde Julien , Laroumagne Sophie , Chollet Bertrand , Trias‐Sabrià Pere , Dutau Hervé , Astoul Philippe
Published: July 2021

Background

Despite advances in the treatment of pleural infection, up to 20% of patients die. So far, studies assessing the role of intrapleural saline lavage for the management of all stage pleural infections are very scarce, usually excluding patients with cancer.

Methods

The method used was a retrospective cohort study including pleural empyema managed with a pleural lavage of saline solution through a small‐bore chest tube. The primary outcome was the rate of failure at 3 months (surgical referral or additional pleural manoeuver due to recurrent infection or all‐cause mortality). Secondary outcomes were hospital stay, the change of the chest radiograph and inflammatory biomarkers, and complications.

Results

Thirty patients with pleural empyema were included, 11 (36.7%) with an active cancer. The overall rate of failure at 3 months was 13.3% (surgical referral = 0; additional pleural manoeuver = 3; mortality = 1). Median length of pleural lavage and hospital stay were, respectively, 14 days (7–28) and 17 days (11–42). Inflammatory markers and size of the effusion on chest radiograph significantly decreased for Day 0 to Day 14. No chest tube blockade was reported, but seven (23.3%) accidentally withdrew. No other side effects were reported.

Conclusions

Intrapleural saline lavage is efficient and safe for the management of pleural empyema, even in severe status patients with cancer, at the cost of a prolonged hospitalization.
Motor unit number estimation in adult patients with spinal muscular atrophy treated with nusinersen
Authors: Schneider Christian , Wassermann Meike K. , Grether Nicolai B. , Fink Gereon R. , Wunderlich Gilbert , Lehmann Helmar C.
Published: July 2021

Background and purpose

The aim was to assess the organization and short‐term changes of motor units in adult patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) treated with nusinersen.

Methods

In this single‐centre cross‐sectional and longitudinal study 15 adult patients with SMA type 3 were assessed and compared to 15 age‐matched healthy controls and nine patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Moreover, 10 patients with SMA were followed up after 4–8 months. All patients were investigated clinically and by the motor unit number estimation method MScanFit of the abductor pollicis brevis muscle.

Results

The number of motor units (p < 0.001) was significantly lower in patients with SMA compared to healthy controls at study entry. Mean unit amplitude, median amplitude and largest unit (p < 0.001) were significantly increased in patients with SMA. Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis showed a significant reduction of compound muscle action potential (p = 0.005) and number of motor units (p = 0.03) compared to patients with SMA, accompanied by a larger median amplitude (p = 0.03). A prospective analysis identified patients with the ability to walk to improve the number of motor units (p = 0.046) accompanied by a decreased median amplitude (p = 0.03). Electrophysiological measures showed a moderate to strong correlation with clinical scores.

Conclusion

Patients with SMA show loss of motor units in distal muscles. MScanFit variables indicate that compound muscle action potential amplitudes are maintained by collateral sprouting. Prospective analyses suggest that milder affected adult patients with SMA preferentially benefit from nusinersen treatment through recovery of smaller motor units. Correlations with clinical scores underline the potential of MScanFit as a surrogate marker.
First‐line therapies in late‐onset multiple sclerosis: An Italian registry study
Authors: Zanghì Aurora , Avolio Carlo , Amato Maria Pia , Filippi Massimo , Trojano Maria , Patti Francesco , D’Amico Emanuele ,   for the Italian MS register
Published: July 2021

Background and purpose

The diagnosis of late‐onset (age ≥50 years old) relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (LORRMS) has been increasingly described in clinical practice, whereas data focusing on the specific therapeutic management of LORRMS are scarce. Our objective was to compare the effectiveness of injectable and oral first‐line disease‐modifying therapies (DMTs) in a cohort of LORRMS patients with time to first relapse, time to confirmed disability progression (CDP), and time to discontinuation.

Methods

This is a multicenter, observational, retrospectively acquired cohort study on LORRMS‐naïve patients from the Italian MS Register who started either injectable or oral first‐line DMTs between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017. LORRMS patients were divided into two groups, namely the injectable group (IG) and oral group (OG). Cox models adjusted with inverse probability‐weighted propensity score were built for the investigated outcomes.

Results

Of a cohort of 3989 patients, 302 were enrolled (203 in the IG and 99 in the OG). The two cohorts did not differ in baseline characteristics. Time to first relapse did not show any difference between the two groups (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.50–2.46,p = 0.797). Furthermore, no differences were found between the two groups with respect to the risk of CDP (HR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.35–3.06,p = 0.939), nor for the risk of DMT discontinuation (HR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.17–2.08,p = 0.425).

Conclusions

Real‐world data from the Italian MS Register suggested that both injectables and oral first‐line DMTs similarly controlled the investigated outcomes in LORRMS.
The role of T‐cell immunity in COVID‐19 severity amongst people living with type II diabetes
Authors: Tong Zhen Wei Marcus , Grant Emma , Gras Stephanie , Wu Melanie , Smith Corey , Barrett Helen L. , Gallo Linda A. , Short Kirsty R.
Published: July 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of people with diabetes mellitus (DM) to respiratory viral infections. Despite the short history of COVID‐19, various studies have shown that patients with DM are more likely to have increased hospitalisation and mortality rates as compared to patients without. At present, the mechanisms underlying this susceptibility are unclear. However, prior studies show that the course of COVID‐19 disease is linked to the efficacy of the host’s T‐cell responses. Healthy individuals who can elicit a robust T‐cell response are more likely to limit the severity of COVID‐19. Here, we investigate the hypothesis that an impaired T‐cell response in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) drives the severity of COVID‐19 in this patient population. While there is currently a limited amount of information that specifically addresses T‐cell responses in COVID‐19 patients with T2DM, there is a wealth of evidence from other infectious diseases that T‐cell immunity is impaired in patients with T2DM. The reasons for this are likely multifactorial, including the presence of hyperglycaemia, glycaemic variability and metformin use. This review emphasises the need for further research into T‐cell responses of COVID‐19 patients with T2DM in order to better inform our response to COVID‐19 and future disease outbreaks.
Synaptic effects of ethanol on striatal circuitry: therapeutic implications for dystonia
Authors: Imbriani Paola , Sciamanna Giuseppe , El Atiallah Ilham , Cerri Silvia , Hess Ellen J. , Pisani Antonio
Published: July 2021

Alcohol consumption affects motor behavior and motor control. Both acute and chronic alcohol abuse have been extensively investigated; however, the therapeutic efficacy of alcohol on some movement disorders, such as myoclonus‐dystonia or essential tremor, still does not have a plausible mechanistic explanation. Yet, there are surprisingly few systematic trials with known GABAergic drugs mimicking the effect of alcohol on neurotransmission. In this brief survey, we aim to summarize the effects of EtOH on striatal function, providing an overview of its cellular and synaptic actions in a ‘circuit‐centered’ view. In addition, we will review both experimental and clinical evidence, in the attempt to provide a plausible mechanistic explanation for alcohol‐responsive movement disorders, with particular emphasis on dystonia. Different hypotheses emerge, which may provide a rationale for the utilization of drugs that mimic alcohol effects, predicting potential drug repositioning.
Cholesterol stimulates the lytic activity of Adenylate Cyclase Toxin on lipid membranes by promoting toxin oligomerization and formation of pores with a greater effective size
Authors: González Bullón David , Uribe Kepa B. , Amuategi Jone , Martín César , Ostolaza Helena
Published: July 2021

Several toxins acting on animal cells present different, but specific, interactions with cholesterol. Bordetella pertussis infects the human respiratory tract and causes whooping cough, a highly contagious and resurgent disease. Its virulence factor adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT) plays an important role in the course of infection. ACT is a pore‐forming cytolysin belonging to the Repeats in ToXin (RTX) family of leukotoxins/hemolysins and is capable of permeabilizing several cell types and lipid vesicles. Previously, we observed that in the presence of cholesterol ACT induces greater liposome permeabilization. Similarly, recent reports also implicate cholesterol in the cytotoxicity of an increasing number of pore‐forming RTX toxins. However, the mechanistic details by which this sterol promotes the lytic activity of ACT or of these other RTX toxins remain largely unexplored and poorly understood. Here, we have applied a combination of biophysical techniques to dissect the role of cholesterol in pore formation by ACT. Our results indicate that cholesterol enhances the lytic potency of ACT by promoting toxin oligomerization, a step which is indispensable for ACT to accomplish membrane permeabilization and cell lysis. Since our experimental design eliminates the possibility that this cholesterol effect derives from toxin accumulation due to lateral lipid phase segregation, we hypothesize that cholesterol facilitates lytic pore formation, by favoring a toxin conformation more prone to protein–protein interactions and oligomerization. Our data shed light on the complex relationship between lipid membranes and protein toxins acting on these membranes. Coupling cholesterol binding, increased oligomerization and increased lytic activity is likely pertinent for other RTX cytolysins.
Complex life histories predispose aphids to recent abundance declines
Authors: Crossley Michael S. , Smith Olivia M. , Davis Thomas S. , Eigenbrode Sanford D. , Hartman Glen L. , Lagos‐Kutz Doris , Halbert Susan E. , Voegtlin David J. , Moran Matthew D. , Snyder William E.
Published: July 2021

Many animals change feeding habits as they progress through life stages, exploiting resources that vary in space and time. However, complex life histories may bring new risks if rapid environmental change disrupts the timing of these switches. Here, we use abundance times series for a diverse group of herbivorous insects, aphids, to search for trait and environmental characteristics associated with declines. Our meta dataset spanned three world regions and >300 aphid species, tracked at 75 individual sites for 10–50 years. Abundances were generally falling, with median changes of −8.3%, −5.6%, and −0.1% per year in the central USA, northwestern USA, and United Kingdom, respectively. Aphids that obligately alternated between host plants annually and those that were agricultural pests exhibited the steepest declines, relative to species able to persist on the same host plant year‐round or those in natural areas. This suggests that host alternation might expose aphids to climate‐induced phenology mismatches with one or more of their host plant species, with additional risks from exposure to insecticides and other management efforts. Warming temperatures through time were associated with milder aphid declines or even abundance increases, particularly at higher latitudes. Altogether, while a warming world appeared to benefit some aphid species in some places, most aphid species that had time‐sensitive movements among multiple host plants seemed to face greater risk of decline. More generally, this suggests that recent human‐induced rapid environmental change is rebalancing the risks and rewards associated with complex life histories.
Fabrication and properties of Cf/Ta4HfC5‐SiC composite via precursor infiltration and pyrolysis
Authors: Zou Xuegang , Ni Dewei , Chen Bowen , Ye Li , Sun Yanan , Lu Jun , Cai Feiyan , Gao Le , Zhao Tong , Dong Shaoming
Published: July 2021

In this study, a Cf/Ta4HfC5‐SiC ultra‐high‐temperature ceramic matrix composite exhibiting a homogeneous phase distribution was successfully fabricated via precursor infiltration and pyrolysis processing. Initially, the pyrolysis and solid solution mechanisms exhibited by the Ta4HfC5 precursor were investigated and characterized through TG‐MS and XRD analysis. The as‐fabricated Cf/Ta4HfC5‐SiC composite exhibited a density and open porosity of 2.84 g/cm3 and 10.62 vol%, respectively. It also exhibited outstanding mechanical properties, with a flexural strength of 339 ± 20 MPa and fracture toughness of 11.56 ± 0.77 MPa·m1/2. The Cf/Ta4HfC5‐SiC composite demonstrated strong ablation resistance under a heat flux of 5 MW/m2 at ~2400℃, with corresponding linear and mass recession rates of 5.33 μm/s and 6.18 mg/s, respectively. The combination of strong mechanical properties and ablation resistance provides a solid basis for the use of the Cf/Ta4HfC5‐SiC composite in a new generation of ultra‐high‐temperature materials.
A new class of ion substitution to achieve high electrostrain under low electric field in BNT‐based ceramics
Authors: Liu Xinyu , Yin Jie , Wu Jiagang
Published: July 2021

For Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 (BNT)‐based materials, the effective way of composition modification to solve the drawback of considerable remanent strain (Srem) and achieve high electrostrain appeals intensive research interest, which often accompanies by a high electric field threshold to trigger the transition from ergodic relaxor (ER) state to ferroelectric (FE) state. Here, a unipolar electrostrain of 0.40% with the high normalized strain d33*(=Smax/Emax) of 793 pm/V under a low electric field of 5 kV/mm is firstly reported in rare‐earth Ce‐modified 0.935Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3–0.065BaTiO3 ceramics. Through the A‐ and B‐sites substitution with donor characteristic of multivalent Ce ion, two modification effects (i.e., compositional disorder and A‐site vacancy) are induced to weaken the A–O bonds and break the long‐range order. Microscopically, the proportion among three coexisted space groups (R3c, P4mm, and P4bm) changes in an opposite law when Ce concentration or poling electric field is served as variable, respectively. The domain size degrades after doping, but there still coexist small‐sized polar regions and labyrinth‐type domains in the optimal compound, wherein better reversibility is proved compared with undoped specimen from writing domain mode. As a result, the good reversibility and low electric field threshold (i.e., low‐energy barrier) to integrate relaxor state into FE state are ascribed to the coexistence of three phases and the coexistence of small‐sized polar regions and labyrinth‐type domains. This work not only enlarges the class of ion substitution other than the familiar substitution ions to achieve high electrostrain but also supplies a simple and propagable way to improve the relatively high electric field threshold through understanding the intrinsic mechanism of Ce ion.
Protein arginine methyltransferase 8 modulates mitochondrial bioenergetics and neuroinflammation after hypoxic stress
Authors: Couto E Silva Alexandre , Wu Celeste Y. , Clemons Garrett A. , Acosta Christina H. , Chen Chuck T. , Possoit HarLee E. , Citadin Cristiane T. , Lee Reggie H. , Brown Jennifer I. , Frankel Adam , Lin Hung W.
Published: July 2021

Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) are a family of enzymes involved in gene regulation and protein/histone modifications. PRMT8 is primarily expressed in the central nervous system, specifically within the cellular membrane and synaptic vesicles. Recently, PRMT8 has been described to play key roles in neuronal signaling such as a regulator of dendritic arborization, synaptic function and maturation, and neuronal differentiation and plasticity. Here, we examined the role of PRMT8 in response to hypoxia‐induced stress in brain metabolism. Our results from liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate, and protein analyses indicate that PRMT8(−/−) knockout mice presented with altered membrane phospholipid composition, decreased mitochondrial stress capacity, and increased neuroinflammatory markers, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1, a specific marker for microglia/macrophage activation) after hypoxic stress. Furthermore, adenovirus‐based overexpression of PRMT8 reversed the changes in membrane phospholipid composition, mitochondrial stress capacity, and neuroinflammatory markers. Together, our findings establish PRMT8 as an important regulatory component of membrane phospholipid composition, short‐term memory function, mitochondrial function, and neuroinflammation in response to hypoxic stress.

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Service evaluation comparing Acute Care at Home for older people service and conventional service within an acute hospital care of elderly ward
Authors: Tierney Barry , Melby Vidar , Todd Stephen
Published: July 2021

Aims and Objectives

This study evaluated the impact of a consultant‐led Acute Care at Home service in comparison with conventional hospital admission to a care of elderly ward.

Background

Globally, there has been an increased demand for healthcare services caused by population growth and a rise in chronic conditions and an ageing population. Acute Care at Home services offer acute, hospital‐level care in a person's own home. Five services have been commissioned across Northern Ireland since 2014 with limited research investigating their feasibility and effectiveness.

Design

Quantitative design, using service evaluation methodology.

Methods

A 1‐year retrospective chart review was undertaken exploring admission demographics and post‐discharge clinical outcomes of patients admitted to a Northern Ireland, Care of the Elderly ward (n = 191) and a consultant‐led Acute Care at Home Service (n = 314) between April 2018–March 2019. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential data analysis methods including frequencies, independent t tests and chi‐square analysis. Outcome measurements included length of stay, 30‐day, 3‐ and 6‐month readmission and mortality rates, functional ability and residence on discharge. STROBE checklist was used in reporting this study.

Results

Acute Care at Home services are associated with higher readmission and mortality rates at 30 days, 3 and 6 months. Fewer patients die while under Acute Care at Home care. Patients admitted to the Acute Care at Home services experience a reduced length of stay and decreased escalation in domiciliary care packages and are less likely to require subacute rehabilitation on discharge. There is no difference in gender, age and early warnings score between the two cohorts.

Conclusion

The Acute Care at Home service is a viable alternative to hospital for older patients. It prevents functional decline and the need for domiciliary care or nursing home placement. It is likely that the Acute Care at Home service has higher mortality and readmissions rates due to treating a higher proportion of dependent, frail older adults.

Relevance to clinical practice

Acute Care at Home services continue to evolve worldwide. This service evaluation has confirmed that Acute Care at Home services are safe and cost‐effective alternatives to traditional older people hospital services. Such services offer patient choice, reduce length of stay and costs and prevent functional decline of older adults. This study accentuates the need to expand Acute Care at Home provision and capacity throughout Northern Ireland.
Carbon budgeting belowground
Authors: Li Xiaoqing , Marquardt Annelie , Wasson Anton
Published: July 2021

This article is a Commentary on Guo et al. (2021), 232: 98–112.
Advance care planning for older adults in community‐based settings: An umbrella review
Authors: Park Eun‐Jun , Jo Minjeong , Park Mihyun , Kang Seok‐Jung
Published: July 2021

Background

Advance care planning (ACP) is critical to ensure better quality end of life care, and older adults are often a target of ACP. However, ACP interventions and their outcomes are neither standardised nor conclusive.

Objectives

To synthesise existing ACP systematic reviews and identify the types and outcomes of ACP interventions for older adults in community‐based settings.

Methods

An umbrella review of systematic reviews. The Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewer’s Manual was followed. Relevant systematic reviews were searched by utilising bibliographic databases, grey literature sources, and manual searches between April and July, 2019. Nine systematic reviews met the inclusion criteria. Critical appraisal on the selected reviews was conducted. Data were independently extracted using a data extraction tool by two researchers and synthesised based on consensus.

Results

The systematic reviews suggest the critical features of ACP interventions for older adults in community‐based settings including clinicians’ face‐to‐face communication with patients and their family members, comprehensive and individualized decisional aids, a proper intensity of ACP interventions, and professional training. When categorising ACP outcomes according to Sudore et al.’s (Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 55, 2018, 245) framework, action outcomes (e.g., documentation, discussion) were frequently measured with positive outcomes. Quality of care outcomes such as congruence with care preference and healthcare outcomes such as health status were not reported sufficiently.

Conclusions

The reviews suggested essential features of ACP interventions, which were often omitted in ACP interventions for older adults. Although the outcomes were generally positive, it is inconclusive as to whether ACP interventions eventually improved quality of end of life care or health status of older adults in community‐based settings.

Implications for practice

For ACP interventions to be effective and comparable in their outcomes, we recommend adopting the key intervention components identified in this study. As the effects of ACP interventions are inconclusive, further investigations are warranted.
‘My registered nurse’: Older people’s experiences of registered nurses’ leadership close to them in community home care in Sweden
Authors: Claesson Maria , Josefsson Karin , Jonasson Lise‐Lotte
Published: July 2021

Aim

To explore older people's experiences of registered nurses’ leadership close to them in community home care.

Introduction

In Sweden and throughout the world, the number of people 65 years and older is increasing. While older people are living for more years, living longer can bring more diseases and disabilities, which might lead to the need for home care. Registered nurses are responsible for older people's care needs in their leadership in community home care; this is a part of their professional role as registered nurses, and it implies that they must be multi‐artists.

Design

An explorative and inductive design was used in two communities in western Sweden.

Methods

Individual interviews were conducted with older people (n = 12) with at least one year of experience with community home care. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Results

The results are presented in the theme ‘my registered nurse’, including five categories – relationship, professional competence, nursing interventions, coordination and collaboration and organisation – and 15 sub‐categories.

Conclusions

These findings are based on older people's own experiences. This is specific, as the phenomenon of the RNs leadership is rarely explored from the perspective of older people.

Implications for practice

There is a need for organisations to create more opportunities for older people to have their own registered nurses leading close to them. This is because registered nurses have specific competences for meeting older people's individual needs and involving them as competent partners in satisfying their care needs.
Relationship between neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive functions in patients with cognitive impairment
Authors: Lü Wenqi , Duan Jingxi , Zhang Wenbo , Yang Wenkai , Yu Weihua
Published: July 2021

Background

Cognitive decline and neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are main clinical manifestations in Alzheimer disease (AD). It is unclear whether the link between specific NPS and cognitive domains exists in AD or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Our study aimed to examine the association between specific cognitive domain and NPS in AD and MCI, and to evaluate whether this association showed variety in different stages of cognitive impairment.

Methods

A total of 458 patients diagnosed as AD or MCI were included in this study. Neuropsychological batteries were applied in the study. The association between NPS and cognitive function were evaluated by multiple linear regression, and its correlation was evaluated by Spearman correlation coefficient.

Results

The prevalence of NPS increased with the severity of cognitive impairment, and there were significant differences between MCI and AD. NPS were predominantly associated with cognitive domains, including memory, language, attention, and executive function. Both regression liner analysis and correlation analysis showed delusion, hallucination, and aberrant motor behaviour (AMB) were linked to language and attention. In addition, regression liner analysis illustrated depression, anxiety, and apathy were related to learning and episodic memory. Generally, the delusion, hallucination, and AMB have the broadest impact on cognition.

Conclusion

Specific NPS was predominantly associated with different cognitive domains. Symptoms of agitation, delusion and irritability indicate worse cognitive performance. Therefore, cognitive improvement should be a therapeutic strategy in managing NPS in AD.
Designing Regulation Across Organizations: Assessing the Functions and Dimensions of Governance
Authors: Camacho Alejandro E. , Glicksman Robert L.
Published: July 2021

In recent years, regulation scholars and policymakers have increasingly turned their attention to the role of inter‐governmental organizational design in effective governance. The existing literature on regulatory design has provided important insights into the advantages and disadvantages of alternative structural options. This article synthesizes and builds on that literature by describing a novel framework for characterizing, analyzing, and structuring authority across public institutions. Drawing on examples from a range of jurisdictions, it highlights the value of this framework in identifying the values tradeoffs that should drive policymakers' decisions to choose among competing structural alternatives. The framework is founded on two important points. First, inter‐governmental allocations of authority can be structured along three different dimensions. Failing to appreciate the existence of, and differences among, these dimensions can prompt misassessments of the reasons for existing regulatory failures and selection of structural allocations that do not suit the problems intended to be addressed. Second, allocations of authority can, and in many cases should, vary for disparate governmental functions. Differential functional allocations of authority can minimize obstacles to needed structural reforms and tailor inter‐governmental relations in ways that best promote chosen regulatory values, such as efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability, as well as how allocational choices may and perhaps should vary depending on the governmental function being performed. Finally, the article suggests how future regulation and governance scholarship can harness this emerging framework to help build a body of empirical evidence upon which policymakers can draw in future regulatory design endeavors.
Liminal Belonging in El Nuevo South: The Geographies of Inclusion and Exclusion for Hispanic Young Adults within Northwest Arkansas*
Authors: Escobar Maria Andrea
Published: July 2021

Based on interviews with thirty‐five Hispanic young adults in northwest Arkansas, this research investigates experiences of social and emplaced community belonging as contradictory, liminal, and influenced by racial, locational, and legal factors. Through this analysis, I articulate and develop the concept of “liminal belonging” to capture Hispanic young adults' geographically contingent and unsteady or fluctuating sense of belonging that is shaped by oscillating experiences of exclusion and inclusion. This study contributes to social science research on immigration, race/ethnicity, place, and rurality/urbanity by revealing how race, place, legal status, belonging, and symbols of safe and unsafe places are intimately intertwined within the daily experiences of 1.5 and second‐generation Hispanic young adults.
Interleukin‐18 and tumor necrosis factor‐α are elevated in solid organ transplant recipients with possible cytomegalovirus end‐organ disease
Authors: Karaba Andrew H. , Figueroa Alexis , Werbel William A. , Dioverti Maria Veronica , Steinke Seema Mehta , Ray Stuart C. , Cox Andrea L. , Avery Robin K.
Published: July 2021

End‐organ cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease can be life threatening to solid organ transplant recipients. Diagnosis is often complicated by variation in amount of CMV DNA in plasma and the need for an invasive procedure to obtain a biopsy of the suspected affected organ, which can delay recognition and treatment. Several inflammatory cytokines are elevated in CMV disease, and the purpose of this study was to determine if they could be used to distinguish solid organ transplant recipients with CMV DNAemia alone from those with possible end‐organ CMV disease. We found that regardless of pre‐transplant CMV serostatus, plasma interleukin (IL)‐18, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and amount of CMV DNA in plasma were increased in possible end‐organ CMV disease, with elevated IL‐18 associated with increased odds of possible end‐organ CMV disease even after adjusting for amount of CMV DNA. These findings highlight IL‐18 and TNF‐α as potential non‐invasive markers of possible end‐organ CMV disease regardless of transplanted organ or serostatus in solid organ transplant recipients.