bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving genomic prediction accuracy for meat tenderness in Nellore cattle using artificial neural networks
Authors: Brito Lopes Fernando , Magnabosco Cláudio U. , Passafaro Tiago L. , Brunes Ludmilla C. , Costa Marcos F. O. , Eifert Eduardo C. , Narciso Marcelo G. , Rosa Guilherme J. M. , Lobo Raysildo B. , Baldi Fernando
Published: February 2020

The goal of this study was to compare the predictive performance of artificial neural networks (ANNs) with Bayesian ridge regression, Bayesian Lasso, Bayes A, Bayes B and Bayes Cπ in estimating genomic breeding values for meat tenderness in Nellore cattle. The animals were genotyped with the Illumina Bovine HD Bead Chip (HD, 777K from 90 samples) and the GeneSeek Genomic Profiler (GGP Indicus HD, 77K from 485 samples). The quality control for the genotypes was applied on each Chip and comprised removal of SNPs located on non‐autosomal chromosomes, with minor allele frequency <5%, deviation from HWE (p < 10–6), and with linkage disequilibrium >0.8. The FImpute program was used for genotype imputation. Pedigree‐based analyses indicated that meat tenderness is moderately heritable (0.35), indicating that it can be improved by direct selection. Prediction accuracies were very similar across the Bayesian regression models, ranging from 0.20 (Bayes A) to 0.22 (Bayes B) and 0.14 (Bayes Cπ) to 0.19 (Bayes A) for the additive and dominance effects, respectively. ANN achieved the highest accuracy (0.33) of genomic prediction of genetic merit. Even though deep neural networks are recognized to deliver more accurate predictions, in our study ANN with one single hidden layer, 105 neurons and rectified linear unit (ReLU) activation function was sufficient to increase the prediction of genetic merit for meat tenderness. These results indicate that an ANN with relatively simple architecture can provide superior genomic predictions for meat tenderness in Nellore cattle.
Pentamidine niosomes thwart S100B effects in human colon carcinoma biopsies favouring wtp53 rescue
Authors: Seguella Luisa , Rinaldi Federica , Marianecci Carlotta , Capuano Riccardo , Pesce Mirella , Annunziata Giuseppe , Casano Fabrizio , Bassotti Gabrio , Sidoni Angelo , Milone Marco , Aprea Giovanni , de Palma Giovanni Domenico , Carafa Maria , Pesce Marcella , Esposito Giuseppe , Sarnelli Giovanni
Published: February 2020

S100B protein bridges chronic mucosal inflammation and colorectal cancer given its ability to activate NF‐kappaB transcription via RAGE signalling and sequestrate pro‐apoptotic wtp53. Being an S100B inhibitor, pentamidine antagonizes S100B‐wtp53 interaction, restoring wtp53‐mediated pro‐apoptotic control in cancer cells in several types of tumours. The expression of S100B, pro‐inflammatory molecules and wtp53 protein was evaluated in human biopsies deriving from controls, ulcerative colitis and colon cancer patients at baseline (a) and (b) following S100B targeting with niosomal PENtamidine VEhiculation (PENVE), to maximize drug permeabilization in the tissue. Cultured biopsies underwent immunoblot, EMSA, ELISA and biochemical assays for S100B and related pro‐inflammatory/pro‐apoptotic proteins. Exogenous S100B (0.005‐5 μmol/L) alone, or in the presence of PENVE (0.005‐5 μmol/L), was tested in control biopsies while PENVE (5 μmol/L) was evaluated on control, peritumoral, ulcerative colitis and colon cancer biopsies. Our data show that S100B level progressively increases in control, peritumoral, ulcerative colitis and colon cancer enabling a pro‐inflammatory/angiogenic and antiapoptotic environment, featured by iNOS, VEGF and IL‐6 up‐regulation and wtp53 and Bax inhibition. PENVE inhibited S100B activity, reducing its capability to activate RAGE/phosphor‐p38 MAPK/NF‐kappaB and favouring its disengagement with wtp53. PENVE blocks S100B activity and rescues wtp53 expression determining pro‐apoptotic control in colon cancer, suggesting pentamidine as a potential anticancer drug.
Anti‐ageing effects of red ginseng on female Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Hou Wei , Pei Jin , Wang YingPing , Zhang Jiao , Zheng HouSheng , Cui Ranji
Published: February 2020

Red ginseng (RG) was recently reported to extend the lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster. However, the mechanism underlying this effect has not yet been elucidated. The present study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the RG‐mediated prolongation of the lifespan of female D melanogaster. In this study, protein changes in 36‐day‐old female D melanogaster were identified using isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ), and levels of differentially expressed proteins were verified by quantitative real‐time PCR and Western blotting. Our studies have shown that RG concentrations of 12.5, 15 and 17.5 mg/mL significantly prolonged the lifespan. Eleven proteins were up‐regulated and 46 were down‐regulated between the RG and control groups; and Pebp1 expression was significantly down‐regulated. In addition, AKT and p‐AKT were down‐regulated, and ERK, p‐ERK and Raf1 were up‐regulated by RG. Therefore, RG significantly prolonged the lifespan of female D melanogaster by reducing the expression of Pebp1, up‐regulating ERK and inhibiting the AKT pathway. RG may be a potential drug for anti‐ageing treatment.
Volitional eye movement control and ADHD traits: a twin study
Authors: Siqueiros Sanchez Monica , Falck‐Ytter Terje , Kennedy Daniel P. , Bölte Sven , Lichtenstein Paul , D'Onofrio Brian M. , Pettersson Erik
Published: February 2020

Background

Top‐down volitional command of eye movements may serve as a candidate endophenotype of ADHD, an important function underlying goal‐directed action in everyday life. In this twin study, we examined the relation between performance on a response inhibition eye‐tracking paradigm and parent‐rated ADHD traits in a population‐based twin sample. We hypothesized that altered eye movement control is associated with the severity of ADHD traits and that this association is attributable to genetic factors.

Methods

A total of 640 twins (320 pairs, 50% monozygotic) aged 9–14 years) from the Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (CATSS) participated. Twins performed the antisaccade task indexing inhibitory alterations as either direction errors (following exogenous cues rather than instructions) or premature anticipatory eye movements (failure to wait for cues). We calculated the associations of eye movement control and ADHD traits using linear regression mixed‐effects models and genetic and environmental influences with multivariate twin models.

Results

Premature anticipatory eye movements were positively associated with inattentive traits (β = .17; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.31), while controlling for hyperactive behaviors and other covariates. Both premature anticipatory eye movements and inattention were heritable (h2 = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.56; h2 = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.42, 0.65; respectively), and their genetic correlation was small but statistically significant (r = .19, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.36). However, the genetic correlation did not remain significant after adjusting for covariates (age, sex, hyperactivity traits, IQ). No link was found between direction errors and ADHD traits.

Conclusions

This study indicates that there is a specific, genetically influenced, relation between top‐down eye movement control and the inattentive traits typical of ADHD.
Silent hemoglobin variant during capillary electrophoresis: A case report
Authors: Yuan Yanping , Zhou Xianghai , Gao Leili , Ren Qian , Ji Linong
Published: February 2020

Hemoglobin (Hb) North Manchester [β51(D2) Pro→His; HBB:c.155 C>A] is a rare Hb β‐globin gene variant that affects glycated Hb measurement values, such as ion‐exchange high‐performance liquid chromatography, in patients with diabetes. This variant was first detected in the UK in 1998. Here, we describe the first case involving Hb North Manchester detected incidentally in a patient with type 2 diabetes in Northern China. The Hb variant was discovered by ion‐exchange high‐performance liquid chromatography, yet capillary electrophoresis of both glycated Hb program and Hb program failed to detect it. Subsequently, Sanger sequencing was carried out to help identify the Hb variant.
Genetic variance for behavioural ‘predictability’ of stress response
Authors: Prentice Pamela M. , Houslay Thomas M. , Martin Julien G. A. , Wilson Alastair J.
Published: February 2020

Genetic factors underpinning phenotypic variation are required if natural selection is to result in adaptive evolution. However, evolutionary and behavioural ecologists typically focus on variation among individuals in their average trait values and seek to characterize genetic contributions to this. As a result, less attention has been paid to if and how genes could contribute towards within‐individual variance or trait ‘predictability’. In fact, phenotypic ‘predictability’ can vary among individuals, and emerging evidence from livestock genetics suggests this can be due to genetic factors. Here, we test this empirically using repeated measures of a behavioural stress response trait in a pedigreed population of wild‐type guppies. We ask (a) whether individuals differ in behavioural predictability and (b) whether this variation is heritable and so evolvable under selection. Using statistical methodology from the field of quantitative genetics, we find support for both hypotheses and also show evidence of a genetic correlation structure between the behavioural trait mean and individual predictability. We show that investigating sources of variability in trait predictability is statistically tractable and can yield useful biological interpretation. We conclude that, if widespread, genetic variance for ‘predictability’ will have major implications for the evolutionary causes and consequences of phenotypic variation.
Barriers to access and ways to improve dementia services for a minority ethnic group in England
Authors: Hossain Muhammad Z. , Khan Hafiz T.A.
Published: February 2020

Rationale, aims, and objectives

There is a general lack of awareness and understanding of dementia within ethnic minority groups in the United Kingdom. There is also a dearth of research involving ethnic minority caregivers about reducing barriers to accessing services and optimizing engagements with religiously tailored interventions. This paper reports findings from a qualitative study that examined the barriers to health care service use in the Bangladeshi community living in the United Kingdom.

Methods

The research draws on findings from a doctoral level research study on understanding dementia among the Bangladeshi community in England. The data for the doctoral research were gathered in two ways: (a) focus group discussions and (b) semi‐structured interviews. All data were audio‐recorded and analysed using thematic analysis. NVivo software was used to aid transcribing, coding, and interpretation of emergent themes.

Results

The data showed that there were some barriers experienced by participants due to their religious and cultural beliefs and practices with other barriers related to the complexity of the UK health care system. Gender‐based caregiving also appeared to interfere with religious ideologies while religiously appropriate health care services were deemed of great importance for successfully accessing those services.

Conclusions

The findings provide an understanding of the experiences of the Bangladeshi community when seeking to access mainstream UK health care services and may help to provide useful directions for future research.
Endoscopic acanthosis nigricans appearance: A novel specific marker for diagnosis of low‐grade intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: Cheng Jinnian , Xu Xianjun , Zhuang Qian , Luo Shengzheng , Gong Xiaoyuan , Wu Xiaowan , Wan Xinjian , Zhou Hui
Published: February 2020

Background and Aim

At present, there is no recognized diagnostic criteria for gastric low‐grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN). The purpose of this study was to determine whether an “endoscopic acanthosis nigricans appearance (EANA)” could be a useful endoscopic marker for distinguishing LGIN lesions from peripheral non‐neoplastic tissues.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on 638 cases of suspected superficial lesions with endoscopic images from white light endoscopy and magnifying endoscopy combined with narrow band imaging. According to the pathological results of accurate biopsies, those lesions were divided into three groups: a control group, an LGIN group, and an early gastric cancer (EGC) group.

Results

According to the presence of EANAs, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for differentiating between the LGIN and control groups were 24.8%, 97.3%, 78.3%, and 76.6%, respectively. The sensitivity (84.1%) and negative predictive value (92.4%) were significantly improved by combining EANA with types IV–VI pit pattern. The intervening part and mean gray value of glands, representing microsurface features and microvascular variation, were significantly larger or higher in EANA lesions than in the surrounding non‐neoplastic mucosa. LGIN with EANA was more likely to be present in lesions of type 0‐IIa. In addition, the prevalence of EANAs in EGC was 16.7%.

Conclusion

An EANA could be used as an auxiliary indicator for a diagnosis of LGIN in suspected lesions. It could also play a potential assistive role in the diagnosis of EGC lesions.
Aging, Diabetes, Obesity, and Cognitive Decline: A Population‐Based Study
Authors: Ganguli Mary , Beer Joanne C. , Zmuda Joseph M. , Ryan Christopher M. , Sullivan Kevin J. , Chang Chung‐Chou H. , Rao R. Harsha
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

To investigate potential mechanisms underlying the well‐established relationship of diabetes and obesity with cognitive decline, among older adults participating in a population‐based study.

DESIGN/SETTING

Ten‐year population‐based cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 478 individuals aged 65 years and older.

MEASUREMENTS

We assayed fasting blood for markers of glycemia (glucose and hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]), insulin resistance (IR) (insulin and homeostatic model assessment of IR), obesity (resistin, adiponectin, and glucagon‐like peptide‐1), and inflammation (C‐reactive protein). We modeled these indices as predictors of the slope of decline in global cognition, adjusting for age, sex, education, APOE*4 genotype, depressive symptoms, waist‐hip ratio (WHR), and systolic blood pressure, in multivariable regression analyses of the entire sample and stratified by sex‐specific median WHR. We then conducted WHR‐stratified machine‐learning (Classification and Regression Tree [CART]) analyses of the same variables.

RESULTS

In multivariable regression analyses, in the entire sample, HbA1c was significantly associated with cognitive decline. After stratifying by median WHR, HbA1c remained associated with cognitive decline in those with higher WHR. No metabolic indices were associated with cognitive decline in those with lower WHR. Cross‐validated WHR‐stratified CART analyses selected no predictors in participants older than 87 to 88 years. Faster cognitive decline was associated, in lower WHR participants younger than 87 years, with adiponectin of 11 or greater; and in higher WHR participants younger than 88 years, with HbA1c of 6.2% or greater.

CONCLUSIONS

Our population‐based data suggest that, in individuals younger than 88 years with central obesity, even modest degrees of hyperglycemia might independently predispose to faster cognitive decline. In contrast, among those younger than 87 years without central obesity, adiponectin may be a novel independent risk factor for cognitive decline. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:991–998, 2020
Gross anatomy of the shoulder and arm intrinsic muscles in the white‐footed tamarin (Saguinus leucopus – Günther, 1876): Inter‐ and intraspecific anatomical variations
Authors: Monroy‐Cendales María José , Vélez‐García Juan Fernando , Castañeda‐Herrera Fabian Enrique
Published: February 2020

Background

Saguinus leucopus is a Neotropical primate with an arboreal quadrupedal locomotion pattern, which requires wide movements of the shoulder and arm. This investigation studies the muscles of these regions in order to serve as a basis for clinical and surgical procedures and to compare with other primates.

Methods

Gross dissections of twenty thoracic limbs were performed.

Results

The muscles examined were the deltoid, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, teres major, teres minor, coracobrachialis longus, coracobrachialis brevis, biceps brachii, brachialis, triceps brachii, tensor fasciae antebrachii, and anconeus epitrochlearis. The anconeus was absent. The following variants were found: an accessory head of the biceps brachii, the unilateral absence of the short head of the biceps brachii, an accessory head of the coracobrachialis longus, and one infraspinatus muscle innervated by the axillary nerve.

Conclusions

These muscles are adapted to quadrupedal locomotion and can have inter‐ and intraspecific variations in their attachments and innervation.
Vertical Exclusion with Downstream Risk Aversion or Limited Liability
Authors: Hansen Stephen , Motta Massimo
Published: February 2020

An upstream firm with full commitment bilaterally contracts with two ex ante identical downstream firms. Each observes its own cost shock, and faces uncertainty from its competitor’s shock. When they are risk neutral and can absorb losses, the upstream firm contracts symmetric outputs for production efficiency. However, when they are risk averse, competition requires the payment of a risk premium due to revenue uncertainty. Moreover, when they enjoy limited liability, competition requires the upstream firm to share additional surplus. To resolve these trade‐offs, the upstream firm offers exclusive contracts in many cases.
Quantification of Optic Nerve and Sheath Diameter by Transorbital Sonography: A Systematic Review and Metanalysis
Authors: Schroeder Christoph , Katsanos Aristeidis H. , Richter Daniel , Tsivgoulis Georgios , Gold Ralf , Krogias Christos
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To date, normal values for optic nerve diameter (OND) and optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) for transorbital sonography (TOS) have only been reported by individual small‐scale studies, exposing a great variability in the measurement of the OND and ONSD.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review and metanalysis of available to date studies on TOS evaluation of adults without elevated intracranial pressure to provide an overview of the published literature, measuring methods and further specify normal values for OND and ONSD.

RESULTS

In total, we included 39 studies with 2,927 healthy volunteers (mean age 36.1 years, 44.4% female), so that a total of 5,854 eyes were examined. All pooled analyses were based on random effect models. Mean values for OND were provided in 13 studies. Calculated mean pooled OND value was 3.08 mm (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.9‐3.25), with low heterogeneity across studies (I2= 12.7%). Thirty‐four studies provided mean values for ONSD measurement. The pool of mean ONSD measurements was 4.78 mm (95% CI, 4.63‐4.94), with evidence of substantial heterogeneity between estimates ONSD (I2= 50.6%). There were no significant differences (P= .139) in the subsequent subgroup analysis for the different geographic continents. Also, no significant differences could be recorded for the effect of age (P= .824) or gender (P= .093).

CONCLUSIONS

TOS is a frequently described and widely used method. We provide reference values of OND and ONSD that are based on metanalytical analysis. Different measuring methods of ONSD result in higher heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis revealed no significant correlation between ONSD and age, gender, or geographic origin.
Fully Digital Workflow with Magnetically Connected Guides for Full‐Arch Implant Rehabilitation Following Guided Alveolar Ridge Reduction
Authors: Costa Alan Jony de Moura , Teixeira Neto Alexandre Domingues , Burgoa Shaban , Gutierrez Virgilio , Cortes Arthur Rodriguez Gonzalez
Published: February 2020

This technique report describes a fully digital workflow in which two surgical guides (i.e. one for alveolar bone reduction and the other for implant placement) are magnetically connected to ensure stability during full‐arch implant surgery following guided bone reduction. Digital prosthesis design as well as virtual bone reduction and implant planning are developed from the superimposition of facial, intraoral and CBCT scans. With this technique, different surgical guides and interim poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) fixed prosthesis are precisely connected with magnets after being digitally designed and 3D‐printed. As a result, such magnetic connection allows for satisfactory stability of the implant surgical guide, as well as of the interim fixed PMMA fixed prosthesis during capture of screw‐retained abutments.
Two‐Step Estimation for Time Varying Arch Models
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Liu Rong , Shao Qin , Yang Lijian
Published: February 2020

A time varying autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (ARCH) model is proposed to describe the changing volatility of a financial return series over long time horizon, along with two‐step least squares and maximum likelihood estimation procedures. After preliminary estimation of the time varying trend in volatility scale, approximations to the latent stationary ARCH series are obtained, which are used to compute the least squares estimator (LSE) and maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) of the ARCH coefficients. Under elementary and mild assumptions, oracle efficiency of the two‐step LSE for ARCH coefficients is established, that is, the two‐step LSE is asymptotically as efficient as the infeasible LSE based on the unobserved ARCH series. As a matter of fact, the two‐step LSE deviates from the infeasible LSE by . The two‐step MLE, however, does not enjoy such efficiency, butn1/2asymptotic normality is established for both the two‐step MLE as well as its deviation from the infeasible MLE. Simulation studies corroborate the asymptotic theory, and application to the S&P 500 index daily returns from 1950 to 2018 indicates significant change in volatility scale over time.
Comparative analysis of the effect of IV administered acid suppressants on gastric pH in dogs
Authors: Kuhl Amanda , Odunayo Adesola , Price Josh , Hecht Silke , Marshall Kristen , Steiner Joerg , Tolbert M. Katherine
Published: February 2020

Background

Upper gastrointestinal (GI) ulceration and bleeding in critically ill dogs can cause severe anemia and increase morbidity. Acid suppressants using proton pump inhibitors or histamine‐2 receptor blockers administered IV is commonly recommended.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of IV administered esomeprazole, pantoprazole, and famotidine constant rate infusion (CRI) on increasing the intragastric pH of dogs. We hypothesized that esomeprazole and famotidine CRI would provide superior acid suppression compared to pantoprazole and reach pH goals for the treatment of GI bleeding.

Animals

Nine healthy research Beagles.

Methods

Randomized, 3‐way crossover. Dogs received pantoprazole or esomeprazole at 1 mg/kg IV q12h and famotidine with a loading dose of 1 mg/kg followed by 8 mg/kg IV CRI daily for 3 consecutive days. The intragastric pH was recorded at baseline and for 72 hours of treatment. The mean pH and the mean percentage time (MPT) the intragastric pH was ≥3 or ≥4 were compared among and within treatment groups.

Results

Significant increases in mean pH (P < 0.0001), MPT ≥3 (P < 0.001), and MPT ≥4 (P = 0.0006) were noted over time with all 3 treatments. The time effect did not differ by treatment for mean pH, MPT ≥3, and MPT ≥4 (P = .29, .56, and .37, respectively); however, only esomeprazole and famotidine CRI achieved the goals established for the treatment of gastroduodenal ulceration in people.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Famotidine CRI and esomeprazole might be superior acid suppressants compared to standard doses of pantoprazole for the first 72 hours of treatment.
Phosphatidic acid produced by phospholipase D is required for hyphal cell‐cell fusion and fungal‐plant symbiosis
Authors: Hassing Berit , Eaton Carla J. , Winter David , Green Kimberly A. , Brandt Ulrike , Savoian Matthew S. , Mesarich Carl H. , Fleissner Andre , Scott Barry
Published: February 2020

Although lipid signaling has been shown to serve crucial roles in mammals and plants, little is known about this process in filamentous fungi. Here we analyze the contribution of phospholipase D (PLD) and its product phosphatidic acid (PA) in hyphal morphogenesis and growth of Epichloë festucae and Neurospora crassa, and in the establishment of a symbiotic interaction between E. festucae and Lolium perenne. Growth of E. festucae and N. crassa PLD deletion strains in axenic culture, and for E. festucae in association with L. perenne, were analyzed by light‐, confocal‐ and electron microscopy. Changes in PA distribution were analyzed in E. festucae using a PA biosensor and the impact of these changes on the endocytic recycling and superoxide production investigated. We found that E. festucae PldB, and the N. crassa ortholog, PLA‐7, are required for polarized growth and cell fusion and contribute to ascospore development, whereas PldA/PLA‐8 are dispensable for these functions. Exogenous addition of PA rescues the cell‐fusion phenotype in E. festucae. PldB is also crucial for E. festucae to establish a symbiotic association with L. perenne. This study identifies a new component of the cell‐cell communication and cell fusion signaling network for hyphal morphogenesis and growth of filamentous fungi.
Colletotrichum keratitis: A rare yet important fungal infection of human eyes
Authors: Hung Ning , Hsiao Ching‐Hsi , Yang Ching‐Sheng , Lin Hsin‐Chiung , Yeh Lung‐Kun , Fan Yun‐Chen , Sun Pei‐Lun
Published: February 2020

Background

Colletotrichum is a rare cause of human infection. Previous reports about Colletotrichum keratitis were limited, and most diagnoses from past reports were based on morphological distinction, which could have led to underestimation of the prevalence of Colletotrichum species.

Objective

We reported phylogenetic analysis, clinical feature and treatment outcome of molecularly diagnosed Colletotrichum keratitis in our hospital.

Patients/Methods

We recruited 65 patients with culture‐proven filamentous fungal keratitis between January 1, 2015 and December 30, 2018. Through molecular sequencing including internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and multi‐locus phylogenetic analysis of fungal DNA, seven patients were verified as infected with Colletotrichum species, and their medical records were reviewed to determine the clinical characteristics.

Results

Six of seven patients had predisposing factors including trauma (5) and immunosuppressive status (1). Six isolates were initially misidentified as other fungi through morphological identification. ITS sequencing identified the isolates belonged to two species complex (SC): C. truncatum and C. gloeosporioides; multi‐locus phylogenetic analysis enabled species identification including C. tropicale (3), C. fructicola (2), C. truncatum (1) and C. fusiforme (1). Five patients with C. gloeosporioides SC responded well to medical treatment and two patients with C truncatum SC underwent evisceration because of either no visual potential or intractable pain.

Conclusions

The molecular approach provides accurate diagnosis and raises epidemiological awareness of Colletotrichum keratitis. Through multi‐locus phylogenetic analysis, we report the human infections caused by C. tropicale, C. fructicola and C. fusiforme. We also highlight the different clinical outcomes between C. gloeosporioides SC and C. truncatum SC.
Ribosomal protein L4 of Lactobacillus rhamnosus LRB alters resistance to macrolides and other antibiotics
Authors: Biswas Saswati , Keightley Andrew , Biswas Indranil
Published: February 2020

Lactobacillus rhamnosus is an important lactic acid bacterium that is predominantly used as a probiotic supplement. This bacterium secretes immunomodulatory and antibacterial peptides that are necessary for the probiotic trait. This organism also occupies diverse ecological niches, such as gastrointestinal tracts and the oral cavity. Several studies have shown that L. rhamnosus is prone to spontaneous genome rearrangement irrespective of the ecological origins. We previously characterized an oral isolate of L. rhamnosus, LRB, which is genetically closely related to the widely used probiotic strain L. rhamnosus LGG. In this study, we isolated a nontargeted mutant that was particularly sensitive to acid stress. Using next generation sequencing, we further mapped the putative mutations in the genome and found that the mutant had acquired a deletion of 75 base pairs in the rplD gene that encodes the large ribosomal subunit L4. The mutant had a growth defect at 37°C and at ambient temperature. Further antibiotic sensitivity analyses indicated that the mutant is relatively more resistant to erythromycin and chloramphenicol; two antibiotics that target the 50S subunit. In contrast, the mutant was more sensitive to tetracycline, which targets the 30S subunit. Thus, it appears that nontargeted mutations could significantly alter the antibiotic resistance profile of L. rhamnosus. Our study raises concern that probiotic use of L. rhamnosus should be carefully monitored to avoid unintended consequences.
The Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae type IV pilus alignment subcomplex protein PilN contributes to regulation of bacterial surface‐associated behaviours and T3SS system
Authors: Li Yilang , Yan Yichao , Deng Songge , Zhang Cuiping , Haq Fazal , Chen Tao , Li Yingbin , Li Shengzhang , Yang Rihuan , Zou Lifang , Chen Gongyou
Published: February 2020

The gram‐negative plant pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is able to infect the host rice and effectively colonize in vascular tissues. The type IV pilus (T4P) is one of the major virulence factors playing an important role in migration of Xoo through host vascular tissues. Here, we identified PilN, a T4P alignment subcomplex protein, which is involved in regulation of swimming motility, and analysed its contribution to bacterial surface‐associated behaviours and virulence. We found that the pilN deletion mutant exhibited dramatically reduced twitching motility and scarcely detectable levels of T4P major pili PilA, as well as enhanced biofilm formation and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production. In addition, deletion of the pilN gene in Xoo resulted in impaired virulence in host rice and attenuated type III secretion system (T3SS) genes expression, which is independent of PilA assembly. Expression of the relevant pilN gene in trans was capable of restoring twitching motility and biofilm formation to the wild‐type levels in the pilN mutant but partially recovering EPS production and virulence. Moreover, the expression of trh and xrvA genes, which encode the HrpG positive regulators, was decreased in the pilN mutant. Our results suggest that PilN executes versatile functions in bacterial virulence and cell surface‐associated behaviours.
Presidential Unilateral Action as a Tool of Voter Mobilization
Authors: Kang Myunghoon
Published: February 2020

I develop a formal model that investigates conditions under which the president acts unilaterally to establish a given policy. The key innovation is that unilateral action is considered a costly tool for voter mobilization. Presidential unilateral action activates voters' constitutional concerns, which increases the cost of voting and leads the president's supporters to abstain. However, it also provides extra expressive benefits of voting to the president's supporters who deeply care about the policy established by the unilateral action. Hence, the president acts unilaterally to establish the policy only if its mobilizing effects outweigh its demobilizing effects. This result implies that the president's unilateral action acquires popular support that can compensate for the lack of its constitutionality. I discuss the possibly benign effects of unilateral action that are conducive to an effective government and argue that it is necessary to account for these effects when making normative judgments about unilateral action.
Cardiovascular effects of brief mindfulness meditation among perfectionists experiencing failure
Authors: Koerten Hannah R. , Watford Tanya S. , Dubow Eric F. , O’Brien William H.
Published: February 2020

Research links perfectionism, the tendency to hold and pursue unrealistically high standards, to negative mental health outcomes such as eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. Previous research used high frequency heart rate variability (HF‐HRV) to measure recovery from stress during a mindfulness meditation in perfectionistic university students and found that only nonperfectionists demonstrated HF‐HRV recovery from stress, suggesting that mindfulness was not effective for perfectionists. However, the mindfulness meditation did not incorporate a nonjudgment element, which may be a key component for perfectionists. In the current study, we examined whether mindfulness with a focus on nonjudgment helps university student perfectionists (n = 120) recover from failure (measured by heart rate (HR), HF‐HRV, pNN50). Students were randomly assigned to one of four meditation groups: nonjudgment mindfulness, general mindfulness (i.e., attentional awareness without a nonjudgment component), progressive muscle relaxation, and nothing. Cardiac data were recorded during a 5‐min baseline, failure task, and 10‐min meditation session. HR results suggest that both mindfulness conditions and “nothing” encouraged cardiovascular recovery, but that the mindfulness conditions showed even further recovery during the last five minutes of the meditations. HF‐HRV results indicated that participants in the nonjudgment mindfulness condition had marginally higher HF‐HRV during the last five minutes of the meditation than at baseline, while participants in the other conditions did not. Therefore, mindfulness with a focus on nonjudgment of emotions may be especially important to help perfectionists improve HF‐HRV after failure.
The importance of pepsin‐like acid protease quantification in aquaculture studies: a revision of available procedures and presentation of a new protocol for its assessment
Authors: Nolasco‐Soria Héctor , Nolasco‐Alzaga Héctor‐Rodrigo , Gisbert Enric
Published: February 2020

Assessing the activity of acid pepsin‐like protease is a common procedure in many biological, physiological and nutritional studies in gastric fish species. After reviewing the available literature on fish digestive acid proteases (stomach acid pepsin‐like proteases), especially those species of relevance for aquaculture purposes, published during a time span of ten years (2008–2018), authors detected some possible methodological and/or interpretative inconsistencies in this kind of studies when quantifying pepsin‐like enzymes. Thus, we concluded that special attention should be paid on the following issues when assessing digestive acid protease activity: (i) the proper preparation of stomach extracts, (ii) the use of the proper reaction conditions at the normal range of physiological pH and temperature values, and (iii) the proper quantification of the number of peptide bonds hydrolyzed for acid protease unit calculation. The implementation of these recommendations, and the proposal of more suitable (previously tested) methodological steps, will promote the standardization of acid pepsin‐like protease analytical procedures, as well as improve the reliability of comparative studies dealing with this proteolytic enzyme between different fish species of aquacultural importance.
Consequences of physical inactivity in older adults: A systematic review of reviews and meta‐analyses
Authors: Cunningham Conor , O' Sullivan Roger , Caserotti Paolo , Tully Mark A.
Published: February 2020

Background

Globally, populations are ageing. Typically, physical activity levels decline and health worsens as we age; however, estimates of the impact of physical inactivity for population health often fail to specifically focus on older adults.

Methods

Multiple databases were searched for systematic reviews and/or meta‐analyses of longitudinal observational studies, investigating the relationship between physical activity and any physical or mental health outcome in adults aged ≥60 years. Quality of included reviews was assessed using AMSTAR.

Results

Twenty‐four systematic reviews and meta‐analyses were included. The majority of reviews were of moderate or high methodological quality. Physically active older adults (≥60 years) are at a reduced risk of all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality, breast and prostate cancer, fractures, recurrent falls, ADL disability and functional limitation and cognitive decline, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and depression. They also experience healthier ageing trajectories, better quality of life and improved cognitive functioning.

Conclusion

This review of reviews provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of epidemiological evidence from previously conducted research to assess the associations of physical activity with physical and mental health outcomes in older adults.
What are women's political interests? Connecting theory to empirical approaches in cross‐national perspective
Authors: Palaguta Nika
Published: February 2020

Parliamentarians and other elected officials have the power to “act for” women and improve their substantive representation. Yet, women are not a homogeneous group with identical individual goals. Given the diversity of women, especially considering the social intersections within a multiplicity of socioeconomic and cultural arrangements across the globe, the identification of “women's political interests” worldwide is problematic. Does the concept of “women's interests” grasp the diversity of women's collective political demands? How can this concept be used to study women's substantive representation in legislative bodies? This article presents theoretical perspectives on the concept and their connection to empirical approaches to the identification of women's interests.
Predatory Inclusion in Consumer Credit: Explaining Black and White Disparities in Payday Loan Use
Authors: Charron‐Chénier Raphaël
Published: February 2020

Payday loans are a high‐cost form of credit, yet they remain a popular financial tool used by a significant proportion of Americans. Use of these loans varies significantly across social groups. Black households in particular are more than twice as likely to use payday lending as white households. Explanations for households’ decision to use payday loans remain disputed. Some scholars argue that poor financial literacy is a major driver of payday borrowing. Others propose instead that payday loans are a form of credit of last resort used after depleting higher quality sources of credit. In this article, I argue these explanations are incomplete and miss the racialized nature of payday lending. Payday lending is a form of predatory inclusion: it provides households experiencing exclusion from consumer credit markets with a needed source of credit but under conditions that jeopardize long‐term benefits of access. Given historical and contemporary patterns of financial exclusion, this process entails disproportionate reliance on payday lending by black households. Models using data from the Survey of Consumer Finances provide support for both the predatory inclusion and the credit exhaustion explanations. Predatory inclusion, however, explains the largest portion of racial disparities in payday loan use.
Co‐Ethnic and Neighborhood Ties and Financial Social Capital Formation Among the Urban Poor in Kenya
Authors: Kim Hye‐Sung
Published: February 2020

Objective

Lacking access to formal institutions, the poor in developing countries often use informal savings groups to financially prepare for unexpected events. They often base these groups on social ties to reduce risks, which occur when group members do not make payments. This study examines whether Kenya's urban poor rely on social ties, such as co‐ethnicity and co‐residency, when forming informal savings groups.

Methods

This study uses list experiments on a sample of informal settlement residents in and around Nairobi.

Results

Approximately 28.7 percent and 17.5 percent of respondents would consider someone outside their ethnic group or informal settlement as a member of an informal savings group, respectively. Most respondents were reluctant to accept members without social ties, with greater reluctance against those outside the settlement.

Conclusions

Kenya's urban poor rely primarily on co‐residents for financial security, which elevates risk as they experience shocks simultaneously and cannot help one another.
Modeling and presenting incomplete and uncertain data on historical settlement units
Authors: Myrda Grzegorz , Szady Bogumił , Ławrynowicz Agnieszka
Published: February 2020

When entering information about changes of settlements in time into a database, we are dealing with direct facts from historical sources and with interpretations. The source information generally relates to an event or situation at a specific time. This means that we only fill in the parts of the timeline with data objects called (partial) manifestations; however, lack of data does not mean that settlement did not exist. It would take a lot of time to interpret and enter missing information manually. In this article we present a database schema, database procedures and algorithms to generate aggregated settlement unit manifestations in an automated way from their partial manifestations. As a result, it is possible to obtain a continuous history of a given settlement so as to present it on a map.
Emergency preparedness, resilience and response guidance for UK hospital transfusion teams
Authors: Doughty Heidi , Chowdhury Fateha ,   the National Blood Transfusion Committee Emergency Planning Working Group
Published: February 2020

Objectives

To present Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) guidance for Hospital Transfusion Teams on behalf of the National Blood Transfusion Committee emergency planning working group.

Background

The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 requires healthcare organisations to demonstrate that they can deal with major incidents while maintaining critical services. Recent mass casualty events and the use of transfusion‐based resuscitation have highlighted the evolving role of the Hospital Transfusion Team.

Methods

This multi‐disciplinary advice is informed by recent global and national experience, the 2018 NHS England clinical guidelines for Major Incidents, and stakeholder workshops.

Guidance

Transfusion staff should be familiar with local EPRR plans including casualty type and numbers. Staff should be exercised as part of wider Trust preparation, with documented roles and responsibilities. Transfusion support should be proactive and include blood issue, regulatory compliance and sample handling. Robust LIMS‐compatible emergency identification systems are essential to minimise errors. Emergency stock management requires rapid assessment of existing stock and estimated demand before re‐ordering. Initial demand should be based on 2 to 4 red blood cells (RBC) per patient admitted. Patients with significant haemorrhage may require further red cells and early haemostatic support. Where “universal” components are demanded, they should be gender appropriate. Senior staff should lead the response, log and communicate key decisions, and prepare for post‐incident recovery.

Conclusions

Transfusion teams have an important role in ensuring continuity of transfusion support. Teams should develop their EPRR plans based on local plans and national guidance. Emergency preparedness should include post‐incident debriefing for ongoing staff support and future service improvement.
The Interactions of Rational, Pragmatic Agents Lead to Efficient Language Structure and Use
Authors: Peloquin Benjamin N. , Goodman Noah D. , Frank Michael C.
Published: February 2020

Despite their diversity, languages around the world share a consistent set of properties and distributional regularities. For example, the distribution of word frequencies, the distribution of syntactic dependency lengths, and the presence of ambiguity are all remarkably consistent across languages. We discuss a framework for studying how these system‐level properties emerge from local, in‐the‐moment interactions of rational, pragmatic speakers and listeners. To do so, we derive a novel objective function for measuring the communicative efficiency of linguistic systems in terms of the interactions of speakers and listeners. We examine the behavior of this objective in a series of simulations focusing on the communicative function of ambiguity in language. These simulations suggest that rational pragmatic agents will produce communicatively efficient systems and that interactions between such agents provide a framework for examining efficient properties of language structure and use more broadly.
Comparative functional analyses of DWARF14 and KARRIKIN INSENSITIVE 2 in drought adaptation of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Li Weiqiang , Nguyen Kien Huu , Chu Ha Duc , Watanabe Yasuko , Osakabe Yuriko , Sato Mayuko , Toyooka Kiminori , Seo Mitsunori , Tian Lei , Tian Chunjie , Yamaguchi Shinjiro , Tanaka Maho , Seki Motoaki , Tran Lam‐Son Phan
Published: February 2020

Functional analyses of various strigolactone‐deficient mutants have demonstrated that strigolactones enhance drought resistance; however, the mechanistic involvement of the strigolactone receptor DWARF14 (D14) in this trait remains elusive. In this study, loss‐of‐function analysis of the D14 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana revealed that d14 mutant plants were more drought‐susceptible than wild‐type plants, which was associated with their larger stomatal aperture, slower abscisic acid (ABA)‐mediated stomatal closure, lower anthocyanin content and delayed senescence under drought stress. Transcriptome analysis revealed a consistent alteration in the expression levels of many genes related to the observed physiological and biochemical changes in d14 plants when compared with the wild type under normal and dehydration conditions. A comparative drought resistance assay confirmed that D14 plays a less critical role in Arabidopsis drought resistance than its paralog karrikin receptor KARRIKIN INSENSITIVE 2 (KAI2). In‐depth comparative analyses of the single mutants d14 and kai2 and the double mutant d14 kai2, in relation to various drought resistance‐associated mechanisms, revealed that D14 and KAI2 exhibited a similar effect on stomatal closure. On the other hand, D14 had a lesser role in the maintenance of cell membrane integrity, leaf cuticle structure and ABA‐induced leaf senescence, but a greater role in drought‐induced anthocyanin biosynthesis, than KAI2. Interestingly, a possible additive relationship between D14 and KAI2 could be observed in regulating cell membrane integrity and leaf cuticle development. In addition, our findings also suggest the existence of a complex interaction between the D14 and ABA signaling pathways in the adaptation of Arabidopsis to drought.