bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The nucleoporin Nup170 mediates subtelomeric gene silencing through the Ctf18-RFC complex and PCNA
Authors: Kumar Sanjeev , Neal Maxwell L. , Li Song , Navare Arti T. , Mast Fred D. , Rout Michael P. , Aitchison John D.
Published: June 2022

The nuclear pore complex (NPC) physically interacts with chromatin and regulates gene expression. The inner ring nucleoporin Nup170 has been implicated in chromatin organization and the maintenance of gene silencing in subtelomeric regions. To gain insight into how Nup170 regulates this process, we used protein-protein interaction, genetic interaction, and transcriptome correlation analyses to identify the Ctf18-RFC complex, an alternative proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) loader, as a facilitator of the gene regulatory functions of Nup170. The Ctf18-RFC complex is recruited to a subpopulation of NPCs that lack the nuclear basket proteins Mlp1 and Mlp2. In the absence of Nup170, PCNA levels on DNA are reduced, resulting in the loss of silencing of subtelomeric genes. Increasing PCNA levels on DNA by removing Elg1, which is required for PCNA unloading, rescues subtelomeric silencing defects in nup170Δ. The NPC therefore mediates subtelomeric gene silencing by regulating PCNA levels on DNA.
A quinolin-8-ol sub-millimolar inhibitor of UGGT, the ER glycoprotein folding quality control checkpoint
Authors: Guay Kevin P. , Ibba Roberta , Kiappes JL , De Benedictis Maria , Zeni Ilaria , Le Cornu James D. , Hensen Mario , Chandran Anu V. , Kantsadi Anastassia L. , Caputo Alessandro T. , Blanco Capurro Juan I. , Bayo Yusupha , Hill Johan C. , Hudson Kieran , Lia Andrea , Vasiljević Snežana , Modenutti Carlos P. , Withers Stephen G. , Martí Marcelo , Biasini Emiliano , Santino Angelo , Hebert Daniel N. , Zitzmann Nicole , Roversi Pietro
Published: June 2022

The Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) glycoprotein folding Quality Control (ERQC) machinery aids folding of glycoproteins in the ER. Misfolded glycoprotein recognition and ER-retention is mediated by the ERQC checkpoint enzyme, the 170 kDa UDP-Glucose glycoprotein glucosyltransferase (UGGT). UGGT modulation is a promising strategy for broad-spectrum antivirals, rescue-of-secretion therapy in rare disease caused by responsive mutations in glycoprotein genes, and many cancers, but to date no selective UGGT inhibitors are known. Towards the generation of selective UGGT inhibitors, we determined the crystal structures of the catalytic domain ofChaetomium thermophilumUGGT (CtUGGTGT24), alone and in complex with the inhibitor UDP-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-glucose (U2F). Using theCtUGGTGT24crystals, we carried out a fragment-based lead discovery screen via X-ray crystallography and discovered that the small molecule 5-[(morpholin-4-yl)methyl]quinolin-8-ol (5M-8OH-Q) binds aCtUGGTGT24‘WY’ conserved surface motif that is not present in other GT24 family glycosyltransferases. The 5M-8OH-Q molecule has a 613µM binding affinity for human UGGT1in vitroas measured by saturation transfer difference NMR spectroscopy. The 5M-8OH-Q molecule inhibits both human UGGT1and UGGT2 activity at concentrations higher than 750µM in modified HEK293-6E cells. The compound is toxicin cellulaandin plantaat concentrations higher than 1 mM. A few off-target effects are also observed upon 5M-8OH-Q treatment. Based on anin silicomodel of the interaction between UGGT and its substrateN-glycan, the 5M-8OH-Q molecule likely works as a competitive inhibitor, binding to the site of recognition of the first GlcNAc residue of the substrateN-glycan.

Significance Statement

When a candidate drug target is the product of a housekeeping gene - i.e. it is important for the normal functioning of the healthy cell – availability of inhibitors for tests and assays is of paramount importance. One such housekeeping protein is UGGT, the enzyme that makes sure that only correctly folded glycoproteins can leave the endoplasmic reticulum for further trafficking through the secretory pathway. UGGT is a potential drug target against viruses, in certain instances of congenital rare disease, and against some cancers, but no UGGT inhibitors are known yet. We discovered and describe here a small molecule that binds human UGGT1in vitroand inhibits both isoforms of human UGGTin cellula. The compound paves the way to testing of UGGT inhibition as a potential pharmacological strategy in a number of medical contexts.
Clinical features and outcomes in children with Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis
Authors: Chi Min‐Hui , Chung Wen‐Hung , Hui Rosaline Chung‐Yee , Chen Chun‐Bing , Lu Chun‐Wei , Chiu Tsu‐Man , Ma David Hui‐Kang , Wang Chuang‐Wei , Yang Chin‐Yi ,   Taiwan Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reaction Consortium
Published: June 2022

Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are life‐threatening cutaneous conditions. However, studies of pediatric SJS/TEN are limited. To investigate the causes, clinical course, outcomes and complications of SJS and TEN in children. This retrospective study included 47 pediatric patients (aged < 18 years) with SJS, SJS/TEN, or TEN treated at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, between January 2009 and December 2019. ALDEN scores and serological tests were used to assess causes and SCORTEN scores were applied to evaluate disease severity. Forty‐seven patients, including 30 with SJS, 6 with SJS/TEN, and 11 with TEN were included. Median age was 8 years (range 1–17 years); 51.1% were male. Thirty‐three cases (70.2%) were caused by drugs and infectious pathogens were suspected in 14 cases (29.8%). Oxcarbazepine (5/47, 10.6%) and amoxicillin (5/47, 10.6%) were the most often‐implicated drugs, and Mycoplasma infection (9/47, 19.1%) was the predominant infectious cause. Only one TENS patient died (mortality rate 1/47, 2.1%) due to septic shock with ARDS, acute renal failure and cardiopulmonary shock. Median hospital stay was 15.5 (3–42) days. Pulmonary involvement (2/39, 5.1%), including pneumonia and ARDS, was noted in acute stage. Long‐term sequelae were ocular involvement (6/39, 15.4%), nail dystrophy (4/39, 10.3%) and post‐inflammatory hypo‐/hyperpigmentation (3/39, 7.7%). In the present study, pediatric patients with SJS, SJS/TEN, or TEN have good outcomes with few long‐term complications and low mortality. Mycoplasma is the most common infectious cause in pediatric SJS/TEN. Ocular discomfort, nail dystrophy and skin dyschromia are common long‐term sequelae requiring regular follow‐up.
Challenges and opportunities for using natural history collections to estimate insect population trends
Authors: Davis Courtney L. , Guralnick Robert P. , Zipkin Elise F.
Published: June 2022

Natural history collections (NHC) provide a wealth of information that can be used to understand the impacts of global change on biodiversity. As such, there is growing interest in using NHC data to estimate changes in species' distributions and abundance trends over historic time horizons when contemporary survey data are limited or unavailable.

However, museum specimens were not collected with the purpose of estimating population trends and thus can exhibit spatiotemporal and collector‐specific biases that can impose severe limitations to using NHC data for evaluating population trajectories.

Here we review the challenges associated with using museum records to track long‐term insect population trends, including spatiotemporal biases in sampling effort and sparse temporal coverage within and across years. We highlight recent methodological advancements that aim to overcome these challenges and discuss emerging research opportunities.

Specifically, we examine the potential of integrating museum records and other contemporary data sources (e.g. collected via structured, designed surveys and opportunistic citizen science programs) in a unified analytical framework that accounts for the sampling biases associated with each data source. The emerging field of integrated modelling provides a promising framework for leveraging the wealth of collections data to accurately estimate long‐term trends of insect populations and identify cases where that is not possible using existing data sources.
Subarctic afforestation: Effects of forest plantations on ground‐nesting birds in lowland Iceland
Authors: Pálsdóttir Aldís E. , Gill Jennifer A. , Alves José A. , Pálsson Snæbjörn , Méndez Verónica , Ewing Harry , Gunnarsson Tómas G.
Published: June 2022

Planting forests is a commonly suggested measure to mitigate climate change. The resulting changes in habitat structure can greatly influence the diversity and abundance of pre‐existing wildlife. Understanding these consequences is key for avoiding unintended impacts of afforestation on habitats and populations of conservation concern.

Afforestation in lowland Iceland has been gaining momentum in recent years and further increases are planned. Iceland supports internationally important breeding populations of several ground‐nesting, migratory bird species that mostly breed in open habitats. If afforestation impacts the distribution and abundance of these species, the consequences may be apparent throughout their non‐breeding ranges across Europe and Africa.

To quantify the effects of plantation forests on the abundance and distribution of ground‐nesting birds (in particular waders, Charadriiformes), surveys were conducted on 161 transects (surrounding 118 plantations) perpendicular to forest edges throughout Iceland. The resulting variation in density with distance from plantation was used to estimate the likely changes in bird numbers resulting from future afforestation plans, and to explore the potential effects of different planting configuration (size and number of forest patches) scenarios.

Of seven wader species, densities of five (golden plover Pluvialis apricaria, whimbrel Numenius phaeopus, oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus, dunlin Calidris alpina and black‐tailed godwit Limosa limosa) in the 200 m surrounding plantations were just under half of those further away (up to 700 m). Redshank Tringa totanus densities were lowest ≤150 m from the plantation edge while snipe Gallinago gallinago densities were 50% higher close to plantations (0–50 m) than further away (51–700 m), and no consistent effects of plantation height, diameter, density or type were identified. Plantations are typically small and widespread, and simulated scenarios indicated that total declines in bird abundance resulting from planting trees in one large block (1,000 ha) could result in only ~11% of the declines predicted from planting multiple small blocks (1 ha) in similar habitats.

Synthesis and application. Planting forests in open landscapes can have severe impacts on populations of ground‐nesting birds, which emphasizes the need for strategic planning of tree‐planting schemes. Given Iceland's statutory commitments to species protection and the huge contribution of Iceland to global migratory bird flyways, these are challenges that must be addressed quickly, before population‐level impacts are observed across migratory ranges.
Occupational therapy in Australian residential aged care facilities: A systematic mapping review
Authors: Calderone Lora , Bissett Michelle , Molineux Matthew
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Australia's population is ageing, resulting in more older adults living in residential aged care facilities. Occupational therapy scope of practice in Australian residential aged care facilities is significantly influenced by the government funding instrument. As the current government funding instrument is administratively inefficient, insufficiently discriminates between residents' care needs and provides perverse incentives, a new funding model is set to be implemented. This creates an opportunity for a review of the current evidence base to support the lobbying of national associations to shape occupational therapy practice. The research question that guided this systematic mapping review was as follows: What is the current state of scholarship about occupational therapy in Australian residential aged care facilities?

Methods

A search of four databases (CINAHL, Medline, Embase and Scopus) was conducted and 1,617 papers were identified. All papers were screened through a two‐phase process: (i) title and abstract review and (ii) full text review, using pre‐determined inclusion and exclusion criteria to identify papers relevant to this review. A data extraction tool was designed in Microsoft Excel® and was used to extract data from the included papers.

Results

Twelve Australian articles were published between 1986 and 2020, most frequently authored by an occupational therapist. Included articles were classified into four groups: articles including occupational therapists as participants, articles about occupational therapy practice, articles exploring an occupational perspective of residents and articles with limited exploration of occupational therapy.

Conclusion

This review identified that there is a dearth of Australian occupational therapy literature. This creates challenges for occupational therapists seeking evidence to guide their practice to optimise resident health and well‐being and for national associations seeking to lobby for the profession. Consequently, there is a crucial need to develop the evidence base to support the profession within this practice setting and, ultimately, residents.
Rapid changes in coastal ocean microbiomes uncoupled with shifts in environmental variables
Authors: Gronniger Jessica L. , Wang Zhao , Brandt Genevieve R. , Ward Christopher S. , Tsementzi Despina , Mu Han , Gu Junyao , Johnson Zackary I. , Konstantinidis Konstantinos T. , Hunt Dana E.
Published: June 2022

Disturbances, here defined as events that directly alter microbial community composition, are commonly studied in host‐associated and engineered systems. In spite of global change both altering environmental averages and increasing extreme events, there has been relatively little research into the causes, persistence and population‐level impacts of disturbance in the dynamic coastal ocean. Here, we utilize 3 years of observations from a coastal time series to identify disturbances based on the largest week‐over‐week changes in the microbiome (i.e. identifying disturbance as events that alter the community composition). In general, these microbiome disturbances were not clearly linked to specific environmental factors and responsive taxa largely differed, aside from SAR11, which generally declined. However, several disturbance metagenomes identified increased phage‐associated genes, suggesting that unexplained community shifts might be caused by increased mortality. Furthermore, a category 1 hurricane, the only event that would likely be classified a priori as an environmental disturbance, was not an outlier in microbiome composition, but did enhance a bloom in seasonally abundant phytoplankton. Thus, as extreme environmental changes intensify, assumptions of what constitutes a disturbance should be re‐examined in the context of ecological history and microbiome responses.
‘More options…less time’ in the ‘hustle culture’ of ‘generation sensible’: Individualization and drinking decline among twenty‐first century young adults
Authors: Burgess Adam , Yeomans Henry , Fenton Laura
Published: June 2022

There has been a dramatic decline in alcohol consumption among younger people, including an increase of conscious moderation and abstinence. Change has a generational character, with different cohorts' drinking changing over time from the heavy, embedded pattern among post‐war ‘boomers’ to the more selective habits initiated by ‘millennials’. This is a surprising development in historical terms and has been cast as indicating the emergence of a moderating ‘generation sensible’. It is also coincident with more negative trends, such as young adults worsening mental health. Informed by the perspective of individualization, we consider the decline in youth drinking in the context of generational changes in the lifecourse. We focus upon how recent generations of young people experience greater choice, pressure and a prolonged adolescence, characterized by more limited autonomy. Explored with conscious young moderators through a survey (N = 517) and focus groups (N = 13), these themes resonated with our sample who appear a self‐conscious generation with significant and open‐ended focus upon maintaining their wellbeing and control. Further, they appear more disembedded from pressure to conform but under greater pressure to perform. The same forces of individualization encouraging moderate drinking may also weigh down upon young people who feel under pressure not only to transform their own lives but feel a burden of responsibility for a damaged, unjust world. The article's originality lies in applying individualization to both generational change and consumption, suggesting this can be usefully done through a focus upon freedom/choice and pressure/performance. It also considers what is regarded as the positive trend of drinking decline alongside, and as related to, negative trends such as greater loneliness and less autonomy among young adults.
The 4Rs supply chain resilience framework: A capability perspective
Authors: Dwaikat Nidal Yousef , Zighan Saad , Abualqumboz Moheeb , Alkalha Ziad
Published: June 2022

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, the demand and supply for many products fluctuated. Thus, many companies around the globe have repurposed their operations and reconfigured their supply chains (SCs) to switch production and produce new products. Literature provided various models and frameworks to explain the concepts of supply chain resilience. However, it remains unclear how companies could quickly and temporarily repurpose their SCs and what are the required capabilities during the COVID‐19 crisis. Therefore, this study investigates the role of developing dynamic capabilities such as manufacturing, logistics, production capacity and procurement in facilitating production changeover. Based on 36 semistructured interviews conducted with multinational corporations, the study findings demonstrate four specific capabilities known as the 4Rs: retooling, repurposing, recalibrating and reconfiguring. Hence, the study provides a conceptual framework of operational resilience to understand how production changeover could be achieved. In addition, this 4Rs framework helps decision‐makers to improve SC resilience and capabilities when facing a crisis such as COVID‐19.
How the existence of special schools affects the placement of students with special needs in inclusive primary schools
Authors: Ebenbeck Nikola , Rieser Jakob , Jungjohann Jana , Gebhardt Markus
Published: June 2022

Although inclusion is the declared goal, the transition from a system based on special schools to an inclusive school system has only been progressing very slowly in individual countries. In an evolving school system, the existing special schools keep struggling to justify their existence. This study investigates the regional distribution effects based on official school data and shows the influence of a pull effect on special schools as a distance effect of special schools affecting the placement of students. For this purpose, official school statistics including all students at special and regular schools in the years 2010, 2015 and 2020 (N = 11 280 040) are evaluated in a spatiotemporal comparison using Educational Data Mining. In a hierarchical regression model on school placement in inclusive schools, the distance between primary and special schools has the highest influence (β = 0.48) on the inclusion rate (i.e., the proportion of students with special needs who are educated in regular schools in relation to all students with disabilities), along with the size (β = −0.14) and the density of special schools in a district (β = −0.12). The effects differ according to the population density of the region and are stronger in large cities. When the proportion of students with and without SEN in regular schools is considered (support rate), the density of special schools has the greatest impact on school placement (ß = 43.44). Self‐preservation of schools, traditional funding systems and regional differences between urban and rural areas are discussed as possible reasons.
Effects of urbanization on carabid beetles in an urban riparian area
Authors: Do Yuno , Choi Moon Bo
Published: June 2022

Urban rivers and riparian areas serve as corridors that move matter, organisms, and energy to urban areas from adjacent landscapes. However, anthropogenic disturbances and obstructions in river basins have severely impeded the function of many urban rivers as ecological corridors. Here, we used carabid beetles to assess the impact of urbanization on a river and its riparian areas. We identified carabid diversity and composition along an urbanization gradient. We classified 1,855 individuals in 17 species along a river. The carabid communities in riparian areas reflected critically disturbed habitats, and their composition markedly differed between the riparian areas and their adjacent habitats. Carabid beetle diversity sharply decreased with increasing urbanization. Flight capacity and feeding type varied along the urbanization gradient. Environmental variables associated with urbanization such as riparian quality and disturbance level significantly influenced carabid diversity. Land use type in increasingly urbanized areas was correlated with decreased carabid diversity and increased carabid dominance. Patch density, patch size, and interspersion metrics revealed that fragmentation and isolation influenced carabid diversity. Mitigation of disturbances and conservation of riparian microhabitats are required to improve biodiversity in riparian areas.
Second‐line lurbinectedin as a new treatment option for small‐cell lung cancer: Preliminary results in real‐clinical practice
Authors: Toublanc Anne‐Claire , Guecamburu Marina , Veillon Rémi , Rosellini Pietro , Girodet Pierre‐Olivier , Zysman Maeva
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Few strategies exist for treatment of patients with small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC) extended‐stage after failure of first‐line platinum‐based chemotherapy. Lurbinectedin is a novel RNA‐polymerase‐II inhibitor investigated as a second‐line therapy for SCLC. However, its efficacy and safety profile in real clinical practice remain to be determined.

Objective

To determine the efficacy and safety of lurbinectedin in real‐life among patients with SCLC previously treated with first‐line platinum‐based chemotherapy.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated patients who received at least one dose of lurbinectedin (3.2 mg/m2) between March 2020 and November 2021, in the pulmonary department of Bordeaux University Hospital. Endpoints were time to treatment discontinuation, progression‐free survival, overall survival, and safety profile.

Results

Thirteen patients were included. The median age was 60 years (range: 42–77), seven (54%) were females, nine (69%) having a performance status of 0–1. Lurbinectedin was given as second‐line treatment before platinum rechallenge in four (31%) patients. After a mean follow‐up of 4.1 months, the objective response rate (ORR) was 17%. The median time to treatment discontinuation (TTD) was 2.3 months (interquartile range [IQR], 1.2–3.6). The median progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were, respectively, 1.9 (IQR, 0.1.8) and 4.1 (IQR, 2.0–3.5) months. No significant difference regarding TTD, PFS or OS was found in the two groups according to treatment history or according to chemotherapy‐free intervall (CMI) 〈1 or 〉1 month. The most common adverse events (AEs) were asthenia, nausea, and anemia in nine (70%) patients. Grade 3 AEs were reported, fatigue, vomiting, nausea, anorexia, and neutropenia.

Conclusions

Lurbinectedin in real clinical practice could have had a lower efficacy than in phase II trial, but a better hematological and bioclinical tolerance than previously reported. Early relapse after platinum‐based chemotherapy seems to have a lower response to lurbinectedin.
Prognostic value of systemic inflammatory markers and the nutrition status in thymic epithelial tumors with complete resection
Authors: Sakane Tadashi , Okuda Katsuhiro , Matsui Takuya , Oda Risa , Tatematsu Tsutomu , Yokota Keisuke , Nakanishi Ryoichi
Published: June 2022

Background

Recent studies have shown that several systemic inflammatory markers and the nutrition status, including the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI), are useful prognostic factors in several malignant tumors. The present study explored the prognostic value of the NLR, MLR, PLR, and PNI in thymic epithelial tumor (TET) patients who underwent complete resection.

Methods

A total of 158 TET patients who underwent complete resection were involved in the analysis. Their NLR, MLR, PLR, and PNI values were obtained from a blood examination within one month before the initiation of treatment. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted to determine the optimal cutoff values.

Results

The enrolled patients were stratified by cutoffs of 4.35 for the NLR, 0.22 for the MLR, 130.18 for the PLR, and 44.02 for the PNI. A univariate analysis revealed that high‐grade malignant TET, including type B2 and B3 thymoma, thymic carcinoma, and thymic neuroendocrine tumor; an advanced Masaoka stage; a high NLR; a high MLR; and a low PNI were significant predictors of a poor disease‐free survival (DFS). A multivariate analysis confirmed that an advanced Masaoka stage (HR = 5.5557, p = 0.0007) and a high MLR (HR = 3.3371, p = 0.0264) were independent predictors of a poor DFS.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that the pretreatment MLR was an independent predictor of the DFS in patients with TETs who underwent complete resection.
Management Faultlines and Management Forecasts*
Authors: Liu Xiaotao Kelvin , Van Peteghem Mathijs
Published: June 2022

We examine whether management faultlines (i.e., dissimilar groupings among executives) are related to management forecast processes and outcomes. Management faultlines are formed based on the simultaneous alignment of senior executives' demographic characteristics (e.g., an MBA background, elite school education, gender, board experience, age, or tenure). We argue that management faultlines impede information sharing, create conflicts, and divert managerial attention away from common‐goal tasks. We hypothesize and find that management faultlines are associated with lower management forecast quality. Furthermore, the faultline effect is more pronounced when forecasting difficulty is high. In contrast, the faultline effect is mitigated when a firm nurtures a supportive and diverse workplace. In addition, we find that management forecast propensity and frequency are negatively associated with management faultlines. Overall, our findings suggest that management faultlines compromise management forecast processes and outcomes. In particular, since faultlines can arise as a company diversifies, boards should be aware of these unintended consequences and how they can be mitigated.
Partitioning the temporal changes in abundance‐based beta diversity into loss and gain components
Authors: Tatsumi Shinichi , Iritani Ryosuke , Cadotte Marc W.
Published: June 2022

Ecologists have long recognized that the losses and gains in local species abundances can either decrease or increase spatial beta diversity, phenomena often referred to as biotic homogenization and differentiation, respectively. However, quantifying such dynamic impacts of species abundances on beta diversity has remained a methodological challenge.

Here, we develop a numerical method to additively partition the temporal changes in beta diversity into distinct components that reflect the losses and gains in local species abundances. Our method is based on Ružička and Bray–Curtis indices and the normalized abundance‐based Whittaker's beta diversity. The temporal changes in these measures are partitioned into components that represent biotic homogenization and differentiation driven by abundance losses and gains at both species and community levels.

Application of the method to a Swedish fish community dataset revealed decreases in beta diversity between 1990 and 2018. The homogenization of fish communities was explained by gains, but not losses, in species abundances across sites. Species‐level partitioning further showed that the homogenization was largely caused by the increased population sizes of a particular species in sites where it was already present.

The results highlight that our partitioning method effectively identifies local population and community processes embedded in regional biodiversity patterns. We believe that explicit analyses of the losses and gains in species abundances should bring deeper insights into the dynamics of beta diversity.
Opportunities and risks in the use of drones for studying animal behaviour
Authors: Schad Lukas , Fischer Julia
Published: June 2022

In the last decade, drones have become an affordable technology offering highly mobile aerial platforms that can carry a range of sensory equipment into hitherto uncharted areas. Drones have thus become a widely applicable tool for surveying animal populations and habitats to assist conservation efforts or to study the behavioural ecology of species by monitoring individual and group behaviour.

Here, we review current applications for drone surveys and the potential of recently developed computer algorithms for automatic species detection and individual tracking in drone footage. We further review which factors are reportedly associated with animal disturbance during drone presentations and how drones may be used to study anti‐predator behaviour.

Drone surveys of species and their environments allow scientists to create digital terrain models of habitats, estimate species abundance, monitor individual behaviour and study the composition, spatial organization and movement of groups. As drones can influence the behaviour of many bird and mammal species directly, they also provide an experimental tool to study animal responses to novel situations, including the drone itself.

We conclude that the combined use of drones and automated detection software can assist population estimates and opens new possibilities to study individual and collective behaviour. With regard to drone‐related disturbance and their potential use as predator models, we recommend to interpret results against the background of population‐specific predation pressure and sources of anthropogenic disturbance.
The effects of wheat‐pea mixed intercropping on biocontrol potential of generalist predators in a long‐term experimental trial
Authors: Puliga Giovanni Antonio , Arlotti Donatienne , Dauber Jens
Published: June 2022

Arthropod generalist predators can be effective natural control agents of pests and weeds in agroecosystems. Their activity and contribution to biocontrol may increase in response to more complex agricultural habitats. In this study, we investigated the effects of winter wheat‐pea mixed intercropping on the biocontrol potential of generalist predators compared with the respective mono‐crops. We evaluated not only the effects during the intercropping season but also the pre‐crop values of the mixture for the subsequent barley crop. Furthermore, we evaluated the influence of different long‐term soil organic carbon and fertility management regimes on activity and biocontrol potential of predators. Field work was conducted over two seasons in a field experiment located in Gembloux, Belgium. A set of proxies for ecosystem functions were measured using the Rapid Ecosystem Function Assessment approach. We measured attack and predation rates of sentinel prey and weed seeds artificially placed in the field. Furthermore, we assessed activity density of the main groups of generalist predators during the exposure of the baits. Our results showed that crop type affected activity and biocontrol potential of predators. Predation rates were much lower in wheat than pea and wheat‐pea. The mixture wheat‐pea had a positive effect on predator activity density compared to wheat mono‐crop, while pea supported an intermediate activity of epigeal predators. In the second season of the field work, we found the highest biocontrol potential by predators in barley plots cultivated after pea. Finally, our results failed to find any differences in biocontrol potential of predators between long‐term soil organic carbon and fertilisation management strategies. These results suggest that crop type has a major relevance in influencing the activity of generalist predators, and the mixed intercropping wheat‐pea may represent a valid strategy to enhance biological pest control in comparison to wheat cultivated as mono‐crop. Furthermore, we show that the cultivation of pea as mono‐crop may have an important pre‐crop value within the rotation increasing the provision of ecosystem services such as biocontrol.
Melatonin regulates proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of trophoblasts in preeclampsia by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Zhou Chufan , Ding Yiling , Yu Ling , Nie Yanting , Yang Mengyuan
Published: June 2022

Aims

Clinical evidence indicated the activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in pregnant women with preeclampsia (PE), and the regulatory role of melatonin (MT) in ERS. This study aims to explore the possible effect and mechanism of MT on ERS and on the infiltration of trophoblasts in PE.

Methods

The serum expression levels of MT and GRP78 in pregnant women with PE were measured. The cell proliferation, invasion, migration and apoptosis of trophoblasts were also determined. The trophoblast cell infiltration in placenta tissues was detected in EVOS image system. The expressions of ERS related proteins were measured by RT‐qPCR and western blot.

Key results

The PE‐serum treatment on HTR‐8/SVneo cells led to activated ERS and suppressed cell biological functions. PE mouse models after MT treatment or 4‐PBA treatment had reduced blood pressure, proteinuria, apoptosis and increased foetus and placenta weight, in addition to enhanced cell infiltration.

Conclusions

In vivo and in vitro evidence demonstrated MT can simultaneously suppress ERS and ASK1/JNK signal pathway in PE to promote the infiltration of trophoblasts.
A critical role of the podocyte cytoskeleton in the pathogenesis of glomerular proteinuria and autoimmune podocytopathies
Authors: Ye Qing , Lan Bing , Liu Huihui , Persson Pontus B. , Lai En Yin , Mao Jianhua
Published: June 2022

Selective glomerular filtration relies on the membrane separating the glomerular arterioles from the Bowman space. As a major component of the glomerular filtration barrier, podocytes form foot processes by the actin cytoskeleton, which dynamically adjusts in response to environmental changes to maintain filtration barrier integrity. The slit diaphragms bridge the filtration slits between neighboring foot processes and act as signaling hubs interacting with the actin cytoskeleton. Focal adhesions relay signals to regulate actin dynamics while allowing podocyte adherence to the basement membrane. Mutations in actin regulatory and signaling proteins may disrupt the actin cytoskeleton, resulting in foot process retraction, effacement, and proteinuria. Large‐scale gene expression profiling platforms, transgenic animal models, and other in vivo gene delivery methods now enhance our understanding of the interactions among podocyte focal adhesions, slit diaphragms, and actin dynamics. In addition, our team found that at least 66% of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) children have podocyte autoantibodies, which was defined as a new disease subgroup‐, autoimmune podocytopathies. This review outlines the pathophysiological mechanisms of podocyte cytoskeleton protein interactions in proteinuria and glomerular podocytopathy.
Salivary microbiota composition may discriminate between patients with eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) and non‐EoE subjects
Authors: Facchin Sonia , Calgaro Matteo , Pandolfo Mattia , Caldart Federico , Ghisa Matteo , Greco Eliana , Sattin Eleonora , Valle Giorgio , Dellon Evan S. , Vitulo Nicola , Savarino Edoardo Vincenzo
Published: June 2022

Background

Data on the role of the microbiome in adult patients with eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) are limited.

Aims

To prospectively collect and characterise the salivary, oesophageal and gastric microbiome in patients with EoE, further correlating the findings with disease activity.

Methods

Adult patients with symptoms of oesophageal dysfunction undergoing upper endoscopy were consecutively enrolled. Patients were classified as EoE patients, in case of more than 15 eosinophils per high‐power field, or non‐EoE controls, in case of lack of eosinophilic infiltration. Before and during endoscopy, saliva, oesophageal and gastric fundus biopsies were collected. Microbiota assessment was performed by 16 s rRNA analysis. A Sparse Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (sPLS‐DA) was implemented to identify biomarkers.

Results

Saliva samples were collected from 29 EoE patients and 20 non‐EoE controls;, biopsies from 25 EoE and 5 non‐EoE controls. In saliva samples, 23 Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs) were positively associated with EoE and 27 ASVs with controls, making it possible to discriminate between EoE and non‐EoE patients with a classification error (CE) of 24%. In a validation cohort, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of this model were 78.6%, 80%, 75%, 80% and 60%, respectively. Moreover, the analysis of oesophageal microbiota samples observed a clear microbial pattern able to discriminate between active and inactive EoE (CE = 8%).

Conclusion

Our preliminary data suggest that salivary metabarcoding analysis in combination with machine learning approaches could become a valid, cheap, non‐invasive test to segregate between EoE and non‐EoE patients.
Oncological outcomes following minimally invasive surgery for pathological N2M0 colorectal cancer: A propensity score‐matched analysis
Authors: Sueda Toshinori , Tei Mitsuyoshi , Mori Soichiro , Nishida Kentaro , Yoshikawa Yukihiro , Nomura Masatoshi , Matsumura Tae , Koga Chikato , Miyagaki Hiromichi , Tsujie Masanori , Akamaru Yusuke
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Whether minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is safe and effective for patients with N2M0 colorectal cancer (CRC) remains controversial. This study aimed to compare short‐ and long‐term outcomes between MIS and open surgery (Open) groups for patients with pathological (p)N2M0 CRC, and evaluate the oncological outcomes of MIS for pN2M0 CRC.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 125 consecutive patients with pN2M0 CRC who underwent curative surgery between 2010 and 2017, using propensity score‐matching (PSM) analysis.

Results

Median follow‐up was 59.4 months. After PSM, we enrolled 68 patients (n = 34 in each group). The conversion rate was 9.6% for the entire patient cohort and 5.9% for the matched cohort. In colon cancer (CC), short‐term outcomes were similar between groups. On the other hand, in rectal cancer (RC), estimated blood loss, rate of anastomosis leakage, and length of postsurgical stay were lower in the MIS group than the Open group. R0 resection was achieved in all patients with MIS. No surgical mortality was encountered in any group. No significant differences were found between groups in terms of 3‐year local recurrence rate, overall survival, cancer‐specific survival, or recurrence‐free survival among the entire patient cohort or the matched cohort, regardless of the primary tumor site (CC or RC). Surgical approach (MIS vs Open) had no significant influence on survival outcomes.

Conclusions

MIS is a safe and effective option for patients with pN2M0 CRC, with acceptable short‐ and long‐term outcomes comparable to the open approach. MIS can be considered for patients with pN2M0 CRC.
Old age amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and limbic TDP‐43 pathology
Authors: Murakami Aya , Koga Shunsuke , Sekiya Hiroaki , Oskarsson Björn , Boylan Kevin , Petrucelli Leonard , Josephs Keith A. , Dickson Dennis W.
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to assess and compare the burden of transactive response DNA‐binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP‐43) pathology and clinical features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in three age groups. All cases were from the Mayo Clinic brain bank for neurodegenerative disorders and most were followed longitudinally in the ALS Clinic. Cases with moderate‐to‐severe Alzheimer's disease neuropathological change were excluded. The 55 cases included in the study were divided into three groups by age at death: 75 years or older (old‐ALS, n = 8), 64–74 years (middle‐ALS, n = 23), and 63 years or younger (young‐ALS, n = 24). Clinical features, including disease duration, initial symptoms, and ALS Cognitive Behavior Score (ALS‐CBS), were summarized. Sections of paraffin‐embedded tissue from the motor cortex, basal forebrain, medial temporal lobe, and middle frontal gyrus were processed for phospho‐TDP‐43 immunohistochemistry. The burden of TDP‐43 pathology was analyzed using digital image analysis. The TDP‐43 burden in the limbic system (i.e., amygdala, dentate gyrus and CA1 sector of the hippocampus, subiculum, and entorhinal cortex) was greater in old‐ALS than in young‐ALS and middle‐ALS. TDP‐43 burden in the middle frontal gyrus was sparse and did not differ between the three groups. The average of ALS‐CBS was not different between the three groups. The present study shows that the amygdala and hippocampus are vulnerable to TDP‐43 pathology in older patients with ALS. We discuss the evidence for and against this pathology being related to concurrent limbic‐predominant, age‐related TDP‐43 encephalopathy neuropathologic change.
RvD1 disrupts nociceptor neuron and macrophage activation and neuroimmune communication, reducing pain and inflammation in gouty arthritis in mice
Authors: Zaninelli Tiago H. , Fattori Victor , Saraiva‐Santos Telma , Badaro‐Garcia Stephanie , Staurengo‐Ferrari Larissa , Andrade Ketlem C. , Artero Nayara A. , Ferraz Camila R. , Bertozzi Mariana M. , Rasquel‐Oliveira Fernanda , Manchope Marilia F. , Amaral Flávio A. , Teixeira Mauro M. , Borghi Sergio M. , Rogers Michael S. , Casagrande Rubia , Verri Waldiceu A.
Published: June 2022

Background and Purpose

Gouty arthritis is characterized by an intense inflammatory response to monosodium urate crystals (MSU), which induces severe pain. Current therapies are often ineffective in reducing gout‐related pain. Resolvin D1 (RvD1) is a specialized pro‐resolving lipid mediator with anti‐inflammatory and analgesic proprieties. In this study, we evaluated the effects and mechanisms of action of RvD1 in an experimental mouse model of gouty arthritis, an aim that was not pursued previously in the literature.

Experimental Approach

Male mice were treated with RvD1 (intrathecally or intraperitoneally) before or after intraarticular stimulation with MSU. Mechanical hyperalgesia was assessed using an electronic von Frey aesthesiometer. Leukocyte recruitment was determined by knee joint wash cell counting and immunofluorescence. IL‐1β production was measured by ELISA. Phosphorylated NF‐kB and apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein containing CARD (ASC) were detected by immunofluorescence, and mRNA expression was determined by RT‐qPCR. CGRP release was determined by EIA and immunofluorescence. MSU crystal phagocytosis was evaluated by confocal microscopy.

Key Results

RvD1 inhibited MSU‐induced mechanical hyperalgesia in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner by reducing leukocyte recruitment and IL‐1β production in the knee joint. Intrathecal RvD1 reduced the activation of peptidergic neurons and macrophages as well as silenced nociceptor to macrophage communication and macrophage function. CGRP stimulated MSU phagocytosis and IL‐1β production by macrophages. RvD1 downmodulated this phenomenon directly by acting on macrophages, and indirectly by inhibiting CGRP release and CGRP‐dependent activation of macrophages.

Conclusions and Implications

This study reveals a hitherto unknown neuro‐immune axis in gouty arthritis that is targeted by RvD1.
Recent challenges and new possibilities with urban agriculture in Victoria, British Columbia
Authors: Ghezeljeh Abdolzaher , Gutberlet Jutta , Cloutier Denise
Published: June 2022

Increasing urbanization generates new challenges for cities, including housing shortages, environmental degradation, public health concerns, and food security issues, just to mention a few. High levels of food insecurity can motivate planners to increase their support for community gardening forms of urban agriculture. The COVID‐19 pandemic has amplified many pressures of urban living. In this paper, we focus on challenges around urban agriculture activities, in particular, exploring regulatory approaches and limitations when it comes to growing food in cities. This study uses qualitative research methods to explore the main barriers to urban agriculture as perceived by community‐based groups in Victoria, British Columbia. Data collection included 18 semi‐structured, face‐to‐face interviews, and two community mapping workshops with local residents, government officials, and non‐governmental groups. Data analysis generated initial codes and themes that revealed “urban agriculture zones” and “garden‐style” apartment housing as important avenues for urban agriculture projects. These findings are relevant in Victoria, where more than half of the population lives in apartments. A food action plan is a regulatory mechanism that can boost food production when aligned with the official community plan. Any progress towards far‐reaching changes, however, requires an efficient urban agriculture development process, including creating site inventories, increasing stakeholder participation, reducing waitlists, and tackling high land prices.
Hippocampal neuroprotection mediated by secretome of human mesenchymal stem cells against experimental stroke
Authors: Asgari Taei Afsaneh , Dargahi Leila , Khodabakhsh Pariya , Kadivar Mehdi , Farahmandfar Maryam
Published: June 2022

Aims

Regenerative medicine literature has demonstrated that the therapeutic potentials of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in experimental stroke are attributed to secreted bioactive factors rather than to cell replacement. Here, we explored the effects of secretome or conditioned medium (CM) derived from human embryonic stem cell‐derived MSCs (hESC‐MSCs) on hippocampal neurogenesis, inflammation, and apoptosis in experimental stroke.

Methods

Ischemic stroke was induced by right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in male Wistar rats, and CM was infused either one time (1‐h post‐stroke; CM1) or three times (1‐, 24‐, and 48‐h post‐stroke; CM3) into left lateral ventricle. Neurogenesis markers (Nestin, Ki67, Doublecortin, and Reelin) were assessed at transcript and protein levels in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus on day seven following MCAO. In parallel, changes in the gene expression of markers of apoptosis (Bax and Bim, as well as an anti‐apoptotic marker of Bcl2), inflammation (IL‐1β and IL‐6, as well as IL‐10 as an anti‐inflammatory cytokine), trophic factors (BDNF, GDNF, NGF, and NT‐3), and angiogenesis (CD31 and VEGF) in the hippocampus were assessed.

Results

Our results demonstrate that CM3 treatment could stimulate neurogenesis and angiogenesis concomitant with inhibition of inflammation, apoptosis, and neuronal loss in ischemic brains. Furthermore, rats treated with CM3 exhibited upregulation in neurotrophic factors.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that hESC‐MSC‐CM could promote neurogenesis and protect brain tissue from ischemic injury, partly mediated by induction of angiogenesis and neurotrophic factors and inhibition of inflammatory and apoptotic factors expression.