bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The alarmone (p)ppGpp is part of the heat shock response ofBacillus subtilis
Authors: Schäfer Heinrich , Beckert Bertrand , Steinchen Wieland , Nuss Aaron , Beckstette Michael , Hantke Ingo , Sudzinová Petra , Krásný Libor , Kaever Volkhard , Dersch Petra , Bange Gert , Wilson Daniel , Turgay Kürşad
Published: July 2019

Here,B. subtiliswas used as a model organism to investigate how cells respond and adapt to proteotoxic stress conditions. Our experiments suggested that the stringent response, caused by raised levels of the (p)ppGpp alarmone, plays a role during thermotolerance development and the heat shock response. Accordingly, our experiments revealed a rapid increase of cellular (p)ppGpp levels upon heat shock as well as salt- and oxidative stress. Strains lacking (p)ppGpp exhibited increased stress sensitivity, while raised (p)ppGpp levels conferred increased stress tolerance to heat- and oxidative stress. During thermotolerance development, stress response genes were highly up-regulated together with a concurrent transcriptional down-regulation of the rRNA, which was influenced by the second messenger (p)ppGpp and the transcription factor Spx. Remarkably, we observed that (p)ppGpp appeared to control the cellular translational capacity and that during heat stress the raised cellular levels of the alarmone were able to curb the rate of protein synthesis. Furthermore, (p)ppGpp controls the heat-induced expression of Hpf and thus the formation of translationally inactive 100S disomes. These results indicate thatB. subtiliscells respond to heat-mediated protein unfolding and aggregation, not only by raising the cellular repair capacity, but also by decreasing translation involving (p)ppGpp mediated stringent response to concurrently reduce the protein load for the cellular protein quality control system.

Author Summary

Here we demonstrate that the bacterial stringent response, which is known to slow down translation upon sensing nutrient starvation, is also intricately involved in the stress response ofB. subtiliscells. The second messengers (p)ppGpp act as pleiotropic regulators during the adaptation to heat stress. (p)ppGpp slows down translation and is also involved in the transcriptional down-regulation of the translation machinery, together with the transcriptional stress regulator Spx. The stress-induced elevation of cellular (p)ppGpp levels confers increased stress tolerance and facilitates an improved protein homeostasis by reducing the load on the protein quality control system.
Development of equations for converting random-zero to automated oscillometric blood pressure values
Authors: Yan Li , Wen Xiaoxiao , Dyer Alan R , Chen Haiyan , Zhou Long , Elliott Paul , Wu Yangfeng , Chan Queenie , Zhao Liancheng
Published: July 2019

Objective

This study aimed to collect data to compare blood pressure values between random-zero sphygmomanometers and automated oscillometric devices and generate equations to convert blood pressure values from one device to the other.

Methods

Omron HEM-907, a widely used automated oscillometric device in many epidemiologic surveys and cohort studies, was compared here with random-zero sphygmomanometers. Two hundred and one participants aged 40-79 years (37% men) were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of two groups with blood pressure measurement first taken by automated oscillometric devices or by random-zero sphygmomanometers. The study design enabled comparisons of blood pressure values between random-zero sphygmomanometers and two modes of this automated oscillometric device – automated and manual, and assessment of effects of measurement order on blood pressure values.

Results

Among all participants, mean blood pressure levels were lowest when measured with random-zero sphygmomanometers compared with both modes of automated oscillometric devices. Several variables, including age and gender, were found to contribute to the blood pressure differences between random-zero sphygmomanometers and automated oscillometric devices. Equations were developed using multiple linear regression after taking those variables into account to convert blood pressure values by random-zero sphygmomanometers to automated oscillometric devices.

Conclusion

Equations developed in this study could be used to compare blood pressure values between epidemiologic and clinical studies or identify shift of blood pressure distribution over time using different devices for blood pressure measurements.
Yield, nutritional quality, and fatty acid content of organic winter rye (Secale cereale) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) forages under cattle (Bos taurus) grazing conditions
Authors: Phillips Hannah N. , Heins Bradley J. , Delate Kathleen , Turnbull Robert
Published: July 2019

The objective of this study was to assess yield, nutritional quality, and fatty acid compositions of winter rye (Secale cereale) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) forages for grazing cattle (Bos taurus) in an organic system. The rye and wheat were established on two 4 ha plots in September 2015. Six groups of dairy steers rotationally grazed rye (n = 3) or wheat (n = 3) plots divided into seven paddocks (n = 14) from April to June 2016. Forage samples (n = 96) taken prior to paddock grazing were used to analyze forage characteristics. Mixed models with fixed factors of forage, date, and their interaction, a random subject factor of group nested in paddock, and a repeated effect of date were used for each outcome. The linear effect of date on fatty acids was obtained by substituting date as a continuous variable. The mean forage yield for rye was greater (P < 0.05) than wheat (mean ± standard error; 2840 and 2571 ± 82 kg ha-1, respectively). However, rye yielded less in the latter part of the grazing period. Wheat (19.3 ± 0.30% DM) had greater (P < 0.001) crude protein than rye (17.6 ± 0.30% DM). In general, crude protein, digestibility, and minerals decreased during the grazing period. Wheat (66.3 ± 0.54 g 100g-1) had greater (P < 0.001) alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n-3) concentration than rye (63.3 ± 0.54 g 100g-1). Although both forages decreased (P < 0.05) in alpha-linolenic acid concentration, wheat decreased 2.49 times more (P < 0.001) per d compared to rye forage. Winter rye and winter wheat forages are viable for cattle grazing. Producers should initiate early grazing to maximize protein, digestibility, and alpha-linolenic acid intake while the forages are immature.
Linkage disequilibrium and haplotype block patterns in popcorn populations
Authors: Andrade Andréa Carla Bastos , Viana José Marcelo Soriano , Pereira Helcio Duarte , Pinto Vitor Batista , Silva Fabyano Fonseca e
Published: July 2019

Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis provides information on evolutionary aspects of the populations and allows selecting populations and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for association studies. Recently, haplotype blocks have been used to increase the power of quantitative trait loci detection in genome-wide association studies and the prediction accuracy with genomic selection. The objectives of this study were to compare the degree of LD, the LD decay, the LD decay extent, and the number and length of haplotype blocks in the populations and to elaborate the first LD map for maize, for elucidating if the maize chromosomes also had a pattern of interspaced regions of high and low rates of recombination. We used a biparental temperate population, a tropical synthetic, and a tropical breeding population, genotyped for approximately 75,000 SNPs. The level of LD expressed by the r2values is surprisingly low (0.02, 0.04, and 0.04), but comparable to some non-isolated human populations. The general evidence is that the synthetic is the population with higher LD. It is not expected a significant advantage of haplotype-based association study and along generations genomic selection due to the reduced number of SNPs in the haplotype blocks (2 to 3). The results concerning LD decay (rapid decay after 5-10 kb) and LD decay extent (along up to 300 kb) are in the range observed with maize inbred line panels. Our most important result is that maize chromosomes had a pattern of regions of extensive LD interspaced with regions of low LD. However, our simple simulated LD map provides evidence that this pattern can reflect regions with differences of allele frequencies and LD level (expressed by D’) and not regions with high and low rates of recombination.
Preserving cultural heritage: Analyzing the antifungal potential of ionic liquids tested in paper restoration
Authors: Schmitz Kevin , Wagner Sebastian , Reppke Manfred , Maier Christian L. , Windeisen-Holzhauser Elisabeth , Benz J. Philipp
Published: July 2019

Early industrialization and the development of cheap production processes for paper have led to an exponential accumulation of paper-based documents during the last two centuries. Archives and libraries harbor vast amounts of ancient and modern documents and have to undertake extensive endeavors to protect them from abiotic and biotic deterioration. While services for mechanical preservation such asex postde-acidification of historic documents are already commercially available, the possibilities for long-term protection of paper-based documents against fungal attack (apart from temperature and humidity control) are very limited. Novel processes for mechanical enhancement of damaged cellulosic documents use Ionic Liquids (IL) as essential process components. With some of these ILs having azole-functionalities similar to well-known fungicides such as Clotrimazole, the possibility of antifungal activities of these ILs was proposed but has not yet been experimentally confirmed.

We evaluated the potency of four ILs with potential application in paper restoration for suppression of fungal growth on five relevant paper-infesting molds. The results revealed a general antifungal activity of all ILs, which increased with the size of the non-polar group. Physiological experiments and ultimate elemental analysis allowed to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration of each IL as well as the residual IL concentration in process-treated paper. These results provide valuable guidelines for IL-applications in paper restoration processes with antifungal activity as an added benefit. With azoles remaining in the paper after the process, simultaneous repair and biotic protection in treated documents could be facilitated.
The origin of extracellular DNA in bacterial biofilm infectionsin vivo
Authors: Alhede Maria , Alhede Morten , Qvortrup Klaus , Kragh Kasper Nørskov , Jensen Peter Østrup , Stewart Philip Shook , Bjarnsholt Thomas
Published: July 2019

Extracellular DNA (eDNA) plays an important role in both the aggregation of bacteria and in the interaction of the resulting biofilms with polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) during an inflammatory response. Here, transmission electron and confocal scanning laser microscopy were used to examine the interaction between biofilms ofPseudomonas aeruginosaand PMNs in a murine implant model and in lung tissue from chronically infected cystic fibrosis patients. PNA FISH, DNA staining, labeling of PMN DNA with a thymidine analogue, and immunohistochemistry were applied to localize bacteria, eDNA, PMN-derived eDNA, PMN-derived histone H3 (H3), neutrophil elastase (NE), and citrullinated H3 (citH3). Host-derived eDNA was observed surrounding bacterial aggregates but not within the biofilms. H3 localized to the lining of biofilms while NE was found throughout biofilms. CitH3, a marker for neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) was detected only sporadically indicating that most host-derived eDNAin vivowas not a result of NETosis. Together these observations show that, in thesein vivobiofilm infections withP. aeruginosa, the majority of eDNA is found external to the biofilm and derives from the host.

Author summary

The role of extracellular DNA (eDNA) has been describedin vitroto play a major role in biofilm formation and antibiotic tolerance, but never for biofilm infectionsin vivo.

Two important characteristics of human chronic bacterial infections are aggregated bacteria and white blood cells (WBC). Bacteria use eDNA to stabilize biofilms and WBC use eDNA to trap bacteria. Given the importance of eDNA for both bacteria and WBC we show here for the first time that bacterial biofilms do not co-localize with either bacterial or WBC-derived eDNA during chronic infections. Ourin vivofindings show eDNA is located outside biofilms as opposed to incorporated within the biofilm as commonly observedin vitro.

We believe that understanding the interplay between biofilms and WBC during chronic infection is essential if we are to elucidate the mechanisms underlying persistent infection and ascertain why WBC fail to eradicate bacteria; this will enable us to develop new treatment strategies.
Characterization of functional relationships of R-loops with gene transcription and epigenetic modifications in rice
Authors: Fang Yuan , Chen Lifen , Lin Kande , Feng Yilong , Zhang Pengyue , Pan Xiucai , Sanders Jennifer , Wu Yufeng , Wang Xiu-e , Su Zhen , Chen Caiyan , Wei Hairong , Zhang Wenli
Published: July 2019

We conducted genome-wide identification of R-loops followed by integrative analyses of R-loops with relation to gene expression and epigenetic signatures in the rice genome. We found that the correlation between gene expression levels and profiled R-loop peak levels was dependent on the positions of R-loops within gene structures (hereafter named “genic position”). Both antisense only (ASO)-R-loops and sense/antisense (S/AS)-R-loops sharply peaked around transcription start sites (TSSs), and these peak levels corresponded positively with transcript levels of overlapping genes. In contrast, sense only (SO)-R-loops were generally spread over the coding regions, and their peak levels corresponded inversely to transcript levels of overlapping genes. In addition, integrative analyses of R-loop data with existing RNA-seq, chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq), DNase I hypersensitive sites sequencing (DNase-seq), and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS or BS-seq) data revealed interrelationships and intricate connections among R-loops, gene expression, and epigenetic signatures. Experimental validation provided evidence that the demethylation of both DNA and histone marks can influence R-loop peak levels on a genome-wide scale. This is the first study in plants that reveals novel functional aspects of R-loops, their interrelations with epigenetic methylation, and roles in transcriptional regulation.
Detecting Iodine-Labeled Cells
Authors: Rodig Scott J.
Published: July 2019

The binding of radiolabeled reagents to cells is detected by coating the specimen with a photographic emulsion. When the emulsion is developed, silver grains can be seen at the location of the radiolabel. The silver grains appear as black dots in bright-field microscopy but are most readily detected by dark-field illumination, in which they are seen as intense silver reflections on a black background. The detection of iodine-labeled reagents is extremely sensitive, and the reaction is readily controlled by setting up duplicate samples and varying the exposure time. The method is compatible with histological stains and can be used in double-labeling procedures with enzyme- or fluorochrome-labeled reagents. When iodine-labeled and enzyme-labeled reagents are used together for double labeling, the enzyme-labeled reagents must be developed before the photographic emulsion is added.
Peripartum interventions resulting in reduced perinatal mortality rates, and birth asphyxia rates, over 18 years in a tertiary centre in South India: a retrospective study
Authors: Ebenezer ED , Londhe V , Rathore S , Benjamin S , Ross B , Jeyaseelan L , Mathews JE
Published: July 2019

Objective

To study the changes in the rates of perinatal mortality, birth asphyxia, and caesarean sections in relation to interventions implemented over the past 18 years, in a tertiary centre in South India.

Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

Labour and maternity unit of a tertiary centre in South India.

Population or sample

Women who gave birth between 2000 and 2018.

Methods

Information from perinatal audits, chart reviews, and data retrieved from the electronic database were used. Interventions implemented during this time period were audits and training, obstetric re‐organisation, and minor changes in staffing and infrastructure.

Main outcome measures

Main outcome measures were perinatal mortality rate, birth asphyxia rate, and caesarean section rate.

Results

Perinatal mortality rate decreased from 44 per 1000 births in 2000 to 16.4 per 1000 births in 2018 (P < 0.001). The rates of babies born with birth asphyxia requiring admission to the neonatal unit decreased from 24 per 1000 births in 2001 to 0.7 per 1000 births in 2018 (P < 0.00001). The overall caesarean section rate was maintained close to 30%.

Conclusion

In a large tertiary hospital in South India, with 14 000 deliveries per year, a policy of rigorous audits of stillbirths and birth asphyxia, electronic fetal monitoring, and the introduction of standardised criteria for trial of scar, reduced the perinatal mortality and the rate of babies born with birth asphyxia over the past 18 years, without an increase in the caesarean section rate.

Tweetable abstract

Rigorous perinatal audits with training in fetal cardiotocography, decreased birth asphyxia, without a major increase in caesarean rates.
Wind matters: Asymmetric distribution of aphids on host plants can be explained by stems functioning as windbreaks
Authors: Devegili Andrés M. , Alma Andrea Marina , Lescano Maria Natalia , Farji‐Brener Alejandro G.
Published: July 2019

Understanding how abiotic factors influence organisms at present is the necessary first step to predict how species assemblages could be affected by climate change in the future. We examined how wind, a poorly studied abiotic factor, affects the distribution and abundance of two aphid species, Uroleucon aeneum and Brachycaudus cardui (hereafter black and green aphids, respectively), that live on the thistle Carduus thoermeri (Asteraceae) in a windy region of Patagonia, Argentina. First, considering the prevailing wind direction, we described the distribution of both aphid species around plant stems. Then, we performed a bi‐factorial experiment in which we cut stems with aphids to manipulate their position respect to wind (exposed/unexposed) and to control wind incidence (protected/unprotected). Finally, using the species most affected by wind, we examined possible mechanisms through which wind could affect aphids. Both aphid species were less abundant on the side of the stem exposed to wind respect to the unexposed side; and this pattern was stronger for the black aphid. When black aphids were positioned exposed to wind and without protection, their proportion changed towards the unexposed side of the stem; while green aphids showed a weaker response to wind. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that wind triggered both the detachment of black aphids and their movement towards the unexposed side of the stem. Our results showed that wind can explain the asymmetric distribution of aphids around plants and that stems can act as windbreaks. In a less windy future scenario, aphids could expand their foraging area, reaching higher infestation rates, which could affect their role in structuring ant assemblages and their status as crop pests. This work highlights the importance of testing the effects of less studied abiotic factors to fully understand how climate change could impact on the abundance and distribution of animals in the future.
Histomorphometrical and stereological study of the oesophagus in the adult male Persian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus)
Authors: Goodarzi Nader , Akbari Bazm Mohsen , Naseri Leila , Hosseinipour Morteza
Published: July 2019

The Persian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) is habitat in the Middle East countries and feed on pine acorns and other seeds. The present study was carried out to investigate the histological and volumetric features of the oesophagus in Persian squirrels. Five adult male Persian squirrels were included in the study. The cervical, thoracic and abdominal oesophagus of all subjects were processed routinely and sectioned in a serial manner. Then, the total volume of the oesophagus and its different layers were estimated using Cavalieri's principle. Histological assessment revealed a non‐keratinized stratified squamous epithelium lining the mucosa. No glands were seen in the lamina propria and submucosa. Lamina muscularis was present as a distinct layer of smooth muscle cells separating the lamina propria from the tunica submucosa. The tunica muscularis consisted of two distinct layers of striated muscle fibres: inner circular and outer longitudinal that was intermingled with few scattered smooth muscle fibres especially in the abdominal region. The thoracic region contained more amount of the lamina muscularis and tunica muscularis in comparison to the cervical or abdominal regions. The obtained results revealed that the histological structure of the Persian squirrel oesophagus has differences and similarities with other rodents and even with other species of squirrel. These findings would be useful to improve the knowledge in the areas of histological structure of the rodent digestive system.
Discovery of novel Mnk inhibitors using mutation‐based induced‐fit virtual high‐throughput screening
Authors: Mishra Rama K. , Clutter Matthew R. , Blyth Gavin T. , Kosciuczuk Ewa M. , Blackburn Amy Z. , Beauchamp Elspeth M. , Schiltz Gary E. , Platanias Leonidas C.
Published: July 2019

Mnk kinases (Mnk1 and 2) are downstream effectors of Map kinase pathways and regulate phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E. Engagement of the Mnk pathway is critical in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) leukemogenesis and Mnk inhibitors have potent antileukemic properties in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that targeting Mnk kinases may provide a novel approach for treating AML. Here, we report the development and application of a mutation‐based induced‐fit in silico screen to identify novel Mnk inhibitors. The Mnk1 structure was modeled by temporarily mutating an amino acid that obstructs the ATP‐binding site in the Mnk1 crystal structure while carrying out docking simulations of known inhibitors. The hit compounds display activity in Mnk biochemical and cellular assays, including acute myeloid leukemia progenitors. This approach will enable further rational structure‐based drug design of new Mnk inhibitors and potentially novel ways of therapeutically targeting this kinase.
Development of bisubstrate analog inhibitors of aspartate N‐acetyltransferase, a critical brain enzyme
Authors: Mutthamsetty Vinay , Dahal Gopal P. , Wang Qinzhe , Viola Ronald E.
Published: July 2019

Canavan disease (CD) is a fatal leukodystrophy caused by mutations in the aspA gene coding for the enzyme aspartoacylase. Insufficient catalytic activity by this enzyme leads to the accumulation of its substrate, N‐acetyl‐l‐aspartate (NAA), and diminished production of acetate in brain oligodendrocytes of patients with CD. There is growing evidence that this accumulation of NAA is the cause of many of the developmental defects observed in these patients. NAA is produced in the brain by a transacetylation reaction catalyzed by aspartate N‐acetyltransferase (ANAT), and this membrane‐associated enzyme has recently been purified as a soluble maltose binding protein fusion. Designing selective inhibitors against ANAT has the potential to slow the accumulation of NAA and moderate these developmental defects, and this is the goal of this project. Several bisubstrate analog inhibitors of ANAT have been synthesized that have achieved nanomolar level binding affinities against this enzyme. Truncated versions and fragments of these bisubstrate analog inhibitors have identified the essential structural elements needed for high binding affinity. More drug‐like versions of these inhibitors can now be built, based on these essential core structures.
Efficacy and safety of high‐dose vs low‐dose leucovorin in patients with colorectal cancer: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Hsu C.‐Y. , Chen C.‐Y. , Lin Y.‐M. , Tam K.‐W.
Published: July 2019

Aim

The clinical benefits of a combination of leucovorin and fluorouracil have been established in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Due to a leucovorin shortage in 2008, many institutions revised their protocols to reduce the dose of leucovorin. After the shortage was resolved, some hospitals still maintained their modified protocols. Thus, we conducted a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low‐ vs high‐dose leucovorin in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Method

The PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched for studies published before May 2019. The meta‐analysis was performed to estimate the pooled effect sizes by using a random effect model. The primary outcomes were median survival time and tumour response rate. Secondary outcomes were haematological and nonhaematological toxicities.

Results

Eight randomized controlled trials and four retrospective studies were reviewed. The pooled median survival time was similar between the two dose levels (standard mean difference −0.06, 95% CI −0.19 to 0.08). The pooled tumour response rate was comparatively higher in the high‐dose leucovorin regimen (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.55–1.18). No statistically significant difference was found between the haematological and nonhaematological toxicities of the two groups. However, there were fewer diarrhoea events in the low‐dose leucovorin regimen.

Conclusion

Low‐dose leucovorin regimens seemed feasible approaches for colorectal cancer treatment when the shortage happened, because both regimens manifested comparable outcomes in survival time and tumour response rate.
Use of remote monitoring with continuous glucose monitoring in young children with Type 1 diabetes: the parents’ perspective
Authors: Burckhardt M.‐A. , Fried L. , Bebbington K. , Hancock M. , Nicholas J. A. , Roberts A. , Abraham M. B. , Davis E. A. , Jones T. W.
Published: July 2019

Aim

Remote monitoring with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus has recently become available, but little is known about caregivers’ experiences of its use, particularly in younger children. The aim of this study was to explore parents’ everyday experiences of using this technology.

Methods

The parents of children with Type 1 diabetes diagnosed for > 1 year, aged 2–12 years were invited to participate in a semi‐structured interview. Interviews were the second phase of a randomized cross‐over study using standard insulin therapy with or without CGM and remote monitoring for two 3‐month periods. Open‐ended questions were used to explore parents’ real‐life experiences of the remote monitoring and CGM system. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Five themes related to remote monitoring emerged: (i) impact on sleep quality for the parents, (ii) peace of mind, (iii) impact on anxiety, (iv) freedom and confidence for the parents and children, and (v) impact on relationships. Furthermore, parents reported on themes related to CGM in general, such as better understanding of how to manage and control their child's diabetes and experiences related to physical or technical aspects.

Conclusion

Overall, parents of primary school children reported that using remote monitoring and CGM was a mostly beneficial experience. However, negative aspects within the themes were also reported. These findings will help to provide a structure to discuss parent and child expectations and provide targeted education at the start of using remote monitoring and CGM.
The economics of China's engagement with Africa: What is the empirical evidence?
Authors: Martuscelli Antonio
Published: July 2019

Motivation

In the last decade, economic and political ties between China and African countries grew fast, fuelling a heated debate about the implications for the latter and for the global system of China's engagement in Africa.

Purpose

The article reviews the existing evidence on the nature, causes and impact of China's economic engagement in Africa.

Approach and methods

The review focuses mainly on the economic literature with a quantitative focus.

Findings

China's reasons to engage with Africa are not so different from those of western countries: securing natural resources and seeking new export markets. However, there is evidence that China is less interested in the quality of governance and institutions of its African partners. The literature tends to agree on the positive growth effects for African countries of Chinese interest, but also suggests that their already thin manufacturing sector could be adversely affected by Chinese competition and that the increasing natural resource specialization of African countries might hamper diversification, structural transformation and future growth prospects. At the same time Chinese investments are building valuable infrastructure and linkages with local firms, which are growing although still very limited. The emergent trend of increasing presence of small and medium Chinese firms in Africa is promising in this respect.

Policy implications

Increased Chinese interactions with African countries present opportunities as well as threats for African countries. A key aspect will be the capacity of Chinese presence in Africa to spread to the local economy through spillover effects and linkages to the domestic economy. Both sides should introduce policies aimed at strengthening these linkages and spillovers.
Mannan‐binding lectin promotes keratinocyte to produce CXCL1 and enhances neutrophil infiltration at the early stages of psoriasis
Authors: Zeng Jiaqi , Chen Xi , Lei Ke , Wang Di , Lin Lin , Wang Yajie , Li Yao , Liu Yunzhi , Zhang Liyun , Zuo Daming , Sun Ledong
Published: July 2019

Psoriasis is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disorder. Numerous experimental evidence and therapeutic evidence have shown that the innate immune response is critical for the pathogenesis and development of psoriasis. Mannan‐binding lectin (MBL), a prototypic pattern recognition molecule of the innate immune system, plays an essential role in the host defense against certain infections and also appears to be a major regulator of inflammation. In this study, we investigated the function of MBL on the course of experimental murine imiquimod (IMQ)‐induced psoriasis. Our data showed that MBL‐deficient (MBL−/−) mice exhibited attenuated skin damage characterized by greatly decreased erythema compared with wild‐type control mice during the early stages of IMQ‐induced psoriasis‐like skin inflammation. The reduced skin inflammation in MBL−/− mice was associated with the decreased infiltration of neutrophils. Furthermore, we have determined that MBL deficiency limited the chemokine CXCL1 production from skin keratinocytes upon IMQ stimulation, which might be responsible for the impaired skin recruitment of neutrophils. Additionally, we have provided the data that MBL protein promotes the IMQ‐induced expression of CXCL1 and activation of MAPK/NF‐κB signalling pathway in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells in vitro. In summary, our study revealed an unexpected role of MBL on keratinocyte function in skin, thus offering a new insight into the pathogenic mechanisms of psoriasis.
Covariations between plant functional traits emerge from constraining parameterization of a terrestrial biosphere model
Authors: Peaucelle Marc , Bacour Cédric , Ciais Philippe , Vuichard Nicolas , Kuppel Sylvain , Peñuelas Josep , Belelli Marchesini Luca , Blanken Peter D. , Buchmann Nina , Chen Jiquan , Delpierre Nicolas , Desai Ankur R. , Dufrene Eric , Gianelle Damiano , Gimeno‐Colera Cristina , Gruening Carsten , Helfter Carole , Hörtnagl Lukas , Ibrom Andreas , Joffre Richard , Kato Tomomichi , Kolb Thomas E. , Law Beverly , Lindroth Anders , Mammarella Ivan , Merbold Lutz , Minerbi Stefano , Montagnani Leonardo , Šigut Ladislav , Sutton Mark , Varlagin Andrej , Vesala Timo , Wohlfahrt Georg , Wolf Sebastian , Yakir Dan , Viovy Nicolas
Published: July 2019

Aim

The mechanisms of plant trait adaptation and acclimation are still poorly understood and, consequently, lack a consistent representation in terrestrial biosphere models (TBMs). Despite the increasing availability of geo‐referenced trait observations, current databases are still insufficient to cover all vegetation types and environmental conditions. In parallel, the growing number of continuous eddy‐covariance observations of energy and CO2 fluxes has enabled modellers to optimize TBMs with these data. Past attempts to optimize TBM parameters mostly focused on model performance, overlooking the ecological properties of ecosystems. The aim of this study was to assess the ecological consistency of optimized trait‐related parameters while improving the model performances for gross primary productivity (GPP) at sites.

Location

Worldwide.

Time period

1992–2012.

Major taxa studied

Trees and C3 grasses.

Methods

We optimized parameters of the ORCHIDEE model against 371 site‐years of GPP estimates from the FLUXNET network, and we looked at global covariation among parameters and with climate.

Results

The optimized parameter values were shown to be consistent with leaf‐scale traits, in particular, with well‐known trade‐offs observed at the leaf level, echoing the leaf economic spectrum theory. Results showed a marked sensitivity of trait‐related parameters to local bioclimatic variables and reproduced the observed relationships between traits and climate.

Main conclusions

Our approach validates some biological processes implemented in the model and enables us to study ecological properties of vegetation at the canopy level, in addition to some traits that are difficult to observe experimentally. This study stresses the need for: (a) implementing explicit trade‐offs and acclimation processes in TBMs; (b) improving the representation of processes to avoid model‐specific parameterization; and (c) performing systematic measurements of traits at FLUXNET sites in order to gather information on plant ecophysiology and plant diversity, together with micro‐meteorological conditions.
Taiwanese bed and breakfast business performance: A geographic region perspective
Authors: Chiu Chia‐Ning
Published: July 2019

Taiwan has prioritized bed and breakfast (B&B) business performance improvement in its tourism policies because B&Bs are a sustainable business model that can boost local economy through rural tourism. In order to identify the factors that can improve business performance, this research uses directional distance function and metafrontier approach to evaluate the technical efficiency of 18 cities and counties with B&Bs in Taiwan from 2011 to 2016. Results are divided into four geographic regions: Northern, Central, Southern, and Eastern Taiwan; technology gap ratios are computed to determine the degree of technical gaps for each region in order to provide information to potential B&B owners when selecting their accommodation location or region, to aid B&B managers in tailoring their business models and marketing strategies to maximize total revenues or minimize inputs, and to facilitate tourism, small businesses, and local economy with the support of the Taiwanese government.
Faces Anxiety Scale as a screening measure of preoperative anxiety: Validation and diagnostic accuracy study
Authors: Turzáková Jana , Sollár Tomáš , Solgajová Andrea
Published: July 2019

Aim

The aim of the study was to examine validity and diagnostic accuracy of the single‐item Faces Anxiety Scale for the purposes of preoperative anxiety screening.

Background

Anxiety is common in most patients expecting surgery interfering with patients' recovery. Valid and reliable measures for situations with limited time for assessment are needed.

Design

A descriptive cross‐sectional design was used to collect the data from both self‐report and rating instruments.

Methods

We enrolled 90 consecutive patients admitted for surgery in a university‐affiliated hospital from January 2013 to June 2013. Patients were administered the anxiety state subscale of the Spielberger State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory and the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and they were presented the Faces Anxiety Scale. At the same time, patients' anxiety was rated by a nurse.

Results

The correlations among scores of self‐report instruments, rating scale, and the Faces Anxiety Scale were high and statistically significant. Of the Faces Anxiety Scale cut‐off scores tested, the cut‐off score > 2 has an optimal combination of sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusion

The Faces Anxiety Scale is valid and easy to administer. The scale is useful in settings where fast and precise screening is necessary.
Cucurbitacin B induces neurogenesis in PC12 cells and protects memory in APP/PS1 mice
Authors: Li Jing , Sun Kaiyue , Muroi Makoto , Gao Lijuan , Chang Young‐Tae , Osada Hiroyuki , Xiang Lan , Qi Jianhua
Published: July 2019

Cucurbitacin B (CuB) isolated from Cucumis melo by using a PC12 cell bioassay system exhibited significant nerve growth factor (NGF)‐mimic or NGF‐enhancing activity in PC12 and primary neuron cells. It was also demonstrated pro‐neurogenesis effects in ICR and APP/PS1 mice and improved memory deficit of APP/PS1 mice. Its possible mechanism includes significant induction of the phosphorylation of glucocorticoid receptor (GR), protein kinase C (PKC), phospholipase C (PLC) and inhibition of cofilin. ChemProteoBase profiling, binding assay and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) were used to determine the target protein. Results revealed that CuB could affect actin dynamics as an actin inhibitor but did not bind with GR. The protein level of cofilin in PC12 cells after treating 0.3 μM and different temperatures was significantly higher than that of control group. Other neurotrophic signalling pathways, such as TrkA/TrkB, were analysed with specific inhibitors and Western blot. The inhibitors of TrkA, PLC, PKC, Ras, Raf and ERK1/2 significantly decreased the percentage of PC12 cells with neurite outgrowth and shortened the length of neurite outgrowth induced by CuB. CuB significantly induced the phosphorylation of TrkA, ERK and CREB. The phosphorylation of these proteins was obviously decreased by their specific inhibitors. These results suggest that cofilin is a candidate target protein of CuB in PC12 cells and that the GR/PLC/PKC and TrkA/Ras/Raf/ERK signalling pathways play important roles in the neuroprotective effect of CuB.
Validation of the BIOCHIP test for the diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid, pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus
Authors: Yang A. , Xuan R. , Melbourne W. , Tran K. , Murrell D.F.
Published: July 2019

Background

The BIOCHIP is a novel multiplex indirect immunofluorescence technique used in the serological diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus. The BIOCHIP method combines the screening of autoantibodies and target antigen‐specific substrates in a single miniature incubation field.

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the new immunofluorescence BIOCHIP multiplex tool in pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid.

Methods

For the validation of the BIOCHIP, sera from patients with BP (n = 38), PF (n = 8) and pemphigus vulgaris (PV) (n = 23) were used. In addition, sera from disease control patients (n = 63) and healthy volunteers (n = 39) were used. The multiplex BIOCHIP and direct immunofluorescence (DIF) were performed for all BP, PF and PV patients. Additional indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) was performed on patients with BP, and ELISA was performed on patients with pemphigus.

Results

The BIOCHIP mosaic showed a sensitivity of 86.8% and specificity of 85% for BP180 or BP230 being positive in BP. It demonstrated a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 97.7% for Dsg1 in PF. The BIOCHIP was found to have a sensitivity of 60.9% and specificity of 73.6% for Dsg3 in PV.

Conclusion

The BIOCHIP mosaic‐based immunofluorescence test is potentially a simple, time and effort saving test that can aid in the diagnosis and screening of BP, PV and PF. However, there is potential for interpretation bias and a learning curve that needs to be taken into consideration.
Current intelligent segmentation and cooking technology in the central kitchen food processing
Authors: Liu Bo , Zhang Min , Sun Yanan , Wang Yu‐Chuan
Published: July 2019

The social division of labor more and more detailed, part of the agricultural products can be processed by a third‐party to solve the needs of standardization and intensification, and the central kitchen is the current trend of the high‐intensity, intensive, and repetitive catering industry. In the process of processing large quantities of food materials, standardization of catering industry's finished or semifinished products decline due to the low‐automatic degree equipment and high‐intensity labor demand, therefore high automation and intelligent processing equipment market prospects will be more broad. As a processing place for finished and semifinished dishes, central kitchen has realized partial automation in the pretreatment process of food materials. To achieve the best state of food processing, intelligent processing equipment considered as the best choice for enterprises. In this article, the segmentation and cooking process of ingredients in the central kitchen, such as water jet technology, 3D segmentation techniques, high spectral combination neural network intelligent segmentation technology, and intelligent cooking and recognition technology were reviewed, which can provide theoretical basis for cooking and catering industry to realize intelligent food processing.

Practical applications

Intelligent identification and classification of food materials is the key to improve the intelligent pretreatment of food materials in the central kitchen. Intelligent processing of fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish not only reduces the volume of equipment and makes it possible for the same equipment to cut multiple food materials, but also the processing cost is lower than that of automatic processing equipment. In addition, the combination of hyperspectral neural network control technology will also improve the intelligence of the central kitchen. Hyperspectral technology captures images of food materials through multiple sensors, and the collaborative neural network control module adaptively separates and cooks food materials, providing a basis for further improvement of industrial robots.
Situation awareness and the decision‐making processes of final‐year nursing students
Authors: Tower Marion , Watson Bernadette , Bourke Alison , Tyers Emma , Tin Anne
Published: July 2019

Aims and objectives

To investigate final‐year nursing students' use of situation awareness when making clinical decisions about patients' progress postsurgery.

Background

Making clinical decisions about patient care is a generic nursing competence, developed in preregistration nursing programmes and critical to providing safe patient care. Situation awareness is an important precursor to making decisions and is linked to improved clinical outcomes. However, there is evidence to suggest that nursing students feel inadequately prepared to make clinical decisions.

Design

Endsley's (Situation awareness analysis and measurement. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2000) 3‐level situation awareness framework was used to guide the study. Level 1 situation awareness is perception of information required to make a decision. Level 2 relates to comprehending the information. Level 3 situation awareness is projecting how this information will inform the future. Twelve final‐year nursing students were recruited to participate. Think‐aloud research method was used to capture students' decision‐making, followed by semi‐structured interviews. Data were analysed using an adapted protocol analysis and were encoded inductively. The COREQ checklist has been used in reporting the study.

Results

Students demonstrated level 1, 2 and 3 situation awareness when making clinical decisions. However, it was not demonstrated consistently and at times subsequent decision‐making was inappropriate. Three themes emerged: “systems approach to assessment of postoperative patients”; “policy drives practice”; and “deferring decisions to registered nurses”. Within the themes, students demonstrated differing levels of situation awareness.

Conclusion

Making safe clinical decisions is a paramount skill for nurses; however, student nurses are ill‐equipped to undertake this skill. Situation awareness is important in informing safe decision‐making, but students' use of situation awareness is variable. Cognitive apprenticeship, applied to supporting development of situation awareness, affords the opportunity to develop students' decision‐making.

Relevance to clinical practice

Clinical decision‐making is a generic competence for all registered nurses and imperative for safe practice. However, student nurses are unprepared to undertake this skill once registered.
Salient Central Lesion Volume: A Standardized Novel Fully Automated Proxy for Brain FLAIR Lesion Volume in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Dwyer Michael G. , Bergsland Niels , Ramasamy Deepa P. , Weinstock‐Guttman Bianca , Barnett Michael H. , Wang Chenyu , Tomic Davorka , Silva Diego , Zivadinov Robert
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Quantitative neuroimaging is an important part of multiple sclerosis research and clinical trials, and measures of lesion volume (LV) and brain atrophy are key clinical trial endpoints. However, translation of these endpoints to heterogeneous historical datasets and nonstandardized clinical routine imaging has been difficult. The NeuroSTREAM technique was recently introduced as a robust and broadly applicable surrogate for brain atrophy measurement, but no such surrogate currently exists for conventional T2‐LV. Therefore, we sought to develop a fully automated proxy for T2‐LV with similar analytic value but increased robustness to common issues arising in clinical routine imaging.

METHODS

We created an algorithm to identify salient central lesion volume (SCLV), comprised of the subset of lesion voxels within a specific distance to the lateral ventricles (centrality) and with intensity at least a quantitatively‐derived amount brighter than normal appearing tissue (salience). We evaluated this method on four datasets (clinical, inter‐scanner, scan‐rescan, and real‐world multi‐center), including 1.5T, 3T, Philips, Siemens, and GE scanners with heterogeneous protocols, to assess agreement with conventional T2‐LV, comparative relationship with disability, reliability across scanners and between scans, and applicability to real‐world scans.

RESULTS

SCLV correlated strongly with conventional T2‐LV in both research‐quality (r = .90, P < .001) and real‐world (r = 0.87, P < 0.001) datasets. It also showed similar correlations with Expanded Disability Status Scale, as conventional T2‐LV (r = 0.48 for T2‐LV vs. r = 0.45 for SCLV). Inter‐scanner reproducibility (ICC) was 0.86, p < 0.001 for SCLV compared to 0.84, p < 0.001 for conventional T2‐LV, whereas scan‐rescan ICC was 0.999 for SCLV versus 0.997 for T2‐LV.

CONCLUSIONS

SCLV is a robust, fully‐automated proxy for T2‐LV in situations where conventional T2‐LV is not easily or reliably calculated.