bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional connectivity of the developing mouse cortex
Authors: Rahn Rachel M. , Brier Lindsey M. , Bice Annie R. , Reisman Matthew D. , Dougherty Joseph D. , Culver Joseph P.
Published: April 2021

Cross-sectional studies have established a variety of structural, synaptic and cell physiological changes corresponding to key critical periods in cortical development. However, the emergence of functional connectivity (FC) in development has not been fully characterized, and hemodynamic-based measures are vulnerable to any neurovascular coupling changes occurring in parallel. We therefore used optical fluorescence imaging to trace longitudinal calcium FC in the awake, resting-state mouse cortex in the same mice at 5 developmental time points beginning at postnatal day 15 (P15) and ending in early adulthood (P60), resulting in over 500 imaging epochs with both calcium and hemodynamics available as a resource for the field. Proof-of-principle analyses revealed that calcium FC displayed coherent functional maps as early as P15, and FC significantly varied in connections between many regions across development, with the developmental trajectory’s shape specific to the functional region. This longitudinal developmental calcium FC dataset provides an essential resource for further algorithm development and studies of healthy development and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Genomic resources for the North American water vole (Microtus richardsoni) and the montane vole (Microtus montanus)
Authors: Duckett Drew J. , Sullivan Jack , Pirro Stacy , Carstens Bryan C.
Published: April 2021

Background

Voles of the genusMicrotusare important research organisms, yet genomic resources in the genus are lacking. Providing such resources would benefit future studies of immunology, phylogeography, cryptic diversity, and more.

Findings

We sequenced and assembled nuclear genomes from two subspecies of water vole (Microtus richardsoni) and from the montane vole (Microtus montanus). The water vole genomes were sequenced with Illumina and 10X Chromium plus Illumina sequencing, resulting in assemblies with ~1,600,000 and ~30,000 scaffolds respectively. The montane vole was assembled into ~13,000 scaffolds using Illumina sequencing also. In addition to the nuclear assemblies, mitochondrial genome assemblies were also performed for both species. We conducted a structural and functional annotation for the best water vole nuclear genome, which resulted in ~24,500 annotated genes, with 83% of these receiving functional annotations. Finally, we find that assembly quality statistics for our nuclear assemblies fall within the range of genomes previously published in the genusMicrotus, making the water vole and montane vole genomes useful additions to currently available genomic resources.
Inter-chromosomal linkage disequilibrium and linked fitness cost loci associated with selection for herbicide resistance
Authors: Gupta Sonal , Harkess Alex , Soble Anah , Van Etten Megan , Leebens-Mack James , Baucom Regina S
Published: April 2021

The adaptation of weedy plants to herbicide is both a significant problem in agriculture and a model for the study of rapid adaptation under regimes of strong selection. Despite recent advances in our understanding of simple genetic changes that lead to resistance, a significant gap remains in our knowledge of resistance controlled by many loci and the evolutionary factors that influence the maintenance of resistance over time. Here, we perform a multi-level analysis involving whole genome sequencing and assembly, resequencing and gene expression analysis to both uncover putative loci involved in nontarget herbicide resistance and to examine evolutionary forces underlying the maintenance of resistance in natural populations. We found loci involved in herbicide detoxification, stress sensing, and alterations in the shikimate acid pathway to be under selection, and confirmed that detoxification is responsible for glyphosate resistance using a functional assay. Furthermore, we found interchromosomal linkage disequilibrium (ILD), most likely associated with epistatic selection, to influence NTSR loci found on separate chromosomes thus potentially mediating resistance through generations. Additionally, by combining the selection screen, differential expression and LD analysis, we identified fitness cost loci that are strongly linked to resistance alleles, indicating the role of genetic hitchhiking in maintaining the cost. Overall, our work strongly suggests that NTSR glyphosate resistance inI. purpureais conferred by multiple genes which are maintained through generationsviaILD, and that the fitness cost associated with resistance in this species is a by-product of genetic-hitchhiking.
Phosphorylation-dependent control of Arc protein by synaptic plasticity regulator TNIK
Authors: Mooradally Alicyia Walczyk , Holborn Jennifer , Singh Karamjeet , Tyler Marshall , Patnaik Debasis , Wesseling Hendrik , Brandon Nicholas J , Steen Judith , Graether Steffen P , Haggarty Stephen J , Lalonde Jasmin
Published: April 2021

Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) is an immediate-early gene product that support neuroplastic changes important for cognitive function and memory formation. As a protein with homology to the retroviral Gag protein, a particular characteristic of Arc is its capacity to self-assemble into virus-like capsids that can package mRNAs and transfer those transcripts to other cells. Although a lot has been uncovered about the contributions of Arc to neuron biology and behavior, very little is known about how different functions of Arc are coordinately regulated both temporally and spatially in neurons. The answer to this question we hypothesized must involve the occurrence of different protein post-translational modifications acting to confer specificity. In this study, we used mass spectrometry and sequence prediction strategies to map novel Arc phosphorylation sites. Our approach led us to recognize serine 67 (S67) and threonine 278 (T278) as residues that can be modified by TNIK, which is a kinase abundantly expressed in neurons that shares many functional overlaps with Arc and has, along with its interacting proteins such as the NMDA receptor, been implicated as a risk factor for psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, characterization of each residue using site-directed mutagenesis to create S67 and T278 mutant variants revealed that TNIK action at those amino acids can strongly influence Arc’s subcellular distribution and self-assembly as capsids. Together, our findings reveal an unsuspected connection between Arc and TNIK. Better understanding of the interplay between these two proteins in neuronal cells could lead to new insights about apparition and progression of psychiatric disorders.
A New Genus Of Microsporidian Parasite (Hepatosporidae; Micro-Sporidia) Found In The Oocytes Of Ribbon Worms From The North Pacific Genus Maculaura (Heteronemertea; Nemertea)
Authors: Robbins Kara M. , Maslakova Svetlana A. , von Dassow George
Published: April 2021

An intracellular microsporidian parasite was first observed within oocytes ofMaculaura alaskensis, a small pilidiophoran nemertean, commonly found on sandflats along the Pacific coast of North America. Infected oocytes have large vesicles containing dozens to hundreds of diplokaryotic, ellipsoid spores measuring 1.3 by 2.3 μm. A partial small subunit nuclear ribosomal 18S gene sequence isolated from the microsporidian does not match any known microsporidian sequences in the public databases. Phylogenetic analysis groups it withHepatospora eriocheirin a sister clade to the Enterocytozoonidae. All the known life stages of this parasite are contained within a membranous envelope. This microsporidian was identified inM. alaskensis, Maculaura aquilonia, Maculaura oregonensis, andMaculaura cerebrosain Coos Bay, Oregon, inM. alaskensisfrom Newport, Oregon, and inM. aquiloniacollected in Juneau, Alaska. This is, to our knowledge, the first species of microsporidia found to directly infect nemertean host cells.

Graphical abstract
A three-phased model to support the design and development of core competency education for liaison mental health clinicians
Authors: Lamph Gary , Bullen-Foster Claire
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an insight into the design, development and delivery proposals for a first of its kind “Liaison Mental Health Training Programme”. In the UK, there has been a significant investment in Liaison Mental Health Services and an expansion of the workforce (NHS England, 2016). However, the complexity and varied presentations of patients who attend to acute physical health services now requires a dedicated strategy to address any skills deficit in the mental health liaison workforce and to support core competency development (DOH, 2016).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides an overview of preparations to develop a regional educational pilot programme using a three-phased model: Phase 1 – Review of policy and best practice guidelines; Phase 2 – Stakeholder Data Collection; and Phase 3 – Synthesis and Development.

Findings

An insight into the developmental processes undertaken to shape a core competency liaison mental health training programme is presented. Additionally, the authors provide insight into educational theory and an overview of the LMH Core Competency Curricula.

Practical implications

This paper provides the reader with an insight into our findings and a focussed core competency training model for those working within LMH services. This programme development was reviewed throughout by both those using LMH services and the LMH practitioners working within them, ensuring the curriculum proposed was endorsed by key stakeholders. The three-phased model has transferable benefits to other training development initiatives.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this training is the first of its kind in the UK and addresses the education of essential core competencies of a regional liaison mental health workforce. The collaboration of clinical and academic expertise and model of co-production makes this endeavour unique.
Effect of positive tone in MD&A disclosure on capital structure adjustment speed: evidence from China
Authors: Wang Qian , Wu Duowen , Yan Lina
Published: April 2021

We explore the influence of text tone on capital structure, especially the impact of positive tone in management discussion and analysis (MD&A) disclosures on the capital structure adjustment speed of Chinese listed firms in Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchange. We find that positive tone in MD&A disclosures significantly promotes the dynamic adjustment of capital structure. Specifically, we identify two types of positive tone: exaggerated and true. We find that only true positive tone significantly promotes the adjustment speed of capital structure. This paper supplements the relevant literature on the dynamic adjustment of capital structure from the perspective of non‐financial narrative information, and provides evidence for the effect of strategic tone management in textual analysis.
Corporate sustainability, earnings persistence and the association between earnings and future cash flows
Authors: Jia Jing , Li Zhongtian
Published: April 2021

Using data from Australian listed firms from 2002 to 2018, we found that firms’ sustainability performance is associated with higher future earnings and cash flows. We also revealed that firms’ sustainability performance was positively related to earnings persistence and had a positive effect on the association between earnings and future cash flows. Our findings support resource‐based theory and the theoretical argument indicating a positive relationship between firms’ sustainability performance and earnings quality. This paper enriches the literature by showing that firms’ sustainability performance reveals information about their future financial prospects and earnings quality.
The effect of diabetes on Fracture Resistance of Teeth: An in vitro study
Authors: Saghiri Mohammad Ali , Nath Devyani , Rahmani Behnam , Amini Saied , Karamifar Kasra , Peters Ove A.
Published: April 2021

The root fracture resistance (RFR) of premolars extracted from diabetic patients and the effect of biomaterials: white mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA) and WMTA+Na2HPO4 as an additive, on enhancing RFR were evaluated. Diabetic and non‐diabetic teeth were divided into 4 subgroups (n = 5): root canals were obturated with WMTA, WMTA+Na2HPO4, gutta‐percha and one unfilled (control). A plunger (1 mm diameter) applied a downward compressive load with crosshead speed of 1 mm min−1 on the specimens mounted on resin blocks, and the ultimate force to fracture was measured. The mean RFR values of diabetic specimens were significantly lower. The lowest and highest means of RFR were recorded in the control and WMTA, in normal group and the control and WMTA+Na2HPO4 in the diabetic group, respectively. The RFR in diabetic patients was significantly lower, indicating their higher susceptibility to fracture under vertical forces. The use of WMTA (with or without Na2HPO4) for obturation enhances the RFR.
Psychological factors and cardiac repolarization instability during anger in implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients
Authors: Krantz David S. , Harris Kristie M. , Rogers Heather L. , Whittaker Kerry S. , Haigney Mark C. P. , Kop Willem J.
Published: April 2021

Background

Evidence indicates that emotions such as anger are associated with increased incidence of sudden cardiac death, but the biological mechanisms remain unclear. We tested the hypothesis that, in patients with sudden death vulnerability, anger would be associated with arrhythmic vulnerability, indexed by cardiac repolarization instability.

Methods

Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD; n = 41) and healthy controls (n = 26) gave an anger‐inducing speech (anger recall), rated their current (state) anger, and completed measures of trait (chronic) levels of Anger and Hostility. Repolarization instability was measured using QT Variability Index (QTVI) at resting baseline and during anger recall using continuous ECG.

Results

ICD patients had significantly higher QTVI at baseline and during anger recall compared with controls, indicating greater arrhythmic vulnerability overall. QTVI increased from baseline to anger recall to a similar extent in both groups. In ICD patients but not controls, during anger recall, self‐rated anger was related to QTVI (r = .44, p = .007). Trait (chronic) Anger Expression (r = .26, p = .04), Anger Control (r = −.26, p = .04), and Hostility (r = .25, p = .05) were each associated with the change in QTVI from baseline to anger recall (ΔQTVI). Moderation analyses evaluated whether psychological trait associations with ΔQTVI were specific to the ICD group. Results indicated that Hostility scores predicted ΔQTVI from baseline to anger recall in ICD patients (β = 0.07, p = .01), but not in controls.

Conclusions

Anger increases repolarization lability, but in patients with CAD and arrhythmic vulnerability, chronic and acute anger interact to trigger cardiac repolarization lability associated with susceptibility to malignant arrhythmias.
Mapping structural attributes of tropical dry forests by combining Synthetic Aperture Radar and high‐resolution satellite imagery data
Authors: Andres‐Mauricio Juan , Valdez‐Lazalde José René , George‐Chacón Stephanie P. , Hernández‐Stefanoni José Luis
Published: April 2021

Aim

Optical satellite imagery has been used for mapping the spatial distribution of vegetation structure attributes; however, obtaining accurate estimates with optical imagery can be difficult in tropical forests due to their dense canopy and multi‐layered vegetation. Synthetic aperture radar imagery can be more suitable in this case, as the radar signal can penetrate the forest canopy and interact with stems, providing a better estimation of the vegetation structure. This study compared the accuracy of forest species richness, tree diameter, height, and basal area estimates obtained using Sentinel‐2 and Advanced Land Observing Satellite ‐1 (ALOS) Phased Array type L‐band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) data, either combined or separately.

Location

The Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.

Methods

Field data were collected in three 3600‐km2‐window areas with three different types of tropical dry forest. Three random forest regression models were fitted: one using explanatory variables derived from Sentinel‐2 data, a second using predictor variables derived from ALOS PALSAR, and the third using a combination of explanatory variables from both sensors. A variance partitioning analysis was carried out to examine the percent variability of each vegetation attribute that was explained by the models combining the explanatory variables of the two sensors (ALOS PALSAR and Sentinel‐2).

Results

Vegetation attribute estimation errors ranged from 13% to 38.5% when using ALOS PALSAR variables and from 11% to 33% when using Sentinel‐2 variables. Combining variables from both sensors provided more accurate estimates of vegetation attributes. A 5% reduction of the estimated error, and an increase from 0.50 to 0.63 of the percentage of variation explained by the models (R2) were achieved.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that both ALOS PALSAR and Sentinel‐2 data provide accurate estimates of vegetation structure and species richness in tropical dry forests. However, combining explanatory variables from the two sensors improved the estimation accuracy of vegetation attributes.
Interactions between species richness, herbivory and precipitation affect standing biomass in Mongolian rangelands
Authors: Ahlborn Julian , Wesche Karsten , Lang Birgit , Oyunbileg Munkhzul , Oyuntsetseg Batlai , Römermann Christine , French Collier Neil , von Wehrden Henrik
Published: April 2021

Questions

Livestock management in rangelands depends on the production of plant biomass. Biomass production is driven by the temporal and spatial variability in precipitation, but our understanding of how precipitation variability mediates grazing effects on biomass production is still fragmented. Along a 600‐km precipitation gradient we extracted biomass data to ask the questions: (a) what are the effects of grazing intensity on biomass production; (b) does grazing intensity interact with plant species richness to affect biomass production; and (c) how do plant functional groups respond to grazing and precipitation?

Location

Mongolia.

Methods

Biomass was sampled along 15 grazing intensity transects within the precipitation gradient over two consecutive years. We modeled spatial variability in above‐ground plant biomass using mixed‐effects models. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data were combined with field‐sampled biomass data to correct for inter‐annual precipitation variation. The effects of species richness were modeled with respect to possible interactions with grazing intensity, and the composition of plant functional groups was modeled with respect to possible interactions between grazing intensity and precipitation.

Results

Biomass was negatively correlated with grazing intensity and this effect increased as precipitation increased. Biomass was positively correlated with species richness in both years, but the strength of this effect and the interaction between species richness and grazing intensity differed between 2014 and 2015 in line with highly variable precipitation between both years. The plant functional groups grasses, sedges, legumes, wormwood and forbs had contrasting responses to grazing and precipitation.

Conclusion

Biomass production in drylands is more vulnerable to changes in precipitation variability and grazing intensities in relatively moist and productive rangelands than in dry and unproductive ones. Future rangeland management needs to address potentially increasing precipitation variability in order to promote desired forage plants, and to preserve the positive effects of biodiversity for biomass production.
Bayesian analysis of coupled cellular and nuclear trajectories for cell migration
Authors: Chakraborty Saptarshi , Lan Tian , Tseng Yiider , Wong Samuel W.K.
Published: April 2021

Cell migration, the process by which cells move from one location to another, plays crucial roles in many biological events. While much research has been devoted to understand the process, most statistical cell migration models rely on using time‐lapse microscopy data from cell trajectories alone. However, the cell and its associated nucleus work together to orchestrate cell movement, which motivates a joint analysis of coupled cell–nucleus trajectories. In this paper, we propose a Bayesian hierarchical model for analyzing cell migration. We incorporate a bivariate angular distribution to handle the coupled cell–nucleus trajectories and introduce latent motility status indicators to model a cell's motility as a time‐dependent characteristic. A Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm is provided for practical implementation of our model, which is used on real experimental data from MDA‐MB‐231 and NIH 3T3 cells. Through the fitted models, deeper insights into the migratory patterns of these experimental cell populations are gained and their differences are quantified.
Policy and politics: Trade adjustment assistance in the crossfire
Authors: Laincz Christopher , Matschke Xenia , Yotov Yoto V.
Published: April 2021

At a time when trade and globalization are subject to extremely polarized political debates, we study the interplay between politics and the certification outcome of trade adjustment assistance (TAA), a US national policy meant to buffer the domestic labour market from adverse effects of increased international trade. To this end, we capitalize on the unique design, implementation and detailed data collection efforts of the US TAA program. We employ a rich multi‐dimensional data set to quantify the effects of political influence on the TAA certification process, controlling for a variety of fixed effects, in particular at the industry level. We find that political factors such as party affiliation of the president, congressional voting outcomes at the state and district levels and whether a petition was filed in a presidential election year influence the TAA certification probability as well as the decision time.
Adverse reactions to COVID‐19 vaccines: A practical approach
Authors: Rutkowski Krzysztof , Mirakian Rita , Till Stephen , Rutkowski Ryszard , Wagner Annette
Published: April 2021

COVID‐19‐related mortality in high‐risk individuals is substantial and current treatment options are limited. There is convincing evidence that the COVID‐19 vaccines reduce the severity of infection and prevent deaths. Three COVID‐19 vaccines are approved in the United Kingdom with many more in development. There are limited data on the triggers and mechanisms of anaphylaxis to these vaccines. We review the potential allergenic compounds in the COVID‐19 vaccines and describe an innovative allergy support model for the vaccination hubs that allows most patients with severe allergy be immunized. Finally, we propose a practical algorithm for the investigations of anaphylaxis to these vaccines.
Role of non‐thyroidal illness syndrome in predicting adverse outcomes in COVID‐19 patients predominantly of mild‐to‐moderate severity
Authors: Lui David Tak Wai , Lee Chi Ho , Chow Wing Sun , Lee Alan Chun Hong , Tam Anthony Raymond , Fong Carol Ho Yi , Law Chun Yiu , Leung Eunice Ka Hong , To Kelvin Kai Wang , Tan Kathryn Choon Beng , Woo Yu Cho , Lam Ching Wan , Hung Ivan Fan Ngai , Lam Karen Siu Ling
Published: April 2021

Objective

Existing studies reported the potential prognostic role of non‐thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS), characterized by low triiodothyronine (T3) with normal/low thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH), mainly in severe COVID‐19. None considered the significant impact of SARS‐CoV‐2 viral load on adverse outcomes. We aimed to clarify the prognostic role of NTIS among predominantly mild‐to‐moderate COVID‐19 patients.

Design

A prospective study of COVID‐19 patients.

Patients and Measurements

Consecutive adults admitted to Queen Mary Hospital for confirmed COVID‐19 from July to December 2020 were prospectively recruited. SARS‐CoV‐2 viral load was represented by cycle threshold (Ct) values from real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction of the respiratory specimen on admission. Serum TSH, free thyroxine and free T3 were measured on admission. The outcome was deterioration in clinical severity, defined as worsening in ≥1 category of clinical severity according to the Chinese National Health Commission guideline.

Results

We recruited 367 patients. At baseline, 75.2% had mild disease, and 27 patients (7.4%) had NTIS. Fifty‐three patients (14.4%) had clinical deterioration. Patients with NTIS were older, had more comorbidities, worse symptomatology, higher SARS‐CoV‐2 viral loads and worse profiles of inflammatory and tissue injury markers. They were more likely to have clinical deterioration (p < .001). In multivariable stepwise logistic regression analysis, NTIS independently predicted clinical deterioration (adjusted odds ratio 3.19, p = .017), in addition to Ct value <25 (p < .001), elevated C‐reactive protein (p = .004), age >50 years (p = .011) and elevated creatine kinase (p = .017).

Conclusions

Non‐thyroidal illness syndrome was not uncommon even in mild‐to‐moderate COVID‐19 patients. NTIS on admission could predict clinical deterioration in COVID‐19, independent of SARS‐CoV‐2 viral load, age and markers of inflammation and tissue injury.
Changes in skin characteristics after using respiratory protective equipment (medical masks and respirators) in the COVID‐19 pandemic among healthcare workers
Authors: Han Hye Sung , Shin Sun Hye , Park Jae Wan , Li Kapsok , Kim Beom Joon , Yoo Kwang Ho
Published: April 2021

Background

The coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) outbreak has presented unique dermatologic challenges due to respiratory protective equipment (RPE)–related skin conditions.

Objective

To objectively evaluate the effects of RPE including medical masks and respirators on the skin barrier by measuring various physiological properties of the skin.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was designed. Twenty healthy healthcare workers were included in this study. Skin parameters including skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema, sebum secretion, pH, and skin temperature were measured in the RPE‐covered and RPE‐uncovered areas of the face 4 and 8 hours after wearing RPE and 14 hours after not wearing RPE.

Results

Skin hydration, TEWL, erythema, pH, and skin temperature increased in the RPE‐covered areas after wearing RPE for 4 and 8 hours. By contrast, in the RPE‐uncovered areas, skin hydration decreased and TEWL, erythema, and pH showed minimal changes over time. Based on the repeated‐measure analysis, the changes in skin physiological properties over time were significantly different between RPE‐covered and RPE‐uncovered areas.

Conclusion

We observed that skin physiological characteristics change with the prolonged use of RPE such as medical masks and respirators. These changes may lead to various adverse skin reactions after long‐term use.
Reproductive decision‐making in families containing multiple individuals with epilepsy
Authors: Nakamura Jacquelyn , Sorge Shawn T. , Winawer Melodie R. , Phelan Jo C. , Chung Wendy K. , Ottman Ruth
Published: April 2021

Objective

This study evaluated factors influencing reproductive decision‐making in families containing multiple individuals with epilepsy.

Methods

One hundred forty‐nine adults with epilepsy and 149 adult biological relatives without epilepsy from families containing multiple affected individuals completed a self‐administered questionnaire. Participants answered questions regarding their belief in a genetic cause of epilepsy (genetic attribution) and estimated risk of epilepsy in offspring of an affected person. Participants rated factors for their influence on their reproductive plans, with responses ranging from “much more likely” to “much less likely” to want to have a child. Those with epilepsy were asked, “Do you think you would have wanted more (or any) children if you had not had epilepsy?”

Results

Participants with epilepsy had fewer offspring than their unaffected relatives (mean = 1.2 vs. 1.9, p = .002), and this difference persisted among persons who had been married. Estimates of risk of epilepsy in offspring of an affected parent were higher among participants with epilepsy than among relatives without epilepsy (mean = 27.2 vs. 19.6, p = .002). Nineteen percent of participants with epilepsy responded that they would have wanted more children if they had not had epilepsy. Twenty‐five percent of participants with epilepsy responded that “the chance of having a child with epilepsy” or “having epilepsy in your family” made them less likely to want to have a child. Having these genetic concerns was significantly associated with greater genetic attribution and estimated risk of epilepsy in offspring of an affected parent.

Significance

People with epilepsy have fewer children than their biological relatives without epilepsy. Beliefs about genetic causes of epilepsy contribute to concerns and decisions to limit childbearing. These beliefs should be addressed in genetic counseling to ensure that true risks to offspring and reproductive options are well understood.
Complement factor I upregulates expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐13 and ‐2 and promotes invasion of cutaneous squamous carcinoma cells
Authors: Rahmati Nezhad Pegah , Riihilä Pilvi , Piipponen Minna , Kallajoki Markku , Meri Seppo , Nissinen Liisa , Kähäri Veli‐Matti
Published: April 2021

The incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is increasing globally. Here, we have studied the functional role of complement factor I (CFI) in the progression of cSCC. CFI was knocked down in cSCC cells, and RNA‐seq analysis was performed. Significant downregulation of genes in IPA biofunction categories Proliferation of cells and Growth of malignant tumor, in Gene Ontology (GO) terms Metallopeptidase activity and Extracellular matrix component, as well as Reactome Degradation of extracellular matrix was detected after CFI knockdown. Further analysis of the latter three networks, revealed downregulation of several genes coding for invasion‐associated matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) after CFI knockdown. The downregulation of MMP‐13 and MMP‐2 was confirmed at mRNA, protein and tissue levels by qRT‐qPCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Knockdown of CFI decreased the invasion of cSCC cells through type I collagen. Overexpression of CFI in cSCC cells resulted in enhanced production of MMP‐13 and MMP‐2 and increased invasion through type I collagen and Matrigel, and in increased ERK1/2 activation and cell proliferation. Altogether, these findings identify a novel mechanism of action of CFI in upregulation of MMP‐13 and MMP‐2 expression and cSCC invasion. These results identify CFI as a prospective molecular marker for invasion and metastasis of cSCC.
14–3‐3γ prevents centrosome duplication by inhibiting NPM1 function
Authors: Bose Arunabha , Modi Kruti , Dey Suchismita , Dalvi Somavally , Nadkarni Prafful , Sudarshan Mukund , Kundu Tapas K. , Venkatraman Prasanna , Dalal Sorab N.
Published: April 2021

14–3–3 proteins bind to ligands via phospho‐serine containing consensus motifs. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying complex formation and dissociation between 14–3–3 proteins and their ligands remain unclear. We identified two conserved acidic residues in the 14–3–3 peptide‐binding pocket (D129 and E136) that potentially regulate complex formation and dissociation. Altering these residues to alanine led to opposing effects on centrosome duplication. D129A inhibited centrosome duplication, whereas E136A stimulated centrosome amplification. These results were due to the differing abilities of these mutant proteins to form a complex with NPM1. Inhibiting complex formation between NPM1 and 14–3‐3γ led to an increase in centrosome duplication and over‐rode the ability of D129A to inhibit centrosome duplication. We identify a novel role of 14–3‐3γ in regulating centrosome licensing and a novel mechanism underlying the formation and dissociation of 14–3–3 ligand complexes dictated by conserved residues in the 14–3–3 family.
From imperialism to inpatient care: Work differences of Filipino and White registered nurses in the United States and implications for COVID‐19 through an intersectional lens
Authors: Nazareno Jennifer , Yoshioka Emily , Adia Alexander C , Restar Arjee , Operario Don , Choy Catherine Ceniza
Published: April 2021

In the United States, nursing is the largest healthcare profession, with over 3.2 million registered nurses (RNs) nationwide and comprised of mostly women. Foreign‐trained RNs make up 15 percent of the RN workforce. For over half a century, the U.S. healthcare industry has recruited these RNs in response to nurse shortages in hospitals and nursing homes. Philippines‐trained RNs make up 1 out of 20 RNs in this country and continue to be the largest group of foreign‐trained nurses today. Recently, the news media has publicized the many deaths of Filipino RNs as a result of the COVID‐19 pandemic in the United States. Given the imperial historical ties between these two countries in the context of the nursing profession and the enduring labor inequities that persist, this nationally representative study is one of the few to our knowledge to not only quantitatively examine the current work differences in characteristics and experiences of Philippines‐trained RNs and U.S.‐trained white RNs practicing in the United States today, but to also do so from an intersectionality lens. The overall aim of this paper is to illuminate how these differences may serve as potential factors contributing to the disproportionate number of Filipino nurses' COVID‐19 related vulnerability and deaths in the workplace.
Hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 drives divergent immunomodulatory functions in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases
Authors: Islam S.M. Touhidul , Won Jeseong , Khan Mushfiquddin , Mannie Mark D. , Singh Inderjit
Published: April 2021

Hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 (HIF‐1) is a heterodimeric (HIF‐1α/ HIF‐1β) transcription factor in which the oxygen‐sensitive HIF‐1α subunit regulates gene transcription to mediate adaptive tissue responses to hypoxia. HIF‐1 is a key mediator in both regulatory and pathogenic immune responses, because ongoing inflammation in localized tissues causes increased oxygen consumption and consequent hypoxia within the inflammatory lesions. In autoimmune diseases, HIF‐1 plays complex and divergent roles within localized inflammatory lesions by orchestrating a critical immune interplay sponsoring the pathogenesis of the disease. In this review, we have summarized the role of HIF‐1 in lymphoid and myeloid immunomodulation in autoimmune diseases. HIF‐1 drives inflammation by controlling the Th17/Treg/Tr1 balance through the tipping of the differentiation of CD4+ T cells in favour of pro‐inflammatory Th17 cells while suppressing the development of anti‐inflammatory Treg/Tr1 cells. On the other hand, HIF‐1 plays a protective role by facilitating the expression of anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 in and expansion of CD1dhiCD5+ B cells, known as regulatory B cells or B10 cells. Apart from lymphoid cells, HIF‐1 also controls the activation of macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells, thus eventually further influences the activation and development of effector/regulatory T cells by facilitating the creation of a pro/anti‐inflammatory microenvironment within the autoinflammatory lesions. Based on the critical immunomodulatory roles that HIF‐1 plays, this master transcription factor seems to be a potent druggable target for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Tablet assessment of word comprehension reveals coarse word representations in 18–⁠20‐month‐old toddlers
Authors: Lo Chang Huan , Rosslund Audun , Chai Jun Ho , Mayor Julien , Kartushina Natalia
Published: April 2021

The present study explores the viability of using tablets in assessing early word comprehension by means of a two‐alternative forced‐choice task. Forty‐nine 18–20‐month‐old Norwegian toddlers performed a touch‐based word recognition task, in which they were prompted to identify the labeled target out of two displayed items on a touchscreen tablet. In each trial, the distractor item was either semantically related (e.g., dog–cat) or unrelated (e.g., dog–airplane) to the target. Our results show that toddlers as young as 18 months can engage meaningfully with a tablet‐based assessment, with minimal verbal instruction and child–administrator interaction. Toddlers performed better in the semantically unrelated condition than in the related condition, suggesting that their word representations are still semantically coarse at this age. Furthermore, parental reports of comprehension, using the Norwegian version of the MacArthur–Bates Communicative Development Inventories, predicted toddlers’ performance, with parent–child agreement stronger in the semantically unrelated condition, indicating that parents declare a word to be known by their child if it is understood at a coarse representational level. This study provides among the earliest evidence that remote data collection in 18‐20 month‐old toddlers is viable, as comparable results were observed from both in‐laboratory and online administration of the touchscreen recognition task.
Reactive sintered highly transparent AlON ceramics with Y2O3‐MgAl2O4‐H3BO3 ternary additive
Authors: Yang Shuixian , Li Jianmin , Guo Hao , Mao Xiaojian , Tian Run , Zhang Jian , Wang Shiwei
Published: April 2021

In this study, highly transparent aluminate oxynitride (AlON) ceramics were prepared via the reactive sintering of Al2O3 and AlN powders using a Y2O3‐MgAl2O4‐H3BO3 ternary sintering additive. The ternary doping process resulted in the efficient preparation of transparent AlON ceramics with small grains and high transmittance as compared to the binary doping (Y2O3‐MgAl2O4) process. The addition of 0.1 wt.% Y2O3‐0.4 wt.% MgAl2O4‐0.12 wt.% H3BO3 resulted in the formation of a 4‐mm‐thick AlON ceramic with high transmittance (81% at 600 nm) and low haze (3.46%). This is the best performance in terms of the thickness and transmittance reported for AlON transparent ceramics prepared by the reactive sintering method.
Diabetes modifies the association of prehypertension with cardiovascular disease and all‐cause mortality
Authors: Ren Yanlong , Zuo Yingting , Wang Anxin , Chen Shuohua , Tian Xue , Li Haibin , He Yan , Wu Shouling , Ma Changsheng
Published: April 2021

Prehypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all‐cause mortality. However, it is unclear whether prehypertension combined with diabetes associate with a higher risk for cardiovascular disease and all‐cause mortality. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between prehypertension and the risk of CVD and all‐cause mortality was different among individuals with or without diabetes. In the prospective community‐based Kailuan study, 67 344 participants without hypertension or a history of CVD at baseline (2006) were included. Prehypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure of 120–139 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of 80–89 mmHg. The outcomes were CVD and all‐cause mortality were followed up through December 31, 2017. We performed Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate the relationships between prehypertension and CVD and all‐cause mortality by diabetes status. During a median follow‐up of 11.03 years, 2981 CVD events and 4655 all‐cause mortality occurred. After adjusting age, sex, and other factors, the associations of prehypertension with risk of CVD and all‐cause mortality were significant in participants without diabetes (hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval: 1.54 [1.38–1.71] and 1.27 [1.17–1.38]), but not in participants with diabetes (1.20 [0.93–1.56] and 0.88 [0.73–1.07]). The interactions between prehypertension and diabetes for the risk of CVD and all‐cause mortality were all significant (all p < .05). Prehypertension was only associated with an increased risk for CVD and all‐cause mortality in non‐diabetes participants. Diabetes modifies the relation of prehypertension with the risk of CVD and all‐cause mortality.
The avian lightweights: Trans‐Saharan migrants show lower lean body mass than short‐/medium‐distance migrants
Authors: Kelsey Natalie A. , Schmaljohann Heiko , Bairlein Franz
Published: April 2021

Avian trans‐Saharan migrants travelling long distances and crossing ecological barriers experience different constraints in terms of time, energy and safety than short‐/medium‐distance migrants without barrier‐crossings. As such, natural selection shapes the aerodynamic properties of these groups differently. Yet, to the best of our knowledge, we lack information on whether natural selection has contributed to reducing energetic flight costs through generally lower body mass in trans‐Saharan migrants. To fill parts of this gap, we investigated this eco‐morphological pattern in 5,410 individuals of 22 Palearctic songbird species ranging from short‐/medium‐distance to trans‐Saharan migrants. We used individual size‐independent scaled lean body mass values based on wing length as a measure of body size and, for the first time, precisely determined lean body mass values by direct measurements via quantitative magnetic resonance technology. Scaled lean body mass for a given body size was significantly higher in short‐/medium‐distance migrants than in trans‐Saharan migrants. Although scaled lean body mass significantly decreased with increasing migration distance in short‐/medium‐distance migrants, no such effect was found in trans‐Saharan migrants. Our results thus show an eco‐morphological pattern relating species’ lean body mass not only to migration distance but also to migration group. This suggests that selective effects of the presence/absence of ecological barriers and/or of a threshold level for migration distance on migrant birds may be more important than the linear continuum of migration distance per se.
Laser removal of tattoos in vegan and omnivore patients
Authors: Fusano Marta , Galimberti Michela Gianna , Bencini Pier Luca
Published: April 2021

Background

Clinical outcomes of tattoo removal vary widely among different patients; it is known that tattoo‐related features (such as pigments' type or quality, the use of multicolored inks, tattoo location size, location, layering, and duration) and personal habits (as smoking or skin phototype) could influence the clinical response to treatment, the possible role of nutrition in affecting the laser treatment of tattoos has never been investigated.

Aims

This study aims to compare the clinical response of tattoos removal between omnivore and vegan patients treated with Q‐switched laser (QSL).

Patients/Methods

Twenty omnivore and twenty vegan patients treated for professional black tattoo removal with Nd:YAG QSL were enrolled in this study. The number of laser sessions and the median days required for complete healing were recorded; clinical improvement was evaluated 4 weeks after the last laser session.

Results

The two groups were not different at the baseline in terms of sex, age, skin phototype, tattoos’ age, location, and density. Vegans needed more laser sessions (p < 0.001) to achieve the best outcome, showed worst clinical responses (p = 0.001) and needed more days for complete healing (p = 0.006) compared to omnivores.

Conclusion

The results of this study point out the influence of vegan diet on QLS removal of tattoos.
Similar successional development of functional community structure in glacier forelands despite contrasting bedrocks
Authors: Greinwald Konrad , Gebauer Tobias , Musso Alessandra , Scherer‐Lorenzen Michael
Published: April 2021

Questions

Primary plant succession is expected to be driven by habitat filtering and competitive exclusion. However, such findings typically come from experimental or single‐site case studies. As a result, we lack field studies that investigate the functional community structures across successional series with differing site conditions. Here, we address the following question: how do plant trait patterns and functional diversity change along two chronosequences with distinct bedrocks?

Methods

We established two soil chronosequences with contrasting bedrock types (siliceous vs calcareous) in the Swiss Alps spanning a terrain age gradient of 13,500 years. We analysed plant ecological strategies at 40 plots per glacier foreland relating six functional traits to terrain age using RLQ analysis. We used the variation in plant ecological strategies revealed by RLQ analysis to calculate indices of functional diversity and analysed their temporal development with terrain age.

Results

The RLQ analysis revealed that canopy height and dispersal type were significantly associated with terrain age. In both glacier forelands, functional richness (FRic) increased with terrain age, suggesting similar development of niche differentiation along the chronosequences, irrespective of bedrock types. In addition, we observed a decrease of functional evenness (FEve) and functional divergence (FDiv) in both sites, indicating an overall trend to habitat filtering.

Conclusions

The results support the idea of a similar development of functional community structure along the two chronosequences, underlining the deterministic model of functional structure during succession. The functional approach of this study improves knowledge of the adaptive strategies of plant communities colonising glacier forefields and highlights the potential of comparing successional series with differing site conditions to gain a deeper understanding of successional drivers and underlying mechanisms.
Synthesizing tree biodiversity data to understand global patterns and processes of vegetation
Authors: Keppel Gunnar , Craven Dylan , Weigelt Patrick , Smith Stephen A. , van der Sande Masha T. , Sandel Brody , Levin Sam C. , Kreft Holger , Knight Tiffany M.
Published: April 2021

Aims

Trees dominate the biomass in many ecosystems and are essential for ecosystem functioning and human well‐being. They are also one of the best‐studied functional groups of plants, with vast amounts of biodiversity data available in scattered sources. We here aim to illustrate that an efficient integration of these data could produce a more holistic understanding of vegetation.

Methods

To assess the extent of potential data integration, we use key databases of plant biodiversity to: (a) obtain a list of tree species and their distributions; (b) identify coverage of and gaps in different aspects of tree biodiversity data; and (c) discuss large‐scale patterns of tree biodiversity in relation to vegetation.

Results

Our global list of trees included 58,044 species. Taxonomic coverage varies in three key databases, with data on the distribution, functional traits, and molecular sequences for about 84%, 45% and 44% of all tree species, which is >10% greater than for plants overall. For 28% of all tree species, data are available in all three databases. However, less data are digitally accessible about the demography, ecological interactions, and socio‐economic role of tree species. Integrating and imputing existing tree biodiversity data, mobilization of non‐digitized resources and targeted data collection, especially in tropical countries, could help closing some of the remaining data gaps.

Conclusions

Due to their key ecosystem roles and having large amounts of accessible data, trees are a good model group for understanding vegetation patterns. Indeed, tree biodiversity data are already beginning to elucidate the community dynamics, functional diversity, evolutionary history and ecological interactions of vegetation, with great potential for future applications. An interoperable and openly accessible framework linking various databases would greatly benefit future macroecological studies and should be linked to a platform that makes information readily accessible to end users in biodiversity conservation and management.