bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does Light Color Temperature Influence Aspects of Oviposition by the Black Soldier Fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)?
Authors: Klüber Patrick , Bakonyi Daniel , Zorn Holger , Rühl Martin
Published: September 2020

In recent years, black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.), larvae have attracted increasing attention because of their high capacity for bioconversion of diverse organic material into high-quality protein and lipids. Although previous studies have focused on optimization of breeding conditions, such as the acceptance of substrates, and temperatures and moisture contents, little is known about light-dependent adult development. Artificial light sources are important to commercial H. illucens breeding, especially at latitudes with short days in autumn and winter months. We examined how 3,000, 4,000, and 6,500 K color temperatures affect aspects of oviposition. Mating occurred under all of the broad spectrum light-emitting diode panels, resulting in fertilized egg clusters. Oviposition lasted up to 15 d, while the shortest oviposition period, in the 3,000 K light treatment, was 2 d. Total oviposition performance and oviposition period were not affected by the light treatments. Oviposition peaked 1–7 d after eggs were first deposited. The time until oviposition peaked was positively correlated with increasing color temperature.
Successful Pupation of Small Hive Beetle, Aethina tumida (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), in Greenhouse Substrates
Authors: Cornelissen Bram , Neumann Peter , Ellis James D
Published: September 2020

The small hive beetle, Aethina tumida Murray, is an invasive pest that has spread globally. Western honey bees, Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae), are considered the most important host and infestations can lead to collapse of colonies. Larvae feed on honey, pollen, and brood inside the hive and leave the hive as postfeeding wandering larvae to pupate in the surrounding soil. Other host species include bumble bees, stingless bees, and solitary bees, all of which can facilitate small hive beetle reproduction and are used for greenhouse crop pollination worldwide. Here, we investigated if small hive beetles can complete their life cycle when soil is absent by pupating in plant root-supporting substrates commonly used in greenhouses. Wandering small hive beetle larvae were introduced into containers with coconut fiber, perlite, a mixture of both and stone wool substrates to investigate pupation success and development time. Sand was used as control substrate. In all but one substrate (perlite), small hive beetles developed into adults equally well as they did in the sand. Development time ranged between 23 and 37 d and was not different from that of the control. We showed that small hive beetles can pupate in greenhouse substrates. This could constitute a problem for greenhouse pollination as well as it could facilitate small hive beetle survival in areas which otherwise would be deemed unsuitable or marginal environments for small hive beetles to become established. Our study highlights the opportunistic nature of the small hive beetle as an invasive species.
Efficacy of a Fungal Biopesticide for Bed Bug Management Is Influenced by the Toxicity and Associated Behavioral Avoidance of Harborages on Insecticide-Impregnated Box Spring Covers
Authors: Shikano Ikkei
Published: September 2020

Bed bugs spend most of their lives hiding in harborages, usually in the seams of mattresses and box springs and in crevices of bed frames. For insecticidal products that target these shelters, the repellency of the products for bed bugs may influence their duration of contact. Bed bugs are known to avoid contacting surfaces treated with certain insecticides. The fungal biopesticide Aprehend contains spores of the entomopathogen, Beauveria bassiana. It is sprayed around bed frames, box springs, and furniture where bed bugs are likely to walk, which includes potential shelters. Here, I investigated the influence of a permethrin-impregnated cover, ActiveGuard, on bed bug sheltering behavior and the effectiveness of combining ActiveGuard with Aprehend. Bed bugs avoided harboring in a shelter constructed with ActiveGuard compared to a nontoxic encasement-type cover. This avoidance behavior reduced mortality induced by ActiveGuard shelters compared to forced continuous contact on the ActiveGuard cover. However, while bed bugs also avoided Aprehend-treated ActiveGuard shelters, the combined treatment induced almost complete mortality and more quickly than Aprehend-treated shelters made of the encasement-type cover. This suggests compatibility between the two integrated pest management (IPM) tools even though the bed bug’s avoidance behavior would suggest otherwise. Since Aprehend is highly effective against pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs, its use would provide more effective control where bed bug populations are more resistant to the permethrin-impregnated cover.
Approximating the Coalescent Under Facultative Sex
Authors: Hartfield Matthew
Published: September 2020

Genome studies of facultative sexual species, which can either reproduce sexually or asexually, are providing insight into the evolutionary consequences of mixed reproductive modes. It is currently unclear to what extent the evolutionary history of facultative sexuals’ genomes can be approximated by the standard coalescent, and if a coalescent effective population size Ne exists. Here, I determine if and when these approximations can be made. When sex is frequent (occurring at a frequency much greater than 1/N per reproduction per generation, for N the actual population size), the underlying genealogy can be approximated by the standard coalescent, with a coalescent Ne≈N. When sex is very rare (at frequency much lower than 1/N), approximations for the pairwise coalescent time can be obtained, which is strongly influenced by the frequencies of sex and mitotic gene conversion, rather than N. However, these terms do not translate into a coalescent Ne. These results are used to discuss the best sampling strategies for investigating the evolutionary history of facultative sexual species.
Mechanisms of Novel Host Use by Bactrocera tau (Tephritid: Diptera) Revealed by RNA Transcriptomes
Authors: Shi Wei , Roderick George , Zhang Gen-Song
Published: September 2020

Use of novel plant hosts can facilitate the establishment and range expansion of herbivorous invasive species. However, the inherent mechanisms of novel host use are still unclear in many herbivorous species. Here, we examine mechanisms of novel host use in the invasive tephritid fruit fly Bactrocera tau (Walker)(Diptera: Tephritidae) by documenting changes in the RNA transcriptomes associated with a novel host. RNA transcripts of B. tau were obtained with high-throughput sequencing from samples continuously reared on two traditional Cucurbitaceae hosts and a novel host (banana). We found transcriptome variation was strongly associated with feeding on banana. Moreover, B. tau feeding on banana contained more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and more annotated categories of DEGs in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database with 1,595 DEGs and 21 major annotated pathways. The annotated categories of DEGs in individuals reared on banana differed with from those individuals feeding on other hosts and were enriched in oxidative phosphorylation, citrate cycle pathway, and four other carbohydrate pathways. For B. tau feeding on banana, the predominant numbers of upregulated genes in the mitochondrial NADH (56 on average) and a relatively higher numbers of upregulated genes (13 on average) were found in oxidative phosphorylation and the TCA pathway, respectively. Changes in RNA transcriptomes associated with novel host use, especially for genes related to energy and carbohydrate metabolism, help to explain how B. tau can be successful in use of novel hosts and may be useful in developing novel strategies for control of tephritid flies.
Seasonal Migration in the Aphid Genus Stomaphis (Hemiptera: Aphididae): Discovery of Host Alternation Between Woody Plants in Subfamily Lachninae
Authors: Yamamoto Tetsuya , Hattori Mitsuru , Itino Takao
Published: September 2020

About 10% of aphid species show host alternation. These aphids migrate between primary and secondary host plant species in spring and autumn. Host alternation has not been observed in subfamily Lachninae, although it has been suggested on the basis of circumstantial evidence that Stomaphis japonica (Takahashi) may alternate its host between Quercus serrata (Murray) and Quercus acutissima (Carruth). However, a molecular phylogenetic study has indicated that the Stomaphis individuals feeding on these two plant species belong to two different lineages and aphids feeding on Q. acutissima and Pinus densiflora (Sieb. & Zucc.) belong to the same lineage. Here, we examined host alternation in Stomaphis species by comparing molecular phylogenetic identities, morphological features, and life cycles. The molecular analysis and morphological examination showed that aphids feeding on Q. acutissima were the same as those feeding on P. densiflora, whereas aphids feeding on Q. serrata were different from those feeding on Q. acutissima or on P. densiflora. Furthermore, winged aphids were observed on both Q. acutissima and P. densiflora in autumn, but we did not observe winged aphids on Q. serrata. These results indicate that Stomaphis (Walker) individuals feeding on Q. serrata and Q. acutissima belong to two species, one that feeds year-round on Q. serrata, and another, heteroecious species that feeds on P. densiflora as a primary host and on Q. acutissima as a secondary host. This study documents host alternation in subfamily Lachninae for the first time and discusses the acquisition of host alternation by Stomaphis from evolutionary and ecological perspectives.
Commerce of Edible Insects in the State of Morelos, Mexico
Authors: Pino Moreno José Manuel , Reyes-Prado Humberto
Published: September 2020

The present study deals with the taxonomical analysis of the edible insects commercialized in the state of Morelos, Mexico. We have recorded two species under the order Orthoptera and four species under Hemiptera–Heteroptera. Our work revealed that grasshoppers and small hemipterans known as ‘jumiles’ are the two main insects sold in the markets of the state of Morelos. We also discuss insects’ prices and their economic importance for the livelihood improvement of the local people connected to the edible insect trade.
Safety and pharmacokinetics of polatuzumab vedotin in Japanese patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a phase 1 dose-escalation study
Authors: Kinoshita Tomohiro , Hatake Kiyohiko , Yamamoto Kazuhito , Higuchi Yusuke , Murakami Satsuki , Terui Yasuhito , Yokoyama Masahiro , Maruyama Dai , Makita Shinichi , Hida Yukari , Saito Tomohisa , Tobinai Kensei
Published: September 2020

Objective

A phase 1 dose-escalation study of polatuzumab vedotin (pola) was conducted to assess safety, pharmacokinetics and preliminary antitumor activity of pola in Japanese patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Methods

Patients received pola (1.0 or 1.8 mg/kg) intravenously every 21 days until disease progression or intolerance. Intra-patient dose escalation was prohibited. Tolerability was determined by the standard 3 + 3 rule. Blood sampling was performed to characterize pharmacokinetics. Antitumor activity was evaluated through computed tomography and bone marrow sampling.

Results

Four patients received pola 1.0 mg/kg; three received 1.8 mg/kg. Patients had follicular lymphoma (n = 4) or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (n = 3), median age of 62 years, received a median of 3 prior therapies; six were female. Pola was well tolerated in both cohorts, with no dose-limiting toxicities observed. The most common adverse event was peripheral sensory neuropathy (n = 4). Grade 3 adverse events were cholecystitis and neutrophil count decreased (one each; both 1.0 mg/kg), and syncope and cataract (one each; both 1.8 mg/kg). The plasma half-life of antibody-conjugate monomethyl auristatin E was 4.43–7.98 days, and systemic exposure of unconjugated monomethyl auristatin E was limited in both cohorts. Four patients achieved objective responses (three complete, one partial) without disease progression during the study.

Conclusions

This phase 1 dose-escalation study demonstrated that pola has an acceptable safety profile and offers encouraging antitumor activity to Japanese patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Pola 1.8 mg/kg, the recommended phase 2 dose, was tolerable in Japanese patients.
Prognosis and surgical outcome of soft tissue sarcoma with malignant fungating wounds
Authors: Okajima Koichi , Kobayashi Hiroshi , Okuma Tomotake , Arai Sho , Zhang Liuzhe , Hirai Toshihide , Ishibashi Yuki , Ikegami Masachika , Shinoda Yusuke , Akiyama Toru , Goto Takahiro , Tanaka Sakae
Published: September 2020

Objective

Malignant fungating wounds are ulcerating tumors that infiltrate the overlying skin. Little evidence exists regarding the prognosis or treatment of malignant fungating wound in soft tissue sarcoma. This study aimed to reveal the prognosis and outcome of surgical treatment of malignant fungating wound in soft tissue sarcoma.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 26 patients with malignant fungating wound in high-grade soft tissue sarcoma between 2005 and 2018. The patients’ characteristics, treatments, surgical wound complications, local recurrences and prognoses were analyzed. Overall survival was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared with that of the control cohort, consisting of 236 consecutive patients with non-malignant fungating wound high-grade soft tissue sarcoma treated during the same period.

Results

Among the 26 patients, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma was the most common subtype. Twenty-three patients, including 20 (87%) and 3 (13%), underwent limb-salvage surgery and amputation, respectively. Among the 20 patients who underwent limb-salvage surgery, 4 (20%) had surgical wound complications, which required additional surgical procedures. Excluding the patients who underwent palliative surgery, local recurrence occurred in 2 patients (11%). The 5-year overall survival rate for all high-grade malignant fungating wound and non-malignant fungating wound patients was 26.0 and 67.3% (P < 0.0001), respectively.

Conclusions

Malignant fungating wounds in soft tissue sarcoma were significantly associated with a poor prognosis; however, the incidence of surgical complications and local recurrence after limb-salvage surgery was comparable to that of general soft tissue sarcoma cases. Limb-salvage surgery should be considered, if possible, to preserve the patient’s quality of life because of the dismal prognosis of patients with malignant fungating wound in soft tissue sarcoma.
Redescription of Brennanacarus annereauxi (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae) With New Records for Uruguay
Authors: Bassini-Silva Ricardo , Huang-Bastos Matheus , Welbourn Cal , Ochoa Ron , Barros-Battesti Darci Moraes , de Castro Jacinavicius Fernando
Published: September 2020

Brennanacarus annereauxi (Brennan and Yunker, 1969) was described from Venezuela parasitizing the greater spear-nosed bat. The monotypic genus Brennanacarus Goff, Yunker and Wheeler, 1987 is a replacement name for Nasicola Brennan and Yunker, 1969, which was preoccupied by Nasicola Yamaguti, 1968. Here, we redescribe the genus Brennanacarus and the type species B. annereauxi. Also, this is the first record of this species, as well as the second record of any chigger, for Uruguay.
Tophaceous gout in the sternoclavicular joint
Authors: Sahdev Nikhil , Smelt Jeremy , Avila Zoe , Tennent Duncan , Hunt Ian
Published: September 2020

Gouty arthritis commonly occurs in peripheral synovial joints and involvement in the thoracic cage is extremely rare. We report a case of a 52-year-old presenting with a painful bony mass in her sternal notch. Imaging demonstrated a lobulated calcified and necrotic lesion causing mass effect on adjacent structures. Excision biopsy confirmed a benign cystic lesion with amorphous material containing needle-shaped refractile crystals suggestive of uric acid. Tophaceous gout was diagnosed. Presence of a periarticular mass with characteristics of gout should warrant investigation with biopsy and imaging. This can prevent misdiagnosis of malignancy and avoid unnecessary surgery in asymptomatic lesions.
Sporothrix brasiliensis on cats with skin ulcers in Southern Brazil
Authors: Spanamberg Andréia , Araujo Ricardo , Ravazzolo Ana Paulo , Driemeier David , Driemeier Rosane Maria Sordi , Ferreiro Laerte
Published: September 2020

Sporotrichosis is a disease caused by thermally dimorphic fungi belonging to the Sporothrix schenckii complex. We report the occurrence of multiple cases of sporotrichosis in cats in Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil, from 2015 to 2019. A set of 21 fungal isolates were collected and the partial sequence of calmodulin (CAL) gene compared. All isolates were identified at phenotypic and molecular level as S. brasiliensis. Phylogenetic analysis showed the isolates clustered in two distinct groups, suggesting the presence of multiple genetic variants of S. brasiliensis in the region.
The synchrotron maser emission from relativistic magnetized shocks: dependence on the pre-shock temperature
Authors: Babul Aliya-Nur , Sironi Lorenzo
Published: September 2020

Electromagnetic precursor waves generated by the synchrotron maser instability at relativistic magnetized shocks have been recently invoked to explain the coherent radio emission of fast radio bursts. By means of 2D particle-in-cell simulations, we explore the properties of the precursor waves in relativistic electron–positron perpendicular shocks as a function of the pre-shock magnetization σ ≳ 1 (i.e. the ratio of incoming Poynting flux to particle energy flux) and thermal spread Δγ ≡ kT/mc2 = 10−5−10−1. We measure the fraction fξ of total incoming energy that is converted into precursor waves, as computed in the post-shock frame. At fixed magnetization, we find that fξ is nearly independent of temperature as long as Δγ ≲ 10−1.5 (with only a modest decrease of a factor of 3 from Δγ = 10−5 to Δγ = 10−1.5), but it drops by nearly two orders of magnitude for Δγ ≳ 10−1. At fixed temperature, the scaling with magnetization $f_\xi \sim 10^{-3}\, \sigma ^{-1}$ is consistent with our earlier 1D results. For our reference σ = 1, the power spectrum of precursor waves is relatively broad (fractional width ∼1 − 3) for cold temperatures, whereas it shows pronounced line-like features with fractional width ∼0.2 for 10−3 ≲ Δγ ≲ 10−1.5. For σ ≳ 1, the precursor waves are beamed within an angle ≃σ−1/2 from the shock normal (as measured in the post-shock frame), as required so they can outrun the shock. Our results can provide physically grounded inputs for FRB emission models based on maser emission from relativistic shocks.
Interstellar scintillation of an extreme scintillator: PKS B1144−379
Authors: Said N M M , Ellingsen S P , Bignall H E , Shabala S , McCallum J N , Reynolds C
Published: September 2020

The University of Tasmania Ceduna radio telescope has been used to investigate rapid variability in the radio flux density of the BL Lac object PKS B1144−379 at 6.7 GHz. High-cadence monitoring of this extreme scintillator was carried out over a period of approximately 9 yr, between 2003 and 2011. We have used structure functions created from the intensity time-series to determine the characteristic time-scale of the variability. The characteristic time-scale is consistently observed to increase during certain periods of each year, demonstrating the annual cycle expected for scintillation through an interstellar scattering screen. The best-fitting annual cycle model for each year suggests that the scintillation pattern has an anisotropic structure and that the upper limit of its scattering screen is at a distance of ∼0.84 kpc. Higher anisotropy in some of the annual cycle fits suggests that changes in the intrinsic source structure might be influencing the variability time-scale. We found a prominent annual cycle is only present in the variability time-scale for certain years, where other evidence suggests that the core is compact. From our measurements, we calculated that the core angular size varied between 5.65 and 15.90 μas (0.05–0.13 pc). The core component was found to be at its most compact during two flares in the total flux density, which were observed in 2005 and 2008. We conclude that the long-term variability in the radio flux density of PKS B1144−379 is due to intrinsic changes in the source and that these affect our ability to measure an annual cycle in its variability time-scale.
Discovery of a hot ultramassive rapidly rotating DBA white dwarf
Authors: Pshirkov M S , Dodin A V , Belinski A A , Zheltoukhov S G , Fedoteva A A , Voziakova O V , Potanin S A , Blinnikov S I , Postnov K A
Published: September 2020

We report the discovery of a nearby massive white dwarf with He–H atmosphere. The white dwarf is located at a distance of 74.5 ± 0.9 pc. Its radius, mass, effective temperature, H/He ratio, and age are R = 2500 ± 100 km, M = 1.33 ± 0.01 $\rm M_{\odot }$, Teff = 31 200 ± 1200 K, H/He ∼ 0.1, and 330 ± 40 Myr, respectively. The observed spectrum is redshifted by Vr = +240 ± 15 km s−1, which is mostly attributed to the gravitational redshift. The white dwarf shows a regular stable photometric variability with amplitude Δg ≈ 0.06m and period P = 353.456 s suggesting rapid rotation. This massive, hot, and rapidly rotating white dwarf is likely to originate from the merging of close binary white dwarf system that avoided explosion in a thermonuclear Type Ia supernova.
Eighteen Coral Genomes Reveal the Evolutionary Origin of Acropora Strategies to Accommodate Environmental Changes
Authors: Shinzato Chuya , Khalturin Konstantin , Inoue Jun , Zayasu Yuna , Kanda Miyuki , Kawamitsu Mayumi , Yoshioka Yuki , Yamashita Hiroshi , Suzuki Go , Satoh Noriyuki
Published: September 2020

The genus Acropora comprises the most diverse and abundant scleractinian corals (Anthozoa, Cnidaria) in coral reefs, the most diverse marine ecosystems on Earth. However, the genetic basis for the success and wide distribution of Acropora are unknown. Here, we sequenced complete genomes of 15 Acropora species and 3 other acroporid taxa belonging to the genera Montipora and Astreopora to examine genomic novelties that explain their evolutionary success. We successfully obtained reasonable draft genomes of all 18 species. Molecular dating indicates that the Acropora ancestor survived warm periods without sea ice from the mid or late Cretaceous to the Early Eocene and that diversification of Acropora may have been enhanced by subsequent cooling periods. In general, the scleractinian gene repertoire is highly conserved; however, coral- or cnidarian-specific possible stress response genes are tandemly duplicated in Acropora. Enzymes that cleave dimethlysulfonioproprionate into dimethyl sulfide, which promotes cloud formation and combats greenhouse gasses, are the most duplicated genes in the Acropora ancestor. These may have been acquired by horizontal gene transfer from algal symbionts belonging to the family Symbiodiniaceae, or from coccolithophores, suggesting that although functions of this enzyme in Acropora are unclear, Acropora may have survived warmer marine environments in the past by enhancing cloud formation. In addition, possible antimicrobial peptides and symbiosis-related genes are under positive selection in Acropora, perhaps enabling adaptation to diverse environments. Our results suggest unique Acropora adaptations to ancient, warm marine environments and provide insights into its capacity to adjust to rising seawater temperatures.
Comparative study of preimplantation development following distinct assisted oocyte activation protocols in a PLC-zeta knockout mouse model
Authors: Ferrer-Buitrago M , Tilleman L , Thys V , Hachem A , Boel A , Van Nieuwerburgh F , Deforce D , Leybaert L , De Sutter P , Parrington J , Heindryckx B
Published: September 2020

Mammalian fertilization encompasses a series of Ca2+ oscillations initiated by the sperm factor phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ). Some studies have shown that altering the Ca2+ oscillatory regime at fertilization affects preimplantation blastocyst development. However, assisted oocyte activation (AOA) protocols can induce oocyte activation in a manner that diverges profoundly from the physiological Ca2+ profiling. In our study, we used the newly developed PLCζ-null sperm to investigate the independent effect of AOA on mouse preimplantation embryogenesis. Based on previous findings, we hypothesized that AOA protocols with Ca2+ oscillatory responses might improve blastocyst formation rates and differing Ca2+ profiles might alter blastocyst transcriptomes. A total of 326 MII B6D2F1-oocytes were used to describe Ca2+ profiles and to compare embryonic development and individual blastocyst transcriptomes between four control conditions: C1 (in-vivo fertilization), C2 (ICSI control sperm), C3 (parthenogenesis) and C4 (ICSI-PLCζ-KO sperm) and four AOA groups: AOA1 (human recombinant PLCζ), AOA2 (Sr2+), AOA3 (ionomycin) and AOA4 (TPEN). All groups revealed remarkable variations in their Ca2+ profiles; however, oocyte activation rates were comparable between the controls (91.1% ± 13.8%) and AOA (86.9% ± 11.1%) groups. AOA methods which enable Ca2+ oscillatory responses (AOA1: 41% and AOA2: 75%) or single Ca2+ transients (AOA3: 50%) showed no significantly different blastocyst rates compared to ICSI control group (C2: 70%). In contrast, we observed a significant decrease in compaction (53% vs. 83%) and blastocyst rates (41% vs. 70%) in the absence of an initial Ca2+ trigger (AOA4) compared with the C2 group. Transcription profiles did not identify significant differences in gene expression levels between the ICSI control group (C2) and the four AOA groups.
Revisiting the action of steroids and triterpenoids on the human sperm Ca2+ channel CatSper
Authors: Rehfeld Anders
Published: September 2020

The sperm-specific Ca2+ channel CatSper (cation channel of sperm) is vital for male fertility. Contradictory findings have been published on the regulation of human CatSper by the endogenous steroids estradiol, testosterone and hydrocortisone, as well as the plant triterpenoids, lupeol and pristimerin. The aim of this study was to elucidate this controversy by investigating the action of these steroids and plant triterpenoids on human CatSper using population-based Ca2+-fluorimetric measurements, the specific CatSper-inhibitor RU1968 and a functional test assessing the CatSper-dependent penetration of human sperm cells into methylcellulose. Estradiol, testosterone and hydrocortisone were found to induce Ca2+-signals in human sperm cells with EC50 values in the lower μM range. By employing the specific CatSper-inhibitor RU1968, all three steroids were shown to induce Ca2+-signals through an action on CatSper, similar to progesterone. The steroids were found to dose-dependently inhibit subsequent progesterone-induced Ca2+-signals with IC50 values in the lower μM range. Additionally, the three steroids were found to significantly increase the penetration of human sperm cells into methylcellulose, similar to the effect of progesterone. The two plant triterpenoids, lupeol and pristimerin, were unable to inhibit progesterone-induced Ca2+-signals, whereas the CatSper-inhibitor RU1968 strongly inhibited progesterone-induced Ca2+-signals. In conclusion, this study supports the claim that the steroids estradiol, testosterone and hydrocortisone act agonistically on CatSper in human sperm cells, thereby mimicking the effect of progesterone, and that lupeol and pristimerin do not act as inhibitors of human CatSper.
Ribosomal stalk proteins RPLP1 and RPLP2 promote biogenesis of flaviviral and cellular multi-pass transmembrane proteins
Authors: Campos Rafael K , Wijeratne H R Sagara , Shah Premal , Garcia-Blanco Mariano A , Bradrick Shelton S
Published: September 2020

The ribosomal stalk proteins, RPLP1 and RPLP2 (RPLP1/2), which form the ancient ribosomal stalk, were discovered decades ago but their functions remain mysterious. We had previously shown that RPLP1/2 are exquisitely required for replication of dengue virus (DENV) and other mosquito-borne flaviviruses. Here, we show that RPLP1/2 function to relieve ribosome pausing within the DENV envelope coding sequence, leading to enhanced protein stability. We evaluated viral and cellular translation in RPLP1/2-depleted cells using ribosome profiling and found that ribosomes pause in the sequence coding for the N-terminus of the envelope protein, immediately downstream of sequences encoding two adjacent transmembrane domains (TMDs). We also find that RPLP1/2 depletion impacts a ribosome density for a small subset of cellular mRNAs. Importantly, the polarity of ribosomes on mRNAs encoding multiple TMDs was disproportionately affected by RPLP1/2 knockdown, implying a role for RPLP1/2 in multi-pass transmembrane protein biogenesis. These analyses of viral and host RNAs converge to implicate RPLP1/2 as functionally important for ribosomes to elongate through ORFs encoding multiple TMDs. We suggest that the effect of RPLP1/2 at TMD associated pauses is mediated by improving the efficiency of co-translational folding and subsequent protein stability.
CYP24A1 and KL polymorphisms are associated with the extent of vascular calcification but do not improve prediction of cardiovascular events
Authors: Solache-Berrocal Guillermo , Rolle-Sóñora Valeria , Martín-Fernández Noelia , Cambray Serafí , Valdivielso José Manuel , Rodríguez Isabel
Published: September 2020

Background

Novel ways of determining cardiovascular risk are needed as a consequence of population ageing and the increased prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), both of which favour vascular calcification. Since the formation of arterial calcium deposits has a genetic component, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) could predict cardiovascular events.

Methods

A selection of 1927 CKD patients and controls recruited by the NEFRONA study were genotyped for 60 SNPs from 22 candidate genes. A calcium score was calculated from the echogenicity of arterial atherosclerotic plaques and the presence of cardiovascular events during a 4-year period was recorded. Association of SNPs with the calcium score was identified by multiple linear regression models and their capacity to predict events was assessed by means of Cox proportional hazards regression and receiver operating characteristics curves.

Results

Two variants, rs2296241 of CYP24A1 and rs495392 of KL, were associated with the calcium score. Despite this, only heterozygotes for rs495392 had a lower risk of suffering an event compared with homozygotes for the major allele {hazard ratio (HR) 0.67 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48−0.93]}. Of note, the calcium score was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events [HR 1.71 (95% CI 1.35−2.17)]. The addition of the rs495392 genotype to classical cardiovascular risk factors did not increase the predictive power [area under the curve (AUC) 71.3 (95% CI 61.1−85.5) versus 71.4 (61.5−81.4)].

Conclusions

Polymorphisms of CYP24A1 and KL are associated with the extent of calcification but do not predict cardiovascular events. However, the echogenic determination of the extent of calcium deposits seems a promising non-irradiating method for the scoring of calcification in high-risk populations.
Homeland: Reconceptualising the Chagossians’ Litigation
Authors: Frost Tom , Murray C R G
Published: September 2020

The British Indian Ocean Territory’s (BIOT) establishment in the 1960s exemplifies the UK’s efforts to maintain global standing through imperial possessions. The colonised people of these islands, the Chagossians, were swiftly expelled, their interests subordinated to those of the imperial whole. This article re-evaluates the Chagossians’ legal resistance to their treatment, drawing upon archival releases which shed light on the earliest stages of their litigation. We contend that private law rights of exclusion have underpinned the UK Government’s approach to the saga, as they have done for colonised peoples in the past, including the Banabans on Ocean Island. These underpinnings have ensured that the UK Courts’ judicial review decisions have not been able to adequately address the Chagossians’ interests, let alone reverse their expulsion. Rigid categorisations of the Chagossians’ relationship to property and territory have further hampered their cause. We nonetheless maintain that the Supreme Court decision of Bancoult (No 2) leaves open the possibility of future legal challenges by the Chagossians against the UK Government’s latest refusal to authorise resettlement of parts of the BIOT. Ongoing litigation, however, requires that the courts accept that the Chagossians’ claims cannot be conceptualised in narrow public law terms, with Commonwealth Aboriginal/Indigenous-title jurisprudence providing one as-yet-unexplored avenue.
Legislative Territorialization: The Impact of a Decentralized Party System on Individual Legislative Behavior in Argentina
Authors: Clerici Paula
Published: September 2020

The conventional understanding in the scholarly literature is that the main dimension that sets legislators’ ideal points is the tension between the government and the opposition parties. In this article, I challenge this claim, demonstrating that this alignment is contingent on the level of party system nationalization. These consequences have not been fully documented. Using DW-NOMINATE to calculate Argentine legislators’ ideal points (1983–2017), I show that individual territorialization in roll call voting increases when the party system is more decentralized. Legislators are closer to their provincial delegation, irrespective of which party they belong to, when there are low levels of party nationalization. At the individual level, this mechanism may be understood by the competing principals’ theory: because party system decentralization implies a response to local dynamics over national dynamics, cross-pressured legislators may favor their subnational principal.
Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in residents of Karachi—challenges in acquiring herd immunity for COVID 19
Authors: Zaidi Samreen , Rizwan Faiza , Riaz Quratulain , Siddiqui Asma , Khawaja Shabnam , Imam Mehjabeen , Naz Arshi , Waheed Samra , Shamsi Tahir
Published: September 2020

Background

The recent pandemic by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a global emergency. There is large number of asymptomatic cases of SARS-CoV-2 that are not reported. Hence, serological evidence of SARS-CoV2 antibodies is warranted for a better estimation of the actual number of infected patients to limit the disease spread and to get an idea of herd immunity.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study conducted from May 2020 to July 2020 at National Institute of Blood Diseases at Pakistan. The study includes healthcare workers (HCWs), community and industrial workers. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 test was performed by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer.

Results

A total of 1675 samples have been received from three groups of population. The percentage positivity for industrial employees is high (50.3%) for HCW (13.2%) and community population (34%).Total percentage for positive antibodies result is ~36%.

Conclusion

Our seroprevalence is 36%, which still far from herd immunity that needs to be at least 60–70% in population. If we consider acquiring 60% seroprevalence in next few months, then herd immunity is not far from reality, provided the antibodies did not decline with time. Although the current study is based on a small sample of participants, the findings suggest a study with larger population to implement stronger and targeted interventions.
Coronavirus: Impact on Stock Prices and Growth Expectations
Authors: Gormsen Niels Joachim , Koijen Ralph S J
Published: September 2020

We use data from aggregate stock and dividend futures markets to quantify how investors’ expectations about economic growth evolved across horizons following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and subsequent policy responses until July 2020. Dividend futures, which are claims to dividends on the aggregate stock market in a particular year, can be used to directly compute a lower bound on growth expectations across maturities or to estimate expected growth using a forecasting model. We show how the actual forecast and the bound evolve over time. As of July 20th, our forecast of annual growth in dividends points to a decline of 8% in both the United States and Japan and a 14% decline in the European Union compared to January 1. Our forecast of GDP growth points to a decline of 2% in the United States and Japan and 3% in the European Union. The lower bound on the change in expected dividends is -17% in the United States and Japan and -28% in the European Union at the 2-year horizon. News about U.S. monetary policy and the fiscal stimulus bill around March 24 boosted the stock market and long-term growth but did little to increase short-term growth expectations. Expected dividend growth has improved since April 1 in all geographies.
Brand Equity, Earnings Management, and Financial Reporting Irregularities
Authors: Ismail Ghada M , Huseynov Fariz , Jain Pankaj K , McInish Thomas H
Published: September 2020

Owning valuable brands enhances the financial well-being of firms not only through increased revenues and profitability but also by mitigating agency problems, earnings management, and financial reporting irregularities. Firms with high brand equity are less likely to have income-inflating discretionary accruals, announce earnings restatements, or experience SEC investigations. Brand equity reduces the likelihood of manipulation through incentive and opportunity channels, which we capture in CEO characteristics and compensation, and corporate governance measures. Brand equity reduces the likelihood of financial reporting irregularities more for durable goods firms and firms with shorter-tenured CEOs, as the latter are most vulnerable to performance pressures. (JEL G31, G34, M31, M37, M41, M42)

Received September 28, 2019; editorial decision May 27, 2020 by Editor Isil Erel.
Postures of Dying: Eliot, Seneca and the Elizabethans
Authors: Toda Kit
Published: September 2020

This article analyses the substantial intertextual relations between Eliot’s ‘Gerontion’, Seneca’s tragedies, and Elizabethan and Jacobean drama, particularly in the depictions of dying speeches. It demonstrates, too, that ‘Gerontion’ is a prominent example of how Eliot’s poetry anticipates the issues explored in his critical prose—in this case, notably ‘Shakespeare and the Stoicism of Seneca’ and ‘Seneca in Elizabethan Translation’. Further, the article relates the use of what Eliot called ‘saturated’ images in early modern drama and his own poetry with his theories of poetic creation and originality. In so doing, it argues that, contrary to the accepted critical narrative, the famous description of a ‘profound kinship’ with an unnamed ‘dead author’ that Eliot describes in ‘Reflections on Contemporary Poetry’, may not primarily and exclusively refer to Jules Laforgue.
Association between H3K36me3 modification and methylation of LINE-1 and MGMT in peripheral blood lymphocytes of PAH-exposed workers
Authors: Xing Xiumei , He Zhini , Wang Ziwei , Mo Ziying , Chen Liping , Yang Boyi , Zhang Zhengbao , Chen Shen , Ye Lizhu , Zhang Rui , Zheng Yuxin , Chen Wen , Li Daochuan
Published: September 2020

To explore the epigenetic alterations in response to DNA damage following polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure and the crosstalk between different epigenetic regulations, we examined trimethylated Lys 36 of histone H3 (H3K36me3) and methylation of ‘long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1)’ and ‘O 6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT)’ in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLCs) of 173 coke oven workers (PAH-exposed group) and 94 non-exposed workers (control group). The PAH-exposed group showed higher internal PAH exposure level, enhanced DNA damage and increased MGMT expression (all P < 0.001). Notably, the methylation of LINE-1 and MGMT decreased by 3.9 and 40.8%, respectively, while H3K36me3 level was 1.7 times higher in PBLCs of PAH-exposed group compared to control group (all P < 0.001). These three epigenetic marks were significantly associated with DNA damage degree (all P < 0.001) and PAH exposure level in a dose–response manner (all P < 0.001). LINE-1 hypomethylation is correlated with enhanced H3K36me3 modification (β = −0.198, P = 0.002), indicating a synergistic effect between histone modification and DNA methylation at the whole genome level. In addition, MGMT expression was positively correlated with H3K36me3 modification (r = 0.253, P < 0.001), but not negatively correlated with MGMT methylation (r = 0.202, P < 0.05). The in vitro study using human bronchial epithelial cells treated with the organic extract of coke oven emissions confirmed that H3K36me3 is important for MGMT expression following PAH exposure. In summary, our study indicates that histone modification and DNA methylation might have synergistic effects on DNA damage induced by PAH exposure at the whole genome level and H3K36me3 is more essential for MGMT expression during the course.
A new extinct species of Polynesian sandpiper (Charadriiformes: Scolopacidae:Prosobonia) from Henderson Island, Pitcairn Group, and the phylogenetic relationships ofProsobonia
Authors: De Pietri Vanesa L , Worthy Trevor H , Scofield R Paul , Cole Theresa L , Wood Jamie R , Mitchell Kieren J , Cibois Alice , Jansen Justin J F J , Cooper Alan J , Feng Shaohong , Chen Wanjun , Tennyson Alan Jd , Wragg Graham M
Published: September 2020

We describe a new species of Polynesian sandpiper from Henderson Island, Prosobonia sauli sp. nov., based on multiple Holocene fossil bones collected during the Sir Peter Scott Commemorative Expedition to the Pitcairn Islands (1991–92). Prosobonia sauli is the only species of Prosobonia to be described from bone accumulations and extends the record of known extinct Polynesian sandpipers to four. It is readily differentiated from the extant Tuamotu Sandpiper P. parvirostris in several features of the legs and bill, implying ecological adaptations to different environments. The geographically nearest Prosobonia populations to Henderson Island were found on Mangareva, where it is now extinct. A previous record of a species of Prosobonia from Tubuai, Austral Islands, is here shown to belong to the Sanderling Calidris alba. Our analyses of newly sequenced genetic data, which include the mitochondrial genomes of P. parvirostris and the extinct Tahiti Sandpiper P. leucoptera, confidently resolve the position of Prosobonia as sister-taxon to turnstones and calidrine sandpipers. We present a hypothesis for the timing of divergence between species of Prosobonia and other scolopacid lineages. Our results further provide a framework to interpret the evolution of sedentary lineages within the normally highly migratory Scolopacidae.
Relationship between the use of Chinese herbal medicines and Sjögren syndrome risk among women with menopause: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chung Yu-Jung , Wei Chang-Kuo , Livneh Hanoch , Lai Ning-Sheng , Lu Ming-Chi , Liao Hou-Hsun , Tsai Tzung-Yi
Published: September 2020

Objective:

Menopausal women appear to report a higher risk of Sjögren syndrome (SS). Although Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) are proven to lower SS risk, the scientific evidence of whether it can lessen the occurrence of SS among menopausal women is limited. This longitudinal cohort study aimed to clarify the relationship between CHMs use and SS risk in menopausal women.

Methods:

Using a nationwide claims data, we enrolled 31,917 women with first-time diagnosed menopause who simultaneously were free of SS between 2000 and 2007. Among them, we randomly selected 12,757 CHMs users and 12,757 non-CHMs users using propensity scores matching. All participants were followed until the end of 2012 to record SS incidence. The hazard ratio of SS with regard to CHMs use was estimated using the Cox proportional hazards regression model.

Results:

In the follow-up period, 589 CHMs users and 644 non-CHMs users developed SS, representing incidence rates of 5.12 and 6.40, respectively, per 1,000 person-years. CHMs use was associated with a 21% lower subsequent risk of SS (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.71-0.89). Six commonly prescribed CHMs were discovered to be associated with lower SS risk: Ge-Gen-Tang, Zhi-Gan-Cao-Tag, Da-Huang, Ye-Jiao-Teng, Tian-Hua-Fen, and Bo-Zi-Ren.

Conclusions:

A statistically significant association was found between CHMs use and lower risk of SS onset in menopausal women, suggesting that CHMs could be considered to integrate it into conventional therapy to reduce subsequent SS risk for menopausal women.
Estimated Radiation Doses Received by New Mexico Residents from the 1945 Trinity Nuclear Test
Authors: Simon Steven L. , Bouville André , Beck Harold L. , Melo Dunstana R.
Published: September 2020

The National Cancer Institute study of projected health risks to New Mexico residents from the 1945 Trinity nuclear test provides best estimates of organ radiation absorbed doses received by representative persons according to ethnicity, age, and county. Doses to five organs/tissues at significant risk from exposure to radioactive fallout (i.e., active bone marrow, thyroid gland, lungs, stomach, and colon) from the 63 most important radionuclides in fresh fallout from external and internal irradiation were estimated. The organ doses were estimated for four resident ethnic groups in New Mexico (Whites, Hispanics, Native Americans, and African Americans) in seven age groups using: (1) assessment models described in a companion paper, (2) data on the spatial distribution and magnitude of radioactive fallout derived from historical documents, and (3) data collected on diets and lifestyles in 1945 from interviews and focus groups conducted in 2015–2017 (described in a companion paper). The organ doses were found to vary widely across the state with the highest doses directly to the northeast of the detonation site and at locations close to the center of the Trinity fallout plume. Spatial heterogeneity of fallout deposition was the largest cause of variation of doses across the state with lesser differences due to age and ethnicity, the latter because of differences in diets and lifestyles. The exposure pathways considered included both external irradiation from deposited fallout and internal irradiation via inhalation of airborne radionuclides in the debris cloud as well as resuspended ground activity and ingestion of contaminated drinking water (derived both from rivers and rainwater cisterns) and foodstuffs including milk products, beef, mutton, and pork, human-consumed plant products including leafy vegetables, fruit vegetables, fruits, and berries. Tables of best estimates of county population-weighted average organ doses by ethnicity and age are presented. A discussion of our estimates of uncertainty is also provided to illustrate a lower and upper credible range on our best estimates of doses. Our findings indicate that only small geographic areas immediately downwind to the northeast received exposures of any significance as judged by their magnitude relative to natural radiation. The findings presented are the most comprehensive and well-described estimates of doses received by populations of New Mexico from the Trinity nuclear test.