bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interplay between SARS‐CoV‐2‐derived miRNAs, immune system, vitamin D pathway and respiratory system
Authors: Karimi Elham , Azari Hanieh , Yari Maryam , Tahmasebi Ahmad , Hassani Azad Mehdi , Mousavi Pegah
Published: June 2021

The new coronavirus pandemic started in China in 2019. The intensity of the disease can range from mild to severe, leading to death in many cases. Despite extensive research in this area, the exact molecular nature of virus is not fully recognized; however, according to pieces of evidence, one of the mechanisms of virus pathogenesis is through the function of viral miRNAs. So, we hypothesized that SARS‐CoV‐2 pathogenesis may be due to targeting important genes in the host with its miRNAs, which involved in the respiratory system, immune pathways and vitamin D pathways, thus possibly contributing to disease progression and virus survival. Potential miRNA precursors and mature miRNA were predicted and confirmed based on the virus genome. The next step was to predict and identify their target genes and perform functional enrichment analysis to recognize the biological processes connected with these genes in the three pathways mentioned above through several comprehensive databases. Finally, cis‐acting regulatory elements in 5′ regulatory regions were analysed, and the analysis of available RNAseq data determined the expression level of genes. We revealed that thirty‐nine mature miRNAs could theoretically derive from the SARS‐CoV‐2 genome. Functional enrichment analysis elucidated three highlighted pathways involved in SARS‐CoV‐2 pathogenesis: vitamin D, immune system and respiratory system. Our finding highlighted genes' involvement in three crucial molecular pathways and may help develop new therapeutic targets related to SARS‐CoV‐2.
Examining the Impacts of Ignoring Rater Effects in Mixed‐Format Tests
Authors: Guo Wenjing , Wind Stefanie A.
Published: June 2021

The use of mixed‐format tests made up of multiple‐choice (MC) items and constructed response (CR) items is popular in large‐scale testing programs, including the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and many district‐ and state‐level assessments in the United States. Rater effects, or raters’ scoring tendencies that result in performances receiving different scores than are warranted given their quality, are concerns for the interpretation of scores on CR items. However, there are few published studies in which researchers have systematically considered the impact of ignoring rater effects when they are present on estimates of student ability using large‐scale mixed‐format assessments. Using results from an analysis of NAEP data, we systematically explored the impacts of rater effects on student achievement estimates. Our results suggest that in conditions that reflect many large‐scale mixed‐format assessments, directly modeling rater effects yields more accurate student achievement estimates than estimation procedures that do not incorporate raters. We consider the implications of our findings for research and practice.
Movement patterns of temperate wrasses (Labridae) within a small marine protected area
Authors: Halvorsen Kim Tallaksen , Larsen Torkel , Browman Howard I. , Durif Caroline , Aasen Nicolai , Vøllestad Leif Asbjørn , Cresci Alessandro , Sørdalen Tonje Knutsen , Bjelland Reidun M. , Skiftesvik Anne Berit
Published: June 2021

The movement patterns of three commercially important wrasse (Labridae) species inside a small marine protected area (~ 0.15 km2) on the west coast of Norway were analysed over a period of 21 months. The mean distance between capture and recapture locations varied between 10 and 187 m, and was species and season specific. The extent of movement was not related to body size or sex. These results imply that a network of small strategically located marine protected areas can be used as management tools to protect wrasses from size‐ and sex‐selective fishing mortality.
Epitheliocystis in wild marine fishes and its relation with anthropogenic pollution
Authors: Novacovsky Gabriela N. , Palacios María G. , Sueiro María C.
Published: June 2021

Epitheliocystis is a fish disease with recorded in increasing numbers globally. Here we show that (a) pollution‐exposed wild marine fishes have higher infection prevalence than nonexposed individuals from reference sites, suggesting that anthropogenic pollution predisposes individuals to this disease in natural systems, (b) the effect of pollution on infection status did not vary significantly between two sympatric fish species, and (c) infected and noninfected individuals from both species did not differ significantly in selected immune and general‐health parameters, a result that deserves further study with increased sample sizes.
Evidence of cylindrospermopsin uptake and clearance in fish (Oreochromis niloticus) under laboratory conditions
Authors: de Cássio da Silva Rodrigo , Oliveira Rafael Rosas , de Oliveira Azevedo Sandra Maria Feliciano , Soares Raquel Moraes , Magalhães Valéria Freitas De
Published: June 2021

Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) is a cyanotoxin that has raised serious concerns about public health in many parts of the world. It can bioaccumulate and affect the health of aquatic organisms, but despite this, few studies have been conducted on CYN uptake and clearance in fish. In this paper, the authors evaluate the uptake and clearance of CYN in the muscle tissue and viscera of juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) after exposure to aqueous extracts and whole cells of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (CYN‐producer). CYN blended with commercial fish food, and three experiments were conducted. In the first trial, fish food, and aqueous extracts containing 0.31 μg CYN g−1 of food per day, was administered to tilapia for 15 days. In the second trial, fish were provided food and intact cells (5.4 μg CYN g−1 of food per day) for 15 days. In the last trial, they were provided fish food and aqueous extracts (0.8 μg CYN g−1 of food per day) for 12 days, and for the next 10 days, the animals were fed food without toxic cell extracts (to simulate a clearance period). The concentration of CYN in muscle tissue and viscera was analysed using ELISA. In the case of juvenile tilapia, the presence of CYN was higher in viscera than in muscle tissue, and the toxin remained in the tissues even after 10 days without the addition of contaminated food. The results suggest that tilapia represents a potential source of CYN transfer through the food web, and this shows the need for a continuous monitoring of this compound in organisms that are used for human and animal consumption.
Tumor burden score as a new prognostic marker for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing transarterial chemoembolization
Authors: Ho Shu‐Yein , Liu Po‐Hong , Hsu Chia‐Yang , Ko Chih‐Chieh , Huang Yi‐Hsiang , Su Chien‐Wei , Lee Rheun‐Chuan , Tsai Ping‐Hsing , Hou Ming‐Chih , Huo Teh‐Ia
Published: June 2021

Background and Aim

Size and number are major determinants of tumor burden in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients with HCC undergoing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) have variable outcomes due to heterogeneity of tumor burden. Recently, tumor burden score (TBS) was proposed to evaluate the extent of tumor involvement. However, the prognostic accuracy of TBS has not been well evaluated in HCC. This study aimed to assess its prognostic role in HCC patients undergoing TACE.

Methods

A total of 935 treatment‐naïve HCC patients receiving TACE were retrospectively analyzed. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine independent prognostic predictors.

Results

Tumor burden score tended to increase with increasing size and number of tumors in study patients. The Cox model showed that serum creatinine ≥ 1.2 mg/dL (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.296, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.077–1.559, P = 0.006), serum α‐fetoprotein ≥ 400 ng/dL (HR: 2.245, 95% CI: 1.905–2.645, P < 0.001), vascular invasion (HR: 1.870, 95% CI: 1.520–2.301, P < 0.001), medium TBS (HR: 1.489, 95% CI: 1.206–1.839, P < 0.001) and high TBS (HR: 2.563, 95% CI: 1.823–3.602, P < 0.001), albumin–bilirubin (ALBI) grade 2–3 (HR: 1.521, 95% CI: 1.291–1.792, P < 0.001), and performance status 1 (HR: 1.362, 95% CI: 1.127–1.647, P < 0.001) and status 2 (HR: 1.553, 95% CI: 1.237–1.948, P < 0.001) were associated with increased mortality. Patients with high TBS had poor overall survival in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B/C and different ALBI grades.

Conclusions

Tumor burden score is a feasible new prognostic surrogate marker of tumor burden in HCC and can well discriminate survival in patients undergoing TACE across different baseline characteristics.
Fluid metabolic pathways after subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Zhou Jiru , Guo Peiwen , Guo Zongduo , Sun Xiaochuan , Chen Yujie , Feng Hua
Published: June 2021

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a devastating cerebrovascular disease with high mortality and morbidity. In recent years, a large number of studies have focused on the mechanism of early brain injury (EBI) and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), including vasospasm, neurotoxicity of hematoma and neuroinflammatory storm, after aSAH. Despite considerable efforts, no novel drugs have significantly improved the prognosis of patients in phase III clinical trials, indicating the need to further re‐examine the multifactorial pathophysiological process that occurs after aSAH. The complex pathogenesis is reflected by the destruction of the dynamic balance of the energy metabolism in the nervous system after aSAH, which prevents the maintenance of normal neural function. This review focuses on the fluid metabolic pathways of the central nervous system (CNS), starting with ruptured aneurysms, and discusses the dysfunction of blood circulation, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation and the glymphatic system during disease progression. It also proposes a hypothesis on the metabolic disorder mechanism and potential therapeutic targets for aSAH patients.

image

Cover Image for this issue: https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.15384.
Mental representation of a line when patients with left unilateral spatial neglect bisect it: A study with an endpoint reproduction task
Authors: Abe Masako , Ishiai Sumio
Published: June 2021

Patients with left unilateral spatial neglect (USN) typically place the subjective midpoint to the right of the objective centre. Based on the previous findings (e.g., Ishiai et al. 1989, Brain, 112, 1485), we hypothesized that the patients with left USN may see the representational image of a line that extends equally towards either side of the subjective midpoint depending not upon the information about the leftward extent. The present study tested whether patients with left USN would place the subjective midpoint at the centre of their mental representation of the line. The participants were 10 patients with left USN and 10 neurologically healthy controls. We devised a new ‘endpoint reproduction task’ using a computer display with a touch panel to seek the representational image when patients with left USN bisect lines and asked the participants to reproduce the location of the right or left endpoint after bisecting lines. The results showed that the representational image of the bisected line depends primarily on the location of the objective right endpoint, not on the location of the objective left endpoint in space. The analyses of the estimated right and left representational extents confirmed our hypotheses that patients with left USN would bisect a line seeing the representational line image that centred across their subjective midpoint. We believe that the findings of the present study with the use of the endpoint reproduction task will contribute to a better understanding of the visuospatial process underlying line bisection of patients with left USN.
Acute stress‐induced neuronal plasticity in the corticoid complex of 15‐day‐old chick, Gallus domesticus
Authors: Kumar Adarsh , Arya Hemlata , Tamta Kavita , Maurya Ram Chandra
Published: June 2021

Several studies conducted on chicken have shown that a single stress exposure may impair or improve memory as well as learning processes. However, to date, stress effects on neuronal morphology are poorly investigated wherefore it was of interest to evaluate this further in chicks. Thus, the present study aims to investigate the role of single acute stress (AS) of 24 h food and water deprivation in neuronal plasticity in terms of spine density of the corticoid complex (CC) in 15‐day‐old chick, Gallus domesticus, by using three neurohistological techniques: Cresyl Violet, Golgi Colonnier, and Golgi Cox technique. The dorsolateral surface of the cerebral hemisphere is occupied by CC which can be differentiated into two subfields: an intermediate corticoid (CI) subfield (arranged in layers) and a dorsolateral corticoid (CDL) subfield. Based on different criteria such as soma shape, dendritic branching pattern, and dendritic spine density, two main moderately spinous groups of neuronal cells were observed in the CC, namely, projection neurons (comprising of multipolar and pyramidal neurons) and stellate neurons. In the present study, the stellate neurons have shown a significant decrease as well as an increase in their spine density in both CI and CDL subfields, whereas the multipolar neurons had shown a significant increase in their spine density in the CDL region only. The present study shows that AS induces neuronal plasticity in terms of spine density in both CI and CDL neurons. The morphological changes in the form of decreased dendritic branches due to stress have been observed in the CI region in comparison to CDL region, which could be linked to more effect of stress in this region. The avian CDL corresponds to the entorhinal cortex of mammals on the basis of neuronal morphology and bidirectional connections between adjacent areas. The projection neurons increase their branches and also their spine number to cope with the stress effects, while the stellate neurons show contrasting effect in their spine density. Therefore, this study will establish that slight modifications in natural stimuli or environmental changes faced by the animal may affect their dorsolateral forebrain which shows neuronal plasticity that help in the development of an adaptive capacity of the animal to survive under changing environmental conditions.
7T dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI for the detection of subtle blood–brain barrier leakage
Authors: Canjels Lisanne P. W. , Jansen Jacobus F. A. , van den Kerkhof Marieke , Alers Robert‐Jan , Poser Benedikt A. , Wiggins Christopher J. , Schiffer Veronique M. M. M. , van de Ven Vincent , Rouhl Rob P. W. , Palm W. M. , van Oostenbrugge Robert J. , Aldenkamp Albert P. , Ghossein‐Doha Chahinda , Spaanderman Marc E. A. , Backes Walter H.
Published: June 2021

Background and Purpose

Dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI (DCE‐MRI) can be employed to assess the blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity. Detection of BBB leakage at lower field strengths (≤3T) is cumbersome as the signal is noisy, while leakage can be subtle. Utilizing the increased signal‐to‐noise ratio at higher field strengths, we explored the application of 7T DCE‐MRI for assessing BBB leakage.

Methods

A dual‐time resolution DCE‐MRI method was implemented at 7T and a slow injection rate (0.3 ml/s) and low dose (3 mmol) served to obtain signal changes linearly related to the gadolinium concentration, that is, minimized for T2* degradation effects. With the Patlak graphical approach, the leakage rate (Ki) and blood plasma volume fraction (vp) were calculated. The method was evaluated in 10 controls, an ischemic stroke patient, and a patient with a transient ischemic attack.

Results

Ki and vp were significantly higher in gray matter compared to white matter of all participants. These Ki values were higher in both patients compared to the control subjects. Finally, for the lesion identified in the ischemic stroke patient, higher leakage values were observed compared to normal‐appearing tissue.

Conclusion

We demonstrate how a dual‐time resolution DCE‐MRI protocol at 7T, with administration of half the clinically used contrast agent dose, can be used for assessing subtle BBB leakage. Although the feasibility of DCE‐MRI for assessing the BBB integrity at 3T is well known, we showed that a continuous sampling DCE‐MRI method tailored for 7T is also capable of assessing leakage with a high sensitivity over a range of Ki values.
Health Literacy and Food Literacy for K‐12 Schools in theCOVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Vamos Sandra D. , Wacker Corinne C. , Welter Virginia D. E. , Schlüter Kirsten
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

Food literacy, a sub‐area of health literacy, is achieving attention in schools, academia, research, health care, businesses, and governments worldwide. Against the current COVID‐19 pandemic backdrop, the relevance of food literacy's interconnected attributes such as nutritional knowledge, food skills, and food environment is gaining traction. Enhancing health and food literacy in the K‐12 school environment are important empowerment tools with the potential to reduce health inequalities as vulnerable people are at risk of limited health literacy.

METHODS

We aim to clarify the meaning of food literacy and its relationship to health literacy and other factors influencing eating behavior.

RESULTS

We offer a proposed conceptual model depicting connections between relevant theories and constructs in the field of health and nutrition. Concrete actions are offered that contemporary schools can take guided by the utility of the model.

CONCLUSIONS

This visual can help guide schools' multidimensional health and food literacy efforts while considering the realities of the current COVID‐19 pandemic context and beyond. This model will provide an overarching reference for schools to consider key constructs to support practice, research, policy, and intervention efforts to advance their health and food literacy agendas.
Improvement in quality and storage ability of rabbit semen by using black or thyme seed as dietary supplementation
Authors: El‐Gindy Yassmine Moemen
Published: June 2021

The quality of incubated or chilled rabbit semen is quickly lowered with time due to high‐rate production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Black seed (BS) and thyme (THY) are rich sources of natural antioxidants, which may be able to control ROS production and improve semen quality for use in artificial insemination. In this study, V‐line rabbit bucks, seven months old, were fed diets supplemented with 50 or 100 g of BS or THY for 60 days. Semen was collected twice weekly. The quality of fresh sperm was measured, and diluted sperm was incubated for up to 12 h. Chilled, diluted sperm, stored at 4℃ for up to 3 days, was evaluated. The results indicated that BS and THY increased rabbit libido, decreased abnormal sperm and non‐viable sperm percentages and significantly lowered total bacteria counts of diluted sperm. In conclusion, bucks fed a diet supplemented with BS or THY had enhanced semen quality and storage life, because of the antioxidant properties of BS and THY. The best incubation results were obtained with the THY100 treatment, whereas the best‐chilled results were obtained with the BS100 group.
Outcome of dogs and cats with benign oesophageal strictures after balloon dilatation or stenting: 27 cases (2002–2019)
Authors: Da Riz F. , Béguin J. , Manassero M. , Faucher M. , Freiche V.
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Acquired oesophageal strictures remain challenging to manage in canine and feline patients. The aims of this study were to describe the treatment, complications, short‐term outcome and long‐term follow‐up of benign oesophageal strictures treated by balloon dilatation or stenting in dogs and cats and to describe adjunctive techniques to minimise the complication rate of stent placement.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective analysis of medical records of dogs and cats with benign oesophageal stricture diagnosed under endoscopy between 2002 and 2019.

Results

Eighteen dogs and nine cats were included, representing 39 strictures. Balloon dilatation was used as first‐line therapy, with a good outcome in 59% of cases. Stents were placed in eight cases due to stricture recurrence; 88% had a long‐term satisfactory outcome. Short‐term complications occurred in six of eight cases; migration and aberrant mucosal reaction were uncommon. In three cases, progressive mesh cutting during follow‐up reduced discomfort and trichobezoars formation and improved long‐term stent tolerance. Overall median survival time was 730 days.

Clinical Significance

Long‐term prognosis of balloon dilatation as a first‐line therapy for esophageal strictures and of stenting as a rescue therapy was considered satisfactory. Although discomfort associated with stenting was frequent, tolerability might be improved by per‐endoscopic adjunctive techniques.
Changes in dream features across the first and second waves of the Covid‐19 pandemic
Authors: Conte Francesca , Rescott Marissa Lynn , De Rosa Oreste , Cellini Nicola , Coppola Alessia , Cerasuolo Mariangela , Malloggi Serena , Giganti Fiorenza , Ficca Gianluca
Published: June 2021

Research during the Covid‐19 pandemic has highlighted its significant impact on dreaming. Here we address changes in dream features both during the first wave, when the Italian government imposed a total lockdown, and the second wave (autumn 2020), when a partial lockdown was effected. In April 2020 (total lockdown), 1,622 participants (Mage = 34.1 ± 13.6 years; 1171F) completed an online survey including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and a set of questions on dream features and their possible changes relative to the month preceding the lockdown (pre‐total lockdown). In November 2020 (partial lockdown), 214 participants (Mage = 36.78 ± 14.2 years; 159F) from the previous sample completed the same survey. Approximately half of the subjects reported increased or decreased dream frequency (30.5% and 21.8%), length (27.1% and 15.8%) and vividness (31.5% and 17.1%) during total lockdown as well as during partial lockdown (frequency: 30.3% and 13.5%; length: 23.3% and 12.6%; vividness: 31.6% and 24.1%). Dream affect became significantly more negative in total lockdown relative to pre‐total lockdown and in partial lockdown relative to pre‐partial lockdown (bothp < .001). Both in total lockdown and partial lockdown, increased negative dream emotionality significantly predicted changes in dream frequency, length and vividness, and was significantly predicted, in turn, by worsened sleep quality. Our data confirm that dream features are significantly affected by major life changes such as those imposed by a pandemic. The fact that between lockdowns negative dream affect returned almost to baseline level suggests that dream emotionality is closely related to lifestyle and wake‐time emotional changes. Also, our findings point to a modulating role of sleep quality on dream emotionality.
Cavezzo—The double face of a meteorite: Mineralogy, petrography, and geochemistry of a very unusual chondrite
Authors: Pratesi Giovanni , Moggi Cecchi Vanni , Greenwood Richard C. , Franchi Ian A. , Hammond Samantha J. , Di Martino Mario , Barghini Dario , Taricco Carla , Carbognani Albino , Gardiol Daniele
Published: June 2021

The Cavezzo meteorite, which fell on January 1, 2020, is the first meteorite detected and recovered by the Italian PRISMA Fireball Network. Two specimens, weighing 3.12 g (specimen 1) and 52.19 g (specimen 2), were collected 3 days after the bolide was observed, thanks to an effective media campaign that encouraged the involvement of local people. The two specimens of this meteorite have not only completely different lithological characteristics but also a different geochemistry and oxygen isotopic composition as well. Specimen 1 is anomalous both for the textural–structural features, varying seamlessly from chondritic to “achondritic,” and a very unusual modal mineralogy—such as the relatively high amount of olivine (63.1 vol%), plagioclase (18.2 vol%), high‐Ca pyroxene (10.3 vol%), and chlorapatite (2.1 vol%); and the unusually low content of low‐Ca pyroxene (5.8 vol%), metal (0.1 vol%), and troilite (much lesser than 0.1 vol%)—although the compositional values for olivine (Fa 24.24 mol%) and low‐Ca pyroxene (Fs 20.41 mol%) appear to be similar to those of the L chondrite group. Conversely, in specimen 2, not only the texture and the crystal chemistry but also the modal mineralogy (low‐Ca pyroxene much more abundant than high‐Ca pyroxene and occurrence of metal and sulfides) look like those of an ordinary L chondrite. The differences between the two specimens are also confirmed by geochemistry. The oxygen isotope composition of specimen 1 plots at the boundary between the H and L groups (δ17O‰ 3.250; δ18O‰ 4.736; Δ17O‰ 0.788) whereas specimen 2 plots at the boundary of the L and LL fields (δ17O‰ 3.737; δ18O‰ 4.957; Δ17O‰ 1.159). The bulk chemistry shows a different content of many minor and trace elements (including rare earth elements), such as a strong depletion of siderophile and chalcophile elements in specimen 1. The two specimens then do not contain fragments of each other, thus preventing us from classifying this “double face” meteorite as an ordinary chondrite breccia. In detail, specimen 1 can be considered a “xenolith” in which chondritic structure and igneous texture coexist without discontinuity, and therefore, it represents a previously unsampled portion of the L parent body. In summary, these findings support the classification of Cavezzo as an L5 anomalous chondrite.
Measuring health professionals' beliefs about skin‐to‐skin care during a cesarean
Authors: Crenshaw Jeannette T. , Adams Ellise D. , Gilder Richard E. , Nolte Hannah G.
Published: June 2021

Women and their newborns are at risk of delayed or withheld skin‐to‐skin care (SSC) during a caesarean, which is about one‐third of births, worldwide. To date, no instrument exists to assess health professionals' (HPs) beliefs, and potential barriers and strategies for implementing SSC during a cesarean. The study aims were to (1) develop an instrument,Health Professionals' Beliefs about Skin‐to‐Skin Care During a Cesarean(SSCB), (2) establish its validity and reliability and (3) describe HPs' beliefs about SSC during a caesarean. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were used to test the SSCBand describe HPs' beliefs. SSCBanalysis yielded a content validity of 0.83 and reliability ofα = 0.9. We grouped all practice roles as either nurses or physicians. The mean rank score for nurses (n = 120,M = 90) was significantly higher (p = 0.001) than physicians (n = 46,M = 79). Despite this difference, scores for both roles reflected support for SSC. Participants identified hospital readiness to implement SSC and maintaining maternal and newborn safety as major issues. SSCBis a valid, reliable instrument to measure HPs' beliefs about SSC during a caesarean birth. HPs can use the SSCBduring quality improvement initiatives to improve access to immediate SSC for women who have a caesarean birth. Improved access can enhance breastfeeding outcomes and promote optimal maternal and child health.
Invasion history shapes host transcriptomic response to a body‐snatching parasite
Authors: Tobias Zachary J. C. , Fowler Amy E. , Blakeslee April M. H. , Darling John A. , Torchin Mark E. , Miller A. Whitman , Ruiz Gregory M. , Tepolt Carolyn K.
Published: June 2021

By shuffling biogeographical distributions, biological invasions can both disrupt long‐standing associations between hosts and parasites and establish new ones. This creates natural experiments with which to study the ecology and evolution of host–parasite interactions. In estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico, the white‐fingered mud crab (Rhithropanopeus harrisii) is infected by a native parasitic barnacle,Loxothylacus panopaei(Rhizocephala), which manipulates host physiology and behaviour. In the 1960s,L. panopaeiwas introduced to the Chesapeake Bay and has since expanded along the southeastern Atlantic coast, while host populations in the northeast have so far been spared. We use this system to test the host's transcriptomic response to parasitic infection and investigate how this response varies with the parasite's invasion history, comparing populations representing (i) long‐term sympatry between host and parasite, (ii) new associations where the parasite has invaded during the last 60 years and (iii) naïve hosts without prior exposure. A comparison of parasitized and control crabs revealed a core response, with widespread downregulation of transcripts involved in immunity and moulting. The transcriptional response differed between hosts from the parasite's native range and where it is absent, consistent with previous observations of increased susceptibility in populations lacking exposure to the parasite. Crabs from the parasite's introduced range, where prevalence is highest, displayed the most dissimilar response, possibly reflecting immune priming. These results provide molecular evidence for parasitic manipulation of host phenotype and the role of gene regulation in mediating host–parasite interactions.
Role of innate immunity and myeloid cells in susceptibility to allergic disease
Authors: Noel Justine C. , Berin M. Cecilia
Published: June 2021

Allergic diseases, including
asthma, food allergy, eczema, and allergic rhinitis, are common diseases increasing in prevalence. Allergy, a failure of immune tolerance to innocuous environmental allergens, is characterized by allergen‐specific immune responses, including IgE antibodies and T helper and T follicular helper cells producing type 2 cytokines. Despite the central role of adaptive immunity in pathophysiology of allergy, there is a growing body of evidence indicating an important role for the innate immune system in allergic disease. In this review, we focus on epithelial–mononuclear phagocyte communication in the control of allergy and tolerance. We discuss studies on early life environmental exposures and allergy susceptibility, and the evidence for innate training of mononuclear phagocytes as the mechanistic link between exposure and health or disease.
Heterogeneous Income Profiles Model with Fixed Effects: Incorporating Labour Income Shocks*
Authors: Lee Nayoung , Moon Hyungsik Roger
Published: June 2021

We provide an alternative econometrics methodology to estimate a standard heterogeneous income profiles (HIP) model. Our alternative setup allows for the HIP coefficients to be fixed in the sense that they can be arbitrarily correlated with the explanatory variables of the HIP equation and can be treated as parameters to be estimated. As an empirical application, we analyse the extent to which different sources of labour income shocks account for the persistence and variation of composite income shocks based on the HIP model. Our estimation results from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) suggest that the random effect assumption of no correlation can lead to biases. We also find that job displacements account for the persistence of income shocks the most, especially for high school educated individuals.
Insights into the effect of human civilization on Malus evolution and domestication
Authors: Chen Pengxiang , Li Zhongxing , Zhang Dehui , Shen Wenyun , Xie Yinpeng , Zhang Jing , Jiang Lijuan , Li Xuewei , Shen Xiaoxia , Geng Dali , Wang Liping , Niu Chundong , Bao Chana , Yan Mingjia , Li Haiyan , Li Cuiying , Yan Yan , Zou Yangjun , Micheletti Diego , Koot Emily , Ma Fengwang , Guan Qingmei
Published: June 2021

The evolutionary history of the Malus genus has not been well studied. In the current study, we presented genetic evidence on the origin of the Malus genus based on genome sequencing of 297 Malus accessions, revealing the genetic relationship between wild species and cultivated apples. Our results demonstrated that North American and East Asian wild species are closer to the outgroup (pear) than Central Asian species, and hybrid species including natural (separated before the Pleistocene, about 2.5 Mya) and artificial hybrids (including ornamental trees and rootstocks) are between East and Central Asian wild species. Introgressions from M. sylvestris in cultivated apples appeared to be more extensive than those from M. sieversii, whose genetic background flowed westward across Eurasia and eastward to wild species including M. prunifolia, M. × asiatica, M. × micromalus, and M. × robust. Our results suggested that the loss of ancestral gene flow from M. sieversii in cultivated apples accompanied the movement of European traders around the world since the Age of Discovery. Natural SNP variations showed that cultivated apples had higher nucleotide diversity than wild species and more unique SNPs than other apple groups. An apple ERECTA‐like gene that underwent selection during domestication on 15th chromosome was identified as a likely major determinant of fruit length and diameter, and an NB‐ARC domain‐containing gene was found to strongly affect anthocyanin accumulation using a genome‐wide association approach. Our results provide new insights into the origin and domestication of apples and will be useful in new breeding programmes and efforts to increase fruit crop productivity.
CRISPR‐Cas9 editing of CAFFEOYL SHIKIMATE ESTERASE 1 and 2 shows their importance and partial redundancy in lignification in Populus tremula × P. alba
Authors: de Vries Lisanne , Brouckaert Marlies , Chanoca Alexandra , Kim Hoon , Regner Matthew R. , Timokhin Vitaliy I. , Sun Yi , De Meester Barbara , Van Doorsselaere Jan , Goeminne Geert , Chiang Vincent L. , Wang Jack P. , Ralph John , Morreel Kris , Vanholme Ruben , Boerjan Wout
Published: June 2021

Lignins are cell wall‐located aromatic polymers that provide strength and hydrophobicity to woody tissues. Lignin monomers are synthesized via the phenylpropanoid pathway, wherein CAFFEOYL SHIKIMATE ESTERASE (CSE) converts caffeoyl shikimate into caffeic acid. Here, we explored the role of the two CSE homologs in poplar (Populus tremula × P. alba). Reporter lines showed that the expression conferred by both CSE1 and CSE2 promoters is similar. CRISPR‐Cas9‐generated cse1 and cse2 single mutants had a wild‐type lignin level. Nevertheless, CSE1 and CSE2 are not completely redundant, as both single mutants accumulated caffeoyl shikimate. In contrast, the cse1 cse2 double mutants had a 35% reduction in lignin and associated growth penalty. The reduced‐lignin content translated into a fourfold increase in cellulose‐to‐glucose conversion upon limited saccharification. Phenolic profiling of the double mutants revealed large metabolic shifts, including an accumulation of p‐coumaroyl, 5‐hydroxyferuloyl, feruloyl and sinapoyl shikimate, in addition to caffeoyl shikimate. This indicates that the CSEs have a broad substrate specificity, which was confirmed by in vitro enzyme kinetics. Taken together, our results suggest an alternative path within the phenylpropanoid pathway at the level of the hydroxycinnamoyl‐shikimates, and show that CSE is a promising target to improve plants for the biorefinery.
Traits of a self‐pollinating and preharvest‐sprouting‐resistant line of summer buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum)
Authors: Suzuki Tatsuro , Sekiguchi Yurie , Hara Takahiro , Katsu Kenjiro , Matsuura Asana
Published: June 2021

One of the important breeding issues in buckwheat is to increase resistance to preharvest sprouting, which can result in the loss of yield and quality of buckwheat food, especially in spring‐sown buckwheat. The preharvest‐sprouting resistance of self‐pollinating buckwheat in the summer ecotype is very weak. Therefore, we developed a self‐pollinating breeding line IHK1, which has strong preharvest‐sprouting‐resistance traits. IHK1 was developed by cross breeding between ‘Kyukei37’ (a preharvest‐sprouting‐resistant outcrossing line) and IH3 (a self‐pollinating summer‐ecotype line). Progeny analysis revealed that the preharvest‐sprouting resistance trait in IHK1 was dominant. In three field trials conducted over 2 years, the maturation time of IHK1 was the same as that of ‘Harunoibuki’, the leading spring‐sown variety in the Kyushu region and the plant was shorter than ‘Harunoibuki’. The yield of IHK1 was approximately 70%–85% of that of ‘Harunoibuki’ (165 kg/10 a; average of three times cultivation), whereas it was approximately 258%–333% when compared with IH3. Thus, IHK1 is a promising breeding line for self‐pollinating buckwheat, especially spring‐sown buckwheat.
Computer Modeling Indicates Dramatically Less DNA Damage from Far‐UVC Krypton Chloride Lamps (222 nm) than from Sunlight Exposure
Authors: Eadie Ewan , O’Mahoney Paul , Finlayson Louise , Barnard Isla Rose Mary , Ibbotson Sally Helen , Wood Kenneth
Published: June 2021

This study aims to investigate, with computer modeling, the DNA damage (assessed by cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) formation) from far‐ultraviolet C (far‐UVC) in comparison with sunlight exposure in both a temperate (Harwell, England) and Mediterranean (Thessaloniki, Greece) climate. The research utilizes the published results from Barnard et al. [Barnard, I.R.M (2020) Photodermatol. Photoimmunol. Photomed. 36, 476–477] to determine the relative CPD yield of unfiltered and filtered far‐UVC and sunlight exposure. Under current American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) exposure limits, 10 min of sunlight at an ultraviolet (UV) Index of 4—typical throughout the day in a temperate climate from Spring to Autumn—produces equivalent numbers of CPD as 700 h of unfiltered far‐UVC or more than 30 000 h of filtered far‐UVC at the basal layer. At the top of the epidermis, these values are reduced to 30 and 300 h, respectively. In terms of DNA damage induction, as assessed by CPD formation, the risk from sunlight exposure greatly exceeds the risk from far‐UVC. However, the photochemistry that will occur in the stratum corneum from absorption of the vast majority of the high‐energy far‐UVC photons is unknown, as are the consequences.
Overuse of antenatal visits and ultrasounds in low‐risk women: A national population‐based study
Authors: Merrer Jade , Le Ray Camille , Bonnet Camille , Coulm Bénédicte , Blondel Béatrice
Published: June 2021

Background

A better understanding of the overuse of antenatal care is needed to improve its organisation to deal with limited medical resources and doctor shortages.

Objectives

To assess the proportion of women who overuse antenatal care and the associations of overuse with maternal characteristics and the qualifications of healthcare providers.

Methods

We used the 2016 National Perinatal Survey, a cross‐sectional population‐based survey, performed in all maternity units in France, including 13,132 women. Based on the French national guidelines, 6–8 antenatal visits were defined as adequate, 9–11 as high use, and ≥12 as overuse, while 3 ultrasounds were considered adequate, 4–5 as high use, and ≥6 as overuse. We performed binary modified Poisson regressions—with adequate care as the reference—including maternal social and medical characteristics and the healthcare professionals’ qualifications.

Results

After women with inadequate care were excluded, 19.2% of low‐risk women had at least 12 visits and 30.5% at least 6 ultrasounds. Overuse of visits was associated with primiparity, average to high income, less than good psychological well‐being, and care by an obstetrician. The risks of overuse of ultrasounds were higher among primiparous, women with average to high income and those receiving care from a public‐sector obstetrician (adjusted relative risk 1.17, 95% CI, 1.13, 1.21) or private obstetrician (adjusted relative risk 1.12, 95% CI, 1.07, 1.16), compared with a public‐sector midwife.

Conclusions

Antenatal care overuse is very common in France and associated with some maternal characteristics and also the qualification of care provider. Antenatal care should be customised according to women's needs, in particular for primiparae and those with poor well‐being, and available medical resources.
COVID‐19: Histopathological correlates of imaging patterns on chest computed tomography
Authors: Kianzad Azar , Meijboom Lilian J. , Nossent Esther J. , Roos Eva , Schurink Bernadette , Bonta Peter I. , van den Berk Inge A. H. , Britstra Rieneke , Stoker Jaap , Vonk Noordegraaf Anton , van der Valk Paul , Thunnissen Erik , Bugiani Marianna , Bogaard Harm Jan , Radonic Teodora
Published: June 2021

Background and objective

Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pneumonia present with typical findings on chest computed tomography (CT), but the underlying histopathological patterns are unknown. Through direct regional correlation of imaging findings to histopathological patterns, this study aimed to explain typical COVID‐19 CT patterns at tissue level.

Methods

Eight autopsy cases were prospectively selected of patients with PCR‐proven COVID‐19 pneumonia with varying clinical manifestations and causes of death. All had been subjected to chest CT imaging 24–72 h prior to death. Twenty‐seven lung areas with typical COVID‐19 patterns and two radiologically unaffected pulmonary areas were correlated to histopathological findings in the same lung regions.

Results

Two dominant radiological patterns were observed: ground‐glass opacity (GGO) (n = 11) and consolidation (n = 16). In seven of 11 sampled areas of GGO, diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) was observed. In four areas of GGO, the histological pattern was vascular damage and thrombosis, with (n = 2) or without DAD (n = 2). DAD was also observed in five of 16 samples derived from areas of radiological consolidation. Seven areas of consolidation were based on a combination of DAD, vascular damage and thrombosis. In four areas of consolidation, bronchopneumonia was found. Unexpectedly, in samples from radiologically unaffected lung parenchyma, evidence was found of vascular damage and thrombosis.

Conclusion

In COVID‐19, radiological findings of GGO and consolidation are mostly explained by DAD or a combination of DAD and vascular damage plus thrombosis. However, the different typical CT patterns in COVID‐19 are not related to specific histopathological patterns. Microvascular damage and thrombosis are even encountered in the radiologically normal lung.
Carbonate cementation in the Tithonian Jeanne d’Arc sandstone, Terra Nova Field, Newfoundland: Implications for reservoir quality evolution
Authors: Olanipekun Babatunde , Azmy Karem
Published: June 2021

Petrographic and in situ geochemical analyses were carried out on cores of the fluvial sandstone (<50 to >4 mm; sublithic quartz arenite) dominated Tithonian Jeanne d’Arc Formation interval from wells C‐09 and E‐79 of the Terra Nova oilfield to understand diagenetic control on reservoir quality of the formation. Lithic clasts are dominantly carbonates and shales. Successively, early near‐surface dolomite cementation, eogenetic dolomite dissolution, burial calcite cementation and its subsequent dissolution are the major diagenetic events that controlled the reservoir quality of the sandstone. Dolomite cement grades from mostly Fe‐rich (FeCO3 ca 12 ± 2 normalized mol.%) in the upper part of the formation to Fe‐poor (<0.07 normalized mol.%) in the lower part of the formation in both wells. The dolomite and calcite cements generally have low Sr and Na; enriched Y and low δ18O and δ13C values relative to typical marine carbonates. Strontium is enriched in the Fe‐poor (higher Mg) dolomite relative to the Fe‐rich phase. Mineral liberation analyses of shale samples reveal common Fe‐chlorite and minor glauconite. Furthermore, considerable amounts of solutes in the early diagenetic pore fluid were likely derived from water—rock interaction with underlying Oxfordian Rankin Formation marine carbonate that was also exposed in the watershed of the study area at the time. Together, these suggest that the dolomites were formed from an early diagenetic bicarbonate‐rich pore fluid of mixed meteoric and seawater origin. The origin and distribution of early dolomite cementation and other successive diagenetic events have a depositional cycle control. Episodic post‐deposition transgression of seawater and/or compactional fluid expulsion from shales into overlying sandstones led to formation of dolomite cement. Subsequent infiltration of organic acid‐charged meteoric‐water into underlying dolomite‐cemented sandstones resulted in early dissolution. This porosity was mostly occluded by re‐precipitation of calcite. Increase in the abundance of relic corroded dolomite crystals with depth in each cycle indicates that early dissolution was most effective at the top of the cycles. Iron depletion in the calcite cement with depth through the formation points to a local derivation of reactants from in situ dolomite species; implying a stratigraphic control. Calcite cementation was succeeded by continuous mesogenetic dissolution concomitant mechanical compaction. The responsible low‐pH pore fluid attained its composition via enhanced H+ contribution from silicate burial diagenesis. The control of depositional settings on the major diagenetic processes makes it a key contribution to region‐wide reservoir quality prediction for the formation.
How is motivational interviewing (un)related to self‐determination theory: An empirical study from different healthcare settings
Authors: Abildsnes Eirik , Elin Andresen Nina , Storbækken Solveig , Beate Samdal Gro , Mildestvedt Thomas , Meland Eivind
Published: June 2021

To explore how quality aspects and clients’ verbal behaviors in Motivational Interviewing sessions correspond with counsellors’ support of basic psychological needs described in Self‐determination Theory, we conducted a mixed method study with quantitative analyses of transformed qualitative data from counselling sessions. Coding manuals identified if the counselling was consistent with Motivational Interviewing and the support of basic psychological needs. The study supported a conceptual relationship between motivational interviewing (MI) and self‐determination theory (SDT), except for autonomy support which was conceptualized differently in the two approaches. Relational support in SDT and MI were closely linked to each other and were also strongly related to other MI‐congruent and promotive counselors’ verbal behavior. Client amotivation in SDT and change talk in MI were negatively correlated, and clients’ autonomous motivation in SDT was related to change talk in MI. Counselors emphasized relational support, using decisional balance comprehensively, but offered competence support less often. The counseling was, however, sensitive to the clients’ motivational regulation of behavior change.
Genetic diversity of tomato response to heat stress at the QTL and transcriptome levels
Authors: Bineau Estelle , Diouf Isidore , Carretero Yolande , Duboscq Renaud , Bitton Frédérique , Djari Anis , Zouine Mohamed , Causse Mathilde
Published: June 2021

Tomato is a widely cultivated crop, which can grow in many environments. However, temperature above 30°C impairs its reproduction, subsequently impacting fruit yield. We assessed the impact of high‐temperature stress (HS) in two tomato experimental populations, a multi‐parental advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) population and a core‐collection (CC) of small‐fruited tomato accessions. Both populations were evaluated for 11 traits related to yield components, phenology and fruit quality in optimal and HS conditions. HS significantly impacted all traits in both populations, but a few genotypes with stable yield under HS were identified. A plasticity index was computed for each individual to measure the extent of the heat impact for each trait. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) were detected in control and HS conditions as well as for plasticity index. Linkage and genome‐wide association analyses in the MAGIC and CC populations identified a total of 98 and 166 QTLs, respectively. Taking the two populations together, 69 plasticity QTLs (pQTLs) were involved in tomato heat response for 11 traits. The transcriptome changes in the ovary of six genotypes with contrasted responses to HS were studied, and 837 genes differentially expressed according to the conditions were detected. Combined with previous transcriptome studies, these results were used to propose candidate genes for HS response QTLs.