bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Just a phase? Causal probing reveals spurious phasic dependence of sensory perception
Authors: Vinao-Carl M. , Gal-Shohet Y. , Rhodes E. , Li J. , Hampshire A. , Sharp D. , Grossman N.
Published: August 2023

For over a decade, electrophysiological studies have reported correlations between sensory perception and the phase of spontaneous pre-stimulus brain oscillations. To date, these findings have been interpreted as evidence that the brain uses neural oscillations to sample and predict upcoming stimuli. Yet, evidence from simulations have shown that analysis artefacts could also lead to spurious pre-stimulus oscillations that appear to predict future brain responses. To address this discrepancy, we conducted an experiment in which visual stimuli were presented timed to specific phases of spontaneous alpha and theta oscillations. This allowed us to causally probe the role of ongoing neural activity in visual processing independent of the stimulus-evoked dynamics. Our findings did not support a causal link between spontaneous alpha / theta rhythms and behaviour. However, spurious correlations between theta phase and behaviour emerged offline using gold-standard acausal time-frequency analyses. These findings demonstrate that care should be taken when inferring causal relationships between neural activity and behaviour using acausal analyses.

HIGHLIGHTS

We causally probed the role of spontaneous EEG rhythms in visual attention via phase-locking.

Theta phase predicted behaviour offline, but cues presented in real-time with theta had no effect on behaviour.

Spurious theta rhythmic sampling is an artefact of the evoked potential and acausal filtering.

ecHT accurately computes the phase in real-time and mitigates erroneous phase-behaviour correlations.
Phosphorylation-controlled cohesion of a nuclear condensate regulates mRNA retention
Authors: McIntyre Alexa B. R. , Tschan Adrian Beat , Meyer Katrina , Walser Severin , Rai Arpan Kumar , Fujita Keisuke , Pelkmans Lucas
Published: August 2023

Nuclear speckles are membraneless organelles that associate with active transcription sites and participate in post-transcriptional mRNA processing. During the cell cycle, nuclear speckles dissolve following phosphorylation of their protein components. Here, we identify the PP1 family as the phosphatases that counteract kinase-mediated dissolution. PP1 overexpression increases speckle cohesion and leads to retention of polyadenylated RNA within speckles and the nucleus. Using APEX2 proximity labeling combined with RNA-sequencing, we characterized the relationship between the cohesion of nuclear speckles and the recruitment of specific RNAs. We find that many transcripts are preferentially enriched within nuclear speckles compared to the nucleoplasm, particularly chromatin- and nucleus-associated transcripts. While total polyadenylated RNA retention increased with nuclear speckle cohesion, the ratios of most mRNA species to each other were constant, indicating non-selective, or proportional, retention. We then explored whether nuclear speckle cohesion changes in response to environmental perturbations associated with changes in kinase or phosphatase activity. We found that cellular responses to heat shock, oxidative stress, and hypoxia include changes to the cohesion of nuclear speckles and mRNA retention. Our results demonstrate that tuning the material properties of nuclear speckles provides a mechanism for the acute control of mRNA localization.
Belief embodiment through eye movements facilitates memory-guided navigation
Authors: Stavropoulos Akis , Lakshminarasimhan Kaushik J. , Angelaki Dora E.
Published: August 2023

Neural network models optimized for task performance often excel at predicting neural activity but do not explain other properties such as the distributed representation across functionally distinct areas. Distributed representations may arise from animals’ strategies for resource utilization, however, fixation-based paradigms deprive animals of a vital resource: eye movements. During a naturalistic task in which humans use a joystick to steer and catch flashing fireflies in a virtual environment lacking position cues, subjects physically track the latent task variable with their gaze. We show this strategy to be true also during an inertial version of the task in the absence of optic flow and demonstrate that these task-relevant eye movements reflect an embodiment of the subjects’ dynamically evolving internal beliefs about the goal. A neural network model with tuned recurrent connectivity between oculomotor and evidence-integrating frontoparietal circuits accounted for this behavioral strategy. Critically, this model better explained neural data from monkeys’ posterior parietal cortex compared to task-optimized models unconstrained by such an oculomotor-based cognitive strategy. These results highlight the importance of unconstrained movement in working memory computations and establish a functional significance of oculomotor signals for evidence-integration and navigation computations via embodied cognition.
Ocular TRPV1 deficiency protects from dry eye-induced corneal nerve damage
Authors: Pizzano Manuela , Vereertbrugghen Alexia , Cernutto Agostina , Sabbione Florencia , Keitelman Irene A , Shiromizu Carolina M , Aguilar Douglas Vera , Fuentes Federico , Giordano Mirta N , Trevani Analía S , Galletti Jeremías G
Published: August 2023

Background

Corneal nerve damage causes the most clinically significant symptoms in dry eye disease (DED) yet its pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) channels abound in corneal nerve fibers and respond to inflammation-derived ligands, which increase in DED. TRPV1 overactivation promotes axonal degeneration in vitro but whether it contributes to corneal neuropathy is unknown. Therefore, here we explored the role of TRPV1 in DED-associated corneal nerve damage.

Methods

Surgical DED was induced in TRPV1-deficient (TRPV1KO) and wild-type (wt) mice. Corneal nerve function was measured on days 0, 5, and 10 by mechanical and capsaicin sensitivity and eye-closing ratio as an indicator of non-evoked pain. Nerve and epithelial morphology was evaluated by confocal microscopy of corneal wholemounts. Pharmacological TRPV1 inhibition in wild-type mice was also evaluated.

Results

wt and TRPV1KO mice developed comparable ocular desiccation and corneal epithelial damage. Contrasting with wt mice, corneal mechanosensitivity in TRPV1KO mice did not decrease with disease progression. Capsaicin sensitivity increased in wt mice with DED, and consistently, wt but not TRPV1KO mice with DED displayed signs of non-evoked pain. Wt mice with DED exhibited nerve degeneration throughout the corneal epithelium whereas TRPV1KO mice only developed a reduction in the most superficial nerve endings that failed to propagate to the deeper subbasal corneal nerves. Pharmacological blockade of ocular TRPV1 activity reproduced these findings in wt mice with DED. Although TRPV1KO mice with DED had fewer pathogenic Th1 and Th17 CD4+ T cells in the lymph nodes, conjunctival immune infiltration was comparable between strains. Moreover, CD4+ T cells from wt and TRPV1KO mice with DED were equally pathogenic when transferred into T cell-deficient mice, confirming that TRPV1 activity in T cells is not involved in corneal neuropathy.

Conclusions

Although ocular desiccation is sufficient to trigger superficial corneal nerve damage in DED, proximal propagation of axonal degeneration requires TRPV1 signaling. Conversely, local inflammation sensitizes ocular TRPV1 channels, which are also involved in ocular pain, a key symptom of the disease. Thus, our findings suggest that ocular TRPV1 overactivation is a driving force in DED-associated corneal neuropathy and a potential therapeutic target.

Graphical abstract
Cell therapy with IL-10-producing group 2 innate lymphoid cells suppresses Graft-versus-Host disease
Authors: Reid Kyle T. , Colpitts Sarah J. , Mathews Jessica A. , Carreira Abel Santos , Murphy Julia M. , Borovsky Dorota T. , Cui Wenhui , Moya Tommy Alfaro , Sachewsky Nadia , An James , Xia Yubing , Mortha Arthur , Lee Jong Bok , Zhang Li , Novitzky-Basso Igor , Mattsson Jonas , Crome Sarah Q.
Published: August 2023

IL-10 producing group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC210) have immunoregulatory functions, and limit harmful immune responses across various tissues. Despite their crucial roles in maintaining immune homeostasis, the cell therapy potential of human ILC210has not been demonstrated, due to both limited numbers in human peripheral blood and lack of definitive markers for identification. Here, we isolate and expand circulating human ILC210, and assess their cell therapy potential in a humanized model of Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD). Cell therapy with human ILC210decreased GVHD severity and prolonged survival of NOD-scidIL2Rγnull(NSG) mice. Adoptive transfer of ILC210inhibited pathogenic T cell proliferation and intestinal infiltration, and suppressed CD4+Th1 and CD8+Tc1 cells in an IL-4 and IL-10 dependent manner. Critically, increased proportions of ILC2s did not correlate with higher rates of cancer relapse in HSCT recipients, and adoptive transfer of ILC210did not compromise graft-versus-leukemic (GVL) effects in a humanized model. Finally, we identify CD49d and CD86 as novel markers that discriminate ILC210from conventional ILC2s. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the potential of harnessing ILC210in cell therapies for GVHD and other immune-driven pathologies.
DSSP in Gromacs: tool for defining secondary structures of proteins in trajectories
Authors: Gorelov S. V. , Titov A. I. , Tolicheva O.A. , Konevega A. L. , Shvetsov A. V.
Published: August 2023

This work describes a fast implementation of software algorithm associated with determination of protein secondary structure based on the DSSP algorithm. This implementation is fully compatible with the DSSP v.4 algorithm and implemented as native Gromacs trajectory analysis module which allows to analyze molecular dynamics trajectories without any restrictions of the original DSSP implementation. Also this implementation works much faster then original DSSP v.4 algorithm.

TOC Graphic
The germline coordinates mitokine signaling
Authors: Shen Koning , Durieux Jenni , Mena Cesar G. , Webster Brant M. , Kimberly Tsui C. , Zhang Hanlin , Joe Lawrence , Berendzen Kristen , Dillin Andrew
Published: August 2023

The ability of mitochondria to coordinate stress responses across tissues is critical for health. InC. elegans, neurons experiencing mitochondrial stress elicit an inter-tissue signaling pathway through the release of mitokine signals, such as serotonin or the WNT ligand EGL-20, which activate the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRMT) in the periphery to promote organismal health and lifespan. We find that germline mitochondria play a surprising role in neuron-to-peripheral UPRMTsignaling. Specifically, we find that germline mitochondria signal downstream of neuronal mitokines, like WNT and serotonin, and upstream of lipid metabolic pathways in the periphery to regulate UPRMTactivation. We also find that the germline tissue itself is essential in UPRMTsignaling. We propose that the germline has a central signaling role in coordinating mitochondrial stress responses across tissues, and germline mitochondria play a defining role in this coordination because of their inherent roles in germline integrity and inter-tissue signaling.
Development and Clinical Evaluation of AlcoChange: a Digital Therapeutic for Patients with Alcohol-Related Liver Disease
Authors: Mehta G , Lin S , Nadar A , Bharadwaj PV , Kumar R , Balaji A , Macdonald S , Sheikh M , Saeidinejad MM , Sharma SR , King JJ , Mookerjee RP , McDonagh L , Afuwape SA , Moore K , Jalan R
Published: August 2023

Background and aims

Maintenance of abstinence in alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) is a major unmet therapeutic need. Digital therapeutics can deliver ongoing behavioural therapy, in real-time, for chronic conditions. The aim of this project was to develop and clinically test AlcoChange, a novel digital therapeutic for ARLD.

Methods

AlcoChange was developed using validated behaviour change techniques (BCTs) and a digital alcohol breathalyser. This was an open-label, single-centre study. Patients with ARLD, ongoing alcohol use (within 1 month) and possession of a suitable smartphone were eligible. Patients were recruited from inpatient and outpatient settings, and received AlcoChange therapy for 3-months. The primary outcome was reduction in alcohol use from baseline to 3-months, measured by timeline follow-back (TLFB). Secondary outcomes included: (i) compliance with the AlcoChange app, (ii) alcohol-related and all-cause hospital re-admissions up to 1-year, (iii) qualitative analysis to determine factors associated with compliance.

Results

Sixty-five patients were recruited, of whom forty-one completed the study per-protocol. Patients compliant with the intervention (>60 logins over 3-months) had a significant reduction in alcohol use from baseline compared to non-compliant patients [median (IQR): −100% (100% to −55.1%)vs−57.1% (−95.3% to +32.13%), p=0.029]. The proportion attaining abstinence at 3-months was higher in the compliant group (57.1%vs22.2%, p=0.025). The compliant group had a significantly decreased risk of subsequent alcohol-related re-admission up to 12-months (p=0.008). Qualitative analysis demonstrated receiving in-app feedback and presence of health-related ‘sentinel event’ were predictors of compliance with the intervention.

Conclusions

Use of the novel digital therapeutic, AlcoChange, was associated with a significant reduction in alcohol use and increase in proportion attaining abstinence in ARLD patients. Definitive, randomized trials are warranted for this intervention.
PDZD8-FKBP8 tethering complex at ER-mitochondria contact sites regulates mitochondrial complexity
Authors: Nakamura Koki , Aoyama-Ishiwatari Saeko , Nagao Takahiro , Paaran Mohammadreza , Obara Christopher J. , Sakurai-Saito Yui , Johnston Jake , Du Yudan , Suga Shogo , Tsuboi Masafumi , Nakakido Makoto , Tsumoto Kouhei , Kishi Yusuke , Gotoh Yukiko , Kwak Chulhwan , Rhee Hyun-Woo , Seo Jeong Kon , Kosako Hidetaka , Potter Clint , Carragher Bridget , Lippincott-Schwartz Jennifer , Polleux Franck , Hirabayashi Yusuke
Published: August 2023

Mitochondria-ER membrane contact sites (MERCS) represent a fundamental ultrastructural feature underlying unique biochemistry and physiology in eukaryotic cells. The ER protein PDZD8 is required for the formation of MERCS in many cell types, however, its tethering partner on the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) is currently unknown. Here we identified the OMM protein FKBP8 as the tethering partner of PDZD8 using a combination of unbiased proximity proteomics, CRISPR-Cas9 endogenous protein tagging, Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM) tomography, and correlative light-EM (CLEM). Single molecule tracking revealed highly dynamic diffusion properties of PDZD8 along the ER membrane with significant pauses and capture at MERCS. Overexpression of FKBP8 was sufficient to narrow the ER-OMM distance, whereas independent versus combined deletions of these two proteins demonstrated their interdependence for MERCS formation. Furthermore, PDZD8 enhances mitochondrial complexity in a FKBP8-dependent manner. Our results identify a novel ER-mitochondria tethering complex that regulates mitochondrial morphology in mammalian cells.
Jasmonates regulate auxin-mediated root growth inhibition in response to rhizospheric pH in Arabidopsis
Authors: Singh Ajit Pal , Kanwar Rajni , Pandey Ajay K.
Published: August 2023

Rhizospheric pH severely impacts plant growth and fitness through a numerous process and has emerged as a major determinant of crop productivity. Despite numerous attempts, the key questions related to plants response against rhizospheric pH remains largely elusive. The present study provides a mechanistic framework for rhizospheric pH-mediated root growth inhibition (RGI). Utilizing various genetic resources combined with pharmacological agents and high-resolution confocal microscopy, the study provides direct evidences for the involvement of jasmonates and auxin in rhizospheric pH-mediated RGI. We show that auxin maxima at root tip is tightly regulated by the rhizospheric pH. In contrast, jasmonates (JAs) abundance inversely correlates with rhizospheric pH. Further, JA mediated regulation of auxin maxima byGRETCHEN HAGEN 3(GH3) family genes explains the pattern of RGI observed over the entire range of rhizospheric pH. Our findings revealed auxin as the key regulator of RGI during severe pH conditions, while JAs antagonistically regulate auxin response against rhizospheric pH.

Highlight

The current study identifies the mechanistic framework of rhizospheric pH mediated root growth inhibition in model plant Arabidopsis through a prominent crosstalk between two phytohormones i.e. auxin and jasmonates.
Parallel, Continuous Monitoring and Quantification of Programmed Cell Death in Plant Tissue
Authors: Collins Alexander Silva Pinto , Kurt Hasan , Duggan Cian , Cotur Yasin , Coatsworth Philip , Naik Atharv , Kaisti Matti , Bozkurt Tolga , Güder Firat
Published: August 2023

The accurate quantification of hypersensitive response (HR) programmed cell death is imperative for understanding plant defense mechanisms and developing disease-resistant crop varieties. In this study, we report an accelerated phenotyping platform for the continuous-time, rapid and quantitative assessment of HR: Parallel Automated Spectroscopy Tool for Electrolyte Leakage (PASTEL). Compared to traditional HR assays, PASTEL significantly improves temporal resolution and has high sensitivity, facilitating the detection of microscopic levels of cell death. We validated PASTEL by transiently expressing the effector protein AVRblb2 in transgenic lines of the model plantNicotiana benthamiana(expressing the corresponding resistance protein Rpi-blb2) to reliably induce HR. We were able to detect cell death at microscopic intensities, where leaf tissue appeared healthy to the naked eye one week after infiltration. PASTEL produces large amounts of frequency domain impedance data captured continuously (sub-seconds to minutes). Using this data, we developed a supervised machine learning models for classification of HR. We were able to classify input data (inclusive of our entire tested concentration range) as HR-positive or negative with 84.1% mean accuracy (F1score = 0.75) at 1 hour and with 87.8% mean accuracy (F1score = 0.81) at 22 hours. With PASTEL and the ML models produced in this work, it is possible to phenotype disease resistance in plants in hours instead of days to weeks.
Logistics 4.0 for supply chain performance: perspectives from a retailing case study
Authors: Hrouga Mustapha , Sbihi Abdelkader
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study considers the potential of logistics 4.0 for supply chain (SC) optimization in French retail. The authors investigate the implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies to optimize SC performance in the retail sector and SC's role in the digital transformation in supply chain management (SCM).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first carry out a comprehensive bibliographic taxonomy to highlight the different existing digital tools. Based on this, the authors posed three research questions (RQs) and hypotheses to examine the contribution of logistics 4.0 in improving the performance of retail logistics. Then, the authors considered a case study of retail in France based on qualitative and quantitative analysis to answer all the RQs and examine the hypotheses.

Findings

The results showed that digital tools such as Cyber Security Systems (CSS), Big Data Analytics (BDA) and Blockchain (BC) technology are the most effective and appropriate tools to optimize the SC performance in retail.

Practical implications

This research work showed that the implementation of these tools in retail can offer several benefits such as improved productivity, optimized delivery times, improved inventory management and secure real-time communication, which leads to improved profitability of the SC.

Originality/value

The study opens a door to develop practical roadmaps for companies that enable smart deliveries based on logistics 4.0.
Strategic entrepreneurial behaviors and firm performance: the moderating role of narcissism and Machiavellianism
Authors: Shirokova Galina , Galieva Nailya , Doktorova Diana , White Joshua V. , Marino Louis
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study examines the relationship between strategic entrepreneurial behaviors (SEBs) and the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in an emerging market context. The authors expand upon prior work in this area by building and testing a model that assesses the moderating effect of CEOs’ narcissism and Machiavellianism on the relationship between SEBs and SME performance.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the authors’ theoretical model, the authors use the results of a larger data collection project in Russia to create a national random sample of 372 Russian SMEs that were approached between August and November 2019.

Findings

The authors found support for the positive relationship between SEBs and SME performance. Additionally, the authors found that CEO narcissism and Machiavellianism strengthen the relationship between SEBs and firm performance.

Originality/value

This study is an important step toward enriching the understanding of the role of CEO personality traits in shaping the efficiency of entrepreneurial behavior at the firm level. Extending previous research, the authors show that SEBs have a positive effect on firm performance in an emerging market context. Additionally, the authors contribute insight about how personality characteristics of CEOs, specifically narcissism and Machiavellianism, influence the relationship between entrepreneurial behavior and firm performance. Finally, the authors’ research contributes to the development of strategic leadership theory: the results offer insight to scholars regarding the potentially beneficial attributes of otherwise “dark” leaders.
Dermatophyte antigen kit: A useful diagnostic tool for onychomycosis
Authors: Noguchi Hiromitsu , Matsumoto Tadahiko , Mimura Yoshihiro , Kubo Masahide , Higuchi Sara , Kashiwada‐Nakamura Kayo , Kimura Utako , Hiruma Masataro , Fukushima Satoshi
Published: August 2023

A dermatophyte antigen kit (DQT) was released in Japan as an in vitro diagnostic tool to identify tinea unguium in June 2022. From July 2022 to February 2023, we examined 75 potassium hydroxide (KOH)‐negative patients (male, n = 23; female, n = 52; mean ± SD age, 63.6 ± 13.9 years) and determined the accuracy in confirming the fungal element with ZoomBlue™ staining at 400× magnification. The DQT results were classified into three categories. DQT‐positive onychomycosis was detected in 27 patients with tinea unguium and two with non‐dermatophyte onychomycosis. Fungal cultures were positive in 14 (51.8%) patients (Trichophyton rubrum [n = 11], T. interdigitale [n = 1], Fusarium solani [n = 1], and Talaromyces muroii [n = 1]). DQT‐negative onychomycosis included ten patients with cured tinea unguium and 3 with Candida onychomycosis. Twenty‐three patients had DQT‐negative mimics for onychomycosis (onychauxis [n = 11], traumatic onycholysis [n = 8], yellow nail syndrome [n = 5], pincer nail deformity [n = 3], brittle nail syndrome [n = 2], contact dermatitis [n = 2], lichen planus [n = 1] and psoriasis [n = 1]). Because sparse, atrophic and/or fragmented mycelia are invisible in direct microscopy with potassium hydroxide (KOH) at 100× magnification, DQT was beneficial for diagnosing onychomycosis.
Low‐cost management interventions and their impact on multilevel trade‐offs in agricultural grasslands
Authors: Burian Alfred , Norton Briony A. , Alston Debbie , Willmot Alan , Reynolds Sarah , Meynell Godfrey , Lynch Paul , Bulling Mark
Published: August 2023

Cost‐effective strategies to increase biodiversity are a fundamental requirement to reconcile conservation and food production in agricultural landscapes. Key for the implementation of such strategies is an accurate quantification of both their benefits and potential associated trade‐offs.

We therefore assessed, in a commercially managed grassland, biodiversity responses to two low‐cost management interventions and their mediating effects on ecosystem services.

In a 6‐year experiment, we showed that a one‐time seed bank activation treatment had strong initial impacts on biodiversity, increasing plant richness in year 1 by 61%. Long‐term effects, which were also driven by the second management intervention, the propagation of the keystone species yellow rattle, were weaker but nonetheless substantial. These positive biodiversity responses improved ecosystem multifunctionality through additive positive effects of richness, evenness and phylogenetic distinctiveness on nectar production and structural habitat complexity.

In contrast, hay biomass production was negatively affected by both management interventions, resulting in a multilevel trade‐off between biomass production competing with biodiversity conservation and the provisioning of other ecosystem services.

Synthesis and applications. In this study, we demonstrate that the maximisation of either biodiversity or biomass production requires largely different land management practices. The evaluation of this trade‐off, however, is strongly dependent on its social, economic and ecological context and requires clearly defined land management priorities for both food production and biodiversity conservation.
Estimating state‐specific population‐based hospitalization rates from in‐state hospital discharge data
Authors: Roemer Marc , Schaefer Mary Beth , Pickens Gary T. , Barrett Marguerite L.
Published: August 2023

Objective

To develop weights to estimate state population‐based hospitalization rates for all residents of a state using only data from in‐state hospitals which exclude residents treated in other states.

Data Sources and Study Setting

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), State Inpatient Databases (SID), 2018–2019, 47 states+DC.

Study Design

We identified characteristics for patients hospitalized in each state differentiating movers (discharges for patients hospitalized outside state of residence) from stayers (discharges for patients hospitalized in state of residence) and created weights based on 2018 data informed by these characteristics. We calculated standard errors using a sampling framework and compared weight‐based estimates against complete observed values for 2019.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

SID are based on administrative billing records collected by hospitals, shared with statewide data organizations, and provided to HCUP.

Principal Findings

Of 34,186,766 discharged patients in 2018, 4.2% were movers. A higher share of movers (vs. stayers) lived in state border and rural counties; a lower share had discharges billed to Medicaid or were hospitalized for maternal/neonatal services. The difference between 2019 observed and estimated total discharges for all included states and DC was 9402 (mean absolute percentage error = 0.2%). We overestimated discharges with an expected payer of Medicaid, from the lowest income communities, and for maternal/neonatal care. We underestimated discharges with an expected payer of private insurance, from the highest income communities, and with injury diagnoses and surgical services. Estimates for most subsets were not within a 95% confidence interval, likely due to factors impossible to account for (e.g., hospital closures/openings, shifting consumer preferences).

Conclusions

The weights offer a practical solution for researchers with access to only a single state's data to account for movers when calculating population‐based hospitalization rates.
The valuation of gross ecosystem product in the three provinces in northeast of China
Authors: Fan Yu , Ji Jiayang , Jia Changgeng , Lei Ming , Wu Wenjun , Zheng Yun , Wang Zichao , Zhang Guohui , Song Youtao
Published: August 2023

Achieving sustainable development is an issue of global concern. Accounting for the gross ecosystem product (GEP) value can specifically quantify the value of ecosystems for people, which is conducive to the formulation of sustainable management decisions. We have improved the GEP framework accounting method for the first time and evaluated the ecosystem service value of 36 cities in three provinces in the northeast (TPN) of China from 2000 to 2019, which provides decision‐making references for the sustainable development of TPN. The main accounting results and policy recommendations are as follows: (1) The ecological value of Northeast China is in an upward stage—GEP has increased from 3.1 trillion yuan in 2000 to 4.5 trillion yuan in 2019, with climate regulation and water conservation functions being the main driving factors for GEP. (2) Based on the dual analysis of GEP and gross domestic product (GDP), there is still high room for improvement in most cities in the TPN region. While ensuring the protection of ecosystem services, cities can convert ecological value into economic value through carbon trading, water rights trading, ecological compensation, and other methods based on ecological characteristics, which is conducive to the sustainable development of GDP and GEP in the TPN region in the future. (3) The cold and hot spot analysis of GEP also provides decision‐making basis for the planning of future ecosystem service protection areas in the TPN region.
Physiological response mechanism of heavy metal‐resistant endophytic fungi isolated from the roots of Polygonatum kingianum
Authors: Cao Guan‐Hua , Li Xiao‐Gang , Zhang Chen‐Rui , Xiong Yi‐Ran , Li Xue , Li Tong , He Sen , Cui Zheng‐Guo , Yu Jie
Published: August 2023

This study aims to evaluate the tolerance of endophytic fungi isolated from the fibrous roots of Polygonatum kingianum to arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) and their physiological response mechanisms. Five isolated strains were obtained with EC50 values for As(V) ranging from 421 to 1281 mg/L, while the other three strains tolerated Cd(II) with an EC50 range of 407–1112 mg/L. Morphological and molecular identification indicated that these eight strains were Cladosporium spp. belonging to dark septate endophytes (DSEs). The contents of metal ions in mycelium sharply increased, reaching 38.87 mg/kg for strain MZ‐11 under As(V) stress and 0.33 mg/kg for fungus PR‐2 under Cd(II). The physiological response revealed that the biomass decreased with increasing concentrations of As(V) or Cd(II), and the activity of superoxide dismutase significantly improved under the corresponding EC50‐concentration As/Cd of the strains, as well as the contents of antioxidant substances, including metallothionein, glutathione, malondialdehyde, melanin, and proline. Taken together, the filamentous fungi of Cladosporium spp. accounted for a high proportion of fungi isolated from the fibrous roots of P. kingianum and had a strong capacity to tolerate As(V) or Cd(II) stress by improving antioxidase activities and the content of antioxidant substances, and immobilization of metal ions in hyphae.
Endodontic access cavities: Fears and difficulties of Moroccan dental students related to teachers, self‐confidence and technical protocol
Authors: Ghoul Sonia , Faridi Fatima‐Ezzahra , Haj Khalaf Louzan , Razine Rachid , Sikkou Khadija , Idrissi‐Kaitouni Lamia , Rahhali Mohamed , Sakout Majid
Published: August 2023

Fears and difficulties of Moroccan dental students regarding endodontic access cavity were evaluated among 3 items: (i) teachers, (ii) student confidence and (iii) access cavity protocol. A three Likert scale was used to rate 24 statements. Specific scores between 1 and 3 and mean scores between 0 and 1 were used to assess statements and items, respectively. Among 116 students, the mean score of difficulty related to teachers (0.48 ± 0.14) was significantly low (p < 0.001) compared to student confidence (0.69 ± 0.12) and cavity protocol (0.68 ± 0.08). The number of teachers was esteemed insufficient, additional training sessions were requested and maxillary teeth and molars were rated the most difficult with specific scores of 1.91 ± 0.80, 2.72 ± 0.61, 2.22 ± 0.67 and 2.47 ± 0.74, respectively. The highest specific score referred to the risk of making ledges (2.8 ± 0.56) or perforations (2.76 ± 0.59). Students expressed a lack of confidence, difficulty with upper molars and fears of making procedural errors.
The influence of air pollution on gestational age at delivery and birthweight in patients with or without respiratory allergy: A nested case–control study
Authors: Bartha Irene , De La Fuente Miguel , Martinez‐Sanchez Nuria , De La Calle María , Martin Boado Elena , Bartha José Luis
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Air pollution is a current major health issue. The burden of airborne pollutants and aeroallergen levels varies throughout the year, as well as their interaction and consequences. Prenatal exposure during pregnancy has been associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of air pollutants on perinatal outcomes in patients with or without respiratory allergy.

Material and methods

Nested case–control retrospective study on 3006 pregnant women. Correlations between concentrations of common pollutants in each trimester of pregnancy and on average during the whole pregnancy and both gestational age at delivery and birthweight were studied. Pearson's correlation coefficient and binary logistic regression were used.

Results

In general, pollutants correlated more strongly with birthweight than with gestational age at delivery. Nine‐month NO2, SO2, CO, and benzene, and second‐trimester CO negatively correlated with birthweight, whereas only first‐trimester NO2 showed a very mild correlation with gestational age at delivery. Negative correlations between pollutants and birthweight were much stronger in the respiratory allergy group (n = 43; 1.4%) than in the non‐allergic group. After adjustments, the most significant predictive pollutant of birthweight was SO2 in both groups. The best predictive model was much stronger in the allergic group for third‐trimester SO2 (R2 = 0.12, p = 0.02) than in the non‐allergic group for total SO2 (R2 = 0.002, p = 0.02). For each unit that SO2 increased, birthweight reduced by 3.22% vs. 1.28% in each group, respectively.

Conclusions

Air pollutant concentrations, especially SO2, negatively influenced birthweight. The impact of this association was much stronger and more relevant in the group of women with respiratory allergies.
Abnormal myosin post‐translational modifications and ATP turnover time associated with human congenital myopathy‐related RYR1 mutations
Authors: Sonne Alexander , Antonovic Anna Katarina , Melhedegaard Elise , Akter Fariha , Andersen Jesper L. , Jungbluth Heinz , Witting Nanna , Vissing John , Zanoteli Edmar , Fornili Arianna , Ochala Julien
Published: August 2023

Aim

Conditions related to mutations in the gene encoding the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor 1 (RYR1) are genetic muscle disorders and include congenital myopathies with permanent weakness, as well as episodic phenotypes such as rhabdomyolysis/myalgia. Although RYR1 dysfunction is the primary mechanism in RYR1‐related disorders, other downstream pathogenic events are less well understood and may include a secondary remodeling of major contractile proteins. Hence, in the present study, we aimed to investigate whether congenital myopathy‐related RYR1 mutations alter the regulation of the most abundant contractile protein, myosin.

Methods

We used skeletal muscle tissues from five patients with RYR1‐related congenital myopathy and compared those with five controls and five patients with RYR1‐related rhabdomyolysis/myalgia. We then defined post‐translational modifications on myosin heavy chains (MyHCs) using LC/MS. In parallel, we determined myosin relaxed states using Mant‐ATP chase experiments and performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.

Results

LC/MS revealed two additional phosphorylations (Thr1309‐P and Ser1362‐P) and one acetylation (Lys1410‐Ac) on the β/slow MyHC of patients with congenital myopathy. This method also identified six acetylations that were lacking on MyHC type IIa of these patients (Lys35‐Ac, Lys663‐Ac, Lys763‐Ac, Lys1171‐Ac, Lys1360‐Ac, and Lys1733‐Ac). MD simulations suggest that modifying myosin Ser1362 impacts the protein structure and dynamics. Finally, Mant‐ATP chase experiments showed a faster ATP turnover time of myosin heads in the disordered–relaxed conformation.

Conclusions

Altogether, our results suggest that RYR1 mutations have secondary negative consequences on myosin structure and function, likely contributing to the congenital myopathic phenotype.
Incorporation of peer‐feedback into the pedagogical use of spherical video‐based virtual reality in writing education
Authors: Chen Yu‐Ting , Li Ming , Cukurova Mutlu , Jong Morris Siu‐Yung
Published: August 2023

Writing is a fundamental skill linked closely with academic achievement, day‐to‐day communication, formal negotiations, and more. However, due to their lack of contextual experience, learning to write has been a demanding and complex cognitive process for most learners. As a result, learners struggle to exhibit positive learning behaviours and cognitive engagement in writing, let alone embrace deep and autonomous learning. To solve these problems, in the present study, a spherical video‐based virtual reality (SVVR) learning environment is developed to provide students with a contextual learning experience. Moreover, a peer feedback strategy is used to guide students in deep learning in writing. A quasi‐experimental study was conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach. A total of 79 students from one primary school in southeast China were recruited. The students were assigned to either the experimental group (EG) exposed to the peer‐feedback‐based SVVR (PF‐SVVR) approach or the control group (CG) exposed to the conventional SVVR (C‐SVVR) approach. The results show that PF‐SVVR had more positive effects than C‐SVVR in terms of students' writing performance, cognitive engagement and autonomous learning tendency. In addition, the PF‐SVVR approach was found to be more beneficial for triggering deep learning in writing than the C‐SVVR approach. This study further found that students in the PF‐SVVR group tended to exhibit less disorderly behaviours than those in the C‐SVVR group. Our study contributes to the prior literature by exploring the educational potential of the PF approach in the context of SVVR‐enabled writing learning.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Peer feedback approach provides opportunities for writing learners to regulate their longer‐term cognitive and behavioural competencies.

Spherical video‐based virtual reality (SVVR) not only provides an authentic experiential learning context for learners, but it also significantly reduces the cost and the need for the high‐tech capabilities of traditional VR.

What this paper adds

A peer feedback‐based SVVR approach is proposed to promote students in learning to write.

It was found that students' quality of learning to write can be improved by applying the PF‐SVVR approach in writing courses.

Implications for practice and/or policy

It is worth promoting the application of the peer feedback strategy and SVVR in school settings.

The PF‐SVVR approach is useful for promoting young writing learners' cognitive engagement, autonomous learning tendency and deep learning.

Further investigations on the effects of employing the PF‐SVVR approach in writing, with anonymous strategies in the process of giving or receiving peer feedback, are expected.
Clinical effect of Nobel Biocare angulated screw channel crown compared with cement crown in the aesthetic area: A retrospective cohort study with a mean 32 months follow‐up (range 12 to 70 months)
Authors: Yang Hang , Xu Lehan , Jiang Jimin , Xu Yuzi , Li Xiaojun , He Fuming
Published: August 2023

Objective

The objective of this study is to compare the clinical efficacy of angulated screw channel abutment applied in the anterior area with regular cemented crowns.

Materials and Methods

Forty‐eight patients were included and divided into two groups: the angulated screw channel group (ASC) and regular cemented group (RC) in this retrospective cohort study. The evaluation criteria included implant/restoration survival rate, keratinized mucosa width (KMW), bleeding on probing rate (BOP%), probing depth (PD), pink aesthetic score (PES), mechanical/biological complications, emergence angle (EA), the site of implant axis penetrate (SA), marginal bone loss (MBL), and buccal bone thickness (BBT) at 0 mm, 1 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm below the implant shoulder were evaluated in immediate postoperative (T0) and follow‐up period (T1).

Results

This retrospective cohort study included a total of 48 patients, with a mean 32 months follow‐up period range from 12 months to 70 months. The study did not find any cases of implant failure or restoration failure. EA was significantly wider in the RC group than ASC group (RC: 33.53° ± 8.36° vs ASC: 27.43° ± 8.08°, p = 0.016*). While the BOP% was statistically significant higher in the RC group than ASC group (RC: 28.35% ± 22.92% vs ASC: 13.18% ± 20.00%, p = 0.027*). No significant differences were observed in the other measurements of comparison.

Conclusion

Within the limitations of the study, angulated screw channel (Nobel Biocare) crowns might allow the implant axis aim at incisal edge to reduce the emergence angle in the anterior area and benefit the soft‐tissue during the 12–70 months follow‐up period.
The value of FDG combined with PiB PET in the diagnosis of patients with cognitive impairment in a memory clinic
Authors: Liu Fang , Shi Yudi , Wu Qiuyan , Chen Huifeng , Wang Ying , Cai Li , Zhang Nan
Published: August 2023

Aims

To analyze the value of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) combined with amyloid PET in cognitive impairment diagnosis.

Methods

A total of 187 patients with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who underwent 11C‐Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) and FDG PET scans in a memory clinic were included in the final analysis.

Results

Amyloid‐positive and amyloid‐negative dementia patient groups showed a significant difference in the proportion of individuals presenting temporoparietal cortex (p < 0.001) and posterior cingulate/precuneus cortex (p < 0.001) hypometabolism. The sensitivity and specificity of this hypometabolic pattern for identifying amyloid pathology were 72.61% and 77.97%, respectively, in patients clinically diagnosed with AD and 60.87% and 76.19%, respectively, in patients with MCI. The initial diagnosis was changed in 32.17% of patients with dementia after considering both PiB and FDG results. There was a significant difference in both the proportion of patients showing the hypometabolic pattern and PiB positivity between dementia conversion patients and patients with a stable diagnosis of MCI (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Temporoparietal and posterior cingulate/precuneus cortex hypometabolism on FDG PET suggested amyloid pathology in patients with cognitive impairment and is helpful in diagnostic decision‐making and predicting AD dementia conversion from MCI, particularly when combined with amyloid PET.
Attitudes to pangolins and factors affecting their conservation in a human dominated landscape in Nepal
Authors: Suwal Tulshi Laxmi , Gurung Sabita , Johnson Paul J. , Shrestha Manoj Bakhunchhe , Parker Keri , Pei Kurtis Jai‐Chyi
Published: August 2023

Pangolins in Nepal are found mostly in human‐dominated landscapes where their numbers are declining due to illegal hunting and trade. Positive attitudes of local people are believed to be powerful drivers for the conservation of threatened species. We explored local attitudes using a semi‐structured questionnaire survey of 1017 people from 105 villages in rural areas across Nepal to investigate the key factors influencing local attitudes towards pangolins and their conservation. Topography and education level were identified as strong predictors of attitude scores as was geographic variation associated with differences between provinces. Positive attitudes were observed in the majority of respondents from Madhesh Province and Koshi Province in eastern Nepal, in those with higher levels of education and those from the lowland Terai region. Respondents from Karnali Province, western Nepal and those living in the Mid‐hill region, had significantly lower attitude scores. However, a significant number of respondents with negative attitudes towards pangolins in Karnali Province also reported higher levels of illegal hunting. Local stewardship can be promoted through awareness campaigns and alternative livelihood initiatives. Collaboration with local communities and stakeholders as well as their capacity enhancement should be a priority for the sustainable conservation of the species.
Patronage, tournament, and political reward: Evidence from the model county party secretary in China
Authors: Wei Wenchi , Xu Wen , Li Wenzhao
Published: August 2023

This study focuses on the honor of Model County Party Secretary, a prestigious award bestowed by the Communist Party of China to recognize exceptional county party secretaries. Specifically, we investigate how county party secretaries' patronage networks with senior politicians and their relative economic performance compared to other political contestants can impact their likelihood of winning this honor. We collect demographic and biographic data on a sample of over 2000 county party secretaries from various official documents and online sources. Instrumental variable estimations show that, in line with tournament theory, an increase in county party secretaries' relative economic performance enhances their likelihood of receiving the honor. However, county leaders' patronage networks with senior politicians negatively moderate the estimated impact of economic performance. This finding contradicts the inference drawn from patronage theory but supports the conjecture that senior politicians may exploit patronage networks to politically suppress subordinate leaders and prevent political uncertainty.
Plant‐based protein as an alternative to animal proteins: A review of sources, extraction methods and applications
Authors: Thakur Sheetal , Pandey Arun Kumar , Verma Kiran , Shrivastava Arpit , Singh Narpinder
Published: August 2023

A major part of protein in human diet comes from the animal‐based foods such as meat and dairy products. The demand on protein‐rich food in global market is progressively escalating due to increasing consumer awareness about constructive role of protein in human well‐being. The changing scenario will ultimately promote the farming of meat and dairy animals to meet the increasing demand. However, the increase in livestock farming will lead to excessive environmental stress as it contributes to greenhouse gases emission, and negatively affecting the biodiversity. With an increase in awareness about environmental pollution, animal cruelty and negative impact of animal‐based food products on health, consumers are shifting towards plant‐based vegan substitutes. Apart from being a good protein source, plant‐based alternatives are also enriched with numerous other bioactive compounds, that is, polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamins and dietary fibres. The protein content of plant‐based sources, that is, cereals (6%–15%), legumes (20%–38%), pseudocereals (11%–23%), nuts (18%–38%) and seeds (9%–30%) is comparatively higher than milk (3%–5%), whereas approximately similar to meat (23%). Therefore, the current review is focused on assessment of major plant‐based protein sources that can be used for the development of protein‐rich food products as well as the animal food alternatives. The study also discusses about plant protein extraction techniques and development of animal‐based meat and dairy analogues using plant protein.