bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Robust is the Evidence for a Role of Oxidative Stress in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Intellectual Disabilities?
Authors: Burke Shanna L. , Cobb Jessica , Agarwal Rumi , Maddux Marlaina , Cooke Marcus S.
Published: September 2020

Growing interest in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) has led to emerging evidence implicating a role for oxidative stress. However, understanding the strength of this association is made challenging by the use of a variety of purported biomarkers of oxidative stress, many of which have either uncertain specificity or flawed methods of analysis. This review aims to address this issue, which is widespread in the ASD and IDD literature, by providing readers with information concerning the strengths and limitations of the choice and analysis of biomarkers of oxidative stress. We highlight that biomarkers and assays should be specific, sensitive, reproducible, precise, robust, and chosen with careful consideration. Future studies should be sufficiently powered and address sample collection, processing, and storage which are, additionally, poorly considered, sources of bad practice, and potential errors. Only with these issues considered, will the data lead to conclusions as to the precise role of oxidative stress in ASDs and IDD.
Pleistocene Water Crossings and Adaptive Flexibility Within the Homo Genus
Authors: Gaffney Dylan
Published: September 2020

Pleistocene water crossings, long thought to be an innovation ofHomo sapiens, may extend beyond our species to encompass Middle and Early PleistoceneHomo. However, it remains unclear how water crossings differed among hominin populations, the extent to whichHomo sapiensare uniquely flexible in these adaptive behaviors, and how the tempo and scale of water crossings played out in different regions. I apply the adaptive flexibility hypothesis, derived from cognitive ecology, to model the global data and address these questions. Water-crossing behaviors appear to have emerged among different regional hominin populations in similar ecologies, initially representing nonstrategic range expansion. However, an increasing readiness to form connections with novel environments allowed someH. sapienspopulations to eventually push water crossings to new extremes, moving out of sight of land, making return crossings to maintain social ties and build viable founder populations, and dramatically shifting subsistence and lithic provisioning strategies to meet the challenges of variable ecological settings.
Role of non-magnetic dopants (Ca, Mg) in GdFeO3 perovskite nanoparticles obtained by different synthetic methods: structural, morphological and magnetic properties
Authors: Ruffo Antonia , Mozzati Maria Cristina , Albini Benedetta , Galinetto Pietro , Bini Marcella
Published: September 2020

GdFeO3 perovskite attracted large interest in different fields thanks to peculiar magnetic and optical properties that are further tunable by means of doping processes and achievable on both Gd and Fe sites or by properly choosing the synthesis routes. In this paper, nanometric GdFeO3 compounds, undoped and doped with diamagnetic Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions, were synthesized by microwave assisted, sol–gel, and polyol syntheses and characterized by X-ray diffraction, showing solid solutions formation. Raman spectroscopy allowed us to confirm, from peak enlargements, the Ca and Mg substitution on Gd and Fe sites, respectively. The magnetic data showed the presence of magnetic domains as consequence of doping with diamagnetic ions, which seem to play a crucial role in the magnetic activity of the compounds. A superparamagnetic behaviour is evidenced; nevertheless, its intrinsic character is not definitely demonstrated. Indeed, the possible presence of traces of magnetic impurities, which are easily obtainable in these samples, such as iron oxides, must be taken into account.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: MAGE-C2/CT10 promotes growth and metastasis through upregulating c-Myc expression in prostate cancer
Authors: Qiu Jun , Yang Bei
Published: September 2020

Prostate cancer (PC) is the most common reproductive cancer in men and the third leading cause of cancer death among men worldwide. Recently targeted therapy showed a significant therapeutic effect on PC, whereas finding more PC therapeutic target is still urgently needed. Melanoma-associated antigen-encoding C2 (MAGE-C2/CT10), which have significant homology with the MAGE-C1/CT-7 gene, was known to be involved in the development of a variety of tumors. However, the role and mechanism of MAGE-C2/CT10 in prostate cancer remains unclear. Herein, we found the high levels of MAGE-C2/CT10 in highly metastatic prostate cancer. Our findings confirmed that the depletion of MAGE-C2/CT10 suppressed the growth of PC cells, and restrained PC cell migration and invasion in vitro. We noticed MAGE-C2/CT10 could stimulate c-Myc expression via FBP1, and further contributed to PC cell proliferation and motility. Performing in vivo assays, we demonstrated MAGE-C2/CT10 promoted tumor growth and metastasis of PC cells in mice. Collectively, we found the abnormal expression of MAGE-C2/CT10 in PC, and revealed the regulatory mechanism underlying MAGE-C2/CT10 promoting PC progression and metastasis.
One drug to treat many diseases: unlocking the economic trap of rare diseases
Authors: Pierzynowska Karolina , Kamińska Teresa , Węgrzyn Grzegorz
Published: September 2020

There are two major problems with the development of therapies for rare diseases. First, among over 7000 such diseases, the vast majority are caused by genetic defects and/or include neurodegeneration, making them very difficult to treat. Second, drugs for rare diseases, so-called orphan drugs, are extremely expensive, as only a small number of patients are interested in purchasing them. This results in the appearance of a specific economic trap of rare diseases; namely, despite high biomedical, pharmaceutical and technological potential, the development of new orphan drugs is blocked by the economic reality. The purpose of this work was to find a potential solution that might resolve this economic trap of rare diseases. A literature review was conducted, and a hypothesis was formulated assuming that the use of one drug for the treatment of many rare diseases might overcome the economic trap. We provide examples showing that finding such drugs is possible. Thus, a possible solution for the problem of developing orphan drugs is presented. Further preclinical and clinical studies, although neither easy nor inexpensive, should verify whether the hypothesis regarding the possibility of unlocking the economic trap of rare diseases is valid.
Modeling and simulation of anisotropic linear viscoelasticity
Authors: Pettermann Heinz E. , Cheyrou Camille , DeSimone Antonio
Published: September 2020

A constitutive material law for linear viscoelasticity in the time domain is presented. It does not only allow for anisotropic elastic behavior but also for anisotropic (i.e. direction dependent) relaxation response. Under the assumption of thermo–rheological simple material behavior, the model is capable to account for direction dependent time–temperature-shift functions.

The application is demonstrated for a linear viscoelastic matrix material reinforced by linear viscoelastic continuous fibers. The effective orthotropic linear viscoelastic response of the composite is computed by means of a periodic unit cell approach. These data, evaluated at different temperatures, are used to calibrate the input for the developed material law. Predictions from the latter are compared to the results from the unit cell simulations.
Efficient antioxidant defence systems of spring barley in response to stress induced jointly by the cyst nematode parasitism and cadmium exposure
Authors: Labudda Mateusz , Muszyńska Ewa , Gietler Marta , Różańska Elżbieta , Rybarczyk-Płońska Anna , Fidler Justyna , Prabucka Beata , Dababat Abdelfattah A.
Published: September 2020

Aims

This research aimed to establish how Hordeum vulgare responds to abiotic and biotic stress affecting in tandem.

Methods

Plants were inoculated with Heterodera filipjevi and treated with cadmium (Cd) concentration (5 μM) that can occur in the cultivated soil. To verify the hypothesis about participation of increased antioxidative defence in H. vulgare under stress, biochemical and microscopic methods were implemented.

Results

The amount of superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide was diminished in plants that were both nematode-inoculated and cadmium-treated. Superoxide anions were rendered harmless by increased activity of superoxide dismutase, and H2O2 was scavenged via Foyer-Halliwell-Asada pathway. The unique enhanced antioxidant capacity of double stressed plants was also linked with the accumulation of S-nitrosoglutathione as nitrosoglutathione reductase activity was inhibited. Furthermore, stimulated activity of arginase in these plants could promote polyamine synthesis and indirectly enhance non-enzymatic antioxidant mechanism. Results indicate that different antioxidants operating together significantly restricted oxidation of lipids and proteins, thus the integrity of cell membranes and protein functions were maintained.

Conclusions

The ROS deactivation machinery in barley leaves showed an unusual response during stress induced by H. filipjevi infection and cadmium treatment. Plants could induce a multi-component model of stress response, to detoxify Cd ions and efficiently repair stress damage.
Uncertainty and the ranking of economics journals
Authors: Lyhagen Johan , Ahlgren Per
Published: September 2020

Journal rankings often show significant changes compared to previous rankings. This gives rise to the question of how well estimated the rank of a journal is. In this contribution, we consider uncertainty in a ranking of economics journals. We use the invariant method of Pinski and Narin to rank the journals. We propose an uncertainty measure, which is based on a bootstrap approach. The measure is the average absolute change in rank, which we see as a reasonable uncertainty measure regarding rankings. We further calculate, based on the bootstrap method, 95% confidence interval for the observed values of the invariant method. We show that ranks of the highest, as well as the lowest, ranked journals are well estimated, while there is a high degree of uncertainty regarding the rank of many mid-ranked journals. The distribution of the underlying measure is useful for identifying groups of journals that are more or less of the same quality (from the point of view of the invariant measure). The journal with the highest observed value of the invariant measure, Journal of Political Economy, has the best performance and constitutes a singleton, whereas Quarterly Journal of Economics and Econometrica form the next group (there is a slight overlap between the two with respect to confidence intervals). The journals ranked between about 190–230 form another group in which there are no major quality differences between the journals, as the confidence intervals are overlapping.
Performance model’s development: a novel approach encompassing ontology-based data access and visual analytics
Authors: Angelini Marco , Daraio Cinzia , Lenzerini Maurizio , Leotta Francesco , Santucci Giuseppe
Published: September 2020

The quantitative evaluation of research is currently carried out by means of indicators calculated on data extracted and integrated by analysts who elaborate them by creating illustrative tables and plots of results. In this approach, the robustness of the metrics used and the possibility for users of the metrics to intervene in the evaluation process are completely neglected. We propose a new approach which is able to move forward, from indicators’ development to an interactive performance model’s development. It combines the advantages of the ontology-based data access paradigm with the flexibility and robustness of a visual analytics environment putting the consumer/stakeholder at the centre of the evaluation. A detailed description of such an approach is presented in the paper. The approach is illustrated and evaluated trough a comprehensive user’s study that proves the added capabilities and the benefits that a user of performance models can have by using this approach.
Nuclear DNA content as an indicator of inflorescence colour stability of in vitro propagated solid and chimera mutants of chrysanthemum
Authors: Miler Natalia , Kulus Dariusz , Sliwinska Elwira
Published: September 2020

In chrysanthemum, breeders seek for desirable characteristics of the inflorescence, which can first be established once the plant is mature. The present study aims to determine whether measurement of DNA content can be useful in the detection of somaclonal variants and/or separation of chimera components in chrysanthemum at the early in vitro multiplication stage. Eleven Chrysanthemum × morifolium (Ramat.) Hemsl. cultivars of the Lady group (a mother cultivar and ten of its radiomutants obtained by X-ray- or γ-irradiation; solid and periclinal chimeras) were propagated in vitro. Single-node explants were cultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, either without plant growth regulators (PGRs) or supplemented with 6-benzyladenine (BA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The nuclear DNA content was measured by flow cytometry (FCM) in the shoots produced in vitro. After acclimatization and growth of the plants in a glasshouse, inflorescence colour was recorded. The addition of PGRs to the medium almost doubled the mean number of shoots produced in vitro per explant, but caused a change in inflorescence colour of all (‘Lady Apricot’; periclinal chimera) or part of the plants (‘Lady Amber’; solid mutant and ‘Lady Salmon’; periclinal chimera). All radiomutants contained less DNA than the mother cultivar ‘Richmond’. There were significant differences in DNA content between plants of the same cultivar grown in media with or without PGRs for ‘Lady Apricot’ and ‘Lady Salmon’, but no phenotype alternation occurred in chrysanthemums produced in PGR-free medium compared to the original cultivars. Conversely, in medium with PGRs, chimeras produced flowers different from the original colour. In all except one cultivar (‘Lady Amber’; solid mutant) a lack of differences in genome size between plants grown in either medium coincided with a stable inflorescence colour. The occurrence of some plants of ‘Lady Amber’ with different inflorescence colour may be due to small DNA changes, undetectable by FCM. It can be concluded that FCM analysis of DNA content in young plantlets can be indicative of the stability of inflorescence colour in chrysanthemum, especially chimeric cultivars, and for mutant detection.
The Landscape of Micro-Inversions Provide Clues for Population Genetic Analysis of Humans
Authors: Qu Li , Wang Luotong , He Feifei , Han Yilun , Yang Longshu , Wang May D. , Zhu Huaiqiu
Published: September 2020

Background

Variations in the human genome have been studied extensively. However, little is known about the role of micro-inversions (MIs), generally defined as small (< 100 bp) inversions, in human evolution, diversity, and health. Depicting the pattern of MIs among diverse populations is critical for interpreting human evolutionary history and obtaining insight into genetic diseases.

Results

In this paper, we explored the distribution of MIs in genomes from 26 human populations and 7 nonhuman primate genomes and analyzed the phylogenetic structure of the 26 human populations based on the MIs. We further investigated the functions of the MIs located within genes associated with human health. With hg19 as the reference genome, we detected 6968 MIs among the 1937 human samples and 24,476 MIs among the 7 nonhuman primate genomes. The analyses of MIs in human genomes showed that the MIs were rarely located in exonic regions. Nonhuman primates and human populations shared only 82 inverted alleles, and Africans had the most inverted alleles in common with nonhuman primates, which was consistent with the “Out of Africa” hypothesis. The clustering of MIs among the human populations also coincided with human migration history and ancestral lineages.

Conclusions

We propose that MIs are potential evolutionary markers for investigating population dynamics. Our results revealed the diversity of MIs in human populations and showed that they are essential to construct human population relationships and have a potential effect on human health.
Catchment effects of a future Nordic bioeconomy: From land use to water resources
Authors: Skarbøvik Eva , Jordan Philip , Lepistö Ahti , Kronvang Brian , Stutter Marc I. , Vermaat Jan E.
Published: September 2020

In the future, the world is expected to rely increasingly on renewable biomass resources for food, fodder, fibre and fuel. The sustainability of this transition to bioeconomy for our water systems depends to a large extent on how we manage our land resources. Changes in land use together with climate change will affect water quantity and quality, which again will have implications for the ecosystem services provided by water resources. These are the main topics of this Ambio special issue on “Environmental effects of a green bio-economy”. This paper offers a summary of the eleven papers included in this issue and, at the same time, outlines an approach to quantify and mitigate the impacts of bioeconomy on water resources and their ecosystem services, with indications of useful tools and knowledge needs.
Toward a design methodology for particle dampers by analyzing their energy dissipation
Authors: Meyer Niklas , Seifried Robert
Published: September 2020

Particle dampers show a huge potential to reduce undesired vibrations in technical applications even under harsh environmental conditions. However, their energy dissipation depends on many effects on the micro- and macroscopic scale, which are not fully understood yet. This paper aims toward the development of design rules for particle dampers by looking at both scales. This shall shorten the design process for future applications. The energy dissipation and loss factor of different configurations are analyzed via the complex power for a large excitation range. Comparisons to discrete element simulations show a good qualitative agreement. These simulations give an insight into the process in the damper. For monodisperse systems, a direct correlation of the loss factor to the motion modes of the rheology behavior is shown. For well-known excitation conditions, simple design rules are derived. First investigations into polydisperse settings are made, showing a potential for a more robust damping behavior.
Informal Education as a Derridean Gift: a Deconstructive Reading of the Principles Guiding Youth Work Practice Within Neoliberal Policy Regimes
Authors: Gee Ricky
Published: September 2020

This paper reflects upon the underpinning principles of informal education and youth work practice via the philosophical lens of post-structural philosopher Jacques Derrida, by introducing notions of the trace, différance, justice and the gift. Once these philosophical themes are introduced, they are then applied to the underpinning principles of informal education and youth work practice, as introduced by Jeffs and Smith (1999, 2005), paying particular attention to notions of voluntary participation, democracy, fairness, conversation and well-being. The paper asserts that such philosophical consideration of theory, and practice, can provide further insight into important dimensions of youth work, such as how it has been historically difficult to evaluate such practice in a policy domain, as well as pondering the tensions between its principles and pressures to ‘professionalise’ its service. The paper concludes by asserting the importance of informal education and youth work as a form of an improvised ‘gift’, one that is difficult to be subsumed within an overly administrative rational ‘economy’ so as to inform discussion and debate in theoretical, practice and policy domains. The paper argues that the use of a Derridean lens opens up such discussions via new considerations so as to assert the importance of youth work endeavours that challenge economic rationality.
CALCIUM OXALATE RADIOCARBON DATING: PRELIMINARY TESTS TO DATE ROCK ART OF THE DECORATED OPEN-AIR CAVES, ERONGO MOUNTAINS, NAMIBIA
Authors: Dumoulin Jean-Pascal , Lebon Matthieu , Caffy Ingrid , Mauran Guilhem , Nankela Alma , Pleurdeau David , Delqué-Količ Emmanuelle , Moreau Christophe , Perron Marion , Sieudat Marc , Thellier Bruno , Beck Lucile
Published: September 2020

The direct dating of rock paintings is not always possible due to the lack of organic carbon compounds in pigments, or because sampling from a heritage site is often restricted. To overcome these limitations, dating laboratories have to develop new approaches. In this study, we consider sampling calcium oxalate crusts covering the painted artworks as a way to indirectly date the rock art. This stratigraphic approach includes isolating and extracting pure oxalate from the crusts. The approach was tested on natural bulk accretions collected in the open-air sites of Erongo Mountains in Namibia. The accretions were separated into two phases (pure oxalate and the remaining residues) with a special pretreatment. This process removes carbonates through acidification (HCl 6N) and dissolves the oxalate into the supernatant, leaving the minerals and windblown organic compounds in the residue. The efficiency of the separation was checked on the two phases by FTIR analyses and by 14C dating and showed that pure oxalate powders were indeed obtained. AMS radiocarbon results of various accretions on the same art panels provided ages from modern periods to 2410 ± 35 BP. From these first results, more targeted sampling campaigns can be considered to provide a terminus ante quem for the rock art.
CREMATION VS. INHUMATION: MODELING CULTURAL CHANGES IN FUNERARY PRACTICES FROM THE MESOLITHIC TO THE MIDDLE AGES IN BELGIUM USING KERNEL DENSITY ANALYSIS ON14C DATA
Authors: Capuzzo Giacomo , Snoeck Christophe , Boudin Mathieu , Dalle Sarah , Annaert Rica , Hlad Marta , Kontopoulos Ioannis , Sabaux Charlotte , Salesse Kevin , Sengeløv Amanda , Stamataki Elisavet , Veselka Barbara , Warmenbol Eugène , De Mulder Guy , Tys Dries , Vercauteren Martine
Published: September 2020

The adoption of a new funerary ritual with all its social and cognitive meanings is of great importance to understanding social transformations of past societies. The first known occurrence of cremation in the territory corresponding to modern Belgium dates back to the Mesolithic period. From the end of the Neolithic onward, the practice of cremation was characterized by periods in which this rite was predominant and periods of contractions, defined by a decrease in the use of this funerary ritual. This paper aims to quantify such phenomenon for the first time by modeling discontinuities in burial practices through kernel density analysis of 1428 radiocarbon (14C) dates from 311 archaeological sites located in Belgium from the Mesolithic to the Middle Ages. Despite possible taphonomic and sampling biases, the results highlight the existence of periods with a large uptake of cremation rite followed by periods of contractions; such discontinuities took place in correlation with changes in the socio-economical structure of local communities, as, for example, during the later Middle Bronze Age and at the end of the Roman Period.
A survey of entomopathogenic nematodes and their symbiotic bacteria in agricultural areas of northern Thailand
Authors: Ardpairin J. , Muangpat P. , Sonpom S. , Dumidae A. , Subkrasae C. , Tandhavanant S. , Thanwisai A. , Vitta A.
Published: September 2020

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) Steinernema and Heterorhabditis and their symbiotic bacteria, Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus, have been successfully used for the control of insect pests. The objectives of this study were to survey the EPNs and symbiotic bacteria in the agricultural areas of the Phitsanulok province, Thailand, and to study the association between the soil parameters and presence of EPNs. We collected 200 soil samples from 40 soil sites in agricultural areas (field crops, horticulture crops and forest). The prevalence of EPNs was 8.0% (16/200). Fifteen of the EPN isolates were molecularly identified (based on 28S ribosomal DNA and internal transcribed spacer regions) as Steinernema siamkayai. Seven isolates of Xenorhabdus stockiae were identified using recombinase A sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all the Steinernema and Xenorhabdus isolates were closely related to S. siamkayai (Indian strain) and X. stockiae (Thai strain), respectively. Significantly more EPNs were recovered from loam than from clay. Although the association between soil parameters (pH, temperature and moisture) and the presence of EPNs was not statistically significant, the elevation levels of the soil sites with and without EPNs were found to be different. Moreover, statistical comparisons between the agricultural areas revealed no significant differences. Therefore, we concluded that S. siamkayai is associated with X. stockiae in agricultural areas and that there is no association between the soil parameters of agricultural areas and presence of EPNs, except for soil texture and the elevation. Steinernema siamkayai may be applied as a biocontrol agent in agricultural areas.
White matter fiber microstructure is associated with prior hospitalizations rather than acute symptomatology in major depressive disorder
Authors: Meinert Susanne , Leehr Elisabeth J. , Grotegerd Dominik , Repple Jonathan , Förster Katharina , Winter Nils R. , Enneking Verena , Fingas Stella M. , Lemke Hannah , Waltemate Lena , Stein Frederike , Brosch Katharina , Schmitt Simon , Meller Tina , Linge Anna , Krug Axel , Nenadić Igor , Jansen Andreas , Hahn Tim , Redlich Ronny , Opel Nils , Schubotz Ricarda I. , Baune Bernhard T. , Kircher Tilo , Dannlowski Udo
Published: September 2020

Background

Eighty percent of all patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) relapse at least once in their lifetime. Thus, understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of the course of MDD is of utmost importance. A detrimental course of illness in MDD was most consistently associated with superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) fiber integrity. As similar associations were, however, found between SLF fiber integrity and acute symptomatology, this study attempts to disentangle associations attributed to current depression from long-term course of illness.

Methods

A total of 531 patients suffering from acute (N = 250) or remitted (N = 281) MDD from the FOR2107-cohort were analyzed in this cross-sectional study using tract-based spatial statistics for diffusion tensor imaging. First, the effects of disease state (acute v. remitted), current symptom severity (BDI-score) and course of illness (number of hospitalizations) on fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD), and axial diffusivity were analyzed separately. Second, disease state and BDI-scores were analyzed in conjunction with the number of hospitalizations to disentangle their effects.

Results

Disease state (pFWE < 0.042) and number of hospitalizations (pFWE< 0.032) were associated with decreased FA and increased MD and RD in the bilateral SLF. A trend was found for the BDI-score (pFWE > 0.067). When analyzed simultaneously only the effect of course of illness remained significant (pFWE < 0.040) mapping to the right SLF.

Conclusions

Decreased FA and increased MD and RD values in the SLF are associated with more hospitalizations when controlling for current psychopathology. SLF fiber integrity could reflect cumulative illness burden at a neurobiological level and should be targeted in future longitudinal analyses.
The Satires of Persius: A Stretch of the Imagination
Authors: Connor Peter
Published: September 2020

Latin literature would be the poorer if the Satires of Persius had not survived. Many of course do not like his work because of a certain perceived incoherence or lack of shape or unity in his Satires, and many are of the opinion that their author was a student of books rather than of life: ‘an ideal example of an arrogant and spiritless young man wrapped up in poetry.’ As a merely academic poet, it is believed, Persius could do no more than depend heavily on poets who had gone before, and especially on Horace, reminiscences of whose work thickly lace the lines of Persius' satires. Furthermore, it is widely believed, Persius' ideas and the language in which they are expressed are often so obscure that it is impossible to interpret their meaning. The poet openly espoused a system he called iunctura acris, ‘the harsh collocation’ or ‘the surprising or illogical collocation’, by which he referred to a certain harsh, even violent, yoking together of ideas or images or words. The recent and most useful commentary by R. A. Harvey consistently interprets phrases by identifying them directly as iunctura acris, and a count of the occasions this definition is utilised (or resorted to) would be instructive. Persius' iunctura acris is evidently based on Horace's well-known callida iunctura, ‘the clever collocation’ (AP 47f.); but the changes wrought by Persius on this ‘shared’ phrase unequivocally mark the special characteristics of Persius' poetry, which are a sharp ferocity of expression and a certain aggressively extravagant imagination.
Treatment of compulsive buying disorder: comparing the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy with person-centred experiential counselling
Authors: Kellett Stephen , Oxborough Pippa , Gaskell Chris
Published: September 2020

Background:

Outcome studies of the treatment of compulsive buying disorder (CBD) have rarely compared the effectiveness of differing active treatments.

Aims:

This study sought to compare the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and person-centred experiential therapy (PCE) in a cross-over design.

Method:

This was an ABC single case experimental design with extended follow-up with a female patient meeting diagnostic criteria for CBD. Ideographic CBD outcomes were intensively measured over a continuous 350-day time series. Following a 1-month baseline assessment phase (A; 28 days; three sessions), CBT was delivered via 13 out-patient sessions (B: 160 days) and then PCE was delivered via six out-patient sessions (C: 63 days). There was a 99-day follow-up period.

Results:

Frequency and duration of compulsive buying episodes decreased during active treatment. CBT and PCE were both highly effective compared with baseline for reducing shopping obsessions, excitement about shopping, compulsion to shop and improving self-esteem. When the PCE and CBT treatment phases were compared against each other, few differences were apparent in terms of outcome. There was no evidence of any relapse over the follow-up period. A reliable and clinically significant change on the primary nomothetic measure (i.e. Compulsive Buying Scale) was retained over time.

Conclusions:

The study suggests that both CBT and PCE can be effective for CBD. Methodological limitations and suggestions for future CBD outcome research are discussed.
Uddhara's World: Geographies of Piety and Trade in Sultanate South Asia
Authors: OBROCK LUTHER
Published: September 2020

The stabilisation of Delhi as the centre of power in the subcontinent reorganised not only political and military structures in north India but also opened up new connections for trade and traders. This article traces the journey of one Hindu merchant family from their ancestral home in the Indus Valley to new prominence in the Sultanate capital. A close reading of a Sanskrit donative inscription written in ornate poetry from the Delhi hinterland shows the changing imagination of politics, religion and space among elite merchants. Uḍḍhara Ṭhakkura adapts the linguistic heritage of Sanskrit public presentation and creates a new and self-aware ideational language to express geography, politics and piety. Uḍḍhara's model was powerful; over the next century, other merchant families adapt it to present their own donative largess. While F. Flood has highlighted the role of Hindu traders through material culture in his magisterial work Objects of Translation (2005), the Sanskrit literary production patronised by mobile mercantile groups can advance and nuance the picture, showing the complex negotiations in creating and presenting a public identity for Hindu groups in the Sultanate period.
Catch-up growth is a better indicator of undernutrition than thresholds for stunting
Authors: Scheffler Christiane , Bogin Barry , Hermanussen Michael
Published: September 2020

Objective:

Stunting (height-for-age < −2sd) is one of the forms of undernutrition and is frequent among children of low- and middle-income countries. But stuntingperseis not a synonym of undernutrition. We investigated association between body height and indicators of energetic undernutrition at three critical thresholds for thinness used in public health: (1) BMI SDS < −2; (2) mid-upper arm circumference divided by height (MUAC (mm) × 10/height (cm) < 1·36) and (3) mean skinfold thickness (SF) < 7 mm and to question the reliability of thresholds as indicators of undernutrition.

Design:

Cross-sectional study; breakpoint analysis.

Setting:

Rural and urban regions of Indonesia and Guatemala – different socio-economic status (SES).

Participants:

1716 Indonesian children (6·0–13·2 years) and 3838 Guatemalan children (4·0–18·9 years) with up to 50 % stunted children.

Results:

When separating the regression of BMI, MUAC or SF, on height into distinguishable segments (breakpoint analysis), we failed to detect relevant associations between height, and BMI, MUAC or SF, even in the thinnest and shortest children. For BMI and SF, the breakpoint analysis either failed to reach statistical significance or distinguished at breakpoints above critical thresholds. For MUAC, the breakpoint analysis yielded negative associations between MUAC/h and height in thin individuals. Only in high SES Guatemalan children, SF and height appeared mildly associated withR2= 0·017.

Conclusions:

Currently used lower thresholds of height-for-age (stunting) do not show relevant associations with anthropometric indicators of energetic undernutrition. We recommend using the catch-up growth spurt during early re-feeding instead as immediate and sensitive indicator of past undernourishment. We discuss the primacy of education and social-economic-political-emotional circumstances as responsible factors for stunting.
Cardiometabolic disease risk among siblings of patients with major depressive disorder
Authors: Li Jia-Ru , Tsai Shih-Jen , Bai Ya-Mei , Hsu Ju-Wei , Huang Kai-Lin , Su Tung-Ping , Li Cheng-Ta , Lin Wei-Chen , Chen Tzeng-Ji , Pan Tai-Long , Chen Mu-Hong
Published: September 2020

Studies have suggested an association between metabolic and cerebrocardiovascular diseases and major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the risk of metabolic and cerebrocardiovascular diseases in the unaffected siblings of patients with MDD remains uncertain. Using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, 22,438 unaffected siblings of patients with MDD and 89,752 age-/sex-matched controls were selected and followed up from 1996 to the end of 2011. Individuals who developed metabolic and cerebrocardiovascular diseases during the follow-up period were identified. Compared with the controls, the unaffected siblings of patients with MDD had a higher prevalence of metabolic diseases, such as hypertension (5.0% vs. 4.5%, p = 0.007), dyslipidemia (5.6% vs. 4.8%, p < 0.001), and obesity (1.7% vs. 1.5%, p = 0.028), and cerebrocardiovascular diseases, such as ischemic stroke (0.6% vs. 0.4%, p < 0.005) and ischemic heart disease (2.1% vs. 1.7%, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analyses revealed that the unaffected siblings of patients with MDD were more likely to develop hypertension, dyslipidemia, ischemic stroke, and ischemic heart diseases during the follow-up period than the controls. Our study revealed a familial coaggregation between MDD and metabolic and cerebrocardiovascular diseases. Additional studies are required to investigate the shared pathophysiology of MDD and metabolic and cerebrocardiovascular diseases.
Exosome-derived miR-142-5p remodels lymphatic vessels and induces IDO to promote immune privilege in the tumour microenvironment
Authors: Zhou Chenfei , Zhang Yanmei , Yan Ruiming , Huang Lei , Mellor Andrew L. , Yang Yang , Chen Xiaojing , Wei Wenfei , Wu Xiangguang , Yu Lan , Liang Luojiao , Zhang Dan , Wu Sha , Wang Wei
Published: September 2020

Clinical response to immunotherapy is closely associated with the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment (TME), and influenced by the dynamic interaction between tumour cells and lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs). Here, we show that high levels of miR-142-5p positively correlate with indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) expression in tumour-associated lymphatic vessels in advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). The miR-142-5p is transferred by CSCC-secreted exosomes into LECs to exhaust CD8+ T cells via the up-regulation of lymphatic IDO expression, which was abrogated by an IDO inhibitor. Mechanistically, miR-142-5p directly down-regulates lymphatic AT-rich interactive domain-containing protein 2 (ARID2) expression, inhibits DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) recruitment to interferon (IFN)-γ promoter, and enhances IFN-γ transcription by suppressing promoter methylation, thereby leading to elevated IDO activity. Furthermore, increased serum exosomal miR-142-5p levels and the consequent IDO activity positively correlate with CSCC progression. In conclusion, exosomes secreted by CSCC cells deliver miR-142-5p to LECs and induce IDO expression via ARID2–DNMT1–IFN-γ signalling to suppress and exhaust CD8+ T cells. Our study suggests that LECs act as an integral component of the immune checkpoint(s) in the TME and may serve as a potential new target for CSCC diagnosis and treatment.
Acyl-CoA thioesterase 1 prevents cardiomyocytes from Doxorubicin-induced ferroptosis via shaping the lipid composition
Authors: Liu Yunchang , Zeng Liping , Yang Yong , Chen Chen , Wang Daowen , Wang Hong
Published: September 2020

In this study, we first established the doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) model with C57BL/6 mice and confirmed cardiac dysfunction with transthoracic echocardiography examination. RNA-sequencing was then performed to explore the potential mechanisms and transcriptional changes in the process. The metabolic pathway, biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acid was significantly altered in DOX-treated murine heart, and Acot1 was one of the leading-edge core genes. We then investigated the role of Acot1 to ferroptosis that was reported recently to be related to DIC. The induction of ferroptosis in the DOX-treated heart was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, and the inhibition of ferroptosis using Fer-1 effectively prevented the cardiac injury as well as the ultrastructure changes of cardiomyocyte mitochondrial. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments proved the downregulation of Acot1 in DIC, which can be partially prevented with Fer-1 treatment. Overexpression of Acot1 in cell lines showed noteworthy protection to ferroptosis, while the knock-down of Acot1 sensitized cardiomyocytes to ferroptosis by DIC. Finally, the heart tissue of αMHC-Acot1 transgenic mice presented altered free fatty acid composition, indicating that the benefit of Acot1 in the inhibition of ferroptosis lies biochemically and relates to its enzymatic function in lipid metabolism in DIC. The current study highlights the importance of ferroptosis in DIC and points out the potential protective role of Acot1 in the process. The beneficial role of Acot1 may be related to its biochemical function by shaping the lipid composition. In all, Acot1 may become a potential treating target in preventing DIC by anti-ferroptosis.
Inhibition of the activation of γδT17 cells through PPARγ–PTEN/Akt/GSK3β/NFAT pathway contributes to the anti-colitis effect of madecassic acid
Authors: Yun Xinming , Fang Yulai , Lv Changjun , Qiao Simiao , Tao Yu , Dai Yue , Xia Yufeng
Published: September 2020

Type-17 immune response, mediated mainly by IL-17, plays a critical role in ulcerative colitis. Previously, we showed that madecassic acid (MA), the main active ingredient of Centella asiatica herbs for anti-colitis effect, ameliorated dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse colitis through reducing the level of IL-17. Here, we explore the effect of MA on the activation of γδT17 cells, an alternative source of IL-17 in colitis. In DSS-induced colitis mice, oral administration of MA decreased the number of γδT17 cells and attenuated the inflammation in the colon, and the anti-colitis effect of MA was significantly counteracted by redundant γδT17 cells, suggesting that the decrease in γδT17 cells is important for the anti-colitis effect of MA. In vitro, MA could inhibit the activation but not the proliferation of γδT17 cells at concentrations without evident cytotoxicity. Antibody microarray profiling showed that the inhibition of MA on the activation of γδT17 cells involved PPARγ–PTEN/Akt/GSK3β/NFAT signals. In γδT17 cells, MA could reduce the nuclear localization of NFATc1 through inhibiting Akt phosphorylation to promote GSK3β activation. Moreover, it was confirmed that MA inhibited the Akt/GSK3β/NFATc1 pathway and the activation of γδT17 cells through activating PPARγ to increase PTEN expression and phosphorylation. The correlation between activation of PPARγ, decrease in γδT17 cell number, and amelioration of colitis by MA was validated in mice with DSS-induced colitis. In summary, these findings reveal that MA inhibits the activation of γδT17 cells through PPARγ–PTEN/Akt/GSK3β/NFAT pathway, which contributes to the amelioration of colitis.
Temperate infection in a virus–host system previously known for virulent dynamics
Authors: Knowles Ben , Bonachela Juan A. , Behrenfeld Michael J. , Bondoc Karen G. , Cael B. B. , Carlson Craig A. , Cieslik Nick , Diaz Ben , Fuchs Heidi L. , Graff Jason R. , Grasis Juris A. , Halsey Kimberly H. , Haramaty Liti , Johns Christopher T. , Natale Frank , Nissimov Jozef I. , Schieler Brittany , Thamatrakoln Kimberlee , Frede Thingstad T. , Våge Selina , Watkins Cliff , Westberry Toby K. , Bidle Kay D.
Published: September 2020

The blooming cosmopolitan coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi and its viruses (EhVs) are a model for density-dependent virulent dynamics. EhVs commonly exhibit rapid viral reproduction and drive host death in high-density laboratory cultures and mesocosms that simulate blooms. Here we show that this system exhibits physiology-dependent temperate dynamics at environmentally relevant E. huxleyi host densities rather than virulent dynamics, with viruses switching from a long-term non-lethal temperate phase in healthy hosts to a lethal lytic stage as host cells become physiologically stressed. Using this system as a model for temperate infection dynamics, we present a template to diagnose temperate infection in other virus–host systems by integrating experimental, theoretical, and environmental approaches. Finding temperate dynamics in such an established virulent host–virus model system indicates that temperateness may be more pervasive than previously considered, and that the role of viruses in bloom formation and decline may be governed by host physiology rather than by host–virus densities.
Forecasting extreme stratospheric polar vortex events
Authors: Gray L. J. , Brown M. J. , Knight J. , Andrews M. , Lu H. , O’Reilly C. , Anstey J.
Published: September 2020

Extreme polar vortex events known as sudden stratospheric warmings can influence surface winter weather conditions, but their timing is difficult to predict. Here, we examine factors that influence their occurrence, with a focus on their timing and vertical extent. We consider the roles of the troposphere and equatorial stratosphere separately, using a split vortex event in January 2009 as the primary case study. This event cannot be reproduced by constraining wind and temperatures in the troposphere alone, even when the equatorial lower stratosphere is in the correct phase of the quasi biennial oscillation. When the flow in the equatorial upper stratosphere is also constrained, the timing and spatial evolution of the vortex event is captured remarkably well. This highlights an influence from this region previously unrecognised by the seasonal forecast community. We suggest that better representation of the flow in this region is likely to improve predictability of extreme polar vortex events and hence their associated impacts at the surface.
Uncovering temporal changes in Europe’s population density patterns using a data fusion approach
Authors: Batista e Silva Filipe , Freire Sérgio , Schiavina Marcello , Rosina Konštantín , Marín-Herrera Mario Alberto , Ziemba Lukasz , Craglia Massimo , Koomen Eric , Lavalle Carlo
Published: September 2020

The knowledge of the spatial and temporal distribution of human population is vital for the study of cities, disaster risk management or planning of infrastructure. However, information on the distribution of population is often based on place-of-residence statistics from official sources, thus ignoring the changing population densities resulting from human mobility. Existing assessments of spatio-temporal population are limited in their detail and geographical coverage, and the promising mobile-phone records are hindered by issues concerning availability and consistency. Here, we present a multi-layered dasymetric approach that combines official statistics with geospatial data from emerging sources to produce and validate a European Union-wide dataset of population grids taking into account intraday and monthly population variations at 1 km2resolution. The results reproduce and systematically quantify known insights concerning the spatio-temporal population density structure of large European cities, whose daytime population we estimate to be, on average, 1.9 times higher than night time in city centers.
Photoswitchable paclitaxel-based microtubule stabilisers allow optical control over the microtubule cytoskeleton
Authors: Müller-Deku Adrian , Meiring Joyce C. M. , Loy Kristina , Kraus Yvonne , Heise Constanze , Bingham Rebekkah , Jansen Klara I. , Qu Xiaoyi , Bartolini Francesca , Kapitein Lukas C. , Akhmanova Anna , Ahlfeld Julia , Trauner Dirk , Thorn-Seshold Oliver
Published: September 2020

Small molecule inhibitors are prime reagents for studies in microtubule cytoskeleton research, being applicable across a range of biological models and not requiring genetic engineering. However, traditional chemical inhibitors cannot be experimentally applied with spatiotemporal precision suiting the length and time scales inherent to microtubule-dependent cellular processes. We have synthesised photoswitchable paclitaxel-based microtubule stabilisers, whose binding is induced by photoisomerisation to their metastable state. Photoisomerising these reagents in living cells allows optical control over microtubule network integrity and dynamics, cell division and survival, with biological response on the timescale of seconds and spatial precision to the level of individual cells within a population. In primary neurons, they enable regulation of microtubule dynamics resolved to subcellular regions within individual neurites. These azobenzene-based microtubule stabilisers thus enable non-invasive, spatiotemporally precise modulation of the microtubule cytoskeleton in living cells, and promise new possibilities for studying intracellular transport, cell motility, and neuronal physiology.