bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immune elicitation by sensing the conserved signature from phytocytokines and microbes via theArabidopsisMIK2 receptor
Authors: Hou Shuguo , Liu Derui , Huang Shijia , Luo Dexian , Liu Zunyong , Wang Ping , Mu Ruimin , Han Zhifu , Chai Jijie , Shan Libo , He Ping
Published: January 2021

Sessile plants encode a large number of small peptides and cell surface-resident receptor kinases, most of which have unknown functions. Here, we report that theArabidopsisreceptor kinase MALE DISCOVERER 1-INTERACTING RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASE 2 (MIK2) recognizes the conserved signature motif of SERINE RICH ENDOGENOUS PEPTIDEs (SCOOPs) from plants as well as proteins present in fungalFusariumspp. and bacterialComamonadaceae, and elicits potent immune responses. SCOOP signature peptides trigger diverse immune and physiological responses in a MIK2-dependent manner with a sub-nanomolar sensitivity and directly bind to the extracellular leucine rich-repeat domain of MIK2in vivoandin vitro, indicating that MIK2 is the receptor of SCOOP peptides. Perception of SCOOP peptides induces the association of MIK2 and the coreceptors SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS RECEPTOR KINASE 3 (SERK3) and SERK4 and relays the signaling through the cytosolic receptor-like kinasesBOTRYTIS-INDUCED KINASE 1 (BIK1) and AVRPPHB SUSCEPTIBLE1 (PBS1)-LIKE 1 (PBL1). Our study identified a unique plant receptor that bears a dual recognition capability sensing the conserved peptide motif from phytocytokines and microbial proteins via a convergent signaling relay to ensure a robust immune response.
PredicTF: a tool to predict bacterial transcription factors in complex microbial communities
Authors: Oliveira Monteiro Lummy Maria , Saraiva Joao , Toscan Rodolfo Brizola , Stadler Peter F , Silva-Rocha Rafael , da Rocha Ulisses Nunes
Published: January 2021

Transcription Factors (TFs) are proteins that control the flow of genetic information by regulating cellular gene expression. Here we describe PredicTF, a first platform supporting the prediction and classification of novel bacterial TF in complex microbial communities. We evaluated PredicTF using a two-step approach. First, we tested PredictTF’s ability to predict TFs for the genome of an environmental isolate. In the second evaluation step, PredicTF was used to predict TFs in a metagenome and 11 metatranscriptomes recovered from a community performing anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) in a bioreactor. PredicTF is open source pipeline available athttps://github.com/mdsufz/PredicTF.
Physiology and ecology together regulate host and vector importance for Ross River virus and other vector-borne diseases
Authors: Kain Morgan P. , Skinner Eloise B. , van den Hurk Andrew F. , McCallum Hamish , Mordecai Erin A.
Published: January 2021

Identifying the key vector and host species driving transmission is notoriously difficult for vector-borne zoonoses, but critical for disease control. Here, we present a general approach for quantifying the role hosts and vectors play in transmission that integrates species’ physiological competence with their ecological traits. We apply this model to the medically important arbovirus Ross River virus (RRV), in Brisbane, Australia. We found that vertebrate species with high physiological competence weren’t the most important for community transmission. Instead, we estimated that humans (previously overlooked as epidemiologically important hosts) potentially play an important role in RRV transmission, in part, because highly competent vectors readily feed on them and are highly abundant. By contrast, vectors with high physiological competence were also important for community transmission. Finally, we uncovered two potential transmission cycles: an enzootic cycle involving birds and an urban cycle involving humans. This modelling approach has direct application to other zoonotic arboviruses.
Another mystery snail in the Adirondacks: DNA barcoding reveals the first record ofSinotaiacf.quadrata(Caenogastropoda: Viviparidae) from North America
Authors: O’Leary Ethan , Jojo Donovan , David Andrew A.
Published: January 2021

Alien molluscs pose a serious threat to global freshwater diversity and have been implicated in many ecosystem-altering invasion events over the past few decades. Biomonitoring surveys are therefore a key tool for ensuring biosecurity in diversity hotspots and vulnerable habitats. In this study, we use DNA barcoding to provide the first record of the viviparid,Sinotaiacf.quadratafrom North America. Reciprocal monophyly and low genetic divergence (uncorrected p-distance: 0.004) with aBellamya quadrataindividual from the type region (China) provides strong support for this identification. The species was recovered as part of a routine biomonitoring survey of the Adirondack region of northern New York. Only three adults were recovered (no populations or juveniles) indicating that the discovery represents a very recent arrival. Considering the proximity of the sampling site from the massive St. Lawrence River, it is likely thatS. cf.quadratawas introduced into the St. Lawrence, probably via the aquarium plant trade, and was able to spread into smaller river system in northern New York and possibly other border states. This record represents the fourth alien viviparid, the third of which is of Asian origin, that have made its way to New York waters. Future biomonitoring efforts for the upcoming summer period will involve targeted searches forS. cf.quadratato determine the extent of its spread in the region.
RNAi and Ino80 complex control rate limiting translocation step that moves rDNA to eroding telomeres
Authors: Apte Manasi S. , Masuda Hirohisa , Wheeler David Lee , Cooper Julia Promisel
Published: January 2021

The discovery of HAATIrDNA, a mode of telomerase-negative survival in which canonical telomeres are replaced with ribosomal DNA (rDNA) repeats that acquire chromosome end-protection capability, raised crucial questions as to how rDNA tracts ‘jump’ to eroding, nonhomologous chromosome ends. Here we show that HAATIrDNAformation is initiated and limited by a single translocation that juxtaposes rDNA from Chromosome (Chr) III onto subtelomeric elements (STE) on Chr I or II; this rare reaction requires the RNAi pathway and the Ino80 nucleosome remodeling complex (Ino80C), thus defining an unforeseen relationship between these two machineries. The unique STE-rDNA junction created by this initial translocation is efficiently copied to the remaining STE chromosome ends, without the need for RNAi or Ino80C, forming HAATIrDNA. Intriguingly, both the RNAi and Ino80C machineries contain a component that plays dual roles in HAATI subtype choice. Dcr1 of the RNAi pathway and Iec1 of the Ino80C both promote HAATIrDNAformation as part of their respective canonical machineries, but both also inhibit formation of the exceedingly rare HAATISTE(in which STE sequences mobilize throughout the genome and assume chromosome end protection capacity) in non-canonical, pathway-independent manners. This work provides a glimpse into a previously unrecognized crosstalk between RNAi and Ino80C in controlling unusual translocation reactions that establish telomere-free linear chromosome ends.
Development of spike receptor-binding domain nanoparticle as a vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2 infection in ferrets
Authors: Kim Young-Il , Kim Dokyun , Yu Kwang-Min , Seo Hogyu David , Lee Shin-Ae , Casel Mark Anthony B. , Jang Seung-Gyu , Kim Stephanie , Jung WooRam , Lai Chih-Jen , Choi Young Ki , Jung Jae U.
Published: January 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a causative agent of COVID-19 pandemic, enters host cells via the interaction of its Receptor-Binding Domain (RBD) of Spike protein with host Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2). Therefore, RBD is a promising vaccine target to induce protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this study, we report the development of RBD protein-based vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2 using self-assembling H. pylori-bullfrog ferritin nanoparticles as an antigen delivery. RBD-ferritin protein purified from mammalian cells efficiently assembled into 24-mer nanoparticles. 16-20 months-old ferrets were vaccinated with RBD-ferritin nanoparticles (RBD-nanoparticles) by intramuscular or intranasal inoculation. All vaccinated ferrets with RBD-nanoparticles produced potent neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Strikingly, vaccinated ferrets demonstrated efficient protection from SARS-CoV-2 challenge, showing no fever, body weight loss and clinical symptoms. Furthermore, vaccinated ferrets showed rapid clearance of infectious viruses in nasal washes and lungs as well as viral RNA in respiratory organs. This study demonstrates the Spike RBD-nanoparticle as an effective protein vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2.
Synthesis and structure of 4-{[(E)-(7-methoxy-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)methylidene]amino}-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-3-one
Authors: Arderne Charmaine , Fotsing Marthe Carine Djuide , Ndinteh Derek Tantoh
Published: January 2021

In the title compound, C20H19N3O4, the dihedral angles between the central pyrazole ring and the pendant phenyl and substituted benzene rings are 50.95 (8) and 3.25 (12)°, respectively, and an intramolecular C—H...O link generates an S(6) ring. The benzodioxolyl ring adopts a shallow envelope conformation with the methylene C atom as the flap. In the crystal, the molecules are linked by non-classical C—H...O interactions, which generate a three-dimensional network. Solvent-accessible voids run down the c-axis direction and the residual electron density in these voids was modelled during the refinement process using the SQUEEZE algorithm [Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9–18] within the structural checking program PLATON.
Gut microbiome profile in psoriatic patients treated and untreated with biologic therapy
Authors: Valentini Virginia , Silvestri Valentina , Marraffa Federica , Greco Giulia , Bucalo Agostino , Grassi Sara , Gagliardi Antonella , Mazzotta Annamaria , Ottini Laura , Richetta Antonio Giovanni
Published: January 2021

There are increasing data about the role of the gut microbiome in various autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory and immune‐mediated disease. Current treatment strategies in psoriasis include immunomodulating biologic agents. A variable response to this type of therapy has been reported in psoriatic patients. A possible effect of biologic therapy on the gut microbiome composition has been suggested, but data are still limited. The aim of this study was to compare the gut microbiome composition between psoriatic patients treated and untreated with biologic drugs in order to identify differences which may highlight the potential impact of the treatment on the gut microbiome. 16S rRNA sequencing and bioinformatic analyses were performed on the fecal samples of 30 psoriatic patients with similar clinicopathological features, 10 of whom were undergoing biologic therapy and 20 not receiving systemic therapy. Alpha and beta diversity significantly differed between the two groups of patients. A reduced bacterial biodiversity in the group of treated patients compared with the group of untreated patients was observed. Differential relative abundances of key gut microbial communities, including Akkermansia muciniphila and Bacteroides plebeius, were identified between the two groups of patients. This study showed that biologic therapy may have an impact on the composition of the gut microbiome of psoriatic patients. Gut microbiome composition could be used as an indicator of response to therapy and the modulation of the microbial composition could help to restore the intestinal symbiosis in psoriatic patients.
Incubation temperature as a constraint on clutch size evolution
Authors: Hope Sydney F. , DuRant Sarah E. , Hallagan John J. , Beck Michelle L. , Kennamer Robert A. , Hopkins William A.
Published: January 2021

Elucidating factors that limit the number of offspring produced is fundamental to understanding life‐history evolution. Here, we examine the hypothesis that parental ability to maintain an optimal physical developmental environment for all offspring constrains clutch size via effects on offspring quality.

Experimental laboratory studies of birds have shown that a <1°C difference in average incubation temperature has diverse effects on fitness‐related post‐hatching offspring phenotypes. Thus, the inability of parents to maintain optimal incubation temperatures could constrain clutch sizes.

A fundamental question that has not been sufficiently addressed is whether larger clutch sizes lead to within nest variation in egg temperature that is large enough to produce offspring with different phenotypes within a brood. This could lead to differential survival among offspring, and could create a trade‐off between offspring number and quality.

We manipulated clutch size in nests of free‐living wood ducks and measured incubation temperature among and within clutches using multiple temperature loggers.

As clutch size increased, average incubation temperatures were lower and more variable, and eggs took longer to hatch. Notably, the range in average incubation temperature among eggs within nests increased with clutch size and exceeded 1°C in large clutches. Clutch size did not affect hatch success.

In conjunction with our companion laboratory studies that used artificial incubation to document the effects of temperature variation on fitness‐related traits in this species, our work suggests that suboptimal incubation temperatures could be a factor that limits clutch size through diminishing returns on post‐hatch offspring quality.

A free plain language summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Quantifying temporal variation in dietary niche to reveal drivers of past population declines
Authors: Cheeseman Amanda E. , Tanis Brian P. , Finck Elmer J.
Published: January 2021

Given the long and dynamic history of anthropogenic disturbances to ecosystems, it is difficult to determine the drivers of past population declines. These uncertainties dilute the efficacy of conservation efforts and might hinder species and ecosystem recovery.

Niche quantification can be a useful tool for understanding drivers of past population declines. Niche parameters reflect key resources used, providing insight into the conditions needed to achieve population stability. By reconstructing a population's niche position and space over a period of decline and comparing to historic baselines, shifts in the realized niche of a species can be assessed. Comparing shifts to historic information on resource availability and timing of declines can allow practitioners to identify probable drivers of species decline.

We demonstrated the utility of this technique by reconstructing parameters of isotopic dietary niche over a 130‐year period and comparing isotopic niche reconstructions to land use and crop harvests during this same period via regression and Bayesian standard ellipsoid (SIBER) analyses. We use a formerly widespread but now endangered species, the eastern spotted skunk Spilogale putorius, addressing the hypothesis that land use change and agricultural intensification led to a historical collapse of key dietary resources which correlates with population declines in this species. To help control for isotopic variability unrelated to population decline, we compare trends to those of a secure, but ecologically similar generalist mesocarnivore, the striped skunk Mephitis mephitis, across the same spatiotemporal scale.

We present evidence that historic dietary changes occurred in spotted skunks in the early 1900s but not to the same degree in striped skunks. Changes in isotopic composition correspond with the temporal period of decline and are explained by concurrent changes in land use. These results support the hypothesis that loss of key dietary resources as a result of land use change and agricultural intensification played a significant role in population declines of spotted skunks in this region.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Biomass responses of widely and less‐widely naturalized alien plants to artificial light at night
Authors: Speißer Benedikt , Liu Yanjie , van Kleunen Mark
Published: January 2021

Artificial light at night has rapidly increased during the last century, and could potentially affect many ecological processes, from individuals via communities to entire ecosystems. Recent research has shown that artificial light at night may not only affect the behaviour of animals but also growth of plants and vegetation composition. However, it is not known yet whether artificial light at night may also affect other global change components such as plant invasions.

Here, we tested how naturalized alien plants respond to artificial light at night, and particularly whether widely naturalized species differ from less‐widely naturalized species in their response to artificial light at night. We grew nine taxonomically related pairs of widely naturalized and less‐widely naturalized species alone and in competition, with native plants with and without artificial light at night.

We found that in the competition treatment, artificial light at night significantly increased the total biomass production per pot, but not the biomass ratio between the naturalized alien plants and the native competitors. Interestingly, although the less‐widely naturalized species produced overall significantly less biomass than the widely naturalized species, there was a trend that the less‐widely naturalized species increased their biomass more strongly in response to artificial light at night than the widely naturalized species did (p = 0.07).

Synthesis. Our study shows that although widely naturalized plants produce more biomass than less‐widely naturalized plants across different environmental conditions, they took less advantage of artificial light at night. This suggests that artificial light at night might lead to increased spread of currently less‐widely naturalized species, at least when artificial light at night continues to increase.
Chemical signals driving bacterial–fungal interactions
Authors: Khalid Saima , Keller Nancy P.
Published: January 2021

Microorganisms reside in diverse environmental communities where interactions become indispensable due to close physical associations. These interactions are driven by chemical communication among different microbial kingdoms, particularly between fungi and bacteria. Knowledge about these communication signals provides useful information about the nature of microbial interactions and allows predictions of community development in diverse environments. Here, we provide an update on the role of small signalling molecules in fungal–bacterial interactions with focus on agricultural and medicinal environments. This review highlights the range of – and response to – diverse biochemicals produced by both kingdoms with view to harnessing their properties towards drug discovery applications.
How inequality hurts growth: Revisiting the Galor–Zeira model using the Korean case
Authors: Jun Bogang , Kaltenberg Mary , Hwang Won‐Sik
Published: January 2021

This paper aims to show that the level of inequality increases via the human capital channel, with credit market imperfections generating negative effects on economic growth. We expand the model presented by Galor and Zeira (Galor and Zeira, Review of Economic Studies, 1993, 60, 35–52) to represent the fact that the economy benefits from endogenous technological progress and that the government provides financial aid to reduce the financial hurdles for human capital accumulation. We use Korean data from 1998 to 2008 to empirically confirm that education plays a significant role in the divergence of household wealth over time and that the government's financial aid the form of the new student loans programme positively influences equality and short‐run economic growth by promoting the number of skilled workers.
A different type of disaster response digital volunteer: Looking behind the scenes to reveal coordinating actions of disaster knowledge workers
Authors: Smith William Roth , W. Robertson Brett , K. Stephens Keri , Murthy Dhiraj
Published: January 2021

Researchers have established the prominent role digital volunteers play during crises and disasters. From self‐organizing to annotating public data, these volunteers are now a fixture in disaster research. However, we know much less about how these volunteers function, behind the public scene, when using private social media as a disaster unfolds and people need to be rescued. This qualitative study identified the emergent helping roles along with the skillsets and abilities that helped volunteers perform these behind‐the‐scene roles during the Hurricane Harvey flooding in 2017. Using in‐depth interviews along with captured images in private social media, we find these volunteers resembled organizational knowledge workers. We identify nine specific communicating and coordinating actions that these disaster knowledge workers performed. The contributions of these findings centre on implications for disaster response and management.
Quantification of methadone and its metabolites: EDDP and EMDP determined in autopsy cases using LC‐MS/MS
Authors: Nowak Karolina , Szpot Paweł , Jurek Tomasz , Zawadzki Marcin
Published: January 2021

The paper presents a method for the determination of methadone, EDDP, and EMDP in postmortem biological materials using liquid‐liquid extraction with ethyl acetate (pH9) and UHPLC‐MS/MS technique. Methadone‐d9 and EDDP‐d3 were used as the internal standards. The method validation results for blood and urine were as follows: linearity: 0.5–1000 ng/ml; R2 > 0.9993 for methadone, EDDP and R2 > 0.9944 for EMDP. Intra‐ and inter‐day precision: 0.1%–7.5% and 0.3%–8.6%, respectively; intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy: −11.8% to 13.9% and −9.3 to 14.8%, respectively; recovery: 91.5%–123.0%; matrix effect: 83.5%–123.9%. This study also describes 18 postmortem cases, where methadone concentrations ranged 2.3–1180 ng/ml in blood (n = 17), from 11.0 to >10,000 ng/ml in urine (n = 13) and 135.2–409.0 in vitreous humor (VH, n = 3). EDDP concentrations ranged from not detectable to 180 ng/mL in blood, from 42.4 to >10,000 ng/ml in urine and 18.3–36.5 in VH. EMDP concentrations were found in four cases in blood from below LLOQ to 1.8 ng/ml and in seven cases in urine, ranged 2.1–243.0 ng/ml. EMDP was not detected in VH samples. The EDDP/methadone ratios and blood/urine ratios for methadone and EDDP in EMDP‐positive and negative cases were performed. The paper presents mass spectra of other methadone metabolites, than EDDP and EMDP (ring hydroxylated methadone, ring hydroxylated EDDP, ring hydroxylated EMDP, methadol, and DDP). Simultaneous determination of methadone and its metabolites in order to unequivocally interpret the results of toxicological tests seems to be useful in cases related to prescription/illicit use of methadone.
Power Structure Dynamics in Growing Multilateral Development Banks: The Case of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
Authors: Luo Hang , Yang Lize , Houshmand Kourosh
Published: January 2021

As the first multilateral development bank (MDB) initiated by China, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has been growing rapidly, and within three years of its establishment, has become the second largest multilateral development bank after the World Bank. With the assistance of the supercomputer (Weiming‐1) and combing the method of generating functions, we measured precisely the voting power of each member of the AIIB (analysis which has been done for the first time for an organization with more than 80 members and more than 1 million distributed votes). We find that a host of member countries other than China have outsized power to prevent action on significant matters, but their power to initiate action are quite modest and closely distributed. Furthermore, the power structures in the AIIB are relatively even or ‘democratic’ on substantive matters when compared to procedural matters. More interestingly, we analyzed the dynamics of voting power of major members like China, India, Russia, Germany, the UK and France with the admission of new members. While the voting weights of all existing members decreased monotonously and proportionally, the voting power of some members in some cases even increased. We find that the requirements of voting rules, and the size of new and existing members, all affect how members’ power evolve. Lastly, we measured the balance of power and the decision‐making efficiency of the AIIB as a whole organization beyond individual members and discussed relationships between them. Our analysis aims to provide insights into the allocation of voting weights, the design of voting rules and importantly, the choice of membership expansions for growing multilateral development banks.
Improving Landsat predictions of rangeland fractional cover with multitask learning and uncertainty
Authors: Allred Brady W. , Bestelmeyer Brandon T. , Boyd Chad S. , Brown Christopher , Davies Kirk W. , Duniway Michael C. , Ellsworth Lisa M. , Erickson Tyler A. , Fuhlendorf Samuel D. , Griffiths Timothy V. , Jansen Vincent , Jones Matthew O. , Karl Jason , Knight Anna , Maestas Jeremy D. , Maynard Jonathan J. , McCord Sarah E. , Naugle David E. , Starns Heath D. , Twidwell Dirac , Uden Daniel R.
Published: January 2021

Operational satellite remote sensing products are transforming rangeland management and science. Advancements in computation, data storage and processing have removed barriers that previously blocked or hindered the development and use of remote sensing products. When combined with local data and knowledge, remote sensing products can inform decision‐making at multiple scales.

We used temporal convolutional networks to produce a fractional cover product that spans western United States rangelands. We trained the model with 52,012 on‐the‐ground vegetation plots to simultaneously predict fractional cover for annual forbs and grasses, perennial forbs and grasses, shrubs, trees, litter and bare ground. To assist interpretation and to provide a measure of prediction confidence, we also produced spatiotemporal‐explicit, pixel‐level estimates of uncertainty. We evaluated the model with 5,780 on‐the‐ground vegetation plots removed from the training data.

Model evaluation averaged 6.3% mean absolute error and 9.6% root mean squared error. Evaluation with additional datasets that were not part of the training dataset, and that varied in geographic range, method of collection, scope and size, revealed similar metrics. Model performance increased across all functional groups compared to the previously produced fractional product.

The advancements achieved with the new rangeland fractional cover product expand the management toolbox with improved predictions of fractional cover and pixel‐level uncertainty. The new product is available on the Rangeland Analysis Platform (https://rangelands.app/), an interactive web application that tracks rangeland vegetation through time. This product is intended to be used alongside local on‐the‐ground data, expert knowledge, land use history, scientific literature and other sources of information when making interpretations. When being used to inform decision‐making, remotely sensed products should be evaluated and utilized according to the context of the decision and not be used in isolation.
On the use of tree‐ring area as a predictor of biomass accumulation and its climatic determinants of coffee tree growth
Authors: Toro‐Herrera Mayra Alejandra , Pennacchi João Paulo , Vilas Boas Lissa Vasconcellos , Honda Filho Cássio Pereira , Barbosa Ana Carolina Maioli Campos , Barbosa João Paulo Rodrigues Alves Delfino
Published: January 2021

The use of growth rings dimensional parameters has been an important tool for the understanding of growth, biomass allocation and climatic characterisation of forest species. However, its potential is unknown in perennial crops of socio‐economic importance, such as coffee. This work aimed to understand how the analysis of the growth rings can be used as a proxy to understand the climatic determinants of vegetative growth and biomass allocation in the different organs of coffee trees. The work was carried out in the southern region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The structure of the growth rings of cross sections of the orthotropic stem of coffee trees (Coffea arabica L. cv. Arara) were analysed from 2011 to 2018, using standard dendrochronological techniques. Each year in that period was characterised climatically and by its bienniality. Pearson correlation statistical analysis was used for mapping the relation among annual radial growth rates of the trees and other assessed parameters as primary growth data, accumulated biomass and the climatic characteristics of the region on an annual and intra‐annual scale. During the study the water balance (conditioned by its components, Prec and ETo) and the maximum temperature were the main determinants of the characteristics of the formed ring and the plant biomass allocation. These growing characteristics were also influenced by the phenology that modulates the vegetative/reproductive growth cycles and in turn the biennial production cycles. The results show the potential of tree rings and dendrochronology as a tool that allows indirect, but long‐term, assessment of biomass allocation and growth in coffee trees.
Sex‐dependent prefrontal cortex activation in regular cocaine users: A working memory functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Cousijn Janna , Ridderinkhof K. Richard , Kaag Anne Marije
Published: January 2021

Although two thirds of patients with a cocaine use disorder (CUD) are female, little is known about sex differences in the (neuro)pathology of CUD. The aim of this explorative study was to investigate sex‐dependent differences in prefrontal cortex (PFC) functioning during a working memory (WM) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) task in regular cocaine users (CUs), as PFC deficits are implicated in the shift from recreational cocaine use to CUD. Neural activation was measured using fMRI during a standard WM task (n‐back task) in 27 male and 28 female CUs and in 26 male and 28 female non‐cocaine users (non‐CUs). Although there were no main or interaction effects of sex and group on n‐back task performance, WM‐related (2‐back > 0‐back) PFC functioning was significantly moderated by sex and group: female compared with male CUs displayed higher WM‐related activation of the middle frontal gyrus (MFG), whereas female compared with male non‐CUs displayed lower WM‐related MFG activation. Additionally, WM‐related activation of the inferior frontal gyrus, insula, and putamen was negatively associated with cocaine use severity in female but not male CUs. These data support the hypothesis of sex‐dependent PFC differences in CUs and speculatively suggest that PFC deficits may be more strongly implicated in the development, continuation, and possibly treatment of CUD in females. Most importantly, the current data stress the importance of studying both males and females in psychiatry research as not doing so could greatly bias our knowledge of CUD and other psychiatric disorders.
Observational study of pre‐operative intravenous iron given to anaemic patients before elective cardiac surgery
Authors: Evans C. R. , Jones R. , Phillips G. , Greene G. , Phillips M. , Morris‐Clarke R.
Published: January 2021

Cardiac surgical patients with anaemia experience increased morbidity and mortality. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of pre‐operative anaemia in this group. We designed and implemented the Cardiff Pathway, a pre‐assessment and treatment pathway to identify cardiac surgical patients with anaemia and iron deficiency. Patients identified with anaemia and/or iron deficiency (Hb < 130 g.l‐1 and ferritin < 100 μg.l‐1) were offered intravenous iron infusion 20 mg.kg‐1 pre‐operatively. Treatment success was defined as Hb ≥ 130g.l‐1 on the day of surgery. We analysed data from 447 patients: 300 (67%) were not anaemic; 75 (17%) were anaemic and treated with intravenous iron; and 72 (16%) were anaemic and not treated. Haemoglobin concentration increased in successfully treated anaemic patients by a mean (95%CI) of 17 (13–21) g.l‐1 and they received a median (IQR [range]) of 0 (0–2 [0–15]) units of blood peri‐operatively. Transfusion was avoided in 54% of the successfully treated anaemic patients, which was significantly more than the unsuccessfully treated anaemic (22%, p = 0.005) and untreated anaemic (28%, p = 0.018) patients and similar to non‐anaemic patients who received a median (IQR [range] of 0 (0–1 [0–16])) units of blood and, 63% avoided transfusion). Mean (95%CI) Hb fell between pre‐assessment and surgery in the untreated anaemic (‐2 (0 to ‐4) g.l‐1) and non‐anaemic groups (‐2 (‐1 to ‐3) g.l‐1). Twenty‐one (7%) of the non‐anaemic group became newly anaemic waiting for surgery. The Cardiff Pathway reliably identified patients with anaemia and iron deficiency. Anaemic patients who had their Hb restored to normal after treatment required less blood peri‐operatively and over half of them required no transfusion at all.
Bipolar disorder and the gut microbiome: A systematic review
Authors: Sublette M. Elizabeth , Cheung Stephanie , Lieberman Evan , Hu Shaohua , Mann J. John , Uhlemann Anne‐Catrin , Miller Jeffrey M.
Published: January 2021

Objectives

The microbiome is a rapidly advancing biomedical frontier with relevance for psychiatric illness. The gut microbiota interact with the central nervous system bidirectionally through the gut–brain axis and generate substances that may influence host metabolism, including short‐chain fatty acids such as butyrate. Understanding gut microbiota in bipolar disorder (BD) may suggest new disease markers and treatment approaches.

Methods

A PubMed search was performed on January 7, 2020 using terms "bipolar AND (microbiome OR microbiota)”, for articles in English in which the study population included a distinct BD group and the gut microbiota/microbiome was assessed.

Results

Thirteen articles met the inclusion criteria. In four of five studies that reported on group comparisons with respect to diversity, lower α‐diversity was observed in BD relative to healthy controls (HC). The most convergent taxonomic finding was that in four studies, one particular clade distinguished gut microbiota between BD and HC: family Ruminococcaceae, genus Faecalibacterium, and species Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Members of this clade, known for butyrate production, were reduced in BD relative to HC in three studies but elevated in a fourth. Additionally, genera Bacteroides or Bacteroides–Prevotella group species were elevated in BD in two studies but lower in a third.

Conclusions

Despite few studies and modest sample sizes, salient findings suggest that low α‐diversity and dysbiosis with respect to abundance of Faecalibacterium and Bacteroides may characterize BD in both a trait and state‐dependent fashion. Decreased richness and butyrate production also foster inflammation, which may be a hitherto unrecognized part of the pathophysiology underlying BD.
Social Networks and Strike Participation: A Dynamic Analysis of the Hollywood Writers Strike
Authors: Ertan Güneş , Siciliano Michael D. , McGrath Erin C. , McGrath Molly
Published: January 2021

Support and commitment of union members, as well as solidarity among workers, are crucial for effective mobilization. This article examines the 2007–2008 Hollywood Writers’ Strike as a case of a fragmented labour force in a creative industry. The article explores how social networks serve as facilitators of solidarity among workers and participation in strike events. There is robust empirical evidence in the literature, showing that organizational structure in the workplace determines social ties among workers, and these pre‐existing ties are likely to have an effect on workers’ commitment to and participation in a strike. However, this empirical literature is limited in the sense that it does not consider the evolution of social networks during organizing and strikes. Therefore, this study seeks to understand the effect of collective action on interpersonal relations among the participants, and the role of these ties on future strike participation. The main contribution of this article is to empirically show that social networksduringa strike aredynamic, and participation in a strike is very much a function of these networks. We also show that propinquity and network intentionality were important tie formation mechanisms in the picket lines. The implications of these findings for organizers and trade‐offs between hierarchical and decentralized mobilizations are also discussed.
Robin Hood or Matthew? Children’s Reasoning About Redistributive Justice in the Context of Economic Inequalities
Authors: Essler Samuel , Paulus Markus
Published: January 2021

How should one respond to ubiquitous economic inequalities? The legend Robin Hood suggests to take away from the wealthy to benefit the poor, whereas another strategy holds the opposite (Matthew effect). Here, 3‐ to 8‐year‐old children (N = 140) witnessed protagonists performing redistributions (e.g., Robin Hood, Matthew) of necessary and luxury resources between a wealthy and a poor child. Results showed that, with age, children increasingly approved of Robin Hood and increasingly disapproved of Matthew. In addition, reasoning about others’ welfare mediated the effect of age on children’s evaluation of Robin Hood, but only for necessary resources. This suggests that children regard restorative justice actions as a strategy to address social inequalities when it increases the welfare of disadvantaged agents.
IVIg increases interleukin-11 levels, which in turn contribute to increased platelets, VWF and FVIII in mice and humans
Authors: Nguyen A , Repesse Y , Ebbo M , Allenbach Y , Benveniste O , Vallat J M , Magy L , Deshayes S , Maigné G , de Boysson H , Karnam A , Delignat S , Lacroix-Desmazes S , Bayry J , Aouba A
Published: January 2021

The mechanisms of action of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) in autoimmune diseases are not fully understood. The fixed duration of efficacy and noncumulative effects of IVIg in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and acquired von Willebrand disease (AVWD) suggest other mechanisms besides immunological ones. Additionally to the peripheral destruction of platelets in ITP, their medullary hypoproduction emerged as a new paradigm with rescue of thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RA). In an ITP mouse model, interleukin (IL)-11 blood levels increase following IVIg. IL-11 stimulates the production of platelets and other haemostasis factors; recombinant IL-11 (rIL-11) is thus used as a growth factor in post-chemotherapy thrombocytopenia. We therefore hypothesized that IVIg induces IL-11 over-production, which increases platelets, VWF and factor VIII (FVIII) levels in humans and mice. First, in an ITP mouse model, we show that IVIg or rIL-11 induces a rapid increase (72 h) in platelets, FVIII and VWF levels, whereas anti-IL-11 antibody greatly decreased this effect. Secondly, we quantify for the first time in patients with ITP, AVWD, inflammatory myopathies or Guillain–Barré syndrome the dramatic IL-11 increase following IVIg, regardless of the disease. As observed in mice, platelets, VWF and FVIII levels increased following IVIg. The late evolution (4 weeks) of post-IVIg IL-11 levels overlapped with those of VWF and platelets. These data may explain thrombotic events following IVIg and open perspectives to monitor post-IVIg IL-11/thrombopoietin ratios, and to assess rIL-11 use with or without TPO-RA as megakaryopoiesis co-stimulating factors to overcome the relative hypoproduction of platelets or VWF in corresponding autoimmune diseases, besides immunosuppressant.
Podocyte density is reduced in kidney allografts with high‐risk APOL1 genotypes at transplantation
Authors: Chen Dhruti P. , Zaky Ziad S. , Schold Jesse D. , Herlitz Leal C. , El‐Rifai Rasha , Drawz Paul E. , Bruggeman Leslie A. , Barisoni Laura , Hogan Susan L , Hu Yichun , O’Toole John F. , Poggio Emilio D. , Sedor John R.
Published: January 2021

Variants in apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) gene are associated with nondiabetic kidney diseases in black subjects and reduced kidney transplant graft survival. Living and deceased black kidney donors (n = 107) were genotyped for APOL1 variants. To determine whether allografts from high‐risk APOL1 donors have reduced podocyte densities contributing to allograft failure, we morphometrically estimated podocyte number, glomerular volume, and podocyte density. We compared allograft loss and eGFR trajectories stratified by APOL1 high‐risk and low‐risk genotypes. Demographic characteristics were similar in high‐risk (n = 16) and low‐risk (n = 91) donors. Podocyte density was significantly lower in high‐risk than low‐risk donors (108 ± 26 vs 127 ± 40 podocytes/106um3, P = .03). Kaplan‐Meier graft survival (high‐risk 61% vs. low‐risk 91%, p‐value = 0.049) and multivariable Cox models (hazard ratio = 2.6; 95% CI, 0.9‐7.8) revealed higher graft loss in recipients of APOL1 high‐risk allografts over 48 months. More rapid eGFR decline was seen in recipients of high‐risk APOL1 allografts (P < .001). At 60 months, eGFR was 27 vs. 51 mL/min/1.73 min2 in recipients of APOL1 high‐risk vs low‐risk kidney allografts, respectively. Kidneys from high‐risk APOL1 donors had worse outcomes versus low‐risk APOL1 genotypes. Lower podocyte density in kidneys from high‐risk APOL1 donors may increase susceptibility to CKD from subsequent stresses in both the recipients and donors.
Open Access in Indonesia
Authors: Irawan Dasapta Erwin , Abraham Juneman , Zein Rizqy Amelia , Ridlo Ilham Akhsanu , Aribowo Eric Kunto
Published: January 2021

Despite the absence of funding pressures that explicitly mandate a shift to open access (OA), Indonesia is a leader in OA publishing. Indonesia subscribes to a non‐profit model of OA, which differs from that promoted by Plan S. The penetration of bibliometric systems of academic performance assessment is pushing Indonesian scholars away from a local non‐profit model of OA to a model based on high publication charges. This article considers whether Plan S promotes or undermines the ability of Indonesian scholars to develop systems of OA adapted to local resource constraints and research needs.
Glucosuric, renal and haemodynamic effects of licogliflozin, a dual inhibitor of sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐1 and sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2, in patients with chronic kidney disease: A randomized trial
Authors: He YanLing , Pachori Alok , Chen Ping , Ma Shenglin , Mendonza Anisha E. , Amer Ahmed , Marbury Thomas C. , Hinder Markus
Published: January 2021

Aim

To investigate the glucosuric, renal and haemodynamic effects of licogliflozin, a dual sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐1 and sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitor, in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods

This multiple‐dose, parallel‐group, phase II mechanistic study randomized 53 participants (aged 18–78 years, body mass index ≤ 50 kg/m2) with varying degrees of CKD or normal renal function to treatment with licogliflozin (50 mg once daily) or placebo for 7 days. The effects of licogliflozin on 24‐h urinary glucose excretion (UGE24), renal function, haemodynamics, pharmacokinetics and safety were assessed.

Results

Licogliflozin treatment for 7 days significantly (p < .01) increased UGE24 from baseline in participants with normal renal function (adjusted mean change: 41.8 [33.6, 49.9] g) or with mild (32.6 [24.1, 41.0] g), moderate A (35.7 [28.6, 42.9] g) or moderate B (20.3 [13.1, 27.5] g) CKD, but not in severe (6.2 [−0.71, 13.18] g) CKD. Licogliflozin reduced urinary electrolytes (sodium, potassium and chloride), blood pressure and urinary volume to varying extents among different groups. Significant increases in renin (p < .05), angiotensin II (p < .05) and aldosterone (p < .01) levels were observed. Adverse events were generally mild, and most commonly included diarrhoea (94%), flatulence (68%) and abdominal pain (21%).

Conclusion

Licogliflozin treatment results in significantly increased UGE and favourable changes in urinary electrolytes and haemodynamics in patients with varying degrees of CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥ 45 mL/min/1.73 m2).
Comparison of real‐time and droplet digital PCR to detect and quantify SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in plasma
Authors: Tedim Ana P. , Almansa Raquel , Domínguez‐Gil Marta , González‐Rivera Milagros , Micheloud Dariela , Ryan Pablo , Méndez Raúl , Blanca‐López Natalia , Pérez‐García Felipe , Bustamante Elena , Gómez José Manuel , Doncel Cristina , Trapiello Wysali , Kelvin Alyson A. , Booth Ryan , Ostadgavahi Ali Toloue , Oneizat Ruth , Puertas Carolina , Barbé Ferrán , Ferrer Ricard , Menéndez Rosario , Bermejo‐Martin Jesús F , Eiros José María , Kelvin David J , Torres Antoni
Published: January 2021

Background

The presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in plasma has been linked to disease severity and mortality. We compared RT‐qPCR to droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) to detect SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in plasma from COVID‐19 patients (mild, moderate, and critical disease).

Methods

The presence/concentration of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in plasma was compared in three groups of COVID‐19 patients (30 outpatients, 30 ward patients and 30 ICU patients) using both RT‐qPCR and ddPCR. Plasma was obtained in the first 24h following admission, and RNA was extracted using eMAG. ddPCR was performed using Bio‐Rad SARS‐CoV‐2 detection kit, and RT‐qPCR was performed using GeneFinder™ COVID‐19 Plus RealAmp Kit. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Science.

Results

SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA was detected, using ddPCR and RT‐qPCR, in 91% and 87% of ICU patients, 27% and 23% of ward patients and 3% and 3% of outpatients. The concordance of the results obtained by both methods was excellent (Cohen's kappa index = 0.953). RT‐qPCR was able to detect 34/36 (94.4%) patients positive for viral RNA in plasma by ddPCR. Viral RNA load was higher in ICU patients compared with the other groups (P < .001), by both ddPCR and RT‐qPCR. AUC analysis revealed Ct values (RT‐qPCR) and viral RNA load values (ddPCR) can similarly differentiate between patients admitted to wards and to the ICU (AUC of 0.90 and 0.89, respectively).

Conclusion

Both methods yielded similar prevalence of RNAemia between groups, with ICU patients showing the highest (>85%). RT‐qPCR was as useful as ddPCR to detect and quantify SARS‐CoV‐2 RNAemia in plasma.