bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
3D reconstruction of SARS-CoV-2 infection in ferrets emphasizes focal infection pattern in the upper respiratory tract
Authors: Zaeck Luca M. , Scheibner David , Sehl Julia , Müller Martin , Hoffmann Donata , Beer Martin , Abdelwhab Elsayed M. , Mettenleiter Thomas C. , Breithaupt Angele , Finke Stefan
Published: October 2020

The visualization of viral pathogens in infected tissues is an invaluable tool to understand spatial virus distribution, localization, and cell tropismin vivo. Commonly, virus-infected tissues are analyzed using conventional immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded thin sections. Here, we demonstrate the utility of volumetric three-dimensional (3D) immunofluorescence imaging using tissue optical clearing and light sheet microscopy to investigate host-pathogen interactions of pandemic SARS-CoV-2 in ferrets at a mesoscopic scale. The superior spatial context of large, intact samples (> 150 mm3) allowed detailed quantification of interrelated parameters like focus-to-focus distance or SARS-CoV-2-infected area, facilitating an in-depth description of SARS-CoV-2 infection foci. Accordingly, we could confirm a preferential infection of the ferret upper respiratory tract by SARS-CoV-2 and emphasize a distinct focal infection pattern in nasal turbinates. Conclusively, we present a proof-of-concept study for investigating critically important respiratory pathogens in their spatial tissue morphology and demonstrate the first specific 3D visualization of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
GenOrigin: A Comprehensive Protein-coding Gene Origination Database on the Evolutionary Timescale of Life
Authors: Tong Yi-Bo , Shi Meng-Wei , Qian Sheng Hu , Chen Yu-Jie , Luo Zhi-Hui , Tu Yi-Xuan , Chen Chunyan , Chen Zhen-Xia
Published: October 2020

The origination of new genes contributes to the biological diversity of life. New genes may quickly build their own network in the genomes, exert important functions, and generate novel phenotypes. Dating gene age and inferring the origination mechanisms of new genes, like primate-specific gene, is the basis for the functional study of the genes. However, no comprehensive resource of gene age estimates across species is available. Here, we systematically dated the age of 9,102,113 protein-coding genes from 565 species in the Ensembl and Ensembl Genomes databases, including 82 bacteria, 57 protists, 134 fungi, 58 plants, 56 metazoa, and 178 vertebrates, using protein-family-based pipeline with Wagner parsimony algorithm. We also collected gene age estimate data from other studies and uniformed the gene age estimates to time ranges in million years for comparison across studies. All the data were cataloged into GenOrigin (http://genorigin.chenzxlab.cn/), a userfriendly new database of gene age estimates, where users can browse gene age estimates by species, age and gene ontology. In GenOrigin, the information such as gene age estimates, annotation, gene ontology, ortholog and paralog, as well as detailed gene presence/absence views for gene age inference based on the species tree with evolutionary timescale, was provided to researchers for exploring gene functions.
Therapy-induced normal tissue damage promotes breast cancer metastasis
Authors: Perkins Douglas W. , Steiner Ivana , Haider Syed , Robertson David , Buus Richard , O’Leary Lynda , Isacke Clare M.
Published: October 2020

Disseminated tumour cells frequently exhibit a period of dormancy that renders them insensitive to targeting by chemotherapeutic agents, conversely the systemic delivery of chemotherapies can result in normal tissue damage. Using multiple mouse and human breast cancer models, we demonstrate that prior chemotherapy administration enhances metastatic colonisation and outgrowth.In vitro, chemotherapy treatment induces fibroblast senescence associated with a senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that accelerates 3D tumour spheroid growth. These chemotherapy-treated fibroblasts, and their pro-tumourigenic function, can be effectively eliminated by targeting the anti-apoptotic protein BCL-xL.In vivo, chemotherapy treatment induces SASP expression in normal tissues, however the accumulation of senescent cells is limited and BCL-xL inhibitors are unable to reduce chemotherapy-enhanced metastasis. This likely reflects that chemotherapy-exposed normal tissues support metastatic colonisation via the secretion of pro-tumourigenic factors and remodelling of the extracellular matrix, but that damaged stromal cells do not enter a full BCL-xL-dependent senescence or switch their dependency to other anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family members. In summary, this study highlights the role of the metastatic microenvironment in controlling outgrowth of disseminated tumour cells and the need to identify novel therapeutic approaches to effectively limit the pro-tumourigenic effects of chemotherapy-induced normal tissue damage.
Adult Stem Cell-derived Complete Lung Organoid Models Emulate Lung Disease in COVID-19
Authors: Tindle Courtney , Fuller MacKenzie , Fonseca Ayden , Taheri Sahar , Ibeawuchi Stella-Rita , Beutler Nathan , Katkar Gajanan D. , Claire Amanraj , Castillo Vanessa , Hernandez Moises , Russo Hana , Duran Jason , Crotty Alexander Laura E. , Tipps Ann , Lin Grace , Thistlethwaite Patricia A. , Chattopadhyay Ranajoy , Rogers Thomas F. , Sahoo Debashis , Ghosh Pradipta , Das Soumita
Published: October 2020

SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, causes widespread damage in the lungs in the setting of an overzealous immune response whose origin remains unclear. We present a scalable, propagable, personalized, cost-effective adult stem cell-derived human lung organoid model that is complete with both proximal and distal airway epithelia. Monolayers derived from adult lung organoids (ALOs), primary airway cells, or hiPSC-derived alveolar type-II (AT2) pneumocytes were infected with SARS-CoV-2 to createin vitrolung models of COVID-19. Infected ALO-monolayers best recapitulated the transcriptomic signatures in diverse cohorts of COVID-19 patient-derived respiratory samples. The airway (proximal) cells were critical for sustained viral infection, whereas distal alveolar differentiation (AT2→AT1) was critical for mounting the overzealous host immune response in fatal disease; ALO monolayers with well-mixed proximodistal airway components recapitulated both. Findings validate a human lung model of COVID-19, which can be immediately utilized to investigate COVID-19 pathogenesis and vet new therapies and vaccines.

GRAPHIC ABSTRACT

HIGHLIGHTS

Human lung organoids with mixed proximodistal epithelia are created

Proximal airway cells are critical for viral infectivity

Distal alveolar cells are important for emulating host response

Both are required for the overzealous response in severe COVID-19

IN BRIEF

An integrated stem cell-based disease modeling and computational approach demonstrate how both proximal airway epithelium is critical for SARS-CoV-2 infectivity, but distal differentiation of alveolar pneumocytes is critical for simulating the overzealous host response in fatal COVID-19.
Hybrid E/M phenotype(s) and stemness: a mechanistic connection embedded in network topology
Authors: Pasani Satwik , Sahoo Sarthak , Jolly Mohit Kumar
Published: October 2020

Metastasis remains an unsolved clinical challenge. Two crucial features of metastasizing cancer cells are a) their ability to dynamically move along the epithelial-hybrid-mesenchymal spectrum and b) their tumor-initiation potential or stemness. With increasing functional characterization of hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) phenotypes along the spectrum, recentin vitroandin vivostudies have suggested an increasing association of hybrid E/M phenotypes with stemness. However, the mechanistic underpinnings enabling this association remain unclear. Here, we develop a mechanism-based mathematical modeling framework that interrogates the emergent nonlinear dynamics of the coupled network modules regulating E/M plasticity (miR-200/ZEB) and stemness (LIN28/let-7). Simulating the dynamics of this coupled network across a large ensemble of parameter sets, we observe that hybrid E/M phenotype(s) are more likely to acquire stemness relative to ‘pure’ epithelial or mesenchymal states. We also integrate multiple ‘phenotypic stability factors’ (PSFs) that have been shown to stabilize hybrid E/M phenotypes bothin silicoandin vitro– such as OVOL1/2, GRHL2, and NRF2 – with this network, and demonstrate that the enrichment of hybrid E/M phenotype(s) with stemness is largely conserved in the presence of these PSFs. Thus, our results offer mechanistic insights into recent experimental observations of hybrid E/M phenotype(s) being essential for tumor-initiation and highlight how this feature is embedded in the underlying topology of interconnected EMT and stemness networks.
Gulf of Mexico blue hole harbors high levels of novel microbial lineages
Authors: Patin NV , Dietrich ZA , Stancil A , Quinan M , Beckler JS , Hall ER , Culter J , Smith CG , Taillefert M , Stewart FJ
Published: October 2020

Exploration of oxygen-depleted marine environments has consistently revealed novel microbial taxa and metabolic capabilities that expand our understanding of microbial evolution and ecology. Marine blue holes are shallow karst formations characterized by low oxygen and high organic matter content. They are logistically challenging to sample, and thus our understanding of their biogeochemistry and microbial ecology is limited. We present a metagenomic characterization of Amberjack Hole on the Florida continental shelf (Gulf of Mexico). Dissolved oxygen became depleted at the hole’s rim (32 m water depth), remained low but detectable in an intermediate hypoxic zone (40-75 m), and then increased to a secondary peak before falling below detection in the bottom layer (80-110 m), concomitant with increases in nutrients, dissolved iron, and a series of sequentially more reduced sulfur species. Microbial communities in the bottom layer contained heretofore undocumented levels of the recently discovered phylum Woesearchaeota (up to 58% of the community), along with lineages in the bacterial Candidate Phyla Radiation (CPR). Thirty-one high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) showed extensive biochemical capabilities for sulfur and nitrogen cycling, as well as for resisting and respiring arsenic. One uncharacterized gene associated with a CPR lineage differentiated hypoxic from anoxic zone communities. Overall, microbial communities and geochemical profiles were stable across two sampling dates in the spring and fall of 2019. The blue hole habitat is a natural marine laboratory that provides opportunities for sampling taxa with under-characterized but potentially important roles in redox-stratified microbial processes.
The Genomic History of the Middle East
Authors: Almarri Mohamed A. , Haber Marc , Lootah Reem A. , Hallast Pille , Turki Saeed Al , Martin Hilary C. , Xue Yali , Tyler-Smith Chris
Published: October 2020

The Middle East is an important region to understand human evolution and migrations, but is underrepresented in genetic studies. We generated and analysed 137 high-coverage physically-phased genome sequences from eight Middle Eastern populations using linked-read sequencing. We found no genetic traces of early expansions out-of-Africa in present-day populations, but find Arabians have elevated Basal Eurasian ancestry that dilutes their Neanderthal ancestry. A divergence in population size within the region starts before the Neolithic, when Levantines expanded while Arabians maintained small populations that could have derived ancestry from local epipaleolithic hunter-gatherers. All populations suffered a bottleneck overlapping documented aridification events, while regional migrations increased genetic structure, and may have contributed to the spread of the Semitic languages. We identify new variants that show evidence of selection, some dating from the onset of the desert climate in the region. Our results thus provide detailed insights into the genomic and selective histories of the Middle East.
Functional Exploration of Copy Number Alterations in aDrosophilaModel of Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Diaz Jennifer E. L. , Barcessat Vanessa , Bahamon Christian , Cagan Ross L.
Published: October 2020

Accounting for 10-20% of breast cancer cases, TNBC is associated with a disproportionate number of breast cancer deaths. Despite recent progress, many patients fail to respond to current targeted therapies. Responses to chemotherapy are variable, and the tumor characteristics that determine response are poorly understood. One challenge in studying TNBC is its genomic profile: outside ofTP53loss, most cases are characterized by copy number alterations (CNAs), making modeling the disease in whole animals challenging. We analyzed 186 previously identified CNA regions in breast cancer to rank genes within each region by likelihood of acting as a tumor driver. We characterized aDrosophilap53-Myc model of TNBC, demonstrating aspects of transformation. We then used this model to assess highly ranked genes, identifying 48 as functional drivers. To demonstrate the utility of this functional database, we combined six of these drivers with p53-Myc to generate six 3-hit genotypes. These 3-hit models showed increased aspects of transformation as well as resistance to the standard-of-care chemotherapeutic drug fluorouracil. Our work provides a functional database of CNA-associated TNBC drivers, and uses this database to support the model that increased genetic complexity leads to increased therapeutic resistance. Further, we provide a template for an integrated computational/whole animal approach to identify functional drivers of transformation and drug resistance within CNAs for other tumor types.
Derivation of human extended pluripotent stem cells in feeder-free condition
Authors: Zheng Ran , Geng Ting , Wu Dan-Ya , Zhang Tianzhe , He Hai-Nan , Wang Liyan , Du Haining , Zhang Donghui , Miao Yi-Liang , Jiang Wei
Published: October 2020

Human extended pluripotent stem cells (EPSCs), with bidirectional chimeric ability to contribute to both embryonic and extra-embryonic lineages, can be obtained and maintained by converting embryonic stem cells (ESCs) using chemicals. However, the transition system is based on inactivated mouse fibroblast, which greatly hinders the mechanistic studies of extended pluripotency and further applications. Here we reported a Matrigel-based feeder-free method to convert human ESCs and iPSCs into EPSCs and demonstrated the extended pluripotency in terms of molecular features, chimeric ability, and transcriptome. We further improved the protocol by applying chemicals targeting glycolysis and histone methyltransferase. Altogether, our data established a feeder-free system to generate human EPSCs and provided additional insights into the acquisition of extended pluripotency.
Architectural Affordance Impacts Human Sensorimotor Brain Dynamics
Authors: Djebbara Zakaria , Fich Lars Brorson , Gramann Klaus
Published: October 2020

Action is a medium of collecting sensory information about the environment, which in turn is shaped by architectural affordances. Affordances characterize the fit between the physical structure of the body and capacities for movement and interaction with the environment, thus relying on sensorimotor processes associated with exploring the surroundings. Central to sensorimotor brain dynamics, the attentional mechanisms directing the gating function of sensory signals share neuronal resources with motor-related processes necessary to inferring the external causes of sensory signals. Such a predictive coding approach suggests that sensorimotor dynamics are sensitive to architectural affordances that support or suppress specific kinds of actions for an individual. However, how architectural affordances relate to the attentional mechanisms underlying the gating function for sensory signals remains unknown. Here we demonstrate that event-related desynchronization of alpha-band oscillations in parieto-occipital and medio-temporal regions covary with the architectural affordances. Source-level time-frequency analysis of data recorded in a motor-priming Mobile Brain/Body Imaging experiment revealed strong event-related desynchronization of the alpha band to originate from the posterior cingulate complex and bilateral parahippocampal areas. Our results firstly contribute to the understanding of how the brain resolves architectural affordances relevant to behaviour. Second, our results indicate that the alpha-band originating from the posterior cingulate complex covaries with the architectural affordances before participants interact with the environment. During the interaction, the bilateral parahippocampal areas dynamically reflect the affordable behaviour as perceived through the visual system. We conclude that the sensorimotor dynamics are developed for processing behaviour-relevant features in the designed environment.
Transovarial transmission fuels persistent infections of a core virome in the Chagas disease vector Rhodnius prolixus
Authors: de Brito Tarcísio Fontenele , Coelho Vitor Lima , Cardoso Maira Arruda , de Abreu Brito Ingrid Alexandre , Zenk Fides Lea , Iovino Nicola , Pane Attilio
Published: October 2020

Triatomine assassin bugs comprise hematophagous insect vectors ofTrypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of the Chagas disease. Although the microbiome of these species has been investigated to some extent, only one virus infectingTriatoma infestanshas been identified to date. Here, we describe for the first time seven (+) single-strand RNA viruses (RpV1-7) infectingRhodnius prolixus, a primary vector of the Chagas disease in Central and South America. We show that the RpVs belong to the Picorna-Calici, Permutotetra and Luteo-Sobemo clades and are vertically transmitted from the mothers to the progeny via transovarial transmission. Consistent with this, all the RpVs, except RpV2 that is related to the entomopathogenic Slow bee paralysis virus, established persistent infections in ourR. prolixuscolony. Furthermore, we show thatR. prolixusovaries express 22-nucleotide viral siRNAs (vsiRNAs), but not viral piRNAs, that originate from the processing of dsRNA intermediates during viral replication of the RpVs. Interestingly, the Permutotetra and Luteo-Sobemo viruses display shared pools of visRNAs that might provide the basis for a cross-immunity system. The vsiRNAs are maternally deposited in the eggs, where they likely contribute to reduce the viral load and protect the developing embryos. Our results unveil for the first time a complex core virome inR. prolixusand begin to shed light on the RNAi-based antiviral defenses in triatomines.

Author summary

Rhodnius prolixusis a triatomine insect and a primary vector ofTrypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of the Chagas disease, in Central and South America. Despite the medical relevance, very little is known about the viruses that infect these so-called assassin bugs. In this study, we show for the first time that triatomines can support the concomitant infection of a variety of RNA viruses belonging to distantly related viral families. Remarkably, we show that the viruses are vertically transmitted from the mothers to the progeny via transovarial transmission. The detection of 22-nucleotide viral small interfering RNAs in mature eggs strongly suggests that RNAi mechanisms contribute to reduce the viral load during oogenesis and embryogenesis inR. prolixus, thus safeguarding the development of embryos and nymphs. In agreement with these findings, all the viruses, except one, could establish persistent infections in our colony. Our results substantially expand the knowledge of the virus complexity in triatomine species. This viral toolkit might be harnessed to develop novel insect population control strategies to reduce the diffusion of the Chagas disease.
No support for intra-nor inter-locus sexual conflict over mating latency and copulation duration in a polyandrous fruit fly
Authors: Collet Julie M. , Sztepanacz Jacqueline L
Published: October 2020

The total strength of sexual selection on males depends on the relationship between various components of pre- and post-copulatory fitness. Misalignment between male and female interests creates inter-locus sexual conflict, where the fitness of one sex is increased at the expense of the other. Although rarely considered, mating behaviours can also be genetically correlated between males and females, creating intra-locus sexual conflict, where beneficial alleles in one sex are costly when expressed in the other sex. How inter- and intra-locus sexual conflicts operate on the expression of mating behaviours remains little understood. Here, we study male attractiveness, mating latency and copulation duration in two populations of the polyandrousDrosophila serrata. Univariate analyses show little genetic variance in mating latency, and that males, but not females, contribute to copulation duration genetic variance. Further, multivariate analyses revealed little covariance between the studied traits. However, analyses considering male and female contribution in a single framework supported genetic contributions from both sexes for mating behaviours and complex patterns of between sexes correlations. Finally, our study did not find any association between those mating behaviours and fitness component, specifically (i) no phenotypic covariance between male attractiveness and mating latency and, (ii) longer copulations did not result in the production of more offspring. With no detectable fitness benefits in any sexes for shorter mating latency or longer copulation duration, our results do not support the presence of inter-nor intra-locus sexual conflict for these mating traits.
Biological traits and threats interact to drive extinctions in a simulation study
Authors: Chichorro Filipe , Correia Luís , Cardoso Pedro
Published: October 2020

How a particular threat influences extinction risk may depend on biological traits. Empirical studies relating threats and traits are needed, but data are scarce, making simulations useful. We implemented an eco-evolutionary model to analyse how five threat types influence the extinction risk of virtual organisms differing in body size, maturity age, fecundity, and dispersal ability. Results show that direct killing mostly affected slow-living and low dispersal organisms. Habitat loss and fragmentation both affected larger and less fecund organisms, but drove contrasting responses according to dispersal ability. Habitat degradation and the introduction of invasive competitors had similar effects, mostly affecting large, fast-living, and highly fecund organisms. Many of the reported results confirm previous studies, while others were never tested, creating new hypotheses for future empirical work.

Statement of authorship

FC, LC and PC designed the study, FC implemented the model and ran the statistical analyses. FC and PC wrote the first draft, and all authors contributed substantially to further revisions.
Mediation effect of partnership on procurement strategy factors influencing sustainable smart housing development, Nigeria
Authors: Musonda Innocent , Gambo Nuru
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The procurement strategy challenges that influence the development of sustainable smart housing require a holistic system approach that models the relationships between procurement strategies and sustainable smart housing development approach. This considers the use of technology partnering to ensure value for money. The purpose of the paper is to assess the mediation effect of the technology partnership on procurement strategy influencing sustainable smart housing development.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a quantitative approach and primary data were collected via a structured questionnaire. In total, 500 survey questionnaires were administered to project managers in the Nigerian construction industry and a stratified proportionate random sampling method was used for the selection of respondents.

Findings

The results indicated that the procurement strategy influenced sustainable smart housing development in Nigeria, and the technology partnership mediates the relationship between procurement strategy and sustainable smart housing development.

Research limitations/implications

This quantitative study is based on the perception of construction project managers in Nigeria. The findings serve as an awareness of the government and other stakeholders in the construction industry on the development of sustainable smart housing in Nigeria.

Practical implications

The study establishes that technology partnership mediates the relationship between procurement strategy factors and sustainable smart housing development through enhancement of smart housing development and serves as awareness to stakeholders on the factors influencing smart housing development in Nigeria.

Social implications

The study suggests that technology partnership influences the effect of procurement strategy factors on sustainable smart housing and hence improves the development of smart housing in developing countries.

Originality/value

Mediation roles of technology partnership minimize procurement strategy challenges and enhance sustainable smart housing development.
Government Engineering College, Patan
Authors: Chand Vijaya Sherry , Vasavada Mukul
Published: October 2020

After attending two executive programs, the principal and eight faculty members of the Government Engineering College, Patan had agreed to initiate organizational change directed at making more innovative and efficient use of limited resources; creating a sense of urgency; and developing ability to move from one challenge to the next. Six months after this commitment, some sporadic progress had been achieved, but a strategic plan for change did not seem to exist. What action should the principal take now?
Food risk in consumers' eye and their consumption responses: evidence from Hanoi survey
Authors: Ha Thanh Mai , Shakur Shamim , Pham Do Kim Hang
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper analyses Hanoi consumers' evaluation of food risk and response to the perceived risk.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employed the mixed method approach that integrates segmentation analysis on the survey data and information from group discussions.

Findings

Based on consumers' risk rating of six food groups and level of food safety worry, the authors identified four distinct consumer segments: low, moderate, high and very-high-risk perception. The authors found the existence of widespread food safety concerns among Hanoi consumers. Living in an urban region was associated with a higher level of food risk perception. Moderate, high and very-high-risk perception segments exhibited a very low level of institutional trust and subjective control over hazards. Response to the perceived risk differed across segments. “Very high-risk perception” was associated with the most risk-averse behaviour, putting more effort into seeking food safety information and engaging more in supermarket purchase. Consumers with a low and moderate perceived food risk participate more in self-supply of food to reduce their food safety concern.

Practical implications

The paper provides empirical evidence on consumers' evaluation of food risk and their risk-reducing strategies to support the risk communication in Vietnam.

Social implications

Enhancing institutional trust and risk communication including hazard education can improve consumer confidence in food.

Originality/value

This is the first segmentation study on consumer food risk perception in Vietnam.
Impact of e-banking service quality on e-loyalty in pandemic times through interplay of e-satisfaction
Authors: Ul Haq Inzamam , Awan Tahir Mumtaz
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to empirically explore e-banking service quality and its impact on the e-banking loyalty through a mediating impact of e-banking satisfaction. The account holders of three domestic systemically important banks of Pakistan were surveyed during COVID-19 to examine the electronic services provided by these banks.

Design/methodology/approach

The data was collected through an adapted questionnaire by using emails and messaging applications. The database of a local marketing company in Pakistan was used, and 976 responses were included in the analysis. The structured equation modeling was used to test the propositions of study.

Findings

The findings delineate that reliability and website design proved to increase e-banking loyalty, particularly during COVID-19. The link between e-banking privacy and security and e-banking loyalty was proved as fully mediated by e-banking satisfaction; however, indirect effect of the reliability and website design with e-banking loyalty was partially mediated.

Practical implications

In strategic planning of e-banking mechanisms and the associated consumer behavior, the results of this study can be helpful for policymakers. In case of similar epidemics and natural calamities, consumers may depict similar behavior as shown during the lockdown and social distancing during COVID-19; hence, the study can help regulatory bodies in preparing their safety roadmap.

Originality/value

The mediating effect of e-banking satisfaction between privacy & Security and e-banking loyalty implies that customer give importance to secure e-banking platforms. There can be a variation in their loyalty because of privacy concerns. The application of cognitive–motivational–relational (CMR) theory in a relationship between e-banking service quality and e-banking loyalty with a mediating role of satisfaction is an emotional response to capture the behavioral changes during COVID-19. It enables researchers to understand the CMR theory concerning COVID-19 and e-banking perspective.
The ‘pears and lemons’ protein UvPal1 regulates development and virulence of Ustilaginoidea virens
Authors: Chen Xiaoyang , Tang Jintian , Pei Zhangxin , Liu Hao , Huang Junbin , Luo Chaoxi , Tom Hsiang , Zheng Lu
Published: October 2020

Ustilaginoidea virens is an economically important fungus causing a devastating grain disease, rice false smut. An insertional mutagenesis screen was used to explore biological mechanisms underlying infection process of U. virens. T184, a new mutant was identified, with abnormal conidial morphology and deficient virulence. Analysis of the T‐DNA inserted gene UvPal1 in the mutant confirmed it as a putative homologue of a cellular morphogenetic protein in yeast, Pal1, whose function has not been well characterized. Deletion of UvPal1 affected hyphal growth, cell morphology, stress adaptation and virulence. UvPal1 could interact with the endocytic proteins, UvEde1 and UvSla2, but was not required for receptor‐mediated endocytosis. A yeast two‐hybrid (Y2H) analysis was further carried out to screen the UvPal1‐interacting proteins, resulting in the identification of 16 putative interacting proteins. Interestingly, UvPal1 interacted with a septin protein, UvCdc11 in vivo and in vitro, and also affected subcellular localization of UvCdc11 protein. Deletion of the four core septins impaired the growth, morphogenesis, stress response and virulence. Collectively, effects on cell morphology, oxidative stress response and virulence are similar to those of UvPal1, suggesting that UvPal1 physically interacts with UvCdc11 to mediate the septin complex to maintain the cellular morphology and virulence of U. virens.
Multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Alene KA , Jegnie A , Adane AA
Published: October 2020

Background

Multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis (MDR‐TB) is a major global public health concern. However, there is a dearth of literature on whether MDR‐TB and its medications impact maternal and perinatal outcomes, and when such evidence exists the findings are conflicting.

Objectives

This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to examine the impact of MDR‐TB and its medications during pregnancy on maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Search strategy

PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched from earliest to February 2020.

Selection criteria

Records were screened based on pre‐defined selection criteria and assessed for quality by two independent reviewers.

Data collection and analysis

A meta‐analysis was performed using the random effects model to calculate pooled prevalence for each outcome.

Main results

Of the 72 records identified, 12 were included in the systematic review and meta‐analysis, consisting of 174 pregnant women with MDR‐TB and 110 adverse outcomes. Maternal death, pregnancy loss, preterm birth and low birthweight were the most common maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes reported in the studies. The overall pooled prevalence was 7.5% (95% CI 3.2–12.8) for maternal death, 10.6% (95% CI 6.0–16.3) for pregnancy loss, 12.9% (95% CI 0.0–38.0) for preterm birth and 23.7% (95% CI 17.0–31.0) for low birthweight.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that MDR‐TB is associated with a high risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes, but these should be interpreted cautiously because the evidence is largely preliminary. Adequately powered prospective cohort studies are urgently required to corroborate these findings.

Tweetable abstract

Multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis may increase the risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes.
Farmer Behaviour as Reasoned Action: A Critical Review of Research with the Theory of Planned Behaviour
Authors: Sok Jaap , Borges Joao Rossi , Schmidt Peter , Ajzen Icek
Published: October 2020

In many countries farmers face pressure to adopt practices to promote sustainability and resilience while ensuring efficient business management to produce food and other agricultural products at reasonable cost. Given a policy context in which voluntary action is preferred over government regulation, understanding farmers’ motivation to embrace recommended practices has become a major subject for research. Increasingly, this endeavour is guided by the theory of planned behaviour, a reasoned action approach (Fishbein and Ajzen, 2010). We provide a brief overview of the theory of planned behaviour and an elaboration of good practices in the assessment of the theory’s constructs. We systematically review 124 applications of the theory to farmer behaviour on a number of specific review criteria. Based on observations of improper use, we consider theoretical and methodological issues and provide recommendations for research design and data analysis.
Immunomagnetic separation: An effective pretreatment technology for isolation and enrichment in food microorganisms detection
Authors: Wang Zhouli , Cai Rui , Gao Zhenpeng , Yuan Yahong , Yue Tianli
Published: October 2020

The high efficiency and accurate detection of foodborne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms in food are a task of great social, economic, and public health importance. However, the contamination levels of target bacteria in food samples are very low. Owing to the background interference of food ingredients and negative impact of nontarget flora, the establishment of efficient pretreatment techniques is very crucial for the detection of food microorganisms. With the significant advantages of high specificity and great separation efficiency, immunomagnetic separation (IMS) assay based on immunomagnetic particles (IMPs) has been considered as a powerful system for the separation and enrichment of target bacteria. This paper mainly focuses on the development of IMS as well as their application in food microorganisms detection. First, the basic principle of IMS in the concentration of food bacteria is presented. Second, the effect of different factors, including the sizes of magnetic particles (MPs), immobilization of antibody and operation parameters (the molar ratio of antibody to MPs, the amount of IMPs, incubation time, and bacteria concentration) on the immunocapture efficiency of IMPs are discussed. The performance of IMPs in different food samples is also evaluated. Finally, the combination of IMS and various kinds of detection methods (immunology‐based methods, nucleic acid‐based methods, fluorescence methods, and biosensors) to detect pathogenic and spoilage organisms is summarized. The challenges and future trends of IMS are also proposed. As an effective pretreatment technique, IMS can improve the detection sensitivity and shorten their testing time, thus exhibiting broad prospect in the field of food bacteria detection.
Physiological heating augments the anti‐inflammatory reactions during granulocyte/monocyte apheresis: A in vitro study
Authors: Nishise Shoichi , Takeda Yuji , Abe Yasuhiko , Sasaki Yu , Saitoh Shinichi , Nara Hidetoshi , Asao Hironobu , Ueno Yoshiyuki
Published: October 2020

Granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis (GMA), an effective therapy for inflammatory disorders, exerts an anti‐inflammatory influence by utilizing the biological reaction between blood and cellulose acetate (CA) beads, which are the carriers of the GMA column. Although the biological reaction has an optimum temperature, blood contacts the CA beads below body temperature as GMA is performed in an extracorporeal circulation system. We investigated various soluble factors in blood treated with CA beads at 25°C and 37°C. Here, the optimal temperature for IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1ra) release induced by CA beads was 37°C, and IL‐6 production from monocytic cells was inhibited by the addition of plasma prepared from the CA bead‐treated blood at 37°C, rather than at 25°C. These results indicated that physiological heating of the apheresis carrier augmented the anti‐inflammatory reaction in vitro. Thus, heating during GMA may be a new approach for augmenting clinical efficacy.
A novel approach to develop spray‐dried encapsulated curcumin powder from oil‐in‐water emulsions stabilized by combined surfactants and chitosan
Authors: Hamad Alwani , Suriyarak Sarisa , Devahastin Sakamon , Borompichaichartkul Chaleeda
Published: October 2020

In this study, a novel approach to prepare spray‐dried encapsulated curcumin powder was investigated. The effects of surfactants viz. Tween 80 (at 0.25 to 0.75% wt) and lecithin (at 1% wt) and of a stabilizer viz. chitosan (at 0 to 0.375% wt) on the characteristics of curcumin‐based emulsions as well as on physicochemical properties of the resulting spray‐dried encapsulated powder were determined. The optimal emulsion was noted to be the one formulated with 0.50 and 0.25% wt, respectively, of Tween 80 and chitosan (T0.50/C0.25). Spray‐dried powder prepared from the optimal emulsion was compared to that prepared from an emulsion with 0.5% Tween 80 and 0% chitosan (T0.50/C0.00), as well as that from an emulsion with 0.25% Tween 80 and 0.25% chitosan (T0.25/C0.25). Physical properties of all powders were not significantly different. However, the encapsulation efficiency of T0.50/C0.25 powder (72.28%) was significantly higher than those of T0.50/C0.00 (47.19%) and T0.25/C0.25 powder (51.61%). Ferric reducing antioxidant powers of T0.50/C0.25 and T0.25/C0.25 powders were comparable but significantly higher than that of T0.50/C0.00 powder. After reconstitution, the mean particle sizes of T0.50/C0.25 and T0.25/C0.25 remained unchanged due to the protection by chitosan. T0.50/C0.00 powder was noted to exhibit the highest bioaccessibility (89.32%) in the simulated gastrointestinal tract.

Practical Application

The results of this study can be used as a guideline to develop a stable formulation of curcumin feed emulsion that can later be transformed into an encapsulated powdery form via spray drying. Such a guideline should prove useful for a company looking for a way to produce high‐quality functional ingredients and/or products from curcumin.
Preparation and characterization of curcumin solid dispersion using HPMC
Authors: Yu Ji Young , Kim Jin A. , Joung Hee Joung , Ko Jung A. , Park Hyun Jin
Published: October 2020

Curcumin solid dispersions were prepared using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) to enhance water solubility of curcumin. The particle size of curcumin solid dispersions was in range from 371 to 528 nm and particles were shaped as spherical with wrinkles. The encapsulation efficiency was over 93% for all samples, and water solubility of curcumin was significantly improved to 238 µg/mL when the ratio of curcumin to HPMC was 20:80. The results of X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimeter, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that crystalline form of curcumin changed to amorphous form. Curcumin solid dispersions showed improved dissolution behavior compared to pure curcumin and the curcumin release kinetic studies were applied to find best‐fitting model. This study showed a great potential of solid dispersion using HPMC as curcumin delivery system with improved water solubility and oral absorption.

Practical Application

Curcumin has limited applications in the food industry because of low water solubility. Dongoh water‐soluble curcumin (DW‐CURs) were prepared by solid dispersion method with HPMC. Our results indicated that curcumin solid dispersions improved the water solubility of curcumin and showed a sustained release, demonstrating its possibility of body application. Therefore, DW‐CURs are a promising formulation for application as a functional ingredient in the food industry.
Effect of dielectric barrier discharge plasma, ultra‐sonication, and thermal processing on the rheological and functional properties of sugarcane juice
Authors: Manzoor Muhammad Faisal , Ahmad Nazir , Ahmed Zahoor , Siddique Rabia , Mehmood Arshad , Usman Muhammad , Zeng Xin‐An
Published: October 2020

The present work was designed to study the impact of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma, ultrasound (US), and thermal treatment on the functional, rheological, and microbial analysis of sugarcane juice. The results showed that plasma and US treatment did not significantly affect the pH and color of the juice. Total soluble solids (°Brix) value increased from 16.30 ± 0.10 for untreated to 20.50 ± 0.15 during plasma treatment at 45 V for 2 min and 16.65 ± 0.27 during US treatment (40 kHz, power 240 W, and time 40 min). The maximum increase of 25% in total phenolic contents (TPC) and 21% in total flavonoid contents (TFC) was observed in a plasma‐treated sample at 40 and 45 V (for 2 min) respectively, whereas 18% in TPC and 16% TFC was observed in the US‐treated sample (40 kHz, power 240 W, and time 30 min) as compared to control sample. Plasma treatment increased the antioxidant activities (Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and 2,2‐Diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity) toward maximum at 40 V and only 6% of vitamin C was degraded than others. Similarly, plasma treatment significantly reduced particle size, which further led to decreased significantly (P < 0.05) the apparent viscosity of sugarcane juice with a rise in shear rate and drove to a speedy breakdown on initial shearing. A significant reduction was observed in the microbial load among all treatments as compared to the control. Significant reductions of 3.6 and 0.50 log CFU/mL were observed in the total aerobic mesophilic and yeast and mold counts after DBD plasma treatment at 45 V for 2 min, respectively. Thus, we can conclude that novel technology like plasma treatment can be effectively used at an industrial scale for the preservation and processing of sugarcane juice.

Practical Application

Nowadays, novel processing techniques are employed to improve the nutritional quality and stability of juices. The consequences of the present research showed that DBD plasma treatment could improve the TPC, TFC, antioxidant activities, vitamin C, and rheological properties while reducing the activity of the microbial load better than the US and thermal treatment. The verdicts described that novel processing methods can enhance the quality of sugarcane juice at an industrial scale.
Effects of different drying methods on the structures and functional properties of phosphorylated Antarctic krill protein
Authors: Lin Na , Liu Baolin , Liu Zhidong , Qi Ting
Published: October 2020

Antarctic krill protein (AKP) was extracted from Antarctic krill by an alkali dissolution‐isoelectric precipitation method and then it was phosphorylated with sodium tripolyphosphate. The phosphorylated Antarctic krill protein (P‐AKP) powder was obtained by spray‐drying (SD), freeze‐drying (FD), and hot‐air drying (AD), and the effects of these drying methods on the structures and functional properties of proteins were investigated. The P‐AKP powder dried by SD had the best sensory performance, and its particle size was much smaller than that of FD and AD. Scanning electron microscope displayed a uniform particle size of SD powder and the particles were uniformly dispersed. X‐ray diffraction analysis showed a higher crystallinity of SD sample than AD and FD. Differential scanning calorimeter analysis revealed that SD sample had the best thermal stability and less protein denaturation (ΔH = 210.80 J/g), followed by FD (ΔH = 80.48 J/g) and AD (ΔH = 73.94 J/g; P < 0.05). Fourier transform infrared showed that SD sample contained more protein secondary structure. Compared with SD, the phosphorylated group‐related chemical bonds in FD and AD samples were partially destroyed. SD sample had the highest protein solubility, oil absorption capacity, emulsifying, and foaming activities than FD and AD (P < 0.05). Although FD had the highest water absorption capacity, sample prepared with AD had the worst functional performance. Therefore, different drying methods used for preparation of the P‐AKP can affect its physicochemical and associated functional properties, and SD could be an appropriate drying method for the industrial mass production of P‐AKP powders with better functionalities.

Practical Application

The optimal drying method for preparing the phosphorylated Antarctic krill protein (P‐AKP) powder was proved to be spray‐drying (SD), because the physicochemical and functional properties were better for P‐AKP dried by SD than the other drying methods. Hence, SD was recommended for the industrial mass production of P‐AKP powders with better functionalities. This research can provide theoretical guidance for the further processing and utilization of P‐AKP, and offer technical reference for food processing and preservation.
The Financial Resilience and Life Satisfaction Nexus of Indigenous Australians*
Authors: Jayasinghe Maneka , Selvanathan Eliyathamby A. , Selvanathan Saroja
Published: October 2020

Financial resilience is characterised by four sets of variables, namely economic resources, financial inclusion, financial capability and social capital. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between financial resilience and life satisfaction of Indigenous Australians using the (2014/2015) National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey data. The results reveal that running out of money for living and problems in accessing financial services have significant negative implications on the life satisfaction of Indigenous Australians. The ability to raise money in an emergency, social connections and community support in times of crisis contributes to greater life satisfaction.
The microbiota–microglia axis in central nervous system disorders
Authors: Mossad Omar , Erny Daniel
Published: October 2020

The innate immune system in the central nervous system (CNS) is mainly represented by specialized tissue‐resident macrophages, called microglia. In the past years, various species‐, host‐ and tissue‐specific as well as environmental factors were recognized that essentially affect microglial properties and functions in the healthy and diseased brain. Host microbiota are mostly residing in the gut and contribute to microglial activation states, for example, via short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) or aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligands. Thereby, the gut microorganisms are deemed to influence numerous CNS diseases mediated by microglia. In this review, we summarize recent findings of the interaction between the host microbiota and the CNS in health and disease, where we specifically highlight the resident gut microbiota as a crucial environmental factor for microglial function as what we coin “the microbiota‐microglia axis.”