bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The genetic basis and adult reproductive consequences of developmental thermal plasticity
Authors: Rodrigues Leonor R. , Zwoinska Martyna K. , Wiberg R. Axel W. , Snook Rhonda R.
Published: January 2022

Increasing temperature and thermal variability generate profound selection on populations. Given the fast rate of environmental change, understanding the role of plasticity and genetic adaptation in response to increasing temperatures is critical. This may be especially true for thermal effects on reproductive traits in which thermal fertility limits at high temperatures may be lower than for survival traits. Consequences of changing environments during development on adult phenotypes may be particularly problematic for core traits such as reproduction that begin early in development. Here we examine the consequences of developmental thermal plasticity on subsequent adult reproductive traits and its genetic basis.

We used a panel of Drosophila melanogaster (the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel; DGRP) in which male fertility performance was previously defined as either showing relatively little (status = ‘high’‐performing lines) or substantial (‘low’‐performing lines) decline when exposed to increasing developmental temperatures. We used a thermal reaction norm approach to quantify variation in the consequences of developmental thermal plasticity on multiple adult reproductive traits, including sex‐specific responses, and to identify candidate genes underlying such variation.

Developmental thermal stress impacted the means and thermal reaction norms of all reproductive traits except offspring sex ratio. Mating success declined as temperature increased with no difference between high and low lines, whereas increasing temperature resulted in declines for both male and female fertility and productivity but depended on line status. Fertility and offspring number were positively correlated within and between the sexes across lines, but males were more affected than females.

We identified 933 SNPs with significant evolved genetic differentiation between high and low lines. In all, 54 of these lie within genomic windows of overall high differentiation, have significant effects of genotype on the male thermal reaction norm for productivity and are associated with 16 genes enriched for phenotypes affecting reproduction, stress responses and autophagy in Drosophila and other organisms.

Our results illustrate considerable plasticity in male thermal limits on several reproductive traits following development at high temperature, and we identify differentiated loci with relevant phenotypic effects that may contribute to this population variation. While our work is on a single population, phenotypic results align with an increasing number of studies demonstrating the potential for stronger selection of thermal stress on reproductive traits, particularly in males. Such large fitness costs may have both short‐ and long‐term consequences for the evolution of populations in response to a warming world.
Efficacy of adding pain neuroscience education to a multimodal treatment in fibromyalgia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Saracoglu Ismail , Akin Esra , Aydin Dincer Gökce Basak
Published: January 2022

The aim of this study was to investigate whether adding pain neuroscience education (PNE) to a multimodal approach has additional benefits in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). The methodology of this study was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines. The methods and strategies applied in the study were registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021272246). A systematic search with related search terms in the PubMed, Ebsco (Academic Search Ultimate), Cochrane Library, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Medline (Ebsco), Cinahl (Ebsco), Scopus and Web of Science was conducted up to June 2021. Statistical analysis was performed with Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis (CMA) software Version 3 (CMA V3, Biostat Inc) comparing before and after values of mean ± standard deviation (SD) data in both groups. The primary outcome of interest was severity of FM (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire), whereas secondary outcomes were pain intensity (visual analog scale, numeric pain rating scale), catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale), depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]) and anxiety (HADS). The initial search strategy based on the range and language yielded 274 relevant studies and 4 of these studies met the final eligibility criteria for this study. A total of 612 patients were enrolled in the included studies. The meta‐analysis showed that PNE groups were statistically more effective than the interventions applied in the control groups on severity of FM (standard mean difference [SMD] = −1.051; 95% CI = −1.309, −0.793; P < .000), pain intensity (SMD = −1.049; 95% CI = −1.400, −0.698; P < .000), catastrophizing (SMD = −0.893; 95% CI = −1.437, −0.348; P = .001), depression (SMD = −0.686; 95% CI = −0.849, −0.523; P < .000) and anxiety (SMD = −0.711; 95% CI = −0.869, −0.552; P < .000). This review demonstrates that adding PNE to a multimodal treatment including exercise therapy might be an effective approach for improving functional status, pain‐related symptoms, anxiety and depression for patients with FM. There is a need for further studies, especially on the optimum duration and dosage of PNE sessions in FM.
Regulatory Approval and Biotechnology Product Disclosures*†
Authors: Enache Luminita , Li Lynn , Riedl Edward J.
Published: January 2022

This study examines the effect of regulatory approval on a firm's voluntary product‐level disclosures. We focus on the US biotechnology industry, a setting that allows direct observation of whether firms disclose more information as products proceed through well‐defined—though successively more complex and costly—regulatory hurdles. Consistent with predictions motivated by biotech firms' need to repeatedly raise capital, we find that firms disclose more as their products move to later stages in the development process, both when the products receive regulatory approvals as well as when they receive regulatory denials. In addition, these findings are consistent across phases of development as well as product disclosure categories and are accentuated for firms without internal sources of capital (i.e., lacking product revenue). Collectively, these findings reveal that biotechnology firms respond to the considerable incentives to provide enhanced product disclosure and thus facilitate their ongoing need for capital to proceed through subsequent stages of product development.
Differential effects of lung inflammation on insulin resistance in humans and mice
Authors: Karlina Ruth , Flexeder Claudia , Musiol Stephanie , Bhattacharyya Madhumita , Schneider Evelyn , Altun Irem , Gschwendtner Silvia , Neumann Avidan U. , Nano Jana , Schloter Michael , Peters Annette , Schulz Holger , Schmidt‐Weber Carsten B. , Standl Marie , Traidl‐Hoffmann Claudia , Alessandrini Francesca , Ussar Siegfried
Published: January 2022

Background

The rates of obesity, its associated diseases, and allergies are raising at alarming rates in most countries. House dust mites (HDM) are highly allergenic and exposure often associates with an urban sedentary indoor lifestyle, also resulting in obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological association and physiological impact of lung inflammation on obesity and glucose homeostasis.

Methods

Epidemiological data from 2207 adults of the population‐based KORA FF4 cohort were used to test associations between asthma and rhinitis with metrics of body weight and insulin sensitivity. To obtain functional insights, C57BL/6J mice were intranasally sensitized and challenged with HDM and simultaneously fed with either low‐fat or high‐fat diet for 12 weeks followed by a detailed metabolic and biochemical phenotyping of the lung, liver, and adipose tissues.

Results

We found a direct association of asthma with insulin resistance but not body weight in humans. In mice, co‐development of obesity and HDM‐induced lung inflammation attenuated inflammation in lung and perigonadal fat, with little impact on body weight, but small shifts in the composition of gut microbiota. Exposure to HDM improved glucose tolerance, reduced hepatosteatosis, and increased energy expenditure and basal metabolic rate. These effects associate with increased activity of thermogenic adipose tissues independent of uncoupling protein 1.

Conclusions

Asthma associates with insulin resistance in humans, but HDM challenge results in opposing effects on glucose homeostasis in mice due to increased energy expenditure, reduced adipose inflammation, and hepatosteatosis.
“What can I possibly do?”: White individual responsibility for addressing racism as a public health crisis
Authors: Liebow Nabina K. , Rieder Travis N.
Published: January 2022

What responsibilities do individuals have when it comes to combating large‐scale public health crises such as racism? A seductive argument borrowed from the climate ethics literature suggests that focusing on individual morality for a structural problem such as racism is at best unhelpful and at worst actively harmful. In response, we argue that individuals have good moral reasons to modify their own behaviors to help in the fight against large, structural public health emergencies in general, and that the public health crisis of racism, in particular, demands heightened moral responsiveness from individual white people to resist white supremacy. The moral reasons that support white engagement in antiracist work extend above and beyond those regarding individual involvement in the fight against other collectively created public health challenges. Our conclusions help to defend the claim that racial literacy and antiracist education aimed at individuals are vital.
Feeding habits and multifunctional classification of soil‐associated consumers from protists to vertebrates
Authors: Potapov Anton M. , Beaulieu Frédéric , Birkhofer Klaus , Bluhm Sarah L. , Degtyarev Maxim I. , Devetter Miloslav , Goncharov Anton A. , Gongalsky Konstantin B. , Klarner Bernhard , Korobushkin Daniil I. , Liebke Dana F. , Maraun Mark , Mc Donnell Rory J. , Pollierer Melanie M. , Schaefer Ina , Shrubovych Julia , Semenyuk Irina I. , Sendra Alberto , Tuma Jiri , Tůmová Michala , Vassilieva Anna B. , Chen Ting‐Wen , Geisen Stefan , Schmidt Olaf , Tiunov Alexei V. , Scheu Stefan
Published: January 2022

Soil organisms drive major ecosystem functions by mineralising carbon and releasing nutrients during decomposition processes, which supports plant growth, aboveground biodiversity and, ultimately, human nutrition. Soil ecologists often operate with functional groups to infer the effects of individual taxa on ecosystem functions and services. Simultaneous assessment of the functional roles of multiple taxa is possible using food‐web reconstructions, but our knowledge of the feeding habits of many taxa is insufficient and often based on limited evidence. Over the last two decades, molecular, biochemical and isotopic tools have improved our understanding of the feeding habits of various soil organisms, yet this knowledge is still to be synthesised into a common functional framework. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the feeding habits of consumers in soil, including protists, micro‐, meso‐ and macrofauna (invertebrates), and soil‐associated vertebrates. We have integrated existing functional group classifications with findings gained with novel methods and compiled an overarching classification across taxa focusing on key universal traits such as food resource preferences, body masses, microhabitat specialisation, protection and hunting mechanisms. Our summary highlights various strands of evidence that many functional groups commonly used in soil ecology and food‐web models are feeding on multiple types of food resources. In many cases, omnivory is observed down to the species level of taxonomic resolution, challenging realism of traditional soil food‐web models based on distinct resource‐based energy channels. Novel methods, such as stable isotope, fatty acid and DNA gut content analyses, have revealed previously hidden facets of trophic relationships of soil consumers, such as food assimilation, multichannel feeding across trophic levels, hidden trophic niche differentiation and the importance of alternative food/prey, as well as energy transfers across ecosystem compartments. Wider adoption of such tools and the development of open interoperable platforms that assemble morphological, ecological and trophic data as traits of soil taxa will enable the refinement and expansion of the multifunctional classification of consumers in soil. The compiled multifunctional classification of soil‐associated consumers will serve as a reference for ecologists working with biodiversity changes and biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships, making soil food‐web research more accessible and reproducible.
Prognostic value of contralateral suppression for remission after surgery in patients with primary aldosteronism
Authors: Mørup Sara , Voss Nathalie , Clausen Caroline , Feltoft Claus Larsen , Andreassen Mikkel , Krogh Jesper
Published: January 2022

Objective

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common cause of endocrine hypertension and adrenalectomy is the firstline treatment for unilateral PA. Suppression of aldosterone secretion of the nondominant adrenal gland at adrenal venous sampling (AVS), that is, contralateral suppression (CLS) has been suggested as a marker of disease severity. However, whether factors such as CLS, age, gender or comorbidities are associated with remission after surgery is controversial. The objective of this study is to investigate the prognostic value of CLS, age, gender, aldosterone‐to‐renin ratio, antihypertensives and comorbidities for clinical and biochemical remission following unilateral adrenalectomy in patients with PA.

Design and patients

A retrospective study of patients with PA referred for AVS at Rigshospitalet from May 2011 to September 2020, who subsequently underwent adrenalectomy. Clinical remission was defined according to the PA surgical outcome criteria, whereas complete biochemical remission was defined as normalization of hypokalaemia without potassium substitution.

Results

Eighty‐four patients were available for analysis of primary outcome. Among patients with CLS, 28/58 (48.3%) obtained complete clinical remission after surgery compared with 10/26 (38.5%) without CLS (p = .40). Complete biochemical remission was obtained in 55/58 (94.8%) of patients with CLS compared with 25/28 (89.3%) without CLS (p = .44). Female gender and lower number of antihypertensives at baseline were associated with higher odds for complete clinical remission, whereas none of the investigated variables were associated with biochemical remission.

Conclusion

CLS was not significantly associated with complete clinical or biochemical remission in this cohort. Our results confirmed that female gender and lower number of antihypertensives were predictors of clinical remission.
An inconvenient misconception: Climate change is not the principal driver of biodiversity loss
Authors: Caro Tim , Rowe Zeke , Berger Joel , Wholey Philippa , Dobson Andrew
Published: January 2022

The current perception that climate change is the principal threat to biodiversity is at best premature. Although highly relevant, it detracts focus and effort from the primary threats: habitat destruction and overexploitation. We collated causes of vertebrate extinctions since 1900, threat information for amphibia, birds, and mammals from the IUCN Red List, and scrutinized others’ attempts to compare climate change with commensurate anthropogenic threats. In each analysis, none of the arguments founded on climate change's wide‐ranging effects are as urgent for biodiversity as those for habitat loss and overexploitation. Present conservation efforts must refocus on these issues. Conserving ecosystems by focusing on these major threats not only protects biodiversity but is the only available, economically viable, global strategy to reverse climate change.
1008. ECHINOPS WAKHANICUS: Compositae
Authors: Hind Nicholas , Strange Kit , Yamanaka Masumi
Published: January 2022

Echinops wakhanicus Rech.f. (Compositae: Cardueae: Echinopsinae) is described and illustrated, and its taxonomic position discussed. Field observations and seed collection of the species are mentioned. The genus Echinops is discussed, and comments made on its infrageneric classification, and the placement of E. wakhanicus in sect. Oligolepis. The terminology used in describing the flowering structure in the genus is discussed; the term synflorescence is preferred. Tribal and subtribal relationships are mentioned. Cultivation requirements are also outlined and, whilst certainly unavailable commercially, it is also unlikely to be found in botanical gardens, except in Tajikistan. Spanning the borders of Afghanistan and Tajikistan, the Conservation Status (of Endangered) in Tajikistan is not reflected in the species' wider distribution on the other side of the Panj River in Afghanistan, where it is considered of Least Concern. The variable spination at the apex of some of the synflorescences is commented on.
3D printing and silicone models of primary skin lesions for dermatological education as remote learning tool
Authors: Clanner‐ Engelshofen Benjamin M. , Frommherz Leonie , Mitwalli Mohammed , Stadler Pia‐Charlotte , French Lars E. , Reinholz Markus
Published: January 2022

Background and objectives: The corona pandemic affects many aspects of life – with challenges in medical treatment undoubtedly of paramount importance. However, continuing medical education needs to be consistently provided. During a semester with lockdown‐phases and limited student‐to‐patient‐contact availability, we supplied silicone models of primary skin lesions to every student and asked them to evaluate this teaching tool.

Methods: In two anonymous online surveys, we asked students enrolled in dermatology (n = 222) at the Medical Facility of the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich in the winter semester 2020/2021 – subsequent to online teaching – about their understanding and self‐assessment of primary skin lesions before and after receiving silicone models for practice. The models were produced by layering different types of silicone into negative 3D printed molds made from polylactide to attain different degrees of hardness and colors.

Results: Data from 211 (95.0 %) and 213 (95.9 %) of the 222 students were analyzed before and after receiving the silicone models, respectively. In all questions the students stated a highly significant improvement in their skills (P < 0.001). The majority of students evaluated the silicone models positively and reported a better understanding and learning of primary skin lesions.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates the benefit of haptic experience in dermatology teaching not only in the time of COVID‐19, but also thereafter.
Left ventricular end‐systolic volume response post‐stress echocardiography: Dilation as a marker of multi‐vessel coronary artery disease
Authors: Lu Dai‐Yin , Beyer Anna T. , Pursnani Seema K. , Shaw Richard E. , Fang Qizhi , Bibby Dwight , Rosenblatt Andrew , Schiller Nelson B.
Published: January 2022

Background

Transient ischemic dilation of the left ventricle (LV) during stress echocardiography indicates extensive myocardial ischemia. It remains unclear whether the change of LV end‐systolic volume (ESV) or end‐diastolic volume (EDV) better correlated with significant coronary artery disease (CAD). Meanwhile, the clinical significance of the extent of the volumetric change post‐stress has not been investigated.

Methods

One hundred and five individuals (62 ± 12 years and 75% men) who underwent coronary angiography following exercise treadmill echocardiography were enrolled retrospectively. An additional 30 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy subjects were included for comparison. LV dilation was defined as any increase in LV volume from rest to peak exercise. Patients who had at least two coronary arteries with significant stenosis were considered as having multi‐vessel CAD.

Results

Thirty‐four patients had ESV dilation during exercise echocardiography. On the contrary, ESV decreased at peak exercise in all healthy subjects. Forty‐one patients had multi‐vessel CAD, and its prevalence was higher in patients with ESV dilation (65% vs 27%, p = 0.001). The extent of ESV increase correlated with CAD severity. ESV dilation is associated with multi‐vessel CAD (Odds ratio [OR] 5.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.09 – 12.07, p < 0.001). After adjustment for EDV increase, clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic variables, the association remained significant (adjusted OR 5.57, 95% CI 1.37‐22.64; p = 0.02).

Conclusions

ESV dilation independently correlated with multi‐vessel CAD, whereas EDV dilation did not. The amount of ESV increase correlated with the severity of CAD. Our findings provide a rationale for incorporating volume measurements into stress echocardiography practice.
Delayed citalopram administration reduces brain inflammation and enhances skilled motor function after ischaemic stroke in ‘MacGreen’ mice
Authors: Chen Siyi , Bennet Laura , McGregor Ailsa L.
Published: January 2022

Recent evidence suggests that treatment with antidepressants may promote functional recovery. However, the timeframe in which these pharmacological agents can influence stroke recovery is not well understood. This research investigated whether delayed administration of citalopram, used clinically in the management of post‐stroke depression, could improve long‐term functional recovery following experimental stroke. MacGreen mice carrying an enhanced green fluorescent protein reporter gene in monocyte and macrophage populations were subjected to 45 min occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Animals were administered citalopram (10 mg/kg/day, n = 20) or saline (n = 20) starting 3 days after stroke for 28 days. Neurological deficits and skilled motor performance in the staircase task were recorded for 9 weeks post stroke. Grey and white matter structural lesions were quantified at Week 9, and enhanced green fluorescent protein immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the effect of citalopram on inflammation. Twenty‐five animals were included in the final analysis. Citalopram‐treated animals (n = 13) showed a significant increase in impaired forepaw use in the staircase task compared with saline‐treated animals (n = 12) 2, 3 and 7 weeks post stroke but no difference in neurological score at any time point examined. Citalopram treatment was associated with decreased monocyte/macrophage cell density and increased white matter tract integrity within the ipsilateral cortex. In conclusion, delayed administration of citalopram decreased brain inflammation and produced functional gains in our mouse model of stroke. Beneficial effects on skilled motor functions were long‐lasting.
Nonrespiratory sites of influenza‐associated disease: mechanisms and experimental systems for continued study
Authors: Froggatt Heather M. , Heaton Nicholas S.
Published: January 2022

The productive replication of human influenza viruses is almost exclusively restricted to cells in the respiratory tract. However, a key aspect of the host response to viral infection is the production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines that are not similarly tissue restricted. As such, circulating inflammatory mediators, as well as the resulting activated immune cells, can induce damage throughout the body, particularly in individuals with underlying conditions. As a result, more holistic experimental approaches are required to fully understand the pathogenesis and scope of influenza virus‐induced disease. This review summarizes what is known about some of the most well‐appreciated nonrespiratory tract sites of influenza virus‐induced disease, including neurological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, muscular and fetal developmental phenotypes. In the context of this discussion, we describe the in vivo experimental systems currently being used to study nonrespiratory symptoms. Finally, we highlight important future questions and potential models that can be used for a more complete understanding of influenza virus‐induced disease.
DRAM‐4 and DRAM‐5 are compensatory regulators of autophagy and cell survival in nutrient‐deprived conditions
Authors: Barthet Valentin J. A. , Mrschtik Michaela , Kania Elzbieta , McEwan David G. , Croft Dan , O'Prey James , Long Jaclyn S. , Ryan Kevin M.
Published: January 2022

Macroautophagy is a membrane‐trafficking process that delivers cytoplasmic material to lysosomes for degradation. The process preserves cellular integrity by removing damaged cellular constituents and can promote cell survival by providing substrates for energy production during hiatuses of nutrient availability. The process is also highly responsive to other forms of cellular stress. For example, DNA damage can induce autophagy and this involves up‐regulation of the Damage‐Regulated Autophagy Modulator‐1 (DRAM‐1) by the tumor suppressor p53. DRAM‐1 belongs to an evolutionarily conserved protein family, which has five members in humans and we describe here the initial characterization of two members of this family, which we term DRAM‐4 and DRAM‐5 for DRAM‐Related/Associated Member 4/5. We show that the genes encoding these proteins are not regulated by p53, but instead are induced by nutrient deprivation. Similar to other DRAM family proteins, however, DRAM‐4 principally localizes to endosomes and DRAM‐5 to the plasma membrane and both modulate autophagy flux when over‐expressed. Deletion of DRAM‐4 using CRISPR/Cas‐9 also increased autophagy flux, but we found that DRAM‐4 and DRAM‐5 undergo compensatory regulation, such that deletion of DRAM‐4 does not affect autophagy flux in the absence of DRAM‐5. Similarly, deletion of DRAM‐4 also promotes cell survival following growth of cells in the absence of amino acids, serum, or glucose, but this effect is also impacted by the absence of DRAM‐5. In summary, DRAM‐4 and DRAM‐5 are nutrient‐responsive members of the DRAM family that exhibit interconnected roles in the regulation of autophagy and cell survival under nutrient‐deprived conditions.
Optimum growth temperature declines with body size within fish species
Authors: Lindmark Max , Ohlberger Jan , Gårdmark Anna
Published: January 2022

According to the temperature‐size rule, warming of aquatic ecosystems is generally predicted to increase individual growth rates but reduce asymptotic body sizes of ectotherms. However, we lack a comprehensive understanding of how growth and key processes affecting it, such as consumption and metabolism, depend on both temperature and body mass within species. This limits our ability to inform growth models, link experimental data to observed growth patterns, and advance mechanistic food web models. To examine the combined effects of body size and temperature on individual growth, as well as the link between maximum consumption, metabolism, and body growth, we conducted a systematic review and compiled experimental data on fishes from 52 studies that combined body mass and temperature treatments. By fitting hierarchical models accounting for variation between species, we estimated how maximum consumption and metabolic rate scale jointly with temperature and body mass within species. We found that whole‐organism maximum consumption increases more slowly with body mass than metabolism, and is unimodal over the full temperature range, which leads to the prediction that optimum growth temperatures decline with body size. Using an independent dataset, we confirmed this negative relationship between optimum growth temperature and body size. Small individuals of a given population may, therefore, exhibit increased growth with initial warming, whereas larger conspecifics could be the first to experience negative impacts of warming on growth. These findings help advance mechanistic models of individual growth and food web dynamics and improve our understanding of how climate warming affects the growth and size structure of aquatic ectotherms.
Does renewable mean good for climate? Biogenic carbon in climate impact assessments of biomass utilization
Authors: Matuštík Jan , Kočí Vladimír
Published: January 2022

Using biomass to substitute fossil resources is seen as one of the sustainable ways to tackle climate change. Yet not all biomass projects can be a priori declared beneficial. A climate impact assessment, such as life cycle assessment or carbon footprint, is crucial for a science‐based policy recommendation. However, those assessments can often be incomplete, especially since many of those adopt an assumption that biogenic CO2 emissions cause no harm to the climate and do not need to be accounted. Such a simplistic “neutrality assumption” can lead to inaccurate results and thus to undesired consequences. This article synthesizes and further develops the diverse argumentation against the “neutrality assumption,” especially regarding the complexity of biomass production, differences in the timing of emission, allocation procedure, and climate change characterization methodology. Thus, the article draws a broader picture of the complex issue of biomass projects and argues for more comprehensive assessments.
Natural Allanite Reference Materials forIn SituU‐Th‐Pb and Sm‐Nd Isotopic Measurements by LA‐(MC)‐ICP‐MS
Authors: Yang Ming , Yang Yue‐Heng , Kamo Sandra L. , Romer Rolf L. , Roberts Nick M.W. , Wang Hao , Xie Lie‐Wen , Huang Chao , Yang Jin‐Hui , Wu Fu‐Yuan
Published: January 2022

Allanite is a common accessory mineral that generally incorporates considerable amounts of Th, U and light rare Earth elements in its structure, making it a useful mineral forin situU‐Th‐Pb geochronology and Sm‐Nd isotope measurements. Here, we presentin situU‐Th‐Pb ages and Sm‐Nd isotopic compositions for nine allanite samples considered as potential reference materials (CAPb, Tara, Daibosatsu, LE40010, LE2808, A007, A011, A012 and SQ‐51), with ages ranging from ~ 2650 Ma to ~ 12 Ma. Our study indicates that Daibosatsu and LE40010 have relatively homogeneous147Sm/144Nd and143Nd/144Nd isotopic compositions (147Sm/144Nd ratio variation is less than 2%) and, thus, can serve as primary reference materials for Sm‐Nd microanalysis. In contrast, CAPb, Tara, LE2808, A007, A011 and A012 all show homogeneous calculated initial143Nd/144Nd isotopic compositions, but with variable147Sm/144Nd compositions, and thus can be used only as secondary reference materials for Sm‐Nd microanalysis. Of these materials, LE40010 allanite can serve as a suitable primary reference material forin situU‐Pb dating, CAPballanite can serve as a suitable primary reference material forin situTh‐Pb dating, and LE2808, LE40010, A007, A011 and A012 can serve as suitable secondary reference materials forin situU‐Pb geochronology. In addition, Daibosatsu is suitable as a secondary reference material for Cenozoic Th‐Pb dating to monitor data reproducibility.
The effect of carriers’ reproductive choices and pregnancy history on sporadic severe haemophilia: A 20‐year retrospective study through a regional registry
Authors: Riccardi Federica , Coppola Antonio , Rivolta Gianna Franca , Matichecchia Annalisa , Quintavalle Gabriele , Biasoli Chiara , Valdrè Lelia , Piscitelli Lydia , Percesepe Antonio , Tagliaferri Annarita
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Haemophilias are X‐linked inherited bleeding disorders, due to de novo F8/F9 gene variants in 30–50% of cases. The identification of causative variant in index cases (IC) is crucial for genetic counselling in related women. Over the last 20 years the Emilia‐Romagna Regional Haemophilia Registry documented high proportions of sporadic severe haemophilia.

Aim

To clarify if carriers’ reproductive choices influence the sporadic/familial ratio of severe haemophilia.

Methods

Genetic counselling and genotyping in 221 relatives of severe IC were retrospectively reviewed, retrieving reproductive choices and pregnancy history of childbearing‐age carriers from familial and sporadic pedigrees and according to the IC degree of relationship (mothers, daughters, II/other).

Results

Carriers’ identification rates were lower in sporadic women and in other‐degree relatives. Among childbearing age women (n = 140), carriers were 37/48 (77%) and 57/92 (62%) of familial and sporadic relatives, respectively. Forty‐five/57 sporadic carriers experienced 67 pregnancies, while 21/37 familial carriers had 39 pregnancies (four voluntary terminations), with a significantly higher number of affected sons in the former (40/67 vs. 12/35, P = .025). Prenatal diagnosis was chosen by 40% and 47% of sporadic and familial aware carriers, respectively. Sporadic mothers often avoided further pregnancies (17/38, 45%) after a firstborn affected child, while familial mothers tended to face pregnancies without prenatal approaches (6/10, 60%).

Conclusion

In this cohort sporadic offspring account for more than 70% of severe haemophilia cases. This increasing proportion is likely to reflect the influence in reproductive choices of awareness of carriers’ status, particularly in sporadic mothers, and of prenatal diagnosis options.
ECONOMIC INTEGRATION AND AGGLOMERATION OF MULTINATIONAL PRODUCTION WITH TRANSFER PRICING
Authors: Kato Hayato , Okoshi Hirofumi
Published: January 2022

Do low corporate taxes always favor multinational production over economic integration? We propose a two‐country model in which multinationals choose the locations of production plants and foreign distribution affiliates and shift profits between them through transfer prices. With high trade costs, plants are concentrated in the low‐tax country; surprisingly, this pattern reverses with low trade costs. Indeed, economic integration has a nonmonotonic impact: Falling trade costs first decrease and then increase the plant share in the high‐tax country, which we empirically confirm. Moreover, allowing for transfer pricing makes tax competition tougher and international coordination on transfer‐pricing regulation can be beneficial.
Dynamic development of AT‐rich heterochromatin has followed diversification and genome expansion of psammophilous Mycetophylax (Formicidae: Attini: Attina)
Authors: Cardoso Danon Clemes , Moura Mariana Neves , Cristiano Maykon Passos
Published: January 2022

Heterochromatin is an important genome constituent comprised by a high density of repetitive DNA sequences that mediate chromosome structure and function. The species Mycetophylax morschi currently harbours three cytotypes: 2n = 26, 2n = 28 and 2n = 30 chromosomes. However, Mycetophylax conformis and Mycetophylax simplex harbour 2n = 30 and 2n = 36 chromosomes, respectively. None of the cytotypes of M. morschi showed any AT‐positive blocks, whereas the karyotypes of M. conformis and M. simplex revealed AT‐rich blocks around the pericentromeric region and on the short arm of several chromosomes. This AT‐rich pattern is coincident with the known heterochromatin distribution of psammophilous Mycetophylax, confirming that heterochromatin is AT‐rich, in line with the genome size and AT%. Our results demonstrated that genome size among psammophilous Mycetophylax is correlated with the proportion of base pairs, biased to adenine and thymine. Thus, genome size and the proportion of adenine and thymine in the species studied here suggest that the genome changes in psammophilous Mycetophylax are related to the expansion of repetitive DNA in AT‐rich heterochromatin. Considering the phylogenetic relationship of psammophilous Mycetophylax, the dynamic development of AT‐rich heterochromatin and karyotype repatterning encompasses the diversification of such ants.
Pfizer/BioNtech BNT162b2: adverse events and insights from an Australian mass vaccination clinic for COVID‐19
Authors: Halder Aditi , Imamura Hanaho , Condon Stewart , Boroughs Kelly , Nilsson Sven C. , Anderson Teresa , Caterson Ian D.
Published: January 2022

The Pfizer/BioNtech BNT162b2 is a major vaccine used in the Australian COVID‐19 immunisation programme. We report on BNT162b2 safety in the observation period in a dedicated vaccination clinic linked to a quaternary teaching hospital. We performed a retrospective review of medical records for 57 842 vaccinations, and describe the model of care and adverse event rate at the clinic during its first 2 months of operation. A total of 243 adverse events following immunisation (0.42% of total vaccine doses) were recorded in the immediate observation period post‐vaccination, which were predominantly immunisation stress‐related responses. Of the 110 patients who experienced an adverse event with their first dose of the vaccine, 90% returned for their second dose of the vaccine, with 87% not reporting any further adverse reaction with the subsequent dose. Nineteen (0.03% of total doses) people were reviewed for an allergic reaction, of which 10 (53%) reported a history of prior allergies. A female predominance was present in both total adverse reactions (70%) and allergic vaccine reactions (79%). Only two patients experienced anaphylaxis (0.003% of total doses), in keeping with low rates of adverse reactions to the BNT162b2 vaccine in the current literature. Overall, the present study reinforces the safety of BNT162b2 in the Australian population, describes vaccination completion rates after adverse events and identifies predisposing factors for rare allergic reactions to the vaccine.
Back to the future: lethal respiratory pandemics in New Guinea
Authors: Shanks G. Dennis
Published: January 2022

Lethal respiratory epidemics have torn through Papua New Guinea (PNG) since records began in the 19th century. Such historical epidemics were likely caused by influenza but often exacerbated by secondary bacterial pneumonias. Although PNG largely escaped the 1918–1919 influenza pandemic, major lethal waves were recorded in 1921, 1925, 1931 and 1964. As recently as 1969, thousands died in the PNG highlands from H3N2 influenza and subsequent pneumococcal pneumonias. This pre‐independence crisis was met by a major deployment of the Australian Defence Force personnel and aircraft. Currently, vaccination efforts aided by the Australian Government are trying to cope with the COVID‐19 crisis.
Multi–stage process for chemotherapy scheduling and effective capacity determination
Authors: Cataldo Alejandro , Sufan Sebastián , Lorca Álvaro , Andresen Max , Sánchez César , Sauré Antoine
Published: January 2022

A novel solution approach is developed for the scheduling of chemotherapy sessions at cancer treatment centers. The problem is divided into two subproblems determining the day (interday scheduling) and the time slots (intraday scheduling), respectively. The interday subproblem is solved by a model that allows for effective treatment center capacity choices while the intraday subproblem is addressed using two optimization models. New patient arrivals and treatment protocols specifying the latest starting date and session spacing are sources of uncertainty. Unlike other existing approaches, the proposed method incorporates the concept of effective treatment capacity which facilitates the interaction between the interday and intraday subproblems allowing them to be solved sequentially and iteratively to thus achieve much more resource‐efficient solutions. A case study using real data from a Chilean cancer center to conduct comparative simulations of its manual scheduling methods and the proposed methodology found that the latter almost always performed better, often significantly so, on makespan, resource utilization, overtime, and patient diversion metrics.
Advances in novel SDC@Al2O3 core−shell electrolyte for low‐temperature solid oxide fuel cell
Authors: Xiang Yuhao , Zheng Dan , Zhou Xiaomi , Cai Hongdong , Wang Kai , Xia Chen , Wang Xunying , Dong Wenjing , Wang Hao , Wang Baoyuan
Published: January 2022

The preparation of electrolyte with excellent ionic conduction is an important development direction in the practical application of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Traditional methods to improve ion conduction was structure doping to develop electrolyte materials. In this work, the ionic conductor Ce0.8Sm0.2O2‐δ (SDC) was modified by insulator Al2O3 to enhance ion conduction and apply as electrolytes for the SOFC. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterization clearly clarified that a thin Al2O3 layer in the amorphous state coated on SDC to form the SDC@Al2O3 core−shell structure. The SDC@Al2O3 electrolyte with the core−shell structure possesses a super ionic conductivity of 0.096 S cm−1 and results in advanced cell performance of 1190 mW cm−2 at 550°C. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis revealed that the concentration of oxygen vacancies in the SDC@Al2O3 core–shell structure significantly improved in comparison with pure SDC, the newly produced oxygen vacancies can promote the oxygen ion transport. Moreover, the interface between SDC and Al2O3 provides a fast channel for the proton transport. In addition, the SDC‐based SOFC was usually suffered from the reduction of the SDC electrolyte and the accompanying generated electron conduction should deteriorate the cell performance, this is the main challenge for the SDC electrolyte application. In our case, the Al2O3 shell on the SDC surface not only can avoid the contact between SDC and hydrogen to eliminate the reduction of SDC but also can restrain electron conduction due to the electron insulation characteristic of the Al2O3 shell. This work demonstrates an efficient approach to develop the advanced low‐temperature SOFC technology from material fundamentals.
Photoluminescence and conductive properties of CaEuNbMoO8 solid‐solution ceramics
Authors: Sun Hao , Zhang Bo , Zhao Qing , Liu Yafei , Wu Ruifeng , Zhang Su , Li Yanqing , Chang Aimin
Published: January 2022

Solid‐solution ceramics show a potential in the field of electronic devices. In particular, it is necessary to investigate the photoluminescence and conductive properties of CaEuNbMoO8 (CENMO) solid solution ceramics. It is demonstrated that the sintered ceramics appear as CaMoO4 phase with scheelite structure. The results of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy show that the abnormal reduction of Eu3+→Eu2+ occurs in the ceramics, which is due to the formation of vacancy caused by the substitution of Ca2+ by Eu3+, making it act as electron donors. The change of local symmetry of Eu3+ ions in ceramics results in a strong red fluorescence, and the charge transition between Eu, Nb, and Mo ions and O ions in the host lattice results in the near‐ultraviolet (near‐UV) excitation. As a result, CaEuNbMoO8 ceramic materials have promising applications in both near‐ultraviolet excited light‐emitting diodes and thermistors.
Repeated insulin injection without site rotation affects skin thickness – ultrasonographic and histological evaluation
Authors: Murao Satoshi , Murao Kazutoshi , Nagata Tsuyoshi , Shimizu Misato , Miyai Yumi
Published: January 2022

Aims/Introduction

The influence of repeated insulin injection on subcutaneous tissue is known, but its impact on the skin is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the impact of repeated insulin injections on the skin.

Material and Methods

The properties of the skin and the subcutaneous tissue were evaluated in 52 insulin‐treated adult patients with diabetes with abnormal findings at the site of self‐injection (36 with subcutaneous nodules, 16 with suspected subcutaneous tissue induration) by ultrasonography. In all subjects, both normal and abnormal areas were examined. In addition, skin biopsies were performed in four subjects.

Results

The skin thickness of the normal and abnormal skin sites was 1.95 (1.60, 2.50) and 2.80 (2.27, 3.30) mm, respectively (median (first quartile, third quartile)), (P < 0.001). The biopsy specimens revealed slightly thickened and tight bundles of collagen in the dermis. Three patients had amyloid deposits in the subcutaneous tissue, and one also showed these in the dermis. These were positively stained for insulin antibody.

Conclusions

Repeated insulin injection procedures result in skin thickening. Increased collagen fibers and possibly amyloid deposition in the dermis may be involved. The results reaffirmed the importance of appropriate site rotation in insulin injection and revealed the usefulness of ultrasonographic skin examination in evaluating the self‐injection procedure.
On the paradox of mediocracy
Authors: Fu Qiang , Li Ming , Qiao Xue
Published: January 2022

We consider a two‐agent hierarchical organization with a leader and a specialist in a reputation‐signaling model. The specialist proposes an innovative but risky project to the leader, and decides whether to exert an effort to improve the value of the project, which benefits the organization. The leader decides whether to endorse the project or block it. The leader's competence is her private information, and the market updates its belief about the leader's type based on observation of her action (endorsing the project or blocking it) and its outcome. In equilibrium, the leader could behave excessively conservatively when she is subject to reputation concerns. We have two main findings. First, aside from its usual distortionary effects, the leader's reputation concern has a beneficial effect by inducing the specialist to supply productive effort and improves the organization's performance. Second, there exists a nonmonotonic relationship between the perceived competence of the leader and the performance of the organization. As a result, a paradox of mediocracy emerges: The organization may benefit from a seemingly mediocre leader, as a mediocre leader motivates the specialist to exert effort, which offsets the efficiency loss due to incorrect decisions.
Effect of fluctuating temperatures on development, reproduction and energy of oriental armyworm populations, Mythimna separata
Authors: Lv Weixiang , Xie Xingcheng
Published: January 2022

Mythimna separata (Walker) is a destructive grain crop pest in China and other Asian countries. However, the effects of fluctuating environmental conditions on M. separata populations remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated how fluctuating temperatures affect the development, reproduction, flight capacity and energy reserves of both migrant and resident populations of M. separata. Our experiments demonstrated that fluctuating temperatures (20–30°C) significantly accelerated development but inhibited adult reproduction and reduced triglyceride reserves in both migrant and resident populations compared with a constant temperature of 25°C, because the larval period, pupal period, lifetime fecundity, mating frequency, ovarian development and triglyceride content significantly decreased, while the preoviposition period obviously increased. A relative decreased tendency of flight capacity was observed for migrants and residents under fluctuating temperatures. We also confirmed that populations and sexes differed in their responses to temperature variations. Mythimna separata residents showed slower development, weaker flight capacity and lower triglyceride content but greater reproductive performance than the migrants under both fluctuating and constant temperatures. Furthermore, female migrants had greater flight potential and triglyceride levels than those of males at both constant temperature and fluctuating temperatures. These findings expand our knowledge of the relationships between fluctuating temperatures and armyworm development, reproduction, energy reserves and adaptive strategies in a complex ambient environment.