bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reprogramming the endogenous type III-A CRISPR-Cas system for genome editing, RNA interference and CRISPRi screening inMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Rahman Khaista , Jamal Muhammad , Chen Xi , Zhou Wei , Yang Bin , Zou Yanyan , Xu Weize , Lei Yingying , Wu Chengchao , Cao Xiaojian , Tyagi Rohit , Naeem Muhammad Ahsan , Lin Da , Habib Zeshan , Peng Nan , Fu Zhen F. , Cao Gang
Published: March 2020

Mycobacterium tuberculosis(M.tb) causes the current leading infectious disease. Examination of the functional genomics ofM.tband development of drugs and vaccines are hampered by the complicated and time-consuming genetic manipulation techniques forM.tb.Here, we reprogrammedM.tbendogenous type III-A CRISPR-Cas10 system for simple and efficient gene editing, RNA interference and screeningviasimple delivery of a plasmid harboring a mini-CRISPR array, thereby avoiding the introduction of exogenous proteins and minimizing proteotoxicity. We demonstrated thatM.tbgenes were efficiently and specifically knocked-in/out by this system, which was confirmed by whole-genome sequencing. This system was further employed for single and simultaneous multiple-gene RNA interference. Moreover, we successfully applied this system for genome-wide CRISPR interference screening to identify thein-vitroand intracellular growth-regulating genes. This system can be extensively used to explore the functional genomics ofM.tband facilitate the development of new anti-Mycobacterialdrugs and vaccines.

Tuberculosis caused byMycobacterium tuberculosis(M.tb) is the current leading infectious disease affecting more than ten million people annually. To dissect the functional genomics and understand its virulence, persistence, and antibiotics resistance, a powerful genome editing tool and high-throughput screening methods are desperately wanted. Our study developed an efficient and a robust tool for genome editing and RNA interference inM.tbusing its endogenous CRISPR cas10 system. Moreover, the system has been successfully applied for genome-wide CRISPR interference screening. This tool could be employed to explore the functional genomics ofM.tband facilitate the development of anti-M.tbdrugs and vaccines.
Remyelination alters the pattern of myelin in the cerebral cortex
Authors: Orthmann-Murphy Jennifer , Call Cody L. , Molina-Castro Gian Carlo , Hsieh Yu Chen , Rasband Matthew N. , Calabresi Peter A. , Bergles Dwight E.
Published: March 2020

Destruction of oligodendrocytes and myelin sheaths in cortical gray matter profoundly alters neural activity and is associated with cognitive disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). Myelin can be restored by regenerating oligodendrocytes from resident progenitors; however, it is not known whether regeneration restores the complex myelination patterns in cortical circuits. Here we performed time lapsein vivotwo photon imaging in somatosensory cortex of adult mice to define the kinetics and specificity of myelin regeneration after acute oligodendrocyte ablation. These longitudinal studies revealed that the pattern of myelination in cortex changed dramatically after regeneration, as new oligodendrocytes were formed in different locations and new sheaths were often established along axon segments previously lacking myelin. Despite the dramatic increase in axonal territory available, oligodendrogenesis was persistently impaired in deeper cortical layers that experienced higher gliosis. The repeated reorganization of myelin patterns in MS may alter circuit function and contribute to cognitive decline.
Language modelling for biological sequences – curated datasets and baselines
Authors: Almagro Armenteros Jose Juan , Johansen Alexander Rosenberg , Winther Ole , Nielsen Henrik
Published: March 2020

Motivation

Language modelling (LM) on biological sequences is an emergent topic in the field of bioinformatics. Current research has shown that language modelling of proteins can create context-dependent representations that can be applied to improve performance on different protein prediction tasks. However, little effort has been directed towards analyzing the properties of the datasets used to train language models. Additionally, only the performance of cherry-picked downstream tasks are used to assess the capacity of LMs.

Results

We analyze the entire UniProt database and investigate the different properties that can bias or hinder the performance of LMs such as homology, domain of origin, quality of the data, and completeness of the sequence. We evaluate n-gram and Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) LMs to assess the impact of these properties on performance. To our knowledge, this is the first protein dataset with an emphasis on language modelling. Our inclusion of properties specific to proteins gives a detailed analysis of how well natural language processing methods work on biological sequences. We find that organism domain and quality of data have an impact on the performance, while the completeness of the proteins has little influence. The RNN based LM can learn to model Bacteria, Eukarya, and Archaea; but struggles with Viruses. By using the LM we can also generate novel proteins that are shown to be similar to real proteins.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/alrojo/UniLanguage
Microbiota–modulated enteric neuron translational profiling uncovers a CART+ glucoregulatory subset
Authors: Muller Paul A , Schneeberger Marc , Matheis Fanny , Kerner Zachary , Mucida Daniel
Published: March 2020

Microbial density and diversity increase towards the distal intestine, affecting tissue physiology, metabolism, and function of both immune and nervous systems. Intrinsic enteric–associated neurons (iEAN) continuously monitor and modulate intestinal functions, including nutrient absorption and motility. Through molecular, anatomic and functional approaches, we characterized the influence of the microbiota on iEAN. We found that iEAN are functionally adapted to the intestinal segment they occupy, with a stronger microbiota influence on distal intestine neurons. Chemogenetic characterization of microbiota-influenced iEAN identified a subset of viscerofugal CART+ neurons, enriched in the distal intestine, able to modulate feeding through insulin-glucose levels. Retro- and anterograde tracing revealed that CART+ viscerofugal neurons send axons to the gut sympathetic ganglion and are synaptically connected to the liver and pancreas. Our results demonstrate a region-specific adaptation of enteric neurons and indicate that specific iEAN subsets are capable of regulating host physiology independently from the central nervous system.

One Sentence Summary

Microbes impact regionally defined intrinsic enteric neuron translatomes, including a novel CART+ glucoregulatory viscerofugal population.
sideRETRO: a pipeline for identifying somatic and dimorphic insertions of processed pseudogenes or retrocopies
Authors: Miller Thiago L A , Orpinelli Fernanda , Buzzo José Leonel L , Galante Pedro A F
Published: March 2020

Retrocopies or processed pseudogenes are gene copies resulting from mRNA retrotransposition. These gene duplicates can be fixed, somatically inserted or dimorphic in the genome. However, knowledge regarding unfixed retrocopies (retroCNVs) is still limited, and the development of computational tools for effectively identifying and genotyping them is an urgent need. Here, we present sideRETRO, a pipeline dedicated not only to detecting retroCNVs in whole-genome or whole-exome sequencing data but also to revealing their insertion sites, zygosity, and genomic context and classifying them as somatic or dimorphic events. We show that sideRETRO can identify novel retroCNVs and genotype them (93.2% accuracy), in addition to identifying dimorphic retroCNVs in whole-genome and whole-exome data. Therefore, sideRETRO fills a gap in the literature and presents an efficient and straightforward algorithm to accelerate the study of retroCNVs.

Availability

sideRETRO is available athttps://github.com/galantelab/sideRETRO
Quantitating denaturation by formic acid: Imperfect repeats are essential to the stability of the functional amyloid protein FapC
Authors: Christensen Line Friis Bakmann , Nowak Jan Stanislaw , Sønderby Thorbjørn Vincent , Frank Signe Andrea , Otzen Daniel Erik
Published: March 2020

Bacterial functional amyloids are evolutionarily optimized to aggregate to help them fulfil their biological functions,e.g.to provide mechanical stability to biofilm. Amyloid is formed inPseudomonassp. by the protein FapC which contains 3 imperfect repeats connected by long linkers. Stepwise removal of these repeats slows down aggregation and increases the propensity of amyloids to fragment during the fibrillation process, but how these mechanistic properties link to fibril stability is unclear. Here we address this question. The extreme robustness of functional amyloid makes them resistant to conventional chemical denaturants, but they dissolve in formic acid (FA) at high concentrations. To quantify this, we first measured the denaturing potency of FA using 3 small acid-resistant proteins (S6, lysozyme and ubiquitin). This revealed a linear relationship between [FA] and the free energy of unfolding with a slope ofmFA, as well as a robust correlation between protein residue size andmFA. We then measured the solubilisation of fibrils formed from different FapC variants (with varying number of repeats) as a function of [FA]. The resultingmFAvalues revealed a decline in the number of residues driving amyloid formation when at least 2 repeats were deleted. The midpoint of denaturation declined monotonically with progressive removal of repeats and correlated with solubility in SDS. Complete removal of all repeats led to fibrils which were solubilized at FA concentrations 2-3 orders of magnitude lower than the repeat-containing variants, showing that at least one imperfect repeat is required for the stability of functional amyloid.
Diminished ventral oligodendrocyte precursor generation results in the subsequent over-production of dorsal oligodendrocyte precursors of aberrant morphology and function
Authors: Starikov Lev , Kottmann Andreas H.
Published: March 2020

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) arise sequentially first from a ventral and then from a dorsal precursor domain at the end of neurogenesis during spinal cord development. Whether the sequential production of OPCs is of physiological significance has not been examined. Here we show that ablating Shh signaling from nascent ventricular zone derivatives and partially from the floor plate results in a severe diminishment of ventral derived OPCs but normal numbers of motor neurons in the postnatal spinal cord. In the absence of ventral vOPCs, dorsal dOPCs populate the entire spinal cord resulting in an increased OPC density in the ventral horns. These OPCs take on an altered morphology, do not participate in the removal of excitatory vGlut1 synapses from injured motor neurons, and exhibit morphological features similar to those found in the vicinity of motor neurons in the SOD1 mouse model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Our data indicates that vOPCs prevent dOPCs from invading ventral spinal cord laminae and suggests that vOPCs have a unique ability to communicate with injured motor neurons.
Deficiency of cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 causes spontaneous epileptic seizures in neonatal mice
Authors: Liao Wenlin , Lee Kun-Ze , Su San-Hua , Luo Yuju
Published: March 2020

Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5), an X-linked gene encoding a serine-threonine kinase, is enriched in the mammalian forebrain and critical for neuronal maturation and synaptic function. Mutations in this gene cause CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) that is characterized by early-onset epileptic seizures, autistic behaviors and intellectual disability. Although numerous CDD symptoms have been recapitulated in mouse models, spontaneous seizures have not been reported in mice with CDKL5 deficiency. Here, we present the first systematic study of spontaneous seizures in a mouse model of CDD. Through wireless electroencephalographic (EEG) recording and simultaneous videotaping, we observed epileptiform discharges accompanied with ictal behaviors in pups lacking CDKL5 at a selective time window during the pre-weaning period. The seizure-like patterns of EEG showed robust increase in total number of spike events, the total number and duration of bursts inCdkl5null pups compared to wild-type littermate controls at the age of postnatal day 12 (P12). The mutants displayed not only jerky and spasm-like movements during the prolonged bursts of discharges at P12, but also strengthened ictal grasping in both juvenile stage and adulthood. In addition, loss of CDKL5 remarkably reduced the phosphorylation of K+/Cl-co-transporter 2, which may impede GABA-mediated inhibition, in the cortex of P12 mouse pups. Our study reveals previously unidentified phenotypes of early-onset seizures in CDKL5-deficient mice, highlights the translational value of mouse models of CDD and provides a potential molecular target for early diagnosis and treatment for CDD.

Significance Statement

Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) is an X-linked gene encoding a serine-threonine kinase. Mutations in this gene cause CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), a rare disease characterized by developmental delays, autistic behaviors and early-onset epilepsy. Even though many symptoms of CDD patients have been phenocopied in mice, spontaneous seizures are yet to be reported in mouse models of CDD. Here, for the first time, we identified early-onset seizures and ictal behaviors in neonatal pups of CDKL5-deficient mice. Loss of CDKL5 also selectively reduced protein levels of phosphorylated K+/Cl-cotransporter 2 in neonatal cortex of mice. Our study reveals an indispensible role of CDKL5 in regulating neuronal excitability in developing brains and highlights the translational significance of the CDD mouse models.
Synthesis, experimental andin silicostudies ofN-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-O-tert-butyl-N-methyltyrosine, coupled with CSD data: a survey of interactions in the crystal structures of Fmoc–amino acids
Authors: Bojarska Joanna , Remko Milan , Madura Izabela D. , Kaczmarek Krzysztof , Zabrocki Janusz , Wolf Wojciech M.
Published: March 2020

Recently, fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) amino acids (e.g.Fmoc–tyrosine or Fmoc–phenylalanine) have attracted growing interest in biomedical research and industry, with special emphasis directed towards the design and development of novel effective hydrogelators, biomaterials or therapeutics. With this in mind, a systematic knowledge of the structural and supramolecular features in recognition of those properties is essential. This work is the first comprehensive summary of noncovalent interactions combined with a library of supramolecular synthon patterns in all crystal structures of amino acids with the Fmoc moiety reported so far. Moreover, a new Fmoc-protected amino acid, namely, 2-{[(9H-fluoren-9-ylmethoxy)carbonyl](methyl)amino}-3-{4-[(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)oxy]phenyl}propanoic acid orN-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-O-tert-butyl-N-methyltyrosine, Fmoc-N-Me-Tyr(t-Bu)-OH, C29H31NO5, was successfully synthesized and the structure of its unsolvated form was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structural, conformational and energy landscape was investigated in detail by combined experimental andin silicoapproaches, and further compared toN-Fmoc-phenylalanine [Draperet al.(2015).CrystEngComm,42, 8047–8057]. Geometries were optimized by the density functional theory (DFT) method eitherin vacuoorin solutio. The polarizable conductor calculation model was exploited for the evaluation of the hydration effect. Hirshfeld surface analysis revealed that H...H, C...H/H...C and O...H/H...O interactions constitute the major contributions to the total Hirshfeld surface area in all the investigated systems. The molecular electrostatic potentials mapped over the surfaces identified the electrostatic complementarities in the crystal packing. The prediction of weak hydrogen-bonded patternsvia Full Interaction Mapswas computed. Supramolecular motifs formedviaC—H...O, C—H...π, (fluorenyl)C—H...Cl(I), C—Br...π(fluorenyl) and C—I...π(fluorenyl) interactions are observed. Basic synthons, in combination with theLong-Range Synthon Aufbau Modules, further supported by energy-framework calculations, are discussed. Furthermore, the relevance of Fmoc-based supramolecular hydrogen-bonding patterns in biocomplexes are emphasized, for the first time.
Appraisal of stakeholders' willingness to adopt construction 4.0 technologies for construction projects
Authors: Osunsanmi Temidayo Oluwasola , Aigbavboa Clinton Ohis , Emmanuel Oke Ayodeji , Liphadzi Muredini
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Construction 4.0 technology has the capabilities for improving the design, management, operations and decision making of construction projects. Therefore, this study aimed at examining the willingness of construction professionals towards adopting construction 4.0 technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a survey design, and construction professionals in South Africa are assessed using a convenience sampling technique through a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was analysed with SPSS while statistical test like; mean score, t-test and principal component analysis was used to present the data.

Findings

The findings, from the analysis, revealed that the construction professionals are willing to adopt construction 4.0 technologies for construction project. However, the possibility of fully integrating the technologies into the construction industry is low. This is because the major technologies such as; Internet of things, robotics, human-computer interaction and cyber-physical systems that encourage smart construction site are rated as not important by the construction professionals.

Practical implications

It is believed that the findings emanating from this study will serve as an indicator for investors that are interested in procuring construction 4.0 technologies for the construction industry.

Originality/value

This paper presents a framework for the application of construction 4.0 technologies for the construction industry. It also contributes to the development of digitalising construction industry in South Africa.
Environmental practices in the wine industry: an overview of the Italian market
Authors: Bandinelli Romeo , Acuti Diletta , Fani Virginia , Bindi Bianca , Aiello Gaetano
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The present research expands the debate on environmental sustainability in the wine industry. Since the literature on sustainability and wine is relatively recent, current results do not cover all the practices that can be implemented along the wine supply chain. Thus, the paper presents a classification of environmental practices specific for the wine industry, according to the increased attention that has been paid to this topic in recent years. Moreover, it investigates the adoption level of these practices with reference to Italian wine producers.

Design/methodology/approach

The research presents a systematic literature review including papers published in academic journals during the past 30 years and in Italian specialised magazines. This methodology is useful to provide a clear overview of sustainable practices that can be adopted along the wine supply chain. Therefore, an empirical study based on the results of an online survey shows how wineries approach environmental sustainability.

Findings

The literature review provides a definition and classification of environmental practices in the wine industry, as well as identification of those that require further attention in the literature, suggesting future research paths. The results of the online survey give an overview of the adoption level of environmental practices and highlight widespread attention to all the listed environmental practices, including those not adopted.

Originality/value

From a theoretical point of view, this paper fills a literature gap in terms of the definition and classification of environmental practices that cover all wine supply chain processes, also providing a useful instrument for wine companies' managers. Moreover, the results of the empirical research give an overview of the adoption level of environmental practices in one of the most relevant countries in terms of wine production and highlight widespread attention to all the listed environmental practices, including those not adopted.
An activity theory approach to information security non-compliance
Authors: Khatib Rima , Barki Henri
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce activity theory (AT) as a new theoretical lens to the field of information security non-compliance by explaining how research in that field can benefit from AT and to suggest eight propositions for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on AT, the paper suggests that employees, IT systems, task characteristics, information security policies (ISPs), community and division of labor can be viewed to form an ensemble that is labeled activity. Their characteristics and/or the relationships that exist between them in organizational contexts are hypothesized to influence non-compliance behaviors.

Findings

The paper suggests that AT provides a broad lens that can be useful for explaining a large variety of non-compliant behaviors related to information security.

Research limitations/implications

The paper focuses only on non-compliant behaviors that employees undertake with non-malicious intentions and offers avenues for future research based on the propositions that are developed in the paper.

Originality/value

The paper provides a useful step toward a better understanding of non-compliant ISP behaviors. In addition, it proposes and explains new research areas in the non-compliance field.
Infrastructure development and industrial sector productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Azolibe Chukwuebuka Bernard , Okonkwo Jisike Jude
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine whether the state of infrastructure development in Sub-Saharan Africa actually stimulates industrial sector productivity, using a panel data set of 17 countries spanning from 2003 to 2018.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used panel least square estimation technique to examine the relationship between the variables.

Findings

The result of the study indicates that the major factor that influences industrial sector productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa is their quantity and quality of telecommunication infrastructure. Analysis shows that the relatively low level of industrial sector productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa is largely due to their poor electricity and transport infrastructure and underutilization of water supply and sanitation infrastructure.

Practical implications

The government should partner with other developed countries of the world such as Germany, Japan, Sweden, Netherlands, Austria, Singapore, United States of America, United Kingdom, Switzerland and United Arab Emirates, which are the top ten countries in infrastructure ranking as currently released by the World Bank, to equally extend their quality infrastructure to their own country for enhanced industrialization.

Originality/value

The novelty of this research lies on the fact it is a cross-country study as against the few empirical studies that focused only on a single country. Also, the study made use of the four main indicators of infrastructure development in an economy, which are electricity infrastructure, transport infrastructure, telecommunication infrastructure and water supply and sanitation infrastructure, to examine its effect on industrial sector productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Modeling the contingent role of technological optimism on customer satisfaction with self-service technologies
Authors: Othman Abdul Kadir , Hamzah Muhammad Iskandar , Abu Hassan Lailatul Faizah
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Based on the E-Service Quality (E-SQ) model, this study investigates the effects of self-service technology (SST) quality attributes, specifically automated teller machines (ATMs), on customer satisfaction. The interaction effects of technological optimism on the abovementioned link are also examined. SST usage is conceptualized as a multidimensional construct that consists of five dimensions (reliability, security, convenience, functionality and responsiveness).

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected through a survey of a sample of Malaysian participants who used cash-recycling ATMs. The proposed theoretical model was tested using partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

The results suggest that reliability, convenience, and functionality are critical factors that affect customer satisfaction in using ATMs. Technological optimism was found to weaken the relationship between reliability and customer satisfaction.

Practical implications

Considering the relative novelty of cash-recycling ATMs in the market, banks should ensure a smooth, error-free and accessible functioning of the system. Special attention has to be given to tech-savvy consumers whose higher level of optimism, with an increase of perceptions of reliability, may suppress their heighten sense of fulfillment. This customer group could be offered interactive digital engagement through mobile applications and social networking channels.

Originality/value

The E-SQ model is a helpful tool to understand the reasons underlying user satisfaction with cash-recycling ATMs. The results also contribute to the theoretical development of the E-SQ model through the integration of technological optimism as a contingent factor.
Emotional intelligence, psychological safety, and team decision making
Authors: Zhou Wencang , Zhu Zhu , Vredenburgh Donald
Published: March 2020

Purpose

As teamwork becomes more prevalent in organizational decision-making, the influence of emotional intelligence (EI) on team decision-making process demands more research attention. This study aims to investigate the impact of EI on team psychological safety and decision-making performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Team decision-making performance and decision quality from a team decision task were obtained from 54 decision-making teams composed of 241 undergraduate business students from a Mid-Atlantic university. Regression analyses were used to test individual and team’s EI relationship with team decision performance and the mediation effect of psychological safety.

Findings

This study provides empirical evidence that individual EI is positively related to individual influence on team decisions. Team-level EI improves team decision-making performance through increases in psychological safety.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size is relatively small, and the participants were business students; therefore, the research results may lack generalizability. Future research is encouraged to explore this topic further.

Practical implications

As teamwork becomes more prevalent in organizational decision-making, the influence of EI on team decision-making process demands more research and managerial attention. The findings of this paper provide insights on the importance of individual/team EI and psychological safety in team decision performance.

Originality/value

This study furthers research showing that emotions are pertinent to social interactions, including group decision-making, and therefore suggests the desirability of investigating other social processes affecting group decision-making.
Context and person-oriented leader in teams: a meta-analytical review
Authors: Ceri-Booms Meltem
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The research studies the role of contextual moderating variables on the relationship between person-oriented leadership behaviors (POLBs) and team performance. The authors claim that the varying effect sizes between POLBs and team performance are large because of the context the team is functioning in. Therefore, based on the framework of Johns (2006), this paper aims to investigate the moderating role of the relevant demographic (leader gender), social (in-group collectivism and team size), task (skill differentiation) and methodological (common method bias and the rater of the team performance) contextual variables in the study.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors accumulated evidence from 48 independent primary studies (N team = 4,276) to run the meta-analytic analyses. The authors followed the procedures described by Schmidt and Hunter (2015). For the categorical moderators, the analyzes were aided by the Hunter–Schmidt meta-analysis programs (2.0) (Schmidt and Le, 2014), which is an interactive software using a random-effects model. In the analyzes for the continuous moderators, the authors used Lipsey and Wilson’s (2001) statistical package for the social sciences macros and run meta-regressions using a random-effects model with unrestricted maximum likelihood.

Findings

The results indicate that the relationship weakens when female leaders exhibit these behaviors and when the team size increases. On the other hand, in-group collectivism strengthens the relationship. The study also found that the common method bias and the assessment method of the team performance are significant moderators altering the relationship.

Practical implications

The study highlights the perceptual differences and biases based on leader gender. Acknowledging these biases may help practitioners to appreciate the female qualities in leadership and decrease the undervaluation of female effectiveness. To create high-performing teams, leaders in high in-group collectivist countries are expected to develop a family feeling in the team by showing their concern for personal issues and build close interpersonal relationships. Researchers should use multiple sources to assess the predictor and criterion variables and also opt for more objective assessment methods for team performance.

Originality/value

With this study, the authors follow a substantively different perspective compared to the past meta-analytic reviews on this relationship. Rather than testing the inquiry whether there is a relationship between the two variables, the authors specifically focus on the role of contextual moderating variables. Several researchers have acknowledged that contextual considerations are critical in leadership-team performance research. Nevertheless, the body of research remains to be not cohesive. Thus, the study answers a call in the leadership area for a more context-based and cohesive understanding of the effects of leadership on team performance.
Population asynchrony alone does not explain stability in species‐rich soil animal assemblages: The stabilizing role of forest age on oribatid mite communities
Authors: Caruso Tancredi , Melecis Viesturs , Kagainis Ugis , Bolger Tom
Published: March 2020

The importance of microbial and plant communities in the control of the diversity and structure of soil animal communities has been clarified over the last decade. Previous research focused on abiotic factors, niche separation and spatial patterns. Significant gaps still exist in our knowledge of the factors that control the stability of these communities over time.

We analysed a 9‐year dataset from the national Long‐term Ecological Research Network of Latvia. We focused on 117 oribatid species from three Scots pine forests of different age (<40, 65 and >150 years) and structure. For each forest type, 100 samples were collected each year, providing very high replication and long time series for a soil community. We assessed different aspects of stability: we used a dynamic null model, parameterized on observed growth rates, to test the hypothesis that asynchrony in species populations stabilizes total community size; we also analysed alpha and beta diversity over time to test the hypothesis that temporal variation in species composition and relative abundances is controlled by forest attributes.

Real communities can be more stable than their stochastic counterparts if species are asynchronous, confirming for the first time the role of asynchrony in stabilizing soil communities. Yet, while some real communities were more stable and had higher abundance and growth rates than others, they were not necessarily more asynchronous than the less stable communities. Species composition and relative abundances were also less variable in the more stable communities.

Species asynchrony generally stabilizes species‐rich communities but is not sufficient to explain the different levels of stability between forests. Forest age is a key factor explaining the different levels of overyielding and so stability. Data suggest that both asynchrony and high diversity of microhabitat structure of Scots pine forests promote the stability of soil animal communities.
Life and labor on the internal colonial edge: Political economy of kolberi in Rojhelat
Authors: Soleimani Kamal , Mohammadpour Ahmad
Published: March 2020

Through the investigation of kolberi (cross‐border labor), this paper sheds light on the state’s policy of de‐development (or internal colonialization) of the Kurdish region (known as Rojhelat) in Iran. While the most dangerous form of labor, kolberi has become a dominant employment opportunity for Rojhelat Kurds in the last decade. There are no Iranian state laws criminalizing kolberi, and yet those laborers die on a regular basis—being shot or thrown off mountain cliffs by the state forces, stepping into minefields, and so forth. Nevertheless, there is not a single scholarly paper on this subject. Using the mixed methods research approach, our study analyzes the existing data along with in‐depth interviews with 20 people who are currently engaged in kolberi to contextualize this understudied phenomenon. Our finding demonstrates that kolberi is a direct outcome of a uni‐ethno‐religious policies of development and part and parcel of the state's Perso‐Shi‘ification strategy in Kurdistan. Therefore, kolberi is more of a political phenomenon than an economic one.
One‐carbon metabolism, folate, zinc and translation
Authors: Danchin Antoine , Sekowska Agnieszka , You Conghui
Published: March 2020

The translation process, central to life, is tightly connected to the one‐carbon (1‐C) metabolism via a plethora of macromolecule modifications and specific effectors. Using manual genome annotations and putting together a variety of experimental studies, we explore here the possible reasons of this critical interaction, likely to have originated during the earliest steps of the birth of the first cells. Methionine, S‐adenosylmethionine and tetrahydrofolate dominate this interaction. Yet, 1‐C metabolism is unlikely to be a simple frozen accident of primaeval conditions. Reactive 1‐C species (ROCS) are buffered by the translation machinery in a way tightly associated with the metabolism of iron–sulfur clusters, zinc and potassium availability, possibly coupling carbon metabolism to nitrogen metabolism. In this process, the highly modified position 34 of tRNA molecules plays a critical role. Overall, this metabolic integration may serve both as a protection against the deleterious formation of excess carbon under various growth transitions or environmental unbalanced conditions and as a regulator of zinc homeostasis, while regulating input of prosthetic groups into nascent proteins. This knowledge should be taken into account in metabolic engineering.
Residual volatile anesthetics after workstation preparation and activated charcoal filtration
Authors: Müller‐Wirtz Lukas M. , Godsch Christine , Sessler Daniel I. , Volk Thomas , Kreuer Sascha , Hüppe Tobias
Published: March 2020

Background

Volatile anesthetics potentially trigger malignant hyperthermia crises in susceptible patients. We therefore aimed to identify preparation procedures for the Draeger Primus that minimize residual concentrations of desflurane and sevoflurane with and without activated charcoal filtration.

Methods

A Draeger Primus test workstation was primed with 7% desflurane or 2.5% sevoflurane for 2 hours. Residual anesthetic concentrations were evaluated with five preparation procedures, three fresh gas flow rates, and three distinct applications of activated charcoal filters. Finally, non‐exchangeable and autoclaved parts of the workstation were tested for residual emission of volatile anesthetics. Concentrations were measured by multicapillary column–ion mobility spectrometry with limits of detection/quantification being <1 part per billion (ppb) for desflurane and <2.5 ppb for sevoflurane.

Results

The best preparation procedure included a flushing period of 10 minutes between removal and replacement of all parts of the ventilator circuit which immediately produced residual concentrations <5 ppm. A fresh gas flow of 10 L/minute reduced residual concentration as effectively as 18 L/minute, whereas flows of 1 or 5 L/minute slowed washout. Use of activated charcoal filters immediately reduced and maintained residual concentrations <5 ppm for up to 24 hours irrespective of previous workstation preparation. The fresh gas hose, circle system, and ventilator diaphragm emitted traces of volatile anesthetics.

Conclusion

In elective cases, presumably safe concentrations can be obtained by a 10‐minute flush at ≥10 L/minute between removal and replacement all components of the airway circuit. For emergencies, we recommend using an activated charcoal filter.
Inhibition of Receptor Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase β/ζ Reduces Alcohol Intake in Rats
Authors: Calleja‐Conde Javier , Fernández‐Calle Rosalía , Zapico José M. , Ramos Ana , de Pascual‐Teresa Beatriz , Bühler Kora‐Mareen , Echeverry‐Alzate Victor , Giné Elena , Rodríguez de Fonseca Fernando , López‐Moreno Jose Antonio , Herradón Gonzalo
Published: March 2020

Background

Pleiotrophin (PTN) and midkine (MK) are cytokines that are up‐regulated in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) after alcohol administration and have been shown to reduce alcohol intake and reward. Both cytokines are endogenous inhibitors of receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase (RPTP) β/ζ (a.k.a. PTPRZ1). Recently, a new compound named MY10 was designed with the aim of mimicking the activity of PTN and MK. MY10 has already shown promising results regulating alcohol‐related behaviors in mice.

Methods

We have now tested the effects of MY10 on alcohol operant self‐administration and Drinking In the Dark‐Multiple Scheduled Access (DID‐MSA) paradigms in rats. Gene expression of relevant genes in the PTN/MK signaling pathway in the PFC was analyzed by real‐time PCR.

Results

MY10, at the highest dose tested (100 mg/kg), reduced alcohol consumption in the alcohol operant self‐administration paradigm (p = 0.040). In the DID‐MSA paradigm, rats drank significantly less alcohol (p = 0.019) and showed a significant decrease in alcohol preference (p = 0.002). We observed that the longer the exposure to alcohol, the greater the suppressing effects of MY10 on alcohol consumption. It was demonstrated that the effects of MY10 were specific to alcohol since saccharin intake was not affected by MY10 (p = 0.804). MY10 prevented the alcohol‐induced down‐regulation of Ptprz1 (p = 0.004) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (Alk; p = 0.013) expression.

Conclusions

Our results support and provide further evidence regarding the efficacy of MY10 on alcohol‐related behaviors and suggest the consideration of the blockade of RPTPβ/ζ as a target for reducing excessive alcohol consumption.
Crocodylian conservation and evolution insights from an anatomical and histological examination of phalli from male false gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii)
Authors: Moore Brandon C. , Fitri Wan‐Nor , Augustine Lauren
Published: March 2020

As wild population threats for the endangered false gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii) persist, conservation breeding programs, including developing semen collection techniques for subsequent artificial insemination, are becoming important species conservation measures. Developing reproductive biology understanding of a species is important to developing best practices and hopefully maximizing reproductive successes. However, information on crocodylians functional copulatory anatomy in general is lacking. To that end, zoological facilities and conservation centres have the exceptional opportunity to contribute new understandings that may not otherwise be attainable regarding crocodylian reproductive anatomy, particularly during routine physical examinations or post‐mortem necropsies. Therefore, to better understand T. schlegelii reproductive biology, to contribute knowledge in support of zoo breeding conservation efforts and to contribute to what is known overall about crocodylian reproduction, we investigated phallic anatomy of adult male Tomistoma from two zoological populations, the St. Louis Zoo, USA and Sungai Dusun Wildlife Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia. Here, we present the gross anatomical features and histological analysis of underlying tissue‐level details in pursuit of a better understanding of copulatory function and associated gamete transfer mechanisms. While much of the overall Tomistoma phallic morphology and inferred function corresponds to that of other crocodylian species and speaks to conserved aspects of functional anatomy across taxa, species‐specific aspects of glans and glans tip morphology are also identified. These novelties are discussed in a general function and overall broader evolutionary contexts.
Retinal microvascular attenuation in mental cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease by optical coherence tomography angiography
Authors: Wu Jing , Zhang Xiaojun , Azhati Guliqiwaer , Li Tingting , Xu Guoxing , Liu Fang
Published: March 2020

Purpose

To explore regional variation of the macular microvasculature in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), also to detect the association between retinal macular microvascular parameters and the progress of preclinical AD.

Methods

Prospective study of healthy controls, patients with MCI and patients with AD by using Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT‐A). We quantified foveal avascular zone (FAZ) areas, densities of the superficial retinal capillary plexuses (SRCP) and deep retinal capillary plexuses (DRCP). The SRCP and DRCP were divided into inner (3 mm) and external (6 mm) annular rings, each containing four quadrants (SI, II, TI, NI, SE, IE, TE and NE). The data were analysed statistically by using SPSS 22 software.

Results

Totally, 60 subjects including 21 HC (33 eyes), 21 patients with MCI (32 eyes) and 18 AD patients (28 eyes) were recruited. The microvascular densities of DRCP at all quadrants of the parafovea and perifovea were significantly lower in AD patients compared to HC group (p < 0.05). Compared to the HCs, MCI patients showed significant microvascular loss in most sectors of the parafovea and the SE sector of the DRCP (p < 0.05), but not in the parafovea (p = 0.829) or perifovea (p = 0.824) of the SRCP. No significant difference was found in microvascular density of SRCP among the groups, except at SI between the AD and HC groups (p = 0.048).

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrated the macular microvascular attenuation in MCI and AD patients. Both AD and MCI patients showed retinal microvascular density loss, which is more significant in the deep retinal capillary plexuses. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT‐A) can be used to identify early microvascular abnormalities in AD and MCI. Quantified microvascular density in the DRCP might serve as potential biomarkers of early sign of AD then contribute to forestall the progression of preclinical AD.
Comparison studies of the chemical, physical, technological, and microbiological characteristics of the European roe deer, boar, red deer, and beaver hunted wild game meat
Authors: Klupsaite Dovile , Buckiuniene Vilija , Sidlauskiene Sonata , Lele Vita , Sakiene Vytaute , Zavistanaviciute Paulina , Klementaviciute Jolita , Viskontaite Ema , Bartkiene Elena
Published: March 2020

The aim of this research was to perform comparison studies of the chemical, physical, technological, and microbiological characteristics, including biogenic amines (BAs) and volatile compounds (VC), of the European roe deer (RDM), boar (BoM), red deer (ReDM), and beaver (BM) hunted wild game meat (HWGM). The outcome of this study showed a significant effect (p < .05) of animal species on protein content, pH, drip loss, shear force, cooking loss, color coordinates, total count of enterobacteria, and most of the VC. ReDM had the highest protein content (23.15%), cooking loss, L* and b* values. The lowest protein and cholesterol content and L* value and the highest pH, shear force, drip loss, and fat content were established in BM having the highest content of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) (64.12% from total FA). The total UFA content in ReDM and BM was almost twofold higher, compared with saturated FA. Small amounts of main BAs (<7.8 mg/kg) were found in ReDM and BM, while a higher content of putrescine in RDM and BoM was established. The main VCs in HWGM were acetoin, pelargonic, and acetic acid. These findings provide a valuable data about the HWGM quality characteristics and might aid food manufacturers to improve and enhance the processing of the HWGM.
Identifying animal welfare impacts of livestock air transport
Authors: Collins T , Stockman C , Hampton JO , Barnes A
Published: March 2020

Air transport of livestock occurs frequently from most Australian major cities. The total journey time starts with road transport from the farm or pre‐export facility to the departing airport where livestock are crated, and ends with the unloading of animals at the premises or farm in the importing country. We reviewed the literature regarding airfreight and conclude that there was minimal information on current practices within this industry, particularly for procedures after arrival at the Australian airport, and during the on‐board phase.
Folate‐appended cyclodextrin carrier targets ovarian cancer cells expressing the proton‐coupled folate transporter
Authors: Saito Shinichi , Koya Yoshihiro , Kajiyama Hiroaki , Yamashita Mamoru , Kikkawa Fumitaka , Nawa Akihiro
Published: March 2020

Folate receptor alpha (FRα) is overexpressed in >80% of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Accordingly, folate is attracting attention as a targeting ligand for EOC. For EOC patients, paclitaxel (PTX) is generally used as a first‐line chemotherapeutic agent in combination with platinum‐based drugs. Cyclodextrin (CyD) is a potential new formulation vehicle for PTX that could replace Cremophor‐EL, a traditional formulation vehicle that causes significant side effects, including neutropenia. Several years ago, folate‐appended β‐CyD (Fol‐c1‐β‐CyD) was developed as an FRα‐targeting drug carrier, but its efficacy as a treatment for EOC remains to be determined. In this study, we assessed the antitumor activity of PTX in Fol‐c1‐β‐CyD (PTX/Fol‐c1‐β‐CyD) in EOC‐derived cell lines. We found that PTX/Fol‐c1‐β‐CyD killed not only FRα‐expressing cells but also FRα‐negative cells. In the FRα‐negative A2780 cells, knockdown of proton‐coupled folate transporter (PCFT) significantly decreased the cytotoxicity of PTX/Fol‐c1‐β‐CyD, whereas knockdown of FRα did not. By contrast, knockdown of either FRα or proton‐coupled folate transporter (PCFT) decreased the cytotoxicity of PTX/Fol‐c1‐β‐CyD in FRα‐expressing SK‐OV‐3 cells. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of PTX/Fol‐c1‐β‐CyD in A2780 cells was increased at acidic pH, and this increase was suppressed by PCFT inhibitor. In mice intraperitoneally inoculated with FRα‐expressing or PCFT‐expressing EOC cells, intraperitoneal administration of PTX/Fol‐c1‐β‐CyD significantly suppressed the growth of both types of EOC cells relative to PTX alone, without inducing a significant change in the neutrophil/white blood cell ratio. Our data suggest that Fol‐c1‐β‐CyD targets not only FRα but also PCFT, and can efficiently deliver anticancer drugs to EOC cells in the peritoneal cavity.