bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Narrating the China Threat: Securitising Chinese Economic Presence in Europe
Authors: Rogelja Igor , Tsimonis Konstantinos
Published: November 2019

This article unpacks the discursive construction of a European ‘China Threat’ narrative by European think tanks. We theorise think tanks as crucial actors in the securitising process, especially at the initial stages where ideas and reference frames are formed. Despite having no decision-making authority, think tanks participate as securitising actors in the process of idea formation and bidding, articulating a securitised frame of reference for policy makers. In the case of EU–China relations, we observe an emerging congruence between think tanks and policy makers that engage in a non-linear construction of a ‘China Threat’ policy frame. In this article, we review key think tank reports that are circulated through official EU policy channels and deconstruct the assumptions behind the ‘China Threat’ discourse. We first argue that, analytically, their securitising attempt is characterised by a distorted representation of Chinese economic activities abroad, including those falling under the Belt and Road Initiative. Second, politically, this narrative produces a distorted notion of European politics where pluralism is weakness and disagreement dissent, promoting a view of the EU where ‘responsible’ core countries must contain the periphery’s ‘opportunism’. Third, we contend that despite defending ‘Europeanness’ as the epitome of human rights and democracy, the securitisation of Chinese FDI rests on othering practices that risk undermining those very ideals. By identifying the problematic undertones of this securitising effort, we call for a fact-based and pluralistic debate on the challenges of Chinese investment and financing for European economies and societies.
Risk factors for non-diabetic renal disease in diabetic patients
Authors: Bermejo Sheila , González Ester , López-Revuelta Katia , Ibernon Meritxell , López Diana , Martín-Gómez Adoración , Garcia-Osuna Rosa , Linares Tania , Díaz Montserrat , Martín Nàdia , Barros Xoana , Marco Helena , Navarro Maruja Isabel , Esparza Noemí , Elias Sandra , Coloma Ana , Robles Nicolás Roberto , Agraz Irene , Poch Esteban , Rodas Lida , Lozano Víctor , Fernández Beatriz , Hernández Eduardo , Martínez Maria Isabel , Stanescu Ramona Ionela , Moirón José Pelayo , García Núria , Goicoechea Marian , Calero Francesca , Bonet Josep , Galceran Josep M , Liaño Fernando , Pascual Julio , Praga Manuel , Fulladosa Xavier , Soler María José
Published: November 2019

Background

Diabetic patients with kidney disease have a high prevalence of non-diabetic renal disease (NDRD). Renal and patient survival regarding the diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) or NDRD have not been widely studied. The aim of our study is to evaluate the prevalence of NDRD in patients with diabetes and to determine the capacity of clinical and analytical data in the prediction of NDRD. In addition, we will study renal and patient prognosis according to the renal biopsy findings in patients with diabetes.

Methods

Retrospective multicentre observational study of renal biopsies performed in patients with diabetes from 2002 to 2014.

Results

In total, 832 patients were included: 621 men (74.6%), mean age of 61.7 ± 12.8 years, creatinine was 2.8 ± 2.2 mg/dL and proteinuria 2.7 (interquartile range: 1.2–5.4) g/24 h. About 39.5% (n = 329) of patients had DN, 49.6% (n = 413) NDRD and 10.8% (n = 90) mixed forms. The most frequent NDRD was nephroangiosclerosis (NAS) (n = 87, 9.3%). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, older age [odds ratio (OR) = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.02–1.05, P < 0.001], microhaematuria (OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.03–2.21, P = 0.033) and absence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) (OR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.19–0.42, P < 0.001) were independently associated with NDRD. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that patients with DN or mixed forms presented worse renal prognosis than NDRD (P < 0.001) and higher mortality (P = 0.029). In multivariate Cox analyses, older age (P < 0.001), higher serum creatinine (P < 0.001), higher proteinuria (P < 0.001), DR (P = 0.007) and DN (P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for renal replacement therapy. In addition, older age (P < 0.001), peripheral vascular disease (P = 0.002), higher creatinine (P = 0.01) and DN (P = 0.015) were independent risk factors for mortality.

Conclusions

The most frequent cause of NDRD is NAS. Elderly patients with microhaematuria and the absence of DR are the ones at risk for NDRD. Patients with DN presented worse renal prognosis and higher mortality than those with NDRD. These results suggest that in some patients with diabetes, kidney biopsy may be useful for an accurate renal diagnosis and subsequently treatment and prognosis.
Reduction in mental health treatment utilization among transgender individuals after gender-affirming surgeries: A total population study
Authors: Bränström R , Pachankis J E
Published: November 2019

Background

Despite professional recommendations to consider gender-affirming hormonal and surgical interventions for transgender individuals with gender dysphoria, the long-term effect of such interventions on mental health is largely unknown. This study aims to ascertain the prevalence of mood and anxiety disorder healthcare visits and antidepressant and anxiolytic prescriptions in 2015 as a function of gender dysphoria diagnosis and gender-affirming medical treatment in the entire Swedish population.

Methods

This study used the Swedish Total Population Register (n = 9,747,324), linked to the National Patient Register and Prescribed Drug Register. Among those who received a gender dysphoria diagnosis between 2005 and 2015 (n = 2,679), mental health treatment in 2015 was examined as a function of length of time since gender-affirming medical treatment. The main outcome measure was mood and anxiety disorder healthcare visits and antidepressant and anxiolytic prescriptions.

Results

Compared to the general population, individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria were about six times as likely to have had a mood and anxiety disorder healthcare visit and more than three times as likely to have been prescribed antidepressants and anxiolytics. Years since initiating hormones was not significantly related to likelihood of mental health treatment (AOR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.98, 1.03). However, increased time since last gender-affirming surgery was associated with reduced mental health treatment (AOR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.87, 0.98).

Conclusions

In this first total population study of transgender individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria, the longitudinal association between gender-affirming surgery and reduced likelihood of mental health treatment lends support to the decision to provide gender-affirming surgeries to transgender individuals who seek them.

Main messages: This study lends support to the decision to provide gender-affirming surgeries to transgender individuals who seek them.
Health impact assessment: what it takes, what it can and cannot deliver
Authors: Martuzzi M , Nowacki J
Published: November 2019

WHO, along with other health agencies, has been long promoting intersectoral action between health and all sectors of society, so as to address major, “upstream” determinants of health. Sectors as environment, transport, energy, agriculture etc, influence countless, powerful such determinants, mostly out of reach for the health sector; health-friendly (or at least health-minded) decisions on those determinants can result in a strong leverage for health advocates to achieve primary prevention.

This undertaking requires: the establishment of a common language to be used with other sectors; the recognition of the complex web of causation between health determinants and health outcomes; commitment to working with a broad model of health combined with a preparedness to prioritise where necessary; a sound comprehension of the reality of decision making in different political environments; realistic expectations on what can and cannot be achieved through cross-sectoral dialogue; willingness to listen to stakeholders; constant attention towards health equity.

Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is an established approach towards these goals. HIA describes a broad range of methods and tools, building on different disciplines and expertise. HIA aims at estimating and predicting consequences and impacts of proposed policies and plans, with the ultimate goal of influencing decisions, making them more health friendly, equitable, legitimate and sustainable.

The practice of HIA has been evolving in the last 20 years. Many years of application have been instrumental in identifying strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats in different settings. HIA has delivered handsomely in some countries or regions, while it struggles to become established in others. A continued critical evaluation of successes and failures remain important to make further progress in this domain. In this presentation, WHO will present recent progress and open questions on the practice of HIA in Europe.
Applying a One Health approach to inter- and trans-disciplinary research on antimicrobial resistance
Authors: Falkenberg T
Published: November 2019

This presentation will focus on the value and process as well as the opportunities and challenges of applying a One Health approach to conduct inter- and trans-disciplinary research on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) based on experiences in the Forschungskolleg (graduate school) “One Health and urban transformation” (https://www.zef.de/onehealth.html), hosted at the Center for Development Research in Bonn. The One Health approach acknowledges that human health is inextricably intertwined with animal health and the environment and that solutions to health issues can only be achieved by close collaboration and integrated approaches of those three domains. In the complex context of AMR, One Health is often mentioned as one promising way forward for managing and mitigating the approaching health crisis due to its inherent holistic and interdisciplinary nature. The presentation will provide an overview of inter- and trans-disciplinary research around One Health and AMR from the Forschungskolleg thereby exploring enabling factors and obstacles encountered.
Long-reads reveal that the chloroplast genome exists in two distinct versions in most plants
Authors: Wang Weiwen , Lanfear Robert
Published: November 2019

The chloroplast genome usually has a quadripartite structure consisting of a large single copy region and a small single copy region separated by two long inverted repeats. It has been known for some time that a single cell may contain at least two structural haplotypes of this structure, which differ in the relative orientation of the single copy regions. However, the methods required to detect and measure the abundance of the structural haplotypes are labour-intensive, and this phenomenon remains understudied. Here we develop a new method, Cp-hap, to detect all possible structural haplotypes of chloroplast genomes of quadripartite structure using long-read sequencing data. We use this method to conduct a systematic analysis and quantification of chloroplast structural haplotypes in 61 land plant species across 19 orders of Angiosperms, Gymnosperms and Pteridophytes. Our results show that there are two chloroplast structural haplotypes which occur with equal frequency in most land plant individuals. Nevertheless, species whose chloroplast genomes lack inverted repeats or have short inverted repeats have just a single structural haplotype. We also show that the relative abundance of the two structural haplotypes remains constant across multiple samples from a single individual plant, suggesting that the process which maintains equal frequency of the two haplotypes operates rapidly, consistent with the hypothesis that flip-flop recombination mediates chloroplast structural heteroplasmy. Our results suggest that previous claims of differences in chloroplast genome structure between species may need to be revisited.
Organizational perspectives on the maneuver warfare movement in the United States Marine Corps: insights from the work of James G. March
Authors: Augier Mie , Barrett Sean F X
Published: November 2019

This article describes a key period in the institutional and organizational history of the United States Marine Corps. Using historical, archival, and interview material, we apply some of the ideas and perspectives of James G. March to understand the organizational dynamics and mechanisms that enabled the maneuver warfare movement and made the modern Marine Corps a more innovative and adaptive organization. We build on and integrate several streams of March’s research, legacies, and interests, including understanding the organizational conditions that help novelty and outlier-ness flourish, finding interest and value in apparent contradictions, and deriving implications for organizational scholarship and for the organization under study.
The Lived Experience of Refugee Children in Informal Camp Settlements: A Photovoice Project in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon
Authors: Karr Valerie L. , Sajadi Shahrzad , Aronson-Ensign Katherine
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this study was to use photovoice—a participatory action research methodology that allows participants to leverage the creative medium of photography to capture their ‘lived experience’—among Syrian refugees living in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon. The study found that participants (children and adolescents between the ages of 8 and 18 years) demonstrated a remarkable number of resilience strategies (88 per cent) at multiple levels (individual, family, school and community). Resilience was demonstrated through their interactions with nature to seek solitude and solace, family connections, school, friends, accomplishments and their broader community. A smaller number of participants spoke of topics related to trauma and loss (12 per cent). The study demonstrates the usefulness and viability of photovoice in capturing the fears, wants and wishes of vulnerable populations as well as strategies employed by them in the face of adversity. As such, it is a potentially powerful tool for empowerment, raising awareness and promoting social change.
A rare case report of locally recurrent hemorrhagic duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor: therapeutic challenges and review of prognostic indicators for recurrence
Authors: Mahmoud Schauki , Salman Hosam , Salami Maissam
Published: November 2019

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor is a rare neoplasm affecting gastrointestinal tract. Duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor originating from the fourth segment is considered an extremely rare disease. Surgical challenges arise when managing locally recurrent hemorrhagic duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor. A 58-year-old male presented with melena for the last 10 days. Thirty months previously, he had segmental resection of the fourth duodenal portion due to hemorrhagic gastrointestinal stromal tumor. No adjuvant imatinib therapy was administered (low risk for recurrence). The latest investigations showed actively bleeding tumor in the distal third portion of the duodenum, indicating a locally recurrent gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Uneventful emergent limited resection was performed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report describing locally recurrent gastrointestinal stromal tumor in the distal duodenal portion. We will explain the therapeutic challenges and risk stratification and discuss gastrointestinal bleeding as a prognostic indicator for gastrointestinal stromal tumor recurrence.
Revisiting cytomegalovirus serostatus and replication as risk factors for inferior long-term outcomes in the current era of renal transplantation
Authors: Bischof Nicole , Wehmeier Caroline , Dickenmann Michael , Hirt-Minkowski Patricia , Amico Patrizia , Steiger Jürg , Naegele Klaudia , Hirsch Hans H , Schaub Stefan
Published: November 2019

Background

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) serostatus and CMV replication are considered as risk factors for inferior graft and patient survival after renal transplantation, but long-term outcome data are limited. The aim of this retrospective single-centre study was to investigate the impact of CMV serostatus and CMV replication/disease on long-term outcomes in a well-defined cohort managed by a standardized CMV prevention/treatment protocol.

Methods

We investigated 599 consecutive kidney transplantations having a CMV prevention protocol consisting of either prophylaxis (D+/R− and R+ with ATG induction) or screening/deferred therapy (R+ without ATG induction). Patients were grouped according to CMV serostatus [high risk (D+/R−): n = 122; intermediate risk (R+): n = 306; low risk (D−/R−): n = 171] and occurrence of CMV replication/disease (no CMV replication: n = 419; asymptomatic CMV replication: n = 110; CMV syndrome: n = 39; tissue-invasive CMV disease: n = 31). The median follow-up time was 6.5 years.

Results

Graft and patient survival were not different among the three CMV serostatus groups as well as the four CMV replication/disease groups (P ≥ 0.44). Eighty-seven patients died, 17 due to infections (21%), but none was attributable to CMV. The overall hospitalization incidence for CMV-related infection was 3% (17/599 patients). The incidence of clinical and (sub)clinical rejection was similar among the groups (P ≥ 0.17). In a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, neither CMV serostatus, nor CMV replication, nor CMV disease were independent predictors for patient death or graft failure, respectively.

Conclusions

This retrospective single-centre study suggests that the negative impact of CMV infection on long-term patient and allograft survival as well as on allograft rejection can be largely eliminated with current diagnostic/therapeutic management.
Presumed Mexican Until Proven Otherwise: Identity Work and Intersectional Typicality among Middle-Class Dominican and Mexican Immigrants
Authors: Browne Irene , Tatum Katharine , Gonzalez Belisa
Published: November 2019

Non-Latino natives often conflate “Latino” with “Mexican,” treating Mexican as a stigmatized group. Latinos often engage in “identity work” to neutralize this stigmatized identity. We link these micro processes of identity work with macro structures of stratification through “intersectional typicality.” We argue that the selection of which positive traits immigrants highlight to avoid stigma is systematic and tied to intersecting dimensions of race and class stratification at the macro level. We argue that this process is context-specific. We use the case of middle-class Dominicans and Mexicans living in Atlanta. Our findings show that both groups perceive that the pervasive image of the typical Latino in Atlanta is that of a working-class Mexican. While both groups perceive this image to be low-status, they diverge in their strategies for countering this presumption. Mexicans emphasize their middle-class status and often try to change the typical image of Latinos. Dominicans emphasize that they are not Mexican and highlight their atypicality. Interview data show that Dominicans are concerned about the Mexican label because of embedded working-class assumptions. We argue that although many respondents successfully avoid negative stereotyping, their identity work actually reaffirms the low-status meaning of the typical Latino category.
Absence, Ambiguity, and Deviating Pleasure Activism: The Tokyo Rainbow Film Festival
Authors: QIN Qin
Published: November 2019

Whereas several Japanese popular magazines have published reports and interviews on LGBT film festival curators, little scholarship has shed light on Japanese LGBT film festivals. This article serves as a case study of how the festival enables the festival community—cinephiles, LGBT audiences, organized groups of activists, and indie filmmakers—to share ideas and coordinate within and outside the metropolis. I conduct a synchronic and diachronic study to sketch the historical trajectory of the festivalgoers, material spaces, festival formation, curation, and programming. In utilizing a methodological framework which includes geopolitics, gender, film, and organizational studies, this article proposes an approach that juxtaposes the classic concept of ‘counterpublics’ with the theoretical reading of affective politics and pleasure activism. The findings suggest that the Tokyo Rainbow Reel Film Festival functions as a site of discursive political stances and affective disposition. The ambiguity of the film festival space correlates closely with two factors: Japanese homophobia, or ‘the absence of LGBT’, and an unorthodox pleasure activism that does not include suffering and oppression.
Why the book “More than Medicine: the Broken Promise of American Health” is important to the future of behavioral medicine, health psychology, and public health
Authors: Wilson Dawn K
Published: November 2019

In his book, “More than Medicine: The Broken Promise of American Health,” Robert Kaplan brings together extensive data to make the case that healthcare priorities in the USA need to place greater emphasis on behavioral, social and environmental determinants of health. Kaplan argues that the effect sizes for health outcomes resulting from environmental exposures, stress, and socioeconomic status are all much larger than are many traditional biological risk factors. There are discrepancies between estimates of how much the National Institutes of Health spends on behavioral and social sciences research, but an independent evaluation suggests it is <5% of the entire budget. Addressing this neglect requires advocacy and bringing together of like-minded organizations to promote more funding for behavioral interventions, health promotion and public health policies to address important contextual factors such as poverty, lack of education, and poor environmental conditions. Importantly, Kaplan argues that several metrics to integrate life expectancy and quality of life have been proposed and allow healthcare providers to prioritize the value of health over the volume of healthcare delivered. Although standards exist, there are still a limited number of studies on the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of behavioral and public health interventions.
Fas‐apoptotic inhibitory molecule 2 localizes to the lysosome and facilitates autophagosome‐lysosome fusion through the LC3 interaction region motif–dependent interaction with LC3
Authors: Hong Caroline Jeeyeon , Yeon Jihye , Yeo Bo Kyoung , Woo Hanwoong , An Hyun‐Kyu , Heo Woojung , Kim Kyuhyung , Yu Seong‐Woon
Published: November 2019

Fas‐apoptotic inhibitory molecule 2 (FAIM2) is a member of the transmembrane BAX inhibitor motif–containing (TMBIM) family. TMBIM family is comprised of six anti‐apoptotic proteins that suppress cell death by regulating endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ homeostasis. Recent studies have implicated two TMBIM proteins, GRINA and BAX Inhibitor‐1, in mediating cytoprotection via autophagy. However, whether FAIM2 plays a role in autophagy has been unknown. Here we show that FAIM2 localizes to the lysosomes at basal state and facilitates autophagy through interaction with microtubule‐associated protein 1 light chain 3 proteins in human neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells. FAIM2 overexpression increased autophagy flux, while autophagy flux was impaired in shRNA‐mediated knockdown (shFAIM2) cells, and the impairment was more evident in the presence of rapamycin. In shFAIM2 cells, autophagosome maturation through fusion with lysosomes was impaired, leading to accumulation of autophagosomes. A functional LC3‐interacting region motif within FAIM2 was essential for the interaction with LC3 and rescue of autophagy flux in shFAIM2 cells while LC3‐binding property of FAIM2 was dispensable for the anti‐apoptotic function in response to Fas receptor‐mediated apoptosis. Suppression of autophagosome maturation was also observed in a null mutant of Caenorhabditis elegans lacking xbx‐6, the ortholog of FAIM2. Our study suggests that FAIM2 is a novel regulator of autophagy mediating autophagosome maturation through the interaction with LC3.
Quantifying segregation in an integrated urban physical-social space
Authors: Xu Yang , Belyi Alexander , Santi Paolo , Ratti Carlo
Published: November 2019

Our knowledge of how cities bring together different social classes is still limited. Much effort has been devoted to investigating residential segregation, mostly over well-defined social groups (e.g. race). Little is known of how mobility and human communications affect urban social integration. The dynamics of spatial and social-network segregation and individual variations along these two dimensions are largely untapped. In this article, we put forward a computational framework based on coupling large-scale information on human mobility, social-network connections and people’s socio-economic status (SES), to provide a breakthrough in our understanding of the dynamics of spatio-temporal and social-network segregation in cities. Building on top of a social similarity measure, the framework can be used to depict segregation dynamics down to the individual level, and also provide aggregate measurements at the scale of places and cities, and their evolution over time. By applying the methodology in Singapore using large-scale mobile phone and socio-economic datasets, we find a relatively higher level of segregation among relatively wealthier classes, a finding that holds for both social and physical space. We also highlight the interplay between the effect of distance decay and homophily as forces that determine communication intensity, defining a notion of characteristic ‘homophily distance’ that can be used to measure social segregation across cities. The time-resolved analysis reveals the changing landscape of urban segregation and the time-varying roles of places. Segregations in physical and social space are weakly correlated at the individual level but highly correlated when grouped across at least hundreds of individuals. The methodology and analysis presented in this paper enable a deeper understanding of the dynamics of human segregation in social and physical space, which can assist social scientists, planners and city authorities in the design of more integrated cities.
Transcriptional regulation in model organisms: recent progress and clinical implications
Authors: Tang Jiaqi , Xu Zhenhua , Huang Lianfang , Luo Hui , Zhu Xiao
Published: November 2019

In this review, we will summarize model organisms used by scientists in the laboratory, including
Escherichia coli
, yeast,
Arabidopsis thaliana
, nematodes,
Drosophila
, zebrafish, mice and other animals. We focus on the progress in research exploring different types of
E. coli
in the human body, and the specific molecular mechanisms by which they play a role in humans. First, we discuss the specific transcriptional regulation mechanism of
E. coli
in cell development, maturation, ageing and longevity, as well as tumorigenesis and development. Then, we discuss how the synthesis of some important substances in cells is regulated and how this affects biological behaviour. Understanding and applying these mechanisms, presumably, can greatly improve the quality of people's lives as well as increase their lifespan. For example, some
E. coli
can activate certain cells by secreting insulin-like growth factor-1, thus activating the inflammatory response of the body, while other
E. coli
can inactivate the immune response of the body by secreting toxic factors.
Posterior-based proposals for speeding up Markov chain Monte Carlo
Authors: Pooley C. M. , Bishop S. C. , Doeschl-Wilson A. , Marion G.
Published: November 2019

Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) is widely used for Bayesian inference in models of complex systems. Performance, however, is often unsatisfactory in models with many latent variables due to so-called poor mixing, necessitating the development of application-specific implementations. This paper introduces ‘posterior-based proposals' (PBPs), a new type of MCMC update applicable to a huge class of statistical models (whose conditional dependence structures are represented by directed acyclic graphs). PBPs generate large joint updates in parameter and latent variable space, while retaining good acceptance rates (typically 33%). Evaluation against other approaches (from standard Gibbs/random walk updates to state-of-the-art Hamiltonian and particle MCMC methods) was carried out for widely varying model types: an individual-based model for disease diagnostic test data, a financial stochastic volatility model, a mixed model used in statistical genetics and a population model used in ecology. While different methods worked better or worse in different scenarios, PBPs were found to be either near to the fastest or significantly faster than the next best approach (by up to a factor of 10). PBPs, therefore, represent an additional general purpose technique that can be usefully applied in a wide variety of contexts.
Social context alters spatial memory performance in free-living male prairie voles
Authors: Rice Marissa A. , Sanín Gloria , Ophir Alexander G.
Published: November 2019

Spatial memory is crucial for mating success because it enables males to locate potential mates and potential competitors in space. Intraspecific competition and its varying intensity under certain conditions are potentially important for shaping spatial memory. For example, spatial memory could enable males to know where competitors are (contest competition), it could help males find mating partners (scramble competition) or both. We manipulated the intensity of intraspecific competition in two distinct contexts by altering the operational sex ratio of prairie voles (
Microtus ochrogaster
) living in outdoor enclosures by creating male- and female-biased sex ratios. After living freely under these contexts for four weeks, we compared males' performance in a laboratory spatial memory test. Males in the male-biased context demonstrated better spatial memory performance than males in the female-biased context. Notably, these data show that in spite of experiencing equally complex
spatial
contexts (i.e. natural outdoor enclosures), it was the
social
context that influenced spatial cognition, and it did so in a manner consistent with the hypothesis that spatial memory is particularly relevant for male–male interactions.
Cranial anatomy and taxonomy of the erythrosuchid archosauriform‘Vjushkovia triplicostata’Huene, 1960, from the Early Triassic of European Russia
Authors: Butler Richard J. , Sennikov Andrey G. , Dunne Emma M. , Ezcurra Martin D. , Hedrick Brandon P. , Maidment Susannah C. R. , Meade Luke E. , Raven Thomas J. , Gower David J.
Published: November 2019

Erythrosuchidae are a globally distributed and important group of apex predators that occupied Early and Middle Triassic terrestrial ecosystems following the Permo-Triassic mass extinction. The stratigraphically oldest known genus of Erythrosuchidae isGarjainiaOchev, 1958, which is known from the late Early Triassic (late Olenekian) of European Russia and South Africa. Two species ofGarjainiahave been reported from Russia: the type species,Garjainia primaOchev, 1958, and ‘Vjushkovia triplicostata’ von Huene, 1960, which has been referred toGarjainiaas either congeneric (Garjainiatriplicostata) or conspecific (G. prima). The holotype ofG. primahas received relatively extensive study, but little work has been conducted on type or referred material attributed to ‘V. triplicostata’. However, this material includes well-preserved fossils representing all parts of the skeleton and comprises seven individuals. Here, we provide a comprehensive description and review of the cranial anatomy of material attributed to ‘V. triplicostata’, and draw comparisons withG. prima. We conclude that the two Russian taxa are indeed conspecific, and that minor differences between them result from a combination of preservation or intraspecific variation. Our reassessment therefore provides additional information on the cranial anatomy ofG. prima. Moreover, we quantify relative head size in erythrosuchids and other early archosauromorphs in an explicit phylogenetic context for the first time. Our results show that erythrosuchids do indeed appear to have disproportionately large skulls, but that this is also true for other early archosauriforms (i.e. proterosuchids), and may reflect the invasion of hypercarnivorous niches by these groups following the Permo-Triassic extinction.
Transdiagnostic expression of interoceptive abnormalities in psychiatric conditions
Authors: Critchley Hugo D , Ewing Donna L , van Praag Cassandra Gould , Habash-Bailey Haniah , Eccles Jessica A , Meeten Fran , Garfinkel Sarah N
Published: November 2019

Background

Interoception, the sensing of information about the internal physiological state of the body, is proposed to be fundamental to normal and abnormal affective feelings. We undertook a cross-sectional characterisation of cardiac interoception in patients accessing secondary mental health services to understand how interoceptive abnormalities relate to psychiatric symptoms and diagnoses.

Methods

Patients attending adult mental health services (205 female, 101 male) and controls (42 female, 21 male) participated. Clinical diagnoses spanned affective disorders, personality disorders and psychoses. Physiological, bio-behavioural and subjective interoceptive measures included: 1) Basal heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV); 2) cardiac afferent effects on emotional processing (cardiac cycle modulation of ratings of fear vs. neutral faces); 3) perceptual accuracy, confidence, and metacognitive insight in heartbeat detection, and; 4) self-reported sensitivity to internal bodily sensations. We tested for transdiagnostic differences between patients and controls, then for correlations between interoceptive measures and affective symptoms, and for group differences across clinical diagnostic categories.

Results

Patients differed from controls in HRV, cardiac afferent effects on emotional processing, heartbeat discrimination accuracy, and heartbeat detection confidence. Anxiety and depression symptom severity correlated particularly with self-reported sensitivity to interoceptive experiences. Significant differences between diagnostic categories were observed for HRV, cardiac afferent effects on emotional processing, and subjective interoception. Patients with schizophrenia relative to other diagnoses intriguingly showed opposite cardiac afferent effects on emotion processing.

Conclusions

This multilevel characterisation identified interoceptive differences associated with psychiatric symptoms and diagnoses. Interoceptive mechanisms have potential value for the clinical stratification and therapeutic targeting of psychiatric disorders.
Extending the genotype inBrachypodiumby including DNA methylation reveals a joint contribution with genetics on adaptive traits
Authors: Eichten SR , Srivastava A , Reddiex A , Ganguly DR , Heussler A , Streich J , Wilson P , Borevitz JO
Published: November 2019

Epigenomic changes have been considered a potential missing link underlying phenotypic variation in quantitative traits but is potentially confounded with the underlying DNA sequence variation. Although the concept of epigenetic inheritance has been discussed in depth, there have been few studies attempting to directly dissect the amount of epigenomic variation within inbred natural populations while also accounting for genetic diversity. By using known genetic relationships betweenBrachypodiumlines, multiple sets of nearly identical accession families were selected for phenotypic studies and DNA methylome profiling to investigate the dual role of (epi)genetics under simulated natural seasonal climate conditions. Despite reduced genetic diversity, appreciable phenotypic variation was still observable in the measured traits (height, leaf width and length, tiller count, flowering time, ear count) between as well as within the inbred accessions. However, with reduced genetic diversity there was diminished variation in DNA methylation within families. Mixed-effects linear modelling revealed large genetic differences between families and a minor contribution of epigenomic variation on phenotypic variation in select traits. Taken together, this analysis suggests a limited but significant contribution of DNA methylation towards heritable phenotypic variation relative to genetic differences.
Molecular and cellular dissection of the OSBP cycle through a fluorescent inhibitor
Authors: Péresse Tiphaine , Kovacs David , Subra Mélody , Bigay Joëlle , Tsai Meng-Chen , Polidori Joël , Gautier Romain , Desrat Sandy , Fleuriot Lucile , Debayle Delphine , Litaudon Marc , Pham Van-Cuong , Bignon Jérôme , Antonny Bruno , Roussi Fanny , Mesmin Bruno
Published: November 2019

ORPphilins, natural molecules that strongly and selectively inhibit the growth of some cancer cell lines, are proposed to target intracellular lipid-transfer proteins of the Oxysterol-binding protein (OSBP) family. These conserved proteins exchange key lipids, such as cholesterol and phopsphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI(4)P), between organelle membranes. Among ORPphilins, molecules of the schweinfurthin family interfere with intracellular lipid distribution and metabolism, but their functioning at the molecular level is poorly understood. We report here that cell line sensitivity to schweinfurthin G (SWG) is inversely proportional to cellular level of OSBP. By taking advantage of the intrinsic fluorescence of SWG, we follow its fate in cell cultures and show that its incorporation at the TGN depends on OSBP cellular abundance. We report that SWG inhibits specifically the lipid exchange cycle of OSBP. As a consequence, post-Golgi trafficking, membrane cholesterol levels and PI(4)P turnover are affected. Finally, we demonstrate the direct binding of SWG into OSBP lipid-binding cavity by intermolecular FRET. Collectively these data describe for the first time a specific and intrinsically fluorescent pharmacological tool to dissect OSBP properties at the cellular and molecular levels.
Motility and Phototaxis ofGonium, the Simplest Differentiated Colonial Alga
Authors: de Maleprade Hélène , Moisy Frédéric , Ishikawa Takuji , Goldstein Raymond E.
Published: November 2019

Green algae of theVolvocinelineage, spanning from unicellularChlamydomonasto vastly largerVolvox, are models for the study of the evolution of multicellularity, flagellar dynamics, and developmental processes. Phototactic steering in these organisms occurs without a central nervous system, driven solely by the response of individual cells. All such algae spin about a body-fixed axis as they swim; directional photosensors on each cell thus receive periodic signals when that axis is not aligned with the light. The flagella ofChlamydomonasandVolvoxboth exhibit an adaptive response to such signals in a manner that allows for accurate phototaxis, but in the former the two flagella have distinct responses, while the thousands of flagella on the surface of sphericalVolvoxcolonies have essentially identical behaviour. The planar 16-cell speciesGonium pectoralethus presents a conundrum, for its central 4 cells have aChlamydomonas-like beat that provide propulsion normal to the plane, while its 12 peripheral cells generate rotation around the normal through aVolvox-like beat. Here, we combine experiment, theory, and computations to reveal howGonium, perhaps the simplest differentiated colonial organism, achieves phototaxis. High-resolution cell tracking, particle image velocimetry of flagellar driven flows, and high-speed imaging of flagella on micropipette-held colonies show how, in the context of a recently introduced model forChlamydomonasphototaxis, an adaptive response of the peripheral cells alone leads to photo-reorientation of the entire colony. The analysis also highlights the importance of local variations in flagellar beat dynamics within a given colony, which can lead to enhanced reorientation dynamics.
The engulfment receptor Draper organizes the postsynaptic spectrin cytoskeleton into corrals containing synaptic proteins and promotes synaptic renewal
Authors: Wang Simon , Wang Mannan , Kim Hae-yoon , Yoo Nicole , Raski Matias , Shih Claire , Zheng Clare , Tran Kevin , Parkhouse Wade , Krieger Charles , Harden Nicholas
Published: November 2019

The spectrin cytoskeleton is required for development of the Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) but its role is unclear. Here we show that the muscle spectrin lattice functions to corral membrane-associated synaptic proteins and limit their lateral mobility. Drosophila adducin, Hts, is required for integrity of the spectrin cytoskeleton and disruption of Hts function results in failure of the corrals. The spectrin cytoskeleton is itself patterned at the muscle membrane by the engulfment receptor Draper (Drpr) through regulation of Hts. We find patches of membrane where the spectrin cytoskeleton is organized into bilaterally symmetric patterns, which coincide with a field of Drpr-dependent structures similar to phagocytic pseudopods. The bilaterally symmetric patterns are likely created by folds of the muscle membrane in the pseudopods. We present evidence that the folds trap nascent boutons of motor neurons, leading to boutons with a bilaterally symmetric organization of the postsynaptic membrane. Drpr thus acts as a sensor of synaptic damage that promotes synaptogenesis.
Programmed transport and release of nanoscale cargo by immune cells
Authors: Meyer Daniel , Telele Saba , Zelená Anna , Neubert Elsa , Nißler Robert , Mann Florian , Erpenbeck Luise , Köster Sarah , Kruss Sebastian
Published: November 2019

Transport and delivery of (nanoscale) materials are crucial for many applications in biomedicine. However, controlled uptake, transport and triggered release of such cargo remains challenging. In this study, we use human immune cells (neutrophilic granulocytes, neutrophils) and program them to perform these tasks in vitro. For this purpose, we let neutrophils phagocytose a nanoscale cargo. As an example, we used DNA-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) that fluoresce in the near infrared (980 nm) and serve as sensors for small molecules. Cells still migrate, follow chemical gradients and respond to inflammatory signals after uptake of the cargo. To program release, we make use of neutrophil extracellular trap formation (NETosis), a novel cell death mechanism that leads to chromatin swelling and subsequent rupture of the cellular membrane and release of the cell’s whole content. By using the process of NETosis we can program the time point of cargo release via the initial concentration of stimuli such as phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). At intermediate stimulation with LPS (100 μg/ml), cells continue to migrate, follow gradients and surface cues for around 30 minutes and up to several hundred micrometers until they stop and release their cargo. The transported and released SWCNT sensor cargo is still functional as shown by subsequent detection of the neurotransmitter dopamine and reactive oxygen species (H2O2). In summary, we hijack a biological process (NETosis) and demonstrate how neutrophils can be used for programmed transport and delivery of functional nanomaterials.
The contribution of PIP2-type aquaporins to photosynthesis in response to increased vapour pressure deficit
Authors: Israel D. , Khan S. , Warren C.R. , Zwiazek J.J. , Robson T.M.
Published: November 2019

Roles of three different plasma membrane aquaporins (PIPs) in leaf-level gas exchange of Arabidopsis thaliana were examined using single, double and triple knockout mutants and compared to the Columbia-0 wild type (WT) plants. Since multiple Arabidopsis PIPs are implicated in conducting carbon dioxide across membranes, we focused on identifying whether the examined isoforms affect photosynthesis, either mediated through the control of stomatal conductance to water vapour (gs) or mesophyll conductance of CO2 (gm) or a combination of both. In two separate studies, we grew Arabidopsis plants in a low humidity environment and under high humidity conditions. We found that the contribution of functional PIPs to gs was larger under conditions of low air humidity when the evaporative demand was high, whereas any effect of lacking PIP function was minimal under higher humidity conditions. The pip2;4 knockout mutants had 44% higher gs than the WT under low humidity conditions, which in turn resulted in an increased photosynthetic rate (Anet). AtPIP2;4 is thus likely to be involved in maintaining a positive water balance and high water use efficiency through mediation of transmembrane water flow. The lack of functional AtPIP2;5 on the other hand did not affect gs, but reduced gm indicating a possible role in regulating CO2 membrane permeability. This potential regulatory function was indeed confirmed by subsequent stopped flow measurements of yeast expressing AtPIP2;5.
Four QTL underlie resistance to a microsporidian parasite that may drive genome evolution in itsDaphniahost
Authors: Keller Devon , Kirk Devin , Luijckx Pepijn
Published: November 2019

Despite its pivotal role in evolutionary and ecological processes the genetic architecture underlying host-parasite interactions remains understudied. Here we use a quantitative trait loci approach to identify regions in theDaphnia magnagenome that provide resistance against its microsporidium parasiteOrdospora colligata. The probability thatDaphniabecame infected was affected by a single locus and an interaction between two additional loci. A fourth locus influenced the number of spores that grew within the host. Comparing our findings to previously published genetic work onDaphnia magnarevealed that two of these loci may be the same as detected for another microsporidium parasite, suggesting a general immune response to this group of pathogens. More importantly, this comparison revealed that two regions previously identified to be under selection coincided with parasite resistance loci, highlighting the pivotal role parasites may play in shaping the host genome.
Human ESCRT-III Polymers Assemble on Positively Curved Membranes and Induce Helical Membrane Tube Formation
Authors: Bertin Aurélie , de Franceschi Nicola , de la Mora Eugenio , Maity Sourav , Miguet Nolwen , di Cicco Aurélie , Roos Wouter , Mangenot Stéphanie , Weissenhorn Winfried , Bassereau Patricia
Published: November 2019

Endosomal sorting complexes required for transport-III (ESCRT-III) are thought to assemble in vivo inside membrane structures with a negative Gaussian curvature. How membrane shape influences ESCRT-III polymerization and conversely how ESCRT-III polymers shape membranes is still unclear. Here, we used human core ESCRT-III proteins, CHMP4B, CHMP2A, CHMP2B and CHMP3 to address this issue in vitro by combining membrane nanotube pulling experiments, cryo-electron microscopy, cryo-electron tomography and high-speed AFM. We show that CHMP4B filaments bind preferentially to flat membranes or to membrane tubes with a positive mean curvature. Both CHMP2B and CHMP2A/CHMP3 assemble on positively curved membrane tubes, the latter winding around the tubes. Although combinations of CHMP4B/CHMP2B and CHMP4B/CHMP2A/CHMP3 are recruited to the neck of pulled membrane tubes, they also reshape large unilamellar vesicles into helical membrane tubes with a pipe surface shape. Sub-tomogram averaging reveals that the filaments assemble parallel to the tube axis with some local perpendicular connections, highlighting the particular mechanical stresses imposed by ESCRT-III to stabilize the corkscrew-like membrane architecture. Our results thus underline the versatile membrane remodeling activity of ESCRT-III that may be a general feature of ESCRT-III required for all or selected cellular membrane remodeling processes.