bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The novel insecticides flupyradifurone and sulfoxaflor do not act synergistically with viral pathogens in reducing honey bee (Apis mellifera) survival but sulfoxaflor modulates host immunocompetence
Authors: Al Naggar Yahya , Paxton Robert J. 
Published: September 2020

SummaryThe decline of insect pollinators threatens global food security. A major potential cause of decline is considered to be the interaction between environmental stressors, particularly between exposure to pesticides and pathogens. To explore pesticide–pathogen interactions in an important pollinator insect, the honey bee, we used two new nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist insecticides (nACHRs), flupyradifurone (FPF) and sulfoxaflor (SULF), at sublethal and field‐realistic doses in a fully crossed experimental design with three common viral honey bee pathogens, Black queen cell virus (BQCV) and Deformed wing virus (DWV) genotypes A and B. Through laboratory experiments in which treatments were administered singly or in combination to individual insects, we recorded harmful effects of FPF and pathogens on honey bee survival and immune gene expression. Though we found no evidence of synergistic interactions among stressors on either honey bee survival or viral load, the combined treatment SULF and DWV‐B led to a synergistic upregulation of dicer‐like gene expression. We conclude that common viral pathogens pose a major threat to honey bees, while co‐exposure to these novel nACHR insecticides does not significantly exacerbate viral impacts on host survival in the laboratory.
Hydro‐Climatic Drought in the Delaware River Basin
Authors: McCabe Gregory J. , Wolock David M. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe Delaware River Basin (DRB) supplies water to approximately 15 million people and is essential to agriculture and industry. In this study, a monthly water balance model is used to compute monthly water balance components (i.e., potential evapotranspiration, actual evapotranspiration, and runoff [R]) for the DRB for the 1901 through 2015 period. Water‐year R is used to identify drought periods in the basin and seven drought periods were identified. All but one of the drought periods occurred before about 1970; after this date, precipitation increased in the DRB and droughts were infrequent. The seven droughts were largely driven by precipitation deficits, rather than by unusually warm temperatures. For six of the seven droughts, the precipitation deficits were associated with atmospheric pressure patterns that resulted in northerly wind anomalies (i.e., conditions that deviate from the long‐term mean) over the basin that indicate an anomalous flow of dry air from the North American continent into the DRB. An examination of drought events estimated from a tree ring–based reconstruction of the Palmer Drought Severity Index for the 490 through 2005 time period indicates that although there were some DRB droughts that were longer and more severe during previous centuries, the DRB droughts during 1901 through 2015 were comparable in duration and severity to most drought events during previous centuries.
Atmospheric Wet Deposition of Organic Carbon and Dissolved Nitrogen in City, Countryside and Nature Reserve of Subtropical China
Authors: Zhou Wenbo , Xiang Wenhua , You Yuyu , Ouyang Shuai , Zhao Zhonghui , Zhang Shengli , Zeng Yelin , Li Jiangrong , Wang Jiurong , Wang Kelin 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe atmospheric wet deposition was higher in subtropical China because of rapid economic growth in past decades and high humidity weather. One‐year measurement of wet deposition of organic carbon (C) and dissolved nitrogen (N) was carried out at three sites (Changsha city, Huitong agriculture county, and Dashanchong nature reserve) in Hunan Province. Taking the nature reserve as the control, we make a comparative analysis of the characteristics in atmospheric wet deposition between city and countryside. The concentrations and wet depositions of total and each component of C and N were the lowest in the nature reserve, indicating that human activities significantly increase the atmospheric wet deposition. The concentrations and the wet deposition fluxes of particulate organic C,

‐N, and dissolved organic N (DON) were the highest in the city, whereas the corresponding values of dissolved organic C (DOC) and

‐N were the highest in the countryside. Except for DON, the concentrations of DOC,

‐N, and

‐N changed significantly with rainfall characteristics (rainfall amount, intensity, and weather conditions). Our study supplements the wet deposition data as a baseline for exploring future changes in subtropical China. Meanwhile, the lowest wet depositions in nature reserve imply that the reduction of anthropogenic emission is essential to minimizing the adverse effects of the increased atmospheric deposition.
A chromosome‐level genome assembly of the woolly apple aphid, Eriosoma lanigerum Hausmann (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Authors: Biello Roberto , Singh Archana , Godfrey Cindayniah J. , Fernández Felicidad Fernández , Mugford Sam T. , Powell Glen , Hogenhout Saskia A. , Mathers Thomas C. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWoolly apple aphid (WAA, Eriosoma lanigerum Hausmann) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a major pest of apple trees (Malus domestica, order Rosales) and is critical to the economics of the apple industry in most parts of the world. Here, we generated a chromosome‐level genome assembly of WAA—representing the first genome sequence from the aphid subfamily Eriosomatinae—using a combination of 10X Genomics linked‐reads and in vivo Hi‐C data. The final genome assembly is 327 Mb, with 91% of the assembled sequences anchored into six chromosomes. The contig and scaffold N50 values are 158 kb and 71 Mb, respectively, and we predicted a total of 28,186 protein‐coding genes. The assembly is highly complete, including 97% of conserved arthropod single‐copy orthologues based on Benchmarking Universal Single‐Copy Orthologs (busco) analysis. Phylogenomic analysis of WAA and nine previously published aphid genomes, spanning four aphid tribes and three subfamilies, reveals that the tribe Eriosomatini (represented by WAA) is recovered as a sister group to Aphidini + Macrosiphini (subfamily Aphidinae). We identified syntenic blocks of genes between our WAA assembly and the genomes of other aphid species and find that two WAA chromosomes (El5 and El6) map to the conserved Macrosiphini and Aphidini X chromosome. Our high‐quality WAA genome assembly and annotation provides a valuable resource for research in a broad range of areas such as comparative and population genomics, insect–plant interactions and pest resistance management.
Urine as a high‐quality source of host genomic DNA from wild populations
Authors: Ozga Andrew T. , Webster Timothy H. , Gilby Ian C. , Wilson Melissa A. , Nockerts Rebecca S. , Wilson Michael L. , Pusey Anne E. , Li Yingying , Hahn Beatrice H. , Stone Anne C. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe ability to generate genomic data from wild animal populations has the potential to give unprecedented insight into the population history and dynamics of species in their natural habitats. However, for many species, it is impossible legally, ethically or logistically to obtain tissue samples of quality sufficient for genomic analyses. In this study we evaluate the success of multiple sources of genetic material (faeces, urine, dentin and dental calculus) and several capture methods (shotgun, whole‐genome, exome) in generating genome‐scale data in wild eastern chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) from Gombe National Park, Tanzania. We found that urine harbours significantly more host DNA than other sources, leading to broader and deeper coverage across the genome. Urine also exhibited a lower rate of allelic dropout. We found exome sequencing to be far more successful than both shotgun sequencing and whole‐genome capture at generating usable data from low‐quality samples such as faeces and dental calculus. These results highlight urine as a promising and untapped source of DNA that can be noninvasively collected from wild populations of many species.
Interleukin‐35 regulates the balance of Th17 and Treg responses during the pathogenesis of connective tissue diseases
Authors: Wang Di , Lei Ling 
Published: September 2020

AbstractInterleukin (IL)‐35 belongs to the IL‐12 cytokine family and is a heterodimer of the p35 and Epstein‐Barr virus‐induced gene 3 (EBI3) subunits. Functionally, IL‐35 can promote the proliferation and activation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and suppress the function of T helper 17 (Th17) cells and other inflammatory cells to inhibit immune responses. In recent years, an abnormal IL‐35 expression causing a Th17/Treg imbalance has been associated with the development and progression of several connective tissue diseases (CTDs), such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), dermatomyositis (DM)/polymyositis (PM), and primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). Here, we review the role of IL‐35 in regulating the balance of Th17/Treg responses in different types of CTDs and provide new insights into the role of IL‐35 in these diseases.
Modified heptapeptide from tau binds both tubulin and microtubules
Authors: Li Jingrui , Li Yuyang , Liu Min , Xie Songbo 
Published: September 2020

BackgroundMicrotubules are the major cytoskeletal component in eukaryotes which are essential for a large spectrum of cellular activities. Monitoring the behavior of microtubules is helpful for a better understanding of the regulatory mechanism governing microtubule architecture and microtubule‐based activities. Here, we characterized the binding capability of a modified heptapeptide from tau to both tubulin and microtubules and sought to develop it as a fluorescent peptide for monitoring microtubules.MethodsTo deliver the fluorescent peptide into the cells, a cell‐penetrating peptide was conjugated to the modified heptapeptide from tau and synthesized. The affinity of the modified heptapeptide was determined by microscale thermophoresis. The microtubule labeling ability was determined by adding the peptide into the polymerized microtubule solutions or cultured HeLa cells.;ResultsAffinity determination revealed that the tau‐derived peptide specifically bound to tubulin. In addition, the peptide was able to label polymerized microtubules in solution, although no obvious microtubule filaments were observed clearly in living cells, probably due to the inadequate affinity.ConclusionsThese results suggest that using a peptide‐based strategy for imaging microtubules might be plausible and attempts to improve its affinity is warranted in the future.
Labor Market Mobility and Expectation Management: Evidence from Enforceability of Noncompete Provisions*
Authors: Tang Michael , Wang Rencheng , Zhou Yi 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTThis study examines how managers' use of expectation management is affected by their labor market mobility, which we measure by the enforceability of noncompete provisions in their employment contracts. Exploiting quasinatural experiments, our difference‐in‐differences analyses provide new causal insights to the growing literature on how managers' career concerns affect their disclosure choices. Consistent with a less mobile labor market imposing more pressure on managers to achieve earnings expectations, we predict and find that managers in US states that tightened enforcement of noncompete provisions are more likely to manage analyst expectations downward. We also find that downward expectation management is used to a greater extent than other tools such as real and accrual‐based earnings management. Additional analysis shows that the increase in expectation management is more pronounced for CEOs with lower general skills or shorter tenures, for firms with more independent boards, and for industries that are more homogeneous. Our path analysis suggests a significant link between increased use of expectation management after tightened noncompete enforcement and meeting and beating earnings expectations, which in turn is linked to lower executive turnover. Overall, our findings suggest that expectation management is an important channel through which noncompete enforcement reduces executive labor market mobility. Our study sheds light on the underlying mechanism through which labor market mobility affects disclosure choices and has important implications for both firms and regulators on the use and enforcement of noncompete provisions.
Do checks on bureaucrats improve firm value? Evidence from a natural experiment
Authors: An Jiafu , Armitage Seth , Hou Wenxuan , Liu Xianda 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis paper studies the impact on firm value of tighter checks on bureaucrats’ behaviour. We use as a natural experiment the revision in 2015 by the Communist Party of China (CPC) of its regulations on disciplinary actions. We document a positive and substantial market reaction following this unexpected policy change that tightened and formalised constraints on bureaucrats’ misconduct. The impact is less pronounced for firms with state ownership, firms having CEOs or directors with CPC membership, and firms that operate in provinces with better institutional quality. The subsequent revision in 2018 that enforced political obedience is not associated with a positive market reaction.
Histomorphometrical study on the skin of different regions of the Caribbean common opossum (Didelphis marsupialis Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Mohamed Reda , Pérez William , da Veiga Marcelo Leite 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCommon opossums (Didelphis marsupialis) are found throughout the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago. The present work was conducted on the fresh normal skin of 10 common opossums and aimed to provide morphometric data and a histological description of the skin in different regions of the body. In the examined regions, the skin presented a typical thin skin morphology, with numerous folds on the surface. The dermis–epidermis junction is smooth, without the occurrence of dermal papillae. The average thickness of the opossum epidermis was 19.5 µm. The cranial region of the back showed the greatest epidermal thickness, and together with the other areas of the back presented an epidermis 2–3 times thicker compared with the other areas examined. To further confirm that the skin changes in the opossum are age‐ or diet‐related, additional studies are required.
Neurological immune‐related adverse events associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: A review of the literature
Authors: Fan Siyuan , Ren Haitao , Zhao Luo , Yin Jian , Feng Guodong , Wang Jiawei , Guan Hongzhi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have made a breakthrough in cancer therapy. Patients treated with ICIs may develop immune‐related adverse events (irAEs) due to the upregulated activity of the immune system. With the increasing use of ICIs, irAEs are more frequently reported and have become important challenges in many patients. Neurological irAEs, which include encephalitis, myelitis, aseptic meningitis, peripheral neuropathy, myasthenia gravis, and myositis, consist of a distinct group of neuroinflammatory disorders. These disorders are rare but frequently severe with high mortality and morbidity. Patients with neurological irAEs are generally responsive to immune‐modulating therapy. Therefore, early recognition and treatment are the most important ways to improve their prognosis. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of neurological irAEs associated with ICIs and focus on these affecting central nervous systems.
Radiation‐associated breast cancers in a late‐effects cohort: Long‐term surveillance is essential
Authors: Koo Eva , Henderson Michael A. , Dwyer Mary , Skandarajah Anita R. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAimsSurvivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adulthood malignancies have an increased risk of subsequent primary malignancies, particularly after exposure to therapeutic radiation. This study aims to evaluate the mode of surveillance and surveillance compliance, incidence and mode of detection of breast cancer, breast cancer phenotype, and outcomes after radiation‐associated breast cancer (RBC) in a late‐effects cohort.MethodsWomen exposed to therapeutic radiation attending the late effects service from 1st January 2000 to 20th February 2013. All invasive and in‐situ cancers, benign tumors, and deaths were evaluated. The incidence of breast cancer was compared to the Australian general population. Compliance with breast surveillance recommendations, clinicopathological features, and management of breast cancers were examined.ResultsThe prevalence of RBC was 17.1%. Twenty‐eight cases of RBC occurred in 24 women, out of 140 women exposed to chest radiation. Patients whose first attendance was ≥15 years after radiation exposure experienced the highest incidence of RBC at 23%. The incidence of breast cancer was 11.2 times the general population (P < .001). Compliance with surveillance mammography was observed in 18.4%. Breast cancers diagnosed after the first attendance to the service were more likely screen‐detected (P = .002). Most were hormone receptor positive (84.0%), invasive ductal carcinomas (82.1%), and managed with mastectomy (89.3%).ConclusionsPatients attending a dedicated late effects service have a high burden of subsequent malignancies generally occurring after long latency. Judicious management with adherence to long‐term surveillance guidelines is advocated.
Awareness of and preference for disease prognosis and participation in treatment decisions among advanced cancer patients in Myanmar: Results from the APPROACH study
Authors: Wynn Mon Ssu , Myint Zu Wah Wah , Myint Maw Myo , Win Han , Zin Thant Kyaw , Yang Grace , Malhotra Chetna , Teo Irene , Finkelstein Eric , Ozdemir Semra 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAimTo investigate prognostic awareness, preference for prognostic information, and perceived and preferred roles in decision making among patients with advanced cancer in Myanmar.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey was administered at the Yangon General Hospital to stage 4 cancer patients who were at least 21 years old and aware of their cancer diagnosis. Patients were asked questions about their prognosis, participation in treatment decisions, sociodemographic and clinical information. Data from 131 patients were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regressions.ResultsOnly 15% of patients surveyed were aware that their cancer was advanced and only a quarter (26%) of patients knew that treatment intent was noncurative. The likelihood of treatment‐intent awareness was higher among patients who were male, high income, and aware that they had advanced cancer. Roughly 60% of patients reported playing an active or collaborative role in treatment decisions, with a strong preference (59%) for the latter. For the majority of patients (69%), perceived and preferred roles in decision making were the same. Sociodemographic characteristics did not predict perceived and preferred roles in decision making.ConclusionsThis is the first effort to analyze prognostic awareness and decision‐making practices among advanced cancer patients in Myanmar. Patients had inadequate knowledge on their disease progression and intent of treatment. Yet, the majority of them were keen to be involved in treatment decisions.
Updates to the drug‐resistant mechanism of proteasome inhibitors in multiple myeloma
Authors: Bai Yang , Su Xing 
Published: September 2020

AbstractProteasome inhibitors (PIs) have been a kind of backbone therapies for newly diagnosed as well as relapsed or refractory myeloma patients in the last two decades. Bortezomib, the first‐in‐class PI, was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2003. The key roles of this class of agents are targeting at the overstressed 26S proteasome, which are involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. Despite recent advancements in clinical antimyeloma treatment, the acquisition of resistance is a major limitation in PI therapy. This review aims at a better understanding of the pathways and biomarkers involved in MM drug resistance.
A survey of obstetricians’ attitudes to induction of labour at 39 weeks gestation with the intention of reducing caesarean section rates
Authors: Davis Georgina , Waldman Boris , Phipps Hala , Hyett Jon , de Vries Bradley 
Published: September 2020

BackgroundInduction of labour (IOL) and caesarean section (CS) rates continue to increase in Australia, New Zealand and globally. There is evidence that CS rates are decreased in the context of medically indicated and elective IOL; therefore, the emerging concept of using IOL as means of preventing CS warrants investigation.AimsTo assess obstetricians’ opinions of elective IOL at 39 weeks gestation, its feasibility, generalisability and utility as a means of preventing CS in Australia and New Zealand.Materials and MethodsA de‐identified cross‐sectional survey was distributed electronically to all Fellows and trainees of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG). The survey was voluntary and distributed with the approval of the RANZCOG Continuing Education Committee. The survey addressed opinions relating to rates of and indications for IOL, the perceived validity of those indications and explored the acceptability of using a screening tool to predict women at increased risk of intra‐partum CS and tailoring obstetric management to include the option of IOL at 39 weeks gestation.ResultsThe overall response rate was 34% (492/1423) (including trainees) and the response rate was 53% (394/750) for currently practising obstetricians. The majority (90%) of responders agreed on medical and clinical indications for IOL. There was no consensus on the validity of IOL if a woman were at apparent high risk of intra‐partum CS; however, 81% (360/443) of clinicians would be interested in a tool that could predict those women at risk.ConclusionsThere is heterogeneity of obstetrician’s beliefs on using IOL at 39 weeks as a mechanism to reduce the CS rate.
How do the M4 and M6 models perform in an Australian pregnancy of unknown location population?
Authors: Ooi Sara , De Vries Bradley , Ludlow Joanne 
Published: September 2020

BackgroundThe diagnosis of a pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) is made when there is an elevated serum β human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG) and no pregnancy on transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound. Most of these pregnancies end as intra‐uterine pregnancies or unsuccessful pregnancies and can be safely managed expectantly. However, up to 20% of these women will have an ectopic pregnancy. Several mathematical models, including the M4 and M6 protocols, have been developed using biochemical markers to triage PUL presentations. This rationalises numbers of tests and visits made without compromising safety and allowing timely intervention.AimsWe aimed to externally validate the M4 and M6 models in an Australian tertiary early pregnancy assessment service (EPAS).Materials and MethodsWe performed a retrospective single‐centre cohort study across five years. Our study population included all women attending our EPAS with a PUL who had at least two serum βhCG levels and one progesterone level measured. The M4 and M6 models were retrospectively applied.ResultsOf the 360 women in the study population, there were 26 confirmed ectopic pregnancies (7.2%) and six persisting PULs (2%). The M4 model had a sensitivity and specificity of 72%. The M6P model had a sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 63%. The M6P misclassified two ectopic pregnancies into the low‐risk group, compared with seven in the M4 model.ConclusionsThe M6P model has the highest sensitivity of the three models and a negative predictive value of 99%. These numbers are comparable to the original United Kingdom population. Further prospective validation is planned.