bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metaplastic reinforcement of long-term potentiation in rat hippocampal area CA2 by cholinergic receptor activation
Authors: Benoy Amrita , Bin Ibrahim Mohammad Zaki , Behnisch Thomas , Sajikumar Sreedharan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractHippocampal CA2, an inconspicuously positioned area between the well-studied CA1 and CA3 subfields, has captured research interest in recent years due to its role in the formation of social memory. The effects of synaptic depression for subsequent long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic transmission at entorhinal cortical (EC)-CA2 and Schaffer collateral (SC)-CA2 synapses have not been previously explored. Here we show that cholinergic receptor activation with the non-selective cholinergic agonist carbachol (CCh) triggers a long-term synaptic depression (CCh-LTD) of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials at EC- and SC-CA2 synapses in the hippocampus of adult rats. The activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) is critical for the induction of an early phase (<100 min) of CCh-LTD, with a strong dependency upon M3 mAChR activation and a weaker one by M1 mAChRs. Interestingly, muscarinic M2 and nicotinic receptor activation are crucially involved in the late phase (>100 min) of CCh-LTD. Importantly, CCh priming lowers the threshold, in a protein synthesis-dependent manner, for the late maintenance of LTP that can be subsequently induced by high-frequency electrical stimulation at EC- or SC-CA2 pathways. The results demonstrate that CA2 synaptic learning rules are modified in a metaplastic manner, wherein synaptic modifications triggered by cholinergic stimulation can dictate the outcome of future plasticity events. Moreover, the observed enabling of late LTP at EC inputs to CA2 following the priming stimulus co-exists with concurrent sustained CCh-LTD at SC-CA2 and is dynamically scaled by modulation of SC-CA2 synaptic transmission.Significance StatementThe release of the neuromodulator acetylcholine is critically involved in processes of hippocampus-dependent memory formation. Cholinergic afferents originating in the medial septum and diagonal bands of Broca terminating in the hippocampal area CA2 might play an important role in the modulation of area-specific synaptic plasticity. Our findings demonstrate that cholinergic receptor activation induces a long-term depression of synaptic transmission at entorhinal cortical- and Schaffer collateral-CA2 synapses. This cholinergic activation-mediated long-term depression displays a bidirectional metaplastic switch to long-term potentiation on a future timescale. This suggests that such bidirectional synaptic modifications triggered by the dynamic modulation of tonic cholinergic receptor activation may support the formation of CA2-dependent memories given the increased hippocampal cholinergic tone during active wakefulness observed in exploratory behaviour.
Modeling PPRV pathogenesis in mice to assess the contribution of innate cells and anti-viral T cells
Authors: Sharma Yashu , Sarkar Roman , Jain Ayush , Singh Sudhakar , Shekhar Chander , Shanmugam ChandraSekar , Dhanavelu Muthuchelvan , Tembure Prabhakar , Kaul Rajeev , Sehrawat Sharvan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe demonstrate a rapid induction of type I IFN response in PPRV stimulated cells and the susceptibility of mice, genetically ablated of interferon response, to PPRV infection. Following PPRV infection, IFNR KO mice gradually reduced their body weights and succumbed to the infection within 10 days. While the infecting inoculum size did not alter the outcome of infection, the nature of the induced disease was qualitatively different. Immunopathological lesions were characterized by the expansion and infiltration of innate immune cells distinctly evident at the lower infecting dose of PPRV infection. The replicating virus particles as well as the viral antigens were abundant in most of the critical organs of PPRV infected IFNR KO mice. Neutrophils and macrophages transported the replicating virus to central nervous system and contributed to pathology while the NK cells and T cells were protective against the virus. Using an array of fluorescently labeled H-2Kbtetramers PPRV specific CD8+T cells responses were identified and measured in the infected as well as the peptide immunized mice. Our study therefore established and employed a laboratory animal model for investigating PPRV pathogenesis and the contribution of virus specific CD8+T cells during the virus infection to pave the way for elucidating protective or pathological roles of immune cells during PPRV infection.ImportanceWe developed a laboratory animal model for investigating the pathogenesis and immunity induced by PPRV. IFNR KO animals succumbed to the infection irrespective of the dose and the route of infection. Neutrophils and macrophages served as the Trojan horse and helped transport the virus to CNS to cause encephalitis while the NK cells and CD8+T cells provided the protection against PPRV infection. We additionally identified class I restricted immunogenic epitopes of PPRV in C57BL/6 mice. Our study therefore paves the way for an optimal utilization of this model to unravel PPRV pathogenesis and assessing the host correlates of protection.
Species level resolution of female bladder microbiota from 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing
Authors: Hoffman Carter , Siddiqui Nazema Y , Fields Ian , Gregory W. Thomas , Simon Holly , Mooney Michael A. , Wolfe Alan J. , Karstens Lisa 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe human bladder contains bacteria in the absence of infection. Interest in studying these bacteria and their association with bladder conditions is increasing. However, the chosen experimental method can limit the resolution of the taxonomy that can be assigned to the bacteria found in the bladder. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing is commonly used to identify bacteria in urinary specimens, but is typically restricted to genus-level identification. Our primary aim was to determine if accurate species-level identification of bladder bacteria is possible using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. We evaluated the ability of different classification schemes, each consisting of combinations of a reference database, a 16S rRNA gene variable region and a taxonomic classification algorithm to correctly classify bladder bacteria. We show that species-level identification is possible, and that the reference database chosen is the most important component, followed by the 16S variable region sequenced.ImportanceSpecies-level information may deepen our understanding of associations between bladder microbiota and bladder conditions, such as lower urinary tract symptoms and urinary tract infections. The capability to identify bacterial species depends on large databases of sequences, algorithms that leverage statistics and available computer hardware, and knowledge of bacterial genetics and classification. Taken together, this is a daunting body of knowledge to become familiar with before the simple question of bacterial identity can be answered. Our results show the choice of taxonomic database and variable region of the 16S rRNA gene sequence makes species level identification possible. We also show this improvement can be achieved through the more careful application of existing methods and use of existing resources.
Phylogenetic distribution of secondary metabolites in theBacillus subtilisspecies complex
Authors: Steinke Kat , Mohite Omkar S. , Weber Tilmann , Kovács Ákos T. 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTMicrobes produce a plethora of secondary metabolites that although not essential for primary metabolism benefit them to survive in the environment, communicate, and influence differentiation. Biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) responsible for the production of these secondary metabolites are readily identifiable on the genome sequence of bacteria. Understanding the phylogeny and distribution of BGCs helps us to predict natural product synthesis ability of new isolates. Here, we examined the inter- and intraspecies patterns of absence/presence for all BGCs identified with antiSMASH 5.0 in 310 genomes from theB. subtilisgroup and assigned them to defined gene cluster families (GCFs). This allowed us to establish patterns in distribution for both known and unknown products. Further, we analyzed variations in the BGC structure of particular families encoding for natural products such as plipastatin, fengycin, iturin, mycosubtilin and bacillomycin. Our detailed analysis revealed multiple GCFs that are species or clade specific and few others that are scattered within or between species, which will guide exploration of the chemodiversity within theB. subtilisgroup. Uniquely, we discovered that partial deletion of BGCs and frameshift mutations in selected biosynthetic genes are conserved within phylogenetically related isolates, although isolated from around the globe. Our results highlight the importance of detailed analysis of BGCs and the remarkable phylogenetically conserved errodation of secondary metabolite biosynthetic potential in theB. subtilisgroup.IMPORTANCEMembers of theB. subtilisspecies complex are commonly recognized producers of secondary metabolites, among those the production of antifungals makes them promising biocontrol strains. However, while there are studies examining the distribution of well-knownB. subtilismetabolites, this has not yet been systematically reported for the group. Here, we report the complete biosynthetic potential within theBacillus subtilisgroup species to explore the distribution of the biosynthetic gene clusters and to provide an exhaustive phylogenetic conservation of secondary metabolite production supporting the chemodiversity ofBacilli. We identify that certain gene clusters acquired deletions of genes and particular frame-shift mutations rendering them inactive for secondary metabolite biosynthesis, a conserved genetic trait within phylogenetically conserved clades of certain species. The overview presented will superbly guide assigning the secondary metabolite production potential of newly isolated strains based on genome sequence and phylogenetic relatedness.
An exploration of assembly strategies and quality metrics on the accuracy of theKnightia excelsa(rewarewa) genome
Authors: McCartney Ann , Hilario Elena , Choi Seung-Sub , Guhlin Joseph , Prebble Jessica M. , Houliston Gary , Buckley Thomas R. , Chagné David 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundWe used long read sequencing data generated fromKnightia excelsaIR.Br, a nectar producing Proteaceae tree endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand, to explore how sequencing data type, volume and workflows can impact final assembly accuracy and chromosome construction. Establishing a high-quality genome for this species has specific cultural importance to Māori, the indigenous people, as well as commercial importance to honey producers in Aotearoa New Zealand.ResultsAssemblies were produced by five long read assemblers using data subsampled based on read lengths, two polishing strategies, and two Hi-C mapping methods. Our results from subsampling the data by read length showed that each assembler tested performed differently depending on the coverage and the read length of the data. Assemblies that used longer read lengths (>30 kb) and lower coverage were the most contiguous, kmer and gene complete. The final genome assembly was constructed into pseudochromosomes using all available data assembled with FLYE, polished using Racon/Medaka/Pilon combined, scaffolded using SALSA2 and AllHiC, curated using Juicebox, and validated by synteny withMacadamia.ConclusionsWe highlighted the importance of developing assembly workflows based on the volume and type of sequencing data and establishing a set of robust quality metrics for generating high quality assemblies. Scaffolding analyses highlighted that problems found in the initial assemblies could not be resolved accurately by utilizing Hi-C data and that scaffolded assemblies were more accurate when the underlying contig assembly was of higher accuracy. These findings provide insight into what is required for future high-qualityde-novoassemblies of non-model organisms.
Prolactin mediates behavioural rejection responses to avian brood parasitism
Authors: Ruiz-Raya Francisco , Ibáñez-Álamo Juan Diego , Parenteau Charline , Chastel Olivier , Soler Manuel 
Published: October 2020

AbstractEven though adaptations resulting from co-evolutionary interactions between avian brood parasites and their hosts have been well studied, the hormonal mechanisms underlying behavioural host defences remain largely unexplored. Prolactin, the main hormone mediating avian parental behaviour, has been hypothesized to play a key role in the orchestration of host responses to brood parasitic eggs. Based on the positive association between plasma prolactin and parental attachment to eggs, decreasing levels of this hormone are expected to facilitate egg-rejection decisions in parasitized clutches. We tested this prediction by implanting Eurasian blackbirds (Turdus merula) females with an inhibitor of prolactin secretion, bromocriptine mesylate, to experimentally low their prolactin levels. We found that bromocriptine-treated females rejected mimetic model eggs at higher rates than placebo-treated individuals. To our knowledge, this is the first experimental evidence that host responses to brood parasitism are mediated by the primary endocrine pathway that orchestrates the expression of avian parental care.
Immigrant perceptions of integration in the Canadian workplace
Authors: Ertorer Secil E. , Long Jennifer , Fellin Melissa , Esses Victoria M. 
Published: October 2020

PurposeThis paper explores integration experiences of immigrants in the Canadian workplace from the perspective of immigrants themselves, focusing on cultural capital and cultural judgments as factors influencing workplace entry, advancement and social integration in an increasingly diverse work environment.Design/methodology/approachAn interpretive approach that involved thematic analysis of in-depth interview data was employed.FindingsThe findings reveal that the official two-way multiculturalism policy of Canada is not reflected in the Canadian workplace and that structural forces of assimilation are evident. Cultural judgments and immigrants' cultural capital create barriers for integration.Research limitations/implicationsWhile highlighting important aspects of immigrant experiences within the Canadian workplace, the study findings cannot generate a fully representative theorization of immigrant employment experiences in Canada. Further studies with diverse migrant groups in different parts of the country would shed more light on the issues faced by immigrants.Practical implicationsThe barriers to social integration identified by this study can be largely overcome by improving intercultural skills and cultural intelligence of employers and employees through training and incorporating values of diversity and inclusion into the corporate culture.Social implicationsThe factors that foster and hinder workplace integration identified by this study can inform workplace integration strategies and related policies.Originality/valueMuch of the literature concerning immigrants' position in Canada address the economic integration and economic well-being of immigrants, focusing on quantitative, macro level analyses of earnings disparity and labor market segmentation. There is a lack of qualitative research that explores the integration process through the lens of immigrants. Informed by the theories of cultural capital, cultural judgment and integration, the study sheds light on the everyday workplace experiences of skilled migrants and perceived barriers to workplace entry, advancement and social integration.
Not all elderly are the same: fostering trust through mobile banking service experience
Authors: Rajaobelina Lova , Brun Isabelle , Line Ricard , Cloutier-Bilodeau Christina 
Published: October 2020

PurposeThis study seeks to examine the impact of mobile service experience on trust of elderly consumers in their financial institution and assess whether age (55–64 years vs 65+ years) exerts a moderating influence.Design/methodology/approachA self-administered questionnaire was completed online by 390 panelists (aged 55 years or more) who use their mobile devices to conduct banking activities. A multigroup analysis was conducted to assess the moderating role of age.FindingsResults confirm the presence of links between four out of five dimensions of the mobile banking service experience (cognitive, positive affective/sensory, negative affective and social) and trust. Findings further point to age-specific variation in the impact of mobile service experience dimensions on trust, thus supporting the notion that the elderly represents a clientele with different experiential needs. More specifically, whereas the social dimension has a greater influence on trust in individuals 65 years of age and over (seniors), the positive affective/sensory dimension exerts a deeper marked impact on trust in individuals 55–64 years of age (pre-retirees).Research limitations/implicationsAlthough generations and chronological age are powerful segmentation variables, it might be interesting to consider perceived age. Redoing the study in a post-COVID context would also be an interesting avenue of research.Practical implicationsThe ageing market is important for banks. This study highlights, in an m-banking context, which dimension of experience to focus on in order to improve trust in banks for pre-retirees (emotional/sensory dimension) and seniors (social dimension).Originality/valueThis study is the first to consider mobile service experience of elderly individuals as well as the impact of each of the experience dimensions on an important relational variable, namely trust. By considering the age of individuals as a moderating variable, this study also provides an in-depth examination of age-related links and presents a number of relevant recommendations for financial institutions.
The potential of game- and video-based assessments for social attributes: examples from practice
Authors: Leutner Franziska , Codreanu Sonia-Cristina , Liff Josh , Mondragon Nathan 
Published: October 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to describe the development and psychometric properties of a novel game- and video-based assessment of social attributes. Despite their increasing adaption, little research is available on the suitability of games and video analytics for measuring noncognitive attributes in the selection context.Design/methodology/approachThe authors describe three novel assessments and their psychometric properties in a sample of 1,300 participants: a game-based adaptation of an Emotion Recognition Task, a chatbot-based situational judgment test for emotion management and a video-based conscientiousness assessment.FindingsThe novel assessments show good to moderate convergent validity for Emotional Recognition (r = 0.42), Emotion Management (r = 0.39) and Conscientiousness (r = 0.21). The video-based assessment demonstrates preliminary predictive validity for self-reported work performance. Novel game-based assessments (GBAs) are perceived as better designed and more immersive than traditional questionnaires. Adverse impact analysis indicates small group differences by age, gender and ethnicity.Research limitations/implicationsPredictive validity findings need to be replicated using objective measures of performance, such as performance ratings by supervisors and extended to the GBAs. Adverse impact should be evaluated using a real-life applicant pool and extended to additional groups.Practical implicationsEvidence for the psychometric validity of novel assessment formats supports their adoption in selection and recruitment. Improved user experience and shortened assessment times open up new areas of application.Originality/valueThis study gives first insights into psychometric properties of video- and game-based assessments of social attributes.
Designing connection into healthcare services
Authors: Berry Leonard L. 
Published: October 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to highlight the importance of the foundational construct of “connection” in linking design and service in performing vital functions in the healthcare sector. “Connection” facilitates patients receiving life-saving and life-improving care at the right time, in the right place, in the right way.Design/methodology/approachThis article discusses various design-improvement initiatives making clear that healthcare, like any labor-intensive service delivered to people, is a human endeavor whose systems and features can be materially and cleverly enhanced once their intricacies are analyzed, understood and then redesigned to move closer to excellence.FindingsBy designing connection into healthcare and thinking holistically about the needs and preferences of users (patients), the functionality and the appeal of healthcare services can be enhanced.Originality/valueThe gap between the service that healthcare aims to deliver – and what it actually delivers – is unacceptably large. This article calls for incorporating connection through design into healthcare as a way to bridge this gap.
A secure anonymous tracing fog-assisted method for the Internet of Robotic Things
Authors: Alamer Abdulrahman 
Published: October 2020

PurposeEmploying a fog computing (FC) network system in the robotic network system is an effective solution to support robotic application issues. The interconnection between robotic devices through an FC network can be referred as the Internet of Robotic Things (IoRT). Although the FC network system can provide number of services closer to IoRT devices, it still faces significant challenges including real-time tracing services and a secure tracing services. Therefore, this paper aims to provide a tracking mobile robot devices in a secure and private manner, with high efficiency performance, is considered essential to ensuring the success of IoRT network applications.Design/methodology/approachThis paper proposes a secure anonymous tracing (SAT) method to support the tracing of IoRT devices through a FC network system based on the Counting Bloom filter (CBF) and elliptic curve cryptography techniques. With the proposed SAT mechanism, a fog node can trace a particular robot device in a secure manner, which means that the fog node can provide a service to a particular robot device without revealing any private data such as the device's identity or location.FindingsAnalysis shows that the SAT mechanism is both efficient and resilient against tracing attacks. Simulation results are provided to show that the proposed mechanism is beneficial to support IoRT applications over an FC network system.Originality/valueThis paper represents a SAT method based on CBF and elliptic curve cryptography techniques as an efficient mechanism that is resilient against tracing attacks.