bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metabolic engineering of rice endosperm towards higher vitamin B1 accumulation
Authors: Strobbe Simon , Verstraete Jana , Stove Christophe , Van Der Straeten Dominique 
Published: January 2021

SummaryRice is a major food crop to approximately half of the human population. Unfortunately, the starchy endosperm, which is the remaining portion of the seed after polishing, contains limited amounts of micronutrients. Here, it is shown that this is particularly the case for thiamin (vitamin B1). Therefore, a tissue‐specific metabolic engineering approach was conducted, aimed at enhancing the level of thiamin specifically in the endosperm. To achieve this, three major thiamin biosynthesis genes, THIC, THI1 and TH1, controlled by strong endosperm‐specific promoters, were employed to obtain engineered rice lines. The metabolic engineering approaches included ectopic expression of THIC alone, in combination with THI1 (bigenic) or combined with both THI1 and TH1 (trigenic). Determination of thiamin and thiamin biosynthesis intermediates reveals the impact of the engineering approaches on endosperm thiamin biosynthesis. The results show an increase of thiamin in polished rice up to threefold compared to WT, and stable upon cooking. These findings confirm the potential of metabolic engineering to enhance de novo thiamin biosynthesis in rice endosperm tissue and aid in steering future biofortification endeavours.
Myron Gordon Award paper: Microbes, T‐cell diversity and pigmentation
Authors: Le Poole I. Caroline 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMelanocytes are static, minimally proliferative cells. This leaves them vulnerable in vitiligo. Yet upon malignant transformation, they form vicious tumors. This profound switch in physiology is accompanied by genetic change and is driven by environmental factors. If UV exposure in younger years supports malignant transformation and melanoma formation, it can likewise impart mutations on melanocytes that reduce their viability, to initiate vitiligo. A wide variety of microbes can influence these diametrically opposed outcomes before either disease takes hold. These microbes are vehicles of change that we are only beginning to study. Once a genetic modification occurs, there is a wide variety of immune cells ready to respond. Though it does not act alone, the T cell is among the most decisive responders in this process. The same biochemical process that offered the skin protection by producing melanin can become an Achilles heel for the cell when the T cells target melanosomal enzymes or, on occasion, neoantigens. T cells are precise, determined, and consequential when they strike. Here, we probe the relationship between the microbiome and its metabolites, epithelial integrity, and the activation of T cells that target benign and malignant melanocytes in vitiligo and melanoma.
Early kidney injury in immunoglobulin A vasculitis: Role of renal biomarkers
Authors: Türe Esra , Yazar Abdullah , Akın Fatih , Topcu Cemile , Aydın Arif , Balasar Mehmet , Ataş Bülent 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundWe aimed to determine whether urine kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM‐1) and neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) can be used as early noninvasive biomarkers of kidney injury in immunoglobulin A vasculitis.MethodsPatients who were diagnosed with immunoglobulin A vasculitis were included in the study. Urine samples were collected for determination of urine KIM‐1 and NGAL levels. The control group consisted of age‐matched healthy children.ResultsSixty‐one patients who were diagnosed with immunoglobulin A vasculitis were included in the study; 37.7% of these patients were determined to have renal involvement. Median KIM‐1 was found to be significantly higher in the patient group (69.59 pg/mL) than the control group (40.84 pg/mL) (P = 0.001). Median NGAL was determined to be statistically significantly higher in the patient group (59.87 ng/mL) compared with the control group (44.87 ng/mL) (P = 0.013). In 23.6% of the patients without renal involvement at admission renal involvement developed within the following 6 months. When median KIM‐1 and NGAL at admission of these patients were compared with the control group, they were determined to be statistically significantly higher (P = 0.001, P = 0.003).ConclusionsThe fact that our patients with late‐term nephropathy had no hematuria and / or proteinuria and that KIM‐1 and NGAL levels were determined to be high indicates that these biomarkers might be potentially reliable, noninvasive and early determinants of kidney injury.
Is ultraviolet radiation avoidance affecting bone health in melanoma patients?
Authors: Gariazzo Lodovica , Gasparini Giulia , Casabella Andrea , Carmisciano Luca , Clapasson Andrea , Murgioni Franca , Molfetta Luigi , Cozzani Emanuele , Parodi Aurora 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundUltraviolet (UV) radiation has numerous beneficial effects on human health, including stimulating vitamin D and serotonin production and immuno‐regulatory activities. Conversely, UV radiation is also classified as a group one carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.PurposeTo investigated the effects of UV radiation avoidance in melanoma patients in terms of vitamin D levels but also of bone mineral density and trabecular bone microarchitecture.MethodsWe conducted an observational study investigating the effects of UV radiation avoidance in 31 melanoma patients in terms of vitamin D levels but also of bone mineral density and trabecular bone microarchitecture by using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry scan. Data were compared with two control groups of healthy subjects, who were chronically exposed or not exposed to UV radiation during their lifetime.ResultsMelanoma patients had on average slightly lower levels of vitamin D, without reaching statistical significance (P = .135). No significant difference was found across the three groups on T‐scores of femoral neck (P = .544), of total hip (P = .617) and of lumbar spineP = .155). No significant difference was found on and trabecular bone score across exposure groups (P = .895).ConclusionUV radiation avoidance does not seem to significantly impact vitamin D levels nor bone health in melanoma patients. Thus, UV protective behavior is advisable for all melanoma patients.
The HD‐Zip I transcription factor MdHB7‐like confers tolerance to salinity in transgenic apple (Malus domestica)
Authors: Zhao Shuang , Wang Haibo , Jia Xumei , Gao Hanbing , Mao Ke , Ma Fengwang 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSalinity is a major environmental constraint that substantially limits global agricultural productivity. HD‐Zip I transcription factors are involved in plant responses to salt stress, but little is known about the HD‐Zip I genes in apple (Malus domestica). Here, we characterized the function of an apple HD‐Zip I gene (MdHB7‐like) and report that its expression is induced by salt stress. To further explore its role in salt stress, we created MdHB7‐like overexpressing and RNAi transgenic apple plants. The overexpression of MdHB7‐like improved the photosynthetic performance and reduced ROS and Na+ accumulation under salt stress. Plants that overexpressed MdHB7‐like also showed increased accumulation of proline and soluble sugars, which may have played an important role in their salt stress tolerance. RNAi suppression of MdHB7‐like had the opposite effects. Together, our results demonstrate that MdHB7‐like is an important regulator of salt tolerance in apple. Our results provide new insights for future research on the mechanisms by which MdHB7‐like promotes salt tolerance and provide a potential target for molecular breeding in apple.
Public Service in the Pandemic Era: A COVID Commentary
Authors: Stivers Camilla 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis viewpoint reflects on basic aspects of American public health and politics that are making the COVID crisis response less effective than it might be. The performance of public service during a crisis depends as much on self‐reflectiveness and hope as on the achievement of measurable results. Anthony Fauci is offered as an exemplar of authentic public service, understood as “living within the truth.”
When Illusion Met Illusion: How Interacting Biases Affect (Dis)trust within Coopetitive Policy Networks
Authors: Lee Junesoo 
Published: January 2021

AbstractCoopetition is a universal relationship in policy networks where various organizations cooperate and also compete with one another. Dealing with the ambivalent relationships in policy networks, organizations in the network need to assess their internal and external environments. However, such assessments are usually inclined to be biased for various reasons. The question is “If multiple organizations’ assessment biases interact with one another, what happens to mutual trust or distrust?” This study explores the patterns and impact of interactions of assessment biases using surveys and interviews administered to nuclear‐related public institutions in South Korea. The findings imply that the interactions of individual biases impact trust and distrust differently according to diverse dimensions of bias, including power, cooperation, competition, and contribution in policy networks. What determines trust or distrust among network members may not only be whether biases exist but also how biases of network members are combined and matched.
The magmatic–hydrothermal evolution of the San Pedro porphyry Cu‐(Mo) deposit: Implications for the metallogenesis of the Permian magmatism in the western margin of Gondwana
Authors: Gómez Anabel Lina Rosina , Ulrich Thomas , Rubinstein Nora Alicia 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe San Pedro porphyry Cu‐(Mo) deposit, located in the San Rafael Massif (Argentina), is characterized by multiple stockwork vein generations developed in a subvolcanic intrusion with porphyry‐type alteration and mineralization, as well as associated polymetallic veins. Previous works reveal that the intrusive rocks related to the San Pedro porphyry (263 Ma) show comparable trace element signatures to giant porphyry deposits elsewhere (i.e., high Sr/Y and low Y). The fluid inclusions investigated in this study show that typical early, high‐temperature magmatic fluids (up to 685°C; 81.3 wt% equiv. NaCl) evolved to lower‐temperature, moderately saline fluids (up to 454°C; 52.4 wt% equiv. NaCl) due to fluid–rock interaction. The waning stage of the system is characterized by secondary, aqueous inclusions that represent dilution by meteoric fluids (up to 390°C, 16.9 wt% equiv. NaCl). Fluid inclusions were studied from two veinlet generations (A and B veinlets) related to potassic alteration and analyzed by LA‐ICP‐MS. The trace element signatures in the fluid inclusions suggest that there were two pulses of magmatic fluids that subsequently evolved under similar physicochemical conditions. The Cu concentration in the earliest fluid is between 0.3 and 0.85 wt% and within the concentrations found in other mineralized porphyry systems in the world. However, in contrast to economic porphyry systems, where a significant change in Cu concentration during fluid evolution is observed, there is no distinct change in the fluid Cu concentration at the San Pedro deposit, which would indicate that Cu and Mo precipitation was ineffective in the hydrothermal system.
Citizens’ preferences for taxation of internationally mobile corporations: Evidence from Tanzania
Authors: Kolstad Ivar , Wiig Arne , Fjeldstad Odd‐Helge 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe legitimacy of the tax system is likely to be compromised in the absence of public support. This article presents evidence from a discrete choice experiment designed to elicit the tax preferences of ordinary citizens on how corporations should be taxed. We find that respondents prefer higher taxes on more internationally mobile companies, which is inconsistent with the prescriptions of optimal tax theory. Moreover, it is at odds with the tax policy in many countries, which may reduce political support for taxation among citizens. The experiment was conducted in Tanzania, making this result all the more striking as developing countries are particularly sensitive to location decisions of corporations. We also find that citizens favor higher taxes on foreign‐owned companies compared to domestic ones and lower taxes on companies that have more local employees.
An invariant for colored bonded knots
Authors: Gabrovšek Boštjan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe equip a knot K with a set of colored bonds, that is, colored intervals properly embedded into . Such a construction can be viewed as a structure that topologically models a closed protein chain including any type of bridges connecting the backbone residues. We introduce an invariant of such colored bonded knots that respects the HOMFLYPT relation, namely, the HOMFLYPT skein module of colored bonded knots. We show that the rigid version of the module is freely generated by colored Θ‐curves and handcuff links, while the nonrigid version is freely generated by the trivially embedded Θ‐curve. The latter module, however, does not provide information about the knottedness of the bonds.
Aortic dilatation: Value of echocardiography in the systematic assessment of elite rugby players in the French National Rugby League (LNR)
Authors: Chevalier Laurent , Corneloup Luc , Carré Francois , Mignot Aude , Jaussaud Jérémie , Gencel Laurent , Clement‐Guinaudeau Stephanie , Pospiech Thomas 
Published: January 2021

The value of echocardiography in the screening of athletes in addition to the electrocardiogram is debated and still unclear. 336 rugby players in French professional divisions (Top 14, Pro D2) were prospectively assessed with electrocardiogram and echocardiography. 75% were Caucasian, 16.4% Pacific Islanders, and 8.6% Afro‐Caribbean. Six (1.8%) players had electrocardiogram abnormalities, exclusively negative T waves. Twenty‐one (6.25%) of them had abnormal echocardiography findings: one possible early hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, one anomalous origin of coronary artery, two left ventricular dilatations, one isolated bicuspid aortic valve, two aortic regurgitations, and 14 ascending aortic dilatations. The median aortic diameter was modestly correlated with age: 32 mm [23‐48] in players aged ≤25 years vs 33.5 mm [24‐50] in those aged >25 years (P = 0.02, correlation coefficient −.01). This tendency increased with cumulative hours of weight training: 34 mm [24‐50] in forwards vs 32 mm [25‐44] in backs (P = 0.01); and ethnicity, with Pacific Islanders having higher values in both raw data and body surface area or height‐indexed data than Afro‐Caribbeans and Caucasians: 34 [25‐50] vs 32 [27‐48] and 33 [23‐49] mm (P = 0.017); 15 [12.2‐21] vs 14.8 [11‐19.9] and 14.8 [10‐20.9] mm/m2 (P < 0.0001); 18.5 [14‐25] mm/m vs 17.4 [14.8‐25] mm/m and 17.6 [12.2‐25.3] mm/m (P = 0.0125). In a population of professional rugby players, echocardiography was contributive. The main anomaly was aortic dilatation (14/336, 4.2%). While this is proportionally much higher than in other sports, the cutoffs need to be defined more precisely by including the criterion of ethnicity, as is already the case for electrocardiography.
Bureaucratic conflict between transnational actor coalitions: The diffusion of British National Vocational Qualifications to China
Authors: Müller Armin 
Published: January 2021

AbstractQuantitative studies of social policy diffusion face substantial challenges regarding their understanding of causal mechanisms. Knowledge of diffusion processes is particularly limited in authoritarian countries, in comparatively autonomous developing countries, and fields of social policy not characterized by hegemonic ideas and strong epistemic communities. This study focuses on technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in the People's Republic of China. The conceptual approach is based on the interaction‐oriented understanding of causal mechanisms in actor‐centred institutionalism, and the framework of lesson drawing. Methodologically, this study follows a process tracing approach, relying on semi‐structured interviews with Chinese experts, recently de‐classified project reports of the World Bank, and content analysis of Chinese legal and regulatory documents. Analysing why China introduced a system of vocational qualification certificates similar to English National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), rather than German‐style dual vocational apprenticeships, it uncovers a mechanism of bureaucratic conflict between competing coalitions of domestic ministries and transnational actors from the UK and Germany in a context of organizational hierarchy with multiple principals. The World Bank here attempted to play the role of a neutral international principal, but could only do so in limited ways and insofar as its preferences were compatible with those of the leadership core of the Party‐state. The study illustrates how bureaucratic conflict mediates policy learning, explaining the diffusion and non‐diffusion of different policy options. Furthermore, it highlights doubts regarding the mechanism of coercion, which remained largely ineffective.
Democracy Beyond Secrecy: Assessing the Promises and Pitfalls of Collective Voting
Authors: Mueller Sean , Gerber Marlène , Schaub Hans‐Peter 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis paper assesses collective voting as a specific mode of democratic decision‐making and compares it to secret voting. Under collective voting, voters gather in one place and decide by the show of hands. We theorise two potential advantages and two disadvantages of collective voting so defined. We then draw on original survey data from one of the largest polities practising collective voting, the citizen assembly of the Swiss canton of Glarus. We find that both the promises and pitfalls of non‐secret voting are exaggerated. Non‐secret voting’s suspected pitfalls – social pressure and abstention – do not generally materialise in our sample, although for women they do appear to be relevant to some extent. However, the promises of collective voting – enabling cue‐taking and discursive bridging and bonding – are equally realised to a limited extent only.
Bringing clerkship grading back to the bedside
Authors: Ryan Michael S. , Haley Kellen E. , Helou Marieka , Ryan Mark H. , Rigby Fidelma , Santen Sally A 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe hallmark of medical education is learning from patients through interactions at the bedside. However, many medical schools incorporate clinical clerkship grading systems that incentivize time away from patient care activities to focus on examinations of medical knowledge. The purpose of this innovation was to develop a grading system that encouraged development of competencies beyond medical knowledge, including patient care, communication, and professionalism skills.MethodsIn 2016, the authors convened a diverse workgroup to reform the clerkship grading approach at their institution. The group reviewed relevant literature and discussed approaches used by other institutions. They developed a competency‐based criterion system. For each of four competency domains (patient care, medical knowledge (examination score), professionalism, and communication/teamwork), students received a designation of inadequate, competent, or exemplary. The highest grade (“honors”) was awarded to students who met the criteria for exemplary performance in at least two domains. It was a primarily compensatory model, although to achieve competency (pass) scoring was non‐compensatory (acceptable performance in all categories).ResultsA total of 231 medical students received 1499 clerkship grades during the 2018–2019 year. Compared to previous years, more students (40% vs. 15%) received honors. A substantial proportion (43%) received honors without achieving an exemplary designation in the medical knowledge domain (i.e., standardized examination).Findings and DiscussionThe revised grading system provided several avenues for students to excel and receive honors in their clerkships allowing for recognition of students who excelled in patient care‐related areas other than standardized examinations.
Dacryops with extensive lacrimal and maxillary bone defects in four dogs
Authors: Steinmetz Andrea , von Bomhard Wolf , Mülling Christoph 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo describe and discuss ventromedial orbital lacrimal gland or duct cysts (dacryops) in dogs with extensive bone defects based on their symptoms, results of diagnostic imaging and histopathological examination, and therapy and discuss their potential origin based on the morphology.Animals studiedFour dogs of different breeds, age, and sex were presented with a unilateral round, slow growing, indolent, and non‐tender process ventromedial to the nasal canthus of the eye.ProceduresTransverse computed tomography showed a low‐density, non‐contrast‐enhancing cystic process ventromedial to the globe with extensive defects in the lacrimal and maxillary bones in all cases. The cystic character of the structure was confirmed by the aspiration of the brownish fluid without cellular and microbiological contents. For treatment, the cystic fluid was aspirated, and the sclerosing agent polidocanol was injected in three cases. Cystorhinostomy (nasal marsupialisation) was performed in one case as the first choice and in another case following failure of sclerotherapy. Histopathological examination of the cyst walls was performed in two cases and confirmed the diagnosis of dacryops.ResultsFollow‐up between 2 and 18 months showed no recurrence and very good to excellent cosmetic results.ConclusionsAberrant lacrimal gland or duct tissue with secondary development of dacryops should be included in the differential diagnoses of ventromedial orbital cysts. Large cysts near the lacrimal drainage system with extensive bone defects in dogs should be treated by nasal marsupialization. Treatments such as evacuation of the cyst and inducing sclerosis (sclerotherapy) should be reserved for exceptional cases.
First annual report of Chinese haemovigilance network
Authors: Yin Yonghua , Tian Xue , Li Ling , Kong Yujie , Wang Jue , Lin Feng , Song Ning , Chen Qiang , Gan Jia , Peng Tao , Li Xiying , Wu Yanyun , Ge Hongwei , Wang Hongjie , Jiang Jingmei , Bai Lianjun , Ji Hongwen , Zhao Guohua , Huang Yuguang , Liu Zhong ,   Chinese Haemovigilance Network
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackground and objectivesHaemovigilance involves surveillance of the whole chain of blood transfusion with the aim of identifying adverse events and errors and improving outcomes for patients. The Chinese Haemovigilance Network, founded in August 2017, has witnessed a rapid development in the last three years.Materials and methodsBased on the 1,022 cases in 2019, we analysed the adverse reactions (ARs) by blood component, clinical outcome severity and demography of recipients in an effort to publish the first annual Chinese haemovigilance report.ResultsThe AR rate associated with blood transfusion in 2019 was 0·2% in China. Allergic reactions and FNHTR were the two most common adverse symptoms, accounting for 97·7% of the reports. Two‐thirds of the TAD, AHTR and TACO and all of the HTR and DHTR resulted in hospitalization or prolongation of hospitalization. Plasma and AP were usually associated with allergic reaction (81·1%), whereas red cells more commonly cause FNHTR (68·8%) and all the AHTR, HTR, DSTR and DHTR. 84·1% of patients were aged 16 years or over, and the majority of the TAD, AHTR, TACO and HTR involved patients aged 60 and above. The ratio of serious adverse reactions (SARs) was 8·2%. Allergic reaction and FNHTR were top two (85·7%) SARs. The first case related to anti‐D immunoglobulin was detected in a DHTR report.ConclusionThis report provides the world’s first overview of transfusion‐related adverse reactions in China. This report is useful for better understanding transfusion risks in China.