bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Insulin actions on hypothalamic glucose‐sensing neurones
Authors: Garcia Stephanie M. , Hirschberg Pamela R. , Sarkar Pallabi , Siegel Dashiel M. , Teegala Suraj B. , Vail Gwyndolin M. , Routh Vanessa H. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSubsequent to the discovery of insulin 100 years ago, great strides have been made in understanding its function, especially in the brain. It is now clear that insulin is a critical regulator of the neuronal circuitry controlling energy balance and glucose homeostasis. This review focuses on the effects of insulin and diabetes on the activity and glucose sensitivity of hypothalamic glucose‐sensing neurones. We highlight the role of electrophysiological data in understanding how insulin regulates glucose‐sensing neurones. A brief introduction describing the benefits and limitations of the major electrophysiological techniques used to investigate glucose‐sensing neurones is provided. The mechanisms by which hypothalamic neurones sense glucose are discussed with an emphasis on those glucose‐sensing neurones already shown to be modulated by insulin. Next, the literature pertaining to how insulin alters the activity and glucose sensitivity of these hypothalamic glucose‐sensing neurones is described. In addition, the effects of impaired insulin signalling during diabetes and the ramifications of insulin‐induced hypoglycaemia on hypothalamic glucose‐sensing neurones are covered. To the extent that it is known, we present hypotheses concerning the mechanisms underlying the effects of these insulin‐related pathologies. To conclude, electrophysiological data from the hippocampus are evaluated aiming to provide clues regarding how insulin might influence neuronal plasticity in glucose‐sensing neurones. Although much has been accomplished subsequent to the discovery of insulin, the work described in our review suggests that the regulation of central glucose sensing by this hormone is both important and understudied.
Voice in adolescents' informational writing
Authors: Park Jungyoung , Fang Zhihui 
Published: January 2021

AbstractVoice is a key component of interpersonal meaning that denotes a writer's value judgement or personal feelings. An important aspect of voice in informational writing is epistemic stance, which indicates a writer's judgement of the information presented. This exploratory study examined adolescents' use of hedges and boosters to convey epistemic stance in their informational writing. Ninety‐three seventh‐grade and ninth‐grade students from one American public school were asked to write a science report oncrocodiliafor a peer audience. The writing corpus was coded for the presence of linguistic markers of hedges and boosters. Statistical analysis reveals that the students as a whole used significantly more boosters than hedges and that there was no significant difference between the two grade levels in the use of hedges or boosters. Moreover, the students drew heavily on everyday language resources to instantiate either hedges or boosters, and there was a lack of lexical diversity in their linguistic choices. These findings suggest that adolescent learners were able to infuse voice in their informational writing but needed to expand their linguistic repertoires for instantiating voice in order to develop advanced literacy.
The association between adverse childhood experiences and childhood obesity: A systematic review
Authors: Schroeder Krista , Schuler Brittany R. , Kobulsky Julia M. , Sarwer David B. 
Published: January 2021

SummaryAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with numerous physical and mental health issues in children and adults. The effect of ACEs on development of childhood obesity is less understood. This systematic review was undertaken to synthesize the quantitative research examining the relationship between ACEs and childhood obesity. PubMed, PsycInfo, and Web of Science were searched in July 2020; Rayyan was used to screen studies, and the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale was used to assess risk of bias. The search resulted in 6,966 studies screened at title/abstract and 168 at full‐text level. Twenty‐four studies met inclusion criteria. Study quality was moderate, with greatest risk of bias due to method of assessment of ACEs or sample attrition. Findings suggest ACEs are associated with childhood obesity. Girls may be more sensitive to obesity‐related effects of ACEs than boys, sexual abuse appears to have a greater effect on childhood obesity than other ACEs, and co‐occurrence of multiple ACEs may be associated with greater childhood obesity risk. Further, the effect of ACEs on development of childhood obesity may take 2–5 years to manifest. Considered collectively, findings suggest a need for greater attention to ACEs in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.
Cytosolic HSC70s repress heat stress tolerance and enhance seed germination under salt stress conditions
Authors: Zhao Huimei , Jan Asad , Ohama Naohiko , Kidokoro Satoshi , Soma Fumiyuki , Koizumi Shinya , Mogami Junro , Todaka Daisuke , Mizoi Junya , Shinozaki Kazuo , Yamaguchi‐Shinozaki Kazuko 
Published: January 2021

AbstractHeat shock factor A1 (HsfA1) family proteins are the master regulators of the heat stress‐responsive transcriptional cascade in Arabidopsis. Although 70 kDa heat shock proteins (HSP70s) are known to participate in repressing HsfA1 activity, the mechanisms by which they regulate HsfA1 activity have not been clarified. Here, we report the physiological functions of three cytosolic HSP70s, HSC70‐1, HSC70‐2 and HSC70‐3, under normal and stress conditions. Expression of the HSC70 genes was observed in whole seedlings, and the HSC70 proteins were observed in the cytoplasm and nucleus under normal and stress conditions, as were the HsfA1s. hsc70‐1/2 double and hsc70‐1/2/3 triple mutants showed higher thermotolerance than the wild‐type (WT) plants. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the upregulation of heat stress‐responsive HsfA1‐downstream genes in hsc70‐1/2/3 mutants under normal growth conditions, demonstrating that these HSC70s redundantly function as repressors of HsfA1 activity. Furthermore, hsc70‐1/2/3 plants showed a more severe growth delay during the germination stage than the WT plants under high‐salt stress conditions, and many seed‐specific cluster 2 genes that exhibited suppressed expression during germination were expressed in hsc70‐1/2/3 plants, suggesting that these HSC70s also function in the developmental transition from seed to seedling under high‐salt conditions by suppressing the expression of cluster 2 genes.
Bureaucracy, Democracy, and Race: The Limits of Symbolic Representation
Authors: Headley Andrea M. , Wright James E. , Meier Kenneth J. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractA bureaucracy that is representative of the public it serves—passive representation—can result in both active representation and symbolic representation. Symbolic representation occurs when passive representation improves perceptions of legitimacy and enhances bureaucratic outcomes because the public is more cooperative and more likely to engage in coproduction. We present a new micro‐theory of symbolic representation to show that symbolic benefits of passive representation depend on some level of positive treatment by bureaucrats. We then illustrate the utility of this theory with qualitative interviews from two cities with large populations of people of color and high proportions of police officers of color. The results suggest that increasing the demographic representativeness of the bureaucracy may be a necessary, but not a sufficient, condition for improving the relationship between the public and the bureaucracy.
Non‐specific phospholipases C2 and C6 redundantly function in pollen tube growth via triacylglycerol production in Arabidopsis
Authors: Bose Debayan , Ngo Anh H. , Nguyen Van C. , Nakamura Yuki 
Published: January 2021

SUMMARYNon‐specific phospholipase Cs (NPCs) are responsible for membrane lipid remodeling that involves hydrolysis of the polar head group of membrane phospholipids. Arabidopsis NPC2 and NPC6 are essential in gametogenesis, but their underlying role in the lipid remodeling remains elusive. Here, we show that these NPCs are required for triacylglycerol (TAG) production in pollen tube growth. NPC2 and NPC6 are highly expressed in developing pollen tubes and are localized at the endoplasmic reticulum. Mutants of NPC2 and NPC6 showed reduced rate of pollen germination, length of pollen tube and amount of lipid droplets (LDs). Overexpression of NPC2 or NPC6 induced LD accumulation, which suggests that these NPCs are involved in LD production. Furthermore, mutants defective in the biosynthesis of TAG, a major component of LDs, showed defective pollen tube growth. These results suggest that NPC2 and NPC6 are essential in gametogenesis for a role in hydrolyzing phospholipids and producing TAG required for pollen tube growth. Thus, lipid remodeling from phospholipids to TAG during pollen tube growth represents an emerging role for the NPC family in plant developmental control.
KIT mutations in mast cell tumours from cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and domestic cats (Felis catus)
Authors: Tamlin Vanessa S. , Bottema Cynthia D. K. , Campbell‐Ward Michelle L. , Hanshaw Daren , Peaston Anne E. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractMast cell tumours (MCT) have been documented in numerous species and mutations within the KIT proto‐oncogene are implicated in the neoplastic biology of mast cells in humans, dogs and cats. This study determined high KIT gene nucleotide and Kit amino acid sequence homology between several species known to suffer mast cell neoplasia and especially high sequence conservation between the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) and domestic cat (Felis catus) KIT sequences. As a result, we hypothesised that KIT mutations would exist in the neoplastic DNA of four cheetahs diagnosed with MCT from a recent case series. PCR and Sanger sequencing identified conservative exon 6 KIT mutations in two of the four cheetahs. The mutations were different between the two cheetahs. Only wild‐type DNA in exons 6, 8, 9 and 11 of KIT was observed in the MCTs of the remaining two cheetahs. Twenty cutaneous MCTs from domestic cats were collected for KIT mutation comparison. Twelve tumours possessed a mutation within KIT exons 6, 8 or 9 (60%, 95% CI 38.5%‐81.5%). No mutations were detected in exon 11. There was no significant association between domestic feline MCT KIT mutation status and tumour histological grade (traditional schematic, P = .934; Sabattini 2‐tier schematic, P = .762) or mitotic index (P = .750). KIT mRNA and Kit protein sequences are conserved across species but the role of KIT in feline MCT pathogenesis is not completely understood.
Muscle myosin performance measured with a synthetic nanomachine reveals a class‐specific Ca2+‐sensitivity of the frog myosin II isoform
Authors: Pertici Irene , Bianchi Giulio , Bongini Lorenzo , Cojoc Dan , Taft Manuel H. , Manstein Dietmar J. , Lombardi Vincenzo , Bianco Pasquale 
Published: January 2021

Key points
A nanomachine made of an ensemble of seven heavy‐meromyosin (HMM) fragments of muscle myosin interacting with an actin filament is able to mimic the half‐sarcomere generating steady force and constant‐velocity shortening.
To preserve Ca2+ as a free parameter, the Ca2+‐insensitive gelsolin fragment TL40 is used to attach the correctly oriented actin filament to the laser‐trapped bead acting as a force transducer.
The new method reveals that the performance of the nanomachine powered by myosin from frog hind‐limb muscles depends on [Ca2+], an effect mediated by a Ca2+‐binding site in the regulatory light chain of HMM. The Ca2+‐sensitivity is class‐specific because the performance of the nanomachine powered by mammalian skeletal muscle myosin is Ca2+ independent.
A model simulation is able to interface the nanomachine performance with that of the muscle of origin and provides a molecular explanation of the functional diversity of muscles with different orthologue isoforms of myosin.
AbstractAn ensemble of seven heavy‐meromyosin (HMM) fragments of myosin‐II purified from the hindlimb muscles of the frog (Rana esculenta) is used to drive a synthetic nanomachine that pulls an actin filament in the absence of confounding effects of other sarcomeric proteins. In the present version of the nanomachine the +end of the actin filament is attached to the laser trapped bead via the Ca2+‐insensitive gelsolin fragment TL40, making [Ca2+] a free parameter. Frog myosin performance in 2 mm ATP is affected by Ca2+: in 0.1 mm Ca2+, the isometric steady force (F0, 15.25 pN) is increased by 50% (P = 0.004) with respect to that in Ca2+‐free solution, the maximum shortening velocity (V0, 4.6 μm s–1) is reduced by 27% (P = 0.46) and the maximum power (Pmax, 7.6 aW) is increased by 21% (P = 0.17). V0 reduction is not significant for the paucity of data at low force, although it is solidified by a similar decrease (33%, P < 0.0001) in the velocity of actin sliding as indicated by an in vitro motility assay (Vf). The rate of ATP‐hydrolysis in solution (φ) exhibits a similar calcium dependence. Ca2+ titration curves for Vf and φ give Kd values of ∼30 μm. All the above mechanical and kinetic parameters are independent of Ca2+ when HMM from rabbit psoas myosin is used, indicating that the Ca2+‐sensitivity is a class‐specific property of muscle myosin. A unique multiscale model allows interfacing of the nanomachine performance to that of the muscle of origin and identifies the kinetic steps responsible for the Ca2+‐sensitivity of frog myosin.
Caring for critically ill adults in paediatric intensive care units in England during the COVID-19 pandemic: planning, implementation and lessons for the future
Authors: Sinha Ruchi , Aramburo Angela , Deep Akash , Bould Emma-Jane , Buckley Hannah L , Draper Elizabeth S , Feltbower Richard , Mitting Rebecca , Mahoney Sarah , Alexander John , Playfor Stephen , Chan-Dominy Amy , Nadel Simon , Suntharalingam Ganesh , Fraser James , Ramnarayan Padmanabhan 
Published: January 2021

ObjectiveTo describe the experience of paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in England that repurposed their units, equipment and staff to care for critically ill adults during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.DesignDescriptive study.SettingSeven PICUs in England.Main outcome measures(1) Modelling using historical Paediatric Intensive Care Audit Network data; (2) space, staff, equipment, clinical care, communication and governance considerations during repurposing of PICUs; (3) characteristics, interventions and outcomes of adults cared for in repurposed PICUs.ResultsSeven English PICUs, accounting for 137 beds, repurposed their space, staff and equipment to admit critically ill adults. Neighbouring PICUs increased their bed capacity to maintain overall bed numbers for children, which was informed by historical data modelling (median 280–307 PICU beds were required in England from March to June). A total of 145 adult patients (median age 50–62 years) were cared for in repurposed PICUs (1553 bed-days). The vast majority of patients had COVID-19 (109/145, 75%); the majority required invasive ventilation (91/109, 85%). Nearly, a third of patients (42/145, 29%) underwent a tracheostomy. Renal replacement therapy was provided in 20/145 (14%) patients. Twenty adults died in PICU (14%).ConclusionIn a rapid and unprecedented effort during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, seven PICUs in England were repurposed to care for adult patients. The success of this effort was underpinned by extensive local preparation, close collaboration with adult intensivists and careful national planning to safeguard paediatric critical care capacity.
Community-level spillover effects of an intervention to prevent intimate partner violence and HIV transmission in rural Ethiopia
Authors: Leight Jessica , Deyessa Negussie , Verani Fabio , Tewolde Samuel , Sharma Vandana 
Published: January 2021

BackgroundIntimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with adverse health and psychosocial outcomes. We analysed the spillover effects of Unite for a Better Life (UBL), an intervention evaluated in a cluster randomised controlled trial using a double-randomised design; previous evidence suggests UBL reduced IPV in rural Ethiopia among direct beneficiaries.MethodsVillages (n=64) were randomly allocated to control, or to receive UBL delivered to men, women or couples. Each cluster comprised 106 surveyed households, including 21 randomly selected indirect beneficiary households who were not included in the intervention. Primary and secondary IPV outcomes included women’s experience and men’s perpetration of past-year physical or sexual IPV 24 months postintervention. An intention-to-treat analysis was conducted comparing indirect beneficiaries to sampled households in control communities. The analysis includes 2516 households surveyed at baseline in 2014–2015 (1680 households in the control arm, 258 indirect beneficiary households in the couples’ arm, 287 indirect beneficiary households in the women’s arm and 291 indirect beneficiary households in the men’s arm). Follow-up data were available from 88% of baseline respondents and 86% of baseline spouses surveyed in 2017–2018, a total of 4379 individuals.ResultsAmong indirect beneficiaries, there was no statistically significant intervention effect on women’s past-year experience of physical or sexual IPV, while men’s UBL significantly reduced reported perpetration of past-year sexual IPV (Adjusted Odds Ratio: 0.55; 95% CI 0.38 to 0.80, p=0.002). The intervention effects among indirect beneficiaries were statistically similar to those reported for the direct beneficiaries. In general, the hypothesis of equal effects cannot be rejected.ConclusionA gender-transformative intervention delivered to men was effective in reducing reported IPV even among indirect beneficiaries, suggesting that the programme had positive spillover effects in diffusing information and changing behaviours within the broader community.Trial registration numbersNCT02311699and American Economic Association Registry (AEARCTR-0000211).
Access to personal protective equipment in exposed healthcare workers and COVID-19 illness, severity, symptoms and duration: a population-based case-control study in six countries
Authors: Kim Hyunju , Hegde Sheila , LaFiura Christine , Raghavan Madhunika , Sun Nancy , Cheng Susan , Rebholz Casey M , Seidelmann Sara B 
Published: January 2021

BackgroundDespite the widespread implementation of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the COVID-19 pandemic, there are surprisingly few studies of its impact. To assess the risk, severity and duration of COVID-19 in relation to access to PPE in at-risk healthcare workers (HCWs).MethodsFrom 17 July to 25 September 2020, at-risk physicians and nurses registered as a provider in the Survey Healthcare Globus network in six countries (the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and USA) were identified based on adult medical specialties with frequent and close contact with patients with COVID-19. Exposed HCWs completed a detailed questionnaire including demographics, medical, social and lifestyle factors. COVID-19 cases were defined as COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, fatigue, loss of taste or smell) and asymptomatic COVID-19 test positive cases.ResultsAmong 2884 exposed HCWs (94% medical doctors and 6% nurses or physician assistants), there were 514 reports of COVID-19 illness and 54 asymptomatic COVID-19 test positive cases. COVID-19 risk was significantly associated with close contact with COVID-19 cases both inside and outside the workplace, number of work shifts and hours worked per week. Limited access to PPE compared with access to a fresh mask, gown and gloves and face shield with each patient encounter was associated with a 2.2-fold to 22-fold increased risk of reporting COVID-19 symptoms (p<0.0001), a pattern consistent across all six countries. Further, limited access to PPE was associated with symptom duration greater than 2 weeks and the presence of moderate to severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, abnormal chest X-ray, low oxygen saturations, respiratory distress and acute lung injury.ConclusionIn six countries, less access to PPE was strongly associated with both increased risk of reporting COVID-19 illness as well as more prolonged and severe disease course in frontline HCWs.
How big is your bubble? Characteristics of self-isolating household units (‘bubbles’) during the COVID-19 Alert Level 4 period in New Zealand: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Kearns Nethmi , Shortt Nick , Kearns Ciléin , Eathorne Allie , Holliday Mark , Mackle Diane , Martindale John , Semprini Alex , Weatherall Mark , Beasley Richard , Braithwaite Irene 
Published: January 2021

ObjectiveTo characterise the self-isolating household units (bubbles) during the COVID-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown in New Zealand.Design, setting and participantsIn this cross-sectional study, an online survey was distributed to a convenience sample via Facebook advertising and the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand’s social media platforms and mailing list. Respondents were able to share a link to the survey via their own social media platforms and by email. Results were collected over 6 days during Alert Level 4 from respondents living in New Zealand, aged 16 years and over.Main outcomes measuresThe primary outcome was the mean size of a self-isolating household unit or bubble. Secondary outcomes included the mean number of households in each bubble, the proportion of bubbles containing essential workers and/or vulnerable people, and the mean number of times the home was left each week.Results14 876 surveys were included in the analysis. The mean (SD) bubble size was 3.58 (4.63) people, with mean (SD) number of households 1.26 (0.77). The proportion of bubbles containing one or more essential workers, or one or more vulnerable persons was 45.3% and 42.1%, respectively. The mean number of times individual bubble members left their home in the previous week was 12.9 (12.4). Bubbles that contained at least one vulnerable individual had fewer outings over the previous week compared with bubbles that did not contain a vulnerable person. The bubble sizes were similar by respondent ethnicity.ConclusionIn this New Zealand convenience sample, bubble sizes were small, mostly limited to one household, and a high proportion contained essential workers and/or vulnerable people. Understanding these characteristics from a country which achieved a low COVID-19 infection rate may help inform public health interventions during this and future pandemics.