bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of new viruses specific to the honey bee mite Varroa destructor
Authors: Herrero Salvador , Coll Sandra , González-Martínez Rosa M. , Parenti Stefano , Millán-Leiva Anabel , González-Cabrera Joel 
Published: April 2019

AbstractLarge-scale colony losses among managed Western honey bees have become a serious threat to the beekeeping industry in the last decade. There are multiple factors contributing to these losses but the impact of Varroa destructor parasitism is by far the most important, along with the contribution of some pathogenic viruses vectored by the mite. So far, more than 20 viruses have been identified infecting the honey bee, most of them RNA viruses. They may be maintained either as covert infections or causing severe symptomatic infections, compromising the viability of the colony. In silico analysis of available transcriptomic data obtained from mites collected in the USA and Europe as well as additional investigation with new samples collected locally allowed the description of three novel RNA viruses. Our results showed that these viruses were widespread among samples and that they were present in the mites and in the bees but with differences in the relative abundance and prevalence. However, we have obtained strong evidence showing that these three viruses were able to replicate in the mite, but not in the bee, suggesting that they are selectively infecting the mite. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of Varroa-specific viruses, which open the door to future applications that might help controlling the mite through biological control approaches.
Monocarboxylate Transport inDrosophilaLarval Brain during Low and High Neuronal Activity
Authors: Gonzalez-Gutierrez Andres , Ibacache Andrés , Esparza Andrés , Barros L. Felipe , Sierralta Jimena 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACTThe transport of lactate and pyruvate between glial cells and neurons plays an important role in the nervous system metabolic coupling. However, the mechanisms and characteristics that underlie the transport of monocarboxylates (MC-T)in vivoare poorly described. Here we useDrosophilaexpressing genetically-encoded FRET sensors to provide anex vivocharacterization of the MC-T in motor neurons and glial cells from the ventral nerve cord. We show that lactate/pyruvate transport on glial cells is coupled to protons and is more efficient than in neurons. Glial cells maintain higher levels of intracellular lactate generating a positive gradient towards neurons. Moreover, our results show that under increased activity lactate and pyruvate rise on motor neurons and suggest that this depends on the transfer of lactate from glial cells mediated in part by the previously described MC transporter Chaski, giving support to thein vivoglia to neurons lactate shuttling during activity.
A programmable DNA-origami platform for studying protein-mediated lipid transfer between bilayers
Authors: Bian Xin , Zhang Zhao , De Camilli Pietro , Lin Chenxiang 
Published: April 2019

AbstractNon-vesicular lipid transport between bilayers at membrane contact sites plays important physiological roles. Mechanistic insight into the action of lipid transport proteins localized at these sites (bridge/tunnel versus shuttle models) requires a determination of the distance between bilayers at which this transport can occur. Here, we developed DNA-origami nanostructures to organize size-defined liposomes at precise distances and used them to study lipid transfer by the SMP domain of E-Syt1. Pairs of DNA ring-templated donor and acceptor liposomes were docked through DNA pillars, which determined their distance. The SMP domain was anchored to donor liposomes via an unstructured linker and lipid transfer was assessed via a FRET-based assay. We show that lipid transfer can occur over distances that exceed the length of SMP dimer, compatible with a shuttle model. The DNA nanostructures developed here can be adapted to study other processes occurring where two membranes are closely apposed to each other.
The more the merrier? Multivariate approaches to genome-wide association analysis
Authors: Vroom César-Reyer , de Leeuw Christiaan , Posthuma Danielle , Dolan Conor V. , van der Sluis Sophie 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe vast majority of genome-wide association (GWA) studies analyze a single trait while large-scale multivariate data sets are available. As complex traits are highly polygenic, and pleiotropy seems ubiquitous, it is essential to determine when multivariate association tests (MATs) outperform univariate approaches in terms of power. We discuss the statistical background of 19 MATs and give an overview of their statistical properties. We address the Type I error rates of these MATs and demonstrate which factors can cause bias. Finally, we examine, compare, and discuss the power of these MATs, varying the number of traits, the correlational pattern between the traits, the number of affected traits, and the sign of the genetic effects. Our results demonstrate under which circumstances specific MATs perform most optimal. Through sharing of flexible simulation scripts, we facilitate a standard framework for comparing Type I error rate and power of new MATs to that of existing ones.
Mutant C. elegans mitofusin leads to selective removal of mtDNA heteroplasmic deletions at different rates across generations
Authors: Meshnik Lana , Bar-Yaacov Dan , Kasztan Dana , Neiger Tali , Cohen Tal , Kishner Mor , Valenci Itay , Dadon Sara , Klein Christopher J. , Vance Jeffery M. , Nevo Yoram , Zuchner Stephan , Mishmar Dan , Ben-Zvi Anat 
Published: April 2019

AbstractDeleterious and intact mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations frequently co-exist (heteroplasmy). Such mutations likely survive and are inherited due to complementation via the intra-cellular mitochondrial network. Hence, we hypothesized that compromised mitochondrial fusion would hamper such complementation, thereby affecting heteroplasmy inheritance. To test this hypothesis, we assessed heteroplasmy levels in three Caenorhabditis elegans strains carrying different heteroplasmic mtDNA deletions (ΔmtDNA) in the background of mutant mitofusin. Firstly, these animals displayed severe embryonic lethality and developmental delay. Strikingly, these phenotypes were relieved during subsequent generations in association with complete ΔmtDNA removal. Moreover, the rates of deletion loss negatively correlated with the size of mtDNA deletions, suggesting that mitochondrial fusion is essential and sensitive to the nature of the heteroplasmic mtDNA mutations. While introducing the ΔmtDNA into a fzo-1;pdr-1 (PARKIN ortholog) double mutant, we observed skew in the mendelian distribution of progeny, in contrast to normal distribution in the ΔmtDNA;fzo-1 mutant, and severely reduced brood size. Notably, the ΔmtDNA was lost across generations in association with improved phenotypes. This underlines the importance of cross-talk between mitochondrial fusion and mitophagy in modulating the inheritance of mtDNA heteroplasmy. Finally, while investigating heteroplasmy patterns in three Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2A pedigrees, which carry a mutated mitofusin 2, we found a single potentially deleterious heteroplasmic mutation, whose levels were selectively reduced in the patient versus healthy maternal relatives. Taken together our findings show that when mitochondrial fusion is compromised, deleterious heteroplasmic mutations cannot evade natural selection, while inherited from generation to generation.
Enhanced visuomotor learning and generalization in expert surgeons
Authors: Hewitson Christopher L. , Kaplan David M. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAlthough human motor learning has been intensively studied for many decades, it remains unknown whether group differences are present in expert cohorts that must routinely cope with and learn new visuomotor mappings such as minimally invasive surgeons. Here we show that expert surgeons exhibit greater adaptation and generalization compared to naive controls in a standard visuomotor adaptation task. These findings run counter to a widespread background assumption in the field of motor learning that visuomotor adaptation performance should be largely uniform across the adult human population. Our findings also indicate that differences in basic visuomotor learning capacities, either innate or acquired, might be an important source of difficulty in learning and performing minimally invasive surgery. This information holds potential to guide surgical candidate selection or optimize training programs to address individual needs.
Slow‐release vaginal insert of misoprostol versus orally administrated solution of misoprostol for the induction of labour in primiparous term pregnant women: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wallström T , Strandberg M , Gemzell‐Danielsson K , Pilo C , Jarnbert‐Pettersson H , Friman‐Mathiasson M , Wiberg‐Itzel E 
Published: April 2019

ObjectiveTo compare the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended orally administrated dosage of misoprostol (25 μg) with a vaginal slow‐release (7 μg/hour) insert of misoprostol regarding time from induction to delivery and safety of the method.DesignOpen label, Randomised controlled trial (RCT).SettingDelivery ward at a secondary referral hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, from 1 October 2016 to 21 February 2018.PopulationOne hundred and ninety‐six primiparous women with singletons in cephalic presentation at ≥37 weeks of gestation and with a Bishop score of ≤4.MethodsWomen were randomised to an oral solution of misoprostol (Cytotec® n = 99) or vaginal slow‐release misoprostol (Misodel® [MVI] n = 97).Main outcome measuresPrimary outcome: time from induction to vaginal delivery. Secondary outcomes: mode of delivery; proportion of vaginal deliveries within 24 hours (VD24); neonates with an Apgar score of <7 at 5 minutes; pH < 7.10; postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) of >1000 ml; hyperstimulation; and women's delivery experience (VAS).ResultsThere was no difference in the time to vaginal delivery (median 21.1 hours in the MVI group and 23.2 hours in the oral group; Kaplan–Mayer log rank P = 0.31). There was no difference regarding the proportion of VD24 (50.5 versus 55.7%, P = 0.16). Hyperstimulation with non‐reassuring cardiotocography (CTG) was more common in the MVI group (14.4 versus 3.0%, P < 0.01). Terbutaline (Bricanyl®) was used more often for hyperstimulation in the MVI group (22.7 versus 4.0%, P < 0.01). There was no difference in the numbers of children admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).ConclusionsVaginal delivery after induction of labour (IOL) with slow‐release misoprostol did not result in a shorter time from induction to vaginal delivery, compared with oral misoprostol solution, but was associated with a higher risk for hyperstimulation and fetal distress. There were no differences in mode of delivery or neonatal outcome.Tweetable abstractIOL with MVI was similar to oral solution of misoprostol but hyperstimulation and fetal distress were more common.
Role of autonomic dysfunction in the regulation of myocardial blood flow in systemic sclerosis evaluated by cardiac magnetic resonance
Authors: Gigante Antonietta , Galea Nicola , Borrazzo Cristian , Tubani Luigi , Liberatori Marta , Ciolina Federica , Fiorelli Andrea , Romaniello Antonella , Barbano Biagio , Romaggioli Laura , Francone Marco , Catalano Carlo , Carbone Iacopo , Rosato Edoardo 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAimAutonomic dysfunction (AD) is an early feature of systemic sclerosis (SSc). A regular endothelial function is a prerequisite for normal response of the myocardial blood flow (MBF) to cold pressure test (CPT). The aim of the study was to evaluate the relation between MBF and AD at rest and after CPT in asymptomatic SSc patients.MethodsTwenty SSc patients and 10 age‐, sex‐ and body mass index‐matched healthy controls underwent cardiac magnetic resonance at rest and after CPT. All subjects underwent 24 hours ambulatory 3‐channel electrocardiogram Holter to evaluate AD by heart rate variability.ResultsWe did not observe any significant difference in MBF (mL/g/min) at rest and after CPT between SSc patients and healthy controls. Delta of MBF (difference between MBF after CPT and rest MBF) was lower (P = 0.039) in SSc patients than healthy controls (0.28 [0.04‐0.40] vs 0.33 [0.24‐0.54]). The low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) was higher (P = 0.002) in SSc patients than healthy controls (3 [1.7‐6] vs 1.8 [1.1‐2.8]). The high frequencies (HF), modulated mainly by paraympathetic system, was lower (P = 0.003) in SSc patients than healthy controls (30 [16‐42] vs 36.5 [24‐44]). Sympathetic hyperactivity, due to reduction of parasympathetic activity (HF), is present in SSc patients. A negative correlation was observed between Delta of MBF and LF/HF (r = −0.572, P = 0.0031).ConclusionAD, characterized by sympathovagal imbalance due to a reduced parasympathetic tone with high LF/HF ratio, could be responsible for the reduced myocardial vasodilatory response after CPT.
Correlation between the protein expression levels of A‐kinase anchor protein95, p‐retinoblastoma (Ser780), cyclin D2/3, and cyclin E2 in esophageal cancer tissues
Authors: Wang Shuo , Wang Kai , Deng Zifeng , Jiang Zemin , Wang Dai , Yao Youliang , Guo Dongbei , Kong Xiangyu , Guan Zhiyu , Zhang Yongxing 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAimThis study aimed to investigate the correlation between the expression of A‐kinase anchor protein95 (AKAP95), p‐retinoblastoma (phosphorylated Rb, p‐Rb), cyclin D2, cyclin D3 and cyclin E2 in esophageal cancer tissues and clinicopathological indexes.MethodThe protein expression levels of AKAP95, p‐Rb, cyclin D2/3 and cyclin E2 in 40 esophageal cancer tissues were detected using immunohistochemistry, and the correlation between them was analyzed.ResultThe percentage of p‐Rb (Ser780)‐, cyclin D2‐, cyclin D3‐ and cyclin E2‐positive samples was 62.50%, 70.00%, 67.50% and 60.00%, respectively. Also, the positive expression did not correlate with the histological type, histological differentiation or lymph node metastasis. The expression of AKAP95 and p‐Rb (Ser780), p‐Rb (Ser780) and cyclin D2 and p‐Rb (Ser780) and cyclin D3 in esophageal cancer tissues was found to be correlated (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe expression of AKAP95 and p‐Rb (Ser780), p‐Rb(Ser780) and cyclin D2, and p‐Rb (Ser780) and cyclin D3 in esophageal cancer tissue was correlated, suggesting that these proteins might play a synergistic role in cell‐cycle progression. Cyclin D2/D3 and p‐Rb (Ser780) were correlated whereas cyclin E2 and p‐Rb (Ser780) were not, suggesting that p‐Rb (Ser780) might be highly expressed and the Ser780 site of Rb protein might be phosphorylated in the early stage of the G1 phase. Ser780 was the site in the primary phosphorylation stage of several phosphorylation sites during stepwise phosphorylation (from primary to high phosphorylation).
The Media and the Financial Markets: A Review
Authors: Raimondo Carlo 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIn recent years there has been a growing body of literature about the role of the media in finance. Textual analysis techniques and greater availability of data have created the possibility of going deeper into an analysis of soft information, including newspaper articles and other media‐generated content. This paper aims to present knowledge about the media's role in finance, calling on a large variety of research from the fields of finance, accounting, management, and economics. The goal and contribution of this paper are to provide a response to these queries by referencing existing, but often unconnected, literature.
Geopolitical Risk and Trading Patterns of Foreign and Domestic Investors: Evidence from Korea
Authors: Kim Young Sik , Park Keun Jae , Kwon Oh Byung 
Published: April 2019

AbstractWe examine how geopolitical risk affects investors’ investment strategies in the Korean market. The information advantage hypothesis predicts that foreign investors become more reluctant to invest in the portfolios of foreign countries due to increased information asymmetry following geopolitical risk escalation while the international diversification hypothesis predicts that foreign investors will not reduce the size of their foreign portfolios because their wealth portfolios are sufficiently diversified. Using a novel measure of geopolitical risk, we find evidence consistent with the information advantage hypothesis: when North Korea risk is highly escalated, foreign investors reduce while domestic investors increase the value of their Korean portfolios, and domestic institutional investors significantly outperform foreign investors due to increased information asymmetry.
Development and validation of the Treatment Expectations in Chronic Pain Scale
Authors: Pagé M. Gabrielle , Ziemianski Daniel , Martel Marc Olivier , Shir Yoram 
Published: April 2019

ObjectivesTo develop and examine the psychometric properties of the Treatment Expectations in Chronic Pain (TEC) scale, a brief measure of treatment expectations of chronic non‐cancer pain treatment.DesignA cross‐sectional study design was used.MethodsAfter conducting a literature review and expert discussions, a preliminary version of the TEC scale was developed. Cognitive interviews with 10 clinicians and 14 patients were conducted to examine the scale's face validity and item wording. Last, two hundred and five patients on the waitlist for a multidisciplinary pain treatment centre completed a battery of self‐report questionnaires to examine the TEC scale's reliability and construct validity. Mokken scale analysis was conducted to select the final items. Reliability (Cronbach's alpha and Guttman's lambda2) and construct validity (Pearson correlations) were assessed.ResultsThe final scale was composed of nine items that each measured ideal and predicted expectations about process and outcome of treatment. Mokken scale analysis showed the presence of two subscales: ideal and predicted expectations. The TEC scale had good internal consistency (α = 0.876–0.869) and adequate discriminant validity as assessed by its low correlation with measures of depression, anxiety, and quality of life (r = −.038 to .114). The scale had however low correlation with a theoretically related measure of optimism (r = .240).ConclusionThe TEC scale is a reliable scale measuring pain treatment expectation. Further evaluation of its psychometric properties is needed. The scale has the potential to deepen our understanding of the role treatment expectations play in chronic non‐cancer pain treatment response.
Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Expectations play a role in pain perception and the response to pain treatment
Patients' expectations about pain and its management are associated with treatment satisfaction
The absence of a validated tool to measure treatment expectations in chronic non‐cancer pain prevents further exploration and understanding of the role of expectations in the context of multidisciplinary pain treatment
.

What does this study add?

A new, reliable 9‐item scale measuring treatment expectations among chronic non‐cancer pain patients attending specialized multidisciplinary pain clinics
.
Organic Anion Transporter Polypeptide 1B1 Polymorphism Modulates the Extent of Drug–Drug Interaction and Associated Biomarker Levels in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Yee Sook Wah , Giacomini Marilyn M. , Shen Hong , Humphreys W. Griffith , Horng Howard , Brian William , Lai Yurong , Kroetz Deanna L. , Giacomini Kathleen M. 
Published: April 2019

Understanding transporter‐mediated drug–drug interactions is an integral part of risk assessment in drug development. Recent studies support the use of hexadecanedioate (HDA), tetradecanedioate (TDA), coproporphyrin (CP)‐I, and CP‐III as clinical biomarkers for evaluating organic anion‐transporting polypeptide (OATP)1B1 (SLCO1B1) inhibition. The current study investigated the effect of OATP1B1 genotype c.521T>C (OATP1B1‐Val174Ala) on the extent of interaction between cyclosporin A (CsA) and pravastatin, and associated endogenous biomarkers of the transporter (HDA, TDA, CP‐I, and CP‐III), in 20 healthy volunteers. The results show that the levels of each clinical biomarker and pravastatin were significantly increased in plasma samples of the volunteers following administration of pravastatin plus CsA compared with pravastatin plus placebo. The overall fold change in the area under the concentration–time curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was similar among the four biomarkers (1.8–2.5‐fold, paired t‐test P value < 0.05) in individuals who were homozygotes or heterozygotes of the major allele, c.521T. However, the fold change in AUC and Cmax for HDA and TDA was significantly abolished in the subjects who were c.521‐CC, whereas the respective fold change in AUC and Cmax for pravastatin and CP‐I and CP‐III were slightly weaker in individuals who were c.521‐CC compared with c.521‐TT/TC genotypes. In addition, this study provides the first evidence that SLCO1B1 c.521T>C genotype is significantly associated with CP‐I but not CP‐III levels. Overall, these results suggest that OATP1B1 genotype can modulate the effects of CsA on biomarker levels; the extent of modulation differs among the biomarkers.
Private equity characteristics and performance: An analysis of North American venture capital and buyout funds
Authors: Roggi Oliviero , Giannozzi Alessandro , Baglioni Tommaso , Pagliai Francesco 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe paper investigates the relationship between fund performance and fund characteristics of North American private equity (PE) funds, by analyzing the interactions of fund size, fund sequence, and past fund performance on traditional fund return measures. The empirical evidence is based on both linear and polynomial regressions, on a sample of 345 venture capital (VC) and 411 buyout (BO) funds with vintage year over the period 1995–2010. We document a concave relationship between fund size and performance, persistence in PE performance, as well as a convex relationship between fund sequence and performance. We suggest both the optimal fund size and the optimal fund sequence number. Economic implications for investors and general partners are discussed as well.