Specific Component Research Articles

Towards FAIR Data Access

Towards FAIR Data Access

Does organization capital increase firm risk? Evidence from firms with human resource executives

We investigate whether and how organization capital affects firm risk using the presence of human resource executives (HREs) in top management teams as an indicator of superior human resource management, a specific component of organization capital. Based on a comprehensive sample of the largest firms in the U.S., we find that the stock market performance of firms with HREs is significantly worse than that of other firms at the worst times for the market. We also find that firms with HREs are more likely to be poor stock-market performers at the worst times for the market even if we control for other factors known to affect firm risk. The results suggest that firms with HREs and thus greater stock of organization capital are fundamentally riskier than other firms.

Dynamic Exploration of a Controllable Thermosensitive Neuron Model and Its Applications

A specific functional electric component is connected to any branch of the neural circuit, which can enhance the corresponding biological function as a smart sensor, whereas the temperature has a significant effect on the firing rhythm of neurons by regulating channel conductance and excitability. So for this paper, a controllable thermosensitive neuron model is established by paralleling two thermistors in the FitzHugh–Nagumo neural circuit. Especially, the thermistors are controlled by two switches, where three working modes can be selected, for which bifurcation diagrams, time response diagrams and spectral entropy (SE) complexity are used to analyze the dynamic behaviors in different operating modes. It is found that any modulation of thermistor can regulate the branch current and output voltage completely under the three working modes. More importantly, the neuronal activities show different mode transitions from periodic to bursts or chaos. The superior dynamic characteristics and rich firing behavior make the new model more suitable for images encryption. For this purpose, we consider switching the three thermosensitive neuron models continuously to obtain more complex chaotic sequences. Next, based on the feature of high pixel correlation among color image components, a 3D projection scrambling algorithm is designed, and then employed in combination with the universal gravitational diffusion method to propose a color image encryption scheme. In addition, the designed algorithm is executed by encrypting and decrypting some color images. The experimental results show that the algorithm cannot only encrypt the color image effectively, but also has no limitation on the size of the test image. It is worth mentioning that the designed encrypted algorithm has satisfactory security performance and considerable robustness against noise attacks and shearing attacks. The exploration of this paper about the thermosensitive neuron model and its application may provide some theoretical guidance and experimental basis in the field of secure communication.

Factors Influencing Different Classes in Progressive Collapsing Foot Deformity

Category: Midfoot/Forefoot; Basic Sciences/Biologics; Hindfoot Introduction/Purpose: The current classification system of progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD) is comprised of 5 possible classes that describe different deformity components. Each class is defined by clinical and radiographic findings. These components are ostensibly independent from one another during evaluation and treatment. However, PCFD is understood to be a complex, three-dimensional deformity occurring in many regions along the foot and ankle. The question remains whether a deformity in one area impacts other areas. The objective of this study is to assess how each one of the classes is influenced by other classes by evaluating each associated angular measurement. We hypothesized that positive and linear correlations would occur for each class with at least one other class and that this influence would be high. Methods: In this IRB-approved retrospective case-control study, we assessed 32 feet diagnosed with PCFD and 28 controls matched on gender, BMI and age. All measurements were performed using weight-bearing CT (WBCT) scans and completed by two foot and ankle surgeons. The classes and their associated radiographic measurements were defined as follows: Class A (hindfoot valgus) measured by the hindfoot moment arm (HMA), class B (midfoot abduction) measured by the talonavicular coverage angle (TNCA), class C (medial column instability) measured by the talus-first metatarsal (Meary) angle, class D (peritalar subluxation) measured by the medial facet uncoverage (MFU), and class E (ankle valgus) measured using the talar tilt angle (TTA). Multivariate analyses were completed comparing each class measurement to the other classes. Data were checked for multicollinearity with the Belsley-Kuh-Welsch technique. Heteroskedasticity and normality of residuals were assessed respectively by the Breusch-Pagan test and the Shapiro-Wilk test. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: After removing confounding variables, each class was separately evaluated. In Class A, Meary was positively correlated (rs=0.46; p=0.009) with HMA, explaining 21% of changes in this angle (R2=0.21). Class B evaluation showed that MFU was correlated with TNCA (rs=0.76; p=0.001), explaining 63% of TNCA variations (R2=0.63). In Class C, HMA (rs=0.71; p=0.001) and MFU (rs =0.75; p=0.001) were correlated to Meary's angle and both measures explained 58% of changes in this angle (R2=0.58). When assessing Class D, TNCA (rs =0.76; p=0.001) and Meary (rs=0.75; p=0.001) correlated with MFU and were responsible for 63% of variations on this angle. Finally, Class E deformity, determined by TTA, was not correlated with any other measurement. Conclusion: This study was able to find relations between components of PCFD deformity with exception of ankle valgus (Class E). Measurements associated with each class were found to be influenced by others, and in some instances with pronounced strength. The presented data may support the notion that PCFD is a three-dimensional complex deformity and suggests a possible relation among its ostensibly independent features. Further, these results support the concept that a specific component correction may impact other misalignments, decreasing the necessity for adjuvant procedures. This could have a direct effect in clinical practice, changing how providers assess PCFD and plan treatments.

A conjugately configured supercapacitor based on pairs of pre-lithiated Nb2O5/TiO2 with optimized retained energy upon aging enabled by suppressed self-discharge

Supercapacitors are advantageous in terms of power density and cycle life, but their wider application is limited by self-discharge. Previous attempts for improving the stability have mainly focused on the specific component (materials, separators or electrolytes) of the device, while the feasibility for mitigating self-discharge through a general device-scale configuration is largely unknown. Herein, we report a symmetric supercapacitor with a conjugated configuration, which consists of a pair of pre-lithiated niobium oxide decorated with evenly distributed titanium dioxide, forming a Lix[(Nb2O5):(TiO2)a] vs. Li2-x[(Nb2O5):(TiO2)a] conjugated configuration. The intercalation type pseudocapacitive Nb2O5 are unique due to their linearly sloped charge/discharge curve like electrochemical double layer capacitances (EDLCs) while the charged ions can be inserted/extracted reversibly from the bulk like batteries. As a result, such conjugated device can store energy like conventional EDLCs, while the self-discharge process is significantly supressed. When further added with suitable amount of titanium dioxide as the stabilizer, the conjugated supercapacitor retained 74% of its energy after aging for 48 h. These results are expected to provide a general guidance for designing materials specifically for constructing conjugated supercapacitors with high initial energy density and alleviated self-discharge.

Simulation of Light-Trapping Characteristics of Self-Assembled Nano-Ridges in Ternary Organic Film

The presence of self-assembled nano-ridged (SANR) structures in PTB7-Th:PC70BM:PC60BM ternary organic blend film with the specific component ratio was experimentally clarified, and the light-trapping effect of the SANR structures was demonstrated. On this basis, the light-trapping characteristics of the PTB7-Th:PC70BM:PC60BM ternary blend film with the SANR structures were investigated by using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) algorithm. The results showed that the SANR structures have a light-trapping effect, which can effectively reduce the transmittance and reflectance of the incident photons at the specific wavelengths and thus exhibit stronger photon absorption, especially for the photons in the wavelength range of 550–650 nm. The light-trapping effect of the SANR structures does not depend on the direction of photon incidence, and the active layer traps the photons incident from both its top and bottom. The dimensional variation of the SANR has a significant effect on the light-trapping characteristics of the active layer, and the effect caused by the height variation is overwhelmingly superior compared with that of the width variation. In addition, the higher the density of the SANR, the more significant the light-trapping effect of the active layer. This work provides a theoretical basis for the further experimental enhancement of the photon absorption capacity of the PTB7-Th:PC70BM:PC60BM active layer with SANR structures.

Targeted and cellular therapies in lymphoma: Mechanisms of escape and innovative strategies.

The therapeutic landscape for lymphomas is quite diverse and includes active surveillance, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and even stem cell transplant. Advances in the field have led to the development of targeted therapies, agents that specifically act against a specific component within the critical molecular pathway involved in tumorigenesis. There are currently numerous targeted therapies that are currently Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved to treat certain lymphoproliferative disorders. Of many, some of the targeted agents include rituximab, brentuximab vedotin, polatuzumab vedotin, nivolumab, pembrolizumab, mogamulizumab, vemurafenib, crizotinib, ibrutinib, cerdulatinib, idelalisib, copanlisib, venetoclax, tazemetostat, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells. Although these agents have shown strong efficacy in treating lymphoproliferative disorders, the complex biology of the tumors have allowed for the malignant cells to develop various mechanisms of resistance to the targeted therapies. Some of the mechanisms of resistance include downregulation of the target, antigen escape, increased PD-L1 expression and T-cell exhaustion, mutations altering the signaling pathway, and agent binding site mutations. In this manuscript, we discuss and highlight the mechanism of action of the above listed agents as well as the different mechanisms of resistance to these agents as seen in lymphoproliferative disorders.

Olfactory Dysfunction and Incidence of Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome: A Prospective Clinical-Pathologic Study.

To examine associations between olfactory dysfunction, Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology, and motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR), a predementia syndrome characterized by cognitive complaints and slow gait that is associated with risk for AD and other dementias. We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort study to examine whether baseline olfactory function was associated with the risk of incident MCR in 1,119 adults aged 60 years and older (75.1% female). The association between performance on the Brief Smell Identification Test (BSIT) and incident MCR risk was computed using Cox models and reported as the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CIs adjusted for demographic, comorbidity, and cognitive factors. Furthermore, we assessed the relationship between postmortem AD pathology and non-AD pathology and olfactory function at the time of MCR diagnosis using linear regression models adjusted for sex, education, age at death, and time from diagnosis to death. There were 544 (48.6%) incident cases of MCR over a median follow-up of 3.94 years. Lower BSIT scores (poor olfaction) at baseline were associated with an increased risk of incident MCR (HR for a 1-point increase in BSIT score 0.92; 95% CI 0.88-0.96) in fully adjusted models. Those with hyposmia (scores of ≤8 on the BSIT) at baseline (26.6%) were at an increased risk of MCR (HR 1.44; 95% CI 1.19-1.74) compared with those with normal olfactory function. Higher levels of the composite measure of global AD pathology and presence of Lewy body pathology were associated with lower BSIT scores at the time of incident MCR diagnosis (n = 118). τ tangle density, a specific component of AD pathology, was inversely associated with olfactory function, and the correlation remained after controlling for mild cognitive impairment syndrome and the presence of Lewy body pathology. The results provide evidence that olfactory dysfunction precedes MCR incidence and is related to Alzheimer pathology, providing a clinical approach to risk stratify and subtype MCR.

High Carbon Mineralization Rates in Subseafloor Hadal Sediments—Result of Frequent Mass Wasting

AbstractIn the past 20 years, the exploration of deep ocean trenches has led to spectacular new insights. Even in the deepest canyons, an unusual variety of life and unexpectedly high benthic oxygen consumption rates have been detected while microbial processes below the surface of the hadal seafloor remains largely unknown. The information that exist comes from geophysical measurements, especially related to seismic research, and specific component analyses to estimate the carbon export. In contrast, no information is available on metabolic activities in deeper buried sediments of hadal environment. Here we present the first pore water profiles from 15 up to 11 m long sediment cores recovered during three expeditions to two hadal zones, the Japan Trench and the Atacama Trench. Despite low levels of organic debris, our data reveal that rates of microbial carbon turnover along the trench axes can be similar to those encountered in much shallower and more productive oceanic regions. The extreme sedimentation dynamics, characterized by frequent mass wasting of slope sediments into the trenches, result in effective burial of reactive, microbially available, organic material. Our results document the fueling of the deep hadal biosphere with bioavailable material and thus provide important understanding on the function of deep‐sea trenches and the hadal carbon cycle.

Animal models for studies of HIV-1 brain reservoirs.

The HIV-1 often evades a robust antiretroviral-mediated immune response, leading to persistent infection within anatomically privileged sites including the CNS. Continuous low-level infection occurs in the presence of effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) in CD4+ T cells and mononuclear phagocytes (MP; monocytes, macrophages, microglia, and dendritic cells). Within the CNS, productive viral infection is found exclusively in microglia and meningeal, perivascular, and choroidal macrophages. MPs serve as the principal viral CNS reservoir. Animal models have been developed to recapitulate natural human HIV-1 infection. These include nonhuman primates, humanized mice, EcoHIV, and transgenic rodent models. These models have been used to study disease pathobiology, antiretroviral and immune modulatory agents, viral reservoirs, and eradication strategies. However, each of these models are limited to specific component(s) of human disease. Indeed, HIV-1 species specificity must drive therapeutic and cure studies. These have been studied in several model systems reflective of latent infections, specifically in MP (myeloid, monocyte, macrophages, microglia, and histiocyte cell) populations. Therefore, additional small animal models that allow productive viral replication to enable viral carriage into the brain and the virus-susceptible MPs are needed. To this end, this review serves to outline animal models currently available to study myeloid brain reservoirs and highlight areas that are lacking and require future research to more effectively study disease-specific events that could be useful for viral eradication studies both in and outside the CNS.

Analysis of Dormancy-Associated Transcriptional Networks Reveals a Shared Quiescence Signature in Lung and Colorectal Cancer.

Quiescent cancer cells (QCCs) are a common feature of solid tumors, representing a major obstacle to the long-term success of cancer therapies. We isolated QCCs ex vivo from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) xenografts with a label-retaining strategy and compared QCCs gene expression profiles to identify a shared “quiescence signature”. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed a specific component neatly discriminating quiescent and replicative phenotypes in NSCLC and CRC. The discriminating component showed significant overlapping, with 688 genes in common including ZEB2, a master regulator of stem cell plasticity and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Gene set enrichment analysis showed that QCCs of both NSCLC and CRC had an increased expression of factors related to stemness/self renewal, EMT, TGF-β, morphogenesis, cell adhesion and chemotaxis, whereas proliferating cells overexpressed Myc targets and factors involved in RNA metabolism. Eventually, we analyzed in depth by means of a complex network approach, both the ‘morphogenesis module’ and the subset of differentially expressed genes shared by NCSLC and CRC. This allowed us to recognize different gene regulation network wiring for quiescent and proliferating cells and to underpin few genes central for network integration that may represent new therapeutic vulnerabilities. Altogether, our results highlight common regulatory pathways in QCCs of lung and colorectal tumors that may be the target of future therapeutic interventions.

Toward feature space adversarial attack in the frequency domain

Recent researchers have shown that deep neural networks (DNNs) are vulnerable to adversarial exemplars, making them unsuitable for security-critical applications. Transferability of adversarial examples is crucial for attacking black-box models, which facilitates adversarial attacks in more practical scenarios. We propose a novel adversarial attack with high transferability. Unlike existing attacks that directly modify the input pixels, our attack is executed in the feature space. More specifically, we corrupt the abstract features by maximizing the feature distance between the adversarial example and clean images with a perceptual similarity network, inducing model misclassification. In addition, we apply a spectral transformation to the input, thus narrowing the search space in the frequency domain to enhance the transferability of adversarial examples. The disruption of crucial features in a specific frequency component achieves greater transferability. Extensive evaluations illustrate that our approach is easily compatible with many existing frameworks for transfer attacks and can significantly improve the baseline performance of black-box attacks. Moreover, we can obtain a higher fooling rate even if the model has a defense technique. We achieve a maximum black-box fooling rate of 61.70% on the defense model. Our work indicates that existing pixel space defense techniques are difficult to guarantee the robustness of the feature space, and the feature space from a frequency perspective is promising for developing more robust models.

Genome-wide identification of CrRLK1L gene family and desiccation-induced expression profiles in Boea hygrometrica

Catharanthus roseus receptor-like kinase 1-like (CrRLK1L) proteins constitute a subfamily of receptor-like kinases (RLKs) that play diverse roles during fertilization, vegetative development and plant pathogen interactions. CrRLK1Ls possess a unique malectin-like domain at N-terminal that bind to oligo- or polysaccharides from cell wall polymers, byproducts of cell wall degradation, or membrane-associated or secreted glycosylated proteins. CrRLK1L members have been identified in many organisms, however, the study of this gene family in resurrection plant species has not been reported to date. Resurrection plants are a kind of extremophiles that can survive extreme drought stress (desiccation) and recover rapidly after rehydration, and display specific and reversible cell wall structure and component changes during dehydration and rehydration. Here, we identified 18 CrRLK1L protein members in the resurrection plant Boea hygrometrica genome and classified them into 9 clades based on the conserved amino acid sequences. Phylogenetic analysis reveals the expansion of FER clade, the absence of MEDOS and CVY clades and the emergence of a new Bh-specific clade in BhCrRLK1L protein family. Analysis of cis-regulatory elements has predicted several types of drought induced elements and/or drought related hormone responsiveness elements in the promoter regions of all BhCrRLK1Ls. In agreement, we found 15 members of BhCrRLK1Ls change their expression pattern in response to drought stress, based on a previous transcriptome survey. Subsequent qRT-PCR validation of selected 7 BhCrRLK1L genes confirmed that BhFER1, BhCrRLK1L14 and BhCrRLK1L15 are induced by desiccation, and BhFER3, BhCrRLK1L17 and BhCrRLK1L18 are repressed by desiccation. Our study systematically identified the CrRLK1L members in B. hygrometrica, and analyzed the gene expression profiles in response to desiccation stresses, which lays a foundation for exploring the function of BhCrRLK1Ls in desiccation signal transduction in B. hygrometrica.

S10-2 Instruments for the analysis of national-level physical activity and sedentary behaviour policies: a systematic review

BackgroundResearchers and policy makers have developed and used a variety of instruments to assess physical activity policies. Data on the available instruments and their properties have never been summarised in a systematic way. In this review we, therefore, aimed to identify and critically assess available instruments for the analysis of national-level physical activity and sedentary behaviour policies and provide recommendations for their future use.MethodsA systematic search of grey and academic literature was conducted in Scopus, SPORTDiscus, PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations, and Open Access Theses and Dissertations, on the websites of three large international organisations for physical activity promotion, and using Google. The Comprehensive Analysis of Policy on Physical Activity (CAPPA) framework was used to assess and classify the instruments, based on their purpose, the policy sectors and scope of analysis they cover, and the policy types and stages of policy cycle they inquire about.ResultsAmong a total of 22,071 screened references, we found 26 publications describing 16 instruments that met the inclusion criteria. All the available instruments are intended for analysing some aspects of physical activity policy. Only two instruments include questions about sedentary behaviour policy. None of the instruments can be used to analyse all the relevant policy components. Only a few instruments refer to the agenda-setting and endorsement/legitimisation stages, the effects of policy, and the research and tourism sectors. The termination and succession stages of the policy cycle and unwritten formal statements and informal policies were not addressed by any of the available instruments.ConclusionOur findings indicated there is a need to design new instruments or adapt the existing ones to facilitate a more comprehensive analysis of national physical activity and sedentary behaviour policy. It would be extremely time-consuming to analyse all important components of physical activity and sedentary behaviour policy in a single analysis; hence the development of complementary instruments, where each one of them inquires about a specific policy component, might be a way forward.

Assessing Contribution of Treatment Phases through Tipping Point Analyses via Counterfactual Elicitation Using Rank Preserving Structural Failure Time Models

This article provides a novel approach to assess the importance of specific treatment phases within a treatment regimen through tipping point analyses (TPA) of a time-to-event endpoint using rank-preserving-structural-failure-time (RPSFT) modeling. In oncology clinical research, an experimental treatment is often added to the standard of care therapy in multiple treatment phases to improve patient outcomes. When the resulting new regimen provides a meaningful benefit over standard of care, gaining insights into the contribution of each treatment phase becomes important to properly guide clinical practice. New statistical approaches are needed since traditional methods are inadequate in answering such questions. RPSFT modeling is an approach for causal inference, typically used to adjust for treatment switching in randomized clinical trials with time-to-event endpoints. A tipping-point analysis is commonly used in situations where a statistically significant treatment effect is suspected to be an artifact of missing or unobserved data rather than a real treatment difference. The methodology proposed in this article is an amalgamation of these two ideas to investigate the contribution of a specific component of a regimen comprising multiple treatment phases. We provide different variants of the method and construct indices of contribution of a treatment phase to the overall benefit of a regimen that facilitates interpretation of results. The proposed approaches are illustrated with findings from a recently concluded, real-life phase 3 cancer clinical trial. We conclude with several considerations and recommendations for practical implementation of this new methodology.

Income and cigarette price responsiveness: evidence from Vietnam

BackgroundVietnam has an ad valorem tobacco excise structure, with the tax base being factory gate price, making the excise susceptible to tax avoidance and less effective in reducing tobacco use....

Perceived usefulness of simulation learning in hospitality education

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of simulation learning techniques within both face-to-face and online courses. The specific objective for this study was to answer two questions: (1) What are the specific benefits the simulation learning component adds to the course(s)? (2) How do students perceive the usefulness of the simulation learning component to their prepared readiness to enter the industry?Design/methodology/approachAn open-ended survey was administered at the end of the course to conduct a content analysis of student perspectives of the incorporation of cloud-based, educational simulation learning into educational courses. A discussion of the students' perspective of the SIM labs benefits, ease of use and perceived usefulness of this trending learning component has been reviewed, along with the comparison of the online and face-to-face viewpoints.FindingsSome of the identified successes were the ability to collaborate between online and face-to-face classes. Another was the ability to incorporate the application and decision-making components of the textbook into their virtual position of the simulation (SIM) learning lab from an owner's/general manager's perspective. Finally, the SIM labs provided the instructor with a measurable tool to have students compete in a healthy environment.Originality/valueValuable insights were gained into the student's perspective and helped in needed adjustments to better utilize this type of active learning. By studying a specific simulation learning component of this type of electronic learning (e-learning,) valuable contextual explanations to support the other types of active learning techniques mentioned above can be gained.

Neural correlates of thematic role assignment for passives in Standard Indonesian.

Previous studies of multiple languages have found processing differences between patient-first and agent-first word orders. However, the results are inconsistent as they do not identify a specific ERP component as a unique correlate of thematic role processing. Furthermore, these studies generally confound word order with frequency, as patient-first structures tend to be infrequent in the languages that have been investigated. There is evidence that frequency at the sentence level plays a significant role in language processing. To address this potential confounding variable, we will test a language where the non-canonical sentences are more frequent and are comparable to the canonical sentences, namely Standard Indonesian. In this language, there is evidence from acquisition, corpus, and clinical data indicates that the use of passive is frequent and salient. One instance of this difference can be demonstrated by the fact that it has been suggested that frequency may be the reason why Indonesian-speaking aphasic speakers do not have impairments in the comprehension of passives, whereas speakers of other languages with aphasia often do. In the present study, we will test 50 native speakers of Indonesian using 100 sentences (50 active and 50 passive sentences). If the neural correlates of thematic role processing are not observed in the critical region of the sentence (the prefix of the verb), this would suggest that the previous results were indeed influenced by frequency, but if we find that specific ERPs are connected to the hypothesized syntactic operations, this would further reinforce the existing evidence of the increased cognitive load required to process more syntactically complicated sentences.

The cytoplasmic microtubule array in Neurospora crassa depends on microtubule-organizing centers at spindle pole bodies and microtubule +end-depending pseudo-MTOCs at septa

γ-Tubulin ring complexes (γ-TuRC) mediate nucleation and anchorage of microtubules (MTs) to microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs). In fungi, the spindle pole body (SPB) is the functional equivalent of the centrosome, which is the main MTOC. In addition, non-centrosomal MTOCs (ncMTOCs) contribute to MT formation in some fungi like Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Aspergillus nidulans. In A. nidulans, MTOCs are anchored at septa (sMTOC) and share components of the outer plaque of the SPB. Here we show that the Neurospora crassa SPB is embedded in the nuclear envelope, with the γ-TuRC targeting proteins PCP-1Pcp1/PcpA located at the inner plaque and APS-2Mto1/ApsB located at the outer plaque of the SPB. PCP-1 was a specific component of nuclear MTOCs, while APS-2 was also present at the septal pore. Although γ-tubulin was only detected at the nucleus, spontaneous MT nucleation occurred in the apical and subapical cytoplasm during recovery from benomyl-induced MT depolymerization experiments. There was no evidence for MT nucleation at septa. However, without benomyl treatment MT plus-ends were organized in the septal pore through MTB-3EB1. Those septal MT plus ends polymerized MTs from septa in interphase cells Thus we conclude that the SPB is the only MT nucleation site in N. crassa, but the septal pore aids the MT network arrangement through the anchorage of the MT plus-ends through a pseudo-MTOC.

The Oral Microbiome and Lung Cancer Risk: An Analysis of 3 Prospective Cohort Studies.

Previous studies suggested associations between the oral microbiome and lung cancer, but studies were predominantly cross-sectional and underpowered. Using a case-cohort design, 1306 incident lung cancer cases were identified in the Agricultural Health Study; National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study; and Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Referent subcohorts were randomly selected by strata of age, sex, and smoking history. DNA was extracted from oral wash specimens using the DSP DNA Virus Pathogen kit, the 16S rRNA gene V4 region was amplified and sequenced, and bioinformatics were conducted using QIIME 2. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using weighted Cox proportional hazards models. Higher alpha diversity was associated with lower lung cancer risk (Shannon index hazard ratio = 0.90, 95% confidence interval = 0.84 to 0.96). Specific principal component vectors of the microbial communities were also statistically significantly associated with lung cancer risk. After multiple testing adjustment, greater relative abundance of 3 genera and presence of 1 genus were associated with greater lung cancer risk, whereas presence of 3 genera were associated with lower risk. For example, every SD increase in Streptococcus abundance was associated with 1.14 times the risk of lung cancer (95% confidence interval = 1.06 to 1.22). Associations were strongest among squamous cell carcinoma cases and former smokers. Multiple oral microbial measures were prospectively associated with lung cancer risk in 3 US cohort studies, with associations varying by smoking history and histologic subtype. The oral microbiome may offer new opportunities for lung cancer prevention.