bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical epidemiology of congenital heart diseases in dogs: prevalence, popularity and volatility throughout twenty years of clinical practice
Authors: Brambilla PG , Polli M , Pradelli D , Papa M , Rizzi R , Bagardi M , Bussadori C
Published: February 2020

The epidemiology of Congenital Heart Diseases (CHDs) has changed over the past twenty years.

We evaluated the prevalence of CHDs in the population of dogs recruited in a single referral center (RC); compared the epidemiological features of CHDs in screened breeds (Boxers) versus nonscreened (French and English Bulldogs and German Shepherds), investigated the association of breeds with the prevalence of CHDs, determined the popularity and volatility of breeds over a 20-year period; and analysed the trends of the most popular breeds in the overall population of new-born dogs registered in the Italian Kennel Club from 1st January 1997 to 31st December 2017.

This was a retrospective observational study, the cardiological database of the RC was analysed, and 1,779 clinical records fulfilled the inclusion criteria.

Descriptive statistics and frequencies regarding the most representative breeds and CHDs were generated. A logistic regression model was used to analyse the trends of the most common CHDs found in single breeds (French Bulldog, English Bulldog, Boxer, and German Shepherd), and in groups of breeds (brachycephalic breeds and the most represented large breeds). The relationships between the breed popularity and the presence of CHDs was studied.

The most common CHDs were Pulmonic Stenosis (34,1%), Patent Ductus Arteriosus (26,4%), Subaortic Stenosis (14,6%), Ventricular Septal Defect (4,8%), Aortic Stenosis (4,7%), Tricuspid Dysplasia (3,4%), Atrial Septal Defect (1,9%), Double Chamber Right ventricle (1,8%), Mitral Dysplasia (1,6%), and reverse Patent Ductus Arteriosus (0,7%). The most represented pure breeds were Boxer (19,4%), German Shepherd (9,4%), French Bulldog (6,2%), English Bulldog (4,9%), Maltese (3,7%), Newfoundland (3,1%), Rottweiler (3,1%), Golden Retriever (3,0%), Chihuahua (2,8%), Poodle (2,5%), Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (2,2%), American Staffordshire Terrier (2,1%), Labrador Retriever (2,3%), Dobermann (2,1%), Miniature Pinscher (2,0%), Cocker Spaniel (2,0%), Yorkshire Terrier (1,7%), Dogue de Bordeaux (1,6%), Dachshund (1,6%), and Bull Terrier (1,5%). Chihuahuas, American Staffordshire Terriers, Border Collies, French Bulldogs, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel were the most appreciated small and medium breeds, all of which showed a high value of volatility.

In conclusion, this study found evidence for the value of the screening program implemented in Boxers, which decreased the prevalence of Subaortic Stenosis and Pulmonic Stenosis. However, fashions and trends influence dog owners’ choices more than the worries of health problems frequently found in a breed. Effective breeding programs are needed in order to control the diffusion of CHDs without impoverishing the genetic pool; in addition, dog owners should be educated, and the breeders supported by a network of veterinary cardiology centers.
Use of relevancy and complementary information for discriminatory gene selection from high-dimensional cancer data
Authors: Haque Md Nazmul , Sharmin Sadia , Ali Amin Ahsan , Sajib Abu Ashfaqur , Shoyaib Mohammad
Published: February 2020

With the advent of high-throughput technologies, life sciences are generating a huge amount of biomolecular data. Global gene expression profiles provide a snapshot of all the genes that are transcribed or not in a cell or in a tissue at a particular moment under a particular condition. The high-dimensionality of such gene expression data (i.e., very large number of features/genes analyzed in relatively much less number of samples) makes it difficult to identify the key genes (biomarkers) that are truly and more significantly attributing to a particular phenotype or condition, such as cancer or disease,de novo. With the increase in the number of genes, simple feature selection methods show poor performance for both selecting the effective and informative features and capturing biological information. Addressing these issues, here we propose Mutual information based Gene Selection method (MGS) for selecting informative genes and two ranking methods based on frequency (MGSf) and Random Forest (MGSrf) for ranking the selected genes. We tested our methods on four real gene expression datasets derived from different studies on cancerous and normal samples. Our methods obtained better classification rate with the datasets compared to recently reported methods. Our methods could also detect the key relevant pathways with a causal relationship to the phenotype.
Pseudomonas aeruginosaisolates co-incubated withAcanthamoeba castellaniiexhibit phenotypes similar to chronic cystic fibrosis isolates
Authors: Leong Wai , Lutz Carla , Williams Jonathan , Poh Yan Hong , Yee Benny Yeo Ken , Chua Cliff , Rice Scott A. , Givskov Michael , Sanderson-Smith Martina , McDougald Diane
Published: February 2020

The opportunistic pathogen,Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is ubiquitous in the environment, and in humans is capable of causing acute and chronic infections.P. aeruginosa, when co-incubated with the bacterivorous amoeba,Acanthamoeba castellanii, for extended periods, produced genetic and phenotypic variants. Sequencing of late-stage amoeba-adaptedP. aeruginosaisolates demonstrated single nucleotide polymorphisms within genes that encode known virulence factors, and this correlated with a reduction in expression of virulence traits. Virulence towards the nematode,Caenorhabditis elegans, was attenuated in late-stage amoeba-adaptedP. aeruginosacompared to early stage amoeba-adapted and non-adapted counterparts. Late-stage amoeba-adaptedP. aeruginosalost competitive fitness compared to non-adapted counterparts when grown in nutrient rich media. However, non-adaptedP. aeruginosawere rapidly cleared by amoeba predation, whereas late-stage amoeba-adapted isolates remained in higher numbers 24 h after ingestion by amoeba. In addition, there was reduced uptake by macrophage of amoeba-adapted isolates and reduced uptake by human neutrophils as well as increased survival in the presence of neutrophils. Our findings indicate that the selection imposed by amoeba onP. aeruginosaresulted in reduced virulence over time. Importantly, the genetic and phenotypic traits possessed by late-stage amoeba-adaptedP. aeruginosaare similar to what is observed for isolates obtained from chronic cystic fibrosis infections. This notable overlap in adaptation to different host types suggests similar selection pressures among host cell types.

Author Summary

Pseudomonas aeruginosais an opportunistic pathogen that causes both acute infections in plants and animals, including humans and also causes chronic infections in immune compromised and cystic fibrosis patients. This bacterium is commonly found in soils and water where bacteria are constantly under threat of being consumed by the bacterial predators, protozoa. To escape being killed, bacteria have evolved a suite of mechanisms that protect them from being consumed or digested. Here we examined the effect of long-term predation on the genotype and phenotypes expressed byP. aeruginosa.We show that long-term co-incubation with protozoa resulted in mutations in the bacteria that made them less pathogenic. This is particularly interesting as we see similar mutations arise in bacteria associated with chronic infections. Thus, predation by protozoa and long term colonization of the human host may represent similar environments that select for similar losses in gene functions.
Egg size does not universally predict embryonic resources and hatchling size across annual killifish species
Authors: Vrtílek Milan , Van Dooren Tom J. M. , Beaudard Mégane
Published: February 2020

Egg size has a crucial impact on the reproductive success of a mother and the performance of her offspring. It is therefore reasonable to employ egg size as a proxy for egg content when studying variation in offspring performance. Here, we tested species differences in allometries of several egg content parameters with egg area. We measured individual eggs in five species of annual killifish (Cyprinodontiformes), a group of fish where egg banks permit population survival over dry season. Apart from comparing allometric scaling exponents, amounts and compositions of egg components across the different species, we assessed the explanatory power of egg area for egg wet and dry weight and for hatchling size. We found notable species-specific allometries between egg area and the other egg parameters (egg dry weight and water content, elemental composition and triglyceride content). Across species, egg area predicted egg wet weight with highest power. Within species, coefficients of determination were largest inAustrolebias elongatus, a large piscivorous species with large eggs. Our study shows that systematically using egg area as a proxy of egg content between different species can ignore relevant species-specific differences and mask within-species variability in egg content.
Multiple roles for the ESCRT machinery in maintaining plasma membrane homeostasis
Authors: Schmidt Oliver , Weyer Yannick , Sprenger Simon , Widerin Michael A. , Eising Sebastian , Baumann Verena , Angelova Mihaela , Loewith Robbie , Stefan Christopher J. , Hess Michael W. , Fröhlich Florian , Teis David
Published: February 2020

The endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) execute evolutionary conserved membrane remodeling processes. Here we used budding yeast to explore how the ESCRT machinery contributes to plasma membrane (PM) homeostasis. In response to reduced membrane tension and inhibition of the target of rapamycin complex 2 (TORC2), ESCRT-III/Vps4 assemblies form at the PM and help to maintain membrane integrity. Conversely, the growth of ESCRT mutants strongly depends on TORC2-mediated homeostatic regulation of sphingolipid (SL) metabolism. This is caused by calcineurin phosphatase activity which causes Orm2 to accumulate at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in ESCRT mutants. Orm2 is a repressor of SL biosynthesis and its accumulation provokes increased membrane stress. This necessitates TORC2 signaling through its downstream kinase Ypk1 to control Orm2 protein levels and prevent a detrimental imbalance of SL metabolism. Our findings reveal new aspects of antagonistic calcineurin/TORC2 signaling for the regulation of SL biosynthesis and the maintenance of PM homeostasis, and suggest that the ESCRT machinery contributes directly and indirectly to these processes.
Changes in subcellular structures and states of Pumilio1 regulate the translation of targetMad2andCyclin B1mRNAs
Authors: Takei Natsumi , Takada Yuki , Kawamura Shohei , Saitoh Atsushi , Bormann Jenny , Yuen Wai Shan , Carroll John , Kotani Tomoya
Published: February 2020

Temporal and spatial control of mRNA translation has emerged as a major mechanism for promoting diverse biological processes. However, the molecular nature of temporal control of translation remains unclear. In oocytes, many mRNAs are deposited as a translationally repressed form and are translated at appropriate timings to promote the progression of meiosis and development. Here, we show that changes in structures and states of the RNA-binding protein Pumilio1 regulate the translation of target mRNAs and progression of oocyte maturation. Pumilio1 was shown to bind toMad2andCyclin B1mRNAs, assemble highly clustered solid-like aggregates, and surroundMad2andCyclin B1RNA granules in mouse oocytes. These Pumilio1 aggregates were dissolved by phosphorylation prior to the translational activation of target mRNAs. Stabilization of Pumilio1 aggregates prevented the translational activation of target mRNAs and oocyte maturation. Together, our results provide an aggregation-dissolution model for the temporal and spatial control of translation.
The predicted RNA-binding protein ETR-1/CELF1 acts in muscles to regulate neuroblast migration inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Ochs Matthew E. , Josephson Matthew P. , Lundquist Erik A.
Published: February 2020

Neuroblast migration is a critical aspect of nervous system development (e.g., neural crest migration). In an unbiased forward genetic screen, we identified a novel player in neuroblast migration, the ETR-1/CELF1 RNA binding protein. CELF1 RNA binding proteins are involved in multiple aspects of RNA processing including alternative splicing, stability, and translation. We find that a specific mutation in alternatively-spliced exon 8 results in migration defects of the AQR and PQR neurons, and not the embryonic lethality and body wall muscle defects of complete knockdown of the locus. Surprisingly, ETR-1 was required in body wall muscle cells for AQR/PQR migration (i.e. it acts cell non-autonomously). Genetic interactions indicate that ETR-1 acts with Wnt signaling, either in the Wnt pathway or in a parallel pathway. Possibly, ETR-1 is involved in the production of a Wnt signal or a parallel signal by the body wall muscles that controls AQR and PQR neuronal migration. In humans, CELF1 is involved in a number of neuromuscular disorders. If the role of ETR-1/CELF1 is conserved, these disorders might also involve cell or neuronal migration. Finally, we describe a technique of amplicon sequencing to detect rare, cell-specific genome edits by CRISPR/Cas9in vivo(CRISPR-seq) as an alternative to the T7E1 assay.
Big DefensinApBD1 from the scallopArgopecten purpuratusis an antimicrobial peptide which entraps bacteria through nanonets formation
Authors: Stambuk Felipe , Ojeda Claudia , Schmitt Paulina
Published: February 2020

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are ancient innate immune components. Big defensins is a family of AMPs found in a restricted number of animal phyla, in particular mollusks where they have highly diversified. Big defensins are composed of a highly hydrophobic N-terminal region and a C-terminal β-defensin-like region, stabilized by three disulfide bridges. They have been shown to be active against both Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. Antimicrobial aggregates called nanonets entrapping bacteria have been recently described as the mechanism of action of theCg-BigDef1 from the oysterCrassostrea gigas. Specifically, the N-terminal domain ofCg-BigDef1 was identified as responsible of nanonet formation. In order to determine whether nanonets are specific to oysterCg-BigDef1 or common to other big defensins outside this species, we assessed the potential entrapping of bacteria through nanonets of the big defensin from the scallopArgopecten purpuratus, namelyApBD1. RecombinantApBD1 was produced as a fusion polypeptide which carried a N-terminal His6 tag, with a thrombin cleavage site before the mature peptide sequence and an unfolded C-terminal domain by mutating the last Cys to Arg. Activity of rApBD1 was assessed against the gram-positive bacteriaStaphylococcus aureusSG511. rApBD1 inhibited bacterial growth. Moreover, strong immune staining of rApBD1 in numerous areas surrounding bacteria was observed. Overall, results suggest that rApBD1 entrap bacteria in peptide aggregates similar to those reported toCg-BigDef1. This study demonstrates the conservation of nanonet formation across big defensins and supports further a role for the N-terminal domain in this conserved process.
Human auditory ossicles as an alternative optimal source of ancient DNA
Authors: Sirak Kendra , Fernandes Daniel , Cheronet Olivia , Harney Eadaoin , Mah Matthew , Mallick Swapan , Rohland Nadin , Adamski Nicole , Broomandkhoshbacht Nasreen , Callan Kimberly , Candilio Francesca , Lawson Ann Marie , Mandl Kirsten , Oppenheimer Jonas , Stewardson Kristin , Zalzala Fatma , Anders Alexandra , Bartík Juraj , Coppa Alfredo , Dashtseveg Tumen , Évinger Sándor , Farkaš Zdeněk , Hajdu Tamás , Bayarsaikhan Jamsranjav , McIntyre Lauren , Moiseyev Vyacheslav , Okumura Mercedes , Pap Ildikó , Pietrusewsky Michael , Raczky Pál , Šefčáková Alena , Soficaru Andrei , Szeniczey Tamás , Szőke Béla Miklós , Van Gerven Dennis , Vasilyev Sergey , Bell Lynne , Reich David , Pinhasi Ron
Published: February 2020

DNA recovery from ancient human remains has revolutionized our ability to reconstruct the genetic landscape of the past. Ancient DNA research has benefited from the identification of skeletal elements, such as the cochlear part of the osseous inner ear, that provides optimal contexts for DNA preservation; however, the rich genetic information obtained from the cochlea must be counterbalanced against the loss of morphological information caused by its sampling. Motivated by similarities in developmental processes and histological properties between the cochlea and auditory ossicles, we evaluate the ossicles as an alternative source of ancient DNA. We show that ossicles perform comparably to the cochlea in terms of DNA recovery, finding no substantial reduction in data quantity and minimal differences in data quality across preservation conditions. Ossicles can be sampled from intact skulls or disarticulated petrous bones without damage to surrounding bone, and we argue that they should be used when available to reduce damage to human remains. Our results identify another optimal skeletal element for ancient DNA analysis and add to a growing toolkit of sampling methods that help to better preserve skeletal remains for future research while maximizing the likelihood that ancient DNA analysis will produce useable results.
Emotional communication analysis of emergency microblog based on the evolution life cycle of public opinion
Authors: Zhang Ling , Wei Jie , Boncella Robert J.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Microblogging is an important channel used to disseminate online public opinion during an emergency. Analyzing the features and evolution mechanism of online public opinion during an emergency plays a significant role in crisis management.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses the event of Hurricane Irma and combines it with the life cycle of online public opinion evolution to understand the effect of different types of emotional (joy, anger, sadness, fear, disgust) microblogs (tweets) on information dissemination. The research was performed in the context of Hurricane Irma by using tweets associated with that event.

Findings

This paper demonstrates that negative emotional information has a greater communication effect, and further, the target audience that receives more exposure to negative emotional microblogs has a stronger tendency to retweet. Meanwhile, emotions expressed in tweets and the life cycle of public opinion evolution exert interactive effects on the retweeting behavior of the target audience.

Research limitations/implications

For future research, a professional dictionary and the context should be taken into consideration to make the modeling in the text more normative and analyzable.

Practical implications

This paper aims to reveal how the emotions of a tweet affect its virality in terms of diffusion volume in the context of an emergency event.

Social implications

The conclusion made in this paper can shed light on the real-time regulation and public opinion transmission, as well as for efficient intelligence service and emergency management.

Originality/value

In this study, Hurricane Irma is taken as an example to explore the factors influencing the information dissemination during emergencies on the social media environment. The relationship between the sentiment of a tweet and the life cycle of public opinion and its effect on tweet volume were investigated.
Data retrieval from online social media networks for defining business angels’ profile
Authors: Morales-Alonso Gustavo , Vila Guzmán A. , Lemus-Aguilar Isaac , Hidalgo Antonio
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Entrepreneurship is the basis of economic development but is somehow limited by the lack of access to financing sources, especially in the crucial moments of start-up early-stage development. For crossing the so-called “valley of death,” start-ups need to access informal finance sources, such as business angels. This study aims at defining the profile of business angels and comparing it with the existing literature.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel methodology for sampling the business angles population has been used, which extracts data from online social media networks. This allows taking a closer look at informal sources of entrepreneurial finance. A total of 500 real business angels, acting worldwide, from the LinkedIn and Crunchbase databases has been retrieved for this study.

Findings

Results point out that younger investors seem to be entering the entrepreneurial informal finance market. They are mainly males between 40 and 50 years of age, with a previous entrepreneurial record, and more highly educated than previously stated. They tend to have studies from Business Administration and Economics, although they prefer to invest in the ICT sector.

Originality/value

Besides the novel data retrieval technique for analyzing the informal sources of finance, the originality of the work lies in updating the archetype for business angels.
Analysis of organizational commitment in cooperatives in Ecuador
Authors: Hidalgo-Fernández Amalia , Moreira Mero Nelly , Loor Alcivar Maria Iliana , González Santa Cruz Francisco
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The objective of this research is to analyse the affective organizational commitment in cooperatives in Ecuador. This was done by adapting and testing a measurement scale based on the one-dimensional model proposed by Porter.

Design/methodology/approach

Field work was carried out, with a structured questionnaire being given to a significant sample of workers in Ecuadorian cooperatives (2,499 employees and heads of department). The scale was adapted through a structural equation model.

Findings

The results show that the adaptation of the measuring scale for affective organizational commitment using a one-dimensional vision is consistent for the cooperative sector. In addition, the analysis of the socio-demographic variables and the work position show that some of them have a statistically significant relationship with organizational commitment.

Practical implications

The proposed scale can contribute to the management of human capital in cooperatives in Ecuador. It can also be used as a tool to support the national agency in charge of the cooperative sector in this country (Superintendencia de Economía Popular y Solidaria, “Superintendency of Popular and Solidarity Economy”). By applying this tool, social economy organizations in Ecuador can measure the level of their employees' affective commitment with the institution they work in. Using the results, the people in charge and the leaders of the organization shall be able to introduce strategies to develop this organizational variable that is crucial for the proper management of human resources and, therefore, to help to obtain the institutional purposes.

Originality/value

This research project presents a measuring tool that can discover the unique features of the cooperative sector in a developing country such as Ecuador as it provides a special framework for managing human resources in this sector. Additionally, in a cooperative organization many employees have different roles in the same company. This tool can be adapted for other kinds of cooperatives with different activities (financial and non-financial activities) in different sectors.
Commercialization of audit firms and auditors’ subjective well-being
Authors: Ponomareva Yilia , Uman Timur , Broberg Pernilla , Vinberg Emmy , Karlsson Karoline
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore how the commercialization of audit firms relates to the subjective well-being (SWB) of auditors. Drawing on the conservation of resources and social identity theories, the authors argue that the commercialization of audit firms enhances auditors’ subjective well-being in its overall happiness and job-related dimensions through two theoretical mechanisms. First, it constitutes a valuable resource for an auditor, and second, it reinforces the auditor’s identification with a firm. The authors subsequently contend that this relation is contingent on whether auditors are used in Big four or non-Big four audit firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors test our hypotheses-based data obtained from a survey of 166 Swedish auditors. The data are explored by means of descriptive statistics, correlation matrixes and linear moderating multiple regression analyzes.

Findings

The authors show that commercial orientation can have a positive effect on auditors’ SWB. The authors also find that the positive relationship between commercialization and SWB is stronger for auditors employed by one of the Big four firms.

Originality/value

The results contribute to the ongoing debate about the normalization of commercialization within the audit profession by theorizing on and providing empirical support for the positive consequences of commercialization.
Assessing the benefits and risks of translocations in depauperate species: A theoretical framework with an empirical validation
Authors: Furlan Elise M. , Gruber Bernd , Attard Catherine R. M. , Wager Robert N. E. , Kerezsy Adam , Faulks Leanne K. , Beheregaray Luciano B. , Unmack Peter J.
Published: February 2020

Conservation translocations are becoming more common to assist in the management of threatened native species. While many translocation programs focus on maximizing survival in newly established populations, consideration is also required for the persistence of source populations.

Here, we present and test a theoretical framework that assesses the translocation trade‐off between increasing a species probability of survival and decreasing a species’ overall genetic diversity. We anticipate that (a) the genetic diversity of translocated populations will be reduced compared to the source due to a failure to capture and retain genetic diversity and (b) the genetic diversity of the source population will decline due to the removal of founder individuals.

We test this framework with an empirical study of redfin blue eye Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis, a critically endangered fish species which has undergone several replicate translocations, established with founders sourced from a single remnant population. Several generations after reintroduction, we show that the predicted survival of the species has improved as a result of these translocations.

While the species’ genetic diversity has been retained across all populations combined (translocated and source), we show that genetic diversity in each individual population (including the source) is reduced compared to the source population prior to translocation.

Synthesis and applications. Conservation translocations can provide great benefits to species survival, enabling extinction risk to be spread across multiple populations. Translocated populations, however, often harbour reduced genetic diversity compared to source populations and initiating translocated populations can decrease the genetic diversity of source populations, placing them at an increased risk of extinction. The framework presented here enables the trade‐off between extinction risk and retention of genetic diversity to be established. This will enable the optimal conservation strategy to be employed to increase the long‐term persistence and evolutionary potential of a species.
ABIN‐1 protects chondrocytes from lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammatory injury through the inactivation of NF‐κB signalling
Authors: Peng Kan , Li Yanqi , Lu Chao , Hu Shouye
Published: February 2020

The A20‐binding inhibitor of nuclear factor (NF)‐κB‐1 (ABIN‐1) protein has recently been implicated as a key regulator of inflammation with involvement in multiple inflammatory diseases. However, the function of ABIN‐1 in osteoarthritis (OA) remains unclear. In the current study, we explored the role of ABIN‐1 in the regulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced inflammatory injury of chondrocytes, which served as an in vitro model of OA. Results revealed that ABIN‐1 expression was induced by chondrocyte exposure to LPS. ABN‐1 silencing exacerbated LPS‐induced apoptosis and the inflammatory response, while ABIN‐1 overexpression alleviated the inflammatory response and LPS‐induced apoptosis in chondrocytes. Moreover, ABIN‐1 overexpression resulted in significantly decreased LPS‐induced NF‐κB activation. Notably, activation of NF‐κB signalling significantly reversed ABIN‐1‐mediated inhibitory effects on LPS‐induced inflammatory injury in chondrocytes. Taken together, these results demonstrate that ABIN‐1 protects chondrocytes against LPS‐induced inflammatory injury through the suppression of NF‐κB signalling. Our study suggests a potential role for ABIN‐1 in OA. Further, we show that ABIN‐1 may serve as a potential target for controlling joint inflammation.
Alteration of the gut microbiota in tumor necrosis factor‐α antagonist‐treated collagen‐induced arthritis mice
Authors: Wang Binglong , He Yujue , Tang Jifeng , Ou Qishui , Lin Jinpiao
Published: February 2020

Aim

Gut microbiota play an important role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Biological therapies targeting tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) have been used for treatment in RA patients. However, whether TNF‐α antagonist has some influence on gut microbiota is still unknown. This study aims to investigate the distribution of gut microbiota in collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) mice treated with the TNF‐α antagonist etanercept.

Methods

Collagen‐induced arthritis mice were induced by type II collagen. Cytokine expression was detected by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing was performed to characterize the gut microbiota in CIA mice treated with vehicle or etanercept. Sequencing reads were processed by Microbial Ecology software program.

Results

Compared with vehicle‐treated mice, we showed that CIA mice treated with etanercept led to attenuation of inflammation and reduced expression of TNF‐α, interferon (IFN)‐γ, interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐21. Meanwhile, results showed operational taxonomic units, richness estimators and the diversity indices of gut microbiota in etanercept‐treated mice were lower than that in vehicle‐treated mice. Moreover, bacterial abundance analyses showed that genus Escherichia/Shigella was more abundant in etanercept‐treated mice, and Lactobacillus, Clostridium XlVa, Tannerella were less abundant. The altered bacterial genus was correlated with TNF‐α, IFN‐γ, IL‐6, IL‐21 and IL‐10.

Conclusion

Our results revealed that TNF‐α antagonist treatment can reduce the abundance and diversity of gut microbiota in CIA mice. Targeted gut microbiota may be a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of RA.
Presence of biogenic magnetite in ferromanganese nodules
Authors: Hassan Muhammad Bin , Rodelli Daniel , Benites Mariana , Abreu Fernanda , Murton Bramley , Jovane Luigi
Published: February 2020

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and rock magnetic study of ferromanganese nodule sample JC120‐104B collected from Clarion‐Clipperton zone (CCZ) in the eastern Pacific Ocean indicate the presence of biogenic magnetite (magnetofossils). First‐order reversal curves (FORCs) and decomposition of isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) curves were used as the main tool for the characterization of magnetic properties of the bulk magnetic minerals present in the sample. TEM was performed for the direct identification of biogenic magnetic minerals (magnetofossils). The nodule sample has distinctive alternating Mn and Fe‐rich layers per micro‐X‐ray fluorescence data. While diagenetic precipitation of Mn is known for the less oxygenated environment, the presence of biogenic magnetite is also common in the environments where the supply of oxygen is limited. Moreover, the increase in magnetic properties is consistent with the increase in Mn‐content, which is related to favourable conditions for Mn precipitation as well as magnetite biomineralization in oxic‐suboxic transition zone. Investigations on magnetofossil fingerprints lead to a better understanding of paleoenvironmental conditions involved in the formation and growth of deep‐sea ferromanganese nodules.
The Impact of Audit Quality Indicators on the Timeliness of Goodwill Impairments: Evidence from the German Setting
Authors: Albersmann Benjamin T. , Quick Reiner
Published: February 2020

This study investigates whether goodwill impairments are perceived as timely and whether specific auditor characteristics affect the perceived timeliness. It therefore contributes to central questions in accounting research: is managerial discretion over accounting numbers (accounting choice) good or bad for stakeholders and does audit quality have an impact on this relationship? It is motivated by the IASB's post‐implementation review on business combinations and the Goodwill and Impairment project based on it, the ongoing debate on the decision usefulness of impairment testing, and the question whether auditors have an impact on firms’ reporting of impairment losses. Based on a sample of German listed firms for the period 2006 to 2013, the results indicate that goodwill impairments are not recognized in a timely manner and delayed by at least one to two years. Moreover, the findings suggest that the recognition of impairment losses is influenced by auditor characteristics. In particular, firms seem to report goodwill impairments in a more timely fashion when they are audited by a Big 4 auditor, whereas the timeliness seems to decrease with a higher non‐audit fee ratio and a longer auditor tenure. Moreover, additional analyses indicate that higher audit fees lead to more timely impairments.
Assessing selection signatures within and between selected lines of dual‐purpose black and white and German Holstein cattle
Authors: Naderi S. , Moradi M. H. , Farhadian M. , Yin T. , Jaeger M. , Scheper C. , Korkuc P. , Brockmann G. A. , König S. , May K.
Published: February 2020

The aim of this study was to detect selection signatures considering cows from the German Holstein (GH) and the local dual‐purpose black and white (DSN) population, as well as from generated sub‐populations. The 4654 GH and 261 DSN cows were genotyped with the BovineSNP50 Genotyping BeadChip. The geographical herd location was used as an environmental descriptor to create the East‐DSN and West‐DSN sub‐populations. In addition, two further sub‐populations of GH cows were generated, using the extreme values for solutions of residual effects of cows for the claw disorder dermatitis digitalis. These groups represented the most susceptible and most resistant cows. We used cross‐population extended haplotype homozygosity methodology (XP‐EHH) to identify the most recent selection signatures. Furthermore, we calculated Wright’s fixation index (FST). Chromosomal segments for the top 0.1 percentile of negative or positive XP‐EHH scores were studied in detail. For gene annotations, we used the Ensembl database and we considered a window of 250 kbp downstream and upstream of each core SNP corresponding to peaks of XP‐EHH. In addition, functional interactions among potential candidate genes were inferred via gene network analyses. The most outstanding XP‐EHH score was on chromosome 12 (at 77.34 Mb) for DSN and on chromosome 20 (at 36.29–38.42 Mb) for GH. Selection signature locations harbored QTL for several economically important milk and meat quality traits, reflecting the different breeding goals for GH and DSN. The average FST value between GH and DSN was quite low (0.068), indicating shared founders. For group stratifications according to cow health, several identified potential candidate genes influence disease resistance, especially to dermatitis digitalis.
Elite Interactions and Voters’ Perceptions of Parties’ Policy Positions
Authors: Adams James , Weschle Simon , Wlezien Christopher
Published: February 2020

Recent research documents that voters infer that governing coalition partners share similar ideologies, independently of these parties’ actual policy statements. We argue that citizens estimate party positions from more general forms of interparty cooperation and conflict, particularly near the times of national elections. We analyze tens of thousands of media reports on elite interactions from 13 Western democracies between 2001 and 2014, and show that—controlling for coalition arrangements and for the policy tones of parties’ election manifestos—voters infer greater left–right agreement between pairs of parties that have more cooperative public relationships, but that this “cooperation effect” is only evident near the times of national elections. Our findings have implications for parties’ policy images and for mass–elite linkages.
On Spatial Planning and Marxism: Looking Back, Going Forward
Authors: Holgersen Ståle
Published: February 2020

The renewed interest in Marxism that occurred in social sciences and humanities after the 2008 economic crisis has not yet found its counterpart in spatial planning. This paper examines what Marxist planning theory and practices could mean in the current conjuncture. It does so through scrutinising (1) the vibrant Marxist discourse in planning that existed in the late 1970s and early 1980s, (2) the recent history (since the 1980s) of planning theory and its relation to the political economy, and (3) the current political economic context (not least defined by the diabolic crisis). Where previous Marxist approaches to planning were very strong on analysing the political economy, I argue there is currently a need—with old hegemonies losing ground, communicative approaches losing support, and neoliberalism in the political economy losing legitimacy—to also discuss establishing alternatives.
Letter: a stepwise approach towards the screening of hepatic fibrosis in the general population
Authors: Yilmaz Yusuf
Published: February 2020

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Kang et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15626 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15664
Laparoscopic spacer placement for recurrent sacral chordoma before carbon ion radiotherapy: A case report
Authors: Nagai Shuntaro , Nagayoshi Kinuko , Mizuuchi Yusuke , Fujita Hayato , Ohuchida Kenoki , Ohtsuka Takao , Imai Reiko , Nakamura Masafumi
Published: February 2020

Recently, several scholars have demonstrated the efficacy of carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT). To treat abdominal or pelvic tumors by CIRT, it is necessary to separate the tumor from the adjacent organs. Surgical placement of a GORE‐TEX sheet as a spacer has been reported as a separation method. Usually, surgical spacer placement is done by open surgery. Here, we report a case of surgical spacer placement undertaken by a “pure” laparoscopic procedure. A 47‐year‐old man with recurrent sacral chordoma was referred for surgical spacer placement before CIRT. Laparoscopic dissection of the rectum and placement of a GORE‐TEX sheet as a spacer were successfully performed. Surgical spacer placement by a pure laparoscopic procedure was safe and effective, and it seems to play an important part before CIRT.
Alteration of calcium signalling in cardiomyocyte induced by simulated microgravity and hypergravity
Authors: Liu Caizhi , Zhong Guohui , Zhou Yuezhang , Yang Yuchen , Tan Yingjun , Li Yuheng , Gao Xingcheng , Sun Weijia , Li Jianwei , Jin Xiaoyan , Cao Dengchao , Yuan Xinxin , Liu Zizhong , Liang Shuai , Li Youyou , Du Ruikai , Zhao Yinlong , Xue Jianqi , Zhao Dingsheng , Song Jinping , Ling Shukuan , Li Yingxian
Published: February 2020

Objectives

Cardiac Ca2+signalling plays an essential role in regulating excitation‐contraction coupling and cardiac remodelling. However, the response of cardiomyocytes to simulated microgravity and hypergravity and the effects on Ca2+signalling remain unknown. Here, we elucidate the mechanisms underlying the proliferation and remodelling of HL‐1 cardiomyocytes subjected to rotation‐simulated microgravity and 4G hypergravity.

Materials and Methods

The cardiomyocyte cell line HL‐1 was used in this study. A clinostat and centrifuge were used to study the effects of microgravity and hypergravity, respectively, on cells. Calcium signalling was detected with laser scanning confocal microscopy. Protein and mRNA levels were detected by Western blotting and real‐time PCR, respectively. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining was used to analyse cell size.

Results

Our data showed that spontaneous calcium oscillations and cytosolic calcium concentration are both increased in HL‐1 cells after simulated microgravity and 4G hypergravity. Increased cytosolic calcium leads to activation of calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II/histone deacetylase 4 (CaMKII/HDAC4) signalling and upregulation of the foetal genesANPandBNP, indicating cardiac remodelling. WGA staining indicated that cell size was decreased following rotation‐simulated microgravity and increased following 4G hypergravity. Moreover, HL‐1 cell proliferation was increased significantly under hypergravity but not rotation‐simulated microgravity.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates for the first time that Ca2+/CaMKII/HDAC4 signalling plays a pivotal role in myocardial remodelling under rotation‐simulated microgravity and hypergravity.
Injecting drug use among gay and bisexual men in New Zealand: Findings from national human immunodeficiency virus epidemiological and behavioural surveillance
Authors: Saxton Peter J. W. , McAllister Susan M. , Noller Geoffrey E. , Newcombe David A. L. , Leafe Kathryn A.
Published: February 2020

Introduction and Aims

Gay and bisexual men (GBM) who inject drugs are disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) because of dual transmission risks. New Zealand has a progressive history of harm reduction and was the first country to publicly fund needle exchange programs in 1988 for people who inject drugs (PWID). We combine national HIV epidemiological and bio‐behavioural surveillance data to understand HIV risk among this subpopulation.

Design and Methods

We examine trends in new HIV diagnoses 1996–2018 by mode of transmission, and compare HIV cases attributed to sex between men (MSM‐only), MSM/injecting drug use (IDU) and IDU‐only. IDU among GBM in a national HIV behavioural surveillance survey was also examined. We compare GBM by IDU status (never, ‘recent’, previous) and identified predictors of recent IDU.

Results

Of 1653 locally‐acquired HIV diagnoses 1996–2018, 77.4% were MSM‐only, 1.5% MSM/IDU, 1.4% IDU‐only and 14.2% heterosexual mode of transmission. On average, just one HIV diagnosis attributed to MSM/IDU and IDU, respectively, occurred per annum. MSM/IDU cases were more likely than MSM‐only cases to be indigenous Māori ethnicity. Of 3163 GBM survey participants, 5.4% reported lifetime IDU and 1.2% were recent IDU. Among GBM, HIV positivity was 20% among recent IDU and 5.3% among never injectors. Predictors of recent IDU were: age under 30; more than 20 male partners; female partner; condomless intercourse; HIV positivity.

Discussion and Conclusion

New Zealand has averted high endemic HIV rates seen among GBM and PWID in other countries and results have been sustained over 30 years.
30% land conservation and climate action reduces tropical extinction risk by more than 50%
Authors: Hannah Lee , Roehrdanz Patrick R. , Marquet Pablo A. , Enquist Brian J. , Midgley Guy , Foden Wendy , Lovett Jon C. , Corlett Richard T. , Corcoran Derek , Butchart Stuart H. M. , Boyle Brad , Feng Xiao , Maitner Brian , Fajardo Javier , McGill Brian J. , Merow Cory , Morueta‐Holme Naia , Newman Erica A. , Park Daniel S. , Raes Niels , Svenning Jens‐Christian
Published: February 2020

Limiting climate change to less than 2°C is the focus of international policy under the climate convention (UNFCCC), and is essential to preventing extinctions, a focus of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The post‐2020 biodiversity framework drafted by the CBD proposes conserving 30% of both land and oceans by 2030. However, the combined impact on extinction risk of species from limiting climate change and increasing the extent of protected and conserved areas has not been assessed. Here we create conservation spatial plans to minimize extinction risk in the tropics using data on 289 219 species and modeling two future greenhouse gas concentration pathways (RCP2.6 and 8.5) while varying the extent of terrestrial protected land and conserved areas from <17% to 50%. We find that limiting climate change to 2°C and conserving 30% of terrestrial area could more than halve aggregate extinction risk compared with uncontrolled climate change and no increase in conserved area.
Carbon burial over the last four millennia is regulated by both climatic and land use change
Authors: Mao Jinhua , Burdett Heidi L. , McGill Rona A. R. , Newton Jason , Gulliver Pauline , Kamenos Nicholas A.
Published: February 2020

Carbon sequestration by sediments and vegetated marine systems contributes to atmospheric carbon drawdown, but little empirical evidence is available to help separate the effects of climate change and other anthropogenic activities on carbon burial over centennial timescales. We used marine sediment organic carbon to determine the role of historic climate variability and human habitation in carbon burial over the past 5,071 years. There was centennial‐scale sensitivity of carbon supply and burial to climatic variability, with Little Ice Age cooling causing an abrupt ecosystem shift and an increase in marine carbon contributions compared to terrestrial carbon. Although land use changes during the late 1800s did not cause marked alteration in average carbon burial, they did lead to marked increases in the spatial variability of carbon burial. Thus, while carbon burial by vegetated systems is expected to increase with projected climate warming over the coming century, ecosystem restructuring caused by abrupt climate change may produce unexpected change in carbon burial whose variability is also modulated by land use change.
A new paradigm for personalized prophylaxis for patients with severe haemophilia A
Authors: Delavenne Xavier , Ollier Edouard , Lienhart Anne , Dargaud Yesim
Published: February 2020

Aim

For patients with severe haemophilia A, guidelines recommend prophylactic treatment with FVIII, with dose calculations targeting a predetermined FVIII trough level. However, this pharmacokinetic (PK) approach is suboptimal, with some patients experiencing breakthrough bleeds. We aimed to improve FVIII dosing by incorporating the thrombin generation assay, a global haemostasis assay whose main pharmacodynamic (PD) parameter, endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), predicts spontaneous bleeding risk.

Methods

We performed post hoc combined PK‐PD modelling using data from 66 adults who received human‐cl rhFVIII (Nuwiq®, Octapharma AG) in a phase IIIb study. Time‐to‐event analyses simulated the probability of spontaneous bleeding for different FVIII exposures and baseline ETPs.

Results

Ninety‐one spontaneous bleeds occurred in 20/66 patients. The relationship between FVIII:C and ETP was non‐linear, and the sigmoid Emax model adequately described the data. Individual PK‐PD Bayesian estimation significantly improved predictive performance. Simulations showed that the mean spontaneous annual bleeding rate decreased with increasing baseline ETP or dosing: with ETP values of 200, 400 and 600 (nmol/L)·min annual bleeding rates were 2.36, 1.25 and 0.66, respectively, on 40 IU/kg human‐cl rhFVIII every 3 days; and annual bleeding rates were 2.09, 1.10, and 0.60, respectively, on 60 IU/kg every 3 days.

Conclusion

Prophylactic FVIII dosing is more clinically meaningful when incorporating ETP alongside FVIII level. For the first time, FVIII dosing can be personalized with the aim of eliminating spontaneous breakthrough bleeds.