bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trophic Selective Pressures Organize the Composition of Endolithic Microbial Communities from Global Deserts
Authors: Qu Evan , Omelon Chris , Oren Aharon , Meslier Victoria , Cowan Don A. , Maggs-Kölling Gillian , DiRuggiero Jocelyne
Published: September 2019

Studies of microbial biogeography are often convoluted by extremely high diversity and differences in microenvironmental factors such as pH and nutrient availability. Desert endolithic (inside rock) communities are exceptionally simple ecosystems that can serve as a tractable model for investigating long-range biogeographic effects on microbial communities. We conducted a comprehensive survey of endolithic sandstones using high-throughput marker gene sequencing to characterize global patterns of diversity in endolithic microbial communities. We also tested a range of abiotic variables in order to investigate the factors that drive community assembly at various trophic levels. Macroclimate was found to be the primary driver of endolithic community composition, with the most striking difference witnessed between hot and polar deserts. This difference was largely attributable to the specialization of prokaryotic and eukaryotic primary producers to different climate conditions. On a regional scale, microclimate and properties of the rock substrate were found to influence community assembly, although to a lesser degree than global hot versus polar conditions. We found new evidence that the factors driving endolithic community assembly differ between trophic levels. While phototrophic taxa were rigorously selected for among different sites, heterotrophic taxa were more cosmopolitan, suggesting that stochasticity plays a larger role in heterotroph assembly. This study is the first to uncover the global drivers of desert endolithic diversity using high-throughput sequencing. We demonstrate that phototrophs and heterotrophs in the endolithic community assemble under different stochastic and deterministic influences, emphasizing the need for studies of microorganisms in context of their functional niche in the community.
Corona exchange dynamics on carbon nanotubes by multiplexed fluorescence monitoring
Authors: Pinals Rebecca L. , Yang Darwin , Lui Alison , Cao Wendy , Landry Markita P.
Published: September 2019

Noncovalent adsorption of DNA on nanoparticles has led to their widespread implementation as gene delivery tools and optical probes. Yet, the behavior and stability of DNA-nanoparticle complexes once applied in biomolecule-rich,in vivoenvironments remains unpredictable, whereby biocompatibility testing usually occurs in serum. Here, we demonstrate time-resolved measurements of exchange dynamics between solution-phase and adsorbed corona-phase DNA and protein biomolecules on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). We capture real-time binding of fluorophore-labeled biomolecules, utilizing the SWCNT surface as a fluorescence quencher, and apply this corona exchange assay to study protein corona dynamics on ssDNA-SWCNT-based dopamine sensors. We study exchange of two blood proteins, albumin and fibrinogen, adsorbing to and competitively displacing (GT)6vs. (GT)15ssDNA from ssDNA-SWCNTs. We find that (GT)15binds to SWCNTs with a higher affinity than (GT)6and that fibrinogen interacts with ssDNA-SWCNTs more strongly than albumin. Albumin and fibrinogen cause a 52.2% and 78.2% attenuation of the dopamine nanosensor response, coinciding with 0.5% and 3.7% desorption of (GT)6, respectively. Concurrently, the total surface-adsorbed fibrinogen mass is 168% greater than that of albumin. Binding profiles are fit to a competitive surface exchange model which recapitulates the experimental observation that fibrinogen has a higher affinity for SWCNTs than albumin, with a fibrinogen on-rate constant 1.61-fold greater and an off-rate constant 0.563-fold smaller than that of albumin. Our methodology presents a generic route to assess real-time corona exchange on nanoparticles in solution phase, and more broadly motivates testing of nanoparticle-based technologies in blood plasma rather than the more ubiquitously-tested serum conditions.
Transmission analysis of a large TB outbreak in London: mathematical modelling study using genomic data
Authors: Xu Yuanwei , Topliffe Hollie , Stimson James , Stagg Helen R. , Abubakar Ibrahim , Colijn Caroline
Published: September 2019

Outbreaks of tuberculosis- such as the large isoniazid-resistant outbreak centered on London, United Kingdom, which originated in 1995- provide excellent opportunities to model transmission of this devastating disease. Transmission chains for tuberculosis are notoriously difficult to ascertain, but mathematical modelling approaches, combined with whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data, have strong potential to contribute to transmission analyses. Using such data, we aimed to reconstruct transmission histories for the outbreak using a Bayesian approach, and to use machine learning techniques with patient-level data to identify the key covariates associated with transmission. By using our transmission reconstruction method that accounts for phylogenetic uncertainty, we are able to identify 24 transmission events with reasonable confidence, 11 of which have zero single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) distance, and as maximum distance of 3. Patient age, alcohol abuse and history of homelessness were found to be the most important predictors of being credible tuberculosis transmitters.
BrainSpace: a toolbox for the analysis of macroscale gradients in neuroimaging and connectomics datasets
Authors: de Wael Reinder Vos , Benkarim Oualid , Paquola Casey , Lariviere Sara , Royer Jessica , Tavakol Shahin , Xu Ting , Hong Seok-Jun , Valk Sofie L. , Misic Bratislav , Milham Michael P. , Margulies Daniel S. , Smallwood Jonathan , Bernhardt Boris C.
Published: September 2019

Understanding how higher order cognitive function emerges from the underlying brain structure depends on quantifying how the behaviour of discrete regions are integrated within the broader cortical landscape. Recent work has established that this macroscale brain organization and function can be quantified in a compact manner through the use of multivariate machine learning approaches that identify manifolds often described as cortical gradients. By quantifying topographic principles of macroscale organization, cortical gradients lend an analytical framework to study structural and functional brain organization across species, throughout development and aging, and its perturbations in disease. More generally, its macroscale perspective on brain organization offers novel possibilities to investigate the complex relationships between brain structure, function, and cognition in a quantified manner. Here, we present a compact workflow and open-access toolbox that allows for (i) the identification of gradients (from structural or functional imaging data), (ii) their alignment (across subjects or modalities), and (iii) their visualization (in embedding or cortical space). Our toolbox also allows for controlled association studies between gradients with other brain-level features, adjusted with respect to several null models that account for spatial autocorrelation. The toolbox is implemented in both Python and Matlab, programming languages widely used by the neuroimaging and network neuroscience communities. Several use-case examples and validation experiments demonstrate the usage and consistency of our tools for the analysis of functional and microstructural gradients across different spatial scales.
A viral fusogen hijacks the actin cytoskeleton to drive cell-cell fusion
Authors: Chan Ka Man Carmen , Son Sungmin , Schmid Eva M. , Fletcher Daniel A.
Published: September 2019

Cell-cell fusion, which is essential for tissue development and used by some viruses to form pathological syncytia, is typically driven by fusogenic membrane proteins with tall (>10 nm) ectodomains that undergo conformational changes to bring apposing membranes in close contact prior to fusion. Here we report that a viral fusogen with a short (<2 nm) ectodomain, the reptilian orthoreovirus p14, accomplishes the same task by hijacking the actin cytoskeleton. We show that the cytoplasmic domain of p14 triggers N-WASP-mediated assembly of a branched actin network, directly coupling local force generation with a short membrane-disruptive ectodomain. This work reveals that overcoming energetic barriers to cell-cell fusion does not require conformational changes of tall fusogens but can instead be driven by harnessing the host cytoskeleton.

Impact Statement

A viral fusogen drives cell-cell fusion by hijacking the actin machinery to directly couple actin assembly with a short fusogenic ectodomain.
Constructing and Forgetting Temporal Context in the Human Cerebral Cortex
Authors: Chien Hsiang-Yun Sherry , Honey Christopher J.
Published: September 2019

How does information from seconds earlier affect neocortical responses to new input? Here, we used empirical measurements and computational modeling to study the integration and forgetting of prior information. We found that when two groups of participants heard the same sentence in a narrative, preceded by different contexts, the neural responses of each group were initially different, but gradually fell into alignment. We observed a hierarchical gradient: sensory cortices aligned most quickly, followed by mid-level regions, while higher-order cortical regions aligned last. In some higher order regions, responses to the same sentence took more than 10 seconds to align. What kinds of computations can explain this hierarchical organization of contextual alignment? Passive linear integration models predict that regions which are slower to integrate new information should also be slower to forget old information. However, we found that higher order regions could rapidly forget prior context. The data were better captured by a model composed of hierarchical autoencoders in time (HAT). In HAT, cortical regions maintain a temporal context representation which is actively integrated with input at each moment, and this integration is gated by prediction error. These data and models suggest that sequences of information are combined throughout the cortical hierarchy using an active and gated integration process.
Non-parallel transcriptional divergence during parallel adaptation
Authors: Fischer Eva K , Song Youngseok , Hughes Kimberly A , Zhou Wen , Hoke Kim L
Published: September 2019

How underlying mechanisms bias evolution toward predictable outcomes remains an area of active debate. In this study, we leveraged phenotypic plasticity and parallel adaptation across independent lineages of Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata) to assess the predictability of gene expression evolution during parallel adaptation. Trinidadian guppies have repeatedly and independently adapted to high- and low-predation environments in the wild. We combined this natural experiment with a laboratory breeding design to attribute transcriptional variation to the genetic influences of population of origin and developmental plasticity in response to rearing with or without predators. We observed substantial gene expression plasticity as well as the evolution of expression plasticity itself across populations. Genes exhibiting expression plasticity within populations were more likely to also differ in expression between populations, with the direction of population differences more likely to be opposite those of plasticity. While we found more overlap than expected by chance in genes differentially expressed between high- and low-predation populations from distinct evolutionary lineages, the majority of differentially expressed genes were not shared between lineages. Our data suggest alternative transcriptional configurations associated with shared phenotypes, highlighting a role for transcriptional flexibility in the parallel phenotypic evolution of a species known for rapid adaptation.
Asynchronous mixing of kidney progenitor cells potentiates nephrogenesis in organoids
Authors: Gupta Ashwani K. , Sarkar Prasenjit , Pan Xinchao , Carroll Thomas , Oxburgh Leif
Published: September 2019

Recent years have seen rapid advances in directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) to kidney cells. However, a fundamental difficulty in emulating kidney tissue formation is that kidney development is iterative. Recent studies argue that the human nephron forms through gradual contribution of nephron progenitor cells whose differentiation fates depend on the time at which they are recruited. We show that the majority of PSC-derived nephron progenitor cells differentiated in a short wave in organoid formation and to improve fidelity of PSC-derived organoids, we emulated the asynchronous mix found in the fetal kidney by combining cells differentiated at different times in the same organoid. Asynchronous mixing promoted nephrogenesis, and lineage marking data showed that proximal and distal nephron components preferentially derive from cell populations differentiated at distinct times. When engrafted under the kidney capsule these heterochronic organoids were vascularized and displayed essential features of kidney tissue. Micro-CT and injection of a circulating vascular marker demonstrated that engrafted kidney tissue was connected to the systemic circulation by 2 weeks after engraftment. Proximal tubule glucose uptake was confirmed using intravenous injection of fluorescent dextran. Despite these promising measures of graft function, overgrowth of stromal cells prevented long-term study, and we propose that this is a technical feature of the engraftment procedure rather than a specific shortcoming of the directed differentiation because kidney organoids derived from primary cells and whole embryonic kidneys develop the same stromal overgrowth when engrafted under the kidney capsule.
Sporadic ERK pulses drive non-genetic resistance in drug-adapted BRAFV600Emelanoma cells
Authors: Gerosa Luca , Chidley Christopher , Froehlich Fabian , Sanchez Gabriela , Lim Sang Kyun , Muhlich Jeremy , Chen Jia-Yun , Baker Gregory J. , Schapiro Denis , Shi Tujin , Yi Lian , Nicora Carrie D. , Claas Allison , Lauffenburger Douglas A. , Qian Wei-Jun , Wiley H. Steven , Sorger Peter K.
Published: September 2019

Anti-cancer drugs commonly target signal transduction proteins activated by mutation. In patients with BRAFV600Emelanoma, small molecule RAF and MEK kinase inhibitors cause dramatic but often transient tumor regression. Emerging evidence suggests that cancer cells adapting by non-genetic mechanisms constitute a reservoir for the development of drug-resistant tumors. Here, we show that few hours after exposure to RAF/MEK inhibitors, BRAFV600Emelanomas undergo adaptive changes involving disruption of negative feedback and sporadic pulsatile reactivation of the MAPK pathway, so that MAPK activity is transiently high enough in some cells to drive proliferation. Quantitative proteomics and computational modeling show that pulsatile MAPK reactivation is possible due to the co-existence in cells of two MAPK cascades: one driven by BRAFV600Ethat is drug-sensitive and a second driven by receptors that is drug-resistant. Paradoxically, this may account both for the frequent emergence of drug resistance and for the tolerability of RAF/MEK therapy in patients.
The “Locus of Learning” Problem: Effects of Stimulus and Task Structure on Temporal Perceptual Learning
Authors: Xu Rannie , Church Russell M. , Sasaki Yuka , Watanabe Takeo
Published: September 2019

The ability to discriminate sub-second intervals can be improved with practice, a process known as temporal perceptual learning (TPL). A central question in TPL is whether training improves the low-level sensory representation of a temporal interval or optimizes a set of task-specific response strategies. Here, we trained three groups of participants over five days on a single-interval temporal discrimination task using either fixed intervals (FI) or random intervals (RI). Before and after training, discrimination thresholds were also obtained on an untrained task. Our results revealed that only the FI group showed improvements with five days of training, but this learning did not generalize from the trained task to the untrained task in any group. These results highlight task-specificity in TPL and suggest that training-dependent improvements in timing ability might reflect an active reweighting of decision units, in addition to refinements in the sensory representation of a learned interval.
Structural basis for the allosteric regulation of the SbtA bicarbonate transporter by the PII-like protein, SbtB, fromCyanobiumsp. PCC7001
Authors: Kaczmarski Joe A. , Hong Nan-Sook , Mukherjee Bratati , Wey Laura T. , Rourke Loraine , Förster Britta , Peat Thomas S. , Price G. Dean , Jackson Colin J.
Published: September 2019

Cyanobacteria have evolved a suite of enzymes and inorganic carbon (Ci) transporters that improve photosynthetic performance by increasing the localized concentration of CO2around the primary CO2-fixating enzyme, Rubisco. This CO2-concentrating mechanism (CCM) is highly regulated, responds to illumination/darkness cycles and allows cyanobacteria to thrive under limiting Ciconditions. While the transcriptional control of CCM activity is well understood, less is known about how regulatory proteins might allosterically regulate Citransporters in response to changing conditions. Cyanobacterial sodium-dependent bicarbonate transporters (SbtAs) are inhibited by PII-like regulatory proteins (SbtBs), with the inhibitory effect being modulated by adenylnucleotides. Here, we used isothermal titration calorimetry to show that SbtB fromCyanobiumsp. PCC7001 (SbtB7001) binds AMP, ADP, cAMP and ATP with micromolar-range affinities. X-ray crystal structures of apo- and nucleotide-bound SbtB7001 revealed that while AMP, ADP and cAMP have little effect on the SbtB7001 structure, binding of ATP stabilizes the otherwise flexible T-loop and that the flexible C-terminal C-loop adopts several distinct conformations. We also show that ATP binding affinity is increased ten-fold in the presence of Ca2+and we present an X-ray crystal structure of Ca2+ATP:SbtB7001 that shows how this metal ion facilitates additional stabilizing interactions with the apex of the T-loop. We propose that the Ca2+ATP-induced conformational change observed in SbtB7001 is important for allosteric regulation of SbtA activity by SbtB and is consistent with changing adenylnucleotide levels in illumination/darkness cycles.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
The untapped potential of reptile biodiversity for understanding how and why animals age
Authors: Hoekstra Luke A. , Schwartz Tonia S. , Sparkman Amanda M. , Miller David A. W. , Bronikowski Anne M.
Published: September 2019

The field of comparative ageing biology has greatly expanded in the past 20 years. Longitudinal studies of populations of reptiles with a range of maximum lifespans have accumulated and been analysed for evidence of mortality senescence and reproductive decline. While not as well represented in studies of amniote senescence, reptiles have been the subjects of many recent demographic and mechanistic studies of the biology of ageing.

We review recent literature on reptile demographic senescence, mechanisms of senescence, and identify unanswered questions. Given the ecophysiological and demographic diversity of reptiles, what is the expected range of reptile senescence rates? Are known mechanisms of ageing in reptiles consistent with canonical hallmarks of ageing in model systems? What are the knowledge gaps in our understanding of reptile ageing?

We find ample evidence of increasing mortality with advancing age in many reptiles. Testudines stand out as slower ageing than other orders, but data on crocodilians and tuatara are sparse. Sex‐specific analyses are generally not available. Studies of female reproduction suggest that reptiles are less likely to have reproductive decline with advancing age than mammals.

Reptiles share many physiological and molecular pathways of ageing with mammals, birds and laboratory model organisms. Adaptations related to stress physiology coupled with reptilian ectothermy suggest novel comparisons and contrasts that can be made with canonical ageing phenotypes in mammals. These include stem cell and regeneration biology, homeostatic mechanisms, IIS/TOR signalling, and DNA repair.

To overcome challenges to the study of reptile ageing, we recommend extending and expanding long‐term monitoring of reptile populations, developing reptile cell lines to aid cellular biology, conducting more comparative studies of reptile morphology and physiology sampled along relevant life‐history axes and sequencing more reptile genomes for comparative genomics. Given the diversity of reptile life histories and adaptations, achieving these directives will likely greatly benefit all ageing biology.

A freePlain Language Summarycan be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Viscosity has dichotomous effects onBdellovibrio bacteriovorusHD100 predation
Authors: Im Hansol , Kwon Heeun , Cho Gayoung , Kwon Jisoo , Choi Seong Yeol , Mitchell Robert J.
Published: September 2019

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorusHD100 is a highly motile predatory bacterium that consumes other Gram‐negative bacteria for its sustenance. Here, we describe the impacts the media viscosity has both on the motility of predator and its attack rates. Experiments performed in polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions, a linear polymer, found a viscosity of 10 mPa s (5% PEG) negatively impacted predation over a 24‐h period. When the viscosity was increased to 27 mPa s (10% PEG), predation was nearly abolished. Tests with three otherB.bacteriovorusstrains, i.e., 109J and two natural isolates, found identical results. Short‐term (2‐h) experiments, however, found attack rates were improved in 1% PEG, which had a viscosity of 5.4 mPa s, using bioluminescent prey and their viabilities. In contrast, when experiments were performed in dextran, a branched polymer, no increase in predation was seen even though the viscosity was a comparable 5.1 mPa s. The enhanced attack rates in this solution coincided with a 31% increase inB.bacteriovorusHD100 swimming speeds (62 μm s−1in 1% PEG vs. 47.5 μm s−1in HEPES‐salt).
Engagement in leisure and physical activities: analysing the biographical disruptions of a rare chronic disease in France
Authors: Le Hénaff Yannick , Héas Stephane
Published: September 2019

Using the biographical disruption literature, this article examines how the experience of illness – in this case, pemphigus – reconfigures engagement in leisure activities, and how these activities are integrated into the biographies of persons with a rare chronic illness. Among the changes imposed by the illness, leisure activities are especially enlightening, as they primarily depend on the body. The article is based on a study of 50 interviews of persons with pemphigus, a rare and chronic dermatological disorder. The ways in which they relate to leisure activities give a new perspective on biographical disruption. The first striking observation is how diverse they are: illness does not level social differences or lived experience, and can even further consolidate commitment to engagements. We identified four types of engagement in leisure activities: disengagement, which reveals biographical disruption; adapted engagement, leading individuals toward low‐risk physical activities; engagement in medicalised normalisation; and salutary engagement.
A 10‐year longitudinal study on the associations between changes in plant‐based diet indices, anthropometric parameters and blood lipids in a Flemish adult population
Authors: Waterplas Jana , Versele Vickà , D'Hondt Eva , Lefevre Johan , Mertens Evelien , Charlier Ruben , Knaeps Sara , Clarys Peter
Published: September 2019

Aim

Plant‐based diets are recommended in the context of environmental sustainability and health. Since not all plant foods can be considered beneficial, a distinction needs to be made between healthful and unhealthful plant foods. The aim of this study was to investigate longitudinal associations between changes in an overall plant‐based diet index, a healthful plant‐based diet index and an unhealthful plant‐based diet index, with changes in anthropometrics and blood lipids as indicators of morphological and metabolic fitness, respectively.

Methods

A 3‐day dietary record was completed by 650 Flemish adults (420 men, 230 women) in 2002‐2004 and 2012‐2014. Three plant‐based diet indices were calculated based on quintile scores regarding the intake of animal‐ or plant‐based food items. Associations between 10‐year changes in diet indices and changes in anthropometrics and blood lipids were tested using multivariate linear regression.

Results

Plant‐based diet indices did not differ over time. Using the unadjusted model, few significant associations were found between changes in diet indices and changes in anthropometrics and blood lipids. However, these relationships disappeared after adjusting for confounding. In women, a positive association was found between changes in overall plant‐based diet index and changes in body mass index in the adjusted model.

Conclusions

Index values did not differ over time and few longitudinal associations were found.
Acute respiratory involvement in Colombian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus undergoing chest computed tomography
Authors: Santamaria‐Alza Yeison , Sanchez‐Bautista Julian , Fajardo‐Rivero Javier Enrique , Figueroa Pineda Claudia Lucía
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an inflammatory disease which affects multiple organs. The respiratory system is compromised in 1.6% to 36% of the patients with SLE. The objective of this study was to know the prevalence of these alterations, their associated variables, and outcomes in patients with SLE between 2012 and 2017.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study of 200 patients with SLE underwent chest computed tomography (CT). The primary outcome was acute respiratory involvement (ARI). A descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analysis were performed using Stata 12.0 software.

Results

ARI was present in 40% of the SLE patients undergoing chest CT. The most frequent ARI was pleural effusion in 33%, followed by pneumonia (16.5%), lupus pneumonitis (9%), pulmonary embolism (3%) and pulmonary hemorrhage (2.5%). In bivariate and multivariate analysis a statistically significant association between ARI and nephropathy, hematological impairment, active disease, dead, readmission and prolonged hospital stay was found.

Conclusion

This is the first Colombian study that evaluates ARI in patients with SLE. ARI is an important and frequent condition in patients with SLE, pleural effusion being the most prevalent cause of ARI. There are some variables (nephropathy, hematological impairment and activity disease) that are associated with ARI and could be the basis of intervention.
Translation, validation and cross‐cultural adaptation of the Nepali version of WOMAC® LK 3.1
Authors: Nakarmi Shweta , Haq Syed Atiqul , Vaidya Binit
Published: September 2019

Background

Among many self‐reported outcome measures, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) is one of the commonly used indexes for osteoarthritis patients. Despite high prevalence of musculoskeletal problems in Nepal, there is no validated tool available in the local language. Thus, this study aimed to translate the English WOMAC® into Nepali, and validate it for use in the future.

Methods

Guidelines by Beaton et al were followed for translation and cross‐cultural adaptation of the original WOMAC into Nepali language. Diagnosed cases of knee osteoarthritis (OA) attending the rheumatology outpatient department of National Center for Rheumatic Diseases, Kathmandu were enrolled in the study. These patients were interviewed with the Nepali version. Internal consistency was measured by Cronbach's alpha and test‐retest reliability by intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC). Correlation between domains of WOMAC was tested with visual analog scale (VAS) and numerical rating scale (NRS) of pain and stiffness.

Results

The test‐retest reliability was good with ICC of >0.75 for all domains and items. Internal consistency was acceptable with Cronbach's alpha scores of 0.852, 0.704 and 0.955 for pain, stiffness and physical function domains, respectively. Strong correlation was observed between WOMAC stiffness domain and VAS for stiffness and NRS for stiffness with rho (ρ) values of 0.750 and 0.759, respectively. Moderate correlation was seen between WOMAC pain and VAS for pain and NRS for pain with ρ of 0.658 and 0.584, respectively.

Conclusions

Nepali WOMAC is a reliable and valid instrument for assessment of disease severity and its impact in Nepali‐speaking patients with OA.
Overexpression of U three protein 14a (UTP14a) is associated with poor prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Li Kun‐Kun , Mao Cheng‐Yi , Zhang Jing‐Ge , Ma Qiang , Wang Ying‐Jian , Liu Xue‐Hai , Bao Tao , Guo Wei
Published: September 2019

Background

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most aggressive and lethal cancers lacking valid prognostic biomarkers. As an essential component of a large ribonucleoprotein complex, U Three Protein 14a (UTP14a) might play important roles in human tumorigenesis. However, the clinical significance and functions of UTP14a in ESCC still remain unclear.

Methods

From September 2009 to August 2015, 210 patients with ESCC of the thoracic esophagus underwent thoracoscopic esophagectomy in our institute. The corresponding 210 tissue samples and 30 cancer‐distant mucosa (CDM) samples were tested for UTP14a expression by immunohistochemical staining. The long‐term survival was analyzed by the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. CCK8, cell colony formation, cell cycle, apoptosis, cell invasion, and wound healing assays were carried out with ECA109 cells to evaluate the effects of UTP14a on ESCC in vitro.

Results

UTP14a was positively expressed in 88.1% (185/210) of the ESCC samples. UTP14a expression in ESCC was significantly higher than in CDM, as further confirmed by Western blot analysis. High expression of UTP14a in ESCC correlated significantly with tumor invasive depth (pT stage), which predicts poor disease‐free survival and disease‐specific survival, as indicated by the log‐rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Additionally, our in vitro experiments further demonstrated that knockdown of UTP14a inhibits cell proliferation and invasion in ECA109 cells.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that UTP14a is aberrantly expressed in ESCC, plays a critical role in cancer progression and could be a potential prognosis predictor of ESCC.
Changes in structure of over‐ and midstory tree species in a Mediterranean‐type forest after an extreme drought‐associated heatwave
Authors: Steel Emma J. , Fontaine Joseph B. , Ruthrof Katinka X. , Burgess Treena I. , Hardy Giles E. St. J.
Published: September 2019

Worldwide, extreme climatic events such as drought and heatwaves are associated with forest mortality. However, the precise drivers of tree mortality at individual and stand levels vary considerably, with substantial gaps in knowledge across studies in biomes and continents. In 2010–2011, a drought‐associated heatwave occurred in south‐western Australia and drove sudden and rapid forest canopy collapse. Working in the Northern Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) Forest, we quantified the response of key overstory (E. marginata, Corymbia calophylla) and midstory (Banksia grandis, Allocasuarina fraseriana) tree species to the extreme climate event. Using transects spanning a gradient of drought impacts (minimal (50–100 m), transitional (100–150 m) and severe (30–60 m)), tree species mortality in relation to stand characteristics (stand basal area and stem density) and edaphic factors (soil depth) was determined. We show differential mortality between the two overstory species and the two midstory species corresponding to the drought‐associated heatwave. The dominant overstory species, E. marginata, had significantly higher mortality (~19%) than C. calophylla (~7%) in the severe zone. The midstory species, B. grandis, demonstrated substantially higher mortality (~59%) than A. fraseriana (~4%) in the transitional zone. Banksia grandis exhibited a substantial shift in structure in response to the drought‐associated heatwave in relation to tree size, basal area and soil depth. This study illustrates the role of climate extremes in driving ecosystem change and highlights the critical need to identify and quantify the resulting impact to help predict future forest die‐off events and to underpin forest management and conservation.
Phenological modularity in amphibian calling behaviour: Geographic trends and local determinants
Authors: Canavero Andrés , Arim Matías , Pérez Fernanda , Jaksic Fabian M. , Marquet Pablo A.
Published: September 2019

Phenology of species, the coupling of vital activities to specific times of the year, plays a main role in ecosystem functioning and is expected to be affected by global change. We analysed the temporal structure of 52 amphibian communities in South America encompassing a latitudinal range from 7º to 34º south. Phenological modularity – species tendencies to aggregate along the months – is here introduced as a ubiquitous property of biodiversity architecture. Further, we identified an increase in phenological modularity with species richness, available energy and in communities with lower thermal dependence (i.e. the rate of change in the number of species active along the year associated with the environmental temperature). These patterns are in agreement with predictions derived from several ecological hypotheses: complexity‐stability, species‐energy and metabolic ecology. However, no direct association between modularity and the phylogenetic structure of communities was observed. A structural equation model that outperformed all the plausible alternative models considered supports these results. Modularity is reported here as a main feature of the phenology of communities that depends on environmental conditions. Here, we report for the first time a putative connection between community species richness and the degree of temporal structure – phenological modularity; the thermal dependence shows that communities at low latitudes are more vulnerable to climate change; energetic environments also promote communities with phenological modularity; and latitudinal patterns of phylogenetic community structure can give us clues of which species would be important to the conservation of community processes. These results call for further theoretical analyses to support the connection between phenological modularity, community stability and vulnerability to global change.
An examination of organisational policies for healthcare and lifestyle decision‐making among Australian aged care providers
Authors: Sinclair Craig , Field Sue , Blake Meredith , Radoslovich Helen
Published: September 2019

Objective

Examine policies of aged care organisations relating to healthcare and lifestyle decision‐making.

Methods

Seven aged care organisations submitted policy documents. Policies were analysed using the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) “Decision‐Making Principles” as a framework. Senior staff (N = 9) with policy development roles participated in follow‐up interviews.

Results

The structure and content of policy documents varied significantly between organisations. Most acknowledged the need to support the rights of care recipients in decision‐making; however, the nature of this support was often unclear. Interview themes included factors relating to “organisational contexts” “policy development and implementation” and “ethical challenges.” An overarching theme among high‐performing organisations was “proactive response aimed at pre‐empting decision‐making dilemmas”. We provide recommendations for policy development, including a self‐assessment audit tool.

Conclusion

Aged care provider organisations may need to review policies in the areas of healthcare and lifestyle decision‐making to meet current best practice principles.
What you say and what I want: Priorities for public health campaigning and initiatives in relation to dementia
Authors: Haapala Irja , Carr Ashley , Biggs Simon
Published: September 2019

Objective

To examine the overlap between priorities expressed by representatives from national and local campaigning organisations and the views of key voices in relation to dementia.

Methods

Semi‐structured, in‐depth telephone interviews were conducted with 19 representatives from campaigning organisations, including nine countries and six local community initiatives in Australia. Responses were categorised into nine priorities. Views were compared to the voices of people with dementia (n = 19), carers (n = 28), and health‐care (n = 21), social work (n = 23) and service professionals (n = 20).

Results

Local groups prioritised user‐led decision‐making and community normalising agendas. National groups were influenced by service frameworks and increasing public awareness. Professional and carer groups focused on increasing understanding and communication skills while people with dementia valued being a normal part of society.

Conclusion

Future campaigning should use both national and local approaches to changing social relations, through interpersonal connections, advocacy and social mobilisation, to promote a normalising approach to attitude change.
Alternative staffing structures in a clustered domestic model of residential aged care in Australia
Authors: Harrison Stephanie L. , Dyer Suzanne M. , Milte Rachel , Liu Enwu , Gnanamanickam Emmanuel S. , Crotty Maria
Published: September 2019

Objective

A clustered domestic model of residential aged care has been associated with better consumer‐rated quality of care. Our objective was to examine differences in staffing structures between clustered domestic and standard models.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study involving 541 individuals living in 17 Australian not‐for‐profit residential aged care homes.

Results

Four of the homes offered dementia‐specific clustered domestic models of care with higher personal care attendant (PCA) hours‐per‐resident‐per‐day (mean [SD] 2.43 [0.29] vs. 1.74 [0.46], P < 0.001), slightly higher direct care hours‐per‐resident‐per‐day (2.66 [0.35] vs. 2.58 [0.44], P = 0.006), higher staff training costs ($1492 [258] vs. $989 [928], P < 0.001) and lower registered/enrolled nurse hours‐per‐resident‐per‐day (0.23 [0.10] vs. 0.85 [0.17], P < 0.001) compared to standard models.

Conclusions

An Australian clustered domestic model of care had higher PCA hours, more staff training and more direct care time compared to standard models. Further research to determine optimal staffing structures within alternative models of care is warranted.
Process, impact and outcomes of medication review in Australian residential aged care facilities: A systematic review
Authors: Chen Esa Y. H. , Wang Kate N. , Sluggett Janet K. , Ilomäki Jenni , Hilmer Sarah N. , Corlis Megan , Bell J. Simon
Published: September 2019

Objective

To systematically review literature reporting processes, impact and outcomes of medication review and reconciliation in Australian residential aged care facilities (RACFs).

Methods

PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Informit Health and grey literature were searched from 1995 to July 2018. Studies reporting outcomes of a stand‐alone medication review or reconciliation interventions in Australian RACFs were included.

Results

Thirteen studies investigated medication review, eight of which studied Residential Medication Management Reviews (RMMRs). Five studies reported that medication reviews identified an average of 2.7‐3.9 medication‐related problems (MRPs) per resident. One study reported medication reviews had no impact on quality of life, hospitalisation or mortality, but was not powered to assess these. Three studies reported general practitioners’ acceptance of pharmacists’ recommendations to resolve MRPs, ranging between 45 and 84%.

Conclusions

Medication review may be a useful strategy to identify and prompt resolution of MRPs. However, the impact on clinical and resident‐centred outcomes remains unclear.
Implementation of a model of care for hospitalised older persons with cognitive impairment (the Confused Hospitalised Older Persons program) in six New South Wales hospitals
Authors: Kurrle Susan , Bateman Cath , Cumming Anne , Pang Glen , Patterson Sigrid , Temple Anthea
Published: September 2019

Objective

To evaluate the implementation of a model of care known as the Confused Hospitalised Older Persons (CHOPs) program to improve recognition, assessment and management of older persons with cognitive impairment (delirium and/or dementia) admitted to acute hospitals.

Methods

The model of care was implemented in six selected hospitals across New South Wales. Pre‐ and postimplementation medical record audits, environmental audits, and staff knowledge and care confidence surveys were performed. Interviews with clinical leads postimplementation identified enablers and barriers.

Results

There were significant increases in cognitive screening within 24 hours (OR = 3.32 [2.50‐4.91]), delirium risk identification (OR = 4.04 [2.89‐5.64]), assessment of cognitive impairment (OR = 2.55 [1.90‐3.43]) and interaction with families (OR = 2.81 [2.09‐3.79]). Staff education and care confidence were improved, and positive environmental changes occurred in all hospitals. Barriers and enablers to implementation were identified.

Conclusion

The CHOPs program improved identification, risk assessment and management of cognitive impairment in older hospitalised patients.
Asia's Regional Security Order: Rules, Power and Status
Authors: Bisley Nick
Published: September 2019

East Asia's security order is experiencing significant change as it moves from a stable and peaceful geopolitical setting into one of increasingly open contestation. There is no scholarly consensus about the core character of East Asia's old security order, thus making analysis of this period of change especially challenging. The aim of this paper is two‐fold. Firstly, it seeks to provide some order to the broader debate about East Asia's regional security environment. Secondly, it provides a novel account of East Asia's security order that better captures the key dynamics at play in the region than the literature currently does. The paper's first part discusses the different types of security orders identified by scholars and analysts. The second examines the ways in which scholars have attempted to explain East Asia's security order and explores the key forces that they have argued shaped their form. The third part develops a distinctive account of Asia's security order which focuses on the interplay of domestic and international factors and argues that it was the political consensus that existed across the region about its structure and purpose that made the region stable and it is the breakdown of that consensus that is destabilising East Asia today.
How China Seeks to Foster an Asia‐Pacific Security Community: Peace through Consultation, Cooperation and Co‐development
Authors: Zhang Zhexin
Published: September 2019

Faced by increasing challenges to its national security and development, China has taken active measures to improve its security position in the Asia‐Pacific and to foster a lasting and commonly‐beneficial regional security order based on its “New Asian Security Concept”, highlighting common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable peace. Though the Chinese government tends to follow a bilateral rather than collective approach to consolidate its regional security stance for the time being, one can expect China to push forward an all‐inclusive and comprehensive platform for enhanced collective security. Yet China will not pursue a completely new security order to replace the old one. Instead, it is taking a pragmatic and incremental approach to shape the necessary environment for the evolution of the US‐led hegemonic order into a more pluralistic, inclusive, and comprehensive one, where peace and security are guaranteed through closer political consultation and more integrated economic and social development among regional countries. If Sino‐US relations can be well managed and China keeps projecting its growing power in a restrained and contributive way to provide more public goods for regional peace and development, then one can hope for an Asia‐Pacific security community to take shape in the coming decades.
Relation of total bilirubin and QT interval prolongation (from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey)
Authors: Majeed Chaudry N. , Ahmad Muhammad I. , Ahsan Irfan , Anees Muhammad A. , Maheshwari Sanjay K. , Soliman Elsayed Z.
Published: September 2019

Objective

The association of bilirubin with cardiovascular disease (CVD) is controversial. We sought to explore the association of total bilirubin (TB) levels with QT interval in a multiracial cohort.

Methods

A total of 6,627 participants (59.0 ± 13.3 years; 52.6% women, 49.7% Non‐Hispanic Whites) without CVD from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included in this analysis. QT was automatically measured from digital 12‐lead electrocardiogram in a central reading center. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to examine the cross‐sectional association between tertiles of TB and prolonged QT interval (≥450 ms in men and ≥460 ms in women).

Results

The prevalence of prolonged QT was higher among those with higher levels of TB (prolonged QT prevalence was 4.7%, 6.8%, and 7.0% across TB lower (0–0.4 mg/dl), middle (0.5–1.6 mg/dl), and higher (0.70–4.30 mg/dl) tertiles, respectively). In a model adjusted for potential confounders, participants within the highest TB tertile had significantly greater odds of the prolonged QT interval (Odds ratios [95% confidence interval] 1.53 [1.16–2.02]) compared to those with bilirubin levels in the first tertile. Each 0.29 mg/dl increase in TB levels was associated with a 12% (p‐value <.0001) increase in the prevalence of prolonged QT interval. This association was stronger in men than in women (interaction p‐value = .04).

Conclusion

Elevated bilirubin levels are associated with a prolonged QT interval. This finding extends our current knowledge on the relationship between serum bilirubin and CVD by demonstrating a link between higher TB and abnormal cardiac repolarization.