bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CRISPR-based multi-locus real-time tracking reveals single chromosome dynamics and compaction
Authors: Chung Yu-Chieh , Bisht Madhoolika , Tu Li-Chun
Published: February 2022

In eukaryotic nuclei, individual chromosomes occupy discrete three-dimensional spaces with little overlap. Dynamic chromatin organization instantly influences DNA accessibility through modulating local macromolecular density and interactions, driving changes in transcription activities. Chromatin anchoring to nuclear landmarks often leads to massive reorganization and motion changes. Chromatin dynamics has been reported to be locally confined but contributes to the large-scale coherent chromatin motion across the entire nucleus. However, the dynamics and compaction of chromosomal sub-regions along a single chromosome are not well-understood. In this study, we combined quantitative real-time single-molecule fluorescence microscopy, CRISPR-based genomic labeling, biophysical analysis and polymer models to characterize the dynamics of specific genomic loci and chromatin-nuclear landmark interactions on human chromosome 19 in living cells. Precise genomic labeling allows us to dissect loci motions and chromatin elasticity on a single chromosome basis. We found that the dynamics of genomic loci were all subdiffusive but varied at different regions along the chromosome. The mobility of genomic loci was similar among interior chromosomal loci but deviated for the loci at pericentromeric and near-telomeric regions. Tighter compaction on chromosome 19 long arm, compared to the short arm was observed, which may correlate to more active genes on the short arm than the long arm, shown by our RNA-seq analysis. The strong tethering interaction was found for loci at the pericentromeric region, suggesting a higher degree of local condensation, perhaps through stronger interactions or association between pericentromeric regions and their microenvironments, such as chromatin-nuclear body association through sequence-specific domains on DNA.
Loss of H3K9 tri-methylation alters chromosome compaction and transcription factor retention during mitosis
Authors: Djeghloul Dounia , Dimond Andrew , Kramer Holger , Brown Karen , Patel Bhavik , Wang Yi-Fang , Futschik Matthias E. , Whilding Chad , Montoya Alex , Veland Nicolas , Cheriyamkunnel Sherry , Montavon Thomas , Jenuwein Thomas , Merkenschlager Matthias , Fisher Amanda G.
Published: February 2022

Recent studies have shown that repressive chromatin machinery, including DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and Polycomb Repressor Complexes (PRCs), bind to chromosomes throughout mitosis and their depletion results in increased chromosome size. Here we show that enzymes that catalyse H3K9 methylation, such as Suv39h1, Suv39h2, G9a and Glp, are also retained on mitotic chromosomes. Surprisingly however, mutants lacking H3K9me3 have unusually small and compact mitotic chromosomes that are associated with increased H3S10ph and H3K27me3 levels. Chromosome size and centromere compaction in these mutants were rescued by providing exogenous Suv39h1, or inhibiting Ezh2 activity. Quantitative proteomic comparisons of native mitotic chromosomes isolated from wildtype versus Suv39h1/Suv39h2 double-null ESCs revealed that H3K9me3 was essential for the efficient retention of bookmarking factors such as Esrrb. These results highlight an unexpected role for repressive heterochromatin domains in preserving transcription factor binding through mitosis, and underscore the importance of H3K9me3 for sustaining chromosome architecture and epigenetic memory during cell division.
Human neural progenitors establish a diffusion barrier in the ER membrane during cell division
Authors: bin Imtiaz Muhammad Khadeesh , Royall Lars N. , Jessberger Sebastian
Published: February 2022

Asymmetric segregation of cellular components regulates the fate and behavior of somatic stem cells. Similar to dividing budding yeast and precursor cells in C. elegans, it has been shown that mouse neural progenitors establish a diffusion barrier in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which has been associated with asymmetric partitioning of damaged proteins and cellular age. However, the existence of an ER-diffusion barrier in human cells remains unknown. Here we used fluorescence loss in photobleaching (FLIP) imaging to show that human embryonic stem cell (hESC)- and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neural progenitor cells establish an ER-diffusion barrier during cell division. The human ER-diffusion barrier is regulated via Lamin-dependent mechanisms and is associated with asymmetric segregation of mono- and polyubiquitinated, damaged proteins. Further, forebrain regionalized organoids derived from hESCs were used to show the establishment of an ER-membrane diffusion barrier in more naturalistic tissues mimicking early steps of human brain development. Thus, the data provided here show that human neural progenitors establish a diffusion barrier during cell division in the membrane of the ER, which may allow for asymmetric segregation of cellular components, contributing to the fate and behavior of human neural progenitor cells.

Human neural progenitors (NPCs) establish a diffusion barrier during cell division in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum, allowing for asymmetric segregation of cellular components, which may contribute to the fate and behavior of human NPCs.
Upgrading of fire safety requirement for tall buildings in Bulgaria and proposal of implementing fire safety management under facility management
Authors: Ivanov Martin Lyubomirov , Chow Wan Ki , Yue Tsz Kit , Tsang Hing Lung , Peng Wei
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to check and fill the gap between the existing fire safety regulations for newly built tall buildings in Bulgaria and those in areas with rapid economic growth in the Asia-Oceania regions like the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Mainland China, by making comparative analysis and identifying good practices. The main focus is on the development of fire safety designs, facilities and management, which shall be recognized as essential parts of facility management in tall buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

Bulgarian regulations are analyzed and then compared with those in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Mainland China. In addition, the scientific aspect of fire load density in the fire codes is discussed. The possibility of implementing a fire engineering approach to supplement prescriptive codes is outlined. The essential roles of fire safety management and fire safety culture are presented.

Findings

Key points and recommendations that are worthy for discussion about incorporation in the Bulgarian tall buildings fire safety requirements are upgraded requirements for fire load density, detection and sprinkler systems in tall residential buildings, refuge floors, ventilation/air conditioning control systems, full-scale burning tests and fire engineering approach. The importance of fire safety management is emphasized as a main, key component in facility management.

Originality/value

The research is the first study focusing on implementation of additional and specific fire safety regulations for tall buildings in Bulgaria.
Impact of Covid-19 on the built environment
Authors: Mahima M. , Shanthi Priya R. , Rajagopal Prashanthini , Pradeepa C.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This literature review paper aims to discuss the impacts and measures taken on Covid-19 with respect to architecture, built form and its allied fields along with observations from around the world with the end results of its implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

Various research journals from Science Direct and Taylor and Francis among others were referred and reviewed to learn more on Covid-19 along with its impacts on people and their built environment. Keywords that aligned with the topic of interest like pandemic, Covid-19, coronavirus, urban spaces, built environment and built-up space were identified. Research papers that aligned with the scope of the paper and its keywords were found. An excel sheet with the basic data of these papers was written down. The essence of each of these articles were understood and linked with the topic in hand. A review of all these papers was written coherently to the topic. Future scope in this field of study was also identified.

Findings

It discusses the various measures taken around the world in built-up spaces along with the various measures given by researchers, architects and urban planners to mitigate and reduce the transmission of Covid-19 in the built environment and urban spaces. The discussed measures along with observations from around the world have also been discussed with its end results. Discussions and conclusions on these design strategies and recommendations are made with the anticipation of a paradigm shift due to post-pandemic changes. Current scenarios of public spaces in densely populated countries are discussed. Future scope in this ongoing field of study includes measures that can be taken in specific to some particular built-up typologies like markets, theaters, parks, bazaars, etc.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this study is the restricting of the study of Covid-19 to only architectural, urban and public realm scales. The study does not facilitate the involvement of other fields and their influence with Covid-19.

Originality/value

This paper has been completely written by the author and the co-authors and has not been copied from any other sources.
Challenges in the evaluation process of training and development programmes in public universities in Saudi Arabian higher education
Authors: Othayman Majed Bin , Mulyata John , Meshari Abdulrahim , Debrah Yaw
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This article aims to investigate the challenges faced during the training and development (T&D) evaluation process from the point of view of faculty members and HR managers in Saudi Arabian public universities, and to examine the influence of these challenges on the effectiveness of T&D programmes in public universities.

Design/methodology/approach

Exploratory research using semi-structured interviews to determine the challenges faced during T&D evaluation was employed. Participants included faculty members (n = 23) and senior managers (n = 05) working in four public universities in Saudi Arabia. The interviews were transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis.

Findings

The outcome highlights the challenges faced during the T&D evaluation process: a lack of performance measurement and role ambiguity H.R.M. practices. Finally, this study aims to investigate how do these challenges influence the higher education sector.

Originality/value

To the best of the researcher's knowledge, this is one of the first attempts to explore challenges within the T&D evaluation process in Saudi Arabian higher education. The results should therefore broaden the scope of the available literature and fill a research gap, particularly regarding the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) of Nations.
Wear particles recognition through teachable machine
Authors: More Puja Prakash , Jaybhaye Maheshwar D.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to adapt teachable machine as a web-based tool for recognition of wear pattern and type of wear by training a convolutional neural network (CNN) model. This helps to monitor the health of the lubricated system as a part of condition monitoring.

Design/methodology/approach

Ferrography technique is used for analysis of wear particles. It helps monitor the condition of lubricated mechanical system. In present paper, CNN model is developed for identifying the type of wear particles coming out of Gearbox system using teachable machine.

Findings

From the experimentation, it has been observed that the wear severity index has been increased due to increase in wear particle concentration. CNN model has achieved an accuracy of 95.4% to recognize five categories of wear particles.

Originality/value

Teachable machine is generally used for the prediction of images, gestures and sound features. An attempt is made to apply this model for micro and nano wear particles to classify them based on their characteristics.
Tax avoidance in banking institutions: an analysis of the top seven Nigerian banks
Authors: Folorunso Dada , Lokanan Mark Eshwar
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the quantum and magnitude of tax avoidance in Nigeria's top seven banks by using recognized tax avoidance proxies of the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) effective tax rate (ETR) and book-tax gap analysis for the appraisal.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for the paper came from the annual reports of the banks between 2011 and 2019. The individual bank’s tax data was analyzed for trends and then consolidated to establish the average percentages and the exact amount of the tax the banks evaded each year and cumulatively over the review period. The data were then matched with analytics of the drivers of tax avoidance in the reconciliation statement to highlight essential tax planning items and strategies being exploited by each bank in the pursuit of aggressive tax avoidance behavior.

Findings

F-test comparing the aggregate means (all banks) for tax evasion proxies of ETR and the book-tax gap was conducted at a 95% confidence interval. The results of this paper indicate no significant difference between the means obtained, thus affirming that the same pattern of tax evasion was consistent among the banks for the years reviewed.

Originality/value

The findings of this paper highlight the tax avoidance behavior of the referenced banks, identify weaknesses in the corporate tax planning policy pursued and serve to alert policymakers of the need to strengthen the laws and block loopholes that provide rooms for unrestrained tax avoidance behavior in the banking sector.
Does religious knowledge level affect brand association and purchase intention of luxury cars? Case of the Lexus cars in Indonesia
Authors: Ratnasari Ririn Tri , Prajasari Anniza Citra , Kassim Salina
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the role of religious knowledge level in influencing customers’ brand association and purchase intention of luxury cars by focusing on the Indonesian context and taking the Lexus brand as a case in point.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 159 respondents was taken from a population of Muslim consumers who live in Java province, Indonesia, and who have not had Lexus luxury car but have had other cars before. Using a quantitative research approach on primary data collected in several cities in Indonesia, the study adopts the partial least square as a method of analysis.

Findings

The study shows that brand association positively and significantly influences Muslim consumers’ attitudes on luxury cars, in this case, the Lexus brand. More importantly, the level of religious knowledge among Muslim consumers is shown to significantly weaken the influence of consumer attitudes toward purchase intention on luxury cars. The study also shows that brand association has a significant influence on Muslim consumers’ purchase intention on luxury cars.

Research limitations/implications

This study only explores the consumers’ perceptions based on their income levels. Further details of the consumers when making purchases of the luxury cars are not being considered; this includes who the decision-maker is, gender and education level.

Practical implications

There are several important implications that come from this study, especially on the risk of after-sales that will be experienced by luxury car owners, in this case, the Lexus brand. Luxury car manufacturers should show and highlight different characters in representing each variant or each type, to be more reflective of the intention and personalities of consumers who purchase luxury cars and not only to show the impression of owning the luxury cars.

Social implications

There are also social implications of this research where although middle- and high-income consumers do not always intend to buy luxury cars due to the role of religiosity that directs the Muslim consumers to evaluate whether it is really necessary to buy the luxury cars.

Originality/value

There has been a gap in the literature in assessing the role of religious knowledge level in affecting brand association as well as purchase intention, especially from a quantitative research approach and particularly focusing on the Indonesian context. This study including in responsible consumption as a good customer, which is one of Sustainable Development Goals items.
Preventing food waste in the Chinese catering supply chain：from a tacit knowledge viewpoint
Authors: Yu Ganqian , Li Fa , Chin Tachia , Fiano Fabio , Usai Antonio
Published: February 2022

Purpose

In China food waste during the catering service process namely the back end of the entire food supply chain has neither received sufficient attention nor been evaluated precisely even though it has been the cause of food security concerns. In response considering the complex tacit knowledge embedded at the front end of the Chinese catering supply chain this article aimed at addressing relevant issues from the viewpoint of tacit knowledge.

Design/Methodology/Approach

This article is conceptual in nature. From the perspective of knowledge management (KM), we used a deductive method to explore intricate tacit knowledge embedded at the front end of the catering supply chain in China.

Findings

The key challenges in preventing food waste in the Chinese catering supply chains are: (1) a variety of knowledge icebergs in Chinese catering culture, (2) the complex tacit dimension of knowledge in Chinese cookery, and (3) difficulties in bringing standardization to the Chinese catering business. The three KM-based step-by-step solutions are: (1) standardizing the essential cookery techniques of Chinese cuisine, (2) encouraging catering enterprises to create online knowledge-sharing platforms to reduce food waste for all stakeholders, and (3) using big data to build a nationwide KM system.

Practical Implications

Our research indicates that the of a comprehensive KM system specific to the Chinese catering supply chain is crucial for standardizing the essential cookery techniques of Chinese cuisine and analyzing big data, which could help improve Chinese catering processes and gastronomic habits in reality, so as to more effectively prevent food waste.

Originality/Value

Our research contributes to the literature by connecting the reduction of food waste issues with the KM perspective. A key to more efficiently reducing food waste in China lies in the lack of a deeper, more systematic understanding of the tacit dimension of knowledge in Chinese cookery and impressive dietary culture, namely the front end of the catering supply chain.
Older adults’ experiences of social distancing and the role of the community center during COVID-19
Authors: Wolman Lauren , Atack Lynda , Khan Sanjana , Zwicker Sarah , Dela Cruz Czarielle , Roy Lisa , Arbeid Esther
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Although very much needed from an infection control perspective, there is deep concern about the impact of social distancing during COVID-19, particularly on older adults.

Design/methodology/approach

A phenomenological design was used to gain insight into older adults’ experiences of living with social distancing during the first wave of COVID-19. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight older adults.

Findings

Six themes were identified: a smaller life, feelings of unease, resilience, connection to the community centre, technology: a boon, but one with limitations, and the way through social distancing.

Originality/value

This study captures older adults’ experiences early in COVID-19. Findings indicate that there is much we can learn from these older adults regarding social isolation that could apply to other older adults and potentially other age groups during the time of pandemic and beyond.
Disabled‐2 overexpression mediates immune suppression in systemic lupus erythematosus by modulating Treg/Th17 cell differentiation
Authors: Zhang Jing , Chang Lihua , Sun Yue , Qin Muting , Wang Xiaofei , Guo Yun
Published: February 2022

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder. T helper 17 (Th17) and regulatory T (Treg) cells play key roles in SLE progression. Disabled‐2 (DAB2) exhibits immunomodulatory effects in inflammatory diseases. However, the role of DAB2 in SLE and the precise mechanisms remain unknown. Here, a decreased DAB2 expression and an increased miR‐448‐3p level were observed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from SLE patients. DAB2 level was negatively correlated with SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), suggesting a functional correlation between DAB2 and SLE. To test this, we used 8‐week‐old MRL/lpr mice and treated them with lentivirus‐mediated DAB2 (LV‐DAB2) or its negative control (LV‐NC). LV‐DAB2 treatment increased DAB2 expression and reduced serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and anti‐dsDNA IgG levels. DAB2 upregulation alleviated splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy and SLE‐related organ damage. Moreover, DAB2 enhanced the percentage of CD25+ Foxp3+ Treg cells, but reduced Th17 cell frequency in lupus, along with the reduction in tumour necrosis factor α (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐6 (IL‐6) and IL‐17A levels, and the elevation in IL‐10. In vitro, naive CD4+ T cells isolated from MRL/lpr mice were polarized into Th17 or Treg phenotypes and treated with lentivirus. LV‐DAB2 treatment downregulated IL‐17A expression and inhibited the generation of CD4+ IL‐17A+ Th17 cells. DAB2 triggered the production of IL‐10 and the activation of Treg cells. Furthermore, DAB2 was verified as a direct target for miR‐448‐3p. MiR‐448‐3p overexpression cancelled the promoting effect of DAB2 on Treg cell differentiation. Taken together, DAB2 exerts an immunosuppressive effect on SLE through promoting Treg cell activation and inhibiting Th17 cell differentiation, which may be modulated by miR‐448‐3p.
Mapping the neurocircuitry of impulsive aggression through the pharmacologic review of anti‐impulsive aggressive agents
Authors: Nassif Joe Bou , Felthous Alan R.
Published: February 2022

Impulsive aggression, in contradistinction to premeditated aggression in humans or predatory aggression in animals, corresponds to defensive aggression in animal models. At the core of the neurocircuitry of impulsive aggression, from murine to feline to human species, it is the medial amygdala‐mediobasal hypothalamus‐dorsal periaqueductal gray pathway. Here, we update current knowledge on the neurocircuitry of impulsive aggression by placing the neurocircuitry and its neurophysiological substrates into the top‐down/bottom‐up hypothesis of impulsive aggression. We then reverse the neurotranslational approach, which applies neuroscience to developing therapeutic drugs, and apply current understanding of potential mechanisms of anti‐impulsive aggression agents to further clarify, at least heuristically and hypothetically, the dynamic biochemical components of the neurocircuitry of impulsive aggression. To do this, we searched the medical literature for studies attempting to clarify the neurobiological and neurochemical effects of the five most widely studied anti‐impulsive aggressive agents, particularly as they pertain to the top‐down/bottom‐up hypothesis. Multiple different mechanisms are discussed, all of which fitting in the hypothesis by way of either promoting the “top‐down” part (i.e., enhancing inhibitory neurotransmitters), or suppressing the “bottom‐up” part (i.e., decreasing excitatory neurotransmitters). The hypothesis appears consistent with the current psychopharmacological understanding of these agents, as well as to account for the likely multifactorial etiology of the condition. Limitations of the hypothesis and future directions are finally discussed.
Complexation mechanism between 20(R, S)‐ginsenoside Rh1 and serum albumin: Multi‐spectroscopy, in vitro cytotoxicity, and in silico investigations
Authors: Zhao Jingqi , Liang Yuan , Zhu Ziyi , Wang Yingyi , Guan Tianzhu , Zhang Jie , Zhang Tiehua
Published: February 2022

As rare ginsenosides, 20(R, S)‐ginsenoside Rh1 [20(R, S)‐Rh1] are isomers and have been reported to exhibit multiple biological effects. However, the application of 20(R, S)‐Rh1 is still limited due to their poor solubilities and low bioavailabilities. Here, the complexation mechanism between 20(R, S)‐Rh1 and serum albumin (SA) was explored by a combination of multi‐spectroscopy and in silico investigations. Results of spectra experiments showed that 20(R, S)‐Rh1 could form complexes with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and quench its intrinsic fluorescence. In addition, the influence of BSA on the anti‐cancer activity of 20(R, S)‐Rh1 was also evaluated in A549 cells. The result of the MTT assay indicated that anti‐cancer activity of 20(R, S)‐Rh1 was enhanced when combined with BSA. The results of molecular docking and dynamics simulation demonstrated that the subtle structural differences of 20(R, S)‐Rh1 at the 20‐carbon atom may be responsible for their different binding capacities and binding stabilities with human serum albumin. The cytotoxicity assay for 20(R, S)‐Rh1 alone and their complexes with BSA demonstrated the enhancement effect of BSA for inhibition of cell proliferation. In conclusion, this work provided insight into the complexation mechanism between 20(R, S)‐Rh1 and SA.

Practical Application

The complexation mechanism between 20(R, S)‐ginsenoside Rh1 [20(R, S)‐Rh1] and serum albumin (SA) was explored by a combination of multi‐spectroscopy and in silico investigations in this work. The cytotoxicity assay for 20(R, S)‐Rh1 alone and their complexes with bovine serum albumin (BSA) demonstrates the enhancement effect of BSA for inhibition of cell proliferation. Hence, this work provided insight into the complexation mechanism between 20(R, S)‐Rh1 and SA.
Spiders and mushrooms: Reporting bowel endometriosis shape on preoperative MRI to flag surgical complexity
Authors: Youn Paul , Copson Sean , Jacques Angela , Haliczenko Kylie , McDonnell Rose , Lo Glen
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Preoperative imaging of patients with endometriosis allows adequate counselling, referral to appropriate centres of expertise and workforce planning. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of simplified three‐category preoperative endometriosis MRI morphological descriptors to predict subsequent surgical management.

Methods

A single‐centre observational study in 76 patients (median age 38 years, range 18–55) with preoperative endometriosis mapping MRI between 1 Jan 2015 and 31 Dec 2019. MRI studies were prospectively re‐read blind‐to‐surgical outcome to categorise rectosigmoid morphology as normal, spider‐shaped (linear T2‐dark fibrotic bands) superficial endometriosis or typical crescentic or mushroom‐shaped deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). Bowel motility was similarly categorised as normal, tethered or distorted/fixed. The reference standard was subsequent surgery within 3 years of MRI, categorised as no bowel surgery, adhesiolysis only or more complex surgeries.

Results

Despite three‐quarters of surgical cases having normal bowel morphology on preoperative MRI (72%, 55/76; 12% linear superficial endometriosis, 10% crescentic and 5% mushroom‐shaped DIE) more than half showed bowel tethering (54%, 41/76) or distortion/fixation (10%, 8/76) and most patients underwent adhesiolysis (79%, 60/76). Complex surgery such as bowel resection, laparotomy conversion or complex adhesiolysis is predicted by morphology (crescentic or mushroom‐shaped DIE, P < 0.001) and motility (tethered or distorted bowel, P = 0.002) descriptors.

Conclusions

Comprehensive and clinically relevant diagnostic reporting does not have to be convoluted to have clinical impact: in our study population, categorising bowel morphology as normal, spider‐shaped (superficial) or crescentic/mushroom‐(DIE) shaped and motility as normal, tethered (superficial) or distorted/fixed (deep endometriosis) correlates to subsequent surgical complexity.
On young Turks and yes men: optimal contracting for advice
Authors: Häfner Samuel , Taylor Curtis R.
Published: February 2022

We study contracting for advice by an agent about how much a principal should invest in a project. Providing the agent with incentives to perform research endogenously generates incentives for her to misreport the results. For high‐cost (low‐cost) projects, she wishes to overstate (understate) the magnitude—though not the direction—of her research findings. For high‐cost projects, the principal mitigates the concomitant agency rents by committing to ignore extreme (Young‐Turk) recommendations, whereas for low‐cost projects, he ignores mild (Yes‐Man) ones. These results are shown to be robust to several natural extensions of the model.
Complete genome assembly of the levan‐positive strain PVFi1 of Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi isolated from olive knots in Central Italy
Authors: Turco Silvia , Drais Mounira Inas , Rossini Luca , Chaboteaux Elena , Rahi Yaseen Jundi , Balestra Giorgio Mariano , Iacobellis Nicola Sante , Mazzaglia Angelo
Published: February 2022

Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi, the causal agent of olive knot disease, is a fluorescent Gram‐negative bacterium classified, according to the specific LOPAT profile, as Ib. However, during the 90s, a number of atypical non‐fluorescent levan‐positive strains of Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi have been unexpectedly isolated from olive knots in Central Italy. Since its first report, several studies were conducted on this species variant, but its genome sequence has never been reported. The complete genome sequence and two additional plasmids of PVFi1, a representative strain, were here obtained using a hybrid sequencing approach with both Oxford Nanopore Technology and Illumina sequencing. A thorough genomic analysis unravelled several genetic features of this peculiar strain, showing a transposase insertion downstream a fragmented copy of the levansucrase gene. The same features were previously reported on levan‐negative Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi strains. In addition, a second copy of the levansucrase gene fully equipped for a gene expression and comparable to the levan‐positive Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. glycinea, may explain the levan‐positive test. This result provides a solid genetic demonstration that the bacterial species Pseudomonas savastanoi contains either levan‐positive or levan‐negative strains, providing insights for an update of the related LOPAT classification.
Postoperative radiotherapy for patients with completely resected stage IIIA‐N2 non‐small cell lung cancer: opt‐in or opt‐out
Authors: Zhu Lucheng , Xia Bing , Ma Shenglin
Published: February 2022

The role of adjuvant radiotherapy in completely resected pIIIA‐N2 non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has long been debated. Evidence from previous retrospective and prospective studies showed that postoperative radiotherapy could reduce the incidence of local recurrence and prolong disease‐free survival, while two recently reported randomized controlled trials (lung ART and PORT‐C) both demonstrated no survival benefit of postoperative radiotherapy. The great gap between our knowledge and reality has made us rethink the value of postoperative radiotherapy. In this mini review, we elaborate on the role of postoperative radiotherapy in completely resected pIIIA‐N2 NSCLC.
Recurrent esophageal adenocarcinoma derived from ectopic gastric mucosa: A case report
Authors: Kitasaki Nao , Hamai Yoichi , Yoshikawa Toru , Emi Manabu , Kurokawa Tomoaki , Hirohata Ryosuke , Ohsawa Manato , Okada Morihito
Published: February 2022

Most primary esophageal adenocarcinomas arise from the Barrett epithelium of the distal esophagus. Thus, cancer developing from the ectopic gastric mucosa (EGM) of the proximal esophagus is extremely rare. Furthermore, recurrent adenocarcinoma at the EGM has not been reported. Here, we describe adenocarcinoma originating from the EGM at the boundary of the cervical and thoracic esophagus that recurred twice at the same site within 40 months. This adenocarcinoma was treated throughout its course by three endoscopic submucosal dissections and a subsequent thoracoscopic esophagectomy. This is the first description of recurrent adenocarcinoma originating from the EGM of the proximal esophagus.
Alcohol‐related stimuli modulate functional connectivity during response inhibition in young binge drinkers
Authors: Blanco‐Ramos Javier , Antón‐Toro Luis Fernando , Cadaveira Fernando , Doallo Sonia , Suárez‐Suárez Samuel , Rodríguez Holguín Socorro
Published: February 2022

Binge drinking is a pattern of intermittent excessive alcohol consumption that is highly prevalent in young people. Neurocognitive dual‐process models have described substance abuse and adolescence risk behaviours as the result of an imbalance between an overactivated affective‐automatic system (related to motivational processing) and damaged and/or immature reflective system (related to cognitive control abilities). Previous studies have evaluated the reflective system of binge drinkers (BDs) through neutral response inhibition tasks and have reported anomalies in theta (4–8 Hz) and beta (12–30 Hz) bands. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of the motivational value of alcohol‐related stimuli on brain functional networks devoted to response inhibition in young BDs. Sixty eight BDs and 78 control participants performed a beverage Go/NoGo task while undergoing electrophysiological recording. Whole cortical brain functional connectivity (FC) was evaluated during successful response inhibition trials (NoGo). BDs exhibited fast‐beta and theta hyperconnectivity in regions related to cognitive control. These responses were modulated differently depending on the motivational content of the stimuli. The increased salience of alcohol‐related stimuli may lead to overactivation of the affective‐automatic system in BDs, and compensatory neural resources of the reflective system will thus be required during response inhibition. In BDs, inhibition of the response to alcohol stimuli may require higher theta FC to facilitate integration of information related to the task goal (withholding a response), while during inhibition of the response to no‐alcoholic stimuli, higher fast‐beta FC would allow to apply top‐down inhibitory control of the information related to the prepotent response.
Repeated low doses of LSD in healthy adults: A placebo‐controlled, dose–response study
Authors: de Wit Harriet , Molla Hanna M. , Bershad Anya , Bremmer Michael , Lee Royce
Published: February 2022

The resurgence of interest in using psychedelic drugs, including lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), in psychiatry has drawn attention to the medically unsupervised practice of ‘microdosing’. Thousands of users claim that very low doses of LSD, taken at 3–4‐day intervals, improve mood and cognitive function., However, few controlled studies have described the effects of the drug when taken in this way. Here, in a double‐blind controlled study, we studied the effects of four repeated doses of LSD tartrate (13 or 26 μg) or placebo, administered to healthy adults at 3–4 day intervals, on mood, cognitive performance and responses to emotional tasks. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three drug conditions: placebo (N = 18), 13 μg LSD (N = 19), or 26 μg LSD (N = 19). They attended four 5‐hour drug‐administration sessions separated by 3–4 days, followed by a drug‐free follow‐up session 3–4 days after the last session. LSD (26 μg) produced modest subjective effects including increased ratings of ‘feeling a drug effect’ and both stimulant‐like and LSD‐like effects, but the drug did not improve mood or affect performance on psychomotor or most emotional tasks. No residual effects were detected on mood or task performance on the drug‐free follow‐up session. We conclude that within the context of a controlled setting and a limited number of administrations, repeated low doses of LSD are safe, but produce negligible changes in mood or cognition in healthy volunteers.
Does neighborhood matter? Spatial proximity and farmers’ technical efficiency
Authors: Tirkaso Wondmagegn , Hailu Atakelty
Published: February 2022

This article examines the effects of neighborhood on the farmer's technical efficiency (TE) level, adopting a stochastic frontier and spatial Durbin regression models. Our study exploits a three‐wave household‐level panel data from the Ethiopian Rural Socioeconomic Survey (ERSS) collected between 2011 and 2015. We find that farmers have an average TE score of 53%, implying a substantial potential for improvement in the production level. We further find that there is a positive and statistically significant spatial interdependence in TE levels between farms in neighboring communities. Input use, education, and other demographic characteristics are found to have significant positive direct and indirect effects. The findings suggest that policies and programs targeting productivity improvements in agriculture need to consider spatial spillover effects.
Listening To Jewish Missionaries’ Messages: Confronting the Ethnographic “Other” at Home
Authors: Shokeid Moshe
Published: February 2022

This article presents a vexing ethnographic project: investigating the efforts of Jewish missionaries to attract new followers—repentants—among non‐practicing Jews. Attending lectures and other activities offered by Jewish religious proponents, Arachim in Israel and Chabad in New York, I learned how they advocate the return of secular Jews to their ethnic‐cultural roots, emphasizing the Torah doctrine and the Halacha (Jewish law) rules of daily comportment. An analysis of their presentations highlights specific indoctrinating devices and communication strategies. The discussion raises the issue of moral judgment and ethnographic reporting impediments when the ethnographer confronts the “other” at home by conducting research among their fellow citizens.
A health action process approach for developing invitee endorsed interventions to increase mail‐out bowel cancer screening
Authors: Myers Larry , Goodwin Belinda , Ralph Nicholas , March Sonja
Published: February 2022

Theory‐based, user‐informed interventions are needed to increase the low participation rates of population‐based faecal occult blood test (FOBT) bowel cancer screening. This study investigated the theoretical fit of the health action process approach (HAPA) for home FOBT screening and measured screening invitees' attitudes towards different intervention strategies. A cross‐sectional sample (n = 377), aged 50–74 years, participated in this study. Two scales were created for this study. The process approach to mail‐out screening (PAMS) scale measured HAPA constructs, and the user ratings of mail‐out screening interventions (UR‐MSI) scale measured attitudes towards different intervention strategies. Structural equation modelling was used to assess the fit of PAMS scale responses to the HAPA model, and descriptive statistics were calculated for UR‐MSI responses. PAMS results showed acceptable model fit, CFI = .968, RMSEA = .050 and explained 49.9% of the variation in FOBT screening participation. Positive ratings of interventions ranged from 20.47%, an intervention prompting planning to complete the FOBT kit, to 72.25%, an intervention promoting the positive health outcome associated with FOBT screening. Intervention strategies should be combined such that they target all factors specified within the HAPA model. User‐informed intervention design should be used to effectively facilitate FOBT uptake in the community.
What is necessary to shorten the operative time in initial introduction of robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer?
Authors: Osaki Tomohiro , Tatebe Shigeru , Nakamura Noriaki , Takano Takeshi , Uchinaka Ei , Tada Yoichiro , Endo Kanenori , Ashida Keigo , Hirooka Yasuaki
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Robotic gastrectomy (RG) is a good alternative to laparoscopic gastrectomy, as it improves treatment outcomes and reduces the burden of technical difficulties; however, prolonged operative time may be a disadvantage. This study aimed to identify measures to shorten the operative time during the initial introduction of RG at an institution.

Methods

We assessed 33 patients with gastric cancer who underwent radical distal gastrectomy with Billroth‐I reconstruction and divided them into three groups: laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG), robotic distal gastrectomy in the early phase (RDG‐E), and in the late phase (RDG‐L). Operative time, six technical steps, and junk time, including the roll‐in/roll‐out, docking/undocking, and instrument exchange times, were compared among the groups.

Results

The median (range) overall operative times of LDG, RDG‐E, and RDG‐L were 248 (179–323), 304 (249–383), and 263 (220–367) min, respectively, but no significant differences were observed. For each surgical step of RG, RDG‐L in suprapancreatic lymph node dissection was significantly shorter than that in RDG‐E. The median (range) junk times of LDG, RDG‐E, and RDG‐L were 16.7 (12.7–26.4), 48.3 (38.6–67.7), and 42.0 (35.4–49.2) min, respectively. Junk time was significantly longer in RDG‐L than in LDG (p = 0.003), but not significant between RDG‐E and RDG‐L. The learning curve effect of overall, console, and junk times were achieved in four cases of RDG.

Conclusion

Junk time is a major factor in prolonging RDG operative time. However, to reduce the time after initial introduction, measures to promote robot‐specific standardization and more effective use of robotic instruments are essential.
How the breadth and depth of import relationships affect the performance of Canadian manufacturers
Authors: Bombardini Matilde , Keith Head C. , Tito Maria D. , Wang Ruoying
Published: February 2022

This paper examines the relationship between a manufacturing firm's import behaviour and its performance. The focus is on two aspects of imports, input variety and the dynamics of import relationships. Using identification conditions borrowed from the production function estimation literature, we show that firms importing more products from a larger set of suppliers tend to be larger, more productive and more successful in export markets. Not only does the number of supply relationships matter but also the duration. Firms maintaining a higher share of continuous supply relationships also benefit from size and productivity effects. These results suggest that the breadth and depth of the import network are relevant factors for the performance of Canadian manufacturers, underscoring the importance of pursuing trade liberalizations with new partners and trade facilitation with established sources of suppliers.
MEK/ERK‐mediated oncogenic signals promote secretion of extracellular vesicles by controlling lysosome function
Authors: Hikita Tomoya , Uehara Ryo , Itoh Reina E. , Mitani Fumie , Miyata Mamiko , Yoshida Takuya , Yamaguchi Rui , Oneyama Chitose
Published: February 2022

Cancer cells secrete large amounts of extracellular vesicles (EVs) originating from multivesicular bodies (MVBs). Mature MVBs fuse either with the plasma membrane for release as EVs, often referred as to exosomes or with lysosomes for degradation. However, the mechanisms regulating MVB fate remain unknown. Here, we investigated the regulators of MVB fate by analyzing the effects of signaling inhibitors on EV secretion from cancer cells engineered to secrete luciferase‐labeled EVs. Inhibition of the oncogenic MEK/ERK pathway suppressed EV release and activated lysosome formation. MEK/ERK‐mediated lysosomal inactivation impaired MVB degradation, resulting in increased EV secretion from cancer cells. Moreover, MEK/ERK inhibition prevented c‐MYC expression and induced the nuclear translocation of MiT/TFE transcription factors, thereby promoting the activation of lysosome‐related genes, including the gene encoding a subunit of vacuolar‐type H+‐ATPase, which is responsible for lysosomal acidification and function. Furthermore, c‐MYC upregulation was associated with lysosomal gene downregulation in MEK/ERK‐activated renal cancer cells/tissues. These findings suggest that the MEK/ERK/c‐MYC pathway controls MVB fate and promotes EV production in human cancers by inactivating lysosomal function.
The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on young children and their caregivers
Authors: Costa Priscila , Cruz Andréia Cascaes , Alves Annelise , Rodrigues Martinez Calazans , Ferguson Ronald
Published: February 2022

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic has adversely impacted child development and the well‐being of caregivers, and such evidence ought to be used to inform public policy decisions. This study investigated the impact of COVID‐19 on children's behaviours and their caregivers' needs.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted with 153 caregivers of children (from 0 to 5 years old) from three public daycare centres in Brazil. The Nurturing Care Framework of the World Health Organization was used to guide the assessment of caregivers' needs. Online data collection using a questionnaire was conducted from June to July 2020.

Results

The COVID‐19 pandemic increased stressors such as low family income, unemployment, sadness, depression and anxiety of caregivers. Their most commonly reported needs were related to offering age‐appropriate playful activities (49.7%), organizing the care routine of children at home (41.8%) and educating children when they do something wrong (39.9%). Additionally, the results showed that misbehaviour, aggressiveness and agitation occurred more frequently among preschoolers than infants or toddlers (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, public policies should provide mental health support to caregivers, as well as information about security, safety and early learning opportunities for childcare at home.