bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery: An Effective Approach for Patients Who Require Redo Pelvic Surgery for Anastomotic Failure
Authors: Hill Susanna S. , Harnsberger Cristina R. , Hahn Sue J. , Sturrock Paul R. , Davids Jennifer S. , Alavi Karim , Maykel Justin A.
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND:

Anastomotic leaks cause significant patient morbidity that may require redo pelvic surgery. Transanal minimally invasive surgery facilitates direct access to the pelvis with increased visualization and maneuverability for technically difficult redo surgery.

OBJECTIVE:

This study aimed to assess the feasibility and outcomes of transanal minimally invasive surgery in redo proctectomy for anastomotic complications.

DESIGN:

This was a retrospective cohort study.

SETTINGS:

This study was conducted at a single tertiary-care institution.

PATIENTS:

Consecutive patients undergoing transanal minimally invasive redo proctectomy were included.

INTERVENTIONS:

Transanal minimally invasive redo proctectomy was performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

The primary end point was intraoperative feasibility. The secondary end points were safety, perioperative morbidity, and symptom resolution.

RESULTS:

Seven patients underwent redo proctectomy via transanal minimally invasive surgery for anastomotic defect (n = 6) or stricture (n = 1). Median time from initial to redo operation was 27 months (range, 13–67). Redo proctectomy included redo low anterior resection with coloanal anastomosis and diverting loop ileostomy (n = 4), completion proctectomy with end colostomy (n = 2), and pouch resection with end ileostomy (n = 1). Six patients had an open abdominal approach. There were no conversions for the anal approach. Median operative time was 6.4 hours (range, 4.0–7.1). All 4 planned redo coloanal anastomoses were successfully created. Hospital length of stay was a median of 8 days (interquartile range, 6–9). Intraoperative complications included 2 patients with carbon dioxide emboli, which resolved with supportive care; there was no adjacent organ injury. Three patients were readmitted within 30 days. There were no postoperative anastomotic leaks, and all 4 patients with diverted ileostomies underwent reversal at a median of 4 months (interquartile range, 4–6). All symptoms prompting redo surgery remain resolved at a median follow-up of 20 months.

LIMITATIONS:

This study was limited by its small sample size and its single-institution focus.

CONCLUSION:

For those with expertise in transanal surgery, transanal minimally invasive surgery is a safe and effective option for patients with anastomotic failure requiring redo proctectomy because it provides direct access to and visualization of the pelvis.
The Efficacy of Psychological Interventions on Health-Related Quality of Life for Patients With Heart Failure and Depression
Authors: Helal Sameera I. , Lee Geraldine , Evans Catherine , Grealish Annmarie
Published: December 2020

Background

Depression is prevalent among adults with chronic heart failure (CHF) and is associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality and higher healthcare costs.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy of psychological interventions in reducing depression and improving quality of life and clinical outcomes (mortality, hospitalization) among adults with CHF.

Methods

This study performed a systematic review involving searches of 6 databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, ASSIA, and SSCI), the Cochrane library, and gray literature, completed in January 2020. Experimental and nonexperimental quantitative studies of psychological interventions for adults with CHF were included. Each study was quality appraised, and key data were extracted and tabled. Overall findings are presented as a narrative synthesis.

Results

Nine studies met eligibility. Study authors sampled 757 participants and evaluated 4 psychological interventions: cognitive behavioral therapy alone or combined with exercise, mindfulness-based psychoeducation, coping skills training, and innovative holistic meditation. Cognitive behavioral therapy was significantly associated with improved depression and quality of life, and reduced hospitalization risk. Mindfulness-based psychoeducation, holistic meditation, and coping skills training positively impacted depression and quality of life. Coping skills training also reduced hospitalization and mortality risks.

Conclusion

Although this review indicates that psychological interventions can be beneficial to adults with CHF who have depression, the overall weight of evidence contains a number of biases. Larger, higher-powered studies are needed to confirm or refute these findings and to better understand how specific intervention and sample characteristics relate to outcomes.
Resilience and Depressive Symptoms in Adults With Cardiac Disease
Authors: Ketcham Amy , Matus Austin , Riegel Barbara
Published: December 2020

Background

Depressive symptoms predict hospitalization and mortality in adults with cardiac disease. Resilience, defined as a dynamic process of positively responding to adversity, could protect against depressive symptoms in cardiac disease. No systematic review has been conducted on the relationship between these variables in this population.

Objective

The aim of this review was to explore the association between psychological resilience and depressive symptoms in adults with cardiac disease.

Methods

Seven databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Cochrane) were searched from inception to December 2019 using the search terms “cardiac disease,” “depressive symptoms,” “depression,” and “resilience.” Inclusion criteria dictated that studies reported original research on the association between resilience and depressive symptoms in adults with a cardiac disease broadly defined. Quality ratings were performed by 2 independent raters.

Results

We identified 13 studies for final review. Study sample sizes ranged from 30 to 1022 participants, average age ranged from 52 to 72 years, and all studies had majority male participants (64%–100%). Resilience and depressive symptoms were inversely related in 10 of 13 studies. The 3 studies with poor-quality sampling techniques or significant loss to follow-up found no relationship.

Conclusions

Resilience seems to protect against depression in adults with cardiac disease. Gaps in the literature include poor understanding of the direction of causality. Methods of promoting resilience need to be identified and studied.
Simulation to Train Pediatric ICU Teams in Endotracheal Intubation of Patients with COVID-19
Authors: Balikai Shilpa C. , Badheka Aditya , Casey Andrea , Endahl Eric , Erdahl Jennifer , Fayram Lindsay , Houston Amanda , Levett Paula , Seigel ; Howard , Vijayakumar Niranjan , Cifra Christina L.
Published: December 2020

Introduction:

To prevent transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 to healthcare workers, we must quickly implement workflow modifications in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Our objective was to rapidly train interdisciplinary PICU teams to safely perform endotracheal intubations in children with suspected or confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 using a structured simulation education program.

Methods:

We conducted a quality improvement study in a tertiary referral PICU. After developing stakeholder-driven guidelines for modified intubation in this population, we implemented a structured simulation program to train PICU physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists. We directly observed PICU teams’ adherence to the modified intubation process before and after simulation sessions and compared participants’ confidence using the Simulation Effectiveness Tool-Modified (SET-M, Likert scale range 0: do not agree to 2: strongly agree regarding statements of confidence).

Results:

Fifty unique PICU staff members participated in 9 simulation sessions. Observed intubation performance improved, with teams executing a mean of 7.3–8.4 out of 9 recommended practices between simulation attempts (P = 0.024). Before undergoing simulation, PICU staff indicated that overall they did not feel prepared to intubate patients with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 (mean SET-M score 0.9). After the simulation program, PICU staff confidence improved (mean SET-M score increased from 0.9 to 2, P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

PICU teams’ performance and confidence in safely executing a modified endotracheal intubation process for children with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection improved using a rapidly deployed structured simulation education program.
Breaking Inertia: Movement Along the PrEP Cascade in a Longitudinal US National Cohort of Sexual Minority Individuals at Risk for HIV
Authors: Mehrotra Megha L. , Westmoreland Drew A. , Patel Viraj V. , Hojilla J. Carlo , Grov Christian ,   On Behalf of the Together 5000 Team
Published: December 2020

Background:

The pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) cascade outlines sequential steps to maximize PrEP's impact and highlights potential intervention targets to improve PrEP implementation. We evaluate the PrEP cascade in theTogether 5000study (T5K).

Methods:

T5K is an internet-based, US national cohort study of PrEP-eligible men and trans persons who have sex with men who were not taking PrEP at enrollment. Using longitudinal data from baseline (2017–2018) and year 1 follow-up (2018–2019, n = 4229), we evaluated 5 steps of the PrEP cascade—PrEP contemplation: believes they are a good candidate for PrEP; PrEParation: plans to initiate PrEP; PrEP action: speaks to a provider about PrEP; PrEP initiation: receives a prescription for PrEP; and PrEP maintenance: continues to take PrEP. We compared the cascade across geographic region and identified factors associated with gaps in the cascade.

Results:

After 1 year, 1092 (26%) participants had initiated PrEP, 709 (17%) were still using PrEP, and 177 (4%) were no longer clinically indicated for PrEP. Participants in the South and Midwest were less likely to speak to a provider about PrEP or initiate PrEP. Baseline characteristics associated with lower odds of PrEP initiation at year 1 include: not having a college degree; earning <$20,000/year; not having health insurance; having very low food security; and not having a primary care doctor.

Conclusions:

Lack of health care access is a major barrier to PrEP implementation and may exacerbate disparities in PrEP uptake across geographic regions.
Reliability and Validity of a Pediatric Fall Risk Assessment Scale for Hospitalized Patients in Taiwan
Authors: Chang Ching-Mei , Wen Cheng-Fan , Lin Hsien-Feng
Published: December 2020

Background and Objectives:

A valid fall risk assessment scale could increase the efficacy of fall prevention programs. Most fall scales were developed for adults, and it is very difficult to predict and prevent falls in pediatric inpatients. This study aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of a pediatric fall assessment scale (PFAS).

Methods:

This study was conducted as a cohort study in Taichung City, Taiwan. We analyzed the scale for internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated to show sensitivity and specificity for predicting falls.

Results:

The results indicated that test-retest reliability was 0.89 (P = .000). The area under the ROC curve was 0.797. For the ROC curves for the pediatric fall risk assessment scale, with 11.5 points being the minimum score for a high risk of fall, sensitivity was 71.8%, specificity 74.6%, and the 95% CI was 0.746-0.848.

Conclusion:

The results of the data analysis showed that the PFAS is an appropriate scale for assessing the fall risk of hospitalized pediatric patients in Taiwan and potentially in other nations.
Art Heals: Randomized Controlled Study Investigating the Effect of a Dedicated In-house Art Gallery on the Recovery of Patients After Major Oncologic Surgery
Authors: Lone Zaeem , Hussein Ahmed A. , Khan Hijab , Steele Morgan , Jing Zhe , Attwood Kristopher , Lin-Hill Joe , Davidson Russell , Guru Khurshid A.
Published: December 2020

Introduction:

We sought to investigate the effect of exposure to a dedicated art gallery during the perioperative period on the recovery of patients undergoing major oncologic procedures.

Methods:

Eighty patients were randomized into 2 arms; standard of care versus exposure to art. All patients completed a survey assessing their baseline art knowledge, and 4 poststudy validated questionnaires assessing their pain (Pain Rating Scale), hope (Herth Hope Index), anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults), and mental wellbeing (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale). A linear model adjusted for baseline scores was run comparing the scores among the 2 study arms. Stepwise multivariate regression analyses were used to identify predictors of improved pain, hope, anxiety, and wellbeing.

Results:

Both groups were comparable in terms of demographics, passion, and knowledge about art. There was no statistically significant difference in pain scores between the 2 groups. The exposure to art group experienced higher hope (2.4 points higher vs 0.05, P = 0.004), lower anxiety (8 points lower vs –0.9, P < 0.0001), and higher mental well-being scores (5.23 points higher vs –0.05, P < 0.0001) in comparison to the standard of care group. On multivariate analyses, exposure to art was significantly associated with improved hope, anxiety, and mental well-being after adjusting for patient and disease characteristics.

Conclusions:

Dedicated exposure to art was associated with improved hope, anxiety, and mental well-being of patients after major oncologic surgery.
Does Esophagectomy Provide a Survival Advantage to Patients Aged 80 Years or Older? Analyzing 5066 Patients in the National Database of Hospital-based Cancer Registries in Japan
Authors: Motoyama Satoru , Maeda Eri , Iijima Katsunori , Sato Yusuke , Koizumi Shigeto , Wakita Akiyuki , Nagaki Yushi , Fujita Hiromu , Yoneya Takatoshi , Imai Kazuhiro , Terata Kaori , Minamiya Yoshihiro , Higashi Takahiro
Published: December 2020

Objective:

To determine whether esophagectomy provides a survival advantage in octogenarians with resectable thoracic esophageal cancer.

Summary Background Data:

Elderly patients with thoracic esophageal cancer do not always receive the full standard treatment; however, advanced age alone should not preclude the use of effective treatment that could meaningfully improve survival.

Methods:

We retrieved the 2008 to 2011 data from the National Database of Hospital-based Cancer Registries from the National Cancer Centerin Japan, divided the patients into a ≥75 group (75–79 years; n = 2935) and a ≥80 group (80 years or older; n = 2131), and then compared the patient backgrounds and survival curves. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was developed to compare the effects of esophagectomy and chemoradiotherapy in the 2 groups.

Results:

A significantly greater percentage of patients were treated with esoph-agectomy in the ≥75 group (34.6%) than the ≥80 group (18.4%). Among patients who received esophagectomy, the 3-year survival rate was 51.1% in the ≥ 75 group and 39.0% in the ≥80 group (P < 0.001). However, among patients who received chemoradiotherapy, there was no difference in survival curve between the 2 groups (P = 0.17). Multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that esoph-agectomy for clinical Stage ii-iii patients was significantly associated to better survival (adjusted HR: 0.731) (95%CI: 0.645–0.829, P < 0.001) in the ≥75 group but not the ≥ 80 group when compared with chemoradiotherapy.

Conclusions:

Many octogenarians do not necessarily get a survival benefit from esophagectomy. However, patients should be evaluated based on their overall health before ruling out surgery based on age alone.
Blinded study: prospectively defined high frequency oscillations predict seizure outcome in individual patients
Authors: Dimakopoulos V , Mégevand P , Boran E , Momjian S , Seeck M , Vulliémoz S , Sarnthein J
Published: December 2020

Background

Interictal high frequency oscillations (HFO) are discussed as biomarkers for epileptogenic brain tissue that should be resected in epilepsy surgery to achieve seizure freedom. The prospective classification of tissue sampled by individual electrode contacts remains a challenge. We have developed an automated, prospective definition of clinically relevant HFO in intracranial EEG (iEEG) from MNI Montreal and tested it in iEEG from Zurich. We here validate the algorithm on iEEG recorded in an independent epilepsy center so that HFO analysis was blinded to seizure outcome.

Methods

We selected consecutive patients from Geneva University Hospitals who underwent resective epilepsy surgery with postsurgical follow-up > 12 months. We analyzed long-term iEEG recordings during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep that we segmented into intervals of 5 min. HFOs were defined in the ripple (80-250 Hz) and the fast ripple (FR, 250-500 Hz) frequency band. Contacts with the highest rate of ripples co-occurring with FR (FRandR) designated the HFO area. If the HFO area was not fully resected and the patient suffered from recurrent seizures (ILAE 2-6), this was classified as a true positive (TP) prediction.

Results

We included iEEG recordings from 16 patients (median age 32 y, range [18-53]) with stereotactic depth electrodes and/or with subdural electrode grids (median follow-up 27 mo, range [12-55]). The HFO area had high test-retest reliability across intervals (median dwell time 95%). We excluded two patients with dwell time < 50% from further analysis.

The HFO area was fully included in the resected volume in 2/4 patients who achieved postoperative seizure freedom (ILAE 1, specificity 50%) and was not fully included in 9/10 patients with recurrent seizures (ILAE > 1, sensitivity 90%), leading to an accuracy of 79%.

Conclusions

We validated the automated procedure to delineate the clinical relevant HFO area in individual patients of an independently recorded dataset and achieved the same good accuracy as in our previous studies.

Significance

The reproducibility of our results across datasets is promising for a multicienter study testing the clinical application of HFO detection to guide epilepsy surgery.
The interplay between subcritical fluctuations and import: understanding COVID-19 epidemiology dynamics
Authors: Stollenwerk Nico , Van-Dierdonck Joseba Bidaurrazaga , Mar Javier , Arrizabalaga Irati Eguiguren , Cusimano Nicole , Knopoff Damián , Anam Vizda , Aguiar Maíra
Published: December 2020

The effective reproduction ratior(t) of an epidemic, defined as the average number of secondary infected cases per infectious case in a population in the current state, including both susceptible and non-susceptible hosts, controls the transition between a subcritical threshold regime (r(t) < 1) and a supercritical threshold regime (r(t) > 1). While in subcritical regimes, an index infected case will cause an outbreak that will die out sooner or later, with large fluctuations observed when approaching the epidemic threshold, the supercritical regimes leads to an exponential growths of infection.

The super- or subcritical regime of an outbreak is often not distinguished when close to the epidemic threshold, but its behaviour is of major importance to understand the course of an epidemic and public health management of disease control. In a subcritical parameter regime undetected infection, here called “imported case” or import, i.e. a susceptible individual becoming infected from outside the study area e.g., can either spark recurrent isolated outbreaks or keep the ongoing levels of infection, but cannot cause an exponential growths of infection. However, when the community transmission becomes supercritical, any index case or few “imported cases” will lead the epidemic to an exponential growths of infections, hence being distinguished from the subcritical dynamics by a critical epidemic threshold in which large fluctuations occur in stochastic versions of the considered processes.

As a continuation of the COVID-19 Basque Modeling Task Force, we now investigate the role of critical fluctuations and import in basic Susceptible-Infected-Susceptible (SIS) and Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) epidemiological models on disease spreading dynamics. Without loss of generality, these simple models can be treated analytically and, when considering the mean field approximation of more complex underlying stochastic and eventually spatially extended or generalized network processes, results can be applied to more complex models used to describe the COVID-19 epidemics. In this paper, we explore possible features of the course of an epidemic, showing that the subcritical regime can explain the dynamic behaviour of COVID-19 spreading in the Basque Country, with this theory supported by empirical data data.
A novel fermented Yi traditional medicine efficiently suppresses the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro
Authors: Fang Shisong , Xu Benhong , Song Xiangrong , Liu Wukun , Xie Yongmei , Yang Xifei
Published: December 2020

Currently, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has a worldwide epidemic, causing more than 80 million infections and more than 1.7 million deaths. The pandemic has led to the closure of enterprises and schools in many countries, resulting in serious disruption of the global economy and social activities. Remdesivir is currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of COVID-19, but the WHO declared that Remdesivir is almost ineffective against COVID-19. The research and development of vaccines has made great progress, but it will take at least several months for safe and effective vaccines to be widely used clinically. Clinical studies revealed that some Traditional Chinese Medicines, such as Lianhua Qingwen Capsule and Huoxiang Zhengqi Water, exhibited excellent therapeutic effect on COVID-19. However, until now, there is still no cure for COVID-19. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find medicines that can effectively fight against the SARS-CoV-2. In this study, JIE BEN No. 10 (JB10), a fermentation broth produced by Yi traditional medicine fermentation technology, was explored for its anti-coronavirus activity. Thein vitrodata showed that JB10 could significantly suppresses the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 with an EC50of 769.1 times dilution and a selection index of 42.68. Further studies indicated that JB10 had significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The analysis of active components suggested that JB10 contained a large amount of superoxide dismutase (SOD), flavones, polyphenols, crude polysaccharide, etc. which may explain the anti-coronavirus activity, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Our study provides a new potentially therapeutic strategy for COVID-19.
Zinc Dependent Conformational Changes in the Cation Diffusion Facilitator YiiP from S. oneidensis
Authors: Lopez-Redondo Maria , Fan Shujie , Koide Akiko , Koide Shohei , Beckstein Oliver , Stokes David L.
Published: December 2020

YiiP is a secondary transporter that couples Zn2+transport to the proton motive force. Structural studies of YiiP from prokaryotes as well as Znt8 from humans revealed three different Zn2+sites and a conserved homodimeric architecture. These structures define the inward-facing and outward-facing states that characterize the archetypal alternating access mechanism of transport. To study effects of Zn2+binding on the conformational transition, we have used a YiiP/Fab complex for single-particle cryo-EM together with Molecular Dynamics simulation to compare structures of YiiP fromS. oneidensisin presence and absence of Zn2+. Without Zn2+, YiiP exhibits enhanced flexibility and adopts a novel conformation that appears to be an intermediate state. The transition closes a hydrophobic gate and is controlled by the Zn2+site at the cytoplasmic membrane interface. This work enhances our understanding of individual Zn2+binding sites and their role in the conformational dynamics that governs the transport cycle.
Sex reversal and ontogeny under climate change and chemical pollution: are there interactions between the effects of elevated temperature and a xenoestrogen on early development in agile frogs?
Authors: Mikó Zsanett , Nemesházi Edina , Ujhegyi Nikolett , Verebélyi Viktória , Ujszegi János , Kásler Andrea , Bertalan Réka , Vili Nóra , Gál Zoltán , Hoffmann Orsolya I. , Hettyey Attila , Bókony Veronika
Published: December 2020

Anthropogenic environmental change poses a special threat to species in which genetic sex determination can be overwritten by the thermal and chemical environment. Endocrine disrupting chemicals as well as extreme temperatures can induce sex reversal in such species, with wide-ranging consequences for fitness, demography, population viability and evolution. Despite accumulating evidence suggesting that chemical and thermal effects may interact in ecological contexts, little is known about their combined effects on sex reversal. Here we assessed the simultaneous effects of high temperature (masculinizing agent) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), a widespread xenoestrogen (feminizing agent), on sexual development and fitness-related traits in agile frogs (Rana dalmatina). We exposed tadpoles to a six-days heat wave (30 °C) and/or an ecologically relevant concentration of EE2 (30 ng/L) in one of three consecutive larval periods, and diagnosed sex reversals two months after metamorphosis using species-specific markers for genetic sexing. We found that high temperature induced female-to-male sex reversal, decreased survival, delayed metamorphosis, decreased body mass at metamorphosis, and increased the proportion of animals that had no fat bodies, while EE2 had no effect on these traits. Simultaneous exposure to heat and EE2 had non-additive effects on juvenile body mass, which were dependent on treatment timing and further complicated by a negative effect of sex reversal on body mass. These results show that environmentally relevant exposure to EE2 does not diminish the masculinizing effects of high temperature. Instead, our findings on growth suggest that climate change and chemical pollution may have complex consequences for individual fitness and population persistence in species with environment-sensitive sex determination.
Genealogical structure changes as range expansions transition from pushed to pulled
Authors: Birzu Gabriel , Hallatschek Oskar , Korolev Kirill S.
Published: December 2020

Range expansions accelerate evolution through multiple mechanisms including gene surfing and genetic drift. The inference and control of these evolutionary processes ultimately relies on the information contained in genealogical trees. Currently, there are two opposing views on how range expansions shape genealogies. In invasion biology, expansions are typically approximated by a series of population bottlenecks producing genealogies with only pairwise mergers between lineages—a process known as the Kingman coalescent. Conversely, traveling-wave models predict a coalescent with multiple mergers, known as the Bolthausen–Sznitman coalescent. Here, we unify these two approaches and show that expansions can generate an entire spectrum of coalescent topologies. Specifically, we show that tree topology is controlled by growth dynamics at the front and exhibits large differences between pulled and pushed expansions. These differences are explained by the fluctuations in the total number of descendants left by the early founders. High growth cooperativity leads to a narrow distribution of reproductive values and the Kingman coalescent. Conversely, low growth cooperativity results in a broad distribution, whose exponent controls the merger sizes in the genealogies. These broad distribution and non-Kingman tree topologies emerge due to the fluctuations in the front shape and position and do not occur in quasi-deterministic simulations. Overall, our results show that range expansions provide a robust mechanism for generating different types of multiple mergers, which could be similar those observed in populations with strong selection or high fecundity. Thus, caution should be exercised in making inferences about the origin of non-Kingman genealogies.

Significance statement

Spatial dynamics are important for understanding genetic diversity in many contexts, such as cancer and infectious diseases. Coalescent theory offers a powerful framework for interpreting and predicting patters of genetic diversity in populations, but incorporating spatial structure into the theory has proven difficult. Here, we address this long-standing problem by studying the coalescent in a spatially expanding population. We find the topology of the coalescent changes depending on the growth dynamics at the front. Using analytical arguments, we show that the transition between coalescent topologies is universal and is controlled by a parameter related to the expansion velocity. Our theory makes precise predictions about the effects of population dynamics on genetic diversity at the expansion front, which we confirm in simulations.
Preventing cancer by long-term partial Myc suppression
Authors: Sodir Nicole M. , Pellegrinet Luca , Kortlever Roderik M. , Kwon Yong-Won , Kim Shinseog , Garcia Daniel , Perfetto Alessandra , Anastasiou Panayiotis , Swigart Lamorna Brown , Littlewood Trevor D. , Evan Gerard I.
Published: December 2020

Myc+/−haploinsufficient mice and mice with deletedMycenhancers express reduced levels of the pleiotropic transcription factor Myc. Such mice are viable, with relatively mild pathologies, but show delay in onset of certain cancers. However, many phenotypes arising from germline gene perturbation are indirect consequences of adaptive developmental compensation and so do not translate to equivalent phenotypes when applied to adults. To ascertain whether systemic Myc hypomorphism also conferred cancer protection when acutely imposed in adults, and what the side-effects of this might be, we constructed a genetically engineered mouse model in which Myc expression may be systemically and reversibly hypomorphed at will. Acute imposition of Myc hypomorphism in adult mice conferred potent protection against both KRasG12D-driven lung and pancreatic cancers yet elicited only mild haematopoietic side effects. These side effects were completely suppressed by imposing Myc hypomorphism metronomically – a regimen that nonetheless retained potent cancer prophylaxis. Our data identify a key bottleneck at the transition from pre-malignant hyperplasia to overt tumour that is peculiarly reliant on levels of Myc that are higher than those required for most adult physiology, offering a possible window of opportunity for Myc inhibition in cancer prophylaxis.
Search behavior of individual foragers involves neurotransmitter systems characteristic for social scouting
Authors: Chatterjee Arumoy , Bais Deepika , Brockmann Axel , Ramesh Divya
Published: December 2020

In honey bees search behavior occurs as social and solitary behavior. In the context of foraging, searching for food sources is performed by behavioral specialized foragers, the scouts. When the scouts have found a new food source, they recruit other foragers (recruits). These recruits never search for a new food source on their own. However, when the food source is experimentally removed, they start searching for that food source. Our study provides a detailed description of this solitary search behavior and the variation of this behavior among individual foragers. Furthermore, mass spectrometric measurement showed that the initiation and performance of this solitary search behavior is associated with changes in glutamate, GABA, histamine, aspartate and the catecholaminergic system in the optic lobes and central brain area. These findings strikingly correspond with the results of an earlier study that showed that scouts and recruits differ in the expression of glutamate and GABA receptors. Together, the results of both studies provide first clear support for the hypothesis that behavioral specialization in honey bees is based on adjusting modulatory systems involved in solitary behavior to increase the probability or frequency of that behavior.
CRP immunodeposition and proteomic analysis in abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Kim Eun Na , Yu Jiyoung , Lim Joon Seo , Jeong Hwangkyo , Kim Chong Jai , Choi Jae-Sung , Kim So Ra , Ahn Hee-Sung , Kim Kyunggon , Oh Se Jin
Published: December 2020

Objective

The molecular mechanisms of the degeneration of the aortic wall in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) are poorly understood. The monomeric form of C-reactive protein (mCRP) is deposited in damaged cardiovascular organs and aggravates the prognosis; however, it is unknown whether mCRP is deposited in the degenerated aorta of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). We investigated whether mCRP is deposited in AAA and examined the associated pathogenic signaling pathways.

Methods

Twenty-four cases of AAA were analyzed and their histological features were compared according to the level of serum CRP and the degree of mCRP deposition. Proteomic analysis was performed in AAA cases with strong and diffuse CRP immunopositivity (n=7) and those with weak, focal, and junctional CRP immunopositivity (n=3).

Results

mCRP was deposited in the aortic specimens of AAA in a characteristic pattern that coincided with the lesion of the diminished elastic layer of the aortic wall. High serum CRP level was associated with stronger mCRP immunopositivity and a larger maximal diameter of aortic aneurysm. Proteomic analysis in AAA showed that multiple proteins were differentially expressed according to mCRP immunopositivity. Also, ingenuity pathway analysis showed that pathways associated with atherosclerosis, acute phase response, complement system, immune system, and coagulation were enriched in AAA cases with high mCRP immunopositivity.

Conclusions

AAA showed a characteristic deposition of mCRP, and multiple potentially pathologic signaling pathways were upregulated in AAA cases with strong CRP immunopositivity. mCRP and the aforementioned pathological pathways may serve as targets for managing the progression of AAA.
Bab2 activates JNK signaling to reprogramDrosophilawing disc development
Authors: Zhao Yunpo , Duan Jianli , Dziedziech Alexis , Büttner Sabrina , Engström Ylva
Published: December 2020

In response to cellular stress and damage, certain tissues are able to regenerate and to restore tissue homeostasis. InDrosophilaimaginal wing discs, dying cells express mitogens that induce compensatory proliferation in the surrounding tissue. Here we report that high levels of the BTB/POZ transcription factor Bab2 in the posterior compartment of wing discs activates c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling and local, cell-autonomous apoptotic cell death. This in turn triggered the upregulation of the Dpp mitogen and cellular proliferation in the anterior compartment in a JNK-dependent manner. In the posterior compartment, however,dppexpression was suppressed, most likely by direct transcriptional repression by Bab2. This dual-mode of JNK-signaling, autocrine pro-apoptotic signaling and paracrine pro-proliferative signaling, led to opposite effects in the two compartments and reprogramming of the adult wing structure. We establish Bab2 as a regulator of wing disc development, with the capacity to reprogram development via JNK activation in a cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous manner.

Summary statement

Zhao et al. shows that the BTB/POZ transcription factor Bab2 is a potent activator of JNK signaling, apoptosis and compensatory proliferation, thereby driving both pro-tumorigenic and anti-tumorigenic processes.
ARHGEF26 enhancesSalmonellainvasion and inflammation in cells and mice
Authors: Bourgeois Jeffrey S. , Wang Liuyang , Alvarez Monica I. , Everitt Jeffrey , Awadia Sahezeel , Wittchen Erika S. , Garcia-Mata Rafael , Ko Dennis C.
Published: December 2020

Salmonellahijack host machinery in order to invade cells and establish infection. While considerable work has described the role of host proteins in invasion, much less is known regarding how natural variation in these invasion-associated host proteins affectsSalmonellapathogenesis. Here we leveraged a candidate cellular GWAS screen to identify natural genetic variation in theARHGEF26 (Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor 26) gene that renders lymphoblastoid cells susceptible toSalmonellaTyphi and Typhimurium invasion. Experimental follow-up redefined ARHGEF26’s role inSalmonellaepithelial cell invasion, identified serovar specific interactions, implicated ARHGEF26 in SopE-mediated invasion, and revealed that the ARHGEF26-associated proteins DLG1 and SCRIB facilitateS. Typhi uptake. Importantly, we show that ARHGEF26 plays a critical role inS. Typhimurium pathogenesis by contributing to bacterial burden in the enteric fever murine model, as well as inflammation in the gastroenteritis infection model. The impact ofARHGEF26on inflammation was also seen in cells, as knockdown reduced IL-8 production in HeLa cells. Together, these data reveal pleiotropic roles for ARHGEF26 function during infection and highlight that many of the interactions that occur during infection that are thought to be well understood likely have underappreciated complexity.

Author Summary

During infection,Salmonellamanipulates host cells into engulfing the bacteria and establishing an intracellular niche. While many studies have identified genes involved in different stages of thisSalmonellainvasion process, few studies have examined how differences between human hosts contribute to infection susceptibility. Here we leveraged a candidate genetic screen to identify natural genetic variation in the human ARHGEF26 gene that correlates withSalmonellainvasion. Springboarding from this result, we experimentally tested and revised existing models of ARHGEF26’s role inSalmonellainvasion, discovered an additional new role for ARHGEF26 duringSalmonelladisease, and confirmed our findings in mouse models. Building on how ARHGEF26 functions in other contexts, we implicated two ARHGEF26-interacting host proteins as contributors toSalmonellapathobiology. Collectively, these results identify a potential source of inter-person diversity in susceptibility to Salmonella disease, expand our molecular understanding of Salmonella infection to include a multifaceted role for ARHGEF26, and identify several important future directions that will be important to understand howSalmonellarecruit and manipulate ARHGEF26 as well as how ARHGEF26 is able to driveSalmonella-beneficial processes.
The effect of prior long-term recellularization with keratocytes of decellularized porcine corneas implanted in a rabbit anterior lamellar keratoplasty model
Authors: Fernández-Pérez Julia , Madden Peter W. , Brady Robert Thomas , Nowlan Peter F. , Ahearne Mark
Published: December 2020

Decellularized porcine corneal scaffolds are a potential alternative to human cornea for keratoplasty. Although clinical trials have reported promising results, there can be corneal haze or scar tissue. Here, we examined if recellularizing the scaffolds with human keratocytes would result in a better outcome. Scaffolds were prepared that retained little DNA (14.89 ± 5.56 ng/mg) and demonstrated a lack of cytotoxicity byin vitro. The scaffolds were recellularized using human corneal stromal cells and cultured for between 14 in serum-supplemented media followed by a further 14 days in either serum free or serum-supplemented media. All groups showed full-depth cell penetration after 14 days. When serum was present, staining for ALDH3A1 remained weak but after serum-free culture, staining was brighter and the keratocytes adopted a native dendritic morphology with an increase (p < 0.05) of keratocan, decorin, lumican and CD34 gene expression. A rabbit anterior lamellar keratoplasty model was used to compare implanting a 250 µm thick decellularized lenticule against one that had been recellularized with human stromal cells. In both groups, host rabbit epithelium covered the implants, but transparency was not restored after 3 months. Post-mortem histology showed under the epithelium, a less-compact collagen layer, which appeared to be a regenerating zone with some α-SMA staining, indicating fibrotic cells. In the posterior scaffold, ALDH1A1 staining was present in all the acellular scaffold, but in only one of the recellularized lenticules. We conclude that recellularization with keratocytes alone may not be sufficiently beneficial to justify introducing allogeneic cells without concurrent treatment to further manage keratocyte phenotype.
Understanding Chinese consumers' safety perceptions of dairy products: a qualitative study
Authors: Maitiniyazi Shalamujiang , Canavari Maurizio
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Dairy products are an essential part of a healthy diet, and dairy is an emerging food industry in China. Meanwhile, the dairy industry is one of the “disaster zones” with quality and safety issues occurring more frequently in its supply chain than in others. Based on qualitative research focused on consumers in the Northwest and South of China, the present study aims to understand and provide information on consumer perception of food safety in dairy products.

Design/methodology/approach

Nine focus group interviews were carried out from January to April 2018. Altogether, 61 participants (24 males, 37 females, aged 18–60 years) were recruited in four cities. Qualitative content analysis of the data was conducted using Nvivo version 11.4.0.

Findings

A high concern with the safety of dairy products is widespread, particularly among participants with children, who are especially worried about the safety of dairy products. High prevalence of food safety incidents causes consumers to lower their confidence in food safety, and make them pay more attention to the news about food safety incidents. Consumers tend to become less sensitive to price, focusing more on food safety and quality, while purchasing dairy products. Brand and purchase venue are the most important indicators for consumers to determine the quality of dairy products. Safety certification becomes increasingly important.

Research limitations/implications

It has some limitations. The focus group interviews covered different two regions (Northwest and South of China). However, the number of focus groups was limited to nine because of budget constraints. The participants come from Northwest and South of the country, which means that the findings may not apply for another area of the country. A more representative sampling with a larger sample size would be necessary to increase the validity of the study. However, the results can serve as input for further research.

Originality/value

This paper explores the Chinese consumers' perception of food safety and dairy products, consumers' behaviour concerning dairy products based on focus group interviews with consumers. This study offers valuable insights to members of academia, food suppliers and policy-makers.
Profiling young internet addicts: implications for their social well-being
Authors: Sondhi Neena , Joshi Himanshu
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study aims to segment and profile young internet addicts in India and examine their state of well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

Young’s Internet Addiction Test was adapted to identify and profile cohorts among the internet addicts. Diener’s satisfaction with life scale was used to measure the well-being. Convenience sampling was used to conduct an online survey and obtain a representative sample of 320 urban internet users. A mixed-method approach was deployed and exploratory factor analysis followed by k-means cluster analysis and discriminant analysis were used to analyse the quantitative data.

Findings

Data analysis revealed the existence of three distinct clusters: non-addicts (135), potential internet addicts (n = 128) and addicts (n = 57). Smartphones and tablets were the primary devices for accessing the internet. Wi-Fi and data cards were used by all groups for internet browsing, messaging and visiting social networking sites. The usage hours were higher for the potential internet addicts and internet addicts. These groups also faced considerable internal conflict and dissonance in their inability to control their addictive behaviour and online cravings. The non-addicts were more satisfied with their life conditions and better adjusted than the other two groups.

Research limitations/implications

The incidence of diverse internet addicted groups needs to be validated through a larger sample in other regions and geographies. There is also a dire need to study other vulnerable groups, such as internet-savvy adolescents.

Originality/value

The study found the existence of well-defined segments and identified unique areas of conflict for each group, which subsequently affected their sense of well-being.
Predicting the future increment of review helpfulness: an empirical study based on a two-wave data set
Authors: Pan Xue , Hou Lei , Liu Kecheng
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Identifying and predicting the most helpful reviews has been a focal interest in the fields including information management, e-commerce and marketing, etc. Though many factors are found correlated to the helpfulness of reviews, they may suffer endogeneity problems, as normally the data is observed in the same time window. This paper aims to tackle such a problem by examining the predictive power of different factors on the future increment of review helpfulness.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting a longitudinal data of 443 K empirical business reviews from Yelp.com collected at two different time points, six groups of predictors are extracted from the first snapshot of data to predict the helpfulness increment of old and recent reviews, respectively, between the two snapshots.

Findings

It is found that these factors in general are with moderate accuracy predicting the helpfulness increment. A different group of features shows quite different predictive power. The reviewer disclosure information is the most significant factor, while the review readability does not significantly improve the accuracy of prediction.

Originality/value

Instead of the total number of helpful votes observed in the same time window with the explanatory variables, this paper focuses on the future increment of helpful votes observed in the following time window. With such a two-wave data set, the endogeneity problem can be avoided and the explanatory factors for review helpfulness can, thus, be further tested in the prediction scenario.
Professional commitment and library-users’ perceived service quality in university libraries: a survey in the Pakistani academic environment
Authors: Jan Sajjad Ullah , Ahmad Sajjad
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the possible result of librarians’ professional commitment on the delivery of quality library services. Thus, the aim is to investigate the relationship between professional commitment and library customers’ perceived service quality of the respective libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a quantitative study which based on questionnaire survey. A cross-sectional design was adopted for this study in which data were collected from two different populations (i.e. professional librarians and their library customers) having a common facet that is library.

Findings

Overall, librarians were found committed on the professional commitment scale (PCS). The studied professional librarians showed higher commitment on the affective commitment dimension than that of continuance commitment of PCS. A positively significant relationship was appeared between professional commitment and library service quality.

Originality/value

No such cross-sectional study can be found that addressed the relationship between professional commitment and library service quality, particularly, in Pakistani library and information science research.