bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flood resilience
Authors: Zevenbergen Chris , Gersonius Berry , Radhakrishan Mohan
Published: February 2020

Three different conceptual frameworks of resilience, including engineering, ecological and social–ecological have been presented and framed within the context of flood risk management. Engineering resilience has demonstrated its value in the design and operation of technological systems in general and in flood resilient technologies in particular. Although limited to the technical domain, it has broadened the objectives of flood resilient technologies and provided guidance in improving their effectiveness. Socio-ecological resilience is conceived as a broader system characteristic that involves the interaction between human and natural systems. It acknowledges that these systems change over time and that these interactions are of complex nature and associated with uncertainties. Building (socio-ecological) resilience in flood risk management strategies calls for an adaptive approach with short-term measures and a set of monitoring criteria for keeping track of developments that might require adaptation in the long-term (adaptation pathways) and thus built-in adaptive capacity as opposed to building engineering resilience which involves a static approach with a fixed time horizon a set of robust measures designed for specific future conditions or scenarios. The two case studies, from a developing and a developed country, indicate that the concepts of ecological and socio-ecological resilience provide guidance for building more resilient flood risk management systems resulting in an approach that embraces flood protection, prevention and preparedness. The case studies also reveal that the translation of resilience concepts into practice remains a challenge. One plausible explanation for this is our inability to arrive at a quantification of socio-ecological resilience taking into account the various attributes of the concept.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Urban flood resilience’.
Potential impact of seasonal forcing on a SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
Authors: Neher Richard A. , Dyrdak Robert , Druelle Valentin , Hodcroft Emma B. , Albert Jan
Published: February 2020

A novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) first detected in Wuhan, China, has spread rapidly since December 2019, causing more than 80,000 confirmed infections and 2,700 fatalities (as of Feb 27, 2020). Imported cases and transmission clusters of various sizes have been reported globally suggesting a pandemic is likely.

Here, we explore how seasonal variation in transmissibility could modulate a SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Data from routine diagnostics show a strong and consistent seasonal variation of the four endemic coronaviruses (229E, HKU1, NL63, OC43) and we parameterize our model for SARS-CoV-2 using these data. The model allows for many subpopulations of different size with variable parameters. Simulations of different scenarios show that plausible parameters result in a small peak in early 2020 in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and a larger peak in winter 2020/2021. Variation in transmission and migration rates can result in substantial variation in prevalence between regions.

While the uncertainty in parameters is large, the scenarios we explore show that transient reductions in the incidence rate might be due to a combination of seasonal variation and infection control efforts but do not necessarily mean the epidemic is contained. Seasonal forcing on SARS-CoV-2 should thus be taken into account in the further monitoring of the global transmission. The likely aggregated effect of seasonal variation, infection control measures, and transmission rate variation is a prolonged pandemic wave with lower prevalence at any given time, thereby providing a window of opportunity for better preparation of health care systems.
High-throughput mapping of the phage resistance landscape inE. coli
Authors: Mutalik Vivek K. , Adler Benjamin A. , Rishi Harneet S. , Piya Denish , Zhong Crystal , Koskella Britt , Calendar Richard , Novichkov Pavel , Price Morgan N. , Deutschbauer Adam M. , Arkin Adam P.
Published: February 2020

Bacteriophages (phages) are critical players in the dynamics and function of microbial communities and drive processes as diverse as global biogeochemical cycles and human health. Phages tend to be predators finely tuned to attack specific hosts, even down to the strain level, which in turn defend themselves using an array of mechanisms. However, to date, efforts to rapidly and comprehensively identify bacterial host factors important in phage infection and resistance have yet to be fully realized. Here, we globally map the host genetic determinants involved in resistance to 14 phylogenetically diverse double-stranded DNA phages using two modelEscherichia colistrains (K-12 and BL21) with known sequence divergence to demonstrate strain-specific differences. Using genome-wide loss-of-function and gain-of-function genetic technologies, we are able to confirm previously described phage receptors as well as uncover a number of previously unknown host factors that confer resistance to one or more of these phages. We uncover differences in resistance factors that strongly align with the susceptibility of K-12 and BL21 to specific phage. We also identify both phage specific mechanisms, such as the unexpected role of cyclic-di-GMP in host sensitivity to phage N4, and more generic defenses, such as the overproduction of colanic acid capsular polysaccharide that defends against a wide array of phages. Our results indicate that host responses to phages can occur via diverse cellular mechanisms. Our systematic and high-throughput genetic workflow to characterize phage-host interaction determinants can be extended to diverse bacteria to generate datasets that allow predictive models of how phage-mediated selection will shape bacterial phenotype and evolution. The results of this study and future efforts to map the phage resistance landscape will lead to new insights into the coevolution of hosts and their phage, which can ultimately be used to design better phage therapeutic treatments and tools for precision microbiome engineering.
Long non-coding RNA Gm12664 up-regulates CAV1 expression to promote hepatocellular lipid accumulation by sponging miR-295-5p
Authors: Xu Fei , Wang Liqiang , Chen Linjun , Zhang Qingwen , Na Lixin
Published: February 2020

The authors have withdrawn this manuscript because the manuscript did not pass though the animal ethical review. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as reference for the project. If you have any questions, please contact the corresponding author.

Lixin Na
Sequential enrichment at the nuclear periphery of H2A.Zac and H3K9me2 accompanies pluripotency loss in human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Kafer Georgia Rose , Rillo-Bohn Regina , Carlton Peter M.
Published: February 2020

During the transition from pluripotency to a lineage-committed state, chromatin undergoes large-scale changes in structure to effect the required changes to the transcriptional program. This involves covalent modification of histone tails, replacement of histone variants, and alteration in the subnuclear position of genes, including associations with the nuclear periphery. Here, using high-resolution microscopy and quantitative image analysis, we surveyed a panel of histone variants and covalent modifications for changes in nuclear periphery association during differentiation of human embryonic stem cells to a trophoblast-like lineage. This differentiation process is rapid and homogeneous, facilitating the use of a relatively fine timecourse (12h, 24h, and 48h post-initiation) to enable detection of transient changes. With this scheme, we detected two modifications with significant changes in enrichment at the nuclear periphery: acetylation of histone variant H2A.Z, and dimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 9. We show that these chromatin marks increase specifically at the nuclear periphery in a sequential, complementary manner, with a H2A.Z acetylation preceding H3K9 dimethylation. The increase of H3K9 dimethylation occurred coincidentally with but independently of accumulation of Lamin A, since Lamin A-/-hES cells showed no changes in the localization pattern of H3K9 dimethylation. Inhibition of histone deacetylases led to persistent and increased H2A.Z acetylation at the periphery, and failure to differentiate. Our results show that a concerted dynamic change in the nature of peripheral chromatin is required for differentiation into the trophoblast state.
Pluripotency factors determine gene expression repertoire at zygotic genome activation
Authors: Gao Meijiang , Veil Marina , Rosenblatt Marcus , Riesle Aileen Julia , Gebhard Anna , Hass Helge , Buryanova Lenka , Yampolsky Lev Y. , Grüning Björn , Ulianov Sergey V. , Timmer Jens , Onichtchouk Daria
Published: February 2020

Awakening of zygotic transcription in animal embryos relies on maternal pioneer transcription factors. The interplay of global and specific functions of these proteins remains poorly understood. Here, we analyze chromatin accessibility and time-resolved transcription in single and double mutant zebrafish embryos lacking pluripotency factors Pou5f3 and Sox19b. We show that two factors modify chromatin in a largely independent manner. We distinguish four types of direct enhancers by differential requirements for Pou5f3 or Sox19b. We demonstrate that changes in chromatin accessibility of enhancers underlie the changes in zygotic expression repertoire in the double mutants. Pou5f3 or Sox19b promote chromatin accessibility of enhancers linked to the genes involved in gastrulation and ventral fate specification. The genes regulating mesendodermal and dorsal fates are primed for activation independently of Pou5f3 and Sox19b. Strikingly, simultaneous loss of Pou5f3 and Sox19b leads to premature expression of genes, involved in regulation of organogenesis and differentiation.
Distinct natural syllable-selective neuronal ensembles in the primary auditory cortex of awake marmosets
Authors: Zeng Huan-huan , Huang Jun-feng , Li Jun-ru , Shen Zhiming , Gong Neng , Wen Yun-qing , Wang Liping , Poo Mu-ming
Published: February 2020

Marmosets are highly social non-human primates living in families. They exhibit rich vocalization, but neural basis underlying complex vocal communication is largely unknown. Here we report the existence of specific neuronal ensembles in marmoset A1 that respond selectively to distinct monosyllable or disyllable calls made by conspecific marmosets. These neurons were spatially dispersed within A1 but distinct from those responsive to pure tones. Syllable-selective responses were markedly diminished when individual domains of the syllable were deleted or the domain sequence was altered, indicating the importance of global rather than local spectral-temporal properties of the sound. Disyllable-selective responses also disappeared when the sequence of the two monosyllable components was reversed or their interval was extended beyond 1 second. Light anesthesia largely abolished disyllable-selective responses. Our findings demonstrate extensive inhibitory and facilitory interactions among syllable-evoked responses, and provide the basis for further study of circuit mechanisms underlying vocal communication in awake non-human primates.
Structure of the Lifeact–F-actin complex
Authors: Belyy Alexander , Merino Felipe , Sitsel Oleg , Raunser Stefan
Published: February 2020

Lifeact is a short actin-binding peptide that is used to visualize filamentous actin (F-actin) structures in live eukaryotic cells using fluorescence microscopy. However, this popular probe has been shown to alter cellular morphology by affecting the structure of the cytoskeleton. The molecular basis for such artefacts is poorly understood. Here, we determined the high-resolution structure of the Lifeact–F-actin complex using electron cryo-microscopy. The structure reveals that Lifeact interacts with a hydrophobic binding pocket on F-actin and stretches over two adjacent actin subunits, stabilizing the DNase I-binding loop of actin in the closed conformation. Interestingly, the hydrophobic binding site is also used by actin-binding proteins, such as cofilin and myosin and actin-binding toxins, such as TccC3HVR fromPhotorhabdus luminescensand ExoY fromPseudomonas aeruginosa.In vitrobinding assays and activity measurements demonstrate that Lifeact indeed competes with these proteins, providing an explanation for the altering effects of Lifeact on cell morphologyin vivo. Finally, we demonstrate that the affinity of Lifeact to F-actin can be increased by introducing mutations into the peptide, laying the foundation for designing improved actin probes for live cell imaging.
Eukaryotic rather than prokaryotic microbiomes change over seasons in rewetted fen peatlands
Authors: Wang Haitao , Weil Micha , Dumack Kenneth , Zak Dominik , Münch Diana , Günther Anke , Jurasinski Gerald , Blume-Werry Gesche , Kreyling Jürgen , Urich Tim
Published: February 2020

In the last decades, rewetting of drained peatlands is on the rise worldwide, to restore the significant carbon sink function. Rewetted peatlands differ substantially from their pristine counterparts and can, thus, be considered as novel ecosystems. Despite the increasing understanding of peat microbiomes, little is known about the seasonal dynamics and network interactions of the microbial communities in these novel ecosystems, especially in rewetted groundwater-fed peatlands, i.e. fens. Here, we investigated the seasonal dynamics in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbiomes in three common types of fens in Northern Germany, namely percolation fen, alder forest and coastal fen. The eukaryotic microbiomes, including fungi, protists and metazoa, showed significant changes of their community structures across the seasons in contrast to largely unaffected prokaryotic microbiomes. The co-occurrence network in the summer showed a distinct topology compared to networks in the other seasons, which was driven by the increased connections among protists, as well as between protists and the other microbial groups. Our results also indicated that the dynamics in eukaryotic microbiomes differed between fen types, specifically in terms of saprotrophs, arbuscular mycorrhiza and grazers of bacteria. Our study provides the insight that microbial eukaryotes mainly define the seasonal dynamics of microbiomes in rewetted fen peatlands. Accordingly, future research should unravel the importance of eukaryotes for biogeochemical processes, especially the under-characterized protists and metazoa, in these novel yet poorly understood ecosystems.
Gas evolution and the effects on ionic transport inside the lithium-ion battery
Authors: Li Na , Fu Lijun , Jiang Kecheng
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Gas evolution within lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) gives rise to safety concerns that question their applicability. The gas evolution is not only the result but also the inducement of performance deterioration of LIBs. In this paper, the growth characteristics and dynamic behavior of gas bubble on the electrode surface are studied, and the interference mechanism of gas evolution on Li-ion diffusion or Li-ion conduction within LIBs is discussed and validated by the numerical simulations.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the mathematical models and simulation method are established. The growth and flow of gas bubble in the serpentine channel on electrode surface, which results from the gas-liquid flow and the effects of surface tension, is modeled by using the multi-phase Navier-Stokes and the volume of fluid method. Integrating Butler–Volmer and Fick’s law, the mathematical model of ions transport in the electrochemical cell is set-up. Second, the motion of gas bubble is tracked, and the variations of bubble shape and characteristic parameters with time are obtained by the computed fluid dynamics (CFD) method.

Findings

Based on the CFD results, the battery models and electrochemical simulations are carried out to analyze the ionic transport characteristics. The results show that the microstructural morphology such as the serpentine channel shape and size on electrode surface are important aspects for the gas bubble growth and the local ionic transport. Li ions significantly accumulate at one side of the gas obstacle, hindering the ionic diffusion normally. When the gas bubble blocks the electrolyte, the passage of ions from the positive to the negative is interrupted, and the open circuit zone of the electrochemical cell is formed.

Originality/value

The gas evolution within LIBs is not only a result but also an inducement of its performance deterioration. The primary issues in this study are the growth characteristics and dynamic behavior of gas bubble on the electrode surface, providing the knowledge for the interference mechanism of gas evolution on ionic transport and ultimately leads to significant increase of battery resistance.
Collective resistance to collective collaboration: a leader’s introspection
Authors: Sengupta Atri , Sonawane Bhaurao
Published: February 2020

Learning outcomes

Ethical leadership and decision-making, engaging and managing multiple conflicting stakeholders.

Case overview/synopsis

Utkal Alumina International Limited (UAIL), an ambitious Greenfield project of Hindalco Industries Ltd. faced the challenges of conflicting multiple stakeholders and collective resistance that did not allow UAIL to be commissioned for almost two decades. The case portrayed the journey of a new leader of UAIL in the path of transforming collective resistance to collective collaboration. In the case, the author was introspecting about how far the author could achieve the objective of collective collaborations through stakeholders’ engagements and what would be the next path of the journey.

Complexity academic level

MBA and executive development programs.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 6: Human Resources.
Consequences of open innovation: effects on skill-driven recruitment
Authors: Bello-Pintado Alejandro , Bianchi Carlos
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the human side of inbound open innovation by analyzing the effects that the adoption of different knowledge search strategies for innovation has on new recruitment needs.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on several theoretical perspectives, the study proposes three hypotheses regarding the relationship between openness and the need to recruit people with high technical and social skills. Using a pooled panel data from the Uruguayan Innovation Survey between 2004 and 2012, the authors identify open strategies followed by the firm.

Findings

The estimation results using pooled panel data confirm that the adoption of inbound open search strategies for innovation demands the recruitment of new employees with higher technical and social skills. Technical skills are more likely to be demanded than social skills. The effects observed are moderated by the intensity in the use of knowledge and information sources (KISs).

Originality/value

This paper revisits the analysis of specific knowledge search strategies at the firm level. In doing so, the study looks for the effects of specific strategies combining different knowledge sources and considers different levels of use of external KISs, from narrow to wide. While other studies have analyzed the human factor as a determinant of the success of openness for innovation, this paper re-examines the direction of this relationship. Finally, the study contributes to the evidence from a Latin American country, where these topics have received less attention.
Cooking a socially responsible image for the urban consumers: does it work with the cooking oil brands?
Authors: Banerjee Anulekha , Dasgupta Rajib
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The consumer-based study was conducted among the population of Kolkata metropolis to assess the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices on the purchase intention of selected cooking oil brands.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a questionnaire based survey on 322 respondents residing in Kolkata metropolis. Reliability of the scales was ascertained by Cronbach’s alpha values. Kendall's W test was used for rank analysis. Pearson’s correlation was examined to correlate the cognitive criteria. Factor analysis was used to sort out influential cognitive criteria which were compared between genders by the Kruskal–Wallis H test. The involvement of CSR components in enhancing the brand equity was analysed by multiple linear regression.

Findings

The brands vouching for the cause of health and nutritional value of the society attained significant loyalty and generate considerable brand association. The regression model predicts a socially accepted cooking oil brand to be one which addresses health, transparency and ethics in unison.

Research limitations/implications

The study was restricted within the resident population of Kolkata metropolis which ratifies the CSR perception of a confined mass.

Practical implications

The study delineates the plausible avenue of CSR investments to touch the cognitive centre of the consumers’ mind.

Social implications

The consumers expect to embrace a healthy yet reasonably priced cooking oil brand which imparts a notion to address multiple social causes.

Originality/value

The study identifies the strategic CSR attributes which might influence the mind of the consumers while they select cooking oil brands for household use.
Geomagnetic field absence reduces adult body weight of a migratory insect by disrupting feeding behavior and appetite regulation
Authors: Wan Gui‐Jun , Jiang Shou‐Lin , Zhang Ming , Zhao Jing‐Yu , Zhang Ying‐Chao , Pan Wei‐Dong , Sword Gregory A. , Chen Fa‐Jun
Published: February 2020

The geomagnetic field (GMF) is well documented for its essential role as a cue used in animal orientation or navigation. Recent evidence indicates that the absence of GMF (mimicked by the near‐zero magnetic field, NZMF) can trigger stress‐like responses such as reduced body weight, as we have previously shown in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens. In this study, we found that consistent with the significantly decreased body weight of newly emerged female (−14.67%) and male (−13.17%) adult N. lugens, the duration of the phloem ingestion feeding waveform was significantly reduced by 32.02% in 5th instar nymphs reared under the NZMF versus GMF. Interestingly, 5th instar nymphs that exhibited reduced feeding had significantly higher glucose levels (+16.98% and +20.05%; 24 h and 48 h after molting), which are associated with food aversion, and expression patterns of their appetite‐related neuropeptide genes (neuropeptide F, down‐regulated overall; short neuropeptide F, down‐regulated overall; adipokinetic hormone, up‐regulated overall; and adipokinetic hormone receptor, down‐regulated overall) were also altered under the absence of GMF in a manner consistent with diminishing appetite. Moreover, the expressions of the potential magnetosensor cryptochromes (Crys) were found significantly altered under the absence of GMF, indicating the likely upstream signaling of the Cry‐mediated magnetoreception mechanisms. These findings support the hypothesis that strong changes in GMF intensity can reduce adult body weight through affecting insect feeding behavior and underlying regulatory processes including appetite regulation. Our results highlight that GMF could be necessary for the maintenance of energy homeostasis in insects.
Mosquitocidal and repellent activities of essential oils againstCulex pipiensL.
Authors: Al‐Sarar Ali S. , Hussein Hamdy I. , Abobakr Yasser , Al‐Zabib Ali A.S. , Bazeyad Abdulqader Y.
Published: February 2020

Plants are a prospective source of novel natural insect repellents and botanical insecticides. This study was conducted to investigate the chemical composition of the essential oils of three plants growing in Saudi Arabia, namelyDucrosia anethifolia,Achillea fragrantissima, andTeucrium polium; and to evaluate their potential mosquitocidal and repellent activities against adult femaleCulex pipiensL. The main components of the three oils were found to be decanal (28.9%) and chrysanthenyl acetate (10.04%), (D. anethifolia); sabinyl acetate (35.79) and artemesia ketone (18.28%) (A. fragrantissima);α‐cadinol (49.53%) andδ‐cadinene (10.23%) (T. polium). The oil ofA. fragrantissimawas the most toxic (LC50 = 0.11 μL/L air) followed byD. anethifoliaandT. poliumwith LC50values of 5.22 and 25.98 μL/L air, respectively.T. poliumoil was the most repellent (292 min at 2 μL/cm2), followed byD. anethifoliaandA. fragrantissima. The results indicate that the essential oils have a potential fumigant insecticidal and repellent activities for mosquito control.
Streamlining universal single‐copy orthologue and ultraconserved element design: A case study in Collembola
Authors: Sun Xin , Ding Yinhuan , Orr Michael C. , Zhang Feng
Published: February 2020

Genomic data sets are increasingly central to ecological and evolutionary biology, but far fewer resources are available for invertebrates. Powerful new computational tools and the rapidly decreasing cost of Illumina sequencing are beginning to change this, enabling rapid genome assembly and reference marker extraction. We have developed and tested a practical workflow for developing genomic resources in nonmodel groups with real‐world data on Collembola (springtails), one of the most dominant soil animals on Earth. We designed universal molecular marker sets, single‐copy orthologues (BUSCOs) and ultraconserved elements (UCEs), using three existing and 11 newly generated genomes. Both marker types were tested in silico via marker capture success and phylogenetic performance. The new genomes were assembled with Illumina short reads and 9,585‒14,743 protein‐coding genes were predicted with ab initio and protein homology evidence. We identified 1,997 benchmarking universal single‐copy orthologues (BUSCOs) across 14 genomes and created and assessed a custom BUSCO data set for extracting single‐copy genes. We also developed a new UCE probe set containing 46,087 baits targeting 1,885 loci. We successfully captured 1,437‒1,865 BUSCOs and 975‒1,186 UCEs across 14 genomes. Phylogenomic reconstructions using these markers proved robust, giving new insight on deep‐time collembolan relationships. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of generating thousands of universal markers from highly efficient whole‐genome sequencing, providing a valuable resource for genome‐scale investigations in evolutionary biology and ecology.
Efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation combined with general anesthesia for sedation and postoperative analgesia in minimally invasive lung cancer surgery: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Chen Jiheng , Zhang Yunxiao , Li Xiaoxi , Wan You , Ji Xinqiang , Wang Wei , Kang Xiaozheng , Yan Wanpu , Fan Zhiyi
Published: February 2020

Background

Multimodal opioid‐sparing analgesia is a key component of an enhanced recovery pathway after surgery that aims to improve postoperative recovery. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) is assumed to alleviate pain and anxiety and to modify the autonomic nervous system. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of TEAS for sedation and postoperative analgesia in lung cancer patients undergoing thoracoscopic pulmonary resection.

Methods

A total of 80 patients were randomized into two groups: the TEAS group and the sham TEAS combined with general anesthesia group. Postoperative pain levels at six, 24, 48 hours, and one month after surgery were measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Bispectral index (BIS) score during the TEAS prior to anesthetic induction, Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (OAAS) score, sufentanil consumption during postoperative patient‐controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA), number of total and effective attempts of PCIA pump use, and incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting were recorded and analyzed statistically.

Results

Patients in the TEAS group had significantly lower VAS scores at six, 24, and 48 hours after surgery (P < 0.01); lower BIS scores at 10, 20, and 30 minutes before induction (P < 0.01); lower levels of postoperative sufentanil consumption; lower number of PCIA attempts and effective rates (P < 0.01); lower incidences of nausea at 0, six, 24, and 48 hours; and lower incidence of vomiting at 24 hours after surgery (P < 0.05). The postoperative OAAS scores were similar between the groups.

Conclusions

TEAS could be a feasible approach for sedation and postoperative analgesia in thoracoscopic pulmonary resection.
Overexpression of JAB1 promotes malignant behavior and predicts poor prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Shen Qi , Shang Bin , Jiang Bin , Wang Yu , Wang Zhou , Chen Gang
Published: February 2020

Background

This study investigated the expression and biological function of JAB1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods

The expression of JAB1 in ESCC tissues and cells was measured using reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and western blot analysis. Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis was performed to explore the effect of JAB1 expression on the prognosis of ESCC patients. Furthermore, experiments were conducted in vivo and in vitro to determine the effect of JAB1 expression on the malignant behavior of ESCC cells.

Results

Compared with adjacent tissues, JAB1 was highly overexpressed in cancer tissues (P = 0.01). Univariate and multivariate analyses of clinical data indicated that patients with JAB1 overexpression had a worse prognosis (P = 0.001 and P = 0.049, respectively). Cell function experiments and tumorigenesis experiments in nude mice showed that the upregulation of JAB1 might promote malignant behavior, and vice versa.

Conclusions

Overexpression of JAB1 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ESCC cells, and was significantly associated with poor prognosis of ESCC patients. Therefore, JAB1 could be considered as a promising prognostic factor and a possible target for the specific therapy of ESCC.

Key points

In this study, we found that JAB1 was highly overexpressed in cancer tissues, which could influence the malignant behavior of ESCC cells, and was significantly associated with poor prognosis of ESCC patients.
The Southeast Asian Economies in the Age of Discontent
Authors: Basri M. Chatib , Hill Hal
Published: February 2020

This paper investigates the effects on and responses of five middle‐income Southeast Asian economies to the current global environment of authoritarian populism, the retreat from economic liberalism, and the appeal of anti‐globalization movements. While the political histories and institutional capabilities of the five – Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam – vary greatly, these economies have a history of at least moderately fast economic growth for extended periods, and of increasing regional and global economic integration. We argue that most of the factors behind the discontent with globalization in the rich economies are not present to the same degree in these countries, and that there has therefore been no major retreat from the economic policy settings that have underpinned their past economic success. However, there are no grounds for complacency. Economic growth is slowing in some of the countries, economic insecurity remains widespread, and the development of durable independent institutions has lagged economic growth.
A de novo germline mutation of KIT in a white‐spotted Brown Swiss cow
Authors: Häfliger I. M. , Hirter N. , Paris J. M. , Wolf Hofstetter S. , Seefried F. R. , Drögemüller C.
Published: February 2020

White‐spotting coat colour phenotypes in cattle are either fixed characteristics of specific cattle breeds or occur sporadically owing to germline genetic variation of solid‐coloured parents. A Brown Swiss cow showing a piebald pattern resembling colour‐sidedness was referred for genetic evaluation. Both parents were normal solid‐brown‐coloured cattle. The cow was tested negative for the three known DNA variants in KIT, MITF and TWIST2 associated with different depigmentation phenotypes in Brown Swiss cattle. Whole‐genome sequencing of the cow was performed and a heterozygous variant affecting the coding sequence of the bovine KIT gene was identified on chromosome 6. The variant is a 40 bp deletion in exon 9, NM_001166484.1:c.1390_1429del, and leads to a frameshift that is predicted to produce a novel 50 amino acid‐long C‐terminus replacing almost 50% of the wt KIT protein, including the functionally important intracellular tyrosine kinase domain (NP_001159956.1:p.(Asn464AlafsTer50)). Interestingly, among three available offspring, two solid‐coloured daughters were genotyped as homozygous wt whereas a single son showing a slightly milder but still obvious depigmentation phenotype inherited a copy of the novel variant allele. The genetic findings provide strong evidence that the identified loss‐of‐function KIT variant most likely represents a de novo germline mutation that is causative owing to haploinsufficiency.
The effect of laparoscopic salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy on ovarian reserve
Authors: Rodgers Rachael , Carter Jonathan , Reid Geoffrey , Krishnan Surya , Ludlow Joanne , Cooper Michael , Abbott Jason
Published: February 2020

Background

Salpingectomy may damage ovarian reserve by direct vascular interruption to the ovary or thermal vascular injury from electrosurgery. It is plausible that this risk may increase in the context of salpingectomy conducted for ectopic pregnancy due to the distension of the fallopian tube and vascular changes associated with pregnancy.

Aim

To report anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations before and after laparoscopic salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy as an indicator of change in ovarian reserve.

Materials and Methods

Women aged 18–44 years scheduled for salpingectomy for tubal ectopic pregnancy were prospectively recruited. Serum AMH concentrations were measured immediately prior to surgery, then repeated four months post‐operatively. In all cases, salpingectomy was conducted laparoscopically using bipolar electrosurgery and mechanical scissors. A group of women scheduled for uterine curettage for first trimester miscarriage was recruited to ensure any observed change in AMH concentration in the women undergoing salpingectomy was secondary to surgery, rather than an effect of pregnancy.

Results

Paired pre‐ and post‐operative serum AMH concentrations were obtained from 32 women with tubal ectopic pregnancy. The mean age of the women was 33.6 ± 4.6 years. There was no significant difference in the median pre‐ and post‐operative AMH concentrations (13.00 pmol/L (range 5–67 pmol/L) vs 15.25 pmol/L (range 3–96 pmol/L), P = 0.575). Median AMH concentrations also remained stable in women experiencing a first trimester miscarriage (10.40 pmol/L (range 3.9–37.8 pmol/L) vs 13.67 pmol/L (range 2.8–30.5 pmol/L), P = 0.185).

Conclusion

Laparoscopic salpingectomy using electrosurgery and mechanical scissors does not damage ovarian reserve. AMH concentrations do not fluctuate from baseline in the first trimester of pregnancy.
A dysfunctional family environment and a high body fat percentage negatively affect telomere length in Mexican boys aged 8‐10 years
Authors: Licea‐Cejudo Roberto C. , Arenas‐Sandoval Laura K. , Salazar‐León Jonathan , Martínez‐Martínez Mónica V. , Carreón‐Rodríguez Alfonso , Pedraza‐Alva Gustavo , Pérez‐Martínez Leonor
Published: February 2020

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine whether a direct relationship existed between absolute telomere length (aTL), obesity and familial functionality in a group of Mexican children.

Methods

We recruited 134 children (52% boys) aged 8‐10 years during regular primary care check‐ups in 2016 and evaluated physical activity (PA), feeding practices, anthropometrics, body fat percentage (BF%) and family dysfunction. Optimised quantitative PCR determined aTL from genomic deoxyribonucleic acid isolated from saliva samples.

Results

Boys with a healthy BF% showed a higher aTL than their high BF% counterparts (P < .01). aTL was higher in children who performed PA than their sedentary counterparts (P < .05). Alarmingly, 90% of the children belonged to dysfunctional families and a dysfunctional family was correlated with a higher BF% (r = −.57). Negative correlations between the BF% and aTL (r = −.1765) and the BF% and time dedicated to PA (r = −.031) were observed in boys. On the contrary, we found a positive correlation between the aTL and weekly PA (r = .1938). These correlations were not observed in girls.

Conclusion

Telomere shortening was associated with a high BF% in boys, but not girls. Dysfunctional families were also a key factor. School PA programmes should be mandatory.
Social anxiety and perceptions of likeability by peers in children
Authors: Baartmans Jeanine M. D. , van Steensel Francisca J. A. , Mobach Lynn , Lansu Tessa A. M. , Bijsterbosch Geraly , Verpaalen Iris , Rapee Ronald M. , Magson Natasha , Bögels Susan M. , Rinck Mike , Klein Anke M.
Published: February 2020

The current study aimed to investigate the discrepancy between self‐reported and peer‐reported likeability among children, and the relation with social anxiety, depression, and social support. In total, 532 children between 7 and 12 years completed questionnaires about social anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and social support, estimated their own likeability, and indicated how much they liked their classmates. Children with higher levels of social anxiety or depression overestimated their likeability less or even underestimated their likeability. Social anxiety symptoms, but not depressive symptoms, were significant predictors of the discrepancy. Social support was positively related to likeability and negatively related to social anxiety, but did not moderate the association between social anxiety symptoms and perception accuracy of likeability. These results are in line with cognitive theories of childhood social anxiety, and they stress the importance of using multi‐informant measures when studying the relation between social anxiety and social functioning in children.
Serum profiling identifies ibrutinib as a treatment option for young adults with B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Authors: Jordaens Stephanie , Cooksey Leah , Bonney Stephanie , Orchard Laurence , Coutinho Matthew , Van Tendeloo Viggo , Mills Ken I. , Orchard Kim , Guinn Barbara‐ann
Published: February 2020

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is a haematological malignancy that is characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of immature lymphocytes. 80% of cases occur in children where ALL is well understood and treated. However it has a devastating affects on adults, where multi‐agent chemotherapy is the standard of care with allogeneic stem cell transplantation for those who are eligible. New treatments are required to extend remission and prevent relapse to improve patient survival rates. We used serum profiling to compare samples from presentation adult B‐ALL patients with age‐ and sex‐matched healthy volunteer (HV) sera and identified 69 differentially recognised antigens (P ≤ 0·02). BMX, DCTPP1 and VGLL4 showed no differences in transcription between patients and healthy donors but were each found to be present at higher levels in B‐ALL patient samples than HVs by ICC. BMX plays a crucial role in the Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) pathway which is bound by the BTK inhibitor, ibrutinib, suggesting adult B‐ALL would also be a worthy target patient group for future clinical trials. We have shown the utility of proto‐array analysis of B‐ALL patient sera, predominantly from young adults, to help characterise the B‐ALL immunome and identified a new target patient population for existing small molecule therapy.
Awareness of bone health risks in people with epilepsy and intellectual disability
Authors: Sawhney Indermeet , Zia Asif , Yazdi Bahar , Shankar Rohit
Published: February 2020

Accessible Summary

There are worries about the impact of epilepsy and antiepilepsy drugs (AEDs) on bone health and the increased risk of fractures.

It is now considered important that people with epilepsy should be told about the long‐term effects of AEDs particularly risk of fractures.

People with intellectual disability are more prone to have seizures which do not respond fully to AEDs, on multiple AEDs and thus higher risk of fractures.

This is a small study to see whether people with intellectual disability and/or their carers are informed of the risks of AEDs and fractures including how to reduce them.

The study found that there is little evidence of people with intellectual disability and epilepsy and/or their carers being informed in spite of their increased risks.

Background

People with epilepsy (PWE) have a higher fracture risk than nonepilepsy populations. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) cause bone loss. Limited physical activity and poor dietary intake increase fracture risk in PWE. People with an intellectual disability have higher prevalence of epilepsy, likely to be on multiple AEDs, with poorer response, thus at a higher risk of sustaining fractures compared to general population. Ignorance of these issues can add to the risk. The study ascertains bone health knowledge in people with epilepsy and their carers.

Materials and Methods

A literature search on intellectual disability, epilepsy, bone health and patient knowledge informed a codesign survey with a service user group. An easy read survey version was created. It was disseminated via NHS Trust clinicians to all service users and their carers receiving services from a specialist learning disability team (catchment population—1,000,000).

Results

Thirty‐four carers and 23 service users of total 148 eligible (response rate 38.5%) responded to the questionnaires disseminated by clinicians. Approximately 50% of carers and 25% of people with epilepsy had awareness of the increased fracture risk. Less than 25% of the respondents associated AEDs to bone loss. Less than a third were aware of protective strategies to reduce fracture risk.

Conclusions

The survey showed significant knowledge shortcomings of both service user and carer groups of relationship between intellectual disability, epilepsy, its medications, fracture risk, and available risk reduction strategies. Clinicians need to be proactive in providing service users and carers with information around bone health and epilepsy.
A Troubling Presence: Indigeneity in English‐Language Canadian Sociology
Authors: Watts Vanessa , Hooks Gregory , McLaughlin Neil
Published: February 2020

Over the past decade Canadian sociology has engaged in spirited debates on the sociology of sociological research, but it has barely begun to address its relation to Indigenous theorizing, scholarship, and politics. How does the discipline deal with the settler colonial history and current realities of Indigenous social lives, and where is the place in our field for Indigenous voices and perspectives? Drawing on Coulthard's politics of recognition and Tuck's damage‐centered research, we present here the first systematic empirical analysis of the place of Indigeneity in the Canadian Review of Sociology and the Canadian Journal of Sociology. We situate the presence of Indigeneity in Canadian sociology journals in the sociopolitical context of the time, and examine how imperialism, statism, and damage are oriented within the two journals. Most importantly, we challenge the silence in the discipline's intellectual frames and research programs with respect to Indigenous theorizing about the social world.
Expression and prognostic role of E2F transcription factors in high‐grade glioma
Authors: Yu Hai , Li Zhijin , Wang Maode
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Patients with high‐grade glioma (HGG) suffered poor survival due to inherent or acquired therapeutic resistance and refractory recurrence. The outcome of HGG patients has improved little during the past decade. Therefore, molecular signatures are urgently needed for improving diagnosis, survival prediction and identification of therapeutic targets for HGG. E2F transcription factors (E2Fs), a family of transcription factors recognized as master regulators of cell proliferation, have been found to be involved in the pathogenesis of various tumor types.

Aims

To investigate the expression of E2Fs and their prognosis value in high‐grade glioma (HGG).

Results

Expression of E2Fs was analyzed in 394 HGG samples from TCGA dataset. E2Fs were generally expressed in HGG. Except for E2F3 and E2F5, expression of E2Fs was significantly upregulated and linked with grade progression. E2F1, E2F2, E2F7, and E2F8 were highly correlated with aggressive proliferation oncogenes, as well as potential therapeutic resistance oncogenes. Elevated E2Fs (not E2F3) were associated with adverse tumor features and poorer outcome. E2F7 and E2F8 exhibited superior outcome prediction performance compared with other E2Fs. Additionally, E2F7 and E2F8 independently predicted poorer survival in HGG patients. Gene set enrichment analysis identified a variety of critical oncogenic pathways that were tightly associated with E2F7 or E2F8, including epithelial‐mesenchymal transition, NFκB, STAT3, angiogenesis pathways. Furthermore, elevated expression of E2F7 indicated worse therapeutic response of HGG to irradiation and silencing of E2F7 conferred higher cell‐killing effect when combined with irradiation treatment. Mechanically, E2F7 directly regulates the transcriptional activity of EZH2 via binding at the corresponding promoter area.

Conclusions

E2Fs (except for E2F3 and E2F5) are highly expressed in HGG and indicate adverse outcome. E2F7 and E2F8 were identified as novel potential prognostic markers in HGG. E2F7 was further validated to be closely associated with radioresistance of HGG and a critical transcriptional regulator of EZH2.
Development and early outcomes of the national training initiative for transanal total mesorectal excision in the UK
Authors: Francis N. , Penna M. , Carter F. , Mortensen N. J. , Hompes R. ,   the ACPGBI Pilot National TaTME Training Initiative Steering Group
Published: February 2020

Aim

Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) has attracted substantial interest amongst colorectal surgeons but its technical challenges may underlie the early reports of visceral injuries and oncological concerns. The aim of this study was to report on the feasibility, development and the outcome of the national pilot training initiative for TaTME‐UK.

Methods

TaTME‐UK was successfully launched in September 2017 in partnership with the healthcare industry and endorsed by the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland. This multi‐modal training curriculum consisted of three phases: (i) set‐up; (ii) selection of pilot sites; and (iii) formal proctorship programme. Bespoke Global Assessment Scoring (GAS) forms were designed and completed by both trainees and mentors. Data were collected on patient demographics, tumour characteristics and perioperative clinical and histological outcomes.

Results

Twenty‐four proctored cases were performed by 10 colorectal surgeons from five selected pilot sites. Median operative time was 331 ± 90 (195–610) min which was reduced to 283 ± 62 (195–340) min in the final case. Independent performance (GAS score of 5) was achieved for most operative steps by case 5. There was one conversion (4.2%), but no visceral injuries. Pathological data confirmed no bowel perforation and intact quality of the mesorectal TME specimens with clear distal margin in all cases and circumferential margins in 23/24 cases (96%).

Conclusion

This exploratory study demonstrates acceptable early outcomes in a small cohort suggesting that a competency‐based multi‐modal training programme for TaTME can be feasible and safe to implement at a national level.