bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving the chromosome-level genome assembly of the Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) in a university Master’s course
Authors: Prost Stefan , Petersen Malte , Grethlein Martin , Hahn Sarah Joy , Kuschik-Maczollek Nina , Olesiuk Martyna Ewa , Reschke Jan-Olaf , Schmey Tamara Elke , Zimmer Caroline , Gupta Deepak K. , Schell Tilman , Coimbra Raphael , De Raad Jordi , Lammers Fritjof , Winter Sven , Janke Axel
Published: March 2020

Background

Ever decreasing costs along with advances in sequencing and library preparation technologies enable even small research groups to generate chromosome-level assemblies today. Here we report the generation of an improved chromosome-level assembly for the Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) that was carried out during a practical university Master’s course. The Siamese fighting fish is a popular aquarium fish and an emerging model species for research on aggressive behaviour. We updated the current genome assembly by generating a new long-read nanopore-based assembly with subsequent scaffolding to chromosome-level using previously published HiC data.

Findings

The use of nanopore-based long-read data sequenced on a MinION platform (Oxford Nanopore Technologies) allowed us to generate a baseline assembly of only 1,276 contigs with a contig N50 of 2.1 Mbp, and a total length of 441 Mbp. Scaffolding using previously published HiC data resulted in 109 scaffolds with a scaffold N50 of 20.7 Mbp. More than 99% of the assembly is comprised in 21 scaffolds. The assembly showed the presence of 95.8% complete BUSCO genes from the Actinopterygii dataset indicating a high quality of the assembly.

Conclusion

We present an improved full chromosome-level assembly of the Siamese fighting fish generated during a university Master’s course. The use of ~35× long-read nanopore data drastically improved the baseline assembly in terms of continuity. We show that relatively in-expensive high-throughput sequencing technologies such as the long-read MinION sequencing platform can be used in educational settings allowing the students to gain practical skills in modern genomics and generate high quality results that benefit downstream research projects.
Coastal development and human recreation disturbance limit Australian Pied OystercatcherHaematopus longirostrispopulation sizes on E Australian beaches
Authors: Totterman Stephen
Published: March 2020

Australian Pied OystercatchersHaematopus longirostrisand their habitat were surveyed on 72 beaches and 674 km of coastline, from Fraser Island, Queensland to near the New South Wales–Victoria state border, in 2015–2018. A grand total of 232 individual birds (the sum of mean beach counts) and 41 oystercatcher territories were counted. Regression models for mean oystercatcher count density indicated a positive response to the abundance of the surf clamDonax deltoides, a positive New South Wales Far North Coast regional effect and a negative response to the proportion of urban beach. Models for oystercatcher territory density indicated a positive Far North Coast effect and a negative response to pedestrian access density. This report upgrades the coastal development and human recreation disturbance threats for the species.
Assembly Mechanism of Mucin and von Willebrand Factor Polymers
Authors: Javitt Gabriel , Khmelnitsky Lev , Albert Lis , Elad Nadav , Ilani Tal , Diskin Ron , Fass Deborah
Published: March 2020

The respiratory and intestinal tracts are exposed to physical and biological hazards accompanying the intake of air and food. Likewise, the vasculature is threatened by inflammation and trauma. Mucin glycoproteins and the related von Willebrand factor (VWF) guard the vulnerable cell layers in these diverse systems. Colon mucins additionally house and feed the gut microbiome. Here we present an integrated structural analysis of multimerized intestinal mucin MUC2. Our findings reveal the shared mechanism by which complex macromolecules responsible for blood clotting, mucociliary clearance, and the intestinal mucosal barrier form protective polymers and hydrogels. Specifically, cryo-electron microscopy and crystal structures show how disulfide-rich bridges and pH-tunable interfaces control successive assembly steps in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi. Remarkably, a densely O-glycosylated mucin domain performs a specific organizational role in MUC2. The mucin assembly mechanism and its adaptation for hemostasis provide the foundation for rational manipulation of barrier function and coagulation.
X-chromosome dosage compensation dynamics in human early embryos
Authors: Huang Kevin , Zeng Qiao , Feng Yun , Hu Youjin , An Qin , Li Taibo , Qin Lian-Ju , Liu Jia-yin , Xue Zhigang , Fan Guoping
Published: March 2020

In mammals, female cells are obliged to inactivate one of two X chromosomes to achieve dosage parity with the single X chromosome in male cells, and it is also thought that the single active X chromosome is increased 2-fold to achieve dosage balance with two sets of autosomes (X:A ratio = 1, or Ohno’s hypothesis). However, the ontogeny of X-chromosome inactivation and augmentation of the single active X remains unclear during human embryogenesis. Here, we perform single-cell RNA-seq analysis to examine the timing of X:A balancing and X-inactivation (XCI) in pre- and peri-implantation human embryos up to fourteen days in culture. We find that X-chromosome gene expression in both male and female preimplantation embryos is approximately balanced with autosomes (X:A ratio = 1) after embryonic genome activation (EGA) and persists through fourteen daysin vitro. Cross-species analysis of preimplantation embryo also show balanced X:A ratio within the first few days of development. By single-cell mRNA SNP profiling, we find XCI beginning in day 6-7 blastocyst embryos, but does not affect X:A dosage balance. XCI is most evident in trophoectoderm (TE) cells, but can also be observed in a small number of inner cell mass (ICM)-derived cells including primitive endoderm (PE) and epiblast (EPI) cells. Analysis between individual XaXa and XaXi sister cells from the same embryo reveals random XCI and persistently balanced X:A ratio, including sister cells transitioning between XaXa and XaXi states. We therefore conclude that the male X-chromosome undergoes X chromosome augmentation prior to the simultaneous X-chromosome inactivation and augmentation in females. Together, our data demonstrate an evolutionally conserved model of X chromosome dosage compensation in humans and other mammalian species.
A Single Membrane Protein Required for Atrial Secretory Granule Formation
Authors: Bäck Nils , Luxmi Raj , Powers Kathryn G. , Mains Richard E. , Eipper Betty A.
Published: March 2020

The discovery of atrial secretory granules and the natriuretic peptides stored in them identified the atrium as an endocrine organ. Although neither atrial nor brain natriuretic peptide (ANP, BNP) is amidated, the major membrane protein in atrial granules is Peptidylglycine α-Amidating Monooxygenase (PAM), an enzyme essential for amidated peptide biosynthesis. Mice lacking cardiomyocyte PAM (PamMyh6-cKO/cKO) are viable, but a gene dosage-dependent drop in atrial ANP and BNP content occurred. Ultrastructural analysis of adultPamMyh6-cKO/cKOatria revealed a 20-fold drop in the volume fraction of secretory granules and a decrease in peripherally localized Golgi complexes. When primary cultures ofPam0-Cre-cKO/cKOatrial myocytes (PAM floxed, no Cre recombinase) were transduced with Cre-GFP lentivirus, PAM protein levels dropped, followed by a decline in proANP levels. Expression of exogenous PAM inPamMyh6-cKO/cKOatrial myocytes produced a dose-dependent increase in proANP content. Strikingly, rescue of proANP content did not require the monooxygenase activity of PAM. Unlike many prohormones, atrial proANP is stored intact and its basal secretion is stimulated by drugs that inhibit Golgi-localized Arf activators. Increased basal secretion of proANP was a major contributor to its reduced levels inPamMyh6-cKO/cKOmyocytes; the inability of these drugs to inhibit basal proANP secretion byPamMyh6-cKO/cKOmyocytes revealed a role for COPI-mediated recycling of PAM to the endoplasmic reticulum. Analysis of atrial coated vesicles and the ability PAM to make fluorescently-tagged proANP accumulate in thecis-Golgi region of cells lacking secretory granules revealed a non-catalytic role for PAM in soluble cargo trafficking early in the secretory pathway.

Significance

Transmission electron microscopy of atrial cardiomyocytes revealed dense granules resembling those in endocrine cells and neurons, leading to the discovery of the natriuretic peptides stored in these granules. Subsequent studies revealed features unique to atrial granules, including high level expression of Peptidylglycine α-Amidating Monooxygenase (PAM), an enzyme required for the synthesis of many neuropeptides, but not for the synthesis of natriuretic peptides. The discovery that atrial myocytes lacking PAM are unable to produce granules and that PAM lacking its monooxygenase activity can rescue granule formation provides new information about the proANP secretory pathway. A better understanding of the unique features of atrial cell biology should provide insight into atrial fibrillation, the most common cardiac arrhythmia, atrial amyloidosis and heart failure.
Asymmetric forks: dilemmas, paradoxes and moral imagination in food sustainability
Authors: Cortese Damiano , Murdock Alex
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The paper suggests moral imagination as an approach to picture sustainable scenarios in the food industry, which are based on knowledge sharing among stakeholders and knowledge management. This can lead to a wider awareness, consequently a deeper understanding and finally more sustainable behaviors and choices in the food sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The research paper analyzes the relevant literature on sustainability, stakeholder theory, knowledge management and moral imagination. It proposes a moral imagination process and provides some cases to clarify its applicability.

Findings

Inter-stakeholder shared knowledge and consequent knowledge management can lead to the projection of more aware sustainable scenarios over time, overcoming a short-sighted or partial vision. The process of moral imagination can be an approach and tool for coping with sustainability-related critical issues, challenges and dilemmas in the food sector.

Research limitations/implications

The article is a research paper, but the suggested process of moral imagination intends to provoke further reasoning and contributions to moral imagination and the stakeholders' role, responsibility and awareness related to sustainability in the food industry.

Practical implications

Even if theoretical, the paper can have well replicable managerial implications and applications in the design of sustainable scenarios in the food sector overcoming the asymmetries and bias. In particular, it is very useful conceiving the choices and outlining the behaviors upon which the firm's actions are based.

Originality/value

The article considers the broad spectrum of sustainability and its wide global reflection as well as the role of all stakeholders without a solely strategic focus and implications.
Attention to ideas! Exploring idea survival in internal crowdsourcing
Authors: Di Vincenzo Fausto , Mascia Daniele , Björk Jennie , Magnusson Mats
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper analyzes how the distribution and structure of employees' attention influence idea survival in an organizational internal crowdsourcing session.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from an online internal crowdsourcing session carried out within a multinational company with headquarters in Sweden were used to explore how idea attention influenced idea survival.

Findings

Our findings indicate that the positive relationship between attention allocation and idea survival is mediated by idea appreciation, i.e. positive comments and suggestions that employees provide in response to ideas. In addition, we find that competition for attention negatively moderates the relationship between idea attention and positive comments. Finally, our results indicate that ideas are more likely to survive if they are submitted earlier in the crowdsourcing process and when the elapsed time since previously posted ideas in the session is longer.

Practical implications

This study provides organizers of internal crowdsourcing sessions with new insights about factors influencing idea survival and about potential systematic biases in idea selection due to timing and competition between ideas.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature highlighting the relevance of attention-based theory in the context of crowd-based creativity and innovation management.
Post M&A innovation in family firms
Authors: Issah Abdul-Basit
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The paper empirically investigates how family firms appropriate acquired resources to become more innovative in the context of merger waves. It draws on resource-based view and the theory of first mover (dis)advantages to examine the implications of the timing of acquisitions on innovation in family firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a panel data set of Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 manufacturing firms followed over a period of 31 years.

Findings

The study finds empirical support for the predictions that family firms are more able to utilize acquired resources better than nonfamily firms. Furthermore, targets acquired during the upswing of a merger wave are more valuable to family firms and associated with more innovation than for nonfamily firms.

Originality/value

The paper establishes that resources acquired during the upswing of a merger wave are more valuable, provide better resource synergies and impact innovation positively in family firms than nonfamily firms. Second, the paper makes an empirical contribution that family firms absorb external resources markedly differently and more efficiently than nonfamily firms. Third, the paper enhances a better understanding of the influence of family ownership on the relationship between acquisitions and innovation outputs.
Consequences and determinants of IFRS convergence in India
Authors: Tawiah Vincent , Boolaky Pran
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence of how convergence to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) impacts accounting values and the determinants of variation in equity adjustments among Indian companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 323 listed companies, the authors empirically test whether there is a significant difference between converged IFRS (Ind.AS) and Indian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) (AS) reported figures and ratios and why companies adjust differently.

Findings

This paper reveals that fair valuation under Ind.AS causes a significant decrease in goodwill. A substantial decrease in both current and long-term liabilities because of non-recognition of proposed dividend, discounting of long-term provision per Ind.AS was also found. The variations in equity adjustment were significantly influenced by capital structure, level of family control and auditor type.

Practical implications

This paper provides insights to users who are interested in historical data, that Ind.AS brings significant changes in the accounting values and ratios and the impact differs among companies based on capital structure, ownership and auditor type.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature of IFRS convergence in India by providing rational analysis of the differences between IFRS, Indian converged GAAP and Indian local GAAP among companies and its impact on accounting values.
Rave and hardstyle festival attendance motivations: a case study of Defqon.1 weekend festival
Authors: Muhs Christina , Osinaike Adesola , Thomas Lorna
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper explores the factors motivating people to attend the Dutch hardstyle festival, Defqon.1. This paper delivers new insights to festival attendance by including social and cultural factors in the motivational dimensions and considering a niche electronic music festival.

Design/methodology/approach

This research utilised qualitative methods to identify and gain detailed information about attendee's visitor motives. Eleven semi-structured in-depth interviews which focus on the influence of intangible features of visitor motivations were conducted.

Findings

The research result revealed an increased influence of social factors and decreased the effect of all other visitor motives. The subcultural ties amongst members of the hardstyle scene were identified as stronger than the ones of different electronic music scenes. The study concluded that social factors, such as friendships gain significant importance for stimulating return visits.

Originality/value

Contemporary music festivals, especially electronic events have not comprehensively been researched. Also, the effects of social and cultural factors on festival attendance have previously been neglected in research. Studies on popular electronic music genres, such as rave and hardcore, are from a sociological viewpoint. These studies revealed motivations of members of the subculture to be a part of the scene and to attend events.
Standardizing inpatient colonoscopy preparations improves quality and provider satisfaction
Authors: Sullivan Brian , Zhang Cecelia , Wegermann Kara , Lee Tzu-Hao , Leiman David A.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Inpatient colonoscopy bowel preparation quality is frequently suboptimal. This quality improvement (QI) intervention is focused on regimenting this process to impact important outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control (DMAIC) methodology was employed, including generating a root-cause analysis to identify factors associated with inpatient bowel quality. These findings motivated the creation of a standardized electronic health record (EHR)-based order set with consistent instructions and anticipatory guidance for administering providers.

Findings

There were 264 inpatient colonoscopies evaluated, including 198 procedures pre-intervention and 66 post-intervention. The intervention significantly improved the adequacy of right colon bowel preparations (75.0 percent vs 86.9 percent,p = 0.04) but not overall preparation quality (73.7 percent vs 80.3 percent,p = 0.22). The intervention led to numerical improvement in the proportion of procedures in which the preparation quality interfered with making a diagnosis (10 percent–6 percent,p = 0.29) or resulted in an aborted procedure (3.5 percent–1.5 percent,p = 0.39). After the intervention, provider satisfaction with the ordering process significantly increased (23.3 percent vs 61.1 percent,p < 0.001).

Practical implications

The QI intervention significantly reduced the number of inpatient colonoscopies with inadequate preparation in the right colon, while also modestly improving the diagnostic yield and proportion of aborted procedures. Importantly, the standardized EHR order set substantially improved provider satisfaction, which should justify broader use of such tools.

Originality/value

Novel clinical outcomes such as ability to answer diagnostic questions were improved using this intervention. The results align with strategic goals to enhance provider experience and continuously improve quality of patient care.
Contrasting emotional labor and burnout in civilian and sworn law enforcement personnel
Authors: Adams Ian T. , Mastracci Sharon H.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study introduces emotional labor into an analysis of multiple dimensions of burnout in sworn and civilian employees across three law enforcement agencies.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from a survey of law enforcement employees in a metropolitan police department, a full-service sheriff's department, and a state corrections agency located in the western United States (n = 1,921), we test the explanatory power of an emotional labor-based model of burnout.

Findings

Results partially confirm the lone prior study to examine civilian and sworn personnel. Sworn and civilian employees experience variant levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, though the underlying emotional labor correlates are significantly related to burnout for both groups. Further, we extend prior results by capturing multiple facets of burnout as well as contributing an emotional labor explanation for burnout, while controlling for individual demographic characteristics and agency type.

Research limitations/implications

Law enforcement agencies rely upon non-sworn employees to support their missions. The experience of non-sworn law enforcement personnel is under-researched in both the emotional labor and law enforcement organizational literature. Burnout is a phenomenon that has high costs for both employees and organizations, particularly in the law enforcement context. Investigating the emotional labor experience of employees is critical for practitioners who are tasked with effectively managing both groups.

Originality/value

One previous study has investigated the emotional labor of civilians in law enforcement and used community-level predictions for burnout. This study builds on those findings by capturing two facets of burnout rather than the lone gauge of burnout used in the previous study. Furthermore, we use an emotional labor model to investigate emotional exhaustion and depersonalization reported by sworn and civilian personnel.
Inter‐hospital variation in use of obstetrical blood transfusion: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Hutcheon JA , Chapinal N , Skoll A , Au N , Lee L
Published: March 2020

Objective

To identify the extent of hospital‐to‐hospital variation in use of obstetrical blood transfusion.

Design

Population‐based cohort study linking provincial perinatal and blood transfusion registries.

Setting

British Columbia, Canada, 2004–2015.

Population

All pregnant women delivering at or beyond 20 weeks’ gestation at any British Columbia hospital.

Methods

Mixed‐effects regression models were used to estimate hospital‐specific transfusion rates after sequentially accounting for (1) the role of random variation, (2) maternal medical and obstetrical characteristics (i.e. patient case mix) and (3) institutional and delivery factors (such as use of instrumental or caesarean delivery).

Main outcome measures

Hospital‐specific use of obstetrical red blood cell transfusion.

Results

Among 44 hospitals, crude institutional transfusion rates across the study period ranged from 3.7 to 23.6 per 1000, with an average of 8.3 per 1000. After adjusting for maternal characteristics, institution and delivery risk factors, a nearly three‐fold difference in rates between the 10th and 90th percentile remained (5.4–14.5 per 1000). Twelve sites had rates significantly higher or lower than the provincial average. Women residing in remote areas were 2.5‐fold (95% CI 1.8–3.5] more likely to receive a blood transfusion than were women residing in metropolitan areas.

Conclusions

Meaningful variation between hospitals in use of blood transfusion during pregnancy was not explained by differences in patient case‐mix or institutional factors, suggesting that over‐ or under‐utilisation of this resource may be occurring in obstetrical care.

Tweetable abstract

Use of blood transfusion in pregnant women varied broadly between hospitals in British Columbia, Canada.
Fetal exposure to paternal smoking and semen quality in the adult son
Authors: Hærvig Katia Keglberg , Høyer Birgit Bjerre , Giwercman Aleksander , Hougaard Karin Sørig , Ramlau‐Hansen Cecilia Høst , Specht Ina Olmer , Toft Gunnar , Bonde Jens Peter , Søgaard Tøttenborg Sandra
Published: March 2020

Background

The negative impact of maternal smoking during pregnancy on offspring semen quality is well established. Less is known about the impact of paternal smoking.

Methods

We estimated differences in semen parameters and testicle size according to paternal smoking in 772 adult sons of women enrolled in the Danish National Birth Cohort when pregnant. Parents’ smoking was reported around gestational week 16, and analyses were adjusted for parents’ ages at conception, maternal pre‐pregnancy body mass index, maternal alcohol and caffeine intake, family occupational status, ejaculatory abstinence time, clinic of semen analysis, and season.

Results

Sons of smoking fathers and non‐smoking mothers had a 10% (95% confidence interval: −24%, 7%) lower semen concentration and 11% (95% confidence interval: −27%, 8%) lower sperm count than sons of non‐smoking parents. Having two smoking parents was associated with 19% reduction in sperm count (95% confidence interval: −37%, 3%). Paternal smoking was not associated with volume, motility, or morphology. Adjusting for maternal smoking, paternal smoking was associated with a 26% increased risk of small testicular volume (95% confidence interval: 0.89, 1.78).

Discussion

Exclusion of sons with a history of testicular cancer, chemotherapy, orchiectomy, and with only one or no testicles may have caused us to underestimate associations if these men's reproductive health including semen quality are in fact more sensitive to paternal smoking.

Conclusion

The study provides limited support for slightly lower sperm concentration and total sperm concentration in sons of smoking fathers, but findings are also compatible with no association.
Submandibular duct ligation after botulinum neurotoxin A treatment of drooling in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Bekkers Stijn , Pruijn Ineke M J , Van Hulst Karen , Delsing Corinne P , Erasmus Corrie E , Scheffer Arthur R T , Van Den Hoogen Frank J A
Published: March 2020

Aim

To assess: (1) the effect on drooling of bilateral submandibular duct ligation as surgical therapy after the administration of submandibular botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT‐A) for excessive drooling and (2) the predictive value of treatment success with BoNT‐A on treatment success after bilateral submandibular duct ligation.

Method

This was a within‐participant retrospective observational study in which 29 children with severe drooling (15 males, 14 females) received BoNT‐A treatment at a mean age of 9 years 6 months (SD 2y 5mo), followed by bilateral submandibular duct ligation at a mean age of 10 years 11 months (SD 2y 4mo). Fifteen children were diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP), with 12 children classified in Gross Motor Function Classification System levels IV and V. The 14 children without CP had non‐progressive developmental disorders. The primary drooling severity outcomes were the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS; subjective assessment) and drooling quotient (objective assessment). Measurements were taken before each intervention and again at 8 and 32 weeks.

Results

The VAS was significantly lower after bilateral submandibular duct ligation at follow‐up compared to BoNT‐A treatment (mean difference −33, p≤0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI]=−43.3 to −22.9). The mean drooling quotient did not significantly differ between BoNT‐A treatment and bilateral submandibular duct ligation at follow‐up (3.3, p=0.457; 95% CI=−4.35 to 9.62) or between 8 and 32 weeks (4.7, p=0.188; 95% CI=−2.31 to 11.65).

Interpretation

BoNT‐A treatment and bilateral submandibular duct ligation are both effective treatment modalities for drooling. At 32‐week follow‐up, subjective drooling severity after bilateral submandibular duct ligation was significantly lower compared to previous BoNT‐A injections in participants. However, treatment success with BoNT‐A is no precursor to achieving success with bilateral submandibular duct ligation.

What this paper adds

Bilateral submandibular duct ligation is an effective therapy for drooling after treatment with botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT‐A).

Treatment success with BoNT‐A is not a predictor of successful therapy with bilateral submandibular duct ligation.
The three dimensions of somatic evolution: Integrating the role of genetic damage, life‐history traits, and aging in carcinogenesis
Authors: Rozhok Andrii I. , DeGregori James
Published: March 2020

Tumors result from genetic and epigenetic alterations that change cellular survival and differentiation probabilities, promoting clonal dominance. Subsequent genetic and selection processes in tumors allow cells to lose their tissue fidelity and migrate to other parts of the body, turning tumors into cancer. However, the relationship between genetic damage and cancer is not linear, showing remarkable and sometimes seemingly counterintuitive patterns for different tissues and across animal taxa. In the present paper, we attempt to integrate our understanding of somatic evolution and cancer as a product of three major orthogonal processes: occurrence of somatic mutations, evolution of species‐specific life‐history traits, and physiological aging. Patterns of cancer risk have been shaped by selective pressures experienced by animal populations over millions of years, influencing and influenced by selection acting on traits ranging from mutation rate to reproductive strategies to longevity. We discuss how evolution of species shapes their cancer profiles alongside and in connection with other evolving life‐history traits and how this process explains the patterns of cancer incidence we observe in humans and other animals.
Effect of feed deprivation on daily water consumption in healthy horses
Authors: Freeman David E. , Mooney Alexandra , Giguère Steeve , Claire Jami , Evetts Chloe , Diskant Patricia
Published: March 2020

Background

Measurements of water consumed by fed healthy horses might not apply to horses that are unwilling or unable to drink or are not fed for any reason.

Objective

To examine the effects of feed deprivation on voluntary water consumption compared with fed conditions.

Study design

In vivo experiment.

Methods

Eight healthy adult Thoroughbred geldings were used in a randomised crossover design so that each horse served as its own control for fed vs feed‐deprived conditions. Water intake, bodyweight, physical findings and vital signs were measured during 4 days of feeding and 4 days of feed deprivation. Daily measurements during the trial periods were PCV, TPP, electrolytes, osmolality and triglycerides. Plasma and extracellular fluid volumes were measured in the last 8 hours of the trial periods. Data were analysed with a two‐way analysis of variance with repeated measures, and statistical significance wasP ≤ .05.

Results

Feed deprivation immediately and persistently reduced water consumption to ~16% of fed values, with laboratory evidence of mild dehydration on day 4.

Main limitations

Changes in total body water and in water and electrolyte excretion or conservation through faeces and urine were not measured.

Conclusions

Feed consumption has a marked effect on water requirements in healthy horses. Because current guidelines for water needs were obtained in the fed state, they might not apply to horses that are denied feed for any reason or have reduced feed intake. This study provides new information on water consumption in horses that should apply to this essential nutrient in health and disease.
Febuxostat as a renoprotective agent for treatment of hyperuricaemia: a meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Chewcharat Api , Chen Yawen , Thongprayoon Charat , Harrison Andrew M. , Mao Michael A. , Cheungpasitporn Wisit
Published: March 2020

Background

The objective of this meta‐analysis of randomised controlled clinical trials (RCT) was to evaluate the effects of febuxostat on kidney function in patients with hyperuricaemia.

Aims

Febuxostat is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor that decreases uric acid production. Recent studies suggested the renoprotective effect of febuxostat among hyperuricaemia patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of febuxostat on kidney function in patients with hyperuricaemia.

Methods

We conducted electronic searches in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from January 1960 to July 2019 to identify RCT that examined the effects of febuxostat in adult patients with hyperuricaemia on serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albuminuria, blood pressure parameters, major cardiovascular events, diarrhoea, joint pain, stroke and arrhythmia.

Results

Nine RCT with 2141 participants were included in this meta‐analysis. Compared to placebo, the febuxostat group showed a higher eGFR at 6 months with a weighted mean difference (WMD) of 2.86 mL/min/1.73 m2 (P < 0.001), as well as the end of studies (eGFR WMD 2.69 mL/min/1.73 m2, P < 0.001). There was also lower serum creatinine (SrCr WMD = −0.04 mg/dL, P < 0.001), reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP WMD = −1.18 mmHg, P < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP WMD = −1.14 mmHg, P = 0.04). There was no statistical difference between febuxostat and placebo in major cardiovascular events, diarrhoea, joint symptoms, stroke events and arrhythmia. Subgroup analysis among chronic kidney disease showed the febuxostat group had higher eGFR than the placebo group (eGFR WMD = 2.69 mL/min/1.73 m2, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Treating hyperuricaemia with febuxostat may slow the progression of chronic kidney disease irrespective of baseline renal function without significantly associated increased risks of major cardiovascular events, diarrhoea, joint symptoms, arrhythmia and stroke, compared to placebo.
Metabolic adaptation orchestrates tissue context‐dependent behavior in regulatory T cells
Authors: Wang Haiping , Lu Chun‐Hao , Ho Ping‐Chih
Published: March 2020

The diverse distribution and functions of regulatory T cells (Tregs) ensure tissue and immune homeostasis; however, it remains unclear which factors can guide distribution, local differentiation, and tissue context‐specific behavior in Tregs. Although the emerging concept that Tregs could re‐adjust their transcriptome based on their habitations is supported by recent findings, the underlying mechanisms that reprogram transcriptome in Tregs are unknown. In the past decade, metabolic machineries have been revealed as a new regulatory circuit, known as immunometabolic regulation, to orchestrate activation, differentiation, and functions in a variety of immune cells, including Tregs. Given that systemic and local alterations of nutrient availability and metabolite profile associate with perturbation of Treg abundance and functions, it highlights that immunometabolic regulation may be one of the mechanisms that orchestrate tissue context‐specific regulation in Tregs. The understanding on how metabolic program instructs Tregs in peripheral tissues not only represents a critical opportunity to delineate a new avenue in Treg biology but also provides a unique window to harness Treg‐targeting approaches for treating cancer and autoimmunity with minimizing side effects. This review will highlight the metabolic features on guiding Treg formation and function in a disease‐oriented perspective and aim to pave the foundation for future studies.
Evaluation of higher power delivery during RF pulmonary vein isolation using optimized and contiguous lesions
Authors: Kyriakopoulou Maria , Wielandts Jean‐Yves , Strisciuglio Teresa , El Haddad Milad , Pooter Jan De , Almorad Alexandre , Hilfiker Gabriela , Phlips Thomas , Unger Philippe , Lycke Michelle , Vandekerckhove Yves , Tavernier Rene , Duytschaever Mattias , Knecht Sebastien
Published: March 2020

Aims

“CLOSE”‐guided pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is based on contiguous (≤6 mm) and optimized radiofrequency (RF) ablation lesions (ablation index [AI] ≥ 400 posteriorly and ≥ 550 anteriorly]. However, the optimal RF power to reach the desired AI is unknown. Therefore we evaluated the efficiency of an ablation strategy using higher power (40 W) during a first “CLOSE”‐guided PVI.

Methods

Eighty consecutive patients undergoing “CLOSE”‐guided PVI for symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were ablated with 40 W (group A). Results were compared with 105 consecutive patients enrolled in the “CLOSE to CURE”‐study and were ablated using the same protocol with 35 W (group B).

Results

In group A, ablation was associated with shorter ablation procedure time (91 vs 111 minutes; P < .001), shorter fluoroscopy time (5 vs 11 minutes; P < .001), shorter PVI time (48 vs 64 minutes; P < .001), shorter RF time (20 vs 28 minutes; P < .001), lower RF time per application (22 vs 29 seconds; P < .001), less RF applications (52 vs 58; P < .001), and less catheter dislocations (1 vs 2; P = .002). The impedance drop (12 vs 13 Ω; P = .192), first‐pass isolation rate (99% vs 93%; P = .141) and acute reconnection rate (6% vs 4%; P > .733) were similar in both groups (groups A and B, respectively). No complications occurred. In group A, a gastroscopy—performed in five patients with esophageal temperature rise more than 42°C—did not reveal any esophageal lesion. Postprocedural recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia at 1 year was not significantly different between both groups.

Conclusions

Using the “CLOSE”‐protocol, increased power increases the efficiency of PVI without compromising patients' safety.
Induction of apoptosis through extrinsic/intrinsic pathways and suppression of ERK/NF‐κB signalling participate in anti‐glioblastoma of imipramine
Authors: Hsu Fei-Ting , Chiang I‐Tsang , Wang Wei‐Shu
Published: March 2020

Glioblastomas are the most aggressive type of brain tumour, with poor prognosis even after standard treatment such as surgical resection, temozolomide and radiation therapy. The overexpression of the nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB) in glioblastomas is recognized as an important treatment target. Thus, an urgent need regarding glioblastomas is the development of a new, suitable agent that may show potential for the inhibition of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)/NF‐κB–mediated glioblastoma progression. Imipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, has anti‐inflammatory actions against inflamed glial cells; additionally, imipramine can induce glioblastoma toxicity via the activation of autophagy. However, whether imipramine can suppress glioblastoma progression via the induction of apoptosis and blockage of ERK/NF‐κB signalling remains unclear. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of imipramine on apoptotic signalling and ERK/NF‐κB–mediated glioblastoma progression by using cell proliferation (3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide [MTT] assay), flow cytometry, Western blotting, and cell invasion/migration assay analysis in vitro. The ERK and NF‐κB inhibitory capacity of imipramine is detected by NF‐κB reporter gene assay and Western blotting. Additionally, a glioblastoma‐bearing animal model was used to validate the therapeutic efficacy and general toxicity of imipramine. Our results demonstrated that imipramine successfully triggered apoptosis through extrinsic/intrinsic pathways and suppressed the invasion/migration ability of glioblastoma cells. Furthermore, imipramine effectively suppressed glioblastoma progression in vivo via the inhibition of the ERK/NF‐κB pathway. In summary, imipramine is a potential anti‐glioblastoma drug which induces apoptosis and has the capacity to inhibit ERK/NF‐κB signalling.
Novel miRNA markers for the diagnosis and prognosis of endometrial cancer
Authors: Wang Qian , Xu Kai , Tong Yu , Dai Xianning , Xu Teng , He Danna , Ying Jianchao
Published: March 2020

As endometrial cancer (EC) is a major threat to female health worldwide, the ability to provide an accurate diagnosis and prognosis of EC is promising to improve its treatment guidance. Since the discovery of miRNAs, it has been realized that miRNAs are associated with every cell function, including malignant transformation and metastasis. This study aimed to explore diagnostic and prognostic miRNA markers of EC. In this study, differential analysis and machine learning were performed, followed by correlation analysis of miRNA‐mRNA based on the miRNA and mRNA expression data. Nine miRNAs were identified as diagnostic markers, and a diagnostic classifier was established to distinguish between EC and normal endometrium tissue with overall correct rates >95%. Five specific prognostic miRNA markers were selected to construct a prognostic model, which was confirmed more effective in identifying EC patients at high risk of mortality compared with the FIGO staging system. This study demonstrates that the expression patterns of miRNAs may hold promise for becoming diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets for EC.
MiR‐9 promotes angiogenesis of endothelial progenitor cell to facilitate thrombi recanalization via targeting TRPM7 through PI3K/Akt/autophagy pathway
Authors: Zhou Dong‐Ming , Sun Li‐Li , Zhu Jian , Chen Bing , Li Xiao‐Qiang , Li Wen‐Dong
Published: March 2020

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic choice for thrombi recanalization. However, this role of EPCs is confined by some detrimental factors. The aim of this study was to explore the role of the miR‐9‐5p in regulation of the proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of EPCs and the subsequent therapeutic role in thrombosis event. Wound healing, transwell assay, tube formation assay and in vivo angiogenesis assay were carried out to measure cell migration, invasion and angiogenic abilities, respectively. Western blot was performed to elucidate the relationship between miR‐9‐5p and TRPM7 in the autophagy pathway. It was found that miR‐9‐5p could promote migration, invasion and angiogenesis of EPCs by attenuating TRPM7 expression via activating PI3K/Akt/autophagy pathway. In conclusion, miR‐9‐5p, targets TRPM7 via the PI3K/Ak/autophagy pathway, thereby mediating cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis in EPCs. Acting as a potential therapeutic target, miR‐9‐5p may play an important role in the prognosis of DVT.
Exosome derived from CD137‐modified endothelial cells regulates the Th17 responses in atherosclerosis
Authors: Xu Liangjie , Geng Tianxin , Zang Guangyao , Bo Li , Liang Yi , Zhou Hong , Yan Jinchuan
Published: March 2020

The role of exosomes derived from endothelial cells (ECs) in the progression of atherosclerosis (AS) and inflammation remains largely unexplored. We aimed to investigate whether exosome derived from CD137‐modified ECs (CD137‐Exo) played a major role in AS and to elucidate the potential mechanism underlying the inflammatory effect. Exosomes derived from mouse brain microvascular ECs treated with agonist anti‐CD137 antibody were used to explore the effect of CD137 signalling in AS and inflammation in vitro and vivo. CD137‐Exo efficiently induced the progression of AS in ApoE−/− mice. CD137‐Exo increased the proportion of Th17 cells both in vitro and vivo. The IL‐6 contained in CD137‐Exo which is regulated by Akt and NF‐КB pathway was verified to activate Th17 cell differentiation. IL‐17 increased apoptosis, inhibited cell viability and improved lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in ECs subjected to inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The expression of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule1 (sICAM‐1), monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) and E‐selectin in the supernatants of ECs after IL‐17 treatment was dramatically increased. CD137‐Exo promoted the progression of AS and Th17 cell differentiation via NF‐КB pathway mediated IL‐6 expression. This finding provided a potential method to prevent local and peripheral inflammation in AS.
Does Time with Dad in Childhood Pay Off in Adolescence?
Authors: Gold Sarah , Edin Kathryn J. , Nelson Timothy J.
Published: March 2020

Objective

We aim to understand the association between father involvement in middle childhood and adolescent behaviors and whether the relationship differs by father residence.

Background

Internalizing and externalizing behaviors in adolescence can trigger a cascade of negative outcomes later in life, including lower educational attainment, criminal justice involvement, and future psychological distress. Evidence, largely focusing on nonresidential fathers and older cohort, suggests that father involvement—particularly closeness and engagement—may reduce adolescents' internalizing and externalizing behaviors.

Method

We use data six waves of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a birth cohort survey representative of births in large U.S. cities between 1998 and 2000, to estimate OLS regression models examining (a) whether father involvement in middle childhood is associated with fewer problem behaviors at Age 15, (b) if the salience of father involvement differs depending on whether the father was present in the home (i.e., was married to or living with his child's mother) in middle childhood, and (c) whether father involvement matters differently based on the child's
sex.

Results

We find protective associations between father involvement and adolescent behavioral outcomes that persist even among children who were not living with their fathers. In models stratified by the child's sex, father involvement matters for both boys and girls. In all models, father presence alone, apart from active involvement, is not significantly associated with behavioral outcomes.

Conclusion

Father involvement protects against negative adolescent behaviors even among children with nonresidential fathers and for both boys and girls.

Implications

These results suggest that policies that promote greater father involvement and father–child bonds, rather than other options such as promoting marriage, may be more effective in reducing behavioral problems among adolescents.