bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CoViD-19 rRT-PCR Testing Capacity in Ghana; Indications of Preparedness for Marburg virus Outbreak?
Authors: Nyarko Eric NY , Kumi Justice , Ofori Emmanuel K , Ateko Richmond O. , Appiah Michael , Adjei Afua B. , Dodoo Derrick N.D. , Amoah Broderick Yeboah , Crabbe Sandra ANA , Amakye Ebenezer K , Amanquah Seth D , Obirikorang Christian , Asare-Anane Henry
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Ghana, as of July 2022, has had 168,350 Real-Time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR)-confirmed cases of CoViD-19 infections and 1,458 deaths. Besides, 2 cases of Marburg virus diseases (MVD) were confirmed in the country within the same month. Both CoViD-19 and MVD require rRT-PCR for diagnosis, however, rRT-PCR facilities are scarce in Ghana – especially, hitherto, the CoViD-19 pandemic. The objectives of this study were to assess the current testing capacity of CoViD-19 rRT-PCR in Ghana, and to make some recommendations in case of an MVD outbreak, or recurrence of the CoViD-19 pandemic.

Methods

The study was cross-sectional. Questionnaires were administered to 100 health professionals actively involved in the testing cycle of CoViD-19 across rRT-PCR testing institutions. Responses with regards to CoViD-19 rRT-PCR testing, biosafety, and relationship with Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS), PanaBios and Zipline, were obtained for 2020-through-2022. The responses were analyzed with Microsoft Excel office-365 and SPSS v.23.

Results

Thirty-five (35) of the 53 testing institutions were in the Greater Accra Region, but none in seven (7) regions of the country. Many (49%) were privately owned. Nine (9) different professionals were involved in rRT-PCR testing. The testing institutions increased from 2 (in March 2020) to 53 by June-ending 2022, and most (90%) had Biosafety Cabinet class II (BSCII). PPEs were inadequate between march and June, 2020 (25%), but enough (100%) by June 2022. Zipline, SORMAS, and PanaBios, respectively, saw transactions from 28%, 81%, and 77% of the institutions.

Conclusion

Ghana is adequately resourced for recurrence of CoViD-19, or any MVD outbreak, in terms of diagnosis with rRT-PCR. However, the country needs redistribution of these testing resources, expand the services of Zipline and SORMAS, satisfy additional biosafety requirements for MVD testing and equip over 180 GeneXpert facilities to help in accessible and affordable testing.
Multi-omic profiling of breast cancer cells uncovers stress MAPK-associated sensitivity to AKT degradation
Authors: Erickson Emily C. , You Inchul , Perry Grace , Dugourd Aurelien , Donovan Katherine A. , Crafter Claire , Johannes Jeffrey W. , Williamson Stuart , Moss Jennifer I. , Ros Susana , Ziegler Robert E. , Barry Simon T. , Fischer Eric S. , Gray Nathanael S. , Madsen Ralitsa R. , Toker Alex
Published: October 2022

Over 50% of human tumors display hyperactivation of the serine/threonine kinase AKT. Despite evidence of clinical efficacy, there remains scope to improve upon the therapeutic window of the current generation of AKT inhibitors. Here we report the development of a second-generation AKT degrader, INY-05-040, which outperformed catalytic AKT inhibition with respect to cellular suppression of AKT-driven phenotypes in breast cancer cell lines. A systematic growth inhibition screen across 288 cancer cell lines confirmed a substantially higher potency for INY-05-040 (median GI50adj= 1.1 µM) compared to our first-generation AKT degrader (INY-03-041; median GI50adj= 3.1 µM), with both compounds outperforming catalytic AKT inhibition with GDC-0068 (median GI50adj> 10 µM). Using multi-omic profiling and causal network integration in breast cancer cells, we demonstrate that the enhanced efficacy of INY-05-040 is associated with sustained suppression of AKT signaling, followed by a potent induction of the stress mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Further integration of growth inhibition assays with publicly available transcriptomic, proteomic, and reverse phase protein array (RPPA) measurements established low baseline JNK signaling as a biomarker for breast cancer sensitivity to AKT degradation. Collectively, our study presents a systematic framework for mapping the network-wide signaling effects of therapeutically relevant compounds, and identifies INY-05-040 as a potent pharmacological suppressor of AKT signaling.
Zasp52 strengthens whole embryo tissue integrity through supracellular actomyosin networks
Authors: Ashour Dina J. , Durney Clinton H. , Planelles-Herrero Vicente J. , Stevens Tim J. , Feng James J. , Röper Katja
Published: October 2022

During morphogenesis, large scale changes of tissue primordia occur that are all coordinated across an embryo. InDrosophila, several tissue primordia and embryonic regions are bordered or encircled by supracellular actomyosin cables, junctional actomyosin enrichments networked between many neighbouring cells. We show that the singleDrosophilaAlp/Enigma family protein Zasp52, which is most prominently found in Z-discs of muscles, is a component of many supracellular actomyosin structures during embryogenesis, including the ventral midline and the boundary of the salivary gland placode. Zasp52, we uncover, contains within its central coiled-coil region a type of actin-binding motif usually found in CapZbeta proteins, and this domain displays actin binding activity. Using endogenously-tagged lines we identify that Zasp52 interacts with a subset of junctional components, including APC2, Polychaetoid/ZO-1, and Sidekick, as well as actomyosin regulators. Analysis ofzasp52mutant embryos revealed that the severity of the embryonic defects observed scales inversely with the amount of functional protein left. Large tissue deformations occur at sites where actomyosin cables are found during embryogenesis, suggesting a model whereby supracellular cables containing Zasp52 aid to insulate morphogenetic changes from one another. This is further supported by the analysis ofin vivoprocesses as well as by anin silicovertex model of morphogenetic domains separated by a stiffness boundary.
A review of conventional and new-generation aircraft starter/generators in perspective of electric drive applications
Authors: Öksüztepe Eyyüp , Kaya Ufuk , Kurum Hasan
Published: October 2022

Purpose

More electric aircraft (MEA) is defined as the extensive usage of electric power in aircraft. The demand for electric power in new generation aircraft rises due to environmental and economic considerations. Hence, efficient and reliable starter/generators (SGs) are trending nowadays. The conventional main engine starting system and power generation system can be replaced with an individual SG. The constraints of the SG should be investigated to handle the aviation requirements. Even though the SG is basically an electric machine, it requires a multidisciplinary study consisting of electromagnetic, thermal and mechanical works to cope with aviation demands. This study aims to review conventional and new-generation aircraft SGs from the perspective of electric drive applications.

Design/methodology/approach

First of all, the importance of the MEA concept has been briefly explained. Also, the historical development and the need for higher electrical power in aircraft have been indicated quantitatively. Considering aviation requirements, the candidate electrical machines for aircraft SG have been determined by the method of scoring. Those machines are compared over 14 criteria, and the most predominant of them are specified as efficiency, power density, rotor thermal tolerance, high-speed capability and machine complexity. The features of the most suitable electrical machine are pointed out with data gathered from empirical studies. Finally, the trending technologies related to efficient SG design have been explained with numeric datasets.

Findings

The induction motor, switched reluctance motor and permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) are selected as the candidate machines for SGs. It has been seen that the PMSM is the most preferable machine type due to its efficient operation in a wide range of constant power and speed. It is computationally proven that the using amorphous magnetic alloys in SG cores increases the machine efficiency more. Also, the benefits of high voltage direct current (HVDC) use in aircraft have been explained by a comparison of different aircraft power generation standards. It is concluded that the HVDC use in aircraft decreases total cable weight and increases aircraft operation efficiency. The thermal and mechanical tolerance of the SG is also vital. It has been stated that the liquid cooling techniques are suitable for SGs.

Originality/value

The demand for electrical power in new generation aircraft is increasing. The SG can be used effectively and efficiently instead of conventional systems. To define requirements, constraints and suggestions, this study investigates the SGs from the perspective of electric drive applications.
Shariah supervision and corporate governance effects on Islamic banks’ performance: evidence from the GCC countries
Authors: Tashkandi Abdulhadi Abdulrahim
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the impact of Shariah supervision and corporate governance (CG) variables on the performance of Islamic banks (IBs) in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Design/methodology/approach

A dynamic panel regression model is used to analyze bank performance’s persistence and the results are estimated using the generalized method of moments estimator. The sample includes 27 full-fledged IBs in 6 GCC countries from 2005 to 2020.

Findings

The results reveal that Shariah supervision and CG-related variables are significant in determining IBs' performance. Furthermore, the results show that bank size, capital adequacy ratio, economic growth and inflation are significant and positive determinants of IBs’ financial performance.

Practical implications

This study is conducted to fill a gap in the literature regarding the effect of Shariah supervision on IBs’ performance, recommending the implementation of CG guidelines in IBs to improve their current practices.

Originality/value

Despite existing studies on the relationship between Shariah governance and performance, this study contributes to the Shariah governance and Islamic banking literature in GCC, which is the most important region of the Islamic financial industry. In addition, it provides additional insight into the fundamental role of Shariah supervision in IBs.
Brief psychological interventions in face-to-face and telehealth formats: a comparison of outcomes in a naturalistic setting
Authors: Lalor Isabella , Costello Chloe , O'Sullivan Matthew , Rice Catherine , Collins Padraig
Published: October 2022

Purpose

In this study, the authors aimed to compare the effectiveness of low-intensity psychological interventions provided face-to-face (FTF) with those provided by telephone and video-based modalities, in a primary care psychology service for individuals with mild-to-moderate mental health difficulties.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants (N = 384) were service users who completed at least one intervention with the service over a two-year period between 2019 and 2021. Using psychometric measures of anxiety and low mood, a repeated measures design pre-, mid- and post-intervention evaluated service users’ clinical outcomes. Data analysis was carried out on those participants (N = 289) who had completed all three of the required psychometric measures.

Findings

All formats of intervention showed a significant and equivalent reduction in low mood and anxiety scores at the completion of the intervention, regardless of the format of therapy. This suggests no discernible difference in the effectiveness of the three formats of intervention in this service. In addition, no significant association was found between the format of intervention and service user dropout rates.

Originality/value

This study availed of data arising pre and during a pandemic as a naturalistic experiment into the use of telehealth in delivering brief psychological interventions in a frontline community service. The effectiveness of telephone and video-based brief psychological interventions was found to be comparable to that experienced by FTF interventions. This provides preliminary support for the inclusion of telehealth options for service users engaging with low-intensity psychotherapeutic services.
Role of formal and informal networks in the relationship between government support and Ghanaian indigenous firms’ degree of internationalisation
Authors: Takyi Lydia Nyankom , Naidoo Vannie , Dogbe Courage Simon Kofi , Akoto Edward
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aims to assess the potential mediating effects of formal and informal networks in the relationship between government support and Ghanaian indigenous firms’ degree of internationalisation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was a cross-sectional design, where the structured questionnaire was used in gathering data from 301 indigenous Ghanaian firms. The path estimation was conducted by running structural equation modelling in AMOS v.23.

Findings

It was concluded that government support had a significant positive effect on Ghanaian indigenous firms’ degree of internationalisation. Formal network was found to partially mediate the relationship between government support and indigenous firms’ degree of internationalisation. Finally, it was concluded that informal networks had no mediating effect.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation is that the effect of the government support and network strategy was only explored on indigenous exporters, meaning that exporters which did not fall within the definition of indigenous firms were excluded from the study. Future studies could conduct a comparative study on the same variables, using indigenous and non-indigenous firms.

Practical implications

It is recommended that Ghanaian exporters should participate in government training and workshop programmes focussing on building export business strategies and networking to improve export activities.

Originality/value

This study’s unique contribution is its investigation of how networking portfolio, including formal and informal ties, helps explain the nexus between government support and the internationalisation of local firms in the developing market, such as Ghanaians.
COVID-19 and the ASEAN stock market: a wavelet analysis of conventional and Islamic equity indices
Authors: Ali Mohsin , Khattak Mudeer Ahmed , Khan Shabeer , Khan Noureen
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Islamic and conventional equities.

Design/methodology/approach

To study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ASEAN Islamic and conventional equities, first, the authors calculated the volatility by using exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity methodology and then used Wavelet methodology to see the co-movement between the volatility and returns of ASEAN equity market indicators and COVID-19 cases.

Findings

The authors find that until the beginning of August, COVID-19 adversely relates to the returns of both the indices. The conventional index seemed to have increased volatility during the time period, whereas the Islamic index seemed to have declined volatility.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the very few studies examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ASEAN Islamic and conventional equities. Additionally, this study adds value by comparing Islamic and conventional equities.
‘Just Take Care of Them Like You Would a Baby’: Infant Care Work and Interspecies Foodways
Authors: Ringer Andrea
Published: October 2022

The reliance on milk replacers by zoos was vital for the creation of breeding programmes that would fill spaces of captive animal spectacle in the early twentieth century. The creation of the baby food industry and pressures to use these scientifically developed products enabled the rise of captive animal breeding programmes, which routinely removed infants from their mothers and placed them in the hands of humans who immediately put them on a bottle. This article explores the intersecting infant formula foodways of human and nonhuman animals in cages and on stages where baby animals became spectacle.
Preparation and characterization of Perilla essential oil composite microcapsule based on the complex coacervation and interface polymerization
Authors: Liu Yanhong , Cao Wanqi , Wang Jiahao , Zhang Lingling , Yang Yajiao , Liu Mengyao , Wang Hui , Wang Shuo
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we prepared a novel double‐layer Perilla essential oil composite membrane microcapsule (PEOCM) by the composite methods of complex coacervation and interface polymerization. The particle size distribution, morphology, pressure resistance, thermal stability, and elemental proportions of the microcapsule shell of the obtained microcapsules were characterized by laser particle size analyzer, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic rheometer, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and energy spectrometer. In order to further examine the application effect of the PEOCM, we carried out a fresh‐keeping experiment on nectarines. The results showed that the average volume diameter of the microcapsules was 226.9 µm, with a completely spherical shape and a slight depression on the surface and had good pressure resistance and thermal stability. The results also demonstrated that microencapsulation does not change the composition of Perilla essential oil, and the polyurea membrane with amide structure (‐NH‐CO‐NH‐) was formed successfully. Furthermore, the total soluble solids content and peroxidase activity of nectarines indicated that the PEOCM can be a preservative of food.

Practical Application

We prepared a double‐layer Perilla essential oil composite membrane microcapsule by the composite methods of complex coacervation and interface polymerization. The encapsulation conditions of the microcapsules were optimized, the structure of the microcapsule was characterized, and the fresh‐keeping effects of the microcapsule on nectarine were studied. The results showed that microcapsules had a completely spherical shape and a slight depression on the surface and had good pressure resistance, good thermal stability, and good fresh‐keeping ability. The above characteristics indicated that the double‐layer microcapsules have good application prospect and plays an important role in food fresh‐keeping and the preservation of essential oils.
Molecular detection and identification of phytoplasmas associated with Catharanthus roseus, Pinus eldarica, and Petunia hybrida in southeastern Iran's urban green spaces
Authors: Movahedi‐Parizi Fatemeh , Hosseinipour Akbar , Azadvar Mehdi , Massumi Hossain
Published: October 2022

Given the potential for urban green spaces to provide fresh and healthy environments for humans, exploring the issues that threaten plants in these places is crucial. Phytoplasma‐related symptoms were encountered on some plants in urban green spaces in the province of Kerman, southeastern Iran, between 2017 and 2019. Affected periwinkles and petunias exhibited phytoplasma disease symptoms, including virescence, phyllody, and witches'‐broom. However, ball or disc‐like shoot proliferation symptoms were noticed on the trunks and branches of pine trees. PCR was performed with phytoplasma‐detecting universal primers, targetting and amplifying the 16S rRNA gene, and determining whether phytoplasmas are implicated in the symptomatic plants. The infection of the symptomatic plants was confirmed using nested‐PCR amplification of expected DNA sizes for phytoplasmas. No product, however, was amplified from sampled symptomless plants. The sequencing of nested‐PCR products was performed to obtain sequences encasing the standard F2nR2 fragments. The resulted sequences were submitted to iPhyClassifier, the universal phytoplasma classification platform, for the taxonomic assignment of the found phytoplasmas compared with previously identified ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’ species, groups, and subgroups. The results revealed that phytoplasma strains related to the species ‘Ca. P. trifolii’ (16SrVI‐A subgroup) infect periwinkles and pines. However, strains from the species ‘Ca. P. aurantifolia’ (16SrII‐D subgroup) and ‘Ca. P. phoenicium’ (16SrIX‐C subgroup) were found in petunias and periwinkles, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, phytoplasmas from the 16SrVI‐A and 16SrII‐D subgroups are the first reported to infect these plants in Kerman province, while a related strain from the subgroup 16SrIX‐C is the first recorded to infect periwinkles in Iran and the second in the world.
Hiriira Spatiotemporalities: Mapping Oromo Women’s Liberation in Post‐Imperial Berlin
Authors: Bass Madeline
Published: October 2022

In September 2020, Oromo women marched through the streets of Berlin, Germany, demanding recognition for their struggle. This protest march, called a Hiriira in the Oromo language, offers a case study into the entanglements between settler colonial Ethiopia, Germany’s post‐empire, and the forces of oppression which link them. This paper uses the spatiotemporal reckonings generated from the Hiriira perspective to understand violence and elucidate the practices of resistance that have emerged despite it. These contrasting ways of viewing space and time are expressed through the tension between imperial spatialising, a way of knowing the world that is imperial and oppressive in nature, and geography guraacha, a Black and Blackened way of knowing space with a particularly Oromo perspective. The result is a type of mapping, tracing the Hiriira route across Berlin while describing the histories that shadow these streets, and the pathways towards liberation that Oromo women are organising.
Editorial: colorectal cancer in elderly‐onset inflammatory bowel disease—what is the risk?
Authors: Weiss Alexandra , Buchner Anna M.
Published: October 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Everhov et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17175 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17229
Letter: fighting the battle but losing the war—inflammatory bowel disease and venous thromboembolism. Authors' reply
Authors: Lee Kate E. , Faye Adam S.
Published: October 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Faye et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17162 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17203
Orexin‐A and orexin‐B are differently localized in the pars nervosa and pars distalis of the white‐spotted conger and Japanese eel pituitaries
Authors: Suzuki Hirohumi , Yamamoto Toshiharu
Published: October 2022

The distribution of orexin‐A and orexin‐B immunoreactivity was examined in the pituitaries of the white‐spotted conger (Conger myriaster) and the Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) using immunohistochemical techniques. Orexin‐A‐immunoreactive puncta were dispersed in the pars nervosa of the neurointermediate lobe, and a part of these puncta were immuno‐positive for galanin. In contrast, orexin‐B immunoreactive cells were observed in the proximal part of the pars distalis, and these cells were immuno‐positive for luteinizing hormone. Considering the present results and previous findings, orexin‐A and orexin‐B may modulate the secretion of α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone and growth hormone, respectively, and participate in the regulation of energy homeostasis.
Cross‐reactivity between nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs in fixed drug eruption: Two unusual cases and a literature review
Authors: Ammar Helmi , Ben Fredj Nadia , Ben Romdhane Haifa , Chaabane Amel , Chadli Zohra , Ben Fadhel Najah , Aouam Karim
Published: October 2022

Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the main causes of fixed drug eruption (FDE). Cross‐sensitivity between chemically unrelated NSAIDs has been rarely described in FDE. We report herein two cases of NSAID‐induced FDE confirmed by oral provocation test (OPT) with a literature review. Case 1 is a 49‐year‐old woman who took mefenamic, naproxen and acetaminophen for lumbago. On the second day, she noticed three erythematous plaques, located in the upper lip, chin and the right hand, which faded spontaneously, leaving residual patches. Three months later, she took mefenamic acid with reactivation of the same plaques. She received naproxen. On the same day, she exhibited a reactivation of lesions with the development of a new one. These lesions have disappeared leaving hyperpigmented sequelae. After negative patch test to naproxen, an OPT was performed with positive reaction, observed on the third day. To establish the cross‐reactivity, she underwent OPTs, which gave positive results to indomethacin, ketoprofen and tiaprofenic acid. Case 2 is a 52‐year‐old woman who presented painful dusky‐red macules, located in the right and left wrists, 24 hours after taking mefenamic acid. She described two similar events that occurred in the past with an undefined drug and piroxicam. Patch tests to lysine acetylsalicylate, mefenamic acid, piroxicam, naproxen and celecoxib were negative. OPTs to the same NSAIDs gave positive results to lysine acetylsalicylate, piroxicam and mefenamic acid. Thirteen case reports, seven case series and one retrospective analysis, including cases with confirmed cross‐reactivity between NSAIDs, were reported in literature. Clinicians should be aware of such phenomenon.
A comprehensive study of immune function and immunophenotyping of white blood cells from β‐thalassaemia/HbE patients on hydroxyurea supports the safety of the drug
Authors: Siriworadetkun Sirikwan , Thiengtavor Chayada , Thubthed Rattanawan , Paiboonsukwong Kittiphong , Fucharoen Suthat , Pattanapanyasat Kovit , Vadolas Jim , Svasti Saovaros , Chaichompoo Pornthip
Published: October 2022

Hydroxyurea (HU) (hydroxycarbamide) is used as a therapeutic option in β‐thalassaemia to increase fetal haemoglobin, which results in a reduced requirement for blood transfusion. However, a potential serious adverse effect of HU is neutropenia. Abnormal neutrophil maturation and function in β‐thalassaemia/HbE patients are well documented. This raises questions about the effect of the drug with regards to the immune response these patients. This study investigated the effects of HU treatment on both innate and adaptive immunity in a cross‐sectional study of 28 β‐thalassaemia/HbE patients who had received HU treatment (BE+HU) as compared with 22 β‐thalassaemia/HbE patients who had not received HU (BE‐HU) and 26 normal subjects. The expression of PU.1 and C/EBPβ, transcription factors, which are associated with neutrophil maturation, was significantly reduced in BE+HU patients as compared with BE‐HU patients and normal subjects. Interestingly, C3bR expression on neutrophils and their oxidative burst activity in BE+HU were restored to close to normal levels when compared with BE‐HU. There was no observed effect of HU on monocytes, myeloid derived suppressor cells (both granulocytic and monocytic subsets), CD4+T cells, CD8+T cells, complement levels and serum immunoglobulin levels in this study. The full immunophenotyping analysis in this study indicates that HU therapy in β‐thalassaemia/HbE patients does not significantly compromise the immune response.
The dark side of nostalgia: Yearning for the past fosters bribe‐taking
Authors: Li Chao , Dang Jianning , Liu Li , Wei Cong , Liang Yuan
Published: October 2022

Past work has demonstrated the psychological benefits of nostalgia; however, little is known about its ‘dark side’. Considering both the sociality of nostalgia and the relational nature of bribery, we proposed that nostalgia would bolster social connectedness, which, in turn, would promote bribe‐taking. We conducted four experiments (N = 887 online and laboratory participants) to test this assumption. Experimentally induced nostalgia boosted the willingness to take a bribe across different scenarios (Experiments 1 and 2) and facilitated bribe‐taking behaviour (Experiment 3); the increased social connectedness accounted for these effects (Experiments 2 and 3). Furthermore, the positive effect of social connectedness on bribe‐taking was salient, especially when bribe‐taking was framed as a way of establishing social relationships (Experiment 4). The findings not only broaden our understanding of nostalgia and bribe‐taking but also provide practical implications for anti‐bribery initiatives.
A generalised approach to the study and understanding of adaptive evolution
Authors: Edelaar Pim , Otsuka Jun , Luque Victor J.
Published: October 2022

Evolutionary theory has made large impacts on our understanding and management of the world, in part because it has been able to incorporate new data and new insights successfully. Nonetheless, there is currently a tension between certain biological phenomena and mainstream evolutionary theory. For example, how does the inheritance of molecular epigenetic changes fit into mainstream evolutionary theory? Is niche construction an evolutionary process? Is local adaptation via habitat choice also adaptive evolution? These examples suggest there is scope (and perhaps even a need) to broaden our views on evolution. We identify three aspects whose incorporation into a single framework would enable a more generalised approach to the understanding and study of adaptive evolution: (i) a broadened view of extended phenotypes; (ii) that traits can respond to each other; and (iii) that inheritance can be non‐genetic. We use causal modelling to integrate these three aspects with established views on the variables and mechanisms that drive and allow for adaptive evolution. Our causal model identifies natural selection and non‐genetic inheritance of adaptive parental responses as two complementary yet distinct and independent drivers of adaptive evolution. Both drivers are compatible with the Price equation; specifically, non‐genetic inheritance of parental responses is captured by an often‐neglected component of the Price equation. Our causal model is general and simplified, but can be adjusted flexibly in terms of variables and causal connections, depending on the research question and/or biological system. By revisiting the three examples given above, we show how to use it as a heuristic tool to clarify conceptual issues and to help design empirical research. In contrast to a gene‐centric view defining evolution only in terms of genetic change, our generalised approach allows us to see evolution as a change in the whole causal structure, consisting not just of genetic but also of phenotypic and environmental variables.
Phase I trial of myeloablative conditioning with 3‐day total marrow and lymphoid irradiation for leukemia
Authors: Ogawa Hiroaki , Konishi Tatsuya , Najima Yuho , Kito Satoshi , Hashimoto Shimpei , Kato Chika , Sakai Satoshi , Kanbara Yasuhiro , Atsuta Yuya , Konuma Ryosuke , Wada Atsushi , Murakami Daisuke , Nakasima Shiori , Uchibori Yusuke , Onai Daishi , Hamamura Atsushi , Nishijima Akihiko , Shingai Naoki , Toya Takashi , Shimizu Hiroaki , Kobayashi Takeshi , Ohashi Kazuteru , Doki Noriko , Murofushi Keiko Nemoto
Published: October 2022

This prospective phase I trial aimed to determine the recommended dose of 3‐day total marrow and lymphoid irradiation (TMLI) for a myeloablative conditioning regimen by increasing the dose per fraction. The primary end‐point of this single‐institution dose escalation study was the recommended TMLI dose based on the frequency of dose‐limiting toxicity (DLT) ≤100 days posthematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT); a 3 + 3 design was used to evaluate the safety of TMLI. Three dose levels of TMLI (14/16/18 Gy in six fractions over 3 days) were set. The treatment protocol began at 14 Gy. Dose‐limiting toxicities were defined as grade 3 or 4 nonhematological toxicities. Nine patients, with a median age of 42 years (range, 35–48), eight with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and one with chronic myeloblastic leukemia, received TMLI followed by unrelated bone marrow transplant. The median follow‐up period after HSCT was 575 days (range, 253–1037). Three patients were enrolled for each dose level. No patient showed DLT within 100 days of HSCT. The recommended dose of 3‐day TMLI was 18 Gy in six fractions. All patients achieved neutrophil engraftment at a median of 19 days (range, 14–25). One‐year overall and disease‐free survival rates were 83.3% and 57.1%, respectively. Three patients experienced relapse, and no nonrelapse mortality was documented during the observation period. One patient died due to disease relapse 306 days post‐HSCT. The recommended dose of 3‐day TMLI was 18 Gy in six fractions. The efficacy evaluation of this regimen is currently being planned in a phase II study.
Stabilization of estrogen receptor α by USP37 contributes to the progression of breast cancer
Authors: Cao Jing , Wang Xiaobo , Wang Shouman , Chen Zihua , Tang Jianing
Published: October 2022

Breast cancer is a major cause of cancer‐related morbidity and mortality in women. Estrogen receptor‐positive breast cancer accounts for roughly 70%‐80% of breast tumors, and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) has been considered as a key driver in promoting breast cancer progression. In the present study, we identified USP37 as a novel modulator in modulating ERα ubiquitination and stability. The expression of USP37 was upregulated in ERα‐positive breast cancer and correlated with ERα protein level. High expression of USP37 was associated with unfavorable prognosis. USP37 depletion resulted in significantly decreased ERα protein level, ERα target genes expression as well as the estrogen response element activity in breast cancer cells. Further mechanistic study revealed the interaction between USP37 and ERα: USP37 regulated ERα signaling through modulating protein stability instead of gene expression, in which it stabilized ERα protein via inhibiting the K48‐specific polyubiquitination process. Additionally, USP37 depletion led to growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest of ERα‐positive breast cancer cells, which could be further rescued by ERα overexpression. Overall, our study proposed a novel post‐translational mechanism of ERα in promoting breast cancer progression. Targeting USP37 may be proved to be a promising strategy for patients with ERα‐positive breast cancer.
Oral function of implant‐assisted removable partial dentures with magnetic attachments using short implants: A prospective study
Authors: Watanabe Masataka , Kanazawa Manabu , Sato Daisuke , Uehara Yoko , Miyayasu Anna , Iwaki Maiko , Komagamine Yuriko , Naing Sai Tun , Katheng Awutsadaporn , Kusumoto Yuriko , Abe Yuka , Baba Kazuyoshi , Minakuchi Shunsuke
Published: October 2022

Objectives

This prospective study aimed to compare the oral functions of removable partial dentures (RPDs) with those of implant‐assisted removable partial dentures (IARPDs) with short implants and magnetic attachments in patients with mandibular Kennedy class I and II.

Material and Methods

Thirty participants with mandibular Kennedy class I or II and at least three distal missing teeth were recruited. Oral functions, including mixing ability, comminuting ability, maximum bite force, and occlusal contact area, were assessed for RPDs (stage 0), IARPDs with healing caps (stage 1), and IARPDs with magnetic attachments (stage 2). The implants were loaded with occlusal force in stages 1 and 2. Finally, the data of the 27 participants who completed the evaluation at stage 2 were analyzed. The Wilcoxon signed‐rank test with Bonferroni correction was used to assess the differences in the oral functions among the different stages.

Results

The implant survival rate was 93.8%. There were significant differences in the comminuting ability and occlusal contact area between stages 0 and 2 (p < .001 and p = .036, respectively) and stages 1 and 2 (p = .003 and p = .015, respectively). Regarding the maximum bite force, there was a significant difference between stages 1 and 2 (p = .018). However, there was no significant difference in the mixing ability between the three stages.

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that IARPDs in the mandible with short implants and magnetic attachments may improve oral functions.
Swimming exercise is a promising early intervention for autism‐like behavior in Shank3 deletion rats
Authors: Xu Dan , Meng Yunchen , An Shasha , Meng Wenshu , Li Hanran , Zhang Weinan , Xue Yaqi , Lan Xinyu , Wang Xiaoxi , Li Mingjuan , Zhang Xiaoyan , Zhihao Zhang , Zhao Yu , Yang Haodong , Zhang Chen , Zhang Rong , Zhen Zhiping
Published: October 2022

Introduction

SHANK3 is an important excitatory postsynaptic scaffold protein, and its mutations lead to genetic cause of neurodevelopmental diseases including autism spectrum disorders (ASD), Philan McDermid syndrome (PMS), and intellectual disability (ID). Early prevention and treatment are important for Shank3 gene mutation disease. Swimming has been proven to have a positive effect on neurodegenerative diseases.

Methods

Shank3 gene exon 11–21 knockout rats were intervened by a 40 min/day, 5 day/week for 8‐week protocol. After the intervention, the rats were tested to behavioral measures such as learning and memory, and the volume and H‐spectrum of the brain were measured using MRI; hippocampal dendritic spines were measured using Golgi staining and laser confocal.

Results

The results showed that Shank3‐deficient rats had significant deficits in social memory, object recognition, and water maze learning decreased hippocampal volume and number of neurons, and lower levels of related scaffold proteins and receptor proteins were found in Shank3‐deficient rats.

Conclusion

It is suggested that early swimming exercise has a positive effect on Shank3 gene‐deficient rats, which provides a new therapeutic strategy for the prevention and recovery of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Impact of the preoperative clinical N stage on the prognosis of patients with colon cancer
Authors: Takaki Wataru , Arita Tomohiro , Kuriu Yoshiaki , Shimizu Hiroki , Kiuchi Jun , Ohashi Takuma , Yamamoto Yusuke , Konishi Hirotaka , Morimura Ryo , Shiozaki Atsushi , Ikoma Hisashi , Kubota Takeshi , Fujiwara Hitoshi , Okamoto Kazuma , Otsuji Eigo
Published: October 2022

Aim

Although preoperative clinical staging (cStage) is performed for most cancer patients, limited information is currently available on the relationship with postoperative prognosis. We herein investigated the relationship between cStage and prognosis of colon cancer (CC) patients, particularly focusing on the presence or absence of clinical lymph node (LN) metastasis.

Method

This was a retrospective study on 840 consecutive patients with colon adenocarcinoma who underwent radical resection at our institution between January 2007 and December 2018. A Kaplan–Meier curve was used to analyse the prognosis of two groups: cN(+)pN(−); a group preoperatively diagnosed with clinical LN metastasis positive, but with no pathological LN metastasis postoperatively, and cN(−)pN(−); a group without clinical and pathological LN metastasis. We also investigated whether a clinical diagnosis is a more accurate prognostic factor than other clinical factors.

Results

Among pN(−) cases, the 5‐year recurrence‐free survival rate was significantly lower in preoperatively diagnosed cN(+) cases than in cN(−) cases (79.4% vs. 95.6%, 3.04 years vs. 3.85 years, p < 0.01). In a multivariate analysis of various preoperative clinical factors in pStage II cases, including high risk factors for pStage II CC, cN(+) was identified as an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.02–4.27, p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Preoperatively over‐staged cN cases had a poorer prognosis than cases without over‐staging, indicating its potential as a prognostic factor. In addition to already known high risk factors in pStage II cases, the preoperative cStage may be an indication for adjuvant chemotherapy.
Dispersal syndromes in challenging environments: A cross‐species experiment
Authors: Cote Julien , Dahirel Maxime , Schtickzelle Nicolas , Altermatt Florian , Ansart Armelle , Blanchet Simon , Chaine Alexis S. , De Laender Frederik , De Raedt Jonathan , Haegeman Bart , Jacob Staffan , Kaltz Oliver , Laurent Estelle , Little Chelsea J. , Madec Luc , Manzi Florent , Masier Stefano , Pellerin Felix , Pennekamp Frank , Therry Lieven , Vong Alexandre , Winandy Laurane , Bonte Dries , Fronhofer Emanuel A. , Legrand Delphine
Published: October 2022

Dispersal is a central biological process tightly integrated into life‐histories, morphology, physiology and behaviour. Such associations, or syndromes, are anticipated to impact the eco‐evolutionary dynamics of spatially structured populations, and cascade into ecosystem processes. As for dispersal on its own, these syndromes are likely neither fixed nor random, but conditional on the experienced environment. We experimentally studied how dispersal propensity varies with individuals' phenotype and local environmental harshness using 15 species ranging from protists to vertebrates. We reveal a general phenotypic dispersal syndrome across studied species, with dispersers being larger, more active and having a marked locomotion‐oriented morphology and a strengthening of the link between dispersal and some phenotypic traits with environmental harshness. Our proof‐of‐concept metacommunity model further reveals cascading effects of context‐dependent syndromes on the local and regional organisation of functional diversity. Our study opens new avenues to advance our understanding of the functioning of spatially structured populations, communities and ecosystems.
Human monkeypox virus in a tertiary hospital in Madrid, Spain: An observational study of the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of 53 cases
Authors: García‐Piqueras Paloma , Bergón‐Sendín Marta , Córdoba‐García‐Rayo María , Vírseda‐González Daniel , Medrano‐Martínez Noelia , Jiménez‐Briones Luis , Lacasta‐Plasín Clara , Hernández de la Torre‐Ruiz Elisa , Balaguer‐Franch Inmaculada , Pulido‐Pérez Ana , Molina‐López Irene , Rodríguez‐Lomba Enrique , Barchino‐Ortiz Lucia , Suárez‐Fernández Ricardo , Nieto‐Benito Lula María
Published: October 2022

A new outbreak of monkeypox virus (MPXV) infection, a zoonotic infection endemic in Central and West Africa, is spreading throughout the world with new epidemiology and clinical features. Our aim was to characterize patients presenting to Dermatology emergency room with a MPXV infection between 15 May and 30 June 2022 in a tertiary hospital in Madrid, Spain. We collected 53 patients and describe their clinical, demographic and epidemiological characteristics and followed their evolution. Most of the patients were men who had sex with men with high‐risk sexual practices and no recent travels abroad. Most of them (91%) had had a sexually transmitted infection before. All patients had typical skin lesions consisting of vesicular‐pustular rash with central umbilication which was localized or disseminated. The most frequent extracutaneous symptoms were fever, painful regional lymphadenopathy and asthenia. Proctitis was present in more than one third of patients. All patients were diagnosed by real time polymerase chain reaction of samples obtained from skin lesions. Pharyngeal and/or rectal exudates demonstrated MPXV in 74% of patients. The current worldwide outbreak of MPXV infections shows epidemiological and clinical differences from previous ones. Clinicians should be aware of these characteristics to correctly diagnose this emerging disease.
Clean‐label poisoning attacks on federated learning for IoT
Authors: Yang Jie , Zheng Jun , Baker Thar , Tang Shuai , Tan Yu‐an , Zhang Quanxin
Published: October 2022

Federated Learning (FL) is suitable for the application scenarios of distributed edge collaboration of the Internet of Things (IoT). It can provide data security and privacy, which is why it is widely used in the IoT applications such as Industrial IoT (IIoT). Latest research shows that the federated learning framework is vulnerable to poisoning attacks in the case of an active attack by the adversary. However, the existing backdoor attack methods are easy to be detected by the defence methods. To address this challenge, we focus on edge‐cloud synergistic FL clean‐label attacks. Unlike common backdoor attack, to ensure the attack's concealment, we add a small perturbation to realize the clean label attack by judging the cosine similarity between the gradient of the adversarial loss and the gradient of the normal training loss. In order to improve the attack success rate and robustness, the attack is implemented when the global model is about to converge. The experimental results verified that 1% of poisoned data could make an attack successful with a high probability. Our method maintains stealth while performing model poisoning attacks, and the average Peak Signal‐to‐Noise Ratio (PSNR) of poisoning images reaches over 30 dB, and the average Structural SIMilarity (SSIM) is close to 0.93. Most importantly, our attack method can bypass the Byzantine aggregation defence.
An experimental study on residual stress relaxation in low‐cycle fatigue of Inconel 718Plus
Authors: Dattoma Vito , De Giorgi Marta , Nobile Riccardo
Published: October 2022

Residual stress relaxation induced by the application of mechanical loads is determined by the nature of residual stress, the elasto‐plastic material properties, and the type of applied load. Despite the importance of the first load cycle, analytical models available in the literature generally assumed residual stress relaxation as a continuous process. Residual stress induced by machining on Inconel 718Plus superalloy cylindrical specimens was measured before and after the application of load cycles under strain control. Low‐cycle fatigue tests were carried out at room temperature for different strain amplitudes, and X‐ray diffraction measurements were performed before and after 10 and 100 cycles. A comprehensive analytical model was derived to describe the relaxation process associated with the initial cycles and that associated with the continuous application of load cycle, which is based on the plastic strain energy per cycle W and requires the evaluation of parameters that are only dependent on the material and not on the strain amplitude.