bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cognitive Problems in Parkinson Disease: Perspectives and Priorities of Patients and Care Partners
Authors: Raein Katrina L. , Ortiz-Hernández Samia , Benge Jared F.
Published: March 2019

Objective:

To report how people with Parkinson disease (pwPD) and their care partners (CPs) describe the cognitive impacts of the disease, explore the convergent validity of subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) with measures of cognition and daily functioning, and report the cognitive treatment priorities of pwPD and their CPs.

Background:

Cognitive symptoms in pwPD are common and disabling. Although objective cognitive impairments have been closely studied, SCCs are less well understood.

Methods:

Fifty dyads consisting of a person with PD and his or her CP independently completed a questionnaire that describes cognitive difficulties and was derived from a prior focus group study. Each participant rated the person with PD’s degree of difficulty with symptoms and identified the top five items that would be important treatment targets. Each person with PD also completed the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and his or her CP completed questionnaires assessing the patient’s daily functioning and the CP’s distress.

Results:

Significant correlations existed between CP-reported cognitive symptoms and objective cognitive impairment as assessed by the MoCA. Both patient- and CP-reported SCCs were correlated with the pwPD’s cognition as assessed by the MoCA, with an increasing number of SCCs reported with declining cognition. In general, the pwPD self-reported more SCCs than did the CPs, but for patients with dementia, the CPs reported more SCCs. Language and decision-making were the top treatment priorities.

Conclusions:

In view of the array of cognitive impacts of PD, clinicians and researchers must consider both the reporter (patient or CP) and the overall stage of a patient’s cognitive decline when evaluating SCCs.
Why Sex Matters: A Cognitive Study of People With Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Donaldson Emily , Patel Viral P. , Shammi Prathiba , Feinstein Anthony
Published: March 2019

Background:

Cognitive dysfunction affects 40% to 70% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Sex may influence a person’s cognition. Although a few studies have reported greater cognitive deficits in men than women, it is unclear whether specific cognitive domains are more vulnerable than others to the effects of sex or whether cognition is influenced by neurologic or psychiatric variables.

Methods:

A chart review was undertaken of 408 people with MS referred to neuropsychological services. Demographic and MS-related variables were extracted from the patients’ records. We used the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Functioning in Multiple Sclerosis for the neuropsychological assessment. Raw test scores were converted to z scores using Canadian regression-based normative means. A general linear model was conducted on the adjusted scores, controlling for age; years of education; disease course; illness duration; and disability, anxiety, and depression scores.

Results:

Men were more likely than women to have primary progressive MS (χ2=6.415, P=0.011). There were no other sex differences with respect to demographic, neurologic, or psychiatric data. Women performed significantly better than men on the California Verbal Learning Test—Second Edition Total Learning index (F=7.846, P=0.006).

Conclusions:

An analysis of a large, consecutive sample of people with MS demonstrated that sex, independent of demographic, neurologic, or psychiatric factors, is an important determinant in cognitive impairment, with men being more impaired than women on tests of verbal learning and memory.
Dietary intake regulates the circulating inflammatory monocyte pool
Authors: Jordan Stefan , Tung Navpreet , Casanova-Acebes Maria , Chang Christie , Cantoni Claudia , Zhang Dachuan , Wirtz Theresa H. , Naik Shruti , Rose Samuel A. , Brocker Chad N. , Gainullina Anastasiia , Maier Barbara B. , LeRoith Derek , Gonzalez Frank J. , Meissner Felix , Ochando Jordi , Rahman Adeeb , Chipuk Jerry E. , Artyomov Maxim N. , Frenette Paul S. , Piccio Laura , Berres Marie-Luise , Gallagher Emily J. , Merad Miriam
Published: March 2019

Caloric restriction is known to improve inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. However, the mechanisms by which reduced caloric intake modulates inflammation are poorly understood. Here we show that short-term fasting reduced monocyte metabolic and inflammatory activity and drastically reduced the number of circulating monocytes. Regulation of peripheral monocyte numbers was dependent on dietary glucose and protein levels. Specifically, we found that activation of the low-energy sensor 5’-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in hepatocytes and suppression of systemic CCL2 production by peroxisome proliferator-activator receptor alpha (PPARα) reduced monocyte mobilization from the bone marrow. Importantly, while caloric restriction improves chronic inflammatory diseases, fasting did not compromise monocyte emergency mobilization during acute infectious inflammation and tissue repair. These results reveal that caloric intake and liver energy sensors dictate the blood and tissue immune tone and link dietary habits to inflammatory disease outcome.

Highlights

Fasting reduces the numbers of peripheral pro-inflammatory monocytes in healthy humans and mice.

A hepatic AMPK-PPARα energy-sensing axis controls homeostatic monocyte numbers via regulation of steady-state CCL2 production.

Fasting reduces monocyte metabolic and inflammatory activity.

Fasting improves chronic inflammatory diseases but does not compromise monocyte emergency mobilization during acute infectious inflammation and tissue repair.
Krüppel-like factor 2- induced microRNAs: implications for treatment of pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Sindi Hebah , Russomanno Giusy , Jo Kyeong Beom , Abdul-Salam Vahitha B. , Chaudhry Basma Qazi , Ainscough Alexander J. , Szulcek Robert , Bogaard Harm Jan , Morgan Claire C. , Pullamsetti Soni , Alzaydi Mai , Rhodes Christopher J. , Eichstaedt Christina A. , Grünig Ekkehard , Wilkins Martin R. , Wojciak-Stothard Beata
Published: March 2019

Flow-activated transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) signaling is compromised in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We aimed to identify KLF2-induced endothelium-protective exosomal microRNAs of potential therapeutic significance.

Eight exosomal microRNAs elevated by KLF2 but reduced in PAH were transfected into human pulmonary artery endothelial cells. Of these, only miR-181a-5p and miR-324-5p had anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effect on endothelial cells and reduced proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro. RNA sequencing of miRNA-transfected HPAECs revealed reduced expression of multiple genes implicated in vascular remodelling, including ETS-1, NOTCH4, ACTA2, TNF-α, IL-1, MMP10, MAPK and NFATC2. KLF2, miR-181a-5p and miR-324-5p were reduced, while their target genes were elevated in blood-derived endothelial colony forming cells and lung tissues from idiopathic and heritable PAH patients with disabling KLF2 mutation and Sugen/hypoxia mice. Supplementation of miR-181a-5p and miR-324-5p or silencing of their target genes attenuated proliferative and angiogenic responses in endothelial cells from idiopathic PAH and prevented development of pulmonary hypertension in Sugen/hypoxia mice.

This study highlights potential therapeutic role of KLF2-induced exosomal microRNAs in PAH.
Arabidopsis S2Lb links AtCOMPASS-like and SDG2 activity in histone H3 Lys-4 trimethylation independently from histone H2B monoubiquitination
Authors: Fiorucci Anne-Sophie , Bourbousse Clara , Concia Lorenzo , Rougée Martin , Deton-Cabanillas Anne-Flore , Zabulon Gérald , Layat Elodie , Latrasse David , Kim SoonKap , Chaumont Nicole , Lombard Bérangère , Stroebel David , Lemoine Sophie , Mohammad Ammara , Blugeon Corinne , Loew Damarys , Bailly Christophe , Bowler Chris , Benhamed Moussa , Barneche Fredy
Published: March 2019

The functional determinants of histone H3 Lys-4 trimethylation (H3K4me3), their potential dependency on histone H2B monoubiquitination (H2Bub) and their contribution to defining transcriptional regimes are poorly defined in plant systems. Unlike inS. cerevisiae, where a single SET1 protein catalyzes H3 Lys-4 trimethylation as part of COMPASS (COMPlex of proteins ASsociated with Set1), inArabidopsis thalianathis activity involves multiple histone methyltransferases (HMTs). Among these, the plant-specific SDG2 (SET DOMAIN GROUP2) has a prominent role. We report that SDG2 co-regulates hundreds of genes with SWD2-like b (S2Lb), a plant ortholog of the Swd2 axillary subunit of yeast COMPASS. S2Lb co-purifies with the AtCOMPASS core subunit WDR5 from a high-molecular weight complex, and both S2Lb and SDG2 directly influence H3K4me3 enrichment over highly transcribed genes.S2Lbknockout triggers pleiotropic developmental phenotypes at the vegetative and reproductive stages, including reduced fertility and seed dormancy. Notwithstanding,s2lbseedlings display little transcriptomic defects as compared to the large repertoire of genes targeted by S2Lb, SDG2 or H3 Lys-4 trimethylation, suggesting that H3K4me3 enrichment is important for optimal gene induction during cellular transitions rather than for determining on/off transcriptional status. Moreover, unlike in budding yeast, most of the S2Lb and H3K4me3 genomic distribution does not rely on a trans-histone crosstalk with histone H2B monoubiquitination. Collectively, this study unveils that the evolutionarily conserved COMPASS-like complex has been coopted by the plant-specific SDG2 HMT and mediates H3K4me3 deposition through an H2Bub-independent pathway in Arabidopsis.
A distinct class of bursting neurons with strong gamma synchronization and stimulus selectivity in monkey V1
Authors: Onorato Irene , Neuenschwander Sergio , Hoy Jennifer , Lima Bruss , Rocha Katia-Simone , Broggini Ana Clara , Uran Cem , Spyropoulos Georgios , Womelsdorf Thilo , Fries Pascal , Niell Cristopher , Singer Wolf , Vinck Martin
Published: March 2019

Cortical computation depends on interactions between excitatory and inhibitory neurons. The contributions of distinct neuron-types to sensory processing and network synchronization in primate visual-cortex remain largely undetermined. We show that in awake monkey V1, there exists a distinct cell-type (≈30% of neurons) that has narrow-waveform action-potentials, high spontaneous discharge-rates, and fires in high-frequency bursts. These neurons are more stimulus-selective and phase-locked to gamma (30-80Hz) oscillations as compared to other neuron types. Unlike the other neuron-types, their gamma phase-locking is highly predictive of their orientation tuning. We find evidence for strong rhythmic inhibition in these neurons, suggesting that they interact with interneurons to act as excitatory pacemakers for the V1 gamma rhythm. These neurons have not been observed in other primate cortical areas and we find that they are not present in rodent V1. However, they resemble the excitatory “chattering” neurons previously identified by intracellular recordings in cat V1. Given its properties, this neuron type should be pivotal for the encoding and transmission of V1 stimulus information.
Rhythmic chromatin interactions with lamin B1 reflect stochasticity in variable lamina-associated domains during the circadian cycle
Authors: Brunet Annaël , Forsberg Frida , Collas Philippe
Published: March 2019

Many mammalian genes exhibit circadian expression patterns concordant with periodic binding of transcription factors, chromatin modifications and chromosomal interactions. Here, we report periodic interactions of chromatin with nuclear lamins, suggesting rhythmic associations with the nuclear lamina. Entrainment of the circadian clock is accompanied in mouse liver by a gain of lamin B1-chromatin interactions, followed by oscillations in these interactions at hundreds of lamina-associated domains (LADs). A subset of these oscillations exhibit distinct 12, 18, 24 or 30-h periodicity in our dataset, and affect one or both LAD borders or entire stand-alone LADs. However, most LADs are conserved during the circadian cycle, and periodic LADs are seldom occurrences rather than dominant features of variable LADs. Periodic LADs display oscillation asynchrony between 5’ and 3’ LAD borders, and are uncoupled from periodic gene expression within or in vicinity of these LADs. Accordingly, periodic genes, including central clock-control genes, are often located megabases away from LADs, suggesting residence in a transcriptionally permissive environment throughout the circadian cycle. Autonomous oscillatory associations of the genome with nuclear lamins provide new evidence for rhythmic spatial chromatin configurations. Nevertheless, our data suggest that periodic LADs reflect stochasticity in lamin-chromatin interactions underlying chromatin dynamics in the liver during the circadian cycle. They also argue that periodic gene expression is by and large not regulated by rhythmic chromatin associations with the nuclear lamina.
Construction and validation of EGFP-expressingStaphylococcus aureusclinical strains for adhesion and internalization assays on epithelial cells
Authors: Charaoui-Boukerzaza Sana , Morgene M. Fedy , Rigaill Josselin , Audoux Estelle , He Zhiguo , Grattard Florence , Carricajo Anne , Pozzetto Bruno , Berthelot Philippe , Botelho-Nevers Elisabeth , Verhoeven Paul O.
Published: March 2019

Background

Staphylococcus aureusis both a major pathogen and a commensal bacterium in humans. It is able to adhere at the surface of epithelial cells of the anterior nares and can trigger its internalization inside these non-professional phagocytic cells. To better understand the interactions of clinical isolates with keratinocytes in the anterior nares, we developed and validated a one-step protocol expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) inS. aureusclinical strains with the aim to study adhesion to and internalization into mammalian cells.

Methods

TwentyS. aureusclinical isolates belonging to clonal complexes 5, 8, 30, 45, 398 were selected for one-step transformation protocol with the EGFP-encoding plasmid pBSU101. EGFP expression was analysed by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Wild type and isogenic EGFP-expressing strains were compared for adhesion and internalization levels by using the HaCaT cell model.

Results

Transformation was achieved in all theS. aureusstrains regardless of their genetic background. The flow cytometry analysis showed that the mean proportion of EGFP-expressing bacteria was 97.2% (± 2.1) after 4h of incubation. Adhesion and internalization levels were similar in wild-type and isogenic EGFP-expressingS. aureusstrains. Confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed that EGFP-expressingS. aureusbacteria could be easily identified inside HaCaT keratinocytes.

Conclusion

This study reports an efficient protocol for expressing EGFP inS. aureusclinical strains and demonstrates that these EGFP-expressing strains are suitable for adhesion and internalization assays using HaCaT cells, which allows to perform static and dynamicin vitrostudies ofS. aureuscolonization.
Seroprevalence of zoonotic diseases (leptospirosis and Japanese encephalitis) in swine in ten provinces of Vietnam: a Bayesian approach to estimate prevalence
Authors: Lee Hu Suk , Thanh To Long , Ly Nguyen Khanh , Nguyen-Viet Hung , Thakur Krishna K. , Grace Delia
Published: March 2019

Background

Leptospirosis is an important zoonotic disease with a global distribution, affecting a wide range of mammalian animals and humans. Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus is the major vector-borne zoonotic disease in the Asia-Pacific region. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of serovar-specificLeptospiraand JE in swine from 10 provinces in Vietnam.

Methods

Samples were initially collected for swine influenza surveillance from March to April 2017 at large-scale farms (with at least 50 sows and/or 250 fattening pigs) with pigs that tested positive for influenza in the previous surveillance period (2015-16).

Findings

A total of 2,000 sera samples were analyzed from 10 provinces. Overall, the seroprevalence of leptospirosis was 21.05% (95% CI: 19.28-22.90) using a cut-off titer of ≥ 1:100. The apparent prevalence of JE was 73.45% (95% CI: 71.46-75.37) while the true prevalence was slightly higher (74.46%, 95% credible interval: 73.73-86.41). We found a relatively high presence of leptospirosis and JE in pigs kept on large farms. Prevalence was comparable with other studies suggesting opportunistic testing of samples collected for other surveillance purposes can be a valuable tool to better understand and prevent the potential transmission of these zoonotic diseases from pigs to people in Vietnam.

Conclusion

Our study provides evidence to veterinarians and animal health professionals for evidence-based practice such as diagnosis, vaccination and zoonotic control. Further investigation into the possible role of different domestic animals, wildlife species or environmental factors is needed to identify the potential risk factors and transmission routes in Vietnam.
Re-evaluation of homozygous lethality for EF1A indel polymorphism inPisaster ochraceus
Authors: Wares John P. , Duffin Paige J.
Published: March 2019

A genotypic polymorphism in the sea starPisaster ochraceushas been associated with possible overdominant maintenance of diversity, and subsequent studies of this polymorphism suggested that intermittent disease outbreaks could be a driving factor in this system. However, comparative transcriptomic studies of individuals carrying distinct genotypes at the elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1A) region indicated that the marker was not accurately describing the constitutive differences among individuals. Here we more thoroughly assess this EF1A intron region to better understand how polymorphic diversity could be associated with differential disease outcomes and physiological responses, and find that the underlying genetic model is incorrect. In fact, rather than an instance of homozygous lethality, it is clear that previous genotyping efforts were misled by a PCR artefact. We reanalyze results from two previous studies to show that the effects are not as clear as believed.
Cabbage stem flea beetle’s (Psylliodes chrysocephalaL.) susceptibility to pyrethroids and tolerance to thiacloprid in the Czech Republic
Authors: Stará Jitka , Kocourek František
Published: March 2019

The cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB),Psylliodes chrysocephala(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), has recently become a major pest species in winter oilseed rape in the Czech Republic. The susceptibility of CSFB populations from two localities to six pyrethroids, two neonicotinoids, one organophosphate and one oxadiazine was evaluated in 2015-2018 in glass vial experiments. The susceptibility of CSFB to thiacloprid and thiamethoxam was evaluated in feeding experiment in 2017 and 2018. High susceptibility of CSFB populations tolambda-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, esfenvalerate,tau-fluvalinate, etofenprox, deltamethrin, chlorpyrifos, indoxacarb and acetamiprid was observed in the glass vial experiments. The LC50 and LC90 data obtained for pyrethroids in these experiments in 2015 represent baseline for CSFB resistance monitoring to pyrethroids in the Czech Republic. High tolerance of CSFB to thiacloprid of CSFB was demonstrated in glass vial and the feeding experiment, too.
Time-series expression profiling of sugarcane leaves infected withPuccinia kuehniireveals an ineffective defense system leading to susceptibility
Authors: Correr Fernando Henrique , Hosaka Guilherme Kenichi , Gomez Sergio Gregorio Perez , Cia Mariana Cicarelli , Vitorello Claudia Barros Monteiro , Camargo Luis Eduardo Aranha , Júnior Nelson Sidnei Massola , Carneiro Monalisa Sampaio , Margarido Gabriel Rodrigues Alves
Published: March 2019

Puccinia kuehniiis an obligate biotrophic fungus that infects sugarcane leaves causing a disease called orange rust. It spread out to other countries resulting in reduction of crop yield since its first outbreak in Australia. One of the knowledge gaps of that pathosystem is to understand the molecular mechanisms altered in susceptible plants by the stress induced byP. kuehnii. Here we investigated changes in temporal expression of transcripts in pathways associated with the immune system. To achieve this purpose, we used RNA-Seq to analyze infected leaf samples collected at 0, 12, 24, 48 hours after inoculation (hai), 5 and 12 days after inoculation (dai). Ade novotranscriptome was assembled with preprocessed reads, filtering out potential fungal sequences to focus on plant transcripts. Differential expression analyses of adjacent time points revealed substantial changes at 12, 48 hai and 12 dai, coinciding with the events of spore germination, haustoria post-penetration and post-sporulation. During the first 24 hours, a lack of transcripts involved with resistance mechanisms was revealed by underrepresentation of hypersensitive and defense responses. However, two days after inoculation, upregulation of genes involved with immune response regulation provided evidence of some potential defense response. Events related to biotic stress and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways were predominantly downregulated in the initial time points, but expression was later restored to basal levels. Similar waves of expression were apparent for sets of genes in photosynthesis and oxidative processes, whose initial repression could avoid production of signaling molecules. Their subsequent upregulation possibly restored carbohydrate metabolism, ensuring pathogen nutritional requirements were met. Our results support the hypothesis thatP. kuehniiinitially suppressed sugarcane genes involved in plant defense systems. Late overexpression of specific regulatory pathways also suggests the possibility of an inefficient recognition system by a susceptible sugarcane genotype.
Identification of histological features to predict MUC2 expression in colon cancer tissues
Authors: Periyakoil Preethi , Clarke Michael F. , Sahoo Debashis
Published: March 2019

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third-most common form of cancer among Americans. Like normal colon tissue, CRC cells are sustained by a subpopulation of “stem cells” that possess the ability to self-renew and differentiate into more specialized cancer cell types. In normal colon tissue, the enterocytes, goblet cells and other epithelial cells in the mucosa region have distinct morphologies that distinguish them from the other cells in the lamina propria, muscularis mucosa, and submucosa. However, in a tumor, the morphology of the cancer cells varies dramatically. Cancer cells that express genes specific to goblet cells significantly differ in shape and size compared to their normal counterparts. Even though a large number of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained sections and the corresponding RNA sequencing (RNASeq) data from CRC are available from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), prediction of gene expression patterns from tissue histological features has not been attempted yet. In this manuscript, we identified histological features that are strongly associated with MUC2 expression patterns in a tumor. Specifically, we show that large nuclear area is associated with MUC2-high tumors (p < 0.001). This discovery provides insight into cancer biology and tumor histology and demonstrates that it may be possible to predict certain gene expressions from histological features.
Auditory cortex shapes sound responses in the inferior colliculus
Authors: Blackwell Jennifer M. , Lesicko Alexandria , Rao Winnie , De Biasi Mariella , Geffen Maria N.
Published: March 2019

The extensive feedback from the auditory cortex (AC) to the inferior colliculus (IC) supports critical aspects of auditory behavior but has not been extensively characterized. Previous studies demonstrated that activity in IC is altered by focal electrical stimulation and pharmacological inactivation of AC, but these methods lack the ability to selectively manipulate projection neurons. We measured the effects of selective optogenetic modulation of cortico-collicular feedback projections on IC sound responses in mice. Activation of feedback increased spontaneous activity and decreased stimulus selectivity in IC, whereas suppression had no effect. To further understand how microcircuits in AC may control collicular activity, we optogenetically modulated different cortical neuronal subtypes, specifically parvalbumin-positive (PV) and somatostatin-positive (SST) inhibitory interneurons. We found that modulating either type of interneuron did not affect IC sound-evoked activity. Combined, our results identify that activation of excitatory projections, but not inhibition-driven changes in cortical activity, affects collicular sound responses.
An Exon Skipping Screen Identifies Antitumor Drugs That Are Potent Modulators of Pre-mRNA Splicing, Suggesting New Therapeutic Applications
Authors: Shi Yihui , Bray Walter , Smith Alexander J. , Zhou Wei , Calaoagan Joy , Lagisetti Chandraiah , Sambucetti Lidia , Crews Phillip , Lokey R. Scott , Webb Thomas R.
Published: March 2019

Agents that modulate pre-mRNA splicing are of interest in multiple therapeutic areas, including cancer. We report our recent screening results with the application of a cell-based Triple Exon Skipping Luciferase Reporter (TESLR) using a library that is composed of FDA approved drugs, clinical compounds, and mechanistically characterized tool compounds. Confirmatory assays showed that three clinical antitumor therapeutic candidates (milciclib, PF-3758309 and PF-030871) are potent splicing modulators and that these drugs are, in fact, nanomolar inhibitors of multiple kinases involved in the regulation the spliceosome. We also report the identification of new SF3B1 antagonists (sudemycinol C and E) and show that these antagonists can be used to develop a displacement assay for SF3B1 small molecule ligands. These results further supports the broad potential for the development of agents that target the spliceosome for the treatment of cancer and other diseases, as well as new avenues for chemotherapeutic discovery.
Shallow metagenomics with Nanopore sequencing in canine fecal microbiota improved bacterial taxonomy and identified an uncultured CrAssphage
Authors: Cuscó Anna , Salas Anna , Torre Celina , Francino Olga
Published: March 2019

Long-read metagenomics –using single-molecule sequencers– has the potential to assembly entire genomes, even from complex metagenomics datasets. Using long-read metagenomics with Nanopore sequencing in pooled samples, we aim to improve the individual taxonomic profiles obtained with V4 16S rRNA massive sequencing and to assemble the fecal metagenome of healthy dogs.

Fecal samples from healthy dogs were sequenced individually using V4 16S rRNA gene and in pools using a shallow metagenomics approach with Nanopore sequencing. Long-read metagenomics allowed us refining the V4 16S rRNA results up to the species level and determining the main bacterial species inhabiting on fecal microbiota of our cohort of healthy dogs. Among them, the most abundant were Fusobacterium varium; Megamonas hypermegale; Bacteroides vulgatus; Blautia hansenii; Clostridium perfringens; and Clostridoides difficile. Once performed the metagenome assembly, one contig was suggested to be circular and hit to an uncultured crAssphage.

To conclude, shallow long-read metagenomics with pooled samples using MinION allowed characterizing the dog fecal microbiota at lower taxonomic level, such as bacterial species. The assembly of the reads retrieved a contig that represents a circular draft genome of an uncultured CrAssphage from dog fecal samples that is one of the most abundant bacteriophages in the human gut.
Method to generate growth and degrowth models obtained from combinations of existing models applied to agrarian sciences
Authors: Santos André Luiz Pinto dos , Moreira Guilherme Rocha , Gomes-Silva Frank , Brito Cícero Carlos Ramos de , Costa Maria Lindomárcia Leonardo da , Pereira Luiz Gustavo Ribeiro , Maurício Rogério Martins , Azevêdo José Augusto Gomes , Pereira José Marques , Ferreira Alexandre Lima , Filho Moacyr Cunha
Published: March 2019

Mathematical models that describe gas production are widely used to estimate the rumen degradation digestibility and kinetics. The present study presents a method to generate models by combining existing models and to propose the von Bertalanffy-Gompertz two-compartment model based on this method. The proposed model was compared with the logistic two-compartment one to indicate which best describes the kinetic curve of gas production through the semi-automatedin vitrotechnique from different pinto peanut cultivars. The data came from an experiment grown and harvested at the Far South Animal Sciences station (Essul) in Itabela, BA, Brazil and gas production was read at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 20, 24, 28, 32, 48, 72, and 96 h after the start of thein vitrofermentation process. The parameters were estimated by the least squares method using the iterative Gauss-Newton process in the software R version 3.4.1. The best model to describe gas accumulation was based on the adjusted coefficient of determination, residual mean squares, mean absolute deviation, Akaike information criterion, and Bayesian information criterion. The von Bertalanffy-Gompertz two-compartment model had the best fit to describe the cumulative gas production over time according to the methodology and conditions of the present study.
Three-dimensional genome reorganization during mouse spermatogenesis
Authors: Luo Zhengyu , Wang Xiaorong , Wang Ruoyu , Chen Jian , Chen Yusheng , Xu Qianlan , Cao Jun , Gong Xiaowen , Wu Ji , Yang Yungui , Li Wenbo , Han Chunsheng , Sun Fei , Song Xiaoyuan
Published: March 2019

Three-dimensional genome organization plays an important role in many biological processes. Yet, how the genome is packaged at the molecular level during mammalian spermatogenesis remains unclear. Here, we performed Hi-C in seven sequential stages during mouse spermatogenesis. We found that topological associating domains (TADs) and chromatin loops underwent highly dynamic reorganization. They displayed clear existence in primitive type A spermatogonia, disappearance at pachytene stage, and reestablishment in spermatozoa. Surprisingly, even in the absence of TADs and chromatin loops at pachytene stage, CTCF remained bound at TAD boundary regions (identified in primitive type A spermatogonia). Additionally, many enhancers and promoters exhibited features of open chromatin and transcription remained active at pachytene stage. A/B compartmentalization and segmentation ratio were conserved in different stages of spermatogenesis in autosomes, although there were A/B compartment switching events correlated with gene activity changes. Intriguingly, A/B compartment structure on the X chromosome disappeared during pacSC, rST and eST stages. Together, our work uncovered a dynamic three-dimensional chromatin organization during mouse spermatogenesis and suggested that transcriptional regulation could be independent of TADs and chromatin loops at specific developmental stages.
Inter-organizational relationships: toward a reconceptualization of constructs
Authors: Agostini Lara , Nosella Anna , Teshome Mehari Beyene
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a reconceptualization of existing constructs within the inter-organizational relationship (IOR) domain to face two main issues: the proliferation of constructs emerged because of a fast-growing body of literature, and the interchangeable and ambiguous use of constructs.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the authors surveyed the literature regarding IORs using a structured process supported by the use of bibliometric technique, and then the authors organized an expert panel process that contributes to refine the reconceptualization of the constructs.

Findings

The results of the analyses allow a further confirmation of the inconsistency in the definition of IOR constructs and provide a clear reconceptualization of the inter-organizational network and alliance constructs, recognized as the most relevant in this domain.

Originality/value

Being the first attempt to deal with the issue of construct reconceptualization in the IOR domain practically, and considering that clear construct definitions serve as a necessary basis for theory building, this paper has relevant implications for the development of theory related to the different types of IORs.
The role of supporter engagement in enhancing crowdfunding success
Authors: Efrat Kalanit , Gilboa Shaked , Sherman Arie
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Recent research has addressed the marketing aspects incorporated in crowdfunding activity, establishing their relevance to campaign success. In line with this, research has begun to explore the behavioral aspects of crowdfunding participants, drawing on the buyer–seller interaction. The purpose of this paper is to expand on this trend by investigating the role of supporter engagement and its link to campaign success.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed model was tested using structural equation modeling analysis. Data collection was based on a survey of 116 supporters, combined with outcome data of 530 crowdfunding campaigns.

Findings

The study’s findings revealed that supporters distinguish between their engagement to the campaign and to the campaign’s creator. However, both aspects of engagement affect community establishment and supporters’ promotion efforts. The authors also found that these indicators of engagement are associated with campaign success.

Originality/value

Research on crowdfunding supporters have focused to date on criteria contributing to campaigns success, exploring the motivational aspects associated with such activity. The current study expands this perspective by examining supporters’ engagement, differentiating between engaging with the creator and engaging with the campaign. Recommendations for creators include making efforts to establish supporter engagement to facilitate active promotion and shape future support intentions, thus facilitating enhanced outcomes for both current and future campaigns.
Evolving talent management patterns and challenges in Russia and Kazakhstan
Authors: Khoreva Violetta , Kostanek Edyta
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the evolving patterns and challenges of talent management (TM) in the emerging markets of Russia and Kazakhstan from the employer perspective. Increasing the understanding of how TM is recognized from the employer perspective may better equip us to address how to effectively manage and lead the available talents in these and other emerging markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a qualitative study comprising 50 semi-structured interviews, with 37 business leaders from Russian subsidiaries, and 13 from Kazakh subsidiaries, in all cases of Nordic Multinational enterprises (MNEs).

Findings

The study supports the object approach to TM in the emerging markets of Russia and Kazakhstan. The authors reveal that the exclusive and developable talent philosophy is predominant in these emerging markets, where TM faces the challenges of fierce competition for talents and an insufficient supply, so business leaders tend to be reluctant to inform employees of their talent pool membership. The results demonstrate that MNEs do not act independently of context, thus supporting calls for consideration of the local institutional context.

Originality/value

TM is still a somewhat novel idea in many emerging economies, and challenges related to managing talents are believed to be far more complex in such settings. Furthermore, to the best of authors’ knowledge, no studies have investigated the notion of talent and TM conceptualization in the emerging markets from an employer perspective.
Learning environment and primary school efficiency
Authors: Lee Boon L. , Worthington Andrew , Wilson Clevo
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Existing studies of school efficiency primarily specify teacher inputs as the number of teachers and perhaps the student-teacher ratio. As a result, there is no direct qualitative recognition of the learning environment. The purpose of this paper is to incorporate the learning environment directly into the assessment of school efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ data envelopment analysis to derive efficiency scores and the double-bootstrap truncated regression approach in Simar and Wilson’s (2007) Journal of Econometrics to quantify the sources of efficiency in 430 Queensland state primary schools. In the first stage, the outputs of student National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy scores and the inputs of full-time equivalent teaching staff and cumulative capital expenditure per student are used to measure efficiency. In the second stage, the authors specify an index of community socio-educational advantage, class size, the share of teachers with postgraduate qualifications, funds spent on professional development, and surveyed opinions from parents/caregivers, students, staff and principals on the learning environment to explain these measures of efficiency.

Findings

Socio-economic background and the teaching environment affect school efficiency. Although not all variables related to teacher contribution are significant, there is evidence to suggest that teachers have a positive influence on student performance hence school efficiency. Teachers ability to clearly explain the requirements of schoolwork tasks and listening to student opinions sets an ideal student engagement environment which can have a profound impact on student learning.

Practical implications

From a policy perspective, policy makers should target resources at inefficient schools aimed at enhancing student learning through teacher development and, at the same time, providing financial and non-financial educational assistance to students and their families from a low socio-educational background.

Originality/value

This is the first large-scale primary school efficiency analysis to incorporate the Simar and Wilson (2007) approach to explaining the determinants of efficiency, including teaching environment from the perspective of students, teachers and other stakeholders.
Teaching activities in higher medical school: innovations and management features
Authors: Коlomiets Olga Mikhailovna , Litvinova Tatijana Mikhailovna
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reveal the essence of innovations and their application in teaching in connection with the student’s educational outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample of the study consists of 588 third-year students of the I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University. The paper describes the use of innovations in teaching in the context of the competence-activity approach, which implements the psychological process of learning of social experience in the practice of education.

Findings

This paper reflects the content of a scientific research on a relevant topic in the field of modern education – the implementation of four innovations in teaching, the guarantee that each student masters the educational outcomes that meet the requirements of the Bologna Declaration to the quality of training of graduates and the development of competence-based education ideas. The paper presents the learning and professional activities that focus on constructing a mental image of educational outcomes in the student’s mind and independent training that focus on automating the student’s activity, with a view to solving the practical tasks of modeling socio-professional situations on the basis of the mental image in the mind.

Research limitations/implications

There are some limitations with this research. The sample is small and this makes broad generalization difficult. In total, 588 participants (both Russian and foreign) from 611 upper-year medical students of State Medical University were involved in research work. This may have functioned as a measurement ceiling. With that, all the proposed tools are universal. The authors tried to describe their specific in as much detail as possible. The findings are also consistent with the urgent publications of researchers in the field. Thus, the authors believe there will be no problems with their implementation in other medical universities.

Practical implications

The practical value of the study is that it shows medical university professors a model of teaching activities, which guarantees that each student achieves educational outcomes of the planned quality.

Originality/value

The authors propose new didactic means, which help to manage each student’s activities according to individual educational trajectory.
Promoting math teacher active learning with the lesson study approach
Authors: Obara Samuel , Bikai Nie
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Recent years have seen a movement toward using active learning to ground professional development in classroom practice. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The present case study describes how a group of middle school mathematics teachers improved classroom instruction through the use of lesson study.

Findings

This case study suggests the success of the lesson study in supporting teachers’ active learning.

Originality/value

For the lesson study, teachers’ active learning is assessed across four dimensions.
Embracing ambiguity
Authors: Towey Dave , Walker James , Ng Ricky
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Embracing reflective practice and retrospection, with a goal of identifying commonalities, this paper aims to examine delivery of engineering subjects in both traditional higher education (THE) and technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

Design/methodology/approach

Reflections on actions and autoethnography were used to examine the teaching and learning experiences of three educators across two higher education (HE) institutions (HEIs) in the greater Chinese context. Literature reviews and historical contexts are outlined to support the approaches and insights identified.

Findings

This paper presents a number of common characteristics and challenges identified across both THE and TVET. Drawing on the successful embrace of ambiguity and change in recent software engineering (SE) development paradigms, recommendations are made for how the agile SE themes can be applied in a larger sense to address the wider challenges facing both THE and TVET.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time that engineering education has been examined and contrasted in the contexts of THE and TVET. The similarities and common challenges may represent a new focus for related work, and the presented insights, from agile methodologies in SE, represent a new perspective for viewing future HE and TVET sustainability.
Facility decision making process with modified value engineering approach
Authors: Zhao Cencheng , Yang Eunhwa , Nie Yiqian , Russo Justin D.
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to provide organizations with a new tool to make decisions related to a facility (building) selection process. Traditionally, value engineering (VE) applies the Value = Function/Cost formula to evaluate the worth of a product. In this paper, the VE-based facility-selection approach is proposed, where the cost of a facility is expressed in net present value (NPV) as it contains the net expense of purchasing or leasing a building as well as the time value of money. Also, a method of quantifying functions and involved risks of different facility choices is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework of the VE-based facility-selection process is broken down into three steps: preparation, calculation/analysis and assessment. In the latter part of this paper, the authors share a sample analysis by illustrating the analysis and decision-making process when three hypothetical facility-selection options are available.

Findings

The sample analysis indicates that companies can get the lowest cost and risk while improving their functions to achieve the highest value by using the modified VE formula to drive an optimal option for company’s business expansion and facility-selection process.

Originality/value

This paper provides organizations with a strategic system and process to select proper facilities or buildings for business expansion. The VE approach suggested in this study can allow facility/real estate portfolio decision-makers to analyze financial and functional aspects of the facility at the same time and obtain the value coefficient when they choose a new facility from different options. Finally, they can select the best option, which has the highest value coefficient, given financial and functional considerations.
Disposal strategies in corporate real estate portfolios
Authors: Remøy Hilde , Rovers Sander , Nase Ilir
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an operational framework with guidelines and lessons to improve the current real estate portfolio disposal procedures of freeholds, based on empirical evidence from the banking sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical research is based on a comparative analysis of four case studies, representing approximately 80 per cent of the Dutch banking sector. The case studies comprise a systematic document review of corporate business and real estate strategies and semi-structured interviews with decision makers who steer the organisation’s corporate real estate (CRE) portfolio composition.

Findings

This research shows a strong relationship between organisation characteristics, legacy and strategy, disposal drivers and CRE disposal strategies. The weighing of drivers and order of steps in strategy execution strategies largely depend on organisational objectives.

Research limitations/implications

This paper reports empirical findings from Dutch case studies. To generalise, further research is needed in different legal, financial and economic contexts and in other sectors. This paper suggests a more thorough study of the relationship between space-use efficiency and technological innovation implementation..

Practical implications

The framework proposes strategy improvements and a proactive approach to corporate real estate management (CREM) to create value through real estate portfolios.

Originality/value

This paper provides a thorough analysis of the CREM of the Dutch banking sector and is applicable to CREM in this and other sectors.
RFID use in residential/commercial construction industry
Authors: Kereri James Ogechi , Adamtey Simon
Published: March 2019

Purpose

In the past decade, radio frequency identification devices (RFIDs) have attracted the attention of the construction industry, having been proven to be an effective technology for addressing operational challenges in other industries such as health-care, retail and manufacturing. Despite the benefits, the use of RFID in construction industry is limited even in the face of inefficiencies that exist and that the need for improvement is yet to drive the widespread adoption in the residential/commercial construction industry. The purpose of this study is to investigate key drivers and critical success factors for RFID adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

The study included extensive and systematic literature review, interviews and questionnaire survey.

Findings

The study revealed that the most important key driver for RFID adoption is productivity improvement, while the most important critical success factors include management support and commitment, having clear RFID strategy, needs and benefits, having strong motivation for improvement, providing adequate funding and proper planning.

Practical implications

This study provides an exploratory framework that can be used by construction company executives and managers to provide justification for deciding to implement RFID on their projects and to enhance success rates of implementation.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the knowledge on RFID use in residential/commercial construction industry and provides a basis for further investigation by construction management researchers on the emerging issues regarding RFID use in the construction industry.