Loss of USP28 and SPINT2 expression promotes cancer cell survival after whole genome doubling

Background Whole genome doubling is a frequent event during cancer evolution and shapes the cancer genome due to the occurrence of chromosomal instability. Yet, erroneously arising human tetraploid cells usually do not proliferate due to p53 activation that leads to CDKN1A expression, cell cycle arrest, senescence and/or apoptosis. Methods To uncover the barriers that block the proliferation of tetraploids, we performed a RNAi mediated genome-wide screen in a human colorectal cancer cell line (HCT116). Results We identified 140 genes whose depletion improved the survival of tetraploid cells and characterized in depth two of them: SPINT2 and USP28. We found that SPINT2 is a general regulator of CDKN1A transcription via histone acetylation. Using mass spectrometry and immunoprecipitation, we found that USP28 interacts with NuMA1 and affects centrosome clustering. Tetraploid cells accumulate DNA damage and loss of USP28 reduces checkpoint activation, thus facilitating their proliferation. Conclusions Our results indicate three aspects that contribute to the survival of tetraploid cells: (i) increased mitogenic signaling and reduced expression of cell cycle inhibitors, (ii) the ability to establish functional bipolar spindles and (iii) reduced DNA damage signaling

Apellidos e isonimia en la población blanca de la ciudad de Córdoba a fines del siglo XVIII y comienzos del XIX / Surnames and isonimy in the White population of Córdoba city at the end of the XVIIIth and the begining of the XIXth centuries

Una forma de estimar la consanguinidad y parentesco en poblaciones históricas es la isonimia. Este trabajo analiza la distribución de apellidos en la población blanca de la ciudad de Córdoba con datos extraídos de censos de 1795, 1813 y 1832. Se estiman indicadores de consanguinidad y parentesco por isonimia en los tres años mencionados, considerando por un lado la población adulta y por otro los matrimonios identificados. Se calculan, asimismo, indicadores de migración a partir de la distribución neutral de los apellidos. A pesar de la alta endogamia para el grupo blanco referida en los trabajos históricos, los resultados indican una escasa consanguinidad y un comportamiento marcadamente aleatorio de los apellidos en los tres casos, con valores muy similares de parentesco intrapoblacional, tanto para adultos como para casados. Se observa que los mayores valores de migración son para 1795, decreciendo en los otros censos probablemente como consecuencia de un balance entre la inmigración y procesos de emigración. Los hombres manifiestan siempre mayor movilidad geográfica; dentro de cada sexo es más acentuada entre los individuos casados

An integrative methodology to improve brownfield redevelopment planning in Chinese cities: A case study of Futian, Shenzhen

Brownfields are real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant (USEPA, 2002). In recent years, there have been a rising number of brownfield redevelopment practices in Chinese cities. However, some redevelopment practices have been unsuccessful in spite of cautious planning whereas others have been successful in the absence of any planning. It is largely due to China’s rapid urbanization on one hand, and inadequate information on the locations and conditions of brownfield on the other. To address the gaps, an integrative methodology is devised based on two frameworks, one for identifying potential instead of actual brownfields, and one for establishing priorities for redevelopment. The first framework identifies potential brownfields through four steps: (1) define input sites; (2) verify environmental liability; (3) confirm tax delinquency; and (4) cross-check with industrial classification code. The second framework prioritize the identified potential brownfield sites with a set of criteria which are selected and weighed based on key interviews and the study of local reference cases. The utility of this methodology is exemplified with the case study of Futian in Shenzhen. Local data including land use data, tax and environmental records of 2005 and the development plan for 2006–2010 are utilized. We conclude that this methodology properly responds to the increasing need of urban planners in making proactive plans for brownfield redevelopment in Chinese cities

Spatial patterns of slums : comparing African and Asian cities

Spatial data on slums are commonly either generalized, outdated or not available. Thus, very limited knowledge exists on spatial and locational factors of slums across cities in the Global South. Therefore, this study compares slum characteristics of six cities (three Asian and three African). These characteristics were analyzed at landscape, settlement and object level using available datasets (e.g. Open Street Map) and a set of indicators that are able to describe spatial commonalities and differences at these three spatial levels. The results indicate that slums show at environ level commonalities across six selected cities, while object and settlement level characteristics display more variations between African and Asian cities. Yet, slums are dominated by small buildings, high densities and good locations in terms of accessibility but poor in terms of land suitability

[First documentation of a neospora-induced "abortion storm" (exogenous transplacental transmission of neospora caninum) in a Swiss dairy farm].

In a Swiss dairy farm (canton of Geneva) consisting of 73 animals 8 abortions were observed within 2 weeks. Serological and molecular biological analyses (PCR) on aborting dams, and abortion materials, respectively, revealed that the protozoan parasite Neospora caninum was the causative agent. Besides the 8 aborting animals, 12 other non-aborting heifers were found to be serologically positive for this parasite. All positive sera were further tested in an avidity-ELISA to elucidate the recency of infection. All seropositive animals but one showed low avidities at the time the abortion storm started. This indicated at a recent N. caninum-infection within the herd. Thus, the animals most probably were exposed to N. caninum-oocysts (e.g. by dog feces-contaminated forage) and the resulting abortion storm was due to an exogenous (formerly known as "horizontal") parasite transmission into a naive herd. This is the first documented record of such an event in Switzerland