bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Management of Workplace Conflict: Contrasting Pathways in the HRM Literature
Authors: Currie Denise , Gormley Tom , Roche Bill , Teague Paul
Published: May 2016

This paper reviews the human resource management literature on the management of workplace conflict. It suggests that workplace conflict is commonly viewed in the literature as a symptom of management failure: the notion that conflict may be intrinsic to the nature of work because employees and managers have hard‐to‐reconcile competing interests is given short‐shrift. At the same time, the paper identifies important differences in the literature, which the authors call ‘pathways’, about the best methods to manage problems at the workplace. It is argued that four contrasting pathways can be detected in the literature with regard to how organizations approach workplace conflict management practices. Each pathway is examined fully and their respective strengths and weaknesses are assessed.
Government Surveillance and Why Defining Privacy Matters in a Post‐Snowden World
Authors: Macnish Kevin
Published: May 2016

There is a long‐running debate as to whether privacy is a matter of control or access. This has become more important following revelations made by Edward Snowden in 2013 regarding the collection of vast swathes of data from the Internet by signals intelligence agencies such as NSA and GCHQ. The nature of this collection is such that if the control account is correct then there has been a significant invasion of people's privacy. If, though, the access account is correct then there has not been an invasion of privacy on the scale suggested by the control account.

I argue that the control account of privacy is mistaken. However, the consequences of this are not that the seizing control of personal information is unproblematic. I argue that the control account, while mistaken, seems plausible for two reasons. The first is that a loss of control over my information entails harm to the rights and interests that privacy protects. The second is that a loss of control over my information increases the risk that my information will be accessed and that my privacy will be violated. Seizing control of another's information is therefore harmful, even though it may not entail a violation of privacy. Indeed, seizing control of another's information may be more harmful than actually violating their privacy.
Editorial Perspective: Psychological stress and epigenetic aging – what can we learn and how can we prevent?
Authors: Zannas Anthony S.
Published: May 2016

Psychological stress can exert a lasting impact on the aging process. This hypothesis, long posited by Hans Selye, has been supported by evidence linking stressors with several aging‐related disease phenotypes. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying this association. Among plausible mechanisms linking stress and aging, evidence supports the role of epigenetic modifications, a set of molecular processes that can be induced by environmental stressors and regulate gene expression without altering the underlying genetic sequence. In particular, recent evidence shows that psychological stress can accelerate epigenetic aging, a measure based on DNA methylation prediction of chronological age that shows promise as biomarker of aging. Some studies further suggest that epigenetic aging could be modifiable, albeit others contradict this hypothesis. Future studies will need to determine the preventability or reversibility of epigenetic aging in response to distinct interventions and the potential clinical implications of such a prevention or reversal.
Commentary: Networks of peers, genes, and explanations – reflections on Szekely et al. (2016)
Authors: O'Connor Thomas G.
Published: May 2016

Much has been learned about the origins and effects of peer relationships on the health and well‐being of children, adolescents, and adults. This commentary on Szekely et al. examines the role of genetics research on peer relationships, and the arising methodological and conceptual questions. Research findings on the genetics of peer networks illustrate how genetic influences may shape complex and dynamic phenotypes. Equally complex is the application of these findings for theory and practice.
Maturing insights into the genetic architecture of neurodevelopmental disorders – from common and rare variant interplay to precision psychiatry
Authors: Lesch Klaus‐Peter
Published: May 2016

The categorisation of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders by clinical syndromes, rather than by aetiology, continues to obstruct progress in biomarker identification as well as innovative drug development and effective treatment in general. There is a decisive move to think of neurodevelopmental disorders as a spectrum rather than discrete categorical entities. We might call them neurodevelopmental spectrum disorders (NSDs) ranging from intellectual disability (ID) to autism (ASD), and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (Kiser, Rivero, & Lesch, ).
Detection and quantification of Aeromonas salmonicida in fish tissue by real‐time PCR
Authors: Bartkova S , Kokotovic B , Skall H F , Lorenzen N , Dalsgaard I
Published: May 2016

Furunculosis, a septicaemic infection caused by the bacterium Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida, currently causes problems in Danish seawater rainbow trout production. Detection has mainly been achieved by bacterial culture, but more rapid and sensitive methods are needed. A previously developed real‐time PCR assay targeting the plasmid encoded aopP gene of A. salmonicida was, in parallel with culturing, used for the examination of five organs of 40 fish from Danish freshwater and seawater farms. Real‐time PCR showed overall a higher frequency of positives than culturing (65% of positive fish by real‐time PCR compared to 30% by a culture approach). Also, no real‐time PCR‐negative samples were found positive by culturing. A. salmonicida was detected by real‐time PCR, though not by culturing, in freshwater fish showing no signs of furunculosis, indicating possible presence of carrier fish. In seawater fish examined after an outbreak and antibiotics treatment, real‐time PCR showed the presence of the bacterium in all examined organs (1–482 genomic units mg−1). With a limit of detection of 40 target copies (1–2 genomic units) per reaction, a high reproducibility and an excellent efficiency, the present real‐time PCR assay provides a sensitive tool for the detection of A. salmonicida.
Early Stress History Alters Serum Insulin‐Like Growth Factor‐1 and Impairs Muscle Mitochondrial Function in Adult Male Rats
Authors: Ghosh S. , Banerjee K. K. , Vaidya V. A. , Kolthur‐Seetharam U.
Published: May 2016

Early‐life adversity is associated with an enhanced risk for adult psychopathology. Psychiatric disorders such as depression exhibit comorbidity for metabolic dysfunction, including obesity and diabetes. However, it is poorly understood whether, besides altering anxiety and depression‐like behaviour, early stress also evokes dysregulation of metabolic pathways and enhances vulnerability for metabolic disorders. We used the rodent model of the early stress of maternal separation (ES) to examine the effects of early stress on serum metabolites, insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐1 signalling, and muscle mitochondrial content. Adult ES animals exhibited dyslipidaemia, decreased serum IGF1 levels, increased expression of liver IGF binding proteins, and a decline in the expression of specific metabolic genes in the liver and muscle, including Pck1, Lpl, Pdk4 and Hmox1. These changes occurred in the absence of alterations in body weight, food intake, glucose tolerance, insulin tolerance or insulin levels. ES animals also exhibited a decline in markers of muscle mitochondrial content, such as mitochondrial DNA levels and expression of TFAM (transcription factor A, mitochondrial). Furthermore, the expression of several genes involved in mitochondrial function, such as Ppargc1a, Nrf1, Tfam, Cat, Sesn3 and Ucp3, was reduced in skeletal muscle. Adult‐onset chronic unpredictable stress resulted in overlapping and distinct consequences from ES, including increased circulating triglyceride levels, and a decline in the expression of specific metabolic genes in the liver and muscle, with no change in the expression of genes involved in muscle mitochondrial function. Taken together, our results indicate that a history of early adversity can evoke persistent changes in circulating IGF‐1 and muscle mitochondrial function and content, which could serve to enhance predisposition for metabolic dysfunction in adulthood.
THE 4/2 STOCHASTIC VOLATILITY MODEL: A UNIFIED APPROACH FOR THE HESTON AND THE 3/2 MODEL
Authors: Grasselli Martino
Published: May 2016

We introduce a new stochastic volatility model that includes, as special instances, the Heston (1993) and the 3/2 model of Heston (1997) and Platen (1997). Our model exhibits important features: first, instantaneous volatility can be uniformly bounded away from zero, and second, our model is mathematically and computationally tractable, thereby enabling an efficient pricing procedure. This called for using the Lie symmetries theory for partial differential equations; doing so allowed us to extend known results on Bessel processes. Finally, we provide an exact simulation scheme for the model, which is useful for numerical applications.
Esophageal acid sensitivity and mucosal integrity in patients with functional heartburn
Authors: Weijenborg P. W. , Smout A. J. P. M. , Bredenoord A. J.
Published: May 2016

Background

Patients with functional heartburn (FH) experience troublesome heartburn that is not related to gastroesophageal reflux. The etiology of the heartburn sensation in FH patients is unknown. In patients with reflux disease, esophageal hypersensitivity seems associated with impaired mucosal integrity. We aimed to determine esophageal sensitivity and mucosal integrity in FH and non‐erosive reflux disease (NERD) patients.

Methods

In this prospective experimental study, we performed an acid perfusion test and upper endoscopy with biopsies in 12 patients with NERD and nine patients with FH. Mucosal integrity was measured during endoscopy using electrical tissue impedance spectroscopy and biopsy specimens were analyzed in Ussing chambers for transepithelial electrical resistance and transepithelial permeability.

Key Results

Lag time to heartburn perception was significantly longer in FH patients (median 12 min) than in NERD patients (median 3 min). Once perceived, intensity of heartburn was scored equal with median visual analog scale 6.5 and 7.1 respectively. Esophageal mucosal integrity was also comparable between FH and NERD patients, both in vivo extracellular impedance and ex vivo transepithelial resistance and permeability were similar.

Conclusions & Inferences

Patients with FH did not show acid hypersensitivity as seen in patients with NERD. However, once perceived, intensity of heartburn is similar. Esophageal mucosal integrity is similar between NERD and FH patients, and is therefore unlikely to be the underlying cause of the observed difference in esophageal acid perception.
Compounds released by disturbed adults of the haematophagous bug Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae): behavioural effects of single compounds and binary mixtures
Authors: Palottini Florencia , Manrique Gabriel
Published: May 2016

Adults of the Chagas disease vector Triatoma infestans Klug (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae), possess paired exocrine glands: the metasternal and Brindley's glands. Both glands are discharged by disturbed adults, releasing an alarm pheromone that elicits an escape response of larvae. The present study analyzes the individual (or combined) effects of some of the volatiles of the whole pheromone blend released under disturbance, searching for active compounds and for possible interactions (e.g. synergism, additive effects) between them. Using an experimental arena, different doses of components emitted by disturbed adults are tested against larvae. Larvae show escape responses to some of the acids, as well as to one alcohol, but no response to ketones. This is observed with certain doses of compounds from Brindley's glands (isobutyric, butyric and acetic acid; 2‐methyl‐1‐butanol), although the compounds tested in the present study that are produced by metasternal glands are shown to evoke random responses, suggesting that mainly Brindley's glands are involved in the alarm context. Two combinations of two individually repellent compounds (2‐methyl‐1‐butanol with acetic or isobutyric acid) evoke escape responses, although other combinations make the individual effect disappear. A different mixture of two individually repellent compounds (butyric and isobutyric acid) evokes attraction, although these are also host odours. The potential use of the active compounds released by disturbed adults to monitor triatomine populations is discussed.
How We Teach Introductory Bible Courses: A Comparative and Historical Sampling
Authors: Cornell Collin , LeMon Joel M.
Published: May 2016

This study identifies the dominant modes of biblical interpretation being taught in introductory Bible courses through a qualitative analysis of course syllabi from three institutional contexts: evangelical Christian colleges, private colleges, and public universities. Despite a proliferation of methods and scholarly approaches to the Bible, this study reveals that historical‐critical approaches continue to predominate in pedagogical contexts, especially private colleges and public universities. In Christian colleges, theological approaches appear more frequently, usually alongside historical criticism and rarely supplanting it. The study also shows that teachers have been deploying social scientific and ideological approaches with increasing frequency over the past decade. Additionally, the study tracked instruments of student assessment in these courses. Public universities showed a particularly high level of pedagogical conservatism in this regard, while Christian colleges exhibit the greatest diversity with respect to course assignments and evaluations. See also “Response to ‘How We Teach Introductory Bible Courses’” by Caryn A. Reeder, Tat‐siong Benny Liew, Jane S. Webster, Alicia J. Batten, and Chris Frilingos, published in this issue of the journal. The complete data set is included in an extended Appendix at the end of the article, and is also available electronically on the “Supporting Information” tab of the article's webpage and at the Wabash Center (http://www.wabashcenter.wabash.edu/pdfs/AppendixCornellandLeMon.pdf).
Prediction Method of Countercurrent Flow Limitation in a Pressurizer Surge Line and Its Evaluation for a 1/10-Scale Model
Authors: Murase Michio , Utanohara Yoichi , Kusunoki Takayoshi , Lucas Dirk , Tomiyama Akio
Published: May 2016

The method for predicting countercurrent flow limitation (CCFL) and its uncertainty in an actual pressurizer surge line of a pressurized water reactor (PWR) using 1/10-scale air–water experimental data, one-dimensional (1D) computations, and three-dimensional (3D) numerical simulations was proposed. As one step of the prediction method, 3D numerical simulations were carried out for countercurrent air–water flows in a 1/10-scale model of the pressurizer surge line to evaluate capability of the 3D simulation method and decide uncertainty of CCFL characteristics evaluated for the 1/10-scale model. The model consisted of a vertical pipe, a vertical elbow, and a slightly inclined pipe with elbows. In the actual 1/10-scale experiment, air supplied into the lower tank flowed upward to the upper tank and water supplied into the upper tank gravitationally flowed downward to the lower tank through the pressurizer surge line. In the 3D simulation, however, water was supplied from the wall surface of the vertical pipe to avoid effects of flooding at the upper end (the 3D simulation largely underestimated falling water flow rates at the upper end). Then, the flow pattern in the slightly inclined pipe was successfully reproduced, and the simulated CCFL values for the inclination angle of θ=0.6  deg (slope of 1/100) agreed well with the experimental CCFL data. The uncertainty among air–water experiments, 1D computations, and 3D simulations for the 1/10-scale model was dC=±0.015 for the CCFL constant of C=0.50. The effects of θ (θ=0,1.0 deg) on CCFL characteristics were simulated and discussed.
Target poisoning during CrN deposition by mixed high power impulse magnetron sputtering and unbalanced magnetron sputtering technique
Authors: Purandare Yashodhan P. , Ehiasarian Arutiun P. , Eh Hovsepian Papken
Published: May 2016

Target poisoning phenomenon in reactive sputtering is well-known and has been studied in depth over the years. There is a clear agreement that this effect has a strong link on the quality, composition, properties, and pronouncedly on the deposition rate of physical vapor deposition coatings. With the introduction of ionized physical vapor deposition techniques such as the relatively novel high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HIPIMS), which have highly ionized plasmas of the depositing species (metal and gas ions), target poisoning phenomenon is highly contested and thus has been left wide open for discussion. Particularly, there have been contradicting reports on the presence of prominent hysteresis curves for reactive sputtering by HIPIMS. More work is needed to understand it, which in turn will enable reader to simplify the coating deposition utilizing HIPIMS. This work focuses on the study of chromium (Cr) targets when operated reactively in argon + nitrogen atmosphere and in different ionizing conditions, namely, (1) pure HIPIMS, (2) HIPIMS combined with unbalanced magnetron sputtering (UBM), and (3) pure UBM. Nitrogen flow rate was varied (5–300 sccm) whereas the average power on target was maintained around 8 kW. Target resistance versus N2 flow rate curves for these conditions have been plotted in order to analyze the poisoning effect. When only one UBM target was operating target poisoning effect was prominent between the flow rates of 80 and 170 sccm. However, it appeared reduced and in nearly same flow rate ranges (90 and 186 sccm) when only one HIPIMS target was operating. When four UBM targets were operated, target poisoning effect was evident, however, expectedly moved to higher flow rates (175 sccm and above) whereas appeared diminished when two UBM and two HIPIMS were running simultaneously. Further, to analyze the effect of actual target conditions (poisoning) on deposition rate and on the properties of the films deposited, commercially widely used chromium nitride (CrN) coatings were deposited in mixed HIPIMS and UBM plasma and at five different flow rates of nitrogen. Detail characterization results of these coatings have been presented in the paper which will assist the reader in deposition parameter selection.
Circulating Gut-Homing (α
4
β
7
+
) Plasmablast Responses against Shigella Surface Protein Antigens among Hospitalized Patients with Diarrhea
Authors: Sinha Anuradha , Dey Ayan , Saletti Giulietta , Samanta Pradip , Chakraborty Partha Sarathi , Bhattacharya M. K. , Ghosh Santanu , Ramamurthy T. , Kim Jae-Ouk , Yang Jae Seung , Kim Dong Wook , Czerkinsky Cecil , Nandy Ranjan K.
Published: May 2016

Developing countries are burdened with
Shigella
diarrhea. Understanding mucosal immune responses associated with natural
Shigella
infection is important to identify potential correlates of protection and, as such, to design effective vaccines. We performed a comparative analysis of circulating mucosal plasmablasts producing specific antibodies against highly conserved invasive plasmid antigens (IpaC, IpaD20, and IpaD120) and two recently identified surface protein antigens,
p
an-

S

higella
s
urface
p
rotein antigen 1 (PSSP1) and PSSP2, common to all virulent
Shigella
strains. We examined blood and stool specimens from 37 diarrheal patients admitted to the Infectious Diseases & Beliaghata General Hospital, Kolkata, India. The etiological agent of diarrhea was investigated in stool specimens by microbiological methods and real-time PCR. Gut-homing (α
4
β
7
+
) antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) were isolated from patient blood by means of combined magnetic cell sorting and two-color enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT) assay. Overall, 57% (21 of 37) and 65% (24 of 37) of the patients were positive for
Shigella
infection by microbiological and real-time PCR assays, respectively. The frequency of α
4
β
7
+
IgG ASC responders against Ipas was higher than that observed against PSSP1 or PSSP2, regardless of the
Shigella
serotype isolated from these patients. Thus, α
4
β
7
+
ASC responses to Ipas may be considered an indirect marker of
Shigella
infection. The apparent weakness of ASC responses to PSSP1 is consistent with the lack of cross-protection induced by natural
Shigella
infection. The finding that ASC responses to IpaD develop in patients with recent-onset shigellosis indicates that such responses may not be protective or may wane too rapidly and/or be of insufficient magnitude.
Analysis of Humoral Immune Responses to Surface and Virulence-Associated Chlamydiaabortus Proteins in Ovine and Human Abortions by Use of a Newly Developed Line Immunoassay
Authors: Hagemann Jürgen Benjamin , Simnacher Ulrike , Longbottom David , Livingstone Morag , Maile Julia , Soutschek Erwin , Walder Gernot , Boden Katharina , Sachse Konrad , Essig Andreas
Published: May 2016

The obligate intracellular bacterium
Chlamydia
abortus
is the causative agent of enzootic abortion of ewes and poses a significant zoonotic risk for pregnant women. Using proteomic analysis and gene expression library screening in a previous project, we identified potential virulence factors and candidates for serodiagnosis, of which nine were scrutinized here with a strip immunoassay. We have shown that aborting sheep exhibited a strong antibody response to surface (MOMP, MIP, Pmp13G) and virulence-associated (CPAF, TARP, SINC) antigens. While the latter disappeared within 18 weeks following abortion in a majority of the animals, antibodies to surface proteins persisted beyond the duration of the study. In contrast, nonaborting experimentally infected sheep developed mainly antibodies to surface antigens (MOMP, MIP, Pmp13G), all of which did not persist. We were also able to detect antibodies to these surface antigens in
C
.
abortus
-infected women who had undergone septic abortion, whereas a group of shepherds and veterinarians with occupational exposure to
C
.
abortus
-infected sheep revealed only sporadic immune responses to the antigens selected. The most specific antigen for the serodiagnosis of human
C
.
abortus
infections was Pmp13G, which showed no cross-reactivity with other chlamydiae infecting humans. We suggest that Pmp13G-based serodiagnosis accomplished by the detection of antibodies to virulence-associated antigens such as CPAF, TARP, and SINC may improve the laboratory diagnosis of human and animal
C
.
abortus
infections.
Gender Differences in the Neural Response to Acupuncture: Clinical Implications
Authors: Yeo Sujung , Rosen Bruce , Bosch Peggy , van den Noort Maurits , Lim Sabina
Published: May 2016

Objective

To examine gender differences and similarities in the psychophysical and brain responses to acupuncture at GB34, a point that is frequently used to treat motor function issues in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Methods

Functional MRI (fMRI) was used to measure brain activation in response to acupuncture at GB34 (on the right) in 19 healthy participants (9 male, 10 female). De qi sensations were rated to measure their psychophysical responses.

Results

Overall de qi scores did not differ by gender, although females reported greater intensity of aching (p=0.04). Acupuncture activated the hippocampus, thalamus, globus pallidus, caudate body, claustrum, cingulate gyrus, and culmen in males, and the middle and inferior frontal gyrus, precuneus, postcentral gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, superior temporal gyrus, caudate body, insula, fusiform gyrus, cingulate gyrus, amygdala, and parahippocampal gyrus in females. The middle/medial frontal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, thalamus, globus pallidus, caudate body, uvula, and cerebellar tonsil were activated when data from all subjects were combined. Relative to males, females exhibited greater brain activation in the right-sided postcentral gyrus, precentral gyrus, precuneus, postcentral gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, declive, middle occipital gyrus and parahippocampal gyrus.

Conclusions

The neural effects of GB34 acupuncture might differ between males and females because different brain structures were modulated in response to acupuncture. This potential gender effect should be taken into account in future clinical research. We also revealed that the caudate body was activated by GB34 acupuncture in both males and females and may represent a major target of GB34 acupuncture.

Trial Registration Number

KMC IRB 0861-06.
Qualitative study investigating the commissioning process for older people's services provided by third sector organisations: SOPRANO study protocol
Authors: Sands Gina , Chadborn Neil , Craig Chris , Gladman John
Published: May 2016

Introduction

The commissioning of third sector services for older people may influence the quality, availability and coordination of services for older people. The SOPRANO study aims to understand the relationships between and processes of commissioning bodies and third sector organisations providing health and social care services for older people.

Methods and analysis

This qualitative study will be based in the East Midlands region of England. An initial scoping survey of commissioners will give an overview of services to maintain the health and well-being of older people in the community that are commissioned. Following this, semistructured interviews will be conducted with 4 sample groups: health and social care commissioners, service provider managers, service provider case workers and older service users. A sample size of 10–15 participants in each of the 4 groups is expected to be sufficient to reach data saturation, resulting in a final expected sample size of 40–60 participants. Informed consent will be gained from all participants, and those unable to provide informed consent will be excluded. The interview data will be analysed by 2 researchers using framework content analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

Approval for the study has been gained from the University of Nottingham School of Medicine ethical review board, and the relevant approvals have been gained from the National Health Service (NHS) research and development departments for interviewing NHS staff. Early engagement with a wide range of stakeholders will ensure that the research findings are extensively disseminated to relevant stakeholders (including commissioners and third sector providers) in an accessible format using the extensive communication networks available to the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care CLAHRCs (applied health research organisations covering all of England). The study will also be disseminated through academic routes such as conference presentations and journal papers.
System-level and patient-level explanations for non-attendance at diabetic retinopathy screening in Sutton and Merton (London, UK): a qualitative analysis of a service evaluation
Authors: Strutton R , Du Chemin A , Stratton I M , Forster A S
Published: May 2016

Objectives

Non-attendance at diabetic retinopathy screening has financial implications for screening programmes and potential clinical costs to patients. We sought to identify explanations for why patients had never attended a screening appointment (never attendance) in one programme.

Design

Qualitative analysis of a service evaluation.

Setting

One South London (UK) diabetic eye screening programme.

Participants and procedure

Patients who had been registered with one screening programme for at least 18 months and who had never attended screening within the programme were contacted by telephone to ascertain why this was the case. Patients’ general practices were also contacted for information about why each patient may not have attended. Framework analysis was used to interpret responses.

Results

Of the 296 patients, 38 were not eligible for screening and of the 258 eligible patients, 159 were not contactable (31 of these had phone numbers that were not in use). We obtained reasons from patients/general practices/clinical notes for non-attendance for 146 (57%) patients. A number of patient-level and system-level factors were given to explain non-attendance. Patient-level factors included having other commitments, being anxious about screening, not engaging with any diabetes care and being misinformed about screening. System-level factors included miscommunication about where the patient lives, their clinical situation and practical problems that could have been overcome had their existence been shared between programmes.

Conclusions

This service evaluation provides unique insight into the patient-level and system-level reasons for never attendance at diabetic retinopathy screening. Improved sharing of relevant information between providers has the potential to facilitate increased uptake of screening. Greater awareness of patient-level barriers may help providers offer a more accessible service.
Why take the chance? A qualitative grounded theory study of nocturnal haemodialysis recipients who decline kidney transplantation
Authors: Rosenthal Meagen M , Molzahn Anita E , Chan Christopher T , Cockfield Sandra L , Kim S Joseph , Pauly Robert P
Published: May 2016

Objective

The objective of this study was to examine the factors that influence decision-making to forgo transplantation in favour of remaining on nocturnal haemodialysis (NHD).

Design

A grounded theory approach using in-depth telephone interviewing was used.

Setting

Participants were identified from 2 tertiary care renal programmes in Canada.

Participants

The study participants were otherwise eligible patients with end-stage renal disease who have opted to remain off of the transplant list. A total of 7 eligible participants were interviewed. 5 were male. The mean age was 46 years.

Analysis

A constant comparative method of analysis was used to identify a core category and factors influencing the decision-making process.

Results

In this grounded theory study of people receiving NHD who refused kidney transplantation, the core category of ‘why take a chance when things are going well?’ was identified, along with 4 factors that influenced the decision including ‘negative past experience’, ‘feeling well on NHD’, ‘gaining autonomy’ and ‘responsibility’.

Conclusions

This study provides insight into patients' thought processes surrounding an important treatment decision. Such insights might help the renal team to better understand, and thereby respect, patient choice in a patient-centred care paradigm. Findings may also be useful in the development of education programmes addressing the specific concerns of this population of patients.
IgG is involved in the migration and invasion of clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Sheng Zhengzuo , Liu Yang , Qin Caipeng , Liu Zhenhua , Yuan Yeqing , Hu FengZhan , Du Yiqing , Yin Huaqi , Qiu Xiaoyan , Xu Tao
Published: May 2016

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate if IgG can be expressed in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (cRCC) , and the expression of IgG is involved in the cancer progression. If IgG expression can serve as a potential target in cancer therapies and be used for judging the prognosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

By immunohistochemistry, we detected IgG in cRCC tissues(75 cRCC tissues and75 adjacent normal kidney tissues). Immunofluorescence and Western blot was used to detect the IgG in cRCC cell lines (786-0, ACHN and CAKI-I). By RT-PCR, the functional transcript of IgG heavy chain was detected. Knockdown of IgG was to analyze the proliferation, migration and invasion ability by CCK8, Transwell and Matrigel and apoptosis in cRCC cell lines.

RESULTS:

By immunohistochemistry, we found strong staining of IgG in 66 cases of 75 cRCC tissues and 63 cases of 75 adjacent normal kidney tissues. Immunofluorescence and Western blot was found IgG in cRCC cell lines. Knock-down IgG in cRCC cell lines resulted in significant inhibition of cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and the induction of apoptosis of the 786-0 cells. The immunohistochemistry analysis showed that high IgG expression significantly correlated with the poor differentiation and advanced stage of cRCC.

CONCLUSION:

IgG was over expressed in cRCC and was involved in the proliferation, migration and invasion of cancer cells. IgG expression may serve as a potential target in cancer therapies and could be used for judging the prognosis.
Bone marrow findings in severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome: prominent haemophagocytosis and its implication in haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Kim Namhee , Kim Kye-Hyung , Lee Su Jin , Park Sang-Hyuk , Kim In-Suk , Lee Eun Yup , Yi Jongyoun
Published: May 2016

Aims

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne disease caused by the SFTS virus; primary manifestations are fever, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia and gastrointestinal symptoms. Before an aetiological diagnosis is made, SFTS patients can undergo bone marrow examination due to cytopenias. Although several studies have reported on bone marrow examination in SFTS patients, most do not provide adequate details. Bone marrow findings in SFTS patients were investigated in this study.

Methods

An observational study was conducted in SFTS patients who were hospitalised between 2013 and 2014 in two university hospitals in South Korea. Patients were included in the study if SFTS was confirmed by real-time PCR for the SFTS virus and a bone marrow examination was conducted. The morphologic findings of the bone marrow samples were reviewed.

Results

Three cases met the study inclusion criteria. One patient died of multiple organ failure. Haemophagocytosis was evident in the bone marrow samples of all three patients. Histiocytic hyperplasia and haemophagocytosis were more pronounced in the fatal case. One patient was diagnosed as having haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Conclusions

Haemophagocytosis in the bone marrow of SFTS patients may be common. In SFTS endemic areas, SFTS should be one of the differential diagnoses of fever of unknown origin with haemophagocytosis in the bone marrow.
Searching for dark matter constituents with many solar masses
Authors: Frampton Paul H.
Published: May 2016

Searches for dark matter (DM) constituents are presently mainly focused on axions and weakly interacting massive particle (WIMPs) despite the fact that far higher mass constituents are viable. We discuss and dispute whether axions exist and those arguments for WIMPs which arise from weak scale supersymmetry. We focus on the highest possible masses and argue that, since if they constitute all DM, they cannot be baryonic, they must uniquely be primordial black holes. Observational constraints require them to be of intermediate masses mostly between ten and a hundred thousand solar masses. Known search strategies for such PIMBHs include wide binaries, cosmic microwave background (CMB) distortion and, most promisingly, extended microlensing experiments.
A varying polytropic gas universe and phase space analysis
Authors: Khurshudyan M.
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we will consider a phenomenological model of a dark fluid that is able to explain an accelerated expansion of our low redshift universe and the phase transition to this accelerated expanding universe. Recent developments in modern cosmology towards understanding of the accelerated expansion of the large scale universe involve various scenarios and approaches. Among these approaches, one of well-known and accepted practice is modeling of the content of our universe via dark fluid. There are various models of dark energy fluid actively studied in recent literature and polytropic gas is among them. In this work, we will consider a varying polytropic gas which is a phenomenological modification of polytropic gas. Our model of varying polytropic dark fluid has been constructed to analogue to a varying Chaplygin gas actively discussed in the literature. We will consider interacting models, where dark matter is a pressureless fluid, to have a comprehensive picture. Phase space analysis is an elegant mathematical tool to earn general understanding of large scale universe and easily see an existence of a solution to cosmological coincidence problem. Imposing some constraints on parameters of the models, we found late time attractors for each case analytically. Cosmological consequences for the obtained late time attractors are discussed.
The evolution to global burst synchronization in a modular neuronal network
Authors: Yang Xiaoli , Wang Manman
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we investigated the development of global burst synchronization in a modular neuronal network at the mesoscale level. The modular network consists of some subnetworks, each of them presenting a scale-free property. Numerical results have demonstrated that, upon increasing the coupling strength, all neurons in the modular network initially burst in a desynchronous pattern; then the burst synchronization within each subnetwork is followed at the mesoscale; finally, the global burst synchronization at the macroscale is formed by the bursting activities on each subnetwork moving forward in harmony. This implies the network behavior possesses two distinct mesoscopic and macroscopic properties for some coupling strengths, i.e. the mesoscopic dynamics of burst synchronization on subnetworks is different from the macroscopic property of desynchronous activity on the whole network. It is also found that global burst synchronization can be promoted by large interconnection probability and hindered by small interconnection probability.
Asymptotical null structure of an electro-vacuum spacetime with a cosmological constant
Authors: He Xiaokai , Cao Zhoujian , Jing Jiliang
Published: May 2016

Bondi–Sachs (BS) framework is a powerful tool to analyze the asymptotical null structure of a spacetime. Based on Bondi’s outgoing boundary condition, the asymptotical null structure of an electro-vacuum spacetime without a cosmological constant has been constructed clearly. Recently more and more observations imply that the Einstein equation should be modified with an nonzero cosmological constant. It is interesting to investigate the asymptotical null structure of a spacetime with a cosmological constant. In this paper, we extend our previous result from vacuum case to electro-vacuum case. We find that the gravitational sector of the asymptotical null structure depends strongly on the boundary conditions, while the electrical sector is independent of the boundary condition.
The X-ray machine for the examination of quantum mechanics
Authors: Curceanu Catalina , Bartalucci Sergio , Bassi Angelo , Bazzi Massimiliano , Bertolucci Sergio , Berucci Carolina , Bragadireanu Alexandru Mario , Cargnelli Michael , Clozza Alberto , De Paolis Luca , Di Matteo Sergio , Donadi Sandro , D’uffizi Alessandro , Egger Jean-Pierre , Guaraldo Carlo , Iliescu Mihail , Laubenstein Matthias , Marton Johann , Milotti Edoardo , Pichler Andreas , Pietreanu Dorel , Piscicchia Kristian , Ponta Titus , Scordo Alessandro , Shi Hexi , Sirghi Diana , Sirghi Florin , Sperandio Laura , Doce Oton Vazquez , Zmeskal Johann
Published: May 2016

By performing X-rays measurements in the underground laboratory of Gran Sasso, LNGS-INFN, we test a basic principle of quantum mechanics: the Pauli exclusion principle (PEP). In the future, we aim to use a similar experimental technique to search for X-rays as a signature of the spontaneous collapse of the wave function predicted by continuous spontaneous localization theories. We present the achieved results of the VIP experiment and the future plans to gain two orders of magnitude in testing PEP with the recently VIP2 setup installed at Gran Sasso.
Making a circulant 2-qubit entangling gate
Authors: Levaillant Claire
Published: May 2016

We present a way to physically realize a circulant 2-qubit entangling gate in the Kauffman–Jones version of SU(2) Chern–Simons theory at level 4. Our approach uses qubit and qutrit ancillas, braids, fusions and interferometric measurements. Our qubit is formed by four anyons of topological charges 1221. Among other 2-qubit entangling gates which we generate in the present work, we produce in particular the circulant gate [Formula: see text] where J denotes the permutation matrix associated with the cycle [Formula: see text] and I denotes the identity matrix.
Weakly externally hyperconvex subsets and hyperconvex gluings
Authors: Miesch Benjamin , Pavón Maël
Published: May 2016

We give a necessary and sufficient condition under which gluings of hyperconvex metric spaces along weakly externally hyperconvex subsets are hyperconvex. This leads to a full characterization of hyperconvex gluings of two isometric copies of the same hyperconvex space.

Furthermore, we investigate the case of gluings of finite dimensional hyperconvex linear spaces along linear subspaces. For this purpose, we characterize the weakly externally hyperconvex subsets of [Formula: see text] endowed with the maximum norm.
The Role of Surgical Pathology in Guiding Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Lovitch Scott B. , Rodig Scott J.
Published: May 2016

The recognition that the immune system can identify and destroy tumor cells has driven a paradigm shift in our understanding of human cancer. Therapies designed to enhance this capacity, including cancer vaccines and coinhibitory receptor blockade, have demonstrated clinical efficacy in treating tumors refractory to conventional therapy. In this review, we discuss how the analysis of the immune microenvironment in primary tissue biopsy samples can be used to stratify patients according to clinical outcome, identify patients likely to benefit from specific immunotherapies, and tailor combination immunotherapy to individual patients and tumor types. As immunotherapy gains in complexity and is used in combination with agents that target oncogenic, intracellular signaling pathways, diagnostic pathologists will play an increasingly important part in identifying and quantifying cellular and molecular biomarkers in tissue samples that reflect the nature and magnitude of the antitumor immune response.
Mechanisms of MicroRNAs in Atherosclerosis
Authors: Schober Andreas , Weber Christian
Published: May 2016

The maladaptation of endothelial cells to disturbed flow at arterial bifurcations increases permeability for lipoproteins. Additional injury by chemically modified lipoproteins disrupts the continuous repair of maladapted endothelial cells and triggers intimal macrophage accumulation. Macrophages remove modified lipoproteins from the extracellular space until the cholesterol overload leads to macrophage death and insufficient efferocytosis. This macrophage failure promotes the progression to advanced lesions by formation of a lipid-rich necrotic core, which may rupture and cause myocardial infarction and stroke. In this article, we summarize the fundamental roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the regulation of endothelial maladaptation and macrophage failure during atherosclerosis. We describe how miRNAs coordinate the mutual interaction between chronic endothelial repair and endothelial senescence and mechanistically link the regulation of macrophage cholesterol homeostasis with defective efferocytosis. Lastly, we discuss how miRNAs may challenge and extend current theories about atherosclerosis.
Hypoxia and Mucosal Inflammation
Authors: Colgan Sean P. , Campbell Eric L. , Kominsky Douglas J.
Published: May 2016

Sites of inflammation are defined by significant changes in metabolic activity. Recent studies have suggested that O2 metabolism and hypoxia play a prominent role in inflammation so-called “inflammatory hypoxia,” which results from a combination of recruited inflammatory cells (e.g., neutrophils and monocytes), the local proliferation of multiple cell types, and the activation of multiple O2-consuming enzymes during inflammation. These shifts in energy supply and demand result in localized regions of hypoxia and have revealed the important function off the transcription factor HIF (hypoxia-inducible factor) in the regulation of key target genes that promote inflammatory resolution. Analysis of these pathways has provided multiple opportunities for understanding basic mechanisms of inflammation and has defined new targets for intervention. Here, we review recent work addressing tissue hypoxia and metabolic control of inflammation and immunity.
Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate inhibits hypoxia-induced enhancement of SOCE in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells via the PKG-PPAR-γ signaling axis
Authors: Jiang Qian , Lu Wenju , Yang Kai , Hadadi Cyrus , Fu Xin , Chen Yuqin , Yun Xin , Zhang Jie , Li Meichan , Xu Lei , Tang Haiyang , Yuan Jason X-J , Wang Jian , Sun Dejun
Published: May 2016

Our laboratory previously showed that sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) inhibited store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) through store-operated Ca2+ channels (SOCC) via downregulating the expression of transient receptor potential canonical proteins (TRPC), which contribute to the formation of SOCC (Wang J, Jiang Q, Wan L, Yang K, Zhang Y, Chen Y, Wang E, Lai N, Zhao L, Jiang H, Sun Y, Zhong N, Ran P, Lu W. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 48: 125–134, 2013). The detailed molecular mechanisms by which STS inhibits SOCE and downregulates TRPC, however, remain largely unknown. We have previously shown that, under hypoxic conditions, inhibition of protein kinase G (PKG) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) signaling axis results in the upregulation of TRPC (Wang J, Yang K, Xu L, Zhang Y, Lai N, Jiang H, Zhang Y, Zhong N, Ran P, Lu W. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 49: 231–240, 2013). This suggests that strategies targeting the restoration of this signaling pathway may be an effective treatment strategy for pulmonary hypertension. In this study, our results demonstrated that STS treatment can effectively prevent the hypoxia-mediated inhibition of the PKG-PPAR-γ signaling axis in rat distal pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and distal pulmonary arteries. These effects of STS treatment were blocked by pharmacological inhibition or specific small interfering RNA knockdown of either PKG or PPAR-γ. Moreover, targeted PPAR-γ agonist markedly enhanced the beneficial effects of STS. These results comprehensively suggest that STS treatment can prevent hypoxia-mediated increases in intracellular calcium homeostasis and cell proliferation, by targeting and restoring the hypoxia-inhibited PKG-PPAR-γ signaling pathway in PASMCs.