bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteolysis and neurogenesis modulated by LNR domain proteins explosion support male differentiation in the crustacean Oithona nana
Authors: Sugier Kevin , Laso-Jadart Romuald , Kerbache Soheib , Kafer Jos , Arif Majda , Bertrand Laurie , Labadie Karine , Martins Nathalie , Orvain Celine , Petit Emmanuelle , Poulain Julie , Wincker Patrick , Jamet Jean-Louis , Alberti Adriana , Madoui Mohammed-Amin
Published: October 2019

Copepods are the most numerous animals and play an essential role in the marine trophic web and biogeochemical cycles. The genus Oithona is described as having the highest numerical density, as the most cosmopolite copepod and iteroparous. The Oithona male paradox obliges it to alternate feeding (immobile) and mating (mobile) phases. As the molecular basis of this trade-off is unknown, we investigated this sexual dimorphism at the molecular level by integrating genomic, transcriptomic and protein-protein interaction analyses.

While a ZW sex-determination system was predicted in O. nana, a fifteen-year time-series in the Toulon Little Bay showed a biased sex ratio toward females (male / female ratio < 0.15±0.11) highlighting a higher mortality in male. Here, the transcriptomic analysis of the five different developmental stages showed enrichment of Lin12-Notch Repeat (LNR) domains-containing proteins coding genes (LDPGs) in male transcripts. The male also showed enrichment in transcripts involved in proteolysis, nervous system development, synapse assembly and functioning and also amino acid conversion to glutamate. Moreover, several male down-regulated genes were involved in the increase of food uptake and digestion. The formation of LDP complexes was detected by yeast two-hybrid, with interactions involving proteases, extracellular matrix proteins and neurogenesis related proteins.

Together, these results suggest that the O. nana male hypermotility is sustained by LDP-modulated proteolysis allowing the releases and conversions of amino acid into the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. This process could permit new axons and dendrites formation suggesting a sexual nervous system dimorphism. This could support the hypothesis of a sacrificial behaviour in males at the metabolic level.
Accounting for demography in the assessment of wild animal welfare
Authors: Hecht Luke B.B.
Published: October 2019

Welfare is experienced by individual animals, but the quantity and average quality of welfare an individual is likely to experience in their lifetime is bounded by population demography; namely, age-specific survivorship and the ecological forces that shape it. In many species, a minority of the individuals who are born survive to adulthood, meaning that the lives of those we observe in nature are often unrepresentative of the typical individual born into their population. Since only living animals are capable of experiencing welfare, lifespan is effectively an upper bound on the amount of affectively positive or negative experience an animal can accrue. Life history strategies that increase the probability of a long life are therefore more permissive of good welfare; but even holding life expectancy constant, specific patterns of age-specific mortality may enable a larger proportion of individuals to live through periods characterized by above-average welfare. I formalize this association between demography and welfare through the concept of welfare expectancy, which is applied to published demographic models for >80 species to illustrate the diversity of age-specific mortality patterns and entertain hypotheses about the relationship between demography and welfare.
The First Reconstruction of Intercellular Interaction Network in Mus musculus Immune System
Authors: Azadian Somayeh , Zahiri Javad , Arab Seyed Shahriar , sajedi Reza Hassan
Published: October 2019

Intercellular interactions play an important role in regulating communications of cells with each other. So far, many studies have been done with both experimental and computational approaches in this field. Therefore, in order to investigate and analyze the intercellular interactions, use of network reconstruction has attracted the attention of many researchers recently. The intercellular interaction network was reconstructed using receptor and ligand interaction dataset and gene expression data of the first phase of the immunological genome project. In the reconstructed network, there are 9271 communications between 162 cells which were created through 460 receptor-ligand interactions. The results indicate that cells of hematopoietic lineages use fewer communication pathways for interacting with each other and the most network communications belong to non-hematopoietic stromal cells and macrophages. The results indicated the importance of the communication of stromal cells with immune cells and also high specificity of genes expression in these cells. The stromal cells have the most autocrine communication, and interactions between the wnt5a with the Ror1/2 and Fzd5a among the stromal lineage cells are abundant.
Data-driven approach for synchrotron X-ray Laue microdiffraction scan analysis
Authors: Song Yintao , Tamura Nobumichi , Zhang Chenbo , Karami Mostafa , Chen Xian
Published: October 2019

A novel data-driven approach is proposed for analyzing synchrotron Laue X-ray microdiffraction scans based on machine learning algorithms. The basic architecture and major components of the method are formulated mathematically. It is demonstrated through typical examples including polycrystalline BaTiO3, multiphase transforming alloys and finely twinned martensite. The computational pipeline is implemented for beamline 12.3.2 at the Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The conventional analytical pathway for X-ray diffraction scans is based on a slow pattern-by-pattern crystal indexing process. This work provides a new way for analyzing X-ray diffraction 2D patterns, independent of the indexing process, and motivates further studies of X-ray diffraction patterns from the machine learning perspective for the development of suitable feature extraction, clustering and labeling algorithms.
Integrating the effects of price fairness and Islamic altruism with the TPB model
Authors: M. Sayuti Khadijah , Amin Hanudin
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the impacts of price fairness and Islamic altruism on the Islamic mortgage adoption along with theory of planned behaviour’s (TPB’s) constructs (i.e. attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control). Attitude is also analysed as a mediator in this study.

Design/methodology/approach

Using TPB as a baseline theory, this study analyses the Islamic mortgage adoption involving a total of 281 Muslim consumers in Malaysia using partial least squares.

Findings

The results indicate that attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control and price fairness significantly influence Muslim bank customers’ intention to choose Islamic home financing products. Other interesting findings are also provided.

Research limitations/implications

This study contains three limitations that include the geographical constraint, respondents’ selection and the limited number of factors used.

Practical implications

The results obtained can serve as a guideline for bank managers or marketers to generate better strategies, which are dynamic to improve the acceptance rate of Islamic mortgage.

Originality/value

This study extends the TPB flexibility to integrate with price fairness and Islamic altruism in the Islamic mortgage adoption context.
Designing with maritime heritage: adaptive re-use of small-scale shipyards in northwest Europe
Authors: Hettema Jelle , Egberts Linde
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the different design approaches architects take towards the adaptive reuse of small-scale shipyards. Thereby giving a proposition for future projects by giving insight in how others preceded and showcasing different possibilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on a literary review in combination with a case study, following one main question: What architectural approaches do architects employ in redesigning nineteenth- and twentieth century dockyards in Northern Europe and how do these approaches consider the history of building and context? First, this paper researches the history of adaptive reuse. Additionally, the historical and cultural context of shipyards is researched. Finally, a case study is done linking theory with practice. Selected cases are: Kromhout shipyard in Amsterdam, Verftet Ny-Hellesund in Ny-Hellesund and the Maritime Museum in Helsingør.

Findings

Four approaches to adaptive re-use were distinguished in the cases: differentiation, continuation, cultivation and optimisation. Each has its own implications for the design and the chosen approach is ultimately related to the important heritage values of each individual shipyard. Heritage professionals proved to have a great say, in the early stages of the adaptation process, in which the adaptive reuse approach was chosen.

Research limitations/implications

This comparative research enables an in-depth analysis and comparison and thorough qualitative understanding. It however limits the insight in the representativeness of these cases.

Originality/value

This paper compares the adaptive reuse of small-scale shipyards in an international perspective. It offers insight into the patterns, principles and context of the architectural reuse of this underexposed industrial heritage.
Research opportunities for determining the elements of early trust in virtual teams
Authors: Gardner Ross , Kil Ad , van Dam Nick
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze cognitive-based trust development during the beginning phase of virtual teams (VT) before any trustor’s firsthand, knowledge-based trust of a trustee can develop. At this phase, early cognitive trust development is largely an individual construct that can help set the tone for subsequent phases and may also influence final VT effectiveness and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study begins with an analysis of cognitive-based trust and trust in VT and then focuses on the models and antecedents of early trust development in VT.

Findings

The conclusion offers a precise visualization of the research on early trust development in VT that identifies new research opportunities, particularly valuable for new field research.

Research limitations/implications

This literature review could be useful to both researchers of early trust formation in VTs and to organizations that use VTs as a part of their workforce. The figures and tables produced in this literature could be useful to researchers of early trust development in VTs in two areas. First, researchers can use this information to quickly identify the academic literature associated with each component of early trust models, the type of research conducted for each component. Second, new research opportunities based on this sample for each component of the early trust model is clearly identified.

Practical implications

Organizations need to ensure that members of VTs can form quickly and operate effectively within a short period. Identifying factors that may influence early trust formation could give managers and VT members an understanding of the importance of trust development in the early stages of VTs and how this may ultimately influence a VTs performance, effective teamwork and productivity.

Originality/value

The conclusion offers a precise visualization of the research on early trust development in VT that identifies new research opportunities, particularly valuable for new field research.
Increasing the scope of assurance research: new lines of inquiry and novel theoretical perspectives
Authors: Tyson Tom , Adams Carol A.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Theorizing in the extant sustainability assurance literature is limited. This paper aims to identify apposite organizational theories from related fields which scholars could apply to sustainability assurance research. Through the introduction of theoretical perspectives new to the field, the authors seek to extend current research.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was undertaken and papers using theory to examine research questions concerned with sustainability assurance and business sustainability issues more broadly were categorized by theory and sub area of focus. The authors then considered how organizational theories used in other areas of business sustainability research might augment the current paucity of theorizing applied in sustainability assurance research, thereby opening up new research possibilities.

Findings

The review identified gaps in current theorizing in sustainability assurance research and theoretical frameworks which have the potential to augment research avenues in sustainability assurance, enhance the way researchers interpret their data and increase the understanding of sustainability assurance decisions.

Practical implications

Innovation in sustainability assurance research may lead to developments in sustainability assurance practice, which enhances the credibility of sustainability reports. It will inform ongoing debate regarding whether sustainability assurance should be mandatory, whether a specific reporting format and level of assurance should be prescribed, how the practice can be developed and whether alternatives to enhancing the credibility of sustainability reports need to be found.

Social implications

Enhanced theorizing may shed light on whether sustainability assurance enhances the credibility of sustainability disclosures and whether it leads, or fails to lead, to real improvements in preparers' sustainability-related practices.

Originality/value

By identifying theories which could be applied to sustainability assurance research, this paper facilitates the development of new avenues of research and new ways of interpreting data from the field.
Perspectives of individuals receiving occupational therapy services through the National Disability Insurance Scheme: Implications for occupational therapy educators
Authors: Barclay Linda , Callaway Libby , Pope Kirsty
Published: October 2019

Introduction

With the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia, occupational therapy graduates need to be adequately prepared to support service users in this new policy context. There is, however, limited research informed by service users themselves to inform contemporary occupational therapy curriculum redesign. The aims of this study were: (a) to explore the experience of occupational therapy service provision from the perspective of service users with lived experience of disability; (b) to gain an understanding of the perceptions of people with lived experience of disability regarding the NDIS and whether it will change how they work with occupational therapists; (c) to gain an understanding of the perspectives of people with lived experience of disability regarding the NDIS, and how this influences curriculum content for occupational therapy education.

Methods

A pragmatic qualitative design, underpinned by the constructivist paradigm was utilised. Demographic surveys and semi‐structured interviews were completed with 10 participants who were purposively recruited. Peer debriefing and use of an audit trail were undertaken to enhance the rigour of the analysis.

Results

Three themes were identified: (a) Occupational therapists as gatekeepers for equipment provision; (b) experience of the NDIS (Knowledge and understanding of the NDIS; Uncertainty regarding the NDIS; Choice and control in the NDIS); (c) curriculum content for occupational therapy.

Conclusion

The insights provided by the people with lived experience in this study inform key areas of focus for occupational therapy curriculum to adequately prepare graduates to work in the evolving NDIS environment. Involving service users in an authentic manner in curriculum design, content delivery and student assessment is crucial for “real‐world” applicability of student education.
Final Closure Time of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean: Implication from the Provenance Transformation from the Yangjiagou Formation to Lujiatun Formation in the Jiutai Area, NE China
Authors: ZHANG Qian , LIANG Chenyue , LIU Yongjiang , ZHENG Changqing , LI Weimin
Published: October 2019

The Jiutai area is tectonically situated at the eastern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) and is close to the North China Craton (NCC) to the south, serving as an ideal place to investigations of the closure of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean (PAO). Sandstone samples collected from the Yangjiagou Formation and the Lujiatun Formation in this area have been studied in detail in terms of petrology, geochronology and geochemistry. The maximum depositional time of the Yangjiagou and Lujiatun formations has been constrained to early Middle Triassic (ca. 245 Ma) and middle Late Triassic (ca. 219 Ma), respectively. The Yangjiagou Formation, with a major provenance of dissected island arcs, is dominantly composed of Phanerozoic sediments from Northeastern China (NE China) massifs. The Lujiatun Formation, with major sediments from active continental margins, has a relatively larger proportion of Precambrian sediments, in which the ∼1.85 Ga and ∼2.5 Ga sediments are typical of the crystalline basements of the NCC and NE China massifs, which were uplifted and eroded during the closure of the PAO. Besides, both formations show the enrichment in LREEs and the depletion in HREEs, the common Eu negative anomalies, and trace element contents similar to that of the upper continental crust. Based on the provenance analysis of these two formations, the final closure time of the PAO in this area is constrained as from the early Middle Triassic (ca. 245 Ma) to the middle Late Triassic (ca. 219 Ma).
Clinical and laboratory predictions of myocardial inflammation as detected by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in patients with systemic sclerosis: A pilot study
Authors: Tipparot Thapanee , Foocharoen Chingching , Mahakkanukrauh Ajanee , Suwannaroj Siraphop , Nanagara Ratanavadee , Pussadhamma Burabha , Chaosuwannakit Narumol
Published: October 2019

Background

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cardiac MRI) has high sensitivity and specificity for differentiating cardiac fibrosis from inflammation. There is no data on the clinical and laboratory association or prediction of myocardial inflammation in systemic sclerosis—a major organ involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Objectives

Our aim was to ascertain the clinical and laboratory associations with myocardial inflammation in SSc patients as detected by cardiac MRI.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted among Thai adult SSc patients who had: disease onset <4 years; a New York Heart Association functional class ≥ II; and followed up at the Scleroderma Clinic, Khon Kaen University, between June 2018 and January 2019. We excluded patients who were taking steroids and/or immunosuppressants or had a diagnosed heart disease before being diagnosed with SSc. All enrolled patients underwent cardiac MRI, and clinical and laboratory assessments the same date. Myocardial inflammation was defined by cardiac MRI per the Lake Louise Criteria.

Results

A total of 30 SSc patients were enrolled. The female‐to‐male ratio was 1.8:1. The majority (73%) had diffuse cutaneous SSc. The respective mean age and median duration of disease was 57 ± 8 and 2.0 years (interquartile range 1.5‐2.7). Myocardial inflammation was detected in 22 patients (73.3%). The multivariate analysis revealed that every 5 years of increased age at onset and every 5‐point increase in the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) at onset was significantly associated with myocardial inflammation (odds ratio 0.47, 95% CI 0.22‐0.98; and 2.64 95% CI 1.04‐6.74, respectively). Neither the SSc subset, internal organ involvement, inflammatory markers, nor cardiac and muscle enzymes were associated with myocardial inflammation in SSc.

Conclusion

Myocardial inflammation is common in early‐onset SSc. An increased risk of myocardial inflammation was associated with young age and high mRSS at onset. Cardiac MRI is the suggested evaluation for high‐risk SSc patients experiencing dyspnea on exertion.
Quantitative tracking of inflammatory activity at the peak and trough plasma levels of tofacitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor, via in vivo 18F‐FDG PET
Authors: Raychaudhuri Sanchita , Abria Christine , Harmany Zachary T. , Smith Charles M. , Kundu‐Raychaudhuri Smriti , Raychaudhuri Siba P. , Chaudhari Abhijit J.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

To assess the capability of in vivo positron emission tomography (PET) using 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (18F‐FDG) to quantify changes in inflammatory activity in response to tofacitinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, over a timeframe of a few hours to few days in a preclinical model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Twenty‐four mice with collagen‐induced arthritis in the following groups were assessed: Group 1, where the changes in PET measures for the extremity joints were evaluated at the peak and trough plasma drug levels after administration of a single dose of tofacitinib (4 hours apart); Group 2, where joint PET measures were assessed before treatment and after 6 days of administration of a daily dose of tofacitinib; and group 3 (controls), where joint PET measures were derived from the same mice, 6 days apart.

Results

At about peak plasma levels of the drug after a single tofacitinib administration, there was a reduction in PET measures compared to pretreatment values, suggesting decreased inflammatory activity. These measures were equivalent to those obtained after 6 days of daily dosing by tofacitinib. However, PET measures at trough plasma levels of the drug from tofacitinib administration were significantly higher than those at peak plasma drug levels and equivalent to pretreatment measures. There were insignificant changes in PET measures for the control animals.

Conclusion

18F‐FDG PET can detect changes in inflammatory activity occurring in response to the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib: (a) during peak and trough plasma drug levels, that is within mere hours of treatment; and (b) over a span of days.
Causal attributions of potentially traumatic life events in fibromyalgia patients
Authors: De Almeida‐Marques Francisco X. , Sánchez‐Blanco José , Sanduvete‐Chaves Susana , Cano‐García Francisco J.
Published: October 2019

Aim

In common clinical practice, potentially traumatic life events and the possible attribution of such events to fibromyalgia often go undetected. Having demonstrated in a previous study that hypnosis facilitates the exploration of such events, we now aim to explore and classify the content of these events and to determine whether there is an association between the type of event, the state of consciousness in which the patient verbalized it, and possible causal attributions of the disorder.

Method

Thirty‐two women (age 52 ± 7 years) suffering from fibromyalgia and receiving care in a primary healthcare center participated in the same semi‐structured interview twice: once in a wakeful state and once under hypnosis. They answered two questions: what other events in your life coincided with the onset of fibromyalgia? Are those events related to your fibromyalgia in any way? To counteract biases related to order or recall, the order of the two interviews was randomized with a 3‐month period in between.

Results

The patients verbalized 23 different types of events, which we classified into eight categories, mostly psychosocial events. Although the relationship between the three variables was not statistically significant, two of the bivariate associations predicted (type of event and state of consciousness; and state of consciousness and causal attribution) were confirmed (χ2, P values of .01 and <.001 respectively).

Conclusion

Potentially traumatic life events could remain undetected in primary healthcare consultations and hypnosis could prove a useful tool for their detection.
Knowledge of Australian primary education providers towards dental avulsion injuries: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Khan A , Goyal A , Somaiya V , Rathesh A , Sathiyamoorthy J , Larkin K , Currell SD , Nimmo AJ
Published: October 2019

Background/aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of school professionals regarding the emergency management of dental avulsion.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study utilised a self‐administered, pilot‐tested questionnaire for school staff from primary schools. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis – the prevalence and univariate associations between a categorical outcome and the variables under consideration, were evaluated using Pearson’s Chi‐squared test.

Results

This survey yielded a response rate of 43.5% (n = 313). Approximately 60% of participants held valid first‐aid certificates and 23% had received avulsion advice previously. Over 80% of participants expressed an unwillingness to replant an avulsed tooth, and over 90% believed that there should be greater awareness in this area. This unwillingness to replant was influenced by respondents’ age (x2 = 8.13 df = 3, P = 0.043) and receiving advice previously (x2 = 13.15, df = 1, P < 0.001). Under‐preparedness was related to years of experience (x2 = 15.03, df = 5, P = 0.010), first‐aid training (x2 = 6.41, df = 1, P = 0.011) and receiving advice previously (x2 = 43.47, df = 1, P < 0.001). It was also evident that first‐aid training positively influenced appropriate dental referral in the management pathway (x2 = 10.49, df = 1, P = 0.001).

Conclusion

This study suggests that there is an inadequate level of knowledge on the appropriate management of dental avulsion injuries amongst primary school professionals in Australia.
Series estimation for single‐index models under constraints
Authors: Dong Chaohua , Gao Jiti , Peng Bin
Published: October 2019

In this paper, a semi‐parametric single‐index model is investigated. The link function is allowed to be unbounded and has unbounded support that answers a pending issue in the literature. Meanwhile, the link function is treated as a point in an infinitely many dimensional function space which enables us to derive the estimates for the index parameter and the link function simultaneously. This approach is different from the profile method commonly used in the literature. The estimator is derived from an optimisation with the constraint of identification condition for the index parameter, which addresses an important problem in the literature of single‐index models. In addition, making use of a property of Hermite orthogonal polynomials, an explicit estimator for the index parameter is obtained. Asymptotic properties for the two estimators of the index parameter are established. Their efficiency is discussed in some special cases as well. The finite sample properties of the two estimates are demonstrated through an extensive Monte Carlo study and an empirical example.
Laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis and predictors of major complications: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Clark Nisse V. , Dmello Monalisa , Griffith Kendall C. , Gu Xiangmei , Ajao Mobolaji O. , Cohen Sarah L. , Einarsson Jon I.
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Patients with advanced endometriosis may be at an increased risk of surgical complications following laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis; however, this relationship has not been examined. We sought to identify predictors of major complications following laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis.

Material and methods

A retrospective cohort study of women who underwent laparoscopic treatment of suspected endometriosis between 2009 and 2016 within the Division of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. Predictors of major perioperative complications were assessed by comparing the characteristics of women who had any major intraoperative or postoperative complication with those of women who had no complication.

Results

A total of 397 women underwent laparoscopic treatment of suspected endometriosis including excision of superficial endometriosis (55.4%), excision of deep‐infiltrating endometriosis (24.9%), fulguration of endometriosis (38.3%), hysterectomy (23.2%), ovarian cystectomy (35.5%), salpingectomy (18.6%), oophorectomy (15.1%), and bowel resection (1.0%). Women were followed for 60 days following surgery, over which time 18 women (4.5%) had a major perioperative complication. Patient characteristics and preoperative imaging were similar between women with and without complications. Women with advanced endometriosis, including stage III or IV endometriosis, deep‐infiltrating endometriosis, or rectovaginal disease, were more likely to have a complication, though this did not reach statistical significance (77.8% of women with a complication versus 56.7% of women without a complication had advanced endometriosis, P = 0.077). Women who had a complication were more likely to have undergone adhesiolysis or ureterolysis (88.9% of women with a complication versus 52.5% without a complication underwent adhesiolysis, P = 0.002; and 61.1% of women with a complication versus 28.8% without a complication underwent ureterolysis, P = 0.003). The total number of procedures was greater for women who had a complication (4.3 ± 1.2 vs 3.2 ± 1.5, P = 0.003). All other procedure characteristics were similar between women with and without complications.

Conclusions

Complications following laparoscopic treatment of suspected endometriosis could not be predicted by preoperative patient characteristics or surgical findings of advanced endometriosis. Adhesiolysis, ureterolysis, and an increased number of total procedures may be predictive of perioperative complications, suggesting that surgical complexity as measured by the procedures performed, rather than the disease severity, may increase the risk of a complication compared with women who do not undergo these procedures.
Cross‐linked cartilage acellular matrix film decreases postsurgical peritendinous adhesions
Authors: Park Do Young , Yun Hee‐Woong , Lim Sumin , Truong Minh‐Dung , Yin Xiang Yun , Park Jinho , Kim Byeong Kook , Shin Dong Il , Li Xue Guang , Chung Jun Young , Kim Moon Suk , Min Byoung‐Hyun
Published: October 2019

Cartilage extracellular matrix contains antiadhesive and antiangiogenic molecules such as chondromodulin‐1, thrombospondin‐1, and endostatin. We have aimed to develop a cross‐linked cartilage acellular matrix (CAM) barrier for peritendinous adhesion prevention. CAM film was fabricated using decellularized porcine cartilage tissue powder and chemical cross‐linking. Biochemical analysis of the film showed retention of collagen and glycosaminoglycans after the fabrication process. Physical characterization of the film showed denser collagen microstructure, increased water contact angle, and higher tensile strength after cross‐linking. The degradation time in vivo was 14 d after cross‐linking. The film extract and film surface showed similar cell proliferation, while inhibiting cell migration and cell adhesion compared to standard media and culture plate, respectively. Application of the film after repair resulted in similar tendon healing and significantly less peritendinous adhesions in a rabbit Achilles tendon injury model compared to repair only group, demonstrated by histology, ultrasonography, and biomechanical testing. In conclusion, the current study developed a CAM film having biological properties of antiadhesion, together with biomechanical properties and degradation profile suitable for prevention of peritendinous adhesions.
Computational investigation of hemodynamics in hardshell venous reservoirs: A comparative study
Authors: Benim Ali Cemal , Frank Thiemo , Assmann Alexander , Lichtenberg Artur , Akhyari Payam
Published: October 2019

Extracorporeal circulation using heart‐lung‐machines is associated with a profound activation of corpuscular and plasmatic components of circulating blood, which can also lead to deleterious events such as systemic inflammatory response and hemolysis. Individual components used to install the extracorporeal circulation have an impact on the level of activation, most predominantly membrane oxygenators and hardshell venous reservoirs as used in extracorporeal systems. The blood flows in two different hardshell reservoirs are computationally investigated. A special emphasis is placed on the prediction of an onset of transition and turbulence generation. Reynolds‐averaged numerical simulations (RANS) based on a transitional turbulence model, as well as large eddy simulations (LES) are applied to achieve an accurate prediction. In the LES analysis, the non‐Newtonian behavior of the blood is considered via the Carreau model. Blood damage potential is quantified applying the Modified Index of Hemolysis (MIH) based on the predicted flow fields. The results indicate that the flows in both reservoirs remain predominantly laminar. For one of the reservoirs, considerable turbulence generation is observed near the exit site, caused by the specific design for the connection with the drainage tube. This difference causes the MIH of this reservoir to be nearly twice as large as compared to the alternative design. However, a substantial improvement of these performance criteria can be expected by a local geometry modification.
Retracing Magna Graecia's silver: coupling lead isotopes with a multi‐standard trace element procedure
Authors: Birch T. , Westner K. J. , Kemmers F. , Klein S. , Höfer H. E. , Seitz H.‐M.
Published: October 2019

This study presents the results of compositional and lead isotopic analysis of coinage issued by the Greek colonies of Syracuse, Metapontum, Taras and Thurium in the fifth to third centuries bce. The data suggest that each colony in Magna Graecia, regardless of its motherland roots and despite ongoing conflicts between the cities, had access to the same silver, and that this supply was stable overall throughout their period of minting and issuing coinage. The paper retraces the silver sources of the colonies and points out a potential supply route for the metal. It includes a method development for a multi‐standard quantification approach for laser ablation‐inductively coupled‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) analysis of silver.
Impact of pharmaceutical care on the quality of life of patients with heart failure due to chronic Chagas disease: Randomized clinical trial
Authors: Chambela Mayara da Costa , Mediano Mauro Felippe Felix , Carneiro Fernanda Martins , Ferreira Roberto Rodrigues , Waghabi Mariana Caldas , Mendes Verônica Gonçalves , Oliveira Luciano de Souza , de Holanda Marcelo Teixeira , de Sousa Andréa Silvestre , da Costa Andréa Rodrigues , Xavier Sérgio Salles , da Silva Gilberto Marcelo Sperandio , Saraiva Roberto Magalhães
Published: October 2019

Aims

Chronic Chagas disease (ChD) has high morbimortality and loss in quality of life due to heart failure (HF). Pharmaceutical care (PC) optimizes clinical treatment and can improve quality of life in HF. We evaluated if PC improves quality of life of patients with ChD and HF.

Methods

Single‐blinded, randomized, controlled trial that assigned adult patients with ChD and HF (81 patients; 61 ± 11 years; 48% male) to PC (n = 40) or standard care (n = 41). Quality of life according to SF‐36 and Minnesota living with HF questionnaires, incidence of drug‐related problems (DRPs), and adherence to medical treatment were determined at baseline and at every 3 months for 1 year. Intention‐to‐treat analyses were performed by mixed linear model to verify the treatment effect on the changes of these variables throughout the intervention period.

Results

Relative changes from baseline to 1 year of follow‐up of the domains physical functioning (+16.6 vs –8.5; P < .001), role‐physical (+34.0 vs +5.2; P = .01), general health (+19.4 vs –6.1; P < .001), vitality (+11.5 vs. –5.8; P = .003), social functioning (+7.5 vs –13.3; P = .002), and mental health (+9.0 vs –3.7; P = .006) of the SF‐36 questionnaire and the Minnesota living with HF questionnaire score (−12.7 vs +4.8; P < .001) were superior in the PC group than in the standard care group. Adherence to medical treatment increased as early as after 3 months of follow‐up and DRPs incidence decreased after 6 months of follow‐up only in the PC group.

Conclusions

Patients with ChD and HF who received PC presented improved quality of life, decrease in DRP frequency, and increase in medication adherence.
In silico and in vitro studies of two non‐imidazole multiple targeting agents at histamine H3 receptors and cholinesterase enzymes
Authors: Ghamari Nakisa , Dastmalchi Siavoush , Zarei Omid , Arias‐Montaño José‐Antonio , Reiner David , Ustun‑Alkan Fulya , Stark Holger , Hamzeh‐Mivehroud Maryam
Published: October 2019

Recently, multi‐target directed ligands have been of research interest for multifactorial disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since H3 receptors (H3Rs) and cholinesterases are involved in pathophysiology of AD, identification of dual‐acting compounds capable of improving cholinergic neurotransmission is of importance in AD pharmacotherapy. In the present study, H3R antagonistic activity combined with anticholinesterase properties of two previously computationally identified lead compounds, that is, compound 3 (6‐chloro‐N‐methyl‐N‐[3‐(4‐methylpiperazin‐1‐yl)propyl]‐1H‐indole‐2‐carboxamide) and compound 4 (7‐chloro‐N‐[(1‐methylpiperidin‐3‐yl)methyl]‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline‐2‐carboxamide), was tested. Moreover, molecular docking and binding free energy calculations were conducted for binding mode and affinity prediction of studied ligands toward cholinesterases. Biological evaluations revealed inhibitory activity of ligands in nanomolar (compound 3: H3R EC50 = 0.73 nM; compound 4: H3R EC50 = 31 nM) and micromolar values (compound 3: AChE IC50 = 9.09 µM, BuChE IC50 = 21.10 µM; compound 4: AChE IC50 = 8.40 µM, BuChE IC50 = 4.93 µM) for H3R antagonism and cholinesterase inhibition, respectively. Binding free energies yielded good consistency with cholinesterase inhibitory profiles. The results of this study can be used for lead optimization where dual inhibitory activity on H3R and cholinesterases is needed. Such ligands can exert their biological activity in a synergistic manner resulting in higher potency and efficacy.
How Does Racial Context Matter?: Family Preparation‐for‐Bias Messages and Racial Coping Reported by Black Youth
Authors: Scott Judith C. , Pinderhughes Ellen E. , Johnson Sara K.
Published: October 2019

Black families and youth likely consider specific racial discriminatory situations in preparation‐for‐bias messages and racial coping responses. Our study investigated coping responses embedded in youth‐reported Black families’ preparation‐for‐bias messages and youths’ proactive coping responses to specific racially discriminatory situations—teachers’ negative expectations, store employees’ hyper‐monitoring and police harassment. Gender and racial discrimination experience differences were considered along with relations between messages and coping. Our investigation was guided by the integrated‐developmental, transactional/ecological, intersectionality, and Phenomenological Variant of Ecological Systems Theory theoretical frameworks. We conducted cluster analyses using data from 117 Black youth aged 13–14 to identify situation‐specific family messages and youth coping responses. Families’ messages and youths’ responses varied in content and frequency based on the specific discriminatory situation, which suggests consideration of context.
Producing Diverse and Segregated Spaces: Local Businesses and Commercial Gentrification in Two Chicago Neighborhoods
Authors: Tuttle Steven
Published: October 2019

Gentrification processes may involve both racial and class demographic transitions. In these cases, questions about racial segregation and integration become particularly pertinent. Neighborhoods appearing racially diverse, according to quantitative neighborhood–level measures, may not necessarily exhibit sustained interracial contact. In these contexts, I ask: how do local events and businesses contribute to racial segregation or integration? Using qualitative observations and interviews, I examine racial segregation and diversity in two previously majority–Latino Chicago neighborhoods. Looking specifically at public and semipublic spaces, I identify patterns of segregation and diversity. I argue that racially or ethnically diverse or segregated spaces can be the product of design or circumstance, with some actively fostering diverse and integrated communities and others becoming integrated largely due to convenience or necessity (as may be the case in grocery stores and other retail outlets). Thus, neighborhood–level diversity may not necessarily foster integration, but additional actions can be taken by place–producers.
Turning a City into a Milieu of Study: University Pedagogy as “Frontline”
Authors: Masschelein Jan
Published: October 2019

In 2016 Bruno Latour delivered a lecture at Cornell University in which he responded to what he called the actual situation of disorientation and (literal) lack of common ground by offering some “hints for a neo‐Humboldtian university.” One hint he offered was that we should consider pedagogy as the frontline for staging an approach to societal challenges that links basic research and public engagement. Here, Jan Masschelein follows and extends upon this hint through exploring some ways to reclaim or reinvent the university as pedagogic form. Concretely, he describes the development of a course on designing educational practices that is conceived as a way to turn cities into a milieu of public and collective study. Masschelein's contribution to this symposium offers a “technical story” about physical, material experiences, one that contains some prepositions and propositions, an example, many detours, and a few practical notes and considerations. By this means, he explores the meaning and form pedagogy takes when we do not reduce it to teaching and extension, but instead approach it as the genus and the locus of a nexus between public engagement and basic research. Masschelein concludes by proposing the “public design studio” as a pedagogic form suited to the neo‐Humboldtian university.
No evidence for spontaneous cross‐frequency phase–phase coupling in the human hippocampus
Authors: Rings Thorsten , Cox Roy , Rüber Theodor , Lehnertz Klaus , Fell Juergen
Published: October 2019

Cross‐frequency phase–phase coupling (PPC) has been suggested to play a role in cognitive processing and, in particular, in memory consolidation during sleep. Controversial results have been reported regarding the existence of spontaneous phase–phase coupling in the hippocampus. Here, we investigated this phenomenon in intracranial EEG recordings from the human hippocampus acquired during waking state and different sleep stages. We estimated the strength of interactions between different pairs of frequency bands and evaluated the statistical significance of findings using surrogates that build on different null hypotheses. Indications for spontaneous phase–phase coupling were only observed when testing with less rigorous surrogates. When requiring that all four surrogate tests be passed, however, there were no significant indications for phase–phase coupling. In conclusion, we did not detect evidence for spontaneous cross‐frequency phase–phase coupling in the human hippocampus.
Para‐articular osteochondroma with intersynovial fistula between the common digital extensor sheath and carpometacarpal joint
Authors: Labbe K. A. , Huber M. J. , Pool R. R.
Published: October 2019

A 7‐year‐old Holsteiner gelding was presented with a left common digital extensor sheath effusion of one‐year's duration. Radiographic examination revealed two extra‐articular mineralised bodies adjacent to the dorsolateral carpometacarpal joint. Ultrasonography confirmed an intrathecal location of one mineralised body in the common digital extensor sheath, palmar fraying of the common digital extensor tendon and tenosynovitis. Ultrasound could not confirm whether the second mineralised body was intrathecal or located external to the common digital extensor sheath. Common digital extensor tenoscopy facilitated removal of both mineralised bodies and revealed a fistula communicating with the carpometacarpal joint. The mineralised bodies, initially thought to be synovial osteochondromas, were histologically identified as para‐articular osteochondromas. There are no previously published reports of para‐articular chondroma/osteochondroma in the horse. Despite surgical removal of the para‐articular osteochondromas, concern for future extensor sheath distension remained given the communication between the carpometacarpal joint and common digital extensor sheath.
Clinical significance and function of RDH16 as a tumor‐suppressing gene in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhu Ying‐Hui , Li Jian‐Biao , Wu Rui‐Yan , Yu Yan , Li Xuan , Li Zhi‐Ling , Zhang Hai‐Liang , Feng Gong‐Kan , Deng Rong , Zhu Xiao‐Feng
Published: October 2019

Aim

Our previous transcriptome sequencing analysis detected that retinol dehydrogenase 16 (RDH16) was dramatically downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). RDH16 belongs to the short‐chain dehydrogenases/reductases super family, and its role in HCC remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the expression and function of RDH16 in HCC.

Methods

The mRNA and protein level of RDH16 in HCC samples were detected by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry analyses, respectively. The role of RDH16 in HCC was determined by in vitro and in vivo functional studies.

Results

Downregulation of RDH16 has been detected in approximately 90% of primary HCCs, which was significantly associated with high serum alpha‐fetoprotein level, tumor size, microsatellite formation, thrombus, and poor overall survival of HCC patients. Compared with non‐tumor tissues, higher density of methylation was identified in HCC samples. In addition, RDH16 increases the level of retinoic acid and blocks the de novo synthesis of fatty acid in HCC cells. Functional study shows that ectopic expression of RDH16 in HCC cells suppresses cell growth, clonogenicity, and cell motility.

Conclusions

RDH16 might be a prognostic biomarker and intervention point for new therapeutic strategies in HCC.