bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The green autofluorescence intensity and asymmetry of older men is significantly higher than those of older women in their fingernails and certain regions of skin
Authors: Tao Yue , Zhang Mingchao , Wu Danhong , Li Yujia , Ying Weihai
Published: January 2019

Our recent studies have suggested that the patients of multiple diseases have characteristic Pattern of Autofluorescence (AF) in their skin and fingernails, which may become novel biomarkers for both disease diagnosis and evaluation of health state. Since male populations may have higher levels of oxidative stress and inflammation than female population, in our current study we tested our hypothesis that the green AF intensity of older men is higher than that of older women in their fingernails and skin. We found that in both left and right Index Fingernails, the green AF intensity of the men of both the age group of 61 - 70 years of old and the age group of 71 - 80 years of old is significantly higher than that of the women of the same age groups. At both left Dorsal Centremetacarpus and left Centremetacarpus, the green AF intensity of the men at the age between 71 - 80 years of old is also significantly higher than that of the women of the same age group. Moreover, in Index Fingernails, Dorsal Centremetacarpus and Centremetacarpus, the green AF asymmetry of the older men of certain age groups is significantly higher than that of the women of the same age groups. Collectively, our study has provided the first evidence indicating the gender difference between the green AF intensity and asymmetry of older men and those of older women in their fingernails and certain regions of skin, which is valuable for establishing the AF-based diagnostic method.
Early-Generated Interneurons Regulate Neuronal Circuit Formation during Early Postnatal Development
Authors: Wang Chang-Zheng , Ma Jian , Jiang Shao-Na , Chen Tian-Qi , Xu Ye-Qian , Yuan Zu-Liang , Mao Xiao-Yi , Zhang Shu-Qing , Liu Lin-Yun , Fu Yinghui , Yu Yong-Chun
Published: January 2019

A small subset of interneurons that are generated earliest as pioneer neurons are the first cohort of neurons that enter the neocortex. However, it remains largely unclear whether these early-generated interneurons (EGIns) predominantly regulate neocortical circuit formation. Using inducible genetic fate mapping to selectively labeled EGIns and pseudo-random interneurons (pRIns), we found that EGIns exhibited more mature electrophysiological and morphological properties and higher synaptic connectivity than pRIns at early postnatal stages. In addition, when stimulating one cell, the proportion of EGIns that influence spontaneous network synchronization is significantly higher than that of pRIns. Importantly, toxin-mediated ablation of EGIns after birth significantly reduce spontaneous network synchronization and decrease inhibitory synaptic transmission during the first postnatal week. These results suggest that EGIns can shape developing networks and may contribute to the refinement of neuronal connectivity before the establishment of the adult neuronal circuit.
Antagonistic coevolution between multiple quantitative traits: Matching dynamics can arise from difference interactions
Authors: Yamamichi Masato , Lyberger Kelsey , Patel Swati
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Coevolution is one of the major drivers of complex dynamics in population ecology. Historically, antagonistic coevolution in victim-exploiter systems has been a topic of special interest, and involves traits with various genetic architectures (e.g., the number of genes involved) and effects on interactions. For example, exploiters may need to have traits that “match” those of victims for successful exploitation (i.e., a matching interaction), or traits that exceed those of victims (i.e., a difference interaction). Different models exist which are appropriate for different types of traits, including Mendelian (discrete) and quantitative (continuous) traits. For models with multiple Mendelian traits, recent studies have shown that antagonistic coevolutionary patterns that appear as matching interactions can arise due to multiple difference interactions with costs of having large trait values. Here we generalize their findings to quantitative traits and show, analogously, that the multidimensional difference interactions with costs sometimes behave qualitatively the same as matching interactions. While previous studies in quantitative genetics have used the dichotomy between matching and difference frameworks to explore coevolutionary dynamics, we suggest that exploring multidimensional trait space is important to examine the generality of results obtained from one-dimensional traits.
Sensitivity analysis of agent-based simulation utilizing massively parallel computation and interactive data visualization
Authors: Niida Atsushi , Hasegawa Takanori , Miyano Satoru
Published: January 2019

An essential step in the analysis of agent-based simulation is sensitivity analysis, which namely examines the dependency of parameter values on simulation results. Although a number of approaches have been proposed for sensitivity analysis, they still have limitations in exhaustivity and interpretability. In this study, we propose a novel methodology for sensitivity analysis of agent-based simulation, MASSIVE (Massively parallel Agent-based Simulations and Subsequent Interactive Visualization-based Exploration). MASSIVE takes a unique paradigm, which is completely different from those of sensitivity analysis methods developed so far, By combining massively parallel computation and interactive data visualization, MASSIVE enables us to inspect a broad parameter space intuitively. We demonstrated the utility of MASSIVE by its application to cancer evolution simulation, which successfully identified conditions that generate heterogeneous tumors. We believe that our approach would be a de facto standard for sensitivity analysis of agent-based simulation in an era of ever-growing computational technology. All the result form our MASSIVE analysis is available at https://www.hgc.jp/~niiyan/massive.
A novel defective recombinant porcine enterovirus G virus carrying a porcine torovirus papain-like cysteine protease gene and a putative anti-apoptosis gene in place of viral structural protein genes
Authors: Imai Ryo , Nagai Makoto , Sakaguchi Shoichi , Masuda Tsuneyuki , Kuroda Moegi , Oba Mami , Katayama Yukie , Naoi Yuki , Tsuchiaka Shinobu , Omatsu Tsutomu , Yamazato Hiroshi , Makino Shinji , Mizutani Tetsuya
Published: January 2019

Enterovirus G (EV-G) belongs to the family of Picornaviridae. Two types of recombinant porcine EV-Gs carrying papain-like cysteine protease (PLCP) gene of porcine torovirus, a virus in Coronaviridae, are reported. Type 1 recombinant EV-Gs are detected in pig feces in Japan, USA, and Belgium and carry the PLPC gene at the junction site of 2C/3A genes, while PLPC gene replaces the viral structural genes in type 2 recombinant EV-G detected in pig feces in a Chinese farm. We identified a novel type 2 recombinant EV-G carrying the PLCP gene with flanking sequences in place of the viral structural genes in pig feces in Japan. The ~0.3 kb-long upstream flanking sequence had no sequence homology with any proteins deposited in GenBank, while the downstream ~0.9 kb-long flanking sequence included a domain having high amino acid sequence homology with a baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat superfamily. The pig feces, where the novel type 2 recombinant EV-G was detected, also carried type 1 recombinant EV-G. Although the phylogenetic analysis suggested that these two recombinant EV-Gs have independently evolved, type 1 recombinant EV-G might have served as a helper virus by providing viral structural proteins for dissemination of the type 2 recombinant EV-G.
Helix–loop–helix proteins and the advent of cellular diversity: 30 years of discovery
Authors: Murre Cornelis
Published: January 2019

Helix–loop–helix (HLH) proteins are dimeric transcription factors that control lineage- and developmental-specific gene programs. Genes encoding for HLH proteins arose in unicellular organisms >600 million years ago and then duplicated and diversified from ancestral genes across the metazoan and plant kingdoms to establish multicellularity. Hundreds of HLH proteins have been identified with diverse functions in a wide variety of cell types. HLH proteins orchestrate lineage specification, commitment, self-renewal, proliferation, differentiation, and homing. HLH proteins also regulate circadian clocks, protect against hypoxic stress, promote antigen receptor locus assembly, and program transdifferentiation. HLH proteins deposit or erase epigenetic marks, activate noncoding transcription, and sequester chromatin remodelers across the chromatin landscape to dictate enhancer–promoter communication and somatic recombination. Here the evolution of HLH genes, the structures of HLH domains, and the elaborate activities of HLH proteins in multicellular life are discussed.
Evolving imprinting control regions: KRAB zinc fingers hold the key
Authors: Juan Aimee M. , Bartolomei Marisa S.
Published: January 2019

The monoallelic parent of origin-specific expression of imprinted genes in mammals is regulated by differentially DNA methylated imprinting control regions (ICRs). In contrast to most of the genome, ICRs must maintain their DNA methylation and parental identity despite extensive epigenetic reprogramming that takes place after fertilization. Previous work demonstrated that the Krüppel-associated box (KRAB)-containing zinc finger protein (KZFP) ZFP57 protects select ICRs from demethylation and preserves parental identity. However, some loci are unaffected in Zfp57-null mice. Thus, it has been speculated that other KZFPs must be involved in this process. Takahashi and colleagues (pp. 49–54) now report one such KZFP: ZFP445.
Oligonucleotide-Directed Mutagenesis by Elimination of a Unique Restriction Site (USE Mutagenesis)
Authors: Forloni Matteo , Liu Alex Y. , Wajapeyee Narendra
Published: January 2019

In this method, two oligonucleotide primers are hybridized to the same strand of a denatured double-stranded recombinant plasmid. One primer (the mutagenic primer) introduces the desired mutation into the target sequences, whereas the second primer carries a mutation that destroys a unique restriction site (called “unique site elimination,” or USE) in the plasmid. The product of the first part of the method is a heteroduplex plasmid consisting of a wild-type parental strand and a new full-length strand that carries the desired mutation but no longer contains the unique restriction site. In the second phase of the method, the mixed population is incubated with the restriction enzyme that cleaves the unique site. The wild-type molecules are linearized, and the mutated plasmids are resistant to digestion. The mixture of circular heteroduplex DNA and linear wild-type DNA is then used to transform a strain of Escherichia coli that is deficient in repair of mismatched bases. The circular heteroduplex molecules begin to replicate while many of the linear wild-type molecules are unable to reestablish themselves in E. coli cells. Because the mismatched bases are not repaired, the first round of replication generates a wild-type plasmid that carries the original restriction site and a mutated plasmid that does not. DNA from the first set of transformants is recovered, digested once more with the same restriction enzyme to linearize the wild-type molecules, and then used to transform a standard laboratory strain of E. coli.
The impacts of higher education institutions on sustainable development
Authors: Findler Florian , Schönherr Norma , Lozano Rodrigo , Reider Daniela , Martinuzzi André
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to conceptualize impacts of higher education institutions (HEIs) on sustainable development (SD), complementing previous literature reviews by broadening the perspective from what HEIs do in pursuit of SD to how these activities impact society, the environment and the economy.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2005 and 2017. Inductive content analysis was applied to identify major themes and impact areas addressed in the literature to develop a conceptual framework detailing the relationship between HEIs’ activities and their impacts on SD.

Findings

The paper identifies six impact areas where direct and indirect impacts of HEIs on SD may occur. The findings indicate a strong focus on case studies dealing with specific projects and a lack of studies analyzing impacts from a more holistic perspective.

Practical implications

This systematic literature review enables decision-makers in HEIs, researchers and educators to better understand how their activities may affect society, the environment and the economy, and it provides a solid foundation to tackle these impacts.

Social implications

The review highlights that HEIs have an inherent responsibility to make societies more sustainable. HEIs must embed SD into their systems while considering their impacts on society.

Originality/value

This paper provides a holistic conceptualization of HEIs’ impacts on SD. The conceptual framework can be useful for future research that attempts to analyze HEIs’ impacts on SD from a holistic perspective.
Global and local brand stereotypes: formation, content transfer, and impact
Authors: Davvetas Vasileios , Halkias Georgios
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The dominant paradigm in international branding research treats perceived brand globalness (PBG) and localness (PBL) as attributes algebraically participating in brand assessment and disregards the perception of brands as humanlike entities actively embedded in consumers’ social environments. Challenging this view and drawing from stereotype theory, the purpose of this paper is to suggest that PBG/PBL trigger the categorization of products under the superordinate mental categories of global/local brands which carry distinct stereotypical content. Such content transfers to every individual product for which category membership is established and shapes brand responses.

Design/methodology/approach

One experimental study (Study1,n=134) tests the process of global/local brand stereotype formation, identification and content transfer. Subsequently, two consumer surveys test the impact of brand stereotypes on brand approach/avoidance tendencies (Study2,n=328) and consumer–brand relationships (Study3,n=273). Data were analyzed with experimental techniques and structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings suggest that upon categorization under the global or local brand class, individual brands are charged with the stereotypical content of the class. Global brands are predominantly stereotyped as competent while local brands are predominantly stereotyped as warm. Localness-induced warmth has uniformly positive effects, whereas globalness-induced competence acts as a double-edged sword which can both help and harm the brand.

Originality/value

This research contributes by proposing a novel conceptualization of global and local brands as groups of intentional marketplace agents stereotyped along their intentions and abilities, empirically establishing the process through which individual brands are assigned stereotypical judgments and demonstrating how these judgments impact critical brand outcomes and consumer–brand relationships.
Road segmentation of cross-modal remote sensing images using deep segmentation network and transfer learning
Authors: He Hao , Yang Dongfang , Wang Shicheng , Wang Shuyang , Liu Xing
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the road segmentation problem of cross-modal remote sensing images.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the baseline network based on the U-net is trained under a large-scale dataset of remote sensing imagery. Then, the cross-modal training data are used to fine-tune the first two convolutional layers of the pre-trained network to achieve the adaptation to the local features of the cross-modal data. For the cross-modal data of different band, an autoencoder is designed to achieve data conversion and local feature extraction.

Findings

The experimental results show the effectiveness and practicability of the proposed method. Compared with the ordinary method, the proposed method gets much better metrics.

Originality/value

The originality is the transfer learning strategy that fine-tunes the low-level layers for the cross-modal data application. The proposed method can achieve satisfied road segmentation with a small amount of cross-modal training data, so that is has a good application value. Still, for the similar application of cross-modal data, the idea provided by this paper is helpful.
Is there a bubble in the Swedish housing market?
Authors: Asal Maher
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the presence of a housing bubble using Swedish data from 1986Q1-2016Q4 by using various methods.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the authors use affordability indicators and asset-pricing approaches, including the price-to-income ratio, price-to-rent ratio and user cost, supplemented by a qualitative discussion of other factors affecting house prices. Second, the authors use cointegration techniques to compute the fundamental (or long-run) price, which is then compared with the actual price to test the degree of Sweden’s housing price bubble during the studied period. Third, they apply the univariate right-tailed unit root test procedure to capture bursting bubbles and to date-stamp bubbles.

Findings

The authors find evidence for rational housing bubbles with explosive behavioral components beginning in 2004. These bubbles do not continuously diverge but instead periodically revert to their fundamental value. However, the deviation is persistent, and without any policy correction, it takes decades for real house prices to return to equilibrium.

Originality/value

The policy implication is that monetary policy designed to contain mortgage demand and thereby prevent burst episodes in the housing market must address external imbalances, as revealed in real exchange rate undervaluation. It is unlikely that current policies will stop the rise of house prices, as the growth of mortgage credit, improvement in Sweden’s international competitiveness and the path of interest rates are much more important factors.
The weight of organizational factors on heuristics
Authors: Barberà-Mariné M. Glòria , Cannavacciuolo Lorella , Ippolito Adelaide , Ponsiglione Cristina , Zollo Giuseppe
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of organizational factors on individual decision-making under conditions of uncertainty and time pressure. A method to assess the impact of individual and organizational factors on individual decisions is proposed and experimented in the context of triage decision-making process.

Design/methodology/approach

The adopted methodology is based on the bias-variance decomposition formula. The method, usually applied to assess the predictive accuracy of heuristics, has been adjusted to discriminate between the impact of organizational and individual factors affecting heuristic processes. To test the methodology, 25 clinical scenarios have been designed and submitted, through simulations, to the triage nurses of two Spanish hospitals.

Findings

Nurses’ decisions are affected by organizational factors in certain task conditions, such as situations characterized by complete and coherent information. When relevant information is lacking and available information is not coherent, decision-makers base their assessments on their personal experience and gut feeling.

Research limitations/implications

Discriminating between the influence of organizational factors and individual ones is the starting point for a more in-depth understanding of how organization can guide the decision process. Using simulations of clinical scenarios in field research does not allow for capturing the influence of some contextual factors, such as the nurses’ stress levels, on individual decisions. This issue will be addressed in further research.

Practical implications

Bias and variance are useful measurements for detecting process improvement actions. A bias prevalence requires a re-design of organizational settings, whereas training would be preferred when variance prevails.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this work concerns the novel interpretation of bias and variance concepts to assess organizational factors’ influence on heuristic decision-making processes, taking into account the level of complexity of decision-related tasks.
The transglobal leadership-based strategy of MSMEs performance optimization of Malang Raya and the implementation of quality of work life
Authors: Hermawati Adya , Suhermin  , Puji Rahayu
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of transglobal leadership on quality of work-life, job involvement and its impact on the performance of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) employees throughout Malang Raya.

Design/methodology/approach

The population of the paper was all of MSME employees in Malang Raya and MSME developing in East Java regions, namely Sidoarjo, Pasuruan District, Pasuruan City, Kediri District, Jombang, Surabaya City, Blitar City and Blitar District. This paper uses GSCA for several reasons. First, it uses a structural model (involving several endogenous variables). Second, it involves unobservable variables that require a measurement model (variable measurement of the indicators). Third, it needs a comparative model testing that compares several groups of objects using the multigroup GSCA.

Findings

Transglobal leadership has a significant effect on quality of work life and job involvement in the five regions. It also has a significant effect on employee performance in the four regions, except Malang Regency. Quality of work life has a significant effect on job involvement in two regions, namely Malang City and Malang Regency, but not in the other three regions. Quality of work life and job involvement together has a significant effect on employee performance in all study sites.

Originality/value

These gaps motivate the researchers to comprehensively examine the relationship between QWL and employee performance, QWL and job involvement and job involvement and employee performance – these are the originality of the present study, in addition to different research locations. Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malang are divided into three main groups, namely manufacturing business, merchandising business and service business.
Situating trust challenges of online trade
Authors: Engvall Tove
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to offer an improved understanding of trust challenges in online trade, providing examples of issues that should be addressed for a trustworthy online environment. It also aims to illustrate how records and recordkeeping can contribute in terms of enabling trust and accountability.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on results from a self-ethnographic study of online trade (Engvall, 2017); the results are analyzed further. Kelton, Fleischmann and Wallace’s (2008) model for trust is used to gain a better understanding of the characteristics of the challenges and where they should be addressed.

Findings

This paper recognizes that there are different types of trust challenges at different levels – individual, between clients and businesses and at a societal level – that should be addressed at these levels in different ways.

Originality/value

This paper provides an understanding of trust challenges in the online environment.
Corporate life cycle, CSR, and dividend policy: empirical evidence of Indonesian listed firms
Authors: Trihermanto Febi , Nainggolan Yunieta Anny
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the association between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate life cycle as well as dividend policy in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops two hypotheses that are tested empirically through multivariate settings. The tests are conducted using a sample of 527 Indonesian listed firms and 923 Indonesian firm-year observations between 2008 and 2015.

Findings

The findings support the hypothesis that CSR expenses increase when firms enter the maturity stage of their life cycle. On the triple bottom line components of CSR, firms which invest on CSR economic are in their maturity stage of their life cycle. The evidence also suggests that firms’ social donation and charitable giving increase as firms become mature. Furthermore, the strong evidence supports the hypothesis that firms’ CSR expenses positively affect dividend policy. This finding is robust to the alternative measurement of dividend payout, additional firms’ characteristics and instrumental variable to address endogeneity.

Practical implications

For investors in Indonesian listed firms, it is more profitable to invest in socially responsible firms than socially irresponsible firms. For firms, the results imply that spending in CSR does not reduce performance, thus becoming attractive for investors.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is thin literature investigating the relation between corporate life cycle, CSR, and dividend policy in emerging markets while it is important as it could encourage companies to integrate CSR into their business strategy and transparently disclose their CSR activities. Further, as previous research on these topics mainly conducted using the US data (Rakotomavo, 2012; Benlemlih, 2014; Hasan and Habib, 2017), which most of CSR disclosures are voluntary, this paper contributes to the existing literature by examining these topics in a country where CSR is mandatory by the law.
Productivity and credibility in industry equilibrium
Authors: Powell Michael
Published: January 2019

I analyze a model of production in a competitive environment with heterogeneous firms. Efficient production requires individuals within the organization to take noncontractible actions for which rewards must be informally promised rather than contractually assured. The credibility of such promises originates from a firm's future competitive rents. In equilibrium, heterogeneous firms are heterogeneously constrained, and competitive rents are inefficiently concentrated at the top. I explore several policy and empirical implications of this result.
Genetics and extinction and the example of Isle Royale wolves
Authors: Hedrick P. W. , Robinson J. A. , Peterson R. O. , Vucetich J. A.
Published: January 2019

Genetic factors have long been a concern in the extinction and viability of species with the short‐term effects focusing on inbreeding depression. Genetic rescue has been suggested as a means to overcome the detrimental effects of inbreeding depression. However, it has been difficult to document the genetic dynamics over time of genetic rescue, inbreeding depression and other genetic relationships in endangered species. We show here using a detailed pedigree and genomic data that genetic rescue in the gray wolfCanis lupuspopulation on Isle Royale had only a temporary positive effect reducing inbreeding depression and then the genetic changes from the immigration event resulted in a population decline and now imminent extinction of the population. Examining the genetic details of this situation shows how genetic dynamics after the initial positive effects of genetic rescue have passed can return a small population to a path toward extinction. Thus, the successful conservation of critically small populations would likely depend on alleviating the cause of having become critically small, such as habitat restoration, or periodic re‐application of genetic rescue in a manner that does not result in negative genetic dynamics.
Quantitative assessment of left ventricular size and function in cardiac transplant recipients: Side‐by‐side comparison of real time two‐dimensional echocardiography, contrast‐enhanced two‐dimensional echocardiography, three‐dimensional echocardiography, and contrast‐enhanced three‐dimensional echocardiography as compared to magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Rodriguez‐Mañero Moises , Azcárate‐Agüero Pedro , Kreidieh Bahij , Alvez María Teresa , Martínez‐Monzonís Amparo , Diaz‐Dorronsoro Agnes , Cid‐Menéndez Adrian , González‐Juanatey José Ramón , Barba‐Cosials Joaquin , Rábago Gregorio , Bastarrika Gorka
Published: January 2019

Introduction

We evaluate the ability of 2D non‐contrast‐enhanced echocardiography (CE‐echo), 2DCE‐echo, 3D‐echo, 3D non‐CE‐echo, and 3DCE‐echo to evaluate allograft function and dimensions in orthotropic heart transplantation (OHT). Cardiac resonance (CMR) was used as reference.

Methods

Twenty six consecutive OHT‐recipients were prospectively recruited. Bland–Altman, Spearman rank, and concordance‐correlation coefficients (CCC) were determined.

Results

Good CCCs were found between the four modalities and CMR for ejection fraction (r ≥ 0.72/P < 0.001; r ≥ 0.77/ P < 0.001; r ≥ 0.51/ P < 0.23; r ≥ 0.75/ P < 0.001, respectively). Highest intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was for 2D CE‐echo(CCC = 0.77). End‐diastolic volume(EDV) measurements statistically differed when 2D non‐CE‐echo, 2DCE‐echo, and 3D non‐CE‐echo were compared with the cross‐sectional imaging modalities, but they did not differ significantly from 3DCE‐echo. End‐systolic volume (ESV) and stroke volume (SV) differed statistically between the four modalities; however, SV measured by CMR and 3DCE‐echo were comparable. Overall, 2D non‐CE‐echo, 2DCE‐echo, and 3D non‐CE‐echo showed lower mean EDV, ESV, and SV than CMR. ICC was that of the ESV variable in the 4 techniques, with the values of the ICC of the 3DCE‐echo technique superior to the rest. Overall, the best CCC were found for 3DCE(r = 0.88, 0.92 and 0.76 for EDV, ESV and SV, respectively).

Conclusion

Routine use of 3DCE‐echo may allow more comprehensive cardiac assessment in cardiac transplant recipients.
The lipidome of Thoroughbred racehorses before and after supramaximal exercise
Authors: Nolazco Sassot L. , Villarino N. F. , Dasgupta N. , Morrison J. J. , Bayly W. M. , Gang D. , Sanz M. G.
Published: January 2019

Background

A comprehensive study of the effect of supramaximal exercise in lipid homeostasis of Thoroughbreds provides the basis for future research on the role of lipids on energy metabolism in racehorses.

Objective

To compare the plasma lipidome of Thoroughbreds before and after supramaximal exercise using an untargeted lipidomics approach.

Study design

Pilot experimental study.

Methods

Four Thoroughbred horses were used. The maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) was calculated for each horse. Horses then underwent treadmill exercise at the speed for which the oxygen requirements had been calculated to be 115%VO2max. Plasma samples were obtained before (T0) and immediately (T1), 15 (T2) and 30 (T3) minutes post‐exercise, and evaluated using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Data analysis consisted of principal component analysis and one‐way repeated measures analysis of variance.

Results

A total of 933 plasma lipids were detected. Supramaximal exercise‐induced significant changes in the signal intensity of 13 lipids; all ubiquitous in the organism as major components of biological membranes or energy substrates.

Main limitations

A treadmill was used to replicate track conditions. Also, sample size involved only four horses and the statistical analyses failed to achieve the desired power of 80%.

Conclusions

The findings in this pilot study suggest that supramaximal exercise induces changes in specific plasma lipids in Thoroughbred racehorses. While the biological significance of these findings remains to be determined, these results provide baseline information for future studies in lipidomics applied to equine exercise physiology. Further research is warranted to better understand the role of lipids on energy metabolism in Thoroughbred racehorses.
In vivo inactivation of glycosidases by conduritol B epoxide and cyclophellitol as revealed by activity‐based protein profiling
Authors: Kuo Chi‐Lin , Kallemeijn Wouter W. , Lelieveld Lindsey T. , Mirzaian Mina , Zoutendijk Iris , Vardi Ayelet , Futerman Anthony H. , Meijer Annemarie H. , Spaink Herman P. , Overkleeft Herman S. , Aerts Johannes M.F.G. , Artola Marta
Published: January 2019

Glucocerebrosidase (GBA) is a lysosomal β‐glucosidase‐degrading glucosylceramide. Its deficiency causes Gaucher disease (GD), a common lysosomal storage disorder. Carrying a genetic abnormality in GBA constitutes at present the largest genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). Conduritol B epoxide (CBE), a mechanism‐based irreversible inhibitor of GBA, is used to generate cell and animal models for investigations on GD and PD. However, CBE may have additional glycosidase targets besides GBA. Here, we present the first in vivo target engagement study for CBE, employing a suite of activity‐based probes to visualize catalytic pocket occupancy of candidate off‐target glycosidases. Only at significantly higher CBE concentrations, nonlysosomal glucosylceramidase (GBA2) and lysosomal α‐glucosidase were identified as major off‐targets in cells and zebrafish larvae. A tight, but acceptable window for selective inhibition of GBA in the brain of mice was observed. On the other hand, cyclophellitol, a closer glucose mimic, was found to inactivate with equal affinity GBA and GBA2 and therefore is not suitable to generate genuine GD‐like models.

Enzymes

Glucocerebrosidase (EC 3.2.1.45), nonlysosomal β‐glucocerebrosidase (EC 3.2.1.45); cytosolic β‐glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21); α‐glucosidases (EC 3.2.1.20); β‐glucuronidase (EC 3.2.1.31).
Administrative reorganization as a signal: Bounded rationality, agency merger, and salience of policy issues
Authors: Hong Sounman , Park Nara
Published: January 2019

Although administrative reorganization has been a major political instrument in many democracies, there has been limited research on its effects. Aiming to address this gap, this study examines the reorganization of Korean government ministries, specifically, the impact of reorganization in the form of a merger of ministries performing interrelated but dissimilar functions. Examining the salience of policy issues expressed in official government press releases during the 12‐year period from 2001 to 2012, we found that administrative reorganization in the form of a merger has a significant impact on the relative salience of government policy agendas. Specifically, the interrupted time series estimates indicate that the salience of science and technology policy issues (in relation to education policy issues) decreased by approximately 12% to 17% following the dissolution of the Ministry of Science and Technology. We explain this finding based on the bounded rationality view of bureaucratic information processing.
On sunspots, bank runs, and Glass–Steagall
Authors: Shell Karl , Zhang Yu
Published: January 2019

We analyze the pre‐deposit game in a two‐depositor banking model. The Glass–Steagall bank is assumed to be restricted to holding only liquid assets. Depositors tolerate a panic‐based run if its probability of occurrence s is small. How s affects the allocation of assets depends on the incentive compatibility constraint (ICC). When the ICC is not binding, the sunspot allocation is not a mere randomization over the run and non‐run outcomes under the so‐called “optimal contract.” We offer this paper as a contribution to both the literature on banking and financial fragility and also the broader literature on sunspot equilibrium.
A CBC algorithm combined with immature platelet fraction is able to identify JAK2 V617F mutation‐positive polycythaemia vera patients
Authors: Johnson Steve , Baker Bartrum
Published: January 2019

Introduction

The recent lowering of the World Health Organisation (WHO) haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (HCT) thresholds for diagnosis of polycythaemia vera (PV) has markedly increased the proportion of complete blood counts (CBC) that could be referred for haematologist review for comment, including advice on JAK2 V617F mutation analysis. The utility of an algorithm based on CBC indices and immature platelet fraction (IPF) to select cases for haematologist review was investigated.

Methods

IPF analysis was performed on 22 patients with known JAK2 V617F mutation and 41 patients who were negative for this mutation previously tested because of suspicion of PV. A reference range study for IPF was performed on 102 normal patients.

The algorithm was applied to data from 163 358 CBC analyses to identify those most likely to have PV for review by a haematologist.

Results

The CBC algorithm and IPF requirement were satisfied by 47 patients (0.03%), eight of whom were known to have myeloproliferative disorders; the remaining 39 were referred for haematologist review.

Conclusion

Utilising the algorithm enables identification of patients with a high likelihood of PV for haematological review. Large numbers are able to be screened efficiently and cost‐effectively. Some patients with masked PV are able to be detected before clinical presentation.
Gender disparities in European labour markets: A comparison of conditions for men and women in paid employment
Authors: CASTELLANO Rosalia , ROCCA Antonella
Published: January 2019

Although the dramatic increase in female labour force participation in recent decades has been connected to significant changes in economic opportunities for women, gender disparities in the labour market persist in many forms. This article seeks to assess whether higher gender differentials in European labour markets are directly related to poor economic conditions. To this end, the results of a composite indicator designed and developed by the authors in a previous study are updated and three new composite indicators are constructed for a separate analysis of female and male labour market conditions and gender gap for paid employment.
Measuring the impact of an organizational inclusion programme on absence among employees with disabilities: A quasi‐experimental design
Authors: FOLGUERA‐I‐BELLMUNT Conxita , FERNÁNDEZ‐I‐MARÍN Xavier , BATISTA‐FOGUET Joan Manuel
Published: January 2019

This article presents research on an organizational inclusion programme aiming to reduce absenteeism due to illness and injury among employees with disabilities. Qualitative fieldwork on the programme's characteristics was followed by a quasi‐experimental design with two control groups (non‐equivalent and no‐treatment) using abbreviated time series (2005–12). The data of employees with disabilities who participated in the programme were compared with those of non‐participants and of employees without disabilities, through a hierarchical non‐nested negative binomial regression with a lagged outcome variable. The authors find strong evidence of a reduction in absence due to illness among participant employees with disabilities, and somewhat weaker evidence of reduced absence due to injury.
Remittances, Institutions and Growth in Africa
Authors: Chitambara Prosper
Published: January 2019

Remittances have become an important source of external finance in many developing countries. This article examines the relationship between remittances, institutions and economic growth in a panel of 26 African countries over the period 1980–2014. We apply the fixed effects (FE) and the two‐step system generalized method‐of‐moments (GMM) estimation methods. Our results show that there is a positive relationship between remittances and growth. We also find that institutions are an important determinant of economic growth. The interaction terms have a positive and statistically significant effect on economic growth. Thus, the growth effect of remittances is enhanced in the presence of strong institutions. Strong institutions are therefore germane in attracting greater remittance inflows to African countries. A clearer understanding of the channels through which remittance flows will enhance growth in African economies may assist policymakers to craft appropriate policies. In particular, a policy environment that promotes strong institutions would serve to attract more remittances.
A synthesis of animal‐mediated seed dispersal of palms reveals distinct biogeographical differences in species interactions
Authors: Muñoz Gabriel , Trøjelsgaard Kristian , Kissling W. Daniel
Published: January 2019

Aim

To synthesize published knowledge on palm–frugivore seed dispersal observations and to test whether broad‐scale differences in geographic coverage, diversity, composition and functional structure of plant–animal interactions emerge between biogeographical regions.

Location

Neotropics and Afrotropics.

Methods

We constructed a meta‐network for both regions by aggregating observations of pairwise palm–frugivore interactions from the primary literature. We assessed sampling completeness with accumulation curves and estimated knowledge gaps for individual palm species and geographic units within biogeographical regions. We compared the taxonomic composition as well as structural indices of regional interaction networks and tested whether functional trait matching (i.e., the relationship between palm fruit size and frugivore body size) differs between regions.

Results

A total of 750 unique pairwise interaction records were retrieved from the primary literature covering 340 frugivores and 126 palms. Sampling completeness of frugivore interactions within biogeographical regions and for individual palm species was low (often <50%), geographic coverage limited, and relative knowledge gaps were largest in areas with high palm species richness. Interaction diversity and network modularity was larger in the Neotropics than the Afrotropics. A positive fruit size–body mass relationship (i.e., functional trait matching) was statistically significant in the Afrotropics, but not in the Neotropics.

Main conclusions

Available data on palm–frugivore interactions suggest major biogeographical differences in ecological networks among regions, even when taking differences in palm species richness into account. The Neotropics showed a larger interaction diversity and more modular network structure than the Afrotropics. Broad‐scale morphological trait matching among plants and frugivores was only observed in the Afrotropics. The lack of a Neotropical trait matching relationship might be driven by the late Quaternary extinctions of mammalian megafauna in this region. Although our work has increased the digital availability of palm–frugivore interaction observations, massive knowledge gaps of interaction diversity remain in the tropics.
Prevalence and characteristics of celiac disease in South African patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: Results from the Durban Diabetes and Celiac Disease Study
Authors: Paruk Imran M , Naidoo Vasudevan G , Pirie Fraser J , Maharaj Sureka , Nkwanyana Ntombifikile M , Dinnematin Hilary L , Ganie Yasmeen , Ramdial Pratistadevi K , Motala Ayesha A
Published: January 2019

Background and Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of celiac disease (CD) in all patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus attending a tertiary adult diabetes clinic in Durban, South Africa.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional observational study that screened 202 patients; of these, 56.4% were African (Black), 31.7% Asian Indian, 4.5% White, and 7.4% mixed race. Demographic data, symptoms, and anthropometry were documented. Blood tests included anti‐tissue transglutaminase antibody (tTG), anti‐endomysial antibody (EMA), and anti‐gliadin antibody (AGA). Endoscopy and duodenal biopsy were performed in patients with celiac antibodies. Diagnosis of CD was based on the modified Marsh classification.

Results

Mean age and mean duration of diabetes were 26.4 ± 11.4 and 10.7 ± 9.1 years, respectively. Celiac antibodies were found in 65 (32.2%) patients: EMA 7.4%, tTG immunoglobulin A (IgA) 8.4%, tTG immunoglobulin G 1.9%, AGA IgA 18.3%, and AGA immunoglobulin G 21.8%. Histological evidence of CD was found in 5.9% (n = 12/202): 2.5% were classed as definite CD (Marsh 3) and 3.4% as potential CD (Marsh 1). None of the patients with CD were symptomatic. The sensitivity of AGA IgA, EMA, and tTG IgA antibodies for detecting histologically proven CD was 66.7%, 50.0%, and 41.7%, respectively.

Conclusion

The prevalence of CD was similar to reports from western countries. No ethnic specific differences were noted. CD was silent in all patients in this study. The sensitivity of EMA and tTG antibodies was poor and merits further evaluation as screening tools for CD in South African patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Aberrant intra and inter network resting state functional connectivity in thyrotoxicosis
Authors: Kumar Mukesh , Rana Poonam , Modi Shilpi , Tyagi Ritu , Kaur Prabhjot , Kanwar Ratnesh , Sekhri Tarun , D'souza Maria , Khushu Subash
Published: January 2019

Thyroid hormones epigenetically play an important role in the regularisation of neural networks and in neural differentiation during brain development. The present study aimed to explore the intra and inter network resting state functional connectivity changes underlying the neurobehavioural symptoms in thyrotoxicosis. To understand the pathophysiological changes, we investigated the correlation between functional connectivity and clinical and behavioural measures. Twenty‐eight freshly diagnosed thyrotoxicosis patients suffering with symptoms such as palpitation, loss of weight, trembling and heat intolerance from days to weeks and 28 healthy controls were recruited for the study. Thyrotoxicosis patients showed significantly decreased functional connectivity in sensorimotor network, fronto‐temporal network, default mode network, right fronto‐parietal network, left fronto‐parietal network and salience network. Inter network functional connectivity was significantly reduced between the basal ganglia network and sensorimotor network and increased between the salience network and fronto‐temporal network in thyrotoxicosis. Cognitive functions such as visual retention, recognition of objects, mental balance and performance on neuropsychological tests (ie, the Bender Gestalt test, Nahar‐Benson test and Mini Mental State Examination) also showed significant decline in thyrotoxicosis patients. The altered intrinsic resting state functional connectivity might underlie these cognitive deficits. The increased functional connectivity between the salience network and fronto‐temporal network suggests the recruitment of additional neuronal circuitry needed to compensate for the neuropathology in the primary neural network in thyrotoxicosis.