bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The MYC antagonist MNT autoregulates its expression and supports proliferation in MAX deficient cells
Authors: Lafita-Navarro M Carmen , Liaño-Pons Judit , Quintanilla Andrea , Varela Ignacio , Ourique Fabiana , Bretones Gabriel , Blanco Rosa , Aresti Julia , Carroll Patrick , Hurlin Peter , Eisenman Robert N. , Delgado M. Dolores , León Javier
Published: November 2017

MNT is a transcription factor of the MXD family. MNT-MAX dimers down-regulate genes by binding to E-box sequences, which can also be bound by MYC-MAX to activate transcription. MNT has been described as a modulator of MYC activity but little is known about MNT regulation and whether MNT has MAX-independent functions. Using a MAX deficient cell line and siRNA-mediated silencing of MAX, we show that in the absence of MAX, the total MNT levels are elevated and that MNT localizes both in the cytoplasm and the nucleus. In contrast, MNT is predominantly nuclear when MAX is expressed. MNT is required for optimal cell proliferation even in the absence of MAX, being the first report of a MAX-independent function of MNT. Interestingly, MNT forms homodimers and autoregulates its expression by repressing its own promoter. The tight MNT regulation and its activity in absence of MAX suggest its importance on cell homeostasis.
An efficient gene regulatory network inference algorithm for early Drosophila melanogaster embryogenesis
Authors: Matsumoto Hirotaka , Kiryu Hisanori , Kojima Yasuhiro , Yaginuma Suguru , Nikaido Itoshi
Published: November 2017

The spatial patterns of gene expression in early Drosophila melanogaster embryogenesis have been studied experimentally and theoretically to reveal the molecular basis of morphogenesis. In particular, the gene regulatory network (GRN) of gap genes has been investigated through mathematical modeling and simulation. Although these simulation-based approaches are useful for describing complex dynamics and have revealed several important regulations in spatial patterning, they are computationally intensive because they optimize GRN with iterative simulation. Recently, the advance of experimental technologies is enabling the acquisition of comprehensive spatial expression data, and an efficient algorithm will be necessary to analyze such large-scale data. In this research, we developed an efficient algorithm to infer the GRN based on a linear reaction-diffusion model. First, we qualitatively analyzed the GRNs of gap genes and pair-rule genes based on our algorithm and showed that two mutual repressions are fundamental regulations. Then, we inferred the GRN from gap gene data, and identified asymmetric regulations in addition to the two mutual repressions. We analyzed the effect of these asymmetric regulations on spatial patterns, and showed that they have the potential to adjust peak position. Our algorithm runs in sub-second time, which is significantly smaller than the runtime of simulation-based approaches (between 8 and 160 h, for exmaple). Neverthe-less, our inferred GRN was highly correlated with the simulation-based GRNs. We also analyzed the gap gene network of Clogmia albipunctata and showed that different mutual repression regulations might be important in comparison with those of Drosophila melanogaster. As our algorithm can infer GRNs efficiently and can be applied to several different network analysis, it will be a valuable approach for analyzing large-scale data.
DNA methylation regulates transcriptional homeostasis of algal endosymbiosis in the coral modelAiptasia
Authors: Li Yong , Liew Yi Jin , Cui Guoxin , Cziesielski Maha J , Zahran Noura , Michell Craig T , Voolstra Christian R , Aranda Lastra Manuel
Published: November 2017

The symbiotic relationship between cnidarians and dinoflagellates is the cornerstone of coral reef ecosystems. Although research is focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying this symbiosis, the role of epigenetic mechanisms, which have been implicated in transcriptional regulation and acclimation to environmental change, is unknown. To assess the role of DNA methylation in the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis, we analyzed genome-wide CpG methylation, histone associations, and transcriptomic states of symbiotic and aposymbiotic anemones in the model systemAiptasia. We find methylated genes are marked by histone H3K36me3 and show significant reduction of spurious transcription and transcriptional noise, revealing a role of DNA methylation in the maintenance of transcriptional homeostasis. Changes in DNA methylation and expression show enrichment for symbiosis-related processes such as immunity, apoptosis, phagocytosis recognition and phagosome formation, and unveil intricate interactions between the underlying pathways. Our results demonstrate that DNA methylation provides an epigenetic mechanism of transcriptional homeostasis during symbiosis.
A genetically encoded Ca2+ indicator based on circularly permutated sea anemone red fluorescent protein
Authors: Shen Yi , Dana Hod , Abdelfattah Ahmed S. , Patel Ronak , Shea Jamien , Molina Rosana S. , Rawal Bijal , Rancic Vladimir , Chang Yu-Fen , Wu Lanshi , Chen Yingche , Qian Yong , Wiens Matthew D. , Hambleton Nathan , Ballanyi Klaus , Hughes Thomas E. , Drobizhev Mikhail , Kim Douglas S. , Koyama Minoru , Schreiter Eric R. , Campbell Robert E.
Published: November 2017

Genetically-encoded calcium ion (Ca2+) indicators (GECIs) are indispensable tools for measuring Ca2+ dynamics and neuronal activities in vitro and in vivo. Red fluorescent protein (RFP)-based GECIs enable multicolor visualization with blue or cyan-excitable fluorophores and combined use with blue or cyan-excitable optogenetic actuators. Here we report the development, structure, and validation of a new red fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, K-GECO1, based on a circularly permutated RFP derived from the sea anemone Entacmaea quadricolor. We characterized the performance of K-GECO1 in cultured HeLa cells, dissociated neurons, stem cell derived cardiomyocytes, organotypic brain slices, zebrafish spinal cord in vivo, and mouse brain in vivo.
Tracing the genetic etiology of cardiovascular disease using a hierarchy of common genetic variants derived from patient subgroups stratified by differential levels in severity
Authors: Fatakia Sarosh N.
Published: November 2017

A pedagogical review in informatics based on computational molecular evolution is synopsized to illustrate the role of common genetic variants during adaptation to diverse habitat and physiological functions across disparate species. With that background, an evolutionary perspective is motivated to trace lifestyle-related disease progression in humans. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a multi-factorial disease, where maladaptation due to a sedentary lifestyle and faulty diet may influence its prognosis, but a healthy diet and lifestyle may as well restrict it. However, a comprehensive genetic basis for the differential severity in CVD remains unreported. Here, we have computed that CVD severity may be associated with the hierarchical plasticity of genes whose common genetic variants are exclusive among those patients having disparate levels of disease severity. Most importantly, we have used a small and outbred subpopulation to demonstrate that constellation of common variants can be exploited to trace the disease etiology. Taken together, we report a novel perspective to identify a hierarchy of common variants associated with differential CVD severity and subsequently hypothesize how the constellations of common variants may collectively modulate disease severity, which in turn may result in a relatively broad and complex spectrum of severity at the population-level. To corroborate our findings, we report a hierarchical plasticity of LDLR gene, which has been previously implicated in the differential response to lipid metabolism, is associated with differential CVD severity in the subpopulation under consideration.
Comparison of feature representations in MRI-based MCI-to-AD conversion prediction
Authors: Gómez-Sancho Marta , Tohka Jussi , Gómez-Verdejo Vanessa ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: November 2017

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder in which the death of brain cells causes memory loss and cognitive decline. The identifica-tion of at-risk subjects yet showing no dementia symptoms but who will later convert to AD can be crucial for the effective treatment of AD. For this, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is expected to play a crucial role. During recent years, several Machine Learning (ML) approaches to AD-conversion prediction have been proposed using different types of MRI features. However, few studies comparing these different feature representations exist, and the existing ones do not allow to make definite conclusions. We evaluated the performance of various types of MRI features for the conversion prediction: voxel-based features extracted based on voxel-based morphometry, hippocampus volumes, volumes of the entorhinal cortex, and a set of regional volumetric, surface area, and cortical thickness measures across the brain. Regional features consistently yielded the best performance over two classifiers (Support Vector Machines and Regularized Logistic Regression), and two datasets studied. However, the performance difference to other features was not statistically significant. There was a consis-tent trend of age correction improving the classification performance, but the improvement reached statistical significance only rarely.
Application of the immunoregulatory receptor LILRB1 as a novel crystallisation chaperone for class I peptide-MHC complexes
Authors: Mohammed Fiyaz , Stones Daniel H. , Willcox Benjamin E.
Published: November 2017

X-ray crystallographic studies of class I peptide-MHC molecules (pMHC) continue to provide important insights into immune recognition, however their success depends on generation of diffraction-quality crystals, which remains a significant challenge. While protein engineering techniques such as surface-entropy reduction and lysine methylation have proven utility in facilitating and/or improving protein crystallisation, they risk affecting the conformation and biochemistry of the class I MHC antigen binding groove. An attractive alternative is the use of noncovalent crystallisation chaperones, however these have not been developed for pMHC. Here we describe a method for promoting class I pMHC crystallisation, by exploiting its natural ligand interaction with the immunoregulatory receptor LILRB1 as a novel crystallisation chaperone. First, focussing on a model HIV-1-derived HLA-A2-restricted peptide, we determined a 2.4Å HLA-A2/LILRB1 structure, which validated that co-crystallisation with LILRB1 does not alter conformation of the antigenic peptide. We then demonstrated that addition of LILRB1 enhanced the crystallisation of multiple pMHC complexes, and identified a generic condition for initial co-crystallisation. LILRB1 chaperone-based pMHC crystallisation enabled structure determination for class I pMHC previously intransigent to crystallisation, including both conventional and post-translationally-modified peptides, of diverse lengths. LILRB1 chaperone-mediated crystallisation should expedite molecular insights into the immunobiology of diverse immune-related diseases and immunotherapeutic strategies, particularly involving class I pMHC complexes that are challenging to crystallise. Moreover, since the LILRB1 recognition interface involves predominantly non-polymorphic regions of the MHC molecule, the approach we outline could prove applicable to a diverse range of class I pMHC.
Evidence that loss of consciousness under anesthesia is not associated with impaired stimulus representation in auditory cortex
Authors: Banks Matthew I. , Krause Bryan M. , Moran Nicholas S. , Grady Sean M. , Kakes Jeremiah , Uhlrich Daniel J. , Manning Karen
Published: November 2017

The mechanism whereby anesthetics cause loss of consciousness (LOC) is poorly understood. Current theories suggest that impaired representation of information in cortico-thalamic networks contributes to LOC under anesthesia. We sought to determine whether such changes are present in auditory cortex using information theoretic analysis of multiunit responses in rats. We tested the effects of three agents with different molecular targets: isoflurane, which acts at multiple pre- and postsynaptic loci, propofol, which acts primarily on GABAA receptors, and dexmedetomidine, an α2 adrenergic agonist. We reasoned that changes in the representation of sensory stimuli causative for LOC would be present regardless of the molecular target of the anesthetic. All three agents caused LOC, as assayed by the loss of righting reflex (LORR). We presented acoustic stimuli that varied across a wide range of temporal and spectral dynamics under control, sub-hypnotic (i.e. dose too low to cause LORR), just-hypnotic (a dose just sufficient to cause LORR) and recovery conditions. Changes in mutual information (MI) between the stimulus and spike responses under anesthesia diverged in two ways from predictions of a model in which stimulus representation is impaired upon LOC. First, the sign of changes in MI was agent-specific: MI increased under dexmedetomidine, while it decreased under isoflurane and propofol. Second, there was no consistent change in MI when transitioning from sub-hyptnotic to just-hypnotic doses: for none of the agents did MI decrease at the higher dose, and in some cases MI actually increased relative to the sub-hypnotic dose. Changes in MI under anesthesia were strongly correlated with changes in precision and reliability of spike timing, consistent with the importance of temporal stimulus features in driving auditory cortical activity. These data indicate that primary sensory cortex is not the locus for changes in information representation causative for LOC under anesthesia.
Single-cell sequencing reveals αβ chain pairing shapes the T cell repertoire
Authors: Grigaityte Kristina , Carter Jason A. , Goldfless Stephen J. , Jeffery Eric W. , Hause Ronald J. , Jiang Yue , Koppstein David , Briggs Adrian W. , Church George M. , Vigneault Francois , Atwal Gurinder S.
Published: November 2017

A diverse T cell repertoire is a critical component of the adaptive immune system, providing protection against invading pathogens and neoplastic changes, relying on the recognition of foreign antigens and neoantigen peptides by T cell receptors (TCRs). However, the statistical properties and function of the T cell pool in an individual, under normal physiological conditions, are poorly understood. In this study, we report a comprehensive, quantitative characterization of the T cell repertoire from over 1.9 million cells, yielding over 200,000 high quality paired αβ sequences in 5 healthy human subjects. The dataset was obtained by leveraging recent biotechnology developments in deep RNA sequencing of lymphocytes via single-cell barcoding in emulsion. We report non-random associations and non-monogamous pairing between the α and β chains, lowering the theoretical diversity of the T cell repertoire, and increasing the frequency of public clones shared among individuals. T cell clone size distributions closely followed a power law, with markedly longer tails for CD8+ cytotoxic T cells than CD4+ helper T cells. Furthermore, clonality estimates based on paired chains from single T cells were lower than that from single chain data. Taken together, these results highlight the importance of sequencing αβ pairs to accurately quantify lymphocyte receptor diversity.
Welfare governmentalities: pastoralism and parties’ youth wings in Mexico
Authors: Zavala Pelayo Edgar
Published: November 2017

Purpose

From a micro-macro perspective, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the welfare-related criteria reported by the heads of political parties’ youth wings in Mexico, the implicit and explicit religious beliefs that inform some of those criteria and the (Foucauldian) pastoral genealogy of both the criteria and beliefs.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with a group of 32 heads of three political parties’ youth wings in Mexico. The interpretation of the data builds on a previous genealogical analysis of Foucauldian pastoralism in colonial Mexico.

Findings

The respondents’ criteria on a state that should aim at procuring “material-spiritual” and “material-transcendental” types of well-being and politics as “help,” are partly informed by religious values. Such criteria and religious values have been partly constructed out of a pastoralism which was deployed during the Spanish colonial regime and included “temporal” and “spiritual” teleologies of government and the practice of charity as (self-)governmental technique.

Originality/value

The literature on welfare/social policies of Latin American countries like Mexico tends not to problematize issues of secularity other than the religions’ undesirable intrusions in the political field. Governmentality studies also tend to bypass Foucault’s discussion of pastoralism. An empirical study of the pastoral genealogy of contemporary political rationalities in a constitutionally secular country such as Mexico can prompt further research on the gaps above and comparative analyses of pastoral and welfare governmentalities across Latin American and other world regions.
If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got: commissioning and regulating care homes to prevent abuse
Authors: Moore Steve
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a review of some of the fundamental theoretical and contextual components of commissioning and regulatory processes as applied to care home services, revisiting and examining how they impact on the potential prevention of abuse.

Design/methodology/approach

By revisiting a number of the theoretical bases of commissioning activity, some of which may also be applied to regulatory functions, the reasons for the apparent limited impact on the prevention of the abuse that occurs in care homes by these agencies are analysed.

Findings

The paper demonstrates how the application of commissioning and regulatory theory may be applied to the oversight of care homes to inform proposed preventative strategies.

Practical implications

The paper offers strategies to improve the prevention of abuse in care homes for older people.

Originality/value

A factual and “back to basics” approach is taken to demonstrate why current strategies that should contribute to tackling abuse in care homes are of limited efficacy.
Participation in developing youth mental health services: “Cinderella service” to service re-design
Authors: Collins Rebecca , Notley Caitlin , Clarke Tim , Wilson Jon , Fowler David
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Whilst there are pockets of excellence in the provision of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), many services fail to meet young people’s needs. Considering this, the purpose of this paper is to ascertain perceptions of CAMHS provision in a rural county of the UK to inform re-design of youth mental health services.

Design/methodology/approach

The study comprised of two phases: phase one involved analysis of questionnaire data of youth views of CAMHS. Phase two involved analysis of the “Have Your Say” event data which explored perceptions of CAMHS and future service re-design. Data were thematically analysed.

Findings

Knowledge of the existence and purpose of CAMHS was variable. Participants wanted accessible information about services, rights, confidentiality and for this to be provided in multiple media. Young people wanted staff who were easy to talk to, genuine, understanding and who valued their insights. Participants wanted to be offered choice about appointments, location and timing. An ideal mental health service was described as a “one-stop-shop” of co-locality and multi-agency collaboration. Young people clearly expressed a desire to influence the design and delivery of the radical service re-design and to be embedded in its development.

Practical implications

The results highlighted multiple problems with CAMHS provision and provided a clear justification for the re-design of services.

Originality/value

This was a novel approach demonstrating the importance, utility and power of effective participatory practices for informing the re-design of services.
A superpower? An educational initiative? Or something else …
Authors: Kessel Anthony , Neill Michael , Marmur Elizabeth , Malik Rifat
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to raise awareness of an understanding of “how the mind works” that has been gaining considerable traction in the coaching world and, increasingly, in the health education sphere.

Design/methodology/approach

A brief review of the “Three Principles” understanding of how the mind works (including definitions of the principles of thought, consciousness and mind), and an assessment of the strengths and challenges of this understanding.

Findings

Examples are provided of how this approach (labelled an educational initiative rather than a therapy) is being used professionally and how this understanding of how the mind works can make stress, anxiety and work-related problems appear different; recommendations include the establishment of a professional body, and the need for more research around the effectiveness of the approach.

Originality/value

Despite the need for greater professionalisation and more research evidence, the “Three Principles” understanding has huge potential to transform people’s lives – whether at work or home, for individuals with (or without) common mental health problems, and for those with chronic long-term conditions.
Factors affecting outcomes of EU-supported investments in innovation among SMEs in the Greater Poland (Wielkopolska) region, Poland
Authors: Mikołajczak Paweł , Pawlak Jacek
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The European Union offers support mechanisms to help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to innovate and grow. Given the substantial contribution of SMEs to national economies, the present paper explores what factors tend to be associated with the success of EU-supported innovation by SMEs in Poland during its early post-accession period.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model relating the type of innovation, investment purpose, funding type and financial readiness, location and collaboration possibilities, company size and sector of operation to changes in the capital base, employment, unit price and revenue is proposed. This model is operationalised and estimated as a structural equations model and estimated using a sample of 110 SMEs surveyed in 2008 in the Greater Poland (Wielkopolska) region in Poland.

Findings

Two approaches to the successful use of innovation support have been observed among the studied companies. The first approach implements market innovations to establish a presence in foreign markets and to move the product or service up the value chain. The second approach uses the funding to de-risk workforce expansion and increase production capacity.

Originality/value

The paper provides the first systematic disaggregate level analysis of an early post-accession context where impacts of EU support for SME innovation are decomposed into effects of specific investment conditions and innovation type on changes in capital base, employment, unit price and ultimately revenue. The insights provided here are valuable for managers developing business and innovation strategies on the one hand, but also for policymakers responsible for creating an entrepreneurship friendly environment in emerging economies.
Use of information and communication technologies for administration and management of schools in Nigeria
Authors: Omotayo Funmilola Olubunmi , Chigbundu Michael Chinweike
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the adoption and use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) by school administrators in the management of schools, as well as factors that influence use of ICTs by the administrators.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey research design was adopted. A two-stage sampling procedure (random and purposive) was used to select the respondents, while quantitative and qualitative methods were used for data collection.

Findings

Findings reveal that the school administrators use various ICTs to carry out administrative and management duties. Task characteristics, task-technology fit, attitude and perceived ease of use have significant relationships with use of ICTs by the administrators.

Research limitations/implications

The findings and conclusion from this paper cannot be generalised to all schools in Nigeria because the population was limited to only private secondary schools.

Practical implications

The study contributes to an existing knowledge on adoption and use of ICTs in schools, and provides information to policymakers on factors that should be given consideration when there is a need to implement ICTs in schools.

Social implications

This paper could assist school administrators that are yet to adopt and implement ICTs in their schools of the need to do so in order to enjoy the benefits associated with ICTs use in the workplace.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first pieces of empirical research that has adopted the integrated technology acceptance and task-technology fit models to investigate use of ICTs by administrators of schools in Nigeria.
The pedagogical challenges of creating information literate librarians
Authors: Derakhshan Maryam , Hassanzadeh Mohammad , E. Higgins Susan , Abbaspour Asadollah Sara
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the challenges of developing information literacy (IL) competencies and approaches to overcome the challenges among library and information science (LIS) students in Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking an exploratory approach, the study used semi-structured interviews to gather the data. Using the 2000 ACRL standards as a framework, the fieldwork questions were designed around the five areas of IL competencies. A total of 15 academics teaching 18 different LIS courses from six universities were interviewed. They were asked the challenges they faced in teaching these competencies and the approaches they took or suggested in overcoming the challenge(s). A thematic approach was used to analyze the data.

Findings

Some of the challenges for students mentioned by the interviewees were ambiguity about the discipline, inability to match subject relevance with appropriate sources of information and lack of familiarity with databases.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to LIS academics; studying students’ reflections can bring broader perspectives to IL education in LIS programs. Owing to the nature of the design of this study, which is a single case study, the teaching experiences of IL are limited to the ones which emerged and were addressed in the context of the case. Although the case selection was made in a way that can be representative of the “general” in the “particular” bounded system of the case (Stake, 1998), studying more cases could certainly have brought broader perspectives to IL which could have been to wider contexts.

Originality/value

The results of this study contribute to our understanding of challenges in teaching IL in the LIS discipline, an area that has not been researched directly. This contributes to IL teaching in disciplinary areas and it brings new perspectives to the elements of IL teaching which emerged from the experiences of people who are directly experienced in the context of the discipline.
Measuring the Frequency Occurrence of Handwritten Numeral Characteristics
Authors: Vastrick Thomas W. , Schuetzner Ellen , Osborn Kelsey
Published: November 2017

The premise of this follow‐up sister study to “Measuring the Frequency Occurrence of Handwriting and Handprinting Characteristics” was to collect a representative population sampling of numerals and assess how many participants utilize each of the predetermined characteristics as found in their specimens. A total of 1410 handwriting specimen forms were collected from across the United States and pared to 1025 to obtain a proper representative sample of the U.S. adult population based on the same demographics used in the original 2017 study. This study provides frequency of occurrence proportions and 95% confidence limits for 25 handwritten numeral characteristics. A total of 277 intercharacter pairs of handwritten numeral characteristics were cross‐analyzed for interdependence. The results were that 72.92% of all intercharacter pairs had a coefficient of correlation between −0.2 and +0.2 in this study.
Child Fatalities in Dammam: A Call for Child Fatality Reviews in Arab Countries
Authors: Alsaif Dalia Mohammed , Almadani Osama M. , Ali Almoghannam Salah , Hamdi Dina , Al‐Farayedhi Maram A. , Kharosha Magdy A.
Published: November 2017

Identifying children's risk exposure is the first step toward mortality prevention. This retrospective study determined the causes of child fatalities in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Death reports of children and adolescents from 1999 to 2015 (N = 157) were analyzed. Boys represented most cases (69%) and there were two age peaks (1–5 years and 16–18 years). Accidents (typically immersion) defined the main death circumstance (51%) followed by homicide (25%). Only 33% of cases underwent autopsy, and the most common cause of death was head injury (27%) followed by firearm injury. Only one immersion death underwent autopsy. This study revealed important data about the risk exposure of children in Dammam and emphasizes deficient investigative procedures. Child fatality reviews comprise systematic data collection by multidisciplinary teams to determine the true risks toward children in a community. Such teams do not exist in Arab countries; therefore, strategies should be implemented to initiate them.
Did maize domestication and early spread mediate the population genetics of corn leafhopper?
Authors: Bernal Julio S. , Dávila‐Flores Amanda M. , Medina Raul F. , Chen Yolanda H. , Harrison Kyle E. , Berrier Kimberly A.
Published: November 2017

Investigating how crop domestication and early farming mediated crop attributes, distributions, and interactions with antagonists may shed light on today's agricultural pest problems. Crop domestication generally involved artificial selection for traits desirable to early farmers, for example, increased productivity or yield, and enhanced qualities, though invariably it altered the interactions between crops and insects, and expanded the geographical ranges of crops. Thus, some studies suggest that with crop domestication and spread, insect populations on wild crop ancestors gave rise to pestiferous insect populations on crops. Here, we addressed whether the emergence of corn leafhopper (Dalbulus maidis) as an agricultural pest may be associated with domestication and early spread of maize (Zea mays mays). We used AFLP markers and mitochondrial COI sequences to assess population genetic structuring and haplotype relationships among corn leafhopper samples from maize and its wild relative Zea diploperennis from multiple locations in Mexico and Argentina. We uncovered seven corn leafhopper haplotypes contained within two haplogroups, one haplogroup containing haplotypes associated with maize and the other containing haplotypes associated with Z. diploperennis in a mountainous habitat. Within the first haplogroup, one haplotype was predominant across Mexican locations, and another across Argentinean locations; both were considered pestiferous. We suggested that the divergence times of the maize‐associated haplogroup and of the “pestiferous” haplotypes are correlated with the chronology of maize spread following its domestication. Overall, our results support a hypothesis positing that maize domestication favored corn leafhopper genotypes preadapted for exploiting maize so that they became pestiferous, and that with the geographical expansion of maize farming, corn leafhopper colonized Z. diploperennis, a host exclusive to secluded habitats that serves as a refuge for archaic corn leafhopper genotypic diversity. Broadly, our results help explain the extents to which crop domestication and early spread may have mediated the emergence of today's agricultural pests.
Reforming foodservice in elderly care: National actions and local outcomes
Authors: Skinnars Josefsson Malin , Nydahl Margaretha , Persson Inger , Mattsson Sydner Ylva
Published: November 2017

Aim

The aim was to explore the outcome, on a local level, of steering, organisation and practices of elderly care foodservice by Swedish municipalities, and changes relative to national actions.

Methods

A survey using a web‐based questionnaire about elderly care foodservice targeting all Swedish municipalities (n = 290) was conducted in 2006 and 2013/2014. The questionnaire included the topics: organisation of foodservice, its practice in elderly care and steering devices such as guidelines and policies. Based on the share of a rural population, municipalities were divided into groups: rural (≥50%), urban (<50%) and city (≤20%).

Results

The response rate from municipalities was 80% in 2006 and 56% in 2013/2014; 45% participated in both surveys. The results showed increased use of local food policies (P = 0.03) and meal choice (P < 0.001), while access to clinical/community dietitians declined (P = 0.01) between the surveys. In home‐help services, daily delivered cook‐serve meals declined (P < 0.001) and chilled meals delivered three times a week increased (P = 0.002) between the surveys. City municipalities used private foodservice organisations the most (P < 0.001), and reported reduced use of cook‐serve systems in favour of chilled. In rural municipalities, the use of public providers (98%) and a cook‐serve system (94%) were firmly established. Urban municipalities were placed between the other groups.

Conclusions

National actions such as soft governance and benchmarking appear largely to determine local level outcomes. However, conditions for adapting these measures vary between municipality groups. While efficiency enhancing trends were prominent, questions remain whether national actions should be expanded beyond performance to also examine their consequences.
Tetraselmis suecica F&M‐M33 growth is influenced by its associated bacteria
Authors: Biondi Natascia , Cheloni Giulia , Rodolfi Liliana , Viti Carlo , Giovannetti Luciana , Tredici Mario R.
Published: November 2017

Algal cultures are usually co‐cultures of algae and bacteria, especially when considering outdoor mass cultivation. The influence of associated bacteria on algal culture performance has been poorly investigated, although bacteria may strongly affect biomass (or derived product) yield and quality. In this work, the influence on growth and productivity of Tetraselmis suecica F&M‐M33 of bacterial communities and single bacterial isolates from the algal phycosphere was investigated. Xenic laboratory and outdoor cultures were compared with an axenic culture in batch. The presence of the bacterial community significantly promoted culture growth. Single bacterial isolates previously found to be strictly associated with T. suecica F&M‐M33 also increased growth compared with the axenic culture, whereas loosely associated and common seawater bacteria induced variable growth responses, from positive to detrimental. The increased growth was mainly evidenced as increased algal biomass production and cell size, and occurred after exhaustion of nutrients. This finding is of interest for biofuel production from microalgae, often attained through nutrient starvation processes leading to oil or carbohydrate accumulation. As axenic T. suecica F&M‐M33 showed a similar growth with or without vitamins, the most probable mechanism behind bacterial positive influence on algal growth seems nutrient recycling.
Estradiol inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome in fibroblast‐like synoviocytes activated by lipopolysaccharide and adenosine triphosphate
Authors: Shi Jianfeng , Zhao Weibo , Ying Haijian , Zhang Ying , Du Juping , Chen Shuaishuai , Li Jun , Shen Bo
Published: November 2017

Objective

Nucleotide binding domain and leucine‐rich repeat pyrin 3 domain (NLRP3) inflammasome is known for activating pro‐inflammatory cytokines in knee osteoarthritis (OA). This study was performed to identify whether NLRP3 inflammasome can be triggered by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and adenosine triphos adenine (ATP), which are positively related with knee OA severity in joint‐spaces, in human fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS), and to identify whether estrogen would inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome.

Methods

In the present study, human FLS were isolated from the knee OA in patients during arthroplasty, and were treated with LPS and ATP in the presence or absence of estradiol (E2). The messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of NLRP3 components were analyzed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to examine interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐18 content in the supernatant. Estrogen receptor α inhibitor MPP and β inhibitor PHTPP were used to explore how E2 works.

Results

Our results demonstrated that treatment with LPS and ATP increased significantly both in mRNA and protein levels of all the NLRP3 inflammasome components, and triggered the NLRP3 inflammasome, followed by upregulated IL‐1β and IL‐18 in the cell supernatant. E2 appeared to inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome by diminishing mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3 through estrogen receptor β, and decreased the expression of IL‐1β and IL‐18 as well.

Conclusion

These results suggested the increased LPS and ATP in joint‐space may promote knee OA by NLRP3 inflammasome and E2 may exert a protective effect by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in FLS.
Cost‐effectiveness of bisphosphonates for prevention of fracture related to glucocorticoid‐induced osteoporosis in Malaysia
Authors: Mohd‐Tahir Nurul‐Ain , Thomas Paraidathathu , Mohamed‐Said Mohd‐Shahrir , Makmor‐Bakry Mohd , Li Shu‐Chuen
Published: November 2017

Introduction

Glucocorticoid therapy is associated with an appreciable risk of bone loss leading to fractures that require expensive treatments. This study aimed to evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of bisphosphonates for prevention of hip fracture in glucocorticoid‐induced osteoporosis (GIOP) in Malaysia.

Method

Retrospective data were collected from GIOP patients referred to the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre. Fracture events and direct medical costs were compared between bisphosphonates and calcium/vitamin D combination.

Results

Fracture events were reported in 28 out of 93 included patients, with hip and vertebral fractures representing 42.9% and 35.7%, respectively. Overall, the use of bisphosphonates could not be considered cost‐effective for treatment of all GIOP patients. The presence of certain fracture risk factors was able to modify the cost‐effectiveness of bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates was considered cost‐effective if started in patients more than 60 years old. However, the use of bisphosphonates was not cost‐effective in GIOP patients with secondary osteoporosis. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICER) of bisphosphonates in patients with risk factors of previous fracture or rheumatoid arthritis were Malaysian Ringgits (MYR) 108 603.40 and MYR 25 699.21, respectively.

Conclusion

Fracture risk factors of age, previous fracture, rheumatoid arthritis and secondary osteoporosis may modify the cost‐effectiveness outcomes of bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates would be considered cost‐effective in patients more than 60 years old as compared to calcium/vitamin D treatments. Further evaluation of the impact of fracture risk factors in larger populations would provide more precise information to better assist rational and economical use of anti‐osteoporosis treatment in GIOP patients.
Effectiveness of the maximising cognition (MAXCOG) information resource for clients with mild cognitive impairment and their families
Authors: Regan Bridget , Wells Yvonne
Published: November 2017

Objective

To evaluate a new information resource developed for clients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early dementia and their family supporters.

Methods

A controlled group trial was undertaken comparing 40 clients and family supporters who received ‘service as usual’ followed by 40 clients and family supporters who received ‘service as usual’ plus the new information resource. Telephone interviews comprising open questions, ratings and a quality‐of‐life questionnaire were undertaken two to four weeks after the client's final feedback session.

Results

The two groups (equivalent on sex, age and cognition) showed a similar pattern of responses regarding handout use and evaluation. However, family supporters in the group who received and read the new resource were better able to describe their use of cognitive management strategies.

Conclusion

Some family supporters appeared to benefit from using the new resource but people with MCI may require further face‐to‐face support to learn new strategies.
PD‐L1 expression associated with worse survival outcome in malignant pleural mesothelioma
Authors: Nguyen Bella Hai , Montgomery Renn , Fadia Mitali , Wang Jiali , Ali Sayed
Published: November 2017

Aim

There is currently a need to identify prognostic biomarkers to assist in a risk adopted approach in treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) has been studied as a prognostic biomarker in a number of tumors given its central role in antitumoral immune response evasion. Four previously published analyses found PD‐L1 positivity to be an adverse survival prognostic factor in MPM. This study aims to further investigate the relationship between PD‐L1 expression in mesothelioma tissues and survival outcome.

Methods

Clinical data of MPM patients from a single institution between 2006 and 2016 were reviewed. Patient's archived tissues were stained with PD‐L1 (Clone Ventana SP263). PD‐L1 positivity was defined as > 1% membranous staining regardless of intensity.

Results

Data from fifty eight patients were analyzed. Median age was 73, majority was male (49, 84%) and had ECOG between 0 and 2 (46, 79%). Most common histopathological subtype was epithelioid (42, 72%), 9 (16%) biphasic subtype and 7 (12%) sarcomatoid. Thirty one patients (53%) received best supportive care and twenty seven patients (47%) received chemotherapy or combination treatment. Forty‐two patients had positive PD‐L1 expression (72.4%). The median survival time for PD‐L1 negative group is 15.5 months and 6 months for the positive group. Positive PD‐L1 expression is independently correlated with worse prognosis (HR = 2.02; 95% CI, 1.005–4.057; P‐value = 0.0484).

Conclusions

Our analysis found a higher percentage of MPM patients with positive PD‐L1 (> 1%) compared to other studies. Highly positive PD‐L1 expression was associated with statistically significantly lower median survival time.
Association of 150‐kDa oxygen‐regulated protein with vascular endothelial growth factor in proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Abu El‐Asrar Ahmed M. , Ahmad Ajmal , Alam Kaiser , Bittoun Emilie , Siddiquei Mohammad Mairaj , Mohammad Ghulam , Mousa Ahmed , De Hertogh Gert , Opdenakker Ghislain
Published: November 2017

Purpose

150‐kDa oxygen‐regulated protein (ORP150), a member of heat‐shock protein family located in endoplasmic reticulum (ER), has a critical role in secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We investigated expression levels of ORP150 and correlated these levels with VEGF and total vitreous antioxidant capacity (TAC) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). We also examined expression of ORP150 in retinas of diabetic rats and in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMEC).

Methods

Vitreous samples from 40 PDR and 20 non‐diabetic patients, epiretinal membranes from 14 patients with PDR, retinas of rats and HRMEC were studied by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis.

Results

We showed a significant increase in expression of VEGF and ORP150 in vitreous samples from PDR patients compared with controls (p < 0.0001 for both comparisons). Total vitreous antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels were significantly lower in patients with PDR than those in controls (p < 0.0001). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and ORP150 levels in PDR with active neovascularization were significantly higher than that in inactive PDR (p = 0.016; p = 0.011, respectively). A significant positive correlation was observed between levels of ORP150 and levels of VEGF (r = 0.42; p = 0.001). In epiretinal membranes, ORP150 was expressed in vascular endothelial cells and stromal cells. We also demonstrated colocalization of the nuclear cell proliferation marker Ki67 and ORP150 in endothelial cells of pathologic new blood vessels. 150‐kDa oxygen‐regulated protein (ORP150) levels were significantly increased in rat retinas after induction of diabetes. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the pro‐inflammatory cytokines interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) induced upregulation of ORP150 in HRMEC.

Conclusion

These results suggest a role for ORP150 in PDR angiogenesis.
Structural, spectroscopic and computational study of 5‐(substituted phenylazo)‐3‐cyano‐1‐ethyl‐6‐hydroxy‐4‐methyl‐2‐pyridones
Authors: Mirković Jelena , Božić Bojan , Vitnik Vesna , Vitnik Željko , Rogan Jelena , Poleti Dejan , Ušćumlić Gordana , Mijin Dušan
Published: November 2017

Ten 5‐(substituted phenylazo)‐3‐cyano‐1‐ethyl‐6‐hydroxy‐4‐methyl‐2‐pyridones were studied (five new compounds) to provide insight into the electronic effects of diverse substituents located at different positions in their phenyl moieties. The structural features of these dyes were examined by combining experimental and theoretical approaches. The crystal structures of two derivatives were revealed by X‐ray crystallography and diverse packing modes owing to different intermolecular interactions (π–π stacking and lone pair–π interactions, as well as hydrogen bonds) were found. A study on lattice energy and energy related to the molecular pairs obtained from their crystal packing was performed. The tautomerism and ionisation of the dyes in ethanol or N,N ‐dimethylformamide solution were rationalised in terms of diazo component substitution pattern.
A new push‐pull sample design for microscale mode 1 fracture toughness measurements under uniaxial tension
Authors: Schwiedrzik J.J. , Ast J. , Pethö L. , Maeder X. , Michler J.
Published: November 2017

A sample geometry is proposed for performing microscale tensile experiments based on a push‐pull design. It allows measuring mode 1 fracture toughness under uniform far‐field loading. Finite element simulations were performed to determine the geometry factor, which was nearly constant for Young's moduli spanning 2 orders of magnitude. It was further verified that mode 1 stress intensity factor KI is nearly constant over the width of the tension rods and an order of magnitude higher than KII and KIII. Notched samples with different a/w ratios were prepared in (100)‐oriented Si by a combination of reactive ion etching and focused ion beam milling. The mode 1 fracture toughness KI,q was constant with a/w and in average 1.02 ± 0.06 MPa√m in good agreement with existing literature. The geometry was characterized and experimentally validated and may be used for fracture toughness measurements of all material classes. It is especially interesting when a uniaxial, homogeneous stress field is desired, if crack tip plasticity is important, or when positioning of the indenter is difficult.