bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Family business succession as knowledge creation process
Authors: Duh Mojca
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to broaden the understanding of family business succession as organizational knowledge creation process.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is built on organizational knowledge creation theory and reviews literature on family business succession. Four modes of knowledge conversion are followed to identify knowledge creation activities contributing to family business's knowledge base and to develop propositions.

Findings

– Successful realization of succession depends not only on “traditional” knowledge creation activities of socialization and internalization, but as well as on active involvement of successor(s) in many aspects of business functioning. This contributes not only to widening successor(s) knowledge base but as well as to the firm's tacit and explicit knowledge triggering a new spiral of knowledge.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper limits the research on leadership succession as one of the most challenging tasks in family business's life cycle. Moreover, research findings have implications for small- and medium-sized family businesses due to the strong preference of keeping the leadership within a family.

Practical implications

– Propositions developed provide useful cognitions to professionals and stakeholders involved in succession process. If they understand the complexity of knowledge creation process, they can stand a better chance of improving the process of successor(s)’ development and leadership transfer in such a way that family business will have better chance to survive and progress after the transition.

Originality/value

– The research provides a comprehensive framework of knowledge creation activities during succession thus indicating the requisitely holistic approach to succession from organizational knowledge creation perspective. The study contributes to the organizational knowledge creation theory and the succession theory.
Dynamic hesitant fuzzy aggregation operators in multi-period decision making
Authors: Peng Ding-Hong , Wang Hua
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present some dynamic hesitant fuzzy aggregation operators to tackle with the multi-period decision-making problems where all decision information is provided by decision makers in hesitant fuzzy information from different periods.

Design/methodology/approach

– First, the notions and operational laws of the hesitant fuzzy variable are defined. Then, some dynamic hesitant fuzzy aggregation operators involve the dynamic hesitant fuzzy weighted averaging (DHFWA) operator, the dynamic hesitant fuzzy weighted geometric (DHFWG) operator, and their generalized versions are presented. Some desirable properties of these proposed operators are established. Furthermore, two linguistic quantifier-based methods are introduced to determine the weights of periods. Next, the paper extends the results to the interval-valued hesitant fuzzy situation. Furthermore, the authors develop an approach to solve the multi-period multiple criteria decision making (MPMCDM) problems. Finally, an illustrative example is given.

Findings

– The presented hesitant fuzzy aggregation operators are very suitable for aggregating the hesitant fuzzy information collected at different periods. The developed approach can solve the MPMCDM problems where all decision information takes the form of hesitant fuzzy information collected at different periods.

Practical implications

– The presented hesitant fuzzy aggregation operators and decision-making approach can widely apply to dynamic decision analysis, multi-stage decision analysis in real life.

Originality/value

– The paper presents the useful way to aggregate the hesitant fuzzy information collected at different periods in MPMCDM situations.
A “fivefold bottom line” approach of implementing and reporting corporate efforts in sustainable business practices
Authors: A.O. Dos Santos Maria , Svensson Göran , Padin Carmen
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe a “fivefold bottom line” approach in implementing and reporting corporate efforts of sustainable business practices.

Design/methodology/approach

– This viewpoint from industry is based on the content analysis of the South African retail chain Woolworths. The data are gathered and derived from the company's comprehensive annual and sustainability reports from 2008 to 2011 and the company's press releases for this period focusing on their efforts of implementing and reporting sustainable business practices.

Findings

– A lesson learned from the presented “fivefold bottom line” approach to implement and report their corporate efforts of sustainable business practices is that it is adapted to fit and make sense in a specific market and society. The triple bottom line approach is usually derived from, or commonly based upon, a western perspective on the market and society in literature.

Research limitations/implications

– The authors argues that insights from industry of implementing and reporting sustainable business practices based upon different corporate “bottom line” approaches are required in literature.

Practical implications

– The authors propose that the “triple bottom line” approach may need to be commonly adapted to the country and cultural context in focus, which is not normally done, but templates are used.

Originality/value

– Triple bottom line reporting tends to follow common approaches how it is done. There is rarely seen adapted or modified “bottom line” approaches to specific market and societal characteristics in literature.
Dynamic effect of Tobin's Q on price-to-earnings ratio
Authors: Sum Vichet
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the dynamic effect of Tobin's q ratio on price-to-earnings (PE) ratio.

Design/methodology/approach

– The objective of this study is to investigate the dynamic effect of Tobin's q on PE ratio. To achieve this objective, a vector autoregressive analysis (Equation (1)) is employed to analyze the quarterly data from 1951Q4 to 2012Q4 to determine the generalized impulse response functions and perform the variance decomposition of Tobin's q ratio on PE ratio. The Granger causality Wald test is performed to determine if Tobin's q ratio causes PE ratio and vice versa.

Findings

– Based on the analysis of the quarterly market-level data from 1951Q4 to 2012Q4, the results show that PE ratio significantly drops immediately following the shock to the change in Tobin's q ratio. The results from the Granger-causality test indicate that Tobin's q ratio change causes PE ratio to drop. There is not a reverse causation from PE ratio to Tobin's q ratio change. The variance decomposition results reveal that Tobin's q ratio change forecasts about 67.53 to 67.78 percent of PE ratio at the two-quarter to eight-quarter horizons.

Originality/value

– Up to this point, there is not a single study in the literature investigating the relationship between Tobin's q and PE ratios. Consequently, the current study is set up to investigate the dynamic effect of Tobin's q ratio on PE ratio. A major contribution of this study is to provide empirical evidence of the dynamic effect of Tobin's q ratio on PE ratio.
Future and technical considerations of gold wirebonding in semiconductor packaging – a technical review
Authors: Leong Gan Chong , Classe Francis , Lee Chan Bak , Hashim Uda
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic review on technical findings and discuss the feasibility and future of gold (Au) wirebonding in microelectronics packaging. It also aims to study and compare the cost, quality and wear-out reliability performance of Au wirebonding with respect to other wire alloys such as copper (Cu) and silver (Ag) wirebonding. This paper discusses the influence of wire type on the long-term reliability tests.

Design/methodology/approach

– Literature reviews are conducted based on cost and wire selections of Au, Cu or Ag wirebonding. Detailed wear-out failure findings and wire selection with cost considerations are presented in this review paper. The future and the status of Au wirebonding in microelectronics packaging are discussed in this paper.

Findings

– This paper briefly reviews selected aspects of the Au ball and other alternative bonding options, focusing on reliability performance, and discusses the future of Au wirebonding in the near future in semiconductor packaging.

Practical implications

– The paper reveals the technical considerations when choosing the wire types for future microelectronics packaging.

Originality/value

– The in-depth technical review and strategies of the selection of wire types (Au, Cu or the latest Ag alloy) in microelectronics packaging are discussed in this paper based on previous literature studies.
Evolution of photovoltaic solar modules dark properties after exposition to electrical reverse stress current inducing thermal effect
Authors: Sidawi Jihad , Zaraket Carine , Habchi Roland , Bassil Nathalie , Salame Chafic , Aillerie Michel , Charles Jean-Pierre
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the dark properties as a function of reverse current induced defects. Dark characteristics of solar modules are very essential in the understanding the functioning of these devices.

Design/methodology/approach

– Reverse currents were applied on the photovoltaic (PV) modules to create defects. At several time intervals, dark characteristics along with surface temperature were measured.

Findings

– Current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics furnished valuable data and threshold values for reverse currents. Maximum module surface temperatures were directly related to each of the induced reverse currents and to the amount of leakage current. Microstructural damages, in the form of hot spots and overheating, are linked to reverse current effects. Experimental evidence showed that different levels of reverse currents are a major degrading factor of the performance of solar cells and modules.

Originality/value

– These results give a reliable method to predict most of the essential characteristics of a silicon solar cell or a module. Similar test could help predict the amount of degradation or even the failure of PV modules.
Autopietic decisions approach: a governance research network case study
Authors: Lobato Calleros Odette , Chanlat Alain , Bédard Renée , Ramírez Guillermo
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the autopoietic decisions approach (<Greek: autos=self, poiein=to produce) means self-(re)production and to know the constitution of the governance in the organization of a research network.

Design/methodology/approach

– The approach selected was Luhmann's Social System Theory, an autopoietic decisions system. A historical case study was reconstructed in which information was recollected by in-depth interviews and a survey. The network results, the extensive communications submitted by the members of two network congresses (2006 and 2010) were analyzed by networks analysis techniques.

Findings

– The approach and model developed were useful to identify the decision premises, which have been the constitutional structure of the research network.

Practical implications

– Development of a governance approach useful to a research network organization which retro-feeds the quality movement guidelines.

Originality/value

– The quality movement proposes a systematic regulatory approach, via the ISO9000 standard family. This approach has not sufficed for institutions of higher education. One of the reasons is that it favors the “management of things” from a processes standpoint, which conforms to the General Systems Theory. However, the core of higher education is not “things” but rather the “people” participating in it – particularly professors, students, and the university community – who are participating in the creation, teaching, association, and diffusion of knowledge. The unsolved problem refers to governance.
Subcutaneous pharmacokinetics of the cardiac hormone vessel dilator
Authors: Zhou Qingyu , Whelan Glenn , Zhou Shu‐Feng , Lane Meghan L , Vesely David L
Published: May 2014

Vessel dilator, a hormone synthesized in the heart, eliminates 71% of human small‐cell lung cancers and 67% of human breast cancers growing in mice when given subcutaneously (s.c.) via osmotic pumps. The pharmacokinetics of s.c. administered vessel dilator have not been evaluated previously. In the present study, the pharmacokinetics of vessel dilator following s.c. bolus (ScB) or 3 h s.c. infusion (ScI) were compared with those following i.v. bolus (IvB) administration in male Fischer 344 rats. The half‐life (t½) of vessel dilator after ScI, IvB and ScB was 54, 43 and 30 min, respectively. The tmax for vessel dilator after IvB, ScB and ScI administration was 1.5, 23 and 156 min, respectively, whereas the corresponding Cmax values were 3749, 887 and 471 ng/L (normalized against the dose used for ScB and IvB). The area under the curve (AUC0–∞) for vessel dilator was 1166, 880 and 1652 ng h/mL (normalized) following IvB, ScB and ScI administration, respectively. The volume of distribution for vessel dilator was 2.38, 0.92 and 1.08 L following IvB, ScB and SCI administration, respectively; corresponding clearance values were 1.69, 1.50 and 0.78 L/h, respectively. Plasma concentrations of vessel dilator after each of the three methods of administration mirrored their predicted concentration–time profiles. We conclude that vessel dilator administered via ScI has a significantly greater AUC and t½ and slowed clearance compared with IvB or ScB administration (P < 0.001), suggesting that s.c. infusion is the preferred method of administration, based on pharmacokinetics, to treat cancers.
Surgery‐induced changes in rat IL‐1β and acetylcholine metabolism: role of physostigmine
Authors: Plaschke Konstanze , Müller Ann‐Katrin , Kopitz Jürgen
Published: May 2014

Pharmacological enhancement of cholinergic activity following administration of physostigmine is known to induce protective effects generally. However, it is unclear whether the effect of physostigmine on inflammation and acetylcholine (ACh) metabolism is related to different types of surgical intervention or anaesthesia alone. To investigate this, rats were subjected to partial liver resection (PLR) or sham surgery, with a control group receiving anaesthesia alone. Half of each treatment group received a single intra‐operative dose of physostigmine (0.04 mg/kg); the others received placebo. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and plasma and brain concentrations of interleukin (IL)‐1β and ACh were determined. Both PLR and sham operation induced a time‐dependent increase in plasma concentrations of IL‐1β compared with rats receiving anaesthesia alone (3.9‐ and 4.8‐fold increases, respectively). In the brain, IL‐1β concentrations had increased approximately twofold after surgery compared with the control group. Blood AChE was transiently decreased after surgery. Brain AChE activity increased 1.3‐fold (P = 0.014) only after PLR; consequently, cerebral ACh concentrations were significantly reduced. Physostigmine administration significantly reduced IL‐1β and AChE levels. Cerebral ACh concentrations were markedly increased from 544 ± 122 ng/mg protein following placebo administration to 654 ± 93 ng/mg protein after physostigmine administrations (P < 0.001). We conclude that a single dose of physostigmine intra‐operatively has a sustained anti‐inflammatory effect (up to 120 min after injection) that is especially pronounced under the conditions of PLR surgery. In addition to its protective peripheral action, physostigmine exerts a neuroprotective action by increasing levels of the neurotransmitter ACh.
Additive effect of polymorphisms in the β2‐adrenoceptor and NADPH oxidase p22 phox genes contributes to the loss of estimated glomerular filtration rate in Chinese
Authors: Wang Tao , Zhang Yan , Ma JingTao , Feng Zhen , Niu Kai , Liu Bing
Published: May 2014

Because increased oxidative stress may mediate the detrimental actions of enhanced sympathetic nervous activity on renal function and vice versa, we investigated the effect of the polymorphic Arg16Gly in the β2‐adrenoceptor (ADRB2) gene, Trp64Arg in the β3‐adrenoceptor (ADRB3) gene and C242T in the NADPH oxidase p22phox (CYBA) gene on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in a Chinese population. Initially recruited from different outpatient services of HeBei General Hospital in northern China, 668 individuals were finally included in the study, with complete demographic information. Laboratory tests were performed and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was derived from the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation for the Chinese population. Plasma noradrenaline levels and genotype were determined by HPLC and the TaqMan method, respectively. Only across the Arg16Gly polymorphism did eGFR show significant difference: it was lower in individuals with the Gly16Gly variation, who also had the highest plasma noradrenaline levels. This polymorphism remained a significant determinant of eGFR after multivariate analysis. Of importance, the multifactor dimensionality reduction method further detected a significant synergism between the Arg16Gly and C242T polymorphisms in reducing eGFR. These observations clarify the effects of the studied polymorphisms on eGFR and exemplify gene–gene interactions influencing renal function.
Non‐speech oro‐motor exercises in post‐stroke dysarthria intervention: a randomized feasibility trial
Authors: Mackenzie C. , Muir M. , Allen C. , Jensen A.
Published: May 2014

Background

There has been little robust evaluation of the outcome of speech and language therapy (SLT) intervention for post‐stroke dysarthria. Non‐speech oro‐motor exercises (NSOMExs) are a common component of dysarthria intervention. A feasibility study was designed and executed, with participants randomized into two groups, in one of which NSOMExs were a component of the intervention programme.

Aims

To examine (1) operational feasibility of the programme; (2) participants’ views of the programme; and (3) speech intelligibility, communication effectiveness and tongue and lip movement at four points (A1 and A2 before, and A3 and A4 after intervention).

Methods & Procedures

Thirty‐nine participants were randomized into Group A (n = 20) and Group B (n = 19). Groups were equivalent at enrolment in demographic variables and A1 measures. Intervention was behavioural, delivered in eight home‐based SLT sessions, and included practise of individually appropriate words, sentences and conversation, and for Group B also NSOMExs. Between‐session practice was recorded in a diary. Data on speech intelligibility, effectiveness of communication in conversation, self‐rated situational communication effectiveness, and tongue and lip movement were collected at 8‐week intervals, twice before and twice after intervention. Anonymous evaluation (AE) questionnaires were completed.

Outcome & Results

The recruited number was 20% below the target of 50. Thirty‐six participants completed the intervention and 32 were followed through to A4. The programme was delivered to protocol and fidelity was verified. Thirty‐four AEs were returned. These showed high satisfaction with the programme and its outcome. According to diary records from 32 participants, 59% carried out at least the recommended practice amount. Outcome measure performance across the four assessment points did not indicate any group effect. For the whole sample both externally rated and self‐rated communication effectiveness measures showed statistically significant gains across the intervention period (A2/A3), which were maintained for 2 months after intervention (A2/A4). Non‐intervention period changes (A1/A2 and A3/A4) were not present. There were no intervention‐related gains in tongue and lip movement or speech intelligibility, but the latter is likely to be attributable to a ceiling effect on scores.

Conclusions & Implications

The results indicate positive outcomes associated with a short period of behavioural SLT intervention in the post‐stroke dysarthria population. The inclusion of NSOMExs, delivered in accordance with standard clinical practice, did not appear to influence outcomes. The results must be viewed in relation to the nature of feasibility study and provide a foundation for suitably powered trials.
Development and application of primers for the class Dehalococcoidia (phylum Chloroflexi) enables deep insights into diversity and stratification of subgroups in the marine subsurface
Authors: Wasmund Kenneth , Algora Camelia , Müller Josefine , Krüger Martin , Lloyd Karen G. , Reinhardt Richard , Adrian Lorenz
Published: May 2014

Bacteria of the class Dehalococcoidia (DEH) (phylum Chloroflexi) are widely distributed in the marine subsurface and are especially prevalent in deep marine sediments. Nevertheless, little is known about the specific distributions of DEH subgroups at different sites and depths. This study therefore specifically examined the distributions of DEH through depths of various marine sediment cores by quantitative PCR and pyrosequencing using newly designed DEH 16S rRNA gene targeting primers. Quantification of DEH showed populations may establish in shallow sediments (i.e. upper centimetres), although as low relative proportions of total Bacteria, yet often became more prevalent in deeper sediments. Pyrosequencing revealed pronounced diversity co‐exists within single biogeochemical zones, and that clear and sometimes abrupt shifts in relative proportions of DEH subgroups occur with depth. These shifts indicate varying metabolic properties exist among DEH subgroups. The distributional changes in DEH subgroups with depth may be related to a combination of biogeochemical factors including the availability of electron acceptors such as sulfate, the composition of organic matter and depositional regimes. Collectively, the results suggest DEH exhibit wider metabolic and genomic diversity than previously recognized, and this contributes to their widespread occurrence in the marine subsurface.
Secretome analysis of Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 and the involvement of the TolC‐homologue HgdD in protein secretion
Authors: Hahn Alexander , Stevanovic Mara , Brouwer Eva , Bublak Daniela , Tripp Joanna , Schorge Tobias , Karas Michael , Schleiff Enrico
Published: May 2014

Secretion of proteins is a central strategy of bacteria to influence and respond to their environment. Until now, there has been very few discoveries regarding the cyanobacterial secrotome or the secretion machineries involved. For a mutant of the outer membrane channel TolC‐homologue HgdD of Anabaena sp. PCC 7120, a filamentous and heterocyst‐forming cyanobacterium, an altered secretome profile was reported. To define the role of HgdD in protein secretion, we have developed a method to isolate extracellular proteins of Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 wild type and an hgdD loss‐of‐function mutant. We identified 51 proteins of which the majority is predicted to have an extracellular secretion signal, while few seem to be localized in the periplasmic space. Eight proteins were exclusively identified in the secretome of wild‐type cells, which coincides with the distribution of type I secretion signal. We selected three candidates and generated hemagglutinin‐tagged fusion proteins which could be exclusively detected in the extracellular protein fraction. However, these proteins are not secreted in the hgdD‐mutant background, where they are rapidly degraded. This confirms a direct function of HgdD in protein secretion and points to the existence of a quality control mechanism at least for proteins secreted in an HgdD‐dependent pathway.
Anthropology and emotion
Authors: Beatty Andrew
Published: May 2014

The centrality of emotion in thought and action is increasingly recognized in the human sciences, though basic questions of definition and scope remain unresolved. Where do emotions begin and end? How should we identify and analyse them? How should we write about them? Ethnographic fieldwork, as pioneered by Malinowski, offers powerful insights into the place of emotion in social life; but emotions are peculiarly difficult to capture in the generalizing format of case study and ethnographic summary. In this article I argue that semantic, structural, and discourse‐based approaches tend to miss what is most important – what counts for the persons concerned and therefore what makes the emotion. I review the conceptual and methodological issues and conclude that only a narrative approach can capture both the particularity and the temporal dimension of emotion, restoring verisimilitude and fidelity to experience.
Stillbirth in twins, exploring the optimal gestational age for delivery: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wood S , Tang S , Ross S , Sauve R
Published: May 2014

Objective

To evaluate the optimal gestational age at delivery for twins.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Database containing demographic, delivery, and pregnancy outcome data for over 600 000 births from 81 hospitals in Alberta, Canada.

Population

All twin births in Alberta, Canada, during 1992–2007, as recorded in the databases of the Alberta Perinatal Health Project (www.aphp.ca).

Methods

The case files were reviewed for cause of death and any information regarding the gestational age at diagnosis of stillbirth. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the impact of potentially confounding factors. The ‘fetus at risk’ approach was used to evaluate the prospective risk of stillbirth. Competing risks of stillbirth and neonatal death were evaluated with a perinatal risk ratio.

Results

Of a total of 17 724 twin births there were 236 antepartum stillbirths, 26 intrapartum stillbirths, and 244 neonatal deaths. The rate of stillbirth peaked at 7.0/1000 fetuses at risk at 38 weeks of gestation. On multivariate analysis, small for gestational age (odds ratio, OR 2.2; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI 1.35–3.59), birthweight discrepancy >20% (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.42–5.03), and an interaction between these two variables (OR 2.94, 95% CI 1.31–6.59), were significant. The perinatal risk ratio suggested that the risks of delivery and expectant management were balanced at 36 weeks of gestation (RR 0.6, 95% CI 0.1–5.4), but the confidence interval included one, the null value, until 38 weeks of gestation (RR 0.1, 95% CI 0.02–0.40). The majority of stillbirths at term (14/25) occurred in monochorionic diamniotic twins. The estimated risk of stillbirth in this group was 2.3/1000 fetuses at risk at 37 weeks of gestation, and 17.4/1000 fetuses at risk at 38 weeks of gestation.

Conclusions

The balance of risk between neonatal death/intrapartum stillbirth and antepartum stillbirth begins to favour delivery at 36 weeks of gestation, particularly in monochorionic diamniotic twins.
Qualitative and Quantitative Prediction of Volatile Compounds from Initial Amino Acid Profiles in Korean Rice Wine (makgeolli) Model
Authors: Kang Bo‐Sik , Lee Jang‐Eun , Park Hyun‐Jin
Published: May 2014

In Korean rice wine (makgeolli) model, we tried to develop a prediction model capable of eliciting a quantitative relationship between initial amino acids in makgeolli mash and major aromatic compounds, such as fusel alcohols, their acetate esters, and ethyl esters of fatty acids, in makgeolli brewed. Mass‐spectrometry‐based electronic nose (MS‐EN) was used to qualitatively discriminate between makgeollis made from makgeolli mashes with different amino acid compositions. Following this measurement, headspace solid‐phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) combined with partial least‐squares regression (PLSR) method was employed to quantitatively correlate amino acid composition of makgeolli mash with major aromatic compounds evolved during makgeolli fermentation. In qualitative prediction with MS‐EN analysis, the makgeollis were well discriminated according to the volatile compounds derived from amino acids of makgeolli mash. Twenty‐seven ion fragments with mass‐to‐charge ratio (m/z) of 55 to 98 amu were responsible for the discrimination. In GC‐MS combined with PLSR method, a quantitative approach between the initial amino acids of makgeolli mash and the fusel compounds of makgeolli demonstrated that coefficient of determination (R2) of most of the fusel compounds ranged from 0.77 to 0.94 in good correlation, except for 2‐phenylethanol (R2 = 0.21), whereas R2 for ethyl esters of MCFAs including ethyl caproate, ethyl caprylate, and ethyl caprate was 0.17 to 0.40 in poor correlation.
Next‐generation approaches to advancing eco‐immunogenomic research in critically endangered primates
Authors: Larsen P. A. , Campbell C. R. , Yoder A. D.
Published: May 2014

High‐throughput sequencing platforms are generating massive amounts of genomic data from nonmodel species, and these data sets are valuable resources that can be mined to advance a number of research areas. An example is the growing amount of transcriptome data that allow for examination of gene expression in nonmodel species. Here, we show how publicly available transcriptome data from nonmodel primates can be used to design novel research focused on immunogenomics. We mined transcriptome data from the world's most endangered group of primates, the lemurs of Madagascar, for sequences corresponding to immunoglobulins. Our results confirmed homology between strepsirrhine and haplorrhine primate immunoglobulins and allowed for high‐throughput sequencing of expressed antibodies (Ig‐seq) in Coquerel's sifaka (Propithecus coquereli). Using both Pacific Biosciences RS and Ion Torrent PGM sequencing, we performed Ig‐seq on two individuals of Coquerel's sifaka. We generated over 150 000 sequences of expressed antibodies, allowing for molecular characterization of the antigen‐binding region. Our analyses suggest that similar VDJ expression patterns exist across all primates, with sequences closely related to the human VH3 immunoglobulin family being heavily represented in sifaka antibodies. Moreover, the antigen‐binding region of sifaka antibodies exhibited similar amino acid variation with respect to haplorrhine primates. Our study represents the first attempt to characterize sequence diversity of the expressed antibody repertoire in a species of lemur. We anticipate that methods similar to ours will provide the framework for investigating the adaptive immune response in wild populations of other nonmodel organisms and can be used to advance the burgeoning field of eco‐immunology.
Actin sliding velocity on pure myosin isoforms from hindlimb unloaded mice
Authors: Maffei M. , Longa E. , Qaisar R. , Agoni V. , Desaphy J.‐F. , Camerino D. Conte , Bottinelli R. , Canepari M.
Published: May 2014

Aim

Notwithstanding the widely accepted idea that following disuse skeletal muscles become faster, an increase in shortening velocity was previously observed mostly in fibres containing type 1 myosin, whereas a decrease was generally found in fibres containing type 2B myosin. In this study, unloaded shortening velocity of pure type 1 and 2B fibres from hindlimb unloaded mice was determined and a decrease in type 2B fibres was found.

Methods

To clarify whether the decrease in shortening velocity could depend on alterations of myosin motor function, an in vitro motility assay approach was applied to study pure type 1 and pure type 2B myosin from hindlimb unloaded mice. The latter approach, assessing actin sliding velocity on isolated myosin in the absence of other myofibrillar proteins, enabled to directly investigate myosin motor function.

Results

Actin sliding velocity was significantly lower on type 2B myosin following unloading (2.70 ± 0.32 μm s−1) than in control conditions (4.11 ± 0.35 μm s−1), whereas actin sliding velocity of type 1 myosin was not different following unloading (0.89 ± 0.04 μm s−1) compared with control conditions (0.84 ± 0.17 μm s−1). Myosin light chain (MLC) isoform composition of type 2B myosin from hindlimb unloaded and control mice was not different. No oxidation of either type 1 or 2B myosin was observed. Higher phosphorylation of regulatory MLC in type 2B myosin after unloading was found.

Conclusion

Results suggest that the observed lower shortening velocity of type 2B fibres following unloading could be related to slowing of acto‐myosin kinetics in the presence of MLC phosphorylation.
Gambogic acid suppresses hypoxia‐induced hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α/vascular endothelial growth factor expression via inhibiting phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/Akt/mammalian target protein of rapamycin pathway in multiple myeloma cells
Authors: Wang Fei , Zhang Wei , Guo Liting , Bao Wen , Jin Nan , Liu Ran , Liu Ping , Wang Yonghui , Guo Qinglong , Chen Baoan
Published: May 2014

In multiple myeloma (MM), the hypoxic environment is an important factor causing tumor angiogenesis, which is strongly correlated to disease progression and unfavorable outcome by activating the key transcription factor, hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α). Gambogic acid (GA) is the major active ingredient of gamboge, which has been shown to possess antitumor effect by in vitro and in vivo study. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of whether GA inhibits tumor angiogenesis remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of GA on expression of HIF‐1α, and its downstream target gene vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human MM U266 cells. We found that hypoxia induced increase in the level of HIF‐1α subunit protein and activated the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target protein of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Moreover, the treatment with GA markedly decreased HIF‐1α and VEGF expression under hypoxic conditions. Mechanistic studies exhibited that GA inhibited the production of HIF‐1α by reducing phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR in U266 cells. Furthermore, in vivo study revealed that intravenous injection of GA once every other day for 2 weeks could suppress tumor volumes by antiangiogenesis activity. Taken together, our results identify that GA suppresses hypoxia‐activated pathways that are linked to MM progression, at least partly, by the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Therefore, GA may be a new potent therapeutic agent against human MM cells.
Testosterone and mortality
Authors: Muraleedharan Vakkat , Hugh Jones T.
Published: May 2014

Epidemiological studies have found that men with low or low normal endogenous testosterone are at an increased risk of mortality than those with higher levels. Cardiovascular disease accounts for the greater proportion of deaths in those with low testosterone. Cancer and respiratory deaths in some of the studies are also significantly more prevalent. Disease‐specific studies have identified that there are higher mortality rates in men with cardiovascular, respiratory and renal diseases, type 2 diabetes and cancer with low testosterone. Obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and inflammatory disorders are all associated with an increased prevalence of testosterone deficiency. Two major questions that arise from these findings are (1) is testosterone deficiency directly involved in the pathogenesis of these conditions and/or a contributory factor impairing the body's natural defences or is it merely a biomarker of ill health and the severity of underlying disease process? (2) Does testosterone replacement therapy retard disease progression and ultimately enhance the clinical prognosis and survival? This review will discuss the current state of knowledge and discuss whether or not there are any answers to either of these questions. There is convincing evidence that low testosterone is a biomarker for disease severity and mortality. Testosterone deficiency is associated with adverse effects on certain cardiovascular risk factors that when combined could potentially promote atherosclerosis. The issue of whether or not testosterone replacement therapy improves outcomes is controversial. Two retrospective studies in men with diagnosed hypogonadism with or without type 2 diabetes have reported significantly improved survival.
Android and gynoid fat percentages and serum lipid levels in United States adults
Authors: Min Kyoung‐Bok , Min Jin‐Young
Published: May 2014

Context

Accumulating evidence suggests that fat distribution is a better predictor of cardiovascular disease than body mass index (BMI).

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of android and gynoid fat percentages with lipid profiles to determine whether android and/or gynoid fat percentages are associated with serum lipid levels.

Design

A population‐based cross‐sectional study.

Patients

Five thousand six hundred and ninety‐six adults (20 years and older) who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2006.

Measurement

The regional body composition in the android and gynoid regions was defined by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA). The estimation of lipid risk profiles included total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) ‐cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) ‐cholesterol and triglycerides (TG).

Results

Regardless of gender, android and gynoid body fat percentages were positively and significantly correlated with BMI and waist circumference. After adjustment for age, ethnicity, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, dyslipidaemia and BMI, increases in android fat percentage were significantly associated with total cholesterol, TG and HDL cholesterol in males, and total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in females. The gynoid fat percentages showed a positive correlation with total cholesterol in males, whereas gynoid fat accumulation in females showed a favourable association with TG and HDL cholesterol. The observed associations differed according to ethnic groups.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that regional fat distribution in the android and gynoid regions have different effects on lipid profiles, and that fat in the android region, rather than the gynoid region, may be an important factor in determining the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Mutation update and uncommon phenotypes in a French cohort of 96 patients with WFS1‐related disorders
Authors: Chaussenot A. , Rouzier C. , Quere M. , Plutino M. , Ait‐El‐Mkadem S. , Bannwarth S. , Barth M. , Dollfus H. , Charles P. , Nicolino M. , Chabrol B. , Vialettes B. , Paquis‐Flucklinger V.
Published: May 2014

WFS1 mutations are responsible for Wolfram syndrome (WS) characterized by juvenile‐onset diabetes mellitus and optic atrophy, and for low‐frequency sensorineural hearing loss (LFSNHL). Our aim was to analyze the French cohort of 96 patients with WFS1‐related disorders in order (i) to update clinical and molecular data with 37 novel affected individuals, (ii) to describe uncommon phenotypes and, (iii) to precise the frequency of large‐scale rearrangements in WFS1. We performed quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 13 patients, carrying only one heterozygous variant, to identify large‐scale rearrangements in WFS1. Among the 37 novel patients, 15 carried 15 novel deleterious putative mutations, including one large deletion of 17,444 base pairs. The analysis of the cohort revealed unexpected phenotypes including (i) late‐onset symptoms in 13.8% of patients with a probable autosomal recessive transmission; (ii) two siblings with recessive optic atrophy without diabetes mellitus and, (iii) six patients from four families with dominantly‐inherited deafness and optic atrophy. We highlight the expanding spectrum of WFS1‐related disorders and we show that, even if large deletions are rare events, they have to be searched in patients with classical WS carrying only one WFS1 mutation after sequencing.
R705H mutation of MYH9 is associated with MYH9‐related disease and not only with non‐syndromic deafness DFNA17
Authors: Verver E. , Pecci A. , De Rocco D. , Ryhänen S. , Barozzi S. , Kunst H. , Topsakal V. , Savoia A.
Published: May 2014

MYH9‐related disease (MYH9‐RD) is a rare autosomal dominant disease caused by mutation of MYH9, the gene encoding for the heavy chain of non‐muscle myosin IIA (NMMHC‐IIA). MYH9‐RD patients have macrothrombocytopenia and granulocyte inclusions (pathognomonic sign of the disease) containing wild‐type and mutant NMMHC‐IIA. During life they might develop sensorineural hearing loss, cataract, glomerulonephritis, and elevation of liver enzymes. One of the MYH9 mutations, p.R705H, was previously reported to be associated with DFNA17, an autosomal dominant non‐syndromic sensorineural hearing loss without any other features associated. We identified the same mutation in two unrelated families, whose four affected individuals had not only hearing impairment but also thrombocytopenia, giant platelets, leukocyte inclusions, as well as mild to moderate elevation of some liver enzymes. Our data suggest that DFNA17 should not be a separate genetic entity but part of the wide phenotypic spectrum of MYH9‐RD characterized by congenital hematological manifestations and variable penetrance and expressivity of the extra‐hematological features.
Structural Analysis of Multivariate Point Clouds Using Simplicial Chains
Authors: Rieck B. , Leitte H.
Published: May 2014

Topological and geometrical methods constitute common tools for the analysis of high‐dimensional scientific data sets. Geometrical methods such as projection algorithms focus on preserving distances in the data set. Topological methods such as contour trees, by contrast, focus on preserving structural and connectivity information. By combining both types of methods, we want to benefit from their individual advantages. To this end, we describe an algorithm that uses persistent homology to analyse the topology of a data set. Persistent homology identifies high‐dimensional holes in data sets, describing them as simplicial chains. We localize these chains using geometrical information of the data set, which we obtain from geodesic distances on a neighbourhood graph. The localized chains describe the structure of point clouds. We represent them using an interactive graph, in which each node describes a single chain and its geometrical properties. This graph yields a more intuitive understanding of multivariate point clouds and simplifies comparisons of time‐varying data. Our method focuses on detecting and analysing inhomogeneous regions, i.e. holes, in a data set because these regions characterize data in a different manner, thereby leading to new insights. We demonstrate the potential of our method on data sets from particle physics, political science and meteorology.
Displacement of Dental Implants Into the Maxillary Sinus: A Retrospective Study of Twenty‐One Patients
Authors: Sgaramella Nicola , Tartaro Gianpaolo , D'Amato Salvatore , Santagata Mario , Colella Giuseppe
Published: May 2014

Background

One possible complication of implant surgery in the posterior maxilla is the displacement of implants into the maxillary sinus.

Purpose

To report on clinical and radiological findings and on biological, surgical, and biomechanical considerations in cases of implant displacement.

Materials and Methods

This is a retrospective study of 21 patients referred to the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Second University of Naples, due to implants displaced into the maxillary sinus. Patient, implant, and treatment data were collected, and 1‐year follow‐up was made.

Results

A total of 24 displaced implants were diagnosed and surgically removed through an antrostomy in the lateral sinus wall. Implant displacement occurred after functional loading in only one case; in the remaining cases, displacement occurred either perioperatively or postoperatively prior to loading. Besides the displacement, eight patients suffered from maxillary sinusitis, treated with a Caldwell‐Luc operation. Healing was uneventful for all patients, and no sinusitis relapse or late postoperative complication was present at 1‐year follow‐up.

Conclusions

It is reasonable to affirm that the major cause of displacement of implants is related, most of the time, to incorrect treatment planning and/or a poorly performed surgical procedure. When implant displacement occurs, the displaced foreign body has to be removed in order to avoid sinus pathology.
Development and Maintenance of a Biospecimen Repository for Clinical Samples Derived from Pulmonary Patients
Authors: Schwiebert Lisa M. , Estell Kim , Meadows Tonja , Thannickal Victor J. , Rowe Steven , Sorscher Eric J. , Harris W. Thomas , Gaggar Amit , Dransfield Mark , de Andrade Joao A.
Published: May 2014

The Pulmonary Biospecimen Repository (PBR) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) was launched in 2009. The purpose of the UAB PBR is to provide investigators within the pulmonary community at UAB and elsewhere with clinical samples derived from multiple lung diseases, including transplant recipients, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, and asthma. Cell and fluid samples isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), plasma, and serum are collected and stored; samples are assessed routinely for viability. Each sample is linked directly with the respective patient information via the Pulmonary Translational Research and Clinical Database, a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliant database that includes detailed information allowing for the study of specific patient cohorts. To access samples, investigators must complete a request form, which is reviewed by the UAB PBR Steering Committee. To date, more than 800 patients have provided approximately 7,000 BAL, serum and plasma fluid, and cell samples. Over the past 4 years, nearly 800 of these samples have been distributed to investigators at UAB and elsewhere. Future plans for the UAB PBR include expanding sample collection to additional pulmonary diseases, such as mycobacterial infections, increasing the number of sample users and obtaining external funding to ensure its continued sustainability.
Psoriasis predisposition and occupational triggering factors in the appraisal of occupational medical expertises
Authors: Mahler Vera , Diepgen Thomas , Skudlik Christoph , Becker Detlef , Dickel Heinrich , Fartasch Manige , Geier Johannes , Häberle Michael , Hillen Uwe , Krohn Steffen , John Swen Malte , Weisshaar Elke , Werfel Thomas , Zagrodnik Fred
Published: May 2014

Background

Psoriasis is an immune‐mediated disease with a genetic background. Local psoriatic changes can be triggered by exogenous mechanical or irritant factors. Causative occupational factors have to be distinguished from the spontaneous course of psoriasis in occupational medical evaluations. The objective of this work is to demonstrate the medico‐legal grounds for a homogenous assessment.

Patients and methods

The presented recommendations were developed in a working group for Occupational and Environmental Dermatology (ABD) and the German contact dermatitis group (DKG) of the German Dermatologic Society (DDG) based on the German medico‐legal framework.

Results

Causality between the insured activity and the appearance of psoriasis is a prerequisite for the recognition of the occupational nature of the disease. This is the case if the occupational activity is the exclusive or a legally essential contributing factor either for first manifestation or aggravation of the disease. A connection must be denied if everyday events are sufficient to trigger the psoriasis. From 1995 to 2010, 130 cases of psoriasis have been recognized as occupationally related by the German statutory accident insurance.

Conclusions

The appraisal of psoriatic disease in the occupational medical evaluation is subject to the case assessment of the expert witness. In this position paper we present recommendations for a homologous basis for diagnosis, causality assessment, estimation of reduction in earning capacity and rehabilitation of occupational psoriasis.