bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The differential effects of separated vs. unseparated services
Authors: Keh Hean Tat , Hartley Nicole , Wang Di
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of service separation on perceived value and intention to enroll in the higher education context, as mediated by perceived performance risk and moderated by an individual’s regulatory focus.

Design/methodology/approach

Four experimental studies were conducted, a pilot study and three main studies. Participants evaluated higher education courses offered in either the unseparated (on-campus) or separated (online) mode.

Findings

Results show that: service separation influences perceived value; this effect is mediated by performance risk; and moderated by regulatory focus. Specifically, participants perceive higher education courses offered in the separated mode to have greater performance risk, which lowers their perceived value. This effect is enhanced for prevention-focused participants and mitigated for promotion-focused participants. Finally, service separation is found to influence intention to enroll in a course via performance risk and perceived value.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that higher education providers need to better understand students’ regulatory focus. In particular, online education providers should target potential students who are promotion-focused and implement strategies to reduce performance risk, which would give students greater assurance that the online course will be delivered as promised.

Originality/value

The present research is the first to examine the effects of service separation in the context of higher education, which has received relatively little attention in the services marketing literature. In particular, the findings shed new insights on the mechanisms underlying consumer perceptions of separated vs unseparated service offerings, which contribute to research on services marketing and higher education.
Trade‐off or coordination? Correlations between ballochorous and myrmecochorous phases of diplochory
Authors: Chen Si‐Chong , Pahlevani Amir H. , Malíková Lenka , Riina Ricarda , Thomson Fiona J. , Giladi Itamar
Published: April 2019

The combination of two dispersal syndromes (diplochory) brings additional benefits to seeds, yet the relative costs and benefits of the two phases are poorly understood. Our goal is to provide the first quantification to test the long‐standing assumption that there are trade‐offs between the two phases in ballistic–ant diplochory.

Dispersal investment data were empirically measured for 91 Euphorbiaceae species across different regions of the world. Dispersal distance data of ballochory (seed dispersal by explosion), myrmecochory (seed dispersal by ants) and diplochory was collated from the literature for 210 records (148 species from 44 families). The data were analysed using Model II regression, Kolmogorov–Smirnov test and t test, complemented by phylogenetic comparative approaches.

Across diaspores of diplochorous species, the relative investment in myrmecochory increased more than that in ballochory. Fruit coat mass and elaiosome mass covaried in an allometric manner, regardless of seed mass. Diplochorous diaspores were significantly heavier than diaspores dispersed solely by ballochory. Dispersal distances of the two diplochorous phases were independent and comparable to that of sole ballochory or sole myrmecochory.

Our results do not support a trade‐off, but a coordinated dispersal strategy between the two diplochorous phases. Large diaspores may evolve diplochory to overcome dispersal difficulties in term of dispersal distance. As the most comprehensive study of ballistic–ant diplochory, our findings advance the understanding of the relative importance of the two phases in diplochory.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Confident phylogenetic identification of uncultured prokaryotes through long read amplicon sequencing of the 16S‐ITS‐23S rRNA operon
Authors: Martijn Joran , Lind Anders E. , Schön Max E. , Spiertz Ian , Juzokaite Lina , Bunikis Ignas , Pettersson Olga V. , Ettema Thijs J. G.
Published: April 2019

Amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene is the predominant method to quantify microbial compositions and to discover novel lineages. However, traditional short amplicons often do not contain enough information to confidently resolve their phylogeny. Here we present a cost‐effective protocol that amplifies a large part of the rRNA operon and sequences the amplicons with PacBio technology. We tested our method on a mock community and developed a read‐curation pipeline that reduces the overall read error rate to 0.18%. Applying our method on four environmental samples, we captured near full‐length rRNA operon amplicons from a large diversity of prokaryotes. The method operated at moderately high‐throughput (22286–37,850 raw ccs reads) and generated a large amount of putative novel archaeal 23S rRNA gene sequences compared to the archaeal SILVA database. These long amplicons allowed for higher resolution during taxonomic classification by means of long (∼1000 bp) 16S rRNA gene fragments and for substantially more confident phylogenies by means of combined near full‐length 16S and 23S rRNA gene sequences, compared to shorter traditional amplicons (250 bp of the 16S rRNA gene). We recommend our method to those who wish to cost‐effectively and confidently estimate the phylogenetic diversity of prokaryotes in environmental samples at high throughput.
Environmental potassium regulates bacterial flotation, antibiotic production and turgor pressure in Serratia through the TrkH transporter
Authors: Quintero‐Yanes Alex , Monson Rita E. , Salmond George P. C.
Published: April 2019

Serratia sp. strain ATCC 39006 (S39006) can float in aqueous environments due to natural production of gas vesicles (GVs). Expression of genes for GV morphogenesis is stimulated in low oxygen conditions, thereby enabling migration to the air–liquid interface. Quorum sensing (via SmaI and SmaR) and transcriptional and post‐transcriptional regulators, including RbsR and RsmA, respectively, connect the control of cell buoyancy, motility and secondary metabolism. Here, we define a new pleiotropic regulator found in screens of GV mutants. A mutation in the gene trkH, encoding a potassium transporter, caused upregulation of GV formation, flotation, and the prodigiosin antibiotic, and downregulation of flagellar motility. Pressure nephelometry revealed that the mutation in trkH affected cell turgor pressure. Our results show that osmotic change is an important physiological parameter modulating cell buoyancy and antimicrobial production in S39006, in response to environmental potassium levels.
Comparison of Water‐Assisted Decontamination Systems of Pulsed Light and Ultraviolet for Salmonella Inactivation on Blueberry, Tomato, and Lettuce
Authors: Huang Runze , Chen Haiqiang
Published: April 2019

Fresh produce are vulnerable to pathogens during pre‐ and postharvest stages. Most fresh vegetable and fruits are consumed directly or merely washed with chlorine. We investigated two emerging decontamination technologies, pulse light (PL) and ultraviolet (UV), in combination with washing (referred as water‐assisted PL [WPL] and water‐assisted UV [WUV]). Blueberries, grape tomatoes, and iceberg lettuce shreds were tested in this study to represent fresh vegetables and fruits with smooth and rough surfaces. Salmonella spp. were used as a model microorganism due to its prevalence in outbreaks. Spot‐inoculation and dip‐inoculation were used to simulate potential contaminations during irrigation, harvest, transportation, and processing. Two intensity levels of PL (∼0.15 and 0.3 J/cm2 per pulse; 3 pulses/s) and UV (∼13 and 28 mW/cm2) were tested for 1 and 2 min. For all three types of fresh produce, blueberries, grape tomatoes, and iceberg lettuce shreds, WPL and WUV showed similar Salmonella inactivation effects on fresh produce. For spot‐inoculated fresh produce, WPL and WUV treatments reduced 4.5 to 5.7, 4.4 to 5.4, and 1.9 to 3.1 logs of Salmonella on blueberries, tomatoes, and lettuce shreds, respectively. For dip‐inoculated fresh produce, WPL and WUV treatments reduced 1.8 to 2.3, 1.9 to 2.5, and 1.9 to 2.6 logs of Salmonella on blueberries, tomatoes, and lettuce shreds, respectively. The majority of the WUV and WPL treatments could eliminate Salmonella in the wash water for blueberries and tomatoes, but not for lettuce.

Practical Application

Two light systems, pulsed light and UV, for decontamination of fresh produce were evaluated and compared. Results demonstrated that the two systems showed similar decontamination effect on fresh produce, demonstrating that the UV system could be used to replace the pulsed light system to reduce equipment cost.
Mangosteen Vinegar Rind from Garcinia mangostana Prevents High‐Fat Diet and Streptozotocin‐Induced Type II Diabetes Nephropathy and Apoptosis
Authors: Karim Naymul , Rahman Atiar , Chanudom Lanchakon , Thongsom Montakarn , Tangpong Jitbanjong
Published: April 2019

Type II diabetes (T2D) nephropathy, a major cause of end‐stage kidney disease, progresses and develops from oxidative stress. Natural polyphenols can protect the kidney from diabetic nephropathy exerting antioxidant activities. The present approach enumerates the reno‐protective and anti‐apoptotic effects of mangosteen vinegar rind (MVR, a phenolic aqueous extract) against high‐fat diet (5 g/day up to five weeks)‐/streptozotocin (single ip, dose 30 mg/kgBW)‐induced T2D nephropathy of albino mice. In vitro total phenolic content, 2,2'‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) (ABTS) activity, 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant capacity, and α‐amylase inhibition activity as antidiabetic assay of MVR were performed. In vivo mice body weight, oral glucose, and maltose tolerance test, metabolic parameters (plasma glucose, insulin level, omeostasis model assessment‐estimated insulin resistance), biochemical parameters (kidney hypertrophy, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine), oxidative stress parameters (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase) were estimated in an intervention study. Additionally, renal morphology and early apoptosis were observed following the H & E staining and TUNEL assay of the tissue frozen section. We found that the aqueous extract of MVR possesses potent in vitro antioxidative and antidiabetic activities. Animal intervention results showed that MVR 100, 200 mg/kgBW, and Glibenclamide 60 mg/kgBW treatments significantly improved (P < 0.05) the abovementioned parameters compared to the diabetic control group. Furthermore, treatments also significantly restored (P < 0.05) kidney histological alterations and reduced cellular apoptosis compared to the diabetic control group. These findings concluded that MVR treatments significantly modulated the glucose intolerance, metabolic alterations, and oxidative stress‐induced pathological alterations and cellular apoptosis of diabetic kidney.

Practical Application

Garcinia mangostana, a polyphenol rich natural product, is obtained from the tropical rain forest area of Southeast Asian countries and processes diverse biological activities including antioxidant, anti‐proliferative, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐carcinogenic, and so on. This research first time focuses on the nephro‐protective and anti‐apoptotic effects of mangosteen vinegar rind (MVR) from the mangosteen fruit pericarp. Our study provides the efficient data to prove the beneficial effect of MVR as a dietary supplement for the prevention and management of diabetic nephropathy.
Sex‐biased disease dynamics increase extinction risk by impairing population recovery
Authors: Rosa G. M. , Bosch J. , Martel A. , Pasmans F. , Rebelo R. , Griffiths R. A. , Garner T. W. J.
Published: April 2019

The periodicity of life‐cycle events (phenology) modulates host availability to pathogens in a repeatable pattern. The effects of sexual differences in host phenology have been little explored in wildlife epidemiological studies. A recent series of ranavirosis outbreaks led to serious declines of Boscas’ newt populations at Serra da Estrela (Portugal). The peculiar phenology of this species, in which a large number of females remain in the aquatic habitat after the breeding season, turns it into a suitable model to test how sex‐biased mortality can affect host population persistence in the context of infectious diseases. We investigated how the phenology of Bosca's newt (i.e. biased number of females) mediated the impact of Ranavirus. We then evaluated the risk of extinction of the population under different scenarios of sex‐biased mortality using a population viability analysis. Two newt populations (one subject to yearly outbreaks and a comparative site where outbreaks have not been recorded) were tracked for trends over time following emergence of ranaviral disease, allowing us to assess the differential impact of the disease on both sexes. In addition to a significant decline in abundance of adult newts, our data suggest that phenology can affect disease dynamics indirectly, leading to reduction in females and a reversal of the sex ratio of the breeding population. Our models suggest that female‐biased mortality does not exacerbate Ranavirus‐driven population declines in the short‐term, but is likely to have a deleterious impact during the recovery process once the lethal effect of disease is removed from the system.
Photodynamic therapy: A targeted literature review focussing on outcomes and optimisation in solid organ transplant recipients
Authors: Lim Chloe M , Gordon Lynne
Published: April 2019

Squamous cell carcinoma incidence is 65‐ to 250‐fold in solid organ transplant recipients, BCC is 10‐fold and in Australia, rates of skin cancer in solid organ transplant recipients reach 70–82% prevalence within the first 20 years; hence, effective, evidence‐based treatment of early and precancerous lesions is an essential tool in dermatological patient care. Photodynamic therapy is used to treat a range of conditions including actinic keratoses, squamous cell carcinoma in situ, superficial basal cell carcinoma and nodular basal cell carcinoma. A literature review was undertaken to examine the outcomes of photodynamic therapy in solid organ transplant recipients and methods of optimising outcomes in solid organ transplant recipients. Study sizes were small and protocols varied widely, so meta‐analysis was not possible; however, photodynamic therapy appears to be an acceptable treatment for approved indications in solid organ transplant recipients in whom ongoing surveillance is maintained to ensure clearance and detect recurrence. Methods for improving efficacy were also reviewed for this population. Improved outcomes may be achieved by combining photodynamic therapy with other local methods such as 5‐fluorouracil or ablative fractional laser.
Keratinocyte cancer excisions in Australia: Who performs them and associated costs
Authors: Thompson Bridie S , Pandeya Nirmala , Olsen Catherine M , Dusingize Jean Claude , Green Adele C , Neale Rachel E , Whiteman David C
Published: April 2019

Background/Objective

To describe the clinical settings in which keratinocyte cancers are excised in Queensland and describe the types of practitioners who excise them; to examine costs; and to identify predictors of hospital admission.

Methods

We used linked data for participants from the QSkin study (n = 43 794), including Medicare claims and Queensland hospital admissions relating to treatment episodes for incident keratinocyte cancers from July 2011 to June 2015. We used multinomial logistic regression to measure associations between demographic and clinical characteristics and treatment setting. The median costs of Medicare claims (AU$) were calculated.

Results

During 4 years of follow‐up, there were 18 479 skin cancer excision episodes among 8613 people. Most excisions took place in private clinical rooms (89.7%), the remainder in hospitals (7.9% private; 2.4% public). Compared with other anatomical sites, skin cancers on the nose, eyelid, ear, lip, finger or genitalia were more likely to be treated in hospitals than in private clinical rooms (public hospital OR 5.7; 95%CI 4.5–7.2; private hospital OR 8.3; 95%CI 7.3–9.4). Primary care practitioners excised 83% of keratinocyte cancers, followed by plastic surgeons (9%) and dermatologists (6%). The median Medicare benefit paid was $253 in private clinical rooms and $334 in private hospitals. Out‐of‐pocket payments by patients treated in private hospitals were fourfold higher than those in private clinical rooms ($351 vs $80).

Conclusions

Most keratinocyte cancers are excised in primary care, although more than 10% of excisions occur in hospital settings.
Home‐based ‘exergaming’ was safe and significantly improved 6‐min walking distance in patients with prostate cancer: a single‐blinded randomised controlled trial
Authors: Villumsen Brigitta R. , Jorgensen Martin G. , Frystyk Jan , Hørdam Britta , Borre Michael
Published: April 2019

Objectives

To explore the effects of 12 weeks of unsupervised home‐based ‘exergaming’ (i.e., technology‐driven exercise) compared to usual care on physical function, body composition, quality of life (QoL), and fatigue in patients with prostate cancer on androgen‐deprivation therapy (ADT).

Patients and methods

In an assessor‐blinded randomised controlled trial, 46 patients with prostate cancer (aged >65 years) with locally advanced or advanced stage disease undergoing ADT were randomised to 12 weeks of unsupervised home‐based exergaming or usual care from two hospitals in Denmark. The primary outcome of the study was 6‐min walking test (6MWT). Secondary outcomes were leg extensor power (LEP), body composition (lean‐ and fat‐mass), self‐reported physical functioning and global health status (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire 30‐item core [EORTC QLQ‐C30]), QoL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Prostate [FACT‐P]) and fatigue (FACT – fatigue [FACT‐F]).

Results

There was significant improvement in the exergaming group compared to the usual care group in the primary outcome of 6MWT (mean difference: 21.5 m; 95% confidence interval ([CI]) 3.2–39.9; P = 0.023). There were no differences between the groups for LEP (P = 0.227), lean body mass (P = 0.100), fat body mass (P = 0.092), self‐reported physical functioning (P = 0.084) and global health status (P = 0.113), QoL (P = 0.614), and fatigue (P = 0.147).

Conclusion

Unsupervised home‐based exergaming for 12 weeks had an effect on the primary outcome of 6MWT in patients with prostate cancer receiving ADT. However, no significant effects were found in secondary outcomes. The exergaming intervention appeared safe and could be an alternative to traditional aerobic and resistance training in this patient group.
Frontier Capitalism: Agrarian Expansion in Southern Chile, c. 1890–1930
Authors: Robles‐Ortiz Claudio
Published: April 2019

This article argues that the agrarian expansion that took place in Chile's southern frontier region after the military occupation of the Mapuche territory (1862–1883) was the first phase of the development of agrarian capitalism in the region. This process was shaped by ecological conditions. In a territory covered by forests, sharecropping with tenant labourers was crucial for land clearance in the formation of the hacienda system, when landowners needed to create fields for commercial crops. As the domestic demand for agricultural products increased, mechanisation intensified, sharecropping declined, and wage labour became dominant. Frontier capitalist agriculture expanded dramatically, and consequently the region became the breadbasket of Chile.
The cholecystokinin receptor agonist, CCK‐8, induces adiponectin production in rat white adipose tissue
Authors: Plaza Adrián , Merino Beatriz , Del Olmo Nuria , Ruiz‐Gayo Mariano
Published: April 2019

Background and Purpose

A cholecystokinin (CCK) system has been identified in white adipose tissue (WAT). Nevertheless, the endocrine actions of CCK on WAT remain unknown. Our goal was to investigate the role of CCK in regulating the production of adiponectin, an adipokine expressed in WAT, which is pivotal in preserving energy homeostasis.

Experimental Approach

The effect of the bioactive CCK fragment CCK‐8 on adiponectin production was studied both in vivo and in vitro. CCK‐8 effects were characterized in rats treated with selective CCK1 and CCK2 receptor antagonists as well as in pre‐adipocytes carrying the selective silencing of either CCK1 or CCK2 receptors. The influence of insulin on CCK‐8 responses was also analysed.

Key Results

In WAT, CCK‐8 increased plasma adiponectin levels and the expression of the adiponectin gene (Adipoq). In pre‐adipocytes, CCK‐8 up‐regulated adiponectin production. CCK‐8 effects were abolished by L‐365,260, a selective CCK2 receptor antagonist. CCK2 receptor knockdown also abolished the effects of CCK‐8 in pre‐adipocytes. Moreover, in vitro CCK‐8 effects were blocked by triciribine, a specific inhibitor of protein kinase B (Akt) and by the PPARγ antagonist T0070907. Silencing the expression of the insulin receptor inhibited CCK‐8‐induced Adipoq expression in pre‐adipocytes. Furthermore, insulin potentiated the effect of CCK‐8.

Conclusion and Implications

CCK‐8 stimulates adiponectin production in WAT by acting on CCK2 receptors, through a mechanism involving both Akt and PPARγ. Moreover, CCK‐8 actions are only observed in the presence of insulin. Our results could have translational value in the design of new insulin‐sensitizing therapies.
Indoleamine 2, 3‐dioxygenase 1 promoter hypomethylation is associated with poor prognosis in patients with esophageal cancer
Authors: Kiyozumi Yuki , Baba Yoshifumi , Okadome Kazuo , Yagi Taisuke , Ogata Yoko , Eto Kojiro , Hiyoshi Yukiharu , Ishimoto Takatsugu , Iwatsuki Masaaki , Iwagami Shiro , Miyamoto Yuji , Yoshida Naoya , Watanabe Masayuki , Baba Hideo
Published: April 2019

Indoleamine 2, 3‐dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is a primary enzyme that generates immunosuppressive metabolites. It plays a major role in tumor immunology and is a potential immune‐based therapeutic target. We have reported that IDO1 protein expression was associated with an unfavorable clinical outcome in esophageal cancer. Recently, it has been reported that IDO1 expression is regulated by methylation of the IDO1 promoter. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between IDO1 expression, IDO1 promoter methylation, and clinicopathological features in esophageal cancer. We first confirmed changes in IDO1 expression levels in vitro by treating cells with 5‐azacytidine. We then evaluated the relationship between IDO1 expression levels, IDO1 promoter methylation (bisulfite pyrosequencing), and clinicopathological features using 40 frozen samples and 242 formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded samples resected from esophageal cancer patients. We treated cell lines with 5‐azacytidine, and the resulting hypomethylation induced significantly higher IDO1 expression (P < .001). In frozen samples, IDO1 expression levels correlated inversely with IDO1 promoter methylation levels (R = −0.47, P = .0019). Furthermore, patients in the IDO1 promoter hypomethylation group (n = 67) had a poor prognosis compared with those in the IDO1 promoter hypermethylation group (n = 175) (overall survival, P = .011). Our results showed that IDO1 promoter hypomethylation regulated IDO1 expression and was associated with a poor prognosis in esophageal cancer patients.
Time Spent Gaming and Social Competence in Children: Reciprocal Effects Across Childhood
Authors: Hygen Beate W. , Belsky Jay , Stenseng Frode , Skalicka Vera , Kvande Marianne N. , Zahl‐Thanem Tonje , Wichstrøm Lars
Published: April 2019

Electronic games are popular and many children spend much time on this activity. Here we investigate whether the quantity of time children spend on gaming is related to their social development, making this the first study to examine this relationship in children. We examine prospective relations between time spent gaming and social competence in a community sample of Norwegian 6 year olds (n = 873) followed up at ages 8, 10, and 12, controlling for socioeconomic status, body mass index, and time spent gaming together with friends. Results revealed that greater social competence at both 8 and 10 years predicted less gaming 2 years later and that more age‐10 gaming predicted less social competence at age 12 but only among girls.
Deep spatiotemporal LSTM network with temporal pattern feature for 3D human action recognition
Authors: Wu Yirui , Wei Lianglei , Duan Yucong
Published: April 2019

With the rapid development of RGB‐D cameras and pose estimation techniques, action recognition based on three‐dimensional skeleton data has gained significant attention in the artificial intelligence community. In this paper, we incorporate temporal pattern descriptors of joint positions with the currently popular long short‐term memory (LSTM)–based learning scheme to obtain accurate and robust action recognition. Considering that actions are essentially formed by small subactions, we first utilize a two‐dimensional wavelet transform to extract temporal pattern descriptors in the frequency domain for each subaction. Afterward, we design a novel LSTM structure to extract deep features, which model a long‐term spatiotemporal correlation between body parts. Since temporal pattern descriptors and LSTM deep features can be regarded as multimodal representations for actions, we fuse them with an autoencoder network to achieve a more effective feature descriptor for action recognition. Experimental results on three challenging data sets with several comparative methods demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method for three‐dimensional action recognition.
Training‐induced changes on quadriceps muscle oxygenation measured by near‐infrared spectroscopy in healthy subjects and in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients
Authors: Barberan‐Garcia Anael , Munoz Phillip A. , Gimeno‐Santos Elena , Burgos Felip , Torralba Yolanda , Gistau Concepción , Roca Josep , Rodriguez Diego A.
Published: April 2019

Aim

We hypothesize that training‐induced changes in muscle oxygen saturation (StO2) assessed by near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during constant work rate cycling exercise (CWRE) may be a useful marker of the effects of training at ‘vastus medialis’ of the quadriceps in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods

Incremental exercise [peak oxygen uptake (VO2)] and CWRE at 70% pretraining peak VO2, before and after 8‐w training, were done in 10 healthy age‐matched subjects (H) [80% men, 65(11) years, FEV1 105(14)%] and 16 COPD patients [94% men, 70(5) years, FEV1 46(11) %] encompassing the entire spectrum of disease severity, recruited in the outpatient clinics. NIRS was used to assess StO2 in the ‘vastus medialis’ of the left quadriceps.

Results

Pretraining CWRE decreased StO2 (P<0·05) and generated marked StO2 rebound (P<0·001) after unloading in the two groups. After training, VO2 peak increased in H [253(204) ml min−1] (P<0·01) and in COPD [180(183) ml·min−1] (P = 0·01) and blood lactate fell [−4·4 (2·7) and −1·6(2·3) mmol·m−1] (P<0·05 each). Training generated a further fall in StO2 during CWRE [−10(12)% and −10(10)%, P<0·05] and increased StO2 rebound after unloading [8(7)% and 5(9)%, P<0·05] in both groups.

Conclusion

Endurance training further decreased StO2 during CWRE, similarly in both groups, likely due to training‐induced enhancement of muscle O2 transfer and utilization. Training‐induced StO2 fall during CWRE may be useful individual marker for non‐invasive assessment of enhanced muscle aerobic post‐training function.
ERα is required for suppressing OCT4‐induced proliferation of breast cancer cells via DNMT1/ISL1/ERK axis
Authors: Jin Xiangshu , Li Yanru , Guo Yantong , Jia Yiyang , Qu Huinan , Lu Yan , Song Peiye , Zhang Xiaoli , Shao Yijia , Qi Da , Xu Wenhong , Quan Chengshi
Published: April 2019

Objective

POU5F1 (OCT4) is implicated in cancer stem cell self‐renewal. Currently, some studies have shown that OCT4 has a dual function in suppressing or promoting cancer progression. However, the precise molecular mechanism of OCT4 in breast cancer progression remains unclear.

Materials and Methods

RT‐PCR and Western blot were utilized to investigate OCT4 expression in breast cancer tissues and cells. Cell proliferation assays and mouse models were applied to determine the effects of OCT4 on breast cancer cell proliferation. DNMT1 inhibitors, ChIP, CoIP, IHC and ERα inhibitors were used to explore the molecular mechanism of OCT4 in breast cancer.

Results

OCT4 was down‐regulated in breast cancer tissues, and the overexpression of OCT4 promoted MDA‐MB‐231 cell proliferation and inhibited the proliferation of MCF‐7 cells in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Two DNMT1 inhibitors (5‐aza‐dC and zebularine) suppressed OCT4‐induced MDA‐MB‐231 cell proliferation through Ras/Raf1/ERK inactivation by targeting ISL1, which is the downstream of DNMT1. In contrast, OCT4 interacted with ERα, decreased DNMT1 expression and inactivated the Ras/Raf1/ERK signalling pathway in MCF‐7 cells. Moreover, ERα inhibitor (AZD9496) reversed the suppression of OCT4‐induced proliferation in MCF‐7 cells via the activation of ERK signalling pathway.

Conclusions

OCT4 is dependent on ERα to suppress the proliferation of breast cancer cells through DNMT1/ISL1/ERK axis.
Sex differences in preformed panel‐reactive antibody levels and outcomes in patients undergoing heart transplantation
Authors: Magnussen Christina , Ruebsamen Nicole , Ojeda Francisco M. , Rybczynski Meike , Kobashigawa Jon , Reichenspurner Hermann , Bernhardt Alexander M. , Schnabel Renate B.
Published: April 2019

Background

Sex differences in panel‐reactive antibody (PRA) levels in heart transplant recipients and their association with transplant‐related outcomes are mostly unknown.

Methods

In 20 181 (24.7% women) first‐time heart transplant recipients included from July 2004 to March 2015 in the prospective Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), we studied sex differences in most recent (mr) and peak (p)PRA and outcomes (graft failure, rejection, cardiac allograft vasculopathy [CAV], retransplantation, and mortality). Median follow‐up (all‐cause mortality) was 6 years. Analyses are based on OPTN data (March 6, 2017).

Results

MrPRA levels were associated with all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio, 95% confidence interval: class I 1.03, 1.01‐1.04, P < 0.001) and acute rejection (class II 1.08, 1.03‐1.14, P = 0.0044). PPRA levels were associated with all‐cause mortality (class I 1.02, 1.00‐1.04, P = 0.015) and CAV (class II 1.03, 1.01‐1.06, P = 0.020). Sex interactions were seen for the association of pPRA and graft failure with a higher risk in women, and for pPRA and CAV with a higher risk in men.

Conclusions

PRA were associated with different transplant‐related outcomes in both sexes. However, women with elevated pPRA were shown to be at higher risk for graft failure, whereas higher levels of pPRA were more hazardous for men in developing CAV.
From embryonic stem cells to induced pluripotent stem cells—Ready for clinical therapy?
Authors: Hu Jing , Wang Jimei
Published: April 2019

Embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells have increasingly important roles in many different fields of research and medicine. Major areas of impact include improved in vitro disease models, drug screening, and the development of cell‐based clinical therapies. Here, we review the generation and uses of embryonic stem cells compared to induced pluripotent stem cells and discuss their advantages and limitations. We also evaluate the feasibility of clinical therapies and the future prospects for induced pluripotent cell‐based treatments.
Altered Rb, p16, and p53 expression is specific for porocarcinoma relative to poroma
Authors: Zahn Joseph , Chan May P. , Wang Grace , Patel Rajiv M. , Andea Aleodor A. , Bresler Scott C. , Harms Paul W.
Published: April 2019

Background

Porocarcinomas are rare aggressive carcinomas that harbor tumor suppressor mutations and must be distinguished from benign entities such as poromas.

Methods

To determine whether altered expression of these genes was diagnostically informative, we examined p53, Rb, and p16 staining patterns in 15 poromas and 16 porocarcinomas.

Results

Poromas consistently displayed diffuse strong expression of Rb in all but one case that displayed focal loss (1/15, 7%), and no evidence of aberrancy in p53 or p16. Porocarcinomas displayed diffuse or focal loss of Rb expression in 9/16 (56%) cases, diffuse loss or overexpression of p53 in 8/15 (53%), and diffuse loss or overexpression of p16 in 6/14 (43%). Diffuse aberrancy in p53 and Rb expression correlated with tumor mutations in TP53 and RB1, respectively, whereas focal Rb loss was associated with wild type RB1. Diffuse p16 overexpression correlated with Rb loss rather than CDKN2A mutation. For porocarcinomas with all three stains evaluable, 10/13 (77%) displayed aberrancy in at least one marker.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that altered p53, p16, and/or Rb expression is relatively specific to porocarcinoma in comparison with poroma. Technical limitations of this panel, including possible focal Rb loss, must be kept in mind, especially in limited samples.
Strategic Design or Design Strategy? Effectively Positioning Designers as Strategists
Authors: Brown Travis J.
Published: April 2019

It's hard to argue that designers don't provide a distinct value as strategists. But the results of this paper speak to the continued relevance of designers doing as well as thinking.

“Design strategy” versus “strategic design”; the designer as strategist; and why “design doing” is so important.
Different types of endocarditis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Scisło Piotr , Grodecki Kajetan , Wilimski Radosław , Rymuza Bartosz , Kochman Janusz , Opolski Grzegorz , Huczek Zenon
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Infective endocarditis (IE) may take different faces in patients after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Objectives

The primary aim of this study was to describe echocardiographic and clinical characteristics of TAVI's patients suffered from IE.

Methods

In a single‐center, retrospective study we analyzed 311 consecutive patients treated with TAVI for severe aortic stenosis between 2010 and 2018.

Results

According to modified Duke criteria, we confirmed IE in 2.2% of the cohort, however PVE of TAVI's valve in 1.2% only; rest of the group suffered from CDRiE and IE of the mitral valve. In PVE's group vegetations were localized inside the frame with or without bioprosthesis moderate stenosis or regurgitation. Only 1 pts developed significant TAVI's bioprosthesis' paravalvular leak. We observed no native aortic anulus involvement. Mortality rate in the PVE‐TAVI's group was 75% regardless of the type of treatment.

Conclusions

The above findings show that IE following TAVI is a serious complication and various scenarios (also CDRiE and native valve IE) should be considered.
A test of the impact of mergers on bank competition
Authors: Cerasi Vittoria , Chizzolini Barbara , Ivaldi Marc
Published: April 2019

We propose a new test to evaluate the impact of horizontal mergers on competition in the banking industry. The test is designed to be applied ex ante to potential mergers while being parsimonious in terms of data, as it only uses information on branches in local markets. The test is a counterfactual exercise based on a two‐stage model where banks compete in branching and interest rates and requires comparing the estimated degree of competition in the status quo, where branching networks by banks are those actually observed, with a counterfactual scenario, where the branching network of the new entity is the sum of the branches of the banks involved in the horizontal merger. The statistical difference between the two estimated measures of competition quantifies the impact of the merger. We apply our test to French and Italian mergers.
Remittances over the business cycle: Theory and evidence
Authors: De Supriyo , Islamaj Ergys , Kose M. Ayhan , Reza Yousefi S.
Published: April 2019

We examine the behaviour of remittances over the business cycle and their potential to act as a ‘stabilizer’ during periods of high business cycle volatility. Two main findings are reported. First, remittances are less volatile than other foreign currency flows and do not appear to systemically comove with business cycle fluctuations. Second, remittances are relatively stable even during episodes of sharp business cycle volatility, such as those associated with sudden stops and financial crises. We also provide an overview of the theoretical literature on the implications of different motives to remit for the cyclical behaviour of remittances.
Feedback inhibition derived from the posterior parietal cortex regulates the neural properties of the mouse visual cortex
Authors: Hishida Ryuichi , Horie Masao , Tsukano Hiroaki , Tohmi Manavu , Yoshitake Kohei , Meguro Reiko , Takebayashi Hirohide , Yanagawa Yuchio , Shibuki Katsuei
Published: April 2019

Feedback regulation from the higher association areas is thought to control the primary sensory cortex, contribute to the cortical processing of sensory information, and work for higher cognitive functions such as multimodal integration and attentional control. However, little is known about the underlying neural mechanisms. Here, we show that the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) persistently inhibits the activity of the primary visual cortex (V1) in mice. Activation of the PPC causes the suppression of visual responses in V1 and induces the short‐term depression, which is specific to visual stimuli. In contrast, pharmacological inactivation of the PPC or disconnection of cortical pathways from the PPC to V1 results in an effect of transient enhancement of visual responses in V1. Two‐photon calcium imaging demonstrated that the cortical disconnection caused V1 excitatory neurons an enhancement of visual responses and a reduction of orientation selectivity index (OSI). These results show that the PPC regulates the response properties of V1 excitatory neurons. Our findings reveal one of the functions of the PPC, which may contribute to higher brain functions in mice.
Evaluation of small organic acids present in fast pyrolysis bio‐oil from lignocellulose as feedstocks for bacterial bioconversion
Authors: Arnold Stefanie , Tews Tatjana , Kiefer Manuel , Henkel Marius , Hausmann Rudolf
Published: April 2019

Small organic acids derived from fast pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass represent a significant proportion of microbially accessible carbon in bio‐oil. However, using bio‐oil for microbial cultivation is a highly challenging task due to its strong adverse effects on microbial growth as well as its complex composition. In this study, the main small organic acids present in bio‐oil as acetate, formate and propionate were evaluated with respect to their suitability as feedstocks for bacterial growth. For this purpose, the growth behavior of four biotechnological production hosts—Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus subtilis, and Corynebacterium glutamicum—was quantified and compared. The bacteria were cultivated on single acids and mixtures of acids in different concentrations and evaluated using common biotechnological efficiency parameters. In addition, cultivation experiments on pretreated fast pyrolysis‐derived bio‐oil fractions were performed with respect to the suitability of the bacterial strains to tolerate inhibitory substances. Results suggest that both P. putida and C. glutamicum metabolize acetate—the major small organic acid generated during fast pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass—as sole carbon source over a wide concentration range, are able to grow on mixtures of small organic acids present in bio‐oil and can, to a limited extent, tolerate the highly toxic inhibitory substances within bio‐oil. This work provides an important step in search of suitable bacterial strains for bioconversion of lignocellulosic‐based feedstocks and thus contributes to establishing efficient bioprocesses within a future bioeconomy.
Secretory carcinoma of the breast: clinicopathologic profile of 14 cases emphasising distant metastatic potential
Authors: Hoda Raza S , Brogi Edi , Pareja Fresia , Nanjangud Gouri , Murray Melissa P , Weigelt Britta , Reis‐Filho Jorge S , Wen Hannah Y
Published: April 2019

Aims

Secretory carcinoma of the breast (SCB) is a rare histological type of breast carcinoma with a generally indolent clinical behaviour. We aim to elucidate the clinical, pathological and molecular findings of SCB cases and identify characteristics associated with aggressive clinical courses.

Methods and results

Fourteen patients with SCB were identified, including 12 women and two men, with a median age of 56 years (range = 8–81 years). Clinical data, histological diagnosis, molecular findings and follow‐up were reviewed. Eight patients presented with palpable masses and four patients with radiographic abnormalities. All cases were unilateral. Surgical procedures included excisional biopsies and ipsilateral mastectomies. In 10 cases, oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) results were obtained, with six cases positive for ER and three positive for PR. All cases lacked HER2 overexpression. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed in 10 cases, and two patients had axillary lymph node metastasis. Follow‐up ranged from 21 to 212 months (median = 70 months). Two patients developed distant metastasis of SCB. Molecular analysis of these aggressive tumours revealed amplification of the 16p13.3 locus, a TERT promotor mutation and loss of 9p21.3 locus. Review of the literature for SCB cases with distant metastasis was performed.

Conclusions

Although SCBs are generally associated with a favourable prognosis, our study and review demonstrate that a subset of SCBs may develop distant metastases. Further studies are warranted to identify markers predictive of more aggressive clinical behaviour in this rare breast cancer subtype.
Community reorganization revealed by exploring shifts in the diet of an apex predator, the Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos, with stable isotopes and prey remains
Authors: Roemer Gary W. , Collins Paul W.
Published: April 2019

Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos colonized the northern California Channel Islands, an archipelago located off the coast of southern California, USA, in the early 1990s, owing in part to the presence of Feral Pigs Sus scrofa. Eagles preyed on piglets and on the endemic Island Fox Urocyon littoralis, driving three endemic subspecies of the Island Fox (U. l. santacruzae, U. l. santarosae and U. l. littoralis) toward extirpation. Using stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) measured from feathers and blood of Golden Eagles and from meat and bone of their prey, along with the proportion of prey consumed estimated from nest excavations as informative priors, we show that shifts in Eagle isotopic signatures tracked community reorganization: when pigs and foxes were abundant, Eagles consumed them in higher proportions than other prey; when foxes became scarce owing to Eagle predation, Eagle diet shifted toward pigs, but also diversified to include Common Ravens Corvus corax and seabirds (Larus spp. and Phalacrocorax spp.); and finally, after pigs were eradicated and 35 Golden Eagles had been captured and removed from Santa Cruz Island, a lone remaining pair of Eagles reversed their diet to include more foxes. Our findings reveal that shifts in stable isotope signatures from tissues of an apex predator can be used as a general proxy to monitor changes in the prey community; however, if sample sizes are small, informative priors are both essential and overwhelmingly influential, and changes in abundance of preferred prey may mask or fail to reveal changes in less preferred prey. Given that apex predators are at the top of trophic hierarchies, that they are often important drivers of community structure and that they sample prey continuously from their community, isotopic signatures of their tissues may be useful for monitoring community change.
Stability and antioxidant activity of anthocyanins from purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. cultivar Eshu No. 8) subjected to simulated in vitro gastrointestinal digestion
Authors: Yang Zi‐wei , Tang Cui‐e , Zhang Jiu‐liang , Zhou Qing , Zhang Zi‐cheng
Published: April 2019

The study was aimed to investigate the stability and antioxidant activities of anthocyanins obtained from purple sweet potato via an in vitro digestion system. Three fractions of anthocyanin‐rich extracts were obtained via ODS packing column. Anthocyanins and copigment (primary phenolic acids) of fraction 2 were investigated during simulated an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Anthocyanins and copigment were recognised by UPLC‐LTQ‐MS/MS. Besides, anthocyanins were found effectively stable under the acidic gastric digestion conditions. However, the anthocyanins recovery was greatly decreased at around 10% after intestinal digestion. An association between the type, number of acylated group and stability to intestinal digestion was found. Di‐acylated anthocyanins possessed higher stability compared with mono‐acylated anthocyanins and the stability of acylated group in digestion process followed the order of p‐hydroxybenzoyl > feruloyl > caffeoyl. However, there was no much difference in copigment content which was found during digestion process. Moreover, the radical scavenging ability and xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition showed that the digestion products possessed good biological activities mainly due to its anthocyanin composition.
Mixed fermentation of jujube juice (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) with L. rhamnosus GG and L. plantarum‐1: effects on the quality and stability
Authors: Zhao Meng‐Ni , Zhang Fang , Zhang Lin , Liu Bing‐Jie , Meng Xiang‐Hong
Published: April 2019

This study was conducted aiming at improving the quality of jujube juice by mixed fermentation of lactobacilli. Selection of favourable lactobacilli and addition of nitrogen sources were explored as an efficient method to improve the viability of probiotic in jujube juice. After fermentation, the viability increased to 9.15 ± 0.10 Log CFU mL−1, while the content of lactic acid increased to 5.61 ± 0.03 mg mL−1. The total phenolic and total flavonoid content were 2663.03 ± 11.95 μg mL−1 and 163.95 ± 0.47 μg mL−1 respectively. Moreover, the stability of fermented jujube juice during refrigeration was investigated, which showed that the viability dropped to 8.84 ± 0.6 Log CFU mL−1 and the concentration of lactic acid slowly increased to 6.51 ± 0.04 mg mL−1; the ABTS value showed a 4.26% reduction and FRAP value did not significantly (P < 0.05) change during refrigerated storage. In addition to the existing knowledge, our data aid to the future applications of the jujube as a potential ingredient in novel probiotic foods formulation.