bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two-step binding kinetics of tRNAGly by the glyQS T-box riboswitch and its regulation by T-box structural elements
Authors: Zhang Jiacheng , Chetnani Bhaskar , Cormack Eric D. , Liu Wei , Mondragón Alfonso , Fei Jingyi
Published: June 2018

T-box riboswitches are cis-regulatory RNA elements that regulate mRNAs encoding for aminoacyl tRNA synthetases or proteins involved in amino acid biosynthesis and transport. Rather than using small molecules as their ligands, as do most riboswitches, T-box riboswitches uniquely bind tRNA and sense their aminoacylated state. Whereas the anticodon and elbow regions of the tRNA interact with Stem I, located in the 5’ portion of the T-box, sensing of the aminoacylation state involves direct binding of the NCCA sequence at the tRNA 3’ end to the anti-terminator sequence located in the 3’ portion of the T-box. However, the kinetic trajectory that describes how each of these interactions are established temporally during tRNA binding remains unclear. Using singlemolecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET), we demonstrate that tRNA binds to the riboswitch in a two-step process, first with anticodon recognition followed by NCCA binding, with the second step accompanied by an inward motion of the 3’ portion of the T-box riboswitch relative to Stem I. By using site-specific mutants, we further show that the T-loop region of the T-box significantly contributes to the first binding step, and that the K-turn region of the T-box influences both binding steps, but with a more dramatic effect on the second binding step. Our results set up a kinetic framework describing tRNA binding by T-box riboswitches and highlight the important roles of several T-box structural elements in regulating each binding step.

SIGNIFICANCE

Bacteria commonly use riboswitches, cis-regulatory RNA elements, to regulate the transcription or translation of the mRNAs upon sensing signals. Unlike small molecule binding riboswitches, T-box riboswitches bind tRNA and sense their aminoacylated state. T-box modular structural elements that recognize different parts of a tRNA have been identified, however, how each of these interactions is established temporally during tRNA binding remains unclear. Our study reveals that tRNA binds to the riboswitch in a two-step mechanism, with anticodon recognition first, followed by binding to the NCCA sequence at the 3’ end of the tRNA with concomitant conformational changes in the T-box. Our results also highlight the importance of the modular structural elements of the T-box in each of the binding steps.
Acute inflammation sensitizes knee-innervating sensory neurons and decreases mouse digging behavior in a TRPV1-dependent manner
Authors: Chakrabarti Sampurna , Pattison Luke A. , Singhal Kaajal , Hockley James R.F. , Callejo Gerard , John Smith Ewan St.
Published: June 2018

Ongoing, spontaneous pain is characteristic of inflammatory joint pain and reduces an individual’s quality of life. To understand the neural basis of inflammatory joint pain, we made a unilateral knee injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) in mice, which reduced their natural digging behavior. We hypothesized that sensitization of knee-innervating dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons underlies this altered behavior. To test this hypothesis, we performed electrophysiological recordings on retrograde labelled knee-innervating primary DRG neuron cultures and measured their responses to a number of electrical and chemical stimuli. We found that 24-hours after CFA-induced knee inflammation, knee neurons show a decreased action potential generation threshold, as well as increased GABA and capsaicin sensitivity, but have unaltered acid sensitivity. The inflammation-induced sensitization of knee neurons persisted for 24-hours in culture, but was not observed after 48-hours in culture. Through immunohistochemistry, we showed that the increased knee neuron capsaicin sensitivity correlated with enhanced expression of the capsaicin receptor, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in knee-innervating neurons of the CFA-injected side. We also observed an increase in the co-expression of TRPV1 with tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA), which is the receptor for nerve growth factor (NGF), suggesting that NGF partially induces the increased TRPV1 expression. Lastly, we found that systemic administration of the TRPV1 antagonist A-425619 reversed the decrease in digging behavior induced by CFA injection, further confirming the role of TRPV1, expressed by knee neurons, in acute inflammatory joint pain.
Exploration in the presence of mother in typically and non-typically developing pre-walking human infants
Authors: Frostig T. , Alonim H. , Scheingesicht G. , Benjamini Y. , Golani I.
Published: June 2018

Using an arsenal of tools previously developed for the study of origin-related exploration in animals, we compared exploration of human pre-walking Typically-Developing (TD) and Non-Typically Developing (NTD) infants in the presence of mother. The NTD infants had been referred to a center for the treatment of autism by pediatric neurologists and expert clinicians. Using computational analysis we document in TD infants a phylogenetic ancient behavior: origin-related exploration. Strikingly, while the TD infants exhibited excursions in reference to mother and deep engagement with mother when visiting her, the NTD infants tended to avoid mother’s place, performing few if any excursions, and exhibiting shallow engagement with mother. Given the pervasiveness of origin-related exploration in invertebrates, vertebrates, and primates, we now face a challenge to find an animal model that will exhibit active exploration while ignoring or suppressing the return to the origin, be it a mother or any other safe haven.
Genome-wide characterization, evolutionary analysis of WRKY genes in Cucurbitaceae species and assessment of its roles in resisting to powdery mildew disease
Authors: Jiao Zigao , Sun Jianlei , Wang Chongqi , Dong Yumei , Xiao Shouhua , Gao Xuli , Cao Qiwei , Li Libin , Li Wendong , Gao Chao
Published: June 2018

The WRKY proteins constitute a large family of transcription factors that have been known to play a wide range of regulatory roles in multiple biological processes. Over the past few years, many reports have focused on analysis of evolution and biological function of WRKY genes at the whole genome level in different plant species. However, little information is known about WRKY genes in melon (Cucumis melo L.). In the present study, a total of 56 putative WRKY genes were identified in melon, which were randomly distributed on their respective chromosomes. A multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis using melon, cucumber and watermelon predicted WRKY domains indicated that melon WRKY proteins could be classified into three main groups (I-III). Our analysis indicated that no recent duplication events of WRKY genes were detected in melon, and strong purifying selection was observed among the 85 orthologous pairs of Cucurbitaceae species. Expression profiles of CmWRKY derived from RNA-seq data and quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses showed distinct expression patterns in various tissues, and the expression of 16 CmWRKY were altered following powdery mildew infection in melon. Besides, we also found that a total of 24 WRKY genes were co-expressed with 11 VQ family genes in melon. Our comparative genomic analysis provides a foundation for future functional dissection and understanding the evolution of WRKY genes in cucurbitaceae species, and will promote powdery mildew resistance study in melon.
Sequence analysis and confirmation of type IV pili-associated proteins PilY1, PilW and PilV in Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans
Authors: Alfaro-Saldaña Elvia , Hernández-Sánchez O. Araceli , Soberano-Patrón Araceli , Astello-García Marizel , Méndez-Cabañas J. Alfredo , García-Meza J. Viridiana
Published: June 2018

Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans is an acidophilic chemolithoautotrophic bacterium widely used in the mining industry due to its metabolic sulfur-oxidizing capability. The biooxidation of sulfide minerals is enhanced through the attachment of A. thiooxidans cells to the mineral surface. The Type IV pili (TfP) of At. thiooxidans may play an important role in the bacteria attachment, since among other functions, TfP play a key adhesive role in the attachment to and colonization of different surfaces. In this work, we reported for the first time the confirmed mRNA sequences of three TfP proteins from At. thiooxidans, the protein PilY1 and the TfP pilins PilW and PilV. The nucleotide sequences of these TfP proteins show changes of some nucleotide positions with respect to the corresponding annotated sequences. The bioinformatic analyses and 3D-modeling of protein structures sustain their classification as TfP proteins, as structural homologs of the corresponding proteins of P. aeruginosa, results that sustain the role of PilY1, PilW and PilV in pili assembly. Also, that PilY1 comprises the conserved Neisseria-PilC (superfamily) domain of the tip-associated adhesin, while PilW of the superfamily of putative TfP assembly proteins and PilV belongs to the superfamily of TfP assembly protein. Also, the analyses suggested the presence of specific functional domains involved in adhesion, energy transduction and signaling functions. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the PilY1 of Acidithiobacillus genus forms a cohesive group linked with iron- and/or sulfur-oxidizing microorganisms from acid mine drainage or mine tailings. This work enriches knowledge regarding colonization, adhesion and biooxidation of inorganic sulfurs by A. thiooxidans.
Crystal structure of homodinuclear platinum complex containing a metal–metal bond bridged by hydride and phosphide ligands
Authors: Ouis Sakina , Rouag Djamil Azzedine , Bendjeddou Lamia , Bailly Corinne
Published: June 2018

In the title compound, μ-diphenylphosphido-μ-hydrido-bis[bromido(triphenylphosphane-κP)platinum(II)] diethyl ether monosolvate, [Pt2Br2(C12H10P)H(C18H15P)2]·C4H10O or [Pt2(μ-H)(μ-PPh2)Br2(PPh3)2]·(C2H5)2O, the PtII atoms are coordinated in a distorted square-planar arrangement, with one hydrido and one phosphido ligand bridging in a trans position. In the lattice, C—H...·O and C—H...π interactions are present. This complex has a total number of 32 electrons, 16 electrons for each PtII atom. One of the Br atoms is disordered over two positions in a 0.92:0.08 ratio.
Spacecraft localization by indirect linear measurements from a single antenna
Authors: Hajiyev Chingiz , Sofyali Ahmet
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a two-stage approach for estimation of spacecraft’s position and velocity by indirect linear measurements from a single antenna.

Design/methodology/approach

In the first stage, direct nonlinear antenna measurements are transformed to linear x-y-z coordinate measurements of spacecraft’s position, and statistical characteristics of orbit determination errors are analyzed. Variances of orbit parameters’ errors are chosen as the accuracy criteria. In the second stage, the outputs of the first stage are improved by the designed Extended Kalman Filter for estimation of the spacecraft’s position and velocity on indirect linear x-y-z measurements.

Findings

The complex content of the measurement matrix in the conventional method causes periodic singularities in simulation results. In addition, the convergence of the filter using direct measurements is highly dependent on the initialization parameters’ values due to the nonlinear partial derivatives in the Jacobian measurement matrix. The comparison of the accuracy of both methods shows that the estimation by using indirect measurements reduces the absolute estimation errors. The simulation results show that the proposed two-stage procedure performs both with better estimation accuracy and better convergence characteristics. The method based on indirect measurements provides an unnoticeably short transient duration.

Practical implications

The proposed method can be recommended for satellite orbit estimation regarding its presented superiorities.

Originality/value

Inputting the single antenna measurements to the filter indirectly results in a quite simpler measurement matrix. As a result, the convergence of the filter is faster and estimation errors are lower.
Business strategy modelling based on enterprise architecture: a state of the art review
Authors: Kitsios Fotis , Kamariotou Maria
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Enterprise architecture (EA) is a means of a high level of abstraction of a business’ levels which helps organise planning and taking better decisions. Evidence has shown that the scope of EA is not restricted to technology planning, but the lack of business strategy and processes is the most common problem of EA frameworks. Consequently, a challenge stems from the fact that the formulation of strategy should not be modelled separately but as a holistic approach. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the contemporary problems in existing EA modelling frameworks concerning the optimisation of business strategy concepts and to identify areas for improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

Studies were spotted using a three phased literature review methodology which was suggested by Webster and Watson (2002).

Findings

Although, previous studies have attempted to use tools and models to visualise the technological business planning, limited previous study has focussed on modelling strategic planning. Due to issues concerning the lack of guidelines for modelling business strategy, a holistic approach is needed to be made.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the existing literature by assessing the current EA modelling languages and their skilfulness to modelling strategy. Moreover, it contributes to the determination of difficulties in modelling, as well as to the examination of ease of use of language in the context of strategy. Second, this paper provides an overview to practitioners who would like to develop effective EA modelling projects, as well as to architects who try to solve the problems of business complexity.
Job flexibility and job satisfaction among Mexican professionals: a socio-cultural explanation
Authors: Baeza Miguel A. , Gonzalez Jorge A. , Wang Yong
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study how job flexibility influences job satisfaction among Mexican professionals, and focus on the role of key socio-cultural moderators relevant to Mexican society.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explore how this relationship may be more important for women, employees with dependents such as children and elder parents and younger generations of professionals (e.g. Millennials).

Findings

The authors find that job flexibility is positively related to job satisfaction. This relationship is stronger for employees without dependents, as well as for younger generations of professionals (e.g. Millennials). Surprisingly, the relationship between job flexibility and job satisfaction does not differ by gender. The findings explain why job flexibility is more conductive to job satisfaction for employees without dependents, who tend to belong to younger generations.

Originality/value

Overall, the findings present important implications for managing job flexibility in Mexico and other Latin American countries, particularly for younger professionals.
The role of social support in the relationship between job demands and employee attitudes in the public sector
Authors: Jong Jaehee
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the relationship between employees’ perception of their jobs and attitudes by investigating the effect of job resources (i.e. social support) on the relationship between job demands (i.e. workload, role ambiguity) and job-related well-being (i.e. efficacy, job satisfaction) among government employees.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained from federal government employees responding to the 2012 Federal Employees Viewpoint Survey (US Office of Personnel Management, 2012). To test the hypotheses, hierarchical regression analyses were conducted.

Findings

Results revealed that social support served to mitigate feelings of inefficacy and simultaneously enhanced job satisfaction among employees experiencing work overload or role ambiguity, which supports the buffer hypothesis.

Research limitations/implications

Since this study analyzes data collected by OPM, some items could not be modified, and using a limited number of items could be a limitation of this paper. Given that there has been a research stream linking public service motivation to work attitudes in the field of public management, the current study suggests there may be additional factors (i.e. job demands and resources) to enhance public sector employees’ work attitudes.

Practical implications

This study suggests the importance of government agencies adopting management strategies that encourage higher levels of social support from supervisors or colleagues in order to increase employees’ positive attitudes toward organizations.

Originality/value

This study focuses specifically on public sector employees, a population that has received limited attention in this area.
Institutional differences and integration difficulties
Authors: Majid Kashef A. , Bapuji Hari
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the location of a firm’s headquarters and component sourcing impact a firm’s responsiveness in a product-harm crisis in local market.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data on 1,251 vehicle recalls from 12 manufacturers, six in the USA, three in Germany, and three in Japan. All of the recalls occurred in the USA between 2002 and 2010. The time the product was first released into the marketplace was used as the starting point while the time the recall was initiated (if at all) was used to record the probability of the product recall over time. Specifically, a survival analysis with an accelerated failure time model was employed to examine the speed with which a product is recalled. The authors examined the impact of foreign composition using information provided by the American Automobile Labeling Act, which lists the proportion of each vehicle that is composed of domestic parts (USA/Canada) and foreign parts. Organizational characteristics (i.e. size, market share, assets, net income, and reputation) and recall size (i.e. number of affected vehicles) that might have an effect on time to recall were controlled for.

Findings

The authors found that firms headquartered outside the local market would take longer to issue a product recall than firms that were headquartered in the local market. Firm headquartered outside the local market can reduce the time taken to recall by sourcing parts from the local marketplace, rather than from abroad. Interestingly, even local firms are affected by the location of component sourcing, such that they take longer to issue a recall if they sourced parts from abroad.

Originality/value

Research in international marketing has examined the benefits of integration to firms, but has not studied the risks of integration. By highlighting the challenges of managing institutional differences and integration difficulties, the authors show that location of headquarters and the location from where components are sourced have an effect on firm responsiveness in product-harm crises. Further, the authors build on the global supply chain management literature that has shown the effect of upstream activities (i.e. foreign production) on downstream activities (i.e. product quality). Specifically, the authors show that upstream activities can not only affect product quality, but also the ability of firms to respond to those product qualities in a timely fashion.
The interrelationship between liquidity creation and bank capital in Vietnamese banking
Authors: Le Tu
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the interrelationship between liquidity creation (LC) and bank capital in Vietnamese banking between 2007 and 2015.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-step procedure is used to measure LC. Thereafter, a simultaneous equations model with a three-stage least squares estimator is employed to examine the links between LC and bank capital.

Findings

The findings show that large banks mainly contributed a strong growth in LC in Vietnam between 2007 and 2015. The findings also indicate that off-balance sheet activities only played a small role in LC. In addition, the findings indicate a negative two-way relationship between LC and bank capital in Vietnam. The results of the robust checks reinforce the main findings.

Practical implications

The evidence shows that the implementation of Basel III may reduce LC and greater LC may increase banks’ insolvency. Consequently, this trade-off between the benefits of financial stability induced by tightening capital requirements and those of enhanced LC has important implications for Vietnamese authorities in strengthening the banking system.

Originality/value

This study is the first attempt to investigate the interrelationship between LC and bank capital in Vietnam, in which fat liquidity creation and non-fat liquidity creation are used and alternative measures of LC are also employed to provide robustness to the main findings.
The profitability of herding: evidence from Taiwan
Authors: Chen Chun-Da , Demirer Riza
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that the level of herding in an industry can be the basis for a profitable investment strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors apply three different herding measures in the paper, including cross-sectional standard deviation, cross-sectional absolute deviation and non-linear model – state–space model.

Findings

The authors find that industries that experience a high level of herding yield higher subsequent returns regardless of their past performance. Consequently, the authors show that a herding-based investment strategy generates significant profits, even after adjusting for risk. The findings also show that the herding effect when combined with past performance as part of a conditional investment strategy yields significant profits regardless of the formation and holding periods. The findings suggest that the level of herding could serve as a systematic driver of returns and could be exploited for profitable investment strategies.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first study in the literature to show that herding by itself can serve as a determinant of returns regardless of past performance.
What drives green brand switching behavior?
Authors: Wu Hung-Che , Wei Chiou-Fong , Tseng Li-Yu , Cheng Ching-Chan
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the structural relationships among skepticism, experiential risk, cognitive dissonance, experiential quality, brand experience and experiential satisfaction, switching intentions and switching behavior from the perspective of green branding.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was used to collect data from consumers who had purchased environmental shampoos, obtaining 613 valid samples which were analyzed with structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results indicate that green brand experiential risk, green brand cognitive dissonance, green brand experiential quality and green brand experience influence green brand experiential satisfaction. In addition, green brand experiential satisfaction has an impact on green brand switching intentions, which, in turn, positively influence green brand switching behavior.

Practical implications

To decrease the perceptions of green brand skepticism, green brand experiential risk, green brand cognitive dissonance, green brand switching intentions and green brand switching behavior and increase the perceptions of green brand experiential quality, green brand experience and green brand experiential satisfaction, the findings will help environmental organizations develop and implement market-orientated product strategies.

Originality/value

The results provide a better understanding of the relationships among skepticism, experiential risk, cognitive dissonance, experiential quality, brand experience, experiential satisfaction, switching intentions and switching behavior in an environmental context.
Your winning business model agenda: four questions to shape growth
Authors: Biloshapka Vladyslav , Osiyevskyy Oleksiy
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Defines clear steps for growth planning that support answers to the crucial question: How and where are you planning to scale up the business and what talent do you need to implement this?

Design/methodology/approach

As the “Business model value matrix” shows, having ‘happy customers’ is only one determinant of a business model’s success. The other essential block of diagnostic questions deals with the current state and prospects of the firm’s growth.

Findings

We found that companies that have found ways to keep their business models in a winner’s state can provide clear, evidence-based answers to questions about growth opportunities and risks, while their less successful peers have difficulty addressing the issues. Continuous collecting and analyzing of this information allows successful companies to embrace the strategy-as-learning model of development, built around active learning and proactive adjustment to evolving environment.

Practical implications

To develop a strategy for moving to and sustaining the Winner state, managers must clearly articulate and test a set of hypotheses about the mechanisms of their company’s growth. The first step on this path is related to obtaining a clear view on the factors that underpin the current financial performance.

Originality/value

High-performance cultures make sure that each manager has the clear answers to the questions of value, growth and digitization in order to learn, experiment and implement the company business model agenda. The unproductive cultures, on the other hand, are sustained by managerial teams that usually do not have the answers to these crucial questions, but are very good at political games.
A framework for identifying and characterising coral reef “oases” against a backdrop of degradation
Authors: Guest James R. , Edmunds Peter J. , Gates Ruth D. , Kuffner Ilsa B. , Andersson Andreas J. , Barnes Brian B. , Chollett Iliana , Courtney Travis A. , Elahi Robin , Gross Kevin , Lenz Elizabeth A. , Mitarai Satoshi , Mumby Peter J. , Nelson Hannah R. , Parker Britt A. , Putnam Hollie M. , Rogers Caroline S. , Toth Lauren T.
Published: June 2018

Human activities have led to widespread ecological decline; however, the severity of degradation is spatially heterogeneous due to some locations resisting, escaping, or rebounding from disturbances.

We developed a framework for identifying oases within coral reef regions using long‐term monitoring data. We calculated standardised estimates of coral cover (z‐scores) to distinguish sites that deviated positively from regional means. We also used the coefficient of variation (CV) of coral cover to quantify how oases varied temporally, and to distinguish among types of oases. We estimated “coral calcification capacity” (CCC), a measure of the coral community's ability to produce calcium carbonate structures and tested for an association between this metric and z‐scores of coral cover.

We illustrated our z‐score approach within a modelling framework by extracting z‐scores and CVs from simulated data based on four generalized trajectories of coral cover. We then applied the approach to time‐series data from long‐term reef monitoring programmes in four focal regions in the Pacific (the main Hawaiian Islands and Mo'orea, French Polynesia) and western Atlantic (the Florida Keys and St. John, US Virgin Islands). Among the 123 sites analysed, 38 had positive z‐scores for median coral cover and were categorised as oases.

Synthesis and applications. Our framework provides ecosystem managers with a valuable tool for conservation by identifying “oases” within degraded areas. By evaluating trajectories of change in state (e.g., coral cover) among oases, our approach may help in identifying the mechanisms responsible for spatial variability in ecosystem condition. Increased mechanistic understanding can guide whether management of a particular location should emphasise protection, mitigation or restoration. Analysis of the empirical data suggest that the majority of our coral reef oases originated by either escaping or resisting disturbances, although some sites showed a high capacity for recovery, while others were candidates for restoration. Finally, our measure of reef condition (i.e., median z‐scores of coral cover) correlated positively with coral calcification capacity suggesting that our approach identified oases that are also exceptional for one critical component of ecological function.
Where to start? Development of a spatial tool to prioritise retrofitting of power line poles that are dangerous to raptors
Authors: Hernández‐Lambraño Ricardo Enrique , Sánchez‐Agudo José Ángel , Carbonell Roberto
Published: June 2018

Avian electrocution on power lines is a major conservation issue on a global scale. Electrocution risk models have recently been proposed as an effective alternative to prioritising high‐risk pole retrofitting activities at a large scale. However, existing models ignore the specific features of the power poles (hereafter, poles) supporting the power distribution lines and make the tenuous assumption that pole density and power line length are key factors to assessing the electrocution risk at a large scale. This assumption may be violated in areas with high variations in pole configuration.

In this study, we used data on raptors electrocuted on poles to develop a predictive model of raptor electrocution risk throughout an extensive geographical area in north‐western Spain, using boosted regression trees. With the best‐fitting model, we predicted the hazard of a set of 188,741 poles and validated the model predictions with new data collected from the study area.

Our model highlights the relevance of combining both habitat and technical features to identify the most dangerous poles for raptors on a large geographical scale. A 9.86% of the total poles evaluated were characterised as high risk for raptors. The model showed good performance in external validation. The new electrocution events were registered at poles with high‐risk values.

Synthesis and applications. In this study, we improved the accuracy of the predictive models of raptor electrocution risk for large geographical areas. By incorporating the technical characteristics of the power poles into the models, we achieved a high level of prediction at the power pole level, which is the ultimate correction unit. This will allow electric companies and wildlife managers to specify retrofitting activities of high‐risk power poles for raptors in large geographical areas, thus maximising the effect of investment in the correction of dangerous power poles and conservation of the raptor populations.
Measuring movement skill perceptions in preschool children: A face validity and reliability study
Authors: Moulton Jocelyn M. , Cole Crystal , Ridgers Nicola D. , Pepin Genevieve , Barnett Lisa M.
Published: June 2018

Background/aim

The aim of this study was to determine the face validity and the reliability of a pictorial scale to assess preschool children's perceived movement skills.

Methods

The pictorial scale examines the perceptions of the 12 fundamental movement skills presented in the Test of Gross Motor Development‐2 (six locomotor and six object control skills) and six active play skills (e.g. cycling). A total of 91 Australian children aged four to five years from 14 preschools completed the scale on two occasions to determine test–retest reliability. Internal consistency was determined for all 18 items and for each subscale. After the second test, participants were asked open‐ended questions to gain insight into their understanding of what was happening in the pictures to determine the face validity.

Results

Overall, children demonstrated a better understanding of object control and play skills compared to locomotor skills. Test–retest reliability values were good for object control (intra‐class correlation, ICC = 0.75), locomotor (ICC = 0.78), active play skills (ICC = 0.80) and all 18 skills combined (ICC = 0.77). Internal consistency was acceptable for locomotor (Test 1 0.64, Test 2 0.75), object control (0.71, 0.76), active play skills (0.76, 0.74) and for all 18 skills combined (0.88, 0.90).

Conclusions

Overall, this instrument demonstrated an acceptable reliability in preschool children and has provided preliminary information for examining the perceptions of movement skills. This age group presents a key target area for occupational therapists, who can assist preschool children to further develop fundamental movement skills, integrate these skills in their roles and occupations and increase engagement in meaningful physical activity in the long term.
The long non‐coding RNAs MHRT,FENDRR and CARMEN, their expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with essential hypertension and their relation to heart hypertrophy
Authors: Kontaraki Joanna E. , Marketou Maria E. , Kochiadakis George E. , Maragkoudakis Spyros , Konstantinou John , Vardas Panos E. , Parthenakis Fragiskos I.
Published: June 2018

Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) participate in the modulation of cardiac hypertrophy, and they represent potential therapeutic targets in cardiovascular disease. We investigated the expression profiles of selected lncRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with essential hypertension in relation to left ventricular hypertrophy. We assessed the expression levels of the lncRNAs MHRT, FENDRR and CARMEN using real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Hypertensive patients showed significantly higher MHRT, FENDRR and CARMEN expression levels compared with healthy controls. In addition, we observed significant negative correlations of MHRT (r = −0.323, P = 0.003) and FENDRR (r = −0.380, P = 0.001) and a positive correlation of CARMEN (r = 0.458, P < 0.001) expression levels with left ventricular mass index. Our data reveal that the lncRNAs MHRT, FENDRR and CARMEN show distinct expression profiles in hypertensive patients and they possibly represent candidate therapeutic targets in hypertensive heart disease.
Transcriptomic dissection of Bradyrhizobium sp. strain ORS285 in symbiosis with Aeschynomene spp. inducing different bacteroid morphotypes with contrasted symbiotic efficiency
Authors: Lamouche Florian , Gully Djamel , Chaumeret Anaïs , Nouwen Nico , Verly Camille , Pierre Olivier , Sciallano Coline , Fardoux Joël , Jeudy Christian , Szücs Attila , Mondy Samuel , Salon Christophe , Nagy István , Kereszt Attila , Dessaux Yves , Giraud Eric , Mergaert Peter , Alunni Benoit
Published: June 2018

To circumvent the paucity of nitrogen sources in the soil legume plants establish a symbiotic interaction with nitrogen‐fixing soil bacteria called rhizobia. During symbiosis, the plants form root organs called nodules, where bacteria are housed intracellularly and become active nitrogen fixers known as bacteroids. Depending on their host plant, bacteroids can adopt different morphotypes, being either unmodified (U), elongated (E) or spherical (S). E‐ and S‐type bacteroids undergo a terminal differentiation leading to irreversible morphological changes and DNA endoreduplication. Previous studies suggest that differentiated bacteroids display an increased symbiotic efficiency (E > U and S > U). In this study, we used a combination of Aeschynomene species inducing E‐ or S‐type bacteroids in symbiosis with Bradyrhizobium sp. ORS285 to show that S‐type bacteroids present a better symbiotic efficiency than E‐type bacteroids. We performed a transcriptomic analysis on E‐ and S‐type bacteroids formed by Aeschynomene afraspera and Aeschynomene indica nodules and identified the bacterial functions activated in bacteroids and specific to each bacteroid type. Extending the expression analysis in E‐ and S‐type bacteroids in other Aeschynomene species by qRT‐PCR on selected genes from the transcriptome analysis narrowed down the set of bacteroid morphotype‐specific genes. Functional analysis of a selected subset of 31 bacteroid‐induced or morphotype‐specific genes revealed no symbiotic phenotypes in the mutants. This highlights the robustness of the symbiotic program but could also indicate that the bacterial response to the plant environment is partially anticipatory or even maladaptive. Our analysis confirms the correlation between differentiation and efficiency of the bacteroids and provides a framework for the identification of bacterial functions that affect the efficiency of bacteroids.© 2018 Society for Applied Microbiology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Role of systemic infection, cross contaminations and super‐shedders in Salmonella carrier state in chicken
Authors: Menanteau Pierrette , Kempf Florent , Trotereau Jérôme , Virlogeux‐Payant Isabelle , Gitton Edouard , Dalifard Julie , Gabriel Irene , Rychlik Ivan , Velge Philippe
Published: June 2018

Carriage of Salmonella is often associated with a high level of bacterial excretion and generally occurs after a short systemic infection. However, we do not know whether this systemic infection is required or whether the carrier‐state corresponds to continuous reinfection or real persistence in caecal tissue. The use of a Salmonella Enteritidis bamB mutant demonstrated that a carrier‐state could be obtained in chicken in the absence of systemic infection. The development of a new infection model in isolator showed that a marked decrease in animal reinfection and host‐to‐host transmission between chicks led to a heterogeneity of S. Enteritidis excretion and colonization contrary to what was observed in cages. This heterogeneity of infection was characterized by the presence of super‐shedders, which constantly disseminated Salmonella to the low‐shedder chicks, mainly through airborne movements of contaminated dust particles. The presence of super‐shedders, in the absence of host‐to‐host transmission, demonstrated that constant reinfection was not required to induce a carrier‐state. Finally, our results suggest that low‐shedder chicks do not have a higher capability to destroy Salmonella but instead can block initial Salmonella colonization. This new paradigm opens new avenues to improve understanding of the carrier‐state mechanisms and to define new strategies to control Salmonella infections.© 2018 Society for Applied Microbiology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Metabolic flexibility of a prospective bioremediator: Desulfitobacterium hafniense Y51 challenged in chemostats
Authors: Marozava Sviatlana , Vargas‐López Raquel , Tian Ye , Merl‐Pham Juliane , Braster Martin , Meckenstock Rainer U. , Smidt Hauke , Röling Wilfred F.M. , Westerhoff Hans V.
Published: June 2018

Desulfitobacterium hafniense Y51 has been widely used in investigations of perchloroethylene (PCE) biodegradation, but limited information exists on its other physiological capabilities. We investigated how D. hafniense Y51 confronts the debilitating limitations of not having enough electron donor (lactate), or electron acceptor (fumarate) during cultivation in chemostats. The residual concentrations of the substrates supplied in excess were much lower than expected. Transcriptomics, proteomics and fluxomics were integrated to investigate how this phenomenon was regulated. Through diverse regulation at both transcriptional and translational levels, strain Y51 turned to fermenting the excess lactate and disproportionating the excess fumarate under fumarate‐ and lactate‐limiting conditions respectively. Genes and proteins related to the utilization of a variety of alternative electron donors and acceptors absent from the medium were induced, apparently involving the Wood–Ljungdahl pathway. Through this metabolic flexibility, D. hafniense Y51 may be able to switch between different metabolic capabilities under limiting conditions.
Introducing the idea of ‘assumed shared food narratives’ in the context of social networks: reflections from a qualitative study conducted in Nottingham, England
Authors: Bissell Paul , Peacock Marian , Holdsworth Michelle , Powell Katie , Wilcox John , Clonan Angie
Published: June 2018

This study explores the ways in which social networks might shape accounts about food practices. Drawing on insights from the work of Christakis and Fowler () whose claims about the linkages between obesity and social networks have been the subject of vigorous debate in the sociological literature, we present qualitative data from a study of women's’ accounts of social networks and food practices, conducted in Nottingham, England. We tentatively suggest that whilst social networks in their broadest sense, might shape what was perceived to be normal and acceptable in relation to food practices (and provide everyday discursive resources which normalise practice), the relationship between the two is more complex than the linear relationship proposed by Christakis and Fowler. Here, we introduce the idea of assumed shared food narratives (ASFNs), which, we propose, sheds light on motive talk about food practices, and which also provide practical and discursive resources to actors seeking to protect and defend against ‘untoward’ behaviour, in the context of public health messages around food and eating. We suggest that understanding ASFNs and the ways in which they are embedded in social networks represents a novel way of understanding food and eating practices from a sociological perspective.
Core outcome sets for prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage: an international Delphi consensus study
Authors: Meher S , Cuthbert A , Kirkham JJ , Williamson P , Abalos E , Aflaifel N , Bhutta ZA , Bishop A , Blum J , Collins P , Devane D , Ducloy‐Bouthors A‐S , Fawole B , Gülmezoglu AM , Gutteridge K , Gyte G , Homer CSE , Mallaiah S , Smith JM , Weeks AD , Alfirevic Z
Published: June 2018

Objective

To develop core outcome sets (COS) for studies evaluating interventions for (1) prevention and (2) treatment of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), and recommendations on how to report the COS.

Design

A two‐round Delphi survey and face‐to‐face meeting.

Population

Healthcare professionals and women's representatives.

Methods

Outcomes were identified from systematic reviews of PPH studies and stakeholder consultation. Participants scored each outcome in the Delphi on a Likert scale between 1 (not important) and 9 (critically important). Results were discussed at the face‐to‐face meeting to agree the final COS. Consensus at the meeting was defined as ≥ 70% of participants scoring the outcome as critically important (7–9). Lectures, discussion and voting were used to agree how to report COS outcomes.

Main outcome measures

Outcomes from systematic reviews and consultations.

Results

Both Delphi rounds were completed by 152/205 (74%) participants for prevention and 143/197 (73%) for treatment. For prevention of PPH, nine core outcomes were selected: blood loss, shock, maternal death, use of additional uterotonics, blood transfusion, transfer for higher level of care, women's sense of wellbeing, acceptability and satisfaction with the intervention, breastfeeding, and adverse effects. For treatment of PPH, 12 core outcomes were selected: blood loss, shock, coagulopathy, hysterectomy, organ dysfunction, maternal death, blood transfusion, use of additional haemostatic intervention, transfer for higher level of care, women's sense of wellbeing, acceptability and satisfaction with the intervention, breastfeeding, and adverse effects. Recommendations were developed on how to report these outcomes where possible.

Conclusions

These COS will help standardise outcome reporting in PPH trials.

Tweetable abstract

Core outcome sets for PPH: nine core outcomes for PPH prevention and 12 core outcomes for PPH treatment.
A cross‐sectional study on factors associated with patient–physician discordance in global assessment of patients with axial spondyloarthritis: an Asian perspective
Authors: Wang Charmaine Tze May , Fong Warren , Kwan Yu Heng , Phang Jie Kie , Lui Nai Lee , Leung Ying Ying , Thumboo Julian , Cheung Peter P.
Published: June 2018

Aim

To identify the factors associated with patient–physician discordance in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in an Asian population.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted in two tertiary referral centers in Singapore. Patients with axSpA who fulfilled Assessment in Ankylosing Spondylitis International Working Group 2009 criteria for axSpA were included in the study. Socio‐demographics, clinical, laboratory and patient‐reported outcomes data were collected during study visits from 2014 to 2015. We performed univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses to evaluate the factors associated with patient–physician discordance, which we defined as the difference between Patient Global Assessment and Physician Global Assessment.

Results

Included in the study were 298 axSpA patients: 82% male, 81% Chinese, median age 40 (20–78) years, median disease duration 9 (0.1–48) years. 80% were on non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and 23% on biologics. In univariate analysis, current age (β: 0.18, ρ = 0.06), duration of disease (β: 0.34, ρ = 0.03), post‐secondary education level (β: −10.82, ρ = 0.03), global pain score (β: 0.33, ρ < 0.01), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (β: 2.80, ρ < 0.01), Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score C‐reactive protein (β: 4.63, ρ < 0.01) and current use of biologics (β: 10.97, ρ < 0.01) were associated with patient–physician discordance. In multivariate analysis, global pain score (β: 0.32, ρ < 0.01), post‐secondary education level (β: −12.80, ρ = 0.01) and current biologics use (β: 16.21, ρ < 0.01) were associated with patient–physician discordance.

Conclusion

Higher global pain score, lower educational level and current biologics use were associated with greater patient–physician discordance. These factors should be considered during shared decision making.
Comparing first‐line treatment patterns and clinical outcomes of patients with pan‐negative advanced non‐squamous non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Xu Haiyan , Xu Fei , Zhu Wenjie , Ying Jianming , Wang Yan
Published: June 2018

Background

Platinum‐based chemotherapy is the standard first‐line treatment for patients with advanced pan‐negative non‐squamous (non‐Sq) non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, it is unknown which chemotherapy regimen confers the greatest benefit in such patients. This study explored which chemotherapy regimens were advantageous in non‐Sq NSCLC patients.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on 114 patients with advanced non‐Sq NSCLC using platinum‐based chemotherapy in a first‐line setting between January 2013 and December 2015. The study evaluated the most common first‐line regimens including pemetrexed/platinum (PP), paclitaxel/carboplatin, gemcitabine/platinum, and vinorelbine/cisplatin. The primary endpoint was progression‐free survival (PFS), and secondary endpoints were the objective response rate and disease control rate (DCR). Univariate and multivariate logistic analysis was carried out.

Results

Sixty of the 114 patients were administered PP regimens and 54 non‐pemetrexed plus platinum (NPP) regimens. The median PFS was significantly longer in the PP than in the NPP group (7.2 months, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.3–9.1 vs. 4.9 months, 95% CI 3.2–6.6; P = 0.031). The DCR of the PP regimen was better than that of the NPP regimen (90.0% vs. 74.1%; P = 0.026). Smoking status was an independent predictor of PFS (hazard ratio 2.1, 95% CI 1.4–3.3; P = 0.001) in a final multivariate Cox regression model.

Conclusions

A PP regimen tends to be more beneficial than an NPP regimen for patients with pan‐negative advanced non‐Sq NSCLC. Smoking status may be a valuable predictor for the selection of a chemotherapy regimen in such patients.