bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SP1 regulates KLF4 via SP1 binding motif governed by DNA methylation during odontoblastic differentiation of human dental pulp cells
Authors: Sun Zheyi , Yu Shuaitong , Chen Shuo , Liu Huan , Chen Zhi
Published: April 2019

Objective

DNA methylation is a critical epigenetic modulation in regulating gene expression in cell differentiation process, however, its detailed molecular mechanism during odontoblastic differentiation remains elusive. We aimed to study the global effect of DNA methylation on odontoblastic differentiation and how DNA methylation affects the transactivation of transcription factor (TF) on its target gene.

Methods

DNA methyltransferase (DNMTs) inhibition assay and following odontoblastic differentiation assay were performed to evaluate the effect of DNA methylation inhibition on odontoblastic differentiation. Promoter DNA methylation microarray and motif enrichment assay were performed to predict the most DNA‐methylation‐affected TF motifs during odontoblastic differentiation. The enriched target sites and motifs were further analyzed by methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction (MS‐PCR) and sequencing. The functional target sites were validated in vitro with Luciferase assay. The regulatory effect of DNA methylation on the enriched target sites in primary human dental pulp cells and motifs were confirmed by in vitro methylation assay.

Results

Inhibition of DNMTs in preodontoblast cells increased the expression level of Klf4 as well as marker genes of odontoblastic differentiation including Dmp1 and Dspp, and enhanced the efficiency of odontoblastic differentiation. SP1/KLF4 binding motifs were found to be highly enriched in the promoter regions and showed demethylation during odontoblastic differentiation. Mutation of SP1 binding site at ‐75 within KLF4′s promoter region significantly decreased the luciferase activity. The in vitro methylation of KLF4′s promoter decreased the transactivation of SP1 on KLF4.

Conclusion

We confirmed that SP1 regulates KLF4 through binding site lying in a CpG island in
KLF4′s promoter region which demethylated during odontoblastic differentiation thus enhancing the efficiency of SP1′s binding and transcriptional regulation on
KLF4.
Integrative analysis of transcriptome‐wide association study data and messenger RNA expression profiles identified candidate genes and pathways for inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Cheng Bolun , Liang Xiao , Wen Yan , Li Ping , Zhang Lu , Ma Mei , Cheng Shiqiang , Du Yanan , Liu Li , Ding Miao , Zhao Yan , Zhang Feng
Published: April 2019

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex disease, resulting from abnormal immune response to intestinal tract microbiota in genetically susceptible individuals. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) are the two major types of IBD. Transcriptome‐wide association study (TWAS) of IBD was first performed using a large‐scale genome‐wide association study summary data sets of IBD. The FUSION software was applied for TWAS, considering various tissues and cells. The genes identified by TWAS were then validated by the gene expression profiling data sets of IBD. The functional annotation and potential pathways of common differentially expressed genes were further subjected to gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis. Integrative analysis of TWAS and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression data detected several tissues related common genes for UC, such as HLA‐DRB1 (PTWAS = 0.024; mRNA expression ratio = 1.700) and TAP2 in colon (P TWAS = 0.047; mRNA expression ratio = 2.170). Further comparing the GO enrichment analysis results of TWAS and mRNA expression data, we identified 11 common GO terms for UC, such as plasma membrane (P value = 5.08 × 10−10) in intestinal tissues and immune response (P = 0.001) in peripheral blood. We also detected several common pathways for UC, including cell adhesion molecules (P = 0.003) in intestinal tissues, IBD (P = 0.049) in whole blood and phagosome (P = 0.0003) in peripheral blood. Our study results provide novel clues for understanding the genetic mechanism of IBD.
Organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides and bladder cancer: A case‐control study
Authors: Mortazavi Neda , Asadikaram Gholamreza , Ebadzadeh Mohammad‐Reza , Kamalati Ali , Pakmanesh Hamid , Dadgar Reza , Moazed Vahid , Paydar Parisa , Fallah Hossein , Abolhassani Moslem
Published: April 2019

Background

Exposure to pesticides is associated with an increase in the incidence of cancer. We aimed to investigate the association of serum organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) levels and GSTM1/GSTT1 gene polymorphism with bladder cancer (BC).

Methods

This study was performed on 57 patients with BC and 30 controls (C). Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, arylesterase activity of paraoxonase‐1 (ARE), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined in serums of all participants. Genomic DNA was extracted using the salting out method and GSTM1/GSTT1 gene polymorphisms were examined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay. Measurement of OCPs (α‐hexachlorocyclohexane [α‐HCH], β‐HCH, γ‐HCH, 2,4‐dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane [2,4‐DDT], 4,4‐DDT, 2,4‐ dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene [2,4‐DDE], and 4,4‐DDE) in serum was carried out using an FID‐equipped gas‐chromatography system.

Results

AChE activity was significantly lower, ARE activity and TAC were declined but it was not statistically significant, however, α‐HCH, γ‐HCH, 4,4‐DDE, 2,4‐DDT, and 4,4‐DDT pesticides, and MDA were significantly higher in BC patients compared with the control subjects. Also, a positive correlation was found between the number of smoked cigarettes and the years of smoking with BC development. There was no association between GSTM1/GSTT1 gene polymorphisms and OCPs in BC patients.

Conclusion

Due to the higher levels of some OCPs in the BC patients, along with the reduction in AChE activity and increased MDA levels, it may be concluded that OCPs and OPs play an important role in the induction of BC in southeastern Iran.
Pantoprazole attenuates tumorigenesis via inhibition of exosomal secretion in a rat model of hepatic precancerous lesion induced by diethylnitrosamine and 2‐acetamidofluorene
Authors: Matboli Marwa , ElGwad Asmaa Abd , Hasanin Amany H. , El‐Tawdi Ahmed , Habib Eman K. , Elmansy Rasha Ahmed` , Ibrahim Doaa , Shehata Hanan , Tash Fathy
Published: April 2019

The present study aimed to evaluate the potential therapeutic effect of pantoprazole, a proton‐pump inhibitor, on precancerous lesion (PCL) in rats. diethylnitrosamine and 2‐acetylaminofluorene were used to induce PCL in rats, in vivo. The rats were treated with three doses of pantoprazole (100, 50, and 25  mg/kg; three times weekly) during the last 4 weeks of the total 10 weeks of the experiment. Blood and liver tissue samples were collected for measurement of the exosomal abundance and exosomal competing endogenous RNA markers. Results revealed that pantoprazole administration had an ameliorating effect on liver function tests and microscopic features of the liver; and decreased exosome abundance in the liver tissue samples and sera of the rats. Meanwhile, the treatment also resulted in a dose‐dependent decrease in exosomal RAB11A mRNA and long noncoding RNA RP11‐513I15.6, which is an important participant in th exosomal secretion process with an increase in exosomal miRNA‐1262. Based on these results, we postulated that pantoprazole has the potential to attenuate liver tumorigenesis in this rat model.
Assessing therapist development: Reliability and validity of the Supervisee Levels Questionnaire (SLQ‐R)
Authors: Junga Yvonne M. , Witthöft Michael , Weck Florian
Published: April 2019

Background

Therapist development is a crucial target for clinical training in order to ensure high‐quality psychotherapy. A major challenge in examining therapeutic development is the assessment of developmental processes. The Supervisee Levels Questionnaire (SLQ‐R) was analyzed in this study to examine its validity, reliability, and underlying dimensional structure.

Method

Seven hundred and sixty therapists participated in an online survey concerning their current psychotherapy training. The factor structure as well as the validity of the SLQ‐R were investigated using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis.

Results

In line with the results of the exploratory factor analyses, a Bifactor ESEM (exploratory structural equation modeling) model with two factors and one global factor provided the best fit to the data. The two factors were labeled professional self‐confidence and professional insecurity.

Conclusion

Empirical support for reliability and validity of the new factor structure of the SLQ‐R was found. The instrument is useful for assessing the therapist's developmental level.
Predicting therapist ratings of treatment progress and outcomes with the MMPI‐2‐RF
Authors: Tylicki Jessica L. , Martin‐Fernandez Katy W. , Ben‐Porath Yossef S.
Published: April 2019

Objective

We examined the ability of scores on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2—Restructured Form (MMPI‐2‐RF) scales to predict treatment progress (compliance and activity in therapy) and outcome at termination (success in therapy, readiness for termination, and functioning at termination).

Method

Our sample included 448 (185 males, 263 females) community mental health center outpatients with an average age of 32.2 years (standard deviation = 10.2). We used MMPI‐2‐RF (self‐report) indicators of personality and psychopathology and a composite outcome variable that represents therapist ratings of clients’ treatment progress and outcomes.

Results

Scores on several MMPI‐2‐RF scales were correlated and associated with increased risk for poorer psychotherapy progress and outcomes in a mental health outpatient sample.

Conclusions

Clinicians can utilize the MMPI‐2‐RF to identify clients at risk for therapy process challenges and adverse outcomes, suggesting possible problem areas for intervention.
Melatonin improves functional recovery in female rats after acute spinal cord injury by modulating polarization of spinal microglial/macrophages
Authors: Zhang Yan , Liu Zongjian , Zhang Wenxiu , Wu Qichao , Zhang Yanjun , Liu Yadong , Guan Yun , Chen Xueming
Published: April 2019

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating neurological disorder, but few drugs have proven to be effective for its treatment. Neuroinflammation exaggerates the secondary injury subsequent to trauma. Emerging evidence suggests that melatonin may help protect neural tissue against secondary injury after SCI, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Microglial/macrophages polarization plays an important role in regulating immune responses. To examine whether melatonin exerts neuroprotective effects after acute SCI by regulating microglial/macrophages polarization in the spinal cord, we administered intraperitoneal injections of melatonin (50 mg/kg) in female rats immediately after SCI and then daily for seven consecutive days (n = 6). Compared with the vehicle‐treated group (n = 6), the melatonin‐treated group exhibited a greater Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan locomotor rating score, smaller spinal cavity, and less cleaved caspase 3 immunofluorescence staining in the injured spinal segments. Real‐time PCR data revealed decreases in the expression levels of M1 microglia phenotypic markers and increases in M2 markers in the spinal cord of melatonin‐treated SCI rats, as compared to levels in the vehicle‐treated group. Melatonin increased the number of CD206+ and Arg1+ cells, decreased the number of CD16+ and iNOS+ cells and reduced the levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐1β) in the spinal cord tissue of female SCI rats. Current findings suggest that melatonin may inhibit pro‐inflammatory responses and promote M2 polarization of microglial/macrophages in the spinal cord in the early stage of SCI, facilitating functional recovery. Accordingly, melatonin may represent a promising therapeutic candidate for acute SCI.
Thermal rate constant for the C(3P) + OH(X2Π) → CO(X1Σ) + H(2S) reaction using stochastic energy grained master equation method
Authors: Albernaz Alessandra F. , da Silva Washington B. , Barreto Patricia R. P. , Correa Eberth
Published: April 2019

In the present work, the kinetic mechanism of the reaction is studied. The rate constants were determined using the Master Equation Solver for Multi‐Energy Well Reactions (MESMER). The master equation modeling was also employed to examine the pressure dependence for each pathway involved. The theoretical analysis shows that the overall rate coefficient is practically independent of pressure up to 100 Torr for the temperature range 125‐500 K. The unusual dependence of the overall rate constant with temperature was fit with the d‐Arrhenius expression , where cm3molecule−1s−1, , and  kJ·mol−1, for 125⩽ T ⩽ 500 K. The thermal rate constant results are in relatively good agreement with other theoretical studies.
Susceptibility of algae to Cr toxicity reveals contrasting metal management strategies
Authors: Wilson Will , Zhang Qiong , Rickaby Rosalind E. M.
Published: April 2019

At the Paleozoic–Mesozoic boundary, the dominance of marine eukaryotic algae shifted from the green (chlorophyllb) to the red (chlorophyllc) superfamily. Selection pressures caused by the bioavailability of trace metals associated with increasing oxygenation of the ocean may have played a key role in this algal revolution. From a scan of elemental compositions, a significant difference in the cellular Cr/P quota was found between the two superfamilies. Here, the different responses to high levels of Cr exposure reveal contrasting strategies for metal uptake and homeostasis in these algal lineages. At high Cr(VI) concentrations, red lineages experience growth inhibition through reduced photosynthetic capability, while green lineages are completely unaffected. Moreover, Cr(VI) has a more significant impact on the metallomes of red lineage algae, in which metal/P ratios increased with increasing Cr(VI) concentration for many trace elements. Green algae have higher specificity transporters to prevent Cr(VI) from entering the cell, and more specific intracellular stores of Cr within the membrane fraction than the red algae, which accumulate more Cr mistakenly in the cytosol fraction via lower affinity transport mechanisms. Green algal approaches require greater nutrient investments in the more numerous transport proteins required and management of specific metals, a strategy better adapted to the resource‐rich coastal waters. By contrast, the red algae are nutrient‐efficient with fewer and less discriminate metal transporters, which can be fast and better adapted in the oligotrophic, oxygenated open ocean, which has prevailed since the deepening of the oxygen minimum zones at the start of the Mesozoic era.
SAMHSA document outlines historic references, updates to civil commitment
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: April 2019

As commitment laws and policies have evolved, public behavioral health care systems face new challenges in delivering mental health services under fiscally constrained circumstances, according to a new document on civil commitment recently published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Technical Note: The first live treatment on a 1.0 Tesla inline MRI‐linac
Authors: Liney Gary P. , Jelen Urszula , Byrne Hilary , Dong Bin , Roberts Tara L. , Kuncic Zdenka , Keall Paul
Published: April 2019

Purpose

This work describes the first live imaging and radiation delivery performed on a prototype 1.0 T inline MRI‐Linac system in a rat brain tumor model, which was conducted on 29 January 2019.

Methods

A human scale 1.0 T MRI‐Linac was adapted to be suitable for animal studies via a specially constructed open 6‐channel receiver radiofrequency (RF) coil. A Fischer rat injected with 9L glioma cells in the right hemisphere was imaged and irradiated at day 11 post surgery as part of a larger cohort survival study. The rat was anesthetized and positioned at the iscocenter of the MRI‐Linac. Imaging was used to localize the brain and confirm the presence of a tumor following the administration of a gadolinium nanoparticle contrast agent. A single dose of 10 Gy was delivered using a 2.25 cm × 2.90 cm radiation field covering the whole brain and verified with radiosensitive film in situ. Real‐time imaging was used throughout the irradiation period to monitor the animal and target position.

Results

The signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) measured in the rat brain was 38. Postcontrast imaging was able to demonstrate a tumor of 5 mm diameter in the upper right hemisphere of the brain approximately 45 min after administration of the nanoparticles. The radiation beam had no impact on SNR and images at the rate of 2 Hz were effective in monitoring both respiration and intrafractional motion. In vivo film dosimetry confirmed the intended dose delivery. The total procedure time was 35 min.

Conclusions

We have successfully used MRI guidance to localize and subsequently deliver a radiation field to the whole brain of a rat with a right hemispheric tumor. Real‐time imaging during beam on was of sufficient quality to monitor breathing and perform exception gating of the treatment. This represents the first live use of a high field inline MRI‐Linac.
GPR Investigations at St John's Co‐Cathedral in Valletta
Authors: Persico Raffaele , D'Amico Sebastiano , Matera Loredana , Colica Emanuele , De Giorgio Cynthia , Alescio Adriana , Sammut Charles , Galea Pauline
Published: April 2019

The Cathedral of St John in Valetta, Malta, represents a unique monument of historical importance. In this paper, we present the results of a detailed ground penetrating radar campaign performed in this Cathedral. The campaign was aimed at investigating the distribution of buried tombs under the mosaic floor of the main nave and of the lateral chapels of the Co‐Cathedral. The floor of the church shows a continuity of grave inscriptions in the main nave as well as in all lateral chapels. It was suspected, based on available historical documents, that only a part of the present‐day inscriptions corresponds to the original sepultures or tombs. The ground penetrating radar results presented here further highlight this conjecture and offer additional information regarding this important monument.
The Mediating Role of Brown Fat and Skeletal Muscle Measured by 18F‐Fluorodeoxyglucose in the Thermoregulatory System in Young Adults
Authors: Martinez‐Tellez Borja , Adelantado‐Renau Mireia , Acosta Francisco M. , Sanchez‐Delgado Guillermo , Martinez‐Nicolas Antonio , Boon Mariëtte R. , Llamas‐Elvira Jose M. , Martinez‐Vizcaino Vicente , Ruiz Jonatan R.
Published: April 2019

Objective

This study aimed to examine whether brown adipose tissue (BAT) or skeletal muscle activity mediates the relationship between personal level of environmental temperature (Personal‐ET) and wrist skin temperature (WT). Moreover, we examined whether BAT and skeletal muscle have a mediating role between Personal‐ET and WT (as a proxy of peripheral vasoconstriction/vasodilation).

Methods

The levels of BAT were quantified by cold‐induced 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan and measured the Personal‐ET and WT by using iButtons (Maxim Integrated, Dallas, Texas) in 75 participants (74.6% women).

Results

The study found that BAT volume and metabolic activity played a positive and significant role (up to 25.4%) in the association between Personal‐ET and WT. In addition, at the coldest temperatures, the participants with lower levels of WT (inducing higher peripheral vasoconstriction) had higher levels of BAT outcomes, whereas in warm temperatures, participants with higher levels of WT (inducing higher peripheral vasodilation) had lower levels of BAT outcomes. The study did not find any mediating role of skeletal muscle activity.

Conclusions

BAT volume and metabolic activity play a role in the relationship between Personal‐ET and WT. Moreover, the data suggest that there are two distinct phenotypes: individuals who respond better to the cold, both through nonshivering thermogenesis and peripheral vasoconstriction, and individuals who respond better to the heat.
The Swampland: Introduction and Review
Authors: Palti Eran
Published: April 2019

The Swampland program aims to distinguish effective theories which can be completed into quantum gravity in the ultraviolet from those which cannot. This article forms an introduction to the field, assuming only a knowledge of quantum field theory and general relativity. It also forms a comprehensive review, covering the range of ideas that are part of the field, from the Weak Gravity Conjecture, through compactifications of String Theory, to the de Sitter conjecture.
Prescribing trend in cardiovascular patients at Ethiopian university hospital: The number of medications and implication on the clinical improvement
Authors: Tefera Yonas G. , Abebe Tamrat B. , Mekuria Abebe B. , Kelkay Misganaw S. , Abegaz Tadesse M.
Published: April 2019

Investigating the prescribing trend is important to improve rational prescribing. This study aimed at assessing the cardiovascular drug use, pattern, and its impact on clinical outcome. A cross‐sectional study was employed in the outpatient department of chronic illness clinic of Gondar University specialized hospital, Ethiopia from 15 January 2017 to 15 March 2017. The independent variables were sociodemographic, medication, and other clinical information while cardiovascular disease improvement is the outcome variable. Binary logistic regression was used to test the association between the independent variables and the outcome variable. Kaplan Meier curve was used to analyze the clinical improvement while the Log‐rank test was employed to compare the clinical outcome with the number of medications. Eight hundred thirty‐three cardiovascular patient medical records were included in the final analysis. The majority (62.5%) of patients were females and more than 61% were above 50 years of age. Diuretics monotherapy accounted for a third (33.6%) of cardiovascular drug use, followed by combination therapy of angiotensin convertase enzyme inhibitors with Diuretics (21.8%) and calcium channel blockers with diuretics (8.3%). Cardiovascular patients followed for 72 months found to have a good level of clinical improvement on combination medication (Log Rank of 28.9, P = 0.000). In this study, diuretics monotherapy or in combination with angiotensin convertase enzyme inhibitors were found to be the frequently prescribed drugs in cardiovascular patients. Combination therapy has an implication for good cardiovascular improvement on long term follow‐up. It seems clinicians were restricted to certain cardiovascular medications while plenty of choices are available from the diverse classes of cardiovascular drugs.
Do silicon and nitric oxide induce resistance to Mahanarva spectabilis (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) in forage grasses?
Authors: Alvarenga Roberta , Auad Alexander M , Moraes Jair C , Silva Sandra EB
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

Great efforts have been made to identify grasses that are resistant to spittlebugs (Hemiptera: Cercopidae). However, the time required to develop and launch new cultivars is relatively long. The employment of resistance inducers is a current strategy that may be useful for the control of insect pests. This analysis evaluates the feasibility of using the chemical inducers silicon and nitric oxide to increase spittlebug resistance based on changes in forage grass vegetative characteristics and the biological traits of Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant, 1909).

RESULTS

Mahanarva spectabilis nymphs and adults can cause significant damage to forage grasses. Furthermore, silicon and nitric oxide inducers were not sufficient to lessen this damage by positively influencing the growth and development of forage grasses. These inducers did not negatively alter the biological parameters of M. spectabilis or diminish its population. However, phenolic compound concentrations increased when forage grasses were treated with silicon or attacked by adult insects, but this parameter was not useful to predict spittlebug resistance. This fact suggests that the physiological and biochemical changes caused by silicon should be further studied.

CONCLUSION

The current analysis demonstrated that application of the chemical inducers silicon and nitric oxide is currently not a viable strategy for the effective and economic management of M. spectabilis on Brachiaria ruziziensis, Pennisetum purpureum and Digitaria sp. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Expanding the MiniAp‐4 BBB‐shuttle family: Evaluation of proline cis‐trans ratio as tool to fine‐tune transport
Authors: Fuster Cristina , Varese Monica , García Jesús , Giralt Ernest , Sánchez‐Navarro Macarena , Teixidó Meritxell
Published: April 2019

Venoms have recently emerged as a promising field in drug discovery due to their good selectivity and affinity for a wide range of biological targets. Among their multiple potential applications, venoms are a rich source of blood‐brain barrier (BBB) peptide shuttles. We previously described a short nontoxic derivative of apamin, MiniAp‐4, which can transport a wide range of cargoes across the BBB. Here, we have studied the conformation of the proline residue of a range of MiniAp‐4 analogues by high‐field NMR techniques, with the aim to identify whether there is a direct relation between the cis/trans population and a range of features, such as the capacity to transport molecules across a human‐based cellular model and stability in various media. The most promising candidate showed improved transport properties for a relevant small fluorophore.
Therapeutic efficacy and safety of chamomile for state anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia, and sleep quality: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized trials and quasi‐randomized trials
Authors: Hieu Truong Hong , Dibas Mahmoud , Surya Dila Kadek Agus , Sherif Nourin Ali , Hashmi Muhammad Usman , Mahmoud Mostafa , Trang Nguyen Thi Thuy , Abdullah Lava , Nghia Thai Le Ba , Y Mai Nhu , Hirayama Kenji , Huy Nguyen Tien
Published: April 2019

This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to study the efficacy and safety of chamomile for the treatment of state anxiety, generalized anxiety disorders (GADs), sleep quality, and insomnia in human. Eleven databases including PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane Central, and Scopus were searched to retrieve relevant randomized control trials (RCTs), and 12 RCTs were included. Random effect meta‐analysis was performed by meta package of R statistical software version 3.4.3 and RevMan version 5.3. Our meta‐analysis of three RCTs did not show any difference in case of anxiety (standardized mean difference = −0.15, 95% CI [−0.46, 0.16],P = 0.4214). Moreover, there is only one RCT that evaluated the effect of chamomile on insomnia and it found no significant change in insomnia severity index (P > 0.05). By using HAM‐A scale, there was a significant improvement in GAD after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment (mean difference = −1.43, 95% CI [−2.47, −0.39],P = 0.007), (MD = −1.79, 95% CI [−3.14, −0.43],P = 0.0097), respectively. Noteworthy, our meta‐analysis showed a significant improvement in sleep quality after chamomile administration (standardized mean difference = −0.73, 95% CI [−1.23, −0.23],P < 0.005). Mild adverse events were only reported by three RCTs. Chamomile appears to be efficacious and safe for sleep quality and GAD. Little evidence is there to show its effect on anxiety and insomnia. Larger RCTs are needed to ascertain these findings.
Particle filters for high‐dimensional geoscience applications: A review
Authors: van Leeuwen Peter Jan , Künsch Hans R. , Nerger Lars , Potthast Roland , Reich Sebastian
Published: April 2019

Particle filters contain the promise of fully nonlinear data assimilation. They have been applied in numerous science areas, including the geosciences, but their application to high‐dimensional geoscience systems has been limited due to their inefficiency in high‐dimensional systems in standard settings. However, huge progress has been made, and this limitation is disappearing fast due to recent developments in proposal densities, the use of ideas from (optimal) transportation, the use of localization and intelligent adaptive resampling strategies. Furthermore, powerful hybrids between particle filters and ensemble Kalman filters and variational methods have been developed. We present a state‐of‐the‐art discussion of present efforts of developing particle filters for high‐dimensional nonlinear geoscience state‐estimation problems, with an emphasis on atmospheric and oceanic applications, including many new ideas, derivations and unifications, highlighting hidden connections, including pseudo‐code, and generating a valuable tool and guide for the community. Initial experiments show that particle filters can be competitive with present‐day methods for numerical weather prediction, suggesting that they will become mainstream soon.
An option pricing approach to corporate dividends and the capital investment financing decision
Authors: Chance Don M.
Published: April 2019

In light of a growing trend toward viewing dividends as an investable asset class, this article opens up a new perspective on their valuation. We show that dividends can be viewed as options on the cash flow of the firm. That is, a firm either pays zero dividends, in which case the option expires out‐of‐the‐money, or it pays a positive dividend, the value of which corresponds to the option's moneyness. The exercise price is determined by the capital budget, the flexibility of the company to use external financing, and whether it has minimum and maximum dividends. The model is also capable of accommodating a stochastic capital budget, which allows for uncertain growth opportunities and their correlation with the firm's cash flows. We also present an application of the model using actual data for a large multinational company.
Parental endowments versus business acumen: Assessing the fate of low‐tech, service‐sector spinouts
Authors: Hunt Richard A. , Lerner Daniel A. , Townsend David M.
Published: April 2019

Research Summary

In recent years, scholarship on intraindustry entrepreneurial spinouts has coalesced around a heredity‐focused perspective, propounding the notion that spinouts from high‐quality parent‐firms outperform those emanating from low‐quality parent‐firms. This view has found strong support in high‐tech sectors, but it is unclear whether parental lineage is a determinant of performance and survival in sectors exhibiting low‐technological dynamism, especially when the locus of value creation stems from generalist rather than technical‐specialist knowledge. Applying the knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship and jack‐of‐all‐trades framework, we assess the fate of a complete population of 678 service‐sector firms for the entire 32‐year history of an industry. Our study offers explanatory mechanisms that more fully account for the non‐hereditary success factors driving performance heterogeneity among entrepreneurial spinouts.

Managerial Summary

In many industries, half or more of the firms are founded by former employees of existing companies (i.e., “entrepreneurial spinouts”). In high‐tech sectors, these “spinouts” often appear to perform better than entrants without prior industry experience. Moreover, spinouts spawned by high‐performing parent‐firms tend to out‐perform spinouts from low‐performing parents, suggesting that spinouts benefit from advantageous parental knowledge and capabilities. However, this does not seem to be the case among spinouts in industries characterized by low‐technological dynamism. Our findings indicate that when technological dynamism is low, general business acumen eclipses parental lineage in determining spinout performance. In these cases, spinout founders with primarily technical experience would be well‐served by partnering with individuals possessing experience in marketing, sales, and day‐to‐day business management.
Managing history: How New Zealand's Gallagher Group used rhetorical narratives to reprioritize and modify imprinted strategic guideposts
Authors: Sinha Paresha N. , Jaskiewicz Peter , Gibb Jenny , Combs James G.
Published: April 2019

Research Summary

Imprinting theory predicts that organizations are imprinted with multiple intersecting imprints that persist. Evidence suggests, however, that imprints are sometimes reprioritized or modified, implying that they can be strategically managed. We draw upon rhetorical history research and an in‐depth historical case study of New Zealand's Gallagher Group to describe how one firm managed its imprints. Our inductive theorizing links historically imprinted strategic guideposts to decision‐making via two rearranging processes—that is, prioritizing and suspending—wherein managers use narratives to rearrange guideposts' influence and two scope modifying processes—that is, constraining and expanding—wherein managers change where guideposts apply. As a first explanation of how imprints are managed, these processes add nuance to existing theory and open new research avenues regarding additional processes and boundary conditions.

Managerial Summary

Imprints are elements of culture, strategy, structure, or decision‐making that emerge when the firm is founded or during times of turmoil. Imprints resist change and make organizational adaptation difficult. This study explains one way that managers manipulate imprinted decision‐making rules so that organizations can adapt. Using an in‐depth historical case study of New Zealand's Gallagher Group from 1938 to 2015, we follow four imprinted decision‐making rules that we call strategic guideposts and show how managers rhetorically revised these rules to adapt organizational decision‐making to changing environments. Managers prioritized some decision‐making rules while deemphasizing others or they changed their claims about the kinds of decisions where a decision‐rule applied. Knowing these rhetorical processes can help managers leverage their organization's history to facilitate necessary organizational change.
Colored concrete restoration method: For chromatic design and application of restoration mortars on smooth surfaces of colored concrete
Authors: Miranda Judite , Valença Jónatas , Júlio Eduardo
Published: April 2019

Interventions on “Concrete Heritage” imply special aesthetic requirements, especially from the chromatic point‐of‐view, between the repair material and the substrate. Currently, there is a lack of products and methods that address these concerns. This paper presents the Colored Concrete Restoration Method (CCR‐method), to the chromatic design and application of restoration mortars on colored concrete surfaces. The CCR‐method comprises: (a) chromatic characterization of surfaces by image processing; (b) design and color tuning of restoration mortar, through adding pigments to a white mortar; (c) production and application of restoration mortar; and (d) evaluation of the restoration. The CCR‐method was applied to the restoration of yellow concrete panels with smooth surfaces and enables the desired color matching of the restoration, which is not perceptible to the human eye. The results obtained evidencing the ability of CCR‐method to define, design and apply color restoration mortars, proving to be an extremely useful tool for interventions on “Concrete Heritage.”
Simply-Laced Quantum Connections Generalising KZ
Authors: Rembado Gabriele
Published: April 2019

We construct a new family of flat connections generalising the KZ connection, the Casimir connection and the dynamical connection. These new connections are attached to simply-laced graphs, and are obtained via quantisation of time-dependent Hamiltonian systems controlling the isomonodromic deformations of meromorphic connections on the sphere.
Clinical and Functional Outcome After Abdominal Wall Incisional Hernia Repair: Evaluation of Quality‐of‐Life Improvement and Comparison of Assessment Scales
Authors: Licari Leo , Guercio Giovanni , Campanella Sofia , Scerrino Gregorio , Bonventre Sebastiano , Tutino Roberta , Gulotta Leonardo , Profita Giuseppe , Scaturro Dalila , Letizia Mauro Giulia , Salamone Giuseppe
Published: April 2019

Background

Hernias severely impact patient quality of life (QoL), and 80% of patients need surgical operation. The primary outcome of the study is to assess improvements in balance, posture and deambulation after abdominal hernia repair. Moreover, the study investigated the improvement in the postoperative QoL.

Methods

Patients operated at the Policlinico “Paolo Giaccone” at Palermo University Hospital between June 2015 and June 2017 were identified in a prospective database. The functional outcome measures and QoL assessment scales used were numeric rating scale for pain, performance‐oriented mobility assessment (POMA) scale, Quebec back pain disability scale, center of gravity (barycenter) variation evaluation, Short‐Form (36) Health Survey (SF‐36 test), sit‐up test and Activities Assessment Scale (AAS). The timepoints at which the parameters listed were assessed for the study were 1 week before the surgical operation and 6 months later.

Results

The POMA scale showed a significant improvement, with an overall preoperative score of (mean; SD) 18.80 ± 2.17 and a postoperative score of 23.56 ± 2.24 with a p < 0.003. The improvement of the barycenter was significant with p = 0.03 and 0.01 for the right and left inferior limbs, respectively. Finally, common daily activities reported by the SF‐36 test and by the AAS were significantly improved with a reported p of ≤0.04 for 5 of eight items and ≤0.002 for all items, respectively.

Conclusions

The improvement in such physical measures proves the importance of abdominal wall restoration to recover functional activity in the muscle–skeletal complex balance, gait and movement performance.
Surgical Outcomes in Patients with Abdominal Cocoon: Series of 15 Patients
Authors: Singh Harjeet , Irrinki Santhosh , Yadav Thakur Deen , Kumar Hemanth , Kharel Jyoti , Dhaka Narender , Mandavdhare Harshal , Sharma Vishal
Published: April 2019

Background

Abdominal cocoon (AC) or sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis is an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction. Surgical intervention is warranted in patients with persistent pain or intestinal obstruction.

Methodology

A retrospective analysis of patients operated for AC was performed. Clinical presentation, radiological data, postoperative outcomes (Ryles tube (RT) removal, duration of hospital stay, enterocutaneous fistula, requirement for re‐exploration and mortality) were retrieved and analyzed.

Results

Fifteen patients of abdominal cocoon required surgical intervention for various indications. The mean age was 34.46 years (13–60), and 11 (73.3%) were males. Intermittent abdominal pain was present in 14 (93.3%) followed by recurrent subacute intestinal obstruction (SAIO) in 11 (73.3%). Three patients presented with intestinal perforation. Of the 14 patients with preoperative computed tomography, radiological diagnosis was possible in five patients. The mean duration for surgery was 159 min (60–360 min). Membrane encasement was complete in 9/15 and partial in 6/15 patients. Adhesiolysis was done in all patients (complete—10/15 and partial—5/15). Mean duration for RT removal and hospital stay was 4.3 and 12.3 days, respectively. Recurrence of SAIO was observed in three patients, and one patient needed re‐exploration for the same. One patient developed postoperative enterocutaneous fistula requiring surgical intervention. Overall mortality in the study was 13.3% (2/15). Four patients had underlying tuberculosis, and the rest were idiopathic.

Conclusion

Etiology of AC is not known in majority of patients. Persistent pain and recurrent SAIO are the most common indications for surgery. This morbidity associated with surgery can be reduced by meticulous dissection techniques and appropriate peri‐operative care.
Association of Surgical Volume and Quality Management in Thyroid Surgery: A Two‐Nation Multicenter Study
Authors: Jakob Dominik A. , Riss Philipp , Scheuba Christian , Hermann Michael , Kim‐Fuchs Corina , Seiler Christian A. , Walter Martin A. , Kaderli Reto M.
Published: April 2019

Background

High‐volume caseload in thyroid surgery is associated with lower postoperative complication rates resulting to better outcomes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation of the departments’ annual number of thyroid surgeries on the adherence to consensus guidelines and on the implementation of measures for quality assurance.

Methods

In 2016, we sent an anonymous electronic survey with questions related to the perioperative management in thyroid surgery to all directors of departments in operative medicine in Switzerland and Austria. We compared the pre‐ and postoperative management with the summarized recommendations of the four most frequently used consensus guidelines. Analogously, we analyzed the implementation of six measures for quality assurance related to thyroid surgery for each participating department. Using logistic regression analysis, we evaluated the correlation of number of guidelines respected and number of measures for quality assurance with the departments’ annual number of surgeries performed. Furthermore, we evaluated the number of departments providing thyroid cancer surgery and their experience in neck dissection.

Results

The management corresponded in 64.0% to the summarized recommendations. Adherence to the summarized recommendations and implementation of measures for quality assurance were significantly more likely with increasing numbers of surgeries performed (p = 0.049 and p < 0.001). Ninety‐two departments provided thyroid cancer surgery, whereas 12/92 (13.0%) were not able to perform central and/or lateral neck dissection.

Conclusion

Consensus guidelines are insufficiently implemented within thyroid surgery, and quality management is associated with surgical volume.
Disrupting dark web supply chains to protect precious data
Authors: Wilson Emily
Published: April 2019

In our digital-centric, always-on, cloud-powered world, data is your organisation's biggest asset. Whether it's sensitive customer information, intellectual property (IP) or closely guarded financial and other corporate data, it might already be up for sale on the dark web. Cybercrime and online fraud are now easier than ever thanks to these sophisticated underground markets.

Data is your organisation's biggest asset. But whether it's customer information, intellectual property or financial and other corporate data, it might already be up for sale on the dark web.
The art of phishing: past, present and future
Authors: Binks Adam
Published: April 2019

What may seem like one of the oldest tricks in the cyber criminal handbook is on the rise – phishing. These scams are becoming so common and advanced that it's often difficult to discern between genuine and fake emails, and the vast majority of cyber attacks begin with a phishing email. 1

Phishing scams are becoming so common and advanced that it's often difficult to discern between genuine and fake emails.
Avoiding the weaknesses of a penetration test
Authors: Baiardi Fabrizio
Published: April 2019

A penetration test is a traditional solution for evaluating and improving the robustness of an ICT system. Such tests can be comprehensive, but problems can arise when deciding how to use its results to select the countermeasures against a successful penetration. These problems may explain the successful attacks against systems that previously passed such tests. So, it's useful to look at some theoretical explanations of the weaknesses of a penetration test and suggest some alternatives.
Buprenorphine/naloxone induction in a Canadian emergency department with rapid access to community-based addictions providers
Authors: Hu Tina , Snider-Adler Melissa , Nijmeh Larry , Pyle Adam
Published: April 2019

Objectives

Opioid-related emergency department (ED) visits have increased significantly in recent years. Our objective was to evaluate an ED-initiated buprenorphine/naloxone program, which provided rapid access to an outpatient community-based addictions clinic, for patients in opioid withdrawal.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was completed within a health system encompassing four community EDs in Ontario, Canada. Patients were screened for opioid withdrawal between April 2017-December 2017 and offered buprenorphine/naloxone treatment and referral to outpatient addictions follow-up. The main outcome measure was treatment retention in the six-month period after the index visit.

Results

The overall sample (N = 49) showed high healthcare utilization in the year prior to the index ED visit. 88% of patients (n = 43) consented to ED-initiated buprenorphine/naloxone and were referred to outpatient addictions follow-up, with 54% attending the initial follow-up visit. In the 6-month follow-up period from the index ED visit, 35% of patients were receiving ongoing buprenorphine/naloxone treatment and 2.3% were weaned off opioids. Patients with ongoing treatment had significantly lower number of ED visits at 3 and 6 months (3 and 10, respectively) compared to patients who did not show up for outpatient follow-up (28, 40) or started/stopped treatment (23, 41).

Conclusions

Screening for opioid use disorder in the ED and initiating buprenorphine/naloxone treatment with rapid referral to an outpatient community-based addictions clinic led to a 6-month treatment retention rate of 37% and a significant reduction in ED visits at 3 and 6 months. Buprenorphine/naloxone initiation in the ED appears to be an effective intervention, but further research is needed.
Point-of-care ultrasound before attempting clean-catch urine collection in infants: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Weill Olivia , Labrosse Mélanie , Levy Arielle , Desjardins Marie Pier , Trottier Evelyne D. , Gravel Jocelyn
Published: April 2019

Objective

A new non-invasive bladder stimulation technique has been described to obtain clean-catch urine specimens in infants. This study aimed to evaluate if point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) guided feeding protocol to measure bladder volume prior to stimulation techniques improves clean-catch urine collection success.

Methods

A prospective randomized controlled trial study was conducted in a tertiary care pediatric emergency department. Infants aged less than 6 months needing a urine sample were randomized to either POCUS group or feeding group (standard procedure) before performing a standardized clean-catch urine stimulation technique. In the POCUS group, a feeding period was permitted if the bladder width was less than 2 cm, otherwise the clean-catch urine was performed immediately. The primary outcome was the success of the procedure defined by the collection of at least 2 mL of urine, obtained within 300 seconds of bladder stimulation manoeuvres. It was estimated that the recruitment of 200 children was necessary to yield 80% power to identify an improvement of 20% in the success rate.

Results

A total of 201 infants were included. The procedure was not more successful in the POCUS group (48%) compared to the feeding group (54%) (Difference: 6.5%; 95% CI: -7.3 to 19.8%). The mean time to collect urine samples from randomization to sample collection was not different between the two groups.

Conclusions

Our study failed to show a benefit of using POCUS to improve the success rate of stimulated clean-catch urine. Moreover, the importance of the feeding period prior to clean-catch urine manoeuvres should be evaluated further.

Clinical Trial Registration

NCT02751671