bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isoform-selective NADPH oxidase inhibitor panel for pharmacological target validation
Authors: Dao V.T. , Elbatreek Mahmoud H. , Altenhöfer S. , Casas Ana I. , Pachado M.P. , Neullens C.T. , Knaus U. , Schmidt H.H.H.W.
Published: August 2018

Unphysiological reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation is considered an important pathomechanism for several disease phenotypes with high unmet medical need. Therapeutically, antioxidants have failed multiple times. Instead, focusing on only disease-relevant, enzymatic sources of ROS appears to be a more promising and highly validated approach. Here the family of five NADPH oxidases (NOX) stands out as drug targets. Validation has been restricted, however, mainly to genetically modified rodents and is lacking in other species including human. It is thus unclear whether the different NOX isoforms are sufficiently distinct to allow selective pharmacological modulation. Here we show for five of the most advanced NOX inhibitors that indeed isoform selectivity can be achieved. NOX1 was most potently (IC50) targeted by ML171 (0.1 μM); NOX2, by VAS2870 (0.7 μM); NOX4, by M13 (0.01 μM) and NOX5, by ML090 (0.01 μM). Conditions need to be carefully controlled though as previously unrecognized non-specific antioxidant and assay artefacts may limit the interpretation of data and this included, surprisingly, one of the most advanced NOX inhibitors, GKT136901. As proof-of-principle that now also pharmacological and non-rodent target validation of different NOX isoforms is possible, we used a human blood-brain barrier model and NOX inhibitor panel at IC50 concentrations. The protective efficacy pattern of this panel confirmed the predominant role of NOX4 in stroke from previous genetic models. Our findings strongly encourage further lead optimization efforts for isoform-selective NOX inhibitors and clinical development and provide an experimental alternative when genetic validation of a NOX isoform is not an option.

Graphical abstract
Desiccation-induced changes in recombination rate and crossover interference inDrosophila melanogaster: evidence for fitness-dependent plasticity
Authors: Aggarwal Dau Dayal , Rybnikov Sviatoslav R. , Cohen Irit , Frenkel Zeev , Rashkovetsky Eugenia , Michalak Pawel , Korol Abraham B.
Published: August 2018

Meiotic recombination is evolutionarily ambiguous, as being associated with both benefits and costs to its bearers, with the resultant dependent on a variety of conditions. While existing theoretical models explain the emergence and maintenance of recombination, some of its essential features remain underexplored. Here we focus on one such feature, recombination plasticity, and test whether recombination response to stress is fitness-dependent. We compare desiccation stress effects on recombination rate and crossover interference in chromosome 3 between desiccation-sensitive and desiccation-tolerantDrosophilalines. We show that relative to desiccation-tolerant genotypes, desiccation-sensitive genotypes exhibit a significant segment-specific increase in single- and double-crossover frequencies across the pericentromeric region of chromosome 3. Significant changes (relaxation) in crossover interference were found for the interval pairs flanking the centromere and extending to the left arm of the chromosome. These results indicate that desiccation is a recombinogenic factor and that desiccation-induced changes in both recombination rate and crossover interference are fitness-dependent, with a tendency of less fitted individuals to produce more variable progeny. Such a dependence may play an important role in the regulation of genetic variation in populations experiencing environmental challenges.
Machine learning identifies the immunological signature of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: Van Nieuwenhove Erika , Lagou Vasiliki , Van Eyck Lien , Dooley James , Bodenhofer Ulrich , Goris An , Humblet-Baron Stephanie , Wouters Carine , Liston Adrian
Published: August 2018

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common childhood rheumatic disease, with a strongly debated pathophysiological origin. Both adaptive and innate immune processes have been proposed as primary drivers, which may account for the observed clinical heterogeneity, but few high-depth studies have been performed. Here we profiled the adaptive immune system of 85 JIA patients and 43 age-matched controls, identifying immunological changes unique to JIA and others common across a broad spectrum of childhood inflammatory diseases. The JIA immune signature was shared between clinically distinct subsets, but was accentuated in the systemic JIA patients and those patients with active disease. Despite the extensive overlap in the immunological spectrum exhibited by healthy children and JIA patients, machine learning analysis of the dataset proved capable of diagnosis of JIA patients with ~90% accuracy. These results pave the way for large-scale longitudinal studies of JIA, where machine learning could be used to predict immune signatures that correspond to treatment response group.
Skin Lesion Segmentation with Improved C-UNet Networks
Authors: Jiang Hongda , Rong Ruichen , Wu Junyan , Li Xiaoxiao , Dong Xu , Chen Eric Z
Published: August 2018

—This paper proposes an innovative method for Part1, skin lesion segmentation of the ISIC 2018 Challenge. Our network C-UNet is based on UNet network, we combined several methods on this basic network which made some improvements on Jaccard Index ultimately, our method yield an average Jaccard Index of 0.77 on the On-line validation dataset.
Can transcranial electric stimulation with multiple electrodes reach deep targets?
Authors: Huang Yu , Parra Lucas C
Published: August 2018

To reach a deep target in the brain with transcranial electric stimulation (TES), currents have to pass also through the cortical surface. Thus, it is generally thought that TES cannot achieve focal deep brain stimulation. Recent efforts with interfering waveforms and pulsed stimulation have argued that one can achieve deeper or more intense stimulation in the brain. Here we argue that conventional transcranial stimulation with multiple current sources is just as effective as these new approaches. The conventional multi-electrode approach can be numerically optimized to maximize intensity or focality at a desired target location. Using such optimal electrode configurations we find in a detailed and realistic head model that deep targets may in fact be strongly stimulated, with cerebrospinal fluid guiding currents deep into the brain.
Synapse-selective control of cortical maturation and plasticity engages an interneuron-autonomous synaptic switch
Authors: Ribic Adema , Crair Michael C. , Biederer Thomas
Published: August 2018

Highlights

The synaptogenic molecule SynCAM 1 is selectively regulated by visual experience

SynCAM 1 controls thalamic input onto cortical Parvalbumin (PV+) interneurons

PV+-specific knockdown of SynCAM 1 arrests maturation of cortical inhibition

Thalamic excitation onto PV+ interneurons is essential for critical period closure

eTOC Blurb

Ribic et al. show that network plasticity in both young and adult cortex is restricted by the synapse organizing molecule SynCAM 1. On a cellular level, it functions in Parvalbumin-positive interneurons to recruit thalamocortical terminals. This controls the maturation of inhibitory drive and restricts plasticity in the cortex. These results reveal the synaptic locus of cortical plasticity and identify the first cell-autonomous synaptic factor for closure of cortical critical periods.

Brain plasticity peaks early in life and tapers in adulthood. This is exemplified in the primary visual cortex, where brief loss of vision to one eye abrogates cortical responses to inputs from that eye during the critical period, but not in adulthood. The synaptic locus of critical period plasticity and the cell-autonomous synaptic factors timing these periods remain unclear. We here demonstrate that the immunoglobulin protein Synaptic Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (SynCAM 1/Cadm1) is regulated by visual experience and limits visual cortex plasticity. SynCAM 1 selectively controls the number of excitatory thalamocortical (TC) inputs onto Parvalbumin (PV+) interneurons and loss of SynCAM 1 in turn impairs the maturation of TC-driven feed-forward inhibition. SynCAM 1 acts in cortical PV+ interneurons to perform these functions and its PV+-specific knockdown prevents the age-related plasticity decline. These results identify a synapse type-specific, cell-autonomous mechanism that governs circuit maturation and closes the visual critical period.
The allergic response mediated by fire ant venom proteins
Authors: Daniel Zamith-Miranda , Fox Eduardo G. P. , Monteiro Ana Paula , Gama Diogo , Poublan Luiz E. , de Araujo Almair Ferreira , Araujo Maria F. C. , Atella Georgia C. , Machado Ednildo A. , Diaz Bruno L.
Published: August 2018

Fire ants are widely studied, invasive and venomous arthropod pests. There is significant biomedical interest in immunotherapy against fire ant stings. However, mainly due to practical reasons, the physiological effects of envenomation has remained poorly characterized. The present study takes advantage of a recently-described venom protein extract to delineate the immunological pathways underlying the allergic reaction to fire ant venom toxins. Mice were injected with controlled doses of venom protein extract. Following sensitization and a second exposure, a marked footpad swelling was observed. Based on eosinophil recruitment and production of Th2 cytokines, we hereby establish that fire ant proteinsper secan lead to an allergic response, which casts a new light into the mechanism of action of these toxins.
Ancestry-dependent Enrichment of Deleterious Homozygotes in Runs of Homozygosity
Authors: Szpiech Zachary A. , Mak Angel C.Y. , White Marquitta J. , Hu Donglei , Eng Celeste , Burchard Esteban G. , Hernandez Ryan D.
Published: August 2018

Runs of homozygosity (ROH) are important genomic features that manifest when an individual inherits two haplotypes that are identical-by-descent. Their length distributions are informative about population history, and their genomic locations are useful for mapping recessive loci contributing to both Mendelian and complex disease risk. We have previously shown that ROH, and especially long ROH that are likely the result of recent parental relatedness, are enriched for homozygous deleterious coding variation in a worldwide sample of outbred individuals. However, the distribution of ROH in admixed populations and their relationship to deleterious homozygous genotypes is understudied. Here we analyze whole genome sequencing data from 1,441 individuals from self-identified African American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican American populations. These populations are three-way admixed between European, African, and Native American ancestries and provide an opportunity to study the distribution of deleterious alleles partitioned by local ancestry and ROH. We re-capitulate previous findings that long ROH are enriched for deleterious variation genome-wide. We then partition by local ancestry and show that deleterious homozygotes arise at a higher rate when ROH overlap African ancestry segments than when they overlap European or Native American ancestry segments of the genome. These results suggest that, while ROH on any haplotype background are associated with an inflation of deleterious homozygous variation, African haplotype backgrounds may play a particularly important role in the genetic architecture of complex diseases for admixed individuals, highlighting the need for further study of these populations.
Adaptive phenotypic divergence in an annual grass differs across biotic contexts
Authors: O'Brien Anna M , Sawers Ruairidh J.H. , Strauss Sharon Y , Ross-Ibarra Jeffrey
Published: August 2018

Climate is a powerful force shaping adaptation within species, yet adaptation to climate does not occur in a vacuum: species interactions can filter fitness consequences of genetic variation by altering phenotypic expression of genotypes. We investigated this process using populations of teosinte, a wild annual grass related to maize (Zea mays ssp. mexicana), sampling plants from ten sites along an elevational gradient as well as rhizosphere biota from three of those sites. We grew half-sibling teosinte families in each biota to test whether trait divergence among teosinte populations reflects adaptation or drift, and whether rhizosphere biota affect expression of diverged traits. We further assayed the influence of rhizosphere biota on contemporary additive genetic variation. We found that adaptation across environment shaped divergence of some traits, particularly flowering time and root biomass. We also observed that different rhizosphere biota shifted expressed values of these traits within teosinte populations and families and altered within-population genetic variance and covariance. In sum, our results imply that changes in trait expression and covariance elicited by rhizosphere communities may have played a historical role in teosinte adaptation to environments and that they are likely to continue to play a role in the response to future selection.
Microsatellite enhancers can be targeted to impair tumorigenesis
Authors: Kaeding Kelsey E. , Zaret Kenneth S.
Published: August 2018

Dysregulation of repetitive elements has been implicated in many cancers and other human diseases; however, the role of repetitive elements remains largely unexplored. In this issue of Genes & Development, Boulay and colleagues (pp. 1008–1019) explore the ability of GGAA repeats to act as alternative enhancers activated by EWS-FLI1 in Ewing sarcoma and contribute to tumorigenesis. Using CRISPR-mediated epigenome editing, repression of EWS-FLI1 targeted microsatellite enhancers halted aberrant gene expression and impaired the growth of Ewing sarcoma xenografts in vivo. The study reveals the regulatory capacity of repetitive elements in cancer and offers insight into therapeutic targets for Ewing sarcoma.
Purification of Yeast Artificial Chromosome DNA for Microinjection Using Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis and Ultrafiltration
Authors: Montoliu Lluis
Published: August 2018

This protocol describes a method for concentrating yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) DNA preparations following separation of chromosomes by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The agarose slice containing the YAC DNA of interest is melted and digested. The resulting YAC DNA-containing solution is concentrated using ultrafiltration units with a 30,000-mwt cutoff. The DNA is retained in the upper container, where it concentrates sixfold to sevenfold. Ideally, YAC DNA preparations at 10–60 ng/µL can be obtained. However, great care must be taken to recover the YAC DNA molecules that sometimes irreversibly attach to the filter membrane. This procedure can also be used to concentrate BAC DNA from PFGE gel slices of BAC DNA-containing agarose exactly as described for YACs.
Large-Scale Preparation of Yeast Agarose Plugs to Isolate Yeast Artificial Chromosome DNA
Authors: Montoliu Lluis
Published: August 2018

The microinjection of DNA directly into the pronuclei of fertilized zygotes is the most extensively used method of gene transfer in the mouse. The injection of very large pieces of DNA, including bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) and yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs), has become increasingly popular because their size normally accommodates all of the regulatory elements that are needed for a given expression domain to function adequately in an ectopic genomic location. This protocol describes how to prepare large-scale yeast agarose plugs to isolate YAC DNA. The quality of the YAC DNA preparation is the most important consideration in optimizing transgenic mouse production.
Chemical Screening Using Cell-Free Xenopus Egg Extract
Authors: Broadus Matthew R. , Lee Ethan
Published: August 2018

Most drug screening methods use purified proteins, cultured cells, and/or small model organisms such as Xenopus, zebrafish, flies, or nematodes. These systems have proven successes in drug discovery, but they also have weaknesses. Although purified cellular components allow for identification of compounds with activity against specific targets, such systems lack the complex biological interactions present in cellular and organismal screens. In vivo systems overcome these weaknesses, but the lack of cellular permeability, efflux by cellular pumps, and/or toxicity can be major limitations. Xenopus laevis egg extract, a concentrated and biologically active cytosol, can potentially overcome these weaknesses. Drug interactions occur in a near-physiological milieu, thereby functioning in a “truer” endogenous manner than purified components. Also, Xenopus egg extract is a cell-free system that lacks intact plasma membranes that could restrict drug access to potential targets. Finally, Xenopus egg extract is readily manipulated at the protein level: Proteins are easily depleted or added to the system, an important feature for analyzing drug effects in disease states. Thus, Xenopus egg extract offers an attractive media for screening drugs that merges strengths of both in vitro and in vivo systems.
Women’s roles in women’s career advancement: what do women expect of each other?
Authors: O’Neil Deborah A. , Brooks Margaret E. , Hopkins Margaret M.
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to better understand women’s working relationships and career support behaviors, by investigating expectations women have of other women regarding senior women’s roles in (and motivations for) helping junior women succeed, and junior women’s engagement in their own career advancement behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors surveyed self- and other-reports of senior women’s engagement in career assistance behaviors on behalf of junior women colleagues, and junior women’s engagement in their own career advancement behaviors. One sample of respondents indicated to what extent they believed senior women did engage in career assistance toward junior women, and to what extent they believed junior women did engage in career advancement. Another sample indicated to what extent they believed senior women should engage in career assistance, and to what extent they believed junior women should engage in their own career advancement.

Findings

Results suggest a disconnect between the expectations and perceptions junior and senior women have of each other. Junior women expect senior women to engage in career assistance behaviors to a greater degree than they believe senior women are engaging in such behaviors, and junior women think they are doing more to advance their careers than senior women are expecting them to do. The authors examine individual and organizational implications of these unmet expectations and perception mismatches.

Originality/value

Women-to-women working relationships are under-studied, and typically viewed in either/or terms – good or bad. The findings provide a more nuanced understanding of women’s perceptions and expectations and offer suggestions for how women can influence female career advancement.
Car model reconstruction from images through character line recognition
Authors: Wang Bo , Giannini Franca , Monti Marina , Li BaoJun , Hu Ping , Liang JiCai
Published: August 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to automatically derive a 2D parametric model of the main characteristic lines of a car from images, blueprints or hand-made sketches of its side view. Then this model can be used for the further computer-aided design manipulation starting from images of the side view of a car.

Design/methodology/approach

The method combines different image edge detection techniques and edge removal processes with optimization techniques according to local and global constraints specific of the single curves to automatically construct a precise parametric model of the main character lines of a car from images. First, process the car image to compute the most important curves and then warp a car template model to match its feature points and curves with the ones detected in the image.

Findings

The paper provides method to construct parametric model from an image using maximum cover ratio to the edge points obtained by state-of-the-art edge detection algorithms. A feature points’ organization mechanism produces quadric curves to express feature curves of a product.

Research limitations/implications

The robustness of the presented method depends on the completeness of edge detection results and the accuracy of some key points’ registration result, so if the image is not good, the result cannot be trusted. Only side-view is considered in this paper. Additional limits in the process regard the side view verification: pictures of the front or rear view can be wrongly classified as lateral ones when they contain round lights.

Practical implications

This program enables designers to convert the image to geometric parametric model directly.

Originality/value

The method is applicable to shaded pictures, sketches and blue prints of the side view of a car. It can process a database of car images in a batch mode or a specific picture on user demand. The method classifies the cars to different categories: SUV/Wagon/Hatchback, sedan, city and coupe. The authors obtain good results for every category.
Hospital service quality – patient preferences – a discrete choice experiment
Authors: Bahrampour Mina , Bahrampour Abbas , Amiresmaili Mohammadreza , Barouni Mohsen
Published: August 2018

Purpose

High quality healthcare is important to all patients. If healthcare is felt to be high quality, then patients will be satisfied, and the relationship between patients and healthcare providers will improve. Patient satisfaction is among the most commonly used service quality indicators; however, it is not fully known which factors influence satisfaction. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the elements that affect both healthcare quality and patient satisfaction. Nowadays, several methods are used in health economics to assess patient preferences, prioritize them and help health policy makers improve services. Discrete choice experiment (DCE) is one method that is useful to elicit patient preferences regarding healthcare services. The purpose of this paper is to apply DCE and elicit patient preferences in medical centers to rank certain healthcare quality factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The descriptive, analytical study used a cross-sectional questionnaire that the authors developed. In total, 12 scenarios were chosen after applying fractional factorials. The questionnaire was completed by patients who were admitted to Kerman General Teaching Hospitals, South-East Iran in 2015. Patient preferences were identified by calculating the characteristics’ marginal effects and prioritizing them. The generalized estimation equation (GEE) model was used to determine attribute effects on patient preferences.

Findings

In total, 167 patients completed the questionnaire. Prioritizing the attributes showed that “physical examination” was the most important attribute. Other key features included “cleanliness,” “training after discharging,” “medical staff attention,” “waiting for admission” and “staff attitude.” All attributes were statistically significant (p<0.05) except staff behavior. No demographic characteristic was significant.

Practical implications

To increase hospital patient satisfaction, health policy makers should develop programs to enhance healthcare quality and hospital safety by increasing physical examination quality and other services.

Originality/value

To estimate DCE independent variables, logistic regression models are usually used. The authors used the GEE model to estimate discrete choice experiment owing the explanatory variables’ dependency.
High-cost sharing policies and non-urgent emergency department visits
Authors: Xin Haichang
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether high-cost-sharing ambulatory care policies affect non-urgent emergency department (ED) care utilization differently among individuals with and without chronic conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

This retrospective cohort study used 2010–2011 US Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data. Difference-in-difference methods, multivariate logit model and survey procedures were employed. Time lag effect was used to address endogeneity concerns.

Findings

The sample included 4,347 individuals. Difference in non-urgent ED visits log odds between high- and low-cost-sharing policies was not significantly different between chronically ill and non-chronically ill individuals (β=−0.48, p=0.42). Sensitivity analysis with 15 and 25 percent cost-sharing levels also generated consistent insignificant results (p=0.33 and p=0.31, respectively). Ambulatory care incidence rates were not significantly different between high- and low-cost-sharing groups among chronically ill people (incidence rate ratio=0.849, p=0.069).

Practical implications

High-cost-sharing ambulatory care policies were not associated with increased non-urgent ED care utilization among chronically ill and healthy people. The chronically ill patients may have retained sizable ambulatory care that was necessary to maintain their health. Health plans or employers may consider low-level cost-sharing policies for ambulatory care among chronically ill enrollees or employees.

Originality/value

Findings contribute to insurance benefit design; i.e., whether high-cost-sharing ambulatory care policies should be implemented among chronically ill enrollees to maintain their health and save costs for health plans.
Case study illustrations of a psychological treatment pathway in a secure intellectual disability service
Authors: Hickman Gareth , Thrift Su , Taylor Chénelle
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe in detail the treatment pathway utilised in a male medium and low secure intellectual disability (ID) service. Over the preceding five years, service users have followed the outlined treatment pathway. The current paper offers case study material to illustrate the care pathway.

Design/methodology/approach

The treatment pathway is described and two case examples are provided, illustrating participation in the pathway. Evaluative data are provided on length of hospitalisation, direction of pathway at discharge and risk reduction as assessed by the HCR-20, SVR-20 and HONOS Secure measures.

Findings

The case examples provided document the assessment and treatment of two male offenders with ID, outlining their treatment pathways, subsequent reductions in assessed risk and their successful community discharge.

Originality/value

A comprehensive treatment pathway is outlined together with the theoretical rationale, with illustrative case examples.
Age-based maintenance for a fleet of haul trucks
Authors: Chaowasakoo Patarawan , Seppälä Heikki , Koivo Heikki
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The most costly part in an open-pit mine is the transportation of material out of the mine. The efficiency of the truck-and-shovel fleet plays a major role in cost control. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The truck dispatching simulation model with consideration of age-based maintenance is proposed.

Findings

This paper underlines an impact of truck dispatching decisions and reveals remarkable differences in the total production under different approaches of operational availability. Additionally, the simulated results introduce an effective scheduled maintenance for different truck age levels.

Originality/value

The approach is based on a case study taking into account the stochastic equipment behavior and environment in a real open-pit mine. This approach can be used more generally in situations in which truck fleets are used to transport material.
Intra-organizational communication and its consequences
Authors: Suzuki Manami , Ando Naoki , Nishikawa Hidehiko
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address intra-organizational communication between parent firms and foreign subsidiaries and examine how such communication effectively facilitates knowledge sharing between parent firms and their subsidiaries.

Design/methodology/approach

This study approaches the relationship between intra-organizational communication and the effectiveness of knowledge sharing from the viewpoint of foreign subsidiaries. The data have been collected from local managers in subsidiaries operating in Japan using a questionnaire survey. The hypotheses are tested by employing a robust regression model.

Findings

This study finds that intra-organizational communication between parent firms and foreign subsidiaries is positively associated with the effectiveness of knowledge sharing. The benefits from intra-organizational communication are greater for service firms than for manufacturing firms. Subsidiaries established through acquisition are found to enjoy a greater positive effect from intra-organizational communication than those established through greenfield investment.

Practical implications

The results of this study suggest that multinational corporations should facilitate intensive intra-organizational communication for knowledge sharing that can lead to the effectiveness of foreign subsidiaries. In particular, service firms should appreciate the value of communication. This study also indicates that foreign subsidiaries established through acquisition should promote communication with their parent firms for successful knowledge sharing.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates that the effect of intra-organizational communication on knowledge sharing differs among industries and among entry modes. This is the initial step to further investigations on the industry and the entry strategy effects of intra-organizational communication.
Internal factors & consequences of business model innovation
Authors: Bashir Makhmoor , Verma Rajesh
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a theoretical model of business model innovation based on evidences from the past literature. The paper established a link between business model innovation (BMI) strategic flexibility, competitive advantage and firm competence.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was approached from a theoretical perspective using previous literature on BMI from 2000 to 2017, as per the recommendations of Tranfieldet al.(2003). A total of 104 conceptual and empirical articles on BMI research spanning from 2000 to 2017 were analyzed based on different classification schemes.

Findings

The study proposed a theoretical model of BMI and discussed how the various internal factors, such as organizational culture, organizational structure, organizational inertia, leadership and technology drive BMI. The study highlighted how BMI gives companies sustainable competitive advantage. The study also highlighted that the BMI is an important predictor of firm performance and strategic flexibility. Further, the study found that the firm size and firm inexperience mediate the influence of BMI on firm competence.

Research limitations/implications

The study highlights how BMI can be a source of sustainable competitive advantage and enhance the firm competitiveness and strategic flexibility of a firm.

Originality/value

This study is the first of its kind which has developed a conceptual model on the various internal factors and consequences of BMI. The study highlighted how BMI is an important predictor of firm performance, competitive advantage and strategic flexibility.
Rhizoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons: a model system for plant microbiome manipulation
Authors: Correa‐García Sara , Pande Pranav , Séguin Armand , St‐Arnaud Marc , Yergeau Etienne
Published: August 2018

Phytoremediation is a green and sustainable alternative to physico‐chemical methods for contaminated soil remediation. One of the flavours of phytoremediation is rhizoremediation, where plant roots stimulate soil microbes to degrade organic contaminants. This approach is particularly interesting as it takes advantage of naturally evolved interaction mechanisms between plant and microorganisms and often results in a complete mineralization of the contaminants (i.e. transformation to water and CO2). However, many biotic and abiotic factors influence the outcome of this interaction, resulting in variable efficiency of the remediation process. The difficulty to predict precisely the timeframe associated with rhizoremediation leads to low adoption rates of this green technology. Here, we review recent literature related to rhizoremediation, with a particular focus on soil organisms. We then expand on the potential of rhizoremediation to be a model plant‐microbe interaction system for microbiome manipulation studies.
Two NAD‐independent l‐lactate dehydrogenases drive l‐lactate utilization in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1
Authors: Wang Yujiao , Xiao Dan , Liu Qiuyuan , Zhang Yipeng , Hu Chunxia , Sun Jinkai , Yang Chunyu , Xu Ping , Ma Cuiqing , Gao Chao
Published: August 2018

Pseudomonas aeruginosa often establishes a chronic infection in the airways of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). l‐Lactate is the most abundant carbon source in the CF sputum, and l‐lactate utilization may be important for P. aeruginosa to survive in the lungs of CF patients. In this study, the key enzymes involved in l‐lactate utilization by P. aeruginosa PAO1 were characterized using the synthetic CF sputum medium (SCFM). A highly conserved membrane‐bound NAD‐independent l‐lactate dehydrogenase (l‐iLDH) encoded by lldD (PA4771) and a novel flavin‐containing membrane‐bound l‐iLDH encoded by lldA (PA2382) were both found to contribute to l‐lactate utilization by P. aeruginosa PAO1. In addition, an lldD and lldA double mutant was incapable of growing in a medium containing l‐lactate as the sole carbon source. This study clarifies the mechanism and importance of l‐lactate catabolism, and demonstrates the first Pseudomonas spp. expressing two l‐lactate‐oxidizing enzymes.
Dysregulated uterine natural killer cells and vascular remodeling in women with recurrent pregnancy losses
Authors: El‐Azzamy Haidy , Dambaeva Svetlana V. , Katukurundage Dimantha , Salazar Garcia Maria D. , Skariah Annie , Hussein Youssef , Germain Alfredo , Fernandez Emilio , Gilman‐Sachs Alice , Beaman Kenneth D. , Kwak‐Kim Joanne
Published: August 2018

Problem

Angiogenesis and vascular remodeling in secretory endometrium represent one of the crucial steps in pregnancy establishment, for which uterine NK (uNK) cells have an important role. Impairment of these steps may proceed to implantation and instigate initial pathology of recurrent pregnancy losses (RPL). In this study, we aim to investigate vascular development and density of uNK cells in secretory endometrium of women with RPL.

Methods of study

Mid‐secretory phase endometrial tissues from women with RPL (n = 15) and fertile controls (n = 7) were investigated. CD56+ and CD16+ uNK cells, CD31+ vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle myosin (SMM)+. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) expressing SMM were investigated using immunohistochemistry and western blot. High‐throughput quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was used as well.

Results

CD56+ uNK number was significantly higher in women with RPL compared to controls (P < 0.0001). uNK cell density by immunohistochemistry was positively correlated with CD56 mRNA expression by qRT‐PCR (r2 = 0.43, P = 0.0137). The number of blood vessels represented by the expression of either CD31 or SMM was higher in women with RPL as compared to controls (P < 0.05 and P < 0.0001, respectively), and correlated with the number of uNK cell (r2 = 0.18, P < 0.04, and r2 = 0.65, P < 0.0001, respectively). The wall thickness of spiral arteries was significantly higher in women with RPL as compared with that of controls (P = 0.0027).

Conclusion

Increased uNK cells in mid‐secretory endometrium are associated with increased vascularization and defective vascular transformation of spiral arteries in women with RPL.
European Academy of Andrology guideline Management of oligo‐astheno‐teratozoospermia
Authors: Colpi G. M. , Francavilla S. , Haidl G. , Link K. , Behre H. M. , Goulis D. G. , Krausz C. , Giwercman A.
Published: August 2018

Background

Oligo‐astheno‐teratozoospermia is frequently reported in men from infertile couples. Its etiology remains, in the majority of cases, unknown with a variety of factors to contribute to its pathogenesis. The aim of this European Academy of Andrology guideline was to provide an overview of these factors and to discuss available management options.

Materials and Methods

PubMed was searched for papers in English for articles with search terms: male infertility and oligo‐astheno‐teratozoospermia. For evidence‐based recommendations, the GRADE system was applied. Issues related to urogenital infections/inflammations have not been included in this document as they will be covered by separate guidelines.

Results

For men with oligo‐astheno‐teratozoospermia, the European Academy of Andrology recommends:

A general physical examination to assess signs of hypogonadism.

A scrotal physical examination to assess (i) the testes and epididymes for volume and consistency, (ii) deferent ducts for total or partial absence, and (iii) occurrence of varicocoele.

Performing two semen analyses, according to World Health Organization guidelines to define an oligo‐astheno‐teratozoospermia.

An endocrine evaluation.

A scrotal ultrasound as part of routine investigation.

Karyotype analysis and assessment of Yq microdeletions in infertile men with a sperm concentration ≤5 × 106/mL.

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene evaluation in case of suspicion for incomplete congenital obstruction of the genital tract.

Against quitting physical activity to improve the chance of achieving pregnancy.

Against androgen replacement therapy to improve the chance of achieving pregnancy.

Assisted reproduction techniques to improve the chance of achieving pregnancy, in case other treatment options are not available or not efficient.

Androgen replacement therapy in patients with biochemical/clinical signs of hypogonadism, after completion of the fertility treatment.

Conclusion

These guidelines can be applied in clinical work and indicate future research needs.
Computer vision for total laparoscopic hysterectomy
Authors: Sato Masakazu , Koizumi Minako , Nakabayashi Minoru , Inaba Kei , Takahashi Yu , Nagashima Natsuki , Ki Hiroshi , Itaoka Nao , Ueshima Chiharu , Nakata Maki , Hasumi Yoko
Published: August 2018

Introduction

Laparoscopic surgery is widely performed in various surgical fields, but this technique requires time for surgeons to master. However, at the same time, there are many advantages in visualizing the operative field through a camera. In other words, we can visualize what we cannot see with our own eyes by using augmented reality and computer vision. Therefore, we investigated the possibilities and usefulness of computer vision in total laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Methods

This study was approved by the Mitsui Memorial Hospital ethics committee. Patients who underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy at Mitsui Memorial Hospital from January 2015 to December 2015 were enrolled. We evaluated 19 cases in which total laparoscopic hysterectomy was performed by the same operator and assistant. We used the Open Source Computer Vision Library for computer vision analysis. The development platform used in this study was a computer operating on Mac OS X 10.11.3.

Results

We created panoramic images by matching features with the AKAZE algorithm. Noise reduction methods improved haziness caused by using energy devices. By abstracting the color of the suture string, we succeeded in abstracting the suture string from movies. We could not achieve satisfactory results in detecting ureters, and we expect that creative ideas for ureter detection may arise from collaborations between surgeons and medical engineers.

Conclusions

Although this was a preliminary study, the results suggest the utility of computer vision in assisting laparoscopic surgery.
Big data analytics in economics: What have we learned so far, and where should we go from here?
Authors: Swanson Norman R. , Xiong Weiqi
Published: August 2018

Research into predictive accuracy testing remains at the forefront of the forecasting field. One reason for this is that rankings of predictive accuracy across alternative models, which under misspecification are loss function dependent, are universally utilized to assess the usefulness of econometric models. A second reason, which corresponds to the objective of this paper, is that researchers are currently focusing considerable attention on so‐called big data and on new (and old) tools that are available for the analysis of this data. One of the objectives in this field is the assessment of whether big data leads to improvement in forecast accuracy. In this survey paper, we discuss some of the latest (and most interesting) methods currently available for analyzing and utilizing big data when the objective is improved prediction. Our discussion includes a summary of various so‐called dimension reduction, shrinkage and machine learning methods as well as a summary of recent tools that are useful for ranking prediction models associated with the implementation of these methods. We also provide a brief empirical illustration of big data in action, in which we show that big data are indeed useful when predicting the term structure of interest rates.
Housing market dynamics and macroprudential policies
Authors: Bruneau Gabriel , Christensen Ian , Meh Césaire
Published: August 2018

In this paper, we analyze the implications of macroprudential and monetary policies for credit cycles, housing market stability and spillovers to consumption. We consider a countercyclical loan‐to‐value (LTV) policy that responds to a credit‐to‐income ratio, and we compare its effectiveness with a permanent tightening of the LTV ratio and a monetary policy rule that responds to credit. To this end, we construct a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model with housing market, household debt and collateral constraints, and we estimate it with Canadian data using Bayesian methods. Our study suggests that a countercyclical LTV ratio is a useful policy to reduce spillovers from the housing market into consumption and to lean against housing market boom–bust cycles. It performs better than the permanent tightening of the LTV ratio—a policy that has been used in a number of countries—and the monetary policy rule, both in terms of the stabilization of household indebtedness and spillovers into consumption. Monetary policy that leans against the wind is the least desirable due to its large adverse consequences on the real economy.
Swept‐source optical coherence tomography angiography features of sub‐retinal fibrosis in neovascular age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Balaskas Konstantinos , Ali Zaria C. , Saddik Tarik , Gemenetzi Maria , Patel Praveen , Aslam Tariq M.
Published: August 2018

Importance

The study highlights the role of optical coherence angiography in the management of patients with neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (nAMD) who have developed sub‐retinal fibrosis.

Background

Development of sub‐retinal fibrosis in the context of nAMD is known to adversely affect visual function. The aim of this study is to assess structure and flow features obtained through swept‐source optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in patients with sub‐retinal fibrosis and associate these with visual acuity (VA).

Design

Institutional retrospective cohort study.

Participants

A total 39 eyes of 39 patients with nAMD with sub‐retinal fibrosis imaged with OCTA were included in this study.

Methods

Patients underwent swept‐source OCTA. Thickness of sub‐retinal hyper‐reflective material (SHRM) and presence and configuration of a choroidal neovascular membrane were recorded in each case.

Main Outcome Measures

A univariate multiple regression was performed seeking associations between VA and structural and flow OCTA features.

Results

Average VA on the date of OCTA was 53 ± 22 ETDRS letters. Average thickness of centre‐involving SHRM was 157 ± 73 μm. A choroidal neovascular membrane was detectable in 26 cases and not detectable in 13. VA was independently influenced by thickness of SHRM (P = 0.034) and presence of a detectable choroidal neovascular membrane (P = 0.02) on OCTA.

Conclusions and Relevance

Poorer VA in patients with nAMD and sub‐retinal fibrosis is associated with presence of a detectable neovascular membrane on OCTA. The role of OCTA to guide nuanced management decisions in this patient population may be significant.
‘Say no’: a feasibility trial of a brief intervention to reduce instances of indulgent energy‐intake episodes
Authors: Madigan C. D. , Hill A. J. , Hendy C. , Burk J. , Caterson I. D.
Published: August 2018

The aim of this study is to examine the feasibility of a brief intervention to reduce instances of indulgent energy intake. Forty‐five participants with a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg m−2 were randomized to one of three groups for 8 weeks. The control group was asked to complete a questionnaire every 4 days, the self‐monitoring group was given the same instructions but also asked to ’say no’ to indulgences. The self‐monitoring and feedback group was asked to do the same but in addition to send a photograph or description of that to which they had ‘said no’ and were then provided with feedback. All participants reported on indulgences for 7 days prospectively at baseline and 8‐week follow‐up. The follow‐up rate was 80%; completion of questionnaires was 63% and 87 text messages were sent. The control group reduced their indulgences by 4.1 (SD 10.0), the self‐monitoring group by 13.8 (SD 16.8) and self‐monitoring and feedback group by 9.0 (SD 11.7) per week. All bar one, feasibility progression criteria were met and this was the return of the indulgence diaries during the intervention period. The study demonstrates the feasibility of a brief intervention to reduce the number of indulgences people ate. The progression criteria were met and areas of improvement are highlighted.
Correlates of elevated blood pressure in healthy children: a systematic review
Authors: Fowokan A. O. , Sakakibara B. M. , Onsel N. , Punthakee Z. , Waddell C. , Rosin M. , Lear S. A.
Published: August 2018

The prevalence of hypertension in children is increasing globally. Addressing this will require a robust understanding of associated risk factors. To this end, we conducted a systematic review to identify correlates of elevated blood pressure (BP) in children. Literature searches were conducted using pre‐defined search terms from three academic databases. The abstract and full text of identified studies were screened for eligibility by two independent reviewers. A total of 100 studies were included in this systematic review. An assessment tool was first used to assess study quality; a narrative synthesis was then performed. We found a broad range of physiological, social and behavioural factors associated with elevated BP in children. The most common correlate observed was adiposity, suggesting that childhood obesity may be implicated in the increased prevalence of hypertension observed in children. However, the broad range of other factors identified underscores the multi‐factorial aetiology of hypertension. Data from a broad range of studies showed that the correlates of hypertension in children are multi‐factorial. Therefore, approaches aimed at preventing hypertension must in turn be multi‐factorial to ensure that the burden of hypertension in childhood is addressed.