bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Managing CSR communication
Authors: Vollero Agostino , Palazzo Maria , Siano Alfonso , Sardanelli Domenico
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse how service and product-based industries communicate their efforts in corporate social responsibility (CSR) as legitimacy-seeking strategies. The service companies are thus compared to product companies in their use of different rhetorical strategies and associated legitimacy approaches on their corporate websites.

Design/methodology/approach

A thematic content analysis of the websites of companies belonging to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index was conducted, to identify different rhetorical strategies (institutional, political and strategic), each associated with modes companies use to gain legitimacy (cognitive, moral and pragmatic).

Findings

The study shows that service and product companies differ in terms of how they symbolically manage legitimacy. Service companies are less active in communicating CSR in two out of three of the identified rhetorical strategies. Other differences are observable at an industry level.

Practical implications

The study provides an in-depth understanding of legitimacy approaches elicited by online CSR communication. Managers of service companies can benefit from suggestions on how to use CSR content to sustain specific legitimacy strategies.

Originality/value

This study represents a starting point in connecting the ongoing debate on legitimacy theory with different rhetorical CSR approaches. It demonstrates that the seeking of legitimacy is to some extent restrained within the service industry.
Cough response to aspiration in thin and thick fluids during FEES in hospitalized inpatients
Authors: Miles Anna , McFarlane Mary , Scott Samantha , Hunting Alexandra
Published: May 2018

Background

The modifications of fluid viscosity and/or volume are common strategies in dysphagia management, with increased viscosity or reduced volume intended to reduce aspiration. Little attention has been given to whether cough response to aspiration varies across different viscosities and volumes.

Aims

This prospective observational study investigated aspiration prevalence and cough response to aspiration in thin and thick fluids of two different volumes in patients referred for flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) in an acute hospital setting.

Methods & Procedures

Consecutive inpatients (N = 180) referred for FEES were recruited: stroke 51 (28%); other neurological condition (traumatic brain injury, progressive neurological) 33 (18%); cardiovascular critical care 51 (28%); respiratory illness/condition 23 (13%); spinal injury 9 (5%); and other 13 (7%). A standardized protocol was completed on 268 FEES (180 first FEES, 88 repeat FEES). Penetration‐aspiration scale (PAS) scores were obtained for thin and mildly thick fluids at two volumes: 5 ml teaspoon and 50 ml continuous drinking.

Outcomes & Results

The incidence of aspiration (PAS > 5) was 32% for thin fluids and 18% for thick fluids. There was a significant association between cough response to aspiration and viscosity (p < .001) and volume (p < .001). There was a higher prevalence of silent aspiration in thick fluids than thin fluids. Some patients demonstrated variable cough responsiveness to aspiration across different viscosities and volumes. With 5 ml volumes, 20 patients coughed when they aspirated thin fluids but silently aspirated thick fluids. In comparison, discrepancies in the 50 ml volume were fewer, with three patients coughing when they aspirated thin fluids but silently aspirating thick fluids.

Conclusions & Implications

Cough response to aspiration differs across bolus volumes and viscosities. The finding of inconsistent cough response to aspiration in some patients strongly encourages the use of instrumental assessment to guide decisions regarding diet modifications.
Validating information during reading: the effect of recency
Authors: Guéraud Sabine , Walsh Erinn K. , Cook Anne E. , O'Brien Edward J.
Published: May 2018

Previous studies demonstrated that outdated information may be reactivated and disrupt subsequent processing of newly encoded information. However, previous studies focused on the impact of outdated information that had been backgrounded in memory. The present experiments examined the immediate influence of outdated information; backgrounding information was reduced so that both outdated and current protagonist characteristics were active in memory when readers encountered content that was inconsistent with the outdated information. In Experiments 1 and 2, the order of introduction of outdated and current information was varied; across the two experiments, the elaboration of the current information was also manipulated. When both current and outdated information are still active in memory, only the most recent information influenced comprehension; this was true regardless of whether it was elaborated. These results inform the conditions under which outdated information influences comprehension and are interpreted within the context of the RI‐Val model of comprehension.

Highlights

What is already known about this topic

Previous studies have demonstrated that whether outdated information influences the validation process depends on how quickly readers gain access to this information (e.g., O'Brien, Cook, & Guéraud, ; O'Brien, Rizzella, Albrecht, & Halleran, ); that is, validation is mediated by factors that affect the reactivation process (Cook & O'Brien, ).

When information has been backgrounded in memory (i.e., when outdated information is not currently active), the order in which updated versus outdated information occurred does not differentially impact the validation process (Guéraud, Harmon, & Peracchi, ).

What this paper adds

Previous research has focused on how outdated information that had been backgrounded in memory was subsequently reactivated and influenced validation. However, factors that directly influence the validation process remain unknown.

In this set of studies, we explored whether memory factors such as elaboration and recency of presentation of information directly influence validation when the information in question is already active in memory, that is, when outdated information co‐occurred in memory with updated, current information.

Results demonstrated that when current and outdated information co‐occur in memory, only the most recent information impacts the validation process (Experiment 1); elaborating on the current information did not override this effect (Experiment 2).

Implications for theory

This research adds to the overall understanding of how the contents of active memory influence the validation process.
Behavioral Health's Integration Within a Care Network and Health Care Utilization
Authors: McClellan Chandler , Flottemesch Thomas J. , Ali Mir M. , Jones Jenna , Mutter Ryan , Hohlbauch Andriana , Whalen Daniel , Nordstrom Nils
Published: May 2018

Objective

Examine how behavioral health (BH) integration affects health care costs, emergency department (ED) visits, and inpatient admissions.

Data Sources/Study Setting

Truven Health MarketScan Research Databases.

Study Design

Social network analysis identified “care communities” (providers sharing a high number of patients) and measured BH integration in terms of how connected, or central, BH providers were to other providers in their community. Multivariable generalized linear models adjusting for age, sex, number of prescriptions, and Charlson comorbidity score were used to estimate the relationship between the centrality of BH providers and health care utilization of BH patients.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Used outpatient, inpatient, and pharmacy claims data from six Medicaid plans from 2011 to 2013 to identify study outcomes, comorbidities, providers, and health care encounters.

Principal Findings

Behavioral health centrality ranged from 0 (no BH providers) to 0.49. Relative to communities at the median BH centrality (0.06), in 2012, BH patients in communities at the 75th percentile of BH centrality (0.31) had 0.2 fewer admissions, 2.1 fewer all‐cause ED visits, and accrued $1,947 fewer costs, on average.

Conclusions

Increased behavioral centrality was significantly associated with a reduced number of ED visits, less frequent inpatient admissions, and lower overall health care costs.
Resveratrol and Related Stilbenoids, Nutraceutical/Dietary Complements with Health‐Promoting Actions: Industrial Production, Safety, and the Search for Mode of Action
Authors: Navarro Gemma , Martínez ‐Pinilla Eva , Ortiz Raquel , Noé Véronique , Ciudad Carlos J. , Franco Rafael
Published: May 2018

This paper reviews the potential of stilbenoids as nutraceuticals. Stilbenoid compounds in wine are considered key factors in health‐promoting benefits. Resveratrol and resveratrol‐related compounds are found in a large diversity of vegetal products. The stilbene composition varies from wine to wine and from one season to another. Therefore, the article also reviews how food science and technology and wine industry may help in providing wines and/or food supplements with efficacious concentrations of stilbenes. The review also presents results from clinical trials and those derived from genomic/transcriptomic studies. The most studied stilbenoid, resveratrol, is a very safe compound. On the other hand, the potential benefits of stilbene intake are multiple and are apparently due to downregulation more than upregulation of gene expression. The field may take advantage from identifying the mechanism of action(s) and from providing useful data to show evidence for specific health benefits in a given tissue or for combating a given disease.
Nutritional Quality and Physical Characteristics of Soluble Proteins Recovered from Silver Carp
Authors: Warren Derek , Paker Ilgin , Jaczynski Jacek , Matak Kristen E.
Published: May 2018

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional quality and physical characteristics of soluble proteins separated from silver carp at 4, 20, and 40 °C. Ground silver carp was diluted, and soluble proteins were separated by centrifugation and dried. The proximate composition (dry wt) of the protein powders averaged 82.42% protein, 3.25% lipid, and 14.50% ash. Average protein recovery yield was 11.78% with the better yields occurring at 20 °C (P < 0.05). Mineral profile revealed greater concentrations of Fe, Mg, P, and Na when compared to the initial homogenate. More saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids were recovered in the 4 °C powder and the least in the 40 °C powder (P < 0.05). Polyunsaturated fatty acids displayed a reverse trend, with the greatest concentration in the 40 °C powder and the least in the 4 °C powder (P < 0.05). The amino acid profile revealed that the protein powder met all FAO/WHO/UNO amino acid requirements for adults. Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) revealed high amounts of low and medium molecular weight (MW) proteins (10–15 and 25–50 kDa, respectively). Two‐dimensional (2‐D) electrophoresis indicated that the low MW proteins possessed a neutral isoelectric point relative to that of the medium MW proteins. The protein powder was significantly less soluble (P < 0.05) than whey protein concentrate 80 at every pH tested (pH 3.0 to 11.0). Similar tendencies were seen when ionic strength was shifted (0.0 to 1.1 I; P < 0.05). Soluble protein powders derived from silver carp are nutrient rich and have physical characteristics resembling whey protein concentrate. Changes in process temperature had limited effects on protein powder composition.

Practical Application

Soluble proteins contribute to 20 to 40% of fish protein and are soluble in neutral salt solutions. Much of the sarcoplasmic proteins are lost when they solubilize in processing water and are discarded similarly to how whey protein was once discarded during dairy processing. When government regulations on whey disposal were implemented, the dairy industry responded by repurposing the high‐quality protein for human use and it is now a billion dollar industry. The aim of this research project was to verify the composition of an otherwise overlooked protein source.
The hitchhiker's guide to single‐locus species delimitation
Authors: Dellicour Simon , Flot Jean‐François
Published: May 2018

Molecular approaches to species delimitation are increasingly used to ascertain the number of species in a sample prior to taxonomic, ecological or physiological studies. Although multilocus approaches are gaining fast in popularity, single‐gene methods still predominate in the literature. However, available simulation benchmarks of these methods focus exclusively on species‐poor samples and/or tree‐based approaches: as a result, travellers in the land of single‐locus species delimitation lack a comprehensive “hitchhiker's guide” highlighting the sweet spots and dangers on their road. To fill this gap, we compared the performances of distance‐based (ABGD, “automatic barcode gap discovery”), allele sharing‐based (haplowebs) and tree‐based approaches (GMYC, “generalized mixed Yule‐coalescent” and PTP, “Poisson tree processes”) to detect interspecific boundaries in samples of 6, 60 and 120 simulated species with various speciation rates, effective population sizes, mutation rates and sampling patterns. We found that all approaches performed poorly when population sizes and speciation rates were large, with haplowebs yielding best results followed by ABGD then tree‐based approaches. The latter's error type was mostly oversplitting, whereas ABGD chiefly overlumped and haplowebs leaned either way depending on simulation parameters: such widely divergent error patterns suggest that, if all three types of methods agree, then the resulting delimitation is probably correct. Perfect congruence being quite rare, travellers in search of a one‐size‐fit‐all approach to single‐locus species delimitation should forget it; however, our hitchhiker's guide raises hope that such species delimitation's Holy Grail may be found in the relatively uncharted nearby land of multilocus species delimitation.
Publications by Scandinavian university Departments of Anaesthesiology from 2001 to 2015
Authors: Miller C. , Prenn R. , Ausserer J. , Hamm P. , Neururer S. , Paal P.
Published: May 2018

Background

This study assessed the contribution made to research by Scandinavian university Departments of Anaesthesiology and their distribution among those departments.

Methods

We committed a PubMed search for all publications originating from Scandinavian university Departments of Anaesthesiology between 2001 and 2015. Articles were assigned to their author's affiliated university department and to 3 time periods 2001‐2005, 2006‐2010 and 2011‐2015. The number of publications, original articles and citations were analysed.

Results

The 23 Scandinavian university Departments of Anaesthesiology published 5190 articles between 2001 and 2015, which make up 91.5% from all anaesthesiology research originating from Scandinavia. Of these 1760 (33.9%) were classified as original articles. The number of publications increased in the observed periods (from 1305 in 2001‐2005 to 2452 in 2010‐2015), but the share of original articles decreased (from 40% to 31%). Finnish university Departments of Anaesthesiology had the largest share of original articles. The university department of Copenhagen was the most productive Department of Anaesthesiology in terms of number of publications (n = 1187) and citation rate of original articles (median 24 citations per original article). Publications from Bergen scored the highest impact (median 19 citations per publication).

Conclusions

The number of publications from Scandinavian university Departments of Anaesthesiology increased between 2001 and 2015, but the share of original articles decreased. Copenhagen was the most productive university Department of Anaesthesiology based on the number of publications and citations of original articles. Finnish university Departments of Anaesthesiology led in the share of original articles out of all publications.
Out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrests in nursing homes and primary care facilities in Pirkanmaa, Finland
Authors: Kangasniemi H. , Setälä P. , Huhtala H. , Kämäräinen A. , Virkkunen I. , Jämsen E. , Yli‐Hankala A. , Hoppu S.
Published: May 2018

Background

Dispatching Emergency Medical Services to treat patients with deteriorating health in nursing homes and primary care facilities is common in Finland. We examined the cardiac arrest patients to describe this phenomenon. We had a special interest in patients for whom cardiopulmonary resuscitation was considered futile.

Methods

We conducted an observational study between 1 June 2013 and 31 May 2014 in the Pirkanmaa area. We included cases in which Emergency Medical Services participated in the treatment of cardiac arrest patients in nursing homes and primary care facilities.

Results

Emergency Medical Services attended to a total of 355 cardiac arrest patients, and 65 patients (18%) met the inclusion criteria. The included patients were generally older than 65 years, but otherwise heterogeneous. Nineteen patients (29%) had a valid do‐not‐attempt‐resuscitation order, but paramedics were not informed about it in 10 (53%) of those cases. Eight (12%) of the 65 patients survived to hospital admission and 3 (5%) survived to hospital discharge with a neurologically favourable outcome. Two patients were alive 90 days after the cardiac arrest; both were younger than 70 years of age and had ventricular fibrillation as primary rhythm. There were no survivors in nursing homes.

Conclusions

The do‐not‐attempt‐resuscitation orders were often unavailable during a cardiopulmonary resuscitation attempt. Although resuscitation attempts were futile for patients in nursing homes, some patients in primary care facilities demonstrated a favourable outcome after cardiac arrest. Emergency Medical Services seem to be able to recognise potential survivors and focus resources on their treatment.
Advanced glycation end products and their receptors did not show any association with body mass parameters in metabolically healthy adolescents
Authors: Garay‐Sevilla Ma. Eugenia , Torres‐Graciano Sofía , Villegas‐Rodríguez Ma. Etzabel , Rivera‐Cisneros Antonio E. , Wrobel Katarzyna , Uribarri Jaime
Published: May 2018

Aim

We determined the relationship between circulating advanced glycation end products (AGEs), AGE receptors and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) in metabolically healthy obese and normal weight adolescents.

Methods

In 2015, we recruited 80 normal weight adolescents and 80 with obesity from schools Leon city, Mexico, and put them into metabolically healthy (HOMA‐IR <3.0) and unhealthy (HOMA‐IR >3.0) groups. We measured their body mass index (BMI) and carried out detailed blood analyses.

Results

We found a higher triglycerides, triglycerides/high‐density lipoproteins cholesterol (TG/HDL‐C) index, HOMA‐IR, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in the metabolically healthy group and found correlations between HOMA‐IR with BMI, the TG/HDL‐C index and IL‐6 and the TG/HDL‐C index and BMI and (TNF‐α). There was no correlation between markers of obesity and circulating N‐carboxymethyl‐lysine (CML) or soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE). Some unhealthy adolescents had higher CML (15.5 ± 2.7 U/mL, p < 0.028) and sRAGE (3123 ± 1364 pg/mL, p < 0.001) than the healthy group.

Conclusion

HOMA‐IR and the TG/HDL‐C index were associated with BMI and inflammation markers. CML and sRAGE were not associated with obesity or inflammation. These parameters were higher in unhealthy obese adolescents.
Effects of inoculants and environmental temperature on fermentation quality and bacterial diversity of alfalfa silage
Authors: Zhang Qing , Yu Zhu , Wang Xianguo , Tian Jipeng
Published: May 2018

To investigate the effects of inoculants and environmental temperature on fermentation quality and bacterial diversity of alfalfa silage, first‐cut alfalfa was ensiled with or without two screened lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains, Lactobacillus plantarum, LP, and Lactobacillus casei, LC. Each treatment was divided into three parts and stored at 20°C, 30°C, 40°C, respectively. After 60 days ensiling, fermentation characteristics were measured and bacterial diversity was investigated by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing using Illumina MiSeq platform. LP and LC decreased pH, coliform bacteria counts and increased lactic acid content at 20°C, and the two strains decreased pH, ammonia‐N concentration, coliform bacteria counts at 30°C. When the environmental temperature was 40°C, silage treated with LC showed lower LAB and coliform bacteria counts and higher lactic acid content than the untreated and LP treated silages. Butyric acid mainly appeared in silages stored at 40°C. The relative abundance of Lactobacillus in alfalfa silages stored at 20°C and 30°C was highest and increased after LP and LC were added. Garciella was another dominant genus in silages stored at 40°C. In conclusion, LP and LC improved fermentation quality of alfalfa silage by increasing Lactobacillus proportions at 20°C and 30°C; ensiling alfalfa at 40°C was difficult because of Garciella.
Family‐centered kindergarten social work services in Hong Kong: A pilot project
Authors: Lau Yuk King , Ho Wai Ming
Published: May 2018

Social work services at schools in Hong Kong will begin a new chapter in kindergartens in 2018–2019 school year. Early childhood professionals have long considered family‐centered service delivery best practice. This paper reports a pioneer project on a family‐centered approach in kindergarten social work services in Hong Kong. The project was illustrated according to the following family‐centered principles: (a) The family as the unit of attention, (b) Linking families with community resources, (c) Flexible and individualized service provision, and (d) Creating partnerships and supportive relationships. The value and contributions of family‐centered social work services in kindergartens and implications for social work training in Hong Kong are discussed.
Generation of a multi‐functional, target organ‐specific, anti‐fibrotic molecule by molecular engineering of the extracellular matrix protein, decorin
Authors: Järvinen Tero A H , Ruoslahti Erkki
Published: May 2018

Extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules play important roles in regulating processes such as cell proliferation, migration, differentiation and survival. Decorin is a proteoglycan that binds to (‘decorates’) collagen fibrils in the ECM. Decorin also interacts with many growth factors and their receptors, the most notable of these interactions being its inhibitory activity on TGF‐β, the growth factor responsible for fibrosis formation. We have generated a recombinant, multi‐functional, fusion‐protein consisting of decorin as a therapeutic domain and a vascular homing and cell‐penetrating peptide as a targeting vehicle. This recombinant decorin (CAR‐DCN) accumulates at the sites of the targeted disease at higher levels and, as a result, has substantially enhanced biological activity over native decorin. CAR‐DCN is an example of how molecular engineering can give a compound the ability to seek out sites of disease and enhance its therapeutic potential. CAR‐DCN will hopefully be used to treat severe human diseases.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Translating the Matrix. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.1/issuetoc
The phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, KJH‐1002, reverses a mouse model of amnesia by activating a cGMP/cAMP response element binding protein pathway and decreasing oxidative damage
Authors: Zhang Lijun , Seo Jae Hong , Li Huan , Nam Ghilsoo , Yang Hyun Ok
Published: May 2018

Background and Purpose

Inhibition of PDE5 improves synaptic plasticity and memory via enhancing cGMP expression, thus activating the cGMP/cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) signalling pathway. This study investigated the effects of a PDE5 inhibitor on scopolamine‐induced cognitive dysfunction, using memory‐related behavioural tests and biochemical assays.

Experimental Approach

In mice were pretreated with PDE5 inhibitor, amnesia was induced by scopolamine. The learning and memory abilities of mice were tested using the Morris water maze test, the Y‐maze test, the passive avoidance test and the novel object recognition test in sequence. Expression of memory‐related bio‐molecules and oxidative stress parameters in brain tissue were measured using Western blot and spectrophotometry respectively.

Key Results

KJH‐1002, a novel and potent inhibitor of PDE5 (IC50 0.059 ± 0.04 nmol·L−1), was synthesized. In the behavioural tests, it markedly improved the memory performance impaired by scopolamine, indicating a restoration of cognitive function in the mice. Moreover, KJH‐1002 increased cGMP levels in the cortex and the scopolamine‐reduced expression of phosphorylated CREB, Levels of ERK 1/2, Akt and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor in the cortex and hippocampus were restored by KJH‐1002 treatment. In addition, KJH‐1002 administration increased the activities of SOD, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, and decreased the level of malondialdehyde.

Conclusion and Implications

KJH‐1002 restored cognitive function in scopolamine‐induced amnesia mice by activating the cGMP/CREB signalling pathway and attenuating oxidative stress. The beneficial effects of KJH‐1002 on cognition indicate its potential as a therapeutic candidate for Alzheimer's disease.
Methylisothiazolinone contact allergy in Croatia: Epidemiology and course of disease following patch testing
Authors: Ljubojević Hadžavdić Suzana , Uter Wolfgang , Ilijanić Samošćanec Maja , Johansen Jeanne D.
Published: May 2018

Background

Methylisothiazolinone (MI) caused an epidemic of contact allergy in Europe, as shown by data from many countries, but no studies from Croatia exist. Also, data are lacking on the severity of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) caused by MI, and its impact on quality of life and prognosis.

Objectives

To determine the frequency of MI contact allergy among Croatian dermatitis patients, identify causative exposures, assess the impact of disease, and study the prognosis.

Methods

Data were collected for consecutive dermatitis patients with MI contact allergy patch tested in Croatia between November 2, 2015 and November 3, 2016.

Results

MI contact allergy was diagnosed in 13.2% of 798 tested patients. The most frequent dermatitis locations were the hands (76%) and face (61%). In 89.3% of patients, MI contact allergy was found to be of current relevance. Considerable severity and impact on daily life of disease was found at the first consultation, but this significantly decreased until follow‐up 3 months later.

Conclusions

Patch testing is the standard method for the diagnosis of ACD, and it has been shown to have an important beneficial effect on prognosis. The severity of MI ACD and the impact on daily life emphasize the need for prevention.
Molecular endoscopic imaging in cancer
Authors: Ahmed Shakil , Strand Susanne , Weinmann‐Menke Julia , Urbansky Lana , Galle Peter R. , Neumann Helmut
Published: May 2018

Cancer is one of the major causes of death in both the USA and Europe. Molecular imaging is a novel field that is revolutionizing cancer management. It is based on the molecular signature of cells in order to study the human body both in normal and diseased conditions. The emergence of molecular imaging has been driven by the difficulties associated with cancer detection, particularly early‐stage premalignant lesions which are often unnoticed as a result of minimal or no structural changes. Endoscopic surveillance is the standard method for early‐stage cancer detection. In addition to recent major advancements in endoscopic instruments, significant progress has been achieved in the exploration of highly specific molecular probes and the combination of both will permit significant improvement of patient care. In this review, we provide an outline of the current status of endoscopic imaging and focus on recent applications of molecular imaging in gastrointestinal, hepatic and other cancers in the context of detection, targeted therapy and personalized medicine. As new imaging agents have the potential to broadly expand our cancer diagnostic capability, we will also present an overview of the main types of optical molecular probes with their pros and cons. We conclude by discussing the challenges and future prospects of the field.
Diversity of pathogenic and endophytic Colletotrichum isolates from Licania tomentosa in Brazil
Authors: Lisboa Daniela O. , Silva Mariana A. , Pinho Danilo B. , Pereira Olinto L. , Furtado Gleiber Q.
Published: May 2018

Licania tomentosa (Chrysobalanaceae), also known as “oiti,” is a forest tree mainly used for urban afforestation in Brazil. Although anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is the main disease that threatens this tree, the identification of the species was based on morphological characteristics only. Owing to the need to use the molecular approach to pinpoint the identity of this pathogen with precision, the aim of this study was to identify endophytic and pathogenic Colletotrichum isolates from L. tomentosa based on both morphological and molecular data. For prior identification, partial sequences of the GAPDH region were obtained of all the 35 isolates (10 endophytic and 25 pathogenic). After analysis, ten isolates, representative of each clade, were selected for multilocus phylogenetic analysis (ACT, CAL, CHS‐1, GAPDH, TUB2, SOD2 and ITS). In addition, a tree based on the ApMat region was obtained for comparison with the multilocus tree. Morphological characterization (colony growth, conidial size and appressoria shape) was also performed for each species. To prove pathogenicity, L. tomentosa leaves were inoculated on the adaxial surface by mycelial plugs and conidial suspension. All isolates obtained belong to the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides complex. The Apmat tree has the same topology as the multilocus tree, allowing for the discrimination of the different species of Colletotrichum on L. tomentosa. Endophytic isolates of C. fructicola, C. queenslandicum, and C. siamense were acquired whereas pathogenic isolates were identified as C. siamense and C. tropicale, although all species were pathogenic on the wounded leaves of L. tomentosa. This is the first worldwide report of this Colletotrichum species associated with L. tomentosa and the first recording of C. queenslandicum in Brazil.
Lasting changes induced by mild alcohol exposure during embryonic development in BDNF, NCAM and synaptophysin‐positive neurons quantified in adult zebrafish
Authors: Mahabir Samantha , Chatterjee Dipashree , Misquitta Keith , Chatterjee Diptendu , Gerlai Robert
Published: May 2018

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is one of the leading causes of mental health issues worldwide. Analysis of zebrafish exposed to alcohol during embryonic development confirmed that even low concentrations of alcohol for a short period of time may have lasting behavioral consequences at the adult or old age. The mechanism of this alteration has not been studied. Here, we immersed zebrafish embryos into 1% alcohol solution (vol/vol%) at 24 hr post‐fertilization (hpf) for 2 hr and analyzed potential changes using immunohistochemistry. We measured the number of BDNF (brain‐derived neurotrophic factor) and NCAM (neuronal cell adhesion molecule)‐positive neurons and the intensity of synaptophysin staining in eight brain regions: lateral zone of the dorsal telencephalic area, medial zone of the dorsal telencephalic area, dorsal nucleus of the ventral telencephalic area, ventral nucleus of the ventral telencephalic area, parvocellular preoptic nucleus, ventral habenular nucleus, corpus cerebella and inferior reticular formation. We found embryonic alcohol exposure to significantly reduce the number of BDNF‐ and NCAM‐positive cells in all brain areas studied as compared to control. We also found alcohol to significantly reduce the intensity of synaptophysin staining in all brain areas except the cerebellum and preoptic area. These neuroanatomical changes correlated with previously demonstrated reduction of social behavior in embryonic alcohol‐exposed zebrafish, raising the possibility of a causal link. Given the evolutionary conservation across fish and mammals, we emphasize the implication of our current study for human health: even small amount of alcohol consumption may be unsafe during pregnancy.
Protein kinases involved in epidermal barrier formation: The AKT family and other animals
Authors: Rogerson Clare , O'Shaughnessy Ryan F. L.
Published: May 2018

Formation of a stratified epidermis is required for the performance of the essential functions of the skin; to act as an outside‐in barrier against the access of microorganisms and other external factors, to prevent loss of water and solutes via inside‐out barrier functions and to withstand mechanical stresses. Epidermal barrier function is initiated during embryonic development and is then maintained throughout life and restored after injury. A variety of interrelated processes are required for the formation of a stratified epidermis, and how these processes are both temporally and spatially regulated has long been an aspect of dermatological research. In this review, we describe the roles of multiple protein kinases in the regulation of processes required for epidermal barrier formation.
Tundra be dammed: Beaver colonization of the Arctic
Authors: Tape Ken D. , Jones Benjamin M. , Arp Christopher D. , Nitze Ingmar , Grosse Guido
Published: May 2018

Increasing air temperatures are changing the arctic tundra biome. Permafrost is thawing, snow duration is decreasing, shrub vegetation is proliferating, and boreal wildlife is encroaching. Here we present evidence of the recent range expansion of North American beaver (Castor canadensis) into the Arctic, and consider how this ecosystem engineer might reshape the landscape, biodiversity, and ecosystem processes. We developed a remote sensing approach that maps formation and disappearance of ponds associated with beaver activity. Since 1999, 56 new beaver pond complexes were identified, indicating that beavers are colonizing a predominantly tundra region (18,293 km2) of northwest Alaska. It is unclear how improved tundra stream habitat, population rebound following overtrapping for furs, or other factors are contributing to beaver range expansion. We discuss rates and likely routes of tundra beaver colonization, as well as effects on permafrost, stream ice regimes, and freshwater and riparian habitat. Beaver ponds and associated hydrologic changes are thawing permafrost. Pond formation increases winter water temperatures in the pond and downstream, likely creating new and more varied aquatic habitat, but specific biological implications are unknown. Beavers create dynamic wetlands and are agents of disturbance that may enhance ecosystem responses to warming in the Arctic.
Nuclear–cytoplasmic shuttling protein PP2AB56 contributes to mTORC1‐dependent dephosphorylation of FOXK1
Authors: Nakatsumi Hirokazu , Oka Takeru , Higa Tsunaki , Shirane Michiko , Nakayama Keiichi I.
Published: May 2018

Mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) kinase is a master regulator of the cellular response to nutrition‐related signals such as insulin and amino acids. mTORC1 is activated on the lysosomal membrane and induces phosphorylation of a variety of downstream molecules. We previously showed that activated mTORC1 induces protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)‐mediated dephosphorylation of the transcription factor forkhead box K1 (FOXK1). The mechanism underlying the signal transduction from the cytoplasmic mTORC1 to the nuclear FOXK1 has remained unclear, however, we now show that a nuclear–cytoplasmic transport system is necessary for the mTORC1‐FOXK1 signal transduction. This reaction is mediated by a shuttling protein B56, which is a regulatory subunit of PP2A and plays an essential role in the mTORC1‐dependent dephosphorylation of FOXK1. These results suggest that PP2AB56 phosphatase contributes to the signaling for mTORC1‐dependent transcriptional regulation.
Nutrient conditions sensed by the reproductive organ during development optimize male fecundity in Drosophila
Authors: Kubo Ayuko , Matsuka Mirai , Minami Ryunosuke , Kimura Fumika , Sakata‐Niitsu Rumi , Kokuryo Akihiko , Taniguchi Kiichiro , Adachi‐Yamada Takashi , Nakagoshi Hideki
Published: May 2018

Nutrient conditions affect the reproductive potential and lifespan of many organisms through the insulin signaling pathway. Although this is well characterized in female oogenesis, nutrient‐dependent regulation of fertility/fecundity in males is not known. Seminal fluid components synthesized in the accessory gland are required for high fecundity in Drosophila males. The accessory gland is composed of two types of binucleated cells: a main cell and a secondary cell (SC). The transcription factors Defective proventriculus (Dve) and Abdominal‐B (Abd‐B) are strongly expressed in adult SCs, whose functions are essential for male fecundity. We found that gene expression of both Dve and Abd‐B was down‐regulated under nutrient‐poor conditions. In addition, nutrient conditions during the pupal stage affected the size and number of SCs. These morphological changes clearly correlated with fecundity, suggesting that SCs act as nutrient sensors. Here, we provide evidence that Dve associates nutrient conditions with optimal reproductive potential in a target of rapamycin signaling‐dependent manner.
Analysis of the liver functional reserve of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing sorafenib treatment: Prospects for regorafenib therapy
Authors: Terashima Takeshi , Yamashita Tatsuya , Sunagozaka Hajime , Arai Kuniaki , Kawaguchi Kazunori , Kitamura Kazuya , Yamashita Taro , Sakai Yoshio , Mizukoshi Eishiro , Honda Masao , Kaneko Shuichi
Published: May 2018

Aim

This study aimed to investigate liver functional reserves during sorafenib treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), to identify predictive factors for maintaining them, and to analyze the proportion of candidates for regorafenib, which has been proven to improve patients’ outcomes in the RESORCE trial.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated Child–Pugh scores during and after sorafenib treatment and evaluated their effects on second‐line treatment and outcomes of 125 patients with advanced HCC.

Results

Pretreatment Child–Pugh A was maintained in 59/90 (65.6%) patients and pretreatment Child–Pugh B was improved to Child–Pugh A in 10/35 (28.6%) patients when sorafenib ceased. A Child–Pugh score = 5 and aspartate amino transferase <40 IU/L before treatment were contributing factors; vascular invasion and cessation of sorafenib due to gastrointestinal or liver‐related adverse effects were reverse predictive factors for Child–Pugh A when sorafenib treatment ceased. Significantly more patients with Child–Pugh A when sorafenib treatment ceased received subsequent therapy and achieved better outcomes compared with patients with Child–Pugh B. When sorafenib treatment failed, 45/125 patients (36.0%) fulfilled key inclusion criteria of the RESORCE trial as follows: Child–Pugh A, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0 or 1, tumor progression revealed by imaging, and treatment with ≥400 mg sorafenib for at least 20 of the last 28 days before treatment failure in 56.8%, 84.8%, 73.6%, and 68.0% of patients, respectively.

Conclusions

A comprehensive understanding and management of dynamic changes in liver functional reserve during sorafenib treatment contributed to the efficacy of subsequent therapy (e.g. regorafenib) and to better outcomes for patients with advanced HCC.
Automation of dietary fibre (TDF, IDF and SDF) analysis by ANKOMTDF analyzer for enzymatic‐gravimetric process
Authors: Bolen Mengyue , Patel Sima , Mui Tracy , Kasturi Prabhakar , Challa Santhosh
Published: May 2018

In this work, we evaluated the effectiveness of the automation capability offered by the ANKOMTDF Dietary Fibre Analyzer to automate the current manual practice of fibre analysis (AOAC Method 991.43). Further, we also validated the automated fibre analysis via cross‐checking with fibre analysis by the manual operation using fruit‐, grain‐ and nut‐based samples. Automated fibre analysis showed relative standard deviations (TDF: 13.8%; IDF: 17.2%; and SDF: 24.6% at 95% CI reported by the AOAC in the method 991.43) that are consistent to the manual methods. Thus, this current work serves as a valuable assessment of a novel filtration system with disposable filter bag developed by ANKOM Technology. The new instrumentation automates the enzymatic‐gravimetric processing by eliminating several laborious, time‐consuming manual operations, saving over 50% of analyst time that converts to 60% overall cost savings and improved laboratory productivity, efficiency and safety. Industry‐wide adoption of such instrumentation not only reduces the analysis cost but also harmonises the fibre amounts reported among the global food and beverage industry.
The fungal‐resistance factors BmSPI38 and BmSPI39 predominantly exist as tetramers, not monomers, in Bombyx mori
Authors: Li Y. , Dong Z. , Liu H. , Zhu R. , Bai Y. , Xia Q. , Zhao P.
Published: May 2018

Previous studies have indicated that trypsin inhibitor‐like cysteine‐rich domain (TIL)‐type protease inhibitors, BmSPI38 and BmSPI39, suppress conidial germination and integument penetration of entomopathogenic fungi by inhibiting their cuticle‐degrading proteases and might functions as fungal‐resistance factors in the silkworm. To date, the physiological forms and functional significance of multimerization of BmSPI38 and BmSPI39 remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the physiological forms of BmSPI38 and BmSPI39 in Bombyx mori silkworms using multiple complementary methods, including activity staining, reducing and nonreducing sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, western blotting and immunofluorescence. We found that recombinant BmSPI38 and BmSPI39 tend to form homologous multimers, and their dimers, trimers and tetramers possessed intense inhibitory activity against subtilisin A from Bacillus licheniformis. In contrast, their monomers showed no detectable inhibitory activity. Both BmSPI38 and BmSPI39 also exist mainly as stable tetramers in silkworm tissues, and they also predominantly function as a tetramer in these tissues. This study is the first to demonstrate this preferred quaternary form of a TIL‐type protease inhibitor and will likely help to elucidate the mechanisms of BmSPI38 and BmSPI39 in the innate immune response of the silkworm.
Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease patients attending two metropolitan hospitals in Melbourne, Australia: high risk status and low prevalence
Authors: George Elena S. , Roberts Stuart K. , Nicoll Amanda J. , Reddy Anjana , Paris Tonya , Itsiopoulos Catherine , Tierney Audrey C.
Published: May 2018

Background

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease globally, with increased rates in high‐risk populations, including type 2 diabetes and obesity. The condition increases the risk of end‐stage liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma and all‐cause mortality. NAFLD is asymptomatic and often remains undiagnosed as routine screening in high‐risk groups is not practised.

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine the rates and characteristics of NAFLD patients attending liver clinics at two Melbourne metropolitan hospitals.

Methods

Liver clinics were prospectively screened for 10 consecutive months and participants with a diagnosis of NAFLD were further evaluated using pathology and imaging results obtained from medical records.

Results

Of the 2050 patients screened, 148 (7%) had NAFLD predominantly diagnosed using ultrasound (81%). NAFLD patients were obese (mean body mass index 30.7 ± 5.9 kg/m2), insulin resistant (median HOMA 4.2 (3.2) mmol/L) and had elevated liver enzymes (ALT median, males 47.0 (34.3), females 36.0 (28.0) U/L), and 18% of patients had liver stiffness measuring >12 kPa, suggesting a moderate probability of cirrhosis. Patients with liver stiffness measuring ≥9.6 kPa had significantly higher: glucose (median 5.5 (1.2) vs 6.2 (5.3) mmol/L, P = 0.007), aspartate aminotransferase levels (median 25.5 (26.0) vs 41.0 (62.0) u/L, P = 0.0005) and HOMA (3.1 (3.0) vs 5.4 (5.5) mmol/L, P = 0.040).

Conclusions

NAFLD constituted a minority of liver clinic patients, most of who were obese, insulin resistant and hypertensive, and many had an elevated liver stiffness measurement. NAFLD poses added adverse health outcomes to high‐risk patients, and therefore, early detection is warranted.
Lived experience researchers partnering with consumers and carers to improve mental health research: Reflections from an Australian initiative
Authors: Banfield Michelle , Randall Rebecca , O'Brien Mearon , Hope Sophie , Gulliver Amelia , Forbes Owen , Morse Alyssa R. , Griffiths Kathleen
Published: May 2018

Consumer and carer involvement in mental health research is a growing and developing field. Whilst there has been policy and in‐principle support for such involvement from governments around the world, lived experience researchers conducting academic research in partnership with other consumers and carers remains uncommon. ACACIA: The Australian Capital Territory Consumer and Carer Mental Health Research Unit is based at The Australian National University and employs academic researchers with lived experience to undertake research directly relevant to the needs of mental health consumers and carers with the aim of influencing policy and practice. In this study, we share our experience of developing and conducting research within ACACIA to provide a model for meaningfully engaging mental health consumers and carers throughout the research process.
Localised Estimates of Dynamics of Multi‐dimensional Disadvantage: An Application of the Small Area Estimation Technique Using Australian Survey and Census Data
Authors: Baffour Bernard , Chandra Hukum , Martinez Arturo
Published: May 2018

Deep and persistent disadvantage is an important, but statistically rare, phenomenon in the population, and sample sizes are usually not large enough to provide reliable estimates for disaggregated analysis. Survey samples are typically designed to produce estimates of population characteristics of planned areas. The sample sizes are calculated so that the survey estimator for each of the planned areas is of a desired level of precision. However, in many instances, estimators are required for areas of the population for which the survey providing the data was unplanned. Then, for areas with small sample sizes, direct estimation of population characteristics based only on the data available from the particular area tends to be unreliable. This has led to the development of a class of indirect estimators that make use of information from related areas through modelling. A model is used to link similar areas to enhance the estimation of unplanned areas; in other words, they borrow strength from the other areas. Doing so improves the precision of estimated characteristics in the small area, especially in areas with smaller sample sizes. Social science researchers have increasingly employed small area estimation to provide localised estimates of population characteristics from surveys. We explore how to extend this approach within the context of deep and persistent disadvantage in Australia. We find that because of the unique circumstances of the Australian population distribution, direct estimates of disadvantage have substantial variation, but by applying small area estimation, there are significant improvements in precision of estimates.