bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dishevelled family proteins in serous ovarian carcinomas: a clinicopathologic and molecular study
Authors: Karin‐Kujundzic Valentina , Kardum Vedran , Sola Ida Marija , Paic Frane , Skrtic Anita , Skenderi Faruk , Serman Alan , Nikuseva‐Martic Tamara , Vranic Semir , Serman Ljiljana
Published: November 2019

Dishevelled family proteins (DVL1, DVL2, and DVL3) are cytoplasmic mediators involved in canonical and non‐canonical Wnt signaling that are important for embryonic development. Since Wnt signaling promotes cell proliferation and invasion, its increased activation is associated with cancer development as well. To get deeper insight into the behavior of Dishevelled proteins in cancer, we studied their expression in serous ovarian carcinomas [both low‐ (LGSC) and high‐grade (HGSC)], and HGSC cell lines OVCAR5, OVCAR8, and OVSAHO. DVL protein expression in serous ovarian carcinomas tissues was analyzed using immunohistochemistry, while DVL protein and mRNA expressions in HGSC cell lines were analyzed using Western blot and quantitative real‐time PCR. DVL1 protein expression was significantly higher in LGSC compared with normal ovarian tissue, while DVL3 was overexpressed in both LGSC and HGSC. DVL2 and DVL3 protein expression was higher in HGSC cell lines when compared with normal control cell line FNE1, while DVL1, DVL2, and DVL3 mRNA expression was significantly increased only in OVSAHO cell line. Survival analysis revealed no significant impact of DVL proteins on patients’ outcome. Our data show an active involvement of Dishevelled family proteins in serous ovarian carcinomas. Further studies should confirm the clinical relevance of these observations.
Changes of sires in a breeding farm enables maintenance of DNA‐level genetic variation in a produced herd of Hokkaido Native Horses
Authors: Amano Tomoko , Tozaki Teruaki , Takasu Masaki , Onogi Akio , Yamada Fumihiro , Kawai Masahito , Ueda Junji
Published: November 2019

We investigated whether regular changes of the sire in a breeding farm of Hokkaido Native Horses (HKDs) enables the DNA‐level genetic variation of the produced animals to be maintained. The genotypes of 31 microsatellite markers were identified and analyzed in 207 animals produced in a breeding farm in which the sire was replaced every 3 to 5 years. The mean allele number indicating the degree of genetic variation was 5.97 and was similar to those reported previously. The mean observed heterozygosity was 0.74 and was higher than the expected heterozygosity, 0.69; FIS was −0.07, indicating that the analyzed animals reflected frequent outbreeding and had maintained genetic variation. Based on genetic structural analysis, the number of genetic subpopulations of the animals was estimated to be as 6, and the majority (more than 50%) of each subpopulation corresponded to the progeny of one of the sires used in the breeding farm; these observations suggested that genetic variation in the analyzed animals reflected the genetic differences among sires. Pedigree records indicated that the average co‐ancestry coefficient between sires used in the breeding farm was 0.015 corresponding to second cousin. This level of kinship among sires is acceptable for producing HKDs that maintain genetic variation.
#MeToo and lessons in stakeholder responsibility
Authors: William Diener Keith , Small Emmanuel
Published: November 2019

Business ethics literature regularly examines obligations of firms. This article examines the contrary and relatively under‐explored notion of obligations of stakeholders. It does so by discussing incidents of sexual misconduct arising under the umbrella of the #MeToo movement. This article explores how the theory of stakeholder responsibility can aid firms in understanding and addressing complex issues associated with stakeholder irresponsibility. It examines the moral responsibilities of regime members in the context of #MeToo incidents to provide a conceptual framework for firms addressing issues associated with irresponsible stakeholder actions.
Stumbling among Giants: Europe's Frustrated Solidarity with Guatemala, 1979–1996
Authors: Janssens Joren F.
Published: November 2019

In the 1980s, Central America became the Cold War's centre stage as Western solidarity committees rushed to shine a global spotlight on the region's revolutionary movements. Drawing on archival research and activist testimony, this article explores the uncharted European solidarity movement with Guatemala (1979–1996) and its transnational structural weaknesses. Additionally, this contribution aims to revisit recent transnational approaches to solidarity movements that highlight the purposive role of actors of the Global South in generating and shaping solidarity. Instead, it argues that restricted political spaces severely constrained Guatemalan agency domestically, affecting the strategies and tactics deployed on the international front.
Conformational investigation of peptides using solid‐state NMR spectroscopy—A study of polymorphism of β‐turn peptides containing diprolines
Authors: Yarava Jayasubba Reddy , Nishiyama Yusuke , Raghothama Srinivasarao , Ramanathan Krishna Venkatachala
Published: November 2019

The construction of complex protein folds relies on the precise conversion of a linear polypeptide chain into a compact 3‐dimensional structure. In this context, study of isolated secondary structural modules containing short stretches of amino acids assumes significance. Additionally, peptides, both natural and synthetic, play a major role as potential drugs. With a view to understand the local conformations adopted by peptides in the solid state, we propose a multinuclear NMR approach utilizing spectra of nuclei in their natural isotopic abundance. Various solid‐state NMR experiments have been utilized for assignment of the spectra. Additionally, the gauge‐including projector augmented‐wave (GIPAW) calculations were used to confirm the assignments. Particularly, the utility of the double‐quantum–single‐quantum correlation experiments is highlighted for the purpose of assignment and for inferring the conformation across the peptide bond. The methodology is illustrated for the case of designed peptides containing diproline residues occurring at the β‐turns for identifying their cis‐trans conformational polymorphism. The proposed method promises to be of use in the study of conformations of small‐ to medium‐sized peptides such as antimicrobial peptides and in the study of polymorphism leading to applications in drug development protocols.
Structural and biochemical characterization of a family 7 highly thermostable endoglucanase from the fungus Rasamsonia emersonii
Authors: Schiano‐di‐Cola Corinna , Kołaczkowski Bartłomiej , Sørensen Trine Holst , Christensen Stefan Jarl , Cavaleiro Ana Mafalda , Windahl Michael Skovbo , Borch Kim , Morth Jens Preben , Westh Peter
Published: November 2019

Thermostable cellulases from glycoside hydrolase family 7 (GH7) are the main components of enzymatic mixtures for industrial saccharification of lignocellulose. Activity improvement of these enzymes via rational design is a promising strategy to alleviate the industrial costs, but it requires detailed structural knowledge. While substantial biochemical and structural data are available for GH7 cellobiohydrolases, endoglucanases are more elusive and only few structures have been solved so far. Here, we report a new crystal structure and biochemical characterization of a thermostable endoglucanase from the thermophilic ascomycete Rasamsonia emersonii, ReCel7B. The enzyme was compared with the homologous endoglucanase from the mesophilic model ascomycete Trichoderma reesei (TrCel7B), which unlike ReCel7B possesses an additional carbohydrate‐binding module (CBM). With a temperature optimum of 80 °C, ReCel7B displayed a number of differences in activity and ability to synergize with cellobiohydrolases compared to TrCel7B. We improved both binding and kinetics in a chimeric variant of ReCel7B and a CBM, while we observe the opposite effect when the CBM was removed in TrCel7B. The crystal structure of ReCel7B was determined at 2.48 Å resolution, with Rwork and Rfree factors of 0.182 and 0.206, respectively. Structural analyses revealed that ReCel7B has increased rigidity in a number of peripheral loops compared to TrCel7B and fewer aromatics in the substrate‐binding cleft. An increased number of glycosylations were identified in ReCel7B, and we propose a stabilizing mechanism for one of the glycans. Global structure–function interpretations of ReCel7B highlight the differences in temperature stability, turnover, binding, and cellulose accessibility in GH7 endoglucanases.

Database

Structural data are available in RCSB Protein Data Bank database under the accession number 6SU8.

Enzymes

ReCel7B, endoglucanase (EC3.2.1.4) from Rasamsonia emersonii; ReCel7A, cellobiohydrolase (EC3.2.1.176) from Rasamsonia emersonii; TrCel7B, endoglucanase (EC3.2.1.4) from Trichoderma reesei; TrCel7A, cellobiohydrolase (EC3.2.1.176) from Trichoderma reesei.
Anti‐viral effects of interferon‐λ3 on hepatitis B virus infection in cell culture
Authors: Yamada Norie , Murayama Asako , Shiina Masaaki , Aly Hussein Hassan , Iwamoto Masashi , Tsukuda Senko , Watashi Koichi , Tanaka Tomohisa , Moriishi Kohji , Nishitsuji Hironori , Sugiyama Masaya , Mizokami Masashi , Shimotohno Kunitada , Muramatsu Masamichi , Murata Kazumoto , Kato Takanobu
Published: November 2019

Aim

Interferon (IFN)‐λ3 is known to have antiviral effects against various pathogens. Recently, it has been reported that the production of IFN‐λ3 in colon cells after the administration of nucleotide analogs is expected to reduce hepatitis B surface antigen in chronic hepatitis B patients. Here, we aimed to prove the antiviral effects of IFN‐λ3 on hepatitis B virus (HBV) by using an in vitro HBV production and infection system.

Methods

We used HepG2.2.15‐derived HBV as an inoculum and the replication‐competent molecular clone of HBV as a replication model.

Results

By administering IFN‐λ3 to HepG2 cells transfected with the HBV molecular clone, the production of hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B core‐related antigen was reduced dose‐dependently. IFN‐λ3 treatment also reduced the number of HBV‐positive cells and the synthesis of covalently closed circular DNA after infection of HepG2.2.15‐derived HBV to sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide‐transduced HepG2 cells. The inhibitory effect on HBV infection by IFN‐λ3 was confirmed by using a recombinant a HBV reporter virus system. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the anti‐HBV effect of IFN‐λ3, we assessed the transcription of HBV RNA and the production of core‐associated HBV DNA in HBV molecular clone‐transfected HepG2 cells, and found that both parameters were reduced by IFN‐λ3.

Conclusions

We observed that the administration of IFN‐λ3 inhibits HBV infection and the production of HBV proteins at the HBV RNA transcription level. This finding provides novel insight into the treatment of chronic hepatitis B patients with the administration or induction of IFN‐λ3.
Activating killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors: Detection, function and therapeutic use
Authors: Blunt Matthew D. , Khakoo Salim I.
Published: November 2019

Killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs) have a central role in the control of natural killer (NK) cell function. The functions of the activating KIRs, as compared to those of the inhibitory KIR, have been more difficult to define due to difficulties in antibody‐mediated identification and their apparent low affinities for HLA class I. Immunogenetic studies have shown associations of activating KIRs with the outcome of autoimmune diseases, pregnancy‐associated disorders, infectious diseases and cancers. Activating KIR are thus thought to have important roles in the control of natural killer cell functions and their role in disease. In this review, we discuss current knowledge on activating KIR, their ligands and, their roles in the pathogenesis and potential therapy of human diseases.
ISTAP classification for skin tears: Validation for Brazilian Portuguese
Authors: da Silva Cinthia V. B. , Campanili Ticiane C. G. F. , Freitas Noélle de Oliveira , LeBlanc Kimberly , Baranoski Sharon , Santos Vera L. C. de Gouveia
Published: November 2019

The objective of this study was to evaluate interobserver reliability and the concurrent criterion validity of the adapted version of the International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP) Skin Tear Classification System to Brazilian Portuguese. For the evaluation of interobserver reliability using the photograph database, 36 nurses classified 30 skin tears (STs) into three groups, according to its definitions (adapted version). For the evaluation through clinical application, 23 nurses classified 12 STs present in 8 thoracic and cardiovascular postoperative patients at a tertiary hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil. For the data collection of patients, an enterostomal therapist nurse classified the ST found by simultaneously using the adapted ISTAP version and the Skin Tear Audit Research (STAR) Classification System to test the concurrent criterion validity. The average of 17.83 correct answers (SD = 5.03) resulted from 1080 photograph observations, with Fleiss κ = 0.279 (reasonable concordance level). The interobserver reliability in the clinical application resulted in a global correct answer percentage of 76.7% in 85 observations. The concurrent criterion validity was attested by the total correlation (r = 1) between ISTAP and STAR. The ISTAP classification for ST is a reliable instrument and also valid in Brazil, making it another option to be used in clinical practice.
How to Promote Fed Independence: Perspectives from Political Economy and History
Authors: Calomiris Charles W.
Published: November 2019

In two short histories of the independence of the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank since its creation in 1913—the first with respect to the Fed's monetary policymaking, the second focused on its regulatory policymaking—the author shows that the range of the Fed's powers has varied greatly over time, and that changes in those powers have had major effects on the extent of Fed independence. Moreover, the shifts over time in Fed powers reflect, to a significant degree, conscious trade‐offs by Fed leaders. A large number of somewhat surprising Fed positions on important regulatory matters can be explained as more or less deliberate attempts to preserve the Fed's monetary powers from political interference by yielding some of its independence in exercising its regulatory authority.

In a case involving one of the most destructive U.S. financial regulatory policies, the Fed's effective neutrality on, and thus failure to support, the elimination of restrictions on interstate branch banking is seen as contributing to the chronic instability of the U.S. banking system, which has suffered some 20 major crises since the early 1800s (as compared to the crisis‐free Canadian system, with its nationwide banking from its inception). The Fed's reluctance to intervene is attributed to its unwillingness to antagonize powerful Congressional supporters of state banking interests and, more generally, to a “game of bank bargains” that can be seen at work in the political economy of virtually all countries.

In more recent times, the most costly episode in this time‐honored game features a series of implicit or, in some cases, explicit agreements between large U.S. banks and urban activist groups—under the aegis of the Community Reinvestment Act, and with the oversight and implicit blessing of the Fed—to make on the order of $4.6 trillion loans to “subprime” borrowers in exchange for the activists’ (and the Fed's) support in Congressional merger hearings. The resulting nationwide debasement of mortgage underwriting standards and sheer volume of “toxic assets,” in combination with clearly inadequate capital requirements (which the Fed also failed to correct), are viewed as if not the principal cause of the crisis, a far bigger contributor than, say, the Fed's widely criticized unwillingness to tighten monetary policy in the early 2000s.

To prevent the Fed from continuing to sacrifice its independence in regulatory matters to preserve its freedom to conduct monetary policy, the author proposes that authority for regulatory and monetary policy be vested in two separate regulatory bodies. If carried out, such a policy change would enact a proposal made by then Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson in 2008, just before the global financial crisis hit.
Monetary Policy Implementation: Making Better and More Consistent Use of the Federal Reserve's Balance Sheet
Authors: Ireland Peter N.
Published: November 2019

Since December 2015, the Federal Reserve has operated a new “floor system” in which it brings about desired changes in its targeted federal funds rate by managing the interest rate it pays on bank reserves and other short‐term liabilities. The design of this new system reflects the tendency of Fed officials to view monetary policy as affecting the economy through Keynesian” interest rate channels. From this Keynesian perspective, policy actions that change the size of the balance sheet are seen as tools for influencing credit market conditions that operate in addition to and independently of the Fed's monetary policy stance.

The alternative monetarist framework proposed by the author views monetary policy and its effects as operating through the interaction between money supply and demand. Use of this framework makes clear that, even under a floor system, monetary policy actions designed to affect the aggregate price level and the rate of inflation must be accompanied sooner or later by traditional open market operations that have implications for the size and composition of the Fed's balance sheet.

Use of the monetarist framework also underscores the likelihood that the Fed, by paying interest on reserves, has unknowingly contributed to the restrictiveness of its own monetary policies since the financial crisis, a period during which inflation has run consistently below target. More generally, the monetarist framework downplays the importance of the zero lower interest rate bound and suggests that monetary policy could be conducted more effectively by adopting and adhering to a consistent, rule‐like manner during good times and bad.
Will Blockchain Be a Big Deal? Reasons for Caution
Authors: Pirrong Craig
Published: November 2019

The initial enthusiasm for implementing blockchain in financial markets has been dampened considerably by its collision with economic realities. Though the author warns against avoiding the Panglossian trap of viewing ours as the best of all possible worlds, he reminds us that trusted institutions have evolved and emerged in a competitive environment as a means of economizing on transaction costs. Such costs arise from the nature of transactions, including crucially the information environment in which they take place. Though new technologies such as blockchain have the potential to reduce some of these costs, they often do so without fundamentally changing the underlying economic conditions that give rise to them. And as a result, institutions such as banks and exchanges that technologists scoff at may well prove surprisingly competitive and durable in the face of technological challengers.

The most successful implementation of blockchain—Bitcoin—solves a very basic transactional challenge peculiar to cryptocurrency: the double spend problem. But it does so in a very expensive way, and many other transactions pose far more complex challenges. The three cautionary tales provided by the author—the first involving securities and derivatives trading and clearing, the second commodity trading, and the third proposals to “equitize” assets—all demonstrate the need to confront “Chesterton's Fence” when evaluating the potential of blockchain in any particular application. In other words, to understand the value of a new technology for a given set of functions, one must understand the economic forces that have shaped the processes and institutions that currently perform those functions. When such forces are considered, it often becomes apparent that new technologies like blockchain will not prove superior to existing practices—and may even create adverse unintended consequences that offset and perhaps even eliminate its beneficial effects.
The Reference‐Driven College Paper (Or Why Your Students Should Read the JACF)
Authors: Trefzger Joseph W.
Published: November 2019

The main objective of college finance courses should be critical thinking in financial settings. Instructors assigning papers therefore should be concerned about not just writing fundamentals, but also students’ ability to develop well‐reasoned arguments that are expressed effectively.

Finding the right reference materials is likely to be an important first step toward identifying important topics and issues in finance, and then formulating and expressing cogent arguments about them. Unfortunately, paper writers too often begin by selecting topics that sound interesting, followed by information searches that tend to yield either popular articles that are short on analysis, or academic publications with solid analysis based on quantitative content well over their heads. Students should instead be encouraged to take the “middle way” of the reference‐driven approach: that is, find analytical materials written at a level they can comprehend and choose topics supported by those sources.

The ideal tools for building the critical thinking of undergraduate finance students can be found in two sources: the Journal of Applied Corporate Finance, which presents articles written with practitioners in mind by academics, as well as edited transcripts of roundtable discussions between academic theorists and corporate practitioners; and the subset of finance articles in the Journal of Economic Perspectives. Both of these publications are written mainly by top academic thinkers, but without the complicated mathematics that can discourage students. The author also offers access to files that facilitate the search for articles in both of these journals based on topics, phrases, or authors.
Notch3 promotes 3T3‐L1 pre‐adipocytes differentiation by up‐regulating the expression of LARS to activate the mTOR pathway
Authors: Guo Yuxian , Tan Junyu , Xiong Wei , Chen Shuzhao , Fan Liping , Li Yaochen
Published: November 2019

Adipocytes constitute a major component of the tumour microenvironment. Numerous studies have shown that adipocytes promote aggressiveness and invasion by stimulating cancer cells proliferation and modulating their metabolism. Herein, we reported that Notch3 promotes mouse 3T3‐L1 pre‐adipocytes differentiation by performing the integrative transcriptome and TMT‐based proteomic analyses. The results revealed that aminoacyl‐tRNA_biosynthesis pathway was significantly influenced with Nocth3 change during 3T3‐L1 pre‐adipocytes differentiation, and the expression of LARS in this pathway was positively correlated with Notch3. Published studies have shown that LARS is a sensor of leucine that regulates the mTOR pathway activity, and the latter involves in adipogenesis. We therefore supposed that Notch3 might promote 3T3‐L1 pre‐adipocytes differentiation by up‐regulating LARS expression and activating mTOR pathway. CHIP and luciferase activity assay uncovered that Notch3 could transcriptionally regulate the expression of LARS gene. Oil Red staining identified a positive correlation between Notch3 expression and adipocytic differentiation. The activation of mTOR pathway caused by Notch3 overexpression could be attenuated by knocking down LARS expression. Altogether, our study revealed that Notch3 promotes adipocytic differentiation of 3T3‐L1 pre‐adipocytes cells by up‐regulating LARS expression and activating the mTOR pathway, which might be an emerging target for obesity treatment.
What's in a Name? The Disparate Effects of Identifiability on Offenders and Victims of Sexual Harassment
Authors: Barak‐Corren Netta , Lewinsohn‐Zamir Daphna
Published: November 2019

Sexual harassment is undergoing an identification revolution, as more victims choose to forego their anonymity and divulge their identity to the public. Research in social psychology on the identifiability effect has found that identified victims typically generate more empathy and support than unidentified ones. However, this research has been limited largely to monetary donations or to unambiguous cases with uncontested facts; the scholarship has not examined the effects of varying the identifiability of both parties to a conflict. In three large‐scale experiments with a representative population (total N = 3,988), we found that in the context of sexual harassment, victims do not gain an identifiability “premium”—whereas offenders do. Offenders identified by their first name only are regarded as more credible and moral and less blameworthy and responsible for the event than unidentified offenders, but the same does not apply to identified victims. Furthermore, when the offender is identified, fewer people perceive the case as involving sexual harassment (Experiment 1), and support for taking measures against the offender declines (Experiment 2). Finally, the identified offender premium exists for offenders of both sexes, but the detrimental effect of identification on victims is moderated by the victim's mode of identification. Specifically, identified female victims who stated willingness to disclose their name publicly fared worse than those preferring that their name not be revealed in public, and the difference between active and passive identification reversed for male victims. The effect of identification mode is moderated by sexist beliefs (Experiment 3). Our results have normative implications for the appropriate balance between publicity and anonymity in various contexts, including social networks, the media, and disciplinary and judicial tribunals.
Virus susceptibility of a new cell line derived from the fin of black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus
Authors: Wang Yizhou , Xue Ting , Wang Qian , Xia Bilin , Pan Qihua , Chen Tiansheng
Published: November 2019

A continuous cell line MPF derived from the fin of black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus was established and characterised in this study. Mylopharyngodon piceus fin (MPF) cells were subcultured for more than 80 passages with high viability recovery after long‐term storage. The karyotyping analysis revealed that MPF had a modal diploid chromosome number (2n = 48) and identical ribosomal RNA sequence with black carp. In addition, the expression of pluripotency‐associated markers including nanog, oct4 and vasa, were detected in MPF. The transient transfection efficiency of MPF reached 23% with a fluorescent reporter by modified electroporation and stable expression of red fluorescent MPF was established by the baculovirus system, indicating that MPF is an ideal platform for studying gene functions in vitro. Lastly, cytopathic effects were also observed and RNA transcripts of a viral gene increased after infection by spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV), suggesting that MPF could be an alternative tool for investigating pathogen‐host interactions in black carp. In conclusion, a fin cell line that is susceptible to SVCV was established as a potential adult stem‐cell line, providing a suitable tool for future genetic analyses and pathogen–host studies in black carp.
Population dynamics of Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. in ready‐to‐eat Mediterranean vegetable salads
Authors: Olaimat Amin N. , Al‐Holy Murad A. , Abu Ghoush Mahmoud H. , Abu Hilal Haneen M. , Al‐Nabulsi Anas A. , Osaili Tareq M. , Rasco Barbara A.
Published: November 2019

This study evaluated the behavior of Salmonella and Shigella (5–6 log CFU/g) in tomato–cucumber (TC) salad without additives (control), TC with 1.0% lemon juice and 0.5% salt, TC with 10% wt/wt tahini, coleslaw, and toum sauce at 4, 10, or 24°C for 5 days. At 4°C, both pathogens survived well in all salads, with a 0.2–1.6 log CFU/g reduction after 5 days (except for toum sauce with >3.5 log CFU/g reduction after 4 days). At 10°C, Salmonella in the different TC salads remained constant, whereas Shigella numbers significantly increased by 1.0–1.7 log CFU/g after 5 days. Yet, both pathogens significantly decreased by 1.2–1.4 log CFU/g in coleslaw after 5 days and by >3.5 log CFU/g in toum sauce after 3 days. At 24°C, Salmonella significantly increased in TC salad without additives by 1.4 log CFU/g after 5 days and were below the detection level in the other types of salad after 5 days. However, Shigella numbers significantly increased by 1.0 log CFU/g in TC with tahini, but they significantly declined by 1.9–2.9 log CFU/g in TC salads after 5 days, and the pathogen was not detected in coleslaw and toum sauce after 4 days.
Healthcare Utilization and Physical Functioning in Older Adults in the United States
Authors: Cheng Yue , Goodin Amie J. , Pahor Marco , Manini Todd , Brown Joshua D.
Published: November 2019

OBJECTIVES

Decline in physical function is associated with older age. Healthcare utilization and expenditures related to physical functioning declines will likely increase as the proportion of the population of older adults rises. This study evaluated resource utilization associated with differences in physical functioning in a nationally representative sample of older adults.

DESIGN

A retrospective panel study nationally representative for 26 809 552 older adults in the United States.

SETTING

Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data from 2013 to 2014.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults aged 70 years or older who completed both rounds of the Self‐Administered Questionnaire in MEPS.

MEASUREMENTS

Physical Component Score (PCS) from the Short‐Form Health Survey as a measure of physical functioning was stratified into quartiles. Healthcare utilization (count of medical visits by setting) and total expenditures were assessed during and after the PCS measurements. Generalized linear mixed models, adjusted for demographic and clinical covariates, estimated the relationship between healthcare utilization and physical functioning.

RESULTS

The lowest functional status (Q1) was associated with significantly increased healthcare utilization of emergency department, inpatient, home health, outpatient, and total medical visits compared with the three higher quartiles groups (P < .001, all). When compared with the lowest functioning group (Q1), the percentage savings for direct healthcare expenditures were 26.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 7.8‐41.7) in Q2, 50.1% (95% CI = 35.6‐61.4) in Q3, and 65.2% (95% CI = 54.7‐73.2) in Q4. Similarly, there were 10.4% (95% CI = 9.2‐11.7), 11.9% (95% CI = 10.5‐13.6), and 14.0% (95% CI = 2.2%‐15.9%) reductions in total medical visits, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Lower physical functioning was associated with higher healthcare utilization and expenditures. These estimates are conservative because they do not capture long‐term care utilization due to the nature of MEPS. These results can be used to benchmark other healthcare resource benefits of interventions to maintain or improve physical functioning in older adults in noninstitutionalized settings. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:266–271, 2020
The interaction of CaM7 and CNGC14 regulates root hair growth inArabidopsis
Authors: Zeb Qudsia , Wang Xiaohan , Hou Congcong , Zhang Xiwen , Dong Mengqi , Zhang Sisi , Zhang Qian , Ren Zhijie , Tian Wang , Zhu Huifen , Li Legong , Liu Liangyu
Published: November 2019

Oscillations in cytosolic free calcium determine the polarity of tip‐growing root hairs. The Ca2+ channel cyclic nucleotide gated channel 14 (CNGC14) contributes to the dynamic changes in Ca2+ concentration gradient at the root hair tip. However, the mechanisms that regulate CNGC14 are unknown. In this study, we detected a direct interaction between calmodulin 7 (CaM7) and CNGC14 through yeast two‐hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays. We demonstrated that the third EF‐hand domain of CaM7 specifically interacts with the cytosolic C‐terminal domain of CNGC14. A two‐electrode voltage clamp assay showed that CaM7 completely inhibits CNGC14‐mediated Ca2+ influx, suggesting that CaM7 negatively regulates CNGC14‐mediated calcium signaling. Furthermore, CaM7 overexpressing lines phenocopy the short root hair phenotype of a cngc14 mutant and this phenotype is insensitive to changes in external Ca2+ concentrations. We, thus, identified CaM7‐CNGC14 as a novel interacting module that regulates polar growth in root hairs by controlling the tip‐focused Ca2+ signal.
Prospective application of exosomes derived from adipose‐derived stem cells in skin wound healing: A review
Authors: Qiu He , Liu Shuo , Wu Kelun , Zhao Rui , Cao Lideng , Wang Hang
Published: November 2019

Background

Wound healing has always been an intractable medical problem for both clinicians and researchers and a burden for patients both physically and financially. Poor wound healing at the injury site, especially in an exposed site, is associated with an unappealing esthetic appearance in patients and also results in a bad skin barrier, tissue infection and necrosis, loss of main function in extreme cases and other serious local and systemic consequences. There is a crucial and urgent need for newer, more efficacious methods for enhancing the healing process to achieve optimal outcomes morphologically and functionally. Recent advances have focused on developing therapies that promote tissue regeneration through positively activating the mechanism of tissue repair. Given the increasing high‐quality studies concerning exosomes derived from adipose‐derived stem cells (ADSCs‐Exos), their potential use in accelerating or supporting the wound healing process has gained increasing attention in recent years.

Aims

In this review, we present an overview of the recent advances in the field of ADSCs‐Exos and investigate their benefit in wound healing for skin regeneration with the expectation of providing a perspective on how to best utilize this powerful cell‐free therapy in the future.

Methods

A retrospective review of the published data was conducted.

Results

Most studies have shown the possible roles of ASCs‐derived exosomes (ADSCs‐Exos) in cutaneous wound healing through regulation of the inflammatory response and promotion of cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, angiogenesis and matrix reconstruction to provide a new perspective strategy for the use of ASCs‐Exos in skin wound healing.

Conclusion

ADSCs‐Exos are likely to achieve the best functionally and cosmetic skin wound healing while avoiding undesirable consequences. ADSCs‐Exos represent a novel therapeutic tool in soft tissue repair; however, further randomized, double‐blind, comparative clinical trials must be performed to determine the specific mechanisms, safety and other relevant cosmetic concerns.
The minimum wage and seasonal employment: Evidence from the US agricultural sector
Authors: Kandilov Amy M. G. , Kandilov Ivan T.
Published: November 2019

Nearly 40% of agricultural workers in the United States earn an hourly wage that is within 10% of the prevailing state‐level minimum wage. We evaluate the impact of the minimum wage on farm employment using county‐level data from the United States Census of Agriculture. We employ long‐differences specifications and find evidence of a dynamic, negative effect of the minimum wage on seasonal agricultural employment, but no effect on year‐round agricultural employment. We estimate a long‐run elasticity of total agricultural employment with respect to the minimum wage of about −0.40, which is both statistically and economically significant. Employers’ total expenditures on hired agricultural workers are not affected by the minimum wage. Finally, our analysis suggests that increases in minimum wages may lead to higher capital investment as well as the consolidation of farming operations in the agricultural sector.
Eight weeks of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir for genotype 3 hepatitis C in previously untreated patients with significant (F2/3) fibrosis
Authors: Boyle Alison , Marra Fiona , Peters Erica , Datta Shouren , Ritchie Trina , Priest Matthew , Heydtmann Mathis , Barclay Stephen T.
Published: November 2019

Twelve weeks sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) is a highly effective pan‐genotypic regimen for hepatitis C. Phase 2 data suggest 8 weeks of treatment may be sufficient for previously untreated noncirrhotic patients with genotype 3 (GT3) infection. To maximize the number of patients potentially cured within a fixed treatment budget, we elected to treat such patients locally eligible for treatment (F2/3), with 8 weeks of SOF/VEL. By local protocol, treatment‐naive patients with F2 (LSM > 6.9kPa < 9.5kPa) or F3 fibrosis (≥9.5kPa < 12.5kPa) were eligible for 8‐week SOF/VEL treatment. Patients commencing treatment before 1 Oct 2017 were identified from the Scottish HCV database. Baseline and treatment outcome data obtained. Ninety patients were included for analysis (72 (80%) male, mean age 45 (IQR ± 8.4), 28 (31.1%) F3 fibrosis). Opioid agonist therapy (OAT) was prescribed in 82 (91.1%) patients. Of 49 patients attending Glasgow city Alcohol and Drug Services, 27 (55.1%) had evidence of recent drug use (< 3 months) including 8 (16.3%) with self‐reported intravenous drug use. On an intention‐to‐treat basis, SVR rates were 86/90 (95.6%, 95% CI 89.0‐98.8). Excluding those who prematurely discontinued treatment (n = 4), died prior to SVR testing (n = 1) or whom experienced reinfection (n = 1), per‐protocol SVR rate was 84/84 (100%, 95% CI 95.7‐100.0). In conclusion, eight‐week SOF/VEL is highly effective in treatment‐naive GT3 patients with significant fibrosis. This offers a non‐protease inhibitor‐based 8‐week regimen which may be useful for complex drug interactions or where time‐limited opportunity for treatment. In limited resource settings, reduction in drug acquisition costs may help achieve progress towards the goal of HCV elimination.
Workers with Disabilities Between Legal Changes and Persisting Exclusion: How Contradictory Rights Shape Legal Mobilization
Authors: Lejeune Aude , Ringelheim Julie
Published: November 2019

It has become commonplace within disability sociolegal scholarship to argue that, in the last 30 years, a new legal and policy approach to disability has emerged, leading to a paradigm shift from a social protection framework to an antidiscrimination model. Some authors have stressed, however, that the new model has not fully replaced the older social protection approach. Yet little is still known about how the coexistence of these different models impacts on the everyday experience of disability in the workplace and on potential legal mobilization. Based on interviews with workers with disabilities who mobilized the law to obtain reasonable accommodation in Belgium combined with an analysis of evolving Belgian legal schemes relating to disability, this article explores how interactions between social, labor, and antidiscrimination rights shape legal mobilization of persons with disabilities in the workplace. We find that individual's initial self-identification as workers or persons with disabilities influences how they frame their claim and the kind of legal norms they refer to in a first stage but that both their identification and their rights consciousness evolve and change through the course of legal mobilization as they interact with various professionals and navigate between the different concepts and rights available in current law.
Critical Mass for Affirmative Action: Dispersing the Critical Cloud
Authors: Kalbfeld Jessica Rose
Published: November 2019

The concept of critical mass has been invoked by social scientists and the Supreme Court in affirmative action decisions as a solution to problems related to underrepresentation of minority students in institutions of higher education. Little distinction is made by scholars between the Court's use of critical mass as a metaphor and its application in research as a mathematical concept. I use Agent-Based Modeling—a simulation technique in which systems are modeled through repetitive interaction of autonomous decision-making “agents” to observe the complex dynamics that emerge from interaction—to investigate the Supreme Court's conception of the relationship between student-body composition and student isolation and stereotyping. Findings demonstrate that the relationship between student body representation and the educational outcomes of interest as detailed by the Court, specifically minority students' feeling of isolation and majority students' retention of negative stereotypes, does not exhibit a specific threshold or tipping point as we would expect from a system that has a critical mass at which sudden and sustainable change in the state of the system occurs. Simulations of student interactions show there is not one definable threshold or critical mass of minority students that achieves educational goals of reducing either the isolation felt by minority students or the negative stereotypes held by majority students about their minority peers. Instead, greater minority representation is consistently associated with better outcomes for students in all contexts.
Flexibility and Authority: Resolving Labor Disputes in A County Government in Western China
Authors: He Xin , Su Yang
Published: November 2019

Existing literature regards flexibility and authority as key characteristics of informal justice. We further contend that the combination of the two is crucial for informal justice to be effective. We investigate the process of dispute resolution by a Chinese labor agency. Following the life cycles of a sample of 810 labor disputes, we find that this informal justice forum was efficient and effective, made possible by the combination of flexibility and authority. Flexibility means that the agency attracts certain types of cases that are usually screened out of the formal legal system and that agency officials use “informal,” hence flexible, techniques. Authority means that the administrative agency possesses additional powers over the disputants; hence, the disputants are under pressure to follow its suggestions and decisions. A comparative analysis of various cases of informal justice reinforces the importance of combining flexibility and authority. We further demonstrate that flexibility without authority is insufficient and that some informal justice forums are effective because they enjoy both.
Genotypic variation in Norway spruce correlates to fungal communities in vegetative buds
Authors: Elfstrand Malin , Zhou Linghua , Baison John , Olson Åke , Lundén Karl , Karlsson Bo , Wu Harry X. , Stenlid Jan , García‐Gil M. Rosario
Published: November 2019

The taxonomically diverse phyllosphere fungi inhabit leaves of plants. Thus, apart from the fungi's dispersal capacities and environmental factors, the assembly of the phyllosphere community associated with a given host plant depends on factors encoded by the host's genome. The host genetic factors and their influence on the assembly of phyllosphere communities under natural conditions are poorly understood, especially in trees. Recent work indicates that Norway spruce (Picea abies) vegetative buds harbour active fungal communities, but these are hitherto largely uncharacterized. This study combines internal transcribed spacer sequencing of the fungal communities associated with dormant vegetative buds with a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) in 478 unrelated Norway spruce trees. The aim was to detect host loci associated with variation in the fungal communities across the population, and to identify loci correlating with the presence of specific, latent, pathogens. The fungal communities were dominated by known Norway spruce phyllosphere endophytes and pathogens. We identified six quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with the relative abundance of the dominating taxa (i.e., top 1% most abundant taxa). Three additional QTLs associated with colonization by the spruce needle cast pathogenLirula macrosporaor the cherry spruce rust (Thekopsora areolata) in asymptomatic tissues were detected. The identification of the nine QTLs shows that the genetic variation in Norway spruce influences the fungal community in dormant buds and that mechanisms underlying the assembly of the communities and the colonization of latent pathogens in trees may be uncovered by combining molecular identification of fungi with GWAS.
Women's Perspectives on Postpartum Intrauterine Devices in Tanzania
Authors: Huber‐Krum Sarah , Hackett Kristy , Senderowicz Leigh , Pearson Erin , Francis Joel M. , Siril Hellen , Ulenga Nzovu , Shah Iqbal
Published: November 2019

Despite the numerous benefits of the postpartum copper intrauterine device (PPIUD), which is inserted within 48 hours after giving birth, it is underutilized in many resource‐constrained settings, including Tanzania. We conducted in‐depth interviews with 20 pregnant women who received contraceptive counseling during routine antenatal care in 2016–2017 and 27 postpartum women who had a PPIUD inserted in 2018 to understand reasons for use versus nonuse and continuation versus discontinuation. Primary motivators for using a PPIUD included: convenience, effectiveness, perceived lack of side effects, and duration of pregnancy protection. Barriers to use included: fear of insertion, concerns related to sexual experiences post‐insertion, and limited knowledge. Women who had a PPIUD inserted continued use when their expectations matched their experience, while discontinuation resulted from unexpected expulsion and experience of unanticipated side effects. Frequent follow‐up and guidance on side‐effect management influenced women's decisions to continue use. To support uptake and continued utilization of the PPIUD, postpartum contraceptive counseling should explicitly address side effects and risk of expulsion.
Accentuating the Positive: City Branding, Narrative and Practice
Authors: Gold John R. , Gold Margaret M.
Published: November 2019

This commentary on the contribution made by Kavaratzis and Ashworth (2005) examines the antecedents to which it responded, the key ideas that it offered at the time of publication, and assesses its lasting impact. There are three main sections. The first reflects upon the informal and improvised approaches that characterised place promotion, marketing and branding in the final decades of the twentieth century. The second surveys Kavaratzis and Ashworth’s critical reflections on the existing theory and practice of city branding. The third section discusses their role in contributing a benchmark in scholarly discourse that reflected convergences with management science and policy relevance, but recognises that it was implicated in a broader meta‐narrative shaped by neoliberalist approaches and values.