bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linear gain effect of theta-burst and 15 Hz rTMS on intra-cortically measured neuronal responses to oriented grating visual stimuli
Authors: Venkateswaran Ajay , Yao Ze-Shan , Villeneuve Martin Y. , Shmuel Amir
Published: March 2020

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) involves the application of time-pulsed magnetic fields to cortical tissue through a coil positioned near the head. TMS is widely used for studying the mechanisms underlying perception and behaviour and is considered a potential therapeutic technique for various conditions. However, the application of TMS has been hindered by the lack of understanding of its mechanism of action. Here we studied the effects of three repetitive TMS (rTMS) paradigms on intra-cortical neuronal responses to oriented gratings in cat area 18. Each of stimulation protocols, including continuous theta-burst, intermittent theta-burst, and 15 Hz rTMS, consisted of 600 pulses. Application of continuous theta-burst and 15 Hz rTMS suppressed the action potential response to oriented grating stimuli for 1.5-6 minutes. In contrast, application of intermittent theta-burst stimulation was associated with enhancement of the action potential response ∼15 minutes following TMS. Neuronal assemblies that were more responsive before the application of rTMS, were affected more than neurons that were less responsive before rTMS. In spite of these changes, the preferred orientation, the orientation tuning of the multi-unit activity and the spatial pattern of the responses recorded from assemblies neurons remained unaffected. Our findings demonstrate that rTMS does not modify the functional selectivities of ensembles of neurons; rather, it has a linear gain effect on their responses.
A single locus underlies variation inCaenorhabditis eleganschemotherapeutic responses
Authors: Evans Kathryn S. , Andersen Erik C.
Published: March 2020

Pleiotropy, the concept that a single gene controls multiple distinct traits, is prevalent in most organisms and has broad implications for medicine and agriculture. Identifying the molecular mechanisms underlying pleiotropy has the power to unveil previously unknown biological connections between seemingly unrelated traits. Additionally, the discovery of pleiotropic genes increases our understanding of both genetic and phenotypic complexity by characterizing novel gene functions. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping has been used to identify several pleiotropic regions in many organisms. However, gene knockout studies are needed to eliminate the possibility of tightly linked, non-pleiotropic loci. Here, we use a panel of 296 recombinant inbred advanced intercross lines ofCaenorhabditis elegansand a high-throughput fitness assay to identify a single large-effect QTL on the center of chromosome V associated with variation in responses to eight chemotherapeutics. We validate this QTL with near-isogenic lines and pair genome-wide gene expression data with drug response traits to perform mediation analysis, leading to the identification of a pleiotropic candidate gene,scb-1. Using deletion strains created by genome editing, we show thatscb-1, which was previously implicated in response to bleomycin, also underlies responses to other double-strand DNA break-inducing chemotherapeutics. This finding provides new evidence for the role ofscb-1in the nematode drug response and highlights the power of mediation analysis to identify causal genes.
IKEA Inc.: the India way
Authors: Yadav Neetu
Published: March 2020

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are as follows: to learn about the application of Bartlett and Ghoshal’s model of international strategy; to compare and contrast the global strategy of IKEA in India and China; and to understand how adaptability can create a new competitive advantage in emerging markets.

Case overview/synopsis

The case study enables discussion about the global strategy of a well-established multi-national company, IKEA in an emerging market. IKEA is a well-established and well-known brand in the international market in furniture retailing. It has decided to make a debut in India in 2017 with its first store in Hyderabad. However, it was yet to open it in 2018. The case emphasizes upon understanding the global strategy of IKEA, positioning itself in the fragmented Indian furniture industry, managing differences in emerging markets and adapting to the local environment of the particular country. The case highlights how adaptability can create a new competitive advantage in managing global strategy in different countries of emerging markets.

Complexity academic level

This case study is developed for post-graduate management programs as an MBA, Executive MBA and executive development programs.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
Comparison of remuneration in family and non-family firms in the Czech Republic
Authors: Hradský Ondřej
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse 100 of the largest family firms and their personnel costs and employee numbers compared to non-family firms in the Czech Republic and confirm if there exist differences between personnel costs for family and non-family firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consisted of 100 family firms and 97 non-family firms from the Czech Republic for the comparison. Four hypotheses about relation between personnel costs for family and non-family firms and their governing body were set. Descriptive statistics were calculated, andt-tests and Kruskal–Wallis test for confirmation of set hypothesis were used.

Findings

Sales volume and production consumption results are used as variables, which were compared between family and non-family firms to achieve the most relevant possible conclusions. Based on our results, it can be stated that differences between personnel costs, which, in this study, comprise employee wages, are not statistically significant in the largest Czech family firms. There are significant differences in personnel costs for company boards. In comparing employee numbers and the number of members of statutory bodies, however, no significant difference was ascertained.

Originality/value

This study responds to a gap in the literature, by exploring the differences between personnel costs (for employees and governing body) in the area of the Czech Republic. This study also contributes to the understanding of the remuneration within family firms, by assessing the role of executive remuneration in family firms.
Development of accountability for academic performance model based on management information system
Authors: Narindro Laser , Hardyanto Wahyu , Joko Raharjo Tri , Kardoyo Kardoyo
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate and develop a model for an internal quality assurance system for school self-evaluation based on a management information system (MIS) for Vocational High Schools based on National Education Standards. MIS has been implemented by the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia since 2016, which is called SIAP-PADAMU NEGERI Application. Although that MIS has been running, it still needs analysis and development in terms of both MIS and education management function. The purpose of the development model of self-school evaluation is to manage data and information online, real-time and integrated to control educational quality as a baseline for stakeholders to make further strategic policies.

Design/methodology/approach

This research methodology uses Research and Development (R&D) with a unified theory of acceptance and use of technology as a research approach where research techniques use triangulation techniques. The education management function uses the POAC approach (planning, organization, actuating and controlling).

Findings

The achievement of standar nasional pendidikan (SNP) quality in the education level of Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan (SMK) in Semarang City Central Java Province in 2016 is generally categorized to SNP level 3. Thus, SNP internal quality achievement in SMK education level in Semarang City in the year 2016 has not reached SNP. For SMK education level, the best quality achievement is at the lowest standard of content and quality achievement in the assessment standard. In theoretic integrated MIS model makes it easy in quality data reconnaissance and accreditation school. All of the process flow has been integrated into one framework so as to facilitate the monitoring of internal and external quality of school conducted by stakeholders.

Originality/value

SNP quality achievement in SMK/Vocational High School Education Level in Semarang City is categorized in SNP quality achievement in level of 3 from 5 of SNP. Because of that, the internal quality achievement of SNP in SMK/Vocational High School in Semarang City in 2016 does not reach SNP yet. The achievement of quality for SNP in vocational high school education level in central Java still above of quality achievement of vocational high school in Semarang City.
Strategies for global rangeland stewardship: Assessment through the lens of the equilibrium–non‐equilibrium debate
Authors: Briske David D. , Coppock D. Layne , Illius Andrew W. , Fuhlendorf Samuel D.
Published: March 2020

This Review assesses the adequacy of current stewardship strategies to address the accelerating challenges confronting global rangeland systems. The assessment was conducted through the lens of the rangeland ecology debate that was initiated in the late 1980s to determine whether equilibrial or non‐equilibrial models more accurately represented the ecological dynamics of rangeland systems.

The following lessons have emerged from this prolonged debate: (a) equilibrial and non‐equilibrial dynamics among plants and herbivores always coexist in individual systems; (b) herbivore persistence is strongly influenced by functional resource heterogeneity; (c) biotic feedbacks are highly dependent upon spatial and temporal scale; (d) multiple stable states separated by nonlinear trajectories may coexist on individual ecological sites and (e) management and policy decisions can have important consequences for rangeland systems despite high environmental stochasticity.

These lessons demonstrate that scale and functional heterogeneity were critical ‘blind spots’ within the traditional rangeland profession. In contrast, pastoral strategies recognized these system variables as essential for exploitation of heterogeneous resource distribution, rather than assuming stable, uniform resource distribution. These divergent perceptions of scale and heterogeneity in grazed ecosystems largely explain the disparate interpretations of ecological carrying capacity that was central to the debate.

Programmes supporting supplemental feeding and infrastructure development have created an anthropogenic category of non‐equilibrial dynamics by sustaining large numbers of livestock during droughts. These programmes decouple livestock and rangeland resources to create an additional stewardship dilemma regarding complex trade‐offs between livestock production and the capacity of systems to provision a broad array of global ecosystem services.

Synthesis and applications. The fundamental challenge facing the global rangeland community may not be identification of a unified model of rangeland ecology—as assumed during the rangeland debate. Rather, the challenge may be how to best transform rangeland social–ecological systems to provide optimal combinations of ecosystem services to meet the needs of global citizens, while improving the well‐being of millions of rangeland residents who are highly dependent upon provisioning services. A comprehensive accounting of rangeland ecosystem services, supported by institutional governance and delivered as state–community partnerships, may provide the foundation for an alternative stewardship strategy to pursue this critical goal.
A novel metformin derivative showed improvement of lipid metabolism in obese rats with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Chen Deqi , Jia Dan , Wu Xia , Shi Kexin , Ren Cui , Dou Yonghui , Guo Mingxin , Wang Juanxia , Ma Min , Wu Zhengzhi , Shi He‐Yong , Li Weimin , Feng Yifan , Wu Fuhai
Published: March 2020

In this study, we investigated the lipid metabolism regulatory activity of a novel metformin derivative (MD568) and its potential mechanism of action in obese rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Previous gene chip analysis of 3T3‐L1 cells have shown that MD568 regulates the transcription of genes involved in the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) signalling pathway, fatty acid metabolism, and glycerolipid metabolism. In this study, obese T2DM rats were treated with MD568 (200 mg/kg) for 8 weeks. Results showed that MD568 significantly reduced the body weight gain, plasma glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. MD568 treatment also improved the insulin resistance of obese T2DM model rats. In particular, in white adipose tissue, MD568 inhibited the excessive volume increment of adipose cells by down‐regulating the protein levels of CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein‐α (C/EBP‐α) and PPAR‐γ, as well as the transcription of their target lipid metabolism‐related genes. In the liver, MD568 inhibited hepatic fatty lesions and interfered with hepatic gluconeogenesis by regulating the expression of lipid metabolism‐related genes and glycogen‐related kinases. In conclusion, our results suggest that the newly synthesized MD568 affects the maintenance of lipid homeostasis in obese type 2 diabetic rats.
Association between protein‐rich dietary patterns and anthropometric measurements among children aged 6 years
Authors: Mehranfar Sanaz , Jalilpiran Yahya , Surkan Pamela J. , Azadbakht Leila
Published: March 2020

Aim

The associations between types of dietary protein intake and child anthropometric measurements have not been fully studied. Therefore, we examined dietary protein pattern in relation to anthropometric indicators among 6‐year‐old children.

Methods

We carried out a cross‐sectional study of 788 randomly selected children from health centres in Tehran, Iran. Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire completed by the mothers. Anthropometric measurements were based on standard protocols. Principle component analysis was performed to identify different dietary protein patterns. We used multivariate logistic regression to evaluate how these patterns were associated with child anthropometry.

Results

Three dietary protein patterns were identified: pattern 1 (rich in red and processed meats, dairy products and eggs), pattern 2 (rich in fish and poultry) and pattern 3 (rich in soy and legumes). After adjusting for potential confounders (energy intake, socioeconomic status and physical activity), being in the third compared to the first tertiles of pattern 2 was associated with increased (OR = 1.57; 95% CI: 1.09‐2.27; P = .01) and decreased (OR = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.32‐0.92; P = .02) risk of overweight/obesity and underweight/wasting, respectively. There was no association between other dietary patterns and risk of overweight/obesity or underweight/wasting.

Conclusions

The present study showed inverse association between the fish/white meat pattern and underweight/wasting and also a positive association between higher fish/white meat protein intake and higher risk of overweight/obesity. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.
Atypical Brucella sp in captive Australian green tree frogs (Litoria caerulea): clinical features, pathology, culture and molecular characterization
Authors: Latheef S , Keyburn A , Broz I , Bagnara A , Bayley C , Frith S , Dobson EC
Published: March 2020

Background

Brucella spp. are globally important zoonotic bacteria, which have historically been considered pathogens of warm‐blooded species. More recently, new strains of Brucella have been cultured from a broader range of animals including terrestrial and marine mammals and amphibians. These new isolates are classified as ‘atypical’ brucellae and differ from the classical stains by host tropism, phenotypic traits or phylogenetic distance. Atypical Brucella have previously been described as the cause of localised and systemic infection in frogs.

Case report

This report describes the clinical features, pathology, microbiology and molecular characteristics of persistent Brucella spp. infection in two Australian green tree frogs and its isolation in an additional in‐contact, clinically well frog.

Conclusion

The two frogs that died had severe nephritis attributed to brucellosis with disseminated infection identified in one animal.
Beneficial effects of paricalcitol on cardiac dysfunction and remodelling in a model of established heart failure
Authors: Tamayo María , Martín‐Nunes Laura , Val‐Blasco Almudena , G.M‐Piedras Maria José , Navarro‐García José Alberto , Lage Eduardo , Prieto Patricia , Ruiz‐Hurtado Gema , Fernández‐Velasco María , Delgado Carmen
Published: March 2020

Background and Purpose

The synthetic vitamin D3 analogue paricalcitol acts as a selective activator of the vitamin D receptor (VDR). While there is evidence for cardioprotective effects of paricalcitol associated with the VDR pathway, less information is available about the structural and functional cardiac effects of paricalcitol on established heart failure (HF) and particularly its effects on associated electrophysiological or Ca2+ handling remodelling.

Experimental Approach

We used a murine model of transverse aortic constriction (TAC) to study the effect of paricalcitol on established HF. Treatment was initiated 4 weeks after surgery over five consecutive weeks, and mice were sacrificed 9 weeks after surgery. Cardiac MRI (CMRI) was performed 4 and 9 weeks after surgery. Hearts were used for biochemical and histological studies and to isolate ventricular myocytes for electrophysiological and calcium imaging studies.

Key Results

CMRI analysis revealed that, compared with vehicle, paricalcitol treatment prevented the progression of ventricular dilation and hypertrophy after TAC and halted the corresponding decline in ejection fraction. These beneficial effects were related to the attenuation of intracellular Ca2+ mishandling remodelling, antifibrotic and antihypertrophic effects and potentially antiarrhythmic effects by preventing the reduction of K+ current density and the long QT, JT and TpTe intervals observed in HF animals.

Conclusion and Implications

The results suggest that paricalcitol treatment in established HF hampers disease progression and improves adverse electrophysiological and Ca2+ handling remodelling, attenuating the vulnerability to HF‐associated ventricular arrhythmias. Paricalcitol may emerge as a potential therapeutic option in the treatment of HF.
Nestedness and turnover unveil inverse spatial patterns of compositional and functional β‐diversity at varying depth in marine benthos
Authors: Bevilacqua Stanislao , Terlizzi Antonio
Published: March 2020

Aim

The two additive components of β‐diversity, namely turnover and nestedness, reflect the two basic mechanisms underlying the overall change in species identities across the landscape, the replacement of species or their loss, respectively. Analogously, functional turnover and nestedness express the replacement or loss of functional traits associated with variations in community composition. However, the extent to which patterns of compositional and functional nestedness and turnover may overlap, or diverge, is still uncertain in marine environments. Here, patterns of turnover and nestedness were quantified in marine benthic assemblages in order to assess their relative contribution to spatial patterns of compositional and functional β‐diversity.

Location

Mediterranean Sea, NE Ionian Sea, Ionian Archipelago.

Methods

In this study, we investigated patterns of dissimilarity in species and functional trait composition in subtidal macrobenthic assemblages from Mediterranean islands in order to quantify compositional and functional β‐diversity among islands, determine the relative contributions of turnover and nestedness, and compare β‐diversity patterns occurring in shallow and deeper reefs.

Results

We found a complex relationship between functional and compositional β‐diversity at varying depth. At 5 m, species and functional trait dissimilarity largely overlapped, with turnover being the dominant component in both cases. At 15 m, compositional β‐diversity was mostly due to turnover, with a negligible contribution of nestedness, whereas the opposite occurred for functional β‐diversity. Partitioning β‐diversity components revealed this discrepancy and the presence of functional hotspots, which would remain unnoticed analysing the overall compositional and functional β‐diversity.

Main conclusions

Our findings may have profound implications for the optimization of conservation planning, stressing the need for assessing habitat‐dependent idiosyncrasies in components of functional and compositional β‐diversity for a more comprehensive picture of possible protection scenarios that, besides structure, may also allow preserving the functioning of marine communities.
Over all variability of mitral annular plane peak systolic velocity and peak global longitudinal strain rate in relation to age, body size, and sex: The HUNT Study
Authors: Støylen Asbjørn , Mølmen Harald E. , Dalen Håvard
Published: March 2020

Background

Left ventricular (LV) systolic global function can be assessed by peak annular systolic velocity S′. Global longitudinal strain rate (GLSR) is relative LV shortening rate, equivalent to normalizing S′ for LV length (S′n). It has previously been shown that mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) have similar biological variability, but GLS normalizes for one dimension only, inducing a systematic error, increasing body size dependence. The objective of this study was to compare S′ with GLSR in the same way, comparing biological variability and body size dependence.

Methods and Results

A total of 1266 subjects from the third wave of Nord‐Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), without evidence of heart disease, were examined. Strain rate, S′ and wall lengths were measured in the four walls of the two‐ and four‐chamber views. Mean S′ was 8.4 (1.4) cm/s, (S′n) was 0.7 (0.14)s−1 and GLSR 1.02 (0.14)s−1. All measures declined with age. Normalization of mitral annular velocities for LV length, or the use of GLSR, did not reduce overall biological variability compared with S′. S′ did show a weak, positive correlation to BSA, while S′n and GLSR a slightly stronger, negative correlation to BSA.

Conclusions

S′, S′n, and GLSR have similar biological variability, which is mainly due to age, not body size variation. Normalizing S′ for LV length (as in Sn or GLSR) reverses correlation with BSA inducing a systematic error, due to the one‐dimensional normalization for one dimension only.
Global gradients in intraspecific variation in vegetative and floral traits are partially associated with climate and species richness
Authors: Kuppler Jonas , Albert Cécile H. , Ames Gregory M. , Armbruster William Scott , Boenisch Gerhard , Boucher Florian C. , Campbell Diane R. , Carneiro Liedson T. , Chacón‐Madrigal Eduardo , Enquist Brian J. , Fonseca Carlos R. , Gómez José M. , Guisan Antoine , Higuchi Pedro , Karger Dirk N. , Kattge Jens , Kleyer Michael , Kraft Nathan J. B. , Larue‐Kontić Anne‐Amélie C. , Lázaro Amparo , Lechleitner Martin , Loughnan Deirdre , Minden Vanessa , Niinemets Ülo , Overbeck Gerhard E. , Parachnowitsch Amy L. , Perfectti Francisco , Pillar Valério D. , Schellenberger Costa David , Sletvold Nina , Stang Martina , Alves‐dos‐Santos Isabel , Streit Helena , Wright Justin , Zych Marcin , Junker Robert R.
Published: March 2020

Aim

Intraspecific trait variation (ITV) within natural plant communities can be large, influencing local ecological processes and dynamics. Here, we shed light on how ITV in vegetative and floral traits responds to large‐scale abiotic and biotic gradients (i.e., climate and species richness). Specifically, we tested whether associations of ITV with temperature, precipitation and species richness were consistent with any of four hypotheses relating to stress tolerance and competition. Furthermore, we estimated the degree of correlation between ITV in vegetative and floral traits and how they vary along the gradients.

Location

Global.

Time period

1975–2016.

Major taxa studied

Herbaceous and woody plants.

Methods

We compiled a dataset of 18,401 measurements of the absolute extent of ITV (measured as the coefficient of variation) in nine vegetative and seven floral traits from 2,822 herbaceous and woody species at 2,372 locations.

Results

Large‐scale associations between ITV and climate were trait specific and more prominent for vegetative traits, especially leaf morphology, than for floral traits. The ITV showed pronounced associations with climate, with lower ITV values in colder areas and higher values in drier areas. The associations of ITV with species richness were inconsistent across traits. Species‐specific associations across gradients were often idiosyncratic, and covariation in ITV was weaker between vegetative and floral traits than within the two trait groups.

Main conclusions

Our results show that, depending on the traits considered, ITV either increased or decreased with climate stress and species richness, suggesting that both factors can constrain or enhance ITV, which might foster plant‐population persistence in stressful conditions. Given the species‐specific responses and covariation in ITV, associations can be hard to predict for traits and species not yet studied. We conclude that consideration of ITV can improve our understanding of how plants cope with stressful conditions and environmental change across spatial and biological scales.
JAK2V617F mutation prevalence on Chilean adults suffering from primary mesenteric and portal venous thromboses
Authors: González‐Montero Jaime , Del Valle‐Batalla Lucía , Castillo‐Astorga Raúl , Marín Valdés Arnaldo , Conte Lanza Guillermo
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Mesenteric and portal venous thromboses are rare diseases with high mortality rates and are strongly associated with hepatic cirrhosis, and abdominal inflammatory or tumoral processes, but in some cases can be the first sign of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) or hereditary thrombophilia. JAK2V617F mutation detection is an important diagnostic tool for MPN patients. The aim of this study was to describe the JAK2V617F mutation prevalence on Chilean patients suffering from a primary splanchnic venous thrombosis (SVT), in order to assess how it relates to primary MVT and PVT in our specific population.

Methods

A retrospective observational study was conducted in patients referred to the University of Chile Clinical Hospital with mesenteric and/or portal venous thrombosis diagnosis over a 7‐year period. Patients with primary thrombosis underwent hereditary thrombophilia study and JAK2V617F mutation screening.

Results

A total of 123 patients had splanchnic venous thrombosis (mesenteric and/or portal) as their main discharge diagnosis. Sixty patients (49%) had primary mesenteric or portal venous thrombosis (no attributable secondary cause). Hereditary thrombophilia and MPN were diagnosed in 21.6% and 43.3% of SVT patients, respectively. Twenty SVT patients remained without an etiologic diagnosis. In MPN patients, almost all had the JAK2V617F mutation (92.3%). About 16% of patients who had positive JAK2V617F mutation did not meet diagnostic criteria for MPN.

Conclusions

In this Chilean cohort, half of mesenteric or portal venous thrombosis showed no secondary cause. In this group, the main causes were MPN and hereditary thrombophilia. Nearly, all MPN patients had JAK2V617F mutation, but there was a group of patients having JAK2V617F mutation but did not meet MPN criteria.
(Un)wise Theologians: Systematic Theology in the University
Authors: Tonstad Linn Marie
Published: March 2020

Systematic theology is primarily pursued within the university, but the effects of that setting have not yet been given the theological attention that they need. Some theologians who have sought to consider theology's marginalization in the university argue that theology ought to reclaim its status as queen of the sciences, or should order the relations of other disciplines to each other and to itself. Using 1 Corinthians 1:18–31, this article argues that these moves transform academic theology into a discourse of wisdom rather than foolishness. Humility, unmastery and foolishness in relation to God become ways of claiming authority in relation to the neighbor. Further, such claims fail to recognize, and thus to counter, the nature and depth of the distortive effects of theology's presence inside university contexts structured by discourses, and to an extent practices, of scarcity. In conversation with Martin Luther and Karl Barth, I outline an alternative, non‐defensive theology that admits its own foolishness: its participation in history's incompletions, its need for eschatological verification, and its vulnerability to the desire for mastery. Such a theology could struggle more effectively with its own failures.
Regulatory T‐cells in helminth infection: induction, function and therapeutic potential
Authors: White Madeleine P. J. , McManus Caitlin M. , Maizels Rick M.
Published: March 2020

Helminth parasites infect an alarmingly large proportion of the world's population, primarily within tropical regions, and their ability to down‐modulate host immunity is key to their persistence. Helminths have developed multiple mechanisms that induce a state of hyporesponsiveness or immune suppression within the host; of particular interest are mechanisms that drive the induction of regulatory T‐cells (Tregs). Helminths actively induce Tregs either directly by secreting factors, such as the TGF‐β mimic Hp‐TGM, or indirectly by interacting with bystander cell types such as dendritic cells and macrophages that then induce Tregs. Expansion of Tregs not only enhances parasite survival but, in cases such as filarial infection, Tregs also play a role in preventing parasite‐associated pathologies. Furthermore, Tregs generated during helminth infection have been associated with suppression of bystander immunopathologies in a range of inflammatory conditions such as allergy and autoimmune disease. In this review, we discuss evidence from natural and experimental infections that point to the pathways and molecules involved in helminth Treg induction, and postulate how parasite‐derived molecules and/or Tregs might be applied as anti‐inflammatory therapies in the future.
Parental use of ‘cry it out’ in infants: no adverse effects on attachment and behavioural development at 18 months
Authors: Bilgin Ayten , Wolke Dieter
Published: March 2020

Background

Leaving infant to cry it out has been the subject of discussion among researchers and parents. Nevertheless, there is paucity of empirical research investigating the association between leaving infant to cry it out and consequent crying duration and frequency, mother–infant attachment and behavioural development.

Methods

The sample with complete longitudinal data comprised 178 infants and their caretakers. Parental use of ‘leaving infant to cry out’ and cry duration were assessed with maternal report at term, 3, 6 and 18 months, and frequency of crying was assessed at term, 3 and 18 months of age. Attachment was measured at 18 months using the strange situation procedure. Behavioural development of the infant was assessed with two observational measures and a parent‐report questionnaire at 18 months.

Results

The use of ‘leaving infant to crying’ was rare at term and increased over the next 18 months. ‘Leaving infants to cry it out’ at term was associated with a decrease in crying frequency at 3 months. Furthermore, leaving infants to cry it out a few times at term and often at 3 months was associated with shorter fuss/cry duration at 18 months of age. No adverse impacts of leaving infants to cry it out in the first 6 months on infant–mother attachment and behavioural development at 18 months were found.

Conclusions

Contemporary practice of some parents in the United Kingdom to occasionally or often ‘leaving infant to cry it out’ during the first 6 months was not associated with adverse behavioural development and attachment at 18 months. Increased use of ‘leaving to cry it out’ with age may indicate differential responding by parents related to infant self‐regulation.
Ultrasonic shear‐wave reflectometry applied to monitor the dynamic viscosity of reheated edible oil
Authors: Runrun Hu , Runyang Mo , Chenghui Wang , Jing Hu
Published: March 2020

Effects of frying cycles of two types of edible oil on dynamic viscosity were studied by ultrasonic shear‐wave reflectance method. Factors affecting the reflection coefficient were analyzed theoretically. The experimental methods and parameters are carefully analyzed and optimized in the low‐viscosity case. The viscosity of the reheated oil samples was characterized by the reflection amplitudes at (25 ± 0.2)°. Three methodologies for data post‐processing were used to calculate the reflection magnitudes. The results show that viscosity increases with repeat times of heating. The viscosity obtained by the integral ratio in a frequency band is closer to those obtained by rheometers than those from central frequency and multiple reflection. It indicates that the shear‐wave reflectometry can be extended further used to measure low‐viscosity liquids by appropriate signal processing. In addition, the heating times of a given procedure is highly correlated with the viscosity of edible oil (R2 > .93). We also attempted to evaluate the oil deterioration by predicting the amounts of carbonyl and fatty acids based on the relationship between viscosity and indicator content.

Practical Applications

Viscosity is an important physical property and a quality index of edible oil. Not only viscosity changes, aging, and decay phenomena will even occur in the process of repeated heating of edible oils at high temperature. As a convenient and nondestructive method, the ultrasonic shear‐wave reflectance method can realize the rapid detection of the viscosity of reheated oils in situ. Therefore, this method has the potential to monitor frying oil quality online, which is expected to evaluate the degree of aging and deterioration of reheated edible oil.
Addressing the Needs of Abused Chinese Women Through a Community‐Based Participatory Approach
Authors: Chow Elaine Hoi Yee , Tiwari Agnes
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Intimate partner violence against women is a priority global health issue. It has had serious negative consequences on women’s health and has led to huge burdens on the community. Numerous interventions have been demonstrated to have positive effects, and the majority of them have been developed using a top‐down approach. However, the specific needs of abused Chinese women have not been fully addressed; incorporating women’s input seems to be an essential element for the success of any intervention. This article describes the experiences and success in using a community‐based participatory approach (CBPA) to develop a culturally appropriate intervention for abused Chinese women in order to address their multifaceted needs.

Design

A CBPA was adopted in this study to develop a culturally appropriate intervention in order to address the multifaceted needs of abused Chinese women.

Methods

A core group of six participants (three abused Chinese women, one researcher, and two social workers who provided community services for abused Chinese women) was formed in a local community center in Hong Kong. The three Chinese women were recruited from the local community center, and according to the Abuse Assessment Screen they had been in an intimate relationship in the preceding 12 months and had been abused by an intimate partner.

Findings

Three core group meetings were conducted over 6 weeks for intervention development. An integrated multicomponent intervention was developed, comprising a four‐part, women‐centered program called “Women‐centred, we are with you.” The program was implemented and completed over 4 months (October 2015 to January 2016). Eighteen abused Chinese women participated in the intervention.

Conclusions

A CBPA provides actual empowerment spirit for abused Chinese women. This approach was well accepted by the women and enabled them to develop more culturally appropriate interventions in fulfilling their specify needs.

Clinical Relevance

Researchers can consider using a CBPA to develop and tailor a culturally appropriate intervention for groups such as abused Chinese women in order to improve their health and eliminate disparities by addressing their specific and multifaceted needs.
Salivary Del‐1, IL‐17, and LFA‐1 levels in periodontal health and disease
Authors: Inönü Elif , Kayis Seyit Ali , Eskan Mehmet Akif , Hakki Sema S.
Published: March 2020

Objective and Background

Developmental endothelial locus‐1 (Del‐1), lymphocyte function‐associated antigen‐1 (LFA‐1), and interleukin 17 (IL‐17) play critical roles in transendothelial migration of neutrophils in periodontal diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate salivary Del‐1, IL‐17, and LFA‐1 protein levels in patients with gingivitis (G), chronic periodontitis (CP), and generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAP).

Methods

A total of 180 systemically healthy, non‐smoking patients (45 periodontally healthy (H) and 45 G, 50 CP, and 40 GAP) individuals (between March 2014 and February 2016) were included in this study according to Armitage's (1999) classification. Clinical periodontal parameters, including clinical attachment level, probing depth, plaque index, and gingival index, were recorded. Del‐1, IL‐17, and LFA‐1 protein expression levels were measured in unstimulated saliva samples collected from patients by using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. Kruskal‐Wallis and Mann‐Whitney U tests were used for multiple comparisons and post hoc statistical analyses, respectively. ROC curve analysis was used to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of Del‐1, IL‐17, and LFA‐1 in distinguishing periodontal disease from health and gingivitis.

Results

It was found a high level of IL‐17 and a low level of Del‐1 in the CP and GAP, as compared to the G and H groups (P < .001). Nevertheless, we found LFA‐1 levels were higher in the GAP than in the CP or G groups (P = .00). Consistently, LFA‐1 levels were lower in the H and G groups than in the CP and GAP groups (P = .00). The combination of three biomarkers was found as the best predictor yielded exhibited the highest AUC [0.893, 0.845‐0.94 (%95 CI) P < .001] in discriminating periodontal disease from health and gingivitis.

Conclusion

Salivary Del‐1, LFA‐1, and IL‐17 levels might be useful markers for determining the clinical health and disease status of patients with periodontitis. However, further studies that evaluate the level of salivary Del‐1, LFA‐1, and IL‐17 before and after periodontal therapy are required to understand the exact roles of these cytokines during the periodontal healing period.
Interorganizational Interaction in Disaster Response Networks: A Government Perspective
Authors: Quarshie Anne M. , Leuschner Rudolf
Published: March 2020

Governments play important roles as focal organizations in many interorganizational networks. However, the government perspective has largely been overlooked in the literature on supply networks, including research on humanitarian operations and logistics. So far, little attention has been devoted to how government agencies and other actors interact within complex networks. In this study, we use a qualitative research approach to study interorganizational interaction in the context of a major U.S. disaster: Hurricane Sandy. Specifically, we investigate the relatively successful Sandy response effort conducted by the New Jersey state government in interaction with other humanitarian actors. We find that the government took three main roles in interacting with other actors within the disaster response network: organizer, facilitator, and supply network member. Moreover, we develop a grounded model that provides a theoretical explanation of the interaction process and highlights the practices used by the government during the response stage. In addition to contributing to the humanitarian research domain, our study advances the emerging discourse on networks whose focal actors are not for‐profit firms.
Liver enzyme variability and risk of heart disease and mortality: A nationwide population‐based study
Authors: Cho Eun Ju , Han Kyungdo , Lee Seung‐Pyo , Shin Dong Wook , Yu Su Jong
Published: March 2020

Background & Aims

Liver enzymes, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and γ‐glutamyltransferase (GGT), have been suggested as surrogate markers of various cardiovascular diseases. However, previous studies assessed liver enzymes only once at baseline. We investigated the association between liver enzyme variability and the risk of mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in general population.

Methods

A total of 6 496 271 subjects participating in ≥3 health examinations within the previous 5 years including the index year (2009‐2010) were included. Variability was measured using variability independent of the mean. Cox proportional hazard models adjusting demographic factors, comorbidities, blood pressure, total cholesterol, glomerular filtration rate and baseline liver enzyme level were used.

Results

During a median follow‐up of 6 years, there were 106 413 deaths (1.6%), 53 385 myocardial infarctions (MI, 0.8%), 65 143 atrial fibrillations (AF, 1.0%) and 50 139 congestive heart failures (CHF, 0.7%). High variability in AST, ALT and GGT was associated with a higher risk for all‐cause mortality, MI, AF and CHF. The degree of association was largest for GGT variability. For the highest quartile of GGT variability relative to the lowest quartile, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 1.32 (1.28‐1.35) for all‐cause mortality, 1.16 (1.11‐1.20) for MI, 1.28 (1.18‐1.38) for AF and 1.25 (1.20‐1.30) for CHF. These findings were consistent regardless of alcohol consumption, body mass index and degree of fatty liver. Sensitivity analysis also revealed similar results.

Conclusions

Higher visit‐to‐visit variability of liver enzymes was an independent predictor of all‐cause mortality and cardiovascular events.
Lolium perenne apoplast metabolomics for identification of novel metabolites produced by the symbiotic fungus Epichloë festucae
Authors: Green Kimberly A. , Berry Daniel , Feussner Kirstin , Eaton Carla J. , Ram Arvina , Mesarich Carl H. , Solomon Peter , Feussner Ivo , Scott Barry
Published: March 2020

Epichloë festucae is an endophytic fungus that forms a symbiotic association with Lolium perenne. Here we analysed how the metabolome of the ryegrass apoplast changed upon infection of this host with sexual and asexual isolates of E. festucae.

A metabolite fingerprinting approach was used to analyse the metabolite composition of apoplastic wash fluid from uninfected and infected L. perenne. Metabolites enriched or depleted in one or both of these treatments were identified using a set of interactive tools. A genetic approach in combination with tandem MS was used to identify a novel product of a secondary metabolite gene cluster.

Metabolites likely to be present in the apoplast were identified using MarVis in combination with the BioCyc and KEGG databases, and an in‐house Epichloë metabolite database. We were able to identify the known endophyte‐specific metabolites, peramine and epichloëcyclins, as well as a large number of unknown markers.

To determine whether these methods can be applied to the identification of novel Epichloë‐derived metabolites, we deleted a gene encoding a NRPS (lgsA) that is highly expressed in planta. Comparative MS analysis of apoplastic wash fluid from wild‐type‐ vs mutant‐infected plants identified a novel Leu/Ile glycoside metabolite present in the former.
Sniffing fungi – phenotyping of volatile chemical diversity inTrichodermaspecies
Authors: Guo Yuan , Jud Werner , Ghirardo Andrea , Antritter Felix , Benz J. Philipp , Schnitzler Jörg‐Peter , Rosenkranz Maaria
Published: March 2020

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play vital roles in the interaction of fungi with plants and other organisms. A systematic study of the global fungal VOC profiles is still lacking, though it is a prerequisite for elucidating the mechanisms of VOC‐mediated interactions. Here we present a versatile system enabling a high‐throughput screening of fungal VOCs under controlled temperature. In a proof‐of‐principle experiment, we characterized the volatile metabolic fingerprints of fourTrichodermaspp. over a 48 h growth period.

The developed platform allows automated and fast detection of VOCs from up to 14 simultaneously growing fungal cultures in real time. The comprehensive analysis of fungal odors is achieved by employing proton transfer reaction‐time of flight‐MS and GC‐MS. The data‐mining strategy based on multivariate data analysis and machine learning allows the volatile metabolic fingerprints to be uncovered.

Our data revealed dynamic, development‐dependent and extremely species‐specific VOC profiles from the biocontrol genusTrichoderma. The two mass spectrometric approaches were highly complementary to each other, together revealing a novel, dynamic view to the fungal VOC release.

This analytical system could be used for VOC‐based chemotyping of diverse small organisms, or more generally, for anyin vivoandin vitroreal‐time headspace analysis.