bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of using low pressure cold gas spray for the spraying of thick ceramic hydroxyapatite coatings
Authors: Vilardell Anna M. , Cinca Núria , Dosta Sergi , Cano Irene G. , Guilemany Josep M.
Published: August 2018

This article deals with the production of thick ceramic hydroxyapatite coatings obtained by Low Pressure Cold Gas Spray (LPCGS) system. Several factors such as powder microstructure, surface roughness and cold gas spray system are here discussed in the build‐up process. The use of nanocrystalline powder composed by fine agglomerates and needle‐like shape microstructure allows the realignment and compaction of individual crystallites to form thick deposits. In addition, the activation of the substrate surface results convenient for the first impinging particles anchored properly. Then, layer by layer, particles can remain attached leading to coating build‐up. Additionally, the use of low shock pressure as well as constant feeding system provided by LPCGS system lead to homogeneous coatings in comparison with High Pressure Cold Gas Spray (HPCGS) system. The successful coating build‐up has been achieved not only by the use of an agglomerated feedstock powder, but also by previous surface treatment and the use of the low pressure system. The obtaining of HA components by LPCGS is promising within biomedical field. An improvement of component strength is also suggested by means of thermomechanical analysis of the powder. The performance of a post heat‐treatment leads to an increase in HA strength, as well as crystal size.
Sustainability marketing at the farmers’ market: An ethnographic analysis of ambiguous communication
Authors: Garner Benjamin
Published: August 2018

Farmers’ markets have grown rapidly in recent decades. One explanation for this growth relates to consumers’ view that farmers’ market products are more sustainable. While many have analyzed customer preferences at farmers’ markets, few have examined farmers’ message strategies in this space. Little has been done to analyze the ways farmers use sustainability as a marketing approach. This ethnographic research is based on 100 hr of observation and in‐depth interviews with 36 participants and analyzes the ways farmers position their products as sustainable to customers. The findings indicate that sustainability is not a primary topic of conversation during customerfarmer interaction. However, related concepts such as environment, local, organic, and chemical serve as the proxies for sustainability, even though these messages are presented ambiguously.
Professional financial advice, self‐control and saving behavior
Authors: Liu Fen , Yilmazer Tansel , Loibl Cäzilia , Montalto Catherine
Published: August 2018

This study investigates whether professional financial advice (“PFA”) can assist households in making better‐informed financial decisions and whether PFA may help households achieve better self‐control in implementing financial plans. In particular, we examine the effects of PFA and self‐control ability on saving behavior, as well as the interaction of PFA and self‐control on saving behavior. We extend the dual‐self model of impulse control and derive three hypotheses: (a) people with higher levels of self‐control save more than those with lower levels of self‐control; (b) PFA has a positive effect on saving behavior; and (c) people with lower levels of self‐control benefit more from obtaining PFA than those with higher levels of self‐control. We use a German household panel dataset SAVE, which was collected annually from 2005 to 2009. Respondents are asked whether they have discussed financial matters with financial advisors in banks, insurance companies or financial service providers. Using a number of behavioral proxies of self‐control, we create an aggregate measure of self‐control through factor analysis. We estimate a fixed‐effects model to identify the effects of PFA and self‐control on financial assets. Empirical results show that both PFA and self‐control have a significant positive relationship with financial assets. The interaction term of PFA and self‐control is a significant predictor of financial assets. We discuss conclusions for the financial advising industry and public policy aimed at consumer financial literacy.
Chromoblastomycosis: clinical experience and review of literature
Authors: Queiróz Amadeu J. R. , Pereira Domingos Fernanda , Antônio João R.
Published: August 2018

Background

Chromoblastomycosis is a tropical chronic infectious dermatosis characterized by the moriform bodies. To review all cases of chromoblastomycosis attended in the reference service of dermatology.

Methods

Series of cases of chromoblastomycosis attended in a dermatology reference service. Through an integrated system search of assistance, based on CID‐10 B43, we reviewed epidemiological and comorbidities data, clinical presentations, treatments, and outcomes of each clinical case.

Results

From 2011 to 2017, we had five new cases of chromoblastomycosis. The average age was 65.6 years. All of them were men. One patient was HIV‐positive, and another patient was immunosuppressed by the use of mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone due to renal transplant. Two patients had no history of evident trauma. The time between onset of symptoms and diagnosis ranged from 7 to 600 months. Fonsecaea pedrosoi was the isolated fungi. All cases were formally confirmed. Itraconazole with or without other therapies was effective in all cases.

Conclusions

We report five never reported cases of chromoblastomycosis, and we review the clinical experience in diagnosis and treatment of chromoblastomycosis, an infrequent and neglected subcutaneous mycosis.
Gender aspects of health‐related quality of life of youth in secure residential care in Sweden
Authors: Hjern Anders , Rajmil Luis , Kling Stefan , Vinnerljung Bo
Published: August 2018

This study examined health‐related quality of life of youth in secure residential care employing a gender perspective. The KIDSCREEN‐52 questionnaire was administered to 91 youths (46 boys and 45 girls) aged 13–17, admitted to four secure residential units in southern Sweden, in connection with a medical examination. Results were compared with a national Swedish survey from 2009 of 86,000 youths aged 15–16 years old. In age‐adjusted analyses, youth in secure residential care units reported lower levels of wellbeing for all but one KIDSCREEN measure, compared with the national survey, with moderate to large differences in effect size. In the residential care sample, female gender was associated will lower psychological wellbeing, poorer parental relations and less school satisfaction, while male gender was associated with lower self‐perception and peer relations.
Mirabegron or tolterodine for the treatment of overactive bladder in Japan: Which drug is more cost‐effective as the first‐line treatment?
Authors: Yamanishi Yuriko , Yamanishi Tomonori , Tajima Hakujyu , Ikeda Shunya
Published: August 2018

Objectives

To assess the cost‐effectiveness of mirabegron 50 mg relative to tolterodine extended release 4 mg for the treatment of overactive bladder if used as the first‐line treatment in Japan.

Methods

A Markov model was developed to simulate the cost‐effectiveness of the mirabegron first‐line treatment (and tolterodine second‐line) versus tolterodine first‐line treatment (and mirabegron second‐line) taken for 5 years from the randomized European‐Australian study (SCORPIO trial) and single technology appraisal assessment report by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio was calculated with utility value by quality‐adjusted life year with cost using the medical fee and the drug price tariff in 2016. For the study of transition of treatment status, our analytical model was established. The transition probabilities of severity states were calculated based on the probabilities for the mean numbers of incontinence episodes/day and micturition episodes/day in mirabegron‐treated and tolterodine‐treated patients in the single technology appraisal assessment report.

Results

The 5‐year expected effect per patient was 3.860 quality‐adjusted life years for first‐line mirabegron and 3.839 quality‐adjusted life years for first‐line tolterodine. The 5‐year expected cost per patient was ¥526 191 for first‐line mirabegron, and ¥472 390 for first‐line tolterodine. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio was ¥2 565 927/quality‐adjusted life year. This value was below the willingness‐to‐pay threshold of ¥5 million/quality‐adjusted life year. In more severe states, the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio exceeded ¥5 million.

Conclusions

First‐line mirabegron appears to be more cost‐effective than first‐line tolterodine. In patients with severe symptoms, first‐line mirabegron is not economically preferable.
Protease activated‐receptor 4 activation as a model of persistent bladder pain: Essential role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor and high mobility group box 1
Authors: Ma Fei , Hunt David E , Leng Lin , Bucala Richard , Meyer‐Siegler Katherine L , Vera Pedro L
Published: August 2018

Objectives

To develop a rodent model of persistent non‐inflammatory bladder pain and to test macrophage migration inhibitory factor and high mobility box group 1 as mediators of bladder pain.

Methods

Female C57BL/6 mice received intravesical instillations of protease activated receptor 4 (100 μmol/L, for 1 h) three times every other day and abdominal mechanical hypersensitivity (50% mechanical threshold) was tested on day 0 (baseline), and at days 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 9 after the first protease‐activated receptor 4 injection. At the end of the experiment, micturition changes were measured and bladders were examined for histological changes. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor antagonist (MIF098; 40 mg/kg i.p. b.i.d.) or high mobility group box 1 inhibitor (glycyrrhizin; 50 mg/kg i.p. daily) was administered from day 2 until day 8.

Results

There was a significant and persistent decrease in abdominal mechanical threshold starting from day 3 in the protease‐activated receptor 4‐treated group that persisted until day 9 (5 days post‐last instillation), but not in the control group. Glycyrrhizin fully reversed while MIF098 partially reversed abdominal mechanical hypersensitivity in protease‐activated receptor 4‐treated mice. The changes started on day 3 after the first protease‐activated receptor 4 instillation, and analgesic effects lasted throughout the rest of the testing period. None of the groups had significant micturition changes or overt bladder histological changes.

Conclusions

Repeated intravesical protease activated receptor 4 instillations produce persistent bladder pain without inflammation. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor and high mobility group box 1 are possible effective target molecules for bladder pain alleviation.
Flamingos on a slackline: Companies' challenges of balancing the competing demands of handling customer information and privacy
Authors: Gerlach Jin P. , Eling Nicole , Wessels Nora , Buxmann Peter
Published: August 2018

Providers of online services are under increasing pressure to leverage the value inherent in customer data to remain competitive. At the same time, however, Internet users' privacy has become more and more subject to public debate, and companies must protect this privacy if they want to attract and retain customers. It seems that companies struggle to satisfy these competing demands, and neglecting either could have detrimental effects on their success. Different streams of research underline the importance of either privacy protection or the collection and use of customer information. But they remain largely silent about the resulting challenges that companies face. In this study, we address this gap by exploring how companies perceive and handle the tensions between their organizational information needs that necessitate some degree of privacy intrusion and their need to attract and retain customers, which requires privacy protection. We develop a grounded theory that explains how companies balance these opposing demands from an organizational perspective. More specifically, we identify four challenging tensions that define the conditions under which companies must operate. We find that companies try to achieve and maintain a state of balance in the presence of these tensions, and we discover three categories of tactics that help companies in their balancing acts. Our research contributes to a provider‐centric perspective on information privacy and uncovers the management of customer information and privacy as a new but important context in which organizational ambidexterity is required. We offer a detailed perspective on the specific challenges that companies face with respect to customer information and privacy, and our results can guide managers who have to deal with these challenges.
Durability and chromatic behavior in cement pastes containing ceramic industry milling and glazing by‐products
Authors: Sánchez de Rojas María Isabel , Frías Moisés , Sabador Elvira , Asensio Eloy , Rivera Julián , Medina César
Published: August 2018

The decay in mortar and concrete induced by extremely aggressive agents is normally the result of the agent‐binder reaction. Cement composition and characteristics therefore determine the durability of the mortars and concretes of which they form part. The existing legislation envisages the use of different types of additions in cement, which have a direct effect on the durability of elements in buildings and civil works. This study addressed the inclusion of ceramic industry milling and glazing sludge as an active addition in cement. The reuse of this industrial waste is consistent with environmental policies that seek to reduce or eliminate spoil heaps by recycling industrial waste and byproducts as raw materials, in keeping with circular economy principles. The research conducted makes an innovative contribution to the valorization of this waste, and highlights the resistance of blended cement pastes to chemical agents, further to the Koch‐Steinegger method. Water‐induced decay in freeze/thaw situations was also studied. The processes involved were identified by analyzing the mineralogical variations detected with X‐ray diffraction, the morphological alterations observed with scanning electron microscopy and the mercury porosimetric findings on pore size distribution. The suitability of these binders for aesthetically demanding applications was also explored by measuring the color in pastes exposed to aggressive chemical agents. For the first time, a correlation was established between color parameters and the formation of the reaction products generated during chemical attack.
Islands in the trees: A biogeographic exploration of epiphyte‐dwelling spiders
Authors: Méndez‐Castro Francisco Emmanuel , Bader Maaike Y. , Mendieta‐Leiva Glenda , Rao Dinesh
Published: August 2018

Aim

Epiphytic plants are isolated from each other by nonhabitat canopy elements and are thus expected to act as islands, the biodiversity of their inhabitants (e.g., spiders) conforming to island biogeographic predictions of species‐richness patterns. Although it has been shown that arthropod diversity decreases with decreasing epiphyte size, the effects of isolation have not yet been addressed. We studied the joint effect of isolation, spatial position, and size of epiphytic plants (canopy islands) on species richness, relative rareness, and similarity of spider communities.

Location

A shade‐coffee plantation in central Veracruz, Mexico.

Taxon

Spiders (Araneae), vascular epiphytes (Bromeliaceae, Piperaceae, Orchidaceae, Araceae, Pteridophyta).

Methods

We collected all canopy islands occurring on three trees and recorded their three‐dimensional spatial position. In the laboratory, we disassembled the plants and collected all spiders present. We analysed the effects of island size, isolation, and spatial position on the species richness and the relative rareness of spider communities using generalized linear models (GLM), on the distribution of different spider guilds using a CCA, and on community composition using a permutational multivariate analysis of variance (Permanova). Isolation and spatial position were addressed using five distance measures representing isolation from different potential species sources. We tested how the similarity in spider community composition changed with the distance between islands using Mantel correlograms.

Results

As predicted by island biogeography theory, spider species richness increased with canopy‐island size and decreased with isolation. In comparison to island size, the effect of isolation was weak, though significant. Relative rareness was hardly affected by island size but more by isolation. Compositional similarity was affected by island size and decreased with increasing spatial distance up to ca. 4 m. Guilds separated along the main CCA axes, this ordination being driven by epiphyte size and position.

Main conclusions

Epiphytic plants behaved like canopy islands in that their size and isolation influenced the diversity and composition of spider communities. However, the effect of isolation was only a fraction of that of island size, perhaps because spatial relationships are taxon‐specific. This may be due to differences in hunting behaviour and dispersal capacities, for example, between guilds of hunting and web‐building spiders, which is a dimension deserving more attention. For a better understanding of biogeographic principles driving the diversity of canopy island inhabitants, further research on this topic should include position and isolation, at scales matching the mobility of different functional groups, as part of their explanatory variables.
Truths and myths in sunscreen labeling
Authors: Yang Eric J , Beck Kristen M , Maarouf Melody , Shi Vivian Y
Published: August 2018

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has prioritized skin cancer prevention efforts in 2018, as photoprotection measures adopted by the general public remain suboptimal. A large proportion of patients lack understanding of primary prevention methods for skin cancer, and mistruths in advertising may contribute significantly to this deficit. Sunscreen labels are often stacked with multiple claims of seemingly high significance, making it difficult for patients to differentiate their validity when selecting a sunscreen. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published its monograph in 2011 to address these controversies in sunscreen labeling, but the reliability of several other claims remain unclear. In this article, we discuss several claims commonly made on sunscreen labels, and address the truths and mistruths surrounding them.
Ultrasound hyperthermia enhances chemo‐sensitivity in oral squamous cell carcinoma by TRIF‐mediated pathway
Authors: Ju Houyu , Mao Lu , Zhang Liming , Liu Shuli , Wu Yunteng , Ruan Min , Hu Jingzhou , Ren Guoxin
Published: August 2018

Background

Hyperthermia is currently used as an alternative to surgery or in combination with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy in the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma. However, little has been known about the change in chemo‐sensitivity after hyperthermia and the mechanism underlie it in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods

The aim of this study was to explore the influence of chemo‐sensitivity of CAL‐27 and SCC‐4 cells by histoculture drug response assay after the animal model treated by the ultrasound hyperthermia. Then, we conducted a microarray between xenograft after hyperthermia at 42°C for 45 minutes and that with no treatment. We further confirmed the expression of TRIF in hyperthermia by immunohistochemistry, RT‐PCR and Western blot.

Results

The chemo‐sensitivity to five kinds of drugs demonstrated ultrasound hyperthermia performed in 42°C for 45 minutes would reach the highest inhibition rate in CAL‐27 and SCC‐4 cells. The microarray dataset revealed that 847 mRNA were upregulated and 1031 were downregulated. GO and pathway analyses indicated that they play an important role in translational initiation, nucleoplasm, and poly (A) RNA binding in the hyperthermia process. We further confirmed the expression of TRIF was downregulated in hyperthermia along with inactivation of NF‐κB pathway.

Conclusions

The experiments confirms the rationality of synchronous combination of hyperthermia and chemotherapy and may provide a better treatment that the use of sensitivity testing in such cases may lead to individualized, more effective therapy.
Building rational cooperation on their own: Learning to start small
Authors: Andreoni James , Kuhn Michael A. , Samuelson Larry
Published: August 2018

We report experimental results for a twice‐played prisoners' dilemma in which the players can choose the allocation of the stakes across the two periods. Our point of departure is the assumption that some (but not all) people are willing to cooperate, as long as their opponent is sufficiently likely to do so. The presence of such types can be exploited to enhance cooperation by structuring the twice‐played prisoners' dilemma to “start small,” so that the second‐stage stakes are larger (but not too much larger) than the first‐stage stakes. We compare conditions where the allocation of stakes is chosen exogenously to conditions where it is chosen by the players themselves. We show that players gravitate toward the payoff‐maximizing strategy of starting small in a twice‐played prisoners' dilemma. Intriguingly, the salutary payoff effects of doing so are larger than those that arise when the same allocation is exogenously chosen.
Doing Design Thinking: Conceptual Review, Synthesis, and Research Agenda
Authors: Micheli Pietro , Wilner Sarah J. S. , Bhatti Sabeen Hussain , Mura Matteo , Beverland Michael B.
Published: August 2018

Design thinking has attracted considerable interest from practitioners and academics alike, as it offers a novel approach to innovation and problem‐solving. However, there appear to be substantial differences between promoters and critics about its essential attributes, applicability, and outcomes. To shed light on current knowledge and conceptualizations of design thinking we undertook a multiphase study. First, a systematic review of the design thinking literature enabled us to identify 10 principal attributes and 8 tools and methods. To validate and refine our findings, we then employed a card sorting exercise with professional designers. Finally, we undertook a cluster analysis to reveal structural patterns within the design thinking literature. Our research makes three principal contributions to design and innovation management theory and practice. First, in rigorously deriving 10 attributes and 8 essential tools and methods that support them from a broad and multidisciplinary assortment of articles, we bring much needed clarity and validity to a construct plagued by polysemy and thus threatened by “construct collapse.” Second, aided by the identification of perspectives of scholars writing about design thinking, we provide detailed recommendations for relevant topics warranting further study in order to advance theoretical understanding of design thinking and test its applications. Third, we identify the enduring, yet essential, questions that remain unresolved across the extant design thinking literature and that may impede its practical implementation. We also provide suggestions for the theoretic frames, which may help address them, and thus advance the ability of scholars and managers alike to benefit from design thinking’s apparent advantages.
The Use of Quality of Life Scores for Monitoring and Reporting, Quality Improvement, and Research
Authors: Schalock R. L. , Baker A. , Claes C. , Gonzalez J. , Malatest R. , van Loon J. , Verdugo M. A. , Wesley G.
Published: August 2018

This article discusses the use of assessed quality of life scores for organization and systems‐level monitoring and reporting, quality improvement, and research. Information presented is based on the experiences of policy makers, service/supports providers, and researchers who have used an eight‐domain quality of life model and the measurement of domain‐referenced indicators. In reference to each use, we provide examples, identify critical issues, and suggest a number of practice guidelines.
“God is My First Aid Kit”: The Negotiation of Health and Illness among Christian Scientists
Authors: Steckler Rebecca A. , Bartkowski John P.
Published: August 2018

Christian Scientists’ rejection of conventional medical practices has generated considerable controversy. Using insights from theories of subcultural identity and cultural repertoires, we analyze elite discourse and adherent narratives from 20 Christian Scientists to examine how this nonmedicalized religion engages the challenges posed by the highly medicalized character of American society. The writings of Christian Science founder Mary Baker Eddy primarily exhibit a critical posture toward conventional medicine, although conciliatory language is also evident in these same works. These discursive nuances provide Christian Science adherents with latitude in negotiating health and illness in their everyday lives. Interview data reveal that negotiated health practices are particularly evident in three domains: using prayer as a means of seeking divine guidance, developing metaphysical competency as a healer, and weighing options based on legal mandates for seeking medical treatment. We conclude by specifying the implications of our findings and identifying directions for future research.
Losing or Choosing Faith: Mother Loss and Religious Change
Authors: Wilkinson Renae
Published: August 2018

Maternal religiosity is associated with children's religiosity even as they grow into adults. Yet, experiencing the death of one's mother during the transition to adulthood could modify the transmission of maternal religiosity across the life course. Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), I find that the relationship between mother loss and religiosity is bidirectional. Results from longitudinal models of child religiosity across the transition from adolescence to adulthood show that mother loss is negatively associated with service attendance but is positively associated with salience. Further, mother loss predicted higher frequency of prayer among bereaved children at lower levels of maternal religiosity but lower prayer frequency at higher levels of mothers’ religiousness. Overall, these findings direct attention to differences in the associations between mother loss and indicators of religiosity and to the interplay between mother loss and maternal religiosity as important factors in the transmission of religiosity across generations.
Measuring Religious Identification in the United States
Authors: Lehman Derek , Sherkat Darren E.
Published: August 2018

A popular measure of religious identification poses several problems for researchers because of its lack of conceptual and historical grounding. The scheme truncates continuity along the well‐established sect‐church continuum, and poses problems for both theory and methodological operationalization. We reiterate the importance of key sociological and historical foundations for classifying religious groups, provide an empirical assessment of a more exacting scheme compared to the newly dominant classification, and supply a coding system for the General Social Survey which could also be applied to other studies. We conclude by discussing the usefulness of our categorization for advancing social science research on religious identification.
Association of Toll‐like receptor 4 polymorphism with hepatitis E virus‐infected Indian patients
Authors: Arya Ravi P. , Mishra Nischay , Biswas Kakali , Arankalle Vidya A.
Published: August 2018

Hepatitis E infection caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV), a major public health concern in developing countries, is responsible for sporadic and epidemic acute viral hepatitis in adults. Pathogenesis of hepatitis E infection is poorly understood. Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are the key players of innate immunity recognize pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Previously, we found higher TLR4 expression (at protein and gene level) with impaired cytokine response upon stimulus of PBMCs with LPS in HEV‐infected patients. In view of the earlier observations of the association of polymorphisms in TLR4 genes (A299G, C399T) with liver diseases, we investigated TLR4 polymorphisms in HEV‐infected patients. We observed the significant association of TLR4‐399CC and CT alleles with hepatitis E (both subclinical and acute patients). Carrier frequency of TLR4‐399 CT was lower in patients’ categories in comparison with the controls. Higher frequency of allele TLR4‐399C significantly correlated with disease progression. Acute hepatitis E patients showed the higher frequency of CG and TA haplotypes, while the rare haplotype (TG) was more frequent in controls. The other single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at TLR4‐299 (A>G) did not show any difference. We report here for the first time the association of TLR4 polymorphism with hepatitis E and suggest that TLR 4 hyporesponsiveness during HEV infection might be related to its polymorphism.
Sofosbuvir with NS5A inhibitors in hepatitis C virus infection with severe renal insufficiency
Authors: Singh Akash , Kumari Sunita , Kumar Pramod , De Arka , Singh Virendra
Published: August 2018

Treatment of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients with severe renal insufficiency is cumbersome as sofosbuvir is mainly excreted by the kidneys. There is paucity of data on the use of sofosbuvir and NS5A inhibitors in these patients. We hereby report our experience of treating chronic hepatitis C in patients with severe renal insufficiency with full dose sofosbuvir and NS5A inhibitors. Forty‐seven patients with severe renal insufficiency (on dialysis n = 39, predialysis n = 8) with HCV infection were treated between December 2015‐August 2017 with full dose sofosbuvir with ledipasvir or daclatasvir for 12/24 weeks depending on the genotype and the presence or absence of cirrhosis. The distribution of HCV genotype was genotype 1 in 32 (68.1%), genotype 3 in 13 (27.7%) and 4 in 2 (4.3%) patients. Among 12 (25.5%) patients with cirrhosis, 7 (14.9%) were decompensated with ascites. All patients had end of treatment response, and sustained viral response at 12 weeks was achieved in 45 (95.7%) patients. There was significant improvement in liver stiffness at 3 months after treatment (8.8 (3.8‐42) to 7.1 (3.3‐24.1) kPa; (P = 0.047)). There was no change in haemoglobin and eGFR with treatment in predialysis group (haemoglobin‐ 10.2 ± 1.5 g/dL vs 9.6 ± 1.3 g/dL, P = 0.44; eGFR‐ 19.8 ± 9.4 mL/min vs 17.9 ± 8.5 mL/min, P = 0.67). Therapy was very well accepted. Full dose sofosbuvir with NS5A inhibitors is a well tolerated and effective therapy for HCV infection in severe renal insufficiency.
Effect of insulin treatment on circulating insulin‐like growth factor I and IGF‐binding proteins in cats with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Strage Emma M. , Sundberg Mårten , Holst Bodil S. , Andersson Franko Mikael , Ramström Margareta , Fall Tove , Lewitt Moira
Published: August 2018

Background

Insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) is used to screen for acromegaly in diabetic cats. In humans, most circulating IGF‐I forms ternary complexes (TC) with IGF‐binding protein (IGFBP‐3) and an acid‐labile subunit. Compared to humans, the amount of TC in cats is more variable. Insulin‐like growth factor‐I concentrations are reported to increase during insulin treatment, more rapidly in cats achieving remission.

Objectives

To investigate (i) factors associated with circulating IGF‐I concentrations, including IGFBP‐profiles (ii) effect of insulin treatment on IGF‐I concentrations and (iii) IGF‐I as prognostic marker of diabetes mellitus remission.

Animals

Thirty‐one privately owned diabetic cats of which 24 were followed 1 year, and 13 healthy cats.

Methods

Prospective study. Serum insulin, IGF‐I, glucose, and fructosamine concentrations were measured. IGF‐binding forms were determined by chromatography in 14 diabetic and 13 healthy cats; and IGF‐I, IGF‐II, IGFBP‐3, and IGFBP‐5 by mass spectrometry in 3 cats achieving remission.

Results

Insulin‐like growth factor‐I median (interquartile range) before start of insulin treatment was 300 (160‐556) ng/mL. Insulin‐like growth factor‐I was positively associated with TC (P < .0001) and endogenous insulin (P = .005) and negatively associated with fructosamine (P < .0001). Median IGF‐I was higher 2‐4 weeks after start of insulin treatment compared with baseline (300 versus 670 ng/mL,P = .0001) and predicted future remission (P = .046). In cats that went into remission, the amount of TC and IGFBP‐3 increased, suggesting increase in IGF‐I is dependent on TC formation.

Conclusions

Insulin treatment should be accounted for when interpreting IGF‐I in diabetic cats. Insulin‐like growth factor‐I 2‐4 weeks after initiation of insulin treatment shows promise as prognostic marker for remission in diabetic cats.
Divergent brain gene expression profiles between alternative behavioural helper types in a cooperative breeder
Authors: Kasper Claudia , Hebert Francois Olivier , Aubin‐Horth Nadia , Taborsky Barbara
Published: August 2018

Juveniles of the cooperatively breeding cichlid fishNeolamprologus pulchereither consistently provide help in form of alloparental egg care (“cleaners”) or consistently abstain from helping (“noncleaners”). These phenotypes are not based on heritable genetic differences. Instead, they arise during ontogeny, which should lead to differences in brain structure or physiology, a currently untested prediction. We compared brain gene expression profiles of cleaners and noncleaners in two experimental conditions, a helping opportunity and a control condition. We aimed to identify (a) expression differences between cleaners and noncleaners in the control, (b) changes in gene expression induced by the opportunity and (c) differences in plasticity of gene expression between cleaners and noncleaners. Control cleaners and noncleaners differed in the expression of a single gene,irx2, which regulates neural differentiation. During the opportunity, cleaners and noncleaners had three upregulated genes in common, which were implicated in neuroplasticity, hormonal signalling and cell proliferation. Thus, the stimulus in the opportunity was sufficiently salient. Cleaners also showed higher expression of seven additional genes that were unique to the opportunity. One of these cleaner‐specific genes is implicated in neuropeptide metabolism, indicating that this process is associated with cleaning performance. This suggests that the two types employed different pathways to integrate social information, preparing them for accelerated reaction to future opportunities. Interestingly, three developmental genes were downregulated between the control and the opportunity in cleaners only. Our results indicate that the two behavioural types responded differently to the helping opportunity and that only cleaners responded by downregulating developmental genes.
FtsW activity and lipid II synthesis are required for recruitment of MurJ to midcell during cell division in Escherichia coli
Authors: Liu Xiaolong , Meiresonne Nils Y. , Bouhss Ahmed , den Blaauwen Tanneke
Published: August 2018

Peptidoglycan (PG) is the unique cell shape‐determining component of the bacterial envelope, and is a key target for antibiotics. PG synthesis requires the transmembrane movement of the precursor lipid II, and MurJ has been shown to provide this activity in Escherichia coli. However, how MurJ functions in vivo has not been reported. Here we show that MurJ localizes both in the lateral membrane and at midcell, and is recruited to midcell simultaneously with late‐localizing divisome proteins and proteins MraY and MurG. MurJ septal localization is dependent on the presence of a complete and active divisome, lipid II synthesis and PBP3/FtsW activities. Inactivation of MurJ, either directly by mutation or through binding with MTSES, did not affect the midcell localization of MurJ. Our study visualizes MurJ localization in vivo and reveals a possible mechanism of MurJ recruitment during cell division.
ATP reduction by MgtC and Mg2+ homeostasis by MgtA and MgtB enables Salmonella to accumulate RpoS upon low cytoplasmic Mg2+ stress
Authors: Park Myungseo , Nam Daesil , Kweon Dae‐Hyuk , Shin Dongwoo
Published: August 2018

RpoS is one of several alternative sigma factors known to alter gene expression profiles by RpoS‐associated RNA polymerase in response to a variety of stresses. The enteric bacteria Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli accumulate RpoS under low Mg2+ concentrations via a common mechanism in which the PhoP regulator activates expression of antiadaptor proteins that, by sequestering the adaptor RssB, prevent RpoS degradation by the protease ClpXP. Here, we demonstrate that this genetic program alone does not fully support RpoS accumulation when cytoplasmic Mg2+ concentration drops to levels that impair protein synthesis. Under these circumstances, only S. enterica continues RpoS accumulation in a manner dependent on other PhoP‐activated programs (i.e. ATP reduction by the MgtC protein and Mg2+ import by the MgtA and MgtB transporters) that maintain translation homeostasis. Moreover, we provide evidence that the mgtC gene, which is present in S. enterica but not in E. coli, is responsible for the differences in RpoS accumulation between these two bacterial species. Our results suggest that bacteria possess a mechanism to control RpoS accumulation responding to cytoplasmic Mg2+ levels, the difference of which causes distinct RpoS accumulation in closely related bacterial species.
GmBTB/POZ, a novel BTB/POZ domain‐containing nuclear protein, positively regulates the response of soybean to Phytophthora sojae infection
Authors: Zhang Chuanzhong , Gao Hong , Li Rongpeng , Han Dan , Wang Le , Wu Junjiang , Xu Pengfei , Zhang Shuzhen
Published: August 2018

Phytophthora sojae is a destructive pathogen of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] which causes stem and root rot on soybean plants worldwide. However, the pathogenesis and molecular mechanism of plant defence responses against P. sojae are largely unclear. Herein, we document the underlying mechanisms and function of a novel BTB/POZ protein, GmBTB/POZ, which contains a BTB/POZ domain found in certain animal transcriptional regulators, in host soybean plants in response to P. sojae. It is located in the cell nucleus and is transcriptionally up‐regulated by P. sojae. Overexpression of GmBTB/POZ in soybean resulted in enhanced resistance to P. sojae. The activities and expression levels of enzymatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) antioxidants were significantly higher in GmBTB/POZ‐overexpressing (GmBTB/POZ‐OE) transgenic soybean plants than in wild‐type (WT) plants treated with sterile water or infected with P. sojae. The transcript levels of defence‐associated genes were also higher in overexpressing plants than in WT on infection. Moreover, salicylic acid (SA) levels and the transcript levels of SA biosynthesis‐related genes were markedly higher in GmBTB/POZ‐OE transgenic soybean than in WT, but there were almost no differences in jasmonic acid (JA) levels or JA biosynthesis‐related gene expression between GmBTB/POZ‐OE and WT soybean lines. Furthermore, exogenous SA application induced the expression of GmBTB/POZ and inhibited the increase in P. sojae biomass in both WT and GmBTB/POZ‐OE transgenic soybean plants. Taken together, these results suggest that GmBTB/POZ plays a positive role in P. sojae resistance and the defence response in soybean via a process that might be dependent on SA.
Redox signalling from NADPH oxidase targets metabolic enzymes and developmental proteins in Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Fernando Ursla , Chatur Salima , Joshi Manisha , Thomas Bonner Christopher , Fan Tao , Hubbard Keith , Chabot Denise , Rowland Owen , Wang Li , Subramaniam Rajagopal , Rampitsch Christof
Published: August 2018

NADPH oxidase (NOX) is one of the sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that modulates the activity of proteins through modifications of their cysteine residues. In a previous study, we demonstrated the importance of NOX in both the development and pathogenicity of the phytopathogen Fusarium graminearum. In this article, comparative proteomics between the wild‐type and a Nox mutant of F. graminearum was used to identify active cysteine residues on candidate redox‐sensing proteins. A two‐dimensional gel approach based on labelling with monobromobimane (mBBR) identified 19 candidate proteins, and was complemented with a gel‐free shotgun approach based on a biotin switch method, which yielded 99 candidates. The results indicated that, in addition to temporal regulation, a large number of primary metabolic enzymes are potentially targeted by NoxAB‐generated ROS. Targeted disruption of these metabolic genes showed that, although some are dispensable, others are essential. In addition to metabolic enzymes, developmental proteins, such as the Woronin body major protein (FGSG_08737) and a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchored protein (FGSG_10089), were also identified. Deletion of either of these genes reduced the virulence of F. graminearum. Furthermore, changing the redox‐modified cysteine (Cys325) residue in FGSG_10089 to either serine or phenylalanine resulted in a similar phenotype to the FGSG_10089 knockout strain, which displayed reduced virulence and altered cell wall morphology; this underscores the importance of Cys325 to the function of the protein. Our results indicate that NOX‐generated ROS act as intracellular signals in F. graminearum and modulate the activity of proteins affecting development and virulence in planta.
Inheritance of resistance to the peach root‐knot nematode (Meloidogyne floridensis) in interspecific crosses between peach (Prunus persica) and its wild relative (Prunus kansuensis)
Authors: Maquilan Mary Ann D. , Olmstead Mercy A. , Dickson Donald W. , Chaparro José X.
Published: August 2018

The peach root‐knot nematode, Meloidogyne floridensis (MF), infects majority of available nematode‐resistant peach rootstocks which are mostly derived from peach (Prunus persica) and Chinese wild peach (P. davidiana). Interspecific hybridization of peach with its wild relative, Kansu peach (P. kansuensis), offers potential for broadening the resistance spectrum in standard peach rootstocks. We investigated the inheritance of resistance to MF in segregating populations of peach (‘Okinawa’ or ‘Flordaguard’) × P. kansuensis. A total of 379 individuals from 13 F2 and BC1F1 families were challenged with a pathogenic MF isolate “MFGnv14” and were classified as resistant (R) or susceptible (S) based on root galling intensity. Segregation analyses in F2 progeny revealed the involvement of a major locus with a dominant or recessive allele determining resistance in progeny segregating 3R:1S and 1R:3S, respectively. Testcrosses with a homozygous‐susceptible peach genotype (‘Flordaguard’ or ‘UFSharp’) confirmed P. kansuensis as a source of new resistance and the heterozygous allelic status of P. kansuensis at the locus conferring resistance to MF. We propose a single‐locus dominant/recessive model for the inheritance of resistance.
Macroscale analysis of mistletoe host ranges in the Andean‐Patagonian forest
Authors: Amico G. C. , Nickrent D. L. , Vidal‐Russell R.
Published: August 2018

The number of host species infected by a mistletoe (host range) is critical in that it influences prevalence, virulence and overall distribution of the parasite; however, macroecological analyses of this life history feature are lacking for many regions.

The Andean‐Patagonian forest, found along the southern Andes from 35 °S to Tierra del Fuego at 55 °S, contains 12 mistletoe species in three families (Loranthaceae, Misodendraceae and Santalaceae). By tabulating herbarium records, the host ranges and geographical distributions of these mistletoes were explored.

Our results show that these parasites occur on 43 plant species in 24 families but with varying degrees of specificity. All Misodendrum species and Desmaria mutabilis (Loranthaceae) are specialists that use Nothofagus as their primary hosts. Tristerix and Notanthera (Loranthaceae) and Antidaphne and Lepidoceras (Santalaceae) are generalists parasitizing more than six host species from several genera and families. Although many of the mistletoe species are sympatric, there is low overlap in host use.

Our data show that in the southern South American bioregion, generalist mistletoes have smaller geographic ranges than specialists. This contrast with a previous hypothesis that predicted mistletoes with large geographic ranges would also have large host ranges, and conversely, less diverse regions would have more specialised mistletoes.
Macroeconomic Uncertainty in South Africa
Authors: Redl Chris
Published: August 2018

This paper develops a new index of economic uncertainty for South Africa for the period 1990–2014. The index is constructed from three sources: (1) Disagreement among professional forecasters, (2) a count of international and local newspaper articles discussing economic uncertainty in South Africa and (3) mentions of uncertainty in the quarterly economic review of the South African Reserve Bank. The index shows high levels of uncertainty around the period of democratic transition in 1992–1994, the large depreciation of the currency in 2001 and the financial crisis of 2008. The uncertainty index is a leading indicator of a recession. An unanticipated increase in the index is associated with a fall in GDP, investment, industrial production and private sector employment. Contrary to evidence for the U.S.A and the U.K., uncertainty shocks are inflationary. These results are robust to controlling for global uncertainty shocks, consumer confidence and financial shocks.
Emergency patients' and family members' experiences of encountering care providers and receiving care in nonconveyance situations
Authors: Salminen‐Tuomaala Mari , Mikkola Riitta , Paavilainen Eija , Leikkola Päivi
Published: August 2018

Background

Not much research has been conducted on emergency patients’ and family members’ experiences of encountering care providers and receiving care in nonconveyance situations. This knowledge is required to develop the quality and safety of emergency care.

Aim

The aim of the study was to describe patients’ and family members’ experiences concerning encounters with emergency care providers and the patient's care in nonconveyance situations.

Methods

The study is a descriptive, cross‐sectional survey carried out using quantitative methods. Statistical data were analysed using SPSS Statistics for Windows. The responses to an open question were analysed using inductive content analysis.

Results

Patients and family members found that emergency care providers had acted in a professional and friendly manner. They would have expected more psychological support. Family members were less satisfied with the emergency care than patients, especially as regards psychological support and the amount of time given to the patient.

Conclusions

Emergency care providers should take the whole family's situation into consideration and seek to promote the family's coping by providing comprehensible counselling and support.