bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cell non-autonomous functions of S100a4 drive fibrotic tendon healing
Authors: Ackerman Jessica E. , Studentsova Valentina , Best Katherine T. , Knapp Emma , Loiselle Alayna E.
Published: January 2019

Identification of pro-regenerative approaches to improve tendon healing is of critical importance given the diminished quality of life and physical function that accompanies the typical fibrotic response to tendon injury. S100a4 modulates fibrosis through tissue-type dependent mechanisms, and the role of S100a4 in fibrotic, scar-mediated tendon healing has not been established. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that inhibition of S100a4 improves tendon function following acute injury and surgical repair. We demonstrate cell non-autonomous functions of S100a4 as S100a4 haploinsufficiency promotes regenerative tendon healing, including decreased scar formation and improved mechanical properties. Moreover, inhibition of S100a4 via antagonism of its putative receptor, the Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts (RAGE), also decreases scar formation. Mechanistically, knock-down of S100a4 decreases myofibroblast and macrophage content at the site of injury, with both cell populations being key drivers of fibrotic progression. In contrast, S100a4+ cell depletion displays time-dependent effects on scar formation, and consistent impairments in restoration of mechanical properties, indicating a critical role for these cells in re-establishing tendon strength after injury. Finally, we demonstrate, that S100a4-lineage cells become α-SMA+ myofibroblasts, via loss of S100a4 expression. Using a combination of genetic mouse models, small molecule inhibitors and in vitro studies we have defined S100a4 as a novel, promising therapeutic candidate to improve tendon function after acute injury.
A keeper of many crypts: the parasitoidEuderus setmanipulates the behavior of a taxonomically diverse array of oak gall wasp species
Authors: Ward Anna K. G. , Khodor Omar S. , Egan Scott P. , Weinersmith Kelly L. , Forbes Andrew A.
Published: January 2019

Parasites of animals and plants can encounter trade-offs between their specificity to any single host and their fitness on alternative hosts. For parasites that manipulate their host’s behavior, the complexity of that manipulation may further limit the parasite’s host range. The recently described crypt-keeper wasp,Euderus set, changes the behavior of the gall waspBassettia pallidasuch thatB. pallidachews an incomplete exit hole in the side of its larval chamber and “plugs” that hole with its head.E. setbenefits from this head plug, as it facilitates the escape of the parasitoid from the crypt after it completes development. Here, we ask whether this behavioral manipulator is limited toBassettiahosts. We find thatE. setattacks and manipulates the behavior of at least six additional gall wasp species, and that these hosts are taxonomically diverse. Interestingly, each ofE. set’s hosts has converged upon similarities in their extended phenotypes: the galls they induce on oaks share characters that may make them vulnerable to attack byE. set. Behavioral manipulation in this parasitoid system may be less important to its host range than other dimensions of the host-parasitoid interaction, like the host’s physical defenses.
Probing complexity of microalgae mixtures with novel spectral flow cytometry approach and “virtual filtering”
Authors: Barteneva Natasha S. , Dashkova Veronika , Vorobjev Ivan
Published: January 2019

Fluorescence methods are widely applied for the study of the marine and freshwater phytoplankton communities. However, identification of different microalgae populations by autofluorescent pigments remains a challenge because of the very strong signal from chlorophyll. Addressing the issue we developed a novel approach using the flexibility of spectral flow cytometry analysis (SFC) and generated a matrix of virtual filters (VF) capable to of differentiating non-chlorophyll parts of the spectrum. Using this matrix spectral emission regions of algae species were analyzed, and five major algal taxa were discriminated. These results were further applied for tracing particular microalgae taxa in the complex mixtures of laboratory and environmental algal populations. An integrated analysis of single algal events combined with unique spectral emission fingerprints and light scattering parameters of microalgae can be further used to differentiate major microalgal taxa. Our results demonstrate that spectral flow cytometer (SFC-VF) and virtual filtering approach can provide a quantitative assessing of heterogenous phytoplankton communities at single cell level spectra and be helpful in the monitoring of phytoplankton blooms.

The research was partly presented during AQUAFLUO II Colloquium 2017, Sydney, Australia and ISAC Congress, Boston 2017
Cortical network mechanisms of anodal and cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation in awake primates
Authors: Bogaard Andrew R. , Lajoie Guillaume , Boyd Hayley , Morse Andrew , Zanos Stavros , Fetz Eberhard E.
Published: January 2019

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that is widely used to stimulate the sensorimotor cortex, and yet the mechanism by which it influences the natural activity of cortical networks is still under debate. Here, we characterize the effects of anodal and cathodal tDCS on underlying neurons in active macaque sensorimotor cortex across a range of doses. We find changes in spike rates that are sensitive to both current intensity and polarity, behavioral state, and that are cell-type specific. At high currents, effects persist after the offset of stimulation, and the spatiotemporal activity associated with motor activity of the contralateral limb, measured by dynamics of neural ensembles, are altered. These data suggest that tDCS induces reproducible and noticeable changes in cortical neuron activity and support the theory that it affects brain activity through a combination of single neuron polarization and network interactions.
APC2 is Critical for Ovarian WNT Signalling Control, Fertility and Tumour Suppression
Authors: Mohamed Noha-Ehssan , Hay Trevor , Reed Karen R. , Smalley Matthew J , Clarke Alan R.
Published: January 2019

Canonical WNT signalling plays a critical role in the regulation of ovarian development; mis-regulation of this key pathway in the adult ovary is associated with subfertility and tumourigenesis. The roles of Adenomatous polyposis coli 2 (APC2), a little-studied WNT signalling pathway regulator, in ovarian homeostasis, fertility and tumourigenesis have not previously been explored. Here, we demonstrate for the first time using constitutive APC2-knockout (Apc2−/−) mice, essential roles of APC2 in regulating ovarian WNT signalling and ovarian homeostasis. APC2-deficiency resulted in activation of ovarian WNT signalling and sub-fertility driven by intra-ovarian defects. Follicular growth was perturbed, resulting in a reduced rate of ovulation and corpora lutea formation, which could not be rescued by administration of gonadotrophins. Defects in steroidogenesis and follicular vascularity contributed to the subfertility phenotype. Tumour incidence was assessed in aged APC2-deficient mice, which also carried a hypomorphicApcallele. APC2-deficiency in these mice resulted in predisposition to granulosa cell tumour (GCT) formation, accompanied by acute tumour-associated WNT-signalling activation and a histologic pattern and molecular signature seen in human adult GCTs. Hence, APC2 has an important tumour-suppressor activity within ovarian granulosa cells, most likely due to its role in regulating WNT-signalling. Importantly, given that the APC2-deficient tumours recapitulate the molecular signature and histological features of human adult GCTs, this APC2-deficient mouse has excellent potential as a pre-clinical model to study ovarian tumour biology and for therapeutic testing.
A comparative analysis of cannabis and tobacco smoke exposure on human airway epithelial cell gene expression, immune phenotype, and response to formoterol and budesonide treatment
Authors: Aguiar Jennifer A. , Huff Ryan D. , Tse Wayne , Stampfli Martin R. , McConkey Brendan J. , Doxey Andrew C. , Hirota Jeremy A.
Published: January 2019

Global recreational cannabis use is a potentially important public health issue that would benefit from experimental evidence to inform policy, regulations, and individual user practices. Comparative analyses between cannabis and tobacco smoke, the latter long reported to have negative impacts on respiratory health, may help provide context and provide clinically relevant evidence.

To address this unmet need we performed a comparative study between cannabis and tobacco smoke exposure in the Calu-3 human airway epithelial cells using concentration-response and pharmacological intervention study designs with outcome measurements of cell viability, epithelial cell barrier function, cytokine profile, and transcriptomics.

Our results demonstrate that cannabis smoke exposure reduces epithelial cell barrier function without impacting cell viability, accompanied by a cytokine profile associated with inflammation (elevated IL-6 and IL-8), barrier repair (elevated TGF-α and PDGF-AA) and suppressed antiviral immunity (decreased IP-10 and RANTES). Transcriptomic analyses revealed a cannabis smoke induced signature associated with suppressed antiviral genes and induction of oncogenic and oxidative stress pathways. Similar trends were observed for tobacco smoke exposure. A formoterol/budesonide intervention was unable to prevent cannabis smoke-induced reductions in antiviral pathways or normalize induction of oncogenic and oxidative stress responses.

Our results show striking similarities between cannabis and tobacco smoke exposure on impairing barrier function, suppressing antiviral pathways, potentiating of pro-inflammatory mediators, and inducing oncogenic and oxidative stress gene expression signatures. Furthermore, we demonstrate that an intervention with formoterol and budesonide is unable to completely normalized cannabisinduced responses. Collectively our data suggest that cannabis smoke exposure is not innocuous and may possess many of the deleterious properties of tobacco smoke, warranting additional studies to support public policy, government regulations, and individual user practices.
Neuroendocrine negative SCLC is mostly RB1 WT and may be sensitive to CDK4/6 inhibition
Authors: Sonkin Dmitriy , Vural Suleyman , Thomas Anish , Teicher Beverly A.
Published: January 2019

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive form of lung cancer with limited therapeutic options, a very high mortality rate and is characterized, in most cases, by neuroendocrine features. A small but important subset of SCLC has intact RB1. However, other characteristics of this subset are not well-defined. To comprehensively assess the underlying genomics of SCLC cell lines with functional RB1, we examined 48 SCLC cell lines from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) collection. Out of these 48 SCLC cell lines, 8 were found to be RB1 WT. We found that RB1 WT SCLC lines are enriched for loss of neuroendocrine lineage markers with CDKN2A inactivation, or CCND1 amplification. Six RB1 WT SCLC cell lines were included in NCI SCLC drug sensitivity screen and two of them were sensitive to CDK4/6 inhibition.
Cue-reactivity in the ventral striatum characterizes heavy cannabis use, whereas reactivity in the dorsal striatum mediates dependent use
Authors: Zhou Xinqi , Zimmermann Kaeli , Xin Fei , Zhao Weihua , Derckx Roelinka , Sassmannshausen Anja , Scheele Dirk , Hurlemann Rene , Weber Bernd , Kendrick Keith M. , Becker Benjamin
Published: January 2019

Background

Animal models of addiction suggest that the transition from incentive-driven to habitual and ultimately compulsive drug use is mediated by a shift from ventral to dorsal striatal cue-control over drug seeking. Previous studies in human cannabis users reported elevated trait impulsivity and cue-reactivity in striatal circuits, however, these studies were not able to separate addiction-related from exposure-related adaptations.

Methods

To differentiate the adaptive changes, the present functional magnetic resonance imaging study examined behavioral and neural cue-reactivity in dependent (n = 18) and non-dependent (n = 20) heavy cannabis users and a non-using reference group (n = 44).

Results

Irrespective of dependence status, cannabis users demonstrated elevated trait impulsivity as well as increased ventral striatal reactivity and striato-frontal coupling in response to drug cues. Dependent users selectively exhibited dorsal-striatal reactivity and decreased striato-limbic coupling during cue-exposure. An exploratory analysis revealed that higher ventral caudate cue-reactivity was associated with stronger cue-induced arousal and craving in dependent users, whereas this pattern was reversed in non-dependent users.

Conclusions

Together the present findings suggest that an incentive sensitization of the ventral striatal reward system may promote excessive drug use in humans, whereas adaptations in dorsal striatal systems engaged in habit formation may promote the transition to addictive use.
Visualizing structural transitions of ligand-dependent gating of the TRPM2 channel
Authors: Yin Ying , Wu Mengyu , Hsu Allen L. , Borschel William F. , Borgnia Mario J. , Lander Gabriel C. , Lee Seok-Yong
Published: January 2019

The calcium-permeable transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) channel plays a key role in redox sensation in many cell types 1–3. Channel activation requires binding of both ADP-ribose (ADPR) 2,4–6 and Ca2+ 7. The recently published TRPM2 structures from Danio rerio in the ligand-free and in the ADPR/Ca2+-bound conditions represent the channel in closed and open states, which uncover substantial tertiary and quaternary conformational rearrangements 8. However, it is unclear how these rearrangements occur within the tetrameric channel during channel gating. Here we report two cryo-electron microscopy structures of TRPM2 from the same species in complex with Ca2+ alone, and with both ADPR and Ca2+, determined to an overall resolution of ~3.8 Å and ~4.2 Å respectively. In comparison with the published results, our studies capture TRPM2 in two-fold symmetric intermediate states, offering a glimpse of the structural transitions within the tetramer that bridge the closed and open conformations.
A 2.08 Å resolution structure of HLB5, a novel cellulase from the anaerobic gut bacterium Parabacteroides johnsonii DSM 18315
Authors: Chang Changsoo , Brooke Charles , Piao Hailan , Mack Jamey , Babnigg Gyorgy , Joachimiak Andrzej , Hess Matthias
Published: January 2019

Cellulases play a significant role in the degradation of complex carbohydrates. In the human gut anaerobic bacteria are essential to the well-being of the host by producing these essential enzymes that convert plant polymers into simple sugars that can then be further metabolized by the host. Here we report the 2.08 Å resolution structure of HLB5, a chemically verified cellulase that was identified previously from an anaerobic gut bacterium and that has no structural cellulase homologues in PDB nor possesses any conserved region typical for enzymes that degrade carbohydrates. We anticipate that the information presented here will facilitate the identification of additional cellulases for which no homologues have been identified until to date and in enhancing our understanding how these novel cellulases bind and hydrolyze their substrates.
Multiple two-photon targeted whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from monosynaptically connected neurons in vivo
Authors: Jouhanneau Jean-Sébastien , Poulet James F.A.
Published: January 2019

Although we know a great deal about monosynaptic connectivity, transmission and integration in the mammalian nervous system from in vitro studies, very little is known in vivo. This is partly because it is technically difficult to evoke action potentials and simultaneously record small amplitude subthreshold responses in closely (< 150 µm) located pairs of neurons. To address this, we have developed in vivo two-photon targeted multiple (2 – 4) whole-cell patch clamp recordings of nearby neurons in superficial cortical layers 1 to 3. Here we describe a step-by-step guide to this approach in the anesthetised mouse primary somatosensory cortex, including: the design of the setup, surgery, preparation of pipettes, targeting and acquisition of multiple whole-cell recordings, as well as in vivo and post-hoc histology. The procedure takes ∼ 4 hours from start of surgery to end of recording and allows examinations both into the electrophysiological features of unitary excitatory and inhibitory monosynaptic inputs during different brain states as well as the synaptic mechanisms of correlated neuronal activity.
HybridMolDB: a manually curated database dedicated to hybrid molecules for chemical biology and drug discovery
Authors: Li Yecheng , Zhao Chongze , Wei Boyan , Wang Ling
Published: January 2019

Hybrid molecule-based drug design is the combination of two or more pharmacophoric moieties from identical or non-identical bioactive molecules, or known identical or non-identical bioactive molecules, into a single chemical entity. This strategy may be used to achieve better affinity and efficacy, or improved properties compared to the parent molecules, to interact with two or multiple targets, to reduce undesirable side effects, to decrease drug-drug interactions or to reduce emergence of drug resistance. The approach offers the prospect of better drugs for the treatment of many human diseases. Research activity in this area is increasing and has attracted many practitioners worldwide. To accelerate the design and discovery of new hybrid molecule-based drugs, it is essential to properly collect and annotate experimental data obtained from known hybrid molecules. To address this need, we have developed HybridMolDB, a manually curated database dedicated to hybrid molecules for chemical biology and drug discovery. It contains structures, manually annotated design protocols, pharmacological data, some physicochemical, ligand efficiency, drug-likeness and ADMET characteristics, and the biological targets of known hybrid molecules. HybridMolDB supports a range of query types, including searches by extensive text, protein sequence, chemical structure similarity and property ranges.

Availability

HybridMolDB is freely available at http://www.idruglab.com/HybridMolDB/index.php.

Contact

lingwang@scut.edu.cn.
Kidney organoid reproducibility across multiple human iPSC lines and diminished off target cells after transplantation revealed by single cell transcriptomics
Authors: Subramanian Ayshwarya , Sidhom Eriene-Heidi , Emani Maheswarareddy , Sahakian Nareh , Vernon Katherine , Zhou Yiming , Kost-Alimova Maria , Weins Astrid , Slyper Michal , Waldman Julia , Dionne Danielle , Nguyen Lan T , Marshall Jamie , Rosenblatt-Rosen Orit , Regev Aviv , Greka Anna
Published: January 2019

Human iPSC-derived kidney organoids have the potential to revolutionize discovery, but assessing their consistency and reproducibility across iPSC lines, and reducing the generation of off-target cells remain an open challenge. Here, we used single cell RNA-Seq (scRNA-Seq) to profile 415,775 cells to show that organoid composition and development are comparable to human fetal and adult kidneys. Although cell classes were largely reproducible across iPSC lines, time points, protocols, and replicates, cell proportions were variable between different iPSC lines. Off-target cell proportions were the most variable. Prolongedin vitroculture did not alter cell types, but organoid transplantation under the mouse kidney capsule diminished off-target cells. Our work shows how scRNA-seq can help score organoids for reproducibility, faithfulness and quality, that kidney organoids derived from different iPSC lines are comparable surrogates for human kidney, and that transplantation enhances their formation by diminishing off-target cells.
A deep learning approach to predict the impact of non-coding sequence variants on 3D chromatin structure
Authors: Trieu Tuan , Khurana Ekta
Published: January 2019

Three-dimensional structures of the genome play an important role in regulating the expression of genes. Non-coding variants have been shown to alter 3D genome structures to activate oncogenes in cancer. However, there is currently no method to predict the effect of DNA variants on 3D structures. We propose a deep learning method, DeepMILO, to learn DNA sequence features of CTCF/cohesin-mediated loops and to predict the effect of variants on these loops. DeepMILO consists of a convolutional and a recurrent neural network, and it can learn features beyond the presence of CTCF motifs and their orientations. Application of DeepMILO on a cohort of 241 malignant lymphoma patients with whole-genome sequences revealed CTCF/cohesin-mediated loops disrupted in multiple patients. These disrupted loops contain known cancer driver genes and novel genes. Our results show mutations at loop boundaries are associated with upregulation of the cancer driver gene BCL2 and may point to a possible new mechanism for its dysregulation via alteration of 3D loop structures.
Human Phageprints: A high-resolution exploration of oral phages reveals globally-distributed phage families with individual-specific and temporally-stable community compositions
Authors: Mahmoudabadi Gita , Homyk Kelsey , Catching Adam , Foley Helen , Tadmor Arbel , Mahmoudabadi Ana , Cheung Allison , Phillips Rob
Published: January 2019

Metagenomic studies have revolutionized the study of novel phages. However these studies trade the depth of coverage for breadth. In this study we show that the targeted sequencing of a phage genomic region as small as 200-300 base pairs, can provide sufficient sequence diversity to serve as an individual-specific barcode or “Phageprint”. The targeted approach reveals a high-resolution view of phage communities that is not available through metagenomic datasets. By creating instructional videos and collection kits, we enabled citizen scientists to gather ∼700 oral samples spanning ∼100 individuals residing in different parts of the world. In examining phage communities at 6 different oral sites, and by comparing phage communities of individuals living across the globe, we were able to study the effect of spatial separation, ranging from several millimeters to thousands of kilometers. We found that the spatial separation of just a few centimeters (the distance between two oral sites) can already result in highly distinct phage community compositions. For larger distances, spanning the phage communities of different individuals living in different parts of the world, we did not observe any correlation between spatial distance and phage community composition as individuals residing in the same city did not have any more similar phage communities than individuals living on different continents. Additionally, we found that neither genetics nor cohabitation seem to play a role in the relatedness of phage community compositions across individuals. Cohabitating siblings and even identical twins did not have phage community compositions that were any more similar than those of unrelated individuals. The primary factor contributing to phage community composition relatedness is direct contact between two habitats, as is demonstrated by the similarity between oral phage community compositions of partners. Furthermore, by exploring phage communities across the span of a month, and in some cases several years, we observed highly stable community compositions. These studies consistently point to the existence of remarkably diverse and personal phage families that are stable in time and apparently present in people around the world.
Comparative analysis of beneficial effects of Vancomycin treatment on Th1- and Th2-biased mice and role of gut microbiota
Authors: Ray Pratikshya , Pandey Uday , Aich Palok
Published: January 2019

Aims

Vancomycin, an antibiotic, is used to treat infection of multi-drug resistant strains ofClostridium difficileandStaphylococcus. Post-usage effects of vancomycin may lead to many unwanted effects including perturbation of gut microbiota. Perturbation of the gut microbiota, by Vancomycin, was used to understand the altered metabolic and innate immune profile of C57BL/6(Th1-biased) and BALB/c (Th2-biased) mice.

Methods and Results

Following treatment with vancomycin till day 4, we observed reduction in abundance of phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroides and increase in Proteobacteria in the gut for both strains of mice. Results further revealed a significant increase in the phylum Verrucomicrobia, from day 5 onwards following treatment with vancomycin led to decreased inflammation and increased rate of glucose tolerance in the host.

Conclusions

Continued dosage of vancomycin was more beneficial in C57BL/6 than BALB/c mice

Significance and Impact of the study

The current study established that initial doses of vancomycin increased pathogenic bacteria but the continued doses of vancomycin provided significant health-related benefits to the host by decreasing pathogenic load and by increasing beneficial microbes of Verrucomicrobia phylum (A. muciniphila) more in C57BL/6 (Th-1) than BALB/c (Th-2) mice.
A configural model of expert judgement as a preliminary epidemiological study of injury problems: An application to drowning
Authors: Morgan Damian , Ozanne-Smith Joan
Published: January 2019

Robust epidemiological studies identifying determinants of negative health outcomes require significant research effort. Expert judgement is proposed as an efficient alternative or preliminary research design for risk factor identification associated with unintentional injury. This proposition was tested in a multi-factorial balanced experimental design using specialist judges (N=18), lifeguards and surfers, to assess the risk contribution to drowning for swimming ability, surf bathing experience, and wave height. All factors provided unique contributions to drowning risk (p<.001). An interaction (p=.02) indicated that occasional surf bathers face a proportionally increased risk of drowning at increased wave heights relative to experienced surf bathers. Although findings were limited by strict criteria, and no gold standard comparison data were available, the study provides new evidence on causal risk factors for a drowning scenario. Countermeasures based on these factors are proposed. Further application of the method may assist in developing new interventions to reduce unintentional injury.
Life on the margin: rainwater tanks facilitate overwintering of the dengue vector,Aedes aegypti, in a sub-tropical climate
Authors: Trewin Brendan J , Darbro Jonathan M , Zalucki Myron P , Jansen Cassie C , Schellhorn Nancy A , Devine Gregor J
Published: January 2019

A key determinant of insect persistence in marginal habitats is the ability to tolerate environmental extremes such as temperature.Aedes aegyptiis highly invasive and little is known about the physiological sensitivity of the species to fluctuating temperature regimes at the lower critical threshold. This has implications that limit establishment and persistence of the species in sub-optimal regions. Daily winter temperatures were measured in common Australian larval habitats, replicated in environmental chambers, and used to investigate the effect of fluctuating temperatures on the development and survival of tropical and subtropical strains of AustralianAe. aegypti. Development was slow for all treatments but both strains were able to complete development to the adult stage, suggesting previous models underestimate the potential for the species to persist in eastern Australia. Results suggested that thermal buffering in large volume habitats, and water that persists for greater than 32 days, will facilitate completion of the life cycle during sub-tropical winters. Furthermore, we provide a non-linear estimate of the lower critical temperature ofAe. aegyptithat suggests the current threshold may be incorrect. Our study demonstrates that the current re-introduction of water storage containers such as rainwater tanks, into major Australian population centres will increase the risk ofAe. aegyptiestablishment by permitting year-round development south of its current distribution.
Live applications of norbormide-based fluorescent probes in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Forgiarini Alessia , Wang Zifei , D’Amore Claudio , Jay-Smith Morgan , Li Freda Fan , Hopkins Brian , Brimble Margaret A. , Pagetta Andrea , Bersani Sara , Martin Sara De , Napoli Barbara , Bova Sergio , Rennison David , Orso Genny
Published: January 2019

In this study we investigated the performance of two norbormide (NRB)-derived fluorescent probes, NRBMC009 (green) and NRBZLW0047 (red), on dissected, living larvae of Drosophila, to verify their potential application in confocal microscopy imaging in vivo. To this end, larval tissues were exposed to NRB probes alone or in combination with other commercial dyes or GFP-tagged protein markers. Both probes were rapidly internalized by most tissues (except the central nervous system) allowing each organ in the microscope field to be readily distinguished at low magnification. At the cellular level, the probes showed a very similar distribution (except for fat bodies), defined by loss of signal in the nucleus and plasma membrane, and a preferential localization to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria. They also recognized ER and mitochondrial phenotypes in the skeletal muscles of fruit fly models that had loss of function mutations in the atlastin and mitofusin genes, suggesting NRBMC009 and NRBZLW0047 as potentially useful in vivo screening tools for characterizing ER and mitochondria morphological alterations. Feeding of larvae and adult Drosophilae with the NRB-derived dyes led to staining of the gut and its epithelial cells, revealing a potential role in food intake assays. In addition, when flies were exposed to either dye over their entire life cycle no apparent functional or morphological abnormalities were detected. Rapid internalization, a bright signal, a compatibility with other available fluorescent probes and GFP-tagged protein markers, and a lack of toxicity make NRBZLW0047 and, particularly, NRBMC009 one of the most highly performing fluorescent probes available for in vivo microscopy studies and food intake assay in Drosophila.
Selection and validation of reference genes for quantitative Real-Time PCR in Arabis alpina
Authors: Stephan Lisa , Tilmes Vicky , Hülskamp Martin
Published: January 2019

Arabis alpina is a perennial arctic-alpine plant and an upcoming model organism for genetics and molecular biology for the Brassicaceae family. One essential method for most molecular approaches is the analysis of gene expression by quantitative Real-Time PCR (qPCR). For the normalisation of expression data in qPCR experiments, it is essential to use reliable reference genes that are not affected under a wide range of conditions. In this study we establish a set of 15 A. alpina reference genes that were tested under different conditions including cold, drought, heat, salt and gibberellic acid treatments. Data analyses with geNORM, BestKeeper and NormFinder revealed the most stable reference genes for the tested conditions: RAN3, HCF and PSB33 are most suitable for cold treatments; UBQ10 and TUA5 for drought; RAN3, PSB33 and EIF4a for heat; CAC, TUA5, ACTIN 2 and PSB33 for salt and PSB33 and TUA5 for gibberellic acid treatments. CAC and ACTIN 2 showed the least variation over all tested samples. In addition, we show that two reference genes are sufficient to normalize qPCR data under our treatment conditions. In future studies, these reference genes can be used for an adequate normalisation and thus help to generate high quality qPCR data in A. alpina.
Analysis of the risk and protective roles of work-related and individual variables in burnout syndrome in nurses
Authors: Pérez-Fuentes Mªdel Carmen , Molero Jurado Mªdel Mar , Martínez África Martos , Gázquez Linares José Jesús
Published: January 2019

Burnout syndrome is a phenomenon that is becoming ever more widespread, especially in workers who have heavy workloads and time pressures, such as nurses. Its progression has been shown to be related to both individual and work-related variables. The objective of this study was to examine the risk and protective roles played by work-related and personal variables, both sociodemographic and psychological, in the development of burnout in nurses. The sample was made up of 1236 nurses. Exploratory tests were performed to understand the relationships between burnout and the other variables, as well as a binary logistic regression to understand their roles in the incidence of this syndrome. Lastly, a regression tree was constructed. The results showed that the sociodemographic variables examined in the study were not related with levels of burnout in nurses. However, certain work-related variables were, such as spending more time with colleagues and patients, and reporting good quality relationships with colleagues, superiors, patients and their families, exhibiting a significant, negative relationship to the presence of burnout. Of the psychological variables, the stress factors conflict-social acceptance, and irritability-tension-fatigue, along with informative communication were found to be risk factors for the appearance of burnout in nurses, in contrast to the communication skills factor, empathy, and energy-joy, which exercised a protective function. The irritability-tension-fatigue factor was the best predictor for the appearance of burnout in nurses.
Osmoregulation of glutamine synthetase from Giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) under osmotic stress
Authors: Lu Zhijie , Qin Zhendong , Sarath Babu V , Ye Chengkai , Su Guomao , Li Jiabo , Yang Guang , Shen Haiyang , Pan Gan , Lin Li
Published: January 2019

Glutamine synthetase is a key enzyme that catalyzes the biosynthesis of glutamine (Gln) from glutamate and ammonia. Gln a vital amino acid acts as a precursor for protein synthesis and also assist in ammonia repressor and a key osmoregulators in aquatics. Here, we report the cloning and characterization of the GS gene from Macrobrachium rosenbergii (Mr-GS). The complete nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences were determined that phylogenetically shared highest identity with other crustaceans. GS mRNA was differentially expressed in 6 different tissues, with high to low order as muscle > gills > heart > stomach > brain > haemolymph. Mr-GS expression and the glutamine concentrations were analyzed in the gills and muscle tissues of prawn under hyper/hypo-osmotic stress conditions. Under hyper-osmotic stress, the mRNA expression of Mr-GS was significantly increased in both gills and muscle at 3, 6 and 12 h post-treatment with 2.54, 4.21 and 10.83 folds, and 11.66, 17.97 and 45.92 folds, respectively. Protein analysis by western blot (WB) and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) further confirmed the Mr-GS expression was increased at 12 h post treatment. On the other hand, under hypo-osmotic stress, the mRNA expression of Mr-GS was also significantly increased in both gills and muscle at 3, 6 and 12 h post treatment with 1.63, 3.30 and 3.52 folds, and 4.06, 42.99 and 26.69 folds, respectively. Furthermore, under hyperosmotic stress, Gln concentration was increased in both gills and muscle at 6 and 12 h post treatment with 1.83, 2.02 folds, and 1.41, 1.29 folds, respectively. While, under hypo-osmotic stress, Gln concentration was increased in both gills and muscle at 3, 6 and 12 h post treatment with 3.99, 3.40, 2.59 folds, and 1.72, 1.83, 1.80 folds, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that Mr-GS might play a key role in osmoregulation in M. rosenbergii.
Analysis of Suicidal Patients Admitted to The Emergency Rooms and Their Intensive Care Requirements, A Double-Center Study in Turkey
Authors: Betul Kocamer Şimşek , Şengül Kocamer Şahin
Published: January 2019

Purpose

In the present study, the clinical and socio-demographic data of the patients who admitted to the emergency department due to suicide attempt, the duration at the emergency department, and hospitalizations are examined. Requirement of intensive care and duration of hospitalization are investigated in the patients with suicide attempt.

Methods

Patients who were admitted to the emergency department of the hospitals after suicide attempts between 2015 and 2017 and earlier 2018 were included in the retrospective study. Reason for suicide, suicide modality, duration between the suicide attempt and arrival to the emergency department, suicide time, first treatment at the emergency department, hospitalization, mortality, and the levels at the intensive care unit (ICU) were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.

Results

In the present study, 428 patients were included. Ratio of the female to male patients was 319/109. The mean age of the patients was 29.18±10.48. Most of the patients were single. The patients were mostly unemployed. Ninety-four (22.87%) patients were diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. Four hundred twenty-two (98.59%) of the patients were attempted suicide with drugs/toxics. One hundred ninety-seven patients (49.75%) reported domestic violence and family issues reasons for suicide. Mean duration between the time of suicide and the time to arrive to the emergency department was 100.53±91.82 minutes. One hundred thirty (30.5%) patients were transferred to ICU, and 45 (10.5%) patients were followed in clinical departments. One hundred twenty (92.3%) patients hospitalized in the first-level ICU, 4 (3%) in the second-level ICU, and 6 (4.6%) in the third-level ICU. The mean ICU stay was 2.37±1.48 days.

Conclusion

The suicide attempts were prominent in acute poisoning cases. Majority of the patients stated domestic violence and family issues as a reason of suicide. They were discharged mostly from the emergency department and 10.5% of the patients were kept under surveillance in the departments. When the suicide attempts were evaluated in terms of their time, they were observed during day time at a higher rate.
Path to effective mobile advertising in Asian markets
Authors: Wang Ying , Genç Ebru
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose and test an integrated model of mobile advertising taking into consideration the unique characteristics of Asian consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey research method has been used to collect data among young mobile users in China and South Korea. A structural equation model (SEM) technique is employed to analyze the data.

Findings

The results show that Chinese and South Korean consumers share similar beliefs and attitudes toward mobile advertising. Perceived informational usefulness, perceived entertainment usefulness, perceived ease of ease and credibility emerge as significant belief factors positively influencing attitude in both countries. Irritation, on the other hand, negatively predicts attitude. Attitude toward mobile advertising and subjective norm emerge as the strong predictors of consumers’ intention to use mobile advertising in both countries. The effects of perceived social usefulness on attitude and incentive on intention to use demonstrate different patterns between the Chinese and South Korean samples.

Practical implications

The findings are particularly relevant to international marketing managers. To effectively reach Asian consumers through mobile, increasing credibility and entertainment values are the keys. Meanwhile, providing relevant information in easy to use format is also an important issue.

Originality/value

Based on the established advertising theories, this study proposes an integrated model to examine how beliefs, attitude and other influencing factors affect mobile advertising effectiveness among Chinese and South Korean consumers. This research provides insights into the uniqueness and effectiveness of the new mobile medium as opposed to traditional media. Furthermore, this study deepens the understanding of advertising hierarchy effects in an international setting by examining similarities and differences between China and South Korea. Most of existing cross-cultural studies choose cultures that are sharply contrast to gain significant findings and to support established cross-cultural theories. It is also very important for researchers to examine cultures that are relatively similar to gain a better understanding of the impact of culture. The study answers such a call.
Unclogging the pipeline: advancement to full professor in academic STEM
Authors: Van Miegroet Helga , Glass Christy , Callister Ronda Roberts , Sullivan Kimberly
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Women remain underrepresented in academic STEM, especially at the highest ranks. While much attention has focused on early-career attrition, mid-career advancement is still largely understudied and undocumented. The purpose of this paper is to analyze gender differences in advancement to full professor within academic STEM at a mid-size public doctoral university in the western USA, before and after the National Science Foundation (NSF)-ADVANCE Program (2003–2008).

Design/methodology/approach

Using faculty demographics and promotion data between 2008 and 2014, combined with faculty responses to two waves of a climate survey, the magnitude and longevity of the impact of ADVANCE on mid-career faculty advancement across gender is evaluated.

Findings

This study documents increased representation of women in all ranks within the STEM colleges, including that of full professor due to ADVANCE efforts. It also demonstrates the role of greater gender awareness and formalization of procedures in reducing the variability in the time as associate professor until promotion to full professor for all faculty members, while also shrinking gender disparities in career attainment. As a result of the codification of the post-tenure review timeline toward promotion, more recently hired faculty are promoted more swiftly and consistently, irrespective of gender. Post-ADVANCE, both male and female faculty members express a greater understanding of and confidence in the promotion process and no longer see it as either a hurdle or source of gender inequality in upward career mobility.

Research limitations/implications

While data were collected at a single university, demographics and career experiences by women mirror those at other research universities. This study shows that within a given institution-specific governance structure, long-lasting effects on faculty career trajectories can be achieved, by focusing efforts on creating greater transparency in expectations and necessary steps toward promotion, by reducing barriers to information flown, by standardizing and codifying the promotion process, and by actively engaging administrators as collaborators and change agents in the transformation process.

Originality/value

This study addresses mid-career dynamics and potential mechanisms that explain gender gaps in the promotion to full professor, a largely understudied aspect of gender disparities in career attainment within STEM. It shows how institutional policy changes, intended to alleviate gender disparities, can benefit the career trajectories of all faculty members. Specifically, this study highlights the crucial role of codifying procedures and responsibilities in neutralizing subjectivity and inconsistencies in promotion outcomes due to varying departmental climates.
Thinking about people in mergers and acquisitions processes
Authors: Rodríguez-Sánchez José-Luis , Ortiz-de-Urbina-Criado Marta , Mora-Valentín Eva-María
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a human resource management model for the integration stage of mergers and acquisitions (M/A) process with four key factors: leadership and integration team; change and restructuring process; human resources (HR) resistance; valuable HR retention.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyze a case study of a multinational company that operates in the mechanical engineering sector.

Findings

The results show the special importance of human resource management in the success of the merger and acquisition process. And, the main actions implemented in HR contributing to the success of this process are identified.

Research limitations/implications

Subsequent investigations could conduct similar analyses for the planning and implementation stages of the merger and acquisition process, with the objective of presenting a complete HR management model in merger and acquisition processes.

Practical implications

The case study allows researchers to learn from professionals and business leaders while also offering a theoretical model that can help managers make decisions and improve the management of these processes.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this study has been to observe how HR are managed in the integration stage of M/A.
Gift-selection for close recipients: how perceived similarity of preferences affect giver’s attitude
Authors: Sarkar Sumit , Sarkar Bose Arundhati
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the impact of gift-givers’ perception of relational closeness on their gift-selection attitude and eventual selection when the gift is not a requested-gift.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual framework was constructed on the basis of five hypotheses, which were tested by field data collected through surveys of urban Indian gift-givers while they shopped for a gift. Logistic regressions were used for validating hypotheses. Mediation effect was computed using the PROCESS macro in SPSS.

Findings

The giver may have either a “recipient-centric” or a “giver-centric” attitude towards gift-selection. It was found that givers who feel greater closeness towards recipients are less likely to be “giver-centric” and more likely to believe that the recipient’s preferences are similar to their own. The givers’ belief that the recipient’s preferences are similar to their own mediates the effect of closeness on attitude. Closeness reduces the odds of making a “preference-contrary” selection among “recipient-centric” givers because of a perceived similarity of preferences.

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted among urban Indian gift-shoppers. Cross-cultural study may be required for general interpretation of the results. In addition, the role of reciprocity in determining giver’s attitude and gift-selection was not studied.

Practical implications

The study found that the odds of making “preference-contrary” gift-selection depend on the closeness of the dyadic relation. This understanding can be used in advertising and promoting products that are used as gifts between close relations.

Originality/value

Previous studies postulated and demonstrated that relational closeness affects gift-giving behaviour, but none connected closeness to gift-selection. This research conceptualised gift-giver’s attitude, which influences giver’s selection.