bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Rivaroxaban on Platelet Aggregation
Authors: Hernandez-Juarez Jesus , Espejo-Godinez Hugo Guillermo , Mancilla-Padilla Rodrigo , Hernandez-Lopez Jose Rubicel , Moreno Jose Antonio Alvarado , Majluf-Cruz Karim , Moreno-Hernández Manuel , Isordia-Salas Irma , Majluf-Cruz Abraham
Published: October 2019

Rivaroxaban is a direct oral anti-factor Xa anticoagulant. It has recently been suggested that rivaroxaban may affect platelet function in vitro; however, little is known about the clinical impact of this likely antiplatelet effect and whether this probable phenomenon is dose-dependent. Our aim was to determine whether rivaroxaban at 4 different doses inhibits direct platelet aggregation. We included adult patients of both sexes and who were allocated to one of the following groups depending on the prescribed daily dose of rivaroxaban: 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg. In 80 patients (20 patients/group), the percentage of platelet aggregation was determined by means of platelet aggregometry tests before and after rivaroxaban use. Basal samples were obtained before starting rivaroxaban and 1 month after treatment, both 2 and 24 hours after the last dose of the drug (12 hours after in the case of rivaroxaban 5 mg). We used 5 platelet agonists: adenosine diphosphate, epinephrine, arachidonic acid, collagen, and thrombin. There were no significant changes in the percentage of platelet aggregation before and after rivaroxaban use independently of the dose administered and the agonist used. Our results have clearly shown that rivaroxaban, even at a high dose, does not directly affect platelet aggregation.
A Reversed-Phase Mode LC-MS/MS Method Using a Polysaccharide Chiral Selector for Simultaneous Quantitation of Each Enantiomer of Tramadol and its Metabolites in Human Plasma and Evaluation of CYP-Mediated Stereoselective Demethylation
Authors: Suzuki Koji , Naito Takafumi , Tanaka Hironari , Yamada Yasuhide , Itoh Kunihiko , Kawakami Junichi
Published: October 2019

Background:

The enantiomeric pharmacokinetics and metabolism of tramadol and its metabolites have not fully been understood. This study aimed to develop a reversed-phase mode liquid chromatography coupled to a tandem mass spectrometry method for the enantiomeric quantitation of tramadol and its metabolites in human plasma and to evaluate the stereoselective demethylation.

Methods:

Racemic tramadol and its metabolites in plasma specimens were separated using a chiral selector coated with cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) on silica gel under a reversed-phase mode. The mass spectrometer ran in the positive ion multiple-reaction monitoring mode. This method was performed to quantify plasma samples from 20 cancer patients treated with oral tramadol. The stereoselective demethylation was evaluated using recombinant cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes.

Results:

The calibration curves of (+)- and (−)-tramadol, (+)- and (−)-O-desmethyltramadol (ODT), and (+)- and (−)-N-desmethyltramadol (NDT) were linear over the plasma concentration ranges of 6.25–800, 1.25–160, and 3.13–400 ng/mL for the respective enantiomers. In the present method, the intra- and inter-day accuracies and imprecisions were 94.2%–108.3% and 0.5%–6.0% for all analytes. The plasma concentrations of (+)-tramadol and NDT were higher than those of (−)-enantiomers. In contrast, no differences were observed between the plasma concentrations of (+)- and (−)-ODT. In the demethylation assay, the O-demethylations of tramadol and NDT by CYP2D6 were (−)-form-selective.

Conclusions:

The present method can be useful in the enantiomeric evaluation of tramadol and its metabolites in human plasma. Although CYP2D6 contributed to the stereoselective demethylation of tramadol, remarkable differences between (+)- and (−)-ODT were not observed in the plasma of the cancer patients.
Comparison of anthropometric indices for the screening of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in pre- and postmenopausal women
Authors: Hong So-hyeon , Hwang Soon Young , Kim Jung A. , Lee You-Bin , Roh Eun , Kim Nam Hoon , Seo Ji A. , Kim Sin Gon , Kim Nan Hee , Choi Kyung Mook , Baik Sei Hyun , Yoo Hye Jin
Published: October 2019

Objectives:

Although it has been well-established that menopause causes a shift in body fat, there has been no study conducted yet to examine the best obesity parameters to predict the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in this population. Thus, the aim of this study was to clarify the superiority among various obesity indices such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) for predicting NAFLD in pre- and postmenopausal women.

Methods:

This cross-sectional analysis included 620 healthy women (318 premenopausal and 302 postmenopausal women) between 20 and 80 years of age recruited from the Health Promotion Center of Korea University Guro Hospital. NAFLD was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography.

Results:

In premenopausal women, there were no statistical differences in the area under the curve values among the three obesity indices, whereas, in postmenopausal women, the area under the curve value of WHR was significantly larger than those of either BMI (difference between area: 0.102, 95% confidence interval: 0.031, 0.173) or WC (difference between area: 0.064, 95% confidence interval: 0.018-0.109). Furthermore, in postmenopausal women, the combination of WHR with BMI or WC significantly increased predictive power of NAFLD when compared to using BMI or WC alone. The optimal cutoff values for BMI, WC, and WHR for detecting NAFLD were 23.9 kg/m2, 69 cm, and 0.81 in premenopausal women and 22.9 kg/m2, 74 cm, and 0.86 in postmenopausal women, respectively.

Conclusions:

In premenopausal women, BMI, WC, and WHR hold similar potential in predicting the risk of NAFLD, whereas, in postmenopausal women, WHR is the most useful discriminative indicator for NAFLD. Women's optimal cutoff values for NAFLD were different according to menopausal status.
The influence of visual experience and cognitive goals on the spatial representations of nociceptive stimuli
Authors: Vanderclausen Camille , Manfron Louise , De Volder Anne , Legrain Valéry
Published: October 2019

Localizing pain is crucial because it allows for detecting which part of the body is being hurt and identifying in its surrounding which stimulus is producing the damage. Nociceptive inputs should therefore be mapped according to somatotopic (“which limb is stimulated?”) and spatiotopic representations (“where is the stimulated limb?”). Because the body posture constantly changes, the brain has to realign the different spatial representations, for instance when the arms are crossed with the left hand in the right space and vice versa, to adequately guide actions towards the threatening object. Such ability is thought to be dependent on past sensory experience and contextual factors. We compared performances of early blind and normally sighted participants during temporal order judgement tasks. Two nociceptive stimuli were applied, one on each hand, with the hands either uncrossed or crossed. Participants reported which stimulus they perceived as first presented, according to either its location on the body or the position of the stimulated hand, respectively, prioritizing anatomy or external space as task-relevant reference frame. Relative to the uncrossed posture, sighted participants' performances were decreased when the hands were crossed, whatever the instruction be. Early blind participants' performances were affected by crossing the hands during spatial instruction, but not during anatomical instruction. These results indicate that nociceptive stimuli are automatically coded according to both somatotopic and spatiotopic representations, but the integration of the different spatial reference frames depends on early visual experience and ongoing cognitive goals, illustrating the plasticity and the flexibility of the nociceptive system.
Extremely fast amelioration of plasmid fitness costs by multiple functionally diverse pathways
Authors: Hall James P. J. , Wright Rosanna C. T. , Guymer David , Harrison Ellie , Brockhurst Michael A.
Published: October 2019

The acquisition of plasmids is often accompanied by fitness costs such that compensatory evolution is required to allow plasmid survival, but it is unclear whether compensatory evolution can be extensive or rapid enough to maintain plasmids when they are very costly. The mercury-resistance plasmid pQBR55 drastically reduced the growth of its host,

Pseudomonas fluorescens

SBW25, immediately after acquisition, causing a small colony phenotype. However, within 48 h of growth on agar plates we observed restoration of the ancestral large colony morphology, suggesting that compensatory mutations had occurred. Relative fitness of these evolved strains, in lab media and in soil microcosms, varied between replicates, indicating different mutational mechanisms. Using genome sequencing we identified that restoration was associated with chromosomal mutations in either a hypothetical DNA-binding protein PFLU4242, RNA polymerase or the GacA/S two-component system. Targeted deletions in PFLU4242, gacA or gacS recapitulated the ameliorated phenotype upon plasmid acquisition, indicating three distinct mutational pathways to compensation. Our data shows that plasmid compensatory evolution is fast enough to allow survival of a plasmid despite it imposing very high fitness costs upon its host, and indeed may regularly occur during the process of isolating and selecting individual plasmid-containing clones.
Molecular and Morphological Signatures of Chordate Development: Two Distinct Pathways, One Tunicate
Authors: Kowarsky Mark , Anselmi Chiara , Hotta Kohji , Burighel Paolo , Zaniolo Giovanna , Caicci Federico , Rosental Benyamin , Neff Norma F , Ishizuka Katherine J , Palmeri Karla J , Okamoto Jennifer , Gordon Tal , Weissman Irving L , Quake Stephen R , Manni Lucia , Voskoboynik Ayelet
Published: October 2019

All chordates, including urochordates such as tunicates, develop through embryogenesis. The chordate larvae of colonial tunicates metamorphose to lose all chordate structures such as notochord, neural tube, segmented musculature, and then develop by asexual reproduction [blastogenesis], whereby stem cells form tissues and organs. These two developmental pathways establish the same body axis, morphogenetic patterning and organ formation. It is unknown if this convergent morphology implies convergent cellular and molecular mechanisms, and whether the stem cells that mediate these processes differ. Using the colonial tunicateBotryllus schlosseri, we combined transcriptome sequencing and multiple microscopy techniques to study the molecular and morphological signatures of cells at each developmental stage of embryogenesis and blastogenesis. This revealed that the molecular programs are distinct, but the blastogenic tissue-specific stem cells and embryonic precursor populations share similar molecular profiles. By comparing embryogenesis in other chordates we found shared developmental principles, highlighting transcription factors as key evolutionary conserved elements. This study establishes a platform for advancing the science of stem cell biology and regulation of development and regeneration.
Effects of substrate stiffness on the biological behavior of human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: Pei Hua , Li Liang , Liu Kejun , Wang Wenming , Jiang Bowen , Li Yiji , Zuo Li
Published: October 2019

Background

The biophysical attributes of a substrate can directly influence endothelial cell behaviors. Here, we explored substrate stiffness and its biological impact on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) behavior, representing different anatomical sites and differentiation states in vivo.

Material and Methods

HUVECs were cultured on both stiff substrate (25 kPa hydrogel GEL) and tissue culture plastic (TCP). Cell cytoskeleton and proliferation were detected by immunofluorescence and BrdU assays, respectively. The protein and gene expression levels of connexin 40 (CX40) were ascertained via Western blotting analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content was determined using a sulfated GAG detection kit.

Results

Results showed that actin stress fiber density and HUVEC proliferation both decreased, whereas CX40 expression and GAG content both increased in the cells grown on the stiff substrate compared to cells grown on the TCP.

Conclusions

Following culture on the stiff substrate, the biological behavior of the HUVECs differed obviously to those cultured on the TCP. Our results suggest that the state of the cells cultured on the stiff substrate may be similar to their phenotypic state in vivo.
Telemetry reveals rapid duel-driven song plasticity in a naturalistic social environment
Authors: Alcami Pepe , Ma Shouwen , Gahr Manfred
Published: October 2019

Singing by songbirds is a complex motor skill learnt during juvenile development or, in ‘open-ended’ learners, before the onset of the breeding season. Outside of these specific periods, it is believed that birdsong does not change. Challenging this, here we demonstrate that in a seasonal songbird, social interactions during the breeding season induce a novel form of singing plasticity in naturalistic social environments. Using custom-made telemetric backpack technology to monitor song-based communication from freely-behaving canaries, we show that males temporally overlap their songs during aggressive ‘duels’. Singing duels induce an unexpected fast plasticity in song length, thereby enhancing singing performance and flexibility of a sexually-selected behavior. Remarkably, dueling canaries sing acoustically-similar songs, suggesting that competition within a specific song acoustic space drives dueling behavior. Overall, our findings reveal a previously unrecognized type of song plasticity different from the well-studied slow song plasticity as an imitation process for display purposes.
Transcriptome Landscape Reveals Underlying Mechanisms of Ovarian Cell Fate Differentiation and Primordial Follicle Assembly
Authors: Wang Jun-Jie , Ge Wei , Zhai Qiu-Yue , Liu Jing-Cai , Sun Xiao-Wen , Liu Wen-Xiang , Li Lan , Lei Chu-Zhao , Dyce Paul W. , De Felici Massimo , Shen Wei
Published: October 2019

Primordial follicle assembly in mammals occurs at perinatal ages and largely determines the ovarian reserve available to support the reproductive lifespan. The primordial follicle structure is generated by a complex network of interactions between oocytes and ovarian somatic cells that remain poorly understood. In the present research, using single-cell RNA sequencing performed over a time-series on mouse ovaries coupled with several bioinformatics analyses, the complete dynamic genetic programs of germ and granulosa cells from E16.5 to PD3 are reported for the first time. The time frame of analysis comprises the breakdown of germ cell cysts and the assembly of primordial follicles. Confirming the previously reported expression of genes by germ cells and granulosa cells, our analyses identified ten distinct gene clusters associated to germ cells and eight to granulosa cells. Consequently, several new genes expressed at significant levels at each investigated stage were assigned. Building single-cell pseudo temporal trajectories five states and two branch points of fate transition for the germ cells, and three states and one branch point for the granulosa cells were revealed. Moreover, GO and ClueGO term enrichment enabled identifying biological processes, molecular functions and cellular components more represented in germ cells and granulosa cells or common to both cell types at each specific stage. Finally, by SCENIC algorithm, we were able to establish a network of regulons that can be postulated as likely candidates for sustaining germ cell specific transcription programs throughout the investigated period.
Hepatic FoxOs induce apolipoprotein M and are required for sphingosine-1-phosphate to bind high density lipoproteins
Authors: Izquierdo María Concepción , Shanmugarajah Niroshan , Lee Samuel X. , Haeusler Rebecca A.
Published: October 2019

The FoxO family of transcription factors play an important role in mediating insulin action on glucose, lipid, and lipoprotein metabolism. Liver-specific triple FoxO knockout mice (L-FoxO1,3,4) have defects in expression of genes related to glucose production, bile acid synthesis, and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol uptake. We have now identified Apolipoprotein M (Apom) as a novel transcriptional target of liver FoxO. ApoM is a liver-secreted apolipoprotein that is bound to HDL in the circulation, and it serves as a chaperone for the bioactive lipid, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Several recent studies have demonstrated that S1P bound to ApoM induces unique effects, compared to S1P bound to albumin. We now show that liver FoxOs are required for ApoM mRNA and protein expression, and that ApoM is a transcriptional target of FoxOs. Moreover, while total plasma S1P levels are similar between control and L-FoxO1,3,4 mice, S1P is nearly absent from HDL in L-FoxO1,3,4 mice, and is instead increased in the lipoprotein depleted fraction. We also observed that leptin receptor deficient db/db mice have low hepatic Apom mRNA, and low levels of ApoM and S1P in HDL, without changes in total plasma S1P. These data demonstrate that FoxO transcription factors are novel regulators of the ApoM-S1P pathway, and indicate a potential link between hepatic insulin action and HDL function.
Servant leadership and career success: the effects of career skills and proactive personality
Authors: Wang Zhen , Yu Kun , Xi Ruobing , Zhang Xiaodan
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of servant leadership on followers’ subjective career success and the mediating role of career skills. The moderating effect of followers’ proactive personality is also investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper collected two-wave matched data from 283 employees of an IT company. The authors use hierarchical regression and bootstrapping to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Servant leadership has a positive effect on career satisfaction and perceived employability through career skills. In addition, proactive personality moderates the association between servant leadership and career skills, such that the relationship is stronger when proactive personality is high. Proactive personality also moderates the indirect effect of servant leadership on career satisfaction and perceived employability.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that organizations should select and train leaders to practice servant leadership to enhance employee subjective career success.

Originality/value

This is the first study to investigate the mechanism and boundary conditions of the association between servant leadership and employee subjective career success.
Dialogic features of brand South Africa’s website and tourists’ intentions to visit
Authors: Hinson Robert E. , Kosiba John Paul Basewe , Boateng Henry , Odoom Raphael , Gyampo Ransford Edward
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Despite the recognisable importance of nation brand websites, they have seemingly not been the focus of dialogic communication interrogations of marketing and communications scholars. This paper is one of the initial attempts to address such research lacuna. The paper aims to examine the dialogic potential of the Brand South Africa website and its effect on the country’s image, as well as the impact of this image on consumers’ (tourists) visiting intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from the dialogic communication and impression management theories, the authors applied partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to analyse data solicited from 672 participants via an electronic survey.

Findings

This paper demonstrates that the dialogic communication principles of the Brand South Africa website have positive influences on the image impression of South Africa. Country image impression was also found to have a significant effect on intentions to visit.

Practical implications

This study is of potential benefit to researchers, government agencies and those responsible for nation branding.

Originality/value

This study contributes to marketing and tourism literatures, by drawing on theories of dialogic communication principles and impression management, to fill the gap regarding the effect of nation brand websites on country image impression and visiting intention of consumers (tourists).
Employees’ perceptions of their manager’s authentic leadership
Authors: Mehmood Qaiser , Hamstra Melvyn R.W. , Schreurs Bert
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test whether managers’ political skill is relevant for employees’ authentic leadership perceptions. Political influence theory assumes that political tactics seek to affect others’ interpretations of a person or situation. Thus, what matters for employees’ perceptions of their manager’s authentic leadership may be whether the manager actively seeks to show behavior that can be interpreted as authentic leadership. Combining political influence theory and gender stereotypes research, it is further suggested that manager gender moderates the employees’ interpretation of political influence attempts that are ambiguous.

Design/methodology/approach

Managers (n=156; 49.5 percent female) completed measures of their political skill. Employees (n=427; 39.1 percent female) completed measures of the manager’s authentic leadership.

Findings

Managers’ apparent sincerity was positively related to employees’ perceptions of managers’ authentic leadership; managers’ networking ability was negatively related to employees’ perceptions of female managers’ authentic leadership, but not of male managers.

Research limitations/implications

The methodology does not allow claims about causality.

Originality/value

Findings add knowledge of authentic leadership, such as difficulties that female managers face, and show the value of a fine-grained approach to political skill. Female managers should be aware that networking might have disadvantageous side effects. Conversely, sincere behavior attempts seem favorable for authentic leadership perceptions.
The explanatory effect of CSR committee and assurance services on the adoption of the IFC performance standards, as a means of enhancing corporate transparency
Authors: García-Sánchez Isabel María , Gómez-Miranda María-Elena , David Fátima , Rodríguez-Ariza Lázaro
Published: October 2019

Purpose

In view of the significant deficiencies that have been observed in corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting practices, some companies have undertaken a new communication strategy based on a combination of the GRI guidelines and the IFC Performance Standards (termed the GRI-IFC strategy). This paper aims to analyse the role of the CSR committee and of assurance services in promoting this novel practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use an unbalanced sample of 750 international companies that operate in emerging markets for the years 2011-2016, in which logistic and ordinal regressions are applied to the panel data to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that the existence of a CSR committee facilitates adoption of the GRI-IFC strategy, thus promoting sustainable management policies and systems and enhancing communication with stakeholders. In addition, these specialised committees often commission assurance for sustainability reports, to reinforce strategies aimed at improving corporate transparency.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis of mediation shows that diverse characteristics of corporate governance mechanisms interact in improving sustainability and business transparency.

Practical implications

There is an evident need for greater commitment by institutions to sustainability, for example by requiring greater specialisation of the members of the CSR committee in social and environmental issues. In addition, consideration should be given to including the creation of a CSR committee as a good practice, within the code of corporate governance and to establishing a specific framework for the committee’s actions.

Social implications

The previously cited impacts of this paper all contribute indirectly to a greater social welfare by generating higher levels of transparency, ethics and corporate performance. Specifically, higher quality verification services will have an impact on the improved functioning of the financial and capital markets, as well as in decision-making by internal and external stakeholders with more reliable information that will favour the implementation of more sustainable processes that in the short and long term will mean more companies who are responsible towards the environment and society.

Originality/value

This novel study explains why companies adopt voluntary strategies in compliance with GRI guidelines, seeking to provide better CSR disclosure.
Limitations of Trexit (tourism exit) as a solution to overtourism
Authors: Seraphin Hugues , Gowreesunkar Vanessa , Zaman Mustafeed , Lorey Thierry
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Many tourism destinations are now facing the problem of overtourism, and destination management organisations (DMOs) are in search of an effective and sustainable solution. With this as a foundation, the purpose of this study is to identify factors causing overtourism at popular tourism destinations and to propose an alternative solution to overcome this phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design is based on an inductive and a deductive approach. The paper draws its conclusion from secondary and tertiary data (literature review and online research).

Findings

The study shows that Trexit (tourism exit) is not a sustainable solution to overtourism and that an alternative strategy may be adopted to tackle this phenomenon. The overall outcome shows that if sociological factors, business factors, technological and economic factors are addressed, the effect of overtourism may be managed and controlled.

Practical implications

The findings of this piece of research refer to a Just-in-Time strategy for managing overtourism. The findings could be useful to practitioners, as the study proposes an alternative means to overcome overtourism and manage destinations without affecting visitor flow and profitability.

Originality/value

This research fulfils an existing research gap, as it proposes an alternative solution to tackle overtourism. The proposed model also helps to provide a broader insight of the dynamics surrounding overtourism at tourism destinations. In so doing, it advances the existing body of knowledge by providing new inputs to a topic that has not been discussed, namely, Trexit or tourism exit.
Kwok Cheuk Kin v Lam Cheng Yuet Ngor: Government Chastisement of Dissidents and Judicial Review That Never Was?
Authors: Wong Kai Yeung
Published: October 2019

The Hong Kong Government issued a strongly‐worded official statement, subsequently adopted by the Chief Executive, to publicly condemn an outspoken constitutional law scholar for expressing views which the Government considered unconstitutional. Leave to judicially review the statement was refused by the Court of First Instance of the High Court of Hong Kong on the grounds, inter alia, that a statement lacking in direct legal consequences was outside the ambit of judicial review and, further, the Chief Executive was in any event entitled to comment on public affairs. This note argues that, on a proper understanding of the supervisory jurisdiction of the Court and the theory of the ‘third source’ of governmental power, neither ground should have precluded judicial review.
Investigation on the Intrinsic Potential of Using Potassium Chloride for Partially Replacing NaCl in Kimchi and the Effect of Information on Consumer Acceptance of Sodium‐Reduced Kimchi According to Age
Authors: Lee Yoo‐Na , Lee Soh Min , Kim Kwang‐Ok
Published: October 2019

The high sodium content of kimchi is a contradicting factor from its fame as a healthy food. With the aim of reducing the sodium content of kimchi, the objective of this study was to understand the effect of providing “sodium‐reduced” information on the acceptance of kimchi according to the age of consumption. Six sodium‐reduced kimchi samples, prepared with different percentages of sodium reduction (25% and 50%) and potassium chloride concentration (none, 0.47%, and 0.93%), were compared to control kimchi (2.0% w/v NaCl). Sensory characterization of the samples was obtained using descriptive analysis. A total of 167 kimchi consumers with balanced proportion of the young (below 40) and the old (above 40) evaluated seven kimchi samples in either of the two conditions: blind testing condition or informed testing condition where each of the samples was provided with a label that informed about “sodium reduction percentage” and “whether a salt replacer was used or not.” The results showed that in terms of healthiness perception, Korean female consumers believed that kimchi with a high sodium reduction rate would contribute to health in general, though an unfavorable notion of using a salt replacer was also observed. Also, the results suggested that promoting information about sodium reduction in kimchi would generally increase consumer acceptance. However, this phenomenon was influenced not only by the sample for which the information was provided, but also by the age of consumers with different health interests and kimchi experience.

Practical Application

The findings of this study showed simply reducing sodium and promoting it with a health claim showed limitation in achieving a high level of sodium reduction, such as a 50% reduction rate, which implied the importance of using supplementary material such as potassium chloride that can fulfill the missing saltiness and flavors of the original product. Promotion of “sodium‐reduced” claims in kimchi generally results in increased consumer acceptance. However, the effectiveness of the information was dependent on which sample was provided and the age of the consumers, among whom health interests and kimchi experience differ.
Isolation and Characterization of Antihyperglycemic Compounds from Vigna angularis Extracts
Authors: Kuriya Kenji , Nishio Masahiro , Ono Nanako , Masuda Yuichi , Katsuzaki Hirotaka , Kondo Shuji , Sono Junpei , Nakamura Masahiro , Umekawa Hayato
Published: October 2019

Functional foods that inhibit α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase activity are effective for regulating the blood glucose level and preventing hyperglycemia. Extracts of adzuki beans (ABs, Vigna angularis), widely eaten in East Asia, can inhibit α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase activity. In this study, we identified and evaluated the components in an AB water extract (ABWE) after boiling, which is an essential process for cooking ABs. The ABWE before boiling inhibited α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase activity and the boiled ABWE showed slightly stronger inhibitory effects. High‐performance liquid chromatography, liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses identified (+)‐catechin 7‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (C7G), (+)‐epicatechin 7‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (E7G), and (+)‐catechin as the bioactive components in boiled ABWE. Interestingly, the quantity of E7G significantly increased after boiling (from 0% to 17.1 ± 1.3%). E7G showed stronger inhibition of α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase than C7G; the IC50 values for α‐amylase were 0.74 ± 0.04 mg/mL (C7G) and 0.40 ± 0.09 mg/mL (E7G), and for α‐glucosidase the IC50 values were 0.085 ± 0.032 mg/mL (C7G) and 0.051 ± 0.007 mg/mL (E7G). Our findings suggest that C7G and E7G are the main active components in ABWE as they inhibit α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase and their inhibitory effect is not lost after boiling. These results support the effectiveness of boiled ABs in the promotion of health.

Practical Application

We identified (+)‐catechin 7‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (C7G), (+)‐epicatechin 7‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (E7G), and (+)‐catechin in adzuki bean extracts and commercially available boiled adzuki bean products. Interestingly, the E7G content was increased by boiling, and this compound showed strong inhibitory activity toward α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase. These results support the consumption of boiled adzuki beans to prevent acute rises in blood glucose level.
Front‐line treatment of ceritinib improves efficacy over crizotinib for Asian patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase fusion NSCLC: The role of systemic progression control
Authors: Huang Shih‐Hao , Huang Allen Chung‐Cheng , Wang Chin‐Chou , Chang Wen‐Chen , Liu Chien‐Ying , Pavlidis Stelios , Ko Ho‐Wen , Chung Fu‐Tsai , Hsu Ping‐Chih , Guo Yi‐Ke , Kuo Chih‐Hsi Scott , Yang Cheng‐Ta
Published: October 2019

Background

Approximately 3%–5% of lung adenocarcinoma is driven by anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion oncogene, whose activity can be suppressed by multiple ALK inhibitors. Crizotinib and ceritinib have demonstrated superior efficacy to platinum‐based chemotherapy as front‐line treatment for patients with ALK‐positive advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the direct comparison between them in the front‐line setting remains lacking.

Methods

A total of 48 patients with ALK‐positive, previously untreated advanced NSCLC, who received crizotinib and ceritinib as front‐line treatment were retrospectively investigated. The efficacy and pattern of disease progression were analyzed.

Results

Patients receiving ceritinib treatment were significantly younger than those receiving crizotinib treatment (52.0 vs. 63.0, P = 0.016). The median progression‐free survival (PFS) was significantly longer with ceritinib than with crizotinib treatment (32.3 vs. 12.9 months; log‐rank P = 0.020); the hazard ratio for disease progression or death, 0.27 (95% CI, 0.08–0.90; P = 0.033). An objective response was noted in all patients in the ceritinib group and in 23 patients in the crizotinib group (74.2%; 95% CI, 59.0 to 88.5). The rate of systemic progression was significantly lower over time with ceritinib treatment compared to crizotinib treatment (cause‐specific hazard ratio, 0.21; 95% CI 0.06–0.73; P = 0.014). Serious adverse events were noted in one (2.9%) patient showing elevated liver function in the crizotinib group and three (23.1%) patients showing diarrhea in the ceritinib group. Dose reduction was needed in five out of 13 (38.5%) patients receiving ceritinib treatment.

Conclusion

Ceritinib showed higher efficacy associated with a better control of systemic progression compared to crizotinib for the front‐line treatment of ALK‐positive advanced NSCLCs.
Variation in the definition of pulmonary hypertension and clinical indications for the use of nitric oxide in neonatal clinical trials
Authors: Hoyle Emily S. , Slee Samantha L. , Subhedar Nimish V.
Published: October 2019

Aim

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) frequently complicates neonatal hypoxaemic respiratory failure, but is inconsistently defined. We aimed to describe the variation among randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO), in relation to the definition of PH and/or hypoxaemic respiratory failure used to select patients for trial inclusion.

Methods

PubMed, Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov were systematically searched for RCTs of iNO in neonates. Included studies were assessed for clinical and/or echocardiography criteria used to define PH/hypoxaemic respiratory failure.

Results

Thirty‐two trials were included in this review, of which 23 enrolled infants ≥34 weeks’ gestation. Echocardiographic diagnosis was used in 21 studies, but there was considerable variation in the echocardiographic parameters used to diagnose PH. The most commonly used indices included markers of tricuspid regurgitation and extrapulmonary shunt.

Conclusion

There is wide variation in the definition of PH used to select infants for inclusion into RCTs of iNO therapy in neonates. We recommend that an international consensus be reached on which parameters should be used and the thresholds defining severity of disease.
Graft‐versus‐host disease and graft‐versus‐leukaemia effects in secondary acute myeloid leukaemia: a retrospective, multicentre registry analysis from the Acute Leukaemia Working Party of the EBMT
Authors: Baron Frédéric , Labopin Myriam , Savani Bipin N. , Beohou Eric , Niederwieser Dietger , Eder Matthias , Potter Victoria , Kröger Nicolaus , Beelen Dietrich , Socié Gerard , Itälä‐Remes Maija , Bornhäuser Martin , Mohty Mohamad , Nagler Arnon
Published: October 2019

We assessed the susceptibility of secondary acute myeloid leukaemia (sAML) to graft‐versus‐leukaemia effects. Data from 2414 sAML patients in first (n = 2194) or second (n = 220) complete remission were included. They were given grafts from human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐matched sibling (MSD, n = 1085), 10/10 unrelated donor (MUD, n = 1066) or 9/10 mismatched unrelated donor (MMUD, n = 263). The 100‐day incidence of grade II‐IV acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) was 25% while 2‐year incidence of chronic GVHD was 38%. Relapse rates declined steadily by duration of follow‐up and were significantly lower in patients with chronic GVHD (P < 0·001). Limited (hazard ratio [HR] = 0·66, P < 0·001) and extensive (HR = 0·52, P < 0·001) chronic GVHD were associated with a lower incidence of relapse. Each grade III‐IV acute (HR = 7·04, P < 0·001) as well as limited (HR = 1·42, P = 0·03) and extensive (HR = 3·97, P < 0·001) chronic GVHD were associated with higher non‐relapse mortality (NRM). This translated to better overall survival (OS; HR = 0·61, P < 0·001) in patients with limited chronic GVHD. In contrast, grade III‐IV acute and extensive chronic GVHD were associated with worse OS (HR = 3·16, P < 0·001 and HR = 1·21, P = 0·03, respectively). Further, in comparison to HLA‐identical sibling recipients, MUD recipients had a lower risk of relapse (HR = 0·82, P = 0·03) but higher NRM (HR = 1·38, P = 0·004). In conclusion, these data demonstrate that sAML is susceptible to graft‐versus‐leukaemia effects.
The pharmacology of itch
Authors: Ingram J.R. , Ahluwalia A.
Published: October 2019

The article has been co‐published with permission in British Journal of Dermatology and British Journal of Pharmacology. The articles are identical except for minor stylistic and spelling differences in keeping with each journal's style. Either citation can be used when citing this article.
Compound and hybrid clinothems of the last lowstand Mid‐Adriatic Deep: Processes, depositional environments, controls and implications for stratigraphic analysis of prograding systems
Authors: Gamberi Fabiano , Pellegrini Claudio , Dalla Valle Giacomo , Scarponi Daniele , Bohacs Kevin , Trincardi Fabio
Published: October 2019

Clinoforms with a range of scales are essential elements of prograding continental margins. Different types of clinoforms develop during margin growth, depending on combined changes in relative sea level, sediment supply and oceanographic processes. In studies of continental margin stratigraphy, trajectories of clinoform ‘rollover’ points are often used as proxies for relative sea‐level variation and as predictors of the character of deposits beyond the shelf‐break. The analysis of clinoform dynamics and rollover trajectory often suffers from the low resolution of geophysical data, the small scale of outcrops with respect to the dimensions of clinoform packages and low chronostratigraphic resolution. Here, through high‐resolution seismic reflection data and sediment cores, we show how compound clinoforms were the most common architectural style of margin progradation of the late Pleistocene lowstand in the Adriatic Sea. During compound clinoform development, the shoreline was located landward of the shelf‐break. It comprised a wave‐dominated delta to the west and a barrier and back‐barrier depositional system in the central and eastern area. Storm‐enhanced hyperpycnal flows were responsible for the deposition of a sandy lobe in the river mouth, whereas a heterolithic succession formed elsewhere on the shelf. The storm‐enhanced hyperpycnal flows built an apron of sand on the slope that interrupted an otherwise homogeneous progradational mudbelt. Locally, the late lowstand compound clinoforms have a flat to falling shelf‐break trajectory. However, the main phase of shelf‐break bypass and basin deposition coincides with a younger steeply rising shelf‐break trajectory. We interpret divergence from standard models, linking shelf‐break trajectory to deep‐sea sand deposition, as resulting from a great efficiency of oceanographic processes in reworking sediment in the shelf, and from a high sediment supply. The slope foresets had a large progradational attitude during the late lowstand sea‐level rise, showing that oceanographic processes can inhibit coastal systems to reach the shelf‐edge. In general, our study suggests that where the shoreline does not coincide with the shelf‐break, trajectory analysis can lead to inaccurate reconstruction of the depositional history of a margin.
Regulation of hippocampal neuronal apoptosis and autophagy in mice with sepsis‐associated encephalopathy by immunity‐related GTPase M1
Authors: Zhou Rui‐Xi , Li Yu‐Yao , Qu Yi , Huang Qun , Sun Xue‐Mei , Mu De‐Zhi , Li Xi‐Hong
Published: October 2019

Aims

Sepsis‐associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a common complication of severe sepsis. Our goal was to investigate the role of immunity‐related GTPase M1 (IRGM1) in SAE and its underlying mechanism.

Methods

A mouse sepsis model was established by cecal ligation and perforation. SAE was diagnosed by behavior, electroencephalography, and somatosensory evoked potentials. Wild‐type mice with SAE were treated with SB203580 to block the p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. We assessed hippocampal histological changes and the expression of IRGM1, interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), and p38 MAPK signaling pathway‐related proteins.

Results

Immunity‐related GTPase M1 and IFN‐γ levels increased in the hippocampus, with apoptosis, autophagy, and the p38 MAPK signaling pathway activated in neurons. Administration of SB203580 to mice with SAE reduced apoptosis and autophagy. Relative to wild‐type mice with SAE, the general condition ofIrgm1‐/‐mice with SAE was worsened, the p38 MAPK signaling pathway was inhibited, and neuronal apoptosis and autophagy were reduced. The absence of IRGM1 exacerbated SAE, with higher p38 MAPK signaling pathway activity and increased apoptosis and autophagy.

Conclusions

During SAE, IRGM1 can at least partially regulate apoptosis and autophagy in hippocampal neurons through the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
The continued operation of businesses after an earthquake: a case study from Lushan County, China
Authors: Li Fan , Zhou Tao , Wang Lin
Published: October 2019

This study performed a comparative analysis of changes in the operating status of initial surviving disaster‐stricken businesses and non‐disaster‐stricken businesses in Lushan County, China, after a devastating earthquake on 20 April 2013. It used a logistic regression model to explore the key factors associated with ‘post‐disaster continued business operation’ in the long term. Field data were collected from 1,078 businesses and questionnaire data from 263 small businesses between 2013 and 2017. The results indicate that a higher proportion of initial surviving disaster‐stricken businesses than non‐disaster‐stricken businesses managed to remain operational in each observation period. The continued operation of disaster‐stricken businesses after the earthquake was positively associated with the owner's age, previous disaster experience, pre‐disaster financial conditions, closure duration, and borrowing money from family or friends. A negative association was found with the size of the business. The findings serve as a vital reference for strategies to promote post‐disaster continued business operation.
Reopening businesses after Hurricane Harvey: evidence from a duration model with spatial effects
Authors: Lee Jim
Published: October 2019

Post‐disaster business return is key to restoring the local economy. This paper applies a duration model to analyse factors that explain the delay in reopening a business in south Texas, United States, after Hurricane Harvey struck the region in August 2017. Other than property damage, the duration of business closure depended on the type of business and the various characteristics of its owner. Reflecting the vital role that social capital plays in disaster resilience, local chamber of commerce members tended to reopen their businesses sooner than their non‐member counterparts. Yet, there is evidence in support of the vulnerability of female chamber members. In addition to social networks, the finding of spatial interdependence implies that the decision of business owners to resume operations in the wake of a disaster is influenced by the decisions of their neighbours. Spatial interdependence also highlights the importance of providing disaster relief to businesses in a timely manner.
Training engineers for innovation: Pedagogical initiatives for new challenges
Authors: Lemaître Denis
Published: October 2019

The injunction to innovate which has permeated our societies in the last few decades has had a significant impact on engineers and their training. The idea of progress has since taken a back seat to the quest for innovation which saves time, space and reduces aims to short term performance objectives. However, marked by the technologism and productivism of the 20th century, the idea of innovation has also absorbed the new principles of sustainability and responsibility which have imposed themselves upon engineering research and activities in a henceforth internationalised world. It is within this context that engineer training institutions have sought to counter the injunctions to innovation and the stresses and strains that they produce. Based on three studies carried out in Europe and in several developing countries in North Africa and South East Asia, this article examines the curricula the institutions have implemented in order to observe current trends in innovation training initiatives in relation to locally‐perceived expectations and requirements. We have observed that technologism and productivism, which are still very present in the principles which guide European engineer training, are in competition with the principles of low‐cost engineering which satisfies user requirements and respects environmental constraints. As for the pedagogical initiatives, the phenomena of standardisation and commodification of higher education have led to the development of active learning (projects, problem‐based learning, fablabs, etc.). However, studies demonstrate that pedagogical orientation depends on how innovation is conceptualised and varies according to the scale of the educational institutions. A closer examination of the concepts of innovation reveals the epistemological issues concerning the way the engineering problems have been constructed.
Ethnographic Reviews
Authors: Papavasiliou Faidra
Published: October 2019

Books reviewed in this issue.

Borders of Belonging: Struggle and Solidarity in Mixed‐Status Immigrant Families. Heide Castañeda.