bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TNFAIP8 Deficiency Exacerbates Acute Graft Versus Host Disease in a Murine Model of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Authors: Kumari Reena , Palaniyandi Senthilnathan , Strattan Ethan , Huang Timothy , Kohler Katharina , Jabbour Nashwan , Dalland Joanna , Du Jing , Kesler Melissa V. , Chen Youhai H. , Hildebrandt Gerhard C.
Published: October 2019

Background.

Gastrointestinal acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) occurring after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant is an allo-reactive T cell and inflammatory cytokine driven organ injury with epithelial apoptosis as 1 of its hallmark findings and is associated with significant mortality. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced protein 8 (TNFAIP8 or TIPE) acts as a negative mediator of apoptosis via inhibition of caspase-3 activation, promotes cell proliferation and Tipe
−/− deficiency is associated with increased inflammation.

Methods.

To evaluate the role of TIPE in acute GVHD, naive C57BL/6 and Tipe
−/− C57BL/6 mice were conditioned with 1000 cGy single dose total body irradiation, followed by transplantation of 10 million bone marrow cells and 20 million splenocytes from either syngeneic C57BL/6 or allogeneic BALB/c donors.

Results.

Allo TIPE-deficient mice developed exacerbated gut GVHD compared with allo controls and had significantly decreased survival (6 wk overall survival: 85% versus 37%; P < 0.05), higher clinical GVHD scores, more profound weight loss, increased serum proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-17A, TNF, interleukin-6, and interferon-γ). T-cell infiltration into the ileum was increased; epithelial proliferation was decreased along with significantly higher levels of chemokines KC and monokine induced by gamma interferon. Using bone marrow chimeric experiments, TIPE was found to have a role in both hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells.

Conclusions.

Absence of TIPE results in excessive inflammation and tissue injury after allo-HCT, supporting that TIPE confers immune homeostasis and has tissue-protective function during the development of gut GVHD and may be a potential future target to prevent or treat this complication after allogeneic HCT.
Liver and Kidney Recipient Selection of Hepatitis C Virus Viremic Donors: Meeting Consensus Report From the 2019 Controversies in Transplantation
Authors: Burton James R. , Terrault Norah A. , Goldberg David S. , Bloom Roy D. , Gilroy Richard , Heimbach Julie K. , Brown Robert S. , Everson Gregory T. , Rubin Erin , Wiesner Russ , Pomfret Elizabeth A.
Published: October 2019

The development of multiple highly effective and safe direct-acting antivirals to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) has resulted in greater ease and confidence in managing HCV infection in transplant recipients that in turn has impacted the solid organ transplant community as well. In the United States, the opioid epidemic has increased the number of overdose deaths with a concomitant increase in younger HCV viremic donors after brain death being identified. At the same time, a decrease in HCV viremic transplant candidates has led to a growing interest in exploring the use of HCV viremic liver and kidney donor allografts in HCV-negative recipients. To date, experience with the use of HCV viremic liver and kidney allografts in HCV-negative recipients is limited to a few small prospective research trials, case series, and case reports. There are also limited data on recipient and donor selection for HCV viremic liver and kidney allografts. In response to this rapidly changing landscape in the United States, experts in the field of viral hepatitis and liver and kidney transplantation convened a meeting to review current data on liver and kidney recipient selection and developed consensus opinions related specifically to recipient and donor selection of HCV viremic liver and kidney allografts.
A Strategy for Suppressing Macrophage-mediated Rejection in Xenotransplantation
Authors: Maeda Akira , Lo Pei-Chi , Sakai Rieko , Noguchi Yuki , Kodama Tasuku , Yoneyama Tomohisa , Toyama Chiyoshi , Wang Han-Tang , Esquivel Emilio , Jiaravuthisan Patmika , Choi Thuy-Vy , Takakura Chihiro , Eguchi Hiroshi , Tazuke Yuko , Watanabe Masahito , Nagashima Hiroshi , Okuyama Hiroomi , Miyagawa Shuji
Published: October 2019

Although xenografts are one of the most attractive strategies for overcoming the shortage of organ donors, cellular rejection by macrophages is a substantial impediment to this procedure. It is well known that macrophages mediate robust immune responses in xenografts. Macrophages also express various inhibitory receptors that regulate their immunological function. Recent studies have shown that the overexpression of inhibitory ligands on porcine target cells results in the phosphorylation of tyrosine residues on intracellular immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs on macrophages, leading to the suppression of xenogenic rejection by macrophages. It has also been reported that myeloid-derived suppressor cells, a heterogeneous population of immature myeloid cells, suppress not only NK and cytotoxic T lymphocyte cytotoxicity but also macrophage-mediated cytotoxicity. This review is focused on the recent findings regarding strategies for inhibiting xenogenic rejection by macrophages.
Involvement of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha in the upregulation of P-glycoprotein in refractory epilepsy
Authors: Wang Guangxin , Xie Guohong , Han Lihao , Wang Dawei , Du Fengli , Kong Xiangran , Su Guohai
Published: October 2019

To explore the involvement of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) in the upregulation of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in refractory epilepsy. Brain tissue specimens were collected and analyzed for expression of HIF-1α and P-gp using an immunohistochemical (IHC) staining method in both refractory epilepsy group and control group. Correlation between HIF-1α and P-gp expression level in refractory epilepsy group was analyzed. Then, a hypoxia cell model was established by simulating the nerve cell hypoxic microenvironment in the human U251 cell line using cobalt chloride (CoCl2). Western blot analysis was used to detect expression levels of HIF-1α and P-gp in the hypoxic cell model. Finally, expression of HIF-1α and P-gp was detected using real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot, respectively, after U251 hypoxic model cells were infected with HIF-1α siRNA. IHC scores of HIF-1α and P-gp in refractory epilepsy group were significantly higher than that in control group. In addition, the expression of HIF-1α was positively correlated with the expression of P-gp in refractory epilepsy group. Expression levels of HIF-1α and P-gp in U251 cells cultured with 250 µmol/L CoCl2for 48 hours were significantly higher than that in controls. After transfection with siRNA targeting HIF-1α, expressions of HIF-1α and P-gp at mRNA and protein level were decreased, respectively, in the hypoxia cell model. HIF-1α may be involved in the upregulation of P-gp in refractory epilepsy through inducement of P-gp expression. Therefore, activation of the HIF-1α/P-gp pathway is one hypothesis proposed to explain the pathogenesis of refractory epilepsy.
A Laboratory Method for Determining Bacterially Formed Odorants and Reducing Odor in Absorbent Incontinence Products
Authors: Ryttsén Frida , Lafqvist Sofia , Wall Torun , Forsgren-Brusk Ulla , Larsson Peter
Published: October 2019

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study was to design a laboratory test method to mimic the formation of bacterially formed odorants during the use of absorbent urinary incontinence products. Three odor inhibitors with different modes of action were tested and evaluated.

METHODS:

Bacterially formed odorants in incontinence products were evaluated by adding a synthetic urine inoculated with a mixture of 4 bacterial strains to product samples cut from the incontinence products. The product samples were incubated in sealed flasks. The odorants that formed in the head space were sampled onto adsorbent tubes and analyzed by gas chromatography. The inhibitory effects of low pH, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and activated carbon were then measured.

RESULTS:

This technique enabled production of known odorants 3-methylbutanal, guaiacol, diacetyl, and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) in concentrations of 50 to 600 ng/L in incontinence products. The method was further evaluated by testing 3 types of odor inhibitors; EDTA significantly reduced formation of all 4 odorants (P < .001). Lowering the pH from 6.0 to 4.9 decreased levels of 3-methylbutanal, DMDS, and guaiacol (P < .001); however, diacetyl levels increased (P < .001). Activated carbon significantly reduced the formation of diacetyl, DMDS, guaiacol, and 3-methylbutanal (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

The technique we developed can be used to evaluate inhibitors with different modes of action to determine odor control in incontinence products. The odorants formed are produced by bacteria and have been identified as key contributors to the odor of used incontinence products. This work can be a step toward establishing a standard in the field of incontinence and odor control; creation of a standard will help the health care sector compare products to be purchased and benefit patients through the development of better products.
Modification of the association between paroxetine serum concentration and SERT-occupancy by ABCB1 (P-glycoprotein) polymorphisms in major depressive disorder
Authors: Simoons Mirjam , Mulder Hans , Appeldoorn Jerôme T.Y. , Risselada Arne J. , Schene Aart H. , van Schaik Ron H.N. , van Roon Eric N. , Ruhé Eric G.
Published: October 2019

Background

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) exert substantial variability in effectiveness in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), with up to 50–60% not achieving adequate response. Elucidating pharmacokinetic factors that explain this variability is important to increase treatment effectiveness.

Objectives

To examine potential modification of the relationship between paroxetine serum concentration (PSC) and serotonin transporter (SERT)-occupancy by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the ABCB1 gene, coding for the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) pump, in MDD patients. To investigate the relationship between ABCB1 SNPs and clinical response.

Methods

Patients had MDD and received paroxetine 20 mg/day. We measured PSC after 6 weeks. We quantified SERT-occupancy with SPECT imaging (n = 38) and measured 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS17)-scores at baseline and after 6 weeks (n = 81). We genotyped ABCB1 at rs1045642 [3435C>T], rs1128503 [1236C>T], rs2032582 [2677G>T/A] and rs2235040 [2505G>A]. For our primary aim, we modeled mean SERT-occupancy in an E
max nonlinear regression model with PSC and assessed whether the model improved by genetic subgrouping. For our secondary aim, we used multivariate linear regression analysis.

Results

The rs1128503 and rs2032582 SNPs modified the relationship between PSC and SERT-occupancy in both our intention-to-treat and sensitivity analyses at the carriership level. However, we could not detect significant differences in clinical response between any of the genetic subgroups.

Conclusion

Pharmacokinetic influences of the ABCB1 rs1128503 and rs2032582 represent a potentially relevant pharmacogenetic mechanism to consider when evaluating paroxetine efficacy. Future studies are needed to support the role of ABCB1 genotyping for individualizing SSRI pharmacotherapy.
Predicting the required pre-surgery blood volume in surgical patients based on machine learning
Authors: Li Ruilin , Han Xinyin , Sun Liping , Feng Yannan , Sun Xiaolin , He Xiaoyu , Zhang Yu , Zhu Haidong , Zhao Dan , Dai Chuangchuang , He Zhipeng , Chen Shanyu , Wang Xin , Li Weizhong , Chi Xuebin , Yu Yang , Niu Beifang , Wang Deqing
Published: October 2019

Precisely predicting the required pre-surgery blood volume (PBV) in surgical patients is a formidable challenge in China. Inaccurate estimation is associate with excessive costs, postponed surgeries and adverse outcome after surgery due to in sufficient supply or inventory. This study aimed to predict required PBV based on machine learning techniques. 181,027 medical documents over 6 years were cleaned and finally obtained 92,057 blood transfusion records. The blood transfusion and surgery related factors of perioperative patients, surgeons experience volumes and the actual volumes of transfused RBCs were extracted. 6 machine learning algorithms were used to build prediction models. The surgery patients received allogenic RBCs or without transfusion, had total volume less than 10 units, or had the latest laboratory examinations of pre-surgery within 7 days were included, providing 118,823 data points. 39 predictive factors related to the RBCs transfusion were identified. Random forest model was selected to predict the required PBV of RBCs with 72.9% accuracy and strikingly improved the accuracy by 30.4% compared with surgeons experience, where 90% of data was used for training. We tested and demonstrated that both the data-driven models and the random forest model achieved higher accuracy than surgeons experience. Furthermore, we developed a computational tool, PTRBC, to precisely estimate the required PBV in surgical patients and we believe this tool will find more applications in assisting clinician decisions, not only confined to making accurate pre-surgery blood requirement predicting.
A lysophospholipase plays role in generation of neutral-lipids required for hemozoin formation in malaria parasite
Authors: Asad Mohd , Yamaryo-Botté Yoshiki , Hossain Mohammad E. , Thakur Vandana , Jain Shaifali , Datta Gaurav , Botté Cyrille Y. , Mohmmed Asif
Published: October 2019

Phospholipid metabolism is crucial for membrane dynamics in malaria parasites during entire cycle in the host cell. Plasmodium falciparum harbours several members of phospholipase family, which play key role in phospholipid metabolism. Here we have functionally characterized a parasite lysophospholipase (PfLPL1) with a view to understand its role in lipid homeostasis. We used a regulated fluorescence affinity tagging, which allowed endogenous localization and transient knock-down of the protein. PffLPL1localizes to dynamic vesicular structures that traffic from parasite periphery, through the cytosol to get associated as a multi-vesicular neutral lipid rich body next to the food-vacuole during blood stages. Down-regulation of the PfLPL1 disrupted parasite lipid-homeostasis leading to significant reduction of neutral lipids in lipid-bodies. This hindered conversion of heme to hemozoin, leading to food-vacuole abnormalities, which in turn disrupted parasite development cycle and significantly inhibited parasite growth. Detailed lipidomic analyses of inducible knock-down parasites confirmed role of PfLPL1 in generation of neutral lipid through recycling of phospholipids. Our study thus suggests a specific role of PfLPL1 to generate neutral lipids in the parasite, which are essential for parasite survival.

Importance

Present study was undertaken with a view to understand the functional role of a unique lipase (lysophopholipase, PfLPL1) of the human malaria parasite. We utilized genetic approaches for GFP tagging as well as to knock-down the target protein in the parasite. Our studies showed that PfLPL1 associates closely with the lysosome like organelle in the parasite, the food-vacuole. During the blood stage parasite cycle, the food-vacuole is involved in degradation of host haemoglobin and conversion of heme to hemozoin. Genetic knock-down approaches and detailed lipidomic studies confirmed that PfLPL1 protein plays key role in generation of neutral lipid stores in the parasite; neutral lipids are essentially required for hemozoin formation in the parasite, a vital function of the food-vacuole. Overall, this study identified specific role of PfLPL1 in the parasite which is essential for parasite survival.
Midbody remnant inheritance is regulated by the ESCRT subunit CHMP4C
Authors: Casares-Arias Javier , Gonzalez María Ujué , San Paulo Alvaro , Ventimiglia Leandro N. , Sadler Jessica B. A. , Miguez David G. , Labat-de-Hoz Leticia , Rubio-Ramos Armando , Rangel Laura , Bernabé-Rubio Miguel , Fernández-Barrera Jaime , Correas Isabel , Martín-Serrano Juan , Alonso Miguel A.
Published: October 2019

The inheritance of the midbody remnant (MBR) breaks the symmetry of the two daughter cells, with functional consequences for lumen and primary cilium formation by polarized epithelial cells, and also for development and differentiation. However, despite their importance, neither the relationship between the plasma membrane and the inherited MBR nor the mechanism of MBR inheritance is well known. Here, the analysis by correlative light and ultra-high-resolution scanning electron microscopy reveals a membranous stalk that physically connects the MBR to the apical membrane of epithelial cells. The stalk, which derives from the uncleaved side of the midbody, concentrates the ESCRT machinery. The ESCRT CHMP4C subunit enables MBR inheritance, and its depletion dramatically reduces the percentage of ciliated cells. We demonstrate: (1) that MBRs are physically connected to the plasma membrane, (2) how CHMP4C helps maintain the integrity of the connection, and (3) the functional importance of the connection.
A photostable monomeric superfolder GFP
Authors: Valbuena Fernando , Fizgerald Ivy , Strack Rita L. , Andruska Neal , Smith Luke , Glick Benjamin S.
Published: October 2019

The green fluorescent protein GFP from Aequorea victoria has been engineered extensively in the past to generate variants suitable for protein tagging. Early efforts produced the enhanced variant EGFP and its monomeric derivative mEGFP, which have useful photophysical properties, as well as superfolder GFP, which folds efficiently under adverse conditions. We previously generated msGFP, a monomeric superfolder derivative of EGFP. Unfortunately, compared to EGFP, msGFP and other superfolder GFP variants show faster photobleaching. We now describe msGFP2, which retains monomeric superfolder properties while being as photostable as EGFP. msGFP2 contains modified N- and C-terminal peptides that are expected to reduce nonspecific interactions. Compared to EGFP and mEGFP, msGFP2 is less prone to disturbing the functions of certain partner proteins. For general-purpose protein tagging, msGFP2 may be the best available derivative of A. victoria GFP.
Regulation of FXR1 by alternative splicing is required for muscle development and controls liquid-like condensates in muscle cells
Authors: Smith Jean A. , Curry Ennessa G. , Blue R. Eric , Roden Christine , Dundon Samantha E. R. , Rodríguez-Vargas Anthony , Jordan Danielle C. , Chen Xiaomin , Lyons Shawn M. , Crutchley John , Anderson Paul , Horb Marko E. , Gladfelter Amy S. , Giudice Jimena
Published: October 2019

Fragile-X mental retardation autosomal homolog-1 (FXR1) is a muscle-enriched RNA-binding protein. FXR1 depletion is perinatally lethal in mice, Xenopus, and zebrafish; however, the mechanisms driving these phenotypes remain unclear. The FXR1 gene undergoes alternative splicing, producing multiple protein isoforms and mis-splicing has been implicated in disease. Furthermore, mutations that cause frameshifts in muscle-specific isoforms result in congenital multi-minicore myopathy. We observed that FXR1 alternative splicing is pronounced in the serine and arginine-rich intrinsically-disordered domain; these domains are known to promote biomolecular condensation. Here, we show that tissue-specific splicing of fxr1 is required for Xenopus development and alters the disordered domain of FXR1. FXR1 isoforms vary in the formation of RNA-dependent biomolecular condensates in cells and in vitro. This work shows that regulation of tissue-specific splicing can influence FXR1 condensates in muscle development and how mis-splicing promotes disease.

HIGHLIGHTS

The muscle-specific exon 15 impacts FXR1 functions

Alternative splicing of FXR1 is tissue- and developmental stage specific

FXR1 forms RNA-dependent condensates

Splicing regulation changes FXR1 condensate properties
Method for optimal conflict-free aircraft trajectory generation
Authors: Han Yun-Xiang , Zhang Jian-Wei , Huang Xiao-Qiong
Published: October 2019

Purpose

A number of automated tools will be required for the purpose of enabling efficient services in air traffic control. The purpose of this paper is to devise an optimal flight trajectory search method that optimizes airspace system efficiency for 3D space in the presence of uncertainties.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper put forward an optimization model for generating applicable solutions of multi-aircraft conflict resolution problem, and the solution is based on the principle of optimality.

Findings

The conflict resolution problem between multiple aircraft can be described by spatial discretization, and the approach taken digitizes the 3D space into a grid of nodes.

Practical implications

The simulation examples are given to illustrate the validity of trajectory search model and stress on the impact of different system parameters.

Originality/value

Realistic constraints that are convenient to operate are incorporated in the system model, and the results show that it can provide reliable decision-making for conflict avoidance.
Multi-layered optimal navigation system for quadrotor UAV
Authors: Choutri Kheireddine , Lagha Mohand , Dala Laurent
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a new multi-layered optimal navigation system that jointly optimizes the energy consumption, improves the robustness and raises the performance of a quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed system is designed as a multi-layered system. First, the control architecture layer links the input and the output spaces via quaternion-based differential flatness equations. Then, the trajectory generation layer determines the optimal reference path and avoids obstacles to secure the UAV from collisions. Finally, the control layer allows the quadrotor to track the generated path and guarantees the stability using a double loop non-linear optimal backstepping controller (OBS).

Findings

All the obtained results are confirmed using several scenarios in different situations to prove the accuracy, energy optimization and the robustness of the designed system.

Practical implications

The proposed controllers are easily implementable on-board and are computationally efficient.

Originality/value

The originality of this research is the design of a multi-layered optimal navigation system for quadrotor UAV. The proposed control architecture presents a direct relation between the states and their derivatives, which then simplifies the trajectory generation problem. Furthermore, the derived differentially flat equations allow optimization to occur within the output space as opposed to the control space. This is beneficial because constraints such as obstacle avoidance occur in the output space; hence, the computation time for constraint handling is reduced. For the OBS, the novelty is that all controller parameters are derived using the multi-objective genetic algorithm (MO-GA) that optimizes all the quadrotor state’s cost functions jointly.
Understanding complementarities among different forms of innovation
Authors: Torres Pedro , Augusto Mário
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to better understand complementarities-in-performance of three forms of innovations: product innovation, process innovation and organizational innovation. Additionally, complementarities-in-use for product innovation are examined, considering an additional condition: manufacturing flexibility.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from 223 unlisted Portuguese industrial firms, and a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis, different combinations of different forms of innovations were examined to identify complementarities-in-performance and complementarities-in-use.

Findings

Through the configurational analysis, a path to achieve high performance was uncovered, which includes the presence of both product and organizational innovations. The study also reveals that the joint absence of two conditions (from the three that were considered in the analysis) can lead to low performance. This result indicates that the relationships among the antecedent conditions are non-linear. The configurational analysis also shows that the combination of manufacturing flexibility with either process innovation or organizational innovation can lead to high product innovation. This result confirms that manufacturing flexibility is an important condition for product innovation.

Research limitations/implications

The empirical evidence reported in this paper may be influenced by the definitions that were considered. Further conceptual and empirical research is encouraged to corroborate (or refute) or consolidate the findings presented herein. Moreover, although the obtained results present a high empirical coverage, other antecedent conditions beyond the scope of this study can also play an important role; for instance, marketing could influence innovation performance. Furthermore, radical innovation was not distinguished from incremental innovation when analyzing firm performance.

Practical implications

This study provides some clues for policy makers who aim to enhance firm performance through innovation. Managers should focus on both organizational and technological innovations, in particular product innovation, to improve firm performance. Moreover, they should be aware of the complementarities-in-use for product innovation. Considering the importance of developing product innovation to enhance performance, firms should promote high levels of product innovation. To achieve this outcome, manufacturing flexibility should be present.

Originality/value

Focusing on a very complex and still under-researched topic, this study contributes to the complementarities literature in several ways. This study employs a configurational approach to better understand complementarities and to integrate technological and organizational innovations. By taking this approach, this study acknowledges the existence of non-linearity and identifies not only the strategies to achieve high performance, but also the configurations that lead to low performance.
Examining the relationship between organizational commitment and turnover intention via a meta-analysis
Authors: Guzeller Cem Oktay , Celiker Nuri
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is expected to reveal the relationship between organizational commitment and turnover intention in the tourism and hospitality literature with more generalizable results, and thus, provide researchers with a new perspective for future studies. In this context, Individual studies that examined the relationship between organizational commitment and turnover intention in the tourism and hospitality industry were systematically identified by a comprehensive literature review.

Design/methodology/approach

Individual studies were synthesized and analyzed via a meta-analysis method to reveal whether any relationship exists between organizational commitment and turnover intention and to estimate the direction and intensity of the relationship in a more reliable and comprehensive manner. The analyses were carried out on 13 scientific papers that met the inclusion criteria.

Findings

Results showed that a moderate negative relationship exists between organizational commitment and turnover intention of employees in the tourism and hospitality industry. In this context, individuals who have emotional commitments to their institutions will have lower turnover intentions than others. The right personal selection, performance evaluation techniques, promotion, training and development opportunities, career opportunities and talent management and functional virtues such as strong communication, trust and justice will not only reinforce organizational commitment but also attract talented individuals to an organization and ensure employee retention.

Originality/value

In the current study, individual studies focusing on the relationship between organizational commitment and turnover were cumulatively collected, synthesized and analyzed. By way of providing a review of individual studies, the study provides cumulative and reliable evidence to the literature regarding the relationship between organizational commitment and turnover, and hence, contributes to the further progression of the field. The study is also the first meta-analysis carried out on the subject in question.
Effects of brand exposure time duration and frequency on image transfer in sport sponsorship
Authors: Kwon Hyungil , Shin Jae Eun
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the moderating effect of brand exposure time and exposure frequency in image transfer. In study 1,H1andH2assumed the bidirectional image transfer (i.e. from an event to a brand, from a brand to an event).H3andH4were set to examine the moderating effect of brand exposure time and exposure frequency in image transfer upon spreading activation theory, mere exposure effect and three-hit theory.

Design/methodology/approach

According to study 1, the result indicated that the amount of image transfer varied based on the exposure time. However, brand exposure frequency did not show statistically significant interactions. Study 2 was performed to complement theH4of the study 1. In study 2, apart from the number of exposures on a screen (group 1=four times; group 2=eight times), the perceived number of exposures were separately measured (group 1=2.67; group 2=3.96) to see if the number of perceived exposures moderated the amount of image transfer.

Findings

The results indicated that there was no group difference in the amount of image transfer. Based on the result of the study, a sponsor brand must be exposed for enough time duration in order to maximize the return on investment regardless of how frequently it is exposed.

Originality/value

The current study examined the image transfer in sport sponsorship. Although previous studies empirically examined the image transfer phenomenon in sport sponsorship, they failed to establish theoretical ground. Thus, this study incorporated the three theories in advertising and examined how we can apply the theories to sport sponsorship. In addition, we examine the image transfer based on video clip which is mainly how people are exposed to sport sponsorship. Next, we examined the moderating effects of exposure duration and exposure frequency, which has never been studied in sport sponsorship context.
Multiple facets of diversity effects on plant productivity: Species richness, functional diversity, species identity and intraspecific competition
Authors: Mahaut Lucie , Fort Florian , Violle Cyrille , Freschet Grégoire T.
Published: October 2019

Deciphering the mechanisms that drive variation in biomass production across plant communities of contrasting species composition and diversity is a main challenge of biodiversity–ecosystem functioning research. Niche complementarity and selection effect have been widely investigated to address biodiversity–productivity relationships. However, the overlooking of the specific role played by key species has limited so far our capacity to comprehensively assess the relative importance of other potential drivers of biodiversity effects.

Here, we conducted a grassland diversity–productivity experiment to test how four potential facets of biodiversity effects, namely species richness, functional diversity, species identity and the relaxation of intraspecific competition, account for variations in above and root biomass production.

We grew six plant species in monoculture, as well as in every combination of two, three and six species. Plant density was kept constant across the richness gradient but we additionally grew each species in half‐density monoculture to estimate the strength of intraspecific competition for each studied species. We characterized eight functional traits, including root traits, related to nutrient and light acquisition and computed both the functional dissimilarity and the community‐weighted mean (CWM) of each trait. We further partitioned above‐ground biodiversity effect into complementarity and selection effects.

We observed strong positive biodiversity effects on both above‐ground and root biomass as well as strong positive complementarity effect. These arose largely from the presence of a particular species (Plantago lanceolata) and from CWM trait values more than from a higher functional dissimilarity in plant mixtures. P. lanceolata displayed the highest intraspecific competition, which was strongly relaxed in species mixtures. By contrast, the presence of Sanguisorba minor negatively affected the productivity of plant mixtures, this species suffering more from interspecific than intraspecific competition.

This study provides strong evidences that the search for key species is critical to understand the role of species diversity on ecosystem functioning and demonstrates the major role that the balance between intraspecific and interspecific competition plays in biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships. Developing more integrative approaches in community and ecosystem ecology can offer opportunities to better understand the role that species diversity plays on ecosystem functioning.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Predicting reintroduction costs for wildlife populations under anthropogenic stress
Authors: Hilbers Jelle P. , Huijbregts Mark A. J. , Schipper Aafke M.
Published: October 2019

In conservation decision‐making, it is important to have information not only on the likely effectiveness of conservation actions, but also on the corresponding costs. Reintroduction of wildlife is a commonly applied ‘last resort’ conservation measure. However, a quantitative approach to predict the costs of reintroduction for sustaining a wildlife population under the influence of time‐varying anthropogenic stress is lacking.

Here, we fill this gap by quantifying the costs of reintroduction as a function of exposure to an environmental stressor and the size of the wildlife population to be maintained. Our approach combines quantitative stressor–response relationships for vital rates (reproduction and survival) with a wildlife demographic model to compute the impacts of the stressor on the size of the target population. Subsequently, cost estimates are obtained by quantifying the number of captive‐reared individuals needed per year in order to maintain a user‐defined population size, given the exposure to the stressor of concern. We applied our approach to calculate the reintroduction costs required to restore a minimum viable population (MVP) of peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) in California over the period 1970–1994, when the population was exposed to the toxicant dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene.

Assuming a gradual yearly increase of 150% in the availability of captive‐reared young, 1,753 captive‐reared young were required to restore and maintain a MVP of 238 adults. The corresponding reintroduction costs were in total ~$3,023,000. Assuming lower reintroduction efforts (in terms of the availability of captive‐reared young), the projected reintroduction costs decreased by ~33%. However, the population then reached the minimum viable size only 9 years later, thus reflecting a trade‐off between costs and population viability.

Synthesis and applications. The approach presented in this study ensures an adequate prediction of the costs of maintaining a wildlife population at a user‐defined size through reintroduction. It can be applied to any wildlife population in order to obtain the number of individuals and corresponding costs required to sustain a population under current and future influence of an anthropogenic stressor. This type of information provides important input for decision‐making necessary to conserve biodiversity.
Chronic treatment with apelin, losartan and their combination reduces myocardial infarct size and improves cardiac mechanical function
Authors: Abbasloo Elham , Najafipour Hamid , Vakili Abedin
Published: October 2019

The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) has a deleterious and apelin/APJ system has protective effect on the ischaemic heart. The collaboration between these systems in the pathophysiology of myocardial infarction is not clear. We determined the effect of chronic pretreatment with apelin, losartan and their combination on ischaemia–reperfusion (IR) injury in the isolated perfused rat heart and on the expression of apelin‐13 receptor (APJ) and angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) in the myocardium. During 5 days before the induction of IR, saline (vehicle), apelin‐13 (Apl), F13A (apelin antagonist), losartan (Los, AT1R antagonist) and the combination of Apl and Los were administered intraperitoneally in rats. Ischaemia was induced by left anterior descending (LAD) artery occlusion for 30 minutes followed by reperfusion for 55 minutes in the Langendorff isolated heart perfusion system. Pretreatment with Apl, Los and the combination of Apl + Los significantly reduced infarct size by about 30, 33 and 48 percent respectively; and significantly improved the left ventricular function indices such as left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and rate pressure product (RPP). IR increased AT1R protein level but it did not change APJ significantly. AT1R expression was reduced in groups treated with Apl, Los and Apl + Los. Findings showed that chronic pretreatment with apelin along with AT1R antagonist had more protective effects against IR injury. Combination therapy may diminish the risk of IR‐induced heart damage, by reducing AT1R expression, in the heart of patients with coronary artery disease that are at the risk of MI and reperfusion injury.
Swimming training reduces glucose‐amplifying pathway and cholinergic responses in islets from lean‐ and MSG‐obese rats
Authors: Borck Patricia C. , Leite Nayara de C. , Valcanaia Ana C. , Rickli Sarah , Alípio Jessica C. de L. , Machado Michael , Vellosa Jose C. , Mathias Paulo C. de F. , Boschero Antonio C. , Grassiolli Sabrina
Published: October 2019

Here, we investigate the effects of exercise training on glucose‐ and cholinergic‐induced insulin secretion in pancreatic islets from obese and lean rats. Male Wistar rats were treated with monosodium glutamate (MSG) for the first 5 days of life, while control (CON) rats received saline. At 21 days, the rats were divided into exercised (EXE) and sedentary (SED) groups. The EXE rats swam for 30 minutes, three times/week, for 10 weeks. After this, MSG‐SED rats showed hyperglycaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia and hyperinsulinaemia. Besides, islets from MSG‐SED rats exhibited increased glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), followed by impaired glucose sensitivity, absence of glucose‐amplifying pathway and weak cholinergic response. In contrast, adiposity, hyperinsulinaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia were reduced in MSG‐EXE rats. Moreover, islets from MSG‐EXE rats exhibited lower GSIS and improved islet glucose sensitivity, without restoration of the glucose‐amplifying pathway or alteration in the weak cholinergic effect of these islets. In islets from CON‐EXE rats we also observed reduced GSIS and absence of glucose‐amplifying effects and an accentuated reduction in cholinergic insulinotropic responses, without effect on glucose sensitivity in pancreatic islets from this group. Neither obesity nor exercise modified Muscarinic Receptor 3 (M3R) immunocontent or its downstream pathways (PKC and PKA). Moreover, only CON‐EXE showed increased GSIS in the presence of calcium blocker, Thapsigargin. In conclusion, swimming training reduces GSIS and cholinergic responsiveness in isolated pancreatic islets from lean and hypothalamic obese rats, which could be due to the inhibition of glucose‐amplifying pathways.
What would John Griffith have made of Jonathan Sumption's Reith Lectures?
Authors: Loughlin Martin
Published: October 2019

In his 2019 Reith Lectures on the rise of law and decline of politics, Jonathan Sumption presents a thesis that, on its face, seems identical to that of J.A.G. Griffith's defence of the political constitution. Given the radical differences in their views on equality, democracy, and redistribution—with Griffith working in the tradition of democratic socialism espoused by the Webbs, Tawney and Laski, and Sumption expressing the libertarian philosophy underpinning Thatcherite policies—this is puzzling. This article sets their views in historical and political context and argues that the similarities are superficial, whereas the differences are profound. It then proceeds to show the weaknesses in Sumption's defence of his thesis.
Discrimination in the United States: Perspectives for the future
Authors: Blendon Robert J. , Casey Logan S.
Published: October 2019

Objective

To summarize findings from this Special Issue, which examine reported experiences of discrimination among six underrepresented groups in public opinion research—blacks, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) adults, and women.

Data Source and Study Design

Data come from a nationally representative, probability‐based telephone survey of 3453 US adults, conducted January—April 2017.

Methods

We calculated the percent of adults reporting discrimination in several domains, including health care.

Principal Findings

In health care encounters, 32 percent of black adults reported discrimination, as did 23 percent of Native Americans, 20 percent of Latinos, 18 percent of women, 16 percent of LGBTQ adults, and 13 percent of Asian Americans. Significant shares also reported experiencing racial, gender, or LGBTQ identity‐based violence against themselves or family members, including 51 percent of LGBTQ adults, 42 percent of blacks, 38 percent of Native Americans, and 21 percent of women. At least one in seven blacks (22 percent), LGBTQ adults (18 percent), Latinos (17 percent), and Native Americans (15 percent) reported avoiding health care for themselves or family members over concerns of anticipated discrimination or unfair treatment.

Conclusions

Taken together, this polling effort illustrates the significant and widespread level of discrimination against many groups in America today, as well as the complex manifestation of these experiences across different groups and different areas of life. While it is beyond the scope of these results to make specific recommendations for how to end discrimination in each area of life we studied, this Special Issue provides important evidence that more research and practice on discrimination are sorely needed in health services research.
Antidiabetic drug use trends in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease: A cross‐sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Gor Deval , Gerber Ben S. , Walton Surrey M. , Lee Todd A. , Nutescu Edith A. , Touchette Daniel R.
Published: October 2019

Background

There is little information on medication use, trends across time, and the impact of guidelines on appropriate use of antidiabetic drugs in participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods

A cross‐sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005‐2016 was carried out for participants with T2DM with and without CKD. Multivariate survey‐weighted regression models were used to evaluate trends in antidiabetic drug use across the time periods and CKD severity. Guideline‐discordant use of metformin and glyburide were assessed among those with glomerular filtration rate and serum creatinine‐based contraindications.

Results

Out of 3237 study participants with T2DM, 35.9% had CKD. Comparing 2013‐2016 with 2005‐2008, use of metformin (non‐CKD: 69% vs 83.8%, CKD: 58.6% vs 68.2%) increased, whereas the use of sulfonylureas (non‐CKD: 46.3% vs 27.2%, CKD: 54.7% vs 36.6%) and thiazolidinediones (non‐CKD: 29.3% vs 3.9%, CKD: 24.6% vs 5.5%) decreased. In combined NHANES cycles and across stages of CKD severity, metformin use decreased (non‐CKD, stage 1/2, stage 3, stage 4/5: 78.4%, 69.5%, 54.6%, 4.9%, respectively; P < .01), and insulin use increased (18.5%, 26.8%, 25%, 52.8%, respectively; P < .01) from non‐CKD to progressed CKD. Guideline‐discordant use of metformin and glyburide was observed in 8.3% and 2.8% of the participants, respectively, in 2013‐2016.

Conclusions

Use of particular antidiabetic medications in patients with CKD changed noticeably over the years, most in accordance with guidelines and regulatory decisions. Gaps in quality of care still exist, which warrants increasing awareness and implementing programs to mitigate inappropriate use.
Australian evidence on analysts' cash flow forecasts: issuance, accuracy and usefulness
Authors: Chen Xiaomeng , Lu Meiting , Shan Yaowen , Zhang Yizhou
Published: October 2019

This study examines the factors affecting the issuance, accuracy and usefulness of analysts' cash flow forecasts (CFFs) in Australia. Given the economic importance of the mining industry in Australia, we find that analysts are likely to provide CFFs for mining firms with poor financial health and high default risk. In contrast, analysts' provision of CFFs increases with the degree of financial health for non‐mining firms. The determinants of the issuance and accuracy of analysts' CFFs also differ in pre‐ and post‐IFRS adoption periods. Our results add new evidence on the effect of IFRS adoption on analysts' cash flow forecasting behaviours.
Does legal protection affect firm value? Evidence from China’s stock market
Authors: Xu Rong , Xu Xingmei , Zhang Junyan , Li Conggang
Published: October 2019

We examine the question of whether firms derive value in areas with higher legal protection by studying how the difference among regional legal protection levels affects capital market reactions to firms receiving administrative penalty in China. The results show that the level of legal protection has a positive effect on the market reaction to administrative penalty announcements, and the effect is attenuated by non‐state ownership. Furthermore, we find evidence of higher efficiency of law enforcement in regions with higher level of legal protection.
Is the ex‐ante equity risk premium always positive? Evidence from a new conditional expectations model
Authors: Hoang Khoa , Faff Robert
Published: October 2019

We model the conditional risk premium by combining principal component analysis and a statistical learning technique, known as boosted regression trees. The method is validated through various out‐of‐sample tests. We apply the estimates to test the positivity restriction on the risk premium and find evidence that the risk premium is negative in periods of low corporate and government bond returns, high inflation and downward‐sloping term structure. These periods are linked with changes in business cycles; the states when theories predict the existence of negative risk premium. Based on the evidence, we reject the conditional capital asset pricing model and raise a question over the practice of imposing the positive risk premium constraint in predictive models.