bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Essential updates 2017/2018: Recent topics in the treatment and research of gastric cancer in Japan
Authors: Komatsu Shuhei , Otsuji Eigo
Published: August 2019

Recent developments in diagnostic technology, accumulated clinical effort and established evidence have boosted early detection and drastically improved early and long‐term outcomes of gastric cancer. However, gastric cancer continues to be one of the most aggressive and life‐threatening malignancies among all cancers and is a global health problem. Between January 2017 and December 2018, various fascinating reports of managements and research were published, including the new 15th Japanese Classification of Gastric Carcinoma reflecting the 8th American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control (AJCC/UICC) tumor, node and metastasis (TNM) classification (October 2017) and the new Gastric Cancer Treatment Guidelines version 5 (January 2018). Moreover, pivotal molecular features of gastric cancer were clarified by the worldwide cancer genome project, and various treatment targets and biomarkers such as circulating DNAs and microRNAs were detected. Novel treatment options using programmed cell death protein 1 immune checkpoint inhibitors have been started. In this review, we summarize the recent topics of classification, guidelines, and clinical and basic research in order to bring new insights to gastric cancer treatment.
A yeast surface display platform for plant hormone receptors: Toward directed evolution of new biosensors
Authors: Steiner Paul J. , Bedewitz Matthew A. , Medina‐Cucurella Angélica V. , Cutler Sean R. , Whitehead Timothy A.
Published: August 2019

Small‐molecule biosensors have major applications in biotechnology and medicine but remain difficult to engineer. Plant hormone receptors represent an attractive platform for engineering such biosensors because their chemically induced dimerization architectures naturally decouple small‐molecule sensing and sensor actuation. Rapid biosensor engineering will require quantitative high‐throughput screening methods. Here we develop a yeast surface display (YSD) platform for the PYR1/HAB1 abscisic acid sensor of Arabidopsis thaliana. We extensively optimized PYR1 surface display, HAB1 purification, and binding reaction conditions. Our system reproduces previous results with wild‐type and engineered receptors, and a mathematical analysis of the PYR1/HAB1 system allows us to infer all binding constants. Critically, we find that a previously engineered PYR1 receptor with altered ligand specificity binds HAB1 with identical affinity, suggesting that substantial reengineering of the PYR1 binding pocket does not compromise sensor actuation. This YSD platform for A. thaliana PYR1/HAB1 will facilitate future biosensor engineering efforts.
More than time and money: A mixed‐methods study of the barriers to safer cattle handling practices
Authors: Scott‐Harp DeAnn , Peek‐Asa Corinne , Rohlman Diane S. , Janssen Brandi
Published: August 2019

Background

Cattle are responsible for more injuries and fatalities than any farm animal, and cattle‐related nonfatal injuries are some of the costliest, requiring more time off work than other injuries. Though research has improved our understanding of cattle behavior, developed low‐stress handling practices, and determined how facilities can be safer, injury rates remain high. This project identified the types of equipment commonly used on farms and assessed farmer perceptions of safety and barriers to implementing changes.

Methods

A mixed‐methods design was used for this study. The study was comprised of a survey (N  = 66) and four site visits conducted at operations focusing on different types of beef production in Iowa, United States. Information collected included descriptive characteristics of the operator and operation, tasks carried out on the farm, handling facility components and design, and incidents of handling‐related injuries.

Results

Most farms indicated that they utilized equipment like alleyways, a manual headgate, a sorting/diverter gate, and a manual squeeze chute. Farmers cited the cost of equipment, lack of necessity (their setup worked well already), and lack of time as being the main reasons they have not implemented changes in their operations. However, qualitative responses provided additional details and nuance, illuminating farmers’ anxieties related to farm transitions, knowledge, and trust of equipment sales personnel.

Conclusion

This study provides health and safety professionals with additional details about why beef cattle producers may choose not to invest in safer handling equipment, even when they recognize the safety benefits of doing so.
Significantly enhances caking index of long‐flame coal under tetralin‐glycerol/H2 system
Authors: Liu Shoujun , Wang Zhao , Yang Song , Chang Zhiwei , Zhang Kaixia
Published: August 2019

For alleviating of the shortage of coking coal resource and efficient cleaning and utilization of low‐rank coal, hydro‐plasticization of low‐rank coal was carried out. However, the caking property of low‐rank coal cannot be obviously improved under mild conditions in the traditional tetralin‐H2 system. This study is to investigate the feasibility of mixed tetralin‐glycerol as a solvent in the process of low‐rank coal hydro‐plasticization. The solvent ratios of tetralin‐glycerol, reaction pressure, and atmosphere were varied to evaluate their effects on hydro‐plasticization. The results show that the caking index (GRI) of long‐flame coal increases from 0 to 78 at mild conditions, and the hydrogen transfer mechanism might be directly from H2 to coal rather than through hydrogen‐donor solvents in the mixed solvent case. The solvent extraction and the GRI of modified coals were measured and found that the GRI of modified coal has a good linear relationship with PAA yield, and its R2 is .985.
North American biofiltration practices
Authors: Evans Ashley N. , Carter Jason T. , Brown Jess , Lauderdale Chance
Published: August 2019

Biological filtration (biofiltration) is the operational practice of managing, maintaining, and promoting biological activity on granular media in a filter to enhance the removal of organic and inorganic constituents before treated water is introduced into the distribution system. A major barrier to more widespread acceptance of biofiltration is the lack of recognized full‐scale experience available to utilities. To overcome this barrier, the Biofiltration Knowledge Base was developed (Water Research Foundation Project 4459). The Biofiltration Knowledge Base is a compendium of planning, design, operation, and monitoring experiences of 45 biofiltration facilities across North America with over 420 combined years of operational experience. This resource facilitates the exchange of knowledge, communicates the benefits of biofiltration, documents lessons learned, provides optimization strategies, and identifies needs for future research. Data demonstrate that biofiltration is widely used throughout North America and has been successful over a range of water qualities, design configurations, and operating conditions.
Measurement of available carbohydrates, digestible, and resistant starch in food ingredients and products
Authors: McCleary Barry V. , McLoughlin Ciara , Charmier Lucie M. J. , McGeough Paraic
Published: August 2019

Background and objectives

The importance of selectively measuring available and unavailable carbohydrates in the human diet has been recognized for over 100 years. The levels of available carbohydrates in diets can be directly linked to major diseases of the Western world, namely Type II diabetes and obesity. Methodology for measurement of total carbohydrates by difference was introduced in the 1880s, and this forms the basis of carbohydrate determination in the United States. In the United Kingdom, a method to directly measure available carbohydrates was introduced in the 1920s to assist diabetic patients with food selection. The aim of the current work was to develop simple, specific, and reliable methods for available carbohydrates and digestible starch (and resistant starch). The major component of available carbohydrates in most foods is digestible starch.

Findings

Simple methods for the measurement of rapidly digested starch, slowly digested starch, total digestible starch, resistant starch, and available carbohydrates have been developed, and the digestibility of phosphate cross‐linked starch has been studied in detail. The resistant starch procedure developed is an update of current procedures and incorporates incubation conditions with pancreatic α‐amylase (PAA) and amyloglucosidase (AMG) that parallel those used AOAC Method 2017.16 for total dietary fiber. Available carbohydrates are measured as glucose, fructose, and galactose, following complete and selective hydrolysis of digestible starch, maltodextrins, maltose, sucrose, and lactose to glucose, fructose, and galactose. Sucrose is hydrolyzed with a specific sucrase enzyme that has no action on fructo‐oligosaccharides (FOS).

Conclusions

The currently described “available carbohydrates” method together with the total dietary fiber method (AOAC Method 2017.16) allows the measurement of all carbohydrates in food products, including digestible starch.

Significance and novelty

This paper describes a simple and specific method for measurement of available carbohydrates in cereal, food, and feed products. This is the first method that provides the correct measurement of digestible starch and sucrose in the presence of FOS. Such methodology is essential for accurate labeling of food products, allowing consumers to make informed decisions in food selection.
Graphen im Schulexperiment
Authors: Quarthal Dominik , Schedy Andreas , Oetken Marco
Published: August 2019

Graphen, die zweidimensionale Modifikation des Kohlenstoffs, stellt aufgrund ihrer vielversprechenden Eigenschaften wie einer sehr guten elektrischen Leitfähigkeit sowie einer hohen Belastbarkeit und Härte ein hochinteressantes Material dar. Seine Herstellung war bislang für die Implementierung in die Schulcurricula zu gefährlich. Der Beitrag beschreibt die erste Herstellungsmethode von Graphen, welche für eine praktikable Umsetzung im Chemieunterricht unbedenklich ist und die daher eine erste experimentelle und konzeptionelle Erschließung dieses Themas möglich macht.
Patient preferences for attributes of primary surgical debulking versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy for treatment of newly diagnosed ovarian cancer
Authors: Havrilesky Laura J. , Yang Jui‐Chen , Lee Paula S. , Secord Angeles Alvarez , Ehrisman Jessie A. , Davidson Brittany , Berchuck Andrew , Darcy Kathleen M. , Maxwell G. Larry , Reed Shelby D.
Published: August 2019

Background

Randomized trials have reported conflicting findings on survival for advanced‐stage ovarian cancer treated with primary debulking surgery (PDS) versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy with interval debulking; surgical complications and mortality are higher with PDS. We assessed women's preferences for tradeoffs related to this important clinical decision.

Methods

Ovarian cancer patients were recruited to complete a discrete‐choice experiment (DCE) consisting of 8 choice tasks presenting experimentally designed treatment alternatives in terms of treatment order, extent of surgery including risk of ostomy, chance of death from surgical complications (1%‐10%), readmission for surgical complications (5%‐50%), progression‐free survival (1‐3 years), and overall survival (3‐5 years). Random‐parameters logit regression was applied to model participants' choices as a function of attribute levels.

Results

A total of 101 ovarian cancer survivors completed the DCE survey; of these participants, 30% were receiving chemotherapy at the time, and 33% had prior recurrence. Overall survival was of greatest importance to participants (36/100), followed by risk of readmission due to complications (23/100), progression‐free survival (19/100), surgical mortality (16/100), extent of surgery (4/100), and order of surgery and chemotherapy (2/100). Overall, the participants would tolerate a 15‐percentage point increase in risk of major complications (95% confidence interval [CI], 3%‐29%) or a 4‐percentage point increase in the risk of surgical mortality (95% CI, 2%‐13%) in order to increase their expected overall survival from 3 to 3.5 years.

Conclusions

Patients would accept a moderately higher risk of perioperative complications and surgical mortality in exchange for substantial gains in survival. These quantitative findings provide clinicians with a framework to discuss preferences with patients and to incorporate preferences into clinical trial design.
Long‐term risk of congestive heart failure in younger breast cancer survivors: A nationwide study by the SMARTSHIP group
Authors: Lee Jihyoun , Hur Ho , Lee Jong Won , Youn Hyun Jo , Han Kyungdo , Kim Nam Won , Jung So‐Youn , Kim Zisun , Kim Ku Sang , Lee Min Hyuk , Han Se‐Hwan , Jung Sung Hoo , Chung Il Yong
Published: August 2019

Background

There is a controversy about late‐onset congestive heart failure (CHF) among breast cancer survivors. This study investigated the incidence rate and risk factors of late‐onset CHF more than 2 years after the breast cancer diagnosis.

Methods

A nationwide, retrospective study was conducted with the National Health Information Database. With 1:3 age‐ and sex‐matched noncancer controls, Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to analyze the incidence and risk factors of late CHF. The cumulative incidence rate of late CHF was evaluated with a Kaplan‐Meier analysis and a log‐rank test.

Results

A total of 91,227 cases (286,480 person‐years) and 273,681 controls (884,349 person‐years) were evaluated between January 2007 and December 2013. The risks of late CHF were higher in cases than controls (hazard ratio [HR], 1.396; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.268‐1.538). Younger survivors (age ≤ 50 years) showed a higher risk of late CHF than their younger counterparts (HR, 2.903; 95% CI, 2.425‐3.474). Although older age was a risk factor for late CHF, older survivors (age ≥ 66 years) showed no difference in the risk of late CHF in comparison with their counterparts (HR, 0.906; 95% CI, 0.757‐1.084). Anthracyclines and taxanes were risk factors for late CHF, although trastuzumab, radiation, and endocrine therapy were not.

Conclusions

Young breast cancer survivors have a greater risk of late CHF than the young population without cancer. More attention should be paid to young breast cancer survivors who receive taxane‐ or anthracycline‐based regimens over the long term.
A personalized range‐sensitive privacy‐preserving scheme in LBSs
Authors: Li Weihao , Niu Ben , Cao Jin , Luo Yurong , Li Hui
Published: August 2019

Mobile social network has become a necessary part in our daily life, and location‐based services (LBSs) provide unprecedented convenience to mobile users. However, these attracting services are accompanied with privacy disclosures, including location privacy and query privacy. Mobile users have to expose their personal information to untrusted location‐based service provider (LSP) in order to obtain relevant service data. To address these privacy issues, we proposed a personalized range‐sensitive privacy‐preserving scheme, called PRPS, which considers the relationship between locations, query ranges, and query contents. Moreover, PRPS employs map storing algorithm (MSA) to facilitate the storage of two‐dimensional local map, reducing the cost of storage. Furthermore, range estimating algorithm (REA) adopts binary quad‐tree to decide the query radius of each submitted location, avoiding inference attacks by adversary. The requirements generating algorithm (RGA) selects relevant query content for each dummy location, guaranteeing mobile user's location privacy and query privacy. Finally, we illustrate the privacy analysis to proof PRPS's privacy degree; then, the performance and privacy evaluation results indicate that the proposed PRPS is effective and efficient.
Experimental Mouse Model of Bleomycin‐Induced Skin Fibrosis
Authors: Błyszczuk Przemysław , Kozlova Anastasiia , Guo Zhongning , Kania Gabriela , Distler Oliver
Published: August 2019

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) refers to an autoimmune disease, which is manifested by inflammation, vasculopathy, and fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. There are a number of different animal models recapitulating specific aspects of SSc. The experimental mouse model of bleomycin‐induced skin fibrosis is commonly used to study the pathogenesis observed in SSc. In this model, repetitive intradermal injections of the cytotoxic agent bleomycin trigger progressive skin thickening, associated with excessive accumulation of collagen, infiltration of immune cells, and formation of α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA)‐positive myofibroblasts. In this article, we provide a detailed protocol for the induction of skin fibrosis in experimental mice by bleomycin. Moreover, we describe procedures for processing and analyzing affected skin tissue, provide troubleshooting, highlight advantages and limitations of the presented model, and critically discuss representative results. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Basic Protocol 1: Intradermal bleomycin injections to induce skin fibrosis in mice

Support Protocol: Mouse tissue collection for fibrosis evaluation and for other molecular assays

Basic Protocol 2: Evaluation of mouse skin thickness using Masson's trichrome staining

Basic Protocol 3: Measurement of hydroxyproline content in skin tissue using a colorimetric assay

Basic Protocol 4: Evaluation of myofibroblasts in mouse skin by immunohistochemistry
Preparation of an Amorphous Cross‐Linked Binder for Silicon Anodes
Authors: Guo Rongnan , Zhang Shunlong , Ying Hangjun , Yang Wentao , Wang Jianli , Han Weiqiang
Published: August 2019

An amorphous cross‐linked binder is prepared from abundant and low‐cost sodium alginate and carboxymethyl cellulose by protonation and mixing and is used to improve the electrochemical performance of silicon anodes in lithium‐ion batteries. The amorphous cross‐linked structure, formed by intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the functional groups in the two polymers, effectively enhances the flexibility and strength of the binder, resulting in strong adhesion between the binder and other components in the silicon anodes. Furthermore, the binder tolerates large volume changes and reduces the pulverization of silicon during the charge–discharge process. The hydrogen bonding in the binder helps to maintain the anode integrity during the volume change, leading to an excellent cycling stability and superior rate capability with a capacity of 1863 mAh g−1 at 500 mA g−1 after 150 cycles.
Detection of testosterone doping in female athletes
Authors: Handelsman David J. , Bermon Stéphane
Published: August 2019

Testosterone doping remains a prevalent and potent form of drug cheating among elite athletes. In men, the urine testosterone (T) to epitestosterone (E) ratio (T/E ratio) can identify administration of exogenous T by its suppression of endogenous T production through strong negative feedback on endogenous T and E production as well as spill over into urine of extra testosterone. However, this mechanism may be partially inoperative in females whose much lower circulating T derives from three sources, none subject to powerful negative T feedback. Hence, additional methods to detect T doping in females are required. In this study we report two cases of elite female athletes who were sanctioned for T doping proven by measurement of serum T using liquid chromatography−mass spectrometry (LC–MS), when serial urine T and T/E ratio in one were not indicative of T doping, and in the other were nullified by incidental genetic inactivation of T glucuronidation through the uridine diphosphoglucuronosyl transferase 2B17 (UGT2B17) deletion genotype–phenotype. These findings indicate the potential for serum T measurement by LC–MS to detect T doping in female athletes, especially if implemented in the Bayesian format of an athlete biological passport.
Human embryonic ribs all progress through common morphological forms irrespective of their position on the axis
Authors: Matsubayashi Jun , Okuno Kasumi , Fujii Sena , Ishizu Koichi , Yamada Shigehito , Yoneyama Akio , Takakuwa Tetsuya
Published: August 2019

Background

We aimed to analyze the morphogenesis of all ribs from 1st to 12th rib pairs plus vertebrae to compare their differences and features according to the position along the cranial‐caudal axis during the human embryonic period.

Results

Rib pair formation was analyzed using high‐resolution digitalized imaging data (n = 29) between Carnegie stage (CS) 18 and CS23 (corresponding to ED13‐14 in mouse; HH29‐35 in chick). A total of 348 rib pairs, from 1st to 12th rib pairs of each sample were subjected to Procrustes and principal component (PC) analyses. PC1 and PC2 accounted for 76.3% and 16.4% (total 92.7%) of the total variance, respectively, indicating that two components mainly accounted for the change in shape. The distribution of PC1 and PC2 values for each rib showed a “fishhook‐like shape” upon fitting to a quartic equation. PC1 and PC2 value position for each rib pair moved along the fitted curve according to the development. Thus, the change in PC1 and PC2 could be expressed by a single parameter using a fitted curve as a linear scale for shape.

Conclusion

Human embryonic ribs all progress through common morphological forms irrespective of their position on the axis.
The various and shared roles of lncRNAs during development
Authors: Murillo‐Maldonado Juan M. , Riesgo‐Escovar Juan R.
Published: August 2019

lncRNAs, genes transcribed but not translated, longer than 200 nucleotides, are classified as a separate class of nonprotein coding genes. Since their discovery, largely from RNAseq data, a number of pioneer studies have begun to unravel its myriad functions, centered on gene expression regulation, suggesting developmental and evolutionary conservation. Since they do not code for proteins and have no open reading frames, their functional constraints likely differ from that of protein coding genes, or of genes where the majority of the nucleotide sequence is required for function, like tRNAs. This has complicated assessment of both developmental and evolutionary conservation, and the identification of homologs in different species. Here we argue that other characteristics: general synteny and particular chromosomal placement regardless of sequence, sequence micro‐motifs, and secondary structure allow for “homologs” to be identified and compared, confirming developmental and evolutionary conservation of lncRNAs. We conclude exemplifying a case in point: that of the evolutionarily conserved lncRNA acal, characterized and required for embryogenesis in Drosophila.
Plants trap pollen to feed predatory arthropods as an indirect resistance against herbivory
Authors: Van Wyk Jennifer I. , Krimmel Billy A. , Crova Laure , Pearse Ian S.
Published: August 2019

Plants commonly employ indirect resistance to reduce herbivory by provisioning predatory arthropod populations with additional resources. Numerous predatory arthropods consume pollen that is entrapped on dense, wooly trichomes of plants. Over two seasons, we supplemented pollen on the wooly leaves of turkey mullein, Croton setiger, in natural populations to determine if pollen entrapped on leaves supplements predatory arthropods and reduces herbivore populations and damage to the plant. Pollen supplementation increased the abundance of predatory spiders in both years and omnivorous Orius bugs in 1 yr but had no effect on predatory hemipterans. Pollen supplementation reduced the abundance of herbivorous fleahoppers. Pollen supplementation decreased the amount of leaf damage experienced by plants over the season, suggesting that pollen entrapment may act as an indirect resistance. While C. setiger plants have little control over the amount of pollen on their surfaces, pollen adds to the diet of predatory arthropods that reduce herbivory, thus attraction of predators may be an adaptive benefit of leaf structures such as wooly trichomes that entrap pollen.
Temporal changes in species composition affect a ubiquitous species’ use of habitat patches
Authors: Bledsoe Ellen K. , Ernest S. K. Morgan
Published: August 2019

Across landscapes, shifts in species composition often co‐occur with shifts in structural or abiotic habitat features, making it difficult to disentangle the role of competitors and environment on assessments of patch quality. Using over two decades of rodent community data from a long‐term experiment, we show that a small, ubiquitous granivore (Chaetodipus penicillatus) shifted its use of different experimental treatments with the establishment of a novel competitor,C. baileyi. Shifts in residency, probability of movement between patches, and the arrival of new individuals in patches altered which treatment supported the highest abundances ofC. penicillatus. Our results suggest that the establishment of a new species worsened the quality of the originally preferred treatment, likely by impacting resource availability. Paradoxically, the presence of the new species also increasedC. penicillatus’use of the less preferred treatment, potentially through shifts in the competitive network on those plots.
New insight to the characteristics and clinical course of clusters of patients with imaging confirmed disc‐related sciatica
Authors: Stynes Siobhán , Grøvle Lars , Haugen Anne Julsrud , Konstantinou Kika , Grotle Margreth
Published: August 2019

Background

Referral to secondary care is common for a considerable proportion of patients with persistent sciatica symptoms. It is unclear if information from clinical assessment can further identify distinct subgroups of disc‐related sciatica, with perhaps different clinical courses.

Aims

This study aims to identify and describe clusters of imaging confirmed disc‐related sciatica patients using latent class analysis, and compare their clinical course.

Methods

The study population were 466 patients with disc‐related sciatica. Variables from clinical assessment were included in the analysis. Characteristics of the identified clusters were described and their clinical course over 2 years was compared.

Results

A four‐cluster solution was optimal. Cluster 1 (n = 110) had mild back and leg pain; cluster 2 (n = 59) had moderate back and leg pain; cluster 3 (n = 158) had mild back pain and severe leg pain; cluster 4 (n = 139) had severe back and leg pain. Patients in cluster 4 had the most severe profile in terms of disability, distress and comorbidity and the lowest reported global change and the smallest proportion of patients with a successful outcome at 2 years. Of the 135 patients who underwent surgery, 42% and 41% were in clusters 3 and 4, respectively.

Conclusions

Using a strict diagnosis of sciatica, this work identified four clusters of patients primarily differentiated by back and leg pain severity. Patients with severe back and leg pain had the most severe profile at baseline and follow‐up irrespective of intervention. This simple classification system may be useful when considering prognosis and management with sciatica patients.

Significance

Using data from a large observational prospective study, this work identifies four distinct clusters of patients with imaging confirmed disc‐related sciatica. This classification could be used when considering prognosis and management with sciatica patients at their initial consultation.
System Models of Sulfur‐, Electricity‐, and Methane‐Powered Biological Carbon Capture for Negative Emissions
Authors: Snyder Brian F.
Published: August 2019

Nearly every plausible emission scenario that limits climate change to less than 2 °C includes net negative global emissions in the late 21st century. These negative emissions are achieved using negative emission technologies (NETs), a diverse class of currently theoretical technologies that use energy to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. While a number of technological options are available, many of the most promising CO2 capture systems take advantage of biological systems and are thus driven by light energy. Sulfur offers an alternative energy source for biological carbon capture. Herein, system models are presented that use reduced sulfur to power marine chemosynthetic carbon capture, with four proposed alternatives for the management of the produced biomass and sulfate. These four alternatives differ in the energy and process used to reduce the sulfate produced by the growth of the microorganisms back to sulfur or sulfide and in sum, the four systems create direct air carbon capture systems that utilize either geologic reduced sulfur, electricity, or biomass as energy sources. Thus, three new energy sources for direct air carbon capture are identified.
MR‐based age‐related effects on the striatum, globus pallidus, and thalamus in healthy individuals across the adult lifespan
Authors: Tullo Stephanie , Patel Raihaan , Devenyi Gabriel A. , Salaciak Alyssa , Bedford Saashi A. , Farzin Sarah , Wlodarski Nancy , Tardif Christine L. ,   the PREVENT‐AD Research Group, Breitner John C. S. , Chakravarty M. Mallar
Published: August 2019

While numerous studies have used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to elucidate normative age‐related trajectories in subcortical structures across the human lifespan, there exists substantial heterogeneity among different studies. Here, we investigated the normative relationships between age and morphology (i.e., volume and shape), and microstructure (using the T1‐weighted/T2‐weighted [T1w/T2w] signal ratio as a putative index of myelin and microstructure) of the striatum, globus pallidus, and thalamus across the adult lifespan using a dataset carefully quality controlled, yielding a final sample of 178 for the morphological analyses, and 162 for the T1w/T2w analyses from an initial dataset of 253 healthy subjects, aged 18–83. In accordance with previous cross‐sectional studies of adults, we observed age‐related volume decrease that followed a quadratic relationship between age and bilateral striatal and thalamic volumes, and a linear relationship in the globus pallidus. Our shape indices consistently demonstrated age‐related posterior and medial areal contraction bilaterally across all three structures. Beyond morphology, we observed a quadratic inverted U‐shaped relationship between T1w/T2w signal ratio and age, with a peak value occurring in middle age (at around 50 years old). After permutation testing, the Akaike information criterion determined age relationships remained significant for the bilateral globus pallidus and thalamus, for both the volumetric and T1w/T2w analyses. Our findings serve to strengthen and expand upon previous volumetric analyses by providing a normative baseline of morphology and microstructure of these structures to which future studies investigating patients with various disorders can be compared.
Human resource management and industrial relations in multinational corporations in and from China: Challenges and new insights
Authors: Cooke Fang Lee , Liu Mingwei , Liu Leigh Anne , Chen Chao C.
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview on the state of research in the field in human resource management (HRM) issues in multinational corporations (MNCs) in and from China. We integrate previous studies from multiple disciplines to articulate the contextual importance of research on this topic, and suggest overarching themes to expand the field of research. HRM research in the intercultural, interinstitutional context of MNCs in and from China has the potential to provide contextualized insights for longstanding debates in the field such as HRM standardization versus localization and convergence versus divergence and contextual factors behind these patterns. To this end, we call for future research to center on the changing cultural, institutional, technological, and globalization context in understanding HRM and industrial relations issues in these MNCs. Practically, knowledge in this area can help global managers and top management teams in multinational organizations navigate various context complexity, foster more productive coordination and cooperation across borders, and gain legitimacy and MNCs in and from China additional competitive edge in the global marketplace.
Competency modeling: A theoretical and empirical examination of the strategy dissemination process
Authors: Campion Michael C. , Schepker Donald J. , Campion Michael A. , Sanchez Juan I.
Published: August 2019

One of the most important functions of a competency model is to translate organizational strategy into employee behavior. Yet, virtually no theoretical attempts to elucidate this process exist, and no empirical evidence has been offered demonstrating that it occurs. Drawing on the strategic management literature, we develop a conceptual framework delineating this process. We theorize that structurally distributed knowledge, attention, and behavior results in coalitions of individuals at different hierarchical levels (top managers vs employees) developing different dominant logics. These differences across levels in habituated modes of processing information and conceptualizing roles impact the initial importance assigned to competencies that are added to the model as an organization's strategy evolves. However, over time, competency models enable top managers to drive their dominant logic downward through the organization. As the importance of certain competencies is reinforced through performance management, schemata of high‐performers shift, becoming better aligned with those of top managers'. Using data from focus groups, surveys, and archives collected at two points in time (6 years apart) capturing change in the strategy of an organization of professional jobs in the U.S. government (n= 218), results were supportive. We then use our model to generate an agenda of research questions and topics to enhance competency modeling scholarship.
Finite element analysis of couple stress micropolar nanofluid flow by non‐Fourier's law heat flux model past stretching surface
Authors: Ibrahim Wubshet , Gadisa Gosa
Published: August 2019

Numerical analysis has been done to investigate magnetohydrodynamics nonlinear convective flow of couple stress micropolar nanofluid with Catteneo‐Christov heat flux model past stretching surface with the effects of heat generation/absorption term, chemical reaction rate, first‐order slip, and convective boundary conditions. The coupled highly nonlinear differential equation governing the steady incompressible laminar flow has been solved by a powerful numerical technique called finite element method. The impacts of diverse parameters on linear velocity, angular velocity (microrotation), temperature, concentration profile, local skin friction coefficient, local wall couple stress, local Nusselt number, and Sherwood number are presented in graphical and tabular form. The result pointed out that the enhancement in material parameter β increases the velocity of the fluid while the couple stress parameter K has quite opposite effect. Heat and mass transfer rate of the fluid are enhanced by increasing material parameter while couple stress parameter shows the opposite influence. Moreover, heat and mass transfer rate are higher with the Catteneo‐Christov heat flux model than Fourier's law of heat conduction. The accuracy of the present method has been confirmed by comparing with previously published works.
Adaptation and implementation of the German social–emotional learning programme Papilio in Finland: A pilot study
Authors: Koivula Merja , Laakso Marja‐Leena , Viitala Riitta , Neitola Marita , Hess Markus , Scheithauer Herbert
Published: August 2019

This study investigated the cross‐national adaptation and implementation of Papilio, a German social–emotional learning programme, in Finnish early childhood education and care (ECEC) centres. Papilio is a developmentally focused, scientifically based intervention programme focused on preventing behavioural problems and fostering social–emotional competence in children aged 3–7. The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the cross‐national adaptation and cross‐cultural adaptation and implementation of Papilio in the Finnish ECEC context. Results from qualitative interviews with one Finnish Papilio trainer, 11 early childhood education (ECE) teachers, two ECE special education teachers and two nursery nurses are supplemented with teachers' and nursery nurses' (N = 75) questionnaire data. Qualitative thematic analysis revealed that cultural adaptations were necessary on four levels: accommodation of materials, adaptation of the contents of the materials, structure and delivery. The materials and training contents were culturally adapted, whereas the delivery of the intervention was adapted according to Finnish ECEC practices. The structural adaptation included discarding timeout, due to opposition by some educators. The educators were committed to implementing the programme as instructed and resolving the practical difficulties they encountered. Their motivation to implement Papilio increased as they observed improvements in the children's social–emotional competence during intervention.
Different risk factors are associated with alcohol use versus problematic use in male Pakistani adolescents
Authors: Shahzad Salman , Kliewer Wendy , Ali Muzaffar , Begum Nasreen
Published: August 2019

Substance abuse is a significant problem in Pakistan (Hussain, 2017), yet, there are few studies of risk factors in this population, particularly in remote areas. Male adolescents (N = 243; M = 16.9 years, SD = 1.3 years) were recruited from schools in Gilgit‐Baltistan, and completed questions on demographics, substance use, and psychosocial functioning. As a Muslim country, there are strict prohibitions against alcohol use, yet 44.9% of the sample reported lifetime alcohol use. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (Babor, Higgins‐Biddle, Saunders, & Monteiro, 2001), was used to quantify level of risk associated with use, and 22.6% of the sample had scores indicating significant risk levels. Logistic regression analyses indicated that lifetime alcohol use was associated with internalising problems (e.g., depression, anxiety), while risky alcohol use was associated with externalising problems (e.g., aggressive and delinquent behaviour). Attention problems were related to both outcomes. Implications for prevention are discussed.
Different expression profile of mRNA and long noncoding RNA in autoimmune thyroid diseases patients
Authors: Yi Ruhai , Yang Liyong , Zeng Saifan , Su Yueqing
Published: August 2019

Increasing evidence has found that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and message RNAs (mRNAs) play an important role in the progress of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD). So, in this study, the different expressed of lncRNA and mRNA was screened by microarray analysis and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To further investigate the relationship among the differentially expressed genes, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis and Gene ontology (GO) were used for biofunctions and signaling pathways analysis, respectively. Finally, the interaction relationship between lncRNA and mRNAs was analysis with lncRNA‐mRNA coexpression network. The result found that the abnormal expression of lncRNAs and mRNAs were 1615 and 1913, respectively. The altered genes included CD40LG, IFNG, CTLA4, FAS, STAT1, STAT3, and STAT4. These were enriched in presentation and antigen processing, Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation, natural killer cell‐mediated cytotoxicity, B cell receptor signaling pathway, Th17 cell differentiation, and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), all of which had been suggested to be associated with immunopathogenic mechanisms and AITD‐induced pathophysiologic changes. A coexpression network profile was contained with 126 network nodes and 477 connections which were based on seven mRNAs and 119 interacted lncRNAs. The outcomes of differentially expressed lncRNAs and their coreralated mRNAs in our study revealed that lncRNAs involved in immunopathogenic mechanisms may play a crital role in the pathogenesis of AITD.
RETRACTED: miR‐125a suppresses malignancy of multiple myeloma by reducing the deubiquitinase USP5
Authors: Wu Liting , Zhang Cui , Chu Min , Fan Yingchao , Wei Lu , Li Zhumeng , Yao Yonghua , Zhuang Wenfang
Published: August 2019

miR‐125a is a microRNA that is frequently diminished in various human malignancies. However, the mechanism by which impaired miR‐125a promotes cancer growth remains undefined. In this study, we investigated the role of miR‐125a in the proliferation and apoptosis of multiple myeloma (MM). To do this, we used MM tissue samples (from 40 anonymous patients), normal matched control samples, and five MM‐derived cell lines. We also established a mouse model of MM xenograft to explore the effect of overexpression of miR‐125a on the MM growth in vivo. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction revealed that the miR‐125a expression was broadly reduced in MM tissues and cell lines. The impairment of miR‐125a in MM tissues was functionally relevant because the overexpression of miR‐125a remarkably decreased the cell viability and colony‐forming activity, at least in part, by promoting apoptosis in two miR‐125a‐deficient MM cell lines: NCI‐H929 and U266. Interestingly, we also discovered that the human gene encoding the ubiquitin‐specific peptidase 5 (USP5), which is known to promote cellular deubiquitination and ubiquitin/proteasome‐dependent proteolysis, was a direct transcriptional target for miR‐125a to repress. More importantly, the heterologous expression of USP5 significantly reversed the growth‐inhibitory effects of miR‐125a on MM cells in vitro. In the mouse xenograft model, overexpressed miR‐125a prominently inhibited the growth of MM tumors and concomitantly reduced the expression of USP5 in tumor tissues. These results suggest that miR‐125a inhibits the expression of USP5, thereby mitigating the proliferation and survival of malignant MM cells. We propose that USP5 acts as an oncoprotein in miR‐125a‐missing cancers.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in transcription factor genes associated with susceptibility to oral cancer
Authors: Damani Shah Hetal , Saranath Dhananjaya , Pradhan Sultan
Published: August 2019

Oral cancer is a major public health concern in the Asian countries predominated by India which accounts for 33.81% of the annual global oral cancer burden. The well‐established high‐risk factors associated with oral cancer include tobacco, areca nut, alcohol consumption, and high‐risk human papilloma virus types 16/18. Additionally, in the past two decades, the critical role of the genomic constitution of individuals in oral cancer susceptibility has emerged. Accumulating evidence indicates the association of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with oral cancer risk. Thus in the current study, we assessed the association of thirteen SNPs in seven transcription factor genes along with HBB (a control SNP) to identify high‐risk genotypes associated with increased oral cancer risk in an Indian cohort of tobacco habitués. Fourteen SNPs were investigated in 500 patients with oral cancer and 500 clinically healthy long‐term tobacco users as controls of Indian ethnicity. Allelic discrimination real‐time polymerase chain reaction was the method of choice for genotyping the samples. Logistic regression analysis was performed and the association of SNPs with oral cancer risk was estimated using odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). We observed five SNPs—rs2051526 (ETV6), rs6021247 (NFATC2), rs3757769 (SND1), rs7085532 (TCF7L2), and rs7778413 (SND1) indicating increased oral cancer risk with OR ranging from 1.61 to 34.60. Further, as a proof of concept, the coinheritance of high‐risk genotypes in rs6021247 (NFATC2) GG (OR, 2.77; CI, 2.09‐3.69) and rs7778413 (SND1) CC (OR, 34.60; CI, 17.32‐69.13) reflected further increase in the risk with OR‐49.94 (CI, 16.25‐153.48). The present study indicates the association of transcription factor SNPs with increased oral cancer risk constituting “predictive biomarkers” in oral cancers.
Comparative study of μ‐stat methanol feeding control in fed‐batch fermentation of Pichia pastoris producing HBsAg: an open‐loop control versus recurrent artificial neural network‐based feedback control
Authors: Beiroti Ahmad , Hosseini Seyed Nezamedin , Aghasadeghi Mohammad Reza , Norouzian Dariush
Published: August 2019

BACKGROUND

In recent decades, artificial neural network (ANN) has been shown to be a robust and promising tool in monitoring and controlling bioprocess systems. In a previous study, the authors designed a highly accurate and precise recurrent neural network (RNN) for predicting the biomass amount of recombinant Pichia pastoris Mut+ producing intracellular hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) during fed‐batch methanol fermentation. In the current work, the aim was to compare the production efficiency of HBsAg between conventional predefined μ‐stat methanol feeding control (open‐loop control) – already established in large‐scale production – and methanol feeding based on a μ‐stat feedback control system using RNN. For this purpose, for each methanol feeding strategy, bench‐scale, fed‐batch fermentation processes were carried out twice.

RESULTS

According to the results, in contrast to the established μ‐stat predefined feeding strategy (open‐loop), the deviation of specific growth rate and biomass in μ‐stat feedback control based on RNN was negligible. Also, in the suggested methanol feeding control strategy, the HBsAg titer, specific productivity and yield between the performed fed‐batch fermentations – unlike the conventional method – were approximately identical, with average values of 110.8 μg mL−1, 1.52 μg g−1 dry biomass and 0.34 μg g−1 MeOH respectively.

CONCLUSION

Comparing the biomass growth pattern and HBsAg production efficiency with the conventional μ‐stat predefined feeding in open‐loop control, the new proposed feeding control system illustrated significantly high process efficiency. This reliable control system based on ANN can have many applications in the biopharmaceutical industry for the control of process key parameters as well as for enhancing process efficiency. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Twenty‐year results after connective tissue grafts and guided tissue regeneration for root coverage
Authors: Petsos Hari , Eickholz Peter , Ratka‐Krüger Petra , Neukranz Erik , Nickles Katrin
Published: August 2019

Background

Evaluation of clinical long‐term results 20 years after connective tissue grafting (CTG) or guided tissue regeneration (GTR) using bioabsorbable barriers for root coverage therapy.

Methods

Initially, 15 patients with 38 Miller Class I and II recession defects underwent CTG or GTR according to random assignment. At baseline, 3, 120 ± 12, and 240 ± 12 months after surgery, data on probing depth, clinical attachment level, recession depth and width, amount of keratinized tissue, and bleeding on probing were obtained. Additionally, patients’ smoking habits and participation in supportive periodontal therapy were investigated.

Results

Eight patients contributing 23 recessions were available at the 240 ± 12 months follow‐up. Three and 120 ± 12 months after therapy with CTG, significantly better root coverage was observed compared with baseline (3 months: 3.01 ± 1.74 mm; P = 0.003; 120 ± 12 months: 2.11 ± 1.86 mm; P < 0.024). GTR resulted in significantly better root coverage compared with baseline after 3 months (2.25 ± 1.89 mm; P < 0.012). Although there were no significant changes in the recession depth between 3 and 240 ± 12 months in both groups (CTG: P = 0.097; GTR: P = 0.190), 1.57 ± 2.12 mm (CTG) and 1.19 ± 2.31 mm (GTR) of the achieved coverage after 3 months were lost. CTG showed significantly better relative root coverage percentage than GTR after 3 (P = 0.026) and 120 (P = 0.038) months. This study failed to detect a significant difference in the stability of root coverage after 240 ± 12 months between CTG and GTR (P = 0.448) and patients’ assessments of their treatment outcomes (P = 0.503).

Conclusion

Long‐term stability of root coverage and patient‐perceived esthetic outcomes failed to show significant differences between CTG and GTR at 20 years post‐surgery.