bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building an implicit change leadership theory
Authors: Magsaysay Jowett F. , Hechanova Ma. Regina M.
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a model for implicit change leadership theory (ICLT) and to explore its relationship with perceived effectiveness of change management (CM).

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a mixed-methods design. It used a qualitative approach to identify schemas on the traits and behaviors of an ideal leader and schemas on what constitute effective CM. A quantitative approach was followed to test the conceptual model.

Findings

The study suggests five competencies of ideal change leaders: strategic and technical competencies, execution competencies, social competencies, character, and resilience. Together, these five competencies comprise an ICLT. Moreover, schema congruence correlates with perceived effectiveness of CM. The closer the congruence between subordinates’ ideal change leader and their actual change leader, the greater the perceived effectiveness of CM.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to employees in the Philippines. It is thus suggested that data gathering in other populations be conducted to allow for generalizability of results. The research was cross-sectional in design, that limits causal explanations. Longitudinal studies examining perceptions and attitudes during and after the implementation of change could provide more robust evidence of the relationships between schemas and perceptions of change.

Practical implications

The results suggest that to increase the chances of success of their change initiatives, organizations could consider leadership development interventions that could enhance the competencies of their leaders in the implicit change leadership constructs. Organizations also need to consider employee schemas of effective CM when implementing change.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this paper is to expand implicit leadership theory by applying it to a specific leadership context, that of organizational change, and to derive an ICLT.
Leader-member exchange and the transfer of knowledge from Taiwanese managers to their Chinese subordinates
Authors: Cheng Shih Yu (Cheryl)
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships among leader-member exchange (LMX) quality, social interaction, and the effectiveness of knowledge transfer.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a paired questionnaire to collect 209 valid sets of paired data, consisting of responses from 37 Taiwanese supervisors and their 209 Chinese subordinates at 35 Taiwanese manufacturing firms located in Mainland China. The proposed hypotheses were tested with the application of a two-step approach of PLS-SEM analysis.

Findings

The results of this study showed that LMX quality and social interaction are positively associated with effective knowledge transfer, and most importantly, it found that social interaction between Taiwanese managers and their subordinates has a full mediating effect on this relationship.

Research limitations/implications

The data were collected from a dyad supervisor-subordinate relationship; thus, future research is encouraged to collect data from peer co-worker relationships. The findings, however, suggested that organizations should provide a supportive environment where a good supervisor-subordinate relationship can be created for the enhancement of knowledge transfer.

Practical implications

The study suggested that managers should work to develop high-quality LMX relationships with their subordinates, as this can enhance social interaction among employees and facilitate more effective knowledge transfer.

Originality/value

The paper applied a four-level training evaluation model to assess the effectiveness of knowledge transfer which has never been done before, and found that both LMX quality and social interaction affect how well individuals can acquire knowledge.
Retinal vascular injuries and intravitreal human embryonic stem cell‐derived haemangioblasts
Authors: Wang Jin‐Da , An Ying , Zhang Jing‐Shang , Wan Xiu‐Hua , Zhang Wei , Lanza Robert , Lu Shi‐Jiang , Jonas Jost B. , Xu Liang
Published: June 2017

Objective

To investigate whether intravitreally applied haemangioblasts (HB) derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are helpful for the repair of vascular damage caused in animals by an oxygen‐induced retinopathy (OIR), by an induced diabetic retinopathy (DR) or by an induced retinal ischaemia with subsequent reperfusion.

Methods

Human embryonic stem cell‐derived HBs were transplanted intravitreally into C57BL/6J mice (OIR model), into male Wistar rats with an induced DR and into male Wistar rats undergoing induced retinal ischaemia with subsequent reperfusion. Control groups of animals received an intravitreal injection of endothelial cells (ECs) or phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS). We examined the vasculature integrity in the mice with OIR, the blood–retina barrier in the rats with induced DR, and retinal thickness and retinal ganglion cell density in retina flat mounts of the rats with the retinal ischaemic–reperfusion retinopathy.

Results

In the OIR model, the study group versus control groups showed a significantly (p < 0.001) smaller retinal avascular area [5.1 ± 2.7%;n = 18 animals versus 12.2 ± 2.8% (PBS group; n = 10 animals) and versus 11.8 ± 3.7% (EC group; n = 8 animals)] and less retinal neovascularization [6.3 ± 2.5%;n = 18 versus 15.2 ± 6.3% (n = 10; PBS group) and versus 15.8 ± 3.3% (n = 8; EC group)]. On retinal flat mounts, hESC‐HBs were integrated into damaged retinal vessels and stained positive for PECAM (CD31) as EC marker. In the DR model, the study group versus the EC control group showed a significantly (p = 0.001) better blood–retina barrier function as measured at 2 days after the intravitreal injections [study group: 20.2 ± 12.8 μl/(g × hr); n = 6; versus EC control group: 52.9 ± 9.9 μl/(g × hr; n = 6)]. In the retinal ischaemia–reperfusion model, the groups did not differ significantly in retinal thickness and retinal ganglion cell density at 2, 5 and 7 days after baseline.

Conclusion

By integrating into damaged retinal vessels and differentiating into ECs, intravitreally administered hESC‐HBs may have partially repaired a retinal vascular injury caused by OIR model and DR.
A novel double nucleotide variant in the ferritin‐L iron‐responsive element in a Finnish patient with hereditary hyperferritinaemia‐cataract syndrome
Authors: Mattila Roosa‐Maria , Sainio Annele , Järveläinen Marketta , Pursiheimo Juha , Järveläinen Hannu
Published: June 2017

Purpose

To present a novel Finnish double nucleotide variant in the iron‐responsive element (IRE) of the ferritin L‐chain gene (FTL) leading to hyperferritinaemia‐cataract syndrome (HHCS).

Methods

Genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood leucocytes and synthetized with three different primers flanking the IRE in the FTL 5′‐untranslated region of the FTL was used in polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Thereafter, Sanger sequencing was performed on the 487‐bp and 602‐bp PCR amplification products with specific primers to reveal FTL IRE mutations.

Results

A 58‐year‐old female patient with elevated serum ferritin level (1339 μg/l) was diagnosed with HHCS after extensive workup. Genetic testing identified a novel double point mutation g.48965355G>C (chr19, hg19) and g.48965356G>T (chr19, hg19) in the lower stem region of the IRE canonical structure of the FTL.

Conclusion

After excluding other causes, elevated serum ferritin level in a person with early onset cataract is indicative for HHCS, a genetic disorder caused by mutation in the IRE of the FTL.
Recombinant human serum albumin for corneal preservation
Authors: Parekh Mohit , Elbadawy Hossein , Salvalaio Gianni , Amoureux Marie‐Claude , Di Iorio Enzo , Fortier Denis , Ponzin Diego , Ferrari Stefano , Ruzza Alessandro
Published: June 2017

Purpose

To study the performance of a completely synthetic organ culture (OC) preservation system containing recombinant human serum albumin (rHSA) for preservation of human donor corneas.

Methods

Twenty‐four paired donor corneas were randomly collected, and one cornea from each donor was preserved in synthetic (experimental) and serum‐based media (control). The tissues were assessed at day 0; after 6 days of preservation at room temperature (RT) in Cornea Trans® and Cornea Prep II®; after 28 days at 31°C in Cornea Syn® [with rHSA] and Cornea Max® [with foetal calf serum (FCS)] and; 4‐day post deswelling in Cornea Trans® and Cornea Jet®. Thickness was determined with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and transparency with a validated, custom device. Morphology, endothelial cell density (ECD) and mortality were observed after treating the tissues with Trypan blue and sucrose. Glucose uptake by the cells was analysed. Data were compared using non‐parametric paired Wilcoxon tests with p < 0.05 deemed significant. Histology using periodic acid‐schiff (PAS), expressions of p63, CK12, αSMA and ZO‐1 were analysed, and cell apoptosis postpreservation was studied.

Results

Corneas stored in synthetic media showed a higher and statistically significant value as compared to serum‐based media in terms of viable endothelial cell density (VECD), mortality, morphology and glucose uptake postpreservation. Histology showed presence of all the layers, all the markers were expressed, and no apoptosis was observed in either media.

Conclusion

The new synthetic preservation system containing rHSA (and other confidential constituents) showed better preservation effects than traditional media containing serum.
Assessing the conservation value of secondary savanna for large mammals in the Brazilian Cerrado
Authors: Ferreira Guilherme B. , Ahumada Jorge A. , Oliveira Marcelo J. R. , de Pinho Fernando F. , Barata Izabela M. , Carbone Chris , Collen Ben
Published: June 2017

Debate about the conservation value of secondary habitats has tended to focus on tropical forests, increasingly recognizing the role of secondary forests for biodiversity conservation. However, there remains a lack of information about the conservation value of secondary savannas. Here, we conducted a camera trap survey to assess the effect of secondary vegetation on large mammals in a Brazilian Cerrado protected area, using a single‐season occupancy framework to investigate the response of individual species (species‐level models) and of all species combined (community‐level models). In addition, we investigated the cost effectiveness of different sampling designs to monitor globally threatened species in the study area. At the community level, savanna that regenerated from eucalyptus plantation had similar occupancy estimate as old growth areas. At the species level, none of the ten species individually assessed seemed to respond to succession stage, with greater support for the effect of other covariates on occupancy, such as distance from water and vegetation physiognomy. These results demonstrate that secondary vegetation does not appear to negatively impact large mammals in the study area and suggest that, given a favorable context, Cerrado mammals can recolonize and use secondary savannas that regenerated from clearcut. However, our study area should be considered a best‐case scenario, as it retained key ecological attributes of high‐value secondary habitats. Our simulations showed that a sampling design with 60 camera trap sites surveyed during nine occasions is appropriate to monitor most globally threatened species in the study area, and could be a useful starting point for new monitoring initiatives in other Cerrado areas.
Protected areas buffer the Brazilian semi‐arid biome from climate change
Authors: Acosta Salvatierra Luis H. , Ladle Richard J. , Barbosa Humberto , Correia Ricardo A. , Malhado Ana C. M.
Published: June 2017

The Caatinga is a botanically unique semi‐arid ecosystem in northeast Brazil whose vegetation is adapted to the periodic droughts that characterize this region. However, recent extreme droughts events caused by anthropogenic climate change have challenged its ecological resilience. Here, we evaluate how deforestation and protection status affect the response of the Caatinga vegetation to drought. Specifically, we compared vegetation responses to drought in natural and deforested areas as well as inside and outside protected areas, using a time‐series of satellite‐derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and climatic data for 2008–2013. We observed a strong effect of deforestation and land protection on overall vegetation productivity and in productivity dynamics in response to precipitation. Overall, deforested areas had significantly lower NDVI and delayed greening in response to precipitation. By contrast, strictly protected areas had higher productivity and considerable resilience to low levels of precipitation, when compared to sustainable use or unprotected areas. These results highlight the importance of protected areas in protecting ecosystem processes and native vegetation in the Caatinga against the negative effects of climate change and deforestation. Given the extremely small area of the Caatinga currently under strict protection, the creation of new conservation areas must be a priority to ensure the sustainability of ecological processes and to avoid further desertification.
Critical role of glioma‐associated oncogene homolog 1 in maintaining invasive and mesenchymal‐like properties of melanoma cells
Authors: Gunarta I Ketut , Li Rong , Nakazato Ryota , Suzuki Ryusuke , Boldbaatar Jambaldorj , Suzuki Takeshi , Yoshioka Katsuji
Published: June 2017

Cutaneous melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer. This aggressiveness appears to be due to the cancer cells' ability to reversibly switch between phenotypes with non‐invasive and invasive potential, and microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF) is known to play a central role in this process. The transcription factor glioma‐associated oncogene homolog 1 (GLI1) is a component of the canonical and noncanonical sonic hedgehog pathways. Although GLI1 has been suggested to be involved in melanoma progression, its precise role and the mechanism underlying invasion remain unclear. Here we investigated whether and how GLI1 is involved in the invasive ability of melanoma cells. Gli1 knockdown (KD) melanoma cell lines, established by using Gli1‐targeting lentiviral short hairpin RNA, exhibited a markedly reduced invasion ability, but their MITF expression and activity were the same as controls. Gli1 KD melanoma cells also led to less lung metastasis in mice compared with control melanoma cells. Furthermore, the Gli1 KD melanoma cells underwent a mesenchymal‐to‐epithelial‐like transition, accompanied by downregulation of the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐inducing transcription factors (EMT‐TF) Snail1, Zeb1 and Twist1, but not Snail2 or Zeb2. Collectively, these results indicate that GLI1 is important for maintaining the invasive and mesenchymal‐like properties of melanoma cells independent of MITF, most likely by modulating a subset of EMT‐TF. Our findings provide new insight into how heterogeneity and plasticity are achieved and regulated in melanoma.
Discovery of alkyl bis(oxy)dibenzimidamide derivatives as novel protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) inhibitors
Authors: Zhang Wei‐yao , Lu Wen‐chao , Jiang Hao , Lv Zheng‐bing , Xie Yi‐qian , Lian Fu‐lin , Liang Zhong‐jie , Jiang Yu‐xi , Wang Da‐jin , Luo Cheng , Jin Jia , Ye Fei
Published: June 2017

Protein arginine methylation, a post‐translational modification critical for a variety of biological processes, is catalyzed by protein arginine N‐methyltransferases (PRMTs). In particular, PRMT1 is responsible for over 85% of the arginine methylation in mammalian cells. Dysregulation of PRMT1 is involved in diverse pathological diseases including cancers. However, most current PRMT1 inhibitors are lack of specificity, efficacy, and bioavailability. Herein, a series of alkyl bis(oxy)dibenzimidamide derivatives were identified as selective PRMT1 inhibitors. Among them, the most potent compound corresponds to hexamidine (IC50 = 5.9 ± 1.7 μm), which is an antimicrobial agent. The binding between hexamidine and PRMT1 was further validated by thermal shift assays and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. Molecular docking and NMR assays indicated that hexamidine occupied the substrate binding pocket. Furthermore, hexamidine effectively blocked cell proliferation in cancer cell lines related to PRMT1 overexpression. Taken together, this study has provided a druggable scaffold targeting PRMT1 as well as a new way to repurpose old drugs which is a complementary tool for the discovery of new lead compounds.
Aryl‐ and heteroaryl‐substituted phenylalanines as AMPA receptor ligands
Authors: Szymańska Ewa , Chałupnik Paulina , Johansen Tommy N. , Nielsen Birgitte , Cuñado Moral Ana Maria , Pickering Darryl S. , Więckowska Anna , Kieć‐Kononowicz Katarzyna
Published: June 2017

A series of racemic unnatural amino acids was rationally designed on the basis of recently published X‐ray structures of the GluA2 LBD with bound phenylalanine‐based antagonists. Twelve new diaryl‐ or aryl/heteroaryl‐substituted phenylalanine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated in vitro in radioligand binding assays at native rat ionotropic glutamate receptors. The most interesting compound in this series, (RS)‐2‐amino‐3‐(3′‐hydroxy‐5‐(1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐3‐yl)propanoic acid 7e, showed the binding affinity of 4.6 μm for native AMPA receptors and over fourfold lower affinity for kainic acid receptors. Furthermore, 7e was evaluated at recombinant homomeric rat GluA2 and GluA3 receptors. Recently reported X‐ray structures 5CBR and 5CBS, representing two distinct antagonist binding modes, were used as templates for molecular docking of the synthesized series. Binding data supported with molecular modeling confirmed that aryl/heteroaryl‐substituted phenylalanine analogues effectively bind to AMPA receptors with low micromolar affinity and high selectivity over native NMDA and kainate receptors. These properties make 7e a promising lead for the further development of new AMPA receptor ligands.
Discovery of two bombinin peptides with antimicrobial and anticancer activities from the skin secretion of Oriental fire‐bellied toad, Bombina orientalis
Authors: Zhou Chang , Wang Zhengming , Peng Xin , Liu Yao , Lin Yangjun , Zhang Zhe , Qiu Yuling , Jin Meihua , Wang Ran , Kong Dexin
Published: June 2017

Amphibian skin secretions are known to contain numerous peptides with a large array of biological activities. Bombinins are a group of amphibian‐derived peptides with broad spectrum antimicrobial activities that have been only identified from the ancient toad species, Bombina. In this study, we described the identification and characterization of a novel bombinin precursor which encoded a bombinin‐like peptide (BLP‐7) and a novel bombinin H‐type peptide (named as Bombinin H‐BO) from the skin secretion of Oriental fire‐bellied toad, Bombina orientalis. The primary structures of both mature peptides were determined by combinations of molecular cloning of peptide precursor‐encoding cDNAs and mass spectrometry techniques. Secondary structure prediction revealed that both peptides had cationic amphipathic α‐helical structural features. The synthetic replicate of BLP‐7 displayed more potent antimicrobial activity than Bombinin H‐BO against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria and yeast. Also, in vitro antitumour assay showed that both peptides possessed obvious antiproliferative activity on three human hepatoma cells (Hep G2/SK‐HEP‐1/Huh7) at the non‐toxic doses. These results indicate the peptide family of bombinins could be a potential source of drug candidates for anti‐infection and anticancer therapy.
Role of positively charged residues on the polar and non‐polar faces of amphipathic α‐helical antimicrobial peptides on specificity and selectivity for Gram‐negative pathogens
Authors: Jiang Ziqing , Mant Colin T. , Vasil Michael , Hodges Robert S.
Published: June 2017

We have designed de novo and synthesized eight 26‐residue all D‐conformation amphipathic α‐helical cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), four with “specificity determinants” which provide specificity for prokaryotic cells over eukaryotic cells and four AMPs without specificity determinants. The eight AMPs contain six positively charged Lys residues on the polar face in four different arrangements to understand the role of these residues have on antimicrobial activity against 14 Acinetobacter baumannii strains, seven of which were resistant to polymyxin B and colistin; six diverse Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains and 17 Staphylococcus aureus strains, nine of which were methicillin‐sensitive, and eight of which were methicillin‐resistant. The four AMPs without specificity determinants are extremely hemolytic. In contrast, the four AMPs with specificity determinants had dramatic improvements in therapeutic indices showing the importance of specificity determinants in removing eukaryotic cell toxicity. The specificity determinants combined with the location of positively charged residues on the polar face provide Gram‐negative pathogen selectivity between A. baumannii and S. aureus. Specificity determinants maintain excellent antimicrobial activity in the presence of human sera, whereas the AMPs without specificity determinants were inactive. This study clearly shows the potential of amphipathic α‐helical AMPs with specificity determinants as therapeutics to replace existing antibiotics.
Long noncoding RNA and its contribution to autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Tang Jie , Yu Yizhen , Yang Wei
Published: June 2017

Recent studies have indicated that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in multiple processes, such as epigenetic regulation, gene expression regulation, development, nutrition‐related and other diseases, toxic response, and response to drugs. Although the functional roles and mechanisms of several lncRNAs have been discovered, a better understanding of the vast majority of lncRNAs remains elusive. To understand the functional roles and mechanisms of lncRNAs is critical because these transcripts represent the majority of the transcriptional output of the mammalian genome. Recent studies have also suggested that lncRNAs are more abundant in the human brain and are involved in neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). In this study, we review several known functions of lncRNAs and the potential contribution of lncRNAs to ASDs and to other genetic syndromes that have a similar clinical presentation to ASDs, such as fragile X syndrome and Rett syndrome.
Synthesis and application to cotton of a polymeric black colorant prepared by grafting of reactive dyes to polyvinylamine
Authors: Yang Jingjing , Li Jian , Teng Xiaoxu
Published: June 2017

A novel polymeric black dye was synthesised by grafting yellow, orange, red, and blue reactive dyes onto polyvinylamine. Such a polymeric black dye takes the onus away from dyers to worry about the compatibility of individual dyes. The polymeric black dye was characterised by Fourier transform infrared, ultraviolet‐visible, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The absorption of the polymeric black dye in aqueous solution was nearly constant across the wavelength range 400–700 nm. Compared with a black mixture of reactive dyes with low fixation on cotton, which was prepared by mixing yellow, orange, red, and blue reactive dyes, the polymeric black dye reached 99% fixation on cotton through the use of a crosslinking agent. The colorimetric properties of cotton dyed with the polymeric black dye and with the black mixture of reactive dyes showed that better blackness can be obtained by using the polymeric black dye. Analysis of the thermal stability and penetration ability of the polymeric black dye showed that the polymeric dye has high stability in the application and a uniform distributution in the cotton fabric.
Live imaging of X chromosome inactivation and reactivation dynamics
Authors: Kobayashi Shin
Published: June 2017

The epigenetic phenomenon called X chromosome inactivation plays critical roles in female development in eutherian mammals, and has attracted attention in the fields of developmental biology and regenerative biology in efforts to understand the pluripotency of stem cells. X chromosome inactivation is routinely studied after cell fixation, but live imaging is increasingly being required to improve our understanding of the dynamics and kinetics of X chromosome inactivation and reactivation processes. Here, we describe our live imaging method to monitor the epigenetic status of X chromosomes using a gene knock‐in mouse strain named “Momiji” and give an overview of the application of this strain as a resource for biological and stem cell research.
Comparison of different insulin pump makes under routine care conditions in adults with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Leelarathna L. , Roberts S. A. , Hindle A. , Markakis K. , Alam T. , Chapman A. , Morris J. , Urwin A. , Jinadev P. , Rutter M. K.
Published: June 2017

Aims

To compare long‐term HbA1c changes associated with different insulin pumps during routine care in a large cohort of adults with Type 1 diabetes representative of other clinic populations.

Methods

Observational, retrospective study of 508 individuals starting pump therapy between 1999 and 2014 (mean age, 40 years; 55% women; diabetes duration, 20 years; 94% Type 1 diabetes; median follow‐up, 3.7 years). Mixed linear models compared covariate‐adjusted HbA1c changes associated with different pump makes.

Results

The pumps compared were: 50% Medtronic, 24% Omnipod, 14% Roche and 12% Animas. Overall HbA1c levels improved and improvements were maintained during a follow‐up extending to 10 years (HbA1c: pre‐continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (pre‐CSII) vs. 12 months post CSII, 71 (61, 82) vs. 66 (56, 74) mmol/mol; 8.7 (7.7, 9.6) vs. 8.2 (7.3, 8.9)%; P < 0.0001). The percentage of individuals with HbA1c ≥ 64 mmol/mol (8.0%) reduced from a pre‐CSII level of 68% to 55%. After adjusting for baseline confounders, there were no between‐pump differences in HbA1c lowering (P = 0.44), including a comparison of patch pumps with traditional catheter pumps (P = 0.63). There were no significant (P < 0.05) between‐pump differences in HbA1c lowering in pre‐specified subgroups stratified by pre‐pump HbA1c, age or diabetes duration. HbA1c lowering was positively related to baseline HbA1c (P < 0.001) and diabetes duration (P = 0.017), and negatively related to the number of years of CSII use (P = 0.024).

Conclusions

Under routine care conditions, there were no covariate‐adjusted differences in HbA1c lowering when comparing different pump makes, including a comparison of patch pumps vs. traditional catheter pumps. Therefore, the choice of CSII make should not be influenced by the desired degree of HbA1c lowering.
Do different characteristics of two emasculators make a difference in equine castration?
Authors: Comino F. , Giusto G. , Caramello V. , Gandini M.
Published: June 2017

Background

The Serra and Reimer emasculators are frequently used in equine orchiectomy. They differ in jaw profile and the mechanism by which they achieve haemostasis.

Objectives

To investigate whether the haemostatic capacities of the Reimer and Serra emasculators in open and closed castration differ, to compare the haemostatic capacities of each emasculator in both open and closed castration, and to assess whether the tensile strength of the parietal tunic in closed castration differs according to whether a Reimer or Serra emasculator is used.

Study design

Ex vivo randomised study.

Methods

Eighty equine cadaver testes were randomly assigned to two groups for, respectively, open and closed castration. Each group was divided into two subgroups for castration with a Serra or Reimer castrator, respectively. Testicular artery leaking pressure was measured by dye injection. In closed castration, the tensile strength of the parietal tunic was measured with a tensiometer.

Results

In open castration, the Reimer emasculator resisted significantly higher pressure (median: 706.1 mmHg; interquartile range [IQR]: 597.6–735.5 mmHg) than the Serra emasculator (median: 349.4 mmHg; IQR: 261.1–468.9 mmHg) (P<0.001), whereas no difference was found in closed castration (Serra emasculator, median: 382.5 mmHg [IQR: 294.2–568.2 mmHg]; Reimer emasculator, median: 419.2 mmHg [IQR: 294.2–616.0 mmHg]). The Reimer emasculator resisted significantly higher pressure in the open (median: 706.1 mmHg; IQR: 597.6–735.5 mmHg) compared with the closed (median: 419.2 mmHg; IQR: 294.2–616.0 mmHg) technique (P = 0.03). Parietal tunic tensile strength did not differ significantly by emasculator (mean ± s.d.: Serra, 12.65 ± 7.35; Reimer, 17.55 ± 11.76).

Main limitations

Limitations are inherent to the ex vivo study design. Post‐surgery implications were investigated only in the short term and no account was taken of tissue inflammation and oedema, which may influence the integrity of the tissue.

Conclusions

These results suggest it may be preferable to use a Reimer emasculator in open castration. In this ex vivo model of closed castration, no differences between the emasculators were observed.
Berberine ameliorates collagen‐induced arthritis in rats by suppressing Th17 cell responses via inducing cortistatin in the gut
Authors: Yue Mengfan , Xia Yufeng , Shi Can , Guan Chunge , Li Yunfan , Liu Rui , Wei Zhifeng , Dai Yue
Published: June 2017

Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, has been reported to ameliorate various autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis by oral administration. However, its mechanism remains mysterious due to an extremely low bioavailability. The fact that berberine readily accumulates in the gut, the largest endocrine organ in the body, attracted us to explore its anti‐arthritic mechanism in view of the induction of intestinal immunosuppressive neuropeptides. In this study, berberine (200 mg·kg−1, i.g.) was shown to ameliorate collagen‐induced arthritis in rats, which was manifested by the reduction of clinical signs and joint destruction, as well as marked down‐regulation of Th17 cell frequency and interleukin‐17 level in blood. In contrast, an intravenous injection of berberine failed to affect arthritis in rats, implying that its anti‐arthritic effect was gut‐dependent. Further studies revealed that oral berberine selectively elevated the levels of cortistatin, of five gut‐derived neuropeptides tested, in the intestines and sera of arthrititic rats. Antagonists of ghrelin/growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1 (a subtype of cortistatin receptor) almost completely abolished the ameliorative effect of berberine on arthritis and Th17 cell responses in rats. In vitro, berberine showed a moderate ability to promote the expression of cortistatin in nerve cells, which was strengthened when the nerve cells were cocultured with enteroendocrine cells to induce an autocrine/paracrine environment. In summary, oral berberine exerted anti‐arthritic effect through inhibiting the Th17 cell response, which was closely associated with the induction of cortistatin generation from gut through augmenting autocrine/paracrine action between enteric nerve cells and endocrine cells.
Dynamic response and microstructure evolution of the finite steel target subjected to high velocity impact by copper explosively formed projectile
Authors: Liu J.F. , Long Y. , Ji C. , Zhong M.S.
Published: June 2017

The dynamic deformation of the finite steel target subjected to high velocity impact of copper explosively formed projectile is investigated by optical, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. Morphology analysis of fracture surfaces indicates that the copper remainder plated to the crater wall shows extremely plastic deformation, which consists of elongated parabolic dimples, and the mild carbon steel target exhibits excellent brittle features that material fails mainly along the cleavage facets on the rear surface of target under strong impact of explosively formed projectile. In the surface of crater, the whole part of copper remainder and partial material of steel target undergoes completely dynamic recrystallization. The layer thickness of dynamic recrystallization zone, which displays an extreme plastic flow in solid state, is about 21.3 μm in steel target, and the average size of the refined grains significantly decreases to approximately 200 nm. Theoretically calculated results indicate that the temperature increase is associated with shock wave and plastic deformation of steel target and can reach 1352 K, which is 0.75Tm (where Tm is the melting temperature of steel target). The change in microhardness from the crater wall to the matrix of target is consistent with micro‐deformation of grains, and maximum microhardness is observed on the interface between dynamic recrystallization and severe plastic deformation zones of steel target.
Transient trade‐off between climate benefit and biodiversity loss of harvesting stumps for bioenergy
Authors: Snäll Tord , Johansson Victor , Jönsson Mari , Ortiz Carina , Hammar Torun , Caruso Alexandro , Svensson Måns , Stendahl Johan
Published: June 2017

To replace fossil fuel and thereby mitigate climate change, harvesting of wood such as stumps for bioenergy will likely increase. Coarse deadwood is an important resource for biodiversity and stumps comprise the main part of the coarse deadwood in managed forests. We provide the first integrated analysis of the long‐term climate and biodiversity impacts of a whole landscape. We simultaneously project climate and biodiversity impacts of harvesting stumps to substitute for fossil coal, assuming scenarios with different proportions of the landscape with stump harvest (10, 50, 80%) the coming 50 years. A life cycle approach was used to calculate future global temperature changes and future metapopulation changes in six epixylic lichens. Metapopulation dynamics were projected using colonization and extinction models based on times series data. Harvesting stumps from ≥50% of the clear‐cut forest land benefits climate with a net global temperature reduction >0.5·10−9 K ha−1 after 50 years if assuming substitution of fossil coal. For all scenarios, using stump bioenergy leads to immediate (within 1 year) reductions in temperature of 50% compared to using fossil coal, increasing to 70% reduction after 50 years. However, large‐scale stump harvest inflicted substantial metapopulation declines for five of six lichens. High stump harvest levels (≥50%) put common lichens at risk of becoming red‐listed following the IUCN criteria. The net temperature reduction (cooling effect) from substituting fossil coal with stumps harvested for bioenergy increased over time, while lichen metapopulations stabilized at lower equilibria after two to three decades. This indicates that trade‐offs between climate and metapopulations of commons species are transient, where climate benefits become more prevalent in the long term. As both objectives are important for meeting (inter‐)national climate and biodiversity targets, integrated analyses such as this should be encouraged and urged to guide policymaking about large‐scale implementation of stump harvest.
The financial and quality‐of‐life cost to patients living with a chronic wound in the community
Authors: Kapp Suzanne , Santamaria Nick
Published: June 2017

Chronic wounds are associated with financial and personal costs. The system level expense associated with chronic wounds has been established, however, the out‐of‐pocket cost incurred by individuals who self‐fund has not been the focus of extensive investigation. Recently, there has been renewed interest in evaluating quality of life, in line with the shift to patient enablement and self‐care in chronic disease management.

The objectives of this research were to describe the out‐of‐pocket wound treatment costs and the quality of life of people who have chronic wounds. A questionnaire incorporating the Cardiff Wound Impact Schedule and purpose‐designed instruments was completed by a non‐probability, convenience sample of 113 people in Australia and Wales. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics.

The sample was on average 63·6 years of age and had wounds that were on an average 109 weeks duration. Participants had spent on average AU$2475 on wound dressing products since the wound started, and AU$121·82 in the most recent 28 days which represented 10% of their disposable income. Health‐related quality of life was sub‐optimal, 6/10 (ave) according to the Cardiff Wound Impact Schedule. Younger participants reported significantly poorer quality of life on all CWIS sub‐scales when compared to older participants.

This study found that chronic wounds present a significant financial cost to individuals who must self‐fund their wound dressings and other wound treatment related expenses. Participants who had access to wound product subsidisation also experienced personal financial costs. People who have chronic wounds experience sub‐optimal quality of life therefore this condition is also costly to the individual's well‐being. The quality of life of younger people has not received adequate attention and requires further consideration given the many years that younger people may have to live with this debilitating and often recurrent condition.

Continued action is required to reduce the financial and personal costs experienced by people who have chronic wounds. It is imperative that healthcare funding is directed to people who have chronic wounds, in particular to alleviate the out‐of‐pocket costs experienced by self‐funders. Continued attention to the quality of life of people who have chronic wounds is required to minimise the negative effects of this condition and enhance well‐being.
2D photonic crystal layer assisted thiosilicate ceramic plate with red‐emitting film for high quality w‐LEDs
Authors: Dai Wubin , Lei Yifeng , Zhou Jia , Zhao Yan , Zheng Yunhao , Xu Man , Wang Shulin , Shen Fan
Published: June 2017

In this work, we have succeeded in obtaining high quality warm w‐light‐emitting‐diodes (LEDs) by adopting hybrid two‐dimensional (2D) structure of SiNx photonic crystal layer (PCL) assisted cyan‐emitting ceramic‐plate thiosilicate SrLa2Si2S8:Ce3+ with red‐emitting film SrLiAl3N4:Eu2+ phosphor on a 430 nm blue LED chip at 350 mA. 2D SiNx PCL was capped with thiosilicate is because it can enhance the luminous efficacy and maintain the low correlated color temperature (CCT) and high color‐rendering index (CRI). High luminous efficacy (82.3 lm/W), high special CRI (R9=75) as well as the low CCT (5431 K) of the optimal w‐LED was obtained due to the assistances of 2D SiNx PCL and narrow‐band red‐emitting phosphor with the doping percentage at 10 wt%. The synthesis processes, structural analysis, optical properties and LED device performances were detailed investigated to find out the relationship between the optimum composition and good optical properties. Based on intriguing luminescence properties by the 2D SiNx PCL and red‐emitting film phosphor introducing, we proclaim this method could also have high potential application in other phosphor‐converted w‐LEDs.
Risk stratification of patients with left atrial appendage thrombus prior to catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: An approach towards an individualized use of transesophageal echocardiography
Authors: Gunawardene Melanie A. , Dickow Jannis , Schaeffer Benjamin N. , Akbulak Ruken Ö. , Lemoine Marc D. , Nührich Jana M. , Jularic Mario , Sinning Christoph , Eickholt Christian , Meyer Christian , Moser Julia M. , Hoffmann Boris A. , Willems Stephan
Published: June 2017

Introduction

The need for transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) before catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (CA‐AF) is still being questioned. The aim of this study is to analyze patients’ (patients) risk factors of left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) prior to CA‐AF in daily clinical practice, according to oral anticoagulation (OAC) strategies recommended by current guidelines.

Methods and results

All patients scheduled for CA‐AF from 01/2015 to 12/2016 in our center were included and either treated with NOACs (novel‐OAC; paused 24‐hours preablation) or continuous vitamin K antagonists (INR 2.0–3.0). All patients received a preprocedural TEE at the day of ablation. Two groups were defined: (1) patients without LAAT, (2) patients with LAAT.

The incidence of LAAT was 0.78% (13 of 1,658 patients). No LAAT was detected in patients with a CHA2DS2‐VASc score of ≤1 (n = 640 patients) irrespective of the underlying AF type. Independent predictors for LAAT are: higher CHA2DS2‐VASc scores (odds ratio [OR] 1.54, 95%‐confidence interval [CI]: 1.07–2.23, P = 0.0019), a history of nonparoxysmal AF (OR 7.96, 95%‐CI: 1.52–146.64, P = 0.049), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM; OR 9.63, 95% CI: 1.36–43.05, P = 0.007), and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 30% (OR 8.32, 95% CI: 1.18–36.29, P = 0.011). The type of OAC was not predictive (P = 0.70).

Conclusions

The incidence of LAAT in patients scheduled for CA‐AF is low. Therefore, periprocedural OAC strategies recommended by current guidelines seem feasible. Preprocedural TEE may be dispensed in patients with a CHA2DS2‐VASc score ≤1. However, a CHA2DS2‐VASc score ≥2, reduced LVEF, HCM, or history of nonparoxysmal AF are independently associated with an increased risk for LAAT.
Functional Impairment: An Unmeasured Marker of Medicare Costs for Postacute Care of Older Adults
Authors: Greysen S. Ryan , Stijacic Cenzer Irena , Boscardin W. John , Covinsky Kenneth E.
Published: June 2017

Objectives

To assess the effects of preadmission functional impairment on Medicare costs of postacute care up to 365 days after hospital discharge.

Design

Longitudinal cohort study.

Setting

Health and Retirement Study (HRS).

Participants

Nationally representative sample of 16,673 Medicare hospitalizations of 8,559 community‐dwelling older adults from 2000 to 2012.

Measurements

The main outcome was total Medicare costs in the year after hospital discharge, assessed according to Medicare claims data. The main predictor was functional impairment (level of difficulty or dependence in activities of daily living (ADLs)), determined from HRS interview preceding hospitalization. Multivariable linear regression was performed, adjusted for age, race, sex, income, net worth, and comorbidities, with clustering at the individual level to characterize the association between functional impairment and costs of postacute care.

Results

Unadjusted mean Medicare costs for 1 year after discharge increased with severity of impairment in a dose‐response fashion (P < .001 for trend); 68% had no functional impairment ($25,931), 17% had difficulty with one ADL ($32,501), 7% had dependency in one ADL ($39,928), and 8% had dependency in two or more ADLs ($45,895). The most severely impaired participants cost 77% more than those with no impairment; adjusted analyses showed attenuated effect size (33% more) but no change in trend. Considering costs attributable to comorbidities, only three conditions were more expensive than severe functional impairment (lymphoma, metastatic cancer, paralysis).

Conclusion

Functional impairment is associated with greater Medicare costs for postacute care and may be an unmeasured but important marker of long‐term costs that cuts across conditions.
Protracted thrusting followed by late rapid cooling of the Greater Himalayan Sequence, Annapurna Himalaya, Central Nepal: Insights from titanite petrochronology
Authors: Walters Jesse B. , Kohn Matthew J.
Published: June 2017

The Greater Himalayan Sequence (GHS) has commonly been treated as a large coherently deforming high‐grade tectonic package, exhumed primarily by simultaneous thrust‐ and normal‐sense shearing on its bounding structures and erosion along its frontal exposure. A new paradigm, developed over the past decade, suggests that the GHS is not a single high‐grade lithotectonic unit, but consists of in‐sequence thrust sheets. In this study, we examine this concept in central Nepal by integrating temperature–time (T–t) paths, based on coupled Zr‐in‐titanite thermometry and U–Pb geochronology for upper GHS calcsilicates, with traditional thermobarometry, textural relationships and field mapping. Peak Zr‐in‐titanite temperatures are 760–850°C at 10–13 kbar, and U–Pb ages of titanite range from c. 30 to c. 15 Ma. Sector zoning of Zr and distribution of U–Pb ages within titanite suggest that diffusion rates of Zr and Pb are slower than experimentally determined rates, and these systems remain unaffected into the lower granulite facies. Two types of T–t paths occur across the Chame Shear Zone (CSZ). Between c. 25 and 17–16 Ma, hangingwall rocks cool at rates of 1–10°C/Ma, while footwall rocks heat at rates of 1–10°C/Ma. Over the same interval, temperatures increase structurally upwards through the hangingwall, but by 17–16 Ma temperatures converge. In contrast, temperatures decrease upwards in footwall rocks at all times. While the footwall is interpreted as an intact, structurally upright section, the thermometric inversion within the hangingwall suggests thrusting of hotter rocks over colder from c. 25 to c. 17–16 Ma. Retrograde hydration that is restricted to the hangingwall, and a lithological repetition of orthogneiss are consistent with thrust‐sense shear on the CSZ. The CSZ is structurally higher than previously identified intra‐GHS thrusts in central Nepal, and thrusting duration was 3–6 Ma longer than proposed for other intra‐GHS thrusts in this region. Cooling rates for both the hangingwall and footwall of the CSZ are comparable to or faster than rates for other intra‐GHS thrust sheets in Nepal. The overlap in high‐T titanite U–Pb ages and previously published muscovite 40Ar/39Ar cooling ages imply cooling rates for the hangingwall of ≥200°C/Ma after thrusting. Causes of rapid cooling include passive exhumation driven by a combination of duplexing in the Lesser Himalayan Sequence, and juxtaposition of cooler rocks on top of the GHS by the STDS. Normal‐sense displacement does not appear to affect T–t paths for rocks immediately below the STDS prior to 17–16 Ma.
Assessing inhibitory control in early‐stage Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease using the Hayling Sentence Completion Test
Authors: Martyr Anthony , Boycheva Elina , Kudlicka Aleksandra
Published: June 2017

The ability to inhibit irrelevant information is essential for coping with the demands of everyday life. Inhibitory deficits are present in all stages of dementia and commonly observed in people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD). Inhibition is frequently tested with the Stroop test, but this may lack ecological validity. This study investigates inhibitory control in people with Alzheimer's disease dementia (PwD) and PwPD using the Hayling Sentence Completion Test (HSCT), which aspires to be a more ecologically valid task. A total of 117 people completed the HSCT, a test where participants have to complete a sentence with an unrelated word. The sample comprised 30 PwD, 33 PwPD, and 54 healthy older controls. We compared response times and the number and type of errors across the three groups. Completion time in Part B (Inhibition) did not distinguish between PwD, PwPD, and controls when controlling for the initiation speed, but a higher proportion of Category A errors (producing a word that fits the sentence when instructed otherwise) was a unique characteristic of inferior performance in PwD and PwPD. While not part of the standard test scoring protocol, controlling for the initiation speed and distinguishing between speed and accuracy in test performance appear to be essential for accurate evaluation of the inhibitory control in HSCT in older people. The findings suggest that the HSCT may be sensitive to verbal suppression deficits and may provide insight into inhibitory control in PwD and PwPD.