bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship With the Father of the Baby and Perceived Stress Among Black Women
Authors: Eboh Relicious N. , Giurgescu Carmen , Misra Dawn P.
Published: June 2018

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the relationship with the father of the baby was related to psychological stress among Black women.

Methods:

This is a secondary analysis of data derived from a retrospective cohort study of 1,410 Black new mothers participating in the Life-course Influences on Fetal Environments (LIFE) study conducted in the Detroit Metropolitan area. Data were obtained from maternal interview and medical records abstraction. Perceived stress was measured by the Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale. The mother's relationship with the father of the baby before and after pregnancy was measured using two questions.

Results:

Women who reported sometimes close/sometimes distant relationship with the father of the baby prior to pregnancy had higher levels of perceived stress compared with women who reported close relationship with the father of the baby prior to pregnancy (38.73 and 35.10, respectively, p < .001). Women who reported current distant relationship (38.82 and 34.45, respectively, p < .001) and sometimes close/sometimes distant relationship (38.83 and 34.45, respectively, p < .001) reported higher levels of perceived stress compared with women who had current close relationship with the father of the baby.

Clinical Implications:

Women who reported to have a close relationship with the father of the baby before and during the pregnancy reported lower levels of stress compared with women with a distant relationship with the father of the baby. Nurses should assess women's relationship with the father of the baby and their levels of stress.
Improvement During Inpatient Rehabilitation Among Older Adults With Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson Disease, and Stroke
Authors: Andrews A. Williams , Middleton Addie
Published: June 2018

Objective

The aim of the study was to quantify the improvement in independence experienced by patients with the following diagnoses: Guillain-Barré syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, and stroke after inpatient rehabilitation.

Design

Subjects who were admitted to inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in 2012–2013 with an incident diagnosis of the following: Guillain-Barré syndrome (n = 1079), multiple sclerosis (n = 1438), Parkinson disease (n = 11,834), or stroke (n = 131,313), were included. The main outcome measure was improvement in Functional Independence Measure scores on self-care, mobility, and cognition during inpatient rehabilitation. We estimated percent improvement from a linear mixed-effects model adjusted for patients' age, sex, race/ethnicity, comorbidity count, diagnostic group (Guillain-Barré syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, and stroke), and admission score.

Results

All patient diagnostic groups receiving inpatient rehabilitation improved across all three domains. The largest adjusted percent improvements were observed in the mobility domain and the smallest in the cognition domain for all groups. Percent improvement in mobility ranged from 84.9% (multiple sclerosis) to 144.0% (Guillain-Barré syndrome), self-care from 49.5% (multiple sclerosis) to 84.1% (Guillain-Barré syndrome), and cognition from 34.0% (Parkinson disease) to 51.7% (Guillain-Barré syndrome). Patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome demonstrated the greatest percent improvement across all three domains.

Conclusions

Patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, and stroke should improve during inpatient rehabilitation but anticipated outcomes for patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome should be even higher.
Evaluation of Airway Volume in Cleft Lip and Palate Following Nasoalveolar Molding
Authors: Astani Seyed Amirhossein , Yilmaz Hanife Nuray , Nevzatoglu Sirin , Demirkaya Arzu Ari , Acar Zeynep Ahu
Published: June 2018

Patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) have commonly reduced nasal airways and are more prone to snoring, mouth breathing and hypopnea during sleep. Therefore, the morphometric evaluation of pharyngeal airway in patients with CLP is crucial. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the pharyngeal airway volumes of patients with CLP who underwent nasoalveolar molding (NAM) and to compare them with a well-matched control group without NAM. The study consisted of 40 patients with CLP divided into 2 main groups (26 with NAM; 14 without NAM) and 4 subgroups (15 unilateral CLP [UCLP] with NAM, mean age: 10.13 ± 1.30 years; 11 bilateral CLP [BCLP] with NAM, mean age: 10.55 ± 1.51 years; 7 UCLP without NAM, mean age: 9.86 ± 1.68 years; 7 BCLP without NAM, mean age: 10.28 ± 1.89 years). Nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, and total airway volumes of all the patients were calculated 3-dimensionally with cone-beam computed tomography. There were statistically significant differences in nasopharyngeal volume (P < 0.05) of NAM group compared to control group; however, volumetric differences in oropharyngeal and total pharyngeal airway were not significant (P > 0.05). The amount of nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, and total pharyngeal airway size in the BCLP with NAM group was significantly larger compared to BCLP without NAM group (P < 0.05). However, UCLP did not show any significant difference in NAM group (P > 0.05). This study implies that NAM can effectively enlarge the nasopharyngeal airway size in patient with CLP. In addition, the pharyngeal airway volume enlargement is more apparent in BCLP than UCLP individuals.
Myoclonus-dystonia: classification, phenomenology, pathogenesis, and treatment
Authors: Roze Emmanuel , Lang Anthony E. , Vidailhet Marie
Published: June 2018

Purpose of review

The present study will highlight recent advances in the field of myoclonus-dystonia with a focus on clinical aspects, pathogenesis, and treatment. We will also discuss genetics, classification issues, and diagnostic criteria.

Recent findings

Myoclonus-dystonia is a clinical syndrome corresponding to the phenotype linked to SGCE, the main causative gene. Childhood-onset myoclonus that predominates over dystonia with prominent upper body involvement, an absence of truncal dystonia, associated anxiety or compulsivity, and a positive family history are helpful diagnostic clues. Recent studies demonstrated that zonisamide is an interesting therapeutic option in myoclonus-dystonia, and that bilateral pallidal stimulation has major and lasting therapeutic effects. Accumulating evidence suggests that an alteration in cerebello-thalamic pathway function may play a prominent role and that this is possibly related to a GABAergic deficit reflecting Purkinje cell dysfunction. Impaired striatal plasticity and disturbed serotonin homeostasis may also be implicated. Newly available cellular and rodent models may further assist in investigating the pathogenesis of this disorder.

Comprehensive analysis of the phenotype and precise classification are important in patients with myoclonus and dystonia to identify homogeneous groups of patients. This is critical to guide tailored therapeutic strategies and promote effective research.
Characterization of neutralizing epitopes in antigenic site B of recently circulating influenza A(H3N2) viruses
Authors: Beer Kerstin , Dai Mian , Howell Steven , Rijal Pramila , Townsend Alain R. , Lin Yipu , Wharton Stephen A. , Daniels Rodney S. , McCauley John W.
Published: June 2018

Influenza A(H3N2) viruses are associated with outbreaks worldwide and can cause disease with severe complications. The impact can be reduced by vaccination, which induces neutralizing antibodies that mainly target the haemagglutinin glycoprotein (HA). In this study we generated neutralizing mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against A/Victoria/361/2011 and identified their epitopes by generating and sequencing escape viruses. The epitopes are located in antigenic site B, which is near the receptor-binding site and is immunodominant in humans. Amino acid (aa) substitutions at positions 156, 158, 159, 189, 190 and 193 in antigenic site B led to reduced ability of mAbs to block receptor-binding. The majority of A(H3N2) viruses that have been circulating since 2014 are antigenically distinct from previous A(H3N2) viruses. The neutralization-sensitive epitopes in antigenic site B of currently circulating viruses were examined with these mAbs. We found that clade 3C.2a viruses, possessing an additional potential glycosylation site at HA1 position N158, were poorly recognized by some of the mAbs, but other residues, notably at position 159, also affected antibody binding. Through a mass spectrometric (MS) analysis of HA, the glycosylated sites of HA1 were established and we determined that residue 158 of HA1 was glycosylated and so modified a neutralization-sensitive epitope. Understanding and monitoring individual epitopes is likely to improve vaccine strain selection.
How well can we create phased, diploid, human genomes?: An assessment of FALCON-Unzip phasing using a human trio
Authors: Fungtammasan Arkarachai , Hannigan Brett
Published: June 2018

Long read sequencing technology has allowed researchers to create de novo assemblies with impressive continuity[1,2]. This advancement has dramatically increased the number of reference genomes available and hints at the possibility of a future where personal genomes are assembled rather than resequenced. In 2016 Pacific Biosciences released the FALCON-Unzip framework, which can provide long, phased haplotype contigs from de novo assemblies. This phased genome algorithm enhances the accuracy of highly heterozygous organisms and allows researchers to explore questions that require haplotype information such as allele-specific expression and regulation. However, validation of this technique has been limited to small genomes or inbred individuals[3].

As a roadmap to personal genome assembly and phasing, we assess the phasing accuracy of FALCON-Unzip in humans using publicly available data for the Ashkenazi trio from the Genome in a Bottle Consortium[4]. To assess the accuracy of the Unzip algorithm, we assembled the genome of the son using FALCON and FALCON Unzip, genotyped publicly available short read data for the mother and the father, and observed the inheritance pattern of the parental SNPs along the phased genome of the son. We found that 72.8% of haplotype contigs share SNPs with only one parent suggesting that these contigs are correctly phased. Most mis-phased SNPs are random but present in high frequency toward the end of haplotype contigs. Approximately 20.7% of mis-phased haplotype contigs contain clusters of mis-phased SNPs, suggesting that haplotypes were mis-joined by FALCON-Unzip. Mis-joined boundaries in those contigs are located in areas of low SNP density. This research demonstrates that the FALCON-Unzip algorithm can be used to create long and accurate haplotypes for humans and identifies problematic regions that could benefit in future improvement.
Opening the Pandora Box: DNA-barcoding evidence limitations of morphology to identify Spanish mosquitoes
Authors: Sofía Delgado-Serra , Miriam Viader , Ignacio Ruiz-Arrondo , Miguel Ángel Miranda , Carlos Barceló , Rubén Bueno-Mari , Hernández-Triana Luis M. , Marga Miquel , Claudia Paredes-Esquivel
Published: June 2018

Cryptic speciation is frequent in the medically important mosquitoes. While most findings have been reported in tropical regions, it is an unexplored topic in countries where mosquito-borne diseases are not endemic, like Spain. The occurrence of recent outbreaks in Europe has increased the awareness on the native and invasive mosquito fauna present in the continent. Therefore, the central question of this study is whether the typological approach is sufficient to identify Spanish mosquitoes. To address this problem, we confronted the results of the morphological identification of 62 adult specimens collected from four different regions of Spain (La Rioja, Navarra, Castellón and the Island of Majorca) with the results obtained through DNA-barcoding. We conducted a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the COI gene region and compared this with the results of four species delimitation algorithms (ABGD initial partition, ABGD P=0.46%, bPTP and TCS). We report strong evidence for cryptic speciation in Anopheles algeriensis and Aedes vexans and reproductive isolation of the rock pool mosquito Aedes mariae. In addition, we report that the character present in the wings is not efficient to distinguish species Culiseta annulata from Culiseta subochrea, which distribution in the country may be different than previously described.
Laminar profile of task-related plasticity in ferret primary auditory cortex
Authors: Francis Nikolas A. , Elgueda Diego , Englitz Bernhard , Fritz Jonathan B. , Shamma Shihab A.
Published: June 2018

Rapid task-related plasticity is a neural correlate of selective attention in primary auditory cortex (A1). Top-down feedback from higher-order cortex may drive task-related plasticity in A1, characterized by enhanced neural representation of behaviorally meaningful sounds during auditory task performance. Since intracortical connectivity is greater within A1 layers 2/3 (L2/3) than in layers 4-6 (L4-6), we hypothesized that enhanced representation of behaviorally meaningful sounds might be greater in A1 L2/3 than L4-6. To test this hypothesis and study the laminar profile of task-related plasticity, we trained 2 ferrets to detect pure tones while we recorded laminar activity across a 1.8 mm depth in A1. In each experiment, we analyzed current-source densities (CSDs), high-gamma local field potentials (LFPs), and multi-unit spiking in response to identical acoustic stimuli during both passive listening and active task performance. We found that neural responses to auditory targets were enhanced during task performance, and target enhancement was greater in L2/3 than in L4-6. Spectrotemporal receptive fields (STRFs) computed from CSDs, high-gamma LFPs, and multi-unit spiking showed similar increases in auditory target selectivity, also greatest in L2/3. Our results suggest that activity within intracortical networks plays a key role in shaping the underlying neural mechanisms of selective attention.
High-resolution genetic map and QTL analysis of growth-related traits ofHevea brasiliensiscultivated under suboptimal temperature and humidity conditions
Authors: Conson André Ricardo Oliveira , Taniguti Cristiane Hayumi , Amadeu Rodrigo Rampazo , Andreotti Isabela Aparecida Araújo , de Souza Livia Moura , dos Santos Luciano Henrique Braz , Rosa João Ricardo Bachega Feijó , Mantello Camila Campos , da Silva Carla Cristina , Scaloppi Junior Erivaldo José , Ribeiro Rafael Vasconcelos , Le Guen Vincent , Garcia Antonio Augusto Franco , Gonçalves Paulo de Souza , de Souza Anete Pereira
Published: June 2018

Rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) cultivation is the main source of natural rubber worldwide and has been extended to areas with suboptimal climates and lengthy drought periods; this transition affects growth and latex production. High-density genetic maps with reliable markers support precise mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL), which can help reveal the complex genome of the species, provide tools to enhance molecular breeding, and shorten the breeding cycle. In this study, QTL mapping of the stem diameter, tree height, and number of whorls was performed for a full-sibling population derived from a GT1 and RRIM701 cross. A total of 225 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and 186 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were used to construct a base map with 18 linkage groups and to anchor 671 SNPs from genotyping by sequencing (GBS) to produce a very dense linkage map with small intervals between loci. The final map was composed of 1,079 markers, spanned 3,779.7 cM with an average marker density of 3.5 cM, and showed collinearity between markers from previous studies. Significant variation in phenotypic characteristics was found over a 59-month evaluation period with a total of 38 QTLs being identified through a composite interval mapping method. Linkage group 4 showed the greatest number of QTLs (7), with phenotypic explained values varying from 7.67% to 14.07%. Additionally, we estimated segregation patterns, dominance, and additive effects for each QTL. A total of 53 significant effects for stem diameter were observed, and these effects were mostly related to additivity in the GT1 clone. Associating accurate genome assemblies and genetic maps represents a promising strategy for identifying the genetic basis of phenotypic traits in rubber trees. Then, further research can benefit from the QTLs identified herein, providing a better understanding of the key determinant genes associated with growth ofHevea brasiliensisunder limiting water conditions.
ZO-2 induces cytoplasmic retention of YAP by promoting a LATS1-ZO-2-YAP complex at tight junctions
Authors: Liu Olivia Xuan , Lin Lester Bocheng , Chew Tiweng , Motegi Fumio , Low Boon Chuan
Published: June 2018

Contact inhibition of proliferation (CIP) is a key mechanism that transduces the cell density status of tissue and organs into a unique transcriptional program by translocating YAP between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. However, the nature of the cell density-dependent cues that regulate the YAP distribution remains unclear. Here, we present evidence that tight junctions serve as a platform that controls both distribution and activity of LATS1, a kinase that phosphorylates YAP. This CIP effect is mediated by the scaffold function of junctional protein, ZO-2, by promoting LATS1 interaction with YAP in the cytoplasm, and then targeting the tripartite complex to tight junctions. There, LATS1 is activated by angiomotin and NF2, thereby stimulating YAP phosphorylation and its cytoplasmic retention. Our findings delineate novel mechanisms governing CIP, in which ZO-2 utilizes the status of cell-cell cohesion to control the phosphorylation status and therefore inactivation of YAP by LATS1 in the cytoplasm.
Why did some practices not implement new antibiotic prescribing guidelines on urinary tract infection? A cohort study and survey in NHS England primary care
Authors: Croker Richard , Walker Alex J , Goldacre Ben
Published: June 2018

Objectives

To describe prescribing trends and geographic variation for trimethoprim and nitrofurantoin; to describe variation in implementing guideline change; and to compare actions taken to reduce trimethoprim use in high- and low-using Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs).

Design

A retrospective cohort study and interrupted time series analysis in English NHS primary care prescribing data; complemented by information obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests to CCGs. The main outcome measures were: variation in practice and CCG prescribing ratios geographically and over time, including an interrupted time-series; and responses to Freedom of Information requests.

Results

The amount of trimethoprim prescribed, as a proportion of nitrofurantoin and trimethoprim combined, remained stable and high until 2014, then fell gradually to below 50% in 2017; this reduction was more rapid following the introduction of the Quality Premium. There was substantial variation in the speed of change between CCGs. As of April 2017, for the 10 worst CCGs (with the highest trimethoprim ratios): 9 still had trimethoprim as first line treatment for uncomplicated UTI (one CCG had no formulary); none had active work plans to facilitate change in prescribing behaviour away from trimethoprim; and none had implemented an incentive scheme for change in prescribing behaviour. For the 10 best CCGs: 2 still had trimethoprim as first line treatment (all CCGs had a formulary); 5 (out of 7 who answered this question) had active work plans to facilitate change in prescribing behaviour away from trimethoprim; and 5 (out of 10 responding) had implemented an incentive scheme for change in prescribing behaviour. 9 of the best 10 CCGs reported at least one of: formulary change, work plan, or incentive scheme. None of the worst 10 CCGs did so.

Conclusions

Many CCGs failed to implement an important change in antibiotic prescribing guidance; and report strong evidence suggesting that CCGs with minimal prescribing change did little to implement the new guidance. We strongly recommend a national programme of training and accreditation for medicines optimisation pharmacists; and remedial action for CCGs that fail to implement guidance; with all materials and data shared publicly for both such activities.
Increased production of the extracellular polysaccharide Psl can give a growth advantage to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in low-iron conditions
Authors: Hutchison Jaime , Kaushik Karishma , Rodesney Christopher A. , Lilieholm Thomas , Bakhtiari Layla , Gordon Vernita D.
Published: June 2018

In infections, biofilm formation is associated with a number of fitness advantages, such as resistance to antibiotics and to clearance by the immune system. Biofilm formation has also been linked to fitness advantages in environments other than in vivo infections; primarily, biofilms are thought to help constituent organisms evade predation and to promote intercellular signaling. The opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa forms biofilm infections in lungs, wounds, and on implants and medical devices. However, the tendency toward biofilm formation originated in this bacterium’s native environment, primarily plants and soil. Such environments are polymicrobial and often resource-limited. Other researchers have recently shown that the P. aeruginosa extracellular polysaccharide Psl can bind iron. For the lab strain PA01, Psl is also the dominant adhesive and cohesive “glue” holding together multicellular aggregates and biofilms. Here, we perform quantitative time-lapse confocal microscopy and image analysis of early biofilm growth by PA01. We find that aggregates of P. aeruginosa have a growth advantage over single cells of P. aeruginosa in the presence of Staphylococcus aureus in low-iron environments. Our results suggest the growth advantage of aggregates is linked to their high Psl content and to the production of an active factor by S. aureus. We posit that the ability of Psl to promote iron acquisition may have been linked to the evolutionary development of the strong biofilm-forming tendencies of P. aeruginosa.
Kinetic basis for DNA target specificity of CRISPR-Cas12a
Authors: Strohkendl Isabel , Saifuddin Fatema A. , Rybarski James R. , Finkelstein Ilya J. , Russell Rick
Published: June 2018

Class II CRISPR-Cas nucleases are programmable via a single guide RNA, enabling genome editing applications in nearly all organisms. However, DNA cleavage at off-target sites that resemble the target sequence is a pervasive problem that remains poorly understood mechanistically. Here, we use quantitative kinetics to dissect the reaction steps of DNA targeting byAcidaminococcus spCas12a (also known as Cpf1). We show that Cas12a binds DNA tightly in two kinetically-separable steps. Protospacer-adjacent motif (PAM) recognition is followed by rate-limiting R-loop propagation, leading to inevitable DNA cleavage of both strands. Despite the functionally irreversible binding, Cas12a discriminates strongly against mismatches along most of the DNA target sequence, implying substantial reversibility during R-loop formation –a late transition state– and the absence of a ‘seed’ region. Our results provide a quantitative underpinning for the DNA cleavage patterns measured invivoand observations of greater reported target specificity of Cas12a than the Cas9 nuclease.
Dietary Bovine Milk Exosomes Elicit Changes in Microbial Communities in C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: Zhou Fang , Paz Henry A. , Shu Jiang , Sadri Mahrou , Cui Juan , Fernando Samodha C. , Zempleni Janos
Published: June 2018

Exosomes and exosome-like vesicles participate in cell-to-cell communication in animals, plant and bacteria. Dietary exosomes in bovine milk are bioavailable in non-bovine species, but a fraction of milk exosomes reaches the large intestine. We hypothesized that milk exosomes alter the composition of the gut microbiome in mice. C57BL/6 mice were fed AIN-93G diets, defined by their content of bovine milk exosomes and RNA cargos: exosome/RNA depleted (ERD) versus exosome/RNA-sufficient (ERS) diets. Feeding was initiated at age three weeks and cecum content was collected at ages 7, 15 and 47 weeks. Microbial communities were identified by 16SrRNAgene sequencing. The dietary intake of exosomes and age had significant effects on the microbial communities in the cecum. At the phylum level, the abundance ofVerrucomicrobiawas greater in mice fed ERD compared to ERS, and the abundance of bothFirmicutesandTenericuteswas smaller in mice fed ERD compared to ERS at age 47 weeks. At the family level, the abundance ofAnaeroplasmataceaewas greater in mice fed ERD compared to ERS, and the abundance ofBifidobacteriaceae,Lachnospiraceae, andDehalobacteriaceaewas significantly greater in mice fed ERS than mice fed ERD at age 15 weeks. Exosome feeding significantly altered the abundance of 52 operational taxonomic units; diet effects were particularly strong in theLachnospiraceae,Ruminococcaceaeand theVerrucomicrobiaceaefamilies. We conclude that exosomes in bovine milk alter microbial communities in non-bovine species, suggesting that exosomes and their cargos participate in the crosstalk between bacterial and animal kingdoms.

IMPORTANCE

Virtually all living cells, including bacteria communicate through exosomes, which can be found in all body fluids. Exosomes and the RNA cargos have been implicated in all aspects of health and disease,e.g.,metastasis of cancer, neuronal signaling and embryonic development. Previously, we reported that exosomes and their microRNA cargos are not solely derived from endogenous synthesis, but may also be obtained from dietary sources such as bovine milk in non-bovine mammals. Here, we report for the first time that bovine milk exosomes communicate with the intestinal microbiome and alters microbial communities in mice. This is the first report suggesting that the gut microbiome facilitates the signaling by dietary exosomes across kingdoms: animal (cow) → bacteria → animal (mouse).
Heliorhodopsins are absent in diderm (Gram-negative) bacteria: Some thoughts and possible implications for activity
Authors: Flores-Uribe José , Hevroni Gur , Ghai Rohit , Pushkarev Alina , Inoue Keiichi , Kandori Hideki , Béjà Oded
Published: June 2018

Microbial heliorhodopsins are a new type of rhodopsins with an opposite membrane topology compared to type-1 and −2 rhodopsins, currently believed to engage in light sensing. We determined their presence/absence is monoderms and diderms representatives from the Tara Oceans and freshwater 25 lakes metagenomes. Heliorhodopsins were absent in diderms, confirming our previous observations in cultured Proteobacteria. Based on these observations, we speculate on the putative role of heliorhodopsins in light-driven transport of amphiphilic molecules.
DNA methylation signature of smoking in lung cancer is enriched for exposure signatures in newborn and adult blood
Authors: Bakulski K. M. , Dou J. , Lin N. , London S. J. , Colacino J. A.
Published: June 2018

Background

Smoking impacts DNA methylation genome-wide in blood of both newborns from maternal smoking during pregnancy and adults from personal smoking. Smoking causes lung cancer which involves aberrant methylation. We examined whether DNA methylation smoking signatures identified in blood of newborns and adults are detectable in lung tumors.

Methods

We compared smoking-related DNA methylation in lung adenocarcinomas (61 never smokers, 91 current smokers, and 238 former smokers) quantified with the Illumina450k BeadArray in The Cancer Genome Atlas with published large consortium meta-analyses of newborn and adult blood. We assessed whether CpG sites related to smoking in blood from newborns and adults were enriched in lung adenocarcinoma.

Results

Testing CpGs differentially methylated by smoke exposure (P<10−4) we identified 296 in lung tumors, while previous meta-analyses (False Discovery Rate (FDR)<0.05) identified 6,073 in newborn blood, and for adult smoking, 18,760 in blood. The lung signals were highly enriched for those seen in newborn (32 overlapping, Penrichment=1.2×10−19) and adult blood (86 overlapping, Penrichment = 9.5×10−49). The 65 genes annotated to CpGs differentially methylated in lung tumors, but not blood, were enriched for RNA processing ontologies.

Conclusions

We found highly significant overlap between smoking-related DNA methylation signals in lung cancer and those seen in blood from newborns, from in utero exposure, or adults, from their own exposure. These results suggest that some epigenetic alterations associated with cigarette smoke exposure are tissue specific, but others are common across tissues. These findings support the value of blood-based methylation biomarkers for assessing exposure effects in target tissues.
Leader-member exchange and innovative work behavior
Authors: Saeed Bilal Bin , Afsar Bilal , Cheema Sadia , Javed Farheen
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how leader–member exchange relates to subordinate’s innovative work behavior through core self-evaluation (CSE), domain knowledge and creative process engagement. On the basis of an interactional approach, this study hypothesized that there is an interaction between leader–member exchange, CSE and domain knowledge that affects innovative work behavior, such that leader–member exchange has the strongest positive relationship with innovative work behavior when subordinates have high levels of CSE and domain knowledge; and creative process engagement mediates the effect that this three-way interaction between leader–member exchange, CSE and domain knowledge has on innovative work behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 323 employees and their immediate supervisors (121) from automotive industry. First, subordinates completed measures of their leader–member exchange, CSE and domain knowledge. Then, the supervisors of these employees assessed their subordinates’ innovative work behavior.

Findings

The results showed that leader–member exchange, CSE and domain knowledge interacted to affect employee innovative work behavior in such a way that when CSE and domain knowledge were both high, leader–member exchange had the strongest positive relationship with innovative work behavior and creative process engagement mediated this relationship.

Originality/value

This study is the first of its kind to empirically examine the interactional perspective of leader–member exchange on innovative work behavior through domain knowledge, CSE and creative process engagement. Theoretical and practical implications and future area of research are discussed at the end.
Application of Six Sigma DMAIC methodology in plain yogurt production process
Authors: Hakimi Saeid , Zahraee Seyed Mojib , Mohd Rohani Jafri
Published: June 2018

Purpose

This study aims to concentrate on quality improvement in plain yogurt production process at company A through adjusting the factors affecting the acidity of the yogurt and determining the optimal level of these factors.

Design/methodology/approach

Six Sigma-based framework using define-measure-analyze-improve-control (DMAIC) methodology is adopted through the application of design of experiments tool to focus on customer’s requirements to improve the quality characteristic of plain yogurt production process in dairy products manufacturing company (company A) in Iran.

Findings

The results showed that incubation time and fat percentage were significant factors on pH values of yogurt and the optimum settings for these factors were defined as 12 h for the incubation time and 1.5 per cent for the fat percentage.

Research limitations/implications

This study focused solely on the plain yogurt production process in dairy products manufacturing company.

Practical implications

Simplicity of Six Sigma plays a leading role for enabling any dairy manufacturer to determine the problem and minimize its cause through a systematic approach.

Social implications

Six Sigma has been considered to be a systematic, powerful technique to continuously improve the processes and develop the new products by using effective analytical and statistical tools and methods. This paper presents a Six Sigma-based framework using DMAIC methodology to improve the quality characteristic of plain yogurt production process in dairy products manufacturing company.

Originality/value

This study contributes to show a potential area in which Six Sigma DMAIC approach can promote to improve the quality of yogurt production process. This case can prompt managers of the company to apply Six Sigma method to address complicated problems in other processes, where causes particularly are not clear.
Relationships between employee commitment and organizational cultures: a theoretical framework
Authors: Krajcsák Zoltán
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to describe the relationship between organizational commitment and organizational culture with self-evaluation as a mediator variable. The theoretical framework evaluates the culture–commitment relationship based on the characteristics of the individual and underpins explanations of commitment patterns assigned to certain dimensions of organizational culture.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a purely theoretical approach, an instrument of which is abstract model creation.

Findings

The individual factors that reinforce deliberate, affective and professional commitment are the hierarchy culture; self-esteem; and self-efficacy, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

The existence of the relationship between the four factors of self-evaluation and the dimensions of the competing values framework (CVF) can be justified by secondary data analysis, although the direction of the causality is still questionable. Practical application of the theoretical model should be supported by empirical analyses in the future.

Originality/value

Research activity in organizational psychology is still mapping the elusive relationship between organizational culture and organizational commitment. In terms of organizational culture, the model is based upon the CVF and uses the five-dimension model of employee commitment instead of the mainstream concept of organizational commitment. This theoretical framework is suitable for evaluating the relationship between organizational culture and commitment when considering the individual features of the employee and supports the explanation of commitment patterns assigned to cultural dimensions.
Do aggressive pro forma earnings-reporting firms have difficulty disclosing intellectual capital? Australian evidence
Authors: Yang Yiru
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether aggressive pro forma earnings-reporting firms are difficult in relation to signalling sufficient intellectual capital (IC), and how the market reacts to aggressive pro forma earnings reporting.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis of 610 annual reports of Australian firms listed on the Australian Securities Exchange 200 is used to obtain IC information. Fixed-effects logistic and ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions are used to examine the hypotheses.

Findings

The study finds that aggressive pro forma earnings reporting is negatively and significantly associated with sufficient IC disclosure. Moreover, this paper finds that investors react favourably to aggressive pro forma earnings reporting, and believe that pro forma earnings have greater incremental value-relevance information than statutory earnings.

Research limitations/implications

The coding framework used in this study comprises 33 IC items. Other studies have used coding frameworks comprising fewer or more varied IC items. Therefore, when comparing the results of this and other studies, the interpretation of the findings must recognise the differences in approach.

Practical implications

Sufficient IC disclosure may help investors to distinguish high-reporting-quality firms and low-reporting-quality firms. The paper demonstrates that aggressive pro forma earnings-reporting firms, which are low-reporting-quality firms, are less likely to disclose sufficient IC.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to examine the relationship between aggressive pro forma reporting and IC disclosure. Moreover, this paper built a theoretical framework based on signalling theory to develop research hypotheses, which extend the research on IC underpinned by signalling theory.
Access to gifted education among African-American and Latino males
Authors: Vega Desireé , Moore III James L.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Across the nation, African-American and Latino males have experienced limited access to placement in gifted education programs. This paper aims to pinpoint and describe the factors that frequently influence access to gifted education programming among African-American and Latino males.

Design/methodology/approach

African-American and Latino males are persistently underrepresented in gifted education for reasons such as teachers’ narrow conceptions of giftedness, teachers’ bias in the nomination process and teachers’ inappropriate usage and interpretation of intelligence measures. When these students qualify for such services, they often experience feelings of isolation and loneliness due to scarce representation of other African-American and Latino male students. A review of extant literature was conducted to identify factors that influence access to gifted education programming among African-American and Latino males.

Findings

African-American and Latino males encounter roadblocks in being identified for gifted placement and many also experience implicit biases and stereotypical beliefs about their ability. The need for culturally competent professionals is critical to meet the academic and social-emotional needs of gifted African-American and Latino males.

Practical implications

Recommendations for school psychologists and school counselors are offered to support the needs of gifted African-American and Latino males, assist in increasing their identification and participation in gifted education, and promote academic success.

Originality/value

There is an urgent need for research on access and placement in gifted programming among African-American and Latino males. Moreover, the role of school psychologists and school counselors should be considered in facilitation of gifted identification and placement.
Etourism advertising effectiveness: banner type and engagement as moderators
Authors: Muñoz-Leiva Francisco , Liébana-Cabanillas Francisco , Hernández-Méndez Janet
Published: June 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze advertising effectiveness in terms of self-reported memory (recall) by measuring customers’ visual attention, including consumer engagement with e-tourism 2.0 tools and the banner type used as moderating variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a within-subject, between-groups experimental design based on eye-tracking methodology, followed by a self-administered questionnaire. Participants were instructed to visit three e-tourism tools, namely, a hotel’s blog, a social network (i.e. Facebook) page and a virtual community (i.e. TripAdvisor) page.

Findings

This research uncovers the main determinants of consumers’ self-reported recall of banner ads. The study offers empirical insight regarding the positive impact of fixation counts and visit duration on consumer recall. The findings also reveal that the impact of these measurements on consumer recall is moderated by the level of animation of the advertisement, while the number of fixations is moderated by the level of consumer engagement. Overall, the results suggest the usefulness of eye-tracking methodology in assessing the advertising effectiveness of e-tourism tools.

Research limitations/implications

The practical implications identified in this research, along with its limitations and future research opportunities, are of interest both for further theoretical development and practical applications. Scholars are therefore encouraged to further test the research propositions, including in longitudinal or mobile/smartphone-based research.

Originality/value

The authors offer a pioneering attempt in the application of eye-tracking methodology to online, e-tourism-based service innovations and examine the possible impact of visual marketing stimuli and their effects on user social network-related behavior.
Economic and Cultural Implications of China's One Belt One Road Initiative for the Film Industry: Cultural Distance and Taste Preference
Authors: Ye Hao , Binwei Lu , Starkey Guy
Published: June 2018

China's official One Belt One Road (OBOR) strategy has aroused considerable interest worldwide. This grand concept is potentially of great significance for China's film industry, among others, which has been included as an important part of the national drive to expand China's cultural influence overseas. OBOR represents a great opportunity for China's film industry to shift the emphasis of its market segmentation from reliance on Western influences to a more Eastern orientation. Its promise of closer economic and cultural ties brings great international marketing potential. China's film industry should embrace this significant opportunity by further addressing the cultural variables in its overseas distribution, creating detailed national taste profiles. The synergic development of the Asian film industries can unlock resources, technology and a very large market, presenting both opportunities and challenges. This study quantifies the cultural distances (CDs) and differences in genre preference between China and other countries involved in the OBOR initiative, based on 2016 box‐office data. The analysis reveals an absence of systematic and persistent correlation in CD and genre preference from country to country. In addition, the clustered distribution of genre preference within geographical boundaries makes cultural integration more directional.
Relationships between polymorphisms of growth hormone, leptin and myogenic factor 5 genes with some milk yield traits in Holstein dairy cows
Authors: Metin Kiyici Jale , Arslan Korhan , Akyuz Bilal , Kaliber Mahmut , Aksel Esma Gamze , Çinar Mehmet Ulaş
Published: June 2018

This study was conducted to identify gene polymorphisms and to investigate the relationships of polymorphisms with yield and composition of milk from Holstein cows. Significant relationships of growth hormone (GH), leptin (LEP) and myogenic factor 5 (MYF5) gene polymorphisms with 305‐day milk yield were observed (P < 0.01). Signal transducers and activators of transcription 5A (STAT5A) gene polymorphism did not show any significant relationships with investigated traits (P > 0.05). With regard to the 305‐day milk yield, GH‐LV, LEP‐AA and AB and MYF5‐GG genotypes were found to be superior over the other genotypes. It was concluded based on present findings that GH, LEP and MYF5 genes could be used as candidate genes for milk yield of Holstein cows.
Abnormal vaginal bleeding in women of reproductive age treated with edoxaban or warfarin for venous thromboembolism: a post hoc analysis of the Hokusai‐VTE study
Authors: Scheres LJJ , Brekelmans MPA , Ageno W , Ay C , Büller HR , Eichinger S , Hutten BA , Klok FA , Middeldorp S , Schreiber K , Stach K , Blondon M , Delluc A
Published: June 2018

Objective

To investigate the characteristics and outcome of abnormal vaginal bleeding in women receiving edoxaban or warfarin for treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Design and setting

Post hoc analysis of the Hokusai‐VTE study, a multicentre, randomised, double‐blind trial comparing edoxaban with warfarin for acute symptomatic VTE.

Population

Women below 50 years receiving edoxaban or warfarin for treatment of VTE.

Methods

We collected data on diagnostic measures, treatment, and clinical outcome of abnormal vaginal bleeding events.

Main outcome measures

Occurrence of major and clinically relevant nonmajor (CRNM) abnormal vaginal bleeding events.

Results

In all, 628 women aged under 50 years were treated with edoxaban and 665 with warfarin. The rate of abnormal vaginal bleeding was 15/100 person‐years (py) (95% CI 11–19) in women receiving edoxaban and 9/100 py (95% CI 6–12) in the warfarin group (hazard ratio: 1.7, 95% CI 1.1–2.5). Major abnormal vaginal bleeding occurred in eight (1.3%) women on edoxaban and in three (0.9%) women receiving warfarin [odds ratio (OR) 2.8; 95% CI 0.8–10.8], and CRNM abnormal vaginal bleeding occurred in 53 (8.4%) women treated with edoxaban and in 37 (5.6%) on warfarin therapy (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0–2.4). Over 85% of all vaginal bleeds were characterised by heavy menstrual bleeding. Major bleeds frequently required treatment, and in more than 75% of patients anticoagulant therapy was adjusted. The severity of clinical presentation and course of major and CRNM bleeds was mild in most patients.

Conclusions

Abnormal vaginal bleeding occurred more frequently in women treated with edoxaban than with warfarin. Reassuringly, most events could be managed conservatively and had a mild outcome.

Tweetable abstract

Abnormal vaginal bleeding occurred more frequently in women treated with edoxaban than with warfarin.
Previously Unreported Complication of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Suture Rupture Resulting in Patient's Death
Authors: Criss Benjamin E. , Zimmermann Nives , Butler Randall T.
Published: June 2018

Traditionally, the manner of death in most hospital autopsy cases is natural, in which death is due to the natural course of disease or reasonably anticipated outcomes of medical interventions. Some cases fall into a potential gray zone between natural and accident, including rare or unanticipated outcomes of medical interventions. We present a case of a patient postcoronary artery bypass graft. Autopsy revealed the proximal anastomosis of the aorta‐to‐first‐diagonal‐coronary‐artery‐to‐second‐obtuse‐marginal‐artery graft was detached from the aorta. A broken suture was present at the disconnected anastomosis, with intact knots but was broken along its length. In‐hospital mortality rates of CABG range from 1% to 3%, with several autopsy studies identifying surgical complications as the cause of death in one‐third of perioperative deaths. No publications were found that described suture rupture as directly relating to the cause of death. This case report describes a previously unreported complication of coronary artery bypass grafting.
Adipocere Formation in Subtropical Climate of Northern India: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Sikary Asit Kumar , Behera Chittaranjan , Murty Om Prakash
Published: June 2018

Adipocere formation depends upon multiple environmental factors. In comparison with temperate countries, it usually develops early in the subtropical climate. We have studied a retrospective data of 31 cases with adipocere formation at Department of Forensic Medicine at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Most of the cases were recovered during the month of May to October from closed rooms at home, open grounds, open forest areas, various water sources, and riverbanks. The time duration of recovery from the time of death was from 12 h to 7 days 12 h. In 10 cases, adipocere formation was seen within 2 days, and in four male cases among them, the adipocere formed within a day. Most of the bodies showing adipocere formation within 2 days were recovered from land. These facts showed that subtropical climate having hot and humid weather promotes early adipocere formation compared to temperate climate.