bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Awareness and willingness towards Islamic banking among Muslims: An Indian perspective
Authors: Islam Jamid Ul , Rahman Zillur
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This study aims to explore the awareness and willingness of Muslim Indians toward Islamic banking. Subsequent to financial crises during the past few decades, Islamic banking has attained global acceptance and has gained a momentum in emerging economies as a substitute for the conventional (interest-based) banking. As India ranks third in terms of Muslim population globally, it is quite spontaneous to analyze the concept of Islamic banking in an Indian perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

To collect data, adopting purposive sampling, a sample of 290 Indian Muslims was surveyed in Delhi National Capital Region of India using a self-structured questionnaire. Appropriate statistical tools were applied to analyze the data.

Findings

The results concede that majority of the respondents lack an understanding of how Islamic banking works. The results further concede that majority of the respondents are willing to go for Islamic banking if informed properly and offered better customer experience. The results suggest that Islamic banking organizations need to frame effective communication strategies to increase awareness among the populace about how Islamic banking operates.

Practical implications

If approached strategically, one would expect India to be a huge market for Islamic banking. By offering a preliminary understanding about the awareness and willingness of Indian Muslims, this study can prove helpful for organizations to design and deliver informative advertising campaigns to inform potential customers about Islamic banking operations and to ensure the ability to provide efficient service before starting the operations in any country for the first time.

Originality/value

By exploring the awareness and willingness of Indian Muslims, the current study takes an important research gap into account and, therefore, enriches the existing Islamic banking literature.
A novel method for providing relational databases with rich semantics and natural language processing
Authors: Hamaz Kamal , Benchikha Fouzia
Published: April 2017

Purpose

With the development of systems and applications, the number of users interacting with databases has increased considerably. The relational database model is still considered as the most used model for data storage and manipulation. However, it does not offer any semantic support for the stored data which can facilitate data access for the users. Indeed, a large number of users are intimidated when retrieving data because they are non-technical or have little technical knowledge. To overcome this problem, researchers are continuously developing new techniques for Natural Language Interfaces to Databases (NLIDB). Nowadays, the usage of existing NLIDBs is not widespread due to their deficiencies in understanding natural language (NL) queries. In this sense, the purpose of this paper is to propose a novel method for an intelligent understanding of NL queries using semantically enriched database sources.

Design/methodology/approach

First a reverse engineering process is applied to extract relational database hidden semantics. In the second step, the extracted semantics are enriched further using a domain ontology. After this, all semantics are stored in the same relational database. The phase of processing NL queries uses the stored semantics to generate a semantic tree.

Findings

The evaluation part of the work shows the advantages of using a semantically enriched database source to understand NL queries. Additionally, enriching a relational database has given more flexibility to understand contextual and synonymous words that may be used in a NL query.

Originality/value

Existing NLIDBs are not yet a standard option for interfacing a relational database due to their lack for understanding NL queries. Indeed, the techniques used in the literature have their limits. This paper handles those limits by identifying the NL elements by their semantic nature in order to generate a semantic tree. This last is a key solution towards an intelligent understanding of NL queries to relational databases.
Globalisation and trade liberalisation in supporting GVCs upgrade
Authors: Chen Lurong
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to get more insight about the importance of globalisation and regional integration for global value chains (GVCs) upgrade and economic growth.

Design/methodology/approach

It uses South Korea as an illustrative example of pursuing sustained economic growth via economic globalisation and moving up the value chains. It provides answers to two questions. First, how did South Korea manage to achieve economic growth via moving up the value chains? Second, what are the governmental efforts on globalisation and trade liberalisation that have contributed to this success?

Findings

Among other factors, its success can be seen as a result of a combination of domestic development strategy and policies and its efforts to create a “development-friendly” global and regional circumstance via strengthening the economic ties with main powers, expanding the free trade agreements network, and deepening integration into Factory Asia. It is of South Korea’s interest to push forward the progress of regional integration.

Originality/value

Many countries have successfully got rid of poverty by participating international production sharing, but only few of them have managed to move further and eventually upgrade to be an advance economy. This case study of South Korea gives us more insight about the importance of globalisation and trade liberalisation in supporting GVCs upgrade.
Discouraged borrowers aftermath of financial crisis: a UK study
Authors: Rostamkalaei Anoosheh
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the trend of discouragement in the small and medium sized enterprise’s (SME) lending market during the aftermath of the financial crisis of 2008. It detects the extent to which the responses of discouraged firms to improvements in the lending market are lagged.

Design/methodology/approach

The results are based on surveys of UK SME Finance Monitor (2011-2016). Probit regression models were used to assess the effect of time passed from the financial crisis on the probability of discouragement.

Findings

The analysis, inter alia, shows that the rate of discouragement has reduced significantly since 2013. The results highlight the long-term effect of tightened credit supply on SMEs that are ready to invest, but hold back because of fear of rejection.

Practical implications

The research suggests addressing imperfect information among discouraged SMEs that are recuperating from the financial crisis. With the rise of information asymmetry, entrepreneurs show a higher level of fear of rejection by financial institutions. The longer the effects of the financial crisis exists among entrepreneurs, the longer they self-ration from credit market, which subsequently leads to reduced levels of investment, growth, and innovation among SMEs.

Originality/value

This research fills a gap in the literature of the effect of financial crisis on the latent demand for lending. It discusses the long-term effect of tightened credit supply among entrepreneurs even though the supply side has recuperated and recommenced pre-crisis activities.
The role of soil chemistry and plant neighbourhoods in structuring fungal communities in three Panamanian rainforests
Authors: Schappe Tyler , Albornoz Felipe E. , Turner Benjamin L. , Neat Abigail , Condit Richard , Jones F. Andrew
Published: April 2017

Fungi play critical roles in ecosystem processes and interact with plant communities in mutualistic, pathogenic, and commensal ways. Fungal communities are thought to depend on both associated tree communities and soil properties. However, the relative importance of the biotic and abiotic drivers of soil fungal community structure and diversity in lowland tropical forests remains poorly understood.

We examined the community structure of trees and fungi at different levels of phosphorus (0·17–16·3 mg kg−1) in moist tropical forests in Panama. We predicted that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal composition would be more strongly associated with soil properties than with local tree communities while the composition of other fungal clades would be more strongly correlated with local tree communities than soil properties. We also predicted that fungal operational taxonomic unit (OTU) richness would be negatively correlated with soil fertility and positively correlated with tree species diversity within and among forests.

We characterized soil chemistry, fine root biomass, and sequenced the ITS1 barcode region to describe fungal community composition from 70 soil cores across three 1‐ha tropical rainforest sites in Panama. The sites vary in soil chemistry, including P, and in tree species community composition, but experience similar annual rainfall.

AM fungal community composition was partially correlated with soil chemistry (r = 0·32, P ≤ 0·001), but not with local tree communities, while non‐AM fungal communities were nearly equally correlated with soil chemistry (Partial Mantel test, r = 0·38, P ≤ 0·001) as with tree communities (r = 0·36, P ≤ 0·001). Linear models showed that AM OTU richness was not explained by any independent variable. For non‐AM fungi, phosphorus, pH, and soil moisture better predicted OTU richness across all cores than other biotic and abiotic factors.

Synthesis. Our results show that AM fungal structure is driven primarily by soil chemistry. For non‐AM fungi, soil properties and the local tree community can play a joint role in structuring communities. Furthermore, we found that more diverse local tree communities did not harbour more fungal species. Our results suggest that soil properties act as an environmental filter for both trees and fungi, setting the stage for interactions between the two.
Mid‐trimester residual cervical length and the risk of preterm birth in pregnancies after abdominal radical trachelectomy: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Kasuga Y , Miyakoshi K , Nishio H , Akiba Y , Otani T , Fukutake M , Ikenoue S , Ochiai D , Matsumoto T , Tanaka K , Minegishi K , Kuji N , Roberts R , Aoki D , Tanaka M
Published: April 2017

Objective

To investigate the association between mid‐trimester residual cervical length (CL) and the risk of preterm birth in pregnancies after abdominal radical trachelectomy (RT).

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

University hospital.

Population

A total of 33 deliveries after 22 weeks’ gestation in 30 women who underwent abdominal RT including prophylactic cervical cerclage and perinatal care between January 2002 and May 2016.

Methods

The association between mid‐trimester residual CL (the distance between the cerclage and the external cervical os) and gestational age at delivery was investigated. Receiver–operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was performed to estimate the optimal cut‐off values of the mid‐trimester residual CL for the prediction of preterm birth.

Main outcome measures

Preterm birth before 34 weeks’ gestation.

Results

Mid‐trimester residual CL showed a significant correlation with gestational age at delivery (r = 0.36, P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in residual CL between women who did and those who did not give birth before 34 weeks (P < 0.05). Mid‐trimester residual CL < 13 mm was a good predictor of birth before 34 weeks, with a sensitivity of 67%, specificity of 75%, positive predictive value of 55% and negative predictive value of 86% (area under ROC curve, 0.75).

Conclusions

Mid‐trimester residual CL is significantly correlated with gestational age at delivery. Residual CL assessment could be used to reassure physicians and women that there is only a small chance of preterm birth in pregnancies after abdominal RT.

Tweetable abstract

Mid‐trimester residual cervical length is a good predictor of preterm birth after radical trachelectomy.
Agri‐food Trade Between Brazil and the EU
Authors: Hubbard Carmen , Alvim Augusto Mussi , de Mattos Ely Jose , Hubbard Lionel
Published: April 2017

International trade between the EU and Brazil has a typical North–South composition and, in general, would appear to reflect the principle of comparative advantage. Most of the agri‐food trade between the two is inter‐industry or one‐way in nature. Brazil is the largest of all exporters of agricultural products to the EU, but EU protectionism and trade barriers are a concern. Nominal Protection Coefficients indicate that producers in Brazil face prices that are close to border or world prices, and therefore are less protected than their counterparts in the EU. In terms of tariffs, ‘peaks’ are far more prevalent in the EU than in Brazil, and tariff ‘escalation’ reinforces the North–South nature of the trade flows. Low value‐added agricultural commodities exported from Brazil to the EU are, in general, subject to much lower tariffs than the processed derivatives with higher added value. Soya beans and coffee are prime examples. This makes it more difficult for Brazil to compete in the markets for higher value‐added products. A better understanding of the nature and pattern of agri‐food trade between Brazil and the EU should help to inform and potentially lead to better outcomes in the various ongoing trade negotiations.
Reducing Poverty and Food Insecurity in Rural Brazil: the Impact of the Zero Hunger Program
Authors: de Mattos Ely José , Bagolin Izete Pengo
Published: April 2017

Nearly one in six people in Brazil live in rural areas, representing a diverse population facing a variety of challenges that often differ from their urban counterparts. Access to basic food and the alleviation of poverty are key issues in many rural communities and this article provides an overview of the scope of public policies designed to improve food security and support poverty reduction in rural areas of Brazil. In particular we discuss actions implemented since 2003 under Brazil's Zero Hunger Program. The context for this important programme is described by reporting various indicators of poverty and food insecurity used for both rural and urban areas in Brazil. We argue that Brazil has been successful in reducing rural poverty and in improving the nutritional status of many people living in rural areas and that the Zero Hunger Program has played a significant role in achieving these positive outcomes. However, although poverty and hunger have been considerably reduced in the last decade, and there have been important improvements in rural areas, there is still a long way to go before Brazil can claim to have eliminated poverty and hunger.
Caboxamycin biosynthesis pathway and identification of novel benzoxazoles produced by cross‐talk in Streptomyces sp. NTK 937
Authors: Losada Armando A. , Cano‐Prieto Carolina , García‐Salcedo Raúl , Braña Alfredo F. , Méndez Carmen , Salas José A. , Olano Carlos
Published: April 2017

Streptomyces sp. NTK937, producer of benzoxazole antibiotic caboxamycin, produces in addition a methyl ester derivative, O‐methylcaboxamycin. Caboxamycin cluster, comprising one regulatory and nine structural genes, has been delimited, and each gene has been individually inactivated to demonstrate its role in the biosynthetic process. The O‐methyltransferase potentially responsible for O‐methylcaboxamycin synthesis would reside outside this cluster. Five of the genes, cbxR, cbxA, cbxB, cbxD and cbxE, encoding a SARP transcriptional regulator, salicylate synthase, 3‐oxoacyl‐ACP‐synthase, ACP and amidohydrolase, respectively, have been found to be essential for caboxamycin biosynthesis. The remaining five structural genes were found to have paralogues distributed throughout the genome, capable of partaking in the process when their cluster homologue is inactivated. Two of such paralogues, cbxC’ and cbxI’, coding an AMP‐dependent synthetase‐ligase and an anthranilate synthase, respectively, have been identified. However, the other three genes might simultaneously have more than one paralogue, given that cbxF (DAHP synthase), cbxG (2,3‐dihydro‐2,3‐dihydroxybenzoate dehydrogenase) and cbxH (isochorismatase) have three, three and five putative paralogue genes, respectively, of similar function within the genome. As a result of genetic manipulation, a novel benzoxazole (3′‐hydroxycaboxamycin) has been identified in the salicylate synthase‐deficient mutant strain ΔcbxA. 3′‐hydroxycaboxamycin derives from the cross‐talk between the caboxamycin and enterobactin pathways.
Prevalence of varicocoele and its association with body mass index among 39,559 rural men in eastern China: a population‐based cross‐sectional study
Authors: Liu J. , Zhang S. , Liu M. , Wang Q. , Shen H. , Zhang Y. , Yan D.
Published: April 2017

Varicocoele is a common cause of male infertility. We undertook a population‐based cross‐sectional study to evaluate the prevalence of varicocoele among rural men in eastern China and its association with body mass index. A total of 39,559 rural men in six counties in Beijing, Guangdong and Shandong provinces were recruited from 2011 to 2012. The presence and severity of varicocoele were measured by physical examinations. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to assess the association between varicocoele and body mass index after adjusting for possible confounders. Varicocoele was diagnosed in 1911 of 39,559 participants with an overall prevalence of 4.83%. The prevalence of varicocoele was highest in underweight (6.29%) and lowest in obese patients (3.71%, p < 0.05). The prevalence also decreased as body mass index increased in all three varicocoele grades. In multivariate logistic regression analysis after adjusting for region, age, height, occupation, cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, body mass index was still inversely and independently associated with varicocoele (p < 0.001). Compared with normal weight men, underweight men (OR = 1.34; 95% CI, 1.10–1.63) were more likely to have varicocoele, whereas overweight men (OR = 0.88; 95% CI, 0.79–0.99) and obese men (OR = 0.75; 95% CI, 0.58–0.97) were less likely to have varicocoele. This study revealed that the prevalence of varicocoele was 4.83% among rural men in eastern China; body mass index was inversely and independently associated with the presence of varicocoele. Future efforts should be made to validate the risk factors for varicocoele and strengthen the prevention and treatment of varicocoele, especially in underweight men.
Editorial: clinical benefits of vitamin D therapy in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Hawthorne A. B.
Published: April 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Winter et al paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13936.
Letter: chronic hepatitis C genotype 3 infection – still a hurdle toward a direct‐acting anti‐viral‐induced HCV cure?
Authors: Bruno G. , Milella M. , Angarano G. , Saracino A.
Published: April 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Cornberg et al paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13925.
Allostery at opioid receptors: modulation with small molecule ligands
Authors: Livingston Kathryn E , Traynor John R
Published: April 2017

Opioid receptors are 7‐transmembrane domain receptors that couple to heterotrimeric G proteins. The endogenous ligands for opioid receptors are peptides which bind to the orthosteric site on the receptors. The μ‐opioid receptor is the target for opioid analgesics, while the δ‐opioid receptor has been suggested as a target for pain management, migraine and depression. Similarly, κ‐opioid receptors are involved in pain and depression and nociceptin receptors in pain and mood behaviours. However, exogenous orthosteric ligands for opioid receptors cause a myriad of on‐target side effects. Recently, selective allosteric ligands for μ‐ and δ‐opioid receptors have been described. These compounds bind to a site on the receptor distinct from the orthosteric site. Occupation of this allosteric site leads to modulation of orthosteric ligand binding affinity and/or efficacy. Allosteric modulators may be positive, negative or silent (neutral) (PAMs, NAMs or SAMs respectively). PAMs may have in vivo activity by enhancing the activity of exogenous drugs or endogenous opioid peptides. Enhancing endogenous opioid peptide activity maintains the temporal and spatial distribution of these molecules but improves, and potentially qualitatively changes, activity at their cognate receptors which could limit side effects compared with traditional opioid drugs. In this review, we describe the rationale and promise for the development of allosteric modulators for opioid receptors, the discovery of selective allosteric modulators, the identification of potential allosteric sites on opioid receptors and the mode of action of the modulators.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Emerging Areas of Opioid Pharmacology. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.14/issuetoc
ON THE IMPACT OF PUBLIC DEBT ON ECONOMIC GROWTH: DOES COUNTRY RISK MATTER?
Authors: Chiu Yi‐Bin , Lee Chien‐Chiang
Published: April 2017

This study examines the nonlinear impacts of four country risk indices on the debt‐growth nexus for 61 countries in a panel data framework. Our results show evidence of the different debt‐growth nexus under the different degrees of country risk. Under a high‐risk environment, a country's economic growth is harmed by raising its public debt. The negative effects public debt has on economic growth become weak under low political and financial‐risk environments, while an increase in public debt could help to stimulate economic growth under low composite and economic risk environments. In addition, the differences of countries' income and debt levels also lead country risks to have different effects on the debt‐growth nexus, suggesting that a country should borrow appropriately based on its current risk environments while improving economic performance. (JEL C33, E02, H63, O43)
Israel: Divided by Religion and Education
Authors: Cochran Judith A.
Published: April 2017

Israel is a democracy splintered by religion and education. Two of its fastest growing religious groups, ultra‐Orthodox and Muslim Israeli Arabs, are not learning democratic principles or marketable skills that enable them to assist in the economic development of the country. Even Israelis who are attending secular and religious Israeli government schools are academically behind in mathematics as measured on 2011 international achievement tests of PISA and TIMSS. The history of religion and education from 1928 to 1955 built the foundation for the current divisions. The impact of the Ottoman and British occupation on citizens is particularized thorough the experiences of Elias Tuma, who lived under British and Israeli government systems. Today's educational system in Israel reinforces religious and sectarian conflict among its citizens. Educational and religious structural suggestions are provided for readers to consider. The implications of this work for future research are provided.
Characterization of the electrical penetration graphs of the psyllid Bactericera trigonica on carrots
Authors: Antolinez C.A. , Moreno A. , Appezzato‐da‐Gloria B. , Fereres A.
Published: April 2017

The psyllid Bactericera trigonica Hodkinson (Hemiptera: Triozidae) is a carrot and celery pest recently described as a vector of the plant pathogenic bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (Lso) on Apiaceae. Detailed information on vector stylet penetration activities is essential in the study of Lso transmission. In this study we used the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique, characterized waveforms produced during the various stylet penetration activities in carrot leaves, and correlated them with stylet tracks and salivary sheath termini on plant tissues as well as with Lso inoculation. In addition, the effect of Lso in B. trigonica on the stylet penetration activities was tested. The EPG waveforms identified were: waveforms C1 and C2 detected in the mesophyll, waveforms D, E1, and E2 near or in the phloem sieve elements, and waveform G in the xylem vessels. A waveform pattern not previously reported for psyllids was the ‘pseudo‐potential drop’ (pseudo‐pd), characterized by sudden voltage dips similar to potential drops. However, the lowered voltage appeared to be inverted when the plant voltage is negative, indicating that it is caused by an increased resistance period and not due to a cell puncture. A direct correlation is shown between the waveform E1 and salivation into phloem sieve elements by B. trigonica as the inoculation of Lso occurred in a period as short as 30 s of E1; Lso transmission occurred in 17 of 35 plants (48%). Stylet activities during waveforms C or D had no consequences on the inoculation of Lso. In conclusion, Lso infection directly affects the probing behaviour of B. trigonica by increasing the total duration of C and D waveforms, but not variables related to phloem salivation (Lso inoculation) or ingestion (Lso acquisition). The reported information here is fundamental for identifying the psyllid vector traits of behaviour associated with transmission of Lso to Apiaceae.
Influence of demographic characteristics on attenuated positive psychotic symptoms in a young, help‐seeking, at‐risk population
Authors: Theodoridou Anastasia , Hengartner Michael P. , Heekeren Karsten , Dvorsky Diane , Schultze‐Lutter Frauke , Gerstenberg Miriam , Walitza Susanne , Rössler Wulf
Published: April 2017

Aim

Presentation of attenuated positive psychotic symptoms (APS) was reported to be modestly influenced by age, sex and education in a psychosis‐risk sample. We re‐examined the influence of demographic variables on APS in an independent psychosis‐risk sample.

Method

In a clinical high‐risk‐sample (N = 188; 13‐35 years; 60.1% men), bivariate correlations were examined with Spearman correlations. All other associations were computed with generalized linear models.

Results

Inter‐correlations between positive symptoms were statistically significant for all but the smallest coefficient (range: r = 0.12‐0.49). Age was negatively related to APS (range: OR = 0.53‐0.78, all P < .01). Male sex was uniquely related to disorganized communication (OR = 1.46) and a high education‐level related negatively to suspiciousness/persecutory ideas (OR = 0.64), perceptual abnormalities/hallucinations (OR = 0.57) and disorganized communication (OR = 0.54). The variance explained by age ranged from
R
2
= 0.044 for unusual thought content to
R
2
= 0.144 for perceptual abnormalities.

Conclusion

Our results highlighted the role of age and, thereby, neurodevelopment in psychosis‐risk assessment.
A distinct cutaneous microbiota profile in autoimmune bullous disease patients
Authors: Miodovnik Mor , Künstner Axel , Langan Ewan A. , Zillikens Detlef , Gläser Regine , Sprecher Eli , Baines John F. , Schmidt Enno , Ibrahim Saleh M.
Published: April 2017

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common autoimmune blistering disease in Europe. As both the incidence of the disease and the relative proportion of the elderly population continue to rise, it represents a significant medical burden. Whereas some progress has been achieved in defining genetic risk factors for autoimmune blistering diseases, no environmental agent has been conclusively identified. Emerging evidence suggests that host immunity may influence the skin microbiota, while the latter modulates cutaneous immunity. Nevertheless, the relationship between skin microbial communities and autoimmune bullous disease has yet to be studied in humans. Here, we aim to characterise and compare the skin microbiome of patients withBPand healthy, age‐matched controls at numerous body sites. Similar to what has been shown in healthy controls, the composition of skin microbiota in patients withBPappears to be very divergent and site specific. Microbial phylum abundances differ between perilesional sites of patients withBPand the same anatomic locations of control patients. A distinct cutaneous microbiota profile, which correlates withBP, further strengthens the significance of commensal‐host interaction on our immune system. Moreover, these results raise the possibility that the cutaneous microbiome may contribute to the pathogenesis ofBP, with important implications for the treatment of this disease.
miR‐128‐1 is not required for hair pigmentation in mice
Authors: Wark Abigail R. , Terman Elizabeth J. , Tabin Clifford J.
Published: April 2017

MicroRNAs are endogenous, regulatory RNAs implicated in many biological processes including pigmentation. Software algorithms and in vitro experiments predict that microRNAs can target pigmentation pathway genes, but few have been tested in vivo. MiR‐128‐1, a microRNA within the strongly selected lactase locus in the human genome, has predicted pigmentation targets. To test the role of miR‐128‐1 in pigment regulation, we created C57BL/6 agouti miR‐128‐1 knockout mice and quantified melanin deposition in hair. MiR‐128‐1 knockout mice have no detectable hair pigmentation phenotype. We conclude that miR‐128‐1 does not play a significant regulatory role in hair pigmentation in mice.
A hypomorphic Egfr allele does not ameliorate the palmoplantar keratoderma caused by SLURP1 deficiency
Authors: Allan Christopher M. , Tran Deanna , Tu Yiping , Heizer Patrick J. , Young Lorraine C. , Fong Loren G. , Beigneux Anne P. , Young Stephen G.
Published: April 2017

Mutations in SLURP1, a secreted protein of keratinocytes, cause a palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK) known as mal de Meleda. Slurp1 deficiency in mice faithfully recapitulates the human disease, with increased keratinocyte proliferation and thickening of the epidermis on the volar surface of the paws. There has long been speculation that SLURP1 serves as a ligand for a receptor that regulates keratinocyte growth and differentiation. We were intrigued that mutations leading to increased signalling through the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) cause PPK. Here, we sought to determine whether reducing EGFR signalling would ameliorate the PPK associated with SLURP1 deficiency. To address this issue, we bred Slurp1‐deficient mice that were homozygous for a hypomorphic Egfr allele. The hypomorphic Egfr allele, which leads to reduced EGFR signalling in keratinocytes, did not ameliorate the PPK elicited by SLURP1 deficiency, suggesting that SLURP1 deficiency causes PPK independently (or downstream) from the EGFR pathway.
Effects of biochar application on root traits: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Xiang Yangzhou , Deng Qi , Duan Honglang , Guo Ying
Published: April 2017

Roots are the interfaces between biochar particles and growing plants. Biochar application may alter root growth and traits and thereby affect plant performance. However, a comprehensive understanding of the effects of biochar on root traits is lacking. We conducted a meta‐analysis with 2108 paired observations from 136 articles to evaluate the responses of root traits associated with 13 variables under biochar application. Overall, biochar application increased root biomass (+32%), root volume (+29%) and surface area (39%). The biochar‐induced increases in root length (+52%) and number of root tips (+17%) were much larger than the increase in root diameter (+9.9%); this result suggests that biochar application benefits root morphological development to alleviate plant nutrient and water deficiency rather than to maximize biomass accumulation. Biochar application did not change root N concentration but significantly increased root P concentration (+22%), particularly when combined with N fertilization. Biochar application also affected root‐associated microbes and significantly increased the number of root nodules (+25%). The responses of root traits to biochar application were generally greater in annual plants than in perennial plants and were affected by soil texture and pH values. Moreover, it appears that biochar production process (pyrolysis temperature and time) plays a more important role in regulating root growth than does biochar source. Together, findings obtained from this meta‐analysis may have significant implications for the future sustainable development of biochar management to improve plant growth and functioning.
Low temperature co‐fired ceramics based modular fluidic system for efficient optical measurements
Authors: Malecha Karol
Published: April 2017

In this paper some issues on development and functionality of the modular low temperature co‐fired ceramics (LTCC)‐based microfluidic system are discussed. Design, fabrication, and performance of an exemplary LTCC microfluidic system with separated electronic and microfluidic parts are presented. This microsystem utilizes absorbance and fluorescence measurement for determination of various chemical compounds in liquid test samples. According to performed measurements the analytical signal of the presented LTCC microfluidic system is characterized by good signal‐to‐noise ratio and repeatability.
Kinetics of color changes of popped rice during microwave popping: Effect of salt and moisture content
Authors: Devi Moirangthem Kalpana , Das Susanta Kumar
Published: April 2017

Paddy, coated with a dielectric salt was popped using microwave energy. The kinetics of color changes of the popped rice with the variation of heating time (0–60 s), sample moisture content (12–18% wb), and level of salt coating (0–5% w/w) were studied. The parameters, estimating the change in color of the popped rice, were measured in terms of L*, a*, b* color coordinate system using a Chroma‐meter. The total color change (ΔE*), chroma (C*), hue angle (H*), and browning index (BI*) were estimated from these measured parameters. The shift in color change with microwave popped paddy was found darker side with the increase in heating time and salt content. These color changes showed that, ΔE* was fitted well to zero‐order kinetic model, while BI* followed a first‐order kinetic model. All these color parameters were fitted to a quadratic equation as a function of salt and moisture content. Both ΔE* and BI* increased with the increase in salt:moisture ratio.

Practical applications

The color development in the product during microwave popping of paddy is an important sensory quality attribute concerning consumer acceptability. The popping characteristics of paddy and simultaneously kinetics of its color changes are closely associated with the factors like moisture content, level of salt (dielectric) coating and heating time adopted in domestic MW oven. Modeling of the kinetics of color changes could be a useful practical tool in predicting the final and acceptable color of the product. Estimation of heating time for desirable color development of the product could be arrived with certain ratio of salt to moisture contents of the paddy.
Cutting costs and standardizing care: Once‐per‐cycle complete blood count monitoring may be safe for patients undergoing platinum‐based chemotherapy
Authors: Garcia Christine , Montemorano Lauren , Saks Erin , Duska Linda R. , Cantrell Leigh A.
Published: April 2017

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether frequency of complete blood count (CBC) testing during chemotherapy for gynecologic cancer impacts hospital admissions or rates of neutropenic fever.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed at a single academic institution. Patients undergoing platinum‐based chemotherapy for endometrial or ovarian cancer from January 2010 to December 2014 were identified from a clinical database. Patients receiving dose‐dense chemotherapy or on a clinical trial were excluded. Electronic chart review collected demographic and clinical characteristics. The primary outcome was the rate of febrile neutropenia or hospital admission.

Results

A total of 174 patients were identified, 63 (36%) with endometrial and 111 (64%) with ovarian cancer. Fifty‐four percent of patients received multiple CBC per cycle compared with 46% who only had one CBC per cycle. The majority of patients were treated with a platinum‐based doublet (85%). Dose reductions, addition of granulocyte colony stimulating factor, and rates of grade 3 or 4 anemia and neutropenia were significantly associated with more frequent testing. There was no difference in rates of neutropenic fever (5.3 vs 3.8%, P = 0.45) or hospital admission (22.3 vs 21.3%, P = 0.86) for multiple versus single CBC monitoring.

Conclusion

More frequent laboratory testing detected more cases of grade 3 or 4 hematopoietic toxicities and was associated with more interventions. There were no differences in number of hospitalizations or cases of neutropenic fever by frequency of laboratory testing, suggesting that it may be appropriate to decrease routine laboratory tests for select patients.
Dietary niche partitioning between sympatric brown hares and rabbits
Authors: Lush L. , Ward A. I. , Wheeler P.
Published: April 2017

Coexistence of ecologically similar species is sustained by niche partitioning, a fundamental element of which is diet. Overlapping of resource requirements between sympatric species can create interspecific competitive or facilitative effects on the foraging behaviour of herbivores. Brown hares (Lepus europaeus) and European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are similar in size, morphology, feeding type and occupy the same habitats, but direct evidence of competition for resources between them is lacking. Both species are widespread and simultaneously pests and species of conservation concern in different parts of their range. We investigated dietary overlap of brown hares and European rabbits in pastures in relation to pasture management and hare and rabbit abundance. Grasses were the predominant component in both hare and rabbit diets with high overlap of plant species. Both rabbits and hares showed some selectivity for particular plants with evidence of consistent selection for Phleum spp. and relative avoidance of Poa spp. However, differences in the smaller components of hare and rabbit diet resulted in significant differences in diet overall. There was no evidence that higher relative density of one species led to dietary shifts but pasture management affected the diet of both species. Nutritional composition of diets of both species also differed between cattle and sheep pastures with higher fibre, ash and fat in the former. Our data provide no evidence of competitive exclusion between rabbits and hares on the basis of diet, but suggest that the effects of livestock on their respective diets may influence indirect competition in favour of rabbits over hares.
Improved survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and compensated hepatitis C virus‐related cirrhosis who attained sustained virological response
Authors: Bruno Savino , Di Marco Vito , Iavarone Massimo , Roffi Luigi , Boccaccio Vincenzo , Crosignani Andrea , Cabibbo Giuseppe , Rossi Sonia , Calvaruso Vincenza , Aghemo Alessio , Giacomelli Luca , Craxì Antonio , Colombo Massimo , Maisonneuve Patrick
Published: April 2017

Background

Few studies examined the outcome of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐related cirrhosis who developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The relative weight as determinant of death for cancer vs end‐stage liver disease (ESLD) and the benefit of HCV eradication remain undefined. This multicentre, retrospective analysis evaluates overall survival (OS), rate of decompensation and tumour recurrence in compensated HCC patients treated with interferon (IFN) according to HCV status since HCC diagnosis.

Methods

Two groups of patients with HCV‐related cirrhosis and HCC were followed since HCC diagnosis: (i) compensated cirrhotics with prior sustained virological response (SVR) on IFN‐based regimens (N=19); (ii) compensated cirrhotics without SVR (viraemic) (N=156).

RESULTS

Over a median follow‐up of 3.0 years since the onset of HCC, OS was longer for HCC patients with SVR than for viraemic patients (log‐rank P=.004). The 5‐year OS rate was 65.9% in patients with SVR vs 31.9% in viraemic patients. Similar trends were reported for hepatic decompensation (log‐rank P=.01) and tumour recurrence (log‐rank P=.01). These findings were confirmed at multivariable and propensity score analysis. At propensity analysis, 0/19 compensated patients with SVR died for ESLD vs 7/19 (37%) viraemic patients (P=.004). HCC mortality was similar in the two groups.

Conclusions

Hepatocellular carcinoma patients with prior SVR and compensated cirrhosis at the time of tumour diagnosis have prolonged OS than viraemic patients. Given the lack of cirrhosis progression, no SVR patient ultimately died for ESLD while this condition appears the main cause of death among viraemic patients.
The effects and mechanism of action of methane on ileal motor function
Authors: Park Y. M. , Lee Y. J. , Hussain Z. , Lee Y. H. , Park H.
Published: April 2017

Background

Methane has been associated with constipation‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome, slowing intestinal transit time by augmenting contractile activity. However, the precise mechanism underlying this effect remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the effect of methane on contractile activity, and whether such effects are mediated by nerve impulses or muscular contraction.

Methods

We connected guinea pig ileal muscle strips to a force/tension transducer and measured amplitudes of contraction in response to electrical field stimulation (EFS; 1, 2, 8, 16 Hz) following methane infusion in the presence of tetradotoxin (TTX), atropine, guanethidine, or GR 113808. We then performed calcium imaging using Oregon Green 488 BAPTA‐1 AM in order to visualize changes in calcium fluorescence in response to EFS following methane infusion in the presence of TTX, atropine, or a high K+ solution.

Key Results

Methane significantly increased amplitudes of contraction (P<.05), while treatment with TTX abolished such contraction. Methane‐induced increases in amplitude were inhibited when lower‐frequency (1, 2 Hz) EFS was applied following atropine infusion (P<.05). Neither guanethidine nor GR 113808 significantly altered contraction amplitudes. Methane significantly increased calcium fluorescence, while this increase was attenuated following atropine infusion (P<.05). Although calcium fluorescence was increased by the high K+ solution under pretreatment with TTX, the intensity of fluorescence remained unchanged after methane infusion.

Conclusions and Inferences

The actions of methane on the intestine are influenced by the cholinergic pathway of the enteric nervous system. Our findings support the classification of methane as a gasotransmitter.
Effect of platelet‐rich plasma on orthodontic tooth movement in dogs
Authors: Rashid A. , ElSharaby F. A. , Nassef E. M. , Mehanni S. , Mostafa Y. A.
Published: April 2017

Structured Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement.

Methods

The sample comprised six skeletally mature male mongrel dogs. The maxillary second premolar in each dog was extracted bilaterally. PRP was prepared and injected around the first premolar in one randomly selected maxillary quadrant while the other quadrant served as the control. Coil springs (150 g) were used to distalize the first premolars for 63 days using TAD as anchorage.

Results

Total maxillary tooth movement was significantly faster on the experimental than on the control side.

Conclusion

Local injection of PRP in the present animal study resulted in accelerated orthodontic tooth movement with no obvious clinical or microscopic side effects.
Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Recurrence after Amputation for CRPS, and Failure of Conventional Spinal Cord Stimulation
Authors: Goebel Andreas , Lewis Sarah , Phillip Rhodri , Sharma Manohar
Published: April 2017

Background

Limb amputation is sometimes being performed in long‐standing complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), although little evidence is available guiding management decisions, including how CRPS recurrence should be managed.

Methods

This report details the management of a young soldier with CRPS recurrence 2 years after midtibial amputation for CRPS.

Results

Conventional spinal cord stimulation did not achieve paraesthetic coverage, or pain relief in the stump, whereas L4 dorsal root ganglion stimulation achieved both coverage and initially modest pain relief, and over time, substantial pain relief.

Conclusions

Current evidence does not support the use of amputation to improve either pain or function in CRPS. Before a decision is made, in exceptional cases, about referral for amputation, dorsal root ganglion stimulation should be considered as a potentially effective treatment, even where conventional spinal cord stimulator treatment has failed to achieve reliable paraesthetic cover. Furthermore, this treatment may provide pain relief in those patients with CRPS recurrence in the stump after amputation.
Persistent and Developing Sleep Problems: A Prospective Cohort Study on the Relationship to Poor Outcome in Patients Attending a Pain Clinic with Chronic Low Back Pain
Authors: Pakpour Amir H. , Yaghoubidoust Mohammadhossein , Campbell Paul
Published: April 2017

Sleep problems are common in people with low back pain (LBP); however, the mechanisms of how sleep influences pain are complex. To date there is a lack of prospective research on the timing and development of sleep problems in those who have LBP; such information would be useful to identify individuals at risk for poor outcomes. Our aims are to investigate the predictive role of sleep problems on self‐report recovery and pain intensity using logistic regression reporting odds ratios (ORs). An observational cohort of 761 chronic LBP patients recruited from a pain management clinic participated, and they completed data at baseline and at 6‐month follow‐up (n = 682). Results show increased odds for reported nonrecovery (OR 1.52) and pain intensity (OR 2.69) among those who reported sleep problems at baseline. Further analysis on the experience of sleep problems through time showed that those with developing sleep problems (ie, no sleep problems at baseline but reported sleep problems at follow‐up) were at increased odds for reporting nonrecovery (OR 2.17) and pain intensity (OR 2.95), as were those who reported sleep problems at both baseline and follow‐up, for recovery (OR 2.88) and pain intensity (OR 3.45). Those with resolving sleep problems (ie, sleep problems present at baseline but not at follow‐up) were at decreased odds for nonrecovery (OR 0.50) and pain intensity (0.49). Presenting, persistent, and developing sleep problems have a significant impact on recovery for those with LBP. Clinicians may wish to consider treatment options that can address sleep problems.
Determinants of large drain losses early after pediatric liver transplantation
Authors: Marseglia Antonio , Ginammi Marco , Bosisio Michela , Stroppa Paola , Colledan Michele , D'Antiga Lorenzo
Published: April 2017

The goal of this study was to evaluate postoperative ascites to correlate it with graft dysfunction and other complications. We therefore reviewed the files of patients transplanted between 2009 and 2014 to correlate drain losses with indication, patient and organ size, PELD, graft type, GRWR, NRBW, NGWD, cold ischemia time, histologically proven graft dysfunction, and surgical complications. Of 120 LTs in 104 patients, 48 (40%) were complicated by graft dysfunction, 43 (36%) by surgical complications, and 25 (21%) by cellular rejection. Large drain losses correlated with younger age (P=.05), graft dysfunction (P<.01), surgical complications (P<.01), chylous ascites (P=.05); there was no association with PELD, GRWR, NRBW, or NGWD. Graft dysfunction was predicted by >20 mL/kg/d of ascites at age 0‐2 years (AUROC 0.671), and >10 mL/kg/d above 2 years (AUROC 0.710). The measurement of drain losses after pediatric LT could be used as a non‐invasive marker of graft dysfunction. Younger recipients tend to develop larger amounts of ascites, and its persistence is associated with early complications.