bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BADGE, BeadsArray for the Detection of Gene Expression, a High-Throughput Diagnostic Bioassay
Authors: Yang Li , Tran Diem K. , Wang Xun
Published: September 2018

Several methods are presently available for gene expression analysis. However, few of them are suitable for detection of moderate numbers of genes in thousands of samples with high speed and low cost. There is great demand for such a method for use in diagnostics and screening. To address this need, we have developed an assay for gene expression analysis using microspheres and a fluidic instrument made by Luminex. The assay is named Beads Array for the Detection of Gene Expression (BADGE). BADGE can monitor up to 100 genes in a single reaction, and it takes only 1 h to hybridize and <20 sec to read the results of all 100 genes in a sample for the detection process. For the genes detected in five independent replicate experiments, the standard deviation was <35% of the mean. We have monitored multiple pathogenesis-related genes simultaneously in chemical-treated and control Arabidopsis samples employing the BADGE assay. The data were compared with those obtained from an established technology, Affymetrix GeneChip. The changes in expression profiles were very similar. Our study showed that the BADGE assay was capable of profiling expression of multiple genes at affordable cost and rapid speed.
Genomewide Trapping of Genes that Encode Secreted and Transmembrane Proteins Repressed by Oncogenic Signaling
Authors: Gebauer Mathias , von Melchner Harald , Beckers Thomas
Published: September 2018

A retroviral gene trap containing a human CD2 cell surface antigen/neomycin–phosphotransferase fusion gene in the U3 region of its LTR (U3Ceo) was used to screen the mammalian genome for genes encoding secreted and/or transmembrane proteins that are repressed by oncogenic transformation. From an integration library consisting of cells transformable by the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a collection of neomycin resistant (NeoR) clones was obtained; 86% also expressed the CD2 cell surface antigen. Molecular analysis of a random sample of NeoR clones revealed that the U3Ceo gene trap preferentially disrupted genes coding for secreted and transmembrane proteins. In each case, the signal sequence of the endogenous gene was fused in-frame to the CD2/neomycin–phosphotransferase reporter gene due to a cryptic splice acceptor site embedded in the coding region of the CD2 cDNA. When the library was transformed by IGF-1 and selected against CD2 expression, integrations were obtained in genes that are repressed by transformation. Molecular analysis of six randomly chosen integrations revealed that, in each case, U3Ceo captured a signal sequence from proteins involved in oncogenic transformation and metastatic spread.
Comparing Vertebrate Whole-Genome Shotgun Reads to the Human Genome
Authors: Chen Rui , Bouck John B. , Weinstock George M. , Gibbs Richard A.
Published: September 2018

Multi-species sequence comparisons are a very efficient way to reveal conserved genes. Because sequence finishing is expensive and time consuming, many genome sequences are likely to stay incomplete. A challenge is to use these fragmented data for understanding the human genome. Methods for using cross-species whole-genome shotgun sequence (WGS) for genome annotation are described in this paper. About one-half million high-quality rat WGS reads (covering 7.5% of the rat genome) generated at the Baylor College of Medicine Human Genome Sequencing Center were compared with the human genome. Using computer-generated random reads as a negative control, a set of parameters was determined for reliable interpretation of BLAST search results. About 10% of the rat reads contain regions that are conserved in the human genomic sequence and about one-third of these include known gene-coding regions. Mapping the conserved regions to human chromosomes showed a 23-fold enrichment for coding regions compared with noncoding regions. This approach can also be applied to other mammalian genomes for gene finding. These data predicted ∼42,500 genes in the human, slightly more than reported previously.
SNP Genotyping by Multiplexed Solid-Phase Amplification and Fluorescent Minisequencing
Authors: Shapero Michael H. , Leuther Kerstin K. , Nguyen Anhthu , Scott Melissa , Jones Keith W.
Published: September 2018

The emerging role of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in clinical association and pharmacogenetic studies has created a need for high-throughput genotyping technologies. We describe a novel method for multiplexed genotyping of SNPs that employs PCR amplification on microspheres. Oligonucleotide PCR primers were designed for each polymorphic locus such that one of the primers contained a recognition site for BbvI (a type IIS restriction enzyme), followed by 11 nucleotides of locus-specific sequence, which reside immediately upstream of the polymorphic site. Following amplification, this configuration allows for any SNP to be exposed by BbvI digestion and interrogated via primer extension, four-color minisequencing. Primers containing 5′ acrylamide groups were attached covalently to the solid support through copolymerization into acrylamide beads. Highly multiplexed solid-phase amplification using human genomic DNA was demonstrated with 57 beads in a single reaction. Multiplexed amplification and minisequencing reactions using bead sets representing eight polymorphic loci were carried out with genomic DNA from eight individuals. Sixty-three of 64 genotypes were accurately determined by this method when compared to genotypes determined by restriction-enzyme digestion of PCR products. This method provides an accurate, robust approach toward multiplexed genotyping that may facilitate the use of SNPs in such diverse applications as pharmacogenetics and genome-wide association studies for complex genetic diseases.
Single-particle imaging without symmetry constraints at an X-ray free-electron laser
Authors: Rose Max , Bobkov Sergey , Ayyer Kartik , Kurta Ruslan P. , Dzhigaev Dmitry , Kim Young Yong , Morgan Andrew J. , Yoon Chun Hong , Westphal Daniel , Bielecki Johan , Sellberg Jonas A. , Williams Garth , Maia Filipe R.N.C. , Yefanov Olexander M. , Ilyin Vyacheslav , Mancuso Adrian P. , Chapman Henry N. , Hogue Brenda G. , Aquila Andrew , Barty Anton , Vartanyants Ivan A.
Published: September 2018

The analysis of a single-particle imaging (SPI) experiment performed at the AMO beamline at LCLS as part of the SPI initiative is presented here. A workflow for the three-dimensional virus reconstruction of the PR772 bacteriophage from measured single-particle data is developed. It consists of several well defined steps including single-hit diffraction data classification, refined filtering of the classified data, reconstruction of three-dimensional scattered intensity from the experimental diffraction patterns by orientation determination and a final three-dimensional reconstruction of the virus electron density without symmetry constraints. The analysis developed here revealed and quantified nanoscale features of the PR772 virus measured in this experiment, with the obtained resolution better than 10 nm, with a clear indication that the structure was compressed in one direction and, as such, deviates from ideal icosahedral symmetry.
Ethyl 6′-cyano-7′-phenyl-1′,6′,7′,7a'-tetrahydro-3′H-spiro[indeno[1,2-b]quinoxaline-11,5′-pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazole-6′-carboxylate
Authors: Muthuselvi C. , Athimoolam S. , Srinivasan N. , Ravikumar B. , Pandiarajan S. , Krishnakumar R. V.
Published: September 2018

In the title compound, C22H22ClN4O2S, the angle between the mean planes of the indene ring and the quinoxaline ring system is 3.93 (11)°. The five-membered indene and thiazole rings both adopt envelope conformations while the pyrrole ring adopts a twisted conformation. The two acceptor O atoms form a chelated three-centred hydrogen bond with a phenyl C atom.
Case studies and comparison between two models for assessing library service quality
Authors: Xi Qingkui , Zhao Heng , Hu Yitao , Tong Yunjuan , Bao Ping
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This study aims to describe case studies of two models, LibQUAL+ and a model based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), used to assess library service quality and compare the two assessment models.

Design/methodology/approach

First, an AHP-based evaluation model is set up to assess library service quality, following which the model is adapted to assess the service quality of Nanjing Agricultural University Library. Second, a modified LibQUAL+ model is created and implemented in the form of a questionnaire survey to assess the library service quality of the same library. Finally, the two assessment models are compared.

Findings

The results of the two case studies indicate that LibQUAL+ is suitable for assessing Chinese university libraries after modified, and the library AHP model is more suitable for comparing libraries in China between themselves.

Originality/value

This paper uses two methods for assessing library service quality; this should prove to be helpful for the librarians interested in assessing the service quality of Chinese university libraries.
HR localization impacts on HCNs’ work attitudes
Authors: Foroutan Taraneh , Timur Ahmet Tarik , Abubakar Abubakar Mohammed
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of localized human resource management (LHRM) on host country nationals’ (HCNs) intention to remain (ITR) and extra-role performance (ERP) through the mediating role of person-organization fit (POF).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered from 494 employees in two Chinese subsidiaries in Iran via two-stage self-administered survey and analyzed with AMOS 21.

Findings

The results show that LHRM positively affected employees’ ITR and ERP. However, there was no significant relationship between LHRM and POF and between POF and ERP.

Originality/value

Previous studies in the international human resource management literature have focused more on Western and South Asian countries. The present study, to the best of our knowledge, is the first inquiry of its kind in an Iranian context. Hence, this paper contributes to the existing knowledge by testing LHRM in two large Chinese multinational companies in Iran. Additionally, the results of this study will increase our understanding of LHRM and provide practitioners with superior insights into some practices that could elevate HCNs’ ERP and ITR.
Influence of human capital on healthcare agility and healthcare supply chain performance
Authors: Mandal Santanu
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Health-care supply chains must focus on efficient deployment of resources for ensuring optimal supply chain performance. With efficient supply chain (SC) performance, health-care entities would be able to address their patients’ requirements with great speed. This is the essence of health-care agility. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to focus on developing health-care agility through human capital, that is, innovative idea generation capabilities and specialised knowledge possessed by the firm employees. Because information technology (IT) capabilities play a dominant role in information exchange crucial to supply chain operations; the study considered the moderating role of three IT capabilities, viz. outside-in, spanning and inside-out IT capabilities on human capital and health-care SC performance association, and on health-care supply chain performance and health-care agility association.

Design/methodology/approach

Because the constructs used in the study mainly deals with issues specifically related to hospitals and their associated supply chains, the study collected perceptual responses from senior hospital managers. Perceptual responses were received through face-to-face interviews with 212 hospital managers working in different hospitals. The collected responses were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling.

Findings

Findings suggests positive influences of human capital on health-care SC performance and health-care agility. Furthermore, health-care SC performance was also found to result in enhanced health-care agility. The study further revealed positive moderation of outside-in, spanning and inside-out IT capabilities on human capital and health-care SC performance association and on health-care SC performance and health-care agility association.

Originality/value

The study addressed the importance of human capital in providing faster services to patients (i.e. agility) in health-care supply chains through improved SC performance. Furthermore, the study addressed the importance of different IT capabilities that enhance the importance of human capital in providing efficient and faster services through efficient SC performance.
Gamified mobile experiences: smart technologies for tourism destinations
Authors: Garcia Ander , Linaza Maria Teresa , Gutierrez Aitor , Garcia Endika
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: to present gamified mobile experiences as valid tools for DMOs to enrich the experience of tourists, and to present the benefits provided to DMOs by analytics tools integrated on gamified mobile experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

Staff from three DMOs have generated a gamified mobile experience using a custom authoring tool designed and developed to fulfil their requirements. This gamified experience has targeted families with children visiting Basque Country during off-peak season. The experience has been validated over a period of seven weeks within a pilot project promoted by the local tourist information offices of the DMOs. Data directly provided by tourists and data gathered from analytic tools integrated on the gamified mobile experience have been analysed to fulfil the research objectives presented on the paper.

Findings

Both DMOs and tourists can benefit from gamified mobile experiences. The integration of analytics tools to gain insights into the behaviour of tourists can be a relevant information source for DMOs.

Research limitations/implications

The pilot project has targeted a niche tourism market, families with children visiting Basque Country, and has been running during off-peak season. Further studies focusing on other tourist types and different tourism season and destination types will be required to strengthen the validation of the research objectives presented on this paper.

Practical implications

The paper promotes both the development of gamified mobile experiences and the inclusion of analytics tools for DMOs to obtain relevant information about tourists and the mobile experiences.

Originality/value

A gamified mobile experience is generated by DMOs, validated on the basis of experience of real tourists. The analytics tools inside the gamified mobile experience provide DMOs with relevant information.
Prediction of sonic velocities from other borehole data: An example from the Kevitsa mine site, northern Finland
Authors: Kieu Duy Thong , Kepic Anton , Kitzig Maria Cornelia
Published: September 2018

P‐wave and S‐wave velocities are vital parameters for the processing of seismic data and may be useful for geotechnical studies used in mine planning if such data were collected more often. Seismic velocity data from boreholes increase the robustness and accuracy of the images obtained by relatively costly seismic surface reflection surveys. However, sonic logs are rarely acquired in boreholes in‐and‐near base metal and precious metal mineral deposits until a seismic survey is planned, and only a few new holes are typically logged because the many hundreds of holes previously drilled are no longer accessible. If there are any pre‐existing petrophysical log data, then the data are likely to consist of density, magnetic susceptibility, resistivity and natural gamma logs. Thus, it would be of great benefit to be able to predict the velocities from other data that is more readily available.

In this work, we utilize fuzzy c‐means clustering to build a “fuzzy” relationship between sonic velocities and other petrophysical borehole data to predict P‐wave and S‐wave velocity. If boreholes with sonic data intersect most of the important geological units in the area of interest, then the cluster model developed may be applied to other boreholes that do not have sonic data, but do have other petrophysical data to be used for predicting the sonic logs. These predicted sonic logs may then be used to create a three‐dimensional volume of velocity with greater detail than would otherwise be created by the interpolation of measured sonic data from sparsely located holes.

Our methodology was tested on a dataset from the Kevitsa Ni‐Cu‐PGE deposit in northern Finland. The dataset includes five boreholes with wireline logs of P‐wave velocity, S‐wave velocity, density, natural gamma, magnetic susceptibility and resistivity that were used for cluster analysis. The best combination of input data for the training section was chosen by trial and error, but differences in the misfit between the various training datasets were not particularly significant. Our results show that the fuzzy c‐means method can predict sonic velocities from other borehole data very well, and the fuzzy c‐means method works better than using multiple linear‐regression fitting. The predicted P‐wave velocity data are of sufficient quality to robustly add low‐frequency information for seismic impedance inversion and should provide better velocity models for accurate depth conversion of seismic reflection data.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation retrieval factors and survival to intensive care unit discharge
Authors: Kennedy Lucy , Wrigley Scott , Kennedy Marcus , Pellegrino Vincent
Published: September 2018

Objective

Audit of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) retrieval service operating in Victoria, Australia, regarding retrieval factors and patient survival to intensive care unit (ICU) discharge.

Methods

Retrospective cohort analysis of Adult Retrieval Victoria ECMO retrievals with subsequent ICU admission (n = 88) from January 2014 to December 2017.

Results

Complications occurring during veno‐arterial ECMO transfer have significant association with decreased survival to ICU discharge (P = 0.012). Mortality for veno‐arterial ECMO patients was greater than veno‐venous ECMO patients.

Conclusion

Retrieval ECMO achieves similar survival outcomes to in‐house ECMO. The demonstrated relationship of adverse events during retrieval phase to subsequent mortality in ICU highlights the need for optimised case management and retrieval processes.
High‐performance work system and employee performance: the mediating roles of social exchange and thriving and the moderating effect of employee proactive personality
Authors: Zhang Junwei , Bal P Matthijs , Akhtar Muhammad Naseer , Long Lirong , Zhang Yong , Ma Zixiang
Published: September 2018

Research on high‐performance work systems (HPWS) has drawn primarily from social exchange theory and human capital theory to unlock the underlying mechanisms in relation to employee performance. In addition to social exchange and human capital theory, a personal resources perspective can also be used to explain the effects of HPWS. In this cross‐level research, we examined the mediating roles of social exchange and thriving, and the moderating effect of proactive personality in the relationships between HPWS and task performance and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) by analyzing a sample of 391 employees and 84 supervisors from 21 firms in China. Using multi‐level analyses, social exchange and thriving were found to mediate the effects of HPWS on employee task performance and OCB. Furthermore, proactive personality attenuated HPWS's direct effect on thriving and indirect effects on employee task performance and OCB through thriving. Finally, we discuss theoretical contributions, and practical implications of the study, as well as future research directions.
High prevalence of comorbid autoimmune diseases in adults with type 1 diabetes from the HealthFacts database
Authors: Bao Yicheng K. , Weide Lamont G. , Ganesan Vishwanath C. , Jakhar Ishaan , McGill Janet B. , Sahil Suman , Cheng An‐Lin , Gaddis Monica , Drees Betty M.
Published: September 2018

Background

Patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are at risk for other autoimmune diseases (ie, polyautoimmunity). The prevalence and risk factors of this phenomenon have been underreported in adults and ethnic minorities, and data are lacking regarding non‐endocrine autoimmune diseases.

Methods

Study population data were gathered from HealthFacts, a deidentified patient database compiled from electronic medical records systems in the US. Patients with an International Classification of Diseases diagnosis code specifying T1D were included in the study, whereas those with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes were excluded.

Results

The cross‐sectional study cohort comprised 158 865 adults with T1D (mean [±SD] age 51.4 ± 18.9 years, 52.5% female). The most common autoimmune diseases were thyroid disease (20.1%), systemic rheumatic diseases (3.4%), rheumatoid arthritis specifically (2.0%), and gastrointestinal autoimmune diseases (1.4%). Most of the autoimmune diseases were more common in women (eg hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Sjögren syndrome). Caucasians were more likely than other ethnicities to have an additional autoimmune disease. The prevalence of autoimmune diseases increased with increasing age, significantly in women, such that 38.5% of women over 80 years of age had an additional autoimmune disease, compared with 17.9% of women aged ≤29 years.

Conclusions

Additional autoimmunity represents a significant comorbidity in patients with T1D. Autoimmune diseases are more common in Caucasians and in women, and increase with age. Clinicians treating patients with T1D should be aware of the risk factors for additional autoimmune diseases.
Effects of combined treatment with blood flow restriction and low‐intensity electrical stimulation on diabetes mellitus‐associated muscle atrophy in rats
Authors: Tanaka Minoru , Morifuji Takeshi , Yoshikawa Madoka , Nakanishi Ryosuke , Fujino Hidemi
Published: September 2018

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) results in decreased muscle mass and harmful complications. Blood flow restriction (Bfr) and electrical stimulation (ES) increase muscle protein synthesis. We hypothesized that combined Bfr and low‐intensity ES may be more effective in preventing diabetes‐associated muscle atrophy by inhibiting the downregulation of protein synthesis‐related pathways. In this study, the effects of combined Bfr and low‐intensity ES on diabetes‐associated muscle atrophy were investigated by evaluating advanced glycation end‐products (AGEs) and receptor for AGEs (RAGE) in rats.

Methods

Twenty‐four Goto‐Kakizaki (GK) rats were randomly divided into four treatment groups: sedentary DM, DM + Bfr (pressure cuffs placed around the thigh), DM + ES, and DM + Bfr + ES. Six Wistar rats were used as an age‐matched control. Levels of AGEs and the expression of RAGE, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), and ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6) were determined in plantaris muscles.

Results

Diabetes resulted in a loss of muscle mass and upregulation of AGEs and RAGE in the plantaris muscle compared with the control group. Treatment with Bfr and ES alone failed to attenuate diabetes‐associated loss of muscle mass, and could not prevent the upregulation of AGEs. However, the combination of Bfr and ES prevented the diabetes‐associated decrease in muscle mass and upregulation of AGEs. In addition, the combination treatment prevented diabetes‐associated decreases in the expression of phosphorylated rpS6.

Conclusions

Combination treatment with Bfr and ES may prevent diabetes‐associated muscle atrophy by upregulating inhibition of AGEs, which leads to the activation of protein synthesis.
New mitochondrial primers for metabarcoding of insects, designed and evaluated using in silico methods
Authors: Marquina Daniel , Andersson Anders F. , Ronquist Fredrik
Published: September 2018

Insect metabarcoding has been mainly based on PCR amplification of short fragments within the “barcoding region” of the gene cytochrome oxidase I (COI). However, because of the variability of this gene, it has been difficult to design good universal PCR primers. Most primers used today are associated with gaps in the taxonomic coverage or amplification biases that make the results less reliable and impede the detection of species that are present in the sample. We identify new primers for insect metabarcoding using computational approaches (ecoprimers and degeprime) applied to the most comprehensive reference databases of mitochondrial genomes of Hexapoda assembled to date. New primers are evaluated in silico against previously published primers in terms of taxonomic coverage and resolution of the corresponding amplicons. For the latter criterion, we propose a new index, exclusive taxonomic resolution, which is a more biologically meaningful measure than the standard index used today. Our results show that the best markers are found in the ribosomal RNA genes (12S and 16S); they resolve about 90% of the genetically distinct species in the reference database. Some markers in protein‐coding genes provide similar performance but only at much higher levels of primer degeneracy. Combining two of the best individual markers improves the effective taxonomic resolution with up to 10%. The resolution is strongly dependent on insect taxon: COI primers detect 40% of Hymenoptera, while 12S primers detect 12% of Collembola. Our results indicate that amplicon‐based metabarcoding of insect samples can be improved by choosing other primers than those commonly used today.
Evidence of governance arbitrage by private equity sponsors
Authors: Schofield Guy
Published: September 2018

The motivation for private equity bids is not well understood, partly due to the private nature of their activity. This research contributes to understanding the merits of current‐day private equity by examining whether ineffective governance of target public corporations contributes to the role that private equity fulfils. I examine the characteristics of large public target firms that receive a private equity bid to investigate the evidence that private equity is motivated to address ineffective governance. I find evidence the private equity is motivated by what is referred to as governance arbitrage and that this role is heightened when there are constraints such as the imposition of uniform governance practices within public corporations.
Evaluating support for rangeland‐restoration practices by rural Somalis: an unlikely win‐win for local livelihoods and hirola antelope?
Authors: Ali A. H. , Amin R. , Evans J. S. , Fischer M. , Ford A. T. , Kibara A. , Goheen J. R.
Published: September 2018

In developing countries, governments often lack the authority and resources to implement conservation outside of protected areas. In such situations, the integration of conservation with local livelihoods is crucial to species recovery and reintroduction efforts. The hirola Beatragus hunteri is the world's most endangered antelope, with a population of <500 individuals that is restricted to <5% of its historical geographic range on the Kenya–Somali border. Long‐term hirola declines have been attributed to a combination of disease and rangeland degradation. Tree encroachment—driven by some combination of extirpation of elephants, overgrazing by livestock, and perhaps fire suppression—is at least partly responsible for habitat loss and the decline of contemporary populations. Through interviews in local communities across the hirola's current range, we identified socially acceptable strategies for habitat restoration and hirola recovery. We used classification and regression trees, conditional inference trees, and generalized linear models to identify sociodemographic predictors of support for range‐restoration strategies. Locals supported efforts to conserve elephants (which kill trees and thus facilitate grass growth), seed and fertilize grass, and remove trees, but were opposed to livestock reduction. Locals were ambivalent toward controlled burns and soil ripping (a practice through which soil is broken up to prevent compaction). Livestock ownership and years of residency were key predictors of locals’ perceptions toward rangeland‐restoration practices. Locals owning few livestock were more supportive of elephant conservation, and seeding and fertilization of grass, while longer term residents were more supportive of livestock reduction but were less supportive of elephant conservation. Ultimately, wildlife conservation outside protected areas requires long‐term, community‐based efforts that are compatible with human livelihoods. We recommend elephant conservation, grass seeding and fertilization, manual tree removal and resting range from livestock both to enhance the potential for hirola recovery and to build positive rapport with local communities in the geographic range of this critically endangered species.
Reducing the Hellenic Financial Crisis to Its Root Cause: A Cybernetic Analysis
Authors: Trujillo Joaquin
Published: September 2018

This article cybernetically (isomorphically) investigates the causes of the Hellenic financial crisis. It (1) describes the crisis and its commonly assessed root cause: systemic corruption coupled to the decisions of ample numbers of Greeks to endure the problem rather than resolve it; (2) reviewsSYRIZA's 2015 anti‐austerity campaign and identifies incompatibilities within its apparent collective purposes that imply processes more fundamental than corruption and bad faith may be causing the crisis; (3) situates cybernetics within a sociological framework to analyze those processes appropriately; (4) propositionally reduces them to a general rule—the tragedy of the commons—operating more or less within the collective conscience of the Greek people; and (5) and exposes the parameter's self‐similar manifestation in social actions that have contributed to the crisis.
Perilous Journeys: Visualising the Racialised “Refugee Crisis”
Authors: Burrell Kathy , Hörschelmann Kathrin
Published: September 2018

This article explores the benign and malignant power of the visual in the racialised framing of the ongoing “European refugee crisis”. Bringing together literatures on racial discourses, visuality, storytelling and decoloniality for the first time, this paper breaks new ground in our understandings of the political possibilities that visual storytelling offers in shifting “lines of sight” in an increasingly vitriolic anti‐refugee climate. It does this by analysing prominent graphic narratives created by the non‐profit organisation PositiveNegatives, animating the refugee experiences of Syrian men in Scandinavia. We consider the affective engagements that such progressive storytelling promotes and the decolonial potential invested in it, arguing that the modality and content of narratives of this genre offer important scope to provoke encounter and empathy. Contributing to geographies of race, migration, visuality and decoloniality, we suggest that these narratives allow new and gently radical ways of resisting the dehumanising impetus of mainstream media discourses.
Improved discrimination between normal‐tension and primary open‐angle glaucoma with advanced vascular examinations – the Leuven Eye Study
Authors: Barbosa‐Breda João , Van Keer Karel , Abegão‐Pinto Luis , Nassiri Vahid , Molenberghs Geert , Willekens Koen , Vandewalle Evelien , Rocha‐Sousa Amândio , Stalmans Ingeborg
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Vascular factors have been suggested to influence the development and progression of glaucoma. They are thought to be especially relevant for normal‐tension glaucoma (NTG) patients. We aim to investigate which vascular factors, including advanced vascular examinations, better describe patients with NTG comparing to those with primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods

The Leuven Eye Study database (182 NTG and 202 POAG patients; similar structural and functional damage) was used to compute three multivariate logistic regression models: a conventional model (conventional parameters only, including vascular‐related self‐reported phenomena, such as migraine or peripheral vasospasm); an advanced vascular model (advanced vascular parameters only: colour Doppler imaging (CDI), retinal oximetry, ocular pulse amplitude and choroidal thickness); and a global model, in which both types of parameters were allowed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and corresponding areas under the curve (AUC) were calculated and compared between models.

Results

Patients with NTG had a higher resistive index and lower early systolic acceleration (ESA) in their retrobulbar vessels and a smaller arteriovenous retinal oxygen saturation difference. The global model (AUC 0.743) showed a significantly better discriminative ability when compared to either the conventional (AUC 0.687, p = 0.049) or the advanced vascular (AUC 0.677, p = 0.005) models. Also, the conventional and the advanced vascular models showed a similar discriminative ability (p = 0.823).

Conclusion

Patients with NTG have more signs of vascular dysfunction. Clinical conventional parameters, such as asking simple vascular‐related questions, combined with advanced vascular examinations provide information to better understand the value that non‐IOP‐related factors play in NTG.
Liver fat scores predict liver disease mortality in the United States population
Authors: Unalp‐Arida Aynur , Ruhl Constance E.
Published: September 2018

Background

Fatty liver is a significant global public health burden, contributing to premature death.

Aim

To examine whether liver fat scores were associated with increased overall and disease‐specific mortality in a United States (US) population‐based survey with up to 27 years of linked mortality data.

Methods

We studied 9200 fasted viral hepatitis‐negative adults in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988‐1994. Liver fat was predicted using the US fatty liver index (US FLI), fatty liver index (FLI), non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease liver fat score (NAFLD LFS), and hepatic steatosis index (HSI). Participants were passively followed up for mortality, identified by death certificate underlying or contributing causes, by linkage to National Death Index records through 2015. Mortality hazard ratios (HR) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression to adjust for mortality risk factors.

Results

During follow‐up (median, 23.3 years), cumulative mortality was 31.4% overall and 1.1% with liver disease, including primary liver cancer. Elevated liver disease mortality was associated with a high US FLI (HR, 5.7; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.3‐24.5), and intermediate (HR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.1‐9.1) or high (HR, 11.4; 95% CI, 2.9‐44.4) NAFLD LFS, but not with a higher FLI or HSI. Overall and cardiovascular disease mortality was unassociated with higher liver fat scores.

Conclusions

In the US population, a higher US FLI and NAFLD LFS were associated with increased liver disease mortality, but not with other mortality outcomes. Liver fat scores may be useful for metabolic health surveillance and long‐term liver disease risk stratification and may complement fibrosis markers for tracking.
Inequity of care provision and outcome disparity in autoimmune hepatitis in the United Kingdom
Authors: Dyson Jessica K. , Wong Lin Lee , Bigirumurame Theophile , Hirschfield Gideon M. , Kendrick Stuart , Oo Ye H. , Lohse Ansgar W , Heneghan Michael A. , Jones David E. J. ,   the UK‐AIH Consortium
Published: September 2018

Background

Treatment paradigms in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) have remained largely unchanged for decades. Studies report ≤20% of patients have sub‐optimal treatment response with most requiring long‐term therapy.

Aim

The United Kingdom Autoimmune Hepatitis (UK‐AIH) study was established to evaluate current treatment practice and outcomes, determine the unmet needs of patients, and develop and implement improved treatment approaches.

Methods

The United Kingdom Autoimmune Hepatitis study is a cross‐sectional cohort study examining secondary care management of prevalent adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis. Enrolment began in March 2014. Prevalent cases were defined as having been diagnosed and treated for >1 year. Demographic data, biochemistry, treatment history and response, and care location were collected.

Results

In total, 1249 patients were recruited; 635 were cared for in transplant units and 614 in non‐transplant centres (81% female with median age at diagnosis 50 years). Overall, 29 treatment regimens were reported and biochemical remission rate was 59%. Remission rates were significantly higher in transplant compared to non‐transplant centres (62 vs 55%, P = 0.028). 55% have ongoing corticosteroid exposure; 9% are receiving prednisolone monotherapy. Those aged ≤20 years at diagnosis were more likely to develop cirrhosis and place of care was associated with an aggressive disease phenotype.

Conclusions

There are significant discrepancies in the care received by patients with autoimmune hepatitis in the UK. A high proportion remains on corticosteroids and there is significant treatment variability. Patients receiving care in transplant centres were more likely to achieve and maintain remission. Overall poor remission rates suggest that there are significant unmet therapeutic needs for patients with autoimmune hepatitis.
From protectionism to inclusion: A New Zealand perspective on health‐related research involving adults incapable of giving informed consent
Authors: Douglass Alison , Ballantyne Angela
Published: September 2018

The revision of the Council of International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) International ethical guidelines for health‐related research (2016) heralds a paradigm shift from the ‘protectionist’ policies that emerged following historical research atrocities of the 20th century, towards a more nuanced and inclusive approach to research participation. Adopting this modified approach will enable countries to secure the benefits of research for individuals and for society as a whole, while at the same time minimizing the potential for exploitation and research‐related harms. This article considers the potential impact of Guideline 16 of the CIOMS 2016 from a New Zealand perspective, with respect to research involving adults with impaired capacity and who are incapable of giving informed consent. While the CIOMS 2016 apply a ‘minimal risk’ threshold to guide research involving adults who lack capacity to consent, New Zealand law currently adopts a ‘best interests’ standard which significantly restricts the scope of permissible research that may be performed in this context. This article argues that the CIOMS 2016 should influence change to New Zealand’s legal framework for ethical review of research. CIOMS 2016 provides useful guidance for the necessary standards and processes to enable the responsible and ethical inclusion of adults with impaired capacity in research.
Suffering at the end of life
Authors: Varelius Jukka
Published: September 2018

In the end‐of‐life context, alleviation of the suffering of a distressed patient is usually seen as a, if not the, central goal for the medical personnel treating her. Yet it has also been argued that suffering should be seen as a part of good dying. More precisely, it has been maintained that alleviating a dying patient’s suffering can make her unable to take care of practical end‐of‐life matters, deprive her of an opportunity to ask questions about and find meaning in and for her existence, and detach her from reality. In this article, I argue that the aims referred to either do not support suffering or are better served by alleviating it. When the aims would be equally well served by enduring suffering and relieving it, the latter appears to be the preferable option, given that the distress a patient experiences has no positive intrinsic value. Indeed, as the suffering can be very distressing, it may not be worth bearing even if that was the best way to achieve the aims: the distress can sometimes be bad enough to outbalance the worth of achieving the goals. Having considered an objection to the effect that a patient can have a self‐regarding moral duty to endure the distress she faces at the end of life, I conclude that the burden of proof is on the side of those who maintain that the suffering experienced at the end of life ought to be endured as a part of dying well.
Mobile learning and student cognition: A systematic review of PK‐12 research using Bloom’s Taxonomy
Authors: Crompton Helen , Burke Diane , Lin Yi‐Ching
Published: September 2018

The rise of mobile learning in schools during the past decade has led to promises about the power of mobile learning to extend and enhance student cognitive engagement. The purpose of this study was to examine trends to determine the cognitive level students are involved in within mobile learning activities. This systematic review involved an aggregated and configurative synthesis of PK‐12 mobile learning studies from 2010 to 16 and used Bloom’s Taxonomy as a theoretical framework for categorizing the cognitive level of student activities. Major new findings include that students are involved in activities at all six levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy. This study shows that over 60% of researchers are developing activities that require high levels of cognitive processing, a large increase from past studies. Nonetheless, 40% are integrating mobile devices in ways that keep students working with minimal cognitive processing. In both elementary and secondary studies, there was a 40/60% split in the use of lower versus high level thinking opportunities. New findings show that mobile devices were integrated into science, mathematics, social studies, literacy, art and special education. Studies in science settings were the majority of the studies (40%), followed by literacy (24%).
Three‐dimensional electron microscopy techniques for unravelling mitochondrial dysfunction in heart failure and identification of new pharmacological targets
Authors: Daghistani Hussam M , Rajab Bodour S , Kitmitto Ashraf
Published: September 2018

A hallmark of heart failure is mitochondrial dysfunction leading to a bioenergetics imbalance in the myocardium. Consequently, there is much interest in targeting mitochondrial abnormalities to attenuate the pathogenesis of heart failure. This review discusses (i) how electron microscopy (EM) techniques have been fundamental for the current understanding of mitochondrial structure–function, (ii) the paradigm shift in resolutions now achievable by 3‐D EM techniques due to the introduction of direct detection devices and phase plate technology, and (iii) the application of EM for unravelling mitochondrial pathological remodelling in heart failure. We further consider the tremendous potential of multi‐scale EM techniques for the development of therapeutics, structure‐based ligand design and for delineating how a drug elicits nanostructural effects at the molecular, organelle and cellular levels. In conclusion, 3‐D EM techniques have entered a new era of structural biology and are poised to play a pivotal role in discovering new therapies targeting mitochondria for treating heart failure.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Mitochondrial Pharmacology: Featured Mechanisms and Approaches for Therapy Translation. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.22/issuetoc
Insight into selective mechanism of class of I‐BRD9 inhibitors toward BRD9 based on molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Su Jing , Liu Xinguo , Zhang Shaolong , Yan Fangfang , Zhang Qinggang , Chen Jianzhong
Published: September 2018

Recently, bromodomain‐containing protein 9 (BRD9), 7 (BRD7), and 4 (BRD4) have been potential targets of anticancer drug design. Molecular dynamic simulations followed by molecular mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann surface area calculation were performed to study the selective mechanism of I‐BRD9 inhibitor H1B and its derivatives N1D, TVU, and 5V2 toward BRD9 and BRD4. The rank of our calculated binding free energies agrees with that of the experimental data. The results show that binding free energy of H1B to BRD7 is slightly lower than that of H1B to BRD9, and all four inhibitors bind more tightly to BRD9 than to BRD4. Decomposition of binding free energies into individual residues implies that Ile164 and Asn211 in BRD7 and Ile53 and Asn100 in BRD9 play a significant role in the selectivity of H1B toward BRD7 and BRD9. Besides, several key residues Phe44, Ile53, Asn100, Thr104 in BRD9 and Pro82, Lys91, Asn140, Asp144 in BRD4 that are located in the ZA‐loop and BC‐loop provide significant contributions to binding selectivity of inhibitors to BRD9 and BRD4. This study is expected to provide important theoretical guidance for rational designs of highly selective inhibitors targeting BRD9 and BRD4.
Comparative quantitative clinical, neuroimaging, and functional profiles in children with acute flaccid myelitis at acute and convalescent stages of disease
Authors: Gordon‐Lipkin Eliza , Muñoz Laura S , Klein Jessica L , Dean Janet , Izbudak Izlem , Pardo Carlos A
Published: September 2018

Aim

To quantify characteristics in acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) at acute and convalescent stages.

Method

This was a retrospective case series of children with AFM evaluated at a single institution in the USA (2014–2017). Acute inflammatory/ischemic myelopathies were excluded. Neurological assessments and segmental quantitative analysis of signal abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and spinal cord were performed.

Results

Sixteen patients (11 males, five females) were evaluated. Median age at onset was 4 years (interquartile range [IQR] 3–6y). All had parainfectious acute‐onset limb weakness, lower motor neuron examination, and spinal fluid pleocytosis. On acute spinal cord MRI, longitudinally extensive T2 hyperintensities were identified throughout the spinal cord mostly within grey matter; five out of 12 patients had dorsal brainstem T2 hyperintensities. At a median of 2 months follow‐up (IQR 2–3mo), spinal cord MRI improved in seven out of nine patients although focal T2 hyperintensities persisted in cervical and lumbar grey matter. At a median follow‐up of 4 months (IQR 2–6mo), Medical Research Council sum score rose from a median of 29 to 32; distal muscle groups improved more than proximal ones; four out of 16 patients were ventilator‐dependent; and two out of 16 patients were quadriplegic.

Interpretation

While patients may show marked improvement on neuroimaging from acute to convalescent stages, the majority of children with AFM have limited motor recovery and continued disability. Clinicians should consider the timing of clinical and neuroimaging exams when assessing diagnosis and prognosis.

What this paper adds

During the 2014 to 2017 acute flaccid myelitis outbreak in the USA, clinical recovery was better in distal than proximal muscle groups.

Lumbar spinal cord showed more residual abnormalities at convalescence.