bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abnormal Exercise Responses in Survivors of Acute Lung Injury During Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing
Authors: Mackney Jennifer , Harrold Meg , Jenkins Sue , Havill Ken , Hill Kylie
Published: June 2019

Purpose:

This study compared exercise responses in individuals who had recently survived an admission to the intensive care unit for acute lung injury (ALI) with healthy controls.

Methods:

Ten patients with ALI were recruited at 2 Australian hospitals. Six weeks after hospital discharge, participants completed lung function measures and a laboratory-based cardiopulmonary exercise test. Identical measures were collected in 21 healthy participants of similar age and gender distribution.

Results:

Compared with the healthy participants, the ALI participants were similar in age (51 ± 14 vs 50 ± 16 yr), with a lower peak oxygen uptake (

JOURNAL/jcprh/04.03/01273116-201907000-00015/15FSM1/v/2023-09-11T074712Z/r/image-gif

o
2) (median [interquartile range], 31.80 [26.60-41.73] vs 17.80 [14.85-20.85] mL/kg/min; P < .01) and higher ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide (

JOURNAL/jcprh/04.03/01273116-201907000-00015/15FSM1/v/2023-09-11T074712Z/r/image-gif

e/

JOURNAL/jcprh/04.03/01273116-201907000-00015/15FSM1/v/2023-09-11T074712Z/r/image-gif

co
2) at anaerobic threshold (mean ± SD, 25.7 ± 2.5 vs 35.2 ± 4.1; P < .01). Analysis of individual ALI participant responses showed that 8 participants had a decreased peak

JOURNAL/jcprh/04.03/01273116-201907000-00015/15FSM1/v/2023-09-11T074712Z/r/image-gif

o
2 and anaerobic threshold. All ALI participants were limited by leg fatigue. Abnormalities of pulmonary gas exchange were present in 7 participants. Evidence of cardiac ischemia was present in 2 participants.

Conclusions:

Compared with healthy controls, ALI participants had reduced exercise capacity, mainly due to profound deconditioning. Exercise training to optimize aerobic capacity would appear to be a rehabilitation priority in this population.
UNRAVELED FRINGE-LIKE MARGINS AND BIPHASIC AUTOFLUORESCENCE OF UNILATERAL RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIUM DYSGENESIS
Authors: Florakis Eleni , Ancona-Lezama David , Shields Carol L.
Published: June 2019

Purpose:

To illustrate the features of unilateral retinal pigment epithelium dysgenesis (URPED) in an African-American male patient.

Methods:

Case report.

Results:

A 47-year-old asymptomatic African-American man was referred for an atypical subretinal pigmented mass in the left eye. On examination, visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes. The right eye was unremarkable. The left eye revealed a darkly pigmented grey-black lesion at the level of the RPE with irregular, unraveled fringe-like margins, consistent with URPED. The lesion measured 5 mm in basal dimension and was located 400 μm from the foveola. The dark portion of the lesion was grey-black and demonstrated homogeneous hypoautofluorescence, particularly at the site of grey-white peripheral fringe of fibrous metaplasia. By contrast, there was an additional, subtle lacey arrangement of normal-appearing RPE traversing over the entire lesion demonstrating isoautofluorescence. On fluorescein angiography, the lesion was generally hypofluorescent, particularly in the dark portion of the lesion, but the peripheral fringe of fibrous metaplasia displayed angiographic hyperfluorescent staining, and the subtle lacey normal RPE showed isofluorescence. Optical coherence tomography demonstrated RPE hyperplasia and shallow RPE detachment interspersed with normal-appearing RPE and thinning of outer retina and preservation of the foveola and choroid.

Conclusion:

In this case, URPED demonstrated biphasic autofluorescence implying RPE dysfunction in the hypoautofluorescent area and partial RPE function in the lacey isoautofluorescent region.
Substantiating the Use of Ultrasound Tissue Characterization in the Analysis of Tendon Structure: A Systematic Review
Authors: Rabello Lucas Maciel , Dams Olivier Christian , van den Akker-Scheek Inge , Zwerver Johannes , O'Neill Seth
Published: June 2019

Objective:

To determine the role of ultrasound tissue characterization (UTC) in predicting, diagnosing, and monitoring tendon structure and/or tendinopathy. In addition, this study aims to provide recommendations for standardized methodology of UTC administration and analysis.

Data Source:

The PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched (up to September 2018). All scientific literature concerning the use of UTC in assessing tendons was collected. The initial search resulted in a total of 1972 hits, and after screening by eligibility criteria, 27 articles were included.

Results:

In total, 18 investigating the Achilles tendon, 5 the patellar tendon, and 4 both Achilles and patellar tendons were included. The methods of UTC administration and analysis differed and were not uniform. The studies showed that the use of UTC to predict Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is inconclusive, but that a higher amount of tendon disorganization increases the risk of developing patellar tendinopathy (PT). In terms of diagnosis, UTC might provide additional information in AT cases. In addition, promising results were found for the use of UTC in both AT and PT in monitoring the effect of load or treatment on tendon structure.

Conclusion:

More research regarding the use of UTC in predicting tendon pathology is required. Ultrasound tissue characterization seems useful as an adjunct diagnostic modality because it can be used to differentiate symptomatic from asymptomatic tendons. In addition, UTC is a promising device to be used to monitor changes in tendon structure in response to load or treatment. Moreover, we provide recommendations of a standardized protocol concerning the methods of UTC measurement and analysis.
Podoplanin Expression in Odontogenic Keratocysts Associated or not Associated With Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome
Authors: Malaguez Giulia G. , Munhoz Etiene A. , Rivero Elena R.C. , Rados Pantelis V. , Oliveira Marcia G.
Published: June 2019

Background:

Podoplanin is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed on various normal or neoplastic cells. Some studies have shown that podoplanin promotes the migration and invasion of tumor cells. This study evaluated a podoplanin expression in Odontogenic Keratocysts (OKs) associated or not associated with Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome (NBCCS) and in Orthokeratinized Odontogenic Cysts (OOCs).

Materials and Methods:

A total of 50 lesions were obtained in this study, 28 OKs, 18 OKs associated with NBCCS, and 4 OOCs. Immunohistochemical expression of podoplanin in epithelial cells was evaluated using the following score: (a) intensity of immunostaining: (0: absent, 1: weak, 2: moderate, 3: strong, and 4: very strong) and (b) number of positively cells (0: 0%, 1: <25%, 2: 25% to 50%, 3: 50% to 75%, and 4: >75%). The final score was determined by adding the scores of a and b and ranged from 0 to 8 (0: absent, 1 to 4: weak, and 5 to 8: strong).

Results:

Podoplanin expression was significantly stronger in the basal layer OKs and NBCCS lesions. Further, podoplanin expression was the highest in the suprabasal layer of NBCCS lesions, followed by the suprabasal layers of OK and OOC lesions.

Conclusions:

Podoplanin expression is different in lesions of different biological behaviors. Podoplanin seems to play a role in cell proliferation and migration.
A general framework for modelling the impact of co-infections on pathogen evolution
Authors: Bushman Mary , Antia Rustom
Published: June 2019

Theoretical models suggest that mixed-strain infections, or co-infections, are an important driver of pathogen evolution. However, the within-host dynamics of co-infections vary enormously, which complicates efforts to develop a general understanding of how co-infections affect evolution. Here, we develop a general framework which condenses the within-host dynamics of co-infections into a few key outcomes, the most important of which is the overall
R
0
of the co-infection. Similar to how fitness is determined by two different alleles in a heterozygote, the
R
0
of a co-infection is a product of the
R
0
values of the co-infecting strains, shaped by the interaction of those strains at the within-host level. Extending the analogy, we propose that the overall
R
0
reflects the
dominance
of the co-infecting strains, and that the ability of a mutant strain to invade a population is a function of its dominance in co-infections. To illustrate the utility of these concepts, we use a within-host model to show how dominance arises from the within-host dynamics of a co-infection, and then use an epidemiological model to demonstrate that dominance is a robust predictor of the ability of a mutant strain to save a maladapted wild-type strain from extinction (evolutionary emergence).
Synchrotron-based visualization and segmentation of elastic lamellae in the mouse carotid artery during quasi-static pressure inflation
Authors: Trachet Bram , Ferraro Mauro , Lovric Goran , Aslanidou Lydia , Logghe Gerlinde , Segers Patrick , Stergiopulos Nikolaos
Published: June 2019

In computational aortic biomechanics, aortic and arterial tissue are typically modelled as a homogeneous layer, making abstraction not only of the layered structure of intima, media and adventitia but also of the microstructure that exists within these layers. Here, we present a novel method to visualize the microstructure of the tunica media along the entire circumference of the vessel. To that end, we developed a pressure-inflation device that is compatible with synchrotron-based phase-contrast imaging. Using freshly excised left common carotid arteries from
n
= 12 mice, we visualized how the lamellae and interlamellar layers inflate as the luminal pressure is increased from 0 to 120 mm Hg in quasi-static steps. A graph-based segmentation algorithm subsequently allowed us to automatically segment each of the three lamellae, resulting in a three-dimensional geometry that represents lamellae, interlamellar layers and adventitia at nine different pressure levels. Our results demonstrate that the three elastic lamellae unfold and stretch simultaneously as luminal pressure is increased. In the long term, we believe that the results presented in this work can be a first step towards a better understanding of the mechanics of the arterial microstructure.
Evolutionary dynamics of complex multiple games
Authors: Venkateswaran Vandana Revathi , Gokhale Chaitanya S.
Published: June 2019

Evolutionary game theory has been successful in describing phenomena from bacterial population dynamics to the evolution of social behaviour. However, it has typically focused on a single game describing the interactions between individuals. Organisms are simultaneously involved in many intraspecies and interspecies interactions. Therefore, there is a need to move from single games to multiple games. However, these interactions in nature involve many players. Shifting from 2-player games to multiple multiplayer games yield richer dynamics closer to natural settings. Such a complete picture of multiple game dynamics (MGD), where multiple players are involved, was lacking. For multiple multiplayer games—where each game could have an arbitrary finite number of players and strategies, we provide a replicator equation for MGD having many players and strategies. We show that if the individual games involved have more than two strategies, then the combined dynamics cannot be understood by looking only at individual games. Expected dynamics from single games is no longer valid, and trajectories can possess different limiting behaviour. In the case of finite populations, we formulate and calculate an essential and useful stochastic property, fixation probability. Our results highlight that studying a set of interactions defined by a single game can be misleading if we do not take the broader setting of the interactions into account. Through our results and analysis, we thus discuss and advocate the development of evolutionary game(s) theory, which will help us disentangle the complexity of multiple interactions.
A rare infection in the tropics that is not uncommon in cases of chronic granulomatous disease
Authors: Bansie Rakesh , Harkisoen Soeradj , Lachman Varsha , Lai A. Fat Esther , Ramdhani Navin , van Laar Jan A. M.
Published: June 2019

Chromobacterium violaceum

is a rare cause of infection in immunocompromised patients in the tropics with a spectrum of disease manifestations, including severe disease. Early identification of this micro-organism is essential for appropriate management. We present a case of

C. violaceum

septicaemia in a patient with chronic granulomatous disease.
Histopathologist Features Predictive of Diagnostic Concordance at Expert Level Amongst a Large International Sample of Pathologists Diagnosing Barrett’s Dysplasia Using Digital Pathology
Authors: van der Wel Myrtle J. , Coleman Helen G. , Bergman Jacques JGHM , Jansen Marnix , Meijer Sybren L. ,   on behalf of the BOLERO working group
Published: June 2019

Objective

Guidelines recommend expert pathology review of Barrett’s oesophagus (BO) biopsies that reveal dysplasia, but there are no evidence-based standards to corroborate expert reviewer status. We investigated BO concordance rates and pathologist features predictive of diagnostic discordance amongst a large international cohort of gastrointestinal pathologists to develop a quantitative model of BO expert review.

Design

Pathologists (n=55) from over 20 countries assessed 55 digitised BO biopsies from across the diagnostic spectrum, before and after viewing matched p53 immunohistochemistry. Extensive demographic and clinical experience data were obtained via online questionnaire. We calculated discordance rates and applied multivariate regression analyses to identify predictors of concordance.

Results

We recorded over 6,000 individual case diagnoses. Of 2,805 H&E diagnoses, we found excellent concordance (>70%) for non-dysplastic Barrett’s oesophagus (NDBO) and high-grade dysplasia (HGD), and intermediate concordance for low-grade dysplasia (LGD, 42%) and indefinite for dysplasia (IND, 23%). Major diagnostic errors (i.e. NDBO overinterpreted as LGD/HGD or vice versa) were found in 248 diagnoses (8.8%), which reduced to 8.3% after viewing p53 labelled slides. At least 5 years of professional experience was protective against major diagnostic error for H&E slide review (OR 0.48, 95%CI 0.31-0.74). Working in a district general hospital was associated with increased odds of major diagnostic error (OR 1.76, 95%CI 1.15-2.69), however this was neutralised when pathologists viewed p53 labelled slides, suggesting a beneficial impact of p53 immunohistochemistry for this group.

Conclusion

We have developed an evidence-based quantitative model of BO histopathology diagnosis at expert consensus level that will inform guideline development.
Proximal and distal factors predicting timely initiation of breast feeding in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Habtewold Tesfa Dejenie , Mohammed Shimels Hussien , Endalamaw Aklilu , Mulugeta Henok , Dessie Getenet , Berhe Derbew Fikadu , Birhanu Mulugeta Molla , Islam Md. Atiqul , Teferra Andreas A. , Asefa Nigus Gebremedhin , Alemu Sisay Mulugeta
Published: June 2019

Background

In Ethiopia, the current coverage of timely initiation of breast feeding (TIBF) has fallen short of the national Health Sector Transformation Plan 2016-2020, National Nutrition Program 2016–2020 and WHO global target. This calls for the need to assess relevant proximal and distal factors that affect the rate of TIBF in Ethiopia.

Objective

The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the association between TIBF and educational status, household income, marital status, media exposure, and parity in Ethiopia.

Methods

Databases used were PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, CINAHL and WHO Global health library, and key terms were searched using interactive searching syntax. It was also supplemented by manual searching. Observational studies published between September 2000 and March 2019 were included. The methodological quality of studies was examined using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for cross-sectional studies. Data were extracted using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) data extraction tool. To obtain the pooled odds ratio (OR), extracted data were fitted in a random-effects meta-analysis model. Statistical heterogeneity was quantified using Cochran’s Q test, τ2, and I2statistics. Additional analysis conducted includes Jackknife sensitivity analysis, cumulative meta-analysis, and meta-regression analysis.

Results

Out of 553 studies retrieved, 25 studies fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Almost all studies were conducted on mothers with newborn less than 23 months. Maternal educational status (OR = 1.82; p < 0.001; 95% CI = 1.35 - 2.45; I2= 84.96%), paternal educational status (OR = 2.72; p = 0.001, 95% CI = 1.49 - 4.97 I2= 62.50%), income (OR = 1.16; p = 0.002; 95% CI = 1.05 - 1.27; I2= 0.00%), marital status (OR = 1.39; p = 0.001; 95% CI = 1.14 - 1.69; I2= 9.17%) and parity (OR = 1.39; p = 0.01; 95% CI = 1.07 - 1.81; I2= 74.43%) were found to be significantly associated with TIBF. We also observed a direct dose-response relationship of TIBF with educational status and income.

Conclusions

Proximal and distal factors significantly predicting TIBF practice in Ethiopia, which needs integrated intervention by health professionals and healthcare policymakers. Health education, counselling and peer education targeting parents at antenatal and postnatal periods are needed. It is also relevant to improve the economic power of women and promote gender equality.
No evidence for motor recovery-related cortical reorganization after stroke using resting-state fMRI
Authors: Branscheidt Meret , Ejaz Naveed , Xu Jing , Widmer Mario , Harran Michelle D. , Cortés Juan Camillo , Kitago Tomoko , Celnik Pablo , Hernandez-Castillo Carlos , Diedrichsen Jörn , Luft Andreas , Krakauer John W.
Published: June 2019

Cortical reorganization has been suggested as mechanism for recovery after stroke. It has been proposed that a form of cortical reorganization (changes in functional connectivity between brain areas) can be assessed with resting-state fMRI. Here we report the largest longitudinal data-set in terms of overall sessions in 19 patients with subcortical stroke and 11 controls. Patients were imaged up to 5 times over one year. We found no evidence for post-stroke cortical reorganization despite substantial behavioral recovery. These results could be construed as questioning the value of resting-state imaging. Here we argue instead that they are consistent with other emerging reasons to challenge the idea of motor recovery-related cortical reorganization post-stroke when conceived as changes in connectivity between cortical areas.
Different Expressions of IL-1 TNF-α P-selectin mRNA by Endothelial Cells after Vein Thrombosis
Authors: Xu Jiasheng , Liao Kaili , Zhou Weimin
Published: June 2019

[Abstract]

Objective

Experiments were designed to compare the expressions of IL-1 TNF-α P-selectin mRNA by porcine endothelial cells after vein thrombosis.

Methods

IVC under the renal vein of 20 porcines were ligated to induce thrombosis modes. These thrombosed veins were divided into three groups:group A-one day after thrombosis, group B-four days after thrombosis and group C-seven days after thrombosis. The other pigs were given the shame operation as a contro group (group D). The mRNA levels of IL-1、 TNF-α and P-selectin expressed by porcine endothelial cells in three groups were analy sed by semi quantitative RT-PCR. Endothelial cells were harvested with collagenase II.

Results

The purity of endothelial cells harvested was 99.42 ±0.07. The expression of IL-1 was detained only in group A while TNF-αreached its peak in group B(P<0.05) and P-selectin increased gradually with the days passing by(P<0.05).

Conclusion

Endothelial cells are not only the target cells of inflammatory mediators, but also can express a variety of active factors to promote venous thrombosis. Expression of TNF-α mRNA is increased gradually in the early period of vein thrombosis whileP-selectin in the acute period; IL-1 mRNA was transiently expressed only in the early stage of thrombosis.
Compartmentalized glycogenolysis regulates lung cancer transcription
Authors: Sun Ramon C. , Dukhande Vikas V. , Emanuelle Shane , Young Lyndsay E. , Fillmore-Brainson Christine , Gentry Matthew S.
Published: June 2019

The role of cellular metabolites in the direct control of signaling is an emerging and rapidly evolving field. Herein, we identify a key role for nuclear glycogen in epigenetic regulation through compartmentalized acetyl CoA production and histone acetylation. Nuclear glycogenolysis is dependent on ubiquitination and translocation of glycogen phosphorylase (GP) into the nucleus by malin, an E3 ubiquitin ligase. We developed an innovativein organellostable isotope tracer method coupled to mass spectrometry analysis to define the metabolic fate of nuclear glycogen. This work revealed that GP is required for nuclear glycogen degradation and subsequent glycolysis to generate substrates for histone acetylation. Inhibition of nuclear glycogenolysis is found to be particularly important in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as evident by increased nuclear glycogen accumulation and malin suppression in NSCLC. Re-introduction of malin in model NSCLC cell lines restores nuclear glycogenolysis, resulting in increased histone acetylation and transcriptional changes that delay cancer cell growthin vivo. This study uncovers a previously unknown role for glycogen metabolism in the nucleus and elucidates another way by which cellular metabolites control epigenetic regulation.
Reorganisation of complex ciliary flows around regeneratingStentor coeruleus
Authors: Wan Kirsty Y. , Hürlimann Sylvia K. , Fenix Aidan M. , McGillivary Rebecca M. , Makushok Tatyana , Burns Evan , Sheung Janet Y. , Marshall Wallace F.
Published: June 2019

The phenomenon of ciliary coordination has garnered increasing attention in recent decades, with multiple theories accounting for its emergence in different contexts. The heterotrich ciliateStentor coeruleusis a unicellular organism which boasts a number of features which present unrivalled opportunities for biophysical studies of cilia coordination. With their cerulean colour and distinctive morphology, these large protists possess a characteristic differentiation between cortical rows of short body cilia used for swimming, and an anterior ring structure of fused oral cilia forming a membranellar band. The oral cilia beat metachronously to produce strong feeding currents. In addition to this complex body plan,Stentorhave remarkable regenerative capabilities. Minute fragments of single cells can over the period of hours or days, regenerate independently into new, proportional individuals. Certain environmental perturbations elicit a unique programmed response known as oral regeneration wherein only the membranellar band is shed and a new, ciliated oral primordium formed on the side of the body. Here, we target oral regeneration induced by sucrose-shock to reveal the complex interplay between ciliary restructuring and hydrodynamics inStentor, which accompanies the complete developmental sequence from band formation, elongation, curling, and migration toward the cell anterior.

“When the anterior part is open, one may perceive about its Edges a very lively Motion; and when the Polyps presents itself in a certain manner, it discovers, on either side of these edges of its anterior part, somewhat very much resembling the wheels of a little Mill, that move with great velocity.”

A. Trembley F.R.S describing the membranellar band of Stentor, Phil. Soc. Trans. Royal Society (London), 1744.
Cell-type specific analysis of heterogeneous methylation signal using a Bayesian model-based approach
Authors: Kennedy Daniel W , White Nicole M , Benton Miles C , Lea Rodney A , Mengersen Kerrie
Published: June 2019

Motivation

Epigenome-wide studies are often performed using heterogeneous methylation samples, especially when there is no prior information as to which cell-types are disease associated. While much work has been done in ascertaining cell-type fractions and removing cell-type heterogeneity variation, relatively little work has been done in identifying cell-type specific variation in heterogeneous samples.

Results

In this paper, we present a Bayesian model-based approach for making cell-type specific inferences in heterogeneous settings, by using a logit-Normal sampling distribution and incorporating a priori knowledge of cell-type lineage. The method is applied to the detection of cell-type specific sex effects in methylation, where cell-type information is present as an independent verification of the results. Panels derived from this method contained more loci where CD8+T, CD19+B and Natural Killer cell-types were differentially methylated. The analysis suggests that an ensemble approach with this method included could be used for discovering cell-type specific methylation changes.

Availability

https://github.com/danwkenn/Bayes_CDM
Synergistic interplay between PHF8 and HER2 signaling contributes to breast cancer development and drug resistance
Authors: Liu Qi , Borcherding Nicholas , Shao Peng , Maina Peterson Kariuki , Zhang Weizhou , Qi Hank Heng
Published: June 2019

HER2 plays a critical role in tumorigenesis and is associated with poor prognosis of HER2-positive breast cancers. Although, anti-HER2 drugs show benefits in breast cancer therapy,de novoor acquired resistance often develop. Epigenetic factors have been increasingly targeted for therapeutic purposes, however, such mechanisms interacting with HER2 signaling are poorly understood. This study reports the synergistic interplay between histone demethylase PHF8 and HER2 signaling, i.e. PHF8 is elevated in HER2-positive breast cancers and is upregulated by HER2; PHF8 plays coactivator roles in regulatingHER2expression and HER2-driven epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and cytokines. The HER2-PHF8-IL-6 regulatory axis was proved both in cell lines and in the newly establishedMMTV-Her2/MMTV-Cre/Phf8flox/floxmodels, with which the oncogenic function of Phf8 in breast cancerin vivowas revealed for the first time. Furthermore, PHF8-IL-6 axis contributes to the resistance of Trastuzumabin vitroand may play a critical role in the infiltration of T-cells in HER2-driven breast cancers. This study reveals novel epigenetic mechanisms underlying HER2-driven cancer development and anti-HER2 drug resistance.
Nuclear lipidome is altered in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a preliminary study
Authors: Ramírez-Nuñez Omar , Jové Mariona , Torres Pascual , Sol Joaquim , Fontdevila Laia , Romero-Guevara Ricardo , Ayala Victòria , Rossi Chiara , Boada Jordi , Povedano Mònica , Andrés-Benito Pol , Ferrer Isidro , Pamplona Reinald , Portero-Otin Manuel
Published: June 2019

In this pilot study, we show that nuclei in spinal cord from ALS patients exhibit a differential lipidomic signature. Among the differential lipid species we could annotate 41 potential identities. These comprise membrane-bound lipids such as phosphatidylethanolamines–including plasmalogens- and phosphatidylcholines but also other lipid classes such as glycosphingolipids, diacylglycerols, and triacylglycerides (potentially present as nuclear lipid droplets). These results were orthogonally validated by showing loss of alkyldihydroxyacetonephosphate synthase (AGPS), a key peroxisomal enzyme in plasmalogen synthesis, both in ALS necropsy samples, in human motor neurons derived from iPSC from ALS patients and in hSOD-G93A transgenic mice. Further, diacylglycerol content changes were associated to ALS-linked variations in related-enzymes, such as phospholipase C ßI (PLCßI), the source of nuclear diacylglycerol, and protein kinase CßII (PKCßII), whose function partially depends on nuclei concentration of diacylglycerol. These results point out for not only a role of nuclear membrane lipids but also to lipids present in the nucleoplasm, suggesting an undisclosed role for this part of the subcellular lipidome in ALS pathophysiology.
Context-specific functions of Notch in Drosophila blood cell progenitors
Authors: Blanco-Obregon DM , Katz MJ , Durrieu L , Gándara L , Wappner P
Published: June 2019

Drosophila Larval hematopoiesis takes place at the lymph gland, where myeloid-like progenitors differentiate into Plasmatocytes and Crystal Cells, under regulation of conserved signaling pathways. It has been established that the Notch pathway plays a specific role in Crystal Cell differentiation and maintenance. In mammalian hematopoiesis, the Notch pathway has been proposed to fulfill broader functions, including Hematopoietic Stem Cell maintenance and cell fate decision in progenitors. In this work we describe different roles that Notch plays in the lymph gland. We show that Notch, activated by its ligand Serrate, expressed at the Posterior Signaling Center, is required to restrain Core Progenitor differentiation. We define a novel population of blood cell progenitors that we name Distal Progenitors, where Notch, activated by Serrate expressed in Lineage Specifying Cells at the Medullary Zone/Cortical Zone boundary, regulates a binary decision between Plasmatocyte and Crystal Cell fates. Thus, Notch plays context-specific functions in different blood cell progenitor populations of the Drosophila lymph gland.

Graphical Abstract
PSR1 Is a Global Transcriptional Regulator of Phosphorus Deficiency Responses and Carbon Storage Metabolism in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Bajhaiya Amit K. , Dean Andrew P. , Zeef Leo A.H. , Webster Rachel E. , Pittman Jon K.
Published: June 2019

Many eukaryotic microalgae modify their metabolism in response to nutrient stresses such as phosphorus (P) starvation, which substantially induces storage metabolite biosynthesis, but the genetic mechanisms regulating this response are poorly understood. Here, we show that P starvation-induced lipid and starch accumulation is inhibited in a Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutant lacking the transcription factor Pi Starvation Response1 (PSR1). Transcriptomic analysis identified specific metabolism transcripts that are induced by P starvation but misregulated in the psr1 mutant. These include transcripts for starch and triacylglycerol synthesis but also transcripts for photosynthesis-, redox-, and stress signaling-related proteins. To further examine the role of PSR1 in regulating lipid and starch metabolism, PSR1 complementation lines in the psr1 strain and PSR1 overexpression lines in a cell wall-deficient strain were generated. PSR1 expression in the psr1 lines was shown to be functional due to rescue of the psr1 phenotype. PSR1 overexpression lines exhibited increased starch content and number of starch granules per cell, which correlated with a higher expression of specific starch metabolism genes but reduced neutral lipid content. Furthermore, this phenotype was consistent in the presence and absence of acetate. Together, these results identify a key transcriptional regulator in global metabolism and demonstrate transcriptional engineering in microalgae to modulate starch biosynthesis.
Complex structural ordering of the oxygen deficiency in La0.5Ca2.5Mn2O7−δRuddlesden–Popper phases
Authors: González-Merchante Daniel , Cortés-Gil Raquel , Alonso José M. , Matesanz Emilio , Martínez José L. , Rivera-Calzada Alberto , Santamaría Jacobo , Ruiz-González M. Luisa , González-Calbet José M.
Published: June 2019

Ruddlesden–Popper oxides, (AO)(ABO3)n, occupy a prominent place in the landscape of materials research because of their intriguing potential applications. Compositional modifications to the cation sublattices,AorB, have been explored in order to achieve enhanced functionalities. However, changes to the anionic sublattice have been much less explored. In this work, new oxygen-deficient manganese Ruddlesden–Popper-related phases, La0.5Ca2.5Mn2O6.5and La0.5Ca2.5Mn2O6.25, have been synthesized by controlled reduction of the fully oxidizedn= 2 term La0.5Ca2.5Mn2O7. A complete structural and compositional characterization, by means of neutron diffraction, electron diffraction and atomically resolved scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy techniques, allows the proposition of a topotactic reduction pathway through preferential oxygen removal in the [MnO2] layers along [031] and [0{\bar 1}3] directions. The gradual decrease of the Mn oxidation state, accommodated by short-range ordering of anionic vacancies, reasonably explains the breaking of ferromagnetic interactions reinforcing the emergence of antiferromagnetic ones. Additional short-range order–disorder phenomena of La and Ca cations have been detected in the reduced La0.5Ca2.5Mn2O7−δ, as previously reported in the parent compound.
Structure of the N-terminal domain of Euprosthenops australis dragline silk suggests that conversion of spidroin dope to spider silk involves a conserved asymmetric dimer intermediate
Authors: Jiang Wangshu , Askarieh Glareh , Shkumatov Alexander , Hedhammar My , Knight Stefan D.
Published: June 2019

Spider silk is a biomaterial with exceptional mechanical toughness, and there is great interest in developing biomimetic methods to produce engineered spider silk-based materials. However, the mechanisms that regulate the conversion of spider silk proteins (spidroins) from highly soluble dope into silk are not completely understood. The N-terminal domain (NT) of Euprosthenops australis dragline silk protein undergoes conformational and quaternary-structure changes from a monomer at a pH above 7 to a homodimer at lower pH values. Conversion from the monomer to the dimer requires the protonation of three conserved glutamic acid residues, resulting in a low-pH `locked' dimer stabilized by symmetric electrostatic interactions at the poles of the dimer. The detailed molecular events during this transition are still unresolved. Here, a 2.1 Å resolution crystal structure of an NT T61A mutant in an alternative, asymmetric, dimer form in which the electrostatic interactions at one of the poles are dramatically different from those in symmetrical dimers is presented. A similar asymmetric dimer structure from dragline silk of Nephila clavipes has previously been described. It is suggested that asymmetric dimers represent a conserved intermediate state in spider silk formation, and a revised `lock-and-trigger' mechanism for spider silk formation is presented.
ATP-specificity of succinyl-CoA synthetase fromBlastocystis hominis
Authors: Huang Ji , Nguyen Vinh H. , Hamblin Karleigh A. , Maytum Robin , van der Giezen Mark , Fraser Marie E.
Published: June 2019

Succinyl-CoA synthetase (SCS) catalyzes the only step of the tricarboxylic acid cycle that leads to substrate-level phosphorylation. Some forms of SCS are specific for ADP/ATP or for GDP/GTP, while others can bind all of these nucleotides, generally with different affinities. The theory of `gatekeeper' residues has been proposed to explain the nucleotide-specificity. Gatekeeper residues lie outside the binding site and create specific electrostatic interactions with incoming nucleotides to determine whether the nucleotides can enter the binding site. To test this theory, the crystal structure of the nucleotide-binding domain in complex with Mg2+-ADP was determined, as well as the structures of four proteins with single mutations, K46βE, K114βD, V113βL and L227βF, and one with two mutations, K46βE/K114βD. The crystal structures show that the enzyme is specific for ADP/ATP because of interactions between the nucleotide and the binding site. Nucleotide-specificity is provided by hydrogen-bonding interactions between the adenine base and Gln20β, Gly111β and Val113β. The O atom of the side chain of Gln20β interacts with N6 of ADP, while the side-chain N atom interacts with the carbonyl O atom of Gly111β. It is the different conformations of the backbone at Gln20β, of the side chain of Gln20β and of the linker that make the enzyme ATP-specific. This linker connects the two subdomains of the ATP-grasp fold and interacts differently with adenine and guanine bases. The mutant proteins have similar conformations, although the L227βF mutant shows structural changes that disrupt the binding site for the magnesium ion. Although the K46βE/K114βD double mutant ofBlastocystis hominisSCS binds GTP better than ATP according to kinetic assays, only the complex with Mg2+-ADP was obtained.
I see, and I hunt
Authors: Lim Xin Jean , Ng Siew Imm , Chuah Francis , Cham Tat Huei , Rozali Aifa
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Despite the growth of social networking websites as hybrid promotional tools, the empirical research that is currently available in explaining the consequences of gastronomy online reviews on ethnic food behavioural intention is limited. The purpose of this paper is to adopt a novel approach to explore Gen-Y tourists’ behavioural intention by proposing “involvement” as a mediator in improvising Wanget al.’s model. In other words, the more tourists enjoy reading gastronomy online reviews and gain benefits like inspiring taste desire, forming taste awareness and facilitating interpersonal interaction, the more they will become actively involved in searching gastronomy online reviews for ethnic food, subsequently manifesting in higher behavioural intention.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the research model, a questionnaire was developed and distributed to Gen-Y tourists in Malaysia using the purposive sampling technique. Partial least squares–structural equation modelling was applied to analyse the data collected from a sample of 748 responses.

Findings

This study provides empirical findings based on the direct relationship between gastronomy online review dimensions and the behavioural intention towards ethnic food. In addition, the indirect influence of the constructs for behavioural intention through involvement and the moderating effect of variety seeking were found. Indeed, when involvement increases as a result of reading online reviews, behavioural intention is enhanced. In fact, if the individual is a variety seeker, the behavioural intention could likewise be enhanced.

Practical implications

This paper provides suggestions and valuable insight for tourism authorities and ethnic food eateries in using gastronomy online reviews for promoting ethnic food and gastronomy tourism. For example, food eateries can motivate reviewers to include attractive and useful content by facilitating how the gastronomy reviewer retrieves information (e.g. ingredients, price, and food health value and food tradition) concerning the eatery. Additionally, rewards and incentives such as offering vouchers to reviewers in order to gain attractive and interesting reviews could be considered. Finally, the variety-seeking goal of tourists can be attained by relocating ethnic food restaurants or stalls at centralised or designated areas, where a variety of ethnic foods are conveniently accessible to tourists.

Originality/value

This paper systematically discusses how gastronomy online reviews influence the behavioural intention of tourists to taste ethnic food in the context of Malaysia. The inclusion of the mediator (involvement) and moderator (variety seeking) added a significant increment to the total variance explained in behavioural intention.
Examining prospective buyer attitudes toward four food product traits
Authors: Larson Ronald B.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Socio-demographic control variables are added to food attitude analyses to improve the understanding of consumer preferences. However, socio-demographics can provide an incomplete picture of prospective buyers. Including other variables in a food analysis may offer businesses, researchers and policymakers more insights into consumer food preferences. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

An internet survey of 725 adults in the USA was used to examine interest in four food traits that may be included in marketing claims: antibiotic-free meat, Humanely-raised meat, produce that could be traced back to the farm and gluten-free food. Besides standard socio-demographics, environmental preferences, impulsive buying, religiosity, spirituality, privacy concerns and social desirability bias (SDB) measures were used to predict buyer interest.

Findings

Some standard socio-demographics (e.g. gender, age and income), green attitudes, impulsive traits and concern for information privacy were associated with preferences for three of the food attributes. These linkages can help define useful segments. The results for the fourth food trait, gluten-free, should generate additional medical research. In addition, the SDB measure was significant, suggesting that social norms may favour these traits.

Originality/value

The four food traits studied in this research appear to be growing in the market and have had limited attention in prior research. Many of the independent variables (e.g. green attitudes, impulsive traits, privacy concerns) included in the models provided more information about consumer preferences and may be helpful in other food studies. The findings on gluten-free products should receive further study.
Which food literacy dimensions are associated with diet quality among Canadian parents?
Authors: Fernandez Melissa Anne , Desroches Sophie , Marquis Marie , Lebel Alexandre , Turcotte Mylène , Provencher Véronique
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore associations between different food literacy dimensions and diet quality among a sample of Canadian parents and examine differences in the prevalence of food literacy items between mothers and fathers.

Design/methodology/approach

Parents responsible for food preparation (n=767) completed an online survey including dietary intakes and 22 items across five dimensions of food literacy (knowledge, planning, cooking, food conceptualisation and social aspects). Differences between genders for each item were analysed withχ2tests. The healthy eating index (HEI) adapted to the Canadian Food Guide (CFG) was computed from a food frequency questionnaire. Associations between HEI scores and each item were analysed with linear regression models, controlling for sociodemographic variables and multiple testing.

Findings

Of parents responsible for food preparation, 81 per cent were mothers. The mean HEI score was 76.6 (SD: 10.6) and mothers reported healthier diets in comparison to fathers (p=0.01). More mothers than fathers used CFG recommendations, selected foods based on nutrition labels, made soups, stews, muffins and cakes from scratch and added fruits and vegetables to recipes (p<0.05). More fathers reduced the salt content of recipes than mothers (p=0.03). Two knowledge items and seven food conceptualisation items were significantly associated with better HEI, after controlling for covariates and multiple testing. Planning items, cooking skills and social aspects were not significantly associated with HEI.

Originality/value

This study investigates multiple dimensions of food literacy and identifies knowledge and food conceptualisation as potential targets for future interventions involving parents responsible for household meal preparation. This study highlights the importance of considering gender differences in food literacy.
Lean readiness within emergency departments: a conceptual framework
Authors: Alnajem Mohamad , Garza-Reyes Jose Arturo , Antony Jiju
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework to assess the lean readiness within emergency departments (EDs) and identify the key quality practices deemed essential for lean system (LS) implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive review of the lean healthcare literature was conducted, including LS implementation within the healthcare sector (both generally and in EDs), best ED quality practices, essential factors for LS implementation within healthcare and lean readiness assessment frameworks. The authors identified six main categories from a literature review (top management and leadership, human resources, patient relations, supplier relations, processes and continuous improvement (CI)), and validated these based on experts’ opinion.

Findings

Several factors were identified as crucial for EDs, including top management and leadership, human resources, patient relations, supplier relations, processes and CI.

Research limitations/implications

The framework has not yet been tested, which prevents the author from declaring it fit for EDs.

Practical implications

This framework will help ED managers determine the factors that will enable/hinder the implementation of LSs within their premises.

Originality/value

To the author’s knowledge, this is the first lean readiness assessment framework for EDs and one of the few lean readiness assessment frameworks in the literature.
The impact of weather index insurance on agricultural technology adoption evidence from field economic experiment in China
Authors: Tang Yingmei , Yang Yue , Ge Jihong , Chen Jian
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the impact of weather index insurance on agricultural technology adoption in rural China.

Design/methodology/approach

A field experiment was conducted with 344 rural households/farmers in Heilongjiang and Jiangsu Provinces, China. DID model was used to evaluate farmers’ technology adoption with and without index insurance.

Findings

The results show that weather index insurance has a significant effect on the technology adoption of rural households; there is a regional difference in this effect between Heilongjiang and Jiangsu. Weather index insurance promotes technology adoption of rural households in Heilongjiang, while has limited impact on those in Jiangsu. Weather, planting scale and risk preference are also important factors influencing the technology adoption of rural households.

Research limitations/implications

This research is subject to some limitations. First, the experimental parameters are designed according to the actual situation to simulate reality, but the willingness in the experiment does not mean it will be put into action in reality. Second, due to the diversity of China’s climate, geography and economic environment, rural households are heterogeneous in rural China. Whether the conclusion can be generalized beyond the study area is naturally questionable. A study with more diverse samples is needed to gain a fuller understanding of index insurance’s effects on farmers in China.

Originality/value

This research provides a rigorous empirical analysis on the impact of weather index insurance on farmers’ agricultural technology adoption through a carefully designed field experiment.
Influence of organizational commitment on work–life balance and organizational performance of female construction professionals
Authors: Oyewobi Luqman Oyekunle , Oke Ayodeji Emmanuel , Adeneye Toyin Deborah , Jimoh Richard Ajayi
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the mediating role of organisational commitment in the relationship between work‒life balance (WLB) and organisational performance of female construction professionals in the Nigerian construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The study empirically examined WLB of female professionals in medium- and large-sized Nigerian construction organisations. The data collected were analysed using partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The findings revealed that there is a positive relationship between WLB and organisational commitment, and that organisational commitment mediates the impact of WLB on organisational performance.

Research limitations/implications

One of the limitations of this research is the cross-sectional nature of the study and the nature of data collected, which is related to female gender. Efforts should, therefore, be made to further this study by examining the impact of WLB on both male and female professionals in construction.

Originality/value

This paper presents an empirical research on the significance of family-friendly initiatives within construction organisations in Nigerian context, and the results of the study have implications for industry practitioners and academics.