bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Almajid Limited: the tumultuous journey of a multigenerational enterprise in Saudi Arabia. Case study: Parts A, B, C and D
Authors: Bodolica Virginia , Spraggon Martin
Published: January 2020

Learning outcomes

Reflect on the influence of different lifecycle stages on the strategy of a family business; evaluate the impact of family, industry and company dynamics on the evolution of a family firm; assess the impact of ownership, governance and succession considerations on the sustainability of a family firm; and develop decision-making skills to overcome specific dilemmas and secure the family business longevity.

Case overview/synopsis

Five industries, three generations and one family business. What started off as an entrepreneur’s ambition, Almajid Limited has proven itself to a sustainable source of revenue and a diverse portfolio of businesses for multiple generations of a Saudi Arabian family. This case study offers an exclusive opportunity to follow the tumultuous journey of a Saudi family business and analyze the different phases of its evolution over seven decades and three generations. In particular, the case aims to highlight the complexities surrounding the management of a family firm and illustrate how various lifecycle stages stemming from a number of areas (e.g. family, company, industry, ownership and governance) simultaneously influence the family business strategy. Being deeply embedded in the context of Saudi Arabia, the case unveils the unique challenges of managing a family business in a conservative cultural setting. The case study is divided into four parts, with each of them putting the emphasis on a different lifecycle area of significance for the evolution of the family business. Each part culminates with the identification of an area-relevant dilemma that needs to be addressed for the family firm to be able to move into the next stage of its development. Part A focuses on the family area or axis, the Part B on the industry axis, Part C on the company axis, while Part D is based on the sustainability axis, which embraces as many as three dilemmas in relation to the ownership, governance and succession in the family firm. Moreover, each part incorporates a timeline of critical events that contributed to the emergence of a specific dilemma and a culturally-rooted anime that helps the readers visualize the story, picture somebody else’s reality, and empathize with the key protagonists of the case to achieve optimal decision-making.

Complexity academic level

Graduate audience: Master of Business Administration or Master of Global Entrepreneurial Management.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
Misakyan technical solutions: between two mindsets and the emergence of the new generation
Authors: Marachly George , Bodolica Virginia , Spraggon Martin
Published: January 2020

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes of this study are as follows: conduct a comprehensive organizational diagnosis to uncover the peculiarities of managing a family business; evaluate the spirit of innovation of the new generation to drive rejuvenation initiatives in the family firm; reflect on the concept of stealth innovation and its manifestation in the context of transgenerational entrepreneurship; and assess the effectiveness of managerial decision-making and provide recommendations for securing the sustainability of a family firm.

Case overview/synopsis

This case starts with the entrepreneurial beginnings of Jack Misakyan, who transformed the small blacksmith venture of his father into a large and profitable family enterprise with operations across different countries and industrial sectors. Since the establishment of Misakyan Technical Solutions (MTS), Jack relied on the help of his brothers, Ara and Hovik, who have joined the ranks of owners and managers to drive the expansion efforts of the family firm. Over the years, the brothers were successful in pursuing a strategy of continuous growth and diversification by taking advantage of opportunities in several industries and regions of the world. They opened branches in Kuwait, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Armenia, and operated in industries of heavy-truck maintenance, pharmaceuticals, marine shipping, construction materials, quarry and restauration. Yet, four decades after its launch, the company was entering in a phase of stagnation and was in need for entrepreneurial rejuvenation. The members of the third generation, who have recently joined the family firm, believed that it was their obligation to restructure the operations and revive the entrepreneurial spirit in their fathers’ organization. Moreover, after several months of market analysis and investigation, two of the cousins came up with a new business idea that was pursued entirely in a stealth mode. By describing the strategic events and family dynamics that shaped the evolution of MTS over time, the case offers an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of managerial decision-making and provide recommendations for ensuring the longevity of the family enterprise.

Complexity academic level

Upper undergraduate classes.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
The impact of customer resources on customer value in co-creation: the multiple mediating effects
Authors: Xiao Meng , Ma Qinhai , Li Man
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Co-creating value with customers is important for companies in order to gain a competitive advantage. Based on resource theory and social interaction theory, the purpose of this paper is to explore the customer participation mechanism in co-creating value and test the effects of different types of customer resources and multi-level customer–firm interaction on customer value.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from tourism industry. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results indicate that both the customer’s human resource and relationship resource have a significantly positive effect on customers’ utilitarian value and hedonic value through reactive and proactive interactions. Reactive interaction has a full mediating effect on the relationship between relationship resource and proactive interaction, whereas proactive interaction has a full mediating effect on the relationship between reactive interaction and hedonic value.

Originality/value

This study explores the mediating effects of customer–firm interaction between customer resources and customer value. This paper contributes to the understanding of customers’ motivations for, and the processes of, participating in value co-creation.
Factors that influence financial self-efficacy among accounting students in Bali
Authors: Herawati Nyoman Trisna , Candiasa I. Made , Yadnyana I. Ketut , Suharsono Naswan
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the effect of financial learning quality (FLQ) and parental socioeconomic status (SES) on the financial self-efficacy (FSE) of undergraduate Accounting students in Bali with students’ financial literacy (FL) serving a mediator.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used a quantitative design with ex post facto approach and path analysis technique. Research data were collected by administering a financial literacy test on, and questionnaires distributed to, the sample selected using a purposive random sampling technique. The research sample consisted of undergraduate Accounting students in Bali who were in their fourth or sixth semesters, numbering 518.

Findings

The research results show that financial learning quality and parental socioeconomic status directly influenced financial literacy. Financial learning quality and socioeconomic status did not have any direct influence on financial self-efficacy, but financial literacy directly affected financial self-efficacy. Additionally, the results also show that financial literacy was able to mediate learning quality’s and socioeconomic status’ relationships with financial self-efficacy.

Practical implications

The research results indicate that financial learning quality had a significant effect on financial literacy but lacked any direct influence on financial self-efficacy. This suggests that it is important to improve financial learning quality in not only cognitive aspect (knowledge) but also practical aspect, which will contribute to the improvement in students’ financial self-efficacy. In the future, research can be continued by finding other variables that are more dominant in influencing financial self efficacy. In addition, research and development approach can be done to find a learning model that can improve financial self-efficacy among accounting students.

Originality/value

Previous studies predominantly investigated the factors that affect financial literacy in students. There has been a small body of research that addresses financial self-efficacy, especially in Accounting students. Therefore, this research makes a contribution to the knowledge on factors that influence, either directly or indirectly, FSE in students with financial literacy serving as a mediator.
Supply chain risks: findings from Brazilian slaughterhouses
Authors: Rosales Fabricio Pini , Oprime Pedro Carlos , Royer Annie , Batalha Mario Otávio
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the risks to which agrifood supply chains are exposed and to analyze how these risks impact the degree of coordination of the chain.

Design/methodology/approach

The present investigation was executed in two steps. Initially, a literature review and interviews with slaughterhouse managers were carried out to identify the main risks to which agrifood supply chains are exposed. The second step consisted of a survey involving 66 Brazilian slaughterhouses to identify how the perception of risks influences the degree of coordination in the examined chains.

Findings

The study revealed that risks, transaction costs and creation of collaborative advantages are determining factors in defining the degree of coordination in the analyzed agrifood supply chains.

Practical implications

The results allow slaughterhouse managers to more easily recognize the risks to which the supply chains are exposed and evaluate in more detail strategies for relationships with their suppliers. These strategies may be able to avoid conflict and create value for the supplier by stimulating longer relationships and facilitating animal purchase transactions for slaughter. This can lead to quality improvements, lower costs and reduced risk.

Originality/value

Studies of risks in agrifood supply chains are rare in comparison with those developed in other sectors. The present investigation is innovative in identifying the main risks specific to agrifood supply chains and associating those risks with a degree of coordination that minimizes them.
Coherence algorithm with a high‐resolution time–time transform and feature matrix for seismic data
Authors: Sun Fengyuan , Gao Jinghuai , Zhang Bing , Liu Naihao
Published: January 2020

Traditional coherence algorithms are often based on the assumption that seismic traces are stationary and Gaussian. However, seismic traces are actually non‐stationary and non‐Gaussian. A constant time window and the canonical correlation analysis in traditional coherence algorithms are not optimal for non‐stationary seismic traces and cannot describe the similarity between adjacent seismic traces in detail. To overcome this problem, a new coherence algorithm using the high‐resolution time–time transform and the feature matrix is designed. The high‐resolution time–time transform used to replace the constant time window can produce a frequency‐dependent time local series to analyse non‐stationary seismic traces. The feature matrix, constructed by the frequency‐dependent time local series and the related local gradients, defines a new correlation metric that enhances more details of the geological discontinuities in seismic images than does the canonical correlation analysis. Additionally, the Riemannian metric is introduced for related calculations because the feature matrices are not defined in a Euclidean space but rather in a manifold space. Application to field data illustrates that the proposed method reveals more details of structural and stratigraphic features.
A High Barrier and Sustained Release Oxygen‐Absorbing Ionic Polymer for Food Packaging Applications
Authors: Zhao Jiang , Qu Zhi , Li Ang , Chen Xiaohan , Zhang Yake , Chen Xian
Published: January 2020

Development and utilization of oxygen absorbing materials for food and beverage packaging are important to protect the oxygen‐sensitive foods. In this study, we developed a kind of ionic polymer with excellent oxygen absorbing ability based on reacting ethylene‐acrylic acid copolymer (EAA) and sodium sulfite (Na2SO3). By virtue of the hydrophilicity of the ionic polymer, the sulfite in Na2SO3 is easily hydrolyzed and ionized. The oxygen inhalation reaction was gradually initiated and started, whereas achieved a slow and controllable oxygen absorption process. The oxygen absorbing agent can be directly added in the form of an auxiliary agent, which greatly simplifies the preparation process of the oxygen absorbing material. Furthermore, the ionic structure of the EAA/Na2SO3 composites were destroyed and mechanical properties of the material did not decrease after oxygen absorption. More importantly, it can effectively prevent the entry of external oxygen because the ionic polymer itself has better barrier properties.

Practical Application

Typical oxygen‐sensitive objects include: beer, coffee, canned food, meat products, dairy products, and so on. The presence of oxygen in the package can cause microbial growth, odor generation, color change and nutrient loss, resulting in a significant reduction in food shelf life. Therefore, controlling the oxygen content of the food package is important to limit the rate of these spoilage and spoilage reactions in the food. Materials with active oxygen scavenging and good barrier properties and packaging performance are highly economically viable in terms of improving product quality and reducing packaging costs.
Clinical significance of reduced expression of lncRNA TUG1 in the peripheral blood of systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Authors: Cao Hai‐Yu , Li Dong , Wang Yun‐Peng , Lu Hui‐Xiu , Sun Jing , Li Hai‐Bin
Published: January 2020

Objective

To investigate the expression and clinical significance of long non‐coding RNA taurine up‐regulated gene 1 (lncRNA TUG1) in the peripheral blood of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.

Methods

With the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs: T‐cells, B‐cells and monocytes) collected from SLE patients and healthy controls, TUG1 expression was determined to identify the correlation with the clinicopathological features of SLE patients. Thereby, the diagnostic value of TUG1 expression in diagnosis of SLE was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

As compared to healthy controls, SLE patients manifested a lower expression of TUG1 in PBMCs, which was further decreased in SLE patients with lupus nephritis (P < .05). The lowest level of TUG1 was found in monocytes, rather than T‐cells or B‐cells (P < .05). Negative correlations were identified between TUG1 levels and SLE Disease Activity Index score (r = −.904, P < .001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = −.779, P < .001), disease duration (r = −.503, P < .001) and 24‐hour urinary protein (r = −.807, P < .001). Complement C3 levels were positively associated with TUG1 expression (r = .817, P < .001). In addition, the area under the ROC curve of diagnostic efficiency for SLE based on TUG1 was 0.982, and 0.930 for SLE with lupus nephritis.

Conclusions

The levels of lncRNA TUG1 was markedly lower in the SLE patients, which was more obvious in SLE patients with lupus nephritis, and thus, it could be a promising clinical diagnostic tool for SLE patients or SLE patients with lupus nephritis.
Histologic transformation of lung cancer during pembrolizumab therapy: A case report
Authors: Si Xiaoyan , You Yan , Zhang Xiaotong , Wang Hanping , Wang Mengzhao , Zhang Li
Published: January 2020

Immune checkpoint inhibitors that block the programmed death 1/programmed death ligand 1 pathways are widely used to treat advanced lung cancers. There are seldom cases of histologic transformation reported after treatment with immunotherapy. Here, we report the case of a 69‐year‐old man with stage IV lung squamous cell carcinoma. He received pembrolizumab monotherapy and had a partial response. After 22 cycles of pembrolizumab, chest computed tomography (CT) showed a left hilar tumor, bilateral pleural effusion and lymphadenopathy. The cytology of pleural effusion and bronchoscopic biopsy of an intraluminal lesion revealed small cell lung cancer. After two cycles of chemotherapy (etoposide/carboplatin), CT scan revealed shrinkage of lesions. This is the first case of lung squamous cell carcinoma with histologic transformation after treatment with pembrolizumab alone.
Characterisation of the inflammatory response triggered by topical ingenol mebutate 0.05% gel in basal cell carcinoma
Authors: García‐de‐la‐Fuente Mª Reyes , Santacana Maria , Verdaguer Joan , Vilardell Felip , Garí Eloi , Casanova Josep Manel
Published: January 2020

Background/Objective

Ingenol mebutate gel is approved for actinic keratosis field therapy, but little has been published as a treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Our objective is to characterise the histopathological changes and the infiltrating cell populations to better understand its mechanism of action.

Methods

Sixteen patients with various BCC subtypes were prospectively evaluated and treated once daily for two consecutive days with ingenol mebutate gel 0.05% under occlusion. Patients were randomised to two arms: the first arm was biopsied between the third and the tenth day after treatment initiation (‘early immune response’), and the second arm was biopsied at day 30 after treatment initiation (‘late immune response’). The immunopathology was evaluated by immunohistochemistry: anti‐CD3, anti‐CD4, anti‐CD8, anti‐CD20, anti‐CD56, anti‐CD68, anti‐Bcl‐2, anti‐CASP3, anti‐FoxP3, anti‐GrzB and anti‐TIA‐1.

Results

Ten BCCs were in complete remission after 2 years of follow‐up. The early immune response was characterised by a quick recruitment of T lymphocytes, macrophages and natural killer cells. At later time‐points, T‐regulatory cells and some pro‐apoptotic markers were detected. Treatment‐related adverse events were described.

Conclusion

Ingenol mebutate gel produces a transient immuno‐inflammatory response and an important necrosis reaction in BCCs. Larger studies will be required to determine the maximum effective tolerated dose of ingenol mebutate gel for BCC.
Proteomic analysis of follicular fluid during human ovulation
Authors: Zakerkish Farnosh , Brännström Mats , Carlsohn Elisabet , Sihlbom Carina , van der Post Sjoerd , Thoroddsen Asgeir
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Human ovulation is a biologically complex process that involves several biochemical factors, promoting follicular rupture and release of a fertilizable oocyte. Proteins which are present in follicular fluid at high concentrations during ovulation are likely to be active participants in the biochemical pathways of ovulation. The aim of the study was to identify, by use of a modern proteomic technique, proteins of human follicular fluid which are differentially regulated during ovulation of the natural menstrual cycle.

Material and methods

This prospective experimental study over 3 years included women planned for laparoscopic sterilization. During surgery, retrieval of the dominant follicle was performed either at the preovulatory stage or during ovulation. Four women of preovulatory phase and four women of ovulatory phase met the predetermined criteria of hormone levels for respective phases, and samples of these were finally included out of the 15 women operated. Follicular fluid was aspirated from the excised follicle and subjected to mass spectrometry with the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) technology for isobaric tagging of peptides. This enables simultaneous identification and quantification of proteins. The protein profiles of the follicular fluid of the preovulatory phase and the ovulatory phase were analyzed, and proteins that were present were identified.

Results

A total of 502 proteins were identified, several of which previously have not been identified in human follicular fluid. Of the 115 proteins that were found in all samples, 20 proteins were at higher levels during ovulation. These were inflammatory‐related proteins, coagulation factors, proteins in lipid metabolism, complement factors and antioxidants. Five proteins were present in lower levels during ovulation, with three being enzymes and the other two proteins of lipid metabolism and iron transport.

Conclusions

Twenty‐five follicular fluid proteins, with differential regulation during ovulation, were identified in human follicular fluid of the natural menstrual cycle. These proteins may have essential roles in the ovulatory cascade.
Mutation‐enhanced international prognostic systems for essential thrombocythaemia and polycythaemia vera
Authors: Tefferi Ayalew , Guglielmelli Paola , Lasho Terra L. , Coltro Giacomo , Finke Christy M. , Loscocco Giuseppe G. , Sordi Benedetta , Szuber Natasha , Rotunno Giada , Pacilli Annalisa , Hanson Curtis A. , Ketterling Rhett P. , Pardanani Animesh , Gangat Naseema , Vannucchi Alessandro M.
Published: January 2020

Survival prediction in essential thrombocythaemia (ET) and polycythaemia vera (PV) is currently based on clinically‐derived variables; we examined the possibility of integrating genetic information for predicting survival. To this end, 906 molecularly‐annotated patients (416 Mayo Clinic; 490 University of Florence, Italy), including 502 ET and 404 PV, were recruited. Multivariable analysis identified spliceosome mutations to adversely affect overall (SF3B1, SRSF2 in ET and SRSF2 in PV) and myelofibrosis‐free (U2AF1, SF3B1 in ET) survival; TP53 mutations predicted leukaemic transformation in ET; “adverse” mutations occurred in 51 (10%) ET and 8 (2%) PV patients. We confirmed the independent survival effect of adverse mutations [hazard ratio (HR) 2·4, 95% CI 1·6–3·5], age >60 years (6·6, 4·6–9·7), male sex (1·8, 1·3–2·4) and leukocytosis ≥11 × 109/l (1·6, 1·1–2·2), in ET, and adverse mutations (7·8, 3·1–17·0), age >67 years (5·4, 3·6–8·1), leukocytosis ≥15 × 109/l (2·8, 1·8–4·2) and thrombosis history (2·0, 1·4–2·9), in PV. HR‐based risk point allocation allowed development of three‐tiered mutation‐enhanced international prognostic systems (MIPSS) which were validated in both cohorts and performance was shown to be superior to conventional scoring systems. Spliceosome mutations enhance survival prediction in ET and PV and identify patients at risk for fibrotic progression. TP53 mutations predict leukaemic transformation in ET.
Prognostic role of parafibromin staining and CDC73 mutation in patients with parathyroid carcinoma: A systematic review and meta‐analysis based on individual patient data
Authors: Zhu Ruizhe , Wang Zixing , Hu Ya
Published: January 2020

Background and Objective

Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is a rare malignant neoplasm with a relatively poor prognosis. The loss of parafibromin expression or the presence of CDC73 mutation has been found to be remarkably associated with malignancy in parathyroid tumours. However, the prognostic role of them in PC has not yet been shown due to sampling limitations. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis based on individual patient data to clarify the performance of parafibromin immunohistochemical staining and CDC73 gene sequencing in predicting outcomes for patients PC.

Methods

Published studies from PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane and Scopus Databases were searched using the terms ‘parafibromin’, ‘CDC73’, ‘HRPT2’ and ‘parathyroid’ to identify eligible studies. From the included studies, the survival data of patients with PC were extracted, and a Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess hazard ratio (HR) for disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

A total of 193 patients from 9 studies were included in this survival analysis. Negative immunohistochemical staining of parafibromin was shown to be a risk factor for recurrence/metastasis (HR 2.73, P = .002) and death (HR 2.54, P = .004). Patient age ≥ 50 years was significantly related to lower OS (HR 2.37, P = .004) but not to DFS. CDC73 mutation was not statistically related to DFS or OS.

Conclusions

Negative parafibromin staining indicated a higher risk of recurrence/metastasis and mortality. The immunohistochemical staining of parafibromin seems to be more promising in predicting outcomes for patients with PC than the sequencing of CDC73.
Two‐piece zirconia versus titanium implants after 80 months: Clinical outcomes from a prospective randomized pilot trial
Authors: Koller Martin , Steyer Elisabeth , Theisen Kerstin , Stagnell Sami , Jakse Norbert , Payer Michael
Published: January 2020

Objectives

To prospectively evaluate, as part of an ongoing randomized pilot trial, the clinical outcomes of two‐piece zirconia implants in comparison with titanium implants 80 months after delivery of all‐ceramic (lithium disilicate) single‐tooth restorations.

Material and methods

The original sample included 31 (16 zirconia and 15 titanium) implants in 22 healthy patients. In addition to evaluating implant survival and success, a number of clinical or radiographic parameters were statistically analyzed: plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), pink esthetic score (PES), and marginal bone loss (MBL). Both implant groups were compared using a Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

Three implants (2 zirconia and 1 titanium) had been lost, so that 28 implants (14 zirconia and 14 titanium) in 21 patients could be evaluated after a mean of 80.9 (SD: 5.5) months. All surviving implants had remained stable, in the absence of any fixture or abutment fractures and without any chipping, fracture, or debonding of crowns. The zirconia implants were associated with PI values of 11.07% (SD: 8.11) and the titanium implants with 15.20% (SD: 15.58), the respective figures for the other parameters being 16.43% (SD: 6.16) or 12.60% (SD: 7.66) for BOP; 11.11 (SD: 1.27) or 11.56 (SD: 1.01) for PES; and 1.38 mm (SD: 0.81) or 1.17 mm (SD: 0.73) for MBL.

Conclusions

No significant differences were found between the clinical outcomes of two‐piece zirconia and titanium implants based on the aforementioned parameters after 80 months of clinical service. Our results should be interpreted with the limited sample size in mind.
Henry II, liturgical patronage and the birth of the ‘Romano‐German Pontifical’
Authors: Parkes Henry
Published: January 2020

Variously acclaimed as coepiscopus, saint and Mönchskönig, Henry II of Germany has always had a reputation as a quasi‐religious figure. This article goes a step further, appending to his résumé the creation of the wildly successful liturgical tradition known as the ‘Romano‐German Pontifical’. Formerly dated to the tenth century, its major ordines are here argued to have been cultivated in royal circles in the years 1002–9, before being compiled for the first time as a gift for the new Bamberg Cathedral. The tradition is shown to reflect the king’s concerns, scholarly, political and confessional, as well as projecting an idealistic, Bamberg‐esque notion of Romano‐German unity.
Evaluation of the removal of impassable barriers on anadromous salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River Basin
Authors: Clark Christopher , Roni Philip , Keeton Jenna , Pess George
Published: January 2020

Despite the popularity of barrier removal as a habitat restoration technique, there are few studies that evaluate the biological effects of restored stream crossings. An extensive post‐treatment study design was used to quantify fish populations (e.g. species, life stage, abundance) and habitat attributes (e.g. gradient, geomorphic channel units) at 32 culvert removal or replacement projects to determine their effectiveness in restoring habitat access for juvenile salmon, Oncorhynchus spp., and steelhead, O. mykiss (Walbaum), in the Columbia River Basin, USA. Anadromous fish (steelhead, Chinook salmon O. tshawytscha [Walbaum]) abundance, juvenile steelhead abundance and habitat conditions were not significantly different between paired reaches (i.e. upstream and downstream of former barrier sites), suggesting these sites are no longer full barriers to movement. This suggests that barrier removal projects on small Columbia Basin streams provide adequate fish passage, increased habitat availability and increased juvenile anadromous fish abundance immediately upstream of former barriers.
Identifying causes of low persistence of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) dairy pasture using the Basic Grassland model (BASGRA)
Authors: Woodward Simon J. R. , Van Oijen Marcel , Griffiths Wendy M. , Beukes Pierre C. , Chapman David F.
Published: January 2020

Recent years have seen a decline in herbage production and tiller populations in New Zealand's perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) dairy pastures. One hypothesis is that modern genotypes are less suited to the warmer, drier weather experienced under changing climate patterns. In this study, a combination of long‐term trial data (2011–2017) and a process‐based pasture model (BASGRA) was used to explore the causes and possible mitigation of the observed production and population loss at three sites (dryland sites in Northland and Waikato and an irrigated site in Canterbury). Bayesian calibration was used to identify the model parameter sets that were consistent with the trial data and to identify differences in plant morphology and responses between sites. The model successfully simulated the observed differences in tiller numbers between the dryland sites, where populations and production declined rapidly after the second year and the irrigated site where populations and production were maintained. Analysis of the model calibrations along with preliminary scenario simulations suggests that increased tiller mortality associated with drought was the main cause of persistence failure at the dryland sites and that decreasing grazing pressure or breeding for tolerance to higher temperatures may not be successful in preventing this.
The diagnosis of clinically significant oesophagealCandidainfections: a reappraisal of clinicopathological findings
Authors: Hissong Erika , Schechter Shula , Mowers Jonathan , Yantiss Rhonda K , Slavik Tomas , Cheng Jerome , Lamps Laura W
Published: January 2020

Aims

Distinguishing true oesophagealCandidainfections from oral contaminants is a common diagnostic issue. Historically, histological features believed to indicate true infection included epithelial invasion by pseudohyphae and intraepithelial neutrophils. Whether or not these features correlate with endoscopic lesions, symptoms and response to therapy has never been tested in a large cohort. The aim of this study was to determine whether specific histological features correlate with clinical and endoscopic findings whenCandidais found in oesophageal biopsies.

Methods and results

We reviewed 271 biopsies in whichCandidawas detected. Cases were evaluated for the presence of desquamated epithelial cells, location/type of fungal forms, neutrophils, and ulceration. Medical records were reviewed for clinical history, endoscopic lesions, and response to antifungal therapy. Statistical analysis was used to determine whether any histological features significantly correlated with clinical variables. There were 120 males and 151 females with a mean age of 42 years. Fifty‐nine per cent had symptoms referable to the oesophagus, particularly dysphagia (36%). Most (73%) patients had abnormal endoscopic findings, with plaques, ulcers, or macroscopic evidence of oesophagitis. Seventy‐one per cent of patients with documented antifungal therapy showed symptomatic improvement. Overall, there was no statistically significant correlation between any histological feature and presenting symptoms, endoscopic findings, or response to therapy. Importantly, the lack of pseudohyphae, demonstrable invasion of intact epithelium or neutrophilic infiltrates did not exclude clinically significant infection.

Conclusions

We conclude that detection ofCandidain oesophageal biopsies is always potentially clinically significant. Treatment decisions should be made on the basis of an integration of clinical, endoscopic and histological findings.
Inflammasomes contributing to inflammation in arthritis
Authors: Spel Lotte , Martinon Fabio
Published: January 2020

Inflammasomes are intracellular multiprotein signaling platforms that initiate inflammatory responses in response to pathogens and cellular damage. Active inflammasomes induce the enzymatic activity of caspase‐1, resulting in the induction of inflammatory cell death, pyroptosis, and the maturation and secretion of inflammatory cytokines IL‐1β and IL‐18. Inflammasomes are activated in many inflammatory diseases, including autoinflammatory disorders and arthritis, and inflammasome‐specific therapies are under development for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. In this review, we outline the different inflammasome platforms and recent findings contributing to our knowledge about inflammasome biology in health and disease. In particular, we discuss the role of the inflammasome in the pathogenesis of arthritic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and the potential of newly developed therapies that specifically target the inflammasome or its products for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Impaired T cell receptor signaling and development of T cell–mediated autoimmune arthritis
Authors: Takeuchi Yusuke , Hirota Keiji , Sakaguchi Shimon
Published: January 2020

Mutations of the genes encoding T‐cell receptor (TCR)‐proximal signaling molecules, such as ZAP‐70, can be causative of immunological diseases ranging from T‐cell immunodeficiency to T‐cell–mediated autoimmune disease. For example, SKG mice, which carry a hypomorphic point mutation of the Zap‐70 gene, spontaneously develop T‐cell–mediated autoimmune arthritis immunopathologically similar to human rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The Zap‐70 mutation alters the sensitivity of developing T cells to thymic positive/negative selection by self‐peptides/MHC complexes, shifting self‐reactive TCR repertoire to include a dominant arthritogenic specificity and also affecting thymic development and function of autoimmune suppressive regulatory T (Treg) cells. Polyclonal self‐reactive T cells, including potentially arthritogenic T cells, thus produced by the thymus recognize self‐peptide/MHC complexes on antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) in the periphery and stimulate them to produce cytokines including IL‐6 to drive the arthritogenic T cells to differentiate into arthritogenic T‐helper 17 (Th17) cells. Insufficient Treg suppression or activation of APCs via microbial and other environmental stimuli evokes arthritis by activating granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor‐secreting effector Th17 cells, mediating chronic bone‐destructive joint inflammation by activating myeloid cells, innate lymphoid cells, and synoviocytes in the joint. These findings obtained from the study of SKG mouse arthritis are instrumental in understanding how arthritogenic T cells are produced, become activated, and differentiate into effector T cells mediating arthritis, and may help devising therapeutic measures targeting autoimmune pathogenic Th17 cells or autoimmune‐suppressing Treg cells to treat and prevent RA.
Evidence into action: a policy brief exemplar supporting attainment of nursing now
Authors: Benton D.C. , Watkins M.J. , Beasley C.J. , Ferguson S.L. , Holloway A.
Published: January 2020

Aim

To provide a framework for the production of policy briefs, and offer a practical example of how evidence can be turned into a succinct document to inform policy and bring about change targeted at delivering universal health coverage.

Introduction

Policymakers are too busy, or do not have the necessary expertise, to read and comprehend complex scientific papers. As a result, policy briefs that capture and present the essential points are needed if evidence‐informed policy is to be developed and implemented.

Method

A two‐page example of how evidence from meta‐analytical and systematic reviews can be presented to identify options and recommendations to address a major global disease burden.

Results

The example uses a simple, seven‐section template for developing a policy brief. The essential characteristics of each section are provided. The briefing, targeted at the global level, provides information on the major challenges associated with the treatment of individuals with diabetes.

Discussion and Conclusions

This paper demonstrates how to use existing research evidence to address the pursuit of UHC relevant to a wide range of geographies, settings or disadvantaged groups.

Implications for Policy

Gaps in universal health coverage and major disease burdens such as diabetes can be pursued through entities such as country‐based Nursing Now groups. In addition, ongoing opportunities exist through the International Council of Nurses annual International Nurses Day and WHO’s regular regional meetings to inform and influence policy discussions at national and subnational levels. By focusing on a small number of global topics each year, measurable changes in addressing the burden of disease can be achieved while simultaneously keeping the nursing profession’s contribution centre stage.
Damage evolution in SiC/SiC unidirectional composites by X‐ray tomography
Authors: Hilmas Ashley M. , Sevener Kathleen M. , Halloran John W.
Published: January 2020

Melt infiltrated SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composite unidirectional (UD) composite specimens were imaged under load using X‐ray microtomography techniques in order to visualize the evolution of damage accumulation and to quantify damage mechanisms within the composite such as matrix cracking and fiber breaking. The data obtained from these in situ tensile tests were used in comparison with current models and literature results. Three‐dimensional (3D) tomography images were used to measure the location and spacing of matrix cracking that occurred at increasing stress increments during testing within two UD composite specimens. The number of broken fibers and the location of each fiber break gap that occurred within the volume of both specimens were also quantified. The 3D locations of fiber breaks were correlated with the location of each matrix crack within the volume of the specimen and it was found that at the stress scanned directly before failure, most of the fiber breaks occur within 100 microns of a matrix crack.
Protein Kinase D3 promotes the cell proliferation by activating the ERK1/c‐MYC axis in breast cancer
Authors: Liu Yan , Song Hang , Yu Shiyi , Huang Kuo‐Hsiang , Ma Xinxing , Zhou Yehui , Yu Shuang , Zhang Jingzhong , Chen Liming
Published: January 2020

Breast cancer is the second leading death cause of cancer death for all women. Previous study suggested that Protein Kinase D3 (PRKD3) was involved in breast cancer progression. In addition, the protein level of PRKD3 in triple‐negative breast adenocarcinoma was higher than that in normal breast tissue. However, the oncogenic mechanisms of PRKD3 in breast cancer is not fully investigated. Multi‐omic data showed that ERK1/c‐MYC axis was identified as a major pivot in PRKD3‐mediated downstream pathways. Our study provided the evidence to support that the PRKD3/ERK1/c‐MYC pathway play an important role in breast cancer progression. We found that knocking out PRKD3 by performing CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering technology suppressed phosphorylation of both ERK1 and c‐MYC but did not down‐regulate ERK1/2 expression or phosphorylation of ERK2. The inhibition of ERK1 and c‐MYC phosphorylation further led to the lower protein level of c‐MYC and then reduced the expression of the c‐MYC target genes in breast cancer cells. We also found that loss of PRKD3 reduced the rate of the cell proliferation in vitro and tumour growth in vivo, whereas ectopic (over)expression of PRKD3, ERK1 or c‐MYC in the PRKD3‐knockout breast cells reverse the suppression of the cell proliferation and tumour growth. Collectively, our data strongly suggested that PRKD3 likely promote the cell proliferation in the breast cancer cells by activating ERK1‐c‐MYC axis.
Ferulic acid 12% peel: An innovative peel for constitutional type of periorbital melanosis—Comparing clinical efficacy and safety with 20% glycolic peel and 15% lactic peel
Authors: Dayal Surabhi , Sangal Bhavya , Sahu Priyadarshini
Published: January 2020

Background

Periorbital hyperpigmentation (POH) is a very common, yet unexplored aesthetic condition. Topical therapy is mainstay of treatment which includes chemical peels and other depigmenting agents.

Aims

To compare clinical efficacy, safety, and tolerability of 20% glycolic acid peels, 15% lactic acid peels, and 12% ferulic acid peels in the treatment of constitutional type of periorbital hyperpigmentation in Indian patients.

Methods

Ninety patients of constitutional POH were enrolled for 12 weeks. They were divided into three groups of 30 each. In 1st group 20% glycolic acid peeling, in 2nd group 15% lactic acid peeling and in 3rd group 12% ferulic acid peeling sessions were performed at 3 weekly intervals. Clinical improvement was assessed objectively using POH grading, physician's and patient's global assessment, and patient's global tolerance.

Results

Significant improvement in periorbital hyperpigmentation was noted in all the three groups. Physician and patient's global assessment was excellent with glycolic acid peel followed by ferulic acid peel and lactic acid peel. The incidence of side effects in the form of erythema and itching was maximum with glycolic acid followed by lactic acid and least with ferulic acid, which did not necessitate cessation of therapy.

Conclusion

Glycolic acid produced the best results among the three peels; however, ferulic acid peel emerged as a safe and effective modality for the treatment of POH.
Necessary and Sufficient Conditions for Existence and Uniqueness of Recursive Utilities
Authors: BOROVIČKA JAROSLAV , STACHURSKI JOHN
Published: January 2020

We obtain exact necessary and sufficient conditions for existence and uniqueness of solutions of a class of homothetic recursive utility models postulated by Epstein and Zin. The conditions center on a single test value with a natural economic interpretation. The test sheds light on the relationship between valuation of cash flows, impatience, risk adjustment, and intertemporal substitution of consumption. We propose two methods to compute the test value when an analytical solution is not available. We further provide several applications.
A deep‐learning‐based computer vision solution for construction vehicle detection
Authors: Arabi Saeed , Haghighat Arya , Sharma Anuj
Published: January 2020

This paper aims at providing researchers and engineering professionals from the first step of solution development to the last step of solution deployment with a practical and comprehensive deep‐learning‐based solution for detecting construction vehicles. This paper places particular focus on the often‐ignored last step of deployment. Our first phase of solution development involved data preparation, model selection, model training, and model validation. Given the necessarily small‐scale nature of construction vehicle image datasets, we propose as detection model an improved version of the single shot detector MobileNet, which is suitable for embedded devices. Our study's second phase comprised model optimization, application‐specific embedded system selection, economic analysis, and field implementation. Several embedded devices were proposed and compared. Results including a consistent above 90% mean average precision confirm the superior real‐time performance of our proposed solutions. Finally, the practical field implementation of our proposed solutions was investigated. This study validates the practicality of deep‐learning‐based object detection solutions for construction scenarios. Moreover, the detailed information provided by the current study can be employed for several purposes such as safety monitoring, productivity assessments, and managerial decision making.
Genome‐wide identification of Listeria monocytogenes CodY‐binding sites
Authors: Biswas Rajesh , Sonenshein Abraham L. , Belitsky Boris R.
Published: January 2020

CodY is a global transcriptional regulator that controls, directly or indirectly, the expression of dozens of genes and operons in Listeria monocytogenes. We used in vitro DNA affinity purification combined with massively parallel sequencing (IDAP‐Seq) to identify genome‐wide L. monocytogenes chromosomal DNA regions that CodY binds in vitro. The total number of CodY‐binding regions exceeded 2,000, but they varied significantly in their strengths of binding at different CodY concentrations. The 388 strongest CodY‐binding regions were chosen for further analysis. A strand‐specific analysis of the data allowed pinpointing CodY‐binding sites at close to single‐nucleotide resolution. Gel shift and DNase I footprinting assays confirmed the presence and locations of several CodY‐binding sites. Surprisingly, most of the sites were located within genes’ coding regions. The binding site within the beginning of the coding sequence of the prfA gene, which encodes the master regulator of virulence genes, has been previously implicated in regulation of prfA, but this site was weaker in vitro than hundreds of other sites. The L. monocytogenes CodY protein was functionally similar to Bacillus subtilis CodY when expressed in B. subtilis cells. Based on the sequences of the CodY‐binding sites, a model of CodY interaction with DNA is proposed.
Accessory tragus: Report of a case in a rare location on the nasal vestibule
Authors: Moradi Sara , Castiglione Charles , Ehrig Torsten
Published: January 2020

A case of an accessory tragus located on the nasal vestibule is reported. This represents the third case of this entity located outside of a derivative of a branchial arch. All three of these cases were located in the nose/glabella region.
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma as a rare secondary malignancy after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A case report
Authors: Good Meghan L. , Malekzadeh Parisa , Kriley Isaac R. , Shah Nirali N. , Kleiner David E. , Calvo Katherine , Hernandez Jonathan M. , Davis Jeremy L.
Published: January 2020

Secondary malignancies are a significant cause of non‐relapse mortality in patients who undergo allogeneic HCT. However, secondary liver cancer is rare, and ICC following HCT has never been reported in the literature. Secondary solid cancers typically have a long latency period, and cholangiocarcinoma is classically a malignancy occurring in older individuals. Here, we report the first case of secondary ICC, which presented just 3 years after HCT in a young adult with a history of childhood ALL. A 26‐year‐old male with history of precursor B‐cell ALL presented with asymptomatic elevated liver function tests 3 years after HCT. Laboratories were indicative of biliary obstruction. ERCP showed focal biliary stricturing of the common and left hepatic ducts. MRCP revealed left intrahepatic duct dilatation, suggestive of intrahepatic obstructing mass. Additional workup lead to a clinical diagnosis of ICC. The patient underwent left hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection and portal lymphadenectomy. Surgical pathology was consistent with moderately differentiated cholangiocarcinoma. Our case illustrates a rare SMN following HCT for ALL. It is the first case report of ICC occurring as a secondary cancer in this patient population. Although cholangiocarcinoma is characteristically diagnosed in the older population, it must remain on the differential for biliary obstruction in post‐HCT patients.