bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oncofertility
Authors: Irene Su H. , Lee Yuton Tony , Barr Ronald
Published: November 2018

Adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 39 years who are diagnosed with cancer (AYA survivors) undergo a range of therapies for cancer cure but subsequently may be at risk of treatment-related infertility, and for female AYA survivors, adverse pregnancy outcomes. Future fertility is important to AYA survivors. Meeting their fertility goals requires awareness of this importance, knowledge of cancer treatment–related fertility risks, appropriate fertility counseling on these risks, and access to fertility care. Epidemiologic and dissemination and implementation research are needed to estimate more precise risks of traditional and novel cancer therapies on fertility and pregnancy outcomes and improve the delivery of fertility care.
Cancer Burden in Adolescents and Young Adults
Authors: Trama Annalisa , Botta Laura , Steliarova-Foucher Eva
Published: November 2018

Cancer burden in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) is expressed through a large proportion of the quality of life lost on individual level and also causes losses to the society in terms of a decreased productivity and social structure. A specific cancer spectrum and distinctive needs of AYA patients require targeted studies and cancer control measures. Incidence is intermediate between that for children and for older adults, and two-thirds of the AYA cancers affect women. Cancers of the breast and cervix uteri, representing a large portion of the burden, are amenable to prevention. Survival is relatively high, but it is lower in AYA patients with certain cancers that are common in childhood or older adulthood. Tailored cancer care with centralized multidisciplinary provision improves the outcome, as demonstrated by survival of leukemia patients. Mortality is decreasing in high-income countries for the cancers that contribute to the burden most, but lack of progress is seen for some rarer subtypes, such as brain tumors and sarcomas of the bone and soft tissue. There is unacceptable lack of information on cancer burden in low-income countries in which the outcomes for AYA patients are likely dreadful. Investment is required to establish cancer registration system and appropriate cancer care delivery in these settings.
Anatomical Variation in Morphometry and Morphology of the Foramen Magnum and Occipital Condyle in Dried Adult Skulls
Authors: Degno Sisay , Abrha Mueez , Asmare Yared , Muche Abebe
Published: November 2018

Background:

The foramen magnum (FM) is the largest opening and is outlet through which medulla oblongata and spinal cord along with meninges, vertebral arteries, anterior and posterior spinal arteries, tectorial membrane, alar ligaments, and spinal branch of the accessory nerve. Occipital condyle (OC) is an important part of craniovertebral or craniocervical junction located anterolaterally on either side of the FM. The objective of the study was to assess variations of FM and OC in Ethiopian dried adult skulls.

Methods:

Observation-based descriptive study design was employed. The study was undertaken in 54 FM and 108 OC of 54 adult Ethiopian skulls. The morphometry of FM and OC were determined using a sliding vernier caliper.

Results:

The mean values of anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the FM were 35.19 and 30.17 mm, respectively, and the mean area of the FM was 853.36 mm2. The shapes of FM were determined as round in 22.2%, oval in 18.5%, egg like in 20.4%, triangular in 3.7%, pentagonal in 11.1%, hexagonal in 7.4%, irregular in 13%, and rectangular in 3.7% of the cases. The mean length of right and left OC was 25.69 and 26.96 mm, respectively, and the mean widths of the right and left OC were 12.76 and 13.04 mm, respectively.

Conclusion:

Our study identified various shapes of FM and diameter. The anteroposterior diameter is greater than the transverse diameter. The morphometric study of OC confirmed the length of left side is significantly greater than the right side.
The Precise Midline Positioning Instrument for Le Fort I Osteotomy
Authors: Sun Xiumei , Xiao Yanju , Wu Guomin
Published: November 2018

To reduce the deviations in the horizontal direction of posterior maxilla during the maxilla Le Fort I osteotomy, the authors develop and validate the precise midline positioning instrument for Le Fort I osteotomy, which can guide the precise relocation of the truncated maxillary bone segment. The patent application for the precise midline positioning instrument for Le Fort I osteotomy is already submitted (patent no: 201711245533.6, China). The accuracy of Le Fort I osteotomy can be improved significantly, because of the amplification effect of this patent on the rotation/micro-movement of the posterior maxilla in all directions to achieve the precise movement and pairing of the maxillary bone segment. And this method is simple, efficient, and laborsaving.
Sensory Changes in Periocular Skin After Upper Eyelid Surgery
Authors: Koval Tal , Ofir Shay , Belkin Avner , Segal Ori , Nemet Achia , Nemet Arie Y.
Published: November 2018

The aim of this interventional, prospective study is to estimate the change in periocular cutaneous sensation after upper eyelid surgery. The trial included 48 eyes of 24 patients undergoing upper eyelid blepharoplasty or upper eyelid blepharoplasty and blepharoptosis repair. Eyelid sensation was measured using a Cochet–Bonnet filament-type esthesiometer at 4 predetermined anatomical locations in the upper eyelid. The mean esthesiometry reading was calculated at the preoperative visit (4.06 cm), at 2-week postoperative visit (4.38 cm), and at final postoperative visit (4.52 cm). Paired t test showed no significant difference in sensation measurement at second visit compared with baseline (P = 0.205) or at final visit compared with baseline (P = 0.092). Paired t test showed no correlation between type of surgery and change in sensation. Sex and age did not influence change in sensation. In 40 of 42 eyelids, (95.24%), patients reported no reduction in subjective eyelid sensation. The authors conclude that eyelid sensation was not compromised objectively or subjectively by upper eyelid skin incision surgery. Surgeons can reassure patients contemplating surgery that it is very unlikely that cutaneous sensation will be damaged.
Hydrodynamic descriptions for surface roughness in fracture front propagation
Authors: Basu Abhik , Chakrabarti Bikas K.
Published: November 2018

Fracture is ubiquitous in a crystalline material. Inspired by the observed phenomenological similarities between the spatial profile of a fractured surface and velocities in hydrodynamic turbulence, we set up a hydrodynamic description for the dynamics of fracture surface propagation mode I or opening fracture front. We consider several related continuum hydrodynamic models and use them to extract the similarities between the profile of a fractured surface and velocities in hydrodynamic turbulence. We conclude that a fractured surface should be generically self-similar with an underlying multifractal behaviour.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Statistical physics of fracture and earthquakes’.
Avalanches and extreme value statistics in interfacial crackling dynamics
Authors: Santucci S. , Tallakstad K. T. , Angheluta L. , Laurson L. , Toussaint R. , Måløy K. J.
Published: November 2018

We study the avalanche and extreme statistics of the global velocity of a crack front, propagating slowly along a weak heterogeneous interface of a transparent polymethyl methacrylate block. The different loading conditions used (imposed constant velocity or creep relaxation) lead to a broad range of average crack front velocities. Our high-resolution and large dataset allows one to characterize in detail the observed intermittent crackling dynamics. We specifically measure the size
S
, the duration
D
, as well as the maximum amplitude

of the global avalanches, defined as bursts in the interfacial crack global velocity time series. Those quantities characterizing the crackling dynamics follow robust power-law distributions, with scaling exponents in agreement with the values predicted and obtained in numerical simulations of the critical depinning of a long-range elastic string, slowly driven in a random medium. Nevertheless, our experimental results also set the limit of such model which cannot reproduce the power-law distribution of the maximum amplitudes of avalanches of a given duration reminiscent of the underlying fat-tail statistics of the local crack front velocities.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Statistical physics of fracture and earthquakes’.
Reproduction has different costs for immunity and parasitism in a wild mammal
Authors: Albery Gregory F. , Watt Kathryn A. , Keith Rosie , Morris Sean , Morris Alison , Kenyon Fiona , Nussey Daniel H. , Pemberton Josephine M.
Published: November 2018

1. Life history theory predicts that reproductive investment draws resources away from immunity, resulting in increased parasitism. However, studies of reproductive tradeoffs rarely examine multiple measures of reproduction, immunity, and parasitism. It is therefore unclear whether the immune costs of reproductive traits correlate with their resource costs, and whether increased parasitism emerges from weaker immunity.

2. We examined these relationships in wild female red deer (Cervus elaphus) with variable reproductive investment and longitudinal data on mucosal antibody levels and helminth parasitism. We noninvasively collected faecal samples, counting propagules of strongyle nematodes (order: Strongylida), the common liver flukeFasciola hepaticaand the red deer tissue nematodeElaphostrongylus cervi. We also quantified both total and anti-strongyle mucosal IgA to measure general and specific immune investment.

3. Contrary to our predictions, we found that gestation was associated with decreased total IgA but with no increase in parasitism. Meanwhile, the considerable resource demand of lactation had no further immune cost but was associated with higher counts of strongyle nematodes andElaphostrongylus cervi. These contrasting costs arose despite a negative correlation between antibodies and strongyle count, which implied that IgA was indicative of protective immunity.

4. Our findings suggest that processes other than classical resource allocation tradeoffs are involved in mediating observed relationships between reproduction, immunity, and parasitism in wild mammals. In particular, reproduction-immunity tradeoffs may result from hormonal regulation or maternal antibody transfer, with parasitism increasing as a result of increased exposure arising from resource acquisition constraints. We advocate careful consideration of resource-independent mechanistic links and measurement of both immunity and parasitism when investigating reproductive costs.
Characterization of functional diversity of the human brain based on intrinsic connectivity networks
Authors: Chu Congying , Fan Lingzhong , Jiang Tianzi
Published: November 2018

Spontaneous fluctuations underlying the brain activity can reflect the intrinsic organization of the system, such as the functional brain networks. In large scale, a network perspective has emerged as a new avenue to explore the functional properties of human brain. Here, we studied functional diversity in healthy subjects based on the network perspective. We hypothesized that the patterns of participation of different functional networks were related with the functional diversity of particular brain regions. Independent component analysis (ICA) was adopted to detect the intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs) based on the data of resting-state functional MRI. An index of functional diversity (FD index) was proposed to quantitatively describe the degree of anisotropic distribution related with participation of various ICNs. We found that FD index continuously varied across the brain, for example, the primary motor cortex with low FD value and the precuneus with significantly high FD value. The FD values indicated the different functional roles of the corresponding brain regions, which were reflected by the various patterns of participation of ICNs. The FD index can be used as a new approach to quantitatively characterize the functional diversity of human brain, even for the changed functional properties caused by the psychiatric disorders.
Reproducing Transformation of Indolent B-cell Lymphoma by T-cell Immunosuppression of L.CD40 Mice
Authors: Vincent-Fabert Christelle , Saintamand Alexis , David Amandine , Alizadeh Mehdi , Boyer François , Arnaud Nicolas , Zimber-Strobl Ursula , Feuillard Jean , Faumont Nathalie
Published: November 2018

Transformation of an indolent B-cell lymphoma is associated with a more aggressive clinical course and poor survival. The role of immune surveillance in the transformation of a B-cell indolent lymphoma towards a more aggressive form is poorly documented. To experimentally address this question, we used the L.CD40 mouse model, which is characterized by B-cell specific continuous CD40 signaling, responsible for spleen indolent clonal or oligoclonal B-cell lymphoma after one year in 60% cases. Immunosuppression was obtained either by T/NK cell depletion or by treatment with the T-cell immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A. Immunosuppressed L.CD40 mice had larger splenomegaly with increased numbers of B-cells in both spleen and peripheral blood. High-throughput sequencing of immunoglobulin variable segments revealed that clonal expansion was increased in immunosuppressed L.CD40 mice. Tumor B cells of immunosuppressed mice were larger with an immunoblastic aspect, both on blood smears and spleen tissue sections, with increased proliferation rate and increased numbers of activated B-cells. Collectively, these features suggest that immune suppression induced a shift from indolent lymphomas into aggressive ones. Thus, as a preclinical model, immunosuppressed L.CD40 mice reproduce aggressive transformation of an indolent B-cell tumor and highlight the role of the immune surveillance in its clinical course, opening new perspective for immune restoration therapies.

Summary statement

Highlighting the role of immune surveillance, transformation of indolent B-cell lymphoma into an aggressive malignancy is experimentally reproduced after T-cell immune suppression in the L.CD40 preclinical mouse model.
Lipid Lowering Oxopropanylindole Hydrazone Derivatives with Anti-oxidant and Anti-hyperglycemic Activity
Authors: Varshney Kanika , Gupta Amit K. , Sonkar Ravi , Varshney Salil , Mishra Akanksha , Bhatia Geetika , Gaikwad Anil , Srivastava Arvind Kumar , Saxena Mridula , Jain Sudha , K.Saxena Anil
Published: November 2018

A series of substituted oxopropanylindole hydrazone derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for anti-oxidant and anti-dyslipidemic activity. Among these 12 compounds the three compounds6c,7band7dshowed good anti-oxidant activity and the compound6cattenuataed LDL oxidation by 32%. The compounds6cand7dalso showed good anti-dyslipidemic activity by reducing serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), phospholipids (PL) and triglycerides (TG). These two compounds were further evaluated for anti-adipogenic and anti-hyperglycemic activity, where6cwas found most active compound with 44% reduction in lipid accumulation and 20.5% and 24.3% reduction in blood glucose at 5h and 24h respectively, as compared to standard drug metformin.
Extending long-range phasing and haplotype library imputation algorithms to very large and heterogeneous datasets
Authors: Money Daniel , Wilson David , Jenko Janez , Gorjanc Gregor , Hickey John M.
Published: November 2018

Background

This paper describes the latest improvements to the long-range phasing and haplotype library imputation algorithms that enable them to successfully phase both datasets with one million individuals and datasets genotyped using different sets of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Previous publicly available implementations of long-range phasing could not phase large datasets due to the computational cost of defining surrogate parents by exhaustive all-against-all searches. Further, both long-range phasing and haplotype library imputation were not designed to deal with large amounts of missing data, which is inherent when using multiple SNP arrays.

Methods

Here, we developed methods which avoid the need for all-against-all searches by performing long-range phasing on subsets of individuals and then combing results. We also extended long-range phasing and haplotype library imputation algorithms to enable them to use different sets of markers, including missing values, when determining surrogate parents and identifying haplotypes. We implemented and tested these extensions in an updated version of our phasing software AlphaPhase.

Results

A simulated dataset with one million individuals genotyped with the same set of 6,711 SNP for a single chromosome took two days to phase. A larger dataset with one million individuals genotyped with 49,579 SNP for a single chromosome took 14 days to phase. The percentage of correctly phased alleles at heterozygous loci was respectively 90.5% and 90.0% for the two datasets, which is comparable to the accuracy achieved with previous versions of AlphaPhase on smaller datasets.

The phasing accuracy for datasets with different sets of markers was generally lower than that for datasets with one set of markers. For a simulated dataset with three sets of markers 2.8% of alleles at heterozygous positions were phased incorrectly whereas the equivalent figure with one set of markers was 0.6%.

Conclusions

The improved long-range phasing and haplotype library imputation algorithms enable AlphaPhase to quickly and accurately phase very large and heterogeneous datasets. This will enable more powerful breeding and genetics research and application.
Mouse xenograft model of Corticospinal Tract by Delayed Transplantation of Olfactory Ensheating Cells in Adult Rats
Authors: Naghynajadfard Maryam , Li Ying , Raisman Geoffrey
Published: November 2018

Adult rats were trained to use their forepaw for retrieving a piece of noodle through a slit in the front of the cage. The dorsal corticospinal tract was lesioned by a focal stereotactic radio-frequency lesion at the level of the first/second cervical segment. Complete destruction of one side of the corticospinal tract completely prevented the use of the ipsilateral forepaw reaching for at least 6 months after operation. Rats which have shown no forepaw retrieval by 8 weeks were xenotransplanted with a suspension of cultured olfactory ensheathing cells derived from the mouse olfactory bulb, into the lesion site. Starting between 1 and 3 weeks, 10 rats with transplants bridging the lesion site resumed ipsilateral forepaw reaching. The histology of the lesioned rats with misplaced olfactory ensheathing cell showed no functional recovery during the 8 weeks of training.
Entorhinal neurons exhibit cue locking in rodent VR
Authors: Casali Giulio , Shipley Sarah , Dowell Charlie , Hayman Robin , Barry Caswell
Published: November 2018

The regular firing pattern exhibited by medial entorhinal (mEC) grid cells of locomoting rodents is hypothesized to provide spatial metric information relevant for navigation. The development of virtual reality (VR) for head-fixed mice confers a number of experimental advantages and has become increasingly popular as a method for investigating spatially-selective cells. Recent experiments using 1D VR linear tracks have shown that some mEC cells have multiple fields in virtual space, analogous to grid cells on real linear tracks. We recorded from the mEC as mice traversed virtual tracks featuring regularly spaced repetitive cues and identified a population of cells with multiple firing fields, resembling the regular firing of grid cells. However, further analyses indicated that many of these were not, in fact, grid cells because: 1) When recorded in the open field they did not display discrete firing fields with six-fold symmetry; 2) In different VR environments their firing fields were found to match the spatial frequency of repetitive environmental cues. In contrast, cells identified as grid cells based on their open field firing patterns did not exhibit cue locking. In light of these results we highlight the importance of controlling the periodicity of the visual cues in VR and the necessity of identifying grid cells from real open field environments in order to correctly characterise spatially modulated neurons in VR experiments.
Assessing the protective potential of H1N1 influenza virus hemagglutinin head and stalk antibodies in humans
Authors: Christensen Shannon R. , Toulmin Sushila A. , Griesman Trevor , Lamerato Lois E. , Petrie Joshua G. , Martin Emily T. , Monto Arnold S. , Hensley Scott E.
Published: November 2018

Seasonal influenza viruses are a major cause of human disease worldwide. Most neutralizing antibodies (Abs) elicited by influenza viruses target the head domain of the hemagglutinin (HA) protein. Anti-HA head Abs can be highly potent, but they have limited breadth since the HA head is variable. There is great interest in developing new universal immunization strategies that elicit broadly neutralizing Abs against conserved regions of HA, such as the stalk domain. Although HA stalk Abs can provide protection in animal models, it is unknown if they are present at sufficient levels in humans to provide protection against naturally-acquired influenza virus infections. Here, we quantified H1N1 HA head and stalk-specific Abs in 179 adults hospitalized during the 2015-2016 influenza virus season. We found that HA head Abs, as measured by hemagglutinin-inhibition (HAI) assays, were associated with protection against naturally-acquired H1N1 infection. HA stalk-specific serum total IgG titers were also associated with protection, but this association was slightly attenuated and not statistically significant after adjustment for HA head-specific Ab titers. We found higher titers of HA stalk-specific IgG1 and IgA Abs in sera from uninfected participants than from infected participants; however, we found no difference in sera in vitro antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity activity. In passive transfer experiments, sera from participants with high HAI activity efficiently protected mice, while sera with low HAI activity protected mice to a lower extent. Our data suggest that human HA head and stalk Abs both contribute to protection against H1N1 infection.

Importance

Abs targeting the HA head of influenza viruses are often associated with protection from influenza virus infections. These Abs typically have limited breadth since mutations frequently arise in HA head epitopes. New vaccines targeting the more conserved HA stalk domain are being developed. Abs that target the HA stalk are protective in animal models, but it is unknown if these Abs exist at protective levels in humans. Here, we found that Abs against both the HA head and HA stalk were associated with protection from naturally-acquired human influenza virus infections during the 2015-2016 influenza season.
Polymorphic 30-nm Chromatin Fiber and Linking Number Paradox. Evidence for the Occurrence of Two Distinct Topoisomers
Authors: Norouzi Davood , Zhurkin Victor B.
Published: November 2018

We discuss various models of spatial organization of the 30-nm fiber that remains enigmatic despite 40 years of intensive studies. Using computer simulations, we found two topologically different families of the fiber conformations distinguished by the linker length, L: the fibers with L = {10n} and {10n+5} bp have DNA linking numbers per nucleosome DLk » –1.5 and –1.0, respectively. The fibers with DLk » –1.5 were observed earlier, while the topoisomer with DLk » –1.0 is novel. These predictions were confirmed for circular nucleosome arrays with precisely positioned nucleosomes. We suggest that topological polymorphism of chromatin fibers may play a role in the process of transcription, which is known to generate different levels of DNA supercoiling upstream and downstream from RNA polymerase. In particular, the {10n+5} DNA linkers are likely to produce transcriptionally competent chromatin structures. This hypothesis is consistent with available data for several eukaryotes, from yeast to human. We also analyzed two recent studies of chromatin fibers – on the nucleosome crosslinking in vitro, and on radioprobing DNA folding in human cells. In both cases, we show that the novel topoisomer with DLk » –1.0 has to be taken into account to interpret experimental data. This is yet another evidence for occurrence of two distinct fiber topoisomers. Potentially, our findings may reflect a general tendency of chromosomal domains with different levels of transcription to retain topologically different higher-order structures.
PIN1 isomerisation of BRCA1 promotes replication fork protection
Authors: Daza-Martin Manuel , Jamshad Mohammed , Starowicz Katarzyna , Chauhan Anoop Singh , Beesley James F.J. , Coles Jennifer L. , Stewart Grant S. , Densham Ruth M. , Morris Joanna R.
Published: November 2018

BRCA1, BRCA2 and a subset of Fanconi’s Anaemia proteins act to promote RAD51-mediated protection of newly synthesised DNA at stalled replication forks from degradation by nucleases. How BRCA1 contributes, how it is regulated and whether replication fork protection relates to, or differs from, the roles BRCA1 has in homologous recombination is not clear. Here we show that the canonical BRCA1-PALB2 interaction is not required for fork protection and instead we demonstrate that the ability of BRCA1 to protect nascent DNA is regulated in an unexpected fashion through conformational change mediated by the phosphorylation-directed prolyl isomerase, PIN1. BRCA1 isomerisation enhances BRCA1-BARD1 interaction with RAD51 and consequently RAD51 presence at stalled replication structures. Our data suggest BRCA1-BARD1 promotes fork protection in part by enhancing the RAD51 synapse. Patient missense variants in the regulated BRCA1-BARD1 regions similarly show poor nascent strand protection but proficient homologous recombination, defining novel domains required for fork protection in BRCA1-BARD1 associated with cancer predisposition. Together these findings reveal a previously unrecognised pathway that governs BRCA1-mediated replication fork protection.
Comparisons among Vestibular Examinations and Symptoms of Vertigo in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Patients
Authors: Lim Kang Hyeon , Jeong Yong Jun , Han Mun Soo , Rah Yoon Chan , Cha Jaehyung , Choi June
Published: November 2018

Objective

Vertigo in sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is hypothesized as an extension of the disease caused by the anatomical proximity of the cochlea and vestibule. The present study aimed to demonstrate the association of vestibular function test (VFT) results with SSNHL disease severity and prognosis.

Subjects and methods

This study assessed clinical records of 263 SSNHL patients admitted to our hospital, between January 2010 and October 2017. Steroid treatment comprised high-dose intravenous dexamethasone (16 mg/d) or oral methylprednisolone (64 mg/d) for 4 days and tapered oral methylprednisolone for 8 days after discharge. Caloric tests were performed in all patients, and cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (c-VEMP) and ocular VEMP (o-VEMP) tests were performed in 209 and 144 patients, respectively.

Results

Ninety six patients had vertigo, and caloric abnormalities were observed in 119 patients. Initial PTA in patients with vertigo were worse than in those without vertigo (63.0 dB vs 72.7 dB,P=.002). Initial PTA in patients with abnormal o-VEMP was worse than in those with normal o-VEMP (61.4 dB vs 73.0 dB,P=.004). PTA improvement after steroid treatment in patients with vertigo was lower than in those without vertigo (25.0 dB vs 20.9 dB,P=.028). PTA improvement after treatment in patients with abnormal caloric results was lower than in those with normal caloric results (26.0 dB vs 18.4 dB,P=.013).

Conclusions

The functions of vestibular organs, particularly the utricle and lateral semicircular canal, are associated with disease severity and hearing outcome in SSNHL patients.
Curcumin induces mild anemia in a DSS-induced colitis mouse model maintained on an iron-sufficient diet
Authors: Samba-Mondonga Macha , Constante Marco , Fragoso Gabriela , Calvé Annie , Santos Manuela M.
Published: November 2018

Anemia is frequently encountered in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), decreasing the quality of life and significantly worsening the prognosis of the disease. The pathogenesis of anemia in IBD is multifactorial and results mainly from intestinal blood loss in inflamed mucosa and impaired dietary iron absorption. Multiple studies have proposed the use of the polyphenolic compound curcumin to counteract IBD pathogenesis since it has significant preventive and therapeutic properties as an anti-inflammatory agent and very low toxicity, even at high dosages. However, curcumin has been shown to possess properties consistent with those of an iron-chelator, such as the ability to modulate proteins of iron metabolism and decrease spleen and liver iron content. Thus, this property may further contribute to the development and severity of anemia of inflammation and iron deficiency in IBD. Herein, we evaluate the effects of curcumin on systemic iron balance in the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) model of colitis in C57Bl/6 and BALB/c mouse strains that were fed an iron-sufficient diet. In these conditions, curcumin supplementation caused mild anemia, lowered iron stores, worsened colitis and significantly decreased overall survival, independent of the mouse strain. These findings suggest that curcumin usage as an anti-inflammatory supplement should be accompanied by monitoring of erythroid parameters to avoid exacerbation of iron deficiency anemia in IBD.

Core tip

Our study shows that curcumin supplementation of an iron-sufficient diet causes mild anemia, depletes iron stores, worsens colitis and decreases survival, independent of the mouse strain. These findings demonstrate that curcumin may have a potential adverse activity in chronic inflammatory diseases, such as IBD, since the iron chelating properties of curcumin may play a role in iron deficiency and the severity of colitis.
Black pod disease profile: Monitoring its outbreak in Southwest, Nigeria
Authors: Etaware Peter M. , Adedeji Adegboyega R.
Published: November 2018

Black pod disease (BPD) has been and still remains a major threat to cocoa farmers worldwide due to its annual recurrence, fast spread and highly destructive nature. The disease has caused great anxiety in many cocoa producing communities due to the inability of indigenous cocoa farmers to determine when and where BPD outbreak will take place. Twelve (12) stations were structured from four important cocoa-producing States in the Southwestern region of Nigeria. An investigation of BPD outbreak was conducted in 2015/2016 within these regions. Infected cocoa pods and topsoil samples were collected for laboratory analysis. Pests attack, cherelle wilt and BPD outbreak were seasonal with 50% chances of occurrence in all the stations. Black pod diseases outbreak was recorded in all the States (100%) during the rainy season. The disease was at its peak in August 2015 in almost all the stations (station 1 (30.0%), station 3 (23.0%), station 11 (16.0%), station 4 (9.0%), station 5 (7.0%), and station 8 (3.0%). The height of disease severity was in September 2015 (station 1 (100.0%), station 3 (96.7%), station 5 (85.7%), station 11 (84.3%), and station 4 (70.0%), with station 8 reaching the 100% mark in October 2015. Most cocoa farmlands are now being abandoned, unless concerted efforts are made to effectively manage the disease, BPD will greatly reduce cocoa production in Nigeria and around the world.
Structural studies of a glycoside hydrolase family 3 β-glucosidase from the model fungusNeurospora crassa
Authors: Karkehabadi Saeid , Hansson Henrik , Mikkelsen Nils Egil , Kim Steve , Kaper Thijs , Sandgren Mats , Gudmundsson Mikael
Published: November 2018

The glycoside hydrolase family 3 (GH3) β-glucosidases are a structurally diverse family of enzymes. Cel3A fromNeurospora crassa(NcCel3A) belongs to a subfamily of key enzymes that are crucial for industrial biomass degradation. β-Glucosidases hydrolyse the β-1,4 bond at the nonreducing end of cellodextrins. The hydrolysis of cellobiose is of special importance as its accumulation inhibits other cellulases acting on crystalline cellulose. Here, the crystal structure of the biologically relevant dimeric form ofNcCel3A is reported. The structure has been refined to 2.25 Å resolution, with anRcrystandRfreeof 0.18 and 0.22, respectively.NcCel3A is an extensively N-glycosylated glycoprotein that shares 46% sequence identity withHypocrea jecorinaCel3A, the structure of which has recently been published, and 61% sequence identity with the thermophilic β-glucosidase fromRasamsonia emersonii.NcCel3A is a three-domain protein with a number of extended loops that deepen the active-site cleft of the enzyme. These structures characterize this subfamily of GH3 β-glucosidases and account for the high cellobiose specificity of this subfamily.
Assessing the functional efficiency of agricultural futures markets in China
Authors: Ronghua Ju , Zhiling Yang
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively analyse the changes in the functional efficiency of the six Chinese agricultural futures markets and compare the relative behaviour of different futures markets. In addition, this paper analyses the causes of differences in the functional efficiency of agricultural futures markets and advances policy suggestions.

Design/methodology/approach

The method used in this paper is the social loss index proposed by Stein (1981, 1986). This method can quantitatively measure the functional efficiency of agricultural futures markets from the perspective of social welfare. The indicator is calculated for the 2009–2017 period and for several sub-periods. The data are from the CSMAR research data services in China.

Findings

Preliminary results suggest that the longer it takes for an agricultural futures contract to reach maturity, the lower the functional efficiency of its market. Second, the functional efficiency of the agricultural futures markets in China is improved except for that of the wheat futures market. Finally, the corn futures market is most efficient probably due to the progress of marketization, while the strong wheat futures market is most inefficient probably due to the decrease in futures market liquidity.

Originality/value

This paper uses a more reasonable method to study the functional efficiency of Chinese agricultural futures markets and then analyses the causes of differences in the functional efficiency of agricultural futures markets.
Employee advocacy in Africa: the role of HR practitioners in Malawi
Authors: Mamman Aminu , Rees Christopher J. , Bakuwa Rhoda , Branine Mohamed , Kamoche Ken
Published: November 2018

Purpose

In recognising the weakness of trade unions and the lack of an institutional framework designed to enforce employee rights in an African context, the purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which human resource (HR) practitioners are perceived to play the role of employee advocate.

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative data set is derived from a sample of 305 respondents (95 HR practitioners, 121 line managers and 89 employees) from Malawi.

Findings

Despite the challenges of the context, HR practitioners are perceived by key stakeholders (including line managers and employees) to be playing the role of employee advocate. Standard multiple regression results indicate that the main factor contributing to the perception that HR practitioners are playing this role is their contribution to “motivating employees”.

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted in Malawi. Further research is necessary to explore the generalisability of the findings to other contexts.

Originality/value

The findings provide an empirical base for future studies which explore perceptions of the employee advocacy role undertaken by HR practitioners in Africa.
Numerical study on sealing characteristic of rubber X-ring exposed to high-pressure hydrogen by considering swelling effect
Authors: Zhou Chilou , He Mohan , Chen Guohua , Jiang Saihua
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the sealing characteristic of the rubber X-ring combined seal used in high-pressure hydrogen service and clarify the effect of swelling due to dissolved hydrogen on the sealing behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

A finite element analysis method with a user subroutine is proposed to investigate the sealing characteristic of rubber X-ring seals in conjunction with the swelling effect.

Findings

The swelling has a noticeable impact on the sealing behavior. The higher peak contact stress suggests that the X-ring seal may be superior to the O-ring seal, while the calculated increase in Mises stress suggests the X-ring exhibits a higher propensity to mechanical damage under low pressure conditions.

Originality/value

This paper describes a method with a user subroutine developed within ABAQUS to simulate the sealing performance coupled hydrogen swelling. The suitability of X-ring seals is evaluated. This work provides insight into the swelling effect on sealing behavior of an X-ring, which is of great value for the design and application of rubber seals used in hydrogen service.
Credit unions’ acquisitions of banks and thrifts
Authors: Walker David A. , Smith Kathryn I.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

In total, 14 credit unions have acquired 16 banks and savings institutions since 2012; 7 additional acquisitions are in progress and are expected to close before year-end 2019. The analysis of the population of these acquisitions spans the paths of annual differences in CAMEL ratios. Most acquirers have a somewhat revised capital structure and are often benefiting from economies of scope, as well as economies of scale. Since their acquisitions, the acquiring credit unions have become less risky, measured by simulated CAMEL ratios, and they are lending a larger share of their deposits. There is no apparent financial reason to discourage credit unions from acquiring additional banks and savings institutions. The National Credit Union Administration does not need to be particularly hesitant to allow credit unions to acquire banks and thrifts.

Design/methodology/approach

Financial analysis is done via simulated CAMEL ratios.

Findings

After acquiring banks, credit unions are less risky and lend a greater share of their deposits.

Research limitations/implications

The study analyzes the population of the credit unions that have acquired banks since 2012, but the population consists of 14 banks acquiring 16 credit unions.

Practical implications

Credit unions should not be prohibited from further acquisitions of banks and thrifts.

Social implications

Credit union members are better served after a credit union acquires a bank.

Originality/value

No previous study has explored the effects of credit unions acquiring banks and thrifts, which began in 2012.
Using template and matrix analysis
Authors: Burton Nicholas , Galvin Peter
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a qualitative research method using oral history interview data that may advance new types of methodological inquiry in management and organisation history research.

Design/methodology/approach

The method, the authors present, combines matrix and template analysis using oral histories from unstructured interviews with 31 senior managers in the UK individual personal pensions product market to illuminate how the construction of “matrices” and “templates” can then be compared and contrasted across different time periods, and at different units of analysis, to analyse complex temporal data.

Findings

The authors highlight the veracity of a combination of template and matrix analysis for researchers handling management and organisation history data.

Originality/value

Elaborations of new research methodologies suitable for handling historical data remain few and far between. The proposed method offers a new approach for handing temporal textual data.
Proximate determinants of Taylor's law slopes
Authors: Zhao Lei , Sheppard Lawrence W. , Reid Philip C. , Walter Jonathan A. , Reuman Daniel C.
Published: November 2018

Taylor's law (TL), a commonly observed and applied pattern in ecology, describes variances of population densities as related to mean densities via log(variance) = log(a) + b*log(mean). Variations among datasets in the slope, b, have been associated with multiple factors of central importance in ecology, including strength of competitive interactions and demographic rates. But these associations are not transparent, and the relative importance of these and other factors for TL slope variation is poorly studied. TL is thus a ubiquitously used indicator in ecology, the understanding of which is still opaque.

The goal of this study was to provide tools to help fill this gap in understanding by providing proximate determinants of TL slopes, statistical quantities that are correlated to TL slopes but are simpler than the slope itself and are more readily linked to ecological factors.

Using numeric simulations and 82 multi‐decadal population datasets, we here propose, test and apply two proximate statistical determinants of TL slopes which we argue can become key tools for understanding the nature and ecological causes of TL slope variation.

We find that measures based on population skewness, coefficient of variation and synchrony are effective proximate determinants. We demonstrate their potential for application by using them to help explain covariation in slopes of spatial and temporal TL (two common types of TL).

This study provides tools for understanding TL, and demonstrates their usefulness.
Roads diverged: An examination of violent and nonviolent pathways in the aftermath of the Bosnian war*
Authors: DiPietro Stephanie M.
Published: November 2018

Despite renewed interest among criminologists in war and genocide, still understudied are the implications of mass violence for human development and behavior over the life course. By drawing on detailed life history data gathered from 55 male Bosnian refugees and nationals, in this work, I examine the shared beginnings of men who experienced the Bosnian war and genocide (1992–1995) in their youth, as well as examine their divergent pathways over time and across two distinct postwar contexts. My findings reveal that violent pathways are shaped by the confluence of social–psychological mechanisms (e.g., the normalization of violence) and exogenous risk factors (e.g., family disruption and loss of male role models). Compared with nonviolent men, who emphasize themes of catharsis and resilience, and the emulation of prosocial models of masculinity, violent men's narratives are distinguished by themes of persecution and exile, the emulation of violent role models, and contextual barriers to attaining valued masculine identities. Beyond the experience of war, these findings have implications for understanding how early experiences of chronic violence and community disruption shape turning points and cultural frames over the life course, and they indicate that studies of violent pathways should grant greater primacy to the social–historical context and the meaning individuals ascribe to their experiences.
PUBLIC INVESTMENT, TAXATION AND TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY
Authors: KOLLIAS Iraklis , MARJIT Sugata , MICHELACAKIS Nickolas J.
Published: November 2018

A low‐wage developing economy (South) is interested in accessing and attracting superior technology from a high‐wage developed economy (North) with firms having heterogeneous quality of technology. To improve upon the initial market equilibrium, which shows that relatively inefficient technologies will move to the South, the host government invests in infrastructure financed through taxing the foreign firms. We discuss the problem of existence of such a tax‐transfer mechanism within a balanced budget framework. We argue that such a policy can increase tax revenue as well as instigate the transfer of better quality technology. It turns out that this policy is more likely to be successful when the production concerns high‐value, high‐price products in low‐wage economies. Our results improve upon the conventional strategy of a tax break.
A Probabilistic Steering Parameter Model for Deterministic Motion Planning Algorithms
Authors: Agethen Philipp , Gaisbauer Felix , Rukzio Enrico
Published: November 2018

The simulation of two‐dimensional human locomotion in a bird's eye perspective is a key technology for various domains to realistically predict walk paths. The generated trajectories, however, are frequently deviating from reality due to the usage of simplifying assumptions. For instance, common deterministic motion planning algorithms predominantly utilize a set of static steering parameters (e.g. maximum acceleration or velocity of the agent) to simulate the walking behaviour of a person. This procedure neglects important influence factors, which have a significant impact on the spatio‐temporal characteristics of the finally resulting motion—such as the operator's physical conditions or the probabilistic nature of the human locomotor system. In overcome this drawback, this paper presents an approach to derive probabilistic motion models from a database of captured human motions. Although being initially designed for industrial purposes, this method can be applied to a wide range of use cases while considering an arbitrary number of dependencies (input) and steering parameters (output). To underline its applicability, a probabilistic steering parameter model is implemented, which models velocity, angular velocity and acceleration as a function of the travel distances, path curvature and height of a respective person. Finally, the technical performance and advantages of this model are demonstrated within an evaluation.
Improvement in hepatitis C virus patients with advanced, compensated liver disease after sustained virological response to direct acting antivirals
Authors: Giannini Edoardo G. , Crespi Mattia , Demarzo Mariagiulia , Bodini Giorgia , Furnari Manuele , Marabotto Elisa , Torre Francesco , Zentilin Patrizia , Savarino Vincenzo
Published: November 2018

Background

The outcome of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) and advanced, compensated liver disease after sustained virological response (SVR) to direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) has not yet been completely depicted. We aimed to assess the clinical, biochemical and instrumental outcome of patients with advanced, compensated chronic HCV‐related liver disease with DAA‐induced SVR to DAAs and who had at least 1‐year follow‐up.

Materials and methods

Fifty‐two patients with cirrhosis (n = 27) and fibrosis stage F3 (n = 25) followed up for a median of 60 weeks after successful DAA treatment were included. Laboratory work‐up, including APRI and FIB‐4 scores, liver transient elastography and measurement of the spleen bi‐polar diameter were carried out before treatment and at the end of follow‐up.

Results

Liver stiffness decreased (P < 0.0001) from a median baseline of 15.2 kPa (12.0‐20.0) to 9.3 kPa (7.5‐12.0) at follow‐up. A liver stiffness value suggestive of the presence (ie, ≥21.0 kPa) of clinically significant portal hypertension was found in 13 patients (25.0%) at baseline and in seven patients (13.5%) at follow‐up (P = 0.037). Both APRI (P < 0.0001) and FIB‐4 score (P = 0.025) progressively decreased, while platelet count increased (143 × 109/L [117‐176] to 153 × 109/L [139‐186], P = 0.003), and spleen bi‐polar diameter decreased (120 mm [112‐123] to 110 mm [102‐116], P = 0.0009) from baseline to the end of follow‐up.

Conclusions

In patients advanced, compensated chronic liver disease, liver stiffness significantly improves in the long‐term after SVR, and this improvement is accompanied by an amelioration of indirect indices of liver fibrosis and function, and by a decrease in parameters of portal hypertension.