bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The regulatory subunit phr2AB of Dictyostelium discoideum phosphatase PP2A interacts with the centrosomal protein CEP161, a CDK5RAP2 ortholog
Authors: Müller Rolf , Stumpf Maria , Wehrstedt Regina , Sukumaran Salil K. , Karow Malte A. , Marko Marija , Noegel Angelika A. , Eichinger Ludwig
Published: August 2018

phr2AB is the regulatory subunit of the Dictyostelium discoideum phosphatase PP2A and is the ortholog of the human B55 regulatory subunit of PP2A. phr2AB was isolated as a binding partner of the centrosomal protein CEP161, an ortholog of mammalian CDK5RAP2. CEP161 is presumably a phosphoprotein and a component of the Hippo pathway. The interaction site was located in the N‐terminal half of CEP161 which encompasses the γTURC binding domain in CEP161. This binding domain is responsible for binding of the γ‐tubulin ring complex which allows microtubule nucleation at the centrosome. GFP‐tagged phr2AB is diffusely distributed throughout the cell and enriched at the centrosome. Ectopic expression of phr2AB as GFP fusion protein led to multinucleation, aberrant nucleus centrosome ratios and an altered sensitivity to okadaic acid. Some of these features were also affected in cells over‐expressing domains of CEP161 and in cells from patients suffering from primary microcephaly, which carried a mutated CDK5RAP2 gene.
The programme director and the Teaching Excellence Framework: How do we train the former to survive the latter?
Authors: Massie Ruth
Published: August 2018

The programme director undertakes a key role within UK universities in linking the department, or school, directly with the student and their experience of the university. The role is multifaceted and complex with a number of competencies required to successfully undertake it. Furthermore, the UK’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) was fully introduced in 2016 and utilises existing measures such as student satisfaction, retention rates and destination of leavers as a proxy for teaching excellence. Many of these metrics are also part of the day‐to‐day concerns of programme directors within universities. This research surveyed 89 programme directors on the training they have received to carry out their role and how it links to the TEF outcomes. The article argues that there is insufficient training for programme directors and an increase in training may have a beneficial outcome for a university’s TEF results.
Histology of portal vascular changes associated with idiopathic non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension: nomenclature and definition
Authors: Guido Maria , Alves Venancio A F , Balabaud Charles , Bathal Prithi S , Bioulac‐Sage Paulette , Colombari Romano , Crawford James M , Dhillon Amar P , Ferrell Linda D , Gill Ryan M , Hytiroglou Prodromos , Nakanuma Yasuni , Paradis Valerie , Quaglia Alberto , Rautou Pierre E , Theise Neil D , Thung Swan , Tsui Wilson M S , Sempoux Christine , Snover Dale , van Leeuwen Dirk J ,   The International Liver Pathology Study Group
Published: August 2018

Idiopathic non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH) is a rare vascular liver disease that has attracted new interest in recent years. It is characterised by clinical signs of portal hypertension in the absence of cirrhosis or severe fibrosis and any known cause of portal hypertension. As much uncertainty exists about INCPH pathophysiology, and no definite diagnostic tests are available, liver biopsy is an essential tool for achieving a definite diagnosis. Unfortunately, the histological diagnosis of INCPH is not always straightforward, as the characteristic lesions are unevenly distributed, vary greatly in their severity, are often very subtle, and are not all necessarily present in a single case. Furthermore, specifically for the characteristic portal vessel changes observed in INCPH, the terminology and definition are ambiguous, which adds complexity to the already complex clinicopathological scenario. An international study group of liver pathologists and hepatologists pursued a consensus on nomenclature for the portal vascular lesions of INCPH. Such standardisation may assist pathologists in the recognition of such lesions, and will possibly facilitate further advancement in this field.
Micro‐computed tomographic evaluation of two single rotary glide path systems
Authors: van der Vyver P. J. , Paleker F. , Vorster M. , de Wet F. A.
Published: August 2018

Aim

To compare (i) canal‐centring ability and transportation of K‐files, ProGlider and One‐G files after glide path preparation in curved root canals; (ii) changes in canal volume after glide path preparation, using micro‐computed tomography.

Methodology

A total of 135 mesiobuccal root canals of maxillary molars were randomly divided into three glide path groups: (i) pre‐curved sizes 10‐15‐20 K‐files (n = 45); (ii) size 10 K‐file followed by One‐G (n = 45); and (iii) size 10 K‐file followed by ProGlider (n = 45). Micro‐CT was used to scan teeth before and after glide path preparation; the isotropic voxel size of the micro‐CT scans was 22 μm. Centring ratio values and canal transportation values were compared between the three glide path preparation groups at the apical, midroot and coronal levels. Changes in canal volume were compared for all glide path groups. The results were analysed statistically using a one‐way anova and Kruskal–Wallis H tests.

Results

One‐G and ProGlider displayed significantly greater mean centring ratio values than K‐files at all levels examined (P < 0.05). Apical canal transportation values after glide path preparation were significantly higher for the K‐files (P < 0.05). At the midroot and coronal levels, canal transportation results were statistically similar for all glide path groups (P > 0.05). Changes in canal volume were statistically similar for the three glide path groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

One‐G and ProGlider were significantly more centred at the apical, midroot and coronal levels than K‐files. Apical canal transportation ratio values after glide path enlargement were significantly higher for K‐files than for One‐G and ProGlider. All groups resulted in similar canal volume changes.
Ageing in the nursing workforce – a global challenge in an Irish context
Authors: Ryan C. , Bergin M. , White M. , Wells J.S.G.
Published: August 2018

Background

The 2008 financial crisis exacerbated an already mounting workforce challenge faced by most health services in the western world, namely the recruitment and retention of qualified nurses.

Aim

This paper examines two additional challenges of relevance to workforce planning in health care, an ageing nursing workforce and reliance upon migrant nurses to solve short‐term workforce issues.

Methods

Using Ireland as a case exemplar of these issues, this paper argues that policy makers and service providers should seek not only to address the challenge of retaining trained newly qualified and younger nurses but also focus on supporting older nurses and migrant nurses to remain within the workforce.

Findings

The findings of this paper highlight the need for workforce planners, policy makers and service providers to take account of an ageing nursing workforce and reliance on foreign‐trained nurses as a solution to short‐term planning difficulties.

Conclusion

Failure to address this need is likely to lead to significant workforce difficulties for health services into the future and undermine current efforts to increase the number and long‐term retention of qualified nursing staff.

Implications for Nursing Policy

Policy makers and service providers should focus on the retention of trained older nurses as an important element of workforce planning.
Beam angle optimization in IMRT: are we really optimizing what matters?
Authors: Rocha Humberto , Dias Joana Matos , Ventura Tiago , Ferreira Brígida da Costa , Lopes Maria do Carmo
Published: August 2018

Intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a modern radiotherapy modality that uses a multileaf collimator to enable the irradiation of the patient with nonuniform maps of radiation from a set of distinct beam irradiation directions. The aim of IMRT is to eradicate all cancerous cells by irradiating the tumor with a prescribed dose while simultaneously sparing, as much as possible, the neighboring tissues and organs. The optimal choice of beam irradiation directions—beam angle optimization (BAO)—can play an important role in IMRT treatment planning by improving organ sparing and tumor coverage, increasing the treatment plan quality. Typically, the BAO search is guided by the optimal value of the fluence map optimization (FMO)—the problem of obtaining the most appropriate radiation intensities for each beam direction. In this paper, a new score to guide the BAO search is introduced and embedded in a parallel multistart derivative‐free optimization framework that is detailed for the extremely challenging continuous BAO problem. For the set of 10 clinical nasopharyngeal tumor cases considered, treatment plans obtained for optimized beam directions clearly outperform the benchmark treatment plans obtained considering equidistant beam directions typically used in clinical practice. Furthermore, treatment plans obtained considering the proposed score clearly improve the quality of the plans resulting from the use of the optimal value of the FMO problem to guide the BAO search.
Living with dying: A narrative inquiry of people with chronic kidney disease and their family members
Authors: Molzahn Anita E. , Sheilds Laurene , Bruce Anne , Schick‐Makaroff Kara , Antonio Marcy , White Lacie
Published: August 2018

Aims

To describe how people diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and their family members describe uncertainty related to impending death.

Background

There has been little research about the experiences of people with chronic kidney disease and their family members as they near the end‐of‐life. We need to understand these experiences to give holistic person‐centred care.

Design

A narrative enquiry was undertaken using a social constructionist perspective.

Methods

Data were collected in two in‐depth interviews, approximately 3–4 months apart, followed by a telephone follow‐up 2–3 months later.

Results

Eleven people with advanced chronic kidney disease and nine family members/significant others participated. For both participants in the dyad, a number of key themes/storylines were identified. These included recognition that: @life has a boundary, living on the edge, I'm not afraid to die but… and remembering loss and death experiences@.

Conclusions

This enquiry illuminated four key storylines of about death and dying with advanced chronic kidney disease for people with the illness and their family members. Discussion about past experiences with illness, loss, death, and dying can give an entry for discussion about end‐of‐life. The person with illness and family members often held very similar perceptions and desires, but healthcare professionals’ contributions to understanding of the experience were not mentioned. Implications for clinicians include attending to peoples’ awareness of death as a distinct opportunity, listening attentively and posing questions that genuinely invite concerns and wishes about end–of‐life and living well.
Experiences of people living with disorders of sex development and sex reassignment: Meta‐ethnography of qualitative studies
Authors: Sani Abdurrahman Muhammad , Soh Kim Lam , Ismail Ismi Arif , Arshad Mohd Mursyid , Mungadi Ismaila Arzika , Yau Samira Labaran , Soh Kim Geok
Published: August 2018

Aim

The aim of this study was to synthesize the experiences of people with disorders of sex development.

Background

The quality of life of people with disorders of sex development depends largely on the availability of good psychosocial and psychosexual management. There is a lack of qualitative systematic reviews of the literature on the experiences of people with disorders of sex development.

Design

The seven steps of qualitative meta‐ethnography were employed in this review.

Data Sources

The following electronic databases were systematically searched until January 2017: Science Direct, Scopus, Sage online, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Medline, Wiley Online Library, and Google Scholar. Search terms for this review were “disorders of sex development,” “intersex,” “ambiguous genitalia,” “experiences,” “qualitative study,” and “method”.

Review Method

A 13‐item scale was applied to evaluate the quality of the selected studies and synthesized using the principles of meta‐ethnography.

Findings

Twelve studies met the eligibility criteria. Six major themes described the experiences of people with disorders of sex development. These included a range of physical, psychological, social, and sexual experiences which affect their quality of life. Different coping strategies were employed by individuals who live with the lifelong condition.

Conclusion

Disorders of sex development affect the quality of life of people living with these disorders. Nurses are tasked with providing holistic care for people with disorders of sex development in order to improve their quality of lives. As such, there is a need to explore the experiences of nurses in the management of disorders of sex development.
An empirical investigation into student's mathematical word‐based problem‐solving process: A computerized approach
Authors: Chadli Abdelhafid , Tranvouez Erwan , Dahmani Youcef , Bendella Fatima , Belmabrouk Karima
Published: August 2018

This study proposes a computer‐assisted system with a design based on Polya's problem‐solving model. The system is designed to help average and low‐achieving second graders in mathematics with word‐based addition and subtraction questions. The emphasis of using the specific model was on dividing the problem‐solving procedure into stages and the concentration on the stages that are problematic for students. Specifically, we compared mathematical word problem‐solving performance and computational skills of students who utilized the computer‐assisted system with students who employed general strategy instruction. Participants consisted of 52 second‐grade students randomly assigned to treatment conditions. Students were pretested and posttested with mathematical problem‐solving and computation tests, and repeated measures of their progress with respect to word problem solving were registered. The results showed there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of the word problem‐solving progress measure, favouring the experimental group. This confirms that providing students with a computer‐assisted system offered the opportunity to explore all stages of the problem‐solving procedure as one possible way to enhance their problem‐solving skills.
Autophagy induces transforming growth factor‐β‐dependent epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in hepatocarcinoma cells through cAMP response element binding signalling
Authors: Hu Shaobo , Wang Liyu , Zhang Xi , Wu Yongzhong , Yang Jing , Li Jun
Published: August 2018

Autophagy promotes invasion of hepatocarcinoma cells through transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β‐dependent epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). This study investigated the mechanism by which autophagy induces TGF‐β‐triggered EMT and invasion of hepatocarcinoma cells. Autophagy was induced in HepG2 and BEL7402 cells by starvation in Hank's balanced salt solution. Induction of autophagy degraded phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4A and increased intracellular cAMP, PKA activity and PKA phosphorylation, resulting in increased cAMP response element binding (CREB) phosphorylation in hepatocarcinoma cells. Autophagy‐induced activation of cAMP/PKA/CREB signalling further enhanced TGF‐β1 expression, downregulated the expression of epithelial markers and upregulated the expression of mesenchymal markers, accelerating invasion of hepatocarcinoma cells. Inhibition of autophagy by Atg3 and Atg7 knockdown or by chloroquine treatment prevented degradation of PDE4A and activation of cAMP/PKA/CREB signalling, suppressing TGF‐β1 expression, EMT and invasion in hepatocarcinoma cells. In addition, inhibition of cAMP/PKA/CREB signalling also blocked autophagy‐induced TGF‐β1 expression and prevented EMT and invasion of hepatocarcinoma cells under starvation. Furthermore, exogenous inhibition of PDE4A or activation of cAMP/PKA/CREB signalling rescued TGF‐β1 expression, EMT and invasion in autophagy‐deficient hepatocarcinoma cells. These findings suggest that autophagy induces TGF‐β1 expression and EMT in hepatocarcinoma cells via cAMP/PKA/CREB signalling, which is activated by autophagy‐dependent PDE4A degradation.
Sorption isotherms and isosteric heat estimation of purple cactus pear (Opuntia stricta) juice embedded in gelatin–maltodextrin matrix
Authors: Castro‐Muñoz Roberto , Nieves‐Segura Nayelli
Published: August 2018

Moisture sorption isotherms of microencapsulated juice from purple cactus pear were determined at different temperatures (15, 20, and 30 °C) in water activity (aw) range from 0.112 to 0.976. The experimental data were correlated to GAB, BET, Caurie, Smith, Henderson, Bradley, Kuhn, and Oswin models. The obtained isotherms present a sigmoid shape Type IV. The models of Smith, Kuhn, and Oswin were found as the most suitable (EMR < 10%). The isosteric heat (Qst) decreased with the increase in moisture content obtaining the maximum and minimum values of 14.84 and 5.60 kJ/mol, respectively, for moistures between 10 and 70%.

Practical applications

Today, the food industry is looking for new storage procedures for the preservation of bioactive compounds contained in fruits. Until now, many native Mexican fruits have not been processed in agro‐food industry, for example, purple cactus pear (Opuntia stricta) fruit, which is one of the natural products not widely processed. There is strong evidence that such fruit contains antioxidants, natural pigments, and phenolic compounds. The conservation of the bioactive compounds can be carried out by embedding the juice into a biodegradable matrix. We first propose the encapsulation of the juice through using the gelatin–maltodextrin composite as wall material. Then, the characterization of the dried product by determining the sorption isotherms can be useful to predict the optimum storage conditions, life prediction, and packaging design of this type of products.
The State of Family Research and Social Media
Authors: Dworkin Jodi , Rudi Jessie H. , Hessel Heather
Published: August 2018

Social media has changed the ways we create and consume information, as well as the ways we interact with others. In the current review, findings from the existing literature on family and social media are considered, hypotheses about the ways social media is influencing families now and will do so in the future are proposed, and suggestions for future research to move the field forward are posited. More specifically, the existing literature on family relationships and technology use, as well as the theoretical perspectives that have been used, are overviewed. This review includes literature that emerged from searches using Academic Search Premier, a multidisciplinary database, and PsycINFO, a database focused on behavioral and social science research. Life course theory and a network approach are presented as two complementary perspectives that begin to provide a lens for understanding the complexity of technology use in family systems.
Facial Microfiber Tissue with plant extracts: A new cosmetic concept shows whitening efficacy in Asian volunteers
Authors: Wang Xi , Shu Xiaohong , Gabard Bernard , Huo Wei , Li Li
Published: August 2018

Background

The Asian population presents a high incidence of Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV. The management of skin tone is a very important cosmetic issue in these groups. Efficacy check of a new cosmetic concept to achieve skin color lightening arouses great interest.

Objective

To estimate the clinical efficacy of a new facial microfiber tissue (FMT) which combines a surface micropeeling technology (due to the structure of the microfibers) with skin whitening cosmetic actives in Asian skin. The FMT is a new concept featuring a dry microfiber tissue loaded with cosmetic actives, which is just wetted with little tap water before use.

Methods

A total of 34 females aged 21‐58 years old with Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV were enrolled in this randomized, blank‐controlled trial for 12 weeks. Participants applied FMT on the left or right forearm according to random assignment. At the same time, FMT was used on the face. Skin whitening effects on the forearm and face were evaluated using Mexameter MX18 and Minolta Spectrophotometer CM‐2600d. In addition, assessment by subjects via a self‐evaluation questionnaire was conducted at study end.

Results

The FMT treatment showed a significant whitening effect mainly on the forearm compared with blank control forearm. Facial whitening was also noted. No adverse reactions were reported during the study.

Conclusion

The new cosmetic concept of FMT can be used as an effective and safe whitening cosmetic agent.
Long‐term survival of a patient with malignant transformation of extragonadal endometriosis treated solely with chemotherapy: A case report
Authors: Kondo Eiji , Maki Shintaro , Nii Masafumi , Yoshida Kenta , Tabata Tsutomu , Ikeda Tomoaki
Published: August 2018

A 52‐year‐old woman presented to our hospital complaining of genital bleeding and was found to have a 50‐mm vaginal tumor that involved the bladder, rectum, and small bowel and extended to the left pelvic side wall. Her history included a bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy and a total abdominal hysterectomy for fibroids and endometriosis. She had been prescribed estrogen replacement therapy (1.25 mg/day) following the second surgery and continued it for 8 years. The pathology of the vaginal biopsy showed endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Total pelvic exenteration was recommended for complete resection, but she chose chemotherapy (paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 and carboplatin AUC:6). Clinical complete remission was obtained for 11 years. She had a recurrence 11 years later. She was again found to have a 5‐cm vaginal tumor. Surgical excision with upper vaginectomy was performed. The tumor was resected without invasion of the bladder, rectum and small bowel. Histologic examination of the specimen confirmed clear cell carcinoma with endometriosis. Chemotherapy may be the first‐line treatment that can preclude aggressive surgery for malignant transformation of extragonadal endometriosis. However, combined chemotherapy and surgery is necessary for this disease.
The effects of getting a new teacher on the consistency of personality
Authors: Rieger Sven , Göllner Richard , Spengler Marion , Trautwein Ulrich , Nagengast Benjamin , Harring Jeffrey R. , Roberts Brent W.
Published: August 2018

Objective

In the present research, we examined the effect of getting a new teacher on consistency in students’ personality measures, including trait and social cognitive constructs.

Method

To test the effect of this kind of situational transition, we analyzed two large longitudinal samples (N = 5,628; N = 2,458) with quasi‐experimental study designs. We used two consistency measures (i.e., rank‐order clations and changes in variance over time) to compare students who got a new teacher with students who kept the same teacher.

Results

Multiple‐group latent variable analyses showed no differences in the rank‐order correlations for the math‐related social cognitive constructs of interest, effort, self‐concept, self‐regulation, anxiety, and the Big Five personality traits. Significantly lower rank‐order correlations were found for some of the German‐ and English‐related social cognitive constructs (i.e., effort measures) for the group of students who got a new teacher. Regarding the changes in variance (over time), we found no systematic differences between groups in both studies.

Conclusions

We found partial support for the idea that social cognitive variables are more susceptible to environmental changes (i.e., getting a new teacher) than the Big Five personality traits are.
Characterization and pathogenicity ofRhizoctoniaspp. isolated from kiwifruit in the Middle and Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey
Authors: Türkkan Muharrem , Erper Ismail , Kılıçoğlu Melike Çebi , Yazıcıoğlu Emine , Özcan Muharrem
Published: August 2018

In this study, 58Rhizoctoniaisolates were obtained from plants exhibiting symptoms of root and stem rot in kiwifruit orchards in six different provinces in the Black Sea region of Turkey. The isolates were analysed for their cultural characteristics, anastomosis groups (AGs) and subgroups according to nucleotide sequence variations in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions including the 5.8S gene of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and pathogenicity. Based on ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2 rDNA sequencing, 52 binucleate (BN)Rhizoctoniaisolates were identified as belonging to AG‐O (17), AG‐L (1), AG‐G (7), AG‐I (1), AG‐A (9), AG‐Fa (9), AG‐Fb (1), AG‐R (3) and AG‐P (4). Of the remaining 6 isolates, three belonged to multinucleate (MN)R.solaniAG 4 HG‐I, one belonged to AG 4 HG‐II, one belonged to AG 5 and one belonged to AG 1‐IB. The sequences of these isolates were aligned and compared with otherRhizoctoniasequences retrieved from GenBank (NCBI), and phylogenetic analysis was used to determine evolutionary relationships among them. All isolates used in the temperature experiments grew between 15–35°C, and their growth was completely inhibited at 5 and 40°C, with a few exceptions. In the pathogenicity tests carried out using 58.6% of the isolates on kiwifruit seedlings, it was determined that there were statistically significant virulence differences among BN and MNRhizoctoniaisolates (p < 0.05). The virulence of BNRhizoctoniaranged from 0.2 to 4.0, whereas that of MN varied from 2.4 to 4.0. Unlike some isolates of AG‐R, AG 4 HG‐II and AG 1‐IB, which had no significant difference between them in virulence, AG‐P and AG 4 HG‐I isolates significantly reduced plant height, shoot and root dry weights and root length when compared to control plants. To our knowledge, it is the first detailed report of AGs of BN and MNRhizoctonia, the causal agent of root and stem rot on kiwifruit in Turkey and in the world.
When Doctors Don't Tie: Hierarchical Medicalization, Reproduction, and Sterilization in Brazil
Authors: Edu Ugo Felicia
Published: August 2018

Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork among black women, medical personnel, and activists in Brazil, this article highlights the implications of hierarchical medicalization. I show that the prioritization of particular forms of medicalized contraception for women located differentially in society enables different relations, political positions, and mobility. Denial of a tubal ligation in favor of modern reversible contraceptives, in a context of inequitable distribution, can perpetuate social stratification. This work contributes to literature exploring the complexity of medicalization and its relationship with society via reproduction.
A food synergy approach in a national program to improve the micronutrient status of preschoolers: a randomized control trial protocol
Authors: Roychoudhury Dripta , Nair Krishnapillai Madhavan , Balakrishna Nagalla , Radhakrishna Kankipati Vijaya , Ghosh Sudip , Fernandez Rao Sylvia
Published: August 2018

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a significant public health issue in India affecting nearly all vulnerable segments of the population. Causes of IDA include low consumption of iron‐rich foods combined with poor iron bioavailability of nonheme iron sources. To date, interventions aimed at correcting IDA focus on increasing iron intake through iron supplementation or fortification strategies. In contrast, dietary diversification is a long‐term sustainable approach to improve bioavailable iron intake. In this context, the inclusion of vitamin C–rich fruits in the regular diet has proven to improve iron absorption, but the effect on iron status is inconclusive. Considering the ongoing national program for preschoolers in India, we designed a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the hypothesis that inclusion of vitamin C–rich fruit in a regular meal would improve iron absorption and lead to better child iron and micronutrient status, cognitive development, gut health, and growth while reducing morbidity. This paper illustrates a context‐specific framework and activities to design and functionalize an open‐label, three‐arm cluster RCT to test a specific hypothesis. The results of this designed trial should generate evidence to inform policy on the effect of a food‐based intervention on iron status.
Matching habitat choice promotes species persistence under climate change
Authors: Pellerin Félix , Cote Julien , Bestion Elvire , Aguilée Robin
Published: August 2018

Species may survive under contemporary climate change by either shifting their range or adapting locally to the warmer conditions. Theoretical and empirical studies recently underlined that dispersal, the central mechanism behind these responses, may depend on the match between an individuals’ phenotype and local environment. Such matching habitat choice is expected to induce an adaptive gene flow, but it now remains to be studied whether this local process could promote species’ responses to climate change. Here, we investigate this by developing an individual‐based model including either random dispersal or temperature‐dependent matching habitat choice. We monitored population composition and distribution through space and time under climate change. Relative to random dispersal, matching habitat choice induced an adaptive gene flow that lessened spatial range loss during climate warming by improving populations’ viability within the range (i.e. limiting range fragmentation) and by facilitating colonization of new habitats at the cold margin. The model even predicted range contraction under random dispersal but range expansion under optimal matching habitat choice. These benefits of matching habitat choice for population persistence mostly resulted from adaptive immigration decision and were greater for populations with larger dispersal distance and higher emigration probability. We also found that environmental stochasticity resulted in suboptimal matching habitat choice, decreasing the benefits of this dispersal mode under climate change. However population persistence was still better under suboptimal matching habitat choice than under random dispersal. Our results highlight the urgent need to implement more realistic mechanisms of dispersal such as matching habitat choice into models predicting the impacts of ongoing climate change on biodiversity.
Is Ambulatory Status a Prognostic Factor of Survival in Patients with Spinal Metastases? An Exploratory Meta‐analysis
Authors: Yang Xiong‐gang , Han Yue , Wang Feng , Liu Yong‐heng , Hu Yong‐cheng , Lun Deng‐xing , Feng Jiang‐tao , Hua Kun‐chi , Yang Li , Zhang Hao , Xu Ming‐you , Zhang Hao‐ran
Published: August 2018

This study was conducted to identify the influence of ambulatory status prior to treatment on survival of patients with spinal metastases. Two investigators independently retrieved relevant electronic literature in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases, to identify eligible studies. Effect estimates for hazard risk (HR) were extracted and synthesized through fixed‐effects or random‐effects models as appropriate. A total of 17 eligible studies were identified, with an accumulated number of 3962 participants. HR from 14 studies regarding comparison between ambulatory versus non‐ambulatory groups were pooled using a random‐effects model, and statistical significance was presented for the pooled HR (HR = 1.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65–2.34). In subgroups of mixed primary tumor and lung cancer, ambulatory status was considered to be a significant prognostic factor (P < 0.05), while in the subgroup of prostate cancer it was not (HR = 1.72; 95% CI, 0.79–3.74). HR from 4 studies related to comparison between Frankel E versus Frankel C–D were pooled using a fixed‐effects model, which revealed statistical significance (HR = 1.73; 95% CI, 1.27–2.36). Ambulatory status is a significant prognostic factor in patients with spinal metastases. However, in patients with primary prostate cancer, the prognostic effect of ambulatory status has not yet been confirmed to be significant.
The Obama Administration's Strategic Rebalancing to Asia: Quo Vadis in 2017?
Authors: De Castro Renato Cruz
Published: August 2018

From 2011 to 2016, then US President Barack Obama vigorously pursued the policy of strategic rebalancing to Asia. The policy's underlying goal was to prevent China from becoming the dominant power in the Asia–Pacific region. Unfortunately, the Obama administration's efforts were thwarted by the strategy's lack of a deterrence component, distracting shifts and crises in certain parts of the world, and the failure of the US Congress to pass the Trans‐Pacific Partnership into law. The 2016 election of Donald Trump, however, does not necessarily mean that the strategic rebalancing to Asia is doomed, if not already dead. It is still a “work in progress,” as the region remains a top security priority for Washington for two reasons. First, North Korea's nuclear weapons program poses a clear and present danger to the United States; and second, China's naval build‐up and island‐building and militarization activities in the South China Sea threaten not only the freedom of navigation but also the rules‐based international order. Consequently, the Trump administration has directed the US military to proceed with the rebalancing of its forces and capabilities in the Asia–Pacific. In conclusion, this article argues that despite his administration's rhetoric that the rebalancing is dead in the water, President Trump is heeding his predecessor's advice that “engaging in the Asia–Pacific is critical to America's future prosperity and security.”
Is South Korea Leaning Toward China? Questioning the Contemporary Application of the Japanese Narrative About the Historical Korean Peninsula–China Linkage
Authors: Lee Seung Hyok , Paik Wooyeal
Published: August 2018

The Japanese often frame the history of East Asia in a “Japan versus China” dichotomy, and they have long embraced a “national narrative” that emphasizes the linkage between the Korean Peninsula and China in the traditional Confucian worldview. The narrative asserts that the peninsula has been culturally and geopolitically “attached” to China, and it has served as an important ideational backdrop to Japan's positioning in the changing regional security environment. In this article, we analyze the origin and contents of the Japanese national narrative, and examine how it has influenced both the Japanese view of the peninsula and policy‐making. We focus on how it has reemerged in the post‐Cold War and the rising China era, and how it has been particularly applied to frame current South Korea–China relations. We then turn to analyze whether contemporary South Korean policies toward China offer evidence in support of the narrative. We conclude that the Japanese concern that South Korea could eventually “get pulled into China's orbit” is a highly unlikely scenario, and that the Japanese narrative exhibits a time lag in incorporating contemporary factors into its historically generated storyline. South Korea's understanding of regional politics is intrinsically different from that of the pre‐modern periods, and its relations with China are more complex than this particular Japanese narrative would suggest. Its interactions with China are guided by contemporary economic, political, and sociocultural considerations about the national interest, and the reality of the divided peninsula in the post‐Cold War period.
Considering a Chinese Sphere of Influence: North Korean Nuclear Weapons Should Not Be an American Problem
Authors: Weede Erich
Published: August 2018

Twenty years from now, the Chinese economy might be twice as large as that of the United Sates. Since great powers have always claimed spheres of influence, this raises the issue of what characteristics a Chinese sphere of influence might have. Currently, the Chinese sphere of influence is still rather fuzzy. But one might argue that North Korea is part of it. After all, the Chinese fought the Korean War in order to prevent all of Korea becoming part of the US sphere of influence. If one accepts that North Korea is part of the Chinese sphere of influence, then Kim Jong‐un's nuclear weapons should become a Chinese concern instead of a US concern. If China wants a nuclear weapons power next door, and a joint missile defense effort by the United States, Japan, and South Korea because of it so be it. If China understands its national interest, as great powers have historically done, then it could undermine the North Korean regime more effectively than the United States could at much lower risks of escalation to a great war. Whereas the United States hesitates to recognize that North Korea is and should remain part of the Chinese sphere of influence, its economic sanctions against Russia risk driving Russia into China's arms. Focusing on the incipient rivalry between China and the United States for global primacy does in no way imply advocacy of a hawkish US policy towards China. In the nuclear age, peace between rival powers should depend on two pillars: nuclear deterrence and economic interdependence, or “peace by fear” and “peace by trade.”
Soil drenching of paclobutrazol: An efficient way to improve quinoa performance under salinity
Authors: Waqas Muhammad , Yaning Chen , Iqbal Hassan , Shareef Muhammad , ur Rehman Hafeez , Iqbal Shahid , Mahmood Sajid
Published: August 2018

Salinity extent and severity is rising because of poor management practices on agricultural lands, possibility lies to grow salt‐tolerant crops with better management techniques. Therefore, a highly nutritive salt‐tolerant crop quinoa with immense potential to contribute for future food security was selected for this investigation. Soil drenching of paclobutrazol (PBZ; 20 mg l−1) was used to understand the ionic relations, gaseous exchange characteristics, oxidative defense system and yield under saline conditions (400 mM NaCl) including normal (0 mM NaCl) and no PBZ (0 mg l−1) as controls. The results revealed that salinity stress reduced the growth and yield of quinoa through perturbing ionic homeostasis with the consequences of overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative damages and reduced photosynthesis. PBZ improved the quinoa performance through regulation of ionic homeostasis by decreasing Na+, Cl−, while improving K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ concentration. It also enhanced the antioxidative system including ascorbic acid, phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase, polyphenol oxidase and glutathione peroxidase, which scavenged the ROS (H2O2 and O2•‐) and lowered the oxidative damages (malondialdehyde level) under salinity in roots and more specifically in leaf tissues. The photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance consequently improved (16 and 21%, respectively) in salt‐stressed quinoa PBZ‐treated compared to the non‐treated ones and contributed to the improvement of panicle length (33%), 100‐grain weight (8%) and grain yield (38%). Therefore, PBZ can be opted as a shotgun approach to improve quinoa performance and other crops under high saline conditions.
Reward enhances cross‐modal conflict control in object categorization: Electrophysiological evidence
Authors: Kang Guanlan , Chang Wenshuo , Wang Lihui , Wei Ping , Zhou Xiaolin
Published: August 2018

Cross‐modal conflict arises when information from different sensory modalities are incompatible with each other. Such conflict may influence the processing of stimuli in the task‐relevant modality and call for cognitive control to resolve this conflict. Here, we investigate how reward modulates cross‐modal conflict control during object categorization. Participants categorized pictures as representing animate or inanimate objects while ignoring auditory stimuli. We manipulated the audiovisual congruency and performance‐dependent reward (reward vs. no‐reward). Behavioral results showed a significant cross‐modal interference effect only in the no‐reward condition, not in the reward condition. Neurally, we found that the frontocentral N2 and theta band oscillations were larger in the incongruent condition than in the congruent condition, but only when there was no reward for performance. The converging behavioral and electrophysiological evidence demonstrates that reward enhances cognitive control in a cross‐modal context and reduces cross‐modal conflict.
Increased stressor‐evoked cardiovascular reactivity is associated with reduced amygdala and hippocampus volume
Authors: Trotman Gavin P. , Gianaros Peter J. , Veldhuijzen van Zanten Jet J. C. S. , Williams Sarah E. , Ginty Annie T.
Published: August 2018

Exaggerated cardiovascular reactivity to acute psychological stress is associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The amygdala and hippocampus have been implicated in centrally mediating stressor‐evoked cardiovascular reactivity. However, little is known about the associations of amygdala and hippocampus morphology with stressor‐evoked cardiovascular reactivity. Forty (Mage= 19.05,SD= 0.22 years) healthy young women completed two separate testing sessions. Session 1 assessed multiple parameters of cardiovascular physiology at rest and during a validated psychological stress task (Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test), using electrocardiography, Doppler echocardiography, and blood pressure monitoring. In Session 2, 1 year later, structural MRI was conducted. Brain structural volumes were computed using automated segmentation methods. Regression analyses, following Benjamini‐Hochberg correction, showed that greater heart rate and cardiac output reactivity were associated with reduced amygdala and hippocampus gray matter volume. Systolic blood pressure reactivity was associated with reduced hippocampus volume. In contrast, no associations between diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, stroke volume, or total peripheral resistance reactivity with amygdala or hippocampus volumes were apparent. Comparison analyses examining insula volume found no significant associations. Some indicators of greater stressor‐evoked cardiovascular reactivity associate with reduced amygdala and hippocampus gray matter volume, but the mechanisms of this association warrant further study.
Multiplex real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay for rapid and sensitive detection of hematopoietic chimerism
Authors: Nadvornikova Sylvie , Leontovycova Monika , Pegova Kristyna , Hrabakova Pavla , Prerovska Renata , Cechova Hana
Published: August 2018

The increase of mixed chimerism (MC) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been associated with a high risk of relapse. A variety of techniques that use polymorphic markers have been established to survey hematopoietic chimerism status. The highest sensitivity is achieved using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ‐PCR) analysis of insertion/deletion polymorphism, which allows the detection of disease recurrence and subsequently the earlier initiation of therapeutic intervention. The purpose of this study is the evaluation of multiplex RQ‐PCR for MC assessment (six biallelic genetic systems and Y‐specific locus), allowing the amplification and detection of target gene of interest and glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase reference housekeeping gene in a single microtube. With optimized amounts of primers and probe, the quantification of target DNA was shown to be linear throughout the tested range (100%‐0.05%). The efficiencies of multiplex RQ‐PCR were in a range of 0.89 to 1.07. The sensitivity of individual systems ranged 0.02% to 0.04% with an average of 0.034%. A high degree of linear correlation between the chimerism results obtained by multiplex RQ‐PCR vs singleplex RQ‐PCR was observed (P < 0.0001, Spearman's coefficient = 0.9927), while correlation between multiplex RQ‐PCR vs short tandem repeat analysis was also statistically significant (P < 0.0001, Spearman's coefficient = 0.9769). This new multiplex RQ‐PCR assay is a quick, sensitive, reproducible, and cost‐effective method for accurate MC assessment.
Expression and prognostic value of c‐met in canine mammary tumours
Authors: Chen Yi‐Chen , Chen Ying‐Yu , Liao Jiunn‐Wang , Chang Shih‐Chieh
Published: August 2018

C‐met is a receptor normally expressed on epithelial cells and dysregulated in human breast cancers. Mammary tumours are the most common tumour in female dogs. The aims of this study were to detect the expression of c‐met in canine mammary tumours (CMTs) and evaluate the correlations between c‐met expression and clinicopathological features. A total of 240 specimens of canine mammary tissues composed of 30 normal glands, 30 hyperplastic ones, 90 benign tumours and 90 carcinomas obtained from 127 bitches were examined by immunohistochemical staining. Positive c‐met immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the cytoplasm of mammary epithelial cells at variable levels, and in malignant CMTs, higher c‐met expression was found in carcinomas whose grade, stage and mitotic index were low, and metastasis was absent. The median survival time was shorter in dogs with malignant CMTs with a maximum diameter ≥5 cm, regional lymph node or distant metastasis, and a high histologic grade. However, the 2‐year survival rate was higher in dogs with malignant CMTs of higher c‐met expression than those of low c‐met expression (80.1% vs 57%). C‐met expression could be used as a valuable positive prognostic factor for the clinical outcomes of dogs with malignant CMTs.
Getting comfortable with RH blood group system terminologies and databases
Authors: Wagner F. F.
Published: August 2018

The RH blood group system is the most important protein blood group system. Due to the high interest, often discoveries occurred in parallel and different groups used different nomenclatures. ISBT overtook the task to create nomenclatures both for antigens and alleles. Nevertheless, knowledge of internet resources is important to find the way among these alleles. Both general resources such as RESPIRE and gnomAD, allele‐oriented resource such as bloodantigens, erythrogene and HGMDB as well as dedicated resources such as the RHCE allele listing and the Human RhesusBase are presented.
Contributions of the glottal source and vocal tract cues to emotional vowel perception in the valence-arousal space
Authors: Li Yongwei , Li Junfeng , Akagi Masato
Published: August 2018

Motivated by the source-filter model of speech production, analysis of emotional speech based on the inverse-filtering method has been extensively conducted. The relative contribution of the glottal source and vocal tract cues to perception of emotions in speech is still unclear, especially after removing the effects of the known dominant factors (e.g., F0, intensity, and duration). In this present study, the glottal source and vocal tract parameters were estimated in a simultaneous manner, modified in a controlled way and then used for resynthesizing emotional Japanese vowels by applying a recently developed analysis-by-synthesis method. The resynthesized emotional vowels were presented to native Japanese listeners with normal hearing for perceptually rating emotions in valence and arousal dimensions. Results showed that glottal source information played a dominant role in perception of emotions in vowels, while vocal tract information contributed to valence and arousal perceptions after neutralizing the effects of F0, intensity, and duration cues.
Cleavage of the leptin receptor by matrix metalloproteinase–2 promotes leptin resistance and obesity in mice
Authors: Mazor Rafi , Friedmann-Morvinski Dinorah , Alsaigh Tom , Kleifeld Oded , Kistler Erik B. , Rousso-Noori Liat , Huang Cheng , Li Joyce B. , Verma Inder M. , Schmid-Schönbein Geert W.
Published: August 2018

Matrix metalloproteinase–2 inhibition rescued leptin receptor expression in the hypothalamus and reduced fat accumulation in rodent models of obesity.
Tumor influence over immune cells
Authors: Hinrichs Christian S.
Published: August 2018

Tumor cell–intrinsic factors, unrelated to antigenicity, control immune cell infiltration and sensitivity to immunotherapy in a mouse model.
Taking a stand for metabolic health
Authors: Page Kathleen A.
Published: August 2018

Interrupting sitting with short bouts of walking improves glucose metabolism in overweight and obese children.