bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building branched tissue structures: from single cell guidance to coordinated construction
Authors: Spurlin James W. , Nelson Celeste M.
Published: March 2017

Branched networks are ubiquitous throughout nature, particularly found in tissues that require large surface area within a restricted volume. Many tissues with a branched architecture, such as the vasculature, kidney, mammary gland, lung and nervous system, function to exchange fluids, gases and information throughout the body of an organism. The generation of branched tissues requires regulation of branch site specification, initiation and elongation. Branching events often require the coordination of many cells to build a tissue network for material exchange. Recent evidence has emerged suggesting that cell cooperativity scales with the number of cells actively contributing to branching events. Here, we compare mechanisms that regulate branching, focusing on how cell cohorts behave in a coordinated manner to build branched tissues.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Systems morphodynamics: understanding the development of tissue hardware’.
Inferring cellular forces from image stacks
Authors: Veldhuis Jim H. , Ehsandar Ahmad , Maître Jean-Léon , Hiiragi Takashi , Cox Simon , Brodland G. Wayne
Published: March 2017

Although the importance of cellular forces to a wide range of embryogenesis and disease processes is widely recognized, measuring these forces is challenging, especially in three dimensions. Here, we introduce CellFIT-3D, a force inference technique that allows tension maps for three-dimensional cellular systems to be estimated from image stacks. Like its predecessors, video force microscopy and CellFIT, this cell mechanics technique assumes boundary-specific interfacial tensions to be the primary drivers, and it constructs force-balance equations based on triple junction (TJ) dihedral angles. The technique involves image processing, segmenting of cells, grouping of cell outlines, calculation of dihedral planes, averaging along three-dimensional TJs, and matrix equation assembly and solution. The equations tend to be strongly overdetermined, allowing indistinct TJs to be ignored and solution error estimates to be determined. Application to clean and noisy synthetic data generated using Surface Evolver gave tension errors of 1.6–7%, and analyses of eight-cell murine embryos gave estimated errors smaller than the 10% uncertainty of companion aspiration experiments. Other possible areas of application include morphogenesis, cancer metastasis and tissue engineering.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Systems morphodynamics: understanding the development of tissue hardware’.
Striatal action-value neurons reconsidered
Authors: Elber-Dorozko Lotem , Loewenstein Yonatan
Published: March 2017

It is generally believed that during economic decisions, striatal neurons represent the values associated with different actions. This hypothesis is based on a large number of studies, in which the neural activity of striatal neurons was measured while the subject was learning to prefer the more rewarding action. Here we show that these publications are subject to at least one of two critical confounds and that most are subject to both. First, we show that even weak temporal correlations in the neuronal data may result in an erroneous identification of action-value representations. We demonstrate this by erroneously identifying action-value representations, both in simulations and in the neural activity recorded in unrelated experiments. Second, we show that the experiments and analyses designed to dissociate action-value representation from the representation of other decision variables cannot do so. Specifically, we show that neurons representing policy may be erroneous identified as representing action-values. We suggest different solutions to identifying action-value representation that are not subject to these confounds. Applying one of these solutions to previously identified action-value neurons in the basal ganglia we fail to detect action-value representations there. Thus, we conclude that the claim that striatal neurons encode action-values must await new experiments and analyses.
Genome build information is an essential part of genomic track files
Authors: Kanduri Chakravarthi , Domanska Diana , Hovig Eivind , Sandve Geir Kjetil
Published: March 2017

Genomic locations are represented as coordinates on a specific genome build version, but the build information is frequently missing when coordinates are provided. It is essential to correctly interpret and analyse the genomic intervals contained in genomic track files. Here, we demonstrate that this crucial metadatum (or rather datum) is often isolated from the genomic track files in public repositories and journal articles, which could be a major time thief. We propose best practices to ensure that genome build version is always carried along with genomic track files. Although not a substitute to the best practices, we also provide a tool to predict the genome build version of genomic track files.
The genome of the contractile demospongeTethya wilhelmaand the evolution of metazoan neural signalling pathways
Authors: Francis Warren R. , Eitel Michael , Vargas Sergio , Adamski Marcin , Haddock Steven H.D. , Krebs Stefan , Blum Helmut , Erpenbeck Dirk , Wörheide Gert
Published: March 2017

Porifera are a diverse animal phylum with species performing important ecological roles in aquatic ecosystems, and have become models for multicellularity and early-animal evolution. Demosponges form the largest class in sponges, but previous studies have relied on the only draft demosponge genome ofAmphimedon queenslandica. Here we present the 125-megabase draft genome of a contractile laboratory demospongeTethya wilhelma, sequenced to almost 150x coverage. We explore the genetic repertoire of transporters, receptors, and neurotransmitter metabolism across early-branching metazoans in the context of the evolution of these gene families. Presence of many genes is highly variable across animal groups, with many gene family expansions and losses. Three sponge classes show lineage-specific expansions of GABA-B receptors, far exceeding the gene number in vertebrates, while ctenophores appear to have secondarily lost most genes in the GABA pathway. Both GABA and glutamate receptors show lineage-specific domain rearrangements, making it difficult to trace the evolution of these gene families. Gene sets in the examined taxa suggest that nervous systems evolved independently at least twice and either changed function or were lost in sponges. Changes in gene content are consistent with the view that ctenophores and sponges are the earliest-branching metazoan lineages and provide additional support for the proposed clade of Placozoa/Cnidaria/Bilateria.
Protection of hot subsea risers by using thermally sprayed aluminium
Authors: Ce Nataly Araujo , Paul Shiladitya
Published: March 2017

Purpose

In spite of the high interest in thermally sprayed aluminium (TSA) to protect offshore structures, pipelines, risers, etc., data correlating the exposure of TSA-coated steel in hot seawater to its performance are lacking. No information is available on the performance of TSA in hot seawater, especially when damaged. This paper aims to address this knowledge gap and report the corrosion performance of damaged TSA on carbon steel exposed to boiling synthetic seawater for different periods (up to 5,000 h). It also attempts to understand the mechanism of formation of calcareous deposits in boiling synthetic seawater by using various characterisation tools.

Design/methodology/approach

Twin wire arc spray was used to coat carbon steel specimens with commercially pure aluminium. Holiday was drilled on the coated surface to expose the underlying steel, amounting to 4 per cent of the specimen surface area. These specimens were then exposed to boiling synthetic seawater for different periods: 2, 68, 188, 335 and 5,000 h. During exposure, the potential was monitored (vs standard calomel electrode [SCE]) and linear polarisation resistance (LPR) method was used to calculate the corrosion rate (CR). After exposure, these specimens were analysed by using characterisation tools such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM)/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX).

Findings

The TSA-coated steel samples with 4 per cent holiday showed a CR of approximately 0.008-0.015 mm y−1and a stable potential (Ecorr) around −800 mV (SCE), when exposed to boiling synthetic seawater for approximately 5,000 h. Microstructural characterisation established that the deposits comprised brucite [Mg(OH)2] only (this is very different to what has been reported at ambient temperatures). The stable potentials obtained after 5,000 h suggest that the brucite layers provided effective corrosion mitigation. Thus, TSA seems to show the potential to protection hot carbon steel risers, even when damage exposing the external steel surface to the seawater is present.

Originality/value

The mechanism of calcareous deposit formation has been studied for many years, but most of the previously reported studies concentrate on low or ambient temperature behaviour. The reported studies mainly concentrate on the application of cathodic protection, rather than the effect of TSA. This is the first journal paper where the behaviour of damaged TSA in boiling synthetic seawater has been reported. The formation of brucite-only layer in the damaged area adjacent to the steel surface in boiling synthetic seawater is novel. And the mechanism of formation of this layer has been explained in the paper.
An institutional perspective on modernization and sex-appeal advertising
Authors: Leung Luk Chung , Chow Cheris W.C. , Wan Wendy W.N. , Lai Jennifer Y.M. , Fu Isabel , Fong Candy P.S.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Building on institutional theory, the purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for analyzing how consumer attitudes toward nudity in ads change as a result of modernization. Modernization is driven by the currents of pluralism and rationalism. The authors highlight the inherent contradiction of these two pillars and how this contradiction results in an inverted-U pattern in the relationship between level of modernization and consumer attitudes toward sex appeals. Consumers’ sexual permissiveness and their perceived insufficiency of regulatory control over sexual content in the mass media are the individual-level mediators of the two pillars.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from three Chinese cities at different levels of modernization. A total of 811 college students from the three cities participated in the study.

Findings

The relationship between level of modernization and attitude favorability followed an inverted-U pattern. Female participants in the most modernized city possessed significantly less favorable attitudes to the ads than their male counterparts. Female and male participants were similar in their attitudes in the less modern cities. Sexual permissiveness mediated the relationship between modernization and male participants’ attitudes, but not with female participants’ attitudes. Perceived sufficiency of regulatory control over sexual content mediated the relationship between modernization and their attitudes among both male and female participants.

Originality/value

The paper makes an empirical contribution by testing the hypotheses regarding consumers responses to sex-appeal advertising with data collected from three Chinese cities at different levels of modernization. Additionally, it offers an institutional perspective on social attitude changes. Social attitude change is of great interest to researchers, but a systematic theoretical analysis is currently lacking.
The impact of perceived service quality dimensions on customer satisfaction
Authors: Kant Rishi , Jaiswal Deepak
Published: March 2017

Purpose

In the present competitive scenario in the Indian banking industry, service quality has become one of the most important facets of interest to academic researchers. The purpose of this paper is to determine the dimensions of perceived service quality and investigate their impact on customer satisfaction in the Indian banking context, with special reference to selected public sector banks in India.

Design/methodology/approach

On the basis of the empirical study, the authors validate a measurement model using structural equation modeling for investigating the impact of perceived service quality dimensions on customer satisfaction. The study sample consists of 480 respondents in the National Capital Region (NCR) of India; the data were collected through a structured questionnaire utilizing a seven-point Likert scale while implementing a purposive sampling technique.

Findings

The perceived service quality dimensions identified were tangibility, reliability, assurance, responsiveness, empathy, and image. The empirical findings revealed that “responsiveness” was found to be the most significant predictor of customer satisfaction. On the other hand, “image” (corporate image) has a positive but the least significant relationship with customer satisfaction followed by all other constructs. The exception is “reliability,” which is insignificantly related to customer satisfaction in Indian public sector banks.

Research limitations/implications

The study cannot be generalized in the context of Indian banking sectors, as it only focused on the public sector. The findings of this study suggest that the six dimensions of perceived service quality model are a suitable instrument for evaluating bank service quality for public banks in India. Therefore, bank managers can use this model to assess the bank service quality in the context of Indian public sector banks.

Originality/value

There is dearth of research focusing on corporate image as a dimension of perceived service quality and its effect on customer satisfaction in the Indian banking context. Furthermore, similar studies were rarely found in the Indian context, especially within the public banking sector. Hence, this paper attempts to accomplish the research gap by empirically testing the satisfaction level of a large sample of the population in NCR toward six dimensions of perceived service quality rendered by selected public sector banks in India.
Improving throughput in a youth mental health service
Authors: Coates Dominiek , Howe Deborah
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The discrepancy between increasing demand and limited resources in public mental health is putting pressure on services to continuously review their practices and develop innovative models of care that redress this discrepancy. To ensure the service models continue to meet the needs of all stakeholders, children and young people’s mental health (CYPMH) conducts regular reviews of its service models. Accordingly, the youth mental health (YMH) model at CYPMH has evolved significantly over time in response to the needs of young people and service demand. The purpose of this paper is to outline the findings of a recent review of the YMH service, and the subsequent changes to the service model.

Design/methodology/approach

Informed by a participatory action philosophy, feedback was sought from staff on the service model through a range of methods including a questionnaire, staff consultations through a working party and interviews. This feedback was used to redesign the model, which was then evaluated again.

Findings

Staff identified a number of challenges with the service model and a range of service improvement solutions. The key issues included exceedingly high caseloads, workplace tensions, and fragmentation of the client journey. This paper outlines the primary solution to these key concerns, namely, the introduction of brief intervention (BI) as the entry point to the service.

Originality/value

BI approaches provide a solution to overly high caseloads as the direct and focussed approach of BI generally reduces the number of sessions people need. BI is an important addition to other treatment options and should be seen as a valid component of the continuum of mental healthcare.
Potential facilitators and barriers to adopting standard treatment guidelines in clinical practice
Authors: Sharma Sangeeta , Pandit Ajay , Tabassum Fauzia
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess medicines information sources accessed by clinicians, if sources differed in theory and practice and to find out the barriers and facilitators to effective guideline adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

In all, 183 doctors were surveyed. Barriers and facilitators were classified as: communication; potential adopters; innovation; organization characteristics and environmental/social/economic context.

Findings

Most of the clinicians accessed multiple information sources including standard treatment guidelines, but also consulted seniors/colleagues in practice. The top three factors influencing clinical practice guideline adoption were innovation characteristics, environmental context and individual characteristics. The respondents differed in the following areas: concerns about flexibility offered by the guideline; denying patients’ individuality; professional autonomy; insights into gaps in current practice and evidence-based practice; changing practices with little or no benefit. Barriers included negative staff attitudes/beliefs, guideline integration into organizational structures/processes, time/resource constraints. Fearing third parties (government and insurance companies) restricting medicines reimbursement and poor liability protection offered by the guidelines emerged as the barriers. Facilitators include aligning organizational structures/processes with the innovation; providing leadership support to guide diffusion; increasing awareness and enabling early innovation during pre/in-service training, with regular feedback on outcomes and use.

Practical implications

Guideline adoption in clinical practice is partly within doctors’ control. There are other key prevailing factors in the local context such as environmental, social context, professional and organizational culture affecting its adoption. Organizational policy and accreditation standards necessitating adherence can serve as a driver.

Originality/value

This survey among clinicians, despite limitations, gives helpful insights. While favourable attitudes may be helpful, clinical adoption could be improved more effectively by targeting barriers.
Corporate philanthropy communication on donor websites
Authors: Chalmeta Ricardo , Viinikka Henna
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to examine whether companies engaging in corporate philanthropy, a component of corporate social responsibility (CSR), disclose information about such activities publicly on their websites, analyze whether there is a relation between the kind of charitable giving (in-kind donations or financial gifts), the number of donation types, or the industry sector the company belongs to, the mention on the company website and whether there is a relation between communicate company corporate philanthropy and communicate other company CSR issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology was descriptive statistics research method. The data were collected during the months of June and July 2013 from the websites of 141 companies that had recently engaged in corporate philanthropy.

Findings

The study found that, surprisingly, a considerable portion of companies practicing corporate philanthropy do not disclose that information on their websites. This was especially the case when donations were made with product instead of in cash.

Originality/value

This study quantifies the fact that many companies engage in CSR through corporate philanthropy but do not communicate those activities to a wider public. This can be seen as a missed opportunity to take advantage of a variety of positive effects that companies related to CSR benefit from. On the other hand, it can also be interpreted as a missed opportunity for the NGOs to encourage their donors to “come out” with their philanthropic activities.
Social presence and customer brand engagement on Facebook brand pages
Authors: Pongpaew Wimmala , Speece Mark , Tiangsoongnern Leela
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Business use of social media is increasing rapidly as marketers aim to increase customer brand engagement (CBE) in brand communities to enhance the brand experience. However, use of social media for marketing communications is not well understood. This study aims to examine manager and user views of CBE and effects of perceived social presence (PSP) on CBE in a corporate Facebook environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative in-depth interviews are conducted with 18 users of corporate Facebook – i.e. those who visit corporate Facebook regularly – and four marketing managers whose companies operate Facebook pages. The industry is smart-information technology devices, and the cultural context is Thailand.

Findings

Corporate Facebook sites with high SP functions foster customer engagement on cognitive, emotional and behavioral levels. PSP enhances product knowledge and encourages return page visits. Thus, CBE and PSP build brand trust and loyalty. However, managers may need to focus more on the nature of the brand community beyond the corporate Facebook page.

Practical implications

Companies that enrich their corporate Facebook with SP features can encourage CBE. Consumers feel more informed about the brand and therefore feel more positively about it, which enhances the brand experience and brand trust. This holds even for lurkers who do not behaviorally engage on the Facebook page much, but who are active in the broader brand community.

Originality/value

This paper studies the relationship between PSP and CBE in a corporate Facebook environment, providing insights into how PSP influences CBE, which can enhance the customer’s brand experience and contribute to brand perceptions.
The four modes of coexistence in social systems
Authors: Nechansky Helmut
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The paper aims to relate the four modes of coexistence of goal-orientated systems – conflict, hierarchy, the niche and cooperation – to static behavioral descriptions of social systems.

Design/methodology/approach

Analyzing the options for interactions of goal-orientated systems leads the four modes of coexistence. These show certain behavioral characteristics. Searching for these characteristics in selected behavioral descriptions in organizational theory, sociology, political science and system science allows relating them to certain modes.

Findings

In organizations, the four modes of coexistence show in general (Cameron and Quinn) and dyadic interaction patterns (Argyris). In sociology, they show in educational schemes preparing for specific modes (Bernstein) and in different exchange patterns (Polanyi). In political theory, the four modes of coexistence show in preferred policies of parties, in institutional development, in oligarch power politics (Winters) and in external policy. In system science, they show in problem solving strategies (Jackson) and “mindscapes” (Murayama).

Research limitations/implications

The analysis is restricted to static patterns leaving out dynamic developments, for example, in networks.

Practical implications

Together with previous investigations, the paper shows how behavioral descriptions ranging from psychology to politics correspond to the four modes of coexistence, and it suggests interrelations and alignments of the modes via various levels of societal organization.

Originality/value

The four modes of coexistence provide an unequivocal theoretical framework that allows finding parallels in behavioral descriptions ranging from psychology via sociology to politics.
The Quality of Intermediate Goods: Growth and Welfare Implications
Authors: Cheng Yi‐Ling , Chang Juin‐Jen
Published: March 2017

This paper explores the implications of the quality of intermediate goods in an endogenous growth model. We show that a trade‐off exists between the quality and the variety of products, which creates a wedge between the market‐equilibrium quality and the socially optimal quality. Relative to the social optimum, the equilibrium quality could be either under‐supplied or over‐supplied, depending on the productivity‐enhancing effect as well as the increasing returns to production specialisation and business‐stealing effects.
Brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens was concentrated at the rear of the typhoon Soudelor in Eastern China in August 2015
Authors: Ma Jian , Wang Ye‐Chen , Hu Yan‐Yue , Lu Ming‐Hong , Wan Gui‐Jun , Chen Fa‐Jun , Liu Wan‐Cai , Zhai Bao‐Ping , Hu Gao
Published: March 2017

Sometimes, extreme weather is vital for the population survival of migratory insects by causing sudden population collapse or outbreak. Several studies have shown that rice planthopper migration was significantly influenced by typhoons in eastern Asia. Most typhoons occur in the summer, especially in August. In August, brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) migrates northward or southward depending on wind direction, and thus typhoons can potentially influence its migration process and population distribution. However, this has not yet been studied. This paper reported a case study on the effects of Typhoon Soudelor on the summer migration of N. lugens in eastern China in 2015. The migration pathways of N. lugens were reconstructed for the period under the influence of a typhoon by calculating the trajectories and migration events in eight counties of the Yangtze River Valley region with ancillary information. Trajectory modelling showed that most migrants took short distance migrations (less than 200 km) under the influence of the Typhoon Soudelor. Numerous N. lugens migrants were concentrated and deposited at the rear of the typhoon during the last 5 days of Typhoon Soudelor on August 9–13 due to horizontal convergence, and this led to an outbreak population. These results indicated that the N. lugens population was redistributed by the typhoon in the summer and that the population dynamics at the rear of a typhoon should be kept under close surveillance. This study provided insight into migratory organisms adapting to atmospheric features.
Microbial enzymes for the recycling of recalcitrant petroleum‐based plastics: how far are we?
Authors: Wei Ren , Zimmermann Wolfgang
Published: March 2017

Petroleum‐based plastics have replaced many natural materials in their former applications. With their excellent properties, they have found widespread uses in almost every area of human life. However, the high recalcitrance of many synthetic plastics results in their long persistence in the environment, and the growing amount of plastic waste ending up in landfills and in the oceans has become a global concern. In recent years, a number of microbial enzymes capable of modifying or degrading recalcitrant synthetic polymers have been identified. They are emerging as candidates for the development of biocatalytic plastic recycling processes, by which valuable raw materials can be recovered in an environmentally sustainable way. This review is focused on microbial biocatalysts involved in the degradation of the synthetic plastics polyethylene, polystyrene, polyurethane and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Recent progress in the application of polyester hydrolases for the recovery of PET building blocks and challenges for the application of these enzymes in alternative plastic waste recycling processes will be discussed.
Outcomes and predictive tests from a dedicated specialist clinic for women at high risk of preterm labour: A ten year audit
Authors: Hughes Kelly , Sim Shirlene , Roman Alina , Michalak Kasia , Kane Stefan , Sheehan Penelope
Published: March 2017

Background

Preterm birth continues to be a major cause of infant morbidity and mortality worldwide, but advances have recently been made in its prediction and prevention. A short cervix (<25 mm) in the second trimester on transvaginal ultrasound scan and fetal fibronectin are important predictive tests. For over ten years, the Preterm Labour Clinic at the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia has provided care for women at high risk of preterm birth, including those with a previous preterm birth, previous cervical surgery, uterine malformation or incidental finding of short cervix at routine ultrasound. The purpose of this study was to review this clinic's outcomes for the first decade.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of all referrals to the Preterm Labour Clinic during the period 2004–2013 inclusive. Seven hundred and fifty‐six cases met the study inclusion criteria of appropriate risk factor, singleton pregnancy, surveillance undertaken and outcome data available.

Results

The preterm birth rate (<37 weeks) was 21.4%. The rate of preterm birth by year decreased significantly when adjusted for risk (P = 0.002). A short cervix was diagnosed in 32% of the sample, and positively correlated with lower gestational age at delivery. Fetal fibronectin and serum alkaline phosphatase were independent predictors of preterm birth <34 weeks and <37 weeks.

Conclusion

The adjusted preterm birth rate at the Royal Women's Hospital's Preterm Labour Clinic has decreased significantly over the decade studied. Positive fetal fibronectin at 26 weeks and elevated serum alkaline phosphatase are independent predictors of preterm birth.
Design and Monitoring of Multi-Arm Multi-Stage Clinical Trials
Authors: Ghosh Pranab , Liu Lingyun , Senchaudhuri P. , Gao Ping , Mehta Cyrus
Published: March 2017

Two-arm group sequential designs have been widely used for over 40 years, especially for studies with mortality endpoints. The natural generalization of such designs to trials with multiple treatment arms and a common control (MAMS designs) has, however, been implemented rarely. While the statistical methodology for this extension is clear, the main limitation has been an efficient way to perform the computations. Past efforts were hampered by algorithms that were computationally explosive. With the increasing interest in adaptive designs, platform designs, and other innovative designs that involve multiple comparisons over multiple stages, the importance of MAMS designs is growing rapidly. This article provides break-through algorithms that can compute MAMS boundaries rapidly thereby making such designs practical. For designs with efficacy-only boundaries the computational effort increases linearly with number of arms and number of stages. For designs with both efficacy and futility boundaries the computational effort doubles with successive increases in number of stages.
RNA Polymerase I Inhibition with CX‐5461 as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy to Target MYC in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Lee Hans C. , Wang Hua , Baladandayuthapani Veerabhadran , Lin Heather , He Jin , Jones Richard J. , Kuiatse Isere , Gu Dongmin , Wang Zhiqiang , Ma Wencai , Lim John , O'Brien Sean , Keats Jonathan , Yang Jing , Davis Richard E. , Orlowski Robert Z.
Published: March 2017

Dysregulation of MYC is frequently implicated in both early and late myeloma progression events, yet its therapeutic targeting has remained a challenge. Among key MYC downstream targets is ribosomal biogenesis, enabling increases in protein translational capacity necessary to support the growth and self‐renewal programmes of malignant cells. We therefore explored the selective targeting of ribosomal biogenesis with the small molecule RNA polymerase (pol) I inhibitor CX‐5461 in myeloma. CX‐5461 induced significant growth inhibition in wild‐type (WT) and mutant TP53 myeloma cell lines and primary samples, in association with increases in downstream markers of apoptosis. Moreover, Pol I inhibition overcame adhesion‐mediated drug resistance and resistance to conventional and novel agents. To probe the TP53‐independent mechanisms of CX‐5461, gene expression profiling was performed on isogenic TP53 WT and knockout cell lines and revealed reduction of MYC downstream targets. Mechanistic studies confirmed that CX‐5461 rapidly suppressed both MYC protein and MYC mRNA levels. The latter was associated with an increased binding of the RNA‐induced silencing complex (RISC) subunits TARBP2 and AGO2, the ribosomal protein RPL5, and MYC mRNA, resulting in increased MYC transcript degradation. Collectively, these studies provide a rationale for the clinical translation of CX‐5461 as a novel therapeutic approach to target MYC in myeloma.
Change in Fluid and Crystallized Intelligence and Student Achievement: The Role of Intellectual Engagement
Authors: Hülür Gizem , Gasimova Fidan , Robitzsch Alexander , Wilhelm Oliver
Published: March 2017

Intellectual engagement (IE) refers to enjoyment of intellectual activities and is proposed as causal for knowledge acquisition. The role of IE for cognitive development was examined utilizing 2‐year longitudinal data from 112 ninth graders (average baseline age: 14.7 years). Higher baseline IE predicted higher baseline crystallized ability but not changes therein, and was not associated with fluid ability. Furthermore, IE predicted change in school grades in language but not in mathematics grades or in standardized tests. These findings suggest that IE is not a major predictor of knowledge acquisition in adolescence, where degree of self‐determination in intellectual behaviors may be relatively limited. Open questions for future research are addressed, including reciprocal longitudinal associations between IE and academic and cognitive development.
Moral Luck and the Possibility of Agential Disjunctivism
Authors: Lockhart Jennifer Ryan , Lockhart Thomas
Published: March 2017

Most presentations of the problem of moral luck invoke the notion of control, but little has been said about what control amounts to. We propose a necessary condition on an agent's having been in control of performing an action: that the agent's effort to perform the action ensured that the agent performed the action. The difficulty of satisfying this condition (or one like it) leads many on both sides of the moral luck debate to conclude that much of what we do is not within our control, and, at the limit, underpins agential skepticism, the view that no one has ever been in control of having performed an action in the external world. We propose a response to the agential skeptic modeled on the epistemological disjunctivist's response to the skeptic about perceptual experience. According to agential disjunctivism, the necessary condition on control can be met, thus undermining agential skepticism and one motivation for the problem of moral luck. Our view can be understood as resisting moral luck not by shrinking the domain of robust moral evaluation but by refusing to contract the realm of robust control.
Metabolic mediators of the impact of general and central adiposity measures on cardiovascular disease and mortality risks in older adults: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study
Authors: Kazempour‐Ardebili Sara , Ramezankhani Azra , Eslami Ali , Akbarpour Samaneh , Azizi Fereidoun , Hadaegh Farzad
Published: March 2017

Aims

To investigate the relationship between body mass index, waist circumference, waist‐to‐hip ratio and waist‐to‐height ratio, as well as the mediating factors through which they might exert their risk for cardiovascular disease/coronary heart disease and mortality events in the older Iranian population during a median follow up of 9.5 years.

Methods

The study population included participants, aged ≥65 years, free of cardiovascular disease at baseline. The confounder‐adjusted hazard ratio was calculated for a 1‐SD change in each anthropometric measure with and without adjustment for hypercholesterolemia, diabetes and hypertension.

Results

During the study follow up, 193 participants developed their first cardiovascular disease event and 183 deaths occurred. No association was found between cardiovascular disease/coronary heart disease and body mass index, even in the confounder‐adjusted models. Central adiposity measures showed a significant risk for cardiovascular disease events in the confounder‐adjusted model ranging from hazard ratio 1.16 (95% confidence interval 1.02–1.33) for waist‐to‐hip ratio to 1.21 (95% confidence interval 1.03–1.42) for waist‐to‐height ratio. Adjustment for hypertension alone or in combination with other metabolic mediators attenuated the hazard ratio to null. Although hypercholesterolemia did not show any mediating effect of central adiposity measures for cardiovascular disease/coronary heart disease, hypertension was the most powerful mediator, accounting for 30–45% of the excess risk.

Conclusions

Central rather than general adiposity showed a significant role in determining cardiovascular disease/coronary heart disease risk. The harmful effect of central adiposity was completely attributable to mediators, especially hypertension. Clinical interventions for control of mediators focusing on hypertension should be emphasized. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2017–2024.
Monitoring of the bacterial communities of bamboo shoots (Dendrocalamus latiflorus) during pickling process
Authors: Xia Xuejuan , Ran Chunxia , Ye Xiujuan , Li Guannan , Kan Jianquan , Zheng Jiong
Published: March 2017

The diversity and dynamics of the dominant bacterial communities arising during the pickling process of bamboo shoots (Dendrocalamus latiflorus) were investigated by nested polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis combined with quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Results showed only several kinds of halophilic bacteria during early sampling time (0−3 days). After pickling for 7 days, Lactococcus lactis significantly increased (P < 0.05, quantities were 6.39 × 105 copies μL−1) and became the first dominant bacterium. After pickling for 14 days, Weissella sp. bands appeared and quickly became dominant on the 21st day (4.07 × 106 copies μL−1). As maturation progressed, Lc. lactis decreased in intensity whereas Weissella sp. increased in intensity. Finally, the quantities of Weissella sp. (2.50 × 107 copies μL−1) became higher than those of Lc. lactis (1.43 × 107 copies μL−1) after pickling for 56 days. The pickling process was initiated by Lc. lactis, followed by Lc. lactis and Weissella sp., and was finally succeeded by Weissella sp.
Socially creative appraisals of rejection bolster ethnic migrants' subjective well‐being
Authors: Owuamalam Chuma K. , Paolini Stefania , Rubin Mark
Published: March 2017

We examined a proposition based on social identity theory that socially creative appraisals of rejection can boost the well‐being of strongly identifying ethnic migrants. We piloted this proposition amongst women (N = 80) and found that strong (but not weak) group identifiers who considered the positive views that society holds about their social identity reported higher subjective wellbeing (self‐esteem) relative to those who dwelt on rejection. In a subsequent field experiment (N = 179) conducted amongst ethnic migrants in London, we added a further social creativity treatment in which participants were encouraged to consider how they would view immigrants if they were native British (accommodation). Results revealed that the two social creativity mindsets (accommodation and positive) combined: (a) reduced perceptions of social rejection and increased optimism over the openness and fairness of society relative to a rejection mindset, (b) enhanced the self‐esteem of strongly (but not weakly) identified ethnic migrants, and (c) enhanced ethnic migrant's wellbeing by minimizing the recall of social rejection and by strengthening optimism over the host society's openness and fairness. Implications for social change are discussed.
Comparison of morning basal + 1 bolus insulin therapy (insulin glulisine + insulin glargine 300 U/mL vs insulin lispro + insulin glargine biosimilar) using continuous glucose monitoring: A randomized crossover study
Authors: Takeishi Soichi , Tsuboi Hiroki , Takekoshi Shodo
Published: March 2017

Introduction

We compared the effects of morning administration of insulin glulisine + insulin glargine 300 U/mL (G + G300) with that of insulin lispro + insulin glargine biosimilar (L + GB).

Materials and Methods

A total of 30 patients with type 2 diabetes who wore a continuous glucose monitoring device on admission after glucose levels were stabilized by morning long‐acting and ultra‐rapid‐acting insulins were randomly allocated to groups who received G + G300 on days 1 and 2, and the same dose L + GB on days 3 and 4, or vice versa. Data collected on days 2 and 4 (mean amplitude of glycemic excursion, mean of daily differences: all days) were analyzed. Insulin was injected at 08.00 h. A day was defined as the period from 08.00 h one day, to 08.00 h the next day. Test meals were given.

Results

Increased post‐breakfast glucose level, post‐breakfast glucose gradient, mean glucose level, standard deviation and M‐value (24 h, 00.00–06.00 h), mean amplitude of glycemic excursion, and mean of daily differences were significantly lower in patients taking G + G300 than those taking L + GB (P ≤ 0.0001–0.04). The area over the glucose curve (<70 mg/dL) was not significantly different between groups. Pre‐lunch − pre‐breakfast glucose levels were significantly lower in patients taking L + GB than those taking G + G300 (P < 0.0001). The difference in the highest post‐breakfast glucose level between groups (Δ = G + G300 − L + GB) was significantly correlated to 24‐h mean glucose level (r = 0.40, P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Compared with L + GB, G + G300 decreases post‐breakfast glucose level reducing rate of rise of that, nocturnal and 24‐h glucose variability and level without causing hypoglycemia, and daily variance.
Dermasence refining gel modulates pathogenetic factors of rosacea in vitro
Authors: Borelli C , Becker B , Thude S , Fehrenbacher B , Isermann D
Published: March 2017

Background

Over the counter cosmetics sold for local treatment of slight to moderate rosacea often state the claim of actively modulating rosacea pathogenesis. Factors involved in the pathogenesis of this common yet complex skin disorder include kallikrein‐related peptidase 5 (KLK5), LL‐37, as well as protease‐activated receptor 2 (PAR2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Objective

The objective was to prove the modulating effect of the cosmetic skin care agent Dermasence Refining Gel (DRG) on factors involved in rosacea pathogenesis.

Methods

We analyzed the effect of DRG on the expression of KLK5, LL‐37, PAR2, and VEGF in an in vitro skin model of human reconstituted epidermis.

Results

The expression of CAMP (LL‐37 gene, fold change −4.19 [±0.11]), VEGFA (fold change −2.55 [±0.12]) and PAR2 (−1.33 [±0.12]) was reduced, KLK5 expression increased (fold change 2.06 (±0.08)) after 18 h of treatment with DRG in comparison to treatment with the matrix gel only. The reduction in CAMP expression was significant (P<.01). The protein expression of all four inflammatory markers was markedly reduced after 18 hours of DRG treatment in comparison to baseline (0 hour), by measure of fluorescence intensity.

Conclusion

We show evidence explaining the anti‐inflammatory effect of Dermasence Refining Gel in rosacea pathogenesis in vitro. The adjunctive use of DRG in mild to moderate rosacea as a topical cosmetic seems medically reasonable.
The antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of apigenin on glioblastoma cells
Authors: Stump Trevor A , Santee Brittany N , Williams Lauren P , Kunze Rachel A , Heinze Chelsae E , Huseman Eric D , Gryka Rebecca J , Simpson Denise S , Amos Samson
Published: March 2017

Objectives

Glioblastoma (GBM) is highly proliferative, infiltrative, malignant and the most deadly form of brain tumour. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed, amplified and mutated in GBM and has been shown to play key and important roles in the proliferation, growth and survival of this tumour. The goal of our study was to investigate the antiproliferative, apoptotic and molecular effects of apigenin in GBM.

Methods

Proliferation and viability tests were carried out using the trypan blue exclusion, MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. Flow cytometry was used to examine the effects of apigenin on the cell cycle check-points. In addition, we determined the effects of apigenin on EGFR-mediated signalling pathways by Western blot analyses.

Key findings

Our results showed that apigenin reduced cell viability and proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner while increasing cytotoxicity in GBM cells. Treatment with apigenin-induced is poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage and caused cell cycle arrest at the G2M checkpoint. Furthermore, our data revealed that apigenin inhibited EGFR-mediated phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), AKT and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathways and attenuated the expression of Bcl-xL.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that apigenin has potent inhibitory effects on pathways involved in GBM proliferation and survival and could potentially be used as a therapeutic agent for GBM.
Hypothyroidism is associated with all‐cause mortality in a national cohort of chronic haemodialysis patients
Authors: Lin Hsuan‐Jen , Lin Chung‐Chih , Lin Hsuan Ming , Chen Hsuan‐Ju , Lin Che‐Chen , Chang Chiz‐Tzung , Chou Che‐Yi , Huang Chiu‐Ching
Published: March 2017

Aim

The prevalence of hypothyroidism is high in haemodialysis (HD) patients and hypothyroidism increases all‐cause mortality in HD patients. Comorbidities are common in HD patients and are associated with both mortality and hypothyroidism. The aim of the study is to explore the effect of the interactions of comorbidities and hypothyroidism on all‐cause mortality in HD patients.

Method

Patients with hypothyroidism (ICD‐9‐CM 244.0, 244.1, and 244.9) and matched patients without hypothyroidism in the Registry for Catastrophic Illness Patient Database of Taiwan Health Insurance from 2000 to 2010 were analyzed. The association of hypothyroidism and risk of all‐cause mortality was analyzed using Cox proportional hazard regression.

Result

Nine hundred and eight HD patients with hypothyroidism and 3632 sex‐, age‐, gender‐ matched HD patients without hypothyroidism were analyzed. Hypothyroidism was associated with increased all‐cause mortality with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.22 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10–1.36, P < 0.001]. TRT may decrease mortality associated with hypothyroidism (P < 0.001). There was a significant interaction (P = 0.04) between diabetes and hypothyroidism. There was no significant interaction found in hypothyroidism and the following comorbidities: hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral arterial disease, asthma, congestive heart failure and cancer.

Conclusion

Hypothyroidism is associated with increased all‐cause mortality in chronic HD patients. The interaction of hypothyroidism and diabetes, but not other common comorbidities in HD patients, has an effect on mortality risks.
Phylogenetic and recombination analysis of sorghum isolates of Sugarcane yellow leaf virus
Authors: ElSayed A. I. , Boulila M. , Odero D. C. , Komor E.
Published: March 2017

Recombination has played an important role in evolution and genetic diversity of Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (SCYLV) isolates sequenced to date. This study found that three newly sequenced SCYLV sorghum isolates from the USA underwent intraspecies recombination. No statistical significance on probable progeny–parent relationships involving SCYLV sorghum isolates were found in possible interspecies recombination with 18 members of the Luteoviridae family. Sorghum isolates deposited in the GenBank database under accession numbers KT960995, KT960996 and KT960997 were phylogenetically closely related to SCYLV genotypes IND, CUB and CHN1, all members of phylogroup II. Networked relationships among the sorghum isolates showed that numerous incompatibilities occurred in the sequences. These conflicting signals were probably due to recombination, especially in KT960997, which was heavily impacted by recombination. The KT960997 accession was positioned on a distinct branch compared to other members of phylogroup II, suggesting that it has probably emerged as a new genotype. Future studies on molecular evolution may reveal further insights into the adaptation capacity of these SCYLV lineages to new environments.