bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
YouTube channels influence on destination visit intentions
Authors: Arora Neelika , Lata Suman
Published: March 2020

Purpose

With the usage of social media and Web 2. 0, YouTube channels currently play a pivotal role in supporting a traveler’s destination visit. Travelers create their YouTube channels and share their past experiences in the form of videos, which helps other potential travelers to support their destination visit. The purpose of this paper is to understand how travelers adopt information through YouTube channels and how it influences the traveler’s intention to visit a destination.

Design/methodology/approach

A research model was constructed and empirically tested by using a sample of 486 respondents who watch YouTube channels before visiting a destination. Further, the hypotheses of this study were validated with the help of structural equation modeling using partial least squares. The respondents in this study were from Delhi.

Findings

This paper found comprehensiveness, relevance, timeliness, source expertise and attitude as the most significant predictors of a traveler’s destination visit intention through YouTube channel adoption. Further, source trustworthiness and accuracy were not found to be statistically significant.

Research limitations/Implications

The findings of this paper were based on data taken from the local respondents in Delhi. Further, it analyzed the influence of only seven dimensions on destination visit intention, which could have excluded some important factors that influence tourists’ destination visit intention.

Practical implications

This paper has provided implications for YouTube vloggers and tourists. The result proves that while making decisions regarding destination visit, tourists thinks critically and scrutinize the content of YouTube channels prior to deciding a destination. So, vloggers should provide relevant, comprehensive and accurate destination information through their videos to tourists.

Originality

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first in the Indian context to examine the adoption of YouTube channels before visiting destinations through information adoption models with additional constructs.
Lean: increase efficiency in stroke patient care
Authors: Heijndermans Maud , Maas Alexander , Dippel Diederik , Buijck Bianca
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Many healthcare organizations are looking for methods, such as Lean, to reduce their costs and increase the productivity of their professionals. The Lean method looks at every step in every process to assess if this step adds value for the customer or not. The aim of this study was to explore the value adding and non-value adding process steps in stroke patient admission in an integrated care stroke service in the Netherlands.

Design/methodology/approach

This study focused on discharge of stroke patients from hospital acute treatment, and they were admitted for rehabilitation. According to the Grounded Theory, value stream mapping, organized interviews and expert meetings and coded was used. A configuration analysis was used to distinguish aggregates and configurations.

Findings

The most reported issues concerned in the paper are as follows: (1) insufficient internal logistics in the hospital, (2) miscommunication about medical readiness for discharge of the patient, (3) missing or delayed medical patient information, (4) overlapping discharge interviews, (5) unsafe transfer of sensitive information and (6) waiting lists and queuing up in rehabilitation facility.

Originality/value

At least six main areas of waste were identified in this stroke service, and they form the target for waste reducing activities. The results give insight in possible wastes in healthcare organizations and are therefore beneficial for other healthcare organizations which are planning to reduce wastes.
Implementation of cloud ERP in the SME: evidence from UAE
Authors: Alsharari Nizar Mohammad , Al-Shboul Mohammad , Alteneiji Salem
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aims to explain the implementation of Cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) system and underlying factors and challenges that might be practiced by the users. It also provides a comparison between traditional and Cloud ERP systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses qualitative case study and analyzes the primary evidences from in-depth interviews. It conducts a thematic analysis of the interviews' findings. Furthermore, the current study uses three groups of factors (technological, management and environmental) that are expected to be best determinants of the Cloud ERP implementation.

Findings

The findings provide an evidence that using the Cloud EPR system, as alternative to on premise traditional ERP system, is constructive to the success of organizations and improve the quality of their decision-making process. The findings also reveal that effectiveness of implementing Cloud ERP is reliable on the provider's professionalism; hence resulting in issues related to minimize organizational independence.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is subjected to case studies limitations, as it lacks rigor and generalization. The paper has important implications for practitioners and decision-makers alike as it presents real-life example about Cloud ERP implementation. It thus enhances decision-makers' ability to make a relevant reporting process in the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Originality/value

This study can be considered as a one of very few case studies that discusses Cloud ERP implementation in UAE organizations particularly SMEs. It also provides three groups of factors (technological, management and environmental) that are influenced by the Cloud ERP implementation.
Overconfidence
Authors: Singh Robert Paul
Published: March 2020

Purpose

There has been significant growth in entrepreneurship research over the past several decades. Yet with all of the knowledge gained and presumably improved training of would-be entrepreneurs, firm failure rates remain persistently high. It is argued here that the historical and continued research focus on successful entrepreneurs has limited the field. Entrepreneurs are often considered to possess uniquely positive capabilities relative to the general population; this paper explores the possibility that the majority of entrepreneurs suffer from overconfidence and that this leads most entrepreneurs to make “bad bets” that result in underperformance and firm failure.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a qualitative review of the literature was performed.

Findings

Based on the literature review, three formal propositions are developed. The first two suggest that the majority of entrepreneurs are overconfident in their personal capabilities and the prospects for their new ventures. It is then proposed that this overconfidence leads to errors in judgment that results in financial underperformance and failure found among most new ventures.

Originality/value

This paper makes an important contribution to the entrepreneurship literature by arguing that overconfidence negatively impacts pre-founding decision-making such that entrepreneurs pursue flawed opportunities. Studying the issues raised in this paper may spur new lines of research and knowledge that lead to better entrepreneurial outcomes.
Political elites and social conflict governance in current China -the case of Tang Hui re-education through labour
Authors: Zhang Zhengzhou , Caluwaerts Didier
Published: March 2020

Purpose

In spite of unprecedented levels of social, economic and political development, Chinese politics is characterized by increasingly salient social contradictions, conflicts and even protests. As for the various measures taken by all levels of governments to maintain social stability in changing times, the effect is not obvious, and all kinds of social conflicts are still on the rise. The purpose of this paper is to find out the relationship between political elites and social conflicts and give advice on the adjustment of the governance mode of social conflicts in current China.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper attempts to conduct a detailed analysis of the case of Tang Hui re-education through labour to explore how social conflicts arise, upgrade and dissolve within the intention of political elites to maintain social stability in current China.

Findings

Political elites who are subject to the pressure of maintaining social stability cannot rely on public interests and civil rights as the full justification for their actions. Above all, they must place social stability first. In this sense, political elites are constructing the network of maintaining social stability and shaping social protests. Social elites use the media or the internet platform to exert public opinion influence and try to push social protests to final solutions. In this way, social elites deconstruct political elites’ network of maintaining social stability. However, the forces that enable social conflicts and protests to be resolved remain to be the network of maintaining social stability itself.

Originality/value

The case of Tang Hui re-education through labour is believed to have hastened the abolition of the system of re-education through labour. As it completely interprets the whole process of the generation, evolution and resolution of social conflicts in current China, this typical case can be considered as an ideal lens through which we can see the unique relationship between political elites and social conflicts, as well as the governance mode of social conflicts in current China.
Hospitality internship program insights
Authors: Pusiran Arif Kamisan , Janin Yuzainy , Ismail Sarimah , Dalinting Lorna Jimi
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide some insights on current industry internship practices and the perceptions of students during their internship experience. This paper also highlights some issues pertaining to internship from the students’ and the industry’s perspective

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilises qualitative research methodology using in-depth interviews.

Findings

The sources of conflict arising between the two parties need to be addressed carefully so as to create a win–win situation. The paper offers some suggestions for higher education institutions as to how to establish better guidelines for student internships as well as for industry operators..

Originality/value

Internship, industrial training, practical training or work-integrated learning refers to the involvement of students, institutions and colleges of higher learning in the industry. Internship provides an opportunity for students to experience first-hand, a work-related learning process. Given this, the involvement of industry in accepting students onto well-designed internship programmes is very much needed, so as to ensure the completion of a balanced period of study for a career in hospitality and tourism.
Multiple abiotic and biotic drivers of long‐term wood decomposition within and among species in the semi‐arid inland dunes: A dual role for stem diameter
Authors: Erdenebileg Enkhmaa , Wang Congwen , Ye Xuehua , Cui Qingguo , Du Juan , Huang Zhenying , Liu Guofang , Cornelissen Johannes H. C.
Published: March 2020

Litter decomposition in sunny, semi‐arid and arid ecosystems is controlled by both biotic factors including litter traits and abiotic factors including UV light, but for wood decomposition it still remains uncertain which of these environmental factors are the predominant controls among different woody species. In these dry ecosystems, it is likely that the stem diameter and spatial position of the dead wood are of particular importance especially where wood can be buried versus exposed due to substrate displacement by wind. Here we focus on the fact that stem diameter can affect decomposition rates bothviathe relative surface exposure to sunlight or soil andviahigher resource quality of narrower stems to decomposers.

In a field manipulation experiment, we investigated the relative importance of litter position (sand burial vs. surface vs. suspended above the surface), UV radiation (block versus pass) and stem diameter class (<2, 2–4, 4–8, 8–13 and 13–20 mm) on the mass loss of woody litters of four shrub species in an inland dune ecosystem in northern China.

We found that after 34 months of in situ incubation, the mass loss of buried woody litters was three times faster than those of suspended and surface woody litters (53.5 ± 2.7%, 17.0 ± 1.0% and 14.4 ± 1.2%, respectively). In surface and suspended positions, litter decomposition rates were almost equally low and most mass loss was during the first 2 years, when bark was still attached and UV radiation had no significant effect on woody litter mass loss. These findings suggest that sand burial is the main environmental driver of wood decompositionviaits control on microbial activity. Moreover, wood N and diameter class were the predominant factors driving woody litter decomposition. A key finding was that wider stems had slower litter decomposition rates not only directly (presumablyviagreater relative surface exposure) but also indirectlyviatheir higher wood dry matter content or lower wood N; these effects were modulated by litter position.

Our findings highlight a dual role of stem diameter on wood decomposition, that is,viarelative surface exposure andviawood traits. The accuracy and confidence of global carbon cycling models would be improved by incorporating the different effects of stem diameter on woody litter decomposition and below‐ground wood decomposition processes in drylands.

A freePlain Language Summarycan be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Population‐ and community‐level rarity have opposing effects on pollinator visitation and seed set
Authors: Brown Kaitlyn S. , Gilbert Benjamin
Published: March 2020

When can small, isolated populations overcome the negative consequences of rarity? Despite considerable effort to understand threats to rare species, few studies consider how community context alters these threats. Plant–pollinator interactions offer the opportunity to test the effect of community context on rare species success, as plant–pollinator dynamics are thought to be influenced by neighbouring plants, both through competition for pollinators (reducing success in small populations) and attraction of potential pollinators (increasing success in small populations). Here, we test these predictions by experimentally decoupling community‐level rarity (relative abundance) from population‐level rarity (population size) in experimental two‐species fragments.

We created experimental plant communities varying independently in population rarity (population size) and community rarity (relative abundance) of two annual plant species. We isolated plant roots to eliminate resource competition. We then compared the effects of population size versus relative abundance on pollinator visitation rates and an estimate of seed production.

Both species had greatest pollinator visitation in large populations, but the negative effects of population rarity on visitation were partially offset when the neighbouring species was more abundant—community rarity offset the impacts of population rarity for the most common group of pollinators, solitary bees. These visitation trends impacted seed production for one species. When at low relative abundance,Polanisia dodecandrahad higher seed set, matching increased visitation by solitary bees.Chamaecrista fasciculatashowed no change in seed production with population‐ or community‐level rarity.

Synthesis.Our results suggest that the surrounding community can offset the negative effects of low absolute abundance on fitness when neighbouring species are more abundant, and may ultimately maintain diversity even in fragmented ecological communities.
Atractylenolide III reduces NLRP3 inflammasome activation and Th1/Th2 imbalances in both in vitro and in vivo models of asthma
Authors: Zhu Cuimin , Zhang Leguo , Liu Zhiming , Li Chen , Bai Yajie , Wang Linlin
Published: March 2020

Paediatric asthma is a common inflammatory disease in children. Atractylenolide III is an active component of the Atractylodes rhizome, an herbal medicine that has been used as an asthma treatment. This study aimed to explore the effects and underlying mechanisms of atractylenolide III in IL‐4‐induced 16HBE cells and ovalbumin‐induced asthmatic mice. The results showed that IL‐4 stimulation significantly decreased, and atractylenolide III treatment increased, growth and apoptosis of 16HBE cells. In 16HBE cells, administration of atractylenolide III also significantly suppressed the IL‐4‐induced increases in the expression of cleaved caspase‐1; apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC); and nucleotide‐binding domain and leucine‐rich repeat protein 3 (NLRP3). Moreover, the numbers of total leukocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and macrophages significantly increased in ovalbumin‐induced mice, and then decreased after atractylenolide III treatment. In ovalbumin‐induced asthmatic mice, atractylenolide III treatment also significantly inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation and restored the Th1/Th2 balance. These results indicate that atractylenolide III reduced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and regulated the Th1/Th2 balance in IL‐4 induced 16HBE cells and ovalbumin‐induced asthmatic mice, suggesting it has a protective effect that may be useful in the treatment of paediatric asthma.
Toxic males: Density‐dependent male mating harassment can explain geographic parthenogenesis
Authors: Yamamichi Masato , Koizumi Ichiro
Published: March 2020

Understanding evolutionary forces that maintain sexual reproduction has been a central question in evolutionary biology, because the well‐known “two‐fold” cost of sex demands an explanation, especially since asexual reproduction (vegetative reproduction and parthenogenesis) often arises by mutation and hybridization. Geographic parthenogenesis, where asexual reproduction by close relatives of sexual lineages tends to be found in “marginal” habitats, has been considered a key pattern for studying the maintenance of sex. Recent studies of sexually reproducing populations have revealed that mating attempts by males can be harmful to females due to sexual conflict. Where that occurs and where there is a mixture of both sexual and asexual females, if male mating harassment is more harmful to asexual females than to sexual females, this may prevent the invasion of rare asexuals. Here, we use a simple ecological model with density‐dependent male mating harassment to show how asexual reproduction can become prevalent in habitats when environmental conditions are poor (i.e., low carrying capacities). The maintenance of sex is possible in a bistable system where abundant males are so harmful that they prevent the invasion of rare asexuals. However, male density is not large enough to suppress asexuals and sex is lost when carrying capacities are low or when sex ratio is highly male‐biased. While previous theoretical studies employed a frequency‐dependent model to study male mating harassment, we demonstrate that density‐dependence may be important to explain the dynamics in low population densities where there is geographical parthenogenesis.
Quantifying sample completeness and comparing diversities among assemblages
Authors: Chao Anne , Kubota Yasuhiro , Zelený David , Chiu Chun‐Huo , Li Ching‐Feng , Kusumoto Buntarou , Yasuhara Moriaki , Thorn Simon , Wei Chih‐Lin , Costello Mark J. , Colwell Robert K.
Published: March 2020

We develop a novel class of measures to quantify sample completeness of a biological survey. The class of measures is parameterized by an order q ≥ 0 to control for sensitivity to species relative abundances. When q = 0, species abundances are disregarded and our measure reduces to the conventional measure of completeness, that is, the ratio of the observed species richness to the true richness (observed plus undetected). When q = 1, our measure reduces to the sample coverage (the proportion of the total number of individuals in the entire assemblage that belongs to detected species), a concept developed by Alan Turing in his cryptographic analysis. The sample completeness of a general order q ≥ 0 extends Turing's sample coverage and quantifies the proportion of the assemblage's individuals belonging to detected species, with each individual being proportionally weighted by the (q − 1)th power of its abundance. We propose the use of a continuous profile depicting our proposed measures with respect to q ≥ 0 to characterize the sample completeness of a survey. An analytic estimator of the diversity profile and its sampling uncertainty based on a bootstrap method are derived and tested by simulations. To compare diversity across multiple assemblages, we propose an integrated approach based on the framework of Hill numbers to assess (a) the sample completeness profile, (b) asymptotic diversity estimates to infer true diversities of entire assemblages, (c) non‐asymptotic standardization via rarefaction and extrapolation, and (d) an evenness profile. Our framework can be extended to incidence data. Empirical data sets from several research fields are used for illustration.
Medicaid expansion and infant mortality, revisited: A difference‐in‐differences analysis
Authors: Wiggins Alexandra , Karaye Ibraheem M. , Horney Jennifer A.
Published: March 2020

Objective

To determine the association between Medicaid expansion and infant mortality rate (IMR) in the United States.

Data Sources

State‐level aggregate data on US IMR, race, and sex were abstracted from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide‐ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research.

Study Design

The association between Medicaid expansion and IMR adjusted for race and sex was assessed with multiple linear regression models using difference‐in‐differences estimation and Huber‐White robust standard errors.

Principal Findings

Difference‐in‐differences regression found no association between Medicaid expansion status and change in national IMR from 2010 to 2017 (Coef. = 0.04; 95% CI: −0.39, 0.46). However, among Hispanics, the program was found to be associated with reduction in IMR (Diff‐in‐Diff Coef. = −0.53; 95% CI: −1.02, −0.03).

Conclusions

Overall, the Affordable Care Act–induced Medicaid expansion was not associated with IMR reduction in expansion states relative to nonexpansion states. However, the program was associated with a significant IMR decline among Hispanics.
Florence Nightingale and Victorian Data Visualisation
Authors: Hedley Alison
Published: March 2020

Nightingale's visualisations of Crimean War deaths retain much of their power and beauty today, more than 160 years on. But at the time they were produced, when statisticians preferred tables to graphs, they were even more striking, says Alison Hedley
Proteomic signatures of in vivo muscle oxidative capacity in healthy adults
Authors: Adelnia Fatemeh , Ubaida‐Mohien Ceereena , Moaddel Ruin , Shardell Michelle , Lyashkov Alexey , Fishbein Kenneth W. , Aon Miguel A. , Spencer Richard G. , Ferrucci Luigi
Published: March 2020

Adequate support of energy for biological activities and during fluctuation of energetic demand is crucial for healthy aging; however, mechanisms for energy decline as well as compensatory mechanisms that counteract such decline remain unclear. We conducted a discovery proteomic study of skeletal muscle in 57 healthy adults (22 women and 35 men; aged 23–87 years) to identify proteins overrepresented and underrepresented with better muscle oxidative capacity, a robust measure of in vivo mitochondrial function, independent of age, sex, and physical activity. Muscle oxidative capacity was assessed by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy postexercise phosphocreatine (PCr) recovery time (τPCr) in the vastus lateralis muscle, with smaller τPCr values reflecting better oxidative capacity. Of the 4,300 proteins quantified by LC‐MS in muscle biopsies, 253 were significantly overrepresented with better muscle oxidative capacity. Enrichment analysis revealed three major protein clusters: (a) proteins involved in key energetic mitochondrial functions especially complex I of the electron transport chain, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, fatty acid oxidation, and mitochondrial ABC transporters; (b) spliceosome proteins that regulate mRNA alternative splicing machinery, and (c) proteins involved in translation within mitochondria. Our findings suggest that alternative splicing and mechanisms that modulate mitochondrial protein synthesis are central features of the molecular mechanisms aimed at maintaining mitochondrial function in the face of impairment. Whether these mechanisms are compensatory attempt to counteract the effect of aging on mitochondrial function should be further tested in longitudinal studies.
miR‐155‐5p inhibition rejuvenates aged mesenchymal stem cells and enhances cardioprotection following infarction
Authors: Hong Yimei , He Haiwei , Jiang Guojun , Zhang Hao , Tao Wuyuan , Ding Yue , Yuan Dongsheng , Liu Jing , Fan Huimin , Lin Fang , Liang Xiaoting , Li Xin , Zhang Yuelin
Published: March 2020

Aging impairs the functions of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), thereby severely reducing their beneficial effects on myocardial infarction (MI). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in regulating the senescence of MSCs; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigated the significance of miR‐155‐5p in regulating MSC senescence and whether inhibition of miR‐155‐5p could rejuvenate aged MSCs (AMSCs) to enhance their therapeutic efficacy for MI. Young MSCs (YMSCs) and AMSCs were isolated from young and aged donors, respectively. The cellular senescence of MSCs was evaluated by senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase (SA‐β‐gal) staining. Compared with YMSCs, AMSCs exhibited increased cellular senescence as evidenced by increased SA‐β‐gal activity and decreased proliferative capacity and paracrine effects. The expression of miR‐155‐5p was much higher in both serum and MSCs from aged donors than young donors. Upregulation of miR‐155‐5p in YMSCs led to increased cellular senescence, whereas downregulation of miR‐155‐5p decreased AMSC senescence. Mechanistically, miR‐155‐5p inhibited mitochondrial fission and increased mitochondrial fusion in MSCs via the AMPK signaling pathway, thereby resulting in cellular senescence by repressing the expression of Cab39. These effects were partially reversed by treatment with AMPK activator or mitofusin2‐specific siRNA (Mfn2‐siRNA). By enhancing angiogenesis and promoting cell survival, transplantation of anti‐miR‐155‐5p‐AMSCs led to improved cardiac function in an aged mouse model of MI compared with transplantation of AMSCs. In summary, our study shows that miR‐155‐5p mediates MSC senescence by regulating the Cab39/AMPK signaling pathway and miR‐155‐5p is a novel target to rejuvenate AMSCs and enhance their cardioprotective effects.
Efficacy of Er:YAG laser‐assisted direct pulp capping in permanent teeth with cariously exposed pulp: A pilot study
Authors: Wang Mengchen , Ma Lin , Li Qian , Yang Wendong
Published: March 2020

Direct pulp capping is a minimally invasive method to preserve pulp integrity. We evaluated the treatment efficacy of Er:YAG laser irradiation combined with direct pulp capping for pulp exposure due to caries. A total of 21 patients with 22 teeth were enrolled in the conventional group (calcium hydroxide), and 24 patients with 25 teeth were enrolled in the laser‐assisted group (Er:YAG laser irradiation at settings of 10 Hz, 50 mJ; combined with calcium hydroxide). The cumulative success rate of the conventional group and the laser‐assisted group was 68.2% and 91.7% at 12 months, respectively. Results showed that the laser‐assisted procedure increased the survival time (β = 0.04, OR = 0.07), while proximal‐occlusal cavities in molars decreased the survival time (β = 0.03, OR = 12.5). Er:YAG lasers improve the effectiveness of conventional direct pulp capping (using Dycal) with limited side‐effects and can be applied clinically.
Eleven faces of coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Dong Xiang , Cao Yi‐yuan , Lu Xiao‐xia , Zhang Jin‐jin , Du Hui , Yan You‐qin , Akdis Cezmi A. , Gao Ya‐dong
Published: March 2020

Background and aims

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection has recently spread worldwide and been declared a pandemic. We aim to describe here the various clinical presentations of this disease by examining eleven cases.

Methods

Electronic medical records of 11 patients with COVID‐19 were collected, and demographics, clinical manifestations, outcomes, key laboratory results, and radiological images are discussed.

Results

The clinical course of the eleven cases demonstrated the complexity of the COVID‐19 profile with different clinical presentations. Clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic cases to patients with mild and severe symptoms, with or without pneumonia. Laboratory detection of the viral nucleic acid can yield false‐negative results, and serological testing of virus‐specific IgG and IgM antibodies should be used as an alternative for diagnosis. Patients with common allergic diseases did not develop distinct symptoms and severe courses. Cases with a pre‐existing condition of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or complicated with a secondary bacterial pneumonia were more severe.

Conclusion

All different clinical characteristics of COVID‐19 should be taken into consideration to identify patients that need to be in strict quarantine for the efficient containment of the pandemic.
Disorganization of claudin‐11 and dysfunction of the blood‐testis barrier during puberty in a cryptorchid rat model
Authors: Kato Taiki , Mizuno Kentaro , Nishio Hidenori , Moritoki Yoshinobu , Kamisawa Hideyuki , Kurokawa Satoshi , Nakane Akihiro , Maruyama Tetsuji , Ando Ryosuke , Hayashi Yutaro , Yasui Takahiro
Published: March 2020

Background

Cryptorchidism is known to impair spermatogenesis. The blood‐testis barrier (BTB) becomes defined in seminiferous tubules around puberty and provides a suitable environment for germ cells. Little is known about the BTB in undescended testes (UDT).

Objectives

To determine the role of BTB during puberty in UDT using a non‐surgical cryptorchid rat model.

Material and Methods

Unilateral cryptorchid male rats were intraperitoneally injected with non‐steroidal antiandrogen during intrauterine development; the testes were harvested at 4, 5, and 6 weeks after birth. Testicular histology, expression levels of the BTB proteins (claudin‐11, occludin, zonula occludens‐1), and apoptotic cells were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and TUNEL assay. The functionality of the BTB was investigated by electron microscopy using the lanthanum tracer method.

Results

The testicular histology of undescended testes 6 weeks after birth showed maturation arrest at the spermatocyte level. The BTB protein distributions were altered in the UDT, with a noticeable difference in claudin‐11(CLDN11) localization from 4 to 5 weeks after birth between control and UDT samples. BTB protein levels were similar. More apoptotic germ cells were detected in the adluminal compartment of tubules in the UDT than in the control testes. Electron microscopy showed that the lanthanum tracer was limited to the BTB of control testes, whereas it penetrated the BTB of UDT.

Discussion

Here, loss of normal BTB function and impaired spermatogenesis were observed in UDT during puberty. CLDN11 is a pivotal tight junction protein belonging to the BTB. Tight junctions are considered as essential for normal spermatogenesis, and abnormal CLDN11 organization may cause UDT‐associated male infertility.

Conclusion

CLDN11 disorganization within the BTB may cause spermatogenic impairment, possibly by limiting the BTB function.
The development of an instrument to test pre‐service teachers’ beliefs consistent and inconsistent with self‐regulation theory
Authors: Darmawan I Gusti Ngurah , Vosniadou Stella , Lawson Michael J. , Van Deur Penny , Wyra Mirella
Published: March 2020

Background

Students are more effective when they employ appropriate strategies to regulate their learning processes and outcomes. However, many teachers do not provide, or provide very little, explicit instructions to promote this self‐regulated learning (SRL). This suggests that teachers’ belief systems may include beliefs that may be inconsistent with SRL.

Aims

This paper reported the validation of the 78‐item Beliefs about Teaching and Learning (BALT) instrument designed to measure pre‐service teachers’ beliefs about learning and teaching with particular emphasis on SRL.

Samples

Out of the 78 items included in the BALT instrument, 50 of them were administered in BALT 1 and 53 in BALT2 with 25 items administered in both surveys and were common to both instruments. The BALT 1 was administered to 430 pre‐service teachers. BALT 2 was administered to 366 pre‐service students.

Methods

Confirmatory factor analysis and the Rasch model were used to investigate the unidimensionality of the scales and psychometric properties of the items. In addition, the summated rating scale procedure was used to create composite scores for the examination of the coexistence of beliefs both consistent and inconsistent with SRL.

Results

Pre‐service teachers expressed high overall agreement with items related to beliefs consistent with SRL and low agreement with items related to beliefs inconsistent with SRL. However, many of them also indicated high agreement with items related to beliefs in Transmissive Teaching.

Conclusions

The study resulted in the development of a 58‐item instrument, which was balanced with respect to the inclusion of SRL‐consistent and SRL‐inconsistent items. This study also provided evidence for the coexistence of pre‐service teachers’ beliefs in Constructive Teaching and Transmissive Teaching.
Myelofibrosis biology and contemporary management
Authors: Gangat Naseema , Tefferi Ayalew
Published: March 2020

Myelofibrosis is an enigmatic myeloproliferative neoplasm, despite noteworthy strides in understanding its genetic underpinnings. Driver mutations involving JAK2, CALR or MPL in 90% of patients mediate constitutive JAK‐STAT signaling which, in concert with epigenetic alterations (ASXL1, DNMT3A, SRSF2, EZH2, IDH1/2 mutations), play a fundamental role in disease pathogenesis. Aberrant immature megakaryocytes are a quintessential feature, exhibiting reduced GATA1 protein expression and secreting a plethora of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (IL‐1 ß, TGF‐ß), growth factors (b‐FGF, PDGF, VEGF) in addition to extra cellular matrix components (fibronectin, laminin, collagens). The ensuing disrupted interactions amongst the megakaryocytes, osteoblasts, endothelium, stromal cells and myofibroblasts within the bone marrow culminate in the development of fibrosis and osteosclerosis. Presently, prognostic assessment tools for primary myelofibrosis (PMF) are centered on genetics, with incorporation of cytogenetic and molecular information into the mutation‐enhanced (MIPSS 70‐plus version 2.0) and genetically‐inspired (GIPSS) prognostic scoring systems. Both models illustrate substantial clinical heterogeneity in PMF and serve as the crux for risk‐adapted therapeutic decisions. A major challenge remains the dearth of disease‐modifying drugs, whereas allogeneic transplant offers the chance of long‐term remission for some patients. Our review serves to synopsise current appreciation of the pathogenesis of myelofibrosis together with emerging management strategies.
Child catastrophizing about parent chronic pain: A potential child vulnerability factor
Authors: Higgins Kristen S. , Chambers Christine T. , Rosen Natalie O. , Sherry Simon , Mohammadi Somayyeh , Lynch Mary E. , Campbell‐Yeo Marsha , Clark Alexander J.
Published: March 2020

Objective

Robust evidence suggests children’s catastrophizing about their own pain is a risk factor for poor child pain‐related outcomes. In children of parents with chronic pain, child catastrophizing about their parents’ pain might be a unique predictor of child pain‐related outcomes given their increased exposure to parental chronic pain and disability. The objective of this study was to examine associations between child and parent catastrophizing about their own and each other’s pain and child and parent pain‐related outcomes.

Methods

Seventy‐two parents with chronic pain and their children (ages 8–15) completed questionnaires assessing their trait catastrophizing about their own and each other’s pain, their own pain, and the child’s internalizing symptoms. Children completed the cold pressor task (CPT) in the presence of their parent. Parents and children rated children’s worst pain intensity and their own anxiety during the task. Analyses were guided by the Actor‐Partner Interdependence Model.

Results

Greater child catastrophizing about parent pain was associated with children’s and parents’ increased catastrophizing about their own pain. Child catastrophizing about parent pain was associated with greater child‐ and parent‐reported child internalizing symptoms and greater CPT pain intensity for the child, but not parent/child usual pain or CPT anxiety, over and above the influence of parent and child catastrophizing about their own pain.

Conclusions

Child catastrophizing about parent pain is a potential vulnerability factor associated with poor pain‐related outcomes in children of parents with chronic pain that should be considered in future research and clinical settings.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Higher rates of pain and internalizing symptoms are observed in offspring of parents with vs. without chronic pain.

Greater child and parent pain catastrophizing are associated with poorer pain‐related outcomes in children.

Child catastrophizing about parent chronic pain and its association with child outcomes has not been examined.

What does this study add?

Greater child catastrophizing about parent chronic pain is associated with greater child internalizing and CPT pain.

These effects were seen beyond the association of child and parent catastrophizing about their own pain.
Endothelium‐targeted overexpression of Krüppel‐like factor 11 protects the blood‐brain barrier function after ischemic brain injury
Authors: Zhang Xuejing , Tang Xuelian , Ma Feifei , Fan Yanbo , Sun Ping , Zhu Tianqing , Zhang Jifeng , Hamblin Milton H. , Chen Y. Eugene , Yin Ke‐Jie
Published: March 2020

Microvascular endothelial cell (EC) injury and the subsequent blood‐brain barrier (BBB) breakdown are frequently seen in many neurological disorders, including stroke. We have previously documented that peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ)‐mediated cerebral protection during ischemic insults needs Krüppel‐like factor 11 (KLF11) as a critical coactivator. However, the role of endothelial KLF11 in cerebrovascular function and stroke outcome is unclear. This study is aimed at investigating the regulatory role of endothelial KLF11 in BBB preservation and neurovascular protection after ischemic stroke. EC‐targeted overexpression of KLF11 significantly mitigated BBB leakage in ischemic brains, evidenced by significantly reduced extravasation of BBB tracers and infiltration of peripheral immune cells, and less brain water content. Endothelial cell‐selective KLF11 transgenic (EC‐KLF11 Tg) mice also exhibited smaller brain infarct and improved neurological function in response to ischemic insults. Furthermore, EC‐targeted transgenic overexpression of KLF11 preserved cerebral tight junction (TJ) levels and attenuated the expression of pro‐inflammatory factors in mice after ischemic stroke. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that KLF11 directly binds to the promoter of major endothelial TJ proteins including occludin and ZO‐1 to promote their activities. Our data indicate that KLF11 functions at the EC level to preserve BBB structural and functional integrity, and therefore, confers brain protection in ischemic stroke. KLF11 may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of ischemic stroke and other neurological conditions involving BBB breakdown and neuroinflammation.
Assessing skeletal muscle radiodensity by computed tomography: An integrative review of the applied methodologies
Authors: Poltronieri Taiara Scopel , de Paula Nathália Silva , Chaves Gabriela Villaça
Published: March 2020

Low‐radiodensity skeletal muscle has been related to the degree of muscle fat infiltration and seems to be associated with worse outcomes. The aim of this study was to summarize the methodologies used to appraise skeletal muscle radiodensity by computed tomography, to describe the terms used in the literature to define muscle radiodensity and to give recommendations for its measurement standardization. An integrative bibliographic review in four databases included studies published until August 2019 in Portuguese, English or Spanish and performed in humans, adults and/or the elderly, of both sex, which investigated skeletal muscle radiodensity through computed tomography (CT) of the region between the third and fifth lumbar vertebrae and evaluated at least two muscular groups. One hundred and seventeen studies were selected. We observed a trend towards selecting all abdominal region muscle. A significant methodological variation in terms of contrast use, selection of skeletal muscle areas, radiodensity ranges delimitation and their cut‐off points, as well as the terminologies used, was also found. The methodological differences detected are probably due to the lack of more precise information about the correlation between skeletal muscle radiodensity by CT and its molecular composition, among others. Therefore, until the gaps are addressed in future studies, authors should avoid arbitrary approaches when reporting skeletal muscle radiodensity, especially when it comes to prognosis inference. Studies using both CT and direct methods of muscle composition evaluation are encouraged, to enable the definition and validation of the best approach to classify fat‐infiltrated muscle tissue, which will favour the nomenclature uniformization.
Alcohol‐related male mortality in the context of changing alcohol control policy in Lithuania 2000–2017
Authors: Stumbrys Daumantas , Telksnys Tadas , Jasilionis Domantas , Liutkutė Gumarov Vaida , Galkus Lukas , Goštautaitė Midttun Nijolė , Štelemėkas Mindaugas
Published: March 2020

Introduction and Aims

Over the recent decades, Lithuania has reported very high alcohol‐related harm and mortality indicators when compared to other countries. This, among other reasons, led to an adoption of comprehensive evidence‐based alcohol control policy measures back in 2007 and 2016. The aim of this study is to examine alcohol‐related male mortality in the context of changing alcohol control policies over the period 2000–2017.

Design and Methods

The life table decomposition method was applied to estimate to what extent the age groups and causes of death are responsible for changes in male life expectancy in the period 2000–2017. Furthermore, a time series intervention model was used to study the impact of alcohol control measures on alcohol‐related mortality. A seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model was fitted.

Results

Male life expectancy increased by 6.23 years in the period 2007–2017, mainly due to a decrease in mortality from external causes of death (2.12 years), cardiovascular diseases (1.84 years) and alcohol‐related disorders (0.86 years). Reduced male mortality in the 30–64 years age group also contributed to a large increase in male life expectancy during the same period.

Discussion and Conclusions

The greatest positive effect of reduced alcohol‐related mortality to male life expectancy was observed during the period 2007–2009. It overlaps with the start of implementation of the comprehensive alcohol control measures. However, further research on the impact of different alcohol policy interventions on various outcomes is needed.
Comparing the mechanical properties of a self‐expandable metallic stent for colorectal obstruction: Proposed measurement method of axial force using a new measurement machine
Authors: Sasaki Takashi , Ishibashi Rei , Yoshida Shuntaro , Fujisawa Toshio , Shinagawa Hiroki , Gon Chimyon , Nakai Yousuke , Sasahira Naoki , Saida Yoshihisa , Isayama Hiroyuki
Published: March 2020

Objectives

Colorectal stenting is widely performed using self‐expandable metallic stents (SEMSs), but the mechanical properties have not been evaluated. Therefore, we conducted an in vitro study to evaluate the mechanical properties of colorectal SEMSs.

Methods

Eighteen individual types and sizes of uncovered SEMSs were evaluated for their mechanical properties. Radial force was measured using a measurement machine. Axial force (AF) was measured by two methods: a conventional manual method and a new method using a measurement machine. The correlation of these two methods was evaluated. We also proposed an “AF zero border” that was defined as the angle at which the torque force disappeared.

Results

Radial force versus diameter curves and AF versus angle curves were influenced by the structure and the size of each stent. There was excellent correlation of AFs measured by the new and conventional manual method (y = 21.434x, R = 0.881, P < 0.0001). Colorectal SEMSs could be categorized into five subgroups according to the mechanical properties. Most hook‐wired SEMSs had the AF of zero border.

Conclusions

This is the first report to evaluate the mechanical properties of colorectal SEMSs, and these data may provide useful information for the clinical use and development of colorectal SEMS. Furthermore, the new measurement machine might standardize the measuring method of AF.
Chemical cues from competitors change the oviposition preference of Drosophila suzukii
Authors: Kidera Hiroaki , Takahashi Kazuo H.
Published: March 2020

Although Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae) infests fresh and ripening fruits, it is attracted to fermented fruits as well. Because fermented fruits attract other flies too, if D. suzukii utilizes fermented fruits as oviposition substrates, competition can be more intense on them. To avoid such competition, D. suzukii may change oviposition preference when particular species of competitor flies are present, but the effect of odor cues associated with competitors on the oviposition preference of D. suzukii is still unknown. To examine such an effect, we investigated the oviposition preference of D. suzukii in the presence of four competitor fly species – Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, Drosophila lutescens Malloch, Drosophila rufa Kikkawa & Peng, and Drosophila auraria Peng – and D. suzukii itself. We prepared artificial substrates with yeast treatment (Y+: yeast supplementation, Y−: control) and competitor fly treatment (F+: pre‐inoculated with competitor fly odor, F−: control), and performed two‐choice experiments using the substrates with various Y and F treatments. Our results showed that D. suzukii oviposited more eggs on Y+ substrates than on Y− substrates when no competitor flies were present and the presence of competitor flies influenced D. suzukii’s oviposition preference for yeast‐supplemented substrates and its effect changed depending on the competitor fly species. If the presence of competitors around fallen fruits on the ground suppresses D. suzukii’s oviposition on the fallen fruits and facilitates the oviposition on non‐fermenting substrates in nature, it may drive D. suzukii to use ripening fruits on the tree. Such selective pressure may facilitate the evolution of morphological traits such as a serrated ovipositor in D. suzukii.