bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brillouin Microscopy Visualizes Centralized Corneal Edema in Fuchs Endothelial Dystrophy
Authors: Eltony Amira M. , Clouser Fatima , Shao Peng , Pineda Roberto , Yun Seok-Hyun
Published: October 2019

Purpose:

To investigate the feasibility of using Brillouin microscopy for assessment of corneal edema in patients with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). Brillouin microscopy analyzes the frequency shift of light inelastically scattered by naturally occurring acoustic waves in a small volume of tissue. The resulting frequency shift is a measure of the local hydromechanical properties of the tissue.

Methods:

Participants were scanned using a clinical Brillouin imaging system (780 nm laser, 5 mW), and a color-coded map of the mean Brillouin shift laterally across the corneal stroma was created.

Results:

Brillouin maps of normal subjects (n = 8) were relatively homogeneous, whereas maps of patients with FECD (n = 7) exhibited significantly reduced Brillouin shifts (unpaired t test, P < 0.001) centrally. The mean difference of 83 MHz corresponds to approximately 3.9% higher water content (percentage difference in volume fraction) in central corneas of the FECD group relative to normal subjects. The Brillouin scan of a patient with FECD 1 month after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty measured a 62 MHz increase in Brillouin shift relative to the preoperative level, indicating normalization of corneal hydration.

Conclusions:

All patients with FECD scanned exhibited a centralized reduction in Brillouin shift, distinct from the normal subjects measured and consistent with centralized edema characterized by pachymetry. Brillouin scans revealed substantially reduced water content after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty. These results suggest that Brillouin microscopy could aid treatment planning and assessment of FECD. Moreover, corneal hydration mapping may be useful in understanding fluid pump function dynamics of the cornea and developing early interventions for FECD.
Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Metabolic Syndrome in Firefighters
Authors: Leary David B. , Takazawa Mari , Kannan Kurunthachalam , Khalil Naila
Published: October 2019

Objective:

To compare association of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) profile among firefighters (FF) at airport to suburban FF.

Methods:

Cross-sectional exploratory study, 47 men FF aged 18 to 62 years were enrolled from two fire departments in Ohio. Association between MetS outcome and log transformed serum concentrations of four PFASs was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression.

Results:

PFASs serum concentrations were 18% to 74% higher in FF than the general population, and 21% to 62% higher in airport FF than suburban FF. Compared with US general population, an elevated risk of hypertension was noted in FF, but no significant association between PFASs and MetS was found.

Conclusions:

Current serum PFASs in FF are not associated with MetS risk.
Validation of the HL868ED upper-arm blood pressure monitor for clinical use and self-measurement according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol revision 2010
Authors: Zhang Wei , Lei Lei , Li Yan , Wang Ji-Guang
Published: October 2019

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the automated oscillometric upper arm blood pressure monitor HL868ED for clinical use and self-measurement according to the International Protocol of the European Society of Hypertension revision 2010.

Method

Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured sequentially in 43 adult Chinese (21 women, mean age 51.7 years) using a mercury sphygmomanometer (two observers) and the HL868ED device (one supervisor). A total of 99 pairs of comparisons were obtained from 43 participants for judgements in two parts with three grading phases.

Results

The HL868ED device achieved the targets in part 1 of the validation study. The number of absolute differences between device and observers within 5, 10 and 15 mmHg was 68/99, 91/99 and 97/99, respectively, for systolic blood pressure and 85/99, 95/99 and 99/99, respectively, for diastolic blood pressure. The device also fulfilled the criteria in part 2 of the validation study. Twenty-four and 30 participants for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively, had at least two of the three device-observer differences within 5 mmHg (required ≥24). Three participants for systolic and one participant for diastolic blood pressure had all the three device-observer comparisons greater than 5 mmHg.

Conclusion

The Health & Life blood pressure monitor HL868ED has passed the requirements of the International Protocol revision 2010 and hence can be recommended for blood pressure measurements in adults.
A pilot study of hypertension management using a telemedicine treatment approach
Authors: Wijkman Magnus , Carlsson Martin , Darwiche Gassan , Nystrom Fredrik H.
Published: October 2019

We recruited 78 men and 94 women to investigate if the proportion of subjects with well-controlled home blood pressure levels could be increased when treatment was guided by smartphone-based telemonitoring. All patients were prescribed one to three antihypertensive drugs. The Accumbo smartphone telemonitoring application was downloaded to the Iphones of the participants and home blood pressure information was gathered from semi-automatic oscillometric blood pressure-recorders by Bluetooth. The study physician adjusted the medications based on home blood pressure for 3 months. home blood pressure was controlled (<135/<85 mmHg) in 55 participants at baseline and in 56 subjects after 3 months (Chi-square P = 0.91). The 117 patients with initially uncontrolled home blood pressure had a drop in home blood pressure (from 138.0 ± 9.0/91.3 ± 6.5 mmHg to 133.4 ± 8.0/88.6 ± 6.1 mmHg, P < 0.001) and prescribed antihypertensive drugs increased from 1.71 ± 0.94/day to 2.00 ± 0.92/day, P < 0.0001. Thus, while the proportion of participants with controlled home blood pressure remained unchanged, the home blood pressure levels were lowered in participants who had uncontrolled home blood pressure at study start.
Association of lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio with the long-term outcome after hospital discharge in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Cai Mengxing , Liang Dongjie , Gao Feng , Hong Xia , Feng Xiafei , Yang Yating , Wu Shengjie , Huang Weijian
Published: October 2019

Objective

Lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), a novel systemic inflammatory factor, correlates with adverse outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, data are limited regarding the prognostic value of LMR in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after hospital discharge. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of admission LMR in hospital survivors of STEMI.

Methods

This retrospective observational study enrolled 1369 STEMI patients between 2014 and 2017. The study population was divided into three groups according to tertiles (T) of LMR (T1: ≥2.84; T2: 1.85–2.83; T3: <1.85). The primary outcomes were long-term outcomes after discharge including major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and all-cause mortality. The associations between LMR and long-term outcomes were assessed using Cox regression analysis.

Results

The median follow-up period was 556 days (interquartile range, 342–864 days). Independent correlations were observed between LMR and both long-term MACE and all-cause mortality. For long-term MACE, the T3 (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.74; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12–2.70; P = 0.013) and T2 groups (adjusted HR, 1.65; CI: 1.07–2.54; P = 0.024) showed significantly higher risk of MACE than did the T1 group. For long-term all-cause mortality, the adjusted HR was 3.07 (CI: 1.10–8.54; P = 0.032) in the T3 group and 2.35 (CI: 0.82–6.76; P = 0.112) in the T2 group compared with that of the T1 group.

Conclusion

Decreased admission LMR was independently associated with long-term all-cause mortality and MACE after discharge in patients with STEMI.
Inflammatory markers of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Yildirim Erkan , Ermis Emrah , Cengiz Mahir
Published: October 2019

Objective:

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is among the serious complications of invasive cardiovascular procedures that are performed with the administration of contrast agents. We investigated the role of the inflammatory markers in predicting CIN in acute coronary syndrome patients.

Methods:

This study included 232 consecutive patients with acute coronary syndrome who underwent emergency angiography at our center.

Results:

There were 38 (19.1%) patients in the CIN group (mean age: 62.4 ± 10.2; 68.4% male), and 162 patients in the non-CIN group (mean age: 62.1 ± 11.5; 60.5% male). In the CIN positive group, serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) (P < 0.001), uric acid (P < 0.001), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (P < 0.001), the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (P = 0.02) were higher, whereas vitamin D (P < 0.001), hemoglobin (P < 0.001) and baseline glomerular filtration rate (P = 0.011) were lower compared with the CIN negative group. The receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the cutoff point of GGT was 56 U/L for predicting CIN with a 84.2% sensitivity and a 72.2% specificity (area under the curve = 0.879, P < 0.001). The predictive value of GGT was the highest compared other inflammatory markers for CIN (area under the curve = 0.879).

Conclusion:

Our study showed that the levels of GGT, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, vitamin D, uric acid and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were the effective factors in development of CIN. The level of GGT was found as the most effective factor in prediction of the development of CIN.
Efficacy of nicorandil on the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with coronary heart disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Zhang Xue , Yang Shicheng , Zhang Peng , Fu Naikuan
Published: October 2019

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of nicorandil on the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with coronary heart disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods:

This study randomized 300 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention to receive conventional treatment in the control group (hydration only; n = 150) vs. nicorandil therapy (nicorandil 10 mg three times daily plus hydration; n = 150). The primary endpoint was the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy, defined as rise in serum creatinine ≥44.2 μmol/L or >25% above baseline within 72 hours after exposure to contrast administered during percutaneous coronary intervention. Secondary endpoints included differences in post-percutaneous coronary intervention serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine clearance rate, cystatin-C, and occurrence of major adverse events.

Results:

Contrast-induced nephropathy incidence was 3.3% (5/150) in the nicorandil group vs. 10.7% (16/150) in the control group (P < 0.05). At 48 and 72 hours after contrast administration, cystatin-C levels were significantly lower and creatinine clearance rate were significantly higher with nicroandil therapy compared to conventional treatment (all P values <0.05). No statistical difference was observed in the incidence of major post-procedure side effect events in hospital and fourteen days of follow-up period between the nicorandil group and control group (3.3% vs. 4.0%, P > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Compared to conventional treatment, oral nicorandil therapy was associated with less contrast-induced nephropathy and improved renal function following contrast administration during percutaneous coronary intervention.
Testing the Testers: Are Young Men Who Have Sex With Men Receiving Adequate HIV Testing and Counseling Services?
Authors: Bauermeister José A. , Golinkoff Jesse M. , Lin Willey Y. , Claude Kristina F. , Horvath Keith J. , Dowshen Nadia , Schlupp Anderson , Vickroy William J. , Desir Kimberly , Lopez Alexander V. , Castillo Marné , Tanney Mary , Wimbly Taylor A. , Leung Kingsley , Sullivan Patrick S. , Santiago Dalisa L. , Hernandez Rogelio , Paul Mary E. , Hightow-Weidman Lisa , Lee Sonia , Stephenson Rob
Published: October 2019

Background:

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention promote HIV testing every 6 months among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) to facilitate entry into the HIV prevention and care continuum. Willingness to be tested may be influenced by testing services' quality. Using a novel mystery shopper methodology, we assessed YMSM's testing experiences in 3 cities and recommend service delivery improvements.

Methods:

We assessed YMSM's experiences at HIV testing sites in Philadelphia (n = 30), Atlanta (n = 17), and Houston (n = 19). YMSM (18–24) were trained as mystery shoppers and each site was visited twice. After each visit, shoppers completed a quality assurance survey to evaluate their experience. Data were pooled across sites, normed as percentages, and compared across cities.

Results:

Across cites, visits averaged 30 minutes (SD = 25.5) and were perceived as welcoming and friendly (70.9%). YMSM perceived most sites respected their privacy and confidentiality (84.3%). YMSM noted deficiencies in providers' competencies with sexual minorities (63.4%) and comfort during the visit (65.7%). Sites underperformed on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender visibility (49.6%) and medical forms inclusivity (57.95%). Sites on average did not discuss YMSM's relationship context (49.8%) nor provide risk reduction counseling (56.8%) or safer sex education (24.3%). Sites delivered pre-exposure prophylaxis information and counseling inconsistently (58.8%).

Conclusions:

Testing sites' variable performance underscores the importance of improving HIV testing services for YMSM. Strategies are recommended for testing sites to promote cultural sensitivity: funding staff trainings, creating systems to assess adherence to testing guidelines and best practices, and implementing new service delivery models.
Pregnancy Coercion as a Risk Factor for HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Young African American Women
Authors: Capasso Ariadna , DiClemente Ralph J. , Wingood Gina M.
Published: October 2019

Background:

Pregnancy coercion (PC), defined as a restriction of women's reproductive autonomy, may be associated with increased HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) risk. However, there are few empirical studies defining the association between PC and HIV risk, particularly among vulnerable African American women.

Setting and Methods:

African American women (N = 560), ages 17–24, completed an audio computer-assisted self-interview assessing PC prevalence and its association with HIV/STI risk. Women were screened for prevalent STIs using polymerase chain reaction assays. Multivariate logistic and linear regressions evaluated the association of PC and multiple HIV/STI risk-associated outcomes.

Results:

Women who had experienced PC in the last 3 months, relative to those not experiencing PC, were 78% more likely to test positive for an STI [adjusted odds ratio = 1.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.10 to 2.90]. Among women who experienced PC, odds of noncondom use in their last sexual encounter were 3.45-fold greater relative to women not experiencing PC (95% CI = 1.55 to 7.85). Women who experienced PC had lower condom use intentions (coefficient, −1.31, P = 0.002), greater fear of condom negotiation, and perceived more barriers to condom use (coefficients, 3.89 and 5.74, respectively, both P < 0.001). Women who experienced PC had 1.98 (95% CI = 1.22 to 3.21) and 1.82 (95% CI = 1.09 to 3.04) odds of depression and HIV worry relative to women not experiencing PC.

Conclusion:

Among African American women, PC was associated with a range of adverse sexual health outcomes and HIV/STI-related behaviors and attitudes. The findings underscore the need for promoting gender-equitable social norms in HIV prevention interventions.
Using Interrupted Time Series Analysis to Measure the Impact of Legalized Syringe Exchange on HIV Diagnoses in Baltimore and Philadelphia
Authors: Ruiz Monica S. , O'Rourke Allison , Allen Sean T. , Holtgrave David R. , Metzger David , Benitez Jose , Brady Kathleen A. , Chaulk C. Patrick , Wen Leana S.
Published: October 2019

Background:

Syringe exchange programs (SEP) reduce HIV incidence associated with injection drug use (IDU), but legislation often prohibits implementation. We examined the policy change impact allowing for SEP implementation on HIV diagnoses among people who inject drugs in 2 US cities.

Setting:

Philadelphia, PA, and Baltimore, MD.

Methods:

Using surveillance data from Philadelphia (1984–2015) and Baltimore (1985–2013) for IDU-associated HIV diagnoses, we used autoregressive integrated moving averages modeling to conduct 2 tests to measure policy change impact. We forecast the number of expected HIV diagnoses per city had policy not changed in the 10 years after implementation and compared it with the number of observed diagnoses postpolicy change, obtaining an estimate for averted HIV diagnoses. We then used interrupted time series analysis to assess the immediate step and trajectory impact of policy change implementation on IDU-attributable HIV diagnoses.

Results:

The Philadelphia (1993–2002) model predicted 15,248 new IDU-associated HIV diagnoses versus 4656 observed diagnoses, yielding 10,592 averted HIV diagnoses over 10 years. The Baltimore model (1995–2004) predicted 7263 IDU-associated HIV diagnoses versus 5372 observed diagnoses, yielding 1891 averted HIV diagnoses over 10 years. Considering program expenses and conservative estimates of public sector savings, the 1-year return on investment in SEPs remains high: $243.4 M (Philadelphia) and $62.4 M (Baltimore).

Conclusions:

Policy change is an effective structural intervention with substantial public health and societal benefits, including reduced HIV diagnoses among people who inject drugs and significant cost savings to publicly funded HIV care.
Sir Harold Delf Gillies—The Surgeon Artist
Authors: Gebran Selim G. , Nam Arthur J.
Published: October 2019

Harold Gillies, a plastic surgeon who created the discipline of plastic surgery and trained hundreds of young surgeons, was foremost an artist. In a short historical perspective, we illustrate this facet of the Gillies' life through a friendship with the British ecologist William Sladen and a painting that Gillies drew during their encounters.
Coupling functions in climate
Authors: Moon Woosok , Wettlaufer John S.
Published: October 2019

We examine how coupling functions in the theory of dynamical systems provide a quantitative window into climate dynamics. Previously, we have shown that a one-dimensional periodic non-autonomous stochastic dynamical system can simulate the monthly statistics of surface air temperature data. Here, we expand this approach to two-dimensional dynamical systems to include interactions between two sub-systems of the climate. The relevant coupling functions are constructed from the covariance of the data from the two sub-systems. We demonstrate the method on two tropical climate indices, the El-Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), to interpret the mutual interactions between these two air–sea interaction phenomena in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The coupling function reveals that the ENSO mainly controls the seasonal variability of the IOD during its mature phase. This demonstrates the plausibility of constructing a network model for the seasonal variability of climate systems based on such coupling functions.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Coupling functions: dynamical interaction mechanisms in the physical, biological and social sciences’.
Identification of the coupling functions between the process and the degradation dynamics by means of the variational Bayesian inference: an application to the solid-oxide fuel cells
Authors: Dolenc Boštjan , Juričić Đani , Boškoski Pavle
Published: October 2019

Understanding the way in which the degradation of a system's component is coupled to the system's dynamics is highly relevant for the monitoring and control of modern engineering systems. This paper focuses on the identification of coupling functions that describe the relationship between the system's dynamics and the degradation rate in solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks. Based on the degradation dynamics estimated from data acquired online, we can design timely mitigation actions as well as optimal maintenance interventions. We introduce a computationally tractable identification approach that takes into account prior knowledge of the form of the coupling function that is found experimentally for a certain degradation mechanism. The nonlinear coupling function is estimated using variational Bayesian inference. The approach is tested on a 1600 h recording from a SOFC system. It is shown that the use of the prior form of the coupling function results in a superior prediction of the degradation, when compared with that obtained using purely data-driven black-box models. The reliable convergence of the variational Bayesian method and the simplicity of its implementation make it a promising tool for the in-field performance monitoring of SOFC systems.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Coupling functions: dynamical interaction mechanisms in the physical, biological and social sciences’.
Distinct roles of BRCA2 in replication fork protection in response to hydroxyurea and DNA interstrand crosslinks
Authors: Rickman Kimberly A. , Noonan Ray , Lach Francis P. , Sridhar Sunandini , Wang Anderson T. , Abhyankar Avinash , Kelly Michael , Auerbach Arleen D. , Smogorzewska Agata
Published: October 2019

DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs) are a form of DNA damage that requires the interplay of a number of repair proteins including those of the Fanconi anemia (FA) and the homologous recombination (HR) pathways. Pathogenic variants in the essential gene BRCA2/FANCD1, when monoallelic, predispose to breast and ovarian cancer, and when biallelic, results in a severe subtype of Fanconi anemia. BRCA2 function in the FA pathway is attributed to its role as a mediator of the RAD51 recombinase in HR repair of the programmed DNA double strand breaks (DSB). BRCA2 and RAD51 functions are also required to protect stalled replication forks from nucleolytic degradation during response to hydroxyurea (HU). While RAD51 has been shown to be necessary in the early steps of ICL repair to prevent aberrant nuclease resection, the role of BRCA2 in this process has not been described. Here, based on the analysis of BRCA2 DNA binding domain (DBD) mutants discovered in FA patients presenting with atypical FA-like phenotypes, we establish that BRCA2 is necessary for protection of DNA at an ICL. Cells carrying DBD BRCA2 mutations are sensitive to ICL inducing agents but resistant to HU treatment consistent with relatively high HR repair in these cells. BRCA2 function at an ICL protects against DNA2-WRN nuclease-helicase complex and not the MRE11 nuclease implicated in the resection of HU-stalled replication forks. Our results also indicate that unlike the processing at HU-stalled forks, function of the SNF2 translocases (SMARCAL1, ZRANB3, or HLTF), implicated in fork reversal, are not an integral component of the ICL repair, pointing to a different mechanism of fork protection at different DNA lesions.
Chemogenomic screening Identifies the Hsp70 Co-chaperone HDJ2 as a Hub for Anticancer Drug Resistance
Authors: Nitika  , Blackman Jacob S. , Knighton Laura E. , Takakuwa Jade E. , Calderwood Stuart K. , Truman Andrew W.
Published: October 2019

Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is an important molecular chaperone that regulates oncoprotein stability and tumorigenesis. However, attempts to develop anti-chaperone drugs targeting molecules such as Hsp70 have been hampered by toxicity issues. Hsp70 is regulated by a suite of co-chaperone molecules that bring “clients” to the primary chaperone for efficient folding. Therefore, rather than targeting Hsp70 itself, here we have examined the feasibility of inhibiting the co-chaperone HDJ2, a member of the J domain protein family, as a novel anticancer strategy. We found HDJ2 to be upregulated in a variety of cancers, suggesting a role in malignancy. To confirm this role, we screened the NIH Approved Oncology collection for chemical-genetic interactions with loss of HDJ2 in cancer. 41 compounds showed strong synergy with HDJ2 loss, whereas 18 dramatically lost potency. Several of these hits were validated using a HDJ2 inhibitor (116-9e) in castration-resistant prostate cancer cell (CRPC) and spheroid models. Taken together, these results confirmed that HDJ2 is a hub for anticancer drug resistance and that HDJ2 inhibition may be a potent strategy to sensitize cancer cells to current and future therapeutics.

Graphical Abstract

HDJ2 knockout or inhibition via small molecule impacts cellular resistance to anticancer therapeutics.
Novel roles of Kinesin-13 and Kinesin-8 during cell growth and division in the mossPhyscomitrella patens
Authors: Leong Shu Yao , Edzuka Tomoya , Goshima Gohta , Yamada Moé
Published: October 2019

Kinesin-13 and -8 are well-known microtubule (MT) depolymerases that regulate MT length and chromosome movement in animal mitosis. While much is unknown about plant Kinesin-8,Arabidopsisand rice Kinesin-13 have been shown to depolymerise MTsin vitro. However, mitotic function of both kinesins has yet to be understood in plants. Here, we generated the complete null mutants in plants ofKinesin-13and-8in the mossPhyscomitrella patens. Both kinesins were found to be non-essential for viability, but theKinesin-13knockout (KO) line had increased mitotic duration and reduced spindle length, whereas theKinesin-8KO line did not display obvious mitotic defects. Surprisingly, spindle MT poleward flux, for which Kinesin-13 is responsible for in animals, was retained in the absence of Kinesin-13. Concurrently, MT depolymerase activity of either moss kinesins could not be observed, with MT catastrophe inducing (Kinesin-13) or MT gliding (Kinesin-8) activity observedin vitro. Interestingly, both KO lines showed waviness in their protonema filaments, which correlated with positional instability of the MT foci in their tip cells. Taken together, the results suggest that plant Kinesin-13 and -8 have diverged in both mitotic function and molecular activity, acquiring new roles in regulating MT foci positioning for directed tip-growth.

One sentence summary

This study uncovered the roles of Kinesin-13 and Kinesin-8 in regulating microtubule dynamics for mitotic spindle formation and straight tip cell growth in the moss Physcomitrella patens
Leishmaniainfection triggers hepcidin-mediated proteasomal degradation of Nramp1 resulting in increased phagolysosomal iron availability
Authors: Banerjee Sourav , Datta Rupak
Published: October 2019

Natural resistance associated macrophage protein 1 (Nramp1) was discovered as a genetic determinant of resistance against multiple intracellular pathogens, includingLeishmania. It encodes a transmembrane protein of the phago-endosomal vesicles, where it functions as an iron transporter. But how Nramp1 expression is regulated in an infected macrophage is unknown. Its role in controlling iron availability to the intracellular pathogens and in determining the final outcome of an infection also remains to be fully deciphered. Here we report that Nramp1 protein abundance undergoes temporal changes inLeishmania majorinfected macrophages. At 12 hours post infection, there was drastic lowering of Nramp1 level accompanied by increased phagolysosomal iron availability and enhanced parasite growth.Leishmaniainfection-induced downregulation of Nramp1 was found to be caused by ubiquitin-proteasome degradation pathway. In fact, blocking of Nramp1 degradation with proteasome inhibitor resulted in depletion of phagolysosomal iron pool with significant reduction in the number of intracellular parasites. Further, we uncovered that this degradation process is mediated by the iron regulatory peptide hormone hepcidin that binds to Nramp1. Interestingly, Nramp1 protein level was restored to normalcy after 30 hours of infection with a concomitant drop in the phagolysosomal iron level, which is suggestive of a host counter defense strategy to deprive the pathogen of this essential micronutrient. Taken together, our study implicates Nramp1 as a central player in the host-pathogen battle for iron. It also unravels Nramp1 as a novel partner for hepcidin. The hitherto unidentified ‘hepcidin-Nramp1 axis’ may have a broader role in regulating macrophage iron homeostasis.

Importance

Leishmaniaparasites are the causative agents of a group of neglected tropical diseases called leishmaniasis. They reside within the phagolysosomes of mammalian macrophages. Since iron is an essential micronutrient for survival and virulence, intracellularLeishmaniamust acquire it from the tightly regulated macrophage iron pool. How this challenging task is accomplished remains a fundamental question inLeishmaniabiology. We report here thatLeishmania majorinfection caused ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated degradation of natural resistance associated macrophage protein 1 (Nramp1). Nramp1 being an iron exporter at the phago-endosomal membrane, its degradation resulted in increased phagolysosomal iron availability thereby stimulating parasite growth. We also uncovered that Nramp1 degradation is controlled by the iron regulatory peptide hormone hepcidin. Interestingly, at a later stage of infection, Nramp1 protein level was restored to normalcy with simultaneous depletion of phagolysosomal iron. Collectively, our study implicates Nramp1 as a central player in the host-pathogen struggle for acquiring iron.
Impact of substrate-template stability, temperature, phosphate location, and nick-site base pairs on non-enzymatic DNA ligation: Defining parameters for optimization of ligation rates and yields with carbodiimide activation
Authors: Obianyor Chiamaka , Newnam Gary , Clifton Bryce , Grover Martha A. , Hud Nicholas V.
Published: October 2019

Non-enzymatic, chemical ligation is an important tool for the generation of synthetic DNA structures, which are used for a wide range of applications. Surprisingly, reported chemical ligation yields range from 30% to 95% for the same chemical activating agent and comparable DNA structures. We report a systematic study of DNA ligation using a well-defined bimolecular test system and water-soluble carbodiimide (EDC) as a phosphate-activating agent. Our results reveal interplay between template-substrate stability and the rates of the chemical steps of ligation, which can cause yields to increase or decrease with increasing temperature. Phosphate location at the nick site also exhibits a strong influence on ligation rates and yields, with a 3’ phosphate providing yields near 100% after 24 hours for particularly favourable reaction conditions, while comparable reactions with the phosphate on the 5’ position of the nick site only reach 40% ligation even after 48 hours. Ligation rates are also shown to be sensitive to the identity of base pairs flanking a nick site, with some varying by more than three-fold. Finally, DNA substrate modification by EDC can, in some cases, make long reaction times and repeated addition of EDC an ineffective strategy for increasing ligation yields.
Critical reflection in leadership development
Authors: Wu Yingting , Crocco Oliver
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper explores the role of critical reflection in the context of leadership development and how it is measured. The purpose of this paper is to review theoretical and empirical research that captures the application of critical reflection in leadership development.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is an integrative literature review of peer-reviewed journal articles on critical reflection in leadership development. The search revealed 172 peer-reviewed journal articles based on the search terms. The authors conducted a staged review of the abstracts and identified a final sample of 27 empirical articles and 12 non-empirical articles for review.

Findings

The findings of this review show that critical reflection is an essential tool for leadership development and has been utilized in a variety of ways and through multiple theoretical perspectives. Despite being relied on heavily in leadership development, the measurement for critical reflection is not well established in the literature.

Originality/value

The researchers propose a conceptual model that integrates the phases and levels of critical reflection as well as the desired outcomes in leadership development. Implications for leadership development are also discussed.
Unveiling the key features of a positive service experience at hostels
Authors: Veríssimo Medéia , Costa Carlos
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to unveil the factors that contribute to a positive hostel experience by electing key features and describing their nature from a customer perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses an exploratory, empirical approach, applying netnography to collect information about guests’ experiences from the five selected top-rated hostels in Europe and Latin America. A content analysis of 500 positive reviews was conducted exploring the critical features of service experience in hostel sector. Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro were selected for this study as they are among the destinations that have received top-rated hostel awards.

Findings

The findings reveal that a hostel experience carries a more symbolic than utilitarian meaning, especially in relation to its social dimension. Results indicate that a hostel stay is positively enhanced by ten key features, namely, staff, supplementary services (e.g. social activities), facilities, location, atmosphere, guests’ interactions, cleanliness, design and decoration, value for money and safety. Staff, supplementary services and facilities were the most mentioned hostel features, which emphasizes their potential to create a favourable environment for social interactions.

Research limitations/implications

Findings are restricted to a limited sample size and geographical area. The main limitation of the study lies, though, in the lack of studies concerning the specific context of hostels within a service experience approach.

Practical implications

Some hostels renounce low-quality stigma to establish themselves as a “cool” type of tourist accommodation. Offering a stay based on good value for money and social atmosphere, these establishments are shaping the industry’s future by both redefining the contemporary hostel’s image and attending to modern travellers’ specific needs. Given the increasing importance of hostels to tourism, this study provides information to scholars and industry practitioners who are interested in understanding how service experience can be enhanced in the hospitality industry.

Originality/value

This paper is a preliminary in-depth examination of factors that positively influence a hostel stay from a customer experience perspective. Thus, it provides insights into service experience management for the tourist accommodation sector.
Justice motivation theory in sustainable home purchases
Authors: Nadeau John , Wardley Leslie , Dorohoi Alexander
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the understudied topic of sustainability as a factor in the Canadian residential real estate purchase decision using the unique lens of justice motivation theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative approach, the study draws on transcripts from 14 interviews with realtors and residential buyers in three different Ontario cities. This paper adopts an exploratory perspective to investigate justice-based motivations related to sustainability in the real estate decision process.

Findings

The research finds that the three requirements of justice motivation are satisfied in the context of a broad understanding of sustainability that includes social, economic and environmental dimensions. The residential real estate decision offers opportunities for sellers to appeal to those motivated by justice.

Practical implications

Policymakers should consider ways of easing these barriers for those consumers who a financially unable to satisfy their justice motivation when purchasing a home as well as bolstering regulatory enforcement. Sellers should clearly articulate functional explanations of features as well as benefits to enhance the cognitive processing of the sustainable home as a choice alternative.

Originality/value

This paper makes a unique contribution by arguing that the social psychology theory of justice motivation helps explain the role of sustainability in the residential real estate purchase decision-making process.
Putting sustainability research into practice on the university campus
Authors: Eppinga Maarten B. , Lozano-Cosme Jenny , de Scisciolo Tobia , Arens Patrick , Santos Maria J. , Mijts Eric N.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Despite increasing efforts to incorporate sustainability in curricula and practices of institutions of higher education, effective implementation remains challenging. The purpose of this study is to present an approach to incorporate sustainability into a practice-oriented research skills course, which was implemented at a small island state university in the Caribbean.

Design/methodology/approach

First-year university students followed a four-week course module, starting with the introduction of the sustainable development goals, and culminating in a symposium in which the students present the findings of their research projects to the campus community. Pre-course module and post-course module surveys measured the students’ knowledge and perceptions regarding sustainability. These survey results were also compared with the result of a similar survey held for the university’s employees.

Findings

The survey results suggested that following the course module increased students’ knowledge about sustainable development, as well as their support for the university campus and its community putting more emphasis on teaching, practicing and encouraging sustainability. Interestingly, university employees scored significantly higher on the latter component than students, suggesting that in this case a lack of interest of the staff is not a barrier toward a sustainable campus.

Originality/value

The presented course module offers a novel and low-cost approach to introducing sustainability into a broad range of academic curricula, specifically tailored to the needs of institutes of higher education in small island states. The survey results suggest that this type of education may not only ensure reaching academic goals but also increase students’ interest in sustainable development within their local environment.
Postcode (in)justice: location and bail support services
Authors: Colvin Emma
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of location on access to justice for vulnerable defendants seeking bail.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative interviews were conducted with legal practitioners from rural, suburban and urban areas as part of a larger study into bail support services in Victoria, Australia.

Findings

Interview participants identified a dearth of bail support resources in rural, regional and remote (RRR) areas compared to their urban counterparts. This dearth impacted negatively on some defendants’ outcomes in the justice system, particularly for young people and those experiencing homelessness.

Practical implications

This study helps in improving policy through greater understanding of issues with RRR service provision; adds to knowledge for service providers on access to justice; highlights specific areas of concern for vulnerable populations; and provides a more nuanced understanding of location-based issues.

Originality/value

This research found that resourcing issues cannot be understood simply through an RRR/urban binary and that more complex factors impacting access to justice and access to services for vulnerable people should be incorporated into future analysis and policy development. This more nuanced understanding is useful across national and international contexts when developing policies to improve bail support service provision.
The German advertising industry – from 1950 to 2018
Authors: Hesse Damian , Lurie Katja
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the development of the German advertising industry starting from 1950 to 2018 with a special focus on the American influence.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses the oral history methodology. The content is based on 27 semi-structured interviews with current and former experts from the German and American advertising industry. An analysis of secondary sources supports the line of argumentation.

Findings

The paper confirms the outstanding role of the American influence on the German advertising industry, owing to new standards of professionalism, to novel versions of terminology and to the introduction of the theory of marketing. However, incompatible management styles, increasing global competition and financial pressure diminished the impact. Likewise, the American interference did not suppress the development of specific German industry characteristics such as a strong entrepreneurial culture or sustainable leadership.

Originality/value

This paper provides an overview of the history of German advertising with a focus on advertising agencies in the period from 1950 to today (2018). Further, this paper assesses the special impact of the American influence on the German advertising industry. Further, subjects of investigation are particularities of the German advertising industry, such as special attributes of agency leaders and their relationship with clients, distinct versions of ownership structures, agency service offerings and, finally, the role of creativity.
Digital transparency and public accountability in Spanish universities in online media
Authors: Ramírez Yolanda , Tejada Ángel
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent and quality of online intellectual capital (IC) disclosure released via websites and social media in relation to university stakeholders’ information needs in Spanish public universities. In addition, this paper examines whether there are differences in the online IC disclosure according to the type of university.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies content analysis and a survey. The content analysis was used to analyse the websites and social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram) of all Spanish public universities in the year 2019, whereas the survey was submitted to all members of the Social Councils of Spanish public universities.

Findings

The findings indicate that university stakeholders attach great importance to online disclosure of specific information about IC. However, the findings emphasise that Spanish universities’ website and social media content are still in their infancy. Specifically, this study found that the quality of disclosed information on IC in public universities’ websites is of low level, particularly with regard to the disclosure of relational capital. The study found that the information provided by Spanish public universities via social media mainly concerns the structural and relational capital. Likewise, the results of this paper evidence that the larger and more internationally focused universities reveal more online information on IC.

Practical implications

The results of the research may be beneficial for managers of higher education institutions as a basis for developing adequate strategies addressing IC disclosure through the websites. In order to satisfy the information needs of university stakeholders, Spanish universities can be recommended to focus on reporting higher-quality information on financial relations, students’ satisfaction, quality standard, work-related knowledge/know-how and collaboration between universities and other organisations such as firms, local government and society as a whole.

Originality/value

This study explores two innovative tools to provide IC disclosure in the higher education institutions context, namely, websites and social media, whereas previous studies focused on traditional tools as annual report. Likewise, this study considers the quality of this information.
Crisis as a plague on organisation: Defoe andA Journal of the Plague Year
Authors: Knowles Deborah , Ruth Damian William , Hindley Clare
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to enrich the understanding of current models of organisational response to crises and offer additional perspectives on some of these models. It is also intended to confirm the value of fiction as a truth-seeking and hermeneutic device for enriching the imagination.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses Daniel Defoe’s 1722 novelA Journal of the Plague Yearto draw parallels between his portrayal of the London Great Plague of 1665 and the management of modern-day crises. Defoe uses London’s ordeal of the Great Plague to advise those subjected to future crises. Through his representation of plague-ridden streets, Defoe shows stakeholders acting in ways described in current crisis management literature.

Findings

The authors note how the management of the Plague crisis was unsuccessful and they challenge the very idea of managing a true crisis. The authors are able to illustrate and offer refinements to the Pearson and Clair (1998) and Janes (2010) models of crisis management as well as confirming the value of their constructs across a lapse of centuries.

Research limitations/implications

Although it is an examination of a single novel, the findings suggest value in conceptualising organisational crises in innovative and more imaginative ways.

Originality/value

It confirms the heuristic value of using fiction to understand organisational change and adds value to current models.
Diagnosis of wind turbine faults using generator current signature analysis: a review
Authors: Merizalde Yuri , Hernández-Callejo Luis , Duque-Pérez Oscar , Alonso-Gómez Víctor
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Despite the wide dissemination and application of current signature analysis (CSA) in general industry, CSA is not commonly used in the wind industry, where the use of vibration signals predominates. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to review the use of generator CSA (GCSA) in the online fault detection and diagnosis of wind turbines (WTs).

Design/methodology/approach

This is a bibliographical investigation in which the use of GCSA for the maintenance of WTs is analyzed. A section is dedicated to each of the main components, including the theoretical foundations on which GCSA is based and the methodology, mathematical models and signal processing techniques used by the proposals that exist on this topic.

Findings

The lack of appropriate technology and mathematical models, as well as the difficulty involved in performing actual studies in the field and the lack of research projects, has prevented the expansion of the use of GCSA for fault detection of other WT components. This research area has yet to be explored, and the existing investigations mainly focus on the gearbox and the doubly fed induction generator; however, modern signal treatment and artificial intelligence techniques could offer new opportunities in this field.

Originality/value

Although literature on the use of GCSA for the detection and diagnosis of faults in WTs has been published, these papers address specific applications for each of the WT components, especially gearboxes and generators. For this reason, the main contribution of this study is providing a comprehensive vision for the use of GCSA in the maintenance of WTs.