bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Noise control is a primary function of microRNAs and post-transcriptional regulation
Authors: Schmiedel Jörn M. , Marks Debora S. , Lehner Ben , Blüthgen Nils
Published: July 2017

microRNAs are pervasive post-transcriptional regulators of protein-coding genes in multicellular organisms. Two fundamentally different models have been proposed for the function of microRNAs in gene regulation. In the first model, microRNAs act as repressors, reducing protein concentrations by accelerating mRNA decay and inhibiting translation. In the second model, in contrast, the role of microRNAs is not to reduce protein concentrationsper sebut to reduce fluctuations in these concentrations. Here we present genome-wide evidence that mammalian microRNAs frequently function as noise controllers rather than repressors. Moreover, we show that post-transcriptional noise control has been widely adopted across species from bacteria to animals, with microRNAs specifically employed to reduce noise in regulatory and context-specific processes in animals. Our results substantiate the detrimental nature of expression noise, reveal a universal strategy to control it, and suggest that microRNAs represent an evolutionary innovation for adaptive noise control in animals.

Highlights

Genome-wide evidence that microRNAs function as noise controllers for genes with context-specific functions

Post-transcriptional noise control is universal from bacteria to animals

Animals have evolved noise control for regulatory and context-specific processes
Antidepressant-like effect of losartan involves TRKB transactivation from angiotensin receptor type 2 (AGTR2) and recruitment of FYN
Authors: Diniz Cassiano R.A.F , Casarotto Plinio C. , Fred Senem M. , Biojone Caroline , Castrén Eero , Joca Sâmia R. L.
Published: July 2017

Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is associated to peripheral fluid homeostasis and cardiovascular function, but recent evidence has also drawn its functional role in the brain. RAS has been described to regulate physiological and behavioral parameters related to stress response, including depressive symptoms. Apparently, RAS can modulate levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and TRKB, which are important to neurobiology of depression and antidepressant action. However, interaction between BDNF/TRKB system and RAS in models predictive of antidepressant effect has not been investigated before. Accordingly, in the forced swimming test, we observed an antidepressant-like effect of systemic losartan but not with captopril or enalapril treament. Moreover, infusion of losartan into ventral hippocampus (vHC) and prelimbic prefrontal cortex (PL) mimicked the consequences of systemically injected losartan, whereas K252a, a blocker of TRK, infused into these brain areas impaired such effect. PD123319, an antagonist of AT2 receptor (AGTR2), infused into PL but not into vHC, also prevented systemic losartan effect. Cultured cortical cells of rat embryos indicate that angiotensin II (ANG2), possibly through AGTR2, increases the surface levels of TRKB, and favors it’s coupling to FYN, a SRC family kinase. The higher levels ofagtr2in cortical cells were decreased after insult with glutamate, and under this condition an interaction between losartan and ANG2 was achieved. Occurrence of TRKB/AGTR2 heterodimers was also observed, in MG87 cells GFP-tagged AGTR2 co-immunoprecipitated with TRKB. Therefore, antidepressant-like effect of losartan is proposed to occur through a shift of ANG2 binding towards AGTR2, followed by coupling of TRK/FYN and putative TRKB transactivation. Thus, AGTR1 show therapeutic potential as novel antidepressant therapy.
Quantifying homologous proteins and proteoforms
Authors: Malioutov Dmitry , Chen Tianchi , Jaffe Jacob , Airoldi Edoardo , Carr Steve , Budnik Bogdan , Slavov Nikolai
Published: July 2017

Many proteoforms – arising from alternative splicing, post-translational modifications (PTMs), or paralogous genes – have distinct biological functions, such as histone PTM proteoforms. However, their quantification by existing bottom-up mass–spectrometry (MS) methods is undermined by peptide-specific biases. To avoid these biases, we developed and implemented a first-principles model (HIquant) for quantifying proteoform stoichiometries. We characterized when MS data allow inferring proteoform stoichiometries by HIquant, derived an algorithm for optimal inference, and demonstrated experimentally high accuracy in quantifying fractional PTM occupancy without using external standards, even in the challenging case of the histone modification code. A HIquantserver is implemented at:https://web.northeastern.edu/slavov/2014_HIquant/
High throughput amplicon sequencing to assess within- and between-host genetic diversity in plant viruses
Authors: Piry Sylvain , Wipf-Scheibel Catherine , Martin Jean-François , Galan Maxime , Berthier Karine
Published: July 2017

Molecular epidemiology approaches at the landscape scale require to study the genetic diversity of viral populations from numerous hosts and to characterize mixed infections. In such a context, high-throughput amplicon sequencing (HTAS) techniques create interesting opportunities as they allow identifying distinct variants within a same host while simultaneously genotyping a high number of samples. Validating variants produced by HTAS may, however, remain difficult due to biases occurring at different steps of the data-generating process (e.g. environmental contaminations and sequencing error). Here, we focused onEndive necrotic mosaic virus(ENMV), a member of familyPotyviridae, genusPotyvirusto develop an HTAS approach and to characterize the genetic diversity at the intra- and inter-host levels from 430 samples collected over an area of 1660 km2located in south-eastern France. We demonstrated how it is possible, by incorporating various controls in the experimental design and by performing independent sample replicates, to estimate potential biases in HTAS results and to implement an automated and robust variant calling procedure.

Highlights

High-throughput amplicon sequencing to assess plant virus genetic diversity

Estimating bias in high throughput amplicon sequencing results

Automated variant calling procedure for robust high throughput amplicon sequencing
Cytokinin signaling inMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Samanovic Marie I. , Hsu Hao-Chi , Jones Marcus B. , Jones Victoria , McNeil Michael R. , Becker Samuel H. , Jordan Ashley T. , Strnad Miroslav , Xu Changcheng , Jackson Mary , Li Huilin , Darwin K. Heran
Published: July 2017

It was reported the human-exclusive pathogenMycobacterium (M.) tuberculosissecretes cytokinins, which previously had only been known as plant hormones. Cytokinins are adenine-based signaling molecules in plants that have never been shown to participate in signal transduction in other kingdoms of life. Here, we show that cytokinins induce the strong expression of theM. tuberculosisgene, Rv0077c. We found that a TetR-like transcriptional regulator, Rv0078, directly repressed expression of the Rv0077c gene. Strikingly, cytokinin-induced expression of Rv0077c resulted in a loss of acid-fast staining ofM. tuberculosis. Although acid-fast staining is thought to be associated with changes in the bacterial cell envelope and virulence, Rv0077c-induced loss of acid-fastness did not affect antibiotic susceptibility or attenuate bacterial growth in mice. Collectively, these findings show cytokinins signal transcriptional changes that affect theM. tuberculosiscell envelope, and that cytokinin signaling is no longer limited to the kingdom plantae.
GUIDES: sgRNA design for loss-of-function screens
Authors: Meier Joshua A. , Zhang Feng , Sanjana Neville E.
Published: July 2017

GUIDES (Graphical User Interface for DNA Editing Screens) is a web-based tool for the design of custom, large-scale CRISPR libraries for loss-of-function screens in human and mouse. GUIDES combines multi-tissue RNA-sequencing data to target expressed exons, protein annotation to target functional domains, sophisticated on-target and off-target guide RNA scoring and other optimizations to create CRISPR libraries directly from a list of genes without requiring any programming expertise.
Exosomes regulate Neurogenesis and Circuit Assembly in a Model of Rett Syndrome
Authors: Sharma Pranav , Mesci Pinar , Carromeu Cassiano , McClatchy Daniel , Schiapparelli Lucio , Yates John R , Muotri Alysson R. , Cline Hollis T
Published: July 2017

Exosomes are thought to be secreted by all cells in the body and to be involved in intercellular communication. Here, we tested whether neural exosomes regulate the development of neural circuits and whether exosome-mediated signaling may be aberrant in the neurodevelopmental disorder Rett Syndrome (RTT). Quantitative proteomic analysis comparing exosomes from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) - derived RTT patient or control neural cultures indicates that control exosomes contain signaling components capable of influencing neuronal development and function, which are lacking in RTT exosomes. Moreover, treatment with control exosomes rescues neuron number, apoptosis, synaptic puncta and synchronized firing phenotypes of MeCP2 knockdown in human primary neurons, indicating that exosomes have the capacity to influence neural development and may be a promising avenue to treat neurodevelopmental disorders like Rett Syndrome.

Highlights

Exosome proteomics distinguish cargo in RTT vs control hiPSC-derived neural cultures Control but not RTT exosomes increase neurogenesis in human neural cultures hiPSC-derived neural exosomes reverse pathological phenotypes in RTT neural cultures RTT exosomes do not impair neural development
Expression and crystallographic studies of the D1D2 domains of C4.4A, a homologous protein to the urokinase receptor
Authors: Chen Shanli , Lin Lin , Yuan Cai , Gårdsvoll Henrik , Kriegbaum Mette C. , Ploug Michael , Huang Mingdong
Published: July 2017

C4.4A is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane protein comprised of two LU domains (Ly6/uPAR-like domains) and an extensively O-glycosylated C-terminal Ser/Thr/Pro-rich region. C4.4A is a novel biomarker for squamous epithelial differentiation. Its expression is dysregulated under various pathological conditions and it is a robust biomarker for poor prognosis in various malignant conditions such as pulmonary adenocarcinoma. To facilitate crystallization, the two LU domains were excised from intact C4.4A by limited proteolysis, purified and crystallized by the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method. The crystals diffracted to 2.7 Å resolution and belonged to space groupC2221, with unit-cell parametersa= 55.49,b= 119.63,c= 168.54 Å. The statistics indicated good quality of the data, which form a solid basis for the determination of the C4.4A structure.
Employers’ perspectives on new information technology technicians’ employability in North Florida
Authors: Hollister Jonathan M. , Spears Laura I. , Mardis Marcia A. , Lee Jisue , McClure Charles R. , Liebman Elizabeth
Published: July 2017

Purpose

In response to recent calls for research relating to employers’ perceptions of the workplace readiness of new graduates in a variety of fields, the purpose of this paper is to report North Florida employers’ perceptions of information technology (IT) program graduates’ workplace readiness. These findings are relevant to stakeholders in growing technology regions.

Design/methodology/approach

Researchers conducted 18 semi-structured interviews with IT employers in North Florida. Data were deductively coded with codes derived from national standards. Interviewee verbatim was also inductively coded by theme.

Findings

While employers valued a blend of technical and general skills and hands-on experience, they also sought new professionals who possessed fundamental understandings of business and computer programming to tailor their problem-solving skills to the specific company environment.

Research limitations/implications

This research represents a limited number of employer viewpoints in one representative community.

Practical implications

Ongoing industry input into curricula and expanded experiential opportunities may ensure that graduates are prepared to address current and future IT developments. Because the region under study was typical of many regions with growing technology sectors, these findings may inform partnerships, curriculum, and program design.

Originality/value

Given the rapid growth and constant advances of the IT sector, institutions with IT degree programs are challenged to ensure that their curricula are current and meeting the needs of employers. This study’s findings may offer timely insight into elements of workforce preparedness.
Exploring the nature of rural energy transition in India
Authors: Goswami Anandajit , Bandyopadhyay Kaushik Ranjan , Kumar Atul
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of rural energy transition in cooking options in India. Although India is aiming to achieve a double-digit economic growth, a large share of rural households still rely on firewood for cooking which not only has serious repercussions of increasing indoor pollution but also has a concomitant adverse effect on women and child morbidity and mortality. However, transition to clean energy options like improved cookstoves for these households may not be necessarily linear. It is often driven or resisted by latent factors such as caste, trust, social capital, information flow, social positioning of clusters that are deeply embedded in the social and cultural norms and values specific to local rural contexts. This has been shown in the present case study that pertains to eight villages in the remote and deprived Purnea district of Bihar and the need for internalizing them in the macro energy policymaking has been established in the paper.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applies a macro foundation research that is complemented by micro foundation tools of fuzzy cognitive mapping-based mental model framework to achieve the purpose of the study. Focused-group discussions and interviews are also conducted to establish the narrative of the paper.

Findings

Caste, socio-political position, asset structure, remoteness, culture and technology access affect rural households’ decision making capability that is related to shifting from using the traditionalmeans of firewood and biomass based traditional cookstoves for cooking to adopting improved clean cooking stoves which will enable the transition toward the use of clean rural energy in the eight villages in Bihar chosen for this study.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of the paper have larger implications for the broader macro energy policymaking in the country by taking into account the non-linear, latent factors of village contexts.

Practical implications

The research will help energy policymakers in decision-making and will guide the implementation process of national- and state-level policies on rural energy transition in India.

Social implications

The findings of the paper will help the smoother implementation of national- and state-level rural energy transition policies for cooking, creating developmental dividends for rural Indian households.

Originality/value

The research is new with regard to the application of non-deterministic fuzzy cognitive mapping-based mental model approach to contribute to the country’s national- and state-level rural energy transition policies.
A novel quasi-3D thermodynamic model of oil film bearing with non-Newtonian and temperature-viscosity effects
Authors: Liang Feng , Xu Quanyong , Zhou Ming
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a quasi-three-dimensional (3D) thermohydrodynamic (THD) model for oil film bearings with non-Newtonian and temperature-viscosity effects. Its performance factors, including precision and time consumption, are investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Two-dimensional (2D), 3D and quasi-3D numerical models are built. The thermal and mechanical behaviors of two types of oil film bearings are simulated. All the results are compared with solutions of commercial ANSYS CFX.

Findings

The 2D THD model fails to predict the temperature and pressure field. The results of the quasi-3D THD model coincide well with those of the 3D THD model and CFX at any condition. Compared with the 3D THD model, the quasi-3D THD model can greatly reduce the CPU time consumption, especially at a high rotational speed.

Originality/value

This quasi-3D THD model is proposed in this paper for the first time. Transient mechanical and thermal analyses of high-speed rotor-bearing system are widely conducted using the traditional 3D THD model; however, the process is very time-consuming. The quasi-3D THD model can be an excellent alternative with high precision and fast simulation speed.
A study on the microstructures and three–body abrasive wear behaviors of Fe–B alloy under different Fe2B boride orientation
Authors: Yi Dawei , Zhang Zhiyun , Chen Jin , Niu Libin , Peng Jianhong
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The directional solidification Fe-B alloy was prepared. The microstructures and three-body abrasive wear behaviors of directional solidification alloy were investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Fe-B alloy was melted in medium frequency induction furnace. The hardness was measured on HRS-150 Rockwell-hardness tester and HXD-1000TMC tester. The wear characteristic of the alloy was examined with a block-on-ring geometry. The worn surface of the alloy was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and laser scanning microscopy.

Findings

The wear weight loss and worn surface roughness increase with the increasing contact load in wear tests. When the worn surface is perpendicular to the boride growth direction, the highest hardness plane of the boride can resist abrasive effectively under the surrounding and supporting of the martensite matrix.

Originality/value

The relation between boride growth direction and wear direction will cause different boride breaking tendency and wear weight loss.
Friction and wear properties of an automobile brake lining reinforced by lignin fiber and glass fiber
Authors: Chengmin Wang , Xuefeng Yang , Xiguang Cai , Tao Ma , Yunxi Li , Peilong Song
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to thrash out friction and wear properties of automobile brake lining reinforced by lignin fiber and glass fiber in braking process.

Design/methodology/approach

ABAQUS finite element software was used to analyze thermo-mechanical coupled field of friction materials. XD-MSM constant speed friction testing machine was used to test friction and wear properties of friction material. Worn surface morphology and mechanism of friction materials were observed by using scanning electron microscope.

Findings

The results show that when the temperature was below 350°C, worn mechanism of MFBL was mainly fatigue wear and abrasive wear, and worn mechanism of GFBL was mainly fatigue wear because MFBL contained lignin fiber. Therefore, it exhibits better mechanical properties and friction and wear properties than those of GFBL.

Originality/value

Lignin fiber can improve mechanical properties and friction and wear properties of the automobile brake lining.
Effect of binary rare earth oxide on the properties of plasma sprayed Al2O3/TiO2coatings
Authors: Ding Qingjun , Tian Bo , Zhao Gai , Wang Feng , Li Huafeng , Shi Yunlai
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This study systematically investigated the effect of the binary rare earth oxide of La2O3and Sm2O3on the properties of the Al2O3/TiO2(AT) coating, including phase transform, wear behavior, etc.

Design/methodology/approach

AT coatings mixed with different components of binary rare earth oxides of La2O3and Sm2O3are prepared by atmospheric plasma spraying. The adhesion strength, micro-hardness, phase transition and tribological behavior of coatings are systematically investigated.

Findings

The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that phase transformation is obvious after spraying, and a-Al2O3is almost translated into γ-Al2O3when La2O3and Sm2O3are doped together. Meanwhile, solid solution generated between rare earth oxide and Al2O3/TiO2coatings results in disappearance of TiO2 and rare earth oxide phase. The photos under the scanning electron microscope (SEM) indicate that binary rare earth oxide could increase the melting degree of powder and decrease porosity of coatings.The increasing of Sm2O3rarely affect micro-hardness and adhesion strength, and the coating with 4 per cent Sm2O3and 1 per cent La2O3exhibits the best wear resistance and lowest friction coefficient among all the samples.

Originality/value

AT coatings mixed with different components of binary rare earth oxide of La2O3and Sm2O3are prepared by atmospheric plasma spraying. Binary rare earth oxide could increase the melting degree of powder and decrease porosity of AT coatings.
Lubricity characteristics of Jatropha curcas biodiesel
Authors: Peng De-Xing
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Engine component endurance is related to fuel properties. Decreasing the sulfur content of a fuel reduces its lubricity, thus damaging engines and fuel systems. Therefore, promoting the use of a biofuel must involve assessing the functionality and lubricity of the fuel.

Design/methodology/approach

The ball-on-ring (BOR) wear tester was applied to determine the optimal additive concentration and the mechanism of reduction of the wear and friction of the diesel engine fuel injection system. The lubricating efficiency of the fuels was estimated by using a photomicroscope to measure the average diameter of the wear scar produced on the test ball. An optical microscope and scanning electronic microscope were used for wear surface examinations.

Findings

The wear test revealed that the wear diameter of the steel ball lubricated with either the pure petrodiesel or 20 Wt.per cent Jatropha curcas biodiesel blends was 1.36 or 1.05 mm, respectively. The experimental results indicated that when Jatropha curcas biodiesel was added into petrodiesels to reduce friction, the wear resistance of the fuel blends increased concurrently with increasing Jatropha curcas biodiesel concentration. This was attributed to the presence of stearic acid in Jatropha curcas biodiesel blends. Stearic acid has a strong affinity for metal surfaces; therefore, a chemical coating was formed between the two motion surfaces to protect the two contacted surfaces from wear. Therefore, the proposed Jatropha curcas biodiesel can be used to effectively enhance the lubricity of a petrodiesel under the condition of boundary lubrication.

Originality/value

Using biofuels as the fuels for diesel engines can assist developed and developing countries in reducing the impacts of their fossil fuel consumption on the environment.
On the study of Rayleigh step slider bearings lubricated with non-Newtonian Rabinowitsch fluid
Authors: Naduvinamani N.B. , Patil Siddharam , Siddapur S.S.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Nowadays, the use of Newtonian fluid as a lubricant is diminishing day by day, and the use of non-Newtonian fluids has gained importance. This paper presents an analysis of the static characteristics of Rayleigh step slider bearing lubricated with non-Newtonian Rabinowitsch fluid, which has not been studied so far. The purpose of this paper is to derive the modified Reynolds equation for Rabinowitsch fluids for two regions and to obtain the optimum bearing parameters for the Rayleigh step slider bearings.

Design/methodology/approach

The governing equations relevant to the problem under consideration are derived. The modified Reynolds equation is derived, and it is found to be highly non-linear and hence small perturbation method is adopted to find solution.

Findings

From this study it is found that there is an increase in the load-carrying capacity, pressure and frictional coefficients for dilatant fluids as compared to the corresponding Newtonian case. Further, for dilatant lubricants the maximum load-carrying capacity is attained for the slightly larger values of entry region length of Rayleigh step bearing as compared to Newtonian and pseudoplastic lubricants.

Originality/value

Rabinowitsch fluid is used for the study of lubrication characteristics of Rayleigh step bearings. The author believes that the paper presents these results for the first time.
Firearms and cultural competence: considerations for mental health professionals
Authors: Pirelli Gianni , Witt Philip
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Although cultural competence is gaining increased attention among mental health practitioners, such primarily has centered on race, religion, ethnicity, language, and nationality. Thus far, there has been relatively little recognition of specific socialized subcultures aside from the aforementioned groups, and virtually no discussion regarding those associated with various firearm-related subcultures. This topic is particularly relevant to mental health practitioners, as positions on firearm use and ownership frequently split across political party lines, and mental health professionals and academics are more likely to espouse liberal rather than conservative views. It follows that practitioners may understand little about firearms culture and, therefore, are at increased risk for biased decision making when working with clients for whom firearms have relevance. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper takes a conceptual approach to reviewing potential areas of bias in both clinical and clinical-forensic practice in the US context.

Findings

The authors detail the prevalence of firearm-related issues in the USA, contextualize firearm-related issues in forensic treatment and evaluation scenarios, delineate a number of firearm subgroups, and recommend considerations for mental health professionals to develop cultural competence as it relates to firearms and associated subcultures.

Originality/value

This is an original conceptual study of cultural competence and various firearm-related subcultures.
Entrepreneurial perceptions and bias of SME exporting opportunities for manufacturing exporters
Authors: Stouraitis Vassilios , Boonchoo Pattana , Mior Harun Mior Harris , Kyritsis Markos
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Success in export ventures has been linked to managerial capabilities. The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of exporting motivators on managerial perceptions of UK manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by investigating the links between export motivators and decision bias (i.e. predictable behavior).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the Uppsala and resource-based view perspectives (using a sample of the UK’s independent manufacturing SMEs and utilizing a survey, correlation analysis, and factor analysis), this study finds and describes the effect of the most recurrent motivators and clusters of motivators from the literature on the SMEs’ decision to export by investigating the dimensions (research, external, reactive).

Findings

This study finds that export motivators can be separated into specific dimensions leading to potential selection bias. In addition, the importance of size, knowledge of foreign markets, and unsolicited orders show an association with the perceptions of motivator stimuli toward specific dimensions (research, external, reactive).

Practical implications

Government policy and SME export strategy need to understand managerial perceptions and bias better in order to allocate resources efficiently toward stimulating exporting.

Originality/value

The literature and empirical work on the topic have been fragmented and conflicting focusing on specific motivators but not necessarily explaining the selection or origin of motivators even less on SMEs. Dimensions have not been taken into account as clusters of motivators.
Engaged scholarship
Authors: Simba Amon , Ojong Nathanael
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a multi-layered theoretical framework to enable engaged scholarship to develop as a practice in entrepreneurship and small business research. To do so, it illuminates the salient features of engaged scholarship, collaborative learning and actor-network theory (ANT).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper follows a narrative or traditional literature review design. Specifically, it adopts a thematic approach for summarising and synthesising a body of literature on engaged scholarship, collaborative learning and ANT with the view to develop a new multi-layered theoretical framework.

Findings

Applying the theory of engaged scholarship to pivot entrepreneurship/SME research provides scholars with an opportunity to unlock the theory vs practice paradox. Moreover, engaged scholarship offers valuable instructions for encouraging interactionism between entrepreneurship researchers and practitioners as well as reconcile their polarised views. Co-production and co-creation of knowledge addresses the concerns often raised by the practitioner community regarding the relevance and applicability of academic research to practice.

Practical implications

The proposed multi-layered framework provides entrepreneurship researchers, and the practitioner community with a taxonomy to use to encourage a joint approach to research. Developing deep partnerships between academics and practitioners can produce outcomes that satisfy the twin imperatives of scholarship that can be of high quality as well as a value to society.

Originality/value

The paper advances the theory and practice of engaged scholarship in new ways that are not common in entrepreneurship/SME research. This enables engaged scholarship to develop as a practice in entrepreneurship and small firms’ research. Through applying the proposed multi-layered framework in research, academics can deliver fully developed solutions for practical problems. The framework is useful in the theory vs practice and entrepreneurship researchers vs practitioner debates.
Urban tourism: the growing role of VFR and immigration
Authors: Griffin Tom , Dimanche Frederic
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer some insights into the future of urban tourism with particular consideration given to immigration and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel. The discussion highlights the fact that cities are increasingly home to immigrants and transitory residents who host visitors, blurring resident-visitor distinctions, with implications for cultural and economic development, and tourism practitioners. These trends are highlighted, and discussions relating to the future are offered.

Design/methodology/approach

This discussion is based on a literature review and a conceptual approach.

Findings

The number of immigrants to cities keeps growing. These immigrants are shaping their new communities and changing local culture. They contribute to increased tourism through generating VFR travel and creating new tourist attractions.

Research limitations/implications

The implications of VFR and immigration on urban tourism are most visible in large urban centers that are major points of entry into a country and international magnets. They are not, however, limited to big cities.

Practical implications

There are potential implications for municipal governments and destination marketers to consider how cultural development and the touristic promotion of the city overlap with areas and direction for possible partnerships with community groups.

Social implications

This paper promotes the idea that for immigrants, to experience their communities through hosting VFR has positive social implications in terms of integration and cultural development.

Originality/value

This paper discusses a topic rarely addressed the impact of VFR and immigration on shaping urban tourism.
Medicare Spending for Breast, Prostate, Lung, and Colorectal Cancer Patients in the Year of Diagnosis and Year of Death
Authors: Chen Christopher T. , Li Ling , Brooks Gabriel , Hassett Michael , Schrag Deborah
Published: July 2017

Objective

To characterize spending patterns for Medicare patients with incident breast, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancer.

Data Sources/Study Setting/Study Design

2007–2012 data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program linked with Medicare fee‐for‐service claims.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We calculate per‐patient monthly and yearly mean and median expenditures, by cancer type, stage at diagnosis, and spending category, over the years of diagnosis and death.

Principal Findings

Over the year of diagnosis, mean spending was $35,849, $26,295, $55,597, and $63,063 for breast, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancer, respectively. Over the year of death, spending was similar across different cancer types and stage at diagnosis.

Conclusions

Characterization of Medicare spending according to clinically meaningful categories may assist development of oncology alternative payment models and cost‐effectiveness models.
Fatal Fat Embolism After Penis Enlargement by Autologous Fat Transfer: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Zilg Brita , Råsten‐Almqvist Petra
Published: July 2017

Fat embolism is an incidental finding in cases of long bone fractures or other trauma, but it is also associated with liposuction and autologous fat transfer, a procedure where fat from liposuction is injected back into the same patient's face, breast, buttocks or penis. We here present a case of sudden death by fat embolism in a healthy young male, caused by a simple penis enlargement procedure, in which fat was injected into the penis shaft. We suggest that the risk of fat embolization might be higher when pretraumatized tissue is subjected to fat injection, like in this case, where a penis elongation was performed before the fat injection.
TOWARD AN ANALYTICAL CRIMINOLOGY: THE MICRO–MACRO PROBLEM, CAUSAL MECHANISMS, AND PUBLIC POLICY
Authors: MATSUEDA ROSS L.
Published: July 2017

In this address, I revisit the micro–macro problem in criminology, arguing for an “analytical criminology” that takes an integrated approach to the micro–macro problem. I begin by contrasting an integrated methodological‐individualist approach with traditional holist and individualist approaches. An integrated approach considers the concept of emergence and tackles the difficult problem of specifying causal mechanisms by which interactions among individuals produce social organizational outcomes. After presenting a few examples of micro–macro transitions relevant to criminology, I discuss research programs in sociology and economics that focus on these issues. I then discuss the implications of social interaction effects for making causal inferences about crime and for making crime policy recommendations.
Microcatheter balloon pinning technique to facilitate wiring of a left circumflex chronic total occlusion
Authors: Oguayo Kevin N. , Oguayo Chris C. , Vallabhan Ravi , Choi James W.
Published: July 2017

Introduction

Coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs) are commonly encountered during diagnostic angiograms. With recent advances, especially in experienced centers, success rates with CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have approached 80% or higher. It is important to note that despite these advancements in techniques, CTOs remain difficult to treat. We present a case of a left circumflex artery (LCX) CTO that was successfully revascularized using a microcatheter balloon pinning technique that allowed additional wire support.

Case Report

A 77‐year‐old woman status post‐two‐vessel coronary artery bypass graft surgery presented with new onset angina at rest and was found to have a patent graft to the left anterior descending artery, and an unrevascularized proximal LCX CTO. PCI was attempted with a microcatheter using an antegrade approach. This approach was unsuccessful due to the lack of support and the left circumflex angle. As a result, we used a balloon to pin the microcatheter to the wall of the left main to allow for successful wiring of the LCX. A stent was successfully deployed in the LCX, and the patient was discharged from the hospital 2 days later. At follow‐up, the patient was asymptomatic and returned to her usual activity.

Discussion

After conducting a thorough literature search, it appears that this is the first case that a microcatheter has been pinned with a balloon. We believe that in LCX CTOs that require support, the microcatheter pinning technique can provide adequate support in wiring CTO's. LCX CTOs can be very difficult to treat, we present a case of a LCX CTO that required the use of the microcatheter balloon pinning technique to allow additional wire support for successful wiring and ultimately treatment.
Renal tubular injury during cardiopulmonary bypass as assessed by urinary release of N‐acetyl‐ß‐D‐glucosaminidase
Authors: Lannemyr L. , Lundin E. , Reinsfelt B. , Bragadottir G. , Redfors B. , Oras J. , Ricksten S.‐E.
Published: July 2017

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication with a major impact on morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The aim of the present study was to perform a detailed analysis on the release of the tubular injury biomarker N‐acetyl‐b‐D‐glucosaminidase (NAG) during and early after CPB and to describe independent predictors of maximal tubular injury. We hypothesized that renal tubular injury occurs early after the onset of CPB.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, we included 61 patients undergoing open cardiac surgery with an expected CPB duration exceeding 60 min. The urinary NAG levels were measured at 30 min intervals during CPB, as well as early (30 min) after CPB and post‐operatively. Independent predictors of tubular injury were identified using an Interquantile multivariate regression model.

Results

Already 30 min after the onset of CPB, NAG excretion was significantly increased (P < 0.001), followed by a sixfold peak increase after discontinuation of CPB (P < 0.001). In the multivariable regression model, CPB duration (P < 0.05) and the degree of rewarming during CPB (P < 0.05), were independent predictors of peak NAG excretion.

Conclusion

In cardiac surgery, a renal tubular cell injury is seen early after onset of CPB with a peak biomarker increase early after end of CPB. The magnitude of this tubular injury is independently related to CPB duration and the degree of rewarming. Efforts made to decrease the CPB duration and to avoid hypothermia and the need for rewarming may decrease the risk for tubular injury.
Use of the Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test and pulmonary function tests to assess asthma control in pregnancy
Authors: Amaral Luís , Martins Carla , Coimbra Alice
Published: July 2017

Introduction

Asthma is one of the most prevalent chronic medical conditions to complicate pregnancy. Similarly, active management strategies that prioritise asthma control in this vulnerable population can have a far‐reaching impact.

Aim

To describe lung function parameters and results of the Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test (CARAT) questionnaire in pregnant asthmatics and to analyse correlations between lung function tests and CARAT results.

Methods

All pregnant asthmatics who performed spirometry and CARAT between September 2014 and August 2015 were included. A medical records review was performed and data regarding demographics, sensitisation and medical prescriptions were recorded. Control of asthma and rhinitis was defined by CARAT total score (CARAT (T)) ≥ 24; upper airways (U) control if CARAT (U) > 8; lower airways (L) control if CARAT (L) > 15.

Results

Forty‐two pregnant asthmatics were included, with a median age (interquartile range)of 32 (27–34) years; all had a previous medical diagnosis of asthma and rhinitis, 76% were atopic, 94% sensitised to dust mites and 43% were polissensitised. More than 80% presented poor control (CARAT (T) < 24) in the first assessment and 15% had a percentage forced expiratory volume in the first second < 80%. There were significant negative correlations between CARAT (L) and CARAT (T) scores and step‐up of controller medication, (correlation coefficients  = −0.453 and −0.392, respectively).

Conclusion

The use of tools such as spirometry and validated questionnaires to objectively assess asthma control during pregnancy should be routinely applied to assist in the management of these patients. These data reinforce the importance of close monitoring of pregnant asthmatics to achieve and maintain better disease control.
Factors related to recurrence of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: what do we learn from a multicentre study?
Authors: Uysal Erdal , Soran Atilla , Sezgin Efe ,   Granulomatous Mastitis Study Group
Published: July 2017

Background

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare chronic inflammatory disease of the breast with unknown aetiology. Its treatment is controversial and the recurrence rate is high. The objectives of this study were to examine the demographic, sociocultural and clinical characteristics observed among a large cohort of IGM patients from Turkey and to identify factors related to the recurrence of IGM.

Methods

The study was designed as a multicentre retrospective study including 22 breast centres in Turkey. A total of 720 IGM patients are included in the study. Patient data were obtained from the patient's files and electronic records based on the study protocol. Patients’ demographic, clinical, radiological, treatment and recurrence of IGM related characteristics were recorded.

Results

Our results revealed a statistically significant association between IGM recurrence and history of pregnancy, breastfeeding, breast infection and smoking (P < 0.05). Having a chronic systematic disease, oral contraceptive, analgesic and herbal medicine consumptions, treatment choice, education, place of birth and current residence were not found to be associated with IGM recurrence (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Our findings show that history of pregnancy, breastfeeding, breast infection and smoking were the risk factors for IGM recurrence. As current treatment methods did not affect IGM recurrence, recurrence‐related factors, such as breast infection and smoking, should be considered to eliminate while focusing on less invasive local treatment research.
Apelin‐induced cardioprotection against ischaemia/reperfusion injury: roles of epidermal growth factor and Src
Authors: Folino A. , Accomasso L. , Giachino C. , Montarolo P. G. , Losano G. , Pagliaro P. , Rastaldo R.
Published: July 2017

Aim

Apelin, the ligand of the G‐protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) APJ, exerts a post‐conditioning‐like protection against ischaemia/reperfusion injury through activation of PI3K‐Akt‐NO signalling. The pathway connecting APJ to PI3K is still unknown. As other GPCR ligands act through transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) via a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) or Src kinase, we investigated whether EGFR transactivation is involved in the following three features of apelin‐induced cardioprotection: limitation of infarct size, suppression of contracture and improvement of post‐ischaemic contractile recovery.

Method

Isolated rat hearts underwent 30 min of global ischaemia and 2 h of reperfusion. Apelin (0.5 μm) was infused during the first 20 min of reperfusion. EGFR, MMP or Src was inhibited to study the pathway connecting APJ to PI3K. Key components of RISK pathway, namely PI3K, guanylyl cyclase or mitochondrial K+‐ATP channels, were also inhibited. Apelin‐induced EGFR and phosphatase and tensing homolog (PTEN) phosphorylation were assessed. Left ventricular pressure and infarct size were measured.

Results

Apelin‐induced reductions in infarct size and myocardial contracture were prevented by the inhibition of EGFR, Src, MMP or RISK pathway. The involvement of EGFR was confirmed by its phosphorylation. However, neither direct EGFR nor MMP inhibition affected apelin‐induced improvement of early post‐ischaemic contractile recovery, which was suppressed by Src and RISK inhibitors only. Apelin also increased PTEN phosphorylation, which was removed by Src inhibition.

Conclusion

While EGFR and MMP limit infarct size and contracture, Src or RISK pathway inhibition suppresses the three features of cardioprotection. Src does not only transactivate EGFR, but also inhibits PTEN by phosphorylation thus playing a crucial role in apelin‐induced cardioprotection.
Artificial infection of sheep with multiple strains ofDichelobacter nodosusto induce footrot
Authors: Allworth MB , Egerton JR
Published: July 2017

Objectives

To establish multiple strains ofDichelobacter nodosusin two flocks of sheep and to assess the virulence of five of these strains.

Methods

In experiment 1, sheep were challenged with fiveD. nodosusstrains, which varied in both virulence and serotype. In experiment 2, consisting of four replicates (paddock groups), sheep were challenged with seven different strains ofD. nodosus. In experiment 3, sheep were challenged with one of fiveD. nodosusstrains.

Results

In experiment 1, at 28 days post challenge, four of the five challenge strains were present. Multiple‐strain infections were present in 27 feet, with isolates from three serogroups being recovered from 5 feet, and four serogroups from 1 foot. Challenged hind feet were more frequently affected (P < 0.001). In experiment 2, four of the seven strains were recovered from one replicate and three strains from the remaining three replicates. Significantly more hind feet were affected (262/471, 55.6%) than front feet (198/481, 42%) (P < 0.001). Clinically, in both experiments 1 and 2 the footrot resembled an intermediate form, despite the inclusion of a virulent strain ofD. nodosus.In experiment 3, this virulent strain caused a higher prevalence of more severe footrot, a greater mean total foot score and, in Merino sheep, resulted in significantly lower weight gains (P < 0.05). Interaction betweenD. nodosusstrain and breed occurred, with Polwarth sheep being significantly more severely affected by one strain than Merino sheep.

Discussion

The clinical expression of multiple‐strain infections has implications for both research and control of footrot. A novel method of control is proposed.
Interleukin‐6/STAT3 signaling as a promising target to improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Kitamura Hidemitsu , Ohno Yosuke , Toyoshima Yujiro , Ohtake Junya , Homma Shigenori , Kawamura Hideki , Takahashi Norihiko , Taketomi Akinobu
Published: July 2017

Overcoming the immunosuppressive state in tumor microenvironments is a critical issue for improving the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Interleukin (IL)‐6, a pleiotropic cytokine, is highly produced in the tumor‐bearing host. Previous studies have indicated that IL‐6 suppresses the antigen presentation ability of dendritic cells (DC) through activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Thus, we focused on the precise effect of the IL‐6/STAT3 signaling cascade on human DC and the subsequent induction of antitumor T cell immune responses. Tumor‐infiltrating CD11b+CD11c+ cells isolated from colorectal cancer tissues showed strong induction of the IL‐6 gene, downregulated surface expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DR, and an attenuated T cell‐stimulating ability compared with those from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, suggesting that the tumor microenvironment suppresses antitumor effector cells. In vitro experiments revealed that IL‐6‐mediated STAT3 activation reduced surface expression of HLA‐DR on CD14+ monocyte‐derived DC. Moreover, we confirmed that cyclooxygenase 2, lysosome protease and arginase activities were involved in the IL‐6‐mediated downregulation of the surface expression levels of HLA class II on human DC. These findings suggest that IL‐6‐mediated STAT3 activation in the tumor microenvironment inhibits functional maturation of DC to activate effector T cells, blocking introduction of antitumor immunity in cancers. Therefore, we propose in this review that blockade of the IL‐6/STAT3 signaling pathway and target molecules in DC may be a promising strategy to improve the efficacy of immunotherapies for cancer patients.