bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging and histological hoof wall assessment of 3‐year‐old Quarter Horses
Authors: Pownder S. L. , Caserto B. G. , Bowker R. M. , Lin B. , Potter H. G. , Koff M. F.
Published: October 2019

Background

Few noninvasive methods are available for equine hoof wall evaluation. The highly organised wall structures and composition of proteoglycans and collagens may make this region amenable to quantitative MRI (qMRI) techniques of T1ρ and T2 mapping to identify pathology related to proteoglycan content and collagen organisation respectively.

Objective

To establish normative T1ρ and T2 values of the equine hoof wall of 3‐year‐old Quarter Horses with histological comparison.

Study design

Cadaveric anatomical study.

Methods

Six cadaveric left thoracic feet from 3‐year‐old racing Quarter Horses with no reported lameness were evaluated using T1ρ and T2 mapping. Mapping was performed at six regions of interest at the toe of each hoof including proximal and distal regions of the inner epidermis, stratum lamellatum and corium. Histology was evaluated for standard hoof morphology and proteoglycan staining.

Results

T2 values of the stratum lamellatum and corium were similar (42.9 [95% CI: 41.6–44.2] ms and 44 [95% CI: 42.7–45.3] ms respectively), but both were significantly different to the inner epidermis (35.8 [95% CI: 34.5–37.1] ms, P<0.001). T1ρ values for the inner epidermis, stratum lamellatum and corium were significantly different (25.1 [95% CI: 23.1–27.1] ms, 44.4 [95% CI: 42.4–46.4] ms and 50.1 [95% CI: 48.1–52.1] ms, respectively, P<0.001). Histology demonstrated normal organised morphology. Proteoglycan staining was only visible in the stratum lamellatum and corium.

Main limitations

Cadaveric study with frozen samples used.

Conclusions

Variation of qMRI metrics through the depth of the equine hoof wall was found. Although the highly ordered environment of collagen may contribute to T2 values, there was lack of evidence to support proteoglycan content as a major contributor of T1ρ values. It is possible T1ρ values had a greater dependence on total water content as the lowest values were seen in the epidermis. Additional research using qMRI is needed to determine mapping values in different disease states.
The PEAK family of pseudokinases, their role in cell signalling and cancer
Authors: Patel Onisha , Roy Michael J. , Murphy James M. , Lucet Isabelle S.
Published: October 2019

The study of pseudokinases has uncovered that catalysis‐independent functions play a critical role in cell signalling regulation. However, how pseudokinases dynamically assemble and regulate oncogenic signalling pathways remains, in most cases, unclear due to a limited knowledge of the structural determinants that are critical for their functions. Here, we review the recent progress made to unravel the role of the PEAK family of pseudokinases, which comprises SgK269, SgK223 and the recently identified PEAK3, in assembling specific oncogenic signalling pathways that contribute to the progression of several aggressive cancers. We focus on recent structural advances revealing that SgK269 and SgK223 can homo‐ and heteroassociate via a unique dimerisation domain, comprising conserved regulatory helices directly surrounding the pseudokinase domain, which is also conserved in PEAK3. We also highlight a potential oligomerisation mechanism driven by the pseudokinase domain. While it is likely that homo‐ or heterodimerisation and oligomerisation mechanisms contribute to the assembly of complex signalling hubs and provide a means to spatially and temporally modulate and diversify signalling outputs, the exact role that these oncogenic scaffolds play in regulating cell migration, invasion and morphology remains unclear. Here, we attempt to link their structural characteristics to their cellular functions by providing a thorough analysis of the signalling transduction pathways they are known to modulate.
AnchovetaEngraulis ringensalong the Chilean coast: Management units, demographic units and water masses: Insights from multiple otolith‐based approaches
Authors: Garcés Cristóbal , Niklitschek Edwin J. , Plaza Guido , Cerna Francisco , Leisen Mathieu , Toledo Pamela , Barra Fernando
Published: October 2019

Three management units (MUs) are used for stock assessment and fishery regulations of anchovetaEngraulis ringensin Chilean waters (>65% ofE. ringenslatitudinal range): MU‐I [18–25)°S, MU‐II [25–32)°S and MU‐III [32–42)°S. To evaluate whether these three MUs correspond to separate demographic units (DUs), as well as to estimate mixing rates and spatial distribution of these DUs, we combined three types of otolith natural markers: isotopic signatures (δ13C and δ18O), elemental compositions (Na, Mg, Mn, Sr and Ba) and microstructural indexes. All otolith markers were determined in nuclear and marginal regions of juveniles and adults from cohorts 2012 and 2015. Differences in core region markers indicated spatial segregation between three environmentally distinct nursery areas, probably related to Subtropical Water (MU‐I), Subantarctic Water (MU‐III) and the Subtropical Convergence (MU‐II). Comparison of core and marginal regions, from juvenile and/or adult fish, suggested that adult fish remained nearby nursery areas, separated from fish nursed in other MUs. Nonetheless, ontogenetic migrations from warmer (offshore) nursery habitats to cooler (deeper/more coastal) feeding habitats occurred within MUs. In summary, our results support the consideration of the three MUs as three separate DUs. Estimated mixing rates indicated MU‐II received contributions of 31% from MU‐I and 3% from MU‐III, while complete segregation existed between MU‐I and MU‐III. Such mixing rates between MU‐I and MU‐III seem large enough to justify its further consideration by stock assessment models and management procedures.
The impact of gender and perceived academic supervisory support on new faculty negotiation success
Authors: Fiset John , Saffie‐Robertson Maria Carolina
Published: October 2019

The successful negotiation of one's first academic appointment contract can have lasting implications for academics and institutions alike. The present study investigated the impact of gender and perceived academic supervisor support (PASS) on negotiation outcomes using a sample of recently appointed assistant professors of management from internationally accredited business schools. Overall, women were less likely to engage in negotiations and were less effective than their male counterparts when bargaining for elements that revolved around direct compensation (e.g., salary, research funding). Further, it was observed that PASS moderated the relationship between gender and negotiation effectiveness such that highly supportive academic supervisors improved negotiation effectiveness for women, but had little impact for men. We conclude by outlining important practical implications of the current study and outline how interventions aimed at improving supervisor support in doctoral programmes may attenuate some of the observed negotiation discrepancies.
Religions and Conflicts
Authors: Di Ceglie Roberto
Published: October 2019

Many believe that a peaceful, tolerant and respectful coexistence among religions is not compatible with the conviction that only one of them is true. I argue that this ‘incompatibility problem’ (IP) is grounded in a ‘naturalistic assumption’ (NA), that is, the assumption that every subject, including religion, should be treated without taking into account that a super‐natural being may exist and reveal to us an unexpected way to deal with our experience. I then argue that in matters of religion, NA is untenable and that its very opposite, which I call ‘super‐naturalistic assumption’ (SA), should be adopted. My thesis is that, once SA is adopted, IP can be dismissed and that it is plausible to maintain that a peaceful, tolerant and respectful coexistence among religions is compatible with the conviction that only one of them is true.
Effect of peeling and unpeeling on yield, chemical structure, morphology and pasting properties of starch extracted from three diverse potato cultivars of Pakistan
Authors: Nawaz Asad , Ali Shinawar Waseem , Irshad Sana , Irshad Fatima , Ahmed Aftab , Sharmeen Zainab , Khan Imran
Published: October 2019

The current study investigates the comparison and quality characteristics of starches isolated from potatoes using different processing methods from three commercial varieties: Lady Rosetta, Asterix and Challenger, for the first time in Pakistan. The analysis of variance revealed that starch yield significantly (P < 0.05) depended on total solids, peeling (12.7%, 12.0% and 12.0%) and unpeeling (15.0%, 14.0% and 14.0%) of potatoes compared to potato varieties for Lady Rosetta, Challenger and Asterix, respectively. Moreover, pasting properties, protein content, redness and yellowness were increased in those starches isolated without peeling while carbohydrates and lightness were increased in peeled potato starches. Furthermore, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed that protein (1200–1400 cm−1) was present in starch extracted without peeling. Besides, scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed oval‐shaped starch granules with no impurities in peeled potato starch. The findings suggest the suitability of peeling process for obtaining a high‐quality pure starch.
HLA‐B*15:47:01 allele with undefined serological equivalent considered as B Blank
Authors: Desoutter Judith , Jacob Valentine , Guillaume Nicolas
Published: October 2019

We report a discordance between complement‐dependent cytotoxicity and next‐generation sequencing molecular typing revealing HLA‐B*15:47:01 allele with undefined serological equivalent confirmed by high‐level immunization against the B15 serotype. Due to the high‐level immunization against HLA‐B15 and B70 antigens, we considered the HLA‐B*15:47:01 allele to be B Blank and not as B15 or B70 serological specificity.
A capacitated biobjective location problem with uniformly distributed demands in the UAV‐supported delivery operation
Authors: Shavarani Seyed Mahdi , Golabi Mahmoud , Izbirak Gokhan
Published: October 2019

In recent years, small unmanned aerial vehicles have been used to deliver medicine and goods as a solution to severe traffic jams and to serve the purpose of fast and effective delivery, especially for medical and emergency applications where time is vital. On the other hand, in the competitive market of today, retailers are considering the use of drones to minimize the customers’ waiting times and as a way to lower their transportation costs. This study aims to develop a biobjective mathematical model to account for the optimum number and spatial location of facilities among a set of candidate locations such that the total travel distance, costs, and lost demand are minimized simultaneously. It is assumed that the demand occurrence follows a Poisson distribution and is uniformly distributed along the network edges. The proposed biobjective capacitated facility location model is NP‐hard, thus nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II and reference‐point based nondominated sorting genetic algorithm are applied to solve the problem. The performance of the algorithms, quality of solutions, and the results are investigated and discussed.
Kaolin and seaweed‐based extracts can be used as middle and long‐term strategy to mitigate negative effects of climate change in physiological performance of hazelnut tree
Authors: Cabo Sandra , Morais Maria Cristina , Aires Alfredo , Carvalho Rosa , Pascual‐Seva Núria , Silva Ana Paula , Gonçalves Berta
Published: October 2019

Spraying plants with exogenous substances have gained more attention due to its potential to reduce the negative impacts of heat and water stress in a climate‐changing environment. Therefore, the effects of spraying kaolin and Ascophyllum nodosum with and without irrigation on leaf gas exchange parameters, plant water status, electrolyte leakage, cuticular waxes, plant hormones and antioxidant enzymes, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and lipid peroxidation of membranes of hazelnut trees were studied. Six different treatments with kaolin (K), A. nodosum (An), irrigation (I), kaolin with irrigation (Ki), A. nodosum with irrigation (Ani) and no irrigation (control) during two consecutive years (2016–2017) were applied in a hazelnut orchard of ‘Grada de Viseu’ cultivar located in Moimenta da Beira region, Northern Portugal. Results showed that K and An were effective for reducing hazelnut heat and drought stress by increasing the water relative content (RWC), net CO2 assimilation (A), water use efficiency (A/gs) and reducing the leaf mass per area (LMA), electrolyte leakage (EL). Moreover, concentration of ABA, MDA, proline and lipid peroxidation of membranes, as well the average content of antioxidant enzymes, was lower, suggesting that under K and An, plants have a better physiological performance than without these two exogenous substances. Nonetheless, these benefits only appear to be significant in the second year of the experiment showing that the use of both substances to mitigate climate change adverse effects should be considered as a long‐term strategy.
A new hydration kinetics model of composite cementitious materials, part 1: Hydration kinetic model of Portland cement
Authors: Zhang Zengqi , Liu Yu , Huang Lei , Yan Peiyu
Published: October 2019

This work is the first part of an overall research project that aims to model the hydration kinetics of modern composite cementitious materials. The aim of this part is to build a hydration kinetic model to characterize the hydration behavior of cement at all ages. In this paper, the nucleation and growth of CSH and the diffusion of water are described by a modified BNG model and a modified Jander's model. The kinetic parameters are obtained by simulative fitting of the model to the experimental data. The linear functions between the nucleation and growth rates and the W/C ratios are given in this paper. The apparent activation energy of the nucleation rate constant, growth rate constant, and generalized diffusion constant are approximately 36.0, 37.5, and 42.0 kJ/mol, respectively. Finally, the phase compositions of hardened cement paste are calculated according to the kinetic model and the reaction formula of cement.
Using technology to support the emotional and social well‐being of nurses: A scoping review
Authors: Webster Natalie L. , Oyebode Jan R. , Jenkins Catharine , Bicknell Sarah , Smythe Analisa
Published: October 2019

Aims

(a) To review the literature on the use of technology to offer emotional and social support to nurses; (b) to identify and evaluate gaps in the research; (c) to assess whether a systematic review would be valuable and (d) to make recommendations for future research.

Design

A robust methodological scoping framework was used as the basis for this review design. A manualized systematic approach to quality appraisal was implemented.

Data Sources

Between 11–12 June 2018, five databases were searched. A search of the grey literature was conducted alongside hand searching reference lists of included studies.

Review Methods

Two researchers conducted the literature search, data extraction and quality appraisal. Three searches were conducted, combining nursing and technological terms. A narrative review approach to knowledge synthesis was used to compare and evaluate included studies.

Results

Eleven articles were retrieved. Results are presented under three subheadings: (a) text messaging and messenger apps; (b) social media and online forums; and (c) online interventions accessible via PC, smartphone and tablet. All included studies described how such provision could be beneficial; decreasing stress, isolation and anxiety and fostering a sense of community.

Conclusion

The review identified a dearth of research into how technology can support the well‐being of nurses. A high proportion of studies were based on student nurse populations using small sample sizes, therefore further research is needed.

Impact

Technology may offer a sustainable and accessible means of providing support for nurses who find it difficult to communicate in person due to time pressures at work. It is important that the psychological well‐being of nurses is seriously addressed as more nurses are now leaving than joining the profession. Online interventions may offer a sustainable and accessible means of providing support for busy nursing staff who have difficulty finding time to communicate with one another face‐to‐face. Nurse retention is an international issue linked to quality of patient care. There are financial implications for healthcare providers who compensate for the workforce deficit by employing costly agency staff. This scoping review aims to map and evaluate the available literature on technology‐mediated support for the emotional and social well‐being of nurses. Recommendations for future research, policy and practice will be offered from the findings of the review.
Analytics of time management strategies in a flipped classroom
Authors: Ahmad Uzir Nora'ayu , Gašević Dragan , Matcha Wannisa , Jovanović Jelena , Pardo Abelardo
Published: October 2019

This paper aims to explore time management strategies followed by students in a flipped classroom through the analysis of trace data. Specifically, an exploratory study was conducted on the dataset collected in three consecutive offerings of an undergraduate computer engineering course (N= 1,134). Trace data about activities were initially coded for the timeliness of activity completion. Such data were then analysed using agglomerative hierarchical clustering based on Ward's algorithm, first order Markov chains, and inferential statistics to (a) detect time management tactics and strategies from students' learning activities and (b) analyse the effects of personalized analytics‐based feedback on time management. The results indicate that meaningful and theoretically relevant time management patterns can be detected from trace data as manifestations of students' tactics and strategies. The study also showed that time management tactics had significant associations with academic performance and were associated with different interventions in personalized analytics‐based feedback.
miR‐200c suppresses stemness and increases cellular sensitivity to trastuzumab in HER2+ breast cancer
Authors: Tang Hailin , Song Cailu , Ye Feng , Gao Guanfeng , Ou Xueqi , Zhang Lijuan , Xie Xinhua , Xie Xiaoming
Published: October 2019

Resistance to trastuzumab remains a major obstacle in HER2‐overexpressing breast cancer treatment. miR‐200c is important for many functions in cancer stem cells (CSCs), including tumour recurrence, metastasis and resistance. We hypothesized that miR‐200c contributes to trastuzumab resistance and stemness maintenance in HER2‐overexpressing breast cancer. In this study, we used HER2‐positive SKBR3, HER2‐negative MCF‐7, and their CD44+CD24− phenotype mammospheres SKBR3‐S and MCF‐7‐S to verify. Our results demonstrated that miR‐200c was weakly expressed in breast cancer cell lines and cell line stem cells. Overexpression of miR‐200c resulted in a significant reduction in the number of tumour spheres formed and the population of CD44+CD24− phenotype mammospheres in SKBR3‐S. Combining miR‐200c with trastuzumab can significantly reduce proliferation and increase apoptosis of SKBR3 and SKBR3‐S. Overexpression of miR‐200c also eliminated its downstream target genes. These genes were highly expressed and positively related in breast cancer patients. Overexpression of miR‐200c also improved the malignant progression of SKBR3‐S and SKBR3 in vivo. miR‐200c plays an important role in the maintenance of the CSC‐like phenotype and increases drug sensitivity to trastuzumab in HER2+ cells and stem cells.
A Comparative Characterization of the Mitochondrial Genomes of Paramoeba aparasomata and Neoparamoeba pemaquidensis (Amoebozoa, Paramoebidae)
Authors: Bondarenko Natalya , Volkova Ekaterina , Masharsky Alexey , Kudryavtsev Alexander , Smirnov Alexey
Published: October 2019

Marine amebae of the genus Paramoeba (Amoebozoa, Dactylopodida) normally contain a eukaryotic endosymbiont known as Perkinsela‐like organism (PLO). This is one of the characters to distinguish the genera Neoparamoeba and Paramoeba from other Dactylopodida. It is known that the PLO may be lost, but PLO‐free strains of paramoebians were never available for molecular studies. Recently, we have described the first species of the genus Paramoeba which has no parasome—Paramoeba aparasomata. In this study, we present a mitochondrial genome of this species, compare it with that of Neoparamoeba pemaquidensis, and analyze the evolutionary dynamics of gene sequences and gene order rearrangements between these species. The mitochondrial genome of P. aparasomata is 46,254 bp long and contains a set of 31 protein‐coding genes, 19 tRNAs, two rRNA genes, and 7 open reading frames. Our results suggest that these two mitochondrial genomes within the genus Paramoeba have rather similar organization and gene order, base composition, codon usage, the composition and structure of noncoding, and overlapping regions.
Characterization of lactobionic acid evidencing its potential for food industry application
Authors: Cardoso Taís , Marques Caroline , Sotiles Anne Raquel , Dagostin João Luiz Andreotti , Masson Maria Lucia
Published: October 2019

The chemical configuration of the lactobionic acid (LBA) evidences its potential properties, among which the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and chelating activities stand out in the literature. However, few studies aim at testing and confirming them. The purpose of this study was to determine some selected LBA properties, whose characteristics are of interest for its use as an ingredient in foodstuffs. The discussion followed the results of Fourier‐Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffractometry (XRD), 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical, thermogravimetric/derivative thermogravimetry (TGA/DTG), minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) by the diffusion disk test, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and iron/calcium chelating methodologies. The XRD analysis revealed the presence of an amorphous halo and the absence of defined peaks, a fact possibly related to its high hygroscopicity. The FTIR showed characteristic bands of the LBA structure. Results from TGA/DG verified the LBA thermal degradation, which evidenced that LBA could participate in most food industry unit processes within the first mass loss event. Antioxidant capacity reached a maximum inhibition of 56% for LBA and the chelating capacity of the iron ion achieved 54% of chelated ions, while the calcium ions reached 15%. The results revealed high potential of LBA application for microbial inhibition, moisture retention, and texture maintenance throughout storage of food products.

Practical Applications

Despite the potential of application of the LBA, few quantitative results demonstrate its ability of action in food. Even without permission in most countries around the world, more research with LBA will encourage the investigation of its toxicology, expanding the areas of application. Its thermal degradation profile and elevated solubility demonstrated the potential of LBA as food ingredient, performing moreover as antioxidant, chelating agent, antimicrobial, and texturizer. The results open the possibilities for many applications in the field of food chemistry and food industry.
Meat, dairy, and more: Analysis of material, energy, and greenhouse gas flows of the meat and dairy supply chains in the EU28 for 2016
Authors: aan den Toorn Stephen Ivan , Worrell Ernst , van den Broek Machteld A.
Published: October 2019

To decarbonize the European Union, protein consumption must transition to diets low in meat and dairy which will drastically change the material and energy flows in current meat and dairy supply chains. To understand the impacts on current flows, a baseline is required. Although recent studies have improved the scope of reported greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, no quantitative overview exists including intermediate and final product flows. To address this knowledge gap, we structured the meat and dairy supply chains into a connected set of transformation nodes and distribution nodes. The former are processes transforming inputs into outputs, whereas the latter distribute the outputs to other processes using them as inputs. Currently, livestock play a central role in agriculture and other industries through the consumption of 271 Mt fodder crops, 108 Mt grain, 85 Mt grazed biomass, 49 Mt oil meal, and 16 Mt feed by‐products. This feed is transformed into 64 Mt dairy and 35 Mt meat which ensures that the EU28 is a net exporter of meat and dairy while providing 25 Mt of by‐products. This production also leads to 435 Mt CO2‐eq. with the main contribution from beef cattle (35%), dairy cattle (32%), and swine (20%). Thus, the lower GHG intensities of dairy products compared to meat do not imply a low contribution to the total emissions. By mapping the material, energy, and GHG emission flows, we have created a baseline suitable for identifying potential supply chain changes and their related GHG increase or decrease resulting from the protein transition.
Rapid remote conditioning mediates modulation of blood cell paracrine activity and leads to the production of a secretome with neuroprotective features
Authors: Bonova Petra , Jachova Jana , Nemethova Miroslava , Macakova Lubica , Bona Martin , Gottlieb Miroslav
Published: October 2019

The indirect use of the protective potential of stem cells in the form of cell secretomes has become an attractive strategy in regenerative medicine. In the present work, we studied the paracrine activity of blood cells that could be modulated towards a neuroprotective nature using in vivo remote conditioning (i.e. tolerant blood cells). The increased neuronal survival mediated by the tolerant secretome was clearly confirmed in vitro in a model of glutamate toxicity in a primary culture of rat cortical neurons and in vivo in a pre‐ and post‐treatment of rats that were subjected to transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Bioinformatic‐based analysis of the protein profile revealed higher amounts of proteins released by the tolerant blood cells; 29 proteins were recognised as secreted. More than half of these secreted proteins were involved in the biological processes of the response to the stimulus (GO:0050896) and the response to chemicals (GO:0042221). The protective phenotype was most likely mediated by the synergistic effect of multiple identified proteins, including unique to the tolerant secretome (ceruloplasmin, D‐3‐phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase) and was promoted by the co‐participation of several reaction pathways. The most probably of these pathways were post‐translation protein modification, MAP2K and MAPK activation and platelet activation. Taken together, our results demonstrate that properly stimulated blood cells could serve as a source for cell‐free‐based therapies of regenerative medicine.

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The Acquisition of Gender Stereotypes about Intellectual Ability: Intersections with Race
Authors: Jaxon Jilana , Lei Ryan F. , Shachnai Reut , Chestnut Eleanor K. , Cimpian Andrei
Published: October 2019

The common stereotype that brilliance is a male trait is an obstacle to women's success in many prestigious careers. This gender‐brilliance stereotype is powerful in part because it seems to be acquired early in life and might thus shape girls’ career aspirations. To date, however, research on this stereotype has not considered how its acquisition might intersect with (1) the other social identities that men and women are perceived to hold, and (2) the social identities that children themselves hold. The present study examined these open questions. First, we compared 5‐ and 6‐year‐old children's (N = 203) assumptions about the intellectual abilities of White men and women with their assumptions about the intellectual abilities of Black men and women. Second, we compared White children's assumptions about the intellectual abilities of men and women with those of children of color (primarily Latinx, Black, and Asian). The results suggested two main conclusions: First, children learn to associate White men (vs. women), but not Black men (vs. women), with brilliance. In fact, children generally see Black men as less brilliant than Black women. Second, the results suggested that the stereotype associating White men with brilliance is shared by children regardless of their own race. These results add considerable nuance to the literature on the development of gender stereotypes about intellectual ability and have implications for policies that might be implemented to prevent the negative effects of these stereotypes.
Disruption of circadian rhythm by alternating light‐dark cycles aggravates atherosclerosis development in APOE*3‐Leiden.CETP mice
Authors: Schilperoort Maaike , van den Berg Rosa , Bosmans Laura A. , van Os Bram W. , Dollé Martijn E. T. , Smits Noortje A. M. , Guichelaar Teun , van Baarle Debbie , Koemans Lotte , Berbée Jimmy F. P. , Deboer Tom , Meijer Johanna H. , de Vries Margreet R. , Vreeken Dianne , van Gils Janine M. , Willems van Dijk Ko , van Kerkhof Linda W. M. , Lutgens Esther , Biermasz Nienke R. , Rensen Patrick C. N. , Kooijman Sander
Published: October 2019

Disruption of circadian rhythm by means of shift work has been associated with cardiovascular disease in humans. However, causality and underlying mechanisms have not yet been established. In this study, we exposed hyperlipidemic APOE*3‐Leiden.CETP mice to either regular light‐dark cycles, weekly 6 hours phase advances or delays, or weekly alternating light‐dark cycles (12 hours shifts), as a well‐established model for shift work. We found that mice exposed to 15 weeks of alternating light‐dark cycles displayed a striking increase in atherosclerosis, with an approximately twofold increase in lesion size and severity, while mice exposed to phase advances and delays showed a milder circadian disruption and no significant effect on atherosclerosis development. We observed a higher lesion macrophage content in mice exposed to alternating light‐dark cycles without obvious changes in plasma lipids, suggesting involvement of the immune system. Moreover, while no changes in the number or activation status of circulating monocytes and other immune cells were observed, we identified increased markers for inflammation, oxidative stress, and chemoattraction in the vessel wall. Altogether, this is the first study to show that circadian disruption by shifting light‐dark cycles directly aggravates atherosclerosis development.
The dark side of office designs: towards de‐humanization
Authors: Taskin Laurent , Parmentier Michaël , Stinglhamber Florence
Published: October 2019

Recent research on flexible office designs have shown that open‐plan and/or flex offices may not have the expected effects in terms of employees’ productivity, well‐being, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and retention. In this article, we propose to consider that the feeling of de‐humanization may explain such dark side of office designs. Adopting a mixed methods approach, we administrated a quantitative survey to 534 employees working in a variety of office designs, and conducted 12 semi‐structured interviews among the respondents to the survey in order to investigate how they experienced their office designs, notably in terms of de‐humanization. Results showed that the three specific office designs under study (i.e. cell, open‐plan, and flex offices) are associated with different levels of de‐humanization and that this feeling of de‐humanization mediates their impact on employees’ job satisfaction, affective organizational commitment, extra‐role performance, psychological strains, and turnover intentions. Interviews’ analysis reveals three main mechanisms in the development of the feeling of de‐humanization in such office designs: a triple feeling of dispossession (of space, voice and professional mastery), a feeling of abandon and an injunction to adopt a modern behaviour.
IgE and IgG4 binding to lentil epitopes in children with red and green lentil allergy
Authors: Sackesen Cansin , Erman Baran , Gimenez Gustavo , Grishina Galina , Yilmaz Ozlem , Yavuz Suleyman T. , Sahiner Umit M. , Buyuktiryaki Betul , Yilmaz Ebru A. , Cavkaytar Ozlem , Sampson Hugh A.
Published: October 2019

Background

The consumption of lentil is common in the Mediterranean area and is one of the causes of IgE‐mediated food allergy in many countries. Len c 1 is a well‐defined allergen of lentil and approximately 80% of the patients with lentil allergy recognize the purified Len c 1 protein. We sought to identify IgE and IgG4 sequential epitopes of Len c 1 in patients with red and/or green lentil allergy. We also aimed to determine IgE and IgG4 binding differences between those patients who had outgrown or remained reactive to lentil.

Methods

Children with IgE‐mediated lentil allergy were included in the study. We applied a microarray immunoassay to determine the characterization of positive IgE and IgG4 binding to Len c 1 epitopes in the patients’ sera.

Results

The peptides specifically recognized by IgE and IgG4 antibodies were mainly detected between peptides 107 and 135 of Len c 1. The signal intensities of positive epitopes were significantly greater in reactive patients than tolerant ones (P = .008 for IgE and P = .002 for IgG4). Moreover, IgE and IgG4 antibodies bound largely the same sequential epitopes in patients who remained reactive or outgrew their allergy.

Conclusion

IgG4‐binding epitopes in lentil allergy were identified and IgE and IgG4 binding to epitopes in both red and green lentils was compared. Our data regarding signal intensity differences between reactive and outgrown patients and overlap binding of IgE and IgG4 antibodies may be important for the development of more accurate diagnostic tests and understanding of natural tolerance development.
PRX2 and PRX25, peroxidases regulated by COG1, are involved in seed longevity in Arabidopsis
Authors: Renard Joan , Martínez‐Almonacid Irene , Sonntag Annika , Molina Isabel , Moya‐Cuevas José , Bissoli Gaetano , Muñoz‐Bertomeu Jesús , Faus Isabel , Niñoles Regina , Shigeto Jun , Tsutsumi Yuji , Gadea José , Serrano Ramón , Bueso Eduardo
Published: October 2019

Permeability is a crucial trait that affects seed longevity and is regulated by different polymers including proanthocyanidins, suberin, cutin and lignin located in the seed coat. By testing mutants in suberin transport and biosynthesis, we demonstrate the importance of this biopolymer to cope with seed deterioration. Transcriptomic analysis of cog1‐2D, a gain‐of‐function mutant with increased seed longevity, revealed the upregulation of several peroxidase genes. Reverse genetics analysing seed longevity uncovered redundancy within the seed coat peroxidase gene family; however, after controlled deterioration treatment, seeds from the prx2 prx25 double and prx2 prx25 prx71 triple mutant plants presented lower germination than wild‐type plants. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of the seed coat of these mutants showed a thinner palisade layer, but no changes were observed in proanthocyanidin accumulation or in the cuticle layer. Spectrophotometric quantification of acetyl bromide‐soluble lignin components indicated changes in the amount of total polyphenolics derived from suberin and/or lignin in the mutant seeds. Finally, the increased seed coat permeability to tetrazolium salts observed in the prx2 prx25 and prx2 prx25 prx71 mutant lines suggested that the lower permeability of the seed coats caused by altered polyphenolics is likely to be the main reason explaining their reduced seed longevity.
Prefrontal GABA and glutamate levels correlate with impulsivity and cognitive function of prescription opioid addicts: A 1H‐magnetic resonance spectroscopy study
Authors: Li Jian‐Neng , Liu Xi‐Long , Li Long
Published: October 2019

Aim

Prescription opioids are psychoactive substances that can elicit many neuropsychological effects. There are no studies that directly demonstrate the effects of prescription opioid addiction (POA) on the human brain. This study aimed to quantify γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (Glu) levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of POA patients using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MRS), and to explore their association with impulsive behavior and cognitive impairment.

Methods

Thirty‐five patients with a definitive clinical diagnosis of codeine‐containing cough syrup dependence and 35 matched healthy controls underwent neuropsychological assessments, namely the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS‐11) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA). Point‐resolved spectroscopy was performed to detect GABA and glutamate within the medial PFC, and the corresponding levels were estimated using jMRUI and corrected for fraction of cerebrospinal fluid in the 1H‐MRS voxel. The difference in metabolite levels between groups and the correlation between metabolite levels and psychometric scores in patients were analyzed statistically.

Results

The peak level predominantly consisting of GABA with a relatively small influence of other chemicals (GABA+) was lower and that of glutamate was higher in the PFC of POA patients than in healthy controls. GABA+ levels correlated negatively with BIS‐11 scores but correlated positively with MoCA scores. In contrast, glutamate levels showed a positive correlation with BIS‐11 scores but no significant correlation with MoCA scores.

Conclusion

The quantitative in vivo measurement of GABA and glutamate levels in the PFC by 1H‐MRS could be a reliable way to evaluate impulsivity and cognitive function of POA.
Clinical and radiological characteristics of patients with retroperitoneal infantile hemangiomas
Authors: Peterman Caitlin M. , Gibson Ruby S. , Lillis Anna P. , Fishman Steven J. , Liang Marilyn G.
Published: October 2019

Background

Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are the most common tumors of infancy. The objective was to identify clinical and radiological patterns in patients with retroperitoneal IHs.

Methods

We reviewed patients from our Vascular Anomalies Center database with IHs and abdominal imaging presenting from 1999 to 2017 to identify retroperitoneal involvement.

Results

Eleven patients (10 females, one male) with retroperitoneal IHs were found. Cutaneous IHs were present in eight patients (five segmental (45%), three multifocal (27%)) and absent in 1 (9%). Segmental hemangiomas involved the face in 2/5 (40%) and lower body in 3/5 (60%). The most common symptoms were dyspnea (n = 4), hematochezia (n = 3), and/or ulceration (n = 2). Three patients were asymptomatic. Involved retroperitoneal organs included the duodenum (n = 4), pancreas (n = 3), and adrenal glands (n = 1). Non‐retroperitoneal organ involvement included the liver (n = 5), non‐duodenal small intestine (n = 4), and large intestine (n = 3). Perivascular retroperitoneal hemangiomas were seen in 6/11 patients (55%), most commonly surrounding the aorta (n = 5), iliac vessels (n = 2), and/or inferior vena cava (n = 2). Three of 11 patients (27%) had LUMBAR based on a segmental, sacral hemangioma with tethered cord or anorectal malformation. Follow‐up information was available in 6/11 patients (55%): 5 symptomatically improved with treatment (propranolol, corticosteroids, and/or vincristine), while one succumbed from extensive hepatic involvement.

Conclusion

Retroperitoneal IHs are rare and tend to involve organs or surround vessels. Associated cutaneous IHs, if present, lack anatomical predilection and may be segmental or multifocal.
PpC: a new method to reduce the density of lidar data. Does it affect theDEMaccuracy?
Authors: Buján Sandra , González‐Ferreiro Eduardo M. , Cordero Miguel , Miranda David
Published: October 2019

In cost–benefit analysis of lidar data acquisition, point density is often artificially reduced in order to examine how this affects the quality of derived products. However, the performance of the different density reduction methods has not yet been compared and their influence on the accuracy of the models and results has not been evaluated. A novel method for reducing the point density, termed Proportional per Cell (PpC), is presented and compared with the performance of three other reduction methods, examining their influence on the accuracy of lidar‐derived digital surface models usingISPRSreference data. The results indicate that the PpC method was better at conserving the characteristics of the original data. However, point density, sample type and slope had a greater influence than the reduction method used.
The use of personal and indoor air pollution monitors in reproductive epidemiology studies
Authors: Gaskins Audrey J. , Hart Jaime E.
Published: October 2019

Background

Personal and indoor air pollution monitors represent two ways to assess acute air pollution exposures; however, few reproductive epidemiology studies have incorporated these tools.

Objective

To provide an overview of the unique challenges and opportunities that arise when measuring acute exposure to air pollution in two ongoing reproductive epidemiology studies.

Methods

The Air Pollution, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and Reproductive Outcomes (AIR) Study recruits women undergoing IVF to wear a personal particulate matter (PM) air pollution monitor (AirBeam2©) for the 72‐hour period following the start of controlled ovarian stimulation. The Reproductive Effects of Chemicals and Air Pollutants (RECAP) Study recruits men across the United States to place an air pollution monitor (emmET) in their home for 3 months, use a smartphone application, and provide a semen sample. We highlight the key issues identified in implementing exposure assessment for both studies.

Results

The main advantages of using the AirBeam2© personal monitor are as follows: (a) the low cost, (b) the ability to collect multiple size fractions of PM data every second, (c) the portability, (d) its capability to track GPS location, and (e) the ability for the participant to observe their real‐time exposure information. The limited battery life, incompatibility with iOS‐based smartphones, and frequent connection issues that arise between the AirBeam2© and smartphone are the main disadvantages. The main advantages of the emmET are the ability to measure multiple air pollutants at a high level of accuracy, collect data for a long period of time without burdening the participant, and ship monitors to participants around the country without the need for in‐person set‐up by trained technicians; however, the monitor only measures the indoor home environment.

Conclusions

Novel methods can be utilised to characterise short‐term air pollution exposure in reproductive epidemiology studies and represent an exciting area for future research.
Short versus prolonged freezing differentially impacts freeze – thaw injury in spinach leaves: mechanistic insights through metabolite profiling
Authors: Min Kyungwon , Chen Keting , Arora Rajeev
Published: October 2019

Plant tissues subjected to short or prolonged freezing to a fixed sub‐freezing temperature are expected to undergo similar freeze‐desiccation but the former causes substantially less injury than the latter. To gain metabolic insight into this differential response, metabolome changes in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaves were determined following short‐term (0.5 and 3.0 h) vs. prolonged freezing (5.5 and 10.5 h) at −4.5°C resulting in reversible or irreversible injury, respectively. LD50, the freezing duration causing 50% injury, was estimated to be ∼3.1 h and defined as the threshold beyond which tissues were irreversibly injured. From 39 identified metabolites, 19 were selected and clustered into 3 groups: (1) signaling‐related (salicylic acid, aliphatic and aromatic amino acids), (2) injury‐related (GABA, lactic acid, maltose, fatty acids, policosanols, TCA intermediates) and (3) recovery‐related (ascorbic acid, α‐tocopherol). Initial accumulation of salicylic acid during short‐term freezing followed by a decline may be involved in triggering tolerance mechanisms in moderately injured tissues, while its resurgence during prolonged freezing may signal programmed cell death. GABA accumulated with increasing freezing duration, possibly to serve as a ‘pH‐stat’ against cytoplasmic acidification resulting from lactic acid accumulation. Mitochondria seem to be more sensitive to prolonged freezing than chloroplasts since TCA intermediates decreased after LD50 while salicylic acid and maltose, produced in chloroplasts, accumulate even at 10.5‐h freezing. Fatty acids and policosanols accumulation with increasing freezing duration indicates greater injury to membrane lipids and epicuticular waxes. Ascorbic acid and α‐tocopherol accumulated after short‐term freezing, supposedly facilitating recovery while their levels decreased in irreversibly injured tissues.
Explicit and tacit synergies between alliance firms and radical innovation: the moderating roles of interfirm technological diversity and environmental technological dynamism
Authors: Hao Bin , Ye Jiangfeng , Feng Yanan , Cai Ziming
Published: October 2019

This study draws on theories of organizational inertia and relational view to examine how the pursuit of partnership synergy influences radical innovation in different technological contexts. We differentiate between two types of synergy: explicit synergy, defined as the potential to exchange interfirm operational elements to renew processes or capabilities, and tacit synergy, conceptualized as the potential to synthesize cross‐boundary resources to develop new perspectives or thinking modes. We find that both explicit and tacit synergies have positive impacts on radical innovation, and such impacts are contingent on interfirm technological diversity and environmental technological dynamism in opposing ways. Specifically, environmental technological dynamism positively moderates the relationship between explicit synergy and radical innovation but not the relationship between tacit synergy and radical innovation. In contrast, interfirm technological diversity positively moderates the relationship between tacit synergy and radical innovation but not the relationship between explicit synergy and radical innovation. Our study sheds new light on the generation of radical innovation in alliances. It also provides practitioners with useful guidelines for crafting synergy strategies that will facilitate the pursuit of radical innovation.
Nonjudicial business regulation and community access to remedy
Authors: Haines Fiona , Macdonald Kate
Published: October 2019

Redress for communities harmed by transnational business activity remains elusive. This paper examines community efforts to access redress for human rights‐related harms via recourse to transnational nonjudicial mechanisms (NJMs) – a prevalent but widely debated instrument of transnational business regulation. Drawing together insights from theoretical debates surrounding nonjudicial regulation and evidence from a major empirical study of human rights redress claims in Indonesia and India, the paper explores the conditions under which NJMs can support community access to remedy. Three conditions are shown to be central in enabling some degree of NJM effectiveness: the institutional design of regulatory strategies, the institutional empowerment of regulatory institutions, and social empowerment of affected communities and their supporters. While all three conditions are required in some measure to underpin effective NJM interventions, these conditions can be combined in varying ways in different contexts to underpin either top–down or bottom–up pathways to redress. The former derives its primary influence from institutional authority and capacity, while the latter relies more heavily on diffuse societal leverage in support of community claims. These findings have significant implications for theoretical debates about the capacity and limits of nonjudicial regulatory approaches to support human rights redress within decentered contexts of transnational regulation where both regulatory power and agency are widely diffused.