bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On a correlative and evolutionary SWOT analysis
Authors: Vlados Charis
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to counter-propose a new approach of SWOT analysis, which can be used in the strategic planning of the contemporary organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper, after presenting the conceptual context of the existing (conventional) SWOT analysis, presents the existing criticism within the international literature. Then, it articulates gradually the new evolutionary and correlative SWOT analysis, by using the approaches and the literature of evolutionary economics, and the Stra.Tech.Man approach in business dynamics. In conclusion, it presents the new conceptual framework on which a new correlative SWOT analysis can be based.

Findings

Main finding of this research is that the interpretation of the conventional SWOT analysis tends to study the strengths and the weaknesses of the business with an analytical dichotomy. The conventional SWOT analysis conceptualizes, usually implicitly, the opportunities and threats of the external environment as having the same impact to all the socioeconomic agents, without exception. However, by using a correlative interpretation of SWOT analysis, we understand that the opportunities and threats are always “potential,” depending on the organization’s strategic capability to exercise its comparative strengths and weaknesses.

Originality/value

In the existing literature of SWOT analysis, despite the growing criticism, there is no critique that can give systemic and correlative answers to the articulation of business strategy in SWOT terms. The Stra.Tech.Man approach, also, is a conceptual framework to study the evolutionary adaptation of all the kinds of socioeconomic organizations.
Analyzing technology transfer offices’ influence for entrepreneurial universities in Portugal
Authors: Mascarenhas Carla , Marques Carla S.E. , Galvão Anderson R. , Carlucci Daniela , Falcão Pedro F. , Ferreira Fernando A.F.
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how important technology transfer offices (TTOs) – which in Portuguese are called “industrial property support offices” or GAPIs – are in terms of fostering patent applications and technology transfer in countries characterized by low performance records in these activities.

Design/methodology/approach

Among the existing 23 Portuguese GAPIs, only eight agreed to provide answers to a semi-structured questionnaire survey. Content analysis was performed on the data collected using NVivo software.

Findings

The results show that GAPIs play an important role in the innovation life-cycle, speeding up the transfer of knowledge and technology to society. The regulation of intellectual property (IP) ownership and royalty sharing with inventors was identified as a major result, strengthening entrepreneurial universities’ role. In addition, after the GAPIs were created, networks were formed that facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experience and promote the development of further collaborative partnerships.

Practical implications

This study’s results offer new insights into how GAPIs contribute to socio-economic growth by fostering more entrepreneurial universities and increasing the transfer of technology to society. In addition, these offices promote the creation of networks between GAPIs, enabling them to leverage universities’ potential for participation in socio-economic development.

Originality/value

No previous research has focused on GAPIs/TTOs’ point of view regarding policies that enhance IP and technology/knowledge transfer.
Bank top management teams, disclosure, learning, survival and failure – 1990-2017
Authors: Holland John
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Corporate financial communications concern public and private disclosure (Holland, 2005). This paper aims to explain how banks developed financial communications and how problems emerged in the global financial crisis. It explores policy responses.

Design/methodology/approach

Bank cases reveal construction and destruction of the social, knowledge and economic world of financial communications over two periods.

Findings

In the 1990s, learning about financial communications by a “dominant coalition” (Cyert, March, 1963) in bank top management was stimulated by gradual change. The management learnt how to accumulate social and cultural capital and developed “habitus” for disclosure (Bourdieu, 1986). From 2000, rapid change and secrecy factors accelerated bank internalisation of shareholder wealth maximising values, turning “habitus” in “market for information” (MFI) (Barker, 1998) into a “psychic prison” (Morgan,1986), creating riskier bank cultures (Schein, 2004) and constraining learning.

Research limitations/implications

The paper introduces sociological concepts to banking research and financial disclosures to increase the understanding about financial information and bank culture and about how regulation can avoid crises. Limitations reflect the small number of banks and range of qualitative data.

Practical implications

Regulators will have to make visible the change processes, new contexts and knowledge and connections to bank risk and performance through improved regulator action and bank public disclosure.

Social Implications

“Masking” and rituals (Andon and Free, 2012) restricted bank disclosure and weakened governance and market pressures on banks. These factors mediated bank failure and survival in 2008, as “psychic prisons” “fell apart”. Bank and MFI agents experienced a “cosmology episode” (Weick, 1988). Financial communications structures failed but were reconstructed by regulators.

Originality/value

The paper shows how citizens require transparency and contested accountability to democratise finance capitalism. Otherwise, problems will recur.
“It’s your turn to step into their shoes”
Authors: Rodriguez Leonor , Dolan Pat
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the role of empathy in adolescents coping with maternal cancer to identify passive and active empathy forms and the role of these in adolescent coping at a challenging time.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was a secondary content analysis carried out on 15 adolescent interviews that were analysed to find the evidence of empathy in active and passive forms. Adolescents were between 14 and 20 years of age, their mothers were diagnosed with cancer in the previous 24 months to the interview.

Findings

The analysis identified more evidence of active forms of empathy than passive directed at ill mothers and their families as helpful behaviours and emotional support. Passive empathy was experienced by adolescents who did not have major changes in their daily routines because of maternal cancer. Both passive and active empathy were perceived as coping mechanisms. Maternal illness motivated adolescents’ empathy and encouraged actions to support their mothers, immediate and extended families.

Originality/value

Empathy is complex but can be important for adolescent development including their social skills and relationships; however, research has not evaluated the role of empathy in adolescents experiencing maternal cancer.
Effects of aridity on soil microbial communities and functions across soil depths on the Mongolian Plateau
Authors: Chen Dima , Saleem Muhammad , Cheng Junhui , Mi Jia , Chu Pengfei , Tuvshintogtokh Indree , Hu Shuijin , Bai Yongfei
Published: May 2019

Arid and semi‐arid grassland ecosystems cover about 15% of the global land surface and provide vital soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) sequestration. Although half of the soil C and N is stored in deep soils (below 30 cm), no regional‐scale study of microbial properties and their functions through the soil profile has been conducted in these drylands.

To explore the distribution and determinants of microbial properties and C and N mineralization rates through soil profile along aridity gradient at a regional scale, we investigated these variables for four soil layers (0–20, 20–40, 40–60 and 60–100 cm) in 132 plots on the Mongolia Plateau.

Soil microbial properties (biomass and bacteria:fungi ratio) and C and N mineralization rates decreased with increasing soil depth and aridity at the regional scale. Aridity‐induced declines in soil microbial properties mainly resulted from the negative effects of aridity on ANPP/root biomass and soil organic C (SOC) in the surface soil layers (0–20 and 20–40 cm) but from the direct and indirect (via SOC and soil C/N) negative effects of aridity in the deep soil layers (40–60 and 60–100 cm).

Aridity‐induced declines in soil C mineralization rates mainly resulted from the negative indirect effect of aridity on SOC and microbial properties in each soil layer, with weaker effects of SOC and stronger effects of soil microbes in the deep soil layers. Aridity‐induced declines in soil N mineralization rates mainly resulted from the negative indirect effect of aridity on SOC in the three soil layers above 60 cm and mainly resulted from the negative direct effect of aridity in the 60–100 cm soil layer.

Aridity via direct or indirect effects strongly determined the patterns of soil microbial properties and C and N mineralization throughout soil profiles on the Mongolian Plateau. These findings suggest that the increases in aridity are likely to induce changes in soil micro‐organisms and their associated functions across soil depths of semi‐arid grasslands, and future models should consider the dynamic interactions between substrates and microbial properties across soil depths in global drylands.

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Long‐term impacts of changed grazing regimes on the vegetation of heterogeneous upland grasslands
Authors: Pakeman Robin J. , Fielding Debbie A. , Everts Liese , Littlewood Nick A.
Published: May 2019

Marginal agricultural land, which in the UK refers to upland grazings in particular, is going to see changes in management driven by markets, subsidies, grants and environmental change with implications for biodiversity.

Using a large‐scale, long‐term grazing experiment in the UK uplands we assessed the impact of intensification (tripling sheep numbers), abandonment (removal of sheep) and grazer diversification (partial replacement of sheep by cattle) on vegetation composition in a heterogenous area of grassland.

Species benefiting from increased grazing included sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum), mat grass (Nardus stricta) and deer grass (Trichophorum cespitosum). Species that benefitted from the removal of grazing included bog asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum), bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) and blaeberry (Vaccinium myrtillus).

Responses differed between vegetation communities; more productive acid grassland communities showed little change when grazing was removed, whilst less productive mire communities contained species, capable of increasing after grazing removal. Increased grazing and, to a lesser extent, the introduction of cattle increased species diversity.

Synthesis and applications. Marginal agricultural grassland will likely see management change driven by markets, subsidies and environmental change. Vegetation change in these relatively infertile grasslands is slow and features shuffling dominance amongst species in the initial vegetation. Initial structural changes affect other trophic levels in this experiment; the slow change in composition will affect the system over longer timescales. Management decisions in the uplands encompass complex trade‐offs between production, biodiversity and a range of ecosystem services. Predicting the consequences of decisions is difficult given the slow dynamics of unproductive habitats.
σ54‐Dependent regulator DVU2956 switches Desulfovibrio vulgaris from biofilm formation to planktonic growth and regulates hydrogen sulfide production
Authors: Zhu Lei , Gong Ting , Wood Thammajun L. , Yamasaki Ryota , Wood Thomas K.
Published: May 2019

Microbiologically influenced corrosion causes $100 billion in damage per year, and biofilms formed by sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) are the major culprit. However, little is known about the regulation of SRB biofilm formation. Using Desulfovibrio vulgaris as a model SRB organism, we compared the transcriptomes of biofilm and planktonic cells and identified that the gene for σ54‐dependent regulator DVU2956 is repressed in biofilms. Utilizing a novel promoter that is primarily transcribed in biofilms (Pdvu0304), we found production of DVU2956 inhibits biofilm formation by 70%. Corroborating this result, deleting dvu2956 increased biofilm formation, and this biofilm phenotype could be complemented. By producing proteins in biofilms from genes controlled by DVU2956 (dvu2960 and dvu2962), biofilm formation was inhibited almost completely. A second round of RNA‐seq for the production of DVU2956 revealed DVU2956 influences electron transport via an Hmc complex (high‐molecular‐weight cytochrome c encoded by dvu0531–dvu0536) and the Fe‐only hydrogenase (encoded by dvu1769, hydA and dvu1770, hydB) to control H2S production. Corroborating these results, producing DVU2956 in biofilms decreased H2S production by half, deleting dvu2956 increased H2S production by 131 ± 5%, and producing DVU2956 in the dvu2956 strain reduced H2S production. Therefore, DVU2956 maintains SRB in the planktonic state and reduces H2S formation.
Auditor Independence and Fair Value Accounting: An Examination of Nonaudit Fees and Goodwill Impairments
Authors: Carcello Joseph V. , Neal Terry L. , Reid Lauren C. , Shipman Jonathan E.
Published: May 2019

Inadequate testing of fair value accounting estimates, including goodwill, is often cited as an audit deficiency in PCAOB inspection reports, and, in some cases, these deficiencies have led to enforcement actions against the auditor. As a result of these issues, the PCAOB recently proposed a new auditing standard for fair value accounting. While these regulatory actions suggest that auditors are challenged by the fair value regime of accounting for goodwill, they also highlight an area where the auditor could be influenced by their financial ties to a client. In this study, we test whether nonaudit fees are associated with goodwill impairment decision outcomes. Our results indicate that the nonaudit fees a client pays are inversely related to the likelihood of impairment in settings where goodwill is likely to be impaired. Additional examinations suggest that the negative relation between nonaudit fees and auditor independence is driven by clients who are most incentivized to exert their influence over the auditor.
Real Incentive Effects of Soft Information
Authors: Christensen Peter O. , Frimor Hans , Şabac Florin
Published: May 2019

Both soft, noncontractible, and hard, contractible, information are informative about managerial ability and future firm performance. If a manager's future compensation depends on expectations of ability or future performance, then the manager has implicit incentives to affect the information. We examine the real incentive effects of soft information in a dynamic agency with limited commitment. When long‐term contracts are renegotiated, the rewards for future performance inherent in long‐term contracts allow the principal partial control over the implicit incentives. This is because the soft information affects the basis for contract renegotiation. With short‐term contracts, the principal has no control over the basis for contract negotiation, and thus long‐term contracts generally dominate short‐term contracts. With long‐term contracts, the principal's control over implicit incentives is characterized in terms of effective contracting on an implicit aggregation of the soft information that arises from predicting (forming expectations of) future performance. We provide sufficient conditions for soft information to have no real incentive effects. In general, implicit incentives not controllable by the principal include fixed effects, such as career concerns driven by labor markets external to the agency. When controllable incentives span the fixed effects of career concerns, the latter have no real effects with regard to total managerial incentives—they would optimally be the same with or without career concerns. Our analysis suggests empirical tests for estimating career concerns that should explicitly incorporate noncontractible information.
M&A Due Diligence, Post‐Acquisition Performance, and Financial Reporting for Business Combinations
Authors: Wangerin Daniel
Published: May 2019

Before completing merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions, acquiring firms conduct due diligence. This process provides acquiring firms with a more informed assessment of the expected costs, benefits, and risks of an acquisition and offers one last opportunity to renegotiate or terminate an M&A transaction. However, acquiring firms must trade off the costs and benefits of performing additional due diligence versus completing the acquisition. Based on an analysis of the time to negotiate the acquisition agreement and complete the transaction, I predict and find that competitive pressures, short‐term financial reporting incentives, and agency problems are associated with less due diligence. I also find that less due diligence is associated with lower post‐acquisition profitability, a higher probability of acquisition‐related goodwill impairments, and lower quality fair value estimates for the acquired assets and liabilities. These findings highlight due diligence as an important factor explaining cross‐sectional variation in post‐acquisition performance and financial reporting for business combinations.
What Drives Investor Response to CSR Performance Reports?
Authors: Guiral Andres , Moon Doocheol , Tan Hun‐Tong , Yu Yao
Published: May 2019

Recent research finds that investors' assessments of a stock's fundamental value are influenced by corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance through the affect‐as‐information heuristic. We extend prior research by examining two boundary conditions for the use of this heuristic: (i) whether the CSR performance relates to activities that are integrated in a firm's core business practices (material CSR issues) or not (immaterial CSR issues), and (ii) whether the CSR performance is positive or negative. Employing an experimental method, we find that the affect‐as‐information heuristic applies only to immaterial CSR issues but not to material CSR issues, and only to positive but not negative CSR performance. Our findings suggest that investors likely use a heuristic approach to process immaterial and positive CSR issues, and a more deliberate and systematic approach to process material or negative CSR issues. Our study has both practical and theoretical implications.
Peer Effects among Financial Analysts
Authors: Do Truc (Peter) Thuc , Zhang Huai
Published: May 2019

We hypothesize that the arrival of star analysts improves the performance of incumbent financial analysts, while the departure of star analysts has the opposite effect. Our results consistent with this hypothesis are concentrated primarily in the tests related to star arrivals. Our findings are robust to an instrumental variable approach and a falsification test. In addition, we hypothesize that the impact of the arrival/departure of star analysts is more pronounced when the star analyst covers the same industry as the incumbents (especially for industries with high uncertainty), when the star analyst is more established, when the incumbent analysts are less experienced, and when the brokerage house has fewer existing star analysts. Overall, our paper offers evidence of peer effects among financial analysts, mainly through the arrival of star analysts.
Trader Participation in Disclosure: Implications of Interactions with Management
Authors: Elliott W. Brooke , Grant Stephanie M. , Hobson Jessen L. , Asay Scott
Published: May 2019

Technological advances are creating a shift in the information disclosure environment allowing more investors to interact with management. We examine three key levels of trader‐management interaction to assess the accuracy of traders' market‐tested value estimates and resulting market price. These data require an engaging experiment and a complex, contextually rich asset, which we create by playing a popular gaming app before the experiment. Participants view financial information, ask management questions, estimate value, and trade. We find that receiving non‐personalized question responses improves trader estimates of value and market price efficiency relative to when traders ask questions but do not expect a response. This occurs because traders exert more effort estimating value and trading. However, receiving personalized versus non‐personalized responses harms value estimates and market efficiency. This occurs because traders receiving personalized responses fixate on the interaction with management, dividing their attention and diverting it away from valuing and trading the asset.
Customer Concentration and Public Disclosure: Evidence from Management Earnings and Sales Forecasts
Authors: Crawford Steven , Huang Ying , Li Ningzhong , Yang Ziyun
Published: May 2019

This study examines the association between customer base concentration and corporate public disclosure policy. When the customer base is more concentrated, large customers face lower costs of accessing the supplier firm's private information, reducing customers' overall demand for the supplier's public information, suggesting a negative association between customer concentration and the amount of public disclosure. Alternatively, large customers have greater bargaining power and may demand that the supplier firm provide more public disclosures. Consistent with customer concentration facilitating private information flow from the supplier to customers, we find that the frequencies of management earnings and sales forecasts are negatively associated with customer concentration among firms with major corporate customers. These associations are stronger when the supplier and customers are engaged in more relationship‐specific investments, when customers' private information acquisition costs are lower, and when it is less costly for customers to find another supplier.
Pharmacogenetic Role of Dopamine Transporter (SLC6A3) Variation on Response to Disulfiram Treatment for Cocaine Addiction
Authors: Kampangkaew June P. , Spellicy Catherine J. , Nielsen Ellen M. , Harding Mark J. , Ye An , Hamon Sara C. , Kosten Thomas R. , Nielsen David A.
Published: May 2019

Background and Objectives

Disulfiram has been beneficial in treating cocaine addiction in several studies. Patients with two SLC6A3 (DAT1) rs28363170 10‐repeat alleles who have with genetically high dopamine transporter (DAT) levels may benefit from increased dopamine levels resulting from disulfiram treatment.

Methods

After stabilization for 2 weeks on methadone, 70 cocaine and opioid codependent patients were randomized into disulfiram and placebo groups for 12 weeks of treatment. We genotyped the SLC6A3 (DAT1) 40 bp 3′‐untranslated region variable number tandem repeat variant and evaluated its role in moderating disulfiram efficacy for cocaine dependence.

Results

Among the 10,10‐repeat genotype group, cocaine‐positive urines dropped from 78% to 48% and from 80% to 75% among the 9‐repeat carrier group in the disulfiram group (P = 0.0001, with an effect size of 0.09). No difference was observed in cocaine‐positive urines in the placebo group between the 10,10‐repeat genotype and the 9‐allele carrier patients.

Conclusions and Scientific Significance

We found that patients with genetically higher DAT levels had better treatment outcomes with disulfiram pharmacotherapy of cocaine dependence than those with lower DAT levels. (Am J Addict 2019;28:311–317)
Alteration of the mare's immune system by the synthetic progestin, altrenogest
Authors: Fedorka Carleigh Elizabeth , Ball Barry A. , Walker Olivia F. , Conley Alan J. , Corbin Cynthia J. , Lu Kristina G. , Hanneman Jessica M. , Troedsson Mats H.T. , Adams Amanda A.
Published: May 2019

Problem

Progestins are immunomodulatory in a variety of species. In the horse, the most commonly administered synthetic progestin is altrenogest (ALT), but its effect on the immune system of the non‐pregnant mare is unknown.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from diestrous mares were incubated with varying concentrations of progesterone (P4) or ALT to assess intracellular production of IFNγ and the expression of select cytokines. Additionally, ten mares received either ALT or VEH daily utilizing a switchback design beginning on the day of ovulation and continuing for 7 days. Circulating PBMCs and endometrial biopsies were obtained to assess the production and expression of the same cytokines.

Results

In vitro, both P4 and ALT caused a dose‐dependent decrease in intracellular IFNγ in PBMCs. P4 caused a dose‐dependent decrease in the expression ofIFNγ, IL‐10andIL‐4,while ALT caused an increase in the expression ofIL‐6andIL‐1βin PBMCs. In vivo, ALT suppressed the intracellular levels of IFNγ in PBMCs on d6. While control mares experienced a decrease inIL‐1βexpression from d0 to d6, ALT‐treated mares did not. In the endometrium, ALT increased the expression ofIL‐1RNandIFNγin comparison with VEH‐treated mares.

Conclusion

P4 and ALT appear to alter the immune system of the non‐pregnant mare both systemically in addition to locally within the endometrium. Further research is necessary to determine the pathways through which this synthetic progestin functions on the immune system of the horse, and the consequences it may have.
Identification of testicular cancer driver genes by a cross‐species comparative oncology approach
Authors: Sanchez A. , Xu L. , Pierce J. L. , Lafin J. T. , Abe D. , Bagrodia A. , Frazier A. L. , Amatruda J. F.
Published: May 2019

Background

Germ cell tumors arise in the testis, ovary, or extragonadal locations and have a wide range of histopathological and clinical presentations. The relative lack of animal models of germ cell tumors has impeded functional assessment of candidate driver genes. Previously, we described the development of testicular germ cell tumors in zebrafish carrying a mutation in bmpr1bb, a BMP family receptor, and demonstrated that human germ cell tumors have defects in BMP signaling.

Objective

To further credential the zebrafish model for studies of human germ cell tumor, and to elucidate conserved genetic programs underlying the development of germ cell tumor.

Materials and Methods

We used genetic techniques to ablate the germ cell lineage in developing fish and tested tumors for loss‐of‐heterozygosity of the wild‐type allele of bmpr1bb. We performed comparative gene expression profiling of zebrafish and human germ cell tumors and carried out functional studies of selected genes.

Results

Ablation of germ cells completely prevents testis tumor formation in the fish, definitively establishing the germ cell origin of the tumors. Germ cell tumors in bmpr1bb heterozygous mutants retain the wild‐type allele, indicating haploinsufficiency of bmpr1bb as the mechanism of tumor formation. Comparison of RNA‐Seq and microarray data from human and zebrafish germ cell tumors revealed a unique overlapping signature shared by the zebrafish tumors with human seminomas, yolk sac tumors, and embryonal carcinomas. The most highly conserved gene set in this cross‐species analysis included potential driver genes such as JUP, which we show to be essential for germ cell tumor cell growth.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the value of cross‐species comparative oncology for the identification of candidate human cancer genes.
Analysis of portal vein thrombosis after liver transplantation
Authors: Xue Zhicheng , Zhang Xuzhi , Li Zhongqiu , Deng Ronghai , Wu Linwei , Ma Yi
Published: May 2019

Background

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is one of the most deadly complications after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). This study aimed to identify risk factors and summarize the experience of PVT management after OLT.

Methods

The clinical data of 407 adult patients received OLT from July 2011 to December 2015 was retrospectively investigated.

Results

The incidence rate of PVT was 2.9% (12/407). Pre‐transplant PVT (P = 0.001), post‐operative transfusion of erythrocyte (P = 0.006) and platelet (P = 0.036) were significantly associated with PVT in the univariate analysis and the appearance of pre‐transplant PVT (P = 0.002, odds ratio 6.05) was the independent risk factor according to binary logistic regression. Among patients with PVT, three cases (3/12) received balloon dilation through selective catheterization of portal vein, five (5/12) received balloon‐expandable stent placement, three (3/12) received thrombectomy and surgical revascularization and one (1/12) received retransplantation. Six patients (6/12) died from various complications and the remaining six were followed up with normal liver function and patent portal vein.

Conclusions

The risk factors were pre‐transplant PVT and post‐operative transfusion of erythrocyte and platelet. To recipients with high risk, early diagnosis and prompt management of PVT are essential to improve prognosis.
Effects of growth hormone therapy on metabolic parameters, adipokine and endothelial dysfunction in prepuberal children
Authors: Cañete María Dolores , Valle‐Martos Rosario , Martos Rosario , Cañete Ramón , Valle Miguel , Jiménez‐Reina Luis
Published: May 2019

Aim

To determine whether non‐obese prepubertal children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) present changes in lipid metabolism, and adipokines, and to assess the short‐term effects of growth hormone (GH) treatment on these parameters.

Methods

Prospective observational follow‐up and case–control (36 GHD children and 38 healthy children) study lasted for six months. Means of values from groups were compared, control group versus GHD baseline group, and GHD baseline group versus GHD after six months of GH replacement therapy. Lipid profile, glucose, insulin, homeostatic model assessment – insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), leptin, adiponectin and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (sICAM‐1) were all analysed.

Results

Growth hormone deficiency children show higher baseline levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, Apo B and sICAM‐1, but lower levels of free fatty acids, insulin and HOMA‐IR. After six months of treatment, cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, Apo B, T cholesterol/HDL cholesterol, insulin, HOMA‐IR and leptin levels decreased. The changes in insulin and HOMA‐IR levels correlated inversely with the changes in HDL cholesterol and Apo A1 levels. A correlation was also observed between the changes in adiponectin levels and the changes in HDL cholesterol and Apo A1 levels. Variations in leptin levels were correlated with changes in triglycerides.

Conclusion

Prepubertal non‐obese GHD children present altered lipid profiles and adipokine levels. Replacement therapy with GH improves these variables.
Multiple actions of parathyroid hormone‐related protein in breast cancer bone metastasis
Authors: Martin T. John , Johnson Rachelle W.
Published: May 2019

The sequence similarity within the amino‐terminal regions of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH‐related protein (PTHrP) allows the two to share actions at a common site, the PTH1 receptor. A number of biological activities have been ascribed to actions of other domains within PTHrP. PTHrP production by late stage breast cancer has been shown to contribute to bone metastasis formation through promotion of osteoclast formation and bone resorption by action through PTH1 receptors. There is evidence also for a role for PTHrP early in breast cancer that is protective against tumour progression. No signalling pathway has been identified for this effect. PTHrP has also been identified as a factor promoting the emergence of breast cancer cells from dormancy in bone. In that case, PTHrP does not function through activation of PTH1 receptors, despite having very substantial effects on transcriptional activity of the breast cancer cells. This indicates actions of PTHrP that are non‐canonical, that is, mediated through domains other than the amino‐terminal. It is concluded that PTHrP has several distinct paracrine, autocrine, and intracrine actions in the course of breast cancer pathophysiology. Some are mediated through action at PTH1 receptors and others are controlled by other domains within PTHrP.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue on The molecular pharmacology of bone and cancer‐related bone diseases. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.9/issuetoc
Protective effects of leonurine against ischemic stroke in mice by activating nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 pathway
Authors: Xie Yan‐Zhao , Zhang Xiang‐Jian , Zhang Cong , Yang Yang , He Jun‐Na , Chen Yan‐Xia
Published: May 2019

Aims

Leonurine has been shown to trigger antioxidant responses during ischemic stroke, and nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf‐2) imparts protective effects against oxidative injury. The present study has determined that leonurine prevents ischemic injury of brain tissues via Nrf‐2 pathway activation.

Methods

Male ICR mice and Nrf‐2−/− mice were subjected to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) and received leonurine treatment at 2 hours after pMCAO by intraperitoneal injection. Neurological deficit scores as well as infarct volume were assessed to determine the neuroprotective role of leonurine. Nrf‐2 was investigated using Western blotting and real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis to elucidate the neuroprotective mechanism of leonurine. Commercial kits were employed to determine reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), malonaldehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was evaluated by Western blotting and RT‐PCR analysis, and VEGF was localized using immunofluorescence.

Results

The application of leonurine on ICR mice resulted in an improvement in neurological deficit scores and a reduction in infarct volume. Leonurine upregulated nuclear Nrf‐2 protein and increased total Nrf‐2 protein expression and mRNA levels. Leonurine regulated SOD, MDA, CAT, GSH, and GSH‐Px, and it significantly inhibited ROS production in ICR mice. Leonurine improved VEGF expression and increased VEGF expression in neurons, astrocytes, and endothelial cells. However, leonurine had no obvious beneficial effects on Nrf‐2−/− mice.

Conclusions

Leonurine exerted neuroprotective effects, promoted antioxidant responses, and upregulated VEGF expression by activating the Nrf‐2 pathway.
A comparative study of Michel's medium versus honey as a transport medium for skin specimens prior to direct immunofluorescence microscopy and antigen mapping
Authors: Kumudhini Subraminiam , Pai Sathish , Rao Chythra , Rao Raghavendra
Published: May 2019

Background

Michel's medium (MM) is currently the recommended transport medium for skin biopsy specimens prior to direct immunofluorescence (DIF) microscopy.

Objective

To compare the utility of honey with that of MM as a transport medium for skin biopsy specimens used for DIF and antigen mapping.

Methods

Group I consisted of 45 freshly‐taken skin specimens earmarked for DIF testing. It was divided into three groups (A, B and C), each containing 15 specimens. Biopsy specimens were sliced into two, one each for MM and honey. Samples in group A were processed at the end of week 1 while those in group B and C were processed at the end of weeks 2 and 4, respectively. Group II consisted of five specimens of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) which was further divided into three groups; two specimens were processed for antigen mapping at the end of week 1, while others were processed at the end of week 2 (two specimens) and 4 (one specimen).

Results

Sensitivity of honey as a transport medium for skin biopsy specimens was 100%, 92.6% and 53.8% at weeks 1, 2 and 4, respectively. The antigen mapping was positive in all specimens.

Conclusion

Utility of honey was comparable to MM for DIF samples tested at weeks 1 and 2 but was lower at week 4.
Assessment of Alimentación Normal con Ajuste de Insulina (ANAIS), a Spanish version of the DAFNE programme, in people with Type 1 diabetes: a randomized controlled parallel trial
Authors: Sánchez‐Hernández R. M. , Alvarado‐Martel D. , López‐Plasencia Y. , Carrillo‐Domínguez A. , Jiménez‐Rodríguez A. , Rodríguez‐Cordero J. , Vera-Elzo T. , Santana del Pino Á. , Nóvoa‐Mogollón F. J. , Wägner A. M.
Published: May 2019

Aim

To evaluate the effects of Alimentación Normal con Ajuste de Insulina (ANAIS), a group‐based, therapeutic education programme for Type 1 diabetes based on a flexible insulin regimen adjusted to the individual's food intake.

Methods

Participants with Type 1 diabetes and HbA1c levels of 53–86 mmol/mol (7–10%) were recruited from outpatient clinics at a tertiary care centre. They were randomized (using opaque, sealed envelopes, with a 2:1 treatment allocation ratio) to attend the training course immediately (immediate ANAIS; intervention group) or a year later (delayed ANAIS; control group). The main outcome was HbA1c level at 1 year. Secondary outcomes included lipid levels, weight, hypoglycaemic events, insulin dose, treatment satisfaction, self‐perceived dietary freedom, quality of life and participant‐defined goals.

Results

A total of 48 participants were assigned to the intervention group and 32 to the control group. Twelve months after completing the training, adjusted HbA1c was not significantly different in the intervention group [64 ± 1.3 vs 68 ± 1.6 mmol/mol (8.0 ±0.1% vs 8.4 ±0.1%); P=0.081]. Treatment satisfaction was significantly higher in the intervention group, but no differences were found in hypoglycaemic events, weight, insulin dose or changes in dietary freedom. At 1 year after the intervention, 72% of the participants (vs 33% in the control group; P=0.046) reported exceeding their expectations regarding achievement of their main personal goal.

Conclusion

Promoting dietary freedom and empowering people with Type 1 diabetes through structured education programmes, such as ANAIS, improves treatment satisfaction and self‐defined goals. No significant improvement in HbA1c level was achieved.
Separation anxiety: Extreme dehiscence of a mitral annuloplasty ring
Authors: Mashicharan Mary , Loke Ian , Zlocha Viktor , Khoo Jeffrey
Published: May 2019

We report a patient admitted with acute pulmonary edema 3 months after mitral valve repair, with no history of inter‐current febrile illness. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) demonstrated severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and an abnormally positioned annuloplasty ring, suggestive of dehiscence. The extreme extent of ring dehiscence was visualized on 3‐dimensional TEE (3D), with near‐complete separation of the ring. Strept.Mitis and Cristatus were isolated from the ring following redo mitral valve surgery, confirming endocarditis as the mechanism for dehiscence. This report highlights the additive role and superior ability of 3D TEE in the identification and anatomic delineation of mitral ring dehiscence.
Deposit insurance, remittances, and dollarization: Survey‐based evidence from a top remittance‐receiving country
Authors: Grigorian David A. , Kryshko Maxym
Published: May 2019

The study uses a unique survey of remittance‐receiving individuals from Tajikistan to study the impact of policy awareness on consumer behavior. The results show that knowledge of deposit insurance encourages the use of formal channels for transmitting remittances and reduces dollarization. Given the size and importance of remittances in Tajikistan, improving financial literacy and better publicizing details of the social safety net may encourage a more frequent use of formal channels for transferring remittances and reduce reliance on foreign exchange for transaction purposes. This is likely to improve bank profitability, enhance financial stability, and improve access to finance.
Comparing the behavioural thermoregulation response to heat stress by Atlantic salmon parr (Salmo salar) in two rivers
Authors: Corey Emily , Linnansaari Tommi , Dugdale Stephen J. , Bergeron Normand , Gendron Jean‐François , Lapointe Michel , Cunjak Richard A.
Published: May 2019

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and magnitude of extreme thermal events in rivers. The Little Southwest Miramichi River (LSWM) and the Ouelle River (OR) are two Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) rivers located in eastern Canada, where in recent years, water temperatures have exceeded known thermal limits (~23°C). Once temperature surpasses this threshold, juvenile salmon exploit thermal heterogeneity to behaviourally thermoregulate, forming aggregations in coolwater refuges. This study aimed to determine whether the behavioural thermoregulation response is universal across rivers, arising from common thermal cues. We detailed the temperature and discharge patterns of two geographically distinct rivers from 2010 to 2012 and compared these with aggregation onset temperature. PIT telemetry and snorkelling were used to confirm the presence of aggregations. Mean daily maximum temperature in 2010 was significantly greater in the OR versus the LSWM (p = 0.005), but not in other years (p = 0.090–0.353). Aggregations occurred on 14 and 9 occasions in the OR and LSWM respectively. Temperature at onset of aggregation was significantly greater in the OR (Tonset = 28.3°C) than in the LSWM (Tonset = 27.3°C; p = 0.049). Logistic regression models varied by river and were able to predict the probability of aggregation based on the preceding number of hours >23°C (R2 = 0.61 & 0.65; P50 = 27.4°C & 28.9°C; in the OR and LSWM respectively). These results imply the preceding local thermal regime may influence behaviour and indicate a degree of phenotypic plasticity, illustrating a need for localised management strategies.
Eyelid myoclonia with absences: Electroclinical features and prognostic factors
Authors: Giuliano Loretta , Fatuzzo Daniela , Mainieri Greta , Maira Giulia , Elia Maurizio , Ferlazzo Edoardo , Gasparini Sara , Nicoletti Alessandra , Sofia Vito , Zappia Mario
Published: May 2019

Objective

Eyelid myoclonia with absences (EMA) is a syndrome characterized by eyelid myoclonia with or without absences, eye closure‐induced generalized electroencephalographic (EEG) paroxysms and photosensitivity. Few data are available about the prognostic factors of this syndrome. The main objectives of our study were to describe the clinical and EEG features of a group of patients with EMA and to evaluate the presence of prognostic factors.

Methods

We retrospectively selected a cohort of patients with diagnosis of EMA evaluated in the epilepsy service of the Neurological Clinic of Catania, in the Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiopathology Unit of Oasi Research Institute, Troina and in the Regional Epilepsy Centre of Bianchi‐Melacrino‐Morelli Hospital of Reggio Calabria. We considered the features of the patients during the first year of disease, and at the last follow‐up visit. We stratified the patients into two groups: “seizure‐free”, defined as the absence of seizures for at least 2 years, and “not seizure‐free” and we evaluated the evolution of their characteristics and the presence of factors associated with outcome.

Results

We enrolled 51 patients (40 women (78%); mean age: 30.8 years ± 15.5 [range 10‐79]). The mean follow‐up time was 8.7 ± 5.8 years. Eleven patients (21.6%) achieved the condition of seizure‐free. Family history of epilepsy was associated with the condition of seizure‐free (P = 0.05). At the last follow‐up visit, EEG photosensitivity and eye closure sensitivity were significantly associated with the condition of “not seizure‐free”.

Significance

The results of our study revealed that a positive family history of epilepsy might be associated with a better outcome in EMA. Furthermore, the persistence of photosensitivity and eye closure sensitivity might indicate persistence of seizures, offering an aid in therapeutic management.
Molecular basis for and chemogenetic modulation of comorbidities in GABRG2‐deficient epilepsies
Authors: Zhang Chun‐Qing , McMahon Bryan , Dong Huancheng , Warner Timothy , Shen Wangzhen , Gallagher Martin , Macdonald Robert L. , Kang Jing‐Qiong
Published: May 2019

Objective

γ‐Aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor subunit gene mutations are significant causes of epilepsy, which are often accompanied by various neuropsychiatric comorbidities, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. It has been suggested that the comorbidities are caused by seizures, as the comorbidities often present in severe epilepsy syndromes. However, findings from both humans and animal models argue against this conclusion. Mutations in the GABAA receptor γ2 subunit gene GABRG2 have been associated with anxiety alone or with severe epilepsy syndromes and comorbid anxiety, suggesting that a core molecular defect gives rise to the phenotypic spectrum. Here, we determined the pathophysiology of comorbid anxiety in GABRG2 loss‐of‐function epilepsy syndromes, identified the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) as a primary site for epilepsy comorbid anxiety, and demonstrated a potential rescue of comorbid anxiety via neuromodulation of CeA neurons.

Methods

We used brain slice recordings, subcellular fractionation with Western blot, immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, and a battery of behavior tests in combination with a chemogenetic approach to characterize anxiety and its underlying mechanisms in a Gabrg2+/Q390X knockin mouse and a Gabrg2+/− knockout mouse, each associated with a different epilepsy syndrome.

Results

We found that impaired GABAergic neurotransmission in CeA underlies anxiety in epilepsy, which is due to reduced GABAA receptor subunit expression resulting from the mutations. Impaired GABAA receptor expression reduced GABAergic neurotransmission in CeA, but not in basolateral amygdala. Activation or inactivation of inhibitory neurons using a chemogenetic approach in CeA alone modulated anxietylike behaviors. Similarly, pharmacological enhancement of GABAergic signaling via γ2 subunit‐containing receptors relieved the anxiety.

Significance

Together, these data demonstrate the molecular basis for a comorbidity of epilepsy, anxiety, and suggest that impaired GABAA receptor function in CeA due to a loss‐of‐function mutation could at least contribute to anxiety. Modulation of CeA neurons could cause or suppress anxiety, suggesting a potential use of CeA neurons as therapeutic targets for treatment of anxiety in addition to traditional pharmacological approaches.