bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Results of a national survey of certified nurse coaches with implications for advanced practice nurses
Authors: Ross Alyson , Brooks Alyssa Todaro , Yang Li , Touchton-Leonard Kate , Raju Shravya , Bevans Margaret
Published: May 2018

Background and purpose:

Evidence suggests that nurse-coaching can improve health outcomes, but application of this skill is not well understood. The purpose of this study is to describe the practices of nurse coaches including their work settings, clients/health conditions, motivations behind becoming certified as coaches, and the personal benefits experienced by nurse coaches.

Methods:

A cross-sectional online survey was emailed to certified nurse coaches (n = 315); 164 completed the survey, including 68 (41.5%) advanced practice nurses.

Conclusions:

The most frequent conditions seen by coaches included the following: anxiety/stress (n = 39, 27.1%), cardiometabolic conditions (n = 24, 16.7%), and pain (n = 20, 13.9%). Coaching varied in frequency, method (individual versus group), and mode (in-person, by phone, or electronically). Participants became coaches to gain skills for enhancing their practice, deliver care that fits with their values and philosophy, meet personal needs (starting a private practice and improve their own self-care), attain credentials/validation, and empower others. The majority agreed/strongly agreed that since becoming a nurse coach, their own interpersonal relationships (80.3%), health/health behaviors (84.8%), and job satisfaction (70.7%) improved.

Implications for practice:

Nurse practitioners may be strategically situated to provide coaching and have the knowledge and skills needed to intervene with medically complex, at-risk populations.
Entyvio lengthen dose-interval study: lengthening vedolizumab dose interval and the risk of clinical relapse in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Chan Webber , Lynch Nicole , Bampton Peter , Chang Jeff , Chung Alvin , Florin Timothy , Hetzel David J. , Jakobovits Simon , Moore Gregory , Pavli Paul , Radford-Smith Graham , Thin Lena , Baraty Brandon , Haifer Craig , Yau Yunki , Leong Rupert W.L.
Published: May 2018

Background

Vedolizumab (VDZ), an α4β7 anti-integrin antibody, is efficacious in the induction and maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). In the GEMINI long-term safety study, enrolled patients received 4-weekly VDZ. Upon completion, patients were switched to 8-weekly VDZ in Australia. The clinical success rate of treatment de-escalation for patients in remission on VDZ has not been described previously.

Aim

To determine the proportion of patients who relapsed after switching from 4 to 8-weekly VDZ, the mean time to relapse, and the recapture rate when switching back to 8-weekly dosing.

Materials and methods

This was a retrospective, observational, multicenter study of patients previously recruited into GEMINI long-term safety in Australia. Data on the demographics and biochemical findings were collected.

Results

There were 34 patients [23 men, mean age 49.1 (±13.1) years] and their mean disease duration was 17.6 (±8.5) years. The mean 4-weekly VDZ infusion duration was 286.5 (±48.8) weeks. A total of five (15%) patients relapsed on dose-interval increase (4/17 UC, 1/17 CD) at a median duration from dose interval lengthening to flare of 14 weeks (interquartile range=6–25). Eighty percent (4/5) of patients re-entered remission following dose-interval decrease back to 4-weekly. No clinical predictors of relapse could be determined because of the small cohort size.

Conclusion

The risk of patients relapsing when switching from 4 to 8-weekly VDZ ∼15% and is similar between CD and UC. Dose-interval decrease recaptures 80% of patients who relapsed. Therapeutic drug monitoring of VDZ may be of clinical relevance.
Pregnancy in Serious Illness
Authors: Schroeder Karla , Miller Casey , Shaw Heather , Hutton Lynn
Published: May 2018

Pregnancy in the presence of serious illness and treatment can create a moral and ethical struggle. There is little literature to provide an ethical framework for decision making when women become pregnant while receiving aggressive care for any serious illness. The family and care team often have moral distress as they provide support and are integrally involved in decision making. A case study is presented to describe a complicated patient scenario and how all involved can develop emotional, moral, and ethical struggles as care is delivered. In clinical cases where nurses feel that their own ethical and moral frameworks are either in conflict with patient, family, or health care provider decisions, or feel that patient and family wishes conflict with one another or the health care system, emotions and distress rise to the surface. In these situations, nurses can advocate for standard practice and to use an ethical framework for decision making, such as the 4-box method, to help decrease moral and ethical struggles as technology continues to advance in health care.
Addressing Religious or Cultural Opposition to Brain Death Diagnosis
Authors: Johnson Donald O. , Westphal Christine G.
Published: May 2018

In 1968, the neurologic or “brain death” standard for declaration was introduced as an accepted standard for declaration of death in hospitals where heartbeat and breathing are being sustained by technology, but functions of the brain, including the brain stem, have ceased. For many people, this accepted ethical, legal, and medical definition of death by neurologic standards can seem to blur the line between life and death as the heart is still beating, the lungs are still moving air albeit by mechanical ventilation, and the body is still warm. As experts in end-of-life care, hospice and palliative care nurses must be knowledgeable about declaration of death by neurologic criteria, understand beliefs that do not support the concept, and collaborate with the health care team in providing compassionate end-of-life care. This article will use a case study to describe the legal and ethical challenges that ensue when religious and/or cultural beliefs result in rejection of the concept of brain death and propose ethically sound strategies to navigate these challenges within a framework of culturally congruent care that includes a 4-step process to progressively appreciate, accommodate, negotiate, and/or explicate the differences.
Integration of a Hospice Clinical Experience
Authors: Jeffers Stephanie
Published: May 2018

Prelicensure nursing programs have been slow to integrate end-of-life care into their curricula. In those prelicensure nursing programs that do offer courses on end-of-life care, student outcomes include positive attitudes toward dying patients. This mixed-method study had 2 purposes: first to compare 2 teaching strategies, hospice simulation and hospice clinical. The second purpose of this study was to strengthen understanding of the attitudes and perceptions of nursing students caring for dying patients and their families in both simulated and hospice clinical settings. Fourth-year nursing students enrolled in a Medical-Surgical Nursing III course participated in the study (n = 134). Participants were placed in an inpatient hospice clinical setting or a hospice simulation. Students completed the Frommelt Attitudes Toward Care of the Dying Scale and a reflection journal, before and after the assigned clinical or hospice day. Thematic analysis of the reflection journals was conducted. Key phrases and themes were identified, and the major themes were described. Prior to the hospice clinical or simulated educational experience, students reported feeling anxious caring for a dying patient or a patient who has just died. After the hospice clinical or simulation, students reported feeling more comfortable discussing end-of-life preferences with the patient and interdisciplinary team.
Effect of Hemodialysis Compared With Conservative Management on Quality of Life in Older Adults With End-Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Eckert Kathryn , Motemaden Lila , Alves Michelle
Published: May 2018

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) should choose a treatment modality, such as hemodialysis (HD) or conservative medical management (CMM), to improve their symptoms with the goal of attaining a good quality of life (QOL), a concept highly aligned with palliative care principles. This article aims to answer if elderly patients with ESRD have improved QOL with CMM compared with HD. Conservative medical management focuses on managing symptoms, rather than invasive procedures such as HD, with more focus on holistic care. Research concludes that CMM in elderly patients with ESRD leads to a maintained QOL at the expense of a reduced survival rate compared with those who are treated with dialysis. A patient’s wishes regarding QOL need to be considered when choosing a treatment modality; integrating palliative care as an extra layer of support can help providers, patients, and caregivers decide and implement the treatment that best aligns with the patient’s health care goals.
Is Adjunctive Progesterone Effective in Reducing Seizure Frequency in Patients With Intractable Catamenial Epilepsy? A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Valencia-Sanchez Cristina , Crepeau Amy Z. , Hoerth Matthew T. , Butler Kristina A. , Almader-Douglas Diana , Wingerchuk Dean M. , O’Carroll Cumara B.
Published: May 2018

Background:

Catamenial epilepsy refers to cyclic seizure exacerbation in relation to the menstrual cycle. Three distinct patterns have been described: C1-perimenstrual, C2-periovulatory, and C3-inadequate luteal. There is experimental and clinical evidence that gonadal steroid hormones affect neuronal excitability with estrogens being mainly proconvulsant and progesterone anticonvulsant. If reproductive steroids have a role in seizure occurrence, they may also have a role in treatment.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to critically assess current evidence regarding the efficacy of progesterone as adjunctive therapy in women with intractable catamenial epilepsy.

Methods:

The objective was addressed through the development of a structured critically appraised topic. This included a clinical scenario with a clinical question, literature search strategy, critical appraisal, results, evidence summary, commentary, and bottom line conclusions. Participants included consultant and resident neurologists, medical librarian, and content experts in the fields of epilepsy and gynecology.

Results:

A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was selected for critical appraisal. This trial compared the efficacy of adjunctive cyclic natural progesterone therapy versus placebo for seizures in women with intractable partial epilepsy, stratified by catamenial and noncatamenial status. There was no significant difference in proportions of responders between progesterone and placebo in the catamenial and noncatamenial strata. Prespecified secondary analysis showed that the level of perimenstrual seizure exacerbation is a significant predictor of the responder rate for progesterone therapy.

Conclusions:

Cyclic natural progesterone is not superior to placebo in reducing seizure frequency in women with intractable partial epilepsy. Posthoc findings suggest that progesterone may benefit a subset of women with perimenstrually exacerbated seizures.
Vertebral Artery Occlusion Causing Facial Colliculus and Opalski Stroke Syndromes Simultaneously
Authors: Alghamdi Saeed , Ayoub Omar , Alzahrani Nasser , Algahtani Hussein , Shirah Bader
Published: May 2018

Brainstem stroke syndromes refer to a group of vascular disorders that occur secondary to occlusion of small perforating arteries of the posterior circulation. Although such syndromes result in a characteristic clinical picture, they are challenging to localize. In practice, such syndromes are rarely seen in their pure form, and the clinical consequences of a given vascular lesion are probably less predictable than for arteries in the anterior circulation. If 2 or more brainstem strokes happen simultaneously, localization becomes much harder. In this article, we present a case with 2 embolic strokes that occurred simultaneously because of left vertebral artery occlusion. The first in the right facial colliculus causing right sixth and seventh cranial nerves’ palsy. The second happened in the left lateral medulla extending below the pyramidal decussation causing a classic left lateral medullary syndrome with ipsilateral hemiparesis, which constitutes a left Opalski stroke syndrome. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of these 2 brainstem stroke syndromes happening simultaneously.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Routine Venous Doppler Ultrasound for Diagnosis of Deep Venous Thrombosis at Admission to Inpatient Rehabilitation
Authors: Pinto Shanti M. , Yassin Mohamed , Galang Gary
Published: May 2018

Objective

The aims of the study were to identify whether timing of venous thromboembolism diagnosis is associated with differences in patient outcomes and to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis of routine venous Doppler ultrasound at admission to inpatient rehabilitation, taking into account costs associated with prolonged inpatient rehabilitation length of stay, and development of pulmonary embolism.

Design

This was a retrospective cohort study of 2312 consecutive patient discharges from a single inpatient rehabilitation facility for an 18-mo period. Cost-effectiveness model was built using TreeAge Healthcare Pro. The base case was constructed using probabilities and inpatient rehabilitation length of stay identified from retrospective analysis. Cost of Doppler ultrasound was obtained through the literature, and daily inpatient rehabilitation cost was obtained from the study institution.

Results

Venous thromboembolism was diagnosed in 6.6% of patients. Asymptomatic patients diagnosed with venous thromboembolism on screening Doppler ultrasound had shorter inpatient rehabilitation length of stay (P= 0.045) and lower rate of pulmonary embolism (P< 0.001) and acute hospital transfer (P= 0.002) than those diagnosed after clinical symptoms developed. Use of routine Doppler ultrasound at inpatient rehabilitation admission was found to be cost-effective, with a total cost of US $20,265 per admission compared with $20,269 per admission without use of Doppler ultrasound at inpatient rehabilitation admission.

Conclusions

Routine Doppler ultrasound screening for venous thromboembolism at inpatient rehabilitation admission is associated with improved patient outcomes without added cost per admission.
Heart enhancers with deeply conserved regulatory activity are established early in development
Authors: Yuan Xuefei , Song Mengyi , Devine Patrick , Bruneau Benoit G. , Scott Ian C. , Wilson Michael D.
Published: May 2018

During the phylotypic period embryos from different genera show similar gene expression patterns, implying common regulatory mechanisms. To identify enhancers involved in the initial events of cardiogenesis, which occurs during the phylotypic period, we isolated early cardiac progenitor cells from zebrafish embryos and characterized 3838 open chromatin regions specific to this cell population. Of these regions, 162 overlapped with conserved non-coding elements (CNEs) that also mapped to open chromatin regions in human. Most of the zebrafish conserved open chromatin elements tested drove gene expression in the developing heart. Despite modest sequence identity, human orthologous open chromatin regions could recapitulate the spatial temporal expression patterns of the zebrafish sequence, potentially providing a basis for phylotypic gene expression patterns. Genome-wide, we discovered 5598 zebrafish-human conserved open chromatin regions, suggesting that a diverse repertoire of ancient enhancers is established prior to organogenesis and the phylotypic period.
Yield performance of chromosomally engineered durum wheat-Thinopyrum ponticum recombinant lines in a range of contrasting rain-fed environments across three countries
Authors: Kuzmanović Ljiljana , Ruggeri Roberto , Able Jason A. , Bassi Filippo M. , Maccaferri Marco , Tuberosa Roberto , De Vita Pasquale , Rossini Francesco , Ceoloni Carla
Published: May 2018

Introgressions of Thinopyrum ponticum 7AgL chromosome segments, spanning 23%, 28% and 40% of the distal end of durum wheat 7AL arm, were previously shown to contain multiple beneficial gene(s)/QTL for yield-related traits, in addition to effective disease resistance (Lr19, Sr25) and quality (Yp) genes. In the present study, durum wheat near isogenic recombinant lines (NIRLs), harbouring each of the three introgressions, were included for the first time in multi-location field trials, to evaluate general and environment-specific effects of the alien chromatin on 26 yield-related traits. The results from nine different trials across contrasting environments of Italy, Morocco and South Australia over four years revealed that the overall impact of 7AgL introgressions into the tetraploid wheat background did not imply, except in one environment, major yield penalty. The comprehensive effect of the three 7AgL segments on individual yield-contributing traits, resulted in significant increases of biomass m−2 (+9%), spike number m−2 (+13%), grain number m−2 (+11%) and spikelet−1 (+8%), but also in a general, significant decrease of grain weight (−8%). When the separate NIRLs were analysed, each of the three 7AgL segments turned out to be associated with variation of specific yield components. The effects of the 40%-long segment proved to be the most stably expressed across environments and involved significant increases of spike and grain number m−2 (13% and 15%, respectively), grain number spike−1 (10%) and spike fertility index (46%), though accompanied by a significant decrease in thousand grain weight (−23%). In spite of this trade-off between grain number and grain weight, their interplay was such that in four trials, including dryer environments, a grain yield advantage was observed. This evidence, and comparison with the two other NIRLs, substantiates the hypothesized existence of major gene(s)/QTL for grain number in the most proximal 28-40% 7AgL region, exclusive to the 40%-long 7AgL introgression. The present study represents an important validation of the use of chromosomally engineered genetic stocks for durum wheat improvement, targeting not only disease resistance and quality traits but also relevant yield components.
ESCRT-mediated lysosome repair precedes lysophagy and promotes cell survival
Authors: Radulovic Maja , Bongiovanni Antonino , Schink Kay O. , Nähse Viola , Wenzel Eva M. , Lafont Frank , Stenmark Harald
Published: May 2018

Although lysosomes perform a number of essential cellular functions, damaged lysosomes represent a potential hazard to the cell. Such lysosomes are therefore engulfed by autophagic membranes in the process known as lysophagy, which is initiated by recognition of luminal glycoprotein domains by cytosolic lectins such as Galectin-3. Here we show that, under various conditions that cause injury to the lysosome membrane, components of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery are recruited. This recruitment occurs before that of Galectin-3 and the lysophagy machinery. Subunits of the ESCRT-III complex show a particularly prominent recruitment, which depends on the ESCRT-I component TSG101 and the TSG101- and ESCRT-III-binding protein ALIX. Interference with ESCRT recruitment abolishes lysosome repair and causes otherwise reversible lysosome damage to become cell lethal. Vacuoles containing the intracellular pathogenCoxiella burnetiishow reversible ESCRT recruitment, and interference with this recruitment reduces intravacuolar bacterial replication. We conclude that the cell is equipped with an endogenous mechanism for lysosome repair which protects against lysosomal damage-induced cell death but which also provides a potential advantage for intracellular pathogens.
Geographic variation in adult and embryonic desiccation tolerance in a terrestrial-breeding frog
Authors: Rudin-Bitterli T.S. , Evans J.P. , Mitchell N.J.
Published: May 2018

Intra-specific variation in the ability of individuals to tolerate environmental perturbations is often neglected when considering the impacts of climate change. Yet this information is potentially crucial for mitigating any deleterious effects of climate change on threatened species. Here we assessed patterns of intra-specific variation in desiccation tolerance in the frogPseudophryne guentheri, a terrestrial-breeding species experiencing a drying climate. Adult frogs were collected from six populations across a rainfall gradient and their dehydration and rehydration rates were assessed. We also compared desiccation tolerance of embryos and hatchlings originating from within-population parental crosses from four of the six populations, where selection on desiccation tolerance should be especially strong given that embryos cannot move to escape unfavourable microclimates. Embryos were reared on soil at three soil-water potentials, ranging from wet to dry (ψ = −10, −100 & −400 kPa), and their desiccation tolerance was assessed across a range of traits including survival, time to hatch after inundation, wet mass at hatching, hatchling malformations and swimming performance. We found significant and strong patterns of intra-specific variation in almost all traits, both in adults and first generation offspring. Adult frogs exhibited clinal variation in their water balance responses, with populations from drier sites both dehydrating and rehydrating more slowly compared to frogs from more mesic sites. Similarly, desiccation tolerance of embryos and hatchlings was significantly greater in populations from xeric sites. Taken together, our findings suggest that populations within this species will respond differently to the regional reduction in rainfall predicted by climate change models. We emphasise the importance of considering geographic variation in phenotypic plasticity when predicting how species will respond to climate change.
Enterovirus 71 structural viral protein 1 promotes mouse Schwann cell autophagy via endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated peripheral myelin protein 22 upregulation
Authors: Li Pei-qing , Yang Si-da , Hu Dan-dan , WeEI Dan , Lu Jing , Zheng Huan-ying , Nie Shu-shan , Liu Guang-ming , Yang Hao-mei
Published: May 2018

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) accounts for the majority of hand, foot and mouth disease-related deaths due to fatal neurological complications. The clinical observations and animal models found the early invasion of nervous system, and the demyelinating phenomenon was observed. As one of the receptors of EV71 structural viral protein 1 (VP1), SCARB2 mainly exists on the myelin sheath. EV71 VP1 can promote viral replication through inducing autophagy in neuron cells. This study aims to investigate the role and mechanism of VP1 in autophagy of mouse Schwann cells (MSCs). An EV71 VP1-expressing vector (pEGFP-C3-VP1) was generated and transfected into MSCs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Western blot analysis of the autophagy marker microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (LC3B) were used to assess autophagy in the cells. Real-time PCR and immunofluorescent staining were performed to determine the expression of PMP22. Small interfering RNA against PMP22 was employed to investigate the role of PMP22 in MSCs autophagy. Selective endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inhibitor salubrinal (SAL) was employed to determine whether PMP22 is mediated by ER stress. Our results demonstrated that VP1 played a promotive role in MSC autophagy. Overexpression of VP1 upregulated PMP22. PMP22 deficiency downregulated LC3B and thus inhibited autophagy. Furthermore, PMP22 expression was significantly suppressed by SAL. VP1 promotes MSC autophagy through upregulating ER stress-mediated PMP22 expression. VP1/ER stress/ PMP22 axis in autophagy may be a potential therapeutic target for EV71 infection-induced fatal neuronal damage.
Real time portable genome sequencing for global food security
Authors: Boykin Laura M. , Ghalab Ammar , De Marchi Bruno Rossitto , Savill Anders , Wainaina James M. , Kinene Tonny , Lamb Stephen , Rodrigues Myriam , Kehoe Monica A. , Ndunguru Joseph , Tairo Fred , Sseruwagi Peter , Kayuki Charles , Mark Deogratius , Erasto Joel , Bachwenkizi Hilda , Alicai Titus , Okao-Okuja Geoffrey , Abidrabo Phillip , Osingada John Francis , Akono Jimmy , Ateka Elijah , Muga Brenda , Kiarie Samuel
Published: May 2018

The United Nations has listed Zero Hunger as one of the 17 global sustainable development goals to end extreme poverty by 2030. Plant viruses are a major constraint to crop production globally causing an estimated $30 billion in damage 1 leaving millions of people food insecure 2. In Africa, agriculture employs up to 50% of the workforce, yet only contributes 15% to the GDP on average 3, suggesting that there is low productivity and limited value addition. This can be addressed through continued innovation in the fields of science and technology as suggested in the Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa (S3A) 4. Sustainable management of plant viruses and their associated vectors must include efficient diagnostics for surveillance, detection and identification to inform disease management, including the development and strategic deployment of virus resistant varieties. To date, researchers have been utilizing conventional methods such as; PCR, qPCR, high throughput sequencing (RNA-Seq, DNA-Seq) and Sanger sequencing for pathogen identification. However, these methods are both costly and time consuming, delaying timely control actions. The emergence of new tools for real-time diagnostics, such as the Oxford Nanopore MinION, have recently proven useful for early detection of Ebola 6 and Zika 7,8, even in low resourced laboratories. For the first time globally, the MinION portable pocket DNA sequencer was used to sequence whole plant virus genomes. We used this technology to identify the begomoviruses causing the devastating CMD which is ravaging smallholder farmers’ crops in sub-Saharan Africa. Cassava, a carbohydrate crop from which tapioca originates, is a major source of calories for over eight hundred (800) million people worldwide. With this technology, farmers struggling with diseased crops can take immediate, restorative action to improve their livelihoods based on information about the health of their plants, generated using a portable, real-time DNA sequencing device.
Fine-tuning cellular levels of DprA ensures transformant fitness in the human pathogenStreptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Johnston Calum , Mortier-Barriere Isabelle , Khemici Vanessa , Polard Patrice
Published: May 2018

Natural genetic transformation is a widespread mechanism of bacterial horizontal gene transfer. Transformation involves the internalization of exogenous DNA as single strands, followed by chromosomal integration via homologous recombination, promoting acquisition of new genetic traits. Transformation occurs during a distinct physiological state called competence, during which all proteins required to transform are produced. In the human pathogenStreptococcus pneumoniae, competence is controlled by a two-component system ComDE, which is induced by an exported peptide pheromone. DprA is universal among transformable species, strongly and specifically induced during pneumococcal competence, and crucial for pneumococcal transformation. Pneumococcal DprA plays three crucial roles in transformation and competence. Firstly, DprA protects internalized single-stranded (ss) DNA from degradation. Secondly, DprA loads the homologous recombinase RecA onto transforming ssDNA to promote transformation. Finally, DprA interacts with the response regulator ComE to shut-off pneumococcal competence. Pneumococcal shut-off has been linked to physiology, with long growth delays in competentdprA-cells. Here, we explored the effect of altering the cellular levels of DprA on these three roles. High cellular levels of DprA were not required for the primary role of DprA as a transformation-dedicated recombinase loader or for protection of transforming ssDNA. In contrast, full expression ofdprAwas required for optimal competence shut-off. Full expression ofdprAwas also crucial for transformant fitness. High cellular levels of DprA in competent cells thus ensure the fitness of pneumococcal transformants by promoting competence shut-off. This promotes survival and propagation of transformants, thus maximizing the adaptive potential of this human pathogen.

Importance

Transformation is a widespread mechanism of horizontal gene transfer that allows bacteria to acquire new genetic traits by internalizing foreign DNA and integrating it into their chromosomes. Transformation occurs during a transient physiological state called competence. DprA is conserved in transformable species and crucial for the protection and integration of transforming DNA. In the human pathogenStreptococcus pneumoniae, DprA is highly abundant and is also crucial for competence shut-off. Here, we show that high DprA expression is not required for transformation. In contrast, full expression ofdprAwas required for competence shut-off and transformant fitness. These findings thus link high cellular levels of DprA to survival and propagation of pneumococcal transformants, maximizing the adaptive potential of this human pathogen.
Structure analysis of human Prion protein involved in Sporadic Fatal Insomnia
Authors: Camp Philip J , Tabaee Damavandi Pardis , Pickersgill Richard W , Dove Martin T
Published: May 2018

Prion disorders are the root cause of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE), a group of lethal diseases portrayed by progressive neurodegeneration and spongiosis. In recent years, researchers have come to understand that it is not the endogenous presence of Prions itself that causes neurodegeneration, but the amount of prion proteins that accumulates in the nervous tissue, leading them to exert neurotoxicity. More specifically, the cause of these disorders is mapped to several mutations that can bring the prion protein structure to a disordered permanent misfolded state. Our research is focused on Sporadic Fatal Insomnia (sFI), a rare TSE characterized by severe and chronic insomnia, leading to a life expectancy estimation of about two and a half years, from the onset of the first symptoms. The goal of this work was to analyze through computational studies the structure of the native human Prion Protein (PrPnat) and compare it with the toxic form (FI-Prion) which causes disease. Our findings show that the structure of the human mutant FI-Prion, responsible for Sporadic Fatal Insomnia is more flexible than the native human form PrPnat. Specific regions of the mutant seem to fluctuate more freely than the corresponding loops in the native form. We also identified amino acids Tyr128 and Met129 to be the key residues playing a major role in the manifestation of the disease. Therefore, we’ve learnt that the FI-Prion is more flexible than PrPnat. In addition, we also confirmed that sporadic fatal insomnia is undoubtedly an infectious disease.
Sperm morphology differences associated with pig fertility
Authors: Mandawala AA , Skinner BM , Walling GA , Harvey KE , Harvey SC
Published: May 2018

Artificial insemination is routine in commercial pig breeding, and as such, the use of high-quality semen samples is imperative. Here, we have developed a novel, semi-automated, software-based approach to assess pig sperm nucleus morphology in greater detail than was previously possible. This analysis identified subtle morphological differences between samples assessed by the industry as normal and those assessed as abnormal. 50 normal and 50 abnormal samples that were initially categorised using manual assessment to industry standards, were investigated using this new method, with at least 200 fixed stained sperm heads analysed in each case. Differences in sperm nuclear morphology were observed between normal and abnormal samples; specifically, normal samples were associated with higher mean nuclear area, a consequence of a greater head width and a lower variability between sperm heads. This novel, unbiased and fast analysis method demonstrates a significant difference in sperm head morphology between normal and abnormal pig sperm and has the potential to be further developed to be used as a tool for sperm morphology assessment both in the pig breeding industry and potentially in human assisted reproductive technologies.
Long-day increase of HvVRN2 expression marks the deadline to fulfill the vernalization requirement in winter barley
Authors: Monteagudo Arantxa , Igartua Ernesto , Karsai Ildikó , Gracia M Pilar , Casas Ana M.
Published: May 2018

Vernalization and photoperiod cues are integrated in winter barley plants to flower in the right conditions. We hypothesize that there is a timeframe to satisfy the vernalization needs in order to flower in the optimum moment. Growth and expression of different flowering promoters (HvVRN1, HvCO2, Ppd-H1, HvFT1, HvFT3) and repressors (HvVRN2, HvCO9 and HvOS2) were evaluated in two winter barley varieties under: (1) natural increasing photoperiod, without vernalization, and (2) under short day conditions in three insufficient vernalization treatments. Here, we provide evidence of the existence of a day-length threshold, around 12 h 30 min in our latitudes (Zaragoza, Spain, 41°43’N), marked by the rise of HvVRN2 expression, which defines the moment in which cold requirement must be satisfied to acquire competency to flower. Before that, expression of HvCO2 was induced and might be promoting HvFT1 in both inductive and non-inductive conditions. HvFT3, to be effectively expressed, must receive induction of cold or plant development, through downregulation of HvVRN2 and HvOS2. We emphasize the contribution of HvOS2, together with HvVRN2, in the delay of flowering in vernalization-responsive cultivars. Understanding this complex mechanism of flowering might be useful for breeders to define varieties, particularly in a climate change scenario.
RUNX1 suppresses breast cancer stemness and tumor growth
Authors: Hong Deli , Fritz Andrew J. , Finstad Kristiaan H. , Fitzgerald Mark P. , Viens Adam L. , Ramsey Jon , Stein Janet L. , Lian Jane B. , Stein Gary S.
Published: May 2018

Recent studies have revealed that mutations in the transcription factor Runx1 are prevalent in breast tumors. Yet, how loss of Runx1 contributes to breast cancer (BCa) remains unresolved. We demonstrate for the first time that Runx1 represses the breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) phenotype and consequently, functions as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer. Runx1 ectopic expression in MCF10AT1 and MCF10CA1a BCa cells reduces (60%) migration, invasion andin vivotumor growth in mouse mammary fat pad (P<0.05). Runx1 is decreased in BCSCs, and overexpression of Runx1 suppresses tumorsphere formation and reduces the BCSC population. Furthermore, Runx1 inhibits Zeb1 expression, while Runx1 depletion activates Zeb1 and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Mechanistically Runx1 functions as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer through repression of cancer stem cell activity. This key regulation of BCSCs by Runx1 may be shared in other epithelial carcinomas, highlighting the importance of Runx1 in solid tumors.
Quality of life and better than well: a mixed method study of long-term (post five years) recovery and recovery capital
Authors: Collins Andrew , McCamley Alison
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare quality of life scores in a long-term recovery population group (post five years) with a general population group and to explore how any differences might be explained by recovering individuals themselves in a small number of follow up qualitative interviews.

Design/methodology/approach

A sequential explanatory mixed method design combining quantitative quality of life measure (WHOQOL-BREF, 1996) and six subsequent semi-structured individual interviews. The quality of life measure compared long-term recovery scores (post five years) with the general population group. The subsequent qualitative semi-structured interviews explored what the participants themselves said about their recovery.

Findings

The quantitative data provide evidence of a significant difference in quality of life (WHOQoL-BREF) in two domains. The long-term recovery group (five or more years into recovery) scored higher in both the environment and psychological domains than the general population group. Of the long-term recovery group, 17 people who still accessed mutual aid scored higher in all four domains than those 23 people who did not. The interviews provide evidence of the this difference as result of growth in psychological elements of recovery, such as developing perspective, improvement in self-esteem, spirituality, as well as contributing as part of wider social involvement.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides support for the quality of life measure as useful in recovery research. The empirical data support the concept of recovery involving improvements in many areas of life and potentially beyond the norm, termed “better than well” (Best and Lubman, 2012; Valentine, 2011; Hibbert and Best, 2011). Limitations: snowballing method of recruitment, and undertaken by public health practitioner. Some suggestions of women and those who attend mutual aid having higher quality of life but sample too small.

Practical implications

Use QoL measure more in recovery research. Public health practitioners and policy makers need to work with partners and agencies to ensure that there is much more work, not just treatment focused, addressing the wider social and environmental context to support individuals recovering from alcohol and drugs over the longer term.

Originality/value

One of small number of studies using with participants who have experienced long-term (post five years) recovery, also use of quality of life measure (WHOQOL-BREF, 1996) with this population.
An entrepreneurial venture’s growth within Thai university
Authors: Sooampon Sutti
Published: May 2018

Purpose

This study aims to investigate growth stage of an entrepreneurial venture born within Thai university and also to explore the future growth strategy which is formulated by the departmental team and at the same time is influenced by the school’s administrators.

Design/methodology/approach

Single case study approach was used to explore the growth of dental school’s internal venture aimed to produce low-cost pharmaceutical supplies. The interview data were matched with relevant entrepreneurship literatures to build theory from case study.

Findings

There is a clash in terms of growth strategy preferred by the parental organization and department-level team who found the venture. The dental school’s administrators expect their internal venture to be fully commercialized as spin-off according to typical academic entrepreneurship scheme. Differently, the entrepreneurial team prefers keeping the departmental venture inside to serve its socially entrepreneurial motivation with modest growth.

Originality/value

The case evidence implies different schools of thought that could influence the growth of university-based entrepreneurial venture. The university’s entrepreneurial development scheme thus is to incorporate such differences to move its departmental venture forward for sustainable growth.
An exploratory study of wine business philanthropy in the USA
Authors: Gilinsky Jr Armand , Forbes Sharon Lee , Fuentes-Fernández Rosana
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate philanthropic practices in the US wine industry, as prior research on charitable giving by wine industry participants is limited. Earlier studies on corporate philanthropy are inconclusive about the direction and the degree of community philanthropy on organizational effectiveness. There are also notable research gaps, including the lack of research into philanthropy in small businesses and the dominance of US studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews the literature on corporate social responsibility and philanthropy, presents a series of propositions and a theoretical model, sets forth a research schema to investigate to what extent philanthropic activities are motivated by altruistic as well as strategic considerations across the global wine industry and reports preliminary findings from a sample of 100 US wine producers.

Findings

In brief, 99 per cent of the wine businesses surveyed significantly engaged in altruistic behavior in their local communities, primarily helped local charities, donated at the median 150 cases each year, and those activities represented about 1 per cent of pre-tax profits, comparable to or above giving by other participants in other industries.

Research limitations/implications

As survey data were self-reported, empirical proof has yet to be obtained to support or refute the findings of this investigation. Comparisons to philanthropic practices in other wine regions of the world are not yet completed.

Practical implications

Wine producers pursue community stewardship and maintain good corporate citizenship to create direct benefits apart from economic growth or jobs, but future research is needed to ascertain whether motivations are primarily altruistic or strategic.

Social implications

Communities embrace the presence of wine businesses to foster job creation and economic activity, but remain uncertain about the other community benefits.

Originality/value

This exploratory paper fills a major gap in understanding with respect to examining motives for giving and expected outcomes by wine industry participants.
Port wine exports: a gravity model approach
Authors: Gouveia Sofia , Rebelo João , Lourenço-Gomes Lina
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the macroeconomic determinants of Port wine exports, taking into account the diversity and various quality levels associated with this product.

Design/methodology/approach

Port wine is a fortified wine only produced in Portugal. In the period 2006-2014, an extended gravity model is applied to data on the exports of the top 20 importing countries, accounting for 94 per cent of total exports. The authors base their empirical strategy on the Hausman–Taylor estimator (1971), overcoming endogeneity and accounting for time invariant variables. They estimate the impact of several factors on the total trade of Port wine, namely: gross domestic product (GDP), GDP per capita, tariffs, exchange rates, distance from original supplier, mutual language familiarity, landlockedness, wine consumption per capita and presence of Portuguese emigrants, all measured in volume and value terms, and for each of the four categories (Standard, High Standard, Vintage and Aged).

Findings

The findings show that the quantity and value of total Port wine exports are positively determined by overall GDP per capita, the presence of a Portuguese emigrant community (which implies that to some degree a common language and culture are shared), while exports are negatively influenced by landlockedness. In contrast to the traditional gravity model, distance from the source of supply does not appear to be a significant determinant, a fact explained by the specific and singular nature of Port wine and by the long tradition of this product in international markets. In addition, the results revealed specific determinants for specific product categories – such as GDP for aged Port and wine consumption per capita for high standard, vintage and aged Port, suggesting that Portugal needs to increase its exports of high-quality Port wine to markets that exhibit a tendency towards increased wine consumption per capita and are coming to be considered large and fast-growing economies.

Originality/value

This paper extends the literature, by respecifying the typical gravity model for aggregate goods to permit the analysis of wine exports. There has been relatively little application of this model to assess the determinants of the wine trade, and when it has been used, generally it has been in studies focusing on aggregate wine trade between countries. This paper seeks to fill this gap by focusing on the determinants of exports of a specific wine – Port wine, which is an internationally recognised product, with a clear internal product differentiation according to distinct quality levels – and in this regard provides new insights into the international patterns of trade in wine.
The impact of different names for a wine variety on prices
Authors: Oczkowski Eddie
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to illustrate a general method for identifying the price impact of using a different varietal name for a wine.

Design/methodology/approach

A revealed preference research approach is employed using marketed wines and prices. Price impacts are estimated using hedonic price models which control for the influence of other factors on prices. The technique is applied to the use of accepted synonyms to describe different varieties of Australian wine.

Findings

The use of varietal synonyms in the Australian market is suggested to be more of a marketing strategy designed to command a higher price rather than because of wine stylistic reasons. Important premiums are estimated for the use of the terms Syrah, Pinot Gris and to a lesser extent for Fumé Blanc.

Practical implications

Australian wine producers may be able to command price premiums by strategically choosing a name for a particular varietal. It appears no significant stylistic changes are needed to “justify” any varietal name change, and as such, only a label name change may be required. A switch to French-associated or -sounding names for a wine varietal may result in price premiums for Australian producers.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates a general revealed preference method for identifying wine varietal name price premiums and further illustrates the importance of “Frenchness” in wine name use.
Shared brands and sustainable competitive advantage in the Brazilian wine sector
Authors: Castro Virginia Aparecida , Giraldi Janaina de Moura Engracia
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate if shared brands provide sustainable competitive advantage according to an adapted valuable, rare, imitability/replaceability and organization (VRIO) model to the Brazilian wine sector in the opinion of the government agencies, associations and managers of the wineries.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was based on a qualitative and exploratory research, based on in-depth interviews. Fine wines that have geographical indications and are located in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul were analyzed and content analysis was used to explore data.

Findings

It was concluded that shared brands in the Brazilian wine sector can be considered a source of sustainable competitive advantage according to the resource-based view.

Research limitations/implications

Qualitative research has the aspect of the subjectivity of the researcher when analyzing the data.

Practical implications

The government agencies, associations and wineries can improve the production process and seek certified products for commercialization in the domestic and foreign markets. These contributions may also, in practice, be used by other sectors and countries.

Originality/value

This work contributes to the understanding of the shared brand’s concept, including geographical indications, collective brands and the sector brands. The proposition that shared brands provide sustainable competitive advantage, according to an adapted VRIO model was confirmed. Barney’s VRIO framework (Barney, 1991, 1995) hitherto thought for individual companies, has the letter “O” of Organization replaced by the letter “A” of Association, becoming VRIA. The authors found that the four conditions that form the here proposed acronym VRIA are valuable, rare, imperfectly imitable/replaceable and association.