bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient-derived xenografts undergo murine-specific tumor evolution
Authors: Ben-David Uri , Ha Gavin , Tseng Yuen-Yi , Greenwald Noah F. , Oh Coyin , Shih Juliann , McFarland James M. , Wong Bang , Boehm Jesse S. , Beroukhim Rameen , Golub Todd R.
Published: July 2017

Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) have become a prominent model for studying human cancerin vivo. The underlying assumption is that PDXs faithfully represent the genomic features of primary tumors, retaining their molecular characteristics throughout propagation. However, the genomic stability of PDXs during passaging has not yet been evaluated systematically. Here we monitored the dynamics of copy number alterations (CNAs) in 1,110 PDX samples across 24 cancer types. We found that new CNAs accumulated quickly, such that within four passages an average of 12% of the genome was affected by newly acquired CNAs. Selection for preexisting minor clones was a major contributor to these changes, leading to both gains and losses of CNAs. The rate of CNA acquisition in PDX models was correlated with the extent of both aneuploidy and genetic heterogeneity observed in primary tumors of the same tissue. However, the specific CNAs acquired during PDX passaging differed from those acquired during tumor evolution in patients, suggesting that PDX tumors are subjected to distinct selection pressures compared to those that exist in human hosts. Specifically, several recurrent CNAs observed in primary tumors gradually disappeared in PDXs, indicating that events undergoing positive selection in humans can become dispensable during propagation in mice. Finally, we found that the genomic stability of PDX models also affected their responses to chemotherapy and targeted drugs. Our findings thus highlight the need to couple the timing of PDX molecular characterization to that of drug testing experiments. These results suggest that while PDX models are powerful tools, they should be used with caution.
Insights into global planktonic diatom diversity: Comparisons between phylogenetically meaningful units that account for time
Authors: Nakov Teofil , Beaulieu Jeremy M. , Alverson Andrew J.
Published: July 2017

Metabarcoding has offered unprecedented insights into microbial diversity. In many studies, short DNA sequences are binned into consecutively higher Linnaean ranks, and ranked groups (e.g., genera) are the units of biodiversity analyses. These analyses assume that Linnaean ranks are biologically meaningful and that identically ranked groups are comparable. We used a meta-barcode dataset for marine planktonic diatoms to illustrate the limits of this approach. We found that the 20 most abundant marine planktonic diatom genera ranged in age from 4 to 134 million years, indicating the non-equivalence of genera because some had more time to diversify than others. Still, species richness was only weakly correlated with genus age, highlighting variation in rates of speciation and/or extinction. Taxonomic classifications often do not reflect phylogeny, so genus-level analyses can include phylogenetically nested genera, further confounding rank-based analyses. These results underscore the indispensable role of phylogeny in understanding patterns of microbial diversity.
6-Bromo-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine
Authors: Bourichi Selma , Kandri Rodi Youssef , Jasinski Jerry P. , Kaur Manpreet , El Hadrami El Mestafa , Essassi El Mokhtar
Published: July 2017

In the title compound, C14H12BrN3O, the dihedral angle between the mean planes of the imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine ring system and the methoxyphenyl ring is 41.53 (12)°. In the crystal, weak C—H...N hydrogen bonds link the molecules into chains along the c-axis direction. Weak π–π stacking interactions involving the imidazole and the methoxyphenyl rings further stabilize the crystal packing.
Auditor switching and audit fee discounting: the Iranian experience
Authors: MohammadRezaei Fakhroddin , Mohd-Saleh Norman
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of auditor switching on audit fee discounting in Iran. The increased competition in the Iranian audit market following audit market liberalization in 2001 has resulted in a rapid increase in auditor switching and reduces the relative bargaining power of auditors compared to the clients. It is expected that auditor switching results in fee discounting because the relative bargaining power of an auditor (client) is likely to be at the minimum (maximum) point during the initial period of engagement. Since the increased bargaining power of a client in initial year seems to be different in the case of different type of auditor switching (from a state auditor to a private and from a private auditor to another), the magnitude of fee discounting is expected to be different.

Design/methodology/approach

The objective is tested using a sample of 1,022 firm-year observations between 2001 and 2010. This study applies the multivariate regression model using the first difference specification of audit fee as a dependent variable.

Findings

Multivariate analysis reveals that auditor switching results in 14 percent of fee discounting. In addition, the results show that 18 and 13 percent of fees discounting during the initial year of engagement arise from cases of auditor switching involving a change from state auditors to private auditors, and a change from one private auditor to another, respectively. The findings support bargaining power view explanation in relation to audit fees discounting in initial year engagement.

Originality/value

This study is the first to examine the impact of auditor switching (and analyzed different types of auditor switching) on audit fee discounting using the bargaining power view.
A sizing improvement methodology based on adjustment of interior accommodation rates across measurement categories within a size chart
Authors: Pei Jie , Park Huiju , Ashdown Susan P. , Vuruskan Arzu
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify common issues among commercial body size charts, and to propose a sizing improvement methodology without changing the number of sizes in the range. One goal is to equalize the number of people accommodated by each size within the range, and to propose a way to evaluate the effectiveness of the improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed method consists of three phases: (Phase I) identify target population; (Phase II) analysis of existing size charts; and (Phase III) improvement of the initial size chart. Phase III is the key process, which includes repeated manipulation of intersize intervals of the three primary measurements (chest, waist and hip) for improved consistency of overall and interior accommodate rates among the three measurement categories. A program was developed in RStudio® to generate trials and side-by-side bar plots for visualization of the differences in accommodate rates.

Findings

The main issue in commercial body size charts observed is the inconsistency of the interior accommodation rates among measurement categories. Some other issues include: lack of important measurements, failure to provide ranges and gaps between measurement ranges of adjacent sizes.

Originality/value

This paper proposed a complete work flow to improve body size charts to fix the common issues. The method integrates historic size information and new anthropometric information extracted from a national-scale sizing database (e.g. SizeUSA). The study also brought association of the secondary body measurements with primary measurements without using linear regression. Hence, information from body size charts can be more efficiently used in acquiring other size information.
A project perspective on doctoral studies – a student point of view
Authors: Backlund Fredrik
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Many doctoral students never obtain a doctoral degree, and many do not finish their studies in time. To promote aspects of effectiveness and efficiency in doctoral studies, the purpose of this paper is to explore a project perspective, more specifically how doctoral students experience their studies in terms of key dimensions of projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Written reflections concerning a project perspective in doctoral studies, based on 18 students at a Swedish university, have been categorised and analysed by the means of the qualitative research software NVivo.

Findings

Main findings are reflections on the project manager role including both the supervisor and the doctoral student, and different views on project control parameters and the concepts goal-seeking and goal-orientation. A more comprehensive picture of project planning is presented, compared with the Individual Study Plan, including different project methods and tools that can be suitable in a doctoral project.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based on a limited number of doctoral students; however, the aim has been to give examples of project perspectives. The findings could be valuable for increased understanding of doctoral studies and of the project management field in general.

Practical implications

The study can induce awareness among doctoral students and supervisors of a project perspective in doctoral studies, promoting aspects of efficiency and effectiveness.

Originality/value

Compared to previous research, this study explicitly tries to understand how doctoral students make sense of their doctoral studies from a project perspective.
Temporal withdrawal behaviors in an educational policy context
Authors: Rosenblatt Zehava , Shapira-Lishchinsky Orly
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the differential relations between two teacher withdrawal behaviors: work absence and lateness, and two types of school ethics: organizational justice (distributive, procedural) and ethical climate (formal, caring), all in the context of school turbulent environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 1,016 teachers in 35 Israeli high schools. The GLIMMIX procedure was used to consider simultaneously the hierarchical structure of the data, as well as the two dependent variables (absence and lateness).

Findings

The results showed that lateness was negatively related to two relatively short-term aspects of school ethics: distributive justice, in particular for women, and formal ethical climate. Absence was negatively related to a relatively long-term aspect of school ethics: caring climate, in particular for low- to medium-level seniority teachers.

Research limitations/implications

The paper’s theoretical contribution is to explicate the unique relation of each temporal withdrawal behavior to specific dimensions of the school ethical constructs studied.

Practical implications

In order to reduce teachers’ temporal withdrawal behaviors, school management may need to attenuate policy that taps into organizational ethics, while considering the effects of school culture and turbulent environment.

Originality/value

This study offers a time perspective, which fine-tunes understanding of teachers’ lateness and absence behaviors, while pointing out the unique relations of lateness and absence to school ethical within educational policy context.
Marketing research on mergers and acquisitions: a systematic review and future directions
Authors: Christofi Michael , Leonidou Erasmia , Vrontis Demetris
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to systematically review and critically examine marketing research on mergers and acquisitions (M&As), and articulates its importance and relevance in consideration of the growing influence of the M&A phenomenon in the global economy.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-stage systematic review of the extant literature was conducted focusing on peer-reviewed journal articles published during a 28 year period – from 1987 to 2014.

Findings

A systematic analysis of 32 journal articles reveals that M&A research is a vibrant and rapidly growing stream of the broader marketing domain, and that it is contextually, methodologically and thematically diverse. The findings also highlight several literature trends and shortcomings, as well as the complex nature of the relationship between marketing and M&As.

Originality/value

On the basis of the critique, we develop an ambitious research agenda that raises exciting new research questions for the scholar community and helps promote future theory development in marketing, strategy, and other related disciplines.
An interactive system framework to enable design for disassembly
Authors: Desai Anoop , Mital Anil
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an interactive system to enable product design for disassembly and to offer robust and quick design solutions based on designers’ input.

Design/methodology/approach

The system utilizes an interactive questionnaire to communicate with the designer. The questionnaire is in the form of binary questions (Yes/No) and design questions that would enable the system to learn the objectives of the design. Solutions are based on a CAD supported design platform. The efficiency of each design is calculated using disassembly time as the metric of measurement using motion-time measurement (MTM). The designer would be able to make an informed decision with respect to component functionality, ease of disassembly and disassembly time. The paper presents a detailed framework and structure of this system.

Findings

The value of the system is corroborated by means of a case study of an actual product design. The system is structured to offer multiple solutions to a design problem so as to enable the designer to choose the option that best serves their needs.

Originality/value

This novel interactive system would accept customers’ design preferences as input and offer multiple solutions in order to solve the design problem. Process time is directly calculated using the MTM system of measurement by converting design features into time measurement units. Disassembly time can then be easily converted into disassembly cost by using standard conversion rates. The value to designers is obvious.
Countervailing the liability of newness by bringing in active initial investors: the case of Facebook
Authors: Cristofaro Matteo
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present how Facebook overcame its liability of newness period, helping the interpretation of the same initial financial and organizational troubles faced by current unicorns.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the case study method has been used.

Findings

This story shows how the inclusion of active initial investors in the strategic team is pivotal for a firm’s survival. This case study depicts in depth the first years of life of the social network Facebook, focusing on the initial investors’ role for the survival of the firm.

Originality/value

This paper shows how an initial strategic team (especially the inexperienced) may benefit from the inclusion of active initial investors in terms of financed capital, and of further financing and refocusing of the strategic direction.
Does Whey Protein Supplementation Improve the Nutritional Status in Hypoalbuminemic Peritoneal Dialysis Patients?
Authors: Hassan Kamal
Published: July 2017

Limited data are available regarding the effects of whey protein on the nutritional status of the peritoneal dialysis population. This study evaluated the effects of whey protein supplementation for 12 weeks on the nutritional status in hypoalbuminemic peritoneal dialysis patients. Thirty‐six stable adult patients on maintenance peritoneal dialysis with serum albumin levels <3.5 g/dL were enrolled in the study and were divided into two groups similar in their serum albumin and normalized protein equivalent of total nitrogen appearance (nPNA). Nineteen patients were instructed to receive 1.2 g/kg per day of protein diet and additional whey protein supplement at a dose of 25% of the instructed daily protein diet (whey protein group), and 17 patients were instructed to receive 1.2 g/kg per day protein diet without additional whey protein supplementation (control group). Nutritional status was assessed using two measures: nPNA and lean tissue mass index (LTI) obtained by whole‐body bioimpedance spectroscopy technique. In the whey protein group serum albumin and nPNA significantly increased from baseline to week 6 (P < 0.001, P = 0.034; respectively) and from week 6 to week 12 (P < 0.001, P = 0.001; respectively); LTI significantly increased from week 6 to week 12 (P = 0.022). Compared to the control group at week 12, serum albumin, nPNA and LTI values were significantly higher in the whey protein group (P < 0.001, P = 0.002, P = 0.001; respectively). This study demonstrated for the first time that oral supplementation with whey protein improves nutritional status and is well tolerated in hypoalbuminemic PD patients.
What does it cost to feed aged care residents in Australia?
Authors: Hugo Cherie , Isenring Elisabeth , Sinclair David , Agarwal Ekta
Published: July 2017

Aim

Funding cuts to the aged care industry impact catering budgets and aged care staffing levels, which may in turn affect the nutritional status of aged care residents. This paper reports average food expenditure and trends in Australian residential aged care facilities (RACFs).

Methods

This is a retrospective study collecting RACFs’ economic outlay data through a quarterly online survey conducted over the 2015 and 2016 financial years.

Results

Data were compiled from 817 RACFs, representing 64 256 residential beds and 23 million bed‐days Australia‐wide. The average total spend in Australian Dollars (AUD) on catering consumables (including cutlery/crockery, supplements, paper goods) was $8.00 per resident per day (prpd) and $6.08 prpd when looking at the raw food and ingredients budget alone. Additional data from over half the RACFs (n = 456, 56%) indicate a 5% decrease in food cost ($0.31 prpd) in the last year, particularly in fresh produce, with a simultaneous 128% ($0.50 prpd) increase in cost for supplements and food replacements. Current figures are comparatively less than aged care food budgets internationally (US, UK and Canada), less than community‐dwelling older adults ($17.25 prpd) and 136% less than Australian corrective services ($8.25 prpd).

Conclusions

The current spend on food in RACFs has decreased compared with previous years, reflecting an increasing reliance on supplements, and is significantly less than current community food spend.
Feasibility of spacers to facilitate postoperative radiotherapy for retroperitoneal sarcomas
Authors: Reid Jessica , Smith Richard , Borg Martin , Dobbins Christopher , Gowda Raghu , Chryssidis Steve , Borg Matthew , Neuhaus Susan
Published: July 2017

Introduction

The role and timing of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in the management of retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) remains controversial.

Method

This is a retrospective cohort review of patients undergoing curative resection for RPS at a single institution between January 2011 and July 2016. Patient selection was through the South Australian Soft Tissue Tumour Multidisciplinary Group (MDT) based at Royal Adelaide Hospital. An individualised approach, including assessment of resectability, histopathological grade and subtype, and radiotherapy considerations, was taken for each patient. Patients offered preoperative radiotherapy or palliation were excluded. A saline‐filled spacer was inserted following operative resection. Radiotherapy commenced postoperatively. Patients underwent laparotomy to remove the device approximately 6 weeks post completion of PORT. Primary endpoints were technical feasibility, perioperative morbidity and radiation toxicity. Secondary endpoints were local recurrence (LR), distant recurrence (DR) and death.

Results

During the study period, 40 patients with RPS were managed through the MDT. Twelve patients (ages 33–78) underwent PORT utilising spacers. Radiotherapy toxicity was reported in four patients and extensive adhesions observed in another four patients during spacer removal. Median follow‐up was 35 months (range 4–60). Seven patients remain alive and disease free. Four patients developed LR, three developed DR. Three patients died; two with DR and one with LR. Two patients with recurrent/progressive disease are alive; one with DR and one with LR.

Conclusion

Use of intraoperative spacers to facilitate PORT is feasible, with acceptable toxicity following resection of RPS. Patient selection for this approach remains to be determined.
Increased baseline RUNX2, caspase 3 and p21 gene expressions in the peripheral blood of disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drug‐naïve rheumatoid arthritis patients are associated with improved clinical response to methotrexate therapy
Authors: Tchetina Elena V. , Demidova Natalia V. , Markova Galina A. , Taskina Elena A. , Glukhova Svetlana I. , Karateev Dmitry E.
Published: July 2017

Objective

To investigate the potential of the baseline gene expression in the whole blood of disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drug‐naïve rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients for predicting the response to methotrexate (MTX) treatment.

Methods

Twenty‐six control subjects and 40 RA patients were examined. Clinical, immunological and radiographic parameters were assessed before and after 24 months of follow‐up. The gene expressions in the whole blood were measured using real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The protein concentrations in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were quantified using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were used to suggest thresholds that were associated with the prediction of the response.

Results

Decreases in the disease activity at the end of the study were accompanied by significant increases in joint space narrowing score (JSN). Positive correlations between the expressions of the Unc‐51‐like kinase 1 (ULK1) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9) genes with the level of C‐reactive protein and MMP‐9 expression with Disease Activity Score of 28 joints (DAS28) and swollen joint count were noted at baseline. The baseline tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α gene expression was positively correlated with JSN at the end of the follow‐up, whereas p21, caspase 3, and runt‐related transcription factor (RUNX)2 were correlated with the ΔDAS28 values.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the expressions of MMP‐9 and ULK1 might be associated with disease activity. Increased baseline gene expressions of RUNX2, p21 and caspase 3 in the peripheral blood might predict better responses to MTX therapy.
Retrospective analysis of the efficacy and safety of eribulin therapy for metastatic breast cancer in daily practice
Authors: Tanaka Toshihiro , Ueno Miho , Nakashima Yuta , Chinen Shotaro , Sato Eiichi , Masaki Michio , Mogi Ai , Sasaki Hidenori , Tamura Kazuo , Takamatsu Yasushi
Published: July 2017

Background

Evidence of eribulin therapy for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in clinical practice is not well documented.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the safety and efficacy of eribulin in 29 MBC patients from 2011 to 2016 at Fukuoka University Hospital.

Results

The median patient age, number of courses, total dose, and relative dose intensity were as follows: 65 years, five courses, 8.6 mg/m2, and 75%, respectively. One patient achieved a complete response, (CR) six a partial response (PR), eight stable disease (SD) and 14 patients exhibited progressive disease. The objective response rate (ORR: CR + PR) was 24.1%, and the clinical benefit rate (CBR: CR + PR + SD) was 51.7%. The median progression‐free survival was 90 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 67–126) and median overall survival was 264 days (95% CI 198–357). In patients who previously received 2–4 regimens, the ORR was 28.5% and the CBR was 57.1%. In patients who received 5–12 regimens, the ORR was 20% and the CBR was 45%. Chemotherapy was administered to 20 patients (69%) after eribulin administration, and the median overall survival rate of cases that achieved greater than a PR was 1088 days. The most frequent treatment‐related grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (55.2%), and febrile neutropenia (20.1%). Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy occurred in 13.8% of patients, but was not exacerbated even if present before treatment.

Conclusion

Eribulin is effective for MBC patients who have received multiple chemotherapies. Neutropenia and febrile neutropenia may develop after heavy prior therapy.
The association between season of birth, age at onset, and clozapine use in schizophrenia
Authors: Kim J. S , Park C. M. , Choi J. A. , Park E. , Tchoe H. J. , Choi M. , Suh J. K. , Kim Y. H. , Won S. H. , Chung Y. C. , Bae K. Y. , Lee S. K. , Park S. C. , Lee S. H.
Published: July 2017

Objective

This study aimed to determine whether the rate of clozapine use, an indicator of refractoriness in schizophrenia, is associated with the season of birth and age at onset in patients with schizophrenia based on nationwide data.

Methods

Patients with schizophrenia (n = 114 749) who received prescriptions for antipsychotic medication between 2008 and 2014 were retrospectively identified from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. The study population was divided into three groups based on their age at the onset of schizophrenia (early, middle, and late onset). We assessed differences in the month of birth between patients and the general population. In addition, the cumulative clozapine use was calculated.

Results

Compared to the late‐onset schizophrenia group, the early‐ and middle‐onset groups showed a higher probability of birth during the winter season. In addition, the early‐onset group showed the highest cumulative clozapine use rate. In the middle‐onset group, the initiation of clozapine use was significantly earlier for patients born in winter compared to those born in summer.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that the age at onset is an important factor in predicting the prognosis of schizophrenia patients. The season of birth also affects the prognosis, but with less robustness. Specifically, it appears that early disease onset and winter birth might be associated with poor outcomes in Korean patients with schizophrenia.
Defining the fire trap: Extension of the persistence equilibrium model in mesic savannas
Authors: Freeman Michelle E. , Vesk Peter A. , Murphy Brett P. , Cook Garry D. , Richards Anna E. , Williams Richard J.
Published: July 2017

Mesic savannas are dominated by trees that are strong resprouters caught in a frequent fire trap. Persistence within this fire trap has been described by a resprout curve of SizeNext ~ f(Pre‐fire size), defined by the Michaelis‐Menten function. A key feature of this resprout curve is a stable persistence equilibrium that represents the size of individual plants upon which a population will converge over successive inter‐fire time steps under a given fire regime. Here, we contend that such a resprout curve does not adequately describe resprout tree dynamics in frequently burnt mesic savannas because it is constrained to an asymptote. We propose a new framework for modelling the resprout curve, which recognizes that local environmental stochasticity and growth patterns can interact to change the growth response function entirely, and thus more readily reflect the range of feasible resprout responses. Importantly, we define an unstable equilibrium representing the size above which individuals have escaped the fire trap and explore mechanisms that can shift an individual from persistence to escape. Through a case study from northern Australia, we confirm that our framework provides a simple yet practical approach to defining these critical aspects of savanna tree growth dynamics: persistence and escape.
A randomised, controlled trial of rectus sheath bupivacaine and intrathecal bupivacaine, without or with intrathecal morphine, vs. intrathecal bupivacaine and morphine after caesarean section
Authors: Lui M. W. , Li T. K. T. , Lui F. , Ong C. Y. T.
Published: July 2017

We recruited 144 women of whom 131 underwent scheduled caesarean section and were allocated to intrathecal bupivacaine without (46) or with (47) morphine and postoperative rectus sheath bupivacaine; or intrathecal bupivacaine with morphine and postoperative rectus sheath saline (38). We measured postoperative pain with a 10‐point numeric rating scale. The mean (SD) areas under the curve for pain on movement during 48 postoperative hours were 273.5 (63.6), 223.8 (80.7) and 223.8 (80.7), respectively, p = 0.008. There was no difference between women who had intrathecal morphine with or without rectus sheath bupivacaine, p = 1. The equivalent values for pain at rest were 160.8 (64.7), 85.8 (79.4) and 82.8 (74.3), respectively, p < 0.001. There was no difference between women who had intrathecal morphine with or without rectus sheath bupivacaine, p = 0.98.
Corneal confocal sub‐basal nerve plexus evaluation: a review
Authors: Kokot Joanna , Wylęgała Adam , Wowra Bogumił , Wójcik Łukasz , Dobrowolski Dariusz , Wylęgała Edward
Published: July 2017

The aim of this study was to review the most recent data about corneal sub‐basal nerve plexus (SNP) evaluated with the use of corneal confocal microscopy (CCM). For this purpose, an electronic search was conducted based on PubMed and Google Scholar and Web of Science databases from 2008 up to the end of 2016. Ninety‐eight articles in English were cited, as well as abstracts in other languages, concerning the morphology and function of corneal SNP in various diseases. Changes in corneal SNP as a result of local treatment were also introduced. Figures with scans from confocal microscopy from our Department were included. The main conclusion of this review was that both corneal SNP diminishment and high tortuosity as well as low sensitivity are in principle related to the presence or level of pathology. In addition, increased nerve tortuosity may represent a morphological determinant of nerve regeneration. However, the presented literature shows that SNP changes are not characteristic for one unified corneal pathology; rather, they reflect the non‐specific pathological process present in many diseases. Future studies should use automatized biometric software and also examine the effects of new treatments on SNP.
Magnetic noninvasive acupuncture for infant comfort (MAGNIFIC) – a single‐blinded randomised controlled pilot trial
Authors: Chen Kerry L. , Lindrea Kwee Bee , Quah‐Smith Im , Schmölzer Georg M. , Daly Mary , Schindler Timothy , Oei Ju Lee
Published: July 2017

Aim

To determine the safety and feasibility of auricular noninvasive magnetic acupuncture (MA) to decrease infant pain during heel pricks.

Methods

Infants requiring heel pricks for blood collection were randomised to either MA (n = 21) or placebo (P) (n = 19) after parental informed consent. MA or placebo stickers were placed on both ears according to the Battlefield Protocol by an unblinded investigator and left on for 3 days. Pain was assessed with the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) by blinded clinicians.

Results

Mean gestation (MA:34.1, P:34.4 weeks) and age of infants (MA:5.3, P:4.5 days) were similar as were mean (SD) pre (MA:1.7(1.4), P:2.1(1.9)) and post (MA:1.6(1.4), P: 2.1(1.7)) heel prick PIPP scores. PIPP scores were significantly lower in MA infants during heel pricks (MA:5.9(3.7), P: 8.3(4.7), p = 0.04). One‐way ANCOVA modelling showed that MA was significantly associated with lower PIPP scores after controlling for analgesic use (p = 0.043). No differences in heart rate, oxygen saturation, analgesic use or adverse effects (e.g. local skin reactions) noted.

Conclusion

This pilot study shows that auricular MA is feasible in neonates and may reduce PIPP scores during heel pricks. Further study is required to determine the impact of MA on other painful or stressful conditions and on neurodevelopment.
Fermentation quality and nutritive value of total mixed ration silages based on desert wormwood (Artemisia desertorum Spreng.) combining with early stage corn
Authors: Yin Guomei , Bai Chunsheng , Sun Juanjuan , Sun Lin , Xue Yanlin , Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhao Heping , Yu Zhu , Liu Sibo , Zhang Kewei
Published: July 2017

This study aimed to investigate the fermentation quality and nutritive value of total mixed ration (TMR) silages based on desert wormwood (DW) combined with early stage corn (ESC) as forage and determine an optimum formula. Desert wormwood and ESC were harvested, chopped, and mixed with other ingredients according to a formula, packed into laboratory silos at densities of 500–550 g/L, and stored in the dark for 60 days. The DW proportions in the forage of TMR were 1, 0.75, 0.50, 0.25 and 0, based on fresh weight. As the proportion of DW decreased, the pH also decreased (P < 0.05), while lactic acid, lactic acid/acetic acid, crude protein, starch, and the in vitro digestibility of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber increased (P < 0.05). Ammonia nitrogen/total nitrogen in the TMR silages with DW proportions of 0.75, 0.25 and 0 in the forage was more than 10%. These results indicated that the quality of the TMR silage containing DW alone as forage was poor, TMR silages containing DW proportions of 0.75 and 0.25, and ESC alone, in the forage were not well preserved. The optimum TMR silage formula contained a DW proportion of 0.5 in the forage.
Augmented and Doubly Robust G-estimation of Causal Effects under a Structural Nested Failure Time Model
Authors: Mertens Karl , Vansteelandt Stijn
Published: July 2017

Structural nested failure time models (SNFTMs) are models for the effect of a time-dependent exposure on a survival outcome. They have been introduced along with so-called G-estimation methods to provide valid adjustment for time-dependent confounding induced by time-varying variables. Adjustment for informative censoring in SNFTMs is possible via inverse probability of censoring weighting (IPCW). In the presence of considerable dropout, this can imply substantial information loss and consequently imprecise effect estimates. In this article, we aim to increase the efficiency of IPCW G-estimators under a SNFTM by deriving an augmented estimator that uses both censored and uncensored observations, and offers robustness against misspecification of the model for the censoring process, provided that a model for a specific functional of the survival time and time-dependent covariates is correctly specified. The empirical properties of the proposed estimators are studied in a simulation experiment, and the estimators are used in the analysis of surveillance data from the field of hospital epidemiology.
Novel orally bioavailable EZH1/2 dual inhibitors with greater antitumor efficacy than an EZH2 selective inhibitor
Authors: Honma Daisuke , Kanno Osamu , Watanabe Jun , Kinoshita Junzo , Hirasawa Makoto , Nosaka Emi , Shiroishi Machiko , Takizawa Takeshi , Yasumatsu Isao , Horiuchi Takao , Nakao Akira , Suzuki Keisuke , Yamasaki Tomonori , Nakajima Katsuyoshi , Hayakawa Miho , Yamazaki Takanori , Yadav Ajay Singh , Adachi Nobuaki
Published: July 2017

Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) methylates histone H3 lysine 27 and represses gene expression to regulate cell proliferation and differentiation. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) or its close homolog EZH1 functions as a catalytic subunit of PRC2, so there are two PRC2 complexes containing either EZH2 or EZH1. Tumorigenic functions of EZH2 and its synthetic lethality with some subunits of SWItch/Sucrose Non‐Fermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complexes have been observed. However, little is known about the function of EZH1 in tumorigenesis. Herein, we developed novel, orally bioavailable EZH1/2 dual inhibitors that strongly and selectively inhibited methyltransferase activity of both EZH2 and EZH1. EZH1/2 dual inhibitors suppressed trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27 in cells more than EZH2 selective inhibitors. They also showed greater antitumor efficacy than EZH2 selective inhibitor in vitro and in vivo against diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma cells harboring gain‐of‐function mutation in EZH2. A hematological cancer panel assay indicated that EZH1/2 dual inhibitor has efficacy against some lymphomas, multiple myeloma, and leukemia with fusion genes such as MLL‐AF9, MLL‐AF4, and AML1‐ETO. A solid cancer panel assay demonstrated that some cancer cell lines are sensitive to EZH1/2 dual inhibitor in vitro and in vivo. No clear correlation was detected between sensitivity to EZH1/2 dual inhibitor and SWI/SNF mutations, with a few exceptions. Severe toxicity was not seen in rats treated with EZH1/2 dual inhibitor for 14 days at drug levels higher than those used in the antitumor study. Our results indicate the possibility of EZH1/2 dual inhibitors for clinical applications.
Stem cell‐derived exosomes: A promising strategy for fracture healing
Authors: Hao Zi‐Chen , Lu Jun , Wang Shan‐Zheng , Wu Hao , Zhang Yun‐Tong , Xu Shuo‐Gui
Published: July 2017

Objectives

To describe the biological characteristics of exosomes and to summarize the current status of stem cell‐derived exosomes on fracture healing. Meanwhile, future challenges, limitations and perspectives are also discussed.

Methods

Search and analyze the related articles in pubmed database through the multi‐combination of keywords like “stem cells”,”exosomes”,”bone regeneration” and “fracture healing”.

Conclusion

Stem cell‐derived exosome therapy for fracture healing has been enjoying popularity and is drawing increasing attention. This strategy helps to promote proliferation and migration of cells, as well as osteogenesis and angiogenesis, in the process of bone formation. Although the exact mechanisms remain elusive, exosomal miRNAs seem to play vital roles. Future studies are required to solve multiple problems before clinical application, including comprehensive and thorough understanding of exosomes, the exact roles of exosomes in regulating bone formation, and the optimal source, dose and frequency of treatment, as well as technical and safety issues. Moreover, studies based on fracture models of large animals are could offer guidance and are in demand.
Complementary Currency Systems and their Ability to Support Economic and Social Changes
Authors: Fare Marie , Ahmed Pepita Ould
Published: July 2017

Complementary Currency Systems (CCS) are accounting systems that define local monetary spaces created by non‐bank actors to pay for exchange of goods and services inside a trading network. This article aims to investigate the capability of complementary currency systems to foster social and economic changes. The authors use an analysis of the literature to examine the nature and diversity of CCS in terms of objectives, forms, modes of governance, and degrees of connection with political authorities and economic structures. They also assess the potential of CCS to support local economies based on social and environmental values, working to combat economic vulnerability and social exclusion, and examine how CCS challenge the conventional perception of money. The article ends by summarizing the challenges facing CCS, inquiring into the potential problems and benefits that a change of this sort could entail.
CLASSROOM DIVERSITY AND ACADEMIC OUTCOMES
Authors: Dills Angela K.
Published: July 2017

This paper tests how the race and ethnicity of one's college classmates affect academic performance. Incoming students at a Catholic college are assigned to their first semester, team‐taught, required course. Statistical tests support that this assignment is uncorrelated with a variety of student characteristics. Controlling for team fixed effects and student characteristics, I find evidence of racial peer effects that differ for white students and students of color. White students earn higher grades in classes with more students of color. Students of color with more nonwhite classmates earn lower grades; these effects occur exclusively among those with lower SAT scores. (JEL I21, I28)
Drought stress affects response of phytopathogen vectors and their parasitoids to infection‐ and damage‐induced plant volatile cues
Authors: MARTINI XAVIER , STELINSKI LUKASZ L.
Published: July 2017

1. The response of a phytopathogen vector to pathogen‐induced plant volatiles was investigated, as well as the response of the phytopathogen vector's parasitoid to herbivore‐induced plant volatiles released from plants with and without drought stress.

2. These experiments were performed with Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri), vector of the plant pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) and its parasitoid Tamarixia radiata as models. Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus is the presumed causal pathogen of huanglongbing (HLB), also called citrus greening disease.

3. Diaphorina citri vectors were attracted to headspace volatiles of CLas‐infected citrus plants at 95% of their water‐holding capacity (WHC); such attraction to infected plants was much lower under drought stress. Attraction of the vector to infected and non‐stressed plants was correlated with greater release of methyl salicylate (MeSA) as compared with uninfected and non‐stressed control citrus plants. Drought stress decreased MeSA release from CLas‐infected plants as compared with non‐stressed and infected plants.

4. Similarly, T. radiata was attracted to headspace volatiles released from D. citri‐infested citrus plants at 95% of their WHC. However, wasps did not show preference between headspace volatiles of psyllid‐infested and uninfested plants when they were at 35% WHC, suggesting that herbivore‐induced defences did not activate to recruit this natural enemy under drought stress.

5. Our results demonstrate that herbivore‐ and pathogen‐induced responses are environmentally dependent and do not occur systematically following damage. Drought stress affected both pathogen‐ and herbivore‐induced plant volatile release, resulting in concomitant decreases in behavioural response of both the pathogen's vector and the vector's primary parasitoid.
Disentangling spatial and environmental determinants of fish species richness and assemblage structure in Neotropical rainforest streams
Authors: Cilleros Kévin , Allard Luc , Vigouroux Régis , Brosse Sébastien
Published: July 2017

Freshwater ecology templates were developed in temperate streams, but whether they also apply to tropical streams that harbour a higher biological diversity than their temperate counterparts remains uncertain. This is particularly true for tropical fish assemblages inhabiting small streams that have been less studied than larger, higher‐order lowland streams.

Here, we disentangled the strength of spatial (longitudinal and environmental) drivers, and scale‐specific (drainage basin, reach and local scale) determinants of species richness and composition of freshwater fish assemblages inhabiting small streams in French Guiana.

We found that species richness increased from upstream to downstream but also with increasing local habitat structural diversity independently of stream position in the upstream–downstream gradient. This pattern was shared by the two most speciose fish orders (Characiformes and Siluriformes), demonstrating that species addition rather than species replacement shaped species richness in these assemblages.

Species composition of fish assemblages was determined equally by their spatial structure within drainage and by the environment, and assemblages differed both with distance and along an upstream–downstream gradient. The environmental effect on species assemblages indicated by the fact that almost all environmental descriptors had slight but nonetheless significant effects on assemblage composition, probably reflecting species‐specific responses to the local environment. In contrast, despite a strong micro‐endemism between drainages for some taxa, assemblages were only slightly affected by river drainage identity, since widespread species were a common constituent of assemblages in all rivers.

We identified five species assemblages characterising different local habitat features from torrential areas to lowland muddy areas. We also distinguished fish assemblages from confluence areas with larger rivers, which differed from the other five assemblages. The fish zonation patterns we report can constitute a benchmark for future studies measuring the impact of anthropogenic disturbances on Neotropical forest streams.
Biophysical homoeostasis of leaf temperature: A neglected process for vegetation and land‐surface modelling
Authors: Dong N. , Prentice I. C. , Harrison S. P. , Song Q. H. , Zhang Y. P.
Published: July 2017

Aim

Leaf and air temperatures are seldom equal, but many vegetation models assume that they are. Land‐surface models calculate canopy temperatures, but how well they do so is unknown. We encourage consideration of the leaf‐ and canopy‐to‐air temperature difference (ΔΤ) as a benchmark for land‐surface modelling and an important feature of plant and ecosystem function.

Location

Tropical SW China.

Time period

2013.

Major Taxa studies

Tropical trees.

Methods

We illustrate diurnal cycles of leaf‐ and canopy‐to‐air temperature difference (ΔΤ) with field measurements in a tropical dry woodland and with continuous monitoring data in a tropical seasonal forest. The Priestley–Taylor (PT) and Penman–Monteith (PM) approaches to evapotranspiration are used to provide insights into the interpretation and prediction of ΔT. Field measurements are also compared with land‐surface model results obtained with the Joint U.K. Land Environment Simulator (JULES) set up for the conditions of the site.

Results

The ΔT followed a consistent diurnal cycle, with negative values at night (attributable to negative net radiation) becoming positive in the morning, reaching a plateau and becoming negative again when air temperature exceeded a ‘crossover’ in the 24–29 °C range. Daily time courses of ΔT could be approximated by either the PT or the PM model, but JULES tended to underestimate the magnitude of negative ΔT.

Main conclusions

Leaves with adequate water supply are partly buffered against air‐temperature variations, through a passive biophysical mechanism. This is likely to be important for optimal leaf function, and land‐surface and vegetation models should aim to reproduce it.
Naïve Simplicity: The Overlooked Piece of the Complexity‐Simplicity Paradigm
Authors: Schwartz Franklin W. , Liu Ganming , Aggarwal Pradeep , Schwartz Cynthia M.
Published: July 2017

Concepts of simplicity and complexity in modeling have been explored in papers, editorials, and talks. The concept is not well understood because there are at least two flavors of simplicity. Modelers envision simplicity (i.e., elegant simplicity) as the sought‐after goal in modeling, but naïve simplicity, which is the focus of this paper, is commonly unrecognized and dangerous. The problem is that naïve or simple ideas are often mistaken for settled science and come with the prospect of being more wrong than right. The concept of the so‐called simplicity cycle, in relation to classical problems of carbon‐14 age and salinity in closed‐basin lakes, is used to illustrate these points. The emerging problems of water‐mosquitoes‐diseases show the value of mapping new problems to the simplicity cycle. Researchers can “know what they do not know” and avoid the dangers of naïve simplicity.