bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crystal structure of (15,20-bis(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl)-5,10-{(4-methylpyridine-3,5-diyl)bis[(sulfanediylmethylene)[1,1′-biphenyl]-4′,2-diyl]}porphyrinato)nickel(II) dichloromethane x-solvate (x > 1/2)
Authors: Gutzeit Florian , Neumann Tjorge , Näther Christian , Herges Rainer
Published: September 2019

The title compound, [Ni(C64H33F10N5S2)]·xCH2Cl2, consists of discrete NiII porphyrin complexes, in which the five-coordinate NiII cations are in a distorted square-pyramidal coordination geometry. The four porphyrin nitrogen atoms are located in the basal plane of the pyramid, whereas the pyridine N atom is in the apical position. The porphyrin plane is strongly distorted and the NiII cation is located above this plane by 0.241 (3) Å and shifted in the direction of the coordinating pyridine nitrogen atom. The pyridine ring is not perpendicular to the N4 plane of the porphyrin moiety, as observed for related compounds. In the crystal, the complexes are linked via weak C—H...F hydrogen bonds into zigzag chains propagating in the [001] direction. Within this arrangement cavities are formed, in which highly disordered dichloromethane solvate molecules are located. No reasonable structural model could be found to describe this disorder and therefore the contribution of the solvent to the electron density was removed using the SQUEEZE option in PLATON [Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9–18].
Crystal structure of poly[[diaquatetra-μ2-cyanido-iron(II)platinum(II)] acetone disolvate]
Authors: Kuzevanova Iryna S. , Naumova Dina D. , Terebilenko Kateryna V. , Shova Sergiu , Gural'skiy Il'ya A.
Published: September 2019

In the title polymeric complex, {[FePt(CN)4(H2O)2]·2C3H6O}
n
, the FeII cation has an octahedral [FeN4O2] geometry being coordinated by two water molecules and four cyanide anions. The Pt cation is located on an inversion centre and has a square-planar coordination environment formed by four cyanide groups. The tetracyanoplatinate anions bridge the FeII cations to form infinite two-dimensional layers that propagate in the bc plane. Two guest molecules of acetone per FeII are located between the layers. These guest acetone molecules interact with the coordinated water molecules by O—H...O hydrogen bonds.
(E)-1-(2-Hydroxy-6-methoxyphenyl)-3-(2-methoxynaphthalen-1-yl)prop-2-en-1-one
Authors: Sung Jiha
Published: September 2019

In the title compound, C21H18O4, the dihedral angle between the naphthelene ring system (r.m.s. deviation = 0.014 Å) and the benzene ring is 9.68 (1)°. The C atom of the methoxy group of the naphthalene ring system is almost coplanar with the ring [C—O—C—C = −2.0 (3)°], whereas the C atom of the methoxy group of the phenol ring is slightly twisted [C—O—C—C = 6.2 (3)°]. An intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond generates an S(6) ring motif.
DEA-ADALINE: an approach to improve the relative efficiency of 3PLs providers
Authors: Mohanty Mahamaya , Shankar Ravi
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Benchmarking is an approach to understand and evaluate the current position of different entities like third-party logistics (3PLs) service providers with respect to the best practices. The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated approach to benchmark the 3PLs and minimize the transportation cost, operational cost, total carbon emissions and improve vehicle capacity utilization rate and demand management in an efficient manner.

Design/methodology/approach

Conventional data envelopment analysis (DEA) is extended to develop an integrated approach involving DEA and adaptive linear neuron network (ADALINE). The proposed methodology is dichotomized to the benchmarking of DMUs using Charnes, Cooper, Rhodes ratio and, in the process, helps to suggest ways to reduce inefficiencies.

Findings

The approach also supports the decision makers to understand ways to increase the efficiency of decision-making units (DMUs) that are relatively inefficient for a set of 3PLs considered in this study. This is one of the potential researches as it studies how to improve the efficiency of inefficient DMUs.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed approach would help the decision makers to better understand the complexities associated with the low-performing 3PLs. The application of the proposed DEA-ADALINE methodology is illustrated using a range of data set for 3PLs.

Originality/value

The paper examines and explains the value added to the conventional DEA model for obtaining the relative efficiencies with reference to the most efficient DMUs without any loss to the original characteristics of DEA and ADALINE.
A review of ICT-based applications to monitor environmental parameters
Authors: Habibi Shahryar
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to implement environmental control systems; information and communication technologies based on user behavior for smart buildings and describe their definitions, technological advances, advantages and modern uses. It also highlights the complexity and difficulty of energy management and comfort via control devices.

Design/methodology/approach

This study reviews recent progress in control, information technologies, sensing and optimization in buildings and addresses the automation and environmental control systems of important parameters such as lighting, noise, temperature and humidity. It also explores the technological innovations and methods of management through sensors based on user behavior for the processes of optimization and control.

Findings

A proposed prototype has been developed by the combination of user behavior and control systems in buildings, mainly related to thermal comfort and energy use. This study addresses the development of a smart-comfort control system based on users’ behavior.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this study is the goal-driven development of an indoor quality apparatus for environmental monitoring data by using smart sensor systems. It can help users to monitor and control their environmental factors and provides functionalities for assessing comfortable ranges.
Social media – Changing the face of knowledge management
Authors: Irum Ayesha , Pandey Agrata
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Social media (SM) is amongst the latest techniques employed by organizations in their knowledge management endeavors. The paper provides a brief overview of how SM platforms are utilized for the creation, dissemination, and retention of knowledge. The various stages of knowledge management as supported by social media, is mapped through a framework.

Design/methodology/approach

A list of research articles on “social media and knowledge management” have been read and reviewed. The insights are summarized and a framework is proposed.

Findings

The framework demonstrates how SM tools aid in the creation of new knowledge, knowledge exchange and storage of the knowledge footprint. They help to generate varied forms of knowledge from different stakeholders. The freely available information acts as a knowledge source for the third party. The virtual nature of digital platforms motivates employees to share knowledge more openly, leaving a digital trace that can be accessed anytime, thereby building on to the knowledge base.

Originality/value

The article highlights how SM can be essential in the knowledge management processes in the organization. It showcases the prominence of everyday organizational interactions and experiences which together build a knowledge-rich culture.
The comparison of preferred languages of appreciation between Singapore employees and US employees
Authors: White Paul , Hamrick Natalie , Liew Jasmine
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Recent reports suggest Singapore employees especially value practical assistance in resolving work-related issues. As such, this study explored whether the appreciation language Acts of Service was chosen as the Primary Language of appreciation by Singapore employees at a higher frequency than U.S. employees.

Design/methodology/approach

Nine hundred sixty-seven Singapore employees completed the Motivating By Appreciation (MBA) Inventory, which assesses individuals’ preferred ways of being shown appreciation. A sample of 921 U.S. employees was created from the general MBA Inventory population that matched the Singapore employees group on age, gender and work setting.

Findings

Acts of Service (39 per cent) was virtually equivalent with Words of Affirmation (37 per cent) as the most preferred Language of Appreciation by the Singapore employees, whereas U.S. employees preferred Words of Affirmation at a significantly higher rate (40 per cent) than Acts of Service (26 per cent).

Research limitations/implications

Further research is needed before the findings should be generalized to all East Asian cultures, and additional research is needed before conclusions should be made regarding specific cultural differences in action items preferred.

Practical implications

Workplace leaders in Singapore need to be aware that understanding the work issues and providing practical assistance is highly valued by their employees and communicates appreciation as much as verbal and written praise. This emphasis on the desire for practical assistance is a cultural difference in comparison to their U.S. counterparts. Yet, in both cultures, the leader-employee interpersonal working relationship is a key factor that enables organizations to grow and work through changes successfully.

Originality/value

This is the first study to compare preferred appreciation languages of Singapore and US employees, and report Singapore employees especially value practical assistance in resolving work-related issues.
Evaluation on innovation efficiency of successor of Chinese listed family business based on DEA
Authors: Wang Qi , Wu Qiuming
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to measure the innovative performance of a managed and owned mainland Chinese family business. The objective of the study was to assist an inheritor and/or successor of a family business and to find management problems in innovative activity.

Design/methodology/approach

To improve the innovative technical efficiency (TE) of the business, the study offers methods that enhance the allocation of resources to provide outcomes that improve the core competitiveness of the business and realize the sustainable development of the business. Innovation performance is a well-organized and efficient way of turning innovation input into innovation output. Human input, research and development expenditures measure innovation input. Patent output and other outputs, which include total labor productivity and asset liability ratios, measure innovation output. To complete the study’s task, the innovative performance of 46 Chinese listed family run and owned businesses were evaluated based on the data envelopment analysis and the Banker, Charnes and Cooper model.

Findings

The results of the study show that the overall TE of innovation in a Chinese family run and owned business is low and that the returns to scale of most such businesses is decreasing, and furthermore, that the overall innovation performance of is low.

Originality/value

The implications from the study further suggest that for business efficiency and increased profit a beneficiary of a Chinese family-owned business should optimize the firm’s size and resource allocation.
Importance measures for degrading components based on cooperative game theory
Authors: Cao Yingsai , Liu Sifeng , Fang Zhigeng
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose new importance measures for degrading components based on Shapley value, which can provide answers about how important players are to the whole cooperative game and what payoff each player can reasonably expect.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed importance measure characterizes how a specific degrading component contributes to the degradation of system reliability by using Shapley value. Degradation models are also introduced to assess the reliability of degrading components. The reliability of system consisting independent degrading components is obtained by using structure functions, while reliability of system comprising correlated degrading components is evaluated with a multivariate distribution.

Findings

The ranking of degrading components according to the newly developed importance measure depends on the degradation parameters of components, system structure and parameters characterizing the association of components.

Originality/value

Considering the fact that reliability degradation of engineering systems and equipment are often attributed to the degradation of a particular or set of components that are characterized by degrading features. This paper proposes new importance measures for degrading components based on Shapley value to reflect the responsibility of each degrading component for the deterioration of system reliability. The results are also able to give timely feedback of the expected contribution of each degrading component to system reliability degradation.
Visualization of tax avoidance and tax rate convergence
Authors: Saka Chika , Oshika Tomoki , Jimichi Masayuki
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This study aims to explore the evidence of the probability of firms’ tax avoidance and the downward convergence trend of national statutory tax rates and firms’ effective tax rates.

Design/methodology/approach

This research employs exploratory data analysis using interactive data manipulation and visualization tools, namely, R with SparkR, dplyr, ggplot2 and googleVis (GeoChart and Motion Chart) packages. This analysis is based on the world-scale accounting data of all listed firms from 148 countries spanning 30 years.

Findings

The results reveal the following: three types of evidences on probability of firms’ tax avoidance, showing a non-random distribution of firms’ effective tax rates and return on assets, cross-sectional variation of firms’ effective tax rates in each country, and the trend of difference between effective tax rates and statutory tax rates, and the downward convergence trend of statutory tax rates and firms’ effective tax rates.

Practical implications

The results highlight the prominent issues of world-scale tax avoidance and tax rate competition and facilitate a collaborative discussion between laymen and professionals using objective evidence.

Originality/value

A novel methodology is adopted through the visualization of world-scale accounting data, which can facilitate a new perspective, revealing unexpected patterns and trends in otherwise hidden information. This study also highlights the importance of global consideration of firms’ tax avoidance and tax rate competition, using objective evidence.
Audit of training of digital personnel for regional economy in the conditions of Industry 4.0
Authors: Goryachikh Svetlana P. , Lapteva Svetlana V. , Matushkina Yulia N. , Kalinin Pavel A.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to develop the scientific and methodological provision of an audit of training of digital personnel for the regional economy in the conditions of Industry 4.0 by the example of regional flagship universities of modern Russia.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the method of regression analysis for determining the dependence of the level of digitization of regions’ economy on the competitiveness of their basic universities. The research is performed by the example of regions of the Volga Federal District of the Russian Federation, in which there are regional flagship universities as of early 2019.

Findings

It is determined that audit of training of digital personnel for the regional economy in the conditions of Industry 4.0 in modern Russia is conducted within the monitoring of the effectiveness of universities by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation. Most of the indicators that are necessary for the audit of training of digital personnel for the regional economy in the conditions of Industry 4.0 are not taken into account. The data of the monitoring allow compiling a fragmentary idea of the potential of a regional flagship university in training of digital personnel for the regional economy in the conditions of Industry 4.0, while the results of this training are not assessed or controlled. This leads to low potential and low efficiency of Russia’s regional flagship universities in training of digital personnel for the regional economy in the conditions of Industry 4.0.

Originality/value

The forms for an audit of training of digital personnel for the regional economy in the conditions of Industry 4.0 by the regional flagship university are developed. The indicators of the potential and results of the university in training of digital personnel are combined with the existing methodology of evaluation of the effectiveness of universities in Russia. An additional advantage of the authors’ recommendations is the universal character of the developed forms, which allows using them in other countries for an audit of training of digital personnel for the regional economy in the conditions of Industry 4.0.
Impacts of integrated scheme on livelihood and rural housing condition in Nigeria
Authors: Odebode Adedayo Ayodeji
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of integrated rural development scheme on livelihood and rural housing condition in selected rural areas in Osun state. This is prompted by the need to develop effective strategy for improving the rural housing condition in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The impacts of the scheme were measured through survey of 344 participants obtained from 28 active communities out of the 36 communities’ coverage by Rural Development Programme of Justice Development and Peace Makers’s Centre through a multi-stage sampling. Both qualitative and quantitative data were obtained from the respondents. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, frequency distribution, correlation and regression analysis.

Findings

The result revealed that the mode of operation of the integrated scheme is to educate farmers on best farming practices. The integrated scheme had contributed positively to the livelihood of the respondents by providing stable source of finance than any other available finance source options, and it increased assets and skill acquisition and ability to have more combination of livelihood options as a result of the intervention. In addition, the number of respondents without personal accommodation also decreased at a significant proportion after the intervention. Also, notable numbers of respondents have increased access to domestic housing facilities such as, well, pit toilet and electricity. The result of the correlation analysis showed further that respondents with more livelihood assets and larger household size most often have a better housing condition, whereas the regression analysis revealed that change in the household size and change in livelihood assets lead to change in the housing condition. The paper suggest that integrated scheme could be used as a self-financing strategy for both qualitative and quantitative improvement of rural housing in Nigeria if the scheme enjoys the requisite government support in terms of adequacy of finance and more government agency participation for wider coverage.

Originality/value

The paper is one of the pioneering studies in Nigeria.
Seeking signs of transparency: audit, materiality, and monuments to active citizenship in New Delhi
Authors: Webb Martin
Published: September 2019

In New Delhi, the Chief Information Commissioner has ordered that municipal councillors should ‘proactively disclose’ details of the amounts spent on public works via Hindi‐language noticeboards displayed in every city ward. As ‘appropriate’ technology designed to reach out to the common people, the noticeboards are part of an ongoing technomoral project to develop and democratize citizen engagement with urban governance. An audit of the noticeboards carried out by Information Commission officials and ‘right to information’ activists reveals that many are badly positioned or assembled from inappropriate materials. As such, they are judged to be unreliable actants in the project to prefigure a more open and transparent city administration. A focus on the materiality and temporal orientation of the noticeboards, however, reveals them to be productive in other ways. We come to understand the noticeboards as monuments to earlier projects of active citizenship and as ongoing sites of contest or collaboration between actors concerned with their audit and remediation.
The Artificial Intelligence Arms Race: Trends and World Leaders in Autonomous Weapons Development
Authors: Haner Justin , Garcia Denise
Published: September 2019

Autonomous weapons technologies, which rely on artificial intelligence, are advancing rapidly and without sufficient public debate or accountability. Oversight of increased autonomy in warfare is critically important because this deadly technology is likely to proliferate rapidly, enhance terrorist tactics, empower authoritarian rulers, undermine democratic peace, and is vulnerable to bias, hacking, and malfunction. The top competitors in this arms race are the United States, China, Russia, South Korea, and the European Union.
Metformin blunts muscle hypertrophy in response to progressive resistance exercise training in older adults: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multicenter trial: The MASTERS trial
Authors: Walton R. Grace , Dungan Cory M. , Long Douglas E. , Tuggle S. Craig , Kosmac Kate , Peck Bailey D. , Bush Heather M. , Villasante Tezanos Alejandro G. , McGwin Gerald , Windham Samuel T. , Ovalle Fernando , Bamman Marcas M. , Kern Philip A. , Peterson Charlotte A.
Published: September 2019

Progressive resistance exercise training (PRT) is the most effective known intervention for combating aging skeletal muscle atrophy. However, the hypertrophic response to PRT is variable, and this may be due to muscle inflammation susceptibility. Metformin reduces inflammation, so we hypothesized that metformin would augment the muscle response to PRT in healthy women and men aged 65 and older. In a randomized, double‐blind trial, participants received 1,700 mg/day metformin (N = 46) or placebo (N = 48) throughout the study, and all subjects performed 14 weeks of supervised PRT. Although responses to PRT varied, placebo gained more lean body mass (p = .003) and thigh muscle mass (p < .001) than metformin. CT scan showed that increases in thigh muscle area (p = .005) and density (p = .020) were greater in placebo versus metformin. There was a trend for blunted strength gains in metformin that did not reach statistical significance. Analyses of vastus lateralis muscle biopsies showed that metformin did not affect fiber hypertrophy, or increases in satellite cell or macrophage abundance with PRT. However, placebo had decreased type I fiber percentage while metformin did not (p = .007). Metformin led to an increase in AMPK signaling, and a trend for blunted increases in mTORC1 signaling in response to PRT. These results underscore the benefits of PRT in older adults, but metformin negatively impacts the hypertrophic response to resistance training in healthy older individuals. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02308228.
A human tissue‐specific transcriptomic analysis reveals a complex relationship between aging, cancer, and cellular senescence
Authors: Chatsirisupachai Kasit , Palmer Daniel , Ferreira Susana , de Magalhães João Pedro
Published: September 2019

Aging is the biggest risk factor for cancer, but the mechanisms linking these two processes remain unclear. Using GTEx and TCGA data, we compared genes differentially expressed with age and genes differentially expressed in cancer among nine human tissues. In most tissues, aging and cancer gene expression pattern changed in the opposite direction. The exception was thyroid and uterus, where we found transcriptomic changes in the same direction in aging and in their corresponding cancers. The overlapping sets between genes differentially expressed with age and genes differentially expressed in cancer across tissues were enriched for several processes, mainly cell cycle and the immune system. Moreover, cellular senescence signatures, derived from a meta‐analysis, changed in the same direction as aging in human tissues and in the opposite direction of cancer signatures. Therefore, transcriptomic changes in aging and in cellular senescence might relate to a decrease in cell proliferation, while cancer transcriptomic changes shift toward enhanced cell division. Our results highlight the complex relationship between aging and cancer and suggest that, while in general aging processes might be opposite to cancer, the transcriptomic links between human aging and cancer are tissue‐specific.
Longitudinal Associations between Sleep, Intrusive Thoughts, and Alcohol Problems Among Veterans
Authors: Miller Mary Beth , Metrik Jane , Borsari Brian , Jackson Kristina M.
Published: September 2019

Background

Research suggests bidirectional associations between symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sleep disturbance, both of which have been associated with alcohol problems. However, few studies have examined the interplay of these conditions in predicting alcohol problems over time. This study tested 2 competing models: (i) sleep disturbance as a mediator of the association between intrusive thoughts about trauma and alcohol problems and (ii) intrusion symptoms as the mediator of the sleep/alcohol problem association.

Methods

Veterans (N = 325, 93% male, 81% White) completed assessments at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months as part of a larger observational study. Zero‐inflated‐negative binomial models were used to examine indirect effects of baseline predictors on (i) yes/no likelihood and (ii) number of 12‐month alcohol problems through 6‐month mediators. Models controlled for past‐year cannabis use and drinks consumed per week at baseline.

Results

The only significant predictor of alcohol problem likelihood was baseline drinking quantity. Baseline PTSD intrusions had a direct effect on number of alcohol problems at 12 months, with no indirect (mediated) effect through 6‐month sleep disturbance. In the competing model, baseline sleep disturbance had a marginally significant direct effect on 12‐month alcohol problems, with a significant indirect effect through 6‐month PTSD intrusions.

Conclusions

PTSD intrusions are associated with more alcohol problems and help explain the long‐term association between sleep and alcohol problems among veterans. Because sleep disturbances are associated with more intrusive thoughts about trauma, we recommend that treatments targeting sleep in the context of PTSD and alcohol use include a cognitive component.
Older people's satisfaction with and utilisation patterns of the Old Age Allowance in Nepal
Authors: Dhungana Govinda Prasad , Sapkota Manisha , Bista Bishnu
Published: September 2019

Objective

The Old Age Allowance in Nepal aims to support the welfare of older people, to improve their social and economic status and to encourage independence. The aim of this study was to assess satisfaction with and utilisation patterns of the Old Age Allowance among older people in Nepal.

Methods

A cross‐sectional, quantitative study was conducted in Chitwan, Nepal. Face‐to‐face interviews were carried out with 232 older people asking about demographics, and satisfaction and utilisation of Old Age Allowance.

Results

Seventy‐two per cent of older people expressed satisfaction with the Old Age Allowance. The highest satisfaction level (81.9%) was associated with the satisfaction scale construct of contribution to religious practices. Satisfaction with the allowance was associated with family relationships and dissatisfaction with higher expectations of allowance. The allowance was predominantly utilised for personal expenditure (91.4%), followed by health and medicine (75.0%).

Conclusion

The Old Age Allowance is a necessary and important contribution to keeping older people connected with family and community.
Pregnancy and advanced maternal age—The associations between regular exercise and maternal and newborn health variables
Authors: Haakstad Lene A. H. , Voldner Nanna , Bø Kari
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Despite the associations between delayed childbearing and poorer maternal and perinatal outcomes, little is known about these issues in regular exercisers and in women with healthy lifestyles. The aims of the present study were to: (a) compare lifestyle variables and exercise, pregnancy and birth outcomes in women ≥35 years and women <35 years of age, and (b) investigate the associations between regular exercise and maternal health and newborn variables in women of advanced maternal age.

Material and methods

Healthy pregnant women (≥35 years, n = 104 and <35 years, n = 362) were allocated to the study from Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, Norway. The participants completed a validated self‐administered questionnaire, the Physical Activity Pregnancy Questionnaire (PAPQ) in gestational weeks 32‐36. Prepregnancy body weight (kg) was self‐reported, whereas maternal weight (kg) was measured at gestational weeks 14‐16, 22‐24, 30‐32, and 36‐38. Details of the delivery (gestational week at delivery, mode of delivery, Apgar score) and birthweight (g) were obtained from the hospital’s medical records.

Results

More women <35 than ≥35 years of age reported to have exercised prepregnancy (83.7% vs 74.0%, P = 0.04) and in the 1st trimester (71.2% vs 61.5%, P = 0.05). At gestational week 36, fewer than 50% were exercising regularly, with no group differences (P = 0.74). Current alcohol use (10.5% vs 3.3%, P = 0.02) and tobacco use (5.8% vs 1.7%, P = 0.02) were higher among women ≥35 than women <35 years, whereas for healthy diet the result was reversed (<35 years 67.1% and ≥35 years 80.8%, P = 0.02). There were higher rates of post‐term birth (13.5% vs 6.4%, P = 0.02) and induction of labor (40.5% vs 27.9%, P = 0.02) in the ≥35 years group, otherwise no other differences were observed in perinatal outcomes. In women with advanced maternal age, exercising ≥2 times weekly was associated with less pelvic girdle pain (40.0% vs 61.1%, P = 0.02), lower gestational weight gain (12.7 ± 4.0 kg vs 15.5 ± 5.5 kg, P < 0.01), fewer had gestational weight gain ≥16 kg (22.0% vs 51.9%, P < 0.01) and a newborn with macrosomia (10.0% vs 37.0%, P < 0.01). The results were unchanged after adjusting for recognized confounders.

Conclusions

The results indicate that regular exercise is associated with improvement in some of the risks of advanced maternal age.
Williams‐Campbell syndrome complicated with pulmonary hypertension and Type 2 respiratory failure: An adult case report
Authors: Liu Meng , Yuan Qing , Zhao Haimeng , Wang Yuguang
Published: September 2019

Williams‐Campbell syndrome, is a rare disorder characterized by a deficiency of cartilage in subsegmental bronchi, leading to distal airway collapse and bronchiectasis, which typically affects the fourth‐ to sixth‐order bronchi. This article reported a 31‐year‐old female patient who was diagnosed with Williams‐Campbell syndrome with pulmonary hypertension and Type 2 respiratory failure due to extensive cystic bronchiectasis. CT of the thorax showed the affected bronchi had characteristic ballooning on inspiration and collapse on expiration.
Modelling the current and future biodiversity distribution in the Chilean Mediterranean hotspot. The role of protected areas network in a warmer future
Authors: Fuentes‐Castillo Taryn , Scherson Rosa A. , Marquet Pablo A. , Fajardo Javier , Corcoran Derek , Román María José , Pliscoff Patricio
Published: September 2019

Aim

Mediterranean Chile is part of the five recognized mediterranean‐type climates in the world and harbours a very rich floral diversity. Climate change has been reported as a significant threat to its biodiversity. We used the flora of Mediterranean Chile to analyse how biodiversity patterns, as measured by phylogenetic diversity, genus and species richness will respond to climate change scenarios and identify the areas that will harbour the greatest evolutionary potential and biodiversity richness. We also evaluated how these spatial patterns are depicted within the current network of protected areas.

Location

Chilean Mediterranean climate‐type Region, South America.

Methods

Biodiversity metrics were evaluated for current and future climatic scenarios. Species distribution models were done using Maxent for 1.727 species and 571 genera. Relationships between species/genera gain, loss and turnover were evaluated. For Mediterranean endemic species, loss and gain were also related to life‐form. Finally, variation in species gain, loss and turnover was evaluated in future climate change scenarios within and outside Mediterranean Chile state protected areas.

Results

We found a general decrease in species richness in the entire Region towards future climate change scenarios. Phylogenetic diversity is predicted to be higher than expected by richness in the north–south of the area and lower than expected by richness in the Andes Mountain. The highest average species and genus loss is predicted to occur outside the protected areas; meanwhile, species and genus gain is higher within them.

Main conclusions

Future biodiversity patterns are reported here for the first time in the Chilean Mediterranean Region. Our findings enhance the importance of the current protected areas to harbour this future variation, despite their reduced number and size along the region.
Regional differences in cell‐mediated immunity in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Pickwell K. , Geerts M. , van Moorsel D. , Hilkman D. , Kars M. , Schaper N. C.
Published: September 2019

Aim

To study cell‐mediated immunity in the feet of people with type 2 diabetes with polyneuropathy.

Methods

In a cohort comprising people with type 2 diabetes with polyneuropathy (n = 17) and without polyneuropathy (n = 12) and a healthy control group (n = 12) indurations due to delayed‐type hypersensitivity responses to intracutaneous Candida albicans antigen were determined in the foot and compared with those in the arm (an area relatively spared in diabetic polyneuropathy). The sizes of indurations on the foot were correlated with electromyographic measurements in the participants with diabetes.

Results

No differences were observed in the median size of indurations between the foot and arm in healthy controls and participants without polyneuropathy; in participants with polyneuropathy, induration sizes on the foot were smaller than on the arm: 0 (95% CI 0 to 1) vs 5 (95% CI 2 to 6) mm (P < 0.01). In participants with diabetes, larger indurations correlated with better nerve function (Spearman's rho 0.35 to 0.39).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy negatively affects cell‐mediated immunity in the foot. (Clinical Trials registry no.: NCT01370837)
The Transatlantic HbA1c gap: differences in glycaemic control across the lifespan between people included in the US T1D Exchange Registry and those included in the German/Austrian DPV registry
Authors: Hermann J. M. , Miller K. M. , Hofer S. E. , Clements M. A. , Karges W. , Foster N. C. , Fröhlich‐Reiterer E. , Rickels M. R. , Rosenbauer J. , DeSalvo D. J. , Holl R. W. , Maahs D. M. ,   the T1D Exchange Clinic Network and the DPV initiative
Published: September 2019

Aim

To compare HbA1c levels across the lifespan in people with type 1 diabetes in the USA with those in Germany/Austria, and to examine potential differences in HbA1c levels between sexes, insulin delivery methods and minority status.

Methods

Data were extracted from the US T1D Exchange Registry (n=18 381 participants from 73 sites) and from the German/Austrian Prospective Diabetes Follow‐up Registry, the DPV (n=32 643 participants from 362 sites). Mean HbA1c was calculated for each year of age for individuals aged ≤25 years, and at 2‐year age intervals for individuals aged >25 years. Curves for mean HbA1c by age were estimated using locally weighted scatterplot smoothing. HbA1c differences between registries, sexes, insulin delivery methods, and minority status were assessed by age group using multiple linear regression.

Results

In both registries, mean HbA1c increased by ~11 mmol/mol (1.0%) between the ages of 9 and 18 years, although at quite different absolute levels: from 66 mmol/mol (8.2%) to 77 mmol/mol (9.2%) in the T1D Exchange Registry, and from 56 mmol/mol (7.3%) to 66 mmol/mol (8.2%) in the DPV. Sex differences were observed in the DPV only. In the T1D Exchange Registry, injection users had higher mean HbA1c than pump users across the lifespan, whereas in the DPV higher HbA1c levels in injection users were observed in the age groups 6 to <12 years, 12 to <18 years, and 30 to <50 years (P < 0.001). Minority status was significantly associated with higher HbA1c in most age groups in both registries.

Conclusions

Significant differences in HbA1c were noted between the USA and Germany/Austria, with disparities more pronounced in early childhood through to young adulthood. Further studies should identify causes for these disparities.
Migraine Genetic Variants Influence Cerebral Blood Flow
Authors: Knol Maria J. , Loehrer Elizabeth A. , Wen Ke‐xin , Bos Daniel , Ikram M. Kamran , Vernooij Meike W. , Adams Hieab H.H. , Ikram M. Arfan
Published: September 2019

Objective

To investigate the association of migraine genetic variants with cerebral blood flow (CBF).

Background

Migraine is a common disorder with many genetic and non‐genetic factors affecting its occurrence. The exact pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the disease remain unclear, but are known to involve hemodynamic and vascular disruptions. Recent genome‐wide association studies have identified 44 genetic variants in 38 genetic loci that affect the risk of migraine, which provide the opportunity to further disentangle these mechanisms.

Methods

We included 4665 participants of the population‐based Rotterdam Study (mean age 65.0 ± 10.9 years, 55.6% women). Cross‐sectional area (mm2), flow velocity (mm/s), and blood flow (mL/min) were measured in both carotids and the basilar artery using 2‐dimensional phase‐contrast magnetic resonance imaging. We analyzed 43 previously identified migraine variants separately and calculated a genetic risk score (GRS). To assess the association with CBF, we used linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, and total brain volume. Hierarchical clustering was performed based on the associations with CBF measures and tissue enrichment.

Results

The rs67338227 risk allele was associated with higher flow velocity and smaller cross‐sectional area in the carotids (Pminimum = 3.7 × 10−8). Other variants were related to CBF with opposite directions of effect, but not significantly after multiple testing adjustments (P < 1.4 × 10−4). The migraine GRS was not associated with CBF after multiple testing corrections. Migraine risk variants were found to be enriched for flow in the basilar artery (λ = 2.39).

Conclusions

These findings show that genetic migraine risk is complexly associated with alterations in cerebral hemodynamics.
Stimulator of interferon genes agonists attenuate type I diabetes progression in NOD mice
Authors: Lemos Henrique , Mohamed Eslam , Huang Lei , Chandler Phillip R. , Ou Rong , Pacholczyk Rafal , Mellor Andrew L.
Published: September 2019

Reagents that activate the signaling adaptor stimulator of interferon genes (STING) suppress experimentally induced autoimmunity in murine models of multiple sclerosis and arthritis. In this study, we evaluated STING agonists as potential reagents to inhibit spontaneous autoimmune type I diabetes (T1D) onset in non‐obese diabetic (NOD) female mice. Treatments with DNA nanoparticles (DNPs), which activate STING when cargo DNA is sensed, delayed T1D onset and reduced T1D incidence when administered before T1D onset. DNP treatment elevated indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) activity, which regulates T‐cell immunity, in spleen, pancreatic lymph nodes and pancreas of NOD mice. Therapeutic responses to DNPs were partially reversed by inhibiting IDO and DNP treatment synergized with insulin therapy to further delay T1D onset and reduce T1D incidence. Treating pre‐diabetic NOD mice with cyclic guanyl‐adenyl dinucleotide (cGAMP) to activate STING directly delayed T1D onset and stimulated interferon‐αβ (IFN‐αβ), while treatment with cyclic diguanyl nucleotide (cdiGMP) did not delay T1D onset or induce IFN‐αβ in NOD mice. DNA sequence analyses revealed that NOD mice possess a STING polymorphism that may explain differential responses to cGAMP and cdiGMP. In summary, STING agonists attenuate T1D progression and DNPs enhance therapeutic responses to insulin therapy.
Effects of biogenetic beliefs for schizophrenia on potential caregivers in China: Exploring the role of affiliate stigma
Authors: Yao Xiaohui , Wang Chunhui , Zhu Zhigang , Hui Jianwen
Published: September 2019

Schizophrenia affects more than eight million people in China. Stigmatization of schizophrenia may prevent family members and close others from providing social support to those with schizophrenia. This article aims to investigate the potential use of a biogenetic approach to reduce the stigma of schizophrenia using a cross‐sectional (study 1, n = 141) and an experimental design (study 2, n = 100) in China. In the first study, mediation analysis reveals that perceived affiliate stigma, the negative prejudice, and discrimination towards family members of individuals with socially stigmatized identities due to their affiliation with the person mediates the path between biogenetic beliefs and desire for social distance. This pattern is replicated in study 2 in which two 10‐min lectures were created and used to influence participants’ beliefs in biogenetic causes of schizophrenia. Findings suggest that the biogenetic approach may increase Chinese participants’ desired social distance towards their family members with schizophrenia through increasing their concerns about the negative consequences of being affiliated with the family member. Therefore, future research should investigate aspects of biogenetic anti‐stigma campaigns that do not increase participants’ perception of affiliate stigma in China.
Increased circulating IgG levels, myocardial immune cells and IgG deposits support a role for an immune response in pre‐ and end‐stage heart failure
Authors: van den Hoogen Patricia , de Jager Saskia C. A. , Huibers Manon M. H. , Schoneveld Arjan H. , Puspitasari Yustina M. , Valstar Gideon B. , Oerlemans Marish I. F. J. , de Weger Roel A. , Doevendans Pieter A. , den Ruijter Hester M. , Laman Jon D. , Vink Aryan , Sluijter Joost P. G.
Published: September 2019

The chronic inflammatory response plays an important role in adverse cardiac remodelling and the development of heart failure (HF). There is also evidence that in the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular diseases, chronic inflammation is accompanied by antibody and complement deposits in the heart, suggestive of a true autoimmune response. However, the role of antibody‐mediated immune responses in HF progression is less clear. We assessed whether immune cell infiltration and immunoglobulin levels are associated with HF type and disease stage, taking sex differences into account. We found IgG deposits and increased infiltration of immune cells in the affected myocardium of patients with end‐stage HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, n = 20). Circulating levels of IgG1 and IgG3 were elevated in these patients. Furthermore, the percentage of transitional/regulatory B cells was decreased (from 6.9% to 2.4%) compared with healthy controls (n = 5). Similarly, increased levels of circulating IgG1 and IgG3 were observed in men with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD, n = 5), possibly an early stage of HF with preserved EF (HFpEF). In conclusion, IgG deposits and infiltrates of immune cells are present in end‐stage HFrEF. In addition, both LVDD patients and end‐stage HFrEF patients show elevated levels of circulating IgG1 and IgG3, suggesting an antibody‐mediated immune response upon cardiac remodelling, which in the early phase of remodelling appear to differ between men and women. These immunoglobulin subclasses might be used as marker for pre‐stage HF and its progression. Future identification of auto‐antigens might open possibilities for new therapeutic interventions.
Aspirin inhibits adipogenesis of tendon stem cells and lipids accumulation in rat injury tendon through regulating PTEN/PI3K/AKT signalling
Authors: Wang Yunjiao , He Gang , Wang Feng , Zhang Chenke , Ge Zilu , Zheng Xiaolong , Deng Honghao , Yuan Chengsong , Zhou Binghua , Tao Xu , Zhang Jiqiang , Tang Kanglai
Published: September 2019

Tendon injury repairs are big challenges in sports medicine, and fatty infiltration after tendon injury is very common and hampers tendon injury healing process. Tendon stem cells (TSCs), as precursors of tendon cells, have shown promising effect on injury tendon repair for their tenogenesis and tendon extracellular matrix formation. Adipocytes and lipids accumulation is a landmark event in pathological process of tendon injury, and this may induce tendon rupture in clinical practice. Based on this, it is important to inhibit TSCs adipogenesis and lipids infiltration to restore structure and function of injury tendon. Aspirin, as the representative of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), has been widely used in tendon injury for its anti‐inflammatory and analgesic actions, but effect of aspirin on TSCs adipogenesis and fatty infiltration is still unclear. Under adipogenesis conditions, TSCs were treated with concentration gradient of aspirin. Oil red O staining was performed to observe changes of lipids accumulation. Next, we used RNA sequencing to compare profile changes of gene expression between induction group and aspirin‐treated group. Then, we verified the effect of filtrated signalling on TSCs adipogenesis. At last, we established rat tendon injury model and compared changes of biomechanical properties after aspirin treatment. The results showed that aspirin decreased lipids accumulation in injury tendon and inhibited TSCs adipogenesis. RNA sequencing filtrated PTEN/PI3K/AKT signalling as our target. After adding the signalling activators of VO‐Ohpic and IGF‐1, inhibited adipogenesis of TSCs was reversed. Still, aspirin promoted maximum loading, ultimate stress and breaking elongation of injury tendon. In conclusion, by down‐regulating PTEN/PI3K/AKT signalling, aspirin inhibited adipogenesis of TSCs and fatty infiltration in injury tendon, promoted biomechanical properties and decreased rupture risk of injury tendon. All these provided new therapeutic potential and medicine evidence of aspirin in treating tendon injury and tendinopathy.
miR‐451a inhibits cancer growth, epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and induces apoptosis in papillary thyroid cancer by targeting PSMB8
Authors: Fan Xinlong , Zhao Yuejiao
Published: September 2019

Despite the increasing incidence of papillary thyroid cancer in the past decade, the molecular mechanism underlying its progression remains unknown. Several studies have reported down‐regulation of miR‐451a or circular miR‐451a in papillary thyroid cancer cell lines or patients. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we found that overexpression of miR‐451a could inhibit proliferation, epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and induce apoptosis in papillary thyroid cancer cells. Proteasome subunit beta type‐8 was predicted to be a direct target of miR‐451a and was validated with a luciferase reporter assay. Further functional assays showed that miR‐451a could inhibit thyroid cancer progression by targeting proteasome subunit beta type‐8.