bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breast Milk Transforming Growth Factor β Is Associated With Neonatal Gut Microbial Composition
Authors: Sitarik Alexandra R. , Bobbitt Kevin R. , Havstad Suzanne L. , Fujimura Kei E. , Levin Albert M. , Zoratti Edward M. , Kim Haejin , Woodcroft Kimberley J. , Wegienka Ganesa , Ownby Dennis R. , Joseph Christine L.M. , Lynch Susan V. , Johnson Christine C.
Published: March 2017

Background and Objectives:

Breast milk is a complex bioactive fluid that varies across numerous maternal and environmental conditions. Although breast‐feeding is known to affect neonatal gut microbiome, the milk components responsible for this effect are not well‐characterized. Given the wide range of immunological activity breast milk cytokines engage in, we investigated 3 essential breast milk cytokines and their association with early life gut microbiota.

Methods:

A total of 52 maternal‐child pairs were drawn from a racially diverse birth cohort based in Detroit, Michigan. Breast milk and neonatal stool specimens were collected at 1‐month postpartum. Breast milk transforming growth factor (TGF)β1, TGFβ2, and IL‐10 were assayed using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays, whereas neonatal gut microbiome was profiled using 16S rRNA sequencing.

Results:

Individually, immunomodulators TGFβ1 and TGFβ2 were significantly associated with neonatal gut microbial composition (R2 = 0.024, P = 0.041; R2 = 0.026, P = 0.012, respectively) and increased richness, evenness, and diversity, but IL‐10 was not. The effects of TGFβ1 and TGFβ2, however, were not independent of one another, and the effect of TGFβ2 was stronger than that of TGFβ1. Higher levels of TGFβ2 were associated with the increased relative abundance of several bacteria, including members of Streptococcaceae and Ruminococcaceae, and lower relative abundance of distinct Staphylococcaceae taxa.

Conclusions:

Breast milk TGFβ concentration explains a portion of variability in gut bacterial microbiota composition among breast‐fed neonates. Whether TGFβ acts in isolation or jointly with other bioactive components to alter bacterial composition requires further investigation. These findings contribute to an increased understanding of how breast‐feeding affects the gut microbiome—and potentially immune development—in early life.
Oenococcus oeni: Queen of the cellar, nightmare of geneticists
Authors: Grandvalet Cosette
Published: March 2017

Oenococcus oeni is a wine-associated lactic acid bacterium (LAB) responsible mostly for wine malolactic fermentation (MLF). This fastidious bacterium (auxotrophic for many amino acids and slow growing) possesses remarkable adaptability to harsh physicochemical conditions and can reprogramme its metabolic pathways to enhance its survival in wine. Thus, O. oeni is an instructive bacterial model for investigating stress response mechanisms in LAB. However, the lack of appropriate techniques to modify the O. oeni genome has hampered molecular studies of this species. The application of recent advances in molecular genetics promises to provide a better understanding of the regulation of stress responses in this species in the future.
Semicircular canals inAnolislizards: ecomorphological convergence and ecomorph affinities of fossil species
Authors: Dickson Blake V. , Sherratt Emma , Losos Jonathan B. , Pierce Stephanie E.
Published: March 2017

Anolislizards are a model system for the study of adaptive radiation and convergent evolution. Greater Antillean anoles have repeatedly evolved six similar forms or ecomorphs: crown-giant, grass-bush, twig, trunk, trunk-crown, and trunk-ground. Members of each ecomorph category possess a specific set of morphological, ecological and behavioural characteristics which have been acquired convergently. Here we test whether the semicircular canal system – the organ of balance – is also convergent among ecomorphs, reflecting the shared sensory requirements of their ecological niches. As semicircular canal shape has been shown to reflect different locomotor strategies, we hypothesised that eachAnolisecomorph would have a unique canal morphology. Using 3D semilandmarks and geometric morphometrics, semicircular canal shape was characterised in 41Anolisspecies from the Greater Antilles and the relationship between canal shape and ecomorph grouping, phylogenetic history, size, and perch characteristics was assessed. Further, canal morphology of modern species was used to predict the ecomorph affinity of five fossil anoles from the Miocene of the Dominican Republic. Our study recovered ecomorph as the single-most important covariate of canal morphology in modern taxa; although phylogenetic history and size also showed a small, yet significant correlation with shape. Surprisingly, perch characteristics were not found to be significant covariates of canal shape, even though they are important habitat variables. Using posterior probabilities, we found that the fossil anoles have different semicircular canals shapes to modern ecomorph groupings implying extinct anoles may have been interacting with their Miocene environment in different ways to modernAnolisspecies.
Rv3723/LucA coordinates fatty acid and cholesterol uptake inMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Nazarova Evgeniya V. , Montague Christine R. , La Thuy , Wilburn Kaley M. , Sukumar Neelima , Lee Wonsik , Caldwell Shannon , Russell David G. , VanderVen Brian C.
Published: March 2017

Pathogenic bacteria have evolved highly specialized systems to extract essential nutrients from their hosts andMycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb) scavenges lipids (cholesterol and fatty acids) to maintain infection in mammals. While the uptake of cholesterol by Mtb is mediated by the Mce4 transporter, the route(s) of uptake of fatty acids remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that an uncharacterized protein LucA, integrates the assimilation of both cholesterol and fatty acids in Mtb. LucA interacts with subunits of the Mce1 and Mce4 complexes to coordinate the activities of these nutrient transporters. We also demonstrate that Mce1 functions as an important fatty acid transporter in Mtb and we determine that the integration of cholesterol and fatty acid transport by LucA is required for full bacterial virulencein vivo. These data establish that fatty acid and cholesterol assimilation are inexorably linked in Mtb and reveals a key role for LucA in coordinating both transport activities.
rahuis a mutant allele ofDnmt3c, encoding a DNA methyltransferase homolog required for meiosis and transposon repression in the mouse male germline
Authors: Jain Devanshi , Meydan Cem , Lange Julian , Bouuaert Corentin Claeys , Mason Christopher E. , Anderson Kathryn V. , Keeney Scott
Published: March 2017

Transcriptional silencing by heritable cytosine-5 methylation is an ancient strategy to repress transposable elements. It was previously thought that mammals possess four DNA methyltransferase paralogs—Dnmt1,Dnmt3a,Dnmt3bandDnmt3l—that establish and maintain cytosine-5 methylation. Here we identify a fifth paralog,Dnmt3c, that is essential for retrotransposon methylation and repression in the mouse male germline. From a phenotype-based forward genetics screen, we isolated a mutant mouse called ‘rahu’, which displays severe defects in double-strand-break repair and homologous chromosome synapsis during male meiosis, resulting in sterility.rahuis an allele of a transcription unit (Gm14490, renamedDnmt3c) that was previously mis-annotated as aDnmt3-family pseudogene.Dnmt3cencodes a cytosine methyltransferase homolog, andDnmt3crahumutants harbor a non-synonymous mutation of a conserved residue within one of its cytosine methyltransferase motifs, similar to a mutation in human DNMT3B observed in patients with immunodeficiency, centromeric instability and facial anomalies syndrome. Therahumutation lies at a potential dimerization interface and near the potential DNA binding interface, suggesting that it compromises protein-protein and/or protein-DNA interactions required for normal DNMT3C functionin vivo.Dnmt3crahumutant males fail to establish normal methylation within LINE and LTR retrotransposon sequences in the germline and accumulate higher levels of transposon-derived transcripts and proteins, particularly from distinct L1 and ERVK retrotransposon families. Phylogenetic analysis indicates thatDnmt3carose during rodent evolution by tandem duplication ofDnmt3b, after the divergence of the Dipodoidea and Muroidea superfamilies. These findings provide insight into the evolutionary dynamics and functional specialization of the transposon suppression machinery critical for mammalian sexual reproduction and epigenetic regulation.
A di-acidic motif targets cytoplasmic proteins for unconventional protein secretion
Authors: Cruz-Garcia David , Brouwers Nathalie , Duran Juan M. , Curwin Amy J. , Malhotra Vivek
Published: March 2017

We previously reported that Acb1, a cytoplasmic protein inSaccharomyces cerevisiaethat cannot enter the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), was secreted upon nutrient starvation by a Vps4 independent, but ESCRT-I, -II and -III and Grh1 dependent pathway (Curwin et al., 2016). Here, we report that the same conditions result in secretion of another signal sequence lacking protein, superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1). Similar to Acb1, SOD1 export requires Grh1 and a subset of ESCRT components. Importantly, our analysis reveals the existence of a conserved di-acidic motif (Asp-Glu) in SOD1 and Acb1 that is required for their respective export. This sequence is different from the di-acidic motif (Asp-X-Glu) necessary for export of transmembrane proteins from the ER. We propose that the Asp-Glu sequence acts as a targeting motif for the entry of SOD1 and Acb1, and likely many other proteins, upon nutrient starvation into a common albeit ER-Golgi independent pathway of secretion.
Experimental investigation of halogen-bond hard–soft acid–base complementarity
Authors: Riel Asia Marie S. , Jessop Morly J. , Decato Daniel A. , Massena Casey J. , Nascimento Vinicius R. , Berryman Orion B.
Published: March 2017

The halogen bond (XB) is a topical noncovalent interaction of rapidly increasing importance. The XB employs a `soft' donor atom in comparison to the `hard' proton of the hydrogen bond (HB). This difference has led to the hypothesis that XBs can form more favorable interactions with `soft' bases than HBs. While computational studies have supported this suggestion, solution and solid-state data are lacking. Here, XB soft–soft complementarity is investigated with a bidentate receptor that shows similar associations with neutral carbonyls and heavy chalcogen analogs. The solution speciation and XB soft–soft complementarity is supported by four crystal structures containing neutral and anionic soft Lewis bases.
Testing the tools for revealing and characterizing the iodine–iodine halogen bond in crystals
Authors: Bartashevich Ekaterina , Yushina Irina , Kropotina Kristina , Muhitdinova Svetlana , Tsirelson Vladimir
Published: March 2017

To understand what tools are really suitable to identify and classify the iodine–iodine non-covalent interactions in solid organic polyiodides, we have examined the anisotropy of the electron density within the iodine atomic basin along and across the iodine–iodine halogen bond using the Laplacian of electron density, one-electron potential and electron localization function produced by Kohn–Sham calculations with periodic boundary conditions. The Laplacian of electron density exhibits the smallest anisotropy and yields a vague picture of the outermost electronic shells. The one-electron potential does not show such a deficiency and reveals that the valence electron shell for the halogen-bond acceptor iodine is always wider than that for the halogen-bond donor iodine along its σ-hole direction. We have concluded that the one-electron potential is the most suitable for classification of the iodine–iodine bonds and interactions in complicated cases, while the electron localization function allows to distinguish the diiodine molecule bonded with the monoiodide anion from the typical triiodide anion.
Nature ofE2X2σ(4c–6e) of theX---E—E---Xtype at naphthalene 1,8-positions and model, elucidated by X-ray crystallographic analysis and QC calculations with the QTAIM approach
Authors: Tsubomoto Yutaka , Hayashi Satoko , Nakanishi Waro , Sasamori Takahiro , Tokitoh Norihiro
Published: March 2017

The nature ofE2X2σ(4c–6e) of theX-*-E-*-E-*-Xtype is elucidated for 1-(8-XC10H6)E–E(C10H6X-8′)-1′ [(1)E,X= S, Cl; (2) S, Br; (3) Se, Cl; (4) Se, Br] after structural determination of (1), (3) and (4), together with modelA[MeX---E(H)—E(H)---XMe (E= S and Se;X= Cl and Br)]. The quantum theory of atoms-in-molecules dual functional analysis (QTAIM-DFA) is applied. The total electron energy densitiesHb(rc) are plottedversus Hb(rc) –Vb(rc)/2 for the interactions at the bond critical points (BCPs; *), whereVb(rc) show the potential energy densities at the BCPs. Data for the perturbed structures around the fully optimized structures are employed for the plots, in addition to those of the fully optimized structures. The plots were analysed using the polar coordinate (R, θ) representation of the data of the fully optimized structures. Data containing the perturbed structures were analysed by (θp, κp), where θpcorresponds to the tangent line of the plot and κpis the curvature. Whereas (R, θ) shows the static nature, (θp, κp) represents the dynamic nature of interactions.E-*-Eare all classified as shared shell (S) interactions for (1)–(4) and as weak covalent (Cov-w) in nature (S/Cov-w). The nature ofpureCS (closed shell)/typical-HB (hydrogen bond) with no covalency is predicted forE-*-Xin (1) and (3),regularCS/typical-HB nature with covalency is predicted for (4), and an intermediate nature is predicted for (2). The NBO energies evaluated forE-*-Xin (1)–(4) are substantially larger than those in modelAdue the shortened length at the naphthalene 1,8-positions. The nature ofE2X2of σ(4c–6e) is well elucidatedviaQTAIM-DFA.
Candy Confectioneries Pvt Limited (CCL)
Authors: Singhvi Sajjan , Sharma Gaurav , Gera Rajat
Published: March 2017

Subject area

Rural Marketing, Sales and Distribution Management, Salesperson Motivation, Channel Management.

Study level/applicability

The case can be used in sales management, channel management and rural marketing courses offered to graduate students of MBA degrees. In the sales management courses, the emphasis is on understanding the typical tasks that the rural salesperson is required to conduct. The case can be used to design a suitable motivation-mix for a rural salesperson after analysing their approach towards work. In a rural marketing course, the case can be used to understand the sales and distribution management of fast-moving consumer good products in rural India. The case can be used in channel management courses to design an appropriate channel structure in the rural market in India and utilized for managing the distributors’ salesforce for effective and improved market coverage in rural areas.

Case overview

Candy Confectioneries Private Limited started its operations in 1995, and was one of the largest confectionery players in India with a market share of 20 per cent. The company had achieved sales of Rs 20bn in 2014 and had 15 confectionery brands in the market. The company was also trying hard to establish itself in the snacks category. The company had nationwide operations, and it was important for the company to expand into the rural market. It served its markets through a comprehensive urban and rural distribution setup. In the rural distribution network, the rural sales representatives (RSRs) played a key role and perhaps were one of the most critical factors in covering the rural market. The RSR system was typical to suit the requirement of product-market coverage with its limitations. The case broadly profiles eight RSRs who were engaged to cover a specific territory in the State of Bihar in India. It also describes their approaches to work and complexities emerging thereof in achieving the best results for the organization.

Expected learning outcomes

The case has the following learning objectives: Understanding the design of sales and distribution channel structure followed for distribution and selling of confectionery products in rural India. Examining whether the existing system is adequate to achieve the goals of the firm. Evaluating the performance of each salesperson and identifying common factors to formulate the salesforce policies. Arriving at a suitable motivation-mix for the rural salesperson.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing.
Building organisational resilience for the construction industry
Authors: Sapeciay Zulkfli , Wilkinson Suzanne , Costello Seosamh B.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to explore New Zealand construction practitioners’ approaches to organisational resilience practice in built environment discipline, based on survey and interview results. The objective was to explore the resilience practice within the construction sector with the intention of developing a resilient assessment tool specifically for construction organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was conducted to gather information on assessment tools for measuring organisational resilience, their characteristics and indicators. Subsequently, a set of questions was formulated to collate opinions from construction practitioners in New Zealand, using a questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews.

Findings

This paper concludes by showing that the construction industry lacks resilience practice, especially from an organisational perspective. The findings suggest that the industry would benefit from a resilience assessment tool to help improve resilience. The adoption of such a tool could potentially enhance organisational capacity to recover quickly from crises and disasters.

Practical implications

Improving the resilience of construction organisations to natural disasters not only minimises the negative consequences to their organisations post-disaster and enhances their organisational performance during business as usual but also helps to improve community resilience.

Originality/value

Improving the resilience of construction organisations also helps to improve community resilience and overall post-disaster recovery. However, at present, little research has been conducted on how construction organisations deal with the risk of natural disasters.
Open innovation in supply networks: an expectation disconfirmation theory perspective
Authors: Roldán Bravo María Isabel , Lloréns Montes Francisco Javier , Ruiz Moreno Antonia
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This study aims to use expectation disconfirmation theory (EDT) to investigate how an organization’s satisfaction with its supply network’s behavior influences its intention to open innovation with that network. This paper proposes that an organization’s orientation to open innovation is influenced by confirmation of previously held expectations of trust and commitment and level of perceived procedural justice in its open innovation partner. This paper also examines the effect of this orientation on the organization’s supply chain competence.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from a survey of 286 European firms, the study proposes and evaluates a structural equation model.

Findings

The results show that a positive disconfirmation of trust (where perceived trust exceeds expectations) plays a crucial role in shaping organizations’ intentions to continue open innovation with their supply networks. These results show that disconfirmation is a good predictor of overall satisfaction with open innovation. This paper also confirms the positive effect of orientation to open innovation on supply chain competence. Finally, this paper obtained evidence for the positive effect of supply chain competence on firm performance.

Originality/value

This study shows the importance of managing expectations in open innovation under the EDT. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous research has analyzed the consistency between the trust and commitment an organization expects from its open innovation partner and the trust and commitment it ultimately perceives as a factor explaining its degree of orientation to open innovation. Therefore, this research contributes to a better understanding of open innovation enablers and also its consequences.
Being customer-centric through CRM metrics in the B2B market: the case of maritime shipping
Authors: Fotiadis Anestis K. , Vassiliadis Chris
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a comparison between the traditional methods for the calculation of customer relationship performance and the modern metrics suggested by the current literature in business-to-business (B2B) markets using the Greek maritime shipping industry as an example.

Design/methodology/approach

The primary research was conducted in two phases: quantitative analysis of actual measurements and qualitative evaluation of the results. More specifically, in the first phase, the measures used were a collection of traditional and modern customer relationship management (CRM) metrics applied to actual historical data along with statistical data for actual customers of a company supplying services for maritime transportation of containers in the Greek international trade market. For the qualitative evaluation of these results, a semi-structured interview was carried out with seven “specialists/experts” in this business sector, who provided an assessment of the relative worth of each set of CRM measures.

Findings

The use of modern customer-centred metrics (Share and Size of Wallet, recency, frequency, monetary value) in the shipping sector of Greek industrial activity is the most profitable and efficient means of decision-making. The qualitative research showed that the customer-centred metrics were judged to be more effective and useful, as they provided a multi-dimensional and multi-layered picture of the current and future situation for the company and its customer base.

Research limitations/implications

To ensure confidentiality of personal information, the research did not use, examine or evaluate the individualized data to preserve the anonymity of the survey sponsor and their specific customers.

Originality/value

This is the first study that examines the effectiveness of different types of CRM metrics in the B2B market, which has, until now, suffered a dearth of empirical studies in the field, especially in the context of national economies that face intense international trading problems and significant reductions in activity in their maritime shipping industry due to the economic recession.
Conceptual frameworks in historical analysis: using reputation as interpretive prism
Authors: Schnee Christian
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to advocate a revised perspective in historical analysis. The author calls for historians to apply the concept of reputation as interpretive lens in the analysis of historical processes and outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Widely used in management and marketing writing, but also relied upon in political science, the concept of reputation helps predict behaviour of individuals and entities that are bound by political constraints to align their actions to the goal of generating a popular standing. The lens also serves to cast light on the actions engaged in by external stakeholders that are informed by reputational cues. This theoretical contention is illustrated in four case studies resulting from investigations into political decisions and military conflicts, both in the republican and imperial period that ascertain how success and expansion as well as failure and decline of ancient Rome can be viewed and better understood by applying reputation as an instrument to direct and focus historical analysis.

Findings

This paper does not only advance complementary angles and alternative answers to issues in ancient Roman history. The cases considered also demonstrate how failure to recognise reputation as a significant concept in historical analysis does not only impair a comprehensive and balanced reflection of personal and organisational stakeholder behaviour but also thwarts a full appreciation of the motivation that drives individual protagonists and institutional agents, whose decisions are central to historical processes and outcomes.

Originality/value

The findings advanced in this paper – informed by four case studies – evidence the need of a new analytical prism in historical enquiry that will define the questions raised and direct the researcher’s attention. It has been shown how the concept of reputation can play a tangible role in sketching out a distinct new angle in historical investigation that leads to reviewing current narrative of past events and phenomena.
Social responsibility in practice: an Italian case from the early 20th century
Authors: Leoni Giulia
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the ideals informing the social strategy of Marzotto, an Italian family business in the textile industry, during the rise and fall of the fascist regime and to compare it with the main concepts of social responsibility theory that developed from the 1950s onwards. Because Italy at that time was a family-based economy, subject to a dictatorial government, it offers an interesting context of investigation that is similar to various contemporary emerging countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a company’s public social report and various published histories, the historical case study of this Italian family business and its pioneering social strategy is reconstructed. Through the identification of the social practices and the ideals underlying the strategy, the analysis finds similarities and differences with the traditional concepts from social responsibility literature.

Findings

The study finds that Marzotto’s social strategy traces some dimensions of social responsibility theory for it was a voluntary and discretional act by the business owner; it was based on the necessary balance between economic and social aims; and it was focusing only on social issues. Instead, the “social” spectrum is found to have a different meaning in the Marzotto strategy with respect to the “social” in the traditional theory because it was limited to a local level and limited groups of stakeholders.

Practical implications

By showing the relevant role of business-owners in social responsibility awareness, this study has implications for contemporary practice. It suggests that the educating business-owners about social responsibility and the development of bottom-up rather than top-down social initiatives will be crucial in contemporary similar contexts. The results also open to new research opportunities on corporate social responsibility in the past to explain contemporary differences among its implementation in different countries.

Originality/value

The research brings awareness to social responsibility in the past in a context other than traditional Western countries and to its differences and similarities with the established social responsibility framework. It is the first study on past social practices that makes use of primary sources to support the analysis.
Integrated management systems – interpretations, results, opportunities
Authors: Dahlin Gunnar , Isaksson Raine
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study how the expression “integrated management systems” is interpreted in literature, what it means to have an integrated management system (IMS) and what the results of this are.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was conducted based on Scopus using the search term “Integrated Management Systems.” In the chosen articles, effects of integration, scope, level and extent of integration and if the approach is inside-out or outside-in, have been analyzed.

Findings

Most articles on IMS conclude that integration is beneficial regarding cost saving, operational benefits and improved customer satisfaction. The general approach in the articles, describes an inside-out approach with focus on integrating existing management standards. The scope of integration covers typically management systems for quality, environment and occupational health and safety.

Practical implications

An IMS is found to be a system that integrates existing management standards based on an inside-out approach. This indicates possibilities for both practical improvement and research in exploring how integrated stakeholder needs could be managed, possibly as process-based IMSs.

Originality/value

This paper sheds light on the ambiguous interpretation of the IMS concept.
An optimal integrated QSMS model from cluster analysis
Authors: Odigie Michael E. , Badar M. Affan , Sinn John W. , Moayed Farman , Shahhosseini A. Mehran
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an optimal model of an integrated quality and safety management system (QSMS).

Design/methodology/approach

Keywords related with these systems were identified from international standards and subsequently mined from a selection of peer reviewed articles that discuss and propose varying forms of integrated models for both systems. Cluster analysis was used to establish the degree to which integrated models, as described in the articles were quality dominant vs safety dominant. Word counts were utilized for establishing content and attributes for each category. An optimal integrated model was developed from the final cluster analysis and substantiated by a one-way analysis of variance. Experts from industry were consulted to validate and fine-tune the model.

Findings

It was determined that characteristics of an optimal integrated model include the keywords “risk,” “safety,” “incident,” “injury,” “hazards,” as well as “preventive action,” “corrective action,” “rework,” “repair,” and “scrap.” It also combines elements of quality function deployment as well as hazard and operability analysis meshed into a plan-do-check-act type work-flow.

Research limitations/implications

Given the vast array of clustering algorithms available, the clusters that resulted were dependent upon the algorithm deployed and may differ from clusters resulting for divergent algorithms.

Originality/value

The optimized model is a hybrid that consists of a quality management system as the superordinate strategic element with safety management system deployed as the supporting tactical element. The model was implemented as a case study, and resulted in 13 percent labor-hour saving.
Use of neurotransmitter regulators in functional gastrointestinal disorders based on symptom analysis
Authors: Luo Qing Qing , Chen Sheng Liang
Published: March 2017

It has been a great challenge for gastroenterologists to cope with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in clinical practice due to the contemporary increase in stressful events. A growing body of evidence has shown that neuroregulators such as anti‐anxiety agents and antidepressants function well on FGIDs, particularly in cases that are refractory to classical gastrointestinal (GI) medications. Among these central‐acting agents, small individualized doses of tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are usually recommended as a complement to routine GI management. When these drugs are chosen to treat FGIDs, both their central effects and the modulation of peripheral neurotransmitters should be taken into consideration. In this article we recommend strategies for choosing drugs based on an analysis of psychosomatic GI symptoms. The variety and dosage of the neurotransmitter regulators are also discussed.
The Complex Ties that Bind: Gendered Agency and Expectations in Conflict and Climate Change‐related Migration
Authors: Myrttinen Henri
Published: March 2017

For the past decade, western public discourse and the policy world have become increasingly concerned about ‘irregular’ migration and, to a slightly lesser extent perhaps, what driving role conflict and climate change play in triggering it. Addressing the causes and effects requires having a better understanding of the impacts that climate change has on multi‐dimensional crises and the knock‐on effect this has on migration. A key factor in understanding how these processes affect different women, girls, men, boys and other gender identities is gender. Much of the analysis, however, has tended to be based on relatively simplistic teleological models and gender stereotypes. Based on case studies, this article argues for more nuanced understandings of how gender and other societal markers affect people differently in different contexts of crisis and climate change‐related migration to better formulate policy responses.
Pregnancy and maternal chronic hepatitis B infection—Evidence of reproductive advantage?
Authors: Lao Terence T. , Sahota Daljit S.
Published: March 2017

Problem

As multiparas have high prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, we examined here the relationship between the number of pregnancies with HBV infection.

Method of study

Retrospective cohort study examining the prevalence of HBV infection by actual gravidity and parity in 104 242 gravidae managed during 1997‐2013.

Results

Infection rate increased from 8.5% to 10.6% for G1 to G≥6 and from 8.8% to 10.0% for P0 to P≥3 (P<.001). When stratified by parity, correlation with gravidity was maintained in the nulliparous gravidae. For the same gravidity, increasing parity was associated with higher rate of HBV infection for G2 and G3. Multiparas had higher HBV infection prevalence (all >10%) than nulliparas (<10%) for G2 to G≥4.

Conclusion

Prior pregnancies, especially successful ones, are associated with increased HBV infection in an endemic population, which could have enhanced reproduction and in the process facilitated its transmission to the following generations.
Relevance of Wnt10b and activation of β‐catenin/GCMa/syncytin‐1 pathway in BeWo cell fusion
Authors: Malhotra Sudha Saryu , Banerjee Priyanka , Chaudhary Piyush , Pal Rahul , Gupta Satish Kumar
Published: March 2017

Problem

To study the involvement of specific Wnt(s) ligand during trophoblastic BeWo cell differentiation.

Method of study

BeWo cells on treatment with forskolin/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were studied for cell fusion by desmoplakin I+II staining and/or hCG secretion by ELISA. Levels of Wnt10b/β‐catenin/glial cell missing a (GCMa)/syncytin‐1 were studied by qPCR/Western blotting in forskolin‐/hCG‐treated control siRNA and Wnt10b silenced BeWo cells.

Results

BeWo cells on treatment with hCG (5 IU/mL) led to a 94‐fold increase in Wnt10b transcript. Wnt10b silencing showed significant decrease in forskolin‐/hCG‐mediated BeWo cell fusion and/or hCG secretion. It led to down‐regulation of β‐catenin (nuclear and cytoplasmic), GCMa and syncytin‐1 expression. Treatment of BeWo cells with H89, protein kinase A (PKA) signaling inhibitor, significantly reduced forskolin‐/hCG‐induced Wnt10b, β‐catenin, and syncytin‐1 expression, which also resulted in reduced cell fusion.

Conclusion

Wnt10b is involved in forskolin/hCG‐mediated BeWo cell fusion via β‐catenin/GCMa/syncytin pathway, which may also involve activation of PKA.
Role of renal vascular potassium channels in physiology and pathophysiology
Authors: Salomonsson M. , Brasen J. C. , Sorensen C. M.
Published: March 2017

The control of renal vascular tone is important for the regulation of salt and water balance, blood pressure and the protection against damaging elevated glomerular pressure. The K+ conductance is a major factor in the regulation of the membrane potential (Vm) in vascular smooth muscle (VSMC) and endothelial cells (EC). The vascular tone is controlled by Vm via its effect on the opening probability of voltage‐operated Ca2+ channels (VOCC) in VSMC. When K+ conductance increases Vm becomes more negative and vasodilation follows, while deactivation of K+ channels leads to depolarization and vasoconstriction. K+ channels in EC indirectly participate in the control of vascular tone by endothelium‐derived vasodilation. Therefore, by regulating the tone of renal resistance vessels, K+ channels have a potential role in the control of fluid homoeostasis and blood pressure as well as in the protection of the renal parenchyma. The main classes of K+ channels (calcium activated (KCa), inward rectifier (Kir), voltage activated (Kv) and ATP sensitive (KATP)) have been found in the renal vessels. In this review, we summarize results available in the literature and our own studies in the field. We compare the ambiguous in vitro and in vivo results. We discuss the role of single types of K+ channels and the integrated function of several classes. We also deal with the possible role of renal vascular K+ channels in the pathophysiology of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and sepsis.
Tremorolytic effect of 5′‐chloro‐5′‐deoxy‐(±)‐ENBA, a potent and selective adenosine A1 receptor agonist, evaluated in the harmaline‐induced model in rats
Authors: Kosmowska Barbara , Ossowska Krystyna , Głowacka Urszula , Wardas Jadwiga
Published: March 2017

Aim

The aim of this study was to examine the role of adenosine A1 receptors in the harmaline‐induced tremor in rats using 5′‐chloro‐5′‐deoxy‐(±)‐ENBA (5′Cl5′d‐(±)‐ENBA), a brain‐penetrant, potent, and selective adenosine A1 receptor agonist.

Methods

Harmaline was injected at a dose of 15 mg/kg ip and tremor was measured automatically in force‐plate actimeters by an increased averaged power in the frequency band of 9‐15 Hz (AP2) and by tremor index (a difference in power between AP2 and averaged power in the frequency band of 0‐8 Hz). The zif‐268 mRNA expression was additionally analyzed by in situ hybridization in several brain structures.

Results

5′Cl5′d‐(±)‐ENBA (0.05‐0.5 mg/kg ip) dose dependently reduced the harmaline‐induced tremor and this effect was reversed by 8‐cyclopentyl‐1,3‐dipropylxanthine (DPCPX), a selective antagonist of adenosine A1 receptors (1 mg/kg ip). Harmaline increased the zif‐268 mRNA expression in the inferior olive, cerebellar cortex, ventroanterior/ventrolateral thalamic nuclei, and motor cortex. 5′Cl5′d‐(±)‐ENBA reversed these increases in all the above structures. DPCPX reduced the effect of 5′Cl5′d‐(±)‐ENBA on zif‐268 mRNA in the motor cortex.

Conclusion

This study suggests that adenosine A1 receptors may be a potential target for the treatment of essential tremor.
Efficacy and safety of tofogliflozin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with inadequate glycaemic control on insulin therapy (J‐STEP/INS): Results of a 16‐week randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled multicentre trial
Authors: Terauchi Yasuo , Tamura Masahiro , Senda Masayuki , Gunji Ryoji , Kaku Kohei
Published: March 2017

Aims

To assess the effects of 16 weeks of tofogliflozin (sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 [SGLT2] inhibitor) treatment vs placebo on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) inadequately controlled with insulin monotherapy or insulin plus a dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitor.

Methods

The study comprised a 16‐week, multicentre, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled period and a 36‐week extension (NCT02201004). Men and women (aged ≥20 and ≤75 years) with T2DM (HbA1c ≥7.5% and ≤10.5%) were randomized 2:1 to tofogliflozin 20 mg once/day or placebo. The primary endpoint was change in HbA1c from baseline. Insulin reduction was not permitted during this study.

Results

A total of 211 patients were randomized (141 tofogliflozin, 70 placebo). Addition of tofogliflozin to insulin therapy was significantly superior to placebo for lowering HbA1c (−0.59 vs +0.48%; P < .0001), fasting plasma glucose (−27.2 vs +5.3 mg/dL; P < .0001), postprandial plasma glucose (−65.0 vs +3.2 mg/dL; P < 0.0001), serum uric acid (−0.18 vs +0.07 mg/dL; P = .0062), body weight (−1.34 vs +0.03 kg; P < .0001) and daily insulin dose (−1.3 vs −0.2 U, P = .0152). Hypoglycaemia occurred in 30.7% of patients receiving tofogliflozin vs 21.4% for placebo. Two patients treated with tofogliflozin each had a genital or urinary tract infection.

Conclusions

This 16‐week double‐blind study indicated that, in patients with T2DM whose HbA1c levels were poorly controlled with insulin monotherapy or insulin plus a DPP‐4 inhibitor, addition of tofogliflozin was an effective treatment option with an acceptable safety profile.
An unexpected tumor causing right ventricular obstruction
Authors: Padilla‐Ibarra Jorge , Rodríguez Zanella Hugo , Cano Zarate Roberto , Alexánderson‐Rosas Erick
Published: March 2017

A 58‐year‐old male with a history of a soft tissue sarcoma in remission presented with a 2 weeks history of progressive dyspnea. Transthoracic echocardiography showed right ventricular dilation; right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) of 110 mm Hg, and a lobulated mass in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) causing obstruction. Microbubble contrast was administered showing perfusion within the mass, which suggested malignancy. A CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) confirmed the presence of the mass in the RVOT without evidence of pulmonary embolism. This case demonstrates the importance of the multimodality imaging approach for the differential diagnosis of masses in the RVOT.
Curcuma decreases serum hepcidin levels in healthy volunteers: a placebo‐controlled, randomized, double‐blind, cross‐over study
Authors: Lainé Fabrice , Laviolle Bruno , Bardou‐Jacquet Edouard , Fatih Nadia , Jezequel Caroline , Collet Nicolas , Ropert Martine , Morcet Jeff , Hamon Catherine , Reymann Jean‐Michel , Loréal Olivier
Published: March 2017

Hepcidin, secreted by hepatocytes, controls iron metabolism by limiting iron egress in plasma. Hepcidin is upregulated during inflammation through the activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) transduction pathway, which decreases iron bioavailability and may explain the anemia of chronic inflammatory disease. In vitro, it has been shown that curcumin can decrease hepcidin synthesis by decreasing STAT3 activity. We conducted a proof‐of‐concept study to assess the effect of curcuma on hepcidin synthesis in human. This was a placebo‐controlled, randomized, double‐blind, cross‐over, two‐period study performed in 18 healthy male volunteers. Subjects received a single oral dose of 6 g curcuma containing 2% of curcumin or placebo. Serum hepcidin and iron parameters were assessed repeatedly until 48 h after dosing. When compared with a placebo curcuma decreased hepcidin levels significantly at 6 h (−19%, P = 0.004), 8 h (−17%, P = 0.009), and 12 h (−17%, P = 0.007) and tended to decrease hepcidin at 24 h (−15%, P = 0.076). Curcuma also significantly increased serum ferritin levels at 6 and 8 h (+7% for both times, P = 0.018, 0.030, respectively) and had no effects on serum iron, transferrin, and transferrin saturation. This pilot study showed that curcuma decreases serum hepcidin levels in human and supports the idea that curcuma could be useful in treating hepcidin overproduction during inflammatory processes. Confirmatory studies in patients with chronic inflammation are now required to determine the optimal dose and therapeutic scheme of curcuma.
Perceptions of oral health by those living with mental illnesses in the Victorian Community ‐ The consumer's perspective
Authors: Ho HD , Satur J , Meldrum R
Published: March 2017

Objective

To understand the way people living with mental illness in an Australian community experience and define oral health.

Study population

People living with serious mental illness in the Victorian Community.

Methods

Qualitative methodologies were used in this study. Two focus groups and four semi‐structured interviews were conducted. The data were transcribed and thematically analysed.

Results

Participants generally valued oral health and recognized that attending regular dental appointments played a key role in improving their oral health. Participants felt that their mental illness overwhelmed their ability to maintain good oral health. Coping, dental fear, stigma, financial barriers and communication were identified as issues around utilization and access to care.

Discussion

Experiences of oral health were both positive and negative. Barriers and enablers, extending beyond participant oral health literacy for oral health, were identified from the data, and recommendations around personal, environmental and clinical supports were made.

Conclusion

This is a valuable study that provides new insight into a complicated issue. Recommendations to create a supportive dental environment and direction to improve the dental experience have been made to make oral health more accessible for people living with mental illness. Recommendations have also been made for community‐based mental health organizations to aid the improvements in oral health with this group of people, thus building a collaborative approach to support oral health for this vulnerable group.
The effect of mixing method on tricalcium silicate‐based cement
Authors: Duque J. A. , Fernandes S. L. , Bubola J. P. , Duarte M. A. H. , Camilleri J. , Marciano M. A.
Published: March 2017

Aim

To evaluate the effect of three methods of mixing on the physical and chemical properties of tricalcium silicate‐based cements.

Methodology

The materials evaluated were MTA Angelus and Portland cement with 20% zirconium oxide (PC‐20‐Zr). The cements were mixed using a 3 : 1 powder‐to‐liquid ratio. The mixing methods were manual (m), trituration (tr) and ultrasonic (us) activation. The materials were characterized by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. Flowability was analysed according to ANSI/ADA 57/2012. Initial and final setting times were assessed following ASTM C266/08. Volume change was evaluated using a micro‐CT volumetric method. Solubility was analysed according to ADA 57/2012. pH and calcium ion release were measured after 3, 24, 72 and 168 h. Statistical analysis was performed using two‐way analysis of variance. The level of significance was set at P = 0.05.

Results

The SEM analysis revealed that ultrasonic activation was associated with a homogeneous distribution of particles. Flowability, volume change and initial setting time were not influenced by the mixing method (P > 0.05). Solubility was influenced by the mixing method (P < 0.05). For pH, at 168 h, significant differences were found between MTA‐m and PC‐20‐Zr‐m (P < 0.05). For calcium ion release, PC‐20‐Zr‐tr had higher values than MTA‐m at 3 h, and MTA‐tr had higher values than PC‐20‐Zr‐m at 168 h (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The ultrasonic and trituration methods led to higher calcium ion release and pH compared with manual mixing for all cements, whilst the ultrasonic method produced smaller particles for the PC‐20‐Zr cement. Flow, setting times and volume change were not influenced by the mixing method used; however, it did have an impact on solubility.