bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From CSR to CSI
Authors: Vollero Agostino , Palazzo Maria , Siano Alfonso , Foroudi Pantea
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyses consumers’ hostile responses and “creative” re-interpretation of a proactive corporate social responsibility (CSR) brand communication campaign on social media by a leading Italian company in the energy industry that came to be perceived as a reactive corporate social irresponsibility performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking Palazzo and Basu’s framework of scapes (2007) as a starting point, the paper explores the intersection between branding and CSR studies. After consideration of the lack of empirical studies on this subject, a content analysis of tweets generated from the campaign “Guerrieri” of Enel is performed.

Findings

Findings show the dialogic bottom-up approach results are ineffective because of the hijacking of original intent of the company in implementing its CSR communication initiatives. That is to say that corporate brand (CB) strategies can be easily re-interpreted in social media-scape from an opposing perspective, raising the risk of digital hijacking and boycotting initiatives.

Practical implications

From a practical standpoint, the study informs managers so that they can evaluate complex problems implicated in the creation of CSR activities aimed at engaging consumers and virtual communities. Besides, the paper would like to aid managers when they face discontent or activism, suggesting they should turn the attention of their stakeholders through a re-evaluation of relevant CSR activities, potentially leveraging on a loyal public, which has completely interiorised CB values and can act as brand ambassadors.

Originality/value

The paper is one of the first attempts to study the nexus between CSR and CB in digitally empowering contexts, clarifying the crucial role of social media-scape.
The impact of chorionicity on pregnancy outcome and neurodevelopment at 2 years old among twins born preterm: the EPIPAGE‐2 cohort study
Authors: Tosello B , Garbi A , Blanc J , Lorthe E , Foix‐L’Hélias L , D’Ercole C , Winer N , Subtil D , Goffinet F , Kayem G , Resseguier N , Gire C ,   for the EPIPAGE‐2 Obstetric Writing Group
Published: February 2020

Objective

To compare the short‐ and mid‐term outcomes of preterm twins by chorionicity of pregnancy.

Design

Prospective nationwide population‐based EPIPAGE‐2 cohort study.

Setting

546 maternity units in France, between March and December 2011.

Population

A total of 1700 twin neonates born between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation.

Methods

The association of chorionicity with outcomes was analysed using multivariate regression models.

Main outcome measures

First, survival at 2‐year corrected age with or without neurosensory impairment, and second, perinatal, short‐, and mid‐term outcomes (survival at discharge, survival at discharge without severe morbidity) were described and compared by chorionicity.

Results

In the EPIPAGE 2 cohort, 1700 preterm births were included (850 twin pregnancies). In all, 1220 (71.8%) were from dichorionic (DC) pregnancies and 480 from monochorionic (MC) pregnancies. MC pregnancies had three times more medical terminations than DC pregnancies (1.67 versus 0.51%, P < 0.001), whereas there were three times more stillbirths in MC than in DC pregnancies (10.09 versus 3.78%, P < 0.001). Both twins were alive at birth in 86.6% of DC pregnancies compared with 80.0% among MC pregnancies (P = 0.008). No significant difference according to chorionicity was found regarding neonatal deaths and morbidities. Likewise, for children born earlier than 32 weeks, the 2‐year follow‐up neurodevelopmental results were not significantly different between DC and MC twins.

Conclusions

This study confirms that MC pregnancies have a higher risk of adverse outcomes. However, the outcomes among preterm twins admitted to neonatal intensive care units are similar irrespective of chorionicity.

Tweetable abstract

Monochorionicity is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, but outcomes for preterm twins are comparable irrespective of their chorionicity.
Cardio‐metabolic risk factors among young infertile women: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Mulder CL , Lassi ZS , Grieger JA , Ali A , Jankovic‐Karasoulos T , Roberts CT , Andraweera PH
Published: February 2020

Background

There is currently no concise systematic review or meta‐analysis addressing cardio‐metabolic risk factors in women experiencing infertility.

Objectives

To determine whether infertile women have higher levels of cardiovascular risk factors compared with fertile women.

Search strategy

We performed a systematic literature search using PubMed, Embase and CINAHL, Scopus and additional manual and bibliographic searches for relevant articles (end search date 6 November 2019).

Selection criteria

We selected studies that compared cardio‐metabolic risk factors in fertile and infertile women of reproductive age.

Data collection and analysis

At least two authors independently screened potentially eligible studies.

Main results

There was an increased presence of several cardio‐metabolic risk factors in infertile women compared with fertile women. Infertile women had statistically significant higher body mass index (BMI), increased total cholesterol (TC), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) and triglycerides (TG) compared with fertile women. Fasting glucose, fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) and mean arterial pressure were not found to be different between fertile and infertile women. A subgroup analysis revealed that TC, fasting glucose and fasting insulin were increased, and high‐density lipoprotein was decreased only in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome compared with fertile women, whereas BMI, TG and LDL‐C were statistically significantly increased in women with any indication of infertility compared with fertile women.

Conclusions

Infertile women have a higher level of cardio‐metabolic risk factors compared with fertile women. This finding has clinical implications for infertile women in general, and those attempting to conceive through medically assisted reproduction.

Tweetable abstract

Infertile women appear to have a higher level of cardio‐metabolic risk factors compared with fertile women.
Operationalizing ecological connectivity in spatial conservation planning with Marxan Connect
Authors: Daigle Rémi M. , Metaxas Anna , Balbar Arieanna C. , McGowan Jennifer , Treml Eric A. , Kuempel Caitlin D. , Possingham Hugh P. , Beger Maria
Published: February 2020

Globally, protected areas are being established to protect biodiversity and to promote ecosystem resilience. The typical spatial conservation planning process leading to the creation of these protected areas focuses on representation and replication of ecological features, often using decision support tools such as Marxan. Yet, despite the important role ecological connectivity has in metapopulation persistence and resilience, Marxan currently requires manual input or specialized scripts to explicitly consider connectivity.

‘Marxan Connect’ is a new open source, open access Graphical User Interface (GUI) tool designed to assist conservation planners with the appropriate use of data on ecological connectivity in protected area network planning.

Marxan Connect can facilitate the use of estimates of demographic connectivity (e.g. derived from animal tracking data, dispersal models, or genetic tools) or structural landscape connectivity (e.g. isolation by resistance). This is accomplished by calculating metapopulation‐relevant connectivity metrics (e.g. eigenvector centrality) and treating those as conservation features or by including the connectivity data as a spatial dependency amongst sites in the prioritization process.

Marxan Connect allows a wide group of users to incorporate directional ecological connectivity into conservation planning with Marxan. The solutions provided by Marxan Connect, combined with ecologically relevant post‐hoc testing, are more likely to support persistent and resilient metapopulations (e.g. fish stocks) and provide better protection for biodiversity.
Patient dissatisfaction with medical therapy for chronic constipation or irritable bowel syndrome with constipation: analysis of N‐of‐1 prospective trials in 81 patients
Authors: Basilisco Guido ,   the Italian Society of Neurogastroenterology Motility (SINGEM) Study Group
Published: February 2020

Background

Patients with chronic constipation (CC) or with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation are often dissatisfied about their medical therapy, but their condition remains poorly defined.

Aim

To evaluate the patients’ satisfaction rates and which factors predict favourable outcomes through the aggregate analysis of N‐of‐1 trials.

Methods

Eighty‐one outpatients with CC or with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation underwent N‐of‐1 trials with at least a one‐month cycle of effective treatment. Three primary endpoints (satisfaction with therapy, improvement after treatment and an extended satisfaction criterion including both endpoints) were adopted to define satisfaction with therapy. Dyssynergia, resting anal pressure, colonic transit time and somatisation were assessed. The Patient Assessment of Constipation‐Symptoms (PAC‐SYM) questionnaire and its Modified version (M‐PAC‐SYM) measured constipation severity. Straining at defecation, stool frequency and form were daily recorded. K statistics for agreement and logistic regression were used at statistical analysis.

Results

Satisfaction with therapy was not achieved by 43% of patients, who had a significantly lower Body Mass Index (BMI) and more severe constipation at baseline. Only the change in constipation severity according to M‐PAC‐SYM remained significantly associated with satisfaction with therapy (OR = 4.3; P < 0.001) at multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Satisfaction with therapy is often an unmet need for patients with CC or with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. Lower BMI and more severe constipation are associated with worse outcome. Changes in M‐PAC‐SYM reflect satisfaction with therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov no. NCT02813616.
Gamma delta+ intraepithelial lymphocytes and coeliac lymphogram in a diagnostic approach to coeliac disease in patients with seronegative villous atrophy
Authors: Fernández‐Bañares Fernando , Crespo Laura , Núñez Concepción , López‐Palacios Natalia , Tristán Eva , Vivas Santiago , Farrais Sergio , Arau Beatriz , Vidal Judith , Roy Garbiñe , Esteve Maria
Published: February 2020

Background

The causes of seronegative villous atrophy can be grouped as coeliac or noncoeliac related. There is no consensus on how to approach subjects with seronegative coeliac disease.

Aim

To evaluate the accuracy of both an increase in CD3+ T‐cell receptor gamma delta+ (TCRγδ+) intraepithelial lymphocytes and coeliac lymphogram for the diagnosis of coeliac disease in patients with seronegative villous atrophy.

Methods

Sixty‐seven consecutive patients with seronegative villous atrophy were included. Duodenal biopsies to assess TCRγδ+ and CD3− by flow cytometry were performed at the index endoscopy. Coeliac lymphogram was defined as an increase in TCRγδ+ plus a decrease in CD3− intraepithelial lymphocytes. Sensitivity, specificity and Fagan's nomogram were calculated.

Results

Coeliac disease was diagnosed in 37 patients and noncoeliac villous atrophy in 30. Coeliac patients were younger (39 ± 3 vs 55 ± 3 years; P = 0.001), more often showed HLA‐DQ2/8 (97.6% vs 61%; P = 0.002) and had a more severe histology (61% vs 32% Marsh 3b‐c; P = 0.055), as compared to noncoeliac ones. Coeliac lymphogram was associated with a sensitivity of 87% (CI, 73.7‐95) and specificity of 96.7% (82.7‐99.9), whereas evaluating only TCRγδ+ yielded a sensitivity of 91.3% (79.2‐97.6) and specificity of 83.3% (65.3‐94.3). Among patients with a pre‐test coeliac disease probability of 30%, post‐test probabilities were 92% and 5% for positive and negative coeliac lymphogram, and 70% and 4% for positive and negative TCRγδ+.

Conclusions

Coeliac lymphogram was associated with a high level of diagnostic evidence either against or in favour of coeliac disease in patients with seronegative villous atrophy.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in children with sickle cell disease: A simple modified technique
Authors: Al Hindi Saeed , Al Aradi Husain , Mubarak Mohamed
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Sickle cell disease and other hemoglobinopathies are prevalent in Bahrain. In our hospital, we often encounter children with gallstones; sometimes gallstones are discovered on routine abdominal ultrasound, and in other cases, patients present with symptoms. Elective cholecystectomy has been controversial in patients with sickle cell disease and cholelithiasis because surgery can be a challenge. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the safety of elective cholecystectomy in children with sickle cell disease with cholelithiasis, as well as the safety and efficacy of a simple modification to the conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy technique using two natural creases in the skin.

Methods

The modified technique employs four ports, two of which were placed in natural crease lines, specifically the umbilicus and the groin crease. The procedure was elective for patients with sickle cell disease with gallstones. All patients received either a preoperative blood transfusion or an exchange transfusion to reduce the risk of postoperative sickle cell complications.

Results

Eighty‐one patients with sickle cell disease with gallstones underwent our simple modified laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedure. The mean ± SD operative time was 58.43 ± 8.02 minutes (range, 45‐80 minutes). Only eight patients (9.9%) experienced postoperative complications; six had fever, and two had a sickle cell crisis. None of the patients required conversion to open cholecystectomy or intensive care management.

Conclusion

Our simple modified laparoscopic cholecystectomy using two skin creases is a safe and feasible elective procedure in children with sickle cell disease that provides excellent cosmesis.
Superficial ingroup love? Collective narcissism predicts ingroup image defense, outgroup prejudice, and lower ingroup loyalty
Authors: Marchlewska Marta , Cichocka Aleksandra , Jaworska Manana , Golec de Zavala Agnieszka , Bilewicz Michal
Published: February 2020

We examined the associations between the need for personal control, different types of ingroup commitment, and group‐related outcomes: (1) defensive responses to ingroup criticism, (2) ingroup disloyalty, and (3) outgroup attitudes. We assumed that collective narcissism (i.e., a belief in ingroup’s greatness which is contingent on external validation and stems from frustrated individual needs) should be concerned with defending the ingroup image and derogating outgroups, but not necessarily with being loyal to the ingroup. Secure ingroup identification (i.e., a confidently held ingroup evaluation, which stems from satisfied needs), in contrast, should predict greater ingroup loyalty and positive outgroup attitudes. We expected these effects to be especially strong once we account for the overlap between collective narcissism and group‐level self‐investment – a key component of ingroup identification. In a nationally representative sample of Polish adults (n = 1,007), collective narcissism (net of group‐level self‐investment) mediated between low personal control and ingroup image defense, lower group loyalty, and less positive outgroup attitudes. Secure ingroup identification (group‐level self‐investment net of collective narcissism) mediated between high personal control and ingroup loyalty and positive outgroup attitudes. It was not associated with ingroup image defense. Implications for understanding the role of identification in inter‐ and intra‐group relations are discussed.
Number of mesothelial cells as a measure of adequacy criteria for pleural effusions: A multi‐institutional study
Authors: Rodriguez Erika F. , Morris Paul C. , Calsavara Vinicius , Pastorello Ricardo G. , Saieg Mauro
Published: February 2020

Background

The development of a terminology system is essential to allow uniformity in reporting serous fluid specimens. An important topic to cover is the issue of specimen adequacy. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate whether there is a correlation between number of mesothelial cells and overall improved sensitivity and adequacy control of tests.

Methods

Cases of negative pleural fluids with concomitant positive pleural biopsies were selected from two referral institutions, with observation of the number of mesothelial cells in 10 high‐power fields, comparing the results with a control group (cases with negative biopsies, ie, true negatives). Comparisons were conducted using the nonparametric Mann‐Whitney U test. Data were analysed for sensitivity and specificity derived from the receiver operating characteristics curve. For the choice of an optimal cut‐off of mesothelial cells, receiver operating curve analysis was constructed and the Youden index was calculated.

Results

A total of 112 pleural effusions with paired pleural biopsies were studied. There was no difference in distributions of the number of mesothelial cells between cases with a positive biopsy (false negatives) and the control group (median = 39 vs median = 30, respectively, P‐value = .974). However, simple logistic regression found a cut‐off of 750 cells per 10 high‐power fields as an optimal number for improved sensitivity (72.7%), with fair discriminatory power.

Conclusions

Enumeration of mesothelial cells may improve the sensitivity of the cytological diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion, serving as an internal quality control for the test's overall accuracy.
Functional near‐infrared spectroscopy in toddlers: Neural differentiation of communicative cues and relation to future language abilities
Authors: Smith Elizabeth G. , Condy Emma , Anderson Afrouz , Thurm Audrey , Manwaring Stacy S. , Swineford Lauren , Gandjbakhche Amir , Redcay Elizabeth
Published: February 2020

The toddler and preschool years are a time of significant development in both expressive and receptive communication abilities. However, little is known about the neurobiological underpinnings of language development during this period, likely due to difficulties acquiring functional neuroimaging data. Functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a motion‐tolerant neuroimaging technique that assesses cortical brain activity and can be used in very young children. Here, we use fNIRS during perception of communicative and noncommunicative speech and gestures in typically developing 2‐ and 3‐year‐olds (Study 1, n = 15, n = 12 respectively) and in a sample of 2‐year‐olds with both fNIRS data collected at age 2 and language outcome data at age 3 (Study 2, n = 18). In Study 1, 2‐ and 3‐year‐olds differentiated between communicative and noncommunicative stimuli as well as between speech and gestures in the left lateral frontal region. However, 2‐year‐olds showed different patterns of activation from 3‐year‐olds in right medial frontal regions. In Study 2, which included two toddlers identified with early language delays along with 16 typically developing toddlers, neural differentiation of communicative stimuli in the right medial frontal region at age 2 predicted receptive language at age 3. Specifically, after accounting for variance related to verbal ability at age 2, increased neural activation for communicative gestures (vs. both communicative speech and noncommunicative gestures) at age 2 predicted higher receptive language scores at age 3. These results are discussed in the context of the underlying mechanisms of toddler language development and use of fNIRS in prediction of language outcomes.
Attraction of the potential biocontrol agent Altica cyanea by volatile compounds of three species of Ludwigia weeds from rice fields
Authors: Mitra Saubhik , Karmakar Amarnath , Das Swati , Barik Anandamay
Published: February 2020

Ludwigia adscendens (L.) Hara, Ludwigia parviflora Roxb., and Ludwigia octovalvis (Jacq.) Raven (Onagraceae) are abundant weeds in rice fields in India. These weeds compete with rice for resources in fields and this results in reduction of grain yield. Altica cyanea (Weber) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a biocontrol agent of the three rice‐field weeds. Hence, it is relevant to study host preference of A. cyanea using volatile cues of these three weeds. Therefore, we attempted to identify volatiles from leaves of the three Ludwigia species attracting A. cyanea, which could be used as an attractant during early emergence of the weeds in rice fields. In Y‐tube olfactometer assays, A. cyanea females were more attracted to natural volatiles of plants after 48 h of feeding by adults than to volatiles of undamaged plants. The volatile organic compounds from undamaged plants, and plants after 6 and 48 h of feeding by A. cyanea were identified and quantified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and GC‐flame ionization detection (FID), respectively. In total, 25, 29, and 29 volatile compounds were detected in headspaces of undamaged L. adscendens, L. parviflora, and L. octovalvis, respectively, whereas 32, 35, and 34 compounds, respectively, were detected after 48 h of feeding by A. cyanea. Methyl jasmonate predominated among the volatile compounds in all treatments, but this compound was not attractive to A. cyanea. Females were attracted by synthetic blends of 3‐hexanol, α‐pinene, linalool oxide, and phytol in amounts mimicking those in each of the three Ludwigia species after 48 h of feeding by A. cyanea. The blends mimicking L. adscendens and L. parviflora included geraniol, whereas the blend mimicking L. parviflora also included 1‐tridecanol. These synthetic blends may be helpful to monitor A. cyanea in biocontrol programmes.
Sensory discrimination between aversive salty and bitter tastes in an haematophagous insect
Authors: Masagué Santiago , Cano Agustina , Asparch Yamila , Barrozo Romina B. , Minoli Sebastian
Published: February 2020

Sensory aversion is essential for avoiding prospective dangers. We studied the chemical perception of aversive compounds of different gustatory modalities (salty, bitter) in the haematophagous bug, Rhodnius prolixus. Over a walking arena, insects avoided a substrate embedded with 1M NaCl or KCl if provided with water as an alternative. However, no preferences were expressed when both salts were opposed to each other. A pre‐exposure to amiloride interfered with the repellency of NaCl and KCl equally, suggesting that amiloride‐sensitive receptors are involved in the detection of both salts. Discriminative experiments were then performed to determine whether R. prolixus can distinguish between these salts. An aversive operant conditioning involving either NaCl or KCl modulated the repellency of the conditioned salt, but also of the novel salt. Repellency levels of both salts were rigid to a chemical pre‐exposure to any of both salts. When gustatory modalities were crossed by presenting as a choice NaCl and a bitter molecule as caffeine (Caf), no innate preferences were expressed. Aversive operant conditionings with either NaCl or Caf rendered unspecific changes in the repellency of both compounds. A chemical pre‐exposure to Caf modulated the response to Caf but not to NaCl, suggesting the existence of two independent neural pathways for the detection of salts and bitter compounds. Overall results suggest that R. prolixus cannot discriminate molecules of the same gustatory modality (i.e. salty), but can distinguish between salty and bitter tastes. The potential use of aversive gustatory stimuli as a complement of commercially available olfactory repellents is discussed.
Sex frailty differences in ageing mice: Neuropathologies and therapeutic projections
Authors: Herrera Macarena Lorena , Basmadjian Osvaldo Martin , Falomir‐Lockhart Eugenia , Dolcetti Franco Juan‐Cruz , Hereñú Claudia Beatriz , Bellini María José
Published: February 2020

It is well‐established that females live longer than males. Paradoxically, women tend to have poorer health, a condition often named sex frailty. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible frailty predictors in older mice in a sex‐specific manner, in order to employ these predictors to follow‐up therapy efficiency. To further evaluate therapy effects, we also investigated the use of neurotrophic insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) gene therapy and its correlation with the expression of this frailty and emotional behaviour. In order to evaluate frailty, we employed two different approaches. We performed a frailty assessment through a 31‐Item Clinical Frailty Index and through a Performance‐Based 8‐Item Frailty Index. Our results show that both indexes are in concordance to evaluate sex differences, but they do not correlate when evaluating IGF‐1 therapy effects. Moreover, in order to reduce test‐to‐test variability for measures of dependent variables, we compared open field results across studies assessing sex and treatment by means of the z‐score normalization. The data show that regular open field parameters submitted to z‐score normalization analysis could be a useful tool to identify sex differences in ageing mice after growth factor therapies. Taking this into account, sex is a factor that influences the incidence and/or nature of all major complex diseases; the main outcome of our investigation is the development of an efficient tool that compares the use of different frailty index calculations. This represents an important strategy in order to identify sex differences and therapy efficiency in ageing models.
Proinflammatory and regulatory mechanisms in allergic contact dermatitis caused by methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone
Authors: Goes Heliana Freitas de Oliveira , Virgens Anangelica Rodrigues , de Carvalho Gabriel Costa , Pietrobon Anna Julia , Branco Anna Cláudia Calvielli Castelo , Oliveira Luanda Mara da Silva , Fernandes Iara G. , Pereira Naiura Vieira , Sotto Mírian Nacagami , dos Reis Vitor Manoel Silva , Sato Maria Notomi
Published: February 2020

Background

Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) and methylisothiazolinone (MI) are the cause of an increasing number of contact allergies. Understanding the mechanisms by which MCI/MI induces proinflammatory and regulatory factors production is necessary to understand the outcome of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD).

Objectives

To evaluate the dysfunction of proinflammatory cytokines and regulatory factors in the positive MCI/MI patch test at the transcriptional and protein expression levels. Moreover, to analyse the cytokines production induced by MI in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

Materials and Methods

The selected patients had positive MCI/MI patch test results. The expression of proinflammatory factors was evaluated by q‐PCR and immunochemistry at 48 hours of positive MCI/MI patch test. The MCI/MI‐ or MI‐ induced secretion of IL‐1β, TNF and IL‐6 by PBMC was analysed by flow cytometry.

Results

The results showed a decreased TLR4 expression with upregulated IL6, FOXP3, IL10 and TGFβ mRNA expression as assessed by q‐PCR at the site of the MCI/MI skin reaction. We detected increased protein levels of TLR4, FOXP3 and IL‐10 in the dermis layer in the ACD reaction by immunocitochemistry. Moreover, MCI/MI induced proinflammatory cytokine production by PBMC through the NF‐κB signalling pathway.

Conclusion

Considering the altered innate immune response triggered by MCI/MI sensitization, these findings indicate that the regulatory process at the induction phase of ACD is a crucial mechanism. Given the increase in occupational and domestic exposure to MCI/MI, the underlying immunological mechanisms should be understood.
An intelligent hybrid approach for task scheduling in cluster computing environments as an infrastructure for biomedical applications
Authors: Boveiri Hamid Reza , Javidan Reza , Khayami Raouf
Published: February 2020

Nowadays, increase in time complexity of applications and decrease in hardware costs are two major contributing drivers for the utilization of high‐performance architectures such as cluster computing systems. Actually, cluster computing environments, in the contemporary sophisticated data centres, provide the main infrastructure to process various data, where the biomedical one is not an exception. Indeed, optimized task scheduling is key to achieve high performance in such computing environments. The most distractive assumption about the problem of task scheduling, made by the state‐of‐the‐art approaches, is to assume the problem as a whole and try to enhance the overall performance, while the problem is actually consisted of two disparate‐in‐nature subproblems, that is, sequencing subproblem and assigning one, each of which needs some special considerations. In this paper, an efficient hybrid approach named ACO‐CLA is proposed to solve task scheduling problem in the mesh‐topology cluster computing environments. In the proposed approach, an enhanced ant colony optimization (ACO) is developed to solve the sequence subproblem, whereas a cellular learning automata (CLA) machine tackles the assigning subproblem. The utilization of background knowledge about the problem (i.e., tasks' priorities) has made the proposed approach very robust and efficient. A randomly generated data set consisting of 125 different random task graphs with various shape parameters, like the ones frequently encountered in the biomedicine, has been utilized for the evaluation of the proposed approach. The conducted comparison study clearly shows the efficiency and superiority of the proposed approach versus traditional counterparts in terms of the performance. From our first metric, that is, the NSL (normalized schedule length) point of view, the proposed ACO‐CLA is 2.48% and 5.55% better than the ETF (earliest time first), which is the second‐best approach, and the average performance of all other competing methods. On the other hand, from our second metric, that is, the speedup perspective, the proposed ACO‐CLA is 2.66% and 5.15% better than the ETF (the second‐best approach) and the average performance of all the other competitors.
Multiple nuclear localization sequences in SRSF4 protein
Authors: Masaki So , Kabuto Takafumi , Suzuki Kenji , Kataoka Naoyuki
Published: February 2020

SRSF4 is one of the members of serine‐/arginine (SR)‐rich protein family involved in both constitutive and alternative splicing. SRSF4 is localized in the nucleus with speckled pattern, but its nuclear localization signal was not determined. Here, we have identified nuclear localization signals (NLSs) of SRSF4 by using a pyruvate kinase fusion system. As expected, arginine‐/serine (RS)‐rich domain of SRSF4 confers nuclear localization activity when it is fused to PK protein. We then further delineated the minimum sequences for nuclear localization in RS domain of SRSF4. Surprisingly, RS‐rich region does not always have a nuclear localization activity. In addition, basic amino acid stretches that resemble to classical‐type NLSs were identified. These results strongly suggest that SRSF4 protein uses two different nuclear import pathways with multiple NLSs in RS domain.
Circadian expression of Glycoprotein 2 (Gp2) gene is controlled by a molecular clock in mouse Peyer's patches
Authors: Kusunose Naoki , Tsuruta Akito , Hamamura Kengo , Tsurudome Yuya , Yoshida Yuya , Akamine Takahiro , Matsunaga Naoya , Koyanagi Satoru , Ohdo Shigehiro
Published: February 2020

The expression levels of many cell‐surface proteins vary with the time of day. Glycoprotein 2 (Gp2), specifically expressed on the apical surface of M cells in Peyer's patches, functions as a transcytotic receptor for mucosal antigens. We report that cAMP response element‐binding protein (CREB) regulates the transcription of the Gp2 gene, thereby generating the circadian change in its expression in mouse Peyer's patches. The transcytotic receptor activity of Gp2 was increased during the dark phase when the Gp2 protein abundance increased. Rhythmic expression of clock gene mRNA was observed in mouse Peyer's patches, and expression levels of Gp2 mRNA also exhibited circadian oscillation, with peak levels during the early dark phase. The promoter region of the mouse Gp2 gene contains several cAMP response elements (CREs). Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that CREB bound to the CREs in the Gp2 gene in Peyer's patches. Forskolin, which promotes CREB phosphorylation, increased the transcription of the Gp2 gene in Peyer's patches. As phosphorylation of CREB protein was increased when Gp2 gene transcription was activated, CREB may regulate the rhythmic expression of Gp2 mRNA in Peyer's patches. These findings suggest that intestinal immunity is controlled by the circadian clock system.
Paying back student loans: Demographic, human capital and other correlates of default and repayment difficulty
Authors: Pizarro Milian Roger , Zarifa David , Seward Brad
Published: February 2020

Government‐sponsored student loans have emerged over the decades as a primary method of financing post‐secondary education across most North American jurisdictions. Despite this, the empirical literature examining the correlates of repayment difficulty and default in Canada has remained stagnant in recent years. This study taps into an underutilised data source—the 2013 National Graduates Survey—to examine the relationship between demographics, human capital, borrowing behaviour and other known predictors and repayment difficulty. Our logistic regression models demonstrate that disability status, geographic region and borrowing behaviour are correlated with loan default and repayment difficulty, while failing to verify the existence of other demographic effects routinely found in the existing literature. We discuss the implications of these findings, along with multiple avenues for further empirical work on this topic within Canada.
MICA‐129 Met/Val polymorphism could be a genetic biomarker for Familial Breast Cancer in the Tunisian population
Authors: Ouni Nesrine , Ben Chaaben Arij , Ayari Fayza , Douik Hayet , Guizani Imen , Benammar‐Elgaaied Amel , Guemira Fethi , Tamouza Ryad
Published: February 2020

Identification of candidate genes associated with susceptibility of breast cancer can have a significant impact at a cancer management national healthcare systems level, making genetic testing more affordable and cost‐effective. We have previously shown that the major histocompatibility complex class I‐related chain A (MICA) was related to breast cancer and plays an important role in modulating immune response mechanisms through NKG2D receptor activation. Compared to our previous study, in this work, we recruited a new cohort composed of 354 unrelated Tunisian women affected by breast cancer and 380 age‐matched women as controls, all genotyped for MICA‐129 Met/Val (rs 1051792). Subsequently, we exanimated the distribution of this polymorphism in ten families. As a result, an association was found between the Val allele and Val/Val genotype and the risk of breast cancer (p = 2.5 × 10–15; OR = 2.40; p = 6.5 × 10–13; OR = 3.03, respectively). Stratified analysis with age and family history of cancer revealed an association between the Val/Val genotype and younger patients <40 years (p = .003; OR = 2.03). Among those patients having a family history of cancer, 68% had a Val/Val genotype (p = .02; OR = 1.82). In the family study, an analyse of pedigrees revealed that the majority of families showed the development of breast cancer at a young age. Moreover, all patients diagnosed with early‐onset breast cancer had a Val/Val genotype. Our results lead us to propose that this polymorphism may be an inherited genetic biomarker contributing to an increased breast cancer risk in Tunisian women.
Added sugar and trans fatty acid intake and sedentary behavior were associated with excess total‐body and central adiposity in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease
Authors: Honicky M. , Cardoso S. M. , de Lima L. R. A. , Ozcariz S. G. I. , Vieira F. G. K. , de Carlos Back I. , Moreno Y. M. F.
Published: February 2020

Background

Over the past three decades, the prevalence rate of overweight and obesity has increased in survivors with congenital heart disease, and little is known about the body composition and its association with clinical characteristics and lifestyle factors.

Objectives

To evaluate excess total‐body adiposity and central adiposity and, to describe associated factors.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study with children and adolescents who underwent procedure to treat congenital heart disease, from January to July 2017. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and lifestyle factors (dietary intake, physical activity, and sedentary behavior) were assessed. Adiposity was assessed using air‐displacement plethysmography and waist circumference. Factors associated with excess total‐body adiposity and central adiposity were analyzed using logistic regression models.

Results

Of 232 patients, 22.4% were identified with excess total‐body adiposity and 24.6% with central adiposity. Significant factors positively associated with excess total‐body adiposity were intake of added sugar and trans fatty acids, adjusted for confounding factors. Similarly, lifestyle factors were positively associated with central adiposity: intake of added sugar and trans fatty acids, sedentary behavior, and family history of obesity.

Conclusions

Lifestyle factors were associated with excess total‐body adiposity and central adiposity. Assessment of body composition and healthy‐lifestyle counseling into outpatient care may be the key point to prevent obesity in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease.
Niche partitioning in congeneric scorpions
Authors: Goodman Aaron , Esposito Lauren
Published: February 2020

Species in the scorpion genus Centruroides (Scorpiones: Buthidae) are good candidates for the study of ecological niche partitioning because of their habitat plasticity, widespread geographic distribution, and presence of cryptic species. Currently, three species belonging to three subgroups of Centruroides are distributed along the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in southern Mexico, presenting a rare opportunity to study niche partitioning within a single genus. We examined the environmental, substrate, and habitat conditions of Centruroides flavopictus, Centruroides gracilis, and Centruroides rileyi within Estación de Biología Los Tuxtlas, west of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Our results demonstrate habitat partitioning occurs along humidity, temperature, and elevational gradients: individuals of C. gracilis were found in habitats of low humidity and high temperature, and were predominantly found on the substrate in human‐mediated habitats; individuals of C. flavopictus were found in a larger range of humidity and temperature conditions within secondary and primary forest; and individuals of C. rileyi had the greatest habitat specificity, and were found in conditions of low temperature and high humidity on trees within primary forest. Furthermore, individuals of C. rileyi were found significantly higher in trees than those of C. flavopictus. This study represents the first example of niche partitioning within a genus of scorpion, and the first description of the ecological niche in an arboreal‐specialist scorpion.
Recommendations for home blood pressure monitoring in Latin American countries: A Latin American Society of Hypertension position paper
Authors: Villar Raúl , Sánchez Ramiro A. , Boggia José , Peñaherrera Ernesto , Lopez Jesús , Barroso Weimar Sebba , Barbosa Eduardo , Cobos Leonardo , Hernández Hernández Rafael , Octavio José Andrés , Parra Carrillo José Z. , Ramírez Agustín J. , Parati Gianfranco
Published: February 2020

Out‐of‐office blood pressure (BP) monitoring appears to be a very useful approach to hypertension management insofar it allows to obtain multiple measurements in the usual environment of each individual, allows the detection of hypertension phenotypes, such as white‐coat and masked hypertension, and appears to have superior prognostic value than the conventional office BP measurements. Out‐of‐office BP can be obtained through either home or ambulatory monitoring, which provide complementary and not identical information. Home BP monitoring yields BP values self‐measured in subjects' usual living environment; it is an essential method for the evaluation of almost all untreated and treated subjects with suspected or diagnosed hypertension, best if combined with telemonitoring facilities, also allowing long‐term monitoring. There is also increasing evidence that home BP monitoring improves long‐term hypertension control rates by improving patients' adherence to prescribed treatment. In Latin American Countries, it is widely available, being relatively inexpensive, and well accepted by patients. Current US, Canadian, Japanese, and European guidelines recommend out‐of‐office BP monitoring to confirm and refine the diagnosis of hypertension.
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring over 24 h: A Latin American Society of Hypertension position paper—accessibility, clinical use and cost effectiveness of ABPM in Latin America in year 2020
Authors: Sánchez Ramiro A. , Boggia José , Peñaherrera Ernesto , Barroso Weimar Sebba , Barbosa Eduardo , Villar Raúl , Cobos Leonardo , Hernández Hernández Rafael , Lopez Jesús , Octavio José Andrés , Parra Carrillo José Z. , Ramírez Agustín J. , Parati Gianfranco
Published: February 2020

Accurate office blood pressure measurement remains crucial in the diagnosis and management of hypertension worldwide, including Latin America (LA). Office blood pressure (OBP) measurement is still the leading technique in LA for screening and diagnosis of hypertension, monitoring of treatment, and long‐term follow‐up. Despite this, due to the increasing awareness of the limitations affecting OBP and to the accumulating evidence on the importance of ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), as a complement of OBP in the clinical approach to the hypertensive patient, a progressively greater attention has been paid worldwide to the information on daytime and nighttime BP patterns offered by 24‐h ABPM in the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic management of hypertension. In LA countries, most of the Scientific Societies of Hypertension and/or Cardiology have issued guidelines for hypertension care, and most of them include a special section on ABPM. Also, full guidelines on ABPM are available. However, despite the available evidence on the advantages of ABPM for the diagnosis and management of hypertension in LA, availability of ABPM is often restricted to cities with large population, and access to this technology by lower‐income patients is sometimes limited by its excessive cost. The authors hope that this document might stimulate health authorities in each LA Country, as well as in other countries in the world, to regulate ABPM access and to widen the range of patients able to access the benefits of this technique.
Efficacy and safety of renal denervation for the management of arterial hypertension: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized, sham‐controlled, catheter‐based trials
Authors: Stavropoulos Konstantinos , Patoulias Dimitrios , Imprialos Konstantinos , Doumas Michael , Katsimardou Alexandra , Dimitriadis Kyriakos , Tsioufis Costas , Papademetriou Vasilios
Published: February 2020

Despite the availability of a numerous antihypertensive agents, hypertension treatment and control rates remain low in many countries. The role of the sympathetic nervous system has long been recognized, but recent sham control renal denervation studies demonstrated conflicting results. In this reviewe paper, the authors performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to examine outcomes of sham‐controlled studies utilizing new technologies and procedures. Six published randomized, sham‐controlled studies were included in this meta‐analysis. Of those, three trials used the first‐generation radiofrequency renal denervation device and technique and the other three used second‐generation devices and techniques. In total, 981 patients with hypertension were randomized in all 6 trials to undergo renal denervation (n = 585) or sham procedure (n = 396). Overall, renal denervation resulted in a decrease of 24‐hours systolic ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) by 3.62 mm Hg (95% CI: −5.28‐−1.96; I2 = 0%), compared to sham procedure (GRADE: low). Renal denervation also reduced daytime systolic ABP by 5.51 mm Hg (95% CI: −7.79‐−3.23; I2 = 0%), compared to sham procedure but not nighttime systolic ABP. Office systolic blood pressure was reduced by 5.47 mm Hg (95% CI −8.10‐−2.84; I2 = 0%), compared to sham control. Further analysis demonstrated that second‐generation devices were effective in reducing blood pressure, whereas the first‐generation devices were not. These results indicate that effective renal denervation can result in significant and clinically meaningful blood pressure reduction. The second‐generation devices provide better renal nerve ablation.
STAT1 and its related molecules as potential biomarkers in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection
Authors: Yi Xing‐hao , Zhang Bo , Fu Yu‐rong , Yi Zheng‐jun
Published: February 2020

Tuberculosis (TB) is a severe infectious disease that seriously endangers human health. The immune defence mechanism of the body against TB is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to find the key molecules involved in the immune defence response during TB infection, and provide reference for the treatment of TB and further understanding of the immune defence mechanism of the body. Data from GSE83456 were downloaded from GEO data sets for analysis, and a total of 192 differentially expressed genes were screened out. Most of these genes are enriched in the interferon signalling pathway and are defence response–related. We also found that STAT1 plays an important role in the immune defence of TB infection and it is one of the key genes related to interferon signalling pathway. STAT1‐related molecules including hsa‐miR‐448, hsa‐miR‐223‐3p, SAMD8_hsa_circRNA 994 and TWF1_hsa_circRNA 9897 were therefore screened out. Furthermore, expression levels of hsa‐miR‐448 and hsa‐miR‐223‐3p were then verified by qRT‐PCR. Results showed that both hsa‐miR‐448 and hsa‐miR‐223‐3p were down‐regulated in plasma from patients with pulmonary TB. Taken together, our data indicate that an mRNA‐miRNA‐circRNA interaction chain may play an important role in the infection of MTB, and STAT1 and related molecules including hsa‐miR‐223‐3p, has‐miR‐448, SAMD8_hsa_circRNA994 and TWF1_hsa_circRNA9897 were identified as potential biomarkers in the development of active TB.
Long non‐coding RNAs: How to regulate the metastasis of non–small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Fang Cheng , Wang Lixin , Gong Chenyuan , Wu Wenbin , Yao Chao , Zhu Shiguo
Published: February 2020

Non–small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has become the most lethal human cancer because of the high rate of metastasis. Hence, clarifying the molecular mechanism underlying NSCLC metastasis is very important to improve the prognosis of patients with NSCLC. Long non‐coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are a class of RNA molecules longer than 200 nucleotides, which can participate in diverse biological processes. About 18% of human LncRNAs were recently found to be associated with tumours. Many studies indicated that aberrant expression of LncRNAs played key roles in the progression and metastasis of NSCLC. According to the function in tumours, LncRNAs can be divided into two classes: oncogenic LncRNAs and tumour‐suppressor LncRNAs. In this review, we summarized the main molecular mechanism of LncRNAs regulating NSCLC metastasis, including three aspects: (a) LncRNAs interact with miRNAs as ceRNAs; (b) LncRNAs bind with target proteins; and (c) LncRNAs participate in the transduction of different signal pathways. Then, LncRNAs can exert their function to regulate the metastasis of NSCLC through influencing the progression of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the properties of cancer stem cell (CSC). But, it is necessary to do some further research to demonstrate the LncRNAs particular regulatory mechanism of inhibiting the metastasis of NSCLC and explore new drugs targeting LncRNAs.