bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factor, OsPIL15, regulates grain size via directly targeting a purine permease gene OsPUP7 in rice
Authors: Ji Xin , Du Yanxiu , Li Fei , Sun Hongzheng , Zhang Jing , Li Junzhou , Peng Ting , Xin Zeyu , Zhao Quanzhi
Published: January 2019

As members of the basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factor families, phytochrome‐interacting factors regulate an array of developmental responses ranging from seed germination to plant growth. However, little is known about their roles in modulating grain development. Here, we firstly analyzed the expression pattern of rice OsPIL genes in grains and found that OsPIL15 may play an important role in grain development. We then generated knockout (KO) OsPIL15 lines in rice using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, the silencing expression of OsPIL15 led to increased numbers of cells, which thus enhanced grain size and weight. Moreover, overexpression and suppression of OsPIL15 in the rice endosperm resulted in brown rice showing grain sizes and weights that were decreased and increased respectively. Further studies indicated that OsPIL15 binds to N1‐box (CACGCG) motifs of the purine permease gene OsPUP7 promoter. Measurement of isopentenyl adenosine, a bioactive form of cytokinin (CTK), revealed increased contents in the OsPIL15‐KO spikelets compared with the wild‐type. Overall, our results demonstrate a possible pathway whereby OsPIL15 directly targets OsPUP7, affecting CTK transport and thereby influencing cell division and subsequent grain size. These findings provide a valuable insight into the molecular functions of OsPIL15 in rice grains, highlighting a useful genetic improvement leading to increased rice yield.
Mexico’s Struggle with Development between Global Compromises and National Development Plans
Authors: Villanueva Ulfgard Rebecka
Published: January 2019

This article focuses on Mexico’s struggle with development—reflected in the country’s continuing persistent poverty, inequality, lack of inclusion, and social mobility—as Mexico finds itself caught between global compromises (the Millennium Development Goals, 2000‐15; the Sustainable Development Goals, 2015‐30) on one hand and National Development Plans (NDP) on the other. I analyze three consecutive NDP since the transition to democracy in 2000 and look ahead to announced changes in the “Project for the Nation 2018‐24.” I also take stock of how international and national organizations have monitored and evaluated these issues. Doing so enables us to identify, problematize, and reflect on where Mexico is heading with this particular struggle. It has produced, I argue, a certain dissonance or even myth concerning development entangled between grand documents mirroring global compromises and a rather bleak reality when transformed into domestic policies for development.
Reforming regulatory relationships: The impact of medical revalidation on doctors, employers, and the General Medical Council in the United Kingdom
Authors: Tazzyman Abigail , Bryce Marie , Ferguson Jane , Walshe Kieran , Boyd Alan , Price Tristan , Tredinnick‐Rowe John
Published: January 2019

In 2012, medical regulation in the United Kingdom was fundamentally changed by the introduction of revalidation – a process by which all licensed doctors are required to regularly demonstrate that they are up to date and fit to practice in their chosen field and are able to provide a good level of care. This paper examines the implications of revalidation on the structure, governance, and performance management of the medical profession, as well as how it has changed the relationships between the regulator, employer organizations, and the profession. We conducted semi‐structured interviews with clinical and non‐clinical staff from a range of healthcare organizations. Our research suggests that organizations have become intermediaries in the relationship between the General Medical Council and doctors, enacting regulatory processes on its behalf and extending regulatory surveillance and oversight at local level. Doctors’ autonomy has been reduced as they have become more accountable to and reliant on the organizations that employ them.
Is there a common pattern in physical activity levels comparing diverse chronic airway diseases?
Authors: Gimeno‐Santos Elena
Published: January 2019

See related Article
Healthcare professionals and volunteers education in palliative care to promote the best practice–an integrative review
Authors: Teixeira Maria João C. , Alvarelhão Joaquim , Neri de Souza Dayse , Teixeira Helena J. C. , Abreu Wilson , Costa Nilza , Machado Flávia A. B.
Published: January 2019

Background

Family caregivers’ empowerment can assume strategic importance in palliative care. Healthcare professionals and volunteers have been showing significant gaps in this field. Hence, education has been advocated as an effective strategy to fill this gap. While several educational initiatives exist, a comprehensive evidence synthesis on the effectiveness of educational training on healthcare professionals and volunteers is lacking.

Aims

An integrative review was conducted to explore worldwide initiatives, aiming to improve healthcare professionals and volunteers’ competence in a palliative care setting especially in relation to the family caregiver.

Method

A scoping literature review was conducted with systematic searches in multiple databases – REDALYC, CINAHL, SCIELO, EBSCO, ERIC and MEDLINE since January 2012. Studies were selected based on programmes content and its impact evaluation. Four researchers assessed the studies regarding their eligibility with reference to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Findings

Twenty‐two studies met the eligibility criteria. Multi‐professional learning was reported, emphasising nurses and physician's enrolment. Only few studies showed participants’ learning outcomes. Inconsistencies in delivery mode and duration were identified. Impact evaluations were heterogeneous and relied on no validated instruments. Family caregiver's content was addressed only in three initiatives.

Conclusions

Further research is needed using a more reliable design, mode of delivery and impact measurement of educational training. In addition, more initiatives associated with cost‐effectiveness, shorter‐ and longer‐term clinical impact are needed. Despite the strides already made towards the establishment of an evidence base for healthcare professionals in the field of palliative care, either greater consideration is required for family care providers in the education of healthcare professionals and respect for the cultural diversity.
Cultural sensitivity in paediatric nursing care: a concept analysis using the Hybrid method
Authors: Aghajari Parvaneh , Valizadeh Leila , Zamanzadeh Vahid , Ghahramanian Akram , Foronda Cynthia
Published: January 2019

Background

Cultural sensitivity is a core concept to establish awareness and knowledge about various ethnicities, cultures, genders and additional diversity characteristics to understand individual's requests and respond appropriately to them. A need for further development of the concept is warranted, especially in the context of paediatric nursing.

Aims

The purpose of this paper was to determine the main elements of cultural sensitivity in the context of paediatric nursing in Iran.

Methods

The Hybrid method was implemented consisting of three phases: theoretical, fieldwork and final analysis. In the theoretical phase, articles from 2007 to 2017 were reviewed for relevance. In the phase of fieldwork, 25 nurses and nine parents were interviewed to explore the aspects of cultural sensitivity in paediatric nursing. The interviews were transcribed, and content analysis was conducted. In the final phase, an overall analysis of the two previous phases was performed.

Results

In the theoretical phase, the following attributes were determined: cultural encounter and awareness, acceptance of cultural diversity and designing programmes in accordance with family culture. The fieldwork phase explored three themes of intercultural encounters, intercultural communication and adapting the care plan with family culture. The final synthesis yielded that sensitivity to family requests and beliefs, effective intercultural communication and integration of family culture with the care plan are the main elements of cultural sensitivity in Iranian paediatric nursing.

Conclusion

With a deeper understanding of the term cultural sensitivity, nurses will have a foundation to improve paediatric nursing care and align the care plan with the patient's culture to provide trust, child/parent participation, secure care, effective communication and satisfaction. Since the concepts are the building blocks that underpin theory, the present concepts identified can help to serve as the foundation for the development of a theoretical model.
Razor hamstring curl and Nordic hamstring exercise architectural adaptations: Impact of exercise selection and intensity
Authors: Pollard Christopher W. , Opar David A. , Williams Morgan D. , Bourne Matthew N. , Timmins Ryan G.
Published: January 2019

Objectives

To investigate knee flexor strength and biceps femoris long head (BFlh) architectural adaptations following two different Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) interventions and one razor hamstring curl (RHC) intervention.

Methods

Thirty recreationally active males performed a total of 128 reps of NHEbodyweight (n = 10), NHEweighted (n = 10), or RHCweighted training (n = 10) across 6 weeks. Following the intervention, participants avoided any eccentric training for 4 weeks (detraining period). Strength results during the NHE and RHC were recorded pre‐ and post‐intervention, as well as following detraining. Architectural characteristics of the BFlh were assessed weekly throughout the intervention and detraining periods.

Results

For the NHEweighted group, NHE strength increased (+81N, P = 0.044, d = 0.90) and BFlh fascicles lengthened (+1.57 cm, P < 0.001, d = 1.41) after 6 weeks of training. After 1 week of detraining, BFlh fascicle lengths shortened, with the largest reductions seen in the NHEweighted group (−0.96 cm, P = 0.021, d = −0.90). Comparatively, BFlh fascicle length and NHE strength responses were moderate in the NHEbodyweight group and negligible in the RHCweighted group. The greatest RHC strength changes (+82N, P = 0.038, d = 1.15) were seen in the RHCweighted group.

Conclusions

NHEweighted interventions induce large BFlh fascicle lengthening responses and these adaptations decay after just 1 week of detraining. NHEbodyweight training has a moderate impact on BFlh architecture while the RHCweighted group has the least. Weighted NHE and RHC training promoted exercise‐specific increases in strength. These findings suggest that exercise selection and intensity should be considered when prescribing exercises aiming to increase eccentric strength and BFlh fascicle length.
Varieties of smart urbanism in the UK: Discursive logics, the state and local urban context
Authors: Caprotti Federico , Cowley Robert
Published: January 2019

The paper analyses the varieties of smart urbanism to be found in the contemporary urban landscape in the UK. In so doing, it builds on and extends two currently dominant sets of critiques of the smart city: those that call into question its technocratic and top‐down modes of governance, and those that describe the smart city as an empty signifier. The paper makes sense of the UK's variegated local smart urban practices by tracing the emergence of a national, state‐led cultural economy of smart urbanism. Based on an analysis of smart‐city programmes in 34 UK cities, we identify two broad discursive logics through which varieties of smart urbanism are produced and performed. First, the invocation of crisis forms a discursive foundation on which place‐specific logics are based. Second, sets of what we term variegated logics are differently combined to build on the “foundational story” of crisis in the construction of local smart agendas. We discuss three of these variegated logics: the city portrayed as technological simulacrum; the focus on specific sectoral activities; and a chameleonic tendency to envelop previous eco‐urban agendas into smart urbanism. By making these logics visible, the paper opens up a new critical space for debate about alternative future pathways that smart cities might take.
The Impact of Capital Structure on the Profitability of Publicly Traded Manufacturing Firms in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Md. Ataur , Sarker Md. Sadrul Islam , Uddin Md. Joyen
Published: January 2019

This research explores the impact of capital structure on the profitability of publicly traded manufacturing firms in Bangladesh. In this paper, we applied the fixed effect regression to find out the correlation among independent variables (debt ratio, equity ratio and debt to equity ratio) and dependent variables (return on asset, return on equity and earnings per share). A sample of 50 observations of selected 10 manufacturing companies listed in Dhaka Stock Exchange has been analyzed over the period of 2013 to 2017. This research reveals that the debt ratio and equity ratio have a significant positive impact but debt to equity ratio has a significant negative impact on ROA. This paper also exposes that, equity ratio has a significant positive impact but debt to equity ratio has a significant negative impact on ROE. Finally, debt and equity ratio has a significant negative impact on EPS. Findings of this research will help the listed manufacturing companies to maintain an optimum capital structure which will lead to the maximization of stockholders wealth.
Three superoxide dismutase genes from Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) involved in the responses to temperature and acaricide stresses
Authors: Xin Tianrong , Li Xiaoyue , Yin Jiadong , Ye Xianyan , Wang Ji , Wang Jing , Zou Zhiwen , Xia Bin
Published: January 2019

In almost all aerobic organisms, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) is considered as an important antioxidant enzyme regulating oxidative stress. Tetranychus cinnabarinus is an economically important polyphagous pest mite, which harms a variety of economic crops and ornamental plants. In the present study, the full-length cDNA sequences of cytoplasmic Cu/ZnSOD (TcSOD1), extracellular Cu/ZnSOD (TcSOD2) and mitochondrial MnSOD (TcSOD3) from T. cinnabarinus were cloned by combining RT-PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The corresponding open reading frames (ORFs) encode three putative polypeptides of 152, 232, 225 amino acid residues, respectively. These sequences share the conserved SOD functional domains, signature motifs and metal binding sites. Multiple alignment analysis revealed that cytosolic Cu/ZnSOD and mitochondrial MnSOD sequences are relatively conserved, while extracellular Cu/ZnSODs are more diverse. Phylogenetic analysis showed that SODs are organized into two major clades, corresponding to Cu/ZnSODs, and MnSODs. Cu/ZnSODs are subdivided into two branches, one being composed of cytoplasmic Cu/ZnSODs, and the other corresponding to extracellular Cu/ZnSODs. Expression profiles of the three genes were determined at different temperatures (4°C, 25°C, and 40°C) for 2 hours. The relative expression of TcSOD1, TcSOD2, and TcSOD3 were significantly down-regulated (0.344-, 0.287-, and 0.358-fold, respectively) at 4°C compared to 25°C (P<0.05). The relative expression levels of TcSOD1 and TcSOD2 genes were significantly down-regulated at 40°C (0.481- and 0.291-fold less than in the control group, respectively) (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the relative expression level of TcSOD3(P>0.05). Moreover, expression levels were altered after exposition to different acaricides. TcSOD1, TcSOD2, and TcSOD3 were significantly down-regulated (0.450-, 0.147- and 0.663-fold decreases, respectively) in the abamectin-treated group (P<0.05). TcSOD1 and TcSOD2 were down-regulated, in the fenpropathrin-treated group with 0.794- and 0.201-fold decreases, respectively. On the other hand, the expression of TcSOD3 was significantly increased (P<0.05), being 2.774-fold higher than in the control group. The expression of TcSOD2 was significantly down-regulated both the propargite- and cyflumetofen-treated groups (0.655- and 0.397-fold, respectively) (P<0.05). The data reported here indicate that SODs from T. cinnabarinus may play different and vital roles in anticipating the effects of oxidative damage at extreme temperatures and under different acaricides stress.
New Lohmanniidae (Acari, Oribatida) from Zanzibar
Authors: Ermilov Sergey G. , Khaustov Alexander
Published: January 2019

Two new species of oribatid mites of the family Lohmanniidae are described from litter in the mixed forest of Zanzibar, Tanzania. Annectacarus tanzanicus sp. nov. differs from Annectacarus vinalesensis Ermilov & Tolstikov, 2015 by body size, the number of neotrichal notogastral setae, porose parts on the notogaster and branches on bothridial setae, and the localization of rostral setae. Strinatacarus zanzibarensis sp. nov. differs from Strinatacarus aelleni Mahunka, 1977 by body surface and length of some notogastral setae. Tritonymphal instar of Annectacarus tanzanicus sp. nov. is also described. An identification key to the known species of the genus Annectacarus from the Ethiopian region is presented.
A loud quasi-periodic oscillation after a star is disrupted by a massive black hole
Authors: Pasham Dheeraj R. , Remillard Ronald A. , Fragile P. Chris , Franchini Alessia , Stone Nicholas C. , Lodato Giuseppe , Homan Jeroen , Chakrabarty Deepto , Baganoff Frederick K. , Steiner James F. , Coughlin Eric R. , Pasham Nishanth R.
Published: January 2019

Oscillating x-rays reveal black hole spin

When a star passes close to a massive black hole (MBH), it is ripped apart by the strong tidal forces. As the resulting debris falls toward the MBH, it heats up, emitting light and x-rays in a tidal disruption event (TDE). Pasham
et al.
examined x-ray observations of a TDE that occurred in 2014. The x-ray emissions varied in a quasi-periodic oscillation every 131 seconds. The rapid rate of this oscillation could only have arisen from material orbiting close to the MBH's event horizon, which indicates that the MBH is spinning rapidly.

Science
, this issue p.
531
Site-specific reactivity of molecules with surface defects—the case of H
2
dissociation on Pt
Authors: van Lent Richard , Auras Sabine V. , Cao Kun , Walsh Anton J. , Gleeson Michael A. , Juurlink Ludo B. F.
Published: January 2019

Broken on impact

Two competing models have been proposed for the adsorption of molecular hydrogen on platinum surfaces. Both invoke dissociation at surface defects but differ on whether hydrogen molecules diffuse along the surface before encountering a defect or adsorb only if they initially impact a defect site. Van Lent
et al.
studied the sticking of hydrogen molecules from a molecular beam scanned across a curved platinum single-crystal surface that varied in the density and type of defects exposed. Modeling of the results was consistent only with the second model invoking direct impact.

Science
, this issue p.
155
Acute Respiratory Infection in Human Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4-Transgenic Mice Infected with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
Authors: Iwata-Yoshikawa Naoko , Okamura Tadashi , Shimizu Yukiko , Kotani Osamu , Sato Hironori , Sekimukai Hanako , Fukushi Shuetsu , Suzuki Tadaki , Sato Yuko , Takeda Makoto , Tashiro Masato , Hasegawa Hideki , Nagata Noriyo
Published: January 2019

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infections are endemic in the Middle East and a threat to public health worldwide. Rodents are not susceptible to the virus because they do not express functional receptors; therefore, we generated a new animal model of MERS-CoV infection based on transgenic mice expressing human DPP4 (hDPP4). The pattern of hDPP4 expression in this model was similar to that in human tissues (except lymphoid tissue). In addition, MERS-CoV was limited to the respiratory tract. Here, we focused on host factors involved in immunopathology in MERS-CoV infection and clarified differences in antiviral immune responses between young and adult transgenic mice. This new small-animal model could contribute to more in-depth study of the pathology of MERS-CoV infection and aid development of suitable treatments.
Comprehensive overview of computer-based health information tailoring: a systematic scoping review
Authors: Kamel Ghalibaf Azadeh , Nazari Elham , Gholian-Aval Mahdi , Tara Mahmood
Published: January 2019

Objectives

To explore the scope of the published literature on computer-tailoring, considering both the development and the evaluation aspects, with the aim of identifying and categorising main approaches and detecting research gaps, tendencies and trends.

Setting

Original researches from any country and healthcare setting.

Participants

Patients or health consumers with any health condition regardless of their specific characteristics.

Method

A systematic scoping review was undertaken based on the York’s five-stage framework outlined by Arksey and O’Malley. Five leading databases were searched: PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, EBSCO and IEEE for articles published between 1990 and 2017. Tailoring concept was investigated for three aspects: system design, information delivery and evaluation. Both quantitative (ie, frequencies) and qualitative (ie, theme analysis) methods have been used to synthesis the data.

Results

After reviewing 1320 studies, 360 articles were identified for inclusion. Two main routes were identified in tailoring literature including public health research (64%) and computer science research (17%). The most common facets used for tailoring were sociodemographic (73 %), target behaviour status (59%) and psycho-behavioural determinants (56%), respectively. The analysis showed that only 13% of the studies described the tailoring algorithm they used, from which two approaches revealed: information retrieval (12%) and natural language generation (1%). The systematic mapping of the delivery channel indicated that nearly half of the articles used the web (57%) to deliver the tailored information; printout (19%) and email (10%) came next. Analysis of the evaluation approaches showed that nearly half of the articles (53%) used an outcome-based approach, 44% used process evaluation and 3% assessed cost-effectiveness.

Conclusions

This scoping review can inform researchers to identify the methodological approaches of computer tailoring. Improvements in reporting and conduct are imperative. Further research on tailoring methodology is warranted, and in particular, there is a need for a guideline to standardise reporting.
Examining reliability of WHOBARS: a tool to measure the quality of administration of WHO surgical safety checklist using generalisability theory with surgical teams from three New Zealand hospitals
Authors: Medvedev Oleg N , Merry Alan F , Skilton Carmen , Gargiulo Derryn A , Mitchell Simon J , Weller Jennifer M
Published: January 2019

Objectives

To extend reliability of WHO Behaviourally Anchored Rating Scale (WHOBARS) to measure the quality of WHO Surgical Safety Checklist administration using generalisability theory. In this context, extending reliability refers to establishing generalisability of the tool scores across populations of teams and raters by accounting for the relevant sources of measurement errors.

Design

Cross-sectional random effect measurement design assessing surgical teams by the five items on the three Checklist phases, and at three sites by two trained raters simultaneously.

Setting

The data were collected in three tertiary hospitals in Auckland, New Zealand in 2016 and included 60 teams observed in 60 different cases with an equal number of teams (n=20) per site. All elective and acute cases (adults and children) involving surgery under general anaesthesia during normal working hours were eligible.

Participants

The study included 243 surgical staff members, 138 (50.12%) women.

Main outcome measure

Absolute generalisability coefficient that accounts for variance due to items, phases, sites and raters for the WHOBARS measure of the quality of WHO Surgical Safety Checklist administration.

Results

The WHOBARS in its present form has demonstrated good generalisability of scores across teams and raters (G absolute=0.83). The largest source of measurement error was the interaction between the surgical team and the rater, accounting for 16.7% (95% CI 16.4 to 16.9) of the total variance in the data. Removing any items from the WHOBARS led to a decrease in the overall reliability of the instrument.

Conclusions

Assessing checklist administration quality is important for promoting improvement in its use, and WHOBARS offers a reliable approach for doing this.
Socioeconomic status and pulmonary function, transition from childhood to adulthood: cross-sectional results from the polish part of the HAPIEE study
Authors: Polak Maciej , Szafraniec Krystyna , Kozela Magdalena , Wolfshaut-Wolak Renata , Bobak Martin , Pająk Andrzej
Published: January 2019

Objective

Previous studies have reported inverse associations between socioeconomic status (SES) and lung function, but less is known about whether pulmonary function is affected by SES changes. We aimed to describe the relationship of changes of SES between childhood and adulthood with pulmonary function.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Participants

The study sample included 4104 men and women, aged 45–69 years, residents of Krakow, participating in the Polish part of the Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial Factors in Eastern Europe Project.

Main outcome

Forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were assessed by the standardised spirometry procedure. Participants were classified into three categories of SES (low, moderate or high) based on information on parent’s education, housing standard during childhood, own education, employment status, household amenities and financial status.

Results

The adjusted difference in mean FVC between persons with low and high adulthood SES was 100 mL (p=0.005) in men and 100 mL (p<0.001) in women; the differences in mean FEV1were 103 mL (p<0.001) and 80 mL (p<0.001), respectively. Upward social mobility and moderate or high SES at both childhood and adulthood were related to significantly higher FEV1and FVC compared with low SES at both childhood and adulthood or downward social mobility.

Conclusions

Low SES over a life course was associated with the lowest lung function. Downward social mobility was associated with a poorer pulmonary function, while upward mobility or life course and moderate or high SES were associated with a better pulmonary function.
Collecting sexual orientation and gender identity information in the emergency department : the divide between patient and provider perspectives
Authors: Kodadek Lisa M , Peterson Susan , Shields Ryan Y , German Danielle , Ranjit Anju , Snyder Claire , Schneider Eric , Lau Brandyn D , Haider Adil H
Published: January 2019

Background

In the USA, The Joint Commission and Institute of Medicine have called for collection of patient sexual orientation (SO) and gender identity (GI) information in healthcare. In a recent study, we reported that ED clinicians believe patients will refuse to provide this information; however, very few patients say they would refuse to provide SO/GI. As part of this study, we interviewed patients and providers regarding the importance of collecting this information. While these interviews were briefly summarised in our prior report, the qualitative data warranted a more thorough analysis and exposition to explore provider and patient views as well as risks and benefits of collecting SO/GI.

Methods

A purposive sample of 79 participants was recruited for semi-structured interviews between August 2014 and January 2015. Participants included community members who had a previous ED encounter and ED providers from 3 community and 2 academic centres in a major US metropolitan area. Interviews were conducted one-on-one in person, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using the constant comparative method.

Results

Fifty-three patients and 26 ED providers participated. Patients perceived collection of SO/GI to be important in most clinical circumstances because SO/GI is relevant to their identity and allows providers to treat the whole person. However, many providers felt SO/GI was not relevant in most clinical circumstances because similar care is provided to all patients regardless of SO/GI. Patients and providers agreed there are risks associated with collecting SO/GI in the ED.

Conclusions

ED clinicians do not perceive routine collection of SO/GI to be medically relevant in most circumstances. However, patients feel routine SO/GI collection allows for recognition of individual identity and improved therapeutic relationships in the ED. These discordant perspectives may be hindering patient-centred care, especially for sexual and gender minority patients.
Early weight loss in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: outcome relevance and clinical correlates in a population-based cohort
Authors: Moglia Cristina , Calvo Andrea , Grassano Maurizio , Canosa Antonio , Manera Umberto , D'Ovidio Fabrizio , Bombaci Alessandro , Bersano Enrica , Mazzini Letizia , Mora Gabriele , Chiò Adriano
Published: January 2019

Objectives

To assess the role of body mass index (BMI) and of the rate of weight loss as prognostic factors in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and to explore the clinical correlates of weight loss in the early phases of the disease.

Methods

The study cohort included all ALS patients in Piemonte/Valle d’Aosta in the 2007–2011 period. Overall survival and the probability of death/tracheostomy at 18 months (logistic regression model) were calculated.

Results

Of the 712 patients, 620 (87.1%) were included in the study. Patients ’ survival was related to the mean monthly percentage of weight loss at diagnosis (p<0.0001), but not to pre-morbid BMI or BMI at diagnosis. Spinal onset patients with dysphagia at diagnosis had a median survival similar to bulbar onset patients. About 20% of spinal onset patients without dysphagia at diagnosis had severe weight loss and initial respiratory impairment, and had a median survival time similar to bulbar onset patients.

Conclusions

The rate of weight loss from onset to diagnosis was found to be a strong and independent prognostic factor in ALS. Weight loss was mainly due to the reduction of nutritional intake related to dysphagia, but a subgroup of spinal onset patients without dysphagia at diagnosis had a severe weight loss and an outcome similar to bulbar patients. According to our findings, we recommend that in clinical trials patients should be stratified according to the presence of dysphagia at the time of enrolment and not by site of onset of symptoms.
Asthma admission rates and patterns of salbutamol and inhaled corticosteroid prescribing in England from 2013 to 2017
Authors: Gonem Sherif , Cumella Andrew , Richardson Matthew
Published: January 2019

Asthma exacerbations are a common reason for hospital admission. We sought to identify whether patterns of inhaler prescribing are significantly associated with regional asthma admission rates. Asthma admission rates were obtained for English Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) regions from 2013/2014 to 2016/2017. Raw prescribing data were obtained from OpenPrescribing.net, based on monthly general practice-level data published by the National Health Service Business Services Authority. Data were analysed using a linear mixed effects model. The ratio of salbutamol to inhaled corticosteroid prescriptions within a CCG was positively associated with asthma admission rates, independently of median age, asthma prevalence and socioeconomic deprivation.
Effects of pre‐farrowing sow vaccination against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae on offspring colonisation and lung lesions
Authors: Arsenakis Ioannis , Michiels Annelies , Schagemann Gabriele , Gomez‐Duran Charles Oliver , Boyen Filip , Haesebrouck Freddy , Maes Dominiek G D
Published: January 2019

This study investigated Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae colonisation and lung lesions at slaughter in pigs from vaccinated (V) and non‐vaccinated (NV) sows, in two herds (A and B). In each herd, two sow batches were V against M. hyopneumoniae with a commercial bacterin at six and three weeks before farrowing and two sow batches remained NV. From each sow batch, laryngeal swabs were collected from the litters of five primiparous sows at weaning and seven days post‐weaning. All samples were tested for M. hyopneumoniae by nested PCR. In total, 488 piglets were sampled. At slaughter, the extent of Mycoplasma‐like pneumonia lesions (lung lesion score (LLS)) was assessed. The colonisation rates with M. hyopneumoniae at weaning and seven days post‐weaning were (V‐A=14.2, NV‐A=20.0 (P=0.225); V‐B=0.9, NV‐B=0.8 (P=0.948)) and (V‐A=0.8, NV‐A=7.0 (P=0.039); V‐B=1.8, NV‐B=2.5 (P=0.738)), respectively. The average LLS (in per cent) was V‐A=15.5, NV‐A=26.4 (P=0.021); V‐B=9.7, NV‐B=8.4 (P=0.541). In conclusion, in herd A, with a substantially higher level of piglet colonisation at weaning than herd B, offspring from V sows had a significantly lower colonisation rate seven days post‐weaning and a significantly lower LLS at slaughter compared with the offspring of the NV sows. This implies that sow vaccination might be useful for control of M. hyopneumoniae infections, although significant results may not be achieved at all times (such as in herd B).
Local habitat features explain the distribution of the imperiled grass pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus)
Authors: Colm J.E. , Mandrak N.E. , Tufts B.L.
Published: January 2019

We investigated patterns of grass pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus Lesueur, 1846) distribution in three watersheds in Ontario, Canada, using site- and reach-scale habitat variables and fish community assemblage data to determine why this species occurs sporadically throughout watersheds despite abundant seemingly suitable, but unoccupied, habitat. Habitat and fish community data were collected using conventional field sampling methods, and reach-scale habitat data were compiled with the aid of a geographic information system. We found that occupied sites had lower baseflow indices and reach slopes but higher conductivity and agricultural land uses than unoccupied sites. More grass pickerel were detected when conductivity, channel cover, and wetlands in the floodplain were highest and bank slopes lowest; this is consistent with habitat preferences described elsewhere in its range. Habitat features at the site scale appeared more important than reach-scale features suggesting that grass pickerel may be using small habitat patches. This study identifies habitat elements important to grass pickerel and offers insights into management implications.
Casticin Promotes Immune Responses, Enhances Macrophage and NK Cell Activities, and Increases Survival Rates of Leukemia BALB/c Mice
Authors: Lai Kuang-Chi , Lu Hsu-Feng , Chen Kuen-Bao , Hsueh Shu-Ching , Chung Jing-Gung , Huang Wen-Wen , Chen Chia-Ching , Shang Hung-Sheng
Published: January 2019

Casticin, derived from Fructus Viticis, has anticancer properties in many human cancer cells, however, there is no report to show that casticin promotes immune responses and affects the survival rate of leukemia mice in vivo. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of casticin on immune responses and the survival rate of WEHI-3 cells generated in leukemia mice in vivo. Animals were divided into six groups: normal control mice, leukemia control mice, mice treated with ATRA (all-trans retinoic acid), and casticin (0.1, 0.2, and 0.4[Formula: see text]mg/kg) treated mice. All animals were treated for 14 days and then measured for body weights, total survival rate, cell markers, the weights of liver and spleen, phagocytosis of spleen cells, NK cell activities and cell proliferation. Results show that casticin did not affect animal appearances, however, it increased body weights and decreased the weights of liver at 0.2[Formula: see text]mg/kg and 0.4[Formula: see text]mg/kg treatment. Casticin also decreased spleen weight at 0.2[Formula: see text]mg/kg and 0.4[Formula: see text]mg/kg treatment, increased CD3 at 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4[Formula: see text]mg/kg doses and increased CD19 at 0.2[Formula: see text]mg/kg treatment but decreased CD11b and Mac-3 at 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4[Formula: see text]mg/kg treatment. Casticin (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4[Formula: see text]mg/kg) increased macrophage phagocytosis from PBMC (peripheral blood mononuclear cell) and peritoneal cavity. Furthermore, casticin increased NK cells’ cytotoxic activity and promoted T cell proliferation at 0.1–0.4[Formula: see text]mg/kg treatment with or without concanavalin A (Con A) stimulation, but only increased B cell proliferation at 0.1 mg/kg treatment. Based on these observations, casticin could be used as promoted immune responses in leukemia mice in vivo.
PATENTING OR SECRET? THE INTERACTION BETWEEN LEADING FIRMS AND FOLLOWING FIRMS BASED ON EVOLUTIONARY GAME THEORY AND MULTI-AGENT SIMULATION
Authors: ZHAO XIAOYANG
Published: January 2019

Firms who want to appropriate innovation often need to make decision facing the trade-off between patenting and secret. This paper explores how leading firms make trade-off between patenting and secret through the view of the interaction between leading firms and following firms who have the option of imitation or substitution, based on the evolutionary game theory. Then, a simulation model is built combining the evolutionary game model and agent-based modelling method, which allows us to implement bounded rationality and interactivities. The simulation is run with different gain parameters and the results are checked by cross-validation. It is found that leading firms are more likely to adopt patenting strategy with well developed patent protection regime. While depending on variations on patent protection effectiveness, technological characteristics, and leading firms’ investment in patent portfolio development, following firms may choose imitation strategy or substitution strategy. Considering bounded rationality, firms could choose sub-optional strategies and leads to scenarios other than evolutionary equilibrium solutions, which provide deeper insights of strategic choices of leading firms and following firms. This paper makes contributions to theory by using the perspective of multi-agent view and integrating bounded rationality in the simulation. Finally, this paper draws conclusion and puts forward some suggestions.
An Unlikely Beginning: A Fortunate Life
Authors: Bernays Elizabeth A.
Published: January 2019

Elizabeth A. Bernays grew up in Australia and studied at the University of Queensland before traveling in Europe and teaching high school in London. She later obtained a PhD in entomology at London University. Then, as a British government scientist, she worked in England and in developing countries on a variety of projects concerned with feeding by herbivorous insects and their physiology and behavior. In 1983, she was appointed professor at the University of California, Berkeley, where her research expanded to a variety of topics, all related to the physiology, behavior, and ecology of feeding in insects. She was awarded a DSc from the University of London, and at about the same time became head of the Department of Entomology and regents’ professor at the University of Arizona. In Arizona, most of her research involved multiple approaches to the understanding of diet breadth in a variety of phytophagous insect species.
In situ Raman spectroscopy of samarium ions in molten LiCl-KCl eutectic
Authors: Singh Vickram J. , Bruneau Christopher D. , Chidambaram Dev
Published: January 2019

A fiber-based Raman spectroscopy system was commissioned in an inert atmosphere for in situ analysis of high temperature molten salts. Speciation of samarium chloride was studied in the LiCl-KCl eutectic system at 500 °C. Raman spectra indicated trivalent samarium forms an octahedral SmCl63- complex with two detectable vibration modes. Chemical reduction experiments were conducted to investigate the coordination of divalent samarium in the same eutectic salt. The resulting spectra are reported and discussed in terms of complex formation and behavior of divalent samarium ions. Trivalent samarium was electrochemically reduced in situ and Raman spectra obtained were compared with those resulting from chemical reduction experiments. The spectra suggest divalent samarium ions form in LiCl-KCl only temporarily and spontaneously disproportionate into a mixture of trivalent samarium ions and metallic samarium.
AKT activator SC79 protects hepatocytes from TNF-α-mediated apoptosis and alleviates d-Gal/LPS-induced liver injury
Authors: Jing Zhen-Tang , Liu Wei , Xue Chao-Rong , Wu Shu-Xiang , Chen Wan-Nan , Lin Xin-Jian , Lin Xu
Published: January 2019

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a highly pleiotropic cytokine executing biological functions as diverse as cell proliferation, metabolic activation, inflammatory responses, and cell death. TNF-α can induce multiple mechanisms to initiate apoptosis in hepatocytes leading to the subsequent liver injury. Since the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway is known to have a protective role in death factor-mediated apoptosis, it is our hypothesis that activation of Akt may represent a therapeutic strategy to alleviate TNF-α-induced hepatocyte apoptosis and liver injury. We report here that the Akt activator SC79 protects hepatocytes from TNF-α-induced apoptosis and protects mice from d-galactosamine (d-Gal)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TNF-α-mediated liver injury and damage. SC79 not only enhances the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) prosurvival signaling in response to TNF-α stimulation, but also increases the expression of cellular FLICE (FADD-like IL-1β-converting enzyme)-inhibitory protein L and S (FLIPL/S), which consequently inhibits the activation of procaspase-8. Furthermore, pretreatment of the PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY294002 reverses all the SC79-induced hepatoprotective effects. These results strongly indicate that SC79 protects against TNF-α-induced hepatocyte apoptosis and suggests that SC79 is likely a promising therapeutic agent for ameliorating the development of liver injury.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY SC79 protects hepatocytes from TNF-α-mediated apoptosis and mice from Gal/LPS-induced liver injury and damage. Cytoprotective effects of SC79 against TNF-α act through both AKT-mediated activation of NF-κB and upregulation of FLIPL/S.
Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1 promotes inflammasome priming in macrophages
Authors: Immanuel Camille N. , Teng Bin , Dong Brittany , Gordon Elizabeth M. , Kennedy Joseph A. , Luellen Charlean , Schwingshackl Andreas , Cormier Stephania A. , Fitzpatrick Elizabeth A. , Waters Christopher M.
Published: January 2019

We previously showed that mice deficient in apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1 (ASK1) were partially protected against ventilator-induced lung injury. Because ASK1 can promote both cell death and inflammation, we hypothesized that ASK1 activation regulates inflammasome-mediated inflammation. Mice deficient in ASK1 expression (ASK1−/−) exhibited significantly less inflammation and lung injury (as measured by neutrophil infiltration, IL-6, and IL-1β) in response to treatment with inhaled lipopolysaccharide (LPS) compared with wild-type (WT) mice. To determine whether this proinflammatory response was mediated by ASK1, we investigated inflammasome-mediated responses to LPS in primary macrophages and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) from WT and ASK1−/−mice, as well as the mouse alveolar macrophage cell line MH-S. Cells were treated with LPS alone for priming or LPS followed by ATP for activation. When macrophages were stimulated with LPS followed by ATP to activate the inflammasome, we found a significant increase in secreted IL-1β from WT cells compared with ASK1-deficient cells. LPS priming stimulated an increase in NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) and pro-IL-1β in WT BMDMs, but expression of NLRP3 was significantly decreased in ASK1−/−BMDMs. Subsequent ATP treatment stimulated an increase in cleaved caspase-1 and IL-1β in WT BMDMs compared with ASK1−/−BMDMs. Similarly, treatment of MH-S cells with LPS + ATP caused an increase in both cleaved caspase-1 and IL-1β that was diminished by the ASK-1 inhibitor NQDI1. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that ASK1 promotes inflammasome priming.
Effect of habitual foot-strike pattern on the gastrocnemius medialis muscle-tendon interaction and muscle force production during running
Authors: Swinnen Wannes , Hoogkamer Wouter , Delabastita Tijs , Aeles Jeroen , De Groote Friedl , Vanwanseele Benedicte
Published: January 2019

The interaction between gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscle and Achilles tendon, i.e., muscle-tendon unit (MTU) interaction, plays an important role in minimizing the metabolic cost of running. Foot-strike pattern (FSP) has been suggested to alter MTU interaction and subsequently the metabolic cost of running. However, metabolic data from experimental studies on FSP are inconsistent, and a comparison of MTU interaction between FSP is still lacking. We, therefore, investigated the effect of habitual rearfoot and mid-/forefoot striking on MTU interaction, ankle joint work, and plantar flexor muscle force production while running at 10 and 14 km/h. GM muscle fascicles of 9 rearfoot and 10 mid-/forefoot strikers were tracked using dynamic ultrasonography during treadmill running. We collected kinetic and kinematic data and used musculoskeletal models to determine joint angles and calculate MTU lengths. In addition, we used dynamic optimization to assess plantar flexor muscle forces. During ground contact, GM fascicle shortening ( P = 0.02) and average contraction velocity ( P = 0.01) were 40–45% greater in rearfoot strikers than mid-/forefoot strikers. Differences in contraction velocity were especially prominent during early ground contact. Moreover, GM ( P = 0.02) muscle force was greater during early ground contact in mid-/forefoot strikers than rearfoot strikers. Interestingly, we did not find differences in stretch or recoil of the series elastic element between FSP. Our results suggest that, for the GM, the reduced muscle energy cost associated with lower fascicle contraction velocity in mid-/forefoot strikers may be counteracted by greater muscle forces during early ground contact.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Kinetic and kinematic differences between foot-strike patterns during running imply (not previously reported) altered muscle-tendon interaction. Here, we studied muscle-tendon interaction using ultrasonography. We found greater fascicle contraction velocities and lower muscle forces in rearfoot compared with mid-/forefoot strikers. Our results suggest that the higher metabolic energy demand due to greater fascicle contraction velocities might offset the lower metabolic energy demand due to lower muscle forces in rearfoot compared with mid-/forefoot strikers.