bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global genomic population structure of Clostridioides difficile
Authors: Frentrup Martinique , Zhou Zhemin , Steglich Matthias , Meier-Kolthoff Jan P. , Göker Markus , Riedel Thomas , Bunk Boyke , Spröer Cathrin , Overmann Jörg , Blaschitz Marion , Indra Alexander , von Müller Lutz , Kohl Thomas A. , Niemann Stefan , Seyboldt Christian , Klawonn Frank , Kumar Nitin , Lawley Trevor D. , García-Fernández Sergio , Cantón Rafael , del Campo Rosa , Zimmermann Ortrud , Groß Uwe , Achtman Mark , Nübel Ulrich
Published: August 2019

Clostridioides difficile is the primary infectious cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Local transmissions and international outbreaks of this pathogen have been previously elucidated by bacterial whole-genome sequencing, but comparative genomic analyses at the global scale were hampered by the lack of specific bioinformatic tools. Here we introduce EnteroBase, a publicly accessible database (http://enterobase.warwick.ac.uk) that automatically retrieves and assembles C. difficile short-reads from the public domain, and calls alleles for core-genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST). We demonstrate that the identification of highly related genomes is 89% consistent between cgMLST and single-nucleotide polymorphisms. EnteroBase currently contains 13,515 quality-controlled genomes which have been assigned to hierarchical sets of single-linkage clusters by cgMLST distances. Hierarchical clustering can be used to identify populations of C. difficile at all epidemiological levels, from recent transmission chains through to pandemic and endemic strains, and is largely compatible with prior ribotyping. Hierarchical clustering thus enables comparisons to earlier surveillance data and will facilitate communication among researchers, clinicians and public-health officials who are combatting disease caused by C. difficile.
Light might suppress both types of sound-evoked anti-predator flight in moths
Authors: Hügel Theresa , Goerlitz Holger R.
Published: August 2019

Urbanization exposes wild animals to increased levels of light, affecting particularly nocturnal animals. Artificial light at night might shift the balance of predator-prey interactions, for example of nocturnal echolocating bats and eared moths. Moths exposed to light show less last-ditch manoeuvres in response to attacking close-by bats. In contrast, the extent to which negative phonotaxis, moths’ first line of defence against distant bats, is affected by light is unclear. Here, we aimed to quantify the overall effect of light on both types of sound-evoked anti-predator flight, last-ditch manoeuvres and negative phonotaxis. We caught moths at two light traps, which were alternately equipped with loudspeakers that presented ultrasonic playbacks to simulate hunting bats. The light field was omnidirectional to attract moths equally from all directions. In contrast, the sound field was directional and thus, depending on the moth’s approach direction, elicited either only negative phonotaxis, or negative phonotaxis and last-ditch manoeuvres. We did not observe an effect of sound playback on the number of caught moths, suggesting that light might suppress both types of anti-predator flight, as either type would have caused a decline in the number of caught moths. As control, we confirmed that our playback was able to elicit evasive flight in moths in a dark flight room. Showing no effect of a treatment, however, is difficult. We discuss potential alternative explanations for our results, and call for further studies to investigate how light interferes with animal behaviour.
Developmental regulation of Canonical and small ORF translation from mRNAs
Authors: Patraquim Pedro , Mumtaz Muhammad Ali S. , Pueyo Jose I. , Aspden Julie L. , Couso J.P.
Published: August 2019

Ribosomal profiling has revealed the translation of thousands of sequences outside of annotated protein-coding genes, including small Open Reading Frames of less than 100 codons, and the translational regulation of many genes. Here we have improved Poly-Ribo-Seq and applied it toDrosophila melanogasterembryos to extend the catalogue ofin-vivotranslated small ORFs, and to reveal the translational regulation of both small and canonical ORFs from mRNAs across embryogenesis. We obtain highly correlated samples across five embryonic stages, with close to 500 million putative ribosomal footprints mapped to mRNAs, and compared them to existing Ribo-Seq and proteomic data. Our analysis reveals, for the first time inDrosophila, footprints mapping to codons in a phased pattern, the hallmark of productive translation, and we propose a simple binomial probability metric to ascertain translation probability. However, our results also reveal reproducible ribosomal binding apparently not resulting in productive translation. This non-productive ribosomal binding seems to be especially prevalent amongst upstream short ORFs located in the 5’ mRNA Leaders, and amongst canonical ORFs during the activation of the zygotic translatome at the maternal to zygotic transition. We suggest that this non-productive ribosomal binding might be due to cis-regulatory ribosomal binding, and to defective ribosomal scanning of ORFs outside periods of productive translation. Finally, we show that the main function of upstream short ORFs is to buffer the translation of canonical ORFs, and that in general small ORFs in mRNAs display Poly-Ribo-Seq and bioinformatics markers compatible with an evolutionary transitory state towards full coding function.
Distinct types of short open reading frames are translated in plant cells
Authors: Fesenko Igor , Kirov Ilya , Kniazev Andrey , Khazigaleeva Regina , Lazarev Vassili , Kharlampieva Daria , Grafskaia Ekaterina , Zgoda Viktor , Butenko Ivan , Arapidi Georgy , Mamaeva Anna , Ivanov Vadim , Govorun Vadim
Published: August 2019

Genomes contain millions of short (<100 codons) open reading frames (sORFs), which are usually dismissed during gene annotation. Nevertheless, peptides encoded by such sORFs can play important biological roles, and their impact on cellular processes has long been underestimated. Here, we analyzed approximately 70,000 transcribed sORFs in the model plant Physcomitrella patens (moss). Several distinct classes of sORFs that differ in terms of their position on transcripts and the level of evolutionary conservation are present in the moss genome. Over 5000 sORFs were conserved in at least one of 10 plant species examined. Mass spectrometry analysis of proteomic and peptidomic data sets suggested that tens of sORFs located on distinct parts of mRNAs and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are translated, including conserved sORFs. Translational analysis of the sORFs and main ORFs at a single locus suggested the existence of genes that code for multiple proteins and peptides with tissue-specific expression. Functional analysis of four lncRNA-encoded peptides showed that sORFs-encoded peptides are involved in regulation of growth and differentiation in moss. Knocking out lncRNA-encoded peptides resulted in a decrease of moss growth. In contrast, the overexpression of these peptides resulted in a diverse range of phenotypic effects. Our results thus open new avenues for discovering novel, biologically active peptides in the plant kingdom.
AMi: a GUI-based, open-source system for imaging samples in multi-well plates
Authors: Bohm Andrew
Published: August 2019

Described here are instructions for building and using an inexpensive automated microscope (AMi) that has been specifically designed for viewing and imaging the contents of multi-well plates. The X, Y, Z translation stage is controlled through dedicated software (AMiGUI) that is being made freely available. Movements are controlled by an Arduino-based board running grbl, and the graphical user interface and image acquisition are controlled via a Raspberry Pi microcomputer running Python. Images can be written to the Raspberry Pi or to a remote disk. Plates with multiple sample wells at each row/column position are supported, and a script file for automated z-stack depth-of-field enhancement is written along with the images. The graphical user interface and real-time imaging also make it easy to manually inspect and capture images of individual samples.
Enhancement of the performance of bubble absorber using hybrid nanofluid as a cooled absorption system
Authors: Ben Jaballah Rawya , Ben Hamida Mohamed Bechir , Saleh Jehad , Almeshaal Mohammed A.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the enhancement of the performance of bubble absorber using hybrid nanofluid as a cooled NH3/H2O absorption system to reduce their size and to find the best fitting model. A numerical model for ammonia-water bubble absorber was developed to show the influence of operating conditions and design parameters on the absorber performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A finite difference numerical method is used to solve the numerical model. The model is subjected to the inlet conditions of liquid, vapor and coolant flow regimes. The absorber modeling was divided into small elements along the absorber length.

Findings

The model proposed is validated with previously published works. Then agreement between the both is considered as good.

Research limitations/implications

Numerical results/The use of hybrid nanofluids.

Originality/value

The results showed that the hybrid nanofluid is the best cooling medium. Very high heat transfer rates are obtained because of the high thermal conductivity and specific heat of hybrid nanofluid, and consequently, the absorber size decreases. It was also found that the absorber thermal load and the mass absorption flux increase with increasing of solid volume fraction. Also, the existence of an optimal absorber length was revealed, required for complete absorption when using hybrid nanofluid as a cooling medium. It is recommended that using hybrid nanofluid to remove the heat from the absorber is the best candidate for NH3/H2O absorption performance enhancement.
Consumer acceptance toward takaful in Pakistan
Authors: Ali Muhammad , Raza Syed Ali , Puah Chin Hong , Amin Hanudin
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the factors influencing customer adoption toward takaful products in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used five attributes of diffusion innovation theory (DOI), namely, relative advantage, compatibility, trialability, observability and complexity. Furthermore, the authors introduced two additional constructs, namely, consumer awareness and religiosity to analyze the adoption behavior of customers. A total of 365 questionnaires were distributed among the participants of the study. The survey was conducted in the Karachi city where the respondents were the existing and potential users of takaful products. The theoretical model of DOI theory was tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings report that complexity has a negative impact on the adoption of takaful, whereas relative advantage, compatibility, trialability, observability, religiosity and consumer awareness shows a positive and significant influence.

Originality/value

It is a noteworthy point that past literature is quite limited to investigate the determinants of consumer intentions to adopt takaful products. Based on this argument, the authors build the study to provide a scope and coverage in the field of Islamic insurance. The authors also expect that the research will encourage and provide a venue for forthcoming studies to help policy makers and academicians in this emerging business.
Refining the relation between cause-related marketing and consumers purchase intentions
Authors: Ferraris Alberto , Giudice Manlio Del , Grandhi Balakrishna , Cillo Valentina
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Cause-related marketing (CRM) is an ever growing marketing strategy developed by companies that may result in a win-win-win strategy for business, non-profit organizations and society. However, the specific relationship between CRM and consumers purchase intentions (PI) has been analyzed in a fragmented way within the mainstream literature. Grounding on this, the purpose of this paper is to give a more comprehensive and fine grained view of this phenomenon, testing the effect of several moderators on the relationships between CRM and consumers PI in two different countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 234 Italian (individualistic culture) and 164 Brazilian (collectivist culture) consumers surveyed online. Ordinary least squares analysis has been carried out in order to test the moderator effects hypothesized.

Findings

Regarding Italian respondents, the author found positive evidence for moderator effects of the perception of CRM goal achievement (GA), brand-fit (BF) and gender. On the contrary, the author did not find a significant moderator effect of brand-use, while the author found it significant but negative for Brazilian respondents. Moreover, the author found that the perception of CRM GA does not moderate the aforementioned relationship for Brazilians while BF and gender still have positive effects.

Originality/value

A more fine grained picture of the CRM–PI relationships have been provided through the empirical test of several moderators, finding different effects in individualistic (Italians) and collectivist culture (Brazilians), thus deriving interesting implications in the international marketing field of research.
Commercial partnerships and collaborative innovation in China: the moderating effect of technological uncertainty and dynamic capabilities
Authors: Jiao Hao , Yang Jifeng , Zhou Jianghua , Li Jizhen
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the extent to which two types of commercial partnerships (business partner and non-business partner) affect the collaborative innovation of firms in emerging economies. Specifically, the roles of two commercial partnerships are investigated. Additionally, the study explores the moderating effect of external technological uncertainty and internal dynamic capabilities on the relationship between two commercial partnerships and on collaborative innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 370 high-tech firms in China, the authors applied the partial least squares structural equation modeling approach to model these relationships.

Findings

The findings reveal opportunities and challenges for companies according to two intensities of commercial partnership for collaborative innovation. The partnership contribution to innovation and competiveness is different within the two routes and ranges. The findings indicate that (1) intense commercial relationships with business partners have a stronger positive significant impact on collaborative innovation than those with non-business partners and (2) non-business partners have a weaker positive impact on collaborative innovation at high external technological uncertainty. It was also found that (3) the positive impact of business partners on collaborative innovation is weakened when a firm has high dynamic capabilities, whereas the positive impact of non-business partners is strengthened.

Research limitations/implications

Insight into the roles of two commercial partnerships in achieving collaborative innovation facilitates the advancement of the theoretical understanding of the circumstances under which cooperative innovation can be more effective under different partnerships.

Originality/value

A key strategic question is whether comprehensiveness enables firms to make better strategic decisions in various environments. In the process of innovation, companies must choose different types and quantities of partners, and they must regulate their partners’ innovative behavior by establishing a corresponding network structure and relationship rules. The current study focuses on analysis of how different intensities of commercial partnerships affect collaborative innovation. This research provides a theoretical framework that creates a new classification of commercial relations with regard to collaborative innovation, and it highlights the difference between the two types of partnerships. This study finds that there are many problems in the selection of innovative partners in China’s high-tech companies. Therefore, companies should strengthen their understanding of cooperative innovation, and they should build and manage highly efficient innovation networks. This study helps companies, high-tech industry associations, academia and government to take enhanced, informed actions.
Organizational culture as moderator in the relationship between organizational reward on knowledge sharing and employee performance
Authors: Rohim Abdul , Budhiasa I Gede Sujana
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether organizational rewards are able to improve knowledge sharing and have an impact on employee performance moderated by organizational culture type in Ternate Municipal Government.

Design/methodology/approach

The design for data collection a uses survey approach, that is a form of research conducted to obtain facts about the phenomena that exist in regional government organizations to seek more factual and systematic information. The research was conducted in Ternate Municipal Government area of North Maluku Province, Indonesia. The organizations of regional apparatus are public sector agencies responsible for providing services to the public. The population in this study is echelon IIb‒IVb officials in regional apparatus organizations and certain structural officials. The units of analysis that are focused on in this research are the head of local agency, body, and office; the secretary of local agency, body and office; the head of board, the head of division, the head of the sub-board and the head of sub-division.

Findings

Organizational rewards in the form of giving economic rewards as remuneration, such as employee performance allowance, significantly affect individual attitudes in knowledge sharing. The interaction between the variable of remuneration with clan culture has a significant effect on knowledge sharing; these findings suggest that clan culture is a pure moderation variable that strengthens the relationship between remuneration and knowledge sharing. The result of this research proves that the interaction between the variable of remuneration with adhocracy culture has no significant effect on knowledge sharing. The interaction between the variable of remuneration with hierarchical culture has a significant negative effect on knowledge sharing. Market culture is not proven to moderate the relationship between remuneration and knowledge sharing. However, market culture variables directly and significantly affect knowledge sharing.

Originality/value

This research is the development of a research model conducted by Durmusoglu et al. (2014). The previous model uses organizational culture with a knowledge-sharing culture instrument, whereas this research develops organizational culture by using the type of organizational culture by Cameron and Quinn (1999), namely clan culture, adhocratic culture, hierarchical culture, and market culture. This type of organizational culture as a moderating variable can be expected to play a role in strengthening organizational rewards toward sharing knowledge and also impacting employee performance. Howell et al. (1986) revealed that organizational culture can strengthen the relationship between organizational rewards and disseminated knowledge. Hence, organizational culture moderates the relationship between organizational rewards for knowledge sharing to build upon Durmusoglu et al. (2014).
Corporate survival in Industry 4.0 era: the enabling role of lean-digitized manufacturing
Authors: Ghobakhloo Morteza , Fathi Masood
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how small manufacturing firms can leverage their Information Technology (IT) resources to develop the lean-digitized manufacturing system that offers sustained competitiveness in the Industry 4.0 era.

Design/methodology/approach

The study performs an in-depth five years case study of a manufacturing firm, and reports its journey from failure in the implementation of enterprise resource planning to its success in integrating IT-based technology trends of Industry 4.0 with the firm’s core capabilities and competencies while pursuing manufacturing digitization.

Findings

Industry 4.0 transition requires the organizational integration of many IT-based modern technologies and the digitization of entire value chains. However, Industry 4.0 transition for smaller manufacturers can begin with digitization of certain areas of operations in support of organizational core strategies. The development of lean-digitized manufacturing system is a viable business strategy for corporate survivability in the Industry 4.0 setting.

Research limitations/implications

Although the implementation of lean-digitized manufacturing system is costly and challenging, this manufacturing strategy offers superior corporate competitiveness in the long run. Since this finding is rather limited to the present case study, assessing the business value of lean-digitized manufacturing system in a larger scale research context would be an interesting avenue for future research.

Practical implications

Industry 4.0 transition for typical manufacturers should commensurate with their organizational, operational and technical particularities. Digitization of certain operations and processes, when aligned with the firm’s core strategies, capabilities and procedures, can offer superior competitiveness even in Industry 4.0 era, meaning that the strategic plan for successful Industry 4.0 transition is idiosyncratic to each particular manufacturer.

Social implications

Manufacturing digitization can have deep social implications as it alters inter- and intra-organizational relationships, causes unemployment among low-skilled workforce, and raises data security and privacy concerns. Manufacturers should take responsibility for their digitization process and steer it in a direction that simultaneously safeguards economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Originality/value

The strategic roadmap devised and employed by the case company for managing its digitization process can better reveal what manufacturing digitization, mandated by Industry 4.0, might require of typical manufacturers, and further enable them to better facilitate their digital transformation process.
Place making as a form of place taking
Authors: Silverman Robert Mark , Taylor Jr Henry Louis , Yin Li , Miller Camden , Buggs Pascal
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine perceptions of institutional encroachment and community responses to it. Specifically, it focuses on residents’ perceived effects of hospital and university expansion and the role of place making on gentrification in core city neighborhoods. This study offers insights into the processes driving neighborhood displacement and the prospects for grassroots efforts to curb it.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through focus groups with residents and other stakeholders in working class, minority neighborhoods which were identified as being in the early stages of gentrification. Nine focus groups were held across three neighborhoods experiencing institutional encroachment. The analysis was guided by standpoint theory, which focuses on amplifying the voices of groups traditionally disenfranchized from urban planning and policy processes.

Findings

The findings suggest that residents perceived institutional encroachment as relatively unabated and unresponsive to grassroots concerns. This led to heightened concerns about residential displacement and concomitant changes in the neighborhoods’ built and social environments. Experiences with encroachment also increased residents’ calls for greater grassroots control of development.

Originality/value

This analysis illuminates how gentrification and displacement results from both physical redevelopment activities of anchor institutions and their decisions related to place making. The conclusions highlight the importance of empowering disenfranchized groups in the place-making process to minimize negative externalities at the neighborhood level.
Effects of recruiter friendliness and job attribute information on recruitment outcomes
Authors: Giannantonio Cristina M. , Hurley-Hanson Amy E. , Segrest Sharon L. , Perrewé Pamela L. , Ferris Gerald R.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to gain a better understanding of the effects of recruiter friendliness and both verifiable and non-verifiable job attributes in the recruitment process.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 498 participants watched a videoed simulation of a recruitment interview and completed a questionnaire. Three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the interaction and main effect hypotheses.

Findings

Applicant reactions were more favorable with a friendly recruiter. The more favorable the verifiable job attribute information (JAI), the more favorable the applicant reactions were to the employment opportunity. Compared to applicants who received negative or no non-verifiable JAI, applicants who received positive or mixed non-verifiable JAI were more attracted to the recruiter, perceived the employment opportunity as more desirable, and were more willing to pursue the employment opportunity. Reactions were most favorable in the positive non-verifiable JAI condition, less favorable in the mixed condition, and least favorable in the negative condition. Surprisingly, the “no information” mean was above the negative information condition.

Originality/value

This fully crossed 2 × 3 × 4 experiment simultaneously examined 2 levels of recruiter friendliness, 3 levels of verifiable job attributes and 4 levels of non-verifiable job attributes. The five dependent variables were attraction to the recruiter, attraction to the employment opportunity, willingness to pursue the employment opportunity, the perceived probability of receiving a job offer and the number of positive inferences made about unknown organizational characteristics. Previous research examining the effects of employment inducements and job attributes were conducted in field settings where it is difficult to control the amount and favorability of JAI applicants receive.
Navigating emotion in HR work: caring for ourselves?
Authors: Rivers Elizabeth
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand how human resource (HR) practitioners subjectively experience emotions in their working lives and how they navigate emotionally challenging work.

Design/methodology/approach

A narrative methodology and participant-led photo-elicitation methods were used with five HR practitioners from different sectors to uncover experiences of emotion in their work.

Findings

Participants describe themselves as perceived by non-HR employees as non-emotional human beings, expected to “take” emotional expression from others, but to display little themselves. HR practitioners use emotion-focussed coping strategies, both self and team-care, to cope with the emotionally challenging work inherent in their role.

Research limitations/implications

As a pilot study of five participants, further research is needed to strengthen the findings; however, the in-depth qualitative methods used provide rich insight into their working lives.

Practical implications

HR practitioners’ well-being should not be taken for granted or overlooked in organisations. Opportunities for informal networking with HR communities and training/coaching interventions could provide support on approaches to the emotional challenges faced.

Originality/value

This paper provides insights into how HR practitioners experience the challenges of their work, in contrast to mainstream research emphasising the impact of human resource management policy and practices on employees and organisations. Attention is drawn to the subjective experience of emotion, rather than the mainstream objectification, managerialisation and generalisation of emotion.
A configurational perspective on subsidiary top management team national diversity and performance
Authors: Dahms Sven , Kingkaew Suthikorn
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate what role national top management team diversity (TMTD) plays in foreign-owned subsidiary performance. The authors develop a conceptual framework based on the asset bundling model and the neo-configurational perspective to argue that the impact of TMTD on subsidiary performance depends on its conjunction with other assets.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors test our framework on a sample of subsidiaries located in the emerging economies of Thailand and Taiwan. The authors utilise structural equation modelling and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis techniques.

Findings

The results indicate that TMTD can contribute and hurt subsidiary performance depending on its bundling with other assets such as organisational network strength, competencies, as well as regional and cultural differences between the home and host country.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to empirically test the asset bundling model in the context of national TMTD in foreign-owned subsidiaries using a configurational approach.
Finance and the social mission: a quest for sustainability and inclusion
Authors: Simatele Munacinga , Dlamini Phindile
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to probe whether the quest for sustainability in financial social enterprise institutions leads to mission drift. Both formal and informal institutions play an important role as interventions to promote inclusion. They struggle between an explicit social mission and the implicit quest for sustainability. The debate remains on whether such organisations can achieve financial sustainability without compromising outreach.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses interviews and focus group discussions in nine different hybrid organisations involved in providing different types of financial services in Swaziland.

Findings

The results suggest that smaller and informal enterprises tend to have less mission drift. Their risk mitigation and management approaches such as group liability and use of traditional governance structures are more adapted to the characteristics of the groups served. The modus operandi of larger enterprises tends to mimic mainstream lenders with risk mitigation measures that are inherently unsustainable for this type of market.

Research limitations/implications

Sustainability in financial enterprises requires new contextualised models of risk management and client selection more appropriate for excluded groups. Moreover, using group lending as a measure of outreach maybe flawed. Other forms of social capital can be used to increase outreach even in the absence of group lending. The perceived trade-off between commercial gain and outreach is somewhat complex. Mission drift seems to depend on the capital structure.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to an infant but important debate on how sustainability can be achieved without compromising outreach in financial institutions designed to increase financial inclusion.
Mechanobiological assessment of Ti-6Al-4V fabricated via selective laser melting technique: a review
Authors: Dhiman Sahil , Sidhu Sarabjeet Singh , Bains Preetkanwal Singh , Bahraminasab Marjan
Published: August 2019

Purpose

With technology advances, metallic implants claim to improve the quality and durability of human life. In the recent decade, Ti-6Al-4V biomaterial has been additively manufactured via selective laser melting (SLM) for orthopedic applications. This paper aims to provide state-of-the-art on mechanobiology of these fabricated components.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review has been done to explore the potential of SLM fabricated Ti-6Al-4V porous lattice structures (LS) as bone substitutes. The emphasize was on the effect of process parameters and porosity on mechanical and biological properties. The papers published since 2007 were considered here. The keywords used to search were porous Ti-6Al-4V, additive manufacturing, metal three-dimensional printing, osseointegration, porous LS, SLM, in vitro and in vivo.

Findings

The properties of SLM porous biomaterials were compared with different human bones, and bulk SLM fabricated Ti-6Al-4V structures. The comparison was also made between LS with different unit cells to find out whether there is any particular design that can mimic the human bone functionality and enhance osseointegration.

Originality/value

The implant porosity plays a crucial role in mechanical and biological characteristics that relies on the optimum controlled process variables and design attributes. It was also indicated that although the mechanical strength (compressive and fatigue) of porous LS is not mostly close to natural cortical bone, elastic modulus can be adjusted to match that of cortical or cancellous bone. Porous Ti-6Al-4V provide favorable bone formation. However, the effect of design variables on biological behavior cannot be fully conclusive as few studies have been dedicated to this.
Cactus cladode polysaccharide as cryoprotectant in frozen Paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese)
Authors: Dey Anirban , Rasane Prasad , Singhal Somya , Kumar Vikas , Kaur Sawinder , Singh Jyoti , Garba Umar , Kaur Navneet , Arora Mehak
Published: August 2019

The study investigated the optimisation of freezing conditions for Paneer (Indian cottage cheese) incorporated with cactus cladode polysaccharide as cryoprotectant. The freezing rate of both natural and commercial cryoprotectant‐containing samples varied significantly. The optimised (2% natural cryoprotectant) Paneer sample had about 44% moisture content, 14% protein, 16% carbohydrate and 22% fat. Freezing time of optimised Paneer sample packed in metalised polyester was 40 min. The study concluded that Paneer incorporated with 2% cactus cladode polysaccharide, packaged using metalised polyester and frozen with packaged immersion freezing method, had the least freezing time (40 min) and retained better texture during freezing.
Analysis of somatic mutations identifies signs of selection during in vitro aging of primary dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Narisu Narisu , Rothwell Rebecca , Vrtačnik Peter , Rodríguez Sofía , Didion John , Zöllner Sebastian , Erdos Michael R. , Collins Francis S. , Eriksson Maria
Published: August 2019

Somatic mutations are critical for cancer development and may play a role in age‐related functional decline. Here, we used deep sequencing to analyze the prevalence of somatic mutations during in vitro cell aging. Primary dermal fibroblasts from healthy subjects of young and advanced age, from Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome and from xeroderma pigmentosum complementation groups A and C, were first restricted in number and then expanded in vitro. DNA was obtained from cells pre‐ and post‐expansion and sequenced at high depth (1656× mean coverage), over a cumulative 290 kb target region, including the exons of 44 aging‐related genes. Allele frequencies of 58 somatic mutations differed between the pre‐ and post‐cell culture expansion passages. Mathematical modeling revealed that the frequency change of three of the 58 mutations was unlikely to be explained by genetic drift alone, indicative of positive selection. Two of these three mutations, CDKN2A c.53C>T (T18M) and ERCC8 c.*772T>A, were identified in cells from a patient with XPA. The allele frequency of the CDKN2A mutation increased from 0% to 55.3% with increasing cell culture passage. The third mutation, BRCA2 c.6222C>T (H2074H), was identified in a sample from a healthy individual of advanced age. However, further validation of the three mutations suggests that other unmeasured variants probably provide the selective advantage in these cells. Our results reinforce the notions that somatic mutations occur during aging and that some are under positive selection, supporting the model of increased tissue heterogeneity with increased age.
Long‐term repopulation of aged bone marrow stem cells using young Sca‐1 cells promotes aged heart rejuvenation
Authors: Li Jiao , Li Shu‐Hong , Dong Jun , Alibhai Faisal J. , Zhang Chongyu , Shao Zheng‐Bo , Song Hui‐Fang , He Sheng , Yin Wen‐Juan , Wu Jun , Weisel Richard D. , Liu Shi‐Ming , Li Ren‐Ke
Published: August 2019

Reduced quantity and quality of stem cells in aged individuals hinders cardiac repair and regeneration after injury. We used young bone marrow (BM) stem cell antigen 1 (Sca‐1) cells to reconstitute aged BM and rejuvenate the aged heart, and examined the underlying molecular mechanisms. BM Sca‐1+ or Sca‐1− cells from young (2–3 months) or aged (18–19 months) GFP transgenic mice were transplanted into lethally irradiated aged mice to generate 4 groups of chimeras: young Sca‐1+, young Sca‐1−, old Sca‐1+, and old Sca‐1−. Four months later, expression of rejuvenation‐related genes (Bmi1, Cbx8, PNUTS, Sirt1, Sirt2, Sirt6) and proteins (CDK2, CDK4) was increased along with telomerase activity and telomerase‐related protein (DNA‐PKcs, TRF‐2) expression, whereas expression of senescence‐related genes (p16INK4a, P19ARF, p27Kip1) and proteins (p16INK4a, p27Kip1) was decreased in Sca‐1+ chimeric hearts, especially in the young group. Host cardiac endothelial cells (GFP−CD31+) but not cardiomyocytes were the primary cell type rejuvenated by young Sca‐1+ cells as shown by improved proliferation, migration, and tubular formation abilities. C‐X‐C chemokine CXCL12 was the factor most highly expressed in homed donor BM (GFP+) cells isolated from young Sca‐1+ chimeric hearts. Protein expression of Cxcr4, phospho‐Akt, and phospho‐FoxO3a in endothelial cells derived from the aged chimeric heart was increased, especially in the young Sca‐1+ group. Reconstitution of aged BM with young Sca‐1+ cells resulted in effective homing of functional stem cells in the aged heart. These young, regenerative stem cells promoted aged heart rejuvenation through activation of the Cxcl12/Cxcr4 pathway of cardiac endothelial cells.
Effects of Alcohol and Acetate on Cerebral Blood Flow: A Pilot Study
Authors: Tanabe Jody , Yamamoto Dorothy J. , Sutton Brianne , Brown Mark S. , Hoffman Paula L. , Burnham Ellen L. , Glueck Deborah H. , Tabakoff Boris
Published: August 2019

Background

Acute alcohol produces effects on cerebral metabolism and blood flow. Alcohol is converted to acetate, which serves as a source of energy for the brain and is an agonist at G protein‐coupled receptors distributed in different cell types in the body including neurons. Acetate has been hypothesized to play a role in the cerebral blood flow (CBF) response after alcohol ingestion. We tested whether administration of acetate would alter CBF in a pattern similar to or different from that of alcohol ingestion in healthy individuals.

Methods

Twenty‐four healthy participants were assigned by convenience to receive either 0.6 g/kg alcohol orally (n = 12) or acetate intravenously (n = 12). For each participant, CBF maps were acquired using an arterial spin labeling sequence on a 3T magnetic resonance scanner after placebo and after drug administration. Whole‐brain CBF maps were compared between placebo and drug using a paired t‐test, and set at a threshold of p < 0.05 corrected for multiple comparisons (k ≥ 142 voxels, ≥3.78 cm3), voxel‐level p < 0.005. Intoxication was measured after placebo and drug administration with a Subjective High Assessment Scale (SHAS‐7).

Results

Compared to placebo, alcohol and acetate were associated with increased CBF in the medial thalamus. Alcohol, but not acetate, was associated with increased CBF in the right orbitofrontal, medial prefrontal and cingulate cortex, and hippocampus. Plasma acetate levels increased following administration of alcohol and acetate and did not differ between the 2 arms. Alcohol, but not acetate, was associated with an increase in SHAS‐7 scores (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Increased thalamic CBF associated with either alcohol or acetate administration suggests that the thalamic CBF response after alcohol could be mediated by acetate. Compared to other brain regions, thalamus may differ in its ability to metabolize acetate or expression of receptors responsive to acetate. Increased prefrontal and limbic CBF associated with alcohol may be linked to alcohol's behavioral effects.
Human airway epithelial extracellular vesicle miRNA signature is altered upon asthma development
Authors: Bartel Sabine , La Grutta Stefania , Cilluffo Giovanna , Perconti Giovanni , Bongiovanni Antonella , Giallongo Agata , Behrends Jochen , Kruppa Jochen , Hermann Stefanie , Chiang Dapi , Pfaffl Michael W. , Krauss‐Etschmann Susanne
Published: August 2019

Background

miRNAs are master regulators of signaling pathways critically involved in asthma and are transferred between cells in extracellular vesicles (EV). We aimed to investigate whether the miRNA content of EV secreted by primary normal human bronchial epithelial cells (NHBE) is altered upon asthma development.

Methods

NHBE cells were cultured at air‐liquid interface and treated with interleukin (IL)‐13 to induce an asthma‐like phenotype. EV isolations by precipitation from basal culture medium or apical surface wash were characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and Western blot, and EV‐associated miRNAs were identified by a RT‐qPCR‐based profiling. Significant candidates were confirmed in EVs isolated by size‐exclusion chromatography from nasal lavages of children with mild‐to‐moderate (n = 8) or severe asthma (n = 9), and healthy controls (n = 9).

Results

NHBE cells secrete EVs to the apical and basal side. 47 miRNAs were expressed in EVs and 16 thereof were significantly altered in basal EV upon IL‐13 treatment. Expression of miRNAs could be confirmed in EVs from human nasal lavages. Of note, levels of miR‐92b, miR‐210, and miR‐34a significantly correlated with lung function parameters in children (FEV1FVC%pred and FEF25‐75%pred), thus lower sEV‐miRNA levels in nasal lavages associated with airway obstruction. Subsequent ingenuity pathway analysis predicted the miRNAs to regulate Th2 polarization and dendritic cell maturation.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that secretion of miRNAs in EVs from the airway epithelium, in particular miR‐34a, miR‐92b, and miR‐210, might be involved in the early development of a Th2 response in the airways and asthma.
Preoperative intraocular pressure as a strong predictive factor for intraocular pressure rise during vacuum application in femtosecond laser‐assisted cataract surgery
Authors: Mariacher Siegfried , Laubichler Peter , Wendelstein Jascha , Mariacher Martina , Bolz Matthias
Published: August 2019

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and the vacuum level on IOP during femtosecond laser‐assisted cataract surgery.

Methods

Intraocular pressure was measured in 40 enucleated porcine eyes by intracameral manometry prior, during and after vacuum application using the VICTUS femtosecond laser platform (Bausch&Lomb, Technolas Perfect Vision GmbH, Germany). Twenty combinations of different preoperative IOP levels (12, 16, 20 and 24 mmHg) and different vacuum levels (350–550 mbar) were investigated.

Results

Multivariate regression analysis indicated that both the vacuum level (beta = 0.138; p < 0.001) but much stronger the preoperative IOP (beta = 0.861; p < 0.001) were predictive factors for IOP rise during vacuum application. Mean IOP was 28.23 ± 3.86, 34.23 ± 3.92, 40.35 ± 4.41 and 46.82 ± 4.11 mmHg in groups with baseline IOP of 12, 16, 20 and 24 mmHg, respectively. In the 350, 450 and 550 mbar group, and mean IOP was 35.85 ± 7.85, 37.33 ± 7.90 and 39.00 ± 8.04 mmHg, respectively. Lowering the preoperative IOP by 2 mmHg and reducing the vacuum from maximum to minimum resulted in a similar reduction in IOP during vacuum application (−3.10 ± 0.79 mmHg versus −3.15 ± 0.88 mmHg; p = 0.015). Furthermore, decreasing the baseline IOP from 20 to 12 mmHg resulted in a 30.0% reduction in intraoperative IOP.

Conclusion

Preoperative IOP was a stronger predictive factor for intraoperative IOP rise than the applied vacuum level. Measurements and critical interpretation of preoperative IOP in a preliminary examination could help estimating the individual risk of significant IOP rise during femtosecond laser‐assisted cataract surgery and could help taking early countermeasures in selected cases. Due to the porcine ex vivo model, further studies are needed to verify these findings.
Cyclodialysis: an updated approach to surgical strategies
Authors: Selvan Harathy , Gupta Viney , Gupta Shikha
Published: August 2019

Cyclodialysis is a rare occurrence and is difficult to treat, it being concealed behind the iris. In view of the varied success outcomes of the different available surgical repair techniques, there is at present no clear consensus regarding their management strategies. Through this article, we intend to appraise the established surgical methods, update the novel techniques in vogue, discuss their outcomes and propose a uniform system to codify these corrective techniques. They have been reclassified under the terms ‘exocyclopexy’, ‘endocyclopexy’, ‘exocyclotamponade’ and ‘endocyclotamponade’ based on the approach used and their mode of action. The ab‐interno techniques (endocyclopexy and endocyclotamponade) are easier to perform, offer good success rates and better safety profiles such that they may be considered as a viable alternative to the standard exocyclopexy in either cataractous or pseudophakic and aphakic eyes.
Unsupervised breastfeeding was related to sudden unexpected postnatal collapse during early skin‐to‐skin contact in cerebral palsy cases
Authors: Miyazawa Tokuo , Itabashi Kazuo , Tamura Masanori , Suzuki Hideaki , Ikenoue Tsuyomu ,   Prevention Recurrence Committee, Japan Obstetric Compensation System for Cerebral Palsy
Published: August 2019

Aim

This study aimed to identify the clinical features of infants who were healthy at birth, but developed sudden unexpected collapse and were then diagnosed with cerebral palsy before 5 years of age.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed 1182 records from the no‐fault Japan Obstetric Compensation System for Cerebral Palsy database up to 2016. This identified 45 subjects (3.8%) who were subsequently diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy due to sudden unexpected postnatal collapse (SUPC). They were all healthy at birth, based on the criteria of five‐minute Apgar scores of seven or more, with normal umbilical cord blood gases and no need for neonatal resuscitation within five minutes of birth.

Results

The median birth weight of the 45 subjects (26 males) was 2770 g (range 2006‐3695 g). Of these, 10 developed SUPC during early skin‐to‐skin contact (SSC). Medical personnel were not present in all 10 cases: nine were being breastfed at the time and eight of the mothers did not notice their infant's abnormal condition until medical staff alerted them.

Conclusion

This national study of children with cerebral palsy who appeared healthy at birth found that unsupervised breastfeeding was a common factor in cases of SUPC during early SSC.