bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel crop, novel pests: Assessment of insect damage to achenes of cardoon grown in a Mediterranean environment
Authors: Sulas Leonardo , Loru Laura , Re Giovanni Antonio , Campesi Giuseppe , Mannu Roberto , Pantaleoni Roberto
Published: September 2018

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus var. altilis) has gained interest as a novel crop for bioenergy, multipurpose uses, and industrial bio‐based productions, also based on the achene yield. However, achenes can be affected by various insects, which are considered as minor pests in traditional Cynara crops. Nonetheless, very little information is available on these pests. The aim of this research was to identify the frequency of different insect species with particular regard to weevils, and to quantify the achene yields and losses caused by these spermophagous insects on cardoon. Field measurements were performed across three consecutive years in Sardinia (Italy). Mature cardoon heads of different insertion orders (primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary heads, respectively) were manually harvested. For each head, the achenes were counted and weighed, and bare receptacles were scored in terms of damaged areas by weevil larvae (i.e., the percentage of total area). The results highlighted a higher frequency of Larinus scolymi (90%) compared to Larinus cynarae. The total number of achenes per head and the 1000‐achene weight were markedly affected by head order. Actual achene yield ranged from 86.8 to 107.9 g per plant. The estimates of achene yield losses per plant due to Larinus weevils ranged from 36.3 in 2014 to 113.0 g per plant in 2015, corresponding to about 0.4 to 1.1 t per hectare, respectively. Our results showed that achene losses were caused mainly by L. scolymi, indicating that cardoon crop profitability could be jeopardised in the absence of insect controls. Based on the experimental data, appropriate strategies aimed at controlling weevil infestations are needed to preserve cardoon achene yields.
Editorial: surviving your genes—the role of PNPLA3 variation in end‐stage liver disease
Authors: Pirola C. J. , Sookoian S.
Published: September 2018

Linked Content

This article is linked to Mandorfer et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14856 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14932.
Editorial: STAT‐4 polymorphism ‐ a tool to personalise clinical practice in chronic HBV infection
Authors: Bonacci Martin , Lens Sabela
Published: September 2018

Linked Content

This article is linked to El Sharkawy et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14866 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14940.
Editorial: STAT‐4 polymorphism ‐ a tool to personalise clinical practice in chronic HBV infection. Authors’ reply
Authors: El Sharkawy Rasha , George Jacob , Eslam Mohammed
Published: September 2018

Linked Content

This article is linked to El Sharkawy et al and Bonacci and Lens papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14866 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14924.
Care as a many‐splendoured topology (including prickles)
Authors: Kallio Kirsi Pauliina
Published: September 2018

This brief discussion piece focuses on geographies of care, providing a commentary to the special section on “Interstices of care,” edited by Kelsey Hanrahan and Christine Smith. My attempt is to pull together some resonant themes from the individual contributions and to consider what the collection may offer for further research in geography and neighbouring research fields.
Mobility, museums and awkward unsettling
Authors: Wright Paul
Published: September 2018

From 1972 British Rail's “Advanced Passenger Train Experimental” (APT‐E) tested a combination of innovations that promised a tantalising and proficient mobility on the UK's Victorian‐era railway network. The project's failure and eventual cancellation in 1985 has made the preservation and display of APT‐E awkward. APT‐E's revolutionary mobility sits awkwardly with its present (immobile) material state as a museum artefact, as does the context of derision and disappointment surrounding its cancellation. By experiencing APT‐E in situ and interviewing the conservation team, this paper forms an initial exploration of the ideas and tactics used by those who preserve and display awkward and rejected mobilities in a way that rehabilitates their potential and their temporal indeterminacy.
Does feeding frequency during lactation affect sows' body condition, reproduction and production performance?
Authors: Poulopoulou Ioanna , Eggemann Anne , Moors Eva , Lambertz Christian , Gauly Matthias
Published: September 2018

The present study investigated whether a three‐times compared to two‐times feeding frequency during lactation affects sows' body condition, reproductive performance as well as growth performance of the piglets . In a commercial farm, eight groups (8–10 animals) with a total number of 68 sows were included in the study. During lactation, four groups received feed two times (treatment 2DF) and four groups three times daily (treatment 3DF). Within treatments, sows were classified into young (<2 parities) and old (≥3 parities). Body condition score (BCS), shoulder lesions, return to estrus rate and piglet's growth performance were recorded. The 3DF sows had a higher (p < 0.05) feed intake and less shoulder lesions (p < 0.05) than 2DF animals. Return to estrus rate in the 3DF treatment was 0% for young and 29% for old sows. In the 2DF treatment return to estrus rate was 20% for young and 5% for old sows. In conclusion, three‐times versus two‐times daily feeding frequency during lactation increased feed intake and had a positive effect on sows’ BCS and the frequency of shoulder lesions, while it also reduced incidents of return to estrus rate in young sows.
Use of Derivatives and Analysts’ Forecasts: New Evidence from Non‐financial Brazilian Companies
Authors: Antônio Rafael Moreira , Lima Fabiano Guasti , dos Santos Rogiene Batista , Rathke Alex Augusto Timm
Published: September 2018

This study investigates whether market analysts’ forecasts are influenced by the presence of derivative financial instruments in listed firms. From a sample of firms comprising 1173 derivative users and 7797 non‐users for the 2006–14 period, the results indicate the existence of less error behaviour (bias) on earnings per share forecasts for derivative user firms compared to non‐user firms. This finding suggests that these instruments may be used to protect businesses and provide greater stability in the results of companies that use them. The presence of derivative financial instruments is increasing among listed firms, and management can use them for hedging or speculation (thus mitigating or increasing risk). The literature contains few studies on this issue, and the general understanding relies on the assumption that derivative financial instruments provide relevant information for decision making.
Development of the coelomic cavities in larvae of the living isocrinid sea lily Metacrinus rotundus
Authors: Amemiya Shonan , Hibino Taku , Minokawa Takuya , Naruse Kiyoshi , Kamei Yasuhiro , Uemura Isao , Kiyomoto Masato , Hisanaga Shin‐ichi , Kuraishi Ritsu
Published: September 2018

Coelomogenesis in the isocrinid sea lily, Metacrinus rotundus, is described through the swimming larval stages. After the late gastrula stage, the archenteron separates from the ectoderm to form an archenteral sac, which develops into a dumbbell shape consisting of anterior and posterior lobes, and a middle part connecting both lobes. The anterior and posterior lobes, and the middle part, become separated into an axo‐hydrocoel, the left and right somatocoels and an enteric sac, respectively. The hydrocoel forms from the left lower edge of the axo‐hydrocoel and becomes separated from the axocoel by the late dipleurula stage, when chambered organs and coelom X bud off from the anterior tip of the right and left somatocoels, respectively. Coelom X does not occur in comatulid crinoids (feather stars), and its fate is unclear. The pore canal extends from the axocoel. The hydrocoel differentiates into a crescent shape at the overtime semidoliolaria stage, a few days after the semidoliolaria becomes competent to settle. Coelomogenesis in M. rotundus is much simpler than in the comatulids and probably represents the ancestral mode of the crinoids. As each portion of the dumbbell sac differentiates almost in situ into each coelom, presumptive fates in the sac are easily followed in M. rotundus.
Learn‐CIAN: A visual language for the modelling of group learning processes
Authors: Molina Ana I. , Arroyo Yoel , Lacave Carmen , Redondo Miguel A.
Published: September 2018

The incorporation of advanced information and communication technologies into the field of education has made the design and deployment of courses and instructional units more and more complicated. In order to support such complex task, methods and techniques have been proposed in the last years for the standardization, formalization and modelling of learning scenarios. Thus, several Visual Instructional Design Languages (VIDL) have been developed, with few of them giving an adequate and complete support for group learning processes. In this paper, we outline a domain‐specific language (DSL) for the modelling of collaborative learning scenarios. This DSL is called Learn‐CIAN. This notation has been validated by a sample of the students of Computer Science and Education degrees such that we could obtain a first view about the understandability and acceptance of this language from potential final users.
The polarizing effects of group discussion in a negative normative context: Integrating societal‐, group‐, and individual‐level factors
Authors: Koudenburg Namkje , Greijdanus Hedy , Scheepers Daan
Published: September 2018

In this research, we investigate how a negative (or hostile) norm regarding minorities at the societal level can fuel polarization between majority subgroups at the local level. We hypothesize that rapid social change in the form of polarization results from the interplay between small group processes and perceptions of society at large. By employing a novel analytic approach that uses variances to capture non‐linear societal change, we were able to study polarization processes. In three studies among high school and university students (N = 347), we manipulated the majority norm about a minority category (positive vs. negative). Subsequently, participants read about a minority member's ambiguous behaviour and evaluated this target. All studies used a similar paradigm, but they varied in whether or not participants discussed the ambiguous behaviour within local groups. Results showed that the majority norm at the societal level affected perceptions of the minority member's behaviour when people discussed this behaviour in a local majority group but not when they reflected on it individually. Specifically, group discussions led to polarization between local groups within a broader social category, but only in the context of a negative majority norm. This effect was predicted by the a priori perception of the local group norm. Results are discussed in terms of the integration of society‐ and group‐level processes when studying the development of intergroup attitudes and practical implications for the coarsening climate of the societal debate about current societal issues.
ON THE USE OF FIRM FIXED EFFECTS AS A PRODUCTIVITY MEASURE FOR ANALYZING LABOR MARKET MATCHING
Authors: Ehrl Philipp
Published: September 2018

The present note evaluates the performance of firm fixed effects as a productivity measure when identified from wage regressions with two‐way fixed effects in matched employer‐employee data. This setting is frequently applied to study the matching between workers and firms. Exploiting wage and production data from a large administrative German data set, I find that the correlation between firm fixed effects (FFE) and total factor productivity is close to zero. Once TFP is used, the matching pattern is positive assortative, whereas the two‐way fixed effect technique yields the opposite result.
Context dependency of animal resource subsidies
Authors: Subalusky Amanda L. , Post David M.
Published: September 2018

The transport of resource subsidies by animals has been documented across a range of species and ecosystems. Although many of these studies have shown that animal resource subsidies can have significant effects on nutrient cycling, ecosystem productivity, and food‐web structure, there is a great deal of variability in the occurrence and strength of these effects. Here we propose a conceptual framework for understanding the context dependency of animal resource subsidies, and for developing and testing predictions about the effects of animal subsidies over space and time. We propose a general framework, in which abiotic characteristics and animal vector characteristics from the donor ecosystem interact to determine the quantity, quality, timing, and duration (QQTD) of an animal input. The animal input is translated through the lens of recipient ecosystem characteristics, which include both abiotic and consumer characteristics, to yield the QQTD of the subsidy. The translated subsidy influences recipient ecosystem dynamics through effects on both trophic structure and ecosystem function, which may both influence the recipient ecosystem's response to further inputs and feed back to influence the donor ecosystem. We present a review of research on animal resource subsidies across ecosystem boundaries, placed within the context of this framework, and we discuss how the QQTD of resource subsidies can influence trophic structure and ecosystem function in recipient ecosystems. We explore the importance of understanding context dependency of animal resource subsidies in increasingly altered ecosystems, in which the characteristics of both animal vectors and donor and recipient ecosystems may be changing rapidly. Finally, we make recommendations for future research on animal resource subsidies, and resource subsidies in general, that will increase our understanding and predictive capacity about their ecosystem effects.
UGT1A1 polymorphisms in rectal cancer associated with the efficacy and toxicity of preoperative chemoradiotherapy using irinotecan
Authors: Kimura Kei , Yamano Tomoki , Igeta Masataka , Imada Ayako , Jihyung Song , Babaya Akihito , Hamanaka Michiko , Kobayashi Masayoshi , Tsukamoto Kiyoshi , Noda Masafumi , Ikeda Masataka , Tomita Naohiro
Published: September 2018

The purpose of the present study was to assess the efficacy and toxicity of preoperative chemoradiotherapy using irinotecan against locally advanced lower rectal cancer according to UDP‐glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) polymorphisms. Between 2009 and 2016, 46 patients with resectable rectal cancer (T3‐T4, N0‐N2, M0) received preoperative chemoradiotherapy consisting of 80 mg/m2 per day tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil (S‐1; days 1‐5, 8‐12, 22‐26, and 29‐33), 60 mg/m2 per day irinotecan (days 1, 8, 22, and 29), and 45 Gy radiation (1.8 Gy/day, 5 days per week for 5 weeks). Six to eight weeks after completing chemoradiotherapy, total mesorectal excision was carried out. Patients with UGT1A1 polymorphisms were divided into WT (n = 26), heterozygous (n = 15), and homozygous (n = 5) groups, the latter including double heterozygosities. We evaluated associations between clinical characteristics, including UGT1A1 polymorphisms, and chemoradiotherapy efficacy and toxicity. Incidence rates of grade 3+ neutropenia and diarrhea were 17.0% and 30.4%, respectively. Relative dose intensity was 89.3%. Pathological complete response rate (grade 3) was 26.1%, and the good response (grade 2/3) rate was 84.8%. UGT1A1 polymorphisms were significantly associated with neutropenia and pathological good responses, but not with diarrhea. UGT1A1 polymorphism was the only predictive factor for pathological good responses. Our results indicate that UGT1A1 polymorphism is a predictive factor to determine the clinical efficacy of preoperative chemoradiotherapy and hematological toxicity induced by chemoradiotherapy using irinotecan in locally advanced rectal cancer patients.
Neuroinflammation in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Saito Takashi , Saido Takaomi C.
Published: September 2018

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of neurocognitive disorder. Although both amyloid β peptide deposition and neurofibrillary tangle formation in the AD brain have been established as pathological hallmarks of the disease, many other factors contribute in a complex manner to the pathogenesis of AD before clinical symptoms of the disease become apparent. Longitudinal pathophysiological processes cause patients’ brains to exist in a state of chronic neuroinflammation, with glial cells acting as key regulators of the neuroinflammatory state. However, the detailed molecular and cellular mechanisms of glial function underlying AD pathogenesis remain elusive. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that peripheral inflammatory conditions affect glial cells in the brain through a process of neuroimmune communication. Such disease complexities make it difficult for the pathogenesis of AD to be understood, and impede the development of effective therapeutic strategies to combat the disease. Relevant AD animal models are thus likely to serve as a key resource to overcome many of these issues. Furthermore, as the pathogenesis of AD might be linked to conditions both within the brain as well as peripherally, it might become necessary for AD to be studied as a whole‐body disorder. The present review aimed to summarize insights regarding current AD research, and share perspectives for understanding glial function in the context of the pathogenesis of AD.
Cardiovascular disease prevalence and risk factor prevalence in Type 2 diabetes: a contemporary analysis
Authors: McGurnaghan S. , Blackbourn L. A. K. , Mocevic E. , Haagen Panton U. , McCrimmon R. J. , Sattar N. , Wild S. , Colhoun H. M.
Published: September 2018

Aims

To describe the prevalence of major cardiovascular disease (CVD) and risk factor control in a contemporary population with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods

We used data from the national registry in Scotland, Scottish Care Information‐Diabetes, linked to hospital admissions. Using descriptive statistics and logistic regression we described associations of risk factors with CVD. CVD was defined based on diagnostic codes in primary or secondary care data for ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease peripheral arterial disease, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, hypertensive heart disease and revascularization procedures.

Results

Among 248 400 people with Type 2 diabetes with a median age of 67.5 years (IQR 58.2, 76.1) and median diabetes duration of 7.8 years (3.8, 13.0), 32% had prior CVD (35% of men, 29% of women). Median HbA1c overall was 55 mmol/mol (7.2%), median SBP was 132 mmHg, median total cholesterol was 4.1 mmol/l and mean BMI was 32 kg/m2. Overall two‐thirds (65% of men, 68% of women) have two or more of the following CVD risk factor thresholds: HbA1c ≥ 53 mmol/mol (7%), SBP > 130 mmHg or DBP > 80 mmHg, total cholesterol ≥ 5 mmol/l or BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, or were currently smoking. Overall 84% were taking anti‐hypertensives and 75% a statin. Use of metformin was common at 58%, but other diabetes drugs that reduce CVD were rarely used.

Conclusions

There continues to be a high prevalence of CVD among people with Type 2 diabetes and a high level of unmet need for risk factor control. This implies substantial scope for reducing the excess risk of CVD in diabetes through improved management of known risk factors.
New alternate hosts for Cronartium spp.: Odontites, Euphrasia, Rhinanthus and Papaver
Authors: Kaitera Juha , Kauppila Tuomas , Hantula Jarkko
Published: September 2018

Susceptibility of 13 plant species to Scots pine blister rust, Cronartium flaccidum, or white‐pine blister rust, Cronartium ribicola, was tested in Finland. The test species belonged to 10 genera in eight plant families, and they were inoculated in the laboratory or in the glasshouse. After 8 weeks of incubation, C. flaccidum sporulated on five species and provenances in the glasshouse and six species in the laboratory. After similar incubation, C. ribicola sporulated on one species in the glasshouse and two species in the laboratory. Cronartium ribicola formed uredinia and telia on Euphrasia nemorosa in the glasshouse and uredinia on E. nemorosa and Ribes nigrum in the laboratory. Cronartium flaccidum produced uredinia and telia on Odontites verna (two provenances), E. nemorosa and Euphrasia stricta both in the glasshouse and in the laboratory, on Papaver rhoeas in the glasshouse, and on Rhinanthus serotinus, Impatiens parviflora and Paeonia lactiflora in the laboratory. Rhinanthus serotinus, O. verna, I. parviflora and P. rhoeas are new alternate hosts for C. flaccidum, and for the first time, species of Odontites and Papaver were confirmed by molecular methods as alternate hosts for the rust. Cronartium ribicola was reported to sporulate on E. nemorosa for the first time. In conclusion, hemiparasitic genera of the family Orobanchaceae contain several forest species that are susceptible to C. flaccidum, although single highly resistant species also occur in these genera. Similarly, several genera of Orobanchaceae contain single species that are susceptible to C. ribicola, although most of the species in this family are highly resistant to the rust. In a severely damaged Scots pine stand in northern Finland, C. flaccidum was found to sporulate commonly on Melampyrum sylvaticum and E. stricta, and rarely on Rhinanthus minor. This is the first report of natural sporulation of C. flaccidum on Rhinanthus in its natural habitat.
Discerning the Signs of the Times
Authors: Nausner Michael
Published: September 2018

This article offers a close reading of the six reports from the 4th Assembly of the WCC in Uppsala 1968. The assembly was keenly in tune with the worldwide upheavals of the year. It indeed sought to discern the signs of the time and produced a number of creative suggestions, for example by emphasizing the aspect of inclusiveness in catholicity, by stressing the multilateral dimension of mission, and not least by highlighting the churches' inherent responsibility to be agents of justice and peace in a fractured world. Uppsala 1968 proved to name in a prophetic way crucial issues that remain on the agenda for worldwide Christianity: class, economy, isolationism, racism, the arms race. But today the churches are also confronted with new and renewed issues such as post‐colonialism, migration, ecology, gender, and a theological grounding of the church‐s existence in the world. The article concludes by proposing table fellowship as a possibility for such theological grounding.
Helicobacter pylori‐associated peptic ulcer disease: A retrospective analysis of post‐treatment testing practices
Authors: Feder Rachel , Posner Shai , Qin Yi , Zheng Jiayin , Chow Shein‐Chung , Garman Katherine S.
Published: September 2018

Background & Aims

Guidelines recommend that patients with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)‐associated peptic ulcer disease (PUD) receive H. pylori eradication therapy followed by post‐treatment testing to prove eradication; however, post‐treatment testing rates are suboptimal and barriers to testing are poorly understood. Our aim was to identify factors that predicted receipt of post‐treatment testing.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of 152 patients with H. pylori‐associated PUD diagnosed between 2007 and 2015 at a large tertiary medical center in the United States, who received standard eradication therapy and ambulatory follow‐up within one year. The primary outcome of interest was receipt of post‐treatment testing. Logistic regression models compared post‐treatment testing rates in those diagnosed while outpatient vs inpatient, patients with vs without repeat endoscopy, and patients with vs without gastroenterology (GI) clinic follow‐up. Propensity scores controlled for age, sex, race, ulcer location, and symptom persistence.

Results

Among 152 patients, 67 (44%) patients received post‐treatment testing. There were significant differences in post‐treatment testing rates in those diagnosed as outpatients vs inpatients (57% vs 33%; OR 3.87, P = 0.001) and in patients with vs without GI follow‐up (62% vs 11%; OR 9.85, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The rate of testing for eradication after treatment in patients with H. pylori‐ associated PUD was low. However, this was significantly improved in patients who have GI follow‐up and whose diagnosis was made in the outpatient setting. Our study demonstrates a clear opportunity for quality improvement initiatives.
Prompt initiation of high‐dose i.v. corticosteroids seems to prevent progression to liver failure in patients with original acute severe autoimmune hepatitis
Authors: Zachou Kalliopi , Arvaniti Pinelopi , Azariadis Kalliopi , Lygoura Vasiliki , Gatselis Nikolaos K. , Lyberopoulou Aggeliki , Koukoulis George K. , Dalekos George N.
Published: September 2018

Aims

The definition of original acute severe autoimmune hepatitis (AS‐AIH) is unclear. However, its rapid recognition and early treatment is potentially life‐saving. Therefore, we present herein an open, real‐world observational study for the assessment of the efficacy and safety of early high‐dose i.v. corticosteroids in original AS‐AIH patients.

Methods

Prospectively collected data from 184 AIH patients were analyzed retrospectively. Original AS‐AIH defined as an acute symptomatic presentation of newly diagnosed AIH (transaminases >10× upper limit of normal, bilirubin >4 mg/dL, and international normalized ratio [INR] ≥1.5) without histological lesions of chronic disease.

Results

Thirty‐four of 184 (18.5%) patients had original AS‐AIH. These patients were promptly treated with i.v. corticosteroids (either 1 g methylprednisolone for 3 consecutive days followed by i.v. 1 mg/kg/day prednisolone or i.v. 1.5 mg/kg/day prednisolone from the beginning). Only 1/34 (2.9%) died due to sepsis; none required liver transplantation during follow‐up (65 [1–175] months). No significant differences were detected in baseline characteristics between original AS‐AIH patients and those with insidious presentation (not‐AS‐AIH; n = 117) apart from antinuclear antibodies negativity (P = 0.038), and higher immunoglobulin G, transaminases, INR, and bilirubin in original AS‐AIH patients (P = 0.001 for all). Complete response and corticosteroids withdrawal (for patients treated >12 months) were significantly more frequent in original AS‐AIH (n = 28) than in not‐AS‐AIH (n = 79; P = 0.026 and P = 0.016, respectively). Presence of original AS‐AIH was the only independent predictor for achieving complete response.

Conclusions

Prompt initiation of high‐dose i.v. corticosteroids in original AS‐AIH seems safe and efficient as it prevents disease deterioration and the need for liver transplantation. The long‐term overall survival of these patients was high (97% for 5.3 years), and the long‐term treatment response and corticosteroids withdrawal rates were higher compared to not‐AS‐AIH patients.
Predation risk and resource availability explain roost locations of Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus in a tropical mangrove delta
Authors: Johnston‐González Richard , Abril Elizabeth
Published: September 2018

Roosts are important sites for shorebirds in non‐breeding areas at night and during high tides. How the spatial configuration of food and risk of predation and disturbance influence roost site use in tropical locations remains poorly known. We analysed the locations of nocturnal roosts of Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus in mangroves of Sanquianga National Park, Colombia, with respect to variation in spatial variables related to food resources and risk of predation and disturbance. We contrasted characteristics of all 13 known nocturnal roost locations with those of all other mangrove islands (n = 209) within the limits of the park. We estimated the distance from roosts and other mangrove islands to foraging sites, and sources of predators and human disturbance. Larger areas of feeding habitat surrounded nocturnal roosts than other mangrove islands, and the average distance to individual feeding patches was shorter. Roosts were also more isolated than other islands, but proximity to sources of human disturbance did not differ. We conclude that Whimbrel roost site use in Sanquianga was best explained by a combination of access to feeding territories and isolation from potential sources of mainland predators, but not by avoidance of human disturbance. Beyond identifying factors influencing roost site selection, the large aggregations of individuals in single locations may suggest that presence of conspecifics itself also plays a role in the formation of Whimbrel roosts. We highlight the interaction of food and risk landscapes with intraspecific attraction on the roost site selection by Whimbrels and the importance of mangroves as roosting sites in tropical regions.
STRATEGIC BIDDING AND CONTRACT RENEGOTIATION
Authors: Jung Hojin , Kosmopoulou Georgia , Lamarche Carlos , Sicotte Richard
Published: September 2018

When firms bid in procurement auctions, they take into account the likelihood of future contract renegotiations. If they anticipate that certain input quantities will change ex post, they have an incentive to strategically skew their itemized bids, thereby increasing profits for themselves and costs for the procuring agency. We develop and estimate a structural model of strategic bidding using a data set of road construction projects in Vermont. We find that bidding strategies lead to increased markups for renegotiated items and reduced markups for nonrenegotiated items, results consistent with bid‐skewing.
Filaggrin gene polymorphisms in Iranian ichthyosis vulgaris and atopic dermatitis patients
Authors: Hassani Bita , Isaian Anna , Shariat Mansoureh , Mollanoori Hasan , Sotoudeh Soheila , Babaei Vahid , Ziaali Arghavan , Teimourian Shahram
Published: September 2018

Background

Filaggrin is a key structural epidermal protein in terminal differentiation and formation of skin barrier. The important role of filaggrin and its effects in various cutaneous and noncutaneous disorders initiated a cascade of considerable research in recent years. Loss‐of‐function mutations in FLG, the human gene encoding profilaggrin/filaggrin, is the cause of the common skin condition ichthyosis vulgaris (IV) and major genetic predisposing factor for atopic dermatitis (AD). Several null mutations in the FLG gene that lead to a decrease or absence of filaggrin in skin and predispose these conditions have been described.

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigative genetic polymorphism of FLG in Iranian patients with IV and AD.

Methods

In the current study, we carried out full sequencing of the entire FLG coding region in 30 IV patients and 30 AD patients, and also 60 healthy controls.

Results

In our research, we identified 43 variants reported previously and two novel variants.

Conclusion

In our study, in the AD and IV patients, loss‐of‐function FLG mutation was not found. This means that another mechanism other than FLG nonsense mutation is involved in the pathogenesis of these patients.
Impact of the carer on length of hospital stay for mental health: Results from two Australian surveys
Authors: Hielscher Emily , Diminic Sandra , Harris Meredith , Castle David , Lee Yong Yi , Kealton Jan , Whiteford Harvey
Published: September 2018

Informal carers play a vital role in supporting Australians living with a mental illness, including during the acute phases of illness; however, little is known about their impact on length of hospital stay. We aimed to investigate the impact of having a carer and of carer burden on length of hospital stay for mental health. Two Australian datasets were used. Data from the 2010 National Survey of High Impact Psychosis (n = 1825) were used to investigate the impact of having versus not having a carer on length of hospital stay for mental health. Data from the UQ Carer Survey 2016 (n = 105), a convenience sample of mental health carers, were used to investigate the impact of weekly hours of care (a measure of objective carer burden) on length of stay. Multiple logistic regression and correlation analyses were performed to investigate the association between carer status/burden and length of stay. Having a carer was associated with a significantly longer length of hospital stay; however, this relationship was no longer significant after adjusting for diagnosis, global functioning, depressive symptoms, deliberate self‐harm, mental health outpatient contacts and type of admission. Weekly hours of care did not significantly impact on length of stay. Patients with carers had poorer functioning which may be related to longer stays. Our analysis was not able to look at subgroups of carers with different needs. Future work is required to determine other components of the admission and discharge process where having a carer is influential.
A multicentre prospective randomised controlled comparative parallel study of dehydrated human umbilical cord (EpiCord) allograft for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Tettelbach William , Cazzell Shawn , Sigal Felix , Caporusso Joseph M. , Agnew Patrick S. , Hanft Jason , Dove Cyaandi
Published: September 2018

The aim of this study was to determine the safety and effectiveness of dehydrated human umbilical cord allograft (EpiCord) compared with alginate wound dressings for the treatment of chronic, non‐healing diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). A multicentre, randomised, controlled, clinical trial was conducted at 11 centres in the United States. Individuals with a confirmed diagnosis of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes presenting with a 1 to 15 cm2 ulcer located below the ankle that had been persisting for at least 30 days were eligible for the 14‐day study run‐in phase. After 14 days of weekly debridement, moist wound therapy, and off‐loading, those with ≤30% wound area reduction post‐debridement (n = 155) were randomised in a 2:1 ratio to receive a weekly application of EpiCord (n = 101) or standardised therapy with alginate wound dressing, non‐adherent silicone dressing, absorbent non‐adhesive hydropolymer secondary dressing, and gauze bandage roll (n = 54). All wounds continued to have appropriate off‐loading during the treatment phase of the study. Study visits were conducted for 12 weeks. At each weekly visit, the DFU was cleaned and debrided as necessary, with the wound photographed pre‐ and post‐debridement and measured before the application of treatment group‐specific dressings. A follow‐up visit was performed at week 16. The primary study end point was the percentage of complete closure of the study ulcer within 12 weeks, as assessed by Silhouette camera. Data for randomised subjects meeting study inclusion criteria were included in an intent‐to‐treat (ITT) analysis. Additional analysis was conducted on a group of subjects (n = 134) who completed the study per protocol (PP) (EpiCord, n = 86, alginate, n = 48) and for those subjects receiving adequate debridement (EpiCord, n = 67, alginate, n = 40). ITT analysis showed that DFUs treated with EpiCord were more likely to heal within 12 weeks than those receiving alginate dressings, 71 of 101 (70%) vs 26 of 54 (48%) for EpiCord and alginate dressings, respectively, P = 0.0089. Healing rates at 12 weeks for subjects treated PP were 70 of 86 (81%) for EpiCord‐treated and 26 of 48 (54%) for alginate‐treated DFUs, P = 0.0013. For those DFUs that received adequate debridement (n = 107, ITT population), 64 of 67 (96%) of the EpiCord‐treated ulcers healed completely within 12 weeks, compared with 26 of 40 (65%) of adequately debrided alginate‐treated ulcers, P < 0.0001. Seventy‐five subjects experienced at least one adverse event, with a total of 160 adverse events recorded. There were no adverse events related to either EpiCord or alginate dressings. These results demonstrate the safety and efficacy of EpiCord as a treatment for non‐healing DFUs.
What Can We Learn from Art Practices? Exploring New Perspectives on Critical Engagement with Plurality and Difference in Community Art Education
Authors: Wildemeersch Danny
Published: September 2018

The article presents a case of community art education in Leuven, Belgium. Participants who belong to disenfranchised groups of the local community were invited to engage in artistic actions and performances aiming at familiarising them with modern art practices. Such experiments are often disqualified as being irrelevant to the life‐conditions of these families in poverty, and hence as non‐emancipatory. In this article, the emancipatory quality of such initiatives is explored with reference to the art practices of the Belgian/Mexican artist Francis Alÿs and the reflections on emancipation by the French philosopher Jacques Rancière. These reflections help to shed a new light on the emancipatory dimension of community art practices and to consider theoretical concepts such as ‘poor pedagogy’.
Collaborative Amateur Production of Educational Videos, which are Viewed on Mobiles: Addressing Poor Technical Resources for Nigerian Creative Arts Academics
Authors: Chick Anne , Etsename Emmanuel
Published: September 2018

This research was a co‐creation and co‐assessment exercise between the researchers, participating printmaking and weaving academics and their students in a Nigerian university. The poor technical resources and increasingly large student groups in the design department, which severely hampers the delivery of an effective education, were addressed. The academics were supported to learn how to create their own instructional videos for their students, demonstrating identified designer‐maker skills and how to use required equipment. These academics are now empowered and have the knowledge to produce their own instructional videos without professional assistance. This is also irrespective of their previous experiences of using video equipment and developing video content.
On Art and Knowledge
Authors: Szpakowski Michael
Published: September 2018

I comment upon the recent blossoming of writing on art, knowledge and research and connect this to its material roots in the changing nature of higher education. I find much of this writing wanting in that it implies a division of art into ‘knowledge‐producing’ and ‘non knowledge‐producing’ art. I examine how art objects might be said to generate knowledge, particularly the kind of propositional knowledge which sits at the centre of both traditional epistemology and ‘knowledge transfer’ in the contemporary academy. Although there are many ways in which artworks might variously generate such knowledge, I conclude that there is none that is common to all. I go on to examine other kinds of knowledge, particularly Gilbert Ryle's ‘knowledge‐how’ and use this as a staging post to suggest that there is yet another kind of knowledge, produced by all works of art. Finally I borrow some ideas from recent work in the philosophy of science to suggest a concrete mechanism by which this knowledge is made available to us.
Co‐Design Education Based on the Changing Designer's Role and Changing Creativity
Authors: Lee Jeehyun , Ahn Jiwon , Kim Jieun , Kho Jeong‐min
Published: September 2018

The field of fashion design relies on the originality of fashion designers and information on design trends, and design education also focuses on the creative ideas of designers; in this field, design through co‐design is a very limited area. However, with the proliferation of participatory culture, the need to diversify fashion design education methods has also emerged. The purpose of this study is to present an educational framework and an instructional strategy for co‐design based on the changing role of the designer and to obtain educational insight through the implementation of an actual education prototype. To do this, we developed an educational prototype and implemented it with six undergraduate students. Through this study, the participants engaged in the process of design development with the consumer and analysed the instructional insight. As a result, this study redefines the roles and design methods of designers for co‐design and identifies creativity characteristics through the co‐design process. The results of this study can be used as basic data for co‐design education and can contribute to the expansion of fashion design educational methods.
Long non‐coding RNA CRNDE promotes the proliferation, migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through miR‐217/MAPK1 axis
Authors: Wang Haihao , Ke Ji , Guo Qiannan , Barnabo Nampoukime Kan‐Paatib , Yang Peiwen , Ma Ke
Published: September 2018

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an invasive malignant tumour and the second major cause of cancer‐related deaths over the world. CRNDE and miR‐217 are non‐coding RNAs which play critical roles in cell growth, proliferation, migration. Mitogen‐activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) also participates in cancer cell process. Hence, this study aimed at investigating the effect of CRNDE on migration and invasion of HCC and figuring out the role of miR‐217 and MAPK1 in this process. The overexpression of CRNDE was demonstrated by a microarray‐based lncRNA profiling study. CRNDE expression in HCC was verified by qRT‐PCR. MTT assay and BrdU staining were applied to detect cell proliferation level. Transwell assay was utilized to examine cell migration and invasiveness abilities. Wound healing assay was performed for further exploration of cell migration capacity. MiR‐217 was predicted by bioinformatics. The dual luciferase reporter assay was performed to corroborate the targeting relationship between CRNDE, miR‐217 and MAPK1. MAPK1, the downstream target of miR‐217, was predicted using bioinformatics and was further confirmed by qRT‐PCR and Western blot. The interaction between CRNDE, miR‐217 and MAPK1 was studied by qRT‐PCR, Western blot, MTT, BrdU, transwell assay and wound healing assay. CRNDE was up‐regulated in HCC tissues and HCC cell lines. The high expression of CRNDE facilitated cell proliferation, migration and invasion, while the inhibited one affected on the contrary. MiR‐217, negatively correlated with CRNDE expression, was the target of CRNDE and was more lowly expressed in HCC. With the high expression of miR‐217, HCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion were suppressed. MAPK1, the possible target of miR‐217, was negatively correlated with miR‐217 but positively correlated with CRNDE and had the same effect in HCC formation process as CRNDE. Long non‐coding RNA CRNDE promotes the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells through miR‐217/MAPK1 axis.
NEK4 kinase regulates EMT to promote lung cancer metastasis
Authors: Ding Nian‐Hua , Zhang Lu , Xiao Zhi , Rong Zhuo‐Xian , Li Zhi , He Jiang , Chen Lin , Ou Dan‐Min , Liao Wei‐Hua , Sun Lun‐Quan
Published: September 2018

Epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a dynamic transitional state from the epithelial to mesenchymal phenotypes. Numerous studies have suggested that EMT and its intermediate states play important roles in tumor invasion and metastasis. To identify novel regulatory molecules of EMT, we screened a siRNA library targeting human 720 kinases in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells harboring E‐cadherin promoter‐luciferase reporter vectors. NIMA‐related kinase‐4 (NEK4) was identified and characterized as a positive regulator of EMT in the screening. Suppression of NEK4 resulted in the inhibition of cell migration and invasion, accompanying with an increased expression of cell adhesion‐related proteins such as E‐cadherin and ZO1. Furthermore, NEK4 knockdown caused the decreased expression of the transcriptional factor Zeb1 and Smads proteins, which are known to play key roles in EMT regulation. Consistently, overexpression of NEK4 resulted in the decreased expression of E‐cadherin and increased expression of Smad3. Using a mouse model with tail vein injection of NEK4 knockdown stable cell line, we found a lower rate of tumor formation and metastasis of the NEK4‐knockdown cells in vivo. Thus, this study demonstrates NEK4 as a novel kinase involved in regulation of EMT and suggests that NEK4 may be further explored as a potential therapeutic target for lung cancer metastasis.
Galectin‐3 promotes CXCR2 to augment the stem‐like property of renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Huang Chang‐Shuo , Tang Shye‐Jye , Lee Mei‐Hsuan , Chang Wang Chien‐Chih , Sun Guang‐Huan , Sun Kuang‐Hui
Published: September 2018

Although targeted therapy is usually the first‐line treatment for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), some patients can experience drug resistance. Cancer stem cells are tumour‐initiating cells that play a vital role in drug resistance, metastasis and cancer relapse, while galectins (Gal) participate in tumour progression and drug resistance. However, the exact role of galectins in RCC stemness is yet unknown. In this study, we grew a subpopulation of RCC cells as tumour spheres with higher levels of stemness‐related genes, such as Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog. Among the Gal family, Gal‐3 in particular was highly expressed in RCC tumour spheres. To further investigate Gal‐3's role in the stemness of RCC, lentivirus‐mediated knockdown and overexpression of Gal‐3 in RCC cells were used to examine both in vitro and in vivo tumorigenicity. We further assessed Gal‐3 expression in RCC tissue microarray using immunohistochemistry. Upon suppressing Gal‐3 in parental RCC cells, invasion, colony formation, sphere‐forming ability, drug resistance and stemness‐related gene expression were all significantly decreased. Furthermore, CXCL6, CXCL7 and CXCR2 were down‐regulated in Gal‐3‐knockdown tumour spheres, while CXCR2 overexpression in Gal‐3‐knockdown RCC restored the ability of sphere formation. Gal‐3 overexpression in RCC promoted both in vitro and in vivo tumorigenicity, and its expression was correlated with CXCR2 expression and tumour progression in clinical tissues. RCC patients with higher co‐expressions of Gal‐3 and CXCR2 demonstrated a worse survival rate. These results indicate that highly expressed Gal‐3 may up‐regulate CXCR2 to augment RCC stemness. Gal‐3 may be a prognostic and innovative target of combined therapy for treating RCC.
Inhibition of autophagy enhances the antitumour activity of tigecycline in multiple myeloma
Authors: Ma Ruye , Zhang Yu , Wang Wei , Wu Junqing , Yang Qianqian , Xu Wanling , Jiang Songfu , Han Yixiang , Yu Kang , Zhang Shenghui
Published: September 2018

Accumulating evidence shows that tigecycline, a first‐in‐class glycylcycline, has potential antitumour properties. Here, we found that tigecycline dramatically inhibited the proliferation of multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines RPMI‐8226, NCI‐H929 and U266 in a dose and time‐dependent manner. Meanwhile, tigecycline also potently impaired the colony formation of these three cell lines. Mechanism analysis found that tigecycline led to cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 with down‐regulation of p21, CDK2 and cyclin D1, rather than induced apoptosis, in MM cells. Importantly, we found that tigecycline induced autophagy and an autophagy inhibitor bafilomycin A1 further amplified the tigecycline‐induced cytotoxicity, suggesting that autophagy plays a cytoprotective role in tigecycline‐treated MM cells. Mechanisms modulating autophagy found that tigecycline enhanced the phosphorylation of AMPK, but did not decrease the phosphorylation of Akt, to inhibit the phosphorylation of mTOR and its two downstream effectors p70S6K1 and 4E‐BP1. Tigecycline effectively inhibited tumour growth in the xenograft tumour model of RPMI‐8226 cells. Autophagy also occurred in tigecycline‐treated tumour xenograft, and autophagy inhibitor chloroquine and tigecycline had a synergistic effect against MM cells in vivo. Thus, our results suggest that tigecycline may be a promising candidate in the treatment of MM.