bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dihydrodiosgenin protects against experimental acute pancreatitis and associated lung injury through mitochondrial protection and PI3Kγ/Akt inhibition
Authors: Shen Yan , Wen Li , Zhang Rui , Wei Zeliang , Shi Na , Xiong Qiuyang , Xia Qing , Xing Zhihua , Zeng Zhi , Niu Hai , Huang Wen
Published: February 2018

Background and Purpose

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a painful and distressing disorder of the exocrine pancreas with no specific treatment. Diosgenyl saponins extracted from from Dioscorea zingiberensis C. H. Wright have been reported to protect against experimental models of AP. Diosgenin, or its derivatives are anti‐inflammatory in various conditions. However, the effects of diosgenin and its spiroacetal ring opened analogue, dihydrodiosgenin (Dydio), on AP have not been determined.

Experimental Approach

Effects of diosgenin and Dydio on sodium taurocholate hydrate (Tauro)‐induced necrosis were tested, using freshly isolated murine pancreatic acinar cells. Effects of Dydio on mitochondrial dysfunction in response to Tauro, cholecystokinin‐8 and palmitoleic acid ethyl ester were also assessed. Dydio (5 or 10 mg·kg‐1) was administered after the induction in vivo of Tauro‐induced AP (Wistar rats), caerulein‐induced AP and palmitoleic acid plus ethanol‐induced AP (Balb/c mice). Pancreatitis was assessed biochemically and histologically. Activation of pancreatic PI3Kγ/Akt was measured by immunoblotting.

Key Results

Dydio inhibited Tauro‐induced activation of the necrotic cell death pathway and prevented pancreatitis stimuli‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Therapeutic administration of Dydio ameliorated biochemical and histopathological responses in all three models of AP through pancreatic mitochondrial protection and PI3Kγ/Akt inactivation. Moreover, Dydio improved pancreatitis‐associated acute lung injury through preventing excessive inflammatory responses.

Conclusion and Implications

These data provide in vitro and in vivo mechanistic evidence that the diosgenin analogue, Dydio could be potential treatment for AP. Further medicinal optimization of diosgenin and its analogue might be a useful strategy for identifying lead candidates for inflammatory diseases.
Toll‐like receptor 3 signal augments radiation‐induced tumor growth retardation in a murine model
Authors: Yoshida Sumito , Shime Hiroaki , Takeda Yohei , Nam Jin‐Min , Takashima Ken , Matsumoto Misako , Shirato Hiroki , Kasahara Masanori , Seya Tsukasa
Published: February 2018

Radiotherapy induces anti‐tumor immunity by induction of tumor antigens and damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMP). DNA, a representative DAMP in radiotherapy, activates the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway which enhances the immune response. However, the immune response does not always parallel the inflammation associated with radiotherapy. This lack of correspondence may, in part, explain the radiation‐resistance of tumors. Additive immunotherapy is expected to revive tumor‐specific CTL facilitating radiation‐resistant tumor shrinkage. Herein pre‐administration of the double‐stranded RNA, polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid (polyI:C), in conjunction with radiotherapy, was shown to foster tumor suppression in mice bearing radioresistant, ovalbumin‐expressing Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC). Extrinsic injection of tumor antigen was not required for tumor suppression. No STING‐ and CTL‐response was induced by radiation in the implant tumor. PolyI:C was more effective for induction of tumor growth retardation at 1 day before radiation than at post‐treatment. PolyI:C targeted Toll‐like receptor 3 with minimal effect on the mitochondrial antiviral‐signaling protein pathway. Likewise, the STING pathway barely contributed to LLC tumor suppression. PolyI:C primed antigen‐presenting dendritic cells in draining lymph nodes to induce proliferation of antigen‐specific CTL. By combination therapy, CTL efficiently infiltrated into tumors with upregulation of relevant chemokine transcripts. Batf3‐positive DC and CD8+ T cells were essential for therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, polyI:C was shown to stimulate tumor‐associated macrophages and release tumor necrosis factor alpha, which acted on tumor cells and increased sensitivity to radiation. Hence, polyI:C treatment prior to radiotherapy potentially induces tumor suppression by boosting CTL‐dependent and macrophage‐mediated anti‐tumor responses. Eventually, polyI:C and radiotherapy in combination would be a promising therapeutic strategy for radiation‐resistant tumors.
Antitumor activity of pan‐HER inhibitors in HER2‐positive gastric cancer
Authors: Yoshioka Takahiro , Shien Kazuhiko , Namba Kei , Torigoe Hidejiro , Sato Hiroki , Tomida Shuta , Yamamoto Hiromasa , Asano Hiroaki , Soh Junichi , Tsukuda Kazunori , Nagasaka Takeshi , Fujiwara Toshiyoshi , Toyooka Shinichi
Published: February 2018

Molecularly targeted therapy has enabled outstanding advances in cancer treatment. Whereas various anti‐human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) drugs have been developed, trastuzumab is still the only anti‐HER2 drug presently available for gastric cancer. In this study, we propose novel treatment options for patients with HER2‐positive gastric cancer. First, we determined the molecular profiles of 12 gastric cancer cell lines, and examined the antitumor effect of the pan‐HER inhibitors afatinib and neratinib in those cell lines. Additionally, we analyzed HER2 alteration in 123 primary gastric cancers resected from Japanese patients to clarify possible candidates with the potential to respond to these drugs. In the drug sensitivity analysis, both afatinib and neratinib produced an antitumor effect in most of the HER2‐amplified cell lines. However, some cells were not sensitive to the drugs. When the molecular profiles of the cells were compared based on the drug sensitivities, we found that cancer cells with lower mRNA expression levels of IGFBP7, a tumor suppressor gene that inhibits the activation of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 receptor (IGF‐1R), were less sensitive to pan‐HER inhibitors. A combination therapy consisting of pan‐HER inhibitors and an IGF‐1R inhibitor, picropodophyllin, showed a notable synergistic effect. Among 123 clinical samples, we found 19 cases of HER2 amplification and three cases of oncogenic mutations. In conclusion, afatinib and neratinib are promising therapeutic options for the treatment of HER2‐amplified gastric cancer. In addition to HER2 amplification, IGFBP7 might be a biomarker of sensitivity to these drugs, and IGF‐1R‐targeting therapy can overcome drug insensitiveness in HER2‐amplified gastric cancer.
The impact of robotic surgery on quality of life, urinary and sexual function following total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: a propensity score‐matched analysis with laparoscopic surgery
Authors: Kim H. J. , Choi G.‐S. , Park J. S. , Park S. Y. , Yang C. S. , Lee H. J.
Published: February 2018

Aim

Quality of life (QoL) and functional outcomes are at risk of being impaired after rectal surgery, but there has been no large prospective study to thoroughly assess QoL according to surgical approach. We have investigated the impact of laparoscopic and robotic total mesorectal excision (TME) on QoL and functional outcomes.

Method

Patients undergoing laparoscopic or robotic TME for rectal cancer between 2009 and 2013 were prospectively included in this questionnaire‐based survey of QoL together with variations in urinary and sexual function. A propensity score analysis was retrospectively conducted to compare outcomes between groups in a cohort matched 1:1 for age, sex, body mass index, preoperative chemoradiation status and tumour height. The survey was performed preoperatively and 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery.

Results

Global health status/QoL was similar between the two groups for 130 matched pairs, but the robotic group showed better role, emotional and social functioning and experienced less fatigue and financial difficulty. International Prostatic Symptom Scores in men increased postoperatively, with significantly less impairment in the robotic group at 6 months. These scores were comparable to preoperative scores at 6 months in the robotic group and at 12 months in the laparoscopic group. Of 48 sexually active men in each group, International Index of Erectile Function‐5 scores decreased postoperatively, returning to preoperative levels at 6 months in the robotic group and at 12 months in the laparoscopic groups.

Conclusion

The robotic approach for TME was associated with less impairment of urinary and sexual function; QoL was comparable to the laparoscopic approach.
Information and communication technology adoption in micro and small firms: Can internet access improve labour productivity?
Authors: Viollaz Mariana
Published: February 2018

The rapid spread of information and communication technologies (ICT) may increase firms’ productivity with important consequences for job creation and for economic growth. This article contributes to this discussion by analysing the impact of internet adoption on labour productivity and the mechanisms shaping this relationship in Peruvian micro and small manufacturing firms over the period 2011–2013. The article estimates a reduced form where labour productivity is a function of internet adoption and other explanatory factors. Internet adoption is instrumented using a measure of the availability of financial opportunities for micro and small firms in Peru. Findings indicate that internet adoption: (a) increases firms’ labour productivity; (b) reallocates employment away from temporary administrative workers and non‐remunerated workers and expands employment of permanent production workers; (c) leads to the formalization of labour relationships, to the implementation of new organizational practices and to the improvement of training measures. While changes in employment and formalization of workers are linked to labour productivity gains, increases in training measures and organizational changes do not generate any additional productivity increase. Policies oriented to promote the adoption ofICTin micro and small firms can be beneficial to close the productivity gap with larger firms in Peru. Moreover, policies directed to the formalization of the workforce can provide an extra benefit, i.e. additional labour productivity gains in firms adopting the internet. Finally, policies oriented to the development of digital skills are also important to ease the re‐employment of those workers losing their jobs and the achievement of additional productivity gains that new organizational practices can provide.
Angiography vs transesophageal echocardiography‐guided patent foramen ovale closure: A propensity score matched analysis of a two‐center registry
Authors: Scacciatella Paolo , Meynet Ilaria , Giorgi Mauro , Biava Lorenza M. , Matranga Ivana , Biasco Luigi , Omedè Pierluigi , Orzan Fulvio , Gaita Fiorenzo
Published: February 2018

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to compare the long‐term outcomes of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure using angiography or transesophageal echocardiography as procedural guidance.

Background

The interventional treatment is emerging as a safe and efficient option for patients with high likelihood of PFO‐related cryptogenic stroke and high risk of recurrence. The “gold‐standard” guidance technique remains an issue.

Methods

Two cohorts of patients undergoing PFO closure for cryptogenic stroke in two catheterization laboratories of the same institution, using similar inclusion criteria but different guidance, were compared with propensity score matching.

Results

A total of 374 patients were enrolled, 161 in Angio‐group and 213 in Echo‐group. No difference was detected in the procedural complication rate. In Angio‐group, radiological exposure (P = .001) and 6‐month residual shunt (16.8% vs 8.0%, P = .015) were higher. After a mean follow‐up of 41 ± 30 months, 28 patients (7.5%) presented any adverse event (death, recurrent cerebral ischemia, device‐related complications, reintervention), with a higher rate in Angio‐group (13.0% vs 3.3%, P = .001), mainly due to repeated percutaneous intervention (10.6% vs 1.4%, P = .001). The results were confirmed after propensity score matching (118 patients/group). The rate of recurrent cerebral ischemia was 1.9% and was not significantly different in the two groups. Intra‐procedural guidance and atrial septum aneurysm were independent predictors of the composite primary endpoint (OR 1.2, P = .016).

Conclusions

The use of intra‐procedural transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance for PFO closure allows lower residual shunt rate, radiological exposure, and adverse events, mainly driven by a significant reduction in percutaneous reintervention.
When things don't add up: quantifying impacts of multiple stressors from individual metabolism to ecosystem processing
Authors: Galic Nika , Sullivan Lauren L. , Grimm Volker , Forbes Valery E.
Published: February 2018

Ecosystems are exposed to multiple stressors which can compromise functioning and service delivery. These stressors often co‐occur and interact in different ways which are not yet fully understood. Here, we applied a population model representing a freshwater amphipod feeding on leaf litter in forested streams. We simulated impacts of hypothetical stressors, individually and in pairwise combinations that target the individuals' feeding, maintenance, growth and reproduction. Impacts were quantified by examining responses at three levels of biological organisation: individual‐level body sizes and cumulative reproduction, population‐level abundance and biomass and ecosystem‐level leaf litter decomposition. Interactive effects of multiple stressors at the individual level were mostly antagonistic, that is, less negative than expected. Most population‐ and ecosystem‐level responses to multiple stressors were stronger than expected from an additive model, that is, synergistic. Our results suggest that across levels of biological organisation responses to multiple stressors are rarely only additive. We suggest methods for efficiently quantifying impacts of multiple stressors at different levels of biological organisation.
Ensuring validation in diagnostic testing is fit for purpose: a view from the plant virology laboratory
Authors: Roenhorst J. W. , de Krom C. , Fox A. , Mehle N. , Ravnikar M. , Werkman A. W.
Published: February 2018

Plant diagnostic laboratories are facing increasing demands for accreditation of their testing activities from both private and public organizations. For diagnostics, validating tests for the intended use is one of the key elements of accreditation. Thus far, validation has mainly focused on tests with a fixed scope, i.e. a test for organism X in matrix Y by method Z, suitable for the analysis of targeted samples. In many laboratories, however, targeted samples only form a minority of the samples. The majority consists of symptomatic (non‐targeted) samples including a huge variety of pest, host and matrix combinations. Since it is impossible to validate all tests used for the analysis of these non‐targeted samples, ensuring the reliability of the final results needs a different approach. This paper describes such an approach for diagnostic testing in plant virology, where the extent of validation of a test is determined based on the risks of a false result within the context of the diagnostic process. Examples illustrate how this risk‐based system approach relies on a tight inter‐relationship of validation, expertise and quality assurance within the diagnostic laboratory.
A Dynamic Classification Pattern of Spatial Statistical Services Using Formal Concept Analysis
Authors: Chen Yumin , Zhou Jiang , Wilson John P. , Wu Jingyang , Wu Qianjiao , Yang Jiaxin
Published: February 2018

In ubiquitous computing environments, with advanced Information and Communication Technologies, the availability of geographical data is rapidly improving. Spatial statistical services which is based on mathematics and geographic principles provide powerful tools to mine effective information from the rapid improving data. But how to help users to find the appropriate spatial statistical service is a serious challenge. Classification which can help to organize and manage the service effectively might be the key to solve it. However, traditional classifications which start from a certain perspective such as a service function or data source usually aim at a certain application. It is fixed and does not consider both the link between the different attributes and the demands of different users. Formal concept analysis (FCA) utilizes mathematical order theory and particularly the theory of complete lattices to comprehensively express the interrelationships between attributes and objects. Based on FCA, this article provides a dynamic classification pattern which take the relationships between these services and the characteristics of ubiquitous environments into consideration to help different users to complete the expected classification that meets their demands. Moreover, with this pattern, any number of additional categories could be added to the classification scheme flexibly. Two kinds of classification results that use three kinds of sensors and data types are presented to prove the feasibility and validity of the dynamic classification pattern.
Principles of haemophilia care: The Asia‐Pacific perspective
Authors: Dunkley S. , Lam J. C. M. , John M. J. , Wong R. S. M. , Tran H. , Yang R. , Nair S. C. , Shima M. , Street A. , Srivastava A. ,   the Asia‐Pacific Haemophilia Working Group (APHWG)
Published: February 2018

Optimal haemophilia care is best established and implemented through a well‐coordinated plan guided by clearly defined principles and priorities. A document which enunciates those details is therefore important. A successful example of this approach is the definition of principles of haemophilia care (PHC) outlined by the European Association for Haemophilia and Associated Disorders (EAHAD) and also the World Federation of Hemophilia. A similar document applicable to the Asia‐Pacific region must take into account not only the highly varied healthcare systems but also the tremendous socio‐economic and cultural diversities which impact provision of such care. The Asia‐Pacific Haemophilia Working Group (APHWG), representing the countries in this region, has prepared this perspective of the PHC. While endorsing the overall framework outlined by EAHAD, this APHWG document emphasizes regional priorities on education and training of healthcare personnel in the diagnosis and management of hereditary bleeding disorders. Central coordinating agencies with wide stakeholder input, networks of haemophilia treatment centres and national registries as well as robust processes for procurement and distribution of safe and effective clotting factor concentrates (CFCs), implementation of prophylaxis programmes and management of patients with inhibitors should also be developed. The implementation of these strategies should lead to establishment of good comprehensive care programmes. This document should also be an advocacy tool to lobby for improved care for people with haemophilia (PWH) in the region. We urge national healthcare policy makers to consider these principles and initiate strong and decisive action to reach these goals.
Surface and cross–section characteristics and friction–wear properties of high velocity oxy fuel sprayed WC–12Co coating
Authors: Hui Shen , Tianyuan Sheng , Dejun Kong
Published: February 2018

A WC–12Co coating was sprayed on H13 hot work mould steel using a high velocity oxy fuel (HVOF). The surface and cross–section morphologies, chemical compositions, and phases of obtained coatings were analyzed using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), and X–ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The friction–wear properties were investigated using a wear test, the wear mechanism of WC–12Co coating was also discussed. The results show that the WC–12Co coating primarily is composed of WC hard phase with high hardness and Co as a binder, which is evenly distributed on the coating surface, no atom–rich zones. There is no W3O phase appearing in the HVOF spraying, showing that the WC–12Co coating has high oxidation resistance, the new phases of W2C and C are produced due to the decarburization of WC. The coating thickness is ~200 μm, which is combined the substrate with the mechanical binding and local micro–metallurgical bonding. The average coefficient of friction (COF) of WC–12Co coating is 0.272, showing good friction performance, the wear mechanism is primarily abrasive wear, accompanied with fatigue wear.
Self‐adaptive piezoelectric ceramic vibration system based on asymmetric piezoelectric cantilever for energy harvesting
Authors: Fang Mingwei , Liao Qingwei , Wang Jiawen , Qin Lei , Zhong Chao , Zhang Di
Published: February 2018

Micropower energy harvesting is one of key technologies for the micromation and practical development of wireless sensor and communication node networks. A self‐adaptive piezoelectric vibration system based on modified homogeneous strain asymmetric PZT piezoelectric ceramic cantilever beam for the micropower energy harvesting was designed and prepared. A vertical cantilever was designed at the first time to obtain the homogeneous state of stress which can largely increase the power output and energy harvesting efficiency of piezoelectric cantilevers. In order to achieve the self‐adaptive vibration, the asymmetric structure was adopted. Asymmetric cantilevers moved horizontally and changed the length of main cantilevers when affected by the variation in external frequency excitation, thus, the switching of resonant frequency was archived automatically without dissipating additional energy.
Associations of sleep quality with incident atrial fibrillation: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Chokesuwattanaskul Ronpichai , Thongprayoon Charat , Sharma Konika , Congrete Soontharee , Tanawuttiwat Tanyanan , Cheungpasitporn Wisit
Published: February 2018

Background

The strong relationship between sleep apnoea and atrial fibrillation (AF) is well known. However, it remains unclear whether the sleep quality is related with AF.

Aim

To evaluate the associations of sleep duration, insomnia and frequent awakening with AF.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane databases from inception through September 2017 to identify studies that evaluate the risk of AF in adults with short sleep duration, long sleep duration, insomnia and/or frequent awakening. Effect estimates from the individual study were extracted and combined using random‐effect, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian and Laird.

Results

Ten observational studies (14 296 314 patients) were enrolled. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) of AF in individuals with short sleep (<6 h) and long sleep (>8 h) were 1.20 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93–1.55, I2 = 66%) and 1.24 (95% CI 0.96–1.62, I2 = 58%), respectively. There was no association between increase in sleep duration and AF, with a pooled OR of 0.97 (95% CI 0.84–1.12, I2 = 0%). However, there were significant associations of AF with insomnia and frequent awakening, with pooled ORs of 1.30 (95% CI 1.26–1.35, I2 = 3%) and 1.36 (95% CI 1.13–1.63, I2 = 55%), respectively.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest an absence in association between AF and sleep duration but reveal the potential association between AF and both insomnia and frequent nocturnal awakening. As such, the further studies on association of AF and sleep qualities are warranted.
Determinants of housing bubbles' duration in OECD countries
Authors: Amador‐Torres Juan S. , Gomez‐Gonzalez Jose E. , Sanin‐Restrepo Sebastian
Published: February 2018

We study the determinants of housing price bubbles' duration for a set of OECD countries between 1970 and 2015. Our topic of study is of major importance, as duration is a proxy for other dimensions, such as the magnitude of bubbles, the extent of macroeconomic imbalances, and the chance that a rational bubble turns into an irrational one. We answer two related questions: (i) Does prolonged domestic monetary‐policy easing increase the duration of housing price bubbles? (ii) Does prolonged monetary‐policy easing in the United States influence the housing bubbles' duration in other OECD countries? We show that the answer to the first question is a clear yes but that the answer to the second question is not as clear. Our main result is that monetary‐policy tightening can accelerate the termination of a housing bubble. In this sense, our findings provide support for ‘leaning against the wind’ policies.
Monday Effect in the RMW and the Short‐Term Reversal Factors
Authors: Ali Fahad , Ülkü Numan
Published: February 2018

We document that the positive (opposite) Monday or early‐in‐the‐week effect in Fama–French's robust‐minus‐weak (RMW) factor, first reported by Ülkü (2017), is pervasive across international markets, ruling out data‐snooping. As in the United States, the pattern has strengthened over time. Monday effect in RMW is linked to a combination of institutional investor trading pattern and the weekend sound‐mind effect. We devise a test of the external validity of the weekend sound‐mind effect hypothesis: the short‐term reversal factor, which is profitable within its holding period but leads to larger losses subsequently, exhibits a significant negative Monday effect, as predicted by this hypothesis. Mondays buck fads.
Attitudes toward adolescent self‐harm and its prevention: The views of those who self‐harm and their peers
Authors: Doyle Louise
Published: February 2018

Problem

Adolescent self‐harm is a common phenomenon; however, little is known about young peoples’ attitudes toward self‐harm and what they believe can be done to prevent it. This study aimed to identify adolescents’ attitudes about self‐harm and their perspectives on preventing it.

Methods

A cross‐sectional anonymous survey was administered to 856 post‐primary school students across 11 schools in Dublin, Ireland. Attitudes toward self‐harm were captured through a five‐item scale and views on prevention of self‐harm were captured through an open‐ended survey question. Responses from those who self‐harmed and those who did not were compared to identify differences.

Findings

Significant differences were identified between those who self‐harmed and their peers. Those who self‐harmed were less likely to believe that self‐harm was carried out to get attention or was a result of loneliness or depression; they were more likely to believe that self‐harm was impulsive. Findings demonstrated that a majority of young people believed that self‐harm could be prevented and a number of preventative strategies were identified.

Conclusions

It is important that the views of adolescents are incorporated into the design and delivery of youth‐friendly services and that there is a focus on increasing awareness of the youth‐orientated services that currently exist.
Exaggerated blood pressure variability is associated with memory impairment in very elderly patients
Authors: Fujiwara Takeshi , Hoshide Satoshi , Kanegae Hiroshi , Eguchi Kazuo , Kario Kazuomi
Published: February 2018

We investigated the association between working memory (WM) impairment and blood pressure variability (BPV) in very elderly patients. Japanese outpatients ≥80 years who engaged in normal activities of daily living were the study cohort. WM function was evaluated by a simple visual WM test consisting of 3 figures. We considered the number of figures recalled by the patient his/her test score. We defined the patients with a score of 0 or 1 as those with WM impairment and those with scores of 2 or 3 as those without. To investigate the relative risk of WM impairment, we evaluated each patient's 24 hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure (SBP) and its weighted standard deviation (SDSBP), office SBP, and the visit‐to‐visit SDSBP during the 1 year period from the patient's enrollment. A total of 66 patients (mean 84 ± 3.6 years) showed WM impairment, and 431 patients (mean 83 ± 3.1 years) showed no WM impairment. There were no significant differences in 24 hour ambulatory SBP or office SBP between these two groups. However, the WM impairment patients showed significantly higher weighted SDSBP and visit‐to‐visit SDSBP values compared to the no‐impairment group even after adjusting for age. Among these ≥80‐year‐old patients, those with the highest quartile of both weighted SDSBP (≥21.4 mm Hg) and visit‐to‐visit SDSBP (≥14.5 mm Hg) showed the highest relative risk (odds ratio 3.52, 95% confidence interval 1.42‐8.72) for WM impairment. Exaggerated blood pressure variability parameters were significantly associated with working memory impairment in very elderly individuals.
Molecular cloning and expression analysis of tyr and tyrp1 genes in normal and albino yellow catfish Tachysurus fulvidraco
Authors: Zhang X. T. , Wei K. J. , Chen Y. Y. , Shi Z. C. , Liu L. K. , Li J. , Zhang G. R. , Ji W.
Published: February 2018

The full‐length complementary DNA of two genes related to vertebrate albinism, the tyrosinase gene tyr and tyrosinase‐related protein 1 gene tyrp1, were cloned and analysed from normal and albino yellow catfish Tachysurus fulvidraco. The open reading frames (ORF) of tyr and tyrp1 encode putative peptides of 533 and 526 amino acids (amino‐acid), both of which possess two conserved copper binding sites. The homologous identities of deduced amino‐acid sequences showed that both Tyr and Tyrp1 of T. fulvidraco share considerable similarity with that of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Both tyr and tyrp1 were expressed in a wide range of adult tissues. Tyr gene had the highest expression level in the brain of both normal and albino T. fulvidraco. Tyrp1 had the highest expression level in the skin of normal groups, and the fin of albino groups. The messenger (m)RNA expressions of tyr and tyrp1 were detectable at different early developmental stages and varied with embryonic and larval growth. Tyr and tyrp1 mRNA have obvious tissue specificity both in normal and albino T. fulvidraco and higher expression levels were detected in the normal group revealing that tyr and tyrp1 may have an important role in pigmentation. These results will provide useful data for understanding the molecular mechanism of melanin formation and the occurrence of albinism in T. fulvidraco.
A new species of Sturisoma (Loricariidae: Loricariinae) from the Madre de Dios River basin, Peru, with a key to all congeners and comments on the type series of Sturisoma rostratum
Authors: Londoño‐Burbano A.
Published: February 2018

A new species of the genus Sturisoma from the Madre de Dios River, upper Madeira, Peru, is described. The new species can be differentiated from its congeners by the following characteristics: dorsolateral stripe reaching to less than half, or only half length of caudal peduncle (v. absence of dorsolateral stripe or, if present, spanning more than half caudal‐peduncle length); premaxillary teeth longer than dentary teeth (v. dentary teeth longer); sexually mature adult males having well‐developed odontodes on the sides of the head and a broader snout (v. adult males lacking well‐developed hypertrophied odontodes or, if present, rostrum is same width as females' or immature males'); by having the ventral portion of the rostrum conspicuously darker than ventral surface of the body (v. rostrum light, with same colour as ventral portion of body, except in Sturisoma barbatum); by lacking the lateral process of the sphenotic (v. lateral process of sphenotic well‐developed, except in Sturisoma tenuirostre); a dark spot on the first three branched pectoral‐fin rays (v. brown spot absent, except in S. barbatum); and the frontal bone contributing less than half of dorsal border of the orbital ridge (v. extensive participation of the frontal, except in Sturisoma guentheri). Furthermore, the new species has 18–20 plates in the median series, which differentiates it from Sturisoma rostratum (21–22), and Sturisoma monopelte (21); and 14–15 coalescent plates, which differentiates it from S. tenuirostre (16–17). It is further differentiated from Sturisoma brevirostre by presence of an enlarged rostrum (v. rostrum not enlarged). A discussion regarding status of the type series and geographic distribution of Sturisoma rostratum is offered, and an identification key for all Sturisoma species is presented.
Using Attachment to Better Understand the Therapy Alliance: The Attachment Based Alliance Questionnaire
Authors: Johnson Lee N. , Ketring Scott A. , Espino Jennifer
Published: February 2018

Questionnaires on the therapeutic alliance are available, but most show inflated scores, limited variability, and few significant findings on the bonds domain. Results of a study of 251 clinical couples, on the development of an Attachment Based Alliance Questionnaire (ABAQ), are presented. Factor analysis (EFA and CFA), show that a one‐factor or two‐factor structure fit the data, with more support for a one‐factor model. Both models map closely with attachment constructs. Results also show that the ABAQ is predictive of changes couples make early in therapy and demonstrated adequate reliability and validity. The ABAQ provides a tool for clinicians as they learn how to attune to relationships in couple therapy and is helpful to researchers in understanding the alliance.
Allodial Land Rights (The Odelsrett) and Early Nineteenth Century Norwegian Nationalism: Propertied Sovereignty as National Sovereignty
Authors: Fuglestad Eirik Magnus
Published: February 2018

The early nineteenth century was a transitional time in western Europe; from the old feudal and imperial order, modern nation states and capitalism emerged. The Norwegian nation state emerged out of the flames of the Napoleonic Wars in 1814. But changes in landed property structures in the eighteenth century lay the ground for Norwegian nationalism in the early nineteenth century. This article explores early nineteenth century nationalism through a focus on property rights and the positive view on theodesrett– an allodial right to land – arguing that an examination of the positive view on theodelsrettcan shed new light on Norwegian nationalism in the early nineteenth century. Such an examination suggests that the Norwegian property structure contributed to reinforcing certain property rights element in the Norwegian nationalism where ownership of landed property and national, popular sovereignty were closely interconnected.
Clinical and Neuroimaging Findings in Thalamic Territory Infarctions: A Review
Authors: Li Shuo , Kumar Yogesh , Gupta Nishant , Abdelbaki Ahmed , Sahwney Harpreet , Kumar Anil , Mangla Manisha , Mangla Rajiv
Published: February 2018

The thalamus is a part of the diencephalon, containing numerous connections between the forebrain and subcortical structures. It serves an important function as a relay center between the cerebral cortex and the subcortical regions, particularly with sensory information. The thalamus also plays a major role in regulating arousal and the levels of awareness. Distinct vascular distribution of the thalamus give rises to different syndromic presentation of thalamic nuclei infarcts. The clinical records and available imaging studies of patients with confirmed thalamic territory infarcts on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the University Hospital of Rochester were reviewed and analyzed. This analysis was then used to provide an effective summary of thalamic vascular anatomy, the clinical symptoms, and syndromes associated with strokes in the affected territories. Specifically, we review the syndromes associated with classic vascular territories, including the anterior, paramedian, inferolateral, and posterior thalamic nuclei, that are supplied by the polar (tuberothalamic), paramedian, inferolateral (thalamogeniculate), and posterior choroidal arteries, respectively. In addition, we will also review the variant thalamic territories and associated infarction syndromes of the anteromedian, central, and posterolateral territories. This review article is aimed to better the clinical and radiologic understanding as well as the diagnosis of classic and variant thalamic territory infarcts. This article will also briefly touch on the recovery of function after thalamic infarcts.
Sensory expert assessor's learning practices at workplace: Competencies and contexts in sensory evaluation
Authors: Savela‐Huovinen Ulriikka , Muukkonen Hanni , Toom Auli
Published: February 2018

The aim of this study was to identify competencies and learning contexts that are central when a standardized sensory expert assessor conducts food sensory evaluations in an authentic professional context. The aim was to answer the following questions: first, according to accessors, what competencies does sensory evaluation require? Second, what contexts of sensory evaluation do assessors report on? Thirteen assessors from three Finnish food companies were interviewed using semi‐structured thematic interviews to map competencies and development intentions and explain established practices. In the study, 42% of analysis units described individual evaluation contexts, 53% described collaborative interactional contexts, and 5% described collaborative knowledge creation contexts. The findings contribute to the explanation of how assessors learn extensively from each other in collaborative interactional and knowledge creation contexts. Assessors' learning practices and abilities to work collaboratively in interactional and knowledge creation contexts need to be ensured for the development of expertise.

Practical applications

Our findings suggest that an important aspect of enhancing learning and achieving consistent results in assessors' work is to increase collaborative and knowledge creating practices in sensory training, in addition to training individual skills. Such practices are embedded in daily practices, especially the cases when product defects were sought and discussed. Advanced practices included: learning, sharing, and reviewing both external and in‐house consumer panel feedback, developing methods to moderate small‐panel evaluations and developing a product vocabulary collectively between the assessors. These practices supported sensory expert assessors in developing their personal and collective expertise in the workplace.
Feasibility study of sucrose and fat replacement using inulin and rebaudioside A in cake formulations
Authors: Majzoobi Mahsa , Mohammadi Mahshid , Mesbahi Gholamreza , Farahnaky Asgar
Published: February 2018

Cake is a popular food around the world, however, it is considered as unhealthy due to its high fat and sucrose content. To satisfy customers' demand for a low fat and sucrose cake, in this research both sucrose and fat content of the cake were reduced by using rebaudioside A (Reb A; as a natural sucrose replacer) and inulin (as a natural fat replacer) at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. The water content of different formulation was adjusted to obtain a constant batter viscosity similar to the control (3,757 cP). By reducing sucrose and fat content up to 50%, water activity increased and the cakes became more asymmetrical. However, other physical properties including baking weight loss, height, volume, crust color, and texture were similar to those of the control. Higher levels of replacement (75% and 100%) resulted in remarkable loss of different quality attributes. These samples showed higher water activity and baking loss, lower volume, harder texture, darker color, and highly asymmetrical shape. Thus, successful reduction of both fat and sucrose in cakes is possible by using inulin and Reb A at replacement levels no more than 50%.

Practical applications

Customers' demand for healthy and yet tasty and high‐quality foods is increasing around the world. Therefore, finding applicable and safe methods to produce such products is of great interest in the food manufacturing to satisfy customers. Health conscious customers avoid consumption of cakes because it contains high sucrose and fat content. Many studies have been performed to reduce either fat or sucrose content, while a few studies are available to show the reduction of both fat and sucrose in the same product. This study indicates the results of an applicable method to reduce fat and sucrose content of cakes simultaneously. Using rebaudioside A (as a natural sucrose replacer) and inulin (as a natural fat replacer) up to 50% of sucrose and fat content of cakes were reduced and the resulting cake had very similar physical properties to the control.
Bioinformatics innovations and patent eligibility
Authors: Karky Ramesh B.
Published: February 2018

Bioinformatics technology (combination of biology and information technology) is worthy of special consideration in terms of intellectual property. Bioinformatics inventions have brought up many uncertainties over the issue of patent eligibility. There is neither any specific bioinformatics law nor any court has adjudicated any disputes related to bioinformatics. This paper critically examines bioinformatics‐related patent laws and practices and analyzes whether patent laws protect bioinformatics innovations particularly software which analyze DNA sequences.
Lossless Compression of All Vehicle Trajectories in a Common Roadway Segment
Authors: Lovell David J.
Published: February 2018

This article describes a method for compressing position and identification data for files containing comprehensive trajectory records of all vehicles traversing the same roadway segment over an arbitrary time period, in such a way that no loss of information content occurs. Such complete trajectory records are important for the study of traffic flow theory and could become increasingly relevant as test data against which to study the behavior of autonomous vehicles in a mixed traffic environment. Compression steps include differential encoding, motion prediction, and parsimonious binary storage, plus steps that are unique to the context of vehicle trajectories, including vehicle ID numbers and lane occupancy. The effectiveness of the compression is due, in part, to the strong correlations between positions (and speeds) of vehicles traveling near each other, as well as recognition that certain trajectory artifacts change with spatial and temporal frequencies much lower than the sampling rates. The algorithm is demonstrated on two sets of publicly available complete trajectory records, and compression performance statistics are given. Compression ratios in the range 10:1 to more than 20:1 are achieved for the sample files.
The epistemic innocence of clinical memory distortions
Authors: Bortolotti Lisa , Sullivan‐Bissett Ema
Published: February 2018

In some neuropsychological disorders, distorted reports seem to fill gaps in people's memory of their past, where people's self‐image, history, and prospects are often enhanced. False beliefs about the past compromise both people's capacity to construct a reliable autobiography and their trustworthiness as communicators. However, such beliefs contribute to people's sense of competence and self‐confidence, increasing psychological well‐being. Here, we consider both the psychological benefits and epistemic costs and argue that distorting the past is likely to also have epistemic benefits that cannot be obtained otherwise, such as enabling people to exchange information, receive feedback, and retain key beliefs about themselves.
B‐type natriuretic peptide is a useful biomarker for the estimation of volume overload in children with hypertension on peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Lee Joo Hoon , Park Young Seo
Published: February 2018

Aim

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of serum B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) as a biomarker of fluid retention in hypertensive children on peritoneal dialysis (PD).

Methods

Hypertensive children on PD were included. The changes (∆) of body weight (BWt), blood pressure (BP) and serum BNP at initial and follow‐up periods were reviewed. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation (median, minimum – maximum). Wilcoxon signed‐rank test was used to evaluate the changes in BWt, BP, and BNP. Linear regression analysis was applied for the correlation between the changes of BNP and BP.

Results

A total of 56 hypertensive events were evaluated in 30 patients. Initial findings were BWt 30.5 ± 22.4 (26.5, 3.0–93.5) kg, systolic BP (SBP) 153.3 ± 21.5 (150, 110–241) mmHg, diastolic BP (DBP) 100.1 ± 22.3, (99.5, 49–181) mmHg, BNP 3579.3 ± 6328.9 (1198.5, 305–22 028) pg/mL. Follow‐up results were BWt 29.1 ± 21.3 (25.0, 3.12–86) kg, SBP 116.4 ± 17.8 (117.5, 82–150) mmHg, DBP 73.3 ± 14.2 (75.0, 42.0–101.0) mmHg, BNP 63.5 ± 49.2 (60.5, 2–261) pg/mL. ∆SBP (−23.1 ± 13.8, −22.8, −46.9 ‐ 22.5%, P < 0.001), ∆DBP (−24.1 ± 19.2, −24.7, −55.6 – 23.2%, P < 0.001) and ∆BNP (−93.5 ± 8.1, −96.7, −99.9 – ‐61.0%, P < 0.001) dropped significantly after reduction of ∆BWt (−4.8 ± 4.7, −4.8, −18.7 – 5.6%, P < 0.001). The ∆BNP were significantly correlated with ∆SBP (adjusted R square = 0.221, P < 0.001) and ∆DBP (adjusted R square = 0.203, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Serum B‐type natriuretic peptide should be measured in hypertensive patients on PD to evaluate the volume status.
Conflict reconsidered: The boomerang effect of depoliticization in the policy process
Authors: Wolf Eva E. A. , Van Dooren Wouter
Published: February 2018

This article argues that the efforts of policy‐makers to avoid conflict in the short run can be counterproductive in the long run. Not only may policy‐makers fail to reap the benefits of conflicts when they try to steer clear, but conflict may actually increase rather than diminish. We study conflict through the conceptual lens of (de)politicization in the lengthy and highly contested policy‐making process over the multibillion‐euro ‘Oosterweelconnection’ highway in Antwerp (Belgium). An in‐depth media analysis of 739 articles is combined with data from 32 narrative interviews. We conclude that efforts to end public debate through depoliticization can have a boomerang effect, in which conflict disappears only temporarily, and that these efforts can ultimately increase conflict while wasting engagement and creativity. More attention to the productive aspects of conflict is needed in public administration literature and practice.
Linking Quality with Social and Financial Performance: A Contextual, Ethics‐Based Approach
Authors: Sila Ismail
Published: February 2018

The objectives of this study are to test the relationships among total quality management (TQM) practices, corporate social performance (CSP), and financial and market performance (FMP); and to determine the moderating effects of two contextual factors—country and sector—on these relationships through the lenses of several theories, including stakeholder theory, integrative social contracts theory (ISCT), and legitimacy theory. Using data from the various sectors of the economies of two developing countries, Turkey and North Cyprus (NC), we tested the proposed model utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM). The results from both samples supported the proposed model relationships, providing support for the idea that focusing on stakeholder interests embedded in various TQM practices helps improve both CSP and FMP. Country of origin had no moderating effects on these relationships, whereas sectoral effects were highly significant. The study also discusses the managerial and research implications of these findings.