bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HOXC13‐AS promotes breast cancer cell growth through regulating miR‐497‐5p/PTEN axis
Authors: Li Xiaowei , Wang Qiang , Rui Yiqi , Zhang Chuanqiang , Wang Wenwen , Gu Jianchun , Tang Jinhai , Ding Yongbin
Published: May 2019

Dysregulated long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) remains to be explored in tumorigenesis. LncRNA HOXC13 antisense RNA (HOXC13‐AS) has been found as an oncogene in many cancers; however, the role of HOXC13‐AS in breast cancer still elusive. In this study, the HOXC13‐AS levels and its role in cell proliferation was first measured by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay, and colony formation assay. It showed that HOXC13‐AS was increased in breast cancer tissues compared with the adjacent normal tissues and upregulated HOXC13‐AS promoted the growth of breast cancer cells. Then, we found that the miR‐497‐5p levels were downregulated in cancer tissues compared with the adjacent tissues and miR‐497‐5p suppressed breast cancer cell proliferation. Further study showed that HOXC13‐AS could function as a “sponge” for miR‐497‐5p then suppress miR‐497‐5p expression. Moreover, we next identified that Phosphatase and Tensin homolog (PTEN) is the target of miR‐497‐5p. Overexpression of miR‐497‐5p by chemical mimics decreased the expression of PTEN, while downregulation of miR‐497‐5p by HOXC13‐AS rescued the expression of PTEN. Finally, we showed that HOXC13‐AS promoted the proliferation of breast cancer cells and tumor growth through miR‐497‐5p/PTEN axis in vitro and in vivo. Hence, we conclude that HOXC13‐AS, which is significantly upregulated in breast cancers, promoted cell proliferation through the suppressed miR‐497‐5p and further upregulated PTEN.
Gait speed as a mediator of the effect of sarcopenia on dependency in activities of daily living
Authors: Perez‐Sousa Miguel A. , Venegas‐Sanabria Luis Carlos , Chavarro‐Carvajal Diego Andrés , Cano‐Gutierrez Carlos Alberto , Izquierdo Mikel , Correa‐Bautista Jorge Enrique , Ramírez‐Vélez Robinson
Published: May 2019

Background

Sarcopenia in older adults is strongly associated with an increase in dependency in activities of daily living (ADL) and with a decline in gait speed. Interestingly, gait speed has been shown to independently predict mortality. In this context, our study aimed to explore the mediator role of gait speed on the relationship between sarcopenia and dependency in ADL.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted in Colombia, 19 705 older adults with a mean age of 70 years, 55.6% women, 16.1% with sarcopenia, and 14.7% mild, moderate, or severe dependency in ADL, according to ‘SABE Survey 2015’. Sarcopenia was assessed by calf circumference and ADL dependence through the Barthel Index. Gait speed was measured over a distance of 3 m. The association between sarcopenia condition and gait speed and dependency level was analysed by linear regression adjusted by covariates. To examine whether gait speed mediated the association between sarcopenia and dependence components of physical function, simple mediation models were generated using ordinary least squares with the macro PROCESS version 3.2, adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI).

Results

Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in gait speed and dependency in ADL between the sarcopenia and non‐sarcopenia groups after adjusting for age, sex, and BMI. BMI was significantly higher in the non‐sarcopenia group whereas dependency was significantly higher in the sarcopenia group (19.6% vs. 13.8%). Results from mediation model regression analysis indicated a significant and direct detrimental effect of sarcopenia on dependency in ADL (β = −0.05; P < 0.001), and a significant indirect effect of gait speed on the direct effect (−0.009 to −0.004).

Conclusions

The negative effect of sarcopenia on functional dependence was mediated by the gait speed. Therefore, gait speed may positively influence the detrimental effect of sarcopenia for dependency, after adjusting for age, gender, and BMI. Consequently, physical exercise should be promoted and focused to circumvent the gait speed decline associated with age in older people with sarcopenia.
Electrospray ionization collision induced dissociation of thiocarbocyanine and selenocarbocyanine dyes
Authors: Kaczorowska Małgorzata A. , Jędrzejewska Beata
Published: May 2019

The effect of the properties of sulphur and selenium atoms, the composition and location of substituents (―CH3, ―OCH3, ―C2H5, and ―C3H6―((N+Br−)C5H5)), and the charge state on the collision induced dissociation (CID) behaviour of ions generated by electrospray ionization (ESI) of thiocarbocyanine and selenocarbocyanine dyes have been investigated. The results show that, for of all the examined singly charged ions, the main dissociation channel was related to the formation of distonic ions, generated as a result of cleavages within the dimethine bridge. In the case of doubly charged ions (with propyl‐pyridinium substituents), competition between fragmentation processes related to charges located at different nitrogen atoms has been observed. The S/Se replacement also has an impact on the CID behaviour of the examined carbocyanine dyes. On the basis of the performed CID MS/MS experiments, general rules for the CID of thiocarbocyanine and selenocarbocyanine dyes have been proposed.
A fast and simple approach for the quantification of 40 illicit drugs, medicines, and pesticides in blood and urine samples by UHPLC‐MS/MS
Authors: Franco de Oliveira Sarah C. W. S. E. , Zucoloto Alexandre D. , de Oliveira Carolina D. R. , Hernandez Edna M. M. , Fruchtengarten Ligia V. G. , de Oliveira Tiago F. , Yonamine Mauricio
Published: May 2019

A fast and simple approach to overcome challenges in emergency toxicological analysis, using ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐MS/MS) has been developed, for the detection of analytes in blood and urine samples from the following drug classes: analgesics, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, drugs of abuse, and pesticides. These substances are relevant in the context of emergency toxicology in Brazil. The sample preparation procedure was relatively easy and fast to perform. The method was fully validated giving limits of in the range of 0.5 and 20 ng mL−1 for blood and urine samples. The intraday and interday precision and accuracy were considered adequate for all analytes once the relative standard deviation (RSD) (%) was lower than 20% for quality control (QC) low and lower than 15% for CQ medium and high. The developed method was successfully applied to 320 real samples collected at the Poison Control Center of São Paulo, and 89.1% have shown to be positive for some of the analytes. This confirms its applicability and importance to emergency toxicological analysis, and it could be very useful in both fields of clinical and forensic toxicology.
Clinical characteristics of the lower respiratory tract infection caused by a single infection or coinfection of the human parainfluenza virus in children
Authors: Zhong Peipei , Zhang Hailin , Chen Xiaofang , Lv Fangfang
Published: May 2019

Background

Human parainfluenza virus (HPIV), usually combined with other pathogens, causes lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in children. However, clinical characteristics of HPIV coinfection with other pathogens were unclear. This study aimed to investigate the viral and atypical bacterial etiology of LRTI in children and compare the clinical characteristics of HPIV single infection with those of coinfection.

Methods

This study included 1335 patients, aged between 1 to 71 months, diagnosed with LRTI in Yuying Children's Hospital, Zhejiang, China, from December 2013 to June 2015. Nasopharyngeal secretions were collected, and respiratory pathogens were detected using Multiplex polymerase chain reaction. The clinical data of patients were collected and analyzed.

Results

At least 1 pathogen was detected in 1181/1335 (88.5%) patients. The pathogens identified most frequently were respiratory syncytial virus, human rhinovirus, HPIV, adenovirus, and human metapneumovirus. The coinfection rate was 24.8%. HPIV coinfection with other viruses was more associated with running nose, shortness of breath, and oxygen support compared with HPIV single infection. Moreover, HPIV coinfection with atypical bacteria was more related to running nose, moist rales, and longer hospital duration compared with HPIV single infection, and also to longer hospital duration compared with coinfection with other viruses.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that viral infections were highly associated with LRTI and the rate of coinfection was high. HPIV single infection was milder than coinfection with other viruses. Moreover, HPIV coinfection with atypical bacteria was more serious than HPIV single infection and coinfection with other viruses.
Management of complicated tumor response to tyrosine‐kinase inhibitors in gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Authors: Tirotta Fabio , Fumagalli Elena , Colombo Chiara , Morosi Carlo , Barisella Marta , Radaelli Stefano , Frezza Anna M. , Casali Paolo G. , Gronchi Alessandro , Fiore Marco
Published: May 2019

Background

The aim was to describe complicated tumor response (CTR) to tyrosine‐kinase inhibitors (TKI) in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) patients.

Methods

From 2001 to 2017, data from patients with metastatic (group A) or locally advanced (group B) GIST who received TKI at our institution were collected. We defined CTR as bleeding, abscess, or perforation as surgical complications of TKI. Patients who had progressive disease were excluded. Clinical characteristics were assessed, and time of occurrence and mortality rate recorded.

Results

Among 470 patients, 30 developed CTR (6.4%), 26 in group A (6.8%) and four in group B (4.5%) (P = 0.43). Bleeding, abscess, and perforation, respectively, were observed in 17 (56.7%), 8 (26.7%), and 5 (16.7%) patients. A conservative approach was possible in 17 (56.7%) cases; four (13.3%) patients received percutaneous drainage, while nine (30%) underwent emergency surgery. The overall rate of mortality was 13.3%. CTR occurred after 1.6 months (median time) from the imatinib mesylate onset in group B and 14 months in group A.

Conclusions

While the risk of CTR in early metastatic patients is virtually nil, patients with locally advanced disease should be monitored carefully. CTR as a consequence of TKI therapy do not prevent patients receiving a potentially curative surgery.
Mule deer juniper use is an unreliable indicator of habitat quality: Comments on Coe et al. (2018)
Authors: Maestas Jeremy D. , Hagen Christian A. , Smith Joseph T. , Tack Jason D. , Allred Brady W. , Griffiths Tim , Bishop Chad J. , Stewart Kelley M. , Naugle David E.
Published: May 2019

A recent paper by Coe et al. (2018) calls into question juniper removal for sagebrush obligate species based on results from a correlative study of mule deer habitat use. Our rebuttal clarifies limitations of inference in their study regarding mule deer habitat quality, highlights the importance of winter forage on demography with omitted literature, and discusses the diverse nature of the author's study area and the spatial overlap between mule deer winter range and known juniper treatments for sage‐grouse.
Feasibility of a Video‐Mosaicking Approach to Extend the Field‐of‐View For Reflectance Confocal Microscopy in the Oral Cavity In Vivo
Authors: Peterson Gary , Zanoni Daniella Karassawa , Ardigo Marco , Migliacci Jocelyn C. , Patel Snehal G. , Rajadhyaksha Milind
Published: May 2019

Background

Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a developing approach for noninvasive detection of oral lesions with label‐free contrast and cellular‐level resolution. For access into the oral cavity, confocal microscopes are being configured with small‐diameter telescopic probes and small objective lenses. However, a small probe and objective lens allows for a rather small field‐of‐view relative to the large areas of tissue that must be examined for diagnosis. To extend the field‐of‐view for intraoral RCM imaging, we are investigating a video‐mosaicking approach.

Methods

A relay telescope and objective lens were adapted to an existing confocal microscope for access into the oral cavity. Imaging was performed using metal three‐dimensional‐printed objective lens front‐end caps with coverslip windows to contact and stabilize the tissue and set depth. Four healthy volunteers (normal oral mucosa), one patient (with an amalgam tattoo) in a clinical setting, and 20 anesthetized patients (with oral squamous cell carcinoma [OSCC]) in a surgical setting were imaged. Instead of the usual still RCM images, videos were recorded and then processed into video‐mosaics. Thirty video‐mosaics were read and qualitatively assessed by an expert reader of RCM images of the oral mucosa.

Results

Whereas the objective lens’ native field‐of‐view is 0.75 mm × 0.75 mm, the video‐mosaics display larger areas, ranging from 2 mm × 2 mm to 4 mm × 2 mm, with resolution, morphologic detail, and image quality that is preserved relative to that observed in the original videos (individual images). Video‐mosaics in healthy volunteers’ and the patients’ images showed cellular morphologic patterns in the lower epithelium and at the epithelial junction, and connective tissue along with capillary loops and blood flow in the deeper lamina propria. In OSCC, tumor nests could be observed along with normal looking mucosa in margin areas.

Conclusions

Video‐mosaicking is a reasonably quick and efficient approach for extending the field‐of‐view of RCM imaging, which can, to some extent, overcome the inherent limitation of an intraoral probe's small field‐of‐view. Reading video‐mosaics can mimic the procedure for examining pathology: initial visualization of the spatial cellular and morphologic patterns of the tumor and the spread of tumor margins over larger areas of the lesion, followed by digitally zooming (magnifying) for closer inspection of suspicious areas. However, faster processing of videos into video‐mosaics will be necessary, to allow examination of video‐mosaics in real‐time at the bedside. Lasers Surg. Med. 51:439–451, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Peptide Amphiphile Supramolecular Nanostructures as a Targeted Therapy for Atherosclerosis
Authors: Mansukhani Neel A. , Peters Erica B. , So Miranda M. , Albaghdadi Mazen S. , Wang Zheng , Karver Mark R. , Clemons Tristan D. , Laux Jeffrey P. , Tsihlis Nick D. , Stupp Samuel I. , Kibbe Melina R.
Published: May 2019

The rising prevalence of cardiovascular disease worldwide necessitates novel therapeutic approaches to manage atherosclerosis. Intravenously administered nanostructures are a promising noninvasive approach to deliver therapeutics that reduce plaque burden. The drug liver X receptor agonist GW3965 (LXR) can reduce atherosclerosis by promoting cholesterol efflux from plaque but causes liver toxicity when administered systemically at effective doses, thus preventing its clinical use. The ability of peptide amphiphile nanofibers containing apolipoprotein A1–derived targeting peptide 4F to serve as nanocarriers for LXR delivery (ApoA1‐LXR PA) in vivo is investigated here. These nanostructures are found to successfully target atherosclerotic lesions in a mouse model within 24 h of injection. After 8 weeks of intravenous administration, the nanostructures significantly reduce plaque burden in both male and female mice to a similar extent as LXR alone in comparison to saline‐treated controls. Furthermore, they do not cause increased liver toxicity in comparison to LXR treatments, which may be related to more controlled release by the nanostructure. These findings demonstrate the potential of supramolecular nanostructures as safe, effective drug nanocarriers to manage atherosclerosis.
Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Polymeric Structure Analysis: A Comparison of Two Common MALDI–ToF/ToF Techniques
Authors: Town James S. , Jones Glen R. , Hancox Ellis , Shegiwal Ataulla , Haddleton David M.
Published: May 2019

Tandem mass spectrometry is a powerful technique for investigating polymer architecture. However, in‐depth studies of the technique for polymers is relatively lacking when compared to other areas of mass spectrometry (MS). This paper examines the use laser‐induced dissociation and collision‐induced dissociation (CID) in MALDI–LIFT–ToF/ToF experiments to compare the usage of the two techniques on a range of polymeric analytes. It is demonstrated that for samples with an energetically preferable fragmentation pathway, such as those with a functional group in the backbone or a labile end group, post source decay (PSD) provides a simplified spectra with an increased pathway selectivity due to its utilization of metastable decay. This makes PSD a preferable technique for polymer sequencing, especially in low‐resolution time‐of‐flight techniques. Conversely, CID fragments less selectively, leading to higher intensity peaks from less favorable fragmentations. This makes CID more preferred for exact structural determination, such as finding the repeat unit structure.
Sensitivity of a weather research and forecasting model to downscaling schemes in ensemble rainfall estimation
Authors: Cai Junyi , Zhu Jingxuan , Dai Qiang , Yang Qiqi , Zhang Shuliang
Published: May 2019

Rainfall estimation using the weather research and forecasting (WRF) model is sensitive to physical parameterizations and downscaling configurations. Concerned with the correlations between physical parameterizations and dynamical downscaling, these significant issues were considered simultaneously in this study, and WRF‐based ensembles were integrated and used to estimate eight representative rainfall events. The results revealed that both rainfall estimates and intensities were sensitive to downscaling configurations. Specifically, light rainfall events that were homogeneous over space and time were estimated well using a 5 km horizontal resolution and were overestimated with a 1 km resolution where the planetary boundary layer (PBL) schemes were probably the source of positive errors in light rain conditions. However, when the rainfall was intense and displayed spatiotemporal heterogeneity, the rainfall peaks and volume were only well estimated with a 1 km resolution where cumulus (CU) schemes were the dominant schemes, demonstrating that higher resolutions could better reproduce rainfall patterns for wetter cases. At a 10 km horizontal resolution, the simulations did not display much accuracy, and different physics schemes did not make a substantial difference. Therefore, the rainfall characteristics cannot be ignored. More importantly, the contributions of microphysics, CU and PBL ensembles were quantified, and the sensitivities of the rainfall estimates to three downscaling configurations were studied.
LncRNA MEG3 inhibits trophoblast invasion and trophoblast‐mediated VSMC loss in uterine spiral artery remodeling
Authors: Tao Hui , Liu Xiaoping , Liu Xiaoxia , Liu Weifang , Wu Di , Wang Rongli , Lv Gang
Published: May 2019

Extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) migrate into uterine decidua and induce vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) loss through mechanisms thought to involve migration and apoptosis, achieving complete spiral artery remodeling. Long noncoding RNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) can regulate diverse cellular processes, such as proliferation and migration, and has been discovered highly expressed in human placenta tissues. However, little is known about the role of MEG3 in modulating EVT functions and EVT‐induced VSMC loss. In this study, we first examined the location of MEG3 in human first‐trimester placenta by in situ hybridization. Then, exogenous upregulation of MEG3 in HTR‐8/SVneo cells was performed to investigate the effects of MEG3 on EVT motility and EVT capacity to displace VSMCs. Meanwhile, the molecules mediating EVT‐induced VSMC loss, such as tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), Fas ligand (FasL), and tumor necrosis factor‐α‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) were detected at transcriptional and translational levels. Finally, VSMCs were cocultured with MEG3‐upregulated HTR‐8/SVneo to explore the role of MEG3 on EVT‐mediated VSMC migration and apoptosis. Results showed that MEG3 was expressed in trophoblasts in placental villi and decidua, and MEG3 enhancement inhibited HTR‐8/SVneo migration and invasion. Meanwhile, the displacement of VSMCs by HTR‐8/SVneo and the expression of TNF‐α, FasL and TRAIL in HTR‐8/SVneo were reduced following MEG3 overexpression in HTR‐8/SVneo. Furthermore, HTR‐8/SVneo with MEG3 upregulation impaired VSMC migration and apoptosis. The PI3K/Akt pathway, which is possibly downstream, was inactivated in MEG3‐upregulated HTR‐8/SVneo. These findings suggest that MEG3 might be a negative regulator of spiral artery remodeling via suppressing EVT invasion and EVT‐mediated VSMC loss.
Walleye Genetic Characterization in the Northern Ceded Territory of Wisconsin: Implications for Stocking Using Conservation Strategies
Authors: Hammen J. J. , Sloss B. L.
Published: May 2019

Genetic diversity is a vital consideration for fisheries management, and in Wisconsin, it has been an explicit goal to preserve the genetic integrity of naturally recruiting Walleye Sander vitreus populations. It is unknown whether current management areas reflect the current genetic structure of naturally recruiting Walleye in the Northern Ceded Territory (NCT; approximately the northern third of the state). Our objectives were to test whether significant genetic structure exists among the NCT naturally recruiting Walleye and compare that genetic structure to current watershed management areas. We used 10 microsatellite loci to determine Walleye genetic structure through genetic stock identification. Walleye (N = 1,239) were genotyped from 25 sample locations distributed throughout the NCT. Genetic differentiation was estimated by calculating pairwise measures between sample locations using the fixation index GST and the differentiation index Dest. Admixture and no-admixture models were used in STRUCTURE to find estimated sample location groupings. Analyses identified four groups with an east–west divide and two additional independent groups. These genetic groups generally conformed with geographic location in the NCT and current watershed management areas in Wisconsin (N = 6). Some discrepancies between genetic characterization of sample locations and watershed management areas did exist. The Green Bay (easternmost) watershed management area sample was not found to be genetically distinct from the upper Wisconsin River basin sample locations. Wisconsin glacial recession is a likely determinant of genetic structure in NCT Walleye. Postglacial geological events and historical stocking events across watershed boundaries may have influenced some of the current genetic structure observed in the upper Wisconsin and upper Chippewa River headwaters, with the genetic grouping of Millicent Lake and Willow Flowage having consistent genetic characterization. Maintaining genetic integrity within management activities (e.g., propagation programs) will help to maintain and support the long-term stability of naturally recruiting Walleye in the NCT of Wisconsin.
Complications of urethral bulking therapy for female stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Kocjancic Ervin , Mourad Sherif , Acar Ömer
Published: May 2019

Aims

To review, report, and discuss the complications associated with urethral bulking therapy in female stress urinary incontinence.

Methods

An extensive nonsystematic literature review on complications associated with injectable bulking agents used in the clinical practice was conducted. We reviewed articles published in English and indexed in the PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar databases. Original articles, case reports, and case series were taken into consideration. Data regarding the safety of injectable bulking agents and the complications associated with their utility within the context of urethral bulking therapy for female stress urinary incontinence were extracted and discussed.

Results

Approximately, 1/3 of the patients experience some type of a complication after urethral bulking therapy. The majority of these complications are of low grade, transient, do not necessitate additional surgical intervention, and amenable to treatment with conservative measures such as clean intermittent catheterization and antibiotics. However, more serious complications such as abscess formation, delayed hypersensitivity reactions, and vaginal erosion have been reported. Some of the injectable bulking agents have been withdrawn from the market because of their unfavorable adverse effect profile.

Conclusions

Urethral bulking therapy can be considered as a low‐risk procedure. However, it is not without complications which can be severe in rare instances. The search for the ideal urethral bulking agent is ongoing and future comparative studies assessing the safety and efficacy of these compounds in randomized controlled settings are warranted.
Invasive mold disease of the central nervous system in children and adolescents with cancer or undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Analysis of 29 contemporary patients
Authors: Lauten Melchior , Attarbaschi Andishe , Cario Gunnar , Döring Michaela , Moser Olga , Mücke Urs , Poyer Fiona , Rieken Sarah , Temme Christian , Voigt Sebastian , Lehrnbecher Thomas , Groll Andreas H.
Published: May 2019

Background

Invasive mold disease (IMD) is a severe infectious complication in immunocompromised patients. The outcome of central nervous system (CNS) IMD is poor, but contemporary data, in particular in the pediatric setting, are lacking.

Procedure

For this retrospective multicenter analysis, pediatric patients < 18 years with proven or probable CNS IMD receiving chemotherapy or undergoing allogeneic HSCT were reported by the local investigator. CNS IMD had to be diagnosed between 2007 and 2016. Proven CNS IMD was defined as compatible CNS imaging or macroscopic autopsy findings in conjunction with a positive microscopic or microbiological result in the brain tissue or cerebrospinal fluid. Probable CNS IMD was defined as compatible CNS imaging findings in combination with proven or probable IMD at a site outside the CNS.

Results and conclusions

A total of 29 patients (median age, 14 years; 14 allogeneic HSCT recipients) were diagnosed with proven (n = 12) or probable (n = 17) CNS IMD. Aspergillus spp. was the most common fungal pathogen. All but one patient had IMD sites outside the CNS and eight patients (27.6%) were neurologically asymptomatic at diagnosis of CNS IMD. Forty‐nine percent of the patients survived CNS IMD; however, 46.7% of the survivors suffered from severe long‐term neurological sequelae. Our data suggest that (1) outcome of CNS IMD has improved in children as compared with previous series, (2) half of surviving patients suffer from severe neurological sequelae, and (3) imaging of the CNS should be performed in all children with IMD irrespective of neurological symptoms.
Time for a gut check: Pancreatic sufficiency resulting from CFTR modulator use
Authors: Megalaa Rosemary , Gopalareddy Vani , Champion Elizabeth , Goralski Jennifer L.
Published: May 2019

Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency in cystic fibrosis is genetically determined and generally felt to be irreversible. However, recent studies in young children started on cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators have suggested improvement of pancreatic functioning over time. Here, we present the case of a 10‐year‐old child with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency since birth who regained pancreatic functioning after 4 years on the CFTR corrector drug, ivacaftor.
Investigation of GaN with Low Threading Dislocation Density Grown on Graphene/Sputtered AlN Composite Substrate
Authors: Zhang Yachao , Su Kai , Guo Rui , Xu Shengrui , Chen Dazheng , Zhu Jiaduo , Bao Weimin , Zhang Jincheng , Ning Jing , Hao Yue
Published: May 2019

High‐quality GaN film is grown on graphene with the underneath sputtered AlN modified layer using metal organic chemical vapor deposition. Due to the modulation effect of sputtered AlN on the surface potential and the chemical reactivity of graphene, the nucleation probability of GaN is significantly improved. The GaN epitaxial layer shows excellent crystal quality and surface morphology, and has very low threading dislocation density of 1.78 × 108 cm−2. Furthermore, the mechanism of threading dislocation suppression is revealed according to the transmission electron microscope results. The improved nucleation probability and enhanced lateral growth mode lead to the formation of short‐range stacking faults in c‐plane GaN, which block the propagation of threading dislocations along the growth direction. Moreover, the formation and evolution mechanism of the short‐range stacking faults are discussed. The results in this work not only offer a promising approach to propel the widespread application of GaN on graphene, but also provide a new idea for the regulation and suppression of defects in the growth of nitride semiconductors.
Characterization of the Effects of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells on Mouse and Human Islet Function
Authors: Arzouni Ahmed A. , Vargas-Seymour Andreia , Dhadda Paramjeet K. , Rackham Chloe L. , Huang Guo-Cai , Choudhary Pratik , King Aileen J. F. , Jones Peter M.
Published: May 2019

Islet transplantation has the potential to cure type 1 diabetes, but current transplantation protocols are not optimal and there is extensive loss of islet β-cell insulin secretory function during the immediate post-transplantation period. Studies using experimental models of diabetes have shown that the coculture of islets with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) prior to transplantation improves graft function, but several variables differed among research groups (e.g., type of MSCs used and the treatment conditions). We have therefore assessed the effects of MSCs on mouse and human islets by investigating the importance of tissue source for MSCs, the coculture protocol configuration and length, the effect of activated MSCs, and different β-cell secretory stimuli. MSCs derived from adipose tissue (aMSCs) were the most effective at supporting β-cell insulin secretion in both mouse and human islets, in a direct contact coculture configuration. Preculture with aMSCs enhanced both phases of glucose-induced insulin secretion and further enhanced secretory responses to the non-nutrients carbachol and arginine. These effects required a coculture period of 48–72 hours and were not dependent on activation of the MSCs. Thus, direct contact coculture with autologous, adipose-derived MSCs for a minimum of 48 hours before implantation is likely to be an effective addition to human islet transplantation protocols. Stem Cells Translational Medicine  2019;8:935–944
A behavioral theory of alliance portfolio reconfiguration: Evidence from pharmaceutical biotechnology
Authors: Kavusan Korcan , Frankort Hans T. W.
Published: May 2019

Research Summary

Extant research suggests that firms rationally evaluate external and/or internal contingencies when deciding how to reconfigure their alliance portfolios. We advance a behavioral perspective which assumes that managers are boundedly rational and thus rely on behavioral heuristics when making alliance portfolio reconfiguration decisions. In panel data on U.S.‐listed biotechnology firms, we find that below‐aspiration performance motivates a firm to form alliances with novel partners within the resource scope of its existing alliance portfolio. This effect is weakened by equity ties with existing partners and strengthened by firm‐specific uncertainty. Conversely, above‐aspiration performance leads to new alliances with existing partners but outside the resource scope of the firm's existing alliance portfolio. Finally, as organizational slack increases, a firm forms alliances with novel partners focusing on new‐to‐the‐portfolio resources.

Managerial Summary

We study why and how firms change the configuration of their alliance portfolios over time. We find that actual performance relative to performance objectives, and firms' excess resources, are important drivers of such change. The more firms fail to meet their performance objectives, the more likely they are to form alliances with novel partners focusing on areas in which they already have one or more alliances with other partners. The more firms exceed their performance objectives, the greater their inclination to form alliances with their existing partners in areas in which they do not yet have alliances. The greater the stock of excess resources, the greater firms' propensities to form alliances with novel partners focusing on areas in which they do not yet have alliances.
Ordered‐Assembly Conductive Nanowires Array with Tunable Polymeric Structure for Specific Organic Vapor Detection
Authors: Jiang Xiangyu , Zhang Xiqi , Wu Yuchen , Li Yunqi , Pang Jinhui , Zhang Haitao , Jiang Lei
Published: May 2019

An artificial organic vapor sensor based on a finite number of 1D nanowires arrays can provide a strategy to allow classification and identification of different analytes with high efficiency, but fabricating a 1D nanowires array is challenging. Here, a coaxial Ag/polymer nanowires array is prepared as an organic vapor sensor with specific recognition, using a strategy combining superwettability‐based nanofabrication and polymeric swelling‐induced resistance change. Such organic vapor sensor containing commercial polymers can successfully classify and identify various organic vapors with good separation efficiency. An Ag/polymer nanowires array with synthetic polyethersulfone polymers is also fabricated, through molecular structure modification of the polymers, to distinguish the similar organic vapors of methanol and ethanol. Theoretical simulation results demonstrate introduction of specific molecular interaction between the designed polymers and organic vapors can improve the specific recognition performance of the sensors.
Thymosin alpha‐1; a natural peptide inhibits cellular proliferation, cell migration, the level of reactive oxygen species and promotes the activity of antioxidant enzymes in human lung epithelial adenocarcinoma cell line (A549)
Authors: Kharazmi‐Khorassani Jasmin , Asoodeh Ahmad
Published: May 2019

This research was conducted to investigate the biochemical effects of thymosin alpha‐1 using human lung cancer cells (A549). The A549 cells were treated with different concentrations of Thα1 for 24 h and the growth, inhibition of cells was determined. Thα1 revealed anti‐proliferative effect at 24 and 48 μg/ml after 24 h. Furthermore, it indicated antioxidant properties by significantly enhancing the activity of catalase (12 μg/ml), superoxide dismutase (6 and 12 μg/ml), and glutathione peroxidase (3, 6 and 12 μg/ml) and reducing the production of cellular ROS. Our results showed that Thα1 inhibits the migration of A549 cells in a concentration‐dependent manner after 24 and 48 h. Moreover, the effect of Thα1 on apoptosis was investigated by Hoechst 33342 staining and cell cycle analysis. Results demonstrated no significant effect on the induction of apoptosis in A549 cells. In conclusion, our results showed the antioxidant properties of Thα1 on A549 cancer cells.
An Empirical Study of the Role of Student Employment in Leadership Learning
Authors: Lewis Jonathan S.
Published: May 2019

Does student employment predict leadership development? Is leadership defined by a person or a process? A recent study investigated these questions and makes recommendations for preparing working college students to tackle contemporary problems.
Leadership Development in Paraprofessional Roles
Authors: Hernandez Cynthia L. , Smith Hollie G.
Published: May 2019

Paraprofessional leadership development is essential to prepare students for success in their future careers. Utilizing two extensive case studies, this chapter serves as a guide for practitioners to consider when redesigning the experiences of paraprofessional students.
Student Leadership Today, Professional Employment Tomorrow
Authors: Gott Trisha , Bauer Tamara , Long Kaitlin
Published: May 2019

This chapter describes a model for elevating students as colleagues driven by student leadership development. Treating students as colleagues allows organizations to transcend traditional employment roles, and to develop leadership identity while preparing students for leadership as professionals.
Introduction
Authors: Kaša Rita , Mieriņa Inta
Published: May 2019

This volume contributes to research on migration from Latvia, a country in Central Eastern Europe (CEE), following the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1991. The experience of independent Latvia with borders opening up to the world and more specifically to the West has turned out to be both a rewarding and wounding experience for communities in the country. On the rewarding side, individuals have gained liberty – an ability to travel the world freely, to see and live in the countries which were beyond the closed doors of the Soviet Union just some decades ago. This freedom, however, has also brought the sense of cost to the society – people are going abroad as if dissolving into other worlds, away from their small homeland. The context of decreasing birth rates and ageing in the country seems to amplify a feeling of loss which is supported by hard evidence. Research shows a worrying 17% decline in Latvia’s population between 2000 and 2013. One third of this is due to declining birth rates and two-thirds is caused by emigration (Hazans 2016). This situation has turned out to be hurtful experience for communities in Latvia causing a heightened sense of grief especially during the Great Recession which shook the country at the end of the first decade of the twenty-first century. By 2013 the feeling of crises even larger than the economic downturn came to a head in Latvian society, pushing the government for the first time in the history of independent Latvia to recognise the migration of the country’s nationals and to acknowledge diaspora politics as an important item on the national policy agenda.
Latvian Emigrants in the United States: Different Waves, Different Identities?
Authors: Saulītis Andris , Mieriņa Inta
Published: May 2019

This chapter studies the relationships and interaction among the Latvian emigrants from different migration waves in the United States. It specifically examines reasons for the inability of the existing and politically and culturally active Latvian diaspora community in the United States to integrate newcomers from Latvia. The diaspora community is formed mostly of migrants who left Latvia after World War II. The research is based on a mix of two sources of information and methods – qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews with the ‘new’ Latvian emigrants in the United States in 2014, who began arriving there in 1991 and quantitative data analysis of The Emigrant Communities of Latvia survey. The study illustrates that the migrants from the most recent emigration wave distance themselves to a large extent from the previous migration wave. Additionally, the most recent migrants do not have strong social ties or active networks with Latvians back home and, therefore, cannot be considered as being a part of a transnational community, which is a characteristic of the previous Latvian migration wave. Instead, the migrants from the most recent wave base their belonging on the notion of having roots in Europe in terms of cultural heritage and identity. For this reason, they are to be considered as so-called ‘nomadic’ migrants, although this differs substantially from the way the concept is used in the academic literature so far – there is no return point back home, as they only look forward.
‘I Am One of Them’: Exploring the Communication of Identity of Latvian Migrants on Social Networking Sites
Authors: Bucholtz Ianis , Sūna Laura
Published: May 2019

This chapter analyses how ethnic transnational identities are manifested and negotiated on the social networking sites used by Latvian migrants. Although migrants as well as other people use various personal media, including Skype, chat apps such as WhatsApp and telephones, social networking sites stand out with the diversity of functions in migrant communication. This includes one-to-one exchanges, group communication and the ability to locate and connect with users who may or may not be familiar offline. We argue that social networking sites and particularly thematic groups on these sites that migrants create and join serve as forums or bulletin boards where they exchange practical information and are able to communicate with other Latvians who live nearby – and that these uses have implications for the communication of identity. The empirical data in the chapter comes from 20 semi-structured interviews with Latvian migrants who live in a variety of countries and were recruited for the study on social networking sites, as well as survey data, all of which were collected within the research project The Emigrant Communities of Latvia: National Identity, Transnational Relations and Diaspora Politics. The results demonstrate that migrant interactions on social networking sites do not necessarily lead to the homogenisation of migrants’ conception of what ‘being a Latvian’ means. The increased ability to maintain associations with diverse online and offline social circles provides a migrant with a variety of identity elements to associate with. As a result, hybrid identities may emerge. A migrant can identify with the host society yet still reject some of its characteristics – and choose Latvian alternatives instead.
The Nexus Between Higher Education Funding and Return Migration Examined
Authors: Kaša Rita
Published: May 2019

Asymmetrical international student mobility poses a challenge to the governments of countries sending students abroad to ensure their return home after graduation. Financial assistance tools such as student loan forgiveness are viewed as a solution to this challenge. Drawing on evidence in the case of Latvia, this chapter contributes to the literature testing the policy assumption that sending governments can influence the return migration decisions of international students by cancelling their student loans. This chapter presents The Emigrant Communities of Latvia survey data on higher education funding sources among international students from Latvia and the relationship between these sources and their return intentions. Using qualitative interview data, this chapter examines the effectiveness of student loan forgiveness in influencing the return migration decisions of global graduates from Latvia. The chapter concludes that the existing student loan forgiveness policy does little to prompt return migration.
An Integrated Approach to Surveying Emigrants Worldwide
Authors: Mieriņa Inta
Published: May 2019

This chapter describes the research design applied in the research project The Emigrant Communities of Latvia: National Identity, Transnational Relations and Diaspora Politics, which forms the empirical core of this volume. It discusses this methodology in the context of other migration studies and major surveys on migration. Compared to previous studies The Emigrant Communities of Latvia is the most inclusive in terms of the target audience. All Latvians and Latvian nationals abroad were invited to participate in the survey, applying a broad and open definition of ‘Latvian diaspora’ based on personal identification with the Latvian nation and/or citizenship. Being Web-based, the survey did not impose any limitations as to geographic location, aiming at all countries in the world. Combining a wide range of respondent recruitment channels and techniques and supported by a media campaign, the survey reached 14,068 respondents in 118 countries. Innovative solutions were used to increase response rates and to decrease attrition. Several research topics in this study required separate qualitative research approaches. Thus, 159 partly-structured in-depth interviews were also conducted in countries where the Latvian diaspora is largest, as well as in-depth interviews with return migrants and diaspora policy experts. The new methodology has far-reaching potential to be applied to the study of other migrant groups in Europe and beyond. Importantly, The Emigrant Communities of Latvia project has tested and empirically proven the potential of Web surveys in collecting the opinions of large populations of migrants in many countries.
Latvian Migrants in Foreign Labour Markets: Job Placement and Discrimination
Authors: Tabuns Aivars
Published: May 2019

The majority of migrants from Latvia move abroad intending to work, and so fall into the category of ‘work migrants’. A crucial role in their job placement is played by an increasingly complex network of intermediaries. This includes formal employment agencies, more informal, social network-based mediators and even illegal service providers. Despite the agencies providing job placements abroad being subject to regulations, fraud and the mistreatment of jobseekers has emerged as a cause for concern. Even when there is no ill will from the intermediaries, immigrant workers often suffer discrimination from their employers, sometimes leading to a re-evaluation of their return migration plans. This chapter explores the employment conditions of Latvian migrant workers. It analyses the operation of private employment agencies offering employment abroad and, in more general terms, sheds light from the Latvian migrant workers’ perspective on their treatment by employers. In doing so, this analysis demonstrates that almost a fifth of those respondents who used the services of private employment agencies had experienced unfair treatment. Moreover, at least one in three Latvian migrant workers encountered some form of discrimination at work, and around one in six were in a precarious and vulnerable position due to the nature of their employment contract. The chapter concludes with recommendations for further studies and policy development.
Identification of Rate, Extent, and Mechanisms of Hot Metal Resulfurization with CaO-SiO2-Na2O Slag Systems
Authors: Vuolio Tero , Visuri Ville-Valtteri , Paananen Timo , Fabritius Timo
Published: May 2019

The resulfurization of hot metal has not been comprehensively studied in literature. This study presents an experimental and mathematical modeling study of resulfurization in thermodynamic and kinetic point of view. The rate, extent, and mechanisms of resulfurization were evaluated by analyzing concurrently the physical properties and sulfur-extracting ability of the slag. Experiments were conducted in a chamber furnace in an argon atmosphere, and the hot metal was sampled with pre-defined basis. The experiments were continued until the metal–slag system reached an apparent thermodynamic equilibrium. To obtain a quantitative measure on the effect of system properties on the rate and extent of resulfurization, the results of this study were combined with previous studies handling the sulfide capacities of Na2O-SiO2 and CaO-SiO2-Na2O slag systems. The sulfide capacities of the slag and corresponding metal–slag sulfur partition ratios were mathematically modeled with data-driven techniques such as multiple linear and non-linear regression and artificial neural networks. Finally, with the help of these, to study the kinetics of resulfurization, a simple mechanistic reaction model was derived. The results suggest that resulfurization of hot metal follows 1st-order kinetics and that the rate and extent can be regulated through the control of the associated thermodynamic driving force and by modifying the physical properties of the slag. The rate-limiting factor was found to be determined by the morphology of the slag phase.