bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FoxA2 regulates the type II collagen–induced nucleus pulposus–like differentiation of adipose‐derived stem cells by activation of the Shh signaling pathway
Authors: Zhou Xiaopeng , Ma Chiyuan , Hu Bin , Tao Yiqing , Wang Jingkai , Huang Xianpeng , Zhao Tengfei , Han Bin , Li Hao , Liang Chengzhen , Chen Qixin , Li Fangcai
Published: June 2018

Adipose tissue–derived stem cell (ADSC)–based therapy is promising for the treatment of intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration, but the difficulty in inducing nucleus pulposus (NP)–like differentiation limits its clinical applications. Forkhead box (Fox)‐A2 is an essential transcription factor for the formation of a normal NP. We demonstrated that type II collagen stimulates NP‐like differentiation of ADSCs, partly by increasing the expression of FoxA2. We constructed FoxA2‐overexpressing and ‐knockdown ADSCs by using lentiviral vectors. FoxA2 overexpression significantly enhanced NP‐specific gene expression and the synthesis of glycosaminoglycan and collagen, whereas FoxA2 knockdown decreased NP‐like differentiation and the expression of aggrecan and collagen II. The enhanced NP‐like differentiation related to FoxA2 overexpression was partially rescued by an Shh signaling pathway inhibitor. In addition, FoxA2 inhibited the expression of Itg‐α2 and further promoted NP‐like differentiation induced by type II collagen. Furthermore, FoxA2‐overexpressing ADSCs combined with type II collagen hydrogels promoted regeneration of degenerated NP in vivo. Our findings suggest that FoxA2 plays an essential role in the NP‐like differentiation of ADSCs by activating the Shh signaling pathway.—Zhou, X., Ma, C., Hu, B., Tao, Y., Wang, J., Huang, X., Zhao, T., Han, B., Li, H., Liang, C., Chen, Q., Li, F. FoxA2 regulates the type II collagen–induced nucleus pulposus–like differentiation of adipose‐derived stem cells by activation of the Shh signaling pathway. FASEB J. 32, 6582–6595 (2018). www.fasebj.org
Candida albicanshyphal expansion causes phagosomal membrane damage and luminal alkalinization
Authors: Westman Johannes , Moran Gary , Mogavero Selene , Hube Bernhard , Grinstein Sergio
Published: June 2018

Macrophages rely on phagosomal acidity to destroy engulfed microorganisms. To survive this hostile response, opportunistic fungi such asCandida albicansdeveloped strategies to evade the acidic environment.C. albicansis polymorphic, able to convert from yeast to hyphae, and this transition is required to subvert the microbicidal activity of the phagosome. However, the phagosomal lumen, which is acidic and nutrient-deprived, inhibits yeast-to-hypha transition. To account for this apparent paradox, it was recently proposed thatC. albicansproduces ammonia that alkalinizes the phagosome, thus facilitating yeast-to-hypha transformation. We re-examined the mechanism underlying phagosomal alkalinization by applying dual-wavelength ratiometric pH measurements. The phagosomal membrane was found to be highly permeable to ammonia, which is therefore unlikely to account for the pH elevation. Instead, we find that yeast-to-hypha transition begins within acidic phagosomes, and that alkalinization is a consequence of proton leakage induced by excessive membrane distension caused by the expanding hypha.

IMPORTANCE

C. albicansis the most common nosocomial fungal infection, and over three million people acquire life-threatening invasive fungal infections every year. Even if antifungal drugs exist, almost half of these patients will die. Despite this, fungi remain underestimated as pathogens. Our study uses quantitative biophysical approaches to demonstrate that the yeast-to-hypha transition occurs within the nutrient deprived, acidic phagosome and that alkalinization is a consequence, as opposed to the cause of hyphal growth.
Rapid, specific detection and quantification ofYersinia pestisusing a species-specific SNP in the ferric uptake regulator gene (furMAMA)
Authors: Nilsson Pernille , Gurbanov Shair , Easterday W. Ryan
Published: June 2018

Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, is responsible for about 700 human cases of bubonic and pneumonic plague each year. Yet the disease is far more prevalent within rodent reservoirs than in humans. One of the main means of outbreak prevention is extensive wildlife surveillance, where accurate and rapid detection is essential to prevent spillover into the human population from which, it may otherwise spread more rapidly and over larger distances. Moreover, detection and quantification of the agent aids in investigative studies to understand aspects of the pathogen such as transmission mechanics, pathology, contamination risk and more. Partially based on a previously developed assay by Gabitzsch et al. 2008 we designed a TaqMan®mismatch amplification mutation assay (TaqMAMA) where a primer leverages a species-specific SNP in the chromosomal single copy ferric uptake regulator gene ofYersinia pestis. The assay allows for specific, rapid detection and quantification ofYersinia pestisusing only a single species-specific marker in a highly conserved virulence gene. This low-cost and simple modification of an existing assay eliminates the need for running multiple molecular markers for pathogen detection or performing time-consuming culturing and counting of colonies for quantification.
The dynamics of cortical GABA in human motor learning
Authors: Kolasinski James , Hinson Emily L. , Divanbeighi Zand Amir P. , Rizov Assen , Emir Uzay E. , Stagg Charlotte J.
Published: June 2018

The ability to learn novel motor skills is both a central part of our daily lives and can provide a model for rehabilitation after a stroke. However, there are still fundamental gaps in our understanding of the physiological mechanisms that underpin human motor plasticity. The acquisition of new motor skills is dependent on changes in local circuitry within the primary motor cortex (M1). This reorganisation has been hypothesised to be facilitated by a decrease in local inhibition via modulation of the neurotransmitter GABA, but this link has not been conclusively demonstrated in humans. Here, we used 7T MR Spectroscopy to investigate the dynamics of GABA concentrations in human M1 during the learning of an explicit, serial reaction time task. We observed a significant reduction in GABA concentration during motor learning that was not seen in an equivalent motor task lacking a learnable sequence, nor during a passive resting task of the same duration. No change in glutamate was observed in any group. Furthermore, baseline M1 GABA was strongly predictive of the degree of subsequent learning, such that greater inhibition was associated with poorer subsequent learning. This result suggests that higher levels of cortical inhibition may present a barrier that must be surmounted in order achieve an increase in M1 excitability, and hence encoding of a new motor skill. These results provide strong support for the mechanistic role of GABAergic inhibition in motor plasticity, raising questions regarding the link between population variability in motor learning and GABA metabolism in the brain.

Funding information

J.K.:Wellcome Trust Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellowship (204696/Z/16/Z). C.J.S.: Wellcome Trust/Royal Society Henry Dale Fellowships (102584/Z/13/Z).
Pulling the covers in electronic health records for an association study with self-reported sleep behaviors
Authors: Rhoades Seth D. , Bastarache Lisa , Denny Joshua C. , Hughey Jacob J.
Published: June 2018

The electronic health record (EHR) contains rich histories of clinical care, but has not traditionally been mined for information related to sleep habits. Here we performed a retrospective EHR study and derived a cohort of 3,652 individuals with self-reported sleep behaviors, documented from visits to the sleep clinic. These individuals were obese (mean body mass index 33.6 kg/m2) and had a high prevalence of sleep apnea (60.5%), however we found sleep behaviors largely concordant with prior prospective cohort studies. In our cohort, average wake time was one hour later and average sleep duration was 40 minutes longer on weekends than on weekdays (p<1·10−12). Sleep duration also varied considerably as a function of age, and tended to be longer in females and in whites. Additionally, through phenome-wide association analyses, we found an association of long weekend sleep with depression, and an unexpectedly large number of associations of long weekday sleep with mental health and neurological disorders (q<0.05). We then sought to replicate previously published genetic associations with morning/evening preference on a subset of our cohort with extant genotyping data (n=555). While those findings did not replicate in our cohort, a polymorphism (rs3754214) in high linkage disequilibrium with a previously published polymorphism nearTARS2was associated with long sleep duration (p<0.01). Collectively, our results highlight the potential of the EHR for uncovering the correlates of human sleep in real-world populations.
Transient and sustained control mechanisms supporting novel instructed behavior
Authors: Palenciano Ana F. , González-García Carlos , Arco Juan E. , Ruz María
Published: June 2018

The success of humans in novel environments is partially supported by our ability to implement new task procedures via instructions. This complex skill has been associated with the activity of control-related brain areas. Current models link fronto-parietal and a cingulo-opercular networks with transient and sustained modes of cognitive control, based on observations during repetitive task settings or rest (Dosenbach et al. 2008). The current study extends this dual model to novel instructed tasks. We employed a mixed design and an instruction-following task to extract phasic and tonic brain signals associated with the encoding and implementation of novel verbal rules. We also performed a representation similarity analysis to capture consistency in task-set encoding within trial epochs. Our findings show that both networks are involved while following novel instructions: transiently, during the implementation of the instruction, and in a sustained fashion, across novel trials blocks. Moreover, the multivariate results showed that task representations in the cingulo-opercular network were more stable than in the fronto-parietal one. Our data extend the dual model of cognitive control to novel demanding situations, highlighting the high flexibility of control-related regions in adopting different temporal profiles.
Essential Roles of theSPPRAFructose-Phosphate Phosphohydrolase Operon in Carbohydrate Metabolism and Virulence Expression byStreptococcus Mutans
Authors: Zeng Lin , Burne Robert A.
Published: June 2018

The dental caries pathogenStreptococcus mutanscan ferment a variety of sugars to produce organic acids. Exposure ofS. mutansto certain non-metabolizable carbohydrates such as xylitol impairs growth and can cause cell death. Recently, the presence of a sugar-phosphate stress inS. mutanswas demonstrated using a mutant lacking 1-phosphofructokinase (FruK) that accumulates fructose-1-phosphate (F-1-P). Here we studied an operon inS. mutans, sppRA, which was highly expressed in thefruKmutant. Biochemical characterization of a recombinant SppA protein indicated that it possessed hexose-phosphate phosphohydrolase activity, with preferences for F-1-P and, to a lesser degree, fructose-6-phosphate (F-6-P). SppA activity was stimulated by Mg2+and Mn2+, but inhibited by NaF. SppR, a DeoR-family regulator, repressed the expression of thesppRAoperon to minimum levels in the absence of the fructose-derived metabolites, F-1-P and likely also F-6-P. Accumulation of F-1-P, as a result of growth on fructose, not only inducedsppAexpression, it significantly altered biofilm maturation through increased cell lysis and enhanced extracellular DNA release. Constitutive expression ofsppA, via a plasmid or by deletingsppR, greatly alleviated fructose-induced stress in afruKmutant, enhanced resistance to xylitol, and reversed effects of fructose on biofilm formation. Finally, by identifying three additional putative phosphatases that are capable of promoting sugar-phosphate tolerance, we show thatS. mutansis capable of mounting a sugar-phosphate stress response by modulating the levels of certain glycolytic intermediates, functions that are interconnected with the ability of the organism to manifest key virulence behaviors.

Importance

Streptococcus mutansis a major etiologic agent for dental caries, primarily due to its ability to form biofilms on tooth surface and to convert carbohydrates into organic acids. We have discovered a two-gene operon inS. mutansthat regulates fructose metabolism by controlling the levels of fructose-1-phosphate, a potential signaling compound that affects bacterial behaviors. With fructose becoming increasingly common and abundant in the human diet, we reveal the ways fructose may alter bacterial development, stress tolerance, and microbial ecology in the oral cavity to promote oral diseases.
Spectrum of Neandertal introgression across modern-day humans indicates multiple episodes of human-Neandertal interbreeding
Authors: Villanea Fernando A. , Schraiber Joshua G.
Published: June 2018

1

Neandertals and anatomically modern humans overlapped geographically for a period of over 30,000 years following human migration out of Africa. During this period, Neandertals and humans interbred, as evidenced by Neandertal portions of the genome carried by non-African individuals today. A key observation is that the proportion of Neandertal ancestry is ∼12-20% higher in East Asian individuals relative to European individuals. Here, we explore various demographic models that could explain this observation. These include distinguishing between a single admixture event and multiple Neandertal contributions to either population, and the hypothesis that reduced Neandertal ancestry in modern Europeans resulted from more recent admixture with a ghost population that lacked a Neandertal ancestry component (the “dilution” hypothesis). In order to summarize the asymmetric pattern of Neandertal allele frequencies, we compile the joint fragment frequency spectrum (FFS) of European and East Asian Neandertal fragments and compare it to both analytical theory and data simulated under various models of admixture. Using maximum likelihood and machine learning, we found that a simple model of a single admixture does not fit the empirical data, and instead favor a model of multiple episodes of gene flow into both European and East Asian populations. These findings indicate more long-term, complex interaction between humans and Neandertals than previously appreciated.
Real Time PCR for the Evaluation of Treatment Response in Clinical Trials of Adult Chronic Chagas Disease: Usefulness of Serial Blood Sampling and qPCR Replicates
Authors: Parrado Rudy , Ramirez Juan Carlos , de la Barra Anabelle , Alonso-Vega Cristina , Juiz Natalia , Ortiz Lourdes , Illanes Daniel , Torrico Faustino , Gascon Joaquim , Alves Fabiana , Flevaud Laurence , Garcia Lineth , Schijman Alejandro G. , Ribeiro Isabela
Published: June 2018

This work evaluated a serial blood sampling procedure to enhance the sensitivity of duplex real time PCR (qPCR) for baseline detection and quantification of parasitic loads and post-treatment identification of failure in the context of clinical trials for treatment of chronic Chagas disease, namely DNDi-CH-E1224-001 (NCT01489228) and MSF-DNDi PCR sampling optimization study (NCT01678599). Patients from Cochabamba (N= 294), Tarija (N = 257), and Aiquile (N= 220) were enrolled. Three serial blood samples were collected at each time-point, and qPCR triplicates were tested per sample. The first two samples were collected during the same day and the third one seven days later.

A patient was considered PCR positive if at least one qPCR replicate was detectable. Cumulative results of multiple samples and qPCR replicates enhanced the proportion of pre-treatment sample positivity from 54.8 to 76.2%, 59.5 to 77.8%, and 73.5 to 90.2% in Cochabamba, Tarija, and Aiquile cohorts, respectively and increased cumulative detection of treatment failure from 72.9 to 91.7%, 77.8 to 88.9%, and 42.9 to 69.1% for E1224 low, short, and high dosage regimes, respectively; and from 4.6 to 15.9% and 9.5 to 32.1% for the benznidazole (BZN) arm in the DNDi-CH-E1224-001 and MSF-DNDi studies, respectively. The monitoring of patients treated with placebo in the DNDi-CH-E1224-001 trial revealed fluctuations in parasitic loads and occasional non-detectable results. This serial sampling strategy enhanced PCR sensitivity to detecting treatment failure during follow-up and has the potential for improving recruitment capacity in Chagas disease trials which require an initial positive qPCR result for patient admission.
SUMO-based expression and purification of dermcidin-derived DCD-1L, a human antimicrobial peptide, inEscherichia coli
Authors: Mohanraj Ushanandini , Kinnunen Oona , Kaya Meryem Ecem , Aranko Aino Sesilja , Viskari Heli , Linder Markus
Published: June 2018

The dermcidin-derived peptide DCD-1L has a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity over a wide pH range and in high salt concentrations. Thus, it offers a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics. Furthermore, it plays a role in wound healing, atopic dermatitis and acne vulgaris, indicating applications in cosmetic industries. Recently, dermcidin has been identified as a tumor marker improving cancer prognosis. Hence, large quantities of purified DCD-1L peptide are required to meet the needs of basic research and clinical trials. In the current study, we demonstrate SUMO-based heterologous DCD-1L production inEscherichia coli, followed by affinity chromatography purification. The SUMO tag is cleaved with SUMO-specific protease following purification, leaving free DCD-1L peptide without any additional amino acids. The mass of the peptide was further confirmed by MALDI-TOF-TOF analysis. Furthermore, the cleaved DCD-1L showed antimicrobial activity against theE. coliDH5 alpha test strain. The production and purification of DCD-1L using SUMO tag compare advantageously to other protocols previously described. Thus, the SUMO tag system enables large scale recombinant production of the antimicrobial peptide DCD-1L, which constitutes pharmaceutical and therapeutic potential as an alternative antibiotic.
Fungal adaptation to plant defenses through convergent assembly of metabolic modules
Authors: Gluck-Thaler Emile , Vijayakumar Vinod , Slot Jason C.
Published: June 2018

The ongoing diversification of plant defense compounds exerts dynamic selection pressures on the microorganisms that colonize plant tissues. Evolutionary processes that generate resistance towards these compounds increase microbial fitness by giving access to plant resources and increasing pathogen virulence. These processes entail sequence-based mechanisms that result in adaptive gene functions, and combinatorial mechanisms that result in novel syntheses of existing gene functions. However, the priority and interactions among these processes in adaptive resistance remains poorly understood. Using a combination of molecular genetic and computational approaches, we investigated the contributions of sequence-based and combinatorial processes to the evolution of fungal metabolic gene clusters encoding stilbene cleavage oxygenases (SCOs), which catalyze the degradation of biphenolic plant defense compounds known as stilbenes into monophenolic molecules. We present phylogenetic evidence of convergent assembly among three distinct types of SCO gene clusters containing alternate combinations of phenolic catabolism. Multiple evolutionary transitions between different cluster types suggest recurrent selection for distinct gene assemblages. By comparison, we found that the substrate specificities of heterologously expressed SCO enzymes encoded in different clusters types were all limited to stilbenes and related molecules with a 4’-OH group, and differed modestly in substrate range and activity under the experimental conditions. Together, this work suggests a primary role for genome structural rearrangement, and the importance of enzyme modularity, in promoting fungal metabolic adaptation to plant defense chemistry.
X-ray structures of human ETBreceptor provide mechanistic insight into receptor activation and partial activation
Authors: Shihoya Wataru , Izume Tamaki , Inoue Asuka , Yamashita Keitaro , Marie Ngako Kadji Francois , Hirata Kunio , Aoki Junken , Nishizawa Tomohiro , Nureki Osamu
Published: June 2018

Endothelin receptors (ETAand ETB) are class A GPCRs activated by vasoactive peptide endothelins, and are involved in blood pressure regulation. ETB-selective signaling induces vasorelaxation, and thus selective ETBagonists are expected to be utilized for improved anti-tumour drug delivery and neuroprotection. The effectiveness of a highly ETB-selective endothelin analogue, IRL1620, has been investigated in clinical trials. Here, we report the crystal structures of human ETBreceptor in complex with ETB-selective agonists, endohelin-3 and IRL1620. The 2.0 Å-resolution structure of the endothelin-3-bound receptor revealed that the disruption of water-mediated interactions between W6.48 and D2.50, which are highly conserved among class A GPCRs, is critical for receptor activation. These hydrogen-bonding interactions are partially preserved in the IRL1620-bound structure, and a functional analysis revealed the partial agonistic effect of IRL1620. The current findings clarify the detailed molecular mechanism for the coupling between the orthosteric pocket and the G-protein binding, and the partial agonistic effect of IRL1620, thus paving the way for the design of improved agonistic drugs targeting ETB.
Identification of Novel Common Breast Cancer Risk Variants in Latinas at the 6q25 Locus
Authors: Hoffman Joshua , Fejerman Laura , Hu Donglei , Huntsman Scott , Li Min , John Esther , Mejia Gabriela Torres , Kushi Larry , Ding Yuan Chun , Weitzel Jeffrey , Neuhausen Susan L. , Lott Paul ,   COLUMBUS Consortium, Echeverry Magdalena , Carmona Luis Carvajal , Burchard Esteban , Eng Celeste , Zheng Wei , Long Jirong , Olopade Olufunmilayo , Huo Dezheng , Haiman Christopher , Ziv Elad
Published: June 2018

Background: Breast cancer is a partially heritable trait and over 180 common genetic variants have been associated with breast cancer in genome wide association studies (GWAS). We have previously performed breast cancer GWAS in Latinas and identified a strongly protective single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at 6q25 with the protective minor allele originating from Indigenous American ancestry. Here we report on additional GWAS and replication in Latinas.

Methods: We performed GWAS in 2385 cases and 7342 controls who were either U.S. Latinas or Mexican women. We replicated 2412 cases and 1620 controls of U.S Latina, Mexican, and Colombian women. In addition, we replicated the top novel variants in study of African American and African women and in one study of Chinese women. In each dataset we used logistic regression models to test the association between SNPs and breast cancer risk and corrected for genetic ancestry using either principal components or genetic ancestry inferred from ancestry informative markers using a model based approach.

Results: We identified 3 SNPs (p=1.9×10-8 - 2.8×10-8) at 6q25 locus not in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with variants previously reported at this locus. These SNPs were in high LD with each other, with the top SNP, rs3778609, associated with breast cancer with an odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 0.75 (0.68-0.83). In a replication in women of Latin American origin, we also observed a consistent effect (OR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.78-0.99; p=0.037). Since the minor allele was common in East Asians and African American but not European ancestry populations, we replicated in a meta-analysis of those populations and also observed a consistent effect (OR 0.94; 95% CI: 0.91 – 0.97; p=0.013).

Conclusion: The effect size of this variant is relatively large compared to other common variants associated with breast cancer and adds to evidence about the importance of the 6q25 locus for breast cancer susceptibility. Our finding also highlights the utility of performing additional searches for genetic variants for breast cancer in non-European populations.
Data-driven multiscale modeling reveals the role of metabolic coupling for the spatio-temporal growth dynamics of yeast colonies
Authors: Intosalmi Jukka , Scott Adrian C. , Hays Michelle , Flann Nicholas , Yli-Harja Olli , Lähdesmäki Harri , Dudley Aimée M. , Skupin Alexander
Published: June 2018

Motivation

Multicellular entities, such as mammalian tissues or microbial biofilms, typically exhibit complex spatial arrangements that are adapted to their specific functions or environments. These structures result from intercellular signaling as well as from the interaction with the environment that allow cells of the same genotype to differentiate into well-organized communities of diversified cells. Despite its importance, our understanding on how cell–cell and metabolic coupling produce functionally optimized structures is still limited.

Results

Here, we present a data-driven spatial framework to computationally investigate the development of one multicellular structure, yeast colonies. Using experimental growth data from homogeneous liquid media conditions, we develop and parameterize a dynamic cell state and growth model. We then use the resulting model in a coarse-grained spatial model, which we calibrate using experimental time-course data of colony growth. Throughout the model development process, we use state-of-the-art statistical techniques to handle the uncertainty of model structure and parameterization. Further, we validate the model predictions against independent experimental data and illustrate how metabolic coupling plays a central role in colony formation.

Availability

Experimental data and a computational implementation to reproduce the results are available athttp://research.cs.aalto.fi/csb/software/multiscale/code.zip.

Contact

jukka.intosalmi@aalto.fi,alexander.skupin@uni.lu
SSCC: a novel computational framework for rapid and accurate clustering large single cell RNA-seq data
Authors: Ren Xianwen , Zheng Liangtao , Zhang Zemin
Published: June 2018

Clustering is a prevalent analytical means to analyze single cell RNA sequencing data but the rapidly expanding data volume can make this process computational challenging. New methods for both accurate and efficient clustering are of pressing needs. Here we proposed a new clustering framework based on random projection and feature construction for large scale single-cell RNA sequencing data, which greatly improves clustering accuracy, robustness and computational efficacy for various state-of-the-art algorithms benchmarked on multiple real datasets. On a dataset with 68,578 human blood cells, our method reached 20% improvements for clustering accuracy and 50-fold acceleration but only consumed 66% memory usage compared to the widely-used software package SC3. Compared to k-means, the accuracy improvement can reach 3-fold depending on the concrete dataset. An R implementation of the framework is available from https://github.com/Japrin/sscClust.
Parent of origin gene expression in a founder population identifies two new imprinted genes at known imprinted regions
Authors: Mozaffari Sahar V. , Stein Michelle M. , Magnaye Kevin M. , Nicolae Dan L. , Ober Carole
Published: June 2018

Genomic imprinting is the phenomena that leads to silencing of one copy of a gene inherited from a specific parent. Mutations in imprinted regions have been involved in diseases showing parent of origin effects. Identifying genes with evidence of parent of origin expression patterns in family studies allows the detection of more subtle imprinting. Here, we use allele specific expression in lymphoblastoid cell lines from 306 Hutterites related in a single pedigree to provide formal evidence for parent of origin effects. We take advantage of phased genotype data to assign parent of origin to RNA-seq reads in individuals with gene expression data. Our approach identified known imprinted genes, two putative novel imprinted genes, and 14 genes with asymmetrical parent of origin gene expression. We used gene expression in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) to validate our findings, and then confirmed imprinting control regions (ICRs) using DNA methylation levels in the PBLs.

Author Summary

Large scale gene expression studies have identified known and novel imprinted genes through allele specific expression without knowing the parental origins of each allele. Here, we take advantage of phased genotype data to assign parent of origin to RNA-seq reads in 306 individuals with gene expression data. We identified known imprinted genes as well as two novel imprinted genes in lymphoblastoid cell line gene expression. We used gene expression in PBLs to validate our findings, and DNA methylation levels in PBLs to confirm previously characterized imprinting control regions that could regulate these imprinted genes.
Corrosion resistance of mild steel in sulphuric acid solution byCoreopsis tinctoriaextract: electrochemical and surface studies
Authors: Kalaiselvi Kathirvel , Chung Ill-Min , Kim Seung-Hyun , Prabakaran Mayakrishnan
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the inhibitive performance ofCoreopsis tinctoria(C. tinctoria) plant extract for the corrosion of mild steel in 0.5 M H2SO4.

Design/methodology/approach

The inhibition efficiency was studied by weight loss, electrochemical measurements and the surface analysis was done by Raman, scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) analysis.

Findings

Maximum inhibition efficiency ofC. tinctoriain 0.5 M H2SO4on mild steel is 80.62 per cent (500 ppm) at 303 ± 1K. The adsorption of theC. tinctoriaon the mild steel surface in 0.5 M H2SO4was found to obey Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Temperature studies were carried out and the significant parameters, such as change in enthalpy (ΔH°), change in entropy (ΔS°) and change in free energy (ΔG°ads) and heat of adsorption (Qads), were calculated. The productive layer formed on the mild steel surface in 0.5 M H2SO4were confirmed by the Raman spectral analysis.

Originality/value

This paper provides information on the inhibitive properties ofC. tinctoriaplant extract which is found to be a good corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 0.5 M H2SO4.
Food safety knowledge, self-reported practices and attitude of poultry meat handling among Slovenian consumers
Authors: Sterniša Meta , Smole Možina Sonja , Levstek Sonja , Kukec Andreja , Raspor Peter , Jevšnik Mojca
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate Slovenian consumers’ knowledge and self-reported practices in poultry meat handling during purchase, transport, and preparation in home kitchens and to assess the awareness of the microbiological risk associated with poultry meat, with an emphasis on Campylobacter.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study of consumers’ food safety knowledge, self-reported practices, and awareness of the microbiological risk was conducted from March to April 2015 at supermarkets in different parts of Slovenia. A convenience sample of 560 consumers was obtained. Gender and age distribution were controlled by 28 interviewers, each of whom distributed 20 questionnaires. The questionnaire included 33 questions divided into four parts.

Findings

The results revealed consumers awareness of food safety issues. Respondents have some basic knowledge about proper food handling. However, a substantial number of consumers still lacks knowledge of the microbiological risk and has bad habits in domestic poultry meat preparation.

Research limitations/implications

The research did not reflect a representative sample of Slovenian consumers.

Practical implications

The results indicate some gaps in consumers’ food safety knowledge and self-reported practices. Current Campylobacter preventive strategies regarding retail poultry meat contamination are not yet sufficiently successful.

Originality/value

The study provides valuable insight into consumers’ food safety knowledge and self-reported practices in poultry meat handling from shopping to eating. Opportunities for improvement in consumers’ formal and informal education and training should be offered.
Is innovation needed in the Old World wine market? The perception of Italian stakeholders
Authors: Wongprawmas Rungsaran , Spadoni Roberta
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The wine market in Italy has been through several changes in the last decade. Actors in the supply chain need to find new strategies or tools in order to remain competitive in what has become a fiercely competitive sector. Innovation is one of the tools which have been successfully used in the New World wine market, hence innovation might also be a useful resource for actors in the Old World wine market, such as in Italy. The purpose of this paper is to explore stakeholders’ perception of such innovation, including how its usefulness in the Italian wine production and distribution chain is perceived.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were carried out in Emilia-Romagna with a wide range of actors in the Italian wine chain and consumer focus groups and the resulting data were analyzed using the content-summarizing approach.

Findings

These stakeholders agreed that innovation is needed for production and processing as well as in quality control, but only on condition that it should maintain the quality and value of traditional wines. Innovative wine products tend to be unacceptable to consumers. Most stakeholders associate innovation with communication as producers and distributors seek innovative ways to convey information regarding the value of wines to final consumers.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are qualitative and based on a small group of Italian wine industry players and consumers who operate mainly in a domestic context.

Practical implications

The paper provides industrialists with information useful in the search to find the right strategies to make them more competitive in the Italian wine market. It is crucial to find and adopt innovative approaches toward communication throughout the chain. Information appealing to tradition and sentiment could be highly effective ways to reach the consumer.

Originality/value

This is the first in-depth study of the perceptions of all stakeholders (from producers to consumers) regarding innovation in the Italian wine chain; of particular importance as the industry is currently in transition toward globalization.
Corporate entrepreneurship strategy: an analysis of top management teams in SMEs
Authors: Afshar Jahanshahi Asghar , Nawaser Khaled , Brem Alexander
Published: June 2018

Purpose

In order to learn more about the antecedents of strategy at the top management team’s (TMT) level, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of TMT cultural intelligence on corporate entrepreneurship strategy. Then, the authors examine how TMT’s ambiguity tolerance mediates this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors tested the hypothesis by collecting survey data from 41 TMTs of small- and medium-sized enterprises in the south-east of Iran.

Findings

The survey results confirm that a high level of cultural intelligence in TMTs is conducive to corporate entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the result shows that higher levels of cultural intelligence in TMTs relate to a higher level of ambiguity tolerance, which, in turn, enhances the possibility of pursuing corporate entrepreneurship strategy by SMEs.

Research limitations/implications

The data for this study were obtained from 41 TMTs in the south-east of Iran, which increases the probability that the results may not be directly transferable to certain companies in Western countries. Future research might attempt to test the ideas developed in this paper across different settings and samples.

Originality/value

Several theoretical and empirical studies have explored possible antecedents of corporate entrepreneurship. But a few papers investigated the role of TMT dispositions on corporate entrepreneurship strategy. By addressing the prominent role of TMT psychological dispositions on corporate entrepreneurship strategy, this paper attempts to fill this gap.
Supporting business processes through human and IT factors: a maturity model
Authors: Mamoghli Sarra , Cassivi Luc , Trudel Sylvie
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assist organizations in the assessment of both information technology (IT) and human factors required to support their business processes (BPs) by taking into account the interdependence and alignment of these factors, rather than considering them independently.

Design/methodology/approach

A design science research methodology was followed to build a maturity model (MM) enabling this assessment. The proposed design process is composed of four steps: problem identification, comparison of 19 existing MMs in business process management (BPM), iterative model development, and model evaluation. The last two steps were specifically based on three research methods: literature analysis, case studies, and expert panels.

Findings

This paper presents a MM that assigns a maturity level to an organization’s BPs in two assessment steps. The first step evaluates the level of sophistication and integration of the IT systems supporting each BP, while the second step assesses the alignment of human factors with the technological efforts.

Research limitations/implications

The research was conducted with SMEs, leading to results that may be specific to this type of organization.

Practical implications

Practitioners can use the proposed model throughout their journey toward process excellence. The application of this model leads to two main process improvement scenarios: upgrading the sophistication and integration of the software technologies in support of the processes, and improving the cohesion of the resources the organization already owns (human and IT resources).

Originality/value

The proposed MM constitutes a first step in the assessment of the interdependence between the factors influencing BPM.
Enhancing brand equity through emotions and experience: the banking sector
Authors: Loureiro Sandra Maria Correia , Sarmento Eduardo Moraes
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The banking sector is devoted to attracting Generation Y customers with their particular tastes and interests. The purpose of this paper is to explore for the first time how bank experience influences emotions and perception of brand equity. Using the stimulus–organism–response (S–O–R) framework, the authors consider the perception of brand equity as the outcome.

Design/methodology/approach

A panel based on the method of Walsh and Beatty (2007) with completed and usable questionnaires was used to test the proposed model. The authors selected a sample of 211 respondents. After eliminating some inconsistencies, a final data sample consisted of 205 usable survey participants (male: 58 percent; female: 42 percent).

Findings

Executional excellence, staff engagement and value for money are the most relevant indicators in shaping the overall bank experience. Pleasure is the positive emotion that most enhances the perception of brand equity.

Originality/value

This study extends the S–O–R model by employing dimensions of experience as stimuli and brand equity as response. The study demonstrates the role of emotions (particularly pleasure) in enhancing brand equity among individuals from the Generation Y.
What policyholder and contract features determine the evolution of non-life insurance customer relationships?
Authors: Staudt Yves , Wagner Joël
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Over the last decade, technological and social trends have significantly influenced the relationship between customers and insurers. New buying patterns, price comparison platforms and the usage of different interaction channels driving single-product purchases and impacting lapses have influenced insurers’ customer portfolios and development. The purpose of this paper is to study the features driving the customer relationship along three areas, namely, customer acquisition, development and retention.

Design/methodology/approach

After defining 14 related hypotheses, the authors use econometric analyses to quantitatively support these hypotheses in the three areas of interest. The authors build on a large-scale longitudinal data set from a Swiss insurance company covering the period from 2005 to 2014 and including 2,757,000 customer-years. The data comprise information on private customers, their contract history, including coverage and losses and the channels used for buying insurance. This analysis focuses on the two most common non-life insurance products, namely, household/liability and car insurance.

Findings

The authors provide descriptive statistics and results from econometric analyses to determine the significant features and patterns affecting customer development and retention. Among the main results, the authors underline the significant influence on cross-selling given by the customer’s age and the interaction channel. Customers from rural regions are more loyal and likely to conduct cross-buying when compared to their peers from urban regions. Car insurance holders are more likely to lapse than household/liability insurance clients. Finally, while newly acquired customers tend to buy only a single product, the authors show the importance of cross-selling for retaining customers. In fact, customer retention is positively influenced by the number of products hold.

Research limitations/implications

This work is relevant for academics and practitioners alike, adding a quantitative basis to the understanding of managing customer relationships and for the development of further prospective models. Further work could investigate or add products, extend the study to other companies and focus on customer development with time.

Originality/value

This study explores a large-scale longitudinal data set. The analyses of customer acquisition, development and retention can support insurers to construct their own models for customer relationship management.
Sustainable refurbishment for school buildings: a literature review
Authors: Le An Thi Hoai , Park Kenneth Sungho , Domingo Niluka , Rasheed Eziaku , Mithraratne Nalanie
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Any building refurbishment is challenging and school buildings offer no exception. They are increasingly in need of refurbishment due to their age and evolving teaching and learning. The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of literature on sustainable refurbishment so as to identify key lessons from selected successful refurbishment projects. The review findings are expected to contribute to the development of refurbishment plans in an effective and innovative manner that should extend building’s service life, focus on resource efficiency, and comfort their users. It will also contribute to knowledge base of refurbishment and suggest future directions for research.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper has undertaken a literature review on the sustainability assessment of buildings and frameworks for sustainable refurbishment. Besides, the work also provides a review of recent successful refurbishment projects to collect and structure systems experiences which can be adopted in developing a sustainable refurbishment strategy for school buildings.

Findings

Findings include three groups of lessons in terms of reasons, process and barriers in the selected refurbishment projects that assist stakeholders to prepare a suitable refurbishment plan for their school buildings. The potential of 3D scanners and BIM applications in the refurbishment process will also be reviewed in order to develop a proposed framework of 3D scanner vs BIM for the refurbishment process. Recommendations highlight the role of a national strategy as a driving factor for applying the advantages of information technology to enhance optimal solution selection processes to get better and more sustainable results.

Originality/value

The conceptual framework for 3D scanner and BIM applications within sustainable refurbishment for school buildings is currently under researched, and the findings aimed to address such a gap when considering 3D scanners and BIM applications in the refurbishment process.
Measuring the experience of off-price fashion shopping: scale development and validation
Authors: Mortimer Gary , Fazel-e-Hasan Syed Muhammad , O’Donnell Kathleen A. , Strebel Judi
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Off-price fashion retailers are expected to dominate the retail sector over the next five years. Surprisingly, selling excess designer labels, in what some describe as a disorganized manner, appeals to certain shoppers who enjoy the “thrill of the hunt.” Recent research conceptualized consumers, whose motivation for, and outcomes from, fashion shopping set them apart from previously reported shopper types. Referred to as “Sport Shoppers,” they view fashion shopping as an achievement domain. The purpose of this paper is to quantify such shoppers through the development of a valid psychometric scale.

Design/methodology/approach

Four studies, comprising depth interviews and online surveys, across two countries were employed to develop a three-dimensional scale of the sport shopping experience. Factor analyses and structural equation modeling were used to analyze and test a theoretically hypothesized model.

Findings

Study 1 generated items aligned to the three theoretical dimensions of the sport shopping experience. Study 2 confirmed reliability and factor structure of the psychometric scale. Study 3 provides evidence of convergent and discriminant validity with previous shopper types. Finally, Study 4 demonstrates nomological validity through a theoretically hypothesized model of the sport shopping experience.

Originality/value

This is the first study to employ achievement goal theory in a consumer behavior context to delineate an emergent shopper type. The developed scale is the most comprehensive, multi-dimensional measure of the experience of this new consumer type. As such, it represents a valuable contribution to fashion retail and consumer behavior literature. The scale enables practitioners to quantify target markets and identify relationships to other factors, such as overall satisfaction and brand repurchase intentions.
A study of Canadian female baby boomers
Authors: Rahman Osmud , Yu Hong
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to gain an understanding of baby boomers’ physiological and psychological needs through clothing consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research approach was employed for this study. Data were collected from two generational segments: early baby boomers (1946–1954), and late baby boomers (1955–1964). In total, 13 informants aged from 53 to 71 years were participated in this study. Content analysis and interpretive approach were used for data analysis.

Findings

According to the findings, there are several reasons why the baby boomers shopped for clothing, including a way of stress relief or retail therapy, wardrobe update, replacement of worn-out garments, attractiveness of clothing styles and convenience. Style, fit, comfort and colour were the four most important product evaluative cues. Other than product cues, age appropriateness is an important factor for clothing consumption. Many informants were disappointed with their current body type, shopping experience and the industry offers.

Practical implications

Age-appropriate clothing can give wearers greater self-assurance/-gratification. If fashion designers create their products based on the baby boomers’ cognitive age, it would probably increase their customers’ acceptance and satisfaction.

Originality/value

The rapid growth of the aging population is a global phenomenon. Therefore, investigating the needs and challenges of the baby boomer generation is both timely and imperative. This study intended to offer new knowledge on the issues of baby boomers’ unmet needs, and provide insights and implications to fashion practitioners.