bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physicochemical properties of blueberry syrup prepared with fructooligosaccharide
Authors: Yi Tae Gyu , Park Yeri , Kim Hyo Jin , Hong Sae Jin , Kang Yoon-Han , Park Nam Il
Published: October 2017

The purpose of this study was to prepare blueberry syrup (cheung) using fructooligosaccharide instead of the traditionally used sucrose. The sugar content, pH, and colorimetric values were measured to evaluate the quality of the prepared syrup, and the antioxidant activity and phenolic compound content were determined to assess the physiological activity of the syrup. The L* value (lightness), pH, and color were high in syrups containing a high proportion of fructooligosaccharide. The a* value (redness) was high in syrups subjected to heat treatment, and the b* value (yellowness) tended to be the opposite of the L* value. Moreover, syrups containing heat-treated fructooligosaccharide showed higher polyphenol, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents than the unheated syrups did. The antioxidant activity of the blueberry cheung depended on the content of phenolic compounds. The highest value was obtained in the cheung prepared using a heat-treated 1:1 mixture of blended raw blueberry and fructooligosaccharide (S2). These findings suggest that our familiarity with the taste of the sweetener used influences our taste preference. It is therefore necessary to study other newly developed sweeteners apart from fructooligosaccharide to find a suitable alternative to sucrose.
Antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of various solvent extracts from Stachys sieboldii Miq.
Authors: Kang Jae-Ran , Kang Min-Jung , Shin Ji-Hyeon , Park Ji-Hye , Kim Dong-il , Chung Sang-Yong , Shin Jung-Hye
Published: October 2017

This study investigated the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of Stachys sieboldii Miq. extracts by solvents (water, ethanol, butanol, chloroform, and hexane). The contents of total polyphenols (7.18-37.25 mg/g) and flavonoids (0.21-5.21 mg/g) in extracts from Stachys sieboldii Miq. showed a significant difference dependent on the extraction solvents, butanol > ethanol > water > chloroform > hexane. Antioxidant activities by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging were increased in a dose-dependent manner. These activity trends associated with the extraction solvent were different at each concentration, but resembled phenolic compound contents trend, generally. FRAP value increased in a dose-dependent manner, but there was a difference in radical scavenging activities when comparing between extraction solvents by butanol > ethanol > hexane > chloroform > water on all concentrations. The trend of α-amylase inhibition of extracts from 1,000 μg/mL to 2,000 μg/mL was not affected as enzyme activity is promoted and not inhibited. The inhibition of α-glucosidase was increased in a dose-dependent manner without water extracts, the activity on hexane extracts was higher than others per the extraction solvent. α-Glucosidase inhibition of hexane extracts showed 57.76% at 250 μg/mL, which is 2.8 times higher than the second highest chloroform extract (20.65%). From these results, we presume that the active ingredients of Stachys sieboldii Miq. is different according to the extraction solvent and also the activity is different by these major functional groups.
Optimization of microwave-assisted extraction process for blue honeysuckle (Lonicera coerulea L.) using response surface methodology
Authors: Park Daehee , Lee Jae-Jun , Park Jongjin , Park Sanghwan , Lee Wonyoung
Published: October 2017

Functional compounds including flavonoids, anthocyanins, polyphneols and antioxidants were extracted from blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) using highly efficient microwave-assisted extraction. And extraction process was modeled and optimized according to response surface methodology (RSM). The independent variables (Xn) were ethanol concentration (X1: 0, 25, 50, 75, 100%), irradiation time (X2: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 min), and microwave power (X3: 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 W). Dependent variables (Yn) were total flavonoid contents (Y1), total anthocyanin contents (Y2), total polyphenol contents (Y3) and antioxidant activity (Y4). Four-dimensional response surface plots were generated based on the fitted second-order polynomial models to get optimal conditions. Estimated optimal conditions for 4 responses were ethanol concentration of 54-72%, irradiation time of 7.1-7.6 min, and microwave power of 243-251 W. Ridge analysis predicted the maximal responses of total flavonoid content, total anthocyanin content, total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity were 38.00 mg RE/g, 6.80 mg CGE/g, 14.90 mg GAE/g, 89.10%, respectively. Verification experiment was carried out at predicted optimal conditions and experimental values for total flavonoid content, total anthocyanin content, total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity were 38.10 mg RE/g, 6.72 mg CGE/g, 14.91 mg GAE/g and 89.13%, respectively. No significant difference was observed between predicted and experimental values, indicating good fitness of fitted model and successful application of RSM.
Relative evolutionary rate inference in HyPhy with LEISR
Authors: Spielman Stephanie J. , Pond Sergei L. Kosakovsky
Published: October 2017

We introduce LEISR (Likehood Estimation of Individual Site Rates, pronounced “laser”), a tool to infer relative evolutionary rates from protein and nucleotide data, implemented in HyPhy. LEISR is based on the popular Rate4Site (Pupko et al., 2002) approach for inferring relative site-wise evolutionary rates, primarily from protein data. We extend the original method for more general use in several key ways: i) We increase the support for nucleotide data with additional models, ii) We allow for datasets of arbitrary size, iii) We support analysis of site-partitioned datasets to correct for the presence of recombination breakpoints, and iv) We implemented LEISR as MPI-enabled to support rapid, high-throughput analysis. LEISR is available in HyPhy starting with version 2.3.8.
Adaptive evolution within the gut microbiome of individual people
Authors: Zhao Shijie , Lieberman Tami D. , Poyet Mathilde , Gibbons Sean M. , Groussin Mathieu , Xavier Ramnik J. , Alm Eric J.
Published: October 2017

Individual bacterial lineages stably persist for years in the human gut microbiome1–3. However, the potential of these lineages to adapt during colonization of healthy people is not well understood2,4. Here, we assess evolution within individual microbiomes by sequencing the genomes of 602Bacteroides fragilisisolates cultured from 12 healthy subjects. We find thatB. fragiliswithin-subject populations contain substantialde novonucleotide and mobile element diversity, which preserve years of within-person evolutionary history. This evolutionary history contains signatures of within-person adaptation to both subject-specific and common selective forces, including parallel mutations in sixteen genes. These sixteen genes are involved in cell-envelope biosynthesis and polysaccharide utilization, as well as yet under-characterized pathways. Notably, one of these genes has been shown to be critical forB. fragiliscolonization in mice5, indicating that key genes have not already been optimized for survivalin vivo. This lack of optimization, given historical signatures of purifying selection in these genes, suggests that varying selective forces with discordant solutions act uponB. fragilis in vivo. Remarkably, in one subject, twoB. fragilissublineages coexisted at a stable relative frequency over a 1.5-year period despite rapid adaptive dynamics within one of the sublineages. This stable coexistence suggests that competing selective forces can lead toB. fragilisniche-differentiation even within a single person. We conclude thatB. fragilisadapts rapidly within the microbiomes of individual healthy people, providing a new route for the discovery of key genes in the microbiome and implications for microbiome stability and manipulation.
Quantification of autism recurrence risk by direct assessment of paternal sperm mosaicism
Authors: Breuss Martin W. , Kleiber Morgan , George Renee D. , Antaki Danny , James Kiely N. , Ball Laurel L. , Hong Oanh , Garcia Camila A. B. , Musaev Damir , Nguyen An , McEvoy-Venneri Jennifer , Knox Renatta , Sticca Evan , Devinsky Orrin , Gymrek Melissa , Sebat Jonathan , Gleeson Joseph G.
Published: October 2017

De novo genetic mutations represent a major contributor to pediatric disease, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD), congenital heart disease, and muscular dystrophies1,2, but there are currently no methods to prevent or predict them. These mutations are classically thought to occur either at low levels in progenitor cells or at the time of fertilization1,3 and are often assigned a low risk of recurrence in siblings4,5. Here, we directly assess the presence of de novo mutations in paternal sperm and discover abundant, germline-restricted mosaicism. From a cohort of ASD cases, employing single molecule genotyping, we found that four out of 14 fathers were germline mosaic for a putatively causative mutation transmitted to the affected child. Three of these were enriched or exclusively present in sperm at high allelic fractions (AF; 7-15%); and one was recurrently transmitted to two additional affected children, representing clinically actionable information. Germline mosaicism was further assessed by deep (>90x) whole genome sequencing of four paternal sperm samples, which detected 12/355 transmitted de novo single nucleotide variants that were mosaic above 2% AF, and more than two dozen additional, non-transmitted mosaic variants in paternal sperm. Our results demonstrate that germline mosaicism is an underestimated phenomenon, which has important implications for clinical practice and in understanding the basis of human disease. Genetic analysis of sperm can assess individualized recurrence risk following the birth of a child with a de novo disease, as well as the risk in any male planning to have children.
Objective but not subjective fatigue increases cognitive task avoidance
Authors: Benoit Charles-Etienne , Solopchuk Oleg , Borragán Guillermo , Carbonnelle Alice , Van Durme Sophie , Zénon Alexandre
Published: October 2017

Mentally demanding tasks feel effortful and are usually avoided. Furthermore, prolonged cognitive engagement leads to mental fatigue, consisting of subjective feeling of exhaustion and decline in performance. Despite the intuitive characterization of fatigue as an increase in subjective effort perception, the effect of fatigue on effort cost has never been tested experimentally. To this end, sixty participants in 2 separate experiments underwent a forced-choice working memory task following either a fatigue-inducing (i.e. Stroop task) or a control manipulation. We measured subjective fatigue and effort as well as their objective behavioral signatures: performance decline and task avoidance, respectively. We found that fatigue-induced performance decline was correlated with task avoidance, while the feelings of fatigue and effort were unrelated to each other. Our findings highlight the discrepancy between subjective and objective manifestations of fatigue and effort, and provide valuable evidence feeding the ongoing theoretical debate on the nature of these constructs.
Toward a better understanding of experience during trips: impact on satisfaction, destination attachment and word-of-mouth
Authors: Turki Hager , Amara Dalia
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reinforce the experiential paradigm from which academics and practitioners currently explain consumer decision making in touristic activities. More specifically, this research brings new insights for understanding consumption experience. The aim is to establish the relationships between experience, satisfaction, destination attachment, and word-of-mouth.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a rich literature review on experience concept and its consequences. Besides, a quantitative study was conducted among tourists having chosen a specific destination for their holidays. Data were collected through a questionnaire translated into three languages about a sample of 303 individuals. The methodology consisted of an exploratory phase (SPSS) for establishing scales dimensionality, a structural equation modeling (AMOS) for validating empirically our structural framework, with respect of thresholds and the rigourous analysis methodology.

Findings

The research has highlighted consequences of experience related by a trip, such as satisfaction, destination attachment, and word-of-mouth. Indeed, intellectual, emotional, and tribal components of experience are significantly related to satisfaction. Intellectual component is also significantly related to destination attachment, and satisfaction generates attachment and word-of-mouth.

Research limitations/implications

In addition to sample size and study context, it would be interesting to carry out multi-group analyses to observe significant differences in reference to gender, age, or motivation travel. Similarly, observing moderating role of individual variables such as need for cognition, seeking variety, self-exposure, etc., may explain relationship intensity between experience and satisfaction.

Originality/value

The paper intends to give an understanding of experience consequences. It provides to managers in tourism domain, orientations related to communication and strategies’ content and direction.
Destination web reputation as “smart tool” for image building: the case analysis of Naples city-destination
Authors: Micera Roberto , Crispino Raffaele
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Grounded in destination web reputation, the purpose of this paper is to propose a methodological framework for the analysis of the destination image-building process, where the sentiment analysis (SA) is integrated with social network analysis (SNA) tools and social media analytics (SMA), making them accessible and functional for destination management choices. The outlined framework was successively tested through an empirical analysis carried out on the image and web reputation of Naples as a tourism destination.

Design/methodology/approach

Critical analysis of literature on web reputation has allowed the building of the conceptual framework applied to analyse the online reputation of the case study of the city destination of Naples. The empirical research was based on the use of a platform to listen to and analyse social media conversations that allowed one to collect the data on both the destination image and the online reputation of the city.

Findings

The paper conceptualises the theme of destination web reputation, proposing an online discourses classification, presenting and ranking destination dimensions, which might influence prospective tourist decision-making processes. Furthermore, this study can also be apt for all destination managers who need to monitor their destination online reputation and brand, and better manage their online presence.

Originality/value

From a theoretical perspective, through the integration of destination management principles with SA, SNA and SMA, this paper provides an original point of view for the analysis. The web reputation analysis of a destination is one of the instruments which – if systematically used – allows us to develop an effective policy to promote a destination in a tourist-centric way, in which the local offer system will be increasingly co-created and thus tailored to customers.
How expatriates work in dangerous environments of pervasive corruption
Authors: Greppin Carl , Carlsson Bo , Wolfberg Adrian , Ufere Nnaoke
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to help understand how US expatriates living and working in dangerous environments characterized by pervasive corruption deal with the phenomena and make decisions about the degree to which they get involved.

Design/methodology/approach

To answer this question, 30 US executives who worked in such countries were interviewed.

Findings

Some executives refused to participate in corrupt practices; others chose to reluctantly succumb to extortion, while others willingly participated in corruption. The study found that social norms played a significant role in their decisions. There are four social norms: personal norms, subjective norms, injunctive norms, and descriptive norms. US executives rely on personal norms and injunctive norms for deciding to refuse to participate in corrupt practices, on descriptive norms and subjective norms for deciding to reluctantly succumb to extortion, and on descriptive norms and personal norms for deciding to willingly participate in corruption.

Originality/value

These findings illustrate what motivates US executives to make decisions about participating in corruption when living and working in countries with pervasive corruption. This has implications for policy, research, and practice.
How do you fear? Examining expatriates’ perception of danger and its consequences
Authors: Faeth Pia Charlotte , Kittler Markus G.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the differing perceptions of fear of expatriates operating in terror-exposed Nairobi and the high-crime environment of Johannesburg and its impact on stress and well-being. It illustrates how expatriates cope with the challenges associated with these two regions.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an interpretative and inductive research approach, qualitative content analyses were conducted using evidence from in-depth interviews with 12 expatriates in senior management or officer positions within a large global organisation, with respondents based in South Africa and Kenya.

Findings

Data suggest that expatriates in the more terrorism-exposed context perceive fear less strongly than expatriates in environments categorised by high degrees of conventional crime. Fear seems to relate to physical well-being via restricted freedom of movement, but there is little evidence that fear affects mental well-being. The study finds that respondents in terror-exposed Nairobi tend to engage more in avoidance-oriented coping strategies, whereas their counterparts in the high-crime environment of Johannesburg predominantly rely on problem-focused coping.

Practical implications

The qualitative design allows practitioners to better understand expatriates’ perceptions of fear, its consequences for stress, and well-being and potential coping strategies expatriates employ. It discusses a set of practical recommendations focussing on the deployment of expatriates assigned to dangerous locations.

Originality/value

This study develops a distinction between terror and conventional crime and contributes with practical insights for assignments into dangerous work environments. The geographic lens of the study provides an in-depth look at expatriation challenges in an arguably neglected regional context.
Do different approaches to clinical governance development and implementation make a difference? Findings from Ireland and New Zealand
Authors: Gauld Robin , Horsburgh Simon , Flynn Maureen Alice , Carey Deirdre , Crowley Philip
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Clinical governance (CG) is an important foundation for a high-performing health care system, with many countries supporting its development. CG policy may be developed and implemented nationally, or devolved to a local level, with implications for the overall approach to implementation and policy uptake. However, it is not known whether one of these two approaches is more effective. The purpose of this paper is to probe this question. Its setting is Ireland and New Zealand, two broadly comparable countries with similar CG policies. Ireland’s was nationally led, while New Zealand’s was devolved to local districts. This leads to the question of whether these different approaches to implementation make a difference.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from surveys of health professionals in both countries were used to compare performance with CG development.

Findings

The study showed that Ireland’s approach produced a slightly better performance, raising questions about the merits of devolving responsibility for policy implementation to the local level.

Research limitations/implications

The Irish and New Zealand surveys both had lower-than-desirable response rates, which is not uncommon for studies of health professionals such as this. The low response rates mean the findings may be subject to selection bias.

Originality/value

Despite the importance of the question of whether a national or local approach to policy implementation is more effective, few studies specifically focus on this, meaning that this study provides a new contribution to the topic.
Medical directors’ perspectives on strengthening hospital quality and safety
Authors: Canaway Rachel , Bismark Marie , Dunt David , Kelaher Margaret
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the concerns and factors that impact on hospital quality and safety, particularly related to use of performance data, within a setting of devolved governance.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study used thematic analysis of interviews with public hospital medical directors. For additional context, findings were framed by themes from a review of hospital safety and quality in the same jurisdiction.

Findings

Varying approaches and levels of complexity were described about what and how performance data are reviewed, prioritised, and quality improvements implemented. Although no consistent narrative emerged, facilitators of improvement were suggested relating to organisational culture, governance, resources, education, and technologies. These hospital-level perspectives articulate with and expand on the system-level themes in a state-wide review of hospital safety and quality.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are not generalisable, but point to an underlying absence of system-wide agreement on how to perceive, retrieve, analyse, prioritise and action hospital performance data.

Practical implications

Lack of electronic medical records and an inefficient incident reporting system limits the extent to which performance and incident data can be analysed, linked and shared, thus limiting hospital performance improvement, oversight and learning.

Social implications

Variable approaches to quality and safety, standards of care, and hospital record keeping and reporting, mean that healthcare consumers might expect inconsistency across Victorian hospitals.

Originality/value

The views of medical directors have been little researched. This work uses their voice to better understand contextual factors that situate and impact on hospital quality and safety towards understanding the mixed effectiveness of hospital quality improvement strategies.
Influence of made with renewable energy appeal on consumer behaviour
Authors: Mydock III Suni , Pervan Simon James , Almubarak Alanoud F. , Johnson Lester , Kortt Michael
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent to which consumer purchasing behaviour is influenced by advertised information that a product is made with renewable energy. It also seeks to identify why some consumers might respond more favourably.

Design/methodology/approach

Three experiments were conducted using two samples of university students enroled in Australia. The first experiment tested the main effect of this research, the second tested the potential amplifying effect of locus of control and the third tested the temporal orientation.

Findings

Consumer respond favourably to products promoted as made with renewable energy. The possible explanation for this is that future temporal orientation (FTO) influences attitude towards the brand, attitude towards the advertisement, purchase intention and willingness to pay a premium for brands. The observed interaction effect between perceived greenness of the advertisement and FTO is also robust to scepticism.

Research limitations/implications

Results presented here are also derived from responses made by students at a regional Australian university. Although atypical in their profile with most over 30 years of age, findings cannot reliably be generalised to the larger population. Determining how much importance a renewable energy appeal has when it is positioned among other green appeals would reveal the relative usefulness of the focal promotion to marketers.

Practical implications

Promoting a firm’s use of renewable energy presents an important opportunity to achieve desirable outcomes, and the efficacy of this is magnified within individuals that habitually focus on the future.

Social implications

These findings benefit society because they contribute towards increasing the frequency of sustainable business practices. It should also encourage policy-makers to implement policy changes (e.g., removing subsidies that prevent renewable energy from attaining cost parity with non-renewable sources of energy), which can result in beneficial economic outcomes.

Originality/value

This research is the first of its kind to be conducted in an Australian context, providing findings that assist both firms’ and policy-makers’ decision-making.
Dramatic effect of hydroxychloroquine on lupus alopecia
Authors: Igari Shohei , Yamamoto Toshiyuki
Published: October 2017

Lupus alopecia is usually difficult to treat. We report a case of a 40‐year‐old woman with Sjögren's syndrome and atopic dermatitis who presented with discoid lupus erythematosus on the forearms and lupus erythematosus profundus with alopecia involving the scalp. A biopsy specimen taken from the discoid lupus erythematosus lesion on the forearm further exhibited a xanthomatous reaction, which however was not detected in another specimen from the lupus erythematosus profundus on the scalp. Treatment with oral hydroxychloroquine showed dramatic effects and complete hair regrowth was obtained 3 months later.
Nitrogen fertilization, not water addition, alters plant phylogenetic community structure in a semi‐arid steppe
Authors: Yang Xian , Yang Zhongling , Tan Jiaqi , Li Guoyong , Wan Shiqiang , Jiang Lin
Published: October 2017

Anthropogenic environmental changes, such as nitrogen (N) enrichment and alteration in precipitation regimes, significantly influence ecosystems world‐wide. However, we know little about whether and how these changes alter the phylogenetic properties of ecological communities.

Based on a 7‐year field experiment in the temperate semi‐arid steppe of Inner Mongolia, China, we investigated the influence of increased N and precipitation on plant phylogenetic structure and phylogenetic patterns of species colonization and extinction.

Our study demonstrated that N and water addition influenced different aspects of plant community structure. Water addition increased plant species richness by preventing species extinction and facilitating species colonization, without altering community phylogenetic structure. In contrast, N addition did not alter species richness, but promoted the colonization of species distantly related to the residents, changing community phylogenetic structure from being neutral to overdispersion. We also found evidence for abundance‐based extinction where rarer species were at greater risk of extinction, and functional trait‐based species extinction where shorter statured plants and shallower rooted plants were at greater risk of extinction.

Synthesis. Our study provides the first experimental evidence that plant phylogenetic community structure responds differently to different aspects of global changes. Importantly, the colonization of non‐resident species, rather than the extinction of resident species, contributed predominantly to changes in plant community phylogenetic structure in response to N amendment. Our findings highlight the importance of considering species phylogenetic relationships for a more complete understanding of anthropogenic influences on ecological communities.
Recent attempted and actual weight change in relation to pregnancy loss: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Radin RG , Mumford SL , Sjaarda LA , Silver RM , Wactawski‐Wende J , Lynch AM , Perkins NJ , Lesher LL , Wilcox BD , Hinkle SN , Plowden TC , Kim K , Schisterman EF
Published: October 2017

Objective

To assess weight change and attempted weight loss during the 12–18 months before spontaneous conception in relation to the risk of pregnancy loss.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

United States, 2007–2011.

Methods

Women (n= 629) who were attempting pregnancy reported at baseline any weight loss attempts over the past 12 months, and their minimum and maximum weights during that time. Follow up lasted one to six menstrual cycles and throughout pregnancy. Using bodyweight measured at 4 weeks’ gestation, participants were categorised as having weight loss ≥5%, weight gain ≥5%, both, or neither, over the previous 12–18 months. Log‐binomial models adjusted for potential confounders.

Main outcome measures

Risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of pregnancy loss.

Results

Attempted weight loss was reported by 44% of women and actual weight loss by 11%, but neither was consistently associated with pregnancy loss. TheRRfor recent weight gain ≥5% was 1.65 (CI1.09, 2.49).

Conclusions

Weight gain over the period spanning 12–18 months pre‐conception to 4 weeks’ gestation may increase the risk of pregnancy loss among fertile women with prior pregnancy losses. Attempted and actual weight loss were not associated with pregnancy loss; however, replication is needed from larger studies with data on particular weight‐loss methods.

Tweetable Abstract

Recent weight gain before and around the time of conception may increase the risk of pregnancy loss.
“Making Cents” of the Eastern Australian Gas Market
Authors: Quentin Grafton R. , Shi Xunpeng (Roc) , Cronshaw Ian
Published: October 2017

The paper reviews the causes of high domestic gas prices and possible future gas shortfalls in the Eastern Australian gas market. It explains the economics of gas pricing, the effects of long‐term gas contracts on domestic supplies and prices, and examines the incentives faced by gas exporters. Policies to respond to concerns over gas supply and high domestic gas prices are explored and alternatives presented.
Sirt2‐BubR1 acetylation pathway mediates the effects of advanced maternal age on oocyte quality
Authors: Qiu Danhong , Hou Xiaojing , Han Longsen , Li Xiaoyan , Ge Juan , Wang Qiang
Published: October 2017

The level of Sirt2 protein is reduced in oocytes from aged mice, while exogenous expression of Sirt2 could ameliorate the maternal age‐associated meiotic defects. To date, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we confirmed that specific depletion of Sirt2 disrupts maturational progression and spindle/chromosome organization in mouse oocytes, with compromised kinetochore–microtubule attachments. Candidate screening revealed that acetylation state of lysine 243 on BubR1 (BubR1‐K243, an integral part of the spindle assembly checkpoint complex) functions during oocyte meiosis, and acetylation‐mimetic mutant BubR1‐K243Q results in the very similar phenotypes as Sirt2‐knockdown oocytes. Furthermore, we found that nonacetylatable‐mimetic mutant BubR1‐K243R partly prevents the meiotic deficits in oocytes depleted of Sirt2. Importantly, BubR1‐K243R overexpression in oocytes derived from aged mice markedly suppresses spindle/chromosome anomalies and thereupon lowers the incidence of aneuploid eggs. In sum, our data suggest that Sirt2‐dependent BubR1 deacetylation involves in the regulation of meiotic apparatus in normal oocytes and mediates the effects of advanced maternal age on oocyte quality.
EMG‐Based Estimation of Limb Movement Using Deep Learning With Recurrent Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Xia Peng , Hu Jie , Peng Yinghong
Published: October 2017

A novel model based on deep learning is proposed to estimate kinematic information for myoelectric control from multi‐channel electromyogram (EMG) signals. The neural information of limb movement is embedded in EMG signals that are influenced by all kinds of factors. In order to overcome the negative effects of variability in signals, the proposed model employs the deep architecture combining convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and recurrent neural networks (RNNs). The EMG signals are transformed to time‐frequency frames as the input to the model. The limb movement is estimated by the model that is trained with the gradient descent and backpropagation procedure. We tested the model for simultaneous and proportional estimation of limb movement in eight healthy subjects and compared it with support vector regression (SVR) and CNNs on the same data set. The experimental studies show that the proposed model has higher estimation accuracy and better robustness with respect to time. The combination of CNNs and RNNs can improve the model performance compared with using CNNs alone. The model of deep architecture is promising in EMG decoding and optimization of network structures can increase the accuracy and robustness.
Parenteral bilirubin in healthy volunteers: a reintroduction in translational research
Authors: Dekker Douwe , Dorresteijn Mirrin J. , Welzen Marieke E. B. , Timman Simone , Pickkers Peter , Burger David M. , Smits Paul , Wagener Frank A. D. T. G. , Russel Frans G. M.
Published: October 2017

Aims

Preclinical results suggest therapeutic potential of mild hyperbilirubinemia in T2DM and cardiovascular disease. Translational data are limited, because an appropriate bilirubin formulation for parenteral human use is lacking. Considering its use in both clinical practice and medical research in the past, we explored the feasibility to reintroduce parenteral bilirubin for translational experiments.

Methods

We developed a preparation method in accordance with good manufacturing practice and evaluated the parenteral applicability in healthy volunteers (n = 8). Explorative pharmacokinetic and safety data were compared to the results from a literature study on the former parenteral use of bilirubin. Bilirubin was administered intra‐arterially to raise the local plasma concentration in the forearm vascular bed (n = 4) and intravenously to raise the systemic plasma concentration (n = 4). Finally, pharmacokinetic characteristics were studied following a single bolus infusion (n = 3).

Results

During parenteral application, no side effects occurred. Adverse events mentioned during the two‐week observation period were in general mild and self‐limiting. Three more significant adverse events (appendicitis, asymptomatic cardiac arrhythmia and atopic eczema) were judged unrelated by independent physicians.

A dose–concentration relationship appeared sufficiently predictable for both intra‐arterial and intravenous administration. In line with existing knowledge, bilirubin pharmacokinetics could be described best according to a two‐compartment model with a volume of distribution of 9.9 (±2.0) l and a total plasma clearance of 36 (±16) ml per minute.

Conclusions

Supported by previous reports, our data suggest that it is both feasible and safe to perform translational experiments with parenteral albumin bound bilirubin.
Developments in the field of allergy in 2016 through the eyes of Clinical and Experimental Allergy
Authors: Roberts G. , Boyle R. , Crane J. , Hogan S. P. , Saglani S. , Wickman M. , Woodfolk J. A.
Published: October 2017

In this article, we described the development in the field of allergy as described by Clinical and Experimental Allergy in 2016. Experimental models of allergic disease, basic mechanisms, clinical mechanisms, allergens, asthma and rhinitis, and clinical allergy are all covered.
Double trouble: Co‐occurrence of testosterone deficiency and body fatness associated with all‐cause mortality in US men
Authors: Lopez D.S. , Qiu X. , Advani S. , Tsilidis K.K. , Khera M. , Kim J. , Morgentaler A. , Wang R. , Canfield S.
Published: October 2017

Background

Testosterone deficiency (TD, total testosterone ≤350 ng/dL [12.15 nmol L−1]) and obesity epidemic are growing in parallel in the United States. Yet, the sequelae of TD and obesity on the risk of mortality remain unclear.

Objective

To investigate whether the co‐occurrence of TD and overall obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2), and abdominal obesity (waist circumference ≥102 cm), is associated with a risk of all‐cause mortality in American men.

Design

The data were obtained from the NHANES 1999‐2004 and the Linked Mortality File (December 31, 2011). A total of 948 participants aged ≥20 years old with endogenous sex hormones and adiposity measurements data were included in this study.

Results

Over a median of 9.5 years of follow‐up, 142 men died of any cause in this cohort. Multivariable analysis showed a 2.60 fold increased risk of death among men with TD compared with men without TD (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 2.60; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.20‐5.80). No evidence for interaction between TD and overall or abdominal obesity with risk of death (Pinteraction ≥ .80). However, only after comparing men with TD and abdominal obesity with men without TD and no abdominal obesity, we found a 3.30 fold increased risk of death (HR = 3.30, 95% CI = 1.21‐8.71).

Conclusion

Men with co‐occurrence of TD and abdominal obesity have a higher risk of mortality. The effect of co‐occurrence of TD and abdominal obesity should be further explored with a larger and longer follow‐up time study.
Array‐comparative genomic hybridization analysis in patients with Müllerian fusion anomalies
Authors: Ledig S. , Tewes A.C. , Hucke J. , Römer T. , Kapczuk K. , Schippert C. , Hillemanns P. , Wieacker P.
Published: October 2017

Fusion anomalies of the Müllerian ducts are associated with an increased risk for miscarriage and premature labor. In most cases polygenic‐multifactorial inheritance can be assumed but autosomal‐dominant inheritance with reduced penetrance and variable manifestation should be considered. We performed array‐comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis in a cohort of 103 patients with Müllerian fusion anomalies. In 8 patients we detected microdeletions and microduplications in chromosomal regions 17q12, 22q11.21, 9q33.1, 3q26.11 and 7q31.1. The rearrangement in 17q12 including LHX1 and HNF1β as well as in 22q11.21 have already been observed in MRKHS (Mayer‐Rokitansky‐Küster‐Hauser syndrome). In summary, we (1) detected causative micro‐rearrangements in patients with Müllerian fusion anomalies, (2) show that Müllerian fusion anomalies and MRKHS may have a common etiology, and (3) identified new candidate genes for Müllerian fusion anomalies.
Estimating the extinction date of the thylacine with mixed certainty data
Authors: Carlson Colin J. , Bond Alexander L. , Burgio Kevin R.
Published: October 2017

The thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus), one of Australia's most characteristic megafauna, was the largest marsupial carnivore until hunting, and potentially disease, drove it to extinction in 1936. Although thylacines were restricted to Tasmania for 2 millennia prior to their extinction, recent so‐called plausible sightings on the Cape York Peninsula in northern Queensland have emerged, leading some to speculate the species may have persisted undetected. We compiled a data set that included physical evidence, expert‐validated sightings, and unconfirmed sightings up to the present day and implemented a range of extinction models (focusing on a Bayesian approach that incorporates all 3 types of data by modeling valid and invalid sightings as independent processes) to evaluate the likelihood of the thylacine's persistence. Although the last captive individual died in September 1936, our results suggested that the most likely extinction date would be 1940. Our other extinction models estimated the thylacine's extinction date between 1936 and 1943, and the most optimistic scenario indicated that the species did not persist beyond 1956. The search for the thylacine, much like similar efforts to rediscover other recently extinct charismatic taxa, is likely to be fruitless, especially given that persistence on Tasmania would have been no guarantee the species could reappear in regions that had been unoccupied for millennia. The search for the thylacine may become a rallying point for conservation and wildlife biology and could indirectly help fund and support critical research in understudied areas such as Cape York. However, our results suggest that attempts to rediscover the thylacine will be unsuccessful and that the continued survival of the thylacine is entirely implausible based on most current mathematical theories of extinction.
Leiomyosarcoma of the great saphenous vein (vena saphena magna) with granular cell change: Report of a superficial neoplasm
Authors: Macarenco Ricardo S. , Filippi Renee Z. , D’Almeida Costa Felipe , Jesus‐Garcia Reynaldo
Published: October 2017

The great saphenous vein (GSV) corresponds to the main superficial large‐caliber vessel affected by leiomyosarcoma (LMS). Given its superficial location and because signs of vascular origin may not be clinically apparent, LMS of the GSV may be misinterpreted clinically as superficial nonvascular soft tissue mass. Herein, we report a case on the distal portion of the right GSV of a 57‐year‐old man. The histopathological recognition of a large‐caliber vein‐associated LMS (with granular cell change) in an incisional biopsy specimen was crucial to guide radiological evaluation and confirmation of a superficial vascular LMS before surgical treatment. Recognizing this entity in small biopsies is important as its surgical treatment and prognosis differ substantially from nonvascular superficial (ie, subcutaneous and dermal) LMSs. In addition, because vascular LMSs can involve long vessel segments, underestimation of extent of disease is a risk. To the best of our knowledge, granular cell change has not been documented in LMS of the GSV.
Late‐stage nodular erythema elevatum diutinum mimicking sclerotic fibroma
Authors: Shi Kevin Y. , Vandergriff Travis
Published: October 2017

Erythema elevatum diutinum (EED) is a rare, cutaneous vasculitis of uncertain origin. EED can present clinically as chronic bilateral, symmetrical, periarticular papules, plaques and nodules. We report here an unusual case of EED presenting as multiple, densely fibrosing nodules on the feet of a 60‐year‐old human immunodeficiency virus positive woman. The initial evaluation of the patient was complicated by the strong histologic resemblance of multiple lesions to sclerotic fibroma, a cutaneous manifestation of Cowden disease. Our case highlights the important features that distinguish these 2 pathologic entities.
Newly raised anti‐VAChT and anti‐ChAT antibodies detect cholinergic cells in chicken embryos
Authors: Watanabe Tadayoshi , Kiyomoto Takahiro , Tadokoro Ryosuke , Takase Yuta , Takahashi Yoshiko
Published: October 2017

The autonomic nervous system consists of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, which functionally antagonize each other to control physiology and homeostasis of organs. However, it is largely unexplored how the autonomic nervous system is established during development. In particular, early formation of parasympathetic network remains elusive because of its complex anatomical structure. To distinguish between parasympathetic (cholinergic) and sympathetic (adrenergic) ganglia, vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) and choline O‐acetyltransferase (ChAT), proteins associated with acetylcholine synthesis, are known to be useful markers. Whereas commercially available antibodies against these proteins are widely used for mammalian specimens including mice and rats, these antibodies do not work satisfactorily in chickens, although chicken is an excellent model for the study of autonomic nervous system. Here, we newly raised antibodies against chicken VAChT and ChAT proteins. One monoclonal and three polyclonal antibodies for VAChT, and one polyclonal antibody for ChAT were obtained, which were available for Western blotting analyses and immunohistochemistry. Using these verified antibodies, we detected cholinergic cells in Remak ganglia of autonomic nervous system, which form in the dorsal aspect of the digestive tract of chicken E13 embryos. The antibodies obtained in this study are useful for visualization of cholinergic neurons including parasympathetic ganglia.
Preliminary study of the application of transthoracic echocardiography‐guided three‐dimensional printing for the assessment of structural heart disease
Authors: Zhu Yanbo , Liu Jianshi , Wang Lianqun , Guan Xin , Luo Yongjuan , Geng Jie , Geng Qingguo , Lin Yunjia , Zhang Lixia , Li Xixue , Lu Yaping
Published: October 2017

Objective

To investigate the feasibility and diagnostic value of a preoperative transthoracic echocardiography‐guided three‐dimensional printed model (TTE‐guided 3DPM) for the assessment of structural heart disease (SHD).

Methods

Fourty‐four patients underwent cardiac surgery at Tianjin Chest Hospital. The patients were preoperatively assessed using TTE‐guided 3DPM, which was compared to conventional three‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3DTTE) along with direct intraoperative findings, which were considered the “gold standard.” Twelve patients had SHD, including four with mitral prolapse, two with partial endocardial cushion defects, two with secondary atrial septal defects, two with rheumatic mitral stenosis, one with tetralogy of Fallot, and one with a ventricular septal defect (VSD). Thirty‐two patients who did not have SHDs were designated as the negative control group.

Results

The sensitivity and specificity of the TTE‐guided 3DPM were greater than or equal to those of the 3DTTE. The P‐value of the McNemar test of 3DTTE was >.05, which indicates that the difference was not statistically significant (Kappa = 0.745, P < .001). The P‐value of the McNemar test of TTE‐guided 3DPM was >.05, which indicates that the difference was not statistically significant (Kappa = 0.955, P < .001). A comparison of 3DTTE and TTE‐guided 3DPM resulted in a P‐value >.05, which indicates that the difference was not statistically significant (Kappa = 0.879, P < .001). TTE‐guided 3DPM displayed the 3D structure of SHDs and cardiac lesions clearly and was consistent with the intra‐operative findings.

Conclusion

Transthoracic echocardiography‐guided three‐dimensional printed model (TTE‐guided 3DPM) provides essential information for preoperative evaluation and decision making for patients with SHDs.
CHAOTIC DYNAMICS IN CONTESTS
Authors: Wärneryd Karl
Published: October 2017

Under a myopic best‐reply dynamic, efforts in repeated contests may exhibit chaotic behavior. This may help explain, for example, why experimental data often show nonconvergence to one‐shot equilibrium efforts. (JEL C61, C72, D72, D74, D83)
Nothing to hide: Commitment to, compliance with, and impact of the special data dissemination standard
Authors: Vadlamannati Krishna Chaitanya , Cooray Arusha , Brazys Samuel
Published: October 2017

Understanding why states voluntarily cede power to international institutions, and if those institutions fulfill their stated goals, remain a pressing question in international relations. In order to evaluate the material and normative logics that may drive this type of behavior, this paper considers state commitment to and compliance with the Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS) initiative launched by the IMF in 1996. This effort seeks to enhance the availability of comprehensive economic data based on best dissemination practices to facilitate pursuing sound macroeconomic policies. Using panel data on 120 countries during the 1996–2011 period, we find that commitment to the SDDS occurs when costs for states are low, and that compliance with the SDDS initiative is associated with increased data transparency after controlling for self‐section bias. Our results are robust to controlling for endogeneity, alternative sample, and estimation methods.