bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategic alliances and dynamic capabilities: a systematic review
Authors: Mamédio Diorgenes , Rocha Clarissa , Szczepanik Dayanne , Kato Heitor
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Organizations need to find ways to survive in unpredictable, dynamic and rapidly changing environments. The development of organizational capabilities, such as relational, is a dynamic process of adaptation, which seeks to adjust to an unstable environment. Within this context, the purpose of this paper is to analyze, through a systematic review (SR), 36 articles, which discuss the influence of strategic alliances on the dynamic capabilities (DCs) process.

Design/methodology/approach

Through this systematic literature review, articles published in international journals were categorized in terms of their objectives, thematic axes and the research methodologies applied and evidences, to explore their methodological, theoretical and organizational practice contributions.

Findings

The results clarified the antecedents, implications and relevance of the relationship between strategic alliances in different countries and their DCs. The findings make it possible to determine directions for new studies that may support the advancement of this field of research.

Research limitations/implications

Studies from this SR point out that alliance is: a flexible vehicle of learning; a way to transfer effective knowledge in partner firms and to generate combinations of resources; and a superior means of access to technological capabilities and other complex capabilities. Those aspects would be difficult to be developed in the firms without the help of partnerships. This can encourage the reconfiguration of existing resources and capabilities. These reconfigurations can lead to deliberate evolutionary adaptations in these firms, which will build relational DCs.

Practical implications

As managerial implications, an alliance allows for the development of capabilities to detect new opportunities, and for the development of the reconfiguration or expansion of the existing resource base in the firm. Thus, alliances, once properly managed and with well-defined structure and purpose, can help firms achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. Alliances can serve as a type of strategic choice or an alternative that can enable companies to cope with unstable, global and competitive environments permeated by (new) threats and opportunities.

Originality/value

This SR paper highlighted, in a specific and consistent topic, the suggestions for future research related to the process of DCs and its relationship with strategic alliances, motivating new research works.
The effects of the winery visitor experience on emotions, satisfaction and on post-visit behaviour intentions
Authors: Leri Ifigeneia , Theodoridis Prokopis
Published: January 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the impact of the experience of a winery visit to the visitor’s emotions and the effect of these emotions on visitor’s intention to revisit and recommend a winery as consequences of visitor satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a multi approach of customer experience, suggesting that visitors base their experience perception on the servicescape attributes, other visitors’ suitable behaviours and their own yearn for cognitive learning and fun. Path analysis is adopted to measure the impact of these constructs on visitor’s emotions and the role of these emotions in predicting visitor’s satisfaction and behavioural intentions. Data are collected through a self-administered highly structured questionnaire, self-completed by respondents at each winery. A total of 615 usable responses are obtained from eight wineries.

Findings

The results indicate that emotions are arisen – in a context of wine tourism – as a result of visitor’s evaluation of winery environment (especially Atmospherics, Signage and Facilities), other visitors’ appropriate behaviour and visitor’s desire to learn something new and to have fun during the winery experience. Also, it is revealed that visitor’s emotions positively impact on his/her satisfaction, which in turn seems to be a significant predictor of his/her intention to revisit the winery and give positive word-of-mouth.

Research limitations/implications

The findings broaden the knowledge on visitor’s winery experience and its impact on visitor’s satisfaction and future behavioural intentions. However, because the study focuses only on winery visitors in Greece, the research results may lack generalizability. The application of the study to other wineries would allow for wider generalisations to be made from the results obtained.

Practical implications

The overall findings may have significant implications for wine tourism industries. Also, it might be beneficial for wineries in their effort to provide a more valuable experience to wine tourists and in increasing wine tourists’ loyalty.

Originality/value

The paper’s originality lies in providing information to clarify the relationships between the constructs of experience, visitor’s emotions, satisfaction and future behavioural intentions in a winery setting. Also, this study provides new and practical insights of winery experience in the Greek context, an area where very limited research has been conducted. Finally, this is one of the few studies that focus on more than two servicescape elements and their impact on visitor’s emotions.
Coordination of Fe(II) to Eugenol to Engineer Self‐Assembled Emulsions by Rice Proteins for Iron Fortification
Authors: Wang Ren , Xu Pengcheng , Yue Ming , Chen Zhengxing , Wang Tao
Published: January 2019

Fortification of ferrous irons (FeII) is challenging due to fast oxidation. In this paper, we report that the coordination of FeII to eugenol can effectively inhibit the oxidation of FeII. The coordination was studied by UV‐Vis spectra, nuclear magnetic resonance, Raman spectra, and so on, showing that it took less than 1 hr for FeII to be fully oxidized in water, whereas more than 10 days in eugenol. In addition, by gently mixing FeII coordinated eugenol and modified rice protein (MRP) solutions at ambient temperature, core‐shell structures <200 nm were spontaneously formed, which can be utilized as protective and delivery systems for the organic ferrous irons. Based on the simulated digestion of MRPs, the FeII loaded emulsions may be delivered into intestinal tract beyond 2‐hr oral administration. The results highlight the effectiveness of fortification of ferrous irons via polyphenol coordination combined with self‐emulsification, advancing the future oral fortification of ferrous irons towards a feasible approach.

Practical Application

The coordination of metal ions with food polyphenols can provide the functional food with excellent redox stability. The FeII loaded eugenol emulsified by MRPs can be used as a straightforward protocol for the development of functional ingredients for iron fortification in food industry.
An in situ approach for measuring biogeochemical fluxes in structurally complex benthic communities
Authors: Roth Florian , Wild Christian , Carvalho Susana , Rädecker Nils , Voolstra Christian R. , Kürten Benjamin , Anlauf Holger , El‐Khaled Yusuf C. , Carolan Ronan , Jones Burton H.
Published: January 2019

The exchange of energy and nutrients are integral components of ecological functions of benthic shallow‐water ecosystems and are directly dependent on in situ environmental conditions. Traditional laboratory experiments cannot account for the multidimensionality of interacting processes when assessing metabolic rates and biogeochemical fluxes of structurally complex benthic communities. Current in situ chamber systems are expensive, limited in their functionality and the deployment is often restricted to planar habitats (e.g. sediments or seagrass meadows) only.

To overcome these constraints, we describe a protocol to build and use non‐invasive, cost‐effective and easy to handle in situ incubation chambers that provide reproducible measurements of biogeochemical processes in simple and structurally complex benthic shallow‐water communities. Photogrammetry tools account for the structural complexity of benthic communities, enabling to calculate accurate community fluxes. We tested the performance of the system in laboratory assays and various benthic habitats (i.e. algae growing on rock, coral assemblages, sediments and seagrass meadows). In addition, we estimated community budgets of photosynthesis and respiration by corals, rock with algae and carbonate sediments, which were subsequently compared to budgets extrapolated from conventional ex situ single‐organism incubations.

The tests highlight the transparency (>90% light transmission) of the chambers and minimal water exchange with the surrounding medium on most substrates. Linear dissolved oxygen fluxes in dependence to incubation time showed sufficient mixing of the water by circulation pumps and no organismal stress response. The comparison to single‐organism incubations showed that ex situ measurements might overestimate community‐wide net primary production and underestimate respiration and gross photosynthesis by 20%–90%.

The proposed protocol overcomes the paucity of observational and manipulative studies that can be performed in in situ native habitats, thus producing widely applicable and realistic assessments on the community level. Importantly, the tool provides a standardized approach to compare community functions across a wide range of benthic habitats. We identify multiple experimental strategies, including the manipulation of stressors/factors, and discuss how the method may be implemented in a variety of aquatic studies.
The stop‐flow arm equilibrium pressure in preoperative patients: Stressed volume and correlations with echocardiography
Authors: Yastrebov Konstantin , Aneman Anders , Slama Michel , Kokhno Vladimir , Luchansky Vsevolod , Orde Sam , Hilton Andrew , Lukiyanov Dmitriy , Volobueva Irina , Sidelnikova Svetlana , Polovnikov Evgeniy
Published: January 2019

Background

The distending intravascular pressure at no flow conditions reflects the stressed volume. While this haemodynamic variable is recognised as clinically important, there is a paucity of reports of its range and responsiveness to volume expansion in patients without cardiovascular disease and no reports of correlations to echocardiographic assessments of left ventricular filling.

Methods

Twenty‐seven awake (13 male), spontaneously breathing patients without any history of cardiopulmonary, vascular or renal disease were studied prior to induction of anaesthesia. The no‐flow equilibrium pressure in the arm following rapid circulatory occlusion (Parm) was measured via a radial arterial catheter. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to measure left ventricular end diastolic area and volume as well as the diameter of the inferior vena cava. The Parm and echocardiographic variables were measured before and after administration of 500 mL 0.9% NaCl over 10 minutes. Changes were analysed by paired t test, Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regression.

Results

Parm increased overall from 22 ± 5 mm Hg to 25 ± 6 mm Hg (mean difference 3.0 ± 4.5 mm Hg, P = 0.002) following the fluid bolus with corresponding increases in arterial pressure and echocardiographic variables. Variability in the direction of the Parm response reflected concomitant changes in vascular compliance. Only weak correlations were observed between changes in Parm and inferior vena cava diameter indexed to body surface area (R2 = 0.29, P = 0.01).

Conclusion

Preoperative measurements of Parm increased following acute expansion of the intravascular volume. Echocardiography demonstrated poor correlation with Parm.
Meta‐analyses of nest predation in temperate Australian forests and woodlands
Authors: Fulton Graham R.
Published: January 2019

Nest predation is the leading cause of nesting failure. Thus it is a crucial area of research needed to inform conservation management and to understand the life history of birds. I surveyed the literature to review the identity of nest predators and the factors affecting nest predation, in Australia using 177 studies. Overall, 94 nest predators were identified when incorporating artificial nests, 69 without. Using only natural nests, the Pied Currawong Strepera graculina was the most frequently reported nest predator. Five nest predators, including Pied Currawong, depredated 40% of the prey measured by the number of prey species taken. Yet, 60% of predation was carried out by the other 64 species, which included by the order of importance birds, mammals, reptiles, frogs and ants. Predation at cup and dome nests was more frequently reported than at burrow, ground and hollow nests. Only 28% of predators were observed at both artificial and natural nests suggesting artificial nests have limited, but not negligible, ability as tools for identifying predators. There was a highly significant and positive correlation between predator and prey masses. The predator prey mass ratio was calculated with a mean 0.25 and a median 0.22, a result closely matching with the proportional size of prey taken by raptors. The finding that predator size is proportional to prey opens a pathway for more life history and conservation research.
Parental strategies restricting screen use among children, screen home environment, and child screen use as predictors of child body fat: A prospective parent–child study
Authors: Boberska Monika , Horodyska Karolina , Kruk Magdalena , Knoll Nina , Hohl Diana Hilda , Keller Jan , Luszczynska Aleksandra
Published: January 2019

Objectives

This study provides an insight into associations between: (1) parental and child perceptions of parental strategies restricting screen use among children, (2) child perceptions of the presence and availability of screen‐based equipment at home, (3) child sedentary screen use behaviours, and (4) child body fat.

Design

A prospective study with two assessment periods (Time 1, T1; Time 2, T2), spanning 7–8 months.

Methods

At T1, 879 parent–child dyads (83.3% mothers; 52.3% girls) were enrolled and provided parental and child (5–11 years old) self‐report data. T2 data were obtained from 603 dyads. Child body fat was measured with bioimpedance method (T1 and T2). Path analysis was used to test models calculated with and without additional covariates, such as parental and child age and gender, parental education, and economic status.

Results

Path analysis indicated indirect effects of the presence and availability of screen‐based equipment at home (T1) on child body fat (T2), with screen use among children (T1) mediating this association. Parental perceptions of restrictions (T1) were unrelated to child body fat (T2). In contrast, child perceptions of parental restrictions (T1) predicted child body fat (T2). Children who perceived that their parents applied a higher level of restrictions (T1) had a lower body fat at the 7‐ to 8‐month follow‐up. These associations were found after controlling for baseline levels of child body fat, across models calculated with and without additional covariates.

Conclusions

Child, not parental perceptions of parental restrictions, predicted better obesity‐related outcomes in children, such as lower body fat.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Little is known about effects of parental restrictions of screen use on child body fat.

Evidence is mostly cross‐sectional, except from a recent investigation by Sleddens, Gubbels, Kremers, van der Plas, and Thijs ().

To date, effects of parental (not children's) reports of screen use restrictions were investigated.

What does this study add?

Children reporting more parental restrictions of screen use have less body fat at a follow‐up.

Parental reports of screen use restrictions are unrelated to child screen use and body fat.

Frequent screen use mediate between the number of screen devices at home and higher child body fat.
Four or six implants in the maxillary posterior region to support an overdenture: 5‐year results from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Slot Wim , Raghoebar Gerry M. , Cune Marco S. , Vissink Arjan , Meijer Henny J. A.
Published: January 2019

Objective

To compare clinical and patient‐reported outcomes when providing maxillary overdentures on four bar‐ and six bar‐connected implants placed in the posterior region during a 5‐year follow‐up period.

Materials and methods

Sixty‐six fully edentulous patients with functional maxillary denture complaints and insufficient bone volume to allow implant placement were scheduled for a maxillary sinus floor elevation procedure with bone from the anterior iliac crest and randomized to receive either four or six implants in the posterior maxilla and four implants in the mandible. After 3 months of osseointegration, a bar‐supported overdenture was constructed. Maxillary implant survival, overdenture survival, clinical scores, peri‐implant bone height changes and patient satisfaction were assessed.

Results

Sixty patients completed the 5‐year follow‐up. Implant survival was 100% in the four‐implant group and 99.5% in the six‐implant group. No new overdentures had to be made in the four‐implant group, and three new overdentures were made in the six‐implant group due to excessive wear of the denture base and teeth (90.9% overdenture survival). Clinical parameters did not differ significantly between groups. Mean marginal bone loss compared to baseline was 0.58 ± 0.51 mm in the four‐implant group and 0.60 ± 0.58 mm in the six‐implant group, respectively. Overall, patient satisfaction improved significantly, but did not differ between groups.

Conclusion

Following a bilateral maxillary sinus floor elevation procedure, a bar‐supported overdenture on four implants in the posterior maxillary region is not inferior to an overdenture supported by six implants after a 5‐year evaluation period in patients with functional maxillary denture complaints and marked posterior resorption (Clinical trial registration number: NTR2969).
The diagnostic performance of ultrasonography and computerized tomography in differentiating superficial from deep lobe parotid tumours
Authors: Cheng Ping‐Chia , Chang Chih‐Ming , Huang Chun‐Chieh , Lo Wu‐Chia , Huang Tsung‐Wei , Cheng Po‐Wen , Liao Li‐Jen
Published: January 2019

Objectives

To validate and compare ultrasound (US) versus computerized tomography (CT) criteria in the localisation of superficial/deep lobe tumours of the parotid gland.

Design and setting

This was a retrospective study of diagnostic tests performed from January 2008 to June 2017.

Participants

We included adult patients who were referred for a neck ultrasonography examination due to parotid tumours, and who subsequently underwent parotid surgery.

Main outcome measures

We assessed the location of parotid tumours, comparing the minimum fascia‐tumour distance (MFTD) criterion on an US with eight CT criteria. We analysed receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the MFTD for malignant, benign, and all parotid tumours, and compared the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the optimal MFTD with those of CT anatomical criteria.

Results

A total of 166 parotid tumours were included. The mean (SD) MFTD in superficial lobe tumours was significantly shorter than that of deep lobe tumours (1.2 [0.7] vs 2.8 [1.9] mm, effect size: 1.84; 95% CI, 1.27‐2.41). The areas under the ROC curve were 0.63 for malignant tumours and 0.88 for benign tumours. The optimal MFTD cut point was 2.4 mm for the 154 benign parotid tumours, and the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were 90%, 80% and 91%, respectively. For the 136 benign parotid tumours that underwent CT examination, three criteria had an accuracy of over 90% (FNline, tMasseter and Conn's arc), but the sensitivities were all below 50%.

Conclusions

Minimum fascia‐tumour distance is more feasible for benign tumours than for malignant tumours for the localisation of parotid tumours. For benign parotid tumours, US is enough to guide operations.
Sex pheromone component produced by microbial associates of the forest pestMegaplatypus mutatus
Authors: Slodowicz M. , Ceriani‐Nakamurakare E. , Carmarán C. , González‐Audino P.
Published: January 2019

Megaplatypus mutatus(Chapuis) (Coleoptera: Platypodidae) is an ambrosia beetle native to South America that causes economic loss and was recently introduced to Italy, where it attacks and damages live poplar trees. Sulcatol and sulcatone are male‐produced pheromone components involved in the mating process ofM. mutatus. Their relative proportions are highly variable among insects, although the temporal pattern shows that initially only sulcatol is present, and sulcatone increases with time, until they are finally both depleted. Sulcatol and sulcatone may be produced de novo by the beetles, they may be produced by fungi, or both pathways may contribute to their production. Sulcatol is stored in the males’ hindgut but sulcatone is only present in emissions, so there is an oxidation process to transform the alcohol to the ketone before or during pheromone release. It is our hypothesis that fungi associated withM. mutatusare responsible for this process. In this work, we studied a possible contribution of associated microorganisms in the conversion of sulcatol into sulcatone and its consequent role in the temporal release pattern of these sex pheromone components observed in male insects. Moreover, we inhibited the postulated enzymes involved in this pheromone conversion process – 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl‐glutatyl‐CoA reductase (HMGR) and P450 enzymes of a fungal strain – and added an antibiotic and a fungicide to the homogenate during sulcatol‐sulcatone conversion. Among the fungal species, particular interest was given toGraphium basitruncatum(Matsush.) Seifert & Okada (Microascales), as it is present in male but not in female exoskeletons and in insect gallery samples, suggesting a possible different role in pherome production, as the male is the pheromone‐producing sex. Several isolated strains were able to convert sulcatol to sulcatone, whereas the fungusG. basitruncatumshowed the highest production of this ketone. Additionally, inhibition of P450 enzymes andHMGRfromG. basitruncatumon this alcohol‐ketone conversion demonstrated thatHMGRis involved in sulcatone generation using sulcatol as precursor, and that P450 enzymes are not. Finally, sulcatone production diminished significantly in homogenized tissues of male and femaleM. mutatusfollowing addition of an antibiotic and a fungicide. The results suggest that fungi associated withM. mutatusare involved in pheromone production.
Fungi associated with Cyclaneusma needle cast in Scots pine in the west of Poland
Authors: Behnke‐Borowczyk Jolanta , Kwaśna Hanna , Kulawinek Bartosz
Published: January 2019

Needles of Pinus sylvestris with and without symptoms of Cyclaneusma needle cast, from the west of Poland, were examined for abundance and diversity of fungi using Illumina sequencing. Fungal communities were dominated by Ascomycota (93.6%–98.6% of OTUs). Basidiomycota and non‐culturable fungi were less frequent. Needles were colonized by 260 taxa. Ascomycota, Basidiomycota and Glomeromycota were represented by 149, 39 and 1 taxa. Abundance of fungi was least in 1.5‐year‐old needles attached to twigs and greatest in fallen 2‐year‐old needles. Fungal communities had least diversity in 1.5‐year‐old needles and most diversity in 0.5‐year‐old needles of current growth. It was found that (a) the most common fungi were the needle pathogens Cyclaneusma minus, Lophodermium spp. and Sydowia polyspora; (b) less common potential pathogens were Cenangium ferruginosum, Coniothyrium complex, Desmazierella acicola, Neocatenulostroma germanicum and species in the genera Neodidymelliopsis, Pestalotiopsis, Phoma, Pleurophoma and Pyrenochaeta; (c) common primary or secondary saprotrophs included species of Alternaria, Aureobasidium, Beauveria, Cladophialophora, Cladosporium, Epicoccum, Exophiala, Lecanicillium, Penicillium, Cryptococcus and Kwoniella; (d) Lophodermium was represented mostly by Lophodermium pinastri which occurred 4–72 times more frequently than Lophodermium seditiosum; (e) frequencies of C. minus and C. ferruginosum were lower in the 0.5‐year‐old symptomless needles, increased in the symptomatic and symptomless 1.5‐year‐old needles and decreased after needle fall; (f) frequency of L. seditiosum was highest in 0.5‐year‐old needles; (g) frequency of L. pinastri increased with needle age whereas S. polyspora increased after needle fall; (h) lower frequency of L. pinastrii was associated with higher frequency of S. polyspora. It was concluded that Cyclaneusa needle cast in Poland may be caused by C. minus accompanied by C. ferruginosum, L. seditiosum, L. pinastrii and S. polyspora. Participation of Coniothyrium spp., Epicoccum nigrum, Pestalotiopsis spp. and Phoma spp. in the disease progress cannot be excluded.
Diversification and functional evolution of reef fish feeding guilds
Authors: Gajdzik Laura , Aguilar‐Medrano Rosalia , Frédérich Bruno
Published: January 2019

A core eco‐evolutionary aim is to better understand the factors driving the diversification of functions in ecosystems. Using phylogenetic, trophic, and functional information, we tested whether trophic habits (i.e. feeding guilds) affect lineage and functional diversification in two major radiations of reef fishes. Our results from wrasses (Labridae) and damselfishes (Pomacentridae) do not fully support the ‘dead‐end’ hypothesis that specialisation leads to reduce speciation rates because the tempo of lineage diversification did not substantially vary among guilds in both fish families. Our findings also demonstrate a tight relationship between trophic habits and functional roles held by fish in reef ecosystems, which is not associated with a variation in the tempo of functional diversification among guilds. By illustrating the pivotal importance of the generalist feeding strategy during the evolutionary history of reef fishes, our study emphasises the role of this feeding guild as a reservoir for future diversity.
Does gene flow aggravate or alleviate maladaptation to environmental stress in small populations?
Authors: Fitzpatrick Sarah W. , Reid Brendan N.
Published: January 2019

Environmental change can expose populations to unfamiliar stressors, and maladaptive responses to those stressors may result in population declines or extirpation. Although gene flow is classically viewed as a cause of maladaptation, small and isolated populations experiencing high levels of drift and little gene flow may be constrained in their evolutionary response to environmental change. We provide a case study using the model Trinidadian guppy system that illustrates the importance of considering gene flow and genetic drift when predicting (mal)adaptive response to acute stress. We compared population genomic patterns and acute stress responses of inbred guppy populations from headwater streams either with or without a recent history of gene flow from a more diverse mainstem population. Compared to “no‐gene flow” analogues, we found that populations with recent gene flow showed higher genomic variation and increased stress tolerance—but only when exposed to a stress familiar to the mainstem population (heat shock). All headwater populations showed similar responses to a familiar stress in headwater environments (starvation) regardless of gene flow history, whereas exposure to an entirely unfamiliar stress (copper sulfate) showed population‐level variation unrelated to environment or recent evolutionary history. Our results suggest that (mal)adaptive responses to acutely stressful environments are determined in part by recent evolutionary history and in part by previous exposure. In some cases, gene flow may provide the variation needed to persist, and eventually adapt, in the face of novel stress.
A phenotypical map of disseminated hepatocellular carcinoma suggests clonal constraints in metastatic sites
Authors: Martins‐Filho Sebastiao N , Alves Venancio A F , Wakamatsu Alda , Maeda Miho , Craig Amanda J , Assato Aline K , Villacorta‐Martin Carlos , D'Avola Delia , Labgaa Ismail , Carrilho Flair J , Thung Swan N , Villanueva Augusto
Published: January 2019

Aims

Access to tissue in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is limited compared to other malignancies, particularly at advanced stages. This has precluded a thorough characterisation of molecular drivers of HCC dissemination, particularly in relation to distant metastases. Biomarker assessment is restricted to early stages, and paired primary–metastatic comparisons between samples from the same patient are difficult.

Methods and results

We report the evaluation of 88 patients with HCC who underwent autopsy, including multiregional sampling of primary and metastatic sites totalling 230 nodules analysed. The study included morphological assessment, immunohistochemistry and mutation status of the TERT promoter, the most frequently mutated gene in HCC. We confirm a strong predilection of HCC for lung dissemination, including subclinical micrometastases (unrecognised during imaging and macroscopic examinations) in 30% of patients with disseminated disease. Size of dominant tumour nodule; multinodularity; macrovascular invasion; high histological, nuclear and architectural grades; and cellular crowding were associated with the presence of extrahepatic metastasis. Among the immunohistochemistry markers tested, metastatic nodules had significantly higher K19 and EpCAM expression than primary liver tumours. Morphological and immunohistochemical features showed that metastatic HCC could be traced back to the primary tumour, sometimes to a specific hepatic nodule.

Conclusions

This study suggests limited heterogeneity in metastatic sites compared to primary tumour sites.
Lead‐free Ag1−3xLaxNbO3 antiferroelectric ceramics with high‐energy storage density and efficiency
Authors: Luo Nengneng , Han Kai , Liu Laijun , Peng Biaolin , Wang Xinpeng , Hu Changzheng , Zhou Huanfu , Feng Qin , Chen Xiyong , Wei Yuezhou
Published: January 2019

Environmentally benign lead‐free bulk ceramics with high recoverable energy density (Wrec) are very attractive in advanced pulsed power capacitors. In this work, composition engineering was adopted by La3+ modification to improve the energy storage performance of Ag1−3xLaxNbO3 ceramics. It was found that the antiferroelectric (AFE) phase was stabilized after La3+ substitution, as a result of the reduced tolerance factor t. Significant improvement of Wrec and energy storage efficiency (η) were achieved with value of 3.12 J/cm3 and 0.63 for x = 0.02 at an electric field of 230 kV/cm, more than 1.5 times the value of pure AgNbO3 (Wrec = 1.9 J/cm3, η = 0.40). The excellent energy storage properties are resulted from the increased antiferroelectric‐ferroelectric phase transition electric field (EF), ferroelectric‐antiferroelectric phase transition electric field (EA), and breakdown electric field (Eb). The enhanced Eb was ascribed to the decreased grain size and increased electrical resistivity upon La3+ modification. The feature makes Ag1−3xLaxNbO3 a potential candidate for energy storage applications.
Fucoxanthin inhibits tumour‐related lymphangiogenesis and growth of breast cancer
Authors: Wang Jia , Ma Yanhong , Yang Jingshi , Jin Lu , Gao Zixiang , Xue Lingyun , Hou Lin , Sui Linlin , Liu Jing , Zou Xiangyang
Published: January 2019

Tumour lymphangiogenesis plays an important role in promoting the growth and lymphatic metastasis of tumours. The process is associated with cell proliferation, migration and tube‐like structure formation in lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC), but no antilymphangiogenic agent is currently used in clinical practice. Fucoxanthin is a material found in brown algae that holds promise in the context of drug development. Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid with variety of pharmacological functions, including antitumour and anti‐inflammatory effects. The ability of fucoxanthin to inhibit lymphangiogenesis remains unclear. The results of experiments performed as part of this study show that fucoxanthin, extracted from Undaria pinnatifida (Wakame), inhibits proliferation, migration and formation of tube‐like structures in human LEC (HLEC). In this study, fucoxanthin also suppressed the malignant phenotype in human breast cancer MDA‐MB‐231 cells and decreased tumour‐induced lymphangiogenesis when used in combination with a conditional medium culture system. Fucoxanthin significantly decreased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐C, VEGF receptor‐3, nuclear factor kappa B, phospho‐Akt and phospho‐PI3K in HLEC. Fucoxanthin also decreased micro‐lymphatic vascular density (micro‐LVD) in a MDA‐MB‐231 nude mouse model of breast cancer. These findings suggest that fucoxanthin inhibits tumour‐induced lymphangiogenesis in vitro and in vivo, highlighting its potential use as an antilymphangiogenic agent for antitumour metastatic comprehensive therapy in patients with breast cancer.
Qualitative assessment of published studies on pulpotomy medicaments for primary molar teeth
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Vaishnavi , Anthonappa Robert , Ekambaram Manikandan , King Nigel M.
Published: January 2019

The aim of the present study was to perform a qualitative assessment of published clinical studies, using the Medline database between 2006 and 2016, on commonly used pulpotomy medicaments. Standardized criteria proposed by Fuks and Papagiannoulis in 2006 was used by three independent examiners who assessed a total of 64 studies and graded the papers as grades A (38‐42), B1 (32‐37), B2 (25‐31), or C (<25) based on the score obtained. Dropout rates were calculated based on the initial sample and the final sample used for analysis. Only three papers were grade A, two of which were parts of the same clinical study with results presented at 24 and 42 months, respectively. Twelve papers were graded B1, 19 were graded B2, and 30 were graded C. The quality of evidence seemed greatest for formocresol (2 grade A, 21 grade B), followed by electro surgery (1 grade A study), calcium hydroxide (11 grade B studies), and ferric sulfate (11 grade B studies). The current qualitative assessment clearly highlights the inadequacies in the published studies, especially the study design and clinical and radiographic criteria, thus provides a basis for formulating specific guidelines for researchers embarking on conducting clinical trials on pulpotomy medicaments.
Melatonin attenuates TNF‐α and IL‐1β expression in synovial fibroblasts and diminishes cartilage degradation: Implications for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Huang Chien‐Chung , Chiou Chen‐Hsiang , Liu Shan‐Chi , Hu Sung‐Lin , Su Chen‐Ming , Tsai Chun‐Hao , Tang Chih‐Hsin
Published: January 2019

The hormone melatonin has many properties, including antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Melatonin has been demonstrated to be beneficial in several inflammatory autoimmune diseases, but its effects in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain controversial. We sought to determine how melatonin regulates inflammation in RA. We found that melatonin dose‐dependently inhibits tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin (IL)‐1β expression through the PI3K/AKT, ERK, and NF‐κB signaling pathways. We also identified that melatonin inhibits TNF‐α and IL‐1β production by upregulating miR‐3150a‐3p expression. Synovial tissue specimens from RA patients and culture of human rheumatoid fibroblast‐like synoviocytes confirmed that the MT1 receptor is needed for the anti‐inflammatory activities of melatonin. Importantly, melatonin also significantly reduced paw swelling, cartilage degradation, and bone erosion in the collagen‐induced arthritis mouse model. Our results indicate that melatonin ameliorates RA by inhibiting TNF‐α and IL‐1β production through downregulation of the PI3K/AKT, ERK, NF‐κB signaling pathways, as well as miR‐3150a‐3p overexpression. The role of melatonin as an adjuvant treatment in patients with RA deserves further clinical studies.
Periodontitis links to exacerbation of myocardial dysfunction in subjects with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Wang Yi , Zhen Zhe , Liu Hin Nam , Lai Ian , Pelekos George , Tse Hung‐fat , Yiu Kai‐hang , Jin Lijian
Published: January 2019

Background and Objective

Subjects with diabetes and periodontitis are at high risk of cardiovascular events, while the subclinical alterations of cardiac function in this cohort remain unclear. This cross‐sectional study investigated the association of periodontitis with left ventricle (LV) structural and functional abnormalities in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Material and Methods

A total of 115 subjects with T2DM were divided into Control group (n = 32) with no or mild periodontitis, and the rest with moderate to severe chronic periodontitis (CP) were further categorized into CP‐1 (n = 41) and CP‐2 (n = 42) based on disease severity. Echocardiography was performed to precisely assess (a) LV hypertrophy by LV mass index (LVMi); (b) LV diastolic function by tissue Doppler imaging index E/e’ ratio; and (c) LV systolic function by speckle tracking derived global longitudinal strain (GLS).

Results

Overall, a linear trend in LVMi, E/e’, and GLS existed among the Control, CP‐1, and CP‐2 groups, respectively (P < 0.05). After adjustments of multiple confounders, CP‐2 subjects showed significantly higher E/e’ (log scale, 2.22 ± 0.05 vs 2.07 ± 0.06, P < 0.01) and GLS (−17.42 ± 0.46% vs −18.95 ± 0.54%, P < 0.05) than the Controls. Multivariate analysis revealed that sites% with probing depth ≥4 mm and sites% with clinical attachment loss ≥5 mm were independent indicators for E/e’ (β = 0.005 and β = 0.002, P < 0.01) and GLS (β = 0.03 and β = 0.02, P < 0.05) , respectively. Moreover, the number of missing teeth was significantly associated with LVMi (β = 0.01, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

This study provides the first evidence that severe periodontitis is significantly associated with the exacerbation of LV diastolic and systolic dysfunction in subjects with T2DM.
Effects of evening exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by 3G mobile phones on health and night sleep EEG architecture
Authors: Lowden Arne , Nagai Roberta , Åkerstedt Torbjörn , Hansson Mild Kjell , Hillert Lena
Published: January 2019

Studies on sleep after exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields have shown mixed results. We investigated the effects of double‐blind radiofrequency exposure to 1,930–1,990 MHz, UMTS 3G signalling standard, time‐averaged 10 g specific absorption rate of 1.6 W kg−1 on self‐evaluated sleepiness and objective electroencephalogram architecture during sleep. Eighteen subjects aged 18–19 years underwent 3.0 hr of controlled exposure on two consecutive days 19:45–23:00 hours (including 15‐min break); active or sham prior to sleep, followed by full‐night 7.5 hr polysomnographic recordings in a sleep laboratory. In a cross‐over design, the procedure was repeated a week later with the second condition. The results for sleep electroencephalogram architecture showed no change after radiofrequency exposure in sleep stages compared with sham, but power spectrum analyses showed a reduction of activity within the slow spindle range (11.0–12.75 Hz). No differences were found for self‐evaluated health symptoms, performance on the Stroop colour word test during exposure or for sleep quality. These results confirm previous findings that radiofrequency post‐exposure in the evening has very little influence on electroencephalogram architecture but possible on spindle range activity.
PTPRD: neurobiology, genetics, and initial pharmacology of a pleiotropic contributor to brain phenotypes
Authors: Uhl George R. , Martinez Maria J.
Published: January 2019

Receptor‐type protein tyrosine phosphatase, receptor type D (PTPRD) has likely roles as a neuronal cell adhesion molecule and synaptic specifier. Interest in its neurobiology and genomics has been stimulated by results from human genetics and mouse models for phenotypes related to addiction, restless leg syndrome, neurofibrillary pathology in Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment/intellectual disability, mood lability, and obsessive‐compulsive disorder. We review PTPRD's discovery, gene family, candidate homomeric and heteromeric binding partners, phosphatase activities, brain distribution, human genetic associations with nervous system phenotypes, and mouse model data relevant to these phenotypes. We discuss the recently reported discovery of the first small molecule inhibitor of PTPRD phosphatase, the identification of its addiction‐related effects, and the implications of these findings for the PTPRD‐associated brain phenotypes. In assembling PTPRD neurobiology, human genetics, and mouse genetic and pharmacological datasets, we provide a compelling picture of the roles played by PTPRD, its variation, and its potential as a target for novel therapeutics.
Dental inclination with self‐ligating and conventional fixed appliances, with and without rapid maxillary expansion
Authors: Rengifo Ricardo Martin , Peña‐Reyes Danelin , de Freitas Marcos R. , de Freitas Karina Maria Salvatore , Aliaga‐Del Castillo Aron , Janson Guilherme
Published: January 2019

Structured Abstract

Objective

To compare the labio‐ and buccolingual inclination of the anterior and posterior teeth in subjects treated with self‐ligating and conventional fixed appliances with and without rapid maxillary expansion.

Methods

Seventy‐one subjects with Class I malocclusion were divided into three groups. Group 1 comprised 24 subjects (17 female; seven male, with a mean age of 13.94 ± 2.87 years), treated with Roth's pre‐adjusted fixed appliances. Group 2 comprised 24 subjects (14 female; 10 male, with a mean age of 13.85 ± 1.83 years) treated with Rapid Maxillary Expansion followed by Roth's pre‐adjusted fixed appliances. Group 3 comprised 23 patients (12 female; 11 male, with a mean age of 14.75 ± 1.34 years) treated with Damon self‐ligating bracket system. Buccolingual inclination was measured on digital dental models using a 3D software. Intergroup changes comparison was performed with one‐way ANOVA, followed by Tukey tests.

Results

The left maxillary lateral incisor showed labial inclination in the conventional and RME groups, and palatal inclination in the Damon group. The Damon group showed greater buccal inclination in most posterior mandibular teeth during treatment than the conventional and RME groups. The right mandibular canine and lateral incisor showed greater labial inclination in the Damon group than in the RME group.

Conclusions

There was greater buccal inclination of the posterior mandibular teeth and labial inclination of the right mandibular canine and lateral incisor in the Damon group.
Productivity spillovers through backward linkages: The role of the origin of investors and absorptive capacity of domestic firms
Authors: Njikam Ousmanou , Leudjou Roland Rostant Njiteu
Published: January 2019

We argue that multinationals from different home countries have different technologies and input sourcing behavior. These differences impinge on potential productivity spillovers through backward linkages of multinationals and such effects also differ across host local firms depending on their absorptive capacity. Using a panel of Cameroonian manufacturing firms over the period 1993 to 2005, we find supportive evidence of these arguments. There is a negative relationship between the presence of American and European affiliates in downstream sectors and the productivity of Cameroonian firms in the supplying industries and a positive correlation in the case of Asian affiliates. The absorptive capacity of Cameroonian firms mainly explains these divergent results.
Assessment of Oral Health Educational Program on oral health status of visually impaired children in New Delhi
Authors: Aggarwal Tanvi , Goswami Mridula , Dhillon Jatinder Kaur
Published: January 2019

Aim

The present study was conducted with the aim to assess the effectiveness of Oral Health Education programme on Oral Health Status of visually impaired children in New Delhi. A specially designed oral health educational programme consisting of audio aid, Braille booklet and individualized training was implemented to educate and motivate visually impaired children for maintaining their oral health.

Methods and results

A total sample size of 120 children in the age group of 5–15 years was selected and questionnaire based on WHO criteria 2013 was administrated. In oral examination caries status using DMFT/S and dmft/s and oral hygiene status using plaque index given by Sillness and Loe was evaluated at the baseline and re‐evaluated after nine months. Oral Health Educational Programme was implemented and reinforced every month for nine months. Results showed that at the end of nine months 55.04% children started brushing twice daily as compared to 30% children at baseline. There was a statiscally significant decrease (0.1887±0.332) in plaque index scores at the end of nine months.

Conclusion

It was concluded that Oral Health Educational Programme was effective in improving the oral hygiene status among visually impaired children.
Digital mapping of coastal boulders – high‐resolution data acquisition to infer past and recent transport dynamics
Authors: Boesl Fabian , Engel Max , Eco Rodrigo C. , Galang JaN B. , Gonzalo Lia A. , Llanes Francesca , Quix Eva , Brückner Helmut
Published: January 2019

Coastal boulder fields provide clues to long‐term frequency‐magnitude patterns of coastal flooding events and have the potential to play an important role in coastal hazard assessment. Mapping boulders in the field is time and labour‐intensive, and work on intertidal reef platforms, as in the present study, is physically challenging. By addressing coastal scientists who are not specialists in remote sensing, this contribution reports on the possibilities and limitations of digital applications in boulder mapping in Eastern Samar, Philippines, where recent supertyphoons Haiyan and Hagupit induced high waves, coastal flooding and boulder transport. It is demonstrated how satellite imagery of sub‐metre resolution (from Pléiades and WorldView‐3 imagery) enables efficient analysis of transport vectors and distances of larger boulders, reflecting variation in latitudes of both typhoon tracks and approaching angles of typhoon‐generated waves. During the investigated events, boulders with a‐axes of up to 8 m were clearly identified to have been shifted for up to 32 m, mostly along the seaward margin of the boulder field. It is, however, hard to keep track of smaller boulders, and the length of a‐axes and b‐axes including their orientation is often impossible to map with sufficient accuracy. Orthophotographs and digital surface models created through the application of an unmanned aerial vehicle and the ‘Structure from Motion’ technique provide ultra‐high‐resolution data, and have the potential to not only improve the results of satellite image analysis, but also those from field mapping and may significantly reduce overall time in the field. Orthophotographs permit unequivocal mapping of a‐axes and b‐axes including their orientation, while precise values for c‐axes can be derived from the respective digital surface models. Volume of boulders is best inferred from boulder‐specific Structure from Motion‐based three‐dimensional models. Battery power, flight speed and altitude determine the limits of the area covered, while patches shielded by the boulders are difficult to resolve. For some tasks, field mapping remains mandatory and cannot be replaced by currently available remote sensing tools: for example, sampling for rock type, density and age dating, recording of lithological separation of boulders from the underlying geological unit and of geomorphic features on a millimetre to decimetre‐scale, or documentation of fine‐grained sediment transport in between the boulders in supratidal settings. In terms of future events, the digital products presented here will provide a valuable reference to track boulder transport on a centimetre to decimetre‐scale and to better understand the hydrodynamics of extreme‐wave events on a fringing reef coastline.