bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Missing cloud security awareness: investigating risk exposure in shadow IT
Authors: Walterbusch Marc , Fietz Adrian , Teuteberg Frank
Published: May 2017

Purpose

On account of its easy and intuitive usage as well as obvious advantages (e.g. access to work data from anywhere, at any time and through any means) the evolutionary cloud computing paradigm favors the use of shadow IT. Since many employees are not aware of the associated risks and possible legal violations, unauthorized use of cloud computing services could result in substantial risk exposure for any company. The purpose of this paper is to explore and to extend the body of knowledge concerning the topic of cloud computing with regard to shadow IT.

Design/methodology/approach

The aim of this contribution is to identify the reasons for the use of cloud computing services and the resulting shadow IT from an employee’s perspective, to demonstrate the counteractions a company may take against the unauthorized use of cloud computing services and to elaborate on the inherent opportunities and risks. We follow a mixed-methods approach consisting of a systematic literature review, a cloud computing awareness study, a vignette study and expert interviews.

Findings

Based on a triangulation of the data sets, the paper at hand proposes a morphological box as well as a two-piece belief-action-outcome model, both from an employee’s and employer’s point of view. Our findings ultimately lead to recommendations for action for employers to counteract the risk exposure. Furthermore, also employees are sensitized by means of insights into the topic of unauthorized usage of cloud computing services in everyday working life.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of the triangulation reflect the limitations of each applied research method. These limitations justify why a mixed-methods approach is favored – rather than relying on a single source of data – because data from various sources can be triangulated.

Practical implications

The paper includes recommendations for action for the handling of the unauthorized usage of cloud computing services within a company, e.g., the set up of a company-wide cloud security strategy and the conduction of an anonymous employee survey to identify the status quo.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need to explore the usage of cloud computing services within the context of shadow IT.
From owning to sharing: understanding the emergence of social sharing services
Authors: Kim Heetae , Choi Kyu Ha , Kim Ki Joon , Park Eunil
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the motivational factors that help shape user perceptions of and attitudes toward car-sharing services and develop a research model that integrates these factors with the technology acceptance model to explicate car sharing’s adoption pattern.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was administered to examine the role of proposed motivational factors for the adoption of wearable healthcare devices. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were conducted on collected data (n=638) to demonstrate the reliability and validity of the measurement and structural model.

Findings

Perceived reliability, compatibility, and enjoyment of car-sharing services as well as users’ innovative tendencies are positively associated with usage intention. However, users’ privacy concern and perceived cost of using the services are found to have no significant effects on the adoption of the services.

Originality/value

While the recent advent of mobile communication devices and services has increased access to social sharing-based platform services such as car sharing, this study provides a research framework that helps to understand how various psychological factors contribute to the adoption of a social-sharing service.
The CENDARI infrastructure in GIS-based historical research
Authors: Moscicka Albina Kinga
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a way of using already existing archival resources in the geographic information system (GIS).

Design/methodology/approach

The essence of the methodology used was to identify semantic relations of archival documents with geographical space and develop their metadata into spatially related metadata, ready to use in GIS and to join geographical names occurring in these metadata with exact places to which they were related to. Research was based on two digital collections from the Library of Contemporary History in Stuttgart on-line service. These collections were related to the First World War and they included metadata prepared in MAB standard.

Findings

As the results of the research, two sample metadata sets related to posters and ration coupons were developed. Thesauruses of coordinates of places and regions mentioned in documents metadata in different semantic context were also created. To complete the methodology, the assumptions of the GIS structure and concept of applying metadata in them, have been proposed.

Research limitations/implications

The research also presents limitations in effective implementation of the proposed solutions, which lie mainly in lack of rules and consequences in recording geographical names in metadata.

Originality/value

The value of the proposed solution is easy way of using already existing data in GIS and possibilities of gathering, managing, presenting and analyzing archives with one parameter more than in traditional databases – with spatial information. The added value and an effective use of already collected data lies in the strong recommendation of defining and implementation of rules for recording geographical names in archival documents metadata. This will help in a wide use of collected data in any spatial-based solutions as well as in automation of process of joining archives with geographical space, and finally in dissemination of collected resources.
Social media-based sponsorship activation – a typology of content
Authors: Gillooly Leah , Anagnostopoulos Christos , Chadwick Simon
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to thematically categorise sports sponsorship-linked Twitter content and, by drawing on uses & gratifications theory, to map the extent to which these categories cohere with known user motivations for consuming social media.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative content analysis of a sample of 1,502 tweets by London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games sponsors posted between January 2011 and September 2012 was used to develop the typology of sponsorship-linked Twitter content.

Findings

From the data, a typology is developed, comprising 17 categories grouped under four main types: informing, entertaining, rewarding and interacting. The majority of sponsor tweets (68 per cent) fell into the informing type, with 17 per cent categorised as interacting. While few (2 per cent) tweets were categorised as entertaining, the link to the sponsored event implies a degree of entertaining content even in ostensibly informative, rewarding or interactional sponsorship-linked tweets. Therefore, the typology categories highlight Twitter content produced by sponsors which engages customers, fostering dialogue alongside providing informative and entertaining content.

Practical implications

The typology can inform practitioners’ future sports sponsorship activation planning decisions and can also aid rights holders in tailoring appropriate sponsorship opportunities to potential sponsors, based on an appreciation of the nature of content sought by brand followers.

Originality/value

The typology extends existing understanding of the use of social media within sponsorship activation campaigns by thematically categorising content and mapping this against known user motivations for consuming brand-related social media content.
Massachusetts Health Reform's Effect on Hospitalizations with Substance Use Disorder–Related Diagnoses
Authors: Lasser Karen E. , Hanchate Amresh D. , McCormick Danny , Walley Alexander Y. , Saitz Richard , Lin Meng‐Yun , Kressin Nancy R.
Published: May 2017

Objective

To examine whether Massachusetts (MA) health reform affected substance (alcohol or drug) use disorder (SUD)–related hospitalizations in acute care hospitals.

Data/Study Setting

2004–2010 MA inpatient discharge data.

Design

Difference‐in‐differences analysis to identify pre‐ to postreform changes in age‐ and sex‐standardized population‐based rates of SUD‐related medical and surgical hospitalizations, adjusting for secular trends.

Data Extraction Methods

We identified 373,751 discharges where a SUD‐related diagnosis was a primary or secondary discharge diagnosis.

Findings

Adjusted for age and sex, the rates of drug use–related and alcohol use–related hospitalizations prereform were 7.21 and 8.87 (per 1,000 population), respectively, in high‐uninsurance counties, and 8.58 and 9.63, respectively, in low‐uninsurance counties. Both SUD‐related rates increased after health reform in high‐ and low‐uninsurance counties. Adjusting for secular trends in the high‐ and low‐uninsurance counties, health reform was associated with no change in drug‐ or alcohol‐related hospitalizations.

Conclusions

Massachusetts health reform was not associated with any changes in substance use disorder–related hospitalizations. Further research is needed to determine how to reduce substance use disorder–related hospitalizations, beyond expanding insurance coverage.
Use of complementary and alternative medicines is associated with delay to initiation of disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drug therapy in early inflammatory arthritis
Authors: Lahiri Manjari , Santosa Amelia , Teoh Lay Kheng , Clayton Jane A. , Lim Sheen Yee , Teng Gim Gee , Cheung Peter P. M.
Published: May 2017

Objectives

To study the predictors of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in patients with early inflammatory arthritis (EIA), and its impact on delay to initiation of disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs (DMARD).

Methods

Data were collected prospectively from EIA patients aged ≥ 21 years. Current or prior CAM use was ascertained by face‐to‐face interview. Predictors of CAM use and its effect on time to DMARD initiation were determined by multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards, respectively.

Results

One hundred and eighty patients (70.6% female, 58.3% Chinese), of median (interquartile range [IQR]) age 51.1 (40.9–59.8) years and symptom duration 16.6 (9.2–26.6) weeks were included: 83.9% had rheumatoid arthritis, 57% were seropositive. Median (IQR) Disease Activity Score in 28‐joints (DAS28) was 4.3 (2.8–5.7), modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (mHAQ) was 0.38 (0.0–0.88) and 41.3% were CAM users. Chinese race (odds ratio [OR] 5.76 [95%CI 2.53–13.1]), being non‐English speaking (OR 2.68 [95% CI 1.18–6.09]), smoking (OR 3.35 [95% CI 1.23–9.15] and high DAS28 (OR 2.73 [95% CI 1.05–7.09] were independent predictors of CAM use. CAM users initiated DMARD later (median [IQR] 21.5 [13.1–30.4] vs. 15.6 [9.4–22.7] weeks in non‐users, P = 0.005). CAM use and higher DAS28 were associated with a longer delay to DMARD initiation (hazard ratio [HR] 0.69, 95% CI 0.50–0.95 and 0.63, 95% CI 0.43–0.91, respectively) while higher mHAQ was associated with a shorter delay (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.08–2.34) and race, education level, being non‐English speaking, smoking and seropositivity were not associated.

Conclusions

Healthcare professionals should be aware of the unique challenges in treating patients with EIA in Asia. Healthcare beliefs regarding CAM may need to be addressed to reduce treatment delay.
Cervical spine involvement risk factors in rheumatoid arthritis: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhu Shuai , Xu Wangdong , Luo Yubin , Zhao Yi , Liu Yi
Published: May 2017

Aim

This study aims to discuss risk factors associated with cervical spine involvement (CSI) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

A literature search was performed in Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science and CBMdisc databases for potential studies published before October 2016. The clinical and laboratory data were extracted, and a meta‐analysis was performed to evaluate the risk factors for CSI in RA patients.

Results

Twelve studies involving a total of 2750 cases with RA and 733 CSI (26.65%) were eligible and included in this meta‐analysis. The results showed that risk factors for CSI were female (odds ratio [OR] = 1.37, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.079–1.74), positive rheumatoid factor (RF) (OR = 1.351, 95% CI: 1.084–1.683), long‐term corticosteroids treatment (OR = 2.208, 95% CI: 1.732–2.815), erosion in hands or feet (OR = 2.559, 95% CI: 1.985–3.299), age (weighted mean difference [WMD] = −2.464 years, 95% CI: −3.688 to −1.240), RA duration (WMD = 1.495 years, 95% CI: 0.870–2.121), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) level (standard mean difference [SMD] = 0.288, 95% CI: 0.161–0.41), C‐reactive protein (CRP) level (SMD = 0.288, 95% CI: 0.161–0.415), Disease Activity Score of 28 joints (SMD = 0.5, 95% CI: 0.303–0.697).

Conclusion

The significant risk factors for CSI in RA were female gender, positive RF, long‐term corticosteroids treatment, peripheral joints erosions, younger age, long RA duration, markers of higher disease activity (ESR, CRP and Disease Activity Score).
Self‐Care Behaviors in Heart Failure
Authors: Cavalcante Agueda Maria Ruiz Zimmer , Lopes Camila Takao , Brunori Evelise Fadini Reis , Swanson Elizabeth , Moorhead Sue Ann , Bachion Maria Márcia , de Barros Alba Lucia Bottura Leite
Published: May 2017

OBJECTIVE

To identify self‐care behaviors, instruments, techniques, parameters for the assessment of self‐care behaviors in people with heart failure, compare these behaviors with the indicators of the Nursing Outcomes Classification outcome, Self Management: Cardiac Disease.

METHOD

Integrative literature review performed in Lilacs, Medline, CINAHL, and Cochrane, including publications from 2009 to 2015. One thousand six hundred ninety‐one articles were retrieved from the search, of which 165 were selected for analysis.

RESULTS

Ten self‐care behaviors and several different assessment instruments, techniques, and parameters were identified. The addition and removal of some indicators are proposed, based on this review. The data provide substrate for the development of conceptual and operational definitions of the indicators, making the outcome more applicable for use in clinical practice.
The FBI's Role in Expelling Germans from Ecuador During the 1940s
Authors: BECKER MARC
Published: May 2017

The expulsion from Latin America of immigrants from axis countries and their descendants is an important but little‐studied episode of the Second World War. The role of the US, and in particular that of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in their removal has largely disappeared from historical memory. This article examines how the FBI advanced US commercial interests, and in the process harmed vulnerable people who were subject to these expulsions.
The role of the endemic and critically endangered Colorful PufflegEriocnemis mirabilisin plant‐hummingbird networks of the Colombian Andes
Authors: Ramírez‐Burbano Mónica B. , Stiles F. Gary , González Catalina , Amorim Felipe W. , Dalsgaard Bo , Maruyama Pietro K.
Published: May 2017

Ecological network approaches may contribute to conservation practices by quantifying within‐community importance of species. In mutualistic plant‐pollinator systems, such networks reflect potential pollination of the plants and a considerable portion of the energy consumption by the pollinators, two key components for each party. Here, we used two different sampling approaches to describe mutualistic plant‐hummingbird networks from a cloud forest in the Colombian Western Andes, home to the Colorful PufflegEriocnemis mirabilis, an endemic and critically endangered hummingbird. We contrast networks between two localities (a protected area inside a National park vs. its buffer zone) and across sampling methods (floral visitation vs. pollen loads) to assess how the network structure and the importance of each hummingbird species within the networks may change. Visitation networks were characterized as having higher sampling completeness, yet pollen load network recorded more pollen types than plant species recorded by visitation. Irrespective of the sampling methods, the Colorful Puffleg was one of the most important hummingbird species in the network within the protected area inside the National park, but not in the buffer zone. Moreover, most species‐level network indices were related to hummingbirds’ abundance. This suggests that conservation initiatives aimed at the endangered Colorful Puffleg may both help on the survival of this endangered hummingbird, as well as on maintaining its key role in the mutualistic interaction network inside the National Park. Our study illustrates how conservation practitioners could assess the local importance of endangered species using interaction network approaches.
Using a Group‐Centered Approach to Observe Interactions in Early Childhood Education
Authors: van Schaik Saskia D. M. , Leseman Paul P. M. , de Haan Mariëtte
Published: May 2017

This study examined the value of using a group‐centered approach to evaluate process quality of early childhood education and care (ECEC). Is observed support of group processes a different aspect of classroom quality, and does it predict children's collaborative play in ECEC in the Netherlands? In two play situations, 37 teachers and 120 two‐ to four‐year‐old children were observed with the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) Toddler and two new measures. In a two‐level structural equation model, teachers’ support of group processes was positively related to the CLASS domains and to children's collaborative play, over and above the effect of children's cognitive ability and social competence. These findings suggest that ECEC quality evaluation could be enriched by adding group‐centered indicators of classroom quality.
Dealing with Big Numbers: Representation and Understanding of Magnitudes Outside of Human Experience
Authors: Resnick Ilyse , Newcombe Nora S. , Shipley Thomas F.
Published: May 2017

Being able to estimate quantity is important in everyday life and for success in the STEM disciplines. However, people have difficulty reasoning about magnitudes outside of human perception (e.g., nanoseconds, geologic time). This study examines patterns of estimation errors across temporal and spatial magnitudes at large scales. We evaluated the effectiveness of hierarchical alignment in improving estimations, and transfer across dimensions. The activity was successful in increasing accuracy for temporal and spatial magnitudes, and learning transferred to the estimation of numeric magnitudes associated with events and objects. However, there were also a number of informative differences in performance on temporal, spatial, and numeric magnitude measures, suggesting that participants possess different categorical information for these scales. Educational implications are discussed.
Glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency induced haemolysis in a woman with newly diagnosed diabetes after normalisation of hyperglycaemia
Authors: ALjishi F. , ALDarwish M.
Published: May 2017

Background

The association between diabetes and G6PD deficiency is still a matter of debate. Hemolysis due to G6PD deficiency in people with diabetes has been reported, but is uncommon. To date, twenty‐three cases have been reported from 12 different countries.

Case report

We reported a 19‐year‐old Saudi women newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in whom hemolytic crises occurred soon after normalization of hyperglycemia and revealed a G6PD deficiency. We reviewed the pertinent literature of this phenomenon and discussed the relevant theories.

Conclusion

We conclude that in order to reduce the risk of hemolysis, in an area with high incidence of G6PD deficiency, screening of the enzyme activity should be considered in newly diagnosed people with diabetes. In case of G6PD deficiency, it is advisable to correct plasma glucose level gradually in order to avoid the rapid decline in glucose availability.
General Equilibrium Dynamics with Naïve and Sophisticated Hyperbolic Consumers in an Overlapping Generations Economy
Authors: Ojima Takeshi
Published: May 2017

Using an overlapping generations model, this paper describes interactions between naïve and sophisticated hyperbolic discounters in general equilibrium. The naïfs, who overestimate their propensity to save and hence overforecast equilibrium asset prices, in the next period are exploited through capital transactions by the sophisticates, who correctly forecast future asset prices by incorporating the naïfs’ misforecasts. Due to the capital losses, the naïfs fall into bankruptcy when they are highly present‐biased, highly patient, and small in proportion. Under permissive conditions, the equilibrium is shown to be globally stable and Pareto‐inefficient in the ex post sense.
Negative schemata about the self and others and paranoid ideation in at‐risk states and those with persisting positive symptoms
Authors: Müller Hendrik , de Millas Walter , Gaebel Wolfgang , Herrlich Jutta , Hasan Alkomiet , Janssen Birgit , Juckel Georg , Karow Anne , Kircher Tilo , Kiszkenow‐Bäker Stefanie , Klingberg Stefan , Klosterkötter Joachim , Krüger‐Özgürdal Seza , Lambert Martin , Lautenschlager Marion , Maier Wolfgang , Michel Tanja Maria , Mehl Stefanie , Müller Bernhard W. , Pützfeld Verena , Rausch Franziska , Riedel Michael , Sartory Gudrun , Schneider Frank , Wagner Michael , Wiedemann Georg , Wittorf Andreas , Wobrock Thomas , Wölwer Wolfgang , Zink Mathias , Bechdolf Andreas
Published: May 2017

Background

The objective of this study is to test the conflicting theories concerning the association of negative self and other schemata and paranoid ideation.

Methods

A risk‐based approach, including risk stratification, is used to gain insight into the association of the negative self and other schemata that may be shared by individuals or differentiate between individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for a first‐episode psychosis and those with full‐blown psychosis. The dataset includes a sample of individuals at CHR (n = 137) and a sample of individuals with persisting positive symptoms (PPS, n = 211). The CHR sample was subdivided according to a prognostic index yielding 4 CHR sub‐classes with increasing risk for transition to psychosis.

Results

Negative beliefs about the self were associated with paranoid ideation in CHR and a lower risk state. In the highest risk state and full‐blown psychosis, there is an association with negative beliefs about others.

Conclusion

These findings are in line with theories suggesting a switch from a predominantly activated negative self‐schema to a malevolent others‐schema in association with paranoid ideation along the risk‐continuum. However, due to methodological limitations these results should be replicated by future studies.
Algorithm‐based pharmacotherapy for first‐episode schizophrenia involuntarily hospitalized: A retrospective analysis of real‐world practice
Authors: Yoshimura Bunta , Sato Kojiro , Takaki Manabu , Yamada Norihito
Published: May 2017

Background

Little is known about the clinical outcomes of severely ill patients with first‐episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders (FES) who are considered to lack the capacity to consent to clinical trials. We investigated the feasibility of an algorithm‐based pharmacotherapy (ABP) and clinical outcomes of patients with FES involuntarily hospitalized and treated with ABP.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review of 160 patients admitted involuntarily between October 2012 and October 2015. Our algorithm aimed to delay olanzapine, standardize medications and suggest initiation of clozapine after failure (non‐response or intolerability) of third‐line antipsychotic treatment. The duration of each adequate antipsychotic treatment at optimal dosage was 4 weeks or more.

Results

The physician adherence rate to ABP was 95%. Response and remission rates were 76.0% and 48.6% in the first adequate antipsychotic trial (Phase I, n = 146), 62.5% and 25.0% in the second adequate antipsychotic trial (Phase II, n = 32), and 16.7% and 0% in the third adequate antipsychotic trial (Phase III, n = 6). Response and remission rates in the clozapine trial (n = 9) increased to nearly the level of Phase I (66.7% and 44.4%). The treatment‐resistance rate was 8.4% to 10.3%.

Conclusions

These findings suggested the validity of ABP and initiation of clozapine for treatment‐resistant psychotic symptoms for even severely ill involuntarily hospitalized patients with FES.
Towards a Dialogic Understanding of Children's Art‐Making Process
Authors: Kim Hyunsu
Published: May 2017

This article is intended to identify the complex process of children's art making by bringing new methodologies into the analysis of children's pictures. This article analyses the art‐making process of a selected drawing by a five‐year‐old boy. The study builds on previous findings regarding children's verbal discourses during the art‐making process in terms of aspects of learning and suggests a possible method of combining two approaches, visual and verbal discourse analyses. In the process of creating one picture, the focal child, Daniel, made a series of drawings that revealed his own interests and included other voices. In doing so, he used the picture as a mediation tool to reflect several children's personal stands, their interactive process and the larger social discourse.
CD44+ fibroblasts increases breast cancer cell survival and drug resistance via IGF2BP3‐CD44‐IGF2 signalling
Authors: Liu Yonglei , Yu Conghui , Wu Yonggang , Sun Xiangjun , Su Quanping , You Cuiping , Xin Hongwu
Published: May 2017

CD44, a cell adhesion protein, involves in various process in cancer such as cell survival and metastasis. Most researches on CD44 in cancer focus on cancer cells. Recently, it is found that CD44 expression is high in fibroblasts of tumour microenvironment. However, its role in communication between fibroblasts and breast cancer cells is seldom known. In this study, CD44‐positive (CD44+Fbs) and CD44‐negative carcinoma‐associated fibroblasts (CD44−Fbs) were isolated and cocultured with breast cancer cells for analysis of cell survival and drug resistance. We found that CD44+Fbs promoted breast cancer cell survival and paclitaxel resistance and inhibited paclitaxel‐induced apoptosis. Our further research for the molecular mechanism showed that IGF2BP3 bound to CD44 mRNA and enhanced CD44 expression, which increased IGF2 levels of fibroblasts and then stimulated breast cancer cell proliferation and drug resistance. IGF2 was found to activate Hedgehog signal pathway in breast cancer cells. In conclusion, the results illustrated that in CD44+Fbs, binding of IGF2BP3 and CD44 promotes IGF2 expression and then accelerates breast cancer cell proliferation, survival and induced chemotherapy resistance likely by activating Hedgehog signal pathways.
Polydatin reduces Staphylococcus aureus lipoteichoic acid‐induced injury by attenuating reactive oxygen species generation and TLR2‐NFκB signalling
Authors: Zhao Gan , Jiang Kangfeng , Wu Haichong , Qiu Changwei , Deng Ganzhen , Peng Xiuli
Published: May 2017

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) causes severe inflammation in various infectious diseases, leading to high mortality. The clinical application of antibiotics has gained a significant curative effect. However, it has led to the emergence of various resistant bacteria. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the protective effect of polydatin (PD), a traditional Chinese medicine extract, on S. aureus lipoteichoic acid (LTA)‐induced injury in vitro and in vivo. First, a significant improvement in the pathological conditions of PD in vivo was observed, suggesting that PD had a certain protective effect on LTA‐induced injury in a mouse model. To further explore the underlying mechanisms of this protective effect of PD, LTA‐induced murine macrophages were used in this study. The results have shown that PD could reduce the NF‐κB p65, and IκBα phosphorylation levels increased by LTA, resulting in a decrease in the transcription of pro‐inflammatory factors, such as TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐6. However, LTA can not only activate NF‐κB through the recognition of TLR2 but also increase the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby activating NF‐κB signalling. We also detected high levels of ROS that activate caspases 9 and 3 to induce apoptosis. In addition, using a specific NF‐κB inhibitor that could attenuate apoptosis, namely NF‐κB p65, acted as a pro‐apoptotic transcription factor in LTA‐induced murine macrophages. However, PD could inhibit the generation of ROS and NF‐κB p65 activation, suggesting that PD suppressed LTA‐induced injury by attenuating ROS generation and TLR2‐NFκB signalling.
C1q/TNF‐related protein 9 inhibits the cholesterol‐induced Vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype switch and cell dysfunction by activating AMP‐dependent kinase
Authors: Liu Qi , Zhang Hui , Lin Jiale , Zhang Ruoxi , Chen Shuyuan , Liu Wei , Sun Meng , Du Wenjuan , Hou Jingbo , Yu Bo
Published: May 2017

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) switch to macrophage‐like cells after cholesterol loading, and this change may play an important role in the progression of atherosclerosis. C1q/TNF‐related protein 9 (CTRP9) is a recently discovered adipokine that has been shown to have beneficial effects on glucose metabolism and vascular function, particularly in regard to cardiovascular disease. The question of whether CTRP9 can protect VSMCs from cholesterol damage has not been addressed. In this study, the impact of CTRP9 on cholesterol‐damaged VSMCs was observed. Our data show that in cholesterol‐treated VSMCs, CTRP9 significantly reversed the cholesterol‐induced increases in pro‐inflammatory factor secretion, monocyte adhesion, cholesterol uptake and expression of the macrophage marker CD68. Meanwhile, CTRP9 prevented the cholesterol‐induced activation of the TLR4–MyD88–p65 pathway and upregulated the expression of proteins important for cholesterol efflux. Mechanistically, as siRNA‐induced selective gene ablation of AMPKα1 abolished these effects of CTRP9, we concluded that CTRP9 achieves these protective effects in VSMCs through the AMP‐dependent kinase (AMPK) pathway.
Antineoplastic effects of clove buds (Syzygium aromaticum L.) in the model of breast carcinoma
Authors: Kubatka Peter , Uramova Sona , Kello Martin , Kajo Karol , Kruzliak Peter , Mojzis Jan , Vybohova Desanka , Adamkov Marian , Jasek Karina , Lasabova Zora , Zubor Pavol , Fialova Silvia , Dokupilova Svetlana , Solar Peter , Pec Martin , Adamicova Katarina , Danko Jan , Adamek Mariusz , Busselberg Dietrich
Published: May 2017

It is supposed that plant functional foods, rich in phytochemicals, may potentially have preventive effects in carcinogenesis. In this study, the anticancer effects of cloves in the in vivo and in vitro mammary carcinoma model were assessed. Dried flower buds of cloves (CLOs) were used at two concentrations of 0.1% and 1% through diet during 13 weeks after the application of chemocarcinogen. After autopsy, histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses of rat mammary carcinomas were performed. Moreover, in vitro evaluation using MCF‐7 cells was carried out. Dietary administered CLO caused the dose‐dependent decrease in tumour frequency by 47.5% and 58.5% when compared to control. Analysis of carcinoma cells in animals showed bcl‐2, Ki67, VEGFA, CD24 and CD44 expression decrease and Bax, caspase‐3 and ALDH1 expression increase after high‐dose CLO administration. MDA levels were substantially decreased in rat carcinomas in both CLO groups. The evaluation of histone modifications revealed increase in lysine trimethylations and acetylations (H4K20me3, H4K16ac) in carcinomas after CLO administration. TIMP3 promoter methylation levels of CpG3, CpG4, CpG5 islands were altered in treated cancer cells. An increase in total RASSF1A promoter methylation (three CpG sites) in CLO 1 group was found. In vitro studies showed antiproliferative and pro‐apoptotic effects of CLO extract in MCF‐7 cells (analyses of cytotoxicity, Brdu, cell cycle, annexin V/PI, caspase‐7, Bcl‐2 and mitochondrial membrane potential). This study showed a significant anticancer effect of clove buds in the mammary carcinoma model in vivo and in vitro.
Modulation of nuclear REST by alternative splicing: a potential therapeutic target for Huntington's disease
Authors: Chen Guo‐Lin , Ma Qi , Goswami Dharmendra , Shang Jianyu , Miller Gregory M.
Published: May 2017

Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by a genetically mutated huntingtin (mHtt) protein with expanded polyQ stretch, which impairs cytosolic sequestration of the repressor element‐1 silencing transcription factor (REST), resulting in excessive nuclear REST and subsequent repression of neuronal genes. We recently demonstrated that REST undergoes extensive, context‐dependent alternative splicing, of which exon‐3 skipping (∆E3)—a common event in human and nonhuman primates—causes loss of a motif critical for REST nuclear targeting. This study aimed to determine whether ∆E3 can be targeted to reduce nuclear REST and rescue neuronal gene expression in mouse striatal‐derived, mHtt‐expressing STHdhQ111/Q111 cells—a well‐established cellular model of HD. We designed two morpholino antisense oligos (ASOs) targeting the splice sites of Rest E3 and examined their effects on ∆E3, nuclear Rest accumulation and Rest‐controlled gene expression in STHdhQ111/Q111 cells. We found that (1) the ASOs treatment significantly induced ∆E3, reduced nuclear Rest, and rescued transcription and/or mis‐splicing of specific neuronal genes (e.g. Syn1 and Stmn2) in STHdhQ111/Q111 cells; and (2) the ASOs‐induced transcriptional regulation was dependent on ∆E3 induction and mimicked by siRNA‐mediated knock‐down of Rest expression. Our findings demonstrate modulation of nuclear REST by ∆E3 and its potential as a new therapeutic target for HD and provide new insights into environmental regulation of genome function and pathogenesis of HD. As ∆E3 is modulated by cellular signalling and linked to various types of cancer, we anticipate that ∆E3 contributes to environmentally tuned REST function and may have a broad range of clinical implications.
Editorial Perspective: Neurodiversity – a revolutionary concept for autism and psychiatry
Authors: Baron‐Cohen Simon
Published: May 2017

Should we continue to refer to autism as a ‘disease’ or ‘disorder’, or is the framework of ‘neurodiversity’ a more humane and accurate lens through which to view people with autism? Evidence at the genetic, neural, behavioural and cognitive levels reveals people with autism show both differences, and signs of disability, but not disorder. Disability requires societal support, acceptance of difference and diversity, and societal “reasonable adjustment”, whilst disorder is usually taken to require cure or treatment. These are very different frameworks. It will be important to see how the concept of neurodiversity is applied to the 300 diagnoses in DSM‐5, and if it revolutionizes both the science and the practice of psychiatry.
Telomere attrition and growth: a life‐history framework and case study in common terns
Authors: Vedder O. , Verhulst S. , Bauch C. , Bouwhuis S.
Published: May 2017

The relationship between growth and age‐specific telomere length, as a proxy of somatic state, is increasingly investigated, but observed patterns vary and a predictive framework is lacking. We outline expectations based on the assumption that telomere maintenance is costly and argue that individual heterogeneity in resource acquisition is predicted to lead to positive covariance between growth and telomere length. However, canalization of resource allocation to the trait with a larger effect on fitness, rendering that trait relatively invariant, can cause the absence of covariance. In a case study of common tern (Sterna hirundo) chicks, in which hatching order is the main determinant of variation in resource acquisition within broods, we find that body mass, but not telomere length or attrition, varies with hatching order. Moreover, body mass and growth positively predict survival to fledging, whereas telomere length and attrition do not. Using a novel statistical method to quantify standardized variance in plasticity, we estimate between‐individual variation in telomere attrition to be only 12% of that of growth. Consistent with the relative invariance of telomere attrition, we find no correlation between age‐specific body mass or growth and telomere attrition. We suggest that common tern chicks prioritize investment in long‐term somatic state (as indicated by canalization of telomere maintenance) over immediate survival benefits of growth as part of an efficient brood reduction strategy that benefits the parents. As such, interspecific variation in the growth–telomere length relationship may be explained by the extent to which parents benefit from rapid mortality of excess offspring.
Examining conscientiousness as a key resource in resisting email interruptions: Implications for volatile resources and goal achievement
Authors: Russell Emma , Woods Stephen A. , Banks Adrian P.
Published: May 2017

Within the context of the conservation of resources model, when a resource is deployed, it is depleted – albeit temporarily. However, when a ‘key’, stable resource, such as Conscientiousness, is activated (e.g., using a self‐control strategy, such as resisting an email interruption), we predicted that (1) another, more volatile resource (affective well‐being) would be impacted and that (2) this strategy would be deployed as a trade‐off, allowing one to satisfy task goals, at the expense of well‐being goals. We conducted an experience‐sampling field study with 52 email‐users dealing with their normal email as it interrupted them over the course of a half‐day period. This amounted to a total of 376 email reported across the sample. Results were analysed using random coefficient hierarchical linear modelling and included cross‐level interactions for Conscientiousness with strategy and well‐being. Our first prediction was supported – deploying the stable, key resource of Conscientiousness depletes the volatile, fluctuating resource of affective well‐being. However, our second prediction was not fully realized. Although resisting or avoiding an email interruption was perceived to hinder well‐being goal achievement by Conscientious people, it had neither a positive nor negative impact on task goal achievement. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.

Practitioner points

It may be necessary for highly Conscientious people to turn off their email interruption alerts at work, in order to avoid the strain that results from an activation‐resistance mechanism afforded by the arrival of a new email.

Deploying key resources means that volatile resources may be differentially spent, depending on one's natural tendencies and how these interact with the work task and context. This suggests that the relationship between demands and resources is not always direct and predictable.

Practitioners may wish to appraise the strategies they use to deal with demands such as email at work, to identify if these strategies are assisting with task or well‐being goal achievement, or whether they have become defunct through automation.
Primary pupils' creative writing: enacting identities in a Community of Writers
Authors: Dobson Tom , Stephenson Lisa
Published: May 2017

This paper focuses on a Community of Writers creative writing project where 25 primary school pupils from lower socio‐economic backgrounds took part in creative writing workshops over a 2‐week period at a higher education institution. Using practitioner enquiry and discourse analysis, this paper views identity as participation in ‘figured worlds’ and highlights the relationship between the children's creative writing outputs and their shifting identities (Holland et al., ). A case is made that children's authentic creative writing can be nurtured by a community that promotes intertextuality and ‘hybridity’ (Bakhtin, ) as well as balancing pedagogical ‘structure’ and ‘freedom’ (Davies et al., ) in order to provide textual space for writers to enact different identities. At a time when the global figuring power of performativity (Ball, ) actively restricts the ways in which teachers and children interact, this paper also presents an informed argument for the value of school–university research partnerships.
“An Unqualified Human Good”? On Rule of Law, Globalization, and Imperialism
Authors: Brown Mark
Published: May 2017

Forty years ago, E. P. Thompson praised the English rule of law forged during the bloody and fractious eighteenth century, calling it not only “an unqualified human good,” but also a “cultural achievement of universal significance.” This article examines colonial rule-of-law development as another example of law and state building. Both have relevance for contemporary rule-of-law programming in the Global South where Thompson's “cultural achievement” has resisted fabrication by legal technicians. The problems faced today are not new, for colonial rulers also engaged with complex indigenous norms and forms and sought to balance universal principles with political control imperatives. Contra arguments about colonial “lawfare,” colonial rule of law often frustrated authoritarian tendencies while developing new forms of legal subjectivity and avenues for redress of grievances. Using data from the Indian province of Punjab, the article illustrates how historical case studies might aid contemporary rule-of-law programming in the Global South.
NDRG4, an early detection marker for colorectal cancer, is specifically expressed in enteric neurons
Authors: Vaes N. , Lentjes M. H. F. M. , Gijbels M. J. , Rademakers G. , Daenen K. L. , Boesmans W. , Wouters K. A. D. , Geuzens A. , Qu X. , Steinbusch H. P. J. , Rutten B. P. F. , Baldwin S. H. , Sharkey K. A. , Hofstra R. M. W. , van Engeland M. , Vanden Berghe P. , Melotte V.
Published: May 2017

Background

Promoter methylation of N‐myc Downstream‐Regulated Gene 4 (NDRG4) in fecal DNA is an established early detection marker for colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite its connection to CRC, NDRG4 is predominantly studied in brain and heart, with little to no knowledge about its expression or role in other organs. In this study, we aimed to determine the whole‐body expression of NDRG4, with a focus on the intestinal tract.

Methods

We investigated NDRG4 expression throughout the body by immunohistochemistry, Western Blotting and in situ mRNA hybridization using tissues from NDRG4 wild‐type, heterozygous and knockout mice and humans. In addition, we explored cell‐specific expression of NDRG4 in murine whole‐mount gut preparations using immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy.

Key Results

NDRG4 is specifically expressed within nervous system structures throughout the body. In the intestinal tract of both mouse and man, NDRG4 immunoreactivity was restricted to the enteric nervous system (ENS), where it labeled cell bodies of the myenteric and submucosal plexuses and interconnecting nerve fibers. More precisely, NDRG4 expression was limited to neurons, as NDRG4 always co‐localized with HuC/D (pan‐neuronal marker) but never with GFAP (an enteric glial cell marker). Furthermore, NDRG4 was expressed in various neuropeptide Y positive neurons, but was only found in a minority (~10%) of neurons expressing neuronal nitric oxide synthase.

Conclusions and Inferences

NDRG4 is exclusively expressed by central, peripheral and enteric neurons/nerves, suggesting a neuronal‐specific role of this protein. Our findings raise the question whether NDRG4, via the ENS, an understudied component of the tumor microenvironment, supports CRC development and/or progression.
Handy Hints About Raynaud's Phenomenon in Children: A Critical Review
Authors: Rigante Donato , Fastiggi Michele , Ricci Francesco , D'Errico Francesca , Bracci Benedetta , Guerriero Cristina
Published: May 2017

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is a vasospastic disorder characterized by recurrent self‐limited episodes of skin pallor, cyanosis, and hyperemia caused by paroxysmal spasms in the small arteries of the fingers and toes and can occur in any age group. Hands, feet, nose, ears, and nipples can be affected. The diagnosis is made clinically, assessing varying degrees of ischemia in the involved areas of skin, but this transient ischemia may also herald the onset of connective tissue disease. Investigation is recommended when RP starts in childhood to exclude an underlying autoimmune condition and close follow‐up for its development. Management of RP in children includes conservative and pharmacologic treatments.
Parent and Child Characteristics Associated with Child Sunburn and Sun Protection Among U.S. Hispanics
Authors: Day Ashley K. , Stapleton Jerod L. , Natale‐Pereira Ana M. , Goydos James S. , Coups Elliot J.
Published: May 2017

Background/Objectives

Skin cancer incidence has been increasing in U.S. Hispanics over several decades and the postdiagnosis outcomes are worse for Hispanics than for non‐Hispanic whites. Parents are influential in children's health preventive behaviors, but little is known about parental factors associated with children's skin cancer–related behaviors in the U.S. Hispanic population. The present study examined parental and child correlates of skin cancer–related behaviors (sunburns, sunbathing, sun‐protective clothing use, and sunscreen use) of children of Hispanic parents.

Methods

This survey study included a population‐based sample of 360 U.S. Hispanic parents (44.8% male) who had a child 14 years of age or younger. Measures included parental reports of parent and child demographic characteristics, parent skin cancer knowledge and linguistic acculturation, and parent and child skin cancer–related behaviors.

Results

Approximately 28% of children and 31.9% of parents experienced at least one sunburn in the past year and approximately 29% of children and 36.7% of parents were reported to sunbathe. Moderate use of sun‐protective clothing and sunscreen was reported for parents and their children. Child sun‐protective clothing use and sunscreen use, sunburns, and sunbathing were associated with the corresponding behaviors of their parents.

Conclusions

Future research should consider the role of acculturation and perceived risk in the sun protection behaviors of U.S. Hispanic children, particularly in those who report a fair skin type. Hispanic parents should be included in interventions targeting their children's skin cancer–related behaviors, and it is suggested that such interventions could also encourage parents to improve their own behaviors.