bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainable innovation practices and their relationship with the performance of industrial companies
Authors: Kneipp Jordana Marques , Gomes Clandia Maffini , Bichueti Roberto Schoproni , Frizzo Kamila , Perlin Ana Paula
Published: April 2019

Purpose

Conditioning factors of the globalized world have created new requirements and opportunities in developing management models for organizations that englobe sustainability aspects, which presume substantial investments in innovation. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the relation between sustainable innovation practices and the performance of industrial companies.

Design/methodology/approach

This was a quantitative study and carried out by applying a research survey in Brazilian industrial companies.

Findings

The results showed that there are significantly positive associations between several variables related to sustainable innovation practices and company performance, being, therefore, possible to confirm the original proposed hypothesis.

Research limitations/implications

The main limiting factors were theoretical choices, comprehension of the phenomenon through the perception of the respondents, and the number of companies in the sample, as little representation was found in the researched population. In this manner, the results cannot be applied to the universe of considered research, being restricted solely to the group of companies in the sample.

Practical implications

From the main contributions, it is possible to highlight, at a theoretical level, the joint approach to issues of sustainable innovation and performance, since there are few studies covering the impact of adopting innovation practices on company performance. At a practical level, understanding of how the behavior of Brazilian industrial companies contributes to the wide distribution of practices that may contribute to better business performance and generate competitive advantages.

Social implications

At a social level, understanding of the benefits in adopting sustainable innovations practices favors the minimization of negative socio-environmental impacts.

Originality/value

By analyzing the themes of sustainable innovation and industrial performance, the present study may contribute to adopting business behavior that strategically and systemically integrates the objectives of sustainable innovation.
Affiliations for homeless individuals through social enterprise employment
Authors: Cook Molly , Willetts Marion C.
Published: April 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the ways in which a social enterprise provides opportunities to its homeless employees to increase their number and types of affiliations.

Design/methodology/approach

Affiliation theory is used to explore whether employment at a social enterprise may ameliorate homelessness by increasing the affiliations employees acquire. Seven semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with participants at one social enterprise.

Findings

Results indicate that enterprise leadership staff facilitate opportunities to employees to increase and maintain their affiliations. Leadership staff provide a supportive environment, allowing employees to gain social skills and feelings of utility that result in their building and maintaining affiliations. However, leadership staff confront high turn-over, addiction and mental illness among employees, which result in disaffiliation. Employees contend with a lack of housing and limited educational and job training opportunities; obtaining these resources in the future may necessitate additional affiliations.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the current state of knowledge concerning affiliation theory and the employment of homeless individuals through a social enterprise by demonstrating the importance of both strong and weak ties between employees and employers, social service agencies, other employees and members of the community outside of work, and how the strength of ties may change over time.
Madness and chaos in the culture of a therapeutic community
Authors: Leach Jonathan Stephen Roger
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions of staff members working in a psychiatric therapeutic community in relation to ideas of “madness” and “chaos”.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a qualitative study based on oral history group witness seminars.

Findings

The findings indicate that many of the participants experienced working in a therapeutic community as both exciting and unsettling; some found themselves questioning their own mental health at the time. Despite a sense of “madness” and chaos in the life of the community, there was also a feeling that it provided a containing environment for some very disturbed patients.

Originality/value

This study is unusual in drawing upon staff member’s perceptions of their own relationship to “madness” in response to being involved in the life of a therapeutic community.
Relationships between fungal community composition in decomposing leaf litter and home‐field advantage effects
Authors: Veen G. F. (Ciska) , Snoek Basten L. , Bakx‐Schotman Tanja , Wardle David A. , van der Putten Wim H.
Published: April 2019

Increasing evidence suggests that specific interactions between microbial decomposers and plant litter, named home‐field advantage (HFA), influence litter breakdown. However, we still have limited understanding of whether HFA relates to specific microbiota, and whether specialized microbes originate from the soil or from the leaf microbiome. Here, we disentangle the roles of soil origin, litter types and the microbial community already present on the leaf litter in determining fungal community composition on decomposing leaf litter and HFA.

We collected litters and associated soil samples from a secondary succession gradient ranging from herbaceous vegetation on recently abandoned ex‐arable fields to forest representing the end stage of succession. In a greenhouse, sterilized and unsterilized leaf litters were decomposed for 12 months in soils from early‐ to late‐successional stages according to a full‐factorial design. At the end, we examined fungal community composition on the decomposing litter.

Fungal communities on decomposed late‐successional litter in late‐successional soil differed from those in early‐ and mid‐successional stage litter and soil combinations. Soil source had the strongest impact on litter fungal composition when using sterilized litter, while the impact of litter type was strongest when using unsterilized litter. Overall, we observed HFA, as litter decomposition was accelerated in home soils. Increasing HFA did not relate to the dissimilarity in overall fungal composition, but there was increasing dissimilarity in the relative abundance of the most dominant fungal taxon between decomposing litter in home and away soils.

We conclude that early‐, mid‐ and late‐succession litter types did not exert strong selection effects on colonization by micro‐organisms from the soil species pool. Instead, fungal community composition on decomposing litter differed substantially between litter types for unsterilized litter, suggesting that the leaf microbiome, either directly or indirectly, is an important determinant of fungal community composition on decomposing leaves. HFA related most strongly to the abundance of the most dominant fungal taxa on the decomposing litter, suggesting that HFA may be attributed to some specific dominant fungi rather than to responses of the whole fungal community.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Key pollen host plants provide balanced diets for wild bee larvae: A lesson for planting flower strips and hedgerows
Authors: Filipiak Michał
Published: April 2019

Bee‐friendly plants are defined by the quantity of food they produce and the visitation rates of adult insects foraging for nectar. However, it is pollen nutritional quality that enables proper larval development of bees, affecting their populations. Not all plants produce pollen that satisfies the nutritional requirements of bee larvae, and we lack an understanding of how different plant pollens impact bee nutritional demands. This study examined whether nutritionally desirable key plant species may promote wild bee larval development, which is essential if the population is to thrive.

The generalist solitary mason bee Osmia bicornis L. was used as a model species to examine differences between bee larva nutritional demand and host plant nutrient supply; an ecological stoichiometry framework was applied. The stoichiometric ratios of 12 elements were investigated in bee bodies and cocoons (reflecting nutritional demand) and in the pollen supplied by the mother (nutritional supply; N = 15 × 2 sexes). Similarly, the stoichiometry of 62 pollen taxa, including native, alien, and garden plants and crops, was compared with the bee demand based on the literature.

Compared to males, females had higher demands for P, Cu and Zn and were supplied with pollen richer in these elements. Therefore, when collecting pollen for their progeny, Osmia provides daughters and sons with different pollen mixtures, reflecting sex‐specific nutritional demand.

Bees may be limited by the availability of P, Na, Mn, Mg, K, Fe, Ca, Zn and Cu, with high taxonomic variability in their concentrations in pollen. Female fitness may be particularly related to a high proportion of P in the diet.

Synthesis and applications. Access to key plant species that allow nutritionally balanced larval diets may be essential for bee development, whether food is gathered intentionally or randomly. Such plant species—and not only those rich in nectar and pollen—should be promoted in wild bee conservation efforts, including planting flower strips and hedgerows. Bee‐friendly plants should not be defined and planted solely based on the quantities of food they produce and on the visitation rates of adult insects foraging for energy.
Urbanization focuses carnivore activity in remaining natural habitats, increasing species interactions
Authors: Parsons Arielle W. , Rota Christopher T. , Forrester Tavis , Baker‐Whatton Megan C. , McShea William J. , Schuttler Stephanie G. , Millspaugh Joshua J. , Kays Roland
Published: April 2019

Interspecific interactions can provoke temporal and spatial avoidance, ultimately affecting population densities and spatial distribution patterns. The ability (or inability) of species to coexist has consequences for diversity and ultimately ecosystem stability. Urbanization is predicted to change species interactions but its relative impact is not well known. Urbanization gradients offer the opportunity to evaluate the effect of humans on species interactions by comparing community dynamics across levels of disturbance.

We used camera traps deployed by citizen scientists to survey mammals along urbanization gradients of two cities (Washington, DC and Raleigh, NC, USA). We used a multispecies occupancy model with four competing predator species to test whether forest fragmentation, interspecific interactions, humans or prey had the greatest influence on carnivore distribution.

Our study produced 6,413 carnivore detections from 1,260 sites in two cities, sampling both private and public lands. All species used all levels of the urbanization gradient to a similar extent, but co‐occurrence of urban‐adapted foxes with less urban‐adapted bobcats and coyotes was dependent on the availability of green space, especially as urbanization increased. This suggests green space allows less urban‐adapted species to occupy suburban areas, but focuses their movements through remaining forest patches, leading to more species interactions.

Synthesis and applications. Species interactions, forest fragmentation and human‐related covariates were important determinants of carnivore occupancy across a gradient of urbanization with the relative importance of forest fragmentation being highest. We found evidence of both positive and negative interactions across the gradient with some dependent on available green space, suggesting that fragmentation leads to higher levels of spatial interaction. Where green space is adequate, there appears to be sufficient opportunity for coexistence between carnivore species in an urban landscape.
Effect of long‐term organic and mineral fertilization strategies on rhizosphere microbiota assemblage and performance of lettuce
Authors: Paul Chowdhury Soumitra , Babin Doreen , Sandmann Martin , Jacquiod Samuel , Sommermann Loreen , Sørensen Søren Johannes , Fliessbach Andreas , Mäder Paul , Geistlinger Joerg , Smalla Kornelia , Rothballer Michael , Grosch Rita
Published: April 2019

Long‐term agricultural fertilization strategies gradually change soil properties including the associated microbial communities. Cultivated crops recruit beneficial microbes from the surrounding soil environment via root exudates. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of long‐term fertilization strategies across field sites on the rhizosphere prokaryotic (Bacteria and Archaea) community composition and plant performance. We conducted growth chamber experiments with lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivated in soils from two long‐term field experiments, each of which compared organic versus mineral fertilization strategies. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed the assemblage of a rhizosphere core microbiota shared in all lettuce plants across soils, going beyond differences in community composition depending on field site and fertilization strategies. The enhanced expression of several plant genes with roles in oxidative and biotic stress signalling pathways in lettuce grown in soils with organic indicates an induced physiological status in plants. Lettuce plants grown in soils with different fertilization histories were visibly free of stress symptoms and achieved comparable biomass. This suggests a positive aboveground plant response to belowground plant–microbe interactions in the rhizosphere. Besides effects of fertilization strategy and field site, our results demonstrate the crucial role of the plant in driving rhizosphere microbiota assemblage.
ANCHOR: a 16S rRNA gene amplicon pipeline for microbial analysis of multiple environmental samples
Authors: Gonzalez Emmanuel , Pitre Frederic E. , Brereton Nicholas J. B.
Published: April 2019

Analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene amplification data for microbial barcoding can be inaccurate across complex environmental samples. A method, ANCHOR, is presented and designed for improved species‐level microbial identification using paired‐end sequences directly, multiple high‐complexity samples and multiple reference databases. A standard operating procedure (SOP) is reported alongside benchmarking against artificial, single sample and replicated mock data sets. The method is then directly tested using a real‐world data set from surface swabs of the International Space Station (ISS). Simple mock community analysis identified 100% of the expected species and 99% of expected gene copy variants (100% identical). A replicated mock community revealed similar or better numbers of expected species than MetaAmp, DADA2, Mothur and QIIME1. Analysis of the ISS microbiome identified 714 putative unique species/strains and differential abundance analysis distinguished significant differences between the Destiny module (U.S. laboratory) and Harmony module (sleeping quarters). Harmony was remarkably dominated by human gastrointestinal tract bacteria, similar to enclosed environments on earth; however, Destiny module bacteria also derived from nonhuman microbiome carriers present on the ISS, the laboratory's research animals. ANCHOR can help substantially improve sequence resolution of 16S rRNA gene amplification data within biologically replicated environmental experiments and integrated multidatabase annotation enhances interpretation of complex, nonreference microbiomes.
Testing the Validity of the Simultaneous Openness Hypothesis in Nigeria (1990–2015)
Authors: Ajayi Michael Adebayo , Aluko Olufemi Adewale
Published: April 2019

Since the seminal paper by Rajan and Zingales in 2003, a plethora of studies have been motivated to establish whether the simultaneous opening of trade and capital borders leads to financial sector development. We test whether the simultaneous openness hypothesis is valid for Nigeria, with a focus on the banking sector and stock market. Using annual data from 1990 to 2015 and an instrumental variable regression estimation technique, we show that the simultaneous increase of trade and financial openness limits banking sector and stock market development. Thus, there is no empirical evidence to validate the simultaneous openness hypothesis in Nigeria. It also shows that trade openness is more beneficial for banking sector and stock market development in Nigeria than financial openness.
Exploring the association of care fragmentation and patient ratings of care quality: A mediation analysis of women Veterans’ experience with VA care
Authors: Chanfreau‐Coffinier Catherine , Washington Donna L. , Chuang Emmeline , Brunner Julian , Darling Jill E. , Canelo Ismelda , Yano Elizabeth M.
Published: April 2019

Objective

To examine the relationship between care fragmentation and patient ratings of care quality and identify potentially actionable mediators.

Data Sources/Study Setting

2015 telephone survey of 1395 women Veterans with three or more visits in primary care and/or women's health care in the prior year at 12 Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional analysis.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We operationalized lower care fragmentation as receiving VA‐only care versus dual use of VA/non‐VA care. Participants rated VA care quality (overall care, women's health care (WH), and primary care (PC)) and three aspects of their patient experience (ease of access to services, provider communication, and gender sensitivity of VA environments). We examined associations between care fragmentation and care ratings and applied the Karlson‐Holm‐Breen decomposition method to test for mediation by aspects of patients’ experience.

Principal Findings

Lower care fragmentation was associated with higher ratings of care quality (odds ratios [95% CI] for overall care: 1.57 [1.14;2.17]; WH: 1.65 [1.20;2.27]; PC: 1.41 [1.10;1.82]). Relationships were mediated by patient‐rated provider communication and gender sensitivity (26‐54 percent and 14‐15 percent of total effects, respectively). Ease of access was associated with higher care ratings (odds ratios [95% CI] for overall care: 2.93 [2.25;3.81]; WH: 2.81 [2.15;3.68]; PC: 2.33 [1.63;3.33], in models with the three types of patient care experiences included), but did not mediate the association of care fragmentation and care ratings.

Conclusions

Potential negative effects of care fragmentation on care quality ratings could be mitigated by attention to quality of patient‐provider communication and gender sensitivity of VA environments.
Predictive Soil Provenancing (PSP): An Innovative Forensic Soil Provenance Analysis Tool
Authors: de Caritat Patrice , Simpson Timothy , Woods Brenda
Published: April 2019

Soil is a common evidence type used in forensic and intelligence operations. Where soil composition databases are lacking or inadequate, we propose to use publicly available soil attribute rasters to reduce forensic search areas. Soil attribute rasters, which have recently become widely available at high spatial resolutions, typically three arc‐seconds (~90 m), are predictive models of the distribution of soil properties (with confidence limits) derived from data mining the inter‐relationships between these properties and several environmental covariates. Each soil attribute raster is searched for pixels that satisfy the compositional conditions of the evidentiary soil sample (target value ± confidence limits). We show through an example that the search area for an evidentiary soil sample can be reduced to <10% of the original investigation area. This Predictive Soil Provenancing (PSP) approach is a transparent, reproducible, and objective method of efficiently and effectively reducing the likely provenance area of forensic soil samples.
Potential Forensic Application of Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGE) as a Novel Biomarker for Estimating Postmortem Interval
Authors: Cho Hye‐Won , Eom Yong‐Bin
Published: April 2019

Studies which estimate the postmortem interval (PMI) based on diatoms or bacterial communities have been well‐conducted. However, predicting the PMI based on microorganisms has limited accuracy. The objective of this study was to discover specific biomarkers for estimating the PMI for drowning. The in vivo experimental model consisted of rats classified into nine groups (seven drowned groups from Day 1 to Day 7 and two control groups). Their lung tissues were analyzed for the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) mRNA expression determined by qRT‐PCR. RAGE protein levels were determined by Western blotting and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. RAGE mRNA and protein levels gradually degraded over time. Immunostaining analysis revealed that RAGE in the Day 1 sample was significantly higher than that in the Day 6 or Day 7 samples. These results indicate that RAGE in drowned lungs could be a potential biomarker for the determination of the PMI after drowning.
Fluctuations in fruit fly abundance and infestation in sweet gourd fields in relation to varied meteorological factors
Authors: Amin Md Ruhul , Nancy Nabanita Paul , Miah Md Ramiz Uddin , Miah Md Giashuddin , Kwon Ohseok , Suh Sang Jae
Published: April 2019

The study was conducted with the aim of furthering our understanding of seasonality in the population dynamics and infestation rates of the fruit fly Bactrocera spp. in sweet gourd (Cucurbita moschata) during winter and summer in 2017. We also investigated the effects of using methyl eugenol traps on fly abundance and infestation. Two fruit fly species, namely, B. cucurbitae and B. dorsalis, were present in the sweet gourd field, and we observed fluctuations in their abundance. Compared to B. dorsalis, B. cucurbitae was significantly more abundant in both winter and summer. Infestation level was found to be the highest in fields lacking methyl eugenol traps in both seasons. Fruit fly larval population per infested fruit was higher in summer than in winter. Fly abundance was significantly and positively correlated with mean temperature and rainfall but significantly and negatively correlated with light intensity. Relative humidity was insignificantly but positively correlated with fly abundance. The temperature, light intensity, relative humidity, and rainfall individually explained 48.9, 24.1, 0.8, and 1.6% of variation in fruit fly abundance, respectively. The combined effect of the weather parameters on fruit fly abundance was 75.4% and was significant predictor of fruit fly abundance.
Comparison of the Effects of Roasted and Boiled Red Kidney Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) on Glucose/Lipid Metabolism and Intestinal Immunity in a High‐Fat Diet‐Induced Murine Obesity Model
Authors: Tanaka Miku , Honda Yuji , Miwa Shoji , Akahori Reina , Matsumoto Kenji
Published: April 2019

Consumption of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is associated with beneficial effects on lipid and glucose metabolism; however, the influence of the bean processing method on these health benefits is not well understood. To investigate this, we processed red kidney beans (RKBs), a variety of the common bean, by roasting and boiling and compared the physiological effects of the two preparations in male C57BL/6N mice fed a high‐fat diet (HFD). The two RKB preparations differed mainly in their resistant starch content (roasted, 24.5%; boiled, 3.1%). Four groups of mice were fed for 12 weeks on a normal diet or a HFD (45 kcal% fat) supplemented with 10% control chow (HFD control group), 10% roasted RKB, or 10% freeze‐dried boiled RKB. We found that intake of roasted RKBs prevented hypercholesterolemia and increased fecal IgA and mucin content compared with the HFD control group, while intake of boiled RKBs improved glucose tolerance. Both RKB preparations suppressed the HFD‐associated increase in plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels, which are markers of liver injury. Mice fed roasted RKBs showed significantly increased hepatic expression of cholesterol 7‐alpha‐monooxygenase mRNA, suggesting that cholesterol suppression may be due to enhanced bile acid biosynthesis. In contrast, mice fed boiled RKBs showed significantly increased cecal content of n‐butyric acid, which may be related to the improved glucose tolerance in this group. These results indicate that the method by which RKBs are processed can profoundly affect their health benefits.
Addition of Sesamol Increases the Oxidative Stability of Beeswax Organogels and Beef Tallow Matrix Under UV Light Irradiation and Thermal Oxidation
Authors: Hong Seungmi , Jo Seungbeen , Kim Mi‐Ja , Park Sungkwon , Lee Suyong , Lee Jonggil , Lee JaeHwan
Published: April 2019

To enhance the oxidative stability of organogels made from canola oil, 40 ppm sesamol was added to beeswax‐based organogels stored under ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation and 60 or 100 °C thermal oxidation conditions. To study the practical application of organogels as animal fat substitutes, beef tallow was mixed with organogels and their oxidative stability was determined under oxidative stress conditions. Without sesamol addition, the organogels and beef tallow with organogel oxidized rapidly under UV irradiation and thermal oxidation. The addition of 40‐ppm sesamol decreased the consumption of headspace oxygen and the formation of primary and secondary oxidation products significantly (P < 0.05) compared with those in samples without the addition of sesamol, irrespective of oxidative stress. Sesamol improved the oxidative stability of organogels and beef tallow with organogel, which could be used in the meat industry.

Practical Application

Organogels may replace trans‐fat or highly saturated lipids in food products. The high degree of unsaturation and processing temperature mean that antioxidants are needed to extend the shelf life of organogels or organogel‐containing products. The addition of sesamol significantly enhanced the oxidative stability of organogels and of beef tallow‐containing organogels under UV irradiation and thermal oxidation conditions. Therefore, sesamol‐supplemented organogels could replace saturated fats in beef tallow and prolong the shelf‐life of meat products.
Structures and In Vitro Antihepatic Fibrosis Activities of Prenylated Dihydrostilbenes and Flavonoids from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Leaves
Authors: Fan Yu‐Hong , Ye Rigui , Xu Hai‐Yan , Feng Xin‐Hong , Ma Chao‐Mei
Published: April 2019

Glycyrrhiza uralensis is the major plant source of licorice. This study was to identify bioactive compounds from the plant's leaves in order to make better use of its aerial part. An ethanol extract of the leaves was subjected to repeated chromatography to yield 15 compounds. The structures were determined to be three novel dihydrostilbenes, based on their various spectroscopic data—glycypytilbene A (1), glycydipytilbene (2), and glycypytilbene B (3)—and 12 known compounds, α,α′‐dihydro‐3,5,4′‐trihydroxy‐4,3′‐diisopentenylstilbene (4), α,α′‐dihydro‐3,5,3′,4′‐tetrahydroxy‐2,5′‐diisopentenylstilbene (5), 6‐prenyleriodictyol (6), 5′‐prenyleriodictyol (7), 6‐prenylquercetin‐3‐Me ether (8), 5′‐prenylquercetin (9), 6‐prenylquercetin (10), 6‐prenylnaringenin (11), 3′‐prenylnaringenin (12), sigmoidin C (13), 8‐[(E)‐3‐hydroxymethyl‐2‐ butenyl]‐eriodictyol (14), and quercetin‐3‐Me ether (15). Most of these chemical constituents inhibited α‐glucosidase activity, with the two prenylated quercetin derivatives (9 to 10) being the greatest active (IC50 < 4.0 µg/mL). Compounds 1, 3 to 4, 6 to 7, 9 to 12 impeded the growth of human hepatic stellate cells, with the prenylated flavonoids (6 to 7, 9 to 12) being more robust than their unprenylated counterparts.

Practical Applications

This study found that Glycyrrhiza uralensis leaves contain prenylated dihydrostilbenes and flavonoids with inhibiting effects on α‐glucosidase and on the proliferation of human hepatic stellate cells, which should prompt the development of G. uralensis leaves for healthy products with anti‐diabetic or liver fibrosis‐preventing effects.
Lactobacillus casei expressing Internalins A and B reduces Listeria monocytogenes interaction with Caco‐2 cells in vitro
Authors: Mathipa Moloko G. , Thantsha Mapitsi S. , Bhunia Arun K.
Published: April 2019

Listeria monocytogenes has been implicated in a number of outbreaks including the recent largest outbreak in South Africa. Current methods for prevention of foodborne L. monocytogenes infection are inadequate, thus raising a need for an alternative strategy. Probiotic bioengineering is considered a prevailing approach to enhance the efficacy of probiotics for targeted control of pathogens. Here, the ability of Lactobacillus casei expressing the L. monocytogenes invasion proteins Internalins A and B (inlAB) to prevent infection was investigated. The inlAB operon was cloned and surface‐expressed on L. casei resulting in a recombinant strain, LbcInlAB, and subsequently, its ability to inhibit adhesion, invasion and translocation of L. monocytogenes through enterocyte‐like Caco‐2 cells was examined. Cell surface expression of InlAB on the LbcInlAB was confirmed by Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. The LbcInlAB strain showed significantly higher (P < 0.0001) adherence, invasion and translocation of Caco‐2 cells than the wild‐type L. casei strain (LbcWT), as well as reduced L. monocytogenes adhesion, invasion and transcellular passage through the cell monolayer than LbcWT. Furthermore, pre‐exposure of Caco‐2 cells to LbcInlAB significantly reduced L. monocytogenes‐induced cell cytotoxicity and epithelial barrier dysfunction. These results suggest that InlAB‐expressing L. casei could be a potential practical approach for prevention of listeriosis.
Phenotypical and functional heterogeneity of neural stem cells in the aged hippocampus
Authors: Martín‐Suárez Soraya , Valero Jorge , Muro‐García Teresa , Encinas Juan Manuel
Published: April 2019

Adult neurogenesis persists in the hippocampus of most mammal species during postnatal and adult life, including humans, although it declines markedly with age. The mechanisms driving the age‐dependent decline of hippocampal neurogenesis are yet not fully understood. The progressive loss of neural stem cells (NSCs) is a main factor, but the true neurogenic output depends initially on the actual number of activated NSCs in each given time point. Because the fraction of activated NSCs remains constant relative to the total population, the real number of activated NSCs declines in parallel to the total NSC pool. We investigated aging‐associated changes in NSCs and found that there are at least two distinct populations of NSCs. An alpha type, which maintains the classic type‐1 radial morphology and accounts for most of the overall NSC mitotic activity; and an omega type characterized by increased reactive‐like morphological complexity and much lower probability of division even under a pro‐activation challenge. Finally, our results suggest that alpha‐type NSCs are able to transform into omega‐type cells overtime and that this phenotypic and functional change might be facilitated by the chronic inflammation associated with aging.
Acoustic stimuli from predators trigger behavioural responses in aggregate caterpillars
Authors: Breviglieri Crasso Paulo B. , Romero Gustavo Q.
Published: April 2019

Prey detect their predators through predator signals and cues and, consequently, respond with anti‐predatory behaviours to inhibit the action of their aggressors. Lepidopterans can intercept signals emitted by predators and may defend themselves through chemical, morphological or behavioural responses. In this study, we investigated the effect of acoustic stimuli of different predators on defensive behaviour of gregarious caterpillars. Our results demonstrated that Hylesia nigricans (Lepidoptera, Saturniidae) caterpillars alter their behaviour (i.e. abruptly raising the head) in response to the acoustic stimulus of the predators (i.e. predation risk signals from birds and wasps). The magnitude of this response depended on predator identity and caterpillar body size. Larger caterpillars responded more strongly to predatory stimuli than smaller caterpillars. However, regardless of the size of the caterpillars, they responded more strongly to the stimuli of wasps. In addition, we identified that H. nigricans caterpillars emit ultrasonic noise after detecting the stimuli of the predators – this noise seems to function as an alert about the risk of predation during the early stages of development (second and fifth instars). The duration of ultrasonic emission (i.e. milliseconds) increases with the number of repetitions of the stimuli (i.e. wing‐beat sounds of the wasps and insectivorous birds). These results provide novel information about predation risk in interactions among caterpillars and their predators, and indicate possible communication among invertebrates mediated by the risk of predation.
The resprouting response of co‐occurring temperate woody plant and grass species to elevated [CO2]: An insight into woody plant encroachment of grasslands
Authors: Manea Anthony , Leishman Michelle R.
Published: April 2019

The phenomenon of woody plant thickening in grasslands has been observed globally and is likely to have widespread ecological consequences. It has been proposed that woody plant thickening is driven in part by rising atmospheric [CO2] enhancing the resprouting ability of woody plants relative to grasses so they respond more strongly after disturbances such as herbivory and fire. The aim of this study was to examine the CO2 effect on the resprouting ability of 16 co‐occurring temperate woody plant and grass species (eight species from each growth form). Plants were grown in a controlled glasshouse experiment under ambient (400 ppm) and elevated [CO2] (600 ppm) for 14 weeks after which their resprouting ability was measured. Root non‐structural carbohydrate (NSCmass) and nitrogen (Nmass) storage was used as proxies to measure the resprouting ability of woody plants while for the grasses it was measured directly. We found that both the woody plants (22% on average; P = 0.003) and grasses (20% on average; P = 0.003) produced more biomass under elevated [CO2]. Despite the woody plants not allocating additional carbon to belowground storage under elevated [CO2], they had significantly greater root NSCmass (23% on average; P = 0.007) due to increased root biomass production (8% on average; P = 0.007). In contrast, root Nmass of the woody plants did not differ between CO2 treatments (P = 0.373). Surprisingly, the resprouting ability of the grasses did not significantly differ between the CO2 treatments (P = 0.067). These results provide evidence that the differing resprouting response of woody plants and grasses under elevated [CO2] may be contributing to woody plant encroachment of grasslands worldwide.
Impact of environmental conditions on fruit production patterns of shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F.Gaertn) in West Africa
Authors: Bondé Loyapin , Ouédraogo Oumarou , Traoré Salifou , Thiombiano Adjima , Boussim Joseph I.
Published: April 2019

A better knowledge of the impact of environmental conditions on shea tree’s fruit production is critical to improve the species management. Fruit production of 237 shea trees was monitored over five successive years (2014–2018) to understand how climatic variables, shea tree population and land use could affect fruit production patterns of the species in Burkina Faso. Data were collected in 12 shea tree populations distributed in three climatic zones with two contrast land use systems. The results showed that fruit production was negatively correlated with mean annual temperature, temperature seasonality, rainfall seasonality and solar radiation, while it was positive with annual rainfall. Therefore, fruiting modelling is needed to predict the impact of future climate change on reproductive ability of the species. In each climatic zone, fruit production was significantly different among shea tree populations (p < 0.05). Within populations, fruit production greatly varies among years with specific patterns of variation. Land use had significant effect on fruit production of shea tree (p < 0.05). Annually, shea trees produced about 12 times more in agroforestry parklands than in protected areas. Interannual variation in fruit production at individual tree level was higher in protected areas. The cultivation of shea tree is recommended to improve its fruit productivity.
Direct assessment of skin epithelial barrier by electrical impedance spectroscopy
Authors: Rinaldi Arturo O. , Morita Hideaki , Wawrzyniak Paulina , Dreher Anita , Grant Simon , Svedenhag Per , Akdis Cezmi A.
Published: April 2019

Background

Many skin and mucosal inflammatory disorders, such as atopic dermatitis, have been associated with an impaired epithelial barrier function, which allows allergens, pollutants, or microbes to enter the tissue and activate the immune response. The aim of this study was to establish a method to directly assess in vivo the epidermal barrier function by electrical impedance (EI) spectroscopy.

Methods

Mice epidermal barrier was damaged by epicutaneous application of proteases and cholera toxin and by tape stripping. EI and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were measured before and after the application. Additionally, histological analysis, immunofluorescence staining, and RT‐PCR were performed on skin biopsies to evaluate the epithelial barrier.

Results

A few hours after papain application, a dose‐dependent reduction of EI was detected, reflecting the decreased barrier function. At the same time, an increase of TEWL was observed, with a significant negative correlation with EI, demonstrating that EI changes were directly linked to barrier defects. Twenty‐four and 48 hours after the treatment, EI starts to increase to background levels, indicating tissue healing and restoration of skin barrier. Barrier disruption was confirmed by histological analysis showing an impaired stratum corneum and higher cellular infiltration after papain application. In addition, immunofluorescence staining and RT‐PCR showed downregulation of molecules involved in the barrier function, such as filaggrin, occludin, and claudin‐1, and mRNA levels of filaggrin, loricrin, and involucrin. Comparable results were observed after tape stripping and cholera toxin treatment.

Conclusion

Electrical impedance spectroscopy is a rapid and reliable diagnostic tool to detect skin barrier defects.
Safety and effectiveness of aspirin and enoxaparin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after total hip and knee arthroplasty: a systematic review
Authors: Nadi Sinan , Vreugdenburg Thomas D. , Atukorale Yasoba , Ma Ning , Maddern Guy , Rovers Maroeska
Published: April 2019

Background

Patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are at risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Australian orthopaedic guidelines recommend aspirin and low‐molecular‐weight heparin (e.g. enoxaparin) for VTE prophylaxis; however, there is debate in the international literature around the use of aspirin as VTE prophylaxis. This review assesses the risks and benefits of aspirin compared to enoxaparin as VTE prophylaxis for patients undergoing THA or TKA.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted to identify relevant randomized controlled trials. Studies comparing enoxaparin, aspirin and/or placebo for VTE prophylaxis in THA or TKA patients were included. Network meta‐analysis (NMA) was performed to calculate risk ratios (RRs) and confidence intervals (CIs). Quality appraisal was conducted by assessing risk of bias and the strength of the evidence.

Results

Nine randomized controlled trials were eligible for inclusion. The NMA found no statistically significant differences for the investigated outcomes: total DVT rates (RR = 1.21, 95% CI 0.86, 1.72), symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) rates (RR = 1.02, 95% CI 0.02, 50.86), major haemorrhage (RR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.02, 50.99) and wound complication (RR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.17, 3.20). The occurrence of PE was rare. Due to limited data, sub‐group analysis was not possible. The overall quality of evidence in the NMA is considered to be very low.

Conclusion

This review did not find statistically significant differences between aspirin and enoxaparin. Future studies should identify more evidence, particularly for rare outcomes such as PE, as this might help decision‐makers to get consensus on the use of aspirin as VTE prophylaxis.
Fast‐track surgery for acute appendicitis in children: a systematic review of protocol‐based care
Authors: Do‐Wyeld Montgommery , Rogerson Thomas , Court‐Kowalski Stefan , Cundy Thomas P. , Khurana Sanjeev
Published: April 2019

Background

‘Fast‐track’ surgery protocols aim to standardize and rationalize post‐operative care, with evidence of safety and efficacy in both uncomplicated and complicated childhood appendicitis. Generalization for broader adoption has been limited by variation in protocol design, including specific antibiotic choice, discharge criteria, post‐operative monitoring and patient selection.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was performed to evaluate the current evidence underpinning fast‐track protocols for childhood appendicitis and identify areas of consensus and controversy.

Results

About 33 studies met the inclusion criteria, including four prospective observational studies, 20 case–control studies, seven cohort studies and two randomized controlled trials studying uncomplicated (n = 9), complicated (n = 18) and mixed cohorts (n = 6). Reduction in length of hospital stay was almost universally reported, with equivalent or improved complication rates. Key themes of protocols included antibiotic choice and duration, discharge criteria and post‐operative laboratory and radiographic testing. Rationalized analgesia is an underexplored aspect of protocol design, and a standardized definition of complicated appendicitis remains elusive.

Conclusion

Standardized care of childhood appendicitis has been shown to be safe and effective in several local and international centres. Next steps include investigation of a complicated appendicitis protocol that integrates rationalized analgesia in appendicectomy recovery, and development of a consistent classification scheme for complicated disease to aid in identification of amenable cohorts.
National trends in urinary diversion over the past 20 years: an Australian study
Authors: Best Oliver , Patel Manish I.
Published: April 2019

Background

To investigate the trends in urinary diversion (UD) in Australia over the past 20 years, to correlate with patient demographics and to compare with international data.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of Medicare Australia data was performed using the relevant Medicare Benefit Schedule procedure codes over the past 20 years. Included diversion procedures were ureterocutaneous, ureterocolonic, intestinal conduit and continent reservoir. All patients aged older than 15 years were included in the analyses.

Results

Over the past two decades, 6124 cystectomies and 7166 UDs were subsidized by Medicare Australia. The median age group for UD was 65–74 years old and 71.8% were male. Intestinal conduit accounted for the majority of UDs (84.9%), followed by continent reservoirs (11.8%). Ureterocolonic and ureterocutaneous accounted for small proportions (2.9% and 0.4%, respectively). The absolute numbers of UD procedures increased over the past 20 years but the proportion of different methods remained constant. The rates of continent reservoir UD were significantly higher in men and people aged less than 55 years old (P < 0.001 for both). Over the course of the study, the proportion of people aged greater than 75 years undergoing UD increased significantly (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

In contrast to major international academic institutions, the proportion of continent reservoir UDs performed in Australia has not changed over the past two decades. Intestinal conduit remains the most common UD procedure.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: sirolimus‐ or everolimus‐based immunosuppression following liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Grigg Sam E. , Sarri Gino L. , Gow Paul J. , Yeomans Neville D.
Published: April 2019

Background

Calcineurin‐inhibitor immunosuppressants (tacrolimus and ciclosporin) have been associated with an exposure‐related increase in tumour recurrence following liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Conversely, mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors (sirolimus and everolimus) have been suggested to reduce recurrence rates and improve survival in this patient group.

Aim

To clarify the potential benefit of mTOR‐inhibitors in HCC transplant patients by comparing recurrence and survival outcomes with calcineurin‐inhibitor‐based immunosuppression.

Methods

A systematic review and meta‐analysis was performed. The inclusion criteria were observational or interventional studies reporting the effect of early‐initiated (<6 months post‐transplant) mTOR‐inhibitor‐based immunosuppression on survival or tumour recurrence in patients transplanted with HCC, compared to a control of calcineurin‐inhibitor‐based therapy.

Results

Meta‐analysis demonstrated that compared with calcineurin‐inhibitor controls, recurrence‐free‐survival was significantly increased with mTOR‐inhibitor‐based therapy at 1‐year (Risk‐Ratio (RR): 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01‐1.18) and 3‐years (RR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.01‐1.21) post‐transplant, with a nonsignificant increase at 5‐years (RR: 1.15, 95% CI: 0.99‐1.35). Overall survival was improved at 1‐year (RR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02‐1.12), 3‐years (RR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.02‐1.19), and 5‐years (RR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.08‐1.29). Recurrence‐rate was lower in the mTOR‐inhibitor arm (RR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.56‐0.82), with no significant increase in acute rejection (RR: 1.1, 95% CI: 0.94‐1.28).

Conclusions

mTOR‐inhibitor‐based immunosuppression may be a preferable option in patients transplanted with HCC. It improves recurrence‐free‐survival over at least three years and reduces the recurrence rate compared with standard calcineurin‐inhibitor‐based therapy, with no significant increase in the rate of acute rejection. Future research should clarify the effect in higher vs lower risk cohorts.
Effects of the stems and leaves of Astragalus membranaceus on growth performance, immunological parameters, antioxidant status, and intestinal bacteria of quail
Authors: Guo Lili , Hua Jin , Luan Zhihua , Xue Puyou , Zhou Songquan , Wang Xiaomin , Qin Nan
Published: April 2019

This study was designed to evaluate the potential application of the stems and leaves of Astragalus membranaceus (AMSL) in the poultry industry. Quails were divided into four groups and fed daily with an AMSL‐free diet (control) or with 1%, 3%, or 5% (w/w) AMSL‐incorporated diets for 35 days. The results showed that supplementing AMSL in the diet, especially at a concentration of 3%, increased daily gain and feed intake during the entire experiment (p < 0.05). The immune organ development of the thymus and bursa of Fabricius was promoted, and the immune system was enhanced by increasing the quantities of IgA and complements C3 and C4 (p < 0.05). The total antioxidant capacity and the activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase were increased (p < 0.05). Moreover, the 3%–5% AMSL groups regulated the intestinal flora by promoting the proliferation of lactic acid bacteria and inhibiting the growth of coliform bacteria (p < 0.05). In conclusion, feeding incorporated diets with appropriate AMSL levels significantly increased growth performance, strengthened the immune system, improved antioxidative status, and regulated the intestinal microflora of quails, suggesting that AMSL has the potential to serve as a feed additive in the poultry industry.