bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Reversed-Phase Mode LC-MS/MS Method Using a Polysaccharide Chiral Selector for Simultaneous Quantitation of Each Enantiomer of Tramadol and its Metabolites in Human Plasma and Evaluation of CYP-Mediated Stereoselective Demethylation
Authors: Suzuki Koji , Naito Takafumi , Tanaka Hironari , Yamada Yasuhide , Itoh Kunihiko , Kawakami Junichi 
Published: October 2019

Background:
The enantiomeric pharmacokinetics and metabolism of tramadol and its metabolites have not fully been understood. This study aimed to develop a reversed-phase mode liquid chromatography coupled to a tandem mass spectrometry method for the enantiomeric quantitation of tramadol and its metabolites in human plasma and to evaluate the stereoselective demethylation.

Methods:
Racemic tramadol and its metabolites in plasma specimens were separated using a chiral selector coated with cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) on silica gel under a reversed-phase mode. The mass spectrometer ran in the positive ion multiple-reaction monitoring mode. This method was performed to quantify plasma samples from 20 cancer patients treated with oral tramadol. The stereoselective demethylation was evaluated using recombinant cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes.

Results:
The calibration curves of (+)- and (−)-tramadol, (+)- and (−)-O-desmethyltramadol (ODT), and (+)- and (−)-N-desmethyltramadol (NDT) were linear over the plasma concentration ranges of 6.25–800, 1.25–160, and 3.13–400 ng/mL for the respective enantiomers. In the present method, the intra- and inter-day accuracies and imprecisions were 94.2%–108.3% and 0.5%–6.0% for all analytes. The plasma concentrations of (+)-tramadol and NDT were higher than those of (−)-enantiomers. In contrast, no differences were observed between the plasma concentrations of (+)- and (−)-ODT. In the demethylation assay, the O-demethylations of tramadol and NDT by CYP2D6 were (−)-form-selective.

Conclusions:
The present method can be useful in the enantiomeric evaluation of tramadol and its metabolites in human plasma. Although CYP2D6 contributed to the stereoselective demethylation of tramadol, remarkable differences between (+)- and (−)-ODT were not observed in the plasma of the cancer patients.
Comparison of anthropometric indices for the screening of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in pre- and postmenopausal women
Authors: Hong So-hyeon , Hwang Soon Young , Kim Jung A. , Lee You-Bin , Roh Eun , Kim Nam Hoon , Seo Ji A. , Kim Sin Gon , Kim Nan Hee , Choi Kyung Mook , Baik Sei Hyun , Yoo Hye Jin 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Objectives:
Although it has been well-established that menopause causes a shift in body fat, there has been no study conducted yet to examine the best obesity parameters to predict the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in this population. Thus, the aim of this study was to clarify the superiority among various obesity indices such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) for predicting NAFLD in pre- and postmenopausal women.

Methods:
This cross-sectional analysis included 620 healthy women (318 premenopausal and 302 postmenopausal women) between 20 and 80 years of age recruited from the Health Promotion Center of Korea University Guro Hospital. NAFLD was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography.

Results:
In premenopausal women, there were no statistical differences in the area under the curve values among the three obesity indices, whereas, in postmenopausal women, the area under the curve value of WHR was significantly larger than those of either BMI (difference between area: 0.102, 95% confidence interval: 0.031, 0.173) or WC (difference between area: 0.064, 95% confidence interval: 0.018-0.109). Furthermore, in postmenopausal women, the combination of WHR with BMI or WC significantly increased predictive power of NAFLD when compared to using BMI or WC alone. The optimal cutoff values for BMI, WC, and WHR for detecting NAFLD were 23.9 kg/m2, 69 cm, and 0.81 in premenopausal women and 22.9 kg/m2, 74 cm, and 0.86 in postmenopausal women, respectively.

Conclusions:
In premenopausal women, BMI, WC, and WHR hold similar potential in predicting the risk of NAFLD, whereas, in postmenopausal women, WHR is the most useful discriminative indicator for NAFLD. Women's optimal cutoff values for NAFLD were different according to menopausal status.
The influence of visual experience and cognitive goals on the spatial representations of nociceptive stimuli
Authors: Vanderclausen Camille , Manfron Louise , De Volder Anne , Legrain Valéry 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Localizing pain is crucial because it allows for detecting which part of the body is being hurt and identifying in its surrounding which stimulus is producing the damage. Nociceptive inputs should therefore be mapped according to somatotopic (“which limb is stimulated?”) and spatiotopic representations (“where is the stimulated limb?”). Because the body posture constantly changes, the brain has to realign the different spatial representations, for instance when the arms are crossed with the left hand in the right space and vice versa, to adequately guide actions towards the threatening object. Such ability is thought to be dependent on past sensory experience and contextual factors. We compared performances of early blind and normally sighted participants during temporal order judgement tasks. Two nociceptive stimuli were applied, one on each hand, with the hands either uncrossed or crossed. Participants reported which stimulus they perceived as first presented, according to either its location on the body or the position of the stimulated hand, respectively, prioritizing anatomy or external space as task-relevant reference frame. Relative to the uncrossed posture, sighted participants' performances were decreased when the hands were crossed, whatever the instruction be. Early blind participants' performances were affected by crossing the hands during spatial instruction, but not during anatomical instruction. These results indicate that nociceptive stimuli are automatically coded according to both somatotopic and spatiotopic representations, but the integration of the different spatial reference frames depends on early visual experience and ongoing cognitive goals, illustrating the plasticity and the flexibility of the nociceptive system.
Molecular and Morphological Signatures of Chordate Development: Two Distinct Pathways, One Tunicate
Authors: Kowarsky Mark , Anselmi Chiara , Hotta Kohji , Burighel Paolo , Zaniolo Giovanna , Caicci Federico , Rosental Benyamin , Neff Norma F , Ishizuka Katherine J , Palmeri Karla J , Okamoto Jennifer , Gordon Tal , Weissman Irving L , Quake Stephen R , Manni Lucia , Voskoboynik Ayelet 
Published: October 2019

SummaryAll chordates, including urochordates such as tunicates, develop through embryogenesis. The chordate larvae of colonial tunicates metamorphose to lose all chordate structures such as notochord, neural tube, segmented musculature, and then develop by asexual reproduction [blastogenesis], whereby stem cells form tissues and organs. These two developmental pathways establish the same body axis, morphogenetic patterning and organ formation. It is unknown if this convergent morphology implies convergent cellular and molecular mechanisms, and whether the stem cells that mediate these processes differ. Using the colonial tunicateBotryllus schlosseri, we combined transcriptome sequencing and multiple microscopy techniques to study the molecular and morphological signatures of cells at each developmental stage of embryogenesis and blastogenesis. This revealed that the molecular programs are distinct, but the blastogenic tissue-specific stem cells and embryonic precursor populations share similar molecular profiles. By comparing embryogenesis in other chordates we found shared developmental principles, highlighting transcription factors as key evolutionary conserved elements. This study establishes a platform for advancing the science of stem cell biology and regulation of development and regeneration.
Effects of substrate stiffness on the biological behavior of human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: Pei Hua , Li Liang , Liu Kejun , Wang Wenming , Jiang Bowen , Li Yiji , Zuo Li 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe biophysical attributes of a substrate can directly influence endothelial cell behaviors. Here, we explored substrate stiffness and its biological impact on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) behavior, representing different anatomical sites and differentiation states in vivo.Material and MethodsHUVECs were cultured on both stiff substrate (25 kPa hydrogel GEL) and tissue culture plastic (TCP). Cell cytoskeleton and proliferation were detected by immunofluorescence and BrdU assays, respectively. The protein and gene expression levels of connexin 40 (CX40) were ascertained via Western blotting analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content was determined using a sulfated GAG detection kit.ResultsResults showed that actin stress fiber density and HUVEC proliferation both decreased, whereas CX40 expression and GAG content both increased in the cells grown on the stiff substrate compared to cells grown on the TCP.ConclusionsFollowing culture on the stiff substrate, the biological behavior of the HUVECs differed obviously to those cultured on the TCP. Our results suggest that the state of the cells cultured on the stiff substrate may be similar to their phenotypic state in vivo.
Telemetry reveals rapid duel-driven song plasticity in a naturalistic social environment
Authors: Alcami Pepe , Ma Shouwen , Gahr Manfred 
Published: October 2019

AbstractSinging by songbirds is a complex motor skill learnt during juvenile development or, in ‘open-ended’ learners, before the onset of the breeding season. Outside of these specific periods, it is believed that birdsong does not change. Challenging this, here we demonstrate that in a seasonal songbird, social interactions during the breeding season induce a novel form of singing plasticity in naturalistic social environments. Using custom-made telemetric backpack technology to monitor song-based communication from freely-behaving canaries, we show that males temporally overlap their songs during aggressive ‘duels’. Singing duels induce an unexpected fast plasticity in song length, thereby enhancing singing performance and flexibility of a sexually-selected behavior. Remarkably, dueling canaries sing acoustically-similar songs, suggesting that competition within a specific song acoustic space drives dueling behavior. Overall, our findings reveal a previously unrecognized type of song plasticity different from the well-studied slow song plasticity as an imitation process for display purposes.
Transcriptome Landscape Reveals Underlying Mechanisms of Ovarian Cell Fate Differentiation and Primordial Follicle Assembly
Authors: Wang Jun-Jie , Ge Wei , Zhai Qiu-Yue , Liu Jing-Cai , Sun Xiao-Wen , Liu Wen-Xiang , Li Lan , Lei Chu-Zhao , Dyce Paul W. , De Felici Massimo , Shen Wei 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPrimordial follicle assembly in mammals occurs at perinatal ages and largely determines the ovarian reserve available to support the reproductive lifespan. The primordial follicle structure is generated by a complex network of interactions between oocytes and ovarian somatic cells that remain poorly understood. In the present research, using single-cell RNA sequencing performed over a time-series on mouse ovaries coupled with several bioinformatics analyses, the complete dynamic genetic programs of germ and granulosa cells from E16.5 to PD3 are reported for the first time. The time frame of analysis comprises the breakdown of germ cell cysts and the assembly of primordial follicles. Confirming the previously reported expression of genes by germ cells and granulosa cells, our analyses identified ten distinct gene clusters associated to germ cells and eight to granulosa cells. Consequently, several new genes expressed at significant levels at each investigated stage were assigned. Building single-cell pseudo temporal trajectories five states and two branch points of fate transition for the germ cells, and three states and one branch point for the granulosa cells were revealed. Moreover, GO and ClueGO term enrichment enabled identifying biological processes, molecular functions and cellular components more represented in germ cells and granulosa cells or common to both cell types at each specific stage. Finally, by SCENIC algorithm, we were able to establish a network of regulons that can be postulated as likely candidates for sustaining germ cell specific transcription programs throughout the investigated period.
Hepatic FoxOs induce apolipoprotein M and are required for sphingosine-1-phosphate to bind high density lipoproteins
Authors: Izquierdo María Concepción , Shanmugarajah Niroshan , Lee Samuel X. , Haeusler Rebecca A. 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTThe FoxO family of transcription factors play an important role in mediating insulin action on glucose, lipid, and lipoprotein metabolism. Liver-specific triple FoxO knockout mice (L-FoxO1,3,4) have defects in expression of genes related to glucose production, bile acid synthesis, and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol uptake. We have now identified Apolipoprotein M (Apom) as a novel transcriptional target of liver FoxO. ApoM is a liver-secreted apolipoprotein that is bound to HDL in the circulation, and it serves as a chaperone for the bioactive lipid, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Several recent studies have demonstrated that S1P bound to ApoM induces unique effects, compared to S1P bound to albumin. We now show that liver FoxOs are required for ApoM mRNA and protein expression, and that ApoM is a transcriptional target of FoxOs. Moreover, while total plasma S1P levels are similar between control and L-FoxO1,3,4 mice, S1P is nearly absent from HDL in L-FoxO1,3,4 mice, and is instead increased in the lipoprotein depleted fraction. We also observed that leptin receptor deficient db/db mice have low hepatic Apom mRNA, and low levels of ApoM and S1P in HDL, without changes in total plasma S1P. These data demonstrate that FoxO transcription factors are novel regulators of the ApoM-S1P pathway, and indicate a potential link between hepatic insulin action and HDL function.
Servant leadership and career success: the effects of career skills and proactive personality
Authors: Wang Zhen , Yu Kun , Xi Ruobing , Zhang Xiaodan 
Published: October 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of servant leadership on followers’ subjective career success and the mediating role of career skills. The moderating effect of followers’ proactive personality is also investigated.Design/methodology/approachThis paper collected two-wave matched data from 283 employees of an IT company. The authors use hierarchical regression and bootstrapping to test the hypotheses.FindingsServant leadership has a positive effect on career satisfaction and perceived employability through career skills. In addition, proactive personality moderates the association between servant leadership and career skills, such that the relationship is stronger when proactive personality is high. Proactive personality also moderates the indirect effect of servant leadership on career satisfaction and perceived employability.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that organizations should select and train leaders to practice servant leadership to enhance employee subjective career success.Originality/valueThis is the first study to investigate the mechanism and boundary conditions of the association between servant leadership and employee subjective career success.
Dialogic features of brand South Africa’s website and tourists’ intentions to visit
Authors: Hinson Robert E. , Kosiba John Paul Basewe , Boateng Henry , Odoom Raphael , Gyampo Ransford Edward 
Published: October 2019

PurposeDespite the recognisable importance of nation brand websites, they have seemingly not been the focus of dialogic communication interrogations of marketing and communications scholars. This paper is one of the initial attempts to address such research lacuna. The paper aims to examine the dialogic potential of the Brand South Africa website and its effect on the country’s image, as well as the impact of this image on consumers’ (tourists) visiting intentions.Design/methodology/approachDrawing from the dialogic communication and impression management theories, the authors applied partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to analyse data solicited from 672 participants via an electronic survey.FindingsThis paper demonstrates that the dialogic communication principles of the Brand South Africa website have positive influences on the image impression of South Africa. Country image impression was also found to have a significant effect on intentions to visit.Practical implicationsThis study is of potential benefit to researchers, government agencies and those responsible for nation branding.Originality/valueThis study contributes to marketing and tourism literatures, by drawing on theories of dialogic communication principles and impression management, to fill the gap regarding the effect of nation brand websites on country image impression and visiting intention of consumers (tourists).
Employees’ perceptions of their manager’s authentic leadership
Authors: Mehmood Qaiser , Hamstra Melvyn R.W. , Schreurs Bert 
Published: October 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to test whether managers’ political skill is relevant for employees’ authentic leadership perceptions. Political influence theory assumes that political tactics seek to affect others’ interpretations of a person or situation. Thus, what matters for employees’ perceptions of their manager’s authentic leadership may be whether the manager actively seeks to show behavior that can be interpreted as authentic leadership. Combining political influence theory and gender stereotypes research, it is further suggested that manager gender moderates the employees’ interpretation of political influence attempts that are ambiguous.

Design/methodology/approach
Managers (n=156; 49.5 percent female) completed measures of their political skill. Employees (n=427; 39.1 percent female) completed measures of the manager’s authentic leadership.

Findings
Managers’ apparent sincerity was positively related to employees’ perceptions of managers’ authentic leadership; managers’ networking ability was negatively related to employees’ perceptions of female managers’ authentic leadership, but not of male managers.

Research limitations/implications
The methodology does not allow claims about causality.

Originality/value
Findings add knowledge of authentic leadership, such as difficulties that female managers face, and show the value of a fine-grained approach to political skill. Female managers should be aware that networking might have disadvantageous side effects. Conversely, sincere behavior attempts seem favorable for authentic leadership perceptions.
The explanatory effect of CSR committee and assurance services on the adoption of the IFC performance standards, as a means of enhancing corporate transparency
Authors: García-Sánchez Isabel María , Gómez-Miranda María-Elena , David Fátima , Rodríguez-Ariza Lázaro 
Published: October 2019

Purpose
In view of the significant deficiencies that have been observed in corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting practices, some companies have undertaken a new communication strategy based on a combination of the GRI guidelines and the IFC Performance Standards (termed the GRI-IFC strategy). This paper aims to analyse the role of the CSR committee and of assurance services in promoting this novel practice.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors use an unbalanced sample of 750 international companies that operate in emerging markets for the years 2011-2016, in which logistic and ordinal regressions are applied to the panel data to test the research hypotheses.

Findings
The results show that the existence of a CSR committee facilitates adoption of the GRI-IFC strategy, thus promoting sustainable management policies and systems and enhancing communication with stakeholders. In addition, these specialised committees often commission assurance for sustainability reports, to reinforce strategies aimed at improving corporate transparency.

Research limitations/implications
The analysis of mediation shows that diverse characteristics of corporate governance mechanisms interact in improving sustainability and business transparency.

Practical implications
There is an evident need for greater commitment by institutions to sustainability, for example by requiring greater specialisation of the members of the CSR committee in social and environmental issues. In addition, consideration should be given to including the creation of a CSR committee as a good practice, within the code of corporate governance and to establishing a specific framework for the committee’s actions.

Social implications
The previously cited impacts of this paper all contribute indirectly to a greater social welfare by generating higher levels of transparency, ethics and corporate performance. Specifically, higher quality verification services will have an impact on the improved functioning of the financial and capital markets, as well as in decision-making by internal and external stakeholders with more reliable information that will favour the implementation of more sustainable processes that in the short and long term will mean more companies who are responsible towards the environment and society.

Originality/value
This novel study explains why companies adopt voluntary strategies in compliance with GRI guidelines, seeking to provide better CSR disclosure.
Limitations of Trexit (tourism exit) as a solution to overtourism
Authors: Seraphin Hugues , Gowreesunkar Vanessa , Zaman Mustafeed , Lorey Thierry 
Published: October 2019

Purpose
Many tourism destinations are now facing the problem of overtourism, and destination management organisations (DMOs) are in search of an effective and sustainable solution. With this as a foundation, the purpose of this study is to identify factors causing overtourism at popular tourism destinations and to propose an alternative solution to overcome this phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach
The research design is based on an inductive and a deductive approach. The paper draws its conclusion from secondary and tertiary data (literature review and online research).

Findings
The study shows that Trexit (tourism exit) is not a sustainable solution to overtourism and that an alternative strategy may be adopted to tackle this phenomenon. The overall outcome shows that if sociological factors, business factors, technological and economic factors are addressed, the effect of overtourism may be managed and controlled.

Practical implications
The findings of this piece of research refer to a Just-in-Time strategy for managing overtourism. The findings could be useful to practitioners, as the study proposes an alternative means to overcome overtourism and manage destinations without affecting visitor flow and profitability.

Originality/value
This research fulfils an existing research gap, as it proposes an alternative solution to tackle overtourism. The proposed model also helps to provide a broader insight of the dynamics surrounding overtourism at tourism destinations. In so doing, it advances the existing body of knowledge by providing new inputs to a topic that has not been discussed, namely, Trexit or tourism exit.