bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Ca2+-ATPase Regulates E-cadherin Biogenesis and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Dang Donna K. , Makena Monish Ram , Llongueras José P. , Prasad Hari , Ko Myungjun , Bandral Manuj , Rao Rajini 
Published: July 2018

AbstractProgression of benign tumors to invasive, metastatic cancer is accompanied by the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), characterized by loss of the cell-adhesion protein E-cadherin. Although silencing mutations and transcriptional repression of the E-cadherin gene have been widely studied, not much is known about post-translational regulation of E-cadherin in tumors. We show that E-cadherin is tightly co-expressed with the secretory pathway Ca2+-ATPase isoform 2, SPCA2 (ATP2C2), in breast tumors. Loss of SPCA2 impairs surface expression of E-cadherin and elicits mesenchymal gene expression through disruption of cell adhesion in tumorspheres and downstream Hippo-YAP signaling. Conversely, ectopic expression of SPCA2 in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) elevates baseline Ca2+ and YAP phosphorylation, enhances post-translational expression of E-cadherin, and suppresses mesenchymal gene expression. Thus, loss of SPCA2 phenocopies loss of E-cadherin in the Hippo signaling pathway and EMT-MET transitions, consistent with a functional role for SPCA2 in E-cadherin biogenesis. Furthermore, we show that SPCA2 suppresses invasive phenotypes, including cell migration in vitro and tumor metastasis in vivo. Based on these findings, we propose that SPCA2 functions as a key regulator of EMT and may be a potential therapeutic target for treatment of metastatic cancer.ImplicationsPost-translational control of E-cadherin and the Hippo pathway by calcium signaling regulates epithelial mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells.
National corporate governance, GMI ratings and earnings management
Authors: El-Helaly Moataz , Shehata Nermeen F. , El-Sherif Reem 
Published: July 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the association between country-level corporate governance and earnings management (EM). It aims to investigate whether the Governance Metrics International (GMI; acquired by Morgan Stanley Capital International in 2014) rating for national corporate governance on a country level is a significant explanatory variable for the country-level EM score or otherwise.

Design/methodology/approach
In a sample of 280 country-year observations during the period from 2000 to 2009, the paper measures national corporate governance quality using GMI ratings scores and whether the corporate governance model is Anglo Saxon or otherwise.

Findings
The findings of this study show that corporate governance is a significant indicator of lower EM levels in a country.

Practical implications
Corporate governance rating firms play a vital role in public markets. GMI provides country-level corporate governance ratings to assess the quality of corporate governance in several countries. The findings of this study show preliminary evidence that GMI ratings of corporate governance provide good guidance to investors on the quality of corporate governance in a country.

Originality/value
This paper is the first empirical attempt to examine the association between country-level corporate governance, GMI ratings for country-level corporate governance and EM.
Private school vouchers for expanding secondary school access? The case of Tanzania
Authors: Baum Donald R. , Cilliers Jacobus 
Published: July 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the current contributions of private schools to education provision in Tanzania, and to consider the feasibility of a school voucher program to contribute to the expansion of the secondary school system, compared to the alternative expansion of public secondary education.

Design/methodology/approach
The study offers an analysis of current educational circumstances and educational goals in Tanzania, and projects differential costs and outcomes associated with various options for expanding secondary education. Data come from two sources: a census of the private schooling market in the Morogoro Urban district, conducted as part of the World Bank’s Systems Approach for Better Education Results initiative; and Tanzania’s National Panel Survey 2010–2011.

Findings
For those students unable to cover the full cost of secondary education, findings suggest that a targeted private school voucher would be an efficient and equitable policy mechanism for secondary school expansion. Such an approach would ease the financial burden on government for constructing all new schools, yet assure access for the most vulnerable.

Originality/value
The implementation of school voucher programs is increasing in low-income countries. It is important for policy makers to carefully consider the appropriateness of this type of policy intervention for their particular educational contexts. This paper models an approach by which researchers and policymakers can assess the educational circumstances of a particular location, and determine the potential effectiveness of a private school voucher policy.
Slow moving stock problem: empirical evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Nawawi Anuar , Salin Ahmad Saiful Azlin Puteh 
Published: July 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify weaknesses in the internal control of the stock management processes and provide recommendations to improve those weaknesses. The study also analyses whether the current stock management processes are adequately documented and updated regularly.

Design/methodology/approach
One company involved in the automotive industry was selected as a case study and its stock management examined, focusing on the processes involved and the reliability of the current inventory system. Data were collected via interviews with the selected staff and document analysis on various financial and non-financial company records.

Findings
The results show that there are loopholes and weaknesses in the current stock management system. This is because of poor technology and a lack of exposure and knowledge of staff involved in the stock management system.

Research limitations/implications
As this research is based on one company as a study case, generalization must be done with precaution. Access to certain important documents was denied because of the confidentiality.

Practical/implications
This study will help companies in the automotive sector to improve their stock management process, allowing for more efficient cost control and better services to customers. Specifically, this study identifies weaknesses in the current inventory management and provides recommendations to overcome those weaknesses. This will indirectly prevent fraud and theft and safeguard the cash flow of the company by improving the operation of the procurement and spare parts stock control department.

Originality/value
This study is original, as it focuses on a company that operates in the automotive sector, which is rare in the internal control literature, particularly in developing markets such as Malaysia. It contains examinations of various internal documents that are generally difficult to be accessed by researchers for the publication in an academic journal.
Improvement of recovery parameters using patient‐controlled epidural analgesia for video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy in enhanced recovery after surgery: A prospective, randomized single center study
Authors: Zejun Niu , Wei Feng , Lin Lyu , He Dong , Haichen Chu 
Published: July 2018

BackgroundWe compared the effects of thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) to conventional patient‐controlled analgesia (PCA) on several postoperative parameters of recovery after elective video‐assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) lobectomy.MethodsNinety‐eight patients undergoing elective VATS lobectomy were enrolled. The primary endpoint was pain score. Recovery of bowel function, length of stay in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), duration of postoperative hospital stay, and complications were assessed. Continuous variables were expressed and compared between groups using either a two‐tailed Student's t or Mann‐Whitney U test. Recovery of bowel function was compared using the log‐rank test.ResultsBaseline characteristics between the groups were similar. Dynamic pain scores on postoperative days (PODs) 0–2 were significantly lower in the TEA group, as were resting pain scores on PODs 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). The mean duration to first flatus (16 ± 0.7 vs. 26 ± 0.7 hours; P < 0.001) and the mean length of stay in the PACU (34 vs. 67 minutes; P = 0.027) were shorter in the TEA compared to the PCA group, respectively. The only difference in postoperative complications was regarding confusion (5 TEA vs. 18 PCA patients; P = 0.002). No difference in overall length of stay was noted.ConclusionsCompared to PCA, TEA provided better postoperative pain control after VATS lobectomy and facilitated postoperative recovery of bowel function without increasing the length of hospital stay. This beneficial effect of TEA might be attributed to the attenuation of sympathetic hyperactivation, improved analgesia, and reduced opioid use.
Predicting invasion risk of 16 species of eucalypts using a risk assessment protocol developed for Brazil
Authors: Ziller Sílvia R. , de Sá Dechoum Michele , Dudeque Zenni Rafael 
Published: July 2018

AbstractRisk analyses are predictive systems designed to detect the risk of invasion by non‐native species. Although eucalypts are often considered moderately invasive given the extent of cultivation on a global scale, some species are widely recognized as invasive for transforming and impacting natural areas in several countries. These problems may be due to propagule pressure derived from human interest in forest production and aesthetic values. Risk analyses were carried out for 16 eucalypt species cultivated in Brazil using a protocol adapted from an Australian model to Brazilian conditions. The species were: Corymbia citriodora, Corymbia maculata, Corymbia torelliana, Eucalyptus benthamii, Eucalyptus brassiana, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus cloeziana, Eucalyptus dunnii, Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus pellita, Eucalyptus robusta, Eucalyptus saligna, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Eucalyptus urophylla and Eucalyptus viminalis. Results indicate high risk for seven species, moderate risk for eight species and low risk for one species. The only low risk species is E. dunnii, while the highest risk scores refer to C. torelliana, E. tereticornis and E. grandis. These results are consistent with the history of invasion of the species around the world and should be considered for plantations especially when investment capacity to prevent and permanently control spread is low or not associated with forest certification standards. Risk analysis is a valid tool for discriminating between species and making decisions on species to be introduced or cultivated. The results of this study show that there are many species that can be cultivated without incurring biological invasions.
Among seven testis‐specific molecular markers, SPEM1 appears to have a significant clinical value for prediction of sperm retrieval in azoospermic men
Authors: Hashemi M.‐S. , Mozdarani H. , Ghaedi K. , Nasr‐Esfahani M. H. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBackgroundTo achieve sperm retrieval in azoospermic men, predicting the success rate seems to be necessary.ObjectivesIn the present study we aimed to assess expression of seven molecular markers [ESX1, DAZ, DAZL (pre‐meiotic markers), ZMYND15, PRM1, TNP1, and SPEM1 (post‐meiotic markers)] to predict the success of sperm retrieval.Materials and MethodsIn this study, 63 azoospermic men [16 OA (obstructive azoospermia) and 47 NOA (nonobstructive azoospermia)] undergoing testicular tissue microdissection (micro‐TESE) for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Expression levels of these target genes were determined by real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction using the DDCt method, and efficacy of each gene was compared by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.ResultsExpression of post‐meiotic transcripts significantly decreases in NOA and its subgroups (SCOS: Sertoli cell only syndrome, MA: maturation arrest, and HS: hypospermatogenesis) with spermatogenic failure compared to normal spermatogenesis (OA), with an exception of ZMYND15 for the HS group. These findings suggest the differential expression of the post‐meiotic ZMYND15 marker is in accordance with histological findings and can discriminate HS from SCOS and MA. Post‐meiotic markers were significantly reduced in negative vs. positive sperm retrieval groups.Discussion and ConclusionAmong the seven markers, SPEM1 had the best positive prediction power (96%) and negative prediction power (85%) at a 0.086 cutoff with the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.91 for receiver operating characteristic 4 (ROC) to predict the micro‐TESE outcome.
Knowledge, experience and attitudes towards skin‐to‐skin contact following Caesarean sections among health professionals in Vietnam
Authors: Tran Hoang Thi , Nippita Tanya , Nguyen Phuong Thi Kim , Nguyen Phuong Thi Thu , Huynh Thuy Thi Diem , Hua Oanh Thi Le , Roberts Christine L. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAimThis study explored knowledge, experience and attitudes of health professionals towards early essential newborn care and skin‐to‐skin contact following Caesarean sections in a tertiary hospital in Central Vietnam.MethodWe conducted a cross‐sectional descriptive study using an anonymous questionnaire in March 2016. Health professionals from obstetrics, anaesthesiology and neonatology departments were surveyed.ResultsAll of the 204 surveys were returned, accounting for 82% of total staff involved in the care for women and newborns with Caesarean sections. Correct knowledge of early essential newborn care was lowest among anaesthesiology staff. Health professionals reported that ≥90% of Caesarean section births they attended in the preceding week had skin‐to‐skin contact. Approximately 16% obstetricians, 71% midwives, 49% anaesthesiology and 76% neonatology staff considered the current frequency of skin‐to‐skin contact to be about right. The remainder considered the current rate too high. All professional groups identified the main difficulties of conducting skin‐to‐skin contact as the temperature in the operating theatre and the need for additional staff. Other concerns included increasing the risk of the baby of falling off, prolonging the operation and difficulty to monitor mothers.ConclusionThe study identifies issues where improvements can be made in the implementation of skin‐to‐skin contact following Caesarean sections.
Retrospective study recommends endoscopy when diagnosing lymphocytic colitis or eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder in children with abdominal pain
Authors: Tilma Jens , Tilma Jørgen , Tilma Karen 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAimThis study assessed the prevalence, clinical presentation and outcome of lymphocytic colitis (LC) and eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease (EGID) in children with severe, recurrent abdominal pain (RAP), by describing the predominant symptoms, diagnostic approaches and treatment options.MethodsWe performed a retrospective follow‐up study at a Danish regional hospital by reviewing the histology reports of the children who had undergone gastrointestinal endoscopy for RAP. Data were retrieved from the medical records of those who met the diagnostic criteria for LC and, or, EGID from 2011 to 2016. The study population comprised 381 patients who underwent a diagnostic process to clarify RAP.ResultsA total of 74 patients (39 females) aged 2–17 years, with severe RAP as the most predominant symptom underwent gastrointestinal endoscopy. This identified 16/74 (21.6%) with LC (n = 6) and, or, EGID (n = 11), which equated to 4.2% with RAP. No biochemical patterns of abnormalities were found. Medical treatment and, or, diet generally induced and maintained clinical remission.ConclusionWe found 16 children with LC and, or, EGID. The predominant symptom was severe RAP. All patients had a macroscopically normal mucosa at endoscopy, a specific histopathological feature and no characteristic biochemical findings. Endoscopy should be considered in these cases.
General intelligence was associated with academic achievement but not fitness in adolescents after one year
Authors: Gil‐Espinosa Francisco Javier , Chillón Palma , Cadenas‐Sanchez Cristina 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAimThis study investigated whether general intelligence could predict physical fitness and academic achievements one year later.MethodsWe recruited 129 Spanish adolescents (57.4% boys) with a mean age of 13.6 ± 0.7 years old from a convenience sample of a single public‐funded school. The first step was to assess general intelligence during the 2015–2016 school year using the D48 nonverbal test. A year later, we collected data on fitness and academic achievements. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured with the 20‐m endurance shuttle run test, muscular strength with the standing long jump and flexibility with the sit and reach test. Academic achievement was measured using school grades. The findings were assessed using three models with different variables.ResultsOne year later, general intelligence at baseline was marginally significantly associated with flexibility (p = 0.079) and mathematics (p = 0.084) in the first model, with mathematics (p = 0.029) and geography and history (p = 0.016) in the second model and with geography and history (p = 0.022) in the third model. All the analyses were controlled by age, sex, fitness and academic achievement.ConclusionGeneral intelligence may not predict fitness, but it may predict academic achievements in adolescents one year later. Further studies are needed to examine our findings.
Literature review informs clinical guidelines for pain management during screening and laser photocoagulation for retinopathy of prematurity
Authors: Pirelli Anna , Savant Levet Patrizia , Garetti Elisabetta , Ancora Gina , Merazzi Daniele , Bellieni Carlo Valerio , Lago Paola ,   the Pain Study Group of the Italian Society of Neonatology
Published: July 2018

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to carry out a literature review and develop clinical guidelines for pain prevention and control during screening and laser photocoagulation for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).MethodsThe Italian Society of Neonatology assessed papers published between 1986 and June 2017 and used the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach, to develop new guidelines on pain and ROP.ResultsThe Society's pain experts assessed the full texts of 47 papers, including randomised or quasi‐randomised controlled trials and case–control studies on nonpharmacological and pharmacological measures used in NICUs during the screening and laser photocoagulation of neonates for ROP. The literature suggested methods for reducing the stress and pain associated with ROP screening procedures. The panel concluded that the literature showed that it was feasible to provide laser photocoagulation for ROP in spontaneously breathing patients with adequate analgesia.ConclusionThis literature review on managing pain in infants with ROP in NICUs led to the development of national guidelines, which will help physicians and nurses to reduce the stress and pain experienced by premature newborn infants during unavoidable screening and treatment for ROP.
Normal DNA methylation status in sperm from a somatic cell cloned bull and their fertilized embryos
Authors: Yamanaka Ken‐Ichi , Yamashita Kyoko , Khatun Hafiza , Wada Yasuhiko , Tatemoto Hideki , Sakatani Miki , Takenouchi Naoki , Takahashi Masashi , Watanabe Shinya 
Published: July 2018

AbstractEpigenetic reprogramming confers totipotency even during somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), which has been used to clone various animal species. However, as even apparently healthy cloned animals sometimes have aberrant epigenetic status, the harmful effects of these defects could be passed onto their offspring. This is one of the biggest obstacles for the application of cloned animals for livestock production. Here, we investigated the DNA methylation status of four developmentally regulated genes (PEG3, XIST, OCT4, and NANOG) in sperms from a cloned and a non‐cloned bull, and blastocysts obtained by in vitro fertilization using those sperms and SCNT. We found no differences in the methylation status of the above genes between cloned and non‐cloned bull sperms. Moreover, the methylation status was also similar in blastocysts obtained with cloned and non‐cloned bull sperms. In contrast, the methylation status was compromised in the SCNT blastocysts. These results indicate that sperm from cloned bulls would be adequately reprogrammed during spermatogenesis and, thus, could be used to produce epigenetically normal embryos. This study highlights the normality of cloned bull offspring and supports the application of cloned cattle for calf production.
Measuring social support for healthy eating and physical activity in obesity
Authors: Rieger Elizabeth , Sellbom Martin , Murray Kristen , Caterson Ian 
Published: July 2018

ObjectivesThis study sought to investigate the psychometric properties of two commonly used measures of social support in obesity, namely, the Social Support for Eating Habits (SSEH) and Social Support for Physical Activity (SSPA) scales.DesignCross‐sectional and longitudinal study design.MethodsParticipants were 200 adults with obesity taking part in a 12‐month cognitive behavioural weight loss programme. At pre‐treatment, participants completed the SSEH and SSPA as well as measures of social support, motivation, self‐efficacy, and health‐related quality of life to assess concurrent validity. Predictive validity was assessed in terms of baseline SSEH and SSPA scores predicting post‐treatment weight while controlling for pre‐treatment weight.ResultsFactor analysis supported a two‐factor solution for both the SSEH (‘Encouragement’ and ‘Discouragement’) and SSPA (‘Participation’ and ‘Punishment’) scales, with each subscale demonstrating acceptable internal consistency. While the results provided some support for the concurrent validity of the SSEH Discouragement and SSPA Participation subscales, there was mixed support for the SSEH Encouragement subscale and poor support for the SSPA Punishment subscale. No support was found in terms of predictive validity.ConclusionsThe findings question the validity of the SSEH and SSPA scales in obesity, with behaviours deemed to be supportive in non‐obese populations not necessarily perceived as such by people with obesity. The development of a psychometrically sound measure of social support in the obesity context is needed.
Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Social support is a robust predictor of positive health outcomes.

There is mixed support for the association between social support and weight‐related outcomes in obesity.

Discrepant findings may be due to social support measures of questionable reliability and validity in obesity.

What does this study add?

The SSEH and SSPA scales have questionable validity in obesity.

Behaviours deemed to be supportive by family and friends may not be perceived as such by individuals with obesity.

A psychometrically sound measure of social support in the obesity context is needed.