bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of HtrA2 alleviated colitis by preventing necroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Zhang Chong , He Andong , Liu Shuai , He Qiaoling , Luo Yiqin , Chen Yujiao , He Zhilan , Tao Ailin , Yan Jie 
Published: August 2018

AbstractNecroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells has been indicated to play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The identification of dysregulated proteins that can regulate necroptosis in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis is the key to the rational design of therapeutic strategies for colitis. Through Tandem Mass Tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics, HtrA2 was found to be downregulated in the colon of DSS-treated mice. UCF-101, a specific serine protease inhibitor of HtrA2, significantly alleviated DSS-induced colitis as indicated by prevention of body weight loss and decreased mortality. UCF-101 decreased DSS-induced colonic inflammation, prevented intestinal barrier function loss and inhibited necroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells. In vitro, UCF-101 or silencing of HtrA2 decreased necroptosis of HT-29 and L929 cells. UCF-101 decreased phosphorylation of RIPK1 and subsequent phosphorylation of RIPK3 and MLKL during necroptosis. HtrA2 directly interacted with RIPK1 and promoted its degradation during a specific time phase of necroptosis. Our findings highlight the importance of HtrA2 in regulating colitis by modulation of necroptosis and suggest HtrA2 as an attractive target for anti-colitis treatment.
The nature and intensity of mechanical stimulation drive different dynamics of MRTF-A nuclear redistribution after actin remodeling in myoblasts
Authors: Montel Lorraine , Sotiropoulos Athanassia , Hénon Sylvie 
Published: August 2018

AbstractSerum response factor and its cofactor myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF) are key elements of muscle-mass adaptation to workload. The transcription of target genes is activated when MRTF is present in the nucleus. The localization of MRTF is controlled by its binding to G-actin. Thus, the pathway can be mechanically activated through the mechanosensitivity of the actin cytoskeleton. The pathway has been widely investigated from a biochemical point of view, but its mechanical activation and the timescales involved are poorly understood. Here, we applied local and global mechanical cues to myoblasts through two custom-built set-ups, magnetic tweezers and stretchable substrates. Both induced nuclear accumulation of MRTF-A. However, the dynamics of the response varied with the nature and level of mechanical stimulation and correlated with the polymerization of different actin sub-structures. Local repeated force induced local actin polymerization and nuclear accumulation of MRTF-A by 30 minutes, whereas a global static strain induced both rapid (minutes) transient nuclear accumulation, associated with the polymerization of an actin cap above the nucleus, and long-term (hours) accumulation, with a global increase in polymerized actin. Conversely, high strain induced actin depolymerization at intermediate times, associated with cytoplasmic MRTF accumulation.
The freeze-dried extracts of Salvia coccinea Juss. Ex Murray attenuate myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in a global ischemia Rat model
Authors: Nyaga Nelly Murugi , Mwangi Peter Waweru , Bukachi Frederick 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundIschemia reperfusion injury is the leading cause of myocardial cell death in Ischemic Heart Disease. Thus intensive research efforts are geared at discovering pharmacological approaches that prevent it. Over twenty species from the genus Salvia are widely applied in traditional Chinese medicine in the management of heart diseases with Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) being a canonical example. Our study aimed to investigate the cardio-protective effects of the freeze-dried extracts of salvia coccinea against ischemia reperfusion injury in a rodent in-vitro model of global ischemia.MethodsForty two (42) Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into five groups: positive control (Glucosamine 1000mg/kg), negative control group (Krebs Henseleit buffer), low dose test (50 mg/100ml), medium dose test (100 mg/100ml), and high dose test (200 mg/100ml).The cardio-protective effects of the different treatments were evaluated in a global ischemia model using isolated rat hearts mounted on a Langendorff system.Naloxone 2.2 μmol/L (μ opioid receptor blocker), and theophylline 1000 μmol/L (non-specific adenosine receptor blocker) were co-administered with 50 mg of S.coccinea in the mechanism of action experiments.The following indices of cardiac function were recorded pre- and post-ischemia: left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), heart rate, and maximum rate of contraction and relaxation. All data were expressed as Mean ± Standard Error of Mean and analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests. Significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsThe freeze-dried extracts of S. coccinea had significant effects on post-ischemic contractile function recovery in the early [51.4 ± 9.7% (low dose test) vs. 14.9 ± 3.3% (medium dose test) vs. 12.7 ± 2.6% (high dose test) vs. 13.7 ± 5.7% (negative control): p<0.05] and late [38.6 ± 8.9% (low dose test) vs. 22.0± 7.1% (medium dose test) vs. 14.6 ± 5.8 (high dose test) vs. 12.5 ± 4.2% (negative control): p< 0.05]. Reperfusion phases with the highest LVDP recovery were observed at the 50 mg dosage level.The freeze-dried extracts of S. coccinea had significant negative chronotropic effects on heart rate [234.0 ± 2.4 beats/min to 90.0 ± 7.0 beats/min, 50 mg vs. 102.0 ± 13.9 beats/min to 135.0 ± 25.9 beats/min, control P<0.05].The cardioprotective effects of S. coccinea displayed an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve with low dose stimulation and high dose inhibition.Naloxone completely abolished the LVDP recovery afforded by the freeze-dried extracts of S. coccinea at the 50 mg dosage level while adenosine only partly abolished the LVDP recovery (9.5 ± 3.2% (naloxone) vs. 15.5 ± 5.8% (adenosine): P>0.05).ConclusionThe freeze-dried extracts of S. coccinea possessed significant cardioprotective effects which appear to be mediated by activation of the opioidergic pathway in the heart.
Mitogen activated protein kinases function as a cohort during a plant defense response
Authors: McNeece Brant T. , Sharma Keshav , Lawrence Gary W. , Lawrence Kathy S. , Klink Vincent P. 
Published: August 2018

ABSTRACTMitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) play important signal transduction roles. However, little is known regarding whether MAPKs influence the gene expression of other family members and the relationship that expression has to a biological process. Transcriptomic studies have identified MAPK gene expression occurring within root cells undergoing a defense response to a pathogenic event in the allotetraploidGlycine max. Furthermore, functional analyses are presented for its 32 MAPKs revealing 9 of the 32 MAPKs have a defense role, including homologs ofArabidopsis thalianaMAPK (MPK) MPK2, MPK3, MPK4, MPK5, MPK6, MPK13, MPK16 and MPK20. Defense signal transduction processes occurring through pathogen activated molecular pattern (PAMP) triggered immunity (PTI) and effector triggered immunity (ETI) have been determined in relation to these MAPKs. PTI has been analyzed by examiningBOTRYTIS INDUCED KINASE1(BIK1),ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY1(EDS1) andLESION SIMULATING DISEASE1(LSD1). ETI has been analyzed by examining the role of the bacterial effector protein harpin and the downstream cell membrane receptorNON-RACE SPECIFIC DISEASE RESISTANCE1(NDR1). Experiments have identified 5 different types of gene expression relating to MAPK expression. The MAPKs are shown to influence PTI and ETI gene expression and a panel of proven defense genes including an ABC-G type transporter, 20S membrane fusion particle components, glycoside biosynthesis, carbon metabolism, hemicellulose modification, transcription andPATHOGENESIS RELATED 1(PR1). The experiments show MAPKs broadly influence the expression of other defense MAPKs, including the co-regulation of parologous MAPKs and reveal its relationship to proven defense genes.
Organizational policies and diversity management in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Abaker Mohamed-Osman Shereif Mahdi , Al-Titi Omar Ahmad Khalid , Al-Nasr Natheer Shawqi 
Published: August 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report empirical research conducted in Saudi Arabia on the impacts of organizational policies and practices on the diversity management of the Saudi private sector. To this end, the Saudization policy and views of key respondents have been tested and discussed.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data were collected through questionnaire surveys from the largest 11 private sector organizations listed on the Saudi Stock Market in the financial/banking, oil and gas, petrochemical, private higher education and private health service sectors. Statistical tools such as means and standard deviations and one-samplet-tests were used for analysis.FindingsThe findings suggest that Saudization, retention, pay with benefits and health insurance policies significantly affect the diversity management in the Saudi private sector. Therefore, there is a need to develop organizational policies that support the existence of foreign employees for private businesses in Saudi Arabia. Considering differences as strengths that can be utilized to enhance performance, a diverse workforce might better be able to serve diverse markets.Research limitations/implicationsCollecting data from a closed environment such as Saudi Arabia is constrained by access difficulties, as well as inadequate literature on relevant diversity issues. However, the convenience sampling method and snowballing approach adopted in this study generated reliable data. As a result, this study has implications for both the multinational corporations operating in Saudi Arabia and Saudi owned companies operating in the West and intending to adopt and implement diversity management initiatives for branches in different countries. As such, further research on the gulf countries’ diversity management issues would be critical.Originality/valueThe current study is a first survey-based research endeavor on the topic of diversity management in the Saudi context. The findings contribute to the limited knowledge base on middle eastern countries, thus presenting new empirical evidence on the organizational policies and practices of Saudization, retention, pay and benefits and health insurance policies. The study of the Saudi case, thus adds value to the existing knowledge on diversity management.
On modeling mechanisms and applicable ranges of grey incidence analysis models
Authors: Dong Wenjie , Liu Sifeng , Fang Zhigeng 
Published: August 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the modelling mechanisms of several grey incidence analysis models with great influence, including Deng’s grey incidence model, absolute degree of grey incidence model, slope degree of incidence model, similitude degree of incidence model and closeness degree of incidence model; then analyse the problems to be solved in grey incidence analysis models; and clarify the applicable ranges of commonly used grey incidence models.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper comes to conclusions by means of comparable analysis. The authors compare several commonly used grey incidence analysis models, including Deng’s grey incidence model, absolute degree of grey incidence model, slope degree of incidence model, similitude degree of incidence model and closeness degree of incidence model and give several examples to clarify the reasons why quantitative analysis results of different models are not exactly the same.

Findings
As the intension of each kind of incidence model is clear and the extension is relatively obscure, grey incidence orders calculated by different incidence models are often different. When making actual decisions, incompatible results may appear. According to different characteristics of extraction, grey incidence analysis models can be divided into three types: incidence model based on closeness perspective, incidence model based on similarity perspective and incidence model based on comprehensive perspective.

Practical implications
The conclusions obtained in this paper can help people avoid some defects in the process of actual selection and choose the better incidence analysis model.

Originality/value
The conclusions can be used as a reference and basis for the selection of grey incidence analysis models, it can help to overcome the defects and shortcomings of models caused by themselves and screen out more excellent analytical models.
The practice of professional skills and civic engagement through service learning
Authors: Cheng Shuhui Sophy 
Published: August 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the community service learning initiative among Taiwanese communication students by examining the link between the value of work-based learning and learning outcomes from the applied classroom projects.

Design/methodology/approach
This study involves the applied classroom projects. Data are captured in both quantitative (i.e. survey) and qualitative methods (i.e. reflective papers). The survey is designed to measure general attitudes and perceptions of service learning students. The reflective papers focus on the participants’ expectations of the service learning outcome.

Findings
The findings suggest that work-based and service learning projects are beneficial for the students, faculty, university and community partners. As an extension of experiential learning, students acquire a deeper understanding of the course material, gain practical expertise in the real world, develop interpersonal communication skills and engage in civic responsibility.

Practical implications
This study supports the notion that service learning engagements help students develop problem-solving skills. It is suggested that since the content of traditional learning in the discipline of communication has changed extensively over the past decades (i.e. from traditional media to new digital media), service learning can be a complimentary tool to not only broaden students’ learning, but to also expand their professional horizons and opportunities.

Originality/value
The current study expands existing theory and advances our understanding of service learning in the discipline of communication in a Taiwanese context. With practical roots embedded in Western educational initiatives linking service learning to higher education, this paper reveals that service learning does work across cultures as well.
The relationship between developmental HRM practices and voluntary intention to leave among IT professionals in India: the mediating role of affective commitment
Authors: Srirangam Ramaprasad Badrinarayan , Lakshminarayanan Sethumadhavan , Pai Yogesh P. 
Published: August 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to advance the research on the relationship between developmental human resource management (HRM) practices and voluntary intention to leave among information technology (IT) professionals from the Indian IT sector by investigating the mediating role of affective commitment.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a cross-sectional design at the individual-level of analysis. Data on the study constructs (i.e. developmental HRM practices, affective commitment, and voluntary intention to leave) were collected from 752 IT professionals from 17 Indian IT organizations from the city of Bengaluru through a web-based survey between February 2016 and March 2017. Further, this study used the confirmatory factor analysis technique to establish reliability and construct validity for the study constructs. Furthermore, this study tested the research hypotheses empirically through mediated multiple-regression analysis using the bootstrap procedure.FindingsEmpirical results of the present study suggest that espousal of robust developmental HRM interventions enhances affective commitment and significantly attenuates the voluntary intention to leave among employees. Further, the results of this study have indicated that the relationship between developmental HRM practices and voluntary intention to leave was partially mediated by affective commitment.Originality/valuePast empirical studies on HRM – turnover discourse, in the IT sector, have predominantly examined the direct influence of HRM systems and/or internal labor market strategies on turnover intentions and actual turnover behavior. Rarely have the past studies in the IT domain attempted to examine the intervening role of employee attitudes in the relationship between HRM practices and employee-level outcomes. Addressing this gap, the present study enunciates the critical role of affective commitment and situates it as an important variable that mediates the relationship between developmental HRM practices and voluntary intention to leave among IT professionals in India.
Implementing social customer relationship management
Authors: Sigala Marianna 
Published: August 2018

PurposeThis paper aims to debate the technology-driven transformation of customer relationship management (CRM) into social CRM, which entails a shift from a transactional and automational solution to a customer experience management philosophy, reflecting high levels of customer empowerment.Design/methodology/approachA literature review provides a critical analysis of the concept, tenets, aims and implementation approaches of social CRM. Arguments are summarised by developing a process-based framework for implementing social CRM.FindingsBy adopting a value co-creation approach that recognises the technology-fostered customer empowerment, the social CRM highlights the need to immigrate from relationship management to relationship stewardship. In this vein, social CRM implementation should support and foster dialogue facilitation and customer engagement in co-creating customer experiences. To achieve these, five approaches for implementing social CRM are proposed: collecting, analysing and interpreting customer insight; monitoring and improving the performance of CRM; developing holistic and seamless personalised customer experiences; gamifying CRM and loyalty programmes; and nurturing community relationship management.Research limitations/implicationsThe five approaches to social CRM implementation are identified and validated based on current industry practices, theoretical arguments and anecdotal evidence of professionals’ perceptions about their outcomes. Future research is required to collect hard evidence showing the business and customer impacts of these approaches.Practical implicationsSocial CRM immigrates relationship management from a transactional to a customer experience mindset that treats customers as co-creators of value and demands the tourism and hospitality firms to exploit the affordances of information and communication technologies to collect and analyse customer data for better understanding the customer; develop customer touch points that do not only aim to sell but also primarily aim to enhance the customer interactions and experiences; consider and treat the customers and the customer communities as co-creators, brand ambassadors and stewards of relations; and motivate and enable customer participation into value co-creation processes for developing customer experiences and building relationships.Originality/valueResearch in social CRM is emerging, but it mainly focusses on defining its scope and identifying the functionality and adoption of social CRM technology. The paper contributes to the literature by proposing five specific approaches and a process framework for implementing social CRM. Various directions for future research are also provided.
Child labour, future earnings and occupation choice: evidence from Ghana
Authors: Lambon-Quayefio Monica Puoma , Owoo Nkechi Srodah 
Published: August 2018

PurposeThe prevalence of child labour continues to feature prominently on the agenda of many sub-Saharan African countries. The problem remains critical despite existing laws and other legislative instruments that have been put in place to address the situation. The purpose of this paper is to examine a critical consequence of child labour, that is, its effect on future earnings and occupational choice.Design/methodology/approachThe most recent round of the Ghana Living Standards Survey is used for this purpose. In addition to the Heckman model, the study employs propensity score and nearest neighbour matching techniques to account for the possible self-selection in engaging in child labour activities. Also, the multinomial logit model was employed to determine the choice of occupations of people who were engaged in child labour.FindingsResults indicate that early labour market entry significantly reduces future earnings, possibly due to lower human capital accumulation. These results remain robust with different estimators. Additionally, results from the second objective show that child labour increases the odds of choosing low-skilled occupations.Originality/valueIn Ghana, the negative consequences of child labour on educational attainment have been well documented. Less, if at all, studied are the long-term consequences of child labour, particularly on future economic status.
Excessive social media use at work
Authors: Yu Lingling , Cao Xiongfei , Liu Zhiying , Wang Junkai 
Published: August 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of excessive social media use on individual job performance and its exact mechanism. An extended stressor–strain–outcome research model is proposed to explain how excessive social media use at work influences individual job performance.Design/methodology/approachThe research model was empirically tested with an online survey study of 230 working professionals who use social media in organizations.FindingsThe results revealed that excessive social media use was a determinant of three types of social media overload (i.e. information, communication and social overload). Information and communication overload were significant stressors that influence social media exhaustion, while social overload was not a significant predictor of exhaustion. Furthermore, social media exhaustion significantly reduces individual job performance.Originality/valueTheory-driven investigation of the effects of excessive social media use on individual job performance is still relatively scarce, underscoring the need for theoretically-based research of excessive social media use at work. This paper enriches social media research by presenting an extended stressor–strain–outcome model to explore the exact mechanism of excessive use of social media at work, and identifying three components of social media-related overload, including information, communication and social overload. It is an initial attempt to systematically validate the casual relationships among excessive usage experience, overload, exhaustion and individual job performance based on the transactional theory of stress and coping.