bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Turning inside out: perceived internal branding in customer-firm relationship building
Authors: Kang Doo Syen 
Published: July 2016

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the strategic importance of perceived internal branding in building symbolic and behavioral relationships with a corporate in the service sector. Research on internal branding has been confined only to how internal staff understand brand values. Despite the importance of alignment between internal and external communication, little emphasis has been placed on consumers’ perception of how internal staff understand brand values. Even before experiencing service, consumers can shape their overall evaluation on service based on external communication about internal training and its congruence with brand values.Design/methodology/approachThe theoretical model of cognitive, affective and behavioral responses is empirically tested using the structural equation modeling approach with a sample of 258 adults. Multiple group comparison is also conducted to identify the difference between user and non-user groups.FindingsThe findings indicate that perception of employees’ training and its congruence with external communication enables consumers to shape their cognitive and affective response toward a corporate, which is a source of future purchase intention. How consumers think about internal branding forms their attitudes and images of business and social conduct and enhances their behavioral intention.Practical implicationsThe results imply that internal branding should not be limited to organizational communications but should be stretched into a critical topic for external communications. In particular, notable differences between user and non-user groups determined in the model provide further implications for corporate communication.Originality/valueThis paper stretches the concept of internal branding into the area of public interest. Theoretically, it tests a dual process model that suggests cognitive and affective antecedents in predicting consumer intention. Practically, it provides new ground for viewing internal affairs as part of a continuum of external communication and not a separate element of a corporation. The results are conducive to robust customer-firm relationship building in the service sector.
Stratified, precision or personalised medicine? Cancer services in the ‘real world’ of a London hospital
Authors: Day Sophie , Coombes R Charles , McGrath‐Lone Louise , Schoenborn Claudia , Ward Helen 
Published: July 2016

AbstractWe conducted ethnographic research in collaboration with a large, research‐intensive London breast cancer service in 2013–2014 so as to understand the practices and potential effects of stratified medicine. Stratified medicine is often seen as a synonym for both personalised and precision medicine but these three terms, we found, also related to distinct facets of treatment and care. Personalised medicine is the term adopted for the developing 2016 NHS England Strategy, in which breast cancer care is considered a prime example of improved biological precision and better patient outcomes. We asked how this biologically stratified medicine affected wider relations of care and treatment. We interviewed formally 33 patients and 23 of their carers, including healthcare workers; attended meetings associated with service improvements, medical decision‐making, public engagement, and scientific developments as well as following patients through waiting rooms, clinical consultations and other settings. We found that the translation of new protocols based on biological research introduced further complications into an already‐complex patient pathway. Combinations of new and historic forms of stratification had an impact on almost all patients, carers and staff, resulting in care that often felt less rather than more personal.
Sporisorium scitamineum colonisation of sugarcane genotypes susceptible and resistant to smut revealed by GFP‐tagged strains
Authors: Carvalho G. , Quecine M.C. , Longatto D.P. , Peters L.P. , Almeida J.R. , Shyton T.G. , Silva M.M.L. , Crestana G.S. , Creste S. , Monteiro‐Vitorello C.B. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractSporisorium scitamineum is the causal agent of sugarcane smut disease. The fungus establishes a biotrophic interaction with sugarcane tissues, and unlike smut fungi of other monocot hosts, the primary meristem of sugarcane plants develops a whip‐like structure instead of a tumour‐like galls emerging from floral structures (tassels and ears). We examined (GFP)‐tagged S. scitamineum infecting tissues of three sugarcane genotypes with distinct responses to smut (susceptible, intermediate resistant and resistant). Mating compatible haploid cells gfp‐expressing were obtained by Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐mediated transformation (ATMT) using the integrative vector pFAT‐gfp. Regardless of the inoculation method (drop inoculation and hypodermal syringe inoculation), all genotypes were colonised by the fungus. GFP‐tagged strains of opposite mating reaction were able to: (a) grow in vitro as fluorescent yeast‐like cells; (b) generate infectious dikaryon; (c) penetrate sugarcane tissues; (d) colonise tissues by growing a filamentous network; and (e) form the characteristic highly branched hyphae within host cells. Fungal colonisation 160 DAI revealed an association of the fungus with vascular vessels disrupting their organisation in all three genotypes analysed. However, the resistant plants did not develop whips spanning the experiment time. The first whips emerged 76 DAI from plants of the susceptible genotype whereas for intermediate resistant plants whips were detected at 137 DAI. These whips were dissected and fluorescent sporogenesis and teliospore maturation were analysed. In vitro germination of recovered teliospores revealed after meiosis the formation of a three‐celled hyphal filament, where the fourth cell was likely maintained in the teliospore coat. These cells showed independent segregation of the gfp marker, as a result of gfp insertions in different chromosomes of each compatible haploid strain. This work presents the complete fungal life cycle of GFP‐marked S. scitamineum to study developmental stages in planta.
Seed treatment with salicylic acid invokes defence mechanism ofHelianthus annuusagainstOrobanche cumana
Authors: Yang C. , Hu L.Y. , Ali B. , Islam F. , Bai Q.J. , Yun X.P. , Yoneyama K. , Zhou W.J. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe root holoparasitic angiosperm sunflower broomrape (Orobanche cumana) specifically affects sunflower (Helianthus annuus) growth and causes severe damage all over the world. This investigation was designed to examine the protective effects of salicylic acid (SA) treatment to the seeds of anO. cumana‐susceptible cultivar of sunflower (TK0409). Sunflower seeds were pretreated with different concentrations (0, 0.5 and 1 mM) ofSAand inoculated withO. cumanafor 4 weeks.O. cumanainfection resulted in reduction in plant biomass, endogenousSAlevel, and the expression ofSA‐related genes includingpal,chsandNPR1. By contrast,O. cumanainfection enhanced the production of reactive oxygen species, activities of antioxidant enzymes as well as contents of phenolics and lignin. Seed treatment with 1 mMSAincreased sunflower biomass in terms of plant height, fresh weight and dry weight by 10%, 13% and 26%, respectively, via reducing the number and biomass of establishedO. cumana. The increase of hydrogen peroxide contents by 14% in the 1 mMSAtreated sunflower plants appeared to be because of the inhibition of ascorbate peroxidase and catalase by exogenousSA. The enhanced expression of pathogenesis‐related genes (PR3andPR12, encoding chitinase and defensin, respectively) after 4 weeks of inoculation indicated that systemic acquired resistance was induced in theSAtreated sunflower in which the level of endogenousSAwas also elevated in a dose‐dependent manner. The increased expression of a hypersensitive‐responsive (HR) genehsrindicated that the resistance of sunflowers might be associated with a hypersensitive reaction which was activated by exogenousSAtreatment.
Decreased Whole‐Body Fat Mass Produced by Chronic Alcohol Consumption is Associated with Activation of S6K1‐Mediated Protein Synthesis and Increased Autophagy in Epididymal White Adipose Tissue
Authors: Crowell Kristen T. , Steiner Jennifer L. , Coleman Catherine S. , Lang Charles H. 
Published: July 2016

BackgroundChronic alcohol consumption leads to a loss of white adipose tissue (WAT) but the underlying mechanisms for this lipodystrophy are not fully elucidated. This study tested the hypothesis that the reduction in WAT mass in chronic alcohol‐fed mice is associated with a decreased protein synthesis specifically related to impaired function of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR).MethodsAdult male mice were provided an alcohol‐containing liquid diet for 24 weeks or an isonitrogenous isocaloric control diet. In vivo protein synthesis was determined at this time and thereafter epididymal WAT (eWAT) was excised for analysis of signal transduction pathways central to controling protein synthesis and degradation.ResultsWhile chronic alcohol feeding decreased whole‐body and eWAT mass, this was associated with a discordant increase in protein synthesis in eWAT. This increase was not associated with a change in mTOR, 4E‐BP1, Akt, or PRAS40 phosphorylation. Instead, a selective increase in phosphorylation of S6K1 and its downstream substrates, S6 and eIF4B was detected in alcohol‐fed mice. Alcohol also increased eEF2K phosphorylation and decreased eEF2 phosphorylation consistent with increased translation elongation. Alcohol increased Atg12‐5, LC3B‐I and ‐II, and ULK1 S555 phosphorylation, suggesting increased autophagy, while markers of apoptosis (cleaved caspase‐3 and ‐9, and PARP) were unchanged. Lipolytic enzymes (ATGL and HSL phosphorylation) were increased and lipogenic regulators (PPARγ and C/EBPα) were decreased in eWAT by alcohol. Although alcohol increased TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐1β mRNA, no change in key components of the NLRP3 inflammasome (NLRP3, ACS, and cleaved caspase‐1) was detected suggesting alcohol did not increase pyroptosis. Plasma insulin did not differ between groups.ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that the alcohol‐induced decrease in whole‐body fat mass resulted in part from activation of autophagy in eWAT as protein synthesis was increased and mediated by the specific increase in the activity of S6K1.
Learning and Memory in Adolescent Moderate, Binge, and Extreme‐Binge Drinkers
Authors: Nguyen‐Louie Tam T. , Tracas Ashley , Squeglia Lindsay M. , Matt Georg E. , Eberson‐Shumate Sonja , Tapert Susan F. 
Published: July 2016

BackgroundBinge drinking has been linked to neurocognitive disadvantages in youth, but it is unclear whether drinking at particularly heavy levels uniquely affects neurocognitive performance. This study prospectively examined (1) whether initiating moderate, binge, or extreme‐binge drinking in adolescence differentially influences subsequent learning and memory performances, and (2) whether dosage of alcohol consumption is linearly associated with changes in learning and memory over 6 years of adolescence.MethodsParticipants, who later transitioned into drinking, were administered verbal learning and memory (VLM) assessments at project intake prior to the onset of substance use (age 12 to 16 years), and at follow‐up approximately 6 years later (N = 112). Participants were grouped based on alcohol involvement at follow‐up as follows: moderate (≤4 drinks per occasion), binge (5+ drinks per occasion), or extreme‐binge (10+ drinks per occasion) drinkers.ResultsDespite equivalent performances prior to onset of drinking, extreme‐binge drinkers performed worse than moderate drinkers on verbal learning, and cued and free short delayed recall (ps < 0.05); binge drinkers did not differ from the other groups. No distinct thresholds in alcohol quantity to differentiate the 3 groups were detected, but estimated peak blood alcohol concentrations were linearly associated with verbal learning ( = −0.24), and immediate ( = −0.27), short delay free ( = −0.28) and cued ( = −0.30), and long delay free ( = −0.24) and cued ( = −0.27) recall (ps < 0.05).ConclusionsDrinking quantity during adolescence appears to adversely affect VLM in a dose‐dependent manner. The acquisition of new verbal information may be particularly affected, notably for those who initiated drinking 10+ drinks in an occasion. Although classification of drinkers into categories remains critical in the study of alcohol, it is important to consider that subtle differences may exist within drinking categories.
Search for an index for the taste of Japanese Black cattle beef by panel testing and chemical composition analysis
Authors: Suzuki Keiichi , Shioura Hiroyuki , Yokota Syoko , Katoh Kazuo , Roh Sang‐gun , Iida Fumiko , Komatsu Tomohiko , Syoji Noriaki , Sakuma Hironori , Yamada Shinichi 
Published: July 2016

AbstractTo search for an index for chemical composition related to superior taste in Japanese Black beef, we conducted panel tests and analyzed the chemical composition of seven beef brands. Thirty‐five sirloin beefs from five heifers were used in this study, sold under seven beef brands graded as more than A4 on the Japanese Meat Grade scale. The chemical composition analyses assessed both raw and roasted meat, the latter of which was roasted under the same conditions as those used for the panel test. Results of the panel test and chemical composition analyses revealed that fatty acid composition, sugar content, adenosine triphosphage (ATP)‐related compounds, amino acid composition and odor composition in the sirloin meat differed among beef brands. Furthermore, the correlations of chemical compositions between roasted and raw meat were significantly high. Sugar content and ATP‐related compounds in roasted meat were significantly correlated with the item ‘overall evaluation’ of the panel test. ATP‐related compounds, such as inosinic acid, carnosine and taurine, in roasted and raw meat were correlated significantly with the item ‘umami intensity’ of the panel test. These results suggest that the composition of these components is important for an index related to the overall evaluation of beef.
Proximal tubular nephropathy in two dogs diagnosed with lead toxicity
Authors: King JB 
Published: July 2016

Case reportLead toxicity was diagnosed in two dogs presenting with vague clinical symptoms. Complete blood count, biochemical testing and imaging changes showed a metarubricytosis in dog 1, but were largely normal in dog 2. Both dogs had glucosuria and proteinuria on urinalysis consistent with damage to the proximal renal tubules. Both animals returned elevated blood lead levels. A history of ingestion of lead was reported by the owner in one dog and elucidated from the second owner once the animal had recorded elevated blood lead levels.ConclusionLead toxicity is rarely reported in the human literature as a cause of proximal tubular dysfunction. To the author's knowledge this is the first case report specifically examining this in the dog. The clinical awareness that lead is a potential cause of proximal renal tubular dysfunction offers another tool to assist the clinician in the diagnostic process. This is particularly important given that the clinical signs and minimum database findings in animals with lead toxicosis are highly variable. Evidence of proximal tubular dysfunction should trigger the clinician to closely examine the history for a potential source of lead exposure and consider submitting samples to test blood lead levels.
Dynamic Models for Estimating the Effect of HAART on CD4 in Observational Studies: Application to the Aquitaine Cohort and the Swiss HIV Cohort Study
Authors: Prague Mélanie , Commenges Daniel , Gran Jon Michael , Ledergerber Bruno , Young Jim , Furrer Hansjakob , Thiébaut Rodolphe 
Published: July 2016

Summary
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has proved efficient in increasing CD4 counts in many randomized clinical trials. Because randomized trials have some limitations (e.g., short duration, highly selected subjects), it is interesting to assess the effect of treatments using observational studies. This is challenging because treatment is started preferentially in subjects with severe conditions. This general problem had been treated using Marginal Structural Models (MSM) relying on the counterfactual formulation. Another approach to causality is based on dynamical models. We present three discrete-time dynamic models based on linear increments models (LIM): the first one based on one difference equation for CD4 counts, the second with an equilibrium point, and the third based on a system of two difference equations, which allows jointly modeling CD4 counts and viral load. We also consider continuous-time models based on ordinary differential equations with non-linear mixed effects (ODE-NLME). These mechanistic models allow incorporating biological knowledge when available, which leads to increased statistical evidence for detecting treatment effect. Because inference in ODE-NLME is numerically challenging and requires specific methods and softwares, LIM are a valuable intermediary option in terms of consistency, precision, and complexity. We compare the different approaches in simulation and in illustration on the ANRS CO3 Aquitaine Cohort and the Swiss HIV Cohort Study.
Clinicopathological features of histological transformation from extranodal marginal zone B‐cell lymphoma of mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue to diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma: an analysis of 467 patients
Authors: Maeshima Akiko Miyagi , Taniguchi Hirokazu , Toyoda Kosuke , Yamauchi Nobuhiko , Makita Shinichi , Fukuhara Suguru , Munakata Wataru , Maruyama Dai , Kobayashi Yukio , Tobinai Kensei 
Published: July 2016

This study analysed incidence, patient outcome, immunophenotype and prognostic factors of histological transformation (HT) from extranodal marginal zone B‐cell lymphoma of mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) to diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in 467 patients (median age, 61 years). The primary sites of MALT lymphoma were the stomach (43%), ocular adnexa (25%), lung (8%), systemic (8%) and other tissues (16%). HT occurred in 8% of MALT lymphomas. Risk of HT by 15 years was 5%: 4% in limited‐stage diseases (n = 385) and 16% in advanced‐stage diseases (n = 56) (P = 0·02). The median time to HT was 48 months (range, 4–139). Five‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates after HT were 80% and 94%, respectively. Immunohistochemical results of DLBCL were as follows: germinal centre B‐cell (GCB)/non‐GCB, 37%/63%; CD10, 9%; BCL6, 59%; MUM1, 38%; MYC, 42%; BCL2, 35%; Ki67 ≥ 90%, 23%; and CD5, 3%. The majority (75%, 9/12) of GCB‐type DLBCLs exhibited CD10−, BCL6+ and MUM1− immunophenotypes; the remainder had CD10+ immunophenotypes. Multivariate analysis revealed that only advanced stage at HT was a significant adverse factor for PFS (P = 0·037). Thus, overall risk of HT was low and prognosis after HT was favourable; however, in advanced‐stage cases, risk of HT was relatively high and prognosis was unfavourable.
The anti‐inflammatory effects of PGE2 on human lung macrophages are mediated by the EP4 receptor
Authors: Gill Sharonjit K , Yao Yiwen , Kay Linda J , Bewley Martin A , Marriott Helen M , Peachell Peter T 
Published: July 2016

Background and PurposePGE2 inhibits cytokine generation from human lung macrophages. However, the EP receptor that mediates this beneficial anti‐inflammatory effect of PGE2 has not been defined. The aim of this study was to identify the EP receptor by which PGE2 inhibits cytokine generation from human lung macrophages. This was determined by using recently developed EP receptor ligands.Experimental ApproachThe effects of PGE2 and EP‐selective agonists on LPS‐induced generation of TNF‐α and IL‐6 from macrophages were evaluated. The effects of EP2‐selective (PF‐04852946, PF‐04418948) and EP4‐selective (L‐161,982, CJ‐042794) receptor antagonists on PGE2 responses were studied. The expression of EP receptor subtypes by human lung macrophages was determined by RT‐PCR.Key ResultsPGE2 inhibited LPS‐induced and Streptococcus pneumoniae‐induced cytokine generation from human lung macrophages. Analysis of mRNA levels indicated that macrophages expressed EP2 and EP4 receptors. L‐902,688 (EP4 receptor‐selective agonist) was considerably more potent than butaprost (EP2 receptor‐selective agonist) as an inhibitor of TNF‐α generation from macrophages. EP2 receptor‐selective antagonists had marginal effects on the PGE2 inhibition of TNF‐α generation, whereas EP4 receptor‐selective antagonists caused rightward shifts in the PGE2 concentration–response curves.Conclusions and ImplicationsThese studies demonstrate that the EP4 receptor is the principal receptor that mediates the anti‐inflammatory effects of PGE2 on human lung macrophages. This suggests that EP4 receptor agonists could be effective anti‐inflammatory agents in human lung disease.
Small‐molecule Hedgehog inhibitor attenuates the leukemia‐initiation potential of acute myeloid leukemia cells
Authors: Fukushima Nobuaki , Minami Yosuke , Kakiuchi Seiji , Kuwatsuka Yachiyo , Hayakawa Fumihiko , Jamieson Catoriona , Kiyoi Hitoshi , Naoe Tomoki 
Published: July 2016

Aberrant activation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway has been implicated in the maintenance of leukemia stem cell populations in several model systems. PF‐04449913 (PF‐913) is a selective, small‐molecule inhibitor of Smoothened, a membrane protein that regulates the Hedgehog pathway. However, details of the proof‐of‐concept and mechanism of action of PF‐913 following administration to patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are unclear. This study examined the role of the Hedgehog signaling pathway in AML cells, and evaluated the in vitro and in vivo effects of the Smoothened inhibitor PF‐913. In primary AML cells, activation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway was more pronounced in CD34+ cells than CD34− cells. In vitro treatment with PF‐913 induced a decrease in the quiescent cell population accompanied by minimal cell death. In vivo treatment with PF‐913 attenuated the leukemia‐initiation potential of AML cells in a serial transplantation mouse model, while limiting reduction of tumor burden in a primary xenotransplant system. Comprehensive gene set enrichment analysis revealed that PF‐913 modulated self‐renewal signatures and cell cycle progression. Furthermore, PF‐913 sensitized AML cells to cytosine arabinoside, and abrogated resistance to cytosine arabinoside in AML cells cocultured with HS‐5 stromal cells. These findings imply that pharmacologic inhibition of Hedgehog signaling attenuates the leukemia‐initiation potential, and also enhanced AML therapy by sensitizing dormant leukemia stem cells to chemotherapy and overcoming resistance in the bone marrow microenvironment.