bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic Determinants of Circulating Lipoproteins in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Jiang Zhenghui G. , Tapper Elliot B. , Kim Misung , Connelly Margery A. , Krawczyk Sarah A. , Yee Eric U. , Herman Mark A. , Mukamal Kenneth J. , Lai Michelle 
Published: March 2017

Background:
Recent genome-wide association studies have identified 2 genetic polymorphisms in association with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3 (PNPLA3) and transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2), both of which appear to influence the production of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). The impact of these genetic variations on lipoprotein metabolism in the setting of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis are not fully characterized.

Materials and Methods:
We measured comprehensive lipoprotein profiles by nuclear magnetic resonance among 170 serially recruited patients in an NAFLD registry, and determined their relationships with PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 genotypes.

Results:
In this cohort, 72% patients had at least 1 allele of either PNPLA3 I148M or TM6SF2 E167K, and 30% carried 2 alleles. In multivariate models adjusting for histologic features of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis, PNPLA3 I148M is associated with a decrease in VLDL particle size. Both PNPLA3 I148M and TM6SF2 E167K genotypes were associated with increases in the size of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein particles, phenotypes considered atheroprotective. When adjusted for both genotypes, NAFLD activity score, in particular the degree of hepatic steatosis was strongly associated with increases in the size of VLDL particles, the concentration of LDL, especially small LDL particles, and a decrease in the size of high density lipoprotein particles, all of which are linked with a proatherogenic phenotype.

Conclusions:

PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 are common genetic variants among NAFLD patients and impact lipoprotein profiles in slightly different ways. The interactions between genotypes, hepatic steatosis, and lipoprotein metabolism shed lights on the pathophysiology of NAFLD, and provide opportunities for personalized treatment in the era of emerging NAFLD therapeutics.
Production and purification of human Hsp90β inEscherichia coli
Authors: Radli Martina , Veprintsev Dmitry B. , Rüdiger Stefan G. D. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe molecular chaperone Hsp90 is an essential member of the cellular proteostasis system. It plays an important role in the stabilisation and activation of a large number of client proteins and is involved in fatal disease processes e.g. Alzheimer disease, cancer and cystic fibrosis. This makes Hsp90 a crucial protein to study. Mechanistic studies require large amounts of protein but the production and purification of recombinant human Hsp90 inE. coliis challenging and laborious. Here we identified conditions that influence Hsp90 production and optimised a fast and efficient purification protocol. We found that the nutrient value of the culturing medium and the length of induction had significant effect on Hsp90 production inEscherichia coli. Our fast, single-day purification protocol resulted in a stable, well-folded and pure sample that was resistant to degradation in a reproducible manner. We anticipate that our results provide a useful tool to produce higher amount of pure, well-folded and stable recombinant human Hsp90β inEscherichia coliin an efficient way.
Estimating the contribution of folding stability to non-specific epistasis in protein evolution
Authors: Dasmeh Pouria , Serohijos Adrian W.R. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe extent of non-additive interaction among mutations or epistasis reflects the ruggedness of the fitness landscape, the mapping of genotype to reproductive fitness. In protein evolution, there is strong support for the importance and prevalence of epistasis, but whether there is a universal mechanism behind epistasis remains unknown. It is also unclear which of the biophysical properties of proteins—folding stability, activity, binding affinity, and dynamics—have the strongest contribution to epistasis. Here, we determine the contribution of selection for folding stability to epistasis in protein evolution. By combining theoretical estimates of the rates of molecular evolution and protein folding thermodynamics, we show that simple selection for folding stability implies that at least ~30% to ~60% of among amino acid substitutions would have experienced epistasis. Additionally, our model predicts substantial epistasis at marginal stabilities therefore linking epistasis to the strength of selection. Estimating the contribution of governing factors in molecular evolution such as protein folding stability to epistasis will provide a better understanding of epistasis that could improve methods in molecular evolution.
Guidance of circumnutation of climbing bean stems: An ecological exploration
Authors: Calvo Paco , Raja Vicente , Lee David N. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIn this report we explore the guidance of circumnutation of climbing bean stems under the light of general rho/tau theory, a theory that aims to explain how living organisms guide goal-directed movements ecologically. We present some preliminary results on the control of circumnutation by climbing beans, and explore the possibility that the power of movement in plants, more generally, is controlled under ecological principles.
Reactive Oxygen Species Regulate the Inflammatory Function of NKT Cells through Promyelocytic Leukemia Zinc Finger
Authors: Kim Yeung-Hyen , Kumar Ajay , Chang Cheong-Hee , Pyaram Kalyani 
Published: March 2017

AbstractReactive oxygen species (ROS) are byproducts of aerobic metabolism and contribute to both physiological and pathological conditions as second messengers. ROS are essential for antigen specific activation of T cells, but little is known about what role ROS play in NKT cells. In the current study, we investigated the role of ROS in NKT cell function. We found that ROS levels are similar among CD4, CD8 and NKT cell subsets in the thymus. However, NKT cells, but neither CD4 nor CD8 T cells, showed dramatically increased ROS in the spleen and liver but not in adipose tissues. ROS in the peripheral NKT cells were primarily produced by NADPH oxidases not mitochondria. Accordingly, ROS-high NKT cells were susceptible to oxidative stress and underwent apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, ROS play an important role in regulating the inflammatory function of NKT cells because antioxidant treatment of NKT cells showed reduced frequencies of IFN-γ+and IL-17+cells. In line with this, freshly isolated ROS-high NKT cells had more NKT1 and NKT17 cells but less NKT2 than ROS-low cells. These characteristics are regulated by promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF) as evidenced by low ROS in NKT cells from PLZF haplodeficient mice and also from adipose tissues that do not express PLZF. Conversely, ROS were highly elevated in CD4 T cells from mice ectopically expressing PLZF. Together, our study revealed for the first time that ROS regulate NKT cell functions through PLZF.
Epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance characteristics of the ST131-H30subclone among extraintestinalEscherichia colicollected from US children
Authors: Miles-Jay Arianna , Weissman Scott J. , Adler Amanda L. , Tchesnokova Veronika , Sokurenko Evgeni V. , Baseman Janet G. , Zerr Danielle M. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundE. coliST131-H30is a globally important pathogen implicated in rising rates of multidrug resistance amongE. colicausing extraintestinal infections. Previous studies have focused on adults, leaving the epidemiology ofH30among children undefined.MethodsWe used clinical data and isolates from a case-control study of extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistantE. coliconducted at four US children’s hospitals to estimate the burden and identify host correlates of infection withH30. H30isolates were identified using two-locus genotyping; host correlates were examined using log-binomial regression models stratified by extended-spectrum cephalosporin resistance status.ResultsA total of 339 extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant and 1008 extended-spectrum cephalosporin-susceptibleE. coliisolates were available for analyses. The estimated period prevalence ofH30was 5.3% among all extraintestinalE. coliisolates (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.6%-7.1%);H30made up 43.3% (81/187) of ESBL-producing isolates in this study. Host correlates of infection withH30differed by extended-spectrum cephalosporin resistance status: among resistant isolates, age ≤5 years was positively associated withH30infection (relative risk [RR] 1.83, 95% CI 1.19-2.83); among susceptible isolates, age ≤5 years was negatively associated withH30(RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.27-0.87), while presence of an underlying medical condition was positively associated (RR 4.49, 95% CI 2.43-8.31).ConclusionsST131-H30is less common among extraintestinalE. colicollected from children compared to reported estimates among adults, possibly reflecting infrequent fluoroquinolone use in pediatrics; however, it is similarly dominant among ESBL-producing isolates. TheH30subclone appears to disproportionately affect young children relative to other extendedspectrum cephalosporin-resistantE. coli.SummaryST131-H30was responsible for 5.3% of all extraintestinalE. coliinfections and 43.3% of ESBL-producing extraintestinalE. coliinfections among US children. The clinical and demographic correlates of infection with ST131-H30differed between extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant and -sensitive isolates.
miniMDS: 3D structural inference from high-resolution Hi-C data
Authors: Rieber Lila , Mahony Shaun 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMotivationRecent experiments have provided Hi-C data at resolution as high as 1 Kbp. However, 3D structural inference from high-resolution Hi-C datasets is often computationally unfeasible using existing methods.ResultsWe have developed miniMDS, an approximation of multidimensional scaling (MDS) that partitions a Hi-C dataset, performs high-resolution MDS separately on each partition, and then reassembles the partitions using low-resolution MDS. miniMDS is faster, more accurate, and uses less memory than existing methods for inferring the human genome at high resolution (10 Kbp).AvailabilityA Python implementation of miniMDS is available on GitHub:https://github.com/seqcode/miniMDS.
Living arrangements, coresidence preference, and mortality risk among older Taiwanese
Authors: Yang Wen-Shan , Shih Yao-Chi , Li Yang-Tzu 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
Although coresidence with children when one becomes old is an ideal in Chinese society, the drastic socio-economic development in Taiwan has brought some fundamental changes to living arrangements of the elderly population. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between family living arrangements and elderly health in Taiwan, given the secular trend of more elderly persons choosing to live with their spouse or to live independently.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors utilized panel data from the “1989 Survey of Health and Living Status of the Elderly in Taiwan” with follow-ups up to 2007 to examine how living arrangements of the elderly affect the risk of mortality using discrete-time hazard models. The authors stratified the analyses by the elderly’s preference to coreside with children, and examined whether the effects of living arrangement varied by age, controlling for sociodemographics, health status, health behaviors, and social relationships observed at the baseline.

Findings
The authors found that both the associations of living arrangements and coresidence preference with that mortality risk were largely weakened when controlling for other variables. Only among respondents expressing preference for coresidence were living arrangements associated with mortality risks, and these effects increased with age. For those who did not intend to live with children, the authors found no evidence suggesting living arrangements were associated with mortality risks. The dynamics of living arrangements among the elderly and elderly care policies in Taiwan are discussed for further research.

Originality/value
To the authors knowledge, no previous research has examined living arrangements and mortality risks with respect to coresidence preference.
Ultra-low fertility, gender equity and policy considerations
Authors: Tu Edward Jow-Ching , Yan Yuruo , Zhao Jiaying 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to focus on the issue and the reasons why fertility patterns in many industrialized and post-industrialized societies decline so rapidly, primarily in newly industrialized countries, particularly in East Asia, and especially after the countries have adopted the capitalist and market economy as the preferred approach to improve the lives of their population.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors discuss gender equality and the relationship between fertility and female labor force participation in industrialized and post-industrialized countries, in the context of role incompatibility, mainly for women and the level of the strength and rigidity of family- and gender-role norms/attitudes that affect the behaviors of men and women.

Findings
The existing family-related policies and programs which have reduced the role conflict and incompatibility experienced by working mothers are reviewed and discussed under national orientations toward the resolution of work–family conflict since they could affect the relevance, acceptance, significance and effectiveness of policies being developed and approved to carry on under institutional context within a nation.

Originality/value
Specific strategies and policies to reduce role incompatibility and childcare arrangements and their costs are discussed, especially for East Asian nations.
Women and leadership: challenges and opportunities in Saudi higher education
Authors: Abalkhail Jouharah M. 
Published: March 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine women managers’ perceptions of forces influencing their career progression to leadership positions in Saudi Arabian higher education (HE).Design/methodology/approachA qualitative, interpretive approach is adopted for analysing in-depth interviews with women managers in Saudi HE.FindingsThe findings of this study provide an in-depth understanding of Saudi women’s experience in management in HE. This study shows that women face a number of challenges preventing them from achieving equitable representation in leadership positions; conversely, they do have some opportunities which help them in their careers. Additionally, it provides more explanation of how the macro factors trickle down to the organizational level to shape organizational process and practices, and have an impact on women accessing leadership positions. Furthermore, this study suggests that socio-cultural background does matter when studying women in management in the Saudi context.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper, mainly focussing on women managers in Saudi HE, gives a clear picture of women’s careers and influencing factors.Practical implicationsThe research has implications for government and other related institutions to formulate effective policies and appropriate strategies to help Saudi women access leadership posts.Originality/valueThe novelty of this paper is in its focus on the under-researched topic of careers of Saudi women managers. The paper is also valuable as it emphasizes the societal context for researchers wishing to study women’s careers in the Arab world.
Mentoring and other valued components of counselor educator doctoral training: a Delphi study
Authors: Perera-Diltz Dilani , Duba Sauerheber Jill 
Published: March 2017

PurposeCounselor educators graduating from accredited doctoral programs complete training in counseling, supervision, teaching, research, scholarship, leadership, and advocacy. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the valued components of doctoral degree training in counselor education among new graduates.Design/methodology/approachRecent graduates in full-time counselor education positions were surveyed using the Delphi method to determine which aspects of their doctoral training best prepared them for their current positions.FindingsThe participants valued or desired training in teaching, research, supervision, and potential mentorship.Research limitations/implicationsA serendipitous finding of the research was that mentorship, which was not a deliberate training feature, was highly valued by new counselor educators. Further research on which mentorship styles are best suited for counselor educator training is necessary. Continued training in teaching, research, and supervision is also necessary.Practical implicationsSome form of mentoring is desirable in counselor educator training programs to facilitate transition from year to year of doctoral study, as well as to assist transition from the role of student to faculty.Originality/valueA desire to be mentored by faculty, specifically for students in counselor education doctoral programs, is revealed.
Lining up for charity
Authors: Salonen Anna Sofia 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
Recent decades have witnessed a rise in food charity provided by faith-based and other charitable agencies. Previous research has noted that besides material assistance, these occasions provide a social and communal event for many participants. The purpose of this paper is to examine this notion by exploring how the social organization of breadlines contributes to the social relationships between the food recipients and their experiences of these places as communities, and what qualities these communities eventually develop.

Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on ethnographic data from four breadlines in one Finnish city. The study approaches the breadlines as queues, that is, social systems that govern waiting, mutual order and access.

Findings
The social organization of queue practices mirrors the users’ experiences of the breadlines as communities with many concurrent faces: as communities of mutual surveillance and as demanding communities that call for skills and resources from the participants, as well as socially significant communities. The findings show how the practices of organizing charitable assistance influence the complex social relationships between charitable giver and recipient, and how the food recipients accommodate themselves to the situations and social roles available on a given occasion.

Originality/value
Analysing breadlines as queues and using qualitative data from the everyday assistance events gives voice to the experiences of food charity recipients and allows a more nuanced picture to be painted of the breadline communities than studies based merely on surveys or interviews.
Gender time-use gap and task segregation in unpaid work: evidence from Switzerland
Authors: Nollert Michael , Gasser Martin 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to focus first on the development of the segregation of tasks in family and housework in Switzerland and its linkage to the gender time-use gap in unpaid work. In addition, the impact of dual-breadwinner support in policies and culture is examined.

Design/methodology/approach
The empirical test refers to a comparison of Swiss cantons, and is based on data from the Swiss Labour Force Survey. The analysis traces both the gender gap and segregation from 2000 to 2013, compares them between 25 Swiss cantons, and links them to political and cultural dual-breadwinner support.

Findings
First, the results suggest that both the gender time-use gap and task segregation in unpaid work decrease in Switzerland. Moreover, the gender gap and segregation do not correlate in the sample of Swiss cantons. Second, both the gender gap and segregation correlate with dual-breadwinner support. However, the political dual-breadwinner support is linked to lower segregation, a smaller gender gap, more male and less female housework, the dual-breadwinner culture promotes female housework and both men’s and women’s family time spent on childcare, without affecting the gender gap and segregation.

Research limitations/implications
The results, on the one hand, suggest that both the gender time-use gap and the segregation are important but analytically different dimensions of gender equity. On the other hand, the cross-cantonal analysis highlights the socio-political structuration of gender inequality.

Originality/value
The paper contains the first comparative analysis of the gender time-use gap and task segregation in Switzerland. The results underline the analytical distinction between the gender time-use gap and the task segregation in family and housework. Moreover, the cross-cantonal analysis suggests that the political dual-breadwinner support is an important determinant of the gender divide in unpaid work.
Customer dependence and customer loyalty in traditional and modern format stores
Authors: Mishra Hari Govind , Sinha Piyush Kumar , Koul Surabhi 
Published: March 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between customer loyalty and customer dependence in the context of modern format and traditional format stores. In the process, the role of switching cost and trust in this relationship has been explored.Design/methodology/approachBuilding on the literature, the authors have postulated a conceptual model and formulated relevant hypotheses. Quantitative methodology is applied with previously established. The data were collected through convenient sampling. Methods like Factor analysis, cross-tab and regression analysis have been used.FindingsThe findings indicate a significant relationship between customer loyalty and customer dependence. Switching cost and trust have been found to have a moderating effect over the relationship in both modern and traditional environments.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation is the restriction to the Jammu context. The studies have brought about the difference in attitudinal and behavioural loyalty. Future research can be carried out on the role of dependence in explaining and strengthening this relationship.Originality/valueThe present study provides an insight into for the customer loyalty and customer dependence in the context of modern and traditional retail formats.