bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Arabidopsis BIRD Zinc Finger Proteins Jointly Stabilize Tissue Boundaries by Confining the Cell Fate Regulator SHORT-ROOT and Contributing to Fate Specification
Authors: Long Yuchen , Smet Wouter , Cruz-Ramírez Alfredo , Castelijns Bas , de Jonge Wim , Mähönen Ari Pekka , Bouchet Benjamin P. , Perez Gabino Sanchez , Akhmanova Anna , Scheres Ben , Blilou Ikram 
Published: April 2015

AbstractPlant cells cannot rearrange their positions; therefore, sharp tissue boundaries must be accurately programmed. Movement of the cell fate regulator SHORT-ROOT from the stele to the ground tissue has been associated with transferring positional information across tissue boundaries. The zinc finger BIRD protein JACKDAW has been shown to constrain SHORT-ROOT movement to a single layer, and other BIRD family proteins were postulated to counteract JACKDAW's role in restricting SHORT-ROOT action range. Here, we report that regulation of SHORT-ROOT movement requires additional BIRD proteins whose action is critical for the establishment and maintenance of the boundary between stele and ground tissue. We show that BIRD proteins act in concert and not in opposition. The exploitation of asymmetric redundancies allows the separation of two BIRD functions: constraining SHORT-ROOT spread through nuclear retention and transcriptional regulation of key downstream SHORT-ROOT targets, including SCARECROW and CYCLIND6. Our data indicate that BIRD proteins promote formative divisions and tissue specification in the Arabidopsis thaliana root meristem ground tissue by tethering and regulating transcriptional competence of SHORT-ROOT complexes. As a result, a tissue boundary is not “locked in” after initial patterning like in many animal systems, but possesses considerable developmental plasticity due to continuous reliance on mobile transcription factors.
The engagement continuum model using corporate social responsibility as an intervention for sustained employee engagement
Authors: Valentin Marie Anttonitte , Valentin Celestino C , Nafukho Fredrick Muyia 
Published: April 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to explore implications of motivational potential that are highly correlated to the self-determination theory (SDT) (intrinsic motivating factors), in relation to corporate social responsibility (CSR). This paper specifies key antecedents of engagement within the theoretical framework of the self-determination theory as it relates to employee engagement and CSR.Design/methodology/approach– The methods used for the purpose of this paper include a review of the relevant literature utilizing the descriptors of employee engagement, SDT and CSR. Alternative descriptors were not queried. The authors then selected articles that were found to be most cited, reviewed such articles and began to analyze the literature, synthesize and formulate connections.Findings– Based on research findings, a conceptual model was formulated and posited for research and practice. It is demonstrated in the paper that employee engagement has a wide range of benefits for all involved and focuses on key antecedents of engagement created through CSR initiatives and intrinsic motivating factors as pointed out from SDT, which may serve to provide a comprehensive representation of the likely influences of intrinsic motivating drivers on employee engagement.Research limitations/implications– The main limitations of this paper is that it is conceptual in nature and, hence, the need for a study designed to empirically test the conceptual model developed in this research.Originality/value– The result and contribution to the field of human resource development is the development of the engagement continuum model from which employee engagement emerges through the dynamic interplay of CSR as an intervention, creating positive results using the theoretical framework of SDT and resulting in a perceived sustained state of employee engagement.
Professional development of HR practitioners – a phenomenographic study
Authors: Bailey Moira 
Published: April 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is an investigation into the experiences of professional development of human resource (HR) practitioners in the North of Scotland, and the use of non-formal learning in that development.Design/methodology/approach– In-depth semi-structured interviews from a purposively selected sample of HR practitioners were conducted. Data from these interviews was analysed on a phenomenographic basis, to discover the qualitatively different ways in which HR practitioners describe, experience, understand and analyse their professional development and the use of non-formal learning in that development.Findings– What emerged from the analysis were two sets of categories of description, one for each of the phenomena. An outcome space for each of the phenomena emerged, illustrating the hierarchical relationship within each set of categories of description as well as the dimensions of variation relating to the phenomena. These outcome spaces represent the collective experience of the practitioners on the subjects of professional development and non-formal learning.Research limitations/implications– Sample size and the specific geographical area are acknowledged as limitations. Another factor which may be considered a limitation is that the author's position as an HR lecturer with a keen interest in the subject could lead to this being considered an “insider” study. All these factors are acknowledged. These have been mitigated against by the careful preparation undertaken during the research process which resulted from the author's awareness of these limitations.Originality/value– This study has given a voice to the HR practitioners in the North of Scotland with regard to their experiences and attitudes towards their professional development and the role of non-formal learning in that development. This study gives employers, other practitioners and professional bodies an opportunity to learn from the practitioners themselves as to how they can help practitioners in terms of their development.
Energy expenditure and body size are targets of natural selection across a wide geographic range, in a terrestrial invertebrate
Authors: Bartheld José Luis , Gaitán‐Espitia Juan Diego , Artacho Paulina , Salgado‐Luarte Cristian , Gianoli Ernesto , Nespolo Roberto F. 
Published: April 2015

Summary

One of the central questions in evolutionary ecology is how different functional capacities impact fitness, and how it varies across populations. For instance, do phenotypic attributes influence fitness similarly across geographic gradients? Which traits (physiological, morphological and life history) are most likely to be targets of natural selection? Do particular combinations of traits maximize fitness?

In a semi‐natural experiment, we analysed introduced populations of an invasive species, the garden snail (Cornu aspersum) in Chile, which show low levels of genetic differentiation in spite of the distance. Specifically, we addressed whether the magnitude, sign and form of selection in snail populations could explain the differentiation (or its absence) among populations.

A common garden/reciprocal transplant experiment was performed in three populations (La Serena, Constitución and Valdivia) that span a 1300‐km latitudinal gradient and differ markedly in climate (semi‐arid north to humid south). We released c. 450 individuals per population (two generations after field‐captured snails) in replicated enclosures at the range extremes (La Serena and Valdivia). Morphological (size and shell darkness), physiological (standard metabolic rate and digestive efficiency) and life‐history [growth rate (GR)] traits were measured in all snails before the release. Survival was recorded monthly during 1 year.

Survival was significantly higher in snails from La Serena than in snails from Constitución and Valdivia, when raised at La Serena. However, at Valdivia, survival was not different among source populations. Interestingly, we found negative correlational selection in MB and SMRR at La Serena, whereas at Valdivia we only found directional selection on GR and MB, and stabilizing selection on SMRR.

These results suggest that selection on physiological traits related with energy allocation is pervasive, irrespective of climate and distance.
Investigating the Postmortem Molecular Biology of Cartilage and its Potential Forensic Applications
Authors: Bolton Shawna N. , Whitehead Michael P. , Dudhia Jayesh , Baldwin Timothy C. , Sutton Raul 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis study investigated the postmortem molecular changes that articular cartilage undergoes following burial. Fresh pig trotters were interred in 30‐cm‐deep graves at two distinct locations exhibiting dissimilar soil environments for up to 42 days. Extracts of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint cartilage from trotters disinterred weekly over 6 weeks were analyzed by Western blot against the monoclonal antibody 2‐B‐6 to assess aggrecan degradation. In both soil conditions, aggrecan degradation by‐products of decreasing molecular size and complexity were observed up to 21 days postmortem. Degradation products were undetected after this time and coincided withMCP/MTPjoint exposure to the soil environment. These results show that cartilage proteoglycans undergo an ordered molecular breakdown, the analysis of which may have forensic applications. This model may prove useful for use as a human model and for forensic investigations concerning crimes against animals and the mortality of endangered species.
A Noninvasive and Speculative Method of Visualizing Latent Fingerprint Deposits on Thermal Paper
Authors: Bond John W. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractLatent fingerprint deposits on thermal paper have been visualized noninvasively at visible wavelengths when illuminated with aUV‐A light source (peak 365 nm). A higher intensityUVsource (250 W/m2at 0.38 m) gave superior fingerprint visibility when compared with a 60 W/m2(at 0.4 m) source. Removing the visible (blue) component of the light source emission did not adversely affect the visibility of the fingerprint. Sample fingerprints from 100 donors, when examined 24 h after deposition, produced identifiable fingerprints from nearly 34% of fingerprint deposits. A mechanism for the observed visibility is proposed based on low emission of visible wavelengths from areas of thermal paper coincident with the fingerprint deposit, when illuminated withUV. This is likely due to a weak color change in the thermal paper dye arising from protonated amino acid components of the sweat. This effect was not observed on nonthermal paper.
Do microsporidia function as “biological weapon” for Harmonia axyridis under natural conditions?
Authors: Gegner Tobias , Otti Oliver , Tragust Simon , Feldhaar Heike 
Published: April 2015

AbstractInvasive alien species, such as the multicoloured Asian ladybird Harmonia axyridis, are often regarded as major drivers of biodiversity loss. Therefore understanding which characteristics or mechanisms contribute to their invasive success is important. Here the role of symbiotic microsporidia in the hemolymph of H. axyridis was investigated in the context of intraguild predation between wild‐caught H. axyridis and the native ladybird species Coccinella septempunctata. The microsporidia were recently discussed to contribute to the unpalatability of Harmonia for other coccinellids during intraguild predation and to function as “biological weapons”. In the present study, visual detection of microsporidia in hemolymph samples revealed that 73.5 % of H. axyridis were infected. Intraguild predation experiments between larvae of the two species showed a significant competitive advantage for H. axyridis, even against larger larvae of C. septempunctata. Adult C. septempunctata always killed and fed on H. axyridis larvae. However only 11.4 % (4 of 47) of C. septempunctata that fed on infected H. axyridis died within 4 months. In contrast to previous studies this suggests that microsporidia or harmonine, the chemical defense compound of H. axyridis, do not lead to death of C. septempunctata preying on larvae of H. axyridis. Instead our results support the idea that competitive advantage during intraguild predation greatly facilitates the success of H. axyridis and that this may help this highly invasive species to outcompete native species. The impact of microsporidia on Harmonia itself as well as on interspecific interactions require further studies.
The utility of three‐dimensional optical projection tomography in nerve injection injury imaging
Authors: Cvetko E. , Čapek M. , Damjanovska M. , Reina M. A. , Eržen I. , Stopar‐Pintarič T. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryThe examination of nerve microarchitecture has hitherto been limited solely to two‐dimensional imaging techniques. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of optical projection tomography to discern the nerve microarchitecture and injection injury in three dimensions. Five piglets were studied, whose median and lingual nerves were unilaterally injected post mortem with preset volumes of local anaesthetic, excised and subsequently made transparent with benzyl alcohol benzyl benzoate. Images were captured in three dimensions. The same contralateral nerves were used as controls. Using optical projection tomography, we observed differences between the internal organisation of the median and the lingual nerves, which potentially explain the variations in their susceptibility to injury. This was demonstrated in three dimensions as a disruption to the fascicles in the lingual nerve, and their displacement in the median nerve. This new technology offers potential for studying nerve microarchitecture topography and its tolerance to injection injury.
The Nordic Obstetric Surveillance Study: a study of complete uterine rupture, abnormally invasive placenta, peripartum hysterectomy, and severe blood loss at delivery
Authors: Colmorn Lotte B. , Petersen Kathrine B. , Jakobsson Maija , Lindqvist Pelle G. , Klungsoyr Kari , Källen Karin , Bjarnadottir Ragnheidur I. , Tapper Anna‐Maija , Børdahl Per E. , Gottvall Karin , Thurn Lars , Gissler Mika , Krebs Lone , Langhoff‐Roos Jens 
Published: April 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the rates and characteristics of women with complete uterine rupture, abnormally invasive placenta, peripartum hysterectomy, and severe blood loss at delivery in the Nordic countries.DesignProspective, Nordic collaboration.SettingThe Nordic Obstetric Surveillance Study (NOSS) collected cases of severe obstetric complications in the Nordic countries from April 2009 to August 2012.Sample and methodsCases were reported by clinicians at the Nordic maternity units and retrieved from medical birth registers, hospital discharge registers, and transfusion databases by using International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision codes on diagnoses and the Nordic Medico‐Statistical Committee Classification of Surgical Procedure codes.Main outcome measuresRates of the studied complications and possible risk factors among parturients in the Nordic countries.ResultsThe studied complications were reported in 1019 instances among 605 362 deliveries during the study period. The reported rate of severe blood loss at delivery was 11.6/10 000 deliveries, complete uterine rupture was 5.6/10 000 deliveries, abnormally invasive placenta was 4.6/10 000 deliveries, and peripartum hysterectomy was 3.5/10 000 deliveries. Of the women, 25% had two or more complications. Women with complications were more often >35 years old, overweight, with a higher parity, and a history of cesarean delivery compared with the total population.ConclusionThe studied obstetric complications are rare. Uniform definitions and valid reporting are essential for international comparisons. The main risk factors include previous cesarean section. The detailed information collected in the NOSS database provides a basis for epidemiologic studies, audits, and educational activities.
Efficacy of tenofovir switch therapy for nucleos(t)ide‐experienced patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Lo A. O.‐S. , Wong V. W.‐S. , Wong G. L.‐H. , Tse Y.‐K. , Chan H.‐Y. , Chan H. L.‐Y. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryBackgroundTenofovir disoproxil fumarate has been used in chronic hepatitis B patients with suboptimal virologic response to nucleos(t)ide analogues. The efficacy of tenofovir switch therapy has not been well studied in Asian patients.AimTo evaluate the efficacy of tenofovir switch therapy in nucleos(t)ide‐experienced patients, and identify the factors associated with treatment response of tenofovir switch therapy.MethodsNucleos(t)ide‐experienced hepatitis B e antigen‐positive and ‐negative patients prescribed with tenofovir were retrospectively identified and recruited for prospective analysis. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and other biochemical parameters were monitored in regular 3–6 monthly follow‐up visits. Primary efficacy endpoint was maintained‐virologic response with tenofovir switch therapy, defined as undetectable HBV DNA (<20 IU/mL) until the last follow‐up visit.ResultsAn overall of 214/252 (84.9%) patients achieved maintained‐virologic response after 22 (7–55) months of tenofovir switch therapy. On multivariate analysis, a lower HBV DNA level at the time of switching to tenofovir was an independent factor associated with treatment efficacy. Maintained‐virologic response after switching to tenofovir was achieved in 177/190 (93.2%) patients with HBV DNA <20 000 IU/mL vs. 37/62 (59.7%) patients with HBV DNA ≥20 000 IU/mL (P < 0.001). Absence of genotypic resistance to lamivudine or adefovir dipivoxil was not associated with improved treatment outcome.ConclusionsTenofovir switch therapy is an effective treatment strategy in nucleos(t)ide‐experienced chronic hepatitis B patients. However, in patients with HBV DNA ≥20 000 IU/mL at the time of switching to tenofovir, the chance of achieving maintained undetectable HBV DNA is significantly reduced.
Population pharmacokinetic analysis of tacrolimus in Mexican paediatric renal transplant patients: role of CYP3A5 genotype and formulation
Authors: Jacobo‐Cabral Carlos Orlando , García‐Roca Pilar , Romero‐Tejeda Elba Margarita , Reyes Herlinda , Medeiros Mara , Castañeda‐Hernández Gilberto , Trocóniz Iñaki F. 
Published: April 2015

AimsThe aims of this study were (i) to develop a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model of tacrolimus in a Mexican renal transplant paediatric population (n = 53) and (ii) to test the influence of different covariates on its PK properties to facilitate dose individualization.MethodsPopulation PK and variability parameters were estimated from whole blood drug concentration profiles obtained at steady‐state using the non‐linear mixed effect modelling software NONMEM® Version 7.2.ResultsTacrolimus PK profiles exhibited high inter‐patient variability (IPV). A two compartment model with first order input and elimination described the tacrolimus PK profiles in the studied population. The relationship between CYP3A5 genotype and tacrolimus CL/F was included in the final model. CL/F in CYP3A5*1/*1 and *1/*3 carriers was approximately 2‐ and 1.5‐fold higher than in CYP3A5*3/*3 carriers (non‐expressers), respectively, and explained almost the entire IPV in CL/F. Other covariates retained in the final model were the tacrolimus dose and formulation type. Limustin® showed markedly lower concentrations than the rest of the formulations.ConclusionsPopulation PK modelling of tacrolimus in paediatric renal transplant recipients identified the tacrolimus formulation type as a significant covariate affecting the blood concentrations and confirmed the previously reported significant effect of CYP3A5 genotype on CL/F. It allowed the design of a proposed dosage based on the final model that is expected to help to improve tacrolimus dosing.
Statistical monitoring of the hand, foot and mouth disease in China
Authors: Zhang Jingnan , Kang Yicheng , Yang Yang , Qiu Peihua 
Published: April 2015

SummaryIn a period starting around 2007, the Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) became wide‐spreading in China, and the Chinese public health was seriously threatened. To prevent the outbreak of infectious diseases like HFMD, effective disease surveillance systems would be especially helpful to give signals of disease outbreaks as early as possible. Statistical process control (SPC) charts provide a major statistical tool in industrial quality control for detecting product defectives in a timely manner. In recent years, SPC charts have been used for disease surveillance. However, disease surveillance data often have much more complicated structures, compared to the data collected from industrial production lines. Major challenges, including lack of in‐control data, complex seasonal effects, and spatio‐temporal correlations, make the surveillance data difficult to handle. In this article, we propose a three‐step procedure for analyzing disease surveillance data, and our procedure is demonstrated using the HFMD data collected during 2008–2009 in China. Our method uses nonparametric longitudinal data and time series analysis methods to eliminate the possible impact of seasonality and temporal correlation before the disease incidence data are sequentially monitored by a SPC chart. At both national and provincial levels, our proposed method can effectively detect the increasing trend of disease incidence rate before the disease becomes wide‐spreading.
Effects of chronic treatment with the new ultra‐long‐acting β2‐adrenoceptor agonist indacaterol alone or in combination with the β1‐adrenoceptor blocker metoprolol on cardiac remodelling
Authors: Rinaldi Barbara , Donniacuo Maria , Sodano Loredana , Gritti Giulia , Martuscelli Eugenio , Orlandi Augusto , Rafaniello Concetta , Rossi Francesco , Calzetta Luigino , Capuano Annalisa , Matera Maria Gabriella 
Published: April 2015

Background and PurposeThe ability of a chronic treatment with indacaterol, a new ultra‐long‐acting β2‐adrenoceptor agonist, to reverse cardiac remodelling and its effects in combination with metoprolol, a selective β1‐adrenoceptor antagonist, were investigated on myocardial infarction in a rat model of heart failure (HF).Experimental ApproachWe investigated the effects of indacaterol and metoprolol, administered alone or in combination, on myocardial histology, β‐adrenoceptor‐mediated pathways, markers of remodelling and haemodynamic parameters in a rat model of HF. Five groups of rats were assessed: sham‐operated rats; HF rats; HF + indacaterol 0.3 mg·kg−1·day−1; HF + metoprolol 100 mg·kg−1·day−1; HF + metoprolol + indacaterol. All pharmacological treatments continued for 15 weeks.Key ResultsTreatment with either indacaterol or metoprolol significantly reduced the infarct size in HF rats. However, the combination of indacaterol and metoprolol reduced the infarct size even further, reduced both BP and heart rate, reversed the decrease in ejection fraction, normalized left ventricular systolic and diastolic internal diameters, normalized the decreased β1 adrenoceptor mRNA expression as well as cardiac cAMP levels and reduced cardiac GPCR kinase 2 expression, compared with the untreated HF group.Conclusion and ImplicationsThe results of our study demonstrated an additive interaction between indacaterol and metoprolol in normalizing and reversing cardiac remodelling in our experimental model of HF. The translation of these findings to clinical practice might be of interest, as this combination of drugs could be safer and more effective in patients suffering from HF and COPD.