bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Loss of a close family member the year before or during pregnancy and the risk of placental abruption: a cohort study from Denmark and Sweden
Authors: László K. D. , Ananth C. V. , Wikström A. K. , Svensson T. , Li J. , Olsen J. , Vestergaard M. , Obel C. , Cnattingius S. 
Published: September 2013

BackgroundMaternal stress during pregnancy is associated with a modestly increased risk of fetal growth restriction and pre-eclampsia. Since placental abruption shares similar pathophysiological mechanisms and risk factors with fetal growth restriction and pre-eclampsia, we hypothesized that maternal stress may be implicated in abruption risk. We investigated the association between maternal bereavement during pregnancy and placental abruption.MethodWe studied singleton births in Denmark (1978–2008) and Sweden (1973–2006) (n = 5 103 272). In nationwide registries, we obtained data on death of women's close family members (older children, siblings, parents, and partners), abruption and potential confounders.ResultsA total of 30 312 (6/1000) pregnancies in the cohort were diagnosed with placental abruption. Among normotensive women, death of a child the year before or during pregnancy was associated with a 54% increased odds of abruption [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30–1.82]; the increased odds were restricted to women who lost a child the year before or during the first trimester in pregnancy. In the group with chronic hypertension, death of a child the year before or in the first trimester of pregnancy was associated with eight-fold increased odds of abruption (odds ratio 8.17, 95% CI 3.17–21.10). Death of other relatives was not associated with abruption risk.ConclusionsLoss of a child the year before or in the first trimester of pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of abruption, especially among women with chronic hypertension. Studies are needed to investigate the effect of less severe, but more frequent, sources of stress on placental abruption risk.
Mitro-aortic aneurysms in children: single-centre experience and review of the literature
Authors: Magalhães Manuel , Bakero Luis , Fragata José , Paramés Filipa , Freitas Isabel , Rebelo Mónica , Martins José D. , Trigo Conceição , Pinto Fátima F. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractObjectives: This publication aims to report the cases of four children with pseudoaneurysm of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa and carry out a review of the literature. Background: Pseudoaneurysm of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa is a very rare anomaly in children. It can be either congenital or acquired, namely, after bacterial endocarditis or cardiac trauma. This pathology does not usually cause specific symptoms but its outcome may be potentially fatal. Methods: We report the cases of four patients presenting with pseudoaneurysm of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa, referred for treatment in a paediatric cardiology clinic. Patient clinical notes were retrospectively reviewed for aetiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up, surgical treatment, and follow-up. Literature on the subject was extensively reviewed. Results: In three patients, pseudoaneurysm of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa was acquired, being secondary to bacterial endocarditis in two cases and establishing after mitral surgery in another case. The remaining patient had a “congenital” aetiology – no other cause could be traced. The diagnosis was achieved by transthoracic echocardiography for all patients, and confirmed in all by trans-oesophageal echocardiography, to better define morphological details and to access flow into the aneurysmal formation. All patients were submitted to corrective cardiac surgery. Of the patients, three survived and were cured by surgery, staying asymptomatic, and one died after repeated interventions, for persistent endocarditis. Conclusions: Pseudoaneurysm of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa is a rare but potentially fatal anomaly. In our experience, surgical cure was achieved for the majority of the cases, except for a case for which infection could not be locally eradicated, leading to multiple reinterventions.
USP2a alters chemotherapeutic response by modulating redox
Authors: Benassi B , Marani M , Loda M , Blandino G 
Published: September 2013

AbstractCancer cells are characterized by altered ubiquitination of many proteins. The ubiquitin-specific protease 2a (USP2a) is a deubiquitinating enzyme overexpressed in prostate adenocarcinomas, where it exhibits oncogenic behavior in a variety of ways including targeting c-Myc via the miR-34b/c cluster. Here we demonstrate that USP2a induces drug resistance in both immortalized and transformed prostate cells. Specifically, it confers resistance to typically pro-oxidant agents, such as cisplatin (CDDP) and doxorubicin (Doxo), and to taxanes. USP2a overexpression protects from drug-induced oxidative stress by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and stabilizing the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ), thus impairing downstream p38 activation and triggering of apoptosis. The molecular mediator of the USP2a protective function is the glutathione (GSH). Through miR-34b/c-driven c-Myc regulation, USP2a increases intracellular GSH content, thus interfering with the oxidative cascade triggered by chemotherapeutic agents. In light of these findings, targeting Myc and/or miR-34b/c might revert chemo-resistance.
Endocrine Protection of Ischemic Myocardium by FGF21 from the Liver and Adipose Tissue
Authors: Liu Shu Q. , Roberts Derek , Kharitonenkov Alexei , Zhang Brian , Hanson Samuel M. , Li Yan Chun , Zhang Li-Qun , Wu Yu H. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractMyocardial ischemia, while causing cardiomyocyte injury, can activate innate protective processes, enhancing myocardial tolerance to ischemia. Such processes are present in not only the heart, but also remote organs. In this investigation, we demonstrated a cardioprotective process involving FGF21 from the liver and adipose tissue. In response to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in the mouse, FGF21 was upregulated and released from the hepatic cells and adipocytes into the circulation and interacted with FGFR1 in cardiomyocytes under the mediation of the cell membrane protein β-Klotho, inducing FGFR1 phosphorylation. This action caused phosphorylation of the signaling molecules PI3K p85, Akt1 and BAD, thereby reducing caspase 3 activity, cell death and myocardial infarction in association with improvement of myocardial function. These observations suggest that FGF21 is upregulated and released from the liver and adipose tissue in myocardial injury, contributing to myocardial protection by the mediation of the FGFR1/β-Klotho–PI3K–Akt1–BAD signaling network.
Optimizing water permeability through the hourglass shape of aquaporins
Authors: Gravelle Simon , Joly Laurent , Detcheverry François , Ybert Christophe , Cottin-Bizonne Cécile , Bocquet Lydéric 
Published: September 2013

Significance
Aquaporin channels are able to selectively conduct water across cell membranes, with remarkable efficiency. Although molecular details are crucial to the pore performance, permeability is also strongly limited by viscous dissipation at the entrances. Could the hourglass shape of aquaporins optimize such entrance effects? We show that conical entrances with suitable opening angle can indeed provide a large increase of the channel permeability. Strikingly, the optimal opening angles compare well with the angles measured in a large variety of aquaporins, suggesting that their hourglass shape could be the result of a natural selection process toward optimal permeability. This work also provides guidelines to optimize the performances of artificial nanopores, with applications in desalination, ultrafiltration, or energy conversion.
A functional sequence-specific interaction between influenza A virus genomic RNA segments
Authors: Gavazzi Cyrille , Yver Matthieu , Isel Catherine , Smyth Redmond P. , Rosa-Calatrava Manuel , Lina Bruno , Moulès Vincent , Marquet Roland 
Published: September 2013

Significance
Influenza A viruses cause annual influenza epidemics and occasional severe pandemics. Their genome is segmented into eight RNA fragments, which offers evolutionary advantages but complicates genomic packaging. The existence of a selective mechanism ensuring specific packaging of one copy of each RNA into each virion is suspected, but its molecular details remain unknown. We identified a direct interaction between two viral genomic RNA segments of an influenza A virus and demonstrated that this interaction takes place in infected cells, is required for optimal viral replication, and favors copackaging of the interacting RNA segments. Collectively, our experiments indicate that viral RNA segments can promote selective packaging of the influenza A virus genome by forming a sequence-dependent supramolecular network of interactions.
14-3-3σ stabilizes a complex of soluble actin and intermediate filament to enable breast tumor invasion
Authors: Boudreau Aaron , Tanner Kandice , Wang Daojing , Geyer Felipe C. , Reis-Filho Jorge S. , Bissell Mina J. 
Published: September 2013

Significance
We characterize a mechanism by which 14-3-3σ directs cell migration and tumor invasion through regulating cytoskeletal solubility and dynamics. Our data suggest that 14-3-3σ expression, rather than being a tumor suppressor, in fact, aids in breast tumor invasion at least in a subset of carcinomas. Our findings warrant further investigation into the role of this molecule in normal mammary gland and breast tumors and, indeed, in epithelial tissues and tumors where 14-3-3σ is expressed.
Tudor domain containing 12 (TDRD12) is essential for secondary PIWI interacting RNA biogenesis in mice
Authors: Pandey Radha Raman , Tokuzawa Yoshimi , Yang Zhaolin , Hayashi Eri , Ichisaka Tomoko , Kajita Shimpei , Asano Yuka , Kunieda Tetsuo , Sachidanandam Ravi , Chuma Shinichiro , Yamanaka Shinya , Pillai Ramesh S. 
Published: September 2013

Significance
Large parts of eukaryotic genomes are composed of transposons. Mammalian genomes use DNA methylation to silence these genomic parasites. A class of small RNAs called Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) is used to specifically guide the DNA methylation machinery to the transposon DNA elements. How germ cells make piRNAs is not entirely understood. We identify a mouse protein and demonstrate its importance for transposon silencing. We find that the protein collaborates with other factors already implicated in piRNA production. Moreover, the protein is required for piRNA production and assembly of the nuclear silencing complex. Physiological importance of the protein is highlighted by the fact that male mice lacking the protein are infertile. This study will greatly benefit the field of germ-cell biology.
BlastGraph: a comparative genomics tool based on BLAST and graph algorithms
Authors: Ye Yanbo , Wei Bo , Wen Lei , Rayner Simon 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
Summary: BlastGraph is an interactive Java program for comparative genome analysis based on Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST), graph clustering and data visualization. The software generates clusters of sequences of multiple genomes from all-to-all BLAST results and visualizes the results in graph plots together with related information such as sequence features, gene conservation and similarity relationships. Pruning algorithms are used to reduce results to more meaningful subclusters. Subsequent analyses can then be conducted based on the predicted clusters, including gene content, genome phylogenetics and gene gain and loss.
Availability and implementation: https://github.com/bigwiv/BlastGraph.
Contact: simon.rayner.cn@gmail.com
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The zero point energy of the quantum-vacuum
Authors: Wilhelm Turtur Claus 
Published: September 2013

Purpose
– The purpose of the paper is the presentation of a new source of energy, the so-called zero point energy (ZPE) of the quantum-vacuum. Same as thermal heat or as ponderable matter have been identified as a type of energy some centuries ago, space is now being identified a type of energy. The advantage of ZPE is its application, because it is an energy source with many practical advantages: clean, friendly to environment and health, extremely low cost, inexhaustible, available everywhere and at all time. It is not expected that this type of energy will be the main source for the future air transport system, which is topic of this special issue. However, if the ZPE technology is developed at a more advanced level, it might contribute as energy source for instance during taxing to a certain level.

Design/methodology/approach
– ZPE-converting engines can be constructed on the basis of the theory presented here, which is new.

Findings
– In the next steps, the technology needs to be further studied. For instance more powerful engines on the basis of his theory need to build and investigated, although the applications seem to be almost anywhere, it needs to be found out which applications are the most appropriate in the first step.

Originality/value
– ZPE engines exist already, but the theory of ZPE conversion is unique and new in the work presented here. It can be understood on the basis of the finite propagation speed of the interacting fields, similar to retarded potentials of Lienart and Wiechert. The experimental verification of this theory is also presented in the article here.
Simulation and prototyping of FCS for sport aircraft
Authors: Rydlo Karol , Rzucidlo Pawel , Chudy Peter 
Published: September 2013

Purpose
– The presented paper aims to describe the general idea, simulations and prototyping process of an assisting flight control system (FCS) for light sport aircraft (LSA). The proposed FCS framework is intended to simplify piloting, reduce pilot workload, and improve system's reliability and handling qualities of manual flying.

Design/methodology/approach
– Assisting flight control strategy integrates mechanical and digital FCS into a synergic platform, combining the high reliability of mechanical controls with the computation and actuation power introduced through a single line digital FCS. Concepts drawn from classical control theory along with flight envelope protection algorithms have been used throughout the design of the flight control laws. A prototype of the assisting FCS has been subjected to validation trials during series of hardware-in-the-loop simulations.

Findings
– Despite controversies between the pilots' perception of a modern aircraft and limitations imposed by the legacy airworthiness codes, it has been shown that a pilot assisting and workload reducing control system can be successfully implemented on board of a LSA while satisfying the expectations on a state-of-the-art equipment meeting required level of safety defined by the current legislation.

Research limitations/implications
– A transition between specific flight modes as well as nonlinearities in the FCS may lead to unfavorable and unpredictable forms of aircraft-pilot interactions. The number of accessible flight control modes should be therefore limited to the most significant ones.

Practical implications
– Sport aircraft are mostly flown by a single pilot, who could benefit from the pilot assisting FCS as the system has the potential to supervise the aircraft's safe operation in various flight conditions.

Originality/value
– Introducing an assisting FCS on board of a LSA through an innovative approach which utilizes hidden and unused resources of modern digital automatic FCSs while respecting the limitations imposed through the weight and cost sensitive nature of the LSA market.
Political skill as a moderator of the relationship between subordinate perceptions of interactional justice and supervisor ratings of interpersonal facilitation
Authors: C. Treadway Darren , Witt L.A. , Stoner Jason , Jansen Perry Sara , A. Shaughnessy Brooke 
Published: September 2013

Purpose
– Based on social exchange theory and the norm of reciprocity, interactional justice has been proposed to be an important construct in explaining individual performance. However, meta-analytic results have noted the relationship is modest at best. The present study extends the understanding of the justice-performance relationship by empirically examining how interactional justice and political skill interactively influence contextual job performance. Focusing on interpersonal aspects of justice and performance, the paper proposes that the existence of interactional justice will only lead to improvements in interpersonally facilitative behavior if employees recognize this situation as an opportunity to invest their skill-related assets into the organization. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach
– Integrating research on political skill with social exchange theory, the current study contends that interactional justice stemming from the supervisor will likely lead to employees feeling obligated and/or wanting to help, cooperate, and consider others in the workplace. However, only employees with political skill will be able to recognize the conditions and act appropriately on these conditions. As such, this paper investigates the moderating role of political skill in the interactional justice-performance relationship. The paper used multi-source survey methodology and applied hierarchical moderated multiple regression analysis to test the hypotheses.

Findings
– Results from 189 respondents indicated that interactional justice was more strongly related to supervisor-rated interpersonal facilitation when employees possessed higher levels of political skill. This suggests that when both interactional justice and political skill are high, the potential for interpersonal facilitation is also high. Conversely, when one or both are low, interpersonal facilitation is less likely.

Originality/value
– Previous articulations and evaluations of the relationship between interactional justice, political skill, and interpersonal facilitation have omitted either situational determinants of motivation or individual differences in job-related skills. With the current study, the paper sought to address these omissions by exploring the interactive effects of interactional justice and political skill on interpersonal facilitation.
Managing stability and crises in business relationships
Authors: Bengtson Anna , Ljung Anna , Hadjikhani Amjad 
Published: September 2013

Purpose
– Adding to the theoretical view of relationship development, this paper holds the view that relationship change encompasses not only smooth incremental change but also includes crises which can trigger relationship weakening, dissolution and/or recovery. The aim is to develop a theoretical view that allows understanding of both smooth incremental and critical changes in the process of relationship development.

Design/methodology/approach
– Based on a business network perspective, the paper's relationship view holds uncertainty, commitment and trust as central explanatory elements. The process view is composed of three episodes: incremental relationship development; relationship crisis; and ending or survival. The paper employs a longitudinal case study method and discusses how the relationship between the Swedish firm, Ericsson, and its counterpart, Telefónica, develops in the emerging market of Argentina during the period of 1998-2004.

Findings
– Conclusions demonstrate the vulnerability of relationships due to counterparts' behaviour and network embeddedness. This is a risk of commitment deterioration, and remedial actions like investment in new commitments will reduce distrust and uncertainty. Re-energizing relationships incrementally requires behaviour like waiting strategies, when otherwise the choice is to exit.

Originality/value
– Few researchers have combined the findings from stable relationship development studies with the findings from research on crisis into one model handling both stability and instability in business relationships. This is despite the fact that episodes of turbulence and instability are becoming more common in business relationships, due to entrance into more unstable markets, and markets crises of various types.
Strength of ties involved in international new ventures
Authors: Söderqvist Anette , Kamala Chetty Sylvie 
Published: September 2013

Purpose
– The paper aims to examine the strength of ties that entrepreneurs use during three critical phases of the international new venture's (INV) development; pre-founding, start-up and early internationalization.

Design/methodology/approach
– The paper uses in-depth interviews to track the development of five INVs to provide nuanced and detailed findings relating to tie strength during these three critical phases. By focusing on proces, the paper captures in detail the strength of these ties and the dynamics of how they evolve.

Findings
– While the existing literature considers strength of ties to be two separate entities, the paper develops a continuum with three different levels of strength by using entrepreneurs' actual relationships. The paper found that stronger relationships predominate and that they play an important broker role to link with other unconnected networks.

Practical implications
– Since relationships are crucial for recognizing and developing business opportunities, entrepreneurs need to invest time and resources to create and develop relationships. The study indicates that entrepreneurs have stronger relationships during the early phases of firm development mainly because they focus on essential relationships and cull unnecessary ones that form a distraction.

Originality/value
– The paper refines theory by identifying a distinct category the “equally strong as weak relationship” that is not yet mentioned in the extant literature but could be useful for international entrepreneurs to position themselves inside a network in foreign markets. In such relationships entrepreneurs experience the co-existence of importance and uncertainty.
Strategic planning practices in the Greek hospitality industry
Authors: P. Gkliatis Ioannis , N. Koufopoulos Dimitrios 
Published: September 2013

Purpose– This paper aims to investigate the nature and extent of strategic planning in the Greek hospitality industry and its outcomes based on Greek managers' views.Design/methodology/approach– Although the concept of strategic planning and its dimensions have been widely discussed in previous literature, research has mainly focused on well-developed countries and established sectors. However, there is a limited research in less developed countries like Greece and under-researched sectors like the hospitality industry. This paper aims to give some insights into the nature and extent of use of strategic planning processes and its positive outcomes in the Greek hospitality industry through a study based on a sample of 21 Greek five-star hotels.Findings– The main findings of the paper concern with some major strategic planning dimensions: planning formality, functional coverage, internal and external orientation, centralization and time horizon of planning. Additionally, the study highlights the positive outcomes/benefits of planning according to managers' views, as well as the financial performance of the Greek five-star hotels that are examined. Descriptive results are presented and the respondents' individual characteristics are outlined.Research limitations/implications– The study provides a benchmark for the measurement of strategic planning and the benefits derived from planning in the Greek hospitality industry, a critical sector for the Greek economy.Originality/value– The article contributes in the extensive literature on strategic planning, by discussing the development of strategic planning practices in Greek hotels, which operate in a highly uncertain environment.