bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Targeted Regression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Cancer-Specific RNA Replacement through MicroRNA Regulation
Authors: Kim Juhyun , Won Ranhui , Ban Guyee , Ha Ju Mi , Sook Cho Kyung , Young Han Sang , Jeong Jin-Sook , Lee Seong-Wook 
Published: July 2015

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high fatality rate and limited therapeutic options with side effects and low efficacy. Here, we proposed a new anti-HCC approach based on cancer-specific post-transcriptional targeting. To this end, trans-splicing ribozymes from Tetrahymena group I intron were developed, which can specifically induce therapeutic gene activity through HCC-specific replacement of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) RNA. To circumvent side effects due to TERT expression in regenerating liver tissue, liver-specific microRNA-regulated ribozymes were constructed by incorporating complementary binding sites for the hepatocyte-selective microRNA-122a (miR-122a), which is down-regulated in HCC. The ribozyme activity in vivo was assessed in mouse models orthotopically implanted with HCC. Systemic administration of adenovirus encoding the developed ribozymes caused efficient anti-cancer effect and the least hepatotoxicity with regulation of ribozyme expression by miR-122a in both xenografted and syngeneic orthotopic murine model of multifocal HCC. Of note, the ribozyme induced local and systemic antitumor immunity, thereby completely suppressing secondary tumor challenge in the syngeneic mouse. The cancer specific trans-splicing ribozyme system, which mediates tissue-specific microRNA-regulated RNA replacement, provides a clinically relevant, safe and efficient strategy for HCC treatment.
Transcriptome sequencing of three Pseudo-nitzschia species reveals comparable gene sets and the presence of Nitric Oxide Synthase genes in diatoms
Authors: Di Dato Valeria , Musacchia Francesco , Petrosino Giuseppe , Patil Shrikant , Montresor Marina , Sanges Remo , Ferrante Maria Immacolata 
Published: July 2015

AbstractDiatoms are among the most diverse eukaryotic microorganisms on Earth, they are responsible for a large fraction of primary production in the oceans and can be found in different habitats.Pseudo-nitzschiaare marine planktonic diatoms responsible for blooms in coastal and oceanic waters. We analyzed the transcriptome of three species,Pseudo-nitzschia arenysensis,Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissimaandPseudo-nitzschia multistriata,with different levels of genetic relatedness. These species have a worldwide distribution and the last one produces the neurotoxin domoic acid. We were able to annotate about 80% of the sequences in each transcriptome and the analysis of the relative functional annotations allowed comparison of the main metabolic pathways, pathways involved in the biosynthesis of isoprenoids (MAV and MEP pathways) and pathways putatively involved in domoic acid synthesis. The search for homologous transcripts among the target species and other congeneric species resulted in the discovery of a sequence annotated as Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS), found uniquely inPseudo-nitzschia multistriata. The predicted protein product contained all the domains of the canonical metazoan sequence. Putative NOS sequences were found in other available diatom datasets, supporting a role for nitric oxide as signaling molecule in this group of microalgae.
Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and magnetization dynamics in oxidized CoFeAl films
Authors: Wu Di , Zhang Zhe , Li Le , Zhang Zongzhi , Zhao H. B. , Wang J. , Ma B. , Jin Q. Y. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractHalf-metallic Co-based full-Heusler alloys with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA), such as Co2FeAl in contact with MgO, are receiving increased attention recently due to its full spin polarization for high density memory applications. However, the PMA induced by MgO interface can only be realized for very thin magnetic layers (usually below 1.3 nm), which would have strong adverse effects on the material properties of spin polarization, Gilbert damping parameter and magnetic stability. In order to solve this issue, we fabricated oxidized Co50Fe25Al25 (CFAO) films with proper thicknesses without employing the MgO layer. The samples show controllable PMA by tuning the oxygen pressure (PO2) and CFAO thickness (tCFAO), large perpendicular anisotropy field of ~8.0 kOe can be achieved at PO2 = 12% for the sample of tCFAO = 2.1 nm or at PO2 = 7% for tCFAO = 2.8 nm. The loss of PMA at thick tCFAO or high PO2 results mainly from the formation of large amount of CoFe oxides, which are superparamagnetic at room temperature but become hard magnetic at low temperatures. The magnetic CFAO films, with strong PMA in a relatively wide thickness range and small intrinsic damping parameter below 0.028, would find great applications in developing advanced spintronic devices.
TMPRSS4 facilitates epithelial-mesenchymal transition of hepatocellular carcinoma and is a predictive marker for poor prognosis of patients after curative resection
Authors: Wang Cheng-Hao , Guo Zhong-Yi , Chen Ze-Ting , Zhi Xu-Ting , Li Deng-Ke , Dong Zhao-Ru , Chen Zhi-Qiang , Hu San-Yuan , Li Tao 
Published: July 2015

AbstractTMPRSS4 (Transmembrane protease serine 4) is up-regulated in a broad spectrum of cancers. However, little is known about the biological effects of TMPRSS4 on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the related mechanisms. In the present study, we found that overexpression of TMPRSS4 significantly promoted the invasion, migration, adhesion and metastasis of HCC. Further more, TMPRSS4 induced EMT of HCC, which was mediated via snail and slug as a result of Raf/MEK/ERK1/2 activation and inhibition of ERK1/2 activation by its inhibitor was associated with reduced cell invasion and reversion of EMT. In addition, we demonstrated that TMPRSS4 remarkably suppressed the expression of RECK, an inhibitor of angiogenesis and drastically induced tumor angiogenesis and growth. More important, in clinical HCC specimens, TMPRSS4 expression was significantly correlated with tumor staging and was inversely correlated with E-cadherin and RECKS expression. Expression of TMPRSS4 is significantly associated with HCC progression and is an independent prognostic factor for postoperative worse survival and recurrence. In conclusion, TMPRSS4 functions as a positive regulator of Raf/MEK/ERK1/2 pathway and promotes HCC progression by inducing EMT and angiogenesis. The increase of TMPRSS4 expression may be a key event for HCC progression and may be regarded as a potential prognostic marker for HCC.
Growth and Mortality in Coastal Populations of Winter Flounder: Implications for Recovery of a Depleted Population
Authors: Yencho Melissa A. , Jordaan Adrian , Cerrato Robert M. , Baumann Hannes , Frisk Michael G. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
We studied growth, mortality, and settlement distributions of juvenile Winter Flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus in two bays of Long Island, New York, to better understand localized population dynamics of a species experiencing a protracted population decline. Juvenile mortality in Long Island bays ranged between 0.02 and 0.04 per day and was as high as or higher than values reported for other systems. Settlement distributions had multiple peaks (cohorts) occurring between March and late July in 2007 and between February and May in 2008. The presence of multiple cohorts limited the usefulness of field-derived, length-based estimates of growth, resulting in unrealistic values compared with otolith-based measures (field based: −0.05 to 0.25 cm/d; otolith based: 0.05–0.06 cm/d). Thus, we recommend the use of otolith methods or the repeated measurement of individuals to estimate growth of juvenile Winter Flounder. Otolith-based growth rate was significantly higher for Port Jefferson Harbor during 2007 than for all other year × location combinations. Together with previous research showing genetic differentiation and migratory diversity, our finding of multiple spawning cohorts in Long Island Winter Flounder suggests a degree of isolation, and local management will be needed to support healthy populations. Future research to determine adult spawning, migratory behavior, stock structure, duration of the larval period, and settlement timing is required to unravel the complex behavior of Winter Flounder.
Received July 10, 2014; accepted April 10, 2015
Bidimensional Measurements of Right Ventricular Function for Prediction of Survival in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension: Comparison of Reproducibility and Time of Analysis with Volumetric Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Analysis
Authors: Corona‐Villalobos Celia P. , Kamel Ihab R. , Rastegar Neda , Damico Rachel , Kolb Todd M. , Boyce Danielle M. , Sager Ala‐Eddin S. , Skrok Jan , Shehata Monda L. , Vogel‐Claussen Jens , Bluemke David A. , Girgis Reda E. , Mathai Stephen C. , Hassoun Paul M. , Zimmerman Stefan L. 
Published: July 2015

We tested the hypothesis that bidimensional measurements of right ventricular (RV) function obtained by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are faster than volumetric measures and highly reproducible, with comparable ability to predict patient survival. CMR‐derived tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), RV fractional shortening (RVFS), RV fractional area change (RVFAC), standard functional and volumetric measures, and ventricular mass index (VMI) were compared with right heart catheterization data. CMR analysis time was recorded. Receiver operating characteristic curves, Kaplan‐Meier, Cox proportional hazard (CPH), and Bland‐Altman test were used for analysis. Forty‐nine subjects with PAH and 18 control subjects were included. TAPSE, RVFS, RVFAC, RV ejection fraction, and VMI correlated significantly with pulmonary vascular resistance and mean pulmonary artery pressure (all P < 0.05). Patients were followed up for a mean (± standard deviation) of 2.5 ± 1.6 years. Kaplan‐Meier curves showed that death was strongly associated with TAPSE <18 mm, RVFS <16.7%, and RVFAC <18.8%. In CPH models with TAPSE as dichotomized at 18 mm, TAPSE was significantly associated with risk of death in both unadjusted and adjusted models (hazard ratio, 4.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.0–11.3; P = 0.005 for TAPSE <18 mm). There was high intra‐ and interobserver agreement. Bidimensional measurements were faster (1.5 ± 0.3 min) than volumetric measures (25 ± 6 min). In conclusion, TAPSE, RVFS, and RVFAC measures are efficient measures of RV function by CMR that demonstrate significant correlation with invasive measures of PAH severity. In patients with PAH, TAPSE, RVFS, and RVFAC have high intra‐ and interobserver reproducibility and are more rapidly obtained than volumetric measures. TAPSE <18 mm by CMR was strongly and independently associated with survival in PAH.
Effective public speaking: a conceptual framework in the corporate-communication field
Authors: Baccarani Claudio , Bonfanti Angelo 
Published: July 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of effective public speaking (EPS), and its antecedents and effects to provide a conceptual framework for the study of EPS in the field of corporate communication.Design/methodology/approach– This is a conceptual paper whose analytical approach draws heavily on theoretical evidence published mainly in the corporate-communication literature.Findings– Public speaking means communicating with rather than to the audience: it does not denote a one-way broadcasting of information but a conversation between the speaker and audience. Strong arguments (logos) presented in a credible (ethos) and exciting (pathos) manner form the basis of EPS. Delivering an interesting, appealing and engaging presentation (i.e. the antecedents of EPS) requires that public speakers combine skills of logic (i.e. public speaking as science) with an “outside-the-box” approach (i.e. public speaking as art). EPS produces positive effects in the professional growth of an organisation’s human resources, trust in corporate leadership, corporate-change process, motivation of human resources and corporate reputation.Practical implications– Underestimating the importance of the preparation phase is a critical mistake in EPS performance. Communicating from the heart ensures the speaker achieves the objective to be heard and remembered by the audience. Developing storytelling skill helps to persuade listeners more effectively because they feel more involved in the discourse. It is important to remember that perfection is artificial and imperfection is natural. EPS requires a training oriented towards personal exploration. As such, companies should invest in public speaking courses that adopt techniques such as experiential theatre.Originality/value– This paper proposes a conceptual framework which can be considered a first step towards compensating for the lack of studies of EPS because, although it does not claim to be thorough in any way, it should encourage future researchers to explore this area in greater depth.
Stakeholder cross-impact analysis: a segmentation method
Authors: Mariconda Simone , Lurati Francesco 
Published: July 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to introduce a method that the authors call stakeholder cross-impact analysis (SCIA), which is aimed at analyzing how a given set of stakeholders influence one another and also how such stakeholders relate to a given set of issues.Design/methodology/approach– The authors first identify, in the current literature, a lack of analytical tools for assessing mutual influences among stakeholders. The authors then identify cross-impact analysis, a method that was initially developed in the field of futures research, as a suitable method to be applied in the present research. Its application, which the authors call SCIA, is described in detail through a fictitious case.Findings– SCIA permits to assess the direction and the strength of relationships between stakeholders. Furthermore, it allows for the classification of stakeholders based on their level of dependence and influence on others. Also, it is possible to integrate SCIA with social network analysis in order to understand the degree to which stakeholders agree on how issues influence one another, as well as to identify which issues most stakeholders consider to be central and which stakeholders have the most shared opinion on how issues are related.Practical implications– This method can be used, along with traditional segmentation techniques, by corporate communication and public relations practitioners in order to gain a more sophisticated understanding of the complexity of organizations’ environments.Originality/value– SCIA represents a much-needed and novel way of understanding the complexity of organizations’ environments.
The social media transformation process: curating content into strategy
Authors: Kilgour Mark , Sasser Sheila L. , Larke Roy 
Published: July 2015

Purpose
– Social media is an engaging area of research that is rapidly evolving. The purpose of this paper is to focus on how corporations should effectively utilize this new media as a marketing channel. The key to any successful communication strategy is matching the message to the target audience and achieving customer engagement. Two important target audience variables were identified as crucial when determining an organization’s social media communications strategy: the level of brand relationship, and the level of category involvement.

Design/methodology/approach
– Depth interviews were initially employed, followed by questionnaires, and then computer assisted content analysis was performed on 723 online media articles relating to social media marketing to identify semantic and conceptual relationships.

Findings
– Research from both a customer and corporate perspective led to insights into how organizations can develop their social media strategies in order to transform their brand message from being perceived as a commercial source of information to a social source – the social media transformation process.

Research limitations/implications
– This research suggests a finer level of segmentation of social media users that will lead to content strategies adapted to fit the current levels of brand and category involvement. This could be used by organization to develop a model of best practice to achieve their social media objectives.

Practical implications
– It is crucial for organizations to understand how different groups of users influence, receive, curate, and interact via social media. The greater the depth of this knowledge, the greater the effectiveness of content marketing strategies developed by the corporation. Organizations that utilize social media marketing must carefully analyse the large amount of consumer information available to them, listen to consumer conversations, and determine the needs and segments that will be most receptive to different approaches. They must also accept that in a social media environment user generated content and interactive communication processes should be at the heart of successful strategy.

Originality/value
– To date, there has been limited analysis of how relationship and involvement factors drive social media content (Cho et al., 2014; Malthouse et al., 2013). More research is needed to understand how key user characteristics lead to content that fully utilizes the social interaction and message diffusion potential of this media. This paper introduces a hierarchy of content marketing based upon the type of relationship between the user and the organization, as well as their level of product category involvement.
Consumer motives for purchasing organic coffee
Authors: Lee Kyung Hee , Bonn Mark A. , Cho Meehee 
Published: July 2015

Purpose– This study aims to investigate consumer choice motives for purchasing organic coffee by applying the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) approach and how those are influenced by different degrees of ethical concern and price sensitivity to gain a better understanding about consumer behavior related to the rapidly growing demand for this unique product.Design/methodology/approach– Data were collected from consumers at cafés (n= 482) located in seven metropolitan cities in South Korea using a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.Findings– Results documented that health and environmental protection were predictors of purchase attitude and subjective norm. Environmental protection was found to be a predictor of perceived behavioral control. TPB antecedents were significantly related to purchase intention. Ethical concern and price sensitivity documented the significant moderating roles upon organic coffee purchasing behavior.Research limitations/implications– Findings further contribute to a better understanding about influential choice motives regarding organic coffee and their effect upon consumer purchase behavior.Practical implications– Findings assist in understanding the roles ethical concerns and price sensitivity play upon consumer behavior issues specific to purchasing organic coffee. New research findings assist with marketing and promoting the social benefits associated with organic coffee while also offering pricing strategies for café and restaurant businesses to optimize their organic coffee sales revenue potential.Originality/value– This study is one of the first to clarify consumer motives for purchasing organic coffee, and to ascertain whether consumer purchase attitudes and intentions regarding organic coffee are influenced by different degrees of ethical concern and price sensitivity.
Impact of organisational culture on job stress and burnout in graded accommodation establishments in the Free State province, South Africa
Authors: Kokt Deseré , Ramarumo Relebohile 
Published: July 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of organisational culture on job stress and burnout in graded accommodation establishments. The demanding nature of work in the hospitality industry (e.g. long hours and shift work) renders job stress and burnout, a persisting challenge for the industry. Employees that are constantly subjected to a challenging work environment may experience increased levels of job stress and burnout or even leave the industry entirely. The Free State province of South Africa has a well-established hospitality sector, and this investigation shows the extent to which job stress and burnout are mitigated by a favourable organisational culture.Design/methodology/approach– A structured questionnaire was administered to 46 graded accommodation establishments in the two main economic clusters (Bloemfontein and Clarens) of the Free State province of South Africa. The investigation was quantitative in nature and the robust competing values framework (CVF) was used as conceptual guide.Findings– The findings indicate that graded accommodation establishments had a predominantly Rational Culture, which points to strong external positioning and competitiveness. Correlation and regression analyses further confirmed that although the Rational Culture does have a mitigating effect on job stress and burnout, the values associated with the Group Culture and Developmental Culture exert an even stronger mitigating effect.Practical implications– Managers need to establish a flexible, employee-oriented work environment where employees are allowed to be innovative and entrepreneurial.Originality/value– The main causes of job stress and burnout in accommodation establishments revolve around the intense customer focus of the industry and the subsequent performance expected from employees.
Culinary tourism assets and events: suggesting a strategic planning tool
Authors: Sotiriadis Marios D. 
Published: July 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this article is to suggest a framework to be used as a strategic planning tool for culinary tourism projects at destination level.

Design/methodology/approach
– Based on theoretical background of strategic planning and Leiper’s tourism model, a conceptual tool is suggested. Its value is investigated through an empirical study that was performed, which employed a qualitative research method (discussion groups of experts).

Findings
– The article suggests a framework to be used as a strategic planning tool for culinary tourism projects. The empirical study identified the merits, drawbacks and limitations of the framework to be taken into account. It can be used only in combination with other tools to achieve a comprehensive approach to designing, managing and marketing culinary tourism assets strategically.

Research limitations/implications
– Because of its exploratory nature, the study has inherent drawbacks. The suggested framework should be finalised. Future studies could explore the perspective of visitors deeply and should also investigate the appropriate tools to be implemented at operational management level.

Practical implications
– In the fields of strategic management and marketing, the study enhances a comprehensive approach. It contributes to positioning and analysing culinary tourism within the context of a whole destination system. It provides an additional tool for destination planners and managers to be used along with other tools in performing their tasks at strategic level.

Originality/value
– It is the first study that suggests and empirically investigates a strategic planning tool at destination level, based on the theoretical backgrounds of strategic planning and tourism system. It provides an integrated approach incorporating the main issues to be dealt with in the field of culinary tourism.