bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Celiac Disease Treatment
Authors: Mäki Markku 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTThe basis for celiac disease (CD) treatment is a strict lifelong gluten‐free diet. On the diet, the small intestinal mucosal injury heals and gluten‐induced symptoms and signs disappear. The mucosal healing is a prerequisite for sustaining health and is also obtained with a diet containing oats and trace amounts of gluten, industrially purified wheat starch‐based gluten‐free products. The small intestinal mucosa does not heal in noncompliant people, nor when a patient is inadvertently ingesting gluten. Development of adjunctive or alternative therapies is on its way. There are several novel treatment pipelines within academy and industry. Examples are the ideas of using glutenases as a drug to degrade the ingested gluten, polymers to bind and sequester the gluten to the feces, and also vaccine development for an immunotherapy to induce tolerance towards gluten. Clinical drug trials are to be foreseen in CD, soon also in children.
Early Nutrition
Authors: Schaart Maaike W. , Mearin Maria L. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTCeliac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder caused by ingestion of gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. It is a chronic, multiorgan disease in which small‐intestinal mucosal damage may lead to malabsorption of nutrients. In the last years, several studies suggested a protective role of breast‐feeding and/or the timing and quantity of gluten introduction in the subsequent development of CD. Especially, prolonged breast feeding during the introduction of gluten‐containing feeding has been associated with a reduced risk of developing CD in infancy. The focus of this review was to present the actual knowledge of the possible preventive influence of early nutrition on the risk to develop CD.
Randomized Phase II Study of the X-linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis (XIAP) Antisense AEG35156 in Combination With Sorafenib in Patients With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)
Authors: Lee Francis A.S. , Zee Benny Chung-Ying , Cheung Foon Yiu , Kwong Philip , Chiang Chi Leung , Leung Kwong Chuen , Siu Steven W.K. , Lee Conrad , Lai Maria , Kwok Chloe , Chong Marc , Jolivet Jacques , Tung Steward 
Published: June 2014

Objectives:
This multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase II trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of AEG35156 in addition to sorafenib in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as compared with sorafenib alone.

Methods:
Eligible patients were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive AEG35156 (300 mg weekly intravenous infusion) in combination with sorafenib (400 mg twice daily orally) or sorafenib alone. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Other endpoints include overall survival (OS), objective response rates (ORR), and safety profile.

Results:
A total of 51 patients were enrolled; of them, 48 were evaluable. At a median follow-up of 16.2 months, the median PFS and OS were 4.0 months (95% CI, 1.2-4.1) and 6.5 months (95% CI, 3.9-11.5) for combination arm, and 2.6 (95% CI, 1.2-5.4) and 5.4 months (95% CI, 4.3-11.2) for sorafenib arm. Patients who had the study treatment interrupted or had dose modifications according to protocol did significantly better, in terms of PFS and OS, than those who had no dose reduction in combination arm and those in sorafenib arm. The ORR based on Choi and RECIST criteria were 16.1% and 9.7% in combination arm, respectively. The ORR was 0 in control arm. One drug-related serious adverse event of hypersensitivity occurred in the combination arm, whereas 2 gastrointestinal serious adverse events in the sorafenib arm.

Conclusion:
AEG35156 in combination with sorafenib showed additional activity in terms of ORR and was well tolerated. The benefit on PFS is moderate but more apparent in the dose-reduced subgroups.
Finite-state discrete-time Markov chain models of gene regulatory networks
Authors: Skornyakov V.P. , Skornyakova M.V. , Shurygina A.V. , Skornyakov P.V. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractIn this study Markov chain models of gene regulatory networks (GRN) are developed. These models gives the ability to apply the well known theory and tools of Markov chains to GRN analysis. We introduce a new kind of the finite graph of the interactions called the combinatorial net that formally represent a GRN and the transition graphs constructed from interaction graphs. System dynamics are defined as a random walk on the transition graph that is some Markovian chain. A novel concurrent updating scheme (evolution rule) is developed to determine transitions in a transition graph. Our scheme is based on the firing of a random set of non-steady state vertices of a combinatorial net. We demonstrate that this novel scheme gives an advance in the modeling of the asynchronicity. Also we proof the theorem that the combinatorial nets with this updating scheme can asynchronously compute a maximal independent sets of graphs. As proof of concept, we present here a number of simple combinatorial models: a discrete model of auto-repression, a bi-stable switch, the Elowitz repressilator, a self-activation and show that this models exhibit well known properties.
Estimating cellular pathways from an ensemble of heterogeneous data sources
Authors: Franks Alexander M. , Markowetz Florian , Airoldi Edoardo 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBuilding better models of cellular pathways is one of the major challenges of systems biology and functional genomics. There is a need for methods to build on established expert knowledge and reconcile it with results of high-throughput studies. Moreover, the available data sources are heterogeneous and need to be combined in a way specific for the part of the pathway in which they are most informative. Here, we present a compartment specific strategy to integrate edge, node and path data for the refinement of a network hypothesis. Specifically, we use a local-move Gibbs sampler for refining pathway hypotheses from a compendium of heterogeneous data sources, including novel methodology for integrating protein attributes. We demonstrate the utility of this approach in a case study of the pheromone response MAPK pathway in the yeast S. cerevisiae.
Institutional distance and international ownership strategies in Russia
Authors: Karhunen Päivi , Kosonen Riitta , Ledyaeva Svetlana 
Published: June 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of institutional distance, extended to capture subnational institutional variation, on foreign entry mode choice.Design/methodology/approach– As an empirical study, it focuses on manufacturing firms established in Russia by foreign investors from developed countries. The dependent variables, the share of foreign ownership and the entry mode choice binary variable (equal to 1 for full foreign ownership and zero for a joint venture) were obtained from the registry of foreign-owned firms in Russia. The World Bank's regulatory quality (RQ) index on a national level and a respective indicator for the various Russian regions on a subnational level were utilised to measure institutions. Multilevel cross-classified analysis including foreign firms, the various Russian regions and characteristics of the foreign owners’ home countries was applied to for making empirical estimations.Findings– The empirical results show, first, that the regionally adjusted institutional distance, i.e. the distance between the home country and the Russian region in question, when measured in terms of RQ, shifts the ownership structure towards shared ownership. However, nation-level institutional distance between the home country and Russia does not show any statistically significant relationship with the modal choice.Originality/value– The results indicate that with the exception of industries of strategic importance to the state, the most important “rules of the game” for foreign entry strategies are provided not by the federal government but by the regional governors. The theoretical value of the paper lies in the extension of the institutional distance concept to the subnational level. At the same time, the paper identifies those institutional features that foreign entrants eyeing Russia need to take into account when selecting an entry mode and location within Russia.
Sustainable business models
Authors: M. Høgevold Nils , Svensson Göran , Wagner Beverly , J. Petzer Daniel , Klopper H.B. , Carlos Sosa Varela Juan , Padin Carmen , Ferro Carlos 
Published: June 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to describe: corporate reasons for, and organizational challenges of sustainable business models; and the evolution of economic effects, social boundaries and environmental actions in sustainable business practices.

Design/methodology/approach
– This study is based on insights gained from eight Norwegian companies in different industries. Purposeful sampling was employed to ensure that the companies had sustainable business models beyond the level of mere compliance, of sustainable business practices in the marketplace and society. A deductive approach to data collection ensured that the companies had sufficient understanding to relate their sustainable business practices to interviewers. The interviews were subsequently transcribed and analyzed systematically by the research team.

Findings
– The empirical findings indicate evolutionary changes as companies move on a continuum from superficial to embedded sustainable business models and the application of sustainable business practices. The planning, implementation and evaluation of sustainable business models evolves over time within companies and their supply chains, as well as in the marketplace and society.

Research limitations/implications
– A limitation of this study is that it is exclusively undertaken in Norwegian companies, although the companies are from different industries with different characteristics. Future research is clearly necessary and will be conducted in other countries in similar industries, so as to explore the empirical findings from this study in other contexts. In addition, the interfaces between environmental actions, economic effects and social boundaries need to be investigated further.

Originality/value
– The study contributes to a growing body of knowledge on corporate reasons for and organizational challenges of sustainable business models, as well as environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainable business practices.
Implementing slack cables in the force density method
Authors: Christou Petros , Michael Antonis , Elliotis Miltiades 
Published: June 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to present a solution strategy for the analysis of cable networks which includes an extension to the force density method (FDM) in an attempt to support cable elements when they become slack. The ability to handle slack cable elements in the analysis is particularly important especially in cases where the original cable lengths are predefined, i.e. the cable structure has already been constructed, and there is a need for further analysis to account for additional loading such as wind. The solution strategy is implemented in a software application.Design/methodology/approach– The development of the software required the implementation of the FDM for the analysis of cable networks and its extension to handle constraints. The implemented constraints included the ability to preserve the length in the stressed or the unstressed state of predefined cable elements. In addition, cable statics are incorporated with the development of the cable equation and its modification to be able to be handled by the FDM .Findings– The implementation of the solution strategy is presented through examples using the software which has been developed for these purposes.Originality/value– The results suggest that for cable networks spanning large distances or cable elements with considerable self-weight the neglect of the cable slackening effects is not always conservative.
On men, organizations and intersectionality
Authors: Hearn Jeff 
Published: June 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to reflect, personally, regarding work, politically and theoretically, on 40 years of involvement in organization studies, profeminism and intersectionality.

Design/methodology/approach
– The paper uses autoethnography.

Findings
– The paper shows the need for a broad notion of the field and fieldwork, the development of intersectional thinking, the complexity of men's relations to feminism and intersectionality and the need to both name and deconstruct men in the research field.

Research limitations/implications
– The paper suggests a more explicit naming and deconstruction of men and other intersectional social categories in doing research.

Practical implications
– The paper suggests a more explicit naming and deconstruction of men and other intersectional social categories in equality practice.

Social implications
– The paper suggests a more explicit naming and deconstruction of men and other intersectional social categories in social, political and policy interventions.

Originality/value
– The paper points to recent historical changes in the connections between feminism, gender, profeminism, organizations and intersectionality in relation to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Gamification and the online retail experience
Authors: Insley Victoria , Nunan Daniel 
Published: June 2014

Purpose
– As online retailing grows in importance there is increasing interest in the online customer experience. The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of gamification, the use of game mechanics, in enabling consumer engagement with online retailers.

Design/methodology/approach
– The research adopts a qualitative methodology carrying out 19 in-depth interviews with individuals who are frequent online shoppers.

Findings
– Findings support the importance of including game elements to enhance the retail experience. However, data also suggests that without appropriate management customers can subvert gamification strategies to create their own “games” which increases competitive pressure between retailers.

Practical implications
– The paper suggests ways in which retailers might more successfully “gamify” their online retail stores and reduce incidences of undesirable customer behaviour.

Originality/value
– This paper provides empirical support to the current paucity of research into the role of gamification in the context of the online retail experience.
Reinvigorating the mission statement through top management commitment
Authors: I. Williams Jr Ralph , L. Morrell Daniel , V. Mullane John 
Published: June 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to propose that top management commitment to its organization's mission statement moderates the mission's effect of firm performance. The proposed model combines numerous aspects of top management commitment to give depth to the moderating effect.Design/methodology/approach– The paper provides a conceptual overview of the mission statement literature toward a theoretical model.Findings– The impact of mission statements on firm performance long has been studied and debated, without consistent results. This paper proposes that this is due to the presence of moderating influences, specifically the commitment of top management, that, if not properly studied, will affect empirical results.Practical implications– Practicing managers can unlock the power of the mission statement by involving the entire organization in the mission statement process, clearly and consistently communicating the mission's tenets, setting measurable operational targets from the mission statement, and periodically revising the mission to ensure it is current.Originality/value– The concept of a moderator is original in the mission-performance debate. Concepts from several key articles have been combined in a unique manner to develop the model.
Indirect effects of non‐native Spartina alterniflora and its fungal pathogen (Fusarium palustre) on native saltmarsh plants in China
Authors: Li Hui , Zhang Xiameng , Zheng Rushui , Li Xiao , Elmer Wade H. , Wolfe Lorne M. , Li Bo 
Published: June 2014

Summary

Pathogens can affect their hosts and change community composition and structure. Pathogens may be key determinants of biological invasions. However, few empirical studies exist examining how non‐native plants drive their invasions through indirect effects involved with pathogens. Here, indirect effects refer to how one species alters the effect that another species has on a third.

Fusarium palustre was associated with the dieback of Spartina alterniflora in its native North American saltmarshes. Native plant Phragmites australis was also found to die back in the Dongtan wetland of the Chinese Yangtze River estuary invaded by non‐native Spartina alterniflora. This phenomenon suggests that Spartina might not escape from its pathogen when being introduced from its native North America and has indirectly caused the dieback of Phragmites in China.

To investigate the indirect effect of Spartina involving Fusarium, we sampled plants and soils in dieback patches to isolate the pathogen. Next, we used an artificial inoculation study to determine the virulence of Fusarium to both Phragmites and Spartina. Finally, the spatial distribution of Fusarium was studied through examining its incidence in saltmarshes along the east coast of China.

The endophytic fungus F. palustre was found to be closely associated with Phragmites dieback in the Dongtan wetland and it is likely that it was transported by non‐native Spartina from its native North American saltmarshes to the Chinese saltmarshes. The spillover of F. palustre from non‐native Spartina to native Phragmites might subsequently facilitate Spartina invasion.

Synthesis. Invasive plants do not only directly compete with native plants, but also indirectly cause pathogen infection on the latter, by acting as vectors and reservoirs for pathogens shared with native plants. Our findings highlight the significance of indirect effects involving pathogens in biological invasions. It is necessary to consider these pathogen‐mediated indirect effects of non‐native plant species in multi‐host‐pathogen systems for management and restoration purposes.
The nitrate‐sensing NasST system regulates nitrous oxide reductase and periplasmic nitrate reductase in Bradyrhizobium japonicum
Authors: Sánchez Cristina , Itakura Manabu , Okubo Takashi , Matsumoto Takashi , Yoshikawa Hirofumi , Gotoh Aina , Hidaka Masafumi , Uchida Takafumi , Minamisawa Kiwamu 
Published: June 2014

SummaryThe soybean endosymbiont Bradyrhizobium japonicum is able to scavenge the greenhouse gas N2O through the N2O reductase (Nos). In previous research, N2O emission from soybean rhizosphere was mitigated by B. japonicum Nos++ strains (mutants with increased Nos activity). Here, we report the mechanism underlying the Nos++ phenotype. Comparative analysis of Nos++ mutant genomes showed that mutation of bll4572 resulted in Nos++ phenotype. bll4572 encodes NasS, the nitrate (NO3−)‐sensor of the two‐component NasST regulatory system. Transcriptional analyses of nosZ (encoding Nos) and other genes from the denitrification process in nasS and nasST mutants showed that, in the absence of NO3−, nasS mutation induces nosZ and nap (periplasmic nitrate reductase) via nasT. NO3− addition dissociated the NasS‐NasT complex in vitro, suggesting the release of the activator NasT. Disruption of nasT led to a marked decrease in nosZ and nap transcription in cells incubated in the presence of NO3−. Thus, although NasST is known to regulate the NO3−‐mediated response of NO3− assimilation genes in bacteria, our results show that NasST regulates the NO3−‐mediated response of nosZ and napE genes, from the dissimilatory denitrification pathway, in B. japonicum.
Lyophilized Tea Extracts of Brickellia cavanillesii (Asteraceae): In Vitro Characterization of Biological Activity
Authors: Eshiet Etetor R. , Zhu Jinqiu , Smith Ernest E. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractLyophilized Brickellia cavanillesii (LBC) tea extracts and identified chemical compounds of LBC were examined using in vitro human carcinoma liver (HepG2) cells with and without fetal bovine serum (FBS). Cells were incubated for 24 h with varying concentrations of FBS and LBC, respectively; cytotoxicity was determined spectrophotometrically using MTT (Formazan 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐thiazol‐2‐yl)‐2, 5‐diphenyl‐tetrazolium bromide) assay. Furthermore, the potential hypoglycemic activity of LBC tea extracts was investigated using glucose transport and metabolism proteins biomarkers. FBS (0% to 10%) increased the viability of HepG2 cells steadily with increasing concentration. Possible therapeutic effects of LBC were concentration dependent with and without FBS. The cytotoxicity of 12 identified compounds from the LBC extract suggests that the individual compounds inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells differentially and do not reflect the inhibition of the whole aqueous LBC. Western blot analysis of glucose facilitated transporter protein 2 (GLUT 2) expression of HepG2 cells exposed to 0 mg/mL (Control) and 0.2 mg/mL LBC for 2, 4, 6, and 24 h suggests that GLUT 2 expression was increased. Increase in GLUT 2 expression in the absence of FBS was statistically significant with time of exposure. Significant difference was observed for GLUT 2 expression between 6 and 24 h and also between 4 and 24 h at 0.2 mg/mL LBC. Results obtained indicate that LBC may exhibit antidiabetic activity. However, further studies will be necessary to clearly delineate LBC potential therapeutic benefit and biological activities in animal studies as well as other in vitro models.
Ginsenoside‐Free Molecules from Steam‐Dried Ginseng Berry Promote Ethanol Metabolism: An Alternative Choice for an Alcohol Hangover
Authors: Ik Lee Do , Tae Kim Seung , Hoon Lee Dong , Min Yu Jung , Kil Jang Su , Soo Joo Seong 
Published: June 2014

AbstractEthanol metabolism produces harmful compounds that contribute to liver damage and cause an alcohol hangover. The intermediate metabolite acetaldehyde is responsible for alcohol hangover and CYP2E1‐induced reactive oxygen species damage liver tissues. In this study, we examined whether ginsenoside‐free molecules (GFMs) from steam‐dried ginseng berries promote ethanol metabolism and scavenge free radicals by stimulating primary enzymes (alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase, CYP2E1, and catalase) and antioxidant effects using in vitro and in vivo models. The results revealed that GFM effectively scavenged 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl hydrate radicals and hydroxyl radicals. Notably, GFM significantly enhanced the expression of primary enzymes within 2 h in HepG2 cells. GFM clearly removed the consumed ethanol and significantly reduced the level of acetaldehyde as well as enhancement of primary gene expression in BALB/c mice. Moreover, GFM successfully protected HepG2 cells from ethanol attack. Of the major components identified in GFM, it was believed that linoleic acid was the most active ingredient. Based on these findings, we conclude that GFM holds promise for use as a new candidate for ethanol metabolism and as an antihangover agent.