The nuclear protein high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) can be passively released by necrotic cells or secreted actively by several cell types to regulate immune and inflammatory responses, as well as ...tissue remodeling. We herein aimed to characterize the effect of insulin resistance on HMGB1 in adipose tissue and to examine its potential role as a metabolic regulator in β-pancreatic cells.
Plasma HMGB1 concentration and adipose HMGB1 expression were assessed in relation to obesity and insulin resistance. Cultured adipocytes from lean and obese patients were used to investigate the intracellular distribution and factors regulating HMGB1 release, as well as to test its effects on adipogenesis and lipid metabolism. A regulatory role for HMGB1 in insulin secretion was also investigated.
Circulating HMGB1 was positively associated with body mass index, while adipose HMGB1 mRNA levels correlated with the expression of inflammatory markers. Insulin resistance modified the intracellular distribution of HMGB1 in human adipocytes, with HMGB1 being predominantly nuclear in lean and obese normoglycemic individuals while localized to the cytosol in obese patients with type 2 diabetes. Adipocytes from lean individuals exposed to conditioned media from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages induced HMGB1 redistribution to the cytoplasm and release. HMGB1 treatment had no effect on differentiation and lipid metabolism in adipocytes. However, HMGB1, whose circulating levels correlated with postload insulin concentration, increased both insulin release and intracellular Ca(2+) concentration in INS-1 cells.
These findings show, for the first time, that HMGB1 expression and release by human adipocytes is altered by inflammatory conditions as those imposed by obesity and insulin resistance. Our data reveal a novel role for HMGB1 as a stimulatory factor of insulin secretion of β-pancreatic cells.
Under temporary economic stress, producers may elect to grow crops without fertilization. However, information is lacking regarding crop and soil response to growing multiple crops without phosphorus ...(P) and potassium (K) fertilization on claypan soils in the eastern Great Plains. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of utilizing soil‐test P (STP) and soil‐test K (STK) reserves on yield of 5‐yr continuous soybean Glycine max (L.) Merr. grown on a claypan soil and on soil‐test values. In the first two low‐yielding years, soybean yield and yield components were unaffected by STP and STK concentrations. In the subsequent three average‐yielding years, soybean yields were up to 0.35 Mg ha−1 less when STP was initially 5 mg kg−1 or STK was initially 57 mg kg−1 than at greater STP or STK. Greater STP increased pods plant−1, whereas greater STK increased pods plant−1, seed pod−1, and seed weight. Even though P and K uptake at R2 (full bloom) did not correlate directly with yields, greater P uptake at R2 in average‐yielding years increased pods plant−1 and greater K uptake at R2 increased seed pod−1. Both STP and STK declined at more than 3 mg kg−1 yr−1 for larger initial STP and 15 mg kg−1 yr−1 for larger initial STK. While using residual soil P and K of varying concentrations in this claypan soil to grow soybeans marginally affected yields, the 5‐yr decline in STP and STK values may greatly affect subsequent sensitive crops and require high rates of fertilization.
While market research has been the cornerstone of the intelligence ecosystem, the emergence of ‘insights’ vendors is re-shaping the market. Adjacent practices, ranging from competitive intelligence, ...social listening and data science, could relegate market research to legacy status in firms. This investigation explores how expert market researchers respond to the commoditisation of market research techniques and their diminishing access to the client’s organisation to address this issue. The findings show that market researchers are adapting – effectively reinventing themselves as ‘insights’ professionals – through the following four initiatives: (1) offering solution services, (2) creating architectures that integrate organic and designed data, (3) making heroes in the client’s organisation and (4) forging performative relationships based on strategic guidance. These initiatives shift market research from ostensive (descriptive or declarative) to performative (effectual or actionable). Theoretically, the article conceptualises the changes in the market research industry through the performativity lens.
This article extends the S-T-P framework of market segmentation (i.e. segmentation, targeting, and positioning), showing that firms have more sources of segments than previously acknowledged, ...including the option of integrating feral segments that emerge publicly in the marketplace. While the S-T-P framework currently focuses on ad hoc segmentation tailored for a focal firm and syndicated segmentation made for commercialization to multiple firms, this article introduces feral segmentation in which cultural intermediaries (CIs) coin consumers categories through their familiarity with popular culture. Empirically, the article investigates how CIs constructed the lumbersexual segment, a neologism combining the narcissism of the metrosexual with the roughness of the lumberjack. The findings include a four-step feral segmentation process: (1) Establishing deviance—singling out anomalies that lower the explanatory power of existing segments. (2) Prototyping—sketching profiles that enhance familiarity and allow identification. (3) Anchoring—attaching the segment into public discussions. (4) Vaccination—coining preemptive validations against criticism.
Abstract
Dehydration of the oceanic subducting slab promotes the formation of magmatic arcs, intra-slab intermediate-depth seismicity, and hydration of the overlying mantle wedge. However, the ...complex permeability structure of the overriding plate controls the magma and fluid migration and their accumulation at shallower depths. In this regard, mapping the inner structure of the overriding crust and mantle is crucial to understand the magmatic and hydrological processes in subduction zones. We integrate 3-D P-wave,
$$V_p/V_s$$
V
p
/
V
s
, and electrical resistivity tomographic models of the northern Chilean subduction zone to map the magmatic and fluids derived from the subducting oceanic Nazca plate. Results show a continental crust relatively thick (50–65 km) characterized by a lower zone of high
$$V_p$$
V
p
values (7.2–7.6 km/s), which is interpreted as the presence of plutonic rocks. The mantle lithospheric wedge is weakly hydrated (
$$V_p/V_s$$
V
p
/
V
s
= 1.75–1.8) while the forearc continental crust is traversed by regions of reduced electrical resistivity values (
$$< 10^2$$
<
10
2
$$\Omega m$$
Ω
m
) interpreted as zones of relatively high permeability/fracturing and fluid content. These regions spatially correlate with upper plate trans-lithospheric deformation zones. Ascending melts accumulate preferentially in the back-arc, whereas hydrothermal systems form trenchward of the volcanic arc. The results highlight the complex permeability structure of the upper South American plate.
Although there are solid findings regarding the detrimental effect of alcohol consumption, the existing evidence on the effect of other dietary factors on breast cancer (BC) risk is inconclusive. ...This study aimed to evaluate the association between dietary patterns and risk of BC in Spanish women, stratifying by menopausal status and tumour subtype, and to compare the results with those of Alternate Healthy Index (AHEI) and Alternate Mediterranean Diet Score (aMED).
We recruited 1017 incident BC cases and 1017 matched healthy controls of similar age (±5 years) without a history of BC. The association between 'a priori' and 'a posteriori' developed dietary patterns and BC in general and according to menopausal status and intrinsic tumour subtypes (ER+/PR+ and HER2-; HER2+; and ER-/PR- and HER2-) was evaluated using logistic and multinomial regression models.
Adherence to the Western dietary pattern was related to higher risk of BC (OR for the top vs the bottom quartile 1.46 (95% CI 1.06-2.01)), especially in premenopausal women (OR=1.75; 95% CI 1.14-2.67). In contrast, the Mediterranean pattern was related to a lower risk (OR for the top quartile vs the bottom quartile 0.56 (95% CI 0.40-0.79)). Although the deleterious effect of the Western pattern was similarly observed in all tumour subtypes, the protective effect of our Mediterranean pattern was stronger for triple-negative tumours (OR=0.32; 95% CI 0.15-0.66 and Pheterogeneity=0.04). No association was found between adherence to the Prudent pattern and BC risk. The associations between 'a priori' indices and BC risk were less marked (OR for the top vs the bottom quartile of AHEI=0.69; 95% CI 0.51-0.94 and aMED=0.74; 95% CI 0.46-1.18)).
Our results confirm the harmful effect of a Western diet on BC risk, and add new evidence on the benefits of a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, oily fish and vegetable oils for preventing all BC subtypes, and particularly triple-negative tumours.
Core Ideas
Prophylactic applications of high input rates was not economical in most marketing scenarios
The only exception was using low‐cost fungicides and marketing wheat with a protein premium
...Increased plant population economically reduced wheat yield gap in no‐tillage systems
Fungicide application economically reduced wheat yield gap under high‐disease pressure
Evidence suggested wheat yield was co‐limited by sink and source in our study
Despite the large differences between winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) current and potential yields (i.e., yield gap, YG) in Kansas, limited research is available on individual agronomic practices, or their combination, economically increasing yield. Our objective was to quantify the contribution of individual and combined management practices to reduce the wheat YG. An incomplete factorial treatment structure established in a randomized complete block design was conducted to evaluate the effects of 14 treatments on yield, YG, protein concentration, and net returns. The variety ‘Everest’ was evaluated at three locations in 2016 and 2017. We individually added six treatments to a farmer practice control (FP) or removed from a water‐limited yield control (Yw), which received all treatments. Treatments were: additional N, S, Cl, increased plant population, foliar fungicide, and plant growth regulator. Under no‐till which had low disease pressure, the Yw increased grain yield by 0.4 Mg ha−1 as compared with FP, mostly led by additional N, S, increased population, and fungicide (0.2–0.4 Mg ha−1). In conventional till which had high‐disease pressure, the Yw increased grain yield by 1.2 Mg ha−1 as compared with the FP, and foliar fungicide increased grain yield by 1.4 Mg ha−1. Foliar fungicide and increased plant population economically reduced the YG for conventional till and no‐till, respectively. Net return analysis indicated that intensifying wheat management might be justifiable when using low‐cost fungicides and if protein premiums are expected. Our results suggest that an integrated pest management should be preferred over an Yw approach with prophylactic pesticide application.
Abstract Identifying the limiting nutrient, fertilizer source, rate, placement, additives, and timing of application are critical components of fertilizer management. The objective of this study was ...to quantify the impact of nitrogen (N) fertilizer source, rate, placement method, additives, application timing, and environment on yields of grain sorghum, forage sorghum Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, and corn (for grain, Zea mays L.). Independent field experiments were conducted at 13 different environments in Kansas from 2008 through 2013 on grain sorghum, forage sorghum, and corn. Treatments were an incomplete factorial combination of four fertilizer placement methods, three fertilizer types, five fertilizer additives, three fertilizer application times, and six fertilizer rates that varied by location and across years. Results showed grain and forage sorghum yields responded to N fertilizer in environments that were not extremely dry (<136 mm) or wet (>651 mm). Corn responded to N fertilizer application only in high‐precipitation environments. For grain sorghum, where rate × placement × source × additive interaction was significant, broadcast application of urea (source) at high rates (67–134 kg N ha −1 ), with summer application timing, or with additive in winter (with environmentally smart nitrogen ESN) resulted in up to 43% greater yield compared with application of urea‐ammonium nitrate (UAN; source) and surface band (placement) at 67 kg ha −1 without additives. In the one site‐year where forage sorghum responded to fertilizer application, forage yields with preplant application of UAN at 56–140 kg ha −1 were 164% greater than the control. For corn, application of either urea or UAN fertilizer, UAN in coulter or surface band, with ESN blend, applied at planting, and at highest rates (160 kg ha −1 ) resulted in best yields compared with the alternatives and 110% greater yield compared with the unfertilized control. We concluded that fertilizer rate is an important management component as it consistently affected yield regardless of crop considered. Fertilizer placement and timing have crop‐specific importance as they were significant for only corn, but the main effect of additives (N stabilizers) was not significant for any of the crops. Environment and crop type influenced crop response to N fertilizer rate, timing, placement, and additives.
Core Ideas Grain and forage sorghum responded positively to N fertilizer in environments that were not extremely dry or wet. Corn responded to N fertilizer only in high‐precipitation environments. For grain sorghum, in three out of nine trials, source × rate × placement × additive interaction was significant. Regardless of crop, N fertilizer rate was an important management decision that affected yields. Fertilizer placement and timing had crop‐specific importance.
Worldwide, measures are being implemented to eradicate hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses, which can be transmitted from the mother during childbirth. This study aims to determine the prevalence ...of HBV and HCV in pregnant women in Spain, focusing on country of origin, epidemiological factors and risk of vertical transmission (VT).
Multicentre open-cohort study performed during 2015. HBV prevalence was determined in 21870 pregnant women and HCV prevalence in 7659 pregnant women. Epidemiological and risk factors for VT were analysed in positive women and differences between HBV and HCV cases were studied.
HBV prevalence was 0.42% (91/21870) and HCV prevalence was 0.26% (20/7659). Of the women with HBV, 65.7% (44/67) were migrants. The HBV transmission route to the mother was unknown in 40.3% of cases (27/67) and VT in 31.3% (21/67). Among risk factors for VT, 67.7% (42/62) of the women had viraemia and 14.5% (9/62) tested HBeAg-positive. All of the neonates born to HBV-positive mothers received immunoprophylaxis, and none contracted infection by VT. In 80% (16/20) of the women with HCV, the transmission route was parenteral, and nine were intravenous drug users. Viraemia was present in 40% (8/20) of the women and 10% (2/20) were HIV-coinfected. No children were infected. Women with HCV were less likely than women with HBV to breastfeed their child (65% vs. 86%).
The prevalences obtained in our study of pregnant women are lower than those previously documented for the general population. Among the women with HBV, the majority were migrants and had a maternal family history of infection, while among those with HCV, the most common factor was intravenous drug use. Despite the risk factors observed for VT, none of the children were infected. Proper immunoprophylaxis is essential to prevent VT in children born to HBV-positive women.
Exposure to solar radiation can generate different types of damage to the skin, including skin cancer. Depending on the duration of the exposure, sun damage can present as sunburn, photoaging, and ...photoimmunosuppression, among other effects. Using natural products on the skin may aid in preventing the damage caused by exposure to solar radiation, in addition to reducing the adverse side effects of common sunscreens, such as irritation, allergies, phototoxic reactions, photosensitivity, and generation of reactive oxygen species. On the other hand, the UV light absorption capacity of natural products has been reported to be due to the presence of chromophores in their structure, which, when added to the beneficial effects they have on the skin, makes them attractive candidates for use as photoprotectors. The present work gathers updated information regarding skin damage caused by prolonged sun exposure. It also describes the photoprotective effect of several natural products, their mechanism of action, and their preventive and therapeutic potential. For this purpose, the scientific literature was searched using PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar.
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