Resurrection of the genus Staphisagria J. Hill, sister to all the other Delphinieae (Ranunculaceae)

Molecular sequence data show that the three species of Delphinium subg. Staphisagria (J. Hill) Peterm. form the sister clade to Aconitum L., Aconitella Spach, Consolida (DC.) S.F. Gray, and all remaining species of Delphinium L. To account for this finding we resurrect Staphisagria J. Hill (1756). Names in Staphisagria are available for two of the species. We here make the required new combination for the third species, Staphisagria picta (Willd.) F. Jabbour, provide a key to the species, and illustrate one of them

"Society of Hematologic Oncology (SOHO) State of the Art Updates and Next Questions"-Treatment of ALL.

The outcome of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has substantially improved by adopting pediatric-inspired regimens, and approximately half of the patients are nowadays cured. The evaluation of minimal residual disease currently represents the most important prognostic indicator, which drives treatment algorithms, which include allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) allocation. Indeed, for high-risk patients, allo-SCT should be pursued as soon as possible, whereas in standard-risk patients this procedure should be avoided also in light of related toxicity and because there are no significant benefits. Furthermore, better characterization of the molecular genetic events can drive therapeutic decisions: a historical example in this respect is represented by the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL; in the upcoming future, TKIs might be used also in other subgroups, such as breakpoint cluster region/Abelson 1-like cases and others with deregulated tyrosine kinases. Finally, the greatest progress is currently achieved with new immunotherapies targeting frequently expressed surface antigens in ALL. It is also a new chance for elderly ALL patients, so far spared from intensive chemotherapy and allo-SCT. These targeted therapies will substantially change this treatment algorithm and the great challenge is to find optimal sequence of the extended therapy options in an individual patient

Corporate incentives for obtaining higher level of carbon assurance: seeking legitimacy or improving performance?

Purpose - With the growing attention around carbon emissions disclosure, the demand for external carbon assurance on emissions reports has been increasing by stakeholders as it provides additional credibility and confidence. This study investigates the association between the higher level of external carbon assurance and improvement in a firm's carbon emissions. It provides an understanding of corporate incentives for obtaining a higher level of carbon assurance, particularly in relation to carbon performance enhancements. Design/methodology/approach - Data are collected from 170 US companies for the period 2012-2017, and are analysed using a change analysis. Generalized method of moment (GMM) is used to address endogeneity. Findings - Following the rationales taken by legitimacy and ‘outside-in’ management views, our findings reveal that a higher level of carbon assurance (i.e. reasonable assurance) marginally improves firms’ carbon performance (i.e. reported carbon emissions). This is consistent with ‘outside-in’ management view suggesting that a higher level of assurance could be utilised as a tool for accessing more information about stakeholders’ needs and concerns, which can be useful in enhancing carbon performance. Research limitations/implications - Our findings are generalizable to US firms and may not extend to other contexts. Practical implication – The implication of this study for companies is that a high level of sustainability assurance is a useful tool to access detailed information about stakeholder concerns, of which internalisation can help to marginally improve carbon performance. For policymakers, the insights into and enhanced understanding of the incentives for obtaining carbon assurance can help policymakers to develop effective policies and initiatives for carbon assurance. Considering the possible improvements in carbon performance when obtaining a high level of sustainability verification, governments need to consider mandating carbon assurance. Originality/value – This study extends the existing studies of assurance in sustainability context as well as in carbon context by explaining why companies voluntarily get expensive external verification (i.e. higher level of assurance) of their carbon emissions disclosure. This study responds to calls in the literature for empirical research investigating the association between environmental performance and external assurance with a focus on level of assurance

Seminal plasma and prostaglandin E2 up-regulate fibroblast growth factor 2 expression in endometrial adenocarcinoma cells via E-series prostanoid-2 receptor-mediated transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor and extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway

BACKGROUND: Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) has been shown to modulate angiogenesis and tumour progression via the E-series prostanoid-2 (EP2) receptor. Endometrial adenocarcinomas may be exposed to endogenous PGE(2) and exogenous PGE(2), present at high concentration in seminal plasma. METHODS: This study investigated fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) mRNA expression and cell signalling in response to seminal plasma or PGE(2), using an endometrial adenocarcinoma (Ishikawa) cell line stably expressing the EP2 receptor (EP2 sense cells) and endometrial adenocarcinoma explants. RESULTS: Seminal plasma and PGE(2) induced a significant up-regulation of FGF2 expression in EP2 sense but not parental untransfected Ishikawa (wild-type) cells (P < 0.05). These effects were inhibited by co-treatment with EP2 receptor antagonist or inhibitors of protein kinase A, c-Src, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase or extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signalling. The treatment of EP2 sense cells with seminal plasma induced cAMP accumulation and phosphorylation of c-Src, EGFR kinase and ERK via the EP2 receptor. Finally, seminal plasma and PGE(2) significantly increased FGF2 mRNA expression in endometrial adenocarcinoma tissue explants via the EP2 receptor (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Seminal plasma and PGE(2) can similarly activate FGF2 expression and EP2 receptor signalling in endometrial adenocarcinoma cells. These data highlight the potential for seminal plasma exposure to facilitate tumorigenesis–angiogenesis in endometrial adenocarcinomas in vivo

Indocyanine green elimination test in orthotopic liver recipients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine its predictive capability on graft quality and resultant clinical outcome, the indocyanine green (ICG) elimination test was performed by a spectrophotometric method and a noninvasive finger-piece method with 50 orthotopic liver transplantations. BACKGROUND: Early detection of poor-functioning hepatic grafts is one of the most important issues in liver transplantation, but no reliable methods exist. METHODS: The ICG test was performed after 50 orthotopic liver transplantations on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7. Indocyanine green elimination constants (K(ICG)) were measured by both a standard spectrophotometric analysis (K(ICG)-B) and by a finger-piece method (K(ICG)-F). The patients were followed for a minimum of 3 months after transplantation. Results of ICG tests were correlated with various clinical determinations. RESULTS: Twelve of the 50 grafts were lost within three months, of which 7 were related to graft failure. Multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazard model revealed that K(ICG) on postoperative day 1 was a better predictor of liver-related graft outcome than any of the conventional liver function tests. Furthermore, K(ICG) values showed significant correlation with the severity of preservation injury, longer intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay, prolonged liver dysfunction, and septic complications. Correlation of K(ICG) values by the spectrophotometric method with those by the finger-piece method was highly satisfactory in the grafts that had K(ICG)-B <0.15 min-1 (y = 0.868x -0.011, r = .955). CONCLUSION: The ICG elimination test, conducted spectrophotometrically or optically on the day after liver transplantation, is a reliable indicator of graft quality and subsequent graft outcome early after liver transplantation

Early death or retransplantation in adults after orthotopic liver transplantation: Can outcome be predicted?

Early, reliable outcome prediction after a liver transplant would help improve organ use by minimizing unnecessary retransplantations. At the same time, early intervention in those cases destined to fail may ameliorate the high morbidity and mortality associated with retransplantation. The purpose of this study was to analyze several parameters that have been identified in the past as being associated with patient and graft outcome, and to try to develop a model that would allow us to make predictions based on data available in the early postoperative period. A total of 148 patients were followed in a prospective, observational study. Graft failure was defined as patient death or retransplantation within 3 months of surgery. Preoperative variables studied included patient demographics, need for life support, presence of ascites, serum bilirubin, serum albumin, prothrombin time, serum creatinine, and the results of the cytotoxic crossmatch. During the first 5 postoperative days, standard measurements included serum transaminases, serum bilirubin, ketone body ratio, prothrombin time, factor V, and serum lactate. Oxygen consumption was measured shortly after surgery, once the patients had rewarmed to 36°C. There were 131 successful transplants (88.5%) and 17 failures (11.5%). Most of the variables studied were found to be associated with outcome (by univariate analysis) at different points in the early postoperative period. However, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the predictive ability of even the best parameter was not adequate to make decisions on individual patients. Multivariate analysis, using stepwise logistic regression, yielded a model with an overall accuracy of 92.7%. Again, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis suggested that this model did not achieve the discriminating power needed for routine clinical use. We are still not able to accurately predict outcome in the early posttransplant period. We must be very careful when evaluating parameters, or scoring systems, that are said to accomplish this. It is especially important in this era of cost containment, with its renewed pressures to guide therapy based on our perceived understanding of a patient’s future clinical course. © 1994 by Williams & Wilkins

State-of-the-art and future directions for green human resource management: introduction to the special issue

The topic of environmental sustainability is generating increased concern among business executives, governments, consumers, and management scholars. As these stakeholders struggle with the challenges and opportunities presented by an array of environmental issues, HRM scholars and practitioners alike have been relatively slow to engage in the ongoing discussions and debates. Through this special issue on Green HRM, we seek to stimulate the field of HRM to expand its role in the pursuit of environmentally sustainable business. In this introduction to the special issue, we first provide an overview of the articles that appear in the special issue. Next we present a detailed discussion of research questions that arise from a consideration of several functional HRM practices, including performance management; training, development, and learning; compensation and rewards; and organizational culture. We conclude by describing opportunities for research at the intersection of strategic HRM and environmental management. If pursued with vigor, research addressing this extensive agenda could begin to establish a healthy field of Green HRM scholarship

Organic Agriculture Teaching and Learning in 2025: Transforming the Future Learning Landscape

University instructors are compelled to anticipate future changes in farming and food systems that will impact their students. Sixteen educators met in 2018 to envision the future of organic agriculture courses needed by 2025. Likely future global issues include food access, especially for people of limited economic means; climate change; and fossil fuel costs. Changes that will impact education are increasing demand for quality food, more organic production, and globalization of food systems due to consolidation. Probable course content changes are increasing focus on whole farm systems; designing for resilience in changing physical, economic, environmental, and political climates; and increasing diversity of systems and emergence of the urban and peri-urban food sector. Expected changes in teaching methods include more practical, hands-on learning; face-to-face interactions with farmers; guided practical apprenticeships; and student-driven learning activities. We were surprised by the difficulty that workshop participants confronted in discussing transformational change, often opting for fine-tuning the current system. We identified a need for developing and practicing skills for future visioning, currently a challenge for instructors and for many students