bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sex in the city
Authors: Phaiyarom Mathudara , Chuemchit Montakarn
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the sexual risk behavior and sexual harassment among female beer promoters in Chiang Mai, Thailand and analyze the associations among demographic data, sexual activities, sexual orientation, attitudes and working conditions based on the level of sexual harassment.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is a cross-sectional study that approached 184 Thai female beer promoters in Chiang Mai by a snowball sampling technique. Data were collected through a self-administrative questionnaire to find demographic data, sexual activities, sexual orientation, attitudes, sexual risk behavior and sexual harassment while working as a beer promoter. Descriptive, Pearson’s χ2 and Fisher exact tests were performed to describe and determine the associations.

Findings

The findings highlight that sexual risk behaviors and sexual harassment are found among female beer promoters. In total, 62.5 percent of them ever had sexual intercourse and 25.2 percent did not use condom. For sexual harassment, most of respondents had experienced a medium level harassment especially verbal harassment (73.9 percent). It associated with currently student status (p=0.038), having sexual intercourse experience (p=0.024), and type of job (p=0.002).

Originality/value

This paper explores the sexual risk behaviors and sexual harassment among female beer promoters in the northern part of Thailand, containing the information on how common are the types of sexual risk behavior and sexual harassment experiences among a specific and hard-to-reach population.
To fly or not to fly? An empirical study of trust, post-recovery satisfaction and loyalty of Malaysia Airlines passengers
Authors: Mohd-Any Amrul Asraf , Mutum Dilip S. , Ghazali Ezlika M. , Mohamed-Zulkifli Lokmanulhakim
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the importance of successful service recovery in the airline sector by examining the interrelationship between perceived justice, recovery satisfaction and overall satisfaction, customer trust and customer loyalty. Furthermore, the research assesses the mediating effect of overall satisfaction and customer trust on customer loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected via an airport intercept survey of Malaysia Airlines passengers who had experienced service failure. In total, 380 responses were used for the final analysis. The study uses partial least squares structural equation modelling technique with SmartPLS 3.0, in order to test and validate the research model and hypotheses posited.

Findings

The results reveal that: recovery satisfaction is significantly affected by procedural and interactional justice; distributive and procedural justice, as well as recovery satisfaction influenced overall satisfaction; customer trust is most influenced by interactional justice, distributive justice and recovery satisfaction; customer loyalty is positively affected by customer trust, overall satisfaction and recovery satisfaction; and the influence amongst recovery satisfaction and customer loyalty is partially mediated by customer trust and overall satisfaction.

Originality/value

The study contributes to a whole conceptual comprehension of the essential determinants of customer loyalty from the combined perspectives of three theories, namely, justice theory, expectancy disconfirmation theory and commitment-trust theory. This study successfully differentiates the three dimensions of perceived justice and assesses them individually to discern and compare their influence on overall satisfaction, recovery satisfaction and trust. In addition, the study finds that the influence of recovery satisfaction on loyalty is partially and sequentially mediated by trust and overall satisfaction.
“Mind” matters!
Authors: Ramya S.M. , Baral Rupashree
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Given the urgency in taking climate action, the purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual framework to drive corporate environmental responsibility (CER) through environmentally responsible decision making (ERDM) by incorporating two interventions, the accuracy of mental models (MM) of the key decision makers and green nudging.

Design/methodology/approach

Relevant theories in management, cognition and behavioral sciences are studied and leaned on to build this conceptual framework.

Findings

Our mind creates MM about the real world to illustrate what we think about the world and about how it works. MM are clouded with biases and misconceptions. These MM have a tremendous impact on our behavior. The authors present how increasing the accuracy of the MM of environmental phenomena leads to efficient sensemaking and directs an ERDM thereby contributing to the environmental responsibility gestures of an organization. Green nudges attack the choice architecture of the decision maker toward ERDM.

Research limitations/implications

This framework contributes to the literature on corporate social responsibility. It advances the theories at the intersection of business, economy and natural environment. The framework built with assumptions opens the scope for future research and empirical testing.

Practical implications

This framework contributes to practice by recommending implementable and sustainable interventions. The inaccuracies found may become the base for a sector-wise training program. Due to mimetic isomorphism, driving CER may reap policy implications.

Originality/value

This multi-level conceptual framework is the first to propose individual level drivers of organizational level outcome CER through MM of environmental phenomena of key decision makers and green nudging. The paper offers complementary interventions.
The role of macroeconomic and institutional factors in creating corporate financial flexibility
Authors: Mahmood Yasin , Rashid Abdul , Rizwan Faisal , Ahmad Maqsood
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of macroeconomic factors and the institutional environment on corporate financial flexibility (FF). Most studies focus on well-developed financial markets and very little is known about corporate FF in less developed financial markets and emerging markets (Buvanendra et al., 2016). The present study contributes to filling this gap in the literature and provides a more practical and functional framework to assess the FF of firms located in emerging economies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used annual data for the period from 1991 to 2018. To examine the relationship between macroeconomic indicators, institutional environment and corporate FF, hypotheses were tested using an unbalanced panel logistic regression model.

Findings

The paper provides empirical insights into the relationships between macroeconomic factors, institutional environment and corporate FF. The results suggest a substantial change in FF across firms. Inflation, institutional quality and banking sector development negatively affect FF, while equity market development has a significant positive impact. Gross domestic product growth was found to be an insignificant predictor of FF.

Practical implications

This study has practical implications for corporate finance managers, regulators and investors, who must consider the significant factors of this study when making economic decisions. Finance managers can thus make appropriate decisions regarding capital structure and FF. Regulators of the banking sector can take appropriate measures to enhance competition and increase the development of the banking sector. Further, regulators of the equity market can enhance the development of the market to enhance the supply of capital.

Originality/value

This study adds to the literature showing that not only firm-specific factors affect corporate FF, but country-specific macroeconomic and institutional factors also have a significant effect. It also adds to the literature in the area of corporate FF; this field is in its initial stage, even in developed countries, while, in developing countries, little work has been done.
Gold nanoparticle‐adjuvanted S protein induces a strong antigen‐specific IgG response against severe acute respiratory syndrome‐related coronavirus infection, but fails to induce protective antibodies and limit eosinophilic infiltration in lungs
Authors: Sekimukai Hanako , Iwata‐Yoshikawa Naoko , Fukushi Shuetsu , Tani Hideki , Kataoka Michiyo , Suzuki Tadaki , Hasegawa Hideki , Niikura Kenichi , Arai Katsuhiko , Nagata Noriyo
Published: November 2019

The spike (S) protein of coronavirus, which binds to cellular receptors and mediates membrane fusion for cell entry, is a candidate vaccine target for blocking coronavirus infection. However, some animal studies have suggested that inadequate immunization against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS‐CoV) induces a lung eosinophilic immunopathology upon infection. The present study evaluated two kinds of vaccine adjuvants for use with recombinant S protein: gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which are expected to function as both an antigen carrier and an adjuvant in immunization; and Toll‐like receptor (TLR) agonists, which have previously been shown to be an effective adjuvant in an ultraviolet‐inactivated SARS‐CoV vaccine. All the mice immunized with more than 0.5 µg S protein without adjuvant escaped from SARS after infection with mouse‐adapted SARS‐CoV; however, eosinophilic infiltrations were observed in the lungs of almost all the immunized mice. The AuNP‐adjuvanted protein induced a strong IgG response but failed to improve vaccine efficacy or to reduce eosinophilic infiltration because of highly allergic inflammatory responses. Whereas similar virus titers were observed in the control animals and the animals immunized with S protein with or without AuNPs, Type 1 interferon and pro‐inflammatory responses were moderate in the mice treated with S protein with and without AuNPs. On the other hand, the TLR agonist‐adjuvanted vaccine induced highly protective antibodies without eosinophilic infiltrations, as well as Th1/17 cytokine responses. The findings of this study will support the development of vaccines against severe pneumonia‐associated coronaviruses.
Metabolic costs of altered growth trajectories across life transitions in amphibians
Authors: Burraco Pablo , Valdés Ana Elisa , Orizaola Germán
Published: November 2019

Climate change is causing increases in temperature and in the frequency of extreme weather events. Under this scenario, organisms should maintain or develop strategies to cope with environmental fluctuations, such as the capacity to modify growth trajectories. However, altering growth can have negative consequences for organisms’ fitness.

Here, we investigated the metabolic alterations induced by compensatory growth during the larval development of the common frog (Rana temporaria), quantifying changes in oxidative stress, corticosterone levels and telomere length. We induced compensatory growth responses by exposing frog embryos to cold conditions (i.e. a ‘false spring’ scenario), which cause a delay in hatching. Once hatched, we reared larvae at two different photoperiods (24:0, representing the natural photoperiod of larvae, and 18:6) to test also for the interactive effects of light on growth responses.

Larvae experiencing delayed hatching showed fast compensatory responses and reached larger size at metamorphosis. Larvae shortened their developmental period in response to delayed hatching. Non‐permanent light conditions resulted in relaxed growth compared with larvae reared under permanent light conditions, which grew at their natural photoperiod and closer to their maximal rates.

Growth responses altered the redox status and corticosterone levels of larvae. These physiological changes were developmental stage‐dependent and mainly affected by photoperiod conditions. At catch‐up, larvae reared at 18:6 light:dark cycles showed higher antioxidant activities and glucocorticoid secretion. On the contrary, larvae reared at 24:0 developed at higher rates without altering their oxidative status, likely an adaptation to grow under very restricting seasonal conditions at early life. At metamorphosis, compensatory responses induced higher cellular antioxidant activities probably caused by enhanced metabolism. Telomere length remained unaltered by experimental treatments but apparently tended to elongate across larval ontogeny, which would be a first evidence of telomere lengthening across metamorphosis.

Under the forecasted increase in extreme climatic events, adjusting growth and developmental rates to the dynamics of environmental fluctuations may be essential for survival, but it can carry metabolic costs and affect later performance. Understanding the implications of such costs will be essential to properly estimate the impact of climate change on wild animals.
Structural trade‐offs can predict rewiring in shrinking social networks
Authors: Farine Damien R.
Published: November 2019

There is growing evidence that organisms can respond to declining population sizes by adapting their interactions with others. Regulating connections with others could underpin resilience of biological networks spanning from social groups to ecological communities. However, our ability to predict the dynamics of shrinking social networks remains limited.

Network regulation involves several trade‐offs. Removing nodes (and therefore their connections) from networks reduces the number of connections among remaining nodes. Responding by forming new connections then impacts other network properties. A simple way to minimize the impact of up‐regulating network connections is to form new connections or to strengthen connections, between nodes that share a lost connection with a recently removed node.

I propose a simple ‘second‐degree rewiring’ rule as a biologically plausible regulatory mechanism in shrinking social networks. I argue that two individuals that have lost a connection with a common removed individual will both be more likely, or more willing, to form a new, or strengthen an existing, connection among themselves. I then show that such second‐degree rewiring has less impact on important structural properties of the network than forming random new connections. For example, in a network with phenotypic assortment, second‐degree nodes are more likely to be similar than any random pair of nodes, and connecting these will better maintain assortativity. This simple rule can therefore maintain network properties without individuals having any knowledge of the global structure of the network or the relative properties of the nodes within it.

In this paper, I outline an algorithm for second‐degree rewiring. I demonstrate how second‐degree rewiring can have less impact than adding new, or increasing the strength of, random connections on both the individual and whole network properties. That is, relative to randomly adding or strengthening connections, second‐degree rewiring has less impact on mean degree, assortativity, clustering and network density. I then demonstrate empirically, using social networks of great tits (Parus major), that individuals that previously shared connections to a removed conspecific were more likely to form a new connection or to strengthen their connection, relative to other individuals in the same population.

This study highlights how developing a better mechanistic understanding of the structural properties of networks, and the consequences of adding new connections, can provide useful insights into how organisms are likely to regulate their interactions in shrinking populations.
Comparing two measures of phenological synchrony in a predator–prey interaction: Simpler works better
Authors: Ramakers Jip J. C. , Gienapp Phillip , Visser Marcel E.
Published: November 2019

Global climate change has sparked a vast research effort into the demographic and evolutionary consequences of mismatches between consumer and resource phenology. Many studies have used the difference in peak dates to quantify phenological synchrony (match in dates, MD), but this approach has been suggested to be inconclusive, since it does not incorporate the temporal overlap between the phenological distributions (match in overlap, MO).

We used 24 years of detailed data on the phenology of a predator–prey system, the great tit (Parus major) and the main food for its nestlings, caterpillars, to estimate MD and MO at the population and brood levels. We compared the performance of both metrics on two key demographic parameters: offspring recruitment probability and selection on the timing of reproduction.

Although MD and MO correlated quadratically as expected, MD was a better predictor for both offspring recruitment and selection on timing than MO. We argue—and verify through simulations—that this is because quantifying MO has to be based on nontrivial, difficult‐to‐verify assumptions that likely render MO too inaccurate as a proxy for food availability in practice.

Our results have important implications for the allocation of research efforts in long‐term population studies in highly seasonal environments.
Genomic data suggest environmental drivers of fish population structure in the deep sea: A case study for the orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus)
Authors: Gonçalves da Silva Anders , Barendse William , Kijas James , England Phillip R. , Hoelzel A. Rus
Published: November 2019

The accurate identification of conservation units is central to effective management strategies. However, marine environment populations often have large census sizes and few obvious boundaries to gene flow. Poorly understood species in the deep sea are especially at risk of being erroneously managed as a single interbreeding stock (panmictic). However, mistaking cryptic structure for panmixia can have important consequences leading to ineffective management and population decline. Furthermore, characteristics of populations essential for their survival may reflect local adaptation, not evident from surveys using neutral genetic markers.

We use genomic methodologies to test hypotheses about potential drivers of cryptic population structure among marine fish populations in the deep sea. In particular, we consider the possibility of isolation by distance along habitat corridors for a species dependent on a specific depth range and test for differentiation at functional loci across potential ecological habitat boundaries.

For a species previously understood to be panmictic in the North Atlantic, we reveal neutral genetic differentiation among regional populations isolated by distance along deep‐water channels. We also reveal a distinct pattern of cryptic genetic structure for putative functional loci, despite apparently high levels of gene flow.

Synthesis and applications. This example reflects the life history and ecology of a broad range of deep‐sea species currently exploited in intensive fisheries or as bycatch. In many cases where these populations are managed as a single stock, more effective management could be achieved using the methods we describe to identify relevant eco‐evolutionary processes, facilitated by genomic methods, permitting the recognition of cryptic stock structure. This approach also allows managers to more directly promote the essential but elusive conservation of adaptive potential.
Climate warming is predicted to enhance the negative effects of harvesting on high‐latitude lake fish
Authors: Smalås Aslak , Strøm John F. , Amundsen Per‐Arne , Dieckmann Ulf , Primicerio Raul
Published: November 2019

Ecosystems at high latitudes are exposed to some of the highest rates of climate warming on earth, and freshwater ecosystems in those regions are already experiencing extended ice‐free seasons and warmer waters. The dominant fish species in these ecosystems are cold‐water salmonids, which play a central ecological role in lake ecosystems, where they are often exposed to size‐selective fisheries that truncate their size and age distributions, making them potentially vulnerable to exploitation and environmental perturbations.

Here, we address the combined effects of climate‐induced water temperature increase (using regionally downscaled climate models based on the RCP‐4.5 and RCP‐8.5 climate scenarios together with an air‐to‐water temperature model) and gillnet harvesting, over the period from 1950 to 2100, on the somatic growth, demography and vulnerability of Arctic charrSalvelinus alpinus(L.), using an eco‐genetic individual‐based model. The model captures successive annual life‐history events, including the key processes of size‐dependent mortality, age‐ and size‐dependent maturation described by a probabilistic reaction norm, temperature‐dependent growth, size‐dependent reproduction and density‐dependent recruitment.

Our model predicts that higher water temperatures will increase the somatic growth of Arctic charr, leading to larger body size at age and increased stock biomass: for RCP‐8.5, we predict an 80% increase in stock biomass in the year 2100 relative to the year 2000 in the absence of fishing. Interestingly, this potential increase in biomass in future climate scenarios will be partially masked by harvesting: for a fishing mortality of 0.3 year−1, we predict a mere 40% increase in stock biomass in 2100 relative to 2000. Despite the predicted increase in stock biomass, yield will increase substantially only when fishing mortality is low. In addition, climate warming will accentuate the age‐truncation effect of harvesting, which will target younger individuals, including immatures, thus elevating the vulnerability of the population to environmental perturbations.

Synthesis and applications. Our model‐based analyses highlight the combined effects of climate change and size‐selective fishing, emphasizing the emerging vulnerability of fish populations to multiple stressors. We recommend carefully climate‐adapted management strategies permitting only a narrow range of gillnet mesh sizes for inland fisheries at high latitudes.
The Effect of Mergers and Acquisitions on Employees: Wealth Transfer, Gain‐Sharing or Pain‐Sharing?
Authors: Kuvandikov Azimjon , Pendleton Andrew , Higgins David
Published: November 2019

This paper considers whether gains made by shareholders from corporate takeovers are achieved at the expense of employees, as proposed by the ‘wealth transfer’ perspective. It analyses the contribution of employee lay‐offs, along with employment and wage changes, to the takeover premium and abnormal share price movements. The analysis draws on a unique dataset of British takeovers, combining documentary, share price and accounting data. The results show that lay‐offs planned at the takeover have either no effect or adverse effects on shareholder returns. Wages growth is positively, not inversely, related to shareholder returns from the second year after the takeover, whilst positive employment changes have a similar effect in the following year. Closer scrutiny indicates that labour and shareholders share gains when the firm does well, but share pain when it does not. There is evidence, therefore, that labour and shareholder interests can be complementary, rather than antagonistic, after takeovers.
The secretome of Pichia pastoris in fed‐batch cultivations is largely independent of the carbon source but changes quantitatively over cultivation time
Authors: Burgard Jonas , Grünwald‐Gruber Clemens , Altmann Friedrich , Zanghellini Jürgen , Valli Minoska , Mattanovich Diethard , Gasser Brigitte
Published: November 2019

The quantitative changes of the secretome of recombinant Pichia pastoris (Komagataella phaffii) CBS7435 over the time‐course of methanol‐ or glucose‐limited fed‐batch cultures were investigated by LC‐ESI‐MS/MS to define the carbon source‐specific secretomes under controlled bioreactor conditions. In both set‐ups, no indication for elevated cell lysis was found. The quantitative data revealed that intact and viable P. pastoris cells secrete only a low number of endogenous proteins (in total 51), even during high cell density cultivation. Interestingly, no marked differences in the functional composition of the P. pastoris secretome between methanol‐ and glucose‐grown cultures were observed with only few proteins being specifically affected by the carbon source. The ‘core secretome’ of 22 proteins present in all analysed carbon sources (glycerol, glucose and methanol) consists mainly of cell wall proteins. The quantitative analysis additionally revealed that most secretome proteins were already present after the batch phase, and depletion rather than accumulation occurred during the fed‐batch processes. Among the changes over cultivation time, the depletion of both the extracellularly detected chaperones and the only two identified proteases (Pep4 and Yps1‐1) during the methanol‐ or glucose‐feed phase appear as most prominent.
Control of solvent production by sigma‐54 factor and the transcriptional activator AdhR in Clostridium beijerinckii
Authors: Yang Bin , Nie Xiaoqun , Gu Yang , Jiang Weihong , Yang Chen
Published: November 2019

Clostridia are obligate anaerobic bacteria that can produce solvents such as acetone, butanol and ethanol. Alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) play a key role in solvent production; however, their regulatory mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we characterized the regulatory mechanisms of two ADH‐encoding genes in C. beijerinckii. SigL (sigma factor σ54) was found to be required for transcription of adhA1 and adhA2 genes. Moreover, a novel transcriptional activator AdhR was identified, which binds to the σ54 promoter and activates σ54‐dependent transcription of adhA1 and adhA2. Clostridia beijerinckii mutants deficient in SigL or AdhR showed severely impaired butanol and ethanol production as well as altered acetone and butyrate synthesis. Overexpression of SigL resulted in significantly improved solvent production by C. beijerinckii when butyrate was added to cultures. Our results reveal SigL as a novel engineering target for improving solvent production by C. beijerinckii and other solvent‐producing clostridia. Moreover, this study gains an insight into regulation of alcohol metabolism in diverse clostridia.
Risk factors for herpes zoster infection among Filipinos with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Zamora Leonid D. , Collante Ma. Theresa M. , Navarra Sandra V.
Published: November 2019

Aim

To identify clinical risk factors associated with herpes zoster (HZ) infections in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

A case‐control study of HZ infection was performed in SLE patients seen at the University of Santo Tomas Lupus Clinics from 2009‐2014. Cases were matched 1:2 to SLE controls without HZ infection for age, sex, and disease duration. Clinical characteristics, SLE disease activity, and immunosuppressive use were compared.

Results

Sixty‐five SLE patients (61, 93.8% female) who developed HZ were matched with 130 SLE patients without HZ. Mean age was 36.75 years (±1.35; P = 1.00) for the case group; mean SLE disease duration at first HZ infection was 6.1 years (±3.3; P = .919). Four patients had more than 1 episode of HZ. There was localized HZ in 63/65 (97%), and 2 (3%) disseminated HZ infections. The case group received higher doses of prednisone 64/65 (P = .012), mean prednisone dose 18.62 mg/d (±1.48, P < .001) and more were exposed to cyclophosphamide (Cyc) (19/65; P < .001) compared to the control group's mean prednisone dose of 11.73 mg/d (±1.16); there was Cyc use in 7/130 patients. Cyc in addition to mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) use among lupus nephritis patients conferred the highest risk for HZ infection occurrence. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) use reduced the risk for HZ by 87% (adjusted odds ratio 0.13, P = .003).

Conclusion

Immunosuppressives and corticosteroid use are risk factors associated with the development of HZ in SLE. The risk for HZ increases among patients given intravenous Cyc and MMF for lupus nephritis. SLE disease activity did not show a direct association with HZ occurrence. HCQ use appeared to have a protective role against HZ infection.
Evaluation of a new primer combination to minimize plastid contamination in 16S rDNA metabarcoding analyses of alga‐associated bacterial communities
Authors: Thomas François , Dittami Simon M. , Brunet Maéva , Le Duff Nolwen , Tanguy Gwenn , Leblanc Catherine , Gobet Angélique
Published: November 2019

Plant‐ and alga‐associated bacterial communities are generally described via 16S rDNA metabarcoding using universal primers. As plastid genomes encode 16S rDNA related to cyanobacteria, these data sets frequently contain >90% plastidial sequences, and the bacterial diversity may be under‐sampled. To overcome this limitation we evaluated in silico the taxonomic coverage for four primer combinations targeting the 16S rDNA V3‐V4 region. They included a forward primer universal to Bacteria (S‐D‐Bact‐0341‐b‐S‐17) and four reverse primers designed to avoid plastid DNA amplification. The best primer combination (NOCHL) was compared to the universal primer set in the wet lab using a synthetic community and samples from three macroalgal species. The proportion of plastid sequences was reduced by 99%–100% with the NOCHL primers compared to the universal primers, irrespective of algal hosts, sample collection and extraction protocols. Additionally, the NOCHL primers yielded a higher richness while maintaining the community structure. As Planctomycetes, Verrucomicrobia and Cyanobacteria were underrepresented (70%–90%) compared to universal primers, combining the NOCHL set with taxon‐specific primers may be useful for a complete description of the alga‐associated bacterial diversity. The NOCHL primers represent an innovation to study algal holobionts without amplifying host plastid sequences and may further be applied to other photosynthetic hosts.
Mixed‐type primary germ cell tumor of the mediastinum in a young adult male with a sudden life threatening condition: A case report
Authors: Sakane Tadashi , Okuda Katsuhiro , Murase Takayuki , Watanabe Takuya , Oda Risa , Tatematsu Tsutomu , Yokota Keisuke , Haneda Hiroshi , Inagaki Hiroshi , Nakanishi Ryoichi
Published: November 2019

Primary germ cell tumors of the mediastinum are rare neoplasms. Above all, choriocarcinomas are highly aggressive with early haematogenous dissemination. Here, we report an extremely rare case of mixed‐type primary germ cell tumor of the mediastinum which occurred in a 26‐year‐old man with multiple metastases of the lung caused by choriocarcinoma components, with diffuse pulmonary hemorrhaging. The patient developed a sudden life threatening condition a few days after a needle biopsy.

Key points

Significant findings of the study: This was an extremely rare case of mixed‐type germ cell tumor in a young adult male who developed a sudden life threatening condition due to choriocarcinoma components just a few days after a needle biopsy.

What this study adds: Serious conditions may occur in patients with germ cell tumor containing choriocarcinoma components. At present, there is no other way to treat such patients than to promptly recognize complications and perform urgent multimodal intervention.
Leaf age does not justify its early removal in Carica papaya L
Authors: Ruas Katherine F. , da Silva Jefferson R. , Campostrini Eliemar , Salinas Irene , Hueso Juan J. , Cuevas Julián
Published: November 2019

This study evaluated gas exchange and therefore sink/source condition of papaya leaves as they age in order to determine the right moment for leaf blade removal under two different strategies of climate control in greenhouses of Almería (SE Spain): Passive control (PCC; climate control of the greenhouse consisting of natural ventilation by only lateral and roof windows) versus active control (ACC; in addition to the natural ventilation, the greenhouse also incorporated a nebulization and a heating system). The effects of improved climate control were determined on papaya leaves distributed in five different positions in the canopy: S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, where S1 represented the youngest leaf, whereas S5 was the oldest (senescent) leaf present in the plant canopy. We observed that all age leaves presented positive values of net photosynthesis (Anet) despite reduced light availability under plastic greenhouses. In order to separate the effects of limited light availability from the leaf age (position in the canopy), we then repeated gas exchange measurements using artificial light (400 μmol m2 s−1) equal for all treatments and observed that the leaves of the ACC increased up to 96% their photosynthetic rates with respect to natural light. ACC plants presented also higher Anet/gs, showing better intrinsic water use efficiency. Based on these results, we discourage blade removal of papaya leaves when light availability above 400 μmol m2 s−1 is assured by correct plant spacing and cultural management.
Vasopressin in the lateral septum decreases conditioned place preference to amphetamine and nucleus accumbens dopamine release
Authors: Gárate‐Pérez Macarena F. , Méndez Alejandra , Bahamondes Carolina , Sanhueza Claudia , Guzmán Fanny , Reyes‐Parada Miguel , Sotomayor‐Zárate Ramón , Renard Georgina M.
Published: November 2019

The lateral septum (LS) is a limbic nucleus interconnected with several brain areas involved in the regulation of mood and reward. Vasopressin (AVP) is a neuropeptide that has been related to the effects of drugs of abuse, but its role in the addictive process is poorly understood. LS expresses a high density of AVP 1A receptors (V1A). The aim of this work was to examine whether the modulation of LS AVP system affects the behavioral and neurochemical responses to amphetamine (AMPH) in male rats. Our results show that AMPH‐induced conditioned place preference (CPP) produces a decrease in LS AVP content. Besides, we demonstrate that the microinjection of AVP in the LS impairs the expression of AMPH‐induced CPP and that this effect is mediated by the activation of the V1A receptor in the LS. AVP microinjection in the LS elicited a decrease in neuronal activity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in animals subjected to AMPH conditioning. Finally, AVP microinjection in the LS decreased dopamine (DA) release in the NAc. Overall, our data demonstrate that intra‐LS AVP diminishes the expression of AMPH conditioning behavior while decreasing neuronal activity and DA release in the NAc. Presumably, the effects of AVP in the LS produce an inhibition of GABAergic projections to the VTA, increasing local inhibitory tone in this nucleus, which in turn reduces the activity of DA projections to NAc. Thus, these results contribute to the knowledge about the role of AVP in LS in regulating the reward circuit and addictive like behaviors.
Arid zone island hopping: the impact of dispersal on endemism in hydraenid beetles (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae) found in isolated desert springs
Authors: DeBoo Matthew L , Murphy Nicholas P , Austin Andrew D , Watts Chris H S , Guzik Michelle T
Published: November 2019

The Great Artesian Basin (GAB) provides a reliable source of water in the form of isolated freshwater springs to an otherwise arid Australian landscape. Across this landscape, dispersal potential relative to the distribution of freshwater springs can influence diversification and endemism of associated invertebrate fauna. Many aquatic taxa inhabit these springs, but best known are the poorly dispersing short‐range endemic, obligate aquatic taxa including crustaceans, hydrobiid snails and desert goby fish. Long distance dispersal potential and its impact on diversification and endemism have not previously been examined in spring‐associated beetles, in particular the family Hydraenidae, which are found in many springs. Our aims were to examine phylogenetic relationships and identify possible endemism among individuals species of Ochthebius (Gymnochthebius) from GAB springs and to use inter‐ and intra‐specific phylogeographic structure and geographic distributions to infer dispersal capability. We sequence done mitochondrial gene for 125 individuals from three known species of Ochthebius (Gymnochthebius) Orchymont, 1943, that are endemic to the arid zone and the GAB springs. Overall, we confirmed the reciprocal monophyly of the three species as well as identifying two new spring clades of Ochthebius (Gymnochthebius). The placement of a species from Kangaroo Island within the phylogenetic tree indicated that the GAB springs species are not monophyletic and that multiple origins of Ochthebius (Gymnochthebius) have occurred into the GAB springs. Some species had shared haplotypes between spring complexes >195 km apart, suggesting significant dispersal, while other species are apparently restricted to a single spring complex, indicating a possible disparity in the dispersal ability among species. Population analysis of the most widespread species, Ochthebius (Gymnochthebius) fontinalis Perkins, 2005, revealed significant geographic and phylogenetic structure with evidence of many new haplotypes. The Ochthebius (Gymnochthebius) species examined here have a complex phylogeographic structure with evidence of endemism, but also high gene flow between spring groups, indicating that dispersal potential is varied.
Mass windborne migrations extend the range of the migratory locust in East China
Authors: Tu Xiongbing , Hu Gao , Fu Xiaowei , Zhang Yunhui , Ma Jian , Wang Yunping , Gould Philip J. L. , Du Guilin , Su Hongtian , Zhang Zehua , Chapman Jason W.
Published: November 2019

Migratory insect pests pose a substantial challenge to global food security. These issues are particularly acute when pest incursions occur considerably beyond the expected range, through natural migration or human‐aided transport, because the lack of species‐specific control strategies and a potential absence of species‐specific natural enemies in the newly‐invaded area may lead to rapid establishment of a new pest.

One such threat is posed by the Oriental migratory locust Locusta migratoria manilensis in China, which, historically, has been restricted to eastern China from the Bohai Gulf southwards, and now threatens to expand its range into the agriculturally important region of northeast China.

We analyzed data from a recent outbreak of migratory locusts in Heilongjiang Province (extreme northeast China), > 700 km north of its current known range, and identified the source region, timing of arrival and probable migratory routes of this incursion.

We further show that warming temperatures in this region will likely allow subsequent invasions to establish permanent populations in northeast China, and thus authorities in this important crop‐producing region of East Asia should be vigilant to the threat posed by this species.
The association of the UHRF1BP1 gene with systemic lupus erythematosus was replicated in a Han Chinese population from mainland China
Authors: Wen Leilei , Liu Lu , Shen Xue , Li Hui , Zhu Zhengwei , Huang He , Cai Minglong , Qian Danfeng , Shen Songke , Qiu Ying , Cui Yong , Sheng Yujun
Published: November 2019

Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the UHRF gene have been shown to be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in European and Hong Kong Chinese, but statistically significant evidence for association has not been found in a mainland Han Chinese population. Therefore, we selected SNP rs13205210 located in UHRF1BP1 as a candidate association from our previously published genome‐wide association study (GWAS) data of SLE (1,047 cases and 1,205 controls from a mainland Han Chinese population) to explore the association between the UHRF1BP1 gene and SLE. We conducted a large‐scale replication study in an additional independent sample of 3,509 cases and 8,246 controls from a mainland Han Chinese population. Real‐time PCR was used to determine gene expression differences in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from cases and controls. As a result, we replicated the association between the UHRF1BP1 gene and SLE (rs13205210, missense, Pmeta = 2.26E‐17, odds ratio = 1.41) by a meta‐analysis of our previous GWAS and this replication study involving a total of 4,556 cases and 9,451 controls. The UHRF1BP1 mRNA expression level in PBMCs was significantly decreased in patients with SLE compared with that in healthy controls. SNP rs13205210 exhibited an expression quantitative trait loci effect on the UHRF1BP1 gene in PBMCs from patients. In conclusion, this study not only suggests that the UHRF1BP1 gene was associated with SLE in a mainland Han Chinese population, but also implied that it might be a common genetic factor contributing to SLE susceptibility in multiple populations.
Association of Craving and Depressive Symptoms in Ketamine‐Dependent Patients Undergoing Withdrawal Treatment
Authors: Chen Lian‐Yu , Chen Chih‐Ken , Chen Chun‐Hsin , Chang Hu‐Ming , Huang Ming‐Chyi , Xu Ke
Published: November 2019

Background and Objectives

Ketamine has emerged as one of the major illicit substances worldwide. Craving, a primary symptom for addiction, is a key challenge for ketamine abusers attempting abstinence. A link between craving and negative affect has been suggested previously for other substances. We examined the relationship between craving and negative effect (depression and anxiety) in patients with ketamine dependence (KD) undergoing withdrawal treatment.

Methods

We included 104 patients with KD (76 males and 28 females) who received inpatient treatment for ketamine withdrawal and assessed them by using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory, and a visual analog scale (VAS; 0‐100 mm) for ketamine craving on day 2 to 3 of admission.

Results

Fifty‐nine (59%) and 38 (38.7%) of our patients reported moderate‐to‐severe depression and anxiety symptoms, respectively. Patients with greater cravings (ie, greater than the median VAS) reported spending more days on ketamine in the preceding month and displayed severer depressive symptoms than did those with lower cravings. VAS was significantly correlated with BDI scores after adjustment. Patients who stayed in the treatment longer (more than 2 weeks) experienced more cravings and depressive symptoms than those who did not.

Discussion and Conclusions

We observed a high prevalence of depression in patients with KD, particularly those with higher cravings. Patients with greater cravings and severer depression might require a longer duration of withdrawal treatment.

Scientific Significance

This research provides intimal evidence for an association between depression and craving in patients with KD. Screening and management of depression are recommended for this population. (Am J Addict 2019;00:00–00)
The Volunteer Dementia and Delirium Care (VDDC)© program: An exploration of perceived barriers and enablers to implementation in an acute and subacute metropolitan hospital
Authors: Ayton Darshini , Moran Chris , Berkovic Danielle , Bateman Catherine , Anderson Katrina , Blair Annaliese , Soh Sze‐Ee , Morello Renata , Ying Lim Yen , Liew Danny
Published: November 2019

Objective

To explore the perceived barriers and enablers to the implementation of the Volunteer Dementia and Delirium© program from the perspective of key stakeholders in a metropolitan hospital network.

Methods

Focus groups and interviews with hospital staff, volunteers, patients and caregivers. Deductive analysis was conducted for the Behaviour Change Wheel (COM‐B) domains, and inductive thematic analysis for emerging themes.

Results

Utilising the skills and knowledge of volunteers, making the program available to all patients, and recognising that volunteers will improve the care experience for patients were identified as enablers. Threats to volunteer safety, difficulty in defining roles and responsibilities of volunteers, volunteer attrition and availability and supervision of volunteers were perceived as barriers to implementation.

Conclusion

To enhance the implementation of the program into a metropolitan setting, strategies addressing the identified barriers and enablers need to be developed.
What are the policy and program implications of individual budget style service models for low‐income older renters?
Authors: Cornell Victoria
Published: November 2019

Objective

To explore the policy and program implications of the Australian aged care reforms for low‐income older renters.

Methods

Interviews and focus groups with low‐income older renters and service providers of both housing and in‐home aged care were undertaken.

Result

Analysis of the findings emphasised the complex world of aged care service provision, particularly for low‐income renters and their service providers.

Conclusions

Societal, systemic and systematic change is required to ensure easier access to services. Policy and programming must be driven from both the bottom up and the top down, and not take a “market‐making by government” approach.
Hematological toxicities associated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy
Authors: Wong Evelyn Y. T. , Tan Grace H. C. , Kumar Mrinal , Teo Melissa C. C.
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) have been found to prolong survival in selected patients with peritoneal disease, but the extent of cytoreduction and chemoperfusion can result in systemic toxicities. We evaluate the incidence of perioperative hematological complications and its associated risk factors.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database of CRS‐HIPEC cases between April 2001 and October 2016 was performed. Patients were stratified based on the clinicopathological characteristics, perioperative incidence, grade, and duration of leukopenia (white blood cells < 4000/mm3), neutropenia (absolute neutrophils < 2000/mm3), and thrombocytopenia (platelets < 140 000/mm3).

Results

Two hundred and thirty‐five CRS‐HIPEC were performed in 220 patients with peritoneal metastasis of colorectal, ovarian, primary peritoneal, appendiceal, or mesothelioma origins. The incidences of leukopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia were 15.3%, 3.8%, and 37.9%, respectively. Median time to onset was 1 day (0‐16 days), 0 day (0‐2 days), and 1 day (1‐2 days), respectively, after operation. Median duration of leukopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia was 1 day (1‐3 days), 1 day (1‐2days), and 3 days (range 0‐16 days), respectively. Age > 60 (odds ratio [OR] 0.229 [95% CI: 0.105‐0.502], P < .001) and the use of prior chemotherapy (OR 2.46 [95% CI: 1.24, 4.83], P = .010) were independent risk factors for thrombocytopenia on multivariable logistic regression.

Conclusion

Hematological toxicities are common after hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy with thrombocytopenia being most common. Patients with age > 60, and who have undergone chemotherapy, are at risk of these toxicities and should be closely monitored post CRS‐HIPEC.
Examining the cross‐cultural validity of the positive affect and negative affect schedule between an Asian (Singaporean) sample and a Western (American) sample
Authors: Lee Sean T. H. , Hartanto Andree , Yong Jose C. , Koh Brandon , Leung Angela K.‐y.
Published: November 2019

The positive affect and negative affect schedule (PANAS) is a popular measure of positive (PA) and negative affectivity (NA). Developed and validated in Western contexts, the 20‐item scale has been frequently administered on respondents from Asian countries with the assumption of cross‐cultural measurement invariance. We examine this assumption via a rigorous multigroup confirmatory factor analysis, which allows us to assess between‐group differences in both strength of scale item‐to‐latent factor relationship (metric invariance test) and mean of each scale item (scalar invariance test), on a large sample of 1,065 respondents recruited from Singapore (Asian sample) and the United States (Western sample). We found that two items assessing PA (“excited” and “proud”) and three items assessing NA (“guilty,” “hostile,” and “ashamed”) exhibited metric noninvariance whereas 11 of the remaining metric invariant items exhibited scalar noninvariance, suggesting that the PA and NA constructs differ from what the PANAS is expected to measure for Asian respondents. Our findings serve as a cautionary note to researchers who intend to administer the PANAS in future studies as well as to researchers interpreting the results of past studies involving respondents from Asian countries.