bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Development of a Nurse-Led Internet-Based Learning and Self-care Program for Cancer Patients With Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression—A Part of U-CARE
Authors: Hauffman Anna , Alfonsson Sven , Mattsson Susanne , Forslund Marina , Bill-Axelson Anna , Nygren Peter , Johansson Birgitta
Published: May 2016

Background:

Having access to information about the disease and being encouraged to participate in self-care activities may reduce anxiety and depression symptoms in cancer patients. Internet-based interventions may be one way to support effective self-care strategies to improve emotional well-being and health-related quality of life.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to describe the development and acceptance of an Internet-based program intended to support cancer patients with anxiety and depression symptoms.

Methods:

A structured collaboration between patients, clinicians, and researchers was used to develop a theory- and evidence-based interactive health communication application (IHCA) based on Orem’s self-care deficit nursing theory with influences from Bandura’s social learning theory and psychoeducation.

Results:

The result is an IHCA described as a Nurse-led, Internet-based Learning and Self-care program that helps patients to perform self-care using different types of material in interaction with patients and healthcare staff. The acceptance of the program is consistent with the results of similar studies.

Conclusions:

Collaboration between patients, clinicians, and researchers seems to be a fruitful approach in the development of an IHCA aiming to support cancer patients’ self-care strategies. Well-designed intervention studies are needed to evaluate the effects of the IHCA.

Implications for Practice:

This article suggests a theoretical foundation for an IHCA and allows researchers and healthcare providers to take part in the discussion regarding format and content of IHCAs.
Medicare Spending and Evidence-Based Approach in Surgical Treatment of Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Arthritis: 2001 to 2010
Authors: Mahmoudi Elham , Yuan Frank , Lark Meghan E. , Aliu Oluseyi , Chung Kevin C.
Published: May 2016

Background:

Despite equivalent outcomes among surgical treatments of thumb carpometacarpal arthritis, little is known about the variation in spending. Because of its complexities, the authors hypothesized that trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition incurs the greatest cost to Medicare compared with other surgical procedures.

Methods:

Using a random 5 percent sample of Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with thumb carpometacarpal joint arthritis, the authors examined total and out-of-pocket spending for 3530 patients who underwent a surgical treatment between 2001 and 2010. The authors used generalized linear regression models, controlling for patient characteristics and place of surgery, to examine variations in spending.

Results:

Eighty-nine percent of patients who underwent surgery received trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition, with total and out-of-pocket spending of $2576 (95 percent CI, $2333 to $2843; p < 0.001) and $436 (95 percent CI, $429 to $531; p < 0.001), respectively. Simple complete trapeziectomy was the least expensive procedure, performed in 5 percent of patients, with total and out-of-pocket spending of $1268 (95 percent CI, $1089 to $1476; p < 0.001) and $236 (95 percent CI, $180 to $258; p < 0.001), respectively. Because of increasingly higher facility costs, performing the same procedure in a hospital outpatient setting compared with an ambulatory center would increase Medicare spending by more than two-fold (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

With a consistent rise in health care spending, adherence to an evidence-based approach in medicine is more important than ever. Most surgeons continue to perform trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition, the most expensive surgical option. Medicare could potentially save $7.4 million annually if simple complete trapeziectomy was the procedure of choice.
Breast Reconstruction with SIEA Flaps: A Single-Institution Experience with 145 Free Flaps
Authors: Park Julie E. , Shenaq Deana S. , Silva Amanda K. , Mhlaba Julie M. , Song David H.
Published: May 2016

Background:

Refinements in microsurgical breast reconstruction have refined superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) and superficial circumflex iliac artery (SCIA) flaps, yet technical difficulties and varied success rates limit widespread acceptance. The authors present the outcomes of their experience with 145 consecutive SIEA/SCIA flaps and suggest technical tips to improve success with this important flap.

Methods:

An institutional review board–approved retrospective chart review of all SIEA/SCIA free flaps performed by the senior authors between January 1, 2006, and February 6, 2014, was conducted. Data on patient demographics, flap characteristics, and complications were collected.

Results:

There were 145 flaps performed in 119 patients. Arterial donor and recipient mismatch occurred in 55 instances (38 percent). In these cases, 48 arteries (87 percent) were spatulated and seven (13 percent) were back-cut to improve size concordance. Nine flaps required operative return for flap viability concerns. Five were arterial, three were venous, and one flap had concomitant arterial and venous thrombosis. Total flap loss rate attributable to thrombotic events was 4.8 percent. No flaps with arterial thrombosis on reoperation were salvageable. Furthermore, 80 percent had arterial revisions at initial operation. No patients had an abdominal bulge or hernia, and the fat necrosis rate was 10.3 percent.

Conclusions:

SIEA/SCIA breast reconstruction can be reliably performed; however, flaps exhibiting postoperative arterial thrombosis with revision at initial surgery are unlikely salvageable on reoperation. Spatulation did not correlate with an increased thrombosis rate; in fact, the authors advocate for donor artery manipulation to manage size mismatch.

CLINCAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, IV.
Malignant Pyoderma Associated with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (Wegener Granulomatosis) as a Unique Indication for Facial Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation: Part I
Authors: Gastman Brian , Hashem Ahmed M. , Djohan Risal , Bernard Steven , Hendrickson Mark , Schwarz Graham , Gharb Bahar B. , Rampazzo Antonio , Fernandez Anthony , Zins James , Hoffman Gary S. , Doumit Gaby , Siemionow Maria , Papay Francis
Published: May 2016

Background:

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener granulomatosis) is a rare disease that commonly starts in the craniofacial region and can lead to considerable facial disfigurement. Granulomas and vasculitis, however, can involve many other tissues (especially pulmonary and renal). Dermatologic and subcutaneous components can lead to malignant pyoderma.

Methods:

The authors describe a unique pathologic condition, where significant Le Fort type trauma was associated with subsequent development of granulomatosis with polyangiitis and malignant pyoderma. Successive operations to excise necrotic tissue and reconstruct the defects were followed by worsening inflammation and tissue erosions. Trauma and surgery in proximity to the eye and sinuses masked the initial clinical presentation and led to delay in diagnosis and disease progression. The resultant facial disfigurement and tissue loss were substantial.

Results:

Despite multiple confounding factors, accurate diagnosis was eventually established. This was based on persistence of sinus inflammations in the absence of infective agents, proven sterility of lung lesions, and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody positivity with proteinase 3 specificity. Skin lesion biopsy specimens were identified as pyoderma gangrenosum and later as malignant pyoderma. Institution of immunosuppressive therapy allowed successful control of the disease and wound healing. The resulting craniofacial destruction, however, necessitated facial vascularized composite allotransplantation.

Conclusion:

Recognition of this rare pathologic association is essential, to prevent delays in diagnosis and treatment that can lead to major craniofacial tissue loss.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, V.
Systematic analysis of the
PTEN
5′ leader identifies a major AUU initiated proteoform
Authors: Tzani Ioanna , Ivanov Ivaylo P. , Andreev Dmitri E. , Dmitriev Ruslan I. , Dean Kellie A. , Baranov Pavel V. , Atkins John F. , Loughran Gary
Published: May 2016

Abundant evidence for translation within the 5′ leaders of many human genes is rapidly emerging, especially, because of the advent of ribosome profiling. In most cases, it is believed that the act of translation rather than the encoded peptide is important. However, the wealth of available sequencing data in recent years allows phylogenetic detection of sequences within 5′ leaders that have emerged under coding constraint and therefore allow for the prediction of functional 5′ leader translation. Using this approach, we previously predicted a CUG-initiated, 173 amino acid N-terminal extension to the human tumour suppressor PTEN. Here, a systematic experimental analysis of translation events in the
PTEN
5′ leader identifies at least two additional non-AUG-initiated PTEN proteoforms that are expressed in most human cell lines tested. The most abundant extended PTEN proteoform initiates at a conserved AUU codon and extends the canonical AUG-initiated PTEN by 146 amino acids. All N-terminally extended PTEN proteoforms tested retain the ability to downregulate the PI3K pathway. We also provide evidence for the translation of two conserved AUG-initiated upstream open reading frames within the
PTEN
5′ leader that control the ratio of PTEN proteoforms.
Modulation of natural killer cell functions by interactions between 2B4 and CD48 incisand intrans
Authors: Claus Maren , Wingert Sabine , Watzl Carsten
Published: May 2016

SLAM-related receptors (SRRs) are important modulators of immune cell function. While most SRRs are homophilic, 2B4 (CD244) interacts with CD48, a GPI-anchored protein expressed on many haematopoietic cells. Here we show that natural killer (NK) cell-expressed 2B4 not only binds intransto CD48 on neighbouring cells but also interacts inciswith CD48 on the same cell. 2B4 uses the same binding site to interact with CD48 incisand intransand structural flexibility of 2B4 is necessary for thecisinteraction. Furthermore, thecisinteraction is sufficient to induce basal phosphorylation of 2B4. However,cisinteraction reduces the ability of 2B4 to bind CD48 intrans. As a consequence, stimulation-dependent phosphorylation of 2B4 upon binding to CD48 positive target cells is reduced. Interfering with thecisinteraction therefore enhanced the lysis of CD48-expressing tumour cells. These data show that the density of 2B4 and CD48 on both the NK cell and the potential target cell modulates NK cell activity.
In vivo
myosin step-size from zebrafish skeletal muscle
Authors: Burghardt Thomas P. , Ajtai Katalin , Sun Xiaojing , Takubo Naoko , Wang Yihua
Published: May 2016

Muscle myosins transduce ATP free energy into actin displacement to power contraction.
In vivo
, myosin side chains are modified post-translationally under native conditions, potentially impacting function. Single myosin detection provides the ‘bottom-up’ myosin characterization probing basic mechanisms without ambiguities inherent to ensemble observation. Macroscopic muscle physiological experimentation provides the definitive ‘top-down’ phenotype characterizations that are the concerns in translational medicine.
In vivo
single myosin detection in muscle from zebrafish embryo models for human muscle fulfils ambitions for both bottom-up and top-down experimentation. A photoactivatable green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged myosin light chain expressed in transgenic zebrafish skeletal muscle specifically modifies the myosin lever-arm. Strychnine induces the simultaneous contraction of the bilateral tail muscles in a live embryo, causing them to be isometric while active. Highly inclined thin illumination excites the GFP tag of single lever-arms and its super-resolution orientation is measured from an active isometric muscle over a time sequence covering many transduction cycles. Consecutive frame lever-arm angular displacement converts to step-size by its product with the estimated lever-arm length. About 17% of the active myosin steps that fall between 2 and 7 nm are implicated as powerstrokes because they are beyond displacements detected from either relaxed or ATP-depleted (rigor) muscle.
A crystallographic study of human NONO (p54nrb): overcoming pathological problems with purification, data collection and noncrystallographic symmetry
Authors: Knott Gavin J. , Panjikar Santosh , Thorn Andrea , Fox Archa H. , Conte Maria R. , Lee Mihwa , Bond Charles S.
Published: May 2016

Non-POU domain-containing octamer-binding protein (NONO, a.k.a. p54nrb) is a central player in nuclear gene regulation with rapidly emerging medical significance. NONO is a member of the highly conservedDrosophilabehaviour/human splicing (DBHS) protein family, a dynamic family of obligatory dimeric nuclear regulatory mediators. However, work with the NONO homodimer has been limited by rapid irreversible sample aggregation. Here, it is reported that L-proline stabilizes purified NONO homodimers, enabling good-quality solution small-angle X-ray structure determination and crystallization. NONO crystallized in the apparent space groupP21with a unique axis (b) of 408.9 Å and with evidence of twinning, as indicated by the cumulative intensity distributionLstatistic, suggesting the possibility of space groupP1. Structure solution by molecular replacement shows a superhelical arrangement of six NONO homodimers (or 12 inP1) oriented parallel to the long axis, resulting in extensive noncrystallographic symmetry. Further analysis revealed that the crystal was not twinned, but the collected data suffered from highly overlapping reflections that obscured theL-test. Optimized data collection on a new crystal using higher energy X-rays, a smaller beam width and an increased sample-to-detector distance produced non-overlapping reflections to 2.6 Å resolution. The steps taken to analyse and overcome this series of practical difficulties and to produce a biologically informative structure are discussed.
The paradox of development. The challenges of a French subsidiary vis-à-vis its Latin-American corporate headquarters
Authors: Bonneton Domitille , Muratbekova-Touron Maral , Pinot de Villechenon Florence
Published: May 2016

Subject area

International Human Resource Management.

Study level/applicability

Master in Management, MBA.

Case overview

This case is based upon a real Latin-American multinational company operating in France. The character called Anne, Human Resources Director of the French subsidiary, has to implement an organizational project, while at the same time managing local constraints. She also deals with the internal employee survey on working conditions. Through this case study, students will analyze international human resources issues in a company that has offices in different locations and therefore has to deal with different cultural and legal constraints. It tackles questions of employee satisfaction, working conditions and internal communication. It deals with the specific role of the Human Resources (HR) Director of a multinational company’s foreign subsidiary, who has to comply with headquarters’ instructions concerning the implementation of organizational projects and also abide by local laws and regulations.

Expected learning outcomes

“The Paradox of Development” case has four main learning objectives: It illustrates some well-known cultural values frameworks, such as Hall and Hall’s (1990), Hofstede’s (1991), Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner’s (1998) and the GLOBE study’s (House et al., 2004) in a concrete way. It teaches students how to deal with the particular issues and constraints of multinationals when operating abroad, especially when the company’s headquarters are located in a developing country while the subsidiaries are in a developed country. And it helps them better understand the role of an HR Director in such a context. It illustrates the shift from standardization–localization debate [global integration – local adaptation dilemma, Bartlett and Ghoshal (1989); Prahalad and Doz (1987)] towards the choice of HR practices among three options, not two: standardization towards headquarters’ practices, standardization towards global best practices and localization (Pudelko and Harzing, 2007, 2008). It tackles the issues of employee satisfaction and working conditions in an international context where employees have different cultural values.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 6: Human Resource Management
A value-added analysis of trade in Taiwan and Korea’s ICT industries
Authors: Lin Hsing-Chun , Hsu Shih-Hsun , Liou Ruey-Wan , Chang Ching-Cheng
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to extricate value-added exports in information and communications technology (ICT) industry earned by Taiwan and Korea. Additionally, the authors decompose Taiwan and Korea’s gross exports into various meaningful components.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use the inter-country input-output (ICIO) table which endows with cost structures of industries as well as trade information, facilitating in keeping track of the flow of products and value-added. The ICIO table used in this paper comes from the World Input-Output Database. The authors also use the way Wang et al. (2013) decomposed the intermediate goods exports into various components to provide further insights.

Findings

– The empirical results indicate that Taiwan and Korea’s ICT export to the world shrink by 47.8 and 40.9 percent when the trades are measured in value-added terms. Taiwan and Korea’s ICT export will also decrease by 75.1 and 57.8 percent. From the viewpoint of value added in trade, the share of value added embodied in Taiwan and Korea’s gross ICT exports continued to decrease and reached 24.9 and 42.2 percent in 2011, while the components of pure double counted terms kept growing in recent years.

Originality/value

– With global value chains flourishing in recent years, conventional trade statistics not only fails to highlight the vertical specialization among different countries, but also distorts the measurement of a country’s competitiveness. This paper extricates value-added exports in ICT industry earned by Taiwan and Korea and bring into focus the importance of trade in value added.
An empirical analysis on the performance of the third-party logistics in the Korean exporter
Authors: Park Yoon-Hwan , Jeong Yoon-Say
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the process of enhancing logistics performances in Korean exporters’ utilizing “third-party logistics” (3PL) in area of delivery service to overseas buyers.

Design/methodology/approach

– A research model was designed on the mechanism of Korean exporters’ utilizing 3PL and the collaborative relationships (CR) between exporters and “logistics service providers” (LSPs) in supply chain management context. The mechanism means what triggers the Korean exporters to choose LSPs in overseas trade. Conclusions were drawn from survey data gathered from 146 exporters in Korea. Structural equation model with partial least square was employed to measure the statistical significance of the hypothesized model paths.

Findings

– This study provides evidence that exporters’ evaluation on the customization of LSPs’ service capacities, the reasonability of LSPs’ service fees and the information sharing are three important prerequisites to CR between exporters and LSPs. This study is focussed on exporters’ performance such as consistency of secure delivery (SD), exporters’ logistics cost savings (CS) and exporters’ satisfaction. The results show a strong support for this study, with positive and significant effects of CR on the consistency of SD, exporters’ logistics CS and exporters’ satisfaction.

Practical implications

– This study proves that exporters’ performance derived from the CR results in exporters’ loyalty to LSPs, which means LSPs’ performance.

Originality/value

– There are very few studies on utilization of 3PL related to delivery of export goods to overseas buyers and relevant exporters’ performance. However, this study has particularly explored the mechanism in the relation of exporters’ using 3PL and its performance.
Experimental investigation of machinability characteristics in Al-TiB2metal matrix composite (MMC) based on the Taguchi method with fuzzy logics
Authors: Jenarthanan M.P. , Ram Prakash A. , Jeyapaul R.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a mathematical model for metal removal rate and surface roughness through Taguchi method and analyse the influence of the individual input machining parameters (cutting speed, feed rate, helix angle, depth of cut and wt% on the responses in milling of aluminium-titanium diboride metal matrix composite (MMC) with solid carbide end mill cutter coated with nano-crystals.

Design/methodology/approach

– Taguchi OA is used to optimise the material removal rate (MRR) and Surface Roughness by developing a mathematical model. End Milling is used to create slots by combining various input parameters. Five factors, three-level Taguchi method is employed to carry out the experimental investigation. Fuzzy logic is used to find the optimal cutting factors for surface roughness (Ra) and MRR. The factors considered were weight percentage of TiB2, cutting speed, depth of cut and feed rate. The plan for the experiments and analysis was based on the Taguchi L27 orthogonal array with five factors and three levels. MINITAB 17 software is used for regression, S/N ratio and analysis of variance. MATLAB 7.10.0 is used to perform the fuzzy logics systems.

Findings

– Using fuzzy logics, multi-response performance index is generated, with which the authors can identify the correct combination of input parameters to get higher MRR and lower surface roughness value with the chosen range with 95 per cent confidence intervals. Using such a model, remarkable savings in time and cost can be obtained.

Originality/value

– Machinability characteristics in Al-TiB2MMC based on the Taguchi method with fuzzy logic has not been analysed previously.
Institutional pressures, resources commitment, and returns management
Authors: Huang Yi-Chun , Yang Min-Li , Wong Ying-Jiuan
Published: May 2016

Purpose

This study aims to explore the relationships among institutional pressures, commitment of resources and returns management. Returns management is regarded as a part of supply chain management. However, the research in returns management has received much less attention. To bridge the gap, this study concerns key concepts from two important schools of thought, i.e. institutional theory and the resource-based view, to build up the research model.

Design/methodology/approach

Retailers and maintenance providers in the 3C industry (computers, communication and consumer electronics) in Taiwan were surveyed, and the statistical methods of hierarchical and moderated regression were used to examine the relationships among institutional pressures, commitment of resources and returns management.

Findings

Institutional pressures, comprising non-market and market pressures, affect the implementation of returns management (product return practices and product recovery practices). Commitments of resources positively and significantly moderate the relationship between the pressures imposed by non-market and market actors and product return practices and product recovery practices.

Research limitations/implications

This study investigates only the factors that drive returns management. Future research can examine the relationship between the antecedents and consequences of returns management. Furthermore, returns management may become increasingly critical for firms to develop and perform corporate social responsibility (CSR). Therefore, future research can investigate the relationship between CSR practices and returns management.

Practical implications

This research suggests that managers under institutional pressures should continually pay attention to the effects of external factors on returns management. Additionally, the results reveal that a commitment of resources can reinforce the relationship between the pressures imposed by non-market and market actors and the implementation of returns management. Under significant institutional pressures and resource constraints, managers may increase the effectiveness of returns management while attending to the concerns of non-market and market actors.

Originality/value

This study presents a model that considers three major explicative variables: institutional pressures, resources commitment and returns management. It is the first investigation to integrate three streams of literature on institutional theory, the resource-based view and returns management.
Naparima Company Limited: beyond the financing crunch
Authors: Bowrin Anthony Roger , Kickham Lawrence , Krupp Stacie L.
Published: May 2016

Synopsis

Naparima Company Limited (NCL) was an importer and wholesaler of grocery and household products in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies. Following increasing competition and the adoption of more lavish lifestyles by its owners, the company had fallen on hard times. Its banker, First Republic Bank, had called its outstanding loans of $1.412 million and given the company 90 days to repay all sums outstanding. Also, several major creditors had threatened legal action to recover amounts payable. This had forced NCL to explore alternative financing arrangements and to devise strategies that would improve its financial situation.

Research methodology

The authors used both field interviews and secondary data when preparing this case. One of the authors was a consultant to the company as it worked to develop a restructuring plan. The primary data gleaned from that process, which included interviews with all three leaders of NCL and a review of the company's financial statements, was supplemented by the collection of secondary data about the industry and its competitors from interviews with the executive director of industry association, and information about the national economic environment from newspaper articles and library resources.

Relevant courses and levels

This case is suitable for senior-level undergraduate students in a capstone business course, and graduate students in small business management and family business management courses.
Ivey Executive Development
Authors: Anderson Joe , Williams Susan K.
Published: May 2016

Synopsis

The Ivey Business School recently decided to outsource its printing to ProPrintR. Barbara Pokropek, Ivey Executive Development (IED), was faced with managing IED's outsourced printing jobs. There had been an increasing number of quality issues with the binder that ProPrintR prepared for IED's executive classes. While binder material errors may not sound like a big deal, for IED these materials are part of their branding and can lead to executive student dissatisfaction. This case describes the evolution of the current situation and challenges students to consider how to manage the situation.

Research methodology

The situation described in this critical incident is real, only the name of the print provider has been changed. Barbara Pokropek was interviewed and she provided the data and examples described. Ms Pokropek reviewed and provided input to revise the manuscript.

Relevant courses and levels

This case is intended for undergraduate core operations management classes. It can be used to discuss supplier relations and supply management. As such there are multiple dimensions to the case: importance of clearly delineating the work needed, defining performance expectations and metrics for a supplier, selecting quality tools to help measure performance, and centralized vs decentralized supply management.
Homology and isomorphism: Bourdieu in conversation with New Institutionalism
Authors: Wang Yingyao
Published: May 2016

Bourdieusian Field Theory (BFT) provided decisive inspiration for the early conceptual formulation of New Institutionalism (NI). This paper attempts to reinvigorate the stalled intellectual dialogue between NI and BFT by comparing NI's concept of isomorphism with BFT's notion of homology. I argue that Bourdieu's understanding of domination‐oriented social action, transposable habitus, and a non‐linear causality, embodied in his neglected concept of homology, provides an alternative theorization of field‐level convergence to New Institutionalism's central idea of institutional isomorphism. To showcase how BFT can be useful for organizational research, I postulate a habitus‐informed and field‐conditioned theory of transference to enrich NI's spin‐off thesis of ‘diffusion’. I propose that while NI can benefit from BFT's potential of bringing social structure back into organizational research, BFT can enrich its social analysis by borrowing from NI's elaboration of the symbolic system of organizations.
Do You See What I See? The Consequences of Objectification in Work Settings for Experiencers and Third Party Predictors
Authors: Gervais Sarah J. , Wiener Richard L. , Allen Jill , Farnum Katlyn S. , Kimble Katherine
Published: May 2016

Sexual objectification is a significant problem that permeates all areas of women's lives including the workplace. This research examines the impact of sexual objectification on women in work settings by integrating objectification, sexual harassment, and affective forecasting theories. We used a laboratory analogue that included undergraduate women who actually experienced objectification during a work interview (i.e., experiencers) and third‐party predictors (including female and male undergraduates as well as female and male community workers) who anticipated the effects of objectification (i.e., predictors). We measured actual and anticipated emotions, performance, and sexual harassment following objectification. We found that both mild and severe objectification caused weaker positive affect, stronger negative affect, worse work performance, and higher sexual harassment judgments, but these effects were primarily driven by predictors anticipating worse outcomes following objectification compared to what experiencers actually reported. We also found that experiencers’ responses to objectification were moderated by benevolent sexism with women lower in benevolent sexism responding more similarly to predictors relative to women higher in benevolent sexism. Both experiencers and predictors evaluated interviewers who engaged in objectification equally negatively. Finally, we explored differences between predictors who were female and male undergraduate students versus community workers and found that these parties anticipated different consequences, depending on worker status and gender. Implications for sexual objectification, sexual harassment, and affective forecasting theories as well as practical implications for policy and law are discussed.
Oligoclonality and new agent evaluation in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Authors: Gaynon Paul S. , Sun Weili
Published: May 2016

New agent development rests on the fundamental assumption that candidate agents or drug combinations that induce objective responses after relapse will prevent relapse, if applied prior to relapse. However, cumulative experience now includes at least 5 examples of interventions with post‐relapse objective response rates greater than 50% that failed to improve outcomes when applied prior to relapse. Emerging insights into oligoclonality provide some explanation. In acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, the predominant clones at relapse differ from the predominant clones at presentation. Arguably, the more highly proliferative clones that predominate at relapse differ in drug sensitivity from the less proliferative clones that escape primary therapy. Interventions effective against the predominant clones at relapse may have no effect on the antecedent escapee clones. Response is not sufficient in new agent development. Duration of response has attracted less attention because of variability in post‐remission therapy but some patient subsets have such a uniformly dismal outcome that details of post‐remission therapy may be irrelevant. Benchmarks are needed. Are recovering blasts members of the same clone or do they represent a new clone? When you eradicate the predominant clones you get a response. When you eradicate all clones, you get a cure.
Effect of intravenous vitamin C on postoperative pain in uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with tonsillectomy
Authors: Ayatollahi V. , Dehghanpour Farashah S. , Behdad S. , Vaziribozorg S. , Rabbani Anari M.
Published: May 2016

Background

Postoperative pain is a common problem in hospitals. Adults undergoing uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) with tonsillectomy experience an unacceptable level of intense postoperative pain, especially during the first 24 h after surgery. This study investigated the analgesic effects of vitamin C in patients undergoing UPPP and tonsillectomy.

Method

This study was done on forty patients that were evaluated in a randomised double‐blinded clinical trial. Patients included in the study were within the age range of 25–50 years with BMI<35, physical status I,II according to the American Society of Anesthesia (ASA) and who underwent uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and tonsillectomy. Patients with epilepsy, BMI>35, any neuropsychiatric disorders, a history of chronic pain, liver and/or renal disease, drug allergy, and drug abuse were excluded from the study. All patients underwent the same method of anaesthesia and surgical procedure. During the first 30 min after the beginning of the surgery, group C (vitamin C) received infusion of 3 g vitamin C in 500 mL of Ringer and group P received 6 mL normal saline in 500 mL of Ringer. Measurements of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were recorded before and during anaesthesia and at intervals of 0,15,30 and 60 min after extubation. Pain severity was recorded according to VAS score at intervals of 0 (recovery room), 6, 12 and 24 h after the procedure, request for analgesic drugs (iv paracetamol or pethedine) according to total number of times of analgesic request and time of the first dose of analgesic use and dose of pethidine were also recorded by questionnaire.

Results

There was a significant difference in evaluations for mean pain severity between the two groups at recovery room, 6, 12 and 24 h after surgery (P‐value = 0.001). There was a significant difference in mean times that patient requested an analgesic, time of first dose of analgesic and pethidine dose between the two groups (P‐value< 0.05). There was no significant differences in measurements of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate in different times between the two groups (P‐value> 0.05). Blood loss was similar in the two groups (P‐value> 0.05).

Conclusion

According to this study, administration of vitamin C 3 g IV intraoperative reduced postoperative pain without increased side‐effects in patients undergoing UPPP and tonsillectomy.
Cell‐free microRNAs in blood and other body fluids, as cancer biomarkers
Authors: Ortiz‐Quintero Blanca
Published: May 2016

The discovery of cell‐free microRNAs (miRNAs) in serum, plasma and other body fluids has yielded an invaluable potential source of non‐invasive biomarkers for cancer and other non‐malignant diseases. miRNAs in the blood and other body fluids are highly stable in biological samples and are resistant to environmental conditions, such as freezing, thawing or enzymatic degradation, which makes them convenient as potential biomarkers. In addition, they are more easily sampled than tissue miRNAs. Altered levels of cell‐free miRNAs have been found in every type of cancer analysed, and increasing evidence indicates that they may participate in carcinogenesis by acting as cell‐to‐cell signalling molecules. This review summarizes the biological characteristics and mechanisms of release of cell‐free miRNAs that make them promising candidates as non‐invasive biomarkers of cancer.
Cutaneous angiosarcoma mimicking xanthoma: a challenging histopathologic diagnosis with important consequences
Authors: Llamas‐Velasco Mar , Kutzner Heinz , Requena Luis
Published: May 2016

Cutaneous angiosarcoma may show protean histopathologic features. Rare or uncommon variants include epithelioid, clear cell, granular cell, verrucous, pseudolymphomatous and signet‐ring cell types. Perhaps the rarest type consists of cutaneous angiosarcoma with xanthomization of neoplastic cells. We report an extraordinary case with almost all neoplastic cells exhibiting a xanthomatous appearance that was studied both histopathologically and immunohistochemically. We discuss the histopathologic differential diagnosis of foamy cell angiosarcoma with other neoplasms that may show similar histopathology.
Thyroid cytology: a review of current international reporting systems and emerging developments
Authors: Wise O. , Howard M. R.
Published: May 2016

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a widely available initial diagnostic tool for the investigation of thyroid nodules. The findings are paramount for appropriate patient management, which is best determined in the multidisciplinary setting. However, while international classification systems utilise similar criteria, there are areas, particularly in the management of the ‘indeterminate’ category, which require resolution. This review article compares the current classification systems used worldwide and explores how the developing fields of molecular/sequencing techniques, as well as the use of rapid on‐site assessment, may improve our diagnostic certainty.
Low Six4 and Six5 gene dosage improves dystrophic phenotype and prolongs life span of mdx mice
Authors: Yajima Hiroshi , Kawakami Kiyoshi
Published: May 2016

Muscle regeneration is an important process for skeletal muscle growth and recovery. Repair of muscle damage is exquisitely programmed by cellular mechanisms inherent in myogenic stem cells, also known as muscle satellite cells. We demonstrated previously the involvement of homeobox transcription factors, SIX1, SIX4 and SIX5, in the coordinated proliferation and differentiation of isolated satellite cells in vitro. However, their roles in adult muscle regeneration in vivo remain elusive. To investigate SIX4 and SIX5 functions during muscle regeneration, we introduced knockout alleles of Six4 and Six5 into an animal model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), mdx (Dmdmdx/Y) mice, characterized by frequent degeneration‐regeneration cycles in muscles. A lower number of small myofibers, higher number of thick ones and lower serum creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase activities were noted in 50‐week‐old Six4+/−5+/−Dmdmdx/Y mice than Dmdmdx/Y mice, indicating improvement of dystrophic phenotypes of Dmdmdx/Y mice. Higher proportions of cells positive for MYOD1 and MYOG (markers of regenerating myonuclei) and SIX1 (a marker of regenerating myoblasts and newly regenerated myofibers) in 12‐week‐old Six4+/−5+/−Dmdmdx/Y mice suggested enhanced regeneration, compared with Dmdmdx/Y mice. Although grip strength was comparable in Six4+/−5+/−Dmdmdx/Y and Dmdmdx/Y mice, treadmill exercise did not induce muscle weakness in Six4+/−5+/−Dmdmdx/Y mice, suggesting higher regeneration capacity. In addition, Six4+/−5+/−Dmdmdx/Y mice showed 33.8% extension of life span. The results indicated that low Six4 and Six5 gene dosage improved dystrophic phenotypes of Dmdmdx/Y mice by enhancing muscle regeneration, and suggested that SIX4 and SIX5 are potentially useful de novo targets in therapeutic applications against muscle disorders, including DMD.
Increasing patient involvement in the diabetic foot pathway: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: McBride E. , Hacking B. , O'Carroll R. , Young M. , Jahr J. , Borthwick C. , Callander A. , Berrada Z.
Published: May 2016

Aims

This pilot study aimed to explore whether the use of an intervention to increase shared decision‐making (Decision Navigation) increased decision self‐efficacy and foot‐treatment adherence in patients with a diabetic foot ulcer.

Methods

Fifty‐six patients with a diabetic foot ulcer were randomized to receive Decision Navigation (N = 30) or usual care (N = 26). Primary outcomes included decision self‐efficacy, adherence to foot treatment as reported by the participant and adherence to foot treatment as reported by the clinician. Secondary outcomes included foot ulcer healing rate, health‐related quality of life, decision conflict and decision regret.

Results

Despite participants rating Decision Navigation as very helpful, mixed analyses of variance revealed no differences in decision self‐efficacy or adherence between those receiving Decision Navigation and those receiving usual care. There were no differences between groups with regards to the secondary outcomes, with the exception of decision conflict which increased over time (12 weeks) for those receiving Decision Navigation.

Conclusions

An intervention that facilitated patient involvement in treatment decisions did not have any impact on decisional confidence or adherence to foot treatment. This does not provide support for the suggestion that personalized care can improve health‐related outcomes at this progressed stage of the patient's disease trajectory. We suggest that the diabetic foot population may benefit from interventions aimed at increasing motivation to engage with care pathways, centred on challenging personal controllability beliefs.
Enhanced pedotransfer functions with support vector machines to predict water retention of calcareous soil
Authors: Khlosi M. , Alhamdoosh M. , Douaik A. , Gabriels D. , Cornelis W. M.
Published: May 2016

Knowledge of soil hydraulic properties is of major importance for land management in dry‐land areas. The most important properties are the soil–water retention curve (SWRC) and hydraulic conductivity characteristics. Direct measurement of the SWRC is time and cost prohibitive. Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) use data mining tools to predict SWRC. Modern data mining techniques enable accurate predictions and good generalization of SWRC data. In this research we explore whether the use of support vector machines (SVMs) could improve the accuracy of prediction of SWRC. The novelty of our work is in the application of SVM data mining techniques, which are seldom used in soil research, to a limited dataset from Syria. The soil studied is calcareous and the climate is arid, for which no PTFs have been developed. Seventy‐two undisturbed soil samples were taken from four different agro‐climatic zones of Syria. The soil water contents at eight matric potentials were determined and selected as output variables. The data were split into two subsets: a training set with 54 samples for model calibration or PTF development and a test set with 18 samples for PTF validation. An overview of the theoretical foundation of this new approach and the use of specific kernel functions is given. Then, the model parameters were optimized with ninefold cross‐validation and a grid search method. The predictions of the SVM‐based PTFs were analysed with the coefficient of determination (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE). Our results showed that the accuracy of SVM was better in terms of RMSE and R2 than multiple linear regression (MLR) and the artificial neural network (ANN). The results support previous findings that the SVM approach performs better than MLR and the ANN. Furthermore, improvements in predictions of SWRC with the three data mining techniques were obtained by replacing the more conventional organic matter in the PTF with the plastic limit (PL). Therefore, SVM and PL markedly improved the accuracy of prediction of SWRC for calcareous soil.

Highlights

Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) to predict the soil–water retention curve of calcareous soil.

Improved prediction of water retention with support vector machines (SVMs)

The plastic limit (PL) appeared to be a significant predictor variable.

The results suggest the use of SVMs and PL to improve and develop PTFs further.
Attenuation of the blood pressure response to exogenous angiotensin I after oral administration of benazepril to healthy adult horses
Authors: Afonso T. , Giguère S. , Rapoport G. , Brown S. A. , Coleman A. E.
Published: May 2016

Background

Benazepril has been shown to inhibit circulating angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) activity in horses but the optimal dosage is unknown.

Objectives

To determine the lowest tested dose of benazepril that results in ≥75% attenuation in the response of arterial blood pressure (BP) to exogenous angiotensin I (ANG‐I) administration.

Study design

Prospective experimental study.

Methods

A total of 5 healthy horses were instrumented for the direct measurement of BP. Each horse received 4 intragastric doses of benazepril (0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/kg bwt) with a washout period of 7 days between doses. Prior to and 2, 12 and 24 h after benazepril administration, each horse received intravenous (i.v.) boluses of ANG‐I at 20, 60 and 200 ng/kg. Attenuation of the systolic arterial pressure (SBP) response to ANG‐I and serum ACE activity were quantified and expressed as percentage of inhibition.

Results

There was a significant effect of benazepril dose (P = 0.004) and time (P = 0.004) on the percentage of inhibition of the systolic pressor response to ANG‐I. Regardless of benazepril dose, the percentage of inhibition was significantly greater 2 h after administration of benazepril compared with 12 and 24 h. At an ANG‐I dose of 20 ng/kg, the percentage of inhibition after administration of benazepril at 1 mg/kg bwt (46.6 ± 18.9%) was significantly greater than that achieved after 0.5 mg/kg bwt (19 ± 14%) but not significantly different from that achieved at higher doses of benazepril. Benazepril doses ≥1 mg/kg bwt resulted in serum ACE inhibition of at least 90%.

Main limitations

Small sample size and resulting low statistical power.

Conclusions

Attenuation of the rise in SBP in response to ANG‐I after administration of benazepril is modest in horses despite adequate serum ACE inhibition. A dose of 1 mg/kg bwt would be recommended for future investigations of benazepril for the management of cardiovascular diseases in horses.