bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Value relevance of R&D reporting in India: significance of intangible intensity
Authors: Kumari Pooja , Mishra Chandra Sekhar
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Fundamental shifting of the world toward intangible intensive economy raised an apprehension regarding value relevance of internally generated intangible assets. In the previous studies, research and development (R&D) expenditure is recognized as a significant accounting item, which can indicate potential internally generated intangible assets. This study aims to examine whether investors consider nature of intangible intensity of a firm for the evaluation of R&D expenditure to determine equity values in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors compared value relevance of capitalized and the expensed portion of R&D expenditure between intangible- and non-intangible-intensive firms. They adopted empirical model grounded on the generalized version of Ohlson’s (1995) model.

Findings

The findings of the study indicate that, in intangible-intensive (non-intangible) firms, the capitalized portion of expenditure is positively (negatively) significant and the expensed portion of R&D expenditure is negatively (positively) significant to explain equity values.

Practical implications

The findings of this study may have potential implication for the discussion on the accounting treatment of internally generated intangible assets based on the nature of intangible intensity of the firm. The study also suggests that while setting standards, standard-setters should consider nature of intangible intensity of the firm, which could disseminate the discrepancy between the market and book value of the equity.

Originality/value

The study provides evidence, how value relevance of R&D reporting is affected by the nature of intangible intensity of a firm.
Impact of IAS 39 reclassification on income smoothing by European banks
Authors: Ozili Peterson K.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of the reclassification of International accounting standard (IAS) 39 on income smoothing using loan loss provisions among European banks.

Design/methodology/approach

Regression methodology is used to determine the extent of income smoothing using loan loss provisions before and after IAS 39 reclassification. The authors predict that the strict recognition and re-classification requirements of IAS 139 reduced banks’ ability to smooth income using bank securities and derivatives, motivating them to rely more on loan loss provisions to smooth income. The authors test this hypothesis over a sample of 114 European banking institutions over the period 2005 to 2013.

Findings

The findings do not support the prediction for income smoothing through loan loss provisions. Also, there is no evidence for income smoothing in the pre- and post-IAS 39 reclassification period.

Research limitations/implications

The implication of the findings is that the European banks did not use loan loss provisions to smooth income during the period examined, and rather rely on other accounting numbers to smooth income. This implies that the International Accounting Standards Board’s strict disclosure regulation improved the reliability and informativeness of loan loss provision estimates among European banks during the period of analysis.

Originality/value

This study is the first attempt to analyze the effect of IAS 39 re-classification on bank’s ability to smooth income in Europe.
Whistleblowing over patient safety and care quality: a review of the literature
Authors: Blenkinsopp John , Snowden Nick , Mannion Russell , Powell Martin , Davies Huw , Millar Ross , McHale Jean
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review existing research on whistleblowing in healthcare in order to develop an evidence base for policy and research.

Design/methodology/approach

A narrative review, based on systematic literature protocols developed within the management field.

Findings

The authors identify valuable insights on the factors that influence healthcare whistleblowing, and how organizations respond, but also substantial gaps in the coverage of the literature, which is overly focused on nursing, has been largely carried out in the UK and Australia, and concentrates on the earlier stages of the whistleblowing process.

Research limitations/implications

The review identifies gaps in the literature on whistleblowing in healthcare, but also draws attention to an unhelpful lack of connection with the much larger mainstream literature on whistleblowing.

Practical implications

Despite the limitations to the existing literature important implications for practice can be identified, including enhancing employees’ sense of security and providing ethics training.

Originality/value

This paper provides a platform for future research on whistleblowing in healthcare, at a time when policymakers are increasingly aware of its role in ensuring patient safety and care quality.
Hong Kong regulation of crypto-related investments
Authors: Wong Michael
Published: October 2019

Purpose

To provide an overview of the Hong Kong regulatory regime for crypto-related investment products.

Design/methodology/approach

Describes the existing regulatory regime in Hong Kong for crypto-related investment products prior to November 2018 and, following circulars issued by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in November 2018, regulatory standards relating to virtual asset portfolio managers and fund distributors and a conceptual framework for potential regulation of virtual asset trading platform operators. Discusses the implications of the regulatory standards and conceptual framework.

Findings

The regulatory standards have aligned the requirements relating to crypto-related securities and futures contracts with those for crypto-related assets that do not fall within such definitions. The opt-in approach under the conceptual framework demonstrates that the SFC is actively trying to learn about the operations of platform operators and develop appropriate regulations accordingly.

Originality/value

Practical guidance from experienced lawyer with expertise in fund formation, fund investments and retail fund registration
The influence of business innovation with relationship of organizational learning and job satisfaction on market orientation
Authors: Al Idrus Salim , Ahmar Ansari Saleh , Abdussakir Abdussakir
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to reveal the effect of organizational learning on market orientation, job satisfaction on market orientation, organizational learning on business innovation, job satisfaction on business innovation and market orientation on business innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Research was designed to use quantitative approach to understand causal relationship of variables. partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to facilitate this approach. Questionnaire was given to 46 dairy cattle milk cooperatives in East Java, Indonesia.

Findings

Research findings are explained as follows: both high organizational learning and high job satisfaction can produce high market orientation, organizational learning reduces business innovation, job satisfaction increases business innovation and market orientation reduces business innovation of dairy cattle milk cooperatives in East Java, but this reduction is not statistically significant.

Research limitations/implications

This research has identified that business innovation is affected by job satisfaction, while market orientation is affected by organizational learning and job satisfaction. Next research shall be conducted on another business type or business group but in greater population.

Practical implications

It is expected that the results of this research will provide guidance for dairy cattle milk cooperatives in East Java concerning with how to improve market orientation and business innovation based on organizational learning and job satisfaction.

Originality/value

This research has determined factors that affect market orientation and examined its impact on business innovation after observing the aspects of organizational learning and job satisfaction.
Inclusion through use and membership of co-working spaces
Authors: Jeske Debora , Ruwe Theresa
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of co-working trends, drivers, and explore how the use of such workspaces may support employers wishing to increase the sense of belonging and acceptance of their mobile workers at work.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper reviews recent literature on co-working, relating this trend to changes in the nature of work, property management and the use of workplaces by employees. A particular focus concerns the social aspects of co-working which may be critical for supporting mobile workers’ sense of inclusion in a work community.

Findings

Co-working spaces provide important sources of support, learning and networking opportunities (and hence inclusion), which may offset the lack of community and opportunities that mobile workers face when working outside the main offices of their employers. The authors outline the practical implications as well as recommendations for employers interested in selecting or organising their own co-working spaces. Several research gaps are also delineated for researchers interested in this area.

Practical implications

The use of independent and consultancy-type co-working spaces offer new working opportunities for mobile workers employed in private, public and community organisations. The creation of corporate co-working spaces also provides new learning opportunities for employers that want to create and promote flexible as well as inclusive working environments for their mobile workers.

Originality/value

The research on co-working is relatively limited to date. The current paper provides an important overview of drivers and several starting point for employers interested in learning more about co-working.
Successful business intelligence implementation: a systematic literature review
Authors: El-Adaileh Nadeem Ali , Foster Scott
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic literature review to determine the factors that relate to successful business intelligence (BI) system implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has a collection of literature that highlights potential references in relation to factors for system implementation in relation to BI. There is the employment of “content analysis”, given that the study purpose is the achievement of deep understanding of the variety of factors of implementation that other researchers have previously identified.

Findings

An initial investigation of 38 empirical studies on the implementation of BI led to ten factors being compiled. Difficulties in implementation were found to exist in relation to the operationalisation of large numbers of factors within organisations. The implementation factors were analysed and then sorted into a descending order based upon their frequency of occurrence.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to consider BI implementation factors. Moreover, literature is collected from selected databases and journals from 1998 to 2018.

Practical implications

Researchers of BI may, within the future, develop models for the measurement of the implementation level of BI within industries along with the sustaining of them. Moreover, work-based learning industries can benefit by adopting the results of this study for the effective implementation of BI. The implementation factors can be seen as key constructs upon which there may be the undertaking of more statistical analyses.

Originality/value

The original output from this research can help researchers’ in the future in enhancing identification of studies that are relevant for the review of literature for their research.
Collaborative query reformulation in tourism information search
Authors: Du Jia Tina , Mohammad Arif Abu Shamim , Hansen Preben
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Collaborative information search (CIS) is a growing and significant research area. Query formulation and reformulation is an important search strategy in information search. However, limited research has investigated query behavior during CIS. The purpose of this paper is to characterize collaborative query reformulation (CQR) by exploring the sources of collaborative query (CQ) terms and the types and patterns of CQR in the context of tourism information search.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study was designed to investigate search query reformulation as tourists performed CIS on a devised interface. A total of 36 participants (in 18 pairs) took part in the study; data were documented in pre- and post-search questionnaires, search logs and chat logs.

Findings

The findings show that participants intermixed individual search and collaborative search during CIS. Participants constructed CQ terms mainly by selecting terms from individual search queries and discussion chat logs. Eight types of CQR were identified, with specialization (82 percent) accounting for the most used search tactics. At most times, participants were found to add terms to the previous query. Findings demonstrated 27 specific CQR patterns; in excess of two-third participants (69 percent) took only one move to reformulate CQ by adding terms, or replacing/using new words.

Practical implications

The results of this research can be used to inform the design of search systems supporting collaborative querying in CIS.

Originality/value

This study is highlighting an important research direction of CQ reformulation in collaborative search while previous studies of the topic are limited, comparing to the vast body of work on query reformulation in individual information search using regular search systems.
Quality of work life and Generation Y
Authors: Muskat Birgit , Reitsamer Bernd F.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how quality of work life (QWL) influences job satisfaction and to test if gender and organizational type moderate this relationship for Generation Y (Gen-Y).

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaire data were collected from 328 Gen-Y employees in European hospitality businesses. Drawing on generational theory, social role theory and person–environment (P–E) fit theory, the authors discuss how gender and organizational types (i.e. independent vs corporate structures) moderate Gen-Y’s QWL–job satisfaction relationship.

Findings

The findings of the paper are as follows: first, gender and organizational type influence the QWL–job satisfaction relationship for Gen-Y. Second, job security does not change job satisfaction levels for female employees while high levels of job security negatively influence job satisfaction for male employees. Third, receiving appreciation at work increases job satisfaction for both women and men but, when receiving little appreciation at work, women remain more satisfied. Fourth, having opportunities to contribute to decisions positively affects Gen-Y’s job satisfaction. Fifth, having the right to say is more important in independent organizations, while the opportunity to realize an employee’s own potential leads to higher job satisfaction in corporate organizations.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the limited empirical scholarly research, adding to a deeper understanding of influencing factors of Gen-Y’s QWL–job satisfaction relationship.
Occupational stress and its outcomes: the role of work-social support in the hospitality industry
Authors: Yousaf Saira , Rasheed Muhammad Imran , Hameed Zahid , Luqman Adeel
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to apply conservation of resource (COR) theory and the buffering hypothesis of social support to explore occupational stress and its negative outcomes such as job engagement and turnover intentions for front-line hospitality industry employees in the People’s Republic of China.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data were collected in two waves from 318 front-line employees in a chain of restaurants located in the eastern region of the People’s Republic of China.

Findings

Integrating COR theory and the buffering hypothesis of social support, job satisfaction is found to be a mediating mechanism in the relationships between occupational stress and job engagement and occupational stress and employee turnover intentions for front-line hospitality industry workers. Moreover, the authors found the boundary condition role of work-social support. The relationships between stress and its negative outcomes are weak for the employees receiving high social support at work.

Originality/value

This study calls for researchers’ attention towards the issues of occupational stress focussing on the implications of work-social support for front-line hospitality industry employees.
Culture also eats innovation for breakfast!
Authors: Oliver John J.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper examines the role that corporate culture plays in shaping firm performance. It specifically examines how a corporate crisis event resulted in adaptive cultural responses that may be inhibiting the level of firm innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

The research presents a longitudinal analysis of risk and innovation words contained in Barclays Plc corporate annual reports.

Findings

In the wake of corporate fraud and punitive charges, Barclays Plc introduced a number of new governance structures and a new code of conduct for employees. These initiatives moved the firm away from excessive risk taking, but may have also placed an emphasis on risk aversion at the expense of innovation.

Practical implications

The insight provided by this viewpoint and analysis may help CEOs and their management teams to better understand how changes in strategy, and or new corporate initiatives, create adaptive changes in culture. These changes, whilst making improvements in one area, may detract from performance in other parts of the firm.

Originality/value

This paper provides a highly original look at corporate culture and has employed an innovative methodology to underpin the analysis and subsequent viewpoint.
Depressive symptoms mediate the relationship between sleep disturbances and type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Peleg Ora , Cohen Ami , Haimov Iris
Published: October 2019

Background

The current study aimed at examining whether individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have more severe sleep disturbances compared to individuals who are healthy or have prediabetes and whether depressive symptoms mediate the relationship between sleep disturbances and having T2DM.

Methods

T2DM patients (n = 107) were compared to individuals with prediabetes (n = 48) and healthy individuals (n = 154) regarding the severity of depressive symptoms, measured via the Beck Depression Inventory‐II (BDI‐II), and sleep disturbances, measured via the Mini Sleep Questionnaire (MSQ). Mediation analysis examined whether depressive symptoms mediated the relationship between sleep disturbances and T2DM.

Results

Compared to healthy individuals and individuals with prediabetes, T2DM patients had more depressive symptoms and higher levels of insomnia, hypersomnia, and overall more sleep disturbances. The prediabetes group did not differ from the healthy control group on these measures, and these groups were thus combined for further analysis. Sleep disturbances were correlated with severity of depressive symptoms (r =0.43). After controlling for age, gender, and ethnic background, both severity of sleep disturbances (odds ratio [OR]: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01‐1.07, P <.001) and severity of depressive symptoms (OR: 8.54, 95% CI: 3.37‐21.69, P <.001) predicted T2DM. Depression symptoms mediated the relationship between sleep disturbances and T2DM, whereas the direct relationship between sleep disturbances and T2DM was nonsignificant.

Conclusions

The findings imply that sleep disturbances may contribute to the development and progression of T2DM by promoting depressive symptoms. Thus, treatments for the emotional distress associated with sleep disturbances may help reduce the risk for T2DM and the progression of the disease.
Assessment of fish communities using environmental DNA: Effect of spatial sampling design in lentic systems of different sizes
Authors: Zhang Shan , Lu Qi , Wang Yiyan , Wang Xiaomei , Zhao Jindong , Yao Meng
Published: October 2019

Freshwater fish biodiversity is quickly decreasing and requires effective monitoring and conservation. Environmental DNA (eDNA)‐based methods have been shown to be highly sensitive and cost‐efficient for aquatic biodiversity surveys, but few studies have systematically investigated how spatial sampling design affects eDNA‐detected fish communities across lentic systems of different sizes. We compared the spatial patterns of fish diversity determined using eDNA in three lakes of small (SL; 3 ha), medium (ML; 122 ha) and large (LL; 4,343 ha) size using a spatially explicit grid sampling method. A total of 100 water samples (including nine, 17 and 18 shoreline samples and six, 14 and 36 interior samples from SL, ML and LL, respectively) were collected, and fish communities were analysed using eDNA metabarcoding of the mitochondrial 12S region. Together, 30, 35 and 41 fish taxa were detected in samples from SL, ML, and LL, respectively. We observed that eDNA from shoreline samples effectively captured the majority of the fish diversity of entire waterbodies, and pooled samples recovered fewer species than individually processed samples. Significant spatial autocorrelations between fish communities within 250 m and 2 km of each other were detected in ML and LL, respectively. Additionally, the relative sequence abundances of many fish species exhibited spatial distribution patterns that correlated with their typical habitat occupation. Overall, our results support the validity of a shoreline sampling strategy for eDNA‐based fish community surveys in lentic systems but also suggest that a spatially comprehensive sampling design can reveal finer distribution patterns of individual species.
Population‐level predictors of changes in success rates of smoking quit attempts in England: a time series analysis
Authors: Beard Emma , Jackson Sarah E. , West Robert , Kuipers Mirte A. G. , Brown Jamie
Published: October 2019

Aims

To quantify associations between the success of smoking quit attempts and factors that have varied throughout 2007–2018 at a population level.

Design

time series analysis using Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average with Exogeneous Input (ARIMAX) modelling.

Setting and Participants

Data were aggregated from 54 847 past‐year smokers taking part in the Smoking Toolkit Study which involves monthly repeated cross‐sectional household surveys of individuals aged 16+ in England.

Measurements

The input series were: (1) attempts at smoking reduction using (a) e‐cigarettes and (b) nicotine replacement therapy (NRT); (2) use during a quit attempt of (a) e‐cigarettes, (b) NRT over‐the‐counter, (c) medication on prescription and (d) face‐to‐face behavioural support; (3) use of roll‐your‐own tobacco; (4) prevalence of (a) smoking and (b) non‐daily smoking; (5) tobacco control mass media expenditure; (6) expenditure on smoking; (7) smoker characteristics in the form of (a) high motivation to quit, (b) average age, (c) socio‐economic status and (d) cigarette consumption; (8) implementation of tobacco control policies; and (9) quit attempt rate.

Findings

The licensing of NRT for harm reduction was associated with a 0.641% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.073–1.209, P = 0.027] increase in the mean point prevalence of the success rate of quit attempts. For every 1% increase in the mean point prevalence of e‐cigarette use and use of prescription medication during a quit attempt, the mean point prevalence of successful quit attempts increased by 0.106% (95% CI = 0.011–0.201, P = 0.029) and 0.143% (95% CI = 0.009–0.279, P = 0.038), respectively. For every 1% increase in the mean expenditure on tobacco control mass media, the mean point prevalence of successful quit attempts increased by 0.046% (95% CI = 0.001–0.092, P = 0.046). Other associations were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

In England between 2007 and 2018, licensing of nicotine replacement therapy for use in harm reduction, greater use of e‐cigarettes and prescription medications during a quit attempt and higher expenditure on tobacco control mass media were all associated with higher success rates of quit attempts.
InDels within caprine IGF2BP1 intron 2 and the 3′‐untranslated regions are associated with goat growth traits
Authors: Wang Z. , Zhang X. , Jiang E. , Yan H. , Zhu H. , Chen H. , Liu J. , Qu L. , Pan C. , Lan X.
Published: October 2019

Insulin‐like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1) is involved in the Hedgehog pathway and has been shown to regulate the RNA stability of several growth‐related target genes. It is located in a quantitative trait locus showing a strong association with traits related to body size in ducks. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) also participates in Hedgehog signaling pathways and has been reported to be associated with organic growth and development. FGFR1‐knockout mice have been shown to have severe postnatal growth defects, including an approximately 50% reduction in body weight and bone mass. Meanwhile, nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay factor (SMG6) can maintain genomic stability, which is associated with organic growth and development. Therefore, we hypothesized that IGF2BP1, FGFR1 and SMG6 genes may play important roles in the growth traits of goats. In this study, the existence of two insertion/deletion (InDel) variants within IGF2BP1, one InDel within FGFR1 and two InDels within SMG6 was verified and their correlation with growth traits was analyzed in 2429 female Shaanbei white cashmere goats. Results showed both the 15 bp InDel in intron 2 and the 5 bp InDel in the 3′ regulatory region within IGF2BP1 were significantly associated with growth traits (P < 0.05) and goats with the combinatorial homozygous insertion genotypes of these two loci had the highest body weight (P = 0.046). The other InDels within FGFR1 and SMG6 were not obviously associated with growth traits (P > 0.05). Therefore, the two InDels in IGF2BP1 were vital mutations affecting goat growth traits.
Diagnosis of acute appendicitis and clinical outcomes following laparoscopic surgery: a cohort study
Authors: Aljoe James , Enoch Jade , Ferguson Jorgen S.
Published: October 2019

Background

The clinical assessment of appendicitis remains challenging, especially between genders and across age groups. Negative appendicectomy rates (NARs) can be as high as 43% and are significantly higher in the female population. Evidence suggests blood markers such as white blood cell count (WBC) and C‐reactive protein have poor predictive value. There is a lack of regional data assessing workup and outcomes following laparoscopic appendicectomy.

Method

A multi‐centre, retrospective study was performed. A database of adult patients undergoing laparoscopic appendicectomy at Manly and Mona Vale Hospitals (Sydney, Australia) was analysed with regard to clinical assessment and outcomes. The primary endpoint was histological confirmation of acute appendicitis (AA). Secondary endpoints were length of hospital stay, NAR, correlation between preoperative WBC and AA, and sensitivity of preoperative imaging.

Results

A total of 501 patients were included in the study. AA was confirmed in 91.2% of patients. The NAR was 8.8% across all subgroups. The NAR was 12.1% in women. 95.6% of patients had preoperative imaging. There was a statistically significant relationship between WBC and length of stay (P < 0.005), with elevated WBC correlating with increasing length of stay.

Conclusion

We concluded that preoperative WBC when elevated can be used as a marker for AA and also as a predictor for length of stay in hospital. We would also advocate the use of preoperative imaging in young women and children.
Preoperative cardiac and respiratory investigations do not predict cardio‐respiratory complications after pancreatectomy
Authors: Ashrafizadeh Amir , Mehta Shreya , Nahm Christopher B. , Doane Matthew , Samra Jaswinder S. , Mittal Anubhav
Published: October 2019

Background

The process of undergoing a pancreatic resection places a patient under notable physiologic strain throughout the perioperative journey, with well recognized risks of postoperative cardiopulmonary complications. Preoperative preparations and screening often incorporate a barrage of testing, including electrocardiograms, transthoracic echocardiography, chest X‐rays and spirometric evaluations. However, the current literature does not demonstrate whether these common tests provide any predictive correlation with postoperative cardiopulmonary complications. This retrospective study is structured to identify complications in post‐pancreatic resection patients and assess for a predictive correlation with preoperative test results.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of all patients having undergone a pancreatic resection at a single tertiary centre, between 2014 and 2016. The inpatient medical records were reviewed for 30‐day postoperative complications, including acute myocardial infarction, cardiac dysrhythmia, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia or pleural effusions. The results of routine preoperative diagnostic tests and complication rates were analysed.

Results

A total of 244 patients, median age of 66 years (range 18–88 years) were included in the study. Of these, 11 patients experienced a cardiac complication and 16 patients experienced a respiratory complication. Among those who experienced cardiac events, only two patients had abnormalities in their preoperative electrocardiograms. Patients who sustained a cardiac or respiratory event did not have any evidence of abnormality in their preoperative transthoracic echocardiography or respiratory investigations, respectively.

Conclusion

Despite the recommendation that high‐risk procedures such as pancreatic resections warrant thorough, routine, preoperative cardiac and respiratory investigation, a more functional preoperative assessment should be considered to stratify and predict postoperative outcomes.
Autoimmune conditions and primary central nervous system lymphoma risk among older adults
Authors: Mahale Parag , Herr Megan M. , Engels Eric A. , Pfeiffer Ruth M. , Shiels Meredith S.
Published: October 2019

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) risk is highly increased in immunosuppressed individuals, such as those with human immunodeficiency virus infection and solid organ transplant recipients, but rates are increasing among immunocompetent older adults (age ≥65 years). We utilized data from a large, nationally‐representative cohort of older adults in the United States and found that PCNSL is significantly associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, polyarteritis nodusa, autoimmune hepatitis, myasthenia gravis and uveitis. Immunosuppressive drugs given to treat these conditions may increase PCNSL risk, but these associations cannot explain the observed temporal increase in PCNSL rates, given the low prevalence of these conditions.
Dietary antioxidants remodel DNA methylation patterns in chronic disease
Authors: Beetch Megan , Harandi‐Zadeh Sadaf , Shen Kate , Lubecka Katarzyna , Kitts David D. , O'Hagan Heather M. , Stefanska Barbara
Published: October 2019

Chronic diseases account for over 60% of all deaths worldwide according to the World Health Organization reports. Majority of cases are triggered by environmental exposures that lead to aberrant changes in the epigenome, specifically, the DNA methylation patterns. These changes result in altered expression of gene networks and activity of signalling pathways. Dietary antioxidants, including catechins, flavonoids, anthocyanins, stilbenes and carotenoids, demonstrate benefits in the prevention and/or support of therapy in chronic diseases. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of potential epigenetic mechanisms of antioxidant compounds in reversing altered patterns of DNA methylation in chronic disease. Antioxidants remodel the DNA methylation patterns through multiple mechanisms, including regulation of epigenetic enzymes and chromatin remodelling complexes. These effects can further contribute to antioxidant properties of the compounds. On the other hand, decrease in oxidative stress itself can impact DNA methylation delivering additional link between antioxidant mechanisms and epigenetic effects of the compounds.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on The Pharmacology of Nutraceuticals. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v177.6/issuetoc
Language Clearly Matters; Methods Matter Too
Authors: Purpura David J.
Published: October 2019

Over two decades ago, the “30‐million‐word” gap rose to prominence after work by Hart & Risley (1995) suggested that children from families with low socioeconomic status (SES) heard fewer words than their peers from families with higher SES during their first 4 years of life. Recent research challenges the magnitude and even existence of this gap. However, due to methodological limitations, we know very little about the presence, magnitude, and settings in which there may be a word gap. Moreover, causal evidence is also limited. I highlight why it is critical for the field to have a more precise understanding of the nature of the word gap (or lack thereof) and potential avenues for better evaluating this phenomenon.
How to dissect the plasticity of antigen-specific immune response: a tissue perspective
Authors: Amodio D , Santilli V , Zangari P , Cotugno N , Manno E C , Rocca S , Rossi P , Cancrini C , Finocchi A , Chassiakos A , Petrovas C , Palma P
Published: October 2019

Generation of antigen-specific humoral responses following vaccination or infection requires the maturation and function of highly specialized immune cells in secondary lymphoid organs (SLO), such as lymph nodes or tonsils. Factors that orchestrate the dynamics of these cells are still poorly understood. Currently, experimental approaches that enable a detailed description of the function of the immune system in SLO have been mainly developed and optimized in animal models. Conversely, methodological approaches in humans are mainly based on the use of blood-associated material because of the challenging access to tissues. Indeed, only few studies in humans were able to provide a discrete description of the complex network of cytokines, chemokines and lymphocytes acting in tissues after antigenic challenge. Furthermore, even fewer data are currently available on the interaction occurring within the complex micro-architecture of the SLO. This information is crucial in order to design particular vaccination strategies, especially for patients affected by chronic and immune compromising medical conditions who are under-vaccinated or who respond poorly to immunizations. Analysis of immune cells in different human tissues by high-throughput technologies, able to obtain data ranging from gene signature to protein expression and cell phenotypes, is needed to dissect the peculiarity of each immune cell in a definite human tissue. The main aim of this review is to provide an in-depth description of the current available methodologies, proven evidence and future perspectives in the analysis of immune mechanisms following immunization or infections in SLO.
Estimating vocal fold stiffness: Using the relationship between subglottic pressure and fundamental frequency of phonation as an analog
Authors: Tseng Wen‐Hsuan , Chang Chi‐Chin , Yang Tsung‐Lin , Hsiao Tzu‐Yu
Published: October 2019

Objective

The stiffness of the vocal folds is an important factor in voice production, yet clinically applicable measurements are still lacking. It has been demonstrated in an in vivo canine model that fundamental frequency (F0) increased linearly as subglottic pressure (Ps) increased, but with a lesser slope for higher levels of vocal fold tension. In this study, the relationship between F0 and Ps was investigated using the airflow interruption method in awake patients non‐invasively.

Design

Healthy volunteers enrolled for evaluation.

Setting

Single‐centre.

Participants

Thirty‐three healthy volunteers aged 20 and older were recruited, with one excluded for a recent asthma attack.

Main outcome measures

The relationships between F0 and Ps, described as the slope (Hz/kPa), were investigated when the participants sustained voicing the vowel/o/at 3 incremental frequencies 4 semitones apart in the modal register (F1, F2 and F3).

Results

Thirty‐two healthy volunteers (20 females, 12 males) aged 20‐47 years were enrolled for final analyses. There was a statistically significant difference in the slopes of the linear regression lines of F0‐Ps, depending on the frequency with which the vowel/o/ was produced (P < .001). The slope differed significantly between F2 and F1 (P < .001; P = .015), F3 and F1 (P < .001; P = .002) and F3 and F2 (P < .001; P = .005) for both women and men, respectively.

Conclusions

It was demonstrated that the higher the vocal fold tension, the smaller the slope between F0 and Ps. Using the relationship between F0 and Ps as an analog of vocal fold stiffness is potentially practical for clinical application.
Trend of relevant contact allergens of the feet in Spain over a period of 10 years
Authors: Rodríguez‐Jiménez Pedro , Descalzo Miguel A. , Giménez Arnau Ana M. , Silvestre Juan F. , García Gavín Juan , Fernández Redondo Virginia , Ruiz González Inmaculada , Mercader García Pedro , Armario‐Hita José C. , Sánchez‐Pérez Javier
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) of the feet accounts for approximately 10% of all patch tested patients.

Objective

To study the clinical profile of patients with feet dermatitis and relevant contact allergens in Spain over a 10‐year period.

Methods

Retrospective observational study of patients with suspected ACD from the GEIDAC (Spanish Research Group on Contact Dermatitis and Cutaneous Allergy) baseline series from eight hospitals in Spain between 2004 and 2014. The clinical data collected from each patient were age, sex, occupation, history of atopic dermatitis, and eczema location.

Results

A total of 450 cases clinically presented dermatitis affecting the feet; of these, 41% of were males and 5.6% were suspected to be of occupational origin. As much as 47% were diagnosed with ACD, 20% with atopic dermatitis/dyshidrotic eczema, and 5% with psoriasis. The “feet group” included statistically significantly more females in the age range of 21 to 60 years. The most frequent relevant contact allergens were potassium dichromate, cobalt(II) chloride, p‐tert‐butylphenol formaldehyde resin, mercapto mix, and mercaptobenzothiazole.

Conclusions

ACD is the most frequent clinical diagnosis of feet dermatitis in our series. The most frequent allergens are similar to those published in other series of foot ACD in Europe and the trend has not changed in the studied decade.
Transitions in Payments for Ecosystem Services in Guatemala: Embedding Forestry Incentives into Rural Development Value Systems
Authors: vonHedemann Nicolena
Published: October 2019

Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) programmes increasingly reflect multiple stakeholder demands and rarely operate in market form. In Guatemala, the earliest forestry incentives — a form of PES — benefited larger landowners and functioned as subsidies for both extractive forest production and ecosystem services. Smallholders and indigenous communal land managers in Guatemala campaigned for PES programmes to meet their needs, leading to the creation of a second programme that focuses on improving rural development, coupled with ecosystem services. This article examines how these historically marginalized groups have used PES as an opportunity to engage with the state and demand embedded development that more strongly reflects their values of forests and their desired relationship with the Guatemalan state. As a result of this activism, these Guatemalan forestry incentives reach smallholders more successfully than PES programmes in many other countries. However, more far‐reaching changes in land use are tempered by power imbalances and structural inequalities that are unaddressed and, in fact, reinforced by PES programmes, such as underfunding, narrow conceptions of land ownership, and unequal representation.
Hybrid Outcomes of Payments for Ecosystem Services Policies in Vietnam: Between Theory and Practice
Authors: McElwee Pamela , Huber Bernhard , Nguyễn Thị Hải Vân
Published: October 2019

Vietnam has had a national Payments for Forest Environmental Services (PFES) policy in place since 2010, which transfers money for forest protection from water and energy users to households who live in upland watersheds. However, despite a loose resemblance to general Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) principles, implementation in Vietnam differs strongly from a theoretical ideal, and has a number of unique features, including: strong state involvement in transactions; no use of markets to set payments; poor definition and monitoring of ecosystem services; and the adoption of non‐conditional incentives that strongly resemble livelihood subsidies for poor rural areas. The form that PES takes in Vietnam has been shaped by institutional histories of forest management that have envisioned a strong role for the state and for financial transfers to the rural uplands. At the same time, PES has also been influenced by active engagement and agency of central and local government actors, and local payment recipients, and key areas in which they have impacted PES design include shared governance and more equitable benefit distribution models. These institutional priorities and local values that have shaped PES policy and implementation in Vietnam have led to a hybrid model, full of contradictions and compromises, that neither fits a classical definition nor resembles neoliberal conservation outcomes, and whose success is difficult to judge.
Escalating low‐dose Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol exposure during adolescence induces differential behavioral and neurochemical effects in male and female adult rats
Authors: Poulia Nafsika , Delis Foteini , Brakatselos Charalampos , Lekkas Panagiotis , Kokras Nikolaos , Dalla Christina , Antoniou Katerina
Published: October 2019

Cannabinoid administration during adolescence affects various physiological processes, such as motor and affective response, cognitive‐related functions and modulates neurotransmitter activity. Literature remains scant concerning the parallel examination of the effects of adolescent escalating low‐dose Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9‐THC) on the behavioral and plasticity profile of adult rats in both sexes. Herein, we investigated the long‐term behavioral, neurochemical and neurobiological effects of adolescent escalating low Δ9‐THC doses in adult male and female rats. In adult males, adolescent low‐dose Δ9‐THC exposure led to increased spontaneous locomotor activity, impaired behavioral motor habituation and defective short‐term spatial memory, paralleled with decreased BDNF protein levels in the prefrontal cortex. In this brain area, serotonergic activity was increased, as depicted by the increased serotonin turnover rate, while the opposite effect was observed in the hippocampus, a region where SERT levels were enhanced by Δ9‐THC, compared with vehicle. In adult females, adolescent Δ9‐THC treatment led to decreased spontaneous vertical activity and impaired short‐term spatial memory, accompanied by increased BDNF protein levels in the prefrontal cortex. Present findings emphasize the key role of adolescent escalating low Δ9‐THC exposure in the long‐term regulation of motor response, spatial‐related cognitive functions and neuroplasticity indices in adulthood. In this framework, these changes could, at a translational level, contribute to clinical issues suggesting the development of psychopathology in a sex‐differentiated manner following Δ9‐THC exposure during adolescence.
Neighbour species richness and local structural variability modulate aboveground allocation patterns and crown morphology of individual trees
Authors: Kunz Matthias , Fichtner Andreas , Härdtle Werner , Raumonen Pasi , Bruelheide Helge , von Oheimb Goddert
Published: October 2019

Local neighbourhood interactions are considered a main driver for biodiversity–productivity relationships in forests. Yet, the structural responses of individual trees in species mixtures and their relation to crown complementarity remain poorly understood. Using a large‐scale forest experiment, we studied the impact of local tree species richness and structural variability on above‐ground wood volume allocation patterns and crown morphology. We applied terrestrial laser scanning to capture the three‐dimensional structure of trees and their temporal dynamics. We found that crown complementarity and crown plasticity increased with species richness. Trees growing in species‐rich neighbourhoods showed enhanced aboveground wood volume both in trunks and branches. Over time, neighbourhood diversity induced shifts in wood volume allocation in favour of branches, in particular for morphologically flexible species. Our results demonstrate that diversity‐mediated shifts in allocation pattern and crown morphology are a fundamental mechanism for crown complementarity and may be an important driver of overyielding.
Epiploic foramen entrapment of the large colon in a 9‐month‐old Thoroughbred filly
Authors: Schambourg M. A. , Nodin M. , Bussy C.
Published: October 2019

A 9‐month‐old Thoroughbred filly was presented for colic of a few hours’ duration. Examination revealed tachycardia at 64 beats/min, and a colon displaced to the right with wall oedema on ultrasound. After an hour of intravenous fluid therapy, the filly became restless and exploratory laparotomy was performed. Impaction and incarceration of the large colon up to the caeco‐colic fold through the epiploic foramen (EF) were diagnosed. After evacuating the colonic contents through a pelvic flexure enterotomy, theEFentrapment (EFE) was reduced. The large colon appeared congested with a fragile serosa, serosal tear at its antimesenteric aspect, and amotile for the remainder of the surgery. Colon motility resumed as evidenced by ultrasonographic examination on the second day post‐surgery, and despite pasty diarrhoea, the filly made a complete and uneventful recovery and was alive at 6 months’ follow‐up. Epiploic foramen entrapment of the large colon is very rare but should be included as a differential diagnosis of colon displacements, even in young horses, requiring prompt surgical resolution.